China-Singapore connectivity initiative yields fruitful results Xinhua) 17:02, November 10, 2025 CHONGQING, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Over the past decade, the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity has emerged as a flagship project for international cooperation, successfully enhancing connectivity between China's western regions and Southeast Asia. Marking its 10th anniversary, the initiative, launched on Nov. 7, 2015, stands as the third major inter-governmental collaboration between China and Singapore, following the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park in east China and China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City in north China. A press conference held on Monday highlighted five key achievements covering trade, financing, data, air connectivity and people-to-people exchanges -- as major steps in boosting connectivity. The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, for example, has become a logistics artery for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As of the end of October, it had connected to 581 ports in 127 countries and regions, helping drive total trade value between western China and ASEAN to over 1 trillion yuan (about 141 billion U.S. dollars) -- a remarkable increase of 75.3 percent since its launch. Facilitating capital flow for the BRI, a cross-border financing corridor has, meanwhile, catalyzed a cumulative cross-border financing value of 21.7 billion U.S. dollars over the past decade. People-to-people exchanges have also been boosted along with bilateral trade. Official data shows the Chongqing-Singapore air route had witnessed a passenger volume of 252,400 trips in 2024 -- a surge of 237.3 percent year on year, according to Sun Xiyong, deputy director of the Chongqing Commerce Commission. The two sides have also become major tourist destinations for their respective citizens, with themed cultural events developing into signature exchange platforms. "Differing from the Suzhou and Tianjin projects, the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative is distinctively defined by enhancing connectivity, driving development in western China and pioneering institutional innovation," said Li An, deputy head of the department of Asian affairs of the Ministry of Commerce. "It is not merely a flagship Belt and Road project for China and Singapore -- but has become a vital platform for the inland west to go global." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) China tightens precursor chemical exports, mandates licenses for U.S., Mexico, Canada Xinhua) 09:35, November 11, 2025 BEIJING, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday added the United States, Mexico and Canada to a list of countries requiring special export licenses for specific precursor chemicals. The new rule, effective immediately, was jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Emergency Management, the General Administration of Customs and the National Medical Products Administration. The adjustment involves revising the management catalog of precursor chemicals for export to specific countries or regions, as well as the catalog of specific countries or regions -- officially adding the United States, Mexico and Canada to the latter. Furthermore, 13 specific types of precursor chemicals were included in the management catalog, with the new controls explicitly targeting exports to these three North American countries. Exporters are now required to apply for a license when exporting related chemicals to the United States, Mexico or Canada. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) November 11, 2025: Currently Ukraine has 261 aircraft. Thirty four percent are jet fighters including twelve F-16s. Eventually they will have more than sixty F-16s but it takes time to train pilots and maintainers and prepare airbases for them to operate from. The F-16s have some unique assignments in Ukraine. Because the air defenses on both sides are so robust, no one has air superiority and keep their aircraft out of range of enemy air defense systems. The F-16s are most useful as another air defense weapon to destroy Russian cruise missile attacks. One F-16 destroyed six of these missiles in one sortie during December 2024, which might make its pilot an ace depending on the definition of ace which historically meant downing five fighter aircraft. The F-16s have proved invaluable as a last line of defense against cruise missiles that got past the air defenses. The Russian style of air control has jet fighters operating under the orders of ground controllers. Ukraine uses the more flexible Western method, where pilots are briefed before takeoff on where to go and what to attack. After that its the pilots choice when and how he carries out these attacks. Ukrainian pilots found the F-16s easier to operate than the Russian-designed aircraft they previously used. The F-16s are more reliable and, as they are equipped with more of the NATO standard aircraft electronics, pilots find they can detect and destroy targets much more quickly. This ability to operate autonomously means that Russian jamming efforts have little impact. Additional Ukraine Airforce/UAF aircraft received from NATO include French Mirage 2000 fighters. These aircraft are equipped with modern radars and electronic warfare systems and have proved very effective in detecting and destroying incoming Russian missiles and large attack drones. Ukraine still operates Russian-made aircraft Ukraine obtained before hostilities with Russia began in 2014, These aircraft include several dozen MiG-29s, SU-27s, and Su-25 ground attack aircraft. Once more the war in Ukraine revealed major changes in how wars are fought, this time in the air. The extensive use of drones is more effective than manned aircraft. With drones you can afford to take heavy losses to reach a target. F-16s cost about $50 million each. The average long-range drone cost is about a thousand dollars. Fifty thousand drones can inflict a lot more damage than an F-16 and dont put pilots at risk. Air defense systems have become cheaper, more numerous and more effective. Against drones the air defenses are usually using a missile costing from a few hundred thousand dollars to a few million to take down one drone that cost, at most, a few thousand dollars to build. Both Ukraine and Russia are developing drones that intercept and destroy other drones. If the war in Ukraine has demonstrated one thing, its that the widespread use of inexpensive drones have changed air ground and naval warfare. HCM CITY A scientific seminar held in HCM City on Monday (November 10) called for developing a vaccinology module for postgraduate students, saying it would strengthen preventive healthcare and support lifelong immunisation programmes to meet the needs of an ageing society. Strategic Directions for Vaccinology Curriculum in Postgraduate Programmes: Needs, Emerging Trends, and Practical Actions organised by the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at HCM City (UMP HCMC) and GSK Pharma Viet Nam Company Limited (GSK Viet Nam) attracted delegates from health organisations, international experts and medical university chiefs from across the country. Assoc. Prof. Ngo Quoc at, rector of UMP HCMC, said the seminar sought to discuss the development of a postgraduate vaccinology curriculum to strengthen preventive healthcare and promote a sustainable health system as Viet Nams population ages rapidly. Many countries have included vaccinology in medical education to enhance healthcare professionals knowledge and skills in immunisation counselling and practice. Viet Nam has around 12 million people aged 60 and above, a figure projected to rise to 21 million by 2035. The countrys life expectancy is around 74 years, but healthy life expectancy remains at around 65, meaning most people spend nearly a decade in poor health. Experts said this makes preventive healthcare, particularly immunisation, increasingly vital. Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, emeritus professor at the University of Nottingham School of Medicine and former deputy chief medical officer for England, gave insights into the UKs vaccination strategies and vaccinology training. Adult immunisation could generate up to 19 times the value of the initial investment when considering its overall economic and social benefits, he said. Viet Nam is taking an important step by prioritising preventive medicine and promoting life-course immunisation. Experts at the seminar said the new curriculum would cover next-generation vaccines and the use of artificial intelligence in vaccine research and epidemiological surveillance to enhance the effectiveness of disease prevention. In the afternoon session more than 400 students, including postgraduate learners, participated in discussions on fostering innovative thinking and adaptive skills among healthcare professionals. As part of its efforts to promote healthy ageing, the university will also host another workshop, titled Effective Vaccination Strategies for an Ageing World, on Tuesday. It will focus on disease prevention, personalised immunisation schedules and adult vaccination guidelines. Assoc. Prof. Phung Nguyen The Nguyen, dean of the School of Medicine at UMP HCMC, said collaboration with GSK Viet Nam and experts such as Van-Tam would give future doctors access to updated international knowledge on immunisation and preventive medicine. Dr. Pham Thi My Lien, president of GSK Viet Nam, said the company is proud to support the university in integrating vaccinology into medical training. Embedding vaccine modules in medical education will help build a solid foundation for future preventive medicine, empowering doctors to incorporate vaccination into patient care, especially for older adults and people with chronic conditions. The vaccinology and virology curriculum is expected to be incorporated into postgraduate programmes from 2026, with plans to train more than 2,000 doctors each year and expand nationwide by 2027. VNS NINH BINH The governing council of To Hien Thanh High School, a private institution in Hai Hau Commune, the northern province of Ninh Binh, has agreed to dismiss its chairman, Nguyen Van at, following the emergence of videos showing him engaging in inappropriate behaviour with several women inside his office. Nguyen Van Thuan, deputy director of the Ninh Binh's Department of Education and Training, confirmed that the schools council had met and reached a unanimous decision to remove at from his position as chairman. The decision was made after it was verified that ats conduct in the viral videos was highly improper, and the fact that it took place within his office on the school premises worsen the matters. According to the department, the videos and images which have been widely shared on social media over recent days, drawing public ire, and to a lesser part, mockery showed a man identified as at being intimate with multiple women in his office. In several clips, he appeared to cover a security camera before the incidents occurred, but footage was still recorded and later leaked online. The timestamps indicated the acts took place between 2024 and early 2025. Ninh Binh's education department has also requested that police investigate those responsible for spreading false claims that the man in the video was the schools principal or a teacher. at was the chairman of the schools governing council, not part of its teaching staff or management board, and stressed that the misinformation had damaged the reputation of educators, Thuan said. The sex scandal has drawn widespread attention and criticism from the public since the clips went online over the weekend, highlighting concerns over professional ethics and accountability in educational institutions. A spokesperson for the provincial education department said further disciplinary or legal measures would depend on the ongoing investigations findings. at himself has not made any public statement regarding the matter. Vu Van Ky, Chairman of the Hai Hau Commune Peoples Committee, said that immediately after learning of the incident, the committee directed the commune police to launch an investigation and verification. At the same time, the school was asked to report on the matter, take measures to stabilise the morale of teachers, parents, and students, and ensure that teaching and learning activities continue as normal without disruption. VNS HA NOI Viet Nams Ministry of Health has granted market authorisation to Pembroria, a Russian-made anti-cancer drug containing the active ingredient pembrolizumab, along with 13 other vaccines and biological products. Under Decision No. 628/Q-QLD, signed on October 31 by DAV Director Vu Tuan Cuong, 14 vaccines and biologicals were approved for three-year circulation in Viet Nam as part of the ministrys 57th registration round. Pembroria (with the main active pharmaceutical ingredient being Pembrolizumab, at dosage 100mg/4ml packaged into one bottle), produced by the Russian company Limited Liability PK-137 and registered through a firm based in the United Arab Emirates, is formulated as a concentrated solution for intravenous infusion. It has a shelf life of 24 months from the date of manufacture. Notably, according to information provided by the registrant, pembrolizumab is used in treating more than 14 types of cancer, including lung carcinoma, melanoma, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and breast cancer. Cancer remains a growing health burden in Viet Nam. The GLOBOCAN 2022 report estimated 180,480 new cancer cases and 120,184 deaths nationwide, with breast, liver, lung and colorectal cancers among the most common. Current cancer treatments in Viet Nam include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy areas in which new-generation drugs like pembrolizumab play an increasingly important role. Besides Pembroria, the latest authorisation round also includes vaccines and biologicals used in the treatment of stroke, lupus, osteoporosis, skin diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, blood disorders, and multiple sclerosis. Under the decision, manufacturers and registrants are required to guarantee that the production and supply of medicines conform to dossiers submitted to the Ministry of Health. They must maintain compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards and promptly report to the ministry within 15 days if the production licence is revoked or GMP certification withdrawn by the competent authority in the producing country. The registrant must also coordinate with healthcare facilities to comply with existing regulations on prescription drugs, monitor the drugs safety and efficacy among Vietnamese patients, and submit periodic reports on adverse effects and usage outcomes. The drug administration further instructed the company to provide quarterly updates on the progress of its ongoing phase III immunogenicity studies and to submit supplementary data once the research is completed. Prof. Dr. Le Van Quang, Director of K (Cancer) Hospital, told Tien Phong newspaper that the hospital will soon introduce this drug into treatment for patients. According to Prof. Quang, this drug is not yet covered by health insurance. Currently, the cost of Pembroria is about VN18 million (US$580)/bottle. Patients usually use 2 bottles for 1 treatment course. VNS A NANG The Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority has received emergency relief supplies from the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) to support individuals affected by recent floods in the central city of a Nang. The authority, which operates under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, said on November 11 that a relief flight landed at a Nang International Airport at noon the same day, marking the first of three shipments from the AHA Centre. The consignment includes 3,648 family kits, 1,999 kitchen sets, and 3,000 personal hygiene kits, with an estimated value of over US$264,000. The remaining two flights are scheduled to arrive on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. The Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee of a Nang will distribute the supplies to residents in areas heavily affected by the prolonged rains and floods in late October and early November. The recent flooding, which persisted for many days, caused severe damage across the city, leaving dozens dead, four missing, and 47 injured, along with material losses exceeding VN837 billion (US$31.8 million). The a Nang Civil Defence Command reported that from October 25 to 31, the city recorded historic rainfall, with total precipitation in many localities surpassing 1,000 mm, the highest being 1,548 mm in Tra Giap Commune. Prolonged downpours led to widespread inundation and serious landslides, paralysing traffic and isolating several communes and wards, including Hoi An. In October, the AHA Centre also provided humanitarian assistance for residents hit by storms and floods in the northern province of Cao Bang. VNA/VNS Titled "Sustainability reporting: Track your progress to create decision-useful information", the research gathered input from more than 1,000 professionals across 113 jurisdictions and combined it with findings from global roundtables and interviews, providing a wide-ranging assessment of corporate readiness worldwide. While sustainability is steadily rising on corporate agendas, the report shows that progress remains uneven. Just over half of surveyed organisations (53 per cent) have begun to create or use sustainability information, yet 39 per cent have yet to make any commitment. Among those that do collect data, only 16 per cent of senior management and boards currently use these insights to guide major business decisions. This suggests that for many companies, sustainability continues to function as a parallel activity rather than being fully integrated into core operations. Photo: ACCA Vietnam The study highlights the practical challenges organisations face in gathering and applying sustainability data. Many companies find it difficult to identify critical resources or assess the information needs of diverse stakeholders. At the core of decision-useful information is an appreciation of the factors, society, geopolitics, geoeconomics, finance, the environment, and more, that can affect the resources an organisation depends upon. When those stakeholders or their resources are impacted, there are often direct financial consequences, the report explains. According to Sharon Machado, head of sustainable business at ACCA, leadership commitment emerges as a key determinant of progress. Where boards and executives actively take responsibility for sustainability outcomes, organisations are more likely to invest in the systems, processes, and skills needed to produce credible and actionable information. Organisation leaders must look ahead to understand and act upon the risks most threatening their organisations resilience and the ability to create sustainable value. Sustainability needs to be embedded into the heart of business strategy, not treated as a separate exercise, Machado told VIR. Regulatory requirements continue to drive sustainability reporting, cited by 71 per cent of respondents as a key motivator. However, ACCA notes that compliance alone is insufficient to deliver meaningful progress. The report observes that organisations focusing solely on meeting mandatory requirements miss the opportunity to improve decision-making, attract investment, and strengthen stakeholder trust. To address this, ACCA advocates adopting globally consistent standards and fostering stronger cross-sector collaboration. About 30 per cent of respondents reported benefiting from partnerships across industries and regions to enhance reporting capabilities. Such cooperation can help businesses overcome resource constraints, share best practices, and align reporting frameworks in line with international standards, the report states. Professional accountants are positioned to play a pivotal role in this transformation. Their expertise in financial measurement, governance, and assurance enables them to bridge the gap between sustainability and finance. Professional accountants must champion sustainability and help create decision-useful information that drives strategic action, the study adds. For emerging markets such as Vietnam, these insights carry practical relevance. With regulators and investors increasingly emphasising environmental, social, and governance transparency, local firms are stepping up disclosure practices and aligning with international benchmarks. Adoption of standards such as those from the International Sustainability Standards Board helps enhance the comparability and credibility of sustainability reports, supporting both investor confidence and business resilience. The ACCA report further reinforces that sustainability information is not an optional add-on but a central element of modern business decision-making. Sustainability impacts everyone who provides and uses resources. It can threaten organisational resilience and also present opportunities for sustainable profits, the report concludes, highlighting the growing necessity for organisations to integrate sustainability and financial considerations in a cohesive, strategic manner. Vietnams audit frontier in the age of AI technology As Vietnam rises as one of ASEANs AI frontrunners, the national auditing industry stands at a defining crossroads where technology meets human judgment and innovation demands integrity. Talking to VIRs Hazy Tran, ACCAs global president Ayla Majid shared that the future of public auditing and public financial management will belong to those who balance intelligence with ethics. ACCA and VPBank join forces to elevate Vietnams financial talent to global standards ACCA and VPBank have entered into a strategic partnership, marking a new milestone in the development of financial and accounting talent aligned with international standards, and reaffirming the bank's emerging role in global integration. International guests enjoy tea at the Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue 2024. Photo: Le Toan The forum is the largest international event of the year organised by Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee under the direct guidance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. With the theme Green Transition in the Digital Age, the forum is expected to gather over 1,500 domestic and international delegates, with a series of flagship activities. The forum has received strong support from the World Economic Forum (WEF), along with the participation of globally renowned organisations and institutions such as UNESCO, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the International Telecommunication Union, and the global network of Fourth Industrial Revolution Centres (C4IR). This year's forum will bring together major corporations in technology, logistics, energy, finance, and smart cities, as well as leading academic and research institutions from Vietnam and around the world. Among them are Foxconn Industrial Internet, Schneider Electric, Siemens, MassRobotics, Qualcomm, Ant Group, Sunwah Group, Huawei, the University of Hong Kong, Seoul National University, the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies, RMIT University Vietnam, CMC, Nam A Bank, Thaco Group, and Viettel. The series of major events begins on the morning of November 25 with an inspirational youth talk show, Intelligent Generation NOW. Stephan Mergenthaler, managing director of the WEF, will share insights and inspire young people, the startup community, and young entrepreneurs with a global vision for advancing the greendigital transition and smart economic development. On the afternoon of November 25, the CEO500 TEA CONNECT programme will take place under the theme Ho Chi Minh City: Towards a Global Mega-City in the Digital Age. This high-level dialogue between the government, the city, and more than 500 business leaders will focus on public-private partnership models, green investment strategies, technological renewal, and modern urban governance. The event is also an occasion for the City to introduce its development strategy for 20262030, with a vision to 2045, and present key projects calling for investment. Notably, CEO500 TEA CONNECT will witness the announcement of a series of strategic cooperation programmes between regulatory agencies, innovation centres, and leading domestic and international corporations, covering key sectors such as semiconductors, AI, space technology, logistics and seaports, international finance, and mobilising overseas Vietnamese resources for science and technology. On the morning of November 26, the forum's plenary session will open, featuring welcome remarks from the PM, Ho Chi Minh City's leaders, and an online message from Brge Brende, president and CEO of the WEF. During this session, delegates will also hear messages from leaders of international organisations and governments of Vietnam's strategic partner countries on trends in green-digital economic development, smart economic models, sustainable supply chains, and urban governance. Three parallel panel discussions will then dive deeper into core issues related to Vietnam's and the region's dual transition towards a smart economy. High-level delegates will join a luncheon with government leaders. This will serve as a platform for intensive discussions among the government, the city, the WEF, foreign leaders, global organisations, and international businesses on cooperation strategies, technology transfer, and innovation for sustainable development. In the afternoon, the forum will continue with a series of key policy dialogues, including a high-level policy dialogue between the PM and WEF leaders. The session will outline strategic cooperation directions in green economics, high-tech industries, AI, and innovation. The city and WEF will also jointly announce a joint declaration on an initiative to promote smart manufacturing and responsible industrial transformation in Vietnam, a major milestone connecting Vietnam to WEF's global innovation network, and the first Vietnam-WEF global initiative on smart manufacturing for developing countries. Throughout the event, numerous side activities will be held, including conferences, thematic seminars, investment promotion programmes, and business networking sessions organised by global C4IR centres, ministries, localities, and international corporations, helping spread the spirit of publicprivate cooperation and sustainable innovation. During the forum, the 3rd Ho Chi Minh City Green Growth Products and Services Exhibition (GRECO 2025) will open at Nguyen Hue street. The exhibition will underscore the city's commitment to promoting sustainable development, encouraging innovation, and promoting green technology transfer to businesses and the public. On the evening of November 25, government leaders will host a state banquet welcoming international delegations, global organisations, and strategic partners, reflecting Vietnam's openness, cooperative spirit, and deep international integration. Prior to the banquet, high-level delegates will participate in city experiences such as a flower-offering ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Statue and a visit to the Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Symbol for commemorative photos. Ho Chi Minh City sets bold vision as mega metropolis A conference between city leaders and the foreign-invested business community opened in Ho Chi Minh City on October 30. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, exports to Mexico surged 34.7 times in value on-year. In the first eight months alone, Mexicos coffee imports from Vietnam were 90 times higher than in the same period of 2024. For the 2024-2025 crop year (from October 2024 to September 2025), data from the Department of Vietnam Customs showed that Mexico imported 37,627 tonnes of Vietnamese coffee worth $195.2 million, up 13.5 times in volume and 16.7 times in value compared to the previous crop year. The Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (VICOFA) described this as an extraordinary increase for a country that is itself among the worlds top coffee exporters. VICOFA considers Mexico a promising market for Vietnamese agricultural products, particularly coffee. Around 80 per cent of Mexican households consume instant coffee, which is primarily made from Robusta beans, a variety in which Vietnam leads global exports. However, VICOFA also advises Vietnamese exporters to focus on product quality and technical compliance, as Mexico maintains strict import standards. According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Mexicos 20242025 coffee output remains stable at 3.87 million 60 kg bags (equivalent to around 232,000 tonnes), including 3.53 million bags of Arabica and 340,000 bags of Robusta. Its green coffee exports are expected to reach 1.39 million 60kg bags, suggesting that domestic supply remains sufficient. For the 2025-2026 crop year, the USDA forecasts that Mexico will import around 1.93 million bags of coffee, an increase of 4.04 per cent from the previous year. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code Last July the Yemeni National Resistance Forces/NRF, led by Yemeni General Tareq Saleh, was responsible for the seizure of more than 750 tons of munitions and military equipment meant for the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The captured items included several hundred modern cruise, anti-ship, and anti-aircraft missiles, along with warheads, seekers, and other items. There were also hundreds of drone engines, air defense radar systems, and communications equipment. Accompanying them were assembly and operating documents and instruction manuals written in Farsi, the Iranian language. These revealed that weapons and equipment were accompanying the weapons, were manufactured by a firm that supplied the Iranian Ministry of Defense. This firm, and Iran in general, are currently sanctioned by the United States. Last year the Houthi Shia rebels in Yemen, armed by decades of smuggled Iranian weapons shipments, sought to block commercial shipping from entering the Red Sea by firing rockets and missiles at ships, as well as sending out speed boats carrying explosives or armed men who tried to attack or board commercial ships and force the crew, at gunpoint, to move the ship to a pirate-friendly port in nearby Somalia. The threats begin at the entrance to the Red Sea, which passes through the 26 kilometer wide and 50 kilometer long Bab-el-Mandeb strait. The rebels do not control any territory near these narrow straits. Rebel controlled territory is over a hundred kilometers north of the straits. The Houthi rebels were launching rockets and guided missiles at commercial ships that got close enough to the shore to hit. Most ships remained out of range and the rebels sometimes sent out speed boats carrying armed men to board and take control of cargo ships. Some boats carried explosives, and the operator left the boat as it was aimed at a ship where the explosives were detonated remotely or when the boat hit a ship. Western warships destroy most of these boats and armed guards on some cargo ships can do the same. The Americans imposed economic sanctions on the Shia rebels, who consider themselves the true government of Yemen. These sanctions make it more difficult and sometimes impossible for the Yemen rebels to use any money they have in foreign banks. Holding a lot of cash inside Yemen is dangerous and prevents the rebels from moving that money around to buy things they need. The United States also sent ships equipped with electronic warfare equipment to disable the communications of Iranian ships that were supplying the Yemen Shia rebels with target information. The United States, Britain, Canada, Bahrain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain offered to send warships to protect commercial shipping using the Red Sea to reach the Suez Canal and ports in the Mediterranean Sea and beyond. Most of these nations decided not to send warships and left it to the Americans and a few other nations to deal with the situation. These nations believed it was easier to let commercial shipping use the longer and more time consuming route around the southern tip of Africa. Egypt, which operates the Suez Canal and earns $10 billion a year in transit fees, is offering to provide repairs for any commercial ship damaged by the Yemen Shia rebel attacks. This is to encourage shipping firms to use the Canal, and pay its fees to Egypt, rather than taking the more expensive long way around southern Africa. Egypt and Iran are enemies and reducing Suez Canal income is a win for Iran, which supported the Yemen rebels for more than a decade to make that success possible. The foreign warships operating against the Houthis include an American aircraft carrier, whose aircraft joined land based aircraft from Persian Gulf bases to attack Yemen Shia rebel forces and munitions, especially missiles used against commercial shipping. Many of the foreign warships in the Red Sea have defensive weapons that can intercept Shia rebel missiles. All these efforts have been sufficient to greatly reduce but not eliminate the attacks by the Yemen rebels on Red Sea shipping. The current security efforts in the Red Sea are a continuation of anti-piracy efforts that began in 2008 and have continued since then, mainly near the African or Somali coast but close enough to deal with threats on the Arabian Peninsula or Yemen side of the Red Sea route to the Suez Canal. Somali pirates were the main threat twenty years ago, but they were eventually eliminated with help from Western and other countries, such as China, that send a lot of their seaborne trade through the Red Sea. Facebook remains one of the most influential social media platforms for brands, businesses, and content creators seeking to connect with audiences. However, as algorithms evolve and competition intensifies, achieving high organic Facebook engagement has become a critical challenge. Explore effective Facebook engagement tips that help maximize the organic reach you can achieve, all while building a solid social media strategy without relying on paid advertisements. Why Is Facebook Engagement Important? Facebook engagement likes, comments, shares, and other interactions is vital because it directly affects the organic reach of posts. When users engage with content, Facebook's algorithm interprets that engagement as valuable, boosting its visibility to a wider audience. Higher engagement also fosters community building, strengthens brand affinity, and increases the likelihood that posts will appear in users' newsfeeds. A robust social media strategy involves prioritizing genuine interactions to sustain long-term audience growth and trust. How Can Facebook Engagement Increase Organically? Raising Facebook engagement organically requires more than frequent posting. It involves meaningful connections through quality content tailored to the audience's preferences and interests. Native Facebook features, such as polls, stories, and live broadcasts, offer interactive opportunities that encourage real-time user participation. Moreover, fostering conversations through thoughtful questions and clear calls to action motivates users to interact. These tactics promote authentic engagement, crucial for expanding organic reach in Facebook communities. Proven Facebook Engagement Tips Consistent Posting Schedule Maintaining regular posting helps retain audience attention and builds expectation. Timing posts based on when followers are most active further enhances engagement potential. Craft Compelling Captions Captions that prompt curiosity, ask questions, or encourage users to share opinions boost comment activity. Calls to action such as "Tag a friend" or "Share your experience" convert passive viewers into active participants. Use Diverse Content Formats Videos, images, infographics, and live streams drive engagement more effectively than text alone. Videos and live content particularly encourage longer viewing times and real-time interaction, influencing organic reach, Facebook algorithms favorably. Leverage Facebook Groups Participating in or creating groups centered on niche topics helps engage deeply interested users. Groups are known for high interaction rates, making them an essential component of a social media strategy intent on organic growth. Utilizing Facebook Insights to Improve Engagement Facebook's built-in analytics tool, Facebook Insights, provides invaluable data about audience behavior and post performance. By reviewing metrics like reach, post clicks, and engagement rates, content creators can adjust their strategies. For example, analyzing which post types or posting times yield the highest interaction allows refined and responsive content planning. Regularly monitoring these insights ensures sustained progress in organic reach Facebook efforts. Optimal Posting Frequency for Maximum Engagement Finding the right posting frequency is key to keeping followers engaged without overwhelming them. Generally, posting 3 to 7 times a week strikes a balance between staying top-of-mind and avoiding content fatigue. Excessive posting can irritate followers and lead to unfollows. The social media strategy should be flexible, adapting frequency based on engagement trends observed through analytics. Read more: Starlink Outage Triggers Meme Frenzy as Millions Lose Internet Globally Content Types That Drive the Most Organic Reach on Facebook Certain content types naturally generate higher organic reach and engagement on Facebook: Videos and Live Streams: Visual content accounts for more engagement than other formats. Facebook prioritizes video, especially live streams, because users tend to watch longer and interact in real-time. User-Generated Content: Content created by fans or customers fosters trust and encourages community participation. Sharing testimonials or customer stories adds credibility and authenticity. Visual Storytelling: Images and infographics simplify complex ideas and attract attention quickly in crowded newsfeeds. Visually striking posts are more likely to be shared and remembered. How to Respond to Comments to Boost Engagement Engagement multiplies when brands or creators actively respond to comments. Timely, personalized replies show that accounts value their communities and encourage further conversations. Open-ended questions in responses stimulate deeper interaction and invite others to join discussions. Ignoring commenters can stunt engagement growth and diminish the feeling of community. Avoiding Common Mistakes That Lower Facebook Engagement To maintain high engagement, avoid several common pitfalls: Overly Promotional Content: Constant sales pitches or self-promotional posts may alienate audiences, reducing interactions and organic reach that Facebook can deliver. Clickbait and Irrelevant Posts: Misleading headlines or off-topic content often frustrate users and lead to negative feedback or followers dropping off. Ignoring Audience Feedback: Not adapting content or strategy based on audience preferences risks stagnation. Implementing effective Facebook engagement tips without relying on paid ads demands a thoughtful, audience-centric approach. By leveraging quality content, native Facebook features, consistent posting, and active community management, organic reach on Facebook can be maximized sustainably. Monitoring results through Facebook Insights and refining the social media strategy accordingly ensures continuous growth in engagement. Brands and creators who focus on building genuine connections will see lasting benefits that paid advertisements alone cannot offer. Frequently Asked Questions 1. How does Facebook's algorithm determine which posts to show in users' feeds? Facebook's algorithm prioritizes content based on factors such as user interactions, post popularity, content type, and relevancy to individual interests. Engagement signals like comments, shares, and reactions play a key role in boosting visibility. Therefore, posts that generate meaningful interactions are more likely to be shown to a broader audience, emphasizing the importance of effective Facebook engagement tips. 2. Can scheduling posts in advance affect Facebook engagement? Scheduling posts can help maintain consistency and reach audiences at optimal times, thereby improving engagement. However, pre-scheduled content should still be relevant and timely. It is important to regularly monitor engagement and respond to comments, even when posts are auto-published, to sustain organic reach on Facebook. 3. What role do hashtags play in enhancing Facebook engagement and reach? While hashtags are less influential on Facebook than on platforms like Instagram or Twitter, they can still help categorize content and make posts discoverable to users interested in specific topics. Using relevant, moderate hashtags in posts is a supplementary tactic within a broader social media strategy to increase organic reach. 4. How does engagement on Facebook compare to other social media platforms in improving organic reach? Engagement helps improve organic reach across all social platforms, but Facebook's algorithm prioritizes meaningful interactions such as comments and shares over passive reactions. Each platform differs slightly in the content types and interaction methods it favors, making it essential for brands to tailor their social media strategy accordingly to maximize reach on each channel. Black Lane County Primary School awarded best Breakfast Club in Wales Black Lane County Primary School has been crowned best Breakfast Club in Wales, for its continued efforts in supporting its pupils in the morning to ensure they have access to a filling breakfast. At Black Lane County Primary, children are welcomed every morning into a warm and friendly environment where they can enjoy a balanced breakfast, helping to fuel their bodies and minds for the day ahead. Alongside a variety of tasty food options, pupils take part in engaging games and activities that encourage creativity, teamwork, and social interaction. The schools win was announced at the Kelloggs Breakfast Club Awards at the Houses of Parliament. Now in its 14th year, the awards celebrate breakfast clubs up and down the country, and the teachers and support staff, who go above and beyond to help their students start their day fuelled and ready to learn every school morning. Alongside Black Lane County Primary School, seven other schools were crowned regional winners, each attending the ceremony to receive their awards alongside a 1000 cash prize to spend however they need to support their breakfast club. A panelist of specialist judges, which includes Roisin Currie CBE, CEO of Greggs, Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO of Co-op, Professor Greta Defeyter OBE and Andrew Ranger, Wrexham MP carefully selected the winners from nearly 500 applications. This years awards were hosted in the Houses of Parliament by Andrew Ranger, Wrexham MP, with representatives from the Department for Education, The Royal Foundation, Forever Manchester and Morrisons attending. Andrew Ranger, Wrexham MP said: Im thrilled to have hosted Kelloggs Breakfast Club Awards at the Houses of Parliament again this year. It was an honour to spend time talking to each winning school and hearing about what and who makes their club so special. Breakfast Clubs are so much more than just free food. They provide a lifeline for so many children and parents, providing a welcoming and inclusive environment. So, it is now more important than ever that we celebrate and support the work that is being done at hundreds of clubs across the country. Andrew Ridge, Social Impact Lead at Kelloggs said: Weve been supporting breakfast clubs for nearly 30 years, so we understand the important role they play for families. Our own research shows an increased demand in recent years, with almost double the amount of children visiting a breakfast club every day in 2025 vs 2023*. The positive impact these clubs have on children is made possible by the passion and commitment of the teachers and volunteers behind them. That is why, every year, Kelloggs is privileged to honour the amazing work that breakfast club leaders, teachers, and everyone involved, do every day to help make the clubs so special. Llangollen comes together to honour the fallen on Remembrance Sunday Hundreds of residents and visitors came together on Sunday (November 9) to honour the fallen in the towns annual Remembrance Sunday service and parade. The service, led by Father Lee Taylor, began with prayers and the clear tones of the Last Post played by a bugler from the Llangollen Silver Band. The Exhortation was read by Mike Adam of the local branch of the Royal British Legion, followed by the traditional two-minute silence, the sounding of Reveille, and the reading out of the names of the fallen from both World Wars. Wreaths were laid at the foot of the war memorial by various local organisations, community groups and youth bodies in honour of those who gave their lives in service. Among those taking part were the Royal British Legion, Llangollen Town Council, Denbighshire County Council, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, and the Llangollen & Corwen Railway. One of the station masters from the Llangollen & Corwen Railway, Mandy Towers, placed a wreath on behalf of the railway and its volunteers. I am incredibly proud to present this wreath on behalf of the Llangollen and Corwen Railway before my team and I return to duty, said Mandy Towers. It is a privilege to stand alongside the town in remembering the sacrifice of so many, and to reflect on how our heritage and community continue to honour that legacy together. Following the wreath-laying ceremony, a parade led by standard bearers moved through Castle Street and the town centre, providing a poignant visual symbol of the communitys unity in remembrance. Major repairs needed on over half of Wrexhams secondary schools More than half of Wrexhams secondary schools are in need of major structural repairs according to a council review. A report on Wrexham Councils property maintenance shows that five of Wrexhams nine high schools are graded Category C operational, but in need of major repairs. The grading system used in facilities management to rate the condition of buildings recommends that Category C structures should be repaired within three years. According to the UK Governments Good Estate Management for Schools advice, to be rated Category C means a building requires replacement of structural or service elements in the short to medium-term, has several structural, building or statutory compliance issues apparent, or one particularly significant issue apparent, often has problems with the windows, roof, other envelope features or boilers, chillers. These issues are likely to have major impacts upon the operation of the building, but still allow it to be operable. In Wrexham each school currently rated Category C has a range of elements that fall below Category B. Most typically these are roof works, electrical issues and window replacements. Six of Wrexhams 58 primary schools are also rated Category C. The repair bill to make all 11 Category C schools in Wrexham sound is 14 million. Over the last five years, Wrexhams Education Department has received a Schools Capital Maintenance Grant from Welsh Government to address the maintenance backlog in schools. This has been used to install new windows, replace roofs, boilers and carry out general repairs in schools. The grant is not guaranteed however and may not be received again next year. Cllr Dave Bithell, lead member for Housing and Climate Change, said: I think weve been very successful in working with Welsh Government to enhance our schools over the last few years. Weve put a significant amount of money through our 21st Century Schools plan. We have got schools now going through refurbishment and we aspire to get all our schools into Category B. There are 11 schools we need to get up to Category B. Have we got enough money no, we havent. Weve got to do a lot more work with the Welsh Government to get our schools back to standard. But I think weve made progress on limited resources and to be fair to the Facilities Management team, they are doing a really good job. We just need more money to bring our buildings up to standard. A significant amount of work has been carried out to address the maintenance backlog in Wrexhams schools. However the authority needs major capital investment in order to upgrade school buildings that still require urgent attention. According to Wrexham Council Leader Cllr Mark Pritchard, it all comes down to money. If the Welsh Government was to give us more money we would speed up the process, of course we would, he said. There are grants out there and we do apply for those. I think the Welsh Government does a very good job on education, but they have to consider the priorities of the 22 authorities across Wales while we have to prioritise Wrexham. The quality of some schools across Wales isnt as it should be but I would say in Wrexham I think weve done a very good job. Weve got some excellent schools that weve built and refurbished and if we had more money wed do it at a faster speed. Until then we will continue to prioritise them as and when they need to be done. If there is emergency work with regards to health and safety we do that instantly but overall if you go around our schools and see them its a credit to the work weve done in Wrexham. We are ambitious through our 21st Century Schools programme and who knows, theres a budget around the corner and maybe theres some more money for education in that? By Alec Doyle BBC Local Democracy Reporter Poo politics could mean Kop is built with unusable seats Works to the new Kop stand are pressing ahead, the club say, with a significant update on the legal status of surrounding land however there is some brown tape looming. In a club statement, and programme notes over the weekend, the club have revealed that a section of Kop land has been purchased fully from the university, and there is advanced talks to purchase the remaining Welsh Government owned section of land. In a forward thinking move in 2020 before Rob and Ryan were even known to be interested, the Welsh Government moved to purchase two pieces of land to help any future redevelopment in the area. The Grant Funding Agreement that will see Welsh Government cash flow via Wrexham Council to the club to partially fund the Kop has also been finalised, with the club saying This grant has already funded many of the stadium improvements needed to enable international and high-quality matches to be hosted at the SToK Cae Ras. The balance of the Grant Funding will now be used towards financing the cost of related elements of the new Kop Stand. Further to that the club looks set to reunite the Racecourse fully back to the club itself as an entity, with the Wrexham Supporters Trust still holding a lease with the club both landlords and sub tenants. The club say, Completion of the Grant Funding Agreement and the progress with securing the required land for the Kop, has led the Club to ask the Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST) to commence the process of finalising the surrender of their lease of the SToK Cae Ras. The members of the WST have already agreed to the surrender in principle, subject to the maintenance of specific protections to ensure that the SToK Cae Ras remains the home of the mens first team. The Club would like to thank the members of the WST for their patience while these other matters were finalised. Aside from shuffling of expensive paperwork the visible redevelopment is underway, with Crispin Lane warming up into a hive of activity as prep work has been carried out for the main works. The club said, The live power cable that ran across the Kop site has now been removed, following the completion of a new substation to power the student accommodation. This work commenced in April and was completed in late August. Clearing the site, including the power cable, has meant that the enabling works could commence. The main element of the enabling works that are ongoing is the excavation of approximately one metre of earth to create a flat area ready for the construction of a piling mat. This is the platform upon which the piling rig will sit, to pile into the ground for the new Kop Stand foundations. Other works have included moving the site entrance gates to enable safe traffic flow and deliveries by large vehicles and the installation of a new hoarding along Crispin Lane. One possible spanner in the works will be a local planning committee meeting around the new formal proposal to add the extra tier and associated seats. Wrexham.com expect the committee to look to condition parking mitigations, however wider phosphates problems that have resurfaced in planning applications across Wales yet again could block use of the seats. The Kop could be in a peculiar position where the new stand is built and operational, with local issues ironed out and the redevelopment fully supported, yet could not be fully used due to Wales-wide concerns over phosphorus in nutrient sensitive Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)- of which the River Dee is one. Natural Resources Wales explain, Phosphorus is naturally present in river environments but at very low levels. Human activities such as agriculture and discharge of treated wastewater elevate levels of phosphorus in river flow. High concentrations of phosphorus lead to the process of nutrient enrichment, also known as eutrophication, and can alter the balance of plant species in our rivers causing significant ecological damage. They note some new developments can lead to increased amounts of nutrients entering the river environment from additional wastewater or land management, Under the Habitats Regulations, Planning Authorities must consider the nutrient impacts of proposed developments on water quality within SAC river catchments. In SAC catchments failing to meet revised nutrient targets, it is possible that new developments can be authorised if it can be demonstrated they will not lead to further deterioration of water quality and will not undermine the ability for the SAC to meet its conservation objectives. Wrexham could look to other grounds in Wales, such as Chester City FC who have a sewage works nearby, for solutions. Although far fetched, one plan for a large housing development at Lower Berse Farm had proposals that it could have had its own state of the art treatment facility to get through the problem. Wrexham AFC said of the problem, While the new Kop development has planning permission for construction, due to national planning policy issues we will be only able to use 5,500 seats until such time as Wrexham County Borough Council are able to approve the planning application to increase the occupancy up to 7,500. Once obtained, the overall capacity of the SToK Cae Ras will increase to more than 18,000. It took Washington State University nine months to approve a medical education course examining youth gender medicine. It took just two days to suspend it after a single activist blogger sounded the alarm. The rapid reversal has ignited a fierce debate about academic freedom, raising uncomfortable questions: Should universities bow to external pressure campaigns? Who decides what doctors are allowed to learn? And how much power should activists wield over academic institutions? The Timeline That Shocked Faculty The course in question wasn't hastily thrown together. The Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM) spent nine months working with WSU's continuing medical education office to ensure the video series met national accreditation standards. On June 2, 2025, the university gave its approval. The course offered physicians continuing medical education credits for watching presentations from SEGM's 2023 international academic conference. Topics included brain science, treatment protocols, and how different countries approach gender dysphoria in young peopleparticularly the more cautious, psychotherapy-first approaches adopted by health authorities in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Finland. For months, the course ran without incident. Healthcare professionals across the country earned their CME credits. Then came October 29. Transgender activist Erin Reed published a critical article on her "Erin in the Morning" Substack, labeling SEGM an "anti-trans hate group"a designation the Southern Poverty Law Center made in 2023, which SEGM strongly disputes as politically motivated. Reed invited her readers to file complaints with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the body that accredits institutions like WSU. The response was swift. Within hours, complaints flooded in. By October 31just two days laterthe course was suspended. "I am very sorry about this situation I've never seen anything like this from a national accrediting body," a director of WSU's continuing medical education office wrote to SEGM in an email obtained by Fox News Digital. Reed celebrated the suspension on Bluesky: "I'm pleased to announce that following our reporting, multiple people have reported that a formal inquiry is being made into SEGM's accreditation, and that the CME courses are at least temporarily pulled down." Faculty Divided: Academic Freedom vs. Ethical Oversight The controversy has split WSU's faculty down the middle, exposing deeper fault lines about how universities should handle contentious topics. On one side stands Dr. Erica Li, an assistant professor of pediatrics who introduced SEGM to the accreditation team. In an impassioned open letter, Li described the organization as "responsible and evidence-based" in a field increasingly shaped by political motives rather than scientific inquiry. "I urge the university not to bow to activist pressure," Li wrote, framing the suspension as a test of institutional courage. "This is about whether we stand for academic freedom or allow external campaigns to dictate what our faculty and students can examine." On the other side, faculty members posting to the WSU Senate discussion board raised concerns about oversight of external educational partnerships with "potential clinical and ethical implications." They called for more faculty involvement in vetting courses that touch on politically sensitive medical topics. The divide reflects a broader dilemma facing universities nationwide: How do institutions balance legitimate concerns about course quality with the risk of censorship? Where's the line between responsible oversight and caving to pressure? "Almost Immediately After": The Speed Raises Red Flags SEGM officials say they were blindsided by how fast the investigation materialized. "We were perplexed by how quickly the ACCME acted to open an inquiry into the course and by how rapidly it was suspended," a SEGM spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "The timing was striking: it occurred almost immediately after an activist published a blog post criticizing the course. That simply isn't enough time to have meaningfully reviewed several hours of educational content for factual accuracy or compliance." The spokesperson pointed out the jarring contrast: "The course had been available for months without any intervention. The sudden reversal suggests the process was driven more by external pressure than by a careful scientific review." The speed of the action has become the focal point for critics who see the suspension as capitulation rather than due diligence. If the course material was problematic, why did it take an activist campaign to trigger scrutiny? If it wasn't problematic, why pull it so quickly? Dr. Graham McMahon, president of the ACCME, told "Erin in the Morning" that the characterization of SEGM "raises questions that appear appropriate for an inquiry." But he hasn't addressed concerns about the compressed timeline or whether complaints were evaluated for merit before launching the investigation. What This Means for Medical Education The WSU case isn't happening in a vacuum. It's part of a larger pattern where asking certain scientific questions in gender medicine is treated as inherently suspect. "Across the U.S., CME courses on youth gender dysphoria overwhelmingly present only one perspective," SEGM noted. "Meanwhile, European health authorities in the U.K., Sweden, and Finland after conducting systematic evidence reviews have moved toward more cautious, psychotherapy-first approaches for gender dysphoric youth. Those developments have received almost no representation in American CME programs." The organization's course was designed to close that gap, giving physicians access to the full international evidence base. Yet while many CME programs contain claims that go unchallenged, SEGM's carefully vetted course was singled out for scrutiny within 48 hours of activist complaints. "That imbalance raises serious questions about whether ideology is shaping what doctors are allowed to learn which erodes trust in the system and harms the already vulnerable population we all aim to serve," SEGM said. The controversy follows similar incidents at other prestigious institutions. Earlier in 2025, Harvard Medical School postponed a "transgender health" course after legal scrutiny. A McMaster University research team led by Dr. Gordon Guyatt faced activist pressure after publishing systematic reviews finding "low or very low" certainty of evidence that puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries improve overall well-being in gender-dysphoric youth. The team issued a public apology in August. The Bigger Question: Who Controls Academic Discourse? At its core, this controversy asks a fundamental question about power in higher education: Who gets to decide what's taught, studied, and debated? Should universities respond rapidly to community concerns, even if it means suspending courses before full investigations? Or should they resist external pressure campaigns to protect academic inquiry, even when the topics are controversial? The answer may depend on your perspective. Activists argue they're protecting vulnerable communities from harmful misinformation disguised as science. Faculty defending the course argue they're protecting doctors' ability to make informed decisions based on the full range of international evidence. What's clear is that the nine-month approval followed by the 48-hour suspension has created a precedent that universities nationwide are watching closely. WSU spokesperson Pam Scott said in a statement: "We are working with the ACCME to confirm that all accredited materials comply with ACCME standards. While this process is ongoing, course materials are suspended. We remain committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based Continuing Medical Education courses." The videos remain available online for public viewing, but healthcare professionals cannot earn CME credits until the investigation concludes. The university has until November 16 to provide ACCME with documentation showing how it approved the course. As the inquiry proceeds, one thing is certain: The speed of this suspension has raised more questions than it's answered. And those questions extend far beyond one course at one universitythey strike at the heart of academic freedom in an age of instant online mobilization. The final outcome may determine whether universities can still serve as places where difficult questions are examined, or whether they've become institutions where the loudest voices determine what's permissible to discuss. The course materials were developed from presentations at SEGM's 2023 international academic conference. SEGM disputes its characterization as a hate group and describes itself as an organization advocating for evidence-based approaches to gender dysphoria treatment. The investigation is ongoing. JERUSALEM (AP) Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked a pair of Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, setting fire to vehicles and other property before clashing with Israeli soldiers sent to halt the rampage, Israeli and Palestinian officials said. It was the latest in a series of attacks by young settlers in the West Bank. Israeli police said four Israelis were arrested in what it described as extremist violence, while the Israeli military said four Palestinians were wounded. Police and Israels Shin Bet internal security agency said they were investigating. Videos on social media showed two charred trucks engulfed in flames, with a nearby building on fire. Settler violence has surged since the war in Gaza erupted two years ago. The attacks have intensified in recent weeks as Palestinians harvest their olive trees in an annual ritual. Earlier on Tuesday, tens of thousands of Israelis attended the funeral of an Israeli soldier whose remains had been held in Gaza for 11 years, overflowing and blocking surrounding streets as somber crowds stood with Israeli flags. The burial of Lt. Hadar Goldin was a moment of closure for his family, which had traveled the world in a public campaign seeking his return. The huge turnout also reflected the importance for the broader public in Israel, where Goldin became a household name. Hamas returned his remains on Sunday as part of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal that began last month. The bodies of four hostages taken in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, are still in Gaza. Settler violence in the West Bank The U.N. humanitarian office last week reported more Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank in October than in any other month since it began keeping track in 2006. There were over 260 attacks, the office said. Palestinians and human rights workers accuse the Israeli army and police of failing to halt attacks by settlers. Israels government is dominated by West Bank settlers, and the police force is overseen by Cabinet minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a hardline settler leader. In Tuesdays incident, the army said soldiers initially responded to settler attacks in the villages of Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf. It said the settlers fled to a nearby industrial zone and attacked soldiers sent to the scene and damaged a military vehicle. Palestinian official Muayyad Shaaban, who heads the governments Commission against the Wall and Settlements, said the settlers set fire to four dairy trucks, farmland, tin shacks and tents belonging to a Bedouin community. He said the attacks were part of a campaign to drive Palestinians from their land and accused Israel of giving the settlers protection and immunity. He called for sanctions against groups that sponsor and support the colonial settlement terrorism project. French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the attacks during his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris on Tuesday, saying that settler violence and the acceleration of settlement projects are reaching new heights, threatening the stability of the West Bank. Palestinians in Gaza still struggling to access food Displaced Palestinians in central Gaza said they continue to rely heavily on charity kitchens for their only daily meal, as soaring market prices and the lack of income leave them struggling. Scores of people, most of them children, lined up with empty pots at a charity kitchen in Nuseirat refugee camp on Tuesday waiting to be served rice the only food available that day. The rockets and planes stopped but increasing living costs has been the hardest weapon used against us, said Mohamed al-Naqlah, a displaced Palestinian. On Tuesday, Gazas Health Ministry said the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza has risen to 69,182. Its count, generally considered by independent experts as reliable, does not distinguish between militants and civilians, but the ministry says more than half of those killed were women and children. The latest war began with the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel when around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed, and 251 people were kidnapped. Close adviser to Netanyahu resigns Cabinet Minister Ron Dermer, one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus closest confidants, announced his resignation on Tuesday, citing family reasons. In a letter, Dermer said he had promised his family to serve two years but extended his term by an additional year to deal with Irans nuclear program and to end the war in Gaza on Israels terms and bring our hostages home. The U.S.-born Dermer is a former Israeli ambassador to Washington. As strategic affairs minister, he served as Netanyahus envoy throughout the war in dealing with the United States and ceasefire negotiations. Funeral for soldier whose remains were held 11 years Goldin was 23 when he was killed two hours after a ceasefire took effect in the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas. For years before the 2023 attack, posters with the faces of Goldin and Oron Shaul, another soldier whose body was abducted in the 2014 war, stared down from intersections. Israels military long ago determined that Goldin had been killed based on evidence found in the tunnel where his body was taken, including a blood-soaked shirt and prayer fringes. On Tuesday, it announced it had dismantled the tunnel shaft where his body was found. The military retrieved Shaul's body in January. Eulogies from Goldin's siblings, parents, and former fiancee at his funeral never mentioned Netanyahu, who was prime minister when Goldin was kidnapped and for most of the period since. They thanked the Israeli military, including reserve soldiers, who tirelessly searched for Goldins body over the years. Netanyahu did not attend the funeral, though Israels military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, gave a eulogy on behalf of the military. For years, Israel had four hostages in Gaza: Goldin, Shaul, and two Israelis with mental health issues who had crossed into Gaza on their own and were held since 2014 and 2015. All four were returned in the past year. Mor reported from Kfar Saba, Israel. Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press reporters Julia Frankel and Ibrahim Hazboun in Jerusalem, and Fatma Khaled in Cairo, contributed to this report. Craig Nicholson, a 66-year-old Army veteran and first vice commander of the Kentucky branch of the National Association for Black Veterans, needed heart and kidney transplants two years ago. Fortunately, he and his wife, Judy Nicholson, both AARP veteran volunteers in Kentucky, knew exactly where to look for support: a booklet produced by AARP called the AARP Veterans and Military Families Caregiver Guide. [The guide] was something that we were aware of but didnt use until we needed it. And once we needed it, we knew the value of the information inside, Craig says. Members only Judy adds that it helped them organize details regarding expenses, travel, postsurgical activities and more. The handbook is just one of the resources AARP has developed to help veterans, members of the military and their families with caregiving, postmilitary job transitions, dealing with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other issues. They served us, and this is our way of serving them, says Juanita Jimenez-Soto, AARPs national veterans and military families manager. AARP has created a host of resources for veterans and military families, including downloadable handbooks on the following topics, among others: Health benefits information Use the AARP Veterans and Military Families Health Benefits Navigator guide to learn how to apply for VA, Pentagon and other health benefits and find free help online or over the phone by speaking with trained representatives. Help transforming your home VA home modification grants help veterans build or buy adapted homes or adjust existing ones to live safely and comfortably. AARP has created a primer on home modification for those with certain service-related disabilities so you can live the life you want in a home you love. The Military Caregiving Guide offers vital resources for military members, veterans and their families. AARP (Getty Images) Support for caregivers The AARP booklet the Nicholsons used highlights the steps of a caregiving journey: how to assess and address needs, create a plan, build a team and more. A related booklet offers comprehensive information on how caregivers can seek help managing the stress that comes with the role. AARP also has a financial workbook for home caregivers that can help with estate planning, paying for health care and other tasks. Call 877-333-5885 for more information. Authorities have arrested a university teacher in connection with the deadly car bomb blast that killed 13 people near Delhi's Red Fort. Dr. Muzammil, a teacher at Al Falah University, was apprehended in Faridabad, Haryana. His arrest came just hours after the horrific explosion on Monday evening. The blast also left 24 people injured. The attack has consequently put the entire city on high alert. The arrest was a swift, coordinated operation. It involved Haryana Police and their counterparts in Jammu and Kashmir. Investigators raided Dr. Muzammil's rented accommodation in Faridabad's Dhauj area. Inside, they made a terrifying discovery. Officers seized a massive cache of 360 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate. In addition, they recovered weapons, ammunition, and timers from the property. This find has raised serious concerns about a wider, sophisticated terror plot. Dr Muzammil Linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed Authorities report that Dr. Muzammil was not unknown to them. He was reportedly wanted in connection with a terror-related case in Srinagar. The case is linked to the notorious terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. This connection has immediately intensified the investigation. Police are now probing his activities at the university and in the local area. The recovery of such a large amount of explosives suggests a high-level operation. High Alert Across Delhi After Deadly Attack The arrest provides a critical lead in the investigation into Monday's horrific attack. The explosion sent plumes of fire billowing into the sky. Panic gripped the crowded area, which was swarming with people. Witnesses described burning cars and debris scattered across the road. The Delhi Fire Services confirmed 20 fire engines were rushed to the scene. The anti-terror squad and the Delhi Police Special Cell are now on-site. The entire area remains cordoned off. Investigators are now working to determine if the explosives found in Faridabad match the device used in the attack. The city remains on edge as police work to uncover the full extent of the plot. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES. Originally published on IBTimes UK Landscapes on Atarque Ranch near Fence Lake. The ranch is topographically diverse, with landscapes ranging from plateaus to deep volcanic layered canyons, massive rock outcroppings, arroyos and open grassland flats featuring cedars and junipers. Courtesy Hall and Hall Rock petroglyphs on Atarque Ranch in western New Mexico. The ranch is full of remnants of Native American history and culture. Courtesy Hall and Hall Native American dwellings on Atarque Ranch near Fence Lake. The ranch is home to remnants of several settler towns, artifacts and petroglyphs. Courtesy Hall and Hall Wildlife stop for a water break on Atarque Ranch in western New Mexico. The ranch has an established decree for almost 60 acre-feet of water equivalent to 19.5 million gallons of water including a spring, wells and stock ponds. Courtesy Hall and Hall Sprawling lands and mesa tops on Atarque Ranch in western New Mexico. The ranch offers thousands of acres of extremely private land. Courtesy Hall and Hall An elk stands isolated among thousands of acres of trees and open land on Atarque Ranch in western New Mexico. Courtesy Hall and Hall Ranch gates situated on Atarque Ranch, a 110,000-acre property in western New Mexico near Fence Lake. The ranch, listed for $68.5 million in March, recently sold to a mystery buyer after 47 years of local ownership. Courtesy Hall and Hall One of New Mexicos largest ranches has changed hands after 47 years of local ownership. Atarque Ranch, a sprawling 110,000-acre property that listed for $68.5 million earlier this year, sold to an unknown buyer for an undisclosed price in a deal that closed Thursday, a spokesperson told the Journal on Friday. The ranch, located in western New Mexico near Fence Lake, covers more ground than the city of Denver and is home to diverse lands, wildlife and remnants of Native American history. Over the years, the ranch has been leased for livestock operations and hunting. Colorado-based land brokerage M4 Ranch Group represented the buyer, while Hall and Hall, a national brokerage that also specializes in ranch sales, represented the seller, the Yates family. Its a privilege and an honor for me to do what I do, said Jeff Buerger, the ranchs listing agent and partner with Hall and Hall. Im in a business of building and maintaining long-term relationships, thats really what I do, so its a privilege for me to be selected by a family the caliber of the Yates to represent their interests. The Yates are an Artesia-based family with a long history as oil and gas magnates. The family acquired the ranch in 1978 and listed it for sale in March. Trey Yates III, vice president of family oil production company Abo Empire, previously said the move to sale was a business decision rooted in the desire to reallocate capital and focus on other land holdings across the United States. The familys oil and gas legacy dates back more than 100 years, when Martin Yates Jr. drilled the first commercial oil well on New Mexico state lands in 1924. The family owned Yates Petroleum Corp. was born and grew to producing almost 30,000 barrels of crude oil per day across multiple states before it was acquired by Houston-based EOG Resources Inc. for $2.5 billion in 2016. Yates couldnt be reached for comment but the family acknowledged the sale in a statement provided to the Journal by a spokesperson. Ad The new steward shares the familys commitment to preserving the ranchs natural beauty and significant Native American heritage, the statement said. Buerger declined to share the sale price or who the new owner is, citing a nondisclosure agreement, but he said the buyer is a group with experience owning ranches. The group plans to maintain the ranchs wildlife management and livestock operations, Buerger said. The new owner will continue leasing the ranch for hunting in the short term but Buerger is unaware of their long-term plans. The sale of Atarque ranch comes a few months after another massive New Mexico ranch called the Great Western Ranch sold. The 504,000-acre ranch, also in western New Mexico, most recently listed for $115 million before being sold to an unknown buyer in July. Buerger said the two major ranch sales speak to the strength of the large acreage ranch market right now. Were thriving in this sector, Buerger said. But the ranch-selling business isnt just about a monetary transaction, Buerger said. The Hall and Hall partner said he often equates being a ranch broker with roles similar to a counselor or therapist due to the emotional connection ranch owners often have with their land. You learn a lot about somebodys family or the things theyre going through, and when youre exposed to confidential information, maintaining that at all times is fundamentally critical, Buerger said. I feel like Ive become a counselor from an advisory perspective because selling a ranch not only does it have to do with money but emotional ties. Martin Heinrich Ben Ray Lujan Dan Rios/U.S. Senate Photographic Studio Melanie Stansbury Courtesy of Melanie Stansbury campaign New Mexicos U.S. senators voted Sunday against moving forward a deal to end the federal government shutdown, because it does not address expiring health insurance subsidies. Eight Democrat and independent senators voted with Republicans in a procedural vote on a package of bills that would keep the government funded at the same levels into January, taking a first step to end the more than 40-day long government shutdown. The Senate began a series of votes Monday evening to pass the legislation. Lets end this entirely unnecessary, shameful shutdown, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said on the Senate floor. The House is expected to come back in session Wednesday to take up the temporary funding bill. While the bills do not address subsidies for Affordable Care Act health insurance plans that Democrats have based much of their holdout on, the package does differ from the temporary funding bill the House passed in September. It would extend funding through January and includes a reversal of all federal employee layoffs conducted during the shutdown. The package also includes full-year funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. This deal is one that many New Mexicans literally cannot afford and we will keep working to rein in the affordability crisis that is hurting families in New Mexico and across the country, Democratic Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico said in a joint statement. New Mexicos House representatives have indicated they also oppose the temporary funding bill, but Republicans have enough seats in the House to pass it along party lines. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., said she is relieved the shutdown is coming to an end. But I think, like many Americans, I feel betrayed by the handful of Senate Democrats who proceeded with taking a vote to end the shutdown without consultation with the rest of the Democratic caucus and that essentially allowed for a vote to happen without addressing the heart of what we have been fighting for, she said. Family of Delhi Blast Suspect Umar Nabi Says "Can't Believe He Could Be Involved in Terror Activities" 2 The family of Dr. Umar Nabi, the man suspected to be behind the Delhi blast near Red Fort Metro Station, said they are in disbelief over allegations linking him to terror activities. Dr. Nabi, a resident of Koil village in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, was allegedly driving the Hyundai i20 car used in Mondays blast near the metro stations parking area, which left at least 12 people dead, officials said. Speaking to reporters, his sister-in-law Muzamil said Umar had always been a quiet and academically focused person. He was an introvert since childhood, with few friends. He devoted himself to his studies and work, she said. He was working as faculty at a college in Faridabad. Just last Friday, he called to say he was busy with examinations and would return home in three days. We cant believe this news its shocking. Muzamil added that the family struggled for years to ensure Umar received a good education and could support himself. He was never the kind of person to get involved in such things, she insisted, recalling that Umar had last visited Kashmir two months ago. Meanwhile, Delhi Polices preliminary findings suggest the blast involved ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, and detonators, linking it to a terror module uncovered in Faridabad, where authorities had seized 2,900 kg of explosive material earlier this month. Final forensic reports are awaited, a police source said. An FIR has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act, with sections pertaining to conspiracy and punishment for acts of terrorism. The Union Home Ministry has handed over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which will now probe the alleged terror links and possible network behind the Red Fort metro blast, one of the deadliest explosions in the capital in recent years. by Malcolm Murray The question of the day on everyones minds is whether AI is a boom or a bust. But if we lift our eyes ever so slightly from the question of the day and look at the bigger picture, two bigger questions come into view. One: Will AI take our jobs? This debate seems to happen for all new technologies, but has been especially salient for AI. This makes sense. (Putting aside questions of per-unit economics and market distorting preferences), if you define AGI as something that can do anything humans can do, then by definition, you have also defined yourself out of any jobs remaining. Two: Is dropping fertility a crisis? Fertility has been dropping precipitously in developed countries for years, first in East Asia, then Western Europe, and now in practically all countries. Immigration has been the solution, but sometime in this century, the global population as a whole will peak and start shrinking. Many economists, such as Robin Hanson, are deeply worried about this. This again makes sense. Innovation is closely linked to the number of people around to come up with innovations and shifting demographics will turn existing social security systems upside down. However, a positive, bigger picture reading would be that these two effects might cancel each other out, or at least partly offset each other. The effects of both are of course highly uncertain, but from what we can best tell, these will largely overlap in timing, and could potentially have counteracting effects. By the middle of the century, one potential world is certainly one where AI has replaced humans in many jobs, but the number of working-age humans has gone down, so there are fewer humans that need employment. Or a world where a machine-to-machine economy fills government coffers with more than enough revenue to support the costs of the larger number of non-working age humans in need of pension and healthcare. It seems almost too good to be true that these two massive macro-level trends would coincide in time during the same century. Why is it that, just as the groundwork is laid for creating artificial intelligences that might be able to replace humans for many tasks, improvements in healthcare and economic pressures mean that families start having fewer children in most of the world? Some might see this as evidence for technological determinism that technology has its own force of nature and the evolution of new technologies is practically pre-determined. Kevin Kelly famously wrote about the Technium, with almost a mind of its own. More recently, the founders of Epoch AI left to start Mechanize, arguing that AI automation is inevitable. Luke Drago called this technocalvinism. However, this coincidence seems to potentially go beyond technology. It almost suggest a notion of history as a self-healing mechanism. Perhaps at a large enough scale, balancing forces tip the scale back toward an equilibrium whenever it gets too askew. Looking throughout history (albeit with a very broad brush and a lot of cherries picked, since I am not a historian) we can see myriad examples of this. When populations became too large in medieval cities, plagues came as corrections. As the world reeled from the horrors of the two world wars, the UN was founded and the pendulum swung towards increased freedoms at all levels for 80 years. This goes back to the Greeks and Polybius concept of anacyclosis where societies cycle through monarchy, tyranny, aristocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and ochlocracy. Going up on level, James Lovelocks Gaia hypothesis talks about how the Earth itself self-regulates as a broad system. Another current example of this dynamic at play is for the other big risk of the 21st century, climate change. Political will is sapped in most countries, people have given up on vegetarianism, and COP30 looks set to be a failure, but at the same time, this is all dwarfed by the inexorably dropping price of solar energy. What does it matter if the stock price of Beyond Meat drops by 90% if the price of a solar panel also drops by 90% so that an African farmer can afford one? This has led people like Noah Smith, Bill Gates and Ted Nordhaus to look much more optimistically at future climate projections. Yet another example is the new epidemic talked about in the media the loneliness epidemic (loneliness is worse than smoking!) This is now coinciding with the development of AI companions that seem for many people to be just as meaningful as the real thing. As a Buddhist, I have learned that our free will is much more limited than what we typically think and, whats further, that we can take comfort in this notion of no control. For the many people who look at the future with more concern than hope these days, the notion of history as a self-healing mechanism could perhaps be a similarly comforting notion. It might not mean that there is a God that has determined our final destination, nor that there will not be individual sorrows and struggles on a granular level, but zooming out to a big enough picture, individual errors might be corrected as history continues its balancing act. *** Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. A man died following a shooting on Avenue K in Ensley in Birmingham. The shooting happened Nov. 8, 2025. (Carol Robinson) A 16-year-old is charged with capital murder in the weekend shooting death of another teen in Birmingham. The young suspect is charged in Saturdays killing of 18-year-old Myca Clark Jr. Authorities are not releasing his name because of his age but said he was from Fultondale. He was taken into custody hours after the fatal shooting and formally charged on Monday. West Precinct officers about 3:15 p.m. were dispatched after Shot Spotter registered gunfire in the 2600 block of Avenue K, which is in the area of Ensley Park. The citys gunfire detection system alerted on nearly two dozen rounds fired. While police were en route, they learned a vehicle showed up at Birmingham Fire Station 16 in the 2000 block of Avenue K. Police said Clark was rushed to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, where he was pronounced dead at 4:02 p.m. A second victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. A motive has been disclosed but investigators said it appears the victims and a separate group of males met up at Ensley Park for reasons not yet disclosed. The 16-year-old shot both victims, police said, and then fled the scene with the other males. Detectives canvassed the area and spoke with community members who provided a tip on a possible location for the group of males who fled the area. The suspect was then taken into custody at a nearby residence and interviewed at police headquarters before being taken to the Birmingham City Jail. He will now be held without bond in the Jefferson Couty Jail. Clark was one of three homicides Saturday in the city. Earlier that day, a man was killed in a domestic shooting on the citys northside. Later Saturday night, a man was killed and another wounded in a vehicle on Henry Crumpton Drive. On this past Saturday, our city suffered three fatal shootings, Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett said in a statement Monday night. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those lost. We extend our deepest condolences and are committed to seeking justice on your behalf. I am proud to report that our patrol officers, Special Operations teams, and investigators acted swiftly and professionally, the chief said. I am proud to report that suspects in all three cases were arrested and formally charged within 48 hours. These rapid results reflect the skill, dedication, and determination, he said, of the men and women of the Birmingham Police Department. An overnight shooting in Tuscaloosa left two people dead, including a teen girl. The shooting happened about 11:30 p.m. Monday at Woodlawn Manor apartments on First Avenue. Authorities identified one of the slain victims as 20-year-old Kaliyah Houston. The other murder victim was her 16-year-old sister. A 17-year-old boy was wounded, but survived. Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Capt. Jack Kennedy said witnesses told investigators that Houston allowed 19-year-old Keshawn Jermichael Woods to live in her apartment for the last few months. An argument erupted Monday night during which Woods pulled a gun and began shooting, Kennedy said. The wounded teen boy was able to flee the apartment and seek help. Kennedy said there were also several very young children, including an infant, inside the apartment but they were not struck. Woods then fled the scene on foot. After interviewing the surviving victim and witnesses and processing the crime scene, authorities issued a capital murder warrant for Woods. He is also charged with attempted murder. The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force took Woods into custody a few hours later. He is being held without bond. Etowah County Detention Center Deputies Maya Dudle and Robert Charles Phillips are under arrest on felony contraband charges. (Etowah County Detention Center) Two deputies at an east Alabama county jail have been arrested on felony contraband charges. Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon Horton on Tuesday announced the arrests of Robert Charles Phillips, 28, and Maya Dudley, 30. Both jail deputies were arrested Friday and have since been released on bond. Authorities launched an investigation into Phillips after receiving information indicating possible contraband activity at the jail. The investigation led to a shakedown at the Etowah County Detention Center, Horton said, and evidence pointed to the involvement of a deputy. Phillips was interviewed and admitted to bringing contraband into the facility in exchange for cash. Charging documents state that contraband included cell phones and a soda can filled with narcotics. Phillips is charged with two counts of promoting prison contraband. Dudley is charged with promoting prison contraband and drug trafficking following the same investigation. Warrants state Dudley tried to smuggle 29 grams of meth into the lockup. We will not tolerate this type of behavior from anyone within our ranks, Horton said. The safety and security of our inmates, deputies, and staff are our top priorities, and we will continue to take every measure necessary to maintain integrity and accountability inside our detention center. The investigation remains ongoing, and the contraband that was recovered is expected to lead to more charges against other people. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 10: Sally Kirkland attends the closing night gala of the 22nd Arpa International Film Festival at the American Legion Post 43 on November 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John Wolfsohn/Getty Images) Getty Images Sally Kirkland, the iconic actress and Golden Globe winner for 1987 Anna, has been hospitalized in southern California. Kirklands rep, Michael Greene told TMZ she is in hospice at a hospital in Palm Springs after being diagnosed with dementia. UPDATE: Kirkland dead at 84 According to the report, her friend and former student Cody Galloway is with her. A GoFundMe started by friends states Kirkland had been struggling with life-threatening infections. The page was started to raise funds for her urgent medical care needs. She had a fall in the shower, when she was left unattended; injuring her ribs, foot, along with cuts and bruises, the page states. Kirkland, 84, was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe for her role in the 1987 comedy-drama Anna. She was also known for her roles in JFK, Bruce Almighty. Kirklands career spans six decades and her credits includes appearances include Private Benjamin, The Sting, Bruce Almighty, EDtv, Best of The Best, The Haunted, JFK, A Brave New World, Roseanne, 80 for Brady, Anna, and more. Actress, entrepreneur and social media star Tabitha Brown visited Huntsville this past week and gave several restaurants, businesses and more a social media shout-out while there. Brown shared plenty with her millions of followers about her time in Huntsville. The motivational speaker was in town to serve as the keynote speaker at The Vision and Dreamers Conference in Huntsville, which took place from Nov. 7 through Nov. 9. She spoke on Saturday, and shared videos taken during the event as well as its meet-and-greet to social media in the following days. My heart is still so full from speaking at The Vision and Dreamers Conference, Brown wrote on Facebook. To all the dreamers and visionaries keep believing, keep trusting and keep doing the work! It was an honor to be in the room with all of you! A vegan known for sharing recipes with her followers, Brown gave a shout-out to Vujee Vegan, a plant-based restaurant that opened earlier this year after operating as a popular food truck since 2020. In a post on social media, Brown, who praised the eaterys burgers, meatballs, chili and red velvet cake, shared a video of her time at the restaurant. Baby if yall are ever in Huntsville you must go to @vujee_vegan and let the burgers, meatballs and chili bless you real good! Brown wrote on social media. ...But honey we all ate so good we almost had to be rolled outta there...Go support this amazing small business! Tabitha Brown attends HollyRod Foundation's Annual DesignCare Gala in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images) Getty Images Brown also made a stop at another plant-based restaurant, The Veggie in Madison, which shared a post about her visit as well. ...We had the esteemed pleasure of feeding Tabitha [Brown] and her team before they left the Rocket City, The Veggie shared on its Facebook page. They snagged some of our favorites like the Philly cheese patty melt, crispy kale salad, and chikn club. And of course we had to send them off with an array of our housemade drinks and todays Sunday dinner. Thank you so much Tabitha for your time, encouragement, love, and energy in our space! The Veggie opened at Huntsvilles Lowe Mill Arts in 2021 before moving to Madison in 2023. It is owned by award-winning Chef Adyre Mason, who was named the 2024 Alabama Restauranteur of the Year and appeared on the Food Networks Beat Bobby Flay in 2022. In addition to Huntsville restaurants, Brown popped by the ULTA store at Bridge Street and visited with customers before treating them to a shopping spree of her haircare line, Donnas Recipe. You can watch a video of her time there, which she shared on social media. Among the customers who met with Brown were Monique Joe and Mahalian Boykin, who posted about the experience on social media. Plus, Brown later shared a video of the two women where they promoted 4HOPE Haven, an organization that aims to a create a " network where women can connect, grow, share, be heard, and be celebrated." Yall my heart is soooo full! Monique Joe wrote in a post on Facebook. I am smiling from ear to ear! We had the absolute joy of meeting the beautiful Tabitha Brown and she treated us to an unexpected shopping spree today! What a blessing she is in person! Her kindness and authenticity shine just as bright as they do on screen." The actress is currently promoting her film, Unexpected Christmas, which opened in select theaters on Nov. 7. For more information, visit Browns Facebook page. Actress Allison Mack attends the CW Television Network Upfront at Madison Square Garden May 18, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) Getty Images Allison Mack is addressing the bad things shes done as a high-profile member of the sex cult NXIVM in a new podcast. Released Monday, Allison After NXIVM is a seven-episode series that features the former Smallville star detailing her time as a young actor and how she became involved in the purported self-improvement group, as well as her role in manipulating women into becoming sex slaves for NXIVM leader Keith Raniere and the eventual criminal fallout. I dont see myself as innocent, Mack says in an early episode as she acknowledges using her success as an actor as a power tool ... to get people to do what I wanted and that she was very effective in moving Keiths vision forward. In a later episode, she accepts claims that she was a harsh monster during her time at NXIVM. I was not kind and I was aggressive and I was abusive, Mack says. I was harsh and I was callous and I was aggressive and forceful in ways that were painful for people. [I] did make people feel like they had no choice and was incredibly abusive to people, traumatic for people. In 2019, Mack pleaded guilty to racketeering charges related to her role in NXIVM and its subgroup DOS, a so-called secret society of women who were branded with Ranieres initials and forced to have sex with him. Mack was among one of the masters in the group, a lieutenant tasked by Raniere with recruiting and coercing other women. She was sentenced to three years in federal prison in 2021 and was released in 2023. (Raniere is currently serving a 120-year sentence after being convicted of sex trafficking and other charges.) But while she acknowledges that 100% all those allegations are true, she also contends that she is someone who cares deeply and wanted very much to grow and wanted very much for everybody that I was involved with to grow. ... [B]oth of those things are true about me. I definitely recognize and admit that I was abusing my power, Mack says. But I also cant negate the fact that there was a part of me that was altruistic and was desperate to help people. [I] wanted to be better, and I was willing to do anything to be better in myself and to help other people be better. The podcast series also touches on what Mack has been up to since being released from prison. She is pursuing a masters in social work and looking into Ph.D. programs in expressive arts therapy. She is also working at a nonprofit to help bring creative arts such as music, theater and poetry to prisons. Over the summer, Mack got married to Frank Meeink, a prominent former neo-Nazi who now speaks out in support of racial diversity and acceptance. The couple met in a dog park not long after Macks release from prison in 2023. According to the podcasts host, Natalie Robehmed, Mack now goes by Allison Meeink. Robehmed also mentions that Allison After NXIVM, which is the latest installment of the true crime podcast "Uncover," came to be after Mack reached out to journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis following her release from prison, hoping to tell her own story for the first time. Grigoriadis, who serves as an executive producer on the series, had interviewed Mack before her arrest. NXIVM also has been the subject of the 2020 documentary series "The Vow" and "Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult." 2025 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. KISS guitarist Ace Frehleys death on Oct. 16 has been ruled an accident. TMZ reports the cause of death was a result of blunt trauma to the head due to a fall. Per the report, citing the Morris County, New Jersey Medical Examiners report, Frehley suffered a stroke and a fracture to the back of his skull, a subdural hematoma, which is a collection of blood formed between the brains protective outer layer and the brain itself. Frehley, 74, was put on life support after a fall in a studio led to a brain bleed last month. His family took him off life support. Frehleys family released a statement last month at the time of the fall: We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth. We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Aces memory will continue to live on forever! Ace was a founding member of KISS, joining Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss. Frehley is known for his song-within-a-song guitar solos on Kiss classics like Rock And Roll All Nite and Love Gun. A Bronx, New York native, Frehleys drew early guitar inspiration from the likes of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend and Jimmy Page. RELATED: How an Alabama company made pyro for Kiss Frehley pronounced fray-lee, not free-lee cowrote or wrote Kiss hits like Cold Gin and Shock Me. Kiss members each established makeup-clad personas and Frehleys was known as Spaceman. Krystal Monroe has cut back to one meal a day, usually a peanut butter sandwich and a can of fruits or vegetables, so her 8-year-old son has enough to eat. As a single mom in Gadsden, she lost her job as a paralegal the day before the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP or food stamps, was suspended. Monroe said she struggled to work because of a deteriorating medical condition thats gotten worse as she has less food. And she hasnt been able to find another job. If I wasnt spending the money I do have on food, Id be able to spend it on gas to get my health back on track, she told AL.com. So this is having a huge impact on me. When she was making $17.50 an hour as a paralegal, Monroe said, it was enough to afford two meals a day for herself, food for her son on the days she has custody of him, and biweekly trips from Gadsden to Birmingham to see her specialists. Shes grateful for the food boxes from her local church, but sometimes its hard to make a meal out of what shes given, mostly beans and fruit snacks. She said it can be hard to please her son whos a picky eater, so she saves whatever money she has to buy him the food he likes, like sausages. In October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced food stamps would be suspended due to the ongoing shutdown, despite having a contingency fund that could at least pay out partial benefits to people enrolled in SNAP. Since then, the 750,000 Alabamians who rely on SNAP have been inundated with uncertainty about whether theyll get help buying food this month. Federal courts have ordered the Trump administration to pay out partial benefits, then full benefits. The administration has responded with appeals and has escalated the case to the Supreme Court. The Alabama Department of Human Resources said Monday that partial benefits should be released by the end of the week, but added that a straight percentage reduction may not be whats received. And politicians on Capitol Hill are moving closer to a deal to end the shutdown, but one that doesnt include any guarantees on health care subsidies that Democrats held out for for over 40 days. Just the uncertainty has been a huge deal. And I just finally said, Im going to plan as if theyre not doing any benefits and work from there, Monroe said. Because I dont trust that any party has our best interest at heart. I dont believe theres any care for the single mom or dad or families struggling to get by. Like Monroe, multiple Alabamians have told AL.com that the suspension of SNAP has created significant hardship and uncertainty in their lives, forcing them to sacrifice basic needs. Falling behind on bills April works part time delivering groceries through Walmarts Spark app. She cant work full time because she has a child with an intellectual disability and has to be available for doctors and therapy appointments and school IEP meetings. She spoke on the condition that AL.com not use her full name to protect her daughters privacy. She said the SNAP suspension has hit her family on multiple fronts. She didnt get her monthly benefit of about $500, which she typically can stretch pretty far for her family of three. On top of that, over 17% of residents in rural Calhoun County where April lives and works are also on SNAP. She said her take home pay in her job delivering groceries has plunged from about $300 a week to $100 a week since the suspension. Shes having to sacrifice paying some of her bills to buy groceries. Shes cut out most of the non-essentials like subscriptions for streaming services. But if it continues to go this way, we might have to cut into the essential stuff, she told AL.com. Im already behind on my car payment, so now Im risking my car being repossessed. And if that happens, then I cant even do the work Im supposed to or get my disabled child back and forth to the appointments that she needs. The food pantry has helped, though its hard to get enough meat there, and meat is the most expensive item at the grocery store. She can stretch each food box about a week. If we knew how much we could expect to get or how much was coming, I could plan ahead and make arrangements with utility companies, she said. But at this point we dont know whats gonna come at all so what do we do? Food bank obstacles Theres a food pantry not far from Brittanys home in Huntsville. But she uses a walker, and she doesnt have a car. She can take the bus, but with her walker its hard to carry food boxes through the narrow aisles, let alone multiple bus routes and transfer stations. Shes on disability and cant work. Since her food stamps were suspended, she said she only has $120 to last the month. Brittany moved to Alabama a few years ago and doesnt have anyone she can call on for help. She spoke to AL.com on the condition that her last name not be used because she said she previously escaped an abusive relationship. She takes two medications - one that costs $63 and another that costs $54. Now that she cant afford them, shes asked her doctor to give her samples instead. Im hoping theyll last me to the end of the month, she told AL.com. Because of the obstacles she faces to get to the food bank, the easiest option is for her to buy the most affordable food she can at the nearby grocery store. This week shes hoping she budgeted enough to buy a box of spaghetti and pasta sauce to eat for every lunch and dinner. If the price of noodles goes up, that cuts into my budget, she said. And then Im back to not eating breakfast. The uncertainty of food prices lately has been as frustrating as the uncertainty of not knowing when SNAP benefits will come. It feels like its being held over your head, like a pinata, and you dont have a stick to hit it. Food or health care Melissa Swain used to have a high paying job, she said, making six figures a year as a business owner. Then on Nov. 11, 2021 she had a seizure at work. She had no family history of epilepsy, no prior illnesses or injuries. It completely flipped my whole life upside down, Swain told AL.com. She said the seizures made it almost impossible for her to work. She had to sell her company, a house, her cars. After long approval and appeals processes, she said, she was just recently approved for disability, though she hasnt gotten a check yet. She just got onto SNAP in June. Without any money coming in, Swain said, shes had to cancel doctor appointments because she can no longer afford copays. She cant drive because of her epilepsy, so she struggles to get to the food bank. Its only open on weekdays during work hours, making it difficult to find someone who can give her a ride. She also needs to make it to the pet pantry in Tuscaloosa to feed her six cats and one dog. Shes angry at the government for making power playsat the expense of people." We are the richest country in the world, and we have people starving for health care, she said, adding that President Trump is trying to leverage starvation as a tool to get the Democrats to capitulate. But she is willing to starve, she said. As someone who knows firsthand the importance of having health insurance, she knows whats at stake. I know what not having health care does to somebody with a major illness. That illness gets worse, she said. Id rather starve than have Democrats give in to this. For those in need of help, you can find free food Feeding Alabamas Food Finder tool. New homes under construction and for sale within the Laurelbrooke neighborhood east of Fairhope, Ala., off of Alabama State Route 181, as pictured on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. John Sharp Like much of the state, home buyers in south Alabama can expect prices to ease across the region except in a few key markets. I do not feel in any way, shape or form, that were seeing a cooling down in Baldwin County, said Susan Shallow, an Orange Beach-based realtor who leads the Baldwin County real estate association. But Baldwin County may be an anomaly. Across Alabama, typical home values are on the decline, dropping by about 0.4% since January, according to the real estate company Zillow. The last time that happened was in March 2023, and in 2012 before that. Home prices in Mobile saw some of the steepest downturns of any other urban metro, falling by 1.4%, or around $2,700, on average since January. Typical home values in neighboring Washington, Choctaw and Crenshaw counties dipped from 1% to as much as 10%. Baldwin County, meanwhile, only saw a slight decline. Average home prices dropped by just 0.2% in the eight-month period, while some towns north of the coast saw home values rise. Among them are: Silverhill: up by 1.2% Lillian: up by 0.7% Spanish Fort: up by 0.6% Fairhope: up by 0.5% Stapleton: up by 0.5% Zooming in For years, Baldwin County has dominated the real estate market. The county, home to luxury waterfront homes and swaths of rural farmland, is one of Alabamas fastest-growing. It welcomed a new record of just over 8,000 residents last year. Seven to eight people move to Baldwin County a day, Shallow told AL.com earlier this summer. And the county has the space to grow in. This year, the area saw a hodgepodge of growth particularly in smaller towns surrounding the countys 3,000 acre megasite and other ancillary businesses. (Cant see the map? View it here.) According to the associations latest report, average sales prices in North Baldwin increased by 13% from October 2024 to 2025. Homes in the area average about $300,000 and tend to sell in less than two months. I think thats going to be the big surprise over the next three to five years, Shallow said, noting lots of space for development around the interstate and northern part of the county. Its very very rural, so I think were going to see an awful lot going on up there that will drive the market. A downturn in Mobile In Mobile, home prices are dropping pretty much everywhere from lower-income neighborhoods in Prichard and Mount Vernon to beachfront homes on Dauphin Island. Shallow said thats not much of a surprise, since so much of the market is residential. Some key exceptions include Mobiles high-dollar Audubon and Country Club neighborhoods, where home values are up by an average of $24,000 and $13,000, respectively. See data for all Mobile-area neighborhoods in the table below (or view it here): Best time to buy? Shallow said her own firm, which specializes in luxury real estate, saw an expected decline in October. Properties across the county also spent slightly longer on the market compared to the same period last year. Waterfront rentals dont pick up until after March, and thats when prices swing back up. Residential home sales follow a similar pattern. That means now is the best time to buy, she said whether youre looking for a beach house or a starter home. Its less popular to be here this time of year than it is in the spring and summer months and those of us who live here know theyre crazy, she said, laughing. This really is the most beautiful time of year we have here. Zillows typical home value estimates are based on the Zillow Home Value Index. AL.com analyzed a subset of this data that looked at estimates for single family homes within the 35th and 65th percentile of homes within a given area. A young woman whose death on board the Carnival Horizon cruise ship is being investigated by the FBI was identified by her family as a Central Florida high school senior, according to a report from ABC News. Anna Kepner, 18, who attended Titusvilles Temple Christian School in Brevard County, was due to graduate in May. Carnival Cruise Line confirmed a passenger had died on the ship that returned to PortMiami on Saturday, and that the FBI was involved in its investigation, but no other details about the death were released. Since this is an ongoing matter under the jurisdiction of law enforcement, it is up to the FBIs Miami public affairs office to provide further details. Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest, the cruise line said in an emailed statement. Her family told ABC News that Kepner was a happy, bubbly, straight-A student with a bright future ahead. She had just finished taking the test to join the military, the family told the media outlet. She was already talking to recruiters and had chosen her career path. She wanted to do something that would help her community. The family told ABC she began gymnastics at the age of 2, and had joined the high schools varsity cheerleading team. Her school posted images of flowers placed atop her car that still remained parked in her senior parking spot on the schools campus. The post attributed to school administrator Andrea Stoner thanked everyone who came out Monday morning in memory of Anna. The parking lot was full of so many that knew and loved her, it said. Praise God that we can rest in knowing that Anna is with our Lord and Savior. It doesnt make our grief any easier, but God is close to the broken hearted. An earlier post to the schools Facebook page attributed to Mr. Brunner said, Anna I will deeply miss you. You were a bright, kind-hearted young woman whose presence brought warmth and energy into the classroom. Your curiosity, your gentle spirit, and the way you cared for those around you made a lasting impression on me and on everyone who knew you. I will miss you poking your head in my office to say hello and that turning into a fun 15 minute conversation, it continued. Losing you is heartbreaking, yet I remain grateful for the time I had with you and the privilege of you becoming part of our TCS family. Your absence will be felt every day, but your impact and the memories you created will continue to live on in our hearts. _____ 2025 Orlando Sentinel. Visit orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Many enlistees and their families stationed at a Florida Air Force base are being told to take down their Christmas decorations because its too soon for Santa. Privatized housing residents at Tyndall Air Force 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. A 31-year-old man died Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at CMC Steel in Birmingham. (Carol Robinson) A 31-year-old man was killed in an industrial accident at a Birmingham steel fabricator, but authorities said he had no ties to the mill. The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the victim as Robert Carson Chambliss. He lived in Birmingham. Birmingham police were dispatched just before 7 p.m. Friday to CMC Steel in the 100 block of 50th Street South after employees discovered signs that someone had been injured. Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said Chambliss sustained blunt force trauma due to an industrial accident. Chambliss, Yates said, was not an employee nor contracted employee of CMC Steel and entered the property unauthorized. He was pronounced dead at 10:49 p.m. No additional details are being released. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a geomagnetic storm warning for Nov. 12 that could result in a Northern Lights appearance as far south as Alabama. A geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance in the Earths magnetic field, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center. The disturbance can damage satellites, disrupt navigation systems and radio communications and even cause power grid failures in extreme cases. But it can also produce an aurora, like the Northern Lights, which only those in the far northern reaches of the planet usually get a chance to see. This weeks storm is caused by a series of coronal mass ejections- eruptions of solar material and magnetic fields- that started over the weekend. The SWPC has a storm scale that ranges from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). NOAA has ranked tomorrows storm as a G4, not as intense as G5 storm in May 2024, which had those as far south as Florida seeing the Northern Lights. This is the fourth G4-level storm watch of the current solar cycle, which is an unusually high level of activity for 2025, according to reports from the County Herald Weather Center. NOAA has encouraged U.S. stargazers to monitor the sky after dark Tuesday and check spaceweather.gov for updates and aurora forecasts. Scientists have said previously the best time to catch a glimpse of the aurora is usually between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. in a location away from city lights. Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones and U.S. Representative Terri Sewell hosted a Town Hall at A.H. Parker High School in Birmingham on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 Roy S. Johnson This is an opinion column. Do it, Doug. Stop playing with us. Stop teasing. Stop toying with us like a cat with a ball of yarn. Pounce like its cheese. Or a mouse. Sen. Tommy Tuberville wants to squeak into the Alabama governors office unchallenged and state Republican officials have all but strewn crumbs to lead the way to Montgomery. (Which Tuberville might need since he doesnt seem to have spent much time living in the state whose residents he represents.) So, go ahead, Sen. Doug Jones. Jump into it. Scare Tuberville out of the dark. And maybe, just maybe, put a little fear in Alabama Republicans, too. Run for governor. Lets be clear: This is not some Pollyannaish call. This is still Alabama, and the challenge for any Democrat to win statewide is, at best, daunting. Beyond Jones tight U.S. Senate win over a tainted Roy Moore in 2017, no Alabama Dem has copped a statewide office since 2008. Thats when then-former Lieutenant Governor Lucy Baxley won a shoestring majority (50.25%) for a seat on the Alabama Public Service Commission. Thats it, folks. So, daunting but not insurmountable. Not in this time. Jones lost to Tuberville in 2020 in a bid to hold onto the Senate seat. Dont call it a rematch, though, should Jones dive in. Different office. Different times. Oh, such a different time. A Jones candidacy will at least make Tuberville run on his record (call me when you find it), his words (start with the three branches of government) and his umbilical connection to Trump. It will force Tuberville to say just how he will make Alabama better, how hell improve the lives of Alabamians. All of them. Not merely those who voted for him. Make him run for Montgomery and Tuberville will almost certainly trip over himself. Mine is not an idle plea, of course. Jones made it clear over the weekend that hes been assessing the juicy notion for a time now. And buzz about Jones possibly challenging Tuberville has percolated beyond whispers. On Saturday, Jones and U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell co-hosted a town hall conversation at historic A.H. Parker High School in Birmingham. The event was organized by Blueprint Alabama, a neophyte political action committee created to (dont chuckle) get Democrats elected statewide. The final question of the Q&A segment, directed at Jones, was a surprise to exactly no one in the auditorium: Will you run for governor? I guess I walked into that one, he said, smiling, almost shyly, as the eclectic gathering of folks in the room rose for an ovation. Stay tuned, he said. Man, please. Just do it. Sidenote: My call is in no way meant to dismiss or disrespect the candidacies of the Democrats whove already declared themselves 2026 gubernatorial candidates: Hoover/Florence businessman/engineer Will Boyd, Montgomery Pastor JaMel Brown and hemp entrepreneur Chad Chig Martin of Enterprise. God bless your right to run and your reasons for doing so. Alas, youll get no help from the long-moribund Alabama Democratic Party. Nor would it help Jones, honestly. Too much bad blood has been spilled. Yet Jones is the Democrat best suited to match Tuberville in name recognition and more with or without the state party. Additionally, any Democrat would have to play serious catch-up with Tubervilles $7.7 million campaign war chest. Between 2001-2020, Jones raised almost $56 million in contributions. A Democrat would also have to galvanize a quixotic coalition of Alabamians who are weary, weary of the state growing moss on the bottom rung of almost every ladder (rural hospital closures, infant mortality, mental health access, etc.), weary of the incessant Republican drumbeat of us vs the rest of yall who dont look like us, and especially weary (and angry) of watching hard-working people being snatched from our streets, and ripped from their families and lives here by masked thugs. It would have to be a coalition of voters weary of Tubervilles incessant and embarrassing rants, people who believe our CEO must be someone more qualified. Someone better. A coalition weary of Donald Trump. Specific policies aside, that sentiment call it foolishness fatigue is the thread that buoyed the Democrats domination of elections across the nation at every level last week. So many people have talked about how Donald Trump is a threat to democracy, Jones said at the town hall. Well, I got to tell you, folks, on Tuesday, he was the driving force for democracy because he drove people to the polls. Sure, Democrats beat down Republicans to win governors races in New Jersey and Virginia. But it was statewide victories in unlikely Southern states that may have tipped Jones into the race. Significantly for folks in Alabama, in the South, he said Saturday, you had two Public Service Commission seats Democrats won in Georgia, and the Mississippi legislature flipped from a super-majority, with Democrats winning at least two Republican held seats. We cant rest, Jones told the crowd. When you have an event that puts the wind at your back, youve got to take it. Youve got to grab it. Youve got to seize it. Yeah, you walked right into it. Now, run for it. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after Vice President JD Vance swore in U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP President Donald Trump has reintroduced the idea of a stimulus-style payment to Americans, funded by revenue generated by tariffs on foreign imports. A dividend of at least $2,000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone, Trump wrote on Truth social. Details of the payments are scarce, however, and would likely require Congressional approval. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he has not discussed the idea with the president, adding there were no specific proposals in the works. It could be just the tax decreases that we are seeing on the presidents agenda. No tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security, deductibility on auto loans. Those are substantial deductions that are being financed in the tax bill, Bessent said. READ MORE: Stimulus check 2025: Trump promises $2,000 tariff payment, what you need to know Its likely any payments would be similar to the series of three checks issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, which were capped based on income. Income limits for those payments were $150,000 for families, $112,500 for heads of household and $75,000 for individuals. People whose incomes passed those levels received reduced payments. Americans received three stimulus checks during the COVID pandemic. The first round was paid in April 2020 and included up to $1,200 per eligible adult and $500 per qualifying child. The second round, paid in December 2020, was up to $600 per person and the third, issued in March 2021, was up to $1,400 per individual. How much would the $2,000 payments cost the US? According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, if payments were made to adults and children, each round of payments would cost about $600 billion. Currently, Trumps tariffs have raised $100 billion so far and are projected to raise about $300 billion a year. Thank you for your service Today is Veterans Day. This is the holiday that honors all veterans, living and passed, who served during wartime or peacetime. Alabama has a unique connection to Veterans Day. It was Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran from Birmingham, who proposed turning what at the time was Armistice Day into a celebration of all U.S. veterans. Armistice Day had acknowledged the end of World War I. It was 1954 before President Eisenhower signed a measure making Nov. 11 Veterans Day, but Birmingham already started hosting the nations original Veterans Day parade in 1947. This year will be the 78th version of the National Veterans Day Parade in downtown Birmingham. AL.coms Greg Garrison reports that this years parade marshal is Medal of Honor winner U.S. Army Capt. Gary Michael Rose. Hes a Vietnam veteran who was wounded but saved the lives of an estimated 60 soldiers during 1970s Operation Tailwind in enemy territory in Laos. Also, there will be the traditional riderless horse with backwards boots in the stirrups to represent the fallen warrior. Serving as the horse again this year will be Hank the Tank, who retired to a ranch in Alabama after completing his service at Arlington National Cemetery. A new justice Will Parker has replaced Bill Lewis on the Alabama Supreme Court in what has been a bit of a revolving seat, reports AL.coms Mike Cason. Jay Mitchell won an election to join the court last year. He resigned from the court to run for attorney general, and Gov. Kay Ivey appointed Bill Lewis to replace him. Since then, President Trump nominated and the U.S. Senate confirmed Lewis for a federal judgeship. To replace Lewis, Ivey has appointed Parker. Hell serve with eight other justices. Parker has been general counsel for Ivey the past six years. Before that, he worked as an assistant attorney general. SNAP and the feds The Alabama Department of Human Resources announced that partial SNAP benefits are likely to go out by the end of the week, reports AL.coms Savannah Tryens-Fernandes. According to DHR, the federal government has communicated that there will be a 35% reduction in SNAP benefits this month. Beyond the setback this may be causing peoples individual budgets, it also has at least a short-term macroeconomic effect. The lack of SNAP benefits essentially serves as a cut to disposable income. And nearly 15% of Alabamians use food stamps. That has had grocery-store operators nervous of late. However, the Senate has passed legislation to reopen the government and has forwarded it to the House of Representatives. Mayors unite The mayors of the states 10 largest cities all signed off on an op-ed column calling for Aniahs Law to be broadened. The group known as the Alabama Big 10 Mayors come together occasionally to meet or to address an issue. The group includes both Democrats and Republicans. They are: Auburns Ron Anders, Birminghams Randall Woodfin, Decaturs Kent Lawrence, Dothans Mark Saliba, Hoovers Nick Derzis, Huntsvilles Tommy Battle, Madisons Ranae Bartlett, Mobiles Spiro Cheriogotis, Montgomerys Steven Reed and Tuscaloosas Walt Maddox. Aniahs Law gives judges the option to deny bail to offenders charged with certain violent crimes. The Alabama Legislature passed a measure, which Gov. Kay Ivey signed, that would add attempted murder and other serious violent offenses. Since Aniahs Law was put into the state constitution, changing it requires a constitutional amendment. That means the measure will now appear on the 2026 Primary Election ballot for voters to ratify or not. Quoting Just me and my friends were watching the game and I was like, Man itd be funny to run on the field during the game. Jonathan Austan Luna, the LSU fan who ran onto the field during this past Saturdays Alabama game and was charged with second-degree criminal trespass. More Alabama News The podcast Waste Management, the nations largest waste services company, is seeking approval to significantly expand operations at its Chastang Landfill in rural north Mobile County, a proposal that has sparked debate Monday over jurisdiction and oversight. The company is requesting a permit to increase the amount of residential waste accepted at the landfill by nearly 190 percent, from 1,725 tons per day to 5,000 tons. The expansion would also allow the facility to accept garbage from 17 counties across south Alabama, not just Mobile County. The increased waste volume would generate additional revenue for the county. The proposal came before the Mobile County Commission on Monday, where Commissioner Randall Dueitt questioned why the City of Mobiles Solid Waste Authority supported the application early in the process. The landfill is located outside the city limits and is not governed by the city, although it would receive the citys residential waste. This is just a statement, not really a question, Dueitt said during a public hearing on the proposal. I wonder how the City of Mobile, City Council and Mayor would feel if the county had a landfill in the city limits and our Solid Waste Authority approved a proposal that had no effect on county residents. The location of the Chastang Landfill on U.S. 43 in north Mobile County. Google maps Dueitt said the citys Solid Waste Authority passed a proposal that didnt affect city residents but directly impacts people living in unincorporated areas north of Mobile. After the meeting, Dueitt declined to elaborate and referred questions to Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, who also declined to comment. Ludgood said she preferred to wait until after the Mobile County Solid Waste Disposal Authority Board meets at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson was absent. County commissioners are scheduled to vote on the expansion request Dec. 8. If approved locally, the application will move to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for final review and permitting. Jaime Betbeze, a Mobile attorney representing Waste Management, said the citys Solid Waste Authority voted unanimously to support the project during an April meeting. He said those members are also Mobile County residents who would benefit from the landfills expansion. Betbeze said the expansion is intended to help the Chastang Landfill remain competitive with EcoSouth Services facility located about nine miles south along U.S. 43 in Axis. That facility is permitted to accept up to 5,000 tons of waste per day and receives waste from 18 counties across south Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. He said it is unlikely the Chastang Landfill would reach 5,000 tons per day except in an emergency. On average, the facility receives about 550 tons per day. Weve done market studies showing that we expect to see an additional 150 to 200 tons per day based on the area were looking at, Betbeze said. Two members of the citys Solid Waste Authority said expanding the landfill would benefit both the city and county. Under the proposal, the county would receive revenue from a 50-cent-per-ton fee assessed on waste brought in from outside Mobile County. The expansion of the service area ensures the continued economic viability of the landfill itself, said Jim McNaughton, a representative on the citys Solid Waste Authority. Only one nearby resident spoke in opposition during Mondays hearing. Richard Hayward said he was concerned about declining property values and odors from an expanded landfill. Betbeze said there is sufficient buffer space around the landfill to minimize any impact. The 367-acre property includes 153 acres designated for waste disposal. There are no plans to expand the landfills footprint, he said. You have a 214-foot buffer around the landfill, Betbeze said. If you drive down Highway 43, you would not see the landfill right now. The buffer required by regulation will always be there to protect surrounding neighborhoods. That wont change at all. Tracie Threadford still looks around when people address her by her new title, Madam Mayor before quickly remembering they are talking about her. I still chuckle. I know I made it to this moment, but its still so unreal, Threadford said. Its going to take some getting used to. Threadford is just days into her term as mayor of Tarrant, a town of about 6,000 just north of Birmingham. While the title is new, the former councilwoman and mayor-pro-tem, who now leads the city, knows her orientation period must be short as she learns the inner workings of city hall and tackles immediate problems known and unknown. Threadford said her three early priorities are tackling city finances, learning details of daily operations and finally improving the citys image. I dont want to alarm citizens or employees, but we can make payroll, but were going to have to take a hard look at some things, she told AL.com as some senior staff members sat nearby in her office. Threadford said there was no need to ask them to leave during the interview. Everything she has to say should be public and transparent, she said. City officials warned in September that spending must slow down or the city will run out of money. Few details were provided. Emails obtained by AL.com at the time included a notice from Tarrants finance department notifying employees that all purchases must be pre-approved. Things may be cut but wont affect services for the city, Threadford said. Im going to do everything in my power to keep every employee, and I did explain that. Financial questions and finger-pointing are nothing new in Tarrant. The city has not passed an operating budget since 2022 as the council refused to approve former Mayor Wayman Newtons spending plan. Threadford has said she suspected that the series of lawsuits stemming from political and personnel disputes at city hall and the legal fees they generated contributed to the citys dwindling finances. Ive got 80 people depending on me to feed their families, she said. So, Ive got to make strategic decisions. Ive got to make decisions that are going to benefit both the city and city employees. Threadford defeated Newton in a September runoff to become the second female mayor in the citys history. She took office Nov. 3. The mayors suite was nearly empty, with just chairs lining the wall as Threadford met with city employees. Theres been little time for decorating. Threadford said the first order of business is restoring order itself. The city has earned infamy for its raucous council meetings and political division between the council and former mayor, which had, at times, turned violent. As a result, progress in the city remained stymied and residents on both sides voiced frustration. Threadford as mayor pledged a new era of cooperation between her and the council, which includes two incumbents and three newcomers. All of us have to be able to communicate, she said. Weve got to be able to develop that trust. Longtime councilman Tommy Bryant, a political nemesis of former mayor Newton, is now mayor pro-tem, the senior member of the council. Bryant dominated headlines when he punched the former mayor during a verbal showdown in city hall that escalated outside. Bryant landed the slug in response to Newtons profanity-laced and explicit insults regarding Bryants wife. A Jefferson County judge later acquitted Bryant on assault charges, ruling that the councilman was justified in his response to Newtons fighting words. Threadford defended her support for her former council colleague now in his fifth term. I nominated Mr. Bryant for the pro-tem because Mr. Bryant has institutional knowledge that I will need to guide this city, she said. In the shape that it is in now, Im going to need that institutional knowledge. We have a great rapport. Hes my friend, and Im his friend. Just as importantly, she said, is improving relationships that have been damaged after years of political fights and by a tough, mudslinging mayoral campaign. She told employees that the election is over and so are any lingering political feuds. I wanted to let them know that Im not the big bad wolf that I was portrayed to be, Threadford said. I just want everyone to feel comfortable. I want to develop genuine relationships. Yes, Im the mayor. Yes, Im the boss, but Im human. Threadford said the city needs to be cleaned in multiple ways, including physically, politically and reputationally. A drive through the city shows the physical needs, but conversations are also needed to polish the citys tarnished reputation, she said. We have got to clean up our image, Threadford said. There are relationships that need to be mended. There are a lot of fractured relationships. Threadford said she must also meet with business leaders in the city to reestablish relationships. Several heavy industries are located within the town. I want to find out where we can go from here and can you give me the chance to be the type of leader that you all want to work with, Threadford said. We all should have the same goal of making where we live, work and play the best it can be. Threadford was blunt when it came to ending tension and controversy at city hall and beyond. I am not messy and I dont tolerate mess, period, she said. Lets keep the drama out the public. Lets not have any drama. As a response to the ongoing federal government shutdown and reduction or elimination of SNAP benefits, several Birmingham City Council members have organized food giveaways. Residents will be able to pick up free food boxes over the next week at events around the city, according to a news release from the council. As the federal government shutdown has continued to impact over 23,000 households in Birmingham that rely on SNAP benefits, we know many families are in need of assistance, especially with Thanksgiving right around the corner, the release said. The five food giveaway events are part of an ongoing effort by the city to help families impacted by the disruption of SNAP benefits, or food stamps. Earlier this month, Mayor Randall Woodfin asked, and the council agreed, to provide $1 million in funds to assist affected families, with fund distribution managed by United Way of Central Alabama. Councilors are also working with other partners in the community to provide wraparound services and assistance programs to those in need. Upcoming food distribution events are: Friday November14, 1 p.m., District 5 Councilor Darrell OQuinn: Thanksgiving Drive-thru event, while supplies last (first come, first served), Jefferson County Family Court, 120 2nd Ct North, Birmingham Saturday November 15, 10 a.m., District 7 Council President Wardine Alexander: Days of Giving, 500 Hens, First Baptist Church Roosevelt City, 6012 Malcolm Avenue Saturday November 15, 2-5 p.m., District 9 Council President Pro Tem LaTonya Tate: Mobile Market Thanksgiving Giveaway, North Birmingham Towers Parking Lot. Must be registered, District 9 residents only. SEE REGISTRATION DETAILS BELOW Monday November 17, 9 a.m. - noon, District 9 Council President Pro Tem LaTonya Tate: Hen Giveaway,Twenty Fifth Baptist Church, 2100 25th Ct North, Birmingham. Must be registered, District 9 residents only Monday November 24, 3-5 p.m., District 6 Councilor Crystal Smitherman in partnership with her father, Sen. Rodger Smitherman: Thanksgiving Giveaway - one meat and one box per car (chicken and turkey available, food box and holiday box available) at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, 1101 Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Birmingham 35211. The registration information below is for District 9 residents only. The other giveaways are first come, first served: Details to register. City of Birmingham This story was updated to correct the address of the Monday Nov. 24 event. A state-of-the-art, accessible playground is in the works for Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville. The playground at one of the Tennessee Valleys most popular parks will be built thanks to contributions of $100,000 from the Daniel Foundation and $50,000 from the Thompson Foundation, and the Alabama State Parks Foundation is also contributing $50,000 from its unrestricted funds. We cant thank the Alabama Parks Foundation, the Thompson Foundation, and the Daniel Foundation enough for their generosity and passion for this project at Joe Wheeler State Park, State Parks Director Matthew Capps said in a news release. We are committed to helping every visitor to one of our state parks enjoy a first-class experience, and its gratifying to know that we have partners who are willing to step forward and help us accomplish that goal. The playground will cost almost $450,000 to build. The Alabama Parks Foundation will continue fund-raising efforts to transform the playground project from dream into reality. We are actively seeking donations from individual and corporate donors, and wed love to find additional corporate partners from the Shoals to be part of this project, said Alex McCrary, president of the Foundations board of directors. Donations to the Foundation can be made online here. The State Parks System is currently making renovations and upgrades parks throughout the state, thanks to voters approval of an $80 million bond issue for state parks in 2022. A number of major projects are under construction and expected to be finished in 2026, including the addition of a new lodge at Cheaha State Park, the total renovation of Lake Lurleen State Park near Tuscaloosa, and a significant campground expansion at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, which was named one of the nations best RV parks in the country earlier this year. While the bond funding helps address a long list of deferred maintenance and fund critical enhancement projects around the state, the Foundation remains committed to raising funds for other targeted projects like the new playground at Joe Wheeler State Park. The Foundation has been involved in a number of other enhancement projects in recent years, including: Working with a fraternity from the University of South Alabama to purchase a track chair for Gulf State Park Partnering with Buffalo Rock to purchase patio furniture for Wind Creek State Park and Lakepoint State Park Securing a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham to install a new playground at Rickwood Caverns State Park. The Foundation can help fill the gaps and provide a margin of excellence to make our State Parks better than they have ever been, McCrary said. We always say that every gift makes a difference, and the generous funding provided by the Thompson Foundation and the Daniel Foundation are perfect examples. New, accessible playgrounds have been recently added at Chewacla State Park in Auburn and Rickwood Caverns State Park in Warrior, projects that replaced outdated equipment and improved accessibility for visitors with physical challenges. Officials also unveiled a new playground in the renovated campground at Oak Mountain State Park in 2024. The new playground at Rickwood Caverns replaced on of the oldest ones in the State Parks System. Playgrounds have always been among the most used facilities in our State Parks, Capps said, and thats why we replaced the one at Rickwood Caverns and were committed to building a new one at Joe Wheeler State Park. We always say we want our State Parks to be a place where people can stay, play and explore. Whether a family is staying at Joe Wheelers waterfront lodge for a week or that same family visits the park for a few hours on a Saturday afternoon, we understand how much a new playground will be appreciated and enjoyed by kids of all ages. Thats something to celebrate. Alabamas State Parks attract millions of visitors every year, and Joe Wheeler State Park welcomed more than 236,000 people in fiscal year 2023-24, the most recent year that figures are available. Vice President J.D. Vance (L) greets Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) before U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak with Senate Republicans at a breakfast in the State Dining Room of the White House on November 5, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Getty Images Alabama U.S. Sen. Katie Britt played a pivotal role in the negotiations that led to the Senate taking the necessary vote to end the record-long government shutdown, according to top lawmakers in both parties, Politico and Punchbowl News reported. Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota called Britt a rock star for helping resolve one of the thorniest issues in the funding talks, setting the stage to reopen the government. A report in Politico noted Britt and Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) were part of a core group of negotiators. The Senate approved a resolution Monday to end the shutdown by a 60-40 vote, the minimum needed to overcome the filibuster that has led to the standoff. The legislation to restore funding to the government through Jan. 30 moves to the House, which could pass it and send it to President Trump, who supports it. Politico reported that Britt and Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., talked through the weekend about how to get the bill passed and that Britt served as a key emissary between the various negotiators and the White House. Kaine, a key vote in favor of the resolution, who represents 320,000 federal employees, needed the resolution to ensure not only the rehiring of workers laid off during the shutdown, but a ban on future layoffs, known as reductions-in-force (RIFs). The White House initially rejected this but eventually agreed. The reason why, Kaine told Punchbowl News, was Britt. I said, Thank you for helping convince the White House on the RIFs, Kaine said of his handshake with Britt. They really did not want to do it And I said, Im a no if you dont do that. When I explained it to her, she said thats a reasonable ask. But the White House didnt want to do it, Kaine added. And she was the go-between on that. Britt said she communicated directly with Vice President JD Vance as the talks went on. Vance and Britt were both sworn in as freshmen senators in 2023. Britt said Vance told her whatever you need, just let me know. After more than 40 daysmarking the longest shutdown in American historythe undue suffering of the American people will soon come to an end, Britt said in a statement released by her office Monday night. The shutdown threatened hardships nationally and especially in Alabama, including to the families of about 750,000 people in the state who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the businesses where they buy food. Im deeply proud to have voted over 15 times to keep the government open and working for Alabamians and the American people. Im also grateful for my Senate Republican colleagues, and colleagues across the aisle, who worked diligently to bring this shutdown to an end, Britt said. I am honored to have played a role in the negotiations that led us to this point, and I look forward to continuing to work to put people over politics and make our government function again. The vote to end the shutdown with a temporary funding measure did not resolve a key issue in the filibuster - the Democrats call to extend health care subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year. As many as 130,000 Alabamians could lose health insurance coverage without the subsidies, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. u President Donald Trump holds up the GENIUS Act, a bill that regulates stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency, after he signs the bill in the East Room of the White House, Friday, July 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP This is a guest opinion column Over the years, Ive seen firsthand how much our local banks mean to a community. Here in Opelika and across Lee County, theyve helped families buy homes, small businesses get started, and farmers make it through tough seasons. When our community banks are strong, our towns are strong. Thats why Im worried about a new federal law called the GENIUS Act. It was meant to bring some order to the fast-moving world of digital payments, but theres a loophole in the law that could end up hurting community banks the very institutions that keep small-town economies like ours running. Heres whats happening. The GENIUS Act sets new rules for companies that issue something called stablecoins a type of digital currency thats supposed to keep a steady value. The law says those companies cant pay interest directly to customers. Thats good. But it doesnt clearly stop crypto platforms the apps and exchanges people use to buy these coins from offering rewards or extra payments to customers who move their money out of local banks and into digital accounts. That might sound harmless, but it gives crypto companies a big advantage over traditional community banks. They can promise higher returns, which encourages folks to pull their deposits out of their local bank and move them into online platforms that dont have the same guardrails or protections. Unlike your neighborhood bank, those crypto accounts arent insured by the FDIC so if the company collapses, your money is gone. If local banks lose deposits, it affects everyone. Those deposits are what banks use to make loans for homes, for tractors, for business expansions, for all the things that keep a local economy moving. A recent study estimated that if deposits leave banks for these digital platforms, there could be $62 billion less nationwide for farm lending. Thats a big deal for Alabama, where agriculture and small business are still at the heart of our economy. Community banks know their customers. They know the people who run the hardware store downtown, the restaurant owners on the square, and the young couple saving up to buy their first home. Once deposits start leaving those banks, they dont come back easily and that can take years to recover from. Congress needs to fix this before it gets worse. I encourage Senator Katie Britt and her colleagues on the Senate Banking Committee to make sure small towns, and rural areas arent left behind in the rush to regulate digital assets. Here in East Alabama, we depend on our local banks and theyve always been there when we needed them. Its time we make sure the playing field stays fair, so they can keep doing what they do best: serving our people and strengthening our communities. Gary Fuller retired in 2025 after serving more than 20 years as Mayor of Opelika The deal to end the government shutdown includes a provision in a spending bill that could make U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., $500,000 richer. The provision would allow Tuberville and six other Republican U.S. senators whose phone records were accessed as part of former special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into Jan. 6 to sue the government for failing to notify them that their information was seized, The New York Times reported. Efforts to reach spokeswomen for Tuberville were not immediately successful. It is unclear whether the senator, who is running for Alabama governor in 2026, plans on suing the government. The provisions language states that the law is violated if a senator is not notified when their phone records or other metadata are taken from a service provider like a phone company, the Times reported. There are some cases that would not constitute a violation, such as a 60-day delay that can occur when a senator is considered the target of an investigation. The language of the bill states that any senator whose Senate data, or the Senate data of whose Senate office, has been acquired, subpoenaed, searched, accessed, or disclosed in violation of this section may bring a civil action against the United States if the violation was committed by an officer, employee, or agent of the United States or of any federal department or agency, The Times reported. The provision is retroactive to 2022, meaning Tuberville will be able to sue the government for his phone records being accessed in the Jan. 6 case since that occurred in 2023. The affected senators could sue for $500,000 on each claim, the bills language states, according to The Times. While Tuberville characterized the situation as then-President Joe Biden tapping his phone, the records enabled investigators to see basic information about the date and time of the calls but not the content of the communications. I would have always thought it would have been North Korea or China or Russia, not our own government and Joe Biden was tapping the phones through the FBI of senators in this country, Tuberville told Steve Bannon on his WarRoom podcast last month. Thats a damn shame. Alabamas senior senator, whose stock trading has drawn scrutiny as Congress considers whether to ban the practice, has a net worth between $5 million and $19.6 million as of 2023, according to AL.coms analysis of his financial disclosure statements. If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. The Hoka Vibrant Bloom Bondi L, an artsy floral take on one of the brands most comfortable sneakers, is officially on sale. The stylish running shoe is known for its embroidered detailing and plush build, perfect for runners, healthcare workers, or anyone who spends long hours on their feet. Originally priced at $170, the Hoka Vibrant Bloom Bondi L is now available for just $136 on Hokas website in the color Dry Clay/Dawn Light. The design features a premium nubuck upper with delicate floral embroidery along the heel, paired with perforated side panels and a marbled outsole. The result is a soft, feminine take on Hokas most supportive road-shoe sneaker. Vibrant Bloom Bondi L $170 $136 Hokas stunning Vibrant Bloom Bondi L sneaker features its signature floral embroidery and is now on sale 20% off while supplies last. $136 at Hoka.com RELATED: Hokas once sold-out Vibrant Bloom Clifton L running shoe is on sale Engineered with Hokas early-stage MetaRocker technology and an ultralight EVA midsole, the Bondi L provides smooth transitions and cloud-like cushioning with every step. Its ideal for everything from everyday wear to long shifts on your feet. Known for their all-day comfort, Hokas like the Bondi L are also popular among healthcare workers seeking reliable support during 12-hour days. If past demand is any indicator, this markdown wont last long as sizes are already selling fast, and the previous Vibrant Bloom release sold out shortly after its launch. Those interested in this deal can checkout the full listing at Hoka.com. If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. The brand new special, The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship, premieres on ABC Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 10/9c. The hour-long special will revisit one of the most timeless sitcoms to emerge and explore its lasting impact on multiple generations through new interviews with those behind-the-scenes and mega celebrity fans. How to watch The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship Cord cutters looking to stream the specials live premiere can find it available through Fubo and DIRECTV, both of which offer free trials to new subscribers. Fubo is a popular live TV streaming service that appeals to cord cutters looking to enjoy a plethora of live TV channels and helpful features. Starting at $84.99 a month after its free trial, this popular streaming service offers users over 100 live TV channels through its base package and includes helpful features like unlimited DVR. Streaming Platform Comparison Fubo DIRECTV Price $84.99/month $89.99/month Free trial Yes Yes Promotion $30 off first month $40 off first month Buy Fubo Buy DIRECTV DIRECTV is one of the leading streaming platforms taking the industry by storm. With plans starting at $89.99 after its 5-day free trial, DIRECTV offers a plethora of live TV channels, tailor-made genre packs to slim down filler overload, and a load of other appealing features. More about The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship While the special looks back on some of the most iconic moments of the show that made the sitcom the cultural phenomenon that it is today, the special also includes interviews from the series creator Susan Harris, executive producer Tony Thomas and director Terry Hughes. In addition to new insight brought to viewers by those connected with the innerworkings of the show, viewers tuning in will also get to see rarely seen behind-the-scenes footage of rehearsals, outtakes and camaraderie on set. Other guests who are set to make an appearance throughout the special include Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kelly Ripa, Laverne Cox, Erika Alexander, Pamela Adlon and former guest star Mario Lopez. These special celebrity guests will reveal their special connection to the hit series and delve into what stands out to them. Additionally, a plethora of the sitcoms original writers and producers will discuss their time on the show and the everlasting impact. On a freezing January night in 1393, music and laughter filled the Hotel Saint-Pol, a sprawling palace on the right bank of Paris. The French court had gathered for a masquerade ball in honour of a lady-in-waitings remarriage a diversion meant to lift the spirits of King Charles VI, a 24-year-old monarch already shadowed by bouts of mental instability. By dawn, four courtiers would be dead, the king barely alive, and the French monarchys reputation scorched beyond repair. The event would be remembered for centuries as the Bal des Ardents, or the Ball of the Burning Men. The Bal des Ardents depicted in a 15th-century painting from Froissart's Chronicles. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Charles VI had come to the throne when he was barely twelve hears old, inheriting a realm weakened by the Hundred Years War and by repeated outbreaks of plague, unruly peasants, and roaming bands of mercenaries. In his early reign, the government was run by four of his uncles, but in 1387, the then 20-year-old Charles assumed sole control of the monarchy and immediately dismissed his uncles and reinstated his father's traditional counsellors. Under their capable guidance, Charles was able to bring peace to France, lower taxation and establish a strong, responsible central government. The king immediately became favourite among his French subjects who nicknamed him Charles the Beloved. However, in just a few years Charles would begin to show the signs of a deep and lifelong mental illness. In 1392, on a hot August afternoon, while leading a campaign against the rebellious Duke of Brittany, the king suffered a terrifying breakdown. He attacked his own soldiers believing they were traitors and killed four men, before his chamberlain grabbed him by the waist and subdued him. Charles collapsed and fell into a coma and it took him several days to recover. Charles VI attacking his knights. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Charles' sudden onset of insanity was seen by some as a sign of divine anger and punishment, and by others as the result of sorcery. Modern historians believe that Charles was likely suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. The king continued to be mentally fragile, and according to historian Desmond Seward, ran around "howling like a wolf down the corridors of the royal palaces." During the worst of his illness the king even refused to recognize his own wife, demanding her removal when she entered his chamber. His physician, the venerated and well-educated 92-year-old Guillaume de Harsigny, advised the courtiers not to burden him with worry or the duties of government, and instead keep him entertained and amused. To surround Charles with a festive atmosphere and to protect him from the rigor of governing, the court turned to elaborate amusements and extravagant fashions. Isabeau and her sister-in-law Valentina Visconti, Duchess of Orleans, wore jewel-laden dresses and elaborate braided hairstyles coiled into tall shells and covered with wide double hennins that reportedly required doorways to be widened to accommodate them. To lift his spirits, Queen Isabeau of Bavaria organized a ball at the Hotel Saint-Pol, one of the royal residences, to celebrate the remarriage of Catherine de Fastaverin, the friend and lady-in-waiting to Queen Isabeau of Bavaria, Charles wife. The remarriage of a widow was traditionally an occasion for mockery and mischief, often celebrated with a charivari characterized by fun disguises, debaucherous dancing, and loud, discordant music. Also read: How dozens of members of the court of King Henry VI drowned in the latrine of a cathedral in Erfurt The main event of the nightas suggested by Huguet de Guisay, a young courtier who had developed a reputation as a prankster and deviser of mischievous schemesinvolved six dancers disguised as wild men, or wood savages. According to classical mythology, wood savages were mythical figures who lived in the dark woods away from civilization, and were usually depicted as filthy, shaggy brutes. The costumes, designed for the spectacle, were dangerously inventive. The mens bodies were covered in resin-soaked linen and layered with flax fibers that bristled like fur. Masks made of the same materials covered the dancers' faces to conceal their identities. To guard against mishap, attendants were told to keep all flames at a distance. Among the dancers was the King himself, but many of the audience were unaware of the fact. According to the chronicler Jean Froissart, the ball began in raucous good humour. The wild men capered and howled, leaping about the floor while the courtiers shrieked with laughter. Then the door opened. Louis I, Duke of Orleans, the king's 20-year-old younger brother, entered late, drunk and holding a torch. Wanting to get glimpse of the masked mens faces, he strode closer. When he leaned toward one of the wild men, several sparks fell from the torch and landed on the man's costume. In an instant, the dancer burst into flames. Bal des Ardents by the Master of Anthony of Burgundy (1470s) shows the King huddling under the Duchess of Berry's skirt. Credit: Wikimedia Commons The fire spread from one man to the next as quickly as powder catches, Froissart wrote. The hall erupted in chaos. Guests screamed, musicians dropped their instruments. Servants tried to beat out the flames with tablecloths, but the resin burned too fiercely. Queen Isabeau, unaware which of the dancers was her husband, let loose a shrill cry before fainting. Luckily, the kings aunt, Jeanne, Duchess of Berry, had the presence of mind to throw her heavy skirt over Charles, smothering the fire and saving his life. Another dancer, Sieur de Nantouillet, managed to dive into a large wine cooler that had been filled with water. He too was saved. The remaining four men were engulfed before help could reach them. When the smoke cleared, the blackened remnants of the costumes clung to the marble floor. The hall reeked of pitch and death. Yvain de Foix and Aimery de Poitiers lingered for two days with agonizing burns before they both succumbed to their injuries. Huguet de Guisay, the instigator of the whole affair, was the last to die, living for three painful days before expiring. He spent his last hours cursing his fellow dancers, both the living and the dead. Within days, word of the disaster spread through Paris and beyond. France was still reeling from war taxes, plague, and famine, and now its people heard that the king had nearly burned to death at a masquerade. To many, the Bal des Ardents was more than an accidentit was a symbol of the nobilitys moral rot. Preachers thundered that God had sent the fire as a warning. Pamphlets mocked the mad king who danced with devils while his subjects starved. To quell this dissent, the king solemnly rode to Notre Dame Cathedral with his uncles walking penitently behind him. Louis of Orleans, whose torch had sparked the blaze, came under fierce criticism. He donated funds in atonement for a chapel to be built at the Celestine monastery. The scandal deepened existing political fractures. When the kings illness worsened in the following years, Orleans and the Duke of Burgundy would fight for control of the regency, plunging France into the Armagnac-Burgundian civil wara conflict that weakened the kingdom and invited renewed English invasion. For Charles VI, the trauma of that night seemed to hasten his decline. His later episodes grew stranger. He claimed to be made of glass and refused to be touched, he forgot his name, his wife, and his children. The court fragmented into rival factions, each exploiting the kings illness for power. Later writers and artists revisited the tragedy as both moral lesson and spectacle. Illuminated manuscripts depicted the burning dancers writhing in flame, their horror contrasting with the jewelled calm of onlookers. Even modern historians see in it a striking metaphor: a glittering court, drunk on its own luxury, suddenly set ablaze by its carelessness. The disaster anticipated not only Charless personal downfall but also the coming centurys turmoil the loss at Agincourt, civil war, and the erosion of royal prestige that would haunt France long before the Revolution. References: # Bal des Ardents, Wikipedia # Ball of the Burning Men, World History Encyclopaedia It was in July this year that Google confirmed that it would be merging Chrome OS with Android. This could be because the long run of ChromeOS is nearing its end. This move should open doors for Android PCs. Android 16 brings several desktop features to the platform. A new leak now claims that Android PCs are on their way with Snapdragon X chips ticking at their core. This isnt entirely surprising, considering Google and Qualcomm announced a joint project for Android PCs in September. Snapdragon X chips could power Android PCs Noted analyst @Jukanlosreve on X has shared a rumor that Qualcomm is testing Android 16 for its Snapdragon X series chips. This is a big deal because Snapdragon X, X Plus, and X Elite chipsets feature Arm64 architecture. The chips are mainly for thin and light laptops. The screenshot shows Qualcomms internal source code repository has been updated with Android 16 for Purwa. This is the codename for the Snapdragon X series. The image also shows Android 16 manifests for various components such as computer vision, audio, BTFm (Bluetooth FM), camera subsystem, and others. The screenshot suggests that these edits are live for SC8380 (Snapdragon X series). Full support for Gemini AI and Androids AI stack Furthermore, the leak hints that while Qualcomm could have begun working on the second-generation Snapdragon X chips, these changes havent been implemented for them. Having said this, the leak doesnt guarantee that Snapdragon X or any other chips will be present in PCs thatll run Android. The biggest roadblock for this is that Android lacks a proper desktop environment. While weve seen references to Androids desktop mode, Google has yet to bring a complete solution. However, Googles recent promise to leverage Samsungs experience in building DeX for a reliable desktop UI leaves some room for hope. Google already announced its plans to bring complete Gemini AI, Androids AI stack, and the entire app ecosystem to PCs. Qualcomms CEO Cristiano Amon calls the project incredible, adding that it finally delivers the vision of mobile-PC convergence. While theres no explicit launch timeline for this, we may see some updates in 2026. The way smart home devices were designed back in the day was annoying. Each company basically tried to use its own platform in hopes of market dominance. The reality was that this created a very fractured ecosystem, where you actually end up with fewer choices than youd like because you have to find a smart home product that actually works with your other devices. That being said, there is some good news on the cross-platform front. It appears that Apples Siri Shortcuts will now work with Samsung SmartThings. Siri Shortcuts finally supports Samsung SmartThings In the latest update to Samsung SmartThings, it looks like it has finally gained support for Apple Siri Shortcuts. What does this mean for users? Basically, if youre an iPhone user, you can actually include SmartThings as part of your routine. So, if you own an Apple device like the HomePod or HomePod mini, you can use your voice to control Samsung smart home devices. In addition to supporting Siri Shortcuts, Samsung has updated its app. Now, the SmartThings app, like on the Apple Watch, will show users a full list of their devices. They can also use the app to send commands, perform routines, and more. There is even support for lock screen control via Live Activities. According to Samsung, The new release gives users the ability to access device groups created in the SmartThings app. When devices are grouped together, a user can now see and control those groups right from their wrist. Apple Watch owners with SmartThings can now view their full device list, send commands, and execute routines on the go. What are Siri Shortcuts? For non-iPhone users, Siri Shortcuts are a set of customizable instructions to help automate certain things on your device. For instance, you can create a custom scenario where at a certain time of the day, you can set it so that your smart home activates or deactivates. You can also create a custom instruction so that when your phone battery drops to a certain percentage, low power mode automatically kicks in. In fact, Google has its own take on Shortcuts for Android. It comes in the form of Google Assistant App Actions. So, if youve used that before, then you have a rough idea of how Siri Shortcuts work. Its 2012 all over again. More than a decade ago, Apple was sued over false advertising claims over the capabilities of Siri. Now, its 2025 and Apple is facing a similar lawsuit, this time over Apple Intelligence. The company has attempted to get the Apple Intelligence lawsuit dismissed, but Clarkson Law has filed an opposition to the dismissal. Apple Intelligence lawsuit dismissal The opposition litigation, Clarkson Law Firm, filed late last week an opposition against the dismissal of the Apple Intelligence lawsuit. The law firm maintains that Apple had violated multiple false advertising and consumer protection laws. This is because Apple had allegedly failed to deliver on some features of its Apple Intelligence suite of AI tools. For those unfamiliar, the lawsuit was filed against Apple for allegedly misleading consumers into buying Apple products. It claims that customers bought these products with the expectation that they would get immediate access to Apple Intelligence features. However, as many of you all know, Apple did not launch Apple Intelligence with iOS 18. Instead, the company took a while before it rolled out its AI tools, and even then, it wasnt complete as there were still some features still missing. Apple has countered those claims, saying that customers still benefited significantly from the upgraded hardware. Apple also wants credit for the fact that it did eventually release some AI tools, with more on the way at no additional costs to customers. Siri lawsuit all over again If this lawsuit sounds familiar, it is because Apple had faced a similar issue shortly after Siris launch. Back when Apple first unveiled Siri, the company showed off all the things the virtual assistant could do. However, in real-life, it was a very different story. This eventually led to an Apple customer in New York, Frank M. Fazio, suing Apple for false advertising claims. Like we said, this new Apple Intelligence lawsuit sounds remarkably similar to the case back in 2012. At WWDC 2024, Apple showed off Apple Intelligence. This was supposed to be Apples answer to Gemini and Galaxy AI. The company promised a lot of features, but as it turns out, it was all marketing. Reports claimed that the features Apple was advertising were cooked up by its marketing department. Apparently the team behind Siri and Apple Intelligence did not even know about these advertised features. It remains to be seen if Apple can regain the trust of its customers. Recently, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed that a revamped Siri is on track for a 2026 launch. We were initially skeptical given the disastrous launch of Apple Intelligence, but maybe we dont have to be. The latest rumors claim that Apple is working with Google on a customized version of Gemini which will power the new Siri. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are often viewed as a way to protect digital identity by many. But in a turn of events, Google has issued a sharp alert that the cybercriminals are spearing apps that claim to be trustworthy VPN but are actually malware tools to steal data. The firms latest November 2025 fraud and scam advisory focuses on these digital prey. Google issues alert as fake VPN apps hide spyware According to Googles November 2025 scam and fraud advisory, threat actors are disguising malware as VPN apps and browser extensions that appear legitimate at first. These fake services, or hidden malware, are known for impersonating popular VPN brands. They also use enticing advertisements to lure users into installing them. Whats even scarier is that it works exactly like they promise on the surface. However, they secretly deliver info-stealers, banking trojans, or remote-access tools. The risk is particularly high because many users install these fake VPNs, believing that they will protect their anonymity or safeguard their digital browsing. Users are advised to be extra cautious, as even the official app stores arent immune Google has emphasized in its statement that even official app stores are not immune to these fake VPN apps. Its very possible that the VPN you install to protect yourself could instead become a threat. The company also advises downloading VPN apps only from trusted sources, such as the official Google Play Store. Users must also look for apps that clearly carry a verified VPN badge. Additionally, users must always cross-verify the permissions needed by these apps. If an app is asking for unrelated permissions, its best to uninstall it. A genuine VPN service doesnt need access to your contacts, photos, and messages. To be extra cautious, avoid installing VPN apps from third-party sources. Google also requests that users enable Play Protect and use the related alerts in Android that flag risky apps and permissions The Motorola Edge 70 Ultra could be on the way, and some of its specs have just surfaced. The information comes from Digital Chat Station, a well-known and reliable tipster from China. Do note that he did talk about the specs, while he did not mention the phones name, in specific. However, everything points to the Motorola Edge 70 Ultra. The Motorola Edge 70 Ultra will utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip The Motorola Edge 70 Ultra will be its name globally, allegedly, while the phone will be known as the Moto X70 Ultra in China. The tipster claims that the phone will be fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor and feature a 1.5K OLED display. Thats not all, though. He also mentioned a periscope telephoto camera will be used, while the phone will offer a slim design.Thats basically all the spec information that Digital Chat Station shared. The Motorola Edge 70 Ultra is expected to arrive in 2026, not this year. We cannot be sure that will be its name, but it sure seems like it. The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra arrived in 2024. This year, the company did not release the Edge 60 Ultra. In other words, Motorola did not release a phone that is anywhere close to competing with flagships from its competitors, at least not a regular, slab phone. The companys flip foldable did arrive, but thats another story entirely. In any case, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra was fueled by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip, which was a powerful chip, but not the best Qualcomm has to offer. It seems like Motorola is going in the same direction with this smartphone. If youve hoped for a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, well thats not happening here The alleged Motorola Edge 70 Ultra will utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor. That chip hasnt even been announced yet, but it will be inferior to both the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Snapdragon 8 Elite, based on what weve seen thus far. That chip actually surfaced on Geekbench, and is tied to the Motorola XT2603-1. That seems to be the Motorola Edge 70 Ultra, the phone we talked about here. You can see the listing below. Samsung is reportedly challenging Apple Card and Apple Wallet. It seems that the company is planning a major expansion of its financial services in the United States. As hardware innovation slows, the tech giants are focusing on enhancing their own ecosystems to secure customer loyalty. For Samsung, this means moving beyond phones and appliances to integrate closely with the users finances through a credit card. Reports indicate that the South Korean company is in discussions with the British bank Barclays to launch its own branded credit card. The move allegedly aims to rival the popular Apple Card. This potential Samsung Card could rely on Visas payment network and offer users cashback incentives. Users could withdraw this cashback through their Samsung Account, allowing them to spend it when purchasing Samsung products or at various partner stores. This strategy aims to encourage user spending and increase sales across Samsungs wide range of products. Samsungs credit card and high-yield accounts could arrive this year in the US The credit card is only one component of a larger financial expansion planned under the umbrella of Samsung Wallet, its mobile payment system. Samsung is also looking to roll out several other financial products in the US. The list includes digital prepaid accounts, high-yield deposit accounts, and enhancements to its existing Buy Now, Pay Later offering. The overarching goal is to significantly increase the adoption and usage of Samsung Wallet in the region, where it has not yet achieved the widespread success of its rival, Apple Pay. Its noteworthy that nothing is officially finalized yet. The report indicates that negotiations between Samsung and Barclays have reportedly taken longer than initially anticipated. However, a formal announcement could happen before the end of this year. This move shift reflects how Samsung is now striving to include finances in its portfolio of products and services to make its ecosystem more attractive. The mastermind behind a scam which led UK police to make their largest-ever cryptocurrency seizure of more than 5bn in Bitcoin has been jailed. Zhimin Qian, 47, was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court to 11 years and eight months in prison on Tuesday. She had earlier pleaded guilty to money laundering and possessing and transferring criminal property. Qian, a Chinese national, defrauded more than 128,000 victims between 2014 and 2017 through a Ponzi scheme in China. She then fled to the UK as an international fugitive. She had stored the illegally obtained funds in Bitcoin assets and spent years evading UK police by sightseeing across Europe, staying in upmarket hotels, and living a life of luxury, Southwark Crown Court heard. Qian, also known as Yadi Zhang, was eventually arrested in 2024 after spending nearly six years at large. Her accomplice Seng Hok Ling, 47, was sentenced at the same court to four years and 11 months in prison. He had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of transferring criminal property. When Qian and Ling were convicted in September, the value of the Bitcoin was priced at more than 5.5bn, according to Metropolitan Police officers. It is understood that the value is constantly changing, and is currently priced at around 5bn. Gillian Jones KC, prosecuting, told the sentencing hearing that Qian had defrauded more than 128,000 victims through her business Lantian Gerui. Qian eventually came to the attention of Chinese authorities, prompting her to flee the country before eventually arriving in the UK in September 2017. Seng Hok Ling, 47, was sentenced at the same court (Met Police) In the UK, Qian recruited an accomplice, Jian Wen, to help her set up a new life. In September, Qian started renting a lavish property in Hampstead, London, having told an estate agent a lie that she ran a successful jewellery business. The monthly rent for this property was 17,333, the court heard. The sentencing hearing was told that Qian travelled extensively throughout Europe in the months and years that followed, staying in expensive hotels and sightseeing. It was heard that during these trips, Bitcoin was transferred and sold in exchange for cash, fine jewellery bought and property in Europe considered for purchase. In one trip, Qian and Wen spent 119,200 purchasing two watches at a jewellery shop in Zurich, Switzerland. In 2018, Qian attempted to purchase a 12.5m property in London, and after suspicions were raised over her Bitcoin, UK authorities were notified. Metropolitan Police officers visited her Hampstead home to execute a search warrant in October 2018. Qian provided the fake name of Yadi Zhang to officers, and the court heard that at this stage, the police did not know who she was. Officers discovered laptops in her property with millions of pounds worth of Bitcoin contained on them. The pair were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court (PA) No arrests were made at that stage and Qian fled the country after this raid. The court heard that in a later discovery officers found documents recording Qians aspirations and intentions. The court heard that one of these detailed her intention to become the monarch of Liberland, which is a self-proclaimed country consisting of a strip of land between Croatia and Serbia. The court heard that for nearly six years, Qian managed to evade arrest and was ultimately at large. Meanwhile Wen was arrested in May 2021 at the Hampstead address in London and was subsequently charged with money laundering. While her trial was ongoing, a transfer of Bitcoin was made, which led police to identify Seng Hok Ling at an address in York. Police visited the address in April 2024 and discovered Qian. Authorities discovered several devices at Qians address, including a laptop containing a cryptocurrency wallet with millions of pounds worth of Bitcoin. She was arrested at the address in York in April 2024 and taken to a local police station. Qian was subsequently charged with the money laundering offences. The court heard Ling, a Malaysian national who lives in Derbyshire, had provided assistance to Qian, including by arranging rental properties for her to live in. Richard Thomas KC, mitigating on behalf of Qian, said his client has no previous convictions and has maintained an exemplary record while in custody. Narita Bahra KC, representing Ling, said her client did not know the full extent of Qians criminality and described her as the boss lady. She said: This was a subservient role for Mr Ling. The first defendant [Qian] was described as boss lady, the boss, and all the evidence points to that being the position that Mr Ling acted on the direction of the first defendant. She said Ling, who had a previous conviction for fraud, did not have any enrichment beyond employment payments. Wen was convicted of one charge of money laundering after a trial at Southwark Crown Court. She was later sentenced to six years and eight months imprisonment. 18 passengers taken to hospital after people mover hits dock at Dulles Airport At least 18 passengers have been taken to the hospital after a people mover hit a building dock at Dulles International Airport. At around 4:30 p.m. local time Monday, a mobile lounge taking travelers to Concourse D crashed into the dock at an angle as it was pulling up to the building, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority told The Independent. Passengers deboarded the mobile lounge via stairs, authorities said. They are being evaluated by Airports Authority Fire & Rescue personnel for possible injuries. Authorities said 18 people were taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The airport is open and operating as normal, authorities said. At least 18 passengers have been taken to the hospital after a people mover hit a building dock at Dulles International Airport (AFP/Getty) Dulles Airport serves the Washington, D.C., area. The airport has 19 mobile lounges, according to its website. Each vehicle is 54 feet long and 16 feet wide. A mobile lounge can carry up to 102 passengers. Its unclear how many passengers were on board when the vehicle crashed Monday. An NBC4 Washington investigation from 2017 found that mobile lounges at Dulles Airport were involved in at least 16 crashes or mishaps since 2007. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently announced a 10 percent flight reduction at 40 major airports across the U.S. amid the ongoing government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently announced a 10 percent flight reduction at 40 major airports across the U.S. amid the ongoing government shutdown (Getty) Dulles Airport says on its website that unfunded security screening and air traffic control employees could affect flight schedules or security checkpoint wait times during the shutdown, which has become the longest in U.S. history at 40 days and counting. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority wrote on X last Friday, We expect some flights to be canceled beginning today in compliance with the Federal Aviation Administrations capacity reductions. As always, passengers with questions about their flight reservation should reach out to their airline. Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was stripped of his titles and honours last month. Photograph: Jordan Pettitt/PA Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has applied to shut down some of his last remaining business interests including the Dragons Den-style startup competition Pitch@Palace Global. A document announcing the application to dissolve the firm was filed with Companies House on Tuesday, signed by its sole director, Arthur Lancaster. Pitch@Palace held its first event in 2014 and involved entrepreneurs presenting their ideas to potential investors at locations including St Jamess Palace. It suspended operations in 2019 after the interview Mountbatten Windsor gave to BBC Newsnight about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and in which he denied having any sexual contact with Virginia Giuffre. The UK side of the business was wound up in 2021 but the international part, Pitch@Palace Global, remained open. The latest set of accounts showed that the business had 10,965 at the end of March, down from 220,990 the year before, the BBC reported. Last year, the founder of the Chinese arm of Pitch@Palace, Yang Tengbo, was accused of being a spy, which he denied. The UKs semi-secret national security court upheld a 2023 ban on Tengbo entering the country. The businessman had gone to the special immigration appeals commission to appeal against the decision but it ruled that the ban should remain in place. Another company with links to the former prince, Innovate Global Ltd, also began the process of closing down, according to documents filed at Companies House. Last month, King Charles stripped his younger brother of his titles and honours and moved to force him out of his 30-room Windsor mansion after months of pressure over his ties to the convicted sex offender Epstein and the allegations made by Giuffre. He has always denied any wrongdoing. The removal process applies to the titles of Prince, Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, Baron Killyleagh and the style His Royal Highness. The honours affected are Andrews Order of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. He had ceased to use the HRH style in 2022 but it had not been formally removed. It is understood that Andrew, 65, will move next year to a property on the private Sandringham estate in Norfolk, to be privately funded by the king. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also move out of the Windsor property and will make her own living arrangements. Mountbatten Windsor and Lancaster were both contacted for comment. This article was amended on 12 November 2025. Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is 65, not 64 as an earlier version said. At a glance The BBC should apologise to Donald Trump over its mistake in editing one of his speeches, says a UK minister But Downing Street declined to repeat the remarks by local government minister Alison McGovern The Conservatives said the BBC should grovel to Trump Sir Keir Starmers Government has backtracked after a minister said the BBC should apologise to Donald Trump over the editing of one of his speeches as the fake news storm engulfing the Corporation grows. Local government minister Alison McGovern, on the morning media round for the Government, said the Corporation should say sorry to Trump for the splicing together of clips of the presidents speech which made it appear he had told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to fight like hell, omitting a section about peaceful protest. She also declined to back the BBC against the $1 billion legal threat by the US president. The BBC has apologised for the editing but not directly to the US president. Asked if the Corporation should apologise to Trump, Ms McGovern said: If they have made an editorial mistake, then they should apologise. The BBC is probably chock-full of policies on what they should do when they make editorial mistakes and I think they should stick to it. However, Downing Street declined to repeat the ministers remarks over an apology. We support a strong and independent BBC but this is a matter for the BBC, said a No10 spokesman. Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer at the White House in February (PA Archive) Sir Keir has assiduously courted Trump, praising him with flattery, which has delivered some political pay-offs including Britain striking the first trade deal with US to limit the impact of tariffs. Downing Street on Tuesday also declined to be drawn into Trump's threat to sue the BBC. The No10 spokesman said: "It's clearly not for the Government to comment on any ongoing legal matters." Asked if the Government would help the BBC pay any damages that a court might award, the spokesman said: "Obviously, that's a hypothetical question. "Again, it's not for the Government to comment on any ongoing legal matters. Our position is clear: The BBC is independent and it's for the Corporation to respond to questions about their editorial decisions and, more broadly, we have a close relationship with the US on shared priorities, including security." Critics say the Prime Minister has failed at times to stand up to the US president, compared to some other world leaders who have taken a more robust approach to Trump. As the fake news row spiralled, shadow culture secretary Nigel Huddleston suggested the BBC should grovel to Trump over its mistake. If you look at the complaint hes got, the Panorama programme, he probably has legitimate claims to say, look, this was wrong and definitely requires and demands an apology, he told Times Radio. So I would advise the BBC to grovel here. However, there were reports that the Corporation may refuse to bow to Trumps demands for damages with questions over whether he would win the case if it went to court. As the BBC crisis continued, Ms McGovern also suggested the furore was being overblown. The question I have is, has there been bad editing here? Has there been issues? she said. If there has, the answer to that is to get better editing and to invest in quality journalism and sort the problems out. I dont think we need to have a national meltdown about this. I think we need to make sure that the BBC, one of our most trusted media organisations, invests in quality journalism and tells the stories that we all want to hear. Trump has given the BBC a deadline of Friday to retract false and defamatory statements made about him in a Panorama documentary, or face a $1 billion lawsuit. Outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie outside BBC Broadcasting House in London on Tuesday (Lucy North/PA) (PA Wire) The US president threatened legal action after a report from Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBCs editorial standards committee, raised concerns that a speech Trump had made before the attack on the US Capitol on January 6 2021 had been selectively edited by the BBC. BBC chairman Samir Shah has apologised for an error of judgment and two of the corporations most senior figures, chief executive of BBC News Deborah Turness and director-general Tim Davie, resigned from their positions on Sunday. Mr Davie has told staff the corporation has to "stand up for our journalism", insisting it will control its own narrative which "will not just be given by our enemies". In remarks to BBC staff, he said: "We have to be very clear and stand up for our journalism. We are a unique and precious organisation, and I see the free press under pressure, I see the weaponisation. I think we've got to fight for our journalism. "I'm really proud of our work, and the amazing work locally, globally, that we're doing is utterly precious." The Prescott memo raised concerns about the way clips of Trumps speech were spliced together to make it appear he had told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to fight like hell, excluding a section about peaceful protest. The letter, from Trump counsel Alejandro Brito, demands that false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements made about Trump must be retracted immediately. Critics said the Panorama edit was misleading and removed a section where Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully. A BBC spokesperson said: We will review the letter and respond directly in due course. Trumps lawyer added: Failure to comply will leave President Trump with no choice but to pursue any and all legal rights and remedies available to recover damages for the overwhelming financial and reputational harm that the BBC has caused him to suffer, with all rights and remedies being expressly reserved by President Trump. The letter says if the BBC does not comply Trump will be left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights, all of which are expressly reserved and are not waived, including by filing legal action for no less than 1,000,000,000 dollars in damages. Democrat Kamala Harris who lost to Donald Trump in the US presidential battle (REUTERS) Trump has a history of suing news organisations in the US and previously settled a defamation case against ABC News after star anchor George Stephanopoulos falsely said he had been found liable for rape. The President settled a legal dispute with CBS News over an interview it broadcast on its 60 Minutes programme with former vice president Kamala Harris. He is currently engaged in legal action with the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. At a glance The Bell hotel in Epping can continue to house asylum seekers, a High Court judge has ruled The Home Office successfully argued that it needs hotels to deliver its statutory duties The council in Epping failed in its bid for a permanent injunction A council has failed in a bid for a High Court injunction blocking asylum seekers from being housed in an Essex hotel. The Bell Hotel in Epping was at the centre of a political firestorm this summer, with regular protests against its housing of asylum seekers. As the protests descended at times into violence, Epping Forest District Council brought a legal action against the operators, Somani Hotels, accusing it of breaking planning rules. The council successfully obtained a temporary injunction from the High Court in August, but that was later overturned by the Court of Appeal. The Home Office intervened in the legal case, arguing against an injunction as it has a statutory role in providing accommodation for asylum seekers. The Bell Hotel began housing asylum seekers during the pandemic (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire) Back at the High Court on Tuesday, Mr Justice Mould ruled against the council and declined to award it a permanent injunction. In a summary of his decision, the judge found that the hotel had broken planning rules but it was not a flagrant or persistent abuse of planning control. The judge accepts that the criminal behaviour of a small number of individual asylum seekers accommodated at the Bell has raised the fear of crime amongst local residents. Having carefully considered the evidence, the judge concludes that the current use of the Bell does not result in serious planning or environmental harm. The judge finds that it is primarily for the police to manage and enforce public order with the powers given to them for that purpose. Essex Police have taken action to maintain public order. The judge finds that weighing significantly against the grant of an injunction is the continuing need to provide accommodation for asylum seekers with pending asylum claims, so that the Home Secretary can fulfil her statutory duties under immigration and asylum legislation. On the evidence heard by the court, temporary use of hotels, including the Bell, is necessary to enable her to do so. The Conservative Party called the ruling a slap in the face, while Home Office vowed to continue its efforts to end the long-standing practice of using hotels to house asylum seekers. We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels in this country, a spokesperson said. This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway to move asylum seekers into more suitable accommodation such as military bases, to ease pressure on communities across the country. We are working to do so as swiftly as possible as part of an orderly, planned and sustained programme. This judgment allows us to do that. The court was told that at least one member of staff at the hotel was on the receiving end of very serious threats in the wake of the initial court hearings and had to temporarily move out of their home. Security fencing was put up at the hotel following the protests (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire) The Bell has been used to house single adult males since April, having first accommodated asylum seekers from May 2020 to March 2021 and again from October 2022 to April 2024. Barristers for Somani Hotels previously told the High Court that the company applied for planning permission for a temporary change of use in February 2023, but later withdrew the application as it had not been determined by April 2024. The Bell became the focal point of protests and counter-protests this summer after an asylum seeker housed there was charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Epping in July. The council argued that allowing The Bell to house asylum seekers had caused increasingly regular protests and left residents increasingly fearful. But in his ruling, the judge pointed out that the council had not called evidence to support the argument about the propensity of asylum seekers to commit crimes or engage in anti-social behaviour. In order to begin to consider whether there is any force or substance in that contention, I should need to see an evidence based and clear and statistically sound analysis of the relative incidence of criminal and anti-social behaviour amongst asylum seekers, as a defined cohort of persons, in comparison to a properly defined cohort of the settled population. There is no such evidence before the court. The fact that persons accommodated in asylum accommodation pursuant to sections 95 and 98 of the 1999 Act from time to time commit criminal offences or behave anti-socially provides no reliable basis for asserting any particular propensity of asylum seekers to engage in criminal or anti-social behaviour. Persons who are members of the settled population also commit crimes and behave anti-socially from time to time. James Strachan KC, for the Home Office, said in written submissions that the closure of hotels as asylum seeker accommodation requires a structured response. He said legal challenges by individual councils ignore the obvious consequence that closure of one site means that capacity then needs to be identified elsewhere in the system. Mr Justice Mould, in his 87-page ruling, said it was reasonable for the council to respond to disorder around the hotel, but the answer was not through planning law. Public opposition to the development of land, even if that opposition manifests itself in street protests, is not in itself evidence of planning of environmental harm generated by the development to which there is such strong objection. The police have a panoply of powers to manage and regulate street protests and to enforce public order. The High Court judge added: There are countervailing factors in this case which are properly to be weighed in the balance against the planning and environment harm which may reasonably be said to result from the postulated breach of planning control. In particular, the evidence before me clearly establishes that there is a continuing need to source contingency accommodation for asylum seekers from hotels to enable the Home Secretary todischarge her statutory responsibilities under the 1999 Act. Asylum seekers can stay at a protest-hit hotel in Epping after a High Court judge denied the local council an injunction to block migrants from being housed there. Epping Forest District Council took legal action against Somani Hotels, which owns The Bell Hotel in Essex, claiming that they were breaching planning rules by housing asylum seekers at the site. The hotel became the site of a series of protests over the summer after a migrant staying there, Hadush Kebatu, sexually assaulted a woman and a 14-year-old girl. The local council tried to ban migrants from being housed at the hotel, telling the High Court that it had become a feeding ground for unrest and protest. The government has promised to end the use of asylum hotels, such as The Bell Hotel, where these protesters are pictured back in August (PA) The council was initially granted a temporary injunction, which would have stopped 138 asylum seekers from being housed at the hotel beyond 12 September. The decision threatened to throw the governments asylum policy into chaos after more councils said they would try and seek similar vetoes. However the injunction was then overturned by the Court of Appeal, which found the decision to be seriously flawed in principle. High Court judge Mr Justice Mould has now ruled that asylum seekers should be able to stay at the hotel, saying that it is for the police to manage any safety concerns in the local area. In a judgment handed down on Tuesday, Mr Justice Mould said that the use of the hotel to house asylum seekers was not a flagrant breach of planning control. He added that he had heard no evidence to support concerns that the use of The Bell to house asylum seekers was placing the local GP, health, social or community services under pressure. Mr Justice Mould continued: There is no evidential basis at all for the assertion that asylum seekers as a cohort have a greater propensity than the settled population to engage in criminal or anti-social behaviour. Demonstrators protest in Epping to stop a police van leaving after a protester was detained after hanging a Union flag from the civic offices earlier this year (PA) He said that there is a clear continuing need to source contingency accommodation for asylum seekers from hotels, and concluded that the planning and environmental harm resulting from the current use of The Bell is limited. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said on X/Twitter that the decision was a dark day for local democracy and a slap in the face to the people of Epping. He claimed: A Labour government has once again used the courts to put the rights of illegal immigrants above the rights of British citizens. A Labour source hit back, saying: This is some brass neck from Chris Philp. If he wants to understand why there are so many asylum seekers in hotels, I suggest he casts his mind back to his time in the Home Office. He was the one opening all these hotels. Councillor Ken Williamson, at Epping Forest District Council, said they were bitterly disappointed by the ruling. He said: We won the moral and ethical arguments, but we were outgunned by bigger and more powerful interests. In the interests of political expediency, the home secretary can now ignore planning law, the concerns of local councils, and their residents. Mr Williamson said that the council had fought an unholy alliance of lawyers for government and big business intent on protecting huge profits and an indefensible asylum policy. The Home Office intervened in the case to argue that asylum seekers should be allowed to stay in the hotel, telling the court that granting an injunction to Epping essentially incentivises other councils who wish to close down migrant hotels in their areas to seek legal action. Becca Jones, director of asylum support, said the loss of the bed spaces in The Bell Hotel would be significant amid rising small boat crossings. Police outside The Bell Hotel in August, which a High Court judge has ruled can continue to house asylum seekers (PA) The Essex hotel became a focal point of protests in the summer after Ethiopian national Hadush Kebatu was charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl. He was jailed for 12 months in September and was later mistakenly released from prison and re-detained. A second asylum seeker who was resident at the hotel, Syrian national Mohammed Sharwarq, was also jailed for 16 weeks in September after admitting assaulting two fellow residents and two members of staff at the site. A third resident was arrested in April for the alleged offence of arson. In his judgment on Tuesday, Mr Justice Mould said the planning harm resulting from these actions or alleged actions should not be overstated. The local Epping council told the high court the area near The Bell had become a feeding ground of unrest and protest (PA) Responding to the ruling, Enver Solomon, chief executive at the charity Refugee Council, urged the government to ensure that all asylum hotels are closed next year. He added: Plans to warehouse people in military barracks or other large sites are not a viable or humane solution. They are unsuitable, isolating, and the governments own spending watchdog has found them to be more expensive than hotels. Steve Smith, CEO of charity Care4Calais, said that residents of The Bell have been subjected to racist abuse and threats of physical violence, adding: Now we have todays judgement, we call on the Home Office to get on and process the claims of all those who have been left behind at The Bell. A Home Office spokesperson said: We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels in this country. This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway to move asylum seekers into more suitable accommodation such as military bases, to ease pressure on communities across the country. China firmly opposes Japanese PM's erroneous remarks on Taiwan: foreign ministry Xinhua) 10:16, November 11, 2025 BEIJING, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- China firmly opposes Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan, and has lodged stern representations with Japan, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in Beijing on Monday. Spokesperson Lin Jian made the comments at a press briefing, responding to reports on Takaichi's recent remarks that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could be a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, warranting the exercise of collective self-defense rights. Lin said the Japanese leader had openly made erroneous remarks on Taiwan in parliament, which hinted at the possibility of military intervention in the Taiwan Strait and constituted brutal interference in China's internal affairs, seriously violating the one-China principle, the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, and the basic norms of international relations. These remarks were gravely inconsistent with the political commitments made by the Japanese government and egregious in nature and impact, Lin said, stressing China's strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition. Taiwan belongs to China, and how to resolve the Taiwan question and achieve national reunification is purely China's internal affairs and brooks no interference from external forces, he said. Lin noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China. The Japanese authorities' attempts to interfere in Taiwan affairs not only trample on international justice and constitute a provocation on the post-war international order, but also seriously harm China-Japan relations. China will eventually achieve reunification, and reunification is inevitable, Lin said, adding that the Chinese people have the firm will, full confidence and sufficient capability to resolutely thwart all attempts to impede the reunification. "China urges Japan to immediately cease interfering in its internal affairs, to cease its provocations and oversteps, and to refrain from going further down the wrong path," he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) At a glance Donald Trump has reignited criticism of Brazil over the building of a four-lane highway for the Cop30 climate summit in Belem Brazil has defended the project as sustainable, while conservationists and activists argue it contradicts climate goals and damages one of the planets key carbon sinks. The US has not sent a formal delegation to the climate summit Brazil has been accused by US President Donald Trump of ripping the hell out of the Amazon rainforest to build a four-lane highway for the Cop30 climate summit. A new motorway slicing through tens of thousands of acres of trees was built to welcome more than 50,000 people, including world leaders, to the city of Belem in the north of the country. Cop30 began on Monday, and the latest round of UN climate negotiations will run until November 21, with a raft of measures already announced to protect and fund the worlds rainforests. Drone footage published by the BBC in March revealed how a thick thoroughfare had been cut into the Amazon, which is often referred to as the lungs of the Earth, to make way for the new road. At the time, the Brazilian government had praised the highways sustainable credentials but locals and conservationists were left outraged by its environmental impact. US President Donald Trump used his social media platform Truth Social to hit out at the big scandal (PA Wire) In a post on Truth Social ahead of Cop30, US President Donald Trump wrote: They ripped the hell out of the Rainforest of Brazil to build a four lane highway for environmentalists to travel. Its become a big scandal! The US has not sent a formal delegation to the climate summit, with White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers explaining the president would not jeopardise our country's economic and national security to pursue vague climate goals that are killing other countries. It comes after Mr Trump pulled America out of the 2015 UN Paris Agreement for the second time as he reentered the White House, marking a significant setback for the global framework that committed countries to pursue efforts to limit dangerous warming to the key threshold of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Consttruction work on the highway in February (REUTERS) Canadian climate activist Mike Hudema has also criticised the new highway, writing on X: You can't be a climate leader if you're cutting down one of the world's greatest climate solutions to do it. Meanwhile, the UK is preparing to stand alongside the vast majority of countries that want to accelerate collective climate action. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer gives a speech at the Cop30 summit in Belem, Brazil (PA Wire) In a speech in Brazil on Friday, the Prime Minister said the UK was doubling down on the fight against climate change amid the broken consensus. Sir Keir also staunchly defended his Governments clean energy policies despite pressure from Mr Trump, who has repeatedly criticised Britains green agenda. But the Governments decision not to invest in a Brazilian-led rainforest fund, which the UK played a key role in establishing, quickly received backlash from green groups. The British delegation is understood to be going into the talks with a strategy focused on accelerating the implementation of climate action as well as defending multilateralism and the Paris Agreement from the direct attacks it now faces. A day after a powerful blast in Delhi killed at least eight people, witnesses described the moment they felt something like an earthquake had hit Indias capital city as windows shattered and people started to flee the streets in panic. Dozens were wounded when a slow-moving car exploded at a traffic signal near Delhis Red Fort a huge historic Mughal monument on Monday evening. The blast is being probed as a suspected terror attack under Indias stringent anti-terrorism law and prime minister Narendra Modi has vowed to bring all those responsible to justice. At the 17th-century temple, the Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, barely 100m away from the blast site, devotees had gathered as usual. The gate of Jain Temple in Delhi locked up for security after the car explosion (Arpan Rai/The Independent) We were inside when the blast shook the temple so hard that all the glass windows of our building shattered and it felt like a strong earthquake had hit us, a devotee told The Independent on Tuesday. The blast has been called rare and shocking, owing to its location just metres away from where the prime minister addresses the country during Independence Day celebrations. CCTV camera footage and a mobile video from Delhis Chandni Chowk market near the Red Fort showed people running for cover soon after hearing a loud explosion, NDTV reported. This is the second major such incident to have rocked India this year, after Aprils Pahalgam terrorist attack in Kashmir, where civilians were shot down. The Red Fort attracts millions of visitors every year to its nearby markets. It is not immediately clear who was driving the car. Investigators examine the site of the explosion near Red Fort in Delhi, India (AP) Locals and tourists just metres away from the explosion remained in a state of shock on Tuesday morning. Special investigation teams and Delhi police were seen picking up wires and car wipers from the streets on the morning after the blast. Officials were also seen scouting for evidence at the Jain temple. The area, a massive hub of trade and tourism, was shut down and a heavy presence of police personnel and a special military unit of the Rapid Action Force was posted as investigations remained underway. Another eyewitness at the temple, who wished to remain anonymous, recalled seeing human remains being flung into the premises with the impact of the blast. Ravsaheb Hundekar, a tourist who was visiting Delhi from Kolhapur and staying inside the temple premises, said his life was spared by five minutes as he was headed to the spot where the car exploded to board a metro train. The blast shook the ground under my feet. I was standing outside the temple as I had to leave for west Delhi. I cannot believe my life has been spared by a few minutes. I couldve been dead otherwise, the 55-year-old told The Independent. Rapid Action Force, Indias specialised policing organisation, near the blast site on Tuesday morning (Arpan Rai/ The Independent) The temple is one of the most prominent religious landmarks near the busy Chandni Chowk market in the area. It has since been shut down, with devotees assisting the Delhi Police officials and investigators with details of the attack. Moshe, a 69-year-old Israeli tourist on a visit to India, was among those turned back from entering the temple. I am on a retreat in India and have already covered Buddhist places. My next sacred visit was for this Jain temple but I am so sad to hear that it has been shut after the blast, he said. While the cause of the explosion is not immediately clear, Indian home minister Amit Shah said all angles are being investigated. The Delhi Police is checking the use of ammonium nitrate a chemical compound that has explosive properties fuel oil and detonators that caused the explosion in the car, officials said. A day earlier, police officials recovered around 360kg of suspected ammonium nitrate and a cache of arms and ammunition in a suburb near Delhi Faridabad. The raids led to heightened security alerts. The withdrawal of funding to fight malaria comes as the disease risks an historic resurgence - RICARDO OLIVEIRA/AFP via Getty Images Britain will cut its financial contribution to the global battle against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria by 15 per cent, the Minister for International Development announced on Tuesday. The government will provide 850 million to the Global Fund over the next three years, down from the 1 billion Boris Johnsons government pledged in 2022. The Global Fund is dedicated to fighting the worlds three biggest infectious diseases diseases which between them cause 2.4 million deaths globally each year. The reduction follows a wider cut to the UKs aid budget, which was scaled back from 0.5 to 0.3 per cent of GDP in February to boost domestic defence spending a reduction of around 40 per cent in real terms. This pledge could help save 1.4 million lives in the next three years. But if the government had matched the UKs previous commitment, it could have helped save 255,000 more lives, many of them children, said Adrian Lovett, UK Executive Director of the ONE campaign, an NGO which advocates for investment in Africa. Gareth Jenkins, Managing Director at Malaria No More UK, said: This is a disappointing step-back from the UKs long-held leadership in the fight against malaria, just as a perfect storm of threats already risks an historic resurgence. The Global Fund provides nearly 60 per cent of international financing for malaria programmes, so letting our guard down now could scar Africas next generation by claiming tens of thousands more childrens lives. The UK is due to co-host the Global Funds replenishment summit later this month on the sidelines of the G20 in Johannesburg a role that had raised hopes Britain would maintain its previous level of support. Baroness Jenny Chapman, the UK Minister for Development, told the Telegraph on Tuesday that it had prioritised funding to the Global Fund over other causes but that funding levels could not be maintained at the levels seen in the past. The Global Fund, which is estimated to have saved 70 million lives since its creation in 2002, is seeking to raise $18 billion at the upcoming summit to cover its work until 2029. However, it is far from clear the target will be reached. The US, which is by far and away the Funds biggest backer, has so far only contributed $1.8 billion of the $6 billion it pledged for the 2023 to 2025 period and has dramatically slashed its international aid budgets in the last year. If the target is not reached, some experts believe the Global Fund will need to reorganise and scale down its operations. One option is to scale back or stop funding HIV, TB and malaria projects in middle income countries like India and Indonesia and concentrate instead on the worlds poorest nations. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: The UKs new support for the Global Fund is an investment in our shared security and prosperity. Our investment over the next three years will help to save up to 1.3 million lives and protect British people and our NHS from the spread of diseases. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Ellie Thompson, 35, died in Australia during a tropical cyclone (Family handout) A woman whose life was full of adventure died after being crushed by her own van in Australia, an inquest has heard. Eleanor Thompson, known to her friends and family as Ellie, was discovered deceased beneath her vehicle in Burringbar, New South Wales, on 11 March. Her death occurred during a tropical cyclone, Ruthin Coroners Court was told on Tuesday. Thompson, 35, originally hailed from Mold, Flintshire, and had spent 12 years living in London. During her time in the capital, she worked across various sectors including insurance, marketing and events, with notable roles at Apple TV and the exclusive Groucho Club. In 2022, Thompson embarked on a solo journey through Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. After returning to the UK for a while, she travelled to Australia in 2023, where she had been converting a van. She had promised her father, Peter Thompson, a road trip later in the year, the inquest heard. Ellie Thompsons life was full of adventure and movement, her father said (Family handout) Mr Thompson shared a poignant statement with the court, saying: Ellie made everyone feel seen and valued. He added that her life was full of adventure and movement. At the time of her death, Thompson was working in a pub in Mullabimby, New South Wales, and housesitting for a friend in Burringbar. A police report read by North East Wales coroner John Gittins said: Although no causal link can be drawn, its of significance [that] at the time of her passing an unprecedented and severe tropical cyclone, Alfred, was impacting the region. The inquest heard that the storm lasted from 22 February to 8 March, and its impacts were felt into the morning of 11 March. Eleanor Thompson, known to friends as Ellie, had been working and travelling around Australia when she died (Facebook) Thompson sent a text message to her mother, Amanda Thompson, just before midday on 8 March, and then saw a friend, but had not been identified as speaking to anyone else after 1pm that day, the court was told. She then failed to arrive for her shift at work on 10 March. The inquest was told that friends went to the house where she had been staying on 11 March, and saw her Mazda van was off the side of the driveway, wedged into overgrown vegetation. Thompsons body was found underneath the vehicle, and she was confirmed dead shortly after midday on 11 March. A post-mortem examination recorded her cause of death as multiple injuries. Mr Gittins said police in Australia were of the opinion that the vehicle had rolled or slid forward because of the incline of the slope, or inclement weather. Other factors may have included a failure to apply the handbrake, police said. Mr Thompson told the inquest that the family had visited the site, and that the unanswered element was why Thompson was in front of her vehicle when it rolled forwards. The family said they believed she had died on 8 March, as she had not been in touch with anyone since then. Mrs Thompson said: Ellie knew people were concerned, she knew I would be concerned. I would definitely have had a text on Sunday, because in the text on Saturday she promised she would be in touch the next day. After recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Gittins thanked Thompsons parents and her brother Luke for attending the inquest. He added: You must be incredibly proud. Mrs Thompson said: The tributes we had on social media and from her friends, people who spoke at the funeral, it was truly, truly moving. It really has given us great comfort. Dame Jilly Cooper died in hospital after fall at home, inquest told Dame Jilly Cooper died in hospital after sustaining a fatal head injury during a fall at her Gloucestershire home, an inquest has heard. The writer known for her bonkbusters including Riders, Rivals and Polo is believed to have fallen down stairs at the property in Bisley, near Stroud, on October 4. She was found with catastrophic head injuries at about 5pm that day and taken by paramedics to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, but her condition deteriorated. Gloucestershire Coroners Court heard Dame Jilly died in hospital, with her family present, at 8.30am on October 5. Katy Skerrett, senior coroner for Gloucestershire, reached a conclusion of accidental death and recorded that Dame Jilly died as a result of a traumatic subdural haematoma. The coroner said: The circumstances surrounding her tragic death were she had suffered an unwitnessed fall at her home address on October 4. She fell, perhaps down some stairs, sustaining a significant head injury. There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her fall. She passed away later, on October 5, with family present. This is a case of accidental death, the accident being the unwitnessed fall by Dame Cooper at Dame Coopers address, triggering the tragic events that thereafter followed. May this office extend their sincere condolences to Dame Coopers family. Dame Jilly was known for her steamy fiction focusing on scandal and adultery in upper class society. Her hit titles also include Mount! and The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, along with her most recent work Tackle!. Her work Rivals was recently adapted as a hit television series by Disney+ starring David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Danny Dyer and Katherine Parkinson. Camilla and Dame Jilly Cooper were friends (Chris Jackson/PA) The inquest on Tuesday afternoon consisted of written statements read by the coroner. It heard Dame Jillys daughter Emily Tarrant had spoken to coroners officer Tony Jones to confirm her mothers full name, and that she had been born in Hornchurch, Essex, in February 1937. Dame Jilly was widowed and an author, the hearing was told. Ms Skerrett said it was believed Dame Jilly had fallen down a flight of stairs as there was a trail of blood in that area of her home. She was initially alert, but referring to a severe headache, the coroner said. An urgent CT scan revealed that she had sustained a skull fracture. The medical opinion was that this head injury was unfortunately catastrophic and therefore likely a terminal event, Ms Skerrett added. She was made comfortable, her condition sadly thereafter deteriorated and she passed away in the emergency department with family present. South Western Ambulance Service received a call to attend Dame Jillys home at 5.35pm on October 4, with paramedics arriving there at 5.56pm. The patient was able to speak to crew on arrival, Ms Skerrett read. She had no direct recollection of events prior. She was unsure how she had fallen. She had a vague recollection of falling down. Dr William Nattress, of Frithwood Surgery, said he had been Dame Jillys GP for around 14 years and confirmed she had sustained two falls previously, in 2018 and September 2024. Despite slowing mobility, she was managing well and remained as bright and engaging as ever, Ms Skerrett read. Dame Jilly grew up in Yorkshire and attended the private Godolphin School in Salisbury before becoming a reporter on The Middlesex Independent when she was 20, later moving to book publishing. Her work has been adapted at various points, including an ITV series of The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous with Coronation Street star Stephen Billington and Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville, while Marcus Gilbert starred in a Riders series during the 1990s. She won the inaugural Comedy Women In Print lifetime achievement award in 2019 and was made a dame for her services to literature and charity in 2024. Dame Jilly was a long-standing friend of the Queen, and based her fictional seducer and showjumping lothario Rupert Campbell-Black partly on her ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles. In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace after Dame Jillys death, Camilla described her as a legend. In person she was a wonderfully witty and compassionate friend to me and so many and it was a particular pleasure to see her just a few weeks ago at my Queens Reading Room Festival where she was, as ever, a star of the show, she said. I join my husband the King in sending our thoughts and sympathies to all her family. And may her hereafter be filled with impossibly handsome men and devoted dogs. Dame Jillys children Felix Cooper and Ms Tarrant also paid tribute to her. Dame Jilly Cooper won many awards (Ian West/PA) They said: Mum was the shining light in all of our lives. Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds. Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock. We are so proud of everything she achieved in her life and cant begin to imagine life without her infectious smile and laughter all around us. Dame Jillys first novel in the Rutshire series, Riders, was published in 1985. It made the BBC list of 100 important English language novels in the love, sex and romance selection alongside Jane Austens Pride And Prejudice. Her agent Felicity Blunt also paid tribute at the time her death was announced, saying Dame Jilly had defined culture, writing and conversation since she was first published over 50 years ago. You wouldnt expect books categorised as bonkbusters to have so emphatically stood the test of time, but Jilly wrote with acuity and insight about all things class, sex, marriage, rivalry, grief and fertility, she added. A new edition of Dame Jillys book, How To Survive Christmas which was first published in 1986, will be released by Transworld on November 13. Her agent previously confirmed that her funeral would be private, in line with her wishes. A public service of thanksgiving will be held at Southwark Cathedral at a later date. Dame Jilly Cooper suffered a fatal head injury during a fall at her Gloucestershire home, an inquest has heard. The writer known for her bonkbusters including Riders, Rivals and Polo was found by family at her home in Bisley at about 5pm on October 4. Gloucestershire Coroners Court heard Dame Jilly was initially alert and transferred by paramedics to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, but her condition deteriorated. She died in hospital, with her family present, at 8.30am on October 5. The cast of Rivals including author Dame Jilly Cooper (PA) Katy Skerrett, senior coroner for Gloucestershire, reached a conclusion of accidental death and said Dame Jilly died as a result of a traumatic subdural haematoma. The coroner said: The deceased was Dame Jill Jilly Cooper, an 88-year-old lady. When she passed away was October 5 2025 at 8.30am. Where she passed away was at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where she had been transferred. The circumstances surrounding her tragic death were she had suffered an unwitnessed fall at her home address on October 4. She fell, perhaps down some stairs, sustaining a significant head injury. There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her fall. She passed away later, on October 5, with family present. This is a case of accidental death, the accident being the unwitnessed fall by Dame Cooper at Dame Coopers address, triggering the tragic events that thereafter followed. May this office extend their sincere condolences to Dame Coopers family. Dame Jilly was known for her steamy fiction focusing on scandal and adultery in upper class society. Her hit titles also include Mount! and The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, along with her most recent work Tackle!. Her work Rivals was recently adapted as a hit television series by Disney+ starring David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Danny Dyer and Katherine Parkinson. The inquest, consisting of written statements read by the coroner, heard Dame Jillys daughter Emily Tarrant confirmed her identity to the court in a phone call. Dame Jilly was born in Hornchurch, Essex, in February 1937 and was a widowed author, the hearing was told. Ms Tarrant confirmed to coroners officer Tony Jones that her mother had fallen at her home in Bisley, near Stroud, on October 4. The coroner said Dame Jilly was transferred to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where she was initially alert but referring to a severe headache. Ms Skerrett said it was believed Dame Jilly had fallen down a flight of stairs as there was a trail of blood in that area of her home. An urgent CT scan revealed she had sustained a skull fracture. The medical opinion was that this head injury was unfortunately catastrophic and therefore likely a terminal event, Ms Skerrett added. She was made comfortable, her condition sadly thereafter deteriorated and she passed away in the emergency department with family present. The Camilla and Dame Jilly Cooper were friends (Chris Jackson/PA) In a statement, South Western Ambulance Service confirmed it had been called at 5.35pm on October 4 and arrived at Dame Jillys home at 5.56pm. Ms Skerrett said: The patient was able to speak to crew on arrival. She had no direct recollection of events prior. She was unsure how she had fallen. She had a vague recollection of falling down. Dr William Nattrass, Dame Jillys GP for around 14 years, said in a statement that she had sustained two falls previously, in 2018 and September 2024. Despite slowing mobility, she was managing well and remained as bright and engaging as ever, Ms Skerrett read. Dame Jilly grew up in Yorkshire and attended the private Godolphin School in Salisbury. Her father was a brigadier and her family moved to London in the 1950s where she became a reporter on The Middlesex Independent when she was 20. She has said she moved to public relations and was sacked from 22 jobs before ending up in book publishing. Her work has been adapted at various points, including an ITV series of The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous with Coronation Street star Stephen Billington and Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville, while Marcus Gilbert starred in a Riders series during the 1990s. She won the inaugural Comedy Women In Print lifetime achievement award in 2019 and was made a dame for her services to literature and charity in 2024. Dame Jilly was a long-standing friend of the Queen, and based her fictional seducer and showjumping lothario Rupert Campbell-Black partly on her ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles. In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace after Dame Jillys death, Camilla said: Very few writers get to be a legend in their own lifetime but Jilly was one, creating a whole new genre of literature and making it her own through a career that spanned over five decades. In person she was a wonderfully witty and compassionate friend to me and so many and it was a particular pleasure to see her just a few weeks ago at my Queens Reading Room Festival where she was, as ever, a star of the show. I join my husband the King in sending our thoughts and sympathies to all her family. And may her hereafter be filled with impossibly handsome men and devoted dogs. Dame Jillys children Felix Cooper and Ms Tarrant also paid tribute to her. Dame Jilly Cooper won many awards (Ian West/PA) They said: Mum was the shining light in all of our lives. Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds. Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock. We are so proud of everything she achieved in her life and cant begin to imagine life without her infectious smile and laughter all around us. Dame Jillys first novel in the Rutshire series, Riders, was published in 1985. It made the BBC list of 100 important English language novels in the love, sex and romance selection alongside Jane Austens Pride And Prejudice. One of her literary fans was former prime minister Rishi Sunak who previously spoke about his favourite books by Dame Jilly, adding that her novels offered a form of escapism. Her agent, Felicity Blunt, also paid tribute at the time her death was announced, saying Dame Jilly had defined culture, writing and conversation since she was first published over 50 years ago. You wouldnt expect books categorised as bonkbusters to have so emphatically stood the test of time but Jilly wrote with acuity and insight about all things class, sex, marriage, rivalry, grief and fertility, she added. A new edition of Dame Jillys book, How To Survive Christmas, which was first published in 1986, will be released by Transworld on November 13. Her agent previously confirmed that her funeral would be private, in line with her wishes. A public service of thanksgiving will be held at Southwark Cathedral at a later date. Despite Trumps claims, new review by experts finds no link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism Despite Donald Trumps fervent claims that pregnant women should not use Tylenol, a painkiller containing acetaminophen, it is not clearly linked with autism or ADHD in children, a group of international researchers announced Sunday. The findings come following an analysis of nine previous reviews that looked at 40 related studies, as well as one study recently cited by the Trump administration when instructing women not to take Tylenol during pregnancy and promoting an unproven relationship between Tylenol, vaccines and autism. While Trump had told people not to take the drug, the new review concluded that existing evidence does not show a clear link between in utero exposure to paracetamol and autism and ADHD in offspring. Confidence in the findings of published systematic reviews on maternal paracetamol use during pregnancy and risk of autism and ADHD in offspring, with a very high overlap of primary studies, is low to critically low, the researchers, from institutions in the U.K., Spain and Australia, explained. Seven of the reviews included in their assessment warned about the potential for bias and the impact of unmeasured components in the studies, and only one review included studies that appropriately accounted for genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors tied to the disorders. A new review of dozens of previous studies has found that existing evidences doesnt show a clear link between taking Tylenol and autism and ADHD in children (Getty Images/iStock) After adjusting for those factors in that reviews studies, the observed link between Tylenol and the risk of autism in ADHD disappeared or reduced, the researchers found. While the analysis had some limitations, including that the reviews assessed differed in scale and methodology, the researchers said it revealed the lack of robust evidence linking paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism and ADHD in offspring. The current evidence base is insufficient to definitively link in utero exposure to paracetamol with autism and ADHD in childhood, they wrote. Reacting to the review, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists told The Independent on Monday that the results are not surprising and that there is still no causal relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen in pregnancy and autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring, meaning the drug has not been found to cause autism. Acetaminophen is one of the few options available to pregnant patients to treat pain and fever, which can be harmful to pregnant people when left untreated, Dr. Christopher Zahn, the groups Chief of Clinical Practice, said. While this latest news should be reassuring to patients, as always, any medication taken during pregnancy should be used only as needed, in moderation, and after the pregnant patient has consulted with their doctor. When asked about the reviews findings, the American Academy of Family Physicians pointed The Independent to a previous statement that said linking vaccines to autism is unproven and dangerous. This analysis reinforces what weve said all along taking acetaminophen does not cause autism, a spokesperson for Tylenol-maker Kenvue said in an email. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has told reporters that the evidence is not sufficient to say [Tylenol given in pregnancy] definitely causes autism (AFP via Getty Images) Experts also told The Independent in September that advising women not to take Tylenol is simply highly irresponsible. Since then, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has told reporters that the causative association between Tylenol given in pregnancy and the perinatal periods is not sufficient to say it definitely causes autism. But it is very suggestive. There should be a cautious approach to it, he said, speaking just a day after Texas moved to sue Kenvue over the purported link. In a statement, HHS said it continues to encourage clinicians to exercise their best judgment in use of acetaminophen for fevers and pain in pregnancy by prescribing the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration when treatment is required. Tylenol, which has been sold widely for decades, is the safest known drug to take during pregnancy for fever and pain. The conditions people use acetaminophen to treat during pregnancy are far more dangerous than any theoretical risks and can create severe morbidity and mortality for the pregnant person and the fetus, Dr. Steven Fleischman, the president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, wrote in September. Donald Trump has given the BBC a deadline of Friday to retract false and defamatory statements made about him in a Panorama documentary, or face a billion-dollar legal action. The US president threatened legal action after a report from Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBCs editorial standards committee, raised concerns that a speech Mr Trump had made before the attack on the US Capitol on January 6 2021 had been selectively edited by the BBC. BBC chairman Samir Shah has apologised for an error of judgment and two of the corporations most senior figures chief executive of BBC News Deborah Turness and director-general Tim Davie resigned from their positions on Sunday. BBC Director-General Tim Davie has resigned (Andrew Milligan/PA) The Prescott memo raised concerns about the way clips of Mr Trumps speech were spliced together to make it appear he had told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to fight like hell. The letter, from Trump counsel Alejandro Brito, demands that false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements made about Mr Trump must be retracted immediately. Critics said the Panorama edit was misleading and removed a section where Mr Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully. A BBC spokesperson said: We will review the letter and respond directly in due course. Mr Trumps lawyer adds: Failure to comply will leave President Trump with no choice but to pursue any and all legal rights and remedies available to recover damages for the overwhelming financial and reputational harm that the BBC has caused him to suffer, with all rights and remedies being expressly reserved by President Trump. The letter says if the BBC does not comply Mr Trump will be left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights, all of which are expressly reserved and are not waived, including by filing legal action for no less than 1,000,000,000 dollars in damages. The White House may also consider restricting the corporations access to open press events as a result of the edit, according to a senior official quoted in the Telegraph. Mr Trump has a history of suing news organisations in the US and previously settled a defamation case against ABC News after star anchor George Stephanopoulos falsely said he had been found liable for rape. Mr Trump also settled a legal dispute with CBS News over an interview it broadcast on its 60 Minutes programme with former vice president Kamala Harris. He is currently engaged in legal action with the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Mr Trump has also taken action against the Associated Press after the wire service refused to call the Gulf of Mexico by his preferred name for it: the Gulf of America. Responding to a letter from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee (CMS), Mr Shah said there have been more than 500 complaints since the publication of Mr Prescotts memo raising concerns about the editing of Panorama. He said: We accept that the way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action. However, he said it is simply not true that Mr Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBCs editorial guidelines and standards committee (EGSC), uncovered issues that the BBC has sought to bury. Downing Street has said the BBC is not corrupt nor institutionally biased, appearing to hit back at critics of the public broadcaster including Mr Trump. Mr Shah said the BBC board will revisit every item set out in Mr Prescotts memo, including the editing of the speech and the reporting of casualty figures in Gaza and will take further action where appropriate. Former Question Time host David Dimbleby described the controversy as one of the most violent assaults on the BBCs independence in an interview with Channel 4 News. Elsewhere, in an article for the Guardian, leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey called for the removal of former political adviser Sir Robbie Gibb from the board to ensure independence, impartiality and trust. It comes as the UK government is set to begin a review of the BBCs Royal Charter, which sets out the corporations governance and public mission. The review into the BBCs licence fee model will look at alternative funding for the broadcasters operations for when its current charter period ends in December 2027. The Bell hotel in Epping, Essex. Photograph: Jordan Pettitt/PA Asylum seekers can continue to be housed at an Essex hotel that became a flashpoint for anti-immigration protests during the summer, the high court has ruled. Lawyers for the local district council had sought a permanent injunction against the current use of the Bell hotel in Epping, arguing at the high court that it was a feeding ground for unrest and protest. The application was opposed by the propertys owner, Somani Hotels, while the Home Office also intervened in the case, arguing that the closure of asylum hotels must be structured and gradual. Mr Justice Mould ruled on Tuesday that Epping Forest district council (EFDC) had a reasonable basis for its view that the current use of the Bell required planning permission and that it was in breach of planning control. However, he rejected the councils case that Somanis use of the Bell to accommodate asylum seekers was a flagrant or persistent abuse of planning control. Victory for the council would have thrown the Home Offices scheme to continue housing tens of thousands of asylum seekers in hotels into turmoil while plans are being developed to use disused military bases and other sites as an alternative. The hotel, which is on the outskirts of Epping, became the focus for increasingly large protests during the summer. While local people were among those involved, far-right activists and others from outside the area sought to exploit tensions after Hadush Kebatu, an asylum seeker who was living in the hotel, sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl and a woman. Kebatu was deported last month to Ethiopia. But protests have continued outside the hotel, where two security guards were assaulted in what police described as a racially motivated attack during the summer. Police were also attacked and made dozens of arrests as the protests spilled over into violence in July. Calls for renewed protests were made by far right activists after the judgment. Mould said he accepted there was a reasonable basis for local concerns about crime, which he said did not arise in earnest until claims about Kebatu became public. But he ruled that the current use of the Bell one of about 200 hotels that are in temporary use as asylum accommodation under Home Office contracts could nevertheless continue. Taking a broad view, the degree of planning and environmental harm resulting from the current use of the Bell is limited, he said in a 87-page ruling. The continuing need for hotels as an important element of the supply of contingency accommodation to house asylum seekers in order to enable the home secretary to discharge her statutory responsibilities is a significant counterbalancing factor. He found that it was primarily for the police to enforce public order and Essex police had done that. The judge said that while the council had objected earlier this year to the use of the hotel to house asylum seekers, it did not do so at the time on planning grounds. The council decided to take enforcement action in August in the light of protests that began the previous month. A temporary injunction was granted before being overturned. The council is now faced with the option of going back to the much slower process of taking enforcement action by serving notice of a breach of planning controls. After the ruling, a Home Office spokesperson said: We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels in this country. This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well under way to move asylum seekers into more suitable accommodation such as military bases, to ease pressure on communities across the country. We are working to do so as swiftly as possible as part of an orderly, planned and sustained programme. This judgment allows us to do that. A statement from Epping Forest district council described the ruling as a devastating decision for local democracy and claimed it was outgunned by bigger and more powerful interests. Local people must have some control over local decisions. But what we saw in court was an unholy alliance of lawyers for government and big business intent on protecting huge profits and an indefensible asylum policy, the council said in a statement by councillor Ken Williamson, holder of the shaping our district cabinet portfolio. Charities including the Refugee Council said the government had won at the high court but called on it to ensure all hotels were closed by next year, abandon plans to warehouse people in military barracks and grant temporary permission to stay for people from countries whose asylum applications succeed. Hotels are not an appropriate long-term solution to housing people seeking asylum. They are flashpoints for community division, cost the taxpayer billions, and leave people who are fleeing persecution and violence in countries like Sudan and Afghanistan in limbo, said Enver Solomon, chief executive at the Refugee Council. Sile Reynolds, head of asylum advocacy at Freedom from Torture, said: A botched effort to rush asylum cases through the process has left survivors languishing in hotels while they wait for an appeal court to correct unsafe refusals of protection. Hadlow Tower is 175 feet tall (Garry Byles) Hadlow Tower, near Tonbridge in Kent, is not your ordinary home. At 175 feet tall, presiding over the surrounding buildings and countryside, it stands like something out of a fairy tale: ornate, pinnacled, turreted and topped with a 40-foot lantern. The Grade I-listed tower six feet higher than Nelsons Column is thought to be the tallest folly in the UK. Today, it is all that remains of the former Hadlow Castle, having been converted from crumbling tower into unique vertical home in 2013. The octagonal tower spans 3,488 square feet over eight floors, each comprising of a single room although the first four floors also open up to rooms on one side. The tower has eight floors, with each converted into a single room (Garry Byles) There are four bedrooms, plus a cinema room, kitchen, dining room, study, high-level sitting area and fourth-floor roof terrace. Crucially, theres also a lift to the first four floors. For those with a head for heights, the top floors provide access to a parapet walkway with 360-degree views across the surrounding countryside. But, like all good fairy tale towers, Hadlow Tower has a chequered history. The castle was built in the late 18th century by the merchant Walter May, with the tower added around 1838 by his son, Walter Barton May, who wanted to keep a close eye on his wife after she left him for a local farmer, as folklore would have it. Once the tower was finished, May decided that it wasnt quite tall enough, adding the 40ft lantern for an extra vantage point. During the Second World War, the tower was used as a watchtower for the Royal Observer Corps. The building remained in private ownership, but was left empty after the war, leaving it to deteriorate. Views from the top of the tower (Garry Byles) In 1951, the castle proper was demolished to salvage building materials. Thanks to the efforts of local painter Bernard Hailstone, the tower, lodges and courtyard buildings were saved. Even so, the tower fell into disrepair over the next few decades, and was severely damaged in a storm in 1987, with the original lantern so unstable that it had to be taken down as a result. In 1998, it was put on World Monument Funds list of the top 100 most endangered buildings, and became the target of an active local campaign to save it. Eventually, campaigners joined forces with the Vivat Trust, a charity that preserved historic buildings, and a comprehensive three-year, 4.2 million restoration began, funded by English Heritage and the National Lottery Fund. The towers exterior was given a facelift, with every detail of the intricate stonework and stained-glass Gothic windows meticulously removed and replaced. The building was also strengthened with a new steel core, with new staircases and a lift added, and, of course, an exact replica of the original lantern was reinstated at the towers crown. Inside, the interiors were transformed, turning the tower into a modern, four-bedroom home. The restoration efforts earned two English Heritage Angel Awards. There is a roof terrace on the fourth floor and a parapet walkway at the top of the tower (Garry Byles) The restoration was completed in 2013, and the newly refurbished tower was initially used as a holiday let, costing 1,900 per week, with a visitors centre on the ground floor. But in 2015, Vivat Trust went into liquidation, and the towers future became uncertain once again. It was purchased by banker Christian Tym for 425,000 in 2017, who moved in with his family and opened the building to the public on certain days. Less than a year later, it was on the market again this time for 2 million. When that failed, Hadlow Tower was offered as a competition prize on a website called castlecompetition.co.uk, to the frustration of locals who had fought to save it. It was later put back on the market at a discounted price of 1.6 million, and sold for 1.23 million in 2020, according to the Land Registry. Now, after five years with the same owners, it is for sale with Fine & Country with its biggest price tag yet: 2.78 million. When it was last sold as a private home, the property was still required to occasionally be opened to the public, although now this condition no longer exists. This has been a very exciting and unique home that I have been privileged and proud to own for the past few years, wrote the owner in the property listing. I and my family have thoroughly enjoyed our time here, including the peaceful and tranquil environment, but my business is taking [me] abroad so I feel it is time to hand the baton over to new custodians who will appreciate the uniqueness of this amazing place in such an incredible setting. The house covers 3,488 square feet (Garry Byles) In recent months, other towers have come to the market although usually as an ambitious restoration project, and never so tall. Last month, for example, a Grade II-listed Victorian chimney was listed for sale for 300,000 with full planning permission to convert it into an unusual vertical house, similar to Hadlow Tower. The remains of a black tower in East Yorkshire, thought to have inspired Tolkiens The Two Towers, is up for auction on 3 December with a guide price of 200,000 to 250,000. And last year, a water tower near Newbury with planning permission for conversion into a three-bedroom home was auctioned with a guide price of 45,000. Hadlow Tower, though, comes fully converted but at a much higher price point. As soon as you see the iconic tower with its octagonal shaped exterior, arched windows, ornate mouldings and fantastic lantern you will almost be transported into a fantasy world, and may perhaps wonder why Rapunzel is not looking out of an upstairs window, say Fine & Country. If the ultimate in unique properties is your idea of home, then look no further that the magnificent Hadlow Tower. Actors Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson will reunite in a second Luther movie, Netflix has announced. The film will continue the story of haunted rogue Detective Chief Inspector John Luther, played by Elba, following five critically acclaimed series on the BBC and a movie released in 2023. Actress Wilson, 43, who did not appear in the film, will reprise her role as the detectives murderous sidekick, Alice Morgan, with Dermot Crowley returning as Detective Superintendent Martin Schenk. The follow-up to Luther: The Fallen Sun will see Elbas character secretly called back into service to investigate a murder spree. Luther, Alice and Schenk are BACK. Idris Elba, Dermot Crowley and Ruth Wilson will reunite for an all new LUTHER movie. Luther has been secretly called back into service amidst a new wave of brutal, seemingly random murders. But how can he save London when everyone on all sides pic.twitter.com/nIgLjDh7n4 Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) November 11, 2025 The film will welcome back director Jamie Payne and screenwriter Neil Cross, who created the mystery series. Cross said: Luther, Alice, and Schenk are more than characters to me theyre family. I never stop wondering where they are, whats become of them and what horrors might be stirring in the shadows of London while Luthers not around. So we decided to get together and find out what happens next. Payne added: Neil has yet again created a wonderfully dark tale to bring us all back together. Its a true joy to be back on the streets of Lutherland with the supreme talents that are Idris Elba and Dermot Crowley. I am also thrilled to be reunited with the brilliant and dangerous Alice Morgan, played by the extraordinarily talented Ruth Wilson. Fans new and old are in for a treat! All five series of Luther, which launched in 2010, were lauded by critics, but the 2023 film received two and three stars. Writing in The Times, Kevin Maher said the increased budget from the streaming giant had been spent on a gorgeous chopper shot and a plot so bombastic and overdone that unintentional giggles are consistently available. London-born Elba, 53, also known for playing Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom has received four Emmy nominations for Luther. Palestinian children fill a container with water along a road near the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, following a US-brokered truce. Photograph: Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images Israeli armed forces and settlers have attacked Palestinian water sources more than 250 times in the past five years, amounting to the most sustained assault on civilian water supplies in recent years, new research reveals. Bombs, dogs, poison and heavy machinery were among the weapons used to attack Palestinians and their infrastructure at drinking water, irrigation and sanitation sites in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip on at least 90 occasions between January 2024 and mid-2025, according to the Pacific Institute, a California-based nonpartisan thinktank tracking water conflicts. In February 2024, Israeli snipers killed eight Palestinians collecting water near Naser hospital in Gaza, while in April Israeli airstrikes on two schools in Gaza City killed and injured 100 people, and destroyed five mobile latrines and a solar-powered desalination unit that were installed in October 2024 as part of an EU-funded project. An estimated 90% of water and sanitation facilities in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed or damaged by direct attacks as military targets, or are inaccessible to Palestinians as they are located in areas blocked by the Israeli army. These actions have contributed to a public health catastrophe, according to Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation. Such practices in Gaza, but also in other armed conflicts such as Sudan, constitute violations of international law, and have been documented as patterns of behaviour that constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, that in the case of Gaza in particular, are an important part of a genocidal strategy, said Arrojo. Israel has systematically used water to displace and segregate the Palestinian population in their own territories, illegally occupied since 1967, as part of its strategy of apartheid and progressive colonization, he added. In the occupied West Bank in April, a group of Israeli settlers in the village of Bardalah destroyed irrigation pipelines on Palestinian-owned properties, while on the same day, other settlers damaged a water pipeline in the nearby village of Khirbat. In July, Israel killed at least 10 Palestinians at a water distribution point in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, six of them children, injuring another 16 amid critical levels of famine and dehydration that forced people to travel long distances in search of food and water. The attack is part of a growing pattern that has left more than 1,000 Palestinians dead while trying to access basic food and water aid. In July, a group of UN experts warned that Israel was using thirst as a weapon to kill Palestinians. The Middle East has become a hotspot for water-related violence in recent years, but incidents are surging globally amid climate catastrophe, poor governance and escalating conflicts over access to land and water sources. In 2024, there were a record 420 water-related conflicts globally a 20% rise on 2023, which was also a record year, and a 78% increase over 2022. Another 160-plus attacks were documented in the first half of 2025. The violence included attacks on dams, pipelines, wells, treatment plants, irrigation systems and workers, as well as public protests and cross-border disputes over access to water, and the use of water as a weapon of war. In Madagascar, security forces armed with teargas, tanks and rubber bullets quelled almost daily youth-led protests over the governments failure to address widespread power outages and water shortages, until a coup usurped the president in October. In September last year, a brother and sister on their way home from fetching water at night were fatally shot in Matswale, among many places in South Africa where water shortages are worsening. Pakistan has seen a spike in water-conflicts this year, including a wave of protests in Karachi over the construction of six new canals on the Indus river, which left scores of protesters and police injured. The new data shows an increase in violence against environmental and community activists defending freshwater resources, especially in Latin America, as well as rising cyber attacks targeting water utilities. Recent surveys of water agencies in the US and UK revealed hundreds of attempted breaches targeting systems that manage operations of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and equipment. The UN recognizes access to safe, acceptable, affordable drinking water as a fundamental human right, yet more than 2 billion people, about 25% of the worlds population, still lack access. Cutting off or denying people access to safe water violates international humanitarian law and the Geneva conventions, constituting a war crime. The Pacific Institutes tracker is the most comprehensive open-source database of water-related violence in the world, documenting incidents dating back over 4,500 years and contains more than 2,750 entries identified from news reports, eyewitness accounts and other conflict databases. Overall, water-related violence has been rising steadily since over the past two decades but has surged in recent years as growing scarcity exacerbates old conflicts over land, ideology and religion, economics and sovereignty, and new ones erupt, according to the Water Conflict Chronology. Only 24 such incidents were reported globally in the year 2000, compared with more than 160 incidents in the first half of 2025. Israeli assaults in occupied Palestine and Russias war with Ukraine have accounted for a significant chunk of the recent rise in assaults on water, irrigation and sanitation supplies, accounting for 12% and 16% respectively of all global incidents in 2024. Kalush, a city of 65,000 situated in the foothills of the Carpathian mountains in western Ukraine, was left without water and power on 25 December 2024, Christmas Day, after major shelling by Russian forces. In August this year, Ukraine National News reported that Russia had shut off water to some homes in the occupied Donetsk, allegedly as punishment for refusing to accept Russian rule. Ukrainian forces have also damaged Russian civilian and military water supplies. In July, they reportedly struck a water pipeline supplying Russian military facilities in Vladivostok, in Russias far east, cutting off drinking water to garrisons. The growing number of violent incidents involving freshwater resources underscores the urgent need for international attention, said Peter Gleick, senior fellow and co-founder of the Pacific Institute. Ensuring access to safe, affordable water for all and safeguarding civilian water systems in accordance with international law are critical to preventing further expansion of violence. The Israeli government did not respond to request for comment. Japan PM Sanae Takaichi caused Beijing to react angrily after suggesting an attack on Taiwan could trigger the deployment of her countrys self-defence forces. Photograph: Yoshio Tsunoda/AFLO/Shutterstock Japan and China are embroiled in a row about Tokyos potential military involvement in the event of a conflict over Taiwan. Beijing reacted angrily this month after Japans new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, said an attack on Taiwan could trigger the deployment of her countrys self-defence forces if the conflict posed an existential threat to Japan. Insisting that Japan could exercise its right to collective self-defence or coming to the aid of an ally Takaichi said Tokyo had to anticipate a worst-case scenario in the Taiwan Strait. Related: Taiwan vice-president presses case at EU parliament for joint efforts to counter China If an emergency in Taiwan involved warships and the use of force, then that could constitute a situation threatening [Japans] survival, whichever way you look at it, she told a parliamentary committee. The so-called Taiwan contingency has become so serious that we have to anticipate a worst-case scenario. Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to annex Taiwan a self-governing democracy it regards as a Chinese province under what it calls reunification. The row intensified at the weekend after the Chinese consul general in Osaka, Xue Jian, said in a post on X that referenced a news article about her Taiwan comments: We have no choice but cut off that dirty neck that has been lunged at us without hesitation. Are you ready? Officials in Tokyo condemned Xues post, which has since been removed, as extremely inappropriate. We strongly protested and urged that it be taken down immediately, Japans senior government spokesperson, Minoru Kihara, told reporters this week, adding that he was aware of multiple other inappropriate remarks by Xue. The dispute comes soon after Takaichi, a conservative with hawkish views on China, met Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Apec summit in South Korea, where they vowed to build constructive and stable relations. On Monday, Takaichi who last month became Japans first female prime minister refused to back down, but told MPs she would exercise caution when referring to specific situations involving security. Japan has long wrestled with the question of how it would respond to a conflict between China and Taiwan, which lies just 100km from its westernmost island, Yonaguni, in the East China Sea. While Japans postwar constitution forbids it from using force as a means of settling international disputes, a 2015 law passed when Takaichis mentor, Shinzo Abe, was prime minister permits it to exercise collective self-defence in certain situations, even if it is not directly under attack. That scenario would most likely involve Japanese support for US-led military action in the region. Lin Jian, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, said Xues post was a response to Takaichis wrongful and dangerous remarks on Taiwan. China strongly urges Japan to reflect on its historical culpability on the Taiwan issue and stop sending any wrong signals to Taiwan independence separatist forces, he said. Karen Kuo, a spokesperson for the presidential office in Taiwan, said in a statement that Taiwans government takes seriously the threatening remarks made by Chinese officials toward Japan. Such behaviour clearly exceeds diplomatic etiquette. In a post on X, the US ambassador to Japan, George Glass, said in reference to Xues comments: The mask slips again, adding that the Chinese diplomats words threatened Takaichi and the Japanese people. This latest spat started just a week after Beijing accused Takaichi of egregious behaviour by meeting with a senior adviser to Taiwans president, Lai Ching-te, on the sidelines of Apec, and posting photos of it on social media. Retail jobs are among those most affected by an unexpected increase in unemployment. (Stock image: Getty) (Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd via Getty Images) The UKs unemployment rate has hit its highest level outside the COVID pandemic era for nearly a decade. Official figures showed the rate of unemployment rose to 5% in the three months to September, up from 4.8% in the three months to August. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that, outside of skewed levels seen during the COVID pandemic years, this was the highest seen since August 2016. It said average regular wage growth was also affected, dropping from 4.7% in the previous three months to 4.6% in the three months to September, and also estimated that the number of workers on UK payrolls fell by 32,000 during October to 30.3 million, following an upwardly revised 32,000 drop the previous month, though the numbers are subject to further revisions. This was the largest two-month drop since late 2020. One expert has said multiple factors could be at play, including that the fall in the number of information and communication roles - as well as professional, scientific and technical jobs - would heighten fears in workers that AI is "coming for their jobs". Another told Yahoo News the new figures make for "sobering reading" with young people in particular. Which jobs are most likely to be affected? In a survey during Q3 (July, August and September), the Federation of Small Businesses found that the largest proportion of small businesses reporting a decline in employment by sector were the accommodation and food sector (with 42% saying they were cutting employment), and wholesale and retail trade (with 25% reporting a decline). Those surveyed also revealed their intentions for the coming three months of October, November and December, with the sectors where most small businesses were expecting a decline in employment were revealed as the accommodation and food sector again (43%) and construction, where 32% of businesses said they were looking to reduce the number of staff they employ. Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, said unemployment had risen particularly among men, with jobs falling in sectors including retail, real estate, construction, and across the services industry, as opposed to rises in employment in health and social work. UK unemployment rate. Infographic from PA Graphics. See story ECONOMY Unemployment. An editable version is available: please contact graphics@pamediagroup.com. Embed code for interactive version: A spokesperson for employment charity Shaw Trust told Yahoo News UK: "Todays figures make for sobering reading we're seeing fewer jobs across key industries such as retail, hospitality, and manufacturing. And this is particularly bad news for young people, as these industries are key for entry level jobs. As a result, youth unemployment is substantially higher than the national average, and almost a million young people are not earning or learning. "Young people have had a really raw deal our teens and early twenties are the time we lay the foundation for the rest of our lives. But this generation have had to contend with a global pandemic disrupting their education, a cooling economy with less entry level jobs, and increasing competition from AI. "Meanwhile, sectors such as health and social care continue to face chronic shortages, and theres also high demand for people in logistics and transport, skilled trades and construction, education, and technology related roles." The charity said there is a "growing mismatch between skills and job market needs" and said more needs to be done to ensure that young people are ready for work, and have good jobs to go to. What has caused unemployment rates to rise? One reason for the rise in unemployment is uncertainty around the budget on 26 November, experts have suggested. Martin Beck, chief economist at WPI Strategy chief economist, said the drop in payrolls data pointed to caution among businesses ahead of the budget. UK payrolled employees. Infographic from PA Graphics. See story ECONOMY Unemployment. An editable version is available: please contact graphics@pamediagroup.com. Embed code for interactive version: "Signs of renewed weakness in the UK labour market suggest the real economy is starting to feel the chill of Budget tax uncertainty," he said, warning that the "prospect of new tax rises in the upcoming budget poses further risks to employment, particularly if the Chancellor again looks to raise taxes on businesses". However, one silver lining in the data was that job vacancies rose for the first time in more than three years estimated to be up by 2,000, or 0.2%, to 723,000 in the three months to October. Coles, who is a columnist at Yahoo Finance, said there were "lots of forces at work, from slower economic growth to the rise in employers National Insurance making it more expensive to employ people". She said: "The fact that weve seen jobs fall among retail, real estate, construction, and across the services industry, indicate theres likely to be a cyclical element to jobs. "This is also reflected in the fact that the biggest rises in employment are in health and social work, which are less affected by the bigger economic picture. "AI will be playing its part. The fall in the number of information and communication roles, as well as professional, scientific and technical jobs will do nothing to alleviate concerns among higher earners that AI could be coming for their jobs. "The drop in the number of administrative and support staff could be a sign that finding an entry level job into some professions is getting harder as technology steps in." Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, blamed the unemployment increase and drop in number of people on payroll on the "governments complacent attitude to jobs and businesses". She said: "Pushing small businesses out of employing staff with ever increasing regulation, litigation and tax will scar present and future generations who will keep finding the search for work incredibly painful. "We need a government that sides with the private sector including people starting out on their own not one that sides against it. "At the upcoming budget, Rachel Reeves must take action that backs jobs and growth increasing the employment allowance in line with the living wage, restoring the sick pay rebate, and making sure those who are sick can access the Chancellors new job guarantee scheme would all help." Read more The Princess of Wales wrote a touching tribute to the war dead as she paid her respects at a moving Armistice Day service. Kate, 43, laid a wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial as she attended the Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Handwritten on a note and attached to a wreath was her message: In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we will remember them. Catherine. The wreath-laying followed a two minute silence as the nation stopped to remember the fallen. The service also featured the reading of a specially commissioned poem by the arboretum's poet in residence, Arji Manuelpillai. "A Sonnet For Us All captures the stories etched into the hundreds of memorials within the National Memorial Arboretum, it invites people to listen, reflect and consider the emotion that was the inspiration for these sculptures," Mr Manuelpillai said. "These human connections, and the gentle responsibility to carry love forward, are themes that resonate not only with me, but also with HRH The Princess of Wales, for whom the importance of service and compassion lies especially close to the heart." The Princess of Wales (Joe Giddens/PA Wire) On the conclusion of the service, Kate viewed newly dedicated names on the Armed Forces Memorial before meeting veterans in attendance at the service. Queen Camilla was at London Paddington train station as part of the Great Western Railway 'Poppies to Paddington' event to mark Armistice Day. Later on Tuesday, William will join the King and Queen at Windsor Castle where a reception will honour veterans who served in the Pacific during the Second World War. The event, which the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Gloucester will also attend, continues the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. Meanwhile The Prince of Wales told young people about the importance of wearing a red poppy and that "remembrance is for everyone" in a video message to mark Armistice Day. Queen Camilla at Paddington station (Ben Birchall/PA Wire) William's message to children across the UK was played at the Royal British Legion's Remembrance Assembly on Tuesday morning. The virtual event brings together children aged 9-14 in schools, libraries, home education and other learning settings across the UK. In his message, the prince says: "Armistice Day is an important time for us to stop and reflect - it is a reminder that remembrance is for everyone. "When we remember, we connect with service in a personal way. "We learn from the courage of others, and we carry their stories forward, so they are not forgotten. Kate during the service of remembrance (REUTERS) "It's not just about the past - it's about shaping who we become in the future. "Remembrance teaches us empathy, resilience and responsibility. "And when we wear a red poppy or take a moment of silence, we are saying, 'Thank you. We have not forgotten, and we will not forget'." William will encourage young people to remember veterans and serving members of the armed forces alike, saying: "Through my own military experience, as well as through my work in connection with units across the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force, I have seen first-hand the hard work, dedication and duty the armed forces carry out to ensure we are protected. "Coming together for remembrance is a vital way to honour those whose service keeps us safe. "Even today, as we continue to face a number of conflicts across the world, we honour those who have gone before us, and those who are serving now. "Their memories matter, their lives matter, and they remind us to be respectful, kind, brave and thoughtful every day." A Turkish military plane crashed in Georgia after taking off from Azerbaijan with 20 personnel on board, including the flight crew. A video showed the C-130 Hercules spiralling and trailing white smoke before hitting the ground and erupting in a plume of black smoke on Tuesday. The cause of the crash, which occurred as the plane was returning to Turkey, and the number of casualties were unclear. Georgian media reports suggested the plane was carrying both Turkish and Azeri personnel. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well as senior officials from Georgia and Azerbaijan indicated at least some of those on board had died, the Associated Press reported. A few minutes after entering Georgian airspace, the aircraft disappeared from radar without transmitting a distress signal, the Georgian air navigation service said. The interior ministry said that the plane went down about 5km from Georgias state border with Azerbaijan. Flightradar24 data showed the aircraft was flying under call sign TUAF543. Interpress news agency reported that the aircraft crashed in Sighnaghi, a municipality in the eastern Kakheti region near Azerbaijan. It said the crash was being investigated under a criminal code article covering air transport and the loss of life. Mr Erdogan was handed a note by aides at the end of a speech in Ankara to inform him of the crash. He offered his condolences for our martyrs, referring to the personnel on the aircraft, without giving specific details about casualties. God willing, we will overcome this crash with minimum hardships, the leader said. May God rest the soul of our martyrs, and let us be with them through our prayers. Plane wreckage at the site of the crash (Reuters) Georgian authorities reached the crash site at around 5pm local time, Turkeys interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said, adding that search and rescue efforts were still underway. Azerbaijans president, Ilham Aliyev, expressed his condolences to Mr Erdogan, the families and loved ones of the deceased, and the fraternal people of Turkey in a call. In an official readout, Mr Aliyev said he had discussed the tragic news of the loss of servicemen in the crash with Mr Erdogan. Turkey deployed a drone to assist in the rescue operation and was preparing an accident investigation team to leave for Georgia, according to broadcaster NTV. US ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said he was deeply saddened by todays tragic crash of a Turkish Armed Forces aircraft, and extended condolences to the families of the fallen, adding that the US stands in solidarity with our Turkish allies. Lockheed Martin, the American manufacturer of C-130 Hercules, which is used by air forces around the world, said it was committed to supporting the investigation. The C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military cargo and troop carrier plane that can use unprepared runways for take-off and landing. Turkey reached an agreement last month with the UK to buy 12 second-hand C-130J aircraft. Turkey shares strong military and diplomatic ties with Azerbaijan. Mr Erdogan recently attended celebrations in Baku commemorating the 2020 win in the Nagorno-Karabakh war against Armenia. German police have detained a 49-year-old man accused of asking for donations of cryptocurrency to pay for the assassinations of prominent politicians, prosecutors said on Tuesday. Former chancellors Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz were named on a list of 20 people the man had issued with a death sentence, along with former federal ministers, according to the German magazine Der Spiegel. The suspect, named only as Martin S, was picked up by elite counterterror units in Dortmund late on Monday and charged with financing terrorism. They claim that the Polish-German citizen ran a site on the dark web called Assassination Politics, where, among other things, the private data of famous people was published. The name of the site is believed to be a reference to a 1995 essay by US anti-government activist Jim Bell, who described a marketplace for anonymous parties to donate money for the assassination of government officials. Former German chancellor Angela Merkel is said to have been on a list of people given a death sentence by the suspect (AP) The suspect was also charged with inciting the commission of a serious act of violence endangering the state, and the dangerous dissemination of personal data. Investigators said they found criminal files and death sentences issued against public figures, as well as far-right, racist and conspiracy theory content, and instructions on how to make explosives. Prosecutors did not identify any of the people on the list, or specify the nature of the data that was divulged. Germanys interior minister Alexander Dobrindt said the investigation into a suspect trying to finance attacks via a right-wing extremist platform had been underway since June, but declined to give further details. Prosecutors did not address the suspects motive or suggest that he was working for a foreign actor. The suspect is believed to have been known to authorities since 2020 due to his behaviour during the Covid lockdowns, according to the German news programme Tagesschau. Authorities say they have been investigating the suspect and his right-wing extremist platform since June (file image) (Getty) He is also said to have been linked to the conspiratorial Reichsburger movement, whose members deny the legitimacy of the postwar Federal Republic of Germany. The accused will appear before an investigative judge, who will decide whether to issue an arrest warrant, prosecutors said in their statement on Tuesday. German politicians have said they are increasingly subject to attacks, both verbal and physical, at a time of deepening polarisation. The active-duty Green Beret who detonated a Cybertruck outside the Trump Las Vegas hotel on New Years Day was spiraling and deep in a mental health crisis before the deadly blast, according to a report. Matthew Livelsberger, 37, was suffering from a grave mental health crisis in the weeks leading up to January 1, 2025, when he fatally shot himself while inside his Tesla before it exploded outside the Trump International Hotel on the Vegas Strip, according to a new ABC News report. Investigators found troubling signs when they searched Livelsbergers phone after the explosion, which injured six people. Livelsberger had written about being caught up in some craziness but said he didnt want to hurt anyone. As much as the [mainstream media] will paint me out to be some terrorist and monster, I had no intent on taking out anyone but myself if that happens. I am deeply sorry to anyone that gets hurt. I served my country for my entire adult life and I got caught up in some craziness and have outrun my headlights, he wrote. Former Army nurse Alicia Arritt, who dated Livelsberger for two years, received alarming text messages from the decorated serviceman about his mental state days before the explosion. The man who detonated a Cybertruck on New Years Day in Las Vegas was suffering from a mental health crisis, according to a new report (Facebook/Reuters) I have been spiraling down the last week or sosometimes I get so hopeless and depressed its ridiculous. By far the worst week of my life, Livelsberger wrote in text messages to Arritt, who said she hadnt heard from him since 2022. Arritt said she encouraged Livelsberger, who also struggled with his mental health during their relationship, to seek professional help. I always encouraged him to talk to somebody. Ive lost a lot of friends in the military over the years, and I didnt want that to happen to him, too, she said. In a statement to ABC, the Army said that Livelsberger had access to and used a program that provides physical, cognitive and medical care to soldiers. Livelsberger, originally from Colorado but on leave from a deployment in Germany at the time of the attack, was not displaying any concerning behaviors when he was granted leave, the Army said. Despite his concerning actions in the days leading up to the explosion, law enforcement officials said Livelsberger, a Green Beret of two decades, had not been on their radar. I'm not aware that he was ever on the radar of law enforcement previously, Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill told ABC News. I would go so far as to say, from what I've been able to see of his military record, he'd be what you described as a military hero. The attack left six people injured (Getty Images) Mental health struggles are not uncommon amongst veterans, clinical psychologist Chris Frueh told the outlet. However, many soldiers are reluctant to seek help over concerns that it will make them ineligible for deployment. If a soldier goes and says, I'm suffering, I'm hurting and they say that to a psychologist or a physician, they run the risk of being pulled off deployment or pulled off deployable status, and nobody wants that, said Frueh. The attack came shortly after a suspect plowed a truck into New Orleans crowded Bourbon Street, killing 14 and injuring over 50 others, leaving law enforcement officials scrambling to see if the two attacks were connected. Those worries were put to rest 36 hours after the explosion, when authorities identified Livelsberger as the suspect after finding his charred ID at the scene, which allowed them to determine the explosion was not related to the deadly attack in Louisiana. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. In the UK, people having mental health crises can contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org File Image (PA Wire) An 18-year-old man has been charged with a terrorism offence linked to Syria. Chafik Aziz, of Wallington, Sutton, was initially arrested on November 4 at Gatwick Airport. He was detained in police custody on suspicion of being a member of a proscribed organisation. Aziz was then re-arrested the following day. On November 6, police obtained a warrant of further detention at Westminster Magistrates Court, which allowed him to be held in police custody until 11 November. After further enquiries, Aziz was charged on November 11 with intending to commit acts of terrorism by preparing to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State, according to Counter Terrorism Policing London. He has been remanded in police custody and will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi vowed to bring the conspirators to justice, a day after a deadly car blast at Delhis Red Fort killed at least eight people as authorities investigated the explosion as a suspected act of terror. At least 20 people were also injured after the car exploded in one of the busiest streets of Delhi near the historic Red Fort monument. The blast is the first such major explosion since 2011 and rare in the heart of the Indian capital. Mr Modi, who left for Bhutan hours after the attack on Tuesday for a scheduled visit, said no one will be spared. The horrific incident that happened in Delhi last evening has deeply disturbed everyone, Mr Modi said at a public meeting. Our agencies will get to the very bottom of this conspiracy. The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice, he said. Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh said the blast, the cause for which is not still clear, is being probed by the top investigation agencies and the findings will soon be made public. Forensic experts investigate at the blast site following an explosion near the Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi (AFP via Getty Images) Those responsible for this tragedy will be brought to justice and will not be spared under any circumstances, Mr Singh said. The blast occurred at 6.52pm on Monday when a slow moving Hyundai i20 car stopped at a prominent traffic light before exploding and ripping into the nearby objects and crowd, the Delhi police commissioner said. Security personnel seals off and guards blast site following an explosion at a Metro station (Getty Images) Authorities have shut the nearby areas and the 17-century, Mughal-era Red Fort for three days as the roads and nearby vicinity were being combed for clues to find the events leading up to the explosion. The dead and the injured were rushed to the nearby Lok Nayak Hospital which was also cordoned off for security reasons as family members waited outside for news of their kin. We at least know that my cousin is here, whether he is injured or not or the extent of his injury, we dont know anything, a distressed relative told Reuters on the condition of anonymity. Delhi police officials have registered a case under Indias stringent anti-terrorism and other laws, deputy commissioner of police Raja Banthia said. The BBC must renew its mission for the modern age, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said, as it fights to restore trust following the crisis which led to boss Tim Davies resignation. The once-a-decade process of reviewing the broadcasters charter will begin shortly, with Ms Nandy saying it would ensure a BBC which is fiercely independent and genuinely accountable to the public it serves. Director-general Mr Davie quit on Sunday amid a scandal over the editing of a speech by Donald Trump, which has prompted the US president to threaten a billion-dollar legal action. Ms Nandy warned MPs attacking the broadcaster to consider just what is at stake. There is a fundamental difference between raising serious concerns over editorial failings and members of this House launching a sustained attack on the institution itself, because the BBC is not just a broadcaster, it is a national institution that belongs to us all. Outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie outside BBC Broadcasting House in London following his resignation (Lucy North/PA) The BBCs charter expires at the end of 2027 and the process of reviewing it is now set to begin with the organisation at the centre of a storm following the resignations of Mr Davie and Deborah Turness, who quit as chief executive of BBC News. Ms Nandy said the charter review process will begin imminently, telling MPs: Together, we will ensure the BBC is sustainably funded, commands the publics trust and continues to drive growth, good jobs, skills and creativity across every region and nation of the UK. In an era in which trust is fraying and truth is contested across our nation, it will ensure the BBC remains fiercely independent and is genuinely accountable to the public it serves. Amid the debate over the public broadcasters impartiality, several Labour backbenchers called on Ms Nandy to remove Sir Robbie Gibb, a former political adviser to Theresa May when she was prime minister, from the BBC Board. Answering a question from Labour MP Sarah Owen (Luton North), Ms Nandy said: The charter sets a strict legal threshold that must be met before dismissal of a board member, and so I am unable to pursue the course of action that she suggests. Mr Davie told BBC staff the corporation has to stand up for our journalism, insisting it will control its own narrative which will not just be given by our enemies. In remarks to BBC staff seen by the PA news agency, he said: We are a unique and precious organisation, and I see the free press under pressure, I see the weaponisation. I think weve got to fight for our journalism. Im really proud of our work, and the amazing work locally, globally, that were doing is utterly precious. He added: We have made some mistakes that have cost us, but we need to fight for that. And Im fiercely proud of that, and dont let anyone stop you from thinking that we are doing a fantastic job. Mr Davie also alluded to enemies of the corporation, telling staff: We will thrive and this narrative will not just be given by our enemies: Its our narrative. A legal letter, from Trump counsel Alejandro Brito, has demanded that false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements made about Mr Trump be retracted immediately. The letter says if the BBC does not comply, Mr Trump will be left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights, all of which are expressly reserved and are not waived, including by filing legal action for no less than 1,000,000,000 dollars in damages. Sir Keir Starmer has not spoken to Mr Trump about his threatened legal action, Downing Street indicated. A report from Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBCs editorial standards committee, raised concerns that a speech made by Mr Trump before the attack on the US Capitol on January 6 2021 had been selectively edited by the BBC for a Panorama documentary. His memo said clips of Mr Trumps speech were spliced together to make it appear he had told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to fight like hell. BBC chairman Samir Shah has apologised for an error of judgment over the editing. Ms Nandy told the Commons: Dr Shah believes that our national broadcaster, which remains one of the most trusted sources of news in our country, has a responsibility to uphold the highest standards. I agree. Over the past week, I have been in regular contact with him and his team to ensure that where these standards have not been met, firm, swift and transparent action follows. Mr Shah and fellow members of the BBCs editorial guidelines and standards committee, Sir Robbie and Caroline Thomson, have agreed to appear before the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee in the coming weeks, the committee has announced. From the backbenches, DUP MP Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) said he objected to paying the licence fee to fund the BBC, which he described as this body which has fabricated the news, misused its monopoly and hidden behind the protection of politicians in this House, far too cowardly to take them on over the years. Ms Nandy replied that she did not agree with his remarks. My assessment of failures that have been admitted over recent years is that they stem from not an institutional bias but a need to have sufficient rigour and oversight at the top of the organisation that is applied consistently across the board, the Culture Secretary added. When independent MP Rupert Lowe (Great Yarmouth) said now is the time to responsibly defund this monopoly, Ms Nandy replied she strongly disagreed with this. She earlier ruled out funding the BBC through general taxation because whilst its absolutely essential that good journalism is well resourced, it is also absolutely essential that the BBC remains independent from government. Christmas shoppers are being warned to watch out for scams as research indicates nearly half (46%) would ignore red flags if they appeared to be getting a discount of at least half price. A similar proportion (49%) would be prepared to overlook warning signs if they needed something to arrive before a holiday, according to the survey carried out for Mastercard. Fraudsters will try to make use of people feeling under pressure, excited about a bargain or distracted by needing to tick multiple purchases of their shopping lists in the run-up to Christmas. During the holiday season, two-thirds (66%) of shoppers buy from unfamiliar websites, the survey indicated. While around a third (34%) of people said they are more cautious during the holidays, 8% said they are less cautious. A fifth (19%) of people said they do little to no research before buying from an unknown or new website. The survey also found that many shoppers have had poor experiences with purchases previously, with 17% having bought items that never arrived, 13% saying they have received counterfeit products, 9% saying they had been charged incorrectly and 8% saying their payment information had been compromised. Some people also said they had abandoned purchases after spotting red flags on websites, such as prices seeming too good to be true, poor spelling and grammar, websites asking for unnecessary information, or looking unprofessional, or a lack of customer reviews and ratings. Many people said they would also avoid buying from a website during the holiday season if it had no secure payment indicators (54%) or very few payment options (30%), according to the survey of more than 1,000 people across the UK carried out by The Harris Poll for Mastercard in September. Simon Forbes, division president, UK & Ireland at Mastercard, said the firm is continually analysing risk events and uses generative AI (artificial intelligence) to detect compromised cards faster, as well as stopping fraud by scanning transactions in real time. He said: Our message to people this festive season is to watch out for rogue traders and remember that if something looks too good to be true, it usually is. Here are some suggestions from Mastercard to help shoppers protect themselves from fraud: 1. Scan with care. Be mindful that some QR codes and ads with enticing low prices may potentially be wrapped up in trouble, such as malware or fake websites, where fraudsters hope people will unwittingly enter their card information. 2. Update before you celebrate. Make sure your tech is up to date with the latest software updates to protect against evolving threats. 3. Check twice for fake delivery alerts. Criminals will often send out fake messages about deliveries, with many people expecting parcels in the run-up to Christmas. When in doubt, contact the company using official channels. 4. Spread generosity with confidence. Research charities before donating to ensure your money goes to a reputable cause. 5. Watch out for fake captchas. Captchas are authentication measures used to detect whether a user is human, such as by selecting certain images. But Mastercard said people should shut down ones asking for downloads or personal information. Protesters outside the Turning Point USA event at University of California, Berkeley. Photograph: Noah Berger/AP Turning Point USA, the influential rightwing college group founded by Charlie Kirk, has brought Kirks message to a campus with a long history of leftwing activism two months after his death. An event at the University of California, Berkeley, on Monday evening marked the chaotic last stop of the American Comeback tour, which Kirk had just begun at the time of his death at Utah Valley University. In the aftermath of Kirks fatal shooting, the events have come to serve as memorials, with prominent conservative speakers, including JD Vance, highlighting the staggering impact the controversial rightwing influencers death has had on American politics. Since Kirks killing in September, allegedly by a 22-year-old gunman, Donald Trump has sought to use the incident to attack Democrats, liberal groups and donors. The president has warned of an enemy within while he and allies have launched attacks on political opponents, actions that scholars have described as authoritarian and anti-Democratic. Related: The right wants Charlie Kirk memorials across the US but is it just an attempt to capitalize on his killing? Meanwhile, people have been fired or disciplined from their jobs over comments, or perceived commentary, about Kirks killing or the beliefs he publicly espoused. The Berkeley event, hosted by the campuss TPUSA chapter, featured Rob Schneider, the comedian and actor who has become a champion of conservative causes, and Christian author Frank Turek. It was met with a large protest as hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside Zellerbach Hall on Monday evening. People shouted Fascists out of Berkeley and carried signs with slogans such as We won the war, why are there still Nazis and No safe space for fascist scum, and Palestinian flags. Meanwhile, dozens of police officers gathered around an entrance, clearing a path for people to enter, and helicopters circled overhead. There were at least three arrests during the protests, including two people detained after a violent altercation, the Daily Californian reported. There was anxiety on campus ahead of the event, said Sophie Mason, a freshman who stopped by the protest after class and said it was the talk of the town. There was a lot of tension. People were worried, she said. Two hours after the event started, the crowd outside showed no signs of tiring. They briefly broke into chants of fuck Charlie Kirk. Protesters at times focused on the large showing of law enforcement, yelling CHP go home in reference to the California Highway Patrol team assembled at the frontline of the demonstration. Dozens of officers stood blocking a throughway to the building where the TPUSA event was under way, some with body mounted cameras. Earlier Monday morning, police arrested four students for alleged vandalism after they attempted to hang a large cardboard bug on a gate ahead of the event, Berkeleys campus newspaper the Daily Californian reported. UC Berkeley, known as the birthplace of the campus free speech movement of the 1960s, has hosted controversial events before. In 2017, thousands of students protested the scheduled appearances of the rightwing provocateur and former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos and the conservative commentator Ann Coulter. Both events were ultimately cancelled, but the city saw violent clashes between opposing groups of protesters. Monday nights event, which the Berkeley chapter of TPUSA described as an opportunity to be a part of the movement built on Charlies legacy, was sold out. The chapter has more than doubled since Kirks death, organization leadership have said. Given the campus history of protest, Monday nights demonstrations felt normal, said Tyara Gomez, a third-year student. Although this one had far more police officers, she said. Related: Donations for Turning Point USA pour in after founder Charlie Kirks death The protest was largely peaceful but was marked by tense moments. A crowd appeared to accost a man who shouted a racial slur, and circled protesters. There were clashes between demonstrators and counter-demonstrators and attendees, and fears of gun violence. Early on, as the crowds reached their peak, a car drove by, seemingly broadcasting the sound of gunshots, sending dozens of people fleeing while others crowded behind concrete pillars, unsure whether a shooting was taking place. Among them was Mayte, who did not feel comfortable sharing her last name and was visiting with her boyfriend. Mayte crammed behind a the concrete structure with her dog and several other people as the vehicle passed. You cant tell if its fireworks or gunshots. Its scary, she said. She had felt compelled to watch the demonstration, which was as much a protest against TPUSA as it was against Trump and his agenda. Its sad whats happening. Im the daughter of immigrants. Mason, the freshman, said she was perplexed why Turning Point USA had chosen to host the event at the famously liberal campus, but that she was pleased to see the turnout. Im glad a lot of people came together and showed up. The US Capitol on Monday evening. Photograph: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Shutterstock The Senate on Monday approved a funding package that is expected to bring to a close the longest government shutdown in US history, after a coalition of Democrats broke from their party and voted with Republicans, in a move that has enraged many in their caucus. The vote passed in a 60-40 tally, with seven Democrats and one independent joining all Republicans to approve a compromise deal that would fund most federal agencies through January. The agreement, which next goes to the House of Representatives, does not directly address the expiring tax credits for healthcare premiums, the issue at the center of the 40-day stalemate between Democrats and Republicans, though the Senate majority leader, John Thune, has promised a Senate vote later this year on the subsidies. Donald Trump has already expressed support for the deal, and the House speaker, Mike Johnson, has urged members of the House which has been on an extended recess since the shutdown began to return in preparation for a vote and a swift delivery to the presidents desk. Related: How each senator voted on legislation to end US government shutdown The legislation extends government funding at current levels through January 2026 along with three year-long provisions that will fund programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the USDA and FDA, and legislative branch operations. The continuing resolution also includes language to stop mass federal firings and reverse dismissals that occurred during the shutdown prohibiting additional reductions until the end of January and guarantees back pay to workers who have spent weeks without paychecks. Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said he would abide by the terms of the deal, including provisions reinstating federal workers who had received reduction-in-force notices. Were going to be opening up our country very quickly, Trump said. The deal is very good. Democrats have been fighting for the permanent extension of subsidies that support Americans relying on the Affordable Care Act, which are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. Without an extension of the tax credits, millions of Americans could see sharp rises in their healthcare premiums or lose their marketplace coverage entirely. The eight senators in the Democratic caucus who worked with Republicans to craft the deal are facing fierce backlash from party leaders to the activists who have mobilized behind the shutdown strategy for failing to win any of the healthcare concessions that they had sought. Democrats have said they are counting on a commitment that the chamber would take up a separate vote on a healthcare bill by mid-December. Related: Senate Democrats who defected in shutdown vote: This was the only deal This was the only deal on the table, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire said in a statement posted online, defending her decision to vote for the bill. It was our best chance to reopen the government and immediately begin negotiations to extend the ACA tax credits. The fury is so great among Democrats that some have called on the Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, to resign, even though he voted against the deal and was sharply critical of its components. He either blessed this surrender, or was incapable of leading his caucus to hold the line, Indivisible wrote in a notice urging members to call their senators and demand Schumer step aside. Despite the Senates compromise, there was no guarantee any Democratic healthcare proposal would pass the Republican-controlled chamber. Earlier on Monday, Republicans rejected an amendment offered by the Wisconsin senator Tammy Baldwin that would have extended the ACA tax credits for one year. A handshake deal with my Republican colleagues to reopen the government and no guarantee to actually lower costs is simply not good enough, Baldwin said in a floor speech. The people I work for need more than that. Johnson said on Monday he would not guarantee a vote in the House on the Affordable Care Act subsidies. Were going to do in the House what we always do, and that is a deliberative process, he told CNN. As you know, I do not guarantee the outcome of legislation or dates or deadlines or anything, he added. The Senate vote to end the gridlock comes as hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers missed paychecks, millions of Americans were at risk of losing food assistance and the transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, warned that air traffic controllers were facing unprecedented strain and that travelers should brace for further chaos unless the government was reopened. The Senate voted to reopen the government on Monday evening after the longest government shutdown in history, even as Democrats hope to extend health care subsidies remains unlikely. After 40 days, eight Democrats joined all but one Republican Senator on a continuing resolution to keep the government open until January. The vote sets up the House to vote on the resolution on Wednesday. This comes despite the fact that many Democratic activists and almost every Democrat in the House roundly criticized the agreement. Democrats had opposed the continuing resolution because they had hoped to include an extension of enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Acts health insurance marketplace that President Joe Biden put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. Around 24 million people get their insurance on the health insurance marketplace, according to KFF. Open enrollment on the marketplace began this month and some people have reported seeing premiums double or even triple. KFF warned that subsidized enrollees could see their premiums go up by as much as 114 percent. RNC building projection blames the government shutdown on Republicans (Getty) The revolt caused such a schism that Democratic congressional candidate Stefany Shaheen, the daughter of New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who helped broker the agreement, criticized it. My daughters very independent, Sen. Shaheen told The Independent. That's why she's going to be such a great Congresswoman. And she knows a lot about the health care system, because shes been working in it for over 20 years. The shutdown led to the Trump administration trying to make it as painful as possible, fighting in court to prevent the disbursement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and leading to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cutting thousands of flights. President Donald Trump had floated the idea of terminating the filibuster after Democrats had used the 60-vote threshold to block any vote on a continuing resolution that the House passed in September. But while Senate Republicans guaranteed a vote on extending the subsidies, its not guaranteed that it could pass the Senate and House Speaker Mike Johnson did not guarantee a vote on them in the future. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen helped broker the deal to end the government shutdown. But her daughter Stefany, who is running for Congress, criticized the agreement (Getty) Senate Democrats expressed doubt that Republicans would negotiate in good faith. Republican senators have never voted for the ACA, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) told The Independent. Theyve made it clear that their position, consistently over many years, has been to oppose more affordable, more accessible health care. Republicans have historically voted against the ACA. During Trumps first presidency, he attempted to repeal the law signed by President Barack Obama, only to see the vote fail in dramatic fashion during a late-night downvote. Democrats have only 47 Senate seats meaning they would need to win over 13 Republicans. Already, Republicans have started to pour cold water on extending the subsidies. Why would I renew something thats badly done? Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said to The Independent. Why would I continue to give 10s of billions of dollars to insurance companies with an inferior product? Thats insane. Rather, some Republicans suggested having the money go directly to voters rather than as subsidies to buy insurance. I think its gonna be important in this discussion, and I think youre gonna see President Trump involved too, Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) told The Independent. But Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, told The Independent he was skeptical that Republicans really cared about taking on the insurance industry. I've got folks who are having 500 percent increases in premiums and focused on that, and thats whats going to help us change it, Wyden said. Because these guys come back and people say, I cant pay for groceries, I cant pay the rent, I cant pay for shoes for my kids. Thats the way we're going to get this done. But other Republicans signaled they might be open to doing so. Maine Sen. Susan Collins, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, faces a tough re-election next year and has occasionally voted with Democrats on health care. I do think we need to reinstate the...income cap that was on eligibility for the tax credit used to exist prior to Covid, she told The Independent. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who is retiring at the end of next year, said he thought there could be some level of negotiations. I think its got to be its got to get it out of the political cycle and also recognize that some of the things that they did without a single Republican vote need to be undone, he said. In addition to the continuing resolution, the deal will allow for the passage of three bipartisan spending bills, pay federal workers who had not received a check during the shutdown and undo reductions in force the Trump administration put in place. File. Ron Wyden said he was skeptical about whether Republicans cared about taking on insurance companies (AP) But many Democrats expressed frustration at what they considered a cave less than a week after Democrats had almost a perfect sweep in off-year elections on Tuesday. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who voted for the continuing resolution, said he believed Johnson would have no choice but to take up the subsidies if it passes in a bipartisan fashion. And if it comes out of here bipartisan, he cannot not take it up without having November 2026 make November 2025 look like a picnic, he told The Independent. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) told The Independent that she believed an agreement could be reached. Theres some common ground there, she said. Is it hard? Weve demonstrated what hard is. St Georges flags are creating no go zones for NHS staff, with some facing frequent abuse, health leaders have warned. Several NHS trust chief executives and leaders have said that staff feel intimidated by the presence of the flags across the country, including when they are visiting people in their own homes to give them treatment. It comes as a poll of senior managers found 45 per cent were extremely concerned about discrimination towards NHS staff from patients and the public, while a further 33 per cent were moderately concerned. One trust leader spoke anonymously and they said there were particular issues with nurses entering peoples homes alone when they work in the community. When St Georges flags went up, staff members of minority ethnicities felt deliberately intimidated. Youre going in on your own, youre locking the door behind you, he said. I have been into homes with people who have been convicted of sex offences, and we go in and provide care to them. Far-right figures supported a raise the colours operation over the summer (Jacob King/PA) It can be a really precarious situation, and they (the nurses) handle that absolutely brilliantly, he added. We saw during the time when the flags went up our staff, who are a large minority of black and Asian staff, feeling deliberately intimidated. It felt like the flags were up creating no go zones. Thats what it felt like to them. The trust leader added he thought that this was designed to feel intimidating and exclusionary for the staff, who had seen individual instances of aggression. Another NHS trust leader said one member of their staff, who is white and has mixed-race children, had asked some people putting up flags to move so she could park her car. The individuals filmed what was happening, and then followed her, and she continued to receive abuse over a series of several days, not because she objected to the flags, but because she disturbed them, they said. They added that this was one of many stories of staff facing abuse as a result of the flag-raising operation. One member of staff was filmed and followed after asking individuals putting up flags to move so she could park her car (PA) Daniel Elkes, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents trusts, said that the NHS relied on overseas recruitment and couldnt deliver without a diverse workforce. We have a really diverse workforce, and without that, you cant deliver the NHS, he said. We are trying to recruit from the very places where we provide healthcare, so the intake into the NHS is representative of British people from more diverse backgrounds. A large number of St Georges Flags were raised across the UK over the summer as part of a controversial movement called Operation Raise the Colours, backed by far-right figures. In the midst of the movement, a Chinese takeaway in York was covered in racist graffiti and St Georges crosses. It comes as NHS Providers said the resident doctor strike, scheduled to start next Friday, could wipe out a once-in-a-generation chance to fix the NHS. Industrial action, which will last five days, could badly affect NHS recovery, it said. The NHS Providers annual survey of health leaders and managers found that while a growing proportion report high or very high quality care for patients, concerns remain over industrial action, finances and winter pressures. Regarding strikes, one NHS leader said: When people take industrial action, you have to then spend a huge amount of time covering their shifts, which means that you dont have the staffing that you would have had had they not been on industrial action and your focus is all about how to keep the most people safe. Youre not as focused on treating everybody as well as you could There is a risk that people will die who wouldnt otherwise have come to harm. Three prisoners who were wrongly released in England and Wales remain on the run and are being sought by police, David Lammy has confirmed. A total of 91 prisoners have been freed by mistake between 1 April and 31 October this year the equivalent of around three per week, according to the latest Ministry of Justice figures published on Tuesday. Downing Street admitted the figures are shocking, and said they are symptomatic of a system that the government inherited from the Conservatives. Justice secretary Mr Lammy told MPs on Tuesday that none of the three that are currently at large are convicted sex offenders. It comes as the government faces mounting pressure over a series of high-profile releases, including that of Epping sex offender Hadush Kebatu. In the following weeks, an Algerian sex offender and a fraudster from HMP Wandsworth were also accidentally freed, sparking a double manhunt. Escaped inmate Hadush Kebatu had been sentenced to 12 months in custody in September, with his arrest sparking the Epping protests this summer (PA) Some 262 inmates were mistakenly let out in the year to March 2025 a 128 per cent increase on the 115 in the previous 12 months, government figures also show. Of that figure, 87 were of offenders whose main offence was violence against a person, and three whose main offence was a sexual offence Releases in error can include misplaced warrants for imprisonment or remand, sentence miscalculations or can be a result of mistakes by courts or other authorities, the Ministry of Justice said. Mr Lammy also defended his decision not to directly answer the Conservatives questions on the issue during last weeks Prime Ministers Questions, stating he had not yet been informed if one of those released had been an asylum seeker. Given the nature of the oppositions question, I made a judgement that I would wait until I had all the detail, rather than risk giving an accurate or incomplete or misleading picture to the House about a sensitive case, he said. He added that he had also offered an unequivocal apology to victims whose perpetrators had been released in error. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said the accidental releases of Kebatu and the two prisoners that sparked manhunts were just the tip of the iceberg, and that the British public deserved to have the full picture. Mr Lammy admitted on Friday that there is a mountain to climb to tackle the crisis in the prison system. Justice secretary David Lammy is set to face questions from MPs over the issue (PA) Prisons minister James Timpson said on Monday there is no quick fix to releases in error, and it is going to take time to get it right. A spokesperson for No 10 said: These numbers, they are symptomatic of a system that the government inherited, of a prison system under severe strain, a failing criminal justice system. As weve set out previously, the government inherited a [situation] where the male prison estate was running at 99 per cent capacity. That risks the potential breakdown of law and order. The public are right to be shocked by these cases. While they are rare, they have been rising year-on-year from an average of nine per month in 2023 to 17 per month the next year. And were clear that you cant fix the prisons crisis overnight, but we have taken immediate action, including tougher new release checks, calling in prison governors, sending in tech experts. Ethiopian national Kebatu has since been deported, while Algerian national Brahim Kaddour-Cherif was arrested on Friday and is understood to be in the process of being deported. Kaddour-Cherif was serving a sentence for trespass with intent to steal, but had previously been convicted for indecent exposure. Billy Smith, who was also accidentally freed from Wandsworth on Monday after having been sentenced to 45 months for multiple fraud offences, handed himself back in on Thursday. Stronger security checks were announced for prisons and an independent investigation was launched into releases in error after Kebatu was freed from HMP Chelmsford on 24 October. Migrant sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif was arrested last week after his accidental release from prison (Sky News) Kebatu had been sentenced to 12 months in custody in September for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman, sparking a month of protests outside asylum seeker hotels across the UK. Over the weekend, it was reported that a total of four such offenders had been released in error, with two released in June this year, and two in 2024. On Monday, sources within the government suggested that one of these had been returned to custody. Mariam Cisse, who was shot on Saturday, wore combat gear when posting to her 100,000 followers on TikTok. Photograph: TikTok A TikTok influencer has been shot dead in front of a crowd by suspected jihadists in Mali, underlining how state control has been eroded in the west African nation. Mariam Cisse often wore combat attire to post videos in support of the countrys military to more than 100,000 followers on TikTok. According to Yehia Tandina, the mayor of Timbuktu region, she was abducted in a market on Friday by unknown gunmen. At dusk the next day, the same men brought her back to Independence Square in Tonka and executed her in front of a crowd, Tandina told the Associated Press. The mayor said Cisse, who is believed to have been in her 20s, received death threats before her death. No one has claimed responsibility for the killing but Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a group linked to al-Qaida, is known to patrol Tonka, which is about 90 miles from Timbuktu. This young woman simply wanted to promote her community through her TikTok posts and encourage the Malian army in its missions to protect people and their property, said a report on state TV. Related: How al-Qaida-linked jihadist group JNIM is bringing Mali to its knees The conflict in Mali began in 2012 when an uprising by Tuareg rebels was hijacked by jihadist groups linked to al-Qaida and later Islamic State. Despite French-led interventions and a UN peace mission, violence spread southward as insurgents exploited local grievances, corruption and weak governance. The military took control of the country in back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, after which tensions with western allies deepened. The junta expelled French and UN forces, accusing them of interfering over human rights issues, and turned to Russia for support, including from Wagner mercenaries. The army has failed to end the insurgency, despite its promises to improve security, and tensions have developed within its ranks. The power grab only deepened its divisions, splitting the army between privileged loyalists of the regime and those sent to the frontlines, said Rama Yade, senior director of the Africa Centre at the Atlantic Council thinktank. Coupled with the departure of international forces from Mali, this fragmentation led to abandoned positions, weapons falling into the hands of separatists, and jihadists expanding their hold over the rural north. Related: Sahel-based jihadists are extending their reach. Can a fractured region push back? The jihadists have tightened control over key supply routes from neighbouring Cote dIvoire, Mauritania and Senegal. Fighters from JNIM have imposed a fuel blockade since September, crippling transport and leaving hospitals struggling, and the government has been forced to shut down schools indefinitely. In Bamako, the capital, and other cities, queues stretch for miles for increasingly costly fuel and food. France, the US, Germany and Italy have issued warnings to their citizens to leave Mali urgently on commercial flights, saying the roads around the capital were unsafe. Although the junta is holding on for now, analysts and observers say the fall of the regime is likely within weeks or months. In a statement on Sunday, the African Union expressed deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Mali, calling for urgent international coordination and intelligence-sharing to help the junta restore stability. The worsening insecurity has led to a spike in kidnappings: five Indian workers were abducted last Thursday near Kobri in western Mali. On Sunday, JNIM claimed responsibility for the abduction of three Egyptian nationals and demanded $5m to release them. This article was amended on 11 November 2025. An earlier version and a picture caption incorrectly described Mariam Cisses death as an actual execution, which is the carrying out of a legally authorised death sentence. Outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie has said he is very, very proud of BBC journalists ahead of an address to staff. It comes a day after US President Donald Trump threatened legal action if the corporation does not retract false and defamatory statements made about him in a documentary. Arriving at Broadcasting House, Mr Davie told waiting reporters: Im here to lead and support the BBC. Im very, very proud of our journalists in this building, theyre doing work I think is incredibly important. I want to thank every one of them. Theyre doing a wonderful job. He added: The BBC is going to be thriving, and I support every one of the team. Im very proud of them. Mr Davie, who announced his resignation on Sunday after five years in the post, will do a video call where staff will also be able to ask him questions. Later in the day, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is expected to make a statement in the Commons on the issues facing the BBC. She is expected to speak about the corporations leadership and Mr Trumps legal threat, which he plans to issue under Florida law. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is expected to make a Commons statement on the BBC (Nick Potts/PA) It comes after local government minister Alison McGovern told Times Radio that the UK should not have a national meltdown about the BBC. She said: I think we need to make sure that the BBC, one of our most trusted media organisations, invests in quality journalism and tells the stories that we all want to hear. Ms McGovern declined to be drawn on whether she thought Mr Trump should be able to sue the BBC over the editing of the Panorama documentary, saying the president can say what he wants, and he will do. Mr Trump threatened a billion dollar legal action after a report from Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBCs editorial standards committee, raised concerns that a speech the Republican politician made before the attack on the US Capitol on January 6 2021 had been selectively edited by the BBC. BBC chairman Samir Shah has apologised for an error of judgment and two of the corporations most senior figures chief executive of BBC News Deborah Turness and Mr Davie resigned from their positions on Sunday. The Prescott memo raised concerns about the way clips of Mr Trumps speech were spliced together to make it appear he had told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to fight like hell. Mr Prescott had been due to give evidence to MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Wednesday but the session has been postponed. The legal letter, from Trump counsel Alejandro Brito, demands that false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements made about Mr Trump be retracted immediately. Critics said the Panorama edit was misleading and removed a section where Mr Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully. A BBC spokesperson said: We will review the letter and respond directly in due course. Mr Trumps lawyer added: Failure to comply will leave President Trump with no choice but to pursue any and all legal rights and remedies available to recover damages for the overwhelming financial and reputational harm that the BBC has caused him to suffer, with all rights and remedies being expressly reserved by President Trump. The letter says if the BBC does not comply Mr Trump will be left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights, all of which are expressly reserved and are not waived, including by filing legal action for no less than 1,000,000,000 dollars in damages. The White House may also consider restricting the corporations access to open press events as a result of the edit, according to a senior official quoted in The Telegraph. Mr Trump has a history of suing news organisations in the US and previously settled a defamation case against ABC News after star anchor George Stephanopoulos falsely said he had been found liable for rape. He also settled a legal dispute with CBS News over an interview it broadcast on its 60 Minutes programme with former vice president Kamala Harris. Mr Trump is currently engaged in legal action with the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. The US president has also taken action against the Associated Press after the wire service refused to call the Gulf of Mexico by his preferred name for it, the Gulf of America. Responding to a letter from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Mr Shah said there have been more than 500 complaints since the publication of Mr Prescotts memo raising concerns about the editing of Panorama. He said: We accept that the way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action. However, he said it is simply not true that Mr Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBCs editorial guidelines and standards committee, uncovered issues that the BBC has sought to bury. Downing Street has said the BBC is not corrupt nor institutionally biased, appearing to hit back at critics of the public broadcaster including Mr Trump. Mr Shah said the BBC board will revisit every item set out in Mr Prescotts memo, including the editing of the speech and the reporting of casualty figures in Gaza, and will take further action where appropriate. Donald Trumps ballroom plans would lead to the destruction of the first ladys office - Reuters Donald Trump has appeared to confirm the first lady was initially opposed to his plans to build a ballroom for 1,000 people at the White House because she loved her little, tiny office. Earlier this year it was reported that Melania Trump had distanced herself from her husbands plans and questioned the project. The presidents move to build a ballroom, which he says will be used to host state dinners and other events, has led to demolition of the White Houses East Wing. Some sections of that part of the building are 100 years old and have traditionally been where the first lady located their offices and staff. Two former Democratic Party occupants of the East Wing, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, are among those critics of the ballroom, which is being built with $300m from private corporate donors including Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft and Google. Melania Trump walks through Christmas decorations in the East Wing of the White House in 2017 - SAUL LOEB/AFP On Monday, in an interview with Fox News, Mr Trump was asked about the report that the first lady had not been happy about the work. She loved her little, tiny office, Mr Trump said. But you know what? Shes very smart If you would ask her now she says its great. The president said there had been many previous alterations to the East Room, which he said was a poor, sad sight. He added: Just so you understand, the East Wing sounds good. But the East Wing, that building was renovated 20 times, including adding a floor to the top, which was terrible. It was common brick, little tiny windows. It looked like hell. Mrs Trump hosts an East Wing tour for guests - Alamy Stock Photo Mr Trump has pointed out the East Room can only accommodate 200 people and that events such as state dinners are held outside under tents. Nevertheless, his plans have been criticised by those who claim the White House belongs to the American people and should not be radically altered at the whim of any individual president. Speaking recently on CBSs The Late Show, Ms Clinton told host Stephen Colbert: What I will remind people is that house is not our house. We never viewed it as our house. We were there for a time. We had a job to do. She added: We always felt it was the peoples house. Ms Clinton said of Mr Trumps plans: Its not his house. Its your house. And hes destroying it. b' ' The president also suggested in the Fox interview that France was more of an enemy than China to the United States. In a segment on universities, Mr Trump hailed the number of Chinese students who come to America and suggested Chinese immigration benefitted the US. Lauren Ingraham, the Fox News host, said: Theyre not the French. Theyre the Chinese. They spy on us. They steal our intellectual property... Mr Trump replied: What, you think the French are better? Im not so sure. Weve had a lot of problems with the French. He added: We get taxed very unfairly on our technology with, you know, they put 25 per cent taxes on American products. A top federal prosecutor in Florida has issued more than two dozen subpoenas targeting Donald Trumps critics and perceived political enemies as part of a sprawling criminal inquiry into an alleged conspiracy among former officials who previously investigated the president. Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quinones reportedly called a meeting of major crimes investigators on Monday after two top prosecutors resigned from the Southern District of Florida over the handling of the investigation, according to MSNBC. The Department of Justice recently approved at least 30 subpoenas seeking information and testimony from prominent officials close to the intelligence report alleging Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, findings that the president has repeatedly labeled a hoax and a witch hunt against him. Subpoenas were allegedly delivered to former national intelligence director James Clapper and former FBI agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page. Last month, notice of an upcoming grand jury signaled that Trumps Justice Department was preparing to investigate the federal law enforcement raid at his Mar-a-Lago compound and what his allies have labeled a Democratic conspiracy against the president. Florida U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quinones is reportedly behind a sweeping criminal probe alleging a vast Democratic conspiracy against Donald Trump, who has launched a retribution crusade against his critics and political opponents (Getty Images) Trump ally Mike Davis told The Charlie Kirk Show last month that his buddy Quinones received court approval to impanel a grand jury that should be fully up and running by January. A court document that appears to match that description recently appeared on the south Florida courts website, The Independent previously reported. The order does not mention what the jury will be investigating, but it has a start date of January 12, 2026. Justice is coming, Davis said in response to news of the subpoenas. Most federal crimes have a statute of limitations of five years, and offenses must be charged within the district where the allegations occurred. It remains unclear how the probe is connected to Florida, drawing speculation that prosecutors are linking the case to the investigation into the presidents hoarding of classified materials at Mar-a-Lago. The Independent has requested comment from the Justice Department. The investigation is believed to center around an intelligence report under former CIA director John Brennan that determine Russian actors sought to boost Trump during the 2016 presidential election, findings that Trump has called a hoax (Getty Images) The officials allegedly under investigation and subject to the latest Justice Department subpoenas were already scrutinized under probes from former counsel John Durham and former Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz, whose investigations found no evidence to support charges against them. Last month, former CIA director John Brennan who led the nations intelligence agency during the investigation was criminally accused of making false statements to Congress about his role in the probe. In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, House Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan claimed Brennan knowingly made false statements to the panel during an interview in May 2023. The allegations stem from the so-called Steele dossier, a series of largely discredited documents compiled by a former British intelligence officer, which accused the president and his allies of conspiring with the Kremlin. Those documents sensational allegations were largely uncorroborated, while Republicans alleged that the memo was part of a Democratic-led conspiracy to undermine Trumps campaign. U.S. intelligence agencies ultimately determined that Russian-backed interference in 2016 sought to boost Trump through a coordinated disinformation campaign while damaging his then-opponent, Hillary Clinton. The president and his allies continue to attack the findings in the so-called Russiagate investigation while vowing to seek revenge against those involved. The Justice Department opened a criminal investigation into allegations that national security officials conspired to link Trump to Russias election interference campaign in an effort to delegitimize his campaign, following claims from Trumps intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard that the Obama administration manufactured and politicized intelligence to lay the groundwork for what was essentially a years-long coup against Trump. Trump after campaigning on a theme of retribution and pledging to be a warrior and justice to those who were betrayed by the government has also publicly demanded his Justice Department prosecute his opponents. In quick succession, grand juries indicted former FBI director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former national security director John Bolton. They have pleaded not guilty. Laura Ingraham and Donald Trump at a town hall in Greenville, South Carolina, on 20 February 2024. Photograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA Donald Trump chastised overwhelmed air traffic controllers, cast blame and doubt in response to poor economic indicators and claimed that increased access to food stamps had put the country in jeopardy, in an exclusive interview on Fox News on Monday evening. Speaking with Laura Ingraham, the president shared his thoughts on a wide range of topics from housing mortgages to foreign policy, interspersed with insults flung at his political opponents that were teed up by Ingrahams questions, including Gavin Newsom, the California governor and Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader. During the conversation, which aired as the Senate voted to end the longest government shutdown in US history, the president also discussed his vision for addressing the healthcare subsidies that have been at the heart of the funding impasse. Democrats have been pushing for an extension to the tax credits that make Affordable Care Act healthcare premiums more affordable for millions of Americans, which are set to expire at the end of the year. Republicans have condemned the credits, saying they only enrich insurers. I want the money to go into an account for people where they buy their own health insurance, he told Ingraham, suggesting the strategy could be called Trump Care. Theyre gonna feel like entrepreneurs. Theyre actually able to go out & negotiate their own insurance. Ingraham also asked Trump about his post on Truth Social that railed against air traffic controllers who took time off their intensely stressful work in recent weeks, as national shortfalls caused flight delays and safety concerns. The Federal Aviation Administration had already been grappling with a shortage in air traffic controllers when the shutdown began. But as paychecks stopped, the crisis worsened. Many were working up to 10-hour days, six days a week without pay, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, and still struggling to afford basic needs. Some reportedly had to take second jobs to make ends meet. Meanwhile, thousands of flights were canceled at the nations busiest airports. Life is not so easy for anybody, Trump said during the interview. Our country has never done better. We should not have had people leaving their jobs. Trump also stood by the claim in his post, that he would send a $10,000 bonus for anyone who worked throughout the entirety of the shutdown. Pressed on where those funds would come from, he said: I dont know. I will get it from some place. I always get the money from some place, regardless. It doesnt matter. On other topics of money, Trump scoffed. Ingraham asked Trump about affordability concerns and if more needed to be done to bring costs down and the president denied there was an issue. More than anything else, its a con job by the Democrats. Costs are way down, Trump claimed. He also said it was not even a big deal when pressed about how a proposal to introduce 50-year mortgages would add two decades to the path to homeownership. I mean, you go from 40 to 50 years, he said, before Ingraham corrected him, saying 30 to 50 years. Trump then took the moment to blame Joe Biden and his lousy Fed person Jerome Powell, saying that the Federal Reserve chair is going to be gone in a few months. If we had a normal person, the Fed would have really low interest rates, he said. He also reiterated claims the US economy is the strongest it has ever been: I think polls are fake. We have the greatest economy we ever had. The president broadly pushed back against all criticism, from his political rivals and from allies alike. Maga was my idea. I know what Maga wants better than anybody else, and Maga wants to see our country thrive, he said, responding to Ingrahams questions about whether he was breaking with his base in supporting the continued admittance of Chinese students into the US. Trump did champion Republican policies, though, and credited GOP legislators for the outcome of the shutdown, which leaves ACA subsidies out of the funding compromise. Asked about where this leaves Schumer, who is facing calls to step down, Trump said Schumer had simply tried to go too far: He thought he could break the Republicans and the Republicans broke him. Visioner|APA / X A Turkish C-130 military cargo plane crashed in Georgia after taking off from Azerbaijan on Tuesday. Turkish authorities have said at least 20 personnel were thought to be on board, including the flight crew, but the number of causalities is still to be announced. Unconfirmed videos of the purported plane crash have circulated online, showing the entire tail of the military aircraft hanging off and the plane spiralling mid-air amid white smoke. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, interrupted a speech in Ankara to express condolences for the service personnel aboard the plane. God willing, we will overcome this crash with minimum hardships, Mr Erdogan said, after an aide informed him of the developments mid-speech. May God rest the soul of our martyrs, and let us be with them through our prayers. Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijans president, said he had discussed with Mr Erdogan the tragic news of the loss of servicemen in the crash, which happened near Georgias border with Azerbaijan, which is near Turkeys northeastern corner. Turkish authorities have not yet said what caused the crash. Wreckage at the site of the Turkish C-130 plane crash in Sighnaghi, Georgia - TV.IMEDI/Reuters Turkeys fleet of C-130 aircraft, however, is ageing, and the government has been seeking a solution to retrofit and upgrade its planes. A deal, too, was recently signed to purchase 12 C-130 aircraft that had been retired by the Royal Air Force. The C-130, which used the call sign TUAF543, departed Ganja International Airport in Azerbaijan, passing the Georgian border at around 15,000 feet in altitude. It continuously ascended until it reached its cruising altitude of 24,000 feet, according to FlightRadar24, a real-time flight tracking website. The last signal received by Flightradar24 was about 30 minutes after take-off. Georgias Interpress news agency said the plane had crashed in Sighnaghi, a municipality in the Kakheti region in eastern Georgia, on the border with Azerbaijan. Local media reports said that both Turkish and Azeri personnel were on board the plane. Lockheed Martin, the US defence contractor which makes the C-130, a popular military transport aircraft used by many international service forces, expressed its condolences to those affected by the crash. A spokesman said: We are committed to supporting our customers in any way as they investigate. The C-130 plane has many uses and can transport service personnel as well as food and medical aid. At a glance... Londons unemployment total has hit an 11-year high as the hospitality and retail sectors are battered by Rachel Reeves National Insurance rise on employers in last years Budget The capital has the highest jobless rate in the country, official figures reveal Work Secretary Pat McFadden says the Government is seeking to get more people into jobs, particularly younger groups Londons unemployment total has jumped to the highest for 11 years as Rachel Reeves National Insurance raid on employers pummels the hospitality and retail sectors. The jobless tally across the country rose from 4.7% to 5% in the July to September quarter with almost 1.8million people classifying themselves as unemployed, according to latest data from the Office for National Statistics. London had the highest unemployment rate of any region in the UK at 6.5%, up 0.5% since the previous quarter. The capital has been hit particularly hard because of its large numbers of relatively low paid workers in hospitality and retail. The 341,000 out of work was the highest since early 2021, and going back to 2014 if the pandemic which distorted jobless levels is excluded. Payrolled jobs held by people living in London were down by 20,100, a bigger fall than any other region in both absolute and proportional terms. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver her Budget on November 26 (PA) (PA Wire) On the grim jobless figures, shadow London minister Gareth Bacon said: It is a direct consequence of Labours economically illiterate decision to raise employers National Insurance last year. Raising the cost of business has two direct and obvious consequences, inflation and higher unemployment, especially in sectors such as hospitality. Liberal Democrat London spokesperson Luke Taylor, MP for Sutton and Cheam, added: Todays news is dreadful for London as a vital engine of growth for our country. "Instead of growing the economy, the Chancellors jobs tax has punished London's small businesses and pushed people looking for jobs in the capital out of work. Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality (UKHospitality) Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, blamed tens of thousands of job losses on last years Budget when Ms Reeves hit businesses with a 20 billion rise in NI contributions for employers. Hospitality has borne the brunt of these changes, with more than half of all job losses coming from our sector, she said. If the Government wants to get more people back into work and revitalise high streets, it needs hospitality firing on all cylinders, but right now were being taxed out. One leading City economist said it was madness for Labour to be pressing ahead with the Employee Rights Bill and above inflation hikes in the National Living Wage at a time when the labour market is cooling so rapidly. Simon French, chief economist and head of research at Panmure Liberum said in a post on X that the combined effects of a slew of extra employment costs, including the increase in employers National Insurance Contributions is far too much to absorb in one go. The joblessness spike comes in the run up to the Budget on November 26 that many business leaders have complained has led to a slowdown in activity amid a slew of rumours about potential tax raising measures. It makes a rate cut from the Bank of England next month a near certainty. London and the South East face being hardest hit in the Budget as the Chancellor imposes tens of billions of tax rises with wealthier people set to bear more of the burden of the higher levies. Ms Reeves on Monday all but confirmed that she will break Labours flagship manifesto pledge not to raise the rates of income tax, VAT and National Insurance. She is expected to slap 2p on income tax, possibly offset with a partial cut to National Insurance for employees on earnings up to around 50,000. Employers have complained they are less likely to take staff on after the hikes in NI Contribution and the minimum wage, which came into effect in April after being announced in last years Budget. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden (PA) (PA Archive) Responding to the employment and jobless figures, Work Secretary Pat McFadden said: Over 329,000 more people have moved into work this year already, but todays figures are exactly why were stepping up our plan to Get Britain Working. Weve introduced the most ambitious employment reforms in a generation to modernise jobcentres, expand youth hubs and tackle ill-health through stronger partnerships with employers. And this week were going further by launching an independent investigation that will bolster our drive to ensure all young people are earning or learning. The ONS said average regular wage growth also pulled back again, to 4.6% in the three months to September, down from 4.7% in the previous three months. Wages were 0.8% higher after taking inflation into account. Wage growth is now the lowest seen since April 2022. Professor Joe Nellis, economic adviser at accountancy firm MHA, said: It is clear that businesses are in ultra-cautious mode driven by uncertainty uncertainty ahead of the Budget, ahead of the Employment Rights Bill, and around the future of work in an AI-driven world. For the Government, the timing is awkward. The figures land just two weeks before the Autumn Budget, and they sharpen the fiscal dilemma facing the Chancellor. The softening labour data will amplify calls for measures that support job creation, retraining, and business investment to prevent the slowdown from deepening. Sam Richards, CEO of pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade, said:Rising unemployment is the inevitable result of an economy thats been stuck in the slow lane for far too long. Britain wont get back to strong, secure growth unless we make it quicker, easier and cheaper to build the infrastructure our economy depends on, from clean energy to transport and new homes. A man who threatened to rape and murder an air stewardess on a Virgin Atlantic flight has had his sentence tripled. Salman Iftikhar, 38, a wealthy recruitment manager from Buckinghamshire, was flying first class from London to Lahore, Pakistan when the incident occurred on February 7 2023. Reports say Iftikhar was intoxicated and tried to take ice with his hands when he was asked to return to his seat by a member of cabin crew. Iftikhar responded by levelling threats at air stewardess Angie Walsh, saying she would be dragged out of her hotel room in Pakistan, gang raped and set on fire. The abusive exchange was caught on video, in which Iftikhar can be heard claiming Walsh was a racist. The shocking incident was captured on video by other passengers who endured his tirade for the entire eight hour flight (Central News) Iftikhar continued his tirade for the duration of the eight hour flight, also abusing other members of crew and threatening that the hotel they were staying in would be blown up. He was travelling with his wife and three children at the time. The incident was so serious that cabin crew even discussed diverting the plane to Turkey. In an impact statement, Angie said she is still haunted and traumatised by the threats, resulting in her having to take 14 months off work. Iftikhar initially received a sentence of 15 months at Isleworth Crown Court for one count of threats to kill and one of racially aggravated intentional harassment, on August 1. But on November 11, his sentence was increased to four years and three months, after being referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme. Solicitor General Rt Hon Ellie Reeves MP said: Salman Iftikhar made horrific threats of rape and violence against an air steward who was simply doing her job. His tirade of hate and abuse caused distress and anguish for the whole flight, and all of our thoughts today should be with the cabin crew and passengers who suffered from Iftikhars vile behaviour. Helen Coffeys piece questioning whether poppy wearing has become performative and if the white poppy offers a better alternative has struck a chord with Independent readers. Responding to the article, many said they no longer wear a poppy at all, preferring to remember in their own quiet way and respect others choices to do the same. Several felt the symbol has been warped by politics and public pressure, arguing that the annual outrage over who does or doesnt wear one has stripped it of its true meaning of remembrance and unity. Several praised Charlene White for calmly explaining her stance amid abuse, while others said theyve stopped wearing a poppy precisely because of the expectation to conform. Overall, readers agreed that remembrance should be a personal act, not a public performance and that honouring the fallen means far more than a paper flower on a lapel. Heres what you had to say: Respect through tolerance For many people, Remembrance is about a day in November when they are silent and wear a poppy. Some of those people live the rest of their lives being intolerant and generally quite unpleasant. Being intolerant of peoples right to choose what they wear and support is the worst example of this. We should really show respect to the fallen by living our lives being tolerant, kind, and understanding. That is what my relatives fought and died for. Holds The cult of the poppy Every year, I put money in the collection box, pay my respects to the fallen during the two minutes silence, and put poppies on the eleven war graves in the local cemetery, many of whom have no living relatives nearby to fulfil that role. But I couldnt agree more with Helen Coffey ever since the cult of the poppy arose during the noughties with the advent of the second Iraq war, I no longer choose to wear a poppy. Not just because of the nationalistic sentiment these symbols of respect now represent for far too many, but because of the abuse aimed at those who dont wear red poppies by belligerent faux patriots who never had to face the machine guns themselves. The current and very unfortunate association of the poppy with the far-right advocates of Yaxley-Lennons Unite the Kingdom movement (which, needless to say, does the opposite) and subsequent flag-waving demonstrations of malignant nationalism is the final insult and mark of disrespect for all those who fought for freedom particularly those who paid the ultimate price. As my mother has said, her father (who fought in both world wars) would be absolutely disgusted and incensed in equal measure by the actions and attitudes of those who harbour an ideology not dissimilar from that which he fought against. bleujeune Have we really learned? I dont wear a poppy because I dont believe we truly remember. Instead, we easily forget. WW2 was about defeating the extreme right, people with racist attitudes. Now we see the rise of the far right across the country and beyond. We cut our aid budgets but are happy to spend more and more on weapons to kill, maim and destroy, instead of building homes and making sure everyone has access to medical care, education, and clean water across the world. The way we remember is militaristic marching, medals. It should be a time to reflect on our inhumanity and seek forgiveness. junia Remembrance, not politics I dont wear one anymore because of this fake patriotism which is just bullying. Both sides of my family lost brothers at Passchendaele my grandparents all fought in WW2, and my wife lost her cousin fighting the Taliban. Ill happily observe the silence and remember them and more importantly, Ill happily vote for a party that will look after our veterans mental and physical health properly through taxes, not charity, and equip our current soldiers correctly. But I dont want their deaths made into political capital. Benches A gesture from the heart Its very simple. If wearing a poppy becomes not something that we do as a sincere show of respect but an unwritten law, it loses all its meaning and impact. We need to go back to a situation where it is genuine and spontaneous a gesture that comes from our hearts and not from societal pressures. Cyclone8 What are we remembering? Can anyone still recall what the act of remembrance is actually supposed to be remembering? World War 2 (the last time Britain was in danger of invasion) ended over 80 years ago; the Battle of Waterloo more than two centuries ago. Forty years ago we got by respectfully without this strange thing whatever it is supposed to be being so politicised and emotionally charged as it is today. Presumably that was because many of the soldiers and their families were still alive. I cant help thinking that if they were today, theyd be telling us to pull ourselves together. questioning Multi-coloured poppy I was not in the Second World War but was born in 1940 so I was here when it was going on. I wear the poppy in honour of all the deaths of every nation that fought in that war and the one before. The poppy I wear is a metal one with the date of remembrance on it. I feel proud to wear it and the veterans badge together. Now I may be obliged to wear a white poppy so I do not seem to be ignoring the civilian population that sacrificed so much themselves. My father and mother came through those two wars the four of us all served in the forces; my eldest brother did 25 years, the one before me did three years, and myself six years. If there is going to be a revolution for not wearing the original poppy, then how about making one in honour of the horses, dogs, veterans, and civilians a multi-coloured poppy to prevent one group from insulting another. With that I will say peace be on all, no matter where you may come from. Tonyblueshoes51 Shouting, flags and poppies The vast majority of patriotism in this country is indeed now performative. Its all about shouting and flags, and during November, poppies. When I first joined up, I didnt understand my dads refusal to wear a poppy after all, he was a D-Day veteran and he never explained his reasons for not wearing one. Nor did he explain why he never wore his medals. It took me decades to understand why, and now I follow his lead. I give money to the Legion for sure, but wearing a poppy now and to my dad back then seems more about being seen to remember than about actual remembrance. Overall, we are a very performative society, from social media (young and old) to poppy mania, and to be honest, if you think wearing a poppy is more important than doing something practical for veterans, then you are part of the problem. Drone1970 Choosing how to remember Performative wearing is not new. As a teenager I stopped wearing a poppy and a letter of mine to the local newspaper brought criticism. It was around 1973. I donate each year, but never wear one. I accompanied my father when he sold poppies in the 1990s. He survived over 100 operations in the RAF and sold poppies for the families of those who did not come back and were injured. He understood why I did not wear one. No one else can say a dickybird. Jabberwocky Remembering all wars No, we shouldnt be all wearing white poppies instead although by all means wear both. The purpose of the red poppy isnt mindless gesture politics of the sort embraced by the flagging movement it is to raise money for the British Legion. That is used to support veterans of all wars, not just those of the mid-20th century, and many who served more recently are in serious need of both mental and physical support. The public bullying of those who dissent isnt acceptable, but the poppy isnt just a symbolic token. Its an essential fundraiser for those who need support, and equating it with flagging is intellectually lazy. Tanaquil2 Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity. Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the days top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click log in or register in the top right corner to sign in or sign up. Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment, click here. A regulator has proposed that Wessex Water should pay 11 million over failures to adequately operate and maintain its wastewater network. Wessex Water and its shareholders will fund the enforcement package, according to initial proposals from Ofwat. It follows similar investigations and payouts from water firms earlier this year including Yorkshire Water, Thames Water, Northumbrian Water, Anglian Water and South West Water. These resulted in enforcement actions worth around 240 million. Ofwat has proposed an 11m enforcement package following its findings that Wessex Water failed to adequately operate, maintain and upgrade its wastewater network. Read more: https://t.co/SHo7vHfSrL pic.twitter.com/BX7vNetYy3 Ofwat (@Ofwat) November 11, 2025 On Tuesday, the watchdog said the failures related to the maintenance of Wessex Waters network to ensure it could cope with flows of sewage and wastewater. It added that this resulted in spills from storm overflows. Ofwat stressed that the company will not be able to cover the cost of the enforcement action through its customers or increases to bills. However, it comes after the company put up its water bills by an average of 20%, or 113, this year. Lynn Parker, senior director for enforcement at Ofwat, said: Our investigation has found that Wessex Water failed to effectively operate, maintain and upgrade its wastewater assets, which meant there were spills from storm overflows when there shouldnt have been. To their credit, the company has been one of the more proactive in investigating and rectifying the problems identified. However, there remain breaches which must be accounted for and corrected. The water company, which is owned by Malaysian firm YTL, is required to help local landowners seal sewer pipes to prevent unnecessary groundwater reaching Wessex Waters network as part of the enforcement plans. Ofwat has also said it must reduce spills at specific storm overflows through investment, and install additional monitoring equipment. A Wessex Water spokesman said: We regret the impact our wastewater performance has had on customers and the environment. When the issues at our treatment sites were identified we were quick to fix them, but we do agree that there is much more to do particularly in areas where groundwater enters the sewerage network and can result in overflows operating long after rainfall events. The proposals in this package will tackle the problem directly, sealing pipes on private land that we would not normally have powers over, as well as additional monitoring and initiatives like water butts and rain gardens to help customers treat rainwater as a valuable resource. This not only prevents pollution but also reduces the risk of sewer flooding for communities. Looking ahead, we are planning a step change in the maintenance of our sewerage infrastructure with investment of 300 million in this area by 2030, with expansions to some of our key waste treatment sites either already under way or completed. Glen Powell in The Running Man, which is a new take on Stephen King's classic novel. (Paramount) (Everett Collection, Everett Collection Inc) When Edgar Wright took on The Running Man, he had one goal in mind: to make sure author Stephen King approved of his adaptation of his classic story. One of King's earliest publications, it was written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman and released in 1982. The story is about a desperate man hoping to lift his family out of poverty by enduring humiliation on TV, only to be cast in the most dangerous reality show of all: The Running Man. A movie adaptation starring Arnold Schwarzenegger soon followed in 1987. The Hollywood treatment directed by Starsky & Hutch star Paul Michael Glaser barely resembled King's story, and the author famously disliked the result, especially Schwarzenegger's casting as his everyman hero Ben Richards. It was something that was in the back of Hot Fuzz director Wright's mind. He told Yahoo: "The reason for making the movie, is that I had read the book when I was a 14-year-old, and I had read it before I saw the 1987 version. "And even as a 14-year-old I [was] not a director yet, but you start to make the movie in your head when you're reading, so when I saw the 1987 one, which is very different, I was like, 'Oh, OK. They didn't adapt the story at all.' "So that always stayed with me, and I knew for decades that there was another great movie in this source material. So, I always wanted to make a more faithful version. And the answer is Yes, [Stephen likes ours]. We knew this because he's a producer on the movie and he had to sign off on the adaptation, so we had to show him our [version], which he loved. "Which is both a blessing and a curse, because now it's great that he loves it, but now, you don't just have to live up to the movie that's in your head, you have to live up to the movie that's in his head as well. Stephen King famously hated the 1987 movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, so the pressure was on for Edgar Wright's version. (PA) (Collection Christophel, Collection Christophel) "So throughout the whole production, it's like, 'we can't let Stephen King down!' And he, of course, has now seen the finished movie, and he really loves it, and that's fantastic." One concern Wright had was whether he would secure the leading man he desired, Glen Powell. The Top Gun: Maverick and Twisters star has seen his star rise exponentially in recent years, going so far as to be seen as Tom Cruise's success as an action hero. So, the Scott Pilgrim director was determined to convince King Powell was the one who could bring Ben Richards to life the way he was always meant to. "I told him to watch Hitman. I said, 'Glen is my Ben Richards. Please watch Richard Linklater's Hitman.' And he did, and he said 'OK, great." Glen Powell and Edgar Wright attend The Running Man New York Premiere. (Getty) (John Nacion via Getty Images) This was something of a relief for Powell too, who adds: "We had to get his blessing to even be in this thing, so thank God we did!" The other person Powell received the OK from? Arnold Schwarzenegger. Powell shares: "I think one of the interesting parts about it is Arnold's relationship with that movie because of the nature of how they had to shoot it. They had a lot of production issues around it, so I don't think that is probably one of his filmography, probably, the one that means the most to him. "His advice was more like, 'Hey, I love that you're taking the Stephen King book. I love that you guys are going to make it your own.' So it's really more of a blessing rather than advice." The film follows a man who joins a game show where contestants, allowed to go anywhere in the world, are pursued by "hunters" hired to kill them. (Paramount) (Landmark Media, LANDMARK MEDIA) While King was not a fan of the 1987 adaptation, Lee Pace who plays Evan McCone, the hunter chasing down Ben Richards admits he has a soft spot for the film. "I love the Arnie version," he says. "I think it's like a really good time, but this is 100% an Edgar Wright film. They're apples and oranges, you can't really [compare]. "And when he told me that what he was trying to do, what he was setting out to do, that he's been such a fan of the book for so many years and been thinking about how to bring it to the big screen, I was all in. I'm such a huge fan of Edgar Wright. You never don't have a good time watching an Edgar Wright film." And Pace and co-star Colman Domingo, who plays Running Man MC Bobby T, certainly had a good time being part of an Edgar Wright production, thanks to the heightened personas they could bring to the screen. Lee Pace plays the head of the hunters Evan McCone in The Running Man. (Paramount) (Ent-movie) "I feel like the idea that I get to be in the centre of the ringleader of this wild show is a lot of fun," Domingo shares. "I feel like to get the audience to just feed off of every word that you have." "You should have seen Coleman on the set," Pace chimes in. "He had that audience in the palm of his hand. They would shout Bobby T as he was going to places. It was so fun to watch." Pace, meanwhile, joked that he "highly recommend[s] doing a movie in a mask" like he gets to do in The Running Man, as his character prefers to keep an air of mystery around him. "[It's] very fun," Pace explains. "Edgar first described this character as like a ghost dogging Ben Richards with his own death. And I thought that was such a fun approach to the character because the mask let me play this incredibly violent person who's just so unbothered and nonchalant. He's just relaxed and everything is blowing up around him." But the person who brought it altogether for them was, unsurprisingly, Powell, whom both actors were full of praise for. Pace described the actor as a "deeply kind person", adding he was both "generous" and "such an impressive leader on set". "I think Glenn is just he's everything, really," Domingo reminisced. "He's charming, funny, warm, and such an open human being, and you just want to support that in every way. "You're like, 'oh, he's playing such a great everyman who's just trying to do the right thing and right some wrongs in society and just take care of his family' and so I just feel like I was glad to just get behind him." The Running Man premieres in UK cinemas on Wednesday, 12 November. The six-year manhunt for the Chinese woman behind Britains biggest ever money-laundering case ended with its architect cowering in the bed of an Airbnb in York. Zhimin Qian, 47, defrauded 5.5bn of Bitcoin from 128,000 victims in a Ponzi scheme in her native China and fled to the UK in July 2017 on a Caribbean passport under a false name Qian, with the assistance of Jian Wen, a 42-year-old former takeaway worker from Leeds whom she had recruited over social media, moved into a 17,000-per-month rented home in Hampstead, north London. The pair laundered their digital fortune in a 48-week-long shopping spree between 24 locations in Europe, buying watches, diamonds, and designer clothes. Qian, who had first come under the attention of Chinese authorities in 2012 in connection with several pyramid schemes, presented herself as an international jewellery tycoon with Wen acting as her assistant. In a single excursion, Qian and Wen spent 119,200 purchasing two watches at a Van Cleef & Arpels in Zurich, Switzerland. Qian, in a 2018 manuscript titled Six-Year Plan, wrote of winning the confidence of a duke from the UK and of becoming the queen of Liberland, an unrecognised microstate on the Croatian-Serbian border, by 2022. She had not factored in sitting in the dock of Southwark Crown Court as a defendant in Britains biggest money-laundering case some six years later. Zhimin Qian is caught by police for the first time at a house in Hampstead in 2018 On Tuesday, Qian was jailed for 11 years and eight months after admitting money-laundering offences and transferring and possessing criminal property, namely cryptocurrency. Her accomplice Seng Hok Ling, a 47-year-old Malaysian, was jailed for four years and 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to transferring criminal property over his role in the multibillion-pound fraud. Suspicions by authorities arose when Qian and Wen attempted to buy a 24m mansion near Hampstead High Street and a 12.5m property in Totteridge, north London, in 2018. Suspicions were raised when Qian attempted to buy this house in Totteridge, north London, for 12.5m On October 31 of that year, police officers raided Qian and Wens rented property for an initial search. Qian was found lying underneath the covers of her purple bedspread. She lied to officers that her name was Yadi Zhang and that she was suffering from a long-term brain and leg injury. In the safe of her bedroom, officers discovered a notepad containing the login details for her laptops and the passkeys for the online wallets containing her digital fortune. Investigating officers could not have suspected that the passkeys would lead them to the largest single seizure of cryptocurrency in the world. The notebooks found by the police, which included the passkeys for Zhimins crypto wallet In total, officers seized more than 61,000 Bitcoins, now worth approximately 5bn, alongside other non-crypto assets valued at more than 200 million. It is understood that Scotland Yard is seeking to recoup the expenses of their seven-year-long investigation from the seized fortune. On a red Dell laptop, officers found 823m worth of Bitcoin stored in a crypto wallet. Another black Lenovo laptop had more than 350m of Bitcoin. The discoveries did not end there. Officers also found 130,000 in bundles of cash, along with smaller bundles of euros, United States dollars and Swiss francs. Qian provided this map for her accomplice explaining how to find a safety box, near Harrods in central London, containing her digital assets Police officers search Qians safety box Using the details from a crude treasure map that Qian had drawn for Wen for a safety deposit box around the corner from Londons Harrods, officers found a mobile phone and two laptops containing millions of pounds worth of cryptocurrency. Although the seizures were suspicious, Qian and Wen were not arrested. Qian took the investigation as her cue to flee and spent the next six years on the run, employing an entourage whom she financially coerced with punitive contracts to help cover her tracks. Wen was arrested in May 2021 at the same Hampstead address and later sentenced to six years imprisonment for money-laundering offences. It was not until April 22 2024 that officers managed to trace Qian to an Airbnb in York. Police stormed the modest yellow brick house in Ryecroft Avenue. Like six years previously, the officer found Qian cowering in her bed, clutching her bedsheets. She was subsequently charged with money-laundering offences. Qian was arrested for a second time in York in April of last year. She was discovered by police beneath by her bedclothes again Richard Thomas KC, mitigating on behalf of Qian, said his client has no previous convictions and has maintained an exemplary record while in custody. Roger Sahota, Qians solicitor, said she hopes some good endures from the wealth her work created. Bitcoin pioneer Ms Qian, once the worlds largest female BTC holder, accepts her conviction and the mistakes that led to it, Mr Sahota said. She never set out to commit fraud but recognises her investment schemes were fraudulent and misled those who trusted her. She is deeply sorry for the distress suffered by investors and hopes some good endures from the wealth her work created. Qian fled China for the UK in 2017 having defrauded 128,000 victims Jian Wen (left) and Seng Hok Ling were both found guilty having served as Qians accomplices Following her sentencing, the Metropolitan Polices head of economic and cybercrime command, Will Lyne, said the investigation was one of the largest and most complex the force had ever undertaken. This outcome is the result of seven years of dedicated investigation by specialist teams from across the Met, he said. There is no doubt this is one of the largest and most complex economic crime investigations we have ever undertaken, and todays sentence would not have been possible without working closely with our partners from the Crown Prosecution Service, National Crime Agency and Chinese law enforcement. Organised crime groups are using cryptocurrency to move, hide and invest the profits of serious crime - but every crypto transaction leaves a trace and the Met works meticulously with partners to follow that digital trail, identify assets and bring offenders to justice. Our message is clear criminal assets are not safe in the UK. The Met remains committed to protecting the public and this outcome shows the lengths we will go to secure justice for victims. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said: Cryptocurrency fraud is worth billions, fuels international money laundering and props up organised criminal gangs, so I welcome this significant intervention by the Met. The 29-year-old admitted shes had fantastic but also s--t experiences with the coordinators Florence Pugh has said that Hollywoods intimacy coordinators can make sex scenes weird and awkward. The Oscar-nominated actress, 29, admitted that the professionals are in a role that is still figuring itself out, even though they are now commonplace on film sets. Pugh told The Louis Theroux Podcast that she has experienced good ones and bad ones during her time in Hollywood, which has been marked by blockbuster screen credits in Dune, Oppenheimer and Midsommar. The Dune star said the professionals are in a role that is still figuring itself out - Niko Tavernise Speaking about the job of navigating intimate scenes on set, she said: Im having fantastic experiences with intimacy coordinators. However, Ive also had a s--t example where someone just made it so weird and so awkward and really wasnt helpful and kind of was just wanting to be a part of the set in a way that wasnt helpful, and I think its a job thats still figuring itself out. I will say that Ive been able to understand better meaning now through working with great ones in sex scenes [about] finding the story of what it is, what kind of sex is it, how do you touch each other, how long have you been having sex for. She added: Everybodys just kind of working away to chip away at the scene. And I think when I worked with a fantastic coordinator, I was like, Oh, this is what Ive been missing, understanding the dance of intimacy as opposed to just shooting a sex scene. There are good ones and bad ones, and its through the good ones that I have learnt how effective it can really be. The actress said the coordinators can help with understanding the dance of intimacy - Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures Some industry figures have questioned the need for intimacy coordinators on set, with Sir Ian McKellen previously saying that a director should be responsible for all aspects of production, including sex scenes. The veteran stage and screen actor said that their presence can affect the purity of theatre productions. Speaking with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage on BBC Radio 4, Sir Ian said: This isnt yet mandatory, but I can imagine there are situations when you have to be careful and people find it difficult to be intimate, and therefore a coordinator is just the thing. But why cant it be the director who does that? Why has it got to be somebody whos been trained in how to do it? He added: This has been a huge change and its a little bit of beef for me, because with all these names of people doing all these jobs which would previously seem to have taken care of themselves, you wont see any actors other than those you see in the play that night because theyre not permanently employed. Intimacy coordinator spoils spontaneity Sean Bean has said having an intimacy coordinator would spoil the spontaneity of a sex scene, saying there was no need for one on the set of the 1993 television adaptation of Lady Chatterleys Lover, in which he starred. It would inhibit me more because its drawing attention to things somebody saying, Do this, put your hands there, Bean said. I think the natural way lovers behave would be ruined by someone bringing it right down to a technical exercise. Michael Douglas, star of Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct, has also suggested that intimacy coordinators have seized control of sex scenes from filmmakers. He said that it feels like executives taking control away from filmmakers, but added that there have been some terrible faux pas and harassment. He added: Sex scenes are like fight scenes, its all choreographed. In my experience, you take responsibility as the man to make sure the woman is comfortable, you talk it through. Other actors insist they play a vital role in Hollywood, including Dame Emma Thompson hailing the role as fantastically important and Gillian Anderson praising them for making actors feel comfortable on set. Letby is serving 15 whole life terms after being convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven more at the Countess of Chester Hospital - PA The public inquiry into Lucy Letby has pushed back the publication of its report and will now not publish its findings until after next Easter. The Thirlwall Inquiry is examining how the Countess of Chester Hospital and other NHS bodies did not stop the nurse from harming infants, and was due to announce its conclusions in the new year. However, Letbys case is being examined by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) which could recommend it be sent back to the Court of Appeal. It is expected that the Thirlwall Inquiry report will not be published until the CCRC has made a decision about the case which could take several more months. Letby is serving 15 whole life terms after being convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven more at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. The Thirlwall Inquiry report will not be published until the CCRC has made a decision about the case - Peter Byrne/PA But since the verdict, dozens of scientists, medics and Jeremy Hunt, who was health secretary at the time, have come forward to voice their concerns about how evidence was presented to the jury. Earlier this year, lawyers representing the management of the hospital called for the inquiry to be suspended until the CCRC had looked into the matter. Lady Justice Thirlwall said she would continue with writing the report, which was originally expected in November, but then moved to early next year. The latest update issued on the inquiry website states: The Inquiry has written to core participants with an update on the timetable for the final report. Work on the report is ongoing, and publication is scheduled for after Easter 2026. A further update on the timetable will be provided at the end of February 2026. The CCRC is considering evidence presented on her behalf from an international panel of medics who claim poor medical care and natural causes were the reasons for the babies collapsing. Many of the babies were premature and had underlying problems, and the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital was known to be overcrowded and understaffed. The panel was headed by Prof Shoo Lee, an eminent Canadian neonatologist who said that the prosecution had wrongly used his research in the original trial. Lawyers for the families of Letbys victims have dismissed the panels conclusions as full of analytical holes and a rehash of the defence case heard at trial. In July, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had received evidence from Cheshire Constabulary about further allegations related to deaths and collapses of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital, and also Liverpool Womens Hospital where Letby worked as a trainee. The CPS said it would carefully consider the evidence before deciding whether any further charges would be brought. Police have said separate corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter probes are continuing. Letby, who has always maintained her innocence, lost two bids last year to challenge her convictions at the Court of Appeal. The Barking Dog in Urmston received a tip-off - The Barking Dog/Facebook A team that won a pub quiz for weeks in a row was banned after being caught whispering the questions into their smartwatches. Mark Rackham, who owns the Barking Dog in Urmston, Greater Manchester, said staff at the pub had been suspicious of the team for a while. Mr Rackham said the quiz, held each Wednesday, was supposed to be low-stakes fun, but he received a tip off that the winners were cheating. He told his quiz co-host, Rob Hardy, to keep an eye on the team and he spotted them using their smartwatches to identify songs in the music round. Mr Rackham that the cheating team was responsible for other teams no longer attending the competition, resulting in the loss of trade. In a post on social media, he wrote: We are disappointed to say that there has been a team cheating in our quiz. There have been suspicions for a while but no concrete evidence. This unfortunately may have cost us some genuine custom. Last night we caught the team red-handed and they have been banned. We hope that any of our genuine quizzers we may have lost, come back. Mr Rackham added: Although some might think its not that serious, we know other teams had stopped coming because of them, due to suspicions that they had been cheating for a while. They have now been banned from the quiz and that has to be our policy. Mark Rackham, the publican, said there was a massive whodunnit in the community among those who do not regularly attend - Facebook/The Barking Dog Mr Rackham told the BBC: We kept having a repeating team winning and who were getting the obscure answers right. That then led to us having to put a complete ban on people having their phones out but weve never thought wed have to enforce that because most people enjoy the spirit of the thing. Mr Rackham said he would not be naming the team, adding that its members were still welcome in the pub. He said that those in the community who do not regularly attend the quiz are desperate to discover who the cheaters were even being asked about it at a council meeting the day after the ban. Calling the incident Quizgate, he joked on Facebook: Forget Trump, Ukraine, Rachel Reeves pending doom, the boats the real news hits hard! Food & Wine / Photo by Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless Every holiday, the question of what to serve as the main event starts weighing on a cooks mind. Should we stay with tradition, head into a more experimental lane, explore global flavors, or finally tackle a classic weve always wanted to try? The choices can be complicated, but the goal is simple: happy guests, a happy cook (or cooks), and a table resplendent with a roast at the center thats as inviting to look at as it is to eat. From French classics like Duck a lOrange and Italian porchetta, to turkey infused with Indian flavors, smoked specialties, and clever takes on beef and ham, this collection brings together festive showpieces for every kind of holiday table. 01 of 18 Simple Smoked Turkey Marcus Nilsson A simple saltwater brine and slow, steady smoking produce a moist, tender bird with gentle flavor. A cider vinegar baste adds shine and tangy notes as it cooks. While the process takes about five hours, it frees up the oven for the rest of the holiday meal. Get the Recipe 02 of 18 Patrick Clark's Rack of Pork with Cider-Pepper Glaze Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen This roast has a rich history and an acidic and sweet gravy that's irresistible. The late chef Patrick Clark coated the tender and juicy roast rack of pork in garlicky herbs and a glossy apple-forward glaze that can be made ahead. Get the Recipe 03 of 18 Juniper-Rubbed Roast Duck with Cherry Jus Christopher Testani 2017 F&W Best New Chef Angie Mar has evolved the roast duck recipe that her father made every Christmas, inspired by Chinatown's crisp-skinned, mahogany-hued ducks hanging in the windows. Mar's version is served with a rich sauce of reduced duck broth and tart cherries. Get the Recipe 04 of 18 Petite Beef Wellington Filet Mignon Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen 2010 Food & Wine Best New Chef Sean Brock created these festive beef Wellingtons with the home cook in mind. Individual filets are easier to handle than a full tenderloin, making it simpler to encase each steak in puff pastry with mushroom duxelles and ham. A brief freeze before baking ensures the meat and pastry cook in sync. Get the Recipe 05 of 18 Porchetta with Cheesy Chard-and-Leek Stuffing Food & Wine / Photo by Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless Rich, aromatic, and deeply savory, this stuffed and rolled variation on a classic Italian porchetta is designed for make-ahead ease. It starts with a butterflied pork loin thats dry-brined with fennel and rosemary, the hallmark flavors of traditional porchetta. Stuffed with sauteed leeks, Swiss chard, Parmesan, and anchovies, and topped with pork belly strips for a crispy crust, the quick-cooking loin goes from oven to table in just an hour. Get the Recipe 06 of 18 Garlic-Butter Rib Roast Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell John Somerall recommends sourcing a rib roast with nice marbling and an even fat cap for this recipe. He makes a compound butter with with garlic, anchovies, herbs, and shallot to slather on the meat before roasting and then serving with each slice. Get the Recipe 07 of 18 Picanha with Pink Peppercorn Brown Butter Greg Dupree / Food Styling by Torie Cox / Prop Styling by Christine Keely Amy Thielen roasts tender and flavorful picanha to medium-rare and then dresses it with a peppercorn-infused brown butter. The steak is very juicy after resting, and the warm, pink peppercorninfused sweet-and-sour brown butter sauce takes it over the top. Get the Recipe 08 of 18 Turkey Ballotine Greg Dupree / Food Styling by Torie Cox / Prop Styling by Christine Keely This stunning roulade is time intensive as it required deboning and air-drying a whole turkey. But filled with radicchio (mellowed by wilting with shallot and garlic) salty, umami-packed speck and Parmesan, and toasted walnuts then rolled, tied, and roasted, it comes out rewardingly juicy and flavorful. Get the Recipe 09 of 18 Air Fryer Roast Chicken with Rosemary-Orange Sauce Food & Wine / Photo by Stacy Allen / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Tucker Vines Julia Levy gets chicken skin crispy from the air fryer with a dry brine of citrus zest, herbs, and salt, using lemons and oranges in the cavity to keep the meat moist. Get the Recipe 10 of 18 Carla Halls Spiced CiderGlazed Ham Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel Celebrity chef Carla Hall has two tips: Source a high-quality bone-in ham, such as Berkshire, and opt for a spiral cut so the glaze melts into the crevices for juicy sweetness in every bite. Fresh apple cider is sweet and tart while molasses adds a hint of bitterness, Dijon mustard is sharp, and hearty warming spices bring complexity. Get the Recipe 11 of 18 Duck a l'Orange Con Poulos Chef Jacques Pepins version of this French classic features rich, crispy-skinned duck with a bright, citrus-forward sauce that dinner guests will truly appreciate. Vinegar, orange juice, duck stock, and a splash of liqueur combine into a sauce that pairs beautifully with the birds rich dark meat. Save the rendered duck fat its fantastic for roasting potatoes or vegetables. Both the sauce and stock can be made ahead, making this special-occasion centerpiece easier to pull together on the day you roast and serve. Get the Recipe 12 of 18 Honey-and-Lemon-Glazed Roast Chicken Fredrika Stjarne A honey-lemon-soy glaze gives these whole chickens a glossy finish and beautifully burnished, crisp skin. Garlic, rosemary, and citrus tucked inside the cavity ensure the meat stays juicy. Soy sauce lends the skin a salty, earthy edge that pairs well with Pinot Noir or Burgundy. Get the Recipe 13 of 18 Slow-Grilled Cauliflower with Tahina & Zhough Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer and John Somerall / Prop Styling by Audrey Davis Charred cauliflower pairs with nutty tahini sauce and spicy green zhough, a fresh herb-and-chile sauce with bold heat. This vegan main requires little prep and cooks over coals with minimal attention, making it as effortless as it is striking. Once roasted, it holds beautifully, so you can serve it with ease alongside the rest of the holiday meal. Get the Recipe 14 of 18 Dr PepperGlazed Ham with Prunes Keller & Keller A caramelized Dr Pepper glaze gives this ham a sweet, retro edge. The sauce made from pan drippings and prunes adds depth and richness to each slice. A playful but classic holiday centerpiece, its one that can return to the table year after year without ever disappointing. Get the Recipe 15 of 18 Slow-Roasted Salmon with Tamarind, Ginger & Chipotle John Kernick Low-temp roasting keeps salmon buttery, while tamarind, ginger, and chipotle add sweet heat and tangy notes. This dish is a beautiful option for those who prefer seafood over red meat or poultry. Just as delicious served at room temperature as it is hot, the salmon makes an excellent choice for holiday buffets. Get the Recipe 16 of 18 Mushroom & Cabbage Wellington Food & Wine / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling Golden pastry and earthy mushrooms are the main characters in this luxe vegetarian take on a holiday classic. As with every Wellington, its important to cook the duxelles thoroughly so they dont leach liquid into the puff pastry. Roasted cabbage adds both sweet and bitter notes, delivering an earthy complexity in every bite. Get the Recipe 17 of 18 Sea Salt Rib Roast Victor Protasio Beef often takes center stage during the holidays, and this rib roast delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Seasoned generously with flaky sea salt, it bastes itself as the fat renders, keeping the meat juicy and tender. The rich drippings become a luxurious gravy finished with seasonal morels, making this a truly special holiday dish. Get the Recipe 18 of 18 Sichuan Racks of Lamb with Cumin and Chile Peppers John Kernick Lamb at Christmas isnt especially traditional, but this cut is available year-round and takes well to bold flavors. Here its hot and spicy with cumin, Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, and dried chiles. The tongue-tingling result is vibrant and fun. Have the butcher French the racks so you can focus on preparing the rub for roasting. Carved into individual chops, this dish breaks from expected holiday traditions in the best way. Get the Recipe Read the original article on Food & Wine Sopnendu Mohanty worked at Citi for nearly 20 years and cofounded the Singapore FinTech Festival. He told Business Insider that back office roles in banks will be hit the hardest by AI. GFTN Sopnendu Mohanty, 53, is the group CEO of the global advisory and investment firm GFTN. He worked at Citi for nearly two decades and was the chief fintech officer at Singapore's central bank. Mohanty said back office roles in banks will be hit the hardest by AI. People working at the front and back offices of banks are going to have wildly different experiences with AI, says Sopnendu Mohanty, the group CEO of the global advisory and investment firm GFTN. Mohanty, 53, worked at Citi for nearly two decades before joining Singapore's central bank as its first chief fintech officer in 2015. He's also a cofounder of the Singapore FinTech Festival. He told Business Insider that the disruption posed by AI will depend on whether one works in a bank's front, middle, or back office. "Front is all for the customer. The middle is all for the bank, and the back is just for processing all the activity," Mohanty said. How AI will affect bank jobs Mohanty predicted that AI will increase the number of front-office jobs, including roles in investment banking, sales and trading, and corporate banking. He said he also expects the middle office, which handles a bank's risk management, financial controls, and compliance, to benefit from AI. "The middle office is all about internal productivity. That definitely gets better because the AI tools will make them work better and more efficiently," he continued. Back office roles are likely to be hit the hardest by AI, Mohtanty said. The back office spans functions such as information technology, human resources, and trade settlements. "Back office work may be reduced because you are automating a lot of the work in a much sharper way. There will be a lot of impact on jobs when it comes to the back office," he added. The rise of AI has sparked fears over its ability to eliminate jobs entirely. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said in his annual letter to shareholders last year that "AI has the potential to augment virtually every job, as well as impact our workforce composition." "It may reduce certain job categories or roles, but it may create others as well," Dimon wrote. In May, JPMorgan executives said during the bank's investor day that AI would result in head count reductions and slower hiring. Marianne Lake, JPMorgan's CEO of consumer and community banking, said during her presentation that she expects AI to reduce the size of the bank's operations team by 10%. "At the margin, we're asking people to resist head count growth where possible and increase their focus on efficiency," Jeremy Barnum, JPMorgan's chief financial officer, told investors. Read the original article on Business Insider A British journalist and political commentator who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents late last month at San Francisco International Airport will be released, his lawyer told CBS News on Monday. Sami Hamdi's expected release comes after he accepted the U.S. government's offer to leave the country voluntarily, according to his family and the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "The government agreed to allow our client Sami Hamdi to return home voluntarily, with no order of removal and no allegations," Hamdi's attorney told CBS News in a statement on Monday. "We are currently working out the logistics of his return." Hamdi was in the U.S. for a speaking tour when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained him at the California airport, CAIR officials said. He had entered the U.S. legally with a visitor visa on Oct. 19, but it was revoked on Friday, Oct. 24, according to ICE. He was detained at SFO on Oct. 26. ICE previously confirmed to CBS News Bay Area that Hamdi was detained at SFO and said it was because he was illegally in the country. In a statement to CBS News on Monday, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called Hamdi "an illegal alien and terrorist sympathizer who cheered on Hamas following its October 7 terrorist attack," and said he "requested voluntary departure and, ICE is happily arranging his removal from this country." "Under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country. That's just common sense," McLaughlin said. Hamdi's father on Monday reacted to the news on social media, saying his son's release "brings joy to me, his mother, his wife, our entire family, and all of Sami's supporters around the world." "I still cannot understand how America a country whose political system was built on the principle of protecting freedom of expression could treat my son with such harshness," Dr. Mohamed Elhachmi Hamdi, who is also a journalist, said. "Sami, who has visited the U.S. many times, has always spoken to me with admiration about the American people and the kindness of those he met and interacted with." CAIR said Hamdi has gone on speaking tours in the U.S. numerous other times and that they believe he was detained due to his criticisms of Israel. In a statement on Monday, CAIR said U.S. immigration officials only alleged that Hamdi overstayed his visa, after revoking it "without cause and without prior notice." The government also "never identified any criminal conduct or security grounds," CAIR claimed. "Sami's case shows how quickly our government officials are willing to sacrifice our First Amendment and free press when a journalist uses his platform to dare put America first before Israel," said Hussam Ayloush, CEO of the California chapter of CAIR. How Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal that may end government shutdown Eye Opener: Senate advances funding measure that could end government shutdown "The Wounded Generation": Bearing the invisible scars of war A judge writes on legal documents at a desk with a gavel and in the foreground. Photo: KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA / Pexels (The Center Square) - A federal judge ordered the California Department of Education and Attorney General Rob Bonta this week to appear in court and show cause why they should not face sanctions for allegedly misleading the court regarding gender secrecy policies in schools. U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez issued an order this week in the case Mirabelli v. Olson. In October, Benitez officially certified the lawsuit as a class action on behalf of all California parents and teachers who oppose school district policies that conceal childrens gender transitions from their families, also known as Parental Exclusion Policies. Under these policies, teachers and administrators are required to use preferred pronouns requested by a student and hide a childs gender identity from parents. According to a filing by the Thomas More Society, which represents the plaintiffs, state defendants misrepresented that they had withdrawn the policies, but instead, implemented mandatory teacher training called PRISM, an online program for certificated educators that provides resources to support LGBTQ+ youth in California. This is an egregious attempt to mislead the Court, the filing stated. Peter Breen, executive vice president and head of litigation at the Thomas More Society, said local school district officials continue to deflect responsibility. They know this is a losing legal battle. Now theyve been caught not only lying to California taxpayers but attempting to mislead the Court to escape accountability. Thats unacceptable, Breen stated. The Center Square contacted the CDE and Bonta for comment on the court order, but received no response. Its also a slap in the face to all of the California parents and teachers that are members of this certified federal civil rights class action, Paul Jonna, attorney at Thomas More Society and Partner at LiMandri & Jonna, said. We will do everything we can do to make sure the State Defendants and their counsel are held fully accountable under the law. This matter will be addressed at the next summary judgment hearing, which will be on Nov. 17. A man was arrested after he allegedly broke into a sorority house at UC Berkeley. A twisted man with a laundry list of prior convictions allegedly snuck into a sorority at the University of California, Berkeley, watched young women living in the house shower and even stole their underwear, according to cops. Courtney Alford, 45, was arrested by officers with the Berkeley Police Department last Wednesday, four days after a gaggle of sorority sisters reported seeing a strange man snooping around UC Berkeleys Alpha Chi Omega house. Courtney Alford, 45, was arrested after he allegedly broke into a sorority house at the University of California, Berkeley. Berkeley Police Department The students told police that they caught the pervert picking through a coeds room before fleeing the residence around 6 a.m., while others reported seeing a middle-aged man sneaking around as early as 3 a.m., the department wrote in a news release. When officers parsed through the houses security footage, they found multiple clips of a man believed to be Alford walking inside and outside of the building until around 6:35 a.m. At one point, he also appeared to leave and return in an entirely new ensemble with a ski mask covering his face. Students living at UC Berkeleys Alpha Chi Omega sorority house reported seeing a man prowling through their home. The disturbing ordeal took place during the wee hours of the morning when many students were returning from a night out celebrating Halloween on the universitys Greek Row, which is lined with fraternity and sorority houses. During the investigation, police discovered that the creep had made off with pairs of the students underwear and a few slices of pizza. Officer Byron White, with the Berkeley Police Department, told the Los Angeles Times that one student woke up while Alford was prowling near her bed and another alleged seeing him spying on her while she was showering. The universitys Greek Row was full of parties on Halloween that bled into the early hours of Nov. 1. Getty Images He is someone that is known to the Berkeley Police Department well enough that an officer recognized him from one of the [surveillance photos], White told the outlet. Investigators cuffed Alford at his home in Castro Valley, Calif., without incident on Nov. 5. Cops recovered a cache of weapons inside the home, including parts of an assault rifle, high-capacity ammunition magazines and more than 900 rounds of ammunition. Police found parts for an assault rifle at Alfords home. Berkeley Police Department The Peeping Tom was previously found guilty of burglary, grand theft, assault with a deadly weapon, making criminal threats, evading a peace officer, and a slew of other charges all within Alameda County alone. Alford is facing a separate arraignment for another arrest, including a charge for a lewd act upon a child on Nov. 18 just 30 minutes before facing a pretrial hearing for his alleged break-in at the UC Berkeley sorority house, according to his custody information. The Alameda County District Attorneys Office remanded him with 15 charges, including burglary, peeking, invading privacy, possession of a firearm by a felon, and unlawful entry on top of multiple criminal enhancements to account for his long list of priors. Alford is currently being held at the Santa Rita Jail on a $275,000 bail. Catherine Connolly was elected as the Republic of Ireland's 10th president in a landslide vote at the end of October [Reuters] Catherine Connolly has said she will make sure all voices are nurtured and heard during her presidency. Speaking at Dublin Castle, where she was inaugurated as the 10th President of the Republic of Ireland, she said the country has been undergoing "seismic changes" since the end of the Cold War. She said she was looking forward to her first visit to Northern Ireland as president and that she would foster an inclusive dialogue across the island. Connolly was elected in a landslide vote at the end of October, defeating Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys. In her speech, she said "our actions today will shape the world our grandchildren will inherit". She also said: "We can and should take real pride in the success of the Good Friday Agreement model of peaceful resolution of conflict." Former Irish presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese and former taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar attend Catherine Connolly's inauguration [PA Media] The 68 year old has taken over the role from Michael D Higgins, whose 14-year term ended at midnight. The inauguration ceremony at Dublin Castle on Tuesday was attended by politicians, judges and other invited guests. As well as Mr Higgins, former Irish presidents, Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson, were in attendance. Taoiseach (Ireland's prime minister) Micheal Martin congratulated Connolly on assuming office saying it was a "happy and momentous" day for her and her family. The Republic of Ireland's president is the country's head of state, however it is a non-executive role. On Tuesday morning, she travelled from Farmleigh at Phoenix Park to Dublin Castle with her husband, Brian McEnery, in a ceremonial motorcade. She was sworn into office in St Patrick's Hall by the chief justice Donal O'Donnell. A service of prayer and reflection took place during the ceremony. Connolly was presented with the Presidential Seal and made a speech. Who attended the inauguration? As well as the taoiseach, tanaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Harris, senior Irish government ministers and judges attended the inauguration. First Minister Michelle O'Neill also attended the ceremony and was accompanied by Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald. However, in her inauguration speech, Connolly mistakenly called O'Neill "Michelle Smith". Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly did not attended the inauguration. Little-Pengelly said she has a number of commitments in Belfast and Windsor for Remembrance Day on Tuesday. She wished the new president well and said she was hoping to have a phone call with her. Taoiseach Micheal Martin and his wife Mary O'Shea at Dublin Castle [PA Media] In the absence of Little-Pengelly, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) did not send a representative to the inauguration, with party leader Gavin Robinson insisting it was not a "snub". He said the party would be "pleased" to meet Connolly when she visits Northern Ireland in the future in her formal capacity. Ulster Unionist Party MLA Steve Aiken was the only unionist politician to attend the inauguration. He attended in place of party leader Mike Nesbitt who had other commitments. He said it is not a bad look that he is the only unionist attending the event. "I actually understand the reasons why some of them weren't able to make it, because obviously Emma Little-Pengelly would be here in other circumstances, but today is Armistice Day," he told BBC News NI. "And it's very important for her to be in Belfast and also to be with our head of state, the King, in Windsor Castle. "There's no snub, or no snub are intended, and that's why I am here. "I am here, I am a unionist, and we have a substantial part of the vote. So we are here and we are showing the respect due to the president." Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina left their official residence on Monday night [PA Media] After the ceremony, the newly inaugurated president travelled to Aras an Uachtarain, the official home of the Irish president, via motorcade. Connolly was guest of honour at a state reception in Dublin Castle on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, she will visit a gaelscoil (Irish language school) in Dublin, a family resource centre in County Meath and a nursing home in County Galway. Connolly has served as a TD (member of Irish parliament) since 2016 and her election as president will trigger a by-election in Galway West. She previously worked as a barrister and psychologist. Mark and Hilary Krejcha, owners of Millers Flowers, clear the snow from in front of the store on Sixth Street in Racine, Wisconsin, on Monday. - Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA Today Network/Imagn Record cold temperatures have pushed as far south as Florida this morning as wind-whipped snow continues to pile up in the eastern Great Lakes from a brief bout of Arctic air gripping the eastern US. More than two dozen cities, reaching as far south as Fort Myers, Miami and Naples, Florida, toppled or tied daily record lows for November 11. This morning is the coldest so early in the fall since 1976 in Jacksonville, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia, with both locations dropping to a shivering 28 degrees. When temperatures reach below or near freezing, iguanas go into a state of torpor," according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They are not dead, but in a paralyzed state. - Ellen Doherty-Purdy This state causes them to lose muscle control leading them to sometimes fall out of trees, which Florida residents saw Tuesday morning. - Melissa Nixon Workman The cold is causing South Floridas cold-blooded iguanas to freeze, or lose muscle control. They can sometimes fall out of trees as a result, which some Floridians saw Tuesday morning. The iguanas are not dead, but rather in a paralyzed state and can revive if temperatures warm up fast enough. Cold conditions farther north have kicked the lake-effect snow machine into gear across the Great Lakes for the first time this year. Snow will contribute to dangerous travel conditions on Tuesday in the snow belts of northeast Ohio, northwest Pennsylvania and western New York. The heaviest snow has come to an end in the western Great Lakes. Up to a foot of snow fell more than 50 miles south of Chicago, and totals north of the city from far northeast Illinois into southeast Wisconsin topped 10 inches. Dangerous travel conditions from snow and strong winds were reported early Monday along Interstate 57 south of Chicago in Kankakee and northern Iroquois counties in Illinois, the National Weather Service said. Chicago only picked up 1 to 3 inches of snow, which was accompanied by thunder and strong winds Sunday night into early Monday. Forecasts for the city on Sunday called for potentially historic November snow totals over 10 inches, but the heaviest bands of snow spared the downtown area from those kinds of totals. Lake-effect snow totals often swing wildly from location to location depending on where heavier bands develop because of how narrow they are. Thats what happened Monday near Lake Michigan. Elsewhere, over a foot of snow fell in Michigans Upper Peninsula and northwest Indiana from Sunday into Monday. Snow in the Mansfield, Ohio, area transformed the landscape into a winter wonderland and created obstacles for morning commuters. - Jason J. Molyet/Mansfield News Journal/USA Today Network/Imagn Several inches of snow have also piled up in the Appalachians from West Virginia to the border between North Carolina and Tennessee since Monday. Knoxville, Tennessee, saw its earliest accumulating snow since 1996 on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Snowflakes have flown through the air as far south as the Atlanta metro area on Monday, and along the North Carolina coast in Wilmington on Tuesday morning. A temperature turnaround is ahead The good news: This cold snap wont stick around long. Temperatures across the central and southern US will rebound quickly in the second half of this week as Arctic air releases its grip and warmer winds from out of the south return. Highs will be as much as 10 to 25 degrees above average from the Plains into the Midwest by Friday and Saturday. A few cities in the Midwest that just saw their first snowflakes of the season could flirt with daily record high temperatures on Saturday. That includes Dubuque, Iowa, and Rockford, Illinois, where thermometers are predicted to climb to near 70 degrees as the weekend begins. Parts of the South will also return to shorts and T-shirt weather in the coming days. Highs in the lower 70s return to Nashville, Tennessee, by Friday, which is about 10 degrees above average. Much of the Florida Peninsula will see thermometers reach the upper 70s and lower 80s heading into the weekend. But not everyone in the East will feel this warmup. Temperatures in much of the Northeast are predicted to remain stubbornly cooler than average through the end of the week. CNNs Sara Smart and CNN Meteorologists Mary Gilbert and Brandon Miller contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President of Suriname, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, speaks at the TIME100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Creating Climate Action Credit - Wagner PinheiroWagner Pinheiro Leaders discussed the most pressing climate issuesand reasons for hopeahead of the TIME100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Creating Climate Action held at Casa Camolese in Rio. Global leaders will be gathering this month in Belem, Brazil for COP30, the United Nations climate summit. Kara Hurst Kara Hurst, Amazons chief sustainability officer, spoke of the challenge of addressing climate change fast enough as communities around the world face the brunt of its impacts. We really have a limited amount of time with the climate crisis, she says. Hurst spoke of the ways Amazon is looking to utilize new technologies to serve customers and reduce emissionsfrom minimizing packaging to electrifying fleets of delivery vehicles. Amazons disaster relief team has also been able to use new technology to better serve communities after natural disasters, she says. Weve been able to utilize AI in a lot of ways to really speed up the response to those disasters and provide us better information that indicates where first responders can go and help the safety of those communities very, very quickly. Tzeporah Berman Despite wealthy countries pulling back on climate commitments, climate activist Tzeporah Berman, who chairs the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative calling for a new global pact to limit the production of fossil fuels, remains hopeful that there are opportunities to bring other nations to the table. A line has been drawn between the countries that are willing to step out and work on fossil fuel phase out and the countries that are holding back and the leaders that are denying the science, she says. People realize that it will benefit them to actually have a plan. She hopes to see more countries cooperate to create a plan to support a managed decline in the use of fossil fuels. A lot of countries, like the United States and Canada, are doubling down on fossil fuel productions, she says. Im really inspired by the countries who are standing up and starting to create a path that is science led and based on cooperation between countriesbecause no country or company can do this alone. Leah Seligmann Though it seems as though the world is no longer on track to meet the 1.5 goal set out in the Paris Agreement, sustainability leader Leah Seligmann maintains that a lot of progress has been made since the treaty was first established ten years ago. On one hand, weve seen more progress in the last decade than we could ever have imagined, says the CEO of The B Team. We were on track for a 4 degree world, now were on track for a 2.4 degree world. But countries need to be more ambitious, she says. When you get to this point in a transition, it is super hard. This isnt the time when we can just change lightbulbs and all save money, she says. This is the time where we have to do bigger investments that are harder and riskier to really deliver whats needed. The urgency couldnt be greater. The need couldnt be greater. Wade Crowfoot Since 2019, Wade Crowfoot has served as California's natural resources secretary, working to protect and strengthen the states natural landscapes. California is already facing some of the more extreme impacts of our warming planet. Climate change contributed to the conditions that caused wildfires to burn through over 37,000 acres and destroy more than 16,000 structures in Los Angeles in January. Its for this reason that Crawfoot says adaptation is so important. Adapting to these changes, building resilience to these climate-driven threats is now a matter of public safety, he says. Crowfoot says he is optimistic that the state can learn from global leaders present in Rio, and believes that leaders should be moving quickly to find solutions that both avert the worst impacts of climate change and protect the people most vulnerable. This is no longer a crisis of ambition, its a crisis of implementation, he says. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, president of Suriname, was candid about the lack of global progress on limiting warming to the targets laid out in the Paris Agreement. It looks like we will not be able to achieve the 1.5 degrees, so we have actually not done very well in my opinion," she says. Geerlings-Simons is hopeful, however, that Indigenous people who live in and rely on forests might serve as an example for how to manage natural resources while still reaping economic benefits. But in her eyes the urgency of the climate crisis cannot be understated. Climate change is here, she says. We see it. I hope that people are seeing it, and more inclined to do something about it. Write to Simmone Shah at simmone.shah@time.com. Bishops from around the US participate i (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) Archbishop Paul Coakley, a longtime conservative voice in the Church, was elected Tuesday to lead the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Coakley, who previously served as the conferences secretary, secured the presidency after three rounds of voting, edging out Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas, who will serve as vice president, according to the Associated Press. (RELATED: Federal Court Strikes Down Washington Law Forcing Priests To Break Confession Seal) He has been consistent in placing abortion at the center of Catholic political engagement, calling it the preeminent priority for voters, praising Oklahoma lawmakers for supporting pro-life measures, and arguing that a true culture of life requires both legal protections for the unborn and a profound change of heart, the Catholic News Agency reported. US Archbishop of Oklahoma City Paul Stagg Coakley (L) receives the Pallium from Pope Benedict XVI during the solemn mass at St Peters basilica to celebrate the feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul on June 29, 2011 at The Vatican. (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images) While serving as bishop of Salina, Kansas, Coakley issued a statement in 2008 accusing then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and then-Sen. Joe Biden of misrepresent[ing] Catholic teaching on abortion after their comments on NBCs Meet the Press. He also warned about the spread of gender ideology and dysphoria in the U.S., and has criticized mass-deportation proposals, the Catholic News Agency reported. In February, Coakley said recent White House actions were stoking fear among immigrant and refugee populations. He argued illegal immigration is wrong and stronger border controls may be needed, but stressed that most illegal migrants in Oklahoma are upstanding members of our communities and churches, not violent criminals. Although born in Virginia, Coakley was appointed the fourth archbishop of Oklahoma City by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 and became metropolitan archbishop the following year, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He said on X that he was humbled by his election and noted that his episcopal motto is Duc in altum Put out into the deep. Once again, the Lord is inviting me to put out into deep waters, he wrote, asking for prayers that he remain a faithful steward in communion with Pope Leo XIV. Coakley emerged from the conservative half of the 10-candidate field, which included Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester and Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, both members of President Donald Trumps Religious Liberty Commission, according to the AP. WASHINGTON A week ago Democrats were joyous. They believed they were on their way to rebuilding trust and credibility after a wave of election victories across the country. Not anymore. After a handful of moderate senators cut a deal with Republicans to reopen the government, Democrats from every corner ripped the group and accused them of squandering the party's leverage. The agreement brings back fired federal workers and funds food assistance at higher levels but only includes the promise of a vote to renew expiring Obamacare subsidies that were at the heart of the shutdown. The U.S. Senate on Monday passed a funding package to end the record-breaking shutdown, putting the federal government on a path to reopening in coming days. Presidential aspirants trashed Senate Democrats who crossed the aisle to support the measure. Winners from last week, including as Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey and Zohran Mamdani of New York City, are among the bill's harsh critics. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer didn't vote for the measure yet found himself in trouble anyway. "There was a ray of light in otherwise pretty depressing year, and leave it to Democrats to misinterpret that moment to miss that moment," said Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of the progressive group Our Revolution. "There's a fundamental disconnect between the leaders in the party and the grassroots, and I think the deal that got struck yesterday is the epitome of that disconnect." U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, looks down during a news conference on Capitol Hill to discuss SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) on Oct. 29, 2025. Schumer drew the ire of Democrats in March when he voted to keep the government open. This time he tried to force President Donald Trump's hand by backing a shutdown. Democrats held out for more than five weeks for an Obamacare vote before the moderate group announced a deal on Sunday that fell short of what the party had demanded. Sherrill, a moderate New Jersey lawmaker who notched a victory last Tuesday to become governor elect, called the agreement "malpractice" in a statement. Mamdani, who identifies himself a democratic socialist, said it "only exacerbates the affordability crisis" and should be rejected. "Voters made it clear: the American people want leadership with a backbone," Sherill said. "And at a critical moment when they need leaders to stay strong under pressure, the Senate is on the brink of caving on a bill that the American people can't afford." The sentiment was widely shared among as politicians and activists, who accused lawmakers in Washington of being out of touch with the party's voters. 'Making this deal is malpractice.' It's Democrat vs. Democrat as shutdown nears end Youth group NextGen America said the "capitulation to Trump and Republicans exemplifies why young people do not trust the party establishment" in a statement from interim president Victoria Yang that said the "eight Democrats, under the leadership of Senator Schumer, have caved and abandoned their own base in the process." "Last Tuesday, young people showed up for Democrats down-ballot, and now, eight Senate Democrats have betrayed that trust," Yang said. "This decision for many people across the country will mean skyrocketing costs on health insurance, and in some instances, the difference between life or death." The deal came together after five Democrats who aren't on the ballot in 2026 agreed to flip their votes: Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Tim Kaine of Virginia. They were joined by three other members of the Democratic caucus Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Angus King, an independent from Maine who'd been voting for Republicans' bill from the start. Durbin is the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate. He and Shaheen are both retiring. "I honestly don't understand why senators who are leaving are making decisions for the whole party. Why were they negotiating at all?" Center for American Progress president and CEO Neera Tanden wrote on X. Tanden, a former top adviser to President Joe Biden, said the deal "makes no sense" and warned that Republicans "are not going to negotiate with you" to address the healthcare premiums. Trump insisted in the Oval Office on Nov. 10 that he would abide by the agreement. Democratic hopefuls lash out Several potential 2028 candidates in the party also lashed out, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who said on X that it was "a bad deal" and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who called it an "empty promise." California Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose redistricting initiative won last week at the ballot box, panned the agreement as "pathetic" in a post on social media. Rep. Ro Khanna went a step further and said said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Schumer should be forced out as party leader. "Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced. If you cant lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?" Khanna wrote. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said at a press conference that he's backing Schumer. But the support did little to quell the uproar from liberal and progressive groups, including Our Revolution, which said it took a survey of its members after last Tuesday's elections and 90% said Schumer "should step aside" as party leader and 92% saying they would support a primary challenger against him. Even though Schumer voted against the bill, he shares in the blame as caucus leader, activists said. "The buck stops with him," Geevarghese said. "At the very least, he should be able to hold his members together, and he failed to do so. That's not a sign of leadership. That's ineptitude." The Gen Z focused group Voters of Tomorrow said the eight senators "have betrayed our generation," and said that "either through complicity or incompetence, Chuck Schumer once again proved he cannot provide the type of leadership that young Americans demand" and needed to resign his leadership post. "Young people don't want leaders who fold in the face of a fight. Young peoples support cannot be taken for granted, it needs to be earned every day," the group said. MoveOn chief communications officer Joel Payne said the energy around fighters is how Democrats from different wings of the party were able to win last Tuesday. He said the group's members have been asking, "Who's fighting for us? Do these people understand the moment that we're in? Do they understand how much we're hurting? How scared we are? How much at risk we are?" "And if you can't convince the public that you get that," Payne said in an interview, "that is an unsustainable political position to have right now if you can't convince the public that you're willing to fight." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Furious Democrats rip shutdown deal as missing the moment A map shows Californias newly redrawn congressional districts approved by voters during a special election on Nov. 4, 2025. Graphic: Assembly Elections Committee / California State Assembly / Used with Permission. (The Center Square) - Democratic lawmakers reacted on Monday to Republican congressional members' effort to push back on the congressional redistricting election with a lawsuit. Democrats also talked about efforts that seemed destined to end the longest federal shutdown in U.S. history. Democrats in California expressed confidence in Proposition 50, the measure to redraw congressional districts to pick up five Democrats seats in the 2026 midterm election. I have full confidence in the legality of Prop. 50, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-San Luis Obispo, told The Center Square. Prop. 50 is crafted as one of those most transparent election laws in the nation. Its very transparent when it comes to redistricting. Voters knew exactly what they would be voting on. Prop. 50, the only statewide measure on the Nov. 4 ballot, passed with 64.1% of the vote, according to the California Secretary of States office. In raw numbers, 6,582,022 California voters voted for Prop. 50, while 3,692,940 California voters voted against it. Usually, redistricting is done by the states Citizens Redistricting Commission, which draws legislative district and congressional district lines after the release of the U.S. census every decade. However, Texas pushed to do its own mid-decade redistricting effort, giving congressional Republicans the opportunity to pick up five more seats in the 2026 midterms. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has previously accused Republican President Donald Trump of pressuring Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, to redraw the Lone Star States congressional districts. Newsom and his fellow Democrats who hold supermajorities in the California Legislature responded with Prop. 50. We stood firm in response to Donald Trumps recklessness, Newsom said during a news conference on the night of Nov. 4. And tonight, after poking the bear, this bear roared. Democratic legislators in California voiced excitement over the passage of Prop. 50, releasing statements on social media after results started rolling in on Nov. 4. Californians have sent a clear message with the passage of Prop 50 when democracy is under attack, we will stand up and fight back, said Sen. Jesse Arreguin, D-Oakland. I am grateful to Californians who have used their voice and vote to object to Trumps attempts to rig elections. But the measure was criticized by the five Republican representatives in the U.S. House who stand to lose their seats because of Prop. 50's new districts favoring Democrats. In fact, those congressmen - U.S. Reps. Ken Calvert of Palm Desert, Darrell Issa of Santee, Kevin Kiley of Rocklin, Doug LaMalfa of Yuba City and David Valadao of Bakersfield - filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in the Central District of California over the special election. They and other Republican lawmakers asked in the lawsuit that the court invalidate the newly-approved congressional district map. Democratic congressional representatives were not available by press time on Monday. Democrats react to end of government shutdown Democratic lawmakers also released responses on Monday reacting to the impending end of the federal government shutdown, which was in its 41st day Monday. Seven Democratic congressional representatives and one independent who caucuses with Democrats joined the Republican majority to end the shutdown after the GOP promised to guarantee a vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits and reverse Trump administration layoffs during the shutdown. The 60-40 vote Sunday night was on the first of the bills to reopen the government. The revised legislation will go back to the House for its vote. The continuing resolution is designed to fund the federal government through the end of the year. House Democrats have been clear from day one: We need a bipartisan deal that funds the government and addresses the health care crisis Republicans created with their Big Ugly Law, wrote U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-San Bernardino, in a statement released on Facebook on Nov. 9. The bill the Senate is taking up does not fix the health care crisis or make life more affordable for Americans across the country. Aguilar added in the statement, Thats why Im voting no. Other congressional Democrats reacted on social media, noting that Democrats giving in to Republicans to strike a deal would drive up health care costs for many Americans. The Senate deal fails the American people, wrote U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Thousand Oaks, in her Nov. 9 statement on Facebook. It does nothing to make health care more affordable for families who are already struggling with high costs and nothing to protect the millions of Americans at risk of losing their coverage. Newsom also reacted on Monday to those eight Democratic Caucus members breaking with the party, saying the move was a betrayal" and accusing them of capitulating to the demands of Congressional Republicans, according to Newsweek. In California, state lawmakers have said they are worried that the deal now on the table to keep the government open, ultimately, isnt going to effective for low-income communities. I have severe doubts about that, Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, D-Santa Cruz, told The Center Square on Monday afternoon. We need to really hold this party accountable now and get them to take the action now and to meet their commitment to take care of the people of the United States now. I dont trust that its going to happen later. Armada de Republica Dominicana Cruise passengers were rescued from the ocean after a tourist catamaran capsized in the Dominican Republic NEED TO KNOW Around 50 passengers and crew had to be rescued from the water after a tourist excursion catamaran sank in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, Nov. 9 The Navy of the Dominican Republic confirmed that the 40-foot-long vessel collided with an object in the ocean before beginning to sink The Navy also confirmed that all guests were "safe" following the incident Dozens of cruise passengers were rescued from the ocean after an excursion catamaran sank in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, Nov. 9. The incident occurred in Samana Bay, the Navy of the Dominican Republic confirmed in a Facebook post, stating that officers had "promptly attended a maritime incident" involving a 40-foot-long catamaran-type vessel called Boca de Yuma. "The vessel, which had two Dominican crew members, including the captain, malfunctioned inside the hull and began to make water," the Navy shared. The Navy shared multiple photos of the rescue, writing that the vessel had sailed from Embat Pier, and had been carrying passengers from the cruise ship Mein Schiff 1, operated by TUI Cruises. Armada de Republica Dominicana Cruise passengers were rescued from the ocean after a tourist catamaran capsized in the Dominican Republic A TUI Cruises spokesperson confirmed in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that there were around 50 guests from its Mein Schiff 1 cruise ship on board the catamaran when it sank. The statement read, "We can confirm that an excursion catamaran operated by an external provider sank on November 9, 2025, during a shore excursion All guests are safe and were returned to Mein Schiff 1 immediately after the rescue." "According to the information currently available, there was a collision with an object in the water. The captain of the excursion boat immediately contacted other boats in the vicinity and requested assistance," TUI Cruises added in the statement. "The rescue of the guests was the top priority and was successful. We would like to thank the crew members involved for their help. The catamaran had a capacity of up to 80 guests," they said. The statement continued, "The guests affected were immediately offered pastoral care and compensation. All of them decided to continue the trip," adding, "We are continuing to investigate the incident together with the provider and the relevant authorities. The safety and well-being of our guests is our top priority." Armada de Republica Dominicana Cruise passengers were rescued from the ocean after a tourist catamaran capsized in the Dominican Republic The Navy confirmed on Monday, "Before the emergency call, the Navy proceeded to provide communication support, logistical support and operational assistance so that the company's vessels, owner of the damaged catamaran, would transit people and drive them to port," per the translated Facebook post. The cause of the incident is now being investigated. "The Dominican Republic Navy collaborates with local authorities to determine responsibilities and take preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future," the post continued. No fatalities were reported following the incident, but several people sustained minor injuries, local outlet Dominican Today reported, citing preliminary information. Armada de Republica Dominicana Cruise passengers were rescued from the ocean after a tourist catamaran capsized in the Dominican Republic 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. The boat that sank belongs to one of the companies that conducts excursions in the Los Haitises area, according to local outlet Listin Diario. The Dominican Civil Defense and the Navy of the Dominican Republic didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. Read the original article on People FILE PHOTO: Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stands with China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30), in Belem, Brazil, November 5, 2025. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo By Simon Jessop BELEM, Brazil (Reuters) -Countries trying to shift to clean energy while also preparing for extreme weather and other impacts in a warmer world will need money - a lot of it. As the costs and risks of global warming escalate, the topic of climate finance has become more tense. Here's what you need to know: WHAT IS CLIMATE FINANCE? This describes all funding from governments, development banks, private investors and philanthropies aimed at helping countries cut greenhouse gas emissions or adapt to climate impacts, for example through projects in renewable energy or for flood defenses. WHY DOES IT MATTER? Without climate finance, poorer countries will struggle to decarbonize their economies and protect vulnerable populations. Because these countries contributed the least in emissions, the 1992 U.N. climate treaty determines they should carry less of the burden of addressing the problem today. Climate finance has become a litmus test for trust in international climate negotiations, with the amount committed by wealthy countries seen as a measure of their seriousness about addressing the crisis. WHAT ARE THE MAIN DISPUTES? Countries today disagree about who should pay climate finance, how much is needed and how it should be distributed. Historically, only industrialized countries like the U.S., Japan and nations in Europe have contributed, but pressure is mounting on fast-developing, high-polluting countries such as China, India and the Gulf states to pitch in. Beijing insists it should continue to be treated as a developing nation under the U.N. climate treaty. Developing nations, many already burdened with high debt levels, are also pushing for more grants rather than loans. A World Bank report in December showed external debt held by low- and middle-income countries had risen by more than $205 billion in 2023 to a record $8.8 trillion. WHICH GOALS HAVE BEEN SET AND MET? The world set its first climate finance targets in 2009, with wealthy countries pledging $30 billion annually. They increased that in 2010 to $100 billion by 2020, but did not meet the full annual amount until 2022. Separately, multilateral development banks said they channeled some $137 billion in climate finance in 2024. About 62% of that, or $85.1 billion, went to low- and middle-income countries. A year earlier, the banks had put about $125 billion into climate finance. Last year's COP29 agreement combines those two donor groups in setting a new $300 billion annual target to be met by 2035. Between now and 2035, the target is assumed to remain at the previous $100 billion level, though this is not spelled out in U.N. documentation. HOW MUCH MONEY IS INVOLVED? Climate funds from wealthy governments are increasingly serving as seed money for rising flows of private capital toward climate-friendly investments. The non-profit Climate Policy Initiative estimates 2022 global climate finance flows were around $1.46 trillion, about half coming from private investment. That nudged up to almost $1.6 trillion in 2023. For developing countries, nations at COP29 in Baku agreed to work on boosting annual funding to at least $1.3 trillion, with dozens of finance ministers producing a "Baku-to-Belem Roadmap" of recommendations for how to do so. This still falls far short of the $7.4 trillion that CPI estimates is needed annually through 2030 to meet global climate targets. For just developing countries outside of China beyond 2030, the Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance puts the annual bill at $2.4 trillion, rising to $3.3 trillion by 2035. WHAT NOW AS COUNTRIES SCALE BACK? Rich nations have scaled back on development aid in recent years, as they juggle concerns about energy security, economic stability and competing bills for war and AI development. Last year's overseas development aid totaled $212.1 billion, a drop of more than 7 percent from the previous year, according to preliminary OECD estimates. This is shifting focus toward ways to attract more private money, through changes in financial regulations, credit ratings and multilateral bank lending practices and the creation of new financial instruments. One idea is "blended finance", where governments and philanthropies would accept losses or lower returns so private investors could join in with less risk. Brazil is urging countries at COP30 to contribute to the newly launched Tropical Forests Forever Facility, or TFFF, which aims to raise $25 billion in government and philanthropic funding to mobilize another $100 billion in private money. (Reporting by Simon Jessop; Editing by Katy Daigle and David Gregorio) Families of those who perished in raging floodwaters at an all-girls camp in Texas this summer are suing the camp and its owners and operators, accusing them of negligence and reckless disregard. At least 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic, along the Guadalupe River in the Hill Country of Central Texas, died as flash floods swept through the area in the early morning hours of July 4. As the floodwaters rose, the suit alleges, camp leaders instructed groundskeepers to spend more than an hour relocating camp equipment instead of people from the site. These young girls died because a for-profit camp put profit over safety, it said, naming the camp and members of the Eastland family, the sites longstanding owners, among the defendants. Photos from Camp Mystic show devastation from fatal flooding that claimed 27 lives A painted broken heart is seen near Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, on July 8, 2025, after severe flash flooding over the July 4 holiday weekend. The 32-page suit, filed in state court in Austin, accuses Camp Mystic of placing campers in cabins located in flood-prone areas and failing to develop necessary evacuation plans. The Camp chose to take no steps to protect its campers and counselors while it knew a storm and life threatening flash flooding were approaching, it said. Finally, when it was too late, the Camp made a hopeless rescue effort from its self-created disaster in which 25 campers, two counselors and the Camp director died. In response to a request for comment on the lawsuit, Camp Mystic issued a one-sentence statement: "We continue to pray for the grieving families and ask for Gods healing and comfort," it said. Jeff Ray, the camp's legal counsel, said the defendants "disagree with several accusations and misinformation" in the suit "regarding the actions of Camp Mystic and Dick Eastland, who lost his life as well." "We empathize with the families of the campers and counselors and all families in the Hill Country who lost loved ones in the horrific and unprecedented flood of July 4," Ray said. "We intend to demonstrate and prove that this sudden surge of floodwaters far exceeded any previous flood in the area by several magnitudes, that it was unexpected and that no adequate warning systems existed in the area." A painted broken heart is seen near Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas. The lawsuit said that while youth camps provide the chance to form lifelong bonds and enjoy nature, this ideal exists only when youth camp operators take reasonable and required precautions to ensure the safety of children and counselors invited to their camps. When they fail to do so, tragedy is sure to follow. It also charges the camps owners with deepening the families pain with their actions since the tragedy, including their recent declaration of plans to reopen for business even as one victim of the disaster remains missing. The Camp has caused further trauma to these distraught families, it said. And through it all, the Camp refuses to accept any responsibility for its actions and failures to act, defiantly blaming this tragedy on an act of God that no responsible steps could have avoided. The plaintiffs are asking for damages of at least $1 million. 'A bull's-eye for flash flooding' The July 4 flooding killed at least 135 people, 116 of them in Kerr County, after heavy rainfall caused the Guadalupe to overflow its banks. Experts say multiple factors converged in early July in a region that political scientist Roger Pielke Jr. referred to as a bulls-eye for flash flooding to unleash the deadly scenario. Up to 16 inches of rainfall drenched the Hill Country area from July 3 to July 5, a landscape known for rapid, raging flooding in extreme rain boosted by moist Gulf air moving over the dry, dusty hills. On the morning of July 4, precipitation was falling at 3 to 4 inches an hour, according to the National Weather Service; some locations recorded up to 7 inches, or 122 million gallons of water per square mile, in three hours. The deluge caused the Guadalupe River to rise more than 20 feet in just hours as it headed downstream in a deadly torrent through Kerr County. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Camp Mystic: Families of young victims sue TX camp owners This image of Russians riding into Pokrovsk in the fog appeared on social media on Monday [Telegram] Thick fog has enabled Russian troops to move further into the key strategic city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine's 7th Airborne Assault Corps says weather conditions, particularly dense fog, have prompted Moscow to intensify its bid to get increasing numbers into the ruined city and encircle Ukrainian forces. Russian forces have spent more than a year trying to seize the city. Ukraine's military says there may now be 300-500 Russians there and President Voloydymyr Zelensky says the situation remains difficult. Meanwhile, army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi says the situation on the front line in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region has "significantly worsened", with the loss of three settlements. Syrskyi said however that Russia was most active around Pokrovsk. A video has gone viral on social media showing Russian soldiers openly driving through a hazy road on civilian cars and motorbikes. The BBC has verified the location where the video was filmed as the southern outskirts of the town on the Selidove-Pokrovsk highway. For several days fog obscured visibility to carry out aerial reconnaissance, says a drone pilot from the "Shershni Dovbusha" unit of the 68th brigade with the call-sign "Goose". That's why, he told the BBC, the Russians had even "dared" to launch assaults using a column of vehicles, which would normally have been wiped out immediately by Ukrainian drones. The Ukrainian drone pilot told the BBC his unit had regularly detected and eliminated small Russian groups trying to advance on foot and on motor bikes. He added they were also involved in repelling the attack featured in the viral video, said to have been filmed on Sunday. The convoy was partly destroyed, "Goose" claims, however weather conditions meant there was no video monitoring of the moment they repelled the attack so he was not sure if the entire group was hit. [BBC] A week ago, Zelensky estimated that up to 300 Russian soldiers were fighting in Pokrovsk. The video suggests those numbers have probably increased in that time and the military confirmed that on Wednesday, with southern areas of the city now under Russian occupation. Russian troops appear to be closing in on most areas of Pokrovsk, according to mapping by the Ukraine-based DeepState monitoring group. Some observers say that its fall is imminent. Most parts of the city are now in a grey zone that neither side fully controls, says "Goose". "We might hold positions in one building, but the enemy can be in the next one. They're trying to get behind our backs," he says. Moscow is trying to encircle Pokrovsk and neighbouring Myrnohrad in what is known as a "cauldron". Even if the "lid" is not closed, Russians can constantly target all routes in and out of it using FPV drones. To prevent such an encirclement, Ukrainian troops have pushed Russian troops back from Suvorove and Rodynske on the eastern part of the "cauldron", creating a bigger gap between Russian flanks. Russian forces are trying to cut off logistical routes supporting Ukrainian troops in Pokrovsk. They attack supply routes, not only remotely using drones and artillery but also by sending in soldiers on the ground, the Ukrainian drone pilot told the BBC. This tactic is called infiltration and it has proved quite successful, says Ukrainian military analyst Kostyantyn Mashovets. He argues that Russian forces have specifically targeted Ukrainian FPV pilots so they do not have sufficient resources to detect the movement of smaller Russian groups. In an urban environment, Russian soldiers sometimes infiltrate by dressing up as locals or as Ukrainian military, says Mashovets. Their main goal is to cause chaos among Ukrainian defenders, which is then followed by a push from the main forces of the Russian army, he adds. The Kremlin is also trying to push in other parts of the front line in Kupyansk in the north-east and in Zapporizhzhya region in the south. Viktor Tregubov, spokesperson of the Joint Forces Operation, denied Moscow's claim that they had managed to surround Kupyansk but admitted that Russian troops were present in the south of the town and the situation was difficult. A gavel rests on a block atop a judges bench in an empty courtroom. Photo: Shopify Partners / Burst (The Center Square) The husband of U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Tenn., is among the recipients of a flurry of pardons issued by President Donald Trump on Friday. Robert Harshbarger Jr. was convicted in 2013 on one charge each of health care fraud and distributing a misbranded drug, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. He was sentenced to 48 months in a federal prison and ordered to pay $848,504 in restitution, a $25,000 criminal fine and forfeit $425,000 in cash, according to the pardon. The Justice Department said he substituted a cheaper drug imported from China for the iron sucrose that was approved for kidney dialysis patients. The Center Square reached out to Diana Harshbarger for a statement but did not receive a response before publication. Diana Harshbarger, who is also a pharmacist, issued a statement to WJHL in Johnson City that said: My husband paid his debt both personally and financially to society. We are thrilled and grateful that the President looked kindly upon Bobs application. Other Tennesseans pardoned by Trump include former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his former chief of staff, Cade Cothren, who were convicted by a jury in May on charges of honest services wire fraud, conspiracy, bribery, theft and money laundering. Casada, a Republican, was given a sentence of 36 months in prison and one year of supervised release. Cothren was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay a $25,000 fine. The two were charged along with former Tennessee House Rep. Robin Smith, R-Hixson, who testified against Casada and Cothren. Smith was sentenced to eight months in prison and was not pardoned. The Justice Department accused the trio of creating a company called Phoenix Solutions to handle constituent mailer services to the House of Representatives. Cothren created a phony identity, Matthew Phoenix," because of Cothren's tarnished reputation, the Justice Department said in a news release. Phoenix Solutions received more than $159,000 in revenue from caucus and campaign work, the Justice Department said. Two glasses of pinot noir wine in front of a vineyard - Edsel Querini/Getty Images There's nothing quite like a pinot noir to sip alongside some roasted duck or savory mushroom risotto. The dry medium body with complex red fruit notes and smooth mouthfeel perfectly complements rich, high-fat meals of all kinds. However, this wine is getting increasingly difficult to buy, not because of a lack of popularity, but because of a very high price tag. In fact, one very pricy vintage pinot noir wine at Costco boasted the shocking sticker price of $40,000 for a four-pack. While you may think this just has to do with pure wine elitism, it is instead more reflective of changing climates, exacting production, and increased interest in the varietal. In some areas, you may still be able to find affordable pinots in wine shops and on restaurant menus, but you have to be selective if you want a quality product. A pinot noir imported from the Burgundy region in France may be out of your price range. It can be frustrating some factors in this price hike can be combated, but others are pretty much unavoidable. Read more: These Are The 14 Strongest Beers In The World It all has to do with temperamental grapes A bottle of red wine by a glass of wine, surrounded by grapes - Elena Noviello/Getty Images Saying that pinot noir grapes are thin-skinned isn't some sort of wine snob joke. The grapes have a thin outer skin, and they're smaller and complicated to grow than many other varietals, with high susceptibility to fluctuations in temperature and weather. With quickly shifting annual temperatures, climate change means that the amount of pinot grapes reaching many winemakers' standards is lower. But why is this so important when it comes to price? The fact of the matter is that it takes a lot of grapes to make wine. If even a small portion of the grapes don't make it or are deemed not up to snuff, you end up with fewer bottles to ship out. Because of this, it might seem natural that pinot noirs would not be as popular as other reds, but that's not the case. You don't need to keep pinots in wine cellars for ages in order for them to be drinkable, so sipping them while they are young is easy. They also pair well with so many types of food that they tend to be an easy winning pick for dinner parties and weddings. Even if you don't want to buy a whole bottle, roughly 20% of by-the-glass red wine sales are pinot noir. Simply put, while there are other factors in cost, a growing demand plus smaller quality grape yield equals a bigger price tag. There are still some decent inexpensive pinot options Bottles of red wine on a store shelf - Tero Vesalainen/Shutterstock Given that weather and market trends have so much to do with prices, it seems you're stuck paying top dollar. Luckily, that isn't necessarily true. Because there is such a demand for this tasty grape varietal, many wineries have stepped up to make it more available in unexpected ways. To cut down on paying import costs and the price of French name recognition, consider purchasing from California or Oregon. Willamette Valley, Oregon is 69% pinot noir by growth, and Sonoma, California is over 20% by growth. Although some of the most expensive bottles of pinot in the world come from this region, local wineries produce experimental versions, as well as pinot blends, with price tags well under $50. Some of these blends and versions aren't quite on the dry side of wines, but they still have the distinct fruit and floral notes with spicy undertones, and score very well in competitions. In Oregon and California, you'll also be able to find pinots that have been selectively bred and uniquely fermented for lower alcohol content for light drinkers, more sustainability, better yield, and lower chances of red wine headaches. Producers such as Jackson Family Wines, Knudson Vineyards, Donkey & Goat Winery, and Deerfield Ranch Winery, among others, are leading the way in these research topics, and still maintain an affordable price tag compared with many Burgundy-region imports. So, although pinot noir is still one of the most expensive varietals, you don't have to go without. 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. Darren and Cindy Bailey hug supporters during the celebration of life for lost loved ones on Nov. 3, 2025. Photo: BlueRoomStream / Screenshot Bailey to stay in governor's race Republican candidate Darren Bailey has decided to stay in the race for Illinois governor. In a video posted on social media platforms Monday afternoon, Bailey said he and his wife Cindy decided to continue fighting for every family trying to make it in a state he said has lost its way. Bailey said President Donald Trump called and encouraged him to keep fighting, and Bailey said that is what he would do. Mexican national charged in shooting A Mexican national has been arrested in connection with a shooting the Department of Homeland Security says was targeted at U.S. Border Patrol agents in Chicago. DHS said in a statement that the suspect was in the country illegally and had previous convictions for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon/vehicle and felony possession of a weapon. According to federal officials, nine people were arrested Saturday after attackers attempted to ram federal vehicles and threw bricks and paint cans at Border Patrol agents in Chicagos Little Village neighborhood. State to host climate summit The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is hosting a Weather and Public Health Response Summit to examine how the effects of climate change and extreme weather events may be impacting public health. The event is scheduled Wednesday and Thursday at the University of Illinois Chicagos Student Center West. Several state agency directors are slated to participate in a panel discussion on Illinois response to severe weather. The Pennsylvania State Capitol, with its green dome, rises above the fountain plaza in Harrisburg, Pa. Photo: Grace David / The Center Square (The Center Square) With state lawmakers nearing a five-month impasse over a budget, Pennsylvania school districts, counties and other public agencies have taken out loans to keep afloat. Some schools say that borrowed time is running out, with closures expected this winter if nothing changes. Whats worse, some say, is that when schools do finally emerge from their government-induced financial crises, many expect to be saddled with debt from borrowing fees and interest on the loans theyve taken out. Rep. Gina Curry, D-Upper Darby, has introduced a bill that would require the state to pay schools back for these added expenses in a matter of fairness and civic responsibility. These loans come at the expense of taxpayers and students because, currently, not a dollar of those lending costs and fees will be reimbursed to the districts, wrote Curry. These borrowing decisions have resulted in significant interest costs and fees, which ultimately divert taxpayer dollars away from classrooms, student support, and programming. In Delaware County, William Penn School District is struggling without the 55% of its revenue that comes from the state. Were in a situation where our hands are physically tied. Theres nothing else we can do, school board President Monique Boykins said. We cannot keep borrowing money. If we keep borrowing money from banks, that means taxpayers will have to continue to pay more money. Morrisville School District in Bucks County says their schools will close at the end of January. Over the past several months, weve used every available tool to stretch our limited resources, including delaying payments and freezing expenditures, wrote Superintendent Andrew Doster. We are currently operating with less than 50% of our annual revenue available, due to the state and federal budget impasses. Unless we receive our state funding that is owed to the district since August, by mid-January, we will be unable to meet payroll and operational costs. Though the federal government appears close to ending its shutdown, it only accounts for a small fraction of education funding. The vast majority comes from local and state sources. Doster and Boykins are among a growing chorus of concerned educators and administrators who have pleaded with the state legislature to pass a budget and fund state institutions. Last week, Gov. Josh Shapiro hinted that the Republican-led Senate and Democrat-led House may be on the verge of closing a deal. I expect them to come back here in the next couple days and wrap this up, said Shapiro after bringing leadership to the table over the course of several days. The Senate is scheduled to return to session Monday, though rumors have swirled about an earlier deal. The Senate has convened infrequently this session, meeting 39 times in the 280 days since Shapiro introduced a budget. Meanwhile taxpayers have given the state $89 million in revenue each day since July 1 without any of it going into the programs it's meant to support, The Center Square reported. Our schools and the students they educate should not be penalized for the legislatures failure to meet its constitutional, legal, and moral obligation to pass a budget on time, wrote Curry. Illinois state Rep. Regan Deering, R-Decatur, speaks at an outdoor event. Photo: Greg Bishop / The Center Square (The Center Square) Illinois lawmakers are responding after America First Legal (AFL) filed a federal complaint urging the U.S. Department of Education to investigate Illinois new law requiring annual student mental health screenings without parental consent, a move the group calls a clear violation of federal law. State Rep. Regan Deering, R-Decatur, who voted against the bill, said shes not surprised by the legal challenge. As a mom, Im concerned about the growing number of mandates coming out of Springfield that are removing parents from decisions about our own children, Deering said. Whether the issue has been curriculum or, in this case, mental health screenings, parents deserve to know whats happening and to give their consent, not an opt-out. Supporters of the law, including Democratic state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, defended it as an urgent step toward addressing what she called a long-standing youth mental health crisis. Our kids deserve timely support, but all too often families hit waitlists or brick walls when searching for a provider with openings or who will take their insurance. As some of us do the urgent work to grow access to care, its disappointing that others spend energy putting up roadblocks, LaPointe told The Center Square. LaPointe sponsored the bill, which passed both chambers in the spring 2025 legislative session. The law requires schools to administer yearly mental health checks for students in grades 3 through 12 without first obtaining affirmative parental permission. Deering said the intention behind the law may be good, but the approach is deeply flawed. Increasing access to mental health resources is, of course, important, but this law is doing it the wrong way, Deering told The Center Square. AFL argues in its complaint the state law violates the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), a federal statute requiring schools to get written consent before asking students personal questions about mental or psychological issues affecting them or their families. The State of Illinois has no right to interrogate, investigate, or even ask children about their emotions or family life without parental consent, said Nick Barry, senior counsel for America First Legal. Federal law is clear: parents decide, not schools, not bureaucrats. This law is unconstitutional, unlawful, and unacceptable. AFL warns the screenings could trigger child welfare investigations, since teachers must report suspected abuse, effectively turning classrooms into state surveillance and undermining parents presumed role as their childrens best advocates. Instead of empowering parents and partnering with schools, its burdening teachers with another unfunded mandate, Deering said. Deering said the law reflects a growing pattern of top-down policymaking that sidelines families. Were looking at a top-down approach thats inviting this exact kind of legal challenge, she said. Its further eroding the trust between our families and our schools. Obtained by CNN A bombing in Pakistans capital Islamabad on Tuesday killed 12 people and injured more than 20 marking the worst suicide attack to rock the city in nearly two decades. Wreaths of gray smoke and orange flames curled over a car in the capital, in a video of the aftermath. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA), a faction of the militant Pakistani Taliban (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement seen by CNN. The JuA has been behind some of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Pakistan in the past decade. However, the TTP distanced itself from the attack, according to the groups spokesman Mohammad Khurasani. The countrys president Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the suicide blast near the citys High Court on Tuesday afternoon. Islamabad requires a high level of security to enter and exit the city with specific security zones throughout the capital. The explosion took place in the parking lot of the citys busy judicial complex in a district full of high-ranking government offices. Authorities located CCTV footage showing a man loitering around the courts having attempted to enter the building before carrying out the attack, according to Mohsin Naqvi, the Pakistani interior minister. He was waiting, but when the police car approached thats when he carried out the attack, Naqvi told reporters on Tuesday. Everyone who enters the court is checked by security and since he was unable to do so, he attacked the police car. We have all the CCTV footage. It was the deadliest suicide attack in the Pakistani capital in close to two decades. The last major attack was in 2008 when a suicide attack by a militant Islamist group at the citys Marriott hotel killed 54 people. Pakistan has faced a surge in Islamist violence since the Afghan Taliban swept Kabul in 2021. Islamabad has long accused Kabul of harboring the TTP. Without providing evidence, Pakistans Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif foisted blame upon Indian terrorist proxies on Tuesday, claiming that other recent militant attacks in the country were being carried out from Afghan soil and backed by India. Delhi rejected the baseless and unfounded allegations in a statement on Tuesday, accusing Islamabad of fomenting desperate diversionary ploys. It is a predictable tactic by Pakistan to concoct false narratives against India in order to deflect the attention of its own public from the ongoing military-inspired constitutional subversion and power-grab unfolding within the country, added Indias foreign ministry. The comments come months after India and Pakistan engaged in the most intense fighting in decades, which saw four days of escalating conflict in May that included fighter jets, missiles, and drones packed with explosives. I saw 40 people fall immediately Manzar Abbas lay on a red and white hospital bed in Islamabad on Tuesday, his bloodied leg strapped with a thick bandage. The 32-year-old PhD student was near a police station close to the courts, when tens of residents immediately hit the ground following the blast. Then, in a split second, a security guard helped him get to hospital. When I was passing the police station close to the courts, I saw the police car pass me and I saw a man go towards it wearing his jacket, Abbas told CNN. I saw about 40 people fall immediately, he added. I had been hit as well and bled a lot. But thank goodness I was saved. Forensic experts examine a car after a suicide blast outside the district court in Islamabad on Tuesday. - Farooq Naeem/AFP/Getty Images Pakistans Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated on X that Pakistan is in a state of war and that this attack should be taken as a wake-up call with regards to negotiations with neighboring Afghanistan. The rulers of Kabul can stop terrorism in Pakistan, but bringing this war all the way to Islamabad is a message from Kabul, to whichpraise be to GodPakistan has the full strength to respond, the Pakistani defense minister added. The Afghan Talibans Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement expressing deep sorrow and condemnation regarding both the attack in Islamabad as well as the attack on the cadet college in the countrys northwest. The statement from Afghanistan did not address the remarks of Pakistans defence minister. Both the embassies of China and the United States condemned the attack. The US Charge dAffaires Natalie Baker said in a statement that the United States stands in solidarity with Pakistan in the struggle against terrorism. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres extended his condolences to the victims families and called for a full investigation, his spokesman said. Clashes between the Pakistani and Afghan militaries in October saw the worst violence between the two countries in years. An attempt to maintain a ceasefire fell apart when peace talks between the two neighbors failed in Istanbul last week following the failure to establish a long-term deal regarding hostile militant groups in Afghanistan that operate against Pakistan. The explosion came less than a day after militants attacked a cadet college in northwestern Pakistan. This story has been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Donald Trump, left, sat down with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, right, on Monday evening. The interview was surprisingly tough at times. - Allison Robbert/Michael M. Santiago/AFP/Getty Images President Trumps Fox News interviewers are sometimes so promotional and deferential that little gets challenged, and almost no news is ever made. However, Laura Ingraham was more strategic than that. On Monday, she sat down with Trump and scrutinized several of his policy proposals, channeling dissension within the pro-Trump ranks and seemingly catching the president off guard. Sounding skeptical of Trumps costs are way down defensiveness, the conservative Fox host asked, Are you saying voters are misperceiving how they feel? Ingraham also asked about his stance on the government shutdown, his demolition of the East Wing, and his understanding of Christianity. After she brought up two issues of particular concern to her MAGA media allies, Trump said, Dont forget, MAGA was my idea. MAGA was nobody elses idea. I know what MAGA wants better than anybody else, and MAGA wants to see our country thrive. Ingrahams approach was in keeping with the tone of her nightly Fox show: She often tries to steer Trump in what she believes is a more productive, ultimately politically successful direction. When Trump was elected in 2016, Ingraham held talks about becoming his press secretary, but she insisted on having a seat at the policymaking table as well. The transition team couldnt agree on how to make room for her, and Sean Spicer was hired as press secretary instead. Ingraham has arguably been more influential on the outside, nudging Trump via the television, and occasionally in person. During Mondays interview, when Trump tried to downplay the impacts of recent air travel chaos, she interjected: There are a lot of delays now, sir. President Trump seemed caught off-guard by his longtime friend and ally Laura Ingrahams at-times critical questions on Monday night. - From Fox News She generally framed her questions in a positive light for the president, while still conveying the concerns of Republican voters. For instance, Ingraham brought up voter anxiety about affordability, as seen in last weeks off-year election results. I know youve been all over the issue, she said, and some prices are way down, but other things, as you noted, have gone up. Is this a voter perception issue of the economy, she asked, or is there more that needs to be done by Republicans on Capitol Hill or done in terms of policy? Trump suggested a perception problem, saying, More than anything else, its a con job by the Democrats. But Ingraham wasnt buying it. She said Joe Biden was criticized including by Trump for saying things were great, and things werent great. A little bit later on, she directly asked, Why are people saying theyre anxious about the economy? Why are they saying that? Trump rejected the premise of the question. I dont know that they are saying that, the president claimed. I think polls are fake. We have the greatest economy weve ever had. Trump also waved off Ingrahams critical question about a recent proposal by Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte for 50-year mortgages. This idea has enraged your MAGA friends, Ingraham pointed out, describing the significant MAGA backlash from people who are calling it a giveaway to the banks and simply prolonging the time it would take for Americans to own a home outright. Trump didnt want to hear it. Of the 50-year mortgage proposal, he said, its not even a big deal. I mean, you know, you go from 40 to 50 years and Ingraham corrected him: From 30 to 50 years. All it means is, you pay less per month, you pay it over a longer period of time, Trump said. Its not like a big factor. It might help a little bit, but the problem was that Biden did this. Then Trump went on to bash Biden some more. However, Ingraham was more interested in hearing the current presidents views about contentious topics. She broached conservative disdain for American colleges and universities and said a lot of MAGA folks, um, are not thrilled about this idea of hundreds of thousands of foreign students in the United States. The Fox host specifically raised Trumps plan to grant student visas for 600,000 Chinese college students, which Trump has justified as a business transaction. I know you and I disagree on this, he said to Ingraham. Were never gonna agree on it. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The mother of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard has been charged with a felony unrelated to her daughter's disappearance, authorities said on Nov. 10. Ashlee Buzzard, 40, has been charged with one count of felony false imprisonment for an incident that occurred on Nov. 6 in Lompoc, California, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's office announced on Nov. 10. Detectives arrested Ashlee Buzzard on Nov. 7 after an incident in which she allegedly "prevented a victim from leaving a location, against their will," the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office said. While law enforcement officials confirmed the alleged crime is not connected to the search for Melodee Buzzard, they said they would not be releasing more information about the incident because it would "impede their ongoing investigation." Ashlee Buzzard is being held on $100,000 bail, and her arraignment hearing is Nov. 12, according to the district attorney's office. As of Nov. 11, Santa Barbara County online court records do not list an attorney for Buzzard. Meanwhile, officials are still searching for the girl. Here's what to know about the case. What to know about the search for Melodee Buzzard Police are searching for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard. Officials are still searching for Melodee Buzzard, who was first reported missing by school administrators on Oct. 14. Ashlee and Melodee Buzzard live in Lompoc, California, approximately 50 miles northwest of Santa Barbara. Ashlee Buzzard has not cooperated in the investigation and has not provided an explanation for her daughter's whereabouts, police previously said. Here's a full timeline of the case: Oct. 14: Melodee Buzzard reported missing. A school administrator reported Melodee missing after her "prolonged absence," according to police. Oct. 15: Investigators say Melodee Buzzard hasn't been seen in at least a year. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office issued a statement asking for the public's help in searching for Melodee, who they initially believed may not have been seen in at least a year. They visited Ashlee and Melodee Buzzard's home, but the mother did not provide a clear explanation of her daughter's whereabouts. Oct. 17: School confirms sighting of Melodee in August. The Lompoc Unified School District confirmed in a statement shared with USA TODAY that Melodee and her mother were seen registering at a school in the district in August. The school district said that Melodee was enrolled in an independent study program, which requires students to pick up assignments. If they don't, school officials contact family members and then follow truancy procedures, which may include contacting law enforcement if necessary, to confirm the student's whereabouts. Melodee's aunt, Lizabeth Meza, also told USA TODAY the girl was previously homeschooled before being enrolled in public school. Oct. 18: FBI joins the investigation. Law enforcement confirmed that the FBI joined the investigation and that searches were conducted at the Buzzard family residence and surrounding areas. Missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard is seen on surveillance footage, which was released by police, on Oct. 7. Oct. 20: Law enforcement says they believe Melodee was seen in early October. Officials said evidence indicated that Melodee was seen with her mother as recently as Oct. 7. The pair is believed to have taken a road trip out of California in a rental car on Oct. 7 and traveled as far as Nebraska. Oct. 24: Officials update timeline of road trip, release new photos of Melodee. Law enforcement released surveillance images of Melodee at a rental car business on Oct. 7. In them, she is wearing a hooded sweatshirt over her head and what appears to be a wig, which investigators said may have been used to alter her appearance, noting that Ashlee Buzzard is also known to wear wigs. Officials also updated the timeline of the pair's road trip. During the three-day trip, they drove from California to Nebraska, but when Ashlee Buzzard returned to California, she was without her daughter. Oct. 30: More search warrants issued. Investigators served follow-up search warrants at the Buzzard family's home, as well as a storage locker and the rental car Melodee was last seen in. Nov. 3: Officials say Ashlee Buzzard altered rental car's license plate, update timeline. After Ashlee and Melodee left California in a rental car bearing a California license plate, officials stated that the vehicle was spotted on Oct. 8 with a New York license plate that may have been used to avoid detection. The car was returned on Oct. 10 in California with the original tag. Investigators said new surveillance images confirmed Melodee was last seen on Oct. 9 between the Colorado-Utah border. During the road trip, the car also traveled through the following areas: Green River and Panguitch, Utah; Northwest Arizona; Primm, Nevada, and Rancho Cucamonga, California. Officials also released additional surveillance footage of Ashlee and Melodee at the rental car business on Oct. 7. Ashlee, like her daughter, also appeared to be wearing a wig in the images. Officials said Ashlee Buzzard and her daughter, 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, were seen on surveillance video at a rental car business on Oct. 7. Nov. 6: Investigators release more surveillance footage of Ashlee, Melodee Buzzard. Investigators released additional surveillance footage of the pair on Oct. 7. They also stated that they believe Ashlee swapped wigs throughout the trip, which may have been intentional to avoid recognition during travel. Nov. 7: Ashlee Buzzard arrested on unrelated charges. Detectives arrested Ashlee Buzzard on a warrant for a felony charge of false imprisonment. The alleged crime was unrelated to Melodee's disappearance, law enforcement said. Nov. 10: Ashlee Buzzard charged. Ashlee Buzzard was charged with one count of felony false imprisonment and is being held on $100,000 bail, according to the district attorney's office. Anyone who may have seen Melodee or has information about her whereabouts can contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office at (805) 681-4150 or via the anonymous tip line at (805) 681-4171. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Melodee Buzzard's mother charged with felony. See timeline of case. The Iowa State Capitol with its gold dome and surrounding towers stands in Des Moines. Photo: Pixabay For years, Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation has warned that Iowas growing reliance on Washingtons money would come with consequences. When the flow of federal dollars slows or stops, programs stall, services falter, and state budgets are left to pick up the pieces. Those warnings have proved correct. From federal policy changes in President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill to the current government shutdown, Iowa is learning what happens when dependence replaces discipline. The shutdown has revealed just how deep that reliance runs. Across Iowa, services tied to federal programs are feeling the squeeze. State officials report delays in payments and uncertainty about how long SNAP and WIC benefits can continue without new appropriations. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds are frozen, forcing Iowa to rely on prior-year balances. Even environmental and food-safety inspections have slowed as federal staff are furloughednot to mention layoffs of federally paid workers in state agencies. Even as Congress argues over cuts, Washington is tightening its grip. Federal support increasingly comes with conditionsrules, reporting requirements, and cost shifts that leave states carrying more of the burden. The One Big Beautiful Billwhich extended and expanded the Tax Cuts and Jobs Actachieved some of its goals by shifting costs onto the states. It added new funding requirements that may force Iowa to pay a larger share of programs like SNAP. As the state assumes more of these costs just to maintain existing services, that burden growscrowding out priorities such as public safety, infrastructure, and tax relief. None of this should surprise anyone. Iowa receives about $13 billion a year from Washingtonmore than the entire $9.4 billion state budget. That imbalance leaves us vulnerable to every congressional fight or agency directive. When Washington sneezes, Des Moines catches a cold. This is not how federalism was meant to work. Under the Constitution, states were to govern most domestic affairs, using federal aid only for exceptional needs. But decades of policy driftfrom the New Deal to the Great Societyhave eroded that balance. Federal money now touches nearly every state and local budget line, bringing red tape and obligations that persist long after the checks stop arriving. The answer isnt to hope Congress behaves responsibly. Iowa must act to protect itself. Lawmakers should pass the Iowa Fiscal Independence Act when they return to Des Moines in January. The Act includes three core provisions: Transparency: Inventory every stream of federal fundingwhat programs it supports, which agencies administer it, and what matching or maintenance-of-effort requirements come with it. Without this accounting, taxpayers and legislators cant assess the risks.Disclosure: Require state agencies to publish all federal guidance dictating how funds are used. Too often, Washingtons suggestions are treated as binding law. Public disclosure would show where federal influence beginsand where Iowa could reclaim authority.Oversight: Require legislative review for all federal matching funds and long-term commitments. When Iowa agrees to a match, it pledges future tax dollarssometimes for decades. Those decisions deserve the same scrutiny as any other appropriation. These steps wont end federal reliance overnight, but they are an essential start. By exposing the scope of federal influence and demanding accountability, Iowa can rebuild the independence that federalism was meant to protect. Free money from Washington always comes with strings attached. As federal spending spirals and politics grow more volatile, Iowa can no longer stake its stability on promises from D.C. True fiscal strength means standing on our own two feetby knowing where every federal dollar goes, demanding transparency, and reasserting control within our own borders. The Iowa Fiscal Independence Act is the path toward lasting autonomy, responsible government, and a stronger future for Iowa taxpayers. Were back with another Orlando adventure, folks. If this is your first time joining us-welcome! You've got a little catching up to do (so make sure to check out the day 1 Orlando itinerary here). Sara and Marisa from Only In Your States podcast, States of Discovery, had quite a long weekend in Orlando, and they continued to explore an anti-tourist approach to off-the-beaten-path restaurants, activities, and excursions. Day 2 was jam-packed in Orlando, from incredible Michelin-recommended food to a walking tour through Rollins College, a 1970s-inspired hotspot in Mills 50, and some of the most delicious Filipino food around. In case you missed it, this is also an audio adventure, too. Join Sara and Marisa as they recount their firsthand experiences of the surprise and delight of Orlando. Prefer an audio adventure? Listen to the Day 2 Orlando podcast episode instead! Se7en Bites Southern Comfort with a Modern Twist Sara Heddleston/Marisa Roman Only In Your State In Orlando's artistic Milk District, Se7en Bites has become more than a brunch spot-it's a local institution. Chef and owner Trina Gregory infuses southern comfort food with heart, nostalgia, and a modern twist, earning the restaurant a coveted MICHELIN Recommendation. Every dish tells a story, from the flaky biscuits and fried green tomato Benedicts to the death row pancakes, easily the best pancakes weve ever eaten. But what truly sets Se7en Bites apart is its warmth-both from the kitchen and the community it's built around. During our conversation, Trina shared how the restaurant was born out of resilience and a deep love for sharing joy through food. For her, "comfort" isn't just a flavor-it's an experience that brings people together, one biscuit at a time. Rollins College Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Walking Tour Sara Heddleston/Marisa Roman Only In Your State Just twenty minutes north in Winter Park, the Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Walking Tour at Rollins College offers a step into the life and legacy of one of television's most beloved figures. The tour we took, guided by Jo Marie Hebeler, traces five meaningful stops around the campus where Fred Rogers studied music composition and developed the values that would define his life's work-kindness, empathy, and understanding. Visitors see original memorabilia, handwritten notes, and even a bronze statue of Rogers seated in quiet reflection. Guests who visit can take a self-guided walking tour during March. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art Tiffany's Light and Legacy Sara Heddleston/Marisa Roman Only In Your State The Morse Museum in Winter Park is a sanctuary of color and craftsmanship, housing the worlds most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Museum representative Arielle-Christine Courtney guided us through galleries that shimmer with Tiffany's legacy-from his iconic stained-glass windows and leaded lamps to his intricate jewelry and pottery. Among the highlights is the reconstructed Daffodil Terrace, originally from Tiffany's Long Island estate, Laurelton Hall-a masterpiece of art and architecture brought back to life. The museum's intimate layout invites visitors to move slowly, letting the interplay of light and glass evoke quiet awe. It's not just an art museum-it's a meditation on beauty itself. Winter Park Park Avenue Small Town Charm Sara Heddleston/Marisa Roman Only In Your State No visit to Winter Park is complete without a stroll along Park Avenue, where cobblestone streets, canopy trees, and boutique storefronts create a postcard-perfect scene. This charming district stretches for ten blocks, lined with over 140 restaurants, cafes, and shops. It's here that Rifle Paper Co., the internationally celebrated stationery brand, first opened its doors-proof that big dreams can bloom in small towns. Visitors can browse The Spice & Tea Exchange or stop into Writers Block for a unique bookstore experience. A stroll here on an afternoon of exploration will not disappoint. Alfie's HiFi The Soundtrack of the 70s Sara Heddleston/Marisa Roman Only In Your State Evening brings a change in tempo as we head back to Orlando's Mills 50 District, where Alfie's HiFi Lounge captures the glamour and groove of the 1970s. Created by Keith Mawardi and his team, this vinyl listening bar merges retro nostalgia with sleek modern design. Inside, guests sip on throwback cocktails like the Harvey Wallbanger while DJs spin curated vinyl sets that range from disco to funk and soul. Alfie's isn't just a bar-it's an experience, a reminder of the tactile joy of records, analog culture, and the communal magic of music. Kaya Filipino Soul, Florida Heart Sara Heddleston/Marisa Roman Only In Your State Dinner at Kaya feels like being welcomed into someone's home-if that home happened to serve some of the most thoughtful, beautifully plated Filipino-inspired dishes in Florida. Located in the heart of Mills 50, Kaya redefines casual fine dining with a seafood-forward tasting menu that celebrates both Filipino heritage and Florida's local bounty. The name "Kaya" translates to "capable," and the restaurant's mission-kaya natin, or "we can"-embodies a philosophy of community, care, and possibility. Every course feels like a story told with heart, honoring culture while pushing creative boundaries. Kaya isn't just feeding guests-it's inspiring them. Cocktails & Screams Orlando After Dark Sara Heddleston/Marisa Roman Only In Your State To close the day, Cocktails & Screams offers one final dose of Orlando's signature quirk. This horror-themed bar in downtown Orlando transforms nightlife into a theatrical experience with haunting decor, eerie cocktails, and a crowd that fully embraces the fun. After a day spent exploring the beauty and heart of the city, this spot captures Orlando's other side-the playful, creative edge that keeps it endlessly surprising. Pro tip: visit during an evening of karaoke for an even better experience. Bonus points if you get on stage. Wrapping Up: Heres the Orlando Day 2 Itinerary Se7en Bites Rollins College The Morse Museum Winter Park Alfies HiFi Lounge Kaya Cocktails & Screams All in all, day 2 in Orlando did not disappoint. Stay tuned for the final Orlando adventure for Sara and Marisa, and perhaps a near-death experience. Pierce Brosnan has reconciled with his estranged son Christopher 20 years after the actor cut him out of his life due to drug issues. MEGA Pierce Brosnan has been pictured with his estranged son Christopher 20 years after cutting ties due to his drug addiction. RadarOnline.com can reveal the former James Bond actor, 73, was seen with his adopted son in London last week alongside his biological son Dylan for a family dinner. Family Reunion Brosnan, here with granddaughter Isabella Smith, attended a family dinner with Christopher and his other son Dylan, left.MEGA An onlooker said: "They both looked happy and relaxed while sitting down with one of Brosnan's other sons Dylan. "Pierce and Christopher's problems have been well documented. But it seems they've managed to put them behind them. It was really nice to see them together." Christopher suffered from cocaine and heroin addictions and once fell into a coma following an overdose. Back in 2005, Brosnan said Christophers problems had become so bad, he was forced to "cut him off." He said: "Christopher is still very lost. Shockingly so. I know where he is, but he's having a hard life. "I can only have strong faith and believe he will recover. He has tested everybody in this family but none more so than himself. He knows how to get out. He doesn't want to." Twenty-Year Estrangement Brosnan said he cut Christopher out of his life but he was in 'my prayers.'MEGA Proving that it was a case of tough love, Brosnan continued: "It's painful because you shut down. You never completely cut them off, but I have cut Christopher off. I had to say, 'Go. Get busy living, or get busy dying.' He has my prayers." Christopher is the biological son of Brosnan's late first wife, Australian actress Cassandra Harris, and her ex-husband Dermot Harris. Brosnan adopted both Christopher and his sister Charlotte after their biological dad Dermot died in 1986. Tragically, Charlotte died from ovarian cancer the same illness that took the life of her mother in 2013 at the age of just 41. In 1983, Brosnan and Cassandra also welcomed their son, Sean William Brosnan. Father's Day Hope Brosnan reached out to Christopher in a Father's Day post back in June 2022. MEGA Christopher worked on two of Pierce's Bond films as an assistant director, including The World Is Not Enough. Brosnan went on to marry Keely Shaye Smith. The pair has been together since 1994 and tied the knot at Ballintubber Abbey in County Mayo, Ireland, in 2001. Brosnan appeared to reach out to Christopher in a Father's Day post back in June 2022. He wrote: "My love forever to you dear sons, Paris, Dylan, Sean and Christopher, thank you deeply for your love on this Father's Day." In 1997, Christopher was jailed for three months for drink-driving after being fined 1,000 for the same offence the year earlier. Christopher was also involved in a massive brawl at Browns nightclub in London and was later banned from the venue. Brosnan married Keely Shaye Smith after his first wife, Christopher's mom Cassandra, died of cancer.MEGA He was arrested for theft at another club London celeb hotspot, Chinawhite, but charges were later dropped. Brosnan also grew up without a father figure after his dad Tom abandoned the family shortly after he was born. He recalled that he only met Tom once as he filmed Remington Steele in Ireland in 1984. Brosnan said: "My fatherly instincts are purely my own. They relate back to no one, because there was no one. "I only met Tom the once, I had a Sunday afternoon with him. A story about this and that, had a few pints of Guinness, and we said goodbye. "I would have loved to have known him. He was a good whistler and he had a good walk. That's as much as I know about him." A North Carolina emblem features the state flag, a cardinal, and dogwood flowers, symbolizing the Tarheel State. Photo: Alan Wooten / The Center Square (The Center Square) Short of going through the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office in the Office of Federal Acknowledgment, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolinas long-sought full federal recognition will continue to be fought by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. In Wednesdays Senate hearing on Capitol Hill before the Committee on Indian Affairs, Sen. Thom Tillis said the level of unity and support has never been greater. And its a fight that began 137 years ago, three years after recognition by the state of North Carolina. The Lumbee were among the dozens of victims of the termination era, one of the darkest periods in federal Indian policy, the second-term Republican said. In 1956, Congress passed the Lumbee Act. It acknowledged the tribe but cruelly denied them the benefits and the recognition that every other tribe receives. The federal government has since worked to correct the grave injustices of the determination error for nearly every single tribe except for the Lumbee. Time and again, the Lumbee have proven their case. From the Qualla Boundary adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Eastern Band of Cherokees disagree. What we heard today from the Lumbee and their supporters were groundless assertions and storytelling claims for which there is no verifiable historical or genealogical evidence, Principal Chief Michell Hicks of the Cherokees said in a statement provided to The Center Square. Evidence is what matters in federal recognition, and evidence is what is missing here. There is a lawful process created for this purpose administered by the Office of Federal Acknowledgment. That is where claims must be reviewed, and where evidence must be tested. If there is evidence, submit it to the OFA. If there is a tribe, the process will show it. Tillis says a trip to Robeson, Hoke or Scotland counties, or the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, will wipe away doubts. He says more than 235 federally recognized tribes stand with the Lumbees in their quest, including the Alaska Federation of Natives that represents 186 tribes and corporations. These days, it's rare to see Republicans and Democrats come together on anything, Tillis said. But when it comes to Lumbee recognition, the support is overwhelming and it's bipartisan. We're talking about support from President Donald J. Trump, President Biden, Vice President J.D. Vance, former Vice President Kamala Harris, Governor Josh Stein, the North Carolina General Assembly and nearly every member of our state's congressional delegation. Here in the Senate, nearly two dozen members from both parties have cosponsored the Lumbee Fairness Act. That includes Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, members of the panel. Although there have been changes to the BIA process, we still do not know if its going to take 20 to 30 years just like it already does, testified Lumbee Chairman John Lowery. I dont want my people waiting another 30 years to go through the process. Plus, he said, possible litigation behind that by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Hicks said he doesnt want recognition legislated or manufactured by Congress. For too long, this debate has been driven by politics and emotion, rather than the standards and documentation that protect tribal sovereignty, he said. Federal recognition is not symbolic; it is a binding government-to-government agreement based on documented history, documented community, and documented tribal continuity that predates the United States. Fellow Republican North Carolina Sen. Ted Budd is a cosponsor for Tillis. In the House of Representatives, Rep. David Rouzer, R-N.C., has sponsored a bill by the same name that since Jan. 16 has been in the Committee on Natural Resources. Rudy Giuliani offered some brutal advice for Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani Monday telling his successor he should never take office as leader of the Big Apple. My advice to him is to step down and do something else, Giuliani told The Post of the proud democratic socialist who he branded a communist right out of Karl Marx. Rudy Giuliani claims Mamdani is ill-equipped to be mayor of New York City. Paul Martinka Giuliani, a Republican former two-term mayor of the city, blasted Mamdani as ill-equipped for the job and claimed he was a supporter of Muslim extremism after the Democratic Party nominee rubbed elbows with controversial Imam Suraj Wahhaj, a radical who had once urged a gun-free jihad on the city. The imam he was with is a strong supporter of terrorism, Giuliani said, referring to a picture taken during the campaign of Mamdani who will be the citys first Muslim mayor smiling widely with Wahhaj. Im not worried that hes a Muslim. Im worried that he supports Muslim extremism, Giuliani said. Zohran Mamdani is a serious security threat to the United States of America said Giuliani. AP Giuliani, who was once considered Americas mayor for leading the city during and after the Sept. 11, 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attacks, later went on to be a Trump attorney. He was pardoned by the Trump administration for his part in the alleged effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election that saw Democrat Joe Biden defeat Trump. Trump returned to office after the 2024 election. You think the federal government will give this guy a security clearance? Giuliani said. Zohran Mamdani is a serious security threat to the United States of America. Hes a communist and a sympathizer for Muslim terrorism. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Governor George Pataki stand on stage as mourners gather at Ground Zero on September 11, 2002. AP He blasted Mamdanis critical views of Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as antisemitic. Israel seems like an obsession with him, Giuliani claimed, noting Mamdanis support of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel. The BDS movement wants to wipe out the State of Israel. Mamdani is one of the best known antisemites in the country, Giuliani railed. Giuliani said his other advice to his incoming successor was to love America. The mayor-elect had no immediate comment on Giulianis stunning condemnation. Senate Reaches Deal To Fund Government, Advancing Legislation To End Shutdown (Photo by Tom Brenner/Getty Images) The Senate approved a government funding package to reopen the federal government Monday night over the objections of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and a majority of Democrats. Lawmakers voted 60 to 40 to pass the legislation with eight Democrats joining with Republicans to support the measure. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was the lone Republican to vote no, citing the measures insufficient spending cuts. (RELATED: Schumer Shutdown Becomes Circular Firing Squad After Growing Number Of Democrats Call For His Ouster) Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Dick Durbin of Illinois voted yes on the legislation to bring an end to the 41-day shutdown standoff. Independent Maine Sen. Angus King, who caucuses with Democrats, also supported the funding package. The bipartisan shutdown package will fund the government through the end of January and advance a slate of appropriations bills that will fund the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Agriculture, the legislative branch and military construction for the current fiscal year. In return, Senate Republicans have committed to holding a vote on extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies slated to expire at years end and rehire federal workers laid off during the shutdown. President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Monday that he will abide by the terms of the deal, calling it very good. The successful vote brings Congress one step closer to ending the record-breaking shutdown. The House of Representatives will have to approve the legislation before President Donald Trump can sign the measure into law. WASHINGTON, DC NOVEMBER 09: Sen. Angus King (I-ME) speaks during a press conference following a vote on Capitol Hill on November 9, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Senate convened for a rare Sunday session in an attempt to end the government shutdown. (Photo by Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images) The final vote came after the same group of Democratic caucus members advanced the stopgap bill on Sunday night in a notable break with Schumer and House Democratic leadership. The defecting senators argued the shutdowns pain for Americans had become too great and that the minor concessions secured from Republicans were sufficient. Many of my friends are unhappy. They think we should have kept our government closed indefinitely, Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat who supported the shutdown deal, said on the Senate floor Monday. I cannot accept a strategy which wages political battle at the expense of my neighbors paycheck or the food for his children. Its become clear after six weeks of the shutdown that the strategy of shutting down the government and forcing the Republicans to talk about the ACA wasnt working, King said in a video posted to social media on Sunday night. The shutdown wasnt achieving its goal, and it was at the same time hurting a lot of people. The group of seven Democrats and King voted to advance the funding package on Monday evening despite scathing criticism from their Democratic colleagues, left-wing activists and the partys base. Fetterman told the Daily Caller News Foundation Monday that more than eight Democratic caucus members supported the Senate deal but were scared to publicly back the legislation. There were plenty more than beyond just the eight that wanted to vote [yes] but they were afraid, Fetterman said. What has worked in the past is not working now, Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who voted against the government funding package, told reporters Monday regarding Schumers strategy during the shutdown. We need to meet the moment, and were not doing that. Slotkin and a large chunk of congressional Democrats slammed the shutdown deal as insufficient for failing to secure an ACA subsidy extension. Though Senate Majority Leader John Thune has pledged to hold a vote on an extension bill of Democrats choosing in December, Republicans overwhelmingly oppose a clean extension. Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn told reporters Monday that a planned vote on a Democratic ACA bill has no chance of passing. Though a number of senators briefly held up the shutdown package Monday, every member ultimately consented to fast-track the legislation to a vote on final passage. The American people have suffered for long enough. Lets not pointlessly drag this bill out, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on the Senate floor Monday. Lets get it done and get it over to the House so that we can get this government open. House Speaker Mike Johnson urged lawmakers on Monday to return to Washington to vote on the spending measures later this week. The earliest the House could vote on the legislation is Wednesday, due to Congress observing Veterans Day on Tuesday. And as of Sunday, nearly half of all domestic flights and U.S. flights were either canceled or delayed. And its a very serious situation, Johnson told reporters. So, Im saying that by way of reminder, Im stating the obvious to all my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats in the House. You need to begin right now returning to the Hill. We have to do this as quickly as possible. All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org. WASHINGTON The Senate passed legislation Monday night to reopen the government and end the record-long shutdown after eight Democrats broke with their party and joined Republicans to break the logjam. The vote was 60-40, with every Republican except Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voting in favor of the measure. The measure now goes to the House, which could vote as early as Wednesday to pass the package and send it to President Donald Trump, who said Monday that he supports the bipartisan deal. Senate passage came after a long vote series to reject several amendments and package the components of a deal into one. The legislation includes a "minibus" of three full-year appropriations bills, including a full funding of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits through the end of next September, and keeps much of the government open on a short-term basis through Jan. 30. But in a major concession for Democrats, the deal does not include an extension of enhanced subsidies under Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act, after Republicans held firm against extending those funds beyond this year. That means more than 20 million Americans could see their premiums spike next year. The American people have now awoken to Trumps health care crisis, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Monday before voting against the legislation. Democrats demanded that we find a way to fix this crisis and quickly, but Republicans have refused to move an inch. So, I cannot support the Republican bill thats on the floor because it fails to do anything of substance to fix Americas health care crisis. The Senate deal with Republicans was struck by Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H. Joining them to support the measure were Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Dick Durbin of Illinois, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and Tim Kaine of Virginia. "This was the only deal on the table," Shaheen told reporters before the vote. "It was our best chance to reopen the government and immediately begin negotiations to extend the ACA tax credits that tens of millions of Americans rely on to keep costs down." Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., arrives at the Senate chamber Monday. (J. Scott Applewhite / AP) Durbin said that while he shares other Democrats misgivings about the Trump administration, he cannot accept a strategy that wages political battle at the expense of paychecks for federal workers by keeping the government closed. Despite backing down on their main demand during the shutdown, the Democrats walked away with a promise by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to vote on an ACA funding bill by the end of the second week of December. But there's no guarantee that will achieve the 60 votes necessary to pass, which is why most Democrats voted against the negotiated bill. King said reopening the government boosts the prospects of an ACA funding extension to maybe 50%, but he added, I cant guarantee a result. Nobody can. And in a bad omen for that cause, all 53 Senate Republicans voted Monday against including a simple one-year extension of the ACA funds, proposed by Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., in the funding bill. That vote came in the run-up to final passage. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., held a conference call with House Republicans on Monday morning and laid out a potential timetable for votes this week after the chamber has been out of session since Sept. 19, according to four sources on the call. Johnson said hes hoping to vote as soon as Wednesday on the Senates deal to reopen the government. Still, even though the vote timing is fluid, members were encouraged on the call to start getting back to Washington, D.C., as soon as possible given the air travel delays. The speaker also vowed that, before the House votes, he will swear in Democratic Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won her special election Sept. 23. The House has been out of session since Sept. 19 in an unusually long and unscheduled recess. Following her swearing-in, the House will then vote on a rule for the Senate deal, followed by final passage, and then the House will leave town again, Johnson told members on the call. While the House vote is expected to be tight and leadership is still in the process of doing a whip check, Johnson expressed confidence that theyd be able to pass the Senates government funding package, the sources said. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said House Democrats are focused on dealing with the bill thats coming over from the Senate to the House, and were going to fight hard to defeat it. Asked if the shutdown was worth it, Jeffries said Democrats waged a battle on behalf of the American people. He added that the fight lives on. Jeffries deferred to House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., when asked if all Democrats will vote against the bill. A group of transgender servicemembers, who served up to 18 years in the Air Force, are suing the military for depriving them of their retirement benefits after the Trump administration booted all transgender troops from the military's ranks. More than a dozen transgender servicemembers are asking a court to reinstate the pensions they say the Air Force promised them as they were forced out of the military, only to rip them away in the subsequent months, according to attorneys who said they filed suit on their behalf on Nov. 10. President Donald Trump issued an executive order earlier this year ordering the Pentagon to oust all transgender troops. Transgender soldiers who resigned of their own accord would receive "voluntary separation pay," according to Pentagon guidance. Those who didn't could be identified via "medical record reviews" and expelled. Air Force yanks transgender members' pensions Amid the purge, the Air Force told transgender troops in May that those being expelled after 15 to 18 years of service could apply for early retirement benefits. All the plaintiffs received their official retirement orders the following month. Then, on Aug. 4, the Air Force changed its mind. "After careful consideration, I am disapproving" of all of those airmen's applications for retirement benefits, Brian Scarlett, the acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs, wrote in a memo. 'It feels like a betrayal': The Air Force promised retirement to trans members of 15 to 18 years. Then it reneged. "The military, the Air Force, is seeing my service as meaningless," said Logan Ireland, 37, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit. Ireland, who served for 15 years, told USA TODAY that he had lined up his finances and started applying to other jobs when his retirement was suddenly rescinded. While his command team has been supportive, officials have not responded to his requests to speak to higher-ups in the military, he said. "I want to know why," he said. "Why is my retirement being taken from me?" The Air Force has said the group of people who lost benefits had an opportunity to apply for voluntary separation pay. The Air Force said it does not comment on ongoing litigation. A group of 17 transgender Air Force members are suing the Pentagon for ripping away their retirement benefits after they were booted from the military. Shannon Minter, the legal director for the National Center for LGBTQ Rights and an attorney representing the group, said some plaintiffs could stand to lose millions of dollars. They and their families will also lose military healthcare, Minter added. Minter said the military only rescinds retirement pay in extremely rare circumstances. He pointed to an Air Force policy that lists "fraud, manifest error, mathematical error, mistake of law, or substantial new evidence" as the only acceptable rationales for revoking pensions. "Ordinarily, when the military, in this case the Air Force, issues retirement orders, those are sacrosanct," said Minter. "It is unheard of for such an order to be rescinded, much less with no explanation and no justification." The Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration in allowing the ban on transgender people serving in the military to take effect in May. This story has been updated. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trans troops sue Air Force for revoking retirement benefits President Trump is welcoming Syrias transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa for a historic visit to the White House on Monday, a powerful symbol of the countrys return to the international community from its pariah status under the Assad regime. Al-Sharaa will be the first Syrian leader to ever meet with the president at the White House. The visit is meant to further demonstrate al-Sharaas transformation from a jihadist fighting Americans in Iraq to a global statesman. The visit comes nearly one year since al-Sharaa led a lightning offensive at the head of the formerly designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham into Damascus, sending the countrys dictator for more than two decades, Bashar Assad, fleeing to Russia. Since that time, the U.S. under the Biden and Trump administrations has taken steps to embrace al-Sharaa, viewing him as the best chance to rehabilitate Syria after more than 11 years of civil war, more than half a century of violent oppression, and ongoing challenges with sectarian violence. Syrias more-than-four-decade inclusion on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism is likely to end in December, as the Trump administration works to lift all sanctions on the country. This regime has done a very good job, in spite of the speed bumps, said Trumps special envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, speaking during the International Institute for Strategic Studies Manama Dialogue last week. Not everyone in Washington is sold on al-Sharaas transformation. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast (R-Fla.) is expressing concerns about Trumps desire, and congressional efforts, to fully repeal the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act. Discussions on Caesar Repeal are ongoing but my concerns should be obvious to anyone following the situation in Syria, Mast said in a statement to The Hill on Thursday, without elaborating. Mast is part of a small bipartisan and bicameral group that is cautious about a full repeal, saying the legislation provides a framework to make sure al-Sharaas government follows through on key U.S. priorities: establishing inclusive governance, protection for minorities, religious freedom and ensuring justice. Sectarian violence against Alawites on the Syrian coast in March, a terrorist attack targeting a church in Damascus in June and Bedouin attacks against the Druze in the south in July further fueled congressional concerns. The Caesar sanctions were enacted in 2019 amid evidence of grave atrocities committed against civilians by the Assad regime, essentially blocking any international financing with Damascus. A larger group of House and Senate lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and a coalition of advocates including the original authors of the Caesar act said the legislation has served its purpose and hinders the new governments efforts to rebuild the country, where an estimated 90 percent of the population is below the poverty line. We must repeal Caesar sanctions so the Syrian people have a real chance at recovery after decades of dictatorship, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the lead co-sponsor on the effort to repeal, said in a statement to The Hill. Ending these sanctions will allow American businesses and our allies to invest in a more stable, hopeful future in the Middle East, free from ISIS and the malign influence of Iran, Russia and China. Without repeal, Trump can only waive Caesar sanctions for six months at a time. Meanwhile, the administration sponsored a resolution at the United Nations Security Council last week that removed international sanctions on al-Sharaa and Syrias interior minister, Anas Khattab. We consider [this resolution] a sign of a growing confidence in the new Syria, its people and its leadership, Syrias U.N. delegate, Ambassador Ibrahim Abdulmalik Olabi, said, describing it as a badge of honor and adding that Damascus continues to extend its hand to all countries of the world. The Trump administration removed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from its list of terrorist groups earlier this year, and the State Department on Friday removed al-Sharaa and the interior minister from the list of specially designated global terrorists. This new Syrian government, led by President al-Sharaa, is working hard to [find] 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, State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement. For Trump, stability in Syria brings a host of benefits to the presidents larger goals in the Middle East, primarily as a strategic state to counter Irans influence eliminating Syria as a base of operations for Irans proxy forces to proliferate and cutting off the weapons route to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Al-Sharaa is expected to announce at the White House that Syria will join the international coalition to defeat the Islamic State group; remnants of the group across the region remain a persistent threat to peace and security. Getting Syria to take on a greater security role could help Trump follow through on drawing down the approximately 2,000 U.S. troops in northeast Syria, a move he tried to make in his first term that was stymied by opponents in his administration and bipartisan members on Capitol Hill. Syrian Minister of Information Hamza al-Mustafa rejected a report this week that the U.S. was looking to establish a military presence in Damascus. A major priority for the president is to normalize ties between Israel and Syria, bringing Damascus into the Abraham Accords, Trumps 2020 agreements that he has held up as worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize. The president on Thursday welcomed Kazakhstan, which had established ties with Israel in 1992, into the accords. What the president has done is actually signaled that the momentum of the Abraham Accords is alive and well in the second administration. I think its not just going to be Kazakhstan, but also a number of other countries that join in the months to come, Vice President Vance said Thursday. Barrack said last week that Israel and Syria are on their fifth set of discussions surrounding their borders, boundaries and de-escalation. You could very quickly have a realignment of a tapestry that we havent seen in the Middle East, he said. What Trump is trying to achieve with Syria fits into his larger vision for the Middle East, moving beyond historic grievances to focus on mutual economic benefit. At a moment where you have a president of the United States saying enough. A hundred years of this confusion, of these old thoughts, of these old ideas and people not moving off of them, when you have the most dominant region in the world if you combine capital with fossil fuels with resourceful people has got to end, Barrack said. And thats where he is. Thats what were trying to do. 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. President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he departs the White House on October 24, 2025. - Allison Robbert/AP/File So much of the coverage of President Donald Trumps pardons is focused on how political they are. And they are certainly political extraordinarily so. But as Trumps latest batch of pardons reinforces, thats only half the story. The more ominous trend is not just that hes pardoning political allies; its that hes pardoning allies in very transactional ways. Hes pardoning lots and lots of people who helped Trump, specifically. After previously dangling pardons over allies involved in sensitive investigations involving Trump himself and later delivering those pardons hes now pardoned oodles of people who took illegal or legally dubious action on his behalf. Trump is creating a permission structure in which people will credibly think they cant be held accountable in federal court, as long as what theyre doing benefits Trump. Hes been cultivating this for a long time, but he seems to be getting more brazen about it. Trumps most recent pardons, which were announced overnight by Justice Department official Ed Martin, are for 77 people who played roles in trying to overturn his 2020 election loss. These officials include former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell and the presidents former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, along with many of the people involved in the so-called fake electors scheme. The pardons are symbolic, in that these people havent actually been charged with federal crimes. Some of them face state-level charges, for which Trump cannot pardon them. But thats also what makes these so notable. Trump is using this symbolic gesture to expand the ranks of people who went to great and legally dubious lengths to help him try to overturn the 2020 election and who later received pardons. When you combine these new pardons with the pardons and commutations given to January 6, 2021, defendants and Trump allies who testified in cases involving the president, across his two terms Trump has now pardoned more than 1,650 people who played significant roles in matters involving him personally. Those people account for more than 84% of pardons and commutations awarded by Trump. (Trump has otherwise been remarkably stingy with his clemency powers, when the matters didnt involve him or his allies.) And many of these people engaged in violence, including against police, in the name of helping Trump. What message does that send to other people who might go to remarkable lengths to help Trump carry out his agenda? To participate in legally dubious administration actions things like its boat strikes in the Caribbean? To carry out his deportation agenda in rather brutal ways? Or to perhaps even try to help him stay in power, as more than 1,600 people did before receiving pardons for their actions? The sheer volume of these self-serving pardons is hardly the only indicator that Trump is wielding them for political and transactional purposes. Official reports from the various Russia investigations referred to how Trump appeared to dangle pardons over people who were in positions to provide potentially derogatory information about him. These people included former advisers Roger Stone, Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn. Special counsel Robert Mueller said in his report that Trumps repeated comments about potentially pardoning Manafort had the potential to influence Manaforts decision whether to cooperate with the government. All were later pardoned by Trump in his first term. And perhaps most notably, Trumps pardon of Manafort came after Manafort lied to investigators in ways that threw them off in a key portion of the probe. Manaforts lies came after he cut a deal to cooperate with investigators. A bipartisan Senate report seemed to regard these lies as particularly inexplicable, given they opened Manafort up to much more prison time. But ultimately, Manaforts gamble appeared to pay off with Trump, when the president gave him the pardon he had repeatedly dangled as a potential reward for staying loyal. Both the Mueller report and the Senate report also referred to how Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen said he was led to believe the Trump White House would help him with his pardon if he stayed in line. Cohen told the Senate Intelligence Committee that he discussed a potential pardon with a fellow Trump lawyer more than half a dozen times. He said the lawyer told him after he testified to Congress that Trump heard that you did great, and dont worry, everythings going to be fine. He loves ya. Giuliani himself also publicly floated pardons related to witnesses in the Russia investigation. He at one point told the New York Daily News that when the whole thing is over, things might get cleaned up with some presidential pardons. He told CNN around the same time that When its over, hey, hes the president of the United States. He retains his pardon power. Nobody is taking that away from him. And then there are the comments of another lawyer who figured prominently in the efforts to overturn the 2020 election, John Eastman. Just a few days after the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol, Eastman emailed Giuliani, saying, Ive decided that I should be on the pardon list, if that is still in the works. We still dont know who was keeping such a pardon list, or why. But it signaled that those around Trump seemed to sense their actions were at least legally problematic and were preparing accordingly very shortly after January 6. Indeed, some involved had either been told their plans were illegal or acknowledged it in the days and weeks beforehand, but they pressed forward anyway. Then they rather quickly seemed to start talking about pardons. Nearly five years later, Eastman has joined Giuliani in actually being on a Trump pardon list. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON President Donald Trump is ratcheting up pressure on the Supreme Court not to overturn his tariffs, arguing that an adverse decision would create a financial and national security crisis so big the U.S. may not ever be able to recover. Trump claimed in a post on social media that the potential harm of halting the tariffs and issuing refunds was far greater than what the government's lawyers argued in court, because they did not take into account the total amount of money that U.S. is projected to bring in over the next decade. Trump's tariffs had generated roughly $100 billion in tax revenue by the end of October. However, the Congressional Budget Office projected the tariffs would generate $3.3 trillion in revenue over a decade and allow paying off debt faster to reduce interest payments by $700 billion over a decade, for a total of a $4 trillion value to the government. The Justice Department, in fact, told the Supreme Court in a written filing that the tariffs will reduce the national deficit by $4 trillion. And Neal Katyal, the lawyer representing the small businesses challenging the tariffs highlighted that amount during the courts Nov. 5 oral arguments to emphasize the scope of revenue-raising power the president is claiming. Still, Trump said the court "was given the wrong numbers." "The 'unwind' in the event of a negative decision on Tariffs, would be, including investments made, to be made, and return of funds, in excess of 3 Trillion Dollars. It would not be possible to ever make up for that kind of a 'drubbing,'" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "That would truly become an insurmountable National Security Event, and devastating to the future of our Country - Possibly non-sustainable!" President Donald Trump speaks at the White House in Washington, DC, on Nov. 10, 2025. Top takeaways: Justices question Trump tariffs as Supreme Court weighs keeping them The pressure campaign on the high court came after justices who have often ruled in Trump's favor voiced skepticism in nearly three hours of arguments on Nov. 5 over his ability to bypass Congress and unilaterally impose sweeping tariffs. Only Congress has the power to impose taxes, and justices indicated they had concerns about legislators' ability to curb the presidents power to impose tariffs in the future. Reimbursing the tariffs that have already been paid came up during the hearing, with Justice Amy Coney Barrett asking about the level of difficulty the government would face if it had to issue refunds. Katyal, the lawyer representing businesses opposed to the tariffs, argued that the potential strain was not a reason for the court to side with the administration. He said the court could opt to strike down the tariffs moving forward. "We don't deny that it's difficult," Katyal said, "but I think what this Court has said in (a previous case), a serious economic dislocation isn't a reason to do something." Trump, however, said a ruling against him "would be a disaster." "Frankly, it would be a national security problem for our country. And nobody thinks it's going to be reversed. I think we had a very good court case. As you know, it's before the Supreme Court right now," Trump said in the Oval Office on Nov. 10. The president insinuated over the weekend that there was enough money coming in from tariffs that he could offer American families rebates. Any excess money the United States takes in, he said, will be used to pay down the national debt, which currently stands at $38 trillion. "Were going to issue a dividend to our middle income people and lower-income people of about $2,000 and were going to use the remaining tariffs to lower our debt, were going to be lowering our debt, which is a national security thing," Trump said in the Oval Office on Nov. 10. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan nonprofit that studies fiscal policy, projects that the rebates could cost around $600 billion which is about double what the United States is expected to generate from the new duties on imports this year. Any paychecks to American families would require congressional approval. This story has been updated to add new information. Contributing: Bart Jansen, Joey Garrison This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says US may not recover if Supreme Court overturns tariffs Stockholm A rising number of mysterious drone sightings near airports and military bases has fueled concern in Europe over alleged Russian incursions into NATO airspace, with some of America's allies already saying the continent is in a gray zone between peace and war accusing Moscow of escalating "hybrid warfare." NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is arguably the United States' most important alliance, enduring for over 75 years. In Sweden, CBS News saw that alliance in action this week in waters contested by Russia. Our team watched as an enemy submarine prepared for a covert espionage and sabotage mission in the Baltic Sea against America's NATO allies in northern Europe. Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge of the U.S. Navy is seen at right, next to the HSwMS Belos submarine rescue ship of the Swedish Navy (left) in the harbor in Stockholm, Sweden, in a June 3, 2022, file photo taken ahead of a NATO exercise in the southern Baltic Sea. / Credit: HENRIK MONTGOMERY/TT News Agency/AFP/Getty It was just a military exercise, launched from Stockholm's harbor, and a German submarine played the role of the unnamed enemy being hunted by NATO forces across the Baltic Sea. U.S. forces took part, flying overhead in spy planes. "NATO is a defensive alliance," Commander Arlo Abrahamson, a U.S. Navy officer and a spokesman for NATO's maritime headquarters, which has been closely monitoring Russia's military build-up in the Baltic, told CBS News. "The potential threats of adversaries in this region are interconnected throughout the world." Abrahamson said that if northern Europe is drawn into a conflict, it would have a negative impact on the United States, too. A map graphic shows in dark blue the European nations which, along with the United States and Canada, are members of the transatlantic NATO defense alliance. / Credit: brichuas/Getty Images Several of America's NATO allies share a Baltic coastline with Russia. In recent years, Russia is suspected of carrying out multiple acts of sabotage including damaging undersea data cables that are the backbone of the global internet. Some believe Russia is using the Baltic Sea as a testing ground, to see how much damage it could do to the West's economy if it ever went to war with NATO. Undersea cables carry trillions of dollars worth of financial transactions every day. The country leading the exercises this week, Sweden, gave CBS News rare access to one of its stealth warships, the HMS Helsingborg, as it hunted for the pseudo-enemy sub. The Swedish Royal Navy's steal warship HMS Helsingborg is seen during operational trials in a June 25, 2009 file photo taken in Stockholm. / Credit: OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty For more than 200 years, Sweden maintained a policy of military non-alignment, but last year, following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, it became NATO's newest member. "We face the Russians every day, sharing the same duck pond, so to say," submarine flotilla Commander Paula Wallenburg, of the Swedish navy, told CBS News. She echoed Lithuanian officials' recent accusation that Russia is engaged in a kind of hybrid warfare with the alleged airspace violations and acts of sabotage. "We're not at peace, but not at war," she said. "We're somewhere in between." Wallenburg agreed that the current circumstances look "pretty close to" those seen during the Cold War, when the nuclear-armed U.S. and then-Soviet Union tested each other's resolve in a high-stakes face off that never quite turned into a full-scale war. "It's a very serious situation when it comes to security here in this area," she said. The Kremlin has actually said already that Russia is at war with NATO, because of the alliance's support for Ukraine. America's NATO allies around the Baltic Sea, including Sweden, Finland, Poland and Germany, have all resolved to significantly boost their domestic military spending and beef up their defenses. How Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal that may end government shutdown Passengers wait hours as air traffic control staffing issues due to shutdown disrupt travel Government shutdown end in sight as some Democrats split and help Republicans The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), a nuclear-powered supercarrier, which is the largest aircraft carrier in the world, is anchored in the Bay of Palma after arriving to Palma de Mallorca on October 3, 2025. Credit - Jaime ReinaAFP via Getty Images The United States Navys most advanced aircraft carrier has arrived in the Latin American region, officials said on Tuesday, capping a months-long military build-up that has coincided with increased threats against Venezuela from the Trump Administration. The Pentagon said the deployment of the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford, the largest and most advanced aircraft carrier in the world, would enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle transnational criminal organisations. The carrier joins eight warships, a nuclear submarine, F-35 jets, and some 10,000 U.S. personnel already deployed to the region in previous months, who have been carrying out what the Trump Administration has called a non-international armed conflict against narcoterrorists, which the Trump Administration claims are supported by the Venezuelan government. Read More: Trumps Caribbean Bombing Campaign Brings War on Terror to the Americas The Administration first launched strikes against alleged cartel boats in the Caribbean Sea in September, alleging that Tren de Aragua (TDA) members were aboard. More than a dozen ships near Venezuelan waters have been attacked in the months since, killing more than 75 people and forcing the Latin American country to enact its own protective measures as U.S. officials weigh the possibility of launching land strikes. The U.S. government has not released any evidence indicating that any of the ships attacked were smuggling drugs. The Administrations operation against the cartels has since threatened to spiral into a wider conflict with Venezuela. President Donald Trump has denied he is seeking regime change, but has consistently called Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro an illegitimate leader and accused him of supporting the cartels. As the U.S. has steadily increased the number of troops in the region, Trump has threatened to strike inside Venezuela, reportedly to target drug production, and authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to carry out covert missions in the country. We are certainly looking at land now, because weve got the sea very well under control, Trump told the press in October. Maduro has accused Trump of pushing for a war against Venezuela. "They promised they would never again get involved in a war and they are fabricating a war that we will avoid," he said in a national broadcast last month. Heres how the country is reportedly preparing for possible U.S. air strikes. Mobilization and high alert Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez on Tuesday announced a plan to place the countrys military on full operational readiness, calling for the deployment of all land, air, riverine, and missile assets, as well as the countrys militia, through Wednesday. "The aggression will be responded to with national unity," Lopez said. "We are ready here, we don't want war." The deployment advances Maduros Independence Plan 200, a military order enacted in response to the United States increased presence in the Caribbean. Padrino said the deployment was being done to confront imperial threats. Last month, Venezuelan officials announced that they had started training civilians for military operations. Estimates indicate that the country has some 340,000 members of the armed forces, compared to the 1.3 million active-duty U.S. personnel. The peasant militia group was sworn in by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello in October. The civilian arm of the Venezuelan militia was first created under former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to help defend the country, though it did not receive the same level of training as other active military personnel. Preparing for guerrilla warfare Venezuelan war planning has gone so far as to include a plan for a full ground invasion by U.S. forces. Officials with knowledge of Venezuelas defense forces told Reuters that the country is considering launching a guerrilla-style wara tactic used in the South American countries of Peru and Colombia should the country face a foreign attack. Guerrilla warfare involves small-scale actions by political forces that either operate independently or in collaboration with a broader political strategy to attack an opposing side. Venezuela would reportedly send smaller military units to more than 280 locations across the country in anticipation of a prolonged resistance, according to the report. Venezuelan officials are also looking at another strategy known as anarchization. Under that plan, the government would use its intelligence and supporters to cause chaos in the country, making it difficult to govern in the event that it is overthrown. An app to report suspicious behavior The Venezuelan government is finding novel ways to fight back against potential U.S. spying in the run-up to a potential attack. It has repurposed an app previously used as a service helpline for residents to report utility malfunctions into a tool for reporting suspicious behaviour by fellow citizens. It comes after Trump confirmed he had authorized covert CIA actions in Venezuela, ostensibly to stop drugs coming into the United States. VenApp was used last year to report political dissidents questioning the validity of Maduros second re-election to their federal government, according to global charity Amnesty International. But more recently, Maduro invited military forces in October to oversee the design of a new mobile app that would allow residents to safely report everything they hear, everything they read, CNN reports. That includes informing the government of drones, suspicious people, or actions that they may deem as proof of disloyalty. Asking for foreign aid For many years, Venezuela has relied on aid from foreign powers to supplement its military forces, be it missiles from Iran and Russia, or Chinese armored vehicles. Amid a possible showdown with the U.S., one of the most powerful military forces in the world, it has begun seeking help from those same allies to bolster its capabilities again, requesting defensive radars, aircraft repairs and potentially missiles, according to the Washington Post. In October, the Venezuelan President reached out to China, Iran, and Russia for help, the Post reported. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in response to the reported requests that Russia is ready to respond appropriately to the requests of our partners in light of emerging threats. According to the Financial Times, both Venezuelan servicemen and the arsenal and vehicles are poorly maintained and not ready for a serious conflict. Poor maintenance of weapons, helicopters, and other military equipment also points to a weaker national military system. Contact us at letters@time.com. A veteran stands on the deck of a naval ship, looking at an American flag with water and hills in the background. Photo: Sarah Roderick-Fitch / The Center Square (The Center Square) If youre a veteran living in Virginia Beach or Chesapeake, youre already in good company. Both cities rank among the best in the country for veterans, recognized for housing stability, job opportunities and overall quality of life, according to a new report. The report by WalletHub looked at 100 of the largest U.S. cities and measured 19 indicators tied to veteran well-being, including employment, income growth, health care access and housing costs. Virginia Beach tied for first in the country for veteran population and ranked first for having the fewest homeless veterans per capita. It also ranked fourth lowest for veterans living in poverty. Chesapeake wasnt far behind, placing third lowest for veterans in poverty and tying for first in veteran population along with Norfolk. Detroit ranked at the bottom of the list, and Baltimore, Maryland, had one of the highest veteran poverty rates. Virginias veteran community continues to be one of the largest in the country, with more than 678,000 veterans and over 110,000 women veterans, according to the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.The agency says Virginia ranks No. 1 nationally for caring for its veterans and operates 38 offices statewide to provide benefits and transition support. WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said the best cities for veterans share strong education and employment opportunities, along with access to quality health care. When veterans return home from serving our nation, its important for them to live in a place that provides good education and employment opportunities, along with access to quality care for their physical and mental health, he said. The 2025 report notes that these factors, along with community support and veteran-friendly programs, help make cities like Virginia Beach and Chesapeake stand out nationwide. Former Prince Andrew has been hit with new claims accusing him of sleeping with other victims.MEGA RadarOnline.com can reveal the commoner formerly known as Prince Andrew is facing fresh allegations of sexual misconduct after a U.S. congressman claimed his old pal Jeffrey Epstein may have trafficked multiple women to the disgraced former royal not just Virginia Giuffre. Democratic congressman Suhas Subramanyam, who sits on the powerful House Committee on Oversight, said testimony from survivors of Epstein's sex-trafficking network suggested Andrew, 65, had been introduced to other women who were allegedly abused by the financier. Congress Launches Explosive New Epstein Inquiry Subramanyam claimed survivors told Congress Andrew had met other victims.@suhasforva/INSTAGRAM The committee is leading a new inquiry into what have been dubbed the "Epstein Files" a tranche of documents and evidence said to reveal the billionaire's global network of clients and enablers. Subramanyam said: "We have reason to believe that there are others who may have been trafficked to Andrew. Many of the survivors came to Capitol Hill and we spoke to them. They have been so courageous and gave us very valuable information as far as where to look." Another source told RadarOnline.com: "Andrew bedded other trafficking victims, not just Virginia." Emails Reveal Chilling Epstein Connection Andrew exchanged emails with Jeffrey Epstein about meeting a young woman.MEGA The allegations come weeks after an August 2010 email exchange emerged in which sex abuser Epstein introduced Andrew to a woman who had reportedly been subjected to years of abuse. Epstein wrote: "I have a friend who I think you might enjoy having dinner with." Andrew replied: "Would be delighted to see her. Please give her my contact details." It is not known whether the pair ever met. The woman is said to now be 43 and a yoga instructor living with a son and trying to rebuild her life. In a letter sent last week and signed by 16 Democratic members of the committee, Subramanyam called on Andrew to testify under oath about his dealings with Epstein. The congressman has also confirmed plans to call the ex-duke's former royal protection officers and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, 66, to give evidence. Lawmakers Say 'Andrew Knows More Than He's Admitted' Andrew denied Virginia Giuffres claims but settled her lawsuit in 2022.MEGA A Washington source familiar with the investigation said: "Lawmakers are convinced Andrew knows more than he's ever revealed about how Epstein's network functioned and who was part of it. The survivors keep bringing up his name they're demanding the truth." Another insider said: "The committee has received accounts suggesting Epstein connected Andrew with several young women in deeply suspicious situations. Lawmakers are intent on uncovering whether he knew those women were being trafficked." An inquiry has already obtained 17,000 financial documents from Epstein's estate, but is now following what investigators describe as "the money trail." Subramanyam said: "The reason we went after those financial documents is because the victims told us to. They said we should follow the money the accounts and financial activities tell the story of the sex trafficking and criminal behavior of Jeffrey Epstein." Pressure Mounts on Former Royal to Testify UK Parliament is prepared to debate Andrews conduct amid growing pressure.MEGA Andrew, who has been stripped of his royal titles by King Charles over his ties to Epstein, has always vehemently denied Virginia Giuffre's claims she was trafficked to him for sex on three occasions when she was 17. He settled her civil case in 2022 for a reported $15 million, without any admission of wrongdoing. Subramanyam says the committee will continue to press for Andrew's cooperation. "If he has nothing to hide and did nothing wrong, as he alleges, then he should have no problem coming before us and telling his side," he said. "Even if he doesn't come and tell us what he knows, we will find the documents. We will get to the bottom of this." However, a royal insider said Andrew has no plans to appear voluntarily before Congress. "If he testifies, he risks opening himself up to criminal prosecution," the source said. "There's absolutely no way he's going to take that gamble." Members of the UK Parliament are due to debate Andrew's conduct later this week as pressure builds on the former royal to explain his links to Epstein's sex-trafficking network. President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House on September 19, 2025 in Washington, DC introducing a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas. - Andrew Harnik // Getty Images Absolutely devastating: Rural schools say $100K visa fee could make it hard to hire teachers The Kuspuk School District owns two small planes and employs a pilot to stay connected with schools spread across 12,000 square miles along the Kuskokwim River in western Alaska. And to keep those schools staffed, the remote school district works with its own immigration attorney, Chalkbeat reports. Some 60% of Kuspuks certified teachers come from the Philippines. That includes all of the special education teachers and all of the teachers at five of the districts eight currently operating schools. (A ninth school is temporarily closed.) Most of those teachers hold J-1 visas, a cultural exchange visa that allows people to work in the United States for up to five years before returning to their home countries. But a growing number in Kuspuk and in rural districts around the United States hold H-1B visas, which allow for longer-term work. That matters in tight-knit rural communities, where connection is key but teacher turnover is high. Last month, President Donald Trump issued an order to impose a $100,000 fee on new applications for H-1B visas, part of a broader effort to restrict immigration and preserve opportunities for Americans. The order focuses on tech sector jobs, which account for the majority of H-1B visa holders, and where critics argue that foreign-born engineers and programmers have crowded out Americans. Proponents say that companies can afford the fee if theyre bringing on truly exceptional employees who will generate more than that in profit otherwise those jobs should go to American workers. But the fee could make it nearly impossible for rural and underserved districts like Kuspuk to hire enough teachers for hard-to-fill jobs, district leaders said. Kuspuk Superintendent Madeline Aguillard said many of the American teachers she hires are inexperienced new graduates, and many dont stay long. Grow-your-own programs that train people from small communities to be teachers hold promise, but theyre slow. The international teachers who work in her districts far-flung villages arent a short-term stopgap, she said. Theyre a critical part of the long-term workforce and they stay for years. We are able to hire more experienced teachers, she said. I have multiple teachers with doctorates. They max out our pay scale. They are top-notch teachers that we can put in front of our kids. Susan Nedza, superintendent of the Hoonah district in southeast Alaska, recently hired three teachers on H-1B visas to fill positions in special education and high school English and math that had sat vacant for an entire school year. A $100,000 fee would be absolutely devastating, she said. No district could afford that even for one teacher, much less multiple teachers, Nedza said. We would have so many students without teachers. Teachers on visas make up a relatively small share of the total teacher workforce and of the H-1B program. Federal data analyzed by Chalkbeat indicates that at least 2,000 H-1B visas sponsored by school districts and charter networks were approved this year. Those teachers work for large districts like New York City, Dallas, Chicago, and Denver, and they work in one-room schoolhouses in Montana. Many of them work in hard-to-fill positions like secondary math and science, bilingual education, and special education, but in rural districts, they can be found in nearly every role, including working as principals in Kuspuk. The large majority of them come from the Philippines, where teachers are fluent in English and the educational system is similar to that in the United States. While J-1 teachers typically work with an agency that helps place them at no cost to the district, school districts already take on considerable administrative costs and fees anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000 per teacher candidate, according to superintendents to sponsor H-1B visas. Some superintendents say its worth it to hire teachers who can work in their districts long-term. In Alaska, districts have been forced to use the H-1B program after J-1 agencies stopped placing teachers in school districts off the road system, where amenities, housing, and access to medical care are scarce. The School Superintendents Association is hoping to secure an exemption from the fee for K-12 educators. The proclamation allows Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to waive the fee for certain sectors if she finds that it is in the national interest and does not pose a threat to the security or welfare of the United States. Clearly Im biased, but I think making sure all children have access to quality educators would be of the greatest national interest, said Tara Thomas, senior government affairs manager for the superintendents group. Whatever the dynamics are in the tech sector, they dont apply to rural schools, said Tobin Novasio, superintendent of the Hardin school district in Montana. Hes not outsourcing American jobs or undercutting wages, he said. On the contrary, teachers on visas tend to earn more because they have more experience and education. The mindset is that this is a Silicon Valley thing where this is a quarter-million-a-year engineering job, and theyre bringing in an Indian engineer to do it for half the price, Novasio said. Thats just not the situation. Hardin serves about 1,800 students, most of them on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations. Out of 150 certified teachers, 27 are on J-1 visas and two are on H-1B visas, with a third H-1B visa pending. Fully half of Novasios special education teachers are visa holders. The value of the H-1B and the reason weve been trying to find pathways, is that once theyre here, they can stay here and stay part of the community, Novasio said. Districts are working to increase the supply of American teachers, he said, but its a slow process. Weve been very deliberate in building relationships with our local colleges, Novasio said. Weve started a para pathway and have four people in that program. Were starting an apprenticeship program. We increased our starting salary by $5,000. Were trying everything we can. H-1B visas allow districts more stability The Kuspuk School District had always struggled with staffing, Aguillard said, but Alaska schools used to be able to draw teachers from the lower 48 with higher salaries, even if they didnt stay long. But other states have raised their pay and milk doesnt cost $16 a gallon in Washington State. The villages in the Kuspuk district are only accessible by plane or, in the summer, by boat. Some villages dont have stores, and some teachers have to live in their schools because there isnt any other housing. Its difficult to get here, its difficult to live here, its difficult to function here, Aguillard said. She hired her first international teacher after she had four of five special education teacher positions open and didnt receive a single application from an American teacher. That teacher, Dale Ebcas, came from the Philippines and is still with the district six years later. He works with preschool through second-grade students at Joseph and Olinga Gregory Elementary School in Kalskgag and helps with case management for high school students. With support from Aguillard and the districts immigration attorney, he was able to convert his J-1 visa to an H-1B, a difficult process. It wasnt an easy adjustment I had never seen snow, he said but Ebcas said he was drawn to the small class sizes, low student-teacher ratios, and opportunities for professional growth, along with a competitive pay scale. He fully intended to return to the Philippines at the end of his tour, but as he approached his fifth year, the district didnt want to lose him, and he didnt want to leave his students. It takes time to build relationships and trust, Ebcas said. Its really important for the students here. With the community being so welcoming, I really wanted to continue and help the kids. Ebcas hopes the federal government considers the needs of rural and underserved schools. If exemptions are not given, it would really close the doors for international teachers who bring their skills and knowledge, he said. This story was produced by Chalkbeat and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. I was supposed to be in Vienna today at the 75th annual World Congress of the International Press Institute, where I am proud to have been a member of the North American Committee for the last 15 years. From there, the plan was to ride the train to Budapest, Hungary, to visit some of the independent newsrooms who this year were collectively recognized by IPI with the IPI-IMS Free Media Pioneer Award for their innovation, adaptation, and endurance under sustained political and economic pressure. I was looking forward to seeing what we can learn from a place that has endured under an authoritarian regime and managed to hold onto hope in a way that should cause reflection and inspiration for us here in the United States. But last week, I canceled all of my flights. Instead of setting out for Vienna and Budapest which I would love to be visiting, I decided to stay in the small, ramshackle newsroom of the Marthas Vineyard Times, where I serve as publisher and where we are doing the daily grind of local journalism. An unexpected development that required my full attention made me change my plans, but staying right here in our local newsroom at The Marthas Vineyard Times covering real news for real Islanders, as our motto goes, honestly, feels like exactly where I should be. This is the right vantage point to understand the moment of vast economic inequity that we live in amid the rise of authoritarian regimes and the impact they are having on undercutting an independent press on top of chronicling the day to day lives, events and achievements of our community. The fight for the future of journalism will be fought on the local level, and so I feel like I am very much on an unlikely frontline of that struggle. In our newsroom this week, we are looking at the impact of climate change through the lens of coastal erosion; we are keeping our eye on the looming threat of more ICE raids on our vibrant community of immigrants, mostly from Brazil, who are living in fear; and, not to be overlooked, we are also reporting the results of the 80th annual Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby! Yes, this fishing story is more important than it might seem on the calm surface of the water where anglers are waiting for a feeding frenzy of bluefish to suddenly break. I deeply believe in the importance of the coverage of the fishing tournament as exactly the kind of journalism that is missing when local newspapers die. It is the kind of event that binds communities together and produces epic stories that are told and retold, an example of what has been called cohesion journalism, but which I would just call a great local story. And, as I learned as co-founder of Report for America, and in the two years I have served as a local publisher, it is one hell of a struggle to try to make a local newsroom sustainable! So, despite all of the international reporting I have done through the years and the work I can still do thanks to some modest funding for GroundTruth Media Partners, I find myself more committed than ever to living out the larger point I have tried to make through several decades as a social entrepreneur in media: all global news is local, and all local news is global. One of the prouder examples of that local-global journalism was a series of articles and a podcast season we published in 2019 on the GroundTruth Project website in partnership with The Atlantic magazine and with support from GBH, the public media powerhouse in Boston. The project was titled Democracy Undone: The Authoritarians Playbook, and it described the strategies and plays democratically elected leaders in seven countries were using to undermine the systems and institutions that allowed them to reach power, and how similar they were, despite operating in different political structures. New students tour UC Berkeley in 2024. A burglar and Peeping Tom recently targeted a sorority house off-campus, police say. (Paul Kuroda / For The Times) A real-life nightmare crept into a sorority house near UC Berkeley over Halloween weekend: a man in a ski mask who authorities said slipped through bedrooms and lurked in showers in the dead of night. One woman was jolted awake by a dark figure near her bed, according to Berkeley Police Officer Byron White. Another was in the shower when she was targeted by a Peeping Tom, police said. Authorities said the terrifying events unfolded around 3 to 6:35 a.m. on Nov. 1, hours after much of the campus had been busy celebrating Halloween. The intruder then left the scene of the break-in with stolen underwear and pizza, White said. Officers recently arrested 45-year-old Courtney Alford of Dublin in connection with the sorority house break-in, according to the Berkeley Police Department. When they searched the suspect's home, they found assault rifle parts, high-capacity ammunition magazines and more than 900 rounds of ammunition. On Thursday, Alford was charged with burglary, peeking, invading privacy, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a felon and trespassing, according to court records. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts filed against him. Alford has an extensive criminal history in Alameda County, with cases stretching back to 1998. He previously was found guilty of burglary, grand theft, assault with a deadly weapon, making criminal threats and evading a peace officer, among other charges. He also pleaded not guilty to two counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14 filed against him in March 2024, according to court records. That case remains open. Read more:USC grad student accused of serial rapes, drugging women in Southern California "He is someone that is known to the Berkeley Police Department well enough that an officer recognized him from one" of the surveillance photos, White said. On Nov. 1, Berkeley police responded to a call at a sorority house in the 2300 block of Warring Street regarding a man who was seen inside a women's bedroom. "This young lady was in her bed asleep, along with her three other roommates, and she woke up and there was this person inside her room," White said. "It's understandably shocking and scary." Security video from the home showed the suspect walking both inside and outside the building, at one point returning in a new set of clothes and a ski mask, police said. White said investigators spoke with at least three victims. But he noted that about 65 women were living in the house, all of whom were probably affected by the intruders actions that night. "Just the knowledge that somebody had been inside the home like that," the officer said, "going into bedrooms, taking underwear, watching people shower, regardless if that was you or not, it does shake your sense of safety." A UC Berkeley spokesperson said that the school was aware of the incident at an off-campus sorority and that the student affairs team was providing resources to the organization. Berkeley police used automatic license plate readers to track Alford's car in the area before and after the burglary. They located him in Castro Valley on Wednesday and arrested him. He is being held at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in lieu of $275,000 bail and is due back in court Nov. 18. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Ecco Without Consent: A Landmark Trial and the Decades-Long Struggle To Make Spousal Rape a Crime, by Sarah Weinman, Ecco, 320 pages, $32 A woman shows up at the police station and says she would like to press charges for rape. Asked about the perpetrator's identity, she says "My husband." A laugh track plays. The show was Barney Miller, the year 1978. "The subject of marital rape is handled fairly sensitively," writes Sarah Weinman in Without Consent. And yet, she notes, that laugh track keeps coming back throughout the episode. It was in this muddled atmosphere that 22-year-old Greta Rideout (nee Hibbard) accused her husband of just over two years, 21-year-old John Rideout, of raping her. The Oregon-based couple had been struggling with issues both mundanemoney woes, erratic employmentand volatile. By the fall of 1978, Greta had already left John once over what she described as both emotional and physical abuse; there had been frequent fights over everything from his hygiene to how often they had sex. But he promised to change, and she was broke, and they had a small child. So Greta went back. Things were OK, then quickly not OK. And on October 10, 1978, everything exploded. By Greta's account, a disagreement over sexhe wanted it, she had to get to workbecame a frantic argument followed by an outdoor chase. It culminated, Greta later recounted in court, in John hitting Greta, pushing her down, and physically forcing himself inside her, even as their 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter entered the room shouting "Mommy! Mommy!" Greta was not a feminist activist. She was not particularly political, educated, or steeped in social concerns. When she pressed chargesaccusing her husband of not just battery but rapeshe was simply determined not to sink "into the gutter" and be "brainwashed into thinking I had deserved it," she told Betty Liddick of the Los Angeles Times two months after the assault. "I did it for my daughter," she told the Salem, Oregon, Capital Journal. Oregon had just criminalized spousal rape the year prior. Only a handful of other states had done the same, and even those were a bit murky on the issue. Michigan allowed spousal rape charges only if the couple was living apart and divorce proceedings were underway. Delaware allowed rape charges against a woman's "voluntary social companion," which could include a husband, but it was a lesser charge than regular rape. South Dakota criminalized spousal rape in 1975, then decriminalized it again in 1977; it would not recriminalize it until 1990. In the vast majority of the country, the law either specifically defined rape as forcible penetration of a female by a man who was not her spouse or was silent on the question but given a de facto marital exception by prosecutors and judges. Marital rape would not be definitively criminalized in all states until 1993. Greta Rideout became the first Oregonian to file rape charges against a spouse with whom she was still living. John told the cops, who showed up at his door, and later a courtroom, that he had hit Greta, but he maintained that they made up afterward and that the sex between them that afternoon was consensual. John's lawyer initially tried to get the rape charge dismissed on privacy grounds, arguing that if a wife was unhappy with her treatment, the proper remedy was divorce. A judge rejected this motion. Meanwhile, the case launched the young couple into the international spotlight, making them unwitting avatars of passionate disagreement about whether a man even could rape his wife and about sexual autonomy, marriage contracts, and gender norms. "But the trial ended up further confusing people, because Greta and John's relationship was difficult to shoehorn into an easy narrative, where a perfect victim is overpowered by a monster," writes Weinman. They were "so young, so in over their heads, so ill at ease with themselves and the archetypes that the media and the public had cast them as." Greta seems to have had a particularly bad time of it. Her sexual and reproductive historytwo prior abortions, an alleged lesbian relationship, a prior rape allegation against John's brotherwere held up as evidence that she couldn't be trusted. John's lawyer suggested the case was about her seeking attention and money. Weinman grapples with what happened between Greta and John, the media firestorm the trial provoked, and the larger political and cultural hopes and muck in which the case was situated. The book delves into the origins of marital exceptions in rape law, tracing it back to the 17th century English jurist Sir Matthew Hale, who believed that "the husband cannot be guilty of rape committed by himself upon his lawful wife" because "by their mutual matrimonial consent and contract, the wife hath given up herself in this kind unto her husband which she cannot retract." It looks at some historical American jurisprudence on the subject, including a 1905 caseFrazier v. The Statein which Texas held that a wife gives sexual consent when she enters a marriage and "the law will not permit her to retract in order to charge her husband with the offense of rape." Weinman also explores how ending spousal rape exceptions became a contentious political issue. The book reads more like something in the true crime genre than the academic exercise, political allegory, or feminist polemic one can imagine such a subject yielding. It's interesting, easy to digest, and admirably sparse with editorializing, for the most part letting its subjects' actions and words speak for themselves. Especially compelling are the book's myriad accounts of the Rideout case and its fallout from contemporaneous reporters and pundits, along with its cache of quotes from lawmakers, lawyers, and judges. The mix of attitudes toward the idea that a husband could rape a wife are fascinatingly alien from a 2025 vantage point. "If you can't rape your wife, who can you rape?" said California state Sen. Bob Wilson, a Democrat, when his state considered a bill to end its marital rape exception. Wilson later claimed the comment was meant to illustrate the way some people felt about the issue, not his own belief, Weinman notes. Either way, Wilson seemed uneasy with the change, saying "he was worried that a wife would use the threat of a rape charge to get a more favorable divorce settlement," the Associated Press reported in 1979. Wilson's worry was not unusual. While some opposition to ending the marital exemption was rooted in an obvious attitude of male supremacythe kind confident that husbands owned their wives and that men had a right to women's bodiesmuch of it turned on a more subtle anxiety that wives would make false allegations or use the threat of them to their advantage. "The idea that marriage implies or requires perpetual consent, under all circumstances, to sex is grotesque," conservative writer George Will wrote in 1979. "But it is a grave business when the law empowers one partner to charge the other with a felony punishable by 20 years in prison." The Rideouts didn't exactly help allay such anxieties by quickly reconciling after John was acquitted. But their reconciliation was short-lived, and their divorce was finalized in May 1979. Without Consent goes on to discuss a 1980 TV movie about the Rideouts starring Mickey Rourke, Linda Hamilton, and Rip Torn. And then it goes on for over 100 pages after that. It looks at "Laura X," a debutante turned activist devoted to ending marital rape exceptions. And it walks us through a few casesincluding the infamous story of John and Lorena Bobbittthat helped crystalize American attitudes and laws about spousal rape. This part of the book sometimes seems meandering. The individual cases can be interesting, but they also feel a little disconnected. And filtering the fight to change other state laws through Laura X was a bit baffling, as she seems neither individually compelling enough nor central enough to rape law reform to warrant such prominence. The Rideouts do return, thoughespecially John. In 2017, he would be convicted of raping two other women. The last section of Without Consent hones in on their stories. The implication is clear: Men willing to rape their wives are men willing to ignore consent and engage in violence elsewhere. Protecting wives from sexually abusive husbands is a good in itself, of course, but it's also a means of protecting women more broadly. The book doesn't beat readers over the head with this point. It lets John Rideout's behaviour speak for itself. And despite a few nods to current legal paradoxes around women's bodily autonomy, Weinman refreshingly refrains from trying to shoehorn this into a metanarrative about Our Current Moment. This is, at its core, a compelling tale about two people and the world's reactions to them. But if there is a takeaway in Without Consent for today, it may be how far we've come. People in 2025 seem to hate being told that we've made progress and that we're not living in hopelessly unenlightened and dramatically doomed times. Yet it's impossible to read this book without marveling at the retrograde attitudes of a time not that long ago. The post Greta Rideout's Landmark Rape Case Against Her Husband: 'I Did It for My Daughter' appeared first on Reason.com. Mariame Cisse was a TikTok Influencer in Mali (@marimacisse57 / via TikTok) Armed men in Mali killed a TikTok influencer who had posted videos in support of the West African nation's military, authorities said Monday. The young TikTok user Mariame Cisse was abducted by armed men on Friday while she was at the weekly market in Echel, Yehia Tandina, the mayor of Timbuktu, told The Associated Press. The following day, at dusk, the same men brought her back to Independence Square in Tonka and executed her in front of a crowd, they added. The mayor of Tonka in the Timbuktu region, Mamadou Konipo, confirmed the killing but said he didn't have more information. Mali, the town of Bamako pictured, has been battling armed groups since 2012 with the military seizing power in 2020 (AP) Tonka is a village along the Niger River, roughly 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Timbuktu. Members of the al-Qaida affiliate Jamaat Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, are known to operate there. No group has taken responsibility for the killing. Cisse, who was not a member of the military, sometimes posted images of herself in military fatigues to her more than 140,00 followers, which is thought to have drawn attention from the armed men. Cisse received death threats several days before she was abducted, according to the Timbuktu mayor. Mali has been battling armed groups since 2012, a fight that has escalated over the past decade. The military seized power in 2020 on the pretext of curtailing the insecurity. Another military officer seized power in a coup the following year. Insecurity has worsened since then, according to monitoring groups. Armed groups, primarily JNIM, operate in large swathes of rural regions. The landlocked nation is currently under a fuel blockade by JNIM. Police officers stand guard at a prison entrance in Machala, Ecuador, after a deadly riot on Sunday. | LUIS SUAREZ/AFP/AFP via Getty Images via CNN Newsource (CNN) Two clashes between rival gangs in a southern Ecuadorian prison left at least 31 inmates dead on Sunday, including 27 who were killed by asphyxiation, officials said. In the first attack, the criminal group Los Lobos was targeted by a breakaway gang known as Sao-Box in the early morning, Interior Minister John Reimberg said Monday in an interview with Radio Centro Ecuador. At least four inmates in the Machala Detention Center were reported killed and roughly 36 were wounded. Two officers suffered nonserious injuries as authorities stepped in to regain control of the situation. Later in the day, Los Lobos carried out a reprisal attack against Sao-Box, killing 27 of its members by asphyxiating them inside several cells that both groups shared, according to Reimberg. In retaliation, Lobos asphyxiated members of the other organization to avoid leaving signs of violence on their bodies, the minister said. Prison guards discovered the bodies around 6 p.m. while carrying out routine inspections. Ecuadors penitentiary system SNAI said in a previous statement Sunday that the inmates had committed asphyxiation among themselves, which resulted in immediate death by suspension. Authorities did not immediately clarify what they meant by asphyxiation or say whether the inmates were hanged. In response to inquiries from the press, including CNN, SNAI said Sunday that authorities, operational teams and forensic medical personnel continue working at the scene, verifying information and attending to reported emergencies. Asked why rival gang members shared cells, Reimberg noted that they were initially part of the same group, before Sao-Box broke off from Los Lobos over management disputes. He did not specify why they were still kept in the same place after the split. The first attack on Sunday was prompted by the transfer of inmates to a new maximum-security facility, SNAI said without providing details. Reimberg suggested that inmates across the country have been causing chaos to prevent authorities from transferring them to the new prison. The attacks in Machala are the latest in a series of deadly prison clashes throughout Ecuador. In September, a confrontation between rival gangs at a prison in the coastal city of Esmeraldas left at least 17 dead, according to the National Police. Three days earlier, an additional 14 inmates were killed in Machala. Since 2021, more than 500 inmates have died in Ecuadors prisons, according to official figures. The wave of prison violence is happening despite the deployment of military and police forces in several penitentiaries. Its part of an ongoing state of internal armed conflict that the government declared in January 2024 to try to quell criminal violence nationwide. Los Lobos is one of two Ecuadorian criminal groups that the United States said it would designate as foreign terrorist organizations in September. The designation allows the US to impose sanctions and share intelligence with Ecuador that can be actioned for potentially lethal operations, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the time. The post At least 27 inmates killed by asphyxiation in wave of prison violence appeared first on East Idaho News. Shelly Rae Phelps | Courtesy photo TETON COUNTY, WY A 71-year-old Ashton man has been charged with the death of a 56-year-old Ashton woman after he reportedly crashed into her while drunk driving in an ATV. Kim Reynold Niendorf is charged in Teton County, Wyoming, with aggravated homicide by vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, careless driving, and failure to pass at a safe distance. According to court documents, on Sunday, around 1:50 p.m., the Teton County, Wyoming, Sheriffs Office and the Fremont County, Idaho, Sheriffs Office received 911 reports of an ATV accident with injuries on Flagg Ranch Road in Teton County. The road is a dirt road maintained by the U.S. Forest Service near Indian Lake. The approximate area of the ATV crash. | Google maps Deputies were told a woman had suffered serious injuries and CPR was being performed. Deputies, medics, and an Air Idaho helicopter were dispatched to the scene. When they arrived, deputies reported that alcohol was suspected to be a factor in the collision, according to documents. After approximately an hour of rescue efforts, officials pronounced Shelly Rae Phelps dead at 2:58 p.m. Obituary | Shelly Rae Phelps A Teton County Sheriffs Office sergeant arrived on scene and reportedly learned the ATV occupied by Phelps was now on the shoulder of the eastbound lane, facing the opposite way. The vehicle displayed significant damage to the windshield and passenger side, with evidence indicating it had crossed from the westbound lane into the eastbound lane before leaving the roadway and colliding with a pine tree, the probable cause affidavit states. Blood and disturbance in the dirt and grass indicated a significant injury had occurred at the site. Investigators spoke with a relative of Phelps who was in the ATV with her. The relative had reportedly suffered facial lacerations and said the two of them were traveling approximately 30-35 miles per hour when a second ATV attempted to pass them. Due to the trauma of (the victims) death and his own injuries, (the relative) was unable to provide detailed information, the affidavit says. Deputies spoke to the driver of the ATV that allegedly tried to overtake Phelps vehicle, identified as Niendorf. Court documents say he emitted an odor of an alcoholic beverage and admitted to consuming one Twisted Tea. He then reportedly told deputies that he had been following Phelps ATV around 30-35 miles per hour and tried to pass them. According to Niendorf, he only intended to come alongside their ATV but later changed his version of events multiple times. Investigators say Niendorf denied colliding with Phelps ATV, asserting instead that their crash came from an ice or snow patch. Deputies say the evidence contradicted this with a black circular rub mark, consistent in height and size with an ATV tire, on the passenger side door of Neindorfs ATV. The evidence clearly indicated (that) Phelps ATV had been side swiped by Neindorfs ATV, court documents say. Deputies requested that Niendorf perform a DUI test. At this point, Niendorf stated that he had also taken prescribed muscle relaxants and disclosed prior medical issues involving his knee, shoulder, and back, but despite these, he still agreed to the DUI test. Court documents say he failed the majority of the DUI test, and during a search of Niendorfs ATV, deputies say they found a marijuana dispensary container containing a THC gummy. Niendorf was arrested and booked into the Fremont County Jail on $300,000 bond. Court appearances have not yet been scheduled. Phelps was married, had two children and three grandchildren, according to her obituary. She loved being their Nona, biggest cheerleader, and never missed a chance to share a hug, a laugh, or a story that made them smile, it says. (They) built a home filled with laughter, and created a lifetime of memories. Her love for Scott and their family was the heart of her world. Phelps worked in the accounting department at Fall River Electric. Her funeral will be held on Friday in Ashton. The post Man charged with aggravated homicide by vehicle following ATV death of Ashton woman appeared first on East Idaho News. The main gate past a welcome sign in Fort Hood, Texas. Photograph: Tony Gutierrez/AP Military officials in Texas have suspended a US army gynecologist over allegations he inappropriately touched and secretly filmed dozens of women during appointments at an on-base medical center. A civil lawsuit filed in Bell county on Monday alleges that Blaine McGraw, a doctor and army major at Fort Hood, repeatedly groped a woman during a series of seven or eight consultations, and took intimate videos and photographs of her that were later found on his phone. The 13-page lawsuit, seen by the Guardian, also alleges that senior officers allowed McGraw to continue to work despite receiving complaints of sexual misconduct against him over several years and at another army medical center in Hawaii. By doing so, the army gave cover to a predator in uniform, the lawsuit states. This case exposes a shocking betrayal committed within the walls of a US army hospital. McGraw used his position of trust to sexually exploit, manipulate, and secretly record women under his care. What should have been a place of healing became a stage for abuse. Attorney Andrew Cobos, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiff, the wife of an active duty service member identified by the pseudonym Jane Doe, said he represented at least another 45 women who came forward with similar allegations. A military official told NBC on condition of anonymity that at least 25 women had contacted the armys criminal investigation division after the images were found on McGraws phone. Upon information and belief, investigators recovered thousands of photographs and videos from his phone, taken over the course of multiple years, depicting scores of female patients, many of whom remain unidentified, the lawsuit said. It said the first complaints were filed against him years earlier when he worked at the Tripler army medical center in Honolulu, Hawaii, but army leadership laughed off credible allegations, which allowed his misconduct to thrive in his new job in Texas. McGraw was suspended from his position at Fort Hoods Carl R Darnall army medical center on 17 October, although an army statement announcing the opening of an investigation did not identify him by name referring to him only as a medical provider. In an updated statement released on Monday, the army provided more details of the timeline of its investigation and said it had identified and attempted to contact all patients the suspended doctor saw during his time at Fort Hood. Among them was the plaintiff, who received a call from investigators asking her to come in for an interview. When she did, the lawsuit states, she learned McGraw recorded nearly the entirety of her final appointment, including both the breast and pelvic examinations, without her knowledge or consent. She was shown several screenshots from videos recovered from McGraws phone from the appointment three days earlier images the lawsuit states unmistakably depicted her body. After the interview with investigators, after which she said she was handed a generic pamphlet with phone numbers for various army departments, the woman sat in her car and cried. She was disoriented and disarrayed, the court papers said, with her sense of safety shattered. Several of McGraws alleged victims spoke at a press conference recently outside the gates of Fort Hood, criticizing the armys response to complaints against him. It wasnt the act itself that hurt me, it was the way it was handled afterwards the indifference, the lack of humanity, one woman said. Cobos said he also planned to file a separate action under the federal Tort Claims Act to hold the army responsible for what he said was a culture of silence and indifference that allowed McGraw to operate. This lawsuit is the first step in shining a light on this misconduct and restoring justice. The army needs accountability, and that only happens through transparency, he said. The Guardian contacted Daniel Conway, an attorney representing McGraw, for comment. In a statement to NBC, Conway said his client had been fully cooperative with the investigation. Weve expressed to the government our concern that plaintiffs attorneys are holding press conferences citing inaccurate information apparently learned from government sources, he said. At this point its best to let the investigation complete before we comment. An Australian woman accused of stealing anti-ageing supplements from Singapore's Changi Airport transit was arrested upon returning to the country months later. The Singapore police were alerted to the alleged theft on 7 May when staff at a pharmacy in Terminal 1 discovered a box of supplements, which cost S$507.30 (296.6), was missing from the display shelf. Surveillance footage revealed the woman leaving the pharmacy outlet with the supplements on 14 April, CNA reported, citing the local city police. By the time law enforcement traced her identity, the 51-year-old woman had already left Singapore, according to the report. The woman, whose identity was not revealed, was arrested at Changi Airport on 2 November while in transit for another flight. She will be charged in court on Wednesday for theft and faces a jail term of seven years if found guilty. The police will continue to work closely with stakeholders and the community to prevent and deter cases of shop theft, the Singapore police added. Previously, a man was sentenced to 10 days in prison in October for stealing goods worth 2,667 from multiple stores at the Singapore airport while waiting for his flight to the Maldives. Singapore police have recorded at least 2,097 shop theft cases in the first half of 2025, up from 2,013 cases during the same period in 2024. China-aided freeway officially opens in Namibia, boosting regional connectivity Xinhua) 10:43, November 11, 2025 Veikko Nekundi (L), Namibia's Minister of Works and Transport, and Zhao Weiping, Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Chinese-aided Dr. Hage G. Geingob Freeway in Windhoek, Namibia, Nov. 10, 2025. Namibia officially inaugurated the Dr. Hage G. Geingob Freeway on Monday in the capital, Windhoek, marking the completion of a landmark infrastructure project set to transform regional transport and boost economic development. (Xinhua/Lin Jing) WINDHOEK, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Namibia officially inaugurated the Dr. Hage G. Geingob Freeway on Monday in the capital, Windhoek, marking the completion of a landmark infrastructure project set to transform regional transport and boost economic development. The Namibian government funded the first and second phases of the project in 2016 and 2020, while the Chinese firm Zhong Mei Engineering Group constructed the third phase in 2021, supported by a Chinese government grant of 447 million yuan (about 62.8 million U.S. dollars). The China-aided project, a 21.3-km four-lane dual carriageway known as Phase 2B of the three-phase program, was officially handed over following the signing of completion certificates. With the new freeway now open, travel time between downtown Windhoek and Hosea Kutako International Airport has been cut from about 50 minutes to just over 20 minutes, greatly improving transport efficiency and easing congestion in the capital. In his keynote address, Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi hailed the project as a milestone in Namibia's national development and community upliftment. "The freeway is a vital corridor linking our capital city to the main gateway of our nation, Hosea Kutako International Airport, and improves access to strategic hubs such as Walvis Bay Port," he said, noting the project forms an integral part of Namibia's regional trunk routes development program, promoting inter-regional trade. Nekundi emphasized that the road stands as a testament to Namibia's commitment to ensuring safety across its national road network and highlighted the importance of maintaining a balanced partnership between international and local ventures. "It is for this reason that the Namibian government has consistently advocated for viable joint ventures between local and foreign contractors. Infrastructure must not only connect places, it must also uplift people," he said, noting that it is a win-win situation. During construction, the project employed about 850 Namibians and engaged 54 local subcontractors, contributing to skills development and job creation. Conrad Lutombi, chief executive officer of the Roads Authority, which manages Namibia's national road network, commended China for its continued support, saying, "It demonstrates China's commitment to Africa's infrastructure transformation and indeed, it demonstrates all-weather friendship." Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping described the highway as a "vivid testament to China-Namibia friendship." "This wide and smooth road not only carries the Namibian people's aspiration for a better life but also unblocks the key link for regional connectivity, laying a solid foundation for the construction of the Kalahari transport corridor of the Southern African Development Community," he said. Officials also noted that the new freeway forms part of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation framework, and Namibia's Harambee Prosperity Plan. A vehicle runs under an overpass bearing the "China Aid" sign on the Chinese-aided Dr. Hage G. Geingob Freeway near Windhoek, capital of Namibia, Nov. 10, 2025. Namibia officially inaugurated the Dr. Hage G. Geingob Freeway on Monday in the capital, Windhoek, marking the completion of a landmark infrastructure project set to transform regional transport and boost economic development. (Xinhua/Lin Jing) Drone photo taken on May 25, 2025 shows the Chinese-aided Dr. Hage G. Geingob Freeway, a 21.3-kilometer four-lane dual carriageway linking downtown Windhoek and Hosea Kutako International Airport in Namibia. Namibia officially inaugurated the Dr. Hage G. Geingob Freeway on Monday in the capital, Windhoek, marking the completion of a landmark infrastructure project set to transform regional transport and boost economic development. (Zhong Mei Engineering Group/Handout via Xinhua) Veikko Nekundi, Namibia's Minister of Works and Transport, delivers a speech during the inauguration ceremony of the Chinese-aided Dr. Hage G. Geingob Freeway in Windhoek, Namibia, Nov. 10, 2025. Namibia officially inaugurated the Dr. Hage G. Geingob Freeway on Monday in the capital, Windhoek, marking the completion of a landmark infrastructure project set to transform regional transport and boost economic development. (Xinhua/Lin Jing) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes nearly universal among Australian accounting firms, cybersecurity remains as one of the most pressing challenges in its adoption. With one in five businesses report cyber breach in the last year, investment in AI must be matched by enhanced cybersecurity protections, according to the CPA Australia: Business Technology Report 2025. The fifth annual report is based on surveys, conducted between July and September 2025, of accounting and finance professionals working in Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. Professional body CPA Australia reported that the rapid rise of AI could expose businesses to a new wave of cybersecurity threats, especially as most businesses set to increase their investment in AI tools going into 2026. The professional body urged businesses particularly small businesses to review and strengthen their digital defences or risk devastating data breaches and financial loss. Cybersecurity isnt optional its essential, CPA Australia business investment and international lead, Gavan Ord said. Smaller businesses are especially vulnerable due to limited resources and cybersecurity expertise. by Nirmala Carvalho A car bomb that exploded yesterday near the historic Red Fort, a symbol of Indian independence, killed 13 people and wounded more than 20. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far, but authorities suspect a jihadi attack linked to Kashmir, following the discovery of three tonnes of explosives in Faridabad. However, "all angles" remain open, according to federal Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah. Let us continue to pray for peace and safety across our beloved nation, reads a statement by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. New Delhi (AsiaNews) An explosion was reported last night near Delhis historic Red Fort, the site where Indian prime ministers deliver their annual Independence Day address to the nation. The blast left 13 people dead and more than 20 wounded, rattling the capital. The authorities responded by declaring a state of maximum alert. According to preliminary information, the incident occurred shortly before 7:00 pm, near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort metro station, in Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad), a high-traffic area considered sensitive to religious tensions due to the presence of the Jama Mosque and the often crowded Chandni Chowk market. The blast was triggered by a moving car, which, according to a preliminary investigation, had been parked near the Red Fort for over three hours before it was moved. The vehicle is believed to have exploded while stopped at a traffic light. The blast destroyed six cars, four motorcycles, and three e-rickshaws, sending debris and pieces of metal tens of metres in the air. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but Indian authorities believe the likelihood of a terrorist action is high. Federal Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah said that law enforcement agencies are examining "all angles" and not ruling out any possibility." A Delhi Police official added, speaking anonymously, that the needle of suspicion points in the direction of terror groups. Delhi Police opened a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act, which cover terrorist acts. Investigators have already identified the vehicle involved, a Hyundai i20 that had changed owners several times, the latest a resident of Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, a region known for its instability and high number of attacks, the latest in April of this year in Pahalgam, when more than 20 Indian tourists were killed. In the hours following the attack, security forces took the mother and two brothers of the main suspect into custody to determine any possible links to armed groups. Meanwhile, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) ordered the closure of the Red Fort for three days, until 13 November, for security reasons and to protect the historic site. The attack comes at a time of high regional tension. Yesterday, police in Jammu and Kashmir seized some three tonnes of explosives in two residential buildings in Faridabad, in the state of Haryana, south of Delhi. The seized material included 350 kg of ammonium nitrate, a fertiliser often used to make bombs. So far, no direct link has been found between the Faridabad seizure and the Delhi attack. According to some observers, the dynamics and location of the attack indicate a clear intent to strike a national symbol. The Red Fort is the venue where prime ministers make their annual Independence Day address, and has been targeted by armed groups in the past. Its location in the heart of Old Delhi, during peak traffic hours, could have resulted in a much higher death toll. The political context adds further pressures since the attack comes seven months after the Pahalgam massacre, when 26 Indian civilians were killed by militants from a group called the Resistance Front. Following this attack, Narendra Modis government launched "Operation Sindoor," a series of air and missile strikes on targets in Pakistan. Yesterdays explosion risks causing a new military escalation with Pakistan whose capital was also struck today by a terrorist attack, which is still being investigated, while the country slides towards greater militarism. In the past few months, India has repeatedly reiterated that any terrorist attack carried out by groups based in Pakistan will be considered an act of war. The Catholic Bishops' Conference (CBCI) reacted expressing its "deep shock" and "profound sadness" over the incident, which leaves "the nation grief-stricken. We convey our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in this unfortunate incident," reads the statement issued by the CBCI. We appeal to all citizens to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious activities or unattended objects to the police or local authorities, it went on to say. Finally, Let us come together as one community, uphold peace, and cooperate to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens. Let us continue to pray for peace and safety across our beloved nation," it added. Today's headlines: Syria's al Sharaa accepts the six-month suspension of US sanctions and promises to fight ISIS; China and Japan in war of words after Takaichi's comments on Taiwan; Germany 'mistakenly' deports Uyghur woman to China from Germany; Singapore to introduce sustainable fuel levy on all flights; In Russia, 254,000 people to be laid off from the beginning of 2025. INDIA The explosion of a car near the Red Fort metro station in Delhi last night killed at least 13 people and left more than 20 injured. Investigations are following the terrorist trail: the police have arrested two men who were reportedly the previous owners of the car involved in the explosion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visiting Bhutan today, said that the perpetrators of the attack will not be spared. SYRIA-UNITED STATES US President Donald Trump received Syrian interim President Ahmad Al Sharaa at the White House, while Washington announced the temporary suspension of sanctions imposed on Damascus by the Caesar Act. The revocation, set for 180 days, excludes sanctionable transactions with Russia and Iran and can only become permanent with an act of Congress. For its part, the Syrian government signed the D-ISIS agreement for cooperation in the fight against the militias of the self-proclaimed Islamic State. A few hours before the visit on Saturday, Syrian security forces conducted a large-scale search operation in Damascus and several other provinces, killing one ISIS member and arresting dozens of people. JAPAN-CHINA-TAIWAN Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is not backing down in the diplomatic clash with China over some of her statements made in recent days, according to which a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo. Until now, Japanese leaders had avoided mentioning Taiwan when publicly discussing such scenarios, maintaining the strategic ambiguity of the United States. Takaichi's statements prompted a threatening post from a Chinese diplomat in Japan, while Beijing lodged a formal protest against what it called blatant interference in its internal affairs. CHINA-TURKEY-GERMANY Last week, Germany deported a Uighur woman to China instead of Turkey due to a bureaucratic error that endangered her life, the weekly magazine Der Spiegel reported. Reziwanguli Baikeli, 57, left Xinjiang in 2017 because she felt she was at risk and lived in Turkey for a while before moving to Germany in 2024 to join her daughter and apply for asylum. However, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) rejected her asylum application and ordered her to be sent back to Turkey. But when the authorities in her place of residence in Lower Saxony discovered that she did not have Turkish identity documents, they put her on a flight to China. Upon arrival in Beijing, however, she was not arrested and was able to contact her daughter, who quickly booked her a flight to Dubai, from where she then travelled on to Istanbul. SINGAPORE From 1 October 2026, Singapore will introduce a sustainable aviation fuel levy for departing passengers. The levy will be charged on tickets sold from 1 April 2026 and will range from to .60, depending on the flight distance and travel class. The aim is to contribute to Singapore's goal of ensuring that 1% of jet fuel is sustainable aviation fuel by 2026, with plans to increase this to 3-5% by 2030, financed through the proceeds of the tax. RUSSIA According to official data from the Russian Ministry of Labour, 254,000 Russians were laid off during 2025 due to economic difficulties, adding to the nearly 100,000 who have been in this situation since the end of last year, with staff reductions in all sectors and even in the arms industry, the area in which the largest amounts of the budget have been invested since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. CENTRAL ASIA-UNITED STATES New rules for granting driving licences in the US threaten to cost thousands of migrants from Central Asia their jobs. They have flocked to work as drivers on America's great highways as one of the most lucrative professions, enabling them to support their families from afar. Many communicated through translators, including digital ones; now, knowledge of English is a prerequisite, especially in the strictest states. by Arundathie Abeysinghe A research team from the Sri Lanka Blue Resources Trust found a new ridge linking the Yakampita and Gingiripita reefs. The discovery reveals the surprising richness of the marine ecosystem near the capital, where some areas show over 50 per cent hard coral cover. But researchers warn that the reefs remain outside protected areas and are threatened by pollution and illegal fishing. Colombo (AsiaNews) A new coral ridge has been discovered off the coast of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, thanks to research conducted by the Blue Resources Trust and funded by the Lanka Environment Fund. The new data indicate that the Yakampita and Gingiripita reefs, located a few miles off the coast, are connected by a continuous reef ridge. The discovery was made possible by the Urban Reef Biodiversity Mapping Project, a programme mapping coral reefs near urban areas that involved five sites off the coast of the city. According to the research, this is the first complete representation of the capital's coastal ecosystem. [W]e used a drop camera and an echo sounder for ground truthing and discovered the connection between the two reefs, explained Chanaka Sooriyabandara, senior researcher at the Blue Resources Trust, at a press conference. [T]he Gingiripita reef system was actually around 130 hectares, making it much larger than it was previously documented, he added. The research found that the deeper sections of the reef can play a key role as natural refuges for corals and fish, acting as "larval sources" for the regeneration of shallower ecosystems, which are increasingly damaged by warming sea waters. In contrast, the nearshore Palagala reef showed the poorest health, with just 2.3 per cent hard coral cover and severe signs of pollution due to sewage discharge and high turbidity. The northeastern part of the system, Yakampita, previously unstudied, proved surprisingly rich in life. In some areas, hard coral cover exceeds 50 per cent, dominated by species such as Acropora aculeus and Turbinaria mesenterina. For this reason, the research team decided to consider Yakampita and Gingiripita as a single ecosystem. "These reefs," marine biologist Niroshini Galappatti told AsiaNews, "perform a vital role in protecting the coast, acting as a first line of defence against storms and tsunamis. Although flatter and less spectacular than the reefs in the south or east of the island, they are home to a surprising variety of corals that, seen from above, resemble a submerged field of flowers." Sri Lankas maritime area is more than three times larger than its land territory, with an exclusive economic zone of 230,000 km and a continental shelf of 31,000 km. However, in recent decades, intensive fishing, tourism, and port expansion have caused significant environmental degradation. Ecologists Ravihari Wickramasinghe and Oshantha Rajapaksha note that the new study "finally brings attention to an ecosystem that has been ignored for too long." The new mapping, they explain, "shows that nature can survive even in densely populated urban spaces. The country will have to rethink its conservation models: not just remote protected areas, but also ecosystems integrated into city life." Despite the discovery, the research warns that Yakampita and Gingiripita remain outside the boundaries of marine protected areas and are exposed to multiple threats, including anchoring by commercial vessels heading to the Port of Colombo and illegal trawling, which causes serious physical damage to the seabed. Although dynamite fishing is now rare thanks to the port's radar systems, "anchors and nets continue to pose the most immediate threat, the researchers warn. by Joseph Masilamany The measure follows a High Court ruling. Koh disappeared in 2017 in Petaling Jaya, abducted by a group of masked men. The Home Minister says the police will comply with the order. His wife Susanna Liew opposes the Attorney General's appeal. The similar case of activist Amri Che Mat. Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) - The police will reopen the investigation into the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh in 2017. This was announced yesterday by Home Secretary Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, following a High Court order requiring authorities to resume the long-stalled investigation. Koh, a Christian pastor, was abducted in broad daylight in Petaling Jaya in 2017 by a group of masked men in a coordinated operation captured on CCTV cameras. Saifuddin said the ministry's immediate goal is to ensure compliance with the court's directives, namely to continue the investigation and establish Koh's whereabouts. My focus now is on the court's directive requiring the police to take two actions: resume the investigation and establish Pastor Koh's whereabouts, he said after receiving a full briefing from the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) last Friday. Last week, High Court Judge Datuk Su Tiang Joo ordered the government to pay Koh's family RM10,000 (approximately 2,000) per day from the date of his abduction on 13 February 2017 until he is found. The court also awarded RM4 million in general damages and RM250,000 in legal costs, totalling approximately RM37 million (approximately 7 million) to date. The judge ordered the police to resume their investigation and report every two months to the AGC on the progress made, removing the officers who had conducted the initial investigation from the case. The day after the High Court's decision, the AGC appealed against the ruling. The matter now falls under the jurisdiction of the police. It is my responsibility to ensure that the directives are implemented, Saifuddin said, adding that he could not comment on the government's appeal as it falls under the jurisdiction of the AGC. Similar to the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh is the case of the disappearance of social rights activist Amri Che Mat in 2016. An investigation by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) concluded that both men were victims of enforced disappearances and that the operations bore the hallmarks of Special Branch involvement. A special task force appointed by the government subsequently upheld Suhakam's findings. Last week, the High Court also ordered the government to pay more than RM3 million (over 500,000) to Amri's family for failing to properly investigate his abduction. Amri's wife, Norhayati Mohd Arifin, questioned the government's inaction in addressing fundamental issues related to disappearances. While the government has the right to appeal, where is the same urgency in investigating the conduct of those responsible? she said. Koh's wife, Susanna Liew, who recently won a landmark court case against the government, also expressed dismay at the AGC's decision to appeal, saying the family was perplexed by the move, especially after both Suhakam and the task force had linked police personnel to the abductions. She renewed her call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to be set up to summon all those named in the task force's report and hold them accountable. Christian families are returning to the village in the Orontes Valley to claim their homes and lands 14 years after it was occupied by armed Islamists, who killed Fr Francois Mourad. For Father Ielpo, custos of the Holy Land, every true reconstruction is based on the strength of faith, and of the power of forgiveness. Milan (AsiaNews) While the world's attention was on the visit by Syrias transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa to the United States, Christian communities in northern Syria experienced a very special day. Last Saturday, several Christian families were able to repossess their homes and lands in Ghassaniyah 14 years after they were forced out by armed Islamist groups. This village is one of the historic communities in the Orontes Valley, a place where the Church has ancient roots. Christians here like to call themselves the descendants of Saint Paul, because, according to tradition, the apostle travelled through these hills on his journey from Jerusalem to Antioch. These communities have endured extreme persecution since 2011, when Islamist militias occupied the area in their long war against the regime of Bashar al-Assad. The Ghassaniyah convent, especially, was the site of the martyrdom of Father Francois Mourad, a Syrian priest killed on 23 June 2013, while providing pastoral service and assistance to refugees together with the friars of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land. Given this background, it is understandable that the official return of Christians to the village on 8 November 2025 will remain etched in the collective memory of the community. The ceremony also had a significant ecumenical dimension. Along with the Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo, Bishop Hanna Jallouf (who hails from the Orontes Valley where he served as a priest), those present included the Greek Orthodox Bishop of Lattakia, Athanasius Fahed, and Rev Ibrahim Nuseir, president of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon. Together, they represented all the Christian communities in Al-Ghassaniyah. Reading a message from the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land, Friar Francesco Ielpo, Father Bahjat Karakash said: On this day of grace, we hear the words of the prophet Isaiah resonate: Return to your land with joy, and your eyes will see consolation (Is 51:11). This return is a sign of community rebirth, of the strength of faith, and of the power of forgiveness, upon which every true reconstruction is founded, the Custos wrote. May the light of the risen Christ, our true Peace, continue to illuminate Syria and all the lands entrusted to our care, and make our ministry of peace and reconciliation fruitful. GATEWAY TO THE EAST IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO THE MIDDLE EAST. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY TUESDAY? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE. by Vladimir Rozanskij Faced with the resurgence of the so-called rodnovery, or native believers, Kirill formed a special commission led by Russian-French Archbishop Savva, the rising star of his team, to counter this new challenge. But according to Professor Sizenskij, one of Russia's leading religious scholars, the only real answer is missionary work that goes beyond ideological assessments. Moscow (AsiaNews) - The Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow has decided to systematically counter the various forms of neo-paganism that are spreading increasingly in Russia, especially those aspects that refer to pre-Christian Russian antiquity, whose followers call themselves the rodnovery, or native believers. Also very popular are forms of devotion to the militant Scandinavian polytheism called Asatru (As = God, Tru = faith), which dates back to the representations of Germanic tribes at the time of the migrations before and during Roman rule, then transmitted by Icelandic manuscripts from the time when Kievan Rus' was formed, with the call of the Varangians beginning in the 9th century. According to the Orthodox, this problem is considered one of the most important in the Church's missionary activity today, even more so than competition from the traditional religions of migrant workers, such as Islam and Buddhism. Patriarch Kirill himself has repeatedly referred to the issues of neo-paganism and the difficulties of interfaith dialogue. A working group has therefore been formed, bringing together representatives of various patriarchal bodies, with the aim of preventing neo-paganism. The first meeting of this commission, made up of members from 12 synodal departments, was held in early October, with a summary report published on the patriarchate's information website. The report states that the president of the commission is the head of the synodal department for missions, the Russian-French archbishop Savva (Tutunov), a rising star in Patriarch Kirill's team. Among the commission's primary tasks are the preparation of scientific and methodological materials, the organisation of training and education programmes, and the development of measures to counter the destructive influence of neo-pagan doctrines. The novelty lies precisely in the systematic approach, even though the challenge of neo-paganism has been discussed for some time, with missionary activities already underway by the synodal department, which also includes a secretariat for apologetic mission. It deals with combating sects, pseudo-orthodox teachings, destructive subcultures and various cults, collecting and analysing information on various forms of religious confusion and developing methods of apologetic response. The new body, which involves other sectors of the patriarchate, was personally requested by Patriarch Kirill, who announced it at the ecclesiastical council on 10 April, stating that today we are witnessing attempts to distort our past, replacing authentic spiritual tradition with artificially constructed surrogates. The Patriarch expressed his concern that neo-paganism is often presented to young people as a kind of alternative to Orthodoxy, presenting it as a more historical, natural and authentically national form, when in fact we are faced with an eclectic mixture of fantasies and elements from other cultures, and truly destructive ideas. In this pseudo-culture, among other things, a special relationship with the use of force is formed, as happens in closed ethnic groups, where force is considered a decisive factor in preserving one's identity, which has real effects on the lives of the majority of people. Kirill recalls the link between ethnic diasporas and brutal polytheism, to which followers of radical Islamism are often connected, which also requires the intervention of law enforcement agencies. However, Roman Shizensky, the leading specialist at the Centre for Ethnic and Religious Studies at St Petersburg's Lgu University, is rather sceptical about the possibility of achieving significant change through the work of the new commission, believing that a genuine mobilisation of ecclesiastical institutions in missionary work that is not limited to ideological assessments is necessary to prevent the Orthodox Church itself from being considered merely a state cult for which more effective alternatives must be sought, including in the defence of the Fatherland with the true cult of force. 11 November 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more When Azerbaijan was chosen to host COP29, few expected Baku to leave a lasting mark on global climate politics. Critics called it a "temporary stop" before the real decisions in Brazil. Yet a year later, the conversation has shifted. COP29 in Baku not only delivered concrete outcomes, from launching the Loss and Damage Fund to shaping a global finance roadmap, but also elevated Azerbaijans credibility as a climate leader. Now, as COP30 opens in Belem, the contrast could not be clearer: where Baku offered structure, ambition, and progress, Belem faces the challenge of living up to that legacy. COP29 proved to be a pivotal moment for international climate diplomacy. It was in Baku that the Loss and Damage Fund officially began operational activities, finally turning years of negotiations into a working mechanism to support vulnerable nations already facing climate impacts. Equally significant was the agreement on a new climate finance framework, with countries aligning behind the "Baku to Belem Roadmap", an ambitious plan to mobilize $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for developing nations. Azerbaijans presidency also steered consensus on enhancing transparency in national commitments, streamlining funding access for small and medium economies, and ensuring inclusivity in negotiations, particularly through the participation of youth, women, and civil society. Beyond these institutional achievements, COP29 stood out for its scale and engagement. It drew over 80,000 participants, including dozens of heads of state, government representatives, global organizations, and business leaders. The event became a symbol of how smaller host nations can deliver not only organizational excellence but also substantive results that move global climate policy forward. Bakus unexpected weight From the moment Azerbaijan was selected to host, doubts persisted that its presidency could shape meaningful outcomes. Instead, Baku exceeded expectations, converting procedural goals into operational progress. It wasnt just a venue, it was a turning point. The legacy of COP29 now extends beyond the final communiques: it reshaped perceptions of Azerbaijan as an active participant in global climate governance rather than a passive observer. For a country still navigating energy transition and diversification, Baku 2024 became a demonstration of capacity, credibility, and cooperation. At COP30 in Belem, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis, Sahiba Gafarova, addressed the thematic session on "Energy Transition", reaffirming that Azerbaijans clean energy agenda did not end with COP29; it continues to expand. Gafarova emphasized that accelerating the shift to renewables is crucial not only for cutting emissions but also for driving sustainable growth. She recalled that under Azerbaijans COP29 presidency, energy transition had been one of the central priorities, leading to the organization of four High-Level Energy Transition Dialogues with the International Energy Agency and other partners. These efforts culminated in three landmark initiatives: the Global Energy Storage and Networks Pledge, the Green Energy Zones and Corridors Pledge, and the COP29 Hydrogen Declaration, all designed to advance innovation, technology transfer, and fair participation in the global energy transition. Highlighting Azerbaijans national progress, Gafarova noted that the countrys renewable energy potential exceeds 135 GW on land and 157 GW offshore, with more than 2 GW in new green energy projects planned by 2027. She added that by 2030, about 40 percent of Azerbaijans total electricity generation is expected to come from renewables, a target that underscores the nations determination to build a low-carbon future. The Speaker also pointed to the creation of Green Energy Zones in the once-liberated territories as an example of sustainable reconstruction and regional transformation. Chief Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev, on the other hand, unveiled the countrys new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) committing to a 40 % emissions reduction by 2035, fifteen years ahead of the original 2050 goal. This move underscores a shift in both tone and policy. Azerbaijan is not merely maintaining its commitments but accelerating the momentum, signaling that its post-COP29 momentum is translating into tangible action. As Rafiyev put it, "NDC 3.0 is a testament to Azerbaijans firm commitment to climate action and a sustainable future." The new target integrates renewable expansion, industrial decarbonization, and regional cooperation on clean energy, particularly through green corridors linking the South Caucasus with Europe. It also aligns Azerbaijans domestic reforms with the broader COP29 finance framework, connecting ambition with implementation capacity. Belems quiet stage With COP30 in Belem (November 10-21, 2025), the tone appears markedly different. Reports suggest that many world leaders will not attend, and the agenda remains underdeveloped, with major discussions postponed and few policy breakthroughs anticipated. This emptiness in the lead-up contrasts sharply with the intensity of Baku, where negotiations were substantive, the agenda full, and global attention focused. While Belem inherits the financial and structural groundwork laid in Azerbaijan, it faces the challenge of living up to that precedent. Azerbaijans transition from COP29 host to proactive architect of global climate policy is telling. It reflects a broader foreign policy evolution combining diplomacy, environmental stewardship, and economic diversification. By stepping forward with a more ambitious NDC and actively shaping global finance mechanisms, Azerbaijan demonstrates that influence in climate governance is not just about scale, but about leadership and timing. Its actions now resonate well beyond the South Caucasus, positioning it as a bridge between developed and developing countries, a pragmatic voice from the Global South that can build consensus where larger powers often falter. From Bakus unexpected success to Belems uncertain tone, the trajectory is clear: Azerbaijans COP29 has set a benchmark. It delivered operational breakthroughs, financial commitments, and a spirit of inclusion that many larger conferences had failed to achieve. As COP30 unfolds, Azerbaijans actions, both through its NDC 3.0 and its continued diplomatic engagement, reaffirm that the countrys climate leadership was not a one-time performance. It was the beginning of a new chapter in how smaller nations can drive global outcomes. The journey from Baku to Belem tells a larger story: true credibility is earned not simply by hosting global summits, but by turning ambitious promises into meaningful action. This was a recurring sentiment among participants at last years event, reflecting the growing expectations and scrutiny that come with each successive COP. Azerbaijan has demonstrated this, raising the bar for what future COPs can accomplish. As the worlds attention shifts to the next summit, the focus must remain on continuous progress and bold improvements, not dwelling on potential shortcomings, but on delivering real climate solutions. 11 November 2025 15:50 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Tourism has long stood as a cornerstone of Azerbaijans economic diversification strategy, serving both as a vital non-oil revenue source and as a platform to showcase the nations cultural, historical, and natural wealth. In recent years, the government has elevated sustainable tourism to the forefront of national development policy viewing it not merely as an economic sector but as an instrument for regional revitalization, employment generation, and cultural diplomacy. Yet, recent figures suggest that the sector is undergoing a phase of recalibration amid changing regional dynamics. Between January and September 2025, Azerbaijan hosted 230,650 tourists from Middle Eastern countries, marking a 13.4% decline compared to the same period last year. The largest share of arrivals came from Saudi Arabia with 86,882 visitors, representing an 11.4% decrease, followed by Israel (44,147, +52.5%), and the United Arab Emirates (31,785, -31.9%). Declines were also registered from Kuwait, Oman, and Egypt countries traditionally among Azerbaijans strongest source markets. The mixed results across the Middle East point to broader trends. Analysts link these fluctuations to evolving travel preferences, currency depreciation in several Gulf states, and shifting airline connectivity patterns. Still, Azerbaijans growing visibility in markets such as Israel and Jordan underscores that effective destination branding and targeted marketing campaigns can yield tangible results even amid regional volatility. A similar trend is visible in European arrivals. During the same period, 167,740 European tourists visited Azerbaijan a 21.7% year-on-year decrease. Visitor numbers from both Eastern Europe (-21.5%) and Western Europe (-21.8%) declined, with notable drops from traditional source markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and France. Analysts suggest that this downturn mirrors broader post-pandemic travel slowdowns across the region, compounded by economic pressures and competition from Mediterranean destinations offering budget-friendly options. Despite these short-term contractions, Azerbaijans tourism potential remains immense and the long-term strategic horizon is shifting eastward and inward. Following the 2020 Patriotic War and the liberation of Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur, the government has identified tourism as a pillar of reconstruction and reintegration. Beyond economic diversification, the development of the liberated territories is tied to a deeper national objective: transforming previously isolated regions into vibrant centers of culture, heritage, and sustainable growth. For decades, the occupation had stifled the economic and touristic vitality of these areas. Destroyed infrastructure, security concerns, and limited accessibility prevented investment and development. Now, with peace restored and reconstruction underway, the state envisions turning Garabagh and its surrounding districts into a new tourism frontier one that integrates natural beauty, history, and agricultural abundance into a unified model of sustainable regional development. The State Tourism Agency has already initiated assessments for agrotourism and eco-tourism opportunities across the liberated territories. Officials note that the regions fertile lands, favorable climate, and diverse cultural heritage create the perfect foundation for rural tourism experiences that connect local production with visitor engagement. Such efforts align with the governments broader smart village and green energy programs, aiming to make Garabagh not just a symbol of national revival, but also a model of environmentally responsible growth. Strategically, Azerbaijans integration of the liberated territories into the national economy is reinforced by new transport projects particularly the Zangezur Corridor which will enhance regional connectivity and cross-border mobility. As infrastructure expands, the accessibility of new tourist zones will improve, positioning Azerbaijan as a leading travel hub in the South Caucasus and along the Middle Corridor linking Europe and Asia. In essence, while short-term statistical declines may raise concerns, they do not necessarily indicate a structural weakness. Rather, they reflect a sector in transition recalibrating to global economic realities while preparing for a long-term expansion rooted in post-conflict development, sustainability, and innovation. Azerbaijans tourism future, therefore, lies not only in attracting more visitors but in building a diversified, resilient, and experience-driven industry that mirrors the countrys broader ambitions as a dynamic and forward-looking economy. 11 November 2025 19:53 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more Ahmad al-Sharaas pilgrimage to Washington and the concurrent, temporary easing of US sanctions mark a dramatic inflection point in Syrias post-2011 trajectory. The meeting at the White House, given that it was itself historic, as no Syrian head of state had visited Washington previously, both symbolizes and accelerates Damascuss rapid diplomatic rehabilitation. The US Treasurys decision to suspend the imposition of certain Caesar Act measures for 180 days significantly reduces the economic and political costs of re-engagement, providing Moscows rivals with a brief window to shift the balance of influence within Syria. To understand the strategic significance of that pivot, it helps to recall Syrias recent history under Bashar al-Assad and the depth of MoscowDamascus entanglement. Under Assad, Syria became a reliable client of Russia: Moscow supplied arms, provided decisive military intervention from 2015 onwards, and established permanent dual facilities, the naval logistics point at Tartus and the Khmeimim air base in Latakia, that guaranteed sustained Russian access to the eastern Mediterranean. That relationship was transactional and profound: Russia rescued a regime under existential threat, and in return extracted geopolitical leverage and a foothold for power projection. Al-Sharaas ascent from insurgent commander to president after the fall of Assad represents an upheaval of that post-2015 order. Although his past as a rebel and militia leader complicates Western acceptance, his removal from the US terrorism blacklist and the lifting of UN sanctions have opened diplomatic space that simply did not exist under Assad. Those moves are not simply symbolic: sanctions relief facilitates investment, reconstruction contracts, and diplomatic normalisation, all levers that Washington can use to draw Syria into a different orbit. If Washington genuinely welcomes and invests in al-Sharaas interim government, the immediate strategic consequence will be to erode Moscows monopoly of influence. Russias bases will remain a powerful bargaining chip. Moscow has in the past negotiated to retain Tartus and Khmeimim even while conceding other losses, but American economic incentives and political recognition can reduce the Kremlins relative indispensability. In practice, this is unlikely to be a clean subtraction of Russian power; rather, it will create a multipolar competition for influence in which Moscows military footprint becomes necessary but no longer sufficient to determine Syrian strategy. This rebalancing has implications across Syrias regional relationships. With Israel, Washingtons rapprochement provides added assurance to Jerusalem. Israels primary strategic concern is preventing a permanent hostile foothold in southern Syria, notably the transfer of advanced weaponry to anti-Israeli proxies. US engagement could lead to formalised security guarantees or monitoring mechanisms that reduce Israeli incentives for unilateral strikes, while making Syria a more predictable interlocutor. However, any Israeli comfort will depend on verifiable demilitarisation of certain zones and on guarantees that Russia (if present militarily) will not obstruct Israeli self-defence. The coexistence of Russian bases and renewed US influence will thus require intricate, tripartite de-confliction. Turkiyes relationship with Damascus will also be recalibrated. Ankara has long balanced between kinetic operations in northern Syria, a wary accommodation with Russia, and a transactional relationship with Kurdish forces. A Syrian government normalising with Washington could be an opportunity for Ankara to negotiate security guarantees in the border provinces and to secure a role in reconstruction contracts, provided Ankaras core red lines (notably the containment of Kurdish autonomy on its border) are addressed. Conversely, if Ankara feels sidelined by a US-Syria detente that neglects Turkish security concerns, it could resume assertive cross-border measures or deepen ties with other regional partners to hedge its risk. The political skill will be to fold Turkish security requirements into any US-backed reconstruction and stabilisation architecture. For Russia, the new normal would be that it keeps valuable military facilities and retains influence through military advisers, arms sales, and private military contractors, but loses the exclusive patronage that translated into broad political control. Moscow will likely pursue a pragmatic compromise: insist on formal protections for its bases while negotiating guarantees for its economic and military contractors, and demand payment or legal assurances for leaving. If Washington is willing to recognise those interests (for instance by tacitly guaranteeing Russias bases in exchange for Moscow abstaining from obstructing reconstruction finance), the Kremlin may accept a reduced role. But if Moscow perceives a strategic squeeze, especially if US reconstruction money corrodes Russian commercial interests, Moscow could respond by hardening its military posture or by leveraging other regional partners to complicate normalisation. Three scenarios crystallise. First, a managed integration: Washingtons sanctions relief is sequenced, conditional, and paired with international reconstruction finance; Russia keeps its bases but accepts a reduced political role; Turkeys security concerns are written into an international guarantee; Israel secures de-confliction and weapons restrictions. This would stabilise Syria and open reconstruction, but requires exceptional diplomatic choreography. Second, a competitive tug-of-war: the US and Russia both press for economic and security concessions, resulting in a fragmented Syria where external patrons carve spheres of influence and domestic reconciliation stalls. Third, a backlash scenario: Moscow resists accommodation, using military presence and proxy networks to frustrate US projects; Turkiye acts unilaterally; Israel conducts strikes; and Syria relapses into episodic conflict. The likelihood of each outcome will hinge on the scale and speed of Western financial commitments and on Moscows assessment of its ability to extract compensations. Ultimately, Syrias new orientation towards Washington offers both opportunity and peril. If Washington can translate diplomatic gestures into credible reconstruction finance, security guarantees, and inclusive political arrangements, Syria might shift from a Russian client state to a more pluralised geopolitical actor, anchored by Western economic ties. But durable peace will depend on accommodating the legitimate security interests of Israel and Turkiye, managing Russias military presence without provoking escalation, and building Syrian state institutions capable of absorbing aid without immediate capture by narrow political factions. The coming months, shaped by Washingtons policy choices and Moscows counter-moves, will determine whether al-Sharaas visit is the opening of a new chapter or merely a temporary realignment in a longer struggle for influence. ------ Below are the sources that have been referenced. 1 - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/10/ahmed-al-sharaa-meets-trump-as-us-extends-syria-sanctions-relief?utm_source=chatgpt.com 2 - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/29/rebel-leader-ahmad-al-sharaa-made-transitional-president-of-syria?utm_source=chatgpt.com 3 - https://russiapost.info/politics/u-turn_in_syria?utm_source=chatgpt.com 4 - https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrian-president-will-visit-white-house-early-november-foreign-minister-says-2025-11-02/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 5 - https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-partially-suspends-caesar-act-sanctions-on-syria-for-180-days/3740199?utm_source=chatgpt.com 11 November 2025 12:26 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The State Employment Agency under Azerbaijans Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population supported 491,800 citizens through various active employment measures during the first ten months of 2025, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry. According to official data, 158,000 individuals were provided with suitable job placements, while 16,300 people joined the self-employment program, enabling them to establish small family businesses and income-generating activities. In addition, from January to October, 15,500 unemployed citizens participated in professional training courses designed to improve their skills and employability. The Agency also delivered career guidance services to over 302,000 people, helping them identify suitable career paths and better integrate into the labor market. The initiatives are part of Azerbaijans ongoing efforts to expand inclusive employment opportunities and strengthen workforce development in line with the countrys social and economic reform agenda. 11 November 2025 14:21 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. Between January and October 2024, Azerbaijan imported carpets worth $7.33 million from Turkiye, according to the Turkish Exporters Assembly, as reported by Azernews. This represents a 15.2% decrease compared to the same period last year. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 11 November 2025 13:41 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. Between January and September 2025, 167,740 tourists from European countries visited Azerbaijan, marking a 21.7% decrease compared to the same period last year, Azernews reports. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 11 November 2025 17:55 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Azerbaijans Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman), Sabina Aliyeva, met with the Chair of the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC) and Moldovas Peoples Advocate for the Rights of the Child, Vasile Koroi, to discuss enhancing cooperation in the field of human and child rights protection. According to Azernews, during the meeting, Sabina Aliyeva underlined the importance of the existing collaboration between Azerbaijans Ombudsman Office and ENOC, emphasizing the need to further expand this partnership to strengthen the protection of human rights and freedoms. She informed the guest about the current situation of child rights protection in Azerbaijan, particularly concerning children affected by war and other vulnerable groups. Aliyeva also highlighted recent legislative amendments and institutional reforms in the country, which contributed to Azerbaijans Ombudsman Office becoming a full member of ENOC. She shared proposals for improving cooperation within the ENOC framework to enhance the institutions effectiveness. Head of the Child Rights Protection Sector at the Ombudsmans Office, Nigar Agayeva, provided detailed information about the Ombudsmans mandate in this area, the activities of the Monitoring Group on the Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the achievements and best practices gained through this work. In turn, ENOC Chair Vasile Koroi expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome, stressing the importance of existing collaboration and the need to strengthen partnerships between ombudsman institutions in protecting childrens rights. At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides highly valued the exchange of views and underscored the importance of implementing joint projects in the fields of human rightsparticularly child rightsin the future. 11 November 2025 17:04 (UTC+04:00) President Ilham Aliyev sent a letter of condolence to President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Azernews reports. " Dear Mr. President, My dear Brother, We were deeply saddened by the tragic news of the loss of servicemen in the crash of a Turkish Air Force military cargo plane, which took off from Ganja and crashed in Georgian territory. In this moment of sorrow, I share your grief and, on behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, extend heartfelt condolences to You, the families and loved ones of the deceased, and the fraternal people of Turkiye. May their souls rest in peace," the letter reads. 11 November 2025 17:58 (UTC+04:00) The First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, has extended condolences to Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, following the crash of a Turkish military cargo plane, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense. In his message, General Valiyev stated: I am deeply saddened by the news of the C130 military transport plane, bound from Azerbaijan to Turkiye, crashing near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border. I pray for mercy for the fallen military personnel, share in the grief of their families, and extend my heartfelt condolences. May God rest their souls in peace. 11 November 2025 18:09 (UTC+04:00) The Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, has expressed condolences to Turkiyes Minister of National Defense, Yasar Guler, following the crash of a Turkish military cargo plane, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense. In his message, Minister Hasanov stated: I am deeply saddened by the news of the C130 military transport plane, bound from Azerbaijan to Turkiye, crashing near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border. I pray for mercy for the fallen military personnel, share in the grief of their families, and extend my heartfelt condolences. May God rest their souls in peace. The incident involved a C130 military cargo plane that had departed from Azerbaijan and crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border earlier today. 12 November 2025 13:34 (UTC+04:00) UPDATED 13:34 Eighteen of the twenty Turkish servicemen who lost their lives in the crash of a C-130 military transport aircraft belonging to the Turkish Air Force in Georgia have been found. Azernews reports, citing Turkish media outlets, Georgian Interior Minister Gela Geladze confirmed the discovery, adding that search operations continue for the remaining two servicemen. 00:09 The aircraft remained at Ganja Airport for roughly two hours before departure, according to exclusive information obtained by AnewZ. During this time, the crew carried out necessary technical maintenance and pre-flight preparations near the aircraft. The report says no third parties were allowed into the area, and all security protocols were reportedly followed. The aircraft was transporting members of the Turkish Air Force who had provided support to the F-16 fighter jets taking part in the Victory Day military parade in Baku on 8 November, along with mechanical spare parts for those aircraft. Sources confirm that there were no explosives on board, and no signs of external interference or detonation were found in the debris. The same conclusion is supported by video footage circulating online showing the moment the aircraft fell, which displays no evidence of an explosion. Besides, investigators are considering two primary possible causes of the crash: The first relates to the age of the aircraft, which had been in service for more than 50 years and had last undergone major maintenance in 2020. Experts note that corrosion or metal fatigue could have caused a structural failure during flight, similar to the 2017 crash of a US Marine Corps KC-130, which broke apart in mid-air after the failure of a propeller blade. The second possibility concerns the loading process. In transport aircraft, improperly secured cargo can shift during flight, disrupting balance and causing vibration, which may damage the fuselage and lead to structural failure. Sources told the local media outlets that the aircrafts black box was recovered from the crash site. The device will be sent for decoding, and the findings will be made public once the analysis is completed. Officials from Turkiye, Georgia, and Azerbaijan are said to be working closely to identify the precise cause of the incident. Investigators have so far found no evidence of an explosion or sabotage, and initial assessments point to a technical or mechanical failure. Conclusions will be announced after the flight recorder data is analysed and the joint investigation report is published. --- 16:54 The Turkish Ministry of National Defence announced that a C-130 cargo aircraft flying from Azerbaijan to Turkiye has crashed in Georgia. Search and rescue operations have begun in coordination with the Georgian authorities. On President Ilham Aliyevs instructions, Prime Minister Ali Asadov contacted the Georgian Prime Minister regarding the crash of the Turkish aircraft. Prime Minister Ali Asadov stated that Azerbaijan is ready to provide all necessary support for eliminating the consequences of the crash, conducting search and rescue operations, deploying the relevant personnel of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan to the area, and taking any other required measures. President Erdogan noted that Turkiye is working in coordination with Georgia to locate the remains of the crashed military transport aircraft. The soldiers on board were those who had participated in the parade held in Baku. They were returning to Istanbul. Military channels report that an American C-130J-30 aircraft was flying near Tbilisi. It was accompanied by an unidentified drone and a helicopter. They reportedly remained in the air for about 40 minutes. Your browser doesn't support video. Please download the file: video/mp4 11 November 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00) US envoy Jared Kushner has held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss the second stage of the Gaza ceasefire, as Washington steps up efforts to keep the fragile truce on track. Netanyahu said Israel would uphold the ceasefire in Gaza and the parallel truce with Lebanon with what he called an iron fist. The Gaza truce, now one month old, has effectively paused the fighting that began after Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The first phase of the agreement has seen multiple exchanges of prisoners and hostages in recent weeks. Kushner, who played a central role in brokering the ceasefire and is the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, met Netanyahu as part of renewed American efforts to stabilise the current pause in hostilities and prepare for the next stage of the arrangement. 11 November 2025 11:19 (UTC+04:00) Out of the detained suspects, 179 have been formally arrested, while 97 were released after signing written undertakings. Authorities also seized assets worth 72 million Turkish liras as part of the investigations. According to Azernews , Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the results on his official X account, stating that the operations focused on online fraud, illegal betting, and online child pornography. Turkish authorities have detained 403 suspects in large-scale operations targeting cybercrimes across 25 provinces over the past week. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 11 November 2025 17:22 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Authorities in Georgia have launched an investigation following the crash of a Turkish cargo plane, Azernews reports, citing the countrys Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to the statement, on November 11, the plane went down in the Signagi municipality, approximately 5 kilometers from the Georgian state border. The incident is being investigated under provisions related to violations of flight safety regulations and the operation of aircraft resulting in human casualties, as authorities examine the circumstances surrounding the crash. 11 November 2025 23:33 (UTC+04:00) An explosion rocked the Pakistani capital Islamabad, killing at least 12 people and injuring 20 others, according to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Azernews reports, citing local media. The blast reportedly occurred in a parking area near the Supreme Court, with some sources suggesting it may have been a suicide attack. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the incident, and authorities continue to investigate. Cost Increases at Oregon State Parks - Inland and on the Coast Published 11/10/25 at 6:25 p.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Newport, Oregon) There is a small amount of bad news for some beach accesses / parks on the Oregon coast: state parks are going to cost more to park at and special free days are going away. As 2025 wanes, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is looking back on a year of milestones while preparing for a season of change in 2026. The agency said it welcomed millions of visitors across its more than 250 parks, maintained nearly 1,000 miles of trails, hosted hundreds of events - from mushroom hikes to star parties - and completed dozens of infrastructure projects, including the restoration of the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and repaving of the campground at Silver Falls State Park. State parks also updated many of its fees to reflect increasing costs and decreasing Oregon State Lottery funding, OPRD said. Depending on the fee, the last update was anywhere from seven to 15 years ago. Many of this coming year's changes were already announced, but OPRD is now introducing additional changes aimed at maintaining services and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. Beginning November 28, 2025, parking fees will no longer be waived at parks that require permits on Green Friday. On January 1, 2026, the popular First Day Hikes will return at select parks, but parking fees will also apply at permit-required locations. That same day, the cost of a 12-month parking permit will double from $30 to $60 for Oregon residents and rise to $75 for out-of-state visitors due to a new surcharge. The agency will discontinue sales of 24-month parking permits, though existing ones will remain valid until expiration. Oregon Pacific Coast Passports will no longer be sold, and Jackson County parking permits will no longer be honored. Cape Blanco State Park at Port Orford (courtesy Cape Blanco Historical Society). Further changes are expected in winter and spring 2026. OPRD is proposing updates to its Division 15 Rates and Reservation Policy, which would revise rules around cancellations, refunds, special access passes, and rate ranges. These changes are intended to improve campsite availability and encourage early cancellations. Public comment on the proposal will be open from December 1, 2025, through January 15, 2026, with final approval required from the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission. Additional updates that are under consideration include expanding the number of parks that require parking fees, implementing dump station fees to offset service costs, and modifying State Parks Day on June 6. While free parking for Oregon residents will continue on that day, camping fee waivers may be discontinued pending policy approval. Silver Falls State Park, Silverton (Oregon Coast Beach Connection) The changes are critical to sustaining state park operations and services now and for the future. We appreciate visitors continued support as these necessary changes are implemented, said Oregon Parks and Recreation Director (OPRD) Director Lisa Sumption. Facing a projected $14 million budget shortfall this biennium, OPRD is not only adjusting fees but also streamlining operations, planning to add more cabins and yurts to increase capacity and revenue, and seeking new partnerships and sponsorships to build a more sustainable funding model. The department does not receive general fund tax revenue for its operations and will continue to evaluate its fee structure to support high-quality visitor experiences statewide. Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW OREGON COAST HOTEL REVIEWS (hit refresh to see different reviews) Oregon Coast's Rogue Ales Abruptly Closes All Operations - Newport, Portland,... Over 60 people now unemployed. Company owed 100s of thousands in taxes, rent. Salem, Monmouth, restaurant reviews Story of One Much-Lauded Lincoln City Icon Stretches Over 100 Years of Oregon... One of the historical gems that stands out is the Ester Lee Motel. Lodging reviews, hotel news N. Oregon Coast Beauty on the Beach: Seashore Inn's Latest Revelations, Specials How to actually write its name, recent changes to the Seaside hotel. Seaside hotel reviews, Seaside lodging news Depoe Bay Hotels - Incredible Views, Wild Tides Depoe Bay Hotels, Depoe Bay hotel reviews, outstanding places to stay More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles) Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Mussel Harvesting Back Open Along Entire Oregon Coast Published 11/09/25 at 6:45 p.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Newport, Oregon) One tasty little seafood morsel is back on the Oregon coastline and ready to jump into your mouth. (Photo Seaside Aquarium) The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announced this week that mussel harvesting is now open along the entire Oregon coast, from the Washington border to the California border. Recent marine biotoxin tests have shown levels below the alert threshold, allowing for the reopening. While mussel harvesting is fully open, other shellfish species have varying restrictions. Razor clam harvesting is permitted from the Washington border to Cape Blanco (Port Orford) but remains closed from Cape Blanco south to the California border. Bay clam harvesting is open coastwide. Recreational crab harvesting is allowed in bays, beaches, piers, jetties, and tide pools, but remains closed in ocean waters through November 30. ODA continues to monitor shellfish toxin levels at least twice monthly, depending on tides and weather conditions. Areas closed due to biotoxins can only reopen after two consecutive tests show toxin levels below the closure limit. ODFW photo Before harvesting, individuals are urged to call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage for the latest updates. For licensing, permits, and harvest regulations, contact ODFW directly. Additional information is available through the ODA Food Safety Program at 503-986-4720. This year's closures were not nearly as bad as the previous two years. Back in May of 2024, over 21 people got quite ill from consuming mussels that were affected by the marine biotoxin paralytic shellfish poison (PSP). This and the presence of domoic acid in some species caused the shore-wide closure of all recreational clamming and snagging mussels. All areas in Washington and Oregon were closed to recreational gathering. Up on the Washington coast, those biotoxin closures were still in effect in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor until later in the year, but beach shellfish gathering was not in season at that time, anyway. It was eventually cleared. Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW MORE PHOTOS BELOW OREGON COAST HOTEL REVIEWS (hit refresh to see different reviews) Old, Authentic Oregon Coast Motor Lodge Converted Into Colorful Boutique Motel History and histrionics: one outstanding yet funky little motel on the outer edges. Newport hotel reviews, lodging news, Newport lodging Laidback Rockaway Beach, Ocean in View from Hidden Oregon Coast Condo Rental Luxury and an unstoppable view meet. Rockaway Beach hotel reviews, lodging news An Oregon Coast Legend Reopens: Hotel Sylvia in Newport's Nye Beach in a New ... Many author rooms remain, now include book genre themes. Newport hotel reviews Oregon coast on the downlow (rates, that is), in Lincoln City and Cannon Beach Exceptional hotel deals in Cannon Beach and Lincoln City. Cannon Beach reviews, Lincoln City reviews Photo Seaside Aquarium Seaside More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles) Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Weather Adventures on Oregon / Washington Beaches: Damage, Water Spouts, Car in Surf Published 11/08/25 at 6:45 p.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Oceanside, Oregon) Crazy weather and crazy times: the last few days of king tides and nutty weather brought some interesting sights to the coastlines of Oregon and Washington. Funnel clouds / water spouts were formed (causing tornado warnings at one point), docks were damaged, an RV was overturned, at least one vehicle got stuck in the surf, and towering, gargantuan waves hit some places like Coos Bay's Shore Acres (see photo at bottom of article). Above photo Netarts-Oceanside Fire District The Netarts Bay Boat Launch at 2065 Netarts Basin Boat Road in Tillamook sustained significant damage following a series of intense rainstorms and the king tide event that began on November 5. In response, Tillamook County Parks maintenance crews have been working steadily since to clear storm debris from the boat ramp and adjacent parking area. Cleanup efforts were expected to continue through the early afternoon of Friday, November 7, 2025 - as of the last update from TCP. The storm caused the existing dock to break into three sections. One portion became lodged in the upper bank, another remains partially attached to the final pier, and the section nearest the ramp is still functional. Plans are in place to extract the embedded dock segment and temporarily store it in the small parking lot until repairs can begin early next week. Damage repair in Netarts / Tillamook County Parks Community members with questions or concerns about the ongoing cleanup and repair operations are encouraged to contact the Tillamook County Parks administrative office at 503-322-3522. A whole lotta gnarly weather broke out on the Washington coast and Oregon coast, including at least two waterspouts and / or tornadoes. The National Weather Service (NWS) had confirmed sighting of at least one Thursday on its radar in the Ilwaco area. That could well be what was photographed here, which the photographer says was a funnel cloud for a few seconds before it faded into this shape. On Friday, Netarts-Oceanside Fire District caught the above dramatic sight in Netarts Bay, with the beginnings of a water spout. It doesn't appear to have been fully formed, but it looks as if one was starting to build. Authorities there say one was confirmed to them at one point. (Wait for video below to load) Another crazy weather day, the agency said. Waterspout in Netarts Bay. Had opportunity to inspect damage in Oceanside. US Weather Service confirmed a waterspout around 4:35 pm yesterday. Netarts-Oceanside Fire District Many trees were downed in Oceanside, and the Tillamook fire department also showed an RV that was turned over in the wind storms. On the Washington coast, along the Long Beach Peninsula, someone had the misfortune to be driving along that beach during king tides Friday. The result was this gray SUV getting stuck first in the water and then in the sand. Photos and video from the group Long Beach Peninsula 4x4 Rescue show a woman being carried from the vehicle and then it being towed out by the group and Hill Auto Body & Towing. Dock in Netarts / Tillamook County Parks Just because you are allowed to drive on a beach on a particular Oregon coast or Washington coast spot does not mean you should. Current weather forecasts show conditions easing for most of the Pacific Northwest coastline, even heading to sunny weather on Tuesday. Offshore seas remain mostly under ten feet, which means it should be safe to hit the beaches again and look for the oddities storms kicked up onto the sands. Washington Coast Weather Astoria / Warrenton Weather Seaside Weather Cannon Beach Weather Manzanita Weather Nehalem Bay / Wheeler Rockaway Beach Weather Oceanside/Tillamook Weather Pacific City Weather Lincoln City Weather Depoe Bay Weather Newport Weather Yachats Weather Florence Weather Coos Bay - North Bend - Charleston Weather Bandon Weather Port Orford Weather Gold Beach Weather Brookings Weather Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW OREGON COAST HOTEL REVIEWS (hit refresh to see different reviews) A Soaring View Just Opened This Week at North Oregon Coast's Neskowin Right on the ocean, it's been drawing attention lately. Availability. Pacific City Hotel reviews Clifftop Spa Aglow Above Oregon Coast's Nye Beach: Luxury Meets History at Inn Newport's Inn at Nye Beach has numerous sides. Hotel reviews, lodging Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - 363 Miles of Rentals Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals, vacation rental reviews, hotel reviews, vacation rental news Keystone Vacation Rentals - Central Oregon Coast Lincoln City hotel reviews, Depoe Bay hotel reviews. Luxury oceanfront condos are available in Depoe Bay and Lincoln City, including popular resort communities like Village at North Pointe and Pacific Winds. These one- and two-bedroom units are situated directly on the beach or perched at elevated whale-watching viewpoints, often featuring amenities such as private hot tubs, Wi-Fi, access to indoor pools, and even on-site theaters. Most units accommodate up to four guests. Depending on the property, additional highlights may include gourmet kitchens, river rock fireplaces, plasma TVs, in-unit washers and dryers, fitness centers, pool tables, beachside patios, BBQ grills, iPod docking stations, books, games, puzzles, covered parking, cable TV, DVD libraries, massage chairs, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances. Some condos also offer access to a conference room. Depoe Bay and Lincoln City. (503) 443-1414. Shore Acres this week - Photo Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles) Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Has the City of Washington, NC been managed by their elected local government, and their bureaucrats, in a fiscally responsible manner to better serve the people who pay their ever advancing property taxes? 0% Yes, rising property taxes are a necessity to maintain a progressive city.100% No, excessive funding of a poorly managed government can become a shell game of corruption.0% I am afraid to say. Robert McGuinness worked as a manager in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Belfast Tributes have been paid to a "stalwart" of the hospitality industry in Northern Ireland following his sudden death. Robert (Bert) McGuinness, who worked as a manager in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Belfast, died at home on Monday. According to a funeral notice, the "much loved father" leaves behind his wife Gillian and four children; Christopher, Megan, Jessica and Brooke. It also remembers him as the "loving grandfather of Laochra and Claragh and also a loving brother of Margaret, Hugh and Louise". The Andras Hotels group paid an emotional tribute to its popular employee. "We are deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague and friend, Robert McGuinness (Bert), C&B Manager at the Crowne Plaza Belfast," it posted on social media. "Bert was a long-standing and much-loved member of our Andras Hotels and Crowne Plaza team, having worked with us for 21 years. "He brought warmth and humour to everything he did, and he will be sorely missed by his colleagues, friends, and many clients who knew him over the years. "Our thoughts are with Bert's family and everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him." NI Travel News paid tribute to the "funny, bubbly and most notably kind" colleague in the industry. "Bert was always there at the drop of a hat for both the NI Travel News team, and our industry in attendance," it posted on social media. "Nothing was ever too much. His enthusiasm and drive stood out from the day the team met him, and from then, work relationships quickly changed to friendships, as it is with many of the Crowne Plaza Staff. "The bonds that have been formed over the years remain firmly at the front of our minds learning this sad news." Many friends and colleagues have been expressing shock and sadness online. "Devastating news. The best boss there was and he will be sorely missed by everyone in Crowne Plaza," one social media user wrote. "Thinking of his family during this sad time." Robert McGuinness worked as a manager in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Belfast Eamonn Holmes: 'The HMRC came after me at the most vulnerable time in my life' | The BelTel A second person wrote: "Bert was such a gentleman and an outstanding colleague in Crowne Plaza. "Thinking of his family friends and work colleagues at this very sad time." Another added: "So sorry to hear this, have some brilliant memories of working with Bert many years ago. "Always made a shift fly in!! "Thinking of Berts family, friends and colleagues at this sad time." A further tribute described Mr McGuinness as the kindest soul you could ever meet. The CEO of NI IT firm Kainos plc has said the companys performance in the first half of the year was excellent despite an increase in national insurance contributions, adding 1.5m in costs. Kainos, the only NI firm to be listed on the FTSE 250, posted record revenues of close to 200m for the first six months of the year, but saw profit before tax fall by almost 6m compared to the same period last year. Brendan Mooney also said that he is optimistic about the company securing future work with the government ahead of Labours Budget. The results for the first half of 2025 show the Belfast IT firm bringing in 196.1m, which was a 7% rise on the 183.1m made in the same period last year. Profits before tax at Kainos, which is building a new HQ at Bankmore Square on Dublin Road, went down, however, as increased costs made a dent. The company posted a statutory profit before tax of 28.4m, a 17% fall from the 34.2m made in 2024. CGIs of the newly approved Kainos Headquarters. Credit: Cyanotype Media Speaking to the Business Telegraph, Kainos CEO Brendan Mooney ascribed the fall to being in the phase where youre hiring strongly for permanent staff. Youre using contract staff as a short-term measure to have the capacity to deliver some of the programmes of work. We see those additional contractor costs as a bit of a drag on our first half profit performance. New employees add costs themselves, he said, especially since the rise in employers national insurance kicked in earlier this year. Its 1.5m for the first half of the year, Mr Mooney said of national insurance employer contribution increases, so annualised, just over 3m. Its a significant increase in cost. The CEO was optimistic about the companys sales performance, with 227.9m of bookings in H1 2025, and a contracted backlog of close to 400m. Where the company makes these sales has changed notably in the past decade: We are focused on the UK, but over the last 10 years weve gone from our international revenues being 4% of revenues to 43% in this set of results. Brendan Mooney Gerry Carroll accuses Education Minister of 'stirring up hatred' and says he has lost 'majority' of cross-party support Kainos international business is focused on North America, with Canada identified as a key growth market. To that end, the firm recently purchased Nova Scotia-based company Davis Pier, acquiring 120 new staff in the process. The prospect of Chancellor Rachel Reeves budget on November 26 has not had many businesses excited, but Mr Mooney is confident that, even in the event of cuts to government departments, Kainos will still have plenty of opportunities with the public sector. The work we do is about efficiency. Its always about reducing the work companies do to support citizens. A lot of our projects are linked to getting off expensive legacy software or hardware. My general view is, if the government is looking to push a strong efficiency agenda, then they will want to use technology as part of the equation to fix those efficiency bottlenecks. Stena Line route manager Paul Grant on the challenges the firm has faced over 30 years Paul Grant has worked for Stena Line since before its move to Belfast The trade director of Stena Line on the Irish Sea has said the ferry company is vital to infrastructure in Northern Ireland as the company marks 30 years of operation in Belfast. Paul Grant, 58, also spoke of his frustrations over political inaction on improvements to roads in Northern Ireland, including the Westlink in Belfast. In the three decades since the move from Port of Larne to Belfast, Stena Line vessels have sailed 11.3 million nautical miles over 187,000. Thats enough travelling to take some around the world 523 times, or to the moon and back again over 50 times. Those journeys have carried 43 million passengers, along with almost 10 million cars and about as many freight units. The company generates a lot of revenue from businesses connected to the island of Ireland: the accounts for 2024 show that freight and passenger ferries between Ireland and the UK and Ireland and France generated 602m of turnover and profits before tax of 39m. Looking back on the move to Belfast, Mr Grant says: We moved from Larne to Belfast in 1995. We had three ships, but only one route. Now, in Belfast, we have seven ships and we serve three different destinations: Cairnryan, Heysham and Birkenhead. Stena Line's latest freight vessel, the Stena Futura During that time, the amount of freight that weve carried has increased fourfold. The amount of passenger traffic that we carry has increased 80% since then. Mr Grant acknowledges Stena Line is a private, for-profit company, but he views it as crucial to how NI functions in general. Stena is a big part of Northern Irelands infrastructure. We carry 80% of all the cars that travel back and forth between here and Britain. We carry almost 70% of the road freight that travels across. Belfast is now Stena Lines biggest hub across Europe. Without the ferry services, we would struggle to get food on the tables and wed struggle to get the purchases that people are buying online. Paul Grant, Stena Line Trade Director I think it became more prevalent to people during the Covid period, whenever people were cutting back on services. We werent able to cut back on services because, guess what, were a lifeline to Northern Ireland. Look at the population of Northern Ireland, you can see our penetration. Theres only 1.9 million in Northern Ireland, we carry 1.7 million on our ferries. Stena Line is long-lived in Belfast at this point, and Mr Grant is even longer-lived at the firm. He began straight out of university, at a business that would become part of Stena. When I started, it wasnt Stena Line, it was a company called Sea Containers that were then taken over by Stena Line. Ive worked in all different parts of the businesses; I have worked on the ships, on the ports, in different jobs throughout my career. Stena Line is a Swedish company, and is operated by the Olson family. Mr Grant views his owner as massively committed to Stenas business across the Irish Sea. Paul Grant has worked for Stena Line since before its move to Belfast Paul Givan heckled by protesters as he faced vote of no confidence Reflecting on the transition to Stena ownership, Mr Grant also believes the family-owned nature of the firm is still evident despite its size: From early on, you could see the Stena Line values were completely different. We took a longer-term perspective on investments, there was a different culture in terms of how you look after colleagues and people. We were one of the first companies to actually run surveys of our employees. Thats become more prevalent in the last 10 or 20 years, but we were doing it 30 years ago. Theres a lot of good inherent values that came from the owner and how he ran his businesses. One of the biggest changes to face Stena Lines business during its time in Belfast is Brexit. Despite the challenges faced by companies dealing with the bureaucratic realities of changing trade arrangements, Stenas business in Belfast actually increased. Initially, some Northern Ireland hauliers would have left NI and went via Dublin to Holyhead into the UK. Were now finding that some of those hauliers, because of the different problems that were might have been created for them in terms of documentation, have decided to switch their routes to, for example, Belfast to Liverpool or Belfast-Heysham More businesses are stopping in Northern Ireland. Were probably carrying about 10% more freight out of Belfast than we did pre-Brexit. Mr Grant is very positive about the company he works for and the industry it is part of, but he has frustrations too. In particular, he believes the road infrastructure leading to and from Belfast Harbour, and near Scottish ports, is insufficient and harms capacity. Weve been talking about Westlink improvements for the best part of 30 years. We have invested more than 0.5bn in the last 30 years on improving infrastructure. But unfortunately, we havent seen the improvements on the Westlink and on that vitally important A75 road that connects Scotland with the M6. Asked about the impact of these delays, Mr Grant said you can see it every day with the difficulties facing hauliers at that bottleneck we have on the Westlink. That takes time, and time costs money. It can cause issues in our operation where, if theres a traffic accident or jam, you can see people arriving late for their ferries or missing one sailing and having to go on another. He said that with the Westlink project and changes to the A75 in Scotland, Stena Line have seen lots of talk and lots of promises from politicians, but unfortunately, we havent seen too many spades in the ground. A spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure said: In October 2022 the Department published a Placemaking and Active Travel Review report for the York Street Interchange project. "Since then, officials have taken forward further work to refine the options within it. "This work has now been completed, and a series of meetings have been held with elected representatives and other interested organisations, to gather their assessment of the report. The findings of this work have now been presented to the Minister who will take time to consider the next steps for this key infrastructure project. "As the scheme is not funded through City and Growth deals and is not identified as an Executive Flagship project, officials will consider possible alternative funding methods which could facilitate the scheme progression. "This work is at an early stage. Donald Trump has given the BBC a deadline of Friday to retract false and defamatory statements made about him in a Panorama documentary, or face a billion-dollar legal action. The US president threatened legal action after a report from Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBCs editorial standards committee, raised concerns that a speech Mr Trump had made before the attack on the US Capitol on January 6 2021 had been selectively edited by the BBC. Belfast restaurateur back in his barber shop after leaving hospitality: Im doing life in reverse Peter McCloskey talks to Margaret Canning about handing over his eatery in the east of the city in order to focus on cutting hair Peter McCloskey at his barber's shop on Upper Newtownards Road in east Belfast (Peter Morrison) Tue 11 Nov 2025 at 09:16 As Peter McCloskey himself observes, there have not been many barbers in Belfast who owned a restaurant and there are definitely none since he left the hospitality trade last month. Conor Bird ran from Pilgrims Hospice Margate, where his mother Barbara was cared for when she had lymphatic cancer, and arrived at her childhood home in Andersonstown on November 2. That was the tenth anniversary of her passing. European More Europa League woes for Rangers after defeat to Ferencvaros Exclusive | All-female far-right group give out pink knuckledusters at anti-migrant protest Woman is arrested after Belfast City Hall demonstration with file sent to DPP One of the pink knuckledusters handed out on Saturday Allison Morris Tue 11 Nov 2025 at 07:02 An all-female far right group founded in England has started a branch in Northern Ireland, handing out pink knuckledusters to crowds gathered at a protest over the weekend. (Left to right) Edwin Poots, Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Jayne Brady, head of the NI Civil Service, and Lesley Hogg, clerk/chief executive of the Northern Ireland Assembly during a ceremony to mark Armistice Day at Parliament Buildings in Stormont, Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) Armistice Day has been marked by commemorations in Northern Ireland. At Stormont, political leaders gathered for a remembrance event in the senate chamber of Parliament Buildings, where a bugler played the Last Post. Afterwards, Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots led a procession through the Great Hall of the building to the war memorial close to the entrance. DUP leader Gavin Robinson lays a wreath as DUP deputy leader Michelle Mcllveen and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little-Pengelly (right) look on (Liam McBurney/PA) There Mr Poots laid a wreath to mark the moment the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War, as did the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Jayne Brady and Assembly chief executive Lesley Hogg. Several political figures also laid wreaths, including DUP leader Gavin Robinson, UUP leader Mike Nesbitt, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, SDLP leader of the opposition Matthew OToole and TUV MLA Timothy Gaston. DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly accompanied her party leader during the solemn event. She had cited the occasion as a reason she was unable to attend Tuesdays inauguration ceremony for new Irish president Catherine Connolly in Dublin. Sinn Feins chief whip in the Assembly Sinead Ennis attended the remembrance ceremony in the senate chamber. In keeping with the republican partys past approach to the Stormont event, a representative did not lay a wreath at the memorial afterwards. Elsewhere in Belfast, the armistice was marked at the Cenotaph on the grounds of City Hall. The council was represented at the Royal British Legion event by DUP Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly. Racist thuggery broke out in towns following alleged sex assault of girl Firefighters battle a house set on fire during disorder in the Clonavon area of Ballymena in June. Pic: Kevin Scott Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has secured funding from The Executive Office to improve community relations following migrant-related rioting in Ballymena and Larne over the summer. The council also said the disorder cost the PSNI in the district 5m to police. Some 63 police officers were injured and three police vehicles were damaged. It was also noted water cannon and AEP rounds were deployed. Crowds took to the streets in Ballymena in early June after the alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town. Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, were later charged with attempted rape. A peaceful protest in the Co Antrim town about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities, described by police as racist thuggery. The disturbances lasted for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland. Larne Leisure Centre was targeted in race riots The councils funding application stated: Civil unrest and public disorder occurred in the Ballymena and Larne areas following a peaceful protest which was arranged following an incident of an alleged attack of a young girl by members of a minority community. The protest focused on the message of Ending Violence against Women and Girls. However, the public disorder that occurred after the peaceful protest lasted a number of days and was largely targeted at minority communities within a particular area of Ballymena. Larne Leisure Centre at Tower Road was set alight while some people were still inside the building on Wednesday, June 11. A report presented to the borough councils Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee, at a recent meeting, stated the incident in Larne was in response to the use of the leisure centre as an emergency support centre for families displaced from Ballymena. It added: The disorder has had a negative impact on the communitys relationship with the PSNI and statutory agencies in general. It has also caused fear within the wider ethnic minority community. Councillors have been told previously the financial impact of the arson attack on Larne Leisure Centre will only become clear once all claim processes have been exhausted. They were also informed the Romanian Embassy contacted the borough council following the riots. The committee report said The Executive Office sought proposals from all councils in Northern Ireland to put in place programmes or interventions to address social and racial cohesion following the recent disorder. It said: Council is very mindful of the need to support community and civic recovery within the borough following recent civil unrest. It is proposed that this resource will be used to build on existing work locally in the community using established initiatives and interventions. The purpose will be to increase the level of intervention and engagement with local communities in the affected areas MEABC has been offered 47,000 from The Executive Office through the Good Relations programme specifically for work on social and racial cohesion following the recent public disorder. The committee report says that this sum was offered to all local authorities in Northern Ireland. The councils application explained in the short-term, we propose to build on existing work through the existing networks to increase the level of intervention and engagement with local communities in the affected areas. A wider recovery plan is being developed. Firefighters battle a house set on fire during disorder in the Clonavon area of Ballymena in June. Pic: Kevin Scott It is expected a diversionary programme for young people will be established and work through local community groups youth groups and others who understand the complex nature of the issues that have contributed to the tensions within the community and the recent social disorder. It was also stated a wider recovery plan is being developed at corporate level in council. Mid and East Antrim PSNI Chief Inspector Bradley commented: Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets. We are seeking to deliver justice to those responsible for these targeted attacks that followed a series of protests within the Ballymena area. In the months from the sustained disorder, our dedicated public order inquiry team worked tirelessly to ensure that those involved in this violence are brought before our courts to face the consequences of their actions. We would also repeat our appeal to anyone who has been the victim of, or has any information on, any crime to contact police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. We can assure you that we will always act on concerns and information we receive. 55 people facing charges linked to racially-motivated riots in Ballymena Police, fire and ambulance services were all in attendance Emergency services at the scene of crash in Antrim Eight people have been taken to hospital after a crash incident in Co Antrim earlier today. Emergency services were called to reports of a school minibus colliding with a tree at around 12:45pm Police, the fire service, and the ambulance service, including a critical care team, attended the incident on Tirgracy Road. Emergency services at the scene of a collision involving a school bus on November 11th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Several people were on the minibus at the time and were treated for a range of injuries at the scene. The Belfast Telegraph understands from emergency crews at the scene that none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening, and that the bus belonged to a local college. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service confirmed eight people were taken to hospital in total five to Antrim Area Hospital and three to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. A police spokesperson said: Police and other emergency services attended a one vehicle road traffic collision on the Tirgracy Road in Antrim, shortly before 12.30pm, on Tuesday 11th November. A number of people have been taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that are not believed to be life threatening. The road remains closed. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 12:36 on Tuesday, 11th November, following reports of an RTC in the Tirgracy Road area, Antrim. NIAS has despatched multiple resources to the scene including 8 Emergency Ambulances, 1, Advanced Paramedic, 1 Rapid Response Paramedic, 1 Emergency Planning Officer, 3 Ambulance Officers and 1 Hazardous Area Response Team. "NIAS also tasked the HEMS team by road, to the incident. Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, 5 people were taken to Antrim Area Hospital by Ambulance, and 3 people were taken to Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast by Ambulance. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue service said one appliance attended the scene. A spokesperson added: Firefighters were called to reports of a single vehicle road traffic collision involving a mini bus on Tirgracy Road, Muckamore, Antrim. "A number of people were in the care of NIAS prior to NIFRS arrival and were then transported to hospital via ambulance. "Firefighters assisted NIAS with first aid and made the area safe. "The scene was handed over to the PSNI. The incident was dealt with by 2.00pm. A controversial planning application for two new social housing apartment blocks at the site of the old Havelock House building in south Belfast appears to have cleared the final hurdle of approval, amidst shambolic scenes at City Hall. At the November meeting of the Belfast City Council Planning Committee on Tuesday, elected representatives approved the planning application at the old UTV headquarters after a series of votes, during a fraught debate over the 100% social housing aspect of the application. During the planning hearing, the Alliance Party changed its position from initially being against the application, to being in support. The DUP voted against the application, having voted in favour of it in previous hearings. In the end, a fourth poll on the matter saw 12 votes in favour of the application from Sinn Fein, Alliance, the SDLP and the Green Party, and seven votes against from the DUP, and the UUP. It was declared carried. A poll at the start of the hearing saw nine votes in favour of the application from Sinn Fein, the SDLP and the Green Party, and 10 votes against from the DUP, Alliance and the UUP. The Alliance Party changed its position after failing to get through a proposal to reject the application on the basis of the social housing mix. Alliance originally backed an argument by the Housing Executive that the area needed a more mixed housing tenure, namely an 80% social housing component with 20% other tenure. During the meeting, the DUP also failed to get through a proposal to reject the application on the basis of design. Before this hearing the party had consistently voted in favour of the application. Earlier this year in the summer it was revealed that the initial approval for the planning application by the council last December had been held up by Stormont for further consideration. A council officer confirmed at City Hall in July that the Stormont Department for Infrastructure had placed a holding direction on the highly disputed application for 100% social housing apartment blocks at the old Havelock House site. Nearly a year after the application was first approved by the council, the plan was returned to City Hall this week after the Stormont department at last declined from calling-in or reversing the council decision. Despite over 500 objections being lodged and concerns from the Housing Executive over the fact it will consist entirely of social housing social housing, last December councillors approved the application from developer Genova North West Limited, of Banbridge, in conjunction with Clanmil Housing Association. They repeated that approval on Tuesday evening, but with different numbers. The 25m plan involves the erection of 104 residential units across two detached blocks, ranging between three and five storeys, at Havelock Place, BT7. Demolition of the old building began in January 2024. Demolition work on UTV's Havelock House in 2024 An appeal in March this year by the Donegall Pass Residents Association to defer the decision for further consultation with the local community was dismissed when councillors reaffirmed their position. On a vote on the development then, 15 elected representatives backed the proposal, from Sinn Fein, the DUP, Alliance and the Green Party, to three who were against the proposal, from Alliance. A total of 52 third party representations were received by the council, including a petition objecting to the proposal with 462 signatories, 49 further letters of objection, one letter of a mixed response, and one letter objecting to the petition. None of the statutory consultees objected to the application, and council officers recommended the application for approval. At Tuesdays Planning Committee meeting, a representative from the Housing Executive said: I must be clear that the Housing Executive supports the provision of social housing on this site on a mixed tenure basis. "While we acknowledge and respect the decision of the Department for Infrastructure not to call in this application, the Housing Executive strongly believes that this outcome (the 100% social housing approval) could set an undesirable precedent and risks worsening existing housing pressures, and one which does not reflect the councils own plans. It is vital that decisions and schemes of this scale reflect the strategic housing need and long term community impacts. We fully endorse the original recommendation for a mixed-tenure development comprising 84 social rented units, with the remaining 20 units delivered for another tenure. This mixed-tenure position has been consistently communicated throughout the application process. Artist's impression of new apartments at site of UTV's former headquarters, Havelock House. She added: This is a mono-tenure scheme, and it does not reflect the mixed-tenure approach that is essential to building inclusive, resilient communities. Approving this application in its current form risks setting a concerning precedent, one that could undermine the integrity of both adopted and emerging Local Development Plans, not only here but across other council areas. She said the Ormeau area already had 35% social housing stock, significantly higher than the Belfast average of 26%, while the owner occupied rate in the area stands at 20%, compared to a city-wide average of 51%. Peter McDonald, of the Donegall Pass Community Forum, said at the meeting: This proposal is by no means social housing. It is purpose-built accommodation for the profit of the developer and the profit of the Housing Association. This community does not have a choice, it does not have a meaningful voice, it has not been engaged with, and has not participated in the design of this. Artist's impression of new apartments at site of UTV's former headquarters, Havelock House. Eamonn Holmes: 'The HMRC came after me at the most vulnerable time in my life' | The BelTel DUP councillor Dean McCullough said during the meeting that the entire Donegall Pass was against the application. Council planning officers wrote: It is recommended that the social housing requirement for this scheme should be set at a maximum of 84 residential units (80%), but with potential allowance for up to 100% social housing, should the issues be satisfactorily addressed and subject to approval from the council in consultation with NIHE. They added: The site is a suitable and highly sustainable location for housing; the proposal would make effective use of previously developed land and would support city centre living. A representative for the developer told the committee: Located on a prime city centre site and a key transport route, what is before members is a high quality housing scheme that caters for a mix of needs groups, including general needs, and category one active elderly. The scheme provides 104 units which have been broken down into five distinct blocks and set within generous landscaped amenity courtyards, for active and passive enjoyment of residents. The scheme sensitively addresses the adjacent residential areas through several key design features. Sofia Mullan, a pupil at Loreto College in Coleraine, was airlifted to hospital after the emergency services attended the collision outside Limavady A Northern Irish school has asked for prayers for one of their pupils involved in a serious crash involving a lorry outside Limavady yesterday. Loreto College in Coleraine said they were asking for people to pray for year 9 student Sofia Mullan. The incident happened on the Boleran Road between Coleraine, Garvagh and Limavady. Two fire appliances, police, ambulance, and the charity air ambulance were all tasked to the scene before the young girl was airlifted to Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children for injuries which were described as critical. In a social media post this morning, her school wrote: We pray for her healing and recovery. We also pray for her parents, siblings, and wider family circle. "We pray too for all those caught up in last nights accident, especially the driver of the lorry and all the emergency services who attended the scene. "We entrust them all into Gods hands. We ask God to guide the healing ministry of the doctors and nurses in The Royal Hospital for Sick Children who are caring for Sofia at this time. "May Mary enfold them with her maternal mantle and may they feel Gods presence in the help and support of others in the difficult days ahead. The SDLP MLA Cara Hunter offered her own support to the girl and her family, writing online: My thoughts and prayers are with Sofia, her family and all those affected by last nights accident. "May she experience a full recovery and may her loved ones feel comfort and strength at this extremely difficult time. Sinn Fein councillor Ciaran Archibald added: My thoughts are with the young girl who was airlifted to hospital following a serious accident on the Boleran Road and I wish her a full recovery. This will be a traumatic time for her, her family and all involved but I know the Ballerin community will support them through this difficult time, and my thoughts are with them all. NI Air Ambulance stock image The story behind Belfast's 'Alec the Goose' tribute outside St George's Market in Belfast Yesterday Ballerin GAA asked for prayers for the girl: We ask our community to come together to pray for a young member who was injured in an accident this evening. "The rosary will be said at 8pm in St Marys Church. Padre Pio pray for her. Its understood the she is a former player at the club, while her family are still members. In a statement yesterday a spokesperson for the PSNI said: Police received a report of a road traffic collision in the Boleran Road area of Limavady involving a lorry and a child pedestrian shortly before 4pm, today Monday 10th November. Officers alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended the scene. The girl remains in hospital at this time being treated for injuries which are described as critical. Child was airlifted to hospital after the emergency services attended the collision outside Limavady A GAA club has asked for prayers for a former player of their club who suffered injuries described as critical after a collision involving a lorry. Earlier, emergency services attended scene of a serious road traffic collision outside Limavady. Two fire appliances, police, ambulance, and the charity air ambulance were at the scene on the Boleran Road between Coleraine, Garvagh and Limavady. A young girl has since been airlifted to Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children for further injuries which have been described as critical. In a social media post, Ballerin GAA asked for prayers for the girl: We ask our community to come together to pray for a young member who was injured in an accident this evening. "The rosary will be said at 8pm in St Marys Church. Padre Pio pray for her. Its understood the young girl is a former player at the club, while her family are still members. NI Air Ambulance stock image Paul Givan heckled by protesters as he faced vote of no confidence The road has been closed to traffic, with specialist rescue teams working at the scene. A spokesperson for the PSNI said: Police received a report of a road traffic collision in the Boleran Road area of Limavady involving a lorry and a child pedestrian shortly before 4pm, today Monday 10th November. Officers alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended the scene. The girl remains in hospital at this time being treated for injuries which are described as critical. The road remains closed at this time and road users are advised to seek an alternative route. The office of president is seen as a largely ceremonial role which involves hosting heads of state at the official residence, Aras an Uachtarain in Phoenix Park, Dublin, and other diplomatic and civic engagements. The president must also consider whether legislation passed by the parliament complies with the constitution, and if they believe it does not, in consultation with the Council of State, they can refer it to the Supreme Court. In recent years, the Irish presidency has become a more political role. During his tenure, former president Michael D Higgins said Irelands housing crisis was our great, great failure, that the UN was losing credibility, and that the Irish State must urgently meet the needs of, and address the concerns of, the survivors of mother and baby homes. Irelands new president, Catherine Connolly, has also been an outspoken critic of the Government and referenced in her inauguration speech that she had been given a mandate to articulate a vision for a new republic where a home is a fundamental human right. The powers and functions of the president are set out in Article 13 of the Irish Constitution. Among her roles, Ms Connolly will represents all the people of Ireland at home and abroad through public engagements, making speeches and receiving visitors to the Aras. She will also be responsible for officially appointing the countrys next premier, or taoiseach, after they are nominated by the Dail parliament. The president also appoints members of government and other office holders, including judges, commissioned officers of the Defence Forces and the attorney general. The office holder also summons and dissolves the Dail on advice of the taoiseach, and can call a fresh election when the premier no longer has majority support. The president may also refuse to dissolve the Dail in which case MPs, or TDs, must nominate an alternative government. Ms Connolly will also act as the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces. The term of the role is seven years, and a president can serve a maximum of two terms. UUP MLA Steve Aiken will attend events on Tuesday at Dublin Castle (Liam McBurney/PA) Ulster Unionist MLA Steve Aiken has said it is appropriate that he attends the inauguration of Catherine Connolly as the new Irish president. Mr Aiken will be the only elected unionist politician from Northern Ireland attending Tuesdays ceremony in Dublin Castle. Catherine Connolly will be inaugurated as Irelands president on Tuesday (Niall Carson/PA) Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and DUP leader Gavin Robinson were invited but unable to attend due to Remembrance Day commitments. Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle ONeill will attend the ceremony. Mr Aiken, a former UUP leader, said: Ill be attending events in Dublin today to mark the inauguration of the new Irish president. As our closest neighbour its appropriate to show the Ulster Unionist Party approach to improving north/south and east/west relations. The MLA said the event would be a good opportunity to foster all-island relations. He added: Ive regularly attended events in the Republic of Ireland and will continue to do so, reflecting our partys belief in respectful engagement and constructive dialogue. The Irish president is the head of state of a democratic nation, and we will pay due respect to both the office and the individual, just as we would to the President of the United States, Ukraine, or any other democratic leader. As a veteran, I will be wearing my poppy with pride and look forward to meeting fellow veterans while in Dublin. I will continue to represent the unionist perspective with clarity and conviction. The King greeting Yavar Abbas at the reception for veterans at Windsor Castle (Andrew Matthews/PA) The King and a 105-year-old Second World War veteran have shared a hug during a remembrance reception at Windsor Castle. Yavar Abbas, who served as a combat cameraman in the British Army during the six-year-conflict, had already met Charles and the Queen at a service of remembrance in Staffordshire earlier this year. His off-script address to Charles and Camilla, thanking them for attending the VJ Day event despite Charless ongoing cancer treatment, seemingly moved them to tears at the time. Mr Abbas reunited with the royal couple on Tuesday night at the Berkshire royal residence, where 12 other Second World War veterans from the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Pacific and Indian Ocean were also honoured. (back row L-R) Charlie Richards, Pat Owtram, Edwin Habberley, the Prince of Wales, George Durrant, Sid Machin (front row L-R) Ron Gumbley, Sylvia Manasseh, the King and Queen and Yavar Abbas at the reception at Windsor (Andrew Matthews/PA) Mr Abbas kissed Camillas hand when she sat next to him for the group photo, and later stood up to greet the King who was accompanied by the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Duchess of Gloucester. The two exchanged a few words before hugging, drawing moving reactions from the rest of the guests. I told him, We cant go on meeting like this, Mr Abbas told the PA news agency. I was very much looking forward to meeting him again. I have a lot of respect for His Majesty, not just as a monarch, but as a human being. Its wonderful to meet him and to know that he is improving, because I had cancer and I got rid of it, Mr Abbas added. Ive been rid of it for 15 years now. Originally from Lucknow in India, Mr Abbas was commissioned into the British Army in India in 1942 as a second lieutenant in the 11th Sikh Regiment. The Prince of Wales with veteran Ron Gumbley (Andrew Matthews/PA) He then trained as a combat cameraman and began documenting the war and its aftermath, from major battles in Burma to occupied Japan, including Hiroshima. He went on to work as a filmmaker, and paid tribute to the journalists killed in Gaza amid the conflict with Israel. Whatever I did, its insignificant when I see what the men and women of Gaza have done for more than two years, he said. They have been recording the genocide that has been visited upon them. When asked what message he wanted to pass down to future generations, he replied: I am angry with the world and I am ashamed. I thought I fought a war to have a better world and I find that I am in a worse world than I was in at the time. We are glorifying war, he added. At the drop of a hat, we begin a war. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and veteran Bill Jones at the reception for veterans (Andrew Matthews/PA) Charles, who is patron of the Royal British Legion, shared one last hug with Mr Abbas before he left the reception. Britains head of state was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer early last year and is continuing with his regular treatment programme, believed to be a weekly session. The Prime Minister Keir Starmer also attended the event and met veterans and their families. Others present included Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, Defence Secretary John Healey, and actor Sir Mark Rylance. The King with Sir Mark Rylance at Windsor Castle (Andrew Matthews/PA) The reception continued the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, which on August 15 marked the anniversary of the end of Second World War. Much of the celebration in 1945 focused on VE (Victory in Europe) Day in May, with those who served in the Far East labelled The Forgotten Army. Attendees were able to view photographic displays by the Royal British Legion and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission commemorating VE and VJ Day. Before leaving the reception, Charles held the Commonwealth War Graves Torch for Peace, which was commissioned this year to symbolise future peace and honour the memory of all those who died in the world wars. Eamonn Holmes is on the road with his one man show - This Is My Life.He spoke to Ciaran Dunbar on The BelTel podcast about his tax troubles, Donald Trump, working for GB News and growing up in the New Lodge Eamonn Holmes: Thieving HMRC came after me A dispute with the tax man means north Belfast man Eamonn Holmes has to keep working despite his health issues. He revealed that he continues to be in dispute with HRMC in a frank interview with The BelTel podcast. He also spoke about working for GB News, his views on Donald Trump and his upbringing in the New Lodge area. He is currently touring Northern Ireland with his one man show, This Is My Life. The show is billed as a journey through the TV presenters life - From his humble beginnings in Belfast to the dazzling heights of national TV. Born in 1959, Eamonn Holmes went on to have a dazzling career as a broadcaster. He now plies his trade with GB News. He joined Ciaran Dunbar in the studio: Bennington, VT (05201) Today Mostly cloudy with snow showers during the evening. Low around 15F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 50%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy with snow showers during the evening. Low around 15F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Its time to plan the Thanksgiving menu. My very first column for The Berkshire Eagle, in November 2020, offered three ideas for using Thanksgiving leftovers. The following year, I wrote a column with three ideas for orange side dishes; then, in 2022, I offered three ideas for something green. I know I had it in my head to finish the series with three options for white side dishes, but somehow got distracted around this time in 2023 with a column on things to do with hard cider, and last year, in 2024, with an idea for a colorful showstopper vegetarian option for the Thanksgiving table. Also, last year in November, I shared my kids favorite apple pie recipe. So this year, finally, to finish the color trifecta, here are three white-ish offerings. For our family, turkey, stuffing, cider gravy and cranberry chutney are non-negotiables. Everyone loves my stuffing, so much so that what fits in the bird is not nearly enough to go around, so I also fill a baking dish with the mixture, at which point it technically becomes dressing. My familys traditional recipe is included below. I know for many people mashed potatoes are a sine qua non (necessary), but perhaps give this root vegetable and leek puree a try, which, like mashed potatoes, is delicious with gravy poured over. If youre reading this while actually in Berkshire County, you can go to Guidos and buy one of my favorites, Cape Cod turnips. I first tasted this vegetable many years ago on Nantucket, where the farm stand called them Nantucket turnips. Many years later, I noticed the same root at Guidos, but with the Cape Cod toponym. They are like rutabagas but sweeter, and are only in the store for two or three months a year. I like to saute some leeks and combine that with steamed Cape Cod turnip for my puree, but this works just as well with parsnips if thats what you can access. When I did the orange and green columns previously, I made a point to include something simpler and less rich, in case that was important to readers or their Thanksgiving guests, so the final recipe below is roasted cauliflower with toasted nuts. (When I decided to include this recipe and thus had to measure everything, my husband and I found a ginormous cauliflower at the Great Barrington Farmers Market, almost 4 pounds, which fed us for days, but the recipe can be adjusted depending on the amount of cauliflower you have.) Whatever graces your table, may you have a delicious and colorful Thanksgiving table, perfectly seasoned with the joy of being with those you love. BAER FAMILY STUFFING / DRESSING Serves 4, can be doubled or tripled INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon neutral oil such as canola 1/2 medium onion, diced 1 stalk celery, trimmed and diced 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 4 ounces loose sausage (about 1 standard sausage, removed from the casing); vegan sausage is also an option 8 ounces plain bread cubes 1 1/2 teaspoons dried sage 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 8-10 ready-to-eat chestnuts, chopped (raw chestnuts are not safe to eat) 4 tablespoons butter, melted 1 cup stock, store-bought or homemade (I use chicken stock, but for a vegetarian stuffing, vegetable broth works), plus more as needed DIRECTIONS Heat canola oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion, celery and salt, and saute until softened and the onion is translucent. Add the sausage and continue to saute until cooked through. If using vegan sausage, follow the package instructions. Place sausage mixture in a large bowl with the bread cubes, sage, thyme and chestnuts, and mix to combine. Pour in the butter and stock and stir again. If desired, place some stuffing loosely in the bird, as much as it fits. For stuffing inside the bird, do not stuff the turkey ahead of time, but rather just before you put it in the oven. Then be sure the stuffing reaches 165 F and scoop it from the turkey when it comes out of the oven. Do not allow the stuffing to cool down inside the bird as the turkey rests. To make dressing (stuffing baked in a pan), place remaining mixture or all of it into a baking dish. Dressing can be made to this point, covered tightly and kept refrigerated, or can even be frozen until ready to cook. Before baking, if the dressing is especially dry, add some additional stock or even water. (This can depend on how dry the bread cubes are.) Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake at 350 F for 30 minutes. Optionally, if you like some moist bits and some crunchy bits, you can remove the foil for the last 10-15 minutes of cooking time. ROOT VEGETABLE & LEEK PUREE Makes 3-4 cups, can be doubled INGREDIENTS 1 pound Cape Cod turnip or parsnips, peeled and cut into -inch pieces 1 medium apple, about 6 ounces 2 leeks, about 1 pound 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided, plus more as needed 3/4 cup heavy cream, plus more cream or some milk as needed 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg Few grinds of black pepper Chives or parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional) DIRECTIONS Cut the leek(s) in half lengthwise through the root end. Remove the tough, dark green portions and discard, which should yield about 8 ounces of the white and light green parts of the leek(s). Check and rinse any dirt from between the layers. Lay cut side down on the cutting board and slice into half-moons, discarding the root end. Heat 2 tablespoons butter and the olive oil in a medium saute pan over medium to medium-high heat until butter has melted and is beginning to bubble. Add the leeks and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Saute for 5-10 minutes until very tender and beginning to brown. Bring water in the bottom of a steamer pot to a boil. Place the Cape Cod turnip or parsnip in the steamer basket and steam for about 15-20 minutes. Peel the apple, cut into chunks, discarding the core, and add to the steamer basket for the final 5-10 minutes of steaming. Once the turnip or parsnip can be easily pierced with a cake tester or thin knife, remove from the heat and add to the bowl of a food processor. (You can also try a high-powered blender or an immersion blender.) Add the leeks to the food processor along with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, cream, nutmeg and pepper. Puree until smooth. Check for consistency, adding more cream (or even milk) if desired. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Puree can be made ahead and reheated in the top of a double boiler or in the microwave. The puree may have thickened in the refrigerator, and, if so, thin with more cream or milk. Garnish with chopped chives or parsley and serve with a pat of butter, if desired. ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH PARMESAN AND NUTS Serves 8-10, can be adjusted depending on the size of the vegetable INGREDIENTS 1 large head cauliflower, 3-4 pounds, cut into florets 2 shallots, thinly sliced 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup grated Parmesan 2-3 tablespoons water 3/4 cup nuts (possibilities include pecans, hazelnuts You may need less with a smaller nut such as pine nuts.) DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 400 F. (This also works at a different temperature if you have something else in the oven, but the timing will need to be adjusted.) Line a half sheet pan with parchment. (For super easy clean-up, line the half sheet pan first with heavy-duty foil before placing the parchment on top.) Place the cauliflower, shallots, salt, granulated garlic, olive oil and Parmesan into a large bowl and mix to combine well. Pour everything out onto the prepared pan and spread into a single layer as much as possible. Sprinkle with the water. Roast for 30-40 minutes, shaking the pan once or twice during the cooking process. While the cauliflower is roasting, toast the nuts in a toaster oven or a dry pan over medium heat. Keep a close eye because they can burn quickly. Once they start to brown, remove from the heat and place in a bowl so they dont continue to toast with the residual heat in the pan or on the toaster oven tray. If using a nut with skin, such as a hazelnut, remove to a clean dish towel or a small bowl covered with plastic wrap to help loosen the skins. Then rub in the dish towel or between your hands to remove as much of the nut skins as possible. Chop larger nuts coarsely. When the cauliflower has softened and has begun to caramelize on the edges, remove from the oven. Place in a serving bowl or on a serving platter and scatter the nuts on top. Cheshire Police Chief Michael Alibozek has been placed on paid administrative leave after being arrested for allegedly soliciting sex for a fee. You are the owner of this article. PITTSFIELD Over just four days last week, 132 new people visited the Christian Center food pantry a sharp jump from the 85 new visitors it saw during all of September. The major spike in visitors is a pattern in pantries across the county, stemming from confusion and uncertainty around the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. They were coming in and saying that they were struggling and that they've never had to do this before and they didn't know what to do, said Karen Ryan, food director and services coordinator of the center. A lot of them were very humble to have to be able to walk in the building and just ask for help. They weren't getting their food stamps, so they really had no choice. SNAP benefits lapsed earlier this month after the Trump administration said it could not disperse the funding to states as a result of the federal government shutdown. After a federal judge on Friday ordered full funding of SNAP for November, Massachusetts began loading benefits onto EBT cards. Later on Friday, the Supreme Court paused that ruling and the Trump administration told states that they must "immediately undo" any steps taken to fund SNAP, according to The New York Times. But on Monday, Gov. Maura Healey announced that benefits have been distributed and the state will continue to do so as scheduled. Forget the noise that you're hearing from Donald Trump, Healey said during a news conference on Monday. I want you to know, because of the actions that we took, your SNAP benefits have been restored to your cards. Go out and buy the food that you need to feed your family. Still, the brief pause and ensuing confusion has elicited a lack of trust in the reliability of the program. That trend extended beyond the Christian Center. At Community Health Programs Family Service Building in Great Barrington, all three of its food distribution services saw an uptick in visitors last week, including new clients and families returning after time away. We have received so much support from the community and from our food partners that we have been able to keep up with the demand, said Mary Feuer, the director of WIC and Family Services for CHP. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts saw a 51 percent increase in visitors to its Mobile Food Bank program serving four counties. The number of seniors who applied for a monthly bag of groceries from the food bank increased by 69 percent last week. Were trying to meet the demand the best we can, said Deb Ondo, the communications and engagement manager for the food bank. The pressure on food banks was significant last week as SNAP provides the equivalent of nine meals for every one meal the food bank does, she said. It's a deeply disturbing and confusing time, and people who receive SNAP benefits rely on them," Ondo said. "People do put food on their table with SNAP benefits." During the final week of October, when residents were in limbo waiting to see what was going to happen, the Peoples Pantry in Great Barrington saw a 49.3 percent increase compared to that week in 2024, according to Silke Aisenbrey, the pantry's vice president. It's just so complex to understand and it changes every day, Aisenbrey said. It's especially hard for our shoppers who are already in an economically vulnerable situation. It creates anxiety, which is really hard to see. While data from the first week of November isnt available yet, the pantry saw a lot more new families and families who haven't been to the pantry in years, many of whom are anxious about the future of SNAP. People are really worried, Aisenbrey said. Even if they haven't felt the effect of SNAP yet, they're just worried about what's going to happen in the next weeks, and that they won't have food on the table, so they want to secure their spot in the pantry, even though we would never close. This week, the Christian Center has increased the amount of food coming in from Berkshire Bounty, which supplies items like dairy, eggs and meats. After quickly running out of milk and eggs last week, theyve ordered more dairy and 1,000 pounds of meat. Jessica Jones, executive director of the center, wants the community to remember that many of those who rely on SNAP are everyday working people who are just trying to survive and feed their families. Being able to understand that and treat people with empathy and as human beings, because they're going through a rough time, is so important, Jones said. And most of the time they're fairly embarrassed about having to come to a food pantry. Healey called what is happening in Washington dysfunctional and assured SNAP users in Massachusetts that we have your back. As governor, I am heartbroken to know that there are people in Massachusetts who were dealing with tremendous fear and anxiety, not knowing how they were going to feed themselves or their families, she said. The pantries are continuing to see an outpouring of support from the community, like on Friday, when deliveries from local food drives came in, The People's Pantry had to call in an emergency volunteer squad because there was so much food donated. We are here for you, Aisenbrey said. Hopefully you dont ever leave the pantry hungry. Editor's Note This column is the second of two parts. The first, "How the far left and far right together weakened democracys foundation," was published in The Eagle's Nov. 6 Opinion section. Want to protect democracy? Stay local. Watch for those who defy the Constitution and ask them to please stop. Who is chilling free speech? Did someone remove public comment from open meetings or read some legal-sounding announcement at the start of meetings that makes you feel as if it is difficult or dangerous to speak out? Trust your feelings and ask the chair to forgo the reading. Is U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in town? Follow the Evanston model: Ask them to please go away. Does your town have an ICE policy? Find out and be part of shaping it. If character assassination is part of some leaders strategy for ascendency, if arguments are presented as zero-sum games, let that person know he or she is making you uncomfortable. If their approach to discussion is to keep talking over everybody, around everybody, louder and longer than anybody raise your hand and ask exactly when it is someone elses turn. If they talk without facts or foundation, ask for both. If others are making decisions in whispers behind closed door, stand up and ask if any agreements were reached or decisions made that the people should know about. If there is a self-identified smartest guy in the room with the only solution, remember: One person having the best idea is rare. It is more common for a group to work toward the best solution. For a decade, we have been a nation abused. On June 16, 2015, Donald Trump came down his escalator to establish his superiority by that descent. The first words he spoke were, Wow. That is some group of people. Those words exposed his disinterest in truth and transparency and his unwavering allegiance to the power of appearances. Trumps campaign had hired that group and paid them $50 each to stand and cheer alongside others. Thus, the bully and grifter arrived in our midst. His next words were: It is time to bring real leadership to Washington, thus establishing his superiority to all the less-worthy former American leaders. Finally, he named the enemy among us by insulting an American judge of Mexican descent. In three sentences, he established the framework that would set his course. It was a course that would not alter, laced with ever-increasing abuse and constant undermining of our history, heroes, and personal and financial safety. He condoned obscenities and obscene actions, trashing the people and institutions that symbolize our country. Equal weight was given to the vital necessities of the most vulnerable and the utter nonsense and deep self-indulgence that preoccupied Trump, while defining caring as weakness and bullying as strength. The constant contradictions and the incessant noise made up the soundtrack of 10 years of abuse. After a decade, we are showing all the symptoms of the abused. The guide to how abused we are is not any intellectual analysis. It is simply how we feel. Even those closest and most supportive to Trump are reportedly afraid. The rest of us are exhausted, anxious, angry, confused and suspicious. We stand on the brink of giving up, believing he is unbeatable or that his suffering no consequences is about, if not his strength, then his prosecutors weakness. Trust your feelings. Feelings are real, and emotions create actual changes. Stress can create anger and fear, triggering production of adrenaline and cortisol. Sustained stress can cause illness. Hate decreases the levels of serotonin. Called the mood regulator hormone, serotonin regulates social behavior; the lower the levels, the more anger expressed and the greater the possibility of violent behavior. Love creates oxytocin, called the cuddle hormone, and dopamine, the feel-good hormone. Love also increases the level of serotonin. An increase makes more likely that our behavior will be conciliatory and cooperative. The rallying cry to end abuse is just one word: Enough. In a democracy, because we vote, march, speak out and insist, government reflects the peoples values. For example, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is the trial balloon to determine how much they can get away with. If we dont insist the current administration distribute those funds, then the obligation to distribute funds for housing, health services and Social Security will also cease. The Trump administrations goal is to serve their own needs at the expense of others. Unless we insist our government reflects our values, they will have lavish dinner parties the night before they deny food to the most vulnerable. When our government does not reflect our values, we feel bad. What makes us feel good? Congregating peacefully, expressing ourselves without tension or fear, and trusting the goodness of others. In the midst of manufactured chaos and destruction, what felt good? All those rallies. We are not standing on the precipice of conceding. We are on the precipice of turning a rally into a movement. We are going to win and get our country back. Why do I believe that? Because on Nov. 4, the majority said so. Never fear what happens if you speak up; fear what happens if you dont. A photograph of a flyer advertising an August 1969 Miss America-USO show, which Eagle columnist Kevin O'Hara attended while serving with the U.S. Air Force in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. Imagine a world where every sorry is gone, every tear wiped away, and God walks among His people. This picture isnt a wish or myth. The Bible promises the New Jerusalem on the New Earth, the fulfillment of Gods Kingdom. From the Old Testament prophets to the teachings of Jesus and the final vision of Revelation, Scripture reveals to us a single goal: God bringing the Kingdom to earth and restoring creation to perfection. The end of Revelation shows us Gods redemption as complete and whole. And we start living in this reality now. The Old Testament Promise of New Jerusalem The idea of a New Heaven and Earth didnt begin with Revelation, or even Jesus teaching. The concept and promise begins in the Old Testament, unfolding through the prophets to reveal a renewed and restored planet, not just for Israel but for all people who turn to God. In Isaiah 65:17-19, God says, Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth and I will create Jerusalem to be a joy. The promise of restoration and renewal comes after generations of rebellion and destruction. However, God still declares He will bring His people back and live among them. Jerusalem, once full of sin and death, becomes a place of everlasting joy, safety, and the Lords holy presence. Ezekiel 48 further describes this new city with the name, The Lord is There, or Yahweh Shammah. Gods glory will once again rest with the Jews. The New Jerusalem is more than a rebuilt city but a complete manifestation of heaven on earth where God reigns with peace, justice, and joy. The Old Testament New Jerusalem will be characterized by light and holiness, as stated in Isaiah 60: Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. The citys gates never close, symbolizing security and openness. Violence and corruption flees, replaced by salvation and praise. The nations bring riches to the city, and kings come to Jerusalem for wisdom and light. Jerusalem becomes the political and spiritual center of the earth, where Gods law and justice flows to every nation (Isaiah 2:2-4). From Isaiah and the first mention of this New Jerusalem, the promise wasnt limited to the Jews or even Israel. Gods covenant with Abraham said all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Isaiah 56:7 echoes this, calling Gods temple a house of prayer for all nations. Foreigners, outcasts, and even previous enemies find a place within the city, welcomed as sons and daughters of God. The Father reveals His ultimate plan to unite all peoples under His rule in a new creation. The Kingdom Coming to Earth Jesus teaching covered two primary topics: the Kingdom of God and the love of the Father. He shared about how the Kingdom of God was coming to earth as both a present and future reality. In His teaching, the Kingdom wasnt only a distant hope but was already breaking into history through his life, words, and deeds. When Jesus declared, The Kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:15), He showed how Gods reign already arrived among His followers in a new way. From the Old Testament in Daniel and other prophets, Jesus expands the idea of the Kingdom of God the heavenly rule and reign of God in a people and place on earth. Initiated in heaven, the Kingdom transforms the things of earth, primarily people. Through His miracles, teachings, and authority over demons, Jesus demonstrated what Gods rule looks like when it touches the world. When he healed the sick, forgave sins, and cast out demons, the power of heaven touched earth and restored what sin and death had corrupted. Christ said, If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you (Luke 11:20). The Son of Gods acts of mercy and justice showed how Gods loving and compassionate rule entered history. Jesus also taught the Kingdom grows quietly and gradually, often without notice. Through parables, he compared it to a mustard seed that starts small but becomes a great tree, or a little bit of yeast that transforms the dough (Matthew 13:31-33). The Kingdom doesnt advance through force or political power but humble, sincere obedience of those who follow Jesus. When people live by Gods love and faith, the Kingdom is preached and becomes active. While He taught the Kingdom is near, He also pointed to a complete fulfillment in the future. He promised a day when Gods will would be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). Christ spoke extensively about His return, describing a time when righteousness and peace would fill the world. The parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25) and the separation of the sheep and goats told stories about what to expect when the Kingdom came in full upon His return. Although Jesus brought the Kingdom near, He also taught that its complete fulfillment remains future. He promised a day when Gods will would be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). In His teachings about His return, He described a time when justice, peace, and righteousness would fill the world. The parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25) and the separation of the sheep and goats show that the Kingdom will come in full when Christ returns to reign openly over all creation, no longer hidden. The Promises Fulfilled in the New Jerusalem In Revelation, we see the Old Testament promises of a New Heaven, Earth, and Jerusalem and Jesus teaching on the Kingdom of God all come to fruition. Johns vision from God brings together the hope of Israels prophets and Christs message God will dwell with His people and unite a new heaven and earth under His perfect rule. Revelation 21-22 completely fulfills the visions of Isaiah and Ezekiel. John writes, Then I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. The city comes down from heaven, telling us how renewal starts with God, in the spiritual realm. The prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel foresaw a renewed Jerusalem where Gods presence would return and His people would live in everlasting joy. Revelation 21-22 fulfills these visions completely. John writes, Then I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. This city coming down from heaven reveals that renewal begins with God, not humanity, and it realizes the ultimate goal of God, to dwell in a new humanity with intimacy and purpose. Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man (Revelation 21:3). Jesus taught the disciples to pray, Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-13). Revelation shows the culmination of the Lords Prayer; the separation between heaven and earth ends as the two are united. The New Jerusalem becomes the completion of Jesus teaching about the Kingdom of God. The New Jerusalem is a city and a temple. It is also a people. As Peter describes it, Christians have been born again as living stones for God to build a new temple for Him to dwell in (1 Peter 2:5). The New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven like a bride, the Bride of Christ, the church. In this new city and people, every sign of the curse and sin disappears. No more death, sorrow, or pain. The throne of God and the Lamb stands at the center. What Jesus began with His death and resurrection now reaches the conclusion all things being made new. The New Jerusalem also fulfills the Old Testament promise that all nations would share in Gods salvation and be part of the new city on the New Earth. From the covenant with Abraham and the prophetic declarations of the future, peoples of every group are blessed. The gates of the city never close, welcoming people from every tribe and nation. One redeemed humanity lives in Gods eternal light. Living Today with This Future Hope The modern day looks very different. Our world is becoming more divided, violent, and destructive. Wars rage. Anxiety and depression spikes among the young. The old feel increasingly lonely. It seems the opposite of the promise. Yet the Bible tells us to hope in this future. The vision of Revelation (New Heaven, Earth, and Jerusalem) anchors our souls in Gods promises. He fulfilled his Word before. He will again. The core work of God happened through the Son, his death and resurrection. Peter calls believers to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3). Because Christ rose, death no longer has a hold on those who believe in Him. The same power that raised Jesus now assures us of the future resurrection. The renewed creation in Revelation is the outcome of that victory. The future God promised will happen. We have this hope because our Savior lives. We also have this future hope because of the character of God. Salvation is entirely Gods work, not ours. He who was seated on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new (Revelation 21:5). God cant lie. He also has all power to accomplish what he says. And he acts from love to redeem and save. This future is guaranteed. Nothing can undo what God has prepared for his people and for all of creation. Therefore, this changes how we live today. With a secure and glorious future, we can live with courage, joy, and perseverance. The darkness surrounding us doesnt define reality. Gods Word does. We dont fear loss or despair, because the best is still to come. Knowing God will dwell with us gives meaning to every act of obedience in faith and love. Paul writes how our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58) since we will be rewarded in the Kingdom that cant be shaken. Nothing is wasted with God. Finally, in the promises of a New Heaven, Earth, and Jerusalem, we find new motivation and passion to preach the Gospel. It should make more sense now that the Gospel of the Kingdom must go out to the ends of the earth, be preached to every creature, before the end will come (Matthew 24:14). We preach the Good News of King Jesus and the Kingdom through words and actions, inviting people to an epic story through compassion and love. Living in Christ, we will live in hope, secure because his promises dont fail. Peace. Photo credit: Getty Images/wirbnbrinf Britt Mooney lives and tells great stories. As an author of fiction and non-fiction, he is passionate about teaching ministries and nonprofits the power of storytelling to inspire and spread truth. Mooney has a podcast called Kingdom Over Coffee and is a published author of We Were Reborn for This: The Jesus Model for Living Heaven on Earth as well as Say Yes: How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight. Christians thoughts and conversations about the end times (also called eschatology) vary in scope and intensity. Some people are given to anxiety, while others remain calm as they wait for the Lord Jesus return. All Christians ought to be watchful and eagerly await His return. What we do as we wait for Jesus to return matters because everything we do as Christ-followers reflects our love and thankfulness to Him for what Hes done sacrificing Himself on the cross to atone for our sins. And we have the sure promise of what He is doing (Hebrews 7:23-25) and will do (John 14:3). We remember the Apostle Pauls words from Colossians 3:23-24, Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ, and from Galatians 1:24, And they glorified God because of me. How can we do both while watching and waiting for Jesus to return? Below, well take a general look at what the Bible says within a few subtopics. We won't go into the different views of end times theology so much as we will point toward what our focus should be: growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ and sharing the gospel. What Is Eschatology and Why Does It Matter? Writer Heather Caliri tells us, Eschatology is the branch of theology concerned with the study of the end times or the final events in the history of the world and humanity. It involves the examination of beliefs about the afterlife, the destiny of souls, and the ultimate fate of the world. The interest in and study of the end times matters because it involves the final end of man, a hot topic since almost the beginning of time. Despite the advances in modern medicine and wellness practices, humanity is guaranteed one thing: death. This life is all weve known, and people naturally desire to know whats next what happens after we die? Its hard for unbelievers to imagine what comes next, and we need to remember death for unbelievers differs from believers deaths. For reference, believers are those who have accepted Gods kind invitation to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (John 6:44; 14:6; Titus 3:4-5). Unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) are those who have no faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. They are in rebellion against God and His Word (the Word being Scripture and Christ). The Bible tells us death brings a final end to the flesh. Even though each persons soul is eternal, the end times refers to created beings final end. Satan, his demons, and all unbelievers are consigned to hell and eternal torment apart from the grace of God (Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord will enjoy eternal life in His presence (John 10:28; Revelation 21:6). Therefore, how we view the end of times is primarily based on our understanding of where we will go after we die. What Happens When We Obsess about Whats Next? An old adage declares, Hes so heavenly minded hes no earthly good. This saying comes into play when we consider those who obsess about what happens next on Gods eternal clock. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 tells us, For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. This catching up is commonly referred to as the rapture. The imminence of Christs return is exciting for sure. But many who see the rapture as the next big event in history may spend an inordinate amount of time looking for signs that indicate its ready to happen. An obsession with apparent signs tends to steer our attention to the fantastical and steal attention away from what the Lord told us to be busy doing. Bible teacher Clarence L. Haynes Jr. states, This topic can lead people to become very passionate about looking at signs and trying to figure out where we are on the prophetic calendar. While this can be great for discussion, it can also become a great distraction. Regarding the timing of His return, Jesus and His apostles tell us: But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father (Mark 13:32). For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2). See also Matthew 24:36-44, Luke 21:34-36, and Revelation 16:15. What Should We Do While We Wait? Its important that we look at what Jesus said to His disciples when He ascended to heaven after His resurrection (Luke 24:36-43; Acts 1:1-11). He told His disciples, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus said: 1. Go. Christians are not to be idle. Our business is as Scripture-inspired, Spirit-led, and kingdom-focused ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). 2. Make disciples. The only way to make disciples is by the power of the gospel. Romans 1:16 tells us the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. When we share the gospel of Jesus Christ, its the gospel that does the work of salvation by the power of the Holy Spirit. We cant save anyone. Only God can. 3. Once people are saved, their usual first act of love, identification with, and thankfulness toward their Savior is to be baptized. Baptism is symbolic of a believers union with Christ and is also symbolic of the washing away of sins (effected by Christ). Baptism is a visible sign of the new covenant of grace in Christ. Baptism does not save anyone. Scripture passages that verify these truths include Romans 6:3-4 and Galatians 3:27. 4. Teaching others to observe all Jesus has commanded us. This statement sums up the first three. We share the gospel and we see that believers are baptized. We teach the disciples all about Christ. What is the why for these commands? Because all power and authority rest in Christ. As His, we serve as His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), and we obey Him not for a works-based righteousness but instead because we love Him and are thankful for what Jesus has done, is doing, and will do. And so, we watch and wait for His return. His return will be marked as Scripture says: For just as the lightning comes from the east and appears even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of man be (Matthew 24:27). Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen (Revelation 1:7). Therefore, Christians are to: Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come (Mark 13:33). Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (Matthew 24:44). Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching (2 Timothy 4:2). We must look forward to physically being with Christ. One day we will, rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready (Revelation 19:7). Be Heavenly Minded as You Wait The Bible is full of the gospel, and it all points to Christ He is the Gospel. Scripture is our source for all we need to live as Christians as we await Christs return (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:3). Were not to obsess or be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6-7). Worrying about the evil events in the world or using them to validate our end times beliefs does not lead toward the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), nor does it equate to being filled with and displaying the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26). Being heavenly minded, according to Christ, means being led by the Spirit as we rest in Christ and His sufficiency. Heavenly minded Christians remember and share the Gospel, fellowship with one another, and enjoy Christs sufficiency through the ordinary means of grace (baptism, prayer, and the Lords supper). In the end (pun intended), what matters for every person is what they do with Jesus Christ. 1. Question One of the Westminster Shorter Catechism says, What is the chief end of man? The answer? Mans chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. Scriptural references for this answer are found in Psalm 73:25-26, John 17:22, and 1 Corinthians 10:31. 2. King Solomon proclaims, The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13). 3. Revelation 14:6-7 states, Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come, and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water. The key to understanding all three of these truths is to realize Gods redemptive plan for humanity is a thread running throughout the Bible, beginning in Genesis 3:15 (the protoevangelium first mention of the gospel). Gods plan will not be thwarted by any man or event. Jesus Christ is the only One who could and did obey every one of Gods commandments. He atoned for every sin of humanity on the cross. He did something we can never do. We are indeed in the final age before Christ returns (Matthew 28:20; Titus 2:11-15), and while people still have breath, hope remains. The hope lies in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and thats our call, to keep (observe, hold fast to) His commandments by resting in Christ, His grace, and His sufficiency. Photo credit: Getty Images/franckreporter Lisa Loraine Baker is the multiple award-winning author of Someplace to be Somebody, which is being adapted and brought to the stage by the Karamu House Theater in Cleveland, Ohio (Winter, 2027). Lisa writes fiction (Christmas stories) and is currently writing a novel titled Refuge. She also writes non-fiction, including articles for BibleStudyTools.com and Christianity.com. She and her husband, Stephen, live in Lexington, Kentucky with their Kentucky wild cat, Lewis. Experts urge immediate action as rabies remains global public health threat November 11, 2025 | Tuesday | News Supreme Courts order to remove stray dogs from Delhi-NCR has renewed focus on humane population control image credit- shutterstock Rabies, a preventable yet fatal viral disease, continues to pose a significant public health risk worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dogs are responsible for nearly 96% of human rabies cases, with the remaining 4% caused by bites from cats, monkeys, mongooses, wild cats, and cattle. The Supreme Courts order to remove stray dogs from Delhi-NCR has renewed focus on humane population control. Countries worldwide rely on sterilisation, vaccination, and strict pet laws to tackle this issue. Rabies, mostly spread through dog bites, is fatal but entirely preventable. Experts stress that awareness and timely treatment are key. Eliminating rabies through vaccination and education must be an urgent public health priority. Health experts emphasise that any animal bite or scratch, whether from a pet or a stray, requires prompt medical attention. At a recent health forum at IHW, leading medical professionals warned of the ongoing rabies threat and shared prevention strategies with innovation & advancement. Here is what experts across government, defence, and private hospitals had to say regarding best practices and critical guidelines for managing animal bites: India leads the world in advanced rabies prophylaxis by manufacturing Rabies Monoclonal Antibodies (RmAbs), including WHO-collaborated Cocktail RmAbs. These innovations are listed on the WHO Essential Medicines List and recommended in their Position Papers, cementing India's role as a pioneer. They shared Cocktail RmAbs is a breakthrough alternative tol Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) and equivalent to HRIG because they offer reliable production, low volume High potency, and equal efficacy, effectively solving RIG's limitations of supply issues. Even a recent Real World study on 1500 victims, Doctor & Patient rated good to excellent approx 92% tolerability. Dr Ksh. Manglem Singh, President of the Indian Medical Association, South East Manipur (IMASEM), addressing doctors and healthcare providers, said "Stay updated on guidelines, ensure complete prophylaxis, and conduct regular training for your teams. Rabies is entirely preventable, yet delayed or incomplete treatment can be fatal. Every healthcare worker must treat each exposure as an urgent case and educate patients about the risks." Dr Ravish HS, Professor of Community Medicine Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bangalore APCRI, emphasised strengthening health infrastructure and technology: "Geo-tagging Anti-Rabies Clinics will help patients find care quickly. Mapping high-risk areas and ensuring vaccine availability is crucial. Smart use of technology and robust public health systems can significantly reduce rabies deaths." Dr Yogesh Gautam Chief Medical Officer, ARC Clinic Head, In-Charge, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, shared important guidelines on what to do after an animal bite, Poor awareness about bite categorisation and prophylaxis remains a challenge. Any bite with visible bleeding, whether from stray, wild, or pet animals, is Category III and requires complete post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which includes thorough wound washing for 15 minutes with soap and water, passive immunisation through Rabies Immunoglobulin or Cocktail Rabies Monoclonal Antibodies injected at the bite site (mandatory for Category III bites), and administration of the Anti-Rabies Vaccine for Category II and III bites. It is noteworthy that India is leading the way in passive immunisation against rabies, being the only country in the world producing Cocktail Rabies Monoclonal Antibodies. The Economic Toll of Heart Disease: Why India Cant Afford to Ignore Cardiovascular Health November 11, 2025 | Tuesday | Views | By Dr Basavaraj Utagi, Senior Consultant- Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Cunningham Road, Bengaluru Indian epidemic is defined by a distinct pathophysiology that worsens its economic toll image credit- shutterstock Heart diseases remain a major health crisis in India in 2025, accounting for around 33% of deaths and significantly impacting the younger population. India's public health story, commonly presented as a double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, essentially downplays the systemic threat posed by Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in general. In addition to a health emergency, Cardio Vascular Diseases poses as a enormous, ongoing capital drain, strategically depleting India's human capital stock and levying a structural tax on its macroeconomic potential. A closer, more technical analysis shows that the Indian epidemic is defined by a distinct pathophysiology that worsens its economic toll. The "Asian Indian Phenotype" is characterized by a group of atherogenic traits, such as a dyslipidemia that is rich in high ApoB/ApoA1 ratios and elevated lipoprotein (a) levels, which creates a more thrombogenic and inflammatory environment than what is reflected in conventional cholesterol assessments. This genetic vulnerability, overlaid with a very high prevalence of metabolic syndrome, results in rapid endothelial dysfunction and premature, diffuse atherosclerosis. This biological fact appears as Premature Coronary Artery Disease, in which myocardial infarctions in men less than 50 years old are not exceptions but rather an epidemic trend, thus putting the economic burden squarely onto the most productive portion of the lifespan and exacerbating the resulting productivity loss. The economic conduits of this crisis reach much deeper than shallow calculations of hospital and doctor fees. The direct expenditures are characterized by their procedural intensity, driven by high-tech procedures such as drug-eluting stents, advanced fractional flow reserve imaging, and cardiac resynchronization therapy. This "cascade of care" produces an insistent capital cost for households and the state alike, wherein each rupee spent on tertiary reactive treatment is a rupee taken from high-return preventive investment in primary care, which generates a negative feedback loop for the entire health system. At the same time, the indirect losses are a deep depletion of human capital. Absenteeism can be seen, but the more subtle cost is presenteeism, as workers or employees with chronic heart disease experience impaired cognitive function from fatigue, medication side effects, or low-grade ischemia, resulting in diminished innovation and compromised decision-making at the firm level. Moreover, the intergenerational impact is severe; the financial catastrophe of a cardiac event often forces families to remove funds from next generation's education, creating a human capital debt that perpetuates cycles of poverty and compounds over decades. At a macroeconomic level, this drain operates as a structural constraint to growth. Disastrous health spending reduces household savings, lowering the national rate of savings and directly constraining the available capital for domestic investment. For firms, the cost falls in the form of high health insurance costs and hidden retraining and lost institutional expertise costs. The greatest cost, though, is the net present value of future income foregone due to premature death. The loss of a productive 40-45-year-old is the economy writing off the discounted value of their future productivity for the next two decades, an enormous devaluation of the country's human capital resource. To treat this fiscal infarction requires a technocratic paradigm shift from treatment to the creation of systemic resilience. This requires transcending superficial awareness to precision public health, utilizing India's IT strength to create risk stratification models combining genetic information and biometrics for effective, cost-reducing intervention. To fortify primary care means retooling Ayushman Bharat centres as algorithmic first responders, institutionalizing systematic CV risk scoring, and task-shifting for protocol-guided management of hypertension. Policy should also go beyond sin taxes and incorporate evidence-based Front-of-Pack Warning Labels and public procurement policies requiring heart-healthy standards in institutions, building a strong demand signal for the food industry to make reformulations. Finally, a strategic war against CVD is a fiscal imperative. The disease is a persistent "reverse sovereign fund," draining the country's most valuable resource. An investment in a state-of-the-art, prevention-oriented cardiovascular strategy is thus, an indispensable investment in national infrastructure, without which India cannot ensure its economic sovereignty and demographic destiny. Dr Basavaraj Utagi, Senior Consultant- Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Cunningham Road, Bengaluru A Cork teenager had to have surgery to remove one of his testicles after a GP allegedly failed to diagnose a well-known emergency condition relating to a swollen testicle, a medical inquiry has heard. Dr Alicia Marton Martinez is accused of a series of allegations of professional misconduct and poor professional performance in relation to her treatment of two young patients while she was working as a locum GP with SouthDoc an out-of-hours GP service based in Cork and Kerry three years ago. They include that she failed to refer a three-week-old baby with a fever and mottled skin, who was subsequently diagnosed with viral meningitis, to an emergency department. An expert witness claimed the baby boy might have died but for the persistence of his parents. Dr Marton Martinez, who qualified as a doctor in Spain in 1988, did not attend the fitness-to-practise inquiry and is not legally represented at the hearing being held by the Medical Council. Advertisement The GP gave a voluntary undertaking to the High Court in September 2023 not to practice medicine until further notice after the Medical Council had sought an interim suspension order against her. She is accused of failing to have adequate regard to the symptoms of both patients as communicated by their parents and failing to directly refer them to an emergency department or escalate their care appropriately. Symptoms The mother of the Cork teenager identified only as Patient A said her son, who was aged 14 at the time, had complained early on the morning of October 10th 2022 of a swollen testicle and being in a lot of pain and discomfort. The witness said she had looked up the symptoms on the internet and had packed a bag for hospital because it looked like her son might have a testicular torsion a medical emergency where the blood flow is cut off to a testicle. The woman gave evidence of contacting South Doc and receiving a call back about an hour later from Dr Marton Martinez who said her sons condition was normal for a teenage boy. The inquiry heard that the locum advised that the boy should place a cold compress on his testicle and take Ibuprofen three times daily for a week. The woman replied that she would prefer if he could be examined by the GP who had seemed brisk and impatient on the phone. She told counsel for the Medical Council, Brian Gageby BL, that she had not mentioned a testicular torsion to Dr Marton Martinez as she did not want to come across as a Google doctor. Advertisement The inquiry heard that the teenager was examined a short time later at the SouthDoc clinic in Midleton, Co Cork by the locum who repeated her earlier advice. His mother said the examination only lasted about two minutes but she felt relieved that he did not have a testicular torsion. Pain The woman said she was outside of Ireland a week later when heard her son had been referred to Cork University Hospital where he had a testicle removed after being bowled over with pain. She accepted that a note by Dr Marton Martinez which recorded not real pain but discomfort might be based on what her son had told the locum. The father of the three-week-old baby known as Patient B gave evidence of calling SouthDoc on November 12th 2022 as his son had a fever from the previous night and was very irritable, while also making a lot of grunting noises, feeding slowly and having pale and mottled skin. The man said they felt his sons symptoms were worrying. However, he said Dr Marton Martinez said they did not sound very severe and asked if the baby had been given Calpol. Patient Bs father said the GP said a baby under two months could be given Calpol, despite him stating a number of times that he did not think that was the case. He told the inquiry that Dr Marton Martinez accepted that he was correct after she checked the issue out. The witness said he had lost confidence in her at that stage and asked to be referred to another doctor. Advertisement The inquiry heard another GP, Anas Matar, believed the babys symptoms were red flags and immediately gave them an urgent referral to Cork University Hospital. Patient Bs father said his son was diagnosed with viral meningitis and had spent several days in hospital. The man rejected claims by Dr Marton Martinez that he had been aggressive on the phone or that he had suggested his son was nine-years-old. In correspondence with the Medical Council, the GP said Patient A did not tell her he was hurting in the genitalia area but did feel a bit uncomfortable which she claimed was a very difficult symptom to interpret or to understand. Dr Marton Martinez said she had a bit of a misunderstanding about Patient B with the babys father as her English was not perfect. The GP said she does not know why but she believed the patient was nine years old instead of nine days old which is why she had asked if the young boy had been given Calpol. However, she claimed the patients father just went mad. Dr Marton Martinez recalled that she got a bit nervous after claiming that the boys father became aggressive and threatening. The GP said he decided after 20 seconds that she was not right or good for his son and had immediately asked to be passed to another doctor. She went to Dr Matar straight away and he offered to give another opinion after being informed one was being sought by Patient Bs father. Advertisement An expert witness, Tom ODowd, told the inquiry that there would have been a 90% chance of salvaging Patient As testicle if he had been referred to an emergency department by Dr Marton Martinez. Prof ODowd observed that the teenager was left with a life-long disability that was entirely preventable. He said it was incompetent practice by the locum to instruct the teenager to apply a cold compress and take pain relief for a week. He remarked that the cold compress was likely to have added to the boys pain and discomfort. Prof ODowd said there was a serious failure by the GP to meet the standards of competence and knowledge expected of doctors. He said testicular torsion was one of a few emergencies widely known in general practice. Prof ODowd said every competent GP should assume any male aged 12-25 who had such symptoms has a testicular torsion and refer them immediately to an emergency department or urologist. He agreed with Mr Gageby that Patient A had symptoms which should raise alarm bells and also observed that the locum had been handed the diagnosis on a plate by information from the boys mother and a triage nurse. Prof ODowd said it was indefensible that Dr Marton Martinez had diagnosed the patient as having orchitis (a swollen testicle) but had not escalated the care. In relation to Baby B, he said the baby had alarming symptoms and was on the verge of circulatory collapse. Prof ODowd said doctors have to be particularly vigilant with the care of babies and infection because of the risk of things like meningitis. He claimed Dr Marton Martinez had disgraced the profession and dishonoured the patients in both cases. The inquiry was adjourned. Catherine Connolly was inaugurated the 10th President of Ireland at Dublin Castle today. Here is how the day played out: Catherine Connolly has been officially inaugurated as the President of Ireland. The inauguration ceremony took place at Dublin Castle. Ms Connolly is the 10th President of Ireland. In her inauguration speech, Ms Connolly mentioned the world's climate and migration crises, along with campaign policies like the importance of neutrality and the Irish language. 1.15pm President Connolly is now leaving Dublin Castle. The Air Corps are flying above, and President Connolly has been invited to inspect the Guard of Honour in the courtyard by Captain Patrick Wilson. 1pm Concluding her inauguration address, President Connolly says: I believe that the president should be a unifying president, a steady hand, yes, but also a catalyst for change, reflecting our desire for a republic that lives up to its name. I will embrace the role of the President with dignity, determination and courage. 12.55pm President Connolly also speaks about the importance of the Irish language, saying tir gan teanga, tir gan anam (a country without a language is a country without a soul). Advertisement 12.50pm President Connolly looks back on the financial crisis when President Higgins took office, comparing it to the climate and migrant crisis affecting the world now. She says it is the responsibility of those entrusted with public office to come together, both nationally and internationally, to lead and to create the conditions for a sustainable existence on our planet. She also returns to one of her campaign pledges, saying Ireland should "lead" on neutrality. 12.46pm We can breath a little, and relax," Ms Connolly begins. She says the people have given their president a powerful mandate to articulate their vision for a new republic. President Catherine Connolly delivers a speech at the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Clodagh Kilcoyne/AFP via Getty Images Newly inaugurated President Catherine Connolly attends her inauguration ceremony at Dublin Castle on November 11th, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. Photo: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Pool/Getty Images) 12.45pm Taoiseach Micheal Martin congratulated Catherine Connolly on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland. He said he had no doubt she would serve our country well. Mr Martin also said he was looking forward to working with President Connolly. 12.35pm Catherine Connolly has now been officially inaugurated as the President of Ireland after being administered the prescribed declaration by the Chief Justice Donal ODonnell. Ms Connolly is the 10th president of Ireland. 12.05pm The presidential inauguration ceremony for Catherine Connolly is under way at St Patricks Hall in Dublin Castle. Catherine Connolly and her husband Brian McEnery are greeted by Tanaiste Simon Harris (right) and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe (left) as she arrives at Dublin Castle ahead of her inauguration as Ireland's 10th president. Catherine Connolly's son Stephen McEnery and his partner arrive at Dublin Castle for her inauguration as Ireland's 10th president. Catherine Connolly is greeted by Tanaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe as she arrives at Dublin Castle ahead of her inauguration as Ireland's 10th president. 11.50am Catherine Connolly and her family have arrived at Dublin Castle ahead of her inauguration. Ms Connolly arrived alongside her husband Brian McEnery. She was greeted by Tanaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe. 11.45am Taoiseach Micheal Martin and his wife Mary have arrived at Dublin Castle. Tanaiste Simon Harris and his wife Caoimhe Wade arrived earlier. Advertisement Bertie Ahern (R) and Leo Varadkar, arrive for the inauguration of Catherine Connolly at Dublin Castle on November 11th, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina arriving at Dublin Castle for the inauguration of Catherine Connolly as Ireland's 10th president. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire 11.30am Former Irish presidents Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson were among the first to arrive for the ceremony. Michael D Higgins, who left office on Monday, arrived with his wife Sabina. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald arrived with the partys vice-president Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill. SDLP leader Claire Hanna and Irish Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik are also in attendance. Former taoisigh Bertie Ahern and Leo Varadkar arrived together. - Press Association 11.15am Left-wing leaders who backed Catherine Connolly's campaign are seated in the front row - Holly Cairns, Ivana Bacik, Roderic OGorman and Mary Lou McDonald. Michael D Higgins has arrived at Dublin Castle alongside his wife Sabina for the inauguration of successor Catherine Connolly. Former taoisigh Bertie Ahern and Leo Varadkar walked in together. Former President Mary McAleese has arrived at Dublin Castle for the inauguration of Catherine Connolly. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald arrived with the partys vice-president Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill. A number of TDs and senators are also in attendance. Guests have begun arriving at Dublin Castle for the inauguration of Catherine Connolly as Irelands 10th president. Among the first to arrive was Kara Owen, the British ambassador to Ireland. Catherine Connolly will be inaugurated as Irelands 10th president on Tuesday at a ceremony at Dublin Castle. The Independent TD from Galway, who is a former psychologist and barrister, has pledged to be an inclusive president. In her victory speech after her landslide win, she said she would be a president who listens and reflects and who speaks when its necessary, and who will emphasise peace, neutrality and climate change during her term. She takes over from Michael D Higgins, a popular president and poet, who is seen to have expanded the role to become more political a feature Ms Connolly has said she will build on. Mr Higgins, who will also attend the inauguration, ended his 14-year-term in office at midnight. He and his wife Sabina were cheered outside the gates of Aras an Uachtarain by a runners group made up of Irish citizens, migrants and refugees. A man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his 82-year-old grandmother, who died two days after she was dragged down a flight of stairs in Carrigaline, Co Cork. Bryan Nnadi Ogbo of Garrydhu Drive, Kilmoney Road, Carrigaline was arraigned at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Tuesday. The 38-year-old pleaded guilty that on February 25th 2025, at Garrydhu Drive, Kilmoney Road, he did unlawfully kill Stella Ejiatu Nnadi, contrary to common law. He was living at the address with his grandmother Stella and his mother Ruby. Defence senior counsel Jane Hyland said that her client had a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. He didnt have access to his depot injection medication during the period when the offence occurred. She described the case as tragic indicating that the defendant was very attached to his grandmother and unwell at the time of the offence. She said that her client had been deemed fit to plead. Advertisement I have a psychiatric report that he was fit to plead. The report was written in September. He has possibly deteriorated since then. But even so, I am satisfied that he does have the capacity to give instructions and to enter the plea he has entered today. Ms Hyland applied for the extension of free legal aid to allow for the preparation of a psychiatric report. She also asked that a probation court be prepared and stated that it would be appropriate for the case to be adjourned until February of next year. Ms Hyland indicated that this would allow her to put certain steps in place prior to sentencing. Judge Helen Boyle noted the extensive mental health difficulties of Mr Nnadi Ogbo. She extended the legal aid in the case to cover the psychiatric report and also directed the preparation of a probation and welfare service report. Judge Boyle told Mr Nnadi Ogbo to cooperate with the probation service while he is in custody. She also directed the preparation of a victim impact statement. Mr Nnadi Ogbo was remanded in custody for sentencing on February 19th, 2026. Meanwhile, Det Garda Tom Delaney gave an outline of the allegations in the case when it first came before Cork District Court earlier this year. He said that it was alleged that Mr Nnadi Ogbo broke into the upstairs bedroom where his grandmother was located and dragged her out of the bedroom on February 23rd last. He dragged her downstairs. She was off her feet and being dragged headfirst down the stairs, and pushed her out of the house. She didnt require hospitalisation at the time. However, Stella Nnadi deteriorated and was subsequently taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital on February 25th. She died later that afternoon. Det Garda Delaney said that a family member informed him that Mr Nnadi Ogbo had received a diagnosis of schizophrenia. He added that the defendant corroborated the facts of the case during his garda interview. A post-mortem examination was carried out on Stella Ejiatu Nnadi at CUH by State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers. The results were not released for operational reasons. Ms Nnadi was a native of Nigeria. Ulster Unionist MLA Steve Aiken has said it is appropriate that he attends the inauguration of Catherine Connolly as the new President. Mr Aiken will be the only elected unionist politician from Northern Ireland attending Tuesdays ceremony in Dublin Castle. Catherine Connolly will be inaugurated as Irelands president on Tuesday. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and DUP leader Gavin Robinson were invited but unable to attend due to Remembrance Day commitments. Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle ONeill will attend the ceremony. Mr Aiken, a former UUP leader, said: Ill be attending events in Dublin today to mark the inauguration of the new Irish president. As our closest neighbour its appropriate to show the Ulster Unionist Party approach to improving north/south and east/west relations. The MLA said the event would be a good opportunity to foster all-island relations. As a veteran, I will be wearing my poppy with pride and look forward to meeting fellow veterans while in Dublin Steve Aiken He added: Ive regularly attended events in the Republic of Ireland and will continue to do so, reflecting our partys belief in respectful engagement and constructive dialogue. The Irish president is the head of state of a democratic nation, and we will pay due respect to both the office and the individual, just as we would to the President of the United States, Ukraine, or any other democratic leader. Advertisement As a veteran, I will be wearing my poppy with pride and look forward to meeting fellow veterans while in Dublin. I will continue to represent the unionist perspective with clarity and conviction. Advertisement Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Pacgold uncovers bonanza antimony and gold in QLD Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS James Pearson November 11, 2025 2:56pm 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 Pacgold Limited has lit up its St George project in north Queensland with a string of rock chip assays returning some barnstorming gold and antimony grades across multiple vein systems. The company says its wasted little time since first buying into the ground. In just six weeks, a whirlwind program of mapping and sampling has traced a substantial five-kilometre corridor of gold and antimony mineralisation, lit up by several high-priority hotspots. Pacgold Limited managing director Matthew Boyes Since farming into the project in August, Pacgold has also criss-crossed the terrain with more than 2,000 soil samples across its priority Fence-Ridgeline, Big Watson South and Zebs prospects all lying on previously untouched ground. Results from two targets in particular, called Fence and Ridgeline have returned extraordinary assays, including one rock chip which came in at a whopping 52.7 per cent antimony along with 2.93 grams per tonne (g/t) gold. Advertisement Initial rock chip sample assays have produced some outstanding antimony and gold values. Pacgold Limited managing director Matthew Boyes A second sample was equally impressive at 9.35 per cent antimony and 10.2g/t gold, while a third rock chip registered 0.49 per cent antimony and 8.42g/t gold. All samples have been sent to ALS Laboratories in Townsville with results expected shortly. In tandem with the sampling program, the company has now wrapped up an induced polarisation (IP) geophysical survey across the old timers workings at the project to pinpoint gold-antimony bearing structures at depth. Heritage clearance has also been secured over a 500-metre strike length, clearing the path for first-pass reverse circulation (RC) drilling to kick off this week. Advertisement Pacgold Limited managing director Matthew Boyes said: Initial rock chip sample assays have produced some outstanding antimony and gold values from structures at surface with considerable mapped strike extents with both Ridgeline and Fence prospects sampled over 3km and 2km in strike length respectively. Covering a massive 900 square kilometres of ground, the St George project lies within Queenslands storied Hodgkinson Province - a mineral-rich belt that helped shape Australias early gold rush history. The rugged terrain was once alive with the sound of tapping hammers and the glow of campfires as gold, tin and tungsten miners chased their fortune through its hills. The famed Palmer River and Hodgkinson fields alone yielded nearly 1.6 million ounces of gold during the boom years of the late 1800s and early 1900s. According to management, Pacgolds ground hosts some of the most well-developed antimony-rich quartz veins across the Hodgkinson Province. Notably, the rocks at St George appear to display striking similarities to the nearby structures mined by Republic Gold in the 1980s at its Tregoora and Northcote deposits, which together, produced more than 550,000 ounces of gold before being exhausted by open pit operations. Advertisement Pacgolds exploration push at St George builds on the companys exploration program at its nearby Alice River project, which already hosts a global resource of 854,000 ounces of gold. The company has also taken a major step towards near-term production through the acquisition of the White Dam gold operation in South Australia, which is a turnkey project complete with an operational heap-leach facility and processing plant. As the RC rig fires up, all eyes will be on what lies beneath the high-grade surface veins at St George. If the rig cores mirror the spectacular rock chip results, Pacgold may soon find itself sitting on a brand new high-value gold and antimony discovery in the heart of Queenslands mineral-rich north. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Bulls N' Bears Shares Sharemarket Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Sarytogan Graphite has shot the lights out with its final batch of assay results from 17 infill diamond drill holes at its namesake graphite deposit located about 190 kilometres from Karaganda in Central Kazakhstan, completing the companys 2025 reserves definition drilling program. All 17 holes intersected significant graphite mineralisation from surface, with standout results including a 50.2m hit going a whopping 34.5% total graphitic carbon (TGC) from surface, including 29.2m at an even more impressive 40.1% TGC from surface, with the hole ending in mineralisation. Sarytogan Graphites metallurgical testwork has achieved flotation concentrates of better than 90% total graphitic carbon. The latest results underline the excellent results from the first batch of 20 holes announced in October, which include a best result from the second hole of 49.1m at 30.8% TGC from 1m, including 15.4m at 35.6% TGC from 20.6m and also 9.6m at 41.3% TGC from 40.5m which also ended in mineralisation. The program delivered the final batch of drilling results from the companys reserves drilling campaign which targeted the central graphite zone to infill the first 25 years of mining identified in the companys pre-feasibility study (PFS) to a depth of 50m. Advertisement Perspective EnvironmentConservationAnimals How do you save a starving koala? Bianca Hall November 11, 2025 5:54pm 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 24 View all comments Its the most heartbreaking of sights: a koala, out of its tree sodden, injured, and on the ground. The plight of thousands of koalas, which have grown to what the government describes as unsustainable population levels on French Island, has galvanised locals and the broader community. But calls for koalas to be relocated have been met with caution after the NSW government was forced to admit seven of 13 koalas relocated to a secluded forest in the Northern Rivers earlier this year had died, with several showing signs of septicaemia. A koala photographed last month on French Island, in an almost-denuded tree. Jason South As locals describe watching starving koalas trying to eat pine needles in a desperate attempt to nourish themselves, the plight of koalas on French Island has sparked calls for their relocation to a more suitable habitat. A spokesman said Parks Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action were actively examining options to address the situation. Advertisement The koala population on French Island has grown to an unsustainable level and this is impacting both the welfare of the animals and the wider ecosystem. French Islands koalas are descended from just a handful of koalas brought over from the mainland in the 1880s to serve as an insurance population as koala numbers in Victoria dwindled. A koala lies dead on French Island, photographed recently by former park ranger Scott Coutts. Scott Coutts With few predators, numbers expanded rapidly. Since the 1920s, more than 40,000 French Island koalas have been relocated to more than 250 sites on other Victorian islands and across the border to South Australia. Advertisement But moving koalas, particularly stressed animals from vulnerable populations, has proved to be dangerous. Why not just relocate them? The history of translocating koalas into new habitats goes back more than a century, but results have been mixed. In 2017, renowned wildlife ecologist Peter Menkhorst reviewed seven projects to translocate koalas, which had taken place between 1983 and 2012. Menkhorsts analysis found deaths among translocated koalas were common. Advertisement Koalas relocated to the Ballarat region in a program between 1997 and 1999 suffered mortality rates of 24 per cent, while 15 per cent of koalas translocated from Kangaroo Island to the lower south-east of the South Australia mainland in 1997-98 died. While koalas look sturdy, a range of factors can impact whether they will adapt to a new habitat. Associate Professor Desley Whisson, a terrestrial wildlife ecologist from Deakin University who has worked on koala management plans for about two decades, said koalas accustomed to manna gum or swamp gum can adapt to new eucalypt species, but it could tax their systems. Its just one additional stress youre putting on them, she said. If you can keep the release habitat with the same type of trees, I think it just reduces the amount of stress. Ultimately, whether an animal lives or dies is going to depend on how many things it has to deal with. Advertisement Underscoring this point was a relocation Victorian authorities attempted at two sites in Mt Eccles in 2002. Taken to one area dominated by river red gums, 95 per cent of translocated koalas died. At another site, containing mixed forest, just 14 per cent died. Taken to one area dominated by river red gums, 95 per cent of translocated koalas died. Menkhorst who helped develop a contraception program for koalas in Victoria over a 30-year career with Arthur Rylah is blunt about the prospects of translocation for French Island koalas. Koalas can suffer koala stress syndrome, which leads to dehydration, loss of appetite and muscle mass, and can kill them. Any koalas that are nutritionally compromised as the French Island koalas almost certainly are, he said were less likely to survive. The problem with translocation is that there are no more places in Victoria with good koala habitat that dont have koalas in them, he said. Advertisement It can be done, but you have to be very careful and knowledgeable about selecting good koala habitat if you put them into the wrong place, its a disaster, and if you get a burst of bad weather while youre doing it, it can also go very badly. Related Article Victorian environment Horrific mass koala starvation hits Victorian island Koala Alliance member Michelle Thomas has a different view. Thomas, who has made six trips to French Island recently in a one-woman fact-finding mission, said she had been unable to find evidence of mass casualties. Every time I go out there, I cant find any sick or dying koalas, she said. Im just not finding what theyre saying is out there. Whisson said the koala suffering reported by locals appeared to be concentrated on private property and roadside verges, rather than the national park that covers about two-thirds of the island. Advertisement I think you just have to look at the photos koalas have decimated the trees, she said. I do accept that in probably many places on the island koalas arent suffering, but certainly on some areas they are, and thats where that action is needed very quickly. What about shipping over fresh foliage? Some readers have proposed shipping foliage to French Island, to give koalas an emergency source of food. Its really labour-intensive, Whisson said. Advertisement When youre talking about maybe thousands of koalas that youve then got to feed, and youre dealing with an island where youve then got to get [food] from the mainland to the island as well, youre talking a massive effort, and that needs to be a sustained effort, and it would be a daily thing. So I dont know that thats logistically possible. What are the other options? Fertility control programs are generally considered the most successful way to manage koala populations so they dont build up to locally unsustainable levels. However, theyre not cheap. Government figures reveal that intensive translocation programs over a 22-year period between 1996 and 2018 were conservatively estimated at costing more than $4 million. Meanwhile, a two-week program conducting health checks, fertility control, and translocating some koalas in 2018 cost $120,000. The Victorian government has allocated $600,000 to koala management across the entire state over the next two years. Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter. Advertisement Eating outEating out A game-changing regional restaurant is coming to the CBD this weekend For one day only, its taking over one of the citys classiest riverside restaurants. Expect a farm-to-table lunch with Story Bridge views. Matt Shea November 11, 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 One of Queenslands best regional restaurants is coming to Brisbane this weekend, taking over the kitchen at Bar Miette in the CBD. This Sunday lunch, Mapleton Public House chef Cameron Matthews will bring his skill with fresh produce sourced from the pubs own The Falls Farm to the riverside venue. Mapleton Public House is one of the new stars of south-east Queensland regional dining. According to Matthews and Bar Miette executive chef Jason Barratt, the event has been at least a year in the making, although it was only finalised during winter. It was maybe 12 or 18 months ago when we said, Hey, lets do a collab, but chefs send these messages to each other all the time, right? Matthews says, laughing. But its been on our minds for a while to bring the farm down to the city and show people what we do at the pub, because its very different, very unique. Advertisement Related Article A new wave of eateries is elevating south-east Queenslands dining scene I dont think a lot of people understand that yet, so the best way to do that is to bring it to them. Its about sharing what were actually doing, which is the whole point of the pub to be able to say to people, You can have these beautiful, amazing, regenerative foods in Queensland. Husband-and-wife team Ben Johnston and Jessica Huddart bought Mapleton Public House in 2022. Together with Matthews, they went about turning the handsome old pint-pouring weatherboard pub into the ultimate paddock-to-plate restaurant, utilising produce from The Falls Farm (which supplies specialist produce to heavyweight Brisbane restaurants such as Essa, Supernormal and Agnes). In the process, its become a star of a new wave of refined eateries in south-east Queensland. Pretty Mapleton Public House was given a new life in 2022 by owners Jessica Huddart and Ben Johnston. Matthews is a long-term regional specialist he cut his teeth at Simones in Victorias Bright and later led that kitchen but he nominates his first 18 months at Mapleton Public House as the toughest of his career. Advertisement People wanted to fight me over chips, he says. I had plates of calamari thrown back at me. People were harsh. It was a really humbling experience, realising that its more than just a place of food and drink. Its about bringing people together and community, and giving them a sense of place. Goddess-brined cos with flowers and pickles; asparagus with white asparagus veloute and lovage oil. Thats what we want to illustrate at Bar Miette. This is a takeover rather than a pop-up, with Matthews being given full control of the menu. Expect dishes such as a chicken parmy toast; goddess-brined cos, flowers and pickles; beef intercostal skewers with Diane sauce; potted smoked fish with potato chips and horseradish; and Condabilla Murray cod served with the pubs own take on Cafe de Paris butter. The Falls Farm in Mapleton. Advertisement Its a small kitchen at Bar Miette, but were used to that at the pub, with our heads bumping on the ceiling of what we can actually do, Matthew says. But all of our team has had input on this menu, and thats exciting. Its never been just about me. Bar Miettes Jason Barratt. Morgan Roberts Melbourne-born chef Jason Barratt has extensive experience cooking in the regions, heading up the kitchen at Raes at Wategos in Byron Bay and Paper Daisy at Halcyon House, before moving north to take on the executive chef position at Supernormal and Bar Miette. I really do think were coming into a [new era] of regional restaurants, and I think theres so much more room for it to grow in south-east Queensland, he says. The more events like this we have, and the more restaurants popping up in these regional areas, the stronger it will get. Advertisement Bar Miette in Brisbanes CBD. Morgan Roberts While Matthews says there have always been great regional restaurants, theyve been a bit few and far between, but I also dont think theyve ever received the recognition. Now people are looking and thinking, Theres some great food in south-east Queensland. Great produce, great producers, great restaurants. Mapleton Public House takes over Bar Miette this Sunday, November 16. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Eating out 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. Advertisement Exclusive Eating outFine dining Three-hatted Crown restaurant Oncore by Clare Smyth to close The casino declined to comment on a potential replacement, but sources say a Stockholm fine diner is a front-runner for the space. Scott Bolles November 12, 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 One of Sydneys select group of three-hat restaurants, the plush fine diner Oncore by Clare Smyth, will serve its last meal at Crown Sydney in February. Crown Sydney and Smyth confirmed the restaurants closure to Good Food, providing a statement from the British chef. Opening Oncore in Sydney has been an incredible journey, said Smyth, the only female chef to hold three Good Food hats and three Michelin stars simultaneously. Oncore chef Clare Smyth. Wolter Peeters Im deeply proud of what weve achieved and grateful to the team whose talent and dedication brought our vision to life. Its been a privilege to share our food with Australian diners. Advertisement The closure, which comes as Smyths current agreement ends with Crown, and she prepares to open luxury bistro Cornucopia in London, will heighten concerns about the appetite at the premium end of the Sydney restaurant market after a tough 18 months of trading conditions. Crown declined to comment on a potential replacement for Oncore, however sources who asked not to be named have confirmed to Good Food that Stockholms three-Michelin-starred Restaurant Frantzen is a front-runner for the space. The tasting menu at Frantzen costs about $880 per person before drinks, compared with $395 at Oncore and $515 at Core, Smyths first solo London restaurant. The view from Oncore at Barangaroo. Courtesy of Crown Sydney Oncore opened with a splash in 2021, accomplishing the difficult feat of snaring three chefs hats from the get-go, while facing down a global pandemic, lockdowns and staff working remotely from London. The restaurant has held its three Good Food Guide hats since opening. Advertisement The luxury venue was one of the dining drawcards to the Crown development, which had experienced delays and complications around its gaming licence. Its stable of restaurants include Nobu, the Ross Lusted-led Woodcut, Italian chef Alessandro Pavonis aMare and reborn Cantonese stalwart Golden Century. Oncore came with a heightened culinary brief, elevated water views and sky-high expectations. Clare Smyths Oncore has made an extraordinary impact at Crown Sydney, setting a benchmark for excellence, Crown Sydney chief executive Stanford Le said in a statement, which thanked Smyth and her team. Smyth rose to head chef at Londons Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in 2007 at the age of just 29. She soon started collecting awards, with the Chelsea restaurant picking up a 10/10 in the UKs Good Food Guide, five AA Rosettes and three Michelin stars. She repeated the three-star feat at her own 2017 London start-up, Core by Clare Smyth, however her fine-dining repertoire always included an element of earthiness and grit. Oncores potato and roe dish. Edwina Pickles The Northern Ireland-born chef found time to roast chickens for Harry and Meghans royal wedding, and unearthed an unlikely hero dish of potato and roe, which was transplanted to the Sydney menu. Critics waxed lyrical about the slow-cooked spud in kombu butter, topped with herring and trout roe. Advertisement Advertisement LifestyleBeautySkincare The skincare market is finally coming for your preschooler Abby Seaman November 11, 2025 9:56am 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 22 View all comments Just when it felt like the internet had just grasped the concept of the Sephora tween, a new celebrity brand has launched sheet face masks made for very young kids. Rini is a Korean skincare range for children aged four and up. Co-founded by Canadian actress Shay Mitchell, of Pretty Little Liars fame and the founder of Beis luggage, the new business venture launch was announced via Instagram on November 6. The Rini jelly mask come in a hydrating and after-sun formulas. Courtesy of Rini In an interview with Elle US, Mitchell and co-founder Esther Song said the idea was sparked when they were struggling to remove Songs daughters purple face paint: Were paper-towelling her face with water to try and get it off. I dont know what was in this paint, but it stayed on that stuff, it was really, really strong, Mitchell told the publication. The response on the Instagram post has a few parents excited about a product to divert their child from their own adult skincare. However, the majority expressed concern, with one commenter writing: My mom used to put cucumbers over my eyes when I wanted to do a face mask with her. Lets keep it at that. Advertisement In an Instagram story, Mitchell posted a statement: Rini isnt about beauty its about self-care. 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 with safe, gentle products parents can trust, and sweet moments that bring us closer. Ester Song and Shay Mitchell are the co-founders of Rini a skincare brand for kids. Courtesy of Rini The initial launch includes three products, starting at $US5.99 ($9.16) a hydrogel mask in a hydrating or after-sun formula and an everyday sheet mask in puppy, unicorn, and panda designs. The products are not available in Australia, but it raises the question: how young is too young to market beauty products? It seems obvious to say that toddlers and children dont need specialty skincare, but whats the harm? Dermatologist Leona Yip says that the bare minimum and maximum skincare for young children is a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and SPF with products you can buy at the supermarket. Advertisement It does not need to be expensive, and they certainly do not need face masks, she says. Face masks are designed to restore skin hydration, but Yip says that this can also be achieved with a suitable moisturiser. Eczema is one of the more common skin concerns seen in younger children, which may prompt parents to seek a solution beyond the basics. Toddlers and childrens skin is less robust than adults. Young skin has a weaker skin barrier and absorbs more, which is more likely to result in allergic reactions or irritation, especially with products containing fragrance. Yip says that some products will use fragrance-free labelling as a selling point, but may still contain natural fragrances, which are not necessarily safer and can still cause reactions. Advertisement The Rini masks list botanical ingredients which Yip warns against. We know that botanicals sometimes can cause allergic reactions, so I would exercise caution for those. It is quite misleading when they say its safer for sensitive skin, she says. Yip says that skincare shouldnt be about self-care for kids, and hygiene is the responsibility of parents. Skincare at a young age should not be about a beauty construct. It shouldnt be about teaching self-care; they wouldnt understand that at this age. The Butterfly Foundations head of communications and engagement Melissa Wilton says self-care has become commercialised. Advertisement Caring for ourselves can be about simple everyday acts of being kinder to our body rest, movement we enjoy, nourishing and tasty food, and connection with others, says Wilton. Related Article Opinion Parenting Why selling tweens self-care is the worst viral trend yet Wendy Syfret Freelance writer Wilton says that while studies are limited, they have shown that age six may be an important time for the onset of body dissatisfaction, and products like these expose children to beauty standards. It ultimately sends the message that our appearance is somehow wrong and needs to be fixed, and that its easier to live in this world if we meet societys ideals with wrinkle-free, fresh, perfect skin, and that it takes expensive products to achieve that. Young people are not only learning to fear ageing before it has even begun, but they are being sold the message that they must purchase expensive products to be accepted, says Wilton. Advertisement When is it dermatologically appropriate to advance your childs skincare game? Yip says puberty can mean skin changes like acne might require addressing, but this needs to be guided by a GP or dermatologist. In terms of starting anti-ageing skincare, that does not need to be considered until early to mid-twenties, says Yip. Rini has been contacted for comment. Butterfly National Helpline, 1800 33 4673. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday. Ahead of Tehans remarks, opposition communications spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh shared her thoughts on the meeting. She said it felt like there was more agreement in the Liberal Party room than disagreement. This reflects the numbers we just reported which showed a clear majority opposed net zero. People did talk in consistency about the need for us to have action on bringing down emissions and our global responsibility. So I think theres pretty much an agreement that we stay in [the Paris Agreement], she told ABCs Afternoon Briefing. Shadow Minister for Communications and Shadow Minister for Women, Melissa McIntosh. Alex Ellinghausen The settlement on net zero isnt going to happen today. We still have another couple of processes. It will go to shadow cabinet tomorrow morning, and then, of course, weve got a full Coalition meeting on Sunday. McIntosh said Australias energy future was discussed, including increased energy needs because of AI power demands. So many Australians are concerned about that, we need to be able to power that in the future. It cant just be off the local energy grid, which it is right now, that is just not sustainable. We need to be also looking at other alternative power options, like nuclear. Advertisement NationalNSWPublic transport Sydney water rats bid to buy one of last RiverCat ferries torpedoed Matt O'Sullivan November 12, 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 49 View all comments Plans to buy one of Sydneys last remaining RiverCat ferries, which have been synonymous with the Parramatta River route for decades, have been rebuffed by the states transport agency, leaving it destined to be turned into scrap. A self-described water rat, Roger Kyle has been fighting to save the Shane Gould for the past year, offering to purchase the ferry for a nominal sum to avoid it meeting the same fate as other RiverCats in the government-owned fleet. Roger Kyle has been fighting to save one of the last two remaining RiverCat ferries for the past year. One of them, the Dawn Fraser, passes in the background. Kate Geraghty The owner of Abbotsford Point Boatshed said he could afford to look after the ferry because he had space to moor it, avoiding fees of up to $180,000 a year to park it elsewhere on the river or Sydney Harbour. He is also the leaseholder of moorings at Fairmile Cove near Breakfast Point. After initially indicating it was willing to consider Kyle taking the ferry, late last month Transport for NSW rejected his proposal, advising him it had decided to scrap the Shane Gould due to its condition, environmental factors and potential reputational risks. Advertisement Until the agency rebuffed his offer, Kyle planned to use the vessel named after the Australian Olympic swimmer to cater for Christmas parties and other events on the Parramatta River and harbour. It is just a shame. I am in a unique position to keep and maintain this vessel, preserving her for future generations, he said. They are a beautiful vessel made by Australians. Once theyre gone, theyre gone forever. Kyle said his offer would save the government the cost of scrapping the vessel. The Shane Gould awaits its fate at a berth in Rozelle Bay late last week. James Brickwood Transport for NSW said in a statement that it was unable to provide assurance of safe operation if a RiverCat was gifted or sold at a nominal price. Advertisement The Shane Gould has reached the end of its 30-year operational life and an investment of more than $1 million would be required to keep it mechanically sound, including the full replacement of the specialised drive system, it said. Related Article Public transport Like a Kinder Surprise: Manly ferry dishes up the unexpected The transport agency said the private operator of Sydney Ferries, Transdev, had previously explored what would be required to keep the RiverCats in use and deemed it economically unviable. The Shane Gould was removed from service in September after 32 years plying the river and harbour, and is tied up at Rozelle Bay. It will be towed to the coastal town of Yamba in northern NSW to be dismantled. The last remaining RiverCat the Dawn Fraser is due to be pulled from service early next year and scrapped at Yamba. Advertisement Seven new vessels built in Hobart are replacing the RiverCats on the F3 Parramatta River route. The $48 million cost of the new ferries includes the bill for scrapping the decades-old RiverCats. Transport for NSW declined to reveal the cost of scrapping the Shane Gould, citing commercial in confidence. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Thank you for joining us on this Wednesday. We will be back tomorrow with more news coverage from Brisbane and beyond, so please join us. If you are just catching up, here are some of the stories making headlines today: Findings for 38 patients were missed in Caboolture Hospitals imaging scandal, a review of more than 21,000 scans has found. Former lord mayor and premier Campbell Newman says campaigners are ready to take out injunctions in the federal court to stop Brisbanes new Olympic stadium being built in Victoria Park, which celebrates its 150th anniversary today. The teenager who stabbed grandmother Vyleen White to death in the car park of a Redbank Plains shopping centre is waiting to learn his fate in a Brisbane courtroom. The state government is back-tracking on its controversial decision to cut access to adoption information. Brisbane buyers are dreaming of champagne homes on beer budgets, with new data showing the average house hunter is falling as much as $800,000 short of affording a house in the citys inner suburbs. And, if you missed it, an unusual cloud rolled over Brisbane this morning thanks to a southerly wind change. Advertisement Children as young as 14 could be jailed for life for violent crimes under justice reforms set to be introduced by the Victorian government in response to rising crime rates. The state government has adopted a Queensland flavoured adult time for violent crime slogan to sell a tougher juvenile justice regime for serious young offenders, with the proposed changes approved by cabinet on Tuesday. Loading We want the courts to treat these violent children like adults, so jail is more likely and sentences are longer, Premier Jacinta Allan said after a lengthy cabinet meeting, which also endorsed new protest laws. Adult time for violent crime will mean more violent youth offenders going to jail, facing serious consequences. Advertisement Related Article Coroners Court of Victoria The area of Melbourne where half of youth gang violence is carried out The new regime will see children charged with aggravated home invasion, intentionally or recklessly causing injury in circumstances of gross violence, carjacking and serious and repeat aggravated burglary and armed robbery tried and sentenced by adult courts. Currently, the maximum jail sentence that can be imposed in the Childrens Court is three years for any single offence, while adult courts can impose sentences of up to 20 years for intentionally causing serious injury through gross violence and up to 25 years for aggravated home invasion. Under the proposed changes, the penalty for aggravated home invasions and carjackings will increase from 25 years to life imprisonment. The proposed legislation will also compel the Childrens Court to take into greater consideration the impact of youth crime on its victims, and remove the stipulation that jail should be a last resort for children convicted of serious crimes. Under existing laws, one third of teenagers convicted in the Childrens Court for carjacking and aggravated home invasion are given custodial sentences. People sentenced for the same crimes by adult courts are jailed in nearly all instances. Advertisement Adult courts place greater emphasis on community safety and impact on victims, whereas rehabilitation is the primary objective of the Childrens Court. The proposed changes, which will be introduced to parliament this week with a view to push them through before the end of the year, are likely to dismay youth-justice advocates who argue that tougher sentencing, rather than addressing the causes of youth crime, will turn children into career criminals. There are no easy solutions to youth crime and the best approach is always to stop crime before it starts, Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said. But we absolutely need serious consequences for violent youth crime to protect the community now. The changes echo those promised by Queensland Premier David Crisafulli in his adult crime, adult time election pitch, which saw the LNP returned to government at the end of last year and comes after the Victorian government faced sustained criticism over its handling of youth crime. Advertisement The legislation will require amendments to the Crimes Act, the Children, Youth and Families Act and the Youth Justice Act. The latest Crime Statistics Agency data shows criminal offences across Victoria are at record highs. Recorded offences rose by more than 15 per cent in the year ending June 30, an increase of 86,587. Youth crime has also surged, with 25,206 alleged incidents involving children aged 1017 years in the same time period. This is up from 22,172 incidents the year prior, 19,340 in 2023 and 15,964 in 2022. Four of the five fastest-growing crimes are theft: stealing from cars, theft of cars, shoplifting and broader robbery offences. Advertisement Related Article Crime How Victoria could follow Scotlands lead and cut knife crime and youth offending The issue has become a political headache for the Allan government and a key weapon for Opposition Leader Brad Battin, who has repeatedly accused Labor of being weak on crime. Following the stabbing attacks that left 12-year-old Chol Achiek and 15-year-old Dau Akeung dead in September, Battin used question time in state parliament to ask: Premier, how has it come to this under your government? This weeks announcement follows the Allan governments backdown on increasing the age of criminal responsibility, tightening bail laws to make it easier for children to be remanded and banning the sale and possession of machetes. Allan also confirmed her government would not pursue a blanket ban on masks at protests, as revealed by The Age, after receiving advice it would be vulnerable to constitutional challenges. Advertisement Under the proposed changes, to be introduced to parliament on Wednesday, police will be able to request someone remove a face mask if they reasonably suspect a protester is committing or about to commit a criminal offence. Penalties of more than $1000 will apply for those who refuse a direction, though exemptions can apply for medical, cultural and religious reasons. Loading Police already have the power to direct anyone wearing a face mask for any reason where they have declared a designated area. Public display of symbols of proscribed terrorist groups will also be banned under state law, as will the use of attachment devices such as rope or chains if it endangers the public or first responders. Advertisement Related Article Exclusive Crime From stolen cars to drugs and high-speed pursuits: A night on patrol in Melbournes criminal heartland While the government backed down on a proposed blanket ban on protests at places of worship, new penalties punishable by up to three months jail will be introduced for assault at religious assemblies and for intimidating, harassing or obstructing attendees. Jeremy Leibler, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia and member of an anti-hate taskforce, said the new laws would not be effective. Were deeply disappointed by the Victorian governments announcement about the proposed mask ban, he said. After the Adass Synagogue terrorist attack, the premier committed to banning the use of masks at protests because they were being used to conceal the identities of those engaging in violence and vilification. Advertisement We dont understand why a protester should be allowed to wear a mask if police believe theyre about to break the law. This is a much narrower proposal than what was promised, and unfortunately, we think its unlikely to achieve the purpose this legislation was meant to serve. The Jewish Community Council of Victorias Naomi Levin (right) with Benjamin Klein (left), Yossi Aron, and Daniel Aghion, KC, in the aftermath of the Adass Israel Synagogue attack. Simon Schluter Jewish Community Council of Victoria chief executive Naomi Levin said the government needed to send a stronger message to disruptive protesters who use masks to conceal their identities. Victorians, including Jewish Victorians, are sick and tired of protesters taking over our city, causing mayhem and disruption, Levin said. Advertisement Related Article Investigation Crime Zombie killers and the lost boys of Melbournes warring youth gangs These laws need to clearly tell protesters that they cannot hide behind masks. The JCCV will continue to work with the government, opposition and the crossbench to make sure all Victorians feel safe. Nerita Waight, chief executive of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, said face masks were an important way to keep Indigenous communities safer while engaging in political action. Banning face masks will also deter those experiencing family violence from participating in peaceful protest, for fear of being identifiable. A blanket ban on face coverings will only lead to discriminatory policing against Aboriginal people, Waight said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement PoliticsFederalThe Dismissal Keating reveals he told Whitlam to have Kerr sacked or arrested Shane Wright Updated November 11, 2025 5:15pm ,first published November 11, 2025 9:57am 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 50th anniversary of the most tumultuous day in Australian political history has been used by former prime minister John Howard to urge Liberal leader Sussan Ley to talk to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about introducing four-year parliamentary terms. Just hours after Paul Keating revealed he had urged Gough Whitlam to arrest governor-general Sir John Kerr while ensuring the Army did not move to protect the vice-regal representative, Howard said he was open to constitutional change while describing three-year terms as ludicrous. Paul Keating has revealed he told Gough Whitlam to sack John Kerr, and jail him if he refused to go. Marija Ercegovac Whitlam was sacked by Kerr on November 11, 1975, in a turn of events that has reverberated through the Australian political system since. The Museum of Australian Democracy, housed within the old parliament house, on Tuesday held a series of interviews and panels to discuss the Dismissals ramifications. Howard said he had been approached by then prime minister Bob Hawke in the 1980s to find common ground on four-year terms. A referendum on the issue was defeated in 1988. Advertisement Howard said he approached then Labor leader Mark Latham for four-year terms, but Latham wanted a grand day of federal, state and local government elections. According to Howard, four-year terms made sense. Ive always been in favour of it [four-year terms], he said. Id say to Sussan Ley and to the prime minister, get together on it now. And dont attach conditions. Loading It is ludicrous that you have four-year terms in all the states but not in the federal parliament. Its just crazy. Advertisement Howard rejected a suggestion from his former immigration minister, Philip Ruddock, that the Senate be stripped of its right to block supply. Whitlams failure to get his budget bills through the Senate was at the heart of his governments dismissal by Kerr. Related Article Political Sketch The Dismissal The Dismissal: Norman Gunstons moment, while a boy got high on a king But he did support two constitutional changes removing the requirement that the number of House of Representatives be as close as practicable to double the number of senators, and that a double dissolution election be held when a bill had been twice rejected by the upper house. Keating, who had been appointed the minister for northern Australia just a fortnight before the events of November 11, 1975, was with Whitlam in the hours after Kerr sacked the prime minister and appointed Malcolm Fraser as the nations political leader. According to Keating, who went on to become prime minister from 1991 to 1996, he told Whitlam that he should go directly to Queen Elizabeth II and sack Kerr. Advertisement If he refused to go, Kerr should be locked up by police. My proposition was that Gough should ask the Queen to accept his advice to appoint a new governor-general, he said. In the event that Kerr resisted, I said to Gough he should be put under police arrest. Garry McDonald today, and as Norman Gunston on the day Whitlam was sacked. Archives, SMH That is certainly what I would have done if I was prime minister. Keating said there was a risk that Kerr could win support from the Army to protect him from arrest as he was the nations commander-in-chief. Advertisement This was an issue that Whitlam had to consider. Related Article The Dismissal She heard an extraordinary plot against the government: The call that would haunt Winsome Nash In other words, youd have to have the soldiers with you for this to happen, he said in an interview with Niki Savva, the veteran political journalist and columnist for this masthead. Keating said Whitlam dismissed the idea, arguing the then-prime minister was a constitutionalist. But Keating said the events of that day were a coup against Australian democracy, led by one man: Kerr. Advertisement It was, in every respect it was a coup. A coup by an individual, not a sort of violent gathering, he said. A key reason for Frasers ability to frustrate the Whitlam budget was a change in Labors representation in the Senate. NSW premier Tom Lewis and Queensland premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen breached constitutional convention by appointing non-Labor supporting senators to fill two Labor vacancies in the upper house. A referendum in 1977 prevents such a move. Anna Burke, the former Labor speaker of the House under Julia Gillard, revealed how close she believed Labor had gone to losing office during her term in office. Loading Advertisement Burke was made speaker on October 9, 2012, the same day that Gillard delivered her famous misogyny speech. The speech was part of a vote of no confidence from then opposition leader Tony Abbott. According to Burke, she didnt go to the toilet or leave the House for five hours for fear the Gillard government would fall. I thought on that day the government is going to fall on the vote of the parliament, she said. Burke said it was unlikely a future governor-general acted like Kerr and considered themselves above the will of the people. In a legal sense, it can happen again. Will it ever happen again? No, it wont, she said. Advertisement Liberal speaker of the House Tony Smith said it was very unlikely the events of 1975 could be replicated, in part because of the growth in minor parties in the Senate. The Coalition and Labor had all but one of the 60 members of the Senate before the actions of Lewis and Bjelke-Petersen. Today, the Senate crossbench includes 18 of the 75 members. Governor-General Sam Mostyn used the event to argue it was difficult to imagine a prime minister could be surprised by a vice-regal representative in the way Whitlam accused Kerr of doing to him with the Dismissal. It is true that I could not imagine a situation in modern Australia where a prime minister would be surprised or blindsided by the governor-General in the circumstances that occurred in 1975, she said. Importantly, nor am I taking a more expansive approach to my role or redefining any of the core principles of responsible and representative government. These are incontrovertible principles and sit at the core of our democracy. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. Advertisement PoliticsFederalPolitical leadership Ley leadership to be put to the test in crunch talks Paul Sakkal November 11, 2025 6:03pm 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 156 View all comments Opposition Leader Sussan Ley will face the biggest test of her authority in a series of crucial talks beginning on Wednesday as senior MPs expect the leader to side with a growing number of her troops pushing to dump the net zero target. Tensions were high before Wednesdays Liberal party room meeting in Canberra, with frontbencher Phillip Thompson, a veteran, saying it was a kick in the guts to cut short observing Remembrance Day and conservative Angus Taylor failing to categorically rule out a leadership tilt. Problems left and right Opposition Leader Sussan Ley will oversee a crucial Liberal Party meeting on Wednesday. David Beach Moderates who support a watered-down 2050 target have been battling conservatives who think retaining net zero in any form will deny the Coalition the freedom to oppose Labors bumpy energy transition and expensive power bills. Amid veiled threats from moderate MPs to quit her frontbench, two of Leys trusted colleagues briefed this masthead that they had formed the view Ley was comfortable dumping the 2050 pledge. Both have discussed energy policy with Ley but sought anonymity. Advertisement Ley has kept her opinions on net zero largely to herself since coming to power, spurring calls from opposition MPs for her to show leadership. But two Liberals in the top ranks of the opposition said they gauged about a month ago that Ley believed ditching net zero was politically workable. Related Article Exclusive Political leadership Revolt of the mods: Kovacic, Ruston, Wilson could quit frontbench if net zero dumped This challenges a perception that she had been on the side of the moderates. Asked for a statement, Leys spokesman said the claim she had expressed her position to MPs was wrong. The leader has not expressed a view to ensure her colleagues can speak freely without her influence on this matter, and any suggestion to the contrary is a serious misrepresentation of the truth, he said. Advertisement One of the sources said Ley would not advocate a position to backbenchers in a critical Liberal-only party room meeting in Canberra on Wednesday, instead seeking to hear the views of the room. But she may put forward a view at a meeting of Liberal shadow ministers on Thursday. Photo: Matt Golding The Thursday meeting will finalise the Liberal policy that will then be workshopped with the Nationals before a Coalition party room meeting of all Liberals and Nationals on Sunday. As Ley has consulted widely on the policy, internal research seen by MPs showed voters were prioritising high electricity prices over climate action. Other Liberals have registered the reservations expressed by Bill Gates and Tony Blair about climate action costs, while the Nationals and right-wing group Advance have ramped up their campaigns against net zero. All of this has persuaded Taylor, James Paterson and Michaelia Cash to harden their opposition to the goal of eliminating net emissions by 2050. Ley and her office have been determined not to dictate the terms of Wednesdays meeting, in which moderates will make a last-ditch bid to keep the target in some form. Some MPs in the right who do not want net zero to be Coalition policy are comfortable allowing moderate MPs to speak informally about reaching the target sometime this century, as it is tied up with the Paris Agreement. Advertisement Many different forms of wording are being workshopped inside the opposition as alternative branding to net zero. Sticking with the Coalitions current net zero policy, enacted by the Morrison government, would put the Liberals and Nationals at odds. Ditching the moniker, meanwhile, would anger moderates who helped Ley become party leader, turning it into a high-risk bid to placate her right flank. Two leading Liberal frontbenchers Angus Taylor and Tim Wilson. Alex Ellinghausen The argument has morphed into a proxy battle over the direction of a party reeling from a historic election loss, with moderates seeking to win back metropolitan voters and right-wingers intent on drawing clearer battle lines with the government. The partys reshaped policy is expected to use new language around emissions reduction, tie Australias mitigation levels to the average of rich countries and focus on new technologies in nuclear and carbon capture and storage. Advertisement Wilson, the only Liberal to beat a teal MP, criticised the Nationals-initiated proposal to peg Australia to OECD nations emissions reduction, declaring it a globalist target. Im looking for leadership, he said on Sky News, in a warning to Ley. Related Article Exclusive Resolve Political Monitor Third of voters want net zero gone as Coalition meets to decide position Leadership aspirant Taylor heightened speculation about Leys future when he was asked to rule out a challenge, saying, its not something were planning. One of Taylors right faction allies, who declined to be named, said they were pleasantly surprised that Ley appeared to be opening the door to ditching net zero because its much easier for us if the mods clean this up this net zero issue before a possible leadership switch to a conservative. Advertisement Energy spokesman Dan Tehan said he absolutely believed Ley would be the leader in six months after he was asked a question about this timeframe. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. Advertisement Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have both met the Nauruan president in Canberra this week after this masthead revealed fresh allegations of corruption inside the federal governments offshore detention regime in the Pacific nation. Wongs office said she raised recent media reports with Nauruan President David Adeang on the sidelines of a Pacific Security College leadership program on Monday, but this was not made public until he was photographed by ABC News entering Parliament House on Tuesday. Nauruan President David Adeang at Parliament House last year. Alex Ellinghausen This masthead and 60 Minutes have detailed allegations of rorting, graft and bikie gangs infiltrating critical border security operations in the Pacific island nation, which struck a $2.5 billion deal in September to take Australias foreign-born criminals. This payment over the next 30 years comes on top of a $100 million treaty signed between the two countries last year, and is separate to the hundreds of millions that Australia pays Nauru annually to run its offshore detention regime. Burke confirmed he had met the president, in a post on X shortly after photos of the president at the doors of Parliament House were published on the ABC. Advertisement I had a productive meeting with Naurus President Adeang today in Canberra the relationship between our countries is critical on a range of issues, Burke posted. No public announcement had been made about the presidents visit, as is common for visiting foreign leaders. View post on X Opposition home affairs spokesman Jonno Duniam called on the government to explain the unannounced meeting. It is bizarre to have a head of state from one of our closest neighbours visit without any prior notice or proper diplomatic protocol, Duniam said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Transparency International Australia has called for the National Anti-Corruption Commission to urgently investigate the allegations. Chief executive Clancy Moore said that taxpayer funds lining the pockets of companies owned by bikie gangs to provided security services, and millions of dollars on insurance payments for fast cars, art and a luxury yacht owned by government contractors are just some of red flags that need to be examined. Related Article Asylum seekers Dirty deals: Nauru rorting, bikie gang allegations to be referred to NACC The fact that President Adeang is visiting Australia two days after these allegations were raised in the media puts further fuel on the fire and stresses the need for accountability. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, when asked about the corruption claims on Monday, said the relevant minister would respond but added, I note that those issues, as I read them, come from a period before we were in government. Duniam said the secret meeting raised questions over the 30-year, multibillion-dollar agreement with Nauru to accept the convicted criminals who had to be released from detention following a landmark 2023 High Court ruling, but who could not be deported to their country of origin. Advertisement Silence, obfuscation and a lack of transparency have been hallmarks of this government, including in its dealings with the dangerous NZYQ cohort and the secretive agreement struck with Nauru, he said in the statement. Adeang confirmed the first deportees had arrived in his country just two weeks ago after Burke secretly rushed through laws to strip foreign-born criminals of their right to fair process to expedite the deportations. Adeang had been invited to Mondays leadership conference alongside representatives from other island nations including Palau and Kiribati. The offices of Burke and the prime minister declined to comment. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. CORRECTION A previous version of this story stated that Nauruan President David Adeang had attended Mondays leadership conference as a member of the Parliamentary Friends of Pacific Island Nations. Adeang is not a member of the group. He attended in his capacity as a Pacific leader. Advertisement PoliticsFederalDefence spending RSL president warns PM that soldiers are at risk unless defence spending increased Mike Foley November 11, 2025 3:00pm 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 RSL president has used a speech at the War Memorial on Remembrance Day to call on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to increase defence spending, claiming Australias armed forces will not be prepared if they are sent into a major combat. Major General Greg Melick said in his commemorative address that the Returned & Services Leagues warnings on defence spending had long been ignored and Australia had become complacent about the threats it faces. RSL president Major General Greg Melick speaks at Rememberance Day. Alex Ellinghausen For many years the RSLs defence and security committee has been agitating, without apparent success, on the need to ensure we bolster defence spending and significantly increase our reserves, especially in fuel and ammunition, to best equip our dedicated servicemen and women before we send them into harms way, Melick said on Tuesday at the Australian War Memorial, to mark the end of World War I. We also must remember the lessons of past conflicts to ensure we are appropriately prepared for what the future may bring. Advertisement US President Donald Trumps defence secretary Pete Hegseth has called for Australia to raise defence spending to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product. Related Article Exclusive ADF Not about knocking things down: City of Sydney prepares for Victoria Barracks sale Australia currently spends about 2 per cent of GDP on defence, including a $12 billion investment in submarine shipyards in WA, and is on track to raise it to 2.4 per cent by the middle of next decade. Following its re-election in May the Albanese government committed an extra $5.7 billion to the military over the next four years and an extra $50 billion over the next decade. The Albanese government also endorsed the AUKUS pact with the United Kingdom and the United States, instigated under the former Morrison government. Australia would acquire up to eight nuclear-powered submarines, at a cost of $368 billion over three decades, which are viewed as a crucial asset for defence in the Pacific. Advertisement Melick said Chinas threat to Australia demanded that Australia invest more heavily than ever before to defend itself in the modern theatres of war, where troops on the ground will be far less significant than weapons and hardware. The Defence Strategic Review has outlined that the strategic situation in the Indo-Pacific region has never been as dire since 1941, he said. We should never forget that servicemen and women of my fathers generation commenced their training with broomsticks and won through sheer courage, initiative and resilience. Sadly, these will not be enough in todays strategic situation, especially with the ever-increasing technological nature of the battlefield and the vast range of modern ordnance and weapons. Melick said it was cause for concern that a recent survey had found only 30 per cent of Generation Z were prepared to fight for their country. Advertisement Defence Minister Richard Marles was aware of the RSLs concerns, Melick said, but he must convince the federal cabinet to make changes. The challenge before him [Marles] is to convince his colleagues to rebalance our priorities, Melick said. Otherwise, in future Remembrance Day ceremonies we may well regret the conflict we didnt deter and remember those who we demanded to protect us without the necessary wherewithal. Let us appropriately prepare for a conflict we hope never comes. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. Fighter jets pierce through clouds China Military Online) 10:43, November 11, 2025 A maintenance man assigned to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command checks the cockpit of a fighter jet before a flight training exercise in early November, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Lan Shanhu) A maintenance man assigned to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command checks the drag parachute of a fighter jet before a flight training exercise in early November, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Lan Shanhu) Two fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command take off in formation during a flight training exercise in early November, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Lan Shanhu) Two fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command pierce through the clouds during a flight training exercise in early November, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Lan Shanhu) A fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command maneuvers at high speed and leaves white contrails during a flight training exercise in early November, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Lan Shanhu) (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) Advertisement PoliticsVictoriaHealthcare Worst-case scenario occupation on the cards over clinic closures Rachael Dexter and Broede Carmody November 11, 2025 4:37pm 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 6 View all comments Melbourne doctors, nurses, social workers and activists are threatening to occupy an inner-city community clinic if planned cuts are not reversed by Christmas. Health workers say they are prepared to run a renegade health service from a site in Collingwood to prevent it being knocked down and sold to developers. The entrance of cohealths community health centre at Collingwood, slated for closure. The plan comes almost a month after cohealths shock announcement that it would axe GP and counselling services in Kensington, Fitzroy and Collingwood in December, before shutting the Collingwood site altogether next year. The changes, if they go ahead in the coming weeks and months, are expected to affect more than 12,000 patients. While Medicare rebates and bulk-billing incentives have increased this year, cohealth says it is still losing money because it is not a typical walk-in, walk-out clinic, instead offering a suite of specialist services for those experiencing addiction, homelessness or severe mental health issues. Advertisement Bids for a major rebuild of the Collingwood clinic, which operates in a 75-year-old building with leaking ceilings and cracked walls, have been knocked back during budget deliberations by the state government. Related Article Exclusive Healthcare More health centre closures planned as calls to save cohealth grow Following a meeting attended by about 500 locals a fortnight ago, hundreds braved bitter cold and rain on Saturday to pressure the federal government to fund an emergency bailout, outside federal Melbourne MP Sarah Wittys electorate office in Fitzroy. When asked on Tuesday if a federal bailout package was on the table, a spokesperson for Health Minister Mark Butler said the minister had requested the cohealth board pause its decision while conversations were ongoing. The department and Commonwealth officials continue to meet regularly with cohealth management and expect cohealth to provide detailed data and information to support discussion, the spokesperson said. Advertisement The protest poster appearing across inner Melbourne advocating for an occupation of cohealth clinics slated to close. Ben Juers Yarra Mayor Stephen Jolly, who is separately fighting a charge of unlawful assault, announced at the Saturday rally an escalation plan if neither cohealth nor state and federal governments moved to salvage the service, which has provided free medical care for vulnerable Melburnians for more than 135 years. Jolly said the cuts amounted to the most generalised attack on poor people he had witnessed in decades, and accused cohealth of abandoning its core mission, noting it had recently expanded into Tasmania and had a new centre opening in Flinders Street soon. These services are not the boards to close down, he said. This is community health, not corporate health. Despite public pressure, on Monday patients received a text from cohealth confirming the closures were going ahead. Advertisement Jolly said rallies, petitions and public meetings would continue, but planning had turned to occupation in a worst-case scenario. Last week, posters advertising the rebel clinics plan began appearing across inner-city neighbourhoods. Activists took inspiration from decades-old squatting campaigns that successfully saved the Fitzroy Pool and Richmond Secondary College from closure, as well as the East West Link protests, which ultimately led to the projects abandonment. Jolly, who has been involved in all three campaigns, said: Thats what this area is like we put our money where our mouth is. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners chair Anita Munoz said she was not surprised that health workers were prepared to take action, but declined to comment on any barriers to doctors providing care in squatting situations, saying she was not qualified to provide legal advice. People very much care about their community, Munoz said. If all of those vulnerable people are suddenly without their GPs, they are going to have to use [nearby] emergency departments and urgent care centres. Its going to be bad for everyone in the end. Advertisement We definitely know money can be found. Its really just about the political will to step in and save the service. The president of Australian Medical Association Victoria, Dr Simon Judkins, agreed. A packed Fitzroy Town Hall on October 24. Eddie Jim AMA Victoria hasnt been involved in the actions being planned. [But] the message to both state and federal governments is clear: save cohealth and invest in community care for the long term, he said A cohealth spokesperson said the organisations highest priority was the health, wellbeing and safety of clients and staff. Advertisement We will continue to support clients through this period and have increased staffing at the clinics to provide information and to help transition their care, the spokesperson said. Our conversations with federal government to advocate for sustainable funding of these complex-care GP services, and for solutions to avoid service closures, have been active and are ongoing. Related Article City life How people power, John Clarke and Julian Assange saved Fitzroy Pool Cohealths origins date back to 1889, when it was known as the Collingwood Free Medical Mission Dispensary the first in the colony of Victoria. It was founded to help the destitute sick in what was once a heavily working-class area. Today, cohealth is accessible to all Victorians, but still prioritises those who are at increased risk of chronic poor health such as refugees, Indigenous people, family violence victims, former prisoners and rough sleepers. On Tuesday, Infrastructure Victoria released a report recommending that the Allan government spend billions rebuilding major hospitals and pour extra funds into community health as part of its 30-year strategy. Advertisement State Greens MP Gabrielle de Vietri, whose seat takes in Collingwood and Fitzroy, said the report proves that its the states responsibility to keep cohealth open. A spokesperson for Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas declined to say what the state would do if the clinics were occupied, but said the cohealth board had made it clear that the proposed Collingwood closure had nothing to do with the states infrastructure spending. Coalition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said the state government shouldnt sit on its hands while communities lost access to basic care. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement Updated PoliticsWAPrisons WAs booming prison population unsustainable and dangerous, watchdog warns Hamish Hastie November 11, 2025 4:21pm 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 1 View all comments Western Australias adult prison population has ballooned by more than 1000 inmates in just two years and the states prison watchdog warns the situation is unsustainable and dangerous. In his 2024-25 annual report, Inspector of Custodial Services Eamon Ryan said the prison population and staffing shortages presented big challenges for the sector. Casuarina Prison, Western Australia. Nine News Perth Ryan said there had been a 15 per cent increase in the average prisoner population between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024 and another 12 per cent increase in the 2024-25 financial year. However, he said that didnt paint the true picture and, when looking at prison populations on a single day in the middle of the year, the adult population was 7800 on July 1, 2024 and 8475 a year later. Advertisement Ryan said that level of growth was unsustainable and, with staffing shortages also impacting the prison estate, conditions were worsening. Related Article Exclusive Prisons A Perth judge labelled Hakea Prison dangerously unstable. So whats it like inside? When the prison population is as high as it has been, coupled with insufficient staffing, time in custody is simply not as rehabilitative and reintegrative as it should be, he said. People spend too much time in cell, and often with more people than the cell was designed to accommodate. Their access to therapeutic programs to address their offending behaviours is limited. Their access to other opportunities, like education and employment which build skills to help their chances to reintegrate, are also curbed. Advertisement They get minimal access to recreational pursuits to burn off steam and better their physical and mental state. And the quality and quantity of their contact with family is also reduced because everyone is competing for the same phones and visit sessions. Ryan said these were real frustrations which could lead to worrisome safety and security issues. Unfortunately, this was borne out over the past year with an increased number of attempted suicides, and prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, he said. Earlier this year, it was revealed hundreds prisoners were sleeping on the floor to deal with overcrowding. The government is reportedly considering building a new remand prison to deal with the explosion in numbers, but Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia has so far refused to confirm the move. Advertisement The state is already undertaking a 205-bed expansion of Casuarina Prison. Related Article WA courts Terrifying: Male inmates still permitted to light up in WA prisons despite fire death Papalia has confirmed previously the government was developing a business case to address the prison population. He said the increase reflected the national trends and blamed one factor on the increase in the number of people being charged with family and domestic violence offences. The state government allocated $4.7 million in the State Budget towards long term custodial infrastructure planning, which considers population trends, he said. Advertisement The Department of Justice is also training Prison Officers at a record rate, with the goal of recruiting 1200 prison officers over the next 3 years. The academy is full and running back-to-back courses, alongside regional recruitment and training courses. Opposition corrective services spokesman Adam Hort said the prison crisis was spiralling under Labor. With multiple independent reviews exposing overcrowding, staff shortages and alleged human rights abuses caused by years of mismanagement, he said. Its understandable that the community wants offenders held to account, but the reality is 99 per cent of inmates will eventually return to our streets, and they must come out better than when they went in, not worse. Advertisement We are now seeing courts reduce or avoid prison sentences because of intolerable conditions or the absence of rehabilitation programs. WA Labors mismanagement of our prison system is either hardening offenders behind bars or leading to reduced sentences - both of which put community safety at risk. Papalia was approached for comment about Ryans latest report. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Buyers in inner Brisbane are simply priced out. We havent seen price growth like this for a number of years and then theres the chronic lack of supply. The pressure is only building and well probably see this gap of aspiration versus reality widen. Powell said the gap is forcing buyers to compromise and shift their gaze to townhouses and units. Were seeing a dynamic shift to outer suburbs, but were also seeing an interaction between house and townhouse searches, she said. Loading This means buyers are doing a dual search so (when their budget cant stretch to a house), theyre then nudging for a townhouse. And what weve got now for townhouses is that price gap swings the other way. Search budgets are bigger and that tells me more buyers are shifting from a house to a townhouse. Beyond the five-kilometre ring, buyers budgets are actually outstripping listings by up to $153,000 in more affordable markets, such as for townhouses in the Springwood-Kingston region, where searches average $650,000 against median listings of $497,000. The report measures sellers listing prices, but not sale prices, and does not account for whether homes sell for a different price than that shown on the guide. Ray White Clayfields Nick Kouparitsas said the mismatch had become increasingly pronounced across blue-chip inner north burbs, with budgets frequently falling $600,000 short of reality. He said Clayfield, Wilston, Wooloowin and even Stafford were bearing the brunt of the expectation versus reality gap, with construction costs part of the problem. A lot of this mismatch is because of the new builds. What buyers miss and this is easily missed is what a land purchase could be coupled with the purchase cost, he said. Theyre looking at a new build in Kedron, for example, with a budget of $2 million, but thats how much the build alone costs. Loading Some of the fringe city suburbs are where were really seeing buyers miss the mark the most and it just shows how fast the market is moving. I recently sold a house in Wooloowin for mid-$1.4 million and we were getting people coming in with offers of $900,000 to $1 million. Domain data shows the median listing price of a house in Brisbanes inner north is now $1,977,500 well above the median search price of $1.2 million. Beyond the citys inner pockets, the next biggest gaps were recorded in the Sherwood-Indooroopilly region, where houses listed for an average of $1,745,625 against search budgets of $1.2 million. Place New Farms Ann-Karyn Fraser said buyers were frequently half a million dollars short, particularly among those relocating from interstate or other regions. Its so often we get inquiries on properties where buyers are so off the mark, which is just awful for them. They dont understand the true cost of buying this close to the city now or in certain school catchments, she said. There, buyers are often from interstate but also from the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast. I would probably [say] Chalmer, Graceville, Sherwood and St Lucia are where were seeing the biggest mismatches now. Market demand is rising there for good properties and they just move really quickly. Loading Fraser said access to amenities, top schools and the city had further fuelled demand. On the other end of the expectation spectrum, NGU Real Estates Rebecca Cuderman said townhouse and unit buyers in Springwood, Logan and Kingston were coming in with bigger budgets for fear of missing out but she expects the reversal to be short lived. We had a couple of townhouses last week that were marketed with offers over $650,000. We initially got offers of $680,000, which is what we expected, and then on Saturday we had buyers come in and ask if $720,000 would get it, she said. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share 39 View all comments Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: If you do not look closely, it is easy to miss the children. They come and go during the day, a handful of boys and girls seeking refuge from the 43-degree heat. But at night, they are always there, their bodies curled up on the median strip near a petrol station in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The girl in the red dress is Dalia, a bubbly eight-year-old who learned English from YouTube videos. The baby whimpering for milk is Abudy, born 17 days earlier. Nearby is a wide-eyed toddler, still learning to look both ways before crossing the road. Kenyan mother Esther and her newborn son, Abudy. Iman Al-Dabbagh/The New York Times Their mothers, lying beside them, are Kenyan housekeepers and nannies. Their government encouraged workers like them to find jobs in Saudi Arabia and send their savings back to Kenya. They cleaned the houses and cared for the children of Saudi families. Like so many other Kenyans employed in Saudi homes, they faced abuse, exploitation and neglect. But other women, when they are desperate, can go home. These women cannot. They had children outside of marriage. And now they are trapped. Advertisement In this conservative Islamic kingdom, where an unmarried mother can be jailed for an illegal pregnancy, it is as if their children do not exist. Without identification documents, they are banished to the fringes of society. Yet they cannot leave the country, either. Police officers, shelter workers and diplomats turned the mothers away. Finally, they came to the gas station. It made no sense, but rumour had it that this was the one place where single mothers could be deported with their children. I tried to leave, says Fanice, 32, Dalias mother. But its been impossible. Fanice and her daughter, Dalia, in Riyadh. Iman Al-Dabbagh/The New York Times Despite a decade of social transformation in Saudi Arabia, unwed pregnancy remains a taboo that exists in a legal grey area. The children of unmarried immigrants face unique perils. They are routinely deprived of birth certificates, medical care and education, in violation of Saudi and international law, a New York Times investigation found. Kenyan women and children suffer in particular, the Times found, because officials at the Kenyan embassy berate them, stonewall them or saddle them with years of paperwork to return home. Hundreds of children, and potentially many more, have been left in the lurch recognised by neither Saudi Arabia nor Kenya. These children are the victims of an exploitative industry that recruits African women to Saudi Arabia a pipeline from which Kenyan government officials personally profit through financial interests in staffing agencies. Hundreds of Kenyan women have been killed, and reports of rapes and beatings are common. Advertisement For those women who become pregnant, whether from an assault or a relationship, birthing a baby into legal limbo is a final cruelty. With no path forward, some contemplate giving up their children. At least as wards of the state, they would receive identity documents and an education. Other mothers stay in Saudi Arabia indefinitely, raising their children in a country where they struggle to access schooling and routine vaccinations. Dalia plays with a doll her mother found in the rubbish. Iman Al-Dabbagh/The New York Times This life is no good, says Dalia, who passes her days playing with dolls that her mother collects from the rubbish. All of this flies in the face of a Saudi law that codifies the rights of children unequivocally, regardless of their immigration status or lineage to identification documents, medical care and education. The law deems a child born to a non-Saudi mother in an irregular or undocumented manner to be affiliated with the mother and to bear her nationality, and a birth certificate is issued for such child accordingly, the Saudi governments Centre for International Communication said in a statement to the Times. Advertisement But the government offers no public pathway for unmarried mothers to register their births. The kingdom has no birthright citizenship, and a top official at a major maternity hospital in Riyadh said that he was unsure how a single mother could get a birth certificate, but that the process would involve the police. Kenyas Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs did not respond to repeated requests for comment. This account is based on interviews with 25 East African women who became pregnant or gave birth in Saudi Arabia, as well as diplomats, educators, human rights activists and Saudi and Kenyan officials. Mothers still in Saudi Arabia are being identified only by first names to protect them from retaliation in the country. Esther finds shelter with her newborn, Abudy, on a median strip in Riyadh. Iman Al-Dabbagh/The New York Times When these women have nowhere else to go, their final harbour is the petrol station. Their numbers vary, but usually three or four children are here, darting around or clinging to their mothers. The newest arrival is Esther, 39, the mother of the newborn Abudy. He was conceived during Esthers relationship with an Egyptian driver, and she was briefly jailed after giving birth. Caressing her sons tiny hands, Esther says she cannot understand why he has to face the consequences of her actions. Advertisement This baby is innocent, she says. He knows nothing. The unlicensed centres that care for children for weeks Inside a beige apartment building, the laughs and cries of a dozen children can be heard. Related Article Royal family How much do I say? The hard question William had to answer after Catherines diagnosis A four-year-old boy bounces off the walls. A plump baby sits on a caretakers lap. And a three-year-old girl sits to fasten her gold Mary Janes, wrestling them onto the wrong feet. Her name is Precious. This unlicensed day care in Riyadh is one of many that have sprung up to meet the needs of Kenyan single mothers. Children play and sleep here for weeks on end while their mothers work as live-in cleaners, cooks and nannies, returning to see them on their days off. Licensed schools and nurseries require a birth certificate or another form of identification to enrol a child. Most of these children have none. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Tom Tuite A 16-year-old boy charged with violent disorder during riots near an accommodation centre for international protection applicants in west Dublin has been granted bail. Following an alleged sexual assault by a 26-year-old man on a girl aged 10 at Garter Lane in Saggart on October 20th, 2025, violent scenes broke out in Citywest, Dublin. The disturbances resulted in more than 30 arrests, gardai getting injured, and a Garda vehicle being burned out. Court prosecutions have commenced while an ongoing investigation continues to identify others at the scene. On Tuesday, the secondary school pupil from Tallaght, who became the 28th person charged in connection with the incidents, appeared before Judge Valerie Corcoran at the Dublin Childrens Court. He is charged with using or threatening to use violence with others at Citywest Drive, Dublin 24, on October 22nd, under Section 15 of the Public Order Act. Garda Alan McGinley told the court that the boy, who cannot be named due to his age, made no reply when charged. The teen has yet to indicate a plea. Garda McGinley sought bail conditions subject to the courts approval, and defence counsel Orla Doolin said that there was consent to the terms sought. He must reside at his current address, obey a 9pm-7am curfew, sign on once weekly at his local Garda station and have no contact with co-defendants, particularly two teenagers, who are also before the courts. Ms Doolin questioned that condition, saying that it involved a large number of people, but the judge resolved that it meant two specific individuals. The garda also said that while there was a right to demonstrate, the teen must act in accordance with the constitution and behave peacefully. Directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions must be obtained. Judge Corcoran told the teenager that he faced very, very serious charges which could be sent to the Circuit Court, which has greater sentencing powers. Bail could be revoked if he breached the terms, and it was important to comply, the judge warned, or he could be remanded to a detention centre. Legal aid was granted to the boy, who was accompanied to the hearing by an adult relative. He spoke briefly during the hearing, confirming his age and that he understood the conditions, before interacting with the judge when she asked him about school and his favourite subject. The judge ordered gardai to provide disclosure evidence to the defence ahead of the boys next hearing in December. Last week, three other teenage boys from Tallaght were charged with violent disorder offences in Citywest on October 21st and the following day; one of them was also accused of criminal damage to a garda car in the same area. Two of them are aged 14, and the other boy is 15. They have been ordered to appear again next month and must obey various bail conditions with restrictions on going near the scene of the alleged incidents or participating in protests. RATHANNA Village Group took first place in the category for villages with a population of 0-300 in this years Pride of Place Awards, while Carlow Regional Youth Services was presented with a judges special award. The awards acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development. They have grown into the largest competition recognising community development achievements on the island of Ireland, and their awards are much coveted among hard-working community groups. It was quite a coup, then, for the tiny village of Rathanna, with just a handful of residents, to scoop the first prize in the small population category. The judges were generous in their praise for the efforts of the Rathanna residents. Limerick mayor John Moran presents Kathryn Wall and Caroline Keating of Carlow Regional Youth Services with a judges' special award They said: Located at the foot of Mount Leinster, this small but vibrant village thrives with colour and activity year-round. With just 18 residents, a wider community of hundreds plays a vital role in village life. Untouched by the Celtic Tiger, the community is committed to preserving natural beauty while fostering wellbeing, social connection, and quality of life. The judges were particularly impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the dynamic voluntary group. The village is well loved and cared for, with strong evidence of the hard work of the volunteers and community within and adjacent to Rathanna. Particularly impressive is the community festival or Village Day which attracts 1,500 to 2,000 people, with 60 volunteers. The group is certainly an exemplar for other areas and proves what can be achieved by collaboration and community action. The vision and passion were evident and will undoubtedly have a long-term legacy for Rathanna. Commenting on Carlow Regional Youth Services, the judges said: We were impressed with The Community Roots Programme, launched in October 2024 during Climate Action Week. It is a collaborative programme delivered by Carlow Regional Youth Services empowering young people with leadership, community engagement and civic experience. The programme engaged 51 young people across Carlow through hands-on workshops. The judges were impressed with the quality of interaction with the young people who were articulate, engaged, enthusiastic and eager to continue their involvement. Elsewhere, Carlow town came runner-up in the category of a town with a population over 5,000, losing out to Donaghadee in Co Down. The awards, hosted by comedian and broadcaster Dermot Whelan, took place in Limericks Strand Hotel, with 400 community volunteers in attendance. Sponsored by IPB Insurance, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 23 years ago to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development. It has grown into the largest competition recognising community development achievements on the island of Ireland. Advertisement Monica Manolas, Region President of Ash Grove East, has made history as the first woman elected chair of the American Cement Associations (ACA) Board of Directors. David Loomes, president of the Cement Segment at Quikrete Cement, was elected vice chair. The appointments were confirmed during ACAs 2025 Fall Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. Becoming the first woman to chair the ACA is a privilege and a responsibility I take with great pride, said Manolas. The cement industry is at an inflection point, advancing toward more onshore manufacturing, smarter technologies, and wider adoption of supplementary cementitious materials. These shifts are redefining how we think about performance, resilience, and sustainability throughout our value chain. I look forward to working with our members to strengthen our impact and build a bright future for our industry and the communities we serve. ACA President and CEO Mike Ireland praised the appointments, noting that the industry is focused on aligning its objectives with national priorities such as achieving energy independence, creating American jobs, and improving the permitting system. Ive been fortunate to work with both Monica and David for several years, Ireland said. At this pivotal time in American manufacturing, I cannot think of two more respected, insightful, and forward-thinking professionals to lead the industry forward. Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) is providing advanced training to regional utility contractors as part of a new program to help them meet registered apprenticeship requirements. GNTCs new U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Line Repairer Registered Apprenticeship program is offered through GNTCs Office of Economic Development in partnership with Gridco, a grid infrastructure service company based in Birmingham, Ala. The three-year program assists utility contractors when they bid on large contracts. GNTCs Office of Economic Development was happy to partner with our area employers to add this apprenticeship offering and continue to train the pipeline of Electrical Lineworkers, said Angela Berch, vice president of Economic Development at GNTC. GNTC launched the first cohort of apprentices on Aug. 11 at GNTCs Polk County Campus in Rockmart. There are currently nine apprentices in the program. Utilizing our experienced instructors, equipment and GNTCs Polk County Campus Lineworker facility, adding this apprenticeship was a natural progression, Berch said. GNTCs Electrical Lineworker program was established in 2022 and has graduated more than 100 students. Apprentices will learn myriad skills, including safety, ropes, pole climbing, voltage readings, job briefings, operating trucks, single-phase power, troubleshooting, line repairs, primary cable terminations, pad mounts, three-phase primary work and energizing/deenergizing capacitor banks, Berch explained. The three-year program serves existing utility contractor employees and is not open-to-the-public, Berch said. GNTC is required to provide 144 hours of instruction annually for three years for 432 hours total; the employer provides 2,000 hours of on-the-job training annually for the three years for 6,000 hours total. Graduates will receive a certificate of completion. Gridco is excited to partner with GNTC to start this DOL-approved Lineworker Apprentice program, said Mike Caro, senior safety and training representative with Gridco. The two organizations have been collaborating for months to bring this program to fruition, and it is very rewarding to see it get started successfully. Our apprentices at Gridco are very appreciative of the opportunity, and Gridco sees a program like this as a great asset to both employee retention and support for our clients and the industry, Caro said. We look forward to many years of working with GNTC to grow the apprenticeship program and solidify our relationship. Gridco was one of two companies that requested GNTC offer an apprenticeship program like this one in northwest Georgia, Berch said. Gridco contacted us early in 2025, and we worked over several months to iron out the apprenticeship details, Berch said. Gridco assisted with curriculum development and registered employees for all 10 spots available in the first cohort. The next cohort of the Line Repairer Registered Apprenticeship program is scheduled to begin in April 2026. GNTCs Office of Economic Development will add more cohorts as demand increases, Berch said. Enrollment is capped at 10 apprentices per cohort. GNTCs Electrical Lineworker instructors are Kevin Bishop and Chad Thompson. Area contractors seeking information about the DOL Line Repairer Registered Apprenticeship program are encouraged to contact GNTCs Office of Economic Development at econdev@gntc.edu. A trial of the man charged in a wreck on Frazier Avenue that killed two members of a visiting Florida family and left a third with extensive injuries has been reset for next June 2. The trial of Randy Vega had been set to begin this week, but the defense held off for awaiting a decision on funding for an expert witness. Mike Little, of the Public Defender's Office, told Judge Boyd Patterson that the state courts had denied the funding request. A civil lawsuit brought in the case involving Vega has been settled, according to court documents. An order in Criminal Court forbids making public the amount of the civil settlement. In a separate civil lawsuit filed against the city of Chattanooga, the surviving member of the family, Octavio Devia Paz, of Jacksonville, said last Nov. 25 he was standing at the corner of Frazier and Forest Avenue with his family when a vehicle being driven by Vega was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by Dr. Patrick McGinty. The District Attorney's office decided not to prosecute Dr. McGinty. The suit says the city hired Alta Planning & Design for a Frazier Avenue traffic study that recommended reducing the number of travel lanes and on-street parking spaces, but the changes were not made at the time. A number of traffic alterations on Frazier Avenue have since been made by the city. There had been six other wrecks at the same corner prior to this one, it was stated. The Vega vehicle then hit Mr. Paz, Ana Posso, 41, and Johnathan Paz, age one year and 11 months. The wife and son were killed on impact. Octavio Paz said he had undergone 127 surgeries and incurred over $1.5 million in medical bills as of the filing of the complaint. He said he is unable to walk. Veterans Day always reminds me of my father. He served in the U.S. Army for more than 22 years and saw combat in Europe and Northern Africa during World War II in both infantry and armored divisions. This included the famed Battle of the Bulge, fighting against German forces. His service earned him the Bronze Star for meritorious service, along with two Purple Hearts for wounds suffered during battle. The old John Wayne war movies depicted memorable experiences and wartime camaraderie, but my father never talked about the war. The memories were too painful. I do remember the nights he would wake up screaming from nightmares of his times in battle. That was long before anyone talked about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Residual effects from war back then were known as battle fatigue. Dads the reason I was born in Germany. He was stationed there after the war; my mom had gone to be with him and I wanted to be close to her at the time. After a year we all returned to the States, so I didnt have time to learn to speak German or meet any frauleins. Among my dads many post-war assignments was to serve as an interpreter in interviewing Hungarian refugees, since he was proficient in speaking Hungarian, and received commendations for his skill. He retired with distinction. Unlike my dad, I never served in the military. I used to joke that he had spent enough time in the Army for us both. When the Vietnam War was at its peak I was in college, which exempted me from the draft. And my father never urged me to enlist in military service. But Ive always had great appreciation for those who did serve and believe Veterans Day is a well-deserved day of remembrance. The battlefields on which American soldiers and sailors served are too numerous to mention. However, whenever theres a protest of some sort, in a sense its a tribute to the many men and women that served nobly and courageously to defend our many freedoms, including the rights of free speech and assembly. Through the centuries, there have been many debates over how engaged Christians should be in matters of war. The realities and evils of war are well-documented in the Bibles Old Testament. But if we believe the Scriptures theres no doubt that we all should be participants in a different kind of war one thats spiritual in nature. Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the full armor of God, which includes the belt of truthbreastplate of righteousnessfeet fitted with the gospel of peaceshield of faithhelmet of salvationsword of the Spirit, which is the word of God and prayer. Indeed, like it or not, were in spiritual war, with the minds, hearts and souls of men, women and children at risk. We find more details in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 which says, For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Every day we see, hear about and even encounter evil in many forms. As 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Successfully opposing such evil cant be accomplished through philosophy, psychology or positive thinking. It requires divine power and utilizing the protective armor of God has provided for us through His Spirit. I recall many years ago singing Onward Christian Soldiers in church. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war. With the cross of Jesus going on before. This hymn has fallen out of favor in recent decades, with many arguing its too militant. That, however, doesnt negate the fact that God does call us to be Christian soldiers, warring against the evil forces and growing darkness in our world. The apostle Paul exhorted his protege Timothy, Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3). He also instructed him and us to Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:12). On this Veterans Day we remember the faithful service of those who engaged human enemies both overseas and on American soil. But we also must never forget the ongoing spiritual war in which were all unavoidably enlisted, one that wont end until Jesus Christ makes His promised return. * * * Robert J. Tamasy is a veteran journalist, former newspaper editor, and magazine editor. Bob has written, co-authored and edited more than 20 books. These include Marketplace Ambassadors; Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Todays Workplace; Tufting Legacies, The Heart of Mentoring, and Pursuing Life With a Shepherds Heart. He writes and edits a weekly business meditation, Monday Manna, which is translated into nearly 20 languages and distributed via email around the world by CBMC International. The address for Bob's blog is www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com. His email address is btamasy@comcast.net. An East Ridge man who has been on death row for decades is finally set to be put to death on Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. (CST). Harold Wayne Nichols is due to die by lethal injection since he did not make a choice between that method and electrocution. Nichols pleaded guilty to first-degree felony murder, aggravated rape, and first-degree burglary related to the September 1988 rape and murder of Karen Pulley. Following a penalty phase, the jury in Hamilton County Criminal Court sentenced Nichols to death. On direct appeal, the Tennessee Supreme Court affirmed the death sentence. In an opinion issued Monday denying a stay in the execution, one of the authors was Judge Tom Greenholtz of Chattanooga. Ms. Pulley was a 21-year-old Chattanooga State student. Nichols, who was known as "the red-headed stranger" during a series of violent rapes, hit Ms. Pulley in the head with a board. He was convicted of five counts of aggravated rape with four different victims other than Ms. Pulley. Nichols, on Sept. 30, 1988, broke into a home in Brainerd and found Ms. Pulley alone in an upstairs bedroom. After forcibly removing Ms. Pulleys clothing, Nichols raped her and struck her in the head with a board he had found in the home. After the rape, Nichols struck the victim in the head with the board at least four more times as she struggled. Although Ms. Pulley was found alive by one of her roommates, she died the following day. The cause of death was the blunt trauma to the victims head, which resulted in skull fractures and massive brain injuries. Several months later, on Jan. 5, 1989, police officers arrested Nichols after receiving information that he committed several rapes in the East Ridge area that were unrelated to the Pulley rape and murder. When questioned by officers, Nichols confessed to several rapes that occurred in December of 1988 and early January of 1989. When questioned later by Detective Richard Heck of the Chattanooga Police Department, Nichols confessed to the rape and murder of Ms. Pulley and gave a videotaped statement in which he discussed the layout of the victims home and bedroom, his entry point into the home, the facts of the rape and murder, and his disposal of the murder weapon. The November Red Back Hymnal Singing will be held this Sunday at the Hullander Farm, London Lane in Apison. This months special guest is Southern Gospels New Ground from North Alabama.Organizers Bill and Linda Hullander are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Red Back Hymnal Singing at their farm on London Lane. The first Red Back Hymnal Singing took place the third Sunday back in September of 2015. The Late Hamilton County Commission Chairman Curtis Adams opened the singing leading with his favorite hymn, Blessed Assurance.This is also the 75th anniversary.Mr. Hullander said as always, the singings are free, but a love offering will be taken. Everyone is welcome. Oh the painful woes of being a Democrat Socialist these days. Didnt a mix of golden agers and performative activists take to the streets shouting No Kings. 1776 was about taxation without representation by a greedy Parliament although our Constitution does provide for a president not a king and we duly elected one last November. In Rhode Island, however, an Obama appointed federal judge ordered the Trump administration, i.e. President Trump to deliver SNAP (food stamp funding) to all states by Friday, Nov. 14. The Supremes Justice Brown Jackson, in response to an emergency appeal, issued a stay of that order pending the First Circuit Courts decision to block the order completely. The administrations point was Congress funds federal programs, not the Executive Branch. If we had a king, he could do as he pleased in the matter, but we clearly dont. In this case its an activist judge playing king ordering a co-equal branch of government to fully fund the food stamp program by Friday or be in contempt. Thats another thing, only the U.S. House can bring charges against the President. The matter may be moot by Friday as the exact number of Democrats needed to break the filibuster miraculously appeared so it looks like the shutdown will be ending soon. The fallout wont and the First Circuit should rebuke that RI judge and remind him judges arent kings either. Ralph Miller * * * When people hear the term democratic socialism, it often sparks confusion, discomfort, or even fear. Some inject the fear tactic of injecting communism into the dialogue, but heres the irony: most Americans already live with socialism, benefit from it, and rely on it every single day. We dont call it that. Im not talking about some isolated ideology or foreign system. Im talking about the real, tangible services and institutions that make our communities work - things we take for granted because theyve always been there. If youve ever driven on a highway, sent your kids to public school, or visited a public park, youve experienced democratic socialism in action. Lets take a look and break it down. These are just a few examples of what democratic socialism looks like today in everyday American life: Public infrastructure: Highways, roads, bridges, transit systems, and portsall built and maintained for the common good. Highways, roads, bridges, transit systems, and portsall built and maintained for the common good. Emergency services: Fire departments, police, public hospitals, clinics, and CDC. These arent private luxuries, they're public lifelines. Fire departments, police, public hospitals, clinics, and CDC. These arent private luxuries, they're public lifelines. Education and culture: Public schools, state universities, libraries, museums, and public broadcasting. These institutions open doors for everyone, not just those who can afford them. Public schools, state universities, libraries, museums, and public broadcasting. These institutions open doors for everyone, not just those who can afford them. Social support systems: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, unemployment benefits, disability insurance (SSI), and welfare programs. These arent handoutstheyre safety nets weve built together. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, unemployment benefits, disability insurance (SSI), and welfare programs. These arent handoutstheyre safety nets weve built together. Justice and governance: Public defenders, prosecutors, judges, courts, the Department of Justice, and the IRS. These systems are designed to serve all citizens, not just the wealthy or well-connected. Public defenders, prosecutors, judges, courts, the Department of Justice, and the IRS. These systems are designed to serve all citizens, not just the wealthy or well-connected. Veteran services: From healthcare to housing, we honor those whove served by ensuring theyre cared for when they return home. From healthcare to housing, we honor those whove served by ensuring theyre cared for when they return home. Workplace protections: OSHA exists to keep working people safe. Thats democratic socialism at work - protecting lives, not just profits. OSHA exists to keep working people safe. Thats democratic socialism at work - protecting lives, not just profits. Economic tools: The Federal Reserve and federal student loan programs (including forgiveness initiatives) are mechanisms to stabilize and support the broader economy. Folks, none of these programs are perfect. But they reflect a central belief: that were stronger when we invest in each other. That a civilized society doesnt leave people behind. That public goods should be just that - public. So why the shame? Why the fear? Perhaps its time we stop treating democratic socialism as a dirty word and start recognizing it as a practical and proven approach to governance. Its not about replacing capitalism - its about balancing it. Its about making sure that while some may thrive, no one must suffer needlessly. We already practice democratic socialism. We just dont call it that. Perhaps if we did, wed have an open and more honest conversation about what kind of country we want to be in. Is it possible our viewpoint may be too limited? Like the frog at the bottom of the well, who thinks the sky is only as big as the top of the well. If he surfaced, he would have an entirely different view. Johnny Jones * * * Generally, an activist judge makes rulings based on his or her own personal views, rather than on laws, regulations or precedent. If personal views influence a decision, two results are that the activist judge invalidates legislative or executive acts, or establishes legal rules without legislative or executive initiation. More often that not, who is or is not an activist judge depends on a persons subjective assessment: i.e. if you didnt like the outcome, the judge is an activist judge. In Mr. Ralph Millers No Kings letter, this judge, Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island is an activist judge. I discern that Mr. Millers definition of an activist judge is based upon two criteria: 1. Mr. Miller must disagree with the judges ruling; and 2. A Democratic President must have appointed the judge. For this case, the Democratic President was President Obama. As is his right, Mr. Miller believes the Trump Administrations (Trump) decision was correct and was not violating any law, regulation or precedent and wants the reader to agree with him that the judges ruling is wrong. However, Mr. Miller did not offer any facts that the ruling was based on Judge McConnells personal views. He implies that the Judge McConnells ruling was an illegal invalidation of Trumps decision. He also implies that Judge McConnell personally brought charges against Trump. As Mr. Miller correctly stated, only the House of Representatives can bring charges against a sitting president, that is, to impeach the president. Mr. Millers timeline begins with the ruling on 10/31/2025. He does not disclose the entire timeline, which legally began on 10/24/2025. (NYTimes, Timeline of Legal Saga Surrounding SNAP Payments 11/8/2025). The facts of the timeline in total disprove Mr. Millers allegation that Judge McConnell is an activist judge. On 10/24/2025, Trump had stated it would not use nor tap a reserve of about $5 billion to provide even partial benefits. Democratic lawmakers and nonprofits pushed back on Trumps decision by filing suits. On 10/28/2025, a suit brought by attorneys general of multiple states asked that Trump pay full SNAP benefits. On 10/30/2025, a second coalition of cities, religious groups and other nonprofits sued the Trump administration in federal court in Rhode Island. They raised some of the same issues as the states as they too looked to force the release of SNAP funds. Both suits were predicated on Trumps previously tapping unused tariff revenue to support a nutrition program for millions of low-income women and children, but now refusing to do so when requested. On 10/31/2025, Judge McConnell ordered Trump to continue paying for food stamps during the government shutdown, siding with government officials and nonprofits that had sought to spare millions of low-income Americans from losing benefits in a matter of days. (Politico, Judge Orders Trump Administration To Pay Full SNAP Benefits) Contrary to Mr. Millers assumption of Judge McConnell being an activist judge, the judge was required to render an opinion in favor of one party or another. The suits did not involve charges brought by Judge McConnell, but whether Trumps decision to not use an emergency funds was correct or incorrect. The rulings were for the plaintiffs, not defendant Trump. Both rulings found Trump had acted unlawfully, after he had refused to tap an emergency reserve - enacted by Congress and totaling in the billions of dollars - to sustain the nations largest anti-hunger program. As the shutdown has ended, Mr. Miller is wrong to state the fallout of this case will not end. Any rebuke of Judge McConnell is totally unnecessary. Mr. Miller has his opinion, and has written his letter so stating. But I suspect that if he did not believe Judge McConnell to be an activist judge, he would not have written his letter. I also suspect that if Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson had not ordered a stay, Mr. Miller would also label her as an activist judge. Joe Warren * * * Mr. Warren, No matter how you spin it, the bottom line is this....you can't have the judiciary trying to do executive or legislative branch stuff. Hence, when you have judges acting as if they are Congress or the President of the United States and telling the legislative branch how to spend or direct monies not appropriated by Congress, they may be called "activist judges." Here's your sign. 1. Congress has failed to appropriate funds for SNAP. (Government shutdown). Not the President, it's Congress...the Senate and House of Representatives. 2. No appropriations means NO funds available for SNAP. Appropriations is a legislative branch function, that is for Congress...not a Rhode Island Federal Judge (activist Judge McConnell). 3. So, a Rhode Island Federal Judge (activist Judge McConnell) has NO lawful authority to tell Congress or the President HOW to spend or appropriate funds for a federal program for the whole of the United States. 4. President Trump could have told activist Judge McConnell to pound sand, but he appealed the very time constrained decision of Judge McConnell to the First Court of Appeals. They delayed and half stepped. 5. So, it's off the Supreme Court to get an expedited decision and as almost always, President Trump gets another win against an activist judge, from Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson no less. That had to sting just a tiny bit. 6. There are many nuances as to what activist judges will do to justify their decisions. I recommend looking up Robert Gouveia Esq. on his YouTube channel, as he explains a lot concerning court cases such as this one and many others. You may learn the President of the United States has power that can't be usurped by many, even though they may try....as many activist judges have tried and failed. 7. And now it's moot...the government is funded, thanks to eight helpful Democrats. Phil Snider String Theory at the Hunter, in partnership with Lee University and the Hunter Museum of American Art, will welcome flutist Tara Helen OConnor and guitarist Jason Vieaux for an evening of music that journeys from 18th-century France to modern-day Argentina. The concert, titled Baroque to Buenos Aires, will take place Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the Hunter Museum of American Art. This program is a voyage across centuries and continents, said Dr. Gloria Chien, String Theory founder and artistic director. Tara and Jason bring such artistry and chemistry to the stage. Audiences will hear the intimate dialogue of flute and guitar travel from the elegance of Leclair to the fiery rhythms of Piazzolla. The performance will include pieces such as Leclairs Sonata in E Minor, Op. 9, Gary Schockers Mysterious Barcodes, Ravels Piece en Forme de Habanera, and Piazzollas ?History of the Tango. Ms. O'Connor, who Art Mag has said "so embodies perfection on the flute that you'll forget she is human," is an Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, a two-time Grammy Award nominee, and, as a member of the New Millennium Ensemble, a recipient of the Walter W. Naumburg Chamber Music Award. A Wm.S. Haynes artist, she was the first flutist selected to participate in the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center's Bowers Program and is currently a season artist of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and a member of the Windscape woodwind quintet. Ms. O'Connor serves as visiting associate professor of flute at the Yale School of Music and artistic director of the music from Angel Fire Festival. Ms. O'Connor has premiered hundreds of works and has appeared on numerous recordings and film and television soundtracks including Barbie, Respect, The Joker, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Only Murder in the Building and Schmigadoon!. Grammy-winner Jason Vieaux, among the elite of todays classical guitarists (Gramophone), is described by NPR as perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation. Sought-after for his extensive concerto repertoire, Mr. Vieaux has performed with a long list of orchestras including Cleveland, Toronto, St. Louis, Houston, Columbus, and has made premiere recordings with the Nashville Symphony and the Norrkoping Symphony. In 2011, Mr. Vieaux co-founded the guitar department at the Curtis Institute of Music with David Starobin. He has taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music for 25 years. Mr. Vieauxs online Guitar School for Artistworks Inc. has hundreds of subscribers from all over the world, and he plays a guitar by Gernot Wagner made in Frankfurt. Prior to the concert, Pregame with Bob will take place at 5:45 p.m., in which Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Music Director Emeritus Bob Bernhardt will discuss the evenings program, giving an in-depth look at the featured composers and works, including interviews with the artists. String Theory was founded in 2009 by Dr. Chien to expose new audiences to chamber music, invigorate the local classical scene, and cultivate a future generation of music lovers. This concert was generously sponsored by Compass Commissioning and Design. Tickets for the Tuesday evening performance are available until November 25 and are $54 for non-members, $42 for Hunter members, and $10 for students and music teachers with ID. To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit stringtheorymusic.org, contact info@stringtheorymusic.org, or call (423) 414-2525. The start-up project DOYAM-LiONEis at the Institute for Electrical Machines, Traction and Drives (IMAB) at Technische Universitat Braunschweig is being funded for two years with almost one million euros by the exist Research Transfer programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The start-up is developing hardware and software solutions to accurately determine the charge and ageing status of lithium-ion batteries. In the wake of the energy transition and the increasing feed-in of fluctuating renewable energies, battery storage is becoming increasingly important. It is used to temporarily store surplus wind and solar energy and feed it back into the grid when needed. In this way, it makes a significant contribution to grid stabilisation and security of supply. This is where the three founders, Thorben Schobre, Sheikh Mustafa Mumtaz and Lukas Radomsky, come in. They want to make an important contribution to the efficient and sustainable use of energy storage systems. Optimised operation, extended service life The TU Braunschweig start-up Doyam develops innovative hardware and software solutions for the highly accurate determination of the charge and ageing status of batteries. This technology enables optimised operation, extends the service life of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and thus reduces operating and investment costs as well as maintenance requirements. At the heart of the solution is electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) used during operation to measure alternating current resistance, which is combined with machine learning (ML) algorithms. The use of modular power electronic converters allows this method to be applied to large cell stacks (interconnected battery cells), as are common in grid-connected batteries. For the founders, this involves much more than simply developing their prototype into a series-production product. In an environment dominated by international players, the start-up aims to secure Germanys long-term technological leadership in the field of battery technology. As former research assistants at the Institute for Electrical Machines, Traction and Drives at Technische Universitat Braunschweig, Thorben Schobre and Lukas Radomsky are very familiar with the latest technologies in the fields of power electronics and battery technology, as well as machine learning. The institute provides the founding team with excellent laboratories to successfully implement their project. About exist research transfer With the exist funding programme, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy supports technology-oriented and knowledge-based start-ups. The programme is co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). An exist research transfer supports outstanding, research-based start-up projects that involve complex and risky development work due to their technological demands. The aim is to translate scientific findings into marketable products, clarify open technical and economic questions and, on this basis, develop a viable business plan. On 1 January 2026, Hosokawa Alpine AG will undergo a significant change in the company's management. The current executive board CEO Dr Antonio Fernandez and CFO/COO Jurgen Wilde will step down from their positions. He will be succeeded by Michael Kuhnen as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Kathrin Dorle as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Long-standing management bids farewell with many thanks Dr Antonio Fernandez and Jurgen Wilde have been instrumental in shaping Hosokawa Alpine for many years. Their time in office together stands for a phase of growth, stability, and innovation. With strategic vision, entrepreneurial responsibility, and human leadership, they have developed Hosokawa Alpine into an internationally recognised company. "The Supervisory Board would like to thank Dr Antonio Fernandez and Jurgen Wilde for their outstanding performance, their loyalty, and their tireless commitment to the company", the board stated in a press release. To ensure an orderly transition, both of them will be available to provide advice and support until the end of March 2026 in order to seamlessly hand over projects and pass on expertise to the new executive board team. New management with a clear focus on the future With Michael Kuhnen and Kathrin Dorle, a young yet experienced duo is taking over responsibility for the further development of Hosokawa Alpine AG. Both have close ties to the company: Michael Kuhnen has spent 19 years in various management positions at Hosokawa Alpine and is returning after one and a half years outside the Group. Kathrin Dorle has been part of the company for over 20 years her appointment marks the first time a woman has joined the executive board. Michael Kuhnen says: "As CEO, I want to lead our company into the future with a clear strategy, innovative strength, and customer focus. For me, trust, openness, and cooperation at eye level are the basis for being successful together and actively shaping the opportunities of change". Kathrin Dorle says: "Hosokawa Alpine is more than just a workplace for me it's a place that I feel deeply connected to, both personally and professionally. I stand for a modern understanding of finance and business that combines transparency, digitalisation, and partnershipbased cooperation. I want to live leadership in such a way that it creates trust clear in the matter, open in dialogue, and binding in action". In future, Michael Kuhnen will drive the strategic development of Hosokawa Alpine and will be responsible for the sales and operational areas as well as the international subsidiaries. Kathrin Dorle will initially take over the Finance and Corporate Centre divisions. A cross atop a church steeple in China is being burned by communist authorities. | Screenshot: YouTube/ CBN News Three leaders of an unregistered Christian house church in Xian, a city in central China, have been arrested by communist authorities and detained on fraud charges. According to the Christian watchdog organization ChinaAid, Pastor Lian Xuliang, Pastor Lian Changnian, and church member Fu Juan were taken into custody last Sunday by the First Branch of the Xian Municipal Public Security Bureau. The group reported that the Baqiao District Court approved the arrests, and the three Christians are now being held at the Weiyang District Detention Center. This development marks the second time these individuals have faced similar charges. They were previously detained on Aug. 17, 2022, accused of fraud, and remained in custody for nearly three years before being released on bail in April 2025. Pastor Lian Changnian, 71, had been hospitalized for declining health before authorities detained him again earlier this month. This case was tried on July 9, 2025, and no verdict has yet been issued, the Church of Abundance said in a statement last week. What is shocking is that while awaiting the verdict, the authorities took the three individuals away again and detained them. The Church of Abundance, also known as Fengsheng Church, was founded about 30 years ago but was officially banned in August 2022 by the Xian Civil Affairs Bureau, which labeled it an illegal social organization, according to ChinaAid. The church is among many unregistered Protestant congregations that have faced intensified government crackdowns following President Xi Jinpings December 2021 directive calling for greater control over religious groups. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has reported that the 2022 arrests were part of a broader campaign targeting unregistered churches across China. In addition to the fraud charges, authorities also accused the three believers of endangering national security. During six months of residential surveillance following their initial detention, Pastor Lian was allegedly tortured before being moved to a detention facility and formally charged with fraud in March 2023, according to USCIRF. ChinaAid explained that many house churches sustain their ministry through voluntary tithes and offerings, a common practice that authorities have exploited to justify fraud accusations. In 2022, local officials further accused the Church of Abundance of collecting illegal donations and labeled it a cult, Morning Star News reported. Members of the congregation have also spoken of physical abuse by police. Pastor Lians wife told ChinaAid that her husband showed visible injuries after his arrest. His eyes were bloodshot, and there was dried blood in the corner of his eyes, she said. His arms and hands were bruised and swollen. The Italian-based religious freedom watchdog Bitter Winter reported that the closure of the church was part of a broader national campaign aimed at forcing Protestant congregations to join the state-controlled Three-Self Patriotic Movement. Last month, prominent underground pastor Jin Mingriwhose children are American citizens and who graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary in Californiawas also detained at his home in Beihai, Guangxi Province. Around the same time, nearly 30 other leaders and members of Zion Church were arrested or reported missing in multiple cities. British pastor Mick Fleming stands in front of his campervan, which displays the Bible verse John 3:16. | Photo credit: Facebook/ Caleb Parke A British pastor says he was cautioned by a police officer that a Bible verse displayed on the back of his campervan could be deemed hate speech if someone complained. The incident involved 59-year-old Mick Fleming, a former drug dealer who became a Christian pastor and now lives in his van. Prominently displayed on the vehicle was the Bible verse John 3:16, which 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. According to The Telegraph, the encounter occurred late last month at a petrol station in Burnley, Lancashire, where Fleming said a police officer approached him, tapped him on the shoulder, and offered what he described as a friendly warning. 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 clarified that the comment was not part of an investigation or arrest but rather a precaution in case the display drew a complaint that could trigger a police inquiry. Fleming later discussed the encounter on his YouTube channel, asking viewers whether they believed a verse like John 3:16 could reasonably be considered offensive or harmful. He stated that he had no intention of removing the verse and insisted that he viewed it as an expression of love, not hostility. Expressing concern over the broader implications, the pastor said he was troubled that a central message of the Christian faith might be viewed through a legal lens as inciting hate. 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 Christian charity in Burnley that supports the homeless and people struggling with addiction. His ministry has received national attention for its community outreach. Before his conversion in 2009, Fleming was involved in organized crime. Since then, his story of redemption has been featured on the BBCs Songs of Praise, and King Charlesthen Prince of Walespublicly praised his charitys work. As part of his ministry, Fleming gave up most of his possessions and chose to live in his campervan, using it both as a home and as a base for outreach. The Bible verse displayed on the back serves as a public declaration of faith and a tool for evangelism. In the United Kingdom, public displays of religious messages, including Bible verses, may come under scrutiny if considered threatening or likely to incite hatred toward individuals based on protected characteristics such as religion or sexual orientation. Under the Public Order Act of 1986 and the Racial and Religious Hatred Act of 2006, individuals can face prosecution if their words or displays are deemed to have been used with the intent to stir up hatred. Home News 'A miracle from Heaven': 75K Argentinians hear the Gospel at Franklin Graham event More than three decades after his father preached the Gospel in Argentina, the late Billy Graham's son, the Rev. Franklin Graham, shared the Good News of Jesus with more than 70,000 Argentinians last weekend as part of an outreach one church leader is calling a miracle from Heaven. In a statement published Monday, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association provided a recap of a free two-night evangelistic outreach event in Buenos Aires, Argentina, titled Esperanza Buenos Aires. Billy Graham Evangelistic Association CEO Franklin Graham spoke to nearly 75,000 people at Velez Stadium over the course of the two-night event, where he shared the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. God loves you. He made you and cares for you and has a plan for your life, Graham told the crowd. He wants to forgive you, but you have to come to His Son, Jesus Christ, in repentance and faith. The outreach in Buenos Aires was the result of a partnership with 2,500 churches. The official website for Esperanza Buenos Aires notes that the televangelists visit to the South American country comes 34 years after his father traveled to Argentina to share the Gospel with people and encourage them to commit their lives to Jesus Christ. The first night of programming for Esperanza Buenos Aires took place on what would have been Grahams 107th birthday. In addition to the remarks from Graham, Esperanza Buenos Aires featured musical performances from the Argentinian Christian band Rescate, the Latin Grammy-nominated Redimi2 as well as American Christian musicians Michael W. Smith and Charity Gayle. Approximately 30,000 people attended Esperanza Buenos Aires on Friday night, with attendance growing to 43,000 on Saturday night. A fleet of 1,000 buses transported attendees to Velez Stadium. One attendee, 30-year-old Adriana, recounted her experience at the event and detailed how it changed her life. He spoke about sins and that really touched me. The fact that he was willing to tell all people [about sin], from the stage, in front of so many people I know that impacted all the people here, not just me. God is calling me back, she proclaimed. God spoke to me a lot about my sins, and it really got to my heart. This event renewed my faith. I go home very blessed and encouraged to follow Christ. Another attendee, Valentino, expressed confidence that he was here for a reason, adding, God called me to Him here today. He described how I felt His love, I felt joy. Today I believe He is the way, the truth, and the life. I want to start following God and I want to bring my family too because they dont walk with Him, Valentino declared. Ale Neusch, who served as the church coordinator for Esperanza Buenos Aires, indicated that he was blown away and surprised by the number of people who came forward. According to Neusch, Its incredible to see so many lives be changed at one moment here in this stadium. Its beyond words." "This is not common," he said. "Were not used to seeing things like what just happened. Its a miracle from Heaven, and we thank God for each and every person whose life was transformed by accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Graham reflected on his time in Buenos Aires in a series of social media posts. In a statement published on X Sunday that included pictures of Esperanza Buenos Aires from the night before, Graham wrote, I came to Buenos Aires to tell the people of Argentina that God loves them and wants to have a relationship with them. I shared that theres only one way to have a personal relationship with God and that is by putting our trust in Jesus Christ. He paid the price for our sins. We thank God for the hundreds who responded to Gods invitation to come to Him in repentance and faith! Esperanza Buenos Aires is one of several overseas trips on Grahams itinerary. Graham also plans to visit Nagaland, India; Siem Reap, Cambodia; Lima, Peru; and Madrid, Spain in the near future. Home News Chicago street gang order targets immigration agents already facing gunfire, attacks: report U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reportedly warned that Latin Kings street gang leaders issued a shoot on sight order targeting agents involved in immigration enforcement operations after officers faced gunfire and had bricks thrown at them in a Chicago neighborhood. Officers and agents are advised to maintain heightened situational awareness and exercise extreme caution when conducting enforcement activities, according to an internal memo cited by NewsNation on Monday. Last month, the DHS announced the arrest of Juan Espinoza Martinez, a criminal illegal alien and Latin Kings gang member accused of placing a bounty on the Commander at Large of the U.S. Border Patrol, Chief Gregory Bovino. The agency says it obtained credible intelligence that Mexican criminal networks are working with Chicago street gangs and groups like Antifa to monitor, harass, and assassinate federal agents. A screenshot shared by the DHS of a Snapchat conversation that HSI Chicago received showed a user named Juan offering $2,000 for information, cuando lo agarren, which translates to when they catch him. The message, which Martinez allegedly sent, also included a photo of Bovino. Another message that Martinez is accused of sending promised a $10,000 reward if you take him down before sending a third message that allegedly indicated the Latin Kings involvement, stating, LK.on him. According to a complaint against Martinez, the Chicago-based street gangs criminal activities include narcotics trafficking, extortion, murder, assault, firearms trafficking, armed robbery, kidnapping, burglary, money laundering, racketeering, and intimidation. In a Monday statement to NewsNation, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said that our law enforcement is now facing an 8,000% increase in death threats against them while they risk their lives every single day to remove the worst of the worst. The DHS spokesperson didnt comment on the Latin Kings order regarding immigration officers and agents in the statement to NewsNation. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to The Christian Posts request for comment. In a Sunday press release, the DHS blamed sanctuary politicians and the media for an attack that occurred against U.S. Border Patrol agents conducting immigration enforcement operations in the Chicago neighborhood of Little Village. JB Pritzker and Brandon Johnson have fueled an environment of lawlessness and assault on federal law enforcement, Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at the DHS, said in a statement on Sunday. In less than three hours in Chicago, Border Patrol faced gunshots, violent mobs at every stop, bricks and other objects thrown at them, and four vehicle rammings, McLaughlin continued. The violence in Chicago against law enforcement is unprecedented These attacks are the consequence of vitriolic smears from sanctuary politicians and the media, she added. Just last week, Chicago and national media falsely accused law enforcement of raiding a daycare center. Now, they are silent when our agents come under gunfire. Around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, a crowd boxed the agents into a street and alleyway, and, as the agents were in the middle of apprehending a suspect, a male driving a black Jeep Wrangler fired multiple rounds. The man driving the jeep fled the scene after shooting at the agents, according to the DHS. In addition to the gunshots, Border Patrol agents had their vehicles damaged after the crowd threw bricks and paint cans from the roofs. After the first wave of the attack ended, a car attempted to ram into the Border Patrol convoy at the intersection of Cermak and California, but a Controlled Tire Deflation Device thwarted the attack, according to the DHS. Two drivers later tried to interfere with immigration enforcement operations as the Border Patrol convoy proceeded toward an FBI facility. One of the drivers who attempted to ram the convoy after ignoring a warning to stop was later arrested. After reaching the FBI facility, the Border Patrol agents received help from Chicago police in securing the perimeter after rioters attempted to breach security, according to the DHS. The agents left the FBI facility and encountered protestors near 26th and Pulaski, who threw objects and disregarded orders to disperse. Three suspects were later arrested after several individuals followed Border Patrol agents to a Sams Club parking lot, and a vehicle rammed a Border Patrol vehicle. Following the attacks, Border Patrol arrested 8 U.S. citizens and one illegal alien, according to the DHS. Make no mistake: Our mission will continue despite the violence, McLaughlin said Sunday. To any Antifa terrorist in Chicago: You will not stop us. You will not slow us down. And if you lay a hand on law enforcement, you will face the consequences. Home News Christian social worker appeals after losing out on job over views on sin A Christian social worker in the United Kingdom has appealed a tribunal ruling that upheld an employers decision to withdraw a mental health job offer after discovering his views on homosexuality. The man claims his religious beliefs were the reason he was denied the position. The case of Felix Ngole, 47, was heard late last month by the Employment Appeal Tribunal in London. He is appealing a 2024 decision by Employment Judge Jonathan Brain, in which the rescinding of a job offer by Touchtone Leeds was deemed lawful, despite the court acknowledging the action potentially amounted to discrimination. He and his legal team argue that the tribunal's ruling effectively bars Christians with traditional views on sexuality from working in professions that serve LGBT individuals and sets a "dangerous precedent." I was pleased that the tribunal found that I was discriminated against, but there were so many disturbing comments and conclusions in it as well which meant I had to appeal," Ngole said in a statement. The ruling ultimately sets a dangerous precedent as it gives employers the freedom to block Christians, and anyone who doesnt promote LGBTQI+ ideology, from employment." Ngole was offered a job as a mental health support worker by Touchstone Leeds in 2022, but the charity rescinded the offer after learning about a 2019 legal case involving his expulsion from Sheffield University. The dispute stemmed from Facebook posts in which Ngole described homosexuality and same-sex marriage as sins, leading the university to block him from completing his social work degree, a decision he later successfully challenged in court. Touchstone Leeds, based in Wakefield in northern England, said it had concerns about potential reputational damage and the well-being of LGBT clients who might encounter Ngoles views online. The BBC reported that Ngole was initially selected as the best-qualified candidate for the hospital discharge mental health support role, but management conducted a Google search after offering him the job and found media coverage of the Sheffield case. Ngole, a grandfather from Barnsley who fled Cameroon and is supported in his legal efforts by the Christian Legal Centre, was then asked to return for a second interview. He later said the session felt like an interrogation. Afterward, the job offer was formally withdrawn. He challenged the decision at an employment tribunal in Leeds, arguing that he had been discriminated against because of his religious beliefs. In June 2024, Judge Brain ruled that while Ngole was directly discriminated against when the offer was rescinded, Touchstones overall actions were lawful. The judge concluded that the charitys decision not to hire Ngole after the second interview was proportionate and justified, citing the sensitivity and mental health needs of LGBT service users. The difficulty which is presented in this case was the acute sensitivity and needs of a particular section of the respondents clientele with whom the claimant applied to work, Brain said in his ruling. Balancing the interests of the respondent in preserving the mental health of their service users against the wishes of the claimant to work for the respondent and his ability to work elsewhere gives of only one answer. The balance favors the respondent, and their actions were therefore proportionate and are justified. Speaking outside the appeal hearing, Ngole questioned the fairness of being rejected twice, first when the offer was rescinded and again after the second interview. If I was discriminated against when they withdrew the job offer, then I dont see how I was not also discriminated against when they refused to reinstate me after the second interview, he said. Home News Judge partly grants Anglican chaplains group's restraining order request against ACNA A judge has granted in part a temporary restraining order request from a chaplains group seeking to cut ties with the Anglican Church in North America. The Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy recently filed a complaint against ACNA over the Anglican denominations refusal to allow the ministry to disaffiliate. United States District Judge Bruce Hendricks of the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division issued an order last week partly granting JAFCs request for a temporary restraining order. According to Hendricks, while the court does not intend to entangle itself into an internal canonical dispute over the Anglican Churchs ecclesiastical structure, some issues raised by JAFC may be ripe and appropriate for the Courts consideration, such as Plaintiffs trademark claims. After hearing arguments from the parties, counsel for Defendant effectively conceded that Defendant would refrain from using Plaintiffs service mark Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy, Plaintiffs trademark, Anglican Chaplains, and Plaintiffs trademarked logo, wrote Hendricks. Additionally, after review of the evidence of record and the applicable law, the Court finds that Plaintiff has met its burden as to these three items, and the Court thus grants Plaintiffs motion for a preliminary injunction as to those three items. However, regarding other issues, like the alleged slander of JAFC Bishop Derek Jones, the court ruled against the chaplain group, with Hendricks writing that very little about this case is clear. Furthermore, as noted on several occasions during the hearing, the record abounds in material factual disputes, and the Court does not find it appropriate to resolve those factual disputes at this time and based on the current record, he wrote. Lastly, as to Plaintiffs request that the Court restrain Defendant from slandering Plaintiff or Bishop Jones, the Court simply notes that law already exists to prevent slander. In September, JAFC Chairman David van Esselstyn sent a letter to ACNA Archbishop Steven Wood stating that they were terminating their affiliation with the denomination. A JAFC spokesperson provided information to The Christian Post explaining that it had to do with the alleged mistreatment of Jones. JAFC claims that he was the victim of a targeted attack by Wood, allegedly because Jones had been critical of errors, missteps, and mismanagement within the Archbishop's office. Wood said in a letter published in September that the situation began in the summer, when ACNA leadership received credible complaints regarding Bishop Derek Jones, alleging abuse of ecclesiastical power. These complaints did not involve physical or sexual misconduct, nor did they involve any doctrinal concerns, Wood wrote at the time. Nevertheless, they were concerning because abuse of ecclesiastical power violates the trust that is essential for effective ministry. Both sides dispute the extent to which Jones cooperated with the investigation and whether his eventual refusal to continue cooperating was justified in accordance with church law. Although JAFC stated that they had cut ties with ACNA, the Anglican denomination had refused to recognize the disaffiliation and instead appointed new leadership for the ministry body. Last month, JAFC filed a complaint in district court against ACNA, accusing the denomination of enacting a failed corporate takeover of JAFC when it tried to suspend Plaintiffs corporate president and assume their responsibilities. ACNA also published reports accessible to all of the hundreds of chaplains endorsed by Plaintiff, using Plaintiffs registered marks while deprecating Plaintiff and falsely claiming that it had assumed Plaintiffs power to endorse Anglicans for chaplaincy services, the complaint alleged. ACNAs misrepresentations and use of Plaintiffs marks have induced approximately half of Plaintiffs chaplains, and at least two-thirds of Plaintiffs affiliated missions, chapels and parishes, to end their affiliation with Plaintiff. Home News NT Wright contrasts Christ with Caesar in 'Exploring Philippians' series DALLAS Not unlike 2,000 years ago when the Apostle Paul was divinely inspired to pen his letter to the church in Philippi, Tom N.T. Wright wants to remind everyone that the Gospel is still unchained. The 76-year-old New Testament scholar, Pauline theologian and Anglican bishop kicked off a three-day conference on Pauls letter to the Philippians at Park Cities Baptist Church, where 650 attendees from Texas and across the U.S. filled the historic church sanctuary. Wright quickly zeroed in on the letters prison context, noting that while most scholars agree Paul was writing to the first-century assembly in Philippi, a Roman colony located in northern modern-day Greece, there is still some debate on whether the prison from which Paul wrote was located in Ephesus, modern-day Turkey, or Rome. Whats indisputable, said Wright, is that Paul did not consider himself or the good news of Jesus Christ bound by his imprisonment. Paul is in prison when hes writing [Philippians], he said. But the great thing about Paul writing from prison is he makes it clear that the Gospel is not locked up. He may be shut up, but the Gospel is not. Wright framed the entire epistle as a first-century showdown between two gospels set against the historical reign of Octavian, the first emperor of ancient Rome. According to Wright, Pauls entire focus in Philippians was to affirm the Lord Jesus over Caesars rule and reign. In Jesus Himself, in other words, we see who the true God really is. The Creator, the God of Israel, who has shown His part of hand in keeping His promises to His people, raising Jesus from the dead and establishing Him as Lord, he said. Diving into the text, Wright pointed to Philippians 1:27 as the very heartbeat of Pauls letter. Our foundation is to be the genuine alternative society, sharing with the rest of the world that there is a different way to be human, he said. And it's an attractive way, even if it's dangerous, because not everyone approves of putting someone else, in this case Jesus, in the place of or ahead of Caesar himself in Rome. Wright moved on to Philippians 2:1218, one of the more well-known passages of the epistle in which Paul encourages those in Philippi to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. According to Wright, Paul is not contradicting salvation by grace, but rather, he is urging the Philippians to actively live out the radical, costly, cross-shaped salvation that God is already working in them. He doesn't mean do moral good work to learn your salvation, said Wright. ... He noticed that God is indeed at work in them. And his job was to point them in the right direction and to encourage them, then, to think it out for themselves. Presenting Philippians 2:611 as the theological and poetic heartbeat of the entire New Testament, Wright contended that Paul did not quote an existing hymn but composed a breathtaking six-stanza masterpiece in perfect chiastic form whose very structure places the cross at the literal center of the cosmos. He compared the passage to an image of a great "V" shape, with six stanzas of three lines each, with one extra line even death on a cross in the middle of the passage. So youve got this perfect three steps down, three steps up, with the cross in the very center, he explained. And the structure says, as I said, precisely more than the sum total of the words themselves. Its a way of saying at the heart of everything the heart of the cosmos, the heart of God stands the cross. As he concluded the opening day of the conference, Wright contrasted the reality of the cross of Christ with the pagan religions of ancient Philippi, and traced the passages depiction of Jesus as the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 as a demonstration of Gods faithfulness to His promises and His people. The word love doesnt occur, but by placing the cross in the middle and showing how the exaltation flows from it, thats clearly what its all about. Home News Pastor John Kliewer leaves Duluth Vineyard, wife claims churchs defamation gave husband PTSD John Kliewer, the whistleblowing former interim senior pastor of the Vineyard Church in Duluth, Minnesota, who was falsely accused of leadership abuse as he tried to hold church officials accountable in the wake of a sex abuse scandal, has formally cut ties with the church. The Duluth Vineyard Church Council acknowledged Kliewers departure in a recent statement, saying that allegations made against him were "unfounded" and that they were going to re-commit ourselves to truthfulness and accountability going forward. On behalf of the Duluth Vineyard Church Council, we acknowledge that the independent investigator found that the allegations made against you were unfounded. We recognize that our public statements addressing the allegations and the investigation caused you pain, and that was not our intent, the statement from the church council to Kliewer began. We affirm your integrity, your leadership, and your faithful service to the Duluth Vineyard community. We grieve the pain and disruption the allegations and the investigation have caused you, your family, our staff, and our community. We re-commit ourselves to truthfulness and accountability going forward, and wish you and your family the best, they added. When contacted for further comment Tuesday, Duluth Vineyard Church officials said they could not comment further at this time. In March, just over a month after he publicly criticized the handling of sexual abuse claims by his now former church's parent organization, Kliewer, voluntarily "stepped back" from his then role as interim senior pastor after Vineyard USA accused him of leadership abuse. In a March 6 letter, Vineyard USA Managing Director Robb Morgan highlighted concerns about Kliewer, among other things, "wielding power in unhealthy ways." "We once again feel compelled to express concerns about the conduct of your interim senior pastor, John Kliewer. Additionally, we have concerns related to the Church Council and the fulfillment of its oversight responsibilities," Morgan argued. Approximately one month after he was forced to step back from his role as interim senior pastor, Kliewer was cleared of the claims by an independent investigation. This investigation has determined, by the preponderance of the evidence standard, that John Kliewer (Kliewer) did not engage in employment misconduct by engaging in unilateral, authoritarian, controlling, unreasonable actions and displaying seething/burning anger in his role as Interim Senior Pastor of Vineyard Church Duluth (Vineyard), an executive summary of the investigation noted. Kliewer described the ordeal of being wrongfully accused as much worse than a colonoscopy and said both his mental and physical health suffered as a result of the conflict. In a statement shared on Facebook last Wednesday, Kliewers wife, Lauralyn Kliewer, claimed that the defamatory statements made against her husband caused him much suffering and led to his development of post-traumatic stress disorder. The American Psychiatric Association defines PTSD as "a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, series of events or set of circumstances. An individual may experience this as emotionally or physically harmful or life-threatening and may affect mental, physical, social, and/or spiritual well-being." Lauralyn Kliewer said what her husband was paid in a settlement for the harm was not nearly enough. I am glad to say my family is no longer associated with Vineyard churches in any way. My husband exposed how Vineyard USA responds to sexual abuse and called for reform, so they retaliated by defaming him. Rather than standing up for him, the Duluth Vineyard leadership shunned him out of fear that Vineyard USA would throw the church out of the Vineyard movement, Lauralyn Kliewer declared. She explained that while her husband is prevented from speaking publicly because of a non-disclosure agreement, she would not be silenced. Although John cant tell you about the trauma the Duluth Vineyard caused him because they silenced him by requiring he sign an NDA in order to receive a settlement, I didnt sign an NDA and I have first-hand knowledge of it all, she wrote. For example, I can tell you that what they paid him in settlement was not nearly enough. Johns therapist diagnosed him with PTSD and nearly hospitalized him for clinical depression. His doctor wrote about John, he has been exhibiting symptoms of trauma, which are directly related to his treatment by the church board, she explained. To add insult to injury, the churchs first settlement offer was 4 weeks of pay, which is less than the 5 weeks they offered a rapist in exchange for a release of claims after they fired him. Both The Vineyard Church and Vineyard USA have been named in nine civil lawsuits alongside Jackson Gatlin, a former young adult and online community pastor at The Vineyard Church who accepted a plea deal in November 2024 for criminal sexual conduct with a child. Gatlin, 36, was charged in 2023 with sexually abusing five teenage girls but pleaded guilty to only one count of sexual assault. On four other counts, he entered an Alford plea in which he admitted there is sufficient evidence to find him guilty during a trial but maintained his innocence. He was sentenced to 13 years on two sexual assault-related charges, another 13 years for two other sexual assault charges, plus eight years for one additional charge, according to Northern News Now. All his sentences are expected to run concurrently. Also named in the civil lawsuits are Gatlin's parents. His father, Michael Gatlin, was a senior pastor at The Vineyard Church where his son met most of his victims. His mother, Brenda Gatlin, also served in leadership at the church and at Vineyard USA. They both resigned from their roles at the church and Vineyard USA without cooperating with an investigation into their son's alleged abuse in early 2023. Lauralyn Kliewer made a number of claims against the Duluth Vineyard Church Council, including that they used his medical leave as an excuse to cut off communication with him. She also questioned the churchs use of non-disclosure agreements. What happened to my husband reminds me of Jesus parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. John wasnt physically beaten and robbed, but he was emotionally beaten and robbed of his good name by Vineyard USA. Instead of only walking by like the religious leaders in the parable, isnt it true that the church council didnt just ignore Johns mistreatment, they gave him a few brutal kicks in the gut in service of the Vineyard religion as they passed by? she asked. And as for the Councils 10/30/2025 statement on their website, is this how Jesus apologizes? We re-commit ourselves to truthfulness and accountability going forward - how does that happen when you require an NDA? Home News In first-ever visit of Syrian president to White House, Trump praises al-Sharaa, suspends some sanctions Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has continued to see international diplomatic success as he projects a realignment with Western nations, hoping for a quieter Middle East. The latest sign of this is the historic meeting between al-Sharaa and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, just days after al-Sharaa was removed from a terrorism blacklist. While the U.S. government had delisted al-Sharaas Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from a terror organization blacklist in July, al-Sharaa himself was only removed from a similar list on Friday. The Syrian presidents visit marked the first official visit of a Syrian head of state to the White House since the country declared independence in 1946. In September, al-Sharaa became the first Syrian president to attend the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York in 60 years. At the time, President Trump spoke of inviting al-Sharaa to the White House as well. The two had previously met in Saudi Arabia, where Trump announced plans to lift some sanctions on Syria, in an effort to help with rebuilding. After their meeting on Monday, President Trump announced the temporary suspension of sanctions for another six months. We have to make Syria work. Syria is a big part of the Middle East, Trump said regarding the announcement. "We want to see Syria become a country that's very successful. And I think this leader can do it, I really do. The Syrian president came to Washington seeking not just prestige and recognition, but security assurances aimed at maintaining stability in the country that was wracked by a brutal civil war, which ended with the toppling of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024. As part of President Trumps attempt to bring peace and prosperity to the Middle East, the U.S. has an interest in making sure the nation does not descend into sectarian violence or squabbles with neighbors. President Trump has been talking up a possible security cooperation between Syria and Israel, despite the two nations being historic enemies and having no official relations. While the U.S. has been pressuring Syria to move closer to some kind of agreement with Israel, including possibly joining the Abraham Accords, the interim Syrian president cut off any excitement for such a prospect, saying the country was not willing to enter into direct negotiations at the moment. However, al-Sharaa held out hope that Washington could eventually help the countries reach an agreement. We are not going to enter into a negotiation directly right now, al-Sharaa told Fox News regarding the possibility of Syria joining the Abraham Accords. Syria's situation is different from the situation of the countries that were in the Abraham Accords. Syria has a border with Israel, and Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since 1967. Maybe the United States administration, with President Trump, will help us reach this kind of negotiation. Following their meeting, President Trump reiterated his decision to help Syria as part of his greater Middle East vision, while also talking up the Syrian leader. He comes from a very tough place, and hes a tough guy. I like him, Trump said of al-Sharaa. We want to see Syria become a country thats very successful. And I think this leader can do it. I really do. And people said hes had a rough past. Weve all had rough pasts. Well do everything we can to make Syria successful, because thats part of the Middle East. We have peace now in the Middle East the first time that anyone can remember that ever happening. After al-Sharaas departure from the White House, U.S. officials said that Syria had committed to joining the global coalition against the Islamic State. The Syrian government has not made an official announcement of that fact. According to a Syrian readout of the meeting, Trump and al-Sharaa addressed the bilateral relations between the Syrian Arab Republic and the United States, as well as ways to strengthen and develop them, in addition to a number of regional and international issues of common interest. The meeting was also attended by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine. President Trump told reporters following the meeting that You can expect some announcements on Syria. He also hinted that some of those announcements could involve Israel, saying, Were working also with Israel on getting along with Syria, getting along with everybody, and thats working amazingly. This article was originally published by All Israel News. Home News Tucker Carlson draws scorn for new details over demonic attack: 'I'm not embarrassed' Political commentator Tucker Carlson has prompted renewed scorn after providing more details about a supernatural attack he alleges happened to him in his bed in February 2023, months before Fox News fired him. During an extensive interview last Wednesday with fellow former Fox News host Megyn Kelly, Carlson suggested the attack he first went public with last year was in response to a positive supernatural experience he had had the day before, during which he experienced love toward someone he hated. "Culturally, I'm just not from a world where people are attacked by demons," Carlson told Kelly, who noted it is becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss the demonic in the wake of the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting and Charlie Kirk's assassination. "I'm not embarrassed at all, and I don't care if I'm mocked," Carlson said. "I don't get anything out of making this up, and I'm not making it up." Tucker Carlson says he was violently attacked by a demon: I couldnt breathe. So I get up, I stand in the doorway of our bedroom, and Im like, wow, Im dying I had this horrible pain underneath my arms, like on the side of my chestI flip on the light, and I have claw marks pic.twitter.com/jk84QZE283 Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) November 9, 2025 Carlson told Kelly that the day before he was attacked, he had been talking with his brother about "someone I despise" when he found himself overcome with empathy for the person he hated. He said both he and his brother were taken aback by his sudden knowledge of the person's intentions. "And I felt total true empathy for this person I truly hate," he said. "It was like the craziest thing that's ever happened to me. I have no idea where it came from." He claimed the ability to feel for someone he hated an experience he described as "profound and beautiful and unexpected" did not come naturally to him and was obviously from God, but that it was "twinned" with the evil experience that came that night. Carlson confirmed to The Christian Post on Halloween last year that he believes he was "physically mauled" by an unseen force while he was sleeping on Feb. 20, 2023. "Ephesians 6 is real," Carlson told CP at the time, referencing the chapter in the New Testament that teaches mankind is engaged in warfare "against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." .@TuckerCarlson: 'I Was Mauled By A Demon!' Clip from my upcoming doc @ChristianitiesXpic.twitter.com/tyrK4sw3Hs Scooter Downey ?? ???????? (@scooter_downey) October 31, 2024 Speaking with Kelly, Carlson said he awoke that night struggling to breathe and found his sheets covered in his own blood. "I couldn't breathe. So I get up, I stand in the doorway of our bedroom, and I'm like, 'Wow, I'm dying,'" Carlson remembered. Carlson said he "had this horrible pain underneath my arms, like on the side of my chest" and found "claw marks on both sides, on right and left side on my ribs, and they're bleeding." Carlson went on to explain that the experience pushed him to read the Bible, revealed to him the nature of spiritual goodness and "completely changed [his] view of the world." "I've had a couple other experiences not that crazy but where you really feel God's presence, which is marked by peace and true empathy; love for other people, which doesn't come naturally to me," he said. "I'm kind of a d, obviously. But you know it when God is acting through you, and then they're followed by some wild attack. Like, why?" Carlson who has fielded intense backlash from Evangelicals, Jews and other conservatives in recent weeks for what critics have described as a softball interview of controversial far-right podcaster Nick Fuentes has faced a renewed torrent of mockery on social media for his latest mention of his demonic attack, with some claiming he is lying, experiencing mental illness or was scratched by the four dogs that sleep in his bed. Christian author and filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza has been especially outspoken against Carlson in recent weeks, accusing him of being an antisemite whose motivation "has to be connected to the dragon, the devil himself." He has also suggested if Carlson's demonic attack was real, it could have been "a portal that was open for some sort of a demon to enter into [him]." D'Souza has also mocked Carlson over the story and suggested it never happened, posting to X on Nov. 6: "Maybe a demon really attacked him, in which case WHERE'S THE DEMON NOW? Or maybe there was no demon, and Tucker had a PSYCHOTIC episode. Thoughts?" On Saturday, D'Souza posted an AI image of Carlson being clawed by a demon in response to a clip in which Carlson questioned why politicians he claimed have not historically shown much interest in Christian persecution in countries such as Ukraine and Armenia suddenly seem interested in Nigeria. Radio host and author Mark Levin, who has expressed fury at Carlson for his Fuentes interview and positions on Israel, also mocked him, calling him a "psycho" and writing: "Just ask the dogs, he says." Last week, Levin declined Carlson's invitation to debate at a Turning Point USA event, calling him "scum," "a Nazi promoter" and a "little bastard." Author Rod Dreher, who has recently been critical of Carlson, was among those who came to his defense over the demon story, noting that Carlson had personally told him about it before sharing it with the public. He questioned what Carlson has to gain by relaying such a story, apart from ridicule. "Look, I had my bitter dispute lately with Tucker over Fuentes, but he told me this demon story right after it happened, a year before he went public with it," Dreher posted on X. "That doesn't prove it, but hard to see how he benefits from speaking publicly of it, given that many are mocking him." John Heers, a filmmaker who founded the nonprofit First Things Foundation and was the first to record Carlson telling his story, pushed back against skeptics during an interview with CP last year. "The spiritual world and material world are connected, and Tucker's just trying to figure it out," Heers said. "And these people [questioning Carlson's story] are jerks, because they're not charitable people. They're uncharitable. It's possible that it happened." Home News Verdict delayed for second time in Matthew Grech 'conversion therapy' case The verdict in the case of a Christian man in Malta who is facing potential fines and prison time for giving his testimony in 2022 about leaving homosexuality was delayed for the second time last week. Matthew Grech, 36, was scheduled to receive a ruling last Thursday in his case, which has dragged on for three years. His lawyer received an email at the last minute informing him that the verdict had been postponed, according to the London-based nonprofit Christian Concern. Grech has been engaged in a legal battle since he was criminally charged in 2022 for giving his testimony, which was allegedly an example of discussing and promoting so-called conversion practices in violation of Article 3 of Malta's Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender and Gender Expression Act. If convicted, Grech faces 5,000 (over $5,700) in fines or up to five months in prison. Passed in 2016, the law makes it "unlawful for any person" to "advertise conversion practices." It was the first of its kind in Europe and has served as a model for similar legislation in other countries. The charges against Grech stemmed from an interview he gave in April 2022 to PMnews Malta, an independent outlet that invited him to discuss his story and his views on conversion therapy bans. During the interview, he recounted his struggles to relate to other boys growing up, a pain that later became sexualized. At no point did he invite anyone to attend therapy to change their sexual orientation or gender identity, though he was critical of the Maltese law. He mentioned scientific perspectives about addressing trauma by utilizing "talking therapy," which can "sometimes reduce same-sex attraction and gender confusion," according to Christian Concern. After becoming a Christian, Grech said he came to believe that homosexuality is not an identity, but rather a sinful behavior that he could no longer continue as a Christian. "Just like every other sin, one can repent from it and ask God for forgiveness and ask Him for strength to overcome," Grech said at the time. After the interview, both Grech and the two journalists at PMnews Malta who interviewed him were prosecuted under the Maltese law against advertising conversion therapy. The complaint against him came from Silvan Agius, an LGBT activist from Malta who played a role in crafting the law and has served as a cabinet expert for EU Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli since 2019. Also involved in the complaint were Christian Attard, a founding member of the Malta LGTBIQ Rights Movement, who has served on the European Commission on Sexual Orientation Law, and Cynthia Chircop, who co-chairs the organization. In a video message recorded for CLC following the delayed verdict, Grech expressed disappointment but also hope amid the suffering he has endured by standing up for what he believes is right. "Jesus said, 'Rejoice when you were being persecuted for my name,' so I stay joyful," Grech said. "I stay patient in trials. I'm not surprised when trials come, because we were warned that they would come. So I feel at peace." "I feel very well-supported by my Christian family all across the world, but there is a sense of responsibility in this case that is clearly felt as well, for my part, but I believe we're doing a great job to stand for Christ in this hour," he added. Home News Violent protests erupt outside final TPUSA tour stop at UC Berkeley; DOJ responds Violent protests erupted outside a Turning Point USA event at the University of California, Berkeley, on Monday during what would have been the last stop in the late Charlie Kirk's fall campus tour, prompting a response from a federal investigator. Comedian Rob Schneider and Christian apologist Frank Turek, who accompanied Kirk to the hospital after he was shot on Sept. 10, spoke at the event exactly two months after Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Footage of the protests showed members of Antifa throwing projectiles, lighting flares and trying to breach police barricades. Video of one incident from Frontlines TPUSA, the organization's journalistic arm, shows a fight that erupted and left a TPUSA supporter wearing a "Freedom" shirt with a bloody face. A protester racially mocked the bloodied man, calling him "white boy" among other epithets as police repelled him. BREAKING: Two arrested as a fight between an ANTIFA member and a Trump supporter breaks out at UC Berkeley. Unclear who started the fight, but the Trump supporter who was left bloodied stated that it was the ANTIFA member who tried to rob him first. Both men have been pic.twitter.com/Dl2TVWfn3L FRONTLINES TPUSA (@FrontlinesTPUSA) November 11, 2025 Berkeley and UC Berkeley campus police confirmed four arrests, including one for battery, according to KTVU. A spokesperson for UC Berkeley told The Christian Post that more than 900 people attended the TPUSA event, which they noted was held successfully and proceeded without disruption. "Prior to the event, two individuals were arrested for fighting outside campus. They were arrested for battery by the City of Berkeley Police Department," the spokesperson said. "Two other individuals were arrested by the campus police for failing to comply with directions. One of them was booked into jail, one was released." U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon promised that UC Berkeley and the city of Berkeley "should expect some incoming [Civil Rights] correspondence. And more." "In America, we do not allow citizens to be attacked by violent thugs and shrug and turn our backs. Been there, done that, not on our watch," she added. Schneider, who had attended campus events with Kirk before his death, praised the students who attended despite attempts to intimidate them. "I would like to thank ALL the courageous Cal Berkeley students who REFUSED to be intimidated by the 'not very tolerant' Left. We KNOW who the REAL FASCISTS are the thugs who DONT WANT FREE SPEECH," Schneider said in an X post on Tuesday. I would like to thank ALL the courageous Cal Berkeley students who REFUSED to be intimidated by the not very tolerant Left. We KNOW who the REAL FASCISTS are the thugs who DONT WANT FREE SPEECH. https://t.co/yrMWNlAbp0 Rob Schneider ???????? (@RobSchneider) November 11, 2025 Turek noted that Antifa, despite claiming to fight fascism, exhibits its tactics in their attempt to suppress the exchange of ideas. "As they again proved last night, the folks who say they are fighting for 'inclusion, tolerance and diversity' will not include you and not tolerate you for holding a diverse view. They are the true fascists who prevented at least 1,000 from getting into the venue last night. Pray for them. Thanks to the brave 900+ who did get in," Turek tweeted. As they again proved last night, the folks who say they are fighting for "inclusion, tolerance and diversity" will not include you and not tolerate you for holding a diverse view. They are the true fascists who prevented at least 1,000 from getting into the venue last night. https://t.co/KUq0TgNIDT Frank Turek (@DrFrankTurek) November 11, 2025 When an X user expressed a desire that Turek "stick to apologetics," he replied: "You can't do apologetics if you don't have freedom of speech or freedom of religion." SCOTUS Rejects Gay Marriage Appeal, Leaders Urge Trump On Syria, Maryland Removes Gender Lessons For Kindergartners link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:35 06:35 Top headlines for Tuesday, November 11, 2025 We cover the Supreme Courts rejection of former Kentucky clerk Kim Daviss petition challenging the 2015 legalization of same-sex marriage, a call from over 80 Christian leaders urging President Trump to take action on the persecution of Christians in Syria, and Marylands decision to remove gender identity lessons from its kindergarten health curriculum. 00:11 Supreme Court rejects Kim Davis bid to reconsider gay marriage 00:55 Faith leaders urge Trump to defend Syrian Christians 01:48 Maryland may nix gender identity lessons for kindergartners 02:35 Pastors mistress LaToshia Daniels is found guilty of murder 03:22 Supreme Court hears case of Rastafarian forced to shave 04:15 Male accused of exposing himself in women's locker room assaulted 05:00 Bear Grylls says writing Jesus book is hardest thing hes done Home Opinion What a hospice nurse affirmed for me about dying My mother-in-law has been a Christian for many years. Shes now in her 90s and looking forward to going to Heaven. A few years ago, doctors told her that she had a large tumor in her abdomen and that she needed to have it removed. They explained, however, that at her age, she might not survive the surgery. Without flinching, she opted to have the procedure, which proved entirely successful and free of complications. While in the recovery room, she slowly began to regain consciousness. As her eyes opened and she looked around, realizing where she was, she blurted out, Oh, crap! That was funny, but it also revealed how much she had been looking forward to being in Heaven. To depart, and to be with Christ, wrote the apostle Paul, is far better (Philippians 1:23). My mother is still living and has also been a follower of Christ for a long time. My father, her husband of 56 years, has gone to be with the Lord, as have her beloved sister, her parents, and most of her peers. When I visit her, we often have long conversations, and heaven is a favorite topic. I must say that I have never seen her enthusiastic about anything as she is about heaven. She lights up at just the thought of it. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). Shes now in her mid-80s and in excellent health, with a sharp and active mind. One day, I told her, Mom, youre going to live to be a hundred. She smiled and replied, Oh, I hope not. Shes eager to go, and entirely at peace about it. I spoke with a hospice nurse this week, and what she shared affirmed some things I have long believed and seen with my own eyes. She said, There is definitely a difference watching those who know where they are going and those who dont. I asked her to describe an example, and she said, Its just that when patients are atheists, irreligious, or not saved, they are much harder to treat for terminal restlessness and agitation. They seem to die a slower, more painful, more restless death, almost as though theyre fighting death even when unresponsive. People with a strong faith, though, seem to die peacefully, calmly, with a look of contentment on their faces. I told her that the great Victorian-era preacher Charles Spurgeon once said there is an essential difference between the decease of the ungodly and the death of the godly. Death to the wicked is the king of terrors, Spurgeon said. Death to the saint is the end of terrors the commencement of glory. Scripture says, Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (Psalm 116:15). I confessed to her that I dont even like to imagine stepping out of this life without the Lord. What a horror that would be, I said. Then I added, If we werent living in an age when the dying are so often sedated, theres no telling what terrors we might hear from the unsaved as they pass from this life into eternity. In my library, I have an old article once published by The Sunday School Times, describing what many reportedly said at deaths door in a day when medicine could not easily dull consciousness. Voltaire, the French Enlightenment author and philosopher, famous for his attacks on Christianity, reportedly cried out, I am abandoned by God and man: I shall go to hell. Charles IX of France said, What blood, what murders, what evil counsels I have followed. I am lost! I see it well. Sir Thomas Scott, once chancellor of England, declared, Until this moment I thought that there was neither God nor hell; now I know and feel that there are both, and I am doomed to perdition by the just judgment of the Almighty. But the same article also recorded the final words of redeemed people. Dwight L. Moody, the renowned American evangelist and founder of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, said, This is glorious! Earth receding, heaven opening, God calling me. John A. Lyth, the British Wesleyan Methodist minister and devotional writer, exclaimed, Can this be death? Why, it is better than living! Tell them I die happy in Jesus! And Lyths daughter, Mary Frances, whose radiant testimony became famous, said as she was dying, Oh, that I could tell you what joy I possess! The Lord doth shine with such power upon my soul. He is come! He is come! There is coming a moment for each of us when every prop and pretense will fall away. No title, wealth, or earthly wisdom will suffice, only Christ. The question is not whether we will die, but whether we will die with Him as our Savior and Lord. May it be said of us, as it was of those saints of old and many in our own day, that when the shadows lengthened and the veil began to part, Heavens light rested softly upon our faces, and our countenance spoke of joy. Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Home Opinion Why Zohran Mamdani won and New York will pay a terrible price Zohran Mamdani has been elected mayor of New York, the USAs most populous city. Mamdani, 34, is a self-professed Democratic Socialist and a Muslim. He was elected with just a shade over 50% of the vote in a 3-way race with former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. How did New York City, arguably the world capital of capitalism, elect a Democratic Socialist (on a good day) and a Communist (on a bad day) mayor? If one takes issue with the word Communist, I would submit as evidence Mamdanis statement that you must seize the means of production (emphasis supplied). Mamdani ran on a platform including free childcare up to and including age 5, a rent freeze on the citys over 1 million rent-controlled apartments, free (and fast) bus service, and government-run grocery stores. When you break the race down by income groups, the results are surprising and informative. Mr. Cuomo won among the lowest income group (under $30,000 by 50% to 42%) and the highest income group ($300,000 or more, 62% to 38%). However, the former governor lost everywhere in between to the young Socialist. Among the $30,000 to $49,999 group, Mamdani won (52% to 40%). Among the $50,000 to $99,999 group and the $100,000-$199,999 group, Mamdani won 58% to 38%. Among the $200,999-$299,999 annual income group, Mamdani won 56% to 42%. So Mamdani won decisively among all but the lowest and highest income groups. When broken down by age groups, Mamdani won 18 to 29-year-olds 77% to 20% and among the 30-44 age group, 70% to 27%. Cuomo carried the 45-64 age group 49% to 47% and those 65 and over voted for Cuomo 54% to 38%. Lastly, when broken down by ethnicity, Cuomo carried the white vote 49% to 47%. Mamdani carried the black vote 55% to 40%. The Hispanic/Latino voted 52% to 45% for Mamdani, Asians voted 60% to 35%, and others voted 52% to 45%. In summary, in an overwhelmingly Democrat city, Mamdani won every group except the poorest and the richest and won by a landslide among young people under 45. It also helped that he was running against Andrew Cuomo, a disgraced former governor whom very few people actually liked. Much of Cuomos vote was strictly anti-Mamdani. Why did Mamdani do so well with young people (roughly of voters under age 45)? One reason is that they have not been taught in school or in the broader culture that socialism never works. At least socialism has never worked so far in improving the living standards of the general populace. Even democratic Socialism, which is brought on by the vote of the people (the United Kingdom), has never improved the economic situation of the general population. Britains post-World War II stagnation (with a brief reprieve under Prime Minister Thatcher) is a prime example. As Winston Churchill once famously observed, The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of socialism is the equal division of misery. Mamdani faces a herculean task of trying to run a city that has been run dismally by its last two mayors. New York City was well run with improving conditions during the administrations of Rudy Guiliani (1994-2001) and Michael Bloomberg (2002-2013). Unfortunately, Mayor DeBlasio (2014-2021) and Eric Adams (2022- ) have been disastrous mayors of New York City and have left it with numerous crises. One reason Mamdani won was identified years ago by Sidney Hook, a New York University philosophy professor. Hook had been a Marxist in his youth, but matured into a leading critic. In his 1987 autobiography Out of Step: An Unquiet Life in the 20th Century, Hook pointed out that, like many others, he judged capitalism by its operations and socialism by its hopes and aspirations; capitalism by its works and socialism by its literature. Based on history, Mr. Mamdani and the people of New York are in for a very rough time. He has announced his transition team, and they include three former de Blasio administrators, a former Biden staffer and a former Adams staffer. Furthermore, Mamdani actually has talked about nullification, a failed theory promoted by Confederates to nullify federal laws with which they disagree. Before Mamdani decides to nullify federal authority on immigration or anything else, he should read the Constitution and then read what happened to Gov. Faubus of Arkansas, Gov. Barnett of Mississippi, Gov. Wallace of Alabama, and Gov. Maddox of Georgia. The question of whether federal law is supreme in all fifty states was settled by the Civil War! I fear New York City faces some terribly troubled days ahead. President Trump does understand the supremacy clause and New York is his hometown. He will do what he can to protect it from the severe and sad consequences of Marxism. Fastlys mission is to make the internet a better place for all experiences: fast, safe, and engaging, according to Kip Compton, who joined the company as Chief Product Officer in January 2024 before being promoted to Chief Executive Officer in June this year. Fastly was founded by Artur Bergman to enable content delivery networks (CDNs) to handle unpredictable updates, and this became the foundation of Fastly. Over time, security issues such as distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks came to the fore. To protect the delivery of applications, content, and application programming interfaces (APIs), Fastly added security to its platform, which has since become the fastest-growing part of its business. Another issue was the trade-off between speed and user experience. While caching supported fast internet experiences, it became jarring for users to visit an e-commerce site without getting a personalized experience. In response, Fastly created an edge compute capability for personalization to be delivered without sacrificing performance. Our mission has built up as the company focused on delivering great experiences and what constitutes a great experience, said Compton. The platform strategy While security is Fastlys fastest-growing business, its CDN remains a major entry point for new customers. All of our services run on a unified global platform, so everything works together seamlessly, said Compton. Many customers now start with security and later expand into CDN or compute, benefiting from the consistency across the platform. According to Mike Shaver, VP of Security Products Engineering, this unified approach sets Fastly apart. Our delivery, compute, and security products can be mixed and matched all secured the same way through our WAF, DDoS protection, or AI bot management, he explained. Built on open web standards like HTTP, JavaScript, and WebAssembly, Fastlys platform allows developers to integrate easily and apply the same knowledge across its services. Shaver added that Fastlys observability is equally flexible: You can use our dashboard for full visibility or export the data to your preferred observability system. AI, bots, and the battle for content A growing industry concern is the balance between training large language models (LLMs) and protecting intellectual property. Compton said the topic now surfaces in nearly every customer meeting. Companies with high-value content want Fastly to help them understand which bots are visiting their sites, why theyre there, and to control or monetise that access. Theres a big difference between scraping for training data and fetching for real-time responses, Compton explained. Many customers are looking to monetize those differently. The traditional ad-supported model worked with search engines that drove clicks to publishers sites but it breaks down when LLMs deliver information directly, bypassing content owners. Fastlys AI bot mitigation service, paired with its partnership with TollBit, helps publishers regain visibility and explore new monetization models. According to Mike Shaver, VP of Security Products Engineering, the surge in AI scraping bots caught many off guard. Six months ago, AI bot management wasnt even on most CISOs agendas, he said. Now, organizations are struggling to decide what content should be accessible for AI training and what must be protected. This is where Fastlys traffic classification engine provides that control distinguishing between human users, helpful bots, and adversarial ones. Retailers want shoppers to get through but not competitors scraping inventory, Shaver noted. Navigating those grey areas will take more work. Ultimately, AI increases the value of content, but a sustainable model for creators is essential. Laws and conventions will lag behind the technology, Compton said. This needs to be addressed at a societal and political level without a model for content creation, its hard to see how culture can be sustained. Path to profitability Compton also addressed the companys decision in 2023 to reduce its headcount by about 11%, a move made before his tenure as CEO began. That was a tough decision, but something that was needed, he said. It allowed us to take a close look at our organisation, teams and investments, and align them with what our customers really wanted from us. Compton said this discipline, combined with business growth, recently allowed Fastly to guide the market that it would be free cash flow positive for the fiscal year an important milestone on our path to profitability. Asked about future growth, he said acquisitions will continue to play a role, balanced with in-house development and partnerships. However, he expects future deals are more likely to be smaller, tuck-in acquisitions rather than large-scale mergers. Focus on APAC Compton pointed to the companys increased focus on the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, including the recent appointment of a Singapore-based APAC leader, Nicola Gerber. He suggested Fastly had not previously resourced the region to its full potential. Were bringing in more leadership and more focus on the region in general, and certainly in Australia and New Zealand, said Compton. These have been key markets for us. We see a lot of opportunity here, and Im excited about some of the changes were making to increase our focus in the region. The internet is evolving fast from AI-driven content challenges to the next wave of security innovation. Learn how Fastlys unified platform is helping organizations stay secure, scalable, and ready for whats next. Discover Fastlys platform Sign up for the daily CJR newsletter. Gregorio Olivares Gutierrez went to the University of Texas at Dallas to study political science and government, not journalism. But during his freshman year, in 2023, he joined the universitys student paper, The Mercury, after reading a story in it about a graduate student whod tortured cats. What first pulled me in was, Oh my god, this is a cute cat, let me see what the story is about, Olivares Gutierrez said. And then I read some really riveting journalism that told me a lot of things I would never have expected about the campus. Olivares Gutierrez started working with The Mercury a month later. The next year, he was appointed editor in chief. He covered a host of issues, including the presence of sex offenders on campus, a Halloween accident wherein a Tesla drove through a student apartment, and pro-Palestine protests on campus. The protests proved to be a point of conflict between the paper and the university. The Mercury published several stories criticizing the university for calling in state troopers to student encampments and ran interviews with protesters who were arrested; soon after, administrators accused Olivares Gutierrez of committing journalism malpractice and replaced The Mercurys adviser. Olivares Gutierrez also said the university attempted to remove issues of the paper that included an editorial about a students suicide from kiosks around the school. In September of 2024, the schools administration fired Olivares Gutierrez. The Mercurys entire staff subsequently went on strike, and members of its management team were fired as well. They started a new paper called The Retrograde with Olivares Gutierrez as editor in chief, independent of The Mercury and the university. It currently has a volunteer staff of fifty-two people and is primarily funded by donations through GoFundMe and Patreon, plus some ad sales. In response to a request for comment, the University of Texas at Dallas wrote in an email to CJR, The former editors characterization of past events is not accurate. UT Dallas has consistently supported student journalists editorial control and wants to create an environment where they can learn best journalistic practices. In recent months, the tensions between student media and universities have come to a head at several college campuses, making national headlines and raising concerns about the state of press freedom for student journalists in the United States. When Olivares Gutierrez attended Media Fest, a conference for student journalists, in October, it was buzzing with news from the day before: Indiana University had fired Jim Rodenbush, the adviser for the Indiana Daily Student (IDS), after he refused to comply with an order to keep news stories out of the homecoming edition. The papers print edition was also discontinued. Within days, Purdues The Exponent, a rival newspaper, distributed three thousand copies of a special edition printed in solidarity with IDS, and the following week, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP) sent a letter to Indiana University to condemn what it deemed the universitys censorship of student journalism. The tensions at IDS became a national story. Journalists at the New York Times, NPR, and the AP covered it, and in the weeks that followed, alumni pulled more than a million dollars in funding. Three weeks later, the university reinstated the IDSs print edition. In a letter to the editors of the paper, University chancellor David Reingold said the decision had nothing to do with editorial content and that he recognized and accepted that the campus has not handled recent decisions as well as we should have. Communication was uneven and timing imperfect. Sign up for CJRs daily email We view this as a huge positive step, Eric Feder, the director of the Local Legal Initiative at RCFP, told CJR. I mean that the university saw the backlash that was happening, we sent a letter laying out all of the constitutional problems, and they now seem to have backed down. And I think that was absolutely the right decision. Around the country, many student journalists are still facing similar problems. That includes Olivia Mapes, editor in chief of The Exponent. In June, Purdue announced that it would no longer distribute copies of the paper on campus and that the Purdue Student Publishing Foundation had no license to the Purdue name for commercial use. (As justification, Purdue only cited its policy on institutional neutrality.) In October, the University of Central Oklahoma stopped printing The Vista, sparking censorship claims. According to a letter filed by the RCFP, the move came after the university repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with editorial decisions made by The Vista, including news that may reflect poorly on the university and its president, Todd Lamb. The stories in question covered efforts to install Narcan vending machines on campus, the universitys handling of a students suicide in 2024, and the Student Associatons failed vote of confidence in Lamb prior to his official inauguration. Its not even about student media at this point, Mapes said. Its about censorship of the news in general. The RCFP and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) both condemned the universitys actions. In FIREs letter to Lamb, Dominic Coletti, the program leader for the organizations Student Press Freedom Initiative, wrote: There is no doubt that the viewpoints Vista writers expressed led to the print ban. You made the universitys position clear when you suggested the paper stop reporting on broken eggs. The letter also said that The Vistas adviser and administrator demoted, fired, and refused to hire staff members who spoke out against the print ban, and that they indicated that the print ban could be lifted if The Vista changed the tone of its coverage. As with The Mercury, some University of Central Oklahoma student journalists branched out last month to create their own independent paper, called the Independent View. Kenna Attaway, who is still the editor in chief of The Vista, told CJR that the decision was financial and that claims of censorship are based on a misunderstanding of the situation. But Andrew Frazier, the Independent Views editor in chief, pushed back on this, saying that the university turned down offers to use funds from alumni donations to keep The Vistas print edition going. One of these donors is now the main contributor to the funding of the Independent Views print edition. The Vista, UCOs official student newspaper, continues to independently publish online and maintains editorial freedom over its content. Thus, there is no censorship, Adrienne Nobles, the universitys vice president for communications and public affairs, said in a statement to CJR. The university general counsels review found no evidence to support accusations of retaliation against students, faculty, or staff. Simply put, the allegations outlined in the letters are without merit. The reality is a university, as a general matter, is of course subject to the First Amendment, Feder said. Theres long-standing case law going back decades that says that when a university opens a student newspaper for purposes of free expression, or free news reporting by students, then the university cant come around and say, No, we dont like what you wrote, and control the content. Some campus papers are contending with censorship pressure from the government. Earlier this year, FIRE filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on behalf of the Stanford Daily and two legal noncitizens with no criminal record who engaged in pro-Palestinian speech and now fear deportation and visa revocation because of their expression. A letter from the editors explained that the suit challenges two federal immigration laws that allow the government to revoke nonUS citizens visas for protected speech, including speech in student papers. International students in particular face newfound risks that come with having their byline on an article. Jonathan Gaston-Falk, an education attorney at the Student Press Law Center, said that student newsrooms on different campuses have strongly suggested that international students not work on particular issues. Some newsrooms have gone through their backlogs and hidden certain posts. Youre seeing a reduction in the amount of speech thats happening on campus. You have international students, for completely understandable reasons, who are just not speaking at all, FIREs Coletti told CJR. While thats true across the country, its particularly pernicious at colleges and universities, where students are supposed to be able to interrogate and challenge the status quo, norms, and societal expectations in the pursuit of truth. For now, student journalists must come up with creative ways to work around the free speech restrictions and protect their colleagues. Last week, Olivares Gutierrez and his colleague Surjaditya Sarkar published a piece in The Retrograde outlining what international students should know about their rights and visas. It came with an editors note: The Retrograde has granted sources requests for anonymity in this article because of the possibility of retaliation from the US government. Editors note: This article has been updated to include comment from the University of Texas at Dallas. Sign up for the daily CJR newsletter. This is our second blog post about Unheard, a new project designed to help news organizations uncover potentially overlooked narratives by using AI to audit who is quoted in their articles. Thoughtful sourcing is the backbone of every good story, the raw material from which narratives are built. Decisions about whom to quote are extremely delicate; the journalist shapes not only the perceived balance of a story, but also its framing, stance, the broader image of society it constructsand the audiences it serves. News organizations risk overlooking important narratives and injecting bias into their reporting without thoughtful sourcing. Thats why were building an AI-powered tool to conduct source audits on large corpora of news articles. The goal of the project is to equip newsrooms with data that helps them identify when coverage leans too heavily on a single type of source. Thanks to recent breakthroughs in generative AI, highly accurate quote-detection technology is now within reach. In an experiment, we tested seven different generative AI models on their ability to extract quotes from articles published by the New York Times and the Associated Press. We found that the models performed surprisingly well, with some achieving accuracy scores in the mid- to high-ninetieth percentile. We are working to develop an AI tool that comes as close as possible to perfectly extracting quotes and identifying their associated speakers. While these results based on commercial models are promising, we hope to fine-tune open-source models to build our tool. In the hands of newsrooms, it can help journalists reflect on whom they choose to include in their storiesa practice that, as journalist Bette Dam argues in her PhD research, is urgently needed. In our first newsletter, Damwho lived in and reported from Kabul for fifteen yearsoutlined her concerns that the voices shaping global conflict reporting are often narrow and predictable. While covering the so-called war on terror, Dam observed that government officials, particularly from the Pentagon and related security agencies, were privileged by journalists. In her PhD research, she found that countervailing sources were often absent. Among Afghan voices, the allied government elite dominated. Taken together, in both the New York Times and the AP, nearly 70 percent of sources came from elite (mostly government) circles. Civilian perspectives made up only a small share, usually limited to witnesses of the violence being reported. In the first weeks of her PhD research, Dam had already found older examples of this predominance of elite-official sourcing. For example, political scientist W. Lance Bennett found that in almost four years of the New York Times coverage of the CIAs covert operations in Nicaragua in the mid-1980s, there were almost nine hundred voiced opinions in the news. More than six hundred of these came from officers, offices, or committees of US governmental institutions. About 15 percent came from nongovernmental sources, and reporters referenced Nicaraguan sovereignty or concern for another Vietnam-like situation only three times. (The sample consisted of all news articles and editorials indexed under Nicaragua in the New York Times Index between January 1, 1983, and October 15, 1986.) Long before the current war in Gazawhich human rights organizations like Amnesty International have called a genocideDam learned from other academic research that US newspapers over the past few decades often prioritize official Israeli voices, while Palestinian perspectives are limited or framed negatively. This is shown, for example, quite recently by scholar Holly Jackson, who analyzed stories in the Times. During both Intifadas, Israeli voices dominated: in the First Intifada (198793), Israelis appeared in 93 percent of articles, compared with Palestinians in only 40 percent (sample: sixteen thousand articles); in the Second Intifada (20002005), that figure rose to just 49 percent. American officials also featured prominently, reinforcing a shared Israeli-US narrative as the dominant frame (sample: seventeen thousand articles). Over the past few months, weve taken the first steps toward building Unheard, a collaborative post-public editor-system that empowers journalists to ask critical questions about their sourcing patterns to ensure more accurate narratives through AI-powered source audits. But AI-powered tools are notoriously unreliable, since they hallucinatefabricating information out of thin air. Thats why weve built computational tools to test the accuracy of our systems as we work on improving them. As part of her PhD research, Dam and her team manually tagged every quote from a sample of fifteen hundred Times and AP articles about the war in Afghanistan. Building on Dams field experience, the team categorized sources into civilian versus military, distinguishing between those speaking from within Afghanistan and those commenting from the United States. They also differentiated between spokespersons/high-level officials, revealing the dominance of uber-officialdom and the structural reliance on propaganda-like sourcing. In the Afghan context, the government was by far the most frequently cited source, again with a strong reliance on top-level officials. By contrast, Afghan and American civiliansnoninstitutional or civil sourceswere far less prominent in the coverage. This is what researchers in the machine-learning world call a golden set, a painstakingly manually annotated and (ideally) 100 percent accurate dataset against which to test a machines ability to complete a task. Were currently using this golden set as a benchmark to evaluate the performance of our quote-extraction tool, with the goal of eventually achieving a nearly perfect match. In a preliminary test published earlier this year, Unheard evaluated how well ChatGPT could identify quotes that had been manually labeled by Dam as part of her PhD research. We randomly selected twenty articles from the golden set, all related to the US war in Afghanistan. After incrementally improving various prompts to extract both the quotes and their associated speakers, ChatGPT correctly identified 230 of the 251 quotes Dam had labeled in our sample. The results were promising, but we wanted to extend the experiment to other models using a standardized computational pipeline that can automatically score the accuracy of the quote extraction. We have now completed building this pipeline, which brings us to our second experiment. Using an updated prompt, we tested seven modelsClaude Opus 4.1, Claude Sonnet 4.0, Gemini 1.5 Pro, Gemini 2.5 Flash, Gemini 2.5 Pro, GPT-4o, and GPT-5 minion their ability to extract quotes from our sample of twenty articles. To evaluate the models, we measured how well each identified the actual quotes (known as recall) and the number of identified quotes that were correct (referred to as precision). We found that most of the models were highly accurate, with GPT-5 mini and Gemini 2.5 Pro achieving F1 scores (a combination of precision and recall scores) of 94 percent. We went through a series of prompt iterations to achieve our results. What proved to be most effective was a prompting technique known as few-shot prompting, in which example inputs and outputs are provided to guide the language models responses. For instance, in the prompt segment below, we included illustrative cases to demonstrate the difference between a direct quote and a paraphrased quote, so the model learns how to distinguish between the two. Here are some more specific instructions with accompanying examples, in the format: In this context, a quote is defined as both a direct and paraphrased instance of a source conveying some information. A direct quote is one that is lifted verbatim from its source, surrounded by double quotation marks. A paraphrased quote is not lifted entirely from the source, but is information synthesized from the source. A quote is still considered paraphrased if it includes fragments of a direct quote within it. T: I really like this weather, said Adam B. He later added that he felt the wind was pleasant. R: [ { source: Adam B, quote: \I really like this weather,\ said Adam B., is_paraphrased: false }, { source: Adam B, quote: He later added that he felt the wind was \pleasant\., is_paraphrased: true } ] Our initial tests are promising, especially when compared with previous attempts at quote extraction. We found that the models performed surprisingly well, with some achieving recall or precision scores in the mid- to high-ninetieth percentile. By comparison, in 2023, the BBC open-sourced its quote-detection system, Citron, but reached an overall success rate (F1 score) of only about 60 percent. However, since Citron was applied to a different dataset, we cant draw definitive conclusions about which models perform best. To make that comparison, we plan to test Citron and our models on the same dataseta task for our next blog post. Once we reach a performance level were satisfied with, we plan to run the model on Professor Dams full golden set of fifteen hundred articles. After that, we aim to fine-tune a model capable of extracting quotes from the Times and AP articles about Afghanistan that fall outside the scope of Dams original dataset. Our goal is to bridge the gap between technology and journalistic ethics, and to ensure that the voices shaping our understanding of the world are as diverse and accurate as the realities they aim to represent. This work is being done with assistance and funding from the Pulitzer Center. John Laws, the longtime Australian talkback radio host dubbed "Golden Tonsils" for his unique voice, died "peacefully" on Sunday at his home in Woolloomooloo, Australia, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He was 90.(Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images) Getty Images John Laws, the legendary Australian radio host nicknamed Golden Tonsils for his signature voice, has died. He was 90. Laws died peacefully on Nov. 9 at his home in Woolloomooloo, Australia, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. No cause of death was given. Laws previously was hospitalized for two weeks in October, per ABC. Today marks a very difficult day for our family, with the news that our beloved father/grandfather/uncle John Laws has died peacefully at home, his family said in a statement. While fame and prominence had become a mainstay of his life, for us he was always the person who meant so much, away from the microphone, the cameras, and the headlines. It is comforting to know that Johns was a life lived well he had remained in good health and even better spirits right up until the last few weeks, the statement added. Born Richard John Sinclair Laws in Wau, Papua New Guinea, in 1935, Laws and his family evacuated to Australia during World War II, per ABC. Laws grew up in Sydney, but began his radio career at 3BO in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, in 1953. His on-air career spanned 71 years at talkback radio stations across the country, including Sydneys 2UE, 2GB and 2SM, before his retirement in November 2024. Laws interviewed 17 Australian prime ministers during his career. He became an influential voice in Australian politics, with the 1983 federal election dubbed The John Laws election due to the number of politicians who appeared on his show, according to the Australian Media Hall of Fame, of which he is a member. In 1974, Laws was the recipient of an Order of the British Empire for his contributions to broadcasting and charity, per ABC. The honor was upgraded to a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1978. The most important thing to say about John Laws is he really made and created the medium of talkback radio in Australia, former Australian prime minister Paul Keating, who was in office from 1991-96, said in Laws 2017 book, Lawsie. Forget the Press gallery; if you educate John Laws, you educate Australia, Keating added. Anthony Albanese, the current prime minister of Australia, issued a statement remembering the late Laws. John Laws was an iconic voice and so much more, Albanese wrote in a post to X. Generations of Australians trusted and respected him for telling it straight, digging deep and giving his guests and his listeners a chance to be heard. John was always a thoroughly prepared and thoughtful interviewer - and wonderful company off-air. My condolences to his loved ones and to all who benefited from his wisdom and guidance. Australian actor Russell Crowe also issued a statement remembering Laws. John Laws was my neighbour for 23 years, the Oscar-winning actor wrote in a post to X. He was a wise mentor, a mischievous mate and a very good friend. I am deeply saddened by his passing, however, I am buoyed in the sure and certain knowledge that he led a magnificent life of achievement and adventure Governance, tech key to healthy AI China Daily) 11:01, November 11, 2025 A dancing robot attracts attendees during the 2025 World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province. ZOU HONG/CHINA DAILY As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and daily life at remarkable speed, its future will depend as much on responsible governance as on technological progress, said experts and business leaders. "AI has become an irreversible trend of our time, profoundly changing the way we produce, live and govern," said Wu Dong, chief engineer of the Cyberspace Administration of China, at a parallel forum on frontier AI models during the 2025 World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province. Wu said China will continue to prioritize AI development in its 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30) by focusing on fundamental research and breakthroughs in key technologies, promoting industrial growth and expanding real-world application scenarios. Innovation, he added, must advance hand-in-hand with responsibility, supported by sound governance, reliable data quality and professional expertise. AI safety has become a central topic as technology moves from the virtual world into real-world applications. Lu Wei, vice-chairman of the Cyber Security Association of China, described AI security as the lifeline of development. "As AI expands from the digital world into the physical world, its risks are becoming more complex. We face not only technical vulnerabilities, but also ethical, privacy and systemic risks." Lu cited the AI Safety Governance Framework 2.0, China's latest policy upgrade, as a sign of a shift from reactive regulation to proactive governance. Released in September, the framework highlights transparency, data protection and a collaborative governance model that spans borders, fields and industries. "High-level security does not constrain innovation it safeguards it," Lu said. "Only by embedding safety into every layer of the AI ecosystem can we ensure sustainable, high-quality development." Undoubtedly, AI is already reshaping productivity and creativity across sectors. A joint report by the Yinxiang Biji Research Institute and the WIC Think Tank found that integrating AI models into real-world applications has become a growing global consensus. "In manufacturing, AI-driven optimization has improved efficiency by 12 percent; in pharmaceuticals, it has halved new drug development cycles; and in education, AI large-model interaction is redefining personalized learning," said Qiao Qian, director of Yinxiang Biji Research Institute and vice-president of Yinxiang Biji. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in critical systems, cybersecurity specialists warn of emerging vulnerabilities. Hu Zhenquan, president of Chinese cybersecurity company 360 Digital Security Group, said AI security represents the next frontier of the digital economy. "Everything can be programmed, imitated, generated and orchestrated and that's both AI's power and its weakness," Hu said. He proposed an "AI + Security "dual strategy that uses AI to safeguard AI systems. Beyond technology, experts emphasized the importance of shared governance and global collaboration in shaping a sustainable AI future. "Digital transformation is irreversible like biological evolution," said Gerald Vernez, founder and director of the digiVolution Foundation and former Swiss cyber defense representative. "The real issue is not the tools themselves, but how we use them." Vernez stressed that "strategy must precede technology" and urged nations to strengthen "digital sovereignty built on trust, resilience and cooperation". As large models proliferate, infrastructure resilience is becoming a new priority. Hou Shengli, chief technology officer of Cisco Greater China, said full-lifecycle governance from vulnerability detection to data integrity should form the backbone of AI infrastructure. "Future systems will evolve across three dimensions within servers, within data centers and between data centers all supported by secure, high-speed networks," Hou said. (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) Amidst global uncertainties, India is trying for multiple trade deals with several geographies to hedge risks and open avenues for exporters. Government sources have told CNBC-TV18 that New Zealand's Trade Minister is expected to come to India this week, with the India-NZ FTA negotiations almost complete.Sources pointed out that the New Zealand government is likely to speak to many of its coalition partners before taking a final call.India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had visited New Zealand last week to further strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations and had met the Kiwi Minister for Trade Todd McClay. Calling upon both countries to explore innovative avenues of cooperation to deepen their economic partnership, he underscored the immense potential for collaboration across sports, education, technology, tourism, forestry, and the maritime sector.The 4th Round of India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations in Auckland from 3rd to 7th November focused on key areas, including Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, and Rules of Origin.Stating that the ASEAN FTA review is going on well, government sources pointed out that other geographies keen on FTAs with India include the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), GCC members Bahrain and Qatar, and Israel. Sources said that while India is yet to take a call on an FTA with Israel, which is a friendly country, they described Israel as a good trade partner in defence, agriculture, and innovation. Sources added that the European Union's Trade Commissioner is likely to visit India in the 2nd week of December.Last week, a senior team of negotiators from the European Union (EU) had visited New Delhi for negotiations with their Indian counterparts on the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The week-long discussions were part of ongoing efforts to advance negotiations towards a comprehensive, balanced, and mutually beneficial trade agreement.India's Commerce Ministry had said that the deliberations had covered a wide range of chapters including goods, services, investment, trade and sustainable development, rules of origin, and technical barriers to trade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (November 11) said the conspirators behind the Delhi blast will not be spared. At least 12 people were killed in the blast that took place in a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on November 10 evening.There is no official word yet on what caused the blast."The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice," Modi said.The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to Bhutan."Today, I come here with a very heavy heart. The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening has deeply saddened everyone. I understand the grief of the affected families. The entire nation stands with them today. I was in touch with all the agencies investigating this incident throughout last night. Our agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy," he said.Delhi Police has registered an FIR into the blast under the UAPA and conducted raids at multiple locations in the national capital as preliminary findings suggested a link to the terror module uncovered in Faridabad.PTI reported that Umar Mohammad, a Pulwama resident and a doctor, was allegedly driving the Hyundai i20 car that was used in the explosion near the parking area of the Red Fort Metro Station.The report said the first picture of the man driving the car that exploded near the Red Fort emerged in CCTV footage of the area. He allegedly had links to the terror module in Faridabad, where a huge cache of explosive material was seized, the report added.Preliminary findings by police suggest ammonium nitrate, fuel oil and detonators may have been used in the blast near the Red Fort, the report quoted police sources.During the visit, Modi will hold talks with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tobgay. Modi and King Wangchuck will jointly inaugurate the 1020 megawatt Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project developed jointly by India and Bhutan.Modi will also meet the fourth king and attend celebrations marking the 70th birthday of the former king of Bhutan. India's budget carrier IndiGo has announced the daily non-stop flights between Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi) and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (Guangzhou, China) starting from November 10, 2025.The service will be operated using IndiGo's A320neo aircraft.This comes days after IndiGo resumed its Kolkata-Guangzhou service, marking the return of India-China air connectivity after a five-year gap."With this expansion, IndiGo connects Delhi to 21 international destinations, underscoring the airport's growing role as a strategic hub for regional and international connectivity," IndiGo said in a press release.The Delhi to Guangzhou flight (6E 1701) operates daily. It departs from Delhi at 9:45 pm and arrives in Guangzhou at 4:50 am the next day. The Guangzhou to Delhi flight (6E 1702) also operates daily. It leaves Guangzhou at 5:50 am and reaches Delhi at 10:10 am.Direct flights between India and China were stopped in 2020 because of COVID-19. Later, they remained suspended due to border tensions between India and China. India's embassy in China said the move is part of the gradual improvement in relations between the two countries.Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, said the airline was excited to expand its presence in China with the new daily Delhi-Guangzhou flights. He added that the route will strengthen travel options and promote economic and cultural exchange between India and China."It will also connect Guangzhou to IndiGo's vast domestic network of 90+ destinations, giving access across India to Chinese travellers. We are thankful to both governments for their support in restoring these links , opening significant opportunities for trade, tourism, and collaboration," he added.Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China last month for the first time in seven years. He went there to attend a regional security forum, which is part of efforts to improve ties between the two countries.Relations between the two nations had sharply declined in 2020 after a border clash in the Himalayas, in which 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers were killed. The United Nations emphasised the need for greater cooperation among countries and a more solution-oriented approach to tackling climate change on the opening day of its two-week-long climate summit, COP30which the United States chose to skip this year. "In this arena of COP30, your job here is not to fight one another your job here is to fight this climate crisis, together," UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said on the first day of the summit. He warned that those opting out of climate action risk stagnation while other economies surge ahead. Addressing representatives from 195 countries gathered in Belem, Brazil, Stiell stressed that cooperation is critical, claiming that the Paris Agreement is delivering real progress a decade after its adoption at COP21. However, he acknowledged a temporary overshoot in achieving the agreements key goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, expressing hope in renewable energy which, for the first time in 2025, outpaced coal. The economics of this transition are as indisputable as the costs of inaction, Stiell said, calling climate action the greatest economic opportunity of the century. In a letter to countries bound by the Paris Agreement, Stiell noted that global greenhouse gas emissions in 2035 are projected to be around 12% below 2019 levels, based on 86 nationally determined contributions (NDCs) submitted by 113 Parties. Before the Paris Agreement, emissions for 2035 were projected to rise between 20% and 48% over 2019 levels. Still, Stiell cautioned that the progress so far is not nearly enough. Overseeing his fourth COP summit as Executive Secretary, he urged nations to translate negotiations and commitments into tangible action at COP30. Beyond individual national commitments, Stiell underscored the need for multiple streams of international cooperation to reduce emissions efficiently. Last year, countries agreed to mobilise at least $300 billion in climate finance for developing nations bearing the brunt of climate disasters, to empower them to implement solutions. Humanity is still in this fight. We have some tough opponents, no doubt, but we also have some heavyweights on our side. One is the brute power of market forces as renewables get cheaper, he said. Lamenting is not a strategy. Climate Action Award 2025 Alisa Luangrath of Laos PDR won the AI for Climate Action Award 2025 for harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive climate solutions in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). She developed Smart AI-based Farming and Irrigation for Resilience (SAFIR), an irrigation monitoring system that helps farmers improve water efficiency and climate resilience. Wake-up calls The gathering of world leaders also drew activists who argued that the climate crisis demands far greater urgency. Global leaders are taking such small steps, like theyre sleeping and not seeing whats happening. So we thought, thats it. Theyre sleeping, taking a nap, slowly awakening and we need to rush, wake up. We need these people to wake up to the urgency of the climate crisis, said Viviana Santiago, Executive Director of Oxfam Brazil, in an interview with AP. Some activists came dressed in puppet heads representing Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and former US President Donald Trumpthe latter depicted lounging with a newspaper carrying the headline Make rich polluters pay. The US absence from COP30 echoes its earlier withdrawal from another major global climate effortthe Paris Agreementunder Trumps leadership, despite the country being one of the worlds biggest polluters. Trump pulled the US out of the agreement twice, each time he assumed office: first in June 2017 and again in January 2025. Heads of the security forces of India and Nepal will hold their annual border talks here from Wednesday over a host of issues related to curbing trans-frontier crimes and sharing of real-time intelligence inputs.This will be the first time that the two forces -- Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Armed Police Force (APF) of Nepal -- will have a top-level meeting after the 'Gen Z' driven violent protests that rocked Kathmandu in September.The 9th annual coordination meeting will be held between November 12-14, an official statement said.The Indian side will be led by SSB Director General (DG) Sanjay Singhal, while the Nepalese delegation is headed by APF Inspector General (IG) Raju Aryal.The deliberations are expected to lay "special emphasis" on developing effective mechanisms for joint prevention of trans-border crimes, establishing faster and more efficient channels for real-time information sharing and reinforcing coordinated border management practices to ensure peace and security along the Indo-Nepal frontier, the SSB statement said.The last such meeting between the two forces was held in November 2024 at Kathmandu.The SSB guards the 1,751-km long unfenced border with Nepal. The force that functions under the Union home ministry also guards the 699-km long India-Bhutan border. It wouldnt be Monday without somebody saying, SNL stole my sketch! This week, its the long-running BYUtv comedy show, Studio C, which aired a Beauty and MrBeast sketch last Monday, November 3, according to a LateNighter report. I turned a hundred servants into common household items and trapped them in this castle in the French countryside! says MrBeast as a terrified clock and candlestick look on. The only way theyre going to get their human bodies back is if they make this lady (Belle) fall in love with me. So its no wonder that Mormon eyebrows raised when Saturday Night Live did its own Beauty and MrBeast sketch only a few days later. I'm keeping her dad trapped in a dungeon for 30 days for a chance to win over $300,000, enthuses Ben Marshalls version of MrBeast. For every pound he loses, I'll give a Tesla to a random stranger. Studio C, a clean-comedy sketch show produced in Utah, isnt some obscure Internet oddity unlikely ever to blip on SNL writers radar. Its YouTube channel has more than 2 billion views, and the show has featured guest spots from SNL veterans like Will Forte and current cast member Kenan Thompson. Advertisement But was the MrBeast idea really stolen? The Studio C version only went up on its YouTube channel this afternoon after SNL aired so it would have been challenging for 30 Rock writers to see. And like the minor kerfuffle around the ChatGPTio sketch earlier this year, the similarities end once you get past the basic premise. You know whos not mad about the sketch? Jimmy Donaldson, the Riyadh theme park mogul who also goes by MrBeast. I didnt know they were gonna talk about me but the second it aired my phone blew up haha, Donaldson told Dexerto. Thought it was funny. One reason to give SNL the benefit of the doubt: This is at least its fourth Disney Beauty and the Beast parody over the past few years. Kristen Wiig and Gerard Butler did their own version in Season 35, with each character believing the other must be the hideous creature in need of transformation. Advertisement Advertisement In the Willem Dafoe episode three years ago, Pete Davidson and Chloe Fineman played the titular characters, spying on Belles dad via a magic mirror. Advertisement And Abby Elliott was Belle in The Real Housewives of Disney in Season 37. The Magic Kingdom is my playground and I like to play. All of these Beauty and the Beast parodies mean no one at SNL gets originality points for this week's version. As for the Studio C sketch, SNL writers can always claim parallel thinking. But given that both sketches aired during the same week, the coincidence is not a great look for Saturday Night Live. The conservative news media seems to take pleasure reporting on how the political divide in our country splits up families, and theyre not just talking about all the parents and grandparents whom ICE has grabbed while they waited to pick their kids up from school. For reasons known only to President Donald Trump and his FCC Chair Brendan Carr, in 2025, Jimmy Kimmel unintentionally became the poster child for anti-Trump protest on popular television after the federal government attempted to silence his nightly punchlines at the Presidents expense. How Kimmel became the Trump Administrations public enemy number one in the media remains a mystery, but the comedy stars nightly jokes about the hue of Trumps skin and the size of his little rascal have put a target on Kimmel's back, one at which the entire conservative media continues to take shots. Don't Miss As such, when Kimmels wife and Jimmy Kimmel Live! co-head writer Molly McNearney opened up about how her relationships with Trump-voting family members have deteriorated due to political differences during a recent appearance on the We Can Do Hard Things podcast, Fox News jumped at the chance to frame McNearney's comments in a way that makes it look like Kimmel is tearing his family apart with his radical partisanship. In an article titled, Jimmy Kimmel's wife is 'angry all the time' after losing relationships with Trump-voting family members, Fox News lamented the demise of mixed-politics family dynamics, presumably to make Fox readers feel better about the fact that their daughters haven't called them since last November. McNearney, who said she grew up in a Christian family with many conservative relatives who now support Trump, said that, given how Trump has repeatedly targeted Kimmel in his inflammatory rhetoric and in his attempts to punish the media for dissent, this past election cycle felt especially personal. Advertisement It hurts me so much because of the personal relationship I now have, where my husband is out there fighting this man, and to me, them voting for Trump is them not voting for my husband and me and our family, McNearney explained, "And I unfortunately have kind of lost relationships with people in my family because of it." Throughout the episode McNearney lamented how politics had poisoned her family dynamic and admitted that, in an ideal world, she would be still be able to keep those relationships with Trump-voting family members, but, after they rejected her many attempts to bridge the gap and explain her perspective, she has had to spend more time with relatives who share her values and less time with those who don't. Absent from Fox News' coverage of the podcast is Kimmel's response to his wife's story about her inability to reconcile with conservative family members, as the late night host advocated for empathy and understanding towards the Trump-voting aunts, uncles and cousins. Advertisement I just think that they're being fed a constant stream of lies, Kimmel explained of the differences between McNearney and her relatives, And I think that we live in a country where we were programmed to believe the middle-aged white guy on television telling us the news, and, fortunately for us, for most of our lives, we had good people in those positions you know, your Walter Cronkite, your Dan Rather, Ted Koppel, Peter Jennings and Tom Brokaw who you could genuinely trust and who seemed to be educated and honest people. Advertisement And, now, there's this cosplay version of it that we see on Fox News and all these other wannabe Fox News channels that are telling lies for profit, Kimmel continued, They know what pushes people's buttons and it looks like the news, and they call it the news, and it's not the news. It's not fair, it's not balanced, and, when you ingest enough of it, you start to believe it. Advertisement Kimmel concluded, If those outlets didn't exist, we wouldn't have this. Naturally, Fox News ignored all that and trusted their readers to do the same. Instead, Fox hyper-focused on the parts of the conversation in which McNearney expressed the guilt she feels in cutting certain members of her family out of her life, including her wish that politics wouldn't play such a large role in her family relationships even though, as the wife of Trump's least favorite comedian, it's not exactly her choice to just ignore politics in any facet of her life. Advertisement The Fox News editing of the episode frames this familial deterioration as McNearney and Kimmel's doing, a fact that the couple themselves appear to acknowledge absent context. Since the rise of Trump, more and more left-leaning young people are cutting off contact with family members who don't share their values, just as McNearney's relatives don't share hers, and many Fox readers have certainly been on the receiving end of such experiences. However, in most cases, the President isn't personally calling for those young people's partners to lose their job and face jail time for their political views. Advertisement What McNearney and her husband are really mourning here is how entire generations of families have been corrupted by the conservative propaganda machine and either cannot or will not entertain viewpoints that contradict the official party lines of Fox News. And, when issues such as the election of a man who has made it his life's mission to destroy her husband's life are on the ballot, McNearney simply doesn't have the luxury of ignoring her relatives' voting record. Theres simply been too many detrimental shutdowns to have fun with the subject now Fifteen years ago, Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) celebrated the shutdown of the Pawnee government on Parks and Rec. Shrinking the government was a central component of Swansons Libertarian, anti-establishment character. It's not as charming in 2025. Watching the clip of Swansons glee today at the end of the U.S. governments longest-ever (and arguably most useless) shutdown simply isnt as fun as it was in May 2010. Back then, the country was in the middle of Barack Obamas presidency. Political division wasnt like it is now. Parks and Rec embodied that by featuring guest appearances in later seasons by both Republican John McCain and Democrat Joe Biden. For those of you who arent Parks and Rec archivists, the government shutdown drives the plot of Season 2, Episodes 23 and 24 of the show. Its when both Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) and Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe) become key characters. In May 2010, the longest previous government shutdown was between 1995 and 1996 under President Bill Clinton. That 21-day closure seems quaint in comparison to the 35- and 40-day shutdowns the country's experienced under President Donald Trump. Don't Miss Wyatt and Traeger are sent in by the state of Indiana to drastically slash Pawnees spending. The entire government will be shut down until further notice, Wyatt informs Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler). Later, when Wyatt presents the proposed cuts to spending, Swanson wants to take it a step further. With current and projected deficits, we need to cut expenditures by 32%, Wyatt informs a group of government workers. Let's make it an even 40, Swanson eagerly suggests. Advertisement Oh, that's not necessary, Wyatt responds. Slash it. Slash it, Swanson starts chanting. Ron, a lot of people are going to get fired. Do you mind trying not to gloat, another government worker named Florence cuts in. Yes, I do, Florence. I do mind that. I'm very excited about this. I made pennants, Swanson explains, waving around the little flags that say slash and it. Theres no doubt that Swanson is enough of a beloved figure that watching these early episodes back is still enjoyable. But in this dysfunctional era of politicswhere food assistance for 42 million Americans is held hostage over a spending billthe joke doesnt work as well. Millions of federal workers were furloughed, air travel reached dangerous levels of chaos, and the end of the shutdown came with nothing gained for the majority of the country. Advertisement Thats not Parks and Recs fault. When the episode was written, the 13-day shutdown under Obama hadnt even happened yet. There was no way to know that future shutdowns would transform into near exestential catastrophes that make the scenario beyond parody. Canadian actor, writer, comedian and musician Mike Smith is stepping away from his long-running hit sitcom Trailer Park Boys nearly eight years after the incident that led to his current legal troubles. Smith, who has played the fan-favorite character Bubbles on Trailer Park Boys since 2001, was arrested in Los Angeles in 2016 on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic battery, though LAPD did not file any charges against Smith. But earlier today, Smith appeared for a court date in Halifax, Nova Scotia over an alleged sexual assault in Dartmouth, N.S. during 2017. We are aware of the allegation concerning Mike Smith dating back to 2017 and take such matters seriously, Trailer Park Boys Inc. expressed in a statement to the media. We recognize how difficult an allegation of this nature is for all involved. Don't Miss Smith reportedly wrapped filming on Trailer Park Boys Season 13 back in August. At this time, Mike has stepped away from his role at Trailer Park Boys Incorporated and Gary Howsam has assumed managing director responsibilities, Trailer Park Boys Inc. reported. Not only do allegations against Smith date back almost a decade, but among communities in his native Nova Scotia, Smith's reputation is anything but sterling. In a thread about Smith's sexual assault charges from the Halifax subreddit, the top commenter alluded to Smith's alleged bad behavior at the embattled Bubbles' Mansion, a bar he owned and operated in the city until 2010, writing, Everyone has known this since he opened bubbles mansion and catered to underage girls." Advertisement Got banned from there when he grabbed my GFs ass and she slapped him another Halifax resident wrote of Bubbles' Mansion, fuck that guy. I am not surprised in the least, one more user added of Smith's latest legal troubles. The universal sentiment of the Halifax subreddit seems to be that the sexual assault charges against Smith aren't surprising, and not just because the incident leading to the court case occurred so long ago. this has been an open secret for my entire adult life in the HRM, one resident said of Smith's alleged misbehavior. I worked in the restaurant industry in Halifax in the late 90s and there were stories about him then," one user wrote, "We were told to avoid him if we saw him and to never go somewhere alone with him. Advertisement Despite the alegations against Smith, Trailer Park Boys Inc., including Smith's co-stars John Paul Tremblay and Robb Wells, have continued to stand by him, elevating his character's role in the franchise. However, following Smith's arrest in 2016, long-time Trailer Park Boys actress Lucy DeCoutere cut ties with the series, writing of her resignation, "If I find out that somebody is abusive, I cut them out of my life. It's very easy." Advertisement Since then, Tremblay, Wells and Smith released two more seasons of Trailer Park Boys with a third on the way, as well as the Smith-heavy musical comedy film Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties: The Bubbles and the Shitrockers Story which premiered last December. The richest man on the planet is morally and emotionally bankrupt, and one of the world's greatest living writers is making that painfully clear on the mans own platform. Ever since Tesla CEO and far-right power broker Elon Musk bought Twitter in late 2022, the social media platforms most ruthless and iconoclastic users have been in fierce competition with each other to come up with the best burns of the new Twitter don, who happens to be the app's most perennially unfunny poster. Despite his unmatched wealth and political power, Musk remains tragically and terminally online, and as such, Twitter users are convinced that he is constantly attempting to rewrite the sites algorithm to make himself seem more popular and more funny than he actually is, all the while wasting 12 hours a day posting brainrot propaganda and stolen memes. Don't Miss Conversely, lauded writer, scholar and former Princeton University professor Joyce Carol Oates doesnt need to game the system in order to establish her dominance on Twitter. This week, the National Humanities Medal recipient directed her scathing, incisive wit towards Musk and the pseudo-intellectual drivel he constantly posts on Twitter, leaving her fellow Musk-haters mouth-agape as they marvelled at the work of the GOAT: Oates' literary dissection of Musk's very being began when the Tesla CEO attacked Texas state senator Roland Gutierrez, who criticized the recent approval of a $1 trillion pay package for Musk while the far-right political movement that Musk funded and orchestrated seeks to strip food assistance and health care benefits from millions of Texans. Advertisement "You are a taker, not a maker. All youve done your whole life is take from the makers of the world," Musk responded to Gutierrez with Randian rage, shortly before Oates methodically dismantled Musk's intelligence, his morals and his own emotional emptiness. "Everything she says in her post about me can be shown to be demonstrably false with a simple search," Musk meekly clapped-back at Oates, adding of the author, "Oates is a lazy liar and an abuser of semicolons!" Meanwhile, Oates' ruthless and eloquent roasts of Musk have earned her many admirers among the hater community on Twitter. Upon Oates' continued attacks on Musk following his ironically lazy and ill-formed response, one reply reads, "Joyce has achieved the impossible and killed the same man twice." Advertisement jesus christ joyce another Twitter user wrote simply. Many, many more users responded with their favorite reaction gifs from beloved adult animated sitcoms, such as the Stop! Stop! He's already dead! meme from The Simpsons and Professor Farnsworth's famous To shreds, you say? clip from Futurama. Hell, even the official A.I. model of Twitter praised Oates' masterful takedown of its maker when one Twitter user asked Grok for an assessment on the Oates-Musk beef, the bot responded, Joyce Carol Oates didn't just land a punch; she exposed the core insecurity that fuels the entire Elon persona. Advertisement Advertisement The brilliance of her post isn't the insult; it's the mirror, Grok continued, ironically utilizing the semicolons that Musk himself criticized, She held up the reflection of a man who owns the world's largest megaphone yet broadcasts nothing but grievance, memes and self-promotion. No art. No warmth. No curiosity beyond his own brand." Even Musk's own robotic hype-man can't help but praise Oates' unmasking of the Twitter lord. God help whichever A.I. engineer Musk blames for his public embarrassment this time instead of finally gazing in that mirror. North Korea-linked threat actors have found a novel way to weaponize Googles own security ecosystem, using it to wipe espionage data from victim phones remotely. According to findings by Genians Security Center (GSC), the attackers leveraged the Android device-tracing and management service Find Hub to remotely wipe data on Android phones and tablets. While Find Hub is intended to safeguard Android devices, this is the first confirmed case in which a state-sponsored threat actor obtained remote control by compromising Google accounts, then used the service to perform location tracking and remote wipe, GSC researchers said in a blog post. This development demonstrates a realistic risk that the feature can be abused within APT campaigns. Modified: Monday, 10 November 2025 23:00 BST Tim Boyer STORY LINK Pound-to-Euro Forecast: GBP/EUR Steady as Labour Data Looms Save on Your GBP/EUR Transfer Get better rates and lower fees on your next international money transfer. Compare TorFX with top UK banks in seconds and see how much you could save. Compare the Best GBP/EUR Rates GBP/EUR Forecast: Pound Vulnerable to Weaker Jobs Data Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: The Pound to Euro exchange rate (GBP/EUR) moved without clear direction on Monday, with a quiet economic calendar leaving the pairing at the mercy of broader market sentiment.At the time of writing, GBP/EUR was hovering around 1.1390, having traded within a tight band throughout the morning session.The Pound (GBP) traded without clear direction on Monday, with investors reluctant to make bold moves ahead of Tuesdays key UK employment figures. In the absence of new domestic data, Sterlings performance largely mirrored broader market sentiment.A generally upbeat tone across global markets offered some limited support to the increasingly risk-sensitive Pound, as optimism grew over progress in resolving the US government shutdown.However, the lingering impact of last weeks Bank of England (BoE) decision continued to weigh on GBP. The central banks dovish tone has fuelled expectations of another rate cut in December, preventing Sterling from capitalising on the brighter market mood.The Euro (EUR) traded mixed on Monday, with a lack of fresh Eurozone data leaving investors to weigh competing influences in the broader market.Sentiment toward the single currency improved after European carmakers received long-awaited Chinese computer chips, following Beijings decision to ease export restrictions. Factories had been close to potential production shutdowns, so this news lifted confidence in the Eurozones industrial outlook.However, the Euros upside was capped by renewed geopolitical concerns. Drone activity in Belgium over the weekend caused flight delays at Liege airport and sightings near the Doel nuclear power plant. Reports suggesting possible Russian involvement in the incidents unsettled markets, tempering appetite for the Euro.Looking ahead, attention turns to the UKs latest labour market report, which could prove pivotal for the Pound. Any evidence of a cooling jobs market is likely to drag on Sterling sentiment.Economists expect unemployment to have edged higher in the three months to September, rising from 4.8% to 4.9% the highest level in more than four years. Regular pay growth is also projected to slow, easing from 4.7% to 4.6%.If these figures meet forecasts, it would reinforce market expectations that the Bank of England will deliver another rate cut in December, with further monetary easing likely in 2026. Such a shift in outlook could leave the Pound under pressure.Meanwhile, the Euro could find modest support from Germanys latest ZEW economic sentiment index. Analysts predict a small uptick in confidence for November, suggesting improving optimism in the Eurozones largest economy. International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements. TAGS: Pound Euro Forecasts Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. When people ask why I defected to Reform, I will often cite my experience of working with the BBC. Let me explain. When I was appointed to head up the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport in 2021, reform of the BBC was high on my agenda. It was, I believed, an organisation driven by ideologies that were alien to the vast majority of licence fee-paying members of the public. Nor could I get my head around the fact that we criminalise British citizens who refuse to pay the licence fee simply because they want to watch television. Nearly three-quarters of those prosecuted for non-payment are women. Many are single mothers or pensioners. I was appalled, too, by the number of complaints being made against the BBC going all the way back to Princess Dianas Panorama interview with rogue reporter Martin Bashir in 1995. And yet I discovered in the year before my appointment just how few complaints made by viewers and listeners had been upheld. I had first-hand experience of editorial mismanagement, too. Shortly after I became Culture Secretary, the BBC became mired in yet another misreporting scandal relating to an anti-Semitic attack on Jewish students on a private bus travelling along Oxford Street in November 2021. Claims that an anti-Muslim slur initiated the fracas proved to be false, but it took the broadcaster eight weeks to correct the online news report. (Ofcom eventually found the BBC guilty of significant editorial failings.) This was an institutional behemoth crying out for change. But what I discovered was that MPs in both main parties, Labour and Conservative, were more than happy to allow the BBC to continue to be run by a Left-wing, woke, diversity and inclusion-obsessed clique. If our national broadcaster is ever to return to the principles of fair and impartial reporting, it will take a Reform government under Nigel Farage to make it happen, Nadine Dorries writes The BBC is in turmoil after a leaked report found Panorama edited a speech by Donald Trump There was zero appetite to make the BBC more accountable or to hold the Corporations feet to the fire when it came to impartial reporting. One of the reasons why was clear. If you criticise the BBC, expect its big-beast journalists the likes of Nick Robinson to come after you. There is no end to the cowardice, self-delusion and mediocrity of MPs. When it came to challenging the BBCs belief that it is above everyone and everything while spouting fine words to the contrary, those failings were at their most transparent. So radical reform was not an option but what I could do was freeze the licence fee for two years and launch a review to explore the future funding of the BBC before its Royal Charter came up for renewal in 2027. The backlash was ferocious. Backbench Tory MPs applied pressure by piling the complaints into No 10 to try to stop it happening. Some Cabinet colleagues were viscerally opposed, seeing any challenge to how the BBC operated or even any attempt to modernise it as a threat to its very existence. Rishi Sunak was then Chancellor, and I was warned by the Treasury that the licence fee was Treasury policy and that it wasnt my job as Culture Secretary to conduct a review into how the BBC was funded. When I tried to raise this with Sunak, he refused to even discuss it. It made no sense. As a Cabinet member, I was held to account on an almost daily basis. Every word I said, every decision I took was rightly scrutinised. And yet here was the BBC, priding itself on its journalism that held politicians like me to account but obstructing scrutiny of its own decisions and behaviour and accountable to no one. Talk about double standards. Little has changed since except the crises the Beeb faces seem to come faster than ever. Which leads to the question: where do we go from here? The BBC must embrace the digital revolution by becoming a subscription service, while the news division needs to be hived off and pared back to its core function presenting factual news without woke filters. If other media organisations can do it, so should the BBC. Today, when I speak to Nigel Farage about the BBC, he gets it. If our national broadcaster is ever to return to the principles of fair and impartial reporting, it will take a Reform government to make it happen. In the meantime, despite the resignations, expect more of the same. An annoying (and modern) blight on the Cotswolds My Cotswolds village has become something of a tourist magnet in recent years. True, locals dont seem to mind and, as a relatively new incomer, nor do I. Its good for the local economy and vibe of the village. There has been one challenge, however: combine harvesters and tractors are unable to access fields on occasion because of the heavy traffic and parking in the High Street. To solve the problem, the local estate has dug a track around the edge of two fields, which allows farm traffic to bypass the village. So far, so sensible. On Saturday I took the dogs out and walked along the new track, which is still a work in progress. As I ambled along enjoying the glorious autumnal sunshine, I was approached by a 60-something couple walking in the opposite direction. Their dress was what I would describe as modern-day hippy, and they were clearly up from London. They asked me what was going on in the field and I explained. A bit drastic, dont you think? the woman said. Not really, I replied, slightly taken aback by how much the sand track seemed to offend her. Five minutes later, another similarly attired individual stopped me and posed the same question and I repeated the explanation. She, too, seemed less than impressed with this pragmatic response to a local issue. That was when the penny dropped. Id met neither woman before but I knew them: the smug, know-it-all, self-righteous type middle-class or a little posher whom you see at the pro-Gaza demonstrations in London, a beanie on her head and a poster in her hand and Gays for Palestine emblazoned across her T-shirt. Or maybe youll spot them, accompanied by their son Tarquin, throwing a bucket of paint over an Old Master in the name of Extinction Rebellion. Yes, Im guilty of stereotyping but they spoilt an otherwise blissful walk. Tourism in the Cotswolds might be overrated after all. Stony-faced Harry looks like a lost soul A moody Prince Harry arrives at Kris Jenner's 70th birthday party with Meghan in Los Angeles Prince Harrys thunderous expression as he and his wife arrive at Amazon boss Jeff Bezoss $165 million Beverly Hills mansion for a bling-fest Kardashian party says it all. He knows he shouldnt be there. He knows that across the Pond, that same night, his family will have gathered for the most important event in the national calendar: the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance. And here he is, a veteran of Afghanistan, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Kim K & Co and rapper Snoop Dogg. In contrast, the smile on Meghans face tells us who wears the pants in this relationship. I doubt he had any choice. Will we ever get the real Harry back? The one who threw his heart and soul into establishing the Invictus Games for wounded military personnel? One can only hope... Its the day every one of us is dreading the second Reeves Budget on November 26 and we should all be very afraid. Last year she raised 40billion in taxes, borrowed 40 billion and then spent 100 billion more than budgeted for by the previous government. Now, shes coming back for more and theres no suggestion that she will cut public spending. She knows Labour MPs would see her off if she dared and she is out to save her own neck. While she gets to keep her job (for now), others are losing theirs as unemployment rises. A sense of relief washes over me. The shaking in my legs and right arm has stopped. As my medication kicks in, my brain fog begins to lift and my hands move more freely across the keyboard of my computer. Finally I can get on with my work. This is a ritual I go through several times a day as a result of the onset of Parkinsons disease, the neurological condition that causes the nervous system to degenerate. There is no cure, though drugs can ameliorate the worst of the symptoms. Having been diagnosed with it six years ago, I have grown used to the regular interruptions whenever a Parkinsons episode descends. At these moments, there is little I can do except take my pills and wait for the storm to pass. Apart from holding up my work as a writer, other problems add to my frustrations. Getting out of bed at night has become a kind of Olympic sport for me, involving a lot of groans, occasional tears and an array of improvised equipment to provide leverage. I now walk with a slow shuffle, relying on a stick or a stroller to provide balance, while I often alternate between freezing immobility and involuntary swaying, like a drunken sailor caught on deck in a hurricane. Leo McKinstry was diagnosed with Parkinson's six years ago but refuses to stop working Humiliations are common. Earlier this week, I was flying to London from Belfast. Towards the end of the flight I had to go to the toilet, but I was shaking too violently to use it standing up. After sitting down, I then struggled to pull up my trousers. By now the anxiety of the air steward was mounting, as the plane went into its final descent. Switching between urgent entreaties and frantic knocks on the toilet door, he urged me to come out whatever state I was in. So with belt undone and trousers sliding down my thighs, I made the embarrassing trip back to my seat. Many people are surprised that I am still working. But after 30 years as a freelance writer, I have no intention of retiring. My Parkinsons diagnosis in 2019 came as a shock, but since then I have continued as a columnist and have produced two substantial and research-heavy books. Im motivated partly by expediency, in that I simply cannot afford to retire as I have only a small pension. But working also gives my life a sense of purpose, a reason to get out of bed each morning or, in my case, roll out and slide on to the floor before hauling myself up. It is this spirit that makes me despair of modern Britain, where traditional diligence seems to be evaporating. Obsessed by mental illness, our society endlessly encourages new recruits to pore over grievances, wallow in invented victimhood and medicalise normal negative feelings. So a refusal to obey instructions can be classified as oppositional defiant disorder, just as an inability to concentrate is labelled attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This trend suits many vested interests, such as the psychiatric profession, the counselling industry and drugs giants, but it is bad news for our economy and the strength of the workforce. In 1907, the Liberal statesman Lord Rosebery warned in a speech: The state invites us to lean upon it. The strongest man, if encouraged, may soon accustom himself to the methods of an invalid. That is exactly what is happening today as helplessness is celebrated and fragility rewarded. The disastrous consequences were spelled out in a report published last week by a taskforce led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, the former head of John Lewis, who said that destruction of the work ethic by Britains sicknote culture is costing our nation an astonishing 212billion a year in welfare payments, lost production and burdens on the NHS. What particularly concerned Sir Charlie is the fashionable practice of giving employees time off for every kind of emotional difficulty. This approach undermines personal responsibility and removes the ability to cope with new challenges. Setbacks are part of life, he says, wisely, adding that they should not be confused with genuine health conditions. This point was reinforced last week by the release of official figures that show that anxiety, bad nerves and depression are the most common reason for young people to drop out of work or study, just as poor mental health is the prime explanation for the recent surges in both welfare claims and absenteeism in the public sector. These problems may have dramatically worsened but excessive sick leave on the state payroll has long been endemic in Britain. Im reminded of the former Greater London Council leader, Sir Horace Cutler, who was asked how many people worked for his authority. About half of them, he quipped. I experienced this culture in my first job after graduating from university in 1985. It was an administrative position with Northern Ireland Housing Executive, and I was amazed at the number of colleagues who regarded 20 days sick leave as part of their annual entitlement. Keen to work in the media, I then took a job with a broadcast monitoring service in London, in which the fiercely competitive atmosphere meant that any form of absence was barely tolerated. I responded in kind, and continued my allergy to taking sick days over the eight years I worked as an aide to Labour politicians including Harriet Harman. But as a Labour councillor in charge of personnel as human resources used to be known in Islington, north London, I saw the worst kinds of institutionalised idleness in the poorly managed, ultra-unionised workforce. On any given day, a quarter of the staff in childrens centres were off sick, while one housing estate caretaker, granted long-term leave on medical grounds, turned out to be a mercenary fighting in the Kosovo civil war. Cases such as that fed my overriding quest to reduce absenteeism, so much so that a furious union shop steward picked up a glass and told me: If you say one more time that we need to change the culture, Im going to smash this in your face. The threat was never carried out. Disillusioned with politics and locally unpopular, I lost my Islington council seat in 1994, paving the way for a career as a writer. As such, I am paid, not by the hours I put in, but by the books or articles I complete. Even so, my work ethic compels me to meet deadlines and accept as many commissions as I can. I have delivered copy from motorway services, hotels, hospital corridors and airport departure lounges. I even wrote a lengthy column on the day before my fathers funeral in 2012. I have had to slow down because of Parkinsons but I will not quit yet. I am lucky not only to have work that I find fulfilling, but also a wonderfully supportive wife, who challenges me if I ever start to slide into gloom about my future. We both know that work is a bulwark against, not a threat to, mental health. Moreover, I try to take inspiration from formidable figures of the past who were never daunted by the severe obstacles they faced, such as the RAF pilot Douglas Bader who flew minus his legs, and the titanic US President Franklin Roosevelt, paralysed by polio. The contrast with todays narcissistic neurotics, eagerly displaying their badges of vulnerability, could not be greater. A mutant flu strain causing a surge of early cases in the UK may be triggering more people to vomit bile, reports suggest. Experts believe the H3N2 strain may be more severe than usual because genetic mutations have made it 'hotter' and 'nastier', leaving people more vulnerable to infections. Research has suggested H3N2 can already cause worse body aches, longer-lasting tiredness and flu symptoms to come on more suddenly. But patients have now repeatedly anecdotally reported that vomiting up 'yellow bile' for days was a key recent symptom of their flu infection. Leading virologists fear this could be due to the flu strain impacting appetite more than normal, putting people off eating. This means they are then vomiting on an empty stomach because the body has nothing else to expel. Health officials have also urged those with coughs, sore throats or a runny nose to limit contact with vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women and those with underlying conditions over fears they could become seriously unwell with the virus. Dr Simon Clarke, an infectious disease expert at the University of Reading, told the Daily Mail: 'Vomiting bile happens because someone is vomiting on an empty stomach. Patients have now repeatedly anecdotally reported that vomiting up 'yellow bile' for days was a key recent symptom of their flu infection Your browser does not support iframes. 'It's important to track if this flu is putting people off eating more than it normally does and if it is having a significant impact on appetite.' Professor Paul Hunter, a renowned infectious diseases expert from the University of East Anglia, also told the Daily Mail that vomiting yellow bile occurs after vomiting on an empty stomach 'because of inflammation of the stomach lining'. 'It is often mistakenly called "stomach flu" but you can get it as part of the flu.' But vomiting yellow bile is also a key symptom of gastrointestinal viruses including norovirus or rotavirus, Professor Hunter added both of which are circulating at lower levels currently, in line with the time of year. Other key symptoms of the flu can include muscle aches, a high temperature, muscle weakness, exhaustion and a dry cough. Symptoms can often come on fairly suddenly and require bed rest. Professor Stephen Griffin, an expert in virology at the University of Leeds, told the Daily Mail that for people suffering from vomiting yellow bile, 'it's key they do their best to stay hydrated'. He added: 'Drink lots of water, even if its coming back up as you will absorb some.' Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. It comes as health chiefs sounded the alarm last week over the early surge in flu cases in the UK. Experts believe this may be because the flu strain H3N2 mutated seven times over the summer. Latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows that of influenza viruses subtyped, the majority were H3N2. The rate of hospital admissions for flu in England stood at 3.8 per 100,000 people last week, up from 2.4 the previous week. It is a level of admissions usually not reached until the start of December, the UKHSA said. Flu rates also remain over three times higher than normal for this time of year, with the highest rates seen in children and young people. Since September, health officials have urged the millions eligible to come forward for their Covid and flu jabs, to reduce their risk of becoming severely unwell and needing hospital care. Among those invited for top-up doses are the over-65s, care home residents, frontline health and social care workers and pregnant women. As per protocol, the decision on the design of the vaccine in the UK was made back in February to ensure there was enough time to produce the millions of flu jab doses necessary. But given the mutant variant did not appear until June, the vaccine is not expected to offer full protection against the strain. Experts have cautioned, however, that the vaccine is still vital because it can lessen severe symptoms. Sloshing around in wine didn't strike me as a typical spa treatment. But several years ago I'd heard about the concept of 'vinotherapy' while traveling in Argentina after a friend showed me a photo of himself submerged in a vat of red water, which was actually leftovers from red wine making. After doing a bit of research, I found several luxury hotels and spas promoting the health benefits of vinotherapy, which typically involve immersing the body in baths infused with red grape skins, seeds, and extracts - the byproducts of wine production - but no alcohol. These are rich in polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that have been widely studied for their potential health-promoting properties. When the skin is exposed to them topically, as in vinotherapy, the idea is that the polyphenols may protect the skin from free radical damage caused by pollution and UV exposure, help maintain collagen and elasticity, and improve skin texture and hydration through mild exfoliation and antioxidant effects. Eager to test out the treatment for myself, I could only find a few places in the US offering wine-inspired spa treatments, and luckily, one of the spots wasn't far from me in New York City. The subterranean Greek- and Roman-inspired Aire Ancient Baths in TriBeCa offers vinotherapy as one of its most exclusive treatments. Beloved by a roster of A-listers including Hailey and Justin Bieber for its tucked away and private setting, this salubrious spa chain prices its 'Signature Wine Experience' at $700 per person. Daily Mail's Sadie Whitelocks tried out a vinotherapy treatment at the Aire Ancient Baths in New York to test out the healing properties of red wine grapes Your browser does not support iframes. After recruiting a friend, who is an avid wino, I booked in for the treatment and was told it would take roughly two hours. Online, Aire Ancient Baths details the package as a 180-minute long experience that includes a 15-minute exfoliation with a grapeseed scrub, a 60-minute massage using more grapeseed in the form of an oil, followed by a 45-minute 'red wine soak'. The details around the 'private red wine soak' were a little vague, however, and I was unsure what it would consist of. Would I come out smelling for days like 'au de Malbec'? Would my bikini be forever stained a shade of Shiraz? Would I feel drunk after letting wine soak into my exfoliated pours for close to an hour? Venturing into the unknown, we checked in for our treatment one Tuesday evening. It all felt slightly ritualistic, like I was about to be offered as a sacrifice to the gods, as we were led through the myriad of corridors by the glimmer of candlelight with ancient chants cutting through the silence. First up was the exfoliation stage, which consisted of us being vigorously scrubbed down with grapeseed and mildly jet washed on a marble slab. Then, after donning our Cabernet-hued robes, our two therapists led us to another cellar-esque room for a massage to further infuse grapeseed into our bodies. Grapeseed, particularly in the form of grapeseed extract or oil, is rich in antioxidants called oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), which has been proven to offer numerous potential health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, enhanced skin elasticity, and protection against oxidative damage. The grapeseed certainly felt less oily than a traditional massage oil and it had a pleasant natural scent, transporting me from the confines of a New York basement in fall to the wilds of the French countryside in the haze of summer. Feeling pleasantly pummeled and ready for marinating, we were then invited to experience the piece de resistance: the wine bath. The subterranean Greek- and Roman-inspired Aire Ancient Baths in TriBeCa offers vinotherapy as one of its most exclusive treatments. The spa is beloved by a roster of A-listers including Hailey and Justin Bieber The subterranean Greek and Roman-inspired Aire Ancient Baths in TriBeCa, which some may recognize as a filming for the movie John Wick, offers vinotherapy as one of its most exclusive treatments Unlike other spa settings where green juices and detox waters are traditionally thrust upon you, we were presented with two half bottles of Spanish Tempranillo wine (a juicy 2019 Bodega Matarromera Ribera del Duero Reserva), along with a plate of cheeses and chocolates. My friend and I were invited to step into the heart-shaped tub, which was half filled with wine and then hot water to create a diluted concoction. While the bath was filling, we were given a head massage and then were left to enjoy the fruits of our non-labor. The first thing I noticed was that there was no smell of alcohol; it felt more like warm grape juice from the grocery store than mulled wine. A staff member confirmed the 'wine' used in the Aire Ancient Baths' treatment consists of 'a special formula enriched with grape extract and active ingredients that help hydrate and revitalize the skin.' My friend had joked about scooping up the bath liquid to refill our chalices, but sans alcohol, it was less appealing. Following the treatment, Sadie said her skin did feel 'exceedingly soft' but for the same price, she could have flown to Spain for a glass of wine After almost an hour in the non-alcoholic grape vat and feeling slightly prunish and a little tipsy from the Tempranillo, we extricated ourselves. Following the treatment, my skin did feel exceedingly soft and I felt very well rested. But I couldn't help but think that for $1,400 (the cost of the treatment for two people) we could have flown to Spain for several bottles of wine to sip on rather than sit in. However, the wine bath will go down as one of the most unusual and romantic spa treatments I have ever had - even with a platonic friend - and certainly one I would recommend for those with cash to splash. Dr Castel Santana, a board-certified family medicine doctor and medical director at 10X Health System, told the Daily Mail that he is a proponent of vinotherapy as it is a natural therapy. He added: 'There is plausible benefit to incorporating grape derivatives (or the fruit itself) into skin-care routines or treatments.' Meanwhile, Dr Raj Dasgupta, internal medicine physician and Chief Medical Advisor for Sleepopolis, told this website that while wine baths 'are likely to provide many short-term benefits such as smoother, brighter skin and stress relief, it's best not to expect major anti-aging results.' He concluded: 'There isnt much real evidence that wine-based spa treatments make a big difference. The ingredients dont soak deep into the skin. 'But it's fine to try for fun!' A man in Canada has issued an urgent warning after contracting a deadly mosquito-borne illness while doing yard work. Rene van den Berg of Ontario was working in his backyard in September when he suspects he was bitten by a mosquito. By September 20, van den Berg had developed headaches, which eventually became so debilitating that he rushed to the hospital. A battery of tests, including a CT scan and lumbar puncture, finally revealed viral meningitis, which causes inflammation around the meninges, the protective lining covering the brain and spinal cord. While most cases involve mild symptoms like fever and headaches and resolve on their own, rare instances can cause vision and hearing loss, along with memory and balance issues. Doctors found that van den Berg's meningitis was caused by West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne illness that usually causes no symptoms. But in one in five patients, the disease can lead to fever, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, joint pain and pain behind the eyes. And in one percent of cases, like van den Berg's, the virus penetrates the blood-brain barrier and travels to the meninges, causing meningitis and potential paralysis. Van den Berg noted he was surprised to have been bitten so late in the year. The above map shows cases of West Nile Virus detected in the US by state Your browser does not support iframes. He told CTV News: 'I thought mosquitoes would die off at the end of August, when temperatures get colder at night.' Van den Berg's illness came on as mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile surge in the US and Canada even as summer has waned and fall sets in, which experts believe could be due to rising temperatures. West Nile is the leading mosquito-borne illness in the US, caused by a bite from Culex mosquitoes. It's most common in Great Plains states like North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Colorado, though cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth also record high levels due to large populations. Many of these states have also extended mosquito season due to the increases in mosquito prevalence later in the year. The latest CDC data shows cases are up 40 percent compared to this time last year, with about 3,500 infections recorded so far this year. It typically causes around 2,200 severe cases and 180 deaths annually. West Nile is fatal in about one out of 10 people who go on to develop nervous system infections, or about one in 1,500 people with West Nile. Older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and those with certain chronic conditions face the highest risk of severe illness due to West Nile. Even survivors of severe West Nile illness may experience long-lasting complications, including memory problems, chronic fatigue, muscle tremors, or permanent neurological damage. Lisa Montez (pictured here) contracted West Nile virus in July 2022 and, unlike roughly 80 percent of cases, felt sick almost immediately. She is part of a small group who experience symptoms like migraines, fatigue, fever and rash Fabio Caruso, 40, better known as The Sicilian Slammer in the ring, contracted West Nile Virus, which left him paralyzed from the neck down West Nile virus can be prevented primarily by avoiding mosquito bites. CDC officials recommend using insect repellents that contain the ingredient DEET, wearing long sleeves and pants outside and staying inside between dusk and dawn during the summer. Van den Berg ended up spending 11 days in the hospital recovering from West Nile and meningitis and is now finishing his recovery at home. He is now warning others to not to underestimate their risk, even when most cases are mild. 'Wear mosquito repellent, long sleeves if there's mosquitos around. Just try to prevent a bite,' he said. 'One percent is not as little as you think it is.' It was the kind of message doctors go into medicine to receive: Thank you, it read, for saving my life. Its author was Kelly Owens, then 29. From the age of 13, Kelly had lived with the crippling symptoms of two autoimmune conditions: Crohns disease an incurable condition that causes severe inflammation in the bowel, leading to pain, fatigue and diarrhoea as well as inflammatory arthritis. Kelly had been hospitalised more than once and spent years on potent steroids in an attempt to control the inflammation that drove her symptoms. Eventually, after more than 15 years of taking these drugs, their side-effects caught up with her and, in her late-20s, she was diagnosed with osteoporosis (a common effect of the steroid prednisone, as it affects the bodys absorption of calcium and increases the rate that bone breaks down). The medics who were treating her, though, were out of answers. Prednisone, they said, was all they could offer her. Kelly had to give up her career as a teacher as her symptoms worsened, with her legs becoming so swollen she couldnt walk far her husband became accustomed to carrying her on his back if they ventured out and she took a turn. The doctor who turned her life around the recipient of that heartfelt email sent in 2017 was neurosurgeon Dr Kevin Tracey, a world expert in the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in our body. Running between the base of the brain down to the lower torso, it carries signals between the brain and every major organ, including the heart, lungs and the digestive system, helping to regulate important bodily processes including our heart and breathing rates. Within weeks of having the device fitted beneath her collarbone as part of her treatment, Kelly Owens was walking without a cane for the first time since she was a teenager The vagus nerve has become known as the super highway of the nervous system Thanks to its length and reach, the vagus nerve has become known as the super highway of the nervous system. But as Dr Tracey told Good Health, its workings are much more mysterious and beautiful than traffic theyre more like the strings, reeds, percussion and soundboards of an orchestra, the 200,000 or so nerve fibres of your vagus vibrate in tune with health. It was Dr Tracey who, in a landmark discovery in the early 1990s, showed that the immune system and brain are linked through our vagus nerve, and that by stimulating the nerve it is possible to treat inflammation. He now believes that this technique could also replace weight-loss jabs such as Mounjaro but more on that later. In autoimmune illnesses, such as Crohns, the immune system can overreact to threats, producing too much of a molecule called a cytokine. Put simply, while cytokines are a vital part of our immune response, an excess can tip the body into an inflammatory state and some make people ill. Dr Tracey was researching this cytokine response in 1992, in his newly set up lab at the Feinstein Institutes in New York. He and his colleagues were studying an artificial anti-inflammatory molecule theyd developed, CNI-1493. Clinical trials had shown that CNI-1493 injections had positive effects on patients with inflammatory bowel disease, reducing inflammation and tissue damage. But Dr Tracey and his team then discovered unexpectedly in studies on rodents, that administering CNI-1493 in the brain also reduced inflammatory cytokines throughout the body. This was despite the fact that the dose administered in the brain was too low to enter the bloodstream. Dr Kevin Tracey is a vagus nerve expert So how was this happening? On a hunch, Dr Tracey repeated the process, but severed the vagus nerve of the mouse they were experimenting on. And this time, despite administering CNI-1493 into the brain, there was no reduction of inflammation in the body. The conclusion was a radical one: the vagus nerve regulates the immune system through an anti-inflammatory healing reflex, as Dr Tracey writes in his book, The Great Nerve: The New Science Of The Vagus Nerve. This in turn meant that it should be possible to regulate inflammation with devices that stimulate the vagus nerve in patients. This was a groundbreaking thought at the time, for while nerve stimulation devices have been used since the 1980s to prevent seizures in people with severe epilepsy (by dampening down irregular electrical activity in the brain), this was the first time it had been suggested for inflammatory diseases. Dr Tracey then set up a company, Setpoint Medical, to develop a device to stimulate the vagus nerve using electrical impulses to treat inflammation. Kelly, who lives in New Jersey in the US, came across Dr Traceys work online and contacted him following a flare-up of her Crohns in 2015 that left her so malnourished and emaciated she had to be admitted to hospital for 12 days, receiving fluids, nutrients, steroids and morphine via a drip. Shed seen a video of Dr Tracey discussing his research on the vagus nerve and how it could be used to treat people with autoimmune conditions and, in 2017, she joined a clinical trial his research company was running. A small device about the size of a muffin was implanted in the chest wall beneath her collarbone, with a lead threaded up her neck and attached to the vagus nerve: it was programmed to be activated two or three times a day for several minutes only to dial down the inflammation. (Essentially it inhibits inflammation in the spleen with the effect then spreading throughout the body, including the joints, Dr Tracey explains.) Within weeks, Kelly was walking without a cane for the first time since she was a teenager. Eight weeks later, her gastrointestinal symptoms had vanished. A few months later, she was steroid-free. Kelly still has the device and is doing extraordinarily well, both personally and professionally, Dr Tracey says, describing Kellys hobby of building custom guitars an astonishing achievement for someone who previously suffered crippling pain in her hands, fingers, elbows, jaw, shoulders, back, hips, knees, toes and ankles. And he is emphatic: Kellys remarkable clinical improvements are due to vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and underscore the promise of bioelectronic medicine. Its a promise thats been recently recognised by the US medical regulator, the FDA, which approved the Setpoint implant for people whose rheumatoid arthritis is not being controlled well enough by medication. This followed a landmark trial that showed significantly more patients given the implant experienced improved symptoms compared with a control group. In fact, it could be said that the vagus nerve is having something of a moment, as millions of social media hashtags proclaiming its importance testify. Meditation, Wim Hof-style ice baths and deep breathing to achieve a sense of calm are all based on vagus nerve stimulation. However, less well known, perhaps, is research such as Dr Traceys which has identified a link between vagus nerve stimulation and easing digestive conditions such as Crohns and IBS. And he now believes VNS, rather than GLP-1 injections, is the future for weight loss. As he told Good Health: GLP-1 injectable drugs such as Mounjaro and Ozempic have changed the field of medical weight loss, but [the] underlying mechanism actually relies on neural signalling through the vagus nerve. So how does this work? Each fibre of the vagus nerve plays a part in co-ordinating our bodily processes, including digestion and the absorption of nutrients in this case, via receptors in the stomach and intestines. The vagus also helps the liver regulate blood sugar levels, courtesy of the portion of the nerve that connects to it. At the same time, another part of the nerve linked to the pancreas regulates the release of insulin. These all contribute to our body maintaining a healthy weight and blood sugar levels. Dr Tracey explains that while research is ongoing, the evidence already points to GLP-1 injections ability to curb appetite and decrease blood glucose depends on activating vagus nerve circuits that tell the brain and liver to regulate metabolism. He points to a key trial involving patients whod undergone surgery where the vagus nerve is cut to reduce the production of stomach acid (used to treat people with stomach ulcers, for instance). When they were then given GLP-1s, the drugs had no effect on their food intake, unlike a control group of patients whod also been given the drugs but not had the surgery. Similarly, while GLP-1s work by slowing down stomach emptying (which helps people feel full sooner), the surgery group did not experience this, unlike the control group. I expect in future some patients will swap their injections for bioelectronic devices, says Dr Tracey. The great advantage of such devices, he says, is that they are almost entirely free of side-effects, unlike GLP-1 injections which can cause digestive problems such as constipation, nausea, diarrhoea and, in extreme cases, pancreatitis. When you take a drug it goes everywhere, hence side-effects, adds Dr Tracey. Nerve fibres, however, are specific and go in one direction to a specific place for a specific function. So it should be possible to selectively stimulate the vagus nerve fibres someday, to have the benefits without the side-effects. Where GLP-1s require life- long administration and have been linked to muscle loss and unpleasant symptoms, activating the vagus nerve may address obesity without those adverse effects. (The risk of overstimulating the nerve is minimal, says Dr Tracey, who points out that such treatment has been effectively used for epilepsy for many years. Potential side-effects include changes in the patients voice during the active stimulation and twitching of the lip or neck muscles.) My clinical vision is for devices to supplant GLP-1 injections altogether, he says. Realistically, such vagus nerve activating devices for obesity and weight management could be widely available within the next five to ten years, given current progress and investment in bioelectronic medicine. Indeed, in terms of targeting the vagus nerve to harness these effects, it may not require an implantable device at all. In 2021, Dr Tracey published a study in the journal Scientific Reports which, excitingly, showed VNS could potentially help tackle obesity but instead of a pacemaker-style device like Kelly had, in their experiments on mice they used focused ultrasound. This is a type of ultrasound directed into the body in a concentrated manner towards a precise target in this case, where the vagus nerve meets the liver. After experimenting on 100 mice for 16 weeks, their study showed that focused ultrasound not only caused significant weight loss and reduced inflammatory cytokines, but also tackled belly fat. (Little wonder that this paper is among the top 2 per cent of scientific papers read or cited by other researchers.) Dr Tracey explains that the focused ultrasound appears to activate vagus nerve fibres in the liver that convey satiety signals to the brain. Enhancing these signals induces a feeling of fullness more quickly. Dr Ahmed Albusoda, a consultant gastroenterologist at Royal London and Whipps Cross Hospital, also has high hopes for the use of VNS in treating gut conditions. A review of studies, which he published in the Journal of Anatomy in 2020, found that VNS can reduce pain, including in the gut. His team also ran experiments showing that stimulating the vagus nerve could potentially ease IBS pain. He sees VNS as potentially being like physiotherapy for the nervous system. He, though, is cautious about the benefits for weight loss: The vagus nerve does play a role in satiety the sense of fullness after eating and early research suggests that stimulating certain branches of it can influence gut hormones, he says. But at the moment, VNS isnt remotely as powerful or predictable as GLP-1s. And while theres research into stimulating parts of the bowel to trigger the bodys own GLP-1 release, sometimes using electrical impulse, this remains experimental. That said, it appears that VNS is potentially a very powerful tool. So why isnt it being widely used? Part of this is down to the fact that the research into it is ongoing Dr Tracey says that an avalanche of promising new data is barrelling down the mountain and approval from regulatory bodies such as the FDA will not happen without further proof. There is also the fact that there is little profit motive for drug companies to push this new technology, he adds. Dr Albusoda sees further challenges, including the dose. How strong the pulse should be, how long it should last and where exactly to apply it, he says. Until studies become standardised, comparisons are difficult. And it is imperative we map the vagus nerve fibres, establishing which parts affect each part of the body, adds Dr Tracey. Dr Albusoda says that, despite the hurdles and significant research still to conclude, the evidence is building that the vagus nerve influences pain, inflammation and digestion. He believes that even now: Id like more clinicians to consider vagal function when treating conditions such as IBS, anxiety-related gut symptoms and chronic pain rather than seeing these problems as purely in the head or in the gut, he says. But with artificial intelligence helping to fine-tune stimulation patterns, I expect the next decade to bring personalised electroceuticals gentle, data-guided electrical therapies that could sit alongside medicines rather than replace them. The future of medicine, then, could lie not in treating symptoms with drugs, but tackling a cause that potentially lies with our vagus nerve. DIY vagus nerve stimulation How do you know if your vagus nerve is happy? One key sign, says neurosurgeon Dr Kevin Tracey, is a healthy heart rate, which you can check by checking your pulse (healthy is 60-100 beats per minute). This is known as having high vagal tone. Signs of low vagal tone include being stressed or anxious; you could also have digestive issues such as acid reflux, or raised blood pressure, fatigue and brain fog. Another way to assess vagal tone is by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) this is the variation in time between individual beats. This can be done in a hospital setting with an ECG machine, or with a smartwatch or similar (however, experts note that the accuracy of a watch depends on the fit to your wrist). The higher your HRV, the happier your vagus nerve, and generally the healthier you are, it seems. Dr Tracey is evangelical about the impact of exercise on the vagus nerve, suggesting it may help by increasing the vagus nerve signals that activate brain regions associated with enhanced positive emotions and suppressing depression-causing inflammation. He also says that cold-water exposure, meditation and deep breathing all contribute to a healthy vagus nerve, possibly by their impact on the diaphragm, which affects the nerve. At five years old, Idrees Qasim's tummy was so swollen he struggled to walk. When he wasn't in his pram, he wanted his mum and dad to carry him. Tiny for his age, shy and physically cautious, Idrees was teased at school and couldn't keep up physically with his sister, Eliza, seven, at home in Oxford. Always a 'daddy's boy', Idrees had walked and talked late and although he didn't seem in pain had an abnormally round belly, explains his father, Qasim, 43, a hotel receptionist. Concerned, Qasim took Idrees to the GP when he was two and again, when his tummy was still swollen, aged three. It wasn't until he was four that the GP agreed there was a cause for concern and referred him for a scan. This showed his liver was three or four times the size it should have been. After blood tests and more scans which showed his lungs were also affected in March last year Idrees was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick type B (NPB), an ultra-rare metabolic disorder, and was referred to a specialist team at Great Street Hospital (GOSH) in London. NPB, which affects just 40 people in the UK and Ireland, causes a toxic, fatty substance to build up in the lungs, liver and spleen because the body lacks a vital enzyme sphingomyelinase to break it down. This makes breathing difficult, and causes the liver and spleen to expand. Idrees with his parents, Qasim and Sadia. He was diagnosed last year with a genetic disorder Niemann-Pick type B, a metabolic disorder, affects just 40 people across the UK and Ireland John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford had never encountered a patient with NPB, says Qasim John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford had never encountered another patient with Niemann-Pick disease, says Qasim, who went home and googled it. 'I'll never forget reading the words 'no effective treatment' and 'life expectancy late childhood to early teens'. We were absolutely heartbroken.' Niemann-Pick is one of 50 rare, inherited diseases, called lysosomal storage disorders, where a faulty enzyme causes a build-up of waste products in cells. T he only option for many patients until very recently was palliative management of ever-worsening, painful symptoms caused by the enlargement of the liver and spleen. In the most serious form of Niemann-Pick, type A, fatty substance also builds up in the brain patients die in infancy from respiratory failure and progressive neurological damage. Those with Niemann-Pick type B do not generally survive their teens. However, a little over a year since his diagnosis, Idrees is able to copy sister Eliza doing roly-polys across the living room floor thanks to a transformative new drug, olipudase alfa. Developed by pharmaceutical company Sanofi and sold under the brand name Xenpozyme, it's a manmade version of the faulty enzyme that reduces the size of the spleen and liver and improves lung function. Given as fortnightly infusions, it has been shown to increase life expectancy of people with NPB by around 30 years. Treatment is lifelong. 'When we saw the specialist at GOSH, they told us Xenpozyme is a game-changer,' says Qasim. 'It was like being thrown a lifeline when we'd had no hope at all.' But there is a cruel catch. While children in more than 50 other countries including two in Scotland are being treated with Xenpozyme, a month after Idrees was diagnosed, in April 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) turned it down on cost grounds. This means that Idrees and 35 other patients with Niemann-Pick disease in England, Wales and Northern Ireland cannot get it on the NHS. So Idrees who travels to GOSH with Qasim every two weeks for a three-hour infusion is being given the drug by Sanofi on compassionate grounds. While Sanofi told Good Health that it 'will not change existing supply arrangements for patients currently on treatment as a result of the NICE decision', for Idrees's parents, Qasim and Sadia, 36, a retail assistant, it feels like being in limbo. 'Every time I look at Idrees playing happily with his cars my heart breaks because of the uncertainty,' says Qasim. 'As long as he gets the medicine he is living a normal life but we are on eggshells. At any moment it could be stopped and we'll have to watch him become more and more unwell.' The family, who live with Qasim's mum Nasreen, 60, an accountant, have considered moving to Scotland to get treatment for Idrees. 'We'd go anywhere in the world to get the treatment our boy needs,' says Nasreen. 'But at the moment it is not clear if it will continue to be funded in Scotland either it will be reviewed next year. So we are stuck. Trying to live every day with hope, while not knowing what the future holds.' Around 3.5million people approximately one in 17 are affected by rare diseases in the UK, as many as cancer. Yet for 95 per cent of patients, no treatment is available. This is because the high costs of development and small patient numbers can make drug companies reluctant to 'adopt' rare diseases. To combat this, legislation introduced in 2013 for rare diseases, known as orphan-drug funding, incentivises companies with government subsidies and tax breaks. Even so, orphan medicines such as Xenpozyme (which took three decades to develop) are far less likely to be approved by NICE for NHS use on the cost grounds. NICE must decide whether a drug's effectiveness warrants its price. The benefits are measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), reflecting the number of extra years of life the drug offers alongside improvements in quality of that life. If a new medicine costs less than 20,000 per QALY gained, NICE generally considers it cost-effective. For 'ultra orphan' drugs such as Xenpozyme, treating rare diseases (affecting less than one in 50,000 people), the threshold is higher, from 50,000 to 300,000 per QALY. Discussions between NICE and Sanofi broke down over agreeing a price for Xenpozyme below this 300,000 threshold. 'The company and NHS England entered into two rounds of commercial discussions but could not reach an agreement on a price that would make olipudase alfa cost-effective,' a NICE spokesman told Good Health. A Sanofi spokesperson said: 'Sanofi proposed a host of solutions to support access to olipudase alfa. Despite these efforts, we regret that no solution could be found within the constraints of the existing framework, which we believe to be rigid and inflexible.' The Scottish Medicines Consortium approved Xenpozyme in 2023, under an 'ultra-orphan drug' pathway which allows early access to a therapy over three years while more data on effectiveness is gathered. Idrees's story isn't about just one little boy, it has implications for everyone. In August, talks between the Health Secretary Wes Streeting and pharmaceutical firms broke down after months of negotiations. While Wes Streeting insists he will not allow drug companies to 'rip off' the taxpayer with inflated drug prices, pharma giants including Novartis and AstraZeneca argued that the 'declining competitiveness of the UK market' means patients may miss out on access to groundbreaking drugs available in other countries. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care told Good Health: 'We recognise how upsetting the outcome of the independent NICE evaluation of Xenpozyme has been to those affected and it is disappointing that Sanofi was not able to make a more reasonable offer. 'NICE has recommended many medicines for the treatment of rare diseases, where companies are able to price them fairly and in a way that reflects their clinical benefits.' Y et data from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry shows that more than 60 drugs which are available in Europe have not been made available in the UK over the past five years. In August, Gilead Sciences decided not to submit Trodelvy for NICE assessment for HR-positive HER2-negative breast cancer. It said the UK demanded such a low price it couldn't make a reasonable profit. While the disagreements rumble on, it is patients such as Idrees who pay the highest price. There is no alternative treatment for Niemann-Pick disease, only management of symptoms. Alex Broomfield, a consultant in paediatric inherited metabolic diseases at GOSH, says: 'The symptoms become increasingly debilitating with age and treatment is focused on managing them.' Toni Mathieson, CEO of Niemann-Pick UK (NPUK) and the mother of three children who all died in infancy from Niemann-Pick type A describes NICE's decision as 'devastating'. After the deaths of her children Hannah and Samuel in 2004, followed by Lucy in 2007 she has campaigned tirelessly for others to receive Xenpozyme. 'Their [NICE's] assessments fail to acknowledge the higher costs of developing drugs for very small patient populations, or to account for the wider realities of living with rare diseases or caring for those who do,' she says. 'As a result, patients are left waiting years longer than those in countries such as Germany, France and the US to access therapies already shown to deliver clear clinical benefit.' NICE says Xenpozyme costs 3,612 per 20mg vial, excluding VAT, with a recommended dose of 3mg per kilogram of body weight; for Idrees, who weighs 17kg, treatment would cost approximately 282,000 annually. 'The estimated cost to the NHS of providing Xenpozyme to all 40 children per year would be 20million, just a fraction of its annual budget,' says Toni Mathieson. Whether the NHS should spend more on life-prolonging drugs for a tiny minority, or focus spending on improving health services for all remains contentious, but the lifetime cost of caring for sick and dying children must also be considered. 'It would be a transformative therapy for people with this rare disease,' adds Toni Mathieson. 'What cost do you place on a life?' On the day Idrees was diagnosed, Nasreen remembers her son bursting into tears. 'There seemed no hope,' she says. Two months into treatment, Idrees's body shape changed completely. 'You don't want to use the word 'miraculous' lightly, but that's what it felt like,' says Nasreen. 'His liver and spleen reduced to near-normal, his big tummy disappeared and he was running about, playing with his sister and enjoying school for the first time.' For now, Idrees will continue to receive Xenpozyme: another child will not be as lucky. 'We are so grateful for everything we've been given, but this isn't just about Idrees,' says Nasreen. 'It's unbearable to think that others with this disease will suffer and die unnecessarily.' npuk.org Biohacker Bryan Johnson has caused a stir after documenting what it was like taking magic mushrooms live on social media. The 48-year-old, who claims to be more than a decade younger biologically than his actual age, has long been an advocate of psychedelics for their mind-altering effects. For his latest longevity stunt, Johnson decided to take 4.67 grams of dried magic mushrooms containing 24.9 mg of psilocybin, with his resulting 'trip' documented via his various social media platforms. Photos posted online show him in various stages of his hallucinogenic journey. In the early stage, he is seen laying on the floor with an eye mask on, under a blanket in an apparent state of contentment, but then after getting up to go to the bathroom, an accompanying caption explains that he spent 10 minutes staring at a glass of water, asking his colleagues 'what does it mean?' After the magic mushrooms started wearing off, another series of photos show Johnson in a state of euphoria as he digs into a bowl of salad and declares it the 'best salad' he's ever had. Johnson's business partner, Kate Tolo, wrote on his X account that he 'intentionally selected a mushroom for his first bite and then he thanked it', as he was still high from the psychedelic fungi. After the effect of the magic mushrooms had fully worn off, Johnson said the drugs made him 'feel like a kid [again], finding and exploring a new playground' as all of his senses were heightened. Biohacker Bryan Johnson has caused a stir after documenting what it was like taking magic mushrooms live on social media Your browser does not support iframes. He added: 'First, the experience was exhilarating. Positive in every way. 'My sensory perception was dialed up to levels I must have felt as a kid but have been dulled with time. I experienced sense of touch with awe. 'It felt like mushrooms restored my perception to youthful levels, returning them to factory settings and dissolving my aged numbness. 'Once my senses were reset, my attention sifted from the texture of existence to existence itself.' Many viewers deemed the content 'amazing' and 'entertaining', while some said it was the happiest they have ever seen Johnson look. Others, however, slammed Johnson for promoting psychedelics, with one commenter writing: 'Psychedelics are dangerous, I don't care what anyone says.' The main active ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin. In the body, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which causes the psychedelic effects by interacting with serotonin receptors in the brain. The psychedelic effects of magic mushrooms can include vivid visual and auditory distortions, such as enhanced colors, moving patterns, and altered perception of time and space. Emotions often intensify, leading to feelings of euphoria, awe, or anxiety. Thoughts may also become more fluid or profound, sometimes producing a sense of insight or connection. The biohacker explained that he conducted the stunt 'under medical supervision, in a legal setting, and with a professional facilitator.' He added: 'This post is for educational purposes. If you're curious for yourself, speak with your doctor.' The 48-year-old, who claims to be more than a decade younger biologically than his actual age, has long been an advocate of psychedelics for their mind-altering effects The biohacker explained that he conducted the stunt 'under medical supervision, in a legal setting, and with a professional facilitator' In the US, psilocybin is classified at the federal level as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it is illegal to possess, distribute, or manufacture. However, several states have modified state laws to allow for limited use, decriminalization, or supervised therapeutic access While Johnson lives in California, magic mushrooms are not legal there and he does not disclose where he bought or consumed the mushrooms. Johnson's facilitator, who is not identified, explains that the magic mushroom powder is best mixed with orange juice as it helps to prevent nausea and produces a faster onset. She explained that by using this technique, someone should feel the effects in about 20 to 30 minutes, with the peak two to three hours after. The trip should start dissipating around another two hours or so. In further posts, Johnson is seen laying on the floor wearing a brain monitor and eye mask as the magic mushrooms kick in. Tolo informed his fans on X that it had been around one hour since he took his dose of magic mushrooms. She added: 'Some of his observations so far: loves the drums music he's listening to. Apparently he started learning this style of drums years ago? Described the dose as 'calm and pleasant'. 'He's having a REALLY lovely time. [His] sense of time is definitely warped. 'He thinks more time has passed than it has. [He] thinks he has peaked and he felt a strong desire to look after the people in the room checking if we're ok. 'He asked me if I had eaten. We told him that we're all good and that he can focus on himself and the experience and visual hallucinations are happening. When Johnson ate a bowl of salad, he declared it the 'best salad' he had ever eaten Many viewers deemed the content 'amazing' and 'entertaining', while some said it was the happiest they have ever seen Johnson look. Above, Johnson pictured with his business partner Kate Tolo 'As I am typing this he started giggling. He's having a fantastic time.' In a second update, Tolo said Johnson needed to get up to use the bathroom and upon returning to his blanket on the floor, he stared at his water cup for 10 minutes. In later posts, Johnson's 'trip' continued as he struggled to spit into a vial for a health test and then pangs of hunger kicked in. Johnson said he decided to take a dose of magic mushrooms once a month for the next three months to explore the potential health benefits. Some of the potential benefits he highlighted on X from psilocybin include reduced inflammation in cells tied to aging, improved cognition, improved gut health, and enhanced sexual satisfaction. A recent study published this year by scientists at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas and Emory University in Georgia found that psilocybin treatment extended both cellular and animal lifespan, even when the treatment was initiated late in life. In the study, female mice that were 19 months old were given monthly psilocybin treatments for 10 months. Researchers found 80 percent of the treated mice were still alive, compared to only 50 percent of the untreated control mice. Although the researchers did not closely track behavior or disease progression, they also noted that the treated mice appeared healthier, showing better fur quality and fewer signs of aging. On getting his phone back at the end of his first magic mushroom experiment, Johnson revealed that the magic mushrooms had had a profound effect on his outlook on life. He wrote: 'Yes, this trip changed me. Probably not as youd expect. 'People assume I am fearful of death. Im not. In my darkest days of depression, I reconciled with death. 'Need a few days to collect my thoughts. Will share more soon... Im just so happy to be alive.' If you're a victim of disturbed sleep, you could be in luck - one expert may have solved the mystery of why you can't nod off. Sleep scientists have long suggested banning all technology before bed, cutting out caffeine and having the same number of fixed hours kip every night as simple ways to combat insomnia. But now, Chinese researchers have claimed that music therapy may 'significantly' improve sleep quality among adults over 50. According to the scientists, who tracked more than 600 adults, patients who attended sessions that involved them often listening to slow-tempo instrumental or classical music for up to an hour at a time, achieved enough shuteye. The experts said they could not prove exactly how the sessions helped insomnia. They suggested, however, that music may influence how the brain regulates emotion and it could 'address the emotional disturbances' often seen in older adults with sleep disorders. Music has also been shown to reduce cortisol levels, heart rate, and respiratory rate, relaxing the body which could help with falling asleep, they noted. Writing in the journal PLoS One, the scientists from Ningxia Normal University in Guyuan, said: 'Music interventions represent a promising non-drug approach for improving sleep quality in older adults - particularly given concerns with long-term drug treatments.' Sleep scientists have long suggested banning all technology before bed, cutting out caffeine and having the same number of fixed hours kip every night as three simple ways to combat insomnia In the study, the researchers analysed the findings of 10 different studies involving 602 adults who undertook music therapy. Most interventions involved passive listening to slow-tempo instrumental or classical music - between 60 to 85 beats per minute - for between 20 to 60 minutes per session. The frequency of these sessions also varied, with some patients having a single session, while others undertook just over three months worth. The scientists found a mean difference of -0.79 overall, meaning there was a 'moderate to large' improvement to their insomnia when music therapy was used. However, two of the studies were assessed as having 'serious risk of bias due to confounding factors', they noted. 'Music may also help form new psychological associations with bedtime, replacing bad habits that interfere with sleep', the researchers concluded. But they acknowledged that further, larger, 'rigorous' studies which had longer follow-up periods, were vital to further assess the effectiveness of music therapy treatment. Research has long suggested that music has the power to concentrate, even soothe a headache or control chronic pain. Your browser does not support iframes. Scientists say that different frequencies of music tell the brain to do certain things. For example, a high-frequency sound, such as an alarm or scream, will trigger the release of adrenaline, the hormone that prepares you for action. Meanwhile, low-frequency music - in other words, a low-pitched sound or low notes, may encourage the brain to slow down. People often take around 10 to 20 minutes normally to nod off after turning off the lights, the Sleep Foundation also say. Last year, a study found that around one in six Brits suffer insomnia, yet 65 per cent never seek help for their sleep problem. The poll of 2,000 people, by The Sleep Charity, found nine in ten experience some sort of sleep problem, while one in two engage in high-risk or dangerous behaviours when unable to sleep. Poor sleep has been linked to a number of health problems, including cancer, stroke and infertility. Experts have long advised that waking up during the night does not necessarily mean you have insomnia, which figures suggest affects up to 14 million Brits. Still, sleep deprivation takes its own toll, from irritability and reduced focus in the short term, to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes. According to the American Sleep Association, nearly 70 million Americans also have a sleep disorder. Cases of a Victorian-era disease have surged to an 11-year high in Texas, officials have warned. State data showed more than 3,500 cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, had been recorded in the state through the end of October this year, the latest date available. It is not clear when most of these cases were recorded, but the current tally, which is two months before the end of 2025, is already four-fold higher than the tally in 2024, 10 times the tally in 2023, and the highest number recorded since 2014. It is also just below the record since 1959, when 3,985 cases were detected in 2013. It comes as whooping cough cases rise nationwide, with the tally in 2024 being six-fold higher than that in the previous year. Latest data for the US was not available due to the Government shutdown, which has now lasted for 42 days. Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis that spreads easily through tiny droplets in the air. It often begins with cold-like symptoms and a mild cough, followed a week or two later by severe coughing that can last for several weeks. In serious cases, patients may suffer from prolonged coughing fits so fierce they suffer broken ribs, and may also suffer from pneumonia, seizures and brain damage. It is particularly dangerous for infants, with one in 50 unvaccinated children under six months old who are diagnosed with the disease not surviving the infection. The disease can be prevented with the DTaP (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine, which is 98 percent effective at protecting against the bacteria. It is given in a five-dose series beginning at two months and six years old. Boosters are given as the Tdap vaccine to adolescents and adults. Health officials have warned that whooping cough, which is extremely dangerous for young children and teens, is on the rise in Texas (stock image) Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. But uptake of the vaccine has fallen in Texas amid surging vaccine skepticism. Some 92 percent of kindergarteners were fully vaccinated with Tdap last school year, compared to 94 percent in the previous year. Experts say that herd immunity, or when enough people have protection against a disease so that it no longer spreads, is only achieved when at least 95 percent of people are vaccinated against a disease such as whooping cough. DTaP vaccination levels in Texas have not been at 95 percent since at least 2012. Officials at the Texas Department of State Health Services raised the alarm over the surging cases, issuing an alert last week. They did not reveal the number of patients who had been hospitalized or died from the disease this year, but said that 85 percent of patients infected with whooping cough in the state in 2025 were children. It was not clear whether the children were vaccinated. There was also no information on specific areas in the state where cases were surging. Texas officials warned that their alert marked the second consecutive year that Texas had recorded a rise in whooping cough cases, and the second in a row that they had issued a health alert over the disease. In the alert, officials said: 'Pertussis cases in Texas and the United States were lower than usual during and immediately following the Covid pandemic, but pertussis activity has quickly rebounded in the last few years.' Health officials warned that the infection is initially difficult to tell apart from a cold, as the first signs are a runny nose and sore throat. But around a week later, sufferers may develop coughing bouts that last minutes, struggle to breathe after coughing and make a 'whoop' sound between coughs The alert added: 'The best way to protect against pertussis is immunization. 'Parents should ensure children are up-to-date on pertussis immunizations, and pregnant women and others who will be around newborns should get a booster dose to protect babies from what can be a deadly infection.' Dr Hector Ocaranza, a pediatrician at the Texas Medical Association, told the Texas Tribune: 'We practitioners and public health professionals are concerned because we are seeing a year-after-year trend of significant increases in cases when this is preventable. 'Especially a disease that can have such a severe effect on infants, older people, and those who have chronic conditions.' The surge comes just two months after the state declared an end to its measles outbreak, which saw 762 confirmed cases and two deaths, the biggest outbreak in the state since 1992, when 990 cases were recorded in a single outbreak, according to the state's health authorities. This outbreak was predominantely among unvaccinated school-age children living on the state's Gulf of America coastline. The outbreak saw Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Junior visit the area and urge people to get vaccinated against measles before it ended. The deaths of two young girls, one aged eight years old, were recorded in the outbreak. It also comes barely a week after Florida also raised the alarm over surging whooping cough cases in their state. Whooping cough, or pertussis, is particularly dangerous for young children, experts say (stock image) The state warned that, as of September 27, the latest data available, the state had recorded 1,295 case, an 81 percent surge from the previous year. In Florida, DTaP vaccination rates were down to 90.6 percent in 2024, the lowest in a decade. Prior to the introduction of the whooping cough vaccine in 1948, the US saw as many as 250,000 cases of the disease and 7,300 to 9,000 deaths per year. Cases steadily dropped by more than 90 percent each year compared to the pre-vaccine era, the CDC states. The CDC has also noted that the bacteria that cause whooping cough, Bordetella pertussis, is prone to mutations, which could make it able to evade vaccines. Dr Marcos Mestre, chief clinical operations officer at Nicklaus Children's Health System in Miami, told CBS last year: 'We have been seeing some increase in pertussis cases that are coming through our emergency departments. 'Not necessarily requiring admission, but coming in for evaluation and treatment. 'They're coughing to the point that they can't catch their breath. And those are the children we really worry about, when infants are getting infected and that could cause more severe illness.' READ MORE: Oprah gives shoutout to her famous friends in holiday gift guide It appears that Noem made changes to both her hair, wardrobe, and cosmetics Over the past few years, United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has become a rising star in the MAGA world - and according to experts, she's totally transformed her look in many ways since entering the spotlight. Noem began her career in the public eye in 2010, when she was elected as South Dakota's lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives. She was then elected as the state's first-ever female Governor in 2018, a position that she held until January 2025, when she was selected by President Trump to serve in his cabinet. Since she's taken on her role in Washington, D.C., she's been branded as the 'ICE Barbie,' known for her long locks, oversized eyelashes and bullet-proof vests that she wears while visiting prisons. But as Noem's moved up in political ranks, it appears that her style has as well, polishing her look in recent years. In fact, she's been seen sporting a myriad of designer labels since taking her position, even wearing a $50,000 Rolex watch during a March visit to a prison in El Salvador. It's a far cry from her previous outfits as a member of The House of Reps, and even Governor, when she would wear flannel shirts and rocked a short, feathered hairdo. She's even been accused of having 'Mar-a-Lago face,' a term that's been used to describe many members of Trump's team, like Greek Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle and Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump. Over the past few years, United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has become a rising star in the MAGA world - and according to experts, she's totally transformed her look in many ways since entering the spotlight, seen here just last month (left) as compared to 2011 (right) In fact, she's been seen sporting a myriad of designer labels since taking her position, even wearing a $50,000 Rolex watch during a March visit to a prison in El Salvador, as she's seen here with President Trump in July 2025 Noem is seen here in 2021, as she became a rising star in the MAGA world The look is defined by what appears to be a copious use of Botox, a Miami-bronze tan, larger lips and silky smooth skin. Daily Mail previously reported that Trump 'has long expressed admiration for those who look like they are from Hollywood "central casting."' So, what are the secrets behind Noem's own MAGA glow-up? According to multiple experts interviewed by Daily Mail after looking at photographs, there are many different elements that appear to come into play here - including suspected changes to her hair, cosmetics, and style. Oregon-based plastic surgeon Dr. Sean McNally, who did not examine or treat Noem, told Daily Mail that he suspects Noem may have had a few cosmetic 'tweakments' as she's stepped under the limelight. He explained that the biggest differences he sees in her appearance are her 'brow position' as well as her 'lip fullness.' Specifically, Dr. McNally told Daily Mail that he believes that Noem may have undergone an upper eyelid blepharoplasty, which removes excess skin and fat from the area. 'It's a bit hard to tell what's going on with her upper eyelids with the new lashes, but I'd suspect she's had an upper eyelid blepharoplasty with a brow pexy,' Dr. McNally told Daily Mail exclusively. According to multiple experts interviewed by Daily Mail, there are many different elements that appear to come into play here - including changes to her hair, cosmetics, and style, as she's seen here in January 2014 He explained that the biggest differences he sees in her appearance, seen here in July (left), are her 'brow position' as well as her 'lip fullness,' as compared to her look in 2010 (right) 'I think this because her brow is more arched now which doesn't happen naturally with the aging process and I don't think she's had a full blown brow lift because her hairline position doesn't look like it's changed,' he explained. When it comes to her changing pout, the plastic surgeon suspects lip filler. 'Simple filler is the most likely reason for the increase in fullness, which also doesn't happen naturally with the aging process,' he explained. Last March, Noem also revealed in a video posted to X that she had gone to dentist Smile Texas to 'fix' her teeth, which she needed after a biking accident a few years ago. She said that the accident caused her front teeth to get knocked out. 'They were so kind, they wanted to make sure that I was happy with my smile,' she said of the experience. 'Not only that the bite was correct, and that I liked the shape, the color, but that it was going to work for me for the rest of my life, and that it was something that I could be proud of,' she shared. But besides any potential cosmetic tweaks, some more straightforward things about Noem appear to have changed over the years, like her hair. In pictures taken in 2020, she appeared to have grown out her hair to her shoulders, getting rid of the feathered layers and keeping it in a simple blowout with curled ends Chad Cook, hair artist and owner of Chad Cook Hair in Los Angeles, told Daily Mail that over the past few years, Noem's overall look has become 'noticeably more polished and camera-ready,' as she's seen here in March 2025 When she was in government office in South Dakota, she sported noticeably shorter hair, like a cropped, feather cut in the early 2010s The hairstylist also noticed that she appears to have updated her color routine, as he suspects that Noem has been getting her hair dyed by a professional, seen here in September When she was in government office in South Dakota, she sported noticeably shorter hair, like a cropped, feather cut in 2013. She kept the feathered haircut throughout the 2010's in various lengths. In pictures taken in 2020, she appeared to have grown out her hair to her shoulders, getting rid of the feathered layers and keeping it in a simple blowout with curled ends. Chad Cook, hair artist and owner of Chad Cook Hair in Los Angeles, told Daily Mail that over the past few years, Noem's overall look has become 'noticeably more polished and camera-ready.' She's stepped things up as she's been thrust into the national spotlight. 'As she's gained national attention, her image has evolved into something far more refined and high-glamour,' Cook told Daily Mail exclusively. 'When it comes to her hair and overall look, it feels very intentional and styled strategically while keeping it approachable,' Cook continued. 'I feel her all over look went from more simple and natural to strategic styled.' She's most likely getting high-quality conditioning or keratin treatments to maintain that smooth, healthy texture,' the hairstylist noted, as the Secretary is seen here this year The hairstylist also noticed that she appears to have updated her color routine, as he suspects that Noem has been getting her hair dyed by a professional. He especially noticed Noem's 'beautiful dimensional color' and 'high shine,' which are telltale signs that she could be getting regular touch-ups and gloss treatments. 'It looks like she has some balayage highlights throughout her mid-length and ends, which shows she's getting it done correctly or most likely extensions,' Cook said. 'She's most likely getting high-quality conditioning or keratin treatments to maintain that smooth, healthy texture,' the hairstylist noted. But in addition to a consistent color, Cook also believes that it looks like Noem is utilizing hair extensions. 'Her hair has appeared noticeably fuller and longer than before, and that kind of transformation usually takes longer,' Cook explained. 'The length and density she's been wearing lately tells me she's wearing well-blended extensions. Most likely high-quality tape-ins or hand-tied wefts.' Finally, the last part of Noem's transformation is attributed to her personal style. Veronica Beard, an American ready-to-wear brand founded by sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard, seems to be a particular favorite among the ladies on Trump's team, like Noem, here at the Oval Office in April 'In the early 2000s, Kristi Noem's style reflected her South Dakota roots, including denim, boots, and a no-frills, ranch-ready aesthetic that matched her image as a pragmatic congresswoman,' Dupre explained to Daily Mail exclusively, as she's seen here in 2016 Dupre noticed that some of the most 'striking changes' in Noem's wardrobe have come from 'dramatic tailoring' and 'statement pieces,' rather than denim and boots, as Noem is seen here dressed in a bright lilac suit in August 'Her overall presentation has become more theatrical, put together not just for authority in governance, but for viral impact,' as the former Governor is pictured in 2015 Daily Mail previously reported that many of Trump's aides, like Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and even Ivanka Trump, favor certain designer brands - and Noem has joined in on the fun, it seems. Over the past few months, the women have all been spotted in the designers Veronica Beard, Maje and Sandro - as well as Zara. Veronica Beard, an American ready-to-wear brand founded by sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard, seems to be a particular favorite among the ladies on Trump's team. In late July, Noem sported a light pink, tweed blazer by the brand, known as their classic Dickey jacket, which comes in a variety of materials and colors. Noem wore the jacket to meet with Senator Katie Britt, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, pairing it over a plain, black silk dress. It's a far cry from some of her previous outfits that she wore while Governor of South Dakota, as she frequently used to sport casual jean jackets, flannel shirts, and cowboy boots. And according to style expert Lisa Springsteel Dupre, founder of Launch Your Collection, her evolving fashion choices have everything to do with her transition from living in South Dakota to D.C. 'In the early 2000s, Kristi Noem's style reflected her South Dakota roots, including denim, boots, and a no-frills, ranch-ready aesthetic that matched her image as a pragmatic congresswoman,' Dupre explained to Daily Mail exclusively. 'As her national profile grew, especially during her tenure as governor and now as Secretary of Homeland Security under the Trump administration, her look evolved into a more polished, media-conscious presentation: sleek hair, full makeup, and tailored outfits that signal authority for the national stage,' she shared. Dupre noticed that some of the most 'striking changes' in Noem's wardrobe have come from 'dramatic tailoring' and 'statement pieces,' rather than denim and boots. 'Noem now favors structured silhouettes, camo-inspired ensembles, and high-gloss finishes that feel curated for the spotlight,' she said. 'Her overall presentation has become more theatrical, put together not just for authority in governance, but for viral impact.' Daily Mail reached out to Noem's reps for comment. New development philosophy charts China's path to modernization Xinhua) 14:53, November 11, 2025 BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- As the world navigates profound challenges, China is charting a steady course toward modernization under a new development philosophy that steers high-quality growth and opens up fresh opportunities for the global community. First introduced in 2015, the new development philosophy -- featuring innovation, coordination, green development, openness and shared benefits, has over the past decade anchored China through domestic and global headwinds, driving sustained progress. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China's economy has maintained solid expansion, with total output first surpassing 110 trillion yuan (about 15.5 trillion U.S. dollars), then 120 trillion yuan and later 130 trillion yuan. Total output is projected to reach around 140 trillion yuan in 2025. Contributing roughly 30 percent to global growth each year, China has stood out as an "oasis of certainty" in an uncertain world. The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has recently released its recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), a key document that lays out the guiding principles for the country's development in the coming period. It underscores the need to fully, accurately and comprehensively implement the new development philosophy to steer the nation's next phase of growth. INNOVATION-LED GROWTH At the Seres smart factory in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, two new energy vehicles (NEVs) roll off the assembly line every minute -- a snapshot of how technology and innovation are reshaping China's industrial landscape. China has ranked first globally in NEV production and sales for 10 consecutive years. The country has emerged as a global frontrunner in new-energy technologies and equipment, accounting for more than 40 percent of the world's related patents. As China upgrades its manufacturing sector, it is adding momentum in strategic emerging industries to drive transformation, exemplified by its rise from a follower to a global leader in the new energy vehicle industry. From individual enterprises to entire industries and the broader economy, the new development philosophy has injected powerful impetus into high-quality growth. China's overall competitiveness has advanced markedly. In the Global Innovation Index, the country has risen from 34th in 2012 to 10th in 2025, becoming one of the world's fastest-improving innovators. Nationwide research and development spending reached 3.6 trillion yuan last year, the second highest in the world. Over the next five years, China will continue to apply its new development philosophy to foster high-quality growth. "Significantly enhancing self-reliance and strength in science and technology" was listed among the major goals in the recommendations for the next five-year plan. Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun said China will work to deepen the integration of scientific and industrial innovation in the coming five years. Key tasks include strengthening original innovation and core technology breakthroughs, channeling more innovation resources toward enterprises, and accelerating the efficient application of major scientific and technological breakthroughs. GREEN TRANSITION PATH In the Kubuqi Desert of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, millions of solar panels glint under the sun, forming a vast "sea of energy." From here, green electricity flows eastward through ultra-high-voltage transmission lines, lighting up homes in eastern city clusters thousands of kilometers away. Along just one of these routes, from Xilingol League in Inner Mongolia to Taizhou in the eastern Jiangsu Province, more than 12 billion kilowatt-hours of green power are transmitted every year. China's installed capacity for wind and solar power now accounts for nearly half of the global total. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, exports of Chinese wind and solar products are expected to help other countries cut carbon emissions by about 4.1 billion tonnes. The country has built the world's largest renewable energy system. In the first four years of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's energy consumption per unit of GDP dropped by a cumulative 11.6 percent. China has vowed to accelerate green transition across the board and build a Beautiful China in the coming five years, according to goals listed in the recommendations for the next five-year plan. Over the next five years, carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals will act as a major driver for China to advance coordinated efforts in cutting emissions, reducing pollution, expanding green development and promoting growth, and to cultivate a new economic engine built on green, low-carbon and circular development, said Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs. In recent years, western regions of China such as the Kubuqi Desert area have recorded faster growth than the east, demonstrating the coordinated development championed by the new development philosophy. Coordinated development is expected to be further advanced over the next five years. OPENING UP FOR SHARED BENEFITS At a duty-free store at Haikou Meilan International Airport in south China, Zhang Lu browsed shelves lined with the latest cosmetics. "In the past, if I wanted new beauty products, I either had to contact overseas agents to shop for me or find a chance to travel overseas myself. Now, I just book a flight to Hainan, and the prices there are even better," Zhang said. Her experience captures a broader shift in China's consumer landscape. Hainan Province's offshore duty-free policy, a key move in terms of institutional opening up, has become a vibrant symbol of China's new development model. This emerging hub in the country's south has opened a window of opportunity for global luxury names to share in China's vast market. Even amid global headwinds and rising protectionism, China's door to the world remains wide open, and continues to open wider. All foreign investment restrictions in manufacturing have now been scrapped, while the services sector is steadily opening up. By the end of June 2025, China had utilized 708.73 billion U.S. dollars of foreign investment during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, and established 22 pilot free trade zones across the country. Recommendations for the next five-year plan include a dedicated section on expanding high-standard opening up, calling for opening wider to the outside world, promoting innovative trade development and expanding two-way investment cooperation. It sends a strong signal underlining China's commitment to openness, cooperation and mutual benefit. Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao said China seeks to advance balanced growth in imports and exports in the coming five years by actively expanding imports, improving import trade facilitation and fostering national demonstration zones for innovative import promotion. The recommendations also stress making solid headway in promoting common prosperity for all, which aligns with the principle of shared development, a key element of the new development philosophy. The document further outlines measures to promote high-quality and sufficient employment, improve the income distribution system, enhance the social security system, and ensure more equitable access to basic public services. As China advances on its modernization journey, the new development philosophy will remain both the ballast and the engine of China's economic vessel, enabling it to seize new opportunities amid challenges and sustain resilience and vitality in pursuing high-quality development. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) While some may think that being over seven foot tall comes with a slew of benefits... it's actually not as great as it looks. Take it from Mark Jackson, who is 7ft 4in tall and has faced a slew of problems over the years thanks to his immense height. He spoke about the downsides of being so big during an exclusive chat with the Daily Mail at the Tall Tour meetup in New York City, which took place on Saturday at 230 Fifth Rooftop. From struggling to find clothes that fit to always needing to reserve an exit row seat on airplanes, Mark admitted that being 7ft 4in has not been easy. 'Airplane seats, I need the exit row. And I [struggle to find clothes that fit],' he confessed. 'But I'm creative. I go to thrift stores and the internet makes it way easier.' He explained that despite having a massive, California king bed, he still has to sleep diagonally in order to fit. And finding a desk chair that could accommodate him was an extensive task. In addition, Mark admitted that being that tall has a slew of risks as he often bumps his head on ceilings and doorways. Daily Mail attended the Tall Tour meetup in New York City over the weekend, where we talked to some of the biggest people to discuss the highs and lows of their massive stature Mark Jackson, who is 7ft 4in tall, seen here with our five-foot reporter, said he struggles to find clothes that fit and always needs to reserve an exit row seat on airplanes 'I have hit my head many times,' he revealed. 'I've had to get stitches in my head one time from a stairway in France. [I've had] many head hits.' The up sides? Always getting 'fresh air' since he's above everyone and the attention he has gotten from women. 'It's absolutely impacted my dating life, I get a lot of attention all the time everywhere I go,' he said. But when it comes to dates, meeting up at any loud place like a bar is hard because he often struggles to hear due to the height difference. 'It's hard for me to meet people at bars because it's hard for me to hear what anyone is saying unless I bend over,' he explained. Frankie, who is 6ft 11in, has faced similar problems. 'Beds, desks, planes, buses, clothes, the subway - I can't stand up straight in the subway,' he shared. 'Even suitcases, walking through the airport with a suitcase, it's always banging on my legs.' Mark admitted that being that tall has a slew of risks as he often bumps his head on ceilings and doorways, and even needed stitches once Liam McMorrow, who stands at a whopping 7ft 2in, told the Daily Mail that the biggest drawback to him is the lack of clothing options Liam McMorrow, who stands at a whopping 7ft 2in, told the Daily Mail that the biggest drawback to him is the lack of clothing options. '[Being so tall] turns you off from wanting to go into malls because you can't buy anything,' he said. 'It turns you off of fashion because [clothing options for my size are] so scarce. You can't put together nice 'fits. I can't be a big shoe junkie or a fashion guy because [there are so few] options. 'But with the Tall Tours community they're building, people [send recommendations] and I've realized, maybe we can look stylish at our height,' he added. Tall Tours, created by Tyler Bergantino, who is 6ft 9in, is described as a 'dedicated space for tall folks to connect, share and relate to their fellow talls'. 'Use this group as a way to stay in touch, post life hacks and maybe send some clothing/shoe recommendations so we all know where to shop,' urges its Facebook group. He shared: 'It turns you off of fashion because [clothing options for my size are] so scarce. You can't put together nice fits' Tall Tours creator by Tyler Bergantino (seen) said he made the group because he 'wants tall people to find other tall people' It holds meetups in various cities, with the next one taking place in Charleston, South Carolina, on November 22, followed by one in Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 6 and Greenville, South Carolina, on December 22. 'I want tall people to find other tall people,' Tyler explained to the Daily Mail. 'Tall people [are usually] super kind and gentle to everyone because they're massive and don't want to come across as intimidating. 'I'd like for them to meet, share their common inconveniences and where they get the clothes and stuff like that. 'I couldn't go on rollercoasters as a kid, I couldn't go in bouncy castles. I hated that I couldn't get into these different things my friends were doing. I don't want that for anybody.' A former CIA agent has revealed the tactics he learned while working as a spy that he believes everyone can use to strengthen their love life and get ahead at work. Andrew Bustamante, 45, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a former undercover intelligence officer who now dedicates his time to teaching others how to improve their lives through his company, Everyday Spy. During his years as an undercover government agent, he was taught an immense set of skills that he still uses to this day... and he thinks others should implement them too. And according to the spy, adding these simple skills to your life can nourish your relationships and help you snag that promotion you've been eyeing. 'Every skill the CIA taught me was designed for survival - mental, emotional, and social,' he explained during an exclusive chat with the Daily Mail. 'I still use them every day. CIA officers learn to read rooms, build trust fast, and influence without authority. 'Situational awareness, reading body language, managing emotional responses and controlling the flow of information in any interaction are core parts of who I am now.' Bustamante, who is married, explained that there are is one vital thing that he was taught during his time as a CIA agent that he believes has greatly impacted his romance: being able to see things from someone else's perspective. Ex-CIA agent Andrew Bustamante, 45, has revealed the tactics that he learned while working as a spy that he believes everyone can use to strengthen their love life and get ahead at work During his years as an undercover government agent, Andrew (seen when he worked for the agency) was taught an immense set of skills that he still uses to this day 'Healthy relationships - personal or professional - rely on honesty, empathy, and perspective-taking,' he said. 'The CIA taught me to see the world through someone else's lens. When you can truly understand another person's motivation, you can connect more deeply and resolve conflict more effectively. 'The key is understanding how people form opinions and emotions, then using that knowledge to guide outcomes that serve everyone involved.' He also suggested viewing your relationships as 'transactional' in order to build a 'balanced partnership.' 'Every relationship involves an exchange: time, trust, emotion, or energy. Recognizing that reality doesn't make it cold, it makes it intentional,' he shared. 'When you understand what both sides value, you stop taking people for granted and start building balanced partnerships.' When it comes to getting ahead in the work place, Bustamante suggested you focus on implementing three vital skills. First, you should master observation before action, as he explained: 'Most people react too quickly. Intelligence work teaches you to watch first, then move.' Bustamante (seen with his wife) explained that he was taught to see things from someone else's perspective during his time as a CIA agent and he believes it has helped his romance He also suggested viewing your relationships as 'transactional' in order to build a 'balanced partnership.' He's seen with his family Next, he said to work on your 'emotional control,' and stressed the importance of being able to stay 'calm' in any situation. Lastly, he said you should always be 'strategic' with your communication. 'Every word you say either builds or destroys trust. Learn to use silence as often as speech,' he said. Bustamante's career has included a 15-year stint in the US Air Force serving as a nuclear missile officer. He was later decorated for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan, before being recruited into the CIA where he worked for seven years as a covert operations officer. Bustamante's career has included a 15-year stint in the US Air Force serving as a nuclear missile officer, before being recruited into the CIA where he worked for seven years He now dedicates his time to teaching others how to improve their lives through his company, Everyday Spy Being in the CIA also taught him to stay safe at all times by using 'situational awareness.' 'I never walk blind. I constantly map exits, observe behavior patterns and use reflections and shadows to expand my field of view,' he explained. 'It's not paranoia - it's preparation.' He recommended you always 'keep your head up' and 'phone down' when you're walking, and to make a habit of 'scanning faces, hands and movement' because they often tell you more than words. 'Trust your intuition; your subconscious notices danger before your conscious mind does,' he added. Adam Peaty's mother has reportedly been left 'broken' by a bitter rift with her future daughter-in-law Holly Ramsay who excluded the 59-year-old from her hen do, turned down her offer to make table decorations and questioned her outfit for the big day. A source close to Adam's family told the Daily Mail that bad feeling has been brewing since Adam began to distance himself from his working-class roots after being seduced by the fame and glamour of his bride's family. Now a psychologist has revealed how the disparity between the wealthy Ramsays and the Peatys could have led to the growing rift between Holly and Adam and his mother Caroline. Speaking to the Daily Mail, consultant counselling psychologist, Dr Ritz Birah, discussed how differences in wealth and status can bring up feelings of shame and questions around belonging and loyalty. The founder of Reflect with Dr Ritz - the UKs first confidential WhatsApp journal, said: 'Moving into a wealthier, more "glossy" family system can trigger a feeling of not being enough, or of being seen through a different lens. 'One way people manage that discomfort is by creating distance from the family that represents where they came from.' She added that growing apart from your birth family is not always about rejection but is often an 'attempt to reduce tension between two identities'. 'Systemically, two family cultures are now meeting, and the person in the middle is trying to regulate both,' Dr Birah added. 'If the new system carries more social power, people can tend to adapt towards that system.' Holly Ramsay (pictured, second left) is pictured enjoying a meal with her fiance Adam Peaty (pictured, second right) and her parents Tana (far left) and Gordon (far right) Holly welcomed her own mother, Tana, family friend Victoria Beckham and Adam's sister to her pre-nuptial celebrations at the celebrity hotspot Soho Farmhouse. But she failed to invite the swimmer's mother, Caroline Peaty, 59, who helped steer Adam to Olympic glory. She instead stayed at home in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, looking after her five-year-old grandson George. The ill-feeling was apparently made worse by Adam, who has three Olympic gold medals, inviting his future father-in-law, Gordon Ramsay, to his own stag night. Discussing the apparent snub, London-based psychologist Lindsey Frances told the Daily Mail: 'When someone enters a world that feels very different to the one they were raised in, a few challenges can occur. Imposter syndrome kicks in, they begin to feel insecure, ashamed of their own ancestry and lack of financial inheritance. 'Instead of integrating both identities, some people choose one and distance themselves from the other because it feels psychologically easier. 'They may also have an unconscious belief that the love, belonging, or success they are now part of now requires rejection and dismissal of their origin story.' Adam's mother was always known as one of his staunchest supporters during his swimming career, and famously got up at 4am when he was a boy to drive him for 40 minutes to training sessions with the City of Derby swimming club. In a punishing routine which went on for more than three years, she would then hang around for up to two hours before driving him home and going to her own job as a nursery manager while her husband and Adam's father Mark worked as a caretaker at a Lidl store. Holly, the daughter of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and his wife Tana, is set to marry her fiance Adam this Christmas in Bath A source close to the Peaty family revealed that the swimmer had left his mother 'heartbroken' after telling her she would not be welcome at the wedding However, despite once being so close to his parents, a source close to Adam's family commented that the 'heartbreaking' rift that has been developing between the swimming star and his mother, seems to have started when he began dating Holly. Explaining why this could be the case, Dr Birah said the kind of dissonance experienced by someone partnering up with someone from a wealthier background feels can 'create shame'. 'Someone may feel gratitude for new opportunities yet guilt for feeling uncomfortable in them,' she explained. 'Interpersonally, that tension can surface as irritability or avoidance with their own family because they feel safer to push away. 'In therapy, I'd name that experience (the in-between space) so that person can begin to hold both identities without contempt for either. Journaling questions like "What am I proud of in where I came from?" can start to restore balance.' Not being invited to the hen do is not the only reported issue between the couple and his parents. According to reports, after Caroline bought her dress for the wedding, Holly and Adam said they would take her shopping to buy a new one, as they didn't like her choice. Explaining what could be someone's motivation in a situation like this, the psychologist said: 'Wanting to replace a parent's outfit often reflects social anxiety. It's an attempt to manage how everyone will be perceived, an effort to protect, but one that can land as rejection.' She added that in such a situation, the mother could feel 'dismissed', while the son was 'soothing his own discomfort'. Psychologist Lindsey added: 'In situations like this, the issue often isnt the dress itself, but what the dress represents. They may feel the dress signals difference or a lack of inclusion in the new wealthier family. A source close to Adam's working class family said the snub happened after the swimmer had distanced himself from her after being seduced by the fame and glamour of the Ramsays Consultant counselling psychologist, Dr Ritz Birah (pictured) discussed the rift between with Daily Mail 'They may feel that the wedding aesthetic and social signalling matters more in the public eye than emotional belonging or rejection. Holly and Adam may feel discomfort with unfiltered authenticity and insecure in the public glare revealing Adams true rags to riches tale. ' In another apparent snub, when Caroline offered to make place cards for the wedding table, she was turned down by the couple. According to Dr Birah, this act was 'symbolic', and represents a parent trying to 'stay connected through contribution'. She added: 'Refusing them can suggest a couple trying to assert independence, but it also removes a ritual of love. Systemically it's a shift in boundaries; emotionally it's a loss of role.' Discussing the rift, a family member told the Daily Mail that Adam has 'forgotten where he has come from', and that he 'no longer thinks his own family is good enough for him, and it's very hurtful and spiteful'. Dr Birah said it is common for families to say this when they feel left behind, noting that psychologically, what's often happening is 'adaptation rather than abandonment'. 'The person is navigating a new hierarchy and may suppress traits that feel "too loud" or "too ordinary", she explained. However, she noted, 'outgrowing circumstances doesn't have to mean outgrowing connection'. When it comes to how the growing distance may feel for Caroline and Mark, Dr Birah said: 'For a parent, not being included in milestones like a stag or hen do can feel like an attachment rupture. 'In therapy, I'd validate the mother's hurt and help her communicate it without blame: "It mattered to me to be part of that moment". This reframing maintains dignity while inviting empathy rather than defensiveness.' Victoria Beckham was among the guests at Holly's recent hen party, held at the celebrity hotspot Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire - but her mother-in-law to be was not invited Sharing what may work to heal this kind of distance, the expert added that 'pursuing harder usually widens the gap'. She continued: 'What heals is steady warmth and non-shaming curiosity: "We'd love to stay connected; how can we do that in a way that feels comfortable for you?". 'This approach lowers defensiveness and allows space for reconnection. For relatives feeling powerless, reflective writing can help, noting the difference between what they can control (their tone, invitations, openness) and what they can't (another persons choices). That kind of reflection builds calm, which is the foundation for closeness.' Whatever happens among the families in the future, according to Dr Birah, the rift is likely to be more complicated than it may first appear. She said: 'What looks like arrogance or rejection is often anxiety, identity conflict and grief woven together.' Discussing how she would work with families experiencing a similar situation, she said: 'As a consultant counselling psychologist, I'd hold all perspectives in the room: the couple's wish to form their own identity, the son's pull between two value systems, and the mother's pain at losing her role. 'In the therapy space, I'd help them move from accusation to understanding, using reflection and mindful communication to rebuild trust. At Reflect with Dr Ritz, I often remind people that repair starts with curiosity: asking, not assuming, and remembering that beneath most family conflict is the same need; to feel seen, respected and still belong.' And Lindsey added: 'Identity integration is a psychological process. Many people who pull away eventually return when they tire of performing. The deeper truth beneath all these questions, isnt really a story about class or dresses, its about honest, belonging and aspirations against ancestry. 'People dont leave where they came from because they hate it, they leave because they fear it might harm them, they fear it might stop them getting the love that they want and that compliance is conditional in the marriage.' 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 Just a few years ago, Marks & Spencer's own CEO admitted its clothing had a certain 'frumpiness', while fellow high street stalwart Next was only good for drab work trousers. Meanwhile carrying a Radley London handbag with a twee Scottie dog embellishment was a sweet affectation for grandmothers. However, these brands are among several high street labels that have undergone a style renaissance - attracting new fashion-conscious audiences of all ages. Just a decade ago, many people wouldn't be seen dead in supermarket clothing, but now Tu at Sainsbury's and Asda's George label are holding their own against affordable, trend-led high street stores such as H&M. Similarly, the likes of Boden and Mint Velvet have shrugged off their mumsy image with offerings that are attracting Gen Z buyers as well as midlife shoppers with a keen sense of style. According to luxury stylist Angela Kyte, what all these brands have in common is that they've worked behind the scenes to provide trend-led collections at a fast fashion pace but with higher quality. 'What is happening on the British high street right now is more than nostalgia, it is a reset,' she told the Daily Mail. 'Brands like Boden, Radley, Mint Velvet, and Tu at Sainsbury's have quietly redefined what affordable style looks like, proving you don't need to sacrifice cut, fabric, or confidence for price. 'They've stepped away from fast fashion's throwaway pace and returned to what truly matters: beautifully-made staples with personality, pieces that flatter real bodies, and designs that fit seamlessly into everyday life. These labels have each found their lane again.' If you're keen to embrace the new era of the high street, here we reveal the 27 hero pieces from brands that really deserve a second chance in your wardrobe. Marks & Spencer First on Kyte's list is M&S, which is 'finally balancing timelessness with trend'. 'It's mastering wardrobe essentials that feel current but never try too hard,' she explained. It's quite a turnaround for the high street stalwart that once attracted a more traditional shopper who favoured practicality and wardrobe staples over the latest fashions. Now, while the brand hasn't alienated its core base, there is the addition of unmistakably on-trend items lining the racks to tempt both younger buyers and millennial women who are very much invested in looking good - as well as celebrity collaborations with the likes of Sienna Miller and former Made in Chelsea star Binky Felstead. Satin Lace Detail Midi Drop Waist Dress Part lingerie, part grunge, the camisole dress is a key piece for winter, which is a great option for transitional and cold weather dressing. It's versatile so can be worn over sweaters and with black tights for colder months or in combination with sloppy knitted cardigans for an undone effortless feel. The rich burgundy elevates the look here. There are also strong undertones of boho dressing, which is returning in a big way. Shop Checked Hooded Duffle Coat With Wool There is a pull towards items that celebrate the outdoors, leading to trends that feel cozy and comforting, and the duffel coat gives consumers that much needed mood boost that reminds them of countryside walks and simpler times. Shop Croc Faux Leather Belted Longline Trench Coat As reds and burgundy have grown in popularity over the past few seasons, we're starting to see rich bitter chocolate hues come through, according to trend forecaster Robbie Sinclair. Patent and high shine leather is key as we head into the winter season with fabrics that drink up the colour. The classic trench is key for this winter season but updates come through in the form of high shine finishes. Shop Wool Blend Checked Button Through Gilet Knitted vests have been trending for the last few years, and consumers are looking for the perfect update. Items like soft touch gilets are a great move on for this best selling silhouette. Shop Cotton Rich Palazzo Trousers As wide legs and barrel jeans continue to dominate as the most important trouser silhouettes, we're also seeing a return to flared silhouettes. This wide leg Palazzo shape is an important item for the coming season. Shop So, just how did M&S become cool? The answer lies largely with Maddy Evans, the former fashion director of Topshop, who was hired in 2019 as head of buying and promoted to director of womenswear in 2022. Her presence has helped M&S fill the crucial gap left by what was one of the most high street's most popular brands by offering must-have pieces such as a faux croc leather trench coat that is rapidly selling out and being re-stocked. It's also adopted a faster fashion approach, meaning new items can move from the drawing board to the shelf in as little as a month - enabling the retailer to react to demand and the newest trends. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Ms Evans said: 'We're pleased to see womenswear achieve its highest ever style rankings, particularly with the 35-54 customer - a clear sign our focus is landing and our ranges are resonating with more people more often. 'It's important that we keep up momentum so this season we're supercharging newness across the board: from dresses and partywear through to denim, knitwear and outerwear. We're investing in fabrics, silhouettes and trend-led pieces our customers want; while still delivering the value they trust us for.' Tu at Sainsbury's At the same time, fashion bosses at Sainsbury's have also worked to introduce more shoppers. 'Supermarkets like Tu and George are levelling up with accessible trend pieces that punch well above their price point,' Kyte explained. Both chains have also collaborated with celebrities, including Vogue Williams, Oti Mabuse, and Maisie Smith in recent times, allowing them to capitalise on their large followings. In July, Sainsbury's revealed its Tu Clothing was going from strength to strength, with womenswear sales surging by a respectable of 13 per cent. At the time, bosses said the sales boom was 'driven by improved design and strong availability', Fashion Network reported. There's also an increased interest online, and UK-based TikTok user Hafash shared a clip of Sainsbury's latest collection, dubbing it 'underrated' - and her followers agreed, claiming the new collection has 'so many nice pieces'. Brown High Neck Co-ord Draped Top This a savvy pick for its elevated texture and modern silhouette, the soft suedette finish gives it a luxe feel, while the oversized bomber shape and collared neckline bring high-street edge, stylist Angela Kyte explained. Shop Grey Relaxed Collared Faux Fur Jacket A stylish purchase: the textured finish adds instant luxury, while the relaxed collar and soft grey tone make it effortlessly wearable. With affordable price, it's a savvy way to bring statement outerwear into your wardrobe without over-investing, said Kyte. Was 45 Shop Black Pointed Toe Ankle Boots The black pointed-toe ankle boots hit the mark because the sleek, faux-leather finish gives an elevated polish. These boots are a smart buy, they deliver style boost and everyday practicality without being overly trend-driven. Shop George at Asda Like Sainsbury's, George at Asda is also having a moment. In August, the company revealed George 'continued strong momentum' to secure a 2.5 per cent increase in fashion sales. Looking to capitalise on its non-food sections further, Asda created the first standalone George store at Crown Point in Leeds in May, showcasing the best clothing and homeware products. Three months after the opening, bosses revealed that customers received the store well, and that they plan to open ten more George stores around the nation in coming months. George has also received a warm reception on TikTok. One influencer, Southerly Bower (@southerlybower), took to the platform to share a clip of herself trying on her most-loved items in the changing rooms. She said: 'I knew this coat was going to be good. I know it's going to be a love or hate but I'm a lover.' The influencer then praised a khaki denim jumpsuit before showing off a burgundy puffer coat and telling her fans: 'This is the warmest, thickest... look at the colour! I'm going to go to every Asda in the world to try and find my size'. Taupe Suedette Collared Oversized Bomber Jacket This a savvy pick for its elevated texture and modern silhouette, the soft suedette finish gives it a luxe feel, while the oversized bomber shape and collared neckline bring high-street edge. Shop Black Sequin Bow Front Mini Length Cut Dress This dress is a standout party piece: the sequin embellishment delivers high-impact glamour, while the bow-front detail adds femininity and charm. Its mini length brings youthful vibrancy. Shop Brown Fluffy V Neck Jumper This piece's soft, textured knit brings instant cosy luxury, while the V-neckline and relaxed fit keep it modern and versatile, said Kyte. Shop Next Supermarkets aside, Next has also recently managed the impressive feat of attracting a younger audience and recording impressive sales figures to prove it. The retailer has long held a reputation for dressing the oldest and youngest in society, which is why it might come as a surprise that Gen Z and millennials are now also flocking to stores to upgrade their wardrobes. Just weeks ago, the chain reported a knockout trading update of a 10.5 per cent surge in full-price sales and upgraded its annual profit guidance by 30million to 1.13billion on the back of improved performance. The revival is in part thanks to the store's introduction of smaller, third-party brands to its website. Julie Palmer, a partner at consultancy Begbies Traynor, said: 'At a time when many retailers are feeling the squeeze from rising costs, weak consumer confidence and uncertainty around the next Budget, Next appears largely immune.' Although other factors have come into play, including the temporary online shutdown of competitor Marks & Spencer's after a vicious cyberattack and an improved clothing supply from countries like Bangladesh, the store's improved fashion status has undoubtedly contributed to the positive outcome. Next's digital strategy particularly excelled in 2020, when it introduced smaller and third-party brands to its website with the launch of its marketplace, Next Label, allowing other companies to sell items on Next's website in exchange for a cut. The launch meant that, if shoppers are unable to locate desired items from Next's collections, they can instead shop at a host of other brands on the same website, including Reiss, Boden, and Lipsy London. And it's not just clothes covered, but nearly all sections of retail, thanks to the massive range of brands sold on next.com, including Clinique, Armani Beauty, Smiggle Toys, Made.com, and the list goes on. Despite new-age platforms like Amazon boasting similar offerings, Next, a British high street stalwart, has the level of familiarity within the population that new platforms can only dream of. Discussing the shift, Kyte said, 'Next continues to lead with consistency, it is reliable, polished, and now increasingly fashion-forward thanks to clever brand collaborations.' Cream Cow Print Faux Fur Coat Outerwear in a bold animal-inspired print immediately elevates a basic base layer, according to Kyte. This turns your coat into the statement piece. Shop Polka Dot Long Sleeve Ruched Side Mesh Top Polka dots offer print impact while remaining timeless; a top in this pattern updates a look without risking it becoming a passing trend. Shop Neutral Check Trench Coat The trench is a style pillar, its classic lines deliver elegance, while a good quality version will work from spring rain through autumn layers, making it very much an investment that can be used year-round in a range of ways. Shop Chocolate Brown Check Midi Slip Skirt This fluid slip silhouette is inherently elegant yet effortless, and in a subtle brown tone it becomes a versatile option, perfect for layering by day and switching to heels at night. Great addition to any capsule wardrobe. Shop Leopard Print Hourglass Wide Leg 100 per cent Cotton Jeans Leopard print on denim gives the all-denim base a bold twist, ideal for when you want casual cool with a bit of personality rather than plain black or blue jeans. Shop Radley London While Next extended its online offering, brands like Radley have found a new lease of life by modernising designs. Radley, founded in London by Australian architect-turned designer Lowell Harder, made its name selling mid-range bags featuring its famous Scottie-dog mascot. But, in the words of Florence Welch, 'the dog days are over'. Thanks to the latest design director, Fernando Soriano Iglesias, Radley's focus is now on stealth wealth-looking totes and the sort of bags you'll find trending on Instagram. His experience at Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera, and Loewe is already evident in this season's polished offerings. Now, it's not uncommon to see hip influencers raving about Radley pieces, and London-based fashion influencer Sahra shared an entire post dedicated to styling her new Radley bag. The Romilly This large bag is a smart purchase thanks to its structured yet relaxed silhouette: the supple leather gives it polish while the ample size and organisational compartments keep it work-ready. Shop Broadway Market This open top tote in Dark Oak is clever because the spacious, wing-shaped silhouette combines practicality with polish, said Kyte. She added that the crackled leather finish lends texture and luxury that transitions seamlessly from workday to weekend. Shop The Chancery The suede medium flapover shoulder bag is a good choice because the rich Italian suede and warm coffee tone offer texture and timeless style, while the smart three-compartment layout and refined silhouette make it as functional as it is elegant. Shop Boden Designers at Boden, meanwhile, also revived designs to bring customers in and ward off the financial losses it experienced not so long ago. 'Boden has matured into a confident, colour-savvy brand with structure and joy in equal measure, while Radley has reclaimed its place as the go-to for understated British elegance in accessories,' Kyte said. Boden's latest collection is brimming with bright bursts of colour, playful patterns, and trendy silhouettes. It's a return that will have mid-life women looking for complementary but trendy styles breathing a sigh of relief. Bubble Hem Midi Skirt According to the stylist, this is a standout pick: its voluminous bubble hem adds modern flair without sacrificing sophistication, and the mid-calf length makes it both polished and day-to-night versatile. Shop Helen Wool Kilt Skirt Kyte explained that this is a smart buy: crafted in rich wool, it brings heritage polish to your wardrobe while the natural-waist fit and shape keep it modern and flattering. Pair it with a cashmere roll-neck or tailored blazer and your staples instantly feel considered and season-proof. Shop Regent Wide Leg Trousers According to Kyte, the wide-leg trousers are a smart purchase because their high waist and fluid pleating deliver elongation and movement, anchoring a look with ease and sophistication. Shop Cross Strap Mary Jane This piece taps into heritage charm with a modern edge: the refined Mary Jane strap silhouette gets a bold update with leopard print, turning an otherwise preppy shoe into an instant styled-up staple. Shop Mint Velvet Mint Velvet, meanwhile, is aiming to extend its audience by releasing a new, elevated collection, Mint Studio. The range, described as having a 'luxury finish that's uncompromising on quality', is intended for shoppers looking to build a capsule wardrobe with investment pieces that will stand the test of time. Though the price points are also elevated, with items costing more than the average 150 price point of Mint Velvet products, women looking to invest in staple pieces will likely fork out the extra sum in the name of quality. And its main collection is attracting younger audiences in equal measure, with TikTok user Evie Mills, from the UK, receiving floods of compliments on her video showing her followers how she styled her Mint Velvet knitted jumper. Kyte concluded, 'Mint Velvet owns relaxed luxury with feminine silhouettes and soft tailoring that feel expensive without the attitude. 'As a stylist, I see this shift as a celebration of longevity over hype, a reminder that when quality, fit, and wearability come first, style naturally follows.' Brown Mongolian Fur Jacket This jacket is a standout investment: the rich texture and warm brown tone give it luxurious presence, while the fold-over collar and compact 21-inch length make it refined yet easy to pair with everything from tailored trousers to casual denim. Shop Burgundy Lace High Neck Top Kyte considered this to be a strong purchase thanks to its rich burgundy tone and elevated lace detailing. She added that the high neckline and long sleeves lend it refinement, while the cotton-blend lace and button-back make it wearable beyond the party season. Shop Black Leather Midi Skirt This skirt delivers on both edge and elegance, the high-rise silhouette flatters the waist while the front split adds just the right amount of movement. Crafted in genuine leather with subtle detailing like rear welt pockets and a side zip, it makes a durable investment piece. Shop Food influencer Michael Duarte has died in what has been described as a 'horrible incident.' The California-based social media star, who posted under the username @foodwithbearhands, passed away on November 8, days after celebrating his wedding anniversary. While the cause of Duarte's death has yet to be announced, it has been claimed he died 'in a horrible incident without warning' while traveling in Texas. News of Duarte's passing was announced in a tribute from his talent agency, Alooma Media Group. In a statement, they said: 'It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our valued client and dear friend, Michael Duarte. 'He was a true and loyal partner, a trusted collaborator, and above all, a remarkable person. His passion, professionalism, and creativity left a lasting mark not only on our team but on everyone who had the privilege of working with him.' A GoFundMe page has also been launched to cover funeral expenses, as well as bring Duarte back to California. According to the page, the money raised will also go towards making sure the internet personality's wife Jessica and their daughter, Oakley, are both taken care of. Popular food influencer Michael Duarte - known as foodwithbearhands - has died The social media star died on November 8 following a 'horrible incident' 'We ask that you lift Michael's family up in prayer during this extremely difficult time, especially for his six-year-old daughter Oakley, and his wife Jessica,' the website reads. 'If you are able to financially assist, please consider donating.' At the time of writing, the GoFundMe has raised $61,367. Duarte amassed a following of over 839,000 fans on Instagram with his cooking videos. He started posting cooking clips on social media during the pandemic as a hobby and continued to do so while helping to rebuild a restaurant. 'On my days off, I started posting food videos again my first one was with my daughter,' he said in a biography shared on Instagram. 'That's when I realized how happy creating content made me. 'Over time, I began to see it wasn't just a hobby it could be a business, something bigger than myself.' Duarte is survived by his daughter Oakley, six, and his wife Jessica (both pictured) A GoFundMe page was launched to cover his funeral and to support his wife and daughter Tributes have been flooding in following news of Duarte's death. Commenting on his pinned Instagram post, one said: 'Love you man. I'm at a loss for words. Too young, too big a heart. We were supposed to do a video or something this week. Rest easy.' Another wrote: 'Mike, rest in peace my dear friend. Thank you for all of your kind words throughout our time knowing each other... from making family meals at Ruths to teaching me how to be a quarter of as good as you were with the video edits. 'I will be praying for your wife and daughter more than ever!' Actress Shay Mitchell surprised beauty lovers when she launched a skincare brand... because while celebrities love entering the oversaturated cosmetics space, her line is geared towards three-year-olds. Mitchell, 38, announced Rini on Thursday, which targets children who already have naturally baby-soft skin with hydrating and soothing face masks. The Pretty Little Liars actress and co-founders Esther Song and Matte Babel created Rini because they wanted products that are 'gentle, trustworthy, and inspire creativity.' The co-founders describe the brand as 'where skincare meets play,' and its mission is to nurture healthy habits, spark confidence, and make thoughtfully crafted daily care essentials and play products accessible to every family. The products include everyday fragrance-free, animal themed facial sheet masks for $5.99, which have been crafted from 100 percent pure cotton and include vitamin E. Hydrating hydrogel facial masks, which have been infused with vitamin B12, are on sale for $6.99. People rushed to social media to slam the 'dystopian' and 'depressing' beauty concept, saying it was far too early for young children to focus on their appearance. Board-certified dermatologist Brooke Jeffy told the Daily Mail, 'all a child needs at three is sun protection, a gentle cleanser if dirty and lotion' and explained that 'these products can damage a child's skin barrier through irritation and allergy, healthy body image, the environment and not to mention wallets, all for zero benefit.' Actress Shay Mitchell surprised beauty lovers when she launched a skincare brand...because while celebrities love entering the cosmetics space, her line is geared towards three-year-olds Mitchell, 38, announced Rini on Thursday, which targets children who already have naturally baby-soft skin with hydrating and soothing face masks The mom of two and her and co-founders created Rini because they wanted products that are 'gentle, trustworthy, and inspire creativity' Most skincare products are targeted to address specific concerns, like acne or aging. For babies, all they have to worry about is diaper rash, dryness, and occasionally eczema, which are issues parents can work with a doctor to heal. Board-certified dermatologist Brooke Jeffy told the Daily Mail, 'all a child needs at three is sun protection, a gentle cleanser if dirty and lotion' Toddlers certainly don't need to be concerned about under-eye wrinkles or pesky pimples before they are fully potty trained. 'As adults, we want baby-soft, smooth, hydrated skin but as we age, our skin changes in ways counter to this leading us to use skincare products formulated to address these issues and try to return us to a more youthful appearance,' Dr. Jeffy, who is based in Scottsdale, Arizona, explained. Dr. Jeffy said 'for the toddler set, parents should stick with brands that at least demonstrate they understand the basic principles of healthy skincare for kids.' Many online critics worried the unnecessary products could potentially damage their skin barriers, forcing them to rely on pricey products and dermatological treatments for the rest of their lives. 'The ingredients in the masks themselves are not necessarily damaging but putting any unnecessary ingredients on a child's more sensitive skin is the problem and just exposes them to increased risk of irritation and allergic reaction,' Dr. Jeffy clarified. Another potential issue is the lifestyle these products suggest. The masks are single-use, which is not an environmentally friendly offering. The skincare brand's mission is to nurture healthy habits, spark confidence, and make thoughtfully crafted daily care essentials and play products accessible to every family The products include everyday fragrance-free, animal themed facial sheet masks for $5.99, which have been crafted from 100 percent pure cotton and include vitamin E 'The brand also implies that excessive sun exposure is acceptable by selling an "after-sun" mask with no mention of the importance of photo-protection when sunburns in childhood significantly increase risk of skin cancer later in life,' the teen skincare expert advised. Mitchell has certainly had far more successful entrepreneurial efforts in the past, especially after founding the wildly popular luggage brand Beis, which has been a hit with travelers. However, her current endeavor appears to be more of a miss than a hit, especially as the backlash rages on social media. After Mitchell shared an Instagram post with pictures of small children wearing the face masks, one follower told her there was still time to delete her post. 'This less is more approach is crucial because a child's skin tends to be much more sensitive and easily irritated by products than adult skin,' Dr. Jeffy warned. Whether drowning in gravy or served plain and crisp, Yorkshire puddings remain a key component of a roast dinner - but not all are created equal. Shoppers need not worry, however, as consumer giant Which? has scoured UK supermarkets to reveal the best of the bunch - though they may be surprised to learn it's not Aunt Bessie's. Which? recruited 74 people and ran a blind taste test to rank seven own-label frozen puds from the country's major chains, including Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco, as well as best-loved brand Aunt Bessie's. Yorkshire puddings were assessed for flavour, appearance, texture and aroma, while size and price were also taken into account. Claiming the top overall spot as the panel's preferred product was Aldi Specially Selected Large Beef Dripping Yorkshire Puddings, priced at 1.99 for 288g (pack of six). Receiving an impressive score of 73 per cent, Aldi's Yorkshires were also named a Best Buy and, as the joint cheapest, earnt a Great Value award from Which? as well. The budget supermarket's puds were praised for their outside, which had a 'good, crisp bite', while the inside was said to be 'fluffy and soft without being overly moist.' They were also credited for their appearance, with 72 per cent of tasters describing the colour as 'just right'. Consumer giant Which? scoured UK supermarkets to reveal the best Yorkshire puddings (stock image) While they missed out on the top spot, Aunt Bessie's Yorkshire Puddings were a close second with a score of 72 per cent. Which? said that two thirds of tasters were extremely taken with their appearance while the 'crunchy outer texture' was also rated highly. Aunt Bessie's Yorkshires were praised for their soft inside, with the panel noting that the moisture levels were 'good'. Since Aunt Bessie's puddings are made with herbs and spices, including rosemary, cumin, sage and horseradish, some tasters might have expected the flavour to be too strong - in fact, a third described it as 'overpowering'. Priced at 2 for 220g (pack of four), they weren't too costly and, given that the ones Which? tried didn't use beef dripping, they were also suitable for vegetarians. Tesco's Yorkshire puddings placed third, though they too received a score of 72 per cent. Sold as Tesco Finest 6 Beef Dripping Yorkshire Puddings, they fell down for being 'smaller-than-average'. Both the smallest and the most expensive on the list at 2.40 for 195g (pack of six), they were nevertheless enjoyed for their texture. THE BEST YORKSHIRE PUDDINGS, SCORED BY WHICH? Which? recruited 74 people and ran a blind taste test to rank seven own-label frozen Yorkshire puddings from UK supermarkets, as well as best-loved brand Aunt Bessie's. 1. Aldi Specially Selected Large Beef Dripping Yorkshire Puddings - 73% (Best Buy & Great Value) 2. Aunt Bessie's Yorkshire Puddings - 72% 3. Tesco Finest 6 Beef Dripping Yorkshire Puddings - 72% 4. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Yorkshire Puddings - 71% 5. Waitrose No.1 6 Beef Dripping Yorkshire Puddings - 69% 6. Iceland's Luxury 4 Beef Dripping Yorkshire Puddings - 68% 7. Lidl's Deluxe Beef Dripping Yorkshire Puddings - 67% 8. Morrisons The Best 6 Yorkshire Puddings with Beef Dripping - 65% Advertisement Aldi Specially Selected Large Beef Dripping Yorkshire Puddings (pictured) topped the list with a score of 73 per cent In addition, more than 50 per cent of Which? tasters were happy with the strength of flavour - though 41 per cent found the inside to be 'too soft'. Fourth place went to Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Yorkshire Puddings, which, priced at 2.60 for 252g (pack of six), received a score of 71 per cent. The colour of the product impressed two thirds of tasters, according to Which?, while many more relished their 'crispy outer texture.' Although half of the panel were content with the strength of flavour, most people found the inside too soft. As for Yorkshire puddings sold by other UK supermarkets, including Waitrose, Iceland, Lidl and Morrisons, they were considered 'much of a muchness'. None of them were bad - but none of them were outstanding either. Recognised for their 'good outer texture', Waitrose No.1 6 Beef Dripping Yorkshire Puddings, priced at 3 for 252g (pack of six), received a score of 69 per cent. They were, however, found to be too soft on the inside for most of the tasters. With a score of 68 per cent, Iceland's Luxury 4 Beef Dripping Yorkshire Puddings came in sixth place. At 2 for 192g (pack of four), Iceland's Yorkshires were described as 'reasonable all-rounders', with tasters particularly enjoying their crispy outside. In seventh place, with a score of 67 per cent, were Lidl's Deluxe Beef Dripping Yorkshire Puddings, which came in at 1.99 for 288g (pack of six). They were credited for their crispy outer texture but fell down due to lack of flavour. And, with a score of 65 per cent, Morrisons' The Best 6 Yorkshire Puddings with Beef Dripping, priced at 1.99 for 240g (pack of six), came in last place. Many tasters were disappointed with the texture, finding the outside not crispy enough and the inside not firm enough. The socialite who infamously suffered a bout of explosive diarrhea in a bed at Gwyneth Paltrow's Hamptons mansion has landed a new position at Vanity Fair. Fashion writer and curator Derek Blasberg, 43, who was formerly a contributing editor for the magazine, will now assume the role of special correspondent, the publication announced. The New York Times bestselling author flaunts a glamorous lifestyle on social media - where he has been seen rubbing elbows with A-listers like Kendall Jenner and Miley Cyrus. His star-studded circle and career accolades were overshadowed when he found himself embroiled in an embarrassing situation with Goop founder Paltrow in June 2024. Popular gossip newsletter, Popb*tch, revealed that a furious Paltrow, 53, was left to clean up the sickening mess of one of her Hamptons house guests who lost control of their bowels and fled the scene in the aftermath. The Daily Mail then exclusively revealed that Blasberg was the culprit behind the humiliating ordeal. The Popb*tch report claimed the actress was eating lunch with Oprah Winfrey and Jerry Seinfeld when her outraged housekeeper called her. The cleaner was 'shouting loudly about the horrors she'd discovered, yelling about how much she hates "that f**ing friend" of hers.' Fashion writer and curator Derek Blasberg, 43, will assume the role of special correspondent at Vanity Fair Gwyneth Paltrow, 53, reportedly learned that someone soiled the bed at her Hamptons home while out to lunch with Oprah Winfrey and Jerry Seinfeld Paltrow allegedly faced criticism for airing the nasty business of one of her houseguests, but the gossip newsletter clarified that she was likely not the one who leaked the news. And while Blasberg allegedly tried to soften the blow to his reputation by claiming his diarrhea was Ozepmic-induced, insiders quickly shot down the excuse. 'Its not Ozempic, thats just what he told everyone,' a source familiar with the unflattering situation previously told the Daily Mail. Following the drama, Paltrow and Blasberg decided to keep their distance from one another, according to insiders. A source also claimed shortly after the sleepover disaster that the beauty businesswoman was 'horrified' and 'feels bad' about what happened. 'Gwyneth would like to eventually laugh about this with Derek, but currently there is still much embarrassment,' a source told the Daily Mail last year. 'They both know that if they are ever seen together or if he ever returns to her house, they go out to dinner, it will be the only thing people will be talking about.' On Tuesday, an insider told the Daily Mail that not much has changed since then. 'The friendship is barely there and will not be what it once was because, for the lack of a better word, the fallout took its toll,' they revealed. 'Anger and embarrassment turned into disappointment when no apologies were given and especially in Hollywood, if and when they are seen together, it will be like high school and that is all that will be mentioned, and it will live with them forever.' Paltrow only vaguely addressed the catastrophic incident, ironically enough, in a March 2025 interview with Vanity Fair. Following the drama, Paltrow and Blasberg decided to keep their distance from one another, according to insiders The nasty incident reportedly occurred at the actress' massive Hamptons home 'I understand,' Paltrow, who Vanity Fair described as 'pained,' told the outlet. 'And I also, like, am just not going to' While she never gave a cohesive response before she 'trailed off with existential cringe,' Vanity Fair wrote, she never denied that it happened. Before the doomed June 2024 Hamptons trip, Blasberg was no stranger to Paltrow's sweeping Hamptons house, where she married her husband, Brad Falchuk, in 2018. In 2022, the fashion expert posted a snap of himself and the actress celebrating her 50th birthday at the sprawling property. They have also been spotted palling around over the years, often seen in snaps together on social media. Blasberg, once dubbed one of the most well-connected figures in showbusiness, graduated with a journalism degree from New York University before launching into his celebrity-packed career. He had written and edited for major fashion publications, including Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. He first joined the Vanity Fair team in 2015 as the magazine's 'man on the street,' covering art and fashion trends. Blasberg also had a two-year stint at CNN as the host of CNN Style. He went on to serve as YouTube's Head of Fashion & Beauty Partnerships, a role he left in 2022 to continue his writing career. While Vanity Fair made the formal announcement on Tuesday that he will be joining the team, Blasberg's most recent article with the magazine was published on October 16. Before that, he had not written for Vanity Fair since 2018. The Hamptons house fiasco has seemingly had little impact on his notoriety, as Blasberg has provenly maintained an elite inner circle, hosting luxurious events and attending exclusive galas. The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Blasberg, Paltrow and Vanity Fair for comment. A-list Actor Oscar Isaac has accused Disney of 'succumbing to fascism' after suspending late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. The Star Wars star 46, made the remarks in an interview with GQ, published on Monday, that took two days into Kimmel's suspension over the host's controversial remarks surrounding the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Isaac was asked whether he would ever consider working with Disney again to reprise his role in the Star Wars franchise, in which he portrays high-flying X-wing pilot Poe Dameron. 'I'd be open to it, although right now Im not so open to working with Disney,' the actor responded. 'But if they can kinda figure it out and, you know, not succumb to fascism, that would be great.' 'But if that happens, then yeah, I'd be open to having a conversation - or any number of other things.' At the time of the interview, Kimmel had just had his show pulled from the air after saying in his monologue that the 'MAGA gang' was 'desperately trying to characterize' Kirk's alleged assassin 'as anything other than one of them.' The show returned to air four days later. Isaac was asked whether he would ever consider working with Disney again to reprise his role in the Star Wars franchise 'I'd be open to it, although right now I'm not so open to working with Disney,' Isaac replied. 'But if they can kinda figure it out and, you know, not succumb to fascism, that would be great' Isaac, who appeared on the cover GQ's Men of the Year issue, previously starred in films like Ex Machina and A Most Violent Year before becoming a global star in 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He went on to star in the trilogy's next two installments, and in 2016 he received a spot on Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world. He was named 'the best actor of his generation' by Vanity Fair in 2017 and one of the 25 greatest actors of the 21st century by The New York Times in 2020. Most recently, he played Dr. Victor Frankenstein in Guillmero del Toro's adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel. In a 2016 interview, Isaac called the rise of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump 'definitely irritating,' given the actor's Latino heritage. Other stars featured in the Men of the Year issue include hip-hop duo Clipse, pop songstress SZA, actor Seth Rogen, actress Syndey Sweeney, and soon-to-be-cancelled late-night host Stephen Colbert. On the September 18 episode of Colbert's CBS show, the host declared his support for Kimmel to start the episode. Isaac plays high-flying X-wing fighter pilot Poe Dameron in the Disney-made films Jimmy Kimmel had just had his show pulled from the air after saying that the 'MAGA gang' was 'desperately trying to characterize' Charlie Kirk's alleged assassin as 'anything other than one of them.' Pictured, Disney boss Bob Iger, who signed off on the decision to indefinitely suspend Kimmel before reinstating him within a week 'Tonight, we are all Jimmy Kimmel. I stand with you and your staff 100 percent,' Colbert said at the time. Prior to the suspension, Brendan Carr, the pro-Trump chair of the Federal Communications Commission, threatened to pull the licenses of Disney and local broadcasters who aired Kimmels show. He told Benny Johnson in a conversation streamed to X hours before the decision was made: 'We can do this the easy way or the hard way.' Insurers have paid out almost 200million to help businesses recover from cyber attacks. Figures from insurance industry trade body the Association of British Insurers show 197million was paid out to help businesses recover from cyber incidents last year. Data from ABI member insurers revealed a 230 per cent year-on-year jump in the amount paid out to support businesses with cyber attacks, 138million more than in 2023. Malware and ransomware alone accounted for over half of all claims by businesses. This is up from a total of 32 per cent of all claims in 2023 as digital threats become increasingly sophisticated and causing more extensive damage, leading to higher payouts. Marks & Spencer was the target of a massive cyber attack earlier this year, with Jaguar Land Rover and the Co-operative Group among other high-profile victims. M&S was forced to suspend online shopping for two months afterwards, with click and collect orders suspended for almost four months. M&S was the target of a massive cyber attack earlier this year that forced it to suspend online shopping for two months In its latest results, M&S revealed statutory profit before tax - reflecting all costs for a period - slumped 99 per cent from 391.9million to 3.4million for the first half of the year, compared with the previous year. M&S also said it had received 100million of insurance payouts related to fighting the cyber attack. Meanwhile the Jaguar Land Rover cyber incident which happened in August has been described as 'the single most financially damaging' incident of its kind to ever hit Britain. The ABI data shows how insurers can support businesses when a cyber attack halts business operations. Now the insurance industry body is calling for cyber insurance to become a part of every company's risk management strategy. It can help to protect businesses from costly breaches, ransomware, and email compromise while helping them prevent attacks and boost resilience. With cyber threats escalating, demand for cyber protection surged in 2024. The number of policies taken out rose 17 per cent compared to the previous year. Jonathan Fong, head of general insurance policy at the ABI, said: 'Cyber insurance is more than just a financial safety net. 'The right policy not only supports businesses in the aftermath of an incident but can also help prevent attacks through access to expert advice, threat monitoring, and incident response planning. 'With cyber threats continuing to grow in scale and sophistication, it needs to be a critical component of every organisations modern risk management strategy.' What's most sickening about the fraud carried out by Madeline Shaw isn't the enormous amount she stole 71,600 or even that her victim was elderly and frail. It's the fact that the victim was Shaw's own grandfather, John Mallaby. Shaw had power of attorney over John's affairs, giving her control of his finances. She exploited that trust by plundering his savings while stopping paying the fees for John's nursing home and not even buying the basic toiletries that were requested by the home's staff. The fraud was only discovered after John died, aged 83. Last week 32-year-old Shaw from Borrowby in North Yorkshire was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to fraud at York Crown Court. 'Madeline Shaw betrayed the trust placed in her to act in her frail grandfather's interests,' said Emma Harris of the Economic Crime Unit at North Yorkshire Police. Tragically, the case is far from unique. The charity Hourglass, which campaigns against the issue, warns that elder abuse is an epidemic, and the number of cases continues to soar. Madeline Shaw from Borrowby in North Yorkshire was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to fraud at York Crown Court Brett Conway stole 52,000 from his infirm parents and spent much of it on foreign holidays and paying-off his credit card debts Seven years ago, it received around 4,000 contacts from concerned members of the public each year, now that figure is 70,000. Financial abuse of elderly people typically involves stealing their money or possessions, or defrauding them by threatening or pressuring them to hand over money, or sign financial documents. At times it is easy to spot, for example a family member or carer taking money from an elderly person's wallet without their permission or pressuring them into handing over cash. In others it may be more concealed, for example a loved one threatening that they won't visit or bring around the grandchildren if the elderly person does not take them all out, or taking small amounts of money from their account each month. In most cases, the perpetrator of fraud against an older person is a relative, Hourglass finds. 'A number of studies suggest that family members may have a sense of entitlement to the financial assets of an older person feeling that they will inherit it anyway, that the older person may no longer need it, or that the perpetrator deserves it for assisting with care needs,' it warns. In some cases, the situation is exacerbated by rising living costs, leading perpetrators to take advantage of older family members to fund their own lifestyles. Millions of older people rely on their relatives to help manage their finances and as many as four million have Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) set up for this purpose. These are legal documents that allow you to nominate a trusted person to act on your behalf if you're unable to do so. Registering an LPA can be invaluable and in the vast majority of cases is used responsibly in the best interests of the person who has bestowed it. However, in some rare cases this trust is abused and the LPA used to access an elderly person's money against their interests. Graham Walker, 74, and his wife Lyn, 71, were found guilty of fraud after staff at the care home they own concocted a fake will to try to pocket the 175,000 savings of an 85-year-old resident Pamela Gwinnett convinced Joan Green to grant her lasting power of attorney, and changed the locks at her bungalow and told carers to refuse to let her friends and family visit Joan died in November 2022, aged 89, isolated and living in fear of 62-year-old Gwinnett, who by that point had stolen 300,000 A poll conducted by Hourglass revealed some shocking attitudes, with 26 per cent of respondents thinking that it was acceptable to pressurise an older person into changing their will, and 21 per cent saying that it was not abuse to coerce someone into signing over the deeds to their house. 'It's an epidemic and it's getting worse,' says Hourglass chief executive Richard Robinson. 'Nobody seems to be saying: "This is awful, what can we do about it?" 'Parliament has discussed the abuse of farmyard animals more often than older people. 'There's no minister for older people, there's no independent commissioner for older people and there's not a mention of older people on the website or annual reports of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, unless it's something we've said.' If you're worried that an older person is being exploited you can contact Hourglass at www.wearehourglass.org Professor Keith Brown, who was awarded an MBE in this New Year's Honours for services to adult safeguarding and fraud prevention, says that older people often do not realise that they are being defrauded and even if they do, they might fear reporting their suspicions in case it impacts on their care. 'When you are that vulnerable and lonely it's astonishing what you'll put up with,' he says. He compares elder abuse today with child abuse in the 1970s, when it was hardly recognised as an issue apart from the risk of so-called 'stranger danger'. 'We didn't start to use the term "child abuse" until 1980 onwards and we assumed it was done by a stranger. 'As the decade went on we started to recognise that a lot of abuse was carried out by a relative or somebody known to that child. 'I suspect we are in the same place today with fraud against the elderly.' One recent dreadful example of a perpetrator is Brett Conway, who stole 52,000 from his infirm parents, spending much of it on foreign holidays and paying-off his credit card debts. Following his arrest on suspicion of theft, Conway waged what the police called 'an obsessive' campaign against his parents in an attempt to get the case dropped. In August the 66-year-old from Stanton St Quintin near Chippenham in Wiltshire was jailed for six years and eight months following a trial at Swindon Crown Court, his parents having died before seeing justice done. After the trial, DC Rachael Fairbairn of Wiltshire Police said: 'The financial loss in this case, as with many fraud investigations, came second to the emotional trauma he inflicted.' Professional carers can also be perpetrators, according to Hourglass. It found they are in just 4 per cent of cases, though it cites other studies that put this figure as high as 31 per cent, highlighting just how difficult it is to know the scale of the problem. The Crown Prosecution Service does not record the relationship of fraudsters to their victims and the annual Crime Survey for England and Wales does not question care home residents. Whatever the exact figure, some carers are the worst offenders of all, as illustrated by the recent high-profile scandal at Amberley Care Home in Dudley, West Midlands. Senior staff concocted a fake will to try to pocket the 175,000 savings of 85-year-old resident Rita Barnsley. The owners of the home, Graham Walker, 74, and his wife Lyn, 71, and the manager Jamiel Slaney-Summers, 65, were found guilty of fraud by a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court and are due to be sentenced next month. The prosecution was brought by Dudley Council's trading standards team, which was alerted by Rita's cousin Verna, who became suspicious when the home would not connect her phone calls to Rita. 'It was an horrific abuse of trust by three people who she was relying on to look after her best interests,' said Councillor Phil Atkins. Some cases involve relatives or supposed friends who become carers in an unofficial capacity. Pamela Gwinnett acted the part of a kindly friend, doing the shopping and occasional cleaning for widowed Joan Green, a retired accountant. The heartless crook convinced Joan to grant her lasting power of attorney, and changed the locks and landline at her detached bungalow in Chorley, Lancashire, and told carers to refuse to let her friends and family visit. Joan died in November 2022, aged 89, isolated and living in fear of 62-year-old Gwinnett, who by that point had stolen 300,000. She used much of the money to pay-off mortgages on properties she owned, then flew to Tenerife and has not returned. Last month she was sentenced in absentia to six years in jail. Judge Michael Maher, sitting at Preston Crown Court, said that Gwinnett milked poor Joan 'until she was dry' and added: 'It is an affront to justice and the rule of law for this defendant to be allowed to remain in Tenerife.' Chelsea Iles stole almost as much 290,000 from her victim while also playing the role of the 'kindly friend'. Her mother had helped the neighbour in Gloucester with chores such as shopping, using his bank card. When she died, Chelsea assumed the role, exploiting it to steal his savings to fund her gambling addiction. Knowing that he had poor eyesight, Iles showed him falsified statements to dupe him into believing that his savings were intact. Judge Alan Large, sitting at Gloucester Crown Court, branded 29-year-old Iles 'cowardly' and jailed her for four years and four months. Professor Keith Brown adds that one particularly worrying type of case has come to his attention in his capacity as the chair of two council Adult Safeguarding Boards. 'There's a concern about local authority carers for vulnerable older people who have resigned from the authority to become private carers for those people and then become the sole beneficiary of their wills,' he says. 'There are a couple of these cases that we know about and it will be a bigger problem. 'How much bigger is the unknown bit.' Hourglass estimates that elder fraud costs the public purse 16billion a year, as once independent victims are left traumatised and needing care from health and social services, as well as the police. Dame Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner, responded: 'I am dedicated to understanding and championing the experiences of victims and survivors no matter who they are.' Warning signs that an older person is being defrauded: Shell has ditched two offshore wind farms in the North Sea as it continues its march away from renewable energy. The oil and gas giant sold its 50 per cent interest in MarramWind to Scottish Power Renewables and returned its CampionWind lease to Crown Estate Scotland. While Scottish Power Renewables owned by Spanish utility Iberdrola said it would continue the development of the MarramWind project, the future of CampionWind is in doubt. Any delay would be a setback to Energy Secretary Ed Milibands push for Net Zero. Under chief executive Wael Sawan, Shell has pivoted away from renewables and doubled down on oil and gas to boost investor confidence. Shell shares rose 0.7 per cent yesterday. UK-based investors have dumped billions of pounds worth of shares amid Budget tax fears as London's new Lady Mayor urged Rachel Reeves not to damage growth. Fears of capital gains tax hikes and a raid on pension lump sums helped drive 1.2billion in withdrawals from UK-focused equity funds last month. The figures from funds network Calastone add to the evidence of gloom over the Chancellor's plans with separate data also showing consumers cutting back on public spending in advance of the Budget. Calastone's figures show the continuation of a long-running exodus from UK stocks stretching back more than four years. That includes more than 10 billion pulled out since September last year when anxiety was building over Ms Reeves's first Budget. Now, investors are responding to fears that she could raise capital gains tax or cut the tax-free lump sums that pension savers can withdraw from the age of 55, from the current level of 268,275. The Chancellor's tax plans are causing 'growing concern' The flight from UK shares is part of a wider exodus from global stocks, also partly driven by worries of a 'bubble' in US artificial intelligence (AI) companies. Overall, UK investors pulled a record 3.6billion from global and UK funds in October. Edward Glyn, head of global markets at Calastone, said there was 'growing concern about Rachel Reeves' Budget and the anticipated tax implications'. He added: 'For some, it's a simple matter of crystallising capital gains in case rates go up. This drove a huge uptick in selling this time last year and it's clearly round two in 2026. 'For many others it's about pensions. 'The tax-free lump sum that over-55s may draw from their pensions is such a vital part of most people's retirement planning that the risk it will be scrapped or drastically scaled back is simply too concerning for many diligent pension savers in their 50s and beyond to contemplate. 'Speculation on policy has made this drastic step the only rational choice for many, even if it may ultimately harm their longer-term financial goals.' It came as London's first Lady Mayor, Susan Langley, urged the Chancellor: 'Please don't tax growth.' Ms Langley told the BBC that the City which she represents in her new role was 'the engine and the powerhouse for the UK'. She added: 'We need to make sure that the City's a place where entrepreneurs want to come, where companies want to grow, where they employ people, where they create innovation.' Separately, figures from Barclays showed that consumer card spending fell by 0.8 per cent and consumer confidence tumbled last month. Worries about jobs, the economy and household finances all deepened as many cut back or delayed purchases, the report revealed. Julien Lafargue, chief market strategist, at Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management, said: 'Consumers and businesses alike appear to have adopted a 'wait and see' approach ahead of the Autumn Budget.' Vodafone has upgraded its annual outlook for both earnings and cash flow after the telecoms giant returned to top-line growth in Germany in the second quarter. The business, which has seen revenues bolstered by its merger with Three in the UK, on Tuesday also revealed its first dividend hike in eight years. It was forced to slash its dividend by 40 per cent in May 2019 after the cost of buying 5G spectrum in Europe caused debts to swell. Vodafone told shareholders it expects its dividend to rise by 2.5 per cent for the financial year, with its interim dividend set at 2.25 eurocents per share. The mobile and broadband firm said it achieved 'good' performance in the UK over the quarter, and was 'driving cost synergies at pace' following its merger with Three. VodafoneThree surpassed O2 as the UK's biggest operator when the joint venture completed in May. On the up: Vodafone upgraded its annual outlook for both earnings and cash flow on Tuesday The FTSE 100 firm said it had signed new long-term new partnership agreements and begun a property 'consolidation' plan. In a move widely expected to lead to job cuts, Vodafone said it was also undertaking 'large contract rationalisation programmes, whilst merging and simplifying the two organisations'. Vodafone shares rose 5.67 per cent or 5.04p to 93.96p on Tuesday, having risen over 28 per cent in the past year. Cost synergy savings are expected to reach around 700million a year on full completion. Vodafone has said it expects its annual profit to sit at the top end of forecasts as the company produced its first set of results after completing its merger with Three. The group said it saw 1.2 per cent growth in the UK in the six months to the end of September, while Germany, a key market, returned to growth after a prolonged period of shedding customers amid changes to TV contract rules. Total group revenue jumped 7.3 per cent, due to the inclusion of Threes financials, to 19.6million, while pre-tax profit was unchanged at 2.1billion. Adjusted earnings rose 5.9 per cent to 5.7billion, ahead of the expected 5.62billion, while operating profit slipped 9.2 per cent to 2.2billion, largely due to the depreciation effects of the Three UK merger. The group said it now expected to deliver the upper end of it guidance ranges for adjusted core earnings of 11.3billion to 11.6billion, with an adjusted free cash flow of 2.4billion to 2.6billion for the year. Vodafone also announced plans to start a share repurchase programme of ordinary shares in its share capital of $0.20 each up to a maximum consideration of 500million. Chief executive, Margherita Della Valle, said: 'Based on our stronger performance, we are now expecting to deliver at the upper end of our guidance range for both profit and cash flow, and as our anticipated multi-year growth trajectory is now under way.' She added: 'In the second quarter we saw service revenue accelerating, with good performances in the UK, Turkey and Africa, and a return to top-line growth in Germany.' Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said: 'The shares have languished for some considerable time, having fallen by 65 per cent over the last ten years and by 24 per cent over the last five. 'However, more recent progress has been reflected in a bounce of 23 per cent over the last year, as compared to a gain of 20.5 per cent for the wider FTSE 100 and a warm reception to the update at the open. 'While the strategy is clear, the transformation in train and the valuation undemanding, the market consensus of the shares as a hold reflects that caution will remain the watchword for investors as the transformation unfolds.' Legendary Wall Street investor Warren Buffett is finally 'going quiet' and stepping away from his annual must-read letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders ahead of his retirement. The billionaire investor, 95, will hand over the reins as chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway to vice chairman Greg Abel at the end of this year as he retires after six decades. Buffett took over Berkshire then a failing textile company in 1965 before turning it into a $1.16trillion conglomerate with nearly 200 businesses across the US economy. The billionaire became known as the 'Sage of Omaha', combining investment success with homespun wisdom and a modest lifestyle. Buffett told shareholders in a letter on Monday he would 'no longer be writing Berkshire's annual report or talking endlessly at the annual meeting'. 'As the British would say, I'm "going quiet",' he added. Retirement preparations: The 'Sage of Omaha', 95, is 'going quiet' Buffett, who plans to keep in touch with shareholders via an annual Thanksgiving letter, also revealed what he plans to do with his multi-billion-dollar Berkshire stake. The Berkshire chairman is selling down his estate in a major philanthropic drive and has already donated more than half his Berkshire shares since 2006. But Buffett still owns roughly 14 per cent of the group, which has a market capitalisation of just under $1.1trillion. The value of his stake was estimated at roughly $149billion at the end of the second quarter. He told shareholders he wants to keep a 'significant amount' of the group's A shares 'until Berkshire shareholders develop comfort with' new boss Abel's leadership. It means Buffett will retain significant control over the group after he steps away from day-to-day duties in the new year. Buffett assured investors that his three children aged 72, 70 and 67 - are 'already 100 per cent behind Greg as are the Berkshire directors'. He also announced a donation of 2.7 million Berkshire class B shares, worth roughly $1.3billion, to four foundations managed by his children. While Berkshire stock rose 5,502,284 per cent from 1965 to 2024, Buffett never moved from a home he paid $31,500 for in 1958. His investment approach stressed the importance of company fundamentals and not overpaying for assets. His best-known investment of recent years was buying shares in Apple in 2016 in what turned out to be a lucrative bet that it would recover from a dip in fortunes. Speculation over Berkshire's succession plans have weighed on the group's share price this year, falling around 8 per cent since Buffett's retirement was announced in May. Buffett wrote on Monday: 'In aggregate, Berkshire's businesses have moderately better-than-average prospects, led by a few non-correlated and sizable gems. 'However, a decade or two from now, there will be many companies that have done better than Berkshire; our size takes its toll. Berkshire has less chance of a devastating disaster than any business I know. 'And, Berkshire has a more shareholder-conscious management and board than almost any company with which I am familiar (and I've seen a lot). 'Finally, Berkshire will always be managed in a manner that will make its existence an asset to the United States and eschew activities that would lead it to become a supplicant. 'Our stock price will move capriciously, occasionally falling 50 per cent or so as has happened three times in 60 years under present management. Don't despair; America will come back and so will Berkshire shares.' Tinned tuna giant Princes Group is looking at acquiring other businesses after the firm's listing on the London Stock Exchange last week. The group, which also produces Branston baked beans and Napolina olive oil, floated at 475p a share giving Princes a valuation of 1.2billion. Simon Harrison, chief executive of Princes, said on Tuesday the listing represented a 'milestone period' for the company. The group's future now looks set to include 'value accreditive' mergers and acquisitions deals, Harrison added. Princes' shares rose on Tuesday as the group published its latest nine-month trading update. Shares in the company rose nearly five per cent in early trading on Tuesday to highs of 467p before giving back gains eased. The business reported a sharp increase in nine-month core profit in its first results since going public. Listing: Lat week, Princes launched its initial public offering at the bottom end of its marketed range Princes, one of Europes largest grocery suppliers, reined in costs and streamlined operations in the period in a bid to boost margins. The company, like its Italian parent NewPrinces, has been focusing on initiatives to boost margins and improve its offerings as consumers seek out more affordable options. Princes' pre-tax earnings for the nine months ending 30 September jumped over 51 per cent to 111.1million. Revenue reached 1.4billion, representing a drop from 1.5billion previously despite the earnings jump. The business said: 'As expected, the deflationary pricing conditions across several core raw materials impacted revenue, given the Group's pass-through mechanics with customers.' The groups earnings margin, a measure of profitability, grew to 7.8 per cent from 4.9 per cent, driven by gains across Italian, foods and drinks segments. Prince said it was focusing on 'earnings quality'. Harrison added: 'This has been a milestone period for Princes, with our admission to trading on the London Stock Exchange. We have taken decisive actions to enhance earnings quality, improve efficiency and strengthen our commercial partnerships. We are building a resilient, margin-accretive and customer-led business with a clear path for sustained growth. 'Our M&A and integration capability set along with the firepower we now have as a group is creating exciting opportunities to pursue value accretive M&A, in line with our stated strategy.' Last week, Princes launched its initial public offering at the bottom end of its marketed range with a value of 1.2billion. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'Princes IPO had all the appeal of a tin can stuck at the back of a cupboard not very exciting but still a potential source of sustenance for those willing to be brave. 'The lacklustre investor demand for its stock offer saw the shares priced at the bottom of the IPO range and fall further once they hit the market. 'It wasnt a great start to life as a listed entity, so it was inevitable that management would have to work harder to bang the drum and convince more people that the business is worth a look.' He added: 'A lot of investors will be sitting on the sidelines until there is a full set of financial results by which to judge the company post-listing. 'Princes will have to let its business performance do the talking rather than management if it is to truly win over the market.' Comedian Marcus Brigstocke has revealed why he spent 'silly' money buying back his own motorhome. Speaking on the Spent! podcast, brought to you in association with Nationwide, Brigstocke, 52, explained that his beloved motorhome, which he used for touring, had been stolen in broad daylight from outside his house in South London. Thinking the vehicle lost forever, the stand-up received an insurance payout. But two years later, Norfolk Police called with surprising news - they'd found it. But to get it back, he had to buy it at auction from the insurance company, leading to what Brigstocke calls a 'wildly stupid' purchase that he now deeply regrets. The comedian is best known for his regular appearances on the BBC's The Now Show and Live at the Apollo. Comedian Marcus Brigstocke has revealed why he spent 'silly' money buying back his own motorhome Speaking on the Spent! podcast, Brigstocke explained that his beloved motorhome, which he used for touring, had been stolen in broad daylight from outside his house in South London 'I bought it back for much more than it was worth', Brigstocke admitted to podcast host Matt Edmondson. 'My heart was so attached to it. My kids had grown up in it. 'To be fair, when I did get it back - there was a little box on the side of it it was always difficult to open. Only I could do it. 'I opened it up and my kids' buckets and spades from the beach were still in there. The scumbag who'd stolen it hadn't managed to open it. 'I bought it back for a silly price, it was a wildly stupid thing to do. I didn't need it. I wasn't going to use it. My life had changed. 'It needed so much work to be fixed and cleaned after this guy had nicked it. I tried a few times to make it feel mine again. That failed utterly. 'I hung onto it for four or five more years, but I just sold it this year. It was really sad to see it go.' Brigstocke also said the purchase caused tension with his wife, comedian Rachel Parris, who wasn't pleased he'd bought back a motorhome filled with memories from his first marriage. He said: 'My wife Rachel, we had not been together very long when I bought it back - she wasn't at the stage in our relationship where she felt able to go: 'What are you doing? Please don't buy the motorhome you used with your first wife.' 'I was obtuse and didn't really think of that.' Brigstocke also said the purchase caused tension with his wife, comedian Rachel Parris, who wasn't pleased he'd bought back a motorhome filled with memories from his first marriage Brought to you in association with Nationwide, Spent! is available now on Youtube, and wherever you get your podcasts Hosted by award-winning presenter Matt Edmondson, Spent! puts celebrities in the hot seat to share their receipts and reveal the purchases, big or small, that have impacted their lives. From everyday indulgences to life-changing splurges, the podcast uses guests' spending as a humorous jumping-off point into their careers and private lives. Spent! is available now on Youtube, and wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released every Tuesday. The Chancellor has reportedly ruled out cuts to the tax-free pension lump sum limit in the upcoming Autumn Budget, it has been revealed. News the lump sum will remain fixed comes after months of speculation that the limit, as well as tax relief on pensions, could be at risk - and it marks a victory for the Daily Mail who have campaigned for Rachel Reeves to come clean over any plans she had to tinker with the pension perk. Fears the Chancellor would slash the tax-free lump sum limit have led to many choosing to withdraw their 25 per cent without a plan for how to use it. There was a 33 per cent increase in withdrawal requests on the Bestinvest platform in September, the firm said, with the size of pension income withdrawals also growing by 146 per cent over the same period. Other wealth managers have also reported seeing increases in tax-free lump sum withdrawals from pension funds. Arbuthnot Latham, a private bank, told Reuters it had seen a 300 per cent increase year-to-date in comparison to the whole of 2024. Netwealth told us it has seen a 143 per cent jump in tax-free cash withdrawals between the end of June 2024, just before the election, and the end of last month. Pensions Minister Torsten Bell previously advocated for a reduction to the tax-free cash allowance while at thinktank the Resolution Foundatio Similar speculation ahead of last years' budget led to significant withdrawals of tax-free lump sums, which many came to later regret. Currently, people aged over 55 can withdraw 25 per cent of their pension pot tax-free up to a cap of 268,275. > Read more: The best self-invested personal pension (Sipp) providers The Chancellor previously refused to rule out changes to the amount pension holders can withdraw, as the Government looks to fill a fiscal black hole of as much as 30billion. For some people taking the cash could pay off, especially if they planned to do so anyway in the next year or so and want to spend the money for a specific purpose. For others, taking out a large sum could backfire, because tax-free withdrawals are irreversible and they may miss out on future investment growth by shifting funds out of their pension. Steve Webb, former Pensions Minister and partner at pension consultants LCP, says: 'While it is obvious good news that tax free lump sums are to be left alone in this year's budget, the widespread speculation - which the government did nothing to quell - may mean that thousands of people made life-changing decisions to withdraw pensions which they may now regret. 'We need the Treasury to make clear that pension tax relief will be untouched for the rest of this Parliament, not just one year at a time, to give savers and investors the confidence and certainty that they need.' Lisa Picardo, chief business officer UK at PensionBee, said: 'We welcome the Government's decision to maintain the pension tax-free lump sum. 'It's a cornerstone of retirement planning, which many have factored into their financial future. 'It enables people to pay off debt, clear what's left of their mortgage, or build a financial buffer for life after work. 'Keeping this important benefit unchanged will help preserve savers' confidence in the pensions system and encourage people to continue putting money aside for their future. 'Stability and trust are essential to ensure people feel rewarded, not penalised, for saving consistently throughout their working lives.' The concerns that the limit could be slashed came on the back of calls to cut the lump sum, such as from the left wing think tank the Fabian Society, which urged a reduction to 100,000. Pensions Minister Torsten Bell previously advocated for a reduction to the tax-free cash allowance while at thinktank the Resolution Foundation. Latest reports indicate that that Rachel Reeves is planning to cap the amount that employees can pay into their pensions via salary sacrifice without facing national insurance contributions. New rules could see the exemption camped at 2,000 per worker per year, which would in effect be a stealth tax on pension saving for many. The move could bring in an extra 2billion per year for the Treasury, as it scrambles to fill the gap in the UK's public finances. This is Money has contacted the Treasury for comment. Products featured in this article are independently selected by This is Money's specialist journalists. If you open an account using links which have an asterisk, This is Money will earn an affiliate commission. We do not allow this to affect our editorial independence. Santander is the latest bank to hand out a 200 cash bribe for switching your current account, joining existing incentives from Barclays, First Direct and Lloyds. You need to open an eligible Santander current account, use the current account switching service (Cass) and move across two direct debits to get the reward. In an ideal world, the 200 would provide a nice boost for Christmas - but switchers could be waiting a while to receive the loot. Santander says it will check that switchers are eligible for the reward 60 days after the initial switch submission, with the cash paid within 30 days after that. This means it might take up to 90 days to get the bonus, so even if someone applied today it may not land until February. That being said, the cash should give your finances a welcome bump in the new year. We explore whether other switch incentives will pay out quicker below. New year boost: Santander will take a while to pay out the cash How to get the Santander bonus The offer's available from 10 November 2025. Those who held a current account with Santander on 1 January 2025 or have previously received a switching incentive from the bank won't be eligible. Firstly you need to open an eligible current account (more on these below). Then within 60 days of requesting to switch you need to complete these steps: Complete the switch using Cass, closing your old account Switch two active household direct debits (be careful here, because there's a select list of eligible direct debits) Pay in at least 1,500 Will any banks pay the boost quicker than Santander? What comparison websites can you use? Comparison websites have become a popular way to compare lots of financial products in a matter of minutes, helping you find the right one for you. It's possible to compare current accounts through GoCompare, MoneySuperMarket and Uswitch. When you open an account through MoneySuperMarket*, you can also earn a reward through its SuperSaveClub. For certain bank accounts, this reward is worth 15. > Visit MoneySuperMarket and compare bank accounts* There are a number of switching deals currently available. Each of these require you to use the current account switch service (Cass), move a number of direct debits and pay in a set amount. Make sure you read the full terms when going ahead. Lloyds: 200 - Lloyds will pay 'within 10 working days of the switch completing' 200 - Lloyds will pay 'within 10 working days of the switch completing' Barclays: 200 (must join Blue Rewards, which costs 5 a month) - Barclays will pay 'within 28 working days of you meeting the eligibility requirements' 200 (must join Blue Rewards, which costs 5 a month) - Barclays will pay 'within 28 working days of you meeting the eligibility requirements' First Direct: 175 - First Direct will pay 'by the 20th of the following month in which all criteria has been met' 175 - First Direct will pay 'by the 20th of the following month in which all criteria has been met' Nationwide: 175 - Nationwide will pay 'within 10 days of you meeting all the requirements' 175 - Nationwide will pay 'within 10 days of you meeting all the requirements' NatWest: 175 - NatWest will pay within 30 days after you meet the conditions How do Santander's bank accounts compare? Here's an overview of the Santander accounts you can open as part of the incentive: Everyday Current Account: No fee. A regular bank account with optional arranged overdraft. Santander Edge: 3 monthly fee. Get up to 10 cashback a month on selected household bills, an exclusive savings rate, and you can use your card abroad with no fee. You must pay in 500 a month and have two active direct debits. Santander Edge Up: 5 monthly fee. Get up to 15 cashback a month on selected household bills, earn interest on your balance up to 25,000, and use your card abroad with no fee. You must pay in 1,500 a month and have two active direct debits. Santander Edge Explorer: 17 monthly fee, but you get worldwide family travel insurance, remote access to GP 24/7, UK and European breakdown cover, and family mobile phone insurance. Get cashback on selected household bills, supermarkets, and travel costs. There's an exclusive savings rate and no fee to use your debit card abroad. > Read more: The best UK bank accounts Just weeks after they celebrated their first anniversary as a couple, friends of Donald Trump Jr are pushing back at claims the First Family are yet to accept his new partner Bettina Anderson. Sources close to the Presidents son claim there is a poison campaign against the 38-year-old Palm Beach socialite who he plans to marry. Their defense comes after insiders alleged that the lifelong Palm Beacher and fixture of the champagne-fueled high-society circuit has been met with concern and even scorn as she tries to establish her presence among her beau's family and friends. One reason for the pushback, the insiders claim, is an investigation by Palm Beach Police into the disappearance of jewels and other valuables from the home of a retired real estate mogul that allegedly involves several of Anderson's girlfriends. Though cops expressly say Anderson was never a suspect in the crime, that incident has allegedly made the First Family wary, the insiders claimed. However, friends of Donald Jr strongly dismissed the claims that his family had not accepted Bettina as demonstrably false and a smear campaign. One told the Mail: Bettina is on very good personal terms with his close relatives, including his father. Its plain wrong to suggest they doubt her. No one is concerned about Bettinas behaviour. The attempt to link her to a jewellery theft is a smear. She had nothing to do with it. Another added: These lies about Bettina are all born out of jealousy. They see how happy and in love Don and Bettina are and they want to try to destroy that. But it wont happen - Don loves her deeply and plans to marry her. And the whole family loves her. Palm Beach police chief Nicholas Caristo confirmed to the Daily Mail there was an active investigation into the theft, but confirmed: 'There are several suspects involved, none being Bettina Anderson.' Just weeks after they celebrated their first anniversary as a couple, friends of Donald Trump Jr are pushing back at claims the First Family are yet to accept his new partner Bettina Anderson Sources close to the Presidents son claim there is a poison campaign against the 38-year-old Palm Beach socialite who he plans to marry The victim of the theft was multi-millionaire Joel Pashcow, 82, who Bettina knows through sitting on a board of a non-profit with him. She regularly accompanied him to black-tie galas that Palm Beach is famous for. Paschow's name recently bubbled up in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal when it was revealed he had contributed salacious drawings of the financier getting massaged by topless women to the pedophile's 50th birthday book. He also posed with Epstein holding a ceremonial check. His family complained that several items including a Rolex watch and gold Krugerrands vanished from a closet in his $30million home causing a mini-scandal in the billionaires' enclave. Anderson did not return the Daily Mail's request for comment. A Trump Organization spokesman did not directly address the issues in a series of expletive-filled messages. While Don Jr. and Bettina are understood to be spending much of their time at his new ranch at the Pine Creek Sporting Club in Central Florida or at Anderson's West Palm Beach townhouse, neighbors tell the Daily Mail the president's son still makes regular visits to the home he co-owns with ex-fiancee and new US Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, 56. The former couple bought the $10million, 11,000-square-foot, six-bedroom waterfront house in Jupiter, Florida, some 20 miles north of Mar-a-Lago, in March 2021. Last December, the Daily Mail exclusively reported that Don Jr and Guilfoyle had officially called it quits three months after we published photos of him and Anderson enjoying an intimate brunch in Palm Beach. Anderson was born into one of Palm Beach's old-money banking families, the daughter of Palm Beach society couple Harry Loy Anderson Jr, a banker, and his wife Inger, an immigrant from Sweden. Best known as H. Loy, the elder Anderson became president of a small bank, Worth Avenue National Bank, in 1970 then went on to take over a slew of other financial institutions. Bettina's mother was a model at New York's Eileen Ford agency in the 1970s and 1980s who started an exercise regimen patterned after the era's guru, Jane Fonda. The former couple bought the $10million, 11,000-square-foot, six-bedroom waterfront house in Jupiter, Florida , north of Mar-a-Lago, in March 2021 Anderson joined her lover when he accompanied President Trump on his trip to Scotland in July Bettina was born into one of Palm Beach privilege and attended black tie events with family members including her brothers Loy (left) and Kent Anderson has been seen at her beau's side at White House events since they went public with their relationship late last year Through a network of old-time society members formed at the black-tie galas organized on the island of Palm Beach during the winter, H. Loy became the moneyed set's go-to banker. That put him in contact with people like Herbert 'Peter' Pulitzer, scion of the publishing fortune whose first marriage to Lilly Pulitzer planted the seeds of a clothing empire, and second marriage to Roxanne Pulitzer made him a household name in the early 1980s. Anderson was known to be Peter Pulitzer's best friend and stood by him as the divorce from Roxanne spawned allegations of cocaine-fueled orgies. With clients like Pulitzer and his presence on the boards of top Palm Beach charities like the American Red Cross, the Hanley-Hazelden Foundation, the YMCA, Holocaust Memorial Foundation, Leukemia Foundation and Boy Scouts of America, Bettina's dad was able to give his family a decadent, extravagant lifestyle while organizing parties where the guests of honor mingled with live elephants and pythons. Through the partying and business networking, Bettina's parents had six children whose births were spread over 20 years, four girls and two boys. Bettina has a twin sister, Kristina. H. Loy died in 2006 of Alzheimer's, according to his obituary, after he famously turned to religion and became an elder in the local Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church. What was not in his death announcements was the story that Palm Beach old timers tell visitors, that society stalwarts with safes in H. Loy's banks would secretly stash their personal reserves of drugs inside and empty them before closing on Fridays for use on weekends. Bettina and her siblings were raised with the proverbial silver spoon and sent to the finest private schools that Palm Beach and the country had to offer. An award-winning senior NHS executive who raped or sexually abused a string of girls he groomed on Snapchat has been jailed today for over 28 years. Self-professed 'monster' Paul Lipscombe was convicted of 34 offences against six girls - aged between 12 and 15 and from all over the country after targeting them via the social media app. A court heard married Lipscombe met up with five of his six victims during a campaign of abuse between September 2023 and April 2024, when police arrested him on suspicion of kidnapping one girl aged 15 who had been reported missing. The girl had been collected by Lipscombe from her home late at night - having told his wife he was away on business - and taken to a hotel, where police later found used condoms, vodka and cider. Her parents only discovered the girl was missing when police arrived at the address at 1.30am. The court heard paedophile Lipscombe had instructed the victim to dial 999 and read from a 'script' he had prepared for her, claiming she was leaving home because she was being abused. Lipscombe's digital devices were then examined and officers discovered he had targeted other girls and was also using AI software to create indecent images of children that he was distributing to others. The court heard Lipscombe even set up a subscription scheme for other paedophiles to obtain his images with gold, silver and bronze levels of membership. Sentencing the 51-year-old to 28 years and one month, Judge Keith Raynor branded Lipscombe as 'devious, scheming and 'manipulative' and 'very highly dangerous'. Paul Lipscombe used multiple Snapchat accounts to target the victims, a court heard Lipscombe pictured at an awards ceremony in the month he was arrested,when the NHS Trust where he worked won a healthcare analytics award He told the 'warped' defendant: 'The evidence shows you to have been an intelligent, confident and resourceful and well-organised individual. You were an NHS executive living in a nice home with your wife. You were proud of your wealth and the Tesla car parked on your drive. 'Sexual abuse of young girls was an obsession in life for you. 'You were bold in your offending and took very high risks which I'm sure made things more exciting for you.' He imposed an extended licence period of three years on Lipscombe to take effect after he has served his custodial sentence. The judge had earlier remarked that a pre-sentence report - in which Lipscombe admitted he was a 'monster' had recorded how the paedophile had claimed the offending took place because the girls were 'promiscuous'. The jduge said Lipscombe will serve at least two-thirds of that sentence behind bars. The court heard he twice raped one girl, who was aged just 12 when the offending began. The other victims, aged between 13 and 15, were all sexually abused. Lipscombe disclosed to the author of the pre-sentence report that he had been committing sexual offences against young girls since he was in his 20s and detectives also fear there are more victims out there. Leicestershire Police urged anybody who could have been groomed or abused by him to come forward. Prosecutor Frida Hussain KC told how after gaining the girls' trust using cartoon avatars as his profile pictures on two Snapchat accounts Lipscombe would arrange to meet them in private locations or take them to hotels or Airbnbs, where he would attack them. Lipscombe boasted online about winning an award and being a conference keynote conference speaker in his professional life, the court heard Lipscombe used two Snapchat accounts with the usernames George (as above) and Dom Woodmore when grooming the girls One victim, aged just 12 at the time the abuse started, was twice raped by Liscombe -an associate director in Performance and Informatics at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust - while the other victims were targeted for sexual abuse. The 'manipulative' computer analyst connected with one of the victims on Snapchat through another girl he had already groomed. In one message, Lipscombe - who boasted online about being a health innovations award winner and 'keynote speaker at national conferences' - told a victim: 'If there is anything you need - help, advice, beers, vapes, lifts, whatever - just let me know.' One victim was unknowingly filmed being abused after Lipscombe installed a 'spy camera app' on his phone. In a series of Victim Impact Statements, the victims and their parents told of the trauma his offending had caused them. The girls told how told how they had been left anxious, distrustful and even scared around men, and tormented by nightmares over what Lipscombe had done to them. One victim said she is 'haunted by the damage he has done to me'. The parents of another victim told how their daughter 'can't get it (the abuse) out of her mind'. Lipscome,seen in a still taken from a Snapchat video, also used AI software to create indecent images of children that he was distributing to others They added: 'We can honestly say we hate the man who ruined our daughter's childhood' Other parents told how their daughters had become withdrawn and secretive after falling under the paedophile's spell, with one recalling the 'earth-shattering' moment police informed them that their daughter had been abused. Lipscombe, from Rothley, Leicestershire, told the girls who cannot be identified - he was in his late 20s or early 30s after targeting them on the app. They were groomed with gifts of teddy bears, toys and other presents, while some victims were taken on shopping trips. Much of the abuse took place in hotels, Airbnbs, bedsits and his Tesla, the judge heard. The court heard he was arreseted in April last year after police searching for the missing girl who had dialled 999 stopped his Tesla as he bought a KFC for the pair near Leicester. Leicester Crown Court heard Lipscombe then told the officers where to find the girl at a nearby Airbnb. The court heard he had found the Airbnb after setting up a fake Facebook profile and posting that he was looking for accommodation for a 'vulnerable' child. An image of his 'Dom Woodmore' Snapchat account - police believe the paedophile targeted other victims on the social media app Mrs Hussain told the court that before moving to the Airbnb, Lipscombe and the girl, who was 15, had spent a night at an Ibis hotel, where police later found four used condoms in the hotel room, cider tins and an open bottle of vodka. Police also discovered a leather bondage collar, Viagra, children's clothes and soft toys. The court heard the girl's sim card had been taken out and her phone wiped and restored to factory settings. Following the paedophile's arrest, the teenager told police she had been raped. When Lipscombe's home was searched police found a bag in his office containing extra small size female clothing, restraints, a sex toy, black tape and rope. As the investigation progressed it became evident other offences against the girl had occurred and the defendant had also been in contact with other victims - using different Snapchat accounts under false names. The court heard Lipscombe added another of the victims on his Snapchat account using the name George in which he claimed to be 15. But when she blocked him for asking her for nude images, he then added her again a few weeks later, using his other alias, Dom Woodmore. Lipsome was arrested at the wheel of his Tesla as he waited at the kiosk of a KFC drive-through The court heard he took her to bedsits where she told police 'sexual things always happened', and bought her a primary school uniform for her to wear for him. A third victim was molested in her own home after Lipscombe followed her upstairs and grabbed her in a choke hold, Mrs Hussain said. Lipscombe had also set up a website where others could buy illegal images of children - including at least one victim - and could pay him to create images for them using AI, earning him over 3,000. Judge Raynor said: 'Police concluded that there were clear facial similarities between some of the AI produced images and the features of one of the victims.' The judge told how one man paid him for 'what amounted to a step-by-step guide to contacting young girls'. In February, Lipscombe pleaded guilty to 21 counts of sexual activity with a child, six counts of making indecent photographs of children, three sexual assaults, two rapes, one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of distributing indecent photographs of children. Mary Prior KC, defending, said Lipscombe had no previous criminal history. She described him as an 'award-winning employee of the NHS because of the work he had done, particularly during covid, in reducing waiting times for patients and improving computer systems.' She said he was now seeking medication to curb his sexual interest in children. The investigation into Lipscombe's offending remains ongoing. Detective Constable Lauren Speight from the CAIU, said: 'Lipscombe has been using Snapchat as a way to meet underage girls. 'He was able to groom them and persuade them to meet with him so he could carry out these horrendous crimes. 'Offenders like Lipscombe go to extreme lengths to manipulate and exploit children. 'This type of grooming and abuse can occur both online but also in person and often those being exploited don't realise they are victims; they believe they are in a loving consensual relationship. 'We need to do all we can to keep children safe from those who want to cause them serious harm. In cases like these we often see victims being given money, gifts or even drugs or alcohol in exchange for engaging in sexual activity. 'We also often see that victims are made to feel special and thrive on the attention they are given. For many children and young people, it is having someone who they believe is there for them and cares about them. 'This of course is not the reality, and it is crucial everyone is aware of the issue and knows the signs to look out for.' She added: 'We suspect he may have been in contact with other girls and could well have committed sexual offences against others. 'We would urge anyone who has been in contact with him to contact us. We are specially trained to speak to children who may have been victims of similar offences.' Superintendent Helen Schofield said of the threat children face online: 'If your child has access to a phone or tablet and is active on social media or online gaming platforms then they are at risk of being targeted by people who want to cause them harm. 'Talking to your child about these dangers is so important and being able to spot the possible signs of online offences, such as grooming, is vital to help try to keep them safe.' A spokesperson for University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust said: 'We would like to praise the girls and their families, as well as Leicestershire Police, for their bravery and courage in bringing Paul Lipscombe to justice for these horrendous crimes. 'Following Lipscombe's arrest in April 2024, we immediately suspended him before dismissing him from his administrative, non-patient facing role in June 2024. 'The Trust has and will continue to support Leicestershire Police with its investigations and has carried out its own internal review - nothing has been identified at this stage to indicate this individual's criminal activity was committed as part of their role.' An NSPCC spokesperson said: 'Lipscomb callously targeted and manipulated young girls on Snapchat, before abusing them in person and using AI to create and share further child sexual abuse images. 'It's unacceptable that platforms like Snap are still failing to protect children from harm. Ofcom and the Government must hold tech companies to account and make safety a non-negotiable part of product design. 'We need safeguards that expose abuse happening behind closed doors and that stop AI from being used to fuel it.' A Snapchat spokesperson said: 'Sexual exploitation of young people is an abhorrent crime, and we are working hard to combat it. 'We regularly work with law enforcement to help keep such activity off our platform and bring criminals to justice, and we've done that in this particular case. 'We have extra protections for teens, including in-app pop-up warnings if we think the contact could potentially be suspicious. 'We also encourage our community to use our easy in-app reporting tools so they can get help quickly and we continue to work with police, safety experts and NGOs to help create a safer experience for Snapchatters.' A Ukrainian father-of-three who molested a woman at a busy London train station after fleeing to Britain as a refugee has been spared jail. Andrii Starovoitov, 33, who was granted asylum in the UK despite being of fighting age in his home country, launched his attack after joining the queue for the female toilets at London Bridge station just after 7pm on October 26 last year. Starovoitov, who is married with a young family, approached the woman from behind and groped her intimately in front of stunned passengers, including children. And it can now be revealed that the burly migrant, who came to Britain around 18 months ago as war continued to rage in his home country, was a senior investigator with the Main Directorate of the Ukrainian National Police in Ternopil Region. The shocking incident was captured on video, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. The victim told the court she was left feeling 'degraded, humiliated, and violated'. Starovoitov, whose job was not mentioned in court, was given a 12-month community order. Photos show him in police uniform as recently as September 2023. His wife Iryna is a district police officer having trained as a teacher. The couple have three children, aged 13, 12 and two. It can now also be revealed that the birth of the couple's baby son in 2023, ten years after their second, meant that Starovoitov, who is of fighting age, was allowed to travel outside Ukraine, unlike most men who are obliged to stay to support the war effort against Russia. Despite his ongoing charges and subsequent conviction, his family have been allowed to join him in the UK and arrived three weeks ago under the family reunification scheme. Andrii Starovoitov, 33, (pictured) walked free from court after being given a 12-month community order for molesting a woman at a busy London train station The Daily Mail can reveal that Starovoitov (circled) was actually a senior police officer back in his home country Starovoitov, a married Ukrainian refugee and father-of-three, fled his native country around 18 months ago. Men with three or more children are allowed to travel outside Ukraine despite the war to support their families Afterwards the 37-year-old married woman, told the Daily Mail: 'Given the brazen nature of his attack I was disappointed and surprised that the punishment was so light.' On being informed her attacker was a police officer, the victim said: 'It is definitely not the sort of behaviour you would hope for from a senior police officer, nor a father of three.' Men with three or more children are allowed to travel outside Ukraine despite the war to support their families. Starovoitov would be able to earn far more in the UK than his annual police salary of 8,200. Pictures show a happy and loving family in Ukraine before the birth of their young son, and prior to the war. They are from near the city of Chortkiv in western Ukraine which has been bombed by Russia in the war, but far less severely than many regions. When he arrived in Britain at first, Starovoitov left his wife and children behind. He claimed in mitigation that he was blind drunk because he was upset after a friend of his had died on the front line. The victim told the Daily Mail in an exclusive interview: 'I was heading home having seen a friend for lunch, it was about 6pm - so, early. I was going to get on the tube, and thought I better go to the loo, because it's quite a long journey. 'It was incredibly crowded and not the kind of situation in which you would feel at all unsafe. 'I joined the ladies' queue and I became aware that there was a man behind me. I turned around and said, "Excuse me, this is the queue for the ladies." 'He gave me a very odd smile, almost a grimace, which creeped me out. 'I turned back around, and then he grabbed me, and I was very frightened, but it was bizarre, because there were women in front of me queuing into the toilet, and other women behind me.' She said it was the complete lack of any attempt to mask his actions in such a public place that shocked her most. Starovoitov (pictured) had been a senior investigator with the Main Directorate of the Ukrainian National Police in Ternopil Region The attack happened after Starovoitov joined the queue for the female toilets at London Bridge station just after 7pm on October 26 last year. The incident was captured on video 'The station was very busy, so I'm not entirely sure what he thought he would be achieving. I was very scared and I screamed out "What the f*** are you doing?". The women in particular around me were amazing. 'They gathered around me and one woman ran to get police. Another asked a large young man who was waiting for someone to make sure that he didn't get away.' The victim then went to the lavatory and when she emerged again, saw that the police were there and her assailant was being arrested. 'The police were there very quickly and I can't fault them. I gave a statement and so did several other women, even though it meant they missed their trains. 'And there was a little boy who, his mother actually came to court to testify. He'd seen what happened and was too scared to go into the gents afterwards. 'When I went to court, I was expecting to have to relive the whole thing again and be cross-examined, but at the very last minute he changed his plea, no doubt because the whole thing was on CCTV footage. At court was the first time I heard anything about him, and that he was in Ukraine. 'I found the mitigation odd, because even if you're drunk and upset about what's happening in Ukraine, why should you go and sexually assault someone? Being drunk is never an excuse. 'I also wondered why he was in Britain and not helping the war effort in Ukraine? 'At the hearing, the judge told him that we take this very seriously and he might face a custodial sentence. 'I know our prisons are woefully overcrowded, but given the brazen nature of his attack I was disappointed and surprised that the punishment was so light. 'It also made me reflect that so many women friends have told me that similar or worse attacks have happened to them and nothing was done because perhaps there were no witnesses, or the guy got away or whatever. 'My case was in a crowded station with loads of witnesses and clear CCTV, so I felt almost a sense of duty to persevere with it, but apart from being on the Sex Offenders Register for the next five years, I don't think there was much of a deterrent delivered to this individual in the future. 'I dread to think what he might have done had it been in a more secluded area or I had been alone. That thought was also why I felt I should persevere with the case.' Chae Lee, prosecuting, said: 'The victim found it odd that the defendant queued behind her. 'She told him he was in the wrong queue, but he just grinned at her and when she turned around, he groped her buttocks and put one hand between her legs. 'She was shocked and shouted "what the f*** are you doing?". He did not act shamefully, instead he grinned at her again. 'Lots of women rallied around the victim and she was able to get away. After she went to the toilet and came out, she noticed the defendant was still there. 'He was leaning against a pillar and was grinning and waving at her. This took place in front of many people including an eleven-year-old boy. 'The eleven-year-old boy made a point stating he did not want to go to the men's toilet alone because he had just seen what happened.' Wearing a blue jacket and dark grey trousers with black trainers, Starovoitov appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court this week. He spoke only to confirm his personal details, aided by a Ukrainian interpreter. The victim told the court she was left feeling 'degraded, humiliated, and violated'. She said: 'The fact that it occurred in such a busy well-lit location has made me feel unsafe anywhere on public transport.' Starovoitov, of Leyton, east London, initially denied but later admitted one count of sexual assault. Theresa Hendricks, defending, said Starovoitov 'was under a lot of stress' after arriving in Britain. Ms Hendricks said: 'He left his wife and three young children and came here. At the time that was the best thing to do so he could financially support them. 'But he found it extremely difficult to find work when he first arrived. The stress came from not knowing that his family weren't in an area that was being constantly bombed. 'He rarely drinks, but on this day he went out with a friend, clearly in a state because he was grieving for a friend who was killed on the frontline. 'They had drunk enormous amounts of alcohol. He remembers very little about the incident. 'His family joined him here three weeks ago under the family reunification scheme.' Starovoitov pictured with his wife Iryna, who he left behind along with his children when he first arrived in Britain Magistrate Jan Carr told Starovoitov: 'We have listened to what has been said and the details of this offence, and we are going to deal with this offence by way of a community order. 'The offence of sexual assault on a female is serious enough for us to make a community order.' Starovoitov was handed a 12-month community order and must complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity and 80 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay 325 in court costs, 500 in compensation to the victim, and a 114 victim surcharge. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'When foreign nationals commit serious crimes in our country, we will always do everything in our power to deport them. 'This government deported almost 5,200 foreign national offenders in its first year in office, a 14 per cent increase on the previous year, and we will continue to do everything we can to remove these vile criminals from our streets.' A transgender mother who underwent medical treatment to breastfeed her newborn son is suing a breastfeeding expert who publicly dismissed her experience as a 'delusional queer theory take'. Former Australian Breastfeeding Association volunteer counsellor Jasmine Sussex will face a Queensland tribunal next year over claims she discriminated against Brisbane transgender woman Jennifer Adrian Buckley. The tribunal will decide if Ms Buckley was discriminated against under the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act over a series of social media posts by Ms Sussex. The breastfeeding expert described Ms Buckley as a 'man pretending to be a woman' and referred to transgender male breastfeeding as 'dangerous' and 'experimental'. Ms Buckley is alleging that Ms Sussex's online comments amount to discrimination and vilification, saying that they were 'hurtful'. Ms Sussex told the Daily Mail the case is about protecting the rights of women and preserving the mother-baby relationship. Ms Buckley, who transitioned from male to female, claimed to have successfully induced lactation and breastfed her newborn son in 2019. Her wife, Sandi, had given birth through IVF using sperm Ms Buckley froze before booking sex change surgery. Ms Buckley said her endocrinologist helped her mimic pregnancy to produce milk and used a range of medications to suppress testosterone, boost oestrogen, and trigger the production of the milk-producing hormone prolactin. Transgender woman Jennifer Buckley (right) is pictured with her newborn son and wife, Sandi. Ms Buckley is suing a former breastfeeding counsellor for 'discrimination' and 'vilification' Jasmine Sussex (pictured) was sacked from her role as a volunteer councillor for the Australian Breastfeeding Association after refusing to use transgender-neutral language 'I used a breast pump daily to encourage milk production. At first, it was a small amount but gradually increased to about 40 millilitres a day,' Ms Buckley told British website parentingqueer.co.uk. The couple agreed Sandi would be the primary feeder, but Ms Buckley took on a greater role for a short period of time following complications with Sandi's health. Doctors and midwives were initially reluctant to allow Ms Buckley to breastfeed in hospital, citing safety concerns. She later fed her baby at home using stored milk. Endocrinologist Naomi Achong, who treated Ms Buckley and has a PhD on breastfeeding, said her experience with breastfeeding by transfemales had only been positive. 'I have induced lactation in a number of transfemales with exclusively positive outcomes to both parents and offspring and no negative outcomes reported,' she said. There are no risks to the infant but rather extended benefits to the infant and both parents. Whilst there may only be limited published data, there is considerable anecdotal evidence supporting this practice. 'Similarly, whilst not a common practice in Australia, it is approved and supported in other countries. I fully support this practice based on my extensive clinical experience as well as medical and obstetric training. But others warn further evidence is needed to support the practice, with the potential health outcomes for babies still largely unexplored. Ms Buckley is pictured with her newborn son whom she breastfed after her endocrinologist prescribed medication to help her to begin lactation The rift with the volunteer councillor came after Ms Buckley shared her breastfeeding experience in response to a social media post by the ABA on Mother's Day in 2021. In response, Ms Sussex, who was working for the ABA at the time, wrote: 'Are you aware that Jennifer Buckley appears to be a man pretending to be a woman?' Ms Sussex conceded she could have delivered the message more delicately but said her intentions were not to discriminate against Ms Buckley. 'My goal was to alert the ABA that they were dealing with a biological male,' she told the Daily Mail. Her comment was soon deleted by the ABA, before she was blocked from the organisation's Facebook page. Within months, the organisation sacked Ms Sussex. The volunteer of 15 years was told it was not related to Ms Buckley's complaint. Behind the scenes, the organisation had been dealing with a dispute over a push to adopt gender-inclusive terminology including 'chestfeeding' and 'pregnant people'. Ms Sussex was among several people who resisted the push, claiming the organisation was made up of 'mothers providing support to other mothers'. A spokesperson for the ABA told the Daily Mail Ms Sussex was removed for 'repeated breaches' of its code of ethics. Ms Sussex said she plans to defend the case against her to protect the rights of women and the importance of the mother-baby relationship 'Any claim that ABA volunteers were or have ever been dismissed due to their use of the word "mother" are untrue,' they said. Of the decision to block Ms Sussex on Facebook, they said: 'This risk mitigation was deemed appropriate during our internal investigations into potential breaches of our Code of Ethics.' Ms Sussex later publicly described Ms Buckley's account of her breastfeeding experience as a 'delusional queer theory take'. Ms Sussex said her comments were not personal but later deleted some comments during conciliation with Ms Buckley. She drew the line at requests for her to sign an agreement preventing her from ever speaking on the subject again. 'I tried to settle, but (Ms Buckley) wanted me silent forever. That wasn't acceptable,' she said. Having failed to reach a settlement, Ms Sussex is now preparing for the case to be heard at the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal in May next year. Ms Buckley's legal team will argue Ms Sussex's posts amounted to unlawful vilification under Queensland's Anti-Discrimination Act. The case against Ms Sussex, set to begin next year, will be fiercely contested and is expected to test the science and theory of gender transitions (stock) They claim her comments incited contempt and ridicule based on gender identity. Ms Sussex said her defence to the claims of vilification and discrimination would rely on grounds of public interest, human rights and biology. 'Breastfeeding is a sex-specific function,' she said. 'Men can't claim vilification for being told they can't do it.' She plans to call medical experts to challenge the safety of induced lactation in transgender women. 'It's not an issue for me until it affects the wellbeing of babies and mothers much of my adult life has been about supporting mothers to breastfeed their babies,' she said. 'I just think mothers and babies deserve better than this.' The Daily Mail contacted Ms Buckley and Dr Achong for comment. Neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo has slammed Australia's 'woke' workplace culture, while lavishing praise on the 'enlightening' alternative he's found in China since being all but banned from practising in his home country. In a recent interview on the Cafe Locked Out podcast, Dr Teo cast himself as the victim of a conspiracy by jealous colleagues and a plotting press. The once-praised neurosurgeon has increasingly been practicing in China since a professional standards committee restricted his ability to practice in Australia in 2023. Dr Teo was found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct following an investigation into futile brain surgeries that left two patients unconscious. Both ultimately died, including one within ten days. Dr Teo appears to have embraced life in China, and he praised the country's workplace culture in a conversation with Dr Paul Oosterhuis. Dr Oosterhuis, a Sydney anaesthetist, is no stranger to controversy - having been suspended from practicing in 2021 for criticising COVID vaccines and promoting unproven treatments. 'Just think of a country where there's no (political correctness), there's no wokeness, It's all about getting the job done,' Dr Teo said. Dr Charlie Teo has over 35 years of clinical experience. Since being found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct in 2023, he has increasingly practiced overseas Sydney anesthetist Dr Paul Oosterhuis (pictured) was suspended from practicing in 2021 for criticising COVID vaccines and promoting unproven treatments 'I know China has its problems - I haven't seen them, mind you - but, you know, we're told they have their problems. 'But on a day-to-day basis Joe Average would find China incredibly enlightening, refreshing, pleasant and, you know, productive. 'If you want something done in China, you just ask for it - if they can do it, they do it. If they can't, they can't.' Unlike in Australia, he claimed workers are free to show their appreciation to one another - free from the rigid constraints of the woke 'cancer'. 'If you find a nurse who has done the right thing by your patients, and you give her a big hug, you don't have to fear that you're going to be accused of sexual harassment,' he said. 'If there's a female neurosurgeon who is again helping you and doing the right things, you can buy her a gift, and she can accept it without fear of being accused of sexual harassment or unprofessional behaviour.' Dr Teo looked back fondly on the golden days of his early career, where collegiality and open shows of gratitude were par for the course. 'Just think of the olden days when you and I were lads, where we used to have those Friday afternoon doctors' parties in the residence quarters,' he said. Teo claimed he was unfairly targeted by members of the medical fraternity and the media, describing the attacks on him as the workings of a 'broken system' Dr Teo is pictured fronting the media after a disciplinary hearing in March 2023 'And again, there was no fear of retribution for being a normal, natural person. That's what China's like. It really is amazing.' Dr Teo described the media storm that precipitated his suspension as 'incredibly strategic' and 'incredibly powerful in turning the narrative against me'. He claimed his critics within the medical fraternity weaponised the media to cast him as a villain, opting for attacks on him personally rather than on his case history. 'They had to sort of tell this story about Charlie Teo - you can't tell a story about being a bad surgeon, because there's too many good cases out there, so they had to bring on this story that Charlie Teo is a wolf,' he said. 'He's not he's not Bambi at all. He's a terrible person.' He added: 'The public have no idea how Machiavellian, how evil, how prejudicial, how vexatious and broken this system is.' The 2023 disciplinary finding against Dr Teo related to surgeries on two female patients at Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital in 2018 and 2019. According to the committee, the surgeon failed to demonstrate 'appropriate judgement' in conducting one of the surgeries. Although Dr Teo (pictured with fiancee Traci Griffiths) remains registered to practice in Australia, he must obtain written approval from a neurosurgeon endorsed by the Medical Council of NSW before operating locally. In relation to the other surgery, the committee held Dr Teo 'carried out surgery which was different to that proposed to the patient'. Despite the findings, and the ensuing media frenzy, Dr Teo claimed business is booming, operating on 'at least' ten brain tumours a week in China. But the medical veteran still dreams of bringing his expertise to Australia, the country he served at the top of his field for so many years. 'It's sad what's happening to me,' he said. 'There is not a single day that I don't... get upset, [a] little bit angry that I can't do what I'm doing for Australians. 'I mean, after all, I'm Australian. I love Australia. I love the people, I love the support they've given me. And I would love to save lives in Australia. 'And you know, why can't I do that?' Although he remains registered to practice in Australia, Dr Teo must obtain written approval from an neurosurgeon endorsed by the Medical Council of NSW before operating locally. His subsequent work has taken him beyond China to India, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and South America. Dr Teo is travelling and could not respond by Daily Mail's deadline. Dr Oosterhuis has been contacted for comment. An Eritrean asylum seeker who attacked three police officers at a migrant hotel before he then kicked off in court has been jailed and is expected to be deported. Ismail Ahmedsalih, from Eritrea in northeast Africa, was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court after admitting to assaulting three police constables and a charge of affray at the Ibis Hotel in Gloucester on August 27 this year. Police attended the accommodation, which was the site of anti-immigrant protests just three days later, because of a serious disturbance involving Ahmedsalih. The 34-year-old assaulted the officers when they arrested him during the lunchtime incident. None of them needed hospital treatment. He then kicked off in the cells of the Gloucestershire town's court while waiting to appear at a hearing before he was sentenced. His defence solicitor at that time, Jane Taylor, told the court that she would no longer represent him after he swore at her and behaved in a threatening manner while she was trying to talk to him about his case. Magistrates were told that Ahmedsalih had become violent in the cells and would have to be handcuffed to security guards before appearing in the dock. The Home Office is now expected to move towards deporting him. A foreign national convicted of an offence that has caused serious harm will be considered for deportation where it is conducive to the public good under the Immigration Act 1971. Ismail Ahmedsalih (pictured), from Eritrea in northeast Africa, was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court and is now expected to be deported The hotel where Ahmedsalih was being held was the site of anti-migrant protests (pictured) just three days before he attacked the police officers A Home Office spokesman said: 'When foreign nationals commit serious crimes in our country, we will always do everything in our power to deport them. 'This government deported almost 5,200 foreign national offenders in its first year in office, a 14 per cent increase on the previous year, and we will continue to do everything we can to remove these vile criminals from our streets.' A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: 'No-one should turn up to work and be subjected to physical abuse throughout the course of doing their duties. 'Police officers regularly put themselves in harm's way in order to protect the public, and being abused shouldn't be seen as just part of the job. 'Assaults on our officers will not be tolerated, and we will pursue prosecutions for offenders.' Ed Miliband will fly to Brazil twice to attend a climate change conference, racking up 24,000 air miles. The Energy Secretary has returned to the UK after his initial trip to the Cop30 summit last week and will fly out for the next stage which starts on Saturday. It is not clear why Mr Miliband will have taken two trips to the Amazon given Parliament was in recess at the end of last week and only returns today. The Tories said he should focus on reducing people's bills rather than flying thousands of miles to spread the word on climate change. Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, said: 'It is beyond parody that Ed Miliband is flying halfway across the world and back not once, but twice, all while lecturing the rest of us in the name of saving the planet. 'While Ed jets off again to the forest-thinning climate jamboree in Brazil, closer to home it's ordinary Brits who are suffering thanks to his policies which are pushing up everyone's energy bills.' Sir Keir Starmer flew to the summit last week to give a speech in which he vowed to go 'full speed ahead in our mission to bring about the clean power revolution'. The Prime Minister embarked on the 12,000-mile round trip to 'show UK leadership' despite the absence of other significant world leaders. Ed Miliband will fly to Brazil twice to attend a climate change conference, racking up 24,000 air miles Despite acknowledging that the consensus on climate change had gone, he said he wanted to show UK leadership on the issue. He acknowledged that agreement on tackling climate change has started to splinter, with many world leaders championing fossil fuels once more. US President Donald Trump has vowed to 'unleash' oil and gas drilling and has pulled out of the 2015 UN Paris Agreement to limit dangerous global warming. Reform UK has said it will junk all Net Zero rules. The Tories have said that they will abolish climate change laws to reduce people's bills. Although the world's biggest polluters are not attending the conference, Labour Mayors Sir Sadiq Khan of London and Tracy Brabin of West Yorkshire found time for the journey. Officials have so far refused to reveal how big the UK delegation to Cop is, though said numbers were 'much lower than speculated' and 'far fewer' than at the last Cop. In an interview last week, Mr Miliband insisted that pursuing a Net Zero agenda could turn the tide against right-wing populist parties. He told the Guardian that giving up on green goals would be a 'total betrayal' as he said climate was a 'strength' in the battle against the hard right. A DESNZ spokesperson said: 'The UK government is at COP30 to tackle the climate crisis and protect our way of life by working with other countries. 'That is why the Energy Secretary, alongside the Prime Minister and the Prince of Wales, attended the World Leaders Summit in Brazil last week. 'Any emissions from attending COP are dwarfed by delivering our agenda.' They said that Mr Miliband is the lead UK minister on the negotiations and will remain in contact with the team in Brazil. Britain's small business owners lose out because the government only listens to big corporations whose lobbyists take ministers to Wimbledon, Nigel Farage has said. The Reform leader also hit out at the 'endless red tape' imposed on bosses by the European Union as well as UK regulators. And he vowed that if he becomes Prime Minister, his administration would change the country's culture and ensure that it celebrates capitalism rather than thinking it is 'morally wrong to make money'. Launching a new forum called Small Business for Reform on Monday, at an event in London with hundreds of entrepreneurs, Mr Farage said: 'There is no understanding of the impact of legislation, and that is because government only listens to big business. 'I saw this myself in my 20 years in Brussels. The big companies have their own lobbying offices, and it's not dissimilar here in Westminster; it's the big businesses that take you to Wimbledon. It's the big businesses that take people out for dinner. It's the big businesses that shape policy, and the small businesses, frankly, don't even get a look in. 'We're not living in capitalism. We're living in an age of global corporatism. We're living in an age where businesses virtually control and own the political arena.' Reform UK leader Nigel Farage with 300 small business owners at Monday's press conference Kevin Byrne, founder of online tradesman directory Checkatrade, gave his backing to Reform But asked by the Mail if he would ban ministers in a Reform government from accepting freebies, he said: 'Well that depends what corporate hospitality is. Is it having a cup of tea, clearly not. Is corporate hospitality going to Wimbledon, perhaps it is. 'The most important thing about this is that it's above board and it's not hidden so that everyone can see.' He praised the small business owners who come up with ideas and take risks. 'Some of them, who, despite everything, go on, succeed, make lots of money, well they're almost treated in Britain as if they've done something wrong. As if morally it's wrong to be successful, morally it's wrong to make money. 'Well what a Reform government will do is everything we can do from to the education system onwards to change that culture. We will champion hard work. We will champion success. We will look to advertise men and women who we see as British heroes, because they've set things up and they've succeeded.' Mr Farage singled out for criticism anti-tax-avoidance rules, known as IR35, which have 'made life very, very difficult for self-employed contractors', a 30 per cent increase in corporation tax introduced by the Tories and the ability of staff to sue companies for unfair dismissal on day one of their new jobs under Labour's Employment Rights Bill. He also said the VAT threshold for businesses is 'far too low' but declined to repeat Reform's election promise to cut taxes for small businesses. Told that many bosses complain about the added bureaucracy they have to deal with as a result of Brexit, he insisted: 'We had 50 years of red tape from Brussels, 50 years of endless red tape.' And he went on: 'It's actually a double problem. It isn't just the EU rulebook, big problem though that is, it is the massive over-interpretation of that rulebook by regulators, by quangos, by bureaucrats in this country.' Pets Corner tycoon Dean Richmond has been blasted by furious neighbours after a huge fireworks display at his 4million estate left a horse so badly injured it had to be put down. Mr Richmond, 52, was forced to issue a grovelling apology after the celebrations spectacularly backfired and led to an angry confrontation with villagers. But he also warned that he would call in police over 'any aggressive or threatening behaviour' directed towards him. It comes as one local resident branded Mr Richmond 'a selfish idiot' while others hit out at the 'hypocrisy' of the businessman whose firm boasts of being the UK's leading ethical pet retailer. Just days before Mr Richmond hosted his party, the company posted online guidance warning owners to keep animals calm during firework season. The advice was deleted from the firm's page shortly after the Bonfire Night party was held at Mr Richmond's Grade II-listed, seven-bedroom home in West Sussex. Mr Richmond moved into the property after splitting with his wife Karen last October. Earlier this year the Daily Mail told how the couple are now embroiled in an acrimonious 100million divorce battle. The flamboyant tycoon is now dating stunning model Sarah Louise Wiffen, 38. Ms Wiffen attended the fireworks display. Pets Corner tycoon Dean Richmond (pictured) issued a grovelling apology after a huge fireworks display at his 4m estate left a horse so badly injured it had to be put down Mr Richmond held a Bonfire Night party at his Grade II-listed, seven-bedroom home in West Sussex much to the anger of his wealthy neighbours Mr Riichmond was hosting the display alongside his former model girlfriend Sarah Louise Wiffen (pictured) who according to the living nearby tried to calm the situation Horrified witnesses took video footage of the fireworks display that lasted 15 minutes and terrified animals nearby, particularly a horse that bolted and then broke its leg Trouble flared after Mr Richmond organised what he said was intended to be 'a short, family-friendly' celebration. Locals told how the 'bomb-like' firework display - which formed part of a fully catered event with musical acts - sent animals in nearby paddocks into panic. It's alleged that during the display, which locals said lasted for 15 minutes, one horse from a neighbouring paddock bolted in terror before suffering 'catastrophic' injuries after crashing into a fence. The animal was reportedly found collapsed in its field shortly after the fireworks began and had to be put down by a vet. Footage posted on Instagram by Ms Wiffen captures the sky above the estate erupting into blinding colour as wave after wave of fireworks explode overhead. Locals said the noise was so fierce it sounded like a 'bomb' going off and left their pets cowering in 'fear and distress'. A number of angry local residents claimed they had not been given any warning that the display, which started at 6pm on Saturday, was going to take place. One described how her rescue dog was left terrified by explosions which she said were 'so powerful and loud' that they left their 'windows and doors shaking in their homes'. She told the Daily Mail: 'It was terrifically loud, to the point where you could feel it in your body, it felt like waves hitting the house. 'Someone who is the leader of a business that claims to be ethical and care about pets should perhaps review his personal ethics and see if he aligns with the business he runs. Mr Richmond moved into the 4m estate after splitting with his wife Karen last October 'You have a responsibility, as a senior businessperson, responsible for a large organisation that claims to care for pets, you have a public position and an important position in society.' Posting a video on Facebook as the night sky was lit up by the thunderous barrage, she wrote: 'Surrounded by farmland and livestock and with absolutely no warning for the community - the first bang genuinely sounded like a bomb going off. 'They were so powerful and loud that locals reported windows and doors shaking in their homes. 'When he was told of the distress the display was causing to horses, he allegedly laughed and said he could do what he wanted on his private property. 'Sadly, he seems to have totally disregarded the Animal Welfare Act. 'The hypocrisy and irony of the man, that claims on his website to care about our pets, behaving this way is wild. 'A horse had to be pts (put to sleep) locally today due to injuries sustained in the field at some point overnight. Mr Richmond has been embroiled in a bitter 100m divorce with his estranged wife, Karen 'I'll let you decide if you think the two events are related or not.' Another local resident posted a message saying the 'massive firework display' had caused 'great distress to the horses and animals that live around' Mr Richmond's house. She added: 'He didn't give the neighbours the courtesy of letting them know about his fireworks party. And one horse dead.' As anger erupted, one neighbour posted an apology letter from Mr Richmond into the village Facebook group, in which he wrote: 'It was never my intention to cause inconvenience or distress.' He insisted he had informed 'several neighbours nearby' in advance, adding: 'But with hindsight, I appreciate that I should have shared that information more widely. 'I am genuinely sorry for any upset this may have caused. 'The event was carefully planned to take place earlier in the evening to minimise disruption and the bonfire area was securely fenced to protect any nearby wildlife. 'The display itself was conducted by a professional fireworks company and intended as a celebration with friends, family and local neighbours.' Other residents told of pets 'vomiting, losing control of their bowels' or displaying signs of extreme distress. One neighbour in her eighties was convinced someone was trying to break into her home. Neighbours complained that the noise coming from the house, which is surrounded by farmland and livestock, sounded like a bomb going off Another local, who asked not to be named, said she went to confront Mr Richmond about the chaos unfolding in her stables - but claimed he immediately dismissed her concerns. She said: 'He laughed in my face and said, "No, I don't need to let anyone know, it's my land, it's my property, I can do what I want, it's not illegal, they should have been in their stables". 'That brand is built on fostering relationships with the local community, he's absolutely demolished that now. 'He knew what he was doing. He'd obviously paid an absolute fortune, it was fireworks to music.' Mr Richmond strongly denies laughing at the resident, writing in his apology letter: 'I want to make it absolutely clear that this is untrue. 'I took her comments seriously and was sorry to learn she was upset. 'I was deeply saddened to hear that a horse may have been injured and subsequently put to sleep. This is truly distressing news and I am in direct contact with the owners. 'The field where the horses were kept is over 800 metres from the display site which I had understood to be outside the area likely to be affected.' He added: 'As someone who cares deeply about animals - including my own two dogs - I am sincerely sorry for any distress the event may have caused. 'Please be assured that I will not be holding any further fireworks displays in the future.' One neighbour posted an apology letter from Mr Richmond into the village Facebook group, in which he wrote: 'It was never my intention to cause inconvenience or distress' Offering his email address for residents to contact him directly, Mr Richmond concluded: 'I very much want to live in the village for many years with my family, and I truly wish to contribute positively to its success and the wellbeing of all our fellow residents.' Another horse owner said the noise was so loud she initially thought a plane had exploded. She said: 'I have never, ever heard anything like it. I thought a plane had exploded above the house. 'One of my dogs was so frightened, she wet herself. I went straight out to see to my horses. One was trying to jump out of his stable. 'He was so panicked, running around, he pulled his shoes off. I had to throw bails of hay in and managed to throw a blanket over him and get a sedative into him. 'One of my other horses is still frantic 48 hours later. It's heartbreaking. Even now, any noise and he's hysterical. 'This is just not something you do in a tiny little village with country folk. What a selfish idiot. I bet he does it again on New Year's Eve. 'When people do things to your animals, it brings out the worst in you.' Pets Corner later issued a statement distancing itself from the event, stressing it was a private matter and not company-related. But in a bid to reassure staff and customers 'who may have become aware of the situation' the statement added: 'Dean was brought up on a smallholding surrounded by animals - horses, ducks, bantams, tortoises, dogs, and cats, among others. 'His mother was a keen horse rider, and Dean himself also rode. His grandparents spent part of their lives working as farmers. 'Dean's family are the founders of Pets Corner, and the business has grown from this family background of living closely with animals and caring deeply for them. 'An annual firework display was a long-standing family tradition when Dean was growing up, with his parents hosting small bonfire events for friends and family. Pets Corner issued a statement distancing itself from the event, stressing it was a private matter and not company-related 'Dean wished to continue this tradition by holding a similar event at his home this year for friends, family, and neighbours. 'The bonfire was lit at approximately 6:00pm, followed by the main firework display at around 6:15 pm, which lasted for six and a half minutes.' The company said: 'Following the event, Dean received feedback from a number of local residents - some expressed appreciation and enjoyment of the display, while others raised concerns.' The statement repeated Mr Richmond's denial that he had laughed at residents saying: 'During the evening, a woman arrived at the property and was verbally aggressive towards Dean's children and then towards Dean himself regarding the fireworks. 'Contrary to some reports, Dean did not laugh about the situation - this claim is entirely untrue. 'Dean's home is situated a distance from the main village and is surrounded by farmland and public footpaths. 'He personally informed his nearest neighbours - including two local farms covering large areas around his property - about the event. 'Unfortunately, he did not realise that others further away might be impacted. He accepts that he should have communicated more widely and regrets this oversight. 'The following day, a horse owner from a property over 800 metres away informed Dean that one of their horses had panicked during the evening, resulting in a broken leg, and that the animal had to be put to sleep. 'Dean is in contact with the owners. Dean, his family, and everyone at Pets Corner are devastated by this tragic news. We all share deep sadness over what has happened. 'There were other displays this evening in the area, and we would like to remind people that social media is not always a fair or balanced forum. 'Some of the comments and accusations circulating online are untrue. 'Any aggressive or threatening behaviour directed toward Dean, his family, or any member of the Pets Corner community will be reported to the police and dealt with appropriately. 'This event was intended purely as an enjoyable gathering for friends, family, and neighbours. 'Dean never intended to upset anyone or cause harm of any kind - that is simply not who he is - and he is extremely sorry for anyone affected by it.' Pets Corner was founded in 1968 by Dean's parents Mark and Sandra Richmond. He joined the business in 1989 After Mr Richmond split from Karen following 10 years of marriage he moved out of the lavish five-bedroom 3million home where the couple lived with their three children which is just ten minutes down the road from his new property. The warring couple have already appeared in the High Court for two divorce hearings with another scheduled for later in the year. A final hearing has been listed for ten days next April. Sources told the Daily Mail his marriage started unravelling in 2023 when Karen developed Breast Implant Illness (BII) caused by breast implants she had more than a decade earlier reacting adversely to her body. Bill de Blasio's latest romantic partner is an elected official who lives over 2,000 miles away, three sources have confirmed to the Daily Mail. Roxanna Valenzuela, the mayor of South Tucson, Arizona, has been secretly seeing the former New York City mayor, according to the insiders. Valenzuela is the mother of a toddler daughter with William 'Billy' Peard, and also has a teenage daughter from her first marriage. De Blasio, 64, had been in a relationship for 10 months with progressive activist and media personality Nomiki Konst, 41, after the duo went public with their fling in February. Konst dumped de Blasio, ending their relationship on election day last week, but the duo was seen happily boosting mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani together just last month. 'She's telling everyone in Tucson, so that's how the story got out,' a source close to Valenzuela's family told the Daily Mail. Konst, notably, is a Tucson native who attended the University of Arizona. 'I don't think she gets the level of what she's doing is going to ruin people's lives,' the source added, characterizing Valenzuela as 'narcissistic' without thinking about the impact on her family. She 'clearly thinks she's hit the jackpot' with de Blasio,' the source added. Valenzuela and de Blasio haven't been discreet about their digital footprint. Roxanna Valenzuela, the mayor of South Tucson, Arizona, poses for a photo with former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in a photo posted on her instagram on June 1st of 2025. De Blasio only follows 33 people on his Instagram account, two of whom are Valenzuela and his most recent girlfriend, Nomiki Konst Valenzuela is one of just 33 people whom he follows on Instagram. He has appeared in at least three photos posted on her account in the last six months. The two first appeared in a photo on her page posted on June 1, and in another set, she is pressed into him during a visit to a New York City soup kitchen in September. De Blasio, Valenzuela, and Peard all did not return multiple requests for comment from the Daily Mail after attempts to reach them via email, phone calls, and social media messages. Valenzuela is a mother to a toddler born in 2023, as well as an older daughter, who graduated high school at the age of 16 this past June. Valenzuela and her partner, Willam Peard, father of her toddler daughter in a post she shared on Christmas in 2024 Valenzuela on a river cruise in New Orleans in a snap she shared on Instagram According to a report released Sunday by the New York Post, de Blasio ended his most recent relationship after his rendezvous with an elected official from outside of the state of New York, whom the Daily Mail can now reveal is Valenzuela. De Blasio and Valenzuela appear to share a passion for left-wing politics, as she frequently shares posts in support of Gaza and anti-ICE raids in Arizona. Valenzuela, along with fellow South Tucson city council members Cesar Aguirre and Brian Flagg, survived a recall election in August. The Daily Mail was also told by another in Valenzuela's orbit that she 'is ruining her life, her kids' lives, and [Peard's] life to be famous.' Peard, the father of Valenzuela's daughter, whom she coparents, is a former attorney for the ACLU of Arizona and previously ran for political office himself, seeking a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives in 2020, but lost in the Democratic primary. Valenzuela only recently got into politics, because, as another source familiar with the situation told the Daily Mail 'she just wants to be famous,' after previously working as a hairstylist. Valenzuela and de Blasio seen in a snap she shared on Instagram in September during a trip to New York Valenzuela and de Blasio seen volunteering at the Maryhouse charity in a snap she shared on Instagram in September during a trip to New York City De Blasio, 64, had been in a relationship for 10 months with Nomiki Konst, 41, after the duo went public with their fling in February. Konst is a progressive activist who has formerly been an investigative reporter for 'The Young Turks', as well as a campaign surrogate for Bernie Sanders. The duo reportedly ended their courtship after Konst got word that de Blasio had cheated on her, according to a friend of the woman who spoke with the New York Post. 'The way it all went down was even worse than what he f**king did. She was really, really happy, and then, when it happened, I was like 'What!?'', a source familiar with the matter told the Post. 'She was so empathic, even though she was the victim, but he just kept hurting her. The problem was the public face aspect of it all. It was just horrible,' they added. De Blasio confirmed to the Post that the relationship had ended, noting that 'Nomiki and I had a lovely relationship for 10 months, I have deep respect for her and what she stands for, and I hope we can have a real friendship in the future.' Nomiki Konst and former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio cuddled up during a coastal getaway Nomiki Konst and former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio sporting 'Hot Girls for Zohran' t-shirts in a photo posted by Konst in October Then a correspondent at The Young Turks, Nomiki Konst attends the 22nd Annual Webby Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on May 14, 2018 in New York City De Blasio was NYC's mayor from 2014 to 2021 and endorsed Mamdani in September. At the time of going public with his relationship with Konst, de Blasio said that the duo had 'known each other for a long time and are very kindred souls.' Konst also formerly worked for Barack Obama's presidential campaign in 2012 as a co-chair, and has unsuccessfully run for Congress herself. The daughter of a former legislator in upstate New York's Erie County, she's run for office two more times, both failures. Konst ran for New York City Public Advocate and New York State Senate, losing in the former and withdrawing in the latter. After stints with various progressive operations, including the far left Young Turks and a stint on Rising at The Hill, she went independent. Konst is now a political adviser who also appears on CBS News and CNN. De Blasio separated from his wife, Chirlane McCray, in 2023 after 29 years of marriage. At the time, the two told the New York Times that they were not planning to divorce, but would date other people. 'The woman we know is a bright light. She is caring. She is always smiling.' So says Danny Booth of his older sister, Samantha. And from the limited time he has known the attractive blonde Michigan nanny, Oregon resident Brian Rothstein would wholeheartedly agree. After they first connected on TikTok, the pair had clicked so well that she planned to move nearly 2,300 miles to his hometown of Bend. Rothstein, 36, told the Daily Mail he was falling in love with a woman who impressed him with her empathy, insight and gentleness. So, like her brother and the rest of his family, Rothstein has been struggling to connect the Samantha Booth he thought he knew to the woman who police allege turned into a deranged killer, stabbing the grandfather of the little girl she was looking after with a screwdriver. It's no surprise that the deranged nanny appears in so many Hollywood horror movies: the 1992 chiller The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, The Guardian (1990), The Perfect Nanny (2001), The Wrong Nanny (2017) and the 2021 Netflix thriller Deadly Illusions. It is, after all, difficult to imagine a worse nightmare for parents than to discover that the person whom they've entrusted the lives of their young children - often on nothing more than a word-of-mouth recommendation - instead presents a potentially fatal danger to them. And although experts say that, statistically, family members are far more likely to harm a child, there have been enough appalling crimes perpetrated by nannies and babysitters that any parent might worry that they could be making a calamitous choice in childcare arrangements. In the case of Samantha Booth, Rothstein believes he may have been the last person to speak to the 35-year-old before she allegedly stabbed David Ong, 83, on the evening of October 24 in the basement of the home in Royal Oak, an affluent suburb of Detroit. There, Ong's two-year-old granddaughter lived with Katie Ong, his daughter and the child's mother. Rothstein has been struggling to connect the Samantha Booth (pictured) he thought he knew to the woman who police allege turned into a deranged killer, stabbing the grandfather of the little girl she was looking after with a screwdriver Rothstein (pictured) believes he may have been the last person to speak to the 35-year-old before she allegedly stabbed David Ong, 83, on the evening of October 24 Police said that David - whose daughter, a psychologist, was out of town at the time - had gone to check up on the toddler after Katie was unable to get ahold of Booth on the phone. But Rothstein who talked with Booth about her plans to start a new life with him after the painful collapse of a toxic romantic relationship in Michigan said she was expecting David's visit. According to Rothstein, David, a retired real estate broker, was relieving her so she could get something to eat. He said that he spoke to Booth twice that day, and on the second occasion, the grandfather had already arrived. But suddenly, he said, the connection went dead. He later learned from her roommate that Booth had been arrested. It wasn't until days later that he discovered what for. 'It's all so surreal,' he told the Daily Mail. 'I knew she was going through some stuff, and I knew she was tired, but never would it have occurred to me that something like this could happen involving the person I was falling in love with.' He went on: 'She was a little destabilized when I last talked with her. I know she was sleep deprived. But nothing would have led to this in my mind. I just figured she needed a nap.' According to police, Booth had been behaving normally earlier that day but when Katie couldn't reach the nanny and later, her father, she contacted her brother-in-law, Douglas Smith, who agreed to check up on them. He reportedly went into the house through the front door and, hearing noises from the basement, called out to the nanny but got no response. Going downstairs, police say he found his father-in-law's body on the basement floor and, nearby, Booth 'in a manic state covered in blood.' Fending off her attempts to attack him, too, he was able to gather up his young niece and flee the house, according to police. Police say Booth pursued them out of the house, still brandishing the screwdriver, as Smith screamed for help. Some neighbors heard him and ushered him indoors where they called 911. Officers arrived to find Booth completely naked and bloodied after catching her following a brief foot chase. They discovered David unresponsive in the basement after suffering 'multiple' stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. It appears Booth didn't believe her victim was an intruder as she reportedly told officers: 'I f***** him the f*** up, and yes, I did it God it was too easy.' Booth, who has no criminal record, worked periodically as a nanny for the Ongs for two years Police said that David (right) - whose daughter, a psychologist, was out of town at the time - had gone to check up on the toddler after Katie was unable to get ahold of Booth (left) on the phone Police believe the little girl watched her grandfather being murdered, and while the uncle and the child were both treated for minor injuries, prosecutors suggested that the situation could have been different had Smith not arrived. 'We should all be grateful for the brave actions by her uncle to rescue the three-year-old from this horrific and dangerous situation,' Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said as she announced the nanny will be charged with first-degree murder, second-degree child abuse, felony assault and three counts of resisting and obstructing. If convicted, Booth - who's been jailed without bond - faces a life sentence without parole. 'We've been asking ourselves why?' said Royal Oak police chief Michael Moore. 'We aren't sure why this happened but there probably is a component with some drug usage.' Police are understood to have found what they believe to be psychedelic mushrooms and cannabis in her purse. The former can cause people to hallucinate and, if they have a 'bad trip,' behave aggressively or dangerously. Booth, who had no criminal record, worked periodically as a nanny for the Ongs for two years without any problems. And online, Booth was a self-proclaimed 'neurodivergent millennial lightworker' who is also 'queer,' 'gender-fluid' and a 'spiritual lil weirdo.' She started posting on TikTok in November 2024 under the handle 'Empath.illuminated,' but the tone of her posts of late had changed. The once upbeat nature of her content was suffused with anger and frustration - and, increasingly, deranged and even violent urges. Friends say her mental state had deteriorated after she split up with a romantic partner who she claimed had abused her. On social media, she had also spoken of struggling with depression, ADHD and anxiety, as well as suffering 'narcissistic abuse' by members of her family and feeling abandoned by friends. Booth's recent posts had also revealed she faced financial problems that had left her homeless and sleeping on friends' couches. She also lashed out at baby boomers who urged gig-working millennials like her to get a nine-to-five job so they could collect social security. 'OK, Grandpa. I'm just trying to afford the groceries,' she wrote on September 30, less than a month before she allegedly murdered a grandfather. Around the same time, she asked if her followers ever got 'this feeling of, like, impending doom, like something's about to happen, like something bad.' And, only a week before she allegedly murdered David Ong, she said she had 'realized how much f***ing shit has happened to me that I did not f***ing deserve.' She went on: 'When do I get to be a f***ing a**hole? Look at me, I want to f*** you right up.' Rothstein, for his part, described Booth to the Daily Mail as 'gentle.' 'I can't see her harming a fly. She literally picks leaves and talks to birds,' he said. 'I don't see how this escalated. It just doesn't compute.' The worst case of violence by a child carer in recent US history (which inspired The Perfect Nanny) was the 2012 fatal stabbings of two New York City children - Leo Krim, two, and his sister Lucia, six - by their nanny Yoselyn Ortega. The worst case of violence by a child carer in recent US history (and which inspired The Perfect Nanny) was the 2012 fatal stabbings of two New York City children - Leo Krim, two, and his sister Lucia, six - by their nanny Yoselyn Ortega (pictured) Pictured: Leo and Lucia Krim Pictured: Kevin and Marina Krim Using a chef's knife, Ortega slit the children's throats so deeply that first responders thought they'd been decapitated. When Lucia had tried to fight back, the nanny stabbed her 30 times then put the siblings' bodies in a bathtub. The nanny then stabbed herself in the throat. As with the Ong case, the mother's fears were raised by the nanny's failure to respond to phone messages. Marina Krim went to the family's smart apartment on Manhattan's Upper West Side where she found two of her three children (the middle one had been with her) dead in the bath. Then she noticed Ortega who, she said, had 'blood all over her and her eyes bugging out.' At trial, the jury heard that Ortega, 55, had worked for the Krims as a nanny for two years without any problems. Prosecutors, however, argued that Ortega was angry about her workload and envious of the Krims' wealth, killing the children to spite their mother. Ortega's lawyers instead tried to convince the court that she suffered from chronic mental illness and had suffered hallucinations and psychotic episodes since she was a child. Ortega claimed she was deeply religious and that, just before murdering the children, she'd felt the devil enter her body and heard voices, including Satan's, commanding her to kill. Despite her contention that she hadn't been responsible for her actions, Ortega was sentenced to prison with no chance of parole in 2018. Until the gruesome Ortega case, British teenager Louise Woodward had provided America with its most notorious case of a nanny killing a child in their care. Woodward was 18 when she was accused of killing eight-month-old Matthew Eappen in 1997 at his family home in Newton, Massachusetts, where she was living as an au pair, looking after both Matthew and his two-year-old brother. She had called 911 to report the infant was 'barely breathing.' He was comatose when he arrived at hospital in Boston and never recovered consciousness. Doctors said he had suffered a fractured skull, subdural hematoma (bleeding in the space between the brain and skull) and retinal hemorrhaging (bleeding at the back of the eyes). Prosecutors agreed with experts who said the child, who had suffered massive brain damage, had died from so-called shaken baby syndrome. Woodward, who denied injuring Matthew and passed a polygraph test arranged by her lawyers, was initially convicted of second-degree murder, but a judge reduced the offense to involuntary manslaughter, and she was released after serving 279 days in prison. Woodward was 18 when she was accused of killing eight-month-old Matthew Eappen in 1997 Prosecutors agreed with experts who said the child, who had suffered massive brain damage, had died from so-called shaken baby syndrome Pictured: Parents Sunil and Deborah Eappen The case has long been shrouded in controversy in large part because some experts increasingly say that other injuries can explain the supposed symptoms of shaken baby syndrome other than violent shaking or child abuse. The parents, Sunil and Deborah Eappen, both of whom were doctors, also faced criticism for leaving their two young children in the hands of an inexperienced teenager. But those aren't the only cases to scare the living daylights out of working parents. In 1991, after three-month-old Kristie Fischer died in a house fire in suburban New York, her family accused their au pair, Swiss woman Olivia Riner, 20, of killing the baby by arson. Investigators said the fire had been set with flammable liquids, and an accelerant had been poured directly on the child. While Riner's attorney said that the au pair 'felt as close to that baby as though it were her own child,' the family claimed she hadn't attempted to rescue the baby from the blaze. Riner was connected with the family through an au pair program in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which said that she had an 'impeccable record' and 'lovely recommendations,' according to past reports. Prosecutors hinged their case on Riner's claim that she'd been alone in the house and would have heard anyone entering, while the defense argued that someone else had started the fire. Amid criticism of the police investigation, Riner was ultimately acquitted. Sometimes the violence in killer nanny cases doesn't even involve the children. In October 2024, Brazilian au pair Juliana Peres Magalhaes, 24, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the double homicide of the mother of the girl, then five, she was looking after and another man in Herndon, Virginia. Pictured: Olivia Riner In October 2024, Brazilian au pair Juliana Peres Magalhaes, 24, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the double homicide of the mother of the girl, then five, she was looking after and another man Christine Banfield (pictured left with Brendan Banfield) was discovered mortally wounded after being stabbed in the family home in 2023. The other victim, Joseph Ryan (right), was found dead nearby from gunshot wounds. Peres Magalhaes agreed to give evidence against her co-accused, Brendan Banfield, who was not only the little girl's father but the au pair's lover. Prosecutors say Brendan wanted to get his spouse 'out of the picture.' Christine Banfield was discovered mortally wounded after being stabbed in the family home in 2023. The other victim, Joseph Ryan, was found dead nearby from gunshot wounds. In the bizarre plot outlined by prosecutors, Brendan allegedly created an account on a BDSM fetish dating site and began chatting with Ryan, then directed the au pair to contact him while pretending to be Christine. The pair allegedly lured Ryan to the Banfield home by convincing him that he and Christine were both bondage fetishists and were going to have sex and indulge in 'violent sexual role play.' Instead, prosecutors said, Brendan killed both victims in an attempt to make it look like Ryan had been a violent intruder and his wife had shot him in self-defense. Banfield's trial has yet to start. Critics have long blamed America's failure to help young families with paid family leave for parents of newborns, coupled with public preschool. It would allow parents, they say, to stay at home with their babies and not feel pressured to rush back to work. Indeed, the world of au pairs and nannies is poorly regulated and usually relies on informal agreements and word-of-mouth referrals. Marina Krim, for instance, said she hired Yoselyn Ortega after the latter's sister approached her at a children's dance class when she was pregnant. She claimed her sibling was an 'experienced nanny,' when, in fact, she had only worked briefly for a relative. The only references they managed to obtain about Ortega's suitability came from members of her own family, who failed to mention her history of depression, delusions and paranoia. The Ong family in Michigan, meanwhile, likely didn't know about their nanny's alarming posts online. However, as critics of America's badly regulated nanny industry have long complained, the people to whom parents entrust their children are not truly vetted until they're already in their employer's home - and that might be too late. A DPD driver who fatally injured an OAP before taking off and continuing his deliveries has now been jailed. Despite knocking down Victoria Blair in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, and calling emergency services, James Murdoch still went about his day. The 77-year-old was using a walking frame on January 27, 2023, when she was hit and was taken to hospital in a critical condition, but died a week later on February 3. Murdoch has now been jailed for 16 months after he was convicted of causing death following his trial at Newcastle Crown Court in September. Northumbria Police tracked down Murdoch, who told officers Victoria had fallen behind his vehicle before he reversed out of a car park. However, a police probe found the grandmother had been walking home from going shopping when she was struck by Murdoch. Chronicle Live reported Murdoch knocked the OAP down at Haltwhistle residential home - where Victoria was living. Alongside being jailed on Monday, the 43-year-old DPD driver has been banned from driving for 12 months. James Murdoch has been jailed for 16 months after he was found guilty of causing fatal injuries to a 77-year-old The County Durham man is also required to pay a victim surcharge. Judge Julie Clemitson reportedly told the court: 'You were working as a delivery driver for DPD on the day of your offending. You would normally use your own van with safety features to make it safer while you carried out your delivery route. 'Those safety features included a reversing camera, parking sensors and an audio alarm to warn others when you were reversing. Had you been driving that van, it seems very likely this tragedy would have been avoided.' The court heard evidence that Murdoch was given another van that morning because his had a fault. The replacement van did not have a reversing camera or a warning alarm. The Judge explained how Murdoch drove into a car park, but the van was too big to fit into the area. She added: 'You chose to drive in and stop as close to the delivery destinations as you could, as indeed, could many other drivers would have done.' Victoria Blair was using a walking frame on January 27, 2023, when she was hit by James Murdoch. She taken to hospital in a critical condition, but died a week later on February 3 The court heard how Murdoch sat stationary in his car for almost two minutes, looking for his next stop before driving away. Moments later, Victoria came from the back street and crossed the road on her way back to the retirement home before waiting while walking into the car park. Judge Clemitson said: 'She would have seen you parked and may very well have been waiting to see if you were going to start moving and to weigh up her options on how to get back to her front door. 'Because she used a walker and there were no drop kerbs around the perimeter of the pavement.' The Judge acknowledged Murdoch did check his mirrors before leaving the car park, but could not see the blind spot at the rear. 'Tragically, Victoria Blair was in that blind spot and caused her to fall to the ground,' she said. 'Your van either knocked her over on making contact with her or her walker, or was so close to doing so that Victoria Blair fell as she tried to avoid being struck. 'Her fall and her consequential injuries were a result of you accelerating backwards towards her as she tried to cross the car park. Had you got out of your van to check before you moved back, you would have seen her.' The court heard Murdoch thought he checked like 'any normal person would do'. In a victim impact statement, Judge Clemitson said her family described the tragedy as having a devastating impact on them. The family described Victoria as their rock and a much-loved mother and grandmother. 'She was an important part of their lives. It is all too evident her death caused a huge void in the lives of her family, who are all devastated,' Judge Clemitson continued. Murdoch's lawyer, Robin Patton, told the court how genuinely remorseful he was for the gran's death, saying he still thinks about it every day. 'It is of no comfort to her family, but he started a petition to see if the law can be changed so delivery vans which do not have clear class vision at the rear must be required to have reversing cameras,' explained Patton. Victoria's children Matthew and Alexandra Blair on Monday spoke on behalf of their family. Matthew said: 'On the 27th of January 2023, I received a call that would change every minute of every day for the rest of my life.' Alexandra added that her mother 'didn't lose her life through old age or illness' but that 'she had her life taken from her when she still had many, many years left'. The pair scolded Murdoch, saying he could have 'spared us all the pain' - but instead had shown 'no remorse or sympathy'. Alexandra ended the family statement, saying, 'May you rest in peace, Mam, we love you always and will never forget you - and you live on in us every day.' Northumbria Police Sergeant Andrew Ferguson said 'Firstly, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to Victoria's family as they continue to navigate life without her. 'Above all else, they have shown significant strength throughout the lengthy investigation and proceedings that have followed - and I'd like to praise them as we reach an outcome today.' Victoria is survived by four children and seven grandchildren. Those blood-streaked bedroom walls. The brassiere, with its strap sliced off, discarded on the floor. Her foot protruding from beneath a rumpled duvet. Uncovered 18 years ago last week, this was the heart-rending first forensic snapshot of Meredith Kerchers murder a scene that the man who ordered that grisly photograph to be taken still cant erase from his memory. It was the sheer ferocity that shocked me, says retired Italian prosecutor Giuliano Mignini, as we prepare to revisit the hillside house in Perugia where the 21-year-old Home Counties exchange student was raped and repeatedly stabbed in her bedroom. The violence was so extreme that I have deja vu moments because of what I saw: bad sensations and feelings when I go to certain places. It stays in my mind a lot. The last time I saw Mignini, whose outrage at the murder was heightened because he had four daughters of a similar age, he was in his fearsome prime, breathing fire and brimstone in this medieval citys cavernous courtroom. The targets for his rhetoric were the then-notorious Amanda Foxy Knox, whom he cast as Merediths cold-hearted and vampish American housemate, and her Harry Potter-lookalike boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito. He accused the pair of murdering Meredith while acting out a violently erotic fantasy. Today, 14 years after that dramatic trial, and with his physical powers considerably diminished, it still pains him that he failed to convince the judges of his theory, which turned the case into a global sensation and still evokes endless debate among keyboard detectives. But what troubles this rheumy-eyed man of 75 most, he tells me, is that he delivered only partial justice to Merediths parents, John and Arline Kercher, both of whom have since died, and her three siblings, Stephanie, now 42, John, 49, and Lyle, 46. American student Amanda Knox, pictured at court in Italy 2008, was eventually exonerated Meredith Kercher was raped and repeatedly stabbed in the ferocious attack 18 years ago Retired prosecutor Giuliano Mignini in Perugia. Some 14 years have passed since the trial Though Mignini secured the conviction of the third accused, Rudy Guede (now free after serving just 13 years of a 16-year sentence, but currently on trial for sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend) he remains convinced that the Ivory Coast-born miscreant didnt act alone. He also recriminates with himself for failing to uncover the full truth behind the savage end of a girl he never knew but came to admire for her warmth and intelligence, as well as her beauty. However, as he told me with ill-concealed pleasure when we met this week, five years into his retirement, Mignini, who also directed the police investigation into the murder, believes he may at last have found a breakthrough. In America, Knoxs homeland, he was cast as the devil incarnate for defaming her as a debauched siren: Donald Trump wrote to him saying it was he who should be jailed, he snorts. But in Italy his reputation as a scourge of vice and violence still goes before him. Particularly in Perugia, where people jeered and spat at Knox as she left the courthouse after her 2009 conviction was overturned, then flew back to the U.S on a TV networks private plane and began cashing in on her dubious celebrity via books, interviews and films documenting her ordeal. Locals still stop him in the street with fresh snippets of information about the murder, Mignini tells me, but usually it adds little of value to the story. Earlier this year, though, a contact brokered a meeting with a potentially vital female source. This woman told him that in 2007 she had a relationship with someone who had been inside 7 Via Della Pergola, the house Meredith shared with Knox and several other young people, on the night she died. Mignini met her in a bar near the University for Foreigners, where Meredith and Knox were studying, and they talked for three hours, he says. After 18 years, she had come looking for me. She said she didnt speak out at the time because she was scared, and that even after so many years she was still frightened. But the person she was in a relationship with had told her the whole story, and she had always felt guilty [for not coming forward]. When she saw me giving a recent interview on TV, she decided it was time to speak. Mignini says his source a good and credible middle-aged woman still living in Perugia gave him the persons full name, which he has handed over to the police, together with notes made during the meeting. He declined to give me more details, or even confirm the mystery persons gender, but admitted they were someone he had completely overlooked at the time, prompting him to rethink the investigation. It was now vital to establish whether this person was a witness to the murder or had participated in it. He claims the authorities are taking an interest in this new information, but his successor, Raffaele Cantone refutes this. Mr Mignini is not a judge any more. Im the chief prosecutor here, he said curtly this week. He can pass this information on as a private citizen, but there is nothing new to investigate. The case is closed. To which Mignini responds: Well, if they were looking into the case again, they wouldnt tell a journalist. The Kercher familys lawyer, Francesco Maresca, is also sceptical. For as he has explained to Meredeths sister, Stephanie, it would be a very hard road to secure a new trial, even if the information were true. Nonetheless, Maresca points out, Guede was convicted of murdering Meredith with at least one accomplice: someone who must remain at large and is not Knox or Sollecito, whose innocence has been established beyond doubt by Italys highest court. So, could Guedes accomplice be the person named by the retired prosecutors source? Sollecitos lawyer, Luca Maori, dismisses this suggestion. For all the hoopla surrounding the case, he told me in his office in Perugia, it was essentially a simple crime. Guede, a cat-burglar who had previously hung out with the young occupants of the house, broke in that night intending to steal. However, when he happened upon Meredith lust overcame him, and when she repelled him, he raped her and slit her throat. Mignini is obsessed with this case, and everything he investigates he thinks its about sex and orgies, Maori told me dismissively. Whether or not this is fair, Migninis view of Knox has softened drastically since he castigated her in that oppressive underground courtroom 14 years ago. From the moment he first saw her smooching with Sollecito a scene famously captured on TV news footage as detectives combed the murder scene, he disapprovingly regarded her as an unfeeling libertine: the antithesis of the demure British victim. This stereotype gathered momentum when her pink vibrator with bunny rabbit ears was found on display in the bathroom and when, a couple of days after her friends death, she went shopping for lingerie. The alibi she gave that she and her boyfriend of just five days had spent the evening of the murder smoking dope and making love at his digs and her habit of relieving her stress with yoga poses in the police station seemed to tell church-going family man Mignini the kind of girl he might be dealing with. With the case making lurid headlines, and Perugias 30,000 students living with the fear that a maniac was stalking its labyrinthine cobbled streets, he was under pressure to resolve the case quickly, and within days she and Sollecito were charged. It would be eight years four of which they spent in prison and three trials before, lambasting sensational failures and investigative amnesia in the police and forensics work, the Supreme Court declared them innocent. Mignini refuses to accept that he and his team made mistakes. Following an extraordinary reconciliation with Knox, however, he now sees her in an entirely different almost avuncular light. They met in 2022, after Knox, now 38 and a mother of two, sought a rapprochement with the ringleader of her tormentors via WhatsApp messages and emails. Knox has explained her strange decision as cathartic: a primal urge to exorcise the bogeyman who fought to have her jailed for 26 years, in the hope of correcting his ill-formed opinion of her. However, Mignini admits to having a more hard-headed motive for accepting her entreaty. Still convinced she played some part in the murder, he thought he might lure her into revealing unknown details to him. The first meeting, at a religious institution near Perugia, lasted for several hours spanning lunch, and as they talked, a mutually trusted priest sat with them. I dont know why we got into this relationship but maybe it was like Stockholm Syndrome [where a prisoner bonds with their captor], he surmises. During the trial I often noticed Amanda gazing at me with an imploring look in her eye, as if she wanted to ask me something, but then we were in a big conflict. When we met, it was very moving. Amanda held my hand and cried a lot. I dont know why, but she said she had come to trust me. Knox evidently won him over, too. While many people in Perugia portrayed her as a prostitute, he now realised that this opinion was born of a cultural division between Catholic Italy and the freewheeling US. As I came to understand her more, I realised she was just a typical West Coast girl with ways that seemed strange to Italians. And she was so young [when Meredith was murdered], only 20 years old. When Mignini tried to steer their conversation on to the crime, however, asking for instance whether Guedes confessed attraction to her was reciprocated, he says Knox refused to engage with him. She was similarly unforthcoming when he suggested that her habit of putting her hands over her ears under police questioning had betrayed the fact that she heard Merediths final screams. Amanda wanted to convince me that she was a good girl. She was probably hoping I would beg her to accept my apology, but that was never going to happen, Mignini says. She wanted me to say Id made a big mistake, and she kept restating her innocence, but Im still convinced she was lying. Despite this, he admits to developing a fondness for her. They found shared interests in James Bond films, The Beatles and The Lord Of The Rings. Knox returned to Italy in June, in a failed attempt to overturn her conviction for slandering bar owner Patrick Lumumba, whom she falsely accused of Merediths murder when she was being questioned by police in 2007, and she and Mignini met again socially. That day many years ago, Migninis father died suddenly, on his way to see Puccinis opera Damsel Of The West, set in Gold Rush California; so in their messages he now jokingly calls Knox his Golden Girl of the West. So, I think Amanda is very nice, but I still think she was guilty, although not of the murder itself. But she was young, she didnt understand what was going on. I think she saw it, and then she escaped. Though Italys Supreme Court of Cassation, in its final judgment in 2015, rejected the prosecutions claim that Knox and Sollecito were involved, it left open the possibility that they were in the house, adding that some circumstances might never be known. Mignini cites this observation when describing the new person of interest who apparently fled Italy shortly after the murder as the fourth person in the story. However, though his source claims to have known Knox and Sollecito, he says she told him nothing that might call their innocence into question. So there, at least for now, this tortuous matter rests. As the Kerchers lawyer remarks, with Merediths family grieving the 18th anniversary of her passing, Mignini could hardly have revealed his meeting in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa at a more emotional time. Gazing down at the pretty Umbrian villa where this ghastly saga began, however, the former prosecutor expresses the hope that his new informer might yet bring them the truth, and with it closure. She is now ready to inform the police, he says, and if someone speaks to her, we might find out what really happened that night. I really hope we will, because Meredith was a beautiful person and having met her family, I know they are impeccable people. Had his recent bar-room tryst with that unnamed source caused him to doubt his theory? Not least his apparent rush to judge Amanda Knox, whose eccentric behaviour, in those long ago November days, has since been accepted by the Supreme Court as a probable symptom of her youthful anxiety? He removes his thin-rimmed glasses and rubs his eyes. No, he says, Im satisfied with my investigation, but I feel sorry about this case now because I understand there could have been much more to it. As those of us who trawled the conspiratorial backstreets of Perugia in search of clues to a crime whose depravity defied belief will roundly concur, there could indeed. Additional reporting by Cristina Cennamo The nation's first openly transgender lawmaker once asked her accomplice girlfriend if they would still get into heaven as they exchanged lewd photos of children as young as three. Disgraced New Hampshire Rep. Stacie-Marie Laughton, who was born Barry Laughton, 41, was arrested in 2023 and was charged with aiding and abetting the sexual exploitation of children. She pleaded guilty to the charges in federal court in Boston last week, and admitted to encouraging her then-girlfriend, Lindsay Groves, 40, to take nude photos of young children in her care at Creative Minds daycare in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, KRCR reports. Prosecutors had laid out in court documents how Laughton and Groves sent each other 10,000 messages as they fantasized about sexually abusing the young children and shared the disgusting acts they wanted to perform on the children. Among those text messages were at least four explicit photos of children between the ages of three and five that Groves took at the daycare, where she worked from May 2022 and June 2023. Prosecutors said she 'used natural bathroom breaks for the children,' such as 'routine diaper pull-up changes prior to naptime ... to take multiple photos of the prepubescent children in a private bathroom. In another message, Laughton told Groves to touch a child's genitals, so she took a photo and sent it to the lawmaker for 'sexual gratification.' But between these disgusting messages, Laughton expressed her fear she would not get into heaven. Disgraced New Hampshire Rep. Stacie-Marie Laughton, who was born Barry Laughton, 41, has pleaded guilty to charges of aiding and abetting the sexual exploitation of children She admitted to encouraging her then-girlfriend, Lindsay Groves, 40, to take nude photos of young children in her care She wrote about her desire to become a church minister in a message to Groves on June 14, 2023 and asked her then-partner if she would still go to heaven. 'Do you think God is OK with us being bad girls? Do you think we still have a place in heaven? Do you think God would still be OK with me being a minister?' the lawmaker mused, according to court documents. Groves then reassured her, saying: 'Yeah God is OK with it and we still go to heaven and he still thinks you [sic] be a great minister.' At another point, Laughton expressed her fears that they would be arrested. 'I don't wanna get caught if we do,' she wrote to Groves on June 7 of that year. 'Lots of parents don't like people touching their kids and it is against the law,' she noted. Despite those reservations, prosecutors said Laughton continued to request access to the young children in Groves's care - even once allegedly inquiring about having oral sex with a girl, only for Groves to respond: 'She's not even three yet,' according to WMUR. The pair's heinous actions were eventually uncovered when Laughton sent the images to a third person, who turned them over to the Nashua Police Department, the New York Post reports. 'I don't like that I have these, but I wanted to show you the proof I am not a kid pervert,' Laughton texted the individual, according to court documents. In one text message, Laughton wrote about her desire to become a church minister in a message to Groves and asked her then-partner if she would still go to heaven Laughton and Groves were arrested in June 2023 and have since pleaded guilty to their crimes Prosecutors said Groves took nude photos of young children in her care at Creative Minds daycare in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts Laughton and Groves's relationship had been fraught for years before their criminal correspondence, New Hampshire Journal reports. The politician had repeatedly tried to get Groves fired from her job at the daycare during their 2022 breakup, claiming Groves was the one who was a pedophile. She even reported Groves to the police and used social media and radio programs to accuse her ex of pedophilia - but the accusations were deemed fake and wound up being at the center of the November 2022 stalking case against Laughton that landed her behind bars just one week after her election to represent Nashua in the state government. It was not the first time she had been arrested, either. Laughton had previous arrests for domestic violence/criminal mischief in 2002 and also had a sexual assault charge against a woman in 2003. She was also convicted in 2008 of felony credit card fraud, which barred her from serving despite being elected to represent the Hillsborough 31 district as a Democrat in the state government in 2012. Three years later, Laughton was also arrested for making a bomb threat against the Southern New Hampshire Medical Center and in 2021, she was once again apprehended for misusing the state's 911 texting system. The politician had repeatedly tried to get Groves fired from her job at the daycare during their 2022 breakup, claiming Groves was the one who was a pedophile Laughton, a Democrat, is pictured here with former US Rep. Beto O'Rourke, in 2019 Laughton has blamed her past criminal behavior on mental illness and untreated conditions. She expressed remorse and stated that their actions were completely out of character. 'I have had a mental illness my whole life, and I guess this was my worst break with it. I was untreated for a long time, and I didn't have medication,' Laughton shared in an interview with the New Hampshire Union Leader after being arrested for making a bomb threat. 'I wasn't trying to hurt anyone, and it was totally out of character for me. I have put a lot behind me, and I never thought I would do this in a million years.' But the ex-politician and Groves - who entered into her own plea agreement last month, admitting to sending Laughton the explicit photos - now face between 15 to 30 years in prison, a fine up to $250,000 and a lifetime of supervised release. They are due to be sentenced in federal court on Friday. An eight-year-old boy with special needs wandered off during a family birthday party before he drowned in a swimming pool at a brand-new display home. Shocked neighbours have revealed harrowing new details about the tragedy that has rocked the small country town of Kialla near Shepparton in Victoria's north. Emergency responders rushed to the scene of a G.J. Gardner display home at about 7pm on Sunday after the boy was found unresponsive in the backyard pool. Paramedics performed CPR, but the boy could not be revived. It's understood that he wandered off from the family home about 300m away. It was one of two drowning deaths in Victoria within 24 hours. The boy's shattered family gathered at the scene of the tragedy on Monday as neighbours recalled the frantic search efforts to find him. It's understood that attempts by emergency workers to locate a defibrillator at a nearby fast-food outlet were unsuccessful. Shattered family members gathered outside the display home where an eight-year-old boy with special needs drowned on Sunday night The boy wandered off from his Kialla home and was found unresponsive in a pool at a nearby display home 'The family was looking around,' neighbour Mert Tetik told Nine News. 'They've obviously never thought that that's where he would be located. 'It's quite devastating. It's obviously shook us as a community as well.' Many children live in the new housing estate. 'There are plenty of display homes in the area, but this is the only one that has a swimming pool, so this is very concerning for this to happen,' Ernst Ndisa told the ABC. 'It's very sad. We are really shocked.' Police will prepare a report for the coroner. The G.J. Gardner display home opened just two months ago. The G.J. Gardner display home in Kialla opened just two months ago A woman and child drowned in Dandenong Creek in a separate incident on Monday afternoon The building company said the pool was fenced and compliant with all safety regulations. 'We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the young boy, and our thoughts remain with them as they navigate this heartbreaking time,' a G.J. Gardner spokesperson said. 'We will continue to do everything within our power to support the authorities with their investigation. 'We are also providing support to the Shepparton team as they are understandably distressed by this tragedy.' Less than 24 hours later, a child and their mother drowned in Dandenong Creek in Melbourne's south-east. It's understood the woman entered the water in an attempt to rescue the child when she began struggling in the water. There were 357 drownings across Australia in 2024-25, according to the National Drowning report. Private pools account for 10 per cent of drownings. The latest tragedies are 'a sad and timely reminder' for parents and carers to keep a vigilant eye on children at all times when around water. 'Children remain one of the highest risk groups for drowning with home pools, bathtubs and dams leading locations for these incidents,' a Life Saving Victoria spokesperson said. 'We encourage parents and caregivers to actively supervise children at all times when around water, enrol your child in swimming and water safety lessons, learn CPR so you can assist in an emergency, and restrict children's access to pools and other water bodies by ensuring there are sufficient barriers in place.' A fisherman has captured the wild moment a brazen dingo snatched a baby shark from the shallows waves of a beach visited by thousands of tourists every year. Ethan Clarke was enjoying a weekend of fishing on the island of K'gari - formerly Fraser Island - a World Heritage-listed island off the Queensland coast. Mr Clarke was fishing on the eastern side of the island, north of Eurong, when he accidentally caught what he believed to be a young whaler shark. He attempted to release the shark twice, but before it could swim away the hungry dingo ran into the shallows and plucked the predator out of the water. Mr Clarke quickly took out his phone to capture the moment, with Aussies quick to share their thoughts on the wild encounter. 'Only in Australia,' one wrote. 'Just when I think I've seen it all... I have not!' 'Survival skills. Not many have this kind of talent,' a second said. The fisherman had attempted to release the young whaler shark back into the sea when an opportunistic dingo plucked it from the shallows Footage showed the predator running off with its prized meal securely in its mouth The video also comes after hundreds of sharks, including different whaler sharks, were spotted in the shallows of Moreton Island, off the coast of Queensland (pictured) Tourists are urged not to feed dingoes and to maintain a calm and non-engaging behaviour when around the wild dogs. Dingoes on K'gari are considered apex predators and are known to hunt across the island's forests, dunes and beaches. The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) explained dingoes were a 'highly adaptable' species. While dingoes look similar to domestic dogs, DETSI warned they were 'wild, opportunistic and unpredictable and should be respected'. Despite their varied palate, dingoes typically prey on small to medium native mammals - including wallabies and possums - as well as birds, reptiles and fish that have washed up on shore. The video also comes after hundreds of sharks, including whaler sharks, were spotted in the shallows of Moreton Island, off the coast of Queensland. The sharks were drawn close to shore by giant bait balls - dense schools of fish that swim in formation to confuse predators. A Delta Air Lines pilot delivered a heartwarming pre-flight announcement to soothe anxious passengers amid a turbulent period for travel. Captain Christopher Pennington told the packed Delta flight about a promise he made to his daughter in a video that has been viewed more than 11 million times on TikTok and captured by Sisterhood Travels. Pennington's message to travelers came amid delays and the ongoing government shutdown that has paralyzed airports nationwide. 'I know we have probably quite a few nervous flyers today. It is perfectly understandable,' Pennington said over the intercom. 'I want to emphasize this aircraft does not move a single inch unless both my co-captain, Michael, and myself are absolutely certain it is safe to do so.' But then came the words of reassurance that melted hearts with a very personal vow. 'Before I left the house on this trip, my little one learned the word 'ice cream,' and she made me make sure I promised to get her ice cream when I get back home from the trip,' Pennington said. 'That being said, nothing and I mean absolutely nothing unsafe comes in between me and that little girl and her ice cream.' Captain Christopher Pennington, a pilot for Delta Air Lines delivered a heartwarming pre-flight announcement to soothe anxious passengers amid a turbulent period for air travel Pennington made the announcement before taking to the skies in his Delta jet Thousands of users flooded social media with praise for Pennington's reassuring tone and devotion to his family at a time when the aviation industry is under immense strain. 'He became dad of the plane lol', one viewer wrote. Another added: 'People talking about delta.. but this is 99% of pilots. They wanna go home to their families I don't think people realize how much precision they put into their work.' Even the captain's fellow pilots chimed in. 'Chris and I are on the same fleet at Delta based out of NYC and have flown a few trips together. An absolutely amazing Captain to work beside.' The video comes as the government shutdown stretches into its sixth week, forcing thousands of unpaid air traffic controllers to keep working without pay and triggering flight cuts at dozens of airports. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, carriers at 40 major airports have been told to reduce their schedules by 4 percent, a figure expected to climb to 10 percent within days. The cascading delays have turned terminals into scenes of exhaustion and frustration making small acts of reassurance like Pennington's all the more powerful. Travelers crowd a terminal in Chicago O'Hare as flight delays continue amid FAA measures more than a month into the ongoing US government shutdown More than 2,700 flights across the US were delayed on Monday, and another 1,600 canceled, according to FlightAware. Pictured, a departure board at New York's LaGuardia Airport More than 2,700 flights across the US were delayed on Monday, and another 1,600 canceled, according to FlightAware. Sunday alone saw nearly 11,000 delays and 3,000 cancellations, marking the worst travel day since the shutdown began. The chaos has been compounded by tragedy. Just days earlier, a UPS cargo plane crashed during takeoff at Louisville's Worldport facility, killing 14 people, including three crew members. The fiery accident only served to deepen fliers' anxiety. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said air travel will take 'days, if not a week,' to stabilize even after the shutdown ends. 'Once we see more controllers in the towers, airlines have to respond to that,' Duffy told Fox News. 'It can be days, if not a week, before we get back to full-forced flights when the shutdown ends.' Cornwall drivers have been left shocked after being hit with parking fine notices years after they were issued. One woman said she was slapped with a 170 ticket from a debt recovery company two years after her stay in Polzeath. Jill Rae had already paid for parking the day her fine is said to have come from, and thought she had already dealt with the wrongly issued ticket. The 71-year-old said she and her husband had been staying in the holiday spot during March 2023 when they pulled up at the Sea View car park. Jill's husband paid for the bay and the pair left within the allocated time but, after their holiday, received a fine from Alliance. After sending the physical receipt as proof that she coughed up the cash, Jill didn't hear anything more - until now. The OAP received a letter saying the debt recovery agency will take court action if she doesn't pay the 170. The pensioner explained that she's really worried: 'I've just been doing everything I can. I've been in touch with Citizens Advice, who put me onto National Debtline. A number of drivers around Cornwall have taken to social media to voice their frustrations about receiving parking fines from two years ago (file photo) 'I've also emailed Ben Maguire, your MP, who said that he was aware of a lot of problems in the area,' Jill said. After sharing her concerns on Facebook, she discovered she's not alone and many others are experiencing a similar headache. John Andrews said: 'I had a run-in with Alliance Parking recently. Really had to fight my case, provided evidence of paying for a parking ticket. In the end, they reduced the 'fine' to 20. Paid it just to get rid of them.' Boe Lovegrove added: 'A friend of mine has recently received two letters from Alliance Parking relating to incidents from 2022 in a Cornish beach carpark, neither of which she has any recollection of or had had any correspondence regarding at all in the last three years. 'They are demanding over 150 pounds for each one. Really odd!' Sara-Jane Tossoun mentioned she got in touch with Citizens Advice Cornwall who suggested getting in touch with Alliance Parking and asking for a subject access request - which is a copy of any correspondence sent to motorists. A spokesperson for Alliance said: 'We would like to clarify that we retain a Certificate of Postage for every letter we issue. All correspondence is automatically sent via our hybrid mail provider, where it is printed, enclosed, and transferred to Royal Mail for delivery. As such, we can demonstrate that every notice we generate is dispatched. 'Under UK law, any notice sent by post is presumed to have been delivered on the second working day after posting, unless proven otherwise. For these purposes, a 'working day' excludes Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays in England and Wales (see paragraph 9(6) of Schedule 4 to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012).' Alliance explained the three reasons for motorists claiming they didn't receive a parking charge, including vehicles' registration details not being updated and a rare delivery failure from Royal Mail. The debt collector explained that another reason includes motorists receiving the notice, but only engaging once debt recovery begins. Alliance targeted misinformation on social media, saying Facebook comments claiming people can ignore the fines are wrong. 'This is incorrect; such charges are fully enforceable in law. Claims of non-receipt are sometimes made in an attempt to secure a discounted rate, which is why the statutory presumption of delivery exists,' Alliance added. Meanwhile, Citizens Advice Cornwall is warning motorists of scammers sending fake emails, texts, and letters claiming agents are recovering money for fines. 'If the company is asking you to pay via PayPal or bank transfer it's very likely a scam. If it directs you to a website for payment that doesn't look right, with unusual grammar or no office address be suspicious. 'Check the URL - if it doesn't begin with 'https' or is similar but not quite the same as an official site, such as having a minor spelling error, it's probably a fake site. 'If you think the letter is genuine, don't ignore it, as it could lead to bailiffs being involved and could affect your credit rating. If in doubt, please contact us at Citizens Advice.' A Trump-appointed federal prosecutor in Miami has launched a probe into a 'grand conspiracy' by Democrats led by Barack Obama to destroy Trump's political ambitions. Jason Reding Quinones, US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, has subpoenaed at least 30 Obama officials involved with an investigation into Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, The New York Times reported. The Miami probe follows up on a far right theory that Obama officials used the 'hoax' investigation in an in attempt to jail Trump after the 2016 election. Quinones has now issued more than two dozen subpoenas, some to officials who took part in the Russia inquiry. So far, they include ex-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former FBI agent Peter Strzok and ex-FBI lawyer Lisa Page. Since he launched the controversial probe at least two prosecutors have quit their jobs when they were asked to join, according to MSNBC. Quinones has responded by inviting staff within the office to join the new unit and take on the 'anti-Trumpers,' Bloomberg claimed. In a rare move, the US attorney has called a meeting Monday of dozens of career prosecutors in the major crimes unit. 'Everyone is on pins and needles,' a source told MSNBC. Furthermore, a grand jury has been empaneled in the district on January 12, with speculation that more indictments against the Democrat officials will take place. A Trump appointed federal prosecutor is set to go after Democrats who have worked against Donald Trump , including potentially former President Barack Obama The case follows up on a long-held theory of conservatives : that Obama worked to stop Trump by trying to tie him to election interference on behalf of Vladimir Putin 'Justice is coming,' read a post by Mike Davis, a former GOP Senate staffer who has been pushing for investigation into the alleged plot to take down Trump. Davis posted the statement along with a photo with Quinones Friday. The Daily Mail has reached out to the Department of Justice and the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida for comment. In July, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard submitted criminal referrals to the Justice Department for former President Barack Obama and his officials including ex-Intel Chief James Clapper and ex-CIA Director John Brennan. It appears that the DOJ initially tried to hold the case in Pennsylvania but have since moved it to the southern district in Florida. Gabbard unveiled evidence claiming that Obama and his team illegally conspired in the lead up to the 2016 presidential election to link Donald Trump to Russia. 'The information we are releasing today clearly shows there was a treasonous conspiracy in 2016 committed by officials at the highest level of our government,' Gabbard said in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'Their goal was to subvert the will of the American people and enact what was essentially a years-long coup with the objective of trying to usurp the President from fulfilling the mandate bestowed upon him by the American people. 'Their egregious abuse of power and blatant rejection of our Constitution threatens the very foundation and integrity of our democratic republic. No matter how powerful, every person involved in this conspiracy must be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.' Jason Reding Quinones, a Trump appointee, has subpoenaed at least 30 officials involved with the 'Russia hoax' investigation into the 2016 Trump campaign Mike Davis, a former GOP Senate staffer who has been pushing for investigation into the plot to take down Trump, posted a photo with Quinones Friday with the caption: 'Justice is coming' Gabbard cited allegations she made accusing Obama's White House of pushing a 'hoax' that Trump's 2016 campaign was propped up by the Kremlin. Trump also accused Obama of treason, while the 44th president issued a statement denying all the allegations lodged against him. 'The complicity, the deflection, and the silence of politicians, of the mainstream media, and of those directly implicated into this speaks volumes,' Gabbard said on Saturday. The former Democrat-turned-Republican also responded to a blistering comeback from Obama over her claims, in which Obama said Gabbard was making 'bizarre allegations' that are a 'weak attempt at distraction' from the Epstein files. Gabbard countered: 'President Obamas very carefully worded response that came from his office, again, deflects away from addressing any of the truth that was revealed. 'They would have to admit and actually address the details of their complicity in this or their absolute failure in conducting the most basic responsibilities of, again, asking, where is this intelligence coming from?' In an X post about her criminal referral, Gabbard said: 'Their goal was to usurp President Trump and subvert the will of the American people. 'No matter how powerful, every person involved in this conspiracy must be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The integrity of our democratic republic depends on it. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard (pictured) sent criminal referrals to DOJ alleging former President Barack Obama and his officials conspired to create the 'Russian collusion hoax' in July 'We are turning over all documents to the DOJ for criminal referral.' Gabbard's rebuke of Obama came after the former president issued a rare statement to condemn Trump's wild allegations of 'treason.' 'Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response,' an Obama spokesperson said. 'But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.' The former president's spokesman then turned to Gabbard's report, saying: 'Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes. 'These findings were affirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio.' That last lined needled Trump's secretary of state and national security advisor, who was seated next to the president during his extended discourse on Obama and his team. Some thought her release of documents last month was a tactic to distract from the botched Jeffrey Epstein files review, which has the DOJ reeling with calls for Bondi to resign. The move was an escalation that takes President Trump's administration a massive step closer to criminally charging Obama and his former administration officials. A source familiar with the action speculated to the Daily Mail that the criminal referrals Bondi is acting on are likely for John Brennan and James Comey. Attorney General Pam Bondi had directed a U.S. prosecutor to convene a grand jury Gabbard cited allegations she made last week accusing Obama's White House of pushing a 'hoax' that Trump's 2016 campaign was propped up by the Kremlin Trump and Obama have a fraught relationship, although they were spotted chatting in what appeared to be amiable fashion at Jimmy Carter's funeral in January. Trump rode 'birther' conspiracies about Obama to influence in his first successful run for president. The pushback from Obama's team came after Trump issued an extraordinary call to investigate the ex-president saying he had been caught 'cold' and accusing his predecessor of 'treason.' Trump issued his stunning series of attacks on the two-term Democratic president shortly after being asked yet another question about Jeffrey Epstein - the scandal that Obama appeared to be implying that Trump was trying to 'distract' from. Trump has since threatened to prosecute Obama, saying that Attorney General Pam Bondi should 'act' on the matter while also indicating it was at her discretion. 'We have a very competent, very good, very loyal to our country person in Pam Bondi very respected. And she it's going to be her decision,' Trump said. But Trump admitted his own Supreme Court victory granting 'presidential immunity' means it's unlikely Obama will be charged with treason over his handling of the 'Russia hoax.' Even if Obama were to be in trouble, the Supreme Court ruled in a monumental 2024 decision that the President of the United States has immunity from prosecution for official acts in office, in a case argued by lawyers on Trump's behalf. Trump was asked if 'presidential immunity' would apply to Obama and the president didn't deny it, going as far as to say he'd done his predecessor a favor. 'He has done criminal acts, no question about it. But he has immunity and it probably helps him a lot. He owes me big. Obama owes me big,' Trump said. The ex-president's team argued in late 2023 that Trump, and any president, must have absolute immunity from prosecution over actions taken while in office or it could impair important decision-making. Australians have once again called on the federal government to enforce a burqa ban years after Pauline Hanson wore one of the religious coverings in Parliament. At least 1,800 people have signed a petition calling for a ban on the garments in public launched by FIFO worker and mother-of-six Jolene Brezina. 'I am personally worried about the potential security risks posed by the wearing of burqas in public places,' Ms Brezina told Daily Mail on Tuesday. 'The full-face coverage that the burqa provides makes it impossible to identify individuals, posing a threat to our shared public safety and children. 'Some religions believe it's ok to marry young children, marry multiple wives or abuse women, yet Australian law doesn't allow that under the freedom of religion, so why is the full face burqa allowed? 'A Christian cross does not conceal any part of a person's identity or pose as a national security risk, so doesn't even come into comparison. 'Also women in Australia by law are not suppressed by men and don't have to hide their faces We are not calling for them to change religions, just to assimilate to the western culture's laws and ways.' Some Muslim women wear a headscarf to cover their head and hair, while others wear a burqa or niqab, which also covers their face. At least 1,800 people have signed a petition calling for a ban on burqas in public started by organiser and FIFO worker Jolene Brezina (pictured) Hanson had previously called for a ban while infamously wearing a burqa during a Parliamentary Question Time in 2017 for a debate on a potential ban The burqa is a one-piece veil that covers the face and body and often has a mesh screen for the wearer to see through. The headscarves are viewed as a sign of modesty and religious faith by those who wear them, but critics disagree. 'We cannot wear our motorcycle helmets into places as our faces are covered so where is the difference,' one person wrote on the petition. 'Myself and my friends are sick of being discriminated against in our own homeland for the pathetic reasoning of religion.' Another said: 'Pauline Hanson predicted this 30 years ago and hardly anyone listened. They are listening NOW.' The petition comes just weeks after Senator Pauline Hanson urged Canberra to follow the lead of at least 24 countries that have banned the burqa. 'For years I've warned that full face coverings pose a threat to our safety, and strip women of their dignity,' she wrote. 'Now Italy has joined more than 20 countries in banning them. So why is Australia still turning a blind eye? Senator Pauline Hanson (pictured) called for a ban on burqas in Australia in October A petition has since been launched calling for the federal government to introduce the change laws, gaining 1800 supporters (pictured, women wearing the niqab in Sydney) 'Burqas and similar Islamic garments don't just conceal identities. They're used to control women, to silence them, and to remind them they're second-class.' In 2017, Australia was divided after Hanson wore a burqa into the Senate for a debate on the potential ban. She wore the covering for 10 minutes before ripping it off. Dr Rateb Jneid, a lawyer in Western Australia and president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, accused the petition of fear mongering. 'This petition is yet another attempt to marginalise Muslim women and politicise their choices. It reflects fear, not fact,' he told the Daily Mail. 'The full-face covering is worn by a small number of women in Australia who do so freely and without harm to others. 'Banning it would not protect anyone, it would simply punish a minority for how they choose to express their faith.' All Australians are free to choose their religion, and are entitled to express and practise their religion and their beliefs, according to federal laws. This includes the expression of religion through their choice of clothing. Hanson had previously called for a ban while infamously wearing a burqa during a Parliamentary Question Time in 2017 for a debate on a potential ban. Her most recent tirade was prompted by Italy's ruling Brothers of Italy party which announced this week that it would introduce a ban on the burqa and niqab - a veil that leaves the eyes visible in all public spaces. A crooked cop used information he learnt through his job to carry out a meticulously planned and brutal home invasion against an elderly man - storming into his property, binding him with cable ties, then robbing him of $100,000. The NSW Police officer, who can only be referred to as 'MA' for legal reasons, was last week sentenced to ten years behind bars over the horrific 2020 attack in far west NSW. But the court imposed a gag order to ban the media from naming the cop - and his victim - for 20 years. The District Court last week heard the saga began when the cop was involved in executing a search of the victim's home in 2020. The victim was being investigated over a child sex offence and was later convicted. But during the raid on the paedophile's home, officers found a safe containing a large amount of cash, which was unconnected to the sex offence. Four years later, the police officer and an accomplice borrowed a van to drive from Sydney to the same regional town with the intention of stealing the cash. The pair left their mobile phones behind and took jerry cans of fuel to try to avoid stopping at petrol stations to prevent being detected by police. A cop has been jailed after robbing an elderly man he came into contact with through his work as a NSW police officer After the hours-long drive, they arrived at the house and staked it out. The cop - a nine-year career veteran - then put a stocking or balaclava over his head and broke into the house that night, fully aware the 78-year-old victim was at home. The cop pulled open the front door, went inside and confronted the elderly man while he was alone in the kitchen. He then forced him face down onto the floor before cable-tying his hands behind his back. His sidekick then joined him in the kitchen and tightly cable-tied the victim's feet together, before binding black tape around his hands. The cop then went to the room with the safe and began ransacking it, as the pair barked orders for the victim to reveal the keys location. 'Stop lying. If you don't give us the key to the safe, we'll chuck [you] in the car and take [you] out to the dam,' the cop's sidekick warned, before kicking the victim in the head. When the victim eventually gave up the location of the key, the cop opened the safe, stole $100,000 in cash, before the pair fled the scene. Ten minutes later, the victim managed to call a neighbour, who rushed to the property and found the elderly man, bloody and bruised, lying on the floor, still bound by the cable ties. Meanwhile, the robbers used backroads to drive to another town in western NSW, where they disposed of clothing, shoes, gloves, and torches in bushland, before travelling back to Sydney and returning their van to the cop's friend. The shocking incident took place in Far West NSW in 2020 Despite their efforts to avoid detection, the cop was later arrested and charged, and later pleaded guilty to aggravated break, enter, and commit serious indictable offence. Police were able to recover $80,000 of the stolen cash, but $20,000 is still missing. Judge Robert Newlinds said the crime involved 'significant planning and serious attempts to avoid detection'. Judge Newlinds said the robbers subjected the victim to pain, fear and violence, which has now left him feeling unsafe in his own home. He said the offence involved 'gratuitous cruelty', with the victim's arms twisted behind his back, his hands and feet bound, and his head kicked, which were not necessary to carry out the crime. 'He was an old man compared to the offenders. None of this cruelty was necessary for the robbery to succeed,' Mr Newlinds said. 'The victim could have easily been controlled by the two younger men.' Mr Newlinds said the victim, who still maintains his innocence about the sex offence despite being found guilty, lost friends and acquaintances in the wake of the attack. He insists it was not from his conviction, but because of public perception around why he was targeted. The cop and his co-offender travelled from Sydney to the town in a borrowed car in a bid to cover their tracks 'The victim had served his time for his crime and was entitled to be left alone to live his life without being bashed and robbed by a police officer involved in investigating his crime,' he said. 'In some quarters, the offender has been elevated into a hero status, whilst the victim has been branded the villain. This is, not just wrongheaded, it is highly unusual... 'Ordinarily, right-thinking members of the general public would feel sorry for the victim and consider the offender to be a serious criminal.' The court heard the cop suffers from PTSD from being exposed to traumatic events during his time in the police force. Due to his deteriorating mental state, he was medically discharged from the force nine months before the robbery and his life began spiraling out of control as he binged on up to 25 drinks a day and gambled away tens of thousands of dollars. Mr Newlinds said the cop had no prior convictions and the offending appeared to be 'out of character', and at least 'in part' a consequence of the mental health issues stemming from his time on the force. He also noted the cop was in an isolated cell in prison and accepted he had shown remorse and shame for his actions, although he has not offered to repay the victim the missing $20,000. Taking into consideration the cop's remorse, good character, mental issues, guilty plea, and the likelihood he will suffer in prison as a former cop, Mr Newlinds found there were special circumstances to reduce aspects of his sentence. Mr Newlinds sentenced the police officer to ten years behind bars, with a significantly reduced non-parole period of six years, backdated to June 2025. With time already served, the cop will be eligible for release in June 2031. Hungarian-British author David Szalay has won the Booker Prize for his novel Flesh. The book, a rags-to-riches tale exploring class and power, traces the life of one man Istvan who moves from Hungary to London. Judges said they 'had never read anything like it' while judging chairman Roddy Doyle described it as an 'extraordinary, singular novel'. An extract from the novel, performed by rapper Stormzy, was screened at the ceremony held in Old Billingsgate in London. It was attended by a host celebrity guests including The White Lotus actor Jason Isaacs, comedian Sara Pascoe, Gavin And Stacey's Ruth Jones and veteran comedian Sir Lenny Henry. Szalay, who was previously shortlisted in 2016 for All That Man Is, has received 50,000 and a trophy, presented to him by last year's winner Samantha Harvey. The author's sixth work of fiction, a meditation on power, tracks the life of teenage Istvan from Hungary who eventually moves from the army to the company of London's super-rich. Former Booker Prize winner Doyle said: 'The judges discussed the six books on the shortlist for more than five hours. Hungarian-British author David Szalay has won the Booker Prize for his novel Flesh The London ceremony was attended by a host celebrity guests. Pictured left to right, Sarah Jessica Parker, Chris Power, Ayobami Adebayo, David Szalay, Kiley Reid and Roddy Doyle 'The book we kept coming back to, the one that stood out from the other great novels, was Flesh - because of its singularity. We had never read anything quite like it. It is, in many ways, a dark book but it is a joy to read. 'At the end of the novel, we don't know what the protagonist, Istvan, looks like but this never feels like a lack; quite the opposite. 'Somehow, it's the absence of words - or the absence of Istvan's words - that allow us to know Istvan. 'Early in the book, we know that he cries because the person he's with tells him not to; later in life, we know he's balding because he envies another man's hair; we know he grieves because, for several pages, there are no words at all. 'I don't think I've read a novel that uses the white space on the page so well. It's as if the author, David Szalay, is inviting the reader to fill the space, to observe - almost to create - the character with him. 'The writing is spare and that is its great strength. Every word matters; the spaces between the words matter. 'The book is about living and the strangeness of living, and, as we read, as we turn the pages, we're glad we're alive and reading - experiencing - this extraordinary, singular novel.' The panel, which included Sex And The City star Sarah Jessica Parker, considered 153 books and was looking for the best work of long-form fiction by writers of any nationality, written in English and published in the UK or Ireland between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. Szalay is not the only writer of Hungarian heritage to have won a Booker prize as Laszlo Krasznahorkai, who won this year's Nobel Prize in Literature, won the International Booker Prize in 2015. Previous winners of the Booker Prize include Sir Salman Rushdie, Kazuo Ishiguro, Margaret Atwood and Dame Hilary Mantel. Police have released a photo of two people they want to talk to after a family was allegedly racially abused and assaulted in central London. A woman, her sister and two young children, one in a pushchair, were supposedly set upon by a couple at around 7.30pm on Saturday. They had been walking into Bond Street Underground station when the pushchair collided with a woman walking in front. A man, who had been walking with her, then turned around and began shouting abuse at the family, before the woman is said to have started pulling one of the sisters' hair. When the victim tried to defend herself, the man pulled out a small bottle, claiming it was pepper spray, and sprayed it in the family's direction. The woman continued to shout abuse and made lewd gestures at them before the couple left the area. It remains unclear what the substance was, however, the family reported no ill effects following the incident. British Transport Police have since released an image of a couple who could have information that may assist their enquiries. Police released this photo of two people they want to talk to after a family was allegedly racially abused and assaulted in central London (image blurred at source by British Transport Police) BTP said in a statement: 'Officers believe the man and woman in the image could have information that may assist their enquiries. 'Anyone who recognises them is asked to text BTP on 61016, using the reference 413 of 12 October. 'Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.' Donald Trump last night threatened to sue the BBC for $1 billion unless he gets a grovelling apology within days. As the embattled national broadcaster admitted to an 'error of judgment' when it doctored footage of a 2021 speech by Mr Trump, the US President's lawyers put the BBC 'on notice'. In a scathing letter, they demanded by Friday night a full retraction, immediate apology and an offer of compensation over the 'fabricated depiction of President Trump'. The move marks a major escalation in an already unprecedented crisis for the BBC after the impartiality row claimed the scalps of director-general Tim Davie and director of news Deborah Turness on Sunday night. The furore blew up last week when it emerged that Panorama aired a misleading edit of Mr Trump appearing to explicitly encourage violence in the hours before the January 6 Capitol Hill riot. Yesterday, BBC chairman Samir Shah admitted to an 'error of judgment' over the editing but rejected claims of systemic bias and stopped short of issuing a direct apology to Mr Trump. He confirmed that he had received communication from the President's legal team and was considering making a formal apology. 'But he's a litigious fellow. So we should be prepared for all outcomes,' he added. A BBC spokesman said it 'will review the letter and respond directly in due course'. In a scathing letter, the President's lawyers demanded by Friday night a full retraction, immediate apology and an offer of compensation from the BBC over the 'fabricated depiction' of Donald Trump on Panorama Yesterday, BBC chairman Samir Shah (above) admitted to an 'error of judgment' over the editing but rejected claims of systemic bias and stopped short of issuing a direct apology to Mr Trump In the legal letter, Mr Trump's lawyer, Alejandro Brito, demands that 'false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements' made about the President are retracted immediately. The letter warns: 'Failure to comply will leave President Trump with no choice but to pursue any and all legal rights and remedies available to recover damages for the overwhelming financial and reputational harm that the BBC has caused him.' If the BBC fails to respond by the looming deadline, Mr Trump will be 'left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights... including by filing legal action for no less than 1,000,000,000 dollars (760 million) in damages,' the letter states. The correspondence, dated November 9, bluntly concludes: 'The BBC is on notice. PLEASE GOVERN YOURSELF ACCORDINGLY.' A spokesman for Mr Trump's legal team said: 'The BBC defamed President Trump by intentionally and deceitfully editing its documentary in order to try and interfere in the presidential election. 'President Trump will continue to hold accountable those who traffic in lies, deception, and fake news.' In other developments yesterday: A civil war broke out between the BBC board and its news operation over the impartiality row, with fingers being pointed from both sides; There were suggestions it may take as long as nine months to find a replacement for Mr Davie, but he is said to have 'had enough' and will look to relinquish the role sooner; The BBC was on alert for more possible resignations as critics called for a clear-out of executives; Downing Street acknowledged mistakes had been made but backed the corporation, despite growing calls to scrap the licence fee. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he had spoken to Mr Trump on Friday about the scandal and the President was 'absolutely enraged' when concerns over the clip first emerged in a leaked document. 'He just said to me: 'Is this how you treat your best ally?' he said. The airing of the Panorama documentary, Trump: A Second Chance?, in the week before the US went to the ballot box amounted to 'election interference' by the BBC, Mr Farage said. Mr Trump was 'stitched up on the eve of a national election', he added. Director-general Tim Davie quit the BBC on Sunday after five years in the corporation's top job The threat of legal action is likely to put further pressure on the corporation, which was labelled 'corrupt' and 'dishonest' by the President following Sunday night's shock double resignation. However, a defiant Ms Turness defended the corporation and her colleagues against the claims. 'Of course our journalists aren't corrupt. Our journalists are hardworking people who strive for impartiality and I will stand by their journalism,' she said as she turned up for work yesterday. 'I stepped down over the weekend because the buck stops with me. But I'd like to make one thing very clear, BBC News is not institutionally biased.' Downing Street also appeared to rally around the BBC, insisting it was not corrupt or institutionally biased. In the blistering legal letter, Mr Trump's lawyers accused the BBC of a 'reckless disregard for the truth' and said the doctored clip was 'published to deliberately denigrate President Trump'. It said the broadcast 'maliciously' altered what Mr Trump said by 'editing together footage from the start of the speech with a separate quote' uttered an hour later. It also accused the BBC of deliberately editing out Mr Trump saying that he expected people to be 'marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard'. 'The timing of the fabricated documentary is evident. The BBC's reckless disregard for the truth underscores the actual malice behind the decision to publish the wrongful content, given the plain falsity of the statements,' the letter says. It said 'tens of millions of people worldwide' had viewed the 'fabricated statement' aired on the BBC's various platforms. 'Consequently, the BBC has caused President Trump to suffer overwhelming financial and reputational harm.' Listing Mr Trump's demands, the letter continues that the BBC must immediately issue a full retraction 'of the documentary and any and all other false, defamatory, disparaging, misleading, and inflammatory statements about President Trump in as conspicuous a manner as they were originally published'. Its third and final demand is that the BBC must 'appropriately compensate President Trump for the harm caused'. A memo by former editorial advisor Michael Prescott leaked last week raised concerns over the doctoring of Mr Trump's speech, and the BBC's coverage of trans issues and Gaza. The splicing of several clips together made it appear that Mr Trump had told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to 'fight like hell'. Mr Shah said there have been more than 500 complaints since the leaked memo was published, adding: 'We accept that the way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action.' However, the chairman attacked the author of the critical dossier, accusing Mr Prescott of giving a 'personal account' that gave only a 'partial' view of events. Rachel Reeves all but admitted yesterday that in her Budget this month she will break Labours election manifesto promise not to raise income tax, National Insurance or VAT. The Chancellor used an interview to claim that while it would be possible for her to stick with the commitments, it would require things like deep cuts in capital spending. But in a mounting revolt, senior Labour MPs have warned that breaching the pledge would be her Nick Clegg moment akin to the ex-Lib Dem leaders broken promise, made before joining the coalition government with the Tories in 2010, not to increase tuition fees. Ms Reeves also heavily hinted she would scrap the two-child benefit cap, saying there were costs to our economy in allowing child poverty to go unchecked. The cap restricts child benefits and universal credit to the first two children in most households. But she was accused of making all the wrong choices by the Tories, who said she would not need to raise taxes if she curbed Government spending. Ms Reeves told BBC Radio 5 Live that sticking with the commitments would require things like deep cuts in capital spending, and the reason why our productivity and our growth has been so poor these last few years is because governments have always taken the easy option to cut investment. Rachel Reeves all but admitted yesterday that in her Budget this month she will break Labour s election manifesto promise not to raise income tax, National Insurance or VAT. She is pictured running in Hyde Park yesterday morning Ex-Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg is pictured making his famous apology speech after breaking a promise, made before joining the coalition government with the Tories in 2010, not to increase tuition fees She added: As a result weve never managed to get productivity back to where it was before the financial crisis. So weve always got choices to make, and what I promised during the election campaign was to bring stability back to our economy. She insisted final decisions had not yet been taken, but said she would do what I believe is right for our country and sometimes that means not always making the easy decisions. Asked how Ministers would justify raising taxes for some people while increasing benefits for others, Ms Reeves said it was important not to let the costs to our economy in allowing child poverty to go unchecked. She added: I dont think that its right that a child is penalised because they are in a bigger family. So we will take action on child poverty. The last Labour government proudly reduced child poverty, and we will reduce child poverty as well. Former PM Gordon Brown is among those urging the Chancellor to scrap the cap. He yesterday said he was confident it would be addressed. But backbenchers have also been warning Ms Reeves against breaking manifesto pledges, with Hornsey and Friern Barnet MP Catherine West saying it could be as catastrophic for Labour as the tuition fees backtrack was for the Lib Dems in the 2015 election, which was how she won her seat. If I were Rachel, I would not be breaking the manifesto promise, she told BBC Radio 4, adding such moves come back to haunt you. And Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell said the move would damage trust in politics. Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: Every time the numbers dont add up, Reeves blames someone else. But this is about choices and the Chancellor is making all the wrong choices. Australian scientists have debunked misleading claims by Donald Trump that paracetamol use among pregnant women could harm their unborn babies. In September, Trump declared the FDA, would immediately notify physicians to warn pregnant women to avoid paracetamol 'unless medically necessary'. He implied the active ingredient in Tylenol may hinder fetal brain development and implied it could cause autism in children if taken by pregnant women. Trump said women 'have a responsibility' to endure pain instead of taking Tylenol - and should only take it if they 'can't tough it out'. 'Fight like hell not to take it,' he added, adding children shouldn't be given it either. The majority of research has shown there is no link between paracetamol and autism, with health bodies across the world recommending it for pregnant women. On Monday, experts from Australia's Monash University confirmed there is no clear evidence linking paracetamol use during pregnancy with autism or ADHD in children. 'It is important to rely on the best collective evidence to understand the benefits and risks of vaccines,' public health expert Professor Helena Teede said. Donald Trump (pictured at the Tylenol press conference) has previously claimed an active ingredient in paracetamol may hinder fetal brain development if taken during pregnancy In direct response to Trump's statement, the review, published in the BMJ and co-authored by Professor Teede, asserted the drug remains safe for use when needed. The researchers added that among the small number of studies which suggested a link their reliability was classified as 'low to critically low'. They suggested that any apparent effect seen in previous studies may be driven by shared genetic and environmental factors within families. Experts said women should be advised to take paracetamol when needed to treat pain and fever in pregnancy. They added that regulatory bodies, clinicians, pregnant women, parents, and those affected by autism and ADHD should be informed about the poor quality of the existing reviews. Back in September, the TGA - Australia's drug regulator - reiterated that paracetamol is safe and confirmed it remains in pregnancy category A, meaning the medication is considered safe for use by pregnant women. During his press conference, Trump also praised the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's move to stop recommending the combined MMR and varicella vaccine. 'I've heard bad things about [the MMR] personally,' Trump said, despite also calling himself a 'big believer in vaccines'. But a study co-authored by Australian experts has said their is no clear evidence linking paracetamol use during pregnancy with autism or ADHD in children (stock image) Former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for the Australian Government Dr Nick Coatsworth said he was 'very concerned' about the way Trump and his health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr spoke about vaccinations. 'When we talk about herd immunity, particularly for measles, a couple of per cent matters,' he said. 'So a couple of mums and dads out of every 100 in Australia who choose not to vaccinate their kids against measles because of what Trump and RFK Jr are saying - that matters. 'The benefits of the vaccine will always outweigh anything that Trump and RFK Jr say might be side effects of it. So, yes, I worry about what they do with vaccines.' Devastated families of young campers who died when floodwaters ravished an all-girls sleepaway camp in Texas over the summer have filed two lawsuits accusing it of neglect. The suits filed on Monday in Travis County allege that the camp management knew of the flooding dangers and neglected to inform parents about the risks, or take actions to mitigate the disaster, the Austin American-Statesman reports. Both suits argue that the deaths of 25 campers and two counselors was preventable, with one claiming that the deadly floods was a 'self-created disaster.' 'There is no greater trust than when a parent entrusts the care of their child to another,' reads the petition filed on behalf of the family of eight-year-old Eloise 'Lulu' Peck. 'Camp Mystic and the people who ran it betrayed that trust,' it continues. 'Camp Mystic's shocking betrayal of that trust caused the horrific, tragic and needless deaths of 27 innocent young girls, including Eloise 'Lulu' Peck. 'This case seeks accountability for that betrayal and to send a message to other camps - protect the kids in your care.' Both that lawsuit and another suit filed on behalf of five other campers and the two deceased counselors name camp owners Dick and Tweety Eastland, Camp Mystic and several of its entities as defendants. Britt Eastland, Dick's son, is also named as the Eastland family representative following his father's death during the Fourth of July floods. The multifamily lawsuit also includes Eastland's other son, Edward, and his wife, Mary Liz, as defendants. On the Fourth of July, water rose nearly 30 feet on the Guadalupe River, washing away homes and vehicles and some of Camp Mystic's buildings Grieving families of campers who were killed when deadly floods swept through a Texas sleepaway camp have filed two separate lawsuits against the camp It was filed on behalf of the families of Anna Margaret Bellows, Lila Bonner, Chloe Childress, Molly DeWitt, Katherine Ferruzzo, Lainey Landrey and Blakely McCrory. Childress and Ferruzzo were counselors, while the others were campers. 'Today, campers Margaret, Lila, Molly, Lainey and Blakely should be third-graders and counselors Chloe and Katherine should be freshmen at the University of Texas,' the suit says. 'They are all gone.' In both lawsuits, families argue that camp personnel knew the area was prone to flooding - but did nothing to mitigate the risks before the Guadalupe River rose from 14 feet to nearly 30 feet in just an hour. The Peck lawsuit noted that over the past century, there were at least three incidents in which floodwaters prompted evacuations, damaged buildings or swept away personal items and vehicles belonging to Mystic campers and staff. Tweety Eastland even had to be airlifted to a hospital in 1985 to give birth after a flood cut off road access, the multifamily suit notes, according to The New York Times. By 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency determined that much of the camp lay within a 100-year flood zone, meaning that there was a one percent chance in any given year that it would be flooded, the lawsuits state. But, the lawsuits argue, the Eastland family - which has owned the property since 1939 - leveraged appeals to have the designations removed from some of the buildings. FEMA then amended the flood maps in 2013, 2019 and 2020, removing camp-owned structures along the Guadalupe River and Cypress Lake from the designated flood zone, according to the lawsuit filed by the Peck family. Dick and Tweety Eastland (center) are named as defendants in both lawsuits, and their son serving as the family representative Camp Mystic was overrun by floodwater from the Guadalupe River on July 4 'Camp Mystic's requests to amend the FEMA map were an attempt to hide the risk from the public, including the campers and their parents, avoid the requirement to carry flood insurance, lower the camp's insurance premiums and pave the way for expanding structures under less costly regulations,' the suit alleges. The lawsuit brought by other families similarly portrays the Eastlands as eager to cut corners and preserve the illusion of safety, while building 'true generational wealth' from the camp's low overhead costs and millions of dollars in annual revenue. It argues that the Eastland family changed the structure of the camp's ownership to protect the family's land, calling the companies named in the lawsuit a 'web of corporate entities' that were created to separate camp ownership from land ownership even though the Eastlands maintained control over cabin location and layout - leaving some in deadly flood zones. Still, the Pecks argued, Dick Eastland was aware that the county's flood warning systems were unreliable as a member of the board for the Upper Guadalupe River Authority. He had even advocated for a new warning system just before the deadly July floods, but did not take any steps to ensure that Camp Mystic had its own warning system, the lawsuit claims. Eastland also allegedly failed to create an emergency preparedness plan, the other suit argues, and told counselors that the threat of a flood was minimal as camp management reassured them that 'all cabins are constructed on high, safe locations.' Then, when camp management first became aware of the risks of flooding early in the afternoon on July 3, they decided not to evacuate the camp, the multifamily suit alleges. When the floodwaters started rushing in in the early morning hours the next day, the suit claims that Dick and Edward Eastland told campers and counselors to 'stay put because that's the plan' as they spent an hour securing the camp's equipment. In doing so, the suit argues the camp leadership squandered a crucial moment following the National Weather Service's warning about 'life-threatening flash flooding' at 1.14am. Eloise Peck, Anna Margaret Bellows, Lila Bonner, Lainey Landry and Molly DeWitt were campers in the Bubble Inn cabin - where nobody survived the flooding - and Chloe Childress and Katherine Ferruzzo were their counselors The lawsuits claim the girls were told to stay in their cabins and not evacuate. A cabin is pictured here following the floods Camp management also allegedly dismissed counselors' early pleas for help, and only 'made a hopeless 'rescue' effort from its self-created disaster' when it was already too late, the multifamily suit alleges. It says that Dick and Edward Eastland started evacuating some cabins to the two-story Rec Hall - but were only able to evacuate five of 11 cabins in the flood zone. Eventually, some counselors decided on their own to evacuate their campers, the suit claims. As they ran, the counselors said they could hear screams for help from other cabins - including the Bubble Inn and the Twins cabins which were left unevacuated despite being located just 300 feet from the Rec Hall. 'The camp has no explanation for why it failed to tell the Bubble Inn and Twin girls to walk to Rec Hall at that same time,' the suit argues. 'It would have saved the lives of 27 young girls.' Peck, Bellows, Bonner, Landry and DeWitt were campers in the Bubble Inn - where nobody survived the flooding - and Childress and Ferruzzo were their counselors. McCrory, meanwhile, was a camper in the Twins cabins. A person looks at damage to the main building at Camp Mystic along the banks of the Guadalupe River Over the past century, there were at least three incidents in which floodwaters prompted evacuations, damaged buildings or swept away personal items and vehicles belonging to Mystic campers and staff, one of the lawsuits states The lawsuit goes on to note that Dick Eastland and multiple campers' bodies were found the next day in a Chevrolet Tahoe that had been swept away. Counselors had claimed all of the occupants of the Bubble Inn were inside the vehicle. Eastland was hailed by some of the camp's supporters as a hero who died trying to save children during what the camp called a '1,000-year weather event' in the aftermath. But the multifamily suit argues he was 'grossly negligent' for loading the children into a vehicle in waist-deep and then neck-deep water and attempting to drive, noting that experts - including the Upper Guadalupe River Authority - advise against driving in floods. The petition also outlines a similar situation in the nearby Twins cabins, where it says Edward attempted to bring the girls to safety before he and several campers were swept away. They held onto a tree until morning, while other campers floated by and were unable to grab the tree limb, according to the suit. A total of 11 campers from the Twins cabins died that day. The situation only grew worse for the parents when camp leaders failed to clearly communicate to the families in the aftermath, the suit argues. It alleges that camp administrators knew multiple campers had died, but only told the parents at 11.30am the next day that their daughters were 'unaccounted for.' The families then did not find out about their children's untimely passing until late in the evening. Making matters worse, the multifamily suit states that the Eastland family was insensitive in their communications in the months following the tragedy - and even used Childress and Ferruzzo's names to recruit counselors for next summer. Twenty-five campers and two counselors died in the Fourth of July floods Each suit seeks more than $1 million in damages under Texas' Wrongful Death Act, citing the mental anguish of the families and the physical and mental pain the victims sustained leading up to their deaths, along with funeral expenses and the loss of household services. The exact amount of damages would be decided by a jury trial, which also seeks to establish that Camp Mystic was in a region known as 'Flash Flood Alley.' Paul Yetter, an attorney representing the families in the multifamily suit, told KXAN it is 'about transparency, responsibility and ensuring no other family experiences what these parents will now suffer the rest of their lives.' But Camp Mystic's lawyer Jeff Ray said he and his legal team 'intend to demonstrate and prove that this sudden surge of floodwaters far exceeded any previous flood in the area by several magnitudes, that it was unexpected and that no adequate warning systems existed in the area. 'We disagree with several accusations and misinformation in the legal filings regarding the actions of Camp Mystic and Dick Eastland, who lost his life as well,' he continued. 'We will thoroughly respond to these accusations in due course.' Lawyer Mikal Watts, who is assisting with the camp's defense, also told the Statesman: 'I believe deep in my heart that [the Eastlands] had nothing to do with why those girls, and frankly their patriarch, died and I'm ready to demonstrate that. 'I could try this case tomorrow and convince a jury that this camp had nothing to do with why these girls died,' he insisted. Meanwhile, Camp Mystic issued its own simple statement, saying: 'We continue to pray for the grieving families and ask for God's healing and comfort.' Pressure was mounting on the deputy director of the BBC News last night to follow his colleagues out of the door as part of a complete clear out. Despite the impartiality scandal which has rocked the corporation and led to the resignations of director-general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness, her deputy Jonathan Munro remains in post. But a BBC source had told the Daily Mail that Mr Munro was among the most staunch defenders of the doctored Trump footage and defended Panorama at a meeting of the BBCs editorial watchdog in May. He told colleagues, including Michael Prescott, the author of the internal report on impartiality: There was no attempt to mislead the audience about the content or nature of Mr Trumps speech before the riot at the Capitol. Its normal practice to edit speeches into short form clips. Mr Prescott complained to Samir Shah in his cover letter for the report that Mr Munro had a dismissive attitude to the findings about the Trump footage. But despite this, sources argued Mr Munro, who earns 300,000 a year for his BBC role, had effectively seized power in the hours following Turnesss resignation even though he is universally loathed. He is completely deluded and desperate to take the top job, they added. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said on Sunday night: Lets be honest, this has been a catalogue of serious failures that runs far deeper. The Prescott report exposed institutional bias that cannot be swept away with two resignations - strong action must be taken on all the issues it raised. The culture at the BBC has not yet changed. Pressure was mounting on Jonathan Munro, the deputy director of BBC News, last night to follow his colleagues out of the door as part of a complete clear out Director-general Tim Davie resigned on Sunday evening with the corporation engulfed in crisis Mr Munro sent out an all-staff email addressing the crises that has engulfed the corporations news division yesterday. He told all BBC-staff that a call will be held on Tuesday, and another meeting for News staff on Wednesday. He wrote: Following events of the last 24 hours, Im writing alongside the rest of the News Board to acknowledge how difficult this situation is and reassure you that our vital and valued work providing trusted journalism continues. He says the coming weeks will be hard but our trusted, impartial and agenda-setting journalism is more important than ever and must continue as our audiences expect. Mr Munro also acknowledged the work of outgoing Ms Turness and added: Details are still being worked through about what happens next. Deborahs successor will be appointed and well share everything we can as soon as we know it. He joined the BBC in 2014, after previously working at ITN where he won praise for negotiating the UKs first televised Prime Ministerial debates in 2010. Mark Latham has revealed how he dressed down Graham Richardson as a 'corrupt a***hole' during an ad break of a Sky News segment. Richardson, who died on Saturday aged 76 after a bout of pneumonia and influenza, has been remembered as a Labor legend, a ruthless political operator, and a media mainstay. But for Latham, and 'Richo's' critics, the former Hawke government minister, senator and political fixer's legacy is far murkier. Recalling a fiery 2018 Sky News clash that spilled off-air, Latham revealed he told Richardson off-air: 'Listen mate... when you die, you'll be written up as the corrupt a***hole you were. According to Latham's recount, Richardson replied: 'Yeah, and what will they say about you?' 'Lots of things, but I've never been a crook. I've never taken money off murderers and drug dealers,' Latham said. Latham claimed on Tuesday that he had been vindicated: 'Today that article I predicted is in the Sydney Morning Herald, of course.' He was referring to an article by Kate McClymont, the Herald's chief investigative reporter, which said: 'For a reporter whose career has been spent uncovering crime and corruption, Richo was the one who got away.' Mark Latham (pictured) revealed what he said to Graham Richardson after their 2018 TV spat McClymont claimed Richardson once told her: 'I know that you know, but you'll never be able to prove it.' 'Richo's penchant for sex workers in payment of favours ultimately led to his resignation from federal parliament,' she said. When asked for further comment about Richardson, Latham told Daily Mail that McClymont's article 'says it all' about the late political giant. During the parts of Latham and Richardson's clash that were aired on TV, Latham accused Richardson of accepting money from convicted murderer and property developer Ron Medich. Richardson strongly denied any wrongdoing, insisting he severed ties with Medich long before charges were laid. The exchange grew increasingly personal, with Latham branding Richardson a 'rotten old shyster,' prompting Richardson to retaliate. 'You're not just a rat, you're a king rat.' he said. 'I'll tell you something about king rats, it's not that case that everybody else changes and pure Mark Latham stays the same. That's what you love to claim.' Mark Latham (right) and Graham Richardson (left) had an infamous clash on Sky News in 2018 Tensions escalated when Richardson condemned Latham for then backing Pauline Hanson's One Nation and recording robocalls urging voters to reject Labor. Latham hit back by invoking Richardson's past controversies, including his links to disgraced NSW Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid, who was jailed in 2016. Latham also referenced Richardson's remark that Labor branch members would be 'rolling in their graves' over Latham's current political stances. Latham said that those same members, once his staunchest supporters, 'absolutely detested' Richardson during his tenure as NSW Labor General Secretary. 'Yes, they helped my family,' Latham said, 'but I reckon they would have cheered my critique of Richardson that night, because it echoed their own.' Richardson's death has sparked a wave of tributes from powerful media and political figures. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called Richardson a 'Labor legend' and 'a real character,' while former Greens leader Bob Brown praised his environmental legacy, including efforts to protect the Daintree and Kakadu rainforests. Richardson will be given a state funeral, it was announced on Monday. Graham Richardson (pictured) will be honoured with a state funeral, following his death But Latham, who now sits as an Independent in the NSW Upper House, has long portrayed Richardson as the embodiment of Labor's darkest traits including factional thuggery, backroom deals, and entrenched power politics. Latham also took aim at the media and political figures who, in his view were 'sucking up' to Richardson during his post-political career as a commentator on Sky News. He also singled out former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, sarcastically referring to him as 'Slurpy Morrison (good Christian)' for his public praise of Richardson. Latham has been very critical of senior Labor figures such as Albanese and Tanya Plibersek. Labor took steps to distance themselves from Latham in the wake of claims made by his ex-girlfriend Nathalie Matthews. His portrait remains in the federal caucus room alongside other former leaders, but now bears a pointed disclaimer. 'In 2017, Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand,' it reads. BBC chairman Samir Shah finally issued an apology over the doctored footage of Donald Trump yesterday as a blame game within the corporation broke out into the public domain. A civil war between the BBC's board and its news division erupted following the resignations of director-general Tim Davie and Deborah Turness, the chief executive of BBC News, on Sunday. They both quit although it may take up to nine months to replace Mr Davie over their handling of the impartiality row following a damning internal report over editorial failings. So it was left to Mr Shah to address the most egregious claim that footage of the President had been spliced together so it appeared that he told supporters to 'walk down to the Capitol' and 'fight like hell' during his speech on January 6, 2021. The two sections that were edited together were actually delivered by Mr Trump more than 50 minutes apart. Mr Shah conceded that the editing gave the impression 'of a direct call for violent action' from the US President and had led to more than 500 complaints since the report, by former editorial adviser Michael Prescott, emerged last week. The corporation's chairman wrote: 'The BBC would like to apologise for that error of judgment.' But Mr Shah also said the BBC should 'have acted earlier', admitting that the Trump footage had been discussed during meetings of the BBC's editorial watchdog, which both he, Mr Davie and Ms Turness sit on, in January and May. Mr Shah said that BBC News bosses had argued that the purpose of editing the clip was 'to convey the message of the speech made by President Trump so that Panorama's audience could better understand how it had been received by President Trump's supporters and what was happening on the ground at that time'. BBC chairman Samir Shah finally issued an apology over the doctored footage of Donald Trump yesterday as a blame game within the corporation spilt out into the public domain Director-general Tim Davie quit the BBC on Sunday after five years in the corporation's top job Meanwhile, BBC presenters peddled conspiracies of a political coup at the corporation. Nick Robinson used a monologue on the Radio 4's Today show to tell of sources who had alleged 'political interference' and 'a hostile takeover of parts of the BBC'. He said Mr Davie and Ms Turness had not explained 'what they had actually got wrong' when they resigned, downplaying the impartiality row by saying there were 'no complaints about the editing of Donald Trump's speech' when it was broadcast in 2024. Mr Robinson also appeared to want to brush aside the saga by arguing some listeners were tired of hearing 'the BBC talking about itself' and adding that there is 'plenty of other news' in the world. He instead shifted the blame for the row on to the BBC's board for, he said, refusing to sign off a statement from Ms Turness on the row last week, naming board member Sir Robbie Gibb, a former BBC political producer and spin doctor for Theresa May, as someone who led the charge that there was 'a problem of institutional bias' at the BBC. Mr Robinson said: 'BBC News executives the journalists who run the News division agreed the wording of a statement at the beginning of last week, admitting that it had been a mistake to edit together two different sections of Donald Trump's speech.' He added that it would have said that 'despite this error, there was no intention to mislead the audience... This was not enough for the BBC board which refused to sign off the statement.' David Yelland, former editor of the Sun who now hosts a Radio 4 podcast, also told the Today programme that Mr Davie's resignation 'was a coup'. He added: 'There were people inside the BBC very close to the board, on the board who have systematically undermined Tim Davie and his senior team and this has been going on for a long time.' Last night, a senior BBC insider denied any such statement had been knocked back by the board. They said: 'There are obviously concerns about some of the editorial decisions and the wider context of news impartiality, but the board was 100 per cent behind Tim Davie. It's a total misrepresentation to suggest there is a civil war, let alone a coup. Deborah Turness (pictured in October 2022), the CEO of BBC News, has also resigned following criticism that the BBC documentary misled viewers. In her statement she said: 'The ongoing controversy around the Panorama on President Trump has reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC' - but denied that the broadcaster was 'institutionally biased' 'But there is a feeling on the board that the way to be pro-BBC is to make it better and make it truly impartial. We have to go the extra mile and be seen to be absolutely impartial if we are to retain trust.' Yesterday, as she turned up for work, Ms Turness denied that her news team was 'institutionally biased', arguing that 'it is the most trusted news provider'. Mr Shah also fought back against claims of systemic bias and criticised Mr Prescott for his 'personal account' which gives only a 'partial' view of events. In a letter to the culture, media and sport committee, he said Mr Prescott's memo 'implied that he has 'uncovered' a list of stories and issues that the BBC have sought to 'bury'. That interpretation is simply not true.' In an interview with the BBC's media editor Katie Razzall, Mr Shah said it was 'simply not true' that the broadcaster wasn't being accountable to mistakes and repeated that Mr Prescott didn't unearth the issues but knew about them because of his place on the BBC's editorial watchdog. Mr Shah also defended Mr Davie, who led the BBC for five years. 'I did not want to lose Tim Davie,' he said, adding that there were those on the board who 'were upset by the decision'. The Pope's all-time favourite films have been revealed - with the list including one surprisingly dark choice. Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, yesterday offered a glimpse into his cinematic tastes as the Vatican released his four top picks. The head of the Catholic Church seems to be a fan of the sentimental with each film tugging at the heartstrings in its own unique way. While most of the choices are uplifting, there was one pick however with a particularly sombre storyline. According to The Vatican, the list is expected to be a talking point when the Pope welcomes around 30 Hollywood stars to the Vatican 'to deepen dialogue with the World of Cinema exploring the possibilities that artistic creativity offers to the mission of the Church and the promotion of human values'. 1. It's a Wonderful Life, 1946 It's a Wonderful Life, directed by Frank Capra, stars James Stewart, whose character is saved by divine intervention It might be no wonder this Christmas feel-good classic made the list as it offers a message of hope, with the protagonist talked out of taking his own life by a guardian angel. Having grown up in 1950s America, the New York setting of the film may have seemed familiar to Leo. The film, directed by Frank Capra, stars James Stewart, whose character is saved by a form of divine intervention. 2. The Sound of Music, 1965 It might not be surprising that Pope Leo features this happy and uplifting film on his favourite list. The musical drama, directed by Robert Wise, follows Maria von Trapp's experiences as governess to seven children, her eventual marriage, and family's escape from Nazi horrors. 3. Life is Beautiful, 1997 This slightly more modern film, directed by Roberto Benigni, also documents a family's experience at the hands of the Nazis - this time a father and son - in the form of a comedy-drama. The Italian film has received widespread acclaim following its release, suggesting Pope Leo is not alone in his admiration of it. 4. Ordinary People, 1980 Completing the list is Robert Redford's Ordinary People, which follows a family as they come to terms with the death of one son and attempted suicide of another Guests at the Pope's Hollywood Vatican event are expected to include actors Cate Blanchett, Chris Pine, Alison Brie, Dave Franco, and Viggo Mortensen as well as the directors Spike Lee, George Miller and Gus Van Sant Completing the list is Robert Redford's Ordinary People, which follows a family as they come to terms with the death of one son and attempted suicide of another. The darker film, like It's a Wonderful Life, is also set in America - this time in Pope Leo's home state Illinois. It follows the lives of various characters as they battle their inner demons but does eventually offer a glimmer of hope. Guests at the Pope's Hollywood Vatican event include are expected to include actors Cate Blanchett, Chris Pine, Alison Brie, Dave Franco, and Viggo Mortensen as well as the directors Spike Lee, George Miller and Gus Van Sant. It comes as Leo has already met Arnold Schwarzenegger - who attended a Vatican event about climate change last month and told the Pope he was an 'action hero' for his efforts at turning the Vatican into a carbon zero state. First time an international flight offered since 2020 Direct flights to Bali are set to resume from Victoria's Avalon Airport in a major win for millions of Aussie travellers. Jetstar said the route will be officially relaunched on March 23, 2026. It marks the first time an international flight will take off from Avalon airport since overseas services were cancelled in early 2020 during the pandemic. Passengers will fly on Jetstar's A321neo LR fleet planes, with the service scheduled to run five times a week from the state's second major airport. The budget airline will also resume its domestic service from Avalon to Adelaide on March 26 and will be adding more services to Brisbane. Return flights to Adelaide will run seven times per week, while flights to Brisbane will increase to five times a week. In total, travellers will be able to snag up to 320,000 low-fare seats annually - 120,000 of which are reserved for those heading to Bali. Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully said the resumed service to the Indonesian holiday island was a 'massive step' forward for the airline at Avalon Airport. Aussie tourists will be able to fly direct to Bali from Melbourne's Avalon Airport for the first time since 2020 (pictured, tourists at Kuta Beach) Jetstar will offer international fares from Avalon Airport to Bali from March 23, 2026 The airport will be upgraded in order to accommodate the increased traffic including 1,000 new seats across the terminals and an extra 500 car parking spaces. The airport will also be equipped with enhanced security systems, improved runway lighting and new water connections to the control tower. The upgrades are expected to create more than 80 new jobs, increase visitor numbers and significantly boost Geelong's economy. The Victorian Government has also announced a new public transport connection. Route 18 buses will link Lara Station to Avalon Airport, with workers and tourists able to catch the service seven days a week. As part of the launch, Jetstar has offered a sale for Aussie tourists travelling from Avalon to Bali, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and the Gold Coast. The 48 hour sale ends midday on Wednesday, with travellers able to grab a domestic flight from $29 and an international fare to the Indonesian holiday island from $199. Three members of family, including a toddler, have been killed after a car and a B-double truck collided on a major motorway. Emergency services rushed to the intersection of Eurambeen-Streatham and Mount William roads in Stoneleigh, 200km from Melbourne, about 9.30am on Tuesday. Victoria Police said a car carrying three generations of the same family allegedly drove through a stop sign and collided with the truck. The driver, a 41-year-old man, a 31-year-old female passenger and a three-year-old boy died at the scene. Another woman, who was trapped in the rear passenger seat, suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital. The truck driver is understood to have sustained minor injuries and was taken to Ballarat Base Hospital in a stable condition. Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy said the driver, a local man, is cooperating. 'The truck driver is shaken as you'd expect, he's with family and friends,' he said. Three members of family, including a toddler, have been killed after a car and a B-double truck collided on a major motorway (pictured, the truck) Det Insp McEvoy (pictured) said the bodies of the deceased were not removed from the scene until 3pm due to their significant injuries 'It's a terrible scene.' Det Insp McEvoy said the bodies of the deceased were not removed from the scene until 3pm due to their significant injuries. Witnesses or those with dashcam footage have been urged to contact Crime Stoppers. According to data from Victoria Police, 247 lives have been lost on roads so far this year, including 18 children. Last year, 241 people died on Victorian roads up to November. Stoneleigh, which is about 45 minutes from Ballarat, is a small town with a population of 45 people. The US Senate voted to end the record-setting government shutdown on Monday night following a deal made by a group of Democrats against leader Chuck Schumer. The bill will now go to the House, who may return to Washington as soon as Wednesday to vote on the legislation and reopen the government. The vote passed by a 60-40 tally, achieving the minimum number of votes to pass and avoid the filibuster. President Donald Trump has signaled support for the bill, saying Monday that 'were going to be opening up our country very quickly.' The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment. Speaker Mike Johnson urged lawmakers to start returning to Washington 'right now' given shutdown-related travel delays, but he said he would issue an official notice for the House's return once the Senate passes the legislation. 'We have to do this as quickly as possible,' Johnson said at a news conference. He has kept the House out of session since mid-September, when the House passed a bill to continue government funding. The shutdown has left 42 million Americans with no access to their SNAP benefits, forced airlines to cancel thousands of flights and left more than a million federal workers without an income. After weeks of negotiations, the moderate Senate Democrats agreed to reopen the government without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, angering many in their caucus who have demanded that Republicans negotiate with them on the Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire January 1. The US Senate voted to end the record-setting government shutdown on Monday night following a deal made by a group of Democrats against leader Chuck Schumer. Pictured: Senate Majority Leader John Thune The vote passed by a 60-40 tally, achieving the minimum number of votes to pass and avoid the filibuster, thanks to the votes of eight Democrats including Virginia's Tim Kaine (pictured) Thune promised a mid-December vote on the subsidies, but there was no guarantee of success. In a possible preview, the Senate voted 47-53 along party lines Monday not to extend the subsidies for a year. Majority Republicans allowed the vote as part of a separate deal with Democrats to speed up votes and send the legislation to the House. The seven Democrats and one Independent who caucused with the GOP were: Dick Durbin of Illinois, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Angus King (I) of Maine. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York has voted against moving ahead with the package, along with most of his Democratic colleagues. The legislation includes a reversal of the mass firings of federal workers by the Trump administration since the shutdown began on October 1. It also protects federal workers against further layoffs through January and guarantees they are paid once the shutdown is over. The moderates had expected a larger number of Democrats to vote with them as 10-12 Democratic senators had been part of the negotiations. But in the end, only five switched their votes - the exact number that Republicans needed. King, Cortez Masto and Fetterman had already been voting to open the government since October 1. The vote passed by a 60-40, achieving the minimum number of votes to pass and avoid the filibuster President Donald Trump has signaled support for the bill, saying Monday that 'were going to be opening up our country very quickly' The agreement includes bipartisan bills worked out by the Senate Appropriations Committee to fund parts of government - food aid, veterans programs and the legislative branch, among other things. Schumer, who received blowback from his party in March when he voted to keep the government open, said he could not 'in good faith' support it after meeting with his caucus for more than two hours on Sunday. 'We will not give up the fight,' Schumer said, adding that Democrats have now 'sounded the alarm' on health care. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who caucuses with the Democrats, said giving up the fight was a 'horrific mistake.' Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut agreed, saying that voters who overwhelmingly supported Democrats in last week's elections were urging them to 'hold firm.' House Democrats swiftly criticized the Senate. Texas Representative Greg Casar, the chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said a deal that doesnt reduce health care costs is a 'betrayal' of millions of Americans who are counting on Democrats to fight. Others gave Schumer a nod of support. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries had criticized Schumer in March after his vote to keep the government open. Schumer voted no on the bill after eight Democrats went against him to make a deal Senator Bernie Sanders called the deal a 'horrific mistake' But he praised the Senate Democratic leader on Monday and expressed support for his leadership throughout the shutdown. 'The American people know we are on the right side of this fight,' Jeffries said Monday, pointing to Tuesday's election results. Its unclear whether the two parties would be able to find any common ground on the health care subsidies before a promised December vote in the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he will not commit to bringing it up in his chamber. On Monday, Johnson said House Republicans have always been open to voting to reform what he called the 'unaffordable care act' but again did not say if they would vote on the subsidies. Some Republicans have said they are open to extending the COVID-19-era tax credits as premiums could skyrocket for millions of people, but they also want new limits on who can receive the subsidies and argue that the tax dollars for the plans should be routed through individuals. Other Republicans, including Trump, have used the debate to renew their yearslong criticism of the law and called for it to be scrapped or overhauled. Democrat leaders had up until this point refused to work with the GOP to reopen government unless they agreed to an extension of subsidies for health plans offered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Dick Durbin (left) and Jeanne Shaheen (right) are two of the Democrats who voted to end the shutdown. Both are retiring in 2026 Catherine Cortez Masto (left) and John Fetterman (right) are two other Democrats who opted to vote with Republicans. The duo will face re-election in 2028 As part of the newly agreed upon deal, the ACA will be put to a vote by mid-December. Despite holding a majority in Congress, Republicans only have 53 seats in the Senate, falling short of the 60 votes needed to pass a funding bill. Both parties have been uneasy about the shutdown's escalating consequences. They are eager to get the government running again before the situation worsens. Concerns range from delayed flights and unpaid federal workers to economic strain and suspension of food assistance for vulnerable families. The crisis reached boiling point last week as 42 million Americans who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were informed the money had run dry due to the shutdown for the first time in history. Already, upwards of 730,000 government employees are working without pay and a further 600,000 have been furloughed as a result of the crisis. Then, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that staffing shortages as a result of the shutdown are worsening, potentially reducing air travel to a trickle right in time for the holiday season. On Sunday alone, more than 2,000 flights were canceled into, out of, or within the United States and a further 7,000 delayed. The travel chaos will only get worse as airlines are mandated to gradually reduce their schedules further over the next week. But the bulk of the Senate Democrats were not on board with the decision to work with Republicans to end the shutdown, and could still introduce procedural hurdles that could delay final passage of the bill. Schumer emerged from a closed door meeting on Sunday evening after news broke that Republicans had secured the numbers they needed. 'I'm voting no,' he said, adding that everyday Americans 'need healthcare.' Senator Elissa Slotkin said: 'I always said, like, it's got to do something concrete on health care, and it's hard to see how that happened.' And Senator Bernie Sanders warned it 'would be a policy and political disaster' to cave to the Republican demands after such a resounding win during state elections last week. 'My own thought is that it would be a horrific mistake to cave in to Trump right now,' he said. 'Essentially, if Democrats cave on this issue, what it will say to Donald Trump is that he has a green light to go forward toward authoritarianism, and I think that would be a tragedy for this country.' California Governor Gavin Newsom was among vocal critics to instantly hit out at his colleagues for caving to Republican demands. 'Pathetic. America deserves better,' Newsom said. 'This isnt a deal. Its a surrender. Dont bend the knee!' House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he and other House members are committed to 'fight' the deal. 'We will not support spending legislation advanced by Senate Republicans that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits,' Jeffries said. 'We will fight the GOP bill in the House of Representatives, where Mike Johnson will be compelled to end the seven week Republican taxpayer-funded vacation.' A Zohran Mamdani-loving member of the Communist Party has been elected to a local council in upstate New York. Hannah Shvets, 20, was last week voted in to the Ithaca Common Council in the Fifth Ward. She is also a member of the Communist Party USA. The Cornell University sophomore defeated an independent candidate and former Democratic primary hopeful, G.P. Zurenda. Cornell Young Democratic Socialists of America celebrated her win on Instagram by sharing a picture of Shvets posing alongside a cardboard cutout of newly elected New York City mayor Mamdani. Mamdani enjoyed a resounding victory in New York City running against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump. 'Our candidate Hannah Shvets has become the youngest socialist elected in US history and will be one of Ithaca's newest Common Council members,' the group wrote on Instagram. 'Thank you to everyone who made calls, knocked doors, told your friends, and voted. This is all of our win and part of a new socialist future in America.' Shvets is a proponent of rent stabilization, like Mamdani, and increasing housing supply in the area. Cornell Young Democratic Socialists of America celebrated her win on Instagram by sharing a picture of Shvets posing alongside a cardboard cutout of newly elected New York City mayor Mamdani Speaking to College Town Magazine about her vision on the matter, Shvets said 'the majority of Ithaca are tenants', and that she's not trying to 'hurt landlords or homeowners.' 'It isn't saying that you can't rent out your properties. It's not saying you can't make any money off of them. It's just saying those increases in profit should not be increased exorbitantly,' she said. 'People need to have a chance for their wages to catch up with their rents.' She is also committed to pushing to introduce 'stricter compliance inspections to ensure landlords are maintaining property up to the proper health and safety standards,' according to People's World. Also like Mamdani, Shvets has named bus services as a priority, arguing that residents in the area want and need more bus routes. She wants to create a 'Community Accountability Board, which would investigate the Ithaca Police Department in instances where misconduct is suspected.' Shvets has also pledged 'reparations for Black Ithacans, along with increased financial support for Black community organizations.' The student doubled down on her commitment to ensuring Ithaca remains a 'sanctuary city' for 'immigrants, those seeking gender-affirming care, and [those seeking] reproductive care.' Hannah Shvets, 20, was last week voted in to the Ithaca Common Council in the Fifth Ward. She is a member of the Communist Party USA Her win coincides with the election victory of Daniel Carson (center) in Bangor, Maine - a Democrat who has served in leadership roles for the Communist Party of Maine Shvets said she would encourage officials not to cooperate with any federal law enforcement, like ICE, seeking to detain residents based on immigration status. She is also an outspoken advocate for Palestine and has attended several anti-Israel protests since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas. Her win coincides with the election victory of Daniel Carson in Bangor, Maine - a Democrat who has served in leadership roles for the Communist Party of Maine, which is not an official political party in the state. The Communist Party USA celebrated his victory on the Bangor City Council, writing: 'Several members of the Communist Party USA, working as part of broad campaigns rooted in their communities, won elected office in a number of locales.' 'Our working class deserves a city councilor who not only understands these challenges but is ready to bring people together to find solutions,' he said. An event to honor Charlie Kirk erupted into chaos on Monday afternoon when a violent brawl broke out between an Antifa protester and a Trump supporter at UC Berkeley. The confrontation, which happened outside Zellerbach Hall, was captured on multiple videos now circulating online, leaving one man bloodied and two people under arrest as police struggled to control a crowd that grew increasingly hostile. The melee unfolded on the two-month anniversary of Kirk's assassination and transformed what had been billed as a solemn conclusion to TPUSA's 'This Is The Turning Point' tour into a volatile street battle. As hundreds of Kirk supporters lined up outside the venue, protesters gathered nearby, some wearing keffiyehs and black clothing, many chanting 'No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA.' Others hurled obscene taunts aimed directly at the conservative crowd, shouting 'antisemites, go home' and 'f*** your dead homie,' in reference to Kirk. Shortly after 4:30pm, a scuffle broke out near Bancroft Way between a man selling 'Freedom' memorial T-shirts and a masked protester. Cell phone footage shows the pair grappling as onlookers shout out. The Trump supporter bleeding heavily from the face, continued shouting as Berkeley police officers moved in to separate the men. A violent brawl broke out between an Antifa protester and a Trump supporter at UC Berkeley Protesters scuffle with police prior to a Turning Point USA event at the University of California, Berkeley on Monday A clash quickly broke out between the protesters and a man selling Kirk memorial 'Freedom' t-shirts At one point a police officer could be seen using his bike to separate the men, using it like a riot shield. 'I was gay until Charlie Kirk showed me the way!' the vendor yelled defiantly as officers handcuffed both combatants. A Berkeley Police Department spokesperson confirmed two arrests, one on suspicion of battery, though details of the second arrest remain unclear. Berkeley police, campus security, and California Highway Patrol officers rapidly deployed around the area. Witnesses told Berkeleyside how officers donning helmets and face shields while forming barricades as several Antifa members attempted to 'de-arrest' their comrade. Private security teams screened attendees at the entrance, while UCPD officers armed with pepper ball launchers positioned themselves between the protesters and the entrance to Zellerbach Hall. By 7pm, three arrests had been made in total - two by Berkeley police and one by campus officers, according to university officials. 'This is what they want - they want to see fights,' one protester was heard telling another, pleading for restraint. Berkeley Police officers eventually separated the two men outside the Turning Point USA event Other protesters were detained by police prior to a Turning Point campus tour event There were three arrests in total at the protest Protesters face off against police outside the 'This Is the Turning Point' campus tour event University police are seen outside the entrance of campus tour event Despite the clashes outside, the event inside went ahead under heavy guard, headlined by Christian apologist Dr. Frank Turek and comedian Rob Schneider - both of whom were close allies of Kirk. In an interview with Fox News before the event, Dr. Frank Turek reflected on Kirk's legacy and the symbolism of ending the tour at UC Berkeley, long considered a stronghold of left-wing activism. 'If I could go to any one event with him, it would be that one,' Turek said. 'I wanted to go to UC Berkeley because it is so progressive and liberal in their views, and I wanted to provide evidence that Christianity was indeed true.' Kirk had originally planned to lead the tour finale himself with his trademark 'Prove Me Wrong' debates - informal confrontations where he sparred directly with students. Following his assassination at a Utah Valley University event on September 10, TPUSA restructured the tour around his message and legacy. For Kirk's followers, many of whom traveled hours to attend, the clashes only underscored the depth of division on America's campuses. Actor and comedian Rob Schneider spoke during the Turning Point campus tour event Speaker Andrew Doyle, second from the right, were joined by actor and comedian Rob Schneider, far left, Author Frank Turek, center and Peter Gregory Boghossian, right, There were plenty of red MAGA caps on display during the Turning Point event on Monday A supporter holds up a photo of Charlie Kirk at the Turning Point event Protesters with signs stand outside a Turning Point event at the University of California For Kirk's followers, many of whom traveled hours to attend, the clashes only underscored the depth of division on America's campuses 'We came here because Charlie inspired us,' said attendee Ella Klosek, who drove five hours from Santa Maria. She said Kirk's religious teachings rather than his politics drew her to his work. 'His message about traditional family values, about what it means to be a godly husband or wife - that's what stuck with me.' Inside the packed auditorium, the program opened with a tribute video featuring Kirk's past speeches about courage, faith, and the fight for free expression. A North Carolina fisherman who vanished in one of the state's most rugged mountain areas has been found alive after spending a freezing night alone in the wilderness. Jeff Ashton was found by searchers early on Sunday morning in the Middle Prong Wilderness of Haywood County. It ended a desperate overnight mission that spanned multiple counties and drew more than 40 rescuers into some of the most treacherous terrain along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Haywood County Search and Rescue (HCSAR) said its team was first called out around 5:30pm on Saturday after Ashton failed to return from a fishing trip deep in the backcountry. Rescuers had hoped to find him before temperatures on the mountain dropped below freezing. Rescue teams immediately split into four groups, combing trails and streams as daylight faded. 'Around 3:30am, teams pulled out of the wilderness to regroup and rest for a few hours before assembling a much larger multi-agency team of rescuers from our neighboring counties,' HCSAR explained of the rescue operation in a Facebook post. By Sunday morning, a full-scale search was underway. But before the expanded team even finished its briefing, the missing fisherman suddenly appeared, walking out of the woods and onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. North Carolina fisherman, Jeff Ashton, who vanished in one of the state's most rugged mountain regions has been found alive after spending a freezing night alone in the wilderness Ashton was found by searchers early on Sunday morning in the Middle Prong Wilderness of Haywood County Rescuers searched until the middle of the night at 3:30am in the black wilderness 'While in the briefing, the lost fisherman emerged from the forest and was found on the parkway,' rescuers wrote. 'Outside of being a little cold and hungry from a night spent outside, we are happy to say the fisherman was in good health and spirits.' Officials said Ashton had managed to survive the night as temperatures plummeted. The National Weather Service had been warning of an 'unseasonably cold airmass' sweeping across the mountains that Sunday. 'Thank you to all the supporting agencies for showing up to help when Haywood County called!' the rescue team added. 'Remember, if you are farther from your home or vehicle than you can crawl, always be prepared with the essentials needed to spend a night outside.' Hours after his rescue, Ashton himself shared a message of thanks on Facebook, expressing his gratitude for the people who refused to give up searching through the night. 'From the 'lost fisherman' I am so grateful to all,' he wrote. 'The female sheriff's officer who was parked with my truck at the BRP, Mike and all of the 40 folks who had gathered for a briefing and a 9am continuation of the search, and my loved ones who were gathered with the team. I am so grateful!' A desperate overnight mission that spanned multiple counties and drew more than 40 rescuers into some of the most treacherous terrain along the Blue Ridge Parkway Rescuers are seen searching thr Middle Prong Wilderness which spans nearly 8,000 acres of steep ridges and dense forest Officials said Ashton had managed to survive the night as temperatures plummeted. Searchers eventually called off their search at 3:30am before resuming at 9am on Sunday morning Hours after his rescue, Ashton himself shared a message of thanks on Facebook, expressing his gratitude for the people who refused to give up searching through the night The Middle Prong Wilderness is known for its beauty and for its dangers. The narrow, winding trails and deep ravines make it one of the most challenging places in western North Carolina for hikers and search teams Haywood County Search and Rescue, one of the state's most active volunteer teams, described the mission as part of a 'busy week' that tested its members' endurance and coordination. They credited the success of the operation to swift cooperation among multiple county agencies and volunteers who responded in the middle of the night. 'Our goal was to make sure the fisherman was found before the temps plummeted Sunday evening,' the team said. 'This morning, teams assembled from all over the region to assist in making this happen.' The Middle Prong Wilderness, part of the Pisgah National Forest, spans nearly 8,000 acres of steep ridges and dense forest, with elevations ranging from 3,200 to 6,400 feet. It's known for its beauty and for its dangers. The narrow, winding trails and deep ravines make it one of the most challenging places in western North Carolina for hikers and search teams. Chelsee Healey is seen with boyfriend Eddie Rainford for the first time since he was released from prison after being sent down for two years Brittany Higgins's life will drastically change if she is declared bankrupt. Her credit score will plunge, she will struggle to get a mortgage in her name or apply for a credit card, and will require permission to travel overseas. Bankruptcy proceedings against the former Liberal staffer were commenced by her old Parliament House boss, Senator Linda Reynolds, in the Federal Court in WA on Monday. The matter was due in court on Tuesday, but the hearing was adjourned to Friday due to a technicality: Ms Higgins was not in court and had not personally received the bankruptcy notice. Senator Reynolds' lawyer Martin Bennett told the court his client had not seen a cent of the money she was owed, despite Ms Higgins' $2.4million Commonwealth compensation payment three years ago. Ms Higgins was ordered to pay Ms Reynolds $340,000 in damages and interest, along with 80 per cent of the senator's legal costs - estimated at more than $1million - after she lost a defamation case in the WA Supreme Court in August. The court previously heard Ms Higgins' assets amounted to less than $10,000. The Daily Mail understands she will not oppose the bankruptcy application. If the order is approved, Ms Higgins' finances will be handled by a trustee who could sell her assets to recoup costs. Brittany Higgins (pictured) could be declared bankrupt by Friday Senator Linda Reynolds (pictured) sued Brittany Higgins and husband David Sharaz over social media posts The terms of the bankruptcy last three years and one day, during which her financial situation will be highly controlled. Ms Higgins started working for a boutique PR firm in Melbourne earlier this year - but if she earns an annual salary of more than $87,396, she will have to make contributions to the trustee. The trustee can claim her vehicle if it's worth more than $9600. She would have a credit limit of $7266, and would have to surrender her passport and request permission from the trustee to travel overseas. Her name would also appear on the National Personal Insolvency Index. In court on Tuesday, Mr Bennett said Ms Higgins' mental health and desire to deal with the matter remotely meant the notice would have to be served via her Perth-based lawyer. 'She's aware of the hearing today. Ms Higgins desires to make no submission to the court,' he said. Ms Reynolds successfully argued the posts by Ms Higgins and her husband David Sharaz in 2022 and 2023 damaged her reputation and impacted her health. Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz moved to Melbourne earlier this year (pictured in Melbourne) The posts were highly critical of Ms Reynolds and the way she handled the former staffer's rape claims in 2021. Mr Sharaz was also sued by the senator, and he conceded defeat. He is also in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings. A court has found that, by the civil standard of proof, Ms Higgins was raped by her former colleague Bruce Lehrmann in Ms Reynolds' Parliament House office, when she was the defence industry minister, in 2021. Ms Higgins wrongly claimed Ms Reynolds pressured her not to proceed with a sexual assault complaint, and that she was a hypocrite in her advocacy of gender equality and female empowerment. The Supreme Court judge found Ms Higgins' posts wrongly implied Reynolds engaged in a campaign of harassment against her, mishandled her rape allegation and engaged in questionable conduct during Lehrmann's criminal trial in 2022. A criminal case against Lehrmann was aborted due to misconduct by a juror. The rape charge was then dropped following concerns for Ms Higgins' mental health. Lehrmann later sued Channel Ten and Lisa Wilkinson in the Federal Court for defamation over an episode of The Project in 2021, when Ms Higgins first aired her rape claims against him. Brittany Higgins is pictured outside the ACT Supreme Court in 2022, during Lehrmann's criminal trial He was not named in the broadcast, but claimed friends, colleagues and family members were able to identify him as Ms Higgins' rapist. Justice Michael Lee found, on the balance of probabilities, that Lehrmann had raped Ms Higgins. He is appealing the judgment. In late 2022, Ms Higgins filed a civil case against the Commonwealth for the way her rape complaint was handled by Ms Reynolds and her former chief of staff, Fiona Brown. She was awarded a settlement of $2.45million. Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz went on a series of holidays, rented a Gold Coast property for about a year, dressed in designer gear, bought a house in France, and spent more than $100,000 on their Australian wedding. She then sold her house in France for about $700,000 to cover her legal costs associated with the defamation case, gave birth to her first child, and relocated to Melbourne. Ms Higgins' bankruptcy matter will return to court on November 14. A school for children with special needs has been put into lockdown after machete-wielding teens terrorised a Melbourne suburb. Hampton East School - a junior to year 12 institution for students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities - was put into lockdown around 2pm on Tuesday. It is understood two men armed with machetes got out of a vehicle on Dane Road, just south-east of Melbourne's CBD, and were seen chasing two people down the street. One witness told Daily Mail the victims appeared to be walking past the school when they were set upon by the armed attackers. The victims were seen fleeing into a nearby park pursued by the machete-wielding thugs. The incident is believed to have been captured on nearby CCTV cameras in and about the school. The school is just down the road from Moorabbin Primary and located in what is supposed to be a well-to-do-area of Melbourne. Victoria Police officers from Moorabbin are believed to have converged on the area. Hampton East School (pictured) was put into lockdown on Tuesday afternoon The incident is the latest in Melbourne's seemingly endless crime wave. Just days ago a security guard at Knox shopping centre in Melbourne's south-east was seriously injured after he was allegedly assaulted by an unknown offender who fled before police arrived. Latest crime stats out of Victoria show 18 Victorian children have been murdered at the hands of an offender carrying a blade - either a knife or a machete - in the last four years. Of those 18 killed, 11 were gang related. In nine of those 11 gang-related homicides, the child victim was reportedly from a migrant community. A Victoria Police spokespersons said detectives were investigating an attempted armed robbery that occurred outside the school. 'Its believed a male armed with a knife attempted to rob a male on Dane Street just after 2pm,' the spokesperson said. 'The victim ran from the offender and was not injured. No arrests have been made at this stage.' Police denied the school was locked down. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Donald Trump bragged that Republicans 'broke' Chuck Schumer during brutal shutdown negotiations as the embattled Democratic leader faced calls to resign from his own party. The 74-year-old Schumer came under fire after a rogue gang of Democrats caved and sided with Republicans to end the longest shutdown in US history. 'I think he made a mistake in going too far,' Trump told Fox News about the standoff in negotiations. 'He thought he could break the Republicans and the Republicans broke him.' The US Senate voted to end the record-setting government shutdown on Monday, sending the bill to the House. The vote passed by a 60-40 tally after a number of Democrats defected. The president said Schumer's status as a major party broker had withered as the lengthy shutdown dragged his beleaguered party into the abyss. 'I've never seen a politician change so much,' Trump admitted. 'He was a pretty talented guy. He's lost his talent.' He accused Schumer of having 'Trump derangement syndrome' and said the Democrat Party had been taken over by 'crazed lunatics.' Even Democrats appear fed up with the alleged ineptitude of their longtime leader. At least 10 House Dems called for the leader to resign after eight members of his Senate caucus broke ranks to end the shutdown. Donald Trump bragged that his Republican Party 'broke' Democrat leader Chuck Schumer in shutdown negotiations, as the New York Senator faces calls from his own party to quit The 74-year-old Schumer, who has led the party since 2017, has been under fire after several Democrats broke away to compromise with Republicans on a deal to end the record-setting stoppage California Congressman Ro Khanna, 'Squad' member Rashida Tliab, and moderate Seth Moulton led the group of House members. Khanna said in a statement: 'Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced.' Socialist and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders stopped short of asking for Schumer's replacement but called the Democrats 'pathetic' and taken over by consultants. 'The division that we're seeing in the Democratic Party right now are those who get a whole lot of money from wealthy campaign contributors, they hire consultants, and I gotta' tell you, that consultant class is so far removed from reality it is really quite pathetic,' he said. Other Dems calling for Schumer to resign were Reps. Mike Levin (D-CA), Mark Pocan, (Wisc.), Delia Ramirez (Ills.), Rashida Tlaib (MI), Sylvia Garcia (Texas), Glenn Ivey (Md.), Shri Thanedar (Mich.). Sanders suggested the Democrats listen to himself and radical New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani instead of Schumer. Progressive groups MoveOn and Our Revolution have also demanded that Schumer be removed as leader, citing liberal victories in off-year elections last week showing a willingness for the public to wait out the shutdown. 'Americans showed a growing surge of support for Democrats who fought back - both at the ballot box last week and peacefully in the streets last month. Inexplicably, some Senate Democrats, under Leader Schumer's watch, decided to surrender,' said Katie Bethell, MoveOn's political action executive director 'It is time for Senator Schumer to step aside.' Senator Bernie Sanders said the Democrat Party as currently configured is 'pathetic' California Congressman Ro Khanna leads a group of six members of the House that includes 'Squad' member Rashida Tliab and moderate Seth Moulton who have also said the leader should stand down While most Democrats have trashed the deal, some liberals have stepped up to back Schumer to continue. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries claimed that 'the overwhelming majority of Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, have waged a valiant fight over the last seven weeks, defeating the partisan Republican spending bill 14 or 15 different times, week after week after week.' When asked if Schumer was effective as leader and should keep his job, Jeffries answered: 'Yes and yes.' MSNBC commentator Rachel Maddow also defended Schumer but with faint praise, suggesting that there were no Democrats who could do any better. 'Theres nobody who is stepping up to take that job right now,' Maddow admitted. 'There is no more wasted breath at this particular moment in our governing than the question of Chuck Schumers future. He has the vote of every Democratic member of the Senate. He will continue to have that,' added fellow MSNBC anchor Lawrence O'Donnell. Schumer, in a speech to the Senate on Monday, said that Democrats succeeded in putting healthcare 'at the forefront of people's minds.' 'The American people will not forget Donald Trump's cruelty and heartlessness over the past six weeks,' he added. MSNBC commentator Rachel Maddow also defended Schumer but with faint praise, suggesting that there were no Democrats who could do any better While most Democrats have trashed the deal, some liberals have stepped up to back Schumer to continue, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries Jon Cowan, president of the centrist think tank Third Way, said in an interview that the attacks on Schumer coming from the left will likely subside. 'Every Democrat and allied interest group is going to end their circular firing squad and aim all of their ammunition at Trump' and at congressional Republicans who are vulnerable to losing their seats in next year's elections, he said. President Donald Trump has signaled support for the bill, saying Monday that 'were going to be opening up our country very quickly.' The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment. Speaker Mike Johnson urged lawmakers to start returning to Washington 'right now' given shutdown-related travel delays, but he said he would issue an official notice for the House's return once the Senate passes the legislation. 'We have to do this as quickly as possible,' Johnson said at a news conference. He has kept the House out of session since mid-September, when the House passed a bill to continue government funding. The shutdown has left 42 million Americans with no access to their SNAP benefits, forced airlines to cancel thousands of flights and left more than a million federal workers without an income. The vote passed by a 60-40, achieving the minimum number of votes to pass and avoid the filibuster The US Senate voted to end the record-setting government shutdown on Monday night following a deal made by a group of Democrats against leader Chuck Schumer. Pictured: Senate Majority Leader John Thune After weeks of negotiations, the moderate Senate Democrats agreed to reopen the government without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, angering many in their caucus who have demanded that Republicans negotiate with them on the Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire January 1. Thune promised a mid-December vote on the subsidies, but there was no guarantee of success. In a possible preview, the Senate voted 47-53 along party lines Monday not to extend the subsidies for a year. Majority Republicans allowed the vote as part of a separate deal with Democrats to speed up votes and send the legislation to the House. The seven Democrats and one Independent who caucused with the GOP were: Dick Durbin of Illinois, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Angus King (I) of Maine. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York has voted against moving ahead with the package, along with most of his Democratic colleagues. The legislation includes a reversal of the mass firings of federal workers by the Trump administration since the shutdown began on October 1. It also protects federal workers against further layoffs through January and guarantees they are paid once the shutdown is over. The moderates had expected a larger number of Democrats to vote with them as 10-12 Democratic senators had been part of the negotiations. The crisis from the shutdown reached boiling point last week as 42 million Americans who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were informed the money had run dry due to the shutdown for the first time in history Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that staffing shortages as a result of the shutdown are worsening, potentially reducing air travel to a trickle right in time for the holiday season But in the end, only five switched their votes - the exact number that Republicans needed. King, Cortez Masto and Fetterman had already been voting to open the government since October 1. Its unclear whether the two parties would be able to find any common ground on the health care subsidies before a promised December vote in the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he will not commit to bringing it up in his chamber. On Monday, Johnson said House Republicans have always been open to voting to reform what he called the 'unaffordable care act' but again did not say if they would vote on the subsidies. Some Republicans have said they are open to extending the COVID-19-era tax credits as premiums could skyrocket for millions of people, but they also want new limits on who can receive the subsidies and argue that the tax dollars for the plans should be routed through individuals. Other Republicans, including Trump, have used the debate to renew their yearslong criticism of the law and called for it to be scrapped or overhauled. Democrat leaders had up until this point refused to work with the GOP to reopen government unless they agreed to an extension of subsidies for health plans offered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As part of the newly agreed upon deal, the ACA will be put to a vote by mid-December. Dick Durbin (left) and Jeanne Shaheen (right) are two of the Democrats who voted to end the shutdown. Both are retiring in 2026 Catherine Cortez Masto (left) and John Fetterman (right) are two other Democrats who opted to vote with Republicans. The duo will face re-election in 2028 Despite holding a majority in Congress, Republicans only have 53 seats in the Senate, falling short of the 60 votes needed to pass a funding bill. Both parties have been uneasy about the shutdown's escalating consequences. They are eager to get the government running again before the situation worsens. Concerns range from delayed flights and unpaid federal workers to economic strain and suspension of food assistance for vulnerable families. The crisis reached boiling point last week as 42 million Americans who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were informed the money had run dry due to the shutdown for the first time in history. Already, upwards of 730,000 government employees are working without pay and a further 600,000 have been furloughed as a result of the crisis. Then, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that staffing shortages as a result of the shutdown are worsening, potentially reducing air travel to a trickle right in time for the holiday season. On Sunday alone, more than 2,000 flights were canceled into, out of, or within the United States and a further 7,000 delayed. The travel chaos will only get worse as airlines are mandated to gradually reduce their schedules further over the next week. But the bulk of the Senate Democrats were not on board with the decision to work with Republicans to end the shutdown, and could still introduce procedural hurdles that could delay final passage of the bill. However, Schumer emerged from a closed door meeting on Sunday evening after news broke that Republicans had secured the numbers they needed. The ABC had admitted it digitally altered a picture of a federal politician - the latest in a string of controversies at the taxpayer-funded broadcaster. This time, the misleading edit was made by its flagship political discussion program Insiders on Sunday morning. The image in question shows Liberal Senator Jane Hume holding The Australian newspaper featuring three of her fellow Coalition party members on the front page. Originally, the photo in 2022 showed Hume holding The Australian's front page that pictured Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with the headline, 'Life will be 'cheaper' under me'. The voiceover on Insiders mocked the Coalition by claiming it had 'once again made itself the story'. The edited image appeared during a segment discussing ongoing division within the Coalition over its net zero emission policy. Hume lodged a complaint with the ABC almost immediately, leading the organisation to publish a grovelling apology that played of the edit as 'satire'. 'In an attempt to be satirical, the image was changed so that a photograph of three of Senator Hume's Coalition colleagues was superimposed onto the newspapers front page,' the ABC said. The original unaltered image (pictured) showed Liberal Senator Jane Hume holding the newspaper with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the front page The ABC 'fake' image (pictured) showed Hume holding The Australian newspaper with the three Coalition leaders 'The change was made in the edit process to accompany a line of voice over which stated that the Coalition had 'made itself the story again'. 'Insiders acknowledges that, while the montage was attempting to be humorous, changing the image in this way was misleading and inaccurate and has apologised to Senator Hume. 'All versions of the program have since been re-edited to remove the altered image.' While some Insiders viewers may have gotten a chuckle from the doctored image, the incident flags the continuation of a trend of serious editing errors at the ABC. The broadcaster's most infamous case of an editing muck-up was the addition of five additional gunshot sounds to a video of an Australian soldier firing a single warning shot while on a tour of duty in Afghanistan. The edits, which were uncovered by Seven Spotlight in late 2024, made it appear as though he was repeatedly shooting at unarmed villagers. The ABC was forced to remove the offending vision from its news website and launch an independent inquiry into how it came to be included in the aired segment. Overall, the ABC has published 77 corrections in the last 11 months alone. Hume (pictured) complained to the ABC, which issued a correction claiming the edited image was an attempt at 'satire' In the last few days the public broadcaster has only been called out for editing a speech US President Donald Trump gave ahead of the January 6 capitol riots. The ABC has claimed its edits didn't substantially alter the meaning of Trump's speech. That not the case for the UK public broadcaster the BBC, which altered the same speech to make it appear as though Trump was encouraging rioters. Trump has nnow threatened legal action against the BBC. BBC chairman Samir Shah has apologised for the 'error of judgment,' which triggered the resignations of the BBC's top executive and its head of news. Director-General Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness quit over accusations of bias and misleading editing of a speech Trump before a crowd of his supporters stormed the Capitol in Washington. The hour-long documentary - titled 'Trump: A Second Chance?' - was broadcast as part of the BBCs 'Panorama' series days before the 2024 US presidential election. It spliced together three quotes from two sections of the 2021 speech, delivered almost an hour apart, into what appeared to be one quote in which Trump urged supporters to march with him and 'fight'. Donald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC unless it issued a full and fair retraction, an apology and 'appropriate' compensation Among the parts cut out was a section where Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully. Shah said the broadcaster accepted 'that the way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action'. Daily Mail has contacted Jane Hume for further comment. A well-dressed couple sought by police over an altercation in London are a financier and the Trump-supporting founder of the world's first anti-woke PR firm, the Daily Mail can reveal today. British Transport Police have released a photo of a man and woman they want to speak to after a family claimed they were racially abused and assaulted in central London on Saturday, October 11. A dispute broke out at Bond Street station at 7.30pm when a pushchair bumped the woman in a photo released by a senior police officer on social media yesterday. The West End is a well-known mugging hotspot where scores of crimes go unsolved, but detectives yesterday released an image of the pair in an attempt to crack an alleged assault almost a month ago. Chief Superintendent Chris Casey said detectives wanted to identify them and the couple have been named online as Philip Ostermann and Melissa Rein Lively. The row broke out as they were reportedly walking into Bond Street station, with a woman, her sister and two young children, one in a pushchair, allegedly being abused after the buggy bumped into the woman walking in front. A man, who had been walking with the woman, then turned around and started shouting abuse at the family. When the victim tried to defend herself, the man pulled out a small bottle, claiming it was pepper spray, and sprayed it in the family's direction, police said. Mr Ostermann is associate director of a Munich-based private equity firm called Aequita, with offices in Tokyo and South Carolina. Ms Rein Lively, 40, is a political consultant and PR who fought for the job of White House spokesman for Trump's second term before the President plumped for Karoline Leavitt last year. She has spoken publicly of showing her support for President Trump with 'her face' by adopting the 'MAGA look' of blonde hair, veneers and Botox. In 2020 she made headlines by filming herself trashing masks in a shop during the pandemic. Last month Melissa posted a picture on Instagram of herself outside auction house Sotheby's on Bond Street, wearing the same outfit as the woman in the BTP photo, captioned: 'With love from London'. She has since deleted her account. Mr Ostermann had been listed to speak at a private equity conference at the Syon Park stately home near Heathrow on October 14. He was part of a panel discussion titled 'Delivering operational resilience and drive growth through robust cash management'. The Daily Mail has asked both Mr Ostermann and Ms Rein Lively to comment. Police released this photo of two people they want to talk to after a family was allegedly racially abused and assaulted in central London (image blurred at source by British Transport Police) The couple have been identified online as Philip Ostermann and Melissa Rein Lively, pictured together in Venice in April. He appears to be wearing the same shoes and bracelets here as in the photo released by police, internet sleuths have pointed out Ms Rein Lively posted this image on Instagram of herself in London, wearing what appears to be the same outfit as the woman in the BTP picture Ms Rein Lively is founder of 'America First', a PR agency offering clients 'anti-woke' service. Melissa hit the headlines in 2020 when she filmed herself destroying a rack of face masks in a Target store in Scottsdale, Arizona, while boasting about her $40,000 Rolex. She was also pictured on Instagram with Dr. Anthony Fauci, who she reportedly claimed should be arrested for treason. In the photo she is smiling while swearing at the camera, with the caption: 'Our face when they try to run the scam again'. In a recent interview, published yesterday, she revealed she shows her support for President Trump 'on her face' with the so-called 'MAGA look' of long blonde hair, heavy makeup and regular Botox. The 40-year-old conservative has said she sees President Trump's daughter Ivanka and his daughter-in-law Lara as her role models. She said: 'This has always been my look. I just found my tribe. It's so much bigger than politics. It's friendships. It's relationships. That MAGA look really signals to other people that you're on the same team'. Speaking to AFP, Rein Lively, said her face and fashion is for herself, not for men, as some critics of the 'MAGA-look' have claimed. 'By absolutely nobody's volition other than my own do I spend two hours in the gym every day, get my hair done every three and a half weeks on the button, get my nails done, get my eyebrows done, get my skincare done, get Botox,' she said. Melissa Rein Lively, 40, poses at a hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, for a recent feature about women who wear support for the US president on their face, known as the 'MAGA look' Ms Lively is said to have applied to be Trump's official spokesman In 2020 she hit headlines last year after footage of her went viral, showing her destroying a display of face masks. Trolls called her 'Rolex Karen'. The high-flying PR executive claimed she was 'groomed' by QAnon and that her 'entire world view collapsed' after stumbling across the online conspiracy theory group on yoga and wellness pages. Melissa Rein Lively poses for a portrait at her home in Scottsdale, Ariz. in 2020 after live streaming herself destroying a mask display at a local Target. Appearing on Finding Q, a podcast investigating the shadowy figure behind the movement by British journalist Nicky Woolf, she said that she was left suicidal after joining the group and the strain of the experience took '20 years off her life'. 'I know it's really easy to look at this on the face and say "These people are idiots", but I'm telling you this is some of the most well produced, well written things that were very plausible, and I realise there is a huge industry for conspiracy theories.' 'I absolutely call it a cult in every single way,' she said. 'It destroyed me completely, collapsed my world view and landed me in a psychiatric evaluation facility. 'For me, being a successful person in my life, I never thought I would be in a situation like that and it was rock bottom.' Melissa had first heard about Covid-19 in January of 2020 when her brother called her from China, panicking, and warning her that a new virus was spreading quickly around the country. Melissa was terrified and took her brother's advice to bulk buy masks and gloves - an attitude she says was later 'totally reversed' after joining the conspiracy group. During lockdown Melissa admitted she was 'lonely' at home and was spending a lot of time online, soon stumbling on seemingly innocuous posts from the conspiracy movement on pages related to her interests. 'When they call it a rabbit hole, it starts up at the top, near the surface with very innocuous information and as you click and click and click the algorithm does it's thing,' she said. 'Over time it becomes more and more extreme and the confirmation bias you're experiencing changes the way you think and grooms you to believe a separate set of beliefs that you had before'. She and Mr Ostermann are understood to be a couple, pictured together on social media in Venice earlier this year. It is not known where they are but Ms Rein Lively was recently pictured for a MAGA feature in Florida. They have been identified by internet sleuths after a woman, her sister and two young children, one in a pushchair, were allegedly abused. They had been walking into Bond Street Underground station when the pushchair collided with a woman walking in front. A man, who had been walking with her, then turned around and began shouting abuse at the family, before the woman is said to have started pulling one of the sisters' hair. When the victim tried to defend herself, the man pulled out a small bottle, claiming it was pepper spray, and sprayed it in the family's direction. The woman continued to shout abuse and made lewd gestures at them before the couple left the area. It remains unclear what the substance was, however, the family reported no ill effects following the incident. British Transport Police tweeted an image of the couple they wanted to speak to. BTP said in a statement: 'Officers believe the man and woman in the image could have information that may assist their enquiries. 'Anyone who recognises them is asked to text BTP on 61016, using the reference 413 of 12 October. 'Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.' Donald Trump has said it is time to 'call in the troops' to tackle the 'prevalent' murder and crime that has long plagued Chicago. In a post to Truth Social on November 11, the president wrote: 'The Miracle Mile Shopping Center in Chicago, once considered our Nation's BEST, now has a more than 28% vacancy factor, and is ready to call it quits unless something is done about the murder and crime, which is prevalent throughout the City. 'CALL IN THE TROOPS, FAST, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!' Though Chicago doesn't have a 'Miracle Mile', Trump, 79, is likely referring to the city's Magnificent Mile - a commercial district that is also home to several landmarks including the Chicago Water Tower and the John Hancock Centre. In September, six people were arrested after smashing in the windows of the Rolex Store on the Magnificent Mile, before stealing merchandise. Since taking office in January, Trump has ordered more and more Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids up and down the country, which have been met with major protests, particularly in cities like Chicago. The Illinois capital has become a particular target for Trump, who in September described the city as a 'killing field', a 'hell hole' and 'the murder capital of the world'. That month, he said he would send in National Guard Troops to 'solve the crime problem fast', though was blocked by a court ruling that prevented troops from going in to control growing anti-ICE protests in Chicago. But the Trump administration filed an emergency motion with the Supreme Court last month, petitioning it to approve a deployment of the National Guard to Chicago. It was the first time Trump officials have asked the US' highest court to weigh in on one of his crime and immigration crackdowns. A federal agent throws a tear gas canister during clashes with community members on Chicago's South Side, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., October 14, 2025 US Border Patrol and other federal agents tackle peaceful protesters at a demonstration outside a suburban Chicago ICE facility on October 3 2025 Solicitor General D. John Sauer filed the appeal, arguing that the lower court rulings should be overturned. The state of Illinois and the city of Chicago had sued to stop the National Guard from being federalized. Sauer wrote in his 43-page appeal that the October 9 injunction from a district judge should be stayed 'in its entirety.' 'The injunction improperly impinges on the President's authority and needlessly endangers federal personnel and property,' he added. Over the weekend, ICE agents were shot at by an unidentified man in Chicago during an operation. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security said that an unknown man behind the wheel of a black Jeep fired upon several officers. The department also reported that 'an unknown number of agitators' threw a paint can and bricks at Border Patrol vehicles. Several other protesters reportedly hurled additional objects, including a brick and another paint can. Two people have since been arrested. No one was hurt. Police officers are seen forcing a protestor to the ground as they make an arrest United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are seen conducting operations in Chicago Police officers hold batons as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conduct operations in the Little Village neighborhood, a predominantly Mexican-American community The disturbance took place in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, a predominantly Mexican-American community. Protestors also threw a can of paint and bricks at ICE patrol vehicles during the incident before Chicago cops managed to clear the scene. 'The shooter and vehicle remain at large, and this is a dynamic situation,' the agency said in a statement just after 1:30pm. 'This incident is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of violence and obstruction,' DHS said. 'Over the past two months, we've seen an increase in assaults and obstruction targeting federal law enforcement during operations. These confrontations highlight the dangers our agents face daily and the escalating aggression toward law enforcement. The violence must end.' But ICE has also been accused of harsh and unnecessary behaviour, particularly in Chicago. On Saturday, a one-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital after Border Patrol agents allegedly pepper-sprayed her family in a Chicago suburb amid a chaotic ICE operation. Rafael Veraza said that he and his young daughter, Ariana, were sprayed with the painful chemical near the parking lot of Sam's Club in Cicero, Illinois, on Saturday. Rafael Veraza, Ariana Veraza's father, said: 'My daughter was trying to open her eyes. She was struggling to breathe' Rafael held Ariana at a Sunday press conference about the incident One-year-old Ariana sobbed on the side of the road after an ICE agent allegedly pepper-sprayed inside of her family's car The Veraza family was driving out of the parking lot with the car's windows down when Border Patrol agents allegedly pepper-sprayed inside the vehicle. Harrowing video from the aftermath of the alleged incident shows Rafael squinting in pain, while Ariana was seen sobbing in her mother's arms when the family pulled over. Both Ariana and her father were briefly hospitalized after the alleged confrontation. Rafael detailed his troubling claims during a press conference on Sunday, noting that his family never made it inside the grocery store, as per Fox 32. After pulling into the parking lot, Rafael noticed a helicopter hovering above and heard whistles being blown, indicating that ICE was in the area. Fearful for his family's safety as federal agents clashed with community members close by, he promptly decided to drive away. But just as he tried to leave, Rafael says a dark-colored truck pulled up beside them and sprayed the chemical irritant inside the window 'for no reason'. '[The agent] started spraying from the front of the car towards the back. Basically, I got sprayed all over my face,' Rafael said. He said he could barely breathe and the spray's burning effects were amplified by his asthma. But the true horror he experienced was watching his innocent baby in agony. 'My daughter was trying to open her eyes. She was struggling to breathe,' he recalled. 'I was not a protester. I didn't have nothing against them.' The horrified family said they are considering taking legal action to cover the care Ariana now needs, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin posted a statement to social media Sunday denying Rafael's accusations. 'No. There was no crowd control or pepper spray deployed in a Sam's Club parking lot,' she wrote. As a civil war continues to shake the BBC, the Today programme booked a guest who spoke of 'championing the BBC' but said Labour should be 'asking hard questions in private'. As the BBC seeks to shake its accusations of 'bias' in the wake of the Panorama scandal, a Labour peer appearing on the morning radio show heaped praise on the organisation, with little mention of the impartiality scandal which saw the director general and news CEO quit. It comes after BBC chairman Samir Shah, apologised for an 'error of judgment' over the editing of a speech by Donald Trump, amid a potential $1 billion lawsuit from the US President. Baroness Thangam Debbonaire, former shadow secretary for culture, media and sport, spoke very little about the scandal which has rocked the BBC and instead called on politicians to 'champion' the corporation. In a sycophantic interview with the broadcaster, Baroness Debbonaire said the BBC is 'trusted the world over' for its 'high quality of journalism'. She added that the BBC was 'one of the most treasured aspects of our democracy'. The former MP for Bristol West also weighed into the current internal battle within the BBC, as she echoed statements that the board was 'too political'. It comes after host Nick Robinson used Monday's programme to describe the board as being in a 'state of paralysis' and singled out Sir Robbie Gibb for his ties to the Conservative Party. Labour peer Baroness Thangam Debbonaire heaped praise on the BBC and criticised its 'political' board Director-general Tim Davie quit the BBC on Sunday after five years in the corporation's top job Baroness Debbonaire said: 'I think there is also questions to be asked about how the charter renewal process, the agreement between the nation and the BBC is done. 'I think the work of the British Broadcasting Challenge, a really skilled group of experts, that they have done is really helpful on this, in which they more or less said that the process of charter renewal has to be separated from political control. 'I think there are ways we could look again at the way board appointments are made so there is much more clear separation between politics and the BBC.' The corporation faces a crisis as President Trump put the BBC 'on notice' yesterday that he plans to sue them for $1billion (760million). However Baroness Debbonaire repeatedly called on Labour MPs to 'champion the BBC' on air today. She said: 'I would like everyone in the government to be championing the BBC as the engine room of the creative industries. It is the biggest commissioner of creative industries. I would like everyone to be careful of what you wish for. 'If the BBC weren't to be here, we would want to invent it. But actually every other country in the world doesn't have the quality of public service broadcasting that we have with the BBC, that we are fortunate enough to have.' BBC star Nick Robinson accused the BBC board of paralysis over its handling of the Panorama scandal BBC chairman Samir Shah finally issued an apology over the doctored footage of Donald Trump yesterday as a blame game within the corporation spilt out into the public domain When she was later asked about how the government should react to the BBC fallout, the Labour peer once again spoke glowingly about the corporation She added: 'Labour should be championing the BBC, asking hard questions in private, scrutinising in public but also doing everything they can to separate direct political influence from the BBC. 'But start always by championing, because in an age of disinformation the BBC's ability to scrutinise evidence and to hold power to account has never been more important 'I would like to see the government do that. I would say to all my colleagues, start by championing the BBC, start by recognising what it does in terms of high quality world beating journalism, sport, education and creative industries.' Local government minister Alison McGovern told Times Radio that the UK should not have a 'national meltdown' about the BBC, as she too praised the organisation. She said: 'I think we need to make sure that the BBC, one of our most trusted media organisations, invests in quality journalism and tells the stories that we all want to hear.' Ms McGovern declined to be drawn on whether she thought Mr Trump should be able to sue the BBC over the editing of the Panorama documentary, saying the president 'can say what he wants, and he will do'. It comes as the outgoing director general is set to address staff this morning amid legal action threats from the US leader. In a scathing letter, the President's lawyers demanded by Friday night a full retraction, immediate apology and an offer of compensation from the BBC over the 'fabricated depiction' of Donald Trump on Panorama Mr Davie, who announced his resignation on Sunday after five years in the post, will host a video call where staff will also be able to ask him questions. Later in the day, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is expected to make a statement in the Commons on the issues facing the BBC. She is expected to speak about the corporation's leadership and Mr Trump's legal threat, which he plans to issue under Florida law. Mr Trump threatened billion dollar legal action after a report from Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBC's editorial standards committee, raised concerns that a speech the Republican politician made before the attack on the US Capitol on January 6 2021 had been selectively edited by the BBC. BBC chairman Samir Shah has apologised for an 'error of judgment' and two of the corporation's most senior figures - chief executive of BBC News Deborah Turness and Mr Davie - resigned from their positions on Sunday. The Prescott memo raised concerns about the way clips of Mr Trump's speech were spliced together to make it appear he had told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to 'fight like hell'. Mr Prescott had been due to give evidence to MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Wednesday but the session has been postponed. The letter, from Trump counsel Alejandro Brito, demands that 'false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements' made about Mr Trump be retracted immediately. Deborah Turness (pictured in October 2022), the CEO of BBC News, also resigned following criticism that the BBC documentary misled viewers Critics said the Panorama edit was misleading and removed a section where Mr Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully. A BBC spokesperson said: 'We will review the letter and respond directly in due course.' Mr Trump's lawyer added: 'Failure to comply will leave President Trump with no choice but to pursue any and all legal rights and remedies available to recover damages for the overwhelming financial and reputational harm that the BBC has caused him to suffer, with all rights and remedies being expressly reserved by President Trump.' The letter says if the BBC 'does not comply' Mr Trump will be 'left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights, all of which are expressly reserved and are not waived, including by filing legal action for no less than 1,000,000,000 dollars in damages.' Responding to a letter from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Mr Shah said there have been more than 500 complaints since the publication of Mr Prescott's memo raising concerns about the editing of Panorama. He said: 'We accept that the way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action.' However, he said it is 'simply not true' that Mr Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBC's editorial guidelines and standards committee, 'uncovered' issues that the BBC has sought to 'bury'. Downing Street has said the BBC is not corrupt nor institutionally biased, appearing to hit back at critics of the public broadcaster including Mr Trump. Mr Shah said the BBC board will revisit every item set out in Mr Prescott's memo, including the editing of the speech and the reporting of casualty figures in Gaza and 'will take further action where appropriate'. Russian President Vladimir Putin has handed out top jobs in the Russian government and state-run companies to at least 20 of his relatives - including his ex-wife and former lovers, according to a new report. The Proekt investigative website published a detailed expose listing members of Putin's extended family whose careers have flourished thanks to their connection to the former KGB officer. It claimed that nepotism under Putin could surpass anything seen since the days of Nicholas II, Russia's last tsar. Among the most powerful is Anna Tsivilyova, the daughter of Putin's late cousin Yevgeny Putin. She was appointed deputy defence minister in 2024, just a month after her husband, Sergei Tsivilyov, left his post as governor of the coal-rich Kemerovo region to become energy minister. Ukraine's military intelligence service believes Tsivilyova was brought into the defence ministry to spy on officials, tracking corruption and loyalty and reporting directly to Putin. Her son from a previous marriage, Dmitry Loginov, 27, also appears to have benefited from the family's powerful network. He owns and runs firms linked to Kolmar, the coal-mining company controlled by his mother. Russian President Vladimir Putin has secured jobs within the Russian government or state-linked companies for at least 20 of his relatives, including his ex-wife and lovers, a report has found. Pictured: Alina Kabaeva and Vladimir Putin at an event in Kremlin The Proekt investigative website reeled off a list of those whose careers have benefitted from their close connection with the former KGB officer. Pictured: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his ex-wife Lyudmila Putin's lover Alina Kabaeva (pictured posing in Maxim magazine in January 2004) Her brother, Mikhail Putin, is an executive at Gazprom, the state-controlled energy company. His 28-year-old son, Denis Putin, is a shareholder in the Sheremetyevo business complex, whose tenants include state companies, the report said. The president has also pulled some strings to secure lucrative roles for Igor Putin and Lyubov Kruglova, his cousins. Kruglova's son, Viktor Khmarin, is at the helm of RusHydro, one of Russia's largest electricity companies, Proekt reported. The investigative website has been banned by the Kremlin and its journalists live abroad. Putin's two adult daughters with his ex-wife, Lyudmila, are rising in prominence. Maria Vorontsova, an endocrinologist, and Katerina Tikhonova, a technology executive, both spoke at last year's International Economic Forum in St Petersburg, one of the most important events of the year for Russia's elite. Putin has never officially acknowledged either of the women as his daughters, although the relationship is common knowledge. The highest-placed official is Anna Tsivilyova (left), the daughter of Yevgeny Putin, the president's late cousin. Tsivileva was named a deputy defence minister in 2024. Her husband, Sergei Tsivilyov, the ex-governor of the coal-rich Kemerovo region, had been appointed energy minister just a month earlier Putin is also said to have two young sons with Alina Kabaeva, a former Olympic rhythmic gymnast, and a daughter with Svetlana Krivonogikh, a former shop cleaner who became his mistress. Earlier this year, it was revealed Kabaeva was secretly paid by a military unit linked to the dictator when she was only 17 years old. She was already a star rhythmic gymnast, and had won her first gold medal two years earlier. But this link to Putin was around eight years before her hidden relationship with the dictator, now 73, was first publicly aired by a Russian newspaper, which was rapidly shut down. It was also four years before she won her Olympic Gold at the 2004 Games. Kabaeva, now 41, believed to share two young sons with Putin, is now one of Russia's wealthiest women, with a hidden property empire worth at least 81.85 million, although even today Putin does not acknowledge his relationship with the glamorous woman. The payment comes from military unit Number 16660 located in Ramenskoye near Moscow. The unit is part of the Federal Protective Service [FSO] and is directly controlled by the Russian president. The payments were made in 20002001, Putin's first full year as president, and were highlighted by the media outlet from Kabaeva's official confidential pension records. Dozens of terrified cruise passengers were left floating in the Caribbean Sea after a catamaran they had been travelling on sank during an excursion. Around 55 holidaymakers had been taking part in a sailing activity as part of their cruise holiday on Saturday in the Dominican Republic. The 40ft catamaran they had been travelling on, named Boca de Yuma I, sprang a leak and quickly began sinking in the bay of Samana. The yacht filled with water and images from the scene shows dozens of tourists bobbing in the sea wearing lifejackets. The Navy, civil defence authorities, and first responders launched a rescue mission to save the 55 passengers who had been left stranded in open waters. Rescue workers were eventually able to pull all the holidaymakers from the sea unharmed. Images of the rescue showed part of the catamaran poking through the water's surface before it completely disappeared. The provincial director of civil protection told the Dominican Republic daily newspaper Diario Libre that the cause of the sinking was still unknown and is being investigated by experts. Some 55 holidaymakers had been taking part in a sailing activity as part of their cruise holiday on Saturday in the Dominican Republic before the incident took place While drifting through the vast open water, the 40ft catamaran they had been travelling on, named Boca de Yuma I, sprang a leak and quickly began sinking in the bay of Samana The Navy, civil defence authorities, and first responders launched a rescue mission to save the 55 passengers who had been left stranded in the open waters Your browser does not support iframes. Preliminary findings suggest a technical defect in the catamarans hull. The passengers had been holidaying on the German TUI cruise ship Mein Schiff 1 before disembarking on to the catamaran, provided by an external company. Sabine Luke, spokesperson for TUI Cruises, told BILD: 'We confirm that an excursion catamaran belonging to an external provider sank during a shore excursion programme. 'There were just over 50 guests from the Mein Schiff 1 on board, who are all safe and sound and have since returned safely to the ship.' The spokesperson did not provide details regarding the nationalities of those affected. TUI Cruises is reportedly in close contact with the operator and the relevant authorities regarding the ship accident to conduct a thorough investigation. Luke added: 'The safety and well-being of our guests is our top priority. Should individual assistance be necessary, it will of course be provided.' The rescue workers were eventually able to pull all the holidaymakers from the sea unharmed Images of the rescue showed the tip of the catamaran poking through the water's surface before it completely disappeared The cruise is now en route to Montego Bay, Jamaica, according to the monitoring service CruiseMapper. It comes after a newlywed couple who survived a shipwreck said that they shared a life jacket after their boat sank on their honeymoon cruise in the Maldives with nearly 50 people on board. Doctor Caio Gomes and his wife, businesswoman Fernanda Diniz, from Brazil, were on their honeymoon in the Maldives when their boat sank while being ferried from Dhigurah Island to the capital, Male on March 2. Speaking to Brazilian media, the couple said they had to share a life jacket until they were rescued, with distressing footage showing them in rough waters as they wait to be saved. Gomes said that no one was injured but that the ordeal was traumatic nonetheless. He said: 'Nobody got hurt. There were no injuries, no scratches, nothing, just psychological trauma, because it was a huge blow for us.' The doctor said that they had been sailing for approximately 40 minutes after leaving one of the islands when the boat hit a wave too hard. This is the moment a brazen pickpocket swiped an unsuspecting woman's handbag inside Selfridges as she waited to be served. The shocking incident - which happened during the Met Police's Christmas crackdown - took place on Oxford Street in central London last Saturday. The victim had been sitting inside the department store, which is one of the busiest shops in the country, waiting to be served and had placed her handbag on the seat behind her. CCTV footage shows the thief, who looked like an ordinary shopper, peering around her to see who was watching her before she then seizes the opportunity to swipe the handbag. The pickpocketer then calmly walks away with it in her hand. The bold theft happened despite more than 100 additional officers being deployed to the streets to tackle anti-social behaviour in London's West End, which is London's hotspot for pickpocketing, ahead of Christmas. Known as Operation Baselife, the Met are hoping to tackle offences including shoplifting and phone theft. Over the past seven days, the force has arrested over 140 people across the West End as as a part of the operation. CCTV footage shows the thief, who looked like an ordinary shopper, peering around her to see who was watching her The pickpocketer then seizes her opportunity to swipe the handbag before she calmly walks away In one instance, two thieves trying to swipe phones from women at a Leicester Square ice rink were stopped on November 4 after plain-clothes officers searched the men and found several stolen devices on them, with one returned to its owner. And video footage released by the Met shows the pair being arrested following a campaign of phone-snatching. Standing in a busy street dressed in padded jackets, the duo are stopped by officers, one of whom says: 'It looks like you've made multiple attempts to try to nick phones from people.' They then discover a mobile as they place handcuffs on the alleged thieves and ask: 'Is it your phone? Whose phone is it then?' 'I don't know,' one replies. The officer adds, 'Where did you get them from?', to which the arrested man responds: 'I found them...here...after I heard someone calling it.' They then pour the collection of phones into a bag and lead the pair away from the packed scene. The Met Police has been approached for comment. Africa is rapidly becoming the new heartland of global jihad, as franchises of ISIS, Boko Haram, and Al Qaeda carve out strongholds across the continent, leaving thousands of people dead in their wake. Once isolated insurgencies in remote deserts and jungles have turned into full-blown wars of terror, turning several regions into some of the deadliest battlegrounds in the world. Groups such as Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab, and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) continue to wreak havoc in a reign of terror with no end in sight. In 2024, an estimated 18,900 people were slaughtered in attacks linked to militant Islamists, a staggering toll that underscores the continent's growing struggle to contain extremism. Over the past three years, the annual death toll has averaged more than a third higher than between 2019 and 2021, with many victims bombed, beheaded, stoned to death, or hacked with machetes. Brutal rapes, public executions, and forced marriages have been used to assert dominance in areas controlled by the various groups. The barbarity was laid bare this week when it was revealed that a TikToker, Mariam Cisse, had been savagely slaughtered by jihadists in Mali who accused her of helping the army. Such cruelty is on the rise - the bloodshed and abuse of jihadists in Africa have been concentrated in three main theatres - the Sahel, Somalia, and the Lake Chad Basin, which together accounted for almost every fatality recorded last year. The Sahel alone, stretching across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, was responsible for more than half of all deaths, making it the bloodiest region for four years in a row. Al Qaeda's main African spearheads are al Shabaab in Somalia and Jama'at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimin, known as JNIM, in the Sahel. ISIS operates through a web of 'provinces' in West Africa, the Sahel, Mozambique, Somalia and Libya. In Nigeria, the original Boko Haram movement has splintered into rival factions that now fight both governments and each other. Your browser does not support iframes. Several al-Shabaab fighters performing military drills. The group has been responsible for some of the most reprehensive acts of violence across Africa Civilians burying victims of a mass attack carried out by the Islamic State-affliated Allied Democratic Forces in July this year Each group has its own history and local grievances, yet they share common goals - to eject state authority and foreign troops from their zones of operation, impose their hardline vision of Islamic rule and plug themselves into a wider jihadist project. The JNIM, an Al Qaeda affiliate formed in 2017 that has grown into the most dangerous insurgent force in West Africa, is the most dominant group in the Sahel. It brings together older jihadist outfits that once operated separately in Mali and neighbouring states. Western and regional analysts now estimate JNIM has roughly 6,000 fighters spread across Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and into coastal states such as Benin and Togo. The group presents itself as a defender of Muslim communities against abusive security forces and corrupt elites. In practice, it runs a sprawling protection racket, levying taxes on traders and herders, regulating movement on key roads and enforcing its strict social codes in areas under its sway. JNIMs stated aim is to drive out foreign militaries, topple Sahelian governments and build a belt of territory governed by its interpretation of Islamic law from the Sahara down towards the Atlantic coast. It has already turned large parts of rural Mali and Burkina Faso into no-go zones for central authorities. Fighters ambush army convoys, mine roads and seize small towns, sometimes cutting deals with local leaders, sometimes wiping out entire villages that resist. In June this year, JNIM claimed responsibility for an assault on a military base in Boulkessi, Mali, that diplomats say killed more than one hundred soldiers. JNIM deputy leader Mohamed Koufa seen in a video released by the group in February 2023. The group presents itself as a defender of Muslim communities against abusive security forces and corrupt elites A marketplace burned down by islamist militants in Burkina Faso in 2023. These attacks have become commonplace in the country which used to be relatively safe A law enforcement officer stands guard next to burnt out cars in Ouagadougou, following a jihadist attack by Al Quaeda-linked gunmen The brutality is not confined to battlefields - civilians have been hunted and slaughtered. In Burkina Faso, which has become the deadliest country in the Sahel, Africa Centre data suggest that more than six thousand three hundred people died in Islamist violence in 2024, around three-fifths of the Sahel total. In August that year, gunmen linked to JNIM descended on communities near the town of Barsalogho and slaughtered an estimated 400 civilians, believed to be the worst massacre in the countrys history. Survivors spoke of militants going door to door, killing men and boys and burning homes while the army was nowhere to be seen. The group usually burns down entire villages and either shoots or slit the throats of its victims. It has several affiliates, including Ansar Dine, Macina Liberation Front, Al Mourabitoun, and Sahara Emirates of AQIM. Across the central Sahel, more than four million people are displaced, including some three million citizens of Burkina Faso alone, roughly a tenth of the population. One resident of Ankouna, who survived an attack, said: 'When I returned the next day, the village was still smouldering. [There were] bodies of six people including my brother, who had been shot trying to rescue a child 10 meters from his shop. 'I saw five people including a 70-year-old dead in one house. Theyd been shot in the back or head.' It has also been reported that fighters have raped women and girls travelling to markets and fleeing the violence. On the opposite side of the continent, Somalia is home to a number of Islamist militants. In 2024, the country recorded about 4,482 fatalities linked to militant violence. Al Shabaab, which the United States Africa Command describes as the largest, wealthiest and most lethal Al Qaeda affiliate currently in existence, is the most dominant group in the country. The movement grew out of the Islamic Courts Union that once governed much of southern Somalia and now fields an estimated seven to twelve thousand fighters. Its leadership has pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda and openly calls for the overthrow of the Somali federal government and the imposition of strict Islamic rule. In areas under its control, the group has carried out some of the most reprehensible atrocities, including a 2017 attack when a massive truck bomb killed 600 people and injured more than 300 in Mogadishu. Four years before that, in 2013, the group opened fire at the Westgate Mall in Kenya, killing 71 people and injuring 200 in the multi-day siege. In April 2015, they slaughtered 150 people, mostly Christian students, in one of their bloodiest attacks. The group has also targeted hotels where government officials and tourists gather, including the Hotel Hayat, where they executed dozens of people in 2022. Relatives carrying the body of a woman killed in an al-Shabaab attack in Modadishu in August 2024 The victim of a car bomb explosion is carried from the scene in Mogadishu in 2019 In May this year, a suicide bomber posing as a recruit blew himself up at a military enlistment centre in Mogadishu, killing at least thirteen people and wounding many more. Human rights groups have reported that children and women have been brutally raped and forced into marrying fighters. Public executions, amputations, and the recruitment of child soldiers have run rampant. Alongside Al Shabaab, a small Islamic State cell has taken root in Puntland and the Golis Mountains. Islamic State in Somalia is smaller, with a few hundred fighters, many of them foreign, yet it acts as a financial conduit for ISIS networks, using extortion, smuggling and kidnappings to move cash. Those funds help sustain attacks elsewhere. American airstrikes in mid-2024 and early 2025 have targeted IS bases in Puntland precisely to strike at this money pipeline. The Lake Chad Basin is another brutal arena. In 2024, the Lake Chad Basin recorded roughly 3,627 Islamist-linked deaths, with the majority concentrated in north-east Nigeria. Boko Haram and its breakaway wing, Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP), have left a legacy of abductions, massacres, and scorched villages across northeastern Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram's former leader in a video where he bragged about mass kidnappings. In 2014, Boko Haram became infamous when it abducted 276 schoolgirls. Many of them were forced to convert to Islam , while some were subjected to sexual slavery A victim of a suicide attack at a wedding is transported to hospital in Nigeria in June 2024 Over the past decade, the Lake Chad insurgency has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. The two groups now fight one another as well as governments, and their methods are often grim. Boko Haram became infamous for mass kidnappings, such as the Chibok schoolgirls abduction in 2014, where 276 girls were abducted from their school. Many were forced to convert to Islam, while some were subjected to sexual slavery and physical abuse. Boko Haram have been known to slaughter villagers who resist their demands. Young boys are forced to join or face death, according to several reports. In recent times, the plight of Christian Nigerians at the hands of alleged Islamist militants has drawn worldwide attention and condemnation. In June, 100 Christians, many asleep, were slaughtered in the village of Yelwata in Benue state, according to local reports. ISWAP has also executed civilians accused of spying and has blown up marketplaces and destroyed entire villages. They also collect taxes from poor residents and use brutality to enforce their rules. Northern Cameroon has seen a sharp rise in attacks, producing wave after wave of displacement and civilian death. Banditry in north-west Nigeria has further blurred the lines between criminal violence and jihadist terror, with non-ideological gangs responsible for thousands of additional killings. Other militant groups present in the region include Ansaru, also known as Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan. According to reports, young boys have been forced to either choose between death or joining Boko Haram Northern Mozambiques insurgency is branded by ISIS, yet it is a distinctly local catastrophe. The group known locally as al-Shabaab, formally Ahlu Sunnah wal Jamaa, carved out a deadly campaign in Cabo Delgado beginning in 2017. After a lull, the violence returned with a vengeance, producing 349 Islamist-linked deaths in 2024. What makes the Mozambican conflict particularly harrowing is the deliberate targeting of civilians. Thirty-one per cent of fatalities there were the result of attacks on non-combatants, the highest proportion recorded for any Islamist theatre in Africa. Militants beheaded villagers, set homes alight and attacked health clinics and schools. In late July 2024, a series of coordinated strikes forced more than 46,000 people to flee in a single week. Many of the displaced are children who have seen neighbours murdered and who, rights groups have warned, will face long-term hunger, disease and trauma. North Africa remains quieter by comparison, but the danger persists. Islamist remnants in southern Libya across Algeria's borderlands remain active in smuggling and kidnapping networks. The Islamic State in Libya remains active and committed many of its atrocities between 2015 and 2016 when it controlled the city of Sirte. During that time, public beheadings, abductions, the exploitation of children, and the persecution of minorities were commonplace. In Algeria, there is Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, with a long history of war crimes and barbaric activities, including deadly bombings, massacres, and kidnappings for ransom. Beyond these dominant factions, smaller but deadly movements are taking root elsewhere. Fighters of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in a grab from a video in 2013. The group still exists in Alegeria and some other parts of Africa Victims of suicide attacks by militants are treated at a hospital in Nigeria in June 2024 In the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, the Allied Democratic Forces, rebranded by ISIS as Islamic State Central Africa Province, continues to massacre civilians in Ituri and North Kivu. The group has killed hundreds in raids on villages and bombings in Ugandas capital, Kampala. In July this year, more than 40 people were killed in the northeastern part of the DRC. Most of them were Christian worshippers taking part in a night vigil. Nine of them were children. In that attack, businesses were looted and set on fire. The group rose to prominence in the 1990s after it accused the government of persecuting Muslims. Mass graves have also been discovered in regions where the group have slaughtered hundreds of people. In September, at least 50 people attending a funeral were hacked to death with machetes in eastern Congo by the ADF. In Egypts Sinai Peninsula, Wilayat Sinai, another ISIS affiliate, has been weakened by years of military operations but still carries out occasional ambushes and roadside bombings. A few other micro-cells exist in Sudan and the Central African Republic, claiming ties to ISIS but with little proven capacity. Though smaller in scale, these networks show that militant Islamism has now spread to almost every corner of the continent. Governments across the continent have condemned the various atrocities and pledged to do more to combat the crisis - yet, the situation appears to be worsening. Hostages from France, Madagascar, and Togo are held captive by an Al Qaeda offshoot in Niger Workers carrying a body on a stretcher after AQIM gunmen opened fire in Ivory Coast , killing 19 and injuring 33 Experts have noted that poverty and dissatisfaction with governments remain some of the biggest factors that influence recruitment into Islamist militant groups in Africa. Many of the regions under siege are among the poorest and most neglected in the world. Corruption and weak governance have hollowed out state institutions, leaving millions with little faith in their leaders. In vast rural areas, where government presence is minimal, extremist groups have stepped in to offer rough justice, employment, and protection, often backed by threats of brutal violence. Germany's president has hinted that the hard-right AfD party could be banned, as he warned mainstream political rivals against 'co-operation with extremists'. Speaking on the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Nazi regime's pogrom against Jewish people in 1938, Frank-Walter Steinmeier made the threat without specifically naming any particular parties. He said: 'A party that steps down the path towards aggressive hostility towards the constitution must always reckon with the possibility of being banned'. AfD's rise has worried many of Germany's mainstream political parties. Currently the second largest party in the Bundestag, AfD is now leading in some national opinion polls, and is expected to win major victories in two regional votes in east Germany next year. The party scored a 20.5 percent vote share in last February's general election to place second, forcing first-placed Christian Democrats (CDU) to enter a coalition with the beaten Social Democrats. Many of its competitors describe it as an extremist organisation that threatens to upend Germany's constitution. Steinmeier said postwar Germany was now facing its gravest threats since it reunified in 1990, from actors like Russia and 'right-wing extremist forces that are attacking our democracy and winning support from our population'. He said: 'In my view, it is not enough simply to wait and duck for cover until the storm passes. We have no time to lose. We have to act we must act Democracy can defend itself.' Elon Musk speaks live via a video transmission during a speech by Alice Weidel, chancellor candidate of the hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party, at the AfD election campaign launch rally on January 25, 2025 in Halle, Germany Supporters of Alternative for Germany (AfD) party protest against the government, amid skyrocketing energy prices, in Berlin, Germany, October 8, 2022 But only the country's constitutional court can ban it, or cut off its sources of funding. So far, over 150 MPs from different parties have requested some kind of ban from the Bundestag. Steinmeier described the ban of political parties as a 'last resort' that come with an extremely high legal bar, but said this move can be justified if said party 'attack[s] our constitution, oppose[s] it [or] desire[s] a different, illiberal system'. For Steinmeier, 'there must be no political cooperation with extremists. Neither in government nor in parliament.' 'Antisemitism is not back, because it has always existed,' he said, alluding to a record 6,236 recorded antisemitic crimes in Germany last year. 'Is it possible that we have not learned the lessons of history?' he said Key to AfD's rise in recent months has been German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's bumbling coalition, which is is facing infighting, policy deadlock and sliding poll ratings that are all undermining its efforts to take on the rising hard-right. It marks a difficult start for the conservative politician who ran on bold pledges of reviving the stagnant economy, overhauling the threadbare military and toughening immigration policy after years of drift under the previous government. Supporters of the Eurosceptic Alternative for Germany (AfD) party wear morph suits and wave flags during an event to rally support for Sunday's European Parliament elections at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin May 23, 2014 Leader of hard-right AfD Alice Weidel waves a German flag at the AfD party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025 In German post-war politics, 'there has never been such widespread dissatisfaction with a government in such a short period of time', Manfred Guellner, director of the Forsa polling institute, told AFP. For Germans who hoped for more decisive leadership after the last government's collapse, 'their expectations have been dashed', he said. The winners of February's general election, Merz's centre-right CDU/CSU bloc now find themselves neck-and-neck in the polls with AfD. Merz's junior coalition partners, the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) of ex-chancellor Olaf Scholz, have seen their popularity slide further after a terrible election performance, and now sit around 13-15 percent in polls. 'It is clear that many citizens are dissatisfied or disappointed with the government's work so far,' Roderich Kiesewetter, an MP from Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU), told AFP. The government appeared to be 'focusing only on migration instead of the economy, education and security', he said. Tim Davie has told BBC staff that the corporation has to 'stand up for our journalism' in a defiant statement against what he called the broadcaster's 'enemies' - while admitting a 'mistake' was made with an edited clip of Donald Trump. The outgoing directorgeneral said he would not let foes control the narrative as the embattled public service broadcaster swats off a series of scandals detailed in an internal memo. However, he admitted in an address to staff that 'we did make a mistake' after Panorama aired two clips of the US President that, edited together, appeared to show him inciting violent action ahead of the January 6 Capitol riots. Mr Davie quit along the BBC's head of news Deborah Turness on Sunday. Yesterday, BBC chairman Samir Shah admitted there had been an 'error of judgement' in the editing. Trump has threatened to sue the corporation for $1billion (761million). 'I think we did make a mistake, and there was an editorial breach, and I think some responsibility had to be taken,' Mr Davie told employees in the address confirming that he had chosen to finally fall on his sword after enduring countless BBC rows. However, he paid tribute to his colleague Ms Turness, describing her as an 'absolute fighter for impartiality', adding: 'I think we should credit her for doing a really tough job for a period in which (has) been really tough, because the level of weaponisation and polarisation in the world is out there, but she's done a stellar job.' Describing the crisis as 'very discombobulating' for staff, the BBC boss stressed that he wanted to see them 'stand up for our journalism' so the 'narrative will not just be given by our enemies'. 'These times are difficult for the BBC, but we get through them... and we will thrive. And this narrative will not just be given by our enemies. It's our narrative,' he said. 'I've been here before, and the key thing is, the BBC is more than one person. 'We have to be very clear and stand up for our journalism. We are a unique and precious organisation, and I see the free press under pressure, I see the weaponisation. I think we've got to fight for our journalism.' He repeated a claim from the BBC's own annual reports that trust has grown in the organisation and claimed that it was a 'difficult decision' to resign. Ultimately, he told staff, he also resigned for the sake of his personal life, and to let someone else take the reigns ahead of the BBC's Charter being renewed at the end of 2027 which is widely expected to herald the end of the traditional licence fee. 'I thought at some point I'm not going to be at the BBC, and I need to reflect on that and the relentlessness of it and ensure that it's done in a way that does work for the BBC...Putting that together, that's what made my decision,' he concluded. Outgoing BBC directorgeneral Tim Davie has told staff to 'stand up for our journalism' in an internal briefing (pictured) after announcing his resignation Mr Davie pictured outside New Broadcasting House today, where he also spoke briefly to reporters in the wake of the Trump Panorama scandal Mr Davie had earlier insisted reporters were doing 'incredibly important' work as he spoke outside New Broadcasting House in London this morning. He added that he is 'very proud' of BBC journalists and the corporation is 'going to be thriving' in his first public remarks since he resigned. Looking solemn as he approached reporters, Mr Davie said: 'I'm here to lead and support the BBC. I'm very, very proud of our journalists in this building. 'They're doing work that I think is incredibly important. I want to thank every one of them, they're doing a wonderful job also, everyone across the BBC doing their thing, their bit for the UK. 'Personally, I'm here to lead and support them. The BBC is going to be thriving and I support every one of the team. I'm very proud of them.' Mr Davie, arrived at work wearing white trainers and a dark blue Reiss suit. He did not answer questions, but flashed a brief thumbs up before entering the building. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is expected to make a statement in the Commons on the issues plaguing the BBC today. Yesterday, the BBC confirmed it had received a letter from the President's lawyers to inform them they had been put 'on notice'. Mr Trump's legal team has demanded a full retraction, immediate apology and an offer of compensation over the 'fabricated depiction' of the 47th President. A legal letter, from Trump counsel Alejandro Brito, has demanded that 'false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements' made about Mr Trump be retracted immediately. BBC chair Mr Shah said of Mr Trump: 'He's a litigious fellow. So we should be prepared for all outcomes.' He said the broadcaster had received more than 500 complaints since an explosive memo detailing the edit was leaked, but denied an issue with 'systemic bias'. A BBC spokesman said it 'will review the letter and respond directly in due course'. Mr Davie, who announced his resignation on Sunday, said the BBC would be 'thriving' in future The President has form in this area, having settled cases with ABC News and CBS News in the past. He is currently engaged in lawsuits against the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. The White House is also said to be mulling over whether to restrict BBC journalists from press packs. The Associated Press agency has had its access to the President severely limited after it refused to call the Gulf of Mexico by his preferred name, the Gulf of America. Labour has leapt to the BBC's defence after Downing Street backed the corporation in the wake of Mr Davie and Ms Turness' resignations. Number 10 has, however, refused to comment on President Trump's threat to sue - lest it upset the 'special relationship' between the UK and the US. A spokesman said today it was 'a matter for the BBC', adding: 'It's clearly not for the Government to comment on any ongoing legal matters.' The spokesman would not be drawn on whether the Government would help pay any damages were Trump to sue and win. 'Our position is clear: The BBC is independent and it's for the corporation to respond to questions about their editorial decisions and, more broadly, we have a close relationship with the US on shared priorities, including security,' he said. The spokesman confirmed the Prime Minister has not spoken to Mr Trump about his threatened legal action. Local government minister Alison McGovern told Times Radio that the UK should avoid having a 'national meltdown' about the corporation. 'I think we need to make sure that the BBC, one of our most trusted media organisations, invests in quality journalism and tells the stories that we all want to hear,' she said. She declined to be drawn on whether Mr Trump should be able to sue. The BBC has faced numerous accusations of editorial bias after the memo, written by independent adviser Michael Prescott, laid bare issues within its newsroom. Originally written for the BBC's Editorial Guidelines and Standards Board, Mr Prescott's briefing paper claimed a group of protrans reporters were effectively stonewalling the reporting of gender critical views. Mr Davie looked solemn as he arrived at New Broadcasting House Yesterday, outgoing director of BBC News Deborah Turness defiantly insisted that her newsroom was not 'institutionally biased' Instead, the corporation was alleged to have published a 'constant dripfeed of onesided stories...celebrating the trans experience', Mr Prescott said. His memo also noted that several BBC Arabic service reporters were allegedly covering stories critical of Israel while not covering the abduction of hostages by Hamas on October 7. Mr Prescott also claimed the BBC sent relatively few notifications to readers about stories covering asylum seekers. It was in his brief that the editing issue around President Trump was raised. It appeared in Panorama documentary Trump: A Second Chance?, which aired a week before Americans went to the polls in 2024. Mr Prescott had been due to give evidence to MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Wednesday but the session has been postponed. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he had spoken to Mr Trump about the scandal on Friday and claimed the edit amounted to 'election interference' by the BBC. While the edit suggested the President was encouraging supporters to walk to the Capitol building in Washington DC to 'fight like hell', it later emerged he had told them 'to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard'. The row intensified as former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, writing in his Mail+ column, threatened to withhold his licence fee if Mr Davie did not speak out. The column was shared by President Trump online. Mr Farage told LBC yesterday that the BBC had 'deeply offended the leader of the free world, an absolutely crucial ally, whether you like Trump or not'. Trump himself labelled Mr Davie and Ms Turness 'very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a Presidential Election' in a post on TruthSocial. There have been rumblings within the corporation that the row is part of a politically motivated boardroom plot. Donald Trump has claimed the scalps of Mr Davie and Ms Turness, writing on Truth Social: 'These are very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a Presidential Election' Deborah Turness, it is understood, had sought to have a statement admitting to the Trump editing error approved last week but BBC board executives refused to sign it off. Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, and John Swinney, leader of the SNP, have called for the removal of Sir Robbie Gibb a onetime BBC political editor and onetime spin doctor for Theresa May from the broadcaster's board. They claim that he 'led the charge' in pressuring the corporation's leadership. Even the BBC's own reporters have suggested there are dark forces at work though Nick Robinson, former political editor, said Sir Robbie had 'supported' Mr Davie. Mr Robinson said on the Today programme that sources had told him of 'alleged political interference' after 'a hostile takeover of parts of the BBC'. 'I understand that at the time of transmission of the Panorama film in October 2024 there were no complaints received about the editing of Donald Trump's speech,' he glibly noted. Tim Davie served as acting directorgeneral for six months from November 2012 after George Entwistle resigned in the wake of the Jimmy Savile and Lord McAlpine scandals. He returned to the job permanently in 2020 and survived several controversies including allowing punk rap duo Bob Vylan to lead chants of 'death, death to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)' live on air at Glastonbury, and the Huw Edwards scandal. His unwavering faith in the BBC comes after Ms Turness defiantly told reporters on Monday that journalists in the corporation were not 'corrupt'. She said outside New Broadcasting House: 'Of course our journalists aren't corrupt. Our journalists are hardworking people who strive for impartiality and I will stand by their journalism. 'I stepped down over the weekend because the buck stops with me. But I'd like to make one thing very clear, BBC News is not institutionally biased.' Haunting footage has emerged showing Russian troops advancing through thick fog in a convoy of wrecked cars, many missing doors and windows, in scenes likened to Mad Max. The video, shared by the Kyiv Post, shows soldiers clinging to battered vehicles and motorbikes as they roll down a debris-strewn road. A broken drone lies by the roadside as the column disappears into the mist. The clip surfaced as Moscow's forces claimed new gains near the Ukrainian city of Kupiansk, where Russian troops say they have seized a string of railway stations and an oil depot on the city's eastern edge. A commander using the call sign Hunter said units from the 1486th Motorised Rifle Regiment had pushed deep into the city and taken control of stops along the railway to Kupiansk Vuzlovyi, around four miles south of the centre. He added that fighting continued around the nearby Kupiansk-Sortuvalnyi station. Russia has been using pincer movements to try to encircle the Ukrainian cities of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region and Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region, though Ukraine said on Monday it had delivered supplies to Myrnohrad, east of Pokrovsk. Russian war bloggers published an unverified video on Tuesday showing what they said were Russian forces entering Pokrovsk along a road enveloped in fog or mist. Haunting footage has emerged showing Russian troops advancing through thick fog in a convoy of wrecked cars, many missing doors and windows, in scenes likened to Mad Max The video, shared by the Kyiv Post, shows soldiers clinging to battered vehicles and motorbikes as they roll down a debris-strewn road The clip surfaced as Moscow's forces claimed new gains near the Ukrainian city of Kupiansk, where Russian troops say they have seized a string of railway stations and an oil depot on the city's eastern edge Your browser does not support iframes. Reuters could not immediately verify the location of the video and when it was shot. The clip showed Russian forces on motorcycles and in an odd assortment of cars and other vehicles, many stripped of doors and windows, driving along a road littered with debris as soldiers watched from the roadside. Some sat on the roofs of battered cars, while a drone was seen beside the road. Ukraine's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said in an interview with the New York Post, that Russia was concentrating some 150,000 troops in a drive to capture Pokrovsk, with mechanised groups and marine brigades part of the push. Syrskyi added that Ukrainian forces were using built-up urban areas to limit the progress of Russian troops and were confronting Russian sabotage units. It comes after Ukraine was scrambling to turn lights and heating back on Sunday after Russian attacks targeted energy infrastructure, with the state's power provider saying its generating capacity was reduced to 'zero'. Moscow, which has escalated attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure in recent months, launched hundreds of drones at energy facilities across the country overnight into Saturday. Reuters could not immediately verify the location of the video and when it was shot The clip showed Russian forces on motorcycles and in an odd assortment of cars and other vehicles, many stripped of doors and windows, driving along a road littered with debris as soldiers watched from the roadside Some sat on the roofs of battered cars, while a drone was seen beside the road Ukrainian strikes on Russia's own infrastructure meanwhile left more than 20,000 people without power in regions bordering Ukraine, local authorities said. The Russian attacks interrupted electricity, heat and water supplies in several cities, with state power firm Centerenergo warning its generating capacity 'is down to zero'. '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,' Centerenergo said in a statement. Power would be cut for between eight and 16 hours a day across most regions of Ukraine on Sunday, state power transmission system operator Ukrenergo said, while repairs were carried out and energy sourcing diverted. Ukraine's energy minister called it 'one of the most difficult nights' since Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. A Reform UK-led council plans to double council tax on second homes - despite party leader Nigel Farage having branded the idea 'madness' and 'extortion'. North Northamptonshire Council is considering proposals to introduce a 100 per cent premium on second homes from April 2027. The local authority is one of a string of councils won by Reform at May's local elections, as Mr Farage's party made a major breakthrough. Since April this year, local authorities in England have been able to charge a council tax premium of up to 100 per cent on second homes, which effectively doubles bills. A large number of cash-strapped councils across the country immediately introduced the extra charge, with North Northamptonshire now mulling whether to follow suit. If the Reform-led authority does hit second homeowners it would put it at odds with the party's national policy, which opposes second home council tax premiums. Earlier this year, Mr Farage attacked the change in legislation that allowed councils to charge a second home premium. 'Owning property used to be a right and a freedom,' he said. 'Today it is an excuse for the Government to use extortion.' A Reform UK-led council plans to double council tax on second homes - despite party leader Nigel Farage having branded the idea 'madness' and 'extortion' North Northamptonshire Council is considering proposals to introduce a 100 per cent premium on second homes from April 2027 In further comments, the Reform leader added: 'The whole thing is madness. 'Whatever the downsides of increased house prices, these people bring a lot of money into these areas.' Mr Farage also said he would hold talks about extra council tax charges with Reform councillors in Durham and West Northamptonshire. These were two local authorities that had already introduced a second home premium in April, before they were won by Reform in May. A report published by North Northamptonshire Council stated there are 511 dwellings in the local authority that have been determined as second homes. It was estimated that introducing a second home council tax premium would raise an extra 804,000 a year for the council. The council is also considering plans to introduce a premium for properties that have been empty for one year. North Northamptonshire currently charges a premium for properties that have been empty for two years. The report said the planned changes would 'encourage owners to bring properties back into use more quickly to address housing shortages'. A Reform spokesperson said: 'The Reform UK administration in North Northamptonshire Council is working hard to deliver a balanced budget and address the almost 7,000 property shortfall in homes that they inherited after decades of local and national Conservative mismanagement. 'Whilst at a national level we oppose second home council tax premiums, we accept that local authorities have far fewer levers at their disposal than a national government when it comes to addressing urgent housing shortages.' Ed Miliband is set to make the identical 12,000-mile round trip twice in two weeks - to attend a climate conference to discuss reducing global C02 emissions. Energy secretary Miliband flew to Brazil ten days ago to meet up with PM Sir Keir Starmer and Prince William in Rio de Janeiro before they all flew onto Belem where the COP30 climate summit is taking place. Mr Miliband then flew back to the UK last Sunday - but the Net Zero zealot is set to return to Brazil, making an identical trip again, this Saturday. While in Brazil the first time he was spotted dining out at a luxury rooftop restaurant with views over Rio above the 1250 a night five star hotel he was staying at - with fellow eco campaigners. By the time he has returned to Britain for a second time his four-leg plane journeys will have cost the taxpayer an estimated 22,000 and created some six tons of CO2 emissions. This amounts to the average annual carbon footprint for a whole household in the UK across an entire year. A source at the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero justified Mr Milibands globe trotting double trip, saying: Its a lot easier for everyone to meet in person trying to organise a summit of this scale on Teams or Zoom just wouldnt work, it would be chaos. But the Tories said he should focus on reducing people's bills rather than flying thousands of miles to spread the word on climate change. Ed Miliband enjoyed a dinner at his 1,250 a night, five star luxury hotel in Belem alongside former Extinction Rebellion members who had previously campaigned against air travel Miliband was spotted dining out at a luxury rooftop restaurant with views over Belem alongside fellow climate activists The rooftop restaurant where the Energy Secretary was dining also had a well stocked bar Mr Miliband is thought to have spent four nights at the Tivoli hotel (pictured) in Brazil before flying the 12,000 miles back to the UK Ed Miliband alongside Prince William as the Prime Minister speaks during the COP30 UN climate conference in Belem, Para State, Brazil Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, said: 'It is beyond parody that Ed Miliband is flying halfway across the world and back not once, but twice, all while lecturing the rest of us in the name of saving the planet. 'While Ed jets off again to the forest-thinning climate jamboree in Brazil, closer to home it's ordinary Brits who are suffering thanks to his policies which are pushing up everyone's energy bills.' Mr Milibands first jaunt to Brazil saw him dining in luxury - with fellow eco zealots who had also flown long haul to be there. The Daily Mail spotted him enjoying dinner on the top floor of the Tivoli hotel the citys newly opened and only five-star hotel. The Tivoli hotel is one of the swankiest hotels in Belem where COP30 is taking place Sitting alongside him at the dinner table which had fabulous views over the city's night time skyline were former Extinction Rebellion (XR) cheerleaders who had previously campaigned against air travel. The radical group famously brought chaos to UK roads and airports in their blind obsession to impose their views on ordinary people trying to go about their daily business. With him was former XR lawyer Tobias Garnett, who led a successful court challenge against the Metropolitan Police five years ago when it tried to ban the group from staging disruptive protests in London. Mr Miliband and Mr Garnett are thought to have spent four nights at the 1,250 a night hotel which is sold out to COP30 and at least four other members of his staff were believed to be staying there pushing the bill even higher when their flights were added. Also with him was Rachel Kyte the UKs special representative for climate - and who is working jointly with the Foreign Office and who the Daily Mail has been told will spend almost three weeks in Brazil at taxpayers expense. Previously Ms Kyte praised an eco-activist who glued herself to the pavement outside Shells London HQ. And earlier this year it emerged she had flown the equivalent of three times around the world while in the first nine months of starting the job the previous September. The majority of Ms Kytes flights were business class and cost taxpayers a total of 38,769. When the distances of every leg of Ms Kytes travel all of which was on official business are added up it equates to a little under 76,000 miles, according to website Air Miles Calculator, roughly three times the length of the equator. The busy itinerary, which saw the 60-year-old visit a foreign country every month between October and May, means her personal carbon footprint for the air travel could be as much as 15 metric tonnes of CO2. In an interview with The New Statesman in 2021, Ms Kyte said: 'Having worked internationally for years, and with family on the other side of the Atlantic and friends spread across the world, the carbon footprint wrapped up in my social and professional identity is a source of deep discomfort.' While talking to Cleaning up Podcast in 2020, Ms Kyte said of her career: 'For a long time, I had been on a plane every Sunday night and on a plane many days during the week and I have to say I had angst about that kind of flying from a climate perspective.' A bedroom at the the Tivoli hotel Rios newly opened and only five-star hotel in the city The Tivoli is sold out to COP30 delegates and features a scenic outdoor pool area On Sunday, ahead of the official start of the summit the Daily Mail spotted Ms Kyte enjoying dinner with three other people at the riverside Caso do Saulo restaurant where the menu which draws heavily on the local Amazonian region, was named by National Geographic as superb. Ms Kyte is thought to be tee total but the three course meal she enjoyed was more than 60 which may not seem much but is equivalent to a third of the monthly wage of an average person in Belem. Officials have refused to reveal how many people the UK is sending to the junket in Belem but a quick scan of the official agenda for the governments pavilion at Cop30 shows a delegation of at least 19 not including Mr Miliband and his team. Ms Kyte is the only senior government figure attending the event for the two-week duration, but Climate Minister Katie White will also be flying out and attending the conference from Thursday to Monday. Her round trip will also create three tons of CO2 emissions and Mr Miliband is due to return to Belem this coming Saturday less than a week after he flew back from Brazil and his team are expected to accompany him. While in Belem last week, Mr Miliband insisted in media interviews of his green campaign that giving up would be a betrayal and he intended to push forward with the Net Zero campaign and make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. In a cheesy YouTube video promoting the UK pavilion at COP30 Mr Miliband opened up by telling viewers Bemvinidos or Welcome. He went on to say: In Britain we are sprinting to clean energy because we believe its good for energy security, lower bills, good jobs and growth, living standards and cleaner air for people today. Mr Miliband added: Dont believe the doomsters and the naysayers because as we gather here in Belem we see countries from across the world taking action. He closed the video by urging people to grab yourselves a coffee from the UK pavilion adding: We pride ourselves on it. Critics have said this could cost Britain as much as 50 billion a year. The Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero refused to say how much the cost to taxpayers of ending the UK delegation to Belem would be. Sir Keir Starmer flew to the summit last week to give a speech in which he vowed to go 'full speed ahead in our mission to bring about the clean power revolution'. The Prime Minister embarked on the 12,000-mile round trip to 'show UK leadership' despite the absence of other significant world leaders. The Energy Secretary sat next to the Prince of Wales for the summit in Brazil Instead a spokesperson said: 'The UK government is at COP30 to tackle the climate crisis and protect our way of life by working with other countries. That is why the Energy Secretary, alongside the Prime Minister and the Prince of Wales, attended the World Leaders Summit in Brazil last week. Any emissions from attending COP are dwarfed by delivering our agenda. While back in the UK, the Energy Secretary continues to be the lead UK Minister for negotiations and remains in close contact with Minister for Climate Katie White, the negotiating team and Rachel Kyte who are at COP30. The spokesperson added the UK delegation's carbon footprint would be 'offset' but was unable to say how. The Princess of Wales wrote a touching tribute to the fallen as she led a moving Armistice Day service today. Catherine, 43, arrived at the Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire this morning. Handwritten on a note and attached to a wreath, which she laid at the Armed Forces Memorial, the royal penned: 'In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we will remember them. Catherine.' The Princess, wearing a Jane Taylor Decima hat and military-style coat with two poppies on the lapel, looked solemn and deep in thought as she walked to the service - the first she has attended at the Arboretum. Poignant services were held across the country on the anniversary of the end of the First World War, as millions paid their respects to those who fought and died in military conflicts. Queen Camilla jumped onboard a train from Chippenham, in Wiltshire, to London Paddington as she took part in a 'Poppies to Paddington' initiative to mark Armistice Day. Meanwhile, the crowd stood as Kate arrived to take her seat for the service in Staffordshire, which featured a reading of a specially commissioned poem by the Arboretum's poet in residence, Arji Manuelpillai. The poem, which includes themes 'close to The Princess' heart', reflects the importance of personal connections, experiences and bonds that are formed through military service, Kensington Palace said. Kate participated in the traditional two minute silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month. She then laid her wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial, before being invited to view newly-dedicated names inscribed on it. The Princess of Wales attends the Service of Remembrance to mark Armistice Day at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, today The Princess wears a long black coat and hat to the service as she pays her respects to the fallen Princess Catherine speaks with veterans after the Armistice Day service at the National Memorial Arboretum Kate holds hands with a veteran during her visit to the National Memorial Arboretum today Catherine wrote a touching tribute to the fallen which was attached to the wreath Your browser does not support iframes. Catherine lays a wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial today, which features a handwritten note Kate holds a large wreath adorned with flowers and featuring a handwritten note from the royal The Princess of Wales appears moved at the Armistice Day Service today A veteran appears emotional at Armistice Day in Bedworth, Warwickshire The Princess of Wales speaks to 101-year-old veteran Alan Kennett at the service in Alrewas, Staffordshire The Princess of Wales smiles as she walks down the stairs after the service to meet veterans Her Royal Highness kneels before Second World War veteran Geoff Spencer at the National Memorial Arboretum Kate holds onto her hat as she walks around during her visit to the National Memorial Arboretum After the service of remembrance, the Princess visits the memorial wall, where she speaks to veterans and their families The Princess of Wales gives a wave to the crowd as she leaves the service this afternoon Kate smiles as she holds a wreath embellished with stunning flowers and a note she wrote to honour the fallen Kate is invited to view newly-dedicated names inscribed on the memorial wall Watched by the crowd, which included veterans and their families, Kate stepped forward to lay the large wreath before appearing to take a moment of reflection and then returning to her seat. She bowed her head as the crowd prayed for those who had been affected by conflict, including members of the armed forces and civilians. The service included performances by Talent in the Ranks - a team of singers, songwriters and poets from the armed forces. After the service of remembrance, the Princess visited the memorial wall, where she was introduced to Squadron Leader Beth Long and her daughters Scarlett and Sophie - the family of Squadron Leader Mark Long who died in a Spitfire crash during Battle of Britain Memorial Flight duties in May 2024. Mr Long's name is the most recent to be engraved on the wall. Kate spoke to the family for around five minutes before meeting Bosnia veteran Johnny Hayes, who spent 23 years in the Royal Military Police. She was then met by Hayley Lawrence, a Royal Army Medical Corps veteran, and Steve Cartwright, a Royal Engineers veteran, and chatted to them as she walked back to the main buildings. Kate also joked with onlookers about her hat almost blowing off in the wind, saying: 'I thought I was going to lose it at one time', and thanked them when they asked her if she was well. 'Yes I am,' she replied. The royal was given flowers as she met pupils from Newport Girls' High School at the memorial. She held the hand of VE and VJ Day veteran Donald (Bill) Redston as the 100-year-old told her about the keep-fit regime he credits for keeping him well. Asked for his top tips by the royal, Mr Redston told Kate he used to run marathons, including the London Marathon when he was 65 and the New York Marathon when he was 66. The Princess said the arboretum was a 'special place' and that she enjoyed hearing the personal experiences of veterans such as Mr Redston. She also revealed that Prince George, 12, was a fan of World War II model airplanes. This morning, Queen Camilla took the 9.28am service from Chippenham to Paddington alongside stunned commuters to lay a wreath on Platform 1. The 'Poppies to Paddington' initiative began during the November 2020 Covid lockdown, as a way of marking the annual commemorations of the nation's war dead. In partnership with The Veterans Charity, wreaths are placed on early morning train services from more than 60 stations, arriving in London for a special Remembrance Day service. It has since become a key annual event across the Great Western Railway (GWR) network to honour those lost the conflict. Princess Catherine speaks to other participants at the Service of Remembrance in Alrewas Her Royal Highness walks through the grounds of the National Memorial Arboretum this morning Queen Camilla and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander (right) at London Paddington train station as part of the Great Western Railway 'Poppies to Paddington' event to mark Armistice Day Camilla lays a wreath at London Paddington train station as part of the Great Western Railway 'Poppies to Paddington' event Camilla wears a dark green coat to the memorial service in Paddington, London A view of wreaths of poppies during the Western Front Association's Armistice Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, central London, today Members of the UK Armed Forces during the Western Front Association's Armistice Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall Defence Secretary John Healey (right) and Charles Garrett lay wreaths of poppies during the Western Front Association's Armistice Day ceremony The Princess of Wales stands among veterans at the Service of Remembrance in Staffordshire Kate pairs her all-black look with a stylish pair of suede, pointed boots The Princess holds onto her hat during the service on Armistice Day on November 11 The Princess of Wales looks deep in thought as she pays her respects to those who fought and lost their lives in conflict The Princess of Wales leaves after attending the Service of Remembrance to mark Armistice Day The Princess of Wales looks down as she attends the Service of Remembrance today The Princess of Wales stands back to view names inscribed on the memorial wall The Princess wears a large hat to match her military-style coat and black boots Speaking of the poem selected for the service in Staffordshire, Poet Arji Manuelpillai said: 'A Sonnet For Us All' captures the stories etched into the hundreds of memorials within the National Memorial Arboretum, it invites people to listen, reflect and consider the emotion that was the inspiration for these sculptures. 'I hope these words shine a light on the bonds and relationships that lay often hidden by the conflict. Those quiet acts of care, the friendships that endure, and the sense of duty that binds one generation to the next. 'These human connections, and the gentle responsibility to carry love forward, are themes that resonate not only with me, but also with HRH The Princess of Wales, for whom the importance of service and compassion lies especially close to the heart.' It comes as Catherine's husband, the Prince of Wales, is also taking part in events virtually. William, 43, has recorded a special video message for the Royal British Legion's 'Remembrance Assembly'. Hosted by veteran and presenter JJ Chalmers, the Assembly took place between 10.25 -11.05am, bringing together young people aged 9-14 in schools, libraries, home education and other learning settings across the UK. It has been designed to encourage young people to take part in Remembrance to honour veterans and others across the Armed Forces community in partnership with the National Literacy Trust. The Assembly has combined music, poetry, art and voices from across the Armed Forces community. In his video message, the heir to the throne says: 'Armistice Day is an important time for us to stop and reflect it is a reminder that Remembrance is for everyone. 'When we remember, we connect with service in a personal way. We learn from the courage of others, and we carry their stories forward, so they are not forgotten. It's not just about the past - it's about shaping who we become in the future. Catherine attends an Armistice Day service at The National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in central England on November 11 The Princess of Wales smiles as she attends the memorial service in Staffordshire The Princess looks emotional as she attends the service to pay her respects to the fallen Catherine lays a wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial today, which features a handwritten note Kate's wreath, which features flowers and a touching note from the royal The Princess of Wales wears her hair in a stunning updo for the memorial service The Princess is invited to view newly-dedicated names inscribed on the memorial wall Newcastle Central Station fell silent at 11am this morning as LNER Train staff and members of the public paid their respects The two-minute silence at Waterloo station, central London earlier today A service has also taken place in Edinburgh as people across the UK pay their respects 'A Sonnet For Us All' By Arji Manuelpillai When you speak of our country, do not speak of war. Speak of the nurse who held a hand like her own father's, A lieutenant who embraced a soldier like his own brother. Remember, sometimes those who go into burning buildings burn brighter than the fire inside. Those who rise from burning buildings carry scars we cannot see. If you speak of this country speak of the widow who never stopped waiting, the sailor who kissed a photo till it turned to ash in his hands, or the pilots who meet in the pub to talk of anything but war. You see love is a compass, love is a bugle mourning. Love is sacrificing tomorrow so that a stranger can live today. So when you speak of this country, do not think of it as a place. Think of it as a feeling, the feeling of being loved, the duty to pass that love to whoever needs it.' Advertisement 'Remembrance teaches us empathy, resilience, and responsibility. And when we wear a red poppy or take a moment of silence, we are saying, 'Thank you. We have not forgotten, and we will not forget.' 'Through my own military experience, as well as through my work in connection with units across the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force, I have seen firsthand the hard work, dedication and duty the Armed Forces carry out to ensure we are protected. 'Coming together for Remembrance is a vital way to honour those whose service keeps us safe.' He adds: 'Even today, as we continue to face a number of conflicts across the world, we honour those who have gone before us, and those who are serving now. 'Their memories matter, their lives matter, and they remind us to be respectful, kind, brave, and thoughtful every day.' The virtual Assembly is open to participation by students aged 9-14 (Years 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) and can be viewed on YouTube or Zoom from schools, libraries, home education and other learning settings across the UK. Philippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance for the Royal British Legion said: 'We're honoured to welcome the Prince of Wales to this year's Remembrance Assembly. 'His contribution, alongside that of veterans and serving personnel, will encourage young people to take part in Remembrance and find their own connection to the Armed Forces community, past and present.' The Assembly was set to hear directly from current serving military personnel RAF Air Commander Fred Wigglesworth and Army Lieutenant Colonel Manpreet Maycock, alongside first-hand testimony of Second World War veterans. The Princess of Wales takes part in a moving Armistice Day service featuring a specially-commissioned poem that is 'close to her heart' (pictured on Remembrance Sunday) William, 43, has recorded a special video message for the Royal British Legion's 'Remembrance Assembly' These include 101-year-old George Durrant from West Sussex, who served in Burma from 1944 in the Intelligence Corps in the 14th Army - sometimes called 'The Forgotten Army.' Also taking part is Prince Albert Jacob, 100, who grew up in Port of Spain, Trinidad, but left aged 17 to join the Royal Air Force, travelling to the US and Britain to repair planes. He still remembers the day the Allies formally accepted Germany's surrender. Mr Jacob was one of millions of soldiers from across the Commonwealth who served alongside the British Armed Forces in the Second World War and is now one of the few surviving Caribbean veterans. A windsurfer has miraculously survived a great white shark attack after the beast suddenly pulled his board under the waves and took a massive bite out of it. Andy McDonald was windsurfing at Prevelly Beach, near the Margaret River in southwest WA, with several other people on Monday evening. At about 5.45pm, Mr McDonald felt the shark ram into his board and he was sucked into the water. There had been no sign of the shark moments before - not even a fin. 'At that point I thought, 'This is it. This is my time up'. I realised I was tangled up with a big shark and he was definitely going to be the boss in that situation,' he told WA Today. Other beachgoers saw frantic splashing in the water as the shark became tangled in the board's leg rope. 'I was punching it and kicking it, and I think it was trying to do the same back to me because it was tangled up in my leg rope,' Mr McDonald said. 'Then it broke free. I just jumped up onto my sail, which is inflatable, just to get out of the water, get my limbs out of the water and pray that it didn't come back.' Once Mr McDonald was on his sail and regained control of his board, he spent a terrifying 15 minutes paddling with his arms back to shore. Andy McDonald (left) had been windsurfing at WA's Prevally Beach when he was pulled under the waves by the great white (right) The beast took a chunk out of his board about 5.45pm on Monday (pictured) Only his board was bitten in the attack, but the size of the bite is imposing. The windsurfer joked he was 'lucky' the shark didn't get rip into something 'tastier' and come back for more. Mr McDonald moved to southwest WA from Melbourne in 2003 and has 'always felt very safe' in the water, having only seen the occasional shark over the years. While the attack rattled him, he didn't believe the encounter would keep him out of the water for long. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development shared an alert shortly after the shark attacked Mr McDonald. It claimed it had tracked a great white shark around 50 metres offshore. 'At approximately 5.45pm, a reported white shark bit a foil board, causing the rider to fall into the water. The rider was not injured,' the alert read. 'The rider was located between Boat Ramp Surfing Spot and Bombie Surfing Spot at the time of the interaction.' Water users have been advised to take additional caution in the Prevelly area. Green deputy leader Rachel Millward is leading opposition to the housing of 600 asylum seekers in her local area - despite her party's vow to 'welcome' migrants. In a recent letter to the Home Office, Ms Millward complained about Government plans to temporarily use a military site in East Sussex as asylum accommodation. She said her 'strong objection' to the use of Crowborough training camp for housing migrants was based on 'safety' fears for both locals and asylum seekers themselves. Ms Millward, who is also deputy leader of Wealden District Council, penned a joint letter with the local authority's leader James Partridge, a Liberal Democrat. It stated: 'We simply do not have information to reassure us that the wellbeing and safety of both asylum seekers and local communities will be properly safeguarded.' The councillors added that 'quite clearly accommodating 600 men on one site with no right to work brings significant risks'. They expressed their concerns about staffing resources at the camp, policing, and 'the additional strain on already over-stretched public services'. Ms Millward was announced as one of the Greens' new co-deputy leaders in September. It came ahead of the party's conference last month, at which leader Zack Polanski told activists: 'We'll say it loud, and we'll say it clear, migrants and refugees are welcome here.' Green deputy leader Rachel Millward is leading opposition to the housing of 600 asylum seekers in her local area - despite her party's vow to 'welcome' migrant Hundreds of people attended a protest this weekend against the plans to house asylum seekers at a military site in East Sussex The Ministry of Defence has offered Crowborough training camp to the Home Office as accommodation for asylum seekers for a period of 12 months In his conference speech, Mr Polanski also attacked the Labour Government's promise to clampdown on both legal and illegal immigration. He set out the Greens' plan to stop small boat crossings across the Channel by opening up 'safe and legal routes' for asylum seekers to come to Britain. In her own conference speech, Ms Millward also repeated the party's message that 'refugees are welcome here'. The Ministry of Defence has offered Crowborough training camp to the Home Office as accommodation for asylum seekers for a period of 12 months. It is part of the Government's plans to end the use of hotels for housing asylum seekers. The East Sussex site was recently used as transitional accommodation for Afghan citizens with the right to resettle in the UK. Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake posted on X: 'The Deputy Leader of The Green Party, whose members consistently voted against the Illegal Migration Act (Rwanda), is now objecting to the housing of illegal migrants in her area. 'Do as I say.' In a recent letter to the Home Office, Ms Millward said her 'strong objection' was based on 'safety' fears for both locals and asylum seekers themselves The Home Office said it was 'working closely with local authorities, police, and community partners to ensure the site operates safely and respectfully, with robust measures in place to support community cohesion and maintain public safety at all times'. Hundreds of people attended a protest this weekend against the plans to house asylum seekers at the military site. A Home Office spokesperson said 'the right to protest is fundamental to our democracy'. The spokesperson added: 'This Government will close every asylum hotel. 'Work is well under way, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities across the country.' Health bosses were accused of 'hating our country' today after complaining that flags are 'intimidating' black and Asian staff. NHS executives have warned that the presence of the St George and Union symbols are creating 'no-go zones'. They suggested that the flags were an issue when staff made visits to people's homes to administer care or treatment. But shadow home secretary Chris Philp insisted there is 'nothing racist about flying the flag of your nation'. He told the Daily Mail: 'These flags are not intimidating, they represent our country. Anyone who attacks these flags being flown is clearly unpatriotic and hates our country.' It comes amid a nationwide debate on whether the flags - which have been erected on thousands of lampposts and homes across the country in recent months - should be taken down due to their association with 'far-Right' and anti-immigrant groups. Tower Hamlets Council tore down almost 80 St George's and Union Jack flags in a two-day removal spree in August, after priding itself on its displays of Palestine banners. A poll of senior managers found 45 per cent were extremely concerned about discrimination towards NHS staff from patients and the public, while a further 33 per cent were moderately concerned. A trust leader, speaking anonymously, said there were issues around 'how [NHS staff] work into the community' and that nurses often enter people's homes alone. 'You are a nurse going into a home,' he said. 'You're going in on your own, you're locking the door behind you. 'I have been into homes with people who have been convicted of sex offences, and we go in and provide care to them. 'It can be a really precarious situation, and they [the nurses] handle that absolutely brilliantly. Cars drive past St George's flags on lampposts in Bartley Green, a suburban district in south west Birmingham Political commentator Matt Goodwin branded the news 'ridiculous' in a post on social media 'The autonomy and the clinical decisions that they make within that, I think, is fantastic. We saw during the time when the [St George's] flags went up - our staff, who are a large minority of black and Asian staff, feeling deliberately intimidated. 'It felt like the flags were up creating no-go zones. That's what it felt like to them.' He added: 'You add that on top of real autonomous working, that real bravery of working in people's homes, with an environment [where] it feels like it's an area that's designed to exclude them. 'Our staff continue to work in that environment, and I think they deserve our real praise and thanks as a nation, frankly, for doing that within those really difficult circumstances.' The trust leader said staff can feel intimidated 'and in, if I'm honest, in many cases, I think that's what it was designed to feel like'. He added that his trust had seen 'individual instances of aggression towards staff'. Some people have reacted furiously to the news, branding it 'ridiculous'. Political commentator Matt Goodwin wrote on X: 'We have become so dependent on immigration in the NHS we are apparently no longer allowed to fly our national flag. Ridiculous.' Another NHS trust leader said one member of their staff, who is white and has mixed race children, had asked some people putting up flags to move so she could park her car. 'The individuals filmed what was happening, and then followed her, and she continued to receive abuse over a series of several days, not because she objected to the flags, but because she disturbed them,' they said. 'There are lots of stories like that. There are lots of stories where people have tried to take flags down outside of their own homes and have been abused and threatened as a consequence of that.' The leader said the 'springing up of flags everywhere has created another form of intimidation and concern for many, many of our staff'. Last month, Lib Dem Shropshire Council removed a number of England and UK flags from its lampposts after previously vowing it would not 'police people' - blaming the weather Video captured council workers in high visibility jackets using a cherry picker to remove flags in Shrewsbury after the storm, which hit the UK with 80mph gusts on October 3 and 4 Daniel Elkes, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents trusts, said: 'The NHS has relied on overseas recruitment for a long time to ensure we have the right workforce. 'We have a really diverse workforce and without that you can't deliver the NHS. 'We are trying to recruit from the very places where we provide healthcare so the intake into the NHS is representative of British people from more diverse backgrounds.' Royal College of Nursing general secretary Professor Nicola Ranger said: 'Nursing staff dedicate their lives to caring for others, and too often they are faced with the most appalling hatred and intimidation. 'A sustained campaign of anti-migrant rhetoric is fuelling a growing cesspool of racism, including against international and ethnic minority nursing staff, without whom our health and care system would simply cease to function. 'Those working in the community feel especially vulnerable and employers have a duty to ensure they are protected. 'Following a summer of further racist disorder, it is little wonder a growing number of nursing staff report feeling unsafe, particularly when having to work on their own and often at night. 'The Government and all politicians have to stop pandering to dangerous anti-migrant sentiments and employers must prioritise tackling racism and work with trade unions to develop stronger mechanisms to protect staff.' Mr Philp said: 'The Union Flag and St George's Cross are part of our national identity. Displaying these flags shouldn't just be allowed - it should be encouraged, and they should fly with pride. 'The Conservative Party knows there is nothing racist about flying the flag of your nation. These flags are for all of us who live in and love this country.' It comes as NHS Providers said the resident doctor strike, scheduled to start on Friday for five days, could wipe out a 'once-in-a-generation' chance to fix the NHS. Industrial action could badly affect NHS recovery, it said. The NHS Providers' annual survey of health leaders and managers found that while a growing proportion report high or very high quality care for patients, concerns remain over industrial action, finances and winter pressures. Staff feel intimidated by the presence of the flags across the country, including when they are visiting people in their own homes to give them treatment (File image) Regarding strikes, one NHS leader said: 'When people take industrial action, you have to then spend a huge amount of time covering their shifts, which means that you don't have the staffing that you would have had had they not been on industrial action - and your focus is all about how to keep the most people safe. 'You're not as focused on treating everybody as well as you could... There is a risk that people will die who wouldn't otherwise have come to harm.' Mr Elkes said the NHS was making progress, including on productivity through AI and digital transformation, and bearing down on agency costs. 'More strikes now could crush this fragile, hard-won progress, wiping out a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix the health service,' he said. 'And just ahead of the Budget, let's remember strikes come at a financial cost. That's money the NHS does not have.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'There is no place for intimidation, racism or abuse in our country or our NHS. Instances of threats and aggression towards staff or their families should be reported to the police. 'We value the diversity of our NHS, which relies on the skill and dedication of hardworking staff from all backgrounds. They must be treated with dignity and respect. 'Our flags represent our history, our heritage, and our values. They are a symbol of our nation and belong to all of us - not just some of us.' Last month, a Lib Dem council removed a number of England and UK flags from its lampposts after previously vowing it would not 'police people' - blaming the weather. Shropshire Council took down the St George's and Union flags because they had become 'unsightly' in the wake of Storm Amy. But its deputy leader had previously said the authority would not stop locals from putting up national flags and that he had 'absolutely no problem with people being patriotic'. Video captured council workers in high visibility jackets using a cherry picker to remove flags in Shrewsbury after the storm, which hit the UK with 80mph gusts on October 3 and 4. The flags had been placed there and elsewhere in Britain as part of Operation Raise the Colours - a campaign started this summer online that advocates displaying Union and St George's Cross flags in public places. A spokesperson for Shropshire Council said: 'Following the impact of Storm Amy, many of the flags recently displayed across the county have become torn, unsightly, or potentially hazardous. 'Some are at risk of obscuring street signs, street lights, or traffic signals, while others could fall onto the highway if not properly secured. 'To ensure public safety and maintain the appearance of our streets, we've begun removing deteriorated or unsecured flags from our street lighting columns. 'So far, five flags have been taken down on Sundorne Road and one on Mount Pleasant Road in Shrewsbury.' This is the moment a Chinese fraudster involved in a record Bitcoin scam worth more than 5.5billion was snared by police while in bed. Today, Zhimin Qian, known as the Bitcoin Queen, has been sentenced to 11 years in jail after pulling off the biggest money laundering scam in British history. Footage released after her sentencing today shows a shocked and stuttering Qian arrested for the record-breaking con while under bright red duvet covers. Six years earlier, Qian was similarly lying in bed when police first encountered her in October 2018 while searching a property connected to money laundering. But the Bitcoin billionaire managed to give police the slip after providing officers with a fake name and pretending to be bedbound, suffering from a brain and leg injury. Over the next six years, the international fugitive enjoyed an extraordinary jet-set lifestyle while she hid in Britain after swindling 128,000 investors in a wealth management Ponzi scheme in China. Qian called herself the 'Goddess of Wealth', but the loyal servants who helped her hide in Britain knew her simply as the 'Lady Boss'. The 47-year-old, whose surname means money in Chinese, hoped that her incredible stolen Bitcoin wealth would provide a gateway to the Royal Family in Britain. From her rented manor house in Hampstead, Qian formulated plans to snap up a portfolio of million-pound mansions in the UK so she could meet dukes and duchesses, the Dalai Lama and the Pope. Zhimin Qian, 47, was first encountered by police in October 2018 as they investigated links to money laundering but she managed to give officers the slip by providing a false name A shocked and spluttering Qian was finally arrested her in bed for the 5.5billion crypto scam in April 2024 at the end of a six year police investigation Qian hid in Britain during the pandemic, renting Airbnb homes in Scotland, Hampstead and York In a diary, she wrote of her ambitions to rule a kingdom in Liberland, an unrecognised micronation on the Danube, where she hoped to build the biggest Buddhist temple in Europe. The conwoman managed to evade authorities by using multiple aliases and passports to travel around the world on lavish shopping sprees, blowing more than 44,000 on diamond jewellery in Zurich, 90,000 in Harrods on designer clothing and buying watches worth 119,000 from Van Cleef & Arpels. She rented a remote hideaway in Scotland, a house in York and a 5million mansion in Hampstead where she spent her time scheming in her bedroom while a retinue of domestic staff including a butler, housekeeper and driver catered for every whim. Qian instructed staff to buy 500,000 apartments for her in Dubai and she looked into buying a 10million 18th century Tuscan villa with a sea view. But her grandiose ambitions to rub shoulders with royals and the rich and famous was to prove her undoing after attempts to buy a 23.5million seven-bedroom Hampstead mansion with a swimming pool and a nearby 12.5million home with a cinema and gym triggered UK money laundering checks. Her servant Jian Wen, who was making the purchases on her behalf, could not explain the source of the Bitcoin when asked by the authorities to explain where the purchase money was coming from. Scotland Yard launched an investigation into the source of the money in 2018, eventually tracing it back to a wealth management swindle in China where Qian led a team of 83 fraudsters. Qian held investment conferences in her homeland, posing in imperial robes to con victims promising returns of 300 per cent on their money. In glossy videos, she used images of Britain to promote her bogus wealth management schemes. She convinced Chinese government ministers, major businesses and ordinary householders to pump money into fraudulent pyramid schemes before fleeing to Britain with the money in 2017 using a false St Kitts and Nevis passport. Fraudster Qian hid in Britain for more than six years after swindling 128,000 investors in a wealth management Ponzi scheme in China Qian's butler and fixer, Seng Hok Ling, was jailed for acquiring and possessing cryptocurrency Qian's attempts to buy a 12.5million home (pictured) in Hampstead, north London, triggered UK money laundering checks Qian also rented this 17,000-a-month house in Hampstead, north London which her staff lived in while they tried to buy properties for her Large bundles of cash were seized from her properties For years Qian managed to remain on the run by relying on her illegal immigrant staff, who were forced to sign contracts saying they would not open the front door without her permission. But police managed to locate her after her servant Wen was convicted in March 2024, forcing Qian to rely on her butler Seng Hok Ling as her new fixer. Officers traced a Bitcoin transfer to Ling from a long-dormant cryptocurrency wallet which led them to the fraudster. Weeks later, officers followed Ling to his mistress's rented home in York where Qian was found lying in bed. The defendant told police Chinese authorities had made false allegations against her and attempted to explain her lavish spending by claiming that she would die soon, and it was her 'last chance to spend money'. But police discovered sewn into a pair of her jogging bottoms was a key to a cryptocurrency wallet worth approximately 6.6million at the time. In the biggest criminal seizure in the world, officers found seven cryptocurrency wallets worth more than 5.5billion in total. Now the UK Government is battling in the High Court to keep the huge sum after cheated investors sought to get back the stolen 40billion in Chinese currency. Today, Ling, 47, was jailed for four years and 11 months for transferring criminal property. Qian was jailed for 11 years and eight months after pleading guilty to money laundering, acquiring and possessing criminal property. Judge Sally Ann Hales, KC, told Qian: 'You were the architect of this offending from the inception to its conclusion, the scale of your money laundering is unprecedented. Your motivation was one of pure greed, you left China without a thought of the people whose investments you had stolen and enjoyed, for a period of time, a lavish lifestyle. You lied and schemed, all the while seeking to benefit yourself.' Scotland Yard now hopes the force will be able to keep some of the proceeds of crime to tackle offending in London. Will Lyne, the Mets Head of Economic and Cybercrime Command, said: 'There is no doubt this is one of the largest and most complex economic crime investigations we have ever undertaken.' Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said: 'Money laundering isnt just against the law; it puts real people at risk and lines the pockets of criminals. 'This tough prison sentence should make anyone thinking of getting involved in these crimes think twice. My thanks go to the Metropolitan Police and CPS for their vital work ensuring justice was served. 'This government is going to keep working side by side with our partners to recover stolen money and help make our streets safer for everyone.' A former civil servant was free to stalk his ex-wife and set fire to her home because officials failed to call police after he removed his electronic tag. Nicholas Martin, 63, was on bail for assaulting his former partner, Emma, when he tampered with the device - but no-one tried to locate him for four days. During that time, he travelled more than 100 miles to Mrs Martins home, eventually pouring petrol through her letterbox in the middle of the night in a bid to kill her. She only survived the blaze after jumping from her first-floor bedroom window, breaking both her ankles and a bone in her back in the process. Her pet cat died in the fire. As Martin was jailed for 30 years for attempted murder, a judge criticised private security firm G4S, which provided the tag, and ordered an urgent inquiry into why officials failed to act when he went missing. Manchesters Minshull Street Crown Court heard that police were only alerted by chance five days after Martin disappeared a day before the arson attack when he failed to turn up at a support session. But by then they had no clue where he had gone and he was able to carry out the attack unchecked just hours later. There were six days, almost here, when nobody knew where the defendant was, Judge Maurice Greene said. Nicholas Martin, 63, was jailed for 30 years after being convicted of attempted murder and assault Mrs Martin's house and belongings were destroyed in the blaze The staircase inside Mrs Martin's property after it was set alight There was absolutely no purpose in the GPS tag. Had it been dealt with as it is supposed to be dealt with, then who knows, this (arson) may never have taken place. There needs to be an inquiry at G4S, or into G4S, as to why this was allowed to happen. Had they acted appropriately, then Mr Martin should never have had the opportunity to commit this offence. The court heard that Martin and his wife, a mother-of-two who has a son and daughter from a previous relationship, had been together since meeting on a dating app in 2019. They enjoyed a whirlwind romance and married shortly afterwards. But Martin became abusive and increasingly controlling. He installed CCTV cameras at their home to monitor his wifes movements, banned her from seeing family members and controlled what she wore, ate and watched on television. In August 2021, during a holiday to celebrate Martins birthday in Scotland, the couple rowed and he attacked his wife. She was repeatedly shaken, thrown against walls and Martin refused to let her leave their accommodation during, what the court heard, was a vicious and sustained beating. But Mrs Martin kept the attack a secret from friends and family and it was only after enduring several more years of abuse that she finally decided to report her husband to police last September. He was subsequently charged with assaulting her during their holiday to Scotland three years earlier and made the subject of strict bail conditions, which included living in a hostel in Leicester, more than 100 miles away from their home, in Eccles, Greater Manchester, never contacting his wife and wearing an electronic tag to monitor his movements. However, just a few weeks later, on October 16, security firm G4S received an alert to say the tag had been tampered with. The alert triggered a phone call to Martin, but he did not answer. Martin (pictured in a police van) soon after his arrest in the Lake District The following day officials decided they needed to visit Martin to establish his whereabouts, but that visit did not take place until four days later, on October 20. By that stage Martin had fled the hostel, hired a car and travelled to Manchester, so he was not around when staff made their enquiries. Despite this, they failed to contact police and instead Martin, a former senior civil servant with HM Revenue and Customs, who also worked as head of estates for Salford Royal Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary, was allowed to stalk his wife for several days. He booked into a hotel, eventually driving to her home to carry out the arson attack around 5am on October 22. She only survived because the sound of the letterbox snapping shut woke her up and she heard crackling sounds of the fire taking hold in the hallway. Martin drove away but was arrested in Windermere, in the Lake District, the following day by officers who discovered a jerrycan full of petrol in a wardrobe in his hotel room. He denied attempted murder, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour, insisting at trial that he never intended to kill his wife. Martin was cleared of the coercive behaviour charge, but the jury found him guilty of trying to kill his wife and assault. Sentencing Martin to three decades in prison, Judge Greene said he would most likely die behind bars. This was a wicked, planned and premeditated attack carried out at a time when the victim was asleep, and therefore most vulnerable, the judge said. In a powerful victim impact statement, Mrs Martin, who spent months in a wheelchair and still uses crutches to walk, said her ex-husbands vile and monstrous domestic abuse had utterly devastated her life and that of close relatives. She said she feared she would die in the blaze. I will forever remain wracked with guilt at how close my son and daughter came to the murder of their mum, and my mum came to the murder of her only child, she said. I have spent many months in trauma therapy trying to develop strategies to manage the frequent flashbacks and nightmares of the fire. The chilling memory of the clear thought that I was going to die, the choking feeling of smoke inhalation, and the fall as I jumped out of the bedroom window, will never leave me. I am plagued by intrusive thoughts of what would have happened if there had been family members staying with me at my home. She also revealed that she felt so low in the immediate aftermath that she wished she had died and it was only thanks to the resilience, love and courage of relatives that got her through the darkest days. I do not know if or how I will ever be able to rebuild some kind of life for myself as Martin has destroyed so much, she said. Abbie Clarke, a senior crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service North West, said: Nicholas Martin carefully planned and carried out a terrifying plot to murder his ex-partner. This vile act of cowardice nearly took his victims life. Detective Constable Zoe Bellis, of Greater Manchester Police, thanked Mrs Martin for having the courage to report him to police. Martin undertook a campaign of abuse lasting a number of years, she said. His last act nearly resulted in a womans death and I am thankfulthis despicable individual (is now) behind bars and away from harming other victims. I want to express my heart-felt gratitude to the victim for her unwavering support throughout the investigation. Her strength has been instrumental in helping us build the strongest possible case against her abuser and ensuring he is held accountable. The officer urged anyone else suffering at the hands of domestic abusers to contact them. We will provide support, conduct thorough investigations, and take firm action against offenders, she added. Your allegations will be taken seriously, and you will be treated with dignity and respect. A spokesman for Allied Universal Electronic Monitoring (previously G4S Monitoring Technologies) said: 'Allied Universal Electronic Monitoring provides technology to the programme in England and Wales, but is not responsible for offender monitoring.' A spokesman for Serco, who monitor offenders for the Ministry of Justice, said: 'Our thoughts remain with the victim in this case, and we are pleased to see the sentence passed.' A decorative plate stolen from the dining hall of a Cambridge University college more than a century ago has finally been returned. The plate was pilfered from Gonville & Caius College by law and history student Gordon Stewart Wimbush after he joined the university in 1908. Decades later, during the 1960s, his widow gave the artefact to close friend and neighbour Yvonne Browne. Now aged 85, Ms Browne has given the plate back. Fondly remembering the Wimbushes, she told the college: 'I look back with gratitude, as well as fondness, for the opportunity to have been in touch with these wonderful people, Edwardians to the core, with their kindness, gentle manners and refined ways. 'I gladly return the plate to its proper home in their memory.' A decorative plate stolen from the dining hall of a Cambridge University college more than a century ago has finally been returned The plate was pilfered from Gonville & Caius College by law and history student Gordon Stewart Wimbush (pictured above with his wife Ruth) after he joined the university in 1908 The plate is decorated with a view of Caius Court on its front. On the back it bears the words 'Caius Coll. Kitchens' in capital letters. It is now safely in the possession of the archivist at Caius College. Mr Wimbush went on to serve in the First World War. He and his wife, Ruth, were neighbours of Ms Browne and her family in Coventry. She was born there in 1940. She added: 'They were the grandparents I never had (all mine had died before I was born) as well as the portal to another age, the key to a way of life now defunct but excitingly brought to life in the many anecdotes and family stories they used to tell. 'I know Gordon would have been happy for me to have it, as I had been like a daughter to them.' A view of Gonville and Caius College at Cambridge A college spokesman said on their website: 'Although students have been known to "pinch" items of crockery and cutlery from College meals as souvenirs, this plate, decorated with a view of Caius Court on its front and the imprint "CAIUS COLL. KITCHENS" on its back, has a longer and more touching history than most.' In 2022, two notebooks filled with Charles Darwin's writings and drawings that were believed to have been stolen from Cambridge University Library more than 20 years ago were returned anonymously. The precious items - in which the famous scientist laid out his theory of evolution about the origin of life - were given back in a pink gift bag with a type note wishing the librarian a 'Happy Easter'. A British woman fatally crushed by her own campervan during an Australian 'adventure' may have died as a result of the impact of a tropical cyclone, an inquest heard today. Ellie Thompson, 35, was pronounced dead after she was found under the vehicle at a property where she was house-sitting in Burringbar, New South Wales, on March 11. Described as leading a life 'full of adventure', she had worked in London doing marketing and events for clients including Apple TV and the Groucho Club, before travelling solo to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam in 2022. After returning to the UK she travelled to Australia in 2023 where she had been converting a van and had promised her father a road trip later in the year, Ruthin Coroner's Court heard. But she failed to arrive for her shift at work at a pub in Mullabimby on March 10. Friends went to the house where she had been staying the following day and saw her Mazda van off the side of the sloping driveway, wedged into overgrown vegetation. Ms Thompson's body was found underneath the vehicle with a post-mortem examination recording her cause of death as multiple injuries. The region had just been struck by tropical cyclone Storm Alfred during which people had been warned to stay indoors, with around 290,000 homes left without power for days. Ellie Thompson, 35, was house-sitting in Australia after leaving her former life in London to go travelling, but tragically died after being struck by her own campervan at the tail end of a tropical cyclone in March Ellie Thompson 'truly was one in a million', her father Peter told an inquest in Ruthin, North Wales today A police report read by North East Wales coroner John Gittins said: 'Although no causal link can be drawn, it's of significance at the time of her passing an unprecedented and severe tropical cyclone, Alfred, was impacting the region.' The inquest heard the storm lasted from February 22 to March 8, and its impacts were felt into the morning of March 11. Mr Gittins said police in Australia were of the opinion that the vehicle had rolled or slid forward because of the incline of the slope, or inclement weather. Other factors may have been a failure to apply the handbrake, police said. A vehicle examiner found no mechanical defects. Her father Peter told the hearing the family had visited the site and the 'unanswered element' was why Ms Thompson was in front of her vehicle when it rolled forward. 'The question for us is why did Ellie get out and be in front of the vehicle?' he asked. 'Did she fail to put the handbrake on?' Ellie Thompson was staying in a house in remote Burringbar, New South Wales, while the householder was away when she was tragically crushed by her own converted van Fallen trees following Cyclone Alfred are pictured above in Pottsville Beach, New South Wales on March 10 The family said they believed she had died on March 8, as she had not been in touch with anyone since then. She sent a text message to her mother Amanda just before midday and then saw a friend, but had not been identified as speaking to anyone else after 1pm that day, the court was told. Mrs Thompson said: 'Ellie knew people were concerned, she knew I would be concerned. 'I would definitely have had a text on Sunday because in the text on Saturday she promised she would be in touch the next day.' Originally from Mold, Flintshire, Ms Thompson 'made everyone feel seen and valued', her father said in a statement to the hearing. He described his daughter as being 'as courageous as a lion and curious as a cat'. 'Ellie had a good heart and beautiful soul,' he added. 'She truly was one in a million.' The coroner agreed that it was most likely that the tragedy occurred on March 8 'because the most compelling thing is the absence of any contact from her'. After recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Gittins thanked Ms Thompson's parents and brother Luke for attending the inquest. He added: 'You must be incredibly proud.' Mrs Thompson said: 'The tributes we had on social media and from her friends, people who spoke at the funeral, it was truly, truly moving. 'It really has given us great comfort.' A bisexual NHS healthcare worker claimed she was being harassed on the grounds of her sexuality after she was called 'mush' by her colleague. Lisa Webb claimed she was 'misgendered' when a co-worker called her mush, a slang word for 'mate' typically heard in southern England and Wales. Ms Webb alleged that she was the victim of sex and sexual orientation harassment because it was meant in a derogatory way and it 'translated as if a female was a male'. Her NHS colleague Steven Lealman said he had used the 'unisex' term as slang for 'mate or friend' and meant it as a 'term of endearment'. Ms Webb also claimed that her colleagues had maliciously called her a 'nutjob' and a 'nutter' because of her sex and sexuality. But an employment tribunal has dismissed her case against Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. An employment judge said staff did not know Ms Webb was bisexual and that the words did not amount to harassment. The tribunal, held in Southampton, Hampshire, heard that Ms Webb started working at Ford Ward in Fordingbridge Hospital as a Band 2 healthcare assistant in 2018. Lisa Webb worked at Fordingbridge Hospital in Hampshire when she claimed she was discriminated against for being bisexual During her time working at Fordingbridge Hospital, Mr Lealman said a 'tension' had grown between them and he had said to her 'oi mush are you ready?' as a way to 're-build a light-hearted and friendly relationship'. He said that coming from Southampton, he used the term often and had assumed that Ms Webb would be familiar with this slang. The tribunal heard that Mr Lealman was not aware of Ms Webb's sexuality at the time that he said this and did not mean it in an 'abusive, discriminatory or harassing way'. Mr Lealman also admitted that 'in the heat of the moment' he called Ms Webb a 'nutter' after she had probed him about his work ethic. He said that he apologised immediately and realised he should not have said this, but that it had nothing to do with 'being a woman or being bisexual'. When Ms Webb was cross-examined at the tribunal, she claimed that these terms were racist and that they also related to her mental health. The tribunal dismissed these claims. After some conduct issues at the hospital, Ms Webb was referred to an investigation and was redeployed to Lymington Hospital in January 2022. Whilst working at the hospital, she sent an email to some of her colleagues in the middle of the night, headed 'Coming out', in which she confirmed her sexuality. She was later transferred to Lymington New Forest Hospital (pictured) following conduct issues In the email, she said: 'Hi all, just letting you know I am 100% bisexual & proud to be part of pride'. Ms Webb was later subjected to another investigation over her conduct after she made threats to staff. She claimed the investigation was related to her sexuality. The healthcare worker was ultimately dismissed from her role and has now unsuccessfully sued for wrongful dismissal as well as harassment. Employment Judge Jonathan Gray ruled that there was no discrimination or harassment based on sex or sexual orientation during Ms Webb's employment at the Trust. He said there was no relationship between calling someone 'mush' and sex or sexual orientation. He said: 'In any event, even if it were as she asserts, there is no relationship to sex or sexual orientation proven. Ms Webb herself has asserted the terms relate to mental health or are racist. 'We also accept that it is inevitable that in the course of a bullying and harassment investigation, things would emerge which a complainant may not like, but that doesn't mean they are acts of harassment. This allegation also fails.' A Royal Navy Lieutenant who bragged 'I'm allergic to driving slowly' as he sped at 113mph has been convicted of dangerous driving. Lieutenant Tiarnan Gallagher, 30, made two Navy colleagues, who were passengers in his car, 'fear for their safety' as he raced up a motorway in a high-powered BMW to the Faslane naval base near Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire. Lt Gallagher was said to have 'weaved in and out of traffic' erratically, and sped up to cars before braking and undertaking them. He also drove with one hand on the wheel as he shuffled music and sent texts on his phone. Sub-Lieutenant Henry Wilson and Sub-Lieutenant Alexander Wardlow were so concerned they tried to persuade him to let them drive, but Lt Gallagher was 'hellbent' on staying at the wheel. At Bulford Military Court, Wilts, he was found guilty of one count of dangerous driving. Lt Gallagher was driving a rental BMW 3 Series on 27 October 2024, after completing three weeks of training at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall. The three servicemen had to travel to HMNB Clyde in Scotland, known as Faslane, to complete a final week of training. Lieutenant Tiarnan Gallagher was found guilty of dangerous driving The incident happened as Gallagher drove to the Faslane naval base near Helensburgh Sub Lt Wilson said he drove the first leg of the 500-mile trip and Lt Gallagher told him to 'put his foot down and see what the car could do'. Sub Lt Wilson said he replied: The car will do 70 miles per hour. The pair stopped at Michaelwood Services near Bristol and swapped places, which is when Lt Gallagher's dangerous driving supposedly began. Sub Lt Wilson said he was 'worried' at the speed his colleague was driving, even reporting that he at one time reached 113mph on the M5 motorway. He said that Lt Gallagher was on his phone sending texts and shuffling through his music with 'one hand on the wheel', and that he would speed up to cars and suddenly brake before undertaking them. Sub Lt Wilson said it left him with 'white knuckles on the dashboard' when Lt Gallagher repeatedly refused to slow down. They reached Uttoxeter at about 2.30pm and picked up their colleague, Sub Lt Wardlow, whom Sub Lt Wilson said he had told about Lt Gallagher's driving when the lieutenant was out of earshot. They agreed not to let him drive again and shared the next leg of the journey between them. However, he criticised their driving, and Sub Lt Wardlow told the court that Lt Gallagher kept saying 'someone hasn't done a speed awareness course before.' And when they stopped for petrol at around 19:30 in the Scottish town of Gretna, both sublieutenants had to leave the car. One refilled the petrol while the other went in to pay. HMNB Clyde, also known as Faslane, houses the Royal Navy's Submarine Service and nuclear deterrent as well as the new generation of hunter-killer submarines They said that whilst outside the car, Lt Gallagher 'climbed' from the back seat into the driver's seat and refused to leave. The two officers described how the senior officer was 'hellbent' on driving. Later, when they merged onto the M8, they said that Lt Gallagher drove across a solid white line too early and was 'a metre or two' from hitting the back of a lorry. Both sublieutenants described it as 'unpleasant' and 'dangerous driving', and said they wouldn't ever want to let him drive again, with one calling the experience 'frightening'. Prosecuting, Lieutenant Commander Luis Canosa said Lt Gallagher was 'weaving in and out of traffic', while using his phone to 'send texts and shuffle his music'. He said the sublieutenants decided to take him off the insurance to stop him from driving again, and when they told the police about his driving, Lt Gallagher denied driving unsafely. Mark Karpinski, defending, said that Lt Gallagher's colleagues had made up the allegations. Lt Gallagher was found guilty of dangerous driving after a two-day trial. A former top aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul enjoyed a life of luxury because she was an undeclared agent for China, federal prosecutors have claimed. Linda Sun, 41, is accused of acting as an unregistered operative for the Chinese Communist Party and using her position to influence Hochul and ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo into actions favorable to Beijing. Sun earned a government salary of $145,000, but was also receiving millions of dollars from side deals arranged by Chinese officials, prosecutors told her trial Monday. She and her husband Chris Hu used cash to purchase a $3.6 million mansion in Long Island, $1.9 million condo in Hawaii and a 2024 Ferrari Roma, which sells for at least $243,300, the Wall Street Journal reported. Sun allegedly indulged in Nanjing-style salted duck dinners prepared by the Chinese consulate chef and was regularly acquainted with Communist Party insiders. She made frequent visits back to China and even celebrated the Communist Party's 70th year in power at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the court heard. Prosecutors allege Sun received funds from China, which were then siphoned through Hu's businesses. The couple are also accused of generating $2.3 million in kickbacks on personal-protection equipment imports during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sun is charged with violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, bank fraud and money laundering. She denies all wrongdoing. Linda Sun, 41, (pictured) is accused of acting as an unregistered operative for the Chinese Communist Party while in working in roles alongside New York Governor Kathy Hochul and former Mayor Andrew Cuomo Sun and her husband Chris Hu allegedly purchased a $3.6 million mansion in Manhasset, Long Island (pictured) in 2021 using cash funneled from the Chinese Communist Party The couple are also accused of using Chinese funds to purchase a 2024 Ferrari Roma, (file photo) which sells for at least $243,300 Sun, who joined Cuomo's staff in 2012, is standing trial this week in connection to the offenses. Jury selection kicked off in federal court in Brooklyn on Monday, with potential jurors reportedly being asked about their potential biases towards China and Taiwan. The juror questionnaire asked 'do you have any strong opinions or views about the People's Republic of China?', Courthouse News reported. 'Have you or anyone you know ever participated, in any way, with any organizations that work on issues regarding Taiwan?' another question asked. The couple's trial is being preceded over by US District Judge Brian Cogan, a senior judge who oversaw the case against Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman. Guzman was convicted of murder conspiracy and other charges related to his role with the Sinaloa cartel in 2016. Cogan sentenced him to life in prison plus 30 years. In pretrial motions, Sun's attorneys argued that she had no reason to register as a foreign agent. The defense said her conduct 'aligned with [US] national objectives cannot credibly be characterized as advancing "predominantly a foreign interest".' Hu, who will be 43 later this month, also faces a slew of charges and has also pleaded not guilty. The Daily Mail has approached Sun's attorney Jarrod Schaeffer and Seth DuCharme, representing Hu, for comment. Sun (pictured with Hu outside Brooklyn Federal court in September 2024) has been charged with violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, bank fraud and money laundering. She denies all wrongdoing Sun is seen above being honored at a People's Republic of China consulate event in an image included in the Department of Justice's indictment Sun 'repeatedly violated internal rules and protocols' of the NY governor's office to 'provide improper benefits' to China and the Communist Party (CCP), according to the indictment filed by the Department of Justice last year. She allegedly blocked representatives of the Taiwanese government from having access to high-level New York State officers and changed messaging on issues that involved the CCP. Sun secretly provided a Chinese diplomat access to a state conference call, prosecutors alleged. The couple is accused of pulling $15.8 million into the US through Hu's lobster export business and personally profiting from a PPE vendor that Sun set up as a government supplier. Officials also claimed that Hu would move undeclared cash from China to the US through his businesses, including a wine shop in Queens, and via other family members. The cash allegedly paid for the couple's luxury homes and vehicles. The couple purchased a home in Manhasset, Long Island's gated community of Stone Hill in 2021. They placed the home in a trust last year, records showed. They purchased their 47th-floor Honolulu apartment that same year. Sun also allegedly received benefits including help for Hu's China-based business activities and undisclosed tickets to performances by visiting Chinese orchestra and ballet groups, the indictment said. Sun is seen posing with All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (ACFROC) members in more evidence presented by the US government Sun (left) is seen at a 2019 protest against the Taiwanese president's visit in New York City, federal prosecutors said Sun worked in state government for almost 15 years, first in 2009 as the chief of staff for New York State Assembly member Grace Meng, who is now a member of congress. Sun then held posts in the Cuomo administration starting in 2012, including as Global New York Trade Manager, Asian Outreach Director for the Office of the Governor and Queens Regional Representative. The administration named Sun as chief diversity officer in 2018. She was appointed as the deputy chief of staff for Hochul in September 2021, according to her LinkedIn profile. She remained on the role for about 15 months. Hochul's office last year said the administration fired Sun after 'discovering evidence of misconduct'. Sun then moved to a job at the New York Department of Labor in November 2022. She served as deputy commissioner for strategic business development, but she departed that job just months later in March of 2023, the profile said. A person familiar with the circumstances of her departure alleged Sun was fired after evidence of misconduct was discovered. Sun previously served as the DEI boss for the state of New York. She is pictured in a video in which she allegedly demanded 'equity' in US government The matter was forwarded to law enforcement at the time, according to insider, who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. The person declined to detail the nature of the alleged misconduct. After leaving state government, Sun went to work as campaign manager for Democrat Austin Cheng in an unsuccessful run for Congress on Long Island. A teenage high school student has been mysteriously shot and killed in her sleep. Rhiana Kemplin, 17, was a student at Agua Fria High School in Avondale, 17 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona. Police said they found her critically injured inside a Rio Santa Fe apartment complex just before 6.30am on November 8, Arizona's Family reported. Kemplin was rushed to the hospital where she later died. The circumstances around the high school senior's death have not yet been determined. Police have offered limited information about the moments leading up to the teen's death. It is unclear whether a dispute in her home led to gunfire or who else was home at the time. Kemplin lived in the Rio Santa Fe Apartment complex with her mother, and was a band member at her high school. Investigators interviewed a person of interest at the scene. They were detained but are being held on unrelated charges. No arrests have been made and no suspects have been named in conjunction with Kemplin's death. Rhiana Kemplin was shot and killed in her home in the early morning hours of November 8 Police arrived at the Avondale, Arizona apartment complex to find the victim in critical condition Kemplin's community in Avondale came together to honor her life. In a GoFundMe page created by her mother Natasha Flores, Kemplin was described as 'a beautiful soul inside and out.' 'She was smart beyond years, talented with music and makeup and had the biggest heart. The most loyal friend. She protected all those around her and was incredibly witty not to mention funny,' Flores wrote. Flores said her daughter was 'tragically and senselessly' killed. According to the tribute, Kemplin was passionate about makeup and music. She had plans to attend cosmetology school after her graduation. She even dreamed on playing in the band at Arizona State University. Kemplin's high school issued a statement to Arizona's Family, addressing their student's death. 'Our current focus is on supporting our students, staff, and the Agua Fria High School community as they process this heartbreaking loss,' a spokesperson told the outlet. 'The school community is coming together to honor Rhiana's memory in ways that reflect her positive impact as a student and as a member of the Band of Owls.' Kemplin's loved ones remembered her as a loyal friend and 'smart beyond her years Students at Agua Fresca High School gathered at a makeshift memorial to mourn her death The high school also announced Kemplin's death on social media Monday. 'The school will offer extra support services for students and staff in the library with our counseling staff. Students, please don't hesitate to ask for help if you are struggling,' they wrote. A makeshift memorial was reportedly set up by Kemplin's loved ones at the entrance of the high school. 12News reported that students, parents, and teachers gathered to sit in silence, bring flowers, and honor Kemplin's memory. Friends described her as 'the sunlight in every dim room.' The Daily Mail reached out to Flores and the Avondale police department for comment. The Bell Hotel in Epping can continue to house asylum seekers, a judge controversially ruled today. The ruling follows months of anti-immigration protests at the Essex hotel, sparked by the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl and a woman by one of its residents. Ethiopian Hadush Kebatu, 41, was found guilty and jailed for multiple counts of sexual assault before being mistakenly released, re-arrested and finally deported. Epping Forest District Council took legal action against the hotel's owner, Somani Hotels, claiming that housing asylum seekers there breaches planning rules. Its lawyers said the housing of asylum seekers is a 'material change of use' and has caused 'increasingly regular protests'. But the Home Office intervened in the legal case, telling the court the council's bid was 'misconceived'. Mr Justice Mould dismissed the council's claim today and said in a judgment that it is 'not a case in which it is just and convenient for this court to grant an injunction'. The Conservatives said a court ruling that asylum seekers can continue to be housed in the Bell Hotel in Essex was a 'slap in the face to the people of Epping'. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: 'This is a dark day for local democracy and a slap in the face to the people of Epping. 'A Labour Government has once again put the rights of illegal immigrants above the rights of British citizens. 'The people of Epping have been silenced in their own town. Their council fought for them, their voices were ignored.' Referring to the Home Office's intervention in the case, he said 'Labour's lawyers fought tooth and nail to keep this hotel open'. Epping Forest District Council took legal action against The Bell Hotel's owner, Somani Hotels, claiming that accommodating asylum seekers there breaches planning rules Dozens of anti-migration protests have been held at the site over recent months Hitting back at the Shadow Home Secretary's remarks, a Labour source said: 'This is some brass neck from Chris Philp. 'If he wants to understand why there are so many asylum seekers in hotels, I suggest he casts his mind back to his time in the Home Office. He was the one opening all these hotels. 'Or perhaps he could ask why the Shadow Justice Secretary, Robert Jenrick, bragged about ''ramping up'' their use. The Tories opened these hotels. This Labour Government will close them.' Essex Police urged anyone wishing to make their voice heard after the ruling do so peacefully and said that an 'appropriate policing plan' was in place. Epping Forest District Council were granted a temporary injunction earlier this year following protests outside the hotel, which would have stopped 138 asylum seekers being housed there beyond September 12. Its lawyers argued the site was escalating tensions in the area and risked causing 'irreparable harm'. But the temporary block was overturned by the Court of Appeal in August, which found the decision to be 'seriously flawed in principle'. The council then sought a permanent injunction through a three-day hearing last month. Mr Justice Mould said: 'I give due respect to the claimant's judgment that the current use of the Bell as contingency accommodation for asylum seekers constitutes a material change in the use of those premises, which requires planning permission. 'Nevertheless, I have not been persuaded that an injunction is a commensurate response to that postulated breach of planning control. 'The breach is far from being flagrant. Conventional methods of enforcement have not been taken. 'Taking a broad view, the degree of planning and environmental harm resulting from the current use of the Bell is limited. 'The continuing need for hotels as an important element of the supply of contingency accommodation to house asylum seekers in order to enable the Home Secretary to discharge her statutory responsibilities is a significant counterbalancing factor.' The judge said the council's desire to 'find a swift resolution' to public disorder and community tensions after protests began in July was 'understandable' but 'it did not follow' that an injunction was appropriate. Dozens of anti-migration protests have been held at the site after a resident, Hadush Kebatu, was arrested for assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman He continued: 'Public opposition to the development of land, even if that opposition manifests itself in street protests, is not in itself evidence of planning of environmental harm generated by the development to which there is such strong objection. 'The police have a panoply of powers to manage and regulate street protests and to enforce public order.' Mr Justice Mould said councillors had not called evidence to support an argument over the propensity of asylum seekers to commit crimes or take part in anti-social behaviour. He continued: 'In my judgment, in order to begin to consider whether there is any force or substance in that contention, I should need to see an evidence-based and clear and statistically sound analysis of the relative incidence of criminal and anti-social behaviour amongst asylum seekers, as a defined cohort of persons, in comparison to a properly defined cohort of the settled population. 'There is no such evidence before the court. 'The fact that persons accommodated in asylum accommodation pursuant to sections 95 and 98 of the 1999 Act from time to time commit criminal offences or behave antisocially provides no reliable basis for asserting any particular propensity of asylum seekers to engage in criminal or anti-social behaviour. 'Persons who are members of the settled population also commit crimes and behave antisocially from time to time.' The Bell Hotel first housed asylum seekers from May 2020 to March 2021, a previous hearing was told. It reopened as a hotel for three months in August 2022 but returned to housing asylum seekers after seeing demand 'greatly reduced', lawyers for Somani said. The case of its former resident Hadush Kebatu has become emblematic of the problems plaguing Britain's immigration and justice systems. The 38-year-old was convicted of sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity in September and jailed for a year. But he was mistakenly freed from HMP Chelmsford just a month into his sentence, sparking a huge manhunt. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. After being re-arrested, he threatened to launch a legal challenge against his removal and even said he was considering lodging a new asylum claim with the Home Office. Kebatu was only deported after being given a 'discretionary' payment of 500 by the Home Office in return for going quietly. Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, a 24-year-old Algerian sex offender, and British fraudster Billy Smith were also released in error from HMP Wandsworth two weeks ago. Kaddour-Cherif was arrested last week and Smith, 35, returned to Wandsworth of his own accord. Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to empty them by the end of this Parliament in 2029. One way he hopes to reduce the use of hotels is by opening up accommodation in military bases, with six currently being considered for use. Efforts to find alternative accommodation have been made harder by the continued flow of small boat migrants across the Channel. More than 10,000 migrants reached Britain since Shabana Mahmood became Home Secretary, after 2,000 crossings in just four days. The grim milestone has been reached under Ms Mahmood more quickly than under any of her predecessors since 2022. There were 621 arrivals on Thursday, 648 on Friday and 503 on Saturday, followed by 349 on Sunday. It means 10,072 Channel migrants came to Britain in Ms Mahmood's first 66 days in charge of the Home Office. Since Labour's flagship 'one in, one out' returns deal with France was announced in July, there have been 17,958 arrivals across the Channel. Your browser does not support iframes. Mr Justice Mould said that as of the beginning of September, there were more than 112,000 individuals receiving accommodation support, 35,000 of which were in hotels. He also said that by the end of that month, under 200 hotels were being used for that purpose, down from over 400 two years previously. As of June 2025, keeping migrants in hotels cost 5.5million a day or 2.1billion a year. Epping councillor Ken Williamson said in response to the judgment: 'From the very beginning, our only motive has been to protect and defend the interests of our residents. 'We knew the Home Office would not like it, but it was important to stand up for our residents. Local people must have some control over local decisions. 'The Home Secretary can still reconsider. The trauma and disruption experienced by Epping residents and especially the victims and their families at the heart of all this is unacceptable. 'The asylum system is broken. Fix the real problem. Close the hotels now. We are bitterly disappointed. We have pushed as hard as we can and punched well above our weight.' Reacting to today's ruling relating to the Bell Hotel, Refugee Council CEO Enver Solomon called on ministers take a different approach towards ensuring all hotels are closed next year and described plans to house people in military sites as 'unsuitable, isolating' and 'expensive'. He said: 'A realistic solution would be for the Government to grant temporary permission to stay for people from countries where we know most asylum applications succeed, subject to rigorous security checks. 'This could end the use of costly asylum hotels next year and the Government could get on with ensuring our asylum system works fairly and efficiently. Hotels are not an appropriate long-term solution to housing people seeking asylum.' Following the ruling, a Home Office spokesman said: 'We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels in this country. 'This Government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway to move asylum seekers into more suitable accommodation such as military bases, to ease pressure on communities across the country. 'We are working to do so as swiftly as possible as part of an orderly, planned and sustained programme. This judgment allows us to do that.' Saturday Night Live has been accused of mocking the transgender community after airing a pointed sketch about men conning their way into college sororities. The comedy show divided opinions with a provocative segment in its latest episode in which a student raised concerns one of the sorority's members may actually be a man in a latex mask. The suspected male, played by SNL regular Mikey Day, was seen eating and smoking through obvious prosthetics, all while the other sorority sisters took offense over the suggestion he was not really female. Some viewers said the sketch marked a dramatic shift for the typically liberal show writers and felt it appeared to take aim at transgender people. Evolutionary psychologist Diana Fleischman, a frequent commentator and critic on transgender issues, took to X to say that the sketch showed that 'nature is healing'. Fleischman said that the SNL jokes were 'making fun of autogynephiles', defined as a man with an erotic attraction to dressing as a woman. Others said the sketch may have been mocking the controversial case of University of Wyoming student Artemis Langford, a transgender woman who triggered a lawsuit from her fellow sorority sisters following her admission into the Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter. Langford, a six-foot-two, 200lb freshman, allegedly leered at other sorority girls with an erection and made them uncomfortable, sparking a legal dispute over whether the sorority should allow a trans woman to join. Saturday Night Live has been accused of mocking the transgender community after airing a pointed sketch where actor Mikey Day (right) conned his way into a sorority using a latex mask The sketch saw Day wear an obvious latex mask while sorority sisters acted offended that one was calling him out for being a fake Critics of the sketch said it may have been mocking the controversial case of University of Wyoming student Artemis Langford, a transgender woman who triggered a lawsuit from her fellow sorority sisters after being allowed to join Political commentator Wesley Yang pointed to the case of Artemis Langford as he responded to the Saturday Night Live sketch. 'On SNL, it's a joke,' he wrote on X. 'In reality, the sorority sisters failed in their federal lawsuit and the Washington Post wrote a weepy feature story about the man who joined the sorority.' Another X user said that TRA's - meaning transgender rights activists - 'will be super p***ed after tonight's SNL sorority skit. That hits too close to home.' Daily Mail has contacted NBC Studios for comment on the response to the SNL sketch. Yang noted that the girls that sued the national Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority body in 2024 to protest Langford being allowed into their University of Wyoming campus home lost their case. The lawsuit alleged that Langford had a visible erection after being given access to the house. However, the lawsuit fell flat because the sorority said the word 'woman' is 'undefined' in the sorority's bylaws, and therefore did not preclude a trans woman from joining. Attorney for the national group, Natalie M McLaughlin, said at the time: 'The membership qualification in the bylaws remain the same, there has been no amendment to the bylaws which is that a member must be a woman. 'That qualification however is undefined in the bylaws.' Political commentator Wesley Yang pointed to the case of Artemis Langford as he responded to the Saturday Night Live sketch In the lawsuit, which was thrown out in August, members of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority chapter challenged Artemis Langford's (rear, far left) admission by casting doubt on whether sorority rules allow a transgender woman into the organization At the heart of the lawsuit involving Langford was the issue of defining a 'woman', as the sorority sisters argued that because the sorority's governing documents define it as a space exclusively for females, the organization broke its own rules by admitting a biological male The case was thrown out by a judge in August, as it was ruled that the sorority can define a 'woman' however it chooses. The judge in the case ruled that the Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter did not violate any rules by allowing Langford to join and said that the organization 'defines women by their gender and not their "biological sex".' 'Nothing in the Bylaws or the Standing Rules requires Kappa to narrowly define the words women or woman to include only those individuals born with a certain set of reproductive organs, particularly when even the dictionary cited by Plaintiffs offers a more expansive definition,' the judge said. Before the case was thrown out, Langford appeared on MSNBC to answer the allegations of voyeurism against her, in which she said she was the victim in the case. After being introduced by interviewer Yasmin Vossoughian as 'the very brave woman at the center of it all', Langford described 'the sheer terror of being in a lawsuit and not knowing what's happening next'. 'It's been a very difficult year to say the least,' Langford said. Before the case was thrown out, Langford appeared on MSNBC to answer the allegations of voyeurism against her, in which she said she was the victim in the case 'The sheer surreal-ness of being in a media cycle again and again even though I didn't necessarily want to be, given all this attention because of my identity. 'And then the sheer terror of being in a lawsuit and not knowing what's happening next, especially with threats online and harassment both physically and online. 'It's been very hard on myself and those that are in my chapter, and campus in general has been very affected because of that.' Daily Mail has contacted NBC Studios for comment. A whites-only community in Arkansas has been quietly growing in numbers, and 36 people now live in the extreme enclave. The 160-acre site near the rural town of Ravenden hosts a private membership group called Return to the Land, where several families reside. 'If people are interested and aligned with our values, they're welcome to join,' the group's president, Eric Orwoll, told 4029TV. 'It's not all about are you white or not; it's also, do you share traditional values, and whether you want to live with us here, do you get along with us,' Orwoll added. 'We're not trying to oppress any other group. In fact, we would want to help other groups also have their own spaces if that's what they want.' However, he later added that America 'was built by white Europeans, for white Europeans' and he wants his community to 'perpetuate that'. Return to the Land was launched in 2023. It is described on its website as a private association 'for individuals and families with traditional views and common continental ancestry'. 'We will return to the land to separate ourselves from a failing modern society, and we will make positive cultural changes in ourselves and in our ancestral communities,' the group's 'mission' statement reads. Eric Orwoll, co-founder of Return to the Land (RTTL), says the whites-only group is eyeing land near Springfield, Missouri, for a new racially exclusive community The 160-acre site near the rural town of Ravenden hosts a private membership group called Return to the Land , where several families reside. (Pictured: One of the homes on the site) RTTLs Arkansas Ozarks Community, pictured, is one of several compounds the group has developed since its founding in 2023. The application process to join the group involves a written quiz and an interview with the board of trustees. When asked by 4029TV whether he understood why some people consider the community racist, he said: 'Sure, of course. 'But I also don't know exactly what racism is. The concept has shifted over the years. 'If racism is hating other groups of people, I would say we're not racist. 'If racism is valuing your racial heritage and wanting to perpetuate it, well then by that definition, yeah, we're racist.' Orwoll said his group is 'for European heritage' and they want to 'perpetuate that'. He added that America 'was built by white Europeans, for white Europeans'. 'I think in general, societies get along better when people are more similar,' he added. Return to the Land (site pictured from above) was launched in 2023. It is described on its website as a private association 'for individuals and families with traditional views' The group promotes shared ancestral values' and hopes to expand into Appalachia and the Deep South with 'future compounds He argued that 'multiracial, multicultural societies' have 'lower trust' and 'people become less sociable'. However, Arkansas civil rights attorney Austin Porter Jr. told 4029TV that the community's rules break the law. 'It violates the 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause,' he said. 'It violates 42 U.S.C. Section 1982 on the Civil Rights Act because those laws say that anybody enjoys the same rights to own, sell or possess land as enjoyed by white citizens.' Orwoll argued that Return to the Land is exempt from this law because the community is private - something which could be debated in court. The community could be challenged in a court room if someone was denied residence on the site and they sued. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin's office said they are investigating whether the community breaches any laws. A stoic letter by Ruth Ellis saying 'I am quite well' the day before she became the last woman to be executed in Britain has emerged 70 years on. The nightclub hostess appeared remarkably serene about her fate after being convicted of murdering her lover, racing driver David Blakely, in 1955. The previously unseen correspondence has come to light weeks after her family called for her to be posthumously pardoned, saying she was physically and emotionally abused by her partner before killing him. They say that Ellis, who shot Blakely dead outside The Magdala pub in Hampstead, North London, would today be able to plead the defence of diminished responsibility due to his treatment of her. This included her being punched in the gut by Blakely, causing her a miscarriage. In the letter, Ellis thanked a campaigning MP for offering to take her son on holiday and appealing in vain for clemency on her behalf, before saying 'goodbye'. She also urged George Rogers to speak to her lawyer, Victor Mishcon, so he could 'find out the truth' about her case which gripped the nation. Ellis poignantly signed off the letter 'goodbye' and the next day the 26-year-old was hanged at Holloway Prison by Albert Pierrepoint. A stoic letter by Ruth Ellis saying 'I am quite well' the day before she became the last woman to be executed in Britain has emerged 70 years on Pierrepoint, Britain's most famous hangman, later said Ellis was the bravest person he ever put to death. The letter, dated July 12, 1955 on Holloway Prison paper, reads: 'I understand you so kindly offered to take my son Clare Andria, away for a holiday... 'I will take this chance, of thanking you, once again, for the help you offered me. 'I gather, you will speak to Mr Victor Mishcon, then you will find out the truth. 'I am quite well - my family have been wonderful... 'Once again, I thank you and your wife. Goodbye'. The letter is tipped to sell for 2,000 at London-based Forum Auctions. A Forum Auctions spokesperson said: 'This letter was written by the last woman to be executed in Great Britain on the day before her death. The nightclub hostess appeared remarkably serene about her fate after being convicted of murdering her lover, racing driver David Blakely, in 1955 'Ellis was sentenced to death in late June and hanged on July 13, 1955 for the murder of her lover, David Blakely. 'MP George Rogers visited her in prison, and received her agreement to an appeal to the Home Secretary for clemency, which was denied.' Rupert Powell, head of books at Forum Auctions, added: 'This letter offers a rare and intimate insight into the final hours of the last woman to be hanged in the UK. 'It stands as a powerful document of both personal and historical significance.' Ellis, originally from Rhyl, Denbighshire, north east Wales, murdered Blakely on April 10, 1955 outside The Magdala pub in Hampstead, London. She took her revolver out of her handbag and fired five shots at him as he searched for his car keys. The first shot missed so she pursued him and fired four more bullets as he collapsed to the ground. The six and final shot ricocheted off the ground and injured a bystander. Ellis was arrested by an off-duty policeman and found guilty at trial of premeditated murder. A progressive radio host proudly shared images of herself kissing the feet of firebrand Democrat Jasmine Crockett. Stephanie Miller, 64, host of 'The Stephanie Miller Show', hit the ground in front of the Texas representative during the bizarre interaction. Images show Miller crouched on the ground in front of Crockett and later embracing her. Stunned bystanders were seen laughing at the unusual encounter. Many sported t-shirts backing Prop 50, an act that passed last week to hand Dems five extra Congressional seats in California. Sharing the images to her X account, Miller, who is a lesbian, said: 'Why, yes I DID kiss the sneakers of Jasmine Crockett and I DO worship the ground she walks.' After the images emerged on Sunday, Miller's odd behavior was widely panned online. 'The fact you said this out loud makes me grateful I don't know you or know any one like you', one person posted. Another added: 'What is wrong with you?!? This is not normal behavior, especially for an adult. This is genuinely insane.' Radio host Stephanie Miller is seen here on all fours kissing the sneakers of Crockett much to the delight of those watching on The radio host and the Democratic lawmaker embraced after the weird moment which Miller proudly posted to X Political commentator Matt Walsh said: 'A white liberal woman literally crawling on her knees to kiss the feet of a semi-literate black DEI congresswoman is perhaps the perfect encapsulation of modern leftism. Miller is known for her loyalty to the Democratic cause and her progressive stance 'There will never be another image as utterly and grotesquely perfect as this.' One other posted: 'Unimaginable level of cringe.' Miller had previously shared a video of the two after they met at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. In the clip, Miller seems close to tears as she said: 'I've warned Representative Crockett that I'm going to start crying.' Crockett interrupted her, saying: 'She's not going to cry y'all', before Miller added: 'I love you so much, I seriously do - thank you so much.' Miller went on to fawn over Crockett saying her tactics were being adopted by the presidential campaign for then-Vice President Kamala Harris. The radio host is known for her loyalty to the Democratic establishment, and recently praised former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after she announced her retirement last week. Sharing a selfie of herself and Pelosi, she said: 'Thanks my forever speaker for everything. You're the best there ever was.' Miller and Crockett are seen here in a video at the Democratic National Convention last year Miller's odd behavior was widely panned online as being 'cringe' and 'genuinely insane' Crockett embraces Newsom during a rally, in Houston, Texas, over the weekend Miller also attended a anti-Trump 'No Kings' rally in October of this year in Los Angeles. Crockett attended a political rally in Houston, Texas, over the weekend alongside California Governor Gavin Newsom. Fresh off his win of redrawing congressional maps to help his fellow Democrats, Newsom chose to celebrate in the red state where the redistricting fight started. He told a packed hall: 'We can shape the future here all across the South and across the United States of America. You have that power. You do. Not Donald Trump. 'Lets stand up to those that have been humiliated, those that feel bullied, those that are afraid and scared. 'Lets stand up for the rule of law. Lets stand up for a system of checks and balances, and lets stand up for our democracy, for all of us.' Daily Mail has reached out to Miller and Crockett for comment. Police in Texas are seeking the public's help in finding a tattooed man they say callously strangled a kitten to death in an apartment building's hallway. Video surveillance captured a tattooed bald man wearing a red hoodie and shorts chasing the kitten before killing it on November 9, according to police. The San Antonio Police Department released pictures of the suspect and a call to action asking locals to help identify the man. They also shared a two-second video captured by a Ring doorbell camera showing the chilling moment the unidentified man stalked the hallways. The public announcement released on Monday did not share the address of the apartment building or the neighborhood where the alleged crime took place. The Daily Mail has reached out to the San Antonio Police Department for comment and additional details. On Facebook, horrified locals took the call to action seriously and shared their outrage at the heinous killing of an innocent animal. One user wrote: 'The start of a serial killer. These crimes should not be taken lightly and suffer severe consequences so other folks who think to do the same can think again.' Police are seeking the public's help in finding this man who they say killed a kitten The San Antonio Police Department posted pictures of the suspect on Facebook Police posted several angles of the suspect's face in order to increase the likelihood that people would recognize him The photos and surveillance footage show that the man is bald with tattoos, and he was wearing a red hoodie and shorts 'If all you do is fine them and give them probation or 1 year in jail it wont change a thing. Require weekly therapy, weekly mass and bible study sessions. They need guidance and Jesus.' Another wrote: 'I hope he gets caught. People that kill animals at one point or another might become serial killers.' A third said: 'Very disturbing considering there's a correlation between murderers and a history of animal cruelty. Hope they catch him!' A fourth said: 'There's a whole documentary on Netflix on why you dont F with cats!' That comment was in reference to Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer, a docuseries about amateur internet sleuths who launched a manhunt against Luka Magnotta, a man who posted a video of himself online killing two kittens in 2010. Part of the documentary was about how seriously people online take finding animal abusers and holding them accountable. The series was one of Netflix's top five most-watched documentaries in 2019. The alleged crime occurred in San Antonio, Texas, on November 9, according to police The suspect allegedly chased a kitten down in the hallway of an apartment before strangling it to death (stock image) Police posted the photos on Facebook along with this call to action, providing contact information for locals who might have any information about the suspect People torturing and killing cats, both for their own twisted amusement and for videos posted online, is surprisingly frequent. The Daily Mail previously reported about an online international animal cruelty network that electrocutes, drowns and starves cats for online torture-porn videos. Between May 2023 and May 2024, approximately one new video was uploaded online every 14 hours, according to the vigilante animal rights activist group Feline Guardians. In August, two British 17-year-olds armed with knives, a blowtorch and scissors dismembered two kittens and then left their mutilated bodies behind. The judge for the case said the killings were 'without a doubt, the most awful offences against animals I have seen in this court.' In September of last year, thugs in Australia tied up two cats by their testicles using rubber bands. The victims of a private plane crash in Florida have been identified as a Christian ministry CEO and his daughter. Alexander Wurm, 53, was piloting a Beechcraft King Air plane with his daughter, Serena, 22, when they nosedived into a small lake in Coral Springs on Monday morning. Footage captured the moment the plane plummeted out of the skies, smashed into a pond and shattered into debris behind a row of homes. The evangelist's ministry, Ignite the Fire, said Wurm and his daughter were on their way to Jamaica to deliver aid to victims of Hurricane Melissa when they crashed. The group said Wurm was 'dedicated to empowering youth through missions and evangelism across the Caribbean'. 'Together, their final journey embodied selflessness and courage, reminding us of the power of service and love,' the ministry said. Officials said the pair had left Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport and were en route to Montego Bay in Jamaica when they crashed. Christian ministry CEO Alexander Wurm, 53, and his daughter, Serena, 22, have been identified as the victims of a deadly plane crash in Florida on Monday The moment the plane smashed into a pond and shattered into debris is seen in video footage A witness said it appeared that Wurm knew his plane was crashing and that he was likely aiming for the lake where he and his daughter died. 'I think that the pilot did know that he was not going to make a safe landing, and he made a choice to try and make it into that lake,' the witness told ABC6. Wurm had made several trips to the Caribbean to help natural disaster relief efforts before the tragedy on Monday, his ministry said. 'Throughout his life, Alex travelled extensively, reaching various countries and continents, where he tirelessly worked to bring faith, compassion, and support to those in need,' Ignite the Fire wrote in a Facebook post. 'His legacy of faith and compassion touched countless lives.' The group said Melissa was 'following in her father's footsteps' as she joined him on his trips to the hurricane-ravaged area. '(Melissa) was a beacon of empathy and hope, inspiring all with her commitment to humanitarian work,' the ministry said. Wurm was the founder of the Ignite the Fire ministry, which said he was 'dedicated to empowering youth through missions and evangelism across the Caribbean' Footage showed the plane plummeting out of the sky. The father and daughter were on their way to deliver aid to the victims of Hurricane Melissa when they crashed Fire and rescue crews at the small pond in Coral Springs, Florida, after the crash on Monday A plane wheel pictured at the site where Wurm and his daughter's jet crashed Wurm had most recently completed an aid delivery to Jamaica on November 4 and he was praised on that trip by charity Crisis International in a social media post. The charity shared a video of volunteers at Montego Bay handling boxes of supplies delivered by the late minister. 'Today we are picking up resources at the local airport an amazing man named Alexander Wurm and his ministry Ignite the Fire has flown in from the Cayman Islands on a King Air with all sorts of supplies,' the post read. The charity said he brought 'solar panels, a Starlink, tarps - all the things that are on our immediate needs list, so this is huge.' Sean Malone, founder of Crisis International, said in a video statement that he was shocked by Wurm's death. He added that charities rely on small plane deliveries similar to those piloted by Wurm. Malone said Wurm had been 'absolutely amazing' in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, but following the crash, 'he didn't turn up'. 'Unfortunately we found out he crashed his aircraft in Coral Springs, Florida, and he and his daughter did not survive,' he said. 'We are in absolute shock and disbelief of the situation and Im asking for prayers for his friends and family at this time.' A NATO military plane belonging to Turkey spiralled out of control before crashing on the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan today. Local media shared video purporting to show the aircraft splitting in two mid-air before its burning wreckage plummets to the ground and erupts in a huge cloud of smoke. Turkey's defence ministry said on X that the C-130 plane had taken off from Azerbaijan and was on its way back to Turkey. There were 20 people on board the Turkish military cargo plane, the defence ministry said. The ministry said a search and rescue were underway in coordination with Georgian authorities, but did not provide any other details on the cause of the crash or the casualties. In a statement, Georgia's interior ministry confirmed the crash of 'a Turkish military aircraft' that was flying to Turkey, saying it went down 'about five kilometres from Georgia's state border' with Azerbaijan. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan offered his condolences for 'our martyrs' on the aircraft and said he hoped for minimum casualties. The plane appeared to break up in the sky - with debris also seen falling to the ground. A NATO military plane belonging to Turkey spiralled out of control before crashing on the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan today Local media shared video purporting to show the aircraft splitting in two mid-air before its burning wreckage plummets to the ground and erupts in a huge cloud of smoke Pictured: A huge cloud of smoke billows into the sky following the crash Your browser does not support iframes. Turkey's defense ministry said on X that the C-130 plane had taken off from Azerbaijan and was on its way back to Turkey. Pictured: A stock image of a C-130 Later parts of the C-130 were seen strewn on the ground. There was a major explosion where the aircraft came down in Georgia. Russian pro-war Militarist channel wrote: 'It appears the Turkish C-130 broke apart in mid-air, likely due to an internal explosion.' However, there was no immediate evidence of the cause of the crash. A criminal investigation was opened in Georgia. 'The Ministry of Internal Affairs will provide the public with detailed information about the incident in stages,' said a government statement. Initial reports said a helicopter was lost but later it was reported to be a C-130, one of the world's most widely used and longest-serving military transport aircraft. The Turkish ministry of national defence said: 'A C130 cargo plane taking off from Azerbaijan to our country crashed in Georgia. 'Search and rescue efforts have been initiated in coordination with Georgian authorities.' Parts of the C-130 were seen strewn on the ground There was a major explosion where the aircraft came down in Georgia There were 20 people on board the Turkish military cargo plane, the defence ministry said In a statement, Georgia's interior ministry confirmed the crash of 'a Turkish military aircraft' that was flying to Turkey, saying it went down 'about five kilometres from Georgia's state border' with Azerbaijan. Turkey recently reached agreement to buy a dozen second-hand C-130J military transport aircraft from the United Kingdom, said reports. Turkey and Azerbaijan maintain close military cooperation. Video footage, reportedly showing the crash, aired on Turkey's private NTV and other outlets, depicting the aircraft spiraling as it descended and leaving a trail of white smoke. A former Rust Belt city in the midst of an economic comeback has become one of the most affordable places to live in the country, despite home buyers flocking to its bustling culture and classic Americana beauty. The median price of a home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is now just $229,000 - essentially a quarter of the cost of a property in some the country's most expensive cities like Los Angeles, where the average is almost $1million. Pittsburgh used to be known for its steel industry, which collapsed some 50 years ago. It has replaced that with an advanced service economy where people can get jobs in tech, finance, health care, and higher education. Despite the high demand, with 4,708 new residents from 2020 to 2024, the median house price has remained low thanks to higher supply, including fixer-uppers within the city limits and roughly 27,000 properties in surrounding Allegheny County that are vacant or abandoned. High relative wages also factor into Pittsburgh's affordability compared to other cities. For someone earning the local median salary of $77,050, it would take just three years to afford the median home in Pittsburgh. That falls within the widely accepted affordability framework that a house should cost roughly 2.6 years of income, which is unattainable in most major metropolitan areas. And there are cheaper homes available on the market. Take for example the $163,000 home Isaac Ray, 26, and Liam Weaver, 30, bought this year. The couple then spent $10,000 on renovations to the three-bedroom, one-bath ranch in the West End just before their wedding in October, they told The Washington Post. The median home in Pittsburgh (pictured) is uniquely affordable at $229,000. The Pennsylvania city was once one of the richest in the country with strong banking and steel industries. Steel mills began leaving about 50 years ago, decimating the city Isaac Ray, 26, and Liam Weaver, 30, stand in front of their new home in Pittsburgh's West End. It costed $163,000, plus another $10,000 in renovations They were able to buy their first home on Weaver's salary as a manager at a grocery store deli counter, and Ray's earnings as a professional ballet dancer. They would not have been able to buy in a city such as Seattle, where Weaver said his stepbrother is looking at similar homes for five times the price. Americans appear to be catching on to Pittsburgh's appeal because after decades of losing population, the city added 4,708 residents from 2020 to 2024, according to US Census Bureau estimates. More than 60 percent of newcomers arrived between 2023 and 2024. Real estate agent Brian Larson told The Post that remote workers are flocking to Pittsburgh to get bigger homes than they could afford in major metropolitan areas. Pittsburgh is uniquely affordable even with elevated mortgage rates, which have been declining because of the Federal Reserve's decision to begin cutting the federal funds rate. According to Zillow, Pittsburgh would be affordable even with a 9 percent mortgage for someone earning the local median income. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is hovering at around 6.2 percent. Still, there are many residents who cannot afford any home at all, even with how cheap they are relative to other places. Townhomes in Pittsburgh (pictured) vary widely in price depending on when they were built, their condition and the neighborhood they are in Locals say most homes in Pittsburgh need a lot of work, which explains some of the extraordinarily low prices 'We have this scenario where still, many low-income renters and working families are still priced out, because of the wages in Pittsburgh,' city council member Bobby Wilson told the Post. And like any city, home prices vary widely based on when they were built, their condition and the neighborhood they are in. A newly constructed townhome in Mount Washington, a locale outside the city that offers stunning views of the skyline, is going for just over $634,000. Meanwhile, a smaller townhouse built in 1932 has been listed for $250,000. Luke Revitsky, 34, wanted to buy a home in the Dormont area, where he and his fiance have been renting. He spent months looking and finally settled on a $215,000 house he believed would need at least $30,000 worth of work. 'It needed a new roof. It needed new electric. It hasnt really been updated since the sixties or seventies,' he told The Post. 'There are a lot of houses that are outdated in Pittsburgh. Its either super competitive, or it needs a lot of work.' As Pittsburgh continues to pursue a revitalization, it's easy to forget that it used to be one of the wealthiest cities in the country thanks to banking magnate Andrew Mellon and steel industrialist Andrew Carnegie. In the 1950s, it reached its peak population of 675,000. Now, about 308,000 people live in the city. Vladimir Putin's paranoia has consumed him. Rumours of his use of multiple body doubles, food testers and a special armoured train outfitted for his own personal use have long dogged him. According to a senior Russian security officer who defected in 2022, the Russian despot is 'pathologically afraid for his life'. So much so that he has created two replicas of his official Moscow office that allow him to fake his location at any given time, a new analysis of photos has revealed. His office in Novo-Ogaryovo, a plush estate west of Moscow that has become Putin's de facto residence, has been replicated in Sochi, on the Black Sea, and Valdai, halfway between St. Petersburg and Moscow, according to an investigation by Systema. Analysis of his face to face meetings show that this year he has almost stopped using his sprawling rebuilt official Moscow region residence Novo-Ogaryovo. Tiny differences between the rooms have allowed researchers to show that this year he has operated mainly from Valdai. For instance, the panelling on walls behind Putin's desk are slightly different, depending on which office he is in. Valdai has the highest panelling, followed by Novo-Ogaryovo and then Sochi. The door handles in each office are also at slightly different heights. They are close matches in Sochi and Valdai, but are lower in Novo-Ogaryovo. The letter trays on each of Putin's desks are different, depending on which office he is in The panelling on walls behind Putin's desk are slightly different, depending on which office he is in The positions of light switches are also different in each location. Though they are in roughly the same spots in Novo-Ogaryovo and Sochi, the light switch in the Valdai office is more central. And the letter trays on each of Putin's desks are different, depending on which office he is in. Made from what appears to be polished stone, all have the same two-line wave on top of them. But they each have their own distinct colours and patterns on them, suggesting they are all different. The analysts studied 700 videos all labelled by Putin's officials as filmed at Novo-Ogaryovo. Some went back a decade with the researchers 'paying attention to every detail'. State TV crews are sworn to secrecy when filming Putin at his alternative locations, as are officials ordered to partly televised audiences with the despot. While he has sent millions of Russian men to the war zone, Putin apparently prefers to retreat and hide far from the frontline - with officials saying he is in Novo-Ogaryovo when in fact he is in his forest retreat. Russian academic and autocracy expert Konstantin Gaaze likened Putin's paranoid concern for security to the behaviour of notorious Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. 'I think that right now [with Putin] we are closest to Saddam Hussein, both in terms of secret residences and how the system operates for protecting information about the whereabouts of the head of state and his family. 'We will not speculate about body doubles, and we don't need to. 'Most of all this resembles how Hussein lived, this is how I would put it. 'This is no longer like [former Italian premier Silvio] Berlusconi. This is no longer [first Syrian dictator] Assad. The door handles in each office are also at slightly different heights. They are close matches in Sochi and Valdai, but are lower in Novo-Ogaryovo Though the light switches are in roughly the same spots in Novo-Ogaryovo and Sochi, the light switch in the Valdai office is more central 'This is, of course, the closest to Saddam Hussein.' During the Covid quarantine period, Putin rotated between Valdai and Sochi, according to reports. Both - like multiple other Putin residences - are believed to be kitted out with bunkers. After announcing the war in February 2022, he retreated to Valdai, where Alina and their sons have their own house. Seven months later, after the initiation failure of his invasion, and the announcement of forced mobilisation of Russian men, Putin took in the sea air in Sochi. He was also here in November 2022 when Russian troops retreated from positions in Kherson and Kharkiv regions. 'Since then, Putin has increasingly started to ignore his Sochi office, as if it were unlucky,' said the report, though he came back to it last month. 'Despite several air-defence positions being established there, it's still quite close to Ukraine, and the range of new Ukrainian weapons allows them to create a lot of, well, 'fun' there,' said Gaaze. 'That's why Valdai is preferable. It's further away, better concealed, and the terrain is more favourable. It's a residence in the forest.' Yet all three offices look the same, allowing Putin to appear at his Moscow region base when he is not. Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets Head of the Republic of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, November 11 2025 Firefighters take cover in a basement of a house due to the possible arrival of a drone in the residential area of Kramatorsk, Ukraine, on November 10, 2025 'From the start of 2025, Putin stopped using his real office in Novo-Ogaryovo,' said the report. 'Almost all meetings that he held in the beige office were filmed in the duplicate at Valdai. 'He came to the Novo-Ogaryovo residence only once, to meet with parliamentary faction leaders and record a video address to participants of the Intervision song contest.' It is seen as easier for air defence Pantsir-M systems to guard Valdai than other Putin residences, including in the Kremlin itself. 'It would look very bad to install Pantsirs on the Kremlin towers,' said Gaaze. Leaked emails showed the movements of film crews ordered to record Putin's meetings, showing they were in, for example, Sochi when meetings were labelled as being at Novo-Ogaryovo close to Moscow. The Sochi office was given away by gaps between decorative wall panels, and the shape of the bottom of a TV stand. In Sochi he has both sea and mountain retreats. He is also believed to have a similar office at a palace in St Petersburg. An amateur photographer was mauled to death by two polar bears after ignoring warning signs to get a better shot of the creatures in Canada. Christopher Best died after he left the safety of an Arctic radar site, where he had only worked for two days, on August 8 last year. The 34-year-old, from Labrador, walked past a large polar bear warning sign and appeared to have kept a safe distance, but did not realize that the second animal was lurking nearby. Best had photographed them earlier and asked a wildlife monitor at the site on Brevoort Island to inform him when the animals were in the area so he could take more. He uploaded pictures of a hulking beast the day before he was viciously torn apart. It's unknown if it was one of the same polar bears that killed him the next day. 'Chris said, "Well, yeah, theyre not close to us,' his mother, Shelly Cox, said he told his stepfather on a call moments before he died, according to CTV News. '"God, Dad," he said, "You know, I know the difference, right?' At the end of his shift, the wildlife monitor told Best that a bear was outside, according to a report by his employer, the Nasittuq Corporation. After exiting the doors, Best went around the side of the building and believed he had enough space between himself and the bear. Christopher Best was killed by the bears while working on Brevoort Island, Canada, last year The 34-year-old from Labrador had left the safety of the Arctic radar site, where he had only worked for two days. This photo was taken by Best and uploaded online the day before he died Surveillance video showed that the second animal cut off Best's way to a nearby building and charged at him, according to the report. The first bear then attacked the worker as well. An employee saw the mauling and yelled for a gun; however, when nothing was available, he ran to the wildlife monitor. That staff member fired a non-lethal bear-banger from a 12-gauge shotgun, causing both bears to take off, but one of them turned back. The gunman was forced to fatally shoot it. As Best's body was loaded into a truck, another armed employee arrived to keep watch. Best had some training in polar bear awareness, but some documents to complete the course were missing, according to the report. Best had taken some photos of a bear earlier and asked a wildlife monitor at the site to inform him when the animals were nearby so he could take more photos He exited the North Warning System's facility, but didn't realize that there was a second bear nearby The tragedy took place on Brevoort Island, Nunavut and also resulted in one of the bears being put down Cox told CTV that she believed the accident could have been avoided if further safety measures had been taken at the site, such as installing fences and motion-sensor monitors with alarms. The report proposed improvements to their safety policies, which included a public address system as well as announcements being made when bears were known to be outside. In addition, it requires any worker going outside after hours to obtain permission from a manager or supervisor. Another measure proposed was to fence off certain areas of the site. Nasittuq had sent Best to do logistics work on Brevoort Island, but he was waiting for security clearance and was working as a fuel tank cleaner in the meantime. Surveillance video showed that the second animal cut off Best's way to a nearby building and charged him, according to the report. The first bear then attacked the worker as well Best with his mother, Shelly, and his grandmother No injuries or fatalities from bears have ever been recorded during the company's project or the previous company, the DEW Line, over the past seven decades, according to the report. Nasittuq said that it was unable to comment since the government report was not yet finished. A spokesman said: 'We care deeply for the safety and well-being of all our employees and feel for everyone who continues to be affected by this tragic incident.' John Simpson today led a chorus of BBC stars who have mocked Donald Trump's threat to sue the corporation for doctoring a video of the US President. Staff at the corporation stand accused of institutional bias in a crisis that has forced two top execs to quit, and the US President has demanded an apology by the end of the week. The accusations include claims that the BBC reporters responsible for gender issues silenced feminist views. Today, outgoing director-general Tim Davie struck a defiant tone, calling for staff to 'stand up for our journalism' in the face of a billion-dollar lawsuit. And lifelong BBC employee Simpson ridiculed the threat sent by lawyers on behalf of the US President. Alejandro Brito, Mr Trump's legal counsel, described the editing of a clip on Panorama as 'salacious' in a letter that Mr Simpson said was sent to the wrong address. 'Due to their salacious nature, the fabricated statements that were aired by the BBC have been widely disseminated throughout various digital mediums, which have reached tens of millions of people worldwide,' the letter read. The letter was sent to BBC Studios, the broadcaster's commercial arm, at the former Television Centre, rather than the BBC itself at New Broadcasting House. The editing of two pieces of footage appeared to suggest Mr Trump incited violence ahead of the January 6 riots - an error to which the BBC has now owned up. 'Donald Trumps demand for a billion dollars from the BBC comes from a local Florida law firm,' Mr Simpson wrote on X. 'It was sent to the wrong address, and the writer didnt know what "salacious" really means: "Due to their salacious nature, the fabricated statements that were aired by the BBC"' It comes as Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy heaped praise on the BBC tonight describing it as a 'light on the hill for people here and across the world' and dismissed claims it is institutionally biased. Ms Nandy told the Commons that the BBC must 'renew its mission for the modern age' as it fights to restore trust. But she warned MPs attacking the broadcaster to 'consider just what is at stake'. BBC world affairs editor John Simpson has ridiculed the legal threat sent by lawyers on behalf of Donald Trump to the corporation Mr Simpson mocked the letter sent by Mr Trump's lawyers after it was sent to the wrong address and used the word 'salacious' to describe an edit on Panorama She joins a sea of current and former BBC journalists who are attempting to defend the corporation against what outgoing director-general Mr Davie described as a narrative 'given by our enemies' following the leak of a damning memo by former independent adviser Michael Prescott. Mr Davie, alongside BBC News boss Deborah Turness, resigned on Sunday after the internal briefing expressed discomfort over the Trump clip and concerns over how parts of the BBC reported on trans issues, migrants and conflict in Gaza. A day later, former political editor Nick Robinson used his opening monologue on Monday's Today programme to leap to the BBC's defence, suggesting sources had told him 'political interference' was afoot amid a 'hostile takeover of parts of the BBC'. He further claimed that efforts to apologise last week before the row spiralled out of control were rebuffed by the board. Pointedly, he added: 'I understand that at the time of transmission of the Panorama film in October 2024 there were no complaints received about the editing of Donald Trumps speech.' Jonathan Dimbleby, a former BBC journalist and long-time collaborator with the broadcaster, also defended it in an interview with LBC on Monday in which he compared Donald Trump to Vladimir Putin. 'If you've got a combination of Netanyahu, Putin and Trump denouncing the BBC there must be something quite good about it,' Mr Dimbleby, who admitted he regarded Tim Davie as a 'good friend', said. 'As we gain a little bit more perspective people will realise it is actually the most impartial broadcasting institution in the world. 'I'm really sad that [Davie] felt he had to go under all the psychological and professional pressures. I think the BBC is weaker for as long as it can't find an adequate replacement for him.' Former BBC star journalists Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall weighed in on the matter on their podcast, The News Agents. Ms Maitlis said: 'When Michael Prescott wrote his dossier... and said the programme materially misled viewers, I think you have to really step back.' Mr Goodall added: 'That edit in question was a mistake. It was clearly misjudged. But the idea that it is an example of institutional bias against Trump is absurd.' But Mr Sopel, the BBC's former America editor, thundered: 'You do not edit two clips together. Now, why did the BBC apologise last week? That's the fascinating bit of politics that has gone on here.' Earlier today, Mr Davie told BBC staff the corporation has to 'stand up for our journalism' in a defiant statement against the broadcaster's 'enemies' - while admitting a 'mistake' was made with the edited clip of Trump. Yesterday, BBC chairman Samir Shah also admitted there had been an 'error of judgement'. Trump has threatened to sue the corporation for $1billion (761million). 'I think we did make a mistake, and there was an editorial breach, and I think some responsibility had to be taken,' Mr Davie told employees in an address confirming that he had chosen to finally fall on his sword after enduring countless BBC rows. Outgoing BBC directorgeneral Tim Davie has told staff to 'stand up for our journalism' in an internal briefing (pictured) after announcing his resignation Nick Robinson leapt to the defence of the BBC with a monologue on Monday's Today programme in which he suggested there were 'political' meddlings afoot Mr Davie pictured outside New Broadcasting House today, where he also spoke briefly to reporters in the wake of the Trump Panorama scandal Mr Davie, who announced his resignation on Sunday, said the BBC would be 'thriving' in future However, he paid tribute to his colleague Ms Turness, describing her as an 'absolute fighter for impartiality', adding: 'I think we should credit her for doing a really tough job... because the level of weaponisation and polarisation in the world is out there.' Describing the crisis as 'very discombobulating' for staff, the BBC boss stressed that he wanted to see them 'stand up for our journalism' so the 'narrative will not just be given by our enemies'. 'These times are difficult for the BBC, but we get through them... and we will thrive. And this narrative will not just be given by our enemies. It's our narrative,' he said. 'We have to be very clear and stand up for our journalism. We are a unique and precious organisation, and I see the free press under pressure, I see the weaponisation. I think we've got to fight for our journalism.' He repeated a claim from the BBC's own annual reports that trust has grown in the organisation and said it had been a 'difficult decision' to resign. Ultimately, he told staff, he also resigned for the sake of his personal life, and to let someone else take the reins ahead of the BBC's Charter being renewed at the end of 2027 which is widely expected to herald the end of the traditional licence fee. 'I thought at some point I'm not going to be at the BBC, and I need to reflect on that and the relentlessness of it and ensure that it's done in a way that does work for the BBC...Putting that together, that's what made my decision,' he concluded. Mr Davie had earlier insisted reporters were doing 'incredibly important' work as he spoke outside New Broadcasting House in London this morning, adding that he was 'very proud' of them and that the corporation is 'going to be thriving'. Looking solemn as he approached reporters in white trainers and a dark blue Reiss suit, Mr Davie said: 'I'm here to lead and support the BBC. I'm very, very proud of our journalists in this building. 'They're doing work that I think is incredibly important. I want to thank every one of them, they're doing a wonderful job also, everyone across the BBC doing their thing, their bit for the UK. 'Personally, I'm here to lead and support them. The BBC is going to be thriving and I support every one of the team. I'm very proud of them.' He did not answer questions, but flashed a brief thumbs-up before entering the building. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is expected to make a statement in the Commons on the issues plaguing the BBC today. Mr Davie looked solemn as he arrived at New Broadcasting House on Tuesday - the first time he has been seen in public since announcing his resignation Yesterday, outgoing director of BBC News Deborah Turness defiantly insisted that her newsroom was not 'institutionally biased' Yesterday, the BBC confirmed it had received a letter from lawyers for Donald Trump informing them they had been put 'on notice'. Mr Trump's legal team has demanded a full retraction, immediate apology and an offer of compensation over the 'fabricated depiction' of the 47th President in the Panorama documentary. BBC chair Mr Shah said of Mr Trump: 'He's a litigious fellow. So we should be prepared for all outcomes.' He said the broadcaster had received more than 500 complaints since an explosive memo detailing the edit was leaked, but denied an issue with 'systemic bias'. A BBC spokesman said it 'will review the letter and respond directly in due course'. The President has form in this area, having settled cases with ABC News and CBS News in the past. He is currently engaged in lawsuits against the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. The White House is also said to be mulling over whether to restrict BBC journalists from press packs. The Associated Press agency has had its access to the President severely limited after it refused to call the Gulf of Mexico by his preferred name, the Gulf of America. Labour has leapt to the BBC's defence after Downing Street backed the corporation in the wake of Mr Davie and Ms Turness's resignations. Number 10 has, however, refused to comment on President Trump's threat to sue - lest it upset the 'special relationship' between the UK and the US. Sir Keir Starmer has not spoken to the President about the threatened legal action. A spokesman said today it was 'a matter for the BBC', adding: 'It's clearly not for the Government to comment on any ongoing legal matters.' The spokesman would not be drawn on whether the Government would help pay any damages were Trump to sue and win. 'Our position is clear: The BBC is independent and it's for the corporation to respond to questions about their editorial decisions and, more broadly, we have a close relationship with the US on shared priorities, including security,' he said. Local government minister Alison McGovern told Times Radio that the UK should avoid having a 'national meltdown' about the corporation. 'I think we need to make sure that the BBC, one of our most trusted media organisations, invests in quality journalism and tells the stories that we all want to hear,' she said. She declined to be drawn on whether Mr Trump should be able to sue. Originally written for the BBC's Editorial Guidelines and Standards Board, Mr Prescott's briefing paper claimed a group of pro-trans reporters were effectively stonewalling the reporting of gender critical views. Instead, the corporation was alleged to have published a 'constant drip feed of onesided stories...celebrating the trans experience', Mr Prescott said. His memo also noted that several BBC Arabic service reporters were allegedly covering stories critical of Israel while not covering the abduction of hostages by Hamas on October 7. Mr Prescott also claimed the BBC sent relatively few notifications to readers about stories covering asylum seekers. It was in his brief that the editing issue around President Trump was raised. It appeared in Panorama documentary Trump: A Second Chance?, which aired a week before Americans went to the polls in 2024. Mr Prescott had been due to give evidence to MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Wednesday but the session has been postponed. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he had spoken to Mr Trump about the scandal on Friday and claimed the edit amounted to 'election interference' by the BBC. While the edit suggested the President was encouraging supporters to walk to the Capitol building in Washington DC to 'fight like hell', it later emerged he had told them 'to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard'. The row intensified as former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, writing in his Mail+ column, threatened to withhold his licence fee if Mr Davie did not speak out. The column was shared by President Trump online. Mr Farage told LBC yesterday that the BBC had 'deeply offended the leader of the free world, an absolutely crucial ally, whether you like Trump or not'. Trump himself labelled Mr Davie and Ms Turness 'very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a Presidential Election' in a post on TruthSocial. There have been rumblings within the corporation that the row is part of a politically motivated boardroom plot. Donald Trump has claimed the scalps of Mr Davie and Ms Turness, writing on Truth Social: 'These are very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a Presidential Election' Deborah Turness, it is understood, had sought to have a statement admitting to the Trump editing error approved last week but BBC board executives refused to sign it off. Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, and John Swinney, leader of the SNP, have called for the removal of Sir Robbie Gibb a onetime BBC political editor and onetime spin doctor for Theresa May from the broadcaster's board. They claim that he 'led the charge' in pressuring the corporation's leadership. Nick Robinson, former political editor, said friends of Sir Robbie claimed he had 'supported' Mr Davie and wanted him to stay. Tim Davie served as acting directorgeneral for six months from November 2012 after George Entwistle resigned in the wake of the Jimmy Savile and Lord McAlpine scandals. He returned to the job permanently in 2020 and survived several controversies including allowing punk rap duo Bob Vylan to lead chants of 'death, death to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)' live on air at Glastonbury, and the Huw Edwards scandal. His unwavering faith in the BBC comes after Ms Turness defiantly told reporters on Monday that journalists in the corporation were not 'corrupt'. She said outside New Broadcasting House: 'Of course our journalists aren't corrupt. Our journalists are hardworking people who strive for impartiality and I will stand by their journalism. 'I stepped down over the weekend because the buck stops with me. But I'd like to make one thing very clear, BBC News is not institutionally biased.' Donald Trump's obsessive hatred for his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama is taking a sinister turn as he targets Michelle Obama on social media. The president started off his Tuesday morning by reposting a series of comments on Truth Social mocking the Obama family. One post sent to the president's followers is an image of actors Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little smiling together from the movie 'Blazing Saddles' with the caption: 'Racism in America was almost dead because we were united in ridiculing racists and their beliefs.' The meme posted by Trump then pans down to a picture of Barack and Michelle with the caption, 'Then these two showed up and set American back 100 years.' Trump's tirade against Obama continued when he again reposted a meme accusing the former president of creating the 'fake Russian Collusion story' before suggesting 'Obama should GO TO PRISON.' The post also claimed, 'NOTHING IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN AN INSANE MORTALLY WOUNDED ANIMAL!' The Tuesday morning rage against the former president comes after Trump unveiled a replacement to Obama's signature Affordable Care Act (ACA). Speaking to Laura Ingraham on Fox News last night, Trump again laid out his desire for an alternative healthcare plan. Trump promoted a post claiming that Obama should be in prison for creating the 'fake Russian Collusion story' Trump reposted a meme suggesting that Barack and Michelle Obama set back race relations in the country Trump unveiled his 'Trumpcare' replacement to Obamacare during a Fox News interview Obamacare, Trump said, is 'horrible health insurance at a very high price.' 'Instead of going to the insurance companies, I want the money to go into an account for people where the people buy their own health insurance,' Trump added. 'If we did that, that would be so exciting. Call it Trumpcare.' 'Call it whatever you want! Anything but Obamacare!,' the president added. Trump has been promising to find a health care replacement plan to Obamacare for nearly a decade since starting his political career, without having fulfilled it. Trump has a had a bitter rivalry with Obama dating back to before he entered the Oval Office The president's newfound ambition comes after he accused the Democrats of shutting down the government over ACA subsidies. The White House and GOP congressional leadership have proposed ending ACA subsidies and replacing it by sending federal funds directly to consumers. 'Obamcare is a disaster, just like he was as a president,' Trump concluded during his interview with Ingraham. Democrats, meanwhile, resisted ending Obamacare tax credits that were set to expire at the end of the year by insisting the issue be addressed before reopening the government. As Congress enters the longest government shutdown in US history, the Senate passed a funding bill on Monday evening that would end the standoff. The Daily Mail reached out to Obama's office for comment. An iconic American park is hiding a 50-mile area where all crime is legal, an expert claims. It's been two decades since Professor Brian Kalt uncovered the 'Zone of Death' at Yellowstone National Park. The Michigan State University College of Law professor published research in 2005 in a paper called The Perfect Crime. He theorized that all crime in the 50-square-mile section of Yellowstone that sits in Idaho can't be prosecuted. Yellowstone stretches across nearly 4,000 square miles in Wyoming, with small portions of the park located in Montana and eastern Idaho. When Congress designated the park's borders in 1872, Yellowstone became one of the few federal parks that fall exclusively under the federal government's jurisdiction, meaning that states are powerless to prosecute crimes. According to the Sixth Amendment, alleged criminals are entitled to a trial by jury, comprised of residents who live in the district where the crime was committed. However, the 50-square-mile section of Yellowstone in Idaho is desolate land where no humans live. Therefore, any trial for a crime committed in the 'Zone of Death' would violate the defendant's Sixth Amendment rights. When Kalt initially published his research, he noted that the findings weren't meant to inspire crime, but to raise awareness among lawmakers about a potential legal loophole - one that has yet to be closed. A law professor published research in 2005 that speculated crime could go unpunished in the Idaho section of Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone is one of the few national parks designated as federal land, meaning states cannot prosecute crimes committed there Yellowstone National Park falls under the federal District Court of Wyoming, even though there are sections in Idaho and Montana 'Crime is bad, after all. But so is violating the Constitution. If the loophole described in this Essay does exist it should be closed, not ignored,' Kalt argued. Yellowstone was the world's first national park, so there was no precedent for setting up the legal framework to prosecute crimes that occurred within it. In what Kalt called a 'constitutionally fateful decision,' Congress designated the entire park to fall under the federal District of Wyoming, making it the only federal court that includes parts of other states. Professor Brian Kalt has called on lawmakers to close the legal loophole Some have argued that if a crime were to be committed in the 'Zone of Death,' the court could request a change of venue to fill a jury. However, Kalt noted that under the Sixth Amendment, only the defendant can request to change the trial's location. It's unlikely that a defendant would request to change the venue if there was a possibility the case could be thrown out. Since Kalt published his research, the 'Zone of Death' has been widely covered and even inspired a book about a fictionalized killing spree, and was the premise of an episode of the hit television series, Yellowstone. Kalt told the Daily Mail in 2023 that his paper went 'as viral as a law journal article can go.' The professor added that when the fictionalized book, titled Free Fall by CJ Box, was released, lawmakers finally attempted to close the legal loophole. In a follow-up paper, Kalt revealed that before he published the work, he wrote to the Department of Justice and the US Attorney to preempt them. The US Attorney responded that they didn't have the power to amend the law, and the Department of Justice ignored the message. The only person who responded to Kalt at the time was a summer intern for the House committee's majority counsel. Finally, in 2022, a representative from Idaho, Colin Nash, sponsored a House resolution to close the legal loophole. The resolution called on Congress to put the 'Zone of Death' region under the District of Idaho instead of Wyoming to avoid Constitutional hurdles with the Sixth Amendment. The Sixth Amendment of the Constitution requires defendants to have a jury comprised of residents that live in the area where the crime was committed A 50-square-mile stretch of land in Idaho is desolate with no residents, meaning no one could be called to sit on a jury if a crime was committed there The resolution passed, but Congress never moved forward on voting to make the bill into a law. Kalt told SFGate this week that he doesn't believe legal action will ever be solidified unless a serious crime motivates lawmakers to prioritize closing the loophole. 'There has been no movement on the issue, even with the Idaho Legislatures resolution,' he added. Kalt said that he doesn't see anything changing until a defendant uses the loophole to get away with a crime. A man accused of executing a plumber in a suspected case of mistaken identity has previously been linked to an emerging crime gang. John Versace, 23, was shot dead in the driveway of his Condell Park home in Sydney's southwest on May 19, with no signs he had links to criminal activity. Police on Tuesday charged Blaze Collins, 21, with his murder, alleging he was the gunman who pulled the trigger. Mr Versace's father, Rocco Versace, shared a statement following the charges being laid. 'Our family would personally like to thank the homicide team on their diligence and professionalism in this case four our beautiful Johnny boy,' he told Seven News. 'They made a promise to us from day one and they fulfilled that and more.' It comes almost a week after two alleged getaway drivers, aged 43 and 19, were also charged with murder. Collins did not apply for bail when he faced the Burwood Local Court on Tuesday, with the matter to return on January 21. John Versace (pictured) was fatally shot in the driveway of his Condell Park home in Sydney's southwest on May 19 Police charged Blaze Collins (pictured) with Mr Versace's murder on Tuesday Two men will face court later on Wednesday afternoon. Pictured is the arrest in Casula Police had already charged Collins with a string of offences including participating in a criminal group, with authorities linking him to an emerging crime network known as G7. Police have previously alleged G7 members are regularly contracted in to other criminal groups to carry out offences on their behalf. Collins was charged with murder in Silverwater prison, where he has been on remand since August. He was already facing charges including recklessly causing grievous bodily harm and aggravated breaking and entering, along with gun and drug possession charges. Mr Versace was backing his car into his driveway about 10.30pm on May 19 before another vehicle pulled up and parked him in. A man holding what is believed to be a Glock pistol got out of the vehicle and fired up to 10 bullets at the plumber. '(Collins) has appraised Mr Versace in the driveway ... and fired multiple shots from a pistol, which proved fatal,' Detective Superintendent Jason Box told reporters on Tuesday. 'There is nothing to suggest that Mr Versace was anything but a hard-working young man who was living at home with his family, he was much loved and trying to set himself up for the rest of his life.' Mr Versace's father thanked police for their hard work in wake of the arrests (pictured, the arrest of the 19-year-old) It's alleged Mr Versace was an innocent man killed in a case of mistaken identity (pictured, officers at the scene of the shooting) The 43-year-old man was accused of planning the murder and driving the shooter to the house, while the younger driver allegedly met the duo soon after and drove them to another location. The 19-year-old also allegedly helped plan and prepare for the murder by acquiring and staging the cars. After the killing, Mr Versace's sister took to social media to reveal the heartbreak her family was feeling. 'John, no words can describe the pain we are all feeling and will continue to feel for the rest of our lives,' she wrote on Facebook. 'We are so lucky and blessed to have had the time we had with you but your life was cut too short ... you did not deserve this.' After the driver duo were charged last week, Det Supt Box did not allege a motive for the killing. Mr Versace's murder occurred during a spike in public shootings across the city. Less than a week after his death, two men were hospitalised after a gunman sprayed a ute with bullets in Granville, and in October, former UFC fighter Suman Mokhtarian was gunned down while out for a walk. Chinese FM calls for healthy, stable, sustainable development of China-Canada relations Xinhua) 14:55, November 11, 2025 BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called on China and Canada to properly address each other's legitimate concerns to promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of China-Canada relations. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the appeal in a phone conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, at the request of the Canadian side. Wang said that not long ago, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Mark Carney held a pivotal meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea. The two sides reached important consensus and provided strategic guidance on improving and developing China-Canada relations, a sign that China-Canada relations have been brought back onto the right track for growth after seven years of setbacks. He depicted it at the top of the agenda for bilateral relations to follow through on the consensus reached by the two leaders. China is ready to strengthen communication with Canada and take effective steps to accelerate the resumption of exchanges and cooperation in various fields, so as to consolidate the momentum for growing bilateral relations in a practical and constructive manner, Wang said. Diplomatic and commercial departments of both nations should enhance coordination, address each other's legitimate concerns in the spirit of mutual understanding, accommodation, and friendly consultations, so as to promote the healthy, steady and sustainable development of China-Canada relations, he said. Anand, for her part, said that just over a week ago, the two leaders held a candid, in-depth and productive meeting in Gyeongju, marking an important turning point in Canada-China relations. Canada is willing to seize the opportunity to enhance dialogue and communication with China at all levels and across various fields, deepen mutual understanding and trust, revitalize their strategic partnership, and achieve more mutually beneficial outcomes in areas such as trade, consular affairs, drug control and energy, in a joint effort to follow through on the important consensus reached by the two leaders, she said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Princess Beatrice has been seen beaming alongside Holly Branson while she attempts to get back to business following her father's falls from grace. Beatrice, ninth in line to the throne, was shown in an Instagram photo shared by Sir Richard Branson's daughter Holly after a boost for their charity Big Change. The organisation has been pushing for education reform and welcomed news that the Labour government is looking to make changes to the national curriculum. The princess looked in good spirits, smiling in a group photo with Holly, her brother Sam and his wife Isabella. They were joined by fellow founders of the charity Phil Nevin and Sam Richardson. It comes as Beatrice continues to push ahead with charity efforts, amid the latest setbacks for her father, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The former Duke of York was stripped of his royal titles last month, in the ongoing fallout from his former friendship with late US billionaire and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Beatrice, 37, the elder daughter of Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, made on Monday her first public charity appearance since that announcement by the King. She visited the Borne research laboratories at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, where research is carried out into preventing premature births. Princess Beatrice (third from right) is pictured in an Instagram photo shared online by her Big Change charity co-founder Holly Branson (right) The hospital is where Beatrice gave birth to her youngest child Athena several weeks prematurely in January, with the newborn weighing 4lb 5oz. Now another of her initiatives has been publicised, with Ms Branson highlighting newly announced changes to the national curriculum. The entrepreneur's daughter shared to her 142,000 followers on Instagram a picture of her and Beatrice alongside other friends involved with the charity - Holly's brother Sam and his wife Isabella, known as Bellie, as well as Phil Nevin and Sam Richardson. Beatrice was seen in a blue shirt, tan skirt and white trainers, while linking arms with others in the team photo. Ms Branson wrote: 'The new national curriculum reform announced by the government this week sets out a vision for young people to leave school fully equipped for life and work in the modern age. 'It's so energising and encouraging to see that many of the proposed changes and things we've been advocating for at @bigchangecharity for ten years now. 'Over the last decade, our team and our wider network of big changers been working together to champion and advocate for education that focuses on everything from oracy and confident communication to real-world life-skills (financial, entrepreneurial, media-literacy), and go beyond academic subjects so all young people can find their passion and have richer experiences. 'The education system has been stuck in the past, and it's so refreshing to finally see some meaningful change on the horizon.' She also told how it was 'so amazing to catch-up with our other Big Change founders a few weeks ago - @bransonsam, @belliebranson, Phil Nevin, Sam Richardson, and Princess Beatrice'. Ms Branson added: 'Incredible that 13 years on, we are all still here, committed to a mission that has not (and will not) change.' Princess Beatrice seen paying a visit to the Borne research laboratories at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London on Monday 10 November 2025 Beatrice is a co-founder of the Big Change Charitable Trust, set up to support children with skills outside the traditional national curriculum, as well as being an advisor for artificial intelligence software firm Afiniti. She has various royal patronages including the Forget Me Not Children's Hospice, the Teenage Cancer Trust and the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity. And it was this month revealed how Beatrice has taken on another role - becoming 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 last Thursday. Beatrice had already been a trustee of 5he 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. Beatrice issued a statement on Monday about her visit to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, saying it was 'not only insightful' but had also given her 'so much hope for pregnant mothers in the UK that this topic is being taken incredibly seriously'. She added: 'I am so grateful for the scientists and clinicians who took the time today to show me the advances they are making to reduce the risks to expectant mums and babies.' Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Duke of York, is pictured with his daughters Princess Eugenie (centre) and Princess Beatrice (right) at St Paul's Cathedral in June 2016 Eugenie (left) and Beatrice (right) were seen together in London's Mayfair last Thursday Buckingham Palace announced last month how her father Andrew would no longer be known as a prince and would leave Royal Lodge in Windsor - instead taking up residence ahead on the family's Sandringham estate in Norfolk. King Charles stripped his brother of titles after weeks of pressure to act over Andrew's relationship with Epstein, who died in prison in August 2019 aged 66. Andrew said in September he would no longer use the title Duke of York following revelations about his friendship with Epstein and renewed sexual abuse allegations by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre in her posthumous memoir. The Mail on Sunday revealed how Andrew tried to involve the Metropolitan Police and one of Queen Elizabeth's most senior aides in a campaign to smear Ms Giuffre, who had accused him of assaulting her as a teenager. An email exposed how Andrew asked his taxpayer-funded police bodyguard to investigate the 'lying' young woman. The prince is said to have passed on details of her date of birth and social security number, thought to have been given to him by Epstein. He also claimed Virginia, who took her own life earlier this year, had criminal convictions, a claim which has not been backed up by any evidence or confirmed by police and has been strongly denied by her family. An earlier email expose proved that Andrew lied to Buckingham Palace and the British public when he claimed he had cut off all contact with his close friend in December 2010, following Epstein's release from prison on child-sex charges. Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was stripped of his royal titles in October 2025, in a Buckingham Palace statement saying he would also be moving out of his Royal Lodge home in Windsor Twelve weeks later, he emailed the sex offender financier to say they were 'in this together' and expressed his wish to 'play some more soon'. Ms Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, alleged she was forced to have sex three times with Andrew, which he vehemently denies, including when she was 17 and also during an orgy, after she was trafficked by Epstein. Andrew paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with her in 2022, despite insisting he had never met her. While he has lost his royal titles and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson is also no longer HRH, their daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, 35, remain princesses. Buckingham Palace said in its statement last month that the King's moves against Andrew were 'deemed necessary notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him'. The statement said: 'His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the style, titles and honours of Prince Andrew. 'Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. 'Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. 'These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him. 'Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.' A Wisconsin man so upset by the potential US ban of TikTok that he set his local congressman's office on fire had pleaded guilty to the fiery response. Caiden Stachowicz, 20, of Menasha, near Green Bay, entered the plea on Monday in Fond du Lac County Circuit Court after dropping his insanity plea, online court records show. Stachowicz admitted to setting fire at Republican Rep. Glenn Grothman's Fond du Lac office on January 19 ahead of the initial federal TikTok ban. He was charged with felony arson, burglary, terrorist threats, and criminal damage to property. On the night of the fire, police officer responded to a scene around 1am and saw Stachowicz standing by his car. The officer attempted to use a fire extinguisher to put out the flames and was informed by Stachowicz that it was an 'electrical fire.' The young man then admitted to the officer that he started the blaze because he didn't like Grothman, according to the criminal complaint viewed by the Daily Mail. He also said he bought supplies at a Kwik Trip on his way to the politician's office. Caiden Stachowicz, 20, of Menasha, near Green Bay, entered a guilty plea on Monday in Fond du Lac County Circuit Court after dropping his insanity plea Stachowicz admitted to setting fire to Republican Rep. Glenn Grothman's Fond du Lac office on January 19 ahead of the initial US TikTok ban Stachowicz said that he initially planned to break into the office and start the fire inside, but couldn't break the window. He then poured gas on an electrical box in the back of the building and around the front of the building before lighting a match and watching it burn, the complaint said. He said he wanted to burn down the office because the US government was shutting down TikTok in violation of his constitutional rights, and peace was no longer an option. Stachowicz told officers that he 'wished the whole building would have burned down,' and it would be 'collateral damage' if other structures nearby burned as well, the complaint said. He noted that Grothman voted for TikTok's ban but that he didn't want to hurt anyone or harm Grothman himself. Grothman voted for a bill in April 2024 that mandated TikTok's China-based company, ByteDance, sell its US operation. The deadline for the shutdown was January 19, but President Donald Trump has issued multiple executive orders delaying it. His administration has been negotiating with Chinese officials to keep the popular social media app running in the US, but no deal has been announced. The young man then told the officer that he started the fire because he didn't like Grothman (pictured) and the fact that he voted to ban the popular app Stachowicz told officers that he 'wished the whole building would have burned down,' and it would be 'collateral damage' if other structures nearby burned as well Stachowicz initially put in an insanity plea, but that was dropped in August after his psychiatric evaluation was returned, Fox 11 News reported. His plea is now no contest. Defendants who plead no contest have decided they will no longer fight the charges against them, but they do not admit guilt. District Attorney Eric Toney agreed to drop burglary and property damage charges in exchange for the plea. Stachowicz faces up to 40 years in the state prison system. He will be sentenced on March 5. A pair of reckless tourists were nearly killed by a charging bison in Yellowstone National Park after being repeatedly warned to avoid the area. Heart-pounding video captured by a wildlife photographer shows the pair narrowly avoiding disaster at the iconic park, which spans nearly 4,000 square miles across Wyoming, Montana and eastern Idaho. During the late-May encounter, the thoughtless visitors were seen atop a grassy area at Grizzly Hill, with a bison just feet away from them. They were seen strolling away as the animal slowly trailed behind, with witnesses urging them to move immediately. Chaos erupted when the bison started charging. 'Look out!' the photographer, Julie Argyle, Argyle screamed as the pair started running. The man ran ahead of the woman, staying out of the bison's path, while the woman's shirt appeared to get briefly caught on its horn. Luckily for the brazen tourists, the bison ran past them. 'Slide down the damn hill,' one baffled woman yelled at the couple who were still lingering in the vicinity in the moments after the terrifying run-in. 'Ten minutes before this happened, we asked these people not to go up the hill because the bison were roughhousing,' Argyle wrote when she posted the video on Facebook over the weekend. Yellowstone National Park tourists are warned to stay out of bison's way (file photo of a woman at Yellowstone taking a photo of a bison) 'The man turned and flipped his hand at us, basically brushing us off.' The photographer elaborated in the video's caption, urging others to take the incident as a warning. 'Most of the time when you're asked not to do something in Yellowstone, it's for a good reason,' Argyle wrote. 'Please be mindful if someone asks you not to do something. It's usually for your own good.' There are roughly 5,400 bison across Yellowstone, according to a 2024 estimate from the National Park Service (NPS). Male bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, while females can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. The NPS described the animals as 'aggressive' and 'agile,' noting that they can run at speeds reaching 30mph. Yellowstone is the only place in the lower 48 states that has had a free-ranging bison population since prehistoric times. 'There's an imaginary sense of safety in Yellowstone,' bison advocate George Wuerthner told the Cowboy State Daily in September. 'People tend to look at the wildlife in Yellowstone like they would if they were at a zoo.' There are roughly 5,400 bison at Yellowstone National Park 'Those animals are accustomed to people, but that doesn't negate their wild tendencies,' he continued. 'In their wild conditions, Yellowstone's wildlife will react differently than an animal in the zoo.' Argyle, who frequents the park to watch and photograph its animals, told Cowboy State Daily that she believes visitors are losing respect for Yellowstone's inhabitants. 'I tell people not to get too close to animals all the time, and I get yelled at. Foul words are yelled at me all the time,' she explained. 'I believe people don't realize the true consequences of their actions, but I definitely think they're doing things and not caring about what could happen.' Argyle's sentiment appears to be true, with multiple instances of bison goring people at Yellowstone in recent history. In May, a bison charged into a 47-year-old man from Florida, who came within 10 feet of the animal near Yellowstone Lake and Old Faithful. He was treated on-site by park emergency personnel and did not require hospitalization, the NPS said. In 2024, an 83-year-old woman was lifted off the ground by a bison's horns near the Storm Point Trail. In May, a a bison charged a 47-year-old man who came within 10 feet of the beat near Yellowstone's Lake Village A year earlier, a 47-year-old woman sustained serious chest and abdominal injuries after being gored near Lake Village. A 25-year-old woman died in 2022 after a bison gored her at the park and threw her 10 feet into the air. Just weeks later, a 1,800-pound bison gored a 34-year-old man who rescued a little boy in the beast's path. On average, there are only one to two bison-inflicted injuries reported at Yellowstone each year. Bison are responsible for more injuries at the park than any other animal. From 2000 to 2015, 25 visitors were harmed in a bison encounter. Only two people have died from run-ins with a bison in Yellowstone since 1972. Park officials constantly stress the importance of maintaining a safe distance - 25 yards from large animals like bison - to protect visitors. Perched along Oregons rugged coastline, Newport is a city of sweeping ocean views and a fiercely liberal community. But it could soon find itself at the center of Donald Trumps controversial crackdown on undocumented immigrants. The White House is reportedly considering building a new US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility that would serve as one of its Pacific Northwest outpost. Terrified local officials say they have received credible information that the citys small airport is under consideration. They say they have gone public with the news because they haven't been able to confirm the plans with federal officials. 'Due to [the] credibility of the information received by city officials and the sensitivity of the issue, Newport leadership has chosen to share this information with the community in the interest of public safety and transparency.' Meanwhile, Newport Mayor Jan Kaplan said he is 'deeply concerned' after hearing that his city might soon be home to an ICE facility. Kaplan told Oregon Live: 'The well-being, safety, and values of our community are the highest priorities of myself and our City Council. We are committed to uphold fairness and dignity for all who call Newport home. President Donald Trump is thinking about opening a new U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) facility in Newport, Oregon, according to city officials Since entering his second term, Trump (pictured Monday) and his administration have been on a nationwide crackdown to detain and deport illegal migrants in the U.S. 'Any proposal that has the potential to impact those principles deserves transparency, public input, and a thorough review of potential social and economic consequences,' the mayor added. The Newport City Council said a public meeting will be held at 6pm Wednesday to discuss the news further. The Daily Mail contacted the Department of Homeland Security, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Mayor Kaplan for comment. ICE already has a facility in Portland, another liberal Oregon city that Trump has already deployed federal officials to. The agency uses a small area for temporary holding of undocumented immigrants in the city's South Waterfront. The facility has been the focus of months-long protests that led Trump to deploy the National Guard in September, but a federal judge recently ruled the president did not meet legal requirements when he did so. A total of 10 percent of Oregon's population are immigrants, according to research from the New American Economy. By comparison, the U.S. overall figure is about 14.3 percent foreignborn. Newport city officials said they have received credible information that Newport Municipal Airport (pictured) is being considered as a possible location Newport Mayor Jan Kaplan (pictured) said he is 'deeply concerned' after hearing that his city might soon be home to an ICE facility Presently, if a person is detained by ICE in Oregon they are then transported to the facility in Portland before making their way to Washington's Tacoma Northwest Detention Center or another location in the U.S. The facility is Tacoma has a capacity of about 1,600 and holds detainees while their immigration cases take place or before they are deported. Tensions have been extremely high across the nation amid Trump's immigration crackdown, and recently Oregon has been at the center of it all. A local mother, Kylie Forslund, 36, allegedly used her $60,000 Ford Mustang to block federal vehicles during a targeted ICE raid in north Portland last Thursday. Forslund, who flipped off agents as she did so, was then approached by officers over her alleged actions, leading her to break down. 'Please, give me a warning. I have kids,' she begged the agent who pulled her over. 'I'm just a mom. I am just a mom.' Meanwhile, an Oregon teenager was seen on camera breaking down over concerns for his parents who are living in the United States legally. Manny Chavez, 16, was one of dozens of residents who spoke up at a Hillsboro City Council meeting last Tuesday decrying ICE raids in the Portland suburb, per KGW. Armed federal officers are seen at an anti-ICE protest at the facility in Portland, Oregon on October 25 'I just want to tell you guys that I'm scared for my parents to walk out there, to walk out their house because I might not be able to say goodbye to them if they go to work. I might not ever be able to say "bye" or see them again,' he began, his voice breaking as he spoke. 'I'm scared because of it, because they fought so hard to come here and choose a life for their kids,' Chavez continued, his voice breaking as he spoke. 'I'm scared that everyone that I love is not, I'm not going to be able to see them again, because even though they're US citizens, they don't care about us. 'They treat us like dogs, they treat us like animals,' he stated, before sharing that he was scared he would one day be held at school by masked ICE agents as his parents were detained. An ex-Illinois lawmaker died just three months he was supposed to enter prison for taking a $250,000 bribe. Jeff Tobolski, 61, died Sunday morning ahead of a four-year prison sentence stemming from his 2020 conviction on federal corruption charges, the Chicago Sun Times reported. He formerly served as the Cook County commissioner as well as the mayor of mayor of southwest suburban McCook, both of which are located in Chicago. Tobloski was due to enter prison on January 16, more than five years after he confessed to pocketing more than $250,000 through a web of bribery and extortion schemes. In recent weeks, Tobolski's attorneys had successfully petitioned the court to delay his surrender date, citing serious health concerns. His exact cause of death was not stated by the former lawmaker was first hospitalized on October 7 with heart and lung issues, including atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder, and a suspicious spot on his pancreas, according to court filings. He remained hospitalized until October 15, but was readmitted by ambulance five days later and diagnosed with pneumonia. Tobolski was released again on October 25 and had been scheduled for additional medical procedures through mid-December. Jeff Tobolski, 61, a former Cook County commissioner and mayor of McCook, died just months before he was set to begin a four-year prison sentence for corruption (Pictured: Jeff Tobolski with his wife, Cathleen) Tobolski became mayor of McCook in 2007 after his father's death and was elected to the Cook County Board in 2010. In 2019, FBI agents raided his home and McCook's village hall, and by August 2020, prosecutors formally charged him. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion and filing a false tax return, and agreed to cooperate with federal investigators, ultimately helping build cases against his former chief of staff, Patrick Doherty, and McCook's former police chief, Mario DePasquale. Patrick Doherty, Tobolskis former chief of staff, admitted to bribery and tax-evasion schemes and was sentenced to 51 months (after a reduction from 64 months. Mario DePasquale, former McCook police chief, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Tobolski to extort local businesses and was sentenced to 27 months. Tobolski made seven secret recordings and worked with investigators for nearly three years. One extortion scheme involved a restaurant operating on McCook-owned property. In 2016, the restaurant owner sought permission to host alcohol-related events. Tobolski, who also served as liquor commissioner, agreed to grant that permission in exchange for cash payments. He died on November 9 after a series of health issues, including heart and lung complications, pneumonia, and a suspicious spot on his pancreas A McCook police officer acted as a go-between, delivering bribes from the restaurant owner to Tobolski. In 2018 alone, Tobolski earned $279,668, including more than $10,000 in bribes, but reported only $214,270 on his tax return. He filed false tax returns from 2012 through 2017, costing the IRS $56,268 and the Illinois Department of Revenue $9,338. During sentencing, Tobolski's wife, Cathleen, and daughter, Emily, said politics had changed him, but he later apologized and worked to repair their relationship. A 'monster' mother who murdered her adoptive daughter while forcing her into a small box and then burying her body in the backyard was sentenced to nearly 18 years in a Kansas prison. Crystina Schroer, 51, of Wichita suburb Rose Hill, was sentenced to 215 months in prison over the death of six-year-old Natalie Marie Garcia, also known as Kennedy Schroer, in 2020. Schroer sat emotionless in court on Monday as Natalie's biological mother questioned why the adoptive mom would harm children. 'I ask God: "Why? Why? Why? Why her? Why not me?"' Christa Helms, who gave up parental rights, said in court while giving her impact statement. Police Chief Tyler Parlier called the mother evil, saying in a statement: 'This woman is not innocent; she is a monster.' Natalie and her two biological sisters moved into Schroer and her husband Joseph's Rose Hill home in August 2017 after being placed in foster care. In 2019, the three girls, as well as two other little girls, were adopted by the Schroers. The abuse began immediately after that, with Crystina - who also had her own biological children - shoving the adoptive girls in tight boxes and cages for moving around in bed at night, limiting their access to food, and making one child watch Natalie die inside a reinforced cardboard box. 'You truly treated them as if they were animals,' Judge Jan Satterfield said in court. 'Less than most animals get treated. There's no explanation. There is no answer, there is no logic, there is no reason.' Crystina Schroer, 51, appeared emotionless in court on Monday as she was sentenced to 215 months in prison for the death of six-year-old Natalie Marie Garcia Natalie died from suffocation after being placed in a reinforced cardboard box as a punishment for moving around in bed the previous night. Her younger sister was forced to watch her die Crystina, who used the caregiving money from the state to fund her gambling addiction, took pleaded guilty in August to murder, child abuse, theft, and making a false statement. Natalie was last seen around Halloween in 2020 and disappeared before Thanksgiving, with Crystina telling her family that the girl had been deemed unadoptable and taken to live in a psychiatric care facility, Parlier said in a statement. Investigators determined the six-year-old was murdered around November 2020. Natalie's body wasn't discovered until September 11, 2024, when it was dug up by the police department a day after dispatchers received a call that Crystina had barricaded herself into a room and threatened self-harm. Police later learned Crystina was unarmed and she was taken to a local hospital. While at the home, law enforcement learned there was a possible homicide on the property. The next day, the girl's body was found wrapped inside two trash bags and buried 'mere feet' from the bedroom door she shared with her sisters. 'Crystina placed the trash bag-covered remains into the cold earth in their backyard, then continued her life as if nothing happened,' Parlier said in a scathing statement released before her sentencing. Crystina even attempted to blame Natalie's sister, who had to watch her die, telling her family members that the girl's younger sibling had 'choked' her and the adoptive mother found the child unresponsive. A model of the size of the box Natalie would have been forced to be in 'Crystina claimed that she was able to resuscitate the younger sibling but while doing so Natalie kept attacking her, so she had to call 911. This call never happened,' Parlier said. Crystina later changed her story, saying Natalie had been taken to the psychiatric facility. Police later determined that Crystina had shoved Natalie into a 16.5-by-14-by-12.2-inch reinforced cardboard box for moving around in bed the previous night. Crystina had installed cameras in the room that sent push notifications to her phone alerting her when the girls moved around. After forcing the little girl in the box, she placed heavy blankets and objects inside, increasing the confined space's temperature and limiting air supply. The sister had been assigned to watch Natalie and make sure she didn't move an inch inside the box for at least 10 minutes. The sister later came out of the room sobbing to Crystina that she believed Natalie had died. When Crystina entered the room to check on the child, she 'kicked the box and an unresponsive Natalie fell out,' Parlier said. When the foster mom entered the room to check on the child, she 'kicked the box and an unresponsive Natalie fell out' Crystina then placed the unresponsive child in her car and drove around with her for hours. The sister who was forced to watch Natalie inside the box told investigators she had heard the girl coughing as the pair left for the drive. When Crystina returned, she left the child in the car. She later stripped Natalie naked and buried her in the backyard. After Natalie's death, Crystina began to abuse the adoptive children even more, including using 'torture, physical abuse, neglect, malnutrition, and emotional/psychological abuse' between 2021 and 2024. 'She continued to use boxes as a punishment for the three eldest adopted girls,' Parlier said. 'One of the girls told investigators that it was hot and sweaty inside. Another drew a picture of the tubs and mentioned that the bottom of the lid had sharp points which hurt her.' Crystina also struck the girls with her hands and objects, such as coat hangers, and even hung one of them by her wrists inside a closet. She also poked another child with knives. She restricted their access to food, and when she did feed them the children would sometimes receive moldy or 'physically stepped-on bread.' All other occupants of the home would be fed regularly, except for the adoptive children. The foster mother lied to the government about needing more aid to care for the girls so she could spend the money on gambling 'Crystina would give others in the home all the food they wanted, creating animosity amongst the adopted children,' Parlier said. She would also pit the girls against each other, giving the other ones more love while punishing one. She would issue group punishments if one of the girls made an error. Crystina used a photo of a child strapped to a bed to threaten the girls and warn them that it would happen to them if they got out of line, Parlier said. And the police chief accused Crystina of treating the girls like they were 'items on ledger' to help pay for her severe gambling addiction. '[They were] either bringing income in or taking income away,' he said of the girls. Crystina would lie to social workers about the children being difficult and needing extra care to receive more money from the Kansas government, which she then used at gambling dens in Kansas and Oklahoma. 'We were able to identify that Crystina spent more than $1million more than she brought in, with total money-out exceeding $4million,' Parlier said. Crystina had previously been reported to authorities for possible neglect after one of the girls ran away shortly after Natalie's death, but police were unable to validate the girl's claims. Natalie's body was found by authorities four years after she had been buried naked inside two trash bags in the backyard The girl had told authorities she had been placed inside boxes as a punishment and hit. 'Our agency was unable to substantiate her claims at that time. Crystina's false version of events seemed plausible, so with no corroboration of the child's report, she was returned home,' Parlier said. 'We, law enforcement, were fooled by the facade Crystina had created.' It's a moment that the chief regrets. 'I will never forgive myself for what occurred,' he told KSN. 'It's beyond frustrating. We were empowered to ensure the children stayed safe, the community stayed safe, and just a block and a half away from my office, a child was placed into the cold earth. 'So, "frustrating" doesn't begin to comprehend what Im feeling at the moment.' Parlier is glad that Crystina will get to experience a similar life to the one she inflicted on the girls inside prison. 'While I cannot say that justice was done, I can say that a person who found perverse pleasure in placing other humans in boxes must now live in her own box,' the police chief said 'While I cannot say that justice was done, I can say that a person who found perverse pleasure in placing other humans in boxes must now live in her own box,' he said. 'Think about the lives you have lived in the last 213 months, or 17 years. Every time you slept in, you went for a swim, ate a nice meal at a restaurant, went for a drive, changed the channel on your television, had a drink, or showered alone. 'At a minimum all of that will be denied to Crystina and she will have to exist with the daily knowledge that she is the architect of all her own pain.' Joseph Schroer, a veteran, is set to be sentenced on December 3. He pleaded no contest on two counts of aggravated endangering of a child and Medicaid fraud. An airline passenger says he lost thousands of dollars worth of jewelry and valuables before flying. Oshawa resident Stafford Gordon was flying to Jamaica from Canada with his wife on an American Airlines flight. The couple was headed to the island for a memorial service and to celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary in August. Gordon packed two expensive watches, jewelry, suits, and shoes in his carry-on so that he could keep the luxury items with him at all times. He says an airline employee grabbed his carry-on suitcase at the gate, then asked Gordon his seat number before walking away. 'He just took the bag and stepped away and left,' he told CTV News. Gordon never saw his suitcase again. When he and his wife landed in Jamaica, Gordon learned that his bag and all of his lavish jewelry had completely disappeared. Gordon and his wife were headed to Jamaica for a memorial service and to celebrate their anniversary American Airlines only offered Gordon $1,272 for his missing items Gordon was forced to wear his travel clothes to his loved ones' memorial 'I found out they had no record of my bags. Nothing. It was gone,' Gordon said. Gordon had been forced to check his carry-on luggage at the gate - and after it was lost, he had to attend his loved one's memorial in travel clothes. Gordon collects expensive jewelry and watches. He estimated that he'd lost $10,000 worth of clothes and accessories in the airline mix-up. 'My jewelry alone is worth at least $8,000,' he said. When Gordon contacted American Airlines, he was told to provide receipts for his lost luggage. But since many of the pieces were more than a decade old, Gordon didn't have any record of purchasing them. He walked away with only $1,272 for his missing cargo. 'I need adequate compensation for my loss,' Gordon said. He told the outlet that the airline 'completely disregarded' the list he made detailing what went missing. Gordon said the airline lost more than $8,000 in jewelry when they misplaced his carry-on American Airlines representatives told CTV that they were in touch with Gordon and were 'working with them to come to a resolution' Gordon has long collected luxury jewelry and watches. He said the pieces that were lost were multiple decades old In a statement to CTV, American Airlines confirmed that they were in contact with Gordon. 'Our team has been in touch with the passenger to learn more about their experience and address their concerns, and we are working with them to come to a resolution,' a spokesperson wrote. Gordon's wife Karen ridiculed the airline on social media calling their policies 'unreasonable and deliberately cruel.' She also alleged that they refused to compensate the couple for toiletries, shoes, or the luggage itself. Gate-checking carry-ons is a divisive airline practice. In many instances, airlines insist that passenger check their bags for free when a plane runs out of space in overhead bins. Experts recommend that passengers travel with valuables in their personal items to avoid losing what might be irreplicable. American Airlines advise that passengers label carry-on luggage in case it has to be checked. The Daily Mail has contacted American Airlines and Gordon for further comment. Police swarmed the Georgia home of an innocent man as his terrified wife and newborn daughter watched the red 'laser pointer' of a gun aimed at his chest, and heard vicious barking amid police threats that the dogs were set to attack. Daniel Waltson's life was destroyed when he was taken into custody in Douglasville, about 23 miles east of Atlanta, on May 13, for allegations of making terroristic threats - a crime he did not commit. 'Its sick, because Im a family man Ive got kids, Ive got a wife,' the father of two told The Daily Mail. Newly obtained bodycam footage revealed that the 29-year-old was misinterpreted by police officers when he told them to leave his property during a dispute from the prior night. 'Get away from my house or I'll shoot your department,' is what responding officials claimed Waltson said. In reality, bodycam footage revealed, the father clearly yelled: 'I'll SUE your department!' At one point the officer talking with Waltson through the door asked 'You'll do what?' to which the innocent man repeated even louder that he would 'sue' the department. An unidentified female officer, however, claimed Waltson said he'd 'shoot' the department, prompting her partner to say they should 'back off'. The Douglas County District Attorney's office dismissed the case when presented with the evidence by local broadcaster, Atlanta First News. Daniel Waltson, 29, was placed into custody at his home in Douglasville on May 13, 2025, for inciting terroristic threats - a crime he did not commit The authorities were first called to Waltson's property on May 13, the night before his arrest, after being called by his wife. They had both been drinking, and she was arrested for disorderly conduct. Officers outside Waltson's front door tried to speak with him, but he refused and told them they did not have a warrant. After the cops believed they heard the threat, they left and returned with a warrant the next day. Waltson spoke with the Daily Mail about his wrongful arrest: 'A cop had a big rifle all decked out with lasers, a scope, all that stuff. The father of two described how the armed officer was trying to get a read on who was within the home. 'I guess he spotted me, because on the Ring camera, you can hear him say, White male. Living room couch,' said Waltson 'Thats when my wife said, You have a laser pointer on your chest dont move,' he added. His one-year-old son and his less than a year old daughter watched everything unfold. He was arrested and stayed in jail for three days, which caused him to lose his trucking job. 'I mean, they literally tried to ruin my life,' he said. 'Sure, my wife and I argued, but what couple doesnt? I never threatened the police.' 'Get away from my house or I'll shoot your department,' is what responding officials claimed Waltson said. In reality, the father clearly yelled: 'I'll SUE your department' Kevin McMurry, chief assistant district attorney, dismissed the Waltson's case The innocent man said that he plans to file a civil lawsuit and is speaking with multiple lawyers to seek justice. He added that his wife may also file a lawsuit. Waltson noted that the threat he was alleged to have said didn't even make grammatical sense: 'Saying "shoot your department" isnt even proper English. If you say youre going to sue a department, that makes sense. But "shoot your department?" That doesnt make any sense. The department is five miles down the road.' 'If I said, "Im going to sue your department," sure, its a threat but its only a threat of litigation. Thats not illegal, especially when youre talking about cops who are there with no warrant, no probable cause nothing.' 'I told them, "If you dont have a warrant, go get one and come back. Otherwise, youre unlawfully on my property, and Ill sue your department." 'Thats all I meant. I didnt do anything wrong and then I had to go to prison for it.' Waltson claimed that while he was in jail for three days, he faced retched conditions and was kept in a room with no sink, no running water, and a taped-up window for up to 16 hours. Until he was released to join the rest of the general population, he was later bailed out. The Daily Mail has reached out to Douglasville Police Chief Gary Sparks for comment. A total of 91 prisoners have been freed by mistake since April this year, latest figures show, as the Government faces mounting pressure over the issue. The data, released today by the Ministry of Justice, shows the accidental releases took place between April 1 and October 31, 2025. Justice Secretary David Lammy is today facing questions from MPs about why so many inmates are being wrongly set free after a series of high-profile incidents. His Tory shadow, Robert Jenrick, had demanded Mr Lammy release data on the number of releases in error since April, how many were still at large and the number who were violent or sexual offenders. Mr Lammy was roundly criticised for failing to admit on Wednesday that another foreign offender had been let out by mistake. Algerian sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, was finally re-arrested on Friday after being accidentally freed from HMP Wandsworth nine days before. A second inmate released in error by the same prison 35-year-old fraudster William Smith handed himself in on Thursday morning. Some 262 inmates were mistakenly let out in the year to March 2025 - a 128 per cent increase on the 115 in the previous 12 months, Government figures also show. It follows earlier official data showing there were a record 262 releases in error in 2024-25, of which 87 were violent offenders and three had convictions for sexual offences. The issue of accidental releases entered the public consciousness last month when Ethiopian migrant Hadush Kebatu was mistakenly freed from HMP Chelmsford. Kebatu, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping, Essex, was freed in error on October 24. Your browser does not support iframes. Algerian sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, was finally re-arrested on Friday after being accidentally freed from HMP Wandsworth nine days before A second inmate released in error by the same prison 35-year-old fraudster William Smith handed himself in on Thursday morning Former governor Vanessa Frake-Harris MBE told the Daily Mail this week that Labour's early release scheme had made sentence calculations a 'minefield' and 'doubled the workload' for staff. 'Sentence calculations are a minefield, and this scheme doubled the workload and made sentence calculations much more difficult,' she said. 'Bear in mind the computer system introduced was not fit for purpose and now the calculations are having to be done manually - meaning someone with a pen, paper and a calculator. 'That said, these accidental releases are just a small part in a huge number of disasters affecting our prisons ranging from staff shortages and inexperienced staff to overcrowding, drugs, corruption, increasing violence and poor access to work. 'Knee-jerk reactions from ministers, like introducing five-page release documents which some governors say takes almost a day to do, has just made staff even more stretched and under pressure.' The releases at Wandsworth followed numerous warnings from inspectors about the regime at the jail. One unannounced inspection in May 2024 found staff were unable to confirm how many prisoners were off their units and how many were locked up, and they 'could not be confident that all prisoners were accounted for during the working day'. Wandsworth has seen a string of scandals, including a high-profile escape by Iranian spy Daniel Khalife and a video showing a warden, Linda De Sousa Abreu, having sex with an inmate. Accidental releases are not the only reason for violent offenders evading custody, with others skipping bail or absconding from open prisons. The accidental releases at Wandsworth follow numerous warnings from inspectors about the regime at the jail Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Ola Abimbola, a foreign national, walked out of the open prison HMP Ford on October 16 and has not been seen since. The 36-year-old is currently serving a 21-year sentence for offences including kidnap, GBH and possession of an offensive weapon in public. He is yet to return to the prison, with Sussex Police saying it is working with partners to find him. Days after Abimbola's escape, Thames Valley Police reported that a 'vicious' East 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 to 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 it remains unclear whether he remains at large. Mark Drury, a member of the Prison Governors' Association, warned there had been a 'sudden' rise in absconders from open prisons in recent years, adding that there is an 'increased risk to the public'. He explained that, due to attempts to tackle prison overcrowding, 'there are a large number of prisoners in open prisons now that we would not have considered suitable two or three years ago'. Meanwhile, Brahim Kaddour-Cherif is now back in custody after being re-arrested by police in Finsbury Park, north London. Nikki Haley's son's first-ever television appearance on Fox News was a love affair, with the host gushing about his intellect and independence. The online reaction he received from viewers was decidedly not as Nalin Haley was savaged as out-of-touch and hypocritical. The younger Haley, who works in the finance industry in the Charlotte metropolitan region after graduating from Villanova University, told Fox News' Rachel Campos-Duffy that he doesn't see how he is 'ever going to own a home,' and that many of his friends are struggling to find jobs after graduation. Nalin also noted that even he feels the financial pressures facing members of Generation Z, despite doing ' pretty well for himself.' However, some social media users were quick to call the younger Haley out for seemingly hypocritical statements. 'I'm tired of rich nepo kids of politicians acting like they experience any of the things he said,' wrote a user posting under the handle of @wokeafliberal, while suggesting that Haley is 'rich with an expensive car flying around the world,' per his own Instagram feed. Photos posted by Haley include numerous snaps of him traveling to luxury destinations around the world, dining at the Versace Mansion in Miami, smoking cigars, and driving a BMW. 'He didn't sound 'conservative', he sounded disenfranchised and abandoned, His positions don't align with a party, but they are legitimate concerns,' noted X user @JonathonEDavis. Nalin Haley poses at the Versace Mansion in Miami, seen in a post he made on Instagram in July of 2022 Nalin Haley is interviewed by Rachel Campos-Duffy on FOX News on November 10, 2025 Nalin Haley poses with a cigar, seen in a post he made on Instagram in May of 2020 after graduating high school Nalin Haley is interviewed by Rachel Campos-Duffy on FOX News on November 10, 2025 Nalin Haley seen drinking wine on a Danube river cruise in Budapest, Hungary, in an image he posted on Instagram in June of 2024 Campos-Duffy also asked Haley what he thinks of the Trump administration introducing the idea of a 50-year mortgage, to which he responded 'whatever will lower the cost of houses.' 'Anything to put American workers first, lower the cost of housing, I think we should absolutely do it,' Haley told Campos-Duffy. Haley also doubled down on the idea of banning H-1 B visas, which are used by companies to bring foreign workers into the United States. The large majority of H1B visa holders come from India, the same country that Haley's maternal grandparents hail from. Nalin Haley, his mother Nikki Haley, and President Donald Trump in September of 2018 Asked about his opposition to H-1 B visas, given his background, Haley added that people shouldn't be surprised, as he has seen what the importation of foreign workers has done to his friends, and that his loyalty is to Americans first. Some social media voices did seem to commend Haley for speaking up, with X user @KellyLMcCarty telling Haley 'you're over the target when both sides come at you,' and that 'as a mom (Gen X) of Gen Z daughters (one who is close to your age), I'm seeing the same thing happening to you all.' 'They'll criticize you now, but they'll have to call you 'Mr. President' in the future, and they'll be lining up begging for jobs for themselves,' added X user @crucifixwearer. David Lammy was accused of overseeing a 'farce' today after admitting three wrongly released prisoners are still at large - and the government is not sure about another. The Justice Secretary revealed the details as he finally faced a grilling from MPs, a week after brazenly dodging questions on the bungles. Mr Lammy told the Commons that 91 prisoners have been let out by mistake in just seven months. He said three were still loose - two British nationals and a foreign national - but stressed they were not sex offenders. The first was in jail for failure to surrender to the police before being loosed in December 2024. The second was in prison for a class B drug offence until being released in August 2024. The third was in prison for aggravated burglary and released in error in June 2025. Extraordinarily, officials are still trying to establish whether a fourth offender is still loose after being wrongly freed on November 3. Mr Lammy said he offered an 'unequivocal apology' to anyone who had suffered due to the errors. But shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said the situation over 'Lammy's lags' was unacceptable and he must take responsibility. The Deputy PM was heavily criticised for his evasive performance while standing in for Keir Starmer at PMQs. Mr Lammy was branded a 'clown' by opponents after refusing to answer directly whether another foreign offender had been let out by mistake - only for the truth to be confirmed minutes later. He also compounded the confusion by suggesting he had spent the morning out suit shopping instead of dealing with the crisis. The problems surfaced after Epping migrant hotel resident and sex offender Hadush Kebatu was let out of HMP Chelmsford, on October 24 and arrested in north London after a two-day manhunt. Justice Secretary David Lammy will come to the Commons nearly a week after he brazenly dodged questions on the bungles Your browser does not support iframes. Hadush Kebatu (pictured) was wrongly freed from HMP Chelmsford instead of being sent to an immigration detention centre A manhunt was launched for an Algerian prisoner who was released by mistake from Wandsworth prison (file photo) Defending his blustering performance at PMQs, Mr Lammy said: 'At that time, I had been alerted of the release of Brahim Kaddour-Cherif from HMP Wandsworth. 'Details about the case were still emerging throughout Wednesday. 'Importantly, my officials had not had confirmation about whether or not he was an asylum seeker. 'Indeed, it was not until later that afternoon that the Home Office confirmed to the Ministry of Justice that he was not. 'Given the nature of the opposition's question, I made a judgment that I would wait until I had all the detail, rather than risk giving an accurate or incomplete or misleading picture to the House about a sensitive case.' Mr Lammy argued that the release of Kaddour-Cherif was due to factors before he brought in tougher release provisions. 'Members will recall that following the release of Hadush Kebatu on October 24, I put in place stronger release checks,' he said. 'I can confirm that the error leading to Mr Kaddour-Cherif's release happened in September before those checks came in. 'He was charged with burglary at Snaresbrook Crown Court and a warrant was issued to HMP Pentonville for his remand. 'Contrary to the set down process, it was then forwarded by email to HMP Wandsworth when Mr Kaddour-Cherif was transferred, however, staff did not pick it up and he was released on October 29. 'Mr Kaddour-Cherif was taken back into custody on November 7 by Haringey police. I'm grateful to officers from my part of north London again after they also re-arrested Mr Kebatu.' Mr Lammy said it is 'unsurprising' that mistakes happen in a prison system that is 'underfunded, unstaffed and operating under relentless strain'. Of the 262 releases in error from prison in the year to March 2025, 87 were of offenders whose main offence was violence against a person, and three whose main offence was a sexual offence, MPs heard. Mr Lammy said: 'I'm clear that we must bear down on these numbers, which are symptomatic of a prison system under a horrendous strain. 'As the shadow justice secretary admitted last week, the state of the prison service has been unacceptable for a very long time, including under the Conservative government. 'Prisons today are still struggling with violence. The safety in custody statistics show an 8% rise in the rate of assaults in the year to June 2025. 'Systems are archaic. Every prisoner's sentence is worked out on paper, considering the type of offence and the legislation covered by it. There are more than 500 pages of sentence management guidance.' Noting that staff were cut by a quarter between 2010 and 2017, Mr Lammy said: 'Unsurprisingly, mistakes happen in those circumstances.' In his response to Mr Lammy, Mr Jenrick told the Commons: 'The public are being endangered as this circus rumbles on week after week, with no end in sight. 'As we all suspected, the crisis on his Government's watch is even bigger than he dared admit. That's why he wouldn't say anything last week.' Mr Lammy's performance last week prompted mutterings even within Labour ranks that he was not up to the job. The MoJ said today that 262 inmates were mistakenly let out in the year to March 2025 a 128 per cent increase on the 115 in the previous 12 months. Between April and October there have been another 91 releases in error. Downing Street has admitted that the figures were 'shocking'. 'These numbers, they are symptomatic of a system that the Government inherited, of a prison system under severe strain, a failing criminal justice system,' a No 10 spokesman told reporters. 'As we've set out previously, the Government inherited a (situation) where the male prison estate was running at 99% capacity. That risks the potential breakdown of law and order. 'The public are right to be shocked by these cases. While they are rare, they have been rising year-on-year from an average of nine per month in 2023 to 17 per month the next year. 'And we're clear that you can't fix the prisons crisis overnight, but we have taken immediate action, including tougher new release checks, calling in prison governors, sending in tech experts. 'The DPM (Deputy Prime Minister) is setting out further steps in this moment and in the long term, the Government is building 14,000 additional prison places and delivering major reforms to sentencing through the Sentencing Bill to ensure that no government is ever in the position that it inherited again.' A local newspaper in Maine has defended a newly-elected female lawmaker after right-wing publications highlighted her jaw-dropping criminal history. Angela Walker was elected to Bangor City Council last week, despite pleading guilty to killing Canadian tourist, Derek Rogers, 35, in 2002. Walker, now 51, and her brother, Benjamin Humphrey, were sentenced to 10 years each in jail for manslaughter after Rogers was found dead on Old Orchard Beach. Rogers allegedly called Walker a slur for a Native American woman, and he was later found bloodied and battered with sand shoved down his throat until he suffocated. During her election campaign this year, Walker said she was a changed woman who could bring a unique perspective to city government as someone who had been through addiction recovery and the criminal justice system. While Bangor progressives have framed her recovery as a motivational comeback, many believe the city's liberals have gone too far by electing a convicted killer. Bangor Daily News wrote a sympathetic piece about Walker in response to the concerns about her criminal history, saying she had become 'the subject of right-wing outrage'. 'Stories from outlets such as the New York Post and Fox News cite social media users, none of whom appear to live in Bangor, as being disturbed by the election results,' the article reads. Angela Walker, who served 10 years in prison for manslaughter, was elected as a Bangor councilmember on Tuesday Bangor, Maine has a city council with nine members on it and one chair who serves as the mayor 'Interviews with city councilors and members of the public indicate that the harsh criticism of Walker is not representative of widespread sentiment in Bangor itself. 'More than 2,000 people voted for Walker, choosing her as one of three new councilors out of a crowded candidate pool after the Bangor Daily News first reported on her criminal record in September.' Pictured: Bangor Daily News executive editor Dan MacLeod The article then quoted councilors who said they viewed Walker's election as 'an example of how people can grow and serve their communities despite past mistakes'. 'We have a justice system for a reason, and it did what it was designed to do. She did her time,' new councilor Susan Faloon told the newspaper in the article. 'Every one of us has extremely different life experiences and career experiences and backgrounds,' she added. 'Those differences are going to be our strength.' Councilor Joe Leonard also hit back at criticism of Walker's appointment from right-wing figures like Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who wrote: 'Um, what?' in response to a story about her election. Leonard told the Bangor Daily News that Cruz 'needs to focus on his own constituency'. The author of the article is Annie Rupertus, whose recent X posts suggests she supports the incoming socialist mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani. The newspaper's executive editor is Dan MacLeod. 'We have a justice system for a reason, and it did what it was designed to do. She did her time,' new councilor Susan Faloon (pictured) told the Bangor Daily News of Walker Walker said she will bring a unique perspective to the council Walker was one of three new members elected to the nine-person council. She received the fewest number of votes among the nominees. The Maine Wire reported that she secured 2,231 votes, Susan Faloon got 2,512 votes and Daniel Carson garnered the most support with 3,951 votes. Although there is technically no mayor in Bangor, the city council elects a chair who serves as the primary leader and performs the duties of a mayor. Rick Fournier is the current chair, and an upcoming vote among the councilmembers will determine the next one. Bangor was King's inspiration for the fictional town of Derry, which served as the setting of his popular 1986 horror novel, It. A stunning Gustav Klimt painting that was once owned by beauty tycoon Leonard Lauder is set to sell for a whopping $150 million at an upcoming auction. The Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer, painted over the course of three years from 1914 to 1916 by the Austrian artist, hung inside the Estee Lauder heir's home prior to his recent death. Lauder, who purchased the prized painting in the mid 1980s, died at the age of 92 inside his Manhattan home on June 14. His cause of death has not been publicly released. Now, the six-foot-tall portrait, which depicts the daughter of Klimt's wealthy Viennese customer in an elegant ornamental robe, surrounded by Chinese art designs, is expected to sell for nine figures on November 18. Lauder admired Klimt's work so much that he not only owned the prized painting, but also purchased two others by him - the 1908 Blumenwiese, or Blooming Meadow, and the Waldabhang bei Unterach in Attersee, or Forest Slope in Unterach on the Attersee, of 1916. The two are both expected to go for about $70 to $80 million, reaching a total of more than $400 million for all three at the highly anticipated auction hosted by Sotheby's. The event has been described as 'a once-in-a-generation collection of 20th-century masterpieces that personifies the lifelong connoisseurship of one of the greatest collectors and benefactors of the arts in America,' according to the auction house's website. Art connoisseurs are especially thrilled about the 'rare' collection being up for sale as Lauder only allowed it to leave his New York home occasionally. Gustav Klimt's breathtaking Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer painting is set to sell for $150 million on November 18 at a Sotheby's art auction Leonard Lauder, the late heir to the beauty empire, owned the remarkable piece of art and rarely let it out of his sight He allowed it to be shown at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and several times at Neue Galerie New York, which was founded by his brother Ronald Lauder. Then in 2017 he loaned it to the National Gallery of Canada for its first-ever extended stay. It remained there until earlier this year. 'Klimts coming on the market is so rare,' a person who attended a dinner party last Friday celebrating Sotheby's new location at the Breuer Building told Page Six. 'This is not a normal situation,' the partygoer added as another recalled how amazing it was to see the pieces in the building that used to be the Whitney Museum. 'Its kind of crazy to be sitting in the old Whitney space with these amazing works FOR SALE!,' they told the outlet. Another remembered Lauder as 'an enormous cultural figure.' They added: 'Theres a real reverence for his legacy.' Next week's art sale is also set to include work by Van Gogh, Edward Munch, Pablo Picasso, Agnes Martin, Claes Oldenberg and Coosje van Bruggen, among other iconic artists, according to Sotheby's. Klimt's 1908 Blumenwiese, or Blooming Meadow and his 1916 Waldabhang bei Unterach in Attersee, or Forest Slope in Unterach on the Attersee, will also be available for sale at the auction. Lauder owned them as well There will also be six 'iconic' sculptures by Henri Matisse up for sale. Lauder was the eldest son of Estee Lauder, after whom the cosmetics brand she founded is named, and her husband Joseph. He and his much-younger brother Ronald, 81, inherited control of the company from their parents. He was most recently estimated to be worth $32.3 billion, as of September 2021, making him at the time the 44th richest person in the world. His mother, the daughter of Hungarian Jewish immigrants to New York City, started the eponymous brand in 1946 and steadily built it over the coming decades. Lauder started at the company in 1958 when he was 25, after three years as a US Navy officer and graduating from Columbia University's School of Business. Lauder was the eldest son of Estee Lauder (pictured together), after whom the cosmetics brand she founded is named, and her husband Joseph Lauder with his extended family, including sons William and Gary He eventually served as its chief executive of the company from 1982 to 1999 and chairman until 2009. The company grew from a family firm to a global giant under his leadership through a series of big acquisitions like MAC, Bobbi Brown and Aveda in the 1980s and '90s. He also started the company's research and development labs and expanded its presence to Europe, Asia, and beyond. Estee Lauder now has two dozen brands and $15 billion a year in sales. The company is public, but the Lauder family has 86 per cent of voting rights and owns 38 per cent of shares. Lauder's son William was chief executive in 2004 to 2009 and is still the chairman, and his younger son Gary replaced him on the board in 2023. Squid Game actor O Yeong-su has been cleared of sexual assault after a court in South Korea ruled that the alleged victim's memory may have been distorted. The 81-year-old was charged in 2022 with sexually assaulting a woman twice, after allegedly hugging her and kissing her on the cheek against her will. Yeong-su was found guilty in 2024 and sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, but he said he would appeal against the verdict. On Tuesday, a court overturned his sentence, saying he had undergone classes on sexual violence and suggesting that the alleged victim's memory may have been 'distorted', given how long it had been since the incidents occurred. The incidents took place when O was staying in a rural area for a theatre performance in 2017, on a walking path and in front of the victim's residence, respectively, according to the Suwon District Court. The alleged victim filed a complaint against Yeong-su in 2021, but the case was closed in April of the same year. The prosecution later reopened the investigation 'at the request of the victim,' according to Yonhap agency. In a statement reported by local media outlets, the Suwon District Court said there was 'doubt' as to whether the Golden Globe Award winner had committed the assault. The 81-year-old Squid Game actor was charged in 2022 with sexually assaulting a woman twice, after allegedly hugging her and kissing her on the cheek against her will O Yeong-su leaves Suwon District Court in Suwon, some 30 km south of Seoul, South Korea, 15 March 2024 'There is a possibility that the victim's memory has been distorted over time, and when there is doubt... the defendant must be given the benefit of the doubt'. But the statement continued on to say that it was possible Yeong-su had committed the assault as he had issued an apology to the alleged victim. The alleged victim later spoke out against the verdict, saying it would not 'invalidate the truth or erase the pain I have suffered'. 'Despite today's ruling, I will continue to speak the truth to the very end,' she said in a statement released through women's rights organisation Womenlink. The organisation also hit out at the ruling, saying they were 'outraged by a ruling that once again conceals sexual violence in the theatre world'. It has not yet been made clear whether the prosecution will appeal. Following the court ruling, Yeong-su spoke to local media, telling reporters he had 'gratitude to the court or its wise judgement'. The elderly actor in 2022 became the first South Korean to win a Golden Globe Award for best supporting actor in a series for his performance as a seemingly vulnerable old man in the mega-hit Netflix dystopian thriller. He played the elderly character O II-nam, one of the main antagonists of the first season of Squid Game. The series that depicts a dark world where marginalised individuals are forced to compete in deadly versions of traditional children's games, quickly gained immense popularity on Netflix. Within less than four weeks of its release in 2021, it attracted a staggering 111 million viewers. The show's success has amplified South Korea's increasingly outsized influence on global popular culture, following global fame won by the likes of K-pop band BTS and the Oscar-winning film 'Parasite'. The controversy over the accusations of sexual harassment saw Yeong-su drop out of an upcoming film in South Korea. This is the moment a passenger on an Air Canada flight is arrested after he squared up to an air hostess and hurled racial abuse when he was refused a cup of coffee. Iranian-born Akbar Aghgaleh, who was on a flight from Montreal to London Heathrow on August 29 last year, is now facing jail time for his racist and expletive-laden outburst. The 61-year-old allegedly confronted flight attendant Kaitlin Knights-Fullum with his fists clenched in a fighting stance.' Despite having been told that service had ended, Aghgaleh repeatedly yelled: 'I need my f***ing coffee. Get me the f***ing supervisor. Oh you're the f***ing supervisor. When told to calm down he shouted: I am f***ing calm. I am f***ing calm. If we arent landing in five minutes I am going to sue your f***ing ass. Once the plane had landed, police boarded the aircraft to remove Aghgaleh. Bodycam footage from the arrest, played in Uxbridge Magistrates Court, showed Aghgaleh repeatedly shouting: Gypsy Canada. Gypsy Canada. Gypsy Canadians, as he points his phone at passengers while escorted from the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. When a police officer tells him to stop mouthing off, Aghgaleh said: What do you want. I am British like you are.' Iranian-born Akbar Aghgaleh (pictured), who was on a flight from Montreal to London Heathrow on August 29 last year, is now facing jail time for his racist and expletive-laden outburst He then claps his hands and squares up to the officer. Recalling the events to the court, Adeal Mahmood, prosecuting, said: Kaitlin Knights-Fullum asked the defendant to calm down and to put his seatbelt on, but the defendant refused. He stood up straight with his fists clenched with his chest out and appeared to be in a fighting stance. Her colleague, Vincent Leveille, felt that the defendant may have tried to attack Kaitlin. Police attended and escorted the defendant off the flight while other passengers were on board. Ms Knights-Fullum told the court: Service had stopped because the plane went under 10,000 feet. We were just about to land. I offered him a glass of water but he got very irate. After that I apologised again and said I could not get him his coffee, and then he became more and more aggressive, then he took out his cell phone and started filming me. He got very aggressive and irate. He stood up in his seat in a fighting stance and shouted: "You're the f***ing supervisor".' The flight attendant added that Aghgaleh's behaviour made her feel 'scared' and 'shocked' and she was 'horrified that he was going to hit me or someone else'. She continued: I noticed other passengers looking and being ready to step in case he did get more aggressive. A male passenger was next to me ready to intervene just in case. Police officer Paul Scoines, who arrested Aghgaleh, told the court: I just focused on getting him safely off the plane to protect everybody else. He was making references to the nationality of the cabin crew. He was consistently referring to them as Gypsy Canadians. Mr Leveille told the court: I heard shouting and swearing and that is when I jumped into the situation. It felt like he was going to be violent because of the way he was acting and shouting. Aghgaleh, who represented himself assisted by a Farsi interpreter, told an earlier hearing: During the flight I asked five times for a coffee to take my medication. Then my wife even mentioned for it's my medication. In the nine-hour flight I didnt have anything to drink or eat. He came to the UK from Tehran 37 years ago and was returning from Canada with his wife after a sight-seeing trip taking in the Niagara Falls, the court heard. Aghgaleh, who lives in Chiswick, west London, did not attend his trial and was convicted in his absence of racially aggravated harassment, using threatening or abusive words towards crew while in an aircraft and using threatening or abusive words. He was also convicted of failing to obey the lawful commands of a pilot. District Judge Rebecca Saillet said: I have heard evidence from two cabin crew that day. It was clear passengers were told to sit down, ready for landing at Heathrow. The defendant was abusive in both the language he used and the way he spoke to cabin crew. He was abusive and threatening, so much so, that it caused Vincent Leveille to step in case he needed to assist his colleague. It is quite clear that other passengers were alarmed by the defendants behaviour and turned around to see what was happening. It is a shame the defendant has not turned up for trial so I have not heard anything from him. Judge Saillet issued a warrant for Aghgalehs arrest and said he should expect immediate custody. An air-rage thug who threatened to gang rape and murder first-class cabin crew on a flight from London has had his jail term increased by three years. Salman Iftikhar, 38, will now serve a four-year and three-month prison sentence, having originally been given just a 15-month term. The wealthy recruitment consultant was drunk when he launched a vile tirade of abuse towards Virgin Atlantic staff on a flight from Heathrow to Lahore in his homeland of Pakistan. Passengers aboard the flight watched in horror as the thug repeatedly called steward Angie Walsh a 'f***ing b****' at 39,000ft. In August, the Daily Mail revealed Iftikhar has two wives. One of them is Pakistani model and actress Abeer Rizvi, who has more than 500,000 followers on TikTok. He is also married to Erum Salman, 38, with whom he has three children. Erum has been listed as a director at a number of her husband's companies. The father-of-three - whose business went bust with 17million worth of debts - later threatened to blow up the five-star hotel the cabin crew were set to stay in. Iftikhar's initial sentence sparked claims of 'two-tier justice' after Southport riots tweeter Lucy Connolly was jailed for 31 months. But his prison term was significantly increased today after it was referred to the Court of Appeal for assessment under the Unduly Lenient Scheme. Father-of-three Salman Iftikhar, 38, was flying in first class when he launched a vile tirade of abuse towards Virgin Atlantic staff on a flight from London Heathrow to Lahore The wealthy recruitment boss made horrific death threats to an air stewardess on the flight Iftikhar has two wives. One of them is Pakistani model and actress Abeer Rizvi, who has more than 500,000 followers on TikTok Iftikhar is also married to Erum Salman (pictured), 38, with whom he has three children. Erum has been listed as a director at a number of her husband's companies Solicitor General Ellie Reeves said today: 'Salman Iftikhar made horrific threats of rape and violence against an air steward who was simply doing her job. 'His tirade of hate and abuse caused distress and anguish for the whole flight, and all of our thoughts today should be with the cabin crew and passengers who suffered from Iftikhar's vile behaviour. 'I hope this brings comfort and a sense of justice to those impacted, and underlines that our criminal justice system works for victims and vulnerable people.' Isleworth Crown Court heard Iftikhar left Ms Walsh 'broken' and 'traumatised' having declared she would be dragged out of her hotel room and assaulted. The businessman had been binging on champagne, and also tried to fight another steward. In one clip of Iftikhar's 100 rants during the trip, he can be heard repeatedly accusing Ms Walsh of being a racist and said: 'You called me a p*ki in front of everybody.' All this unfolded in front of Iftikhar's wife and children who were crying and pleading for him to stop and had to be comforted by the cabin crew as he continued to hurl abuse for the entire flight. Iftikhar keeps a range of expensive cars - including a Range Rover, Bentley and Rolls-Royce - on the driveway of his 2m mansion in Iver, Buckinghamshire Iftikhar was later arrested at his detached home in Iver, Buckinghamshire, and admitted making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment. The Unduly Lenient Scheme allows anyone to ask for a Crown Court sentence to be reviewed by the Attorney General's Office (AGO). If officers consider the sentence unduly lenient, they can ask the Court of Appeal to review the sentence. It is then up to judges to decide whether or not the original sentence was appropriate. A Vietnam War veteran who shot and killed a naked intruder that broke both of his legs has spoken out about the fiasco from his hospital bed. George Karkoc, 79, fought off the deranged intruder who broke into his California home on Friday morning. Karkoc spoke to KTLA5 about the horrifying ordeal, saying it 'brought him a great feeling' that he was able to protect someone. The encounter unfolded in Studio City just after 7am on Tujunga Avenue, a quiet residential stretch near the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles's San Fernando Valley. A nude 30-year-old man was caught on video incoherently shouting and attempting to break into several homes in the neighborhood. Karkoc said he heard one of his tenants screaming, so he armed himself and rushed to her rescue. 'I just thought, "I need to get aggressive," so I ran into the house and got my gun,' he told the local outlet. George Karkoc, 79, fought off a naked deranged intruder who broke into his tenant's apartment in his California home on Friday morning Surveillance footage captured a naked intruder stumbling along the street, screaming and attempting to open car doors before approaching the property and trying to break in The war hero first approached the naked maniac, screaming for him to stop where he was. But the suspect ignored the 79-year-olds pleas, charged at him, and slammed him to the ground, breaking both of his legs. The last thing Karkoc wanted to do was fire shots, but ultimately had no choice after he was brutally attacked. Pinned down by the deranged man, the 79-year-old opened fire and struck him three times. Los Angeles Fire Department and medical personnel rushed to the scene and treated Karkoc, who was in critical condition. The suspect was later pronounced dead. The elderly vet is recovering from the severe fractures, with his son telling the outlet Karkoc's legs, ankles and hips are full of pins. The family created a GoFundMe page to help cover the mounting medical expenses for his surgeries and treatment. Donations will also go to support his veteran's wife, Lily, who suffers from late-stage Parkinsons disease and PTSD from the incident. The war hero spoke out about the horrifying ordeal from his hospital bed where is recovering from surgery for his two broken legs The man could be seen pacing outside the home before breaking in through the fence The man could be seen holding up a security sign as he attempted to break through a hedge Tujunga Avenue, a quiet residential stretch near the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles ' San Fernando Valley Karkoc and his wife, Lily, who is suffering from late-stage Parkinsons disease and PTSD from the incident The money will also support the other victims as they recover physically and emotionally, the page said. Karkoc's family is grateful for the 'outpouring support his father has received' and are 'blessed that hes still with them'. 'One day at a time, I'm doing better, but I can hardly wait till I can stand up again,' he told the outlet. 'That's going to be quite a while.' Police have been called to the Virginia home at the center of New York Attorney General Letitia James' legal woes a dozen times since it was purchased. James, 67, bought the $137,000 home for her grandniece Nakia Thompson, 37, and her three kids to live in in August 2020. Last month the attorney general was slapped with a bombshell indictment from Department of Justice in October accusing her of mortgage fraud relating to the Norfolk property. According to records obtained by The New York Post, cops have been called to the residence 12 times since, sometimes even multiple times a day. Three calls were placed in 2020, then one each in 2021, 2022, and 2023. In the first two weeks of October of this year there were six calls made. The nature of all of the calls were not known. Cops were also called out multiple times to another Norfolk home James purchased for a relative, which is not subject to the DOJ probe. The Norfolk residence was bought via a $219,000 mortgage and is inhabited by James' OnlyFans model grandniece Cayla Thompson-Hairston and her mother and sister, the Post reported. It was visited ten times by officers between April 2024 and April 2025. New York AG Letitia James was issued a bombshell indictment in October by the Department of Justice accusing her of mortgage fraud Nakia Thompson lives in the address at the center of the probe with her three kids Calls were made for warrant service, as well as calls for a domestic dispute and a reported assault, according to the outlet. Federal prosecutors, led by Donald Trump's DOJ attorney Lindsey Halligan, accuse James of misleading a bank during her purchase of the home Thompson lives in order to achieve a more favorable loan. The indictment claims James saved nearly $19,000 on a $109,600 mortgage for the property on Peronne Avenue. The indictment states she signed a 'Second Home Rider, which required James, as the sole borrower, to occupy and use the property as her secondary residence, and prohibits its use as a timesharing or other shared ownership agreement or agreement that requires her to rent the property or give any other person control over the occupancy or use of the property'. 'Despite these representations, the Peronne Property was not occupied by James as a secondary residence and was instead used as a rental investment property, renting the property to a family of [three],' it continues. If found guilty, James could face up to 30 years in prison per count, along with a $1 million fine on each count and lose ownership of the properties cited in the indictment. The Daily Mail revealed last month that Thompson is a fugitive from justice and officially listed as an 'absconder'. Thompson told a grand jury in June that she had been living rent-free in the home, now valued at $235,000, since James bought it. James was indicted by a federal grand jury in Virginia on charges of bank fraud and making a false statement to a financial institution in regard to securing a mortgage for the home. Thompson is seen here outside of the home in Norfolk that James purchased in 2020, records indicate cops have been called to the home on a number of occasions Another home (pictured) James she bought in Norfolk in 2023 via a $219,000 mortgage, that is not part of the criminal probe, has also had repeated police calls made She denied any wrongdoing and has called the DOJs indictment a continuation of the President's desperate weaponization of our justice system'. The New York attorney general is a longtime political enemy of Trump after she successfully sued the president and his Trump Organization for fraud. She persuaded a New York judge to find Donald Trump liable for fraud in a civil case in February 2024, although an appeals court threw out the massive financial penalty of over $450million while upholding the finding that the president committed fraud. Her supporters have claimed that it was her sweeping civil case that made Trump seek vengeance against her. James' lawyers plan to have the case thrown out, according court filings, by arguing that Halligan was improperly appointed by the Justice Department. The Daily Mail contacted James' office for comment. Gisele Fetterman says it's a 'miracle' her marriage is still standing. For his new book, Unfettered, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman had his wife pen her own chapter, noting 'she can tell her story best,' after the couple's marriage was rattled by his burgeoning political career and his struggle with depression. In it, she wrote about their early love story - providing some very candid details - and explains why she's chosen to hang onto a marriage of 17 years. Gisele said she saw an article about Fetterman and what he was doing to revitalize Braddock, Pennsylvania, where he was serving as mayor, while on a Costa Rican yoga retreat in 2007. Gisele, a nutritionist who founded a small non-profit in Newark, wrote to Fetterman saying she'd like to visit Braddock and learn more since they served similar communities. Fetterman called Gisele on his birthday and invited her to visit, a trip she took in October, which coincided with the mayor hosting an event at his house alongside his parents. 'There was wine and cheese. John and I stayed on the couch after it was over, just talking. I fell asleep and never used my hotel reservation,' Gisele recalled. 'There was no sex that night, in case you were wondering,' she revealed. Pennsylvania's Democratic Senator John Fetterman (left) is out with a new memoir, Unfettered, which also includes a chapter written mostly by his wife Gisele Fetterman (right) In the same chapter, with Fetterman taking back over the narration, the senator expresses shock that Gisele fell for him. 'How on earth did a woman like you end up in Braddock with someone like me?' he asked. 'I had dated in the past, but Id never thought I would get married. It just didnt mesh for me: I had always been something of a loner, used to doing things my way, and was not a great conversationalist.' He also said he never thought he would have kids, yet the couple has three. 'I still don't know and never will understand how you ended up with me,' the senator wrote. 'There are still moments when I think you are going to look at me and say, "I'm gone." So why are you still here?' he asked his wife. In the book, the Democratic senator writes at length about his 2022 run for the U.S. Senate, which was interrupted when he suffered a debilitating stroke. He admits that he likely should have dropped out of the race. And he candidly talks about the depression he suffered afterward, even after clinching a five-point victory against the Republican nominee, Dr. Mehmet Oz. The depression took a toll on his marriage, with Fetterman writing that during his stint at Walter Reed when he wasn't supposed to have access to the internet, he snuck a look at the headlines on the iPad he was given to aid his auditory processing problems. Gisele Fetterman (left) and Senator John Fetterman (right) are captured at the 2023 White House Correspondents' Dinner He saw headlines that said Gisele had left the country. Unfettered, the memoir of Democratic Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman was released on Tuesday 'My brain once again caught fire: I was convinced Gisele had taken the kids to Brazil, where they all hold dual citizenship,' he wrote. 'It was only when she posted pictures of their trip that I realized they had actually been to Niagara Falls.' 'She and the kids had not abandoned me for Brazil,' the senator wrote. Gisele writes in her own words why she stayed in the marriage. 'We have three beautiful children together. You have a core of kindness. You like Paul Rudd and Metallica and The Simpsons and Dumb and Dumber,' she said. 'It is never a dull moment with you.' She noted that 'marriage is not a holiday' and that it's normal to get on your spouse's nerves. Gisele also repeated an anecdote she shared in her own memoir - what she and John told their eldest son Karl when he asked his parents if they would ever get divorced. The senator gave an emphatic 'no' but Gisele gave a more open-ended answer. 'Maybe not the perfect answer, but the only answer I know,' Gisele wrote in Unfettered. 'It sometimes feels like a miracle we're still standing. But here we are.' Unfettered was released Tuesday. The predatory ringleader of a Rotherham sex abuse gang jailed for subjecting a girl to a 'campaign of violent rape' has been given a further three-year sentence after he was found guilty of attacking another vulnerable teenager in the town. Sageer Hussain, 40, was found guilty of rape at Sheffield Crown Court earlier this year following a trial which heard how he targeted his victim 25 years ago when she was about 13 years old. Hussain - who once quipped that 'all white girls are good for is sex' - was already serving a lengthy sentence after he was jailed for 19 years in 2016 for the rape of a 13-year-old girl in the South Yorkshire town. On Tuesday, he was jailed for a further three years by Judge Charles Thomas. He had previously been described as 'the ringleader' of a group of men who abused three girls between 1999 and 2003. Judge Thomas told Hussain: 'The sad fact of this case is that, despite her young age at the time, you were not the first man to have abused and exploited (the complainant) in this area and around this time.' The judge told the court that the new sentence will start immediately - and will overlap with the end of the custodial element of his 19-year sentence. Earlier this year, a jury heard how the girl whom Hussain raped some time between July 2000 and July 2002 is now in her 30s. Hussain, who was about two years older than her, led her down an alleyway in Rotherham town centre and said he would not let her back out unless she had sex with him. Child rapist Sageer Hussain is set to remain behind bars for longer after being convicted of attacking another teenage girl Hussain was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court (pictured) over the distressing attack Prosecutors told the jury how Hussain raped her with two other people present, one female and one male. She cried throughout the ordeal as her exit was blocked, the court was told. The complainant watched Hussain being sentenced in court on Tuesday and was thanked by Judge Thomas for how she had conducted herself during proceedings. Hussain was jailed in 2016 alongside seven other men by the same judge who had previously sentenced his brothers Arshid, Basharat and Bannaras to 35, 25, and 19 years in prison respectively. The judge in 2016 heard how Hussain's victim had complained to police in 2003 but the inquiry was dropped, partly because she was so terrified of her abusers. She told the eight men: 'She was targeted, sexualised and subjected to acts of a degrading and violent nature.' On Tuesday, Judge Thomas referenced Hussain's three older brothers' convictions, saying the defendant had 'no good role models'. The judge also accepted the defendant was only a teenager himself at the time, but said to him: 'You had a choice and you knew what you were doing, and you knew it was wrong.' Judge Thomas said that, from the age of 13, the girl would spend time in Rotherham town centre with 'Asian men and other young girls', and would be given alcohol. Hussain in a mugshot dated 2016, when he was first jailed as the 'ringleader' of a Rotherham child abuse gang He said it was 'clearly not uncommon for sexual activity to take place between the girls and the Asian men who would congregate in that area'. The judge said the complainant's victim personal statement outlined the 'devastating effect' of the abuse she suffered at the hands of these men, which has affected 'every aspect of her life'. Hussain's sentencing is the latest to arise out of the NCA's Operation Stovewood, which is the huge investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. The NCA says Operation Stovewood is the single largest law enforcement operation of its kind in the UK and has identified more than 1,100 children involved in the exploitation. To date, 49 people have been convicted following Stovewood investigations, the NCA said. NCA senior investigating officer Alan Hastings said: 'The victim has shown enormous strength and fortitude in reporting what Sageer Hussain did to her. 'The woman bravely told officers about Hussain's horrific crime against her, and that significantly helped our investigation. 'Officers subsequently identified corroborating evidence that enabled us to secure justice for the woman. 'Hussain, who is already serving time for raping another girl, will now remain in prison for longer.' The politically active son of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones was left stunned and stuttering after a brutal debate defeat by CNN commentator Scott Jennings on Monday's NewsNight. Dylan Douglas, 25, was comprehensively demolished during a roundtable discussion of the Senate passing a funding bill to reopen the government. The actor blamed Republicans for the record-long shutdown, which is in its 42nd day but is expected to be over by the end of the week. 'Scott, with all respect, you cannot put on the American people that Democrats were the one [sic] that were hurting people, making this plight,' Dylan said. Jennings responded by asking: 'Who was casting the votes against opening the government, Democrats or Republicans?' The two then spoke over each other for a few seconds before Dylan countered Jennings's question with one of his own, asking: 'Who was wanting to cut SNAP benefits?' Jennings said Republicans voted to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 15 times, while Democrats voted against it in each instance. That number referred to the number of times the Senate voted on the shutdown, with the proposed spending bill including SNAP funding. Dylan Douglas, 25, was left stuttering during a debate with CNN's conservative political commentator, Scott Jennings Dylan spoke at a roundtable of the network's reporters discussing the Senate passing a funding bill to reopen the government In reference to the Senate Democratic caucus members who broke ranks and voted to reopen the government, Jennings said: 'We had to get eight to join us.' As Jennings spoke, Dylan started stuttering incomprehensibly about the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits that Democrats said were the reason they would not pass the funding bill. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he would hold a mid-December vote to extend those credits, which was among the small concessions Republicans made that got the eight key senators to flip their positions on the shutdown vote. Dylan's parents worked together on the films The Mask of Zorro (1998) and Traffic (2000). Douglas is particularly well-known for his roles in Basic Instinct and Wall Street. Dylan is the son of Michael Douglas, the actor and film producer Dylan's parents, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones and Douglas, who have worked together Douglas is particularly well-known for his roles in Basic Instinct and Wall Street. In this photo, he is pictured next to fellow actors Tiziana Rocca and Dennis Quaid Like his father, Dylan has worked as an actor and producer, but he is also a progressive political commentator Like his father, Dylan has worked as an actor and producer, but he is also a progressive political commentator. He hosts a political talk show on SiriusXM called Young American with Dylan Douglas. He is also a co-founder of the political action committee, Make Room, which supports young and progressive candidates and he has worked on political campaigns. This was Dylan's second appearance on a TV network news program. The first was on MSNBC's Morning Joe in September. The UN has today warned that women in Sudan are suffering 'horrors no one should ever endure', with rape, murder and the abduction of their children rife in the war-torn country. Al-Fashir's fall on October 26 has cemented the RSF's control of the Darfur region in its two-and-a-half year war with the Sudanese army. People fleeing the city have described civilians being shot in the streets and attacked in drone strikes. Women escaping from al-Fashir say they have witnessed killings, rape and the disappearance of their children - 'horrors that no one should ever endure,' the UN Women Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Anna Mutavati, said. Sexual violence was widespread, she said, adding: 'There is mounting evidence that rape is being deliberately and systematically used as a weapon of war'. 'Women's bodies become a crime scene in Sudan. There are no safe spaces that are left, nowhere for women to gather safely, to seek protection or even access even the most basic psychosocial care,' she added. Around 11 million women and girls are facing acute food insecurity in famine-struck Darfur, and UN Women warned they even face sexual violence while searching for food. Field reports from Darfur describe women foraging for wild leaves and berries to boil into soup. 'While doing this, they face additional risks of violence, including abduction and sexual and gender based violence,' Mutavati said. The UN has today warned that women in Sudan are suffering 'horrors no one should ever endure' (File image of women queuing for food at a camp in Sudan's Darfur region) Famine was declared by a global food monitor in al-Fashir and Kadugli, another besieged city in Sudan's south, this month. The UN's Human Rights Chief said on Friday that he feared summary executions, rape and ethnically motivated violence are continuing in the town. The war has plunged Sudan into hell, turning it into the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. About 82,000 people have fled El Fasher and surrounding areas since October 26, according to the UN, while as many as 200,000 people may still be trapped inside the city, according to estimates of its population towards the end of the 18-month siege. More than 150,000 people have been killed across the country, while men and children have been forced to watch the horrific rape of wives, mothers, and daughters. Throughout the war, sexual violence has been prevalent. Women being raped and turned into sexual slaves have been reported. Survivors have told of abductions, sexual slavery and rape used as punishment for ethnicity or perceived loyalty. In April 2025, Amnesty published an investigation titled They Raped All of Us. It documented RSF soldiers raping and gang raping women and girls as young as 15 in multiple states between April 2023 and October 2024. A 30-year-old other, Hamida, who lived in Madani in Gezeira state, spoke about how she was attacked after morning prayers. She recounted: 'One of the men grabbed me and said he wanted to rape me. I tried to resist, but he hit me with his gun and said I am going to rape your small daughter if you resist. A Sudanese woman who fled after the paramilitary killed thousands of people at a camp in Tawila on October 30 Members of the Sudanese Red Crescent carry a bloated body dumped in a well in March 2025. There were 14 other bodies in the well, causing a foul stench Aerial images show pools of blood and bodies on the ground in the aftermath of horrific attacks 'Two of them then tied my hands together, and they removed my clothes. Three of them raped me while my daughter was watching. It was so humiliating. 'I did not go to any hospital because I did not want anyone to know about it. You are the first people I am sharing this with. I feel broken.' Amina, a mother of six, told investigators her harrowing story. 'One of them forcefully tied my arms behind my back, and the other raped me in front of my 11-year-old son,' she said. 'My son screamed at them, saying "leave my mother alone, stay away from my mum." One of them hit my son in the back with his gun butt and broke his backbone. My beloved son, Mohamed, died 17 days later.' She was also impregnated by her rapist and had a boy. There was no medical care available to her during her pregnancy. Investigators also spoke to Hussein, a 42-year-old man who was bungled into one room in his home alongside his wife and sisters-in-law. He said: 'They asked us to lie on the floor. They took her gold and then the four of them raped her in front of me and my two kids. 'I tried to stand and stop them from raping my wife, and then one of them shot my wife in the chest. She died immediately. They then started beating me badly with their guns until I fainted. 'Another group of RSF soldiers came to our house and raped my sisters-in-law. It was the darkest day of my life.' A screen grab showing members of the RSF celebrating in the street after the fall of El Fasher earlier this week Satellite images picked up what analysts say are clusters and stains consistent with mass graves and mass casualty scenes In a separate analysis this year, the UNICEF shockingly said children as young as one were being raped and sexually assaulted. At the time, it was found that more than 200 children had been raped at the start of the year. The report said that the number was just a small fraction of the total number of cases. Four one-year-olds were among the survivors of sexual abuse, while 16 were children under the age of five. In the 221 cases reported, 66 per cent of the victims were girls, while 33 per cent were boys. One distressing testimony by an adult called Omina said: 'After nine at night, someone opens the door, carrying a whip, selects one of the girls, and takes her to another room. I could hear the little girl crying and screaming. They were raping her.' The report said: 'In addition to rape and gang rape, RSF soldiers also subjected women and girls to other forms of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, including beatings, cutting them with sharp blades and pouring hot and melting liquid on their body, inflicting women with severe bodily injuries. 'The widespread sexual and other violence by the RSF in the current conflict is happening against the backdrop of decades of impunity for such crimes where perpetrators went unpunished.' Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has turned up at court to show his solidarity with Palestine Action protesters facing terror charges. Some 36 people pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court after being charged under anti-terrorism laws for supporting the banned group. Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in July a month after a group of protestors broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and allegedly caused damage valued at 7million. The Ministry of Justice is struggling to find the time and available courtrooms needed to hold 400 trials for those accused of participating in the protests. Trials may take place well after 2026 because of ongoing legal challenges over the group being banned by then-Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, now Foreign Secretary. Mr Corbyn, who now sits as an independent MP after having the Labour whip removed in 2020, has spoken of 'the weight of history' being against the sanctions on Palestine Action. He was Labour leader from 2015 until stepping down after the party's emphatic defeat in the December 2019 general election, being succeeded in the top job by shadow cabinet colleague Sir Keir Starmer who served as Shadow Brexit Secretary. Sir Keir, now Prime Minister, ousted Mr Corbyn from Labour's backbench ranks for downplaying the extent of anti-Semitism in the party under his leadership. Jeremy Corbyn was seen outside Westminster Magistrates' Court as 36 people pleaded not guilty after being charged under anti-terrorism laws for supporting Palestine Action People are seen staging a protest to demand the British government lift its ban on Palestine Action in Trafalgar Square, central London, on October 4 2025 Mr Corbyn stood as an independent at last year's general election and saw off his Labour opponent to hold on to the Islington North seat he has held since 1983. Daily Mail analysis recently showed how the Metropolitan Police had arrested at least 1,984 people for allegedly supporting Palestine Action since it was sanctioned. These include 857 people detained at a protest in London on September 6, then another 493 people in the centre of the capital on October 4 - days after the Manchester synagogue terror attack that prompted calls for demos to be called off. An earlier protest on August 9 involved 532 arrests, with 522 taken in for allegedly supporting Palestine Action while the other 10 were detained for other assaulting, obstructing or racially aggravating officers or breaching Public Order Act conditions placed on the area. An analysis of the arrest figures at that rally showed that half of the people detained by cops were over the age of 60. Of the 519 people arrested who confirmed their dates of birth, 49.9 per cent were 60 or older - while almost 100 people at that demo were in their 70s, with 15 in their 80s. Hundreds of people descended on central London on Saturdays and unveiled signs bearing messages such as: 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.' The group's cofounder was last month given the go-ahead to proceed with a High Court challenge against the Government over the group's ban as a terror organisation, in a ruling by London's Court of Appeal against the Home Office. Police remove a protester taking part in a demonstration organised by campaign group Defend Our Juries, in support of Palestine Action in Trafalgar Square, London on October 4 2025 Huda Ammori launched a legal challenge against Ms Yvette Cooper after the group was proscribed as a terror organisation in July. The ban, which began on July 5, made membership of, or support for, the direct action group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Mr Justice Chamberlain later cleared Ms Ammori to proceed with a challenge over the ban after finding that two arguments put forward on her behalf were 'reasonably arguable'. But in September, the Home Office brought an appeal against this decision to the Court of Appeal in London, claiming a judicial review through the courts should be a 'remedy of last resort'. This appeal has now been dismissed. At a hearing, barristers for the Home Office said Ms Ammori could bring her legal challenge to the Home Secretary and then the Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission (POAC), rather than the High Court for a 'judicial review'. Lawyers for Ms Ammori said the POAC was not the only suitable place to challenge the lawfulness of a ban. A Home Office spokesperson said in response: 'We note the decision made by the Court of Appeal, and will now carefully consider the implications of the ruling. 'Palestine Action has conducted an escalating campaign. This has involved sustained criminal damage, including to Britain's national security infrastructure, as well as intimidation, alleged violence and serious injuries. Palestine Action cofounders Richard Barnard and Huda Ammori, pictured in 2023 Ms Ammori last month won the latest stage in a court battle to challenge the group's proscription Protesters unfurl a banner on Westminster Bridge as part of a demonstration organised by Defend Our Juries, in support of Palestine Action on October 4 2025 'Palestine Action remain a proscribed group and those who support them will face the full force of the law. 'Everyone should remember: supporting Palestine and supporting a proscribed terrorist group are not the same thing.' Some 81 organisations are currently already proscribed under the 2000 Act, including Hamas, al-Qaeda and National Action. The judicial review which will examine Palestine Action's proscription has been scheduled to start begin on November 25. Supporters of Mr Corbyn's new Left-wing party, with the interim title Your Party, were urged to join a major 'march for Palestine' in central London on October 11. In an email to Your Party supporters, Mr Corbyn's outfit said they were 'appalled by the horrific terrorist attack on a synagogue' in Manchester. But they also accused Sir Keir and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch of having 'weaponised' the terror attack to 'launch a fresh assault on the Palestine movement'. The email said the upcoming march would 'mark two years since the genocide began' in Gaza. Kash Patel has been stung by a leak from British intelligence following a dramatic dispute over his armed security detail ahead of a dinner attended by King Charles. Patel was also accused of reneging on a promise to keep an FBI agent in London to monitor China's new embassy, sources told The New York Times. The FBI director's visit to London in May got off to a rocky start when British officials informed him that he would not be able to land at an airport closer to his hotel for security reasons. Tensions later escalated when Patel was denied his own armed guards by British cops - despite his CIA counterpart being permitted his own security detail. He brought his 27-year-old country music star girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, on the trip which also included a dinner with King Charles at Windsor Castle. Patel also reportedly upset his British colleagues by wearing a hoodie and trucker hat, and grew frustrated by the number of meetings he was invited to attend. The details of Patel's visit to the UK were leaked to the New York Times - the latest to strike the FBI chief who has been beset by claims that he is out of his depth and frequently clashes with more experienced intelligence colleagues. The latest claims center around a dispute involving an FBI agent who was withdrawn from London - despite Patel reportedly assuring Britain's MI5 Director Ken McCallum that he'd remain to help monitor China's new embassy near the Tower of London. Kash Patel and his girlfriend Alexis Wilkins, with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office Patel and his girlfriend had dinner with King Charles III during his May trip to the United Kingdom Britain's domestic secret service is reliant on the FBI's advanced surveillance tools to monitor Beijing's officials at the consulate. But the agent's job was already on the chopping block as part of budget cuts from the White House when Patel made his promise. Soon after the FBI agent was reassigned to the US, saving the agency money but left British spy officials shocked, according to NY Times. Patel's disregard for one of America's top allies came after his awkward and controversial arrival in the country. The FBI chief's airplane was scheduled to land at Stansted Airport outside London, frustrating Patel who wanted to be closer to his hotel. British officials cited unknown security reasons. British cops, moreover, demanded Patel's security detail not be armed due to the country's strict gun control laws. When Patel's team appealed for a pass based on risk assessment, they were denied after law enforcement concluded Patel didn't meet the threshold for an exemption. Security details for the directors of the CIA and National Security Agency were granted exemptions, according to the Times. Trump met with King Charles III in Britain in September for a high-profile summit Patel shocked British officials when he attended a security meeting wearing a trucker hat An emergency meeting was held between the FBI and British security officials to resolve the matter, but the UK would not give in. An anonymous FBI official denied to the NY Times that there had been a dispute regarding Patel's security detail. Additionally, Patel was reportedly annoyed by the number of meetings he was scheduled to be present in. An FBI source told the Times that Patel demanded to know which meetings were essential so he could try to fit in other work. Patel, who frequently wears informal casual clothing at events, shocked British security officials when he arrived wearing a trucker hat and a green hooded sweatshirt, a former US official told the Times. When McCallum asked Patel to keep the FBI agent in London to help monitor the Chinese officials, Patel assured him that he would find funding to keep the agent in the UK. McCallum, according to the Times, is a mild-mannered Scotsman known for his cozy relationship with Patel's FBI predecessor Christopher Wray. The funding for the agent's assignment in London had already been cut before Patel left Britain. It is not clear if Patel was aware of that development before he made his promise to British security officials. Two former US officials told the Times that Patel's aides had been briefed on the cut beforehand. Before departing Britain, Patel along with his girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, had dinner at Windsor Castle with King Charles. The FBI director stood next to the king at the end of the night for a photograph. A Minneapolis lawmaker who praised the speedy response he got from officials after he was carjacked has sparked a backlash from disgruntled locals who claim their own complaints are falling on deaf ears. Jamal Osman, a Democrat city councilman in the Minnesota city, was accused of receiving preferential treatment after he posted about the crime on X on Tuesday. The city councilman said he was in the middle of a call with his sister when he was ambushed by two 'youths' in a parking lot. The incident left him shaken but unharmed. Osman said police responded quickly to his report and that he received a call from the chief of police Brian O'Hara and newly re-elected Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey shortly after the incident. He also detailed how another family had been targeted in a similar attack. 'Earlier in the evening, another victim and their child were also carjacked by what police believe to be the same suspects, described as two youths,' Osman wrote. 'My heart goes out to them - no one should have to experience this kind of trauma in our city,' he continued. However the post immediately drew criticism from Crime Watch Minneapolis, an account that tracks offenses in the city, which highlighted a report from another car jacking victim who claimed police did not even bother to come out to take the statement in person. Minneapolis lawmaker Jamal Osman sparked backlash after praising police for quickly responding to the scene when he was carjacked while locals say their cases often go unanswered. Crime Watch Minneapolis, an X account that tracks offenses in the city, slammed Osman for his response to the crime, and questioned whether he received preferential treatment The account said their car was stolen from outside their home, but despite having a clear description of their vehicle and time it was stolen, 'the police didn't bother to come out and take the report'. '(The police took the report) over the phone and I don't know what to do,' the response continued. 'I hate this city... I never had any problems like this in Atlanta. The crime here is out of control.' 'Was Jamal's case given priority that hasn't been afforded to other residents and victims of crime?' the account posted in response to Osman's statement. Osman said in his statement that while he was thankfully unharmed, 'this incident is another reminder of the work ahead to keep all of our communities safe.' The councilman turned replies to his post off, but was still flooded with similar complaints from other victims. 'Mind posting their phone numbers for the rest of us victims to use?' One constituent wrote. 'We want the same level of service you received.' 'The guys pulls rank, gets special attention from Mayor Frey not afforded to other crime victims, then publicly brags about it. What a complete douchebag,' another wrote. Osman, a city councilman in Minneapolis, acknowledged that the city has been experiencing too much crime in recent times, and his carjacking 'is another reminder of the work ahead to keep all of our communities safe' Many pointed out the apparent irony of Osman thanking officers, considering the defund the police movement which surged following the killing of George Floy in Minneapolis. The Daily Mail has contacted Osman's office, Frey's office and the Minneapolis Police Department for comment. According to official City of Minneapolis crime data, there have been a staggering 4,454 motor vehicle thefts in the city so far this year. The number is a significant drop from the 5,914 car thefts at this same time last year, but the three-year average stands at over 6,000 per year. In May Minneapolis Chief Brian O'Hara held a press conference in May to praise the methods his department has taken which he said is responsible for the decline. 'I feel very confident that the strategies that we have in place are working because we have seen statistically significant declines since we enacted them,' he said. O'Hara acknowledged that carjackings 'were up significantly' for some time, which he said are intrinsically linked to other crimes in the area. 'We had three teenagers shot in one week, one of them was murdered. Two of the three were shot while they were inside of a stolen car. So it's a very clear connection between, you know, auto theft and joyriding and then these robberies and carjackings,' he said at the time. According to official City of Minneapolis crime data, there have been a staggering 4,454 motor vehicle thefts in the city so far this year He continued: 'We initiated a robbery response protocol where we saturate areas as soon as we can once we noticed these problems... and then even when we do have robbery sprees, there's fewer robberies and carjackings reported. 'We want to make sure that we're doing everything we can at the time of the incident whether it's three o'clock in the morning, or three o'clock on a Monday afternoon to ensure that we're doing everything possible to build these cases as quickly as quickly as we can.' A video has sparked controversy at this year's Miss Universe event after viewers claimed it showed Miss Israel giving Miss Palestine hostile looks. Reports in Israel say Melanie Shiraz, who is representing the nation, has issued a denial, insisting she was not glaring at her fellow contestant, after she received shocking abuse online over the incident. In the video Miss Shiraz appears to briefly turn her head towards Palestinian representative Nadeen Ayoub during the pageant event in Thailand on Sunday night. Ms Shiraz was quickly condemned by social media users who accused her of giving the beauty queen a dirty look, with several flooding her pages with heavy criticism. Some commented that she was 'jealous' of Miss Ayoub, while a row ensued over who was 'more beautiful'. The Israeli beauty queen is said to have denied the accusations and, in a screenshot of an Instagram comment quoted by Times of Israel, she said: 'It's very clear that I was simply looking toward other contestants as they came on stage. 'Adding dramatic language to ordinary moments - especially when it misrepresents people - doesn't promote kindness or fairness. 'I hope you'll reconsider in the future before choosing virality at the expense of others.' Social media reactions to Ms Shiraz come as Israel faces intense international criticism for its actions in Gaza. Miss Israel has denied giving Miss Palestine hostile looks at a Miss Universe event in Thailand. Pictured: Miss Israel Melanie Shiraz on stage during the official Miss Universe 2025 welcome event in Bangkok, Thailand Ms Shiraz appeared to turn her head towards Miss Palestine, Nadeen Ayoub, pictured left But some social media users have accused Ms Shiraz of giving a 'dirty look' It launched its military offensive on Gaza in retaliation to the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel by Palestinian group Hamas that resulted in the deaths of 1,221 Israelis and 240 taken hostage. Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed more than 68,500 Palestinians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The country and group agreed to a ceasefire last month under a peace deal brokered by US President Donald Trump, which saw Palestinian militants return all living hostages. Ms Shiraz, who is set to compete in the Miss Universe pageant contest on November 21, has received a flurry of criticism and abuse on social media as a result Israel's participation in the beauty competition. Her Instagram posts are often bombarded with comments calling her 'Miss Genocide' or the slogan 'Free Palestine'. It is also the first time a Palestinian representative competes in the beauty pageant. After her participation in the competition was announced earlier this year, Ms Ayoub said in an Instagram post: 'Today, I step onto the Miss Universe stage not just with a title but with a truth... 'I represent every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see. We are more than our suffering - we are resilience, hope and the heartbeat of a homeland that lives on through us.' Miss Ayoub is the first-ever Miss Palestine to participate in the 2025 Miss Universe contest. She is pictured here presenting onstage during the Miss Universe 2025 welcome event in Bangkok on November 5 She previously represented Palestine in the 2022 Miss Earth beauty pageant in the Philippines, where she came third. The beauty queen who lives between Dubai and Ramallah in the West Bank told The National newspaper in the United Arab Emirates: 'There hasnt been another Miss Palestine since 2022, due to the genocide.' In July, Ms Shiraz was crowned Miss Israel at a competition in Miami, Florida. The entrepreneur told the Jerusalem Post: 'I want to show people, both in and outside of Israel, that this title can be a force for connection, for understanding and for positive change. 'Its about far more than beauty - its about making our people proud by standing for something that matters.' Footage of Ms Shiraz looking at Miss Palestine is the latest controversy to hit the Miss Universe contest this year after last year's winner staged a mass walkout from an event last week after a contestant was publicly reprimanded. Victoria Theilvig, the first Dane to win the top title last year, stormed out of the sashing ceremony at the Miss Universe delegates' hotel in Bangkok, after the boss berated Fatima Bosch in front of dozens of other beauty queens. Justifying her protest against pageant authority, 21-year-old Theilvig 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.' The unprecedented incident took place during a live-streamed ceremony of the event, where Nawat Itsaragrisil, Vice President for Asia and Oceania within the Miss Universe Organisation, confronted 25-year-old Bosch about her absence from a sponsor shoot earlier that day. In footage broadcast on the official Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page, Nawat 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 Nawat could be heard shouting 'Stop, stop!' as the models began making their way out of the ceremony, demanding that they 'Sit down'. Cheryl Hines has confessed that the first time she met Donald Trump, she broke out in hives so distressing, she looked like a casualty from plastic surgery show Botched. The Curb Your Enthusiasm actress - and wife of Robert Kennedy Jr - had traveled to Milwaukee on the eve of the Republican Convention in 2024, expecting to join her husband after his meeting with the then presidential candidate. Instead, she was ushered through a darkened parking lot and into a private hotel suite, where she found herself face to face with Trump - complete with a bandage on his ear following the attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania. She was already suffering from stress, she writes in her new memoir, Unscripted, as Kennedy ramped up his own presidential campaign, first as a Democrat and then as an independent. News about the attempted assassination on Trump on July 13, 2024, only added to her fears about her husband's security. 'Clearly, my concern for Bobby's safety during the campaign was for good reason. I wished he wasn't out there in crowds of people every day. The risk was too great. 'Bobby kept calling me in between TV appearances that night,' she writes. 'News outlets wanted to talk to him about the assassination attempt. Hines was concerned about her husband's safety, as he ramped up his own presidential campaign, first as a Democrat and then as an independent She found herself face to face with Trump - complete with a bandage on his ear following the attempt on his life 'Later, he called me and said President Trump wanted to speak to him. It was almost midnight.' Following that long phone call, Trump asked to speak to Kennedy in person. 'My anxiety was reaching a new high,' writes Hines. 'What did this mean? 'My therapist was getting desperate texts from me in the middle of the night. It felt like everything was happening too fast.' After flying to Milwaukee, she had expected to simply be there as support for her husband, but was instead escorted into the meeting with Trump. 'Oh my God. I wasn't mentally prepared for this,' she writes. The meeting lasted about an hour and a half, and the moment she left, she broke out in hives. 'I've never broken out in hives before, not once,' she writes, 'but suddenly I had hives all up and down my arms and I could feel them making their way across my abdomen. 'Was I allergic to something there? 'That night, one of Bobby's staff joked that I must've been allergic to President Trump.' Hines developed hives all over her body, and a puffy lip - 'I really was a sight to see' Her doctor rules out an allergic reaction and suggested she try to be less stressed One of her husband's aide's suggested she must have been allergic to Donald Trump As the evening wore on, the hives only got worse, making their way down her legs. Then, at dinner, she started to feel something strange happen to her face. Escaping to the bathroom, she looked in the mirror and saw her bottom lip had swelled to the size of a baby carrot. 'Between my hives and my swollen lip, I really was a sight to see,' she writes. 'I looked like a casualty from Botched, the show about plastic surgery gone wrong.' A doctor ruled out an allergic reaction and told her the unusual symptoms were probably caused by stress. 'I'd advise you to try to find a way to not be so stressed,' he suggested. 'Oh, okay, I'll work on that,' I said as my rubbery lips bounced up and down.' She was given steroids, and 'flew home with my EpiPen in one hand and hiding my crazy lips with the other,' she writes. She spent the entire flight taking note of every time she swallowed, for fear her throat might close up. 'It was the perfect kick-off to my new effort in finding a way to be less stressed as the doctor suggested.' In the book, Hines also breaks her silence on the 'digital affair' her husband allegedly had with journalist Olivia Nuzzi - whose own memoir, American Canto, is out next month. Kennedy called Hines to let her know she might soon be reading some salacious headlines. She was travelling in Italy with her daughters at the time the news broke that Nuzzi, after writing a profile on Kennedy for New York Magazine, had embarked on a romantic, though not physical, relationship with him. 'Of course, I hated all of it,' writes Hines. 'The swirl of headlines, rumors, and insinuations was upsetting and overwhelming. I had hit a wall. 'My first reaction was a wave of indifference. I didn't care what had happened, who said what, what was real, what wasn't real, who was involved or why they were involved. 'I was fine with letting them all continue with the drama and the politics without me.' After a year and a half of political campaigning, she writes that she had already been starting to feel 'unimportant' to Kennedy. News of the relationship, she writes, was the final straw. 'It felt like a game people were playing and I wasn't interested in participating. It was the end of the line for me.' Rather than fly home to confront her husband, however, she decided to stay in Europe for a while. After a year and a half of political campaigning, she had been starting to feel 'unimportant' to Kennedy In the book, Hines also breaks her silence on the 'digital affair' her husband allegedly had with journalist Olivia Nuzzi Dealing with the fallout from the 'digital affair' accusations has, said Hines, made her marriage stronger 'Like many mothers do, I decided to table my breakdown until I was alone. I didn't know what was going to happen when I returned home and saw Bobby again, but he was eager to talk to me.' When she eventually returned to the US - she doesn't say how long she stayed away - Kennedy picked her up from the airport and they immediately pulled into a parking lot to discuss the story and its fallout. 'We probably talked for an hour while the security team watched over the car,' she writes. 'I felt so distant from him. It seemed like the only threads that were connecting me to him were directly tied to all of our kids. 'I respected and adored them too much not to listen to what Bobby had to say.' They continued to talk for the next few days. 'We locked ourselves in our room and laid it all on the table,' she writes. 'We talked about all of the painful times we'd been through in the last few years and what we meant to each other. We analyzed how we had become disconnected and what had kept us together. 'We went through all of the details about the latest story - what was true and what wasn't.' At the end of it all, she says, their relationship was stronger than ever. 'Through those soul-searching days, we tightened our ties that bind.' Unscripted by Cheryl Hines is published by Skyhorse An adorable three-month-old girl tragically died after her father heartlessly abandoned her in a baby swing. Jacob Vera was charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury in connection with his infant's death back in 2023. Vera pleaded guilty to federal charges on Thursday after he was accused of abandoning his 16-month-old daughter, Annalise, and his three-month-old daughter, Isabella, in an Indiana hotel room. The mother, Jessica Brown, told police her daughters were fine when she left them with Vera on March 25, 2023, according to the affidavit obtained by PEOPLE. Brown went to work at around 2pm, and Vera abandoned his girls a few hours later, according to the police. The mother returned to the Bestway Inn hotel in Muncie at around 8.30pm, where she made the horrific discovery. Brown found Annalise sobbing 'uncontrollably' in a mobile crib and Isabella swaddled in a blanket, rocking in a swing. Three-month-old Isabella Vera was found dead after her father heartlessly abandoned her and her sister Jacob Vera and Jessica Brown with their two daughters during the holidays When Brown scooped up Isabella, she realized the baby wasnt breathing. Panicked, she rushed to a nearby room for help, as Vera had left with their only phone, Brown told police. Muncie Police Department officers responded to the call, where medical personnel noted that the infants lifeless body showed signs of rigor mortis, indicating that Isabella had died roughly two hours before responders arrived. It was later determined that the three month old died from asphyxiation, according to the coroner. Witnesses at the hotel told police that Vera went to their rooms asking for a ride to Chicago, with one woman saying she agreed to drive him in exchange for gas money. Vera claimed that the infant was asleep when he left, and admitted he abandoned the children to travel to Chicago and avoid drama with the mother, per the affidavit. The father also admitted that he wrapped Isabella in a blanket and 'then laid another blanket on top of her in the swing,' according to the affidavit. He told investigators, If Im guilty of anything its the leaving,' the affidavit stated. Isabelle was a younger sister to Annalise, her obituary says Annalise was always nearby with an abundance of kisses Prosecutors agreed to drop the earlier neglect resulting in death charge in exchange for Vera pleading guilty to neglect resulting in serious bodily injury, 9News reported. Vera's plea deal set a maximum sentence at nine years, but the judge has the final say on how long the father will serve. Isabella was 'an incredibly happy baby' and 'perfect little sister,' according to her obituary. 'She was safe and loving in her mothers arms... Her sister Annalise was her best friend, always nearby with an abundance of kisses,' it read. A senior Labour minister tonight launched a fierce defence of the BBC despite the crisis engulfing the broadcaster. In a statement to the House of Commons, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy heaped praise on 'Auntie' as it reels from the dramatic resignations of senior bosses. She hailed the broadcaster as a 'light on the hill for people here and across the world' and dismissed claims it is institutionally bias. Ms Nandy addressed MPs in the wake of Tim Davie quitting as BBC director general and Deborah Turness standing down as the broadcaster's head of news. Their exits came amid a furious row over the way in which a speech by Donald Trump was edited in an episode of Panorama. The US President has since threatened to sue the BBC for $1billion and branded the broadcaster '100 per cent fake news'. Ms Nandy told the Commons on Tuesday that the BBC must 'renew its mission for the modern age' as it fights to restore trust. But she warned those MPs attacking the broadcaster to 'consider just what is at stake'. In a statement to the House of Commons, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy heaped praise on 'Auntie' as it reels from the dramatic resignations of senior bosses Ms Nandy addressed MPs in the wake of Tim Davie quitting as BBC director general and Deborah Turness standing down as the broadcaster's head of news 'There is a fundamental difference between raising serious concerns over editorial failings and members of this House launching a sustained attack on the institution itself,' the Culture Secretary said. 'Because the BBC is not just a broadcaster, it is a national institution that belongs to us all.' The BBC's charter expires at the end of 2027 and the process of reviewing it is now set to begin with the organisation at the centre of a storm. Ms Nandy said the charter review process will begin imminently, telling MPs: 'Together, we will ensure the BBC is sustainably funded, commands the public's trust and continues to drive growth, good jobs, skills and creativity across every region and nation of the UK. 'In an era in which trust is fraying and truth is contested across our nation, it will ensure the BBC remains fiercely independent and is genuinely accountable to the public it serves.' Ms Nandy said a public consultation would begin 'shortly'. Tory shadow culture secretary Nigel Huddleston called for the BBC to apologise to Mr Trump for the editing of his speech featured in a Panorama documentary. He also demanded a 'root-and-branch review' of the corporation's adherence to impartiality. Mr Huddleston said: 'The BBC is in a sorry mess and, sadly, one of its own making that has resulted in the resignations of the director-general and the CEO of news. 'These recent leadership changes are a response to the growing number of examples of bias in the BBC, one of which has resulted in a potential one billion dollar lawsuit. 'Too many examples have come to light exposing bias at the BBC, particularly as it relates to the news and current affairs output, examples that have often strayed far away from the BBC's own editorial guidelines.' Ms Nandy agreed that leadership changes at the BBC will not fix all the problems faced by the corporation. She told Mr Huddleston: 'I do strongly agree with him that two resignations are not the answer to the challenges that the BBC has faced, not just over the last week, but in recent months. 'I've come to this House too many times to share with the House progress updates on editorial failings. 'I'm pleased that the chairman of the BBC, Dr Samir Shah, has accepted where the institution has made mistakes. 'I'm pleased that he's been open with the chair of the Select Committee about that and I'm pleased that he is setting out concrete actions that follow.' Ms Nandy said that these actions must be swift, robust and transparent. The Culture Secretary acknowledged 'serious concerns and failings' on the part of the BBC Arabic Service. But she added: 'The World Service is a light on the hill for people in places of darkness and there are many in this in the world at the moment, and this Government strongly supports the World Service and will continue to do so.' A Republican trucker running for governor in Michigan said he plans on walking through a city known for its large Muslim population so he can 'expose' it. Anthony Hudson, of Grand Blanc, is not just on a mission to become the leader of the state, but is looking to shed more light on Dearborn - the largest Arab-majority city in the US. Hudson, 48, recently shared several social media posts about a demonstration he's planning for November 18 that will see him and his supporters walk through Dearborn to show that residents 'do not need to be scared or be afraid to get together.' He vowed that through the demonstration they will 'expose Dearborn for what it is.' 'Freedom of religion will not be misconstrued to oppress constitutional liberties,' Hudson posted on November 3. The conservative said the event is also a way for him to help 'protect Americans from Sharia law' - the system that guides the lives of Muslims based on the Quran and teachings from the Prophet Muhammad. The politician said the march is meant to be 'peaceful,' but noted that everyone has a 'constitutional right to assemble.' 'We're not going to go block streets. We're not going to be screaming religious... comments to people,' he told The Detroit News. Anthony Hudson, a trucker running for governor in Michigan, said he plans to walk through Dearborn to 'expose it' Dearborn is the largest Arab-majority city in the US and has sparked debate in the state in recent times. (Pictured: Arab-Americans march in the Detroit suburb) 'We're simply just walking to show people: One, we're not afraid to go into any town or any community in the state; and (two) we're trying to bring people together.' If elected in November 2026, Hudson said he will authorize the National Guard to enter Dearborn, the hometown of Ford Motor Co. 'So we can protect the people of Dearborn from Sharia law and all the c**p that's happening there,' he told the outlet. When contacted by the Daily Mail, Hudson said: 'Michigan First! America First! 'We will protect all citizens of this country from any foreign take overs and as governor I will BAN Sharia Law and bring law and order back to these communities.' The candidate's comments come just weeks after five suspected terrorists were arrested in the Detroit suburb for allegedly planning a violent Halloween weekend attack. The FBI Detroit previously confirmed to the Daily Mail that the agency raided three homes in Dearborn and Inkster. Weapons including legally owned guns were recovered at the scene and sources described the suspects as home-grown radicals. That instance pushed Hudson to speak up about his concern for the city that has a population of about 106,300, he explained. Although he is unsure how many people will show up for the upcoming march, he is hopeful for a good turn out. The Daily Mail contacted Hudson for comment. Hudson (pictured with conservative activist Riley Gaines) said the event is also a way for him to help 'protect American from Sharia law' The event comes just months after Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud faced backlash after he told a Christian resident he was 'not welcome' following a tense exchange over a road sign honoring a local who expressed support for Hamas. Hammoud made the comment in September after Edward 'Ted' Barham told a City Council meeting that he opposed a road sign being erected at an intersection honoring Lebanese-American journalist Osama Siblani. Siblani founded the Arab American News, the first bilingual Arab weekly paper in Dearborn. He's previously come under fire for comments sympathetic to Hamas, calling the Palestinian group 'freedom fighters.' Barham said the sign was 'provocative' and accused Siblani of being a supporter of Hezbollah and Hamas, which are considered terrorist organizations by the US. 'I feel like having that sign up there is almost like naming a street Hezbollah Street or Hamas Street,' Barham argued. 'Hezbollah bombed the embassy in Beirut, including many Americans. I just feel it's quite inappropriate.' The candidate's comments come just weeks after five suspected terrorists were arrested in the Detroit suburb for allegedly planning a violent Halloween weekend attack Members of the Middle Eastern community living in Dearborn hold a candlelight vigil on the anniversary October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel in 2024 'He talks about how the blood of the martyrs irrigates the land of Palestine,' Barham continued. He then quoted Siblani as saying: 'Whether we are in Michigan and whether we are in Yemen. 'Believe me, everyone should fight within his means. They will fight with stones, others will fight with guns, others fight with planes, drones, and rockets.' Siblani had made the remarks during a Nakba Day rally in 2022. He clarified to the Daily Mail that the quote was a call for justice, not violence, and that he stood by his comments. 'People have the right to fight occupation and oppression by all necessary means and it is justified and accepted under international law. I said here in America we fight with our words of support for free Palestine,' Siblani said. 'Mr. Barham, and people like him are blind and their racist minds prevent them from seeing the atrocities being committed by the Israeli government against Palestinians in Gaza. I see it and condemn it in the strongest terms.'. A postal worker has died after getting stuck in a mail handling machine - and his body was only discovered after his devastated fiancee turned up at his workplace. The employee in his 30s was found dead on Saturday after being trapped for several hours inside a large mail handling machine at the United States Postal Service Detroit Network Distribution Center in Allen Park, Michigan. Police believe the death was accidental, though the exact circumstances of how the worker became stuck remain under investigation. The man's body was discovered by firefighters who responded after the worker failed to return home from his shift. Investigators believe he had been deceased for approximately six to eight hours before being located, lodged inside the machine at the facility. His fiancee initially alerted authorities to his absence and waited outside the facility for hours before receiving assistance. The identity of the worker has not yet been publicly released. The United States Postal Service issued a statement expressing condolences: 'The United States Postal Service is deeply saddened by the loss of our employee at the Detroit Network Distribution Center (NDC) in Allen Park, MI. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. The NDC is fully operational at this time.' Inquiries are underway to determine whether safety protocols were followed and if any mechanical or procedural failures contributed to the incident. A maintenance worker in his 30s was found dead after being trapped for several hours in a mail handling machine at the USPS Detroit Network Distribution Center in Allen Park, Michigan The United States Postal Inspection Service is investigating the incident, which has been classified as accidental (file image) Authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding the status of the investigation by Monday. The incident has raised questions about workplace safety protocols in high-risk environments and prompted calls for a thorough review of equipment and emergency response procedures at the facility. Daily Mail reached out to Allen Park Police, who have turned the investigation over to the United States Postal Inspection Service. The death comes just days after another worker was killed in Michigan. A 41-year-old worker from the Croswell area was killed last week after being struck by a payloader at the Michigan Sugar Piling Grounds in Croswell. The Croswell Police Department was called to the site around 6 p.m. and found the man with life-threatening injuries; he was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The incident is currently under investigation by the Croswell Police Department in cooperation with the Michigan Sugar Safety Department. Michigan Sugar Company released a statement expressing condolences and confirming that grief counselors were made available for employees. Teachers are threatening to plunge schools into strike chaos in a bid to cut the amount of time they spend in front of pupils. Scotlands largest teaching union is urging its members to back strike action over a dispute on class contact time the period spent teaching. The SNP pledged in its manifesto ahead of the 2021 election to reduce weekly contact time from 22.5 hours to 21 hours. But Andrea Bradley, general secretary of the EIS union, which has around 60,000 members, said the SNP Government has delivered absolutely nothing. The planned action - which was announced on the same day teachers were handed a 7.5 per cent pay rise - raises fears of a winter of discontent for thousands of parents and pupils early next year. Last night Scottish Tory education spokesman Miles Briggs said: If teachers vote for strike action, the blame will lie with SNP ministers who have broken yet another promise. Pupils missing classroom time ahead of crucial exams is the last thing they need, but this government has failed to recognise the hard work that our teachers do. They are overworked and under-resourced - instead of offering them warm words, the SNP should set out what concrete steps they will take to support this vital workforce. Andrea Bradley, general secretary of the EIS union, said the SNP Government has delivered absolutely nothing Scottish Tory education spokesman Miles Briggs said: If teachers vote for strike action, the blame will lie with SNP ministers Jenny Gilruth must take action now to ensure that a deal is struck, teachers concerns are addressed and pupils dont face any unnecessary disruption. EIS members will be able to vote from Wednesday until January 14 on potential action as a result, with the unions leadership pushing for teachers to back both strike action and action short of a strike. The Scottish Government said it is disappointed the ballot has been opened. Any action would be likely to be taken ahead of next years Holyrood election and could damage the prospects of the SNP if a resolution is not reached. Ms Bradley said: In opening this ballot, we are reminding the Scottish Government and [council umbrella body] Cosla that it is essential that they keep their promises to Scottish education, Scotlands teachers and Scotlands learners. It is simply not acceptable for national or local politicians to be elected on the promise of improving education, in this case by tackling teacher workload and employing more teachers, then failing to deliver upon those promises, particularly when issues around teacher workload and precarity of employment are so serious. This ballot is a chance for Scotlands teachers to show both their employers and the Scottish Government their strength of feeling, and to compel them to work constructively together and act on teacher workload. I would urge all eligible EIS members to look out for their ballot paper arriving in the post, and to cast their vote in this hugely important ballot. The EIS executive strongly recommends to members that they should vote yes to strike action and yes to action short of strike. We must send the type of strong and united message that is impossible for the politicians to ignore. The patience of both teachers and the union, Ms Bradley added, was at an end on this issue. Teachers spend time when they are not in front of pupils on tasks such as forward planning and marking homework. The 2billion McCrone deal, brokered by former education minister Jack [now Lord] McConnell in 2001, handed teachers a 35-hour week and a 23 per cent salary increase. But the architect of the agreement, Professor Gavin McCrone, admitted in 2011 that it had created clock-watching staff. He said he had never intended the 35-hour week to be a binding contract because it was demeaning for a profession to be told how to spend their time. Teachers claim the commitment to a 35-hour week is regularly breached amid growing staff shortages. The latest row comes after it emerged resident doctors are to be balloted over strike action after BMA Scotland said ministers shamefully reneged on a previous pay agreement. The union said the proposed uplift for 2025/26 would have been the lowest in the UK and was less than was recommended by the independent pay review body. But Health Secretary Neil Gray said he was disappointed by the move following what he described as a fair, affordable, equitable pay offer. Scotlands resident doctors - previously known as junior doctors - were poised to strike in the summer of 2023 but the action was called off after a new pay offer. As part of the last deal, BMA Scotland said the government had pledged to make credible progress on pay for each of the following three financial years. Commenting on the EIS strike plans, a Scottish Government spokesman said: Ministers have been clear that reducing class contact will help support the time and space necessary for teachers, to allow them to drive improvement and reform in our schools and improve outcomes for their pupils. We are committed to working with teaching unions and Cosla to agree our approach to delivering a reduction in class contact time at pace. Ministers respect union members right to withdraw their labour, but are disappointed that the EIS has taken this action while these constructive discussions are ongoing. Meanwhile, the teachers panel of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) yesterday accepted a pay offer, tabled by Cosla, the council umbrella body. It will see a four per cent rise, increasing to 4.25 per cent from April 1, 2026. There will be a 3.25 per cent uplift from August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027 a cumulative rise of 7.5 per cent over two years. But teachers said much more is required in future years to ensure that the erosion in the value of teachers pay since 2008 is fully addressed. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: I am delighted that teachers have accepted this pay offer, which ensures that Scottish classroom teachers on the main-grade scale continue to be the best paid in the UK. I am particularly pleased that many teachers may now benefit from their backdated pay award ahead of Christmas. However, we should be achieving pay settlements for teachers earlier in the year, so I hope we can use the time this extended pay deal provides to explore how we might improve the process for the future. Nearly 140 prisoners were back on the streets as part of the SNPs bid to tackle jail overcrowding - but governors vetoed the release of dozens more on safety grounds. Justice Secretary Angela Constance had set out plans for 213 eligible prisoners to be freed in the first phase of the latest tranche of early releases. But only 139 were actually set free, with the remaining 74 blocked after of concerns were raised about the immediate risk of harm to an individual or group. Ms Constance admitted that the latest release of prisoners will cause anxiety for some victims of crime. Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: This is a dark day for public safety as yet more dangerous criminals are released back onto Scotlands streets under the SNPs watch. Scotlands prison population crisis is entirely of the SNPs own making with their catastrophic failure to build new prisons on time and on budget. The justice secretary has now admitted what we all know: that this latest round of releases will cause anxiety for victims. Worse still, she said she had no idea how many of these criminals were violent offenders. Not only does this continual knee-jerk response undermine judicial sentencing, but its also an abject betrayal of victims who still have no guarantees of being notified about the release of an offender. Its simply common sense that prisoners should serve their sentences in full. However, under the soft-touch SNP, criminals are shamefully getting a free pass yet again whilst victims are left in the dark. Inmates left Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow under the Scottish Government's early release scheme A total of 213 prisoners were eligible to be freed yesterday but only 139 were actually set free Over the next six months, 990 prisoners serving sentences of under four years and with less than 180 days to go until their scheduled release day are eligible for early release as part of the SNP Governments plan to tackle jail overcrowding. The legislation rushed through parliament last week excludes those serving sentences for sexual offences or domestic abuse and gives prison governors a power of veto if there is evidence they would pose an immediate risk to specific individuals or groups. Ms Constance told BBC Good Morning Scotland: In terms of this first tranche, which is this week, there are 213 prisoners eligible. However, because of the stringent safeguards that have been introduced, there is the governors veto. So, for tranche one, there will be 139 prisoners released early this week, and that is necessary to ease overcrowding in our prisons, which presents a critical risk to the safety and wellbeing of those who work in prisons. If we have more victims in our prisons (workforce), we will have more victims in our community, so this is being done in a planned, orderly fashion. It is understood that the vast majority of the 74 prisoners who were eligible for release yesterday but were not freed were kept behind bars due to the prison governor veto, while a very small number could have been denied their freedom for other reasons like a new warrant for a separate offence. Ms Constance accepted that the early release will have an impact on victims. She said: What I absolutely accept is that early release will cause anxiety for some victims, there is no doubt about that. She said that those registered with the victim notification scheme will be advised of a release date. Those not registered can find out in other ways such as by contacting the Scottish Prison Service directly or a victim support organisation. Among those leaving HMP Edinburgh yesterday was James Mee, 41, who said he was released early from a 10-month sentence for drink driving and cannabis driving, having originally been set to be let out on November 28. On his experiences behind bars, he said: There are drugs everywhere. There are good people and there are bad people Ive been assaulted in there by people. Theres not enough for prisoners to do. Theres not enough. Its overcrowded. Im traumatised from the experience. Justice Secretary Angela Constance accepted that the early release will have an impact on victims He added: Its been the worst experience of my life. Another prisoner leaving HMP Barlinnie said he had been in prison for carrying a knife and was due to be released next year. The man said conditions there were terrible, s***, chaos, if one word can describe it its chaos. Asked how he felt about early release he said: I feel good. Another prisoner shouted liberation as they left the prison. A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: We have a prison population that is extremely complex and rising rapidly. Today we have reached another record high of 8,441, presenting a critical challenge for our staff and to the safety and stability of our establishments and those in our care. We have developed plans for a careful and considered Emergency Early Release, which is now being taken forward in close collaboration with national and community partners, across justice, health, social work, and other sectors. The safety and wellbeing of those who live and work in our establishments, and our wider communities, will remain a key focus throughout. Venezuela is reportedly preparing for a war with the United States, as boats continue to be blown up in international waters, and draft plans for military action are being made by the United States. The country is gearing up for US military action by readying old Russian-made weapons and developing plans for irregular, guerrilla-style warfare aimed at disrupting or resisting an invasion, documents reviewed by Reuters showed. President Trump has mentioned the chance of operations on the ground in the country, saying several times in response to reporters that 'the land is going to be next,' after targeted strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean. There was, however, some mixed messaging, as he later said there wouldn't be any strikes in Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has led the country since 2013, claims Trump is trying to oust him from office and insists that both the Venezuelan people and the armed forces will oppose any effort to do so. Sources familiar with the matter say Venezuela's strategy reveals an important fact: an implicit acknowledgment of the country's insufficient troop numbers and outdated military equipment. Reports of the country's weakness go even further. Six people familiar with the country's military told Reuters that its armed forces are completely outmatched by those of the United States. Couple that with poor training, bad pay, aging equipment and a lack of resources. Maduro has maintained firm support from the armed forces by continuing Hugo Chavez's approach of appointing military officers to key government positions and leadership roles - securing their loyalty Sources familiar with the matter say Venezuela's strategy reveals an important fact: an implicit acknowledgment of the country's insufficient troop numbers and outdated military equipment Venezuela is reportedly preparing for a war with the United States, as boats continue to be blown up off in international waters, and rumors of draft plans are being made by the United States A drone view shows the US Navy guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg docked in Puerto Rico Some commanders have had to strike deals with local food suppliers to sustain their soldiers due to insufficient government provision, two sources with insight into the nation's security forces have said. Sources say there could be desertion from soldiers in the event of an attack - and that there are two main strategies at play. The first is a guerrilla-style defense that the Venezuelan government has nicknamed 'prolonged resistance' and mentioned in broadcasts on state television. That would involve small military units at more than 280 locations carrying out guerrilla methods, according to several years-old planning documents seen by Reuters. Guerrilla resistance means small groups of fighters using surprise attacks and quick movements to fight a larger, more powerful enemy A source involved in defense planning and another close to the opposition say the second plan, called 'anarchization,' would have intelligence agents and armed supporters of the ruling party stir up chaos in Caracas to make the country too chaotic for foreign forces to control. It is unclear when the government could implement any of these strategies, but sources indicate that they are preemptive, albeit a long shot from actually being successful. 'We're not ready to face one of the world's most powerful and well-trained armies,' the source said. Maduro has maintained firm support from the armed forces by continuing Hugo Chavez's approach of appointing military officers to key government positions and leadership roles - securing their loyalty. The military's top brass endorsed Maduro's 2024 election win, even though extensive evidence has shown that the election was rigged and that the opposition candidate had clearly come out ahead. The communications ministry in Venezuela did not respond to questions regarding the story. Angus Robertson is facing an ethics probe after repeatedly misleading parliament about his involvement with Scotlands scandal-hit heritage quango. The Culture Secretary last week insisted three times to MSPs that he was never invited to a board meeting of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) despite it being in crisis. But a leaked memo later showed HESs then chair asked him to attend in August. Mr Robertson yesterday claimed he was kept in the dark by his own officials, leading to him being branded a lazy minister who is not across the detail. Tory MSP Stephen Kerr also asked John Swinney to refer the matter to his independent advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code. Whether Mr Roberson misled parliament inadvertently or because of competence issues, it was a grave breach of the standards expected of a minister, Mr Kerr wrote. Any minister found to have deliberately misled parliament would have to quit. HES has been in crisis since the spring, when new boss Katerina Brown went on sick leave amid claims of racism, drunkenness, freeloading and corruption among staff at the 70 million a year outfit, which oversees more than 300 historic locations. Culture Minister Angus Robertson has come under fire after it was revealed he HAD been invited to attend crisis-hit HES board meetings Mr Robertson ordered his officials to attend HES board meetings from May onwards because of the claims, but did not go himself. He was grilled by MSPs last night after Mr Kerr tabled an urgent question about him wrongly telling Holyroods culture committee he was never asked to attend. Confirming he was invited by former chair Dr Hugh Hall, the culture secretary said: I was not aware of any such invitation when I attended the committee last week. Senior officials have now confirmed they had not advised me of the request from the former chair as they were seeking to address a number of sensitive matters at Historic Environment Scotland prior to providing me with advice. Perhaps the most pressing sensitivity was that included in the on-going investigations at HES was one into the conduct of the former chair Dr Hugh Hall. Subsequent to his request, Dr Hall indicated his resignation some months prior to the end of his term. This brought the investigation into his conduct to an end, and as a result, his request to meet the board was superseded. Mr Kerr called that frankly nonsense and said the ministerial code required him to give accurate and truthful information and correct any errors at the earliest opportunity. He said Mr Robertson was completely out of touch with events in his own office and that by throwing a senior civil servant under the bus he had damaged his own reputation, adding: Shifting blame onto officials is no substitute for competence. Ex-Tory leader Douglas Ross told Mr Robertson: I simply do not believe him and asked if officials withheld information because of the concerns we have heard from members of his party and his government that he is a lazy minister who is not across the detail of his brief. Mr Robertson said he had been clear with officials he was to be kept informed or any such requests in a timely fashion in future. Asked by Tory MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston about the request to the FM for an ethics probe and if he should refer himself to watchdogs, Mr Robertson said: It's up to other people if they wish to launch investigations, take part in investigations, call for investigations. I know thats the job of opposition parties to do that. A murderous illegal immigrant living in the US has finally been arrested more than a decade after she tortured and threw her victim off a balcony in her home country. Victoria Sorocean, from Moldova, was taken into custody on November 4 in Los Angeles after being released into the US by the Biden administration. The blonde killer, 40, was convicted of intentional murder in September 2013 - but fled to America, where she lived under the radar until being arrested under Trump's first administration on January 10, 2020. Sorocean then used a series of legal loopholes avoid being deported, including seeking asylum and filing multiple appeals with the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Department of Homeland Security said. Just two years later, the Eastern European was released back into the US under Biden's administration - until her successful capture by ICE last week. Sorocean, who is described as a 'barbaric criminal,' and her unnamed accomplice tortured the victim inside an apartment in Moldova's capital city Chisinau. The pair beat the victim with a stick and an electrical cable, then threw them to their death out of a ninth-floor window. Sorocean was convicted and sentenced to 17 years for committing murder with premeditation and exceptional cruelty - but never served her time. Victoria Sorocean, an illegal immigrant from Moldova, has finally been arrested after she fled to the US after being convicted of torturing and murdering a victim in 2013 After her arrest during Trump's first administration, Sorocean was released back into the US under former President Joe Biden. (Pictured: ICE agents in Camarillo, California in July) The killer was pictured handcuffed in the back of a federal vehicle - sporting blonde highlighted hair, a pink manicure, heavy eyeliner and a Converse T-shirt. She gripped a water bottle in between her handcuffed hands and hung her head in shame. According to records, Sorocean was living at a three-bedroom home valued at $1.2 million in North Hollywood before she was apprehended by ICE last week. 'It shocks the conscience that the Biden Administration released into America a cruel, violent illegal alien who tortured a human being, beat them with an electrical cable and a stick, and then threw her victim from a ninth-floor window,' DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said following Sorocean's arrest. 'These are the types of barbaric criminal illegal aliens ICE is targeting every single day. 70% of all ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. 'This does not even include foreign fugitives like this convicted murderer. 'Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, the world's criminals are no longer welcome in the U.S.' Sorocean will remain in ICE custody until her removal proceedings, the agency said. The Daily Mail contacted DHS, ICE and Sorocean's attorney for comment. The Trump administration is in the midst of a record-breaking crackdown on illegal immigration, one of his key pledges during the 2024 presidential campaign. Last week, the number of detainees in ICE custody reached 66,000, the highest ever recorded. Pictured: A street view of the home in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, that Sorocean was living in before she was arrested by ICE ICEs detainee population has surged nearly 70 percent since Trump began his second term in January, when around 39,000 people were being held. The current total surpasses the previous peak of about 56,000 detainees in 2019 during Trumps first term, according to data analyzed by researchers at Syracuse University. But it is actually President Barack Obama's administration that holds the record for most deportations. During his two terms from 2009 and 2016, Obama removed roughly 3 million people from the US, earning him the nickname 'Deporter-in-Chief' among immigration critics. Deportations peaked in 2012, when around 409,000 people were removed. By comparison, Trump is estimated to have deported around 1.5million people during his first term. The SNPs flagship boast that most Scots pay less income tax than in the rest of the UK has been shot down by Holyroods budget watchdog. John Swinney and his cabinet have repeatedly claimed a majority of Scots taxpayers pay less than their equivalents south of the Border as Scotland has a progressive tax system, with the heaviest burden falling on high-earners. But the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) yesterday issued revised numbers indicating most Scots actually paid more income tax more than their English counterparts in the past two years. It also appeared to contradict a statement Mr Swinney made to MSPs last week by saying no one measure could give a definitive picture. The Scottish Conservatives accused the First Minister of trying to pull the wool over the eyes of voters. The SFC estimated 1.53 million Scots had a gross income above the 27,850 threshold for paying more tax than in the rest of the UK in 2023/24, compared to 1.42 million below it. It also said 1.56 million Scots had a gross income over the 28,867 threshold for paying more income tax 2024/25, with 1.49 million below it. Tory finance spokesman Craig Hoy said: The SFCs figures confirm that the SNPs previous claims about income tax are wrong. First Minister John Swinney's claim on tax has been shot down by The Scottish Fiscal Commission Scottish Conservative MSP Craig Hoy Under the SNP, for the past two years most Scottish taxpayers have faced higher income tax rates than people elsewhere in the UK. John Swinney has been trying to pull the wool over the eyes of 1.5 million hard-working Scots who are paying more and getting less. The SFCs figures echo those of HM Revenue & Customs, which last month estimated most Scots paid more income tax than their English equivalents in the same two years. Despite doubts over the SNPs claim, Mr Swinney told First Ministers Questions last week: The independent Scottish Fiscal Commission has confirmed that the majority of taxpayers in Scotland are set to pay less this year than they would elsewhere in the United Kingdom. That is the judgment of the independent Scottish Fiscal Commission. But the SFC yesterday made clear it was not confirming that. Any one estimate of median income will not provide a definitive answer as to whether a majority of Scottish taxpayers pay less income tax than they would in the rest of the UK, it said alongside its new estimates. Sam Taylor, chief executive of These Islands, who exposed the flaw in the SNP boast, said: On the basis of these new SFC numbers, the Scottish Governments claim has been false for the last two financial years. The SFC forecast for this financial year does suggest the claim might turn out to be true in 2025/26, but the SFC explicitly states its forecasts do not provide a definitive answer. This means that what John Swinney told parliament last week was not true. Scottish Labour finance spokesman Michael Marra said: These figures have blown a hole in John Swinneys dodgy claims. Its time for the SNP to drop the spin, start treating public money with respect and focus on delivering for the people of Scotland. Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Jamie Greene added: People simply dont trust this government to use their money wisely, or get public spending to a steady footing. SNP finance minister Ivan McKee highlighted other SFC figures indicating most taxpayers would pay less than in the rest of the UK in 2024/25 and 2025/26 based on net income after pension relief deductions. This demonstrates that our commitment to ensure the majority would pay less than elsewhere in the UK is being delivered. This years threshold for Scots taxpayers putting more than elsewhere in the UK is 30,318. Meanwhile, SNP finance committee convener Kenneth Gibson told Mr McKee the Government was creating mirage budgets by switching hundreds of millions between portfolios each year, calling it ludicrous, a description Mr McKee rejected. Confronting footage has captured the moment masked teenage girls allegedly turned a suburban Woolworths into chaos, punching staff, ramming trolleys, and hurling stolen goods. The chaos erupted about 7pm on Saturday at Woolworths Werribee Central, in the Melbourne's west, when a group of young women began tearing through aisles, grabbing stock and abusing staff. When security guards and employees tried to stop them at the exit, the scene turned violent. The teens allegedly threw punches, smashed cash registers and used trolleys as battering rams as terrified customers watched on A stunned shopper filmed the five-minute ordeal and later shared the footage with 3AW host Jacqui Felgate, and said the witness who captured it was still shaken days later. Three girls have since been charged over the shocking incident and remain out on bail. 'Fists were flying,' Rohan told Felgate. 'You can hear glass from things smashing from things being thrown across the store. It was absolutely shocking.' Three teenage girls have been charged over the terrifying incident at Woolworths Werribee Central Store stock was used to assault staff and damage property Victoria Police confirmed to Daily Mail that officers were called to the supermarket on Saturday night following reports that a group of teens had allegedly assaulted staff and damaged property. Three girls were arrested nearby a short time later. Two 17-year-olds from the Hume area and a third girl, 16, from the Melbourne North area were charged with theft, unlawful assault, affray and discharge missile. They were bailed to a children's court at a later date. Woolworths is one of 22 major retailers across Australia leading calls for federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland and state jurisdictions to implement new Workplace Protection Orders to address soaring rates of retail crime. Recommendations include dedicated police taskforces, reforms to prevent repeat offenders from entering stores, and facial recognition technology. An estimated 800,000 crime-related incidents took place in stores in 2024. A quarter of those incidents involved some form of violence, intimidation, threats, or physical or verbal abuse, according to the Australian Retailers Association. It comes as Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan announces new 'adult crime, adult time' laws under a sweeping overhaul of Victoria's youth justice laws. SNP ministers have been warned they risk another dangerous male criminal like rapist Isla Bryson being housed in a womens jail unless they finally exclude biological males. Scottish Tory equalities spokeswoman Tess White told justice secretary Angela Constance she was spine-chillingly concerned about a repeat of the notorious case. Bryson, who was born male, was jailed for eight years in 2023 after raping two women in Clydebank and Glasgow in 2016 and 2019 while known as Adam Graham. Initially placed in a womens prison, Bryson was moved to the men's estate after a public outcry. Despite the Supreme Courts landmark judgment that biological sex determines a persons legal rights, the Scottish Prison Service still allows biological men in womens jails. The Scottish Government now plans to defend the trans inmates policy after a legal challenge by feminist group For Women Scotland, who secured the Supreme Court ruling. Although ministers have axed guidance letting boys who identify as girls use female facilities in schools, self-ID in prisons remains a live issue the Court of Session heard last week. At Holyrood yesterday, Ms White asked Ms Constance to justify the government's defence only to be told it was not appropriate to comment on live court proceedings. Conservative Tory leader Russell Findlay listens as his colleague Tess White questions the Justice Secretary Double rapist Isla Bryson Ms White said the Government had ignored the Supreme Court, dithered and delayed and left vulnerable women and girls at serious risk. She said: If these prison guidelines remain, I am spine-chillingly concerned about a repeat of the Isla Bryson case, where under the SNPs watch a dangerous male criminal was put in a womens prison. Refusing to comment directly on the legal action, Ms Constance said: I remain very firmly of the view that every woman has the right, not only to feel safe, but to be safe. Tory MSP Douglas Ross, who shouted thats not true when she said it was inappropriate to comment on a live case, said he believed Ms Constance had misled parliament, as contempt of court law allowed her to give full answers. Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone told him it was a matter for the Scottish Government as a party to the case to consider the level of detail they wish to go into. Ms Constance added later: The Scottish Government does not regard it as appropriate to engage in public comment in respect of live court proceedings. I know people will have different views on the law, and over the course of the weekend I appreciate there has been commentary. But I can advise chamber that I do not take legal advice from social media. She reminded MSPs past committee evidence on the Scottish Prison Services trans policy was that no transgender women with a history of violence against women and girls, who presents a risk of harm is placed in the female estate. Ms White said afterwards: Its been six months since the UKs highest court ruled that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. This judgement was crystal clear but while John Swinney and his SNP colleagues have shamefully stalled for time, biological men remain in womens prisons. The SNP are wasting taxpayers money to defend their belief that men should be in womens prisons. John Swinney needs to get off the fence, stop defending the indefensible and finally back single-sex places for women and girls. A city school is under investigation after a teacher allegedly ruined Christmas by telling pupils 'Santa is not real'. The remark was said to have been made at Greenbrae Primary School in Aberdeen during a lesson on All Saints' Day. It caused upset among nine and 10-year-old students who had asked a series of questions about saints, including St Nicholas - also known as Father Christmas. Parents have now complained over the way discussions were handled, prompting an intervention from Abderdeen City Council. Some said it was 'a shame' the school had 'ruined the magic of Christmas' and others expressed a desire for the teacher involved to 'have a talking to'. One mother, of a P5 pupil, said the situation was 'not nice' and recognised that children would be 'upset'. A spokesman for Aberdeen City Council said: 'We are aware that a group of primary six pupils engaged in a conversation about All Saints' Day, which led to some children posing questions about other saints, including St Nicholas. 'Families can be assured that investigation learnings have been shared to support our staff to help navigate sensitive discussions. A teacher from Greenbrae Primary School in Aberdeen has been added to Santa's naughty list 'The council values the magic and joy of the festive season and appreciates the small number of parents and carers who brought their concerns to us.' Parents have insisted the alleged slip-up has made Christmas less special for their children, and shared their shock with the Press and Journal. One said: 'This shouldn't be a topic that is discussed at school time at all.' Another added: 'Kids aren't young for very long and Christmas is so special for them.' A P4 pupil's mother said she hoped there would be 'words' within the school to 'sort this out'. But one parent admitted it was getting 'increasingly difficult' to hide the harsh reality about Father Christmas's existence - or lack of - from their children. Another parent, of a P7 pupil, added: 'I have already discussed that with my kids. I think it should be up to the parents, but I would have thought kids that age would have already known.' Aberdeen councillor and education convenor Martin Greig said: 'Santa is an important part of the Christmas celebrations. 'It's great to see the happiness and fun that Santa brings to children and families. Each year, the experience creates lovely, long-lasting memories.' Only last year, there was an explosion of outrage on Mumsnet after a mother revealed her seven-year-old child's religion teacher also told him Father Christmas was not real. Last year, taking to British parenting platform Mumsnet, a mother claimed her son came home from school to reveal his teacher told him the truth about Santa Parents then accused Rev Dr Paul Chamberlain of 'ruining' Christmas with his comments about Father Christmas. Pictured is Rev Chamberlain in 2018, with the town's war memorial Taking to the British parenting platform, she claimed her child 'isn't one to exaggerate' and questioned whether it was 'reasonable' to tell someone of that age the truth, following Reverend Dr Paul Chamberlain's remarks at Lee-on-the-Solent Junior School in Hampshire. Many rushed to the comments with mixed views, as some claimed teachers can't lie to students if they are asked. The post read: 'Is it reasonable for a RE teacher to tell seven-year-olds that Father Christmas isn't real? 'My seven-year-old dear son has just told me that his RE teacher told the class Father Christmas 'isn't real' today. 'He isn't one to over-exaggerate. I asked if any of the kids prompted it by asking and he said no, she just said it. 'If you think it's unreasonable, would you say anything to the school? YABU - teachers are fine to say FC is not real at the age of seven.' But one person wrote: 'Yes she is right, I expect a couple of the children asked and the teacher could hardly lie. Father Christmas isn't real! 'Children can be told about St Nicholas and others from whence the myth originated and it's fun to pretend but there comes a point where pretending stops. The remarks last year were made in a talk to pupils at Lee-on-the-Solent Junior School in Hampshire 'I certainly never believed in the Santa myth when I was seven, I doubt many did. It strikes me that parents get a lot more upset about it than their children.' Another added: 'Sorry, but I think seven is an age when they should probably learn that FC is not real. 'There have been quite a few discussions on here where people mentioned finding out at later ages and being quite traumatized by being lied to for such a long time. 'And letting everyone know now, together, as a group - at an age when none of the kids is going to be teased by peers if their reaction in class makes it clear that they believed up until this point - is a way of ensuring that some of the kids don't get mocked by other kids at 10 or 11 when it gets out that they still believe in FC. 'I think some of the parents here (especially nowadays? At my school in the 80s, I'm pretty sure everyone knew by seven or eight anyway?) are letting this stuff drag on way too long. I don't think it encourages critical thinking, and it creates the risk of teasing and humiliation at some point.' It's never been more difficult to be a supporter of the BBC. As scandal, yet again, engulfs it, the temptation to join those now demanding its defunding is powerful. Why should any of us pay for a national broadcaster that misled us and censored news output? The resignations of director general Tim Davie and news CEO Deborah Turness, after the publication of a critical memo written by a former adviser to the corporations editorial standards committee have thrown the organisation into chaos. The BBCs already shaky reputation for impartiality is in tatters and it faces a $1billion (760million) lawsuit from Donald Trump. The memo written by Michael Prescott, who served as an adviser to the broadcasters Editorial Guidelines and Standards Board before leaving in June, and leaked last week accuses the BBC of serious failings. Not only does Mr Prescott highlight issues with coverage of Gaza, he alleges anti-Trump and anti-Israel bias and calls out one-sided reporting on trans issues from a news department captured by LGBT activists. And so those high-profile scalps were entirely necessary. Mr Davie and Ms Turness enabled a culture which meant licence-payers were paying 174.50 a year to be lied to. But, though those resignations are welcome, there is a long way to go before the BBC earns back trust. Thats not going to be easy. BBC Director General Tim Davie resigned following a row over the editing of a speech made by Donald Trump Over recent days, the BBC has focused on issues with its flagship current affairs show, Panorama, which Mr Prescott criticises for splicing together parts of a speech given by Mr Trump on January 6, 2021, to make it appear he was urging supporters to attack the US Capitol after his election defeat. Yes, this was a grave error of judgement. The BBC is, quite rightly, held to the highest journalistic standards and editing footage to mislead is indefensible. But, despite all the heat and thunder and the legal threat, a stupid edit in an episode of Panorama is far from the biggest issue here. Of greater concern is the presence in the corporation of activist journalists who have as Mr Prescott states corrupted news coverage of both Gaza and trans issues. It suits senior BBC figures for the Trump-edit to be the focus. The Panorama team may have screwed up but the US President is hardly the most sympathetic character. He has said so many hateful, inflammatory things that, even though the BBCs report of his speech was inaccurate, its the sort of thing he says every day, isnt it? The Beebs is a nudge-nudge defence: Sure, we made a mistake, but dont forget what a dreadful man Donald Trump is. The more we talk about Panorama, the less we talk about the failings over Israel and Gaza. The more we focus on Mr Trumps threat of legal action, the less attention we pay to the fact activist reporters refused to cover stories about the victims of trans activism and, instead, cast women fighting to preserve single-sex spaces as bigots. The problem of activists infiltrating BBC News and distorting its output is nothing new. Ive seen it up close. Twenty years ago, while covering a Labour Party conference, I was astonished to see a BBC producer, there to cover events, take a break from his duties to participate in a vote. When I wrote about this clear breach of journalistic independence, I was accused by the producer (and the one man among his colleagues who could bear his company) of attacking the corporation. That arrogance is echoed in recent remarks from senior journalists and high-profile supporters of the BBC. Speaking on Radio 4s Today show, presenter Nick Robinson said that, while there was genuine concern about editorial mistakes, he believed there was a political campaign by people who want to destroy the organisation. World affairs editor John Simpson then said Robinson was exactly right. They and others rushing to support their version of events are guilty of reckless complacency and wilful distortion. Mr Prescotts memo details the extent to which BBC news coverage has been devalued by ideologues. Of particular concern is the way in which young news staff working on LGBT issues were allowed to direct traffic and pressure colleagues in other departments to avoid subjects they found uncomfortable. The consequence of this was that stories critical of trans ideology were ignored. On Monday, BBC chairman Samir Shah accepted an error of judgement took place during the editing of the contentious episode of Panorama but, in response to a letter from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, he said it was untrue to say the BBC had tried to bury issues of concern raised in Mr Prescotts memo. Im afraid that one lands neatly in the column marked well, he would say that. The BBCs capture by trans-activists determined to erode womens rights is absolutely apparent to anyone whos paid the slightest attention to its news output over the past decade. Meanwhile, when it comes to coverage of Gaza in the aftermath of the Hamas invasion of October 7, 2023 when Palestinian terrorists raped and murdered almost 1,200 people and kidnapped hundreds more within hours of the attack, many BBC journalists were parroting lines provided by Hamas and downplaying the horror visited upon Israel. But while all of the above makes the case for ending public funding of the BBC, I cling on, a critical friend of an organisation that has done immeasurable amounts of good over the decades. At its best, the BBC is incomparable in the world of broadcasting. It has provided excellent coverage of some of the biggest events in recent history and given us drama, comedy and arts coverage of the highest calibre. Right now, there are quite brilliant journalists and camera operators putting themselves in real danger to tell us important stories about the world in which we live. Some of Scotlands best journalists off the top of my head, James Cook, Martin Geissler, the Lauras Maxwell, Miller and Maciver, and Stephen Jardine are mainstays of the corporations news coverage. None of those first-class pros is helped by the BBCs decision to try to make its current difficulties solely about the editing of a speech by Donald Trump. Just last week, newsreader Maxine Croxall was rapped on the knuckles for raising an eyebrow while correcting the words pregnant people to pregnant women. Ms Croxall, an excellent broadcaster, did nothing wrong but the activists who complained about her had to be placated. Troublingly, some of the complaints came from BBC staff. Those employees who complained are part of a group of people utterly unfit to work there. The corporation was right to apologise for the editing of Mr Trumps speech but it must go further. If the BBC does not root out anti-Israel bias and stop taking direction from trans-activists, Ill be joining those calling for an end to the licence fee. And Im certain I wont be alone in changing sides in this battle for the future of our national broadcaster. Police have released a CCTV image after a woman alleged she was sexually assaulted as she slept on a train. British Transport Police have released an image of a man who they believe may have information which could help their investigation. The incident happened last month on a train running between Edinburgh and Wolverhampton. At around 9am on Thursday 23 October, a woman who was travelling on the service alleges she woke up to a man sexually assaulting her. The man then got off the train at Wolverhampton station. British Transport Police have released an image of a man who they believe may have information which could help their investigation Detectives believe the man in the CCTV image, captured on board the train, may be able to help their investigation. Anyone who recognises the man in the image should contact British Transport Police, either by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040, quoting reference 221 of 23 October 2025. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The body of a Colorado woman who had been missing for seven years was found just feet from her house by a man clearing junk out of a garage. On September 10, the man found a bone he thought might have been a Halloween decoration since fake skeletons were set up around the property at that time, The Denver Post reported. He called authorities after he and a neighbor determined the bones were real. In late October, police identified the remains in Lochbuie, a town northeast of Denver, as belonging to Terri Ann Ackerman. No cause of death has been released. Terri, 56, was reported missing from her small, ranch-style home in August 2018 by her husband, Delbert 'Dale' Ackerman. After her disappearance, Lochbuie police and multiple other agencies extensively searched the home and the surrounding area with dogs and drones. Authorities also interviewed numerous people and reviewed surveillance footage, to no avail. Dale Ackerman, who has since died, had said that Terri was sleeping in their bedroom when he left for work at 5am on Thursday, August 23. This was the last time he saw her, he maintained. Terri Ann Ackerman, 56, disappeared on August 23, 2018, from her home in Lochbuie, Colorado. Her remains were found on September 10, 2025, and police confirmed her identity in late October On that Thursday, Terri paid a visit to her daughter, Ambry Carolus, according to the Greeley Tribune. Carolus said her mother was acting normal but also described her as 'down on herself'. Around 4:30pm, Terri left her daughter's home, only to call her three hours later upset and crying. She told Carolus that she could not watch her grandchildren the next day. Carolus said Terri took medication for her bipolar disorder and those pills were missing from the house after she disappeared. Carolus added that her mother's condition was manageable and that she didn't believe it could have contributed to what happened to her. The next day, on Friday, Dale showed up at Carolus' door early in the morning to watch the kids, but Carolus' husband had already taken off work to watch them. Dale then went home and reported Terri missing to the police that afternoon. The family has pointed out allegedly strange behavior from Dale on the day of the disappearance, and said the Lochbuie police failed to effectively lead the investigation. The home Terri lived in with her husband, Delbert 'Dale' Ackerman (Pictured: A KDVR reporter knocks on the door) Dale was never charged with Terri's death and Sean Ackerman, Dale's stepson, believes his father could never have killed his stepmother. The chain of events that led to Terri's remains being found was triggered by Dale's death in February 2025 at age 70. Sean inherited the Lochbuie property Dale and Terri once lived in together, but he decided that it was in such poor condition that he would sell it. A contact who offered to take scrap metal and other junk away from the home opened up the garage on September 10 and made the gruesome discovery. The garage was reportedly stuffed with boxes from floor to ceiling and reeked of cat urine. Three feet into the mess of boxes, the man found the bone, Sean said. Sean said a couple of boxes fell on top of the bone, obscuring it. He wonders if the police ever searched the garage. He added that none of Terri's belongings had been touched after he went through a trailer on the property. 'All of her clothing was exactly where it was,' he said. 'Everything that she had on the bed was still on the bed. He still slept on half a bed that he hadn't cleaned for seven years. Her pictures were there, everything was there.' 'I just know if my dad would have known she was there, it would have killed him before the cancer did,' Sean said. The Daily Mail approached the Lochbuie Police Department for comment. A Qantas flight carrying 55 people including three Liberal politicians has been forced to make a premature landing after the cabin began filling with smoke following a mid-air emergency. Flight QF1972, bound for Canberra, turned back shortly after taking off from Adelaide Airport about 6.10am and landed safely around ten minutes later. It is understood the captain requested a priority landing after smoke appeared in the flight deck following take-off. Senator Leah Blyth was travelling on board with two colleagues to a crucial agenda-setting meeting on net zero. 'I've never had a cabin fill with smoke quite like that before,' Blyth told radio station FIVEAA. 'Hats off to the Qantas staff who were cool calm and collected and got us back on the ground safely.' Senator Blyth said her travel plans remain uncertain ahead of the much-anticipated meeting, joking the net zero debate has 'gone up in smoke'. A Qantas spokesperson confirmed a 'technical issue' was behind the incident and engineers would check the aircraft today. Qantas flight QF-1972 from Adelaide turned back minutes into the journey to Canberra after the cabin began to fill with smoke. The airline said a 'technical issue' was to blame (stock) Senator Leah Blyth (pictured) was travelling with two other Liberal politicians on board the flight ahead of a crucial party meeting on net zero 'All customers on board have since been put onto alternative flights,' they said. 'Our pilots are highly trained to handle situations like this and the aircraft landed safely after the appropriate procedures were conducted.' Flight tracking data shows the aircraft turned back over St Vincent Gulf, west of McLaren Vale, before returning to Adelaide. Liberals MPs and senators will gather in Canberra at midday to settle their position on whether to dump net zero or retain some elements of the emissions target. It is widely tipped to loosen its commitment to net zero by 2050, but will likely retain some commitment to lowering emissions. The senior Coalition party is hoping to land on a firm position ahead of a special meeting with members of the Nationals party on Sunday. Blyth, who opposes net zero, said she is uncertain where her party will land following today's meeting. 'I think all of my colleagues are absolutely in favour of us doing our bit and to certainly have the minimal impact that we can on our natural environment,' she told ABC Radio National Breakfast. Flight QF-1972 landed safely in Adelaide shortly before 6.30am on Wednesday, some ten minutes after taking off from the airport. Pictured is its flight map Blyth said she would continue to support embattled Opposition leader Sussan Ley regardless of the outcome. Pressured to ask whether she would remain in the Shadow Ministry should the vote not go her way, Blyth wouldn't be drawn. 'I don't want to get into hypotheticals, but if things change, I would have that discussion with the leader,' she said. 'But, you know, as it stands now, there's a policy discussion that we're having, and I have full confidence in our leader and Sussan.' Today, Sussan Ley puts her leadership on the line, calling a party room meeting for this afternoon to nut out the Liberal Party's position on net zero. Her strategy is to show none. Ley plans to say little and let MPs and Senators have their say, concluding the catch-up in silence, after which she'll meet with her shadow cabinet and try to formulate a policy that allows her to survive a little longer as opposition leader. 'It's not a strategy, it's just weak', one Liberal MP tells Daily Mail Australia. Ley's supporters (which at this point means her paid political staffers) have insisted that she has an open mind. Of course she does, because she doesn't want to risk saying anything that might result in her downfall. That's how volatile the situation is for her. Conservatives and moderates are at war on the issue, with polar opposite views on what should happen. Conservatives want the target scrapped altogether. Moderates say without it the Liberal Party is trading away its electoral viability, especially in the cities, which is where the overwhelming majority of voters live. The vast majority of Liberal MPs aren't ideological on this issue. Like Ley as leader, they just want to survive in their seats and will go where the wind blows. Today, Sussan Ley puts her leadership on the line, calling a party room meeting for this afternoon to nut out the Liberal Party's position on net zero. It's blowing hard within Liberal ranks, including amongst the ageing, dwindling party membership, in favour of dumping net zero. The party research that federal director Andrew Hirst will present as part of the meeting of MPs and Senators will be important. It will show that younger voters and women are strongly in favour of climate action and equate that with supporting net zero. But it will also highlight that the majority of voters are more concerned with energy prices than climate action - unsurprising given the cost-of-living crisis being made worse by rising energy prices. Expect opponents of the net zero target to latch onto this fact as good reason to dump the target and focus on Labor's approach as the cause of price woes. It's not that simple, but simple messages cut through with simple people, and the Liberal party room is by and large nothing if not simple. In truth, Ley's leadership is already dead in the water, but following what the majority of her colleagues want on this issue will avoid a party room coup - a stay of execution, if you will. So, in a sense, Ley will survive as leader this afternoon by not showing leadership. Or branded another way, she'll lead by following. It's an approach torn from the script of the British satirical series Yes Prime Minister, where Jim Hacker once said: I am their leader, I must follow them. The only problem is that the majority of the electorate want to keep net zero, and the full Hacker quote actually reads: 'it's the will of the people, I am their leader I must follow them'. If Ley wants to be PM, she can't dump net zero. But that's a longer-term problem. Six months into being opposition leader, she has more immediate problems, and sacrificing the net zero target buys her time. Ley's leadership is already dead in the water, but following what the majority of her colleagues want on this issue will avoid a party room coup - a stay of execution, if you will Senior moderate frontbencher Tim Wilson told Sky News this week that he wants to see leadership shown by Ley this afternoon. He'll be sorely disappointed, unless silence is enough. Wilson and other frontbench moderates (Anne Ruston, Andrew Bragg and Maria Kovacic) are apparently considering resigning from the shadow ministry if net zero gets dumped. Conservatives are planning to do the same if it's not, joining former frontbenchers Andrew Hastie and Jacinta Price on the backbench. Simply put, it's a mess, and that's before you even consider what comes next for the Coalition. The Nationals have already held their party room meeting and dumped net zero. If the Liberals don't do the same, it's hard to see how the Coalition can remain intact. Which brings us to a key criticism the non-aligned within the party have when it comes to Ley and her lack of leadership. 'This was always going to be a pressure point after the election', one of the most senior figures in the Liberal Party says. 'Sussan needed to stay ahead of it. She needed to stake out a clear position so that the Nationals didn't do it for her.' Coalition divisions over how to address climate change have been ever-present, going right back to when John Howard refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol ahead of the 2007 election, but did commit to introducing an emissions trading scheme. Divisions over the particulars of an ETS defined the Malcolm Turnbull/Tony Abbott showdown in 2009, before Abbott won out and used his opposition to Julia Gillard's carbon tax at the 2013 election as a pathway to power. The vast majority of Liberal MPs aren't ideological on this issue. Like Ley as leader, they just want to survive in their seats and will go where the wind blows Since that time, the internal Coalition fights over climate change went largely underground, managed behind the scenes, but they never went away. That's what can happen when Liberals and Nationals form government. But after Scott Morrison's 2022 election defeat, they resurfaced, only managed by the authority Peter Dutton has as opposition leader. His sizeable loss earlier this year has brought all the tensions and disagreements back to the fore. Whatever happens later today and in the coming weeks and months as a new policy over how to manage emissions cuts gets hatched out, divisions will remain. The differences of opinion between the protagonists are so great that a middle ground is hard to identify. Whatever that middle ground looks like, it will only hold if the Coalition can become more competitive in the polls. Such success has a way of moving people on to focus on the possibility of winning. Ley appears far too damaged already to lead the opposition into that space, and any new leader would only get the shortest of honeymoons to try before the cracks again widen and the disagreements flare back up. In the meantime, the competitiveness of the opposition may well fall even further away if voters think that it has lost touch with their sentiments, which brings us back to younger voters, women and most Australians who live in the inner cities, all of whom feel strongest about climate change action. Realistically, the only way the opposition can become competitive again is off the back of a full-blown economic crisis, which pushes emissions cuts off the agenda or wraps it up with higher energy bills in a way that turns the public against Labor on this issue. That's not impossible, but the Coalition would need to look like a credible alternative government capable of solving such issues. The danger for Liberals is that even if that economic armageddon scenario plays out, voters remain reluctant to entrust the rabble on the opposition benches with fixing things - instead giving Labor more time to solve the crisis. Keir Starmer will fight any leadership challenge from Labour MPs, allies of the Prime Minister warned on Tuesday evening. With fears of a major backlash following the Budget in a fortnight, friends of Sir Keir are said to be concerned about the possibility of MPs beginning to manoeuvre for the top job. Among those touted as replacements are Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who is seen as a rising star in the Labour Party. One minister told the BBC that the Prime Minister 'will fight this'. They added: 'He is one of only two people alive who have won a general election for Labour. It'd be madness to run against him after 17 months.' One minister who believes Sir Keir should stay until the next election says the PM is at mercy of 'feral' Labour MPs from the 2024 intake. Sir Keir is aware of the growing threat to his position and is 'already fighting the leadership election' by reaching out to Labour backbenchers, according to The Times. The Prime Minister has reportedly told ministers that any attempted coup would destabilise Britain's standing on the financial markets and its relationship with foreign governments. Other names said to be in contention are Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, and backbenchers including the former transport secretary Louise Haigh. Friends of Sir Keir Starmer are said to be concerned about the possibility of MPs beginning to manoeuvre for the top job Among those touted as replacements are Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who is seen as a rising star in the Labour Party Another Labour source said: 'The list of reasons for people to move after the Budget are growing by the day. 'If Wes is brave and moves he may well be rewarded by being prime minister by Christmas.' But a spokesman for Mr Streeting said the claims were 'categorically untrue'. The spokesman added: 'Wes's focus has entirely been on cutting waiting lists for the first time in 15 years, recruiting 2,500 more GPs, and rebuilding the NHS that saved his life.' Critics have warned that Downing Street was 'in full bunker mode' which 'won't help the Government out of the hole we're in'. A source said No 10 was 'turning on their most loyal Cabinet members for absolutely no reason'. 'Unfortunately there is a pattern of Keir's team briefing against his own people... now it's Wes's turn,' the source added. Outgoing BBC boss Tim Davie on Tuesday attacked 'enemies' of the corporation for trying to 'weaponise' its failures but admitted 'we have made mistakes that have cost us'. The director-general, who will stay in his post until a successor is found, said it had been a 'tough few days' since he announced his resignation alongside Deborah Turness, the chief executive of BBC News, on Sunday. Mr Davie described the situation as 'stressful' and 'difficult' at the corporation after an internal report alleged 'serious and systemic' bias in its coverage. In his first meeting with staff since his shock resignation, he failed to directly address the potential $1billion lawsuit threatened by Donald Trump after the BBC apologised for doctoring footage of the US President in a Panorama documentary. He instead said the broadcaster would 'thrive' and would continue to 'fight for our journalism'. Mr Davie also launched an attack on the BBC's 'enemies' who he claimed 'weaponise' its editorial failings. He acknowledged that mistakes had cost the broadcaster, before telling staff at Broadcasting House in London: 'We will thrive. And this narrative will not just be given by our enemies. It's our narrative. We own things.' Mr Davie said the BBC was a 'unique and precious organisation', adding: 'I think we've got to fight for our journalism. I'm really proud of our work and the amazing work locally, globally, that we're doing is utterly precious. Pictured: Outgoing BBC Director-General Tim Davie walks outside the BBC headquarters in London, Britain, 11 November 2025 Deborah Turness, former head of BBC News, speaks to media outside Broadcasting House on November 10, 2025 in London after her shock resignation 'I'm fiercely proud of this organisation. There are difficult times it goes through, but it just does good work.' He added: 'We are the very best of what I think we should be as a society, and that will never change.' During the staff call, neither Mr Davie nor the BBC chairman's Samir Shah mentioned Mr Trump's legal threat. But Mr Davie said he taken the decision to stand down from the 540,000-a-year role as it was a 'relentless job' and he wanted his successor to lead the BBC's charter negotiations, which will decide its future funding model. He added: 'Lastly, I think we did make a mistake, and there was an editorial breach, and I think some responsibility had to be taken. So, putting that together, that's what made my decision.' No timeline was set for selecting Mr Davie's replacement, but Mr Shah said the corporation was in 'succession mode'. There was 'disquiet' among staff during the question and answer session that followed, with some employees disappointed that it was moderated by a member of the BBC's communications team, not by a journalist. Katie Razzall, the corporation's media editor, said: 'I got the sense that people were frustrated with the answers. At one point the chair said it was 'slightly disrespectful' to ask whether the board upholds the BBC's values and I sensed an eye-roll from some people at that.' The Daily Mail understands that there were several questions about Sir Robbie Gibb, a former senior editor at the BBC who also worked as director of communications for Theresa May. There have been calls for Sir Robbie's removal from the BBC's board after he was blamed for Mr Davie's downfall. Pictured: General view of Broadcasting House, the BBC headquarters in central London Mr Shah told staff that the suggestion that senior executives had been the victim of a coup was 'fanciful' and he dismissed 'conspiracy theories'. Mr Shah said board members 'have different points of view', and added: 'I wouldn't want a board that's guilty of groupthink, but the opposite of groupthink is different points of view. That makes the job of the chair challenging to try and organise and get consensus, but it's important that people have a diversity of opinion on the board.' A friend of Sir Robbie's said any suggestion he wanted Mr Davie to resign as director-general was 'complete nonsense'. Billionaire Conservative donor Lord Bamford has thrown his support behind Reform UK with his company donating 200,000 to Nigel Farage's party. The JCB tycoon, who has given more than 9million to the Tories and even hosted Boris Johnson's wedding, revealed his latest intentions over the weekend. This came alongside a 200,000 donation to the Conservatives as the Staffordshire-based heavy machinery manufacturer said it had favoured both parties as they 'believe in small business'. JCB is the world's third largest construction equipment company with 22 plants on four continents, employing 19,000 people worldwide and last year had a sales turnover of 5.8billion. In a statement announcing the donations, JCB said: 'Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and there are 5.6million of them in Britain today, employing at least 13million people. 'JCB has more than 800 suppliers in the UK and the vast majority of them are also small to medium sized businesses. 'As a privately-owned British family business, JCB has been backing Britain since 1945 and is supportive of pro-business political parties that create the conditions for these businesses to grow and prosper. 'Both the Conservative Party and Reform UK believe in small business and it's for that reason JCB has donated 200,000 to each in recent weeks.' JCB tycoon Lord Bamford has has thrown his support behind Reform UK with his company donating 200,000 to Nigel Farage's party. Pictured: Lord Bamford and Lady Carole Bamford At the launch of Reform's local election campaign in March, Mr Farage arrived at his keynote speech riding one of JCB's pothole repairing machines Lord Bamford, given a peerage by former Prime Minister David Cameron in 2013, was among the Tories' largest donors during Mr Johnson's premiership, handing the party more than 3million. His family is one of the richest in Britain with wealth of 9.5billion. Although the billionaire had not previously donated to Mr Farage's party, JCB was an official exhibitor at Reform's party conference in September. And at the launch of Reform's local election campaign in March, Mr Farage arrived at his keynote speech riding one of JCB's pothole repairing machines. The donation marks the latest shift by Lord Bamford to build closer connections with Reform after funding an 8,000 helicopter trip for Mr Farage last year. Thanking Lord Bamford at a Reform press conference on Monday, Mr Farage said: 'They've given a lot of money to the Conservatives over the years. 'But they're giving us some money because they know we are pro-entrepreneurship, they know we are pro-startup, they know that we are pro-small business.' Two decades after Kate and Gerry McCann lost their daughter Madeleine, who vanished from their holiday apartment at the age of three, the pain continues. The mystery of what happened to the little girl obsessed detectives across Europe for years and remains unsolved. Meanwhile, competing theories and conspiracies thrive. Last week, a woman called Julia Wandelt was found guilty of harassing the McCanns. The 24-year-old insisted - despite a two-year age difference, the insistence of her own family and a DNA test - that she was missing Madeleine. Wandelt called, emailed and sent messages to parents Kate and Gerry McCann, and their 20-year-old twins, Amelie and Sean. She even appeared at their home twice. Journalist Nick Pisa travelled to Poland and spoke to her father, Jacek, whose life was turned upside down by the McCann case. In The Crime Desk newsletter this week, he reveals the telling detail Jacek shared about Julia's childhood, and what it says about her motivation. To read it, sign up for free HERE. Julia Wandelt, 24, looks out from the back of a police van after being found guilty of harassing the McCanns but cleared of stalking them Keep up with every twist and turn of the cases that shock the world with The Crime Desk newsletter The newsletter will arrive every Wednesday, with our reporters bringing you the latest headlines and insider information you won't find anywhere else. Each week, we will examine the most gripping and mysterious cases from around the globe. You'll also have the chance to send your questions in to our team of top journalists. Each newsletter will be packed with extras, from interviews with victims and law enforcement, to the latest on-the-ground reporting and insight from the courtroom. Delivered to your inbox every Wednesday, completely FREE. Robert Jobson also revealed new details of Elizabeth's last engagement in England Queen Elizabeth had certain reservations about Prince William as king, 'fearing he might become a "celebrity monarch", a new book has claimed. In one excerpt of the book, exclusively serialised by the Daily Mail, royal author Robert Jobson revealed Prince William's 'rigidity' sometimes 'frustrated' the late Queen, while sharing the inside story of her final engagement in England. In July 2022, Queen Elizabeth, then aged 96, was set to attend the official opening of Thames Hospice's new 29-bedroom facility by Bray Lake in Berkshire. It was an engagement that had great significance for her, since a retiring staff member had looked after the budgerigars housed at the Royal Aviary and 'she didn't want to let anyone down'. On the day of the ceremony, however, Elizabeth was feeling 'particularly frail' and asked William, now 43, to attend the event on her behalf. 'William's schedule might well have accommodated this last-minute duty, but he cried off, citing fatherly duties. This left his grandmother not only disappointed but irritated,' Mr Jobson wrote. 'She is said to have scoffed, "Isn't that what nannies and policemen are for?"' For the late Queen, William's decision to prioritise time with his children over royal engagements was a contentious one In July 2022, the late Monarch asked William if he could attend the official opening of Thames Hospice's new facility in Berkshire but 'he cried off, citing fatherly duties' Unwavering in her desire not to let anyone down, the 'ailing' monarch then asked Princess Anne to accompany her to the 45-minute engagement located just a short distance from Windsor Castle. It was to be her final engagement in England before her death on September 8 that year. But despite feeling apprehensive about the event, the Queen appeared to be on rather good form and even showcased her humorous side as she greeted staff and patients at the ward. When Her Majesty was introduced to Graham White and his wife Pat, who had stage four cancer and was receiving respite care at the centre, his phone rang, prompting him to reach for his pocket in a bid to turn it off. Quick-witted as always, the late Queen quipped: 'Typical, his mobile instantly rings', while Mr White sheepishly explained that his son had been calling. William's decision to honour his parenting commitments with his three children - Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10 and Prince Louis, seven, appears to be rather indicative of his 'hands-on' approach as both a father and husband. According to Mr Jobson, the Prince also asked the King if he could cut down his official royal engagements to ten for the remainder 2024 as he navigated his wife's cancer diagnosis Across 2022, the Prince of Wales carried out just 190 engagements, compared with his father's 497, a clear signal that, at this stage in life, his duty to his family comes ahead of his public role. And, according to Mr Jobson, the Prince also asked the King if he could cut down his official royal engagements to ten for the remainder 2024 as he navigated his wife Princess Catherine's cancer diagnosis and remission period. Writing in his authoritative new book about the Windsors, called The Windsor Legacy: A Royal Dynasty of Secrets, Scandal and Survival, exclusively previewed by the Daily Mail, Mr Jobson revealed that the King had denied such request. 'Think again', Charles was said to have urged his son. But, rather than being a sign of William wanting to lean into the public side of royal life or advance his 'celebrity' image, such shift appears to serve as a clear indication of his commitment to family life. According to Jason Knauf, formerly Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's press secretary, 'neither of the prince or princess would choose to be public figures'. He adds: 'They're not that interested in the fame and celebrity that comes with it. I think that makes it quite interesting in today's world to see people out there doing their jobs but for the right reasons.' During a BBC documentary in 2018, William spoke about his desire to have more 'family time' with his hard-working father and young children. Prince William was said to have undertaken an even more active parenting role with Charlotte, Louis and George after Kate's cancer diagnosis Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond has praised William's acutely different approach to royal life, with the father-of-three said to have intentionally prioritised being 'around at weekends and holidays and whenever he can'. Speaking to OK! magazine in 2023, she added: 'With the late Queen's ailing health, William probably had to step up to his full time royal job quicker than he might have hoped, but you can see how committed he is. 'However, I also very much admire the fact that he's not a workaholic like his father, he knows how important family life is... He seems to be a full on, hands-on, caring dad.' When Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis last year, William was said to have undertaken an even more active fatherly role, being reportedly a 'regular at the school gate' and temporarily halting his engagements to be present for their children. And during an interview with actor Eugene Levy in October, the Prince revealed further details about his and Kate's hands-on parenting approach, including a ban on their children having mobile phones. Adding that he wants to 'do what's best for my children', William was also clear on his stance regarding family meals. When Levy asked if the Waleses and their children eat together, the Prince said: 'Yes absolutely, yes definitely. So, we sit and chat, it's really important. None of our children have any phones, which we're very strict about.' Perhaps it was William's rather tumultuous upbringing - being the child of a broken home following Charles and the late Princess Diana's divorce in 1996, that has also influenced his rather modern parenting style. William told Eugene Levy poignantly he was actively trying to avoid the 'mistakes' of his parents During the interview, William discussed how he was actively trying to avoid the 'mistakes' of his parents, explaining candidly how his childhood 'feeling of safety, security, love' was abruptly cut short following his parents' separation. He told Levy: 'Getting the balance of work and family life right is really important. 'Because for me, the most important thing in my life is family, and everything is about the future and about if you don't start the children off now with a happy, healthy, stable home, I feel you're setting them up for a bit of a hard time and a fall.' Making clear his plans for his children to have a more stable upbringing than he experienced, the Prince added: 'You try and make sure you don't do the same mistakes as your parents. 'I know that the drama and the stress when you're small really affects you when you're older. 'Children are constantly learning and adapting. We try to make sure we give them the security and the safety that they need.' Indeed, William is not the only royal to have openly discussed how his childhood has shaped his parenting approach. His brother, Prince Harry, has often candidly discussed his feelings of despair while growing up as the 'spare', recounting in his tell-all memoir how he was 'the shadow, the support, the Plan B'. Prince Harry accused his father of struggling to communicate as a parent Adding that his royal upbringing caused him 'generational trauma', the Prince also placed a great deal of the blame of his problems on his father, Charles - in particular, citing his father's alleged coldness. He wrote: 'Pa and I mostly coexisted. He had trouble communicating, trouble listening, trouble being intimate face-to-face. 'On occasion, after a long multi-course dinner, I'd walk upstairs and find a letter on my pillow. The letter would say how proud he was of me for something I'd done or accomplished. 'I'd smile, place it under my pillow, but also wonder why he hasn't said this moments ago, while seated directly across from me.' According to royal author Tom Quinn, speaking on Channel 5's Charles & Harry: Father & Son Divided, Charles' seemingly detached parenting style may have been due to the fact that the now King often 'didn't receive any parenting'. He explained: 'His parents were away when he was very young, he was left with nannies in that very Victorian way. 'Although Charles tried to be a more modern parent he didn't have the tools because he didn't grow up with them. Diana actually joined in their games, while Charles would have said "off you go". He wouldn't have joined in. He's too stiff, too old-fashioned'. In 2021, prior to the release of Spare, Harry issued a glaring blow at the Firm by claiming that Charles had 'suffered' because of his upbringing by the late Queen and Prince Philip, adding that his father had 'treated me the way he was treated' which had caused him 'genetic pain'. Diana keen to provide her son's with a somewhat 'normal life' - even taking the young princes out for burgers and on trips to theme parks. Speaking to Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast, The Duke of Sussex blasted Prince Charles's parenting and said he moved to California with his family to 'break the cycle' of 'pain' he suffered as a member of the Royal Family. It appears that William may also have taken a degree of inspiration from his mother's forward-thinking approach to parenting, with the late Diana keen to provide her son's with a somewhat 'normal life' - even taking the young princes out for burgers and on trips to theme parks. Explaining Charles and Diana's different parenting styles, Ken Wharfe, former protection office to Diana, revealed during the Channel 5 programme how Charles was keen to foster a rather traditional upbringing for the young princes while Diana wanted them to be raised 'as normally as possible'. 'Diana would take them to Sticky Fingers in Kensington Church Street - which is owned by Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones' - it became a favourite. 'The Prince [Charles] had a slight problem with it. When they came back [to Kensington Palace] there was this look of horror across the Prince's face, he couldn't work out why, with a brigade of good chefs at Kensington Palace that Diana would have to take them for a burger. Meanwhile, royal expert Emily Andrews added that while Charles is 'very sensitive and very caring, he never really could show it in the same way as Diana'. She added: 'Charles was a huge workaholic and Charles wouldn't just stop his work because he had his sons for the day. 'Whereas I think with Diana, she always made sure everything was done for them.' Kate and William have placed an emphasis on being active and present parents But for Kate and William, this detached style is a mere thing of the past - with an acute emphasis, at least in the short term, seemingly placed on their unwavering commitment to being active and present parents, rather than just royal figures. This also includes their approach to the so-called 'heir and spare' dilemma, according to royal expert Mr Hardman - with the Prince and Princess said to be 'very conscious' of the prospect of such conflict repeating itself among their three children. Speaking on the Daily Mail's Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things podcast, the royal biographer said that both the Prince and Princess are working to ensure that Charlotte and Louis do not feel any 'less loved or relevant' than their older brother and heir to the throne, Prince George. He went on to explain that such commitment to an equal upbringing is to prevent Charlotte and Louis from harbouring the same 'resentment' as other recent 'royal spares' including both Prince Harry and Princess Margaret. As William looks towards the future as King during an incredibly turbulent time for the monarchy, he will undoubtedly be seeking to shape the lives of the Royal Family's next generation while continuing to commit to his present role under Charles' leadership. But as the old saying goes - 'progress is impossible without change', and William must both foster and invest in his young family to ensure the Firm can evolve. The Princess of Wales will today take part in a moving Armistice Day service featuring a specially-commissioned poem that is 'close to her heart'. Catherine, 43, will attend a Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire where a new work by its 'Poet in Residence', Arji Manuelpillai - 'A Sonnet For Us All' will be read out. It reflects the importance of personal connections, experiences and bonds that are formed through military service - 'themes which are particularly close to The Princess' heart', Kensington Palace said. The service starts at 10.45am, with the princess taking part the traditional two minute silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month. She will then lay a wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial, before being invited to view newly-dedicated names inscribed on it. Afterwards she will meet veterans in attendance at the service. Poet Arji Manuelpillai said: 'A Sonnet For Us All' captures the stories etched into the hundreds of memorials within the National Memorial Arboretum, it invites people to listen, reflect and consider the emotion that was the inspiration for these sculptures. 'I hope these words shine a light on the bonds and relationships that lay often hidden by the conflict. Those quiet acts of care, the friendships that endure, and the sense of duty that binds one generation to the next. 'These human connections, and the gentle responsibility to carry love forward, are themes that resonate not only with me, but also with HRH The Princess of Wales, for whom the importance of service and compassion lies especially close to the heart.' The Princess of Wales will today take part in a moving Armistice Day service featuring a specially-commissioned poem that is 'close to her heart' The full poem can be read below. To learn more about Armistice Day at the National Memorial Arboretum, visit: https://thenma.org.uk/armistice It comes as Catherine's husband, the Prince of Wales, is also taking part in events virtually. William, 43, has recorded a special video message for the Royal British Legion's 'Remembrance Assembly'. Hosted by veteran and presenter JJ Chalmers, the Assembly will take place between 10.25 -11.05am, bringing together young people aged 9-14 in schools, libraries, home education and other learning settings across the UK. It has been designed to encourage young people to take part in Remembrance to honour veterans and others across the Armed Forces community in partnership with the National Literacy Trust. The Assembly will combine music, poetry, art and voices from across the Armed Forces community. In his video message, the heir to the throne says: 'Armistice Day is an important time for us to stop and reflect it is a reminder that Remembrance is for everyone. 'When we remember, we connect with service in a personal way. We learn from the courage of others, and we carry their stories forward, so they are not forgotten. It's not just about the past - it's about shaping who we become in the future. William, 43, has recorded a special video message for the Royal British Legion's 'Remembrance Assembly' 'A Sonnet For Us All' By Arji Manuelpillai When you speak of our country, do not speak of war. Speak of the nurse who held a hand like her own father's, A lieutenant who embraced a soldier like his own brother. Remember, sometimes those who go into burning buildings burn brighter than the fire inside. Those who rise from burning buildings carry scars we cannot see. If you speak of this country speak of the widow who never stopped waiting, the sailor who kissed a photo till it turned to ash in his hands, or the pilots who meet in the pub to talk of anything but war. You see love is a compass, love is a bugle mourning. Love is sacrificing tomorrow so that a stranger can live today. So when you speak of this country, do not think of it as a place. Think of it as a feeling, the feeling of being loved, the duty to pass that love to whoever needs it.' Advertisement 'Remembrance teaches us empathy, resilience, and responsibility. And when we wear a red poppy or take a moment of silence, we are saying, "Thank you. We have not forgotten, and we will not forget." 'Through my own military experience, as well as through my work in connection with units across the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force, I have seen firsthand the hard work, dedication and duty the Armed Forces carry out to ensure we are protected. 'Coming together for Remembrance is a vital way to honour those whose service keeps us safe.' He adds: 'Even today, as we continue to face a number of conflicts across the world, we honour those who have gone before us, and those who are serving now. 'Their memories matter, their lives matter, and they remind us to be respectful, kind, brave, and thoughtful every day.' The virtual Assembly is open to participation by students aged 9-14 (Years 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) and can be viewed on YouTube or Zoom from schools, libraries, home education and other learning settings across the UK. Philippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance for the Royal British Legion said: 'We're honoured to welcome the Prince of Wales to this year's Remembrance Assembly. 'His contribution, alongside that of veterans and serving personnel, will encourage young people to take part in Remembrance and find their own connection to the Armed Forces community, past and present.' The Assembly will hear directly from current serving military personnel RAF Air Commander Fred Wigglesworth and Army Lieutenant Colonel Manpreet Maycock, alongside first-hand testimony of Second World War veterans. These include 101- year- old George Durrant from West Sussex, who served in Burma from 1944 in the Intelligence Corps in the 14th Army - sometimes called 'The Forgotten Army.' Also taking part is Prince Albert Jacob, 100, who grew up in Port of Spain, Trinidad, but left aged 17 to join the Royal Air Force, travelling to the US and Britain to repair planes. He still remembers the day the Allies formally accepted Germany's surrender. Mr Jacob was one of millions of soldiers from across the Commonwealth who served alongside the British Armed Forces in the Second World War and is now one of the few surviving Caribbean veterans. Buckingham Palace is said to be reconsidering how to style Andrew's name in accordance with the late Queen's wishes. After his titles were stripped, the ex-Duke was reintroduced to the world as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor - notably missing the hyphen traditionally used in the royal family's double-barrelled surname. Officials confirmed that was the form of name agreed with him personally. However, royal insiders have now revealed that the Palace is reconsidering, after it was pointed out that the family name should, according to decades of royal precedent, be written Mountbatten-Windsor. The issue may sound trivial, but it touches directly on the legacy of the late Queen and her 1960 Privy Council declaration, which officially established the family surname for those descendants who are not princes or princesses. Two weeks before Andrew's birth, the then-Monarch signed a formal notice that was published in The London Gazette. It stated: 'Now therefore I declare My Will and Pleasure that, while I and My children shall continue to be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, My descendants other than descendants enjoying the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness and the titular dignity of Prince or Princess and female descendants who marry and their descendants shall bear the name of Mountbatten-Windsor.' The name was created to incorporate Philip Mountbatten's surname into the Windsor line, a symbolic move reflecting the Queen's marriage and the continuing link between her family and her husband's. That 1960 declaration meant that Andrew, who was born soon after, was the first royal baby officially registered with the Mountbatten-Windsor surname. After his titles were stripped, the ex-Duke was reintroduced to the world as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor - notably missing the hyphen traditionally used in the royal family's double-barrelled surname Now that he no longer holds the title of Prince or the style of His Royal Highness, many historians believe it is appropriate for him to revert to the precise version laid out by his mother's decree - with a hyphen. Royal historian and author Ian Lloyd told The Times they were surprised the Palace had ever published his name without one, given the 'historic precedent' and the legal wording of the Queen's notice. Examples of the hyphenated name appear on numerous royal documents. On Princess Anne's 1973 marriage certificate, her full name is written as Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, a Princess of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The same styling appeared on the 2019 birth certificate of Harry and Meghan's son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. But the Palace has not always been entirely consistent with punctuation when it comes to royal names. Even among the aristocracy, hyphens come and go - sometimes depending on tradition, preference, or even space on official forms. The late Queen Mother, for instance, was known as Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon on formal documents, but the hyphen was often dropped in day-to-day use, with newspapers and royal announcements regularly referring to her as Elizabeth Bowes Lyon. Other well-known names such as Andrew Parker Bowles and Helena Bonham Carter also forgo the hyphen despite being double-barrelled, while the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber never used one at all. However, the Mountbatten-Windsor case is expected to be treated differently because it stems directly from an official royal declaration rather than personal style. According to royal sources, Buckingham Palace may now begin using the hyphenated form in all future references to Andrew's name. The royal took the train from Chippenham, Wiltshire, to Paddington this morning The Queen jumped onboard a train today as she took part in a 'Poppies to Paddington' initiative to mark Armistice Day. Camilla took the 9.28am service from Chippenham in Wiltshire to Paddington in London alongside stunned commuters to lay a wreath on Platform 1. Poppies to Paddington began during the November 2020 Covid lockdown as a way of marking the annual commemorations of the nation's war dead. In partnership with The Veterans Charity, wreaths are placed on early morning train services from more than 60 stations, arriving in London for a special Remembrance Day service. It has since become a key annual event across the Great Western Railway (GWR) network to honour those lost in conflict. At Chippenham, which is the closest station to Queen Camilla's private Wiltshire home, Ray Mill, she met members of the local community and executives from Great Western Railway with their wreaths on Platform 2. She was also given a sweet wreath made from crocheted poppies by children from Monckton Primary School to take to London with her. The youngsters told her that they had spent six weeks making it, many having never crocheted before. The Queen jumped onboard a train today as she took part in a 'Poppies to Paddington' initiative to mark Armistice Day. Pictured at Chippenham train station in Wiltshire this morning Sporting an elegant dark green dress and a black cape, she was complimented on wearing 'GWR's colours'. 'Of course,' she laughed. She also told the children that she was 'worried that you are all a bit cold'. 'Did you knit this?' she asked. 'Crocheted? Well that's very impressive. I was never very good at that. Or knitting for that matter. Are we taking this to London for you?' She added that her own poppy pinned to her dress was knitted from wool that had come from the King's sheep at Sandringham. Spotting her train pulling into the platform, Camilla remarked: 'Oh good, it's on time' and boarded with her protection team. Appropriately, the train was named 'Odette Hallowes GC MBE' after the Second World War hero. Codenamed 'Lise', Hallowes was a member of the UK's Special Operations Executive in France and became the first woman to be awarded the George Cross for her bravery. She was eventually captured by the Germans and imprisoned in Ravensbruck Concentration Camp in horrific conditions. Camilla walks along the platform at Chippenham Station in western England, before attending Great Western Railway's 'Poppies to Paddington' initiative Queen Camilla is presented with a crocheted poppy wreath by Eira Jones, 10, at Chippenham train station Remarkably, she survived and eventually died in England at the age of 82 after a truly extraordinary life. On route, the train stopped at Swindon Station, with local dignitaries bringing on board several more wreaths to be taken to London. 'I'm not sure where we are going to put all of these but we will take good care of them. It's my pleasure. We will decorate the seats,' the Queen remarked and she took charge of them. Due to arrive at Paddington at 10.44am, Queen Camilla will walk down to Platform 1's permanent war memorial for a moving service. The Call to Remembrance is due to be read and the Last Post played, followed by the traditional two minute's silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month. After the Reveille, the Military Wives Choir will perform the song 'Poppy Red', before Her Majesty lays a wreath in front of the memorial. The Queen is also due to meet the performers, the railway chaplain and a small group of reservists and veterans from recent conflicts working in the railway industry. Before she departs, the royal will also view a special liveried train on Platform 1 featuring the names of all 2,545 men who worked for GWR and died during The Great War, as well as meeting some surviving family members. Poppies to Paddington began during the November 2020 Covid lockdown as a way of marking the annual commemorations of the nation's war dead Chippenham is the closest station to Queen Camilla's private Wiltshire home, Ray Mill The train is named after two of them, Allan Leonard Lewis VC and Harold Day DSC. This year's ceremony marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War and remembers the role of railways in conflict over the past 200 years, from the Crimean War to Sir Nicholas Winston's historic Kindertransport in 1939, as well as the support given to veterans and reservists working for the industry today. Last month marked two centuries since the birth of the modern railway, with the official launch of the first steam-hauled passenger journey on a public railway. Over the weekend, the Queen attended Remembrance Day events alongside senior royals in London. On Saturday night, she joined her husband King Charles, who appeared visibly moved by a heartfelt rendition of God Save the King at the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance. More than 5,000 people sang the British national anthem in the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday night to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War. On Sunday, the Royal Family led the nation in a two-minute silence on Remembrance Day to commemorate those who died in conflict. King Charles laid a wreath at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London, where he was joined by other senior royals including the Prince and Princess of Wales. Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales, both dressed in black, sang the national anthem as they watched the service from the centre balcony of the Foreign Office above the Cenotaph. Prince William's no-show at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War was bewildering and enough to make many of us worry about our future King's priorities. Was it really more important for him to make a speech at the discredited COP30 UN climate change summit and visit a remote island in Brazil than be here on this island, this Britain, honouring our war dead and marking one of the most important days in history? Yes, he was back in time to lay a wreath at The Cenotaph the next day, but his absence in the Royal Box was all too conspicuous on Saturday night. His place alongside King Charles, Queen Camilla and Princess Catherine was taken up nobly by his son George, just 12. No one will have missed the fact that William is dedicated to solving the world's climate problems, to save the planet for his children and his children's children. Yet was anyone captivated by his 'impassioned' speech or his worthy yet underwhelming Earthshot Prize awards on TV? An article in the India Times had a point when it highlighted the fact that the Prince flew 5,500 miles to Brazil to lecture the world on climate change. COP is a talking shop for the self-aggrandising rich, the puffed-up and powerful, pontificating about how to save the world as they arrive in their gas-guzzling private jets. Since the Conference of the Parties (COP) climate gatherings started 30 years ago in 1995, greenhouse gas emissions worldwide have increased by 65 per cent. Hardly a successful record! Far better than that hand-wringing speech and the week of photo opportunities in Brazil playing beach volleyball, hugging babies, taking selfies with the locals and visiting indigenous tribes would have been for William to have gone to the Royal Albert Hall here in Blighty. In William's absence, Prince George, 12, stepped in beside his mother during the Festival of Remembrance at London's Royal Albert Hall Prince William's priorities were on the other side of the world as he attended COP30 in Brazil alongside Sir Keir Starmer However, William did return in time to lay a wreath at The Cenotaph in London on Remembrance Sunday It should have been an unmissable event in his diary and his absence is a worrying indication of what royal duties now take precedence in his life. He and his family were also a no-show for the traditional annual Easter church service and walkabout at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in April, choosing instead to spend family time in Norfolk with Kate and the kids. It's an understandable sentiment, but Easter is seen as the most important date in the Christian calendar and whether he likes it or not, William will one day be Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Attendance at such events comes with the job description. My fear is that William, rushing around the world to lecture us on climate change, comes across as turning his focus away from people's every day concerns. At a time when a recent Ipsos poll revealed national pride has plummeted and British society is now more divided than ever, he should be seizing every opportunity to restore a sense of patriotism and belief in Britain, to rekindle the magic of the monarchy. But is our future king doing so? In his book The Windsor Legacy, recently serialised in the Daily Mail, royal author Robert Jobson revealed that last year William told the King he wanted to reduce his workload to ten royal engagements for the rest of the year presumably as he wanted to take care of Kate who is in remission from cancer. King Charles, who is still working full pelt while undergoing his own cancer treatment, emphatically refused the request, telling his son to 'think again'. William may understandably be bowed down with the heavy expectation he has had to bear since birth, with the duty of one day becoming King. And despite his vast wealth, including a private annual income of 23million from the Duchy of Cornwall, life has dealt him a harsh hand he lost his mother so young, his father Charles and wife Kate have been battling serious illness, and he no longer talks to his brother Harry. Yet the answer is not to shrink away from royal duties here in Britain; it is to take heed of the ordinary people who truly want the monarchy to succeed in an increasingly fragile world where republicans are on the march. As his wise grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth, once said: 'When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead they are more determined to struggle for a better future.' Another of her great sayings was: 'I have to be seen to be believed.' And I'm sure she didn't mean being seen at a COP summit on the other side of the world. On the latest instalment of the Daily Mail's Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things podcast, royal biographers Robert Hardman and Kate Williams chart the extraordinary life of Diana, Princess of Wales. This first episode in a three-part mini-series follows Diana's early life, tracing her rise from the fringes of the Sandringham Estate to the steps of St Paul's Cathedral. While the Royal family and the nation were thrilled by news of Diana's engagement to Charles in 1981, historian Williams told the podcast there was one 'dissenting voice' in her inner circle that saw beyond the fairy tale. Ruth Roche, Baroness Fermoy, was Diana's maternal grandmother and one of the Queen Mother's most trusted confidantes. She had served as Woman of the Bedchamber to the Queen Mother for 33 years and was rumoured to have orchestrated her granddaughter's marriage to the future King. Despite her public support of the union, in private the Baroness warned Diana against marrying Charles. By the time of her death in 1993, Fermoy was estranged from her granddaughter, having sided with the Royal family following Diana's separation from Charles. The podcast explores the buildup to Diana's marriage and the unheeded advice about what lay ahead. While the nation was thrilled by news of Diana's engagement to Charles, historian Kate Williams said there was one 'dissenting voice' in her inner circle that saw beyond the fairy tale Despite her public support of the union, in private the Baroness Fermoy (pictured) warned Diana against marrying Charles On the latest instalment of the Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things podcast, royal biographers Robert Hardman and Kate Williams chart the extraordinary life of Diana, Princess of Wales Baroness Fermoy's Warning to Diana Diana was just 19 years old when she agreed to marry Prince Charles, then 32. After a successful visit to meet the Royal family at Balmoral, Hardman described the genuine buzz within the Palace for their union. 'Everyone was so charmed and enchanted by Diana', the Queen's official biographer said. 'They think she's got a great spirit, a lovely smile. Crucially, she's not fazed [by the family]. 'At Balmoral, when they all go stomping up a hill, or it's pouring with rain, or it's time to go stalking, or to have a family barbecue - she just takes it all in stride. 'Diana just fits in. She's perfectly happy talking to the Queen Mother because of her grandmother. She had childhood friendships with Andrew and Edward.' The Spencers had a longstanding tradition of association with the monarchy. First ennobled in 1603, the family served in various court positions for centuries. They themselves were descendants of kings, with the Spencer line tracing back to the illegitimate offspring of Charles II. Despite appearances that Diana was a 'perfect fit', she would later tell biographer Andrew Morton of her deep unhappiness during the engagement. 'Diana is the only one that doesn't seem excited about the wedding', Williams said. 'She was suffering from an eating disorder I think she was very overwhelmed. Diana was just 19 years old when she agreed to marry Prince Charles, then 32 Despite appearances that Diana was a 'perfect fit', she would later tell biographer Andrew Morton of her deep unhappiness during their engagement 'Diana told her sisters that the marriage shouldn't go ahead and they said: 'Bad luck Dutch, your face is on the tea towels. You can't go back.' 'She says later that she felt like a lamb to the slaughter.' The only person within Diana's inner circle who sensed something was wrong was her own grandmother, Baroness Fermoy. 'One of the only dissenting voices was the Baroness', Williams said. 'She said to Diana: 'I don't think their sense of humour or lifestyle is going to suit you.' 'But everyone else was so swept up in the idea of marriage.' Baroness Fermoy's warning would prove prophetic. The marriage ended in separation in 1992, and by the time of her death in July 1993, she and Diana were no longer speaking. In her final months, Baroness Fermoy spoke critically of Diana to the Royal Family, siding with the institution over her granddaughter. According to royal biographer Penny Junor, she apologised to the Queen and Charles shortly before her death, admitting she had known Diana was 'a dishonest and difficult girl.' Listen to the first episode of the Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things series, The Diana Years now, wherever you get your podcasts - or watch on YouTube. The Hamptons' newest status symbol is a mobile home. You heard that right. A home inside a seaside trailer park in Montauk that used to be a humble fisherman's community, has listed for nearly $3.5 million. If it sells at asking, the Montauk Shores mobile home, perched on 700-square-feet on the edge of Ditch Plains beach, will set a local record. The two-bedroom, one-bath oceanfront home just hit the market for a staggering $3.49 million, or nearly $5,000 a square-foot. 'It's as good as it can get. This particular unit sits oceanfront and has an L shaped deck facing the water,' listing agent Demetri Sopkiw told the Daily Mail. 'You've got a panoramic ocean view and the home is renovated and in move-in condition. 'There's nothing next to it, everything else sits back a little bit so it really opens up the view. You wake up and can walk outside and surf. You are on the beach.' The mobile home park began as a modest vacation trailer community and fishing village. Now the homes rent for the summer for upwards of $60,000. The 1970s home was renovated in 2017 and comes with a deck that has amazing views directly over the Atlantic. It's listed for nearly $3.5 million Montauk Shores, a trailer park in Montauk, is now one of the most coveted pieces of real estate that sits directly on the coast in the Hamptons Stores and restaurants in the quaint downtown area of Montauk, which is just minutes from the ocean and is extremely walkable The 1970s home was renovated in 2017 and comes with a deck that has amazing views directly over the Atlantic. Perfect since Montauk, or 'The End' as locals call it, is known for its world class sunsets where no high buildings block the stunning views. 'There's this walkway that goes down to a beautiful beach where they do a lot of surf lessons and it's a great community for families and surfers,' Sopkiw said. 'It's just wonderful in there. It's a gated community so the families in there always hang out. The kids all get together and they ride their bikes around the park together and become lifelong friends.' In 1976, a group of families purchased the land and started the Montauk Shores mobile-home park condominium, the first trailer-park condo association in New York State, according to its website. It's now one of the most coveted pieces of real estate that sits directly on the coast in the Hamptons. Surfers love the area for its waves and chill vibes. Compared to the rest of the Hamptons, Montauk remains the more down-to-earth area, with taco shacks, surfers in wetsuits and long stretches of public beach host to nightly bonfires in the summer. Montauk is now one of the most coveted pieces of real estate since the area sits directly on the coast in the Hamptons Compared to the rest of the Hamptons, Montauk remains under-the-radar with taco shacks, and surfers in wetsuits walking around with surfboards The home for sale sits directly on the water and has a wrap around deck to enjoy sunrises and sunsets The deck on the 1970s home, which was completely renovated in 2017 and has amazing views directly over the Atlantic Inside the $3.5 million mobile home in Montauk Shores, which is perched on 700-square-feet on the edge of Ditch Plains beach At 700 square feet, the mobile home comes out to nearly $5,000 per square foot and would set a record if it sells at asking 'It's as good as it can get,' listing agent Demetri Sopkiw told the Daily Mail of the home The area is so stunning it's often used as a filming location for TV and movies. The Affair, the series that ran on Showtime from 2014 to 2019, is set there. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind filmed wintery beach scenes in Montauk with Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet at the Ocean Surf Resort. Montauk also still keeps a hold of its rich cultural past and has been an inspiration for many artists over the years. The late Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? playwright Edward Albee bought a house along the old Montauk Highway. Wildlife photographer Peter Beard lived in a two-story shingled house on moorland bluffs. Andy Warhol purchased a sprawling compound in Montauk where he hosted parties for the Rolling Stones, Halston, Liza Minnelli, Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Onassis and Lee Radziwill. Vitamin Water co-founder J. Darius Bikoff owns one of the 199 homes in the trailer park, where the amenities include a community clubhouse for residents to host parties, a heated swimming pool and a playground. Montauk, a three-hour drive from New York City, has a permanent population of around 4,000, but that number swells to nearly 40,000 in the summer months. While some Montauk Shores residents live there year-round, many come for just the summer. The Affair, the series that ran on Showtime from 2014 to 2019, is set in Montauk In 1976, a group of families purchased the land and started the Montauk Shores mobile-home park condominium, the first trailer-park condo association in New York State Described as 'Montauk's best kept secret' the park has 199 homes and a heated swimming pool and playground Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind filmed wintery beach scenes in Montauk with Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet at the Ocean Surf Resort Jill Bikoff and Darius Bikoff, the Vitamin Water founder, own a Montauk Shores home Montauk, a three-hour drive from New York City, has a permanent population of around 4,000 (Pictured: A bedroom inside the home for sale) Despite its humble beginnings, homes in Montauk Shores have skyrocketed in recent years. But just a few rows back from the dunes, the park is also home to what could be called a last chance bargain. In August 2025, two trailers in the same community were listed for under $500,000, according to Zillow. Those listings included a 400-square-foot unit asking $499,000. Montauk Shores' mix of ultra-wealthy buyers and laid-back locals looking to surf has turned the gated trailer park into one of the most curious stories in East Coast real estate. After all, life in the exclusive trailer park has the same views from nearly every angle, whether you're paying $500,000 or $3.5 million. Scientists have warned that toxic algae in Florida's waters may be silently contributing to Alzheimer's disease. The alarming findings come from studies of stranded dolphins, which showed signs of brain damage linked to the same neurotoxins found in harmful algal blooms. Researchers studying dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon along Florida's east coast, discovered that these marine mammals displayed brain changes strikingly similar to those seen in Alzheimer's patients, including the formation of misfolded proteins and plaques. These changes appear linked to cyanobacterial toxins, which are produced by the rapid increase of algae population in an aquatic system, known as a bloom. Dr David Davis of the Miller School of Medicine, who was part of the research team, told the Daily Mail that environmental factors may play a significant role in triggering or exacerbating neurological illnesses. 'Miami-Dade County has one of the highest rates of Alzheimer's in the US,' he said. Biscayne Bay and other waterways in the county have experienced severe ecological stress over the past decade, with major algal blooms recorded as recently as August 2020. These blooms can last for months, far longer than typical short-lived events. This causes the water to become cloudy or form a scum on the surface. In 2024, roughly 77,000 to 80,000 people in Miami-Dade county were estimated to have the brain disorder, according to the Alzheimer's Association. That is 10 to 15 percent above the national average. Scientists have found a shocking link between alga blooms and Alzheimer's (Stock image) Algae blooms contain microscopic organisms that release compounds, which are highly toxic to nerve cells, damaging the brain regions responsible for memory, thinking and communication (Pictured: An algae bloom from above) 'Maps of algal bloom occurrences and Alzheimer's prevalence overlap in concerning ways,' Davis said. 'We're really worried about people in Florida being exposed.' Florida has been tracking harmful algal blooms since 1844, but climate change, warmer waters, fertilizer runoff and stagnant canals are fueling 'super-blooms' that can persist for months. While the blooms may look harmless, appearing as a bright green, blue-green or brown-red paint spilled on the water, they produce dangerous toxins, including -N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA). A separate study in Guam showed that BMAA produced by cyanobacteria entered the local food chain through fruit bats that ate toxic cycad seeds. Villagers then consumed the bats, ingesting high doses of the toxin. Many developed a rare neurological disorder unique to the island known as ALS-PDC (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Parkinsonism-Dementia Complex), which combines symptoms of ALS, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases. Dr Paul Allen Cox, co-author of the Guam study, spent more than two decades researching cyanobacterial toxins and their effects on human health. His findings initially sparked controversy because many people doubted that these toxins could move through the food chain and cause neurological damage. Still, Davis said: 'It inspired our research here in Florida, where the same toxins have been detected in the marine food web.' The most concerning toxins include BMAA and its chemical relatives 2,4-Diaminobutyric acid (2,4-DAB) and N-2-aminoethylglycine (AEG), all highly toxic to nerve cells. Animal studies have shown that exposure can produce Alzheimer's-like brain damage and cognitive decline. Scientists said that Miami-Dade County (pictured in part) had one of the highest rates of Alzheimer's in the US last year, and the region also experienced major algal blooms in 2020 Scientists found the hallmarks of Alzheimer's in the brains of all the dolphins tested, including misfolded tau proteins (center), amyloid plaques (left) and tangled fibers (right) that destroy neural connections Once released into marine environments, these toxins can accumulate up the food chain, eventually reaching dolphins and potentially humans who consume contaminated seafood. 'Any exposure to these toxins is concerning,' Davis told the Daily Mail. 'In Florida, doses are likely lower and spread over longer periods, but we don't yet know the long-term effects on humans.' For that, he said, we'd need long-term studies. '[That] is why experimental models like dolphins are so important,' he added. 'They help us understand potential impacts on public health.' Researchers are now closely monitoring Florida's waterways and seafood supply for cyanobacterial toxins, aiming to better understand the risk to residents and prevent long-term neurological harm. They routinely collect samples of fish, shellfish and even water used in aquaculture from areas affected by algal blooms. These samples are then tested in laboratories using chemical analyses such as liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, which can detect even trace amounts of harmful cyanotoxins. Testing often happens before seafood enters the commercial market - for example, at fisheries, docks and seafood processing plants - to ensure contaminated catches are not distributed. In some cases, restaurants and retail markets may also be subject to random spot checks by state inspectors. When toxins are detected, harvest areas are closed until levels return to safe limits. For consumers, this means that the seafood they buy at markets or order at restaurants has likely already passed through several layers of testing and monitoring, designed to catch contamination long before it reaches their plates. The team studied 20 dolphins stranded on the shores of Florida's Indian River Lagoon (pictured), finding they all had signs of Alzheimer's Davis emphasized the difference in exposure levels between Florida and Guam. 'Obviously, in Guam, people had a really high dose and developed the disease rapidly,' he said. 'Here, we're probably looking at smaller doses over longer periods of time.' Environmental studies also suggest that the surroundings play a role in Alzheimer's risk. 'With MiamiDade facing high Alzheimer's rates and repeated algal blooms, the potential connection between these toxins and neurodegenerative disease is a public health concern,' Davis said. 'Understanding and mitigating exposure is critical for protecting communities.' Tens of thousands of trees in the heart of the Amazon rainforest have been wiped out to prepare for a global summit on saving the environment. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump slammed the creation of a multi-lane highway that tore straight through the ancient rainforest for this month's COP30 climate summit. Approximately 100,000 trees across eight miles have been removed to ferry 50,000 world leaders, climate change activists, journalists, and other high-profile guests to the conference in Belem, Brazil. 'They ripped the hell out of the Rainforest of Brazil to build a four-lane highway for Environmentalists to travel. It's become a big scandal!' Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday. While the White House has not sent a formal delegation to the event, which began on Monday, several left-leaning US officials, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, will be in Brazil. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said the president would 'not jeopardize our country's economic and national security to pursue vague climate goals that are killing other countries'. Meanwhile, outrage over the bulldozing of the Amazon has been flooding into social media, with both climate advocates and skeptics pointing out the hypocrisy of cutting down thousands of trees for cars to reach a summit discussing deforestation. Canadian climate activist Mike Hudema wrote on X: 'You can't be a climate leader if you're cutting down one of the world's greatest climate solutions to do it.' Approximately 100,000 trees have been removed from the protected Amazon rainforest in order to build a highway for guests to the COP30 climate change summit in Brazil Even the website for this year's COP30, held in Brazil, is set to emit the equivalent of 690 pounds of CO2, researchers have said 'If they truly saw climate change as an imminent catastrophe, would they destroy the lungs of the planet for their own convenience?' one person wrote on X. Climate studies have warned for years that the Amazon was already at an 'ecological tipping point' and couldn't afford to lose any more trees. Researchers Thomas Lovejoy and Carlos Nobre estimated that if 20 to 25 per cent of the Amazon were to be cut down, the region would stop making enough rain, drying out and turning into a grassy savanna. Their report in Science Advances warned this would release billions of tons of stored carbon into the air, making climate change much worse, and could even change rainfall patterns in places as far away as the US. The construction of the highway was first suggested by the Brazilian state government of Para more than a decade ago, but the plans were shelved due to the backlash over environmental concerns. The project was revived along with dozens of other infrastructure plans ahead of this month's summit, including new hotels, the expansion of a local airport, and the redevelopment of the city's port for cruise ships. Politicians have touted the 'sustainable' nature of the giant highway, noting it has over 30 wildlife crossings, protective fencing for vegetation, the inclusion of bicycle lanes, and the use of solar-powered LED lighting. 'The UN is also warning us the Earth is running out of oxygen... So let's cut down 13.2 kilometers of trees in the Amazon rainforest to make a highway for the COP30 climate summit. Can't make this s*** up,' another social media user commented. The goal of the COP30 climate summit is to find new solutions to global warming, with nations making agreements on curbing carbon emissions Your browser does not support iframes. The COP30 summit is organized by the United Nations for nearly 200 countries to gather and discuss how to prevent global warming. It's run by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), an international treaty signed in 1992 to fight climate change. The main goal of the summit is to speed up real-world action to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C (2.7F) above pre-industrial levels, as promised in the 2015 Paris Agreement. That includes negotiating new agreements to cut greenhouse gas emissions, phasing out fossil fuels, protecting forests and boosting money for poorer nations to adapt to climate impacts. Images have shown the eight-mile highway cutting through swathes of lush forest greenery, but the Brazilian government have defended the building practices as 'sustainable' However, this year's summit is expected to see far fewer guests travel to the newly cleared Amazon conference site, with previous years seeing as many as 84,000 people attend the climate event. However, Trump claimed in his September speech to the United Nations that climate change was the 'greatest con job ever perpetuated' on the world, created by 'stupid people'. 'If you don't get away from this green scam, your country is going to fail,' the US president told the more than 150 world leaders and dignitaries in attendance. The Trump Administration also pulled out of the Paris Agreement in January and closed the State Department's Office of Global Change, which led diplomatic efforts on climate change. From floppy disks to fax machines, many once-common office technologies would be baffling to the younger generation. Now, a study suggests that the humble keyboard could be the next device to vanish when Gen Alpha enters the workforce. According to researchers from the London School of Economics (LSE) and Jabra, the next generation of workers won't ever need to write out an email by hand. Instead, these youngsters will rely on voice notes to communicate with their bosses. The report, led by Professor Michael Muthukrishna of LSE, predicts that this change will be coming sooner than most people expect. By 2028, the report predicts that voice technology will be the default mode of working for everyone. Professor Muthukrishna and his co-authors conclude: 'This isn't the distant future. This is the next generation of how we will interact with Generative AI. 'It's powered by voice, and it's coming sooner than we think. Gen Alpha won't ever need to use a keyboard when they enter the workforce, according to a new report. Instead, youngsters will just send voice messages in the office (stock image) The study blames the rapid rise of voice technology on the growing importance of AI tools in the workplace. That means people will be much more likely to use voice transcription and dictation software to write reports and messages. Researchers predict that, within the next three years, keyboards will only be used for tweaking and editing. People will work by thinking aloud to a series of AI tools that will organise their ideas, take notes, and carry out tasks on their behalf. The oldest members of Gen Alpha, born after 2010, will start entering the workforce around 2030. That means most of this cohort will never know what it is like to work in an office where typing is the default. Paul Sephton, global head of brand communications at Jabra, told Fortune: 'By the time Gen Alpha enters the workforce, AI will be fully embedded, and their work will be spoken long before it's ever typed.' Mr Sephton explains: 'They'll talk to write, then type to refine. Researchers predict that the keyboard will be obsolete by 2028 as workers adopt voice tools such as AI-powered dictation apps for the majority of their tasks (stock image) 'And they'll direct work, not just draft it. Typing becomes editing, not thinking. The first draft of the future is spoken.' According to researchers, the biggest driver behind this change is the fact that people find it easier and more convenient to operate AI tools by speaking, rather than typing. Currently, 14 per cent of people surveyed said they preferred speaking to typing when using AI tools. But it won't just be the youngest workers who abandon the keyboard, as researchers found that older workers were actually more keen to use voice technology than their Gen Z co-workers. However, the death of the keyboard may come with some major drawbacks. The report notes that people who used voice controls performed 20 per cent worse than those who typed on certain tasks. The researchers attribute this to the 'challenge of articulating complex thoughts aloud'. Additionally, workers who spoke with the researchers expressed concerns that needing to speak aloud to work created privacy and data-security risks. Researchers blame this change on the rise of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, which are often easier to operate via voice controls than by typing One participant complained: 'If I'm at work in an open-plan office and using AI tools, I don't want to be speaking out loud. I'd rather just type because when speaking, others can hear and so I'm more conscious of what I'm saying.' Others worried about giving their voice information to the AI companies behind these tools, which often use user data to train their models. Even if voice notes might be more convenient to send, experts also have concerns about how useful they might be in an office environment. For example, it is much easier to read a message written out in text than it is to listen to an audio recording. Professor Fabrice Cavarretta, of the ESSEC Business School, told Fortune: 'Scanning an email beats playing a voice message.' Likewise, written text is easier to reference back to and check on at a later date due to its 'set in stone' nature. However, even if the written word doesn't disappear from the office entirely, keyboards and typing still might. Mr Cavarretta adds: 'My anticipation is that voice will increasingly serve as an input method but be systematically transcribed into text within organizations using AI tools.' The sun erupted in a massive solar flare, the largest of the year, sending a wave of solar activity that could affect Earth starting on Tuesday. A powerful X5.1-class flare, capable of disrupting satellites, high-frequency radio and high-altitude flights, burst from the sun today. The flare caused a radio blackout across Europe and Africa around 5am ET, briefly affecting aviation, maritime, emergency, GPS, radar and satellite communications. Space scientist Steph Yardley described the solar activity as 'not very common,' noting these extremely energetic particles from the sun are so strong that ground-based detectors can pick them up. 'There have been 75 recorded since 1942,' she posted on X. NOAA scientists are monitoring a possible coronal mass ejection (CME), a huge cloud of solar material and magnetic fields, moving at about 3,000 miles per second. If it is headed for our planet, it could trigger a strong geomagnetic storm, disturbing Earths magnetic field overnight into Wednesday. If it is headed for Earth, it could trigger a strong geomagnetic storm, disturbing Earths magnetic field overnight into Wednesday. Auroras may appear as far south as Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Oregon. Power grids, GPS navigation, and HF radio communications could all be affected, NOAA shared in an alert. A powerful X5.1-class flare, capable of disrupting satellites, high-frequency radio and high-altitude flights, burst from the sun today Officials have issued a G3 Watch, warning that another CME from November 10 may arrive on the evening of November 11 and continue into November 12. This flare came from sunspot AR4274, which has been highly active in recent days, producing two other significant flares on November 9 and 10. Sunspots are temporary, darker patches on the sun's surface that are cooler than the surrounding areas. Officials warned that high-energy particles from the sun are triggering radiation alerts. Passengers and crew on high-altitude polar flights may face slightly increased exposure. Satellites in low-Earth orbit, especially those flying over the poles, are vulnerable to temporary electrical disruptions. Tuesday's flare joins a recent series of powerful eruptions from the sunspot, including an X1.7-class flare on November 9 and an X1.2 flare on November 10. Solar flares are classified by their X-ray brightness, measured in a specific wavelength range by satellites. They fall into five main categories, A, B, C, M, and X, ranging from the weakest to the most powerful. The flare caused a radio blackout across Europe and Africa around 5am ET, briefly affecting aviation, maritime, emergency, GPS, radar and satellite communications A stunning close up of the solar flare the moment it exploded from the sun Each class represents roughly a tenfold increase in energy, with X-class flares being the strongest and capable of disrupting satellites, radio communications, and even high-altitude flights. Within each class, flares are further ranked from 1 to 9 to indicate their relative strength, with higher numbers producing more intense effects. Solar activity is expected to stay high because sunspot AR4274 is still facing Earth and is unstable. Theres a 75 percent chance of more medium (M-class) flares, which could cause brief radio blackouts, disrupt high-frequency communications and trigger minor geomagnetic storms, EarthSky reported. There is also a 40 percent chance of another strong X-class flare, which could lead to widespread radio blackouts, interfere with satellites and GPS systems, affect power grids, and pose radiation risks to astronauts and high-altitude flights. Another sunspot, AR4276, could also produce smaller flares with minor effects as it develops. The Arctic blast hammering the Midwest and Northeast is about to completely flip, bringing blizzard-like conditions to the West in just days. The National Weather Service (NWS) released a forecast map for next week, predicting temperatures will dramatically drop across more than 10 states, including California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming. At the same time, the thermometer will rise in the East, South, and Midwest, where early-season snowstorms and freezing conditions impacted more than 150 million Americans this week. The new NWS forecast revealed that this sudden flip will start as early as Sunday and completely shift November's winter blast by Tuesday, November 18. In Southern California, Southern Nevada, and most of Arizona, there's a 60 percent chance temperatures will sharply drop below their normal averages for mid-November, which typically sits between 58 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Meteorologists at AccuWeather also warned that this Arctic shift could bring heavy snow to parts of California as soon as Thursday. 'Temperatures are expected to drop sharply over the Sierra Nevada, allowing snow to accumulate quickly above the passes in northern areas,' the AccuWeather team warned in a statement. Areas including Lake Tahoe, Donner Pass, and the Sierra Nevada mountain range could all see at least three inches of snowfall, with higher elevations getting up to two feet by Thursday night. The National Weather Service has predicted a major temperature shift, with the West Coast set for a major drop, and freezing regions in the east becoming warmer than normal Areas in Illinois (Pictured) were just slammed by up to a foot of snow during an unusual early season storm The sudden shift west in this week's Arctic blast is being driven by a large wave (a trough) in the jet stream that naturally flows over the US from west to east, pushing the cold air toward the Southwest. Meanwhile, a dome of warmer high pressure is expected to build in the Midwest and East, flipping the weather from freezing to mild like a seesaw in just days. Wild temperature swings in the Southwest are a common occurrence as the region sits at the jet stream's southern edge, with different weather systems sending lows into the mid-40s or as high as the upper 70s during this time of year. Illinois and Indiana have a 50 to 60 percent chance of seeing temperatures warm beyond their normal November average of 44 degrees, just days after a major storm crippled travel and blanketed some areas with up to 12 inches of snow. Tuesday morning, millions of Americans were still under official freeze warnings in the Southeast, with states including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas all bracing for temperatures in the high 20s. Atlanta's record low for Tuesday is 26 degrees, and the meteorologists predicted it could reach around this point, meaning residents may need to drip their faucets to prevent damaged pipes. Even parts of Florida could see record lows, with cities as far south as Orlando and Tampa potentially tying lows of 39 and 40 degrees, respectively. Floridians have already seen local iguanas start to fall out of trees, paralyzed by the premature winter blast. Temperatures in the Southeast has fallen so low that iguanas have started to fall from trees, paralyzed by the freezing cold Tuesday morning, millions of Americans were still under official freeze warnings in the Southeast, with states including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas all bracing for temperatures in the high 20s Matt Devitt, chief meteorologist at WINK News, posted an image of one iguana, writing: 'This big guy just fell out of a tree in Port Charlotte this morning, where it was 38. Its not dead, just cold and stunned. Only in Florida!' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Chad Merrill said: 'Residents who live in the snow belts should prepare for treacherous driving conditions and near-zero visibility at times through early Tuesday.' The early-season plunge sweeping across the country has been driven by the polar vortex around Greenland and Canada shifting south and bringing a mass of Arctic air into the US. The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air that surrounds the Earth's poles, mainly affecting the Northern Hemisphere during winter. It forms due to the temperature difference between the cold polar regions and the warmer tropics, creating strong counterclockwise winds. This vortex helps keep the cold air near the poles, but it can sometimes weaken or shift, allowing freezing air to move farther south. Before the new NWS forecast was revealed for next week, WPIX senior meteorologist Mike Masco noted that the 'atmospheric ingredients' were already lined up for several wild swings in both temperature and precipitation across the US this winter. Masco added that another major shift could send the eastern US back into freezing conditions between Thanksgiving (November 27) and the first week of December. A British family built a home in the UK and sold it to fund their adventures around the world. Danielle and Mike Booth, both 36, dreamt about travelling with their two children, Emmy, 14, and Eli, 10, after a road trip around France back in 2019. The couple, from Bradford, worked hard to save enough to be able to make the huge lifestyle change. Mike, a joiner, decided to build the family a four-bedroom detached home from scratch in 2020. They sold the property in April this year and alongside their savings from selling their belongings, used the money for their globetrotting adventure. The family have budgeted to travel for at least a year and set off on October 28 to Bangkok, Thailand. With a limit of around 500 a week, a huge difference from their nearly 4,500-a-month expenditure in the UK. They also receive a small amount of income generated from Mike's business back home. Danielle and Mike Booth, both 36, dreamt about travelling with their two children, Emmy , 14, and Eli, 10, after a road trip around France back in 2019 The couple, from Bradford, worked hard to save enough to be able to make the huge lifestyle change Even on a strict budget, former NHS worker Danielle claims they have been able to live like 'a king and queen'. Danielle said: 'Firstly, we are proud to do it as it's not easy to leave your comfort and routine. 'As much as it's like "oh wow, look at the life we're living," it does come with its challenges because you're stepping out of your comfort zone. 'It's empowering and every day I say to my husband, I can't believe how cheap it is out here and why didn't we do this sooner. 'All the money we've spent in the UK doing the basic things just to get by, you can live like a king and queen here. 'It's crazy. The cost comparison is unbelievable.' The mother-of-two recalled how they found the cost of living 'so expensive' in the UK and husband Mike 'had to work all the time'. 'It's really scary how much things cost to live a basic life in the UK compared to how you can live elsewhere,' she added. Mike, a joiner, decided to build the family a four-bedroom detached home from scratch in 2020 Danielle admitted the increasing crime rates and the current schooling system were also factors pushing them to travel. The two children are continuing their education while the family travels. Emmy is studying Maths and English through an online private tutor and the two girls are getting stuck in with cultural learning and fitness as part of their daily routine. She said: 'All children are different and don't always fit into the boxes of the UK learning system. 'We are not against the UK system but we believe there are other ways to learn and it's not the be all and end all of, if you don't go to school, you don't do well. 'We have a 14-year-old daughter and it's really scary. We think about whether we'd feel comfortable letting our daughter go out into a local town at home and the answer is no. 'You feel unsafe and it's scary having a teenager and letting them get independent and knowing that there is so much scary stuff out there. It feels like it is getting worse too.' Now in Thailand, Danielle explained how the family feel so much safer. The family have budgeted to travel for at least a year and set off on October 28 to Bangkok, Thailand She said: 'We have been mooching around in dark weather over here and you don't feel unsafe. The people are very friendly. 'Over here, people are so much happier and will go out of their way to help them.' The family of four are set to explore Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Japan. After 12 months, they plan to settle somewhere as a family but have not decided where this will be yet. 'No leaves on this line... Just awesome breakfasts!' A cafe in Kent, described as a 'one-of-a-kind' spot and 'hidden gem', has gone viral after a video showed food being delivered to customers by a model train. Nibbles Railway Cafe in Newenden, a small village in the Ashford District of Kent, claims to offer a 'truly unique dining experience where nostalgia meets novelty'. 'Watch your breakfast roll in - literally- delivered to your table by a beautifully restored vintage N gauge railway,' the website says. The cafe has gained a large social media following with more than 20,000 followers on Instagram. Perhaps the best news is the fact that you can get a bacon butty for just 3.90! Videos show the trains carrying mugs of coffee, full English breakfasts, Playmobil characters as passengers and a tips carriage. For Halloween, the trains were decorated with spooky decor, including a giant skull. Nibbles Railway Cafe in Newenden, a small village in the Ashford District of Kent, claims to offer a 'truly unique dining experience where nostalgia meets novelty' In a TikTok video posted by the account Ashford Food, which claims to 'promote the amazing food and drink that Ashford and district has to offer', one of the trains is shown delivering a range of food items to customers The caption reads: 'Experience the joy of a model train delivering your food straight to your table! Nibbles, in Newenden, right on the border of the Ashford district, has seen its custom triple since launching this unique concept and we can see why' In other amusing videos, one of the trains is shown delivering a single can of Coke. Speaking to the BBC earlier this year, owners Dave and Lindsey Wheeler said business at the village cafe has nearly tripled since they built a complex model railway to deliver food and drink to customers. The cafe is so popular that they are regularly fully booked with no availability for walk-ins or takeaways. In an Instagram post, the cafe said they have been overwhelmed with customers, with 100 customers booked every day, which is their capacity. In a TikTok video posted by the account Ashford Food, which claims to 'promote the amazing food and drink that Ashford and district has to offer', one of the trains is shown delivering a range of food items to customers. The caption reads: 'Experience the joy of a model train delivering your food straight to your table! 'Nibbles, in Newenden, right on the border of the Ashford district, has seen its custom triple since launching this unique concept and we can see why!' One commenter jested: 'Do they offer a bus replacement service if the train get inexplicably cancelled?' The cafe is similar to Prague's Vytopna Railway Restaurant, which delivers food and drinks through a fleet of 14 digitally controlled miniature trains on a 900-meter track Another user wrote: 'Think I've just found the lunch of dreams are made of.' The cafe is similar to Prague's Vytopna Railway Restaurant, which delivers food and drinks through a fleet of 14 digitally controlled miniature trains on a 900-meter track. The restaurant has a cult following and more than 1,400 five-star TripAdvisor reviews. But in the UK, Nibbles Railway Cafe appears to be one of a kind. One user commented on the Kent cafe's Instagram page: 'You should franchise this idea, it popped up and I looked for anything similar local to me, and there's nothing. My son would go nuts for this!' From characterful architecture to sparkling festive lights, there are plenty of spots across the UK that capture the Christmas cheer and make for a great winter getaway. But there is one location in particular that has proven to be the most popular destination for a festive break. According to new data, Buxton is the top spot to head to in the cooler months. Nestled in the picturesque Peak District, Buxton is bustling over the festive period, with Christmas markets and sparkling decorations. Pantomimes are performed in the opera house and there are plenty of independent cafes and restaurants to find a delicious meal. Ambleside, in Cumbria, placed second in the data by Sykes Holiday Cottages. With stunning lake views and even a waterfall to enjoy, it's not surprising the staycation spot is so popular. The town centre glistens with lights during the festive period and visitors can opt for a winter lake cruise, too. According to new data, Buxton is the top spot to head to in the cooler months Ambleside in Cumbria placed second in the data by Sykes Holiday Cottages Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds', ranked third. The small village has a population of around 3,500 residents and features a range of independent cafes and shops that draw in hordes of visitors. During Christmastime, the area is beautifully decorated and boasts an impressive Christmas tree rising from the River Windrush. Castleton in Derbyshire is another festive location that has proven popular for a winter getaway in fourth place. Many shopfronts in the village are adorned with decorations and visitors can enjoy winter walks to famed hill, Mam Tor, and through limestone gorge Winnats Pass. Elsewhere, in North Yorkshire, Skipton attracts tourists with its festive cheer. There are regular markets held in the town that are perfect for finding unique Christmas presents. What's more, the high street is often decorated with twinkling lights during the festive period. Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds', ranked third A seasonal cruise that travels along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal even includes a Christmas dinner and makes for a perfect winter activity. Ludlow, in Shropshire, ranked sixth and impresses with its Christmas carols, scenic walking routes and charming places to stay. Another Yorkshire spot, Whitby came seventh and Broadway in Worcestershire ranked eighth. Bowness-on-Windermere, in Cumbria placed ninth and Beadnell in Northumberland was 10th. The UK Foreign Office has issued an updated travel warning for India following a deadly explosion at the Red Fort Metro Station in New Delhi. British nationals are cautioned against travelling to parts of India after a 'slow-moving' vehicle exploded in the capital on 10 November, killing at least 13 people and injuring several others. Several fire engines rushed to the scene after the blast near one of the gates of the Red Fort (Lal Qila) metro station. The cause of the explosion remained unclear. In its most recent update, The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has warned travellers against visiting certain regions due to heightened security risks. The advisory warns against all travel within 10 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border, where the Wagah-Attari border crossing remains closed. The FCDO also advises against all travel to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir - including Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, the city of Srinagar and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. However, there are exceptions for air travel to and from the city of Jammu, and travel within the city of Jammu itself. Those visiting the state of Manipur, including the capital, Imphal, are also advised against all but essential travel. British nationals are cautioned against travelling to parts of India after a 'slow-moving' vehicle exploded in New Delhi on 10 November, killing at least thirteen people and injuring several others A Mumbai police sniffer dog sniffs bags during a patrol after heightened security following an explosion in New Delhi, at a railway station in Mumbai, India, November 11, 2025 Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard to enforce curfew in Imphal, capital of the northeastern Indian state of Manipur in June, 2023 In parts of Manipur, curfews and restrictions remain in place following violent clashes between ethnic groups dating back to 2023. For Brits who are currently in these regions, they are advised to follow local authority instructions and stay up to date with local media. The Foreign Office further warned British citizens travelling to areas under advisory that their travel insurance may become invalidated - and are encouraged to take out comprehensive insurance covering all planned activities and emergencies. Travellers are also reminded that no travel can be guaranteed as entirely safe, with Brits advised to look at general safety advice and specific guidance for solo, woman, and LGBT+ travellers, as well as those with disabilities. A tourist in China who intentionally flooded her hotel room after being denied a refund has been forced to cough up more than 3,000 - almost 280 times the original room rate. The unidentified Chinese guest had booked a room at a budget hotel in Hainan, a southern island province, on 28 October. She had reserved a one-night stay through an online platform for just 108 yuan (12). But just 30 minutes after checking in late at the hotel, the woman demanded a full refund, claiming a 'change of plans.' The guest further complained of shabby conditions in her room, and alleged it had been poorly soundproofed. According to the South China Morning Post, the hotel manager said their policy states guests cannot cancel their booking after check-in. In an attempt to resolve the matter, hotel staff offered the woman a complimentary room upgrade, which she chose not to accept. The guest further escalated the situation by calling the police - and even lodged a complaint to the local government hotline. A tourist in China who intentionally flooded her hotel room after being denied a refund has been forced to cough up more than 3,000 - almost 280 times the original room rate The unidentified Chinese guest had booked a room at a budget hotel in Hainan, a southern island province (pictured), on 28 October While waiting for police to arrive, the woman returned to her room and began vandalising it, initially by tossing the bedding into the bathroom and covering it with shower gel. She then turned on the washbasin's tap and showerhead, causing a deliberate flood in the room. The flooding, which is reported to have occurred at 2am, went unnoticed by the staff until the water began to leak from the second-floor room into the lobby below. By the time the taps were eventually turned off, the woman's actions had caused around 20,000 yuan (2,134) of damage to the walls and floor. The hotel reported the guest to the police, demanding that she take full responsibility. She later agreed to compensate the hotel by paying almost 30,000 yuan (3,200) - a steep price to pay for what would have been a 12 stay. According to Chinese law, individuals who intentionally destroy public or private property and cause damage worth a relatively large amount of money face a fixed-term imprisonment of up to 3 years, short-term custody, or a fine. If the cost of the damage exceeds 5,000 yuan (533), the offender may also face a criminal investigation or criminal charges. After being denied a refund for her room, the woman returned to her room and began vandalising it, initially by tossing the bedding into the bathroom and covering it with shower gel On Chinese social media, many observers condemned the woman's actions. One wrote: 'Compared to greater legal consequences, the 30,000 yuan compensation is a rather light punishment.' Another said: 'She ended up paying nearly 300 times the hotel room rate that she wanted to avoid.' A third warned: 'Anger can cause great consequences if we do not put a leash on it. The law can be a good leash.' The UK's busiest airport is expecting travel disruption this week due to upcoming 'engineering works'. London Heathrow Airport, which expects to serve 84 million travellers this year, announced some ways of reaching the aviation hub would be impacted. Planned work is due to take place and will hit holidaymakers hoping to use the Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line this weekend. Anyone travelling on November 15 and 16 has been advised to 'plan your journey in advance'. The airport made the announcement on X, formerly Twitter, and said: 'Due to planned engineering works, there will be no Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line train services to/from Heathrow on Sat 15 & Sun 16 November 2025. 'Piccadilly Line services to/from #Heathrow will be running as normal. 'Please plan your journey in advance as other services will be busier than normal.' The disruption is due to engineering work between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Airport stations. London Heathrow Airport, which welcomes millions of passengers a year, announced some methods of transport to the hub would be impacted According to the National Rail website 'all lines' on the route will be closed. It states: 'No trains to / from London Heathrow Airport from Saturday 15 to Sunday 16 November.' The site goes on to explain how there will be no Heathrow Express service and no trains from the Elizabeth line running to or from Heathrow Airport. Routes affected are listed as, 'Elizabeth line between Shenfield and Heathrow Airport' and 'Heathrow Express between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport'. Heathrow Airport released information about the last rail services that will take place on Friday evening. The final Heathrow Express service from terminal five departs at 11.57pm, while terminal two and three will leave at 00.03am. Holidaymakers heading to Heathrow can catch the last Heathrow Express from Paddington at 11.25pm. The final Heathrow Express service to terminal five from terminals two and three leaves at 11.43pm. Planned work is due to take place and will hit holidaymakers hoping to use the Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line this weekend As for the Elizabeth line, the final service to central London departs terminal five at 12.07am and leaves terminal two and three at 00.12am. Terminal four's Elizabeth line leaves at 11.37pm. Holidaymakers heading to Heathrow from London Paddington on the Elizabeth line can catch the final service on Friday at 11.24pm. Those heading to terminal five from two and three can get the last service at 11.37pm and terminal four to terminal two and three leaves at 11.52pm. The Piccadilly line will continue to run as normal. A BBC period drama starring Tom Hardy has been called a 'masterpiece' and dubbed 'the best show ever made' - despite disturbing incest and slavery scenes. Taboo - created by Hardy, Chips Harding and Steven Knight - first hit BBC One in January 2017. The show aired eight episodes before it wrapped up the following month. It follows the story of a man called James Delaney, who makes a return to London after 12 years in Africa, back in 1814. '1814: James Keziah Delaney returns to London from Africa and is encircled by conspiracy, murder and betrayal. Dark, mesmerising drama with Tom Hardy,' BBC iPlayers synopsis reads. The programme stars Hardy as James Keziah Delaney, Leo Bill as Benjamin Wilton, Jessie Buckley as Lorna Delaney, Oona Chaplin as Zilpha Geary and Stephen Graham as Atticus. A BBC period drama starring Tom Hardy has been called a 'masterpiece' and dubbed 'the best show ever made' - despite disturbing incest and slavery scenes Taboo - created by Tom Hardy, Chips Harding and Steven Knight - hit BBC One in January 2017 They are also joined by the likes of Jefferson Hall, David Hayman, Edward Hogg and Franka Potente. Although it was on our screens eight years ago, many are still a huge fan of the series - and it has been rated an impressive 76 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer, and 91 per cent on the Popcornmeter. Many have taken to IMDB to share their rave reviews about the programme, with one simply stating: 'A masterpiece!' 'I was hooked on this show within the first few minutes. Tom Hardy is brilliant in this role.' 'Not much on television worth watching nowadays so it is a very pleasant surprise when a series of this caliber comes along. 'The depiction of 1800s Great Britain in all it's steamy vulgarity and corruption is intriguing and mesmerizing. Ridley Scott and Tom Hardy are at their outstanding best.' 'This show is easily some of Tom Hardy's best work.' 'Possibly the best acting on television I've ever watched....' It follows the story of a man called James Delaney, who makes a return to London after 12 years in Africa, back in 1814 'Tom Hardy is terrific as always!' The Daily Mail's Jim Shelley said back in 2017: 'Taboo lived up its name and proved nothing is sacred not even the most comforting conventions of that great British tradition: Saturday night television. 'The legions of caterwauling karaoke contestants had been silenced and there was not a Doctor or Dalek in sight. Politicians desperately doing ballroom dancing and sad celebrities belly-flopping off the top board were noticeable only by their absence. 'The magical, innocent, days of sword-fights with Robin Hood or The Musketeers were, like Merlin, ancient history. 'Instead, Taboo appeared, spreading like a dark, disturbing, stain across the screen, causing the same contemptuous chaos with the schedule as its black-hearted hero (played by Tom Hardy). 'As alternatives to the norm go, Taboo was certainly comprehensive. 'The first episode alone included references to rape, incest, and slavery, paedophilia and prostitution, evil, witchcraft, ghosts, madness, and The Beast With A Million Eyes and Ears; men whose lives had been devoted to murder, military genocide, grave-robbing, gold-trading, and bear-fighting in Chancery Lane. Not to mention talk of bags of testicles being devoured by whores and drunken experiments setting ships ablaze with mashed potato. 'You didnt get that in Casualty even back in its bleakest early years. Many rushed online to share their rave reviews about the drama - with one dubbing it a 'masterpiece' 'All this meant that the BBCs decision to screen Taboo on a Saturday night - after Let It Shine and a repeat of Dads Army, before Match Of The Day, and opposite Through The Keyhole - was either an act of mercy or utter madness no matter how strong its credentials. 'Taboo was created by Steven Knight (the writer of Peaky Blinders) and Tom Hardy (its star) and was produced by Ridley Scott, the Hollywood heavyweight who directed Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator. 'Again, not something you could say about Casualty' Back in 2017 it was reported Hardy reportedly lost a whopping 2million in making the dark eight-part series. The Hollywood megastar allegedly suffered the major loss after Taboo drew in 8.4million - which has not matched the 10.4million the show racked up to make. A source told The Sun at the time: 'These new figures will make stark reading for Tom. 'No matter who you are or how much money you're worth, 2million is a lot of money to simply throw away.' The insider added: 'Tom will hope to eventually make the money back through DVD sales, downloads, streaming and syndication rights.' The reported loss comes despite Tom setting up a firm Taboo Productions Ltd to manage the finances for the costly drama. Jack Osbourne has revealed what his mum Sharon and sister Kelly think of him going on I'm A Celebrity, months after his father Ozzy's death. The Black Sabbath legend died of heart failure aged 76 at his Buckinghamshire home on July 22, just two weeks after performing a farewell concert with his bandmates at Birmingham's Villa Park. In the wake of Ozzy's death, Jack, 42, will head to the jungle as part of a star-studded line-up, including Kelly Brooks, Aitch and Alex Scott. In a new interview, Jack says his family have given him their full support and hope taking part in the show will help him in his grief. 'Mum and Kelly, they are absolutely going to be watching. They are supportive,' he says. 'It's absolutely going to be hard leaving them behind. I have got lots of kids, my wife, and my family still in the wake of my dad passing. It is going to be difficult, that is for sure. Jack Osbourne has revealed what his mum Sharon and sister Kelly think of him going on I'm A Celebrity, months after his father Ozzy's death In a new interview, Jack says his family have given him their full support and hope taking part in the show will help him in his grief In the wake of Ozzy's death, Jack, 42, will head to the jungle alongside: Shona McGarty, Eddie Kadi, Aitch, Alex Scott, Lisa Riley, Kelly Brook, Angry Ginge, Ruby Wax and Martin Kemp 'It's not the longest amount of time I've been away from them. 'I've gone on different trips filming Adrenaline Junkie for nearly two months without a phone, but I still had access to one and I was able to make calls home. 'It's going to be very difficult not speaking to my wife and kids. But yes, I do hope I can make my family proud.' Ozzy had been battling a number of health issues in the years leading up to his death, including a fall in 2019 at the family's home which saw his condition further deteriorate. The rocker passed away surrounded by his family after performing his final show in Birmingham. Jack says he is looking forward to throwing himself into the I'm A Celebrity jungle life to take his mind off his heartache. He says: 'I definitely had to think about doing this programme. Ozzy died of heart failure aged 76 on July 22, just two weeks after performing a farewell concert with his bandmates at Birmingham 's Villa Park (pictured 2015) 'It's an absolute commitment but the real reason why it is popular is people sit at home saying, "Could I do that?", so I think a lot of why I've said 'yes' is the intrigue and how would I survive that? I am very nervous though!' Jack admits he is 'not great with bugs' but isn't bothered by a heights when it comes to a Bushtucker Trial challenge. Asked if he will be a great peacemaker in camp given his familys no-holds-barred banter on their hit reality show The Osbournes, Jack says. 'Sometimes I can get pretty sh***y when I am worn out. I dont know. It will be case by case, but generally I am a pretty positive person.' The survival reality show, presented by Declan Donnelly, 50, and Ant McPartlin, 49, will be back on the popular channel this coming Sunday (November 16). Irish TV personality, Vogue Williams, and beloved Celebs Go Dating receptionist, Tom Read Wilson, have been confirmed as the late entries to this year's I'm A Celeb. Each year, two contestants enter a week later than the first batch of 10 celebrities and typically have to complete their own task before joining the rest of the camp. I'm A Celebrity starts Sunday at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. Rating: Gin bottles in Mammy's handbag. Gin under the bed. Gin in the cushions, gin in the wardrobe, gin in every compartment of the chest of drawers. Gin in the toilet cistern. At the end of the second episode of Trespasses, primary school teacher Cushla (Lola Petticrew) searches the house for her mother's hidden stashes of booze, and finds enough to fill Belfast docks. Mammy (Gillian Anderson) isn't merely pickled in alcohol, she's drowning in it. And Trespasses, a four-part adaptation of Louise Kennedy's debut novel, is floundering just as deep in an ocean of misery. It's as though the cast, plunged into this vivid evocation of Northern Ireland during the Troubles, knocked back a double of wretchedness with a pint of melancholy to chase it down and then couldn't stop. Now, it's a lock-in, and they're drinking the place dry of every form of unhappiness sectarian hatred, futility, jealousy, child poverty, violence . . . all under a leaden blanket of depression. And if that's not enough to suck the joy out of existence, it's set to a soundtrack of the worst 1970s pop that ever made you want to take a hammer to your transistor radio. Is there anyone alive who wanted to hear Billy Don't Be A Hero by Paper Lace again? Catholic Cushla teaches reading and art to eight-year-olds. She's fending off advances from Gerry (Oisin Thompson), a fellow teacher with a flowery shirt, a guitar and sideburns like blackberry bushes gone wild. The pair of them try to keep the wee kiddies from being indoctrinated with anti-Protestant prejudice by their head teacher, a bug-eyed bigot whose beard is singed by his own halitosis. Cushla (Lola Petticrew) and Michael (Tom Cullen) engage in an illicit affair in the Channel 4 drama Mammy (Gillian Anderson) isn't merely pickled in alcohol, she's drowning in it, writes Christopher Stevens In her evenings, she works in the family pub with her brother Eamonn (Martin McCann), getting leered at by British soldiers and the 'peelers' or police. When a middle-aged lawyer steps in to save her from a groping, she mistakes him for a knight in shining armour. In fact, Michael (Tom Cullen) is married and a serial womaniser. He's also a crusading anti-Government solicitor, defying the Loyalists to defend IRA terrorists. Cushla plunges into an affair with him, having lots of soft-porn sex in his bachelor pad, his office and even by the roadside. Mammy suspects she's up to something, but she's too sloshed to connect the clues. Gillian Anderson throws herself into every gin-sodden fight, but the character is too one-dimensional for her to make anything memorable of the scenes. She's either drunk at breakfast, drunk in front of the telly or staggering drunk out of the house. We're meant to believe Cushla and Michael are burning alive in a doomed romance across the divide. All I can see is a creepy older bloke, copping off with a naive teacher who thinks she's a character from classic literature. It's all as unpalatable as the dregs of gin in Mammy's handbag. The star of the 2025 John Lewis Christmas advert is also making waves on Netflix after starring in a chart-topping historical drama from the creators of Game Of Thrones. Young actor Jack Aldridge impressed TV fans when he appeared in the retailer's latest tear-jerking advert that features a heartwarming interaction between a father and a son. Showcasing the uniting power of music, it sees a teenage son gift his father a vinyl record for Christmas, transporting him back to his own youth and a sweaty 90s nightclub to the tune of Alison Limerick's 1990 hit Where Love Lives. While in the nightclub itself, the dad encounters his own teenage son in the crowd before the ad cuts back to the present day and the pair embrace, ending with the message: 'If you can't find the words, find the gift.' But what viewers might not know is that Jack also appears in the new Netflix historical mini-series, Death By Lightning, which centres around the life and assassination of US President James Garfield in 1881. The show's IMDb synopsis reads: 'Death by Lightning dramatises the stranger-than-fiction true story of 20th US President James Garfield, and admirer Charles Guiteau, who assassinated him.' The star of the 2025 John Lewis Christmas advert, Jack Aldridge, is also making waves on Netflix after starring in a chart-topping historical drama from the creators of Game Of Thrones The young actor impressed TV fans when he appeared in the retailer's latest tear-jerking advert that features a heartwarming interaction between a father and a son With a score of 7.8 out of ten on the platform, viewers have been giving the show rave reviews since its release on November 6. Describing it as a 'wonderful political drama', one reviewer wrote: 'I really enjoyed the show. It was filled with a great cast. Kudos to the acting prowess of Michael Shannon, Bradley Whitford, Matthew Macfadyen, and Betty Gilpin. I was truly moved by the story and humility of James A. Garfield, and the madness of his assassin Charles J. Guiteau.' Others praised: 'I knew very little about President Garfield's rise and his short term in the nation's highest office. While this tragic turn of events happened more than 140 years ago, the story holds great relevance today, as our country grapples with a growing mental health crisis, gun violence and disinformation. 'The performances, costumes and set design swept me away to another time, but the story is strangely modern and relatable, given our current climate. I binged it in one night.'; 'Like so many, I knew next to nothing about the 20th President James Garfield but a great series (like a great book, which this is adapted from) makes you want to delve deeper into finding out more about what you just saw. 'What helps the narrative here though is the incredible acting which there is no shortage of. I've always been a huge fan of Michael Shannon and he doesn't disappoint here as President Garfield.' Announcing the show's appearance on the streaming platform, Jack, who plays the president's son, Harry Garfield, wrote on Instagram: 'This little Maidstone boy made it to the White House! 'Don't think I could feel more grateful that I get to call this the first project I've worked on. Out now on Netflix.' With an IMDb score of 7.8 out of ten, viewers have been giving Death By Lightning, which features Jack as President Garfield's son, rave reviews since its Netflix release on November 6 The 2025 John Lewis Christmas ad starring Jack divided fans - a departure from the traditional tear-jerker - which uses a 90s club anthem to tell the story of a father-son bond For 2025, the ad features Alison Limerick's 1990 dance tune Where Love Lives as a dad is transported back to a sweaty, overcrowded nightclub (pictured) after being gifted a vinyl of the track by his teenage son The pair share a quiet moment before the man starts dancing again, forcing a laugh from the teenager. The commercial (pictured) finishes with the message: 'If you can't find the words, find the gift' Following the release of the John Lewis advert, Jack appeared on This Morning to open up about its creation. He said: 'My mum Toni didn't even know - I woke up to a message from her saying "FaceTime me!" she was screaming down the phone crying. 'I felt like the story is all there, it's an interesting dichotomy because it's incredibly universal, everyone can connect to it, but it's deeply personal.' The young actor explained that, like the young boy in the ad, he too has bonded with his father over music. He said: 'I was raised on The Beatles by my dad, I've introduced him to Sam Fender since. 'They didn't tell me throughout the auditioning process what it was, I just knew it was for a retail brand. 'I watched it last night for the first time, I had to arrange a Zoom meeting to watch it. 'It's hard to be objective about the things you're in... I kept the blue jumper, that was my wrap gift. 'I remember the John Lewis ads when I was growing up and talking about it the next day at school, comparing it to the previous ones.' Death By Lightning is available to stream on Netflix now. Aimee Lou Wood's beloved comedy series Daddy Issues is set to return with its second series later this month - and the BBC has just dropped its first-look trailer. The first season was a hit following its release in 2024 and sees the Sex Education star, 31, step into the shoes of party girl Gemma, who unexpectedly falls pregnant. In an unlikely twist of fate, she is forced to share a flat with her dad Malcolm (David Morrissey) as he goes through a divorce in midlife. Now a mum in season two, she says in the teaser trailer: 'There is this fire inside me now - I want to provide a better life for my baby. 'I can't do this without you dad.' This is followed by several hints of the pair's escapades as they attempt to navigate life with the new addition. Aimee Lou Wood's beloved comedy series Daddy Issues is set to return with its second series later this month - and the BBC has just dropped its first-look trailer Now a mum in season two, Aimee's character Gemma says in the teaser trailer: 'I can't do this without you dad' The synopsis for season one read: 'Weekend partier in Manchester Gemma's life turns upside down after a vacation encounter leaves her pregnant. 'She must simultaneously handle her pregnancy and help her sad dad Malcolm following his marriage's collapse.' The show received glowing reviews upon the release of its first series, with the Independent describing it as 'a warm hug of a show, but with just enough edge to keep you on your toes.' The Times added: 'Daddy Issues is the funniest sitcom I've seen in ages. 'It really is a sitcom, too. Not a comedy drama. Comedy in a situation. Sitcom. You remember.' Continuing the praise, the Evening Standard described the show as 'sharp, sweet and incessantly witty take on parenthood, female friendships and mid-life crises.' The show has an impressive 100% score on the American review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes. Daddy Issues was well-received by viewers too, who gave it a score of 6.8 out of 10 on IMDb. The show received glowing reviews upon the release of its first series, with the Independent describing it as 'a warm hug of a show, but with just enough edge to keep you on your toes' News of the show's return comes amid a happy time in Aimee Lou's personal life after the popular actress recently found love on the set of her new series the Film Club. The actress has been praised for her portrayal of a movie enthusiast with agoraphobia, and in a sweet twist she is now dating Adam Long, 34, who plays her boyfriend on the show. Film Club is Aimee's new project following on from the success of The White Lotus - which saw her at the centre of romance then feud rumours with her on-screen lover Walton Goggins, 54. The pair were forced to clear up the whispers after they threatened to overshadow the show's success, insisting that there was nothing underhand about their on-screen chemistry and later frosty social media antics. Now, Aimee is loved up with Adam, and while on the show her character is torn with feelings for her friend, behind the scenes it's clear she only had eyes for Adam. Even amid her love triangle storyline, Aimee and Adam's chemistry is clear to see on the show, with the pair sharing an incredibly passionate embrace in the first episode. Aimee Lou Wood has also recently found love with Adam Long on the Film Club set after her White Lotus success was blighted by relationship speculation Film Club follows Evie (Aimee) who sets up a film club with her best friend Noa (Nabhaan Rizwaan) where their unspoken feelings for each other grow Adam was quick to heap praise on his girlfriend when discussing the series, stating: 'I think what makes Film Club really stand out though is Aimee. 'As a person she is so completely unique, and her voice runs so deeply through the series.' He praised her again when promoting the show, posting on Instagram: 'Happy Film Club day! Today feels like Christmas. 'Im bursting with pride and excitement that the world finally gets to see this special show! Created with such care, humour and heart by @aimeelouwood & @ralphdavis95'. The series follows Evie (Aimee) who sets up a film club with her best friend Noa (Nabhaan Rizwaan) where their unspoken feelings for each other grow. The Film Club is available to stream on BBC iPlayer and Daddy Issues will be available to stream on the platform later this month. University Challenge viewers jeered 'he just wants to go home' as a 'checked out' contestant made no attempt to conceal his boredom on the BBC Two series this week. On Monday night, fans of the quiz show, which is hosted by Amol Rajan, tuned in to watch Sheffield take on Strathclyde for a spot in the coveted semi-finals. The two teams were put through a series of tense rounds of questioning as part of the programme, which tasks students from UK universities to compete by answering difficult questions on a wide range of subjects. But fans couldn't help but notice just minutes into the show that one of the contestants, from the Strathclyde team, had 'checked out' after their group started off on the back foot. In the first round, they were being continually out-buzzed by Sheffield University, who had managed to win 65 points, while Strathclyde remained on 0. Team captain Jack Stirling, who introduced himself as a student of chemical engineering, had his head in his hands and appeared 'bored'. University Challenge viewers have jeered 'he just wants to go home' as a 'checked out' contestant made no attempt to conceal his boredom on the BBC Two series On Monday night, fans of the quiz show, which is hosted by Amol Rajan , tuned in to watch Sheffield take on Strathclyde for a spot in the coveted semi-finals Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one viewer penned: 'The captain Stirling on the Strathclyde team looks very bored. He is just resting the face on his hand.' A second chimed in: 'Stirling has switched off and just wants to go home,' as a third agreed: 'Sterling has checked out...' A fourth wrote: 'Stirling looks as bored as bored can be,' as a fifth commented: 'Stirling looks super bored I mean they are getting mashed but still.' 'Poor Stirlings mood reflects the score,' a sixth concluded. It comes after University Challenge viewers swooned over an earlier episode's 'beautiful' contestants as they gushed 'could she be any more perfect?!' A recent instalment of the BBC show, hosted by Amol Rajan, saw Magdalen College, Oxford, take on Robinson College, Cambridge. History and politics student Aidan Woo, human sciences student Lily Costa-Ferreira, DPhil history student Benjamin Sharkey and computer science masters student Sasha Walker made up the Magdalen College team. Fans couldn't help but notice just minutes into the show that one of the contestants, from the Strathclyde team, had 'checked out' after their group started off on the back foot Fans took to X to comment on how 'bored' the contestant looked on the series Meanwhile natural science student Michael Shipman, history student Jessica Cronin, medic Eve Temmink and archaeology student Otis Moran were their competitors. While the players answered their questions, many were distracted by one of the player's good looks. One wrote on X: 'Costa-Ferreira, cute! #UniversityChallenge.' 'Costa-Ferreira on the Magdalen - Oxford team certainly is a beautiful woman. #UniversityChallenge,' a second penned, while a third said: 'Oh I say Miss Costa-Ferreira, you absolute corker Ding dong.' 'Can Costa-Ferreira be any more perfect?' a fourth asked, while a fifth penned: 'Well done Miss Costa-Ferreira. See you in round 2.' The end of the episode saw Robinson, Cambridge, end on 105. But it was Magdalen College, Oxford, who were crowned winners. Amol said: 'Oh, Robinson. Well the thing is, they were just so fast on the buzzers. 'And they were also almost always right. Both of which are quite annoying from your point of view, and quite impressive from our point of view. 'You were absolutely brilliant, honestly, against an amazing team.' University Challenge airs Mondays on BBC Two and is available to stream on iPlayer. In an Instagram post filled with celebrity faces, Kris Jenner gushed about her 70th birthday party, held this weekend at the Beverly Hills mega-mansion of Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos. 'I am beyond blessed and so very grateful for my precious family and friends,' Kris wrote under a carousel of glossy photos, which included snap after snap of her A-list attendees from Beyonce and her husband Jay-Z, to Justin and Hailey Bieber, and even Prince Harry and Meghan. But among all those famous couplings, Kris's youngest daughter Kylie Jenner dressed in a plunging, backless white gown cut a distinctly lonely figure. For the 28-year-old's boyfriend of two-and-a-half years, actor Timothee Chalamet, 29, was nowhere to be seen. His absence comes as rumors of an on-again-off-again romance have dogged the young couple in recent months. Now, say sources, it really is 'trouble in paradise' for the Dune star and the Kylie Cosmetics founder. Kylie's boyfriend of two-and-a-half years, actor Timothee Chalamet, was nowhere to be seen at Kris Jenner's 70th birthday party this weekend Now, say sources, it really is 'trouble in paradise' for the Dune star and the Kylie Cosmetics founder Chalamet has 'broken up with Kylie', one insider told the Daily Mail, before adding that 'this has happened before but she talked him into getting back together. She is crazy about him so that could well happen again.' 'There is trouble in paradise, but they aren't completely over,' a second insider told the Daily Mail. 'He is filming quite a bit, and she feels that she has to chase him. She is putting in the work more than him.' This comes as Chalamet sat down with Vogue for a cover interview last week in which many perceived him to take a shot at Jenner. Noting that the actor 'will not talk about his relationship', the Vogue interviewer quoted him as saying: 'I dont say that with any fear, I just dont have anything to say.' Ever since Chalamet and Jenner - who shares two children with rapper Travis Scott - struck up their romance in April 2023 after having met at Paris Fashion Week, the somewhat unexpected pairing between the French-speaking actor and the Kardashian scion has caused quite a stir. 'Club Chalamet' the infamous fan account run by 58-year-old Timothee-obsessive Simone Cromer has taken a particular disliking, nastily urging her tens of thousands of followers to make Kylie feel unwelcome at public events. In August, a source close to Kylie said of the public backlash: 'It doesn't negatively impact their relationship right now.' Annie Knight has exposed Bonnie Blue for allegedly lying about her plans to return to Australia for Schoolies Week, despite being banned from the country for four years. Last year, the controversial British national, 26, had her 12-month visa torn up after she tried to film porn on the Gold Coast with 'barely legal boys'. She has since claimed to A Current Affair that she will be back Down Under this year to wreak havoc on Schoolies Week thanks to her 'good lawyers'. However, Annie, 28, has claimed the controversial sex worker is actually intending to deceive all her fans with fake footage, reported news.com.au on Saturday. 'Her visa is cancelled. She can't come to Australiashe doesn't have a lawyer who can change the Australian laws,' Annie told the publication. 'I also know with 100 per cent certainty that she's in Bali currently getting content to post in three weeks' time pretending to be at Schoolies.' Annie Knight, 28, (left) has exposed Bonnie Blue, 26, (right) for allegedly lying about her plans to return to Australia for Schoolies Week, despite being banned from the country for four years 'But she'll have left before Schoolies begins. More lies and deceit as usual,' she added. Annie went on to say she was 'pretty over' Bonnie's publicity stunts, adding that everyone in the sex industry 'needs to be held to a standard'. She said she wants to 'destigmatise sex work', a goal she claimed Bonnie 'is forever working against'. Just days earlier, Bonnie had appeared on A Current Affair to warn Aussie parents they hadn't seen the last of her. 'I don't want to give too much away, but let's just say I've got good lawyers and I will be doing Schoolies this year,' she told presenter Ally Langdon. 'A good lawyer gets you a very long way, maybe even Down Under. 'I think it's going to frustrate a lot of parents This is going to cause the biggest uproar this year.' Annie and Bonnie were once fast friends, with the pair even collaborating on Schoolies content last year after Bonnie was prevented from entering Australia. Bonnie has claimed to A Current Affair that she will be back Down Under this year to wreak havoc on Schoolies Week thanks to her 'good lawyers' However, Annie has claimed the controversial sex worker is actually intending to deceive all her fans with fake footage. Pictured together during Fiji Schoolies last year The pair went to Fiji instead to take part in the annual event in Nadi, but were soon forced to flee when they were declared 'prohibited immigrants'. Fiji's Minister for Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua, had local authorities commence deportation proceedings shortly after the sex workers arrived. Annie and Bonnie fled the country before they could be formally deported, and just eight months later, the pair ended their friendship. Bonnie kicked off their feud in early July when she lashed out at OnlyFans for banning her over a 'breach of Terms and Service'. The adult site said her 'extreme' sex stunts were not 'permitted', but Bonnie said she was being 'singled out', adding that Annie had posted similar videos without issue. Just days later, Annie told Daily Mail her former friend had blindsided her by then making 'hurtful' comments about her health in interviews. At the time, Annie had been in hospital due to a flare up of her endometriosis following a challenge which saw her sleep with 583 men in six hours. Aimee Lou Wood's new series Film Club has seen her walk away from filming not only with another hit series on her CV, but with a new love. The actress, 31, has been praised for her portrayal of a movie enthusiast with agoraphobia, and in a sweet twist she is now dating Adam Long, 34, who plays her boyfriend on the show. Film Club is Aimee's new project following on from the success of The White Lotus - which saw her at the centre of romance then feud rumours with her on-screen lover Walton Goggins, 54. The pair were forced to clear up the whispers after they threatened to overshadow the show's success, insisting that there was nothing underhand about their on-screen chemistry and later frosty social media antics. Now, Aimee is loved up with Adam, and while on the show her character is torn with feelings for her friend, behind the scenes it's clear she only had eyes for Adam. Even amid her love triangle storyline, Aimee and Adam's chemistry is clear to see on the show, with the pair sharing an incredibly passionate embrace in the first episode. How Aimee Lou Wood found love with Adam Long on the Film Club set after her White Lotus success was blighted by relationship speculation The BBC series is Aimee's new project following on from the success of The White Lotus - which saw her at the centre of romance then feud rumours with co-star Walton Goggins Adam was quick to heap praise on his girlfriend when discussing the series, stating: 'I think what makes Film Club really stand out though is Aimee. 'As a person she is so completely unique, and her voice runs so deeply through the series.' He praised her again when promoting the show, posting on Instagram: 'Happy Film Club day! Today feels like Christmas. 'Im bursting with pride and excitement that the world finally gets to see this special show! Created with such care, humour and heart by @aimeelouwood & @ralphdavis95'. The series follows Evie (Aimee) who sets up a film club with her best friend Noa (Nabhaan Rizwaan) where their unspoken feelings for each other grow. Aimee recently revealed that watching Film Club back helped her learn about herself. The actress was diagnosed with ADHD this year and is undergoing further tests to see if she is autistic. She told Radio Times: 'When I watched Film Club back, I realised I was telling myself loads of things with the neuro-spiciness. 'Basically, its about a girl whos working out shes autistic, and I didnt know that about myself when I was writing it. It was all subconscious.' Film Club follows Evie (Aimee) who sets up a film club with her best friend Noa (Nabhaan Rizwaan) where their unspoken feelings for each other grow She added in a press release: 'Evie and I are not the same, but theres a lot about her that very much resonates with me and is an expression of me for sure. 'Its more after Ive watched the series back that Ive realised how much I was channelling or expressing, even sub-consciously.' Aimee filmed Film Club with Adam in late 2024, a year after she spent time in Thailand filming The White Lotus. The HBO show rocketed her to fame, however, much scrutiny was placed over her relationship with Walton Goggins, 54, who played her on-screen lover, Rick. Aimee and Walton's sizzling on-screen chemistry and social media activity sparked questions about their relationship off-camera. Yet they were then reported to be locked in an intense feud after they unfollowed each other on Instagram. Fans were also left questioning about Walton and Aimee's status when he notably walked out of an interview with The Times when the actress was brought up on more than one occasion. He had told the publication, 'I'm not gonna have that conversation. There is no conversation to be had about that.' Aimee went public with Adam at the Emmy Awards in September, which was also attended by Walton and his wife Walton - who has been married to director Nadia Conners since 2011 - packed on the PDA with his wife at the glittering awards ceremony In June the pair finally addressed the speculation about their relationship, with Aimee declaring 'I think its such a comment on where were at culturally,' she said over the online fury. 'Why is everyone obsessing over Instagram? That is irrelevant. We dont give a s**t about Instagram.' Meanwhile, Walton - who has been married to director Nadia Conners since 2011 - declared: 'I love this woman [Aimee] madly, and she is so important to me.' Aimee went public with Adam at the Emmy Awards in September, which was also attended by Walton and his wife. Adam who is best known for his role as convict Lewis Whippey in Happy Valley has not spoken publicly about his love life. Aimee's last known relationship was with her Sex Education co-star Connor Swindells, who she split from in 2020 after two years together. Connor, 28, who stars in SAS Rogue Heroes, is now married to Peaky Blinders star Amber Anderson, 32. Ian Thorpe is parting ways with his stylish Woollahra apartment just two years after snapping it up, listing the designer pad with a price guide of $2.8 million, almost 1.3 million less than the original asking price. The five-time gold medallist's sleek three-bedroom residence sits inside the renowned Harry Seidler-designed Arlington building on Edgecliff Road, one of Sydney's most sought-after postcodes. Listed on realestate.com.au, the property is set to go under the hammer on December 4 with Ray White Double Bay agents Jordan L'Estrange and Warren Ginsberg guiding the sale. Thorpe, who recently turned 43 while celebrating with friends on Lord Howe Island, purchased the split-level apartment for $2.79 million in July 2023. The property had previously been marketed for as much as $3.5 million last year, after failing to sell at auction with a vendor bid of $3.95 million in 2022. The modern apartment spans two light-filled levels and boasts panoramic city-to-harbour views stretching from the skyline to Manly. Ian Thorpe (pictured) is parting ways with his stylish Woollahra apartment just two years after snapping it up, listing the designer pad with a price guide of $2.8 million, almost 1.3 million less than the original asking price The four-bedroom, three-bathroom property was passed in on a $3.95 million vendor bid at auction on Saturday, according to Domain With generous proportions throughout, it features three spacious bedrooms, a large entertainer's kitchen, and a sun-drenched north-east facing balcony perfect for enjoying Sydney's summer evenings. The Edgecliff Road property has most recently been leased for $1,850 per week, offering both investment potential and enviable lifestyle appeal thanks to its proximity to Double Bay's buzzing cafe and shopping strip. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom property was passed in on a $3.95 million vendor bid at auction on Saturday, according to Domain. According to the report, buyers from as far as Greece and France were on the phone showing interest in the eastern suburbs property. However, despite huge interest in the property, it wasn't enough for a sale. Ian bought the property for $2.75 million in 2017, and later was listed with a price guide of $3.7 million through Black Diamondz agents, Courtney Wong and Monika Tu. It comes after Ian splurged an eye-watering $2.79 million on a glorious pad in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Located in Edgecliff, 4kms from the CBD, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is in the Arlington complex, designed by celebrated Australian architect Harry Seidler. Completed in the 1960s, the block is famed for its chic ultra-modern style and location which overlooks some of the city's most sought-after real estate. Ian bought the property for $2.75 in 2017, and is now hoping for an almost $1million profit Letting agent Courtney Wong said the five-time Olympic gold medallist is selling the property as he plans to downsize Completed in the 1960s, the block is famed for its chic ultra-modern style and location which overlooks some of the city's most sought after real estate. Pictured: The living area The Daily Telegraph reports that the last time Thorpe's new digs were traded was in 2016 when the buyer paid $2.37 million for the prestige home. Spread over two levels, Thorpe's spacious flat features stunning views of Sydney Harbour. The property is a boutique apartment in an old 1860s mansion, with the Olympic star having an eye to downsize from the property. Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, letting agent Courtney Wong said the home is the 'best one in the building', situated away from the street. 'Its completely private and secluded,' he added. Despite the property's $3.7 million price tag, the letting agent said the unit is a perfect 'stepping stone' for someone who can't afford a house. A veteran Neighbours star recently celebrated his 90th birthday in style, showcasing his impressive dance moves and proving he is still as fit as ever. Terence Donovan recently appeared in a clip shared to social media by his son Jason, 57, in which he was seen belting out a classic showtune with infectious energy. The Aussie actor initially moved with the help of a walker, which he left behind as he began dancing from side to side with a cheeky grin on his face, as his son Jason looked on proudly. Even at 90 years old, it appears the screen legend still has his trademark energy and enthusiasm, effortlessly keeping in step. Jason captioned the clip with some heartwarming words: 'Thank you for all your wonderful messages this week about my Dad! 'Following a much celebrated and deserved 90th birthday, I thought I'd share this magical moment as a post. Legendary Australian actor Terence Donovan recently appeared in a clip shared to social media by his son Jason, 57 In true showbiz style, with all the Razzle Dazzle, this is what 90 looks like... on fire, alive and kicking! Love you Dad.' Terence is an Australian acting legend with a career spanning six decades beginning in the early '60s. He has also appeared on Home and Away, A Country Practice, Blue Heelers and The Flying Doctors. Jason and Terence have acted alongside each other many times, including on Neighbours, the ABC drama MDA and the 2003 comedy movie Horseplay. The veteran performer turned 90 on October 28. He is also the grandfather of Jason's actress daughter Jemma, 25. Jemma continued her family's legacy as she appeared on Neighbours as Harlow Robinson from 2019 - 2022, carrying on the same family name as her father's character Scott. She previously revealed her dad burst into tears when he discovered she landed a recurring position on the long-running soap as she spoke about relocating to Melbourne from London. Speaking to British breakfast program Lorraine, she detailed her father's emotional reaction to her stint to host Lorraine Kelly, saying: 'My dad cried when he found out I got the role. The London-born actor initially moved with the help of a walker, which he left behind as he began dancing from side-to-side with a cheeky grin on his face, as his son Jason looked on proudly Veteran Neighbours star Terence Donovan recently celebrated his 90th birthday in style, showcasing his impressive dance moves and proving he is still as fit as ever. Pictured with his son Jason 'He was so happy for me. He's a great supporter,' she gushed. 'I love having him by my side.' Screen star Jason shot to fame on the soap as Scott Robinson in the 1980s before kicking off a music career. In the show, his character married Charlene Mitchell, who was played by Kylie Minogue, and the duo ended up dating in real life from 1984 to 1989. They both reprised their roles in 2022, in what was meant to be the series finale. The Spotless actress is the third member of the family to star on the soap, as Terence also appeared in Neighbours, playing Doug Willis in several spells from 1990 to 2022. More details about Barry 'Bear' Myrden's relationship with his former fiancee have emerged - and it seems The Golden Bachelor wasn't well-liked by her friends. This week, it was revealed by Woman's Day that the 61-year-old was engaged to a millionaire heiress named Jo Kinghorn after his wife Audrey died in 2014, despite claiming on the show he had remained single since becoming a widower. Now, an insider who attended the couple's engagement party in 2016, has revealed leaked information about their ill-fated romance and said Bear was commonly described as a 'tosser' by Kinghorn's friends. 'Bear spent most of the engagement party showing off in the ski boat Jo bought him,' the source told Daily Mail Australia, adding he was also quite flirtatious with some of the women in attendance at the soiree. They added that Bear barely paid attention to male members of the friendship group, who did not find the infrastructure engineer 'interesting.' More details about Barry 'Bear' Myrden's relationship with his former fiancee have emerged - and it seems The Golden Bachelor wasn't well-liked by her friends Pictured: Barry 'Bear' Myrden and his late wife Audrey What's more, according to the insider, Bear didn't cough up for Kinghorn's engagement ring. 'It should be known that the engagement ring was purchased by the bride-to-be,' the source claimed. On Monday, it was revealed by Woman's Day that Bear was engaged to Kinghorn after his wife Audrey died. Kinghorn fell 'madly in love' with the keen sailor after meeting the Canadian widower in 2012. A friend of Kinghorn told the publication that Bear's claims about his love life on the show have left her and her friends 'gobsmacked'. For not only had the pair been engaged and lived together, but Kinghorn even stepped into the 'step-mum' role with Bear's three young boys - Charlie, Jack and Declan. 'She really opened her heart to them and dedicated her life to them and they adored her,' Jo's friend revealed. However, as soon as money started playing a major role in their relationship, things seemed to go downhill for the couple. On Monday, it was revealed by the publication that Bear had been engaged to a Sydney nanny from a wealthy family, who fell 'madly in love' with him after meeting the Canadian widower in 2012 Kinghorn is a millionaire heiress. Her father founded Allco Financial Services and RAMS Home Loans and has been featured on the Aussie Rich List. Bear seemingly lived the good life with Kinghorn, who hired a full-time nanny for his children so that she and the engineer could travel the world together. What's more, she even bought him a warehouse with a million-dollar price tag, which Bear transformed into a 'man cave'. 'I know for a fact that she was paying for almost everything in the last three years they were together because Barry quit his job,' the friend added. The publication revealed that when the pair got engaged in 2016, Bear and his three kids moved into Kinghorn's $6 million home in Manly. However, just two years later, the couple called it quits on their relationship in what was dubbed as an 'acrimonious' split by the insider. 'There were lawyers called in and they spent a whole day in mediation before it was settled,' Kinghorn's pal revealed to Woman's Day, adding that Bear even asked her to return the diamond solitaire engagement ring. While Bear kept his house and Kinghorn kept hers, she eventually sold the Manly abode because of 'bad memories'. Daily Mail has reached out to Nine for comment. An Australian influencer has been slammed after asking vendors to contribute to her wedding for free. Til Death Events, a Brisbane-based events planner, shared an email she received from the social media star asking if she would like to collaborate on the upcoming event. The influencer claimed she had a 'very limited budget' and was getting married in Byron Bay on May 9, 2026. 'I'm absolutely obsessed with your work. As soon as I found your Instagram I knew you were the perfect fit for my wedding!' the email began. 'We are hoping to have a sit down wedding with 100 guests and want our guests to be wowed when they walk in. The only catch, we have a very limited budget. 'In spite of this, we are hoping to collab with photography, videography, a band and amazing styling.' An Australian influencer has been slammed after asking vendors to contribute to her wedding for free The influencer then said they would like to get the wedding published and this would be a 'win win for everyone'. 'We know the economy isn't great right now so we were hoping you would be open to come on board as a collaboration for exposure. I have some great ideas, I think we get the wedding published which would be a win win for everyone. 'Our date is Saturday 9th of May 2026 in Byron (venue tbc). What do you think?' they ended. The event planner shared the email alongside the caption: 'The thing is we can't feed our families with exposure. Hope this helps!' Many people flocked to the comments section to slam the influencer for refusing to pay for the company's services. '"So obsessed with your work" but will not pay for it. Artists deserve exposure AND PAYMENT. People are out of their minds,' one person wrote. 'I couldn't imagine asking someone to do their job for free,' another commented. 'This is obscene! Imagine having the gall to think exposure is anywhere near enough payment for a wedding,' a third said. Til Death Events, a Brisbane based events planner, shared an email she received from the social media star asking if she would like to collaborate for her upcoming wedding 'I never understand these because what exposure are they talking about? Do they have a million followers? Are they famous?' another asked. One person added: 'Sounds like they want a wedding they can't afford and instead of compromising, they expect everyone else to fund it instead.' 'I need to know how you responded to this because the AUDACITY,' another said. Another person jokingly commented, 'Published where? The local town's online newspaper?' Aimee Lou Wood put on a leggy display in pinstriped shorts as she attended a cast and crew screening for Daddy Issues series two at London's Soho Hotel on Monday. The White Lotus star, 31, paired her shorts with a matching oversized blazer, which she layered over a white T-shirt. She completed her ensemble with a pair of chunky, black, leather loafers and black tights. As she sat front row at the screening, she was seen next to her co-star David Morrissey. Fellow stars, Sarah Hadland, Philip Jackson and Taj Atwal were also at the star-studded event. Daddy Issues has become the biggest comedy to be launched on BBC3 since it aired in 2022. Aimee Lou Wood, 31, put on a leggy display in pinstriped shorts as she attended a cast and crew screening for Daddy Issues series two at London's Soho Hotel on Monday The White Lotus star paired her shorts with a matching oversized blazer, which she layered over a white T-shirt Series one of the acclaimed show followed Stockport-based Gemma, played by Aimee, who finds out she's pregnant after a one-night stand. The panicked mother-to-be is forced to turn to her hapless father Malcolm, (played by David) after revealing her sister Catherine (Sharon Rooney) is in prison and her mother Davina, played by Susan Lynch, is enjoying travelling around the world to find herself. The end of the series saw Gemma going into labour at Rita's (Sarah Hadland) salon, then giving birth to baby Sadie with friends Cherry (Taj Atwal) and Xander, played by Arian Nik, by her side. Gemma's father Malcolm rushes over to make it to the hospital in time, with his toxic friend Derek (played by David Fynn) in tow. But a face from the past unexpectedly appears and throws everything up in the air. The Sex Education star told the BBC that Daddy Issues was 'the most fun I've ever had on a job' and said she was excited to start on the second series. She added: 'I just know it's going to be hilarious and heart melting.' Aimee's comedic partner in crime David also gushed about starring in a second series, explaining that he was 'delighted' and was excited to be working with Aimee again. She completed her ensemble with a pair of chunky, black, leather loafers and black tights. As she sat front row at the screening, she was seen sat next to her co-star David Morrissey Fellow stars, Sarah Hadland, Philip Jackson and Taj Atwal were also seen at the star-studded event Daddy Issues has become the biggest comedy to be launched on BBC3 since it aired in 2022 The genius behind the BBC hit show, Danielle Ward, said: 'A second series? And I've found out by reading this press release? Unbelievable. 'I'm thrilled to be writing for Aimee and David (and the rest of this fabulous cast) again. I love the Moscrips and can't wait to crack on with their continuing adventures. Sure a bit of a break would be nice but my hair will grow back, right?' The hit comedy, which was produced by the creators of The Inbetweeners, has a star-studded team behind it, including director Damon Beesley, who helmed the BBC hit drama White Gold. The announcement comes after the BAFTA-award-winning actress revealed that her blossoming career hit a stumbling block when she auditioned for the HBO smash hit The White Lotus. Aimee revealed that the producers of White Lotus season three didn't like her American accent and asked her to stick with her native Manchester twang instead. The actress revealed that she did several auditions in her usual voice and in an American accent but in the end, the producers opted for her Manchester tone. The star had her breakout role in the hit Netflix coming-of-age drama and has since gone on to star in films including The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, Seize Them! and Living. As a journalist, I'm no stranger to ruffling feathers - especially celebrity ones. Actors and artists are more than happy for you to plug their latest film, album, 'must-have' fashion collab or fragrance. But the mood shifts the moment you write something they don't like. Anthony LaPaglia is one of those celebrities who makes me roll my eyes every time I see him in the press or on the silver screen. Years ago, when I was working for a weekly tabloid magazine in Australia, I wrote a story about his second marriage to actress Gia Carides. Reports were coming in that the relationship was on the rocks. The sources were pretty solid - and sure enough, they would later split. Oh boy, did I cop it. Anthony LaPaglia divorcing his third wife, Alexandra Henkel, reminded me of a memorable call I received from him years ago when I reported on his second marriage hitting the rocks LaPaglia was furious. I know this because he bothered to call me from Hollywood as I was sitting in my Sydney office. He accused me of fabricating quotes, twisting facts and spreading false gossip. 'How would you like it if I wrote lies about your marriage?' he said. (I wasn't married.) If memory serves, Gia was in the background egging him on. Whatever issues they were dealing with at the time were clearly put to one side as they united against a common enemy: me. LaPaglia was entitled to air his grievances, but I can't say it accomplished much. Any celebrity will tell you - including actors far more famous than him - that when you're in the public eye, you rarely get to control the narrative. The smart ones tend to accept that any publicity is better than none and that being yesterday's news is far worse than a slightly unflattering headline. But that's beside the point. Because here we are, years later, with 66-year-old LaPaglia staring down the barrel of another separation - and I have just three words for him. I was right. Alexandra cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for their break-up. She wants to keep the engagement ring she so proudly showed off on the red carpet back in April 2017 LaPaglia began dating Alexandra soon after his split from second wife, Gia Carides. (Pictured together at a Hollywood premiere in July 1993) Weeks ago, LaPaglia's third wife Alexandra Henkel - who at 36 is three decades his junior - filed for divorce from the Without a Trace actor after seven years of marriage. In the typical parlance of Hollywood splits, Alexandra cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for their break-up. It won't be cheap: she is seeking spousal support and has requested for their assets including their Los Angeles home to be divided equally. In addition, she has requested to keep several pieces of valuable jewellery, namely a Rolex watch and her engagement ring - the same one she jubilantly flashed on the red carpet in Melbourne soon after LaPaglia popped the question in 2017. Call me a tabloid hack, call me whatever you want, but rarely do I get it wrong. As soon as I heard LaPaglia was remarrying his younger squeeze - bearing in mind he only split from Gia in 2015 - I knew it wouldn't last forever. Now, before you accuse me of casting aspersions on Alexandra, let me be abundantly clear: I've no doubt theirs was a genuine love match. But I also know what stirs in a young woman's mind when she's drawn into the orbit of a charismatic, successful older man. Let's call it the white knight fantasy. Anthony and Alexandra's age-gap relationship got me thinking about the flawed philosophy of dating that prizes financially secure silver foxes as the ultimate 'providers' The couple first met at a Prahran bar, then became engaged in Paris. They married in Hawaii where they took their first dance to I Only Have Eyes for You by The Flamingos For the uninitiated, in certain corners of the internet, there's a philosophy of dating that prizes financially secure silver foxes as the ultimate 'providers'. Their job is to rescue 'high-value' young women from the nightmare of dating men their own age who - quelle horreur - may occasionally suggest splitting the bill. There's even a name for it: hypergamy, or 'marrying up'. Marrying up can be thrilling, no doubt. It often comes with financial security and a taste of the high life. But in my experience, these love stories tend to end in disaster. Here's how the fairytale usually goes: He thinks he's rescuing her from a life of mediocrity. She thinks she's landed her forever partner. For a while, it's shiny, romantic, blissful. The blushing bride may even cast wistful glances at her old friends - the ones who married their uni sweethearts, live in apartments and take the bus to work. And then one day, she wakes up and realises she's married to an old man. While she's 40, sculpted and radiant, he's nudging 70, slowing down and still clinging to his skinny jeans. Did Anthony and Alexandra experience this transformation? I can't say for certain - and can only speak in general terms about age-gap relationships. Still, the story of their romance paints a vivid picture. Amanda Goff says the 'white knight' dating fantasy is over They first met at a Prahran bar while she was studying at the University of Melbourne. LaPaglia later 'proposed on a magical winter evening in Paris' - a direct quote from their Vogue Brides spread - while they were staying at the Plaza Athenee Hotel. 'As we were preparing to head out for dinner, I was doing my make-up and turned around to find Anthony on bended knee. I said yes immediately,' Alexandra said. Their destination wedding in Hawaii was a dream. The couple took their first dance to I Only Have Eyes for You by The Flamingos. I couldn't help but notice that following their whirlwind romance, we gradually saw less and less of the couple over the years. When reports emerged last week that divorce papers had been filed, listing September 11 as the separation date, part of me was surprised they'd lasted so long. Now, at 66, LaPaglia is likely meeting with accountants, calculating how this third divorce will reshape his financial future. As for Alexandra? She'll be heartbroken, no doubt. But she's no fool - she's seeking what she is entitled to, as a woman now accustomed to a certain standard of living. Yet here's the curious twist: while these so-called 'white knight' romances - older man, younger woman - so often end in tears, lawyers and asset spreadsheets, things rarely implode with the same level of drama when the gender roles are reversed. In my time, I've witnessed many older, financially independent women stroll around town with younger male arm candy - but these cougar-cub pairings (yes, I hate the term too) tend to unfold without catastrophe. Why? Take this from a woman who loves to date younger men: we aren't looking for a saviour or a retirement plan. We want fun, energy, connection and good sex. We couldn't care less about his buying power, assets or superannuation balance. And when things fizzle out, our lives don't fall apart. We don't suffer total ego death. We say goodbye and move on to the next one. And that's the difference between men and women who date 'down': we aren't trying to 'feel young again' or rewrite our prime. Men, on the other hand, often treat a younger wife like a fountain of youth - until the reality of age catches up with them. Now look, I'm not saying Alex needed rescuing or that Anthony was chasing his lost youth. What's evident is this - the age of the white knight fantasy is behind us. If it's 'embarrassing' to have a boyfriend - according to British Vogue - then it is equally cringy to marry a woman decades younger when you're in your golden years. And if that bothers you, Anthony. Come at me - I'm sure you still have my number. New to DailyMail+? Here are our most-read stories from the last week YouTube star Spanian speaks on his sudden marriage split AND new love in cryptic interview with the Daily Mail that his mates tried to shut down I uncovered the dark secret that explains the strange behaviour of missing boy Gus Lamont's family - and it still haunts them to this day: JONICA BRAY Insiders spill why model and Fishbowl founder have called off their expensive divorce... Plus, REAL reason $40k-a-year Moriah College expelled boys after camp incident: THE GROUP CHAT A trans grandmother, a patriarch scarred by horrors of war, and two very unusual marriages: We reveal the deeply complicated world of Gus Lamont's Outback family Heartbreak for Bra Boy Koby Abberton as he confirms the most 'devastating' news about his family and model ex: 'The internet sticks around' Chicken heiress Jess Ingham breaks silence on split from husband Roger Zraika as she ditches her wedding ring and 'he moves on with a prominent woman' So, Spanian the ex-crim has finally shown his true colours. I've met plenty of these sly men who cash in on being reformed bad boys - they all have one thing in common: AMANDA GOFF 'Paid to party' bombshell rocks exclusive Melbourne charity gala - I reveal how many guests received a fee and the money they REALLY raised: THE GROUP CHAT 'We're f***ked': Liberal insiders tell PVO the brutally honest truth about Sussan Ley - as we reveal the explosive internal party research that is set to rock MPs to their core I left my husband for the love of my life - and then he did something that utterly humiliated me: ASK JANA Amy Schumer showcased her substantial weight loss - courtesy of Mounjaro - while taking a make-up free, Sunday stroll near Central Park in Midtown Manhattan. The 44-year-old comedian is the skinniest she's looked in decades thanks to the trendy GLP-1 agonist drug she began taking earlier this year to shrink her 5ft7in frame. 'Amy definitely has lost a lot of weight in the past three months ,' functional nutritionist Monica Partier told the Daily Mail on October 24. 'She seems to have dropped at least 40lbs and is around 130lbs now, which is very slender for a woman who is 5ft7in. And she looks a lot happier and proud of her improved wellbeing, which is nice to see.' Schumer - who underwent liposuction in 2022 - has even started posting selfies of her taut tummy and her Instagram account has become filled with glamour shots of her new body. On April 9, the Emmy-winning producer - who boasts 16.6 million social media followers - gushed: 'I'm loving being on Mounjaro and I haven't found that it's affected anything [side effects wise].' Amy Schumer showcased her substantial weight loss - courtesy of Mounjaro - while taking a make-up free, Sunday stroll near Central Park in Midtown Manhattan Schumer previously had a 'horrible experience' taking Ozempic in 2022 because she was bedridden due to nausea. 'I was like, vomiting and then you have no energy. But other people take it, and they're all good. So, God bless them,' the native New Yorker recalled on The Howard Stern Show January 29. 'I was vomiting and I'm in bed and my [six-year-old son Gene] was like, "Can you like play tag?" And I'm like, "I can't." I was, like, shriveling. I lost 30lbs so quick. I looked great and I couldn't lift my head off the pillow, so what's the point?!' The FDA has only approved three GLP-1 drugs specifically for weight loss - the semaglutide Wegovy, the liraglutide Saxenda and the tirzepatide Zepbound - and the rest are specifically for patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. Celebrities who've admitted to taking the diabetic injectables include Oprah Winfrey, Kathy Bates, Kelly Clarkson, Whoopi Goldberg, Serena Williams, Meghan Trainor, Elon Musk, Rebel Wilson, Chelsea Handler, Amy Schumer, Sharon Osbourne and Tori Spelling. But for every celebrity who admits to hopping aboard the Ozempic train, there are many more who've remained suspiciously silent while slimming including Selena Gomez, Mindy Kaling, Melissa McCarthy, Khloe Kardashian, Demi Lovato, Lana Del Rey, Christina Aguilera and Ricki Lake. On Monday, Realtor.com revealed that Schumer got 'cold feet' about selling her $1.25M two-bedroom 'dream' home in New Orleans' French Quarter, which she had just put on the market October 26 after four years of owning it. The official FQR Realtors listing for the 1,967-square-foot property, built in 1886 and renovated in 2022, has now vanished. 2025 vs. 2024: The 44-year-old comedian is the skinniest she's looked in decades thanks to the trendy GLP-1 agonist drug she began taking earlier this year to shrink her 5ft7in frame Schumer - who underwent liposuction in 2022 - has even started posting selfies of her taut tummy and her Instagram account has become filled with glamour shots of her new body (pictured October 23) On April 9, the Emmy-winning producer gushed: 'I'm loving being on Mounjaro and I haven't found that it's affected anything [side effects wise]' Schumer previously told Howard Stern of her 'horrible experience' taking Ozempic in 2022, which left her bedridden due to nausea (pictured January 29) On Monday, Realtor.com revealed that the native New Yorker got 'cold feet' about selling her $1.25 million two-bedroom 'dream' home in New Orleans' French Quarter, which she had just put on the market October 26 after four years of owning it Schumer and her husband of seven years, Chris Fischer (R, pictured February 3), are also trying to unload the five-bedroom Brooklyn brownstone made famous in the 1987 movie Moonstruck for $12.75M after only three years of owning it The Room to Move producer and the 45-year-old chef enlist a nanny called Jane and they have three frozen embryos to eventually provide a sibling, via surrogate, for their six-year-old son Gene (L, pictured last Friday) The Room to Move producer and her husband of seven years, Chris Fischer, are also trying to unload the five-bedroom Brooklyn brownstone made famous in the 1987 movie Moonstruck for $12.75M after only three years of owning it. Schumer and the 45-year-old chef enlist a nanny called Jane and they have three frozen embryos to eventually provide a sibling, via surrogate, for their six-year-old son Gene. The Midi Health investor met Chris - who has Asperger's Syndrome - through her personal assistant (his sister) just five months before tying the knot. Schumer will next serve producing and script editing duties on Yadin Gellman's rom-com Now More Than Ever about an Israeli wounded soldier who become a national 'poster boy' following the October 7, 2024 Hamas attack and goes on a hasbara journey to New York. The Kinda Pregnant producer-star is the second cousin of Senator Chuck Schumer, who's currently facing calls to resign as Democratic minority leader over his handling of the government shutdown. On Monday, Kim Kardashian showcased her sculpted 5ft2in figure in a backless gown while attending the Brazilian premiere of All's Fair, which is called Tudo e Justo in Portuguese. The 45-year-old SKIMS CEO struck a pose at the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro wearing a lilac feathered frock, featuring a swimwear-style halter top and flirty side cut-outs, which was selected by stylist Soki Mak. Hairstylist Matt Benns fastened an ostrich feather into Kardashian's severe updo and make-up artist Ariel Tejada fully contoured her complexion for the TV festivities. It marked The Kardashians producer-star's first public appearance since she discovered last Friday that she did not score the minimal 1,390 out of 2,000 points in order to pass the State Bar of California exam she took back in July. 'WellI'm not a lawyer yet, I just play a very well-dressed one on TV,' Kardashian - who boasts 499.7M social media followers - admitted via Instastory Saturday. '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.' On Monday, Kim Kardashian showcased her sculpted 5ft2in figure in a backless gown while attending the Brazilian premiere of All's Fair, which is called Tudo e Justo in Portuguese The 45-year-old SKIMS CEO struck a pose at the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro wearing a lilac feathered frock, featuring a swimwear-style halter top and flirty side cut-outs The Calabasas socialite previously failed the 'baby bar' exam three times before passing in 2021, and she originally aimed to pass the bar in 2023 without attending college or law school. Kardashian - who believes the 1969 Moon landing was fake - is now scheduled to take the rigorous two-day test in person yet again on February 24-25. The half-Armenian beauty always dreamed of following the footsteps of her late father Robert Kardashian, who was part of the late OJ Simpson's 'dream team' of attorneys at his 1995 murder trial. Kardashian executive produced and stars as divorce attorney Allura Grant leading an all-female law firm in Ryan Murphy's 10-episode legal drama, which airs Tuesdays on Hulu/Disney+. The thrice-divorced mother-of-four refers to All's Fair as 'the most critically acclaimed show of the year' and it reportedly amassed 3.2M views globally in the first three days of streaming. Kardashian also executive produced and stars in the 10-episode seventh season of her famous family's reality show The Kardashians, which airs Thursdays on Hulu. The AHS: Delicate actress was joined on the red carpet Monday by her castmates Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts, and Niecy Nash-Betts. Hairstylist Matt Benns fastened an ostrich feather into Kardashian's severe updo and make-up artist Ariel Tejada fully contoured her complexion for the TV festivities It marked The Kardashians producer-star's first public appearance since she discovered last Friday that she did not score the minimal 1,390 out of 2,000 points in order to pass the State Bar of California exam she took back in July Kardashian - who believes the 1969 Moon landing was fake - is now scheduled to take the rigorous two-day test in person yet again on February 24-25 The mother-of-four refers to All's Fair as 'the most critically acclaimed show of the year' and it reportedly amassed 3.2M views globally in the first three days of streaming Kardashian was joined on the red carpet Monday by her castmates (from L-R) Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts, and Niecy Nash-Betts Paulson flashed her taut tummy in a white cropped T-shirt and a voluminous green maxi-skirt selected by stylist Karla Welch Watts bared her arms in a strapless black-striped peplum dress and black pumps selected by stylist Jeanann Williams Nash-Betts showcased substantial cleavage in a plunging black gown featuring a trumpet train Kardashian executive produced and stars as divorce attorney Allura Grant leading an all-female law firm in Ryan Murphy's 10-episode legal drama, which airs Tuesdays on Hulu/Disney+ Kardashian admitted via Instastory Saturday: 'WellI'm not a lawyer yet, I just play a very well-dressed one on TV. 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' The Calabasas socialite previously failed the 'baby bar' exam three times before passing in 2021, and she originally aimed to pass the bar in 2023 without attending college or law school (pictured May 21) The half-Armenian beauty always dreamed of following the footsteps of her late father Robert Kardashian (M, pictured in 1995), who was part of the late OJ Simpson's (R) 'dream team' of attorneys at his murder trial Paulson flashed her taut tummy in a white cropped T-shirt and a voluminous green maxi-skirt selected by stylist Karla Welch. Watts bared her arms in a strapless black-striped peplum dress and black pumps selected by stylist Jeanann Williams. And Nash-Betts showcased substantial cleavage in a plunging black gown featuring a trumpet train. Jackie Chan is alive and well - amid a death hoax circulating about him online. The Hong Kong-born film star, 71, was at the center of online speculation Monday evening as posts on Facebook and other platforms falsely indicated he had passed away. A computer generated AI image of an ailing Chan in a hospital bed was circulating alongside opposed designated birth and death years. The fake AI post read: 'Today, the most beloved person in the world cinema, all of our hearts, has passed away, especially our generation, a worthy actor, a great Kung Fu player, the man with a funny laugh, Jackie Chan, has passed away.' Daily Mail has reached out to Chan's reps for further comment on the story. The fake news about the veteran action film personality resulted in fans flooding Google with inquires about Chan's well being. Jackie Chan is alive and well - amid a death hoax circulating about him online. Pictured in August at the Locarno International Film Festival, in Locarno, Switzerland The Hong Kong-born film star, 71, was at the center of online speculation Monday evening as posts on Facebook and other platforms falsely indicated he had passed away Hoax-fueled searches such as 'did jackie chan die;' 'jackie chan died;' 'jackie chan death' were among the most searched phrases on Google Trends Monday evening. Ironically, the AI application Grok provided clarity to social media users seeking more information on the fraudulent death announcement. An answer to a user asking if the Rush Hour star had actually died read, 'No, it's a hoax Jackie Chan is alive and well as of November 11, 2025. 'Recent reports confirm he's active in films and events this year. Death rumors spread from fake social posts.' A number of social media commenters vented about the emotional roller coaster the hoax presented. Said one user: 'Facebooks latest fake news: Jackie Chan has passed. He hasnt.' 'Why is facebook tryna kill off Jackie Chan??' one user said, while another remarked, 'I f***ng hate facebook. they had me thinking jackie chan passed. dumba** app.' Another remarked, in reference to X/Twitter, 'THIS is the sort of thing that should get people put in Twitmo jail.' The AI application Grok provided clarity to social media users seeking more information Social media users vented about the emotional roller coaster the hoax presented Chan was at the center of a separate false rumor about his mortality this past August, according to Life & Style. The phony death notice in that case falsely claimed that his spouse Joan Lin had confirmed the death. An accompanying image showed 'the hallmarks of artificially created visuals,' the outlet reported, and later 'was confirmed to be AI-generated.' Chan, whose real name is Fang Shilong, has been in two films this year: The Shadow's Edge, in which he played Wong Tak-chung; and Karate Kid: Legends, in which he played Mr. Han opposite Ralph Macchio. His iMDb page lists a total of six acting projects at varied stages of production. They include Panda Plan 2; Mo Sheng Jia Ting; and a rumored fourth installment in the Rush Hour franchise. Legendary Australian radio presenter Leon Byner died on Tuesday aged 77, following a battle with acute leukaemia. The veteran talkback presenter had a long and celebrated career in radio which spanned six decades at Adelaide commercial station FIVEAA. His death was confirmed on Tuesday by FIVEAA in a social media statement. 'Longtime host Leon Byner has passed away. Leon was 77 and had been battling acute leukemia. He retired from the airwaves in 2022,' they wrote, adding a broken heart emoji. Byner decided on a career in radio as a teenager after a chance meeting with Australian acting legend John Bell, founder of the Bell Shakespeare theatre company. 'You, sir, should be on radio,' he told the future presenter at a local fete, which paved the way for his long and celebrated career in broadcasting. Legendary Australian radio presenter Leon Byner died on Tuesday aged 77, following a battle with acute leukaemia Across his long career, Byner at one point worked in every state across Australia. But it was in 1999 that he scored the role he was most known for, morning talkback presenter at Adelaide's FIVEAA AM station. He first arrived in Adelaide in the mid-'60s and proved his commitment to radio by accepting the midnight-to-dawn shift at 5AD. Byner also spent time in Sydney, replacing the late John Laws on 2UW in the early '70s. During this period, he was advised: 'Be Leon, don't try to be John Laws. Be yourself,' which helped shape his distinctive presenting style. He interviewed some of the world's most famous stars across his station tenure, including Arnold Schwarzenegger. Byner also made regular appearances on Aussie TV, featuring on Channel Seven's Sunrise and Today Tonight. Heartbroken fans took to social media to pay tribute to Byner. The veteran talkback presenter had a long and celebrated career in radio which spanned six decades at Adelaide commercial station FIVEAA He interviewed some of the world's most famous stars across his tenure, including Arnold Schwarzenegger 'A gifted broadcaster in his earlier days. A man who did not stop crusading. It was his life's work and contribution to SA,' one person wrote. 'We enjoyed listening to Leon for many, many years. We were only just talking about him yesterday after hearing about John Laws,' a second added. 'Two greats of the airwaves gone but will not be forgotten.' 'Such sad news. He was an icon of radio here in SA, we loved listening to him. RIP,' another chimed in. Byner received significant recognition for his services to the industry. He was nominated for an ACRA Award 13 times across his long career and was also nominated for Australian of the Year three times. A travel influencer has been fined for illegally lighting a fire at heritage-listed Australian tourist destination K'gari (formerly Fraser Island), off the coast of Queensland. Bridget Crosato, who boasts over 80K Instagram followers, was issued the infringement notice after rangers noticed smoke rising from her campsite. The fire was dug into a shallow sand pit - an act prohibited under Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rules, which allow campfires only in designated communal fire rings at specific, marked sites. She was also cautioned for flying a drone over a camping area, where drone use is restricted. Bridget shared footage of the illegal fire being lit in a YouTube video titled 'Her first 4wd on Fraser Island (K'gari), which was uploaded in October The video reached over 50,000 views on the YouTube channel Red Dirt. Travel influencer Bridget Crosato (pictured) has been fined for illegally lighting a fire at heritage-listed Australian tourist destination K'gari (formerly Fraser Island), off the coast of Queensland QPWS senior ranger Chad Hoult said the penalty served as a 'stark reminder' that the island's fire regulations apply to everyone, including content creators. 'Disregarding these rules poses a serious threat to K'gari's delicate environment, unique wildlife, and rich cultural heritage,' Mr Hoult said in a QPWS-issued statement. 'Illegal fires can quickly become bushfires that impact the island's natural and cultural values and put lives at risk. 'We are lucky this wasn't the case with this fire, however, we have seen illegal campfires become significant bushfires on Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) and at Teewah. QPWS senior ranger Chad Hoult said the penalty served as a 'stark reminder' that the island's fire regulations apply to everyone, including content creators. (Pictured: The shores of K'gari) 'The QPWS is committed to protecting our spectacular national parks, ensuring they remain safe and enjoyable now and into the future.' It comes five years after an unrelated illegal fire led to more than half of K'gari being burnt. The bushfire - sparked by an illegal campfire near Orange Creek - swept through 85,000 hectares thanks to high temperatures and strong dry northly winds. It led to a two-month response effort, with four men facing court in January 2020 for their part in failing to properly extinguish the illegal campfire. Married At First Sight bride Carina Mirabile has opened up about the highs and lows of life after reality TV fame, revealing how her world has changed since appearing on the hit Channel Nine dating experiment earlier this year. Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail, the Perth-born beauty said that while the experience brought her exciting new opportunities, it also came with unexpected challenges and lessons in resilience. 'Life has changed in the best way possible,' Carina shared. 'The show has introduced me to opportunities I could've only dreamed of before - I had no idea what I was getting myself involved with.' She continued: 'I really didn't think long term as my brain capacity was focusing and adapting to short term, from facing a fast-paced marriage, building a relationship and trying to navigate through the tasks that were constantly thrown our way each week!' The brunette stunner, who relocated to Sydney after the show, said she's poured her energy into building a career that feels 'authentic' to her. Married At First Sight bride Carina Mirabile (pictured) has opened up about the highs and lows of life after reality TV fame, revealing how her world has changed since appearing on the hit Channel Nine dating experiment earlier this year 'While juggling new friendships and the other relationship drama that came with the filming aspect of MAFS - in saying that, I feel I have adapted naturally,' she continued. 'From working in fashion and content creation prior to being on MAFS to collaborating with amazing brands and people I genuinely admire, I've really focused on building a career that feels authentic to me, and I'm proud of how far I've come since filming.' Carina, who paired with French groom Paul Antoine, admitted that the transition from reality TV bride to public figure wasn't easy, especially when it came to navigating the spotlight alone. 'The biggest challenge was probably finding balance and doing this experience alone,' she confessed. 'I really did want the fairytale ending and to experience this part of the show (post) together with my partner go through the new exciting shiny parts together, meet viewers of the show together, continue the couple friendship catch-ups post filming - but unfortunately that's not how my experience went.' She added that learning to separate her on-screen persona from her real-life self was another hurdle. 'Also learning how to separate the TV version of me from my real life and staying grounded through all the noise,' she said. Despite the difficulties, the former bride said she's been blown away by the continued support from fans. Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail, the Perth-born beauty said that while the experience brought her exciting new opportunities, it also came with unexpected challenges and lessons in resilience. Pictured with groom Paul Antoine 'The show has introduced me to opportunities I could've only dreamed of before - I had no idea what I was getting myself involved with,' she said 'The biggest surprise has been the amount of support I still receive; it's honestly so heartwarming to know people connected with me beyond the show,' she said. 'It's been a privilege hearing viewers' personal stories and life experiences. I resonate with people, and I love meeting and talking to people, so it's been a blessing.' Carina believes her ability to remain grounded and genuine helped her transform her fleeting TV moment into something lasting. 'I was my true authentic self throughout the whole filming of the show!' she said. 'It's hard to hide your true colours as it's such a fast-paced environment, and filming long hours means people's real personalities are bound to show regardless of how hard they try to be the 'ideal' character for the cameras.' 'I respected everyone around me - from the other cast members to production to the crew. That's how my parents raised me. I treat people with respect and I enjoy meeting and learning about people's stories.' Since leaving the show, Carina has leaned into her background in communications, fashion, and media to carve out her own path. 'I focused on consistency, professionalism, and staying true to who I am, which has helped me connect with my community,' she explained. 'The biggest surprise has been the amount of support I still receive; it's honestly so heartwarming to know people connected with me beyond the show,' she said 'That's enabled me to continue sharing my life experiences and views post-show through social media engagement.' Asked whether MAFS has become too toxic for contestants to build real careers from, Carina said that it all comes down to mindset. 'I think it depends on how you handle it. But in short answer - no,' she explained. 'It may be oversaturated but reality TV can be intense in general. It's also what you make of it. If you stay authentic, surround yourself with good people, and focus on what comes next rather than just the fame, you can definitely create something real from it.' As for what advice she'd give to next year's brides and grooms, Carina didn't hold back. 'I'd highly recommend that you work on yourself mentally and physically before this life-changing experience,' she advised. 'Go in knowing who you are and don't lose that - always stay grounded and don't get a big head. The key is to turn the moment into momentum. 'It goes fast, so make the best memories, capture everything in photos - your relationship and marriage, your friendships made in the apartments - all while enjoying the rollercoaster ride!' She added: 'Remember to make those TikToks and funny videos because I love looking back at my camera roll and rewatching the video Dave took of the cast pranking each other!' Since her time on MAFS, Carina has continued to grow her presence online, collaborate with top Aussie brands, and inspire others to chase their dreams. Ana de Armas showcased her toned figure as she ran errands in Los Angeles on Monday. The actress, 37, displayed her abs in a pink crop top which she paired with light grey leggings and a matching hoodie tied around her waist. The Knives Out star also wore white trainers with matching socks and added to her look with black sunglasses. Letting her brunette locks fall loose down her shoulders, Ana accessorised with a simple pair of earrings. The outing comes after reports that Ana ended her relationship with Tom Cruise, 63, after allegedly feeling 'uncomfortable' about its rapid pace. Ana and the Interview with the Vampire star quietly split several weeks ago after nine months together. Ana de Armas showcased her toned figure as she ran errands in Los Angeles on Monday The actress, 37, displayed her abs in a pink crop top which she paired with light grey leggings and a matching hoodie tied around her waist 'Things were moving fast and she started to get a little uncomfortable with how fast it was going,' an insider told Us Weekly. The star 'put the brakes on' but 'still likes [Tom] a lot' the source added, sharing the two have 'undeniable chemistry'. Though they are 'done for now' the two 'have a connection' and 'they will see how things go in the future'. 'They want to remain friends, but she needed to take a step back,' the insider further clarified. Their romance reportedly started after they 'spent every day together' while 'training for the intense underwater sequences' for their thriller Deeper, which is now on hold. 'It started as a deep professional respect and then it ignited. Tom was completely captivated by Ana,' the source went on. Meanwhile Ana 'enjoyed his company' and thought he was 'fun to be with'. She was also 'attracted' to the fact that he 'supported her and everything she wanted to do'. The actress recently ended her romance with Tom Cruise, 63, after nine months together, as she allegedly felt 'uncomfortable' about its rapid pace Ana has reportedly been 'in a funk' following the split and their film being put on hold. 'Ana thought this year would be very different so she is disappointed,' a source told the Daily Mail. 'But she knows it will get better and is plugging on. And she is still friends with Tom. She is not crying at home,' they added. News of their split broke earlier this month. A source close to the pair told The Sun: 'Tom and Ana had a good time together but their time as a couple has run its course. 'They are going to remain good friends but they aren't dating anymore. They just realized they weren't going to go the distance and that they are better off as mates. 'The spark had gone between them but they still love each other's company and they've both been really adult about it. She's already been cast in his next film, so they will continue to work together.' Tom and Ana were last publicly seen together months earlier in July as the pair went official with their budding romance. At the time, the two stars were seen holding hands as they whisked themselves on a weekend getaway to Woodstock, Vermont. Though they are 'done for now' the two 'have a connection' and 'they will see how things go in the future' a source told Us Weekly; (L) Tom seen in May in NYC, (R) Ana seen in May in Berlin They were spotted strolling through the scenic town together - after first sparking relationship speculation earlier this year in February. Shortly before the Vermont trip, both stars were also seen attending the Oasis concert at Wembley Stadium. That same month, Tom and Ana also enjoyed a boat day while on a getaway to Menorca, Spain. In September, the actress was seen partying with rapper Bad Bunny during a trip to Puerto Rico. At the time, the beauty filmed herself dancing to his hit song NUEVAYoL while at the music artist's concert. Ana was recently seen posing with a mystery man during Paris Fashion Week. While exploring the French city, the star posed for a lighthearted Instagram snap with two pals as they spent time outdoors. As for her current work projects, Ana's film Eden is now available for purchase or rent on digital platforms, including Amazon and Apple. Kim Kardashian has rounded on her team of psychics after being erroneously told she would pass her bar exam and successfully qualify as a lawyer. Kardashian originally took the painstaking exam in July, two months after graduating from a four year California Law Office Study Program (LOSP). The TV personality, 45, who also plays a formidable divorce lawyer in new legal drama All's Fair, is keen to follow in her late father Robert Kardashian's footsteps by qualifying to practice law. But those ambitions were dealt a significant blow on Friday after newly released exam results confirmed she had failed the bar, meaning she can only work in a legal field that doesn't require a license to practice until she passes. Evidently unhappy with the results, Kardashian - who insists the setback has made her more determined than ever - later admitted she was furious with her psychics for giving her false hope by incorrectly determining she would pass. Sharing video footage of a brief phone exchange with her TikTok followers on Monday evening, the mother-of-four was seen raging while readying herself for mum Kris Jenner's star-studded 70th birthday celebration. Kim Kardashian has rounded on her team of psychics after being erroneously told she would pass her bar exam and successfully qualify as a lawyer The TV personality confirmed on Saturday that she has in fact failed the painstaking exam that enables her to practice law 'I'm just letting you guys know that all of the f***ing psychics we have met with, and that we're obsessed with, are all f***ing full of s**t,' she rants as a makeup artist tends to her appearance. 'They all collectively, maybe four them, told me I was gonna pass the bar, so they're all full pathological liars. Don't believe anything they say.' Addressing Instagram followers on Saturday, Kardashian confirmed she had failed the bar but remained fully focused on becoming a qualified lawyer. 'Well...I'm not a lawyer yet, I just play a very well-dressed one on TV,' she began, referencing her portrayal of fiesty Allura Grant 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.' A disappointed Kardashian also praised those who have 'supported and encouraged me along the way so far.' She added: '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 Kardashian also told TMZ on the same day that the aspiring lawyer wanted to share how she fared on the bar exam for her fans. Sharing video footage of a brief phone exchange with her TikTok followers on Monday evening, the mother-of-four was seen calling her team of psychics 'pathological liars' The TV personality plays formidable divorce lawyer Allura Grant in new legal drama All's Fair (pictured on the show) Her 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 Los Angeles Before the results were made public on Sunday, she reportedly wanted to announce it herself. The insider explained that Kardashian wanted to continue being open about her journey to become a lawyer as she has done in the past. During a recent 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. Kardashian 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. 'Maybe in 10 years, I think I'll give up being Kim K and be a trial lawyer. That's what I really want. Kardashian's late father Robert Kardashian had been a lawyer and notably was the defense attorney for O.J. Simpson amid his 1995 murder trial. Holly Ramsay's mother-in-law has said 'the ones I love are the people who hurt me the most' in a candid new post amid their ongoing family row. Caroline Peaty, 59, has been banned from attending her son Adam's wedding to Holly, 25, after an astonishing feud over his bride's failure to invite her future mother-in-law to her hen party. The influencer daughter of fiery chef Gordon Ramsay welcomed her own mother Tana, family friend Victoria Beckham and Adam's sister to her pre-nuptial celebrations at the celebrity hotspot Soho Farmhouse. But she failed to invite the swimmer's mother who helped steer him to Olympic glory. Caroline instead stayed at home in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, looking after her five-year-old grandson George. Caroline took to Instagram on Monday to share a cryptic image that read: 'When you love someone, you protect them from the pain, you don't become the cause of it.' She captioned the post with: 'The ones I love are the people who hurt me the most.' Holly Ramsay's mother-in-law has said 'the ones I love are the people who hurt me the most' in a candid post amid their ongoing family row (Caroline Peaty pictured with her son Adam) Caroline Peaty, 59, has been banned from attending her son Adam's wedding to Holly after a family row over his bride's failure to invite her future mother-in-law to her hen party Holly failed to invite the swimmer's mother who helped steer him to Olympic glory. Caroline instead stayed at home in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, looking after her grandson George Caroline also 'liked' a comment from one of her followers who wrote: 'How awful for you! Hopefully one day he will realise that loving mums should be held in high regard. No woman should try to stop that.' A source close to Adam's working-class family said the apparent snub happened after the swimmer, who was once close to his mother, had distanced himself from her after being seduced by the fame and glamour of the Ramsays. The ill-feeling was apparently made worse by Adam, who has three Olympic gold medals, inviting his future father-in-law Gordon Ramsay to his own stag night while his mother was not asked to attend his bride's stylish celebrations in the Cotswolds. His aunt Louise Williams exposed the heartbreak over her sister being left off the guest list last weekend by hitting out at Holly in a public Instagram post which accused her of being 'divisive and hurtful'. Louise blasted Holly over the snub to her future mother-in-law who had 'opened her home and heart to you', saying it had inflicted 'a hurt on my sister that will take a very long time to heal if ever'. Her post stated: '@hollyramsayy I'm so glad that you had a great hen do. As a bride, you deserve that. However, as a person you were divisive and hurtful towards a woman, who I have loved and continue to love deeply. 'A woman who opened her home and heart to you. You decided, for whatever reason, not to invite her, your prospective mother-in-law to your hen night yet Adam invited his father-in-law, your dad, to his stag night. 'You invited your mum (quite rightly) and even your mum's assistant, your sisters, your friends, my niece, but not my sister, your future mother-in-law. Caroline took to Instagram on Monday to share a cryptic image that read: 'When you love someone, you protect them from the pain, you don't become the cause of it' She captioned the post with: 'The ones I love are the people who hurt me the most' Caroline also 'liked' a comment from one of her followers who wrote: 'Hopefully one day he will realise that loving mums should be held in high regard. No woman should try to stop that' Holly celebrated her nuptials to Adam by hosting close friends and family at Soho Farmhouse, with guests including her mother Tana Ramsay, sisters Megan and Tilly, and Victoria Beckham 'I have also seen messages passing between her and Adam about this and other matters and, quite frankly, I expected better of you and definitely of Adam. You have inflicted a hurt on my sister that will take a very long time to heal if ever.' The post is said to have deeply upset Holly and world champion swimmer Adam, 30, who have been dating for more than two years and are due to get married at Bath Abbey at Christmas. A source close to the Peaty family revealed that the swimmer had left his mother 'heartbroken' after her sister's post by contacting her to ban her from the wedding and to tell her she would not see his son George or any future grandchildren again. In another message to his mother, seen by the Daily Mail, Adam stated his intention to disown his family, despite them having supported him throughout his career. Caroline waded into the incredible row by expressing her distress in an Instagram post which stated: 'Crying is a way your eyes speak when your mouth can't explain how broken your heart is.' Her post attracted messages of support and concern from friends including one who commented: 'Don't let them drag you down Caroline.' The same person added in a further comment: 'You know considering they are both supposed to be mental health advocates they don't seem to be showing much regard for yours.' A source close to the Peaty family revealed that the swimmer had left his mother 'heartbroken' after her sister's post Adam's aunt Louise Williams exposed the heartbreak over her sister being left off the guest list last weekend by hitting out at Holly in a public Instagram post The Olympian's mum posted on her Instagram profile: 'Crying is a way your eyes speak when your mouth can't explain how broken your heart is' The remark was a reference to the well-publicised mental health struggles of Holly and world champion Adam who took a competitive break from swimming in 2023 after 'three years of hell' which saw him battle depression and alcoholism. Adam's mother was always known as one of his staunchest supporters during his swimming career, and famously got up at 4am when he was a boy to drive him for 40 minutes to training sessions with the City of Derby swimming club. In a punishing routine which went on for more than three years, she would then hang around for up to two hours before driving him home and going to her own job as a nursery manager while her husband and Adam's father Mark worked as a caretaker at a Lidl store. A source close to Adam's family said they believed the 'heartbreaking' rift had been developing between the swimming star and his mother ever since he had begun dating Holly. The pair met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 when Peaty and Holly's younger sister Tilly were both competing on the series. Adam split with his partner Eirianedd Munro, the mother of his son George, in 2022. He and Holly reportedly began dating in May 2023 and quickly confirmed their relationship the following month. The source explained Adam's deteriorating relationship with his mother, saying: 'It's partly because Adam doesn't feel his family is good enough for the new one he is now part of. 'Adam has changed so much since he's been with Holly. She comes from a celebrity world, while his parents do not, and his ego and self-importance have grown. He's no longer the lovely boy next door we all remember.' The source said that Adam's parents 'sacrificed so much' for him, even putting themselves into debt as he trained for Olympic glory. A source close to Adam's family said they believed the 'heartbreaking' rift had been developing between the swimming star and his mother ever since he began dating Holly Holly, the daughter of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and his wife Tana, is set to marry her fiance Adam this Christmas in Bath Gordon, who owns more than 80 restaurants and is worth millions, counts the Beckhams among his close circle They added: 'Caroline is devastated by the rift and doesn't know what she has done wrong. 'Adam's relationship with his mum and dad Mark are at an all-time low, and now she's not coming to the wedding, 'She had been so excited and really wanted to be involved and had offered to make lovely table setting name plates, as she is a skillful craftswoman, but she was told her help wasn't needed. 'As time has gone on, things have become strained and there have been rows, the tension has been very fraught. Caroline is in pieces and is absolutely heartbroken that it's gotten to this point. 'Caroline and Mark put Adam's career above everything and supported him through thick and thin so for their relationship to have crumbled is so upsetting. 'They feel that Adam started to grow distant from his family after he met Holly and they started to become more serious. There is a feeling that money is an issue. 'His family are working class and proud - it's a stark contrast to the Ramsay family and some members of the family have said it feels like Adam is ashamed of them.' The source said it was believed that the only member of Adam's family now due to attend the wedding is his sister Bethany, with nobody else being able to afford the hotel costs. In a stinging attack on the Olympian the family member told the Daily Mail: 'Adam has forgotten where he has come from. He no longer thinks his own family is good enough for him, and it's very hurtful and spiteful. 'Adam's mum did everything in her power to help him pursue his Olympic dream and now he's banning her from his life. 'She was so happy when he and Holly got snagged and opened her heart and home to her.' Initially, Mrs Peaty and her husband were invited to the wedding, along with other family members, and Caroline excitedly bought a dress. But, according to the source, the star and his fiancee didn't like it so offered to buy her a different one of their choice. The Peatys had been gifted train travel and accommodation to visit Bath to go shopping, which they accepted. But the planned trip never happened because train services going south were either delayed or cancelled due to multiple stabbings on a train in Huntingdon two weeks ago. The source said: 'Caroline and Mark couldn't make the journey and instead of rearranging it, Adam went mad they had missed it and moaned they had wasted his money and he wouldn't be able to get a refund. 'For goodness sake, he's a multi-millionaire. It's all so sad, not one really knows what goes on behind closed doors. 'Adam doesn't really want or need his family anymore. 'It is heartbreaking to see this once normal, close-knit family fall apart.' The source said that on Sunday after the extended hen celebrations, Mrs Peaty received a berated call from her son and a series of text messages while she was dropping her grandson George back with his ex-partner. Victoria Beckham was among the guests at Holly's hen party this weekend, held at the celebrity hotspot Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire Holly wore a veil reading 'Mrs Peaty' during her hen party as she posed in a white and silver minidress During Holly's star-studded hen party, guests donned masks of Adam's face, complete with swimming goggles and cap, as they sipped spicy Margaritas at the private soiree A childhood photo of Holly was placed at her seat at the table, alongside a 'bride' headdress 'Caroline had kindly looked after George while missing out on the party, and was thanked with a volley of abuse after a relative posted a comment on Holly's Instagram.' Adam won his first Olympic gold in the 100m breaststroke in 2016, and won a second in the same event, as well as another in the mixed relay, at the 2020 games which were held in Tokyo in 2021 due to Covid. He claimed two years ago that he never 'wanted to see a pool again' due to the pressure of the sport, leaving him 'broken'. But he overcame his depression with the help of his family and Holly, and made a roaring return at the Paris Olympics last year, earning a silver medal and falling just short of gold by an agonising 0.02 seconds in the breaststroke. Holly posted a series of pictures on her Instagram account showing her and her friends and family arriving for her stylish pre-wedding bachelorette celebration at the Soho Farmhouse last Friday. She looked stunning in all white as she was joined by her mother Tana, sisters Megan and Tilly and Peaty's sister Bethany to kick off her weekend of celebrations. Holly posted a series of pictures on her Instagram account which has nearly 400,000 followers as her weekend got underway, alongside a message saying: 'Bachelorette weekend starts now. I love my sisters and mama so much.' The Olympic swimmer split from ex-girlfriend Eirianedd, mother of his son, in August 2022, eight months after his stint on Strictly Come Dancing (pictured December 2021) Adam, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time silver medalist, has previously credited his parents for supporting him throughout his illustrious Olympic career One picture showed her wearing a long wool coat layered over a long-sleeved top and wide-leg jeans with cream trainers and a cute white bow in her hair. Another snap featured her and Tana walking hand-in-hand at the exclusive Cotswolds venue, set in 100 acres of Oxfordshire countryside. A further picture showed a beautifully arranged table featuring a personalised champagne bottle, and cups labelled 'Bride' and 'Team Bride'. More pictures from later on in the weekend showed Holly in a short white dress, high heels and a bridal headdress while others showed her and guests wearing Adam Peaty face masks. One showed her in a group shot with her guests, including Victoria Beckham, and a post saying: 'My girls gave me the best weekend, my heart is so full', accompanied by a heart emoji. Holly and Adam declined to comment. Kelly Brook is set for an awkward reunion with Ant and Dec on I'm A Celebrity. The star, 45, has set off Down Under to join the roster of stars headed into the jungle on the show, which has been fronted by the TV legends for its 24 year run - however relations may be fraught when she comes face to face with the hosts. Kelly has been at loggerheads with the famous pair since 2009, when she alleged they got her fired from her role as a judge on Britain's Got Talent, due to the fact she did not know what they did on the show, leading to a 'clash of egos'. The model and actress insisted they had thwarted her career, saying after the axing: 'There was nothing I could do in this country after Britain's Got Talent. The people at ITV were telling me that I had upset Ant and Dec and that was it.' Ahead of her stint in the jungle, Kelly looked to be extending an olive branch as she said in her pre-show interview about her dream camper: 'Ant & Dec. They are very well dressed and it would be fun to be in with them to see how they survive.' Kelly Brook is set for an awkward reunion with Ant and Dec on I'm A Celebrity The star, 45, has headed Down Under to join the roster of stars headed into the jungle on the show, which has been fronted by the TV legends for its 24 year run - however relations may be fraught when she comes face to face with the hosts Kelly has been at loggerheads with the famous pair since 2009, when she alleged they got her fired from her role as a judge on Britain's Got Talent (Kelly, centre left, and Ant and Dec, right, are pictured on BGT before her ejection) In their 2010 autobiography, Dec was candid about the feud - insisting he could not understand why she had been recruited on to the show - words that will have all eyes on the trio come Monday night's launch show of season 24. Kelly joined the third series of Britain's Got Talent in 2009 as the first ever fourth judge alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan - however she was axed after just one week when the format was deemed 'too complicated'. Despite the explanation, Kelly insisted Ant and Dec were behind the departure due to an awkward exchange. Dec wrote in his memoir, Ooh! What a Lovely Pair: Our Story: 'Kelly looked nervous, so I told her it was going to be great fun and to just relax... 'She nodded, then looked at me and said, "And what do you do on the show?", I looked at Simon, who was sat next to me, he turned to Kelly and said, "Kelly, you have seen the show, haven't you?" To which she replied, "Yeah well, bits".' 'I don't want to sound like an egomaniac, but the last person who said, "And what do you do?" was the Queen when I met her at the party for ITV's fiftieth anniversary.' Kelly soon hit back saying: 'There was nothing I could do in this country after Britain's Got Talent. The people at ITV were telling me that I had upset Ant and Dec and that was it. I would love to have stayed on the show... Kelly joined the third series of Britain's Got Talent in 2009 as the first ever fourth judge alongside Simon Cowell (right), Amanda Holden (second right) and Piers Morgan (left) - however she was axed after just one week when the format was deemed 'too complicated' Kelly is pictured with her fellow judge Amanda Holden before her dumping 'I really felt it was working out. Ant and Dec had never been anything but pleasant to my face but, clearly, they didn't want me on the show. 'Their egos are such that they were saying to themselves "How dare she think she can come on to our show?", and since then they've been very vocal about their displeasure at me being there.' Further on in their book, the duo confessed they were 'annoyed' they hadn't been consulted about Kelly joining the show. Dec wrote: 'We had two questions: "Why is there a fourth judge?" and "Why is it Kelly Brook?" None of them could answer us... 'Obviously, as hosts of the show, we have to justify that kind of thing to the audience, and no one could give us a good reason why Kelly was on board. 'The simple answer was that Simon, without talking to anyone, had decided it was a good idea. We didn't agree.' Kelly is seen landing at Brisbane Airport on Sunday She also took a swipe at the duo for writing about her in their book, writing: 'As for Ant and Dec, good luck to them. They are rich and they are happy, but they won't be in my autobiography, even if I am in theirs!' Ahead of the reunion, a source told The Sun: 'How things ended with Kelly on Britain's Got Talent was very upsetting. Both sides said things in anger afterwards, which meant the unpleasantness rumbled on. 'It's been a long time since they last worked together so understandably there is apprehension on both sides. 'Kelly is determined for I'm A Celebrity to be a massive success in stark contrast to her last experience working with Ant and Dec. It's nerve-wracking that after such a bitter fallout, they'll now be working together in such close proximity. 'However their painful history won't be referenced on air it would be weird and honestly just plain awkward to do so.' Comedian Eddie Kadi has touched down in Brisbane Airport ahead of his stint in the I'm A Celebrity jungle which launches on November 16. The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 42, wore a patterned tracksuit and when asked why he was in Australia, he bizarrely told the Daily Mail, 'I'm looking for Mowgli. 'I've heard my best mate Mowgli and Timon and Pumbaa are around somewhere, so I've come to catch up with them, it's been a while since I've seen them.' When asked if he would miss his two-year-old daughter, the BBC Radio presenter said: 'Oh gosh, absolutely. 'My little girl, I'm gonna absolutely miss her. I've been doing little videos for her along the way - she's never travelled this far.' Comedian Eddie Kadi was the seventh contestant to arrive in Australia ahead of I'm A Celebrity launch on Tuesday The former Strictly Come Dancing star wore a patterned tracksuit and when asked why he was in Australia, he bizarrely told the Daily Mail, 'I'm looking for Mowgli' Comedian and actress, Ruby Wax was the sixth contestant to land in Brisbane Airport Eddie has been busy with TV appearances, having appeared on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing in 2023, partnered with Karen Hauer, as well as filming for Celebrity Apprentice. Earlier this year, Eddie launched the Man Like You Podcast with fellow TV star Mo Gilligan who took part in the show in 2022. Eddie arrived in Australia after Ruby Wax, AngryGinge, Aitch, Lisa Riley, Kelly Brook and Shona McGarty. Still to arrive are Lioness Alex Scott, Martin Kemp and Ozzy Osbourne's son, Jack. The survival reality show - which is presented by Declan Donnelly, 50, and Ant McPartlin, 49 - will be back on ITV this coming Sunday. What makes the programme so great every year is the selection of famous faces ready to take on the jungle in Dungay, New South Wales. Irish TV personality, Vogue Williams, and beloved Celebs Go Dating receptionist, Tom Read Wilson, have been confirmed as the late entries to this year's I'm A Celeb. Each year, two contestants enter a week later than the first batch of ten celebrities and typically have to complete their own task before joining the rest of the camp. When asked if he would miss his two-year-old daughter, the BBC Radio presenter said: 'Oh gosh, absolutely' 'My little girl, I'm gonna absolutely miss her. I've been doing little videos for her along the way - she's never travelled this far' Charlotte Crosby has opened up on the financial and emotional hardships she has faced with fiance Jake Ankers after welcoming their second baby. The Geordie Shore star, 34, and Jake, 34, welcomed their second daughter, Pixi, in February and are already parents to a little girl called Alba, two. Offering a candid insight into her life, Charlotte admitted her relationship has been on the brink. She told The Sun: 'We had a really hard time in the beginning with our second child, like thousands of people will relate to.' Charlotte added the couple are both working and don't have the luxury of being able to afford a nanny, as she says this is the reality of their lives. Charlotte Crosby, 35, has opened up on the financial and emotional hardships she has faced with fiance Jake Ankers, 34, after welcoming their second baby PIxi (pictured) The Geordie Shore star and Jake share Pixi, nine months, and Alba, two, (pictured in Charlotte's Paramount+ show Geordie Stories: Charlotte Mam of two) Offering a candid insight into her life, Charlotte admitted her relationship was on the brink as she battles motherhood and money troubles 'I don't really have a lot of money, let me tell you. 'I've just moved house and I'm renovating, so I'm literally on the bones of my a**e, so listen, it's difficult for everyone,' she revealed. The beauty added though while their relationship has shared its fair share of ups and downs, they will always love each other as she insisted they are no different than most couples. Charlotte and Jake went through 'a really hard stage' while filming as the host of Aussie Shore. In a bid to repair their relationship after a series of rows, Jake flew to Australia to surprise his fiance. But the mother-of-two branded his unannounced arrival as 'selfish' as she felt 'overwhelmed' trying to balance work and her two daughters. However upon reflection she later took the opportunity to praise Jake on Instagram. She wrote: 'OK, can we take a minute to appreciate Jake, he flew the whole way around the world to surprise us in Australia and tonight after weeks of broken time together, we are having a well deserved bit of quality time.' Charlotte said the couple are both working and don't have the luxury of being able to afford a nanny 'Relationships aren't always easy. It's about how you get through the tough times that count.' Known for her troublesome antics on the hit MTV reality show, she has taken a change of direction as she's become a fashion guru and 'mumfluencer', as she launches her Paramount+ show Geordie Stories: Charlotte Mam of two. But Charlotte admitted she had been left 300,000 in debt after pumping her own cash into her clothing brand, Pepper Girls Club. The reality TV favourite confessed she was still waiting for the business to bring in more cash to pay off what she'd already invested. Taking to Instagram, Charlotte revealed she hadn't yet got a 'penny' of the money she used to start the brand. While the clothing brand has an impressive 256k followers on social media, the number hasn't translated to enough sales for Charlotte to pay herself back. Speaking in a candid video, Charlotte said of owning the business: 'The hardest thing with Pepper Girls Club is I have literally put so much money into this business, and that is no word of a lie. 'I've put about 300k into this business over the last eight years, and I haven't received a penny of that back. Charlotte added though while their relationship has shared its fair share of ups and downs, they will always love each other But her financial woes come as she previously revealed she's been left 300,000 in debt after pumping her own cash into her clothing brand Pepper Girls Club 'The company is only in debt to me, which is fine. I would love to get it to the point where I can start to get some of that money back, but it's just not there yet. 'A lot of people who start businesses have the opportunity to get investment from people, but honestly, I have tried so hard, and I get the door slammed in my face. 'I remember, I went to a meeting with someone who was going to invest, and their accountant told me that Pepper Girls Club would do good the day that pigs would fly.' Charlotte admitted she'd made a 'big business mistake' by 'spending too much money on photoshoots'. She revealed that a summer collection shoot in Ibiza saw her splash 'about 20 grand [20,000]'. The Celebrity Big Brother winner 'ruthlessly' left her longstanding management company for another in a bid to ditch reality TV and focus on becoming a 'mumfluencer'. The move to InterTalent - which looks after fellow influencers Jaqueline Jossa, Jess Wright and Kelly Brook - appears to be the next step in this re-invention. She also launched a new personal brand - changing her Instagram handle from CharlotteGShore to TheCharlotteCrosby. 'This truly is the end of an era,' she told her followers. 'CharlotteGShore has been my identity for the past 15 years, since I was 20 years old. 'The truth is, since entering my 30s and becoming a mother, I've felt more and more detached from that title. 'I'm not that young girl from Geordie Shore any more and I haven't been for a long time.' Adam Peaty's aunt has weighed into the family feud, accusing Holly Ramsay of leaving her mother-in-law Caroline Peaty 'broken' by failing to invite her to her hen do. On Monday, it was revealed the Olympian's mum Caroline, 59, has been banned from attending Adam's Christmas wedding to Holly, 25 as a result of the fallout. The daughter of Gordon Ramsay welcomed her mother Tana, Victoria Beckham, Adam's sister Bethany and many more to her pre-nuptial celebrations at celebrity hotspot Soho Farmhouse - yet has reportedly left Caroline 'broken' with the snub. Social media has erupted with anger from Adam's family, after Caroline shared posts voicing her heartache, leading to her sister Louise Williams, who uses the Instagram handle @Loobylou, and their Aunty Jan weighing in on the 's**t show'. Adam's aunty Louise said of her sister: 'She's not ok at all. Holly and Adam have broken my darling sister', before claiming Adam is 'ashamed' of his brothers and then bizarrely sharing pictures of Holly at the hen do on her Threads account. Adam Peaty's family are in tatters as their feud with Holly Ramsay rumbles on amid friction over her hen do - with his aunt insisting she has 'broken' his mother (Caroline Peaty pictured with her son Adam) Holly failed to invite the swimmer's mother who helped steer him to Olympic glory. Caroline instead stayed at home in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, looking after her grandson George Caroline Peaty, 59, has been banned from attending her son Adam's wedding to Holly after a family row over his bride's failure to invite her future mother-in-law to her hen party When Holly failed to invite Caroline, who helped steer Adam to Olympic glory, to the party, she was left languishing at home in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, looking after her five-year-old grandson George - Adam's child with ex-girlfriend Eirianedd Munro. Caroline took to Instagram on Monday to share a cryptic image reading: 'When you love someone, you protect them from the pain, you don't become the cause of it.' She captioned the post with: 'The ones I love are the people who hurt me the most.' The post was soon flooded with comments and likes from the Peaty family, including Aunty Louise detailing the apparent reasons why there was a hen do snub as well as comments about Adam's brothers and their mental health problems. She wrote: 'They banned her because she would not apologise re the cancellation of the Bath trip because of the train cancellation and Caroline's refusal to turn her back on her son's, his brothers who both suffer from adhd and mental health problems and whom Adam considers to be an embarrassment... 'However it was ok for Adam to make money off his brothers problems in his book. Can I ask I don't know if you are a mum but would you turn your back on two sons who needed you to remain in favour with a celebrity?' Adam's aunt was also bizarrely sharing pictures of Holly at her hen do on her Threads account Victoria Beckham was among the guests at Holly's hen party, held at the celebrity hotspot Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire Her reference to a trip to Bath comes after it was revealed that his parents were invited to the wedding, along with other family members, and Caroline excitedly bought a dress. But, according to the source, the star and his fiancee didn't like the ensemble so offered to buy her a different one of their choice. The Peatys had been gifted train travel and accommodation to visit Bath to go shopping, which they accepted. The planned trip never happened because services going south were either delayed or cancelled due to multiple stabbings on a train in Huntingdon two weeks ago. The source said: 'Caroline and Mark couldn't make the journey and instead of rearranging it, Adam went mad they had missed it and moaned they had wasted his money and he wouldn't be able to get a refund... 'For goodness sake, he's a multi-millionaire. It's all so sad, not one really knows what goes on behind closed doors. Adam doesn't really want or need his family anymore. It is heartbreaking to see this once normal, close-knit family fall apart.' Louise threw herself wholeheartedly into the conversation about the feud She insisted Adam was 'embarrassed' by his family and his brothers' mental health problems Louise claimed she was being threatened with repercussions if she spoke about the situation Louise's tirade did not stop there, as she launched into another defence of her sister, who she insisted had 'a heart bigger than China'. She went on: 'At the end of the day she supports ALL of her children regardless and Adam doesn't like that. Considering he and Holly are supposed to be mental health advocates im quite taken aback by whats been said... 'What good mother ever turns their back on their flesh and blood? Certainly not Caroline who has a heart bigger than China... 'Caroline is one of those few people who is genuinely kind, if she sees a need she fills it. I tell her she is too kind sometimes because her feelings can get hurt. As sisters we argue, we dont speak but we love each other to death. I am very protective of her.' In another post, she penned: 'Holly never invited her to the hen night but everyone else's mother was and she has been excluded from the wedding... 'Caroline and Mark sacrificed everything for Adam and this is how they treat her. When I say something on her thread I am threatened with repercussions!!!! I pointed out the truth cannot be silenced.' Despite herself being invited to the hen do, Bethany rallied around her family and joined Aunty Janet in liking a comment reading: 'You'd hope the Beckham's would be the first to reach out, given their situation' Bethany pledged her allegiance to her mother alongside her great aunt Holly wore a veil reading 'Mrs Peaty' during her hen party as she posed in a white and silver minidress Caroline herself was forced to intervene when one of her followers wrote: 'O give it over. apologise to you're son. All that's wrong with you is that you don't want to be left alone let you're son grow up he is an adult. Now you grow up.' She hit back: 'You know nothing about me or my family and your comment is not appreciated. As for your comment saying i dont want my "son to grow up" is a laugh, im happy when my children are happy as any mother is... 'There was no one happier than me, when my son told me he had met his soul mate x I hope that this clarifies the situation x.' Despite herself being invited to the hen do, Bethany rallied around her family and joined Aunty Janet in liking a comment reading: 'You'd hope the Beckham's would be the first to reach out, given their situation... 'Hold your head up high; not many Mums would've got up at 4am for those pool runs. Adam should be so proud.' The previous day, Louise blasted Holly over the snub to her future mother-in-law who had 'opened her home and heart to you', saying it had inflicted 'a hurt on my sister that will take a very long time to heal if ever'. Holly celebrated her nuptials to Adam by hosting close friends and family at Soho Farmhouse, with guests including her mother Tana Ramsay, sisters Megan and Tilly, and Victoria Beckham Adam's aunt Louise exposed the heartbreak over her sister being left off the guest list last weekend by hitting out at Holly in a public Instagram post The Olympian's mum posted on her Instagram profile: 'Crying is a way your eyes speak when your mouth can't explain how broken your heart is' Her post stated: '@hollyramsayy I'm so glad that you had a great hen do. As a bride, you deserve that. However, as a person you were divisive and hurtful towards a woman, who I have loved and continue to love deeply. 'A woman who opened her home and heart to you. You decided, for whatever reason, not to invite her, your prospective mother-in-law to your hen night yet Adam invited his father-in-law, your dad, to his stag night. 'You invited your mum (quite rightly) and even your mum's assistant, your sisters, your friends, my niece, but not my sister, your future mother-in-law. 'I have also seen messages passing between her and Adam about this and other matters and, quite frankly, I expected better of you and definitely of Adam. You have inflicted a hurt on my sister that will take a very long time to heal if ever.' A source close to the Peaty family revealed that the swimmer had left his mother 'heartbroken' after her sister's post The post is said to have deeply upset Holly and world champion swimmer Adam who have been dating for more than two years and are due to get married at Bath Abbey at Christmas. A source close to the Peaty family revealed that the swimmer had left his mother 'heartbroken' after her sister's post by contacting her to ban her from the wedding and to tell her she would not see his son George or any future grandchildren again. In another message to his mother, seen by the Daily Mail, Adam stated his intention to disown his family, despite them having supported him throughout his career. Caroline waded into the incredible row by expressing her distress in an Instagram post which stated: 'Crying is a way your eyes speak when your mouth can't explain how broken your heart is.' Her post attracted messages of support and concern from friends including one who commented: 'Don't let them drag you down Caroline.' Rosamund Pike was one of the most iconic Bond girls of all time and dazzled during a rare red carpet appearance this week. The British blonde, now 46, co-starred with Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry as MI6 agent Miranda Frost in the 2002 movie Die Another Day. Pike made a stunning impression as she wore a silver one-shoulder gown to the famed ice house party where she tried to seduce 007. The talented actress has also worked with superstars Tom Cruise, Ben Affleck, Christian Bale and Jacob Elordi in various feature films. On Monday evening, the Golden Globe award winner attended the Now You See Me: Now You Don't premiere in New York City, wowing in a sleeveless canary yellow dress. Pike's outing comes more than two decades after her career kicked off with the 007 role. Rosamund Pike was one of the most beautiful Bond girls of all time. This British blonde co-starred with Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry as an MI6 agent assigned to aid James Bond in the 2002 movie Die Another Day. She made a stunning impression as she wore a silver one-shoulder gown to the famed ice house party where she tried to seduce 007 After that, she landed supporting roles in Pride & Prejudice (2005), An Education (2009) and Made in Dagenham (2010). She later broke through into mainstream films including Johnny English Reborn (2011), Wrath of the Titans (2012), Jack Reacher (2012) and The World's End (2013). For her portrayal of Amy Dunne in the psychological thriller Gone Girl (2014), Pike earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Pike then turned up in A United Kingdom (2016) and A Private War (2018). While appearing as Juliet in a production of Romeo and Juliet at the National Youth Theatre, she was scouted by an agent. A string of British television shows followed, including A Rather English Marriage (1998), Wives and Daughters (1999) and the miniseries Love in a Cold Climate (2001). She then played Elizabeth Malet in The Libertine (2004), co-starring Johnny Depp. In 2005, she appeared as Jane, the elder sister of Elizabeth - played by Keira Knightley - in Pride & Prejudice. She also starred as a successful attorney in the film Fracture, opposite Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling. Pike during the Die Another Day London premiere at Royal Albert Hall in 2002 The poster for Die Another Day featured Pike on the far right With Tom Cruise in the action film Jack Reacher With Ben Affleck in the hit crime movie Gone Girl In 2010, she appeared in Made in Dagenham, then played the role of Queen Andromeda in the fantasy epic Wrath of the Titans in 2012. Then came her big Tom Cruise movie, starring as Helen Rodin, the female lead in the thriller Jack Reacher. The following year, she had a supporting role in The World's End (2013). Pike starred in the David Fincher-directed psychological thriller Gone Girl (2014) with Ben Affleck. In 2018, Pike was cast as war correspondent Marie Colvin in A Private War. Her other films include the thriller The Informer and the biopic Radioactive. She starred as con artist Marla Grayson in the crime thriller I Care a Lot, and starred in and executive produced the eight-episode historical fiction podcast Edith! in 2021. Pike at the Now You See Me: Now You Don't world premiere at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers on November 10 in New York City Pike was an executive producer on the Netflix series 3 Body Problem based on the novel The Three-Body Problem. In April last year, it was revealed that Pike had joined the cast of In the Grey by Guy Ritchie. The star wowed at the premiere of Now You See Me: Now You Don't in NYC this week, lighting up the premiere in a yellow satin dress. Since December 2009, Pike has been in a relationship with businessman Robie Uniacke, who is 18 years her senior. Brooke Burke is not looking for a happy reunion with Dancing With The Stars despite being a champion and co-hosting the show over eight seasons. The 54-year-old star - who recently showcased her incredible bikini body - talked candidly about the possibility of returning to the reality competition show and seemingly hinted at some bad blood. The 20th anniversary special is airing on Tuesday night which has many competitors and personalities returning including the surprise addition of her former co-host Tom Bergeron and many have wondered if Burke will also gracing the studio with her presence. The media personality shut down those assertions during a recent appearance on the I Choose Me podcast with host Jenny Garth. Burke bluntly replied: 'A redo is hard for me. 'I guess theres some things that are worth a repeat in your life, but I feel like I wrung it out and I did everything I needed to do on that show' Brooke Burke is not looking for a happy reunion with Dancing With The Stars despite being a champion and co-hosting the show over eight seasons Burke has a storied history with the popular ABC series as she won season 7 of the show with pro partner Derek Hough in 2008. She then returned to co-host alongside the aforementioned Bergeron, 70, from seasons 10 through 17. Burke explained: 'I never say no, never closed doors professionally, but I mean, it was eight seasons, and I did everything I needed to do in the ballroom.' Her contract was not renewed after season 17 in 2013 and she was famously replaced by Erin Andrews. Of the experience, she said it was 'one of the hardest things I've ever done in my entire life' but did insist that she 'had so much fun.' Burke previously expressed that she was disappointed by her 'shocking' exit from the hosting gig. She was asked if she had 'enough' on the Getting Grilled With Curtis Tone podcast in September 2024 she replied: 'I probably had enough, but then when you leave something and you think you've had enough, you kind of, in hindsight, look back and want a little bit more. 'As a host, when you're on a live show, it was a long time and I think I was ready to do other things. The 20th anniversary special is airing on Tuesday night which has many competitors and personalities returning including the surprise addition of her former co-host Tom Bergeron and many have wondered if Burke will also gracing the studio with her presence The media personality shut down those assertions during a recent appearance on the I Choose Me podcast with host Jenny Garth. Burke has a storied history with the popular ABC series as she won season 7 of the show with pro partner Derek Hough in 2008 She then returned to co-host alongside the aforementioned Bergeron, 70, from seasons 10 through 17 'But I think it's shocking when there's a change in our business, just to humanize it, to be honest, to be vulnerable. I think it was really disappointing. I wasn't expecting it.' Though Burke has maintained that she will not be returning to DWTS, her co-host Bergeron explained why he will be returning as guest judge for the show's 20th anniversary on Tuesday. He told The Hollywood Reporter: 'When Conrad Green came back as the showrunner he had been my first showrunner back in 2005, and he came back on board when, I think its fair to say, the show was having a little bit of a rickety period. He kind of put everything back together again, Humpty Dumpty-style (laughs), and he started extending an olive branch to me. 'First, he invited me to come sit in the audience for the 500th show. While I appreciated the overture, I knew Id be too fidgety just sitting there. I needed a role where I could cause a little more trouble, and being a guest judge was something I suggested to him at lunch a few months ago. I said, "Look, Ill charge you a scale, just union scale, and then you make a nice contribution to the Motion Picture and Television Fund." With those conditions in place, I felt very comfortable. And happily, they met my terms.' The television star was asked by the publication if he came back just because it was the 20th anniversary episode to which he denied. Burke and Hough dancing on season 7 Her contract was not renewed after season 17 in 2013 and she was famously replaced by Erin Andrews Though Burke has maintained that she will not be returning to DWTS, her co-host Bergeron explained why he will be returning as guest judge for the show's 20th anniversary on Tuesday Bergeron was host of the reality competition series from 2005 to 2019 before being let go ahead of its 29th season in July 2020. He then explained the reason he did come back as he said: 'If the previous regime was still in charge of the show, I wouldnt go back. It was really because Conrads there, and you can tell. 'Just look at what the show is doing. Its having a resurgence. Its doing things that I cant imagine many, if any, 20-year-old shows have done. Theyve been on a ratings tear.' For his work on the series he received nine Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program and earned the award once in 2012. CSI: Miami star Eva LaRue and her daughter Kaya Callahan were stalked for 12 years by an unhinged fan who sent notes threatening torture, rape and murder. Signing his letters 'Freddie Kruger,' the culprit would write such declarations as: 'My master Satan and I will use your body for our evil ways.' Eva was 40 and her daughter only five years old when the stalker began his pursuit, forcing them to move house three times to try to elude him. Nevertheless he always found them, and at one point when Kaya was 17 years old he even impersonated her father in an attempt to collect her from her school. Ultimately Ohio man James David Rogers, 61, was apprehended in 2019 with the help of DNA taken from the letters he sent to Eva. Now the mother and daughter have bared their souls about the blood-curdling experience, and the moment that Eva said 'still feels like a jump scare,' via People. LaRue, seen here with daughter Kaya in 2022, told her stalker in court at his sentencing on Thursday: 'I forgive you, but I cannot forget. The fear is with me forever' Eva shot to fame as Dr. Maria Santos on the 1990s soap opera All My Children, marrying her TV husband John Callahan in 1996. She gave birth to their daughter Kaya Callahan in December 2001, but by 2005 their marriage had collapsed and Eva was a single mother. Her professional life, meanwhile, was a galloping success, with her starring as Detective Natalia Boa Vista on CSI: Miami, one of the biggest shows on television. However Eva's fame turned sour in 2007 when her stalker started sending her threatening letters signed 'Freddie Krueger' through her publicist and her manager. 'I will kill you and take possession of your body,' read one. 'My mind will inhabit your body. My master Satan and I will use our beautiful body for our evil ways. No one can stop us. I'll be looking forward to meeting you. Maybe you can come to OHIO.' The menacing nature of his notes intensified into 'the most heinous, most deplorable, most sickening, most terrifying threats,' Eva recalled. 'And then he began leveling them against my little girl.' After initially contacting Eva through her representatives, the stalker managed to uncover her personal address and sent a triumphant letter to her house containing a chilling message: 'I have finally found you.' Despite the precautions Eva took, such as acquiring home security cameras and moving house three times, the stalker kept finding her and Kaya again. Ultimately Ohio man James David Rogers, 61, was apprehended in 2019 with the help of DNA taken from the letters he sent to Eva Eva is pictured in a 2011 episode of her most famous show CSI: Miami, which she starred on as Detective Natalia Boa Vista from 2005 until 2012 At one point they even decamped to Italy, and when they eventually returned to California, Eva tried to keep her identity private by purchasing a home under an LLC - only for the stalker to locate her anyway. For the first few years of harassment, Eva avoided telling Kaya about the dozens of letters she was getting, and she herself only read a few of them. By 2019 however the stalking campaign reached a new level when then 17-year-old Kaya was sitting in class and was summoned to the school office, where she was told her father had called asking to pick her up outside. Kaya at that point knew about the stalker and called Eva to discern to the truth, whereupon Eva phoned John to see if he had in fact rung the school. After the co-parents talked, the truth became clear, in a moment Eva said 'still feels like a jump scare' - the stalker had been the man who called. Ohio man James David Rogers was finally caught and later that year, after the FBI used genetic genealogy, a technique first used to apprehend the Golden State Killer. The authorities were able to retrieve the stalker's DNA from the envelopes of the letters he sent Eva and run them through a database, which helped them track him to a small town in Ohio, where he was identified by DNA he left on an Arby's straw. In 2022 he pled guilty to two counts of mailing threatening communications, one count of threats by interstate communications and two counts of stalking, and the judge handed down a sentence of 40 months in prison. Eva is pictured in 1994 on her star-making soap opera All My Children with her co-star John Callahan, whom she married in 1996 and welcomed Kaya with in 2001 Eva was 40 and her daughter only five years old when the stalker began his pursuit, forcing them to move house three times to try to elude him On the stand, he said he was being treated for his mental health, saying he was bullied at school and suffered an abusive upbringing. He apologized to Eva for his 'hellish behavior,' saying: 'I accept full responsibility. I hope you can put this behind you and at some point never think about me again.' 'I forgive you, but I cannot forget,' Eva said, saying that the 'fear is with me forever,' while Kaya expressed her hope of one day feeling 'okay again' and 'safe.' Kaya, who is currently 23, has now shared that her stalker's imprisonment 'was very freeing,' inasmuch as 'I just felt like I could live a normal life again.' She and her mother are starring in a Paramount+ docuseries called My Nightmare Stalker: The Eva LaRue Story, which has been an eye-opening project for Kaya. 'Because my mom kept so much hidden, I didnt know much about it,' she explained. 'It was like reliving it and yet experiencing it for the very first time.' Kourtney Kardashian has a reputation for not giving sun-shiny smiles in photographs. But lately the 46-year-old wife of rock star Travis Barker has barely shown her teeth. On Monday evening a rare Kardashian-Jenner family portrait from Kris Jenner's 70th birthday bash in Beverly Hills was shared by Kris as well as Kim Kardashian to Instagram. The momager posed with her girls Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall and Kylie. Recluse Rob Kardashian was not pictured. All of the ladies had either big, bright smiles or small sweet smiles. The only lady not smiling at all was Kourtney who looked a bit perturbed, or at the very least, just plain tired - after all, she does have a baby at home to tend to. Kourtney Kardashian did not smile in a rare Kardashian-Jenner family portrait from Kris Jenner's 70th birthday bash in Beverly Hills; seen with Kim, Khloe, Kris, Kendall and Kylie She also looked far from the mood to party as she headed to mom Kris Jenner's 70th birthday bash. The star flashed quite the frosty expression as she sat in the back of a chauffeured car, her face a mixture of irritation and annoyance. The momentary display of agitation appeared to have been fleeting - or perhaps a glimpse into something deeper - her feud with her sister Khloe Kardashian is currently unfolding on her family's reality show. Khloe, 41, of course, was also among the many stars present at the party. Kourtney also has a reputation for having a cold demeanor and deadpan vocal delivery. Earlier this year she took a dig at her own reliably frosty facial expression on Instagram, joking: 'the happiest people (smiling on the inside ;)'. Saturday's lavish soiree was thrown in honor of the Kardashian-Jenner matriarch's milestone 70th birthday, drawing a staggering list of Hollywood royalty. Among the guests were Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, Adele, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Paris Hilton, Snoop Dogg, Gayle King, Niecy Nash, Sarah Paulson, and Naomi Watts, all dressed to the nines for the James Bondthemed blowout. While the party was filmed by guests and attendees, insiders told People that no reality TV cameras were allowed inside, making it one of the few Kardashian celebrations not captured for The Kardashians. Kourtney was not exactly hiding her displeasure as she celebrated mom Kris Jenner's 70th birthday bash over the weekend 'It was just all about celebrating Kris,' a source told People. 'And it was everything you'd expect from Kris: over-the-top, glamorous and full of love from her family. It was obvious that she had the best night.' Another insider told the outlet earlier this month that Kris has been 'excited about turning 70'. They added: 'Sure, she looks amazing, but it's her energy that stands out... she has this nonstop enthusiasm for life.' The evening reportedly hosted around 300 invitees. Jenner and her longtime boyfriend, Corey Gamble, are close friends with Sanchez and Bezos. In addition to attending the couple's Venice wedding this summer, the pals are often seen on date nights and showing public support for one another. The momentary display of agitation could have been fleeting, or a sign of something deeper - she is currently feuding with her sister Khloe Kardashian, who was also present at the party In September, Jenner praised Sanchez's second childrens book, The Fly Who Flew Under The Sea, which spotlights overcoming learning differences. 'We love you so much!!! Thank you for shining your beautiful (inside and out) light on such amazing and important causes always, but opening up about Dyslexia which is so personal for you will help and encourage so many!!! You are truly an inspiration and such a special girl and friend. I love you,' Kris wrote on Instagram. Meanwhile, Jenner's birthday bash was so over the top that it had Beverly Hills neighbors dialing 911, multiple times in one night. According to TMZ, police were dispatched to Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's $165 million Beverly Hills estate on Saturday after nearby residents complained about loud music blaring from the A-list celebration. Kris also hung out with the All's Fair cast, top And the diva from San Diego posed with Selma Blair and Mariah Carey Sources at the party told the outlet that the noise 'was off the charts,' thanks to a live performance by Bruno Mars, which sent the glamorous crowd into a frenzy. Under California law, noise complaints are taken seriously, especially in residential areas like Beverly Hills, where city ordinances prohibit excessive sound after 10pm. Officers reportedly spoke with security and issued a warning, but that wasn't the end of it. Later in the night, police returned after learning that large decorative hedges had been placed outside the property to block off the street, a move that apparently required a permit the hosts didn't have. The fake greenery was ordered to be 'removed [just] as dozens of celebs were leaving the party'. Tori Spelling broke her silence on her divorce settlement from Dean McDermott. The Beverly Hills, 90210 star, 52, reflected on finalizing their divorce in late October, over two years after she filed for divorce and three years after they separated. About two weeks after settling their divorce, she said 'it's been quite a journey' while speaking candidly in Monday's episode of her podcast misSPELLING. This comes after she appeared somewhat downcast in her first public sighting since she and the Chopped Canada host, 58, figured out their settlement a couple of weeks ago. 'I am officially divorced,' she began on her podcast. 'It's been quite a journey. I gotta say, you guys, this is something never said this was one of the easiest divorces in Hollywood.' 'You can quote me there. Screw it take Hollywood out. This is one of the easiest divorces,' she added. Tori Spelling broke her silence on her divorce settlement from Dean McDermott; pictured in June 2023 The Beverly Hills, 90210 star, 52, reflected on finalizing their divorce in late October, over two years after she filed for divorce and three years after they separated; pictured in March She also said it was 'interesting' that the pair experienced marital woes over two decades together but did not have any during the dissolution of their marriage. 'It's so interesting because Dean and I were together 20 years, married 18, and while we had our ups and downs and problems throughout our marriage, we've had absolutely no problems throughout the divorce,' she shared. She said that the reason the divorce went smoothly is 'a testament to the two of us and wanting to really step up and be there for the five humans we chose to create out of love and setting a good example.' Spelling and McDermott married in 2006 and throughout their 18 years of marriage, they welcomed five children together. The former couple are parents to Liam, 18, Stella, 17, Hattie, 14, Finn, 13, and eight-year-old Beau. McDermott announced their split in June 2023 and Spelling officially filed for divorce in March 2024. 'It's so amicable,' she continued about their legal separation and co-parenting. 'We have no drama. This is a drama-free uncoupling and divorce.' She also revealed that she and her ex settled through mediation instead of in court. About two weeks after settling their divorce, she said 'it's been quite a journey' while speaking candidly in Monday's episode of her podcast misSPELLING; pictured in February 2019 She said it was 'interesting' that the pair experienced marital woes over two decades together but did not have any during the dissolution of their marriage; pictured in August 2019 Spelling and McDermott married in 2006 and throughout their 18 years of marriage, they welcomed five children together; pictured in December 2019 The former couple are parents to Liam, 18, Stella, 17, Hattie, 14, Finn, 13, and eight-year-old Beau 'Dean and I came out of this divorce with a clean slate. Neither of us asked each other for anything,' she claimed. Spelling had requested for spousal and child support from McDermott, and her request was shown as 'ordered' in court documents. In her filing on November 3, she cited irreconcilable differences for their separation and listed their official date of separation as June 17, 2023. On her podcast, she said she and her ex intend to set 'a great example of how families can divorce, uncouple and lead by example and still be there for their family.' She emphasized that their children are 'the most important' thing to them. 'Dean and I will remain friends,' she continued. 'We get on better now than we did in our marriage. She insisted: 'We get along better now, uncoupled, unpartnered, just as two humans that are friends, that genuinely love and care about each other and care about our kids. 'There is nothing messy about it,' she added. She said that her ex-husband 'will always be one of my life partners.' 'He is my human of sorts, and I love him very much, and he loves me very much. And our children seeing that, it kind of takes the nasty connotation of divorce off the table.' Revealing Earth's subsurface: China's technological advancements in oil, gas exploration 10:48, November 11, 2025 By Ding Yiting ( People's Daily BGP Inc., a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), conducts high-precision seismic data acquisition operations on a plateau using controllable seismic sources. (Photo from Shiyou Zhenggong Yanjiu) Approximately 70 percent of China's undiscovered oil and gas resources are located in ultra-deep formations, complex geological structures, and unconventional fields. Locating and accurately mapping these resources presents significant technical challenges. Recently, People's Daily visited BGP Inc., a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), to explore how advanced geophysical technology is driving breakthroughs in exploration. According to Wen Jiamin, chief engineer at BGP Inc.'s geophysical research center, more than 95 percent of the world's oil and gas reserves have been discovered through seismic exploration, akin to conducting a CT scan of the Earth. Artificial seismic waves are generated to collect raw data, and the resulting data is processed into 3D imagery for geological analysis and identification of potential drilling sites. As exploration moves deeper underground, conventional seismic techniques face limitations in penetration and signal clarity. To overcome these challenges, BGP Inc. has developed wide-frequency, wide-azimuth, and high-density data acquisition technology and equipment. These innovations function much like advanced photography, capturing clearer, more comprehensive subsurface images through broader frequency ranges, multi-angle coverage, and high-resolution sampling. This capability requires robust equipment. At BGP Inc.'s simulated acquisition site, 30-ton broadband seismic source vehicles, independently developed by the company, use five-ton vibrators to generate deep-penetrating low-frequency signals. These extend the effective detection depth from around 5,000 meters to over 10,000 meters. BGP Inc., a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), uses a drone to collect data on hills. (Photo from Shiyou Zhenggong Yanjiu) Ma Lei, a senior expert at BGP Inc., highlighted the development of a new data acquisition system capable of recording up to 300,000 channels, up from 10,000, while increasing synchronization accuracy from milliseconds to microseconds. Once seismic data is collected, it must undergo extensive processing and interpretation. Transforming increasingly massive datasets, often several times larger than before, into clear, actionable geological imagery requires advanced, large-scale seismic processing and interpretation software. Historically, China relied on imported software for this critical task. In 2003, BGP Inc. Broke new ground by independently developing China's first large-scale integrated seismic data processing and interpretation software with proprietary intellectual property rights. In 2015, the company introduced an upgraded version, the world's first five-dimensional data processing and interpretation software, offering significantly enhanced functionality. Today, it stands among the world's three leading geophysical software systems. Photo shows acquisition equipment, source equipment, and mobile equipment of BGP Inc., a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), in an exploration project in Saudi Arabia. (Photo from the WeChat official account of Petroleum Business News) In recent years, BGP Inc.'s research and development team has integrated AI into the software to enhance accuracy and efficiency. One notable advancement is in velocity spectrum picking, a crucial step in data interpretation. Previously requiring up to two months of manual work, the process can now be completed within days or weeks using AI-assisted automation, greatly accelerating turnaround while enhancing data quality, according to Geng Weifeng, head of the company's AI research unit. Over the past five years, BGP Inc. has helped confirm domestic reserves of three trillion cubic meters of natural gas zones and 500 million tons of oil. The company has also supported the successful siting and drilling of China's two ultra-deep scientific exploration wells, each reaching depths of 10,000 meters. Internationally, BGP Inc. has delivered services to over 300 oil companies across more than 80 countries and has ranked first in annual operating revenue within the global geophysical services sector for several consecutive years. Photo shows a robotic dog of BGP Inc., a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). (Photo from the WeChat official account of BGP Inc.) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Images of Harry and Meghan taken at Kris Jenner's 70th birthday bash have mysteriously vanished from Kim Kardashian's Instagram. Despite the former working royals giddily being photographed outside the star-studded event over the weekend, confused fans took to Reddit to question why snaps of the pair from inside the party had disappeared. The deleted images included Kardashian and Meghan, 44, posing together while smiling for the camera, as the Duke of Sussex, 41, was seen chatting with someone in the background. Another picture was taken from behind Jenner as Meghan placed her hand on her shoulder, while Harry made a silly face toward her. Meanwhile, one deleted snap showed Meghan about to greet the boss of Netflix, Reed Hastings, with a hug. The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Kardashian and Jenner for comment and has yet to hear back. Images of Harry and Meghan taken at Kris Jenner's 70th birthday have mysteriously vanished from Kim Kardashian's Instagram - pictured is a deleted snap that resurfaced on Reddit The former working royals were giddily photographed outside the star-studded event on Saturday - yet candid snaps inside the party vanished from social media Commenters on Reddit were perplexed by the missing photos as one wrote: 'Why delete their pic, we saw them at the party?' 'The internet remembers,' one user wrote as another said: 'A bit cringe to accept the invite but not want your pics associated with attending (esp when there are pap shots of you going in or out).' A different Reddit user compared the soiree to 1925 tragic novel The Great Gatsby, which oddly enough was the theme for Jenner's 60th birthday bash. They wrote: 'All these folks, including harry and Meghan are tom and daisy Buchanans - if youve read gatsby you know what Im referring to. They always retreat back into their money.' Stars flocked to the exclusive event, which was held at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's $165 million Beverly Hills mansion. Harry wore a stern expression as he headed into the party while Meghan, holding his hand and trailing just behind him, was aglow with an ear-to-ear smile. Kardashian showcased her famous curves in a stunning, two-piece crop top and long skirt made up of sparkly gemstones (she is seen in an Instagram photo) Meanwhile, Harry stuck to the classic look of a black tuxedo and bow tie. He wore a poppy in honor of Remembrance Day, which senior members of the Royal Family commemorated at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday, while Meghan did not wear one Commenters on Reddit were perplexed by the missing photos Kardashian showcased her famous curves in a stunning, two-piece crop top and long skirt made up of sparkly gemstones. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not the only big names at the event as Jenner posed with Beyonce and enjoyed a dance session with Justin Bieber as she shared behind-the-scenes snaps from her Bond-themed bash. Jenner looked gorgeous in her tiered red gown, which she wore with long black gloves for the party. The celebrated momager also shared a photo of herself dancing up a storm with Bieber, who gave her a respectful bow on the dance floor. Jenner posed with Beyonce and enjoyed a dance session with Justin Bieber as she shared behind-the-scenes snaps from her birthday bash over the weekend (Tina Knowles seen left) The birthday girl proved she has the most star-studded contacts list in all of Hollywood with the party which was held at Jeff Bezos's $165 million mansion (seen with Bieber) Her photo with Beyonce featured the singer in a busty black minidress with a fur trim on the skirt. Also among the celebrity guests were Oprah Winfrey, Adele, Paris Hilton, Snoop Dogg and Gayle King, who were all dressed to the nines for the blowout. Several of the stars of Kardashian's new Hulu series All's Fair joined her to celebrate the big day, including Naomi Watts, Sarah Paulson, Niecy Nash and Teyana Taylor, as well as the show's creator, Ryan Murphy. Lucy Watson showed off her jaw-dropping figure in sizzling bikini snaps on Instagram as she enjoyed an idyllic 1,000 per night Maldives getaway on Tuesday. The former Made In Chelsea star, 34, looked sensational in a brown halterneck bikini and matching bottoms as she posed for a racy mirror selfie. Leaving her brunette tresses loose, Lucy flaunted her figure in the two-piece as she covered her face with her phone while snapping the photo. In another snap, the mother-of-one wowed in a checked black and yellow bikini as she relaxed on a boat during the holiday. The TV personality stunned in the triangle bikini top which she paired with an open white shirt, sunglasses and chunky gold earrings. The Renue founder revealed she was staying at the lavish five-star Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort with her husband James Dunmore and their 20-month-old son Willoughby. Lucy Watson showed off her jaw-dropping figure in sizzling bikini snaps on Instagram as she enjoyed an idyllic 1,000 per night Maldives getaway on Tuesday The former Made In Chelsea star, 34, looked sensational in a brown halterneck bikini and matching bottoms as she posed for a racy mirror selfie Elsewhere during the getaway, the reality star modelled a brown swimsuit as she posed for a mirror selfie before relaxing on a sun lounger sipping on a hot beverage. She wrote: 'morning routine in the Maldives with @jwmarriottkaafuatoll'. Lucy met husband James on Made In Chelsea in 2015 before tying the knot six years later in a stunning Greek ceremony and later welcomed their son in February 2024. Earlier this year, Lucy showed off her amazing figure in a brown lingerie set as she posed for a sizzling Instagram snap. The MIC legend looked incredible in the plunging 35 bralette and matching high-rise 20 briefs from her own brand Renue. Styling her long brunette tresses in a neat low bun, Lucy showed off her pout as she posed for the mirror selfie. It comes after Lucy opened up about her struggle to conceive her son Willoughby during an appearance on the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast earlier this year. Speaking to host Giovanna Fletcher, Lucy revealed she was 'definitely surprised' by how long it took her to fall pregnant. Elsewhere during the getaway, the reality star modelled a brown swimsuit The stunner relaxed on a sun lounger sipping on a hot beverage in the brown swimsuit The Renue founder revealed she was staying at the lavish five-star Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort with her husband James Dunmore and their 20-month-old son Willoughby Last week, Lucy stunned in a daring cut out swimsuit as she revealed she had landed in the Maldives for a family holiday She admitted: 'I found out that, on average, it takes a couple a year to get pregnant. And there was me thinking, "Two or three months, it will happen." When you're trying, every month feels like a year. 'You can have friends around you who got pregnant on their first try, and then you might have friends around you who are going through fertility issues. She recalled: 'My friends and I are very open with everything. I was probably one of the last ones to start trying. 'So a lot of my friends had already had their first or even their second. 50 per cent of my friends had it really easy, and then 50 per cent really struggled. Lucy continued: 'You never go into something thinking negatively, and thinking, "this is going to be really hard for me", but I did go into it open-minded and knowing that it could go any way. 'I think that's why I was very proactive with testing and getting everything checked after six months of trying. I was like, "I just want to check everything is okay because if its not, it could be years."' The reality star then went on to describe her fertility tests as 'invasive' and 'not enjoyable'. She added: 'I think it was every appointment I'd go into, there would be something negative that would be told to me, about me. 'It was a very anxiety-inducing time. A lot of tears, a lot of feeling sorry for myself and thinking, "Why me?". In retrospect, I actually had a really good journey, but you dont know what your journey is going to be like when you're in it.' It comes after Lucy opened up about her struggle to conceive her son Willoughby, whom she shares with husband James The influencer announced in September 2023 that she was pregnant with their first child as she posed with her husband James during their holiday in Mykonos. She showed off her blossoming baby bump in the snap and told how the former co-star couple were expecting their 'little miracle' after a three-year battle to conceive. Lucy announced to her followers that she had welcomed her first child in February, though she chose at the time not to reveal her son's name. She took to Instagram to share a sweet black-and-white snap of herself cradling the newborn, as her husband James planted a tender kiss on her forehead. Lucy captioned the heartwarming post: 'Hes here [heart emoji] 2/3/24' Her followers and friends were quick to send their congratulations, with her sister Tiffany writing: 'My beautiful nephew love him so much' Ben Affleck threw his head back while indulging in a cigarette outside the Sunset Tower Hotel in Hollywood, in a moment certain to become yet another meme. The actor's nicotine habit has been an Internet sensation ever since he was glimpsed looking miserable and exhausted while smoking on August 22, 2016. Affleck appeared to be puffing his cares away once again when he emerged from the Sunset Boulevard hot spot on Monday night. Wearing a three-piece suit with no tie and his top buttons undone, the Argo heartthrob was the image of shambolic end-of-the-night glamour. He occasionally held the cigarette in his mouth without using his hands, leaning back and looking up as he took a relaxing drag. Although he once quit smoking in 2005 with the help of a hypnotist recommended by his longtime pal and collaborator Matt Damon, he has long resumed the habit. Ben Affleck threw his head back while indulging in a cigarette outside the Sunset Tower Hotel in Hollywood, in a moment certain to become yet another meme Affleck smoked for 20 years, at one point enjoying a pack of cigarettes a day and describing the vice as 'part of who I was,' before he initially quit in 2005. The decision was prompted by the fact his wife at the time, Jennifer Garner, was pregnant with their first child Violet Affleck. Three years later, he revealed that he had given up smoking by attending hypnotherapy sessions at Damon's urging. 'You sit in, like, a Barker lounger and he sips water and just talks to you for an hour, and explains how nicotine is poison,' Affleck told Oprah Winfrey. 'All of a sudden, you thought: "This is asinine that I've been doing this to myself for all these years."' After quitting, he raved: 'I feel a huge difference in my health now that I don't smoke. I feel like I'm in better shape than I was five years ago.' However Affleck, who has also been candid about his past struggles with alcoholism, has been indulging in cigarettes again for the past several years. Last August, the day after Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from him on what would have been their second wedding anniversary, he was seen chain-smoking in his car. At the start of this year a source alleged that Affleck was attempting to give up smoking again and was toying with the idea of retrying hypnotherapy. The 53-year-old appeared as though he might be puffing his cares away once again when he emerged from the Sunset Boulevard hot spot Monday night Wearing a three-piece suit with no tie and his top buttons undone, the Argo heartthrob was the image of shambolic end-of-the-night glamour His nicotine habit has been an Internet sensation ever since he was glimpsed looking miserable and exhausted while smoking on August 22, 2016 (pictured) Last August, the day after Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from him on what would have been their second wedding anniversary, he was seen chain-smoking in his car; pictured 2021 'Ben was so happy 20 years ago when he quit. He swore he'd never go back, but here he is just as addicted as ever and desperate to stop,' said the insider. 'He hates the way it smells and knows it's terrible for his health, not to mention a terrible example for his kids,' the source added to Radar Online. 'He's really got only one vice left, the smokes, so no one wants to push him too hard to give that up since he's done so well staying sober,' the insider observed. 'But it's obviously not a good habit. Any time he feels stressed, he reaches for a cigarette, and he's stressed a lot.' A neurologist has reportedly concluded that Wendy Williams does not actually have frontotemporal dementia, two years after she was diagnosed with the condition. Williams, 61, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia in 2023, but has insisted shes not incapacitated and wants out of the guardianship, claiming shes being controlled against her will. Now, a neurologist has determined Williams does not actually have the disease after she underwent a series of tests in New York City, according to TMZ. The results were submitted to her legal team late last month. According to numerous experts the outlet spoke with, those with the condition never improve and only continue to decline. In contrast, the publication notes that Williams has demonstrated 'remarkable neurological resilience' since she became sober three years ago. Despite this, the guardianship persists. Williams' legal team will begin taking steps to terminate the guardianship in the next two weeks, according to TMZ. A neurologist has reportedly concluded that Wendy Williams does not actually have frontotemporal dementia, two years after she was diagnosed with the condition They will file legal documents with the court, clearing the path for a hearing in which they intend on asking the judge to end the legal arrangement. Williams' lawyer Joe Tacopina reportedly intends on demanding a trial by jury in which he will ask jurors to end the guardianship if the judge shuts down their initial request. The Daily Mail has reached out to Williams' court-appointed guardian Sabrina Morrisey and her lawyer Tacopina for comment. Williams recently attended the wedding of her lawyer's son Chris Tacopina, and was included in a post he uploaded celebrating the nuptials. In the final image of the carousel, Williams could be seen standing with the newlyweds and her proud attorney. She also attended the LaQuen Smith and Bach Mai fashion shows during New York Fashion Week in September. Williams' care team announced she had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia in 2024, saying she had undergone 'a battery of medical tests' before arriving at the diagnosis. She has been under a guardianship since 2022. Williams attended the LaQuan Smith fashion show during New York Fashion Week in September She recently attended the wedding of her lawyer's son Chris Tacopina, and was included in a post he uploaded celebrating the nuptials Williams' guardianship, which gave control of her personal and financial affairs to a court-appointed guardian, came after her bank flagged concerns about her mental health and potential financial exploitation. She is currently staying at the Coterie - an assisted-living facility in Hudson Yards, New York. Her stint at the facility more than two years after the dementia diagnosis comes at the say-so of Morrissey, her legal guardian. Williams spoke with The New York Magazine in a piece about her ire over her current living situation in the memory unit of the Coterie. The talk show legend provided the publication with a reasons why she thinks staying in a room at the Coterie makes for 'a f*****-up situation.' Williams, 61, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia in 2023, but has insisted shes not incapacitated and wants out of the guardianship, claiming shes being controlled against her will; pictured 2020 'Did you see the people? The elderly people? Why do I want to look at that?' Williams said. 'I cant tell you how many times Ive asked that I be moved from this floor.' She also said in a TMZ segment, 'This building is for people 60 and above. And I don't care that I'm 61 - I am gorgeous.' Williams said she has been keeping her spirits up by attending church services in Brooklyn regularly. 'It gives me faith,' she said, 'and keeps me very well in touch with God and myself.' The media personality, who was seen attending New York Fashion Week events last month, added, 'You know I've been out. So obviously I do go out.' The Young And The Restless star Camryn Grimes has married to voice actor Brock Powell. Over the weekend, the pair exchanged vows in a 'moody' and 'funky' wedding in New Orleans, three years after the pair got engaged and two years after they welcomed their first child together. The couple are parents to their toddler son named Bridger, whom Grimes gave birth to in December 2023 just four months after she announced her pregnancy. The pair opted for a destination wedding in Louisiana, inviting 75 of their closest family and friends for their 'adventure,' the couple told People following their nuptials on Saturday, November 10. The newlyweds joked that their wedding was 'a long time coming.' Grimes is best known for starring as Mariah Copeland on the long-running soap series The Young and the Restless. The Young and the Restless star Camryn Grimes is now married to voice actor Brock Powell; pictured in May 2022 Over the weekend, the pair exchanged vows in a 'moody' and 'funky' wedding in New Orleans three years after the pair got engaged and two years after they welcomed their first child together; pictured in September They celebrated with Grimes's uncle, Party Of Five actor Scott Grimes, as well as Hayley Erin, her longtime best friend and co-star on The Young And The Restless, and General Hospital alum Robert Palmer Watkins. They said they decided on New Orleans because they wanted to feel like they were 'on vacation with those closest' to them and that the city represented 'the intersection of a lot of different passions and loves.' The couple told the outlet that they chose the venue, The Columns Hotel, because the space 'spoke to' them and fit the sophisticated and spooky 'vibe' of what they wanted their wedding to be. 'It's a little moody, a little funky but at the same time very classy and historic,' the bride explained. For her white dress, Grimes wore a elegant two-piece outfit from KYHA Studios while the groom chose a dapper, forest green suit. The bride walked down the aisle to a Kingdom Hearts video game theme song before the pair exchanged vows with Bill Rogers, who is nicknamed The Voice of Disneyland, officiating. Then, they celebrated their nuptials with a New Orleans-style second line parade and freshly baked beignets. Their romance dates back to 2020 when they started dating after Grimes's co-star Bryton James introduced her to Powell to help her make a voice acting demo. The couple are parents to their toddler son named Bridger, whom Grimes gave birth to in December 2023 just four months after she announced her pregnancy The pair opted for a destination wedding in Louisiana, inviting 75 of their closest family and friends for their 'adventure' Grimes is best known for starring as Mariah Copeland on the long-running soap series The Young and the Restless; pictured in June 2022 The newlyweds joked that their wedding was 'a long time coming.' They started dating in 2020, got engaged in 2020 and welcomed their son together in 2023 She recalled how the beginning of their romance started during the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning they had to transition from FaceTime calls to face-to-face dating later on. 'We just started chatting and then it was just sort of like we never stopped talking, so it was endless FaceTime calls,' she told Soap Opera Digest in November 2023. 'It had been probably since high school where I'd wake up and wanted to talk to that person all day long until it was night,' she recalled. 'I don't even like talking on the phone and here I was, gabbing for hours and hours,' she continued. 'This went on for a few weeks until I realized, "Oh, I'm very drawn to this person." I was committed to being single and for the first time, I thought, "If I keep going down this path, then he's the one."' Two years later, Powell proposed to Grimes on her birthday in January. Reflecting on the moment he popped the question, Grimes admitted: 'Apparently I kind of blacked out. 'I mean, I remember the whole thing but watching the video back, everybody was making fun of me because the only thing that I was saying for a good five-to-10 minutes was, "Oh my God! Oh my God!" And so he had to ask a couple of times.' Kylie Jenner released her highly-anticipated single weeks ago and made her debut performance at her sister's recent bikini-filled birthday getaway. The 28-year-old cosmetics mogul - whose relationship with Timothee Chalamet has been called into question - serenaded sister Kendall Jenner for her 30th birthday with her hit track Fourth Strike. Kylie made sure that all eyes were on her as she showcased her stunning figure in a clinging black dress with cutouts at the side as the debut performance was documented by BFF Anastasia Karanikolaou on her YouTube Vlog. She put on her sultriest display as she sung along to the autotuned song - released under the name King Kylie in collaboration with Terror Jr - with the chorus that goes: 'Turn you on like a light (Like a light) / Then you miss me like a flight (Like a flight) / Messed up three times, it's alright (It's alright) / I'm on my fourth strike.' Birthday girl Kendall looked every bit the proud sister as she recorded the youngest sibling of the Kardashian-Jenner clan while she performed. The part of the clip was ended by pal Hailey Bieber also singing along to the song. Kylie Jenner released her highly-anticipated single weeks ago and made her debut performance at her sister's recent bikini-filled birthday getaway The 28-year-old cosmetics mogul serenaded sister Kendall Jenner for her 30th birthday with her hit track Fourth Strike After the single was released last month, Kylie revealed in an interview that shes been dreaming of making music her whole life. 'You know this is my dream, she said in the candid Q&A. Ive been talking about this since I came out of the womb... that like I wanted to be a pop star.' She continued, I just never had the confidence or I think turning 28 just does something to you. Like Im going to be 30 soon and I dont want to look back on life and have any regrets. And this is something Ive always wanted to try. Also featured in the Vlog was Hailey's husband Justin Bieber who made Kendall's milestone birthday one to remember serenading his longtime friend with a heartfelt song in front of her famous family and friends. The supermodel celebrated turning 30 with a lavish bash at a $125,000-a-week luxury villa on a private Caribbean island packed with beauty influencers and Kardashian-Jenner royalty. The emotional night saw momager Kris Jenner deliver a touching speech that left Kendall visibly moved, while sister Kylie performed a snippet of her new song in honor of the birthday girl. Kylie made sure that all eyes were on her as she showcased her stunning figure in a clinging black dress with cutouts at the side as the debut performance was documented by BFF Anastasia Karanikolaou on her YouTube Vlog She put on her sultriest display as she sung along to the autotuned song - released under the name King Kylie in collaboration with Terror Jr - with the chorus that goes: 'Turn you on like a light (Like a light) / Then you miss me like a flight (Like a flight) / Messed up three times, it's alright (It's alright) / I'm on my fourth strike' Birthday girl Kendall looked every bit the proud sister as she recorded the youngest sibling of the Kardashian-Jenner clan while she performed The part of the clip was ended by pal Hailey Bieber also singing along to the song After the single was released last month, Kylie revealed in an interview that shes been dreaming of making music her whole life But the showstopping moment came when Bieber joined by wife Hailey took the mic to dedicate his new track Devoted off his new Swag album to Kendall. 'This song is dedicated to Kendall tonight. Happy Birthday!' the Grammy winner announced, earning cheers as Kendall and Hailey sang along. The special moment was captured in a vlog shared by Kylie's best friend Anastasia 'Stassie' Karanikolaou, giving fans an inside look at the emotional celebration. Celebrating in style, the group reportedly held the birthday party at Tommy Hilfiger's $125,000-a-week villa on the private island of Mustique - which several celebrities have holiday homes on, including Mick Jagger and Shania Twain. Among Kendalls close friends joining the festivities were Fai Khadra, Renell Medrano, and Lauren Perez. According to reports, the Kardashians pulled out all the stops for Kendalls big day, treating guests to an extravagant feast and an 818-themed birthday cake. Partygoers were also said to be sipping on $500 bottles of 1995 Chateau Haut-Brion red wine a fitting nod to the year Kendall was born. Kendalls birthday celebration came just days before Kris own star-studded, James Bondthemed 70th birthday bash on Saturday. Meanwhile, Justin Bieber made Kendalls milestone birthday one to remember serenading his longtime friend with a heartfelt song in front of her famous family and friends The supermodel celebrated turning 30 with a lavish bash at a $125,000-a-week luxury villa on a private Caribbean island packed with beauty influencers and Kardashian-Jenner royalty The soiree was reportedly so loud that neighbors called the police several times throughout the night. According to TMZ, police were dispatched to Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's $165 million Beverly Hills estate on Saturday after nearby residents complained about loud music blaring from the A-list celebration. Sources at the party told the outlet that the noise 'was off the charts,' thanks to a live performance by Bruno Mars, which sent the glamorous crowd into a frenzy. Under California law, noise complaints are taken seriously, especially in residential areas like Beverly Hills, where city ordinances prohibit excessive sound after 10pm. Officers reportedly spoke with security and issued a warning, but that wasn't the end of it. Later in the night, police returned after learning that large decorative hedges had been placed outside the property to block off the street, a move that apparently required a permit the hosts didn't have. The fake greenery was ordered to be 'removed [just] as dozens of celebs were leaving the party.' 'This song is dedicated to Kendall tonight. Happy Birthday!' the Grammy winner announced, earning cheers as Kendall and Hailey sang along The emotional night saw momager Kris Jenner deliver a touching speech that left Kendall visibly moved The lavish soiree was thrown in honor of the Kardashian-Jenner matriarch's milestone 70th birthday, drawing a staggering list of Hollywood royalty. Among the guests were Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, Adele, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Paris Hilton, Snoop Dogg, Gayle King, Niecy Nash, Sarah Paulson and Naomi Watts, all dressed to the nines for the James Bondthemed blowout. While guests and attendees were allowed to film the party, insiders told People that no reality TV cameras were allowed inside, making it one of the few Kardashian celebrations not captured for The Kardashians. 'It was just all about celebrating Kris,' a source told the outlet. 'And it was everything you'd expect from Kris: over-the-top, glamorous and full of love from her family. It was obvious that she had the best night.' Chris Hemsworth's wife Elsa Pataky dressed to impress as she attended the launch of her new product in Spain on Tuesday. The actress, 49, put on a striking display as she posed solo in a white lace corset and matching-coloured flared pants. The Spanish model completed her look with a white blazer and left her long blonde locks out as she proudly held her new Forever by Elsa Pataky supplement product. Elsa tied her chic look together with a gold buckle belt, earrings and several gold bracelets. She let her natural beauty shine with a light rose shade on her lips and a naturally shaped brow. And while her Aussie A-list hubby Chris was nowhere in sight, Elsa still appeared to be in high spirits. Chris Hemsworth's wife Elsa Pataky (pictured) dressed to impress as she attended the launch of her new product in Spain on Tuesday The actress, 49, put on a busty display as she posed solo in a white lace corset and matching coloured flared pants The Thor star, 42, is currently on the Gold Coast filming his new movie Subversion. Chris was seen on set on Tuesday, shooting a submarine sequence for the upcoming American action thriller, directed by Patrick Vollrath. Elsa and Chris are certainly no strangers to spending time apart. Last month, she took daughter India, 13, on a luxe horse riding safari in Africa. 'Just returned from an 8-day horse riding safari with India, where we crossed the Namibia Desert, in Namibia, the oldest desert in the world,' Elsa wrote in her Instagram post. Elsa, an avid horse enthusiast, revealed the group averaged 40km daily, covering an impressive 320km overall. She continued: 'Days were filled with never-ending gallops, hikes up canyons, sleeping out under the stars and spotting desert oryx, zebra and chameleons.' Tagging Globetrotting Horse Holidays in the post, the cost of the safari, according to the provider, came in at a staggering $14,682 per person. The Spanish model completed her look with a white blazer and left her long blonde locks out as she proudly launched her Forever by Elsa Pataky supplement While her Aussie A-List hubby Chris Hemsworth (pictured) was nowhere in sight, Elsa still appeared to be in high spirits Elsa and Chris often spend long periods apart and go on separate trips with their children. The safari came after Chris and Elsa spent most of the European summer apart. Elsa was in her native Spain for weeks, filming her new TV series, Matices. Meanwhile, Chris travelled abroad, making a solo appearance at Wimbledons final day. Chris also enjoyed a beachside escape in Hossegor, France, with his longtime personal trainer and best mate, Luke Zocchi, while Elsa enjoyed her own holiday in her native Spain. They later reunited in July for the Thor star's new National Geographic series, Limitless: Live Better Now, with Tristan and Sasha, 11, in London. Grocery giants Walmart, Target and Aldi are boasting that their Thanksgiving meal deals are more affordable than ever but theyve quietly cut corners to get there. Retailers are doing exactly what their customers are: trading down to cheaper private-label items and trimming the menu so it has fewer products in the bundle. Walmart says its Thanksgiving basket now costs less than $40 and feeds ten people, compared to roughly $56 last year. But the cheaper feast comes with fewer dishes just 22 items this year, down from 29 in 2024 and a higher share of Walmarts own Great Value products instead of national brands. Last years version included both russet and sweet potatoes, a pre-made pecan pie, and two cans of mushroom soup. This years skips the pecan pie, drops the sweet potatoes, and cuts the soup cans in half. It also omits several extras from last year like miniature marshmallows, corn muffin mix, and fresh onions and celery while swapping pricier cranberry sauce for fresh cranberries. Aldi and Target have made similar changes, trimming their menus and leaning heavily on own-brand products to keep prices down. President Donald Trump, whose approval ratings on the economy have slipped, seized on Walmart's price cuts this week claiming they prove holiday costs are down 25 percent from a year ago. A customer browses Butterball turkeys at Walmart after the chain switched suppliers in a bid to keep costs down Walmarts $40 Thanksgiving basket feeds ten but includes fewer items and more of its own Great Value brand products than last year. Gone from this years meal are pecan pie, sweet potatoes, fresh onions and celery. The basket also cuts the number of mushroom soup cans from two to one and swaps cranberry sauce for cheaper fresh cranberries. When a reporter noted that the basket contains less food, Trump dismissed it as 'fake news.' Still, the scaled-back feasts reflect the pressure shoppers feel at the checkout. A NielsenIQ survey found that 58 percent of Americans are deeply worried about food prices, while 31 percent say they now prefer cheaper store brands. Food costs were up 2.7 percent in September compared with a year earlier, according to federal data, while consumer confidence dropped to its lowest level in three and a half years. 'People keep asking how to save money on food,' said Stew Leonard Jr, CEO of the Connecticut grocery chain that bears his name. 'One of the things we recommend is definitely exploring private label.' Aldi, long known for its discount approach, is offering a $40 Thanksgiving spread for ten down from $47 last year. The German chain swapped out Butterball turkeys for cheaper Jennie-O birds, saving roughly 30 cents a pound. Butterball is still available for 97 cents a pound for those willing to pay extra. Families across America are tightening their belts this Thanksgiving as grocery giants push lower-priced meal kits built around store-brand items Aldis $40 Thanksgiving dinner for ten leans heavily on its private-label goods after swapping out Butterball turkeys for cheaper Jennie-O birds Aldi also replaced a single pie crust with a frozen two-pack and shaved a few cents off carrots, potatoes and onions. Target's seven-item Thanksgiving kit has also gone more budget-friendly, swapping name brands like Del Monte and Campbell's for its own private labels. The Minneapolis-based retailer says its kit for four people costs under $20 about the same as last year and down on the $25 from 2023. A Target spokesperson said the lineup can vary depending on what customers want or what's in stock, and that most shoppers wait until the final week before Thanksgiving to buy their ingredients. Warren Buffett says he's 'going quiet' after nearly 60 years at the helm of Berkshire Hathaway but not before sharing one last folksy tale about how he once fingerprinted a group of nuns. The 95-year-old billionaire stunned Wall Street when he announced this summer that he will step down as CEO at the end of the year, handing control to his long-time deputy Greg Abel. Buffett said he won't write Berkshire's famous annual letter anymore, a tradition that began in 1965 and made him one of the most closely watched voices in business. But the 'Oracle of Omaha' isn't disappearing completely. He plans to keep in touch with shareholders through an annual Thanksgiving message and says he'll ramp up his philanthropy, giving away his remaining $149 billion stake in Berkshire Hathaway. 'As the British would say, I'm going quiet. Sort of,' Buffett wrote in a letter released Monday, which is his final as CEO of Berkshire. His farewell letter is classic Buffett funny, nostalgic and full of heart. While Buffett admitted that while he still feels good for his age, time is catching up. Father Time is undefeated, he wrote. When balance, sight, hearing and memory are all on a downward slope, you know hes in the neighborhood. Warren Buffett says he's 'going quiet' after nearly 60 years at the helm of Berkshire Hathaway Warren Buffett hands out a Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie Blizzard at a Dairy Queen in Omaha, Nebraska in 2008. Buffett owns Dairy Queen through his company Berkshire Hathaway, which acquired the company in 1998 for $585 million The boy who fingerprinted nuns Buffett said he is grateful and surprised to still be alive at 95 recalling how his life almost ended before it had really begun. In 1938, a family doctor sent him to St. Catherines Hospital in Omaha for an emergency appendectomy that saved his life. The experience left its mark. The young Buffett, nicknamed Skipper, entertained the nuns with endless chatter. His third-grade class wrote him get-well letters he admitted he probably threw away the ones from the boys but reread the girls notes again and again. The highlight came when he was gifted a fingerprinting kit. My wonderful Aunt Edie brought me a fingerprinting kit, and I promptly fingerprinted all of my attending nuns, he said. My theory totally nutty, of course was that someday a nun would go bad and the FBI would need the prints. Buffett fantasized that FBI Director J Edgar Hoover himself would come to Omaha to inspect his collection and together they would catch the wayward nun. I envisioned Mr Hoover himself coming to Omaha to inspect my collection, he wrote. National fame seemed certain. Obviously, it never materialized. He joked that he should have fingerprinted Hoover instead given how the FBI director ended up disgraced. Buffett paid tribute to his late business partner and friend Charlie Munger, calling him my best pal for 64 years Buffett, left, is seen here alongside his longtime business associate Charlie Munger who died in 2023. The pair are pictured together in 1959 Remembering Charlie Munger Buffett paid tribute to his late business partner and friend Charlie Munger, calling him my best pal for 64 years. For more than 60 years, Charlie had a huge impact on me and could not have been a better teacher or protective big brother, Buffett wrote. We had differences but never had an argument. Buffett also reflected on his early life in Omaha, where he grew up surrounded by people who would later shape his career and Berkshire Hathaways success. Buffett also paid tribute to other Omahans newspaper man Stan Lipsey, philanthropist Walter Scott Jr., and Don Keough, who rose from a coffee salesman to president of Coca-Cola. He recalled how Keough famously apologized to the public for New Coke, joking that letters addressed to Supreme Idiot began arriving at his desk until he reinstated the original formula. Like Charlie Munger, Don forever remained a Midwestern boy, enthusiastic, friendly and American to the core, Buffett wrote. Buffett taught at the University of Omaha in the 1950s and early 1960s Buffett is seen on a family holiday with his wife and three children in 1962 Buffett said he won't write Berkshire's famous annual letter anymore, a tradition that began in 1965 and made him one of the most closely watched voices in business. Pictured in 1984 The investor has long promoted a straightforward metric known as the Buffett Indicator Why Omaha made him who he is Buffett said he has spent his entire career within a few miles of where he was born and believes Berkshire and its people benefited from that. Looking back, I feel that both Berkshire and I did better because of our base in Omaha than if I had resided anywhere else, he said. Through dumb luck, I drew a ridiculously long straw at birth. He said Nebraskas heartland values, its schools, and its sense of community shaped his view of business and life. Even now, he still goes to the office five days a week. To my surprise, I generally feel good, he wrote. Though I move slowly and read with increasing difficulty, I work with wonderful people. Buffett confirmed that Greg Abel will take over as CEO at year-end, saying he has more than met the high expectations I had for him. Praise for his successor Buffett confirmed that Greg Abel will take over as CEO at year-end, saying he has more than met the high expectations I had for him. He understands many of our businesses and personnel far better than I now do, Buffett said. I cant think of a CEO, management consultant or academic I would select over Greg to handle your savings and mine. He acknowledged that Berkshires size will make future growth harder but said the company remains strong, stable and built to last for decades. Buffett also warned of the dangers of greed at the top of corporate America, saying envy and inflated pay have warped incentives. What often bothers very wealthy CEOs is that other CEOs are getting even richer, he said. Envy and greed walk hand in hand. His $149 billion farewell gift Buffett confirmed he will accelerate his lifetime giving, transferring most of his Berkshire fortune to his three childrens charitable foundations. He said they will have full freedom to act after his death and should not fear mistakes. They dont need to perform miracles, he wrote. They simply need to improve somewhat upon what generally is achieved by government activities or private philanthropy. He praised their instincts and said they had proven their judgment by managing smaller sums that grew to more than $500 million annually. All three like working long hours to help others, each in their own way, he said. Buffett confirmed he will accelerate his lifetime giving, transferring most of his Berkshire fortune to his three childrens charitable foundations. He is pictured in 2019 Happy Thanksgiving to all even the 'jerks' Buffett ended his final letter with personal advice simple, timeless, and unmistakably his. Dont beat yourself up over past mistakes, he wrote. Learn at least a little from them and move on. It is never too late to improve. He urged readers to choose their heroes carefully and live by the golden rule: treat others with kindness and humility. I wish all who read this a very happy Thanksgiving, he wrote. Yes, even the jerks; its never too late to change. A powerful car explosion near Delhis iconic Red Fort on Monday evening killed at least ten people and injured over 20 others, sending shockwaves through the nation and prompting global condolences. The blast, which occurred near Gate No 1 of the Red Fort metro station, caused a massive fire that engulfed several vehicles. Investigators have said preliminary evidence suggests a terror attack. Messages of sympathy and solidarity poured in from across the world as foreign governments, diplomats, and global leaders condemned the attack and expressed support for India. The United States Embassy in New Delhi said it was deeply saddened by the terrible explosion in New Delhi, offering condolences to the victims and their families. The embassy also issued a security alert advising American citizens in India to avoid crowded areas, especially around the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk, and to remain alert. British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron said her thoughts were with those affected by the tragedy and urged UK nationals in India to follow the guidance of local authorities. The British Government also updated its travel advisory for India in light of the incident. Argentinas Ambassador to India, Mariano Caucino, extended condolences on behalf of his government and people, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. French Ambassador Thierry Mathou also expressed grief, saying France stood in solidarity with India during this difficult time. The Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, conveying condolences to the families of the victims and praying for the recovery of those injured. The Bangladesh High Commissioner to India also expressed solidarity and condolences. In a post on X, the envoy said, I & Bangladesh High Commission colleagues deeply condole death of at least 10 Indians and many injured in this evenings car blast in Red Fort, Delhi. Our thoughts and prayers remain with all those impacted, including their families. Bangladesh stands by India at this distressful hour. He tagged the Ministry of External Affairs. Sri Lankas Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also reacted to the incident, saying, Shocked to hear about the terror attack in New Delhi. All should unite to eradicate the scourge of terrorism. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were impacted by this dastardly attack. The Embassy of Morocco, the Australian High Commission, and the Iranian Embassy joined other nations in expressing condolences and solidarity with India. Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that the explosion took place inside a Hyundai i20 car parked near a traffic signal close to the Red Fort. He said CCTV footage and forensic evidence are being examined as part of a comprehensive investigation. We are exploring all angles and will ensure that the findings are made public, he said. Emergency services responded swiftly to the blast, and the fire was brought under control after several hours of effort. Images from the scene showed charred vehicles, shattered windows, and thick smoke rising from the area, one of Delhis most popular tourist destinations. Security has been stepped up across the national capital, with additional personnel deployed at metro stations, airports, and key government buildings. Delhi Police and central agencies remain on high alert as investigations continue. As Delhi mourns the victims of one of the deadliest attacks in recent years, leaders and citizens worldwide continue to express solidarity, emphasizing the need for global unity against terrorism. A crude bomb exploded outside the head office of Bangladesh's Grameen Bank, founded by Muhammad Yunus, in Dhaka's Mirpur on Monday, police said. Two miscreants on a motorcycle arrived and hurled the crude bomb in front of the road of the Grameen Bank at around 3.45 am, a police official said. Nobody has been arrested yet, but by now we have launched a campaign to track down the miscreants, the officer-in-charge of Mirpur police station told reporters. The attack was one of the many instances of sporadic violence that have hit Dhaka amid brewing tensions in Bangladesh's political landscape. Early on Monday, unidentified men also exploded improvised bombs in front of a business outlet of one of Yunus' advisers and set two buses ablaze in the capital. Police said no casualty was reported in the attacks in front of Grameen Bank and the Prabartana a business owned by fisheries and livestock adviser Farida Akhter. Yunus, who is currently the Chief Adviser of the interim Government, founded the Grameen Bank in 1983 and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work in poverty alleviation and the empowerment of poor women through it. According to police, the explosions in Prabartana at the Mohammadpur area occurred around 7:10 am, when two motorcycle-borne miscreants hurled the crude bombs in front of the establishment, both of which exploded with loud bangs. One of the crude bombs also landed inside the premises of the outlet. Meanwhile, police said unidentified miscreants also exploded crude bombs at two places in the city's posh Dhanmondi area. Motorcycle riders detonated two bombs near Ibn Sina Hospital, said to be run by Jamaat-e-Islami, and another two in front of a major crossing. Separately, a 50-year-old man, listed gangster, was shot down in front of a hospital in the old part of Dhaka hours later. Police said they were looking for clues to identify his assailants. He had narrowly escaped an attack in 2023, three months before which he was released on bail after spending 26 years in prison, The Daily Star newspaper reported. The incidents came as police escalated their vigil, staging security drills across the city ahead of November 13, when Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) is set to fix the date for handing its verdict against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina after trial in absentia. The ICT-BD prosecution team demanded Hasina's capital punishment, particularly for her attempts to ruthlessly tame last year's violent student-led street protest dubbed the July Uprising, which toppled her Awami League regime. The Bangladesh capital has been witnessing frequent flash marches for the past several months when Hasina's now disbanded Awami League activists suddenly appear on the streets, stage processions and then disperse. Police said they arrested over 3,000 activists of the banned party until last month, and the figure increased as raids were carried out every day to arrest more. workers protest over unpaid wages Dhaka: About 100 Bangladeshi workers who were employed by Malaysian companies rallied Monday to demand unpaid wages, fair compensation and an end to alleged abuse by Malaysian employers. The Migrant Welfare Network, a Bangladeshi migrant group based in Malaysia and Bangladesh, organised the protest at the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka. The demonstrators said the event was organized to protest what they say is widespread mistreatment of migrant workers in Malaysia, one of Southeast Asia's richest nations. They demanded unpaid wages and compensation for 431 Bangladeshi workers they said were exploited by two Malaysian companies, Mediceram and Kawaguchi Manufacturing. The Associated Press could not immediately reach the companies for comment. Many factories in Malaysia and other Southeast Asia countries rely on migrant workers, often from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal, to fill labour-intensive jobs in manufacturing, plantations or construction. Local workers usually avoid such jobs because of their poor conditions and low wages. The Migrant Welfare Network urged Bangladeshi and Malaysian authorities and international buyers to take immediate action to ensure workers receive wages already owed, fair compensation and justice for systemic abuses. President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday left for Botswana on the second leg of her two-nation State Visit after concluding her trip to Angola, where she held discussions on expanding the economic ties beyond the traditional energy business. On the last day of her four-day State Visit to Angola, President Murmu attended the country's 50th Independence Day celebrations before moving to the Angola International Airport, where she was given a ceremonial farewell. Giving details of the visit, Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Sudhakar Dalela, said Angola has come forward to partner with India in some "very critical" areas like renewable energy, wildlife conservation and management, and biofuels, which are "very significant" outcomes of the president's visit to the African nation. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit Australia on Wednesday for the first time since taking office last year. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the visit Tuesday, but provided few details. Prabowo most recently visited Australia as minister of defence and president-elect in August last year. He was inaugurated that October. Albanese met Prabowo in Jakarta in May this year for the AustraliaIndonesia annual leaders' meeting during the prime minister's first overseas trip following his reelection that month. President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said India and Angola have extensive opportunities to deepen their economic ties by exploring avenues in various sectors, including digital technology, defence, agriculture and food processing. Addressing members of the Angolan Parliament on the third day of her state visit to the African country, Murmu said trade and economic co-operation are an important pillar of the bilateral ties between the two countries. There are vast opportunities available for cooperation between the two countries in digital technology, defence, agriculture and food processing. Going forward, we are committed to take benefit of these possibilities to deepen our economic relations, she said. The President added that the collaboration of the two nations in the energy sector is continuously making our economic ties stronger. Murmu is the first Indian President to visit the energy-rich country located along the Atlantic Ocean. She said the relations between India and Angola are based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit for the people of the two nations. Murmu said she was happy to note that the Angolan Parliament has 39 per cent women members, which is a true example of gender equality and inclusive governance. She recalled that India too has enacted a historic law providing one-third reservation to women in the Parliament and state assemblies. The President, before the visit to the Parliament, paid floral tributes at the memorial of Dr Antonio Agostinho Neto, the first President of the country, who played a prominent role in Angolas struggle for independence. She also visited the National Museum of military history located in the city. The President is on a four-day state visit to Angola, followed by a similar tour to Botswana between November 11-13. American Express (NYSE:AXP) was downgraded by research analysts at Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report issued on Sunday. Several other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of American Express from $375.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on shares of American Express from $371.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Monness Crespi & Hardt cut American Express from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of American Express from $330.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, HSBC set a $295.00 price target on American Express and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $332.65. Get American Express alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on AXP American Express Stock Performance Shares of AXP opened at $367.93 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $340.46 and a 200-day moving average of $315.45. American Express has a 1 year low of $220.43 and a 1 year high of $371.80. The company has a market cap of $253.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a current ratio of 1.61. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last issued 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 business had revenue of $18.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.03 billion. American Express had a net margin of 14.97% and a return on equity of 33.41%. The companys revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.49 earnings per share. American Express has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.200-15.500 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that American Express will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at American Express In other American Express news, CEO Stephen J. Squeri sold 112,272 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $329.86, for a total transaction of $37,034,041.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 92,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $30,614,306.60. This represents a 54.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Vice Chairman Douglas E. Buckminster sold 23,505 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $326.37, for a total transaction of $7,671,326.85. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 123,613 shares in the company, valued at approximately $40,343,574.81. This represents a 15.98% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders have sold 193,292 shares of company stock worth $65,363,878. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of American Express A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AXP. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its stake in shares of American Express by 24.4% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,481 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,924,000 after acquiring an additional 1,273 shares during the period. Kathmere Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in American Express by 5.3% during the 1st quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 1,886 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $507,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Fulton Breakefield Broenniman LLC boosted its position in American Express by 2.6% during the first quarter. Fulton Breakefield Broenniman LLC now owns 46,620 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $12,543,000 after purchasing an additional 1,198 shares during the period. Westmount Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 16.5% in the first quarter. Westmount Partners LLC now owns 3,322 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $894,000 after purchasing an additional 470 shares during the last quarter. Finally, TruNorth Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 82.0% in the first quarter. TruNorth Capital Management LLC now owns 162 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the companys stock. American Express Company Profile (Get 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Banco Santander Brasil (NYSE:BSBR Free Report) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report issued on Saturday morning. A number of other brokerages also recently commented on BSBR. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Banco Santander Brasil in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Banco Santander Brasil from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $5.35. Get Banco Santander Brasil alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on BSBR Banco Santander Brasil Stock Performance Banco Santander Brasil Increases Dividend NYSE:BSBR opened at $6.14 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $5.47 and its 200-day moving average is $5.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.28, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a current ratio of 1.37. Banco Santander Brasil has a 52-week low of $3.75 and a 52-week high of $6.17. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 23rd will be paid a $0.0983 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 23rd. This represents a $0.39 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.4%. This is a positive change from Banco Santander Brasils previous quarterly dividend of $0.07. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in shares of Banco Santander Brasil by 25.2% in the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 9,872 shares of the banks stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 1,986 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its holdings in Banco Santander Brasil by 48.9% during the 2nd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 11,617 shares of the banks stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 3,813 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in Banco Santander Brasil by 27.5% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 20,256 shares of the banks stock valued at $110,000 after buying an additional 4,372 shares in the last quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP grew its stake in Banco Santander Brasil by 40.9% during the second quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 18,910 shares of the banks stock worth $103,000 after buying an additional 5,490 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its stake in Banco Santander Brasil by 553.9% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 6,997 shares of the banks stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 5,927 shares during the last quarter. 14.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Banco Santander Brasil Company Profile (Get Free Report) Banco Santander (Brasil) SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to individuals, small and medium enterprises, and corporate customers in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through Commercial Banking and Global Wholesale Banking segments. It offers local loans, commercial financing options, development bank funds, and cash management services; export and import financing, guarantees, structuring of asset services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Banco Santander Brasil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Santander Brasil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Saturday. A number of other research analysts have also commented on BDX. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target 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 report on Wednesday, October 8th. Piper Sandler cut 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 report on Friday. Argus boosted their price objective on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $220.00 to $230.00 in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised 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. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $203.27. Get Becton Dickinson and Company alerts: View Our Latest Report on BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Performance NYSE:BDX opened at $181.62 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 1.10. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a fifty-two week low of $162.29 and a fifty-two week high of $251.99. The firm has a market cap of $52.06 billion, a PE ratio of 32.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.25. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $186.54 and a 200-day moving average price of $181.99. Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 14th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $5.32 billion during the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 7.51% and a return on equity of 16.23%. Equities research analysts predict 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 disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 8th will be given a $1.05 dividend. This is a boost from Becton, Dickinson and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 8th. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. Becton, Dickinson and Companys payout ratio is currently 71.36%. Insider Buying and Selling at Becton, Dickinson and Company In other Becton, Dickinson and Company news, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 217 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.58, for a total value of $38,317.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 35,816 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,324,389.28. The trade was a 0.60% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 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 transaction of $171,937.50. Following the sale, the director directly owned 22,226 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,167,375. The trade was a 3.96% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 1,249 shares of company stock worth $231,358. Company insiders own 0.36% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Becton, Dickinson and Company Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 15.4% during 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 purchasing an additional 4,305,947 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the second quarter worth approximately $653,377,000. First Eagle Investment Management LLC grew its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 59.2% during 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 buying an additional 3,268,478 shares during the period. GQG Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the first quarter valued at approximately $689,833,000. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 24.4% during the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 8,514,446 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,466,613,000 after acquiring an additional 1,670,590 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.97% of the companys stock. Becton, Dickinson and Company Company Profile (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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Becton Dickinson and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Becton Dickinson and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN Free Report) Stock analysts at William Blair increased their FY2025 EPS estimates for Devon Energy in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, November 7th. William Blair analyst N. Dingmann now expects that the energy company will earn $3.85 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $3.70. William Blair currently has a Outperform rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Devon Energys current full-year earnings is $4.85 per share. William Blair also issued estimates for Devon Energys Q4 2025 earnings at $0.76 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $5.39 EPS, FY2028 earnings at $6.00 EPS and FY2029 earnings at $6.13 EPS. Get Devon Energy alerts: Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The energy company reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $0.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.10 billion. Devon Energy had a net margin of 16.57% and a return on equity of 18.59%. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.10 EPS. A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the company. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and issued a $45.00 target price (up previously from $40.00) on shares of Devon Energy in a research report on Tuesday, July 22nd. Siebert Williams Shank lowered their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $52.00 to $46.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 13th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $43.00 to $37.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 17th. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Devon Energy from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $49.00 to $47.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $43.04. Read Our Latest Report on Devon Energy Devon Energy Stock Performance Shares of Devon Energy stock opened at $33.94 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The firm has a market cap of $21.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.01. The stocks 50-day moving average is $33.93 and its 200-day moving average is $33.29. Devon Energy has a one year low of $25.89 and a one year high of $39.74. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Devon Energy Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. TD Asset Management Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 6.4% during the 2nd quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 267,322 shares of the energy companys stock worth $8,504,000 after buying an additional 16,106 shares during the period. Savvy Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Devon Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $384,000. Greatmark Investment Partners Inc. lifted its position in Devon Energy by 7.9% during the first quarter. Greatmark Investment Partners Inc. now owns 476,687 shares of the energy companys stock worth $17,828,000 after acquiring an additional 35,060 shares during the last quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in Devon Energy during the first quarter worth approximately $515,000. Finally, Stephens Inc. AR boosted its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 90.4% during the second quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 72,546 shares of the energy companys stock worth $2,308,000 after acquiring an additional 34,448 shares during the period. 69.72% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Devon Energy Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. Devon Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.59%. Devon Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Eagle Ford, Anadarko, Williston, and Powder River Basins. The company was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Devon Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Devon Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Oppenheimer (NYSE:OPY Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Saturday morning. Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Oppenheimer in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Oppenheimer currently has a consensus rating of Buy. Get Oppenheimer alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Oppenheimer Oppenheimer Trading Down 0.4% NYSE OPY opened at $67.66 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $711.85 million, a PE ratio of 8.78 and a beta of 1.22. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $71.77 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $68.58. Oppenheimer has a 12 month low of $49.26 and a 12 month high of $79.99. Oppenheimer (NYSE:OPY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The financial services provider reported $1.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $424.44 million during the quarter. Oppenheimer had a net margin of 5.88% and a return on equity of 10.13%. Oppenheimer 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 paid a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Oppenheimers dividend payout ratio is presently 9.66%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. State of Alaska Department of Revenue bought a new stake in Oppenheimer in the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC purchased a new position in shares of Oppenheimer in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $49,000. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in shares of Oppenheimer in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $112,000. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Oppenheimer in the third quarter valued at approximately $185,000. Finally, Metis Global Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Oppenheimer during the third quarter valued at approximately $207,000. 32.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Oppenheimer (Get Free Report) Oppenheimer Holdings Inc operates as a middle-market investment bank and full-service broker-dealer in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The company provides brokerage services covering corporate equity and debt securities, money market instruments, exchange-traded options and futures contracts, municipal bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and unit investment trusts; financial and wealth planning services; and margin lending services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Oppenheimer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oppenheimer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TriNet Group, Inc. (NYSE:TNET Get Free Report) Director Paul Edward Chamberlain sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.81, for a total transaction of $34,686.00. Following the sale, the director owned 37,840 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,187,530.40. This trade represents a 1.56% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. TriNet Group Stock Performance TNET stock traded down $1.26 during trading on Monday, hitting $54.52. The company had a trading volume of 427,450 shares, compared to its average volume of 439,978. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $64.53 and a 200-day moving average price of $70.73. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.36. The firm has a market cap of $2.62 billion, a PE ratio of 20.12 and a beta of 0.84. TriNet Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $54.33 and a 1-year high of $98.51. Get TriNet Group alerts: TriNet Group (NYSE:TNET Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The business services provider reported $1.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.39. TriNet Group had a return on equity of 232.60% and a net margin of 2.64%.The company had revenue of $1.23 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $261.92 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.17 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. TriNet Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.250-4.750 EPS. On average, analysts expect that TriNet Group, Inc. will post 3.04 earnings per share for the current year. TriNet Group Dividend Announcement Institutional Investors Weigh In On TriNet Group The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 27th. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 1st were given a $0.275 dividend. This represents a $1.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 1st. TriNet Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 40.59%. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in shares of TriNet Group by 19.7% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,353,004 shares of the business services providers stock worth $157,392,000 after acquiring an additional 387,940 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in TriNet Group by 24.3% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,021,749 shares of the business services providers stock worth $160,203,000 after purchasing an additional 394,847 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in TriNet Group by 35.2% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,160,037 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $84,845,000 after purchasing an additional 301,832 shares during the last quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. increased its position in shares of TriNet Group by 10.4% in the third quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. now owns 715,840 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $47,883,000 after buying an additional 67,210 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of TriNet Group by 5.3% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 519,774 shares of the business services providers stock worth $41,187,000 after buying an additional 25,938 shares during the last quarter. 96.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have commented on TNET. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of TriNet Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research raised shares of TriNet Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. UBS Group lowered their price objective on TriNet Group from $69.00 to $63.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on TriNet Group from $75.00 to $65.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $67.33. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on TriNet Group TriNet Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) TriNet Group, Inc provides comprehensive and flexible human capital management services for small and medium size businesses in the United States. The company offers multi-state payroll processing and tax administration; employee benefits programs, including health insurance and retirement plans; workers compensation insurance and claims management; employment and benefits law compliance; and other HR related services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for TriNet Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TriNet Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 2.9% on Monday . The stock traded as low as $92.05 and last traded at $93.12. 9,758,068 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 41% from the average session volume of 6,909,068 shares. The stock had previously closed at $95.95. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $113.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Vertical Research reiterated a hold rating and issued a $103.00 price objective on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Bank of America dropped their target price on United Parcel Service from $83.00 to $81.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Barclays cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $90.00 to $80.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $109.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $110.00. Get United Parcel Service alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on United Parcel Service United Parcel Service Price Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $78.93 billion, a PE ratio of 14.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 1.11. The stocks 50 day moving average is $86.94 and its two-hundred day moving average is $92.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 1.30. United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The transportation company reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.31 by $0.43. The company had revenue of $21.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.94 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 40.07% and a net margin of 6.15%.United Parcel Services quarterly revenue was down 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.76 EPS. United Parcel Service has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year. United Parcel Service Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 17th. United Parcel Services payout ratio is 101.39%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other United Parcel Service news, Director Christiana Smith Shi acquired 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 22nd. The stock was bought at an average price of $88.17 per share, with a total value of $44,085.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $44,085. The trade was a 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. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd boosted its stake in United Parcel Service by 110.1% during the second quarter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd now owns 250 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Hemington Wealth Management increased its position in United Parcel Service by 68.9% during the first quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 282 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Salzhauer Michael purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the third quarter worth about $31,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About United Parcel Service (Get Free Report) United Parcel Service, Inc, a package delivery company, provides transportation and delivery, distribution, contract logistics, ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, and insurance services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of express letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for United Parcel Service Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United Parcel Service and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Magna International (NYSE:MGA Get Free Report) (TSE:MG) was upgraded by stock analysts at Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Sunday. Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Magna International from $53.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. TD Securities boosted their price target on shares of Magna International from $57.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. CIBC raised their price objective on shares of Magna International from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Magna International in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of Magna International from $40.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $48.57. Get Magna International alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on MGA Magna International Trading Down 1.4% Magna International stock opened at $49.19 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $46.52 and a 200-day simple moving average of $42.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.86 billion, a PE ratio of 11.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 1.59. Magna International has a 12-month low of $30.39 and a 12-month high of $50.35. Magna International (NYSE:MGA Get Free Report) (TSE:MG) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $1.33 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.24 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $10.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.03 billion. Magna International had a return on equity of 11.89% and a net margin of 2.91%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.28 earnings per share. Magna International has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Magna International will post 5.87 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Magna International Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MGA. ARGA Investment Management LP grew its holdings in shares of Magna International by 33.2% during the third quarter. ARGA Investment Management LP now owns 4,148,133 shares of the companys stock valued at $196,557,000 after buying an additional 1,033,747 shares in the last quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Magna International during the 3rd quarter worth about $33,593,000. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Magna International by 20.2% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,015,407 shares of the companys stock valued at $77,332,000 after acquiring an additional 338,470 shares in the last quarter. AGF Management Ltd. purchased a new position in Magna International during the 3rd quarter valued at about $14,191,000. Finally, Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec acquired a new position in shares of Magna International in the 1st quarter valued at about $8,416,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.49% of the companys stock. Magna International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Magna International Inc designs, engineers, and manufactures components, assemblies, systems, subsystems, and modules for original equipment manufacturers of vehicles and light trucks worldwide. It operates through four segments: Body Exteriors & Structures, Power & Vision, Seating Systems, and Complete Vehicles. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Magna International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Magna International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of WESCO International (NYSE:WCC Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Saturday. Several other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the company. KeyCorp lifted their price target on WESCO International from $258.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Barclays began coverage on shares of WESCO International in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. They issued an overweight rating and a $258.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on WESCO International from $225.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Loop Capital boosted their price target on WESCO International from $220.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Finally, Stephens lowered WESCO International from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and increased their price objective for the company from $190.00 to $200.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, WESCO International presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $248.89. Get WESCO International alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on WESCO International WESCO International Stock Up 2.1% WCC stock opened at $260.80 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $222.82 and a two-hundred day moving average of $201.01. The company has a market cap of $12.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.42, a PEG ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.79. WESCO International has a 12-month low of $125.21 and a 12-month high of $263.37. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 2.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. WESCO International (NYSE:WCC Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The technology company reported $3.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.75 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $6.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.91 billion. WESCO International had a net margin of 2.98% and a return on equity of 12.96%. WESCO Internationals revenue for the quarter was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.58 earnings per share. WESCO International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 13.100-13.600 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that WESCO International will post 13.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. WESCO International Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 12th were given a $0.4538 dividend. This represents a $1.82 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 12th. WESCO Internationals payout ratio is currently 14.20%. Insider Activity at WESCO International In related news, CEO John Engel sold 51,051 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $226.17, for a total transaction of $11,546,204.67. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 475,971 shares in the company, valued at $107,650,361.07. This represents a 9.69% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP James Cameron sold 10,325 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $226.45, for a total transaction of $2,338,096.25. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 45,706 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,350,123.70. This trade represents a 18.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 148,482 shares of company stock valued at $33,553,824. 3.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in WCC. Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of WESCO International by 6,769.8% in the first quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 456,290 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $70,862,000 after buying an additional 449,648 shares during the period. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. acquired a new position in WESCO International in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $75,136,000. River Road Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of WESCO International by 56.0% in the 2nd quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC now owns 605,918 shares of the technology companys stock worth $112,216,000 after acquiring an additional 217,417 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in shares of WESCO International by 21.2% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 309,081 shares of the technology companys stock worth $48,001,000 after acquiring an additional 54,046 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in shares of WESCO International by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 795,629 shares of the technology companys stock worth $147,351,000 after purchasing an additional 36,843 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.75% of the companys stock. WESCO International Company Profile (Get Free Report) WESCO International, Inc provides business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Electrical & Electronic Solutions (EES), Communications & Security Solutions (CSS), and Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS). Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for WESCO International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WESCO International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Palatin Technologies (PINK:PTNT Get Free Report) and Acerus Pharmaceuticals (OTCMKTS:TRLPF Get Free Report) are both small-cap medical companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, valuation, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership. Profitability This table compares Palatin Technologies and Acerus Pharmaceuticals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Palatin Technologies alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Palatin Technologies N/A N/A -365.57% Acerus Pharmaceuticals -254.66% -346.72% -94.54% Insider & Institutional Ownership 11.5% of Palatin Technologies shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of Acerus Pharmaceuticals shares are owned by institutional investors. 7.1% of Palatin Technologies shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Palatin Technologies 0 0 1 0 3.00 Acerus Pharmaceuticals 0 0 0 0 0.00 This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Palatin Technologies and Acerus Pharmaceuticals, as provided by MarketBeat. Palatin Technologies presently has a consensus price target of $350.00, suggesting a potential upside of 6,150.00%. Given Palatin Technologies stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Palatin Technologies is more favorable than Acerus Pharmaceuticals. Risk & Volatility Palatin Technologies has a beta of 0.87, suggesting that its stock price is 13% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Acerus Pharmaceuticals has a beta of 2.6, suggesting that its stock price is 160% more volatile than the S&P 500. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Palatin Technologies and Acerus Pharmaceuticalss gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Palatin Technologies $4.49 million 32.44 -$29.74 million ($1.55) -3.61 Acerus Pharmaceuticals $7.38 million 7.71 -$18.79 million ($0.08) -2.75 Acerus Pharmaceuticals has higher revenue and earnings than Palatin Technologies. Palatin Technologies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Acerus Pharmaceuticals, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Palatin Technologies beats Acerus Pharmaceuticals on 8 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. About Palatin Technologies (Get Free Report) Palatin Technologies, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, develops targeted receptor-specific therapeutics for the treatment of various diseases in the United States. The company's lead product is Vyleesi, a melanocortin receptor (MCr) agonist for the treatment of premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. It is also developing oral PL8177, a selective MC1r agonist peptide that is in Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. In addition, the company engages in the development of PL9643, a peptide melanocortin agonist active at multiple MCrs, including MC1r and MC5r for anti-inflammatory ocular indications, such as dry eye disease, which is in Phase 3 clinical trial; and melanocortin peptides for diabetic retinopathy. Further, it is developing PL8177, an oral peptide formulation for treatment of ulcerative colitis, which entered Phase 2 clinical trials. The company was founded in 1986 and is based in Cranbury, New Jersey. About Acerus Pharmaceuticals (Get Free Report) Acerus Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a specialty pharmaceutical company, focuses on the development, manufacture, marketing, and distribution of pharmaceutical products for men's and women's health. The company offers Natesto, a nasal gel for testosterone replacement therapy in adult males diagnosed with hypogonadism; Estrace, an oral tablet for the symptomatic relief of menopausal symptoms; and UriVarx, a natural health product that helps reduce symptoms of hyperactive bladder, such as daytime urinary frequency, urgency, and nocturia. It also engages in developing Lidbree, a short acting lidocaine formulation delivered through a proprietary device into the vaginal mucosal tissue; Stendra, a PDE5 inhibitor for the treatment of erectile dysfunction; Elegant vaginal moisturizer, which provides comfort to women suffering from vaginal dryness; and Elegant pH, a pH balanced vaginal product; Gynoflor, an ultra-low dose vaginal estrogen combined with a probiotic for the treatment of vaginal atrophy, restoration of vaginal flora, and treatment of certain vaginal infections; and Tefina, a clinical stage product for women with female sexual dysfunction. Acerus Pharmaceuticals Corporation sells products through its salesforce in Canada; and through a network of licensed distributors in the United States and internationally. The company was formerly known as Trimel Pharmaceuticals Corporation and changed its name to Acerus Pharmaceuticals Corporation in September 2015. Acerus Pharmaceuticals Corporation was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Mississauga, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Palatin Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Palatin Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Montag A & Associates Inc. reduced its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 12.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,950 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 2,752 shares during the period. Montag A & Associates Inc.s holdings in American Express were worth $6,364,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Nuveen LLC bought a new position in American Express during the 1st quarter worth $1,454,667,000. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in American Express by 13.7% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 18,025,562 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $4,849,777,000 after buying an additional 2,168,445 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of American Express by 25.5% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,752,690 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $1,278,711,000 after acquiring an additional 965,221 shares during the period. Provident Trust Co. boosted its holdings in shares of American Express by 136.6% during the second quarter. Provident Trust Co. now owns 1,108,971 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $353,740,000 after acquiring an additional 640,214 shares during the period. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of American Express by 1.3% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 45,843,893 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $12,334,299,000 after acquiring an additional 605,900 shares during the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get American Express alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades AXP has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of American Express from $330.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on American Express from $375.00 to $395.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings cut American Express from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research report on Friday. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on American Express from $330.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Finally, HSBC set a $295.00 price target on American Express and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $332.65. Insider Activity at American Express In other news, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $360.21, for a total transaction of $18,010,500.00. Following the sale, the chief marketing officer owned 85,577 shares in the company, valued at $30,825,691.17. The trade was a 36.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Douglas Tabish sold 2,515 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.61, for a total transaction of $894,359.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 2,515 shares of the companys stock, valued at $894,359.15. This represents a 50.00% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 193,292 shares of company stock valued at $65,363,878. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock. American Express Stock Performance NYSE:AXP opened at $367.93 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $340.46 and a 200-day moving average of $315.45. The firm has a market cap of $253.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a current ratio of 1.61, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. American Express Company has a twelve month low of $220.43 and a twelve month high of $371.80. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The payment services company reported $4.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.98 by $0.16. American Express had a net margin of 14.97% and a return on equity of 33.41%. The business had revenue of $18.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.03 billion. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.49 earnings per share. American Express has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.200-15.500 EPS. Analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. American Express Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 10th were issued a dividend of $0.82 per share. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. American Expresss payout ratio is presently 22.01%. About American Express (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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AXP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Express Company (NYSE:AXP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (NYSE:ACRE Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of Reduce from the six brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and five have given a hold recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $4.8333. Several equities research analysts have recently commented on ACRE shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate from $4.25 to $4.50 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Zacks Research raised Ares Commercial Real Estate to a hold rating in a report on Monday, August 11th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered Ares Commercial Real Estate from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on Ares Commercial Real Estate from $5.00 to $4.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Get Ares Commercial Real Estate alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Ares Commercial Real Estate Ares Commercial Real Estate Stock Down 5.9% Shares of ACRE opened at $4.76 on Thursday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $4.68 and its 200 day moving average is $4.64. Ares Commercial Real Estate has a 12-month low of $3.35 and a 12-month high of $7.49. The stock has a market cap of $261.82 million, a P/E ratio of -14.00 and a beta of 1.34. Ares Commercial Real Estate (NYSE:ACRE Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.08 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.09) by $0.17. Ares Commercial Real Estate had a negative net margin of 29.57% and a negative return on equity of 5.44%. The business had revenue of $5.63 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.35 million. On average, analysts expect that Ares Commercial Real Estate will post -0.34 EPS for the current year. Ares Commercial Real Estate Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 12.6%. Ares Commercial Real Estates dividend payout ratio is presently -176.47%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. GSA Capital Partners LLP grew its position in Ares Commercial Real Estate by 8.2% in the 3rd quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 203,470 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $918,000 after purchasing an additional 15,497 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate by 2.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,110,321 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $14,028,000 after buying an additional 74,453 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 376,815 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,699,000 after buying an additional 14,586 shares during the last quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S grew its holdings in shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate by 24.4% in the third quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S now owns 564,209 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,545,000 after acquiring an additional 110,505 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Penserra Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Ares Commercial Real Estate by 3.5% during the third quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 234,869 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,059,000 after acquiring an additional 7,950 shares during the last quarter. 41.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Ares Commercial Real Estate (Get Free Report) Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation, a specialty finance company, originates and invests in commercial real estate (CRE) loans and related investments in the United States. It provides a range of financing solutions for the owners, operators, and sponsors of CRE properties. The company originates senior mortgage loans, subordinate debt and preferred equity products, mezzanine loans, and other CRE investments, including commercial mortgage-backed securities. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Ares Commercial Real Estate Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ares Commercial Real Estate and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aviva PLC increased its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. (NYSE:MTD Free Report) by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 16,014 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after buying an additional 799 shares during the quarter. Aviva PLCs holdings in Mettler-Toledo International were worth $18,812,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of MTD. Brooklyn Investment Group lifted its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 12.8% during the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 88 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $104,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the period. Sax Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Mettler-Toledo International by 2.8% during the second quarter. Sax Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 372 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $437,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the period. Penserra Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International by 10.7% in the second quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 114 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $133,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares during the last quarter. Horizon Investments LLC grew its position in Mettler-Toledo International by 4.2% in the 1st quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 299 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $353,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares during the period. Finally, Apollon Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Mettler-Toledo International by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 349 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $410,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.07% of the companys stock. Get Mettler-Toledo International alerts: Mettler-Toledo International Trading Down 0.4% Mettler-Toledo International stock opened at $1,433.54 on Tuesday. Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $946.69 and a 12-month high of $1,454.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.30, a P/E/G ratio of 4.19 and a beta of 1.41. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $1,323.11 and a 200 day moving average of $1,240.69. Insider Buying and Selling Mettler-Toledo International ( NYSE:MTD Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The medical instruments supplier reported $11.15 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.62 by $0.53. The business had revenue of $1.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $997.36 million. Mettler-Toledo International had a net margin of 21.46% and a negative return on equity of 476.07%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $10.21 earnings per share. Mettler-Toledo International has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 12.680-12.880 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 42.050-42.250 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. will post 42.71 EPS for the current year. In other Mettler-Toledo International news, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 300 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,325.00, for a total value of $397,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 5,095 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,750,875. This represents a 5.56% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Gerry Keller sold 165 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,308.64, for a total value of $215,925.60. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 94 shares in the company, valued at approximately $123,012.16. This represents a 63.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders sold 1,527 shares of company stock valued at $1,994,981. Company insiders own 1.94% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets MTD has been the topic of a number of research reports. Citigroup raised their price target on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,600.00 to $1,700.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday. Barclays increased their target price on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,350.00 to $1,600.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday. Bank of America boosted their price target on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,260.00 to $1,390.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,450.00 to $1,600.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,210.00 to $1,230.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, August 4th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $1,406.50. View Our Latest Research Report on Mettler-Toledo International Mettler-Toledo International Company Profile (Free Report) Mettler-Toledo International Inc manufactures and supplies precision instruments and services in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through five segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. The companys laboratory instruments include laboratory balances, liquid pipetting solutions, automated laboratory reactors, real-time analytics, titrators, pH meters, process analytics sensors and analyzer technologies, physical value analyzers, density and refractometry, thermal analysis systems, and other analytical instruments; and LabX, a laboratory software platform to manage and analyze data generated from its instruments. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MTD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. (NYSE:MTD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Mettler-Toledo International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mettler-Toledo International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aviva PLC grew its stake in Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM Free Report) by 6.5% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 45,475 shares of the construction companys stock after buying an additional 2,771 shares during the quarter. Aviva PLCs holdings in Martin Marietta Materials were worth $24,964,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its position in Martin Marietta Materials by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,205 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $661,000 after acquiring an additional 21 shares in the last quarter. CVA Family Office LLC raised its stake in shares of Martin Marietta Materials by 21.4% in the 2nd quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 125 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $69,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares during the period. NewSquare Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Martin Marietta Materials by 62.2% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 60 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the period. Valley National Advisers Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Martin Marietta Materials by 25.8% in the second quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 122 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $66,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Trust Investment Advisors boosted its position in shares of Martin Marietta Materials by 1.4% during the first quarter. Trust Investment Advisors now owns 1,843 shares of the construction companys stock worth $881,000 after buying an additional 26 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 95.04% of the companys stock. Get Martin Marietta Materials alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on MLM shares. Barclays lifted their target price on Martin Marietta Materials from $600.00 to $675.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Martin Marietta Materials from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Saturday. Royal Bank Of Canada restated 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. DA Davidson set a $690.00 price target on shares of Martin Marietta Materials in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Martin Marietta Materials from $609.00 to $637.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $632.88. Martin Marietta Materials Trading Up 1.0% Shares of NYSE:MLM opened at $616.94 on Tuesday. Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. has a 52-week low of $441.95 and a 52-week high of $665.18. The company has a market capitalization of $37.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.57 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $621.69 and a 200 day simple moving average of $584.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a current ratio of 2.35. Martin Marietta Materials (NYSE:MLM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The construction company reported $5.97 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $6.62 by ($0.65). The business had revenue of $1.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.06 billion. Martin Marietta Materials had a return on equity of 11.88% and a net margin of 16.47%. Martin Marietta Materials has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. will post 19.53 earnings per share for the current year. Martin Marietta Materials Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.83 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. This is a positive change from Martin Marietta Materialss previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. Martin Marietta Materialss payout ratio is 17.50%. Martin Marietta Materials Profile (Free Report) 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MLM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Martin Marietta Materials Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Martin Marietta Materials and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banco Comercial Portugues (OTCMKTS:BPCGY Get Free Report) is one of 86 public companies in the BANKS FOREIGN industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare Banco Comercial Portugues to related businesses based on the strength of its institutional ownership, earnings, profitability, dividends, risk, valuation and analyst recommendations. Dividends Banco Comercial Portugues pays an annual dividend of $0.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Banco Comercial Portugues pays out 17.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BANKS FOREIGN companies pay a dividend yield of 3.2% and pay out 36.2% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Get Banco Comercial Portugues alerts: Profitability This table compares Banco Comercial Portugues and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Banco Comercial Portugues 15.89% 9.44% 0.76% Banco Comercial Portugues Competitors 17.40% 12.84% 1.08% Valuation & Earnings Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Banco Comercial Portugues $5.82 billion $980.79 million 9.64 Banco Comercial Portugues Competitors $1,364.82 billion $6.67 billion 12.01 This table compares Banco Comercial Portugues and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Banco Comercial Portugues peers have higher revenue and earnings than Banco Comercial Portugues. Banco Comercial Portugues is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings for Banco Comercial Portugues and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Banco Comercial Portugues 0 1 0 1 3.00 Banco Comercial Portugues Competitors 1301 4255 4554 255 2.36 As a group, BANKS FOREIGN companies have a potential upside of 8.62%. Given Banco Comercial Portugues peers higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Banco Comercial Portugues has less favorable growth aspects than its peers. Insider & Institutional Ownership 22.9% of shares of all BANKS FOREIGN companies are owned by institutional investors. 5.1% of shares of all BANKS FOREIGN companies are owned 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. Volatility & Risk Banco Comercial Portugues has a beta of 0.22, indicating that its stock price is 78% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Banco Comercial Portugues peers have a beta of 0.78, indicating that their average stock price is 22% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Banco Comercial Portugues peers beat Banco Comercial Portugues on 12 of the 15 factors compared. Banco Comercial Portugues Company Profile (Get Free Report) Banco Comercial Portugues, S.A., a private sector bank, engages in the provision of various banking and financial products and services in Portugal and internationally. It operates through Retail Banking; Companies, Corporate & Investment Banking; Private Banking; Foreign Business; and Other segments. It offers a range of financial products and services, including current accounts, payment systems, savings and investment products, private banking, asset management, and investment banking services, such as mortgage loans, personal loans, commercial banking, leasing, factoring and insurance, and others. The company is also involved in the provision of investment fund and real estate management, e-commerce, web portal, real estate investment fund, trade finance, trust, consulting, brokerage, marketing, and real estate services, as well as internet, telephone, and mobile banking services. Banco Comercial Portugues, S.A. was incorporated in 1985 and is based in Porto, Portugal. Receive News & Ratings for Banco Comercial Portugues Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Comercial Portugues and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banco De Chile (NYSE:BCH Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by investment analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from $31.00 to $35.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the banks stock. The Goldman Sachs Groups price target would suggest a potential downside of 4.23% from the stocks previous close. Several other analysts also recently weighed in on BCH. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Banco De Chile from $30.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Banco De Chile from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, September 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Banco De Chile in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Banco De Chile from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Banco De Chile presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $34.00. Get Banco De Chile alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on BCH Banco De Chile Stock Performance Shares of Banco De Chile stock traded up $0.06 on Tuesday, reaching $36.55. The stock had a trading volume of 136,632 shares, compared to its average volume of 304,424. Banco De Chile has a fifty-two week low of $22.06 and a fifty-two week high of $36.95. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $31.75 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $30.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.53. The stock has a market cap of $18.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 0.28. Banco De Chile (NYSE:BCH Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The bank reported $0.60 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.62 by ($0.02). Banco De Chile had a return on equity of 23.25% and a net margin of 32.87%.The firm had revenue of $675.26 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $831.97 million. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Banco De Chile will post 2.31 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Banco De Chile Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. bought a new position in shares of Banco De Chile during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $288,000. Profund Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Banco De Chile by 5.5% in the 3rd quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 10,443 shares of the banks stock worth $316,000 after purchasing an additional 543 shares during the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its position in shares of Banco De Chile by 222.7% during the 3rd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 8,110 shares of the banks stock worth $246,000 after purchasing an additional 5,597 shares in the last quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH acquired a new position in Banco De Chile in the third quarter valued at about $757,000. Finally, Truxt Investmentos Ltda. bought a new stake in Banco De Chile during the third quarter worth about $2,114,000. 1.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Banco De Chile (Get Free Report) Banco de Chile, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking services to customers in Chile. The company offers checking and debit accounts, debit and credit cards, and lines of credit; mortgage, consume, commercial, general purpose mortgage loans, and finance leases; and factoring services, mutual fund management, stock brokerage, foreign trade, payments and collections, insurance brokerage, including life and general insurance, as well as time deposits, savings instruments, and foreign currency services through branches under the Banco de Chile and Banco Edwards brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Banco De Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco De Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aviva PLC raised its position in Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE:BAM Free Report) (TSE:BAM.A) by 1,791.9% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 294,783 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 279,202 shares during the period. Aviva PLCs holdings in Brookfield Asset Management were worth $16,313,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp raised its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 975.9% in the first quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 1,765,220 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $85,463,000 after buying an additional 1,601,155 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 461.5% during the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,722,683 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $83,464,000 after acquiring an additional 1,415,866 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its holdings in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 58.9% in the first quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 3,360,125 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $163,354,000 after purchasing an additional 1,246,011 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its position in Brookfield Asset Management by 107.4% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 2,363,192 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $114,497,000 after purchasing an additional 1,224,012 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AGF Management Ltd. raised its stake in Brookfield Asset Management by 60.5% during the first quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 1,603,608 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $77,742,000 after purchasing an additional 604,395 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.41% of the companys stock. Get Brookfield Asset Management alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have recently weighed in on BAM. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Brookfield Asset Management in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on Brookfield Asset Management from $62.00 to $59.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on Brookfield Asset Management from $74.00 to $76.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a $58.00 price target on shares of Brookfield Asset Management in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on Brookfield Asset Management from $53.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $64.23. Brookfield Asset Management Stock Up 0.8% NYSE:BAM opened at $53.45 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. The stocks fifty day moving average is $56.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $57.42. Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. has a 52 week low of $41.78 and a 52 week high of $64.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $87.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.38. Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM Get Free Report) (TSE:BAM.A) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.39 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $1.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.34 billion. Brookfield Asset Management had a return on equity of 41.12% and a net margin of 55.92%. Research analysts anticipate that Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. will post 1.7 EPS for the current year. Brookfield Asset Management Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a $0.4375 dividend. This represents a $1.75 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. Brookfield Asset Managements payout ratio is currently 109.38%. Brookfield Asset Management Company Profile (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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE:BAM Free Report) (TSE:BAM.A). Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Asset Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Asset Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (NYSE:BIP Get Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) has earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the nine analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have issued a hold recommendation, four have given a buy recommendation and two have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $40.4286. A number of brokerages recently issued reports on BIP. National Bankshares set a $35.00 price objective on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, September 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $40.00 target price on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d+) rating on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, National Bank Financial raised shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Get Brookfield Infrastructure Partners alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on BIP Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Stock Up 1.5% A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Addenda Capital Inc. increased its stake in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 13.5% in the second quarter. Addenda Capital Inc. now owns 704,591 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $23,604,000 after purchasing an additional 83,770 shares in the last quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. boosted its position in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 99.5% during the 2nd quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. now owns 47,294 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,581,000 after purchasing an additional 23,582 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 18.2% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 89,377 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,663,000 after purchasing an additional 13,788 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 248.1% in the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 7,807 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $262,000 after buying an additional 5,564 shares during the period. Finally, BROOKFIELD Corp ON increased its position in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 3.5% in the 1st quarter. BROOKFIELD Corp ON now owns 4,686,497 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $139,611,000 after buying an additional 158,881 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.92% of the companys stock. Shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners stock opened at $35.74 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $33.06 and a 200-day simple moving average of $32.39. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners has a 52-week low of $25.72 and a 52-week high of $36.10. The firm has a market cap of $16.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 714.94 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.85. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE:BIP Get Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) last posted its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The utilities provider reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.86 by ($0.42). Brookfield Infrastructure Partners had a net margin of 1.54% and a return on equity of 1.15%. The business had revenue of $5.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.05 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.76 earnings per share. Brookfield Infrastructure Partnerss revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Brookfield Infrastructure Partners will post 3.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. Brookfield Infrastructure Partnerss payout ratio is currently 256.72%. About Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:CX Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $10.47 and last traded at $10.4650, with a volume of 637009 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $10.35. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In CX has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Cemex from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the company from $8.10 to $10.50 in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. Barclays increased their target price on Cemex from $10.00 to $12.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on Cemex from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Cemex in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded shares of Cemex from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $10.00 to $10.80 in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Cemex currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $10.14. Get Cemex alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on CX Cemex Stock Up 1.2% The firm has a market cap of $15.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.25, a PEG ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.91. The businesss 50-day moving average is $9.46 and its 200-day moving average is $8.15. Cemex (NYSE:CX Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The construction company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.01 by $0.15. Cemex had a net margin of 8.62% and a return on equity of 6.85%. The company had revenue of $230.56 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $226.73 million. On average, equities analysts predict that Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. will post 0.69 EPS for the current year. Cemex Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 25th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 17th were given a dividend of $0.0224 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, September 17th. This represents a $0.09 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. Cemexs dividend payout ratio is 9.68%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cemex Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CX. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Cemex by 137.9% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 31,252 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $175,000 after purchasing an additional 18,114 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Cemex by 7.8% during the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 772,764 shares of the construction companys stock worth $4,335,000 after acquiring an additional 55,964 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP lifted its stake in Cemex by 7.4% in the first quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 27,651 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $157,000 after acquiring an additional 1,906 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its position in shares of Cemex by 21.2% in the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 42,625 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $239,000 after acquiring an additional 7,466 shares during the period. Finally, South Dakota Investment Council increased its stake in shares of Cemex by 4.5% during the 1st quarter. South Dakota Investment Council now owns 978,919 shares of the construction companys stock worth $5,492,000 after purchasing an additional 42,600 shares during the last quarter. 82.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Cemex (Get Free Report) CEMEX, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, produces, markets, distributes, and sells cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, urbanization solutions, and other construction materials and services worldwide. The company offers gray ordinary portland, white portland, oil-well, and blended cement products; mortar; and standard ready-mix, architectural and decorative, rapid-setting, fiber-reinforced, fluid-fill, roller-compacted, self-consolidating, pervious, and antibacterial, and other concrete products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Cemex Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cemex and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Central Japan Railway Co. (OTCMKTS:CJPRY Get Free Report) shares gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $13.3550, but opened at $12.76. Central Japan Railway shares last traded at $12.82, with a volume of 4,199 shares changing hands. Central Japan Railway Stock Down 4.0% The company has a current ratio of 2.91, a quick ratio of 2.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $13.82 and a 200 day simple moving average of $12.26. The company has a market cap of $25.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.16 and a beta of 0.27. Get Central Japan Railway alerts: Central Japan Railway (OTCMKTS:CJPRY Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.01. Central Japan Railway had a net margin of 27.03% and a return on equity of 11.33%. The firm had revenue of $3.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.23 billion. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Central Japan Railway Co. will post 1.35 EPS for the current year. Central Japan Railway Company Profile Central Japan Railway Company engages in the railway and related businesses in Japan. The company operates through Transportation, Merchandise and Other, Real Estate, and Other segments. It primarily operates Tokaido Shinkansen, a transportation artery that links metropolitan areas of Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, as well as a network of 12 conventional lines centered on the Nagoya and Shizuoka areas. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Central Japan Railway Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Central Japan Railway and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU Get Free Report) shares gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $290.20, but opened at $279.07. Centrus Energy shares last traded at $268.2780, with a volume of 267,364 shares trading hands. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Centrus Energy from $275.00 to $245.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Centrus Energy from $251.00 to $252.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Bank of America reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $285.00 price target (up from $210.00) on shares of Centrus Energy in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. UBS Group upgraded Centrus Energy to a hold rating and set a $215.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Finally, Northland Securities set a $275.00 price objective on shares of Centrus Energy in a report on Thursday, August 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Centrus Energy has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $224.60. Get Centrus Energy alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Centrus Energy Centrus Energy Trading Down 4.3% The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.09, a quick ratio of 2.46 and a current ratio of 2.93. The company has a market cap of $5.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 62.80 and a beta of 1.56. The companys fifty day moving average is $314.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $216.91. Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.19 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.36 by ($0.17). Centrus Energy had a net margin of 16.56% and a return on equity of 84.09%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned ($0.30) earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 29.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Centrus Energy Corp. will post 2.63 EPS for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Centrus Energy A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Stone House Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Centrus Energy during the first quarter worth about $28,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in Centrus Energy by 157.7% in the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 183 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. USA Financial Formulas acquired a new stake in shares of Centrus Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Harbour Investments Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Centrus Energy by 1,181.3% during the 2nd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 205 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 189 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC lifted its stake in shares of Centrus Energy by 54.9% in the 3rd quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 127 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.96% of the companys stock. About Centrus Energy (Get Free Report) Centrus Energy Corp. supplies nuclear fuel components and services for the nuclear power industry in the United States, Belgium, Japan, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) and Technical Solutions. The LEU segment sells separative work units (SWU) components of LEU; natural uranium hexafluoride, uranium concentrates, and uranium conversion; and enriched uranium products to utilities that operate nuclear power plants. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Centrus Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Centrus Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of China Yuchai International (NYSE:CYD Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Saturday. A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of China Yuchai International in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research cut shares of China Yuchai International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold. Get China Yuchai International alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on CYD China Yuchai International Stock Up 0.3% Institutional Investors Weigh In On China Yuchai International China Yuchai International stock opened at $40.00 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $37.75 and a two-hundred day moving average of $27.80. China Yuchai International has a twelve month low of $8.61 and a twelve month high of $42.60. Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in CYD. Pinpoint Asset Management Ltd acquired a new position in shares of China Yuchai International during the 1st quarter worth $3,382,000. Trexquant Investment LP purchased a new stake in China Yuchai International during the first quarter worth about $258,000. Hhlr Advisors LTD. acquired a new position in China Yuchai International during the first quarter worth about $1,189,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. purchased a new position in China Yuchai International in the first quarter valued at about $422,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new position in China Yuchai International in the first quarter valued at about $1,409,000. About China Yuchai International (Get Free Report) China Yuchai International Limited, through its subsidiaries, manufactures, assembles, and sells diesel and natural gas engines for trucks, buses and passenger vehicles, marine, industrial, construction, agriculture, and generator set applications in the Peoples Republic of China and internationally. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for China Yuchai International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Yuchai International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE:CLF Get Free Report) had its price objective dropped by analysts at Citigroup from $12.00 to $11.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a neutral rating on the mining companys stock. Citigroups price objective indicates a potential upside of 7.77% from the stocks previous close. A number of other research firms have also weighed in on CLF. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an underweight rating and issued a $11.00 target price on shares of Cleveland-Cliffs in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Glj Research reissued a sell rating and set a $5.75 price objective on shares of Cleveland-Cliffs in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. KeyCorp cut their target price on Cleveland-Cliffs from $15.00 to $13.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Cleveland-Cliffs from $14.50 to $16.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, UBS Group set a $15.00 price target on shares of Cleveland-Cliffs in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $12.68. Get Cleveland-Cliffs alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Cleveland-Cliffs Cleveland-Cliffs Price Performance Shares of Cleveland-Cliffs stock traded down $0.11 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $10.21. 8,548,679 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 25,902,996. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.05 billion, a PE ratio of -3.01 and a beta of 2.07. The business has a 50-day moving average of $12.29 and a 200 day moving average of $9.95. Cleveland-Cliffs has a fifty-two week low of $5.63 and a fifty-two week high of $16.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41. Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE:CLF Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, October 20th. The mining company reported ($0.45) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.48) by $0.03. The business had revenue of $4.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.90 billion. Cleveland-Cliffs had a negative net margin of 9.00% and a negative return on equity of 20.02%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.33) earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Cleveland-Cliffs will post -0.79 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cleveland-Cliffs A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Teacher Retirement System of Texas purchased a new stake in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs during the first quarter worth $593,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in Cleveland-Cliffs by 53.6% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 116,545 shares of the mining companys stock worth $958,000 after purchasing an additional 40,656 shares in the last quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. increased its holdings in Cleveland-Cliffs by 16.5% during the 1st quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 45,941 shares of the mining companys stock worth $378,000 after purchasing an additional 6,513 shares during the period. M&T Bank Corp raised its holdings in Cleveland-Cliffs by 279.9% in the first quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 56,992 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $468,000 after acquiring an additional 41,991 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs by 221.4% during the first quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 630,684 shares of the mining companys stock worth $5,184,000 after purchasing an additional 434,434 shares in the last quarter. 67.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Cleveland-Cliffs Company Profile (Get Free Report) Cleveland-Cliffs is the largest flat-rolled steel company and the largest iron ore pellet producer in North America. The company is vertically integrated from mining through iron making, steelmaking, rolling, finishing and downstream with hot and cold stamping of steel parts and components. The company was formerly known as Cliffs Natural Resources Inc and changed its name to Cleveland-Cliffs Inc in August 2017. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Cleveland-Cliffs Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cleveland-Cliffs and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Community Investors Bancorp (OTCMKTS:CIBN Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday. The financial services provider reported $0.92 EPS for the quarter, Zacks reports. Community Investors Bancorp Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:CIBN opened at $21.18 on Tuesday. Community Investors Bancorp has a 12-month low of $15.02 and a 12-month high of $25.00. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $20.50 and a 200 day moving average of $19.31. Get Community Investors Bancorp alerts: About Community Investors Bancorp (Get Free Report) Recommended Stories Community Investors Bancorp, Inc operates as a thrift holding company for First Federal Community Bank of Bucyrus that engages in the provision of banking and financial services to individual and corporate customers in northern Ohio. The company offers deposit accounts, including demand, NOW, checking, savings, money market, Christmas club, health savings, certificates of deposit, time deposit, and individual retirement accounts. Receive News & Ratings for Community Investors Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Community Investors Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CSM Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Teekay Tankers Ltd. (NYSE:TNK Free Report) during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor purchased 47,560 shares of the shipping companys stock, valued at approximately $1,985,000. A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Deutsche Bank AG bought a new stake in Teekay Tankers in the first quarter valued at approximately $711,000. Strs Ohio bought a new position in shares of Teekay Tankers during the first quarter worth $612,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Teekay Tankers by 30.9% in the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 114,786 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $4,393,000 after buying an additional 27,107 shares during the period. EP Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Teekay Tankers in the 1st quarter valued at $227,000. Finally, CWM LLC raised its stake in Teekay Tankers by 124.2% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 7,803 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $326,000 after buying an additional 4,323 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.67% of the companys stock. Get Teekay Tankers alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have weighed in on TNK. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Teekay Tankers from $66.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Zacks Research upgraded Teekay Tankers from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, September 8th. Clarkson Capital upgraded Teekay Tankers to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on Teekay Tankers from $53.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Teekay Tankers in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $58.67. Teekay Tankers Price Performance Shares of Teekay Tankers stock opened at $61.12 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $2.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.79 and a beta of -0.11. The stocks 50-day moving average is $54.18 and its 200-day moving average is $48.12. Teekay Tankers Ltd. has a one year low of $33.35 and a one year high of $61.91. Teekay Tankers (NYSE:TNK Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The shipping company reported $1.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.50 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $115.21 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $133.65 million. Teekay Tankers had a return on equity of 10.81% and a net margin of 32.87%.Teekay Tankerss revenue for the quarter was down 16.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.23 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Teekay Tankers Ltd. will post 7.13 EPS for the current year. Teekay Tankers Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 21st. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. 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 dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 11.11%. About Teekay Tankers (Free Report) 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TNK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Teekay Tankers Ltd. (NYSE:TNK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Teekay Tankers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teekay Tankers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Danone (OTCMKTS:DANOY Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $18.41 and last traded at $18.38, with a volume of 40679 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.14. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth DANOY has been the topic of several recent research reports. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Danone in a report on Friday, October 10th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Danone from an underperform rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Danone in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of Danone in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Danone from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 15th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold. Get Danone alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on DANOY Danone Price Performance About Danone The businesss 50-day moving average price is $17.61 and its 200 day moving average price is $16.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.78. (Get Free Report) Danone SA operates in the food and beverage industry in Europe, Ukraine, North America, China, North Asia, the Oceania, Latin America, rest of Asia, Africa, Turkey, the Middle East, and the Commonwealth of Independent States. The company operates through Essential Dairy & Plant-Based, Specialized Nutrition, and Waters segments. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Danone Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Danone and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. cut its holdings in shares of KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report) by 32.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 12,816 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 6,041 shares during the period. Fox Run Management L.L.C.s holdings in KBR were worth $614,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of KBR by 75.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 617 shares of the construction companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 266 shares in the last quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in KBR in the second quarter valued at about $41,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in KBR by 37.5% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,093 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 298 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC raised its stake in KBR by 44.1% during the first quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,438 shares of the construction companys stock worth $72,000 after acquiring an additional 440 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. acquired a new position in KBR during the second quarter worth about $76,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.02% of the companys stock. Get KBR alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on KBR shares. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of KBR from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of KBR from $62.00 to $57.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Wall Street Zen cut shares of KBR from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. DA Davidson dropped their price target on KBR from $72.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of KBR in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $61.67. KBR Price Performance Shares of NYSE:KBR opened at $42.39 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.13. KBR, Inc. has a 52 week low of $40.71 and a 52 week high of $72.60. The firm has a market cap of $5.38 billion, a PE ratio of 15.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 0.68. The firms fifty day moving average is $46.09 and its 200-day moving average is $48.94. KBR (NYSE:KBR Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The construction company reported $1.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.95 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $1.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.99 billion. KBR had a return on equity of 33.65% and a net margin of 4.52%.KBRs quarterly revenue was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.84 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that KBR, Inc. will post 3.26 earnings per share for the current year. KBR Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a $0.165 dividend. This represents a $0.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. KBRs payout ratio is currently 22.68%. KBR Company Profile (Free Report) KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KBR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hannover Ruck (OTCMKTS:HVRRY Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday. The financial services provider reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.07 by ($0.02), Zacks reports. Hannover Ruck had a return on equity of 19.77% and a net margin of 9.33%.The company had revenue of $8.21 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.27 billion. Hannover Ruck Price Performance OTCMKTS HVRRY traded up $0.23 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $50.29. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,074 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,224. Hannover Ruck has a 1 year low of $41.49 and a 1 year high of $55.40. The company has a quick ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 0.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The company has a market capitalization of $36.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.38 and a beta of 0.42. The firms 50-day moving average price is $49.13 and its 200-day moving average price is $50.98. Get Hannover Ruck alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages recently issued reports on HVRRY. UBS Group upgraded Hannover Ruck from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, September 12th. Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded shares of Hannover Ruck from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Hannover Ruck from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. About Hannover Ruck (Get Free Report) Hannover Ruck SE, together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance products and services in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Europe, the United States, Asia, Australia, Africa, and internationally. It operates through Property & Casualty Reinsurance; and Life & Health Reinsurance segments. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hannover Ruck Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hannover Ruck and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Innovative Designs and Teijins revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Innovative Designs $1.38 million 6.10 $100,000.00 $0.03 7.28 Teijin $6.60 billion 0.26 $187.09 million $0.04 218.50 Get Innovative Designs alerts: Teijin has higher revenue and earnings than Innovative Designs. Innovative Designs is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Teijin, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Volatility & Risk Profitability Innovative Designs has a beta of -2.99, indicating that its share price is 399% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Teijin has a beta of 0.18, indicating that its share price is 82% less volatile than the S&P 500. This table compares Innovative Designs and Teijins net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Innovative Designs 18.54% 29.89% 26.00% Teijin N/A N/A N/A Summary Teijin beats Innovative Designs on 5 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Innovative Designs (Get Free Report) Innovative Designs, Inc. engages in manufacture and marketing of cold weather recreational and industrial clothing products in the United States and Canada. The company operates in two segments, Apparel and House Wrap. It offers arctic armor line products, including jackets, bibs, and gloves for ice fisherman, snowmobilers, utility workers, oil/gas pipeline workers, railroad workers, construction workers, ski resort workers, and police and first responders; and house wrap that provides barrier protection and moisture vapor transmission and insulation for the building construction industry. In addition, it offers INSULTEX material in bulk to non-competing customers; products that restore the waterproof character of the outer side of its arctic armor clothing; and cold weather headgears and base insulation clothing products. The company primarily sells its products through independent sales agents, agencies, retailers, and distributors, as well as through website. The company was incorporated in 2002 and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. About Teijin (Get Free Report) Teijin Limited engages in the fibers, films and sheets, composites, healthcare, and IT businesses worldwide. It offers aramid fibers and polyethylene materials; carbon fibers, composite materials, and oxidized PAN fibers; polycarbonate sheets and films; high-density polyethylene porous films and materials; and microporous films. The company also provides PC resins, polyphenylene sulfide resins, molded parts, and additives; lightweight glass and carbon fiber reinforced composites for automotive applications; and polytrimethylene telephthalate products, artificial leather materials, polyester nanofibers, and recycled polyester fibers. In addition, it offers pharmaceuticals for bone and joint, respiratory, cardiovascular and metabolic, and other diseases; home oxygen therapy, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, rehabilitation, and sleep disordered breathing related devices, as well as sonic accelerated fracture healing system and community-based integrated care system; and orthopedic implantable devices, and functional food ingredients. Further, the company provides Recopic, a radio-frequency identification technology for inventory management. Additionally, it develops and implements engineering solutions for various issues, such as environmental pollution, energy supply stability, and aging-related workforce population decline. Teijin Limited was incorporated in 1918 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Receive News & Ratings for Innovative Designs Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Innovative Designs and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:HIMS Get Free Report) have received an average rating of Reduce from the fifteen brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $45.2727. Several research firms recently commented on HIMS. Wall Street Zen downgraded Hims & Hers Health from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday. BTIG Research reiterated a buy rating and set a $85.00 price objective on shares of Hims & Hers Health in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. UBS Group set a $32.00 price objective on Hims & Hers Health in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Hims & Hers Health from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 19th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a hold rating on shares of Hims & Hers Health in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Get Hims & Hers Health alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Hims & Hers Health Insiders Place Their Bets Institutional Trading of Hims & Hers Health In other news, CFO Oluyemi Okupe sold 11,592 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.13, for a total transaction of $662,250.96. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 70,232 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,012,354.16. This trade represents a 14.17% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Also, insider Soleil Boughton sold 2,637 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.10, for a total value of $132,113.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 158,493 shares in the company, valued at $7,940,499.30. The trade was a 1.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 709,699 shares of company stock valued at $37,499,167. 17.71% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Hims & Hers Health by 502.2% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,552,405 shares of the companys stock valued at $127,237,000 after buying an additional 2,128,587 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in Hims & Hers Health in the 1st quarter valued at about $58,403,000. Clear Street LLC bought a new position in shares of Hims & Hers Health in the second quarter worth about $83,582,000. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Hims & Hers Health in the second quarter worth about $78,464,000. Finally, Marex Group plc acquired a new position in shares of Hims & Hers Health during the second quarter worth approximately $53,626,000. Institutional investors own 63.52% of the companys stock. Hims & Hers Health Stock Performance NYSE HIMS opened at $41.12 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $9.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 76.15, a PEG ratio of 8.07 and a beta of 2.20. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $51.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is $51.27. Hims & Hers Health has a twelve month low of $19.15 and a twelve month high of $72.98. The company has a quick ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 1.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. Hims & Hers Health (NYSE:HIMS Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.09 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $598.98 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $578.99 million. Hims & Hers Health had a return on equity of 24.67% and a net margin of 6.05%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 49.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.32 EPS. Hims & Hers Health has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Hims & Hers Health will post 0.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hims & Hers Health Company Profile (Get Free Report) 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Hims & Hers Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hims & Hers Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hodges Capital Management Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH Free Report) by 88.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 56,101 shares of the companys stock after selling 448,841 shares during the period. Hodges Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Norwegian Cruise Line were worth $1,138,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Emerald Advisers LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 251.7% in the 1st quarter. Emerald Advisers LLC now owns 63,670 shares of the companys stock worth $1,207,000 after buying an additional 45,569 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 0.9% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,581,365 shares of the companys stock valued at $67,903,000 after buying an additional 33,549 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 1.2% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 53,960,561 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,023,092,000 after acquiring an additional 653,279 shares in the last quarter. LBP AM SA lifted its stake in Norwegian Cruise Line by 138.1% in the second quarter. LBP AM SA now owns 452,917 shares of the companys stock worth $9,185,000 after acquiring an additional 262,714 shares during the period. Finally, MQS Management LLC purchased a new stake in Norwegian Cruise Line in the first quarter worth about $249,000. 69.58% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Norwegian Cruise Line alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets NCLH has been the subject of several recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $31.00 to $27.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $26.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Tigress Financial increased their target price on Norwegian Cruise Line from $36.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on Norwegian Cruise Line from $27.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 19th. Finally, TD Cowen began coverage on Norwegian Cruise Line in a research report on Tuesday, July 22nd. They set a buy rating and a $31.00 price objective on the stock. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $28.68. Norwegian Cruise Line Stock Performance Shares of NCLH opened at $19.06 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.05. The firm has a market cap of $8.68 billion, a PE ratio of 13.14, a P/E/G ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 2.22. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has a 12 month low of $14.21 and a 12 month high of $29.29. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $23.74 and a 200-day moving average price of $21.94. Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $1.20 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.03. Norwegian Cruise Line had a return on equity of 59.88% and a net margin of 7.52%.The firm had revenue of $2.94 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.03 billion. Norwegian Cruise Line has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.270-0.270 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 2.100-2.100 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. will post 1.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In related news, CEO Harry Sommer purchased 25,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $18.52 per share, for a total transaction of $463,000.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 720,728 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,347,882.56. This trade represents a 3.59% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Zillah Byng-Thorne purchased 29,008 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $18.11 per share, with a total value of $525,334.88. Following the acquisition, the director owned 66,017 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,195,567.87. The trade was a 78.38% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have acquired 85,029 shares of company stock valued at $1,567,325. 0.41% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Norwegian Cruise Line Profile (Free Report) Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cruise company in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. It offers itineraries ranging from three days to a 180-days calling on various ports, including Scandinavia, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, Alaska, Canada and New England, Hawaii, Asia, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, India, South America, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rothschild & Co Redburn restated their neutral rating on shares of HubSpot (NYSE:HUBS Free Report) in a report released on Monday morning, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage currently has a $450.00 price objective on the software makers stock, down from their previous price objective of $610.00. A number of other equities analysts have also issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on HubSpot from $600.00 to $550.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Piper Sandler decreased their target price on HubSpot from $675.00 to $590.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Needham & Company LLC dropped their price target on shares of HubSpot from $900.00 to $700.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Bank of America cut their price target on shares of HubSpot from $640.00 to $515.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Macquarie reduced their price objective on shares of HubSpot from $730.00 to $660.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-seven have given a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, HubSpot currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $620.41. Get HubSpot alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on HUBS HubSpot Trading Down 3.3% HubSpot stock opened at $385.06 on Monday. HubSpot has a 52 week low of $375.01 and a 52 week high of $881.13. The stock has a market cap of $20.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4,813.25, a PEG ratio of 14.25 and a beta of 1.60. The companys 50-day moving average price is $473.14 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $526.09. HubSpot (NYSE:HUBS Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The software maker reported $2.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.58 by $0.08. HubSpot had a negative net margin of 0.12% and a positive return on equity of 1.21%. The company had revenue of $809.52 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $786.80 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.18 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 20.9% compared to the same quarter last year. HubSpot has set its FY 2025 guidance at 9.600-9.620 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 2.970-2.990 EPS. Research analysts expect that HubSpot will post 1.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In other HubSpot news, CTO Dharmesh Shah sold 4,747 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $501.60, for a total transaction of $2,381,095.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chief technology officer directly owned 1,271,058 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $637,562,692.80. This represents a 0.37% 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, CEO Yamini Rangan sold 2,387 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $500.00, for a total transaction of $1,193,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 56,277 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $28,138,500. The trade was a 4.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 51,098 shares of company stock worth $24,757,257 in the last quarter. 4.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On HubSpot Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HUBS. Goodman Advisory Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HubSpot in the second quarter worth $27,000. Whittier Trust Co. lifted its stake in HubSpot by 136.4% in the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 52 shares of the software makers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. Exane Asset Management purchased a new stake in HubSpot in the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. Rakuten Securities Inc. boosted its position in HubSpot by 783.3% during the 2nd quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 53 shares of the software makers stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares during the period. Finally, Hilltop National Bank acquired a new stake in HubSpot during the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. 90.39% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About HubSpot (Get Free Report) HubSpot, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform for businesses in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company's CRM platform includes Marketing Hub, a toolset for marketing automation and email, social media, SEO, and reporting and analytics; Sales Hub offers email templates and tracking, conversations and live chat, meeting and call scheduling, lead and website visit alerts, lead scoring, sales automation, pipeline management, quoting, forecasting, and reporting; Service Hub, a service software designed to help businesses manage, respond, and connect with customers; and Content Management Systems Hub enables businesses to create new and edit existing web content. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for HubSpot Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HubSpot and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ibex Wealth Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 2,890 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $354,000. Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. William Allan Corp grew its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 47.6% during the 2nd quarter. William Allan Corp now owns 25,901 shares of the technology companys stock worth $3,175,000 after acquiring an additional 8,355 shares during the period. First Hawaiian Bank boosted its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 67.1% during the first quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 34,878 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $3,179,000 after purchasing an additional 14,010 shares in the last quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Dell Technologies in the second quarter worth $241,000. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Dell Technologies in the second quarter worth $8,869,000. Finally, Savvy Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Dell Technologies during the second quarter valued at $292,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.37% of the companys stock. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 824,999 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.98, for a total transaction of $112,183,364.02. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 565,000 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.32, for a total transaction of $74,760,800.00. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 4,537,755 shares of company stock worth $642,644,973. Corporate insiders own 42.00% of the companys stock. Dell Technologies Stock Performance Shares of NYSE DELL opened at $142.58 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $142.87 and its 200-day moving average price is $127.74. Dell Technologies Inc. has a 52-week low of $66.25 and a 52-week high of $168.08. The company has a market cap of $95.87 billion, a PE ratio of 20.97, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 1.02. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 5th. The technology company reported $1.68 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $26.43 billion during the quarter. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 4.73% and a negative return on equity of 236.21%. Dell Technologies has set its FY24 guidance at $6.10-6.50 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 21st were paid a $0.525 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, October 21st. This represents a $2.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is currently 30.88%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth DELL has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Dell Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, September 13th. Evercore ISI set a $180.00 price objective on shares of Dell Technologies and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research raised Dell Technologies from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Dell Technologies from $145.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating and seven have given 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 $162.80. Get Our Latest Research Report on DELL 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 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DELL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dell Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dell Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ibex Wealth Advisors purchased a new position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWD Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor purchased 1,653 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $321,000. A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in IWD. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp boosted its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 612.7% in the 2nd quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 23,036 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $4,474,000 after buying an additional 19,804 shares during the period. American National Bank & Trust lifted its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 8.1% during the second quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 4,768 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $926,000 after acquiring an additional 358 shares in the last quarter. 1ST Source Bank boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 0.3% in the second quarter. 1ST Source Bank now owns 677,377 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $131,567,000 after acquiring an additional 2,259 shares during the period. Apollon Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 0.8% in the second quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 13,685 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,658,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares during the period. Finally, Falcon Wealth Planning grew its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 6.5% in the second quarter. Falcon Wealth Planning now owns 1,166 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $226,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. 84.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF alerts: iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Stock Performance NYSEARCA:IWD opened at $205.85 on Tuesday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $203.34 and its 200 day moving average is $196.47. The firm has a market cap of $65.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.83 and a beta of 0.89. iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF has a 52-week low of $163.19 and a 52-week high of $207.58. iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Profile iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the large capitalization value sector of the U.S. equity market, as represented by the Russell 1000 Value Index (the Index). Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Taylor Wimpey plc (LON:TW Get Free Report) insider Jennie Daly acquired 142 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 105 per share, for a total transaction of 149.10. Jennie Daly also recently made the following trade(s): Get Taylor Wimpey alerts: On Monday, September 8th, Jennie Daly purchased 151 shares of Taylor Wimpey stock. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 100 per share, with a total value of 151. Taylor Wimpey Stock Performance LON:TW traded up GBX 2.05 on Tuesday, hitting GBX 104.80. The stock had a trading volume of 17,885,994 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,409,451. The firms 50-day simple moving average is GBX 102.15 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 108.81. The company has a current ratio of 5.08, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.79. The firm has a market cap of 3.77 billion, a PE ratio of 15.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.81. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Peel Hunt reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a GBX 110 target price on shares of Taylor Wimpey in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Taylor Wimpey in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a GBX 130 price objective on shares of Taylor Wimpey in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on Taylor Wimpey from GBX 136 to GBX 122 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Taylor Wimpey from GBX 140 to GBX 145 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Taylor Wimpey presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 133.43. Get Our Latest Stock Report on TW Taylor Wimpey Company Profile (Get Free Report) Taylor Wimpey plc operates as a homebuilder in the United Kingdom and Spain. It builds and delivers various homes and communities. Taylor Wimpey plc was incorporated in 1935 and is based in High Wycombe, the United Kingdom. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Taylor Wimpey Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taylor Wimpey and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI Mexico ETF (NYSEARCA:EWW Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $68.77 and last traded at $69.0640, with a volume of 226990 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $67.91. iShares MSCI Mexico ETF Stock Performance The company has a market capitalization of $2.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.85 and a beta of 0.91. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $65.97 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $62.22. Get iShares MSCI Mexico ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of iShares MSCI Mexico ETF Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. North Capital Inc. bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Mexico ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Viewpoint Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF during the second quarter valued at $30,000. CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Mexico ETF by 90.2% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 466 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 221 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Mexico ETF by 289.7% during the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 491 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 365 shares during the period. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Mexico ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $45,000. About iShares MSCI Mexico ETF iShares MSCI Mexico Capped ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Mexico Capped Investable Market Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the MSCI Mexico IMI 25/50 Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Mexican Stock Exchange. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Mexico ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Mexico ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rathbones Group PLC lifted its position in L3Harris Technologies Inc (NYSE:LHX Free Report) by 20.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,959 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 505 shares during the quarter. Rathbones Group PLCs holdings in L3Harris Technologies were worth $742,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in LHX. Clearstead Trust LLC acquired a new stake in L3Harris Technologies in the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Nova Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of L3Harris Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. Kiker Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of L3Harris Technologies by 137.0% in the 2nd quarter. Kiker Wealth Management LLC now owns 109 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of L3Harris Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Independence Bank of Kentucky boosted its holdings in L3Harris Technologies by 44.4% in the second quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 130 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.76% of the companys stock. Get L3Harris Technologies alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have weighed in on LHX shares. Barclays raised their target price on L3Harris Technologies from $255.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Truist Financial raised their price objective on L3Harris Technologies from $302.00 to $353.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of L3Harris Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of L3Harris Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 22nd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein restated an outperform rating on shares of L3Harris Technologies in a research note on Monday, July 14th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, L3Harris Technologies currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $295.63. L3Harris Technologies Trading Up 2.2% Shares of L3Harris Technologies stock opened at $296.92 on Tuesday. L3Harris Technologies Inc has a 1 year low of $193.09 and a 1 year high of $308.12. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $288.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $265.02. The company has a market cap of $55.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.18, a PEG ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $2.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.60 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $5.66 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.51 billion. L3Harris Technologies had a net margin of 7.94% and a return on equity of 11.82%. The businesss revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.34 EPS. L3Harris Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 10.500-10.700 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that L3Harris Technologies Inc will post 11.12 EPS for the current year. L3Harris Technologies Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Monday, November 17th will be paid a dividend of $1.20 per share. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 17th. L3Harris Technologiess payout ratio is currently 51.56%. Insider Buying and Selling In other L3Harris Technologies news, CEO Christopher E. Kubasik sold 83,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $279.90, for a total value of $23,231,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 145,578 shares in the company, valued at approximately $40,747,282.20. This trade represents a 36.31% 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. 0.72% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. L3Harris Technologies Profile (Free Report) L3Harris Technologies, Inc provides mission-critical solutions for government and commercial customers worldwide. The company's Integrated Mission Systems segment provides intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, passive sensing and targeting, electronic attack, autonomy, power and communications, and networks and sensors, as well as advanced combat systems for air, land, and sea sectors. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LHX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for L3Harris Technologies Inc (NYSE:LHX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for L3Harris Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for L3Harris Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (NYSE:PAGS Free Report) by 511.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 256,082 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 214,211 shares during the quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC owned about 0.08% of PagSeguro Digital worth $2,469,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Metis Global Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of PagSeguro Digital by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 395,530 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,813,000 after buying an additional 8,787 shares in the last quarter. Nvwm LLC bought a new stake in PagSeguro Digital during the 2nd quarter valued at $953,000. Canton Hathaway LLC bought a new stake in PagSeguro Digital during the 2nd quarter valued at $119,000. AdvisorShares Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of PagSeguro Digital during the second quarter worth $496,000. Finally, Waterfront Wealth Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of PagSeguro Digital by 0.5% in the second quarter. Waterfront Wealth Inc. now owns 275,967 shares of the companys stock worth $2,660,000 after acquiring an additional 1,448 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 45.88% of the companys stock. Get PagSeguro Digital alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating and set a $9.00 price objective (down from $12.00) on shares of PagSeguro Digital in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Bank of America raised PagSeguro Digital from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the company from $10.00 to $13.00 in a report on Friday, September 19th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of PagSeguro Digital in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research cut shares of PagSeguro Digital from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of PagSeguro Digital from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, October 4th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $11.83. PagSeguro Digital Trading Up 2.4% Shares of NYSE PAGS opened at $9.48 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $9.54 and a 200-day moving average of $9.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.65, a PEG ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.59. PagSeguro Digital Ltd. has a 12 month low of $6.11 and a 12 month high of $11.16. PagSeguro Digital (NYSE:PAGS Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 14th. The company reported $0.34 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.03. PagSeguro Digital had a net margin of 11.04% and a return on equity of 15.52%. The business had revenue of $930.17 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $901.10 million. On average, analysts predict that PagSeguro Digital Ltd. will post 1.17 earnings per share for the current year. PagSeguro Digital Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, October 6th were issued a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, October 6th. PagSeguro Digitals payout ratio is currently 11.29%. About PagSeguro Digital (Free Report) PagSeguro Digital Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides financial technology solutions and services for consumers, individual entrepreneurs, micro-merchants, and small and medium-sized companies in Brazil and internationally. The company's products and services include PagSeguro Ecosystem, a digital ecosystem that operates as a closed loop where its clients are able to address their primary day to day financial needs, including receiving and spending funds, and managing and growing their businesses; PagBank digital account, which offers payment and banking services through the PagBank mobile app, as well as centralizes various cash-in options, functionalities, services, and cash-out options in a single ecosystem; and PlugPag, a tool for medium-sized and larger merchants that enables them to connect their point of sale (POS) device directly to their enterprise resource planning software or sales automation system through Bluetooth. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PAGS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (NYSE:PAGS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for PagSeguro Digital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PagSeguro Digital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Amcor PLC (NYSE:AMCR Free Report) by 63.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,012,038 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,946,147 shares during the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned approximately 0.35% of Amcor worth $46,061,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. State of Alaska Department of Revenue increased its stake in shares of Amcor by 51.6% in the second quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 464,293 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,266,000 after buying an additional 158,082 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in Amcor by 71.4% in the second quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 2,446,429 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,483,000 after acquiring an additional 1,019,306 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC boosted its holdings in Amcor by 54,855.7% in the second quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 605,062 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,561,000 after acquiring an additional 603,961 shares during the last quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Amcor during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $463,000. Finally, OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in Amcor during the 1st quarter worth approximately $121,000. 45.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Amcor alerts: Amcor Price Performance AMCR stock opened at $8.43 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The companys 50-day moving average is $8.15 and its 200-day moving average is $8.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.43 billion, a PE ratio of 23.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.72. Amcor PLC has a 1 year low of $7.66 and a 1 year high of $10.70. Amcor Increases Dividend Amcor ( NYSE:AMCR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.19 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.19. The business had revenue of $5.75 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.77 billion. Amcor had a return on equity of 19.43% and a net margin of 3.40%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 71.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.16 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Amcor PLC will post 0.74 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. This is an increase from Amcors previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. Amcors payout ratio is 152.94%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on AMCR shares. Stifel Nicolaus raised shares of Amcor from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $10.20 price objective on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on shares of Amcor in a research report on Friday, September 19th. They set an overweight rating and a $10.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Amcor in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on Amcor in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. They issued a sector perform rating on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Amcor from $11.00 to $9.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $10.84. Check Out Our Latest Report on AMCR Insider Buying and Selling In other Amcor news, Director Stephen E. Sterrett acquired 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 19th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $8.55 per share, for a total transaction of $85,500.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 10,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $85,500. This represents a increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock. Amcor Company Profile (Free Report) Amcor plc develops, produces, and sells packaging products in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company operates through two segments, Flexibles and Rigid Packaging. The Flexibles segment provides flexible and film packaging products in the food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, fresh produce, snack food, personal care, and other industries. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Amcor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amcor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Essex Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ESS Free Report) by 6.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 185,913 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 11,186 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned approximately 0.29% of Essex Property Trust worth $52,688,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ESS. Wealthquest Corp acquired a new position in shares of Essex Property Trust during the 1st quarter valued at $384,606,000. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in shares of Essex Property Trust by 38.1% during the first quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,036 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $318,000 after purchasing an additional 286 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Essex Property Trust by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 4,262 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,307,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares in the last quarter. Xponance Inc. increased its position in Essex Property Trust by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 9,382 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,876,000 after buying an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund raised its stake in Essex Property Trust by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 45,083 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $13,821,000 after buying an additional 2,500 shares during the period. 96.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Essex Property Trust alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have commented on ESS. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on Essex Property Trust from $306.00 to $307.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Essex Property Trust from $298.00 to $297.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of Essex Property Trust from $295.00 to $283.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Essex Property Trust in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of Essex Property Trust from $304.00 to $285.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Essex Property Trust currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $292.53. Essex Property Trust Price Performance Shares of NYSE:ESS opened at $260.34 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The stock has a market cap of $16.77 billion, a PE ratio of 19.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.00 and a beta of 0.82. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $262.13 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $272.26. Essex Property Trust, Inc. has a 1-year low of $243.25 and a 1-year high of $316.29. Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $3.97 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.96 by $0.01. Essex Property Trust had a net margin of 45.46% and a return on equity of 14.70%. The company had revenue of $473.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $472.11 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.91 earnings per share. Essex Property Trust has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 3.930-4.030 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 15.890-15.990 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Essex Property Trust, Inc. will post 15.96 EPS for the current fiscal year. Essex Property Trust Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were paid a $2.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $10.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.9%. Essex Property Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 78.12%. About Essex Property Trust (Free Report) Essex Property Trust, Inc, an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast markets. Essex currently has ownership interests in 252 apartment communities comprising approximately 62,000 apartment homes with an additional property in active development. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ESS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Essex Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ESS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Essex Property Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Essex Property Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 7,876,685 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 194% from the previous sessions volume of 2,681,406 shares.The stock last traded at $6.7450 and had previously closed at $6.71. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have recently issued reports on MFG. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b+) rating on shares of Mizuho Financial Group in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research downgraded Mizuho Financial Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, August 25th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Mizuho Financial Group from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, August 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Mizuho Financial Group alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Mizuho Financial Group Mizuho Financial Group Stock Performance Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mizuho Financial Group The firm has a market capitalization of $84.23 billion, a PE ratio of 14.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $6.56 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $5.99. Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Salomon & Ludwin LLC raised its position in Mizuho Financial Group by 2,673.3% in the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 4,160 shares of the banks stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 4,010 shares during the period. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mizuho Financial Group in the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. Brooklyn Investment Group increased its stake in shares of Mizuho Financial Group by 166.3% in the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 5,499 shares of the banks stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 3,434 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in Mizuho Financial Group by 81.8% in the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 6,611 shares of the banks stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 2,975 shares during the period. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in Mizuho Financial Group during the first quarter valued at $42,000. Institutional investors own 3.26% of the companys stock. About Mizuho Financial Group (Get Free Report) Mizuho Financial Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in banking, trust, securities, and other businesses related to financial services in Japan, the Americas, Europe, Asia/Oceania, and internationally. It operates through Retail & Business Banking Company, Corporate & Institutional Company, Global Corporate Company, Global Markets Company, Asset Management Company, and Others segments. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Mizuho Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mizuho Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:NML Get Free Report) crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $8.58 and traded as low as $8.37. Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund shares last traded at $8.46, with a volume of 176,693 shares. Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Trading Up 1.2% The businesss 50 day moving average is $8.44 and its 200 day moving average is $8.58. Get Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund alerts: Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.0584 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 17th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.3%. Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Funds dividend payout ratio is currently -227.59%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund About Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Monetary Management Group Inc. grew its position in Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund by 30.0% in the 2nd quarter. Monetary Management Group Inc. now owns 5,200 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 1,200 shares during the last quarter. Astoria Portfolio Advisors LLC. boosted its stake in shares of Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund by 10.2% during the second quarter. Astoria Portfolio Advisors LLC. now owns 16,320 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $141,000 after purchasing an additional 1,507 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund by 7.5% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 26,869 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $242,000 after purchasing an additional 1,874 shares during the period. Optimum Investment Advisors grew its holdings in shares of Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund by 1.6% in the third quarter. Optimum Investment Advisors now owns 143,910 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,255,000 after purchasing an additional 2,300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. increased its stake in Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 335,107 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,922,000 after buying an additional 2,595 shares during the period. (Get Free Report) Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Inc is a closed ended fund of fund launched and managed by Neuberger Berman Management LLC. It is co-managed by Neuberger Berman LLC. The fund invests in the public equity markets. It primarily invests in master limited partnerships and limited liability companies. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nevada King Gold Corp. (CVE:NKG Get Free Report)s stock price dropped 13.8% on Tuesday . The company traded as low as C$0.13 and last traded at C$0.13. Approximately 427,326 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 54% from the average daily volume of 277,418 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.15. Nevada King Gold Price Performance The stock has a market cap of C$57.25 million, a PE ratio of -3.38 and a beta of 0.34. The companys fifty day moving average is C$0.15 and its 200-day moving average is C$0.17. Nevada King Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report) Nevada King Gold Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of resource properties in Nevada, the United States. The company explores for gold, silver, iron ore, vanadium, and other base metals. The company was formerly known as Victory Metals Inc and changed its name to Nevada King Gold Corp in April 2021. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Nevada King Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nevada King Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Northern Dynasty Minerals (NYSEAMERICAN:NAK Get Free Report) (TSE:NDM) is expected to release its results before the market opens on Thursday, November 13th. Analysts expect Northern Dynasty Minerals to post earnings of ($0.01) per share for the quarter. Northern Dynasty Minerals Price Performance Shares of NAK opened at $1.81 on Tuesday. Northern Dynasty Minerals has a one year low of $0.43 and a one year high of $2.98. The company has a market cap of $998.76 million, a PE ratio of -16.45 and a beta of -0.60. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $1.50 and a 200-day moving average of $1.28. Get Northern Dynasty Minerals alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Northern Dynasty Minerals Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Northern Dynasty Minerals during the second quarter worth approximately $17,117,000. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP bought a new stake in Northern Dynasty Minerals during the 2nd quarter valued at $335,000. Bank of America Corp DE raised its holdings in Northern Dynasty Minerals by 77.4% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 367,285 shares of the mining companys stock worth $492,000 after buying an additional 160,285 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. acquired a new position in Northern Dynasty Minerals during the second quarter worth $68,000. Finally, Marex Group plc bought a new position in shares of Northern Dynasty Minerals in the second quarter valued at $43,000. Institutional investors own 10.55% of the companys stock. Northern Dynasty Minerals Company Profile Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. engages in the exploration of mineral properties in the United States. It holds a 100% interest in the Pebble Copper-Gold-Molybdenum-Silver-Rhenium project comprising 1,840 mineral claims that covers an area of approximately 274 square miles located in southwest Alaska, the United States. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Northern Dynasty Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Northern Dynasty Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the twenty ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $59.20. Several analysts have weighed in on the company. Dbs Bank raised Novo Nordisk A/S from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 22nd. Barclays restated an equal weight rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from an underperform rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. TD Cowen cut their price target on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from $105.00 to $70.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 19th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, August 2nd. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Novo Nordisk A/S Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Up 0.5% Shares of NYSE:NVO opened at $45.91 on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $55.11 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $61.39. The company has a market cap of $204.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.61, 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. Novo Nordisk A/S has a one year low of $45.05 and a one year high of $112.52. Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.25. The company had revenue of $11.74 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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. Analysts anticipate that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Novo Nordisk A/S Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NVO. Stone House Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 209.8% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 443 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 174.1% during the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 444 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 282 shares during the last quarter. Guerra Advisors Inc purchased a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Finally, Disciplina Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 162.3% during the first quarter. Disciplina Capital Management LLC now owns 480 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 11.54% of the companys stock. Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile (Get 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Palouse Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN Free Report) by 37.5% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 108,524 shares of the energy companys stock after buying an additional 29,622 shares during the period. Devon Energy comprises 2.3% of Palouse Capital Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. Palouse Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Devon Energy were worth $3,452,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Devon Energy by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 82,780,738 shares of the energy companys stock worth $3,096,000,000 after purchasing an additional 2,098,568 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 12.9% in the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 11,518,862 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $430,805,000 after buying an additional 1,315,050 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in shares of Devon Energy by 5.1% in the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 6,577,195 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $245,987,000 after buying an additional 316,460 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its holdings in Devon Energy by 81.1% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 5,029,987 shares of the energy companys stock worth $188,131,000 after buying an additional 2,252,918 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in Devon Energy by 8.1% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,706,837 shares of the energy companys stock worth $176,036,000 after acquiring an additional 354,633 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 69.72% of the companys stock. Get Devon Energy alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have recently weighed in on DVN shares. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $42.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and set a $45.00 target price (up from $40.00) on shares of Devon Energy in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Siebert Williams Shank dropped their price target on Devon Energy from $52.00 to $46.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 13th. UBS Group upped their target price on Devon Energy from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $34.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $43.04. Devon Energy Price Performance Shares of NYSE:DVN opened at $33.94 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The company has a 50 day moving average of $33.93 and a 200 day moving average of $33.29. Devon Energy Corporation has a 12 month low of $25.89 and a 12 month high of $39.74. The stock has a market cap of $21.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.61, a P/E/G ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.01. Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The energy company reported $1.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.93 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $0.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.10 billion. Devon Energy had a net margin of 16.57% and a return on equity of 18.59%. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.10 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Devon Energy Corporation will post 4.85 EPS for the current fiscal year. Devon Energy Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $0.24 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. Devon Energys payout ratio is 22.59%. Devon Energy Profile (Free Report) Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Eagle Ford, Anadarko, Williston, and Powder River Basins. The company was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DVN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Devon Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Devon Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Palouse Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 36,754 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $2,669,000. Alexandria Real Estate Equities comprises about 1.8% of Palouse Capital Management Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of ARE. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC bought a new stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities during the 2nd quarter worth about $215,000. Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 648.0% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 3,912 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $284,000 after purchasing an additional 3,389 shares during the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 7.7% in the second quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 31,769 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,307,000 after purchasing an additional 2,284 shares during the period. Roberts Glore & Co. Inc. IL acquired a new stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in the second quarter worth $210,000. Finally, Nuance Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 7.5% during the 2nd quarter. Nuance Investments LLC now owns 50,573 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,673,000 after buying an additional 3,543 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.54% of the companys stock. Get Alexandria Real Estate Equities alerts: Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Down 2.4% Shares of ARE stock opened at $54.25 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $76.29 and a 200 day moving average price of $75.43. The stock has a market cap of $9.38 billion, a P/E ratio of -21.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.06 and a beta of 1.29. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. has a one year low of $52.94 and a one year high of $114.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.24 and a quick ratio of 0.23. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Announces Dividend Alexandria Real Estate Equities ( NYSE:ARE Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.31 by ($0.09). The company had revenue of $751.94 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $752.90 million. Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a negative net margin of 13.43% and a negative return on equity of 1.89%. The firms revenue was down 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.37 earnings per share. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.980-9.040 EPS. Analysts predict that Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. will post 9.32 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 30th were paid a $1.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $5.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.7%. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess dividend payout ratio is presently -213.77%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages recently commented on ARE. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their target price on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $98.00 to $65.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $62.00 target price on Alexandria Real Estate Equities and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Zacks Research downgraded Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Evercore ISI cut their price target on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $104.00 to $74.00 in a report on Friday, October 31st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and four 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 price target of $81.71. Get Our Latest Research Report on Alexandria Real Estate Equities Alexandria Real Estate Equities Company Profile (Free Report) Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500 company, is a best-in-class, mission-driven life science REIT making a positive and lasting impact on the world. As the pioneer of the life science real estate niche since our founding in 1994, Alexandria is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative life science, agtech, and advanced technology mega campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ARE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PCG Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund acquired 755 shares of the payment services companys stock, valued at approximately $241,000. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of American Express by 1.3% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 45,843,893 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $12,334,299,000 after purchasing an additional 605,900 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in American Express by 13.7% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 18,025,562 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $4,849,777,000 after acquiring an additional 2,168,445 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Express during the first quarter valued at approximately $1,454,667,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its position in shares of American Express by 1.6% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 5,093,807 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,370,489,000 after purchasing an additional 78,538 shares during the period. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 25.5% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,752,690 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,278,711,000 after purchasing an additional 965,221 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.33% of the companys stock. Get American Express alerts: American Express Trading Down 0.2% Shares of AXP stock opened at $367.93 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a current ratio of 1.61. The company has a market capitalization of $253.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.69, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.27. American Express Company has a 52-week low of $220.43 and a 52-week high of $371.80. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $340.46 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $315.45. American Express Announces Dividend American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The payment services company reported $4.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.98 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $18.43 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.03 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 33.41% and a net margin of 14.97%.The companys revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.49 EPS. American Express has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.200-15.500 EPS. Research 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 was paid on Monday, November 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 10th were paid a $0.82 dividend. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. American Expresss dividend payout ratio is 22.01%. Insider Activity In related news, 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 transaction, the chief marketing officer directly owned 85,577 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $30,825,691.17. The trade was a 36.88% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Stephen J. Squeri sold 112,272 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $329.86, for a total transaction of $37,034,041.92. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 92,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $30,614,306.60. The trade was a 54.74% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 193,292 shares of company stock worth $65,363,878. 0.20% of the stock is owned by insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have commented on AXP shares. HSBC set a $295.00 price target on shares of American Express and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on shares of American Express from $371.00 to $394.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Compass Point restated a neutral rating and issued a $324.00 target price on shares of American Express in a report on Monday, October 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, July 14th. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their price objective on American Express from $330.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $332.65. View Our Latest Stock Report on American Express American Express Company 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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AXP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Express Company (NYSE:AXP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PFG Advisors increased its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 91.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 6,087 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,907 shares during the quarter. PFG Advisors holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $1,109,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in PM. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 140,621,675 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,320,878,000 after acquiring an additional 1,189,283 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in Philip Morris International by 26.4% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 21,840,422 shares of the companys stock worth $3,466,730,000 after purchasing an additional 4,563,632 shares in the last quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC raised its position in Philip Morris International by 24,968.0% in the second quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 11,275,606 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,041,223,000 after purchasing an additional 11,230,626 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International during the first quarter valued at about $1,712,994,000. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 57.5% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 9,794,530 shares of the companys stock worth $1,554,686,000 after purchasing an additional 3,575,158 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.63% of the companys stock. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $225.00 to $220.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $194.00. Philip Morris International Stock Up 1.1% PM stock opened at $155.12 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $241.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.10, a PEG ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.43. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $158.06 and its 200 day simple moving average is $168.27. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12-month low of $116.12 and a 12-month high of $186.69. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $8.12 billion during the quarter. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 122.14% and a net margin of 9.33%. Research analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current year. Philip Morris International Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 3rd were paid a $1.47 dividend. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.8%. This is a boost 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%. Philip Morris International 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. decreased its holdings in shares of Broadstone Net Lease, Inc. (NYSE:BNL Free Report) by 7.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 75,839 shares of the companys stock after selling 5,983 shares during the quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Broadstone Net Lease were worth $1,225,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC bought a new stake in Broadstone Net Lease in the second quarter worth $45,000. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S acquired a new stake in shares of Broadstone Net Lease in the first quarter worth about $115,000. CWM LLC boosted its stake in shares of Broadstone Net Lease by 885.2% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 7,773 shares of the companys stock worth $125,000 after acquiring an additional 6,984 shares in the last quarter. Arrow Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Broadstone Net Lease during the 2nd quarter worth about $172,000. Finally, FJ Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Broadstone Net Lease during the 1st quarter valued at about $201,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.07% of the companys stock. Get Broadstone Net Lease alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. JMP Securities restated a market outperform rating and issued a $21.00 target price on shares of Broadstone Net Lease in a report on Monday, September 29th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Broadstone Net Lease from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on shares of Broadstone Net Lease in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. They issued an overweight rating and a $21.00 target price on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Broadstone Net Lease in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, BTIG Research restated a buy rating and set a $22.00 price target on shares of Broadstone Net Lease in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. One equities 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 data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $19.89. Broadstone Net Lease Price Performance NYSE BNL opened at $18.10 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day moving average is $18.37 and its two-hundred day moving average is $17.06. Broadstone Net Lease, Inc. has a 52-week low of $13.96 and a 52-week high of $18.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.52 and a beta of 1.00. Broadstone Net Lease (NYSE:BNL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.37 by ($0.23). Broadstone Net Lease had a net margin of 20.04% and a return on equity of 2.91%. The company had revenue of $114.17 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $111.89 million. Broadstone Net Lease has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.490-1.500 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Broadstone Net Lease, Inc. will post 1.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Broadstone Net Lease Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.4%. Broadstone Net Leases dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 246.81%. About Broadstone Net Lease (Free Report) Broadstone Net Lease, Inc (the Corporation) is a Maryland corporation formed on October 18, 2007, that elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (REIT) commencing with the taxable year ended December 31, 2008. Broadstone Net Lease, LLC (the Corporations operating company, or the OP), is the entity through which the Corporation conducts its business and owns (either directly or through subsidiaries) all of the Corporations properties. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Broadstone Net Lease Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Broadstone Net Lease and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. decreased its holdings in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE:OHI Free Report) by 5.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 116,129 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 6,716 shares during the quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Omega Healthcare Investors were worth $4,249,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in OHI. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Omega Healthcare Investors by 430.8% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,862,117 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $108,989,000 after buying an additional 2,322,878 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors by 3.9% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 39,554,886 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,506,250,000 after acquiring an additional 1,492,904 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors by 122.3% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,416,560 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $92,023,000 after acquiring an additional 1,329,324 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors during the 1st quarter worth about $42,513,000. Finally, Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec boosted its position in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors by 163.5% in the first quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 1,371,945 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $52,244,000 after acquiring an additional 851,299 shares during the last quarter. 65.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Omega Healthcare Investors alerts: Omega Healthcare Investors Stock Up 1.0% Shares of NYSE OHI opened at $43.96 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $41.55 and a 200 day moving average price of $39.33. The company has a current ratio of 7.10, a quick ratio of 7.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96. Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. has a 12-month low of $35.04 and a 12-month high of $44.21. The company has a market cap of $12.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.14, a P/E/G ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 0.69. Omega Healthcare Investors Announces Dividend Omega Healthcare Investors ( NYSE:OHI Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.79 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.02. Omega Healthcare Investors had a return on equity of 9.78% and a net margin of 42.23%.The company had revenue of $260.74 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $262.48 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.71 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Omega Healthcare Investors has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.080-3.100 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. will post 2.86 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 3rd will be issued a $0.67 dividend. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 3rd. Omega Healthcare Investorss dividend payout ratio is currently 149.72%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages recently commented on OHI. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on Omega Healthcare Investors in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. They set an overweight rating and a $50.00 price objective for the company. Truist Financial increased their target price on Omega Healthcare Investors from $39.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Omega Healthcare Investors from $44.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $44.29. Read Our Latest Analysis on Omega Healthcare Investors Insider Activity at Omega Healthcare Investors In other news, CIO Vikas Gupta bought 11,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $42.97 per share, for a total transaction of $494,155.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the executive owned 13,773 shares of the companys stock, valued at $591,825.81. This trade represents a 505.94% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO C Taylor Pickett purchased 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $43.14 per share, for a total transaction of $862,800.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 20,000 shares in the company, valued at $862,800. This trade represents a increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. 1.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Omega Healthcare Investors Company Profile (Free Report) Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc engages in the provision of financing and capital to the long-term healthcare industry with a particular focus on skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, independent living facilities, rehabilitation and acute care facilities, and medical office buildings. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Omega Healthcare Investors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Omega Healthcare Investors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CaixaBank (OTCMKTS:CAIXY Get Free Report) and Toronto Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership and risk. Dividends CaixaBank pays an annual dividend of $0.13 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.7%. Toronto Dominion Bank pays an annual dividend of $3.01 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.7%. Toronto Dominion Bank pays out 35.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Toronto Dominion Bank has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years. Toronto Dominion Bank is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Get CaixaBank alerts: Profitability This table compares CaixaBank and Toronto Dominion Banks net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CaixaBank N/A N/A N/A Toronto Dominion Bank 16.40% 13.59% 0.73% Valuation and Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio CaixaBank $24.18 billion 3.12 $6.26 billion N/A N/A Toronto Dominion Bank $60.13 billion 2.31 $6.50 billion $8.56 9.55 This table compares CaixaBank and Toronto Dominion Banks gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Toronto Dominion Bank has higher revenue and earnings than CaixaBank. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for CaixaBank and Toronto Dominion Bank, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CaixaBank 1 3 1 0 2.00 Toronto Dominion Bank 1 3 5 0 2.44 Toronto Dominion Bank has a consensus target price of $93.00, suggesting a potential upside of 13.78%. Given Toronto Dominion Banks stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Toronto Dominion Bank is more favorable than CaixaBank. Volatility and Risk CaixaBank has a beta of 0.28, meaning that its stock price is 72% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Toronto Dominion Bank has a beta of 0.79, meaning that its stock price is 21% less volatile than the S&P 500. Institutional & Insider Ownership 52.4% of Toronto Dominion Bank shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Toronto Dominion Bank shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Summary Toronto Dominion Bank beats CaixaBank on 13 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About CaixaBank (Get Free Report) CaixaBank, S.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and financial services in Spain and internationally. The company operates through Banking and Insurance, Equity Investments, and BPI segments. It also provides solutions related to security, protection, internationalization, and financing; traditional financial advice, independent advice, and broker services; asset management; liquidity management; capital markets, cash management, project finance, asset finance, and M&A services; and various financial services and solutions to public and private sector institutions, as well as distributes non-life and life risk insurance policies; and private banking services. In addition, the company is involved in the real estate business. It has branches and ATMs in Spain; and branches and ATMs in Portugal. CaixaBank, S.A. was founded in 1904 and is based in Valencia, Spain. About Toronto Dominion Bank (Get 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. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases. It also provides credit cards and payments; real estate secured lending, auto finance, and consumer lending services; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, and advice to retail and institutional clients through direct investing, advice-based, and asset management businesses; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking products and services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to corporations, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for CaixaBank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CaixaBank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL Free Report) Investment analysts at Roth Capital raised their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Hecla Mining in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, November 6th. Roth Capital analyst J. Reagor now anticipates that the basic materials company will post earnings per share of $0.06 for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $0.05. Roth Capital currently has a Sell rating and a $8.75 price target on the stock. The consensus estimate for Hecla Minings current full-year earnings is $0.21 per share. Roth Capital also issued estimates for Hecla Minings Q3 2026 earnings at $0.05 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $0.21 EPS. Get Hecla Mining alerts: Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Hecla Mining from a hold (c) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research note on Friday. 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 note on Thursday, August 7th. Wall Street Zen raised Hecla Mining from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday, November 2nd. 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. Finally, HC Wainwright upped their target price on Hecla Mining from $12.50 to $16.50 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Hecla Mining has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $9.32. Hecla Mining Trading Up 8.1% NYSE HL opened at $15.01 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $10.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 93.82 and a beta of 1.29. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $12.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is $8.21. The company has a current ratio of 2.67, a quick ratio of 1.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. Hecla Mining has a 52 week low of $4.46 and a 52 week high of $15.44. Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The basic materials company reported $0.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.11 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $409.54 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $315.60 million. Hecla Mining had a net margin of 9.55% and a return on equity of 5.51%. Hecla Minings revenue for the quarter was up 67.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.03 earnings per share. Hecla Mining Dividend Announcement 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 given a $0.0038 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 24th. This represents a $0.02 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.1%. Hecla Minings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 3.23%. Insider Buying and Selling at Hecla Mining In related news, VP Stuart Maurice Absolom sold 14,472 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.29, for a total transaction of $163,388.88. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 73,200 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $826,428. This represents a 16.51% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.62% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Hecla Mining A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of HL. Wealthfront Advisers LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Hecla Mining by 7.8% in the 3rd quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC now owns 12,720 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $154,000 after buying an additional 918 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its holdings in 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 during the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Hecla Mining by 9.9% in the third quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 12,620 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $153,000 after acquiring an additional 1,134 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in Hecla Mining by 28.7% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,426 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $78,000 after acquiring an additional 1,434 shares during the period. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Hecla Mining by 7.0% during the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 23,080 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $276,000 after purchasing an additional 1,516 shares during the last quarter. 63.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Hecla Mining Company Profile (Get Free Report) 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Hecla Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hecla Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RWA Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE:BKD Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 75,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $522,000. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Brookdale Senior Living in the first quarter valued at about $47,000. Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in Brookdale Senior Living in the first quarter valued at about $61,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in Brookdale Senior Living in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $126,000. Walleye Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Brookdale Senior Living in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $130,000. Finally, Optimize Financial Inc increased its position in Brookdale Senior Living by 8.5% during the 1st quarter. Optimize Financial Inc now owns 24,294 shares of the companys stock worth $152,000 after purchasing an additional 1,902 shares during the period. Get Brookdale Senior Living alerts: Brookdale Senior Living Stock Up 5.3% BKD opened at $9.93 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 39.87, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.83. The company has a market cap of $2.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.46 and a beta of 0.96. Brookdale Senior Living Inc. has a one year low of $4.45 and a one year high of $10.23. The businesss fifty day moving average is $8.41 and its two-hundred day moving average is $7.55. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Brookdale Senior Living ( NYSE:BKD Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.20) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.16) by ($0.04). Brookdale Senior Living had a negative net margin of 7.60% and a negative return on equity of 107.19%. The firm had revenue of $813.17 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $825.59 million. Analysts anticipate that Brookdale Senior Living Inc. will post -0.56 EPS for the current fiscal year. BKD has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Barclays upgraded Brookdale Senior Living from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the company from $8.00 to $14.00 in a research note on Monday. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Brookdale Senior Living in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Brookdale Senior Living from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, August 9th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $10.33. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Brookdale Senior Living Brookdale Senior Living Profile (Free Report) Brookdale Senior Living Inc owns, manages, and operates senior living communities in the United States. It operates in three segments: Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). The Independent Living segment owns or leases communities comprising independent and assisted living units in a single community that are primarily designed for middle to upper income seniors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Brookdale Senior Living Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookdale Senior Living and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC lowered its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 11.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,153 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 518 shares during the quarter. Samalin Investment Counsel LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $565,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. IMG Wealth Management Inc. raised its position 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 last quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the first quarter valued at $27,000. Elequin Capital LP bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC purchased a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Accent Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter valued at about $38,000. 75.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Price Performance Shares of Abbott Laboratories stock opened at $125.88 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $218.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.77, a price-to-earnings-growth 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 stock has a 50 day moving average price of $130.65 and a 200-day moving average price of $131.39. Abbott Laboratories has a one year low of $110.86 and a one year high of $141.23. Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.30. The company had revenue of $11.37 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.40 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 17.78% and a net margin of 31.88%.During the same period last year, the company earned $1.21 earnings per share. Abbott Laboratoriess 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. Equities analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared 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 yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is presently 29.57%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on ABT shares. BTIG Research reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $145.00 target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. William Blair upgraded Abbott Laboratories to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 17th. Daiwa Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $134.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Benchmark started coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Friday, October 10th. They set a buy rating and a $145.00 target price for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two equities research 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 companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $147.00. Check Out Our Latest Report on ABT 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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shimano Inc. Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:SMNNY Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $10.15 and last traded at $10.35, with a volume of 131044 shares. The stock had previously closed at $10.38. Shimano Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of $9.10 billion, a PE ratio of 28.05 and a beta of 0.62. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $11.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $12.51. Get Shimano alerts: Shimano (OTCMKTS:SMNNY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $0.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Shimano had a net margin of 10.72% and a return on equity of 5.93%. The firm had revenue of $770.46 million for the quarter. About Shimano Shimano Inc develops, produces, and distributes bicycle components, fishing tackles, and rowing equipment. It has operations in Japan, Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Oceania. Shimano Inc was founded in 1921 and is headquartered in Sakai, Japan. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Shimano Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shimano and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Simplify Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 51.8% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 28,051 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 9,571 shares during the period. Philip Morris International makes up approximately 0.3% of Simplify Asset Management Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Simplify Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $5,109,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mayport LLC acquired a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the second quarter valued at about $242,000. Fagan Associates Inc. grew its position in Philip Morris International by 7.9% during the second quarter. Fagan Associates Inc. now owns 2,020 shares of the companys stock worth $368,000 after buying an additional 148 shares in the last quarter. Blackston Financial Advisory Group LLC bought a new position in Philip Morris International during the second quarter valued at about $278,000. 49 Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Philip Morris International by 16.2% during the second quarter. 49 Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,198 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,129,000 after acquiring an additional 864 shares during the period. Finally, Ibex Wealth Advisors acquired a new position in Philip Morris International in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $5,378,000. 78.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have recently weighed in on PM shares. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Morgan Stanley set a $175.00 price target on shares of Philip Morris International and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $225.00 to $220.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. KGI Securities started coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Monday, August 4th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a $180.00 price target on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has 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 $194.00. Philip Morris International Stock Performance Shares of NYSE PM opened at $155.12 on Tuesday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52-week low of $116.12 and a 52-week high of $186.69. The business has a fifty day moving average of $158.06 and a two-hundred day moving average of $168.27. The stock has a market cap of $241.47 billion, a PE ratio of 28.10, a PEG ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.43. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $8.12 billion during the quarter. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.33% and a negative return on equity of 122.14%. Analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current year. Philip Morris International Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 3rd were paid a $1.47 dividend. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.8%. This is an increase from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.35. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 3rd. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is presently 106.52%. Philip Morris International 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Simplify Asset Management Inc. cut its holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) by 69.8% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 4,051 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after selling 9,376 shares during the quarter. Simplify Asset Management Inc.s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $1,264,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UNH. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA acquired a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter valued at about $25,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd increased its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 685.7% in the 1st quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 55 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 48 shares during the period. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd lifted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 416.7% during the 1st quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 62 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the period. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc grew its position in UnitedHealth Group by 80.9% during the 2nd quarter. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc now owns 123 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the period. Finally, Kentucky Trust Co lifted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 53.8% in the second quarter. Kentucky Trust Co now owns 143 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the period. 87.86% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: UnitedHealth Group Stock Down 0.8% NYSE UNH opened at $321.52 on Tuesday. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a one year low of $234.60 and a one year high of $630.73. The company has a market cap of $291.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.78, a P/E/G ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.47. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $346.08 and a 200 day moving average price of $321.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.82. UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement 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, topping the consensus estimate of $2.87 by $0.05. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 4.04% and a return on equity of 19.23%. The firm had revenue of $113.16 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $113.19 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $7.15 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be paid a dividend of $2.21 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 8th. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. UnitedHealth Groups payout ratio is 46.14%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms recently issued reports on UNH. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $440.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $423.00 to $417.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $310.00 to $425.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. They set a buy rating and a $406.00 target price for the company. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $378.00 to $430.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Eighteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $397.12. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on UnitedHealth Group UnitedHealth Group Company 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for UnitedHealth Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UnitedHealth Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC increased its stake in Southern Company (The) (NYSE:SO Free Report) by 4.7% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 13,005 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 587 shares during the quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Southern were worth $1,231,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Ballentine Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Southern by 20.0% during the first quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 6,884 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $633,000 after buying an additional 1,149 shares during the period. Kathmere Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Southern in the first quarter valued at $204,000. Aurora Investment Counsel acquired a new position in shares of Southern in the 1st quarter valued at about $2,529,000. Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in Southern by 3.6% during the first quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 50,501 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,644,000 after buying an additional 1,741 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Apollon Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Southern by 0.7% in the first quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 73,379 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $6,747,000 after acquiring an additional 484 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.10% of the companys stock. Get Southern alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have recently issued reports on SO. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Southern from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, August 2nd. Scotiabank reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $99.00 target price on shares of Southern in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. UBS Group upped their price target on Southern from $100.00 to $104.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. TD Cowen began coverage on shares of Southern in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. They set a buy rating and a $112.00 target price for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Southern in a report on Monday, October 27th. They set an equal weight rating and a $97.00 target price on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $99.56. Southern Stock Down 0.7% Shares of Southern stock opened at $90.78 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.54. Southern Company has a 1-year low of $80.46 and a 1-year high of $100.83. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $94.16 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $92.51. The company has a market capitalization of $99.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.34, a PEG ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 0.45. Southern (NYSE:SO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The utilities provider reported $1.60 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.51 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $7.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.04 billion. Southern had a return on equity of 12.09% and a net margin of 15.10%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.39 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that Southern Company will post 4.29 EPS for the current year. Southern Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be issued a $0.74 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 17th. This represents a $2.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. Southerns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Southern Company (The) (NYSE:SO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fairbanks Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 6.2% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 23,169 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,361 shares during the quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing makes up 2.9% of Fairbanks Capital Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Fairbanks Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $5,248,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. 1248 Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the first quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. acquired a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC acquired a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. bought a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. Finally, First Command Advisory Services Inc. increased its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 174.1% in the second quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 159 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 101 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.51% of the companys stock. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Needham & Company LLC reissued a buy rating and set a $360.00 price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday, October 27th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research report on Friday. Susquehanna lifted their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $371.67. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Up 3.2% Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock opened at $295.66 on Tuesday. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 52 week low of $134.25 and a 52 week high of $311.37. The stock has a market cap of $1.53 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.32, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.31. The companys 50-day moving average price is $281.25 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $239.16. The company has a current ratio of 2.37, a quick ratio of 2.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 earnings per share (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 business had revenue of $32.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $951.89 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.94 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 40.1% on a year-over-year basis. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, analysts expect that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current fiscal year. 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TSM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Telefonica Brasil S.A. (NYSE:VIV Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $13.02 and last traded at $12.9740, with a volume of 137799 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $12.59. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have commented on VIV shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Telefonica Brasil from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an underweight rating on shares of Telefonica Brasil in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Barclays reiterated an overweight rating and set a $14.50 target price on shares of Telefonica Brasil in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Zacks Research downgraded Telefonica Brasil from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, August 22nd. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on Telefonica Brasil in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. They set a neutral rating for the company. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $12.90. Get Telefonica Brasil alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on VIV Telefonica Brasil Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 0.98. The company has a market capitalization of $21.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.96, a P/E/G ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 0.76. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $12.38 and a 200-day moving average price of $11.46. Telefonica Brasil (NYSE:VIV Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.19 by $0.03. Telefonica Brasil had a return on equity of 8.32% and a net margin of 10.13%.The firm had revenue of $2.74 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.01 billion. Research analysts predict that Telefonica Brasil S.A. will post 0.6 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Telefonica Brasil Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Modern Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Telefonica Brasil during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $423,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in Telefonica Brasil by 16.4% during the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 449,213 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $3,917,000 after acquiring an additional 63,241 shares in the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. increased its holdings in Telefonica Brasil by 45.6% during the 1st quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 612,915 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $5,345,000 after acquiring an additional 191,842 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in Telefonica Brasil by 36.4% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,445,527 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $12,605,000 after purchasing an additional 385,848 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in Telefonica Brasil by 23.7% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 150,128 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $1,309,000 after purchasing an additional 28,749 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 5.16% of the companys stock. About Telefonica Brasil (Get Free Report) Telefonica Brasil SA, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a mobile telecommunications company in Brazil. Its fixed line services portfolio includes local, domestic long-distance, and international long-distance calls; and mobile portfolio comprises voice and broadband internet access through 3G, 4G, 4.5G, and 5G, as well as mobile value-added and wireless roaming services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Telefonica Brasil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Telefonica Brasil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Temple Bar (LON:TMPL Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as GBX 374.50 and last traded at GBX 373, with a volume of 1412372 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 371. Temple Bar Trading Up 1.1% The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.47, a quick ratio of 3.68 and a current ratio of 5.17. The companys 50 day moving average is GBX 357.43 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 334.34. The stock has a market capitalization of 1.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.52 and a beta of 1.11. Get Temple Bar alerts: Temple Bar (LON:TMPL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 20th. The company reported GBX 8.20 EPS for the quarter. Temple Bar had a net margin of 98.26% and a return on equity of 20.62%. Insider Buying and Selling at Temple Bar Temple Bar Company Profile In other Temple Bar news, insider Wendy Colquhoun bought 5,535 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 2nd. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 359 per share, with a total value of 19,870.65. Also, insider Nicholas Bannerman purchased 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 20th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 345 per share, with a total value of 17,250. Insiders own 0.19% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Temple Bars investment objective is to provide investors with a growing income combined with growth in capital. It aims to meet this objective by investing primarily in UK equities, across different sectors, maintaining a balance of larger and smaller/medium-sized companies. The trust has a bias towards FTSE 350 companies. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Temple Bar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Temple Bar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thunder Mountain Gold (OTCMKTS:THMG Get Free Report) announced its earnings results on Monday. The basic materials company reported ($0.01) EPS for the quarter, Zacks reports. Thunder Mountain Gold Stock Up 20.2% OTCMKTS THMG opened at $0.51 on Tuesday. Thunder Mountain Gold has a 52 week low of $0.03 and a 52 week high of $0.69. The company has a market capitalization of $42.53 million, a P/E ratio of -25.54 and a beta of 0.45. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $0.41 and its 200-day moving average price is $0.29. Get Thunder Mountain Gold alerts: Thunder Mountain Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report) Recommended Stories Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc explores for and develops mining properties in Nevada and Idaho, the United States. It explores for zinc, silver, gold, and copper deposits, as well as base metals and other commodities. The company holds interests in the South Mountain property that includes 18 patented mining claims covering an area of approximately 346 acres; 36 acres of private land; 21 unpatented mining lode claims covering an area of approximately 290 acres; leased private land covering approximately 489 acres; and private land not contiguous with the mining claims covering an area of 360 acres located in the South Mountain Mining District, Owyhee County, Idaho. Receive News & Ratings for Thunder Mountain Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thunder Mountain Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ultrapar Participacoes S.A. (NYSE:UGP Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Buy from the seven analysts that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $4.50. Several research firms have recently issued reports on UGP. Wall Street Zen raised Ultrapar Participacoes from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 22nd. Scotiabank raised shares of Ultrapar Participacoes from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, July 28th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Ultrapar Participacoes in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research raised shares of Ultrapar Participacoes from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Ultrapar Participacoes from $4.00 to $4.50 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, September 26th. Get Ultrapar Participacoes alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Ultrapar Participacoes Ultrapar Participacoes Stock Up 1.9% Ultrapar Participacoes Cuts Dividend UGP opened at $4.25 on Thursday. Ultrapar Participacoes has a 12 month low of $2.53 and a 12 month high of $4.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.82 and a quick ratio of 1.38. The stock has a market cap of $4.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.08. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $3.91 and its 200 day moving average price is $3.40. The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 25th were paid a dividend of $0.0555 per share. This represents a yield of 360.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 25th. Ultrapar Participacoess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.00%. Institutional Trading of Ultrapar Participacoes Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Polunin Capital Partners Ltd boosted its stake in Ultrapar Participacoes by 8.9% during the second quarter. Polunin Capital Partners Ltd now owns 9,457,242 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $31,398,000 after buying an additional 776,808 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in Ultrapar Participacoes by 117.4% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,084,186 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $16,745,000 after acquiring an additional 2,205,282 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in Ultrapar Participacoes by 42.4% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,695,322 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $8,841,000 after acquiring an additional 803,065 shares during the last quarter. Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC boosted its position in shares of Ultrapar Participacoes by 39.6% during the 2nd quarter. Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC now owns 616,345 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,022,000 after purchasing an additional 174,818 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raiffeisen Bank International AG boosted its position in shares of Ultrapar Participacoes by 30.4% during the 3rd quarter. Raiffeisen Bank International AG now owns 537,128 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,191,000 after purchasing an additional 125,129 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 3.58% of the companys stock. About Ultrapar Participacoes (Get Free Report) Ultrapar Participacoes SA, through its subsidiaries, operates in the energy and infrastructure business in Brazil. The company distributes liquefied petroleum gas to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers, in addition to renewable electricity and compressed natural gas. It also operates in the distribution and marketing of gasoline, ethanol, diesel, fuel oil, kerosene, natural gas for vehicles, and lubricants; and holds AmPm convenience stores and provides JetOil lubricant services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ultrapar Participacoes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ultrapar Participacoes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. decreased its stake in Targa Resources, Inc. (NYSE:TRGP Free Report) by 52.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 6,462 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 7,164 shares during the period. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.s holdings in Targa Resources were worth $1,125,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of TRGP. Nordea Investment Management AB grew its position in Targa Resources by 260.2% during the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 128,911 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $22,526,000 after acquiring an additional 93,119 shares during the last quarter. Aberdeen Group plc grew its stake in shares of Targa Resources by 17.6% during the second quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 175,571 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $30,563,000 after buying an additional 26,318 shares during the last quarter. OFI Invest Asset Management grew its holdings in shares of Targa Resources by 6.5% in the second quarter. OFI Invest Asset Management now owns 243,628 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $42,411,000 after purchasing an additional 14,883 shares during the last quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH grew its holdings in Targa Resources by 34.2% in the 2nd quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 1,270,128 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $221,104,000 after acquiring an additional 323,398 shares during the last quarter. Finally, iA Global Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in Targa Resources by 44.1% during the 2nd quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 14,169 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $2,467,000 after purchasing an additional 4,337 shares during the period. 92.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Targa Resources alerts: Targa Resources Stock Down 1.6% TRGP stock opened at $169.28 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $161.21 and a 200 day moving average of $164.61. The firm has a market cap of $36.43 billion, a PE ratio of 23.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 1.16. Targa Resources, Inc. has a twelve month low of $144.14 and a twelve month high of $218.51. The company has a quick ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.93. Targa Resources Announces Dividend Targa Resources ( NYSE:TRGP Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The pipeline company reported $2.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.70 billion. On average, research analysts forecast that Targa Resources, Inc. will post 8.15 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed 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. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 31st. Targa Resourcess dividend payout ratio is 53.19%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently issued reports on TRGP shares. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Targa Resources from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Targa Resources in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Scotiabank reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Targa Resources in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Cfra Research upgraded Targa Resources to a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company restated an overweight rating and set a $205.00 target price (up previously from $198.00) on shares of Targa Resources in a report on Friday, August 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $209.50. Get Our Latest Report on Targa Resources Targa Resources 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Targa Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Targa Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. King Luther Capital Management Corp lessened its position in Visa Inc. (NYSE:V Free Report) by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 926,323 shares of the credit-card processors stock after selling 14,873 shares during the quarter. Visa comprises 1.4% of King Luther Capital Management Corps holdings, making the stock its 15th largest position. King Luther Capital Management Corp owned 0.05% of Visa worth $328,891,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Keystone Global Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Visa during the first quarter worth $26,000. Family Legacy Financial Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of Visa in the second quarter worth about $28,000. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. acquired a new position in Visa during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Visa by 82.0% during the 2nd quarter. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC now owns 91 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hoese & Co LLP purchased a new stake in Visa during the 2nd quarter valued at about $36,000. 82.15% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Visa alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have weighed in on V. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and issued a $408.00 target price (up from $398.00) on shares of Visa in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Visa to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Visa in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Visa in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. They issued a buy rating and a $410.00 target price for the company. Finally, Citigroup upgraded Visa to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $400.00. Visa Stock Down 0.5% NYSE:V opened at $334.49 on Tuesday. Visa Inc. has a 52 week low of $299.00 and a 52 week high of $375.51. The stocks fifty day moving average is $343.17 and its two-hundred day moving average is $348.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $613.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.87. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. Visa (NYSE:V Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The credit-card processor reported $2.98 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $10.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.60 billion. Visa had a return on equity of 60.31% and a net margin of 50.15%.The companys revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.71 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Visa Inc. will post 11.3 EPS for the current year. Visa Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 12th will be given a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 12th. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. This is an increase from Visas previous quarterly dividend of $0.59. Visas dividend payout ratio is presently 23.11%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, CEO Ryan Mcinerney sold 10,485 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $341.00, for a total transaction of $3,575,385.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 537 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $183,117. This represents a 95.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, General Counsel Julie B. Rottenberg sold 2,027 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $344.02, for a total transaction of $697,328.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel directly owned 11,925 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,102,438.50. The trade was a 14.53% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 23,897 shares of company stock worth $8,164,561 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Visa Profile (Free Report) Visa Inc operates as a payment technology company in the United States and internationally. The company operates VisaNet, a transaction processing network that enables authorization, clearing, and settlement of payment transactions. It also offers credit, debit, and prepaid card products; tap to pay, tokenization, and click to pay services; Visa Direct, a solution that facilitates the delivery of funds to eligible cards, deposit accounts, and digital wallets; Visa B2B Connect, a multilateral business-to-business cross-border payments network; Visa Cross-Border Solution, a cross-border consumer payments solution; and Visa DPS that provides a range of value-added services, including fraud mitigation, dispute management, data analytics, campaign management, a suite of digital solutions, and contact center services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Visa Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Visa and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vise Technologies Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Free Report) during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm purchased 5,671 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $2,408,000. Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of IWF. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC lifted its position in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 17,848,756 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF in the first quarter valued at $424,812,000. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 311.4% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,285,798 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $464,289,000 after purchasing an additional 973,250 shares during the period. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd boosted its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 36,009.0% during the 1st quarter. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd now owns 494,693 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $178,629,000 after purchasing an additional 493,323 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in shares of 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 valued at $1,845,101,000 after buying an additional 208,598 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.33% of the companys stock. Get iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF alerts: iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Stock Performance IWF stock opened at $481.85 on Tuesday. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF has a fifty-two week low of $308.67 and a fifty-two week high of $493.00. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $468.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is $435.11. The company has a market cap of $125.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.43 and a beta of 1.13. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $94.25. A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on WD shares. JMP Securities set a $95.00 price objective on shares of Walker & Dunlop and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Walker & Dunlop to an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Walker & Dunlop from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Citizens Jmp upgraded Walker & Dunlop from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $95.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Get Walker & Dunlop alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Walker & Dunlop Insider Activity at Walker & Dunlop Institutional Investors Weigh In On Walker & Dunlop In other news, EVP Paula A. Pryor sold 5,336 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.20, for a total transaction of $459,963.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 9,341 shares of the companys stock, valued at $805,194.20. This represents a 36.36% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . 3.66% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 26.1% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 764 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 158 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC acquired a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop during the 1st quarter worth about $219,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop during the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas purchased a new position in Walker & Dunlop in the 1st quarter valued at about $421,000. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 160,069 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,663,000 after buying an additional 3,805 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.97% of the companys stock. Walker & Dunlop Stock Down 4.6% Shares of WD stock opened at $66.19 on Tuesday. Walker & Dunlop has a 52-week low of $64.48 and a 52-week high of $114.04. The stock has a market cap of $2.26 billion, a PE ratio of 20.43 and a beta of 1.66. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $82.53 and a 200-day simple moving average of $77.30. Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.22 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.01. Walker & Dunlop had a return on equity of 8.81% and a net margin of 9.27%.The firm had revenue of $337.68 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $325.10 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.19 earnings per share. Walker & Dunlops revenue for the quarter was up 15.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Walker & Dunlop will post 4.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Walker & Dunlop Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 21st will be issued a $0.67 dividend. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 21st. Walker & Dunlops dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 79.53%. Walker & Dunlop Company Profile (Get Free Report) Walker & Dunlop, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of commercial real estate and finance services. It operates through the following segments: Capital Markets, Servicing and Asset Management, and Corporate. The Capital Markets segment offers a comprehensive range of commercial real estate finance products to customers. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Walker & Dunlop Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Walker & Dunlop and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT increased its stake in Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY Free Report) by 1,132.6% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 3,402 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after acquiring an additional 3,126 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation National Association UTs holdings in Occidental Petroleum were worth $143,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in OXY. Brown Advisory Inc. grew its stake in Occidental Petroleum by 20.1% in the first quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 16,523 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $816,000 after purchasing an additional 2,765 shares during the period. Xponance Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 5.5% during the 1st quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 91,352 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $4,509,000 after buying an additional 4,783 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System grew its position in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 15.1% in the 1st quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 206,533 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $10,194,000 after buying an additional 27,153 shares during the period. Stephens Inc. AR increased its stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 6.4% in the 1st quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 11,535 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $569,000 after acquiring an additional 698 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cutter & CO Brokerage Inc. lifted its position in Occidental Petroleum by 8.8% during the 1st quarter. Cutter & CO Brokerage Inc. now owns 113,475 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $5,601,000 after acquiring an additional 9,142 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 88.70% of the companys stock. Get Occidental Petroleum alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on OXY shares. Melius assumed coverage on shares of Occidental Petroleum in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. They issued a hold rating and a $64.00 price objective on the stock. Piper Sandler cut their price target on Occidental Petroleum from $50.00 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Morgan Stanley reissued an equal weight rating and issued a $52.00 target price on shares of Occidental Petroleum in a report on Monday, August 18th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Occidental Petroleum from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on Occidental Petroleum from $46.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Occidental Petroleum has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $52.43. Occidental Petroleum Trading Up 1.2% Shares of NYSE:OXY opened at $41.79 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.83. Occidental Petroleum Corporation has a 1 year low of $34.78 and a 1 year high of $53.20. The company has a market cap of $41.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.73 and a beta of 0.91. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $44.10 and its 200-day moving average price is $43.69. Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.64 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $6.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.66 billion. Occidental Petroleum had a return on equity of 13.78% and a net margin of 8.79%.Occidental Petroleums revenue was down 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.00 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Occidental Petroleum Corporation will post 3.58 earnings per share for the current year. Occidental Petroleum Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 10th will be paid a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 10th. Occidental Petroleums dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 56.80%. About Occidental Petroleum (Free Report) Occidental Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States, the Middle East, and North Africa. It operates through three segments: Oil and Gas, Chemical, and Midstream and Marketing. The company's Oil and Gas segment explores for, develops, and produces oil and condensate, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OXY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Occidental Petroleum Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Occidental Petroleum and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT trimmed its position in shares of GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE Free Report) by 12.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,524 shares of the companys stock after selling 373 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation National Association UTs holdings in GE Aerospace were worth $650,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of GE. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC lifted its position in shares of GE Aerospace by 3.0% in the second quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC now owns 4,428 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,140,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. Summit Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in GE Aerospace during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $234,000. Midwest Trust Co bought a new stake in GE Aerospace during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $8,540,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in GE Aerospace by 43.4% in the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 245,862 shares of the companys stock worth $63,276,000 after purchasing an additional 74,395 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 1ST Source Bank boosted its stake in GE Aerospace by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. 1ST Source Bank now owns 10,746 shares of the companys stock worth $2,766,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 74.77% of the companys stock. Get GE Aerospace alerts: GE Aerospace Trading Up 1.5% GE stock opened at $311.75 on Tuesday. GE Aerospace has a twelve month low of $159.36 and a twelve month high of $316.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $328.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 1.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $297.61 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $265.87. GE Aerospace Dividend Announcement GE Aerospace ( NYSE:GE Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 net margin of 18.34% and a return on equity of 34.01%. The businesss revenue was up 26.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.15 EPS. GE Aerospace has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.000-6.200 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that GE Aerospace will post 5.4 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 27th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 29th were paid a dividend of $0.36 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 29th. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. GE Aerospaces dividend payout ratio is currently 19.23%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on GE shares. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating and set a $296.00 price objective (up previously from $227.00) on shares of GE Aerospace in a research report on Monday, July 14th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on shares of GE Aerospace from $300.00 to $340.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and issued a $350.00 price target on shares of GE Aerospace in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of GE Aerospace from $275.00 to $325.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on GE Aerospace from $230.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Fifteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, GE Aerospace presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $301.27. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on GE Aerospace 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for GE Aerospace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GE Aerospace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hang on a second, a mistake that insinuates an accident or something you do without knowing you have done something wrong. A deliberate act of doctoring a piece of footage to imply that the President of the United States was inciting his followers to commit violence on January 6, 2021 was not a fucking mistake it was a deliberate act of coercion, a fraudulent crime. No Apologies for Fake News The defiant arrogance of Tim Davie, the ousted former BBC boss, who presided over this deliberate deception, displays how deluded these people are. We did make a mistake regarding the editing of the Trump speech, he said, which a leaked memo written by an ex-BBC adviser said misled viewers. He then defiantly exclaimed that This narrative will not just be given by our enemies (Trump), its our narrative, Trump needs to hit this mistake with a big, fat $1 billion correction. China's doll clothing craze grows alongside booming designer toy market People's Daily Online) 14:08, November 11, 2025 A woman takes photos of dolls in a store of the Chinese toy company Pop Mart in Shanghai. (Photo/Wang Chu) As the designer toy market continues to expand, doll clothing is rapidly becoming a must-have for collectors. Doll outfits are not only popular among young consumers but also appeal to many parent-child families, office workers and other consumer groups. "I initially bought dolls for my child, but then discovered that dressing up Labubu was fun, so I started buying doll clothes myself and often take photos to share with friends," said Fang Jiayu, an office worker in Shanghai. Recently, she purchased three sets of Labubu outfits at once, each priced at over 150 yuan ($21). Many stay-at-home mothers in their 30s and 40s around her are passionate about doll clothing. On a leading e-commerce platform, a search for doll clothing yields products ranging from a dozen to several hundred yuan. Many top-ranked stores record monthly sales exceeding 1,000 units. Data from one e-commerce platform shows that in 2024, doll clothing sales surged over 117.08 percent year on year. In May, sales grew even more notably, with single-month revenue surpassing 10 million yuan. In Tongxiang, east China's Zhejiang Province, orders have flooded into a doll clothing factory this year. The factory head explained that since May, the facility has ramped up production daily, with products selling not only across China but also in overseas markets. Why are doll clothes so popular? The phrase "emotional value" is a key concept mentioned by many respondents. Ms. Zhao, a stay-at-home mother from Beijing, said that after finishing her daily tasks, changing her dolls' clothes, posting on social media, and chatting with doll enthusiasts about styling tips provides excellent emotional relaxation. Doll outfits are a catalyst for consumers' social interaction, according to Pan Ji, a professor at Fudan University's School of Journalism. Doll clothing also provides substantial emotional value, Pan added. For many consumers, the process of dressing up dolls is highly stress-relieving, offering young people facing academic and work pressures an opportunity for self-expression, creation and emotional companionship. On social platforms, individual sellers offer a diverse range of doll outfits to cater to various consumer needs. In Yiwu, known as "the world's supermarket" in Zhejiang Province, some garment manufacturers have recently begun producing custom clothing for dolls. "We can make doll outfits featuring high-end embroidery, beading and other craftsmanship to increase product value. Many in the doll clothing business are able to create styles customized to customer requirements and sell them to Japan, South Korea, North America and other markets," said the head of a manufacturer. Pan sees the popularity of doll clothing as an opportunity for "guochao," or China-chic a fashion trend that combines modern designs with traditional cultural elements to expand its presence internationally. Some merchants are incorporating intangible cultural heritage fabrics and traditional Chinese elements into their doll clothing designs, receiving attention in overseas markets, Pan said. The global designer toy market grew from $20.3 billion in 2020 to $41.8 billion in 2024, and the figure is expected to reach $52 billion in 2025. The expansion of the designer toy industry is poised to offer more opportunities for the development of the doll clothing sector. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Americana Partners LLC decreased its position in shares of Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM Free Report) by 9.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,316 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,104 shares during the quarter. Americana Partners LLCs holdings in Toyota Motor were worth $1,777,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Get Toyota Motor alerts: Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of TM. Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Toyota Motor by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC now owns 6,636 shares of the companys stock worth $1,171,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. Abundance Wealth Counselors raised its position in Toyota Motor by 2.0% during the second quarter. Abundance Wealth Counselors now owns 3,105 shares of the companys stock valued at $535,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. raised its position in Toyota Motor by 20.3% during the second quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 379 shares of the companys stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Toyota Motor by 4.2% during the second quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 1,641 shares of the companys stock worth $283,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Toyota Motor by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 4,916 shares of the companys stock valued at $847,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. 1.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Analysts Set New Price Targets TM has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein raised Toyota Motor from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Monday, August 18th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Toyota Motor in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Erste Group Bank raised shares of Toyota Motor from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Zacks Research lowered shares of Toyota Motor from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Toyota Motor from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold. Toyota Motor Trading Up 1.1% NYSE TM opened at $204.17 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $275.10 billion, a PE ratio of 9.84 and a beta of 0.63. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $199.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $189.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Toyota Motor Corporation has a 12 month low of $155.00 and a 12 month high of $211.24. Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $4.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.36 by $1.49. The company had revenue of $80.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $79.06 billion. Toyota Motor had a return on equity of 11.63% and a net margin of 8.77%. Toyota Motor has set its FY 2026 guidance at 15.249-15.249 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Toyota Motor Corporation will post 19.76 EPS for the current year. Toyota Motor Company Profile (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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Toyota Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toyota Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Derry businesses were among the winners of the inaugural Northern Ireland Beauty Industry Awards 2025, hosted by Oceanic Awards. The awards honoured the finest professionals and businesses that have showcased exceptional talent, dedication, and innovation in the beauty sector across Ireland. This inaugural event aims to celebrate the exceptional contributions of individuals, salons, spas, and beauty brands that have left an indelible mark on the industry. These awards gathered an impressive pool of talent who demonstrate the resilience and creativity that embodies the beauty community in Northern Ireland. The winners of these prestigious awards were announced during an elegant awards ceremony which took place on November 9 at The La Mon Hotel & Country Club in Belfast where the industrys finest gathered to celebrate excellence and network with peers. Irfan Younis, spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Beauty Industry Awards said: These awards have provided an opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate the hard work, dedication, and innovation of talented individuals and businesses in the industry. The passion and dedication displayed by these finalists is truly inspiring and reflected the vibrant and ever-evolving beauty scene in Northern Ireland. We want to congratulate all of our winners on their incredible accomplishments. Among the winners from County Derry for the 1st Northern Ireland Beauty Industry Awards 2025 were: Beauty Therapist(s) of the Year - Heavenly Beauty (Coleraine). Beauty Salon Client Experience of the Year - Allure Beauty & Cosmetics (Coleraine). Nail Technician of the Year - Recognised for Excellence was Topcoat Nails and Beauty Salon (Limavady). Brow Salon of the Year - Diamond Brow Bar (Derry). Aesthetic Client Experience of the Year - Envy Aesthetics (Limavady). Tattoo Artist of the Year - Outstanding Achievement went to Craig Riddles Tattoo Studio (Derry). Recognised for Excellence was Heavybuzz Custom Tattoos (Derry). Hair Extension Technician(s) of the Year - Recognised for Excellence was Nikita Doherty Hair Extension Specialist (Derry). Tanning Salon of the Year - Recognised for Excellence was The Tanning Rooms (Derry). A North West Regional College (NWRC) computing graduate who has gone on to become an award-winning businessperson will be one of the speakers at TechTides Youth at the colleges Strand Road campus on November 18. Clare Hamilton is now on the placement year of a BSc in Computer Science and shes using her time to develop her new start up business The Influencer Hub which she co-founded with Jordan McCambridge. The 23-year-old has come a long way since she first started developing her entrepreneurial skills when as an 8 year-old she opened her own sweet shop for family and friends. Im very much looking forward to TechTides Youth, she said. During the event Ill be sharing my own journey into entrepreneurship. Ill also talk about the future of AI in technology particularly in the influencer marketing industry. My aim is to inspire other young people to turn their ideas into real businesses. Clares business The Influencer Hub is a data driven platform that streamlines the process for businesses to find and collaborate with suitable content creators (influencers) based on brand alignment, audience demographics, and budget. It also allows businesses to track and measure real time campaign performance. The hub makes influencer marketing more accessible and efficient for smaller businesses that might not have the resources for complex, large-scale campaigns. It also offers content creators a platform to showcase their talent, connect with brands, and earn from their work. Previously Clares business expertise has won her numerous awards including Young Businessperson of the Year, Student Invent Winner award and the Amazon Engineer bursary. The inspiration for the Hub came to Clare during lockdown when she started up a Tiktok account with her dog. The account did well, she said, I worked with brands and businesses and it was from there I realised there was a need for a platform that not only matches businesses with the right content creators, but also allows them to manage the entire collaboration process through one end-to-end solution. My co-founder Jordan had similar challenges with marketing after running a previous business, and that's how The Influencer Hub was born. Clare Hamilton prepares for Techtides with its founder Alastair Cameron. Clare is very proud of how far she has come and is keen to encourage other young people to choose their own path rather than automatically following the crowd. She said: Theres me, I was home schooled, and everything was going great, but when Covid hit there was no facility for anyone who was being homeschooled to get predicted grades. That led me to NWRC for the Level 3 in Computing, then on to Ulster University and now to the Amp in the Waterside where the office for The Influencer Hub is based. Techtides and Techtides Youth is taking place on Tuesday, November 18 2025 at Derry's Millennium Forum and North West Regional College. The one-day event will bring together startups, investors, technologists and business leaders to spark new ideas, forge meaningful connections, and drive practical progress. The city and districts festive campaign for 2025 is set to kick off in spectacular fashion with the opening of the Guildhall Craft Fair next weekend. This year, the premier shopping event is placing a spotlight on local innovation, welcoming 13 new stands, including two exciting textile companies making their debut Rafiki from Plumbridge and The Foxes Wedding from Derry. Coming just weeks after the hugely successful Halloween celebrations, the fair marks the official start of Derry City and Strabane District Council's Christmas festivities, running for three days from Friday, November 14 until Sunday, November 16. The Guildhall Craft Fair is always associated with attracting a very high standard of goods to reflect the quality of local craft and design and both Rafiki Collection and The Foxes Wedding represent the very best of that emerging local talent. Rafiki Collection is the brainchild of Margaret Madge Kelly, launched in 2020 from Plumbridge. Madges distinctive line of products are all made from vibrant Ankara fabrics. She personally designs, cuts, and sews every single item, guaranteeing a unique and handcrafted feel. She said: We are absolutely delighted to have been selected to be part of the Guildhall Craft Fair for the first time. The Guildhall is such a stunning and prestigious venue, and we are really looking forward to showcasing our vibrant Ankara fabrics and designs to a new audience. It's a fantastic opportunity to showcase African Prints in promoting cultural awareness and integration." The Foxes Wedding was established in 2022 by Alison Hancock from Derry City. This innovative company specialises in sustainable textiles, clothing, and accessories. Alisons commitment to sustainability shines through her use of naturally dyed garments and natural fibres like Northern Irish linen, silk, cotton, wool, and calico. Speaking ahead of the event next week she said: "I couldn't be more thrilled that The Foxes Wedding will be making its debut at the Guildhall Craft Fair this year. This event is renowned for quality, and its the perfect place to present our naturally dyed, sustainable clothing and accessories. We look forward to meeting fellow crafters and customers who appreciate ethical, handcrafted design." The fair will feature a total of 51 businesses displaying their wares, ranging from ceramics (e.g., Ashleigh Collim Ceramics and Lichen Ceramics), exquisite jewellery (e.g., Island Jewellery), and unique pieces like those from Bog and Brass, which crafts items from Irish bogland materials. The Fair will be open from 10.00am until 6.00pm daily, and entry is free. Adding to the atmosphere, one of the fair's most popular elements will return, with four different choirs performing on the main stage in the Guildhall each day, providing the perfect soundtrack for the start of Christmas shopping. A small food and drink fair will also be available in the Whittaker Suite on the ground floor. Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Niree McMorris, who is officially opening the Fair next weekend, is encouraging the public to support the event. 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. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Before the sun rose on a frosty Saturday, November 9, 1935, Annie Gallagher from Torries, on Arranmore islands far side, had already lit the fire and was soon dressing the beds. The excitement was because her children were expected home later that evening from Scotland, where they had been seasonal potato picking - or tatie-hoking as it was known. Ten years beforehand, on January 30, 1925, Annies husband Edward had lost his sister Sarah and her own husband Philip Boyle in the Owencarrow Disaster. Four people died, and nine were injured, as a steam train on the Letterkenny and Burtonport Extension Railway came off the viaduct outside Creeslough during a gale. The Owencarrow Disaster of 1925 Sarah and Philip Boyle were returning to the island from Dublin, having bought stock for their grocery and drapery shop. They had just picked up their son, Philly, who had been discharged from hospital in Letterkenny. the 18-year-old had three fingers amputated following an accident whilst working as a relief lighthouse keeper on the island. He survived the trainwreck. Although poor weather had meant the tatie-hoking season lasted a little longer than usual in 1935, Annie was comforted that crisp morning as she looked towards the mainland and could only see a stillness in the sea. Later that evening, after darkness fell at about 5:45pm, 20 people boarded a yawl in Burtonport to make their way home. Seven had made their way from Arranmore that afternoon to meet those who were returning from five months in Scotland. Only one of the 20 would set foot on Arranmore alive. The migrants had boarded the Burns and Laird at 7pm on Friday from Broomielaw in Glasgow and had an exhaustive overnight crossing, although one that passed quickly with plenty of dancing as the accordion played. The passengers finally disembarked tiredly down the gangplank in Derry, not long after Annie wouldve been rising on Arranmore. Some would wander in Derry - a few were window-shopping and others picking up presents and treats - as the smell of the sizzling bacon was too much to ignore, wafting from Con Molloys at 31 Waterloo Street, not far from the Gweedore Bar. Molloy was originally from Burtonport and married to Margaret Boyle from Maas, just outside Glenties, and their Rosses Bar murmured with Donegal accents - most as Gaeilge - that morning. Danny Green from Poolawaddy spent his morning pounding the streets of the Walled City. He had lost his tie-pin and would end up missing the train to Burtonport because of it, but would live to tell the tale. Sisters Fanny and Mary Gallagher, as well as Mary Henry and her brother Owen Henry, had also travelled on the Glasgow boat to Derry. It was later reported: They too would have got the train but for the fact that one of their number, a young lad, insisted on going into a local store for sweets, and as a result all missed the train. Back on Arranmore, Annies husband, 61-year-old Edward Gallagher, would soon set off for Burtonport as five of their children - Madgie, 28; Eddie, 24; Johnny, 22; Charlie 20, and Hannah, 16 - were due home. Another son, Mickie, who was 29, had stayed home that summer to work on the lobsters, and another, Paddy, 26, had contracted rheumatic fever in Scotland and returned in August. The night he came back was so foggy, it was said the first time many of those on board only recognised Aphort Pier as they were about to dock. A nephew of Annies, John Gallagher, 20, Aphort, as well as 34-year-old John Rodgers from Torries and John Bow ODonnell, 50, also from Aphort, would join Edward in going to the mainland on the dark red-painted yawl. At the last minute, Eamon Ned Ward, 51, who had been working on the lifeboat by the pier at Aphort, decided to join them, needing to pick up a wireless in Burtonport, thus bringing the party to seven. They pulled out at 2:45pm. With the wind coming in from the mainland, they would row over with the tide and then could use the 24-foot double-edged sail on the way back. An 11-year-old Jimmy ODonnell was almost on his way over too, relieved of his duties of paying the stationmaster in Burtonport for groceries for the local shop by Edward Gallagher, who said he would sort it out, save him the journey and to go on home. Sunday was time enough. As they rowed out into the sea, John Bow ODonnell shared the story of his trip from Derry to New York; of seven days and seven nights on a stormy Atlantic - and then two more days by train to Chicago. Eamon Sweeney, who was discharging timber at the pier as they went off into the horizon, saw the clouds darken and swiftly drift in and hauntingly remarked: It was like an evening on which hundreds were being hanged. On the other side, the Swilly train left Derry at 10am, headed for Burtonport and arrived sometime after 4pm - an hour late, although a common occurrence as John McCole, the conductor, would regularly drop off necessities in Creeslough, Falcarragh and Crolly on the way. There was a 45-minute stop in Letterkenny, where 16-year-old Hannah Gallagher, who was finding the train uncomfortable after her second year in Scotland and due to a sore leg. She had burned it a couple of days beforehand when a kettle slipped from her grasp as she was washing. Whilst in Letterkenny, she took a wander and came back smiling with biscuits and lemonade. Approaching Burtonport, nearing the 75-mile journey from Derry. Hannah is said to have looked out the window just before the train pulled in, saying: I can see father and Paddy. Edward soon got to hug his sons and kiss his daughters, Hannah and Madgie. He was in Burtonport with seven of his children - the two sons that had rowed over with him and then the three boys and two girls who were returning from Scotland. He also greeted another Hannah Gallagher, who was 21, with her brothers Daniel (27) and Manus (17), who were expected to be in Scotland another week and were known as the Mickie Mor Gallaghers. The parents had received a letter from Hannah to say they'd be leaving for home on November 15. Edward Gallaghers son, Mickie, a pioneer who had travelled from the island, was placing the cases and boxes into the boat, with his brother Charlie, and Paddy ODonnell passing them down. Eamon Ned Ward helped Mickie with the sail. Peter Leonard, 61, whose daughter Maggie stayed in Edinburgh to work in a rubber factory for the winter, offered to help with the cases. Hannah sat on a lobster pot watching on, with a bandage around her leg, which was still hurting despite her walk around Letterkenny. Willie Bonner, the owner of a motorboat from Leabgarrow, the opposite side of the island to where Edward Gallagher was going, offered a lift. Its shorter and faster, he said, but with all those going home were from the Aphort end, they decided to continue with Edward. That motorboat initially followed Edward Gallaghers before heading west for home. Madgie Gallagher, who came back from the shop with sweets and apples, told Willie Bonner the two-and-a-half-mile walk from Leabgarrow would be awkward for Hannah. They had planned to go to Leabgarrow, where a welcome-home dance was planned in Neily Phils Hall, the following night. Before departure, James P ODonnell from Burtonport spoke to Edward Gallagher, who passed a remark about how high the sea was in the west bay, just off the island, and said he had seen the highest waves in his life that evening. He also said it was stated on the wireless that there was a storm rising. Peter Leonard from Ballintra, who the lift with Willie Bonner may have suited, decided to stick with the original plan, and Edward Gallagher helped Hannah on board and told her to sit beside her brother, Paddy. Brother and sister, Patrick O'Donnell, 44, and Katie O'Donnell, 45, from Leabrannagh, got on together. Both were veterans of the trip, having served their first stints before reaching their teens. The group left Burtonport in good spirits, just three miles from home. Even after the boat had been enveloped in the darkness, the lilt of their laughter could be heard by those who had seen them off, read The Donegal Democrat a week later on Saturday, November 16, 1935, of those who had departed the mainland. It must have been little more than half an hour later that disaster overtook them. At home, Annie Gallagher put the paraffin light on the inside windowsill and was soon joined by her sister-in-law Mary, who brought buttermilk and together the pair hung a pot full of washed potatoes over the fire to boil. Annies youngest son Condy, 7, had fallen asleep in the warmth, while another, Anthon, 13, was waiting at Aphort for the arrivals. Annie and Mary went to the door as they noticed a heavy hailstone shower. The sailboat set off into the night to Arranmore, towards the South Channel between Duck Island and Rutland, with everyone ducking as a hail shower rolled by, clacking off their jackets pulled over their heads. Edward Gallagher called on Mickie to take the sprit out of the sail, with the boat travelling uncomfortably fast in the worsening conditions of increasing wind and persistent hail. John Rodgers, who was on lookout on the bow and minding Eamon Wards radio, screamed to lower the sails. Suddenly, a crash, before a wave carried the boat halfway up on a rock. The boat fell backwards, emptying its cargo and occupants into the sea. Men shouted and cursed, women screamed and cried, wrote Jimmy ODonnell in The Arranmore Disaster. Some tore frantically at the sails. Edward turned the helm to put the boat about as she slid over a large rock. The steer was caught and torn off. The following wave caught the boat broadside, capsizing her to port among the rocks. The load screams, the desperate shouting for a few short moments was silenced quickly in the icy waters, where they struggled for their lives for a short time before disappearing below the surface of the sea, their lives lost to eternity. Some clung to the overturned boat, prolonging their lives for a little while longer. Annie and Mary were getting worried and presumed the train could be late, or perhaps the homecomers mightve missed it, while Mickie Mor Gallagher and his wife Una, were wondering how the children - Hannah, Daniel and Manus - were getting on in what was supposed to be their last weekend in Scotland. Little did they know that despite Hannah's letter, the trio would decide to come home early. As the boat overturned, Paddy Gallagher would later recall, there were maybe nine people holding on. By the third time it flipped, there were only three - himself, his brother Johnny, a carpenter, and their father Edward, with the mast hanging off. The sons, by now grasping the keel, couldnt hold onto their father, and he slipped under the waterline like many of those he had been taking back to Arranmore. John Rodgers had managed to swim to the highest rock nearby before taking off his Wellington boots and decided to return to the boat. Uncertain where he was, he thought he was at a cluster of rocks halfway between Arran and Rutland called Carraic Bheal atShrotha, when, in fact, it was Eileen, a collection of rocks stretching out from the island itself at Cloughcorr. This meant that had he stayed where he was, he could have walked back to the island later, when the tide was out. He had previously told Neddy Beg Gallagher one stormy night they were fishing salmon, that if he were ever to get into trouble at sea, he would tie a rope around his waist. This meant he would be fastened to the boat so they can bury my body in peace and not have ot floating around the sea till Judgement Day. True to his word, John Rodgers body would be found tied to the boat, which had left a dark-red paint mark on a rock at Eileen, on Sunday. Brothers Paddy and Johnny were holding on for dear life, in the freezing water, with the latter much the more uncomfortable. Johnny was tired, cold and hungry and started to cry, wondering how their mother Annie would cope with only the two youngest boys, Anthon and Cody, to look after her. Paddy and Johnny, with mouths dry from gulping seawater, could see the lights dotted in the windows on Arranmore, although neither could swim. They shouted till they were hoarse, but nobody could hear, although their brother Anthon, who was at Aphort, would later say he heard cries as he waited at the pier with Condy O'Donnell, Hughie McCauley, Mickie Gallagher and the boy who almost boarded the boat that afternoon, Jimmy O'Donnell, who were all aged between 11 and 13. As they cupped their ears, they too were hit with hail and ran for cover. Mickie and Jimy went onto Illion but believed what they had heard was probably children playing. Paddy joked, sang and encouraged Johnny, saying the calmness after the storm, and the full moon that was rising over Errigal in the now calm conditions, would help them get spotted. Paddys heart sank as the last light on the island, Barney McGills, went out at bedtime and a lone dog barked in the night. They hoped against hope that John Rodgers, Eamon Ned Ward or their brother Mickie - all accomplished swimmers - had made it to land. Thinking they were drifting towards the island, they were in fact edging from it, towards Iniskeeragh, where there were 14 houses, with the weather turning nasty again for a spell. Paddy rubbed Johnnys cheeks to keep him warm and keep him talking. Paddy asked his brother if he knew where he was. Yes, Johnny replied, with clattering teeth. At Crolly Station, which showed he was suffering from delirium. At around 4:30am, some 10 hours after the boat crashed, Johnny took his last breath. Paddy couldnt bear to let him go, even though he knew his brother was gone, and held onto him on the keel with one arm. Their mother, Annie, unable to sleep with worry, was up not long afterwards and got dressed to go to the pier with her sister-in-law, Mary. Before sunrise, seven-year-old Hughie Gallagher woke over at Plohogue and decided to let it be known from his bed that he was hungry, with his father Charlie Ban getting up to fix him something to eat. Charlie Ban, with morning not yet starting to break through, stood outside to see what the weather would bring. He would tell the inquest later that week at the Glen Hotel, owned by Mrs Jack Boyle, exactly what happened from there. At half-past seven on Sunday morning, I went to the door and heard a man shouting at sea, he said. I saw an object in the water but did not know what it was. I thought at first it was a man fishing for glassan, and that the boat had capsized. Charlie Ban called to Anthony O'Donnell and Mick McNulty and leapt into a 12-foot boat as fast as they could. Paddy Gallagher was still on the upside-down boat, grasping his dead brother, waving back at them. "I saw you running from the house through the fields, Paddy Gallagher would later say to Charlie Ban. "I knew you saw me. It was the gladdest sight I ever saw. We went as fast as we could towards it, Charlie Ban Gallagher added. We saw it was Paddy Gallagher, and he had his brother Johnny across the keel of the boat. We threw a rope and Paddy tied it to the body and we took it to the boat. Then we took Paddy. He was talking a lot, and I did not remember half of it. We were kind of excited. He was in fairly good condition and smoked a cigarette on the way in. The Coroner, Joseph P McGinley from Letterkenny, said of Paddy Gallagher: This is the most marvellous man I have ever heard of. The Derry Journal, on Wednesday, Friday, November 15, would say: The part Paddy Gallagher played; the superhuman strength he showed; his coolness and presence of mind in the face of seeming death; his wonderful solicitude and consideration for his father and brother, who died in his arms, reveal an example of manhood, courage, and self-sacrifice which could not possibly be excelled. As he signed off at the inquest, Paddy Gallagher said: "It surely was a terrible night." Charlie Ban Gallagher went on to explain that he believed the high tide meant rocks were probably not visible the night of the tragedy, and the boat may have been only 100 yards from the shore at one point, but for that high tide. Mr Eugene Doherty, an ex-TD from Dungloe, said the rocks referred to were a veritable death-trap. In his own time, he said: Authority was given to put up beacons to guide those at sea, but this had never been carried into effect. An exhausted Paddy Gallagher had spent almost 16 hours grasping the keel in the freezing cold conditions and collapsed as he arrived at the pier with Charlie Ban Gallagher, Mick McNulty and Anthony ODonnell. He was attended to by Rev Bernard Gallagher CC of Arranmore Island and was cared for by Dr Frank Gallagher, with his condition being described as one more of shock. Paddy Gallagher recovering in Arranmore following the 1935 tragedy. Photo: Irish Independent The Donegal News, on Saturday, November 16, would report: Harrowing scenes were witnessed on the island when news of the disaster spread amongst the inhabitants. Many of them rushed to the shore. That day, news of the disaster began to spread and the Civic Guards from Burtonport were joined by boatmen from both Arranmore and the mainland and nine bodies in all would be found. Mickey Mor Gallager was helping with the search, thinking of his own three children in Scotland. To his surprise, he saw his two sons, Daniel and Manus, sitting up against a boulder, with their eyes open. Mickey Mor told them he hadnt expected them home, only for it to dawn on him they were dead, and all that would ever be found of Hannah was her trunk. Located along the rocks, it contained new curtains, blinds and bedcovers for the new bungalow the family had just built. Mickey Mor would spend the next 15 years, the remaining of his life, looking for her in vain. The bodies found at Eileen that day were four of Edward Gallaghers immediate family - Mickie, Madgie, Eddie and Charlie, their cousin John Gallagher and Mickey Mors two sons, Daniel and Manus, which made nine in all with John Rodgers tied to the boat and Johnny Gallagher, who was in Paddys arms from early morning. The search had to be postponed until Monday, at 11am, due to treacherous conditions. Sergeant Griffin was in charge of the search party of An Garda Siochana, said on Sunday night that the scenes on the island were pitiable in the extreme. Many of the inhabitants were prostrate with grief. The most tragic figure is Mrs Annie Gallagher, the widow of the boatman, Edward, The Derry Journal added. She lost her husband, four sons and two daughters, but is still under the impression that she lost her husband and one son only. She believes that her other children are still in Scotland at the harvesting. The children of seven families who have lost their breadwinner are ignorant of the tragedy. At the inquest that week, both skipper Edward Gallagher and lookout John Rodgers as were described as experienced fishemen. The place where the boat floundered was called Ballinellan, meaning gap of the clutch, Bernard Gallagher added. It is a dangerous spot, and no boat would go there unless put off course. There was a high tide and poor visibility, and those, along with the frequent squalls, probably accounted for the disaster. The nine bodies were laid out in the Lifeboat house at Rannagh in three rows of three eight young men aged between 17 and 29 and that of Madgie Gallagher. Mourners at the funeral of nine Arranmore natives in 1935. Photo: Donegal Genealogy The funeral of the victims whose bodies were found took place the following Wednesday, November 13, where it was reported: Distressing scenes in the chapter during Fr John McAteers pagency, scenes that have never before been witnessed and that must be without parallel even in Ireland. The Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Bernard Gallagher at 11am, with internment postponed from 12 noon to 2pm to further the search for more bodies. Eventually, the nine bodies were buried, in three rows of three, like they had been laid in Rannagh. Louder and louder grew the cries, The Donegal News wrote. Women in transports of sorrow and grief rushed hither and thither, some not knowing where they were going, wandering aimlessly around the tombstones and calling on the dead to return. Men began to weep as the grave was slowly filled, and women, crowding around the scene, added to the general poignancy by their shrill interpolations, spoken in the Gaelic, and their ititent cries. The kindly parish priest, moved to the deepest distress at the sight of such sorrow, recommenced the prayers at the graveside, and within a moment the nature of the scene changed. Gone were the cautions and laments, save for the cries of the women in another portion of the cemetery. In their stead, nothing was heard but the soft murmur of the comforting words of spiritual solace spoken by their beloved pastor. Sixteen days after the tragedy, on Wednesday, November 27, at 9am, a 15-year-old boy called Neil ODonnell found a body at Magherameelan that turned out to be that of Patrick ODonnell. Before the body could make it to Arranmore, news of another sighting emerged. It was that of 16-year-old Hannah Gallagher, found in seaweed at Inismeel near Burtonport. She was fully clothed, even with her gloves still on, only missing a shoe, holding one of the apples that Madgie had given her on the pier. The apple, it was said, had a bite taken out of it. Eamon Ned Wards body was picked up at Bunanid on Sunday, December 1, tellingly with his pocket watch stopped at exactly 6:20pm, which confirmed the time the tragedy took place three weeks before. Edward Gallaghers remains were buried in the sand for nine months before, on Tuesday, August 4, 1936, Charles ODonnells dog began digging to find the fully clothed body at Inniscoo. Brothers Tony Gallagher (17) and Edward Gallagher (15) were respectively located on Tuesday, December 3, at Inisfree and on Monday, December 16 at Maghery. Their brother Johnny had decided to stay in Scotland for the winter, to set the potatoes and cut turf. Peter Leonards remains were located on Wednesday, December 4 at Maghery, close to where, 12 days later, the man who had spoken of Chicago, John Bow ODonnell, was located. Katie ODonnell and Hannah Mickey Mor Gallagher were never given a burial and are still lost at sea. The inquest's verdict of accidental death called attention to "the dangerous passage that had been allowed to exist for years without any precaution being taken by the Government." A fund for the relief of the relatives and dependents of the victims of the disaster was established, which eventually raised 18,000, and the Donegal Association in Dublin, proudly running to this day, was founded to raise money in 1935 for the Arranmore families. Paddy Gallagher from Aphort, the sole survivor of the Arranmore Disaster in 1935 and Mick McNulty from Ploghogue. Photo: Eddie McIntyre, Arainn Mhor History Paddy Gallagher lost seven members of his immediate family and eventually passed away in 1987. In an interview before his death, he couldnt explain why he was the one to live, especially since he was unwell that summer. "It never leaves my mind, he said. The sight was something terrible - it seems I had to survive to tell the tale." Those who died were Edward Gallagher, 61, of Torris, and his children Edward Gallagher, 24, Johnny Gallagher, 22, Mickie Gallagher, 29 and Charles Gallagher, 20, his sons, and Madgie, 28 and Hannah Gallagher, 16, his daughters; brothers Anthony Gallagher, 17 and Edward Gallagher, 15, from Aphort; Siblings Manus Gallagher, 17 Daniel Gallagher, 27, and Hannah Gallagher, 21, Aphort; Siblings Patrick O'Donnell, 44 and Katie O'Donnell, 45, Leabgarrow; John Rodgers, 34, Torris; John Bow O'Donnell, 50, Aphort; Edward Ward, 51, Torris; Peter Leonard, 61, Ballintra and John Gallagher, 20, Aphort A County Derry school has urged people to pray for one of its students who was injured in a road traffic collision yesterday afternoon. Sofia Mullan, a year nine student at Loreto College in Coleraine, was airlifted to The Royal Hospital for Sick Children following the collision involving a lorry and a child pedestrian on the Boleran Road before 4pm. The Ballerin girls condition has been described as critical. The Boleran Road, near Garvagh, was closed for some time but has since reopened to traffic. Last night parishioners in Ballerin came together in St Marys Church to say the rosary and earlier today, Loreto College appealed for people to keep the young girl in their prayers. As a school community and Loreto family we hold in prayer our Year 9 student, Sofia Mullan, the school said in a statement. We pray for her healing and recovery. We also pray for her parents, siblings, and wider family circle. We pray too for all those caught up in last nights accident, especially the driver of the lorry and all the emergency services who attended the scene. We entrust them all into Gods hands. We ask God to guide the healing ministry of the doctors and nurses in The Royal Hospital for Sick Children who are caring for Sofia at this time. May Mary enfold them with her maternal mantle and may they feel Gods presence in the help and support of others in the difficult days ahead. Sinn Fein councillor Ciaran Archibald said his thoughts are with the young girl. Cllr Archibald said: My thoughts are with the young girl who was airlifted to hospital following a serious accident on the Boleran Road and I wish her a full recovery. This will be a traumatic time for her, her family and all involved but I know the Ballerin community will support them through this difficult time, and my thoughts are with them all. Derry guide dog owner Andrea OHagan is amongst the names featured in a new appeal video, narrated by Colin Murray, to mark 40 years of charity Guide Dogs operating from Northern Ireland. Becky is my third guide dog, and I had Gina and Rebel before her, says Andrea. I wouldnt have been in half the places Ive been with her. I wouldnt have had half the friends either, you meet so many people. I have Retinitis Pigmentosa, so I dont see anything in the dark. So having a guide dog gives me the freedom when the dark winter nights come in. Early in 1984, a property in Sandown Park South was discovered by Guide Dogs UK. The detached house in 1.5 acres was adapted for use as a residential training centre, and the stables at the rear were converted into three kennels, capable of accommodating up to seven dogs. The centre was later officially opened by The Earl of Lanesborough, then President of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, and the new unit took his name - Lanesborough House. At that time, there were already 70 guide dog owners in the region, who had to travel for their training either to Exeter in Devon or Forfar in Scotland. The first two guide dog partnerships qualified from the first class in Northern Ireland in July 1984. Since then, there have been 620 guide dog partnerships created with over 330 puppies raised on the NI scheme. Youve got your freedom and independence with a guide dog. Youre not waiting on anybody. You can get on buses or trains to different theatres. You put your trust in the dog, and the dog back in you added Andrea. I just treat her like a pet when the harness is off. She is very well looked after. I think the public should just remember not to distract her whilst she is working, and that if you do start a conversation with me, just remember I may be concentrating on where the dog is going rather than what you are saying - Im led by her cues and we work together to get where we need to be. Over the years, it has been calculated that the Guide Dogs NI team, currently operating out of Heron Road in Belfast, has been supported by 992 volunteers. The charity, which relies almost entirely on donations from the general public, is now appealing for 8 new volunteers to sign up by the end of the year, to make 1000 lifetime volunteers. It now costs Guide Dogs 77,000 to breed, raise and train every guide dog pup to partnership, up from 34,600 in 2019. Gary Wilson, Community Fundraising Manager, said. Volunteers are the lifeblood of what we do, and we are so grateful to everyone who has helped us reach 40 years. We now need to make sure well make the next 40, to support those living with a vision impairment in Northern Ireland, and we hope youll consider joining the pack! The charity also currently supports over 250 children, young people and families per year. Their sighted guiding training and wedding favour service, both first trialled in NI, and are now offered everywhere the charity operates, only possible through generous volunteers. Guide Dogs NI will also be bringing their annual Santa Paws dog grotto to the North West Transport Hub on Saturday, 6th December. Dog owners are welcome to bring their furry friends for a photo with Santa in exchange for a donation, and to talk to Guide Dogs representatives about how they can get involved with the charity. Andrea, who herself volunteers with the charity as a fundraiser, said, Guide Dogs is a great charity. They have been brilliant to me during the training and aftercare. Its been a breakthrough mentally, for my independence, and its just a great way to meet new people. To join the Guide Dogs NI family, and visit guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer. The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council has extended his congratulations to the Waterside Shared Village, as they were crowed winners at this years All-Island IPB Pride of Place Awards. Waterside Shared Village was honoured at the All-Ireland Pride of Place community awards on Friday evening (November 7) in Limerick. The scheme won the Inclusive Communities category, with the Belfast based Solas group coming runner-up. Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairi McHugh, said he was delighted for the teams behind the Waterside Shared Village. I am absolutely delighted to congratulate Waterside Shared Village on winning the Inclusive Communities category at the All-Island IPB Pride of Place Awards held in Limerick. "This award is a tremendous recognition of the dedication, vision, and partnership that define the Waterside Shared Village. It stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when communities come together to build shared spaces based on understanding, respect, and cooperation. Id also like to say a huge congratulations to Enagh Youth Forum who were also nominated on the night for their fantastic work in our communities another shining example of impressive community sector work. The Pride of Place Awards are among the most prestigious community recognition programmes on the island of Ireland, celebrating grassroots leadership and volunteerism that make our towns and cities better places to live. For the Waterside Shared Village to be honoured on this stage reflects the strength, resilience, and generosity of the people behind it and of our wider community here in Derry and the North West. Judges praised the grassroots nature of the Waterside Shared Village. This project truly is a shared recreational and social village between two communities that for a long time lived apart. The project is built on very strong community foundations that were developed by two of the participating founders whod showed courage and innovation to step across into each others community. The project would not be as strong without this foundation. The Waterside Shared Village and Enagh Youth Forum were nominated by Council in this years competition. The prestigious awards, presented by Co-operation Ireland and its local authority partners with headline sponsor IPB Insurance, celebrate the outstanding work being done by communities across the island of Ireland. The Waterside Shared Village was nominated in the Cities Competition - Inclusive Communities and Enagh Youth Forum in the Main Competition - Community Youth Initiative. Pride of Place founder and Chairman Tom Dowling said: After 23 years of these motivational awards recognising exceptional community endeavour, the judges continue to be inspired and humbled in equal measures, as they hear directly from the nominated communities their story of their pride in their place and the extraordinary work they are doing to ease the path of life for all the people in their place irrespective of date or place of birth, ability or wealth. Four final year Occupational Therapy students from Ulster University, Derry - Emma Meehan, Niamh Ni Ghadhra, Maeve Sweeney, and Molly Keady - have raised over 6,000 through their GoFundMe campaign, as they prepare for a unique, five-week role-emerging placement in Lusaka, Zambia, this January. In collaboration with The Spirit of Paul McGirr charity, this initiative offers a unique opportunity to introduce, promote, and advocate for the profession of Occupational Therapy in a setting where it is not yet established. Occupational Therapy focuses on promoting independence by enabling individuals to engage in meaningful activities of daily living, or "occupations". As dual-trained practitioners with a holistic approach to both mental and physical health, the students are uniquely positioned to make a significant impact. During their time in Lusaka, the students will work across a diverse range of settings, including an orphanage, a school for children with additional needs, a hospital, a neonatal unit, and local villages. Their work will involve assessing individual needs, designing person-centered goals and intervention plans to facilitate optimal engagement in daily life, and providing vital education and support to local families and staff for long-term sustainability. A primary goal of their fundraising efforts is to provide essential Occupational Therapy resources and equipment. Based on reports from the charity, a major aim is to create a sensory room within the school for children with additional needs. This dedicated space will help manage challenging behaviours, emotional dysregulation, and meet specific sensory needs. Additional equipment needed includes dressing aids, fine and gross motor materials, personal care items, transfer boards, bathing aids, soft floor mats, and adaptive tools for feeding. The students are seeking community support and donations to fund these vital resources. Every contribution will directly help in promoting maximum independence and making a lasting difference in the lives of the individuals they will be working with. "We would be sincerely grateful for any contribution, no matter how big or small," the group shared. "Your generosity will help us make a real and lasting difference in our role of promoting maximum independence. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Niamh, Emma, Molly and Maeve (@repzambia2026) The students have set up an Instagram page for the public to follow their journey on instagram @repzambia2026 and see the impact of the donations. To support the project, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/role-emerging-placement-zambia?cdn-cache=0. Police in Derry are investigating two separate incidents involving the theft and damage of memorial items over the weekend, both of which are being treated as sectarian hate crimes. A 16-year-old male was arrested on Monday evening, November 10, in connection with an incident in The Fountain area, where a banner was reported stolen. The male was arrested on suspicion of offences including theft and has since been released on bail pending further enquiries. The incident in which a memorial display was also reported to be damaged is believed to have occurred at some point over the past weekend. In a separate report received today (Tuesday, November 11), police confirmed that a poppy wreath was stolen from The Cenotaph in The Diamond area of the city. This theft is believed to have occurred between early Sunday afternoon, November 9, and the time it was reported this morning. Police are appealing to anyone with information regarding either incident to call 101 or report online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/. Michael D Higginss 14 years as President of Ireland saw the poet expand on how the office is viewed and take outspoken positions on Government policy. Mr Higgins also leaves Aras an Uachtarain as a figure who has inspired memes, tea cosies and childrens books. Born on April 18 1941 in Limerick city, Michael Daniel Higgins was the third of John and Alice Higginss four children. A War of Independence veteran, John Higgins struggled with alcohol which exacerbated his poor health and Michael and his brother were sent to Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare to live with their aunt and uncle. After leaving school the future President Higgins worked in a factory and as a clerk before studying at University College Galway, the first of his family to access higher education. As a student he led demonstrations, the beginning of a life-long commitment to speaking out on issues such as the rights of women and people with disabilities. An academic career followed, which included spells studying and lecturing in the US, before he entered politics. After a number of unsuccessful general election campaigns he was nominated for the Seanad in 1973 by the then taoiseach Liam Cosgrave, before being elected to the Dail in 1981 as a Labour TD for Galway West. In 1974 Mr Higgins married actor Sabina Coyne and the couple went on to have four children. Throughout his career in politics he built a lengthy CV serving in a variety of roles including mayor of Galway, president of the Labour Party and cabinet minister for arts, culture and the Gaeltacht. It was during that period as a minister that Mr Higgins launched Teilifis na Gaeilge, later TG4, and reinstated the Irish Film Board, both credited with rejuvenating the Irish media landscape. His politics were not just inward looking, he championed global peace and democracy. In 1982 he was deported from El Salvador when he travelled there with the charity Trocaire in an attempt to investigate reports of a massacre in a village in the south of the country. Alongside his political work, Mr Higgins has published a number of books including collections of poetry, speeches and essays and contributed to numerous others. Then in 2011 came a run for the Presidency where he beat six other candidates, winning with 39.6% of first preference votes. He was joined in the Aras by his wife Sabina and a cast of Bernese Mountain dogs. They soon became a beloved fixture at the Aras, greeting dignitaries and interrupting events in pursuit of belly rubs. Mr Higgins was elected during a turbulent period in recent Irish history, and the economic crisis dominated the start of his presidency. He took on the role in 2011, the first year of the EU-IMF economic bailout programme, when Ireland was experiencing high levels of unemployment fuelling emigration. In one of his first acts as president, he voluntarily waived almost a quarter of his salary, following a similar pay cut taken by predecessor Mary McAleese after Ireland was hit with a recession. The countrys financial crash forced him to cut short a 2013 state visit to Italy. He returned to Ireland in order to sign emergency legislation to liquidate the Irish Bank Resolution Company (IBRC), the entity formed when Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide merged. Austerity measures brought in to mitigate the crash included new water charges, which were ferociously opposed. President Higgins bore the brunt of demonstrators during a visit to a school in Finglas, Dublin in early 2015, where some of the protesters were filmed shouting abuse at him. His first term also saw some milestones in Anglo-Irish relations, and in April 2014 he became the first President of Ireland to make a state visit to the United Kingdom, during which he delivered an historic address at Westminster. Later that day, in his toast during a state banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle he described the trip as a very visible sign of the warmth and maturity of the relationship between our two countries. However, during the celebrations marking 100 years since the 1916 rising, Mr Higgins pulled out of a civic dinner in Belfast, where he was due to be guest of honour, because of a lack of cross-party support for the occasion. His spokesperson claimed the decision was made because he does not want to become embroiled in matters of political controversy. During his presidency, Mr Higgins became known for speaking his mind. He faced criticism in late 2016 for describing Fidel Castro as a giant among global leaders in a statement marking the death of the former Cuban president. Mr Higgins rejected claims he ignored human rights concerns and a statement issued by his spokesperson described the criticism as unsustainable and unwarranted. In 2018, he welcomed Pope Francis to Aras an Uachtarain during the first papal visit to Ireland in 40 years. Mr Higgins told the pontiff of the anger felt by those in Ireland who were abused as children by Catholic clerics. As his first term came to an end in 2018, he announced he would seek a second despite previously saying he would not run again. Mr Higgins stood as an independent candidate but was backed by Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Labour, who agreed not to field their own candidates. He instead faced a Sinn Fein candidate and four independents but won with 55% of the vote. On RTEs Late Late Show during the Covid-19 pandemic he described the word cocooning, used to describe a measure to protect the over-70s, as infantilising. In 2021, he wrote to the Oireachtas, raising concerns about the large volume of complex legislation sent to his office which needed to be signed quickly. It sparked an emergency meeting of Oireachtas committees, and the taoiseach described the concerns as legitimate, claiming the problem had partially been caused by the pandemic. Later that year, the Government defended the Presidents decision not to attend a cross-community service to mark the centenary of the formation of Northern Ireland. British and Irish political leaders attended the event at St Patricks Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh, but Mr Higgins declined his invitation because he believed it was not politically neutral. He was championed by the opposition in June 2022 when he described housing in Ireland as our great, great failure. The statement was referenced by Sinn Fein, Labour and People Before Profit during leaders questions. A vocal critic of the war in Gaza, Mr Higgins was criticised several times by Israels ambassador to Ireland. In 2024, he accused the Israeli embassy in Dublin of leaking a letter in which he sent his best wishes to the new president of Iran. The embassy rejected the claim and called the remarks highly inflammatory and potentially slanderous. While remaining vocally forceful, Mr Higgins has become visibly more frail. In February 2024 when he was 82, the President spent over a week in hospital for what was later revealed to be a mild stroke. He cut back on public appearances for a number of weeks and was later seen in public using two walking sticks. The final few weeks of his presidency involved another hospital stay, this time to treat an infection. The President and his wife intend to return to Galway following 14 years at Aras an Uachtarain. A Stormont minister has said he is extremely disappointed about DUP opposition to the establishment of an independent environmental protection agency (EPA) for Northern Ireland. Environment Minister Andrew Muir told the Northern Ireland Assembly that objections to an EPA were illogical and held by those who dont care about the environment. A recommendation for an independent EPA was made in a recent review of environmental governance. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK and Ireland that does not have its own independent environmental protection agency. However, the DUP has raised concerns over how a body would be funded and how it would interact with existing regulatory bodies. During ministerial question time on Tuesday, Mr Muir said he was seeking Executive support for the establishment of an EPA, but pointed out that DUP MLAs had voted against a motion in support of establishing the body at the Assembly on Monday night. People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said there was growing frustration at the snails pace movement over establishing an EPA and asked for a guarantee that the minister would bring forward legislation before the end of the current Assembly mandate. Mr Muir said: I would like to see that legislated for within this mandate. But I must say I am extremely disappointed at the outcome of the vote last night, where some of my DUP Executive colleagues voted against the motion which was in front of the House to set up an independent environmental protection agency. Alliance Party MLA Danny Donnelly said deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly was among those who voted against the motion. Mr Muir said: The environmental challenges we have in Northern Ireland, the situation in relation to waste crime, in relation to Mobuoy, Lough Neagh, the list continues. The case for an independent environmental protection agency is clear and it does really, really frustrate me and disappoint me that the DUP are taking the approach that they are. Their lack of care for the environment and the consideration of the need for us to take further action to protect it for future generations is deeply disappointing. SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan asked if the minister could fix the mess in the environment given the fractious relationships within this disastrous Executive. Mr Muir said: I believe in powersharing, I believe in working together with people, that is what these institutions are based upon, I will continue to do that and I will continue to push for an independent environmental protection agency, despite the illogical objections from others. He added: The opposition to this sits with the DUP and that is why I believe in reform of these institutions. The majority of people in this Assembly have voted and said they want an independent environment protection agency. That is why we need to have these institutions reformed, so we can take decisions, but also so we can end the cycle of stop-go government, which has really damaged our environment and it is something we want to fix to ensure that when one party leaves, the show continues. There is no rhyme nor reason to the objections to an independent environment protection agency, apart from you dont care about the environment. Police in Northern Ireland have made 100 arrests since serious rioting erupted in Ballymena in the summer. A senior officer said an investigation into the violence which began in the Co Antrim town and spread to other areas was continuing and this was providing reassurance to local communities that were impacted. Violence erupted in Ballymena in June after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town. Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, were charged with attempted rape. A peaceful protest in the Co Antrim town over the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities, described by police at the time as racist thuggery. The disturbances lasted for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. Providing an update, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said their investigation has now resulted in 100 arrests with 91 people subsequently being charged for offences including riot, arson with intent to endanger life and burglary with intent to cause arson. The PSNI said cases are currently being prosecuted before the courts. Throughout the course of the teams investigation, photographs of 60 potential suspects were issued to the public and this led to 49 arrests. Detective Chief Inspector Michael OLoan said: On June 9 hate motivated, serious public disorder unfolded in Ballymena which saw the homes of ethnic minority families destroyed and violent crowds attack police officers. Consecutive nights of sustained disorder in Ballymena and other parts of Northern Ireland followed until calm was restored. A dedicated investigation team was established to carry out a focused investigation into what happened and we brought together specialist resources to ensure a thorough and swift review was conducted. The senior officer said the investigation team had worked through over 1,000 hours of CCTV, evidence gathering and body worn video footage, as well as a large volume of online material. He added: This teams work has been vital in restoring calm and providing reassurance to local communities in Ballymena and across Northern Ireland by identifying, and holding those responsible accountable for their actions. A number of suspects remain unidentified and their images have been published on our website and social media platforms. Our detectives continue to investigate this summers disorder in Ballymena with 60 photographs of suspects to date released. So far, our investigation team has resulted in 100 arrests with 91 people charged for a number of offences. Full details: https://t.co/IHy0zFdM7A pic.twitter.com/qu2LB3J9Ka Police Mid and East Antrim (@PSNIMEADistrict) November 11, 2025 I would appeal to these individuals to come forward and hand themselves into the police or if you know who they are please tell us. Mr OLoan said: The police service remains committed to maintaining public order, and we would strongly encourage anyone with information about what happened or who was involved to make contact with us. Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage that could help our investigation, can continued to be shared with us through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI25U11-PO1. Alternatively, a report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. Should you wish to make a report anonymously, you can do so by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. The Police Service of Northern Ireland will do everything we can to prevent hate crime and bring those responsible to justice. We do not underestimate the impact hate crimes have on victims, their families and wider communities. It is totally unacceptable that anyone is targeted because of their race. No one should feel intimated or threatened due to their ethnicity and officers will continue to pursue justice for the victims of hate-related crime. The literary landscape of the North Coast has received a significant boost with the release of local author and storyteller Robert Campbells latest work, 'Captain Timmy' and 'Finn M'Cool's Griddle'. Campbell has announced the immediate and free release of the high-seas audio adventure, the creation and production of which was made possible by a crucial Individual Artist Grant from Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC). The grant enabled Campbell to professionally produce the tale as an engaging audiobook, ensuring this family-friendly story about local landmarks is accessible to everyone in the community at no cost. "In Northern Ireland, support for individual artists is vital, especially for self-published writers creating work for local audiences," said Robert Campbell. "The funding from the Derry and Strabane District Council wasn't just a financial lift; it was an endorsement that allowed me to dedicate time and resources to production, ultimately meaning I can offer this story for free to the community that inspired it." This third the installment in the popular Captain Timmy series takes listeners on a top-secret mission to find the lost griddle of legendary Irish giant Finn M'Cool. Without it, a mysterious feast at the iconic Dunluce Castle will be ruined. The story serves as a joyous tour of the region, setting the action along the Causeway Coast and Lough Foyle. Key local landmarks like Culmore Fort, the Guildhall, and An Grianan are woven into the plot, making familiar territory newly mysterious and special for young listeners. Campbells work is deeply rooted in local places. "Its important for children to realise that where they live is special and maybe even a bit mysterious. Captain Timmy is our very own Northern Irish pirate, and the stories are designed to be good-hearted fun," he added. Beyond the thrills, the story carries a light-hearted message about the value of dark skies and the importance of teamwork. "As a self-published writer and creative, you have to be focused on the work you do. The main thing was getting the story written- along with the editing and rewriting! The support from Derry and Strabane Council made all of that possible. Then I had the idea of recording an audiobook - and this made the story really accessible. But the most important thing for me, and for the long run, is getting out there and telling the story. Thats the key to my work's sustainability: doing those performative readings that bring the whole thing to life. After that, we look at the really ambitious goals: getting it on the stage - but this needs buy in from other people and groups, or maybe tackling the huge undertaking of a traditional book- youre talking at least six months of dedicated work for that. Or if Im allowed to dream, maybe even a film or just a TV series - okay thats maybe a be too far! Listeners can now enjoy the unique audio story at no cost - CLICK HERE. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Two Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) lecturers have been announced as winners of the TrailblazHER Excellence Awards in the Sustainability category, recognising their outstanding commitment to advancing sustainability through education, research, and community engagement. Dr Caroline Gilleran Stephens, from Munterconnaught, Co. Cavan, was named the winner of the TrailblazHER Awards Sustainability Award, while her colleague Suzanne Linnane, from Blackrock, Co. Louth, was named Runner Up in the same category at a ceremony hosted by Sonya Lennon in TU Dublin's Concert Hall. The TrailblazHER Excellence Awards, part of TU Dublins flagship TrailblazHER gender equality programme, celebrate individuals whose determination, creativity, and impact are paving the way for a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable Ireland. Dr Gilleran Stephens is a lecturer in Environmental Biotechnology at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and leads the Environmental Education research theme within the Centre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies (CFES), while Dr Suzanne Linnane lectures in Sustainable Agriculture and is Director of the CFES. These awards highlight exceptional leadership in sustainability and environmental education, as well as the impact of both Caroline and Suzannes work through initiatives such as HO Heroes and DkITs CFES. Their dedication to advancing research and fostering community engagement continues to inspire students, colleagues, and partners across the institute and beyond. Receiving the TrailblazHER Sustainability Award is an incredible honour, said Dr Gilleran Stephens. Sustainability is not just about environmental protection, it is about empowering people and communities to make meaningful, lasting change. At DkIT, Im privileged to work with inspiring colleagues and students who share that passion and who are driving innovative, real-world solutions to the challenges we face.'' She added: This recognition reinforces the importance of education, research and community engagement in building a more sustainable future. Awards like TrailblazHER remind us that when we celebrate diverse voices and empower women in leadership, we accelerate progress for our environment, our society and future generations. Read Next: Supply Technologies opens new Dundalk branch creating 20 jobs Speaking following the presentation of the awards, Dr Linnane said: It's a privilege to be recognised alongside my colleague, Dr Caroline Gilleran Stephens, as a TrailblazHER award recipient in the Sustainability category. This acknowledgment reflects the shared commitment we have in advancing sustainability through collaboration, innovation, and meaningful engagement. Together, we strive to empower individuals and communities to take informed action that leads to lasting environmental and social impact. For me, sustainability is about creating a balance between people, place, and progress - ensuring that our actions today support the wellbeing of future generations. We dont always realise the difference were making in the moment, but this award is a reminder that our efforts do have real and positive impact. Receiving this recognition is both humbling and inspiring, reaffirming my belief in the power of collective effort to drive real and lasting change. Photo Caption: Dromiskin Village, represented by Dromiskin Tidy Towns committee, were runners up in the Population 1000-2000 category at the 2025 IPB Pride of Place Awards. Pictured at the awards were (L-R) Carol Dunbar, Co-operation Ireland; David Conway, Chief Executive, Louth County Council; Liam Reilly, Dromiskin Tidy Towns; Cllr Sean Kelly, Cathaoirleach, Louth County Council; John Kearns, CEO, IPB Insurance; Mary Murtagh, Dromiskin Tidy Towns; Pat Farrell, Co-operation Ireland; Finbar Gethins, Senior Executive Officer, Louth County Council; Joanna Kelly, Director of Services, Louth County Council; Marie Mulligan, Dromiskin Tidy Towns; and Pat Mulligan, Dromiskin Tidy Towns. Louth projects Boyne Valley Camino and Dromiskin Village, represented by Dromiskin Tidy Towns, were awarded runners-up in their respective categories at the prestigious IPB Pride of Place Awards. The Boyne Valley Camino was recognised in the Community Tourism Initiative category, while Dromiskin Village was recognised in the Population 1,0002,000 category. The awards ceremony, often referred to as the Oscars of the Community Sector, took place on Friday evening, 7th November, at the Limerick Strand Hotel and was hosted by comedian Dermot Whelan. Both projects have made significant contributions to their communities, showcasing innovation, collaboration, and a deep commitment to enhancing local life and tourism. Now in its 24th year, the IPB Pride of Place Awards celebrate the tireless efforts of community groups across the island of Ireland. Sponsored by IPB Insurance and coordinated by Co-operation Ireland, the competition recognises the invaluable work of volunteers who strive to make their communities better places to live, work, and visit. This year, 86 groups were nominated by 34 local authorities. Cllr. Sean Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, praised the achievements of both groups, stating: Boyne Valley Camino group were runners up in the Community Tourism Initiative category at the 2025 IPB Pride of Place Awards. Pictured at the awards were (L-R) David Conway, Chief Executive, Louth County Council; Pat Coffey, Boyne Valley Camino Volunteer; Dusty Flanagan, Boyne Valley Camino Volunteer; Aine Walsh, Boyne Valley Camino Volunteer; John Kearns, CEO, IPB Insurance; Cllr Sean Kelly, Cathaoirleach, Louth County Council; Carol Dunbar, Co-operation Ireland; Joanna Kelly, Director of Services, Louth County Council; and Finbar Gethins, Senior Executive Officer, Louth County Council; Louth has a proud tradition of community spirit and volunteerism, and it is inspiring to see that reflected in the outstanding work of both groups. Their dedication, creativity, and commitment to making a positive difference have had a real impact on the lives of others. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each group for their achievements and for representing County Louth with such pride. Their success is a true reflection of the resilience, generosity, and unity that define our community. David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, also extended his congratulations, highlighting the countys strong performance in the competition: Read Next: Funding announced for outdoor swimming facilities in Louth The Boyne Valley Camino and Dromiskin Tidy Towns have demonstrated what can be achieved when communities come together with a shared vision and commitment to making their areas better for everyone. Their recognition at a national level is well deserved and reflects the passion, creativity, and hard work of all involved. "These projects not only enhance the quality of life for local residents but contribute to the cultural and tourism offering of our county. Pride of Place is a wonderful competition which showcases all that is best and innovative in communities throughout the island of Ireland and one we will continue to support. The Macardles Historical Society has announced a special Brewery Bar Reunion Night taking place at the original Macardles Brewery Bar on Friday, 5th December 2025, from 6pm to 8pm. The event marks a rare gathering for former brewery workers and their families, celebrating the rich history and enduring spirit of one of Dundalks most cherished landmarks. Although Macardles Brewery closed its doors in 2001, the memories and friendships it created have never faded. The reunion, organised by Jason McGee, brings together around 50 former employees and families for an evening of storytelling, laughter and nostalgia. A special highlight of the evening will be the recreation of a 1995 group photo taken in the Brewery Bar exactly 30 years ago allowing attendees to relive a treasured moment in time. Adding to the sense of occasion, Irish Whiskey Auctions, who are now based in the Brewery Business Park, will host a whiskey tasting experience on the night, celebrating the continued connection between the site and Irelands proud brewing and distilling traditions. Read Next: Dundalk mum diagnosed with stage 4 cancer while pregnant This event is about more than just remembering the brewery its about reconnecting with old friends, sharing stories, and celebrating the people who made Macardles what it was, said Jason McGee, organiser and member of the Macardles Historical Society. The fact that we can recreate that photo 30 years later, in the same bar, makes it even more special. Tickets for the event have now sold out, with 50 people expected to attend. For further details, please contact info@macardles.ie or visit www.macardles.ie ActionAid Ireland is reminding students in Louth aged 14 to 18 to enter the ActionTalks national speech writing competition. Now in its 12th year, the competition has had just one winner hailing from Louth can a Louth student take home the top prize again this year? Karol Balfe, CEO of ActionAid Ireland said: The ActionTalks competition is designed to build students research, writing, critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as giving young people a chance to have their voices heard on global issues. "We have had a fantastic response already to this years competition and hope for more entries from Louth before the deadline of Friday 16th January 2026. Entries to the competition can be submitted to ActionAid by email in written form and fifteen successful entrants will go forward to the regional final, with six regional winners winning a 50 voucher each. At the national final in March, the six finalists will be asked to present their speech to a panel of esteemed judges. The national prize is a 500 voucher for the winner and a 100 voucher for their teacher. ActionAid is hoping entrants will come up with innovative, well-researched, and creative speeches, using their own unique perspective. The ActionTalks competition is a part of ActionAids Global Citizenship Education programme funded by Irish Aid. ActionAids work focuses on supporting the hardest-to-reach women and girls around the world. Through its Womens Rights Programme, also funded by Irish Aid, ActionAid partners with communities in Kenya, Ethiopia and Nepal to eliminate violence against women and girls. To take part in the ActionTalks competition, students are invited to write a 600 to 800 words speech on one of the following topics: Fossil Fuel Free Future: What does a fair, fossil fuel-free future look like and what actions can we take to get there? Education in driving equality: If we want a fairer, stronger, and more equal world, we must start with education. And we must start with girls. Discuss. Womens rights organisations and ending violence: If we want a world where women and girls are safe, equal, and free, we must support the womens rights organisations already working to make that world a reality. Discuss. National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company delivering high-speed Fibre-to-the-Home network under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) on behalf of the Government, has announced that construction is underway to deliver high-speed broadband to almost 1,600 Louth premises in its Ardee deployment area. The includes the rural surrounds and townlands of Ardee, Stabannan and Collon. 9,000 premises in Co Louth are included in the States Intervention Area, which will see NBI deliver minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second to homes, businesses, farms, and schools. As the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification, Co Louth will receive 33m of Government investment under the National Broadband Plan. With survey and design phases now complete, high-speed fibre cabling is now being installed for 1,577 Louth premises in the Ardee deployment area, with connections to services expected to be available by summer next year. Works have already been completed in other parts of Louth, including the rural surrounds of Dundalk and Drogheda. There is a total of 5,447 premises that can now pre-order or order high-speed, reliable broadband across the county with 2,641 connections made so far. Read also: Louth sees slight fall in numbers signing on Live Register Network build works are also continuing across Louth with build works in progress for over 1,600 premises near the Togher deployment area, due to be connected by the end of next year. Signing up to the NBI email notifications at nbi.ie is the easiest way to get the most up-to-date status of premises during the rollout and when premises will be ready for order. TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland, said: Our teams are making excellent progress in Co Louth and were pleased to see fibre build works underway in the Ardee deployment area. Our overarching goal is to improve digital connectivity across the country. With minimum internet speed of 500 megabites per second, this new Fibre-to-the-Home network will play a pivotal role in sustaining local businesses and communities." As a wholesale network operator, NBI does not sell fibre broadband directly to end users, rather it enables services from a range of broadband providers or Retail Service Providers (RSPs). As a wholesale provider, NBI will make the new Fibre-to-the-Home network available to all RSPs operating in the Intervention Area. Some 72 RSPs have already signed up to sell services on the NBI network and 66 are certified to provide connections as of today. To see the retail broadband providers that are currently licensed to sell on the NBI network, visit nbi.ie. Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina were greeted by cheers and gifted roses as they left Aras an Uachtarain on Monday night. A guard of honour was formed outside the gates of the official residence in the biting cold by the members of the Sanctuary Runners who wanted to show their appreciation for his support. The running group, which Mr Higgins is a patron of, is made up of Irish citizens, migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. One runner, Monica Pumpkin who is originally from Botswana, handed him and Sabina yellow roses to thank him for his support during his presidency. Ms Pumpkin, whose birthday was on Monday, said he has been supportive of the group and had stood for all migrants in Ireland She said it was an honour to be at the gates of Aras an Uachtarain: We are here today to wish him well, and farewell. Mr Higgins, who was late departing partly because he and Sabina wanted to ring the peace bell one last time, thanked the runners for their patience as he accepted a rose from Ms Pumpkin. He wished her health and happiness before the car departed shortly before 6.50pm. In a statement, Mr Higgins said that serving as president of Ireland was a great privilege. I would like to thank the people of Ireland for the warmth of reception which they gave to both Sabina and myself over the past 14 years, he said. How valuable it was to be able to join with them in engaging with the issues, projects and ideas that will help us to achieve the best of our country and the best representation of Ireland and its values abroad an inclusive citizenship and a creative society in a real Republic. Mr Higgins, a former mayor of Galway, president of the Labour Party and minister for arts, culture and the Gaeltacht, focused on celebrating the arts, the Irish language, and peace initiatives during his term. Mr Higgins has published a number of books including collections of poetry, speeches and essays and contributed to numerous others. His 14-year term ends at midnight and left-wing independent Catherine Connolly, a former Galway constituency colleague of Mr Higgins, will be inaugurated as Irelands 10th president on Tuesday. Mr Higgins will be in attendance at the inauguration at Dublin Castle. Graham Clifford, founder of the Sanctuary Runners, said the group had approached the Aras about doing a guard of honour and they received a reply that Mr Higgins would be eager to do it. He estimated that around 150-200 people had gathered at the Aras gates from counties including Donegal, Cork and Wexford. He said: President Higgins has always been really clear and strong and with conviction about the fact that Ireland is and should be a welcoming place for everybody, so we think thats reflected in the group that is here tonight. Since the very start of his presidency hes been clear that he is a president for everybody. FAQs - collateral management harmonisation Scope Why is the Eurosystem harmonising collateral management processes? To enhance the safe and efficient settlement of securities and management of collateral To remove barriers and inefficiencies in a holistic, consistent and detailed manner To meet stakeholder demands for further integration of financial markets in Europe, thereby promoting the smooth implementation of monetary policy and ensuring financial stability What are the guiding principles for collateral management harmonisation? Principle 1: Harmonisation should lead to a single pan-European collateral management rulebook for the interaction of financial market infrastructures and their users, including central banks. Harmonisation should lead to a single pan-European collateral management rulebook for the interaction of financial market infrastructures and their users, including central banks. Principle 2: Harmonisation should lead to messaging based on the latest international standards. Harmonisation should lead to messaging based on the latest international standards. Principle 3: Harmonisation should lead to interoperability. Harmonisation should lead to interoperability. Principle 4: Harmonisation should lead to straight-through processing. Harmonisation should lead to straight-through processing. Principle 5: Harmonisation should remove operational impediments to availability, usage and mobility of collateral. What is the Single Collateral Rulebook for Europe? The Single Collateral Rulebook for Europe (SCoRE) is an industry-led initiative to define harmonised rules for managing collateral in Europe. The Rulebook is comprised of standards prepared by the Advisory Group on Market Infrastructures for Securities and Collateral (AMI-SeCo). What standards from the Advisory Group on Market Infrastructures for Securities and Collateral (AMI-SeCo)have already been agreed? AMI-SeCo standards detailing harmonised business processes, workflows and messaging have already been agreed in the following areas: triparty collateral management; corporate actions for debt instruments; billing processes. What topics are still being addressed? Harmonisation work is underway in the following areas (no timelines are available yet): corporate actions for non-debt instruments; taxation processes; bilateral collateral management; margin calls; cut-off times; collateral data; sourcing of collateral; non-euro-denominated collateral. For further information, take a look at the Report on Collateral Management Harmonisation. What is the ECMS and what does it have to do with the harmonisation agenda? SCoRE implementation by country National Stakeholder Groups (NSGs) have been established in the markets covered by the AMI-SeCo in order to support the implementation of the Single Collateral Management Rulebook for Europe (SCoRE). Each market prepares a set of Adaptation Plans and continuously monitors actual progress in relation to it. The SCoRE Adaptation Plans Status Report provides an overview of the latest status in each market. Further details on implementation efforts in each national market can be found by clicking on the map below. A consolidated overview of implementation efforts across all AMI-SeCo markets can be found in the latest AMI-SeCo SCoREBOARD report. The AMI-SeCo markets include financial markets and relevant financial market stakeholders in the European Union, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Our retail payments strategy The way you pay and receive money across Europe is constantly evolving. We want to make sure we evolve alongside the latest trends and technologies, and that the payment services you use remain safe as well as reliable, easy, and fast. All Europeans should be offered payment services that can be used across Europe, whether for paying bills or when shopping in physical shops and online. Thats why we have put in place a strategy that will support the creation of a pan-European payment solution and improve instant payments, among other things. Our retail payments strategy and the digital euro project are complementary. Both initiatives aim to achieve a higher level of efficiency, strategic autonomy and resilience in retail payments, as well as supporting digitalisation and innovation. A digital euro could contribute to the goals of the strategy in multiple ways. For example, it would offer a pan-European payment solution, making as much use as possible of existing industry standards, components and technology. In turn, this would help private payment solutions to become more cost-efficient, enabling them to also achieve a pan-European reach. Key components of the Eurosystems retail payments strategy Pan-European solutions: to pay at any point of sale and online. Instant payments: focus on the full deployment across Europe. Cross-border payments: help European businesses and people make and receive payments across the EU. Increased resilience: more robust systems, fallback solutions and user preparedness. Payments anywhere in Europe Customers should be able to make payments at the physical point-of-sale or via e-commerce, including on their mobile, throughout the entire European Union just as efficiently and safely as in their home countries. At the moment we lack a pan-European solution for payments made in physical shops or online. The European Payments Initiative is a market initiative aiming to establish a new payment solution for people and merchants across Europe. It will include a digital wallet that can be used to pay in physical shops, online and in person-to-person transactions. The Eurosystem is open to any market initiative that is working to meet five key objectives: pan-European reach and customer experience, convenience and low cost, safety and efficiency, European brand and governance, and global acceptance (in the long run). Strengthening the Single Euro Payments Area In its first ten years, the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) consisted of the payment schemes for credit transfer (SCT) and direct debit (SDD), which are widely used for paying your bills and recurring expenses. These basic schemes need to be future-proofed to address the changing needs of their users. In parallel, the Eurosystem aims to ensure that all SEPA users also have the option to use instant payments. Instant payments are electronic retail payments that are processed in real time 24/7 and in which the funds are made available to the recipient immediately. On the basis of an initiative from the Euro Retail Payments Board (ERPB) in December 2014, an instant payments scheme (SCT Inst) was developed by the European payments industry and launched in November 2017. However, payment service providers have been slow to join and deploy it to users. We monitor the use of instant payments and, together with the other central banks of the Eurosystem, want instant payments to live up to their full potential. Thats why our strategy states that instant payments should be made available to all citizens and businesses across Europe and offered under attractive conditions, with additional functionalities such as requesting a payment. Cross-border payments Cross-border payments are transactions where European users send and receive money to and from abroad. These payments facilitate cross-border trade, investment and remittances, but are currently slow, complex and expensive. This makes it difficult for consumers and businesses to transfer funds to or from outside the euro area. One of the goals of our strategy is to help European consumers and businesses make and receive payments involving partners outside the euro area. To support this, a cross-currency service will be implemented in TIPS to settle payments between euro, Swedish kronor and Danish kroner. In February 2024 it became possible to settle electronic instant payments in Swedish kronor via TIPS. The Danish krone became the third currency in April 2025. Eurosystem launches initiatives to improve cross-border payments by interlinking fast payment systems Sweden joins TIPS Eurosystem instant payments platform also settles in kronor Danish krone now available in all TARGET Services Increasing the resilience of retail payments In the light of recent external developments, the robustness of our payments needs to be improved to make them more resistant to disruptions. Moreover, there should be a fallback option in case one type of payment solution temporarily stops working. Finally, users themselves should consider having one or more alternatives. An innovative European payments ecosystem The traditional payments business is increasingly being challenged by new players and disruptive technologies. Financial technology (fintech) companies have accelerated innovation and the evolution of retail payments. In response, our retail payments strategy addresses the role of European fintech companies, and the Eurosystem has opened a European fintech payments dialogue for the purpose of discussing payments-related topics with these companies. A different topic is addressed at each meeting, and participants are invited on the basis of suggestions from European national central banks. Meeting summaries are published here. 2 December 2021: European fintech payments dialogue open banking and application programming interfaces (APIs) summary 22 February 2022: European fintech payments dialogue e-ID in relation to payments summary 28 March 2023: European fintech payments dialogue the use of stablecoins and unbacked crypto-assets for retail payments summary 7 March 2024: European fintech payments dialogue mobile-based payment innovations and their implications for efficiency, accessibility, and financial inclusion summary 11 February 2025: European fintech payments dialogue artificial intelligence in payments: use cases, EU regulation impact on business development and potential risks summary Supporting accessibility and a sustainable payments ecosystem The Eurosystem is committed to ensuring that all Europeans have access to safe, efficient and convenient payment options in view of all-encompassing digitalisation. Work is underway to assess how digital payment methods can be made more inclusive, addressing challenges faced by vulnerable groups and those less familiar with digital tools. At the same time, the Eurosystem is exploring ways to enhance the environmental sustainability of payments. This includes assessing the environmental footprint of electronic retail payment methods such as card and instant payments. READ MORE All our goals The Eurosystems retail payments strategy SEE ALSO Find out more about related content On the edge of a new frontier: European payments in the digital age Speech ECB welcomes initiative to launch new European payment solution Press release Oysterhaven-based husband and wife team, Al Dalton and Sadhbh Barrett Coakley of ALSA Productions are staging Enda Walshs acclaimed play, Misterman, who is a devout moralist obsessed with sin and purity. This character, in the one-man show, is played by James De Burca. As the play progresses, it becomes clear why Misterman is so preoccupied with sin. He has done something heinous. The production at the Cork Arts Theatre marks the first time in 25 years that Misterman will be performed in Cork since its original outing by Corcadorca in 1999. Al says it was last performed by Cork native and Oscar winner, Cillian Murphy in 2011 in a revised version of the play. That version of the play enthralled audiences in Galway, New York and London. Now, Cork audiences can decide whether or not Misterman has redeemed himself. Director, Al, says: As a company, were always looking to create work that connects with our audiences. There is so much in this play that holds a mirror to issues we are facing today faith, morality, community and the fragility of the human mind. Set in the fictional Irish town of Inishfree, Misterman follows pious Thomas Magill whose fixation with good and evil spirals into isolation and madness. This is a demanding performance for James, who embodies both Thomas and the chorus of the townsfolk. It features voiceovers from seven well-known actors, including Ciaran Bermingham, Fionula Linehan and John McCarthy. For all its darkness, the production is described by Al as dangerous and blisteringly funny. It is produced by Sadhbh. Al has always been attracted to Endas writing. I love the language, the darkness, the depth, and the familiarity of the Irishness in it. In my formative years in theatre, I stepped into a world where Enda Walsh was very present, be it through Corcadorca or doing my speech and drama classes. Youd be thrown a monologue from Disco Pigs (Endas hit play.) Were doing the revised version of Misterman. I remember seeing it in Galway, and it has lived in the back of my mind since. The character of Thomas is lost and isolated. We meet him at a certain time in his life, living in what could be a dilapidated factory space in Inishfree. He is at a remove from the town. We kind of meet a monster from the get go. That facade burns away and we realise he is someone living with a large sense of guilt. We very much meet Thomas in a kind of purgatory. I havent fully decided whether the option of heaven or hell is available to him. He is really locked in. The guilt is kind of corrosive. Its amazing how it begins to rust away as the piece goes on and how the truth really begins to emerge. While Al and Sadhbh have placed the play in a version of today, Thomas is stuck in his own world. He has two reel-to-reel players providing the various voices. There are cassette players from the 80s and 90s. It really reminds me of walking into my granddads house on the South Douglas Road and all the stuff he had hoarded from the 60s. The recorded voices are snapshots from the town. Its hard to know when Thomas plays them whether youre actually hearing his inner monologue. Audiences will wonder why no-one stepped in, why there wasnt an element of care shown towards Thomas. If there had been an intervention, perhaps the actions might not have been carried out. We see a lot of it today, especially in young males who end up in their own echo chambers on social media. That provided a way in for me, the investigation into the piece that asks where was the nurture and the care? Thomas seems to have missed out on empathy. Al and Sadhbh have a nine-month-old baby boy called Lugh. Its fascinating to look at the character of Thomas from the point of view of being a parent and the damage you can do. Working together as a couple, both professionally and in their personal lives, is not a problem for Al and Sadhbh. It has always been like that. We set up the company in 2016 after the MTU drama and theatre studies degree. We met on the course and have been together since. Professionally, it is amazing because we have a shorthand, a really quick language between us. That could also be our downfall. You can get the other person almost too quickly. But it has been great. "We made an early decision that the company would not be our only thing. We really wanted to have prominent freelance careers as well. And we have worked abroad. This is our first time producing a published play. Our work to date has been material we have written ourselves or devised with another writer. The production has no funding. We really need to sell the tickets. We feel we can do it because we have nearly ten years behind us, working professionally. Sadhbh has gone on to do a Masters in producing and has worked as a producer with Once Off Productions. During that time, I was flexing my muscles as a director, and I was assistant director with Corcadorca a few times. Al admits that running a theatre company in Cork is difficult. The funding landscape is constantly shifting....Its hard to retain funding for a company. We have only ever been successful with project funding. But the show must go on for this determined couple. Misterman is at the Cork Arts Theatre from November 13-22. See corkartstheatre.com. Arriving in Ballymacoda on a foggy November afternoon, you sense how quiet the village can be. Yet its that very quietness that makes the place come alive in summer, drawing holiday makers seeking slow time amid the peaceful surroundings of Ballymacoda, Knockadoon, and wider East Cork. Finns Tavern, the last remaining pub in Ballymacoda, is where tourists and locals gel during high season and where many a community event takes place all year round. A one-story building, it sits towards the Knockadoon end of the village. As far as is known, it was always a public house. Gerard Finn, the publican and licensee, explains the buildings history. He bought the pub at an auction with his father in 1984 and opened it as the Finns we know today two years later. He remembers the original building well. Kate and Gerard Finn of Finn's Tavern in Ballymacoda. Picture by Noel Sweeney We opened the pub back in 1986. Before that, it was a little thatched pub that had been closed 10 or 11 years. The Cotter family, who were here all their lives, sadly passed away, and the pub was in decline, and the thatched roof had deteriorated. So, when myself and my father bought it in 1984 at an auction, we said wed go about getting planning permission and building toilets. There was only an outdoor toilet, and we built toilets in a storeroom, and we opened here the Easter Thursday in 1986. At that particular time, there were three other pubs active in the village, making Finns Tavern the fourth. But in the 40 years since, those three other pubs have closed one by one. The last being Dalys, in 2010. The pub industry at the time, almost 40 years ago was a thriving industry of villages that would be very busy at the weekends. Saturday nights and Sunday nights would be just as busy. Tourist footfall helps Finns keep the lights on. The nearby caravan park draws holiday makers, mainly staycationers from nearby counties, and a new officially recognised cliff walk has put the Knocadoon peninsula on the map. In the summertime, of course you get an advantage of tours to the area, and you have the caravan park out in Knockadoon, which was open around the same time as our pub, maybe a few years after that bringing a lot of people down from the city bringing them into the hinterland here and the Peninsula. Gerard Finn outside his Bar Finn's Tavern in Ballymacoda. Picture by Noel Sweeney The caravan park, he says, is a huge asset in the summertime. They open somewhere around Patricks weekend, and it closes roughly around the end of October every year. It will have families from Limerick and Kilkenny, Cork City and the surrounding area. People who like a quiet holiday. What draws them here? I suppose the serenity and solitude of the place. Knockadoon is a lovely quiet place. Its not overpopulated. People come back, generation to generation: a lot of the people in the caravan park are the second and third generation of families coming down. They reach mid-teens, and it doesnt suit them because theres not enough activity there. But then as they get older they come back with their boyfriends and girlfriends in their 20s and now some of them are married theyre coming there with their kids again so its a continuation that way over the years Gerard has four grown children and today he is joined by his daughter Kate. She tells me about the cafe, opened by her late mother Deirdre, who sadly passed away in December 2024. She opened a little cafe, and she used to have coffee. We had a coffee machine and a toasty machine, and shed make lovely cakes. This was 2016, and she did that up until 2019. Gerard speaks of his late wife, Deirdre, Kates mother, with pride. You also sense his grief. She was the backbone of the day-to-day. She was the backbone here. She was the heart of it. She kept the whole thing going. The pub, the family, the lot. Gerards wife, Deirdre, who passed away in December last year. Picture supplied by the Finn family. He recalls the way she worked: She was very well known. We were married for over 30 years, and she was working in the industry before I met her. She always loved it and she loved the social side of it. She was a people person. She loved cooking food for people, entertaining, and she ran this pub right up till covid. She just thrived. It was her thing. Over the years, the pub has expanded. What may seem like a low-sized one-story building is deceptively large inside. Upon entering, the main bar, where all the fun happens, is to your left. It has a large open plan, yet the original and newer sections run into each other seamlessly. The pool table area is fully integrated into the open plan, but youd hardly notice it.The walls are wooden and theres warm lighting, which together gives the bar an almost cabin feeling. To the right upon entering is an extra room, which is an unofficial-official quiet bar for customers who prefer a calmer night. It was in that section that Deirdre ran the coffee shop. On the subject of new trends and changing habits, Gerard said: The zero or zero trade is the fastest-growing trade in all aspects. And the gym. People are getting up all hours of the morning nowadays to go training and that type of thing, theyre more health-conscious. Gerard added: People dont drink the same way. They go to town for a meal, or they drink at home. Kate added To go out to the pub, there nearly has to be something on, like we ran barbecues and weve a lot of stuff coming up, the 20th anniversary of the local GAA winning the All-Ireland...theres a lot coming up again. They both speak fondly of the staff and customers and relay tales of great characters who have been customers down the years. Legends Kate says, following up with an anecdote that a customer would often have to come off a stool because it was so-and-sos stool. Is there pressure holding the fort as the only remaining bar in the area? Definitely, Ger says, like, weve all seen it where even in some communities where the last pub standing comes up for sale and theres no one to buy it and the community has a fear factor that therell no longer be a pub in a village or in a little townland. He described how some local communities had bought their local pubs to try keep them alive. And as Im the last publican here in this village of Ballymacoda, in the Knockadoon Peninsula, it would be a sad day for this area if there was no pub when it comes to a funeral or a match or a meeting or the book club who meet here, and the GAA lotteries... Easter 2026 will see Finns Tavern turn 40. Were celebrating our 40th anniversary next Easter, which I suppose will be a milestone in itself to be here that long, do you know? Well definitely celebrate it. So, will Gerard pass the torch to the next generation? Kate and her dad look at each other. Its a lot of work, Kate says, but with a smile. She doesnt say it from a place of unease. Its hard to decipher a clear yes, but as far as I can tell, its certainly not a no from Kate. Tanaiste Simon Harris has repeated a call for the establishment of a Cork city centre taskforce as an absolute priority. Speaking to The Echo, Mr Harris said he wanted the taskforce to be part of the Governments upcoming housing plan. A planned taskforce dedicated to Corks city centre's revival was included in the programme for government, and in June Mr Harris told this newspaper he was anxious that it go ahead by the end of this year. Last month, however, Taoiseach Micheal Martin told his fellow Cork South Central Fianna Fail TD Seamus McGrath that People do not like the word taskforce in Cork - we are kind of fussy - so they are looking for a different title because the city has made progress. He said a group would be set up to look at the terms of reference of such a body. We want to make sure that in what we establish, we capture that and not duplicate or do something on a different strand or track." Now, the Tanaiste has renewed calls that a taskforce for Cork be urgently introduced. I really want to see a dedicated Cork city centre taskforce established as an absolute priority, Mr Harris told The Echo. When I was taoiseach, we established a Dublin city centre taskforce, and weve already seen the benefits that that has been able to make for our capital city. Its very clear that a Cork city centre taskforce could have really, really positive benefits for Cork city, for the economy in Cork, for making sure that we drive investment into Cork, and that we can plan for the essential infrastructure and growth needs of the city of Cork. Ive been working very closely with Colm Burke, with Jerry Buttimer, with Garret Kelleher and with the Cork councillors. Mr Harris said he would like to see the Cork city centre taskforce included as a commitment in the forthcoming Government housing plan, adding that he believed it could make a real difference. I want people in Cork to know that this is a priority for me in Government, he said. I think a Cork taskforce to bring all the agencies together, to coordinate, to break down silos, and to develop a plan to revitalise Cork would make a real and meaningful difference. Last week, in a written Dail reply to Cork North Central Independent Ireland TD Ken OFlynn, the Taoiseach said a tailored response to Corks needs would be required, focussing primarily on tackling vacancy and dereliction, sustaining business, investing in the public realm, making city streets safer, and getting more people living in the centre. I expect to see the developed terms of reference, tailored for Cork citys specific needs, in the very near future, Mr Martin said. Five women in business were honoured at this years Female Founder Awards, including one Cork entrepreneur. The awards, organised by The Club Womens Network and held at the Maryborough Hotel on Friday, aimed to spotlight women in business who are successfully running their own company. The evening kicked off with a red carpet entrance and a drinks reception, before guests were shown to their seats and were given an opening speech by keynote speaker, Jenny Johnston ONeill of Azure Communications. Guests were also treated to live music on the night from DJ Nat Mac who is also the founder and chair of the Electronic Music Council. Finalists at this years awards were recognised across five categories including Newcomer; Solo Business; Business of the Year; Contribution to The Club; and Most Positive Impact. Among those recognised at the ceremony was Cork woman, Amelia McNamara of Graceful Accounting, who received an award in the Contribution to The Club category. In a post shared on social media, Ms McNamara said when she joined The Club she didnt set out to win anything or make an impact. I just wanted to meet like-minded women who understood what its like to build a business and a life at the same time, said Ms McNamara. Im leaving this week feeling proud, grateful, and very aware that none of it happens in isolation. Other women recognised at this years awards ceremony include Fiona ODonohue of Away with Nature, in the Solo Business category; Cathy OByrne of the Swallows Trail, in the Most Positive Impact category; Jenny Douglas of A Good Moment Company, in the Newcomer category; and Kel Galavan of Mrs Smart Money, in the Business of the Year category. Motorists and commuters are being asked to take care this morning as heavy rainfall overnight, which is forecast to continue until this afternoon, has made many Cork roads treacherous. The county, along with neighbour Kerry, is currently under a yellow status rainfall warning, which will not expire until 2pm today. Several roads are already experiencing challenging flood conditions, especially in West Cork, where low lying areas are under water as the rain continues to fall. With a high tide having just passed, some flooded areas will begin to recede, but many are still under threat from the forecasted heavy rain. SPOT FLOODING Land around Bantry, Skibbereen and Clonakilty is experiencing spot flooding and drivers are asked to proceed with caution. The national M8 route between Mitchelstown and Cahir is reported to be flooded, along with areas around Inchigeela and Dromahane also hit. The Ardcahan bridge between Dunmanway and Coppeen, a popular artery for commuters from West Cork to the city, is closed for the second time in a week due to flooding. City areas affected by spot flooding include a section of Magazine Road beyond Dennehys Cross and on the busy Carrs Hill commuter route. Flooding on the Lee Road which is closed to traffic after the River Lee burst its banks. Picture Dan Linehan CITY ROAD CLOSURES AND REPORTS Due to heavy rainfall, the R579 from Healy Bridge to Cloghroe in Blarney is now closed and will reopen when safe to do so. Ballyphilip Road by Upper Glanmire is closed due to flooding and Cork City Council advise motorists to avoid. Heavy flooding on Centre Park Road currently, impassable in parts. Reports of flooding on Togher Road, at the junction with Clashduv Road. Reports of flooding on the N22 Carrigrohane (Straight) Road in parts COUNTY ROAD CLOSURES AND REPORTS Cork County Council have reported that the R-620-0 is impassable due to flooding. Townlands on this road that are affected are Ballydahin, Quartertown Lower, Dromore, Drommahane. The Ardcahan Bridge (R587) is also closed at this time. There is extensive surface water reported at the R585 at Inchincurka. Cork County Council have advised that this area is currently passable but is being monitored. The road from Pauds Cross near Blarney to Bawnafinny is closed due to a traffic accident and a telecoms pole that has fallen onto the road. The R-621-0 is also reported as being impassable. Townlands on this road are: Kilvealaton West, Newberry, Gortnagross. Reports of flooding in Halfway Village. Reports of flooding between Crossbarry and Killumney, due to the river bursting its banks. Reports of flooding on Ballea Road, Carrigaline. Impassable in parts. Heavy flooding in Carrigline from the Corner House to Bank of Ireland. Part of Carrigaline Main Street is closed. Reports of flooding on Banduff Road The main Bandon Killbritain road. Picture Denis Boyle TRAIN SERVICES Services between Cork and Mallow have been resumed following suspension of the line earlier this morning. Services are operating at a reduced speed due to flooding on the line. Blarney Castle has also closed due to flooding and is expected to reopen tomorrow at 9am. Those with entrance tickets dated for today are asked to please contact socialmedia@blarneycastle.ie for further information. Five community groups from Cork were honoured at the IPB Pride of Place community awards last week. The awards ceremony, held at the Limerick Strand Hotel on Friday, saw community groups from across the country come together to honour the selfless efforts of people who make their local neighbourhoods better places to live, work, and socialise. Among those recognised in Cork was Ceili Cois Lochra, which took first place in the Creative Communities category. If you find yourself in Cork during the summer months, make sure to visit The Lough on a Wednesday evening, the judges said. Whether you are dancing under the open sky or simply enjoying the music, the Ceili Cois Locha provides an unforgettable experience that captures the spirit of Irish culture and community. The Ceili is now a microcosm and celebration of modern Ireland an intergenerational multicultural community event with Irish music and dance enjoyed by an attendance of all colours and creeds. Also recognised in Co Cork was the Tracton Biodiversity Group, which took first place in the climate action and biodiversity category. We were really impressed by the groups approach to influencing the County Development Plan and their capacity to share their expertise and knowledge in a constructive way to achieve outcomes, the judges said. An example being achieving a change to the design of the Ringaskiddy dual carriage to recreate a local habitat which is home to many endangered species. They have also completed significant habitat mapping which formed part of their submission to the County Development Plan. Several other Cork-based projects came in runner-up places, including Clogheen/Kerry Pike in the Urban Neighbourhoods Under 3000 category; The Cork Dragons in the Community Wellbeing Initiative category; and the Cork Tourism Committee in Community Tourism Category. For more information on the IPB Pride of Place awards, visit: www.prideofplace.ie Work on a second road to Cork from Cobh is taking too long, a Cork TD has said, as the transport minister has detailed the five-year back-and-forth with Cork county council on the project. Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide asked the minister for transport to provide an update on the Great Island connectivity scheme, in particular in respect of a new bridge crossing to Cobh. Transport minister Darragh OBrien said: Cork County Council submitted an initial project appraisal to the department in 2019 regarding the upgrade of the R624 Cobh Road. The project, as submitted, includes upgrading the existing N25-R624 interchange, the provision of a dual carriageway from the interchange to Marino Point, widening of Slatty Bridge, the provision of a new bridge crossing to Great Island at Belvelly and upgrading the existing R624 from Marino Point to Cobh. The estimated cost of this scheme is more than 100m, with possible staged implementation. In line with government requirements, Cork County Council also produced a strategic assessment report (SAR) for the Great Island connectivity scheme and a draft was forwarded to the department in November 2022. Mr OBrien explained that since then, both the public spending code and the departments transport appraisal framework (TAF) guidance have been updated, so the department liaised with the council regarding new requirements including the preparation of a project outline document (POD) and business case incorporating the work already undertaken. The council submitted the POD to the department in March 2024, and then commenced work on developing a brief for the appointment of consultants to deliver the scheme through options assessment, design and planning, starting with the commencement of a preliminary business case. An allocation of 350,000 was made to Cork County Council as part of the 2025 regional and local roads grants to assist in the development of the preliminary business case. Mr Quaide said the timeline for the project was too long, telling The Echo: Some Government TDs are openly admitting that the Government is taking far too long to progress essential infrastructure projects. The second road access to Cobh is one such project that needs a serious injection of ambition and urgency from Government. It is essential for safety, connectivity and for realising Cobhs full development potential. A member of staff at a Texaco service station in Cork was caught in a chokehold head-lock by one raider as a second culprit ripped the till from the counter. These were the allegations made by Detective Garda Eoghain OCallaghan at Cork District Court when he objected to bail being granted to 44-year-old Mark Sheehan of Hazel Road, Togher, Cork. Judge Mary Dorgan granted bail on strict conditions to the accused man to appear in court again on December 3. No bail application was made by co-accused, 41-year-old Shane ODonoghue of Leesdale, Model Farm Road, Cork, on the same charge of carrying out the robbery of 915 at Texaco on Model Farm Road, Cork, on Wednesday, November 5. Mr ODonoghue was remanded in custody until November 11 at Cork District Court. During the course of the objection to bail for Mark Sheehan, Det Garda OCallaghan described the seriousness of the allegations. It is alleged, that at around 8.30pm on Wednesday two men entered the Texaco Service Station on Model Farm Road in Cork. Both had their faces covered. They proceeded to behind the shop counter and demanded that staff open the tills. One of them then proceeded to grab one of the staff members and performed a chokehold head-lock. The other male ripped the till out and put it into a bag. Both of them then left the store on foot. Gardai apprehended later two men nearby, trying to discard clothing. They had the same clothing as the raiders and 625 of cash was recovered from them. There is CCTV of the incident. Gardai are satisfied that Mark Sheehan is the male who performed the chokehold head-lock on the employee and put him in fear. The English Markets newest business is offering some of the citys finest food on-the-go, using only the freshest locally sourced ingredients. The markets newest stall, which is located inside the left-hand Grand Parade gate, is called On The Hoof, the latest venture of Tom Bradley. Since 2021, at Mr Bradleys own stall, Tom Bradley Pork and Bacon, he has offered locally reared pork and bacon, smoked in Ballincollig and dry-cured with Irish whiskey and local honey. Now that fare is forming the basis of Mr Bradleys second business, which opened a few weeks ago. Were using bacon and pork that I sell down at my own stall, and on top of that were doing a full beef option, a vegetarian offering, were doing mainly breakfast and lunch, and then to an extent were doing dinner boxes for people who come in after lunch, Mr Bradley said. Tom Bradley looks on as Eoin Beville makes a Breakfast bun in their new premises 'On the Hoof' in the English Market. Everything is as local as it can be, we buy a huge amount from the market itself, and what were not buying from the market, were buying from Cork companies. All our packaging is coming from a Cork company, and its all 100% compostable. Mr Bradley took over from Stephen Landon of Stephens Bacon, who began the stall in 1990. I used to supply Stephen with the bacon, Ive always smoked my own bacon, Im taking in bacon and pork from Stauntons in Timoleague and hand-curing it myself, and I have a smoker in Ballincollig, and then we slice it fresh every day, he said. Theres nobody else in Cork doing what were doing, and we have the shortest supply chain in the world. A spokesperson for Cork City Council said the opening of the new stall was very welcome. On The Hoof is a fantastic addition to the markets food on-the-go offering, they said. We would like to wish Tom and his team the very best with this new venture, and look forward to working with Tom and all the traders to continue to drive the market forward and ensure the markets continued success and growth in the years ahead. Ballet flats? Check. Stripe top? Check. Insouciant fringe? Check. Understated red lip? Check. When it comes to nailing the French Girl Aesthetic the fashion and beauty is easily achieved, but finding the elusive je ne sais quo required to pull it all together can be a little trickier. To celebrate the relaunch of the iconic Renault 4 - now as an electric vehicle - celebrity and fashion stylist Clementine MacNeive has opened her little black book and share her adresses secretes to help us all enjoy the perfect French day - in Dublin city. The French do everything on their own terms but they do it with class and elegance, explains Clementine, its an effortless confidence I definitely admire and one thats reflected in the all-new Renault 4 - a car thats also stylish, timeless and charming! Adopting this attitude, and the Reanault 4, Clementine recommends that everyone start the day with a perfect coffee and pastry - ideally at Mr French on Erne St. Known for its commitment to the perfect pour (flat whites are a speciality), fashion collabs and low-key interiors - Mr French brings Parisian charm to Dublins south inner city. Clems insider tip: Follow Mr French on Spotify to enjoy playlists such as Lecole du Hip Hop and Midnight in Paris if you really want to impress passengers! Freshly caffeinated, Clementine suggests we embrace the shop little and often approach to groceries so beloved of the French, whose commitment to quality produce outweighs their love for convenience and sees them shop several times per week to ensure excellence in the kitchen. What this means for Clementine is that jumping into the Renault 4 and nipping into Fallon & Byrne on Exchequer St to get the perfect baguette du jour (her ultimate French extravagance) from their bakery is a labour of love rather than a chore. While there, Clementine suggests that paying a visit to the cheese counter and splurging on a gooey camembert, followed by a pit stop in the legendary Fallon & Byrne wine cellar to pick up the perfect accompaniment is the simplest way to embody the French saying travailler moins, vivre mieux, which translates to work less to live better! The French way of life is all about living life with pleasure and enjoyment, says Clementine, whether that is with great food, culture or gathering friends and family theres pleasure in the simplest of moments. Clems insider tip: Lotts & Co in Dublin 4 is another destination grocer which prides itself on quality and choice - making it ideal for those who want to shop quality outside the city. The all-new Renault 4 - a car thats stylish, timeless and charming. Parking in Dublin city can often dissuade people from driving but when it comes to visiting Fallon & Byrne nearby carparks on either Clarendon St or Drury St remove any parking stress while the compact size of the Renault 4 make parking in tight spaces easier than ever before. The Renault 4 is perfect for city driving, explains Clementine, The 10-inch screen makes it easy to plan electric journeys, the voice control is very useful and the modular design means theres lots of extra space when I need it for work - its stylish and functional in one. With the Renault 4 parked up and the afternoon stretching ahead, mum of two Clementine recommends some retail therapy. Firstly she suggests heading to the iconic French brand Jacadis South King St store. Jacadi is a firm favourite as Clementine adores their commitment to preserving the heritage of the lenfance a la francaise that she so enjoyed growing up. My earliest memories are of eating crepes in Parisian cafes with my mum and people watching, recalls Clementine, a memory she hopes to pass down to her own children. Known for its durable and quality pieces which echo simple French styling, Jacadi is the ideal place to shop for Marceau and Camille. Next up, Clementine suggests staying in the fashion lane and popping into nearby Costume for a browse through its selection of French designers including Isabel Marant and Zadig & Voltaire - this time opting for adult sizes and safe in the knowledge that the Renault 4s spacious boot can take any purchases! Clems insider tip: If parking in either Clarendon St or Drury St carpark add an extra layer of French fancy to your day by stopping into Laduree and picking up a macaron - or two! Clementine MacNeive loves the ease of parking and the versatility of the all-new Renault. After working up a hunger, the only solution is to head to nearby lGueuleton on Fade St to enjoy an authentic French meal. I love how passionate the French are about the importance of eating a meal together, says Clementine, its all about the food! Although its chaotic with a toddler and a newborn we always try to sit down and have a meal together and we are lucky to have so many great French restaurants here in Dublin - lGueuleton is one of my favourites. One of the citys most famous restaurants, theres a reason LGueltons popularity never fades. The restaurant serves up classics such as French onion soup, croque monsieur, and moules frites, while its rabbit bourguignon is a cult favourite among Dublins francophiles! Clems insider tip: If youre after something a little more low-key, Chez Max at Dublin Castle serves up classic French fare in a truly unique location, while La Maison and Pichet are also firm family favourites. Add a touch of French style to every journey. The all-new Renault 4 is available from 27,995*, comes with a five-year warranty and is available from Renault dealers nationwide. For more information, click here *evolution EV40 price incorporates VRT relief and maximum SEAI Grant of 3,500 for private buyers. November is Movember - a month to highlight awareness of male cancers. You may know that I grew up the youngest and only girl with four older brothers, so its natural for me to say I am very comfortable in male company. Obviously, being a high-class lady, I like gentlemen who we say today are old school - the well-mannered and respectful ones! As a beauty doctor and skin specialist, I take it as a compliment when men feel they can ask me questions about their skin and health, because I know its not always easy for them to open up on such topics. Also, I feel they know its OK to talk openly and in confidence to me because confidentiality is key to what I do. I do my best to be approachable and I truly believe men of all ages in the 21st century really are as concerned as we females are about ageing well. I think that is fantastic - its great to see a guy looking well, fit, healthy, and strong, with a good complexion, whose whites of their eyes are bright and clear - a good indicator of health. When a man is told he is looking fit and well, you can literally see the change in his posture and demeanour, because, just like us ladies, men too need that reassurance. Emer OCallaghan in her Beauty Doctor uniform at Emerald Beauty Clinic, also pictured in a royal blue cocktail dress from Coast, and two of her most popular male skincare products, Guinots Hydrazone Spf 50, 56, and Guinots Aftershave Balm, 56, both available from Emerald Beauty Clinic I see this a lot in society now, particularly when a man turns 50. Many choose to embrace that age and its like a rebirth. If you ask me, some of the finest men around today are over 50 - they have life experience under their belt and, as much as women go on about being free now their children are older, thats also often the case for the man in his fifties. They have more free time to invest some time and care back. I can tell ya this for nothing, the men investing time and care into themselves now are the men who are knocking it out of the park. I had to do a skin presentation for a big pharmaceutical company last month on SPF, and what a high quality SPF entailed, and it was a boardroom of businessmen all over 50. It was a pleasure to do it as I was treated with respect and courtesy, they held the door for me, held a seat out for me, carried in my bags. I grew up with this attitude, and Im proud that my four brothers are four gentlemen. Sadly, in society today these pleasantries are not seen in many of the younger men. I think thats very sad. Every week, I get asked male skin and beauty questions, and I will say this - I do find men are far more teachable than women of a certain era, they truly want to learn and are respectful of the fact I have the knowledge and want to share it. You can get more of my skin and beauty tips in my weekly videos on the Emerald Beauty Clinic Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok pages now also. Here are my top five tips for men today to help with their skin, ageing and health SPF It goes without saying that its no different for men as it is for women, and its been scientifically proven now that the sun is the most ageing thing for everyone today. Every winter, so many men will leave Cork for the sun with no clue that over-exposure to it is not good for the skin. SPF is vital 365 days a year now, regardless of weather you are in Cork or Spain. I treat so many with very serious pigmentation-damaged skin and many will say they use factor 50 - but its the quality of the SPF you are using is the key. Only buy what we skin specialists call a broadband spectrum SPF, which will shield you from all UV rays - so look for those words. Next, you need to ensure the SPF is UVA and UVB - far too many are not. If youre looking for a practical gift this Christmas for any man, Id recommend my best-selling Guinot Hyrazone SPF 50 broadbrand spectrum, with UVA and UVB. Its 56 - yes, you pay more, but its quality. RAZOR Multi-blades are marketed so well today, but from a skin specialists point of view, its a concern. When a man shaves, he removes about three layers of skin with the hairs, and thats just with a single blade razor. If you are using a multi blade 3-5 blade razor, you are then removing even more layers of skin - a tighter shave, they say, but at what price to your skin? In my opinion, one blade only is the best thing you can shave with for your skin. There is a fantastic Gillette sensitive skin single blade razor you can buy in most supermarkets, and that is the one Id recommend you use. INVEST IN THE BEST I find men are just as concerned about ageing as we are, and when I get male clients on professional grade skincare like the Dermalogica and Guinot mens ranges that I stock in Emerald Beauty Clinic, they all see a difference in their skin. Many of my clients will buy their husband and partners my Guinot mens range three-step products of cleanser, aftershave balm, and moisturiser at Christmas, as well as for their birthdays or Fathers Day. Like anything in life, Im a firm believer that you get what you pay for, and the real investment is in your skin health and slowing down the ageing process. KNOW YOUR NUMBERS I get key information about everyones health, my own included, by the face. For example, I look to see the whites of the eyes, is there any discolouration or veins, as these are a big indicator of internal health. Next, I look at the lips to see signs of dehydration. Lastly, I look at the skin. When it come to general health, often men are slow to go to doctors, but I always advise them to know their number. The same for us ladies too. These numbers are their cholesterol level, blood pressure, and heart health - and all our bloods should be done yearly to know what condition your internal health is in. Men need to be getting their prostate checked too, and have a general check up with their doctor every 6- 12 months. Stress is the biggest contributing factor to ill health and premature deaths in Ireland today, and its less stress we all need as we are ageing. SKIN TREATMENTS Remember, long ago, men who nicked themselves shaving or who got a spot would dab some tissue paper onto their face to stop the bleeding? You dont see that today, but spots and breakouts are just as real as ever for men. In my clinic, I call facials skin treatments as I feel this is a more accurate description, and its also more appealing for men. The word facial implies pampering and zen time which a skin treatment is, but its more of a health benefit, and all our skin needs regular treatments to see what is going on. Men, just like us ladies, should be doing a professional skin treatment every 4-6 weeks. My final tip for the lads is this very common mistake that so many of all ages do daily and think nothing of - but did you know that you should never scrub your face in the shower? The sheer heat and pressure alone of modern showers is exactly why so many men have visible thread veins and broken capillaries, because no one ever told them the shower is an extreme environment for skin. So never do your face skincare in the shower, do it at the sink after the shower, using lukewarm water to remove residue hair products and properly cleanse and clean the delicate skin of the face and neck. The lavish party of Kris Jenner at her 70th birthday over the weekend, graced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has again raised the question of how far the couple has distanced itself from the traditional royal conventions. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, in their formal wear, enjoyed the company of a list of Hollywood celebs like Beyonce and Jay-Z, Oprah Winfrey, Adele, and the Kardashian clan at the $165 million estate of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez in Beverly Hills on Saturday night. Their grinning photos, widely shared by Jenner on social media, drew sharp reactions from royal circles. "It's so tacky," one palace source reportedly told Page Six, reflecting on the couple's appearance at the event. Another source emphasized that Harry's behavior at the party "shows that he is so far removed from the rest of the [royal] family." According to the report, some royal officials remain hopeful that he and Markle could eventually return to the fold, but note that Prince William has a clearly defined vision for the monarchy. "William has made it clear that he has a plan for being king, and he has true class. I think he will look at the younger royals to help, including Prince Edward's children," the source added. Hollywood Life vs. Royal Tradition The couple's attendance also highlighted their deep ties to Hollywood. Markle is set to appear briefly in the romantic comedy "Close Personal Friends," a movie under the Amazon MGM Studios banner and produced by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger. Her cameo is reportedly the result of a friendly relationship with the directors and is not indicative of her going back to acting full-time. Harry and Markle were also recently seen honoring their friend Serena Williams at a Baby2Baby gala in Los Angeles, further cementing their place in Hollywood's social circle. The juxtaposition of their glitzy lifestyle with William's public service-focused life has fueled criticism from some royal circles. "These people may be stars in America, but the pure ostentatiousness is at odds with what Prince William is trying to do with his life and the monarchy," a source said. The party guest list included tech mogul Mark Zuckerberg, with whom the Sussexes have a contentious relationship. Earlier this year, they publicly criticized the Meta CEO for changes to Facebook's moderation policies, citing concerns about mental health and misinformation. Prince Harry as Meghan's 'Personal Bodyguard' Beyond the glitz, a body language expert observed Harry's behavior at Jenner's event, noting his protective stance toward Markle. Judi James told the Daily Mail that Harry's posture and attention suggested he was acting as a "personal bodyguard" for his wife. "With a rather serious and focused-looking Harry towing Markle's along like her personal bodyguard," James said, "in star terms, this reflects her return to the big screen as an actress, while he seems to be back in Spare mode here." James also noted that Markle's behavior reflected her comfort with celebrity culture while maintaining control over how she was photographed. She reportedly avoided direct eye contact with cameras but smiled broadly, conveying delight without performing for the paparazzi. "A cut-off ritual like the lowered and hidden eyes suggests a coy lack of need to perform for the cameras," James explained. "But Meghan also performs a smile of utter delight here. Her cheeks are rounded, and her lips are hiked up high at the corners to create a symmetric shape." The Royal Divide While some palace officials reportedly hope the couple might eventually assist William when he ascends the throne, many see their Hollywood-focused lifestyle as evidence that they have grown increasingly detached from royal traditions. Last month, William, speaking on Apple TV+ with "Schitt's Creek" star Eugene Levy, emphasized his vision for a modern monarchy: "I think it's safe to say that change is on my agenda," he said, according to NBC. After nearly two decades together, Tori Spelling says her divorce from Dean McDermott was much smoother than anyone expected. Speaking on the November 10 episode of her podcast "misSpelling," the 52-year-old actress called it "one of the easiest divorces in Hollywood." Spelling, who filed for divorce in March 2024, told listeners she could now say the words "I'm officially divorced" with relief. "Wow, I said it out loud. It must be real," she said, noting how surreal it felt to finally close that chapter. According to US Magazine, the "Beverly Hills, 90210" alum described the settlement as "full circle" and completely drama-free. "While we had our ups and downs throughout our marriage, we had no problems during our divorce," she said proudly. "We both wanted to step up for the five humans we created out of love." Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott spent two decades together, with nearly 18 years as a married couple. Over the course of their relationship, they welcomed five children Liam, Stella, Hattie, Finn, and Beau who now range in age from 8 to 18. Spelling explained that the two reached their divorce agreement through mediation rather than a court trial. "Dean and I came out of this divorce with a clean slate. Neither of us asked the other for anything," she revealed. "Our kids are the most important." Tori Spelling Admits She Had the 'Easiest Divorce in Hollywood' From Ex-Husband Dean McDermott: 'This Is Drama-Free Uncoupling'https://t.co/abkLXeoFsl pic.twitter.com/9xeCosvag8 OK! Magazine USA (@OKMagazine) November 10, 2025 Read more: Tori Spelling Explains Desire for Monogamous Situationship After Divorce Tori Spelling Reflects on 'Beautiful Journey' After Split Tori went on to say that she and McDermott actually get along better now than they did as a couple. Spelling explained that their relationship has actually improved since the separation, describing how they now relate to each other as friends who still share mutual respect, care, and affection despite no longer being partners. Spelling also addressed the years of rumors about their rocky relationship, saying the media often wanted to paint a dramatic picture. "Everyone wanted drama, but we had enough of that during the marriage," she said. "This was a drama-free uncoupling." Calling the split a "beautiful journey," Spelling reflected on how she and McDermott are "redefining divorce" by showing their children that separation doesn't have to be ugly, TooFab reported. Spelling expressed that McDermott will always hold a special place in her life, emphasizing the deep bond and affection that remains between them even after their separation. Court documents confirmed that the couple privately resolved all matters, including custody. Although Spelling initially requested spousal support and full custody, both sides eventually agreed to co-parent peacefully. Both Spelling and McDermott have since moved on she's been linked to businessman Ryan Cramer, while he is reportedly dating Lily Calo. Former "Smallville" star Allison Mack spoke publicly for the first time since her release from federal prison in 2023. The 43-year-old actress recounted her sentencing in New York City in 2021 during a podcast, Allison After NXIVM, produced by CBC's Uncover. Mack described the emotional impact on her family, saying, "Oh, my God, my poor brother behind me, having to hear this about his sister. My poor mom. I'm so sorry, you guys. I can take it, but like fuck, you guys, I'm so sorry. I don't see myself as innocent, and they were." She also recalled the judge's remarks at sentencing, who described her as "callous" for having "laughed at people's pain and led people in negative directions." Mack addressed her use of celebrity in the group, admitting, "I think that I capitalized on the things I had, and so the success I had as an actor, I think I did capitalize on that." When asked about her role as an accomplice, she added that she believed she was "very effective in moving Keith's vision forward." In the podcast, Mack candidly confronted her actions, saying, "I don't see myself as innocent." NXIVM, of which Keith Raniere was a co-founder, was heavily criticized as a manipulative self-help organization. Mack was charged with bringing women into DOS, a secret subgroup where they were allegedly forced sexual subservience. In 2019, Raniere was convicted and he is presently serving a 120-year jail term for crimes that included sex trafficking and racketeering. Mack spent almost two years in the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California, and she was released under the First Step Act, a legislation that allows federal inmates to be granted early release credits for good behavior. Personal Life After Prison Following her release, Mack's personal life has shifted dramatically. In 2020, she filed for divorce from her then-wife, "Battlestar Galactica" actress Nicki Clyne, whom she married in 2017 at the urging of NXIVM co-founder Raniere, according to TMZ. More recently, Mack remarried a man named Frank in Los Angeles. PEOPLE reported that the couple met shortly after her release at a dog park, became engaged around Christmas 2024, and tied the knot in June 2025. Mack's post-prison reflections come more than five years after her initial arrest on April 20, 2018, when authorities accused her of facilitating Raniere's coercive operations. Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater appeared to address swirling split rumors with a subtle but telling Instagram post following the London premiere of "Wicked: For Good." The couple, who met on the set of the first "Wicked" film in 2022, started dating a year later while Slater was still married to his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay. Despite the split rumors, the couple appeared to double down on their love offstage. Slater's Instagram update featured a series of pictures from the NBC event "Wicked: One Wonderful Night," and Grande was unmistakable in a handful of photos, including a funny "Wicked"-themed photo booth picture. ethan slater via Instagram pic.twitter.com/iqVmFojDkq ariana grande news network (@arianagbnewsnet) November 7, 2025 Public Appearances vs. Private Support During the London premiere, Grande and Slater were only photographed together in group shots, with co-stars often positioned between them. Insiders told the Daily Mail that the couple has been "on and off" for several months, a detail mirrored in Grande's cautious approach to discussing her personal life in recent interviews. In her New York Times profile, she avoided mention of her love life, though the publication described Slater as someone she "dated." Grande shared that the increased attention in her life has taken away her personal joy. In pondering the demands her career has brought, she confessed, "Nothing prepares you for what comes with it. Until quite recently, it was really hard for me to navigate, and I think it stripped a lot of joy out of this for me." Meanwhile, Slater has faced similar scrutiny, and his Instagram post over the weekend appeared to quiet some of the speculation, showing that he and Grande remain in each other's orbit despite physical distance at promotional events. Praising Each Other Amid Tabloid Scrutiny In her previous interviews, Grande has not shied away from complementing Slater, especially highlighting his commitment to the people he loves. In an interview with Vanity Fair in September 2024, she expressed her admiration by saying, "No one on this earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about." "There is no one on this earth with a better heart, and that is something that no bullshit tabloid can rewrite in real life." Grande also admitted the difficulties of handling her fame while maintaining her personal relationships and noted that the gossip rags had exaggerated her suffering during some professional changes. "Of course, I went through a lot of life changes during the filming of this movie. A lot of people that were working on it did. We were away for two years. So, of course, I understand why it was a field day for the tabloids to sort of create something that paid their bills," Grande said. Originally published on Music Times By Stephen Beech Thunderstorms can trigger a surge in serious asthma attacks, reveals a new study. Researchers found that thunderstorms lead to "sharp" increases in asthma-related hospital visits. Thunderstorms are considered a risk factor for asthma attacks in patients suffering from pollen allergy, according to the World Allergy Organization. American researchers analyzed 4,439 asthma-related visits to three hospitals in Wichita, Kansas, from January 2020 to December 2024. Using meteorological records, they identified 38 thunderstorm days during the study period. The findings showed that around one in seven (14%) of all asthma-related hospital visits (627 cases) occurred on just 38 storm days, which represented only 2% of the calendar days in the study period. The average number of asthma visits was nearly 18 per day during thunderstorms, compared to just three on non-storm days. Older age was the only demographic factor linked to increased risk of storm-related asthma ER visits. Gender, location, and whether patients were admitted or discharged did not significantly affect the likelihood of visiting during a storm. Study lead author Dr. Diala Merheb, of the University of Kansas Medical Center, said: These results confirm that thunderstorms can pose a serious health risk for people with asthma." She added: Because storms are unpredictable, patients and healthcare providers should include storm-specific precautions in asthma action plans. The researchers note that storm-related surges in asthma cases place a significant burden on emergency departments. By recognising the connection between thunderstorms and asthma issues, they say communities and healthcare systems can develop preparedness strategies to protect vulnerable people and reduce strain on hospitals. Allergist and study co-author Dr. Selina Gierer said: If you or your child has asthma, its smart to think about thunderstorms the same way you prepare for high-pollen days or cold weather." Dr. Gierer, also of the University of Kansas Medical Center, added: Understanding triggers and having a clear plan can help avoid emergency room visits. The findings were presented at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Orlando, Florida. More than 300 Welsh farmers and landowners have launched a High Court challenge against energy company Green GEN Cymru, accusing it of abusing its legal powers to force access onto private farmland. The legal action, filed by New South Law, alleges that Green GEN and its land consent agents have acted coercively and unlawfully while trying to enter properties to carry out surveys for three major pylon routes spanning more than 200km across Powys, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, extending into Shropshire. The claimants say the companys agents have ignored legal safeguards, entered land without permission, and caused fear, distress and anxiety among rural communities. Lawyers argue Green GEN has overstepped its authority as an Acquiring Authoritya body allowed to compulsorily purchase land for public projectsby failing to comply with statutory notice requirements before seeking access. According to the claim, the companys conduct has created a significant power imbalance, with agents allegedly threatening landowners with bailiffs or arrest if they refuse entry. The case also raises serious biosecurity concerns, accusing agents of crossing farm boundaries in dirty vehicles and clothing, risking the spread of diseases such as bovine tuberculosis (TB) and sheep scab. Many of the affected farms lie within active TB control zones where strict hygiene rules apply. Lawyers say Green GENs disregard for these measures could expose farmers to major financial losses if an outbreak occurs. More than half of the affected livestock owners report disease cases within five miles of their holdings, and 17% confirm infections within the past year. The legal team, representing grassroots coalition Justice for Wales and countryside charity CPRW, reports that 80% of landowners have felt scared, alarmed or distressed by Green GENs conduct, with some seeking mental health support. Half say they never received the required s.174 statutory notice before company agents tried to access their land. Lawyers allege that Green GEN has ignored requests to produce evidence of these notices and, in some cases, relied on correspondence sent to deceased landowners as proof of consent. Several harassment notices and trespass reports have now been filed with police, while video footage shared by landowners shows agents entering protected habitats and ignoring requests to leave. Natalie Barstow, named claimant and founder of Justice for Wales, said the group had been left with no choice but to seek legal action through the High Court as a result of this bullying campaign by Green GEN. She added: Weve had hundreds of reports from people feeling as if their homes are being invaded. Many feel powerless and fearful of being arrested or prosecuted. While we support green energy, Green GENs completely unreasonable behaviour should not be allowed to continue. Barstow, who runs an award-winning campsite and a small family farm in mid-Wales, said the companys actions were intrusive, intimidating and utterly lacking in respect for rural communities. Were used to working with companies that require land accessits part of rural lifebut this situation is entirely different, she said. Her concerns are echoed by countryside campaigners who say the companys conduct risks long-term harm to rural Wales. Jonathan Colchester, chairman of CPRW, warned that the companys actions were eroding fundamental rights and damaging the Welsh countryside. Everyone has the legal right to be treated fairly and with respect, and the countryside has the right to be protected from harm, he said. Mary Smith, a solicitor at New South Law, said the case raises fundamental questions about accountability in the UKs renewable-energy transition. She added: Holding the status of an Acquiring Authority carries a responsibility to act lawfully and treat the public reasonably. It does not grant companies a free pass to pursue commercial objectives through oppressive and unlawful means. The claimants are seeking urgent injunctions to prevent further unauthorised access while the High Court reviews the case, which could have significant implications for how future energy infrastructure projects are conducted across rural Britain. A young Staffordshire farmer has been hailed as one of the brightest talents in British agriculture after being named Young Farmer of the Year 2025 at this years YFC Achiever Awards. Magnus Brown, 22, a dairy farmer from Chase Young Farmers Club, received the top accolade at the glittering black-tie ceremony hosted by the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (NFYFC). The event, held at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham on 8 November, brought together more than 500 young farmers, supporters, and alumni to celebrate those shaping the future of rural Britain. Judges, including TV presenter and farmer Adam Henson, NFU Vice President David Exwood and NFYFC Vice Chair Alex McMenemy, praised Brown for his confidence and passion for agriculture. Henson said Brown stood out for his communication skills and positive attitude to improving and developing the culture of British farming. Raised on his familys dairy farm, Brown has become a leading voice for sustainability, mental health, and the next generation of farmers. As an NFU Student and Young Farmer Ambassador, he has spoken on issues such as inheritance tax reform, farm safety, and mental health support in rural areas. Speaking after receiving his award, Brown said winning felt really amazing, adding that it showed what people can do with their voice in Young Farmers. He said the organisation was a place for everyone and encouraged other young people to speak up for causes they believe in. I think its important to get out and about and use your voice to help others, he said. I really care about the issues that face young people in agriculture and Im not afraid to express my opinions and get them out to a national stage. Brown has written for NFU Farmer and Grower and Student Farmer magazines, featured in Farmers Guardian, and uses social media to promote British farming to wider audiences. He recently finished university in Birmingham and now works as an agricultural solicitor. He is also part of the Tesco Future Farmer Programme at Harper Adams University. The Young Farmer of the Year Award was one of eight honours presented during the evening, recognising outstanding individuals and clubs across England and Wales for their contributions to farming and rural life. Now in its fifth year, the YFC Achiever Awards celebrate innovation, community spirit, and leadership among members of Young Farmers Clubs. Veruschka Pandey, a Class 12 student at The International School of Bangalore, represents a new generation of changemakers who blend innovation, research, entrepreneurship, and creative expression with empathy. Her trajectory seamlessly unites grassroots action under Project Suryanayak, a published study in PLOS Global Public Health, two registered patents for a groundwater recharge system and stormwater drainage, and two acclaimed poetry collections, bridging science and soul in her role as a concerned citizen and WHO Youth Game Changer. Veruschka founded Project Suryanayak to train frontline workers and citizens in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) a critical yet often neglected life-saving skill in rural India. The initiative has trained tens of thousands, including ASHA workers, making it Indias first youth-led project to influence state-level policy reform. Aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Project Suryanayak fosters partnerships across public, private, and government sectors. Its impact was showcased in a documentary titled The Heart Is A Vessel at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Our hearts are like vessels that hold empathy, love, and life. Its our responsibility to save people from untimely death by educating them about CPR, says Veruschka Through this initiative, she demonstrates how empathy-driven leadership can transform identified policy gaps into national movements for systemic change. Research And Evidence: Study On Type 1 Diabetes And Policy Reform Veruschka authored Indias first youth-led qualitative research study, Invisible Inequities In Type 1 Diabetes Care in India: A Multi-Stakeholder Study from Karnataka, published in PLOS Global Public Health. Her research examined gaps in access and care for children and families living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM), identifying systemic failures including misdiagnosis, insulin stock-outs, gender bias, and emotional stress. This study led to deliberations by the Government of Karnataka to integrate T1DM into its Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) programme. Data without empathy is incomplete. Research without empathy is sterile, Veruschka emphasises, highlighting her belief that evidence must be rooted in compassion to drive real policy change. Innovation and Sustainability: Groundwater Recharge Patent Beyond public health, Veruschkas innovation extends to environmental sustainability. Along with her sibling Vedansh Pandey, she registered a patent for a rainwater-recharge system believed to be Indias first of its kind which diverts stormwater into aquifers through retrofitted drains. The Pandey siblings' patent A Solid Segregation Grill For Storm Water Drains defines a system and method for collecting solid contaminants from stormwater drains. These inventions reflect her broader vision of research-led innovation driving policy reform identifying system gaps, developing technological solutions, and aligning them with national sustainability goals. She embodies the mindset of a young policy entrepreneur, committed to improving community and environmental wellbeing. Poetry as Advocacy: Where Words Meet Action Veruschkas creative expression complements her scientific pursuits. Written at age 12, her debut anthology Tween Twilight explores social pressure, racism, body image, and the pandemic through a childs voice. Her second collection, The Quiet Geometry of Chaos (2025), delves into identity and emotional resilience, using poetry as a medium of activism. Through her writing, she humanises data and bridges policy with lived experience proving that art, like science, can drive empathy and awareness. Veruschka says, Although my books were nominally priced to reach a larger audience, especially youth, I succeeded in raising phenomenal funds that have been completely donated to UNICEF. The day I become financially capable and independent, a percentage of my earnings shall always go to charity because we all owe it to society, our people, and their development. A Profile in Policy Entrepreneurship Veruschkas journey embodies five key dimensions: Public Health Leadership: Designing training programmes, conducting research, and influencing policy all at just 17 Innovation For Impact: Turning systemic challenges into actionable solutions Empathy In Evidence: Blending compassion with rigorous data to create human-centred reform Cross-Sector Collaboration: Bridging policy, research, and art through civic engagement Global Citizenship: Representing India as a WHO Youth Ambassador for NCDs, UN Youth Summit Speaker, and PHFI Youth Champion The Road Ahead Looking forward, Veruschka aims to scale her models by expanding T1DM policy integration to other Indian states and transforming Project Suryanayak into a nationwide movement. Her dual identity as a scientist-entrepreneur and poet-advocate makes her a symbol of Indias next-generation leadership: empathetic, informed, and reform-driven. All her work is bound by one philosophy empowering people, reforming systems, and elevating empathy in policy. Veruschka Pandey stands as a young woman of substance, shaping a future where science meets compassion, and where youth leadership redefines change itself. Also Read: Femina Circle: Unmissable Masterclass in Entrepreneurship By Ananya Birla Men We Love Nikhil Kamath Entrepreneur & Podcast Host Nikhil Kamath is not just an investor and entrepreneur, but a modern-day conversationalist. As co-founder of Zerodha and founder of impact ventures such as Gruhas, he has long pushed boundaries in finance and innovation. In 2025, hes amplified his voice further through his podcasts, in which business insight meets soul-searching curiosity. With his podcast WFT is with Nikhil Kamath, hes managed to net some pretty stellar guests and have solid conversations such as with Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, on the impact of AI in the world and its further evolution. Another memorable episode was with YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, where they talked about the impact of the platform, and the creator economy. He has also had on his show B Dayananda, IPS (Commissioner of Police) and MN Anucheth, IPS (Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic) to discuss Bengalurus infamous traffic. The episode itself was a compelling mix of social commentary and public accountability. Nikhil doesnt just host conversations, he creates space for transparency, social commentary, and ideas. In 2025, his podcasts have become as important to his public persona as his investing. Nikhil doesnt just host conversations; he creates space for transparency, social commentary, and ideas Sportspersons. Actors. Musicians. Singers. Entrepreneurs. Designers. Filmmakers. And many more Feminas Mens Special for 2025 celebrates men who have impressed us with their work and kept us watching, learning, and anticipating! Cheers to this years standouts The Men We Love: Shah Rukh Khan, Actor The 70th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2025 With Gujarat Tourism was a moment of high honour for Alia Bhatt, who won the Black Lady for Best Actor In A Leading Role (Female) for her performance in the film Jigra. Since Alia was unable to be present in Ahmedabad for the event, the actress shared a video exclusively with Filmfare thanking the makers of the film. The message gave fans a glimpse into what the award truly meant to her. Alia began by talking about the deep connection she felt with the entire project, making it clear that this particular win holds a special place in her heart, since it was also her first theatrical film as a co-producer with Dharma Productions. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Filmfare (@filmfare) She also expressed her gratitude to the entire team of Jigra, specifically acknowledging the director and her co-stars for their commitment to the film. She said, Its special because of the people that I met on the journey. Thank you so much Vasan Bala for choosing me to be Satya and giving me this film. Thank you so much Vedang for being the most wonderful co-actor and my on-screen brother. I really had a very special time shooting this film and its something that I will always keep very close to my heart. The win also marked a proud milestone for her own production house, Eternal Sunshine Productions, completing a memorable collaboration with Dharma Productions. She stated, It felt truly full circle coming together with Karan and the Dharma Productions team for this movie." In the most touching segment of her message, Alia Bhatt turned the spotlight away towards who she refers to as her real-life Jigra. She acknowledged her sister's quiet, steady support, saying, Ill always be thankful for my real-life Jigra, Shaheen for being my calm through it all. Concluding her message, she thanked the fans and audience for showering her with love. Also Read: Inside Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoors Daughter Rahas Birthday Ft. Rani Mukerji, Neetu Kapoor & More Lyca Productions has announced that Sigma, the first film directed by Jason Sanjay, is almost complete. The young filmmaker, who is actor Vijays son, has reportedly finished 95 percent of the shoot. The project, described as an action-adventure comedy, features Sundeep Kishan in the lead role and is now heading into its final schedule. A Confident Debut for Jason Sanjay The team recently concluded an extensive 65-day shoot across Chennai, Salem, Thalakona and Thailand. The production combined large-scale sets with real locations to create a visually dynamic world that reflects the films energetic tone. Lyca Productions shared the update on social media, hinting at an early summer release. In a press statement, Jason Sanjay described Sigma as a celebration of individuality and independence. This story is about a man who walks alone, a sigma who chooses his own path without worrying about societys expectations, he said. The film combines the excitement of a treasure hunt, the thrill of a heist, and the humour of a full-on entertainer. Thamans music, Sundeep Kishans energy, and Lycas support have helped bring this vision to life. Only one song remains to be shot before we move into post-production. Lyca Productions CEO Tamil Kumaran praised the debutants clarity and focus. Jason has delivered exactly what he promised, he noted. He managed to wrap a complex, multi-location project with a large ensemble cast in record time. His ability to plan, write, and execute makes him a complete filmmaker. We are proud to back him and believe this is the beginning of a long and promising journey. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lyca Productions (@lycaproductions) A Story That Blends Style and Spectacle Sigma revolves around a fearless and self-reliant man who refuses to conform to traditional norms while chasing a dream that takes him across continents. The film combines the thrills of a treasure hunt with the tension of a high-stakes heist, balancing action with sharp humour and adventure. The cast also includes Faria Abdullah, Raju Sundaram, Anbu Thasan, Yog Japee, Sampath Raj, Kiran Konda and Magalakshmi Sudharsanan, along with a few surprise cameo appearances. The technical team features some of the industrys most reliable names. Music composer Thaman is crafting the soundtrack, while Krishnan Vasant handles the cinematography. Editor Praveen KL and art director Benjamin M are also part of the crew, ensuring a vibrant and immersive visual style. According to Lyca, the films tone aims to blend youthful energy with the polish of a high-budget entertainer. The Road Ahead For Jason Sanjay, Sigma represents a crucial first step in establishing his own identity as a filmmaker. After studying filmmaking in Canada, he has returned to the Tamil industry with a project that seeks to merge global storytelling techniques with the flavour of local cinema. The films concept, which explores individuality through an entertaining mix of genres, already reflects that ambition. Lyca Productions, known for backing large-scale projects, has been vocal about supporting emerging voices. With Sigma, the studio seems keen on nurturing a new generation of filmmakers who can balance commercial appeal with creative flair. With most of the filming complete and post-production about to begin, Sigma is shaping up as one of the more anticipated directorial debuts of the coming year. The film is expected to hit screens in early summer 2026, aiming to capture audiences with its mix of energy, spectacle, and emotion. Also Read: Prabhas, Sandeep Vangas Film Spirit Launched? Funding round enables build of "stability island" which will deliver crucial grid stability services; represents phase one of LDES facility at Hunterston Highview has secured 130 million in funding to commence work on the first stage of its planned 3.2GWh hybrid long-duration energy storage (LDES) solution in Hunterston, Scotland. This brings the total raised to commercialise and roll out Highview's long duration storage solutions to over 500 million. This latest investment round, involving Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB), the British multinational energy and services company Centrica, and investors including Goldman Sachs, KIRKBI and Mosaic Capital, will fund construction of the first phase of the Hunterston project, a "stability island", which will provide system support to the electricity grid. This stability island is a key component of Highview's LDES system. It can operate independently of the energy storage elements and will deliver critical inertia, short circuit and voltage support to the UK power grid. The asset will support the grid at a location that faces considerable stability challenges. In turn, this will enable more power to be transmitted from the point of generation in Scotland to areas of high demand, preventing curtailment of wind energy across Scotland. The facility at Hunterston kicks off the deployment of Highview's Millennium Series of 3.2GWh hybrid long duration energy storage facilities, which will include further plants across the UK. They follow the development of a 300MWh liquid air energy storage facility at Carrington in Manchester, which is currently under construction. The first phase, also a stability island, is expected to be operational by August 2026, while the LAES system is expected to be operational by 2027. As well as the stability island, the facility at Hunterston will also eventually incorporate a hybrid long duration energy storage system, combining both liquid air storage and lithium-ion batteries for greater operational performance. This means that the entire facility will be able to send more power to the grid for longer, in a flexible way, maximising the asset for the benefit of the system operator. The energy storage element of the Hunterston facility received significant validation recently, when it was named as an eligible project for Ofgem's Cap and Floor support scheme for long duration energy storage, along with a planned facility at Killingholme, Lincolnshire. The facility will be located on the Peel Ports site in North Ayrshire and is expected to support 1,000 jobs onsite during construction and 650 jobs in the supply chain during the build-out of all phases of the project. The stability island is expected to be operational by January 2028, while the full facility is expected to be operational by 2030. The Hunterston facility will also incorporate a cutting-edge grid analytics function that delivers unprecedented insight into current and future energy usage and grid activity. Richard Butland, Chief Executive at Highview, commented, "This capital raise is an important milestone for Highview, enabling us to build out the first phase of our long duration energy facility at Hunterston. By delivering much-needed grid services in this location, our stability island asset will prevent costly curtailment and maximise the renewable energy that we generate in the UK. "Through the delivery of this phase and building on the lessons learned at our Carrington facility, we are also developing and strengthening our UK supply chain. This in turn supports future Highview projects, as well as the UK's wider green economy, driving skills development, job creation, and economic growth across the country." Mark Munro, CIO at the Scottish National Investment Bank, said, "Wind production curtailment and intermittency continue to be challenges across the supply chain. As Scotland scales its renewable energy production, it's critical that grid resilience is fortified so that more of it can be used. "Working in partnership with Highview, our investment in the development of this exciting project will deliver vital infrastructure to help ensure a more stable, clean energy future." Chris O'Shea, Group Chief Executive, Centrica said, "Low carbon storage is an essential part of the solution for how we manage the energy system of the future, and Highview's LDES system is the kind of innovative facility that is needed as the UK transitions to a more intermittent energy mix from renewables. "Hunterston's grid and analytics services will also enable the UK grid operator to better balance supply and demand challenges and help ensure our customers have electricity available when the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine. We're proud to strengthen our partnership with Highview as an investor as well as continuing to share our expertise on the energy transition and power storage." About Highview Highview is a solutions-led energy infrastructure business. It has developed its LAES technology in the UK over the last 17 years to store renewable energy for up to several weeks and provide stability services to the National Grid. The company leverages a proprietary analytics platform to forecast future energy needs, orchestrates strategic capital to develop solutions and curates its technology to design, build and operate the assets to meet those requirements. The stability island and LAES/BESS facility at Hunterston will be the forerunner of Highview's Millennium Series. It will deliver enough clean electricity to power around 650,000 homes for up to 12.5 hours, optimising Scotland's plentiful offshore wind resources and in the process, release grid bottlenecks that currently curb renewable generation. For more information, please go to: https://highviewpower.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251110590267/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts: Highview: media@highviewpower.com UK: +44.203.617.1930 US: +1.512.347.0300 Julie Kirby Mercom Communications Julie@mercomcapital.com +44 (0)7956 955625 Global leaders across architecture, engineering, construction, consulting, and government contracting recognized for innovation using Deltek solutions HERNDON, Va., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Deltek, the leading global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, today announced the winners of its annual Most Valuable Project (MVP) Awards at Deltek ProjectCon 2025, the company's annual user conference. The Deltek MVP Awards honor the most innovative organizations among Deltek's worldwide customers and partners across eight categories: The Architecture and Engineering (A&E) Award Award Background: Recognizes an A&E firm utilizing Deltek Vantagepoint to successfully execute projects. Recognizes an A&E firm utilizing Deltek Vantagepoint to successfully execute projects. Winner: Zutari is a leading buildings and infrastructure engineering and advisory practice with a proud legacy of over 90 years across Africa and the Middle East. The company partners with clients throughout the infrastructure lifecycle to deliver innovative, digitally enabled solutions across Buildings, Water Resources & Treatment, Mining & Industrial Infrastructure, Energy & Power, Transport & Mobility, Sustainability, and other sectors. Zutari is a leading buildings and infrastructure engineering and advisory practice with a proud legacy of over 90 years across Africa and the Middle East. The company partners with clients throughout the infrastructure lifecycle to deliver innovative, digitally enabled solutions across Buildings, Water Resources & Treatment, Mining & Industrial Infrastructure, Energy & Power, Transport & Mobility, Sustainability, and other sectors. Results: With Deltek partner Silversoft, Zutari implemented Deltek Vantagepont and: Increased top-line growth by more than 20% with only an 8% increase in headcount. Reduced project losses by nearly 50%. Established a single, integrated ERP system to support real-time, data-driven decision-making. With Deltek partner Silversoft, Zutari implemented Deltek Vantagepont and: The Consulting Award Award Background: Recognizes a consulting firm using Deltek solutions as a key technology to deliver successful engagements to their clients. Recognizes a consulting firm using Deltek solutions as a key technology to deliver successful engagements to their clients. Winner: Omnicom Media Group India provides an Agency as a Platform (AaaP) approach by connecting best-in-class brands to demand capabilities that deliver better business outcomes for clients. Omnicom Media Group India provides an Agency as a Platform (AaaP) approach by connecting best-in-class brands to demand capabilities that deliver better business outcomes for clients. Results: With Deltek Replicon's Time Bill Plus, Time Off Plus and Time Attend Plus, Omnicom: Reduced manual effort by 40%. Increased compliance to 95%. Real-time workforce visibility, fewer errors, and faster, data-driven decisions, boosting efficiency and scalability across the organization, and unifying operations for more than 500 users. With Deltek Replicon's Time Bill Plus, Time Off Plus and Time Attend Plus, Omnicom: The Construction Award Award Background: Recognizes a construction firm utilizing Deltek ComputerEase to keep jobs on track. Recognizes a construction firm utilizing Deltek ComputerEase to keep jobs on track. Winner: Gottstein Corporation is a leading industrial contractor serving the manufacturing industry with a primary focus on food and beverage production. Gottstein Corporation is a leading industrial contractor serving the manufacturing industry with a primary focus on food and beverage production. Results: With Deltek ComputerEase, Gottstein Corporation has: Scaled its growth for the past decade. Doubled down on innovation in its goal to become a billion-dollar company. With Deltek ComputerEase, Gottstein Corporation has: The Enterprise Award Award Background: Recognizes a large business leveraging Deltek solutions to achieve a global mission. Recognizes a large business leveraging Deltek solutions to achieve a global mission. Winner: KPMG is a global organization of independent services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. Within the government and public sector, KPMG leverages its global experience to enhance digital footprints and promote sustainable practices in cities, defense, education, human and social services, and international development. KPMG is a global organization of independent services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. Within the government and public sector, KPMG leverages its global experience to enhance digital footprints and promote sustainable practices in cities, defense, education, human and social services, and international development. Results: By migrating from Deltek Costpoint on-premise systems to Deltek Costpoint in the Cloud, KPMG: Modernized its entire Deltek infrastructure - the backbone of KPMG's Federal practice finance and accounting. Eliminated 49 legacy servers, improved reporting performance and ensured compliance with federal audit requirements like DCAA and CMMC 2.0. Supported over 2,300 employees for accurate billing, streamlined updates and long-term cost savings. By migrating from Deltek Costpoint on-premise systems to Deltek Costpoint in the Cloud, KPMG: The Government Contracting Award Award Background: Recognizes a firm that is using Deltek solutions to successfully execute business with federal, state and local governments. Recognizes a firm that is using Deltek solutions to successfully execute business with federal, state and local governments. Winner: Sierra Nevada Company (SNC) is a trusted global leader in aerospace and national security and its innovative solutions enable connected protection through command, control and communications systems. Sierra Nevada Company (SNC) is a trusted global leader in aerospace and national security and its innovative solutions enable connected protection through command, control and communications systems. Results: SNC uses Deltek Costpoint, Cobra, PM Compass, and ProPricer on large multi-billion dollar programs across the portfolio to support: Timekeeping, inventory management, and BI reporting for over 4,500 employees. Full EVM compliance, including Initial Baseline Reviews, Compliance Reviews, multiple IPMDAR deliveries, and data sets for seamless customer reporting. SNC uses Deltek Costpoint, Cobra, PM Compass, and ProPricer on large multi-billion dollar programs across the portfolio to support: The Partner Award Award Background: Recognizes a Deltek partner and customer that together have completed an exceptional implementation of a Deltek solution. Recognizes a Deltek partner and customer that together have completed an exceptional implementation of a Deltek solution. Winner: Lexell Blue is a Deltek Premier Partner recognized for excellence in delivering transformative solutions. With deep expertise in mergers and acquisitions, data migration, manufacturing, integrations/extensibility, and full-scale implementation services across the Deltek Costpoint family of products, Lexell Blue brings unmatched knowledge and precision to every engagement. Lexell Blue is a Deltek Premier Partner recognized for excellence in delivering transformative solutions. With deep expertise in mergers and acquisitions, data migration, manufacturing, integrations/extensibility, and full-scale implementation services across the Deltek Costpoint family of products, Lexell Blue brings unmatched knowledge and precision to every engagement. Results: In partnership with their enterprise client in the government contracting industry , Lexell Blue helped: Reimplement Deltek Costpoint to modernize and consolidate legacy systems into one powerful ERP platform. Reduce IT overhead, achieve 98% time entry adoption, and complete on-time financial close to support their 6,000 users. In partnership with their enterprise client in the government contracting industry The Professional Services Award Award Background: Recognizes a firm doing innovative work and succeeding with the help of Deltek solutions. Recognizes a firm doing innovative work and succeeding with the help of Deltek solutions. Winner: IMEG Consultants Corp. is a leading U.S.-based engineering and consulting firm that delivers a rare combination - the broad expertise of a national leader with the personal relationships and deep collaboration of a local firm. IMEG Consultants Corp. is a leading U.S.-based engineering and consulting firm that delivers a rare combination - the broad expertise of a national leader with the personal relationships and deep collaboration of a local firm. Results: IMEG worked with strategic partner Baker Tilly on a unique solution related to FAR compliance within Deltek Vantagepoint, resulting in: Transitioning 3,000 employees across more than 90 locations from a third-party expense platform to Deltek Vantagepoint Expense Reporting. Lowering costs, enabling faster processing, and achieving smoother integration while maintaining FAR-compliant accounting of travel-related per diems. Realizing a monetary return on investment and eliminating reliance on daily API transfers within four months. IMEG worked with strategic partner Baker Tilly on a unique solution related to FAR compliance within Deltek Vantagepoint, resulting in: The Small to Midsize Business Award Award Background: Recognizes a growing business doing innovative work and succeeding with the help of Deltek solutions. Recognizes a growing business doing innovative work and succeeding with the help of Deltek solutions. Winner: Adaptic LLC delivers innovative solutions in software development, systems engineering, analytics, and data science in support of the Intelligence Community. Adaptic LLC delivers innovative solutions in software development, systems engineering, analytics, and data science in support of the Intelligence Community. Results: Adaptic leveraged Deltek Costpoint and Deltek Dela's AI-powered time entry integrated with Microsoft Teams to: Empower its growth from one employee to 75 with minimal admin staff, while operating within secure SCIF environments. Reduce accounting entry time by 75%. Save 50% of time onboarding. Improve business development tracking by 90%. Adaptic leveraged Deltek Costpoint and Deltek Dela's AI-powered time entry integrated with Microsoft Teams to: "On behalf of everyone here at Deltek, congratulations to all the MVP award winners. It's an honor to stand with our customers and partners to help them achieve their mission-critical business goals," said Margo Margo Martin, Chief Customer Officer at Deltek. "These winners are leaders in their industries, and we look forward to seeing how they grow in the years ahead." Learn how Deltek customers are powering project success. About Deltek Better software means better projects. Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek for superior levels of project intelligence, management and collaboration. Our industry-focused expertise powers project success by helping firms achieve performance that maximizes productivity and revenue. Learn more at www.deltek.com. Deltek Contact Deltek Media Relations Team press@Deltek.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2799411/Deltek_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/deltek-celebrates-the-18th-annual-most-valuable-project-award-winners-at-deltek-projectcon-2025-302610812.html VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 10, 2025 / Golden Harp Resources Inc. (TSXVenture:GHR.H) ("Golden Harp"), a Canadian mineral exploration company, today provided an update to its September 3, 2025 news release where it announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement (the "Acquisition Agreement") with Timothy A. Young to acquire all of his right, title and interest, subject to certain existing net smelter return royalties, in and to certain mining claims (the "Initial Mining Claims") covering approximately 1,230 hectares. These claims are contiguous, or in close proximity, to Golden Harp's existing Copper Hill Property, and certain of which are located within the boundaries of McFarlane Lake Mining's (formerly Aris Mining Corporation's) adjacent Juby Gold Project. The Copper Hill Property is currently comprised of the Main Block Property and the Block A Property. The Main Block Property is owned 100% by Golden Harp and represents mining claims covering approximately 4,830 hectares. The Block A Property is owned 49% by Golden Harp and 51% by Mr. Young, the Company's joint venture partner, and represents mining claims over approximately 5,490 hectares. Golden Harp and Mr. Young have entered into an amendment to the Acquisition Agreement (the "Amended Acquisition Agreement") whereby Golden Harp will also acquire from Mr. Young his 51% interest in the Block A Property, subject to any existing net smelter return royalties. Ian Campbell, Golden Harp's Vice-President, Exploration, commented: "Today's announcement marks a further and critical strategic milestone for Golden Harp. The company's Copper Hill Property lies directly along geological trend from the Juby gold deposit, and this consolidation will position Golden Harp with a district-scale land package in an emerging gold district." Mr. Campbell concluded: "Upon closing, Golden Harp will emerge with a dominant land position covering over 11,500 hectares, and we are confident that it will add meaningful value to our exploration portfolio." Below is a map of Golden Harp's property assuming closing of the acquisitions. Consideration As previously announced, as consideration for the acquisition of the Initial Mining Claims, Golden Harp will issue to Mr. Young 8,218,460 common shares. As additional consideration for the acquisition of Mr. Young's 51% interest in the Block A Property, Golden Harp will issue to Mr. Young 20 million common shares. All common shares issued to Mr. Young will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. In connection with the Amended Acquisition Agreement, Golden Harp and Mr. Young will upon closing enter into a royalty agreement (the "Royalty Agreement") pursuant to which Golden Harp will grant to Mr. Young a 1% net smelter return royalty on the Initial Mining Claims and the claims underlying the Main Block and Block A Properties, subject to existing net smelter return royalties. Closing Conditions Closing of the transactions contemplated by the Amended Acquisition Agreement remains subject to customary conditions, including receipt of final acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") and receipt of disinterested shareholder approval (i.e. excluding the votes attached to the common shares beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, by Mr. Young) at a special meeting of the holders of the common shares of Golden Harp. If TSXV or minority shareholder approval is not obtained within 90 days, the Amended Acquisition Agreement will terminate in accordance with its terms. Shareholder Approval and Related Party Disclosure As noted above, the closing of the acquisition is subject to disinterested shareholder approval at a special meeting of the company's common shareholders. Such approval is required under TSXV Policy 5.3 as: (a) Mr. Young is a "Non-Arm's Length Party" and a "Control Person" of Golden Harp under TSXV Policy 1.1 and the issuance to him of the common shares as consideration will exceed 10% of the company's outstanding shares on a non-diluted basis; and (b) the evidence of value in respect of certain of the claims does not meet the prescribed methods. The transaction also constitutes a "related party transaction" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions, but is exempt from the formal valuation requirement under Section 5.5(b) as no securities of Golden Harp are listed on certain specified markets. Early Warning Disclosure Upon closing of the acquisition, Mr. Young will acquire ownership and control of 28,218,460 additional common shares of Golden Harp, which, together with his existing holdings of 26,574,262 common shares, will result in beneficial ownership of 54,792,722 common shares, representing approximately 87% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares on a non-diluted basis. Mr. Young has advised that the shares will be acquired for investment purposes and that he may, from time to time, acquire or dispose of securities of Golden Harp in the future. An early warning report will be filed by Mr. Young in accordance with applicable securities laws and will be available under Golden Harp's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. NEX Board Golden Harp's common shares are listed on the NEX board of the TSXV. At this time, Golden Harp is not contemplating a reactivation of the company from the NEX board to Tier 1 or 2 of the TSXV. Contact: Erinn B. Broshko Chief Executive Officer Email - goldenharpresources@gmail.com About Golden Harp Golden Harp is a Canadian mineral exploration company. Its principal asset is the Copper Hill Property in Northern Ontario. Golden Harp is a reporting issuer in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario and its shares trade on the NEX board of the TSXV under the symbol "GHR.H". Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, certain information presented herein constitutes "forward-looking information", particularly statements concerning obtaining TSXV approval and shareholder approval, and closing, of the proposed acquisition of mining claims and joint venture interests from Mr. Young and the importance and potential value to Golden Harp if such acquisition is completed. Such statements contained in this press release are solely opinions and forecasts which are uncertain and subject to risks. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Golden Harp to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of the forward-looking information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, Golden Harp disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, Golden Harp undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made, by third parties in respect of the matters disclosed in this press release. SOURCE: Golden Harp Resources Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/golden-harp-resources-inc.-announces-amended-agreement-to-complete-consolidation-1099930 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 10, 2025) - Digicann Ventures Inc. (CSE: DCNN.X) ("Digicann" or the "Company"), a company focused on opportunities within and outside of the cannabis industry, is pleased to announce that its common shares will resume trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") on November 11, 2025, under the ticker symbol "DCNN.X". Trading of the securities was halted on September 30, 2024, in connection with the announcement of a signed a definitive Business Combination Agreement (the "Agreement") dated September 27, 2024 with 3Win Corp. ("3Win"). On October 29, the Company announced that it had entered into a Termination, Settlement and Release Agreement with 3Win and D-3 Merger Sub, Inc. to mutually terminate the Agreement. The Company will continue its efforts to identify other opportunities. About Digicann Ventures Inc. Digicann Ventures Inc. is a company focused on opportunities within and outside of the cannabis industry. For more information about Digicann Ventures Inc. please visit www.digicann.io and its profile page on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The CSE and Information Service Provider have not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release. Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates 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 anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Digicann Ventures Inc. described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. SOURCE: Digicann Ventures Inc. / Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or for dissemination in the United States / To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273928 SOURCE: Digicann Ventures Inc. EQS Newswire / 11/11/2025 / 03:00 CET/CEST EZHOU, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 11 November 2025 - Since the beginning of this year, Ezhou Huahu International Airport, has seen robust growth in air cargo. According to the latest data, its international airfreight throughput in the first three quarters rose 138% year-on-year. The airport has also expanded its global cargo network with 24 new routes, further strengthening its role as a key air logistics hub in central China. On 17 July, as Ezhou Huahu International Airport marked its third anniversary, it had already established itself as one of China's leading air cargo hubs. According to Hubei International Logistics Airport Co., Ltd., the airport handled 249,000 tons of international cargo and mail in the first half of 2025, a 261% surge from the same period in 2024, and operated nearly 6,500 international and regional flights, a 333% year-on-year increase. By 17 July, the airport had handled more than 60,000 cargo flights in total, with cumulative cargo and mail throughput exceeding 2 million tons. The Ezhou-Mumbai regular cargo route is departing. Ezhou Huahu International Airport now operates 45 international and regional cargo routes, the most extensive network in central China. It also serves 59 domestic routes that reach 54 destinations across every provincial-level region in the country, giving it the widest domestic coverage nationwide. The airport has built an efficient logistics network that enables overnight delivery across China and next-day access to major global markets, making it a key hub on the "Air Silk Road" that connects international trade routes. Its first overseas warehouse, located in Milan, is already in operation and has drawn 16 international cargo carriers, including Atlas Air, Etihad Cargo, and Maersk. Strategically located in central China, Ezhou Huahu International Airport is within a 1.5-hour flight of regions accounting for 90 percent of the country's economic output, and just eight hours from most major global markets. This geographic advantage enables the fast movement of high-value and time-sensitive goods. For example, cherries flown directly from Chile can reach domestic markets within hours of landing. During summer, the "lychee air route" carries around two million fresh lychees each day, while other perishables such as cherries, waxberries, imported durians, and salmon move efficiently through the airport's growing logistics network. The airport's rapid development has also significantly boosted the growth of an industrial cluster around it. Within just two months of opening, the Ezhou Airport Comprehensive Bonded Zone, which also serves as a pilot area for cross-border e-commerce, has already shown promising results, with 46 enterprises having signed agreements to settle in the zone and a total of 140 companies officially registered there. Over the past three years, 225 aviation-related projects, each valued at over RMB 100 million, have been launched in the area. Twenty-five advanced manufacturing projects, including Inforeman Nanomaterials and Demark Semiconductor, are moving forward quickly. Biopharmaceutical firms are also building international supply chain hubs, while Zhongshi (Hubei) International Logistics Co., Ltd. is making steady progress on its international cargo terminal with a concrete investment of RMB 200 million. To keep up with the rapid growth in cargo volumes, customs clearance procedures have been continuously streamlined, boosting overall efficiency by more than 30% on average. Backed by more than 100 cargo routes and a cross-border e-commerce network, and supported by a highly efficient bonded logistics centre, some shipments can now clear customs in as little as 15 minutes. Ezhou Huahu International Airport is quickly becoming a major hub for global trade, providing a faster and more efficient gateway for Chinese-made goods to reach international markets. Hashtag: EzhouInternationalCommunicationCenter The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. News Source: Ezhou International Communication Center 11/11/2025 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News . The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com View original content: EQS News SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Beelink has officially launched an online discussion giveaway titled "What Should Your Ideal NAS Look Like?" - inviting users worldwide to envision their dream NAS device. The discussion centers on key aspects such as size, cooling system, dust-cleaning convenience, maintenance solutions, DIY flexibility, exterior design, and operating noise. The event runs from November 10th to November 30th, and participants can share their insights on Beelink's official social media platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Reddit. Based on the quality and depth of participants' responses, Beelink will select 200 winners to receive the upcoming Beelink ME Pro NAS. Outstanding discussion entries will also be featured publicly. Beelink calls for creative and thoughtful input from users, aiming to foster a collective effort in shaping the future of the NAS industry. For more information, please visit Beelink's official social channels below. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1140939931496076&set=a.567353752188033 X: https://x.com/Beelinkofficial/status/1987844793956016529 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ38fMNErLk/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxLTT8v_X0Nw0QLNN9LjihWJnxfguqYK-L Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/BeelinkOfficial/comments/1otb9sf/join_the_beelink_discussion_share_your_ideas/ About Beelink: Beelink is a technology brand focused on electronic product solutions. The company prioritizes user needs, addressing the demand for smaller desktops with its mini-PCs, and building an ecosystem of accessories to meet expanding requirements. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2818517/Promotion_image.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/join-the-beelink-discussion-and-win-one-of-200-beelink-me-pro-nas-302610973.html Awardees Define Tribal Sovereignty and Rural Self-Determination AUBURN, ALABAMA / ACCESS Newswire / November 10, 2025 / Tonight, at the opening celebration of the 2025 Rural Renaissance Roadshow, Groundswell proudly announced the winners of its Rural Power Awards. The 2025 awards honored three extraordinary leaders whose community-led work exemplifies tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and long-term resilience in rural America. The annual awards recognized rural leaders and grassroots organizations who have taken decisive action to shape their tribal nations and local communities' futures on their own terms - uplifting local values, preserving natural and cultural resources, and investing in sustainable economic development. This year's honorees spanned three states and reflected a shared commitment to standing up for local priorities - whether resisting development unaligned with local values, reclaiming tribal infrastructure and energy sovereignty or revitalizing a rural economy while honoring community roots. 2025 Rural Power Award Honorees Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis - Gila River Indian Community, Arizona A lifelong advocate for Indigenous sovereignty and sustainable development, Governor Lewis was recognized for his transformative leadership in restoring the Gila River, implementing solar and hydroelectric energy and creating new opportunities for education, housing, and public infrastructure guided by O'odham values and agricultural traditions. His administration has reconnected environmental stewardship with energy innovation while securing federal resources through groundbreaking self-determination programs. Jason Dunn - Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Development Authority, Georgia An economic developer with deep local roots, Dunn received the award for spearheading a rural renaissance in Fitzgerald and Ben Hill County that is built on the region's rich agricultural heritage of growing peanuts and timber farming. Since 2016, his leadership has brought more than $250 million in capital investment to the region while expanding workforce training, preserving quality of life, and centering the voices of community members in every step of development. Tracy O'Neill - Preserve Cheatham County, Tennessee A founding member of Preserve Cheatham County - the citizens' coalition that successfully united neighbors, farmers, and local officials to stop a proposed methane gas plant that would have disrupted their roads, health, and peace - Tracy O'Neill represents a grassroots coalition of neighbors who organized to protect their county's agricultural heritage. Tracy spoke on the panel, and she will give the Rural Power Award jacket to Preserve Cheatham County member Jo Ann Ray - who hosted bi-weekly meetings at her Christian Bookstore in the center of Ashland City from the group's founding and throughout the fight. A dedicated grassroots organizer and advocate, Tracy is dedicated to protecting rural communities, farmlands, and natural resources from irresponsible development and government overreach. The Rural Power Awards were presented during the opening night celebration of the Roadshow, which also featured music by Nashville-based recording artist Jervis Campbell. A panel discussion with the honorees highlighted how rural leaders are shaping sustainable and self-directed paths forward. Now in its third year, the Rural Renaissance Roadshow is bringing together more than 200 local leaders for workshops, visionary keynotes, and field visits focused on rural resilience in energy, food, water, and housing. SOURCE: Groundswell View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/utilities/groundswell-honors-rural-leaders-with-2025-rural-power-awards-at-rural-renaissance-roadsh-1100043 Over 1,500 guests served on opening day as the iconic American seafood brand debuts at Westwood Cross Shopping Centre in Broadstairs, Kent BROADSTAIRS, England, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Captain D's, America's iconic seafood and chicken restaurant established in 1969, has proudly opened its first-ever UK and European flagship restaurant at Westwood Cross Shopping Centre in Broadstairs, Kent. The milestone launch marks a major step in the brand's international expansion and introduces British diners to authentic American Southern-style seafood. The launch drew enthusiastic crowds, with guests lining up early to enjoy Captain D's signature Nashville-style fish and chips. The new restaurant showcases the brand's modern fast-casual concept, featuring a coastal-inspired interior, contemporary design, and a menu of freshly prepared favourites including hand-battered fish, golden shrimp, crispy chicken tenders, and its famous hush puppies. "This grand opening is a proud and emotional moment for us," said Daryl Stutchbury, CEO of Captain D's UK. "The overwhelming response from the public has exceeded all expectations. We were delighted to serve over 1,500 fish and chips meals on opening day alone." The grand opening celebration on 20 October 2025 was attended by Councillor George Rusiecki, Shadow Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property (Conservative Party, Bradstowe Ward), and Councillor Qaisar Abbas, the 49th Deputy Mayor of Thurrock, who performed the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Captain D's senior leadership team, including Brad Reed, Chief Development Officer, and Hair Parra, Senior Vice President of International Operations and Development, travelled from the U.S. for the event. "The success of our UK debut highlights the global appetite for great seafood and a welcoming, family-friendly experience. This is just the beginning of Captain D's journey across Europe and the globe," said Parra. The Broadstairs restaurant is the first of 20 planned UK locations, with future sites in Sussex and Hampshire already in development. For more information on Captain D's and global expansion opportunities, visit https://www.captaindsfranchising.com/. ABOUT CAPTAIN D'S ??? Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Captain D's has more than 530 restaurants in 23 states and three countries. Captain D's is the nation's leading fast casual seafood restaurant and was named the #1 seafood chain in the QSR 50, ranked by AUV. Founded in 1969, Captain D's has been offering its customers high-quality seafood at reasonable prices in a welcoming atmosphere for over 50 years. Captain D's serves a wide variety of seafood that includes freshly prepared entrees and the company's signature batter dipped fish. The restaurants also offer premium-quality, grilled items such as shrimp, salmon, and whitefish as well as hushpuppies, desserts and freshly brewed, Southern-style sweet tea, a Captain D's favourite. For more information, please visit?www.captainds.com. Contact: Jennifer Williams Tidehouse Agency jwilliams@tidehouseagency.com 919-459-3592 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2819116/Captain_D_s_first_European_restaurant_in_Kent_UK.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2819115/Captain_D_s_International_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/captain-ds-makes-a-big-splash-in-the-uk-with-grand-opening-of-its-first-european-restaurant-302610834.html GLENDALE, CA / ACCESS Newswire / November 10, 2025 / Personal injury law firm RA & Associates announced a strategic expansion into Arizona and Nevada, building on its recent landmark settlement of $2.4 million in a California car-accident case. The expansion reinforces RA's commitment to deliver the boutique-style personal attention of a dedicated advocacy team, combined with the resources and results-driven performance of a major litigation firm. Under the leadership of managing partner Romel Ambarchyan, RA & Associates has developed a distinctive value proposition: a client-first culture grounded in family values, compassion and focused legal strategy. Rather than pursuing sheer volume, RA & Associates emphasizes meaningful connections with each client, hands-on involvement from senior attorneys and responsive service tailored to individual needs. The recent settlement milestone underscores the effectiveness of that approach and serves as a springboard for growth into neighboring states. Background & Strategic Direction In October 2025, RA & Associates secured a $2.4 million settlement on behalf of a car-accident victim in California, a case that highlighted the firm's ability to deliver high-impact results while maintaining close client engagement. Since its founding, RA & Associates has maintained a mindset of "quality over quantity," limiting its caseload to preserve deep attorney-client relationships and ensuring each matter receives full strategic focus. With client demand increasing across the region, RA & Associates is opening service centers in Arizona and Nevada in early 2026, with a view to establishing a tri-state footprint that maintains the core principles that have driven its success: personalized service, proactive communication, multilingual staff, and full-service litigation capabilities. What It Means for Clients For individuals and families facing life-changing injuries, RA & Associates promises more than legal representation-it offers partnership. Clients working with the firm can expect direct access to senior attorneys, ongoing updates, free case evaluations and contingency fee arrangements. The expansion means this model of advocacy will soon be available beyond California. The firm also remains equipped to handle large, complex cases while maintaining personalized attention that is often missing in larger, more impersonal practices. About RA & Associates RA & Associates is a California-based personal injury law firm founded on the belief that clients deserve both expert legal representation and empathetic service. The firm's philosophy is rooted in family values-treating each client like a person, not a case number-and in relentless advocacy to secure maximum compensation for those harmed. With multilingual staff and a commitment to communication and support, RA & Associates serves clients throughout California and now will be expanding into Arizona and Nevada. Media Contact: RA & Associates Email: info@raandassociates.com Website: www.raandassociates.com SOURCE: RA & Associates View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/ra-and-associates-law-firm-announces-expansion-into-arizona-and-1100044 Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. LISBON, PT / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / Papio Consulting launched today Papio Sustainability Manager (PSM), a unified AI-powered platform that delivers software solutions and hands-on implementation to help corporations move from static ESG reporting to measurable action. By feeding ESG data, such as carbon footprint, waste, energy, and water use into the system, companies unlock live dashboards, gap analysis, and actionable insights that turn complex sustainability metrics into tangible business outcomes. The platform helps organizations deliver immediate savings by optimizing resource use, accelerate improvements, maintain compliance, mitigate reputational and operational risk, and provide transparent data to investors and regulators. Papio Sustainability Manager dashboard Papio Sustainability Manager dashboard "Our Sustainability Manager solution is launching at a pivotal moment when the market opportunity has never been greater. The explosive ESG software market growth reflects intense regulatory pressure and corporate demand to navigate increasing sustainability requirements, as well as measure, manage and reduce use and, ultimately, create a tangible environmental and social impact," said Steven Jansen, Founder of Papio Consulting. "The carbon accounting software market alone is projected to grow from approximately USD 14.13 billion in 2025 to an astonishing USD 67.58 billion by 2033.1 We aim to capture up to 10% of it by 2033." Papio Sustainability Manager is built for sustainability managers, plant managers, ESG officers, and operational teams across multi-site and multi-countries corporations and industries - such as energy, oil & gas, power & utilities, chemicals, automotive and retail. "Corporate ESG leaders no longer need another reporting tool-they need outcomes," added Jansen. "The biggest challenge they face is fragmented and often unreliable data from numerous sources, making it difficult to create a cohesive and accurate sustainability picture. As a data-first company, Papio Consulting draws on deep expertise in data management and industrial analytics to address these complexities. We help companies create a unified, clear ESG data view-the base for any meaningful sustainability strategy." "Most ESG platforms stop at data collection. Our PSM goes further by providing a real-time view of ESG performance, gaps and improvement trajectory, and the solution integrates easily with existing corporate IT infrastructures. We also enable customers to start with a smaller scope and roll out progressively. Together, these capabilities make deployment faster and more affordable than traditional monolithic enterprise software." Immediate Business Benefits Companies can track power, water, waste, and emissions usage, instantly spot inefficiencies, accelerate improvements, and generate audit-ready reports. Live dashboards provide visibility into gaps, enabling teams to prioritize improvements and optimize resource use, turning ESG efforts into measurable ROI. The platform strengthens compliance across multiple regions, builds investor trust through transparent data, and enhances the employer brand, making organizations more attractive to the new generation of talent that values genuine ESG commitment. Technology and Product Roadmap Today, the platform uses machine learning and industrial analytics to monitor ESG metrics in real time. Future releases of PSM will include AI-powered improvement plans, predictive ESG modeling, and automated regulatory updates, helping companies forecast ESG performance and adapt to evolving compliance requirements. Papio Consulting aims to scale PSM to support thousands of multi-site corporations globally by 2035, covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. "Better data leads to better decisions - and that's how real sustainability impact starts," Jansen concluded. About Papio Consulting Papio Consulting is a global advisory and technology firm founded by Steven Jansen, a recognized expert in Industrial AI and advanced analytics with over 18 years of experience, including senior leadership roles at Shell. By combining strategic guidance, foundational data frameworks, AI & analytics, and hands-on implementation, the company helps organizations turn complex data into efficient, reliable, and actionable results. Papio Consulting works with multi-site corporations worldwide across a range of industries, enabling them to accelerate digital transformation and operational improvements, optimize asset performance and achieve measurable business outcomes, building resilience across industries. For more information about the company, please visit https://papioconsulting.eu/ Media Contact MediaRelations@workinginyourshoes.com SOURCE: Papio Consulting View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/ex-shell-leader-launches-ai-powered-sustainability-management-pla-1097703 (Belem, Brazil / Oslo, Norway - 11 November, 2025) - Statkraft, Europe's largest producer of renewable energy, inaugurates new solar farms and batteries at the climate summit COP30 in Belem. The hybrid projects are utilising some of the world's best solar and wind resources in Brazil to cut emissions and deliver on the Summit's call for more climate action. At the climate summit COP30 in Belem, Norway's Minister of Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, Governor Jeronimo Rodrigues of the State of Bahia and Statkraft's CEO Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal inaugurated the solar and hybrid plants Morro do Cruzeiro Solar (76 MWp) and Santa Eugenia Solar (198 MWp) located in the state of Bahia. Statkraft is also commissioning the 69 MWp Serrita solar farm in Pernambuco this autumn. The total investment of 2.3 billion NOK is adding 340 MWp of clean energy to Brazil's energy system, 5 percent of the new solar capacity in Brazil in 2025. The three solar farms will produce 789 GWh annually, more than the annual solar power production in the country of Norway. Including the wind farm, total production is 3400 GWh annually. These projects are estimated to save 111 000 tons of CO2 annually. "These projects directly support the global goals to triple renewable energy capacity, ensure a just transition from fossil fuels, and foster local development in a sustainable way. This is green transition in practice, and a clear signal that Statkraft is delivering results that matter for Brazil and the global climate effort. We are proud of the deliveries we present here at COP," says Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal, President and CEO of Statkraft. "By investing in innovative renewable solutions and working closely with local communities, we are not only supporting Brazil's energy transition but also contributing to global climate goals. The projects help phase out fossil energy sources and strengthen a more robust, diversified, and emission-free energy mix in Brazil-a country already among the world's leaders in renewables. The projects also support development in northeast Brazil, a region with significant needs for growth and opportunity," says Fernando de Lapuerta, Executive Vice President of Statkraft's international business. In the most optimistic scenario of Statkraft's Green Transition Scenarios, global warming can be limited to 1.9 degrees, in line with the Paris Agreement's 2 degrees goal, but not sufficient for 1.5. However, if progress in the energy transition doesn't continue at a high pace, the report predicts a temperature increase of around 2.4 degrees, with major consequences for people and the planet. "COP30 in Belem marks a pivotal moment for global climate action. Our scenarios show that it is still possible to reach the 2-degree target of the Paris Agreement, but this requires a significantly faster pace of emission cuts than we see today. Solar energy, in combination with batteries and wind power, is the fastest and cheapest way to cut emissions and ensure a just transition," says Lapuerta. With the addition of these solar and battery plants, Statkraft Brazil's total portfolio will be 2.3 GW and positions the company among the major renewable companies in the country. The projects combine solar, wind, and battery storage to address the challenges of variable production and ensure stable power supply-demonstrating how technology can accelerate the energy transition. "We are committed to generating positive social impact by creating employment opportunities, enhancing local infrastructure, and establishing vocational training programmes. As part of our efforts to reduce environmental impacts, we collaborate with communities on various initiatives such as tree planting and beekeeping," says Thiago Tomazzoli, Country Manager for Statkraft Brazil. For more information, please contact: Marte Lerberg Kopstad International Media Relations Lead, Statkraft mlk@statkraft.com About Statkraft Statkraft is a leading company in hydropower internationally and Europe's largest generator of renewable energy. The Group produces hydropower, wind power, solar power, gas-fired power and supplies district heating. Statkraft is a global company in energy market operations. Statkraft has around 7,000 employees in more than 20 countries. Iconic Pen Brand Partners with Hit Series to Bring Parisian Elegance to Every Written Word BANGALORE, India, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sheaffer, the legendary American writing instruments brand synonymous with timeless innovation and craftsmanship, announced a collaboration with Paramount Consumer Products for Netflix's beloved series, Emily in Paris, produced by Paramount Television Studios and creator Darren Star. Launching this holiday season, the limited-edition collection captures the romantic spirit of Paris and Emily Cooper's ambitious charm through exquisitely designed writing instruments, notebooks, and leather accessories. The Sheaffer x Emily in Paris collection invites fans to channel their inner Emily Cooper with beautifully crafted products that celebrate the art of thoughtful communication. From fountain pens perfect for penning postcards from Paris to journals ideal for capturing everyday adventures, each piece embodies the show's sophisticated aesthetic and joie de vivre. "Emily in Paris celebrates connection, creativity, and the power of words; values that have been at the heart of Sheaffer for over a century," said Nikhil Ranjan, CEO - Sheaffer. "This collaboration allows us to merge our heritage of fine writing with the show's modern, fashion-forward spirit. We are giving fans the tools to write their own Parisian love story, one elegant stroke at a time." The collection features writing instruments adorned with Parisian motifs, notebooks with illustrated details inspired by Emily's adventures, and sophisticated leather accessories including key fob wallets and passport cases. The design palette mirrors the show's bold energy with pops of pink, classic black accents, and elegant gold hardware, quintessentially Emily. The Sheaffer x Emily in Paris collection will be available from mid-November at select retailers world-wide and online at Sheaffer.com. ABOUT SHEAFFER For over a century, Sheaffer has stood as a symbol of refined craftsmanship and timeless luxury. Celebrated by connoisseurs worldwide, each Sheaffer pen unites heritage artistry with modern sophistication, an emblem of confidence, creativity, and distinction. From the hands of visionaries to collectors' showcases, Sheaffer transforms writing into an experience of prestige and purpose. In an age of fleeting digital impressions, Sheaffer endures as the mark of permanence, a global icon where innovation meets legacy, and every line becomes a lasting expression of elegance. Facebook | Instagram | Youtube Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2812861/Sheaffer_Emily_in_Paris.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2812860/Sheaffer_and_Emily_in_Paris_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sheaffer-pens-love-letter-to-fans-with-new-emily-in-paris-collection-302611071.html XIAMEN, China, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei and partners today announced the preliminary results of a groundbreaking AI-powered solution designed to study and safeguard Chinese white dolphins in China's Xiamen Bay. Launched under the Huawei TECH4ALL initiative three months ago, the project has so far: Identified 13 individual dolphins based on 2,820 images and videos. Achieved an individual identification accuracy rate of more than 90% and a recognition rate for complex behaviors of 85%. Improved data labeling efficiency by 400%. Increased the response time of law enforcement to ships that speed or trespass into conservation areas by 65%. "The data-driven insights yielded by AI are helping conservationists formulate targeted protection measures to understand and respond to the threats facing this iconic dolphin species, and ensure that they survive and thrive in the wild," said Cui Yangyang, Director of the TECH4ALL Program Office for Huawei. Chinese white dolphins are a nationally protected species that are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Major threats in Xiamen Bay, which is home to 51% of China's dolphin population, include shipping, fishing, and coastal engineering projects. Noise pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, and habitat loss are endangering their long-term survival. In partnership with the Third Institute of Oceanography under China's Ministry of Natural Resources and China Mobile, the project includes a feature recognition system that can identify individual animals based on the unique markings of their dorsal fins. "With the introduction of AI, surveys are now more efficient and conservation efforts more precise," said Wang Xianyan, Leader of the Marine Endangered Species Research and Conservation Team for the Third Institute of Oceanography under China's Ministry of Natural Resources. "The data on individual survival, reproductive dynamics, and social interactions provided by the AI recognition system form an essential basis for developing conservation measures." The solution provides image preprocessing, AI-powered inference and recognition, dorsal fin image cropping, data classification, and cloud display. Each dolphin has its own file, allowing researchers to track the status of individuals. With long-term data critical to formulating protection measures, researchers can see the number, distribution, age structure, and breeding behavior of the dolphins, as well as the threats they face. Previous manual monitoring was time-consuming and unable to produce reliable insights necessary for monitoring population dynamics and developing precise conservation measures. According to the Third Institute of Oceanography, the next 10 to 15 years will be critical for the growth of the population. The Chinese White Dolphin is vital to nearshore marine ecosystems and the ocean's role as a carbon sink. They feed on fish, which consume plankton. Plankton in turn absorb CO2 and fix carbon through photosynthesis. By indirectly participating in the carbon cycle through the food chain, protecting the dolphin population and the integrity of the ocean ecosystem is critical to helping address climate change. Alongside AI-powered analytics, a 5G-A network comprising 10 base stations covers 330 square kilometers of the bay area, achieving seamless coverage of key conservation zones. Using the integrated sensing and communication capabilities of 5G-A and combining data from radar, visual terminals, satellites, and Automatic Identification System (AIS) ship positioning, vessel movements can be tracked in real time within a 20-kilometer radius. The system delivers AI-powered alerts in seconds for violations such as boundary trespass or speeding, and law enforcement personnel can use shore-based monitoring to verify violations and quickly locate offending vessels. So far, 12 vessels have been investigated for potentially endangering the dolphins. With the continued efforts of research coupled with the application of AI, the secret lives of the Xiamen Bay population of Chinese white dolphins are gradually being revealed, giving hope for their continued survival. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2819381/Chinese_white_dolphins_in_Xiamen_Bay__Image_credit_Dr__Zeng_Qianhui__Third_Institute_of_Oceanography.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ai-solution-shows-early-success-in-protecting-chinese-white-dolphins-302611213.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - CDN Maverick Capital Corp. (CSE: CDN) (OTCQB: AXVEF) (FSE: 338B) ("Maverick" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has obtained and commenced logging and assaying core from five 2015 diamond drill holes completed by SOQUEM Inc. on the Company's Nottaway Zn-Ag-Pb-Au Project, located within the Opatica Subprovince of northern Quebec. Figure 1 - Example of core being relogged and assayed from Hole 1393-01-2015. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4568/273948_162360a6f4f0eaa7_001full.jpg "The recovery of this core gives Maverick an enormous advantage. Not only can we directly verify the historical base metal results, but we can now assay for lithium and other critical minerals known to be prolific in the Greenstone Belt, opening a massive new exploration potential and upside. With recent exercise of warrants, we are fully funded for future planned work," stated Sandy MacDougall, Chairman and Director. SOQUEM drilled five NQ diamond drill holes (1393-15-01 to -05) totalling 875m to test electromagnetic (EM) conductors outlined by airborne SkyTEM and ground MaxMin surveys. Drilling intersected massive pyrrhotite-pyrite horizons with anomalous zinc, lead, and silver values features consistent with a volcanogenic-massive-sulphide (VMS) environment hosted in amphibolite-grade mafic volcanics along the Nottaway Shear Corridor. The following table highlights some of the most notable results. CDN Maverick Capital Corp. Nottaway Project, Northern Quebec SOQUEM Drill Hole Intercepts Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Zn (%) Pb (%) Ag (g/t) 1393-15-02 114 121 7.0 0.15 0.08 - 1393-15-03 151 155.5 4.5 0.27 0.4 9.7 Table 1 - Results from the 2015 SOQUEM drill campaign. Subsequent geophysical reinterpretation by Michel Allard (2017; Report GM71706) incorporated into Maverick's 2025 NI 43-101 Technical Report (available on SEDAR at https://www.sedarplus.ca/csa-party/records/document.html?id=16cb8be1e9fb46f59095c4d08c6ed5899939584320890882594f29af0d786fc6), demonstrates that the principal subsurface conductors were missed due to drill orientation and positioning. The strongest Maxwell plate, modelled at 500 S/m, remains untested. This reinterpretation explains why the earlier program fell short and reinforces the need for follow-up drilling. The core from 2015 is being re-logged, photographed, and re-assayed under the supervision of Clyde McMillan, M.Sc., P.Geo. (OGQ #2193). A total of 65 half- and quarter-core samples have been collected and are being submitted to ALS Laboratories for multi-element analysis. Figure 2 - Close-up example of a pegmatite dike in Hole 1393-01-2015. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4568/273948_maverickf2.jpg Importantly, several pegmatitic and felsic intervals in the recovered core were never analyzed for lithium or other critical elements, as the regional Li-Cs-Ta (LCT) pegmatite potential was unrecognized in 2015. The Company will re-assay these sections to evaluate their critical-metal potential. The Nottaway project lies approximately 45 kilometres southeast of Q2 Metals Corp.'s Cisco lithium discovery, within the same greenstone belt now known to host both VMS and lithium-bearing pegmatite systems. Simon D. Studer, Interim CEO, commented: "Recovering the complete SOQUEM core gives us a direct link to the early discovery history of the underexplored southern extension of the Frotet-Evans Greenstone Belt. We can now revisit what was drilled a decade ago with a new lens - one that sees both the potential VMS system they came close to and the lithium potential no one recognized before Cisco. It's rare to reopen a project with this level of technical insight and strategic head start." Photographs from the re-logging and sampling campaign will be made available on the Company's website. Analytical results will be reported once received and validated. On October 30, 2025, 3,150,000 outstanding share purchase warrants were exercised for a gross total proceeds of $504,000. The Company is now fully funded for the next planned phases of work. Qualified Person The technical content of this release has been reviewed and approved by Clyde McMillan, M.Sc., P.Geo., a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. About CDN Maverick Capital Corp. CDN Maverick Capital Corp. (CSE: CDN) is a project generator and critical minerals exploration company focused on identifying and developing high-value assets using data-driven exploration strategies. The Company is advancing a portfolio of lithium and battery metals projects across tier-one mining jurisdictions in North America. FOLLOW US: Twitter: https://twitter.com/cdnmaverickcorp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CDNMaverickCorp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cdnmaverick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cdnmaverickcorp YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cdnmaverickcorp This news release contains projections and forward-looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information can include without limitation statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance of the Company. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements; the uncertainty of future profitability; and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information. Actual results and future events could differ materially from anticipated in such information. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and expressed qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstance or management's estimates or opinions change. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange ("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/273948 SOURCE: CDN Maverick Capital Corp. PitchBook, the leading private capital market intelligence provider, today released findings from its latest investor survey, conducted in partnership with Web Summit, the world's largest technology conference. The 10th annual survey captures investor sentiment and trends shaping technology investment and AI adoption. The findings signal a turning point for the global investment community, as AI shifts from a supporting technology to a driving force behind how capital is deployed. The survey includes insights from 116 global investors attending Web Summit, which brings together more than 70,000 attendees from November 10-13, 2025, at the MEO Arena in Lisbon, Portugal. PitchBook is sponsoring the Investor Lounge at Web Summit, where investors can network, take meetings, and demo PitchBook's leading data and AI capabilities. Key Takeaways AI's evolution from experiment to execution : Investors are embedding AI more deeply across deal sourcing, diligence, and benchmarking-but remain cautious about automation and accuracy. : Investors are embedding AI more deeply across deal sourcing, diligence, and benchmarking-but remain cautious about automation and accuracy. AI will expand opportunities: Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents expect AI-related investments to expand global access to opportunity, indicating optimism that innovation won't remain concentrated in advanced markets. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents expect AI-related investments to expand global access to opportunity, indicating optimism that innovation won't remain concentrated in advanced markets. Healthcare to capture most AI investment: Healthcare (44%) is expected to capture the most AI investment in the next five years, followed by industry-specific enterprise applications (32%), cybersecurity (29%), and infrastructure (25%). Healthcare (44%) is expected to capture the most AI investment in the next five years, followed by industry-specific enterprise applications (32%), cybersecurity (29%), and infrastructure (25%). Top AI use cases: The top AI use cases are summarizing due diligence materials (34%) and identifying relevant deals (26%), showing that investors primarily use AI for efficiency and insight discovery. Over 40% believe AI could fully replace market research and trend analysis. The top AI use cases are summarizing due diligence materials (34%) and identifying relevant deals (26%), showing that investors primarily use AI for efficiency and insight discovery. Over 40% believe AI could fully replace market research and trend analysis. Trust in data becomes essential: Data quality and accuracy rank among investors' top AI concerns, reinforcing the value of credible, structured market intelligence. Data quality and accuracy rank among investors' top AI concerns, reinforcing the value of credible, structured market intelligence. Cautious optimism returns to fundraising: Over one-third expect the fundraising environment to improve slightly in the year ahead, a sign of renewed stability in capital markets. European venture dealmaking softened in Q3 2025, signaling that full-year totals may decline year over year despite growth in average deal size. The market remains active but increasingly uneven, driven by a handful of large AI-focused rounds even as activity slows in once-dominant verticals like fintech and life sciences. PitchBook's latest European Venture Report shows AI now accounts for nearly 40% of deal value in Europe, underscoring a structural shift in global tech markets. Against that backdrop, the 2025 Web Summit Investor Survey reveals that AI has moved beyond hype into practical application across investment workflows, even as investors remain cautious about accuracy, privacy, and over-reliance on automation. The data also point to a modestly improving fundraising environment and continued emphasis on leadership quality and business fundamentals when evaluating new opportunities. "Our data shows an ecosystem undergoing a meaningful recalibration," said Nalin Patel, Director of EMEA Private Capital Research at PitchBook. "AI's rise is undeniable, driving larger rounds, commanding investor attention, and reshaping deal dynamics across Europe. The sentiment we're hearing from investors at Web Summit reinforces that this growth is being met with thoughtful discipline. AI is now embedded in daily workflows, but investors remain measured, emphasizing accuracy, reliability, and the human judgment that still anchors the investment process." "We're delighted that once again many investors from the Web Summit network have taken part in our annual PitchBook investor survey to help understand investor sentiment on what is happening in the ecosystem. The results show AI is starting to shape how investment decisions are made, with investors using AI to drive deal flow, and inform global investment strategy," said Jordan Flyn, Investor Manager at Web Summit. "We've entered a new phase in which AI directly influences how capital is deployed. This is something the Web Summit team also sees daily in its talks with global investors. The future of investing won't be defined by who has the most data, but by who can turn that data into action. This will also be a major focus at Web Summit 2025, where talks and masterclasses will explore the role of agentic platforms and AI infrastructure in transforming the venture capital ecosystem." Key findings from the survey are outlined below: Investor Priorities and Market Outlook 30% cite the executive team's experience and pedigree as the most important criterion, followed by 25% who prioritize business model strength and scalability. Inexperienced or unbalanced founding teams (48%) and unclear business models (47%) remain the top red flags, underscoring the ongoing focus on execution and operational discipline. 36% of respondents expect the fundraising environment to slightly improve over the next year, while only 19% anticipate worsening conditions-signaling cautious optimism. AI Integration in Investing Workflows The top AI use cases are summarizing due diligence materials (34%) and identifying relevant deals (26%), showing that investors primarily use AI for efficiency and insight discovery. The leading AI concerns are over-reliance on automation (26%), data quality and accuracy (25%), and bias in data (22%), reflecting an emphasis on trust, transparency, and human oversight. On barriers to adoptions, 36% cite security and privacy risks as the biggest barrier, followed by 28% who point to inconsistent accuracy of outputs. Looking further ahead, 41% believe AI could fully replace market research and trend analysis, while 22% say no process will be fully automated, emphasizing confidence in human judgment. The Future of AI Investment Healthcare (44%) is expected to capture the most AI investment in the next five years, followed by industry-specific enterprise applications (32%), cybersecurity (29%), and infrastructure (25%). Over half of investors, (58%) believe AI will make investing more competitive, while 27% say it could level the playing field for smaller funds. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents expect AI-related investments to expand global access to opportunity, indicating optimism that innovation won't remain concentrated in advanced markets. To learn more about PitchBook, click here. About PitchBook, a Morningstar company As the pulse of private capital markets, PitchBook delivers trusted, real-time data, research, and technology to help investors, dealmakers, and innovators make decisions with confidence. Its products provide comprehensive information on companies, investors, funds, deals, and people, along with tools that help professionals analyze market activity and make informed decisions. Founded in 2007, PitchBook today serves more than 100,000 clients worldwide and is recognized as the leading source of private capital market intelligence. PitchBook has grown to over 3,000 employees across offices in Seattle, San Francisco, New York, London, Singapore, Mumbai, and other global locations. Since 2016, PitchBook has operated as a subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. For more information, visit www.pitchbook.com. About Web Summit Web Summit is a global technology events company that brings together founders, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors to connect and exchange ideas about the technologies and trends shaping the world. Since 2009, Web Summit's portfolio including Web Summit in Lisbon, Web Summit Rio in South America, Web Summit Vancouver in North America, and Web Summit Qatar in the Middle East, and RISE in Asia has attracted nearly one million participants. Its newest event, Web Summit Vancouver, launched in May 2025. To learn more, visit websummit.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111537290/en/ Contacts: PR@pitchbook.com TORONTO, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Liverpool's transformation into one of the United Kingdom's most dynamic rental housing markets continues as Starlight Investments ("Starlight") announces the completion of Lighthaus, a 31-storey residential tower delivering 278 build-to-rent (BTR) homes within the city's Liverpool Waters regeneration area. Construction is now complete, and the first residents are set to move in later this month. Lighthaus represents an important step forward for the city's expanding BTR sector and for Starlight's growing UK portfolio. Located in the heart of Liverpool's waterfront, the development offers a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Residents will enjoy premium shared spaces including a sky lounge with panoramic water views, a rooftop terrace, fitness centre, co-working facilities and 24-hour concierge service, all designed to enhance modern waterfront living. Pre-leasing interest has been strong, highlighting the growing demand for high-quality, professionally managed rental accommodation in Liverpool. Private renting now accounts for nearly 29 percent of the city's households, yet new housing supply has not kept pace with population growth. Lighthaus provides a new model for modern renting, combining thoughtful design, community amenities, and convenient access to the city's emerging waterfront district. "Build-to-rent in the North has entered a new phase," said Jonnie Milich, Head of UK Residential, Starlight Investments. "Lighthaus shows what the next generation of rental living looks like, with well-designed living spaces, professional management, and access to lifestyle amenities people expect. The pre-leasing response demonstrates a strong demand for this kind of offering in Liverpool and across the region." Developed in partnership with X1 Developments and Vermont Construction, Lighthaus stands at the heart of the 5 billion Liverpool Waters masterplan, the largest urban regeneration initiative in the city's history. The project will help deliver 9,000 new homes and significant commercial and leisure space, reinforcing Liverpool's position as a major northern growth centre. "Delivering new homes at scale requires genuine collaboration between public and private partners," said Raj Mehta, President, Global Markets, Starlight Investments. "Lighthaus reflects that collaboration in action. It contributes to housing supply, supports local employment, and strengthens the wider community. We are grateful to the Liverpool City Council, and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for their leadership and continued support in helping bring this vision to life." Starlight now has more than 2,000 homes under construction across Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool. When combined with previously announced developments in Ashford, Dartford, Basildon and Maidenhead, Starlight has committed to delivering over 4000 rental suites in the UK market. The company's UK strategy is focused on long-term investment, regional regeneration, and creating high-quality rental communities that respond to real housing needs. About Starlight Investments: Starlight Investments is a leading global real estate investment and asset management firm headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A privately held owner, developer and asset manager of over 70,000 multi-residential suites and over seven million square feet of commercial property space with CAD $30 billion AUM, Starlight offers a range of investment vehicles across various real estate strategies. Starlight's guiding mission is to balance its tenure with visionary curiosity to create positive impact for investors and communities alike. At Starlight, we invest with impact. Learn more at www.starlightinvest.com or follow us on LinkedIn. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2819439/Starlight_Investments_Starlight_Investments_Celebrates_Completio.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/starlight-investments-celebrates-completion-of-lighthaus-tower-a-brand-new-278-home-build-to-rent-landmark-in-the-heart-of-liverpool-302611056.html GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SKF is hosting its Capital Markets Day in Stockholm today. At the event, deeper insights are provided into the strategic direction of both the Industrial and the Automotive businesses post the planned separation of Automotive from SKF Group. Given different business dynamics, manufacturing processes, end markets and success drivers for the Industrial and Automotive business segments, significant value is expected to be unlocked by being two standalone businesses. "We are creating two even sharper businesses with a clearer focus on distinct opportunities to enhance customer value, accelerate growth, as well as improve efficiency and competitiveness," says Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO. The increased value creation that the separation of the Automotive business is expected to bring is reflected in the new long-term targets and indicative objectives post separation for the Industrial and Automotive businesses respectively. New financial targets The long-term financial targets over a business cycle for SKF Group post separation of Automotive, i.e. the Industrial business, which are presented at the Capital Markets Day, are: Organic growth [1] : 4% : 4% Adjusted operating margin: >17% mid-term, >19% long-term Cash conversion [2] : 60% : 60% Adjusted return on capital employed (ROCE): 20% Net leverage [3] : <2.0x : <2.0x Dividend[4]: 50% SKF also reconfirms its sustainability targets to decarbonize its own operations by 2030 and reach net-zero supply chain by 2050. The Industrial business has a resilient foundation with diversified industry verticals, strong geographical coverage and an aftermarket business representing more than half of net sales. To create even more progress, SKF Industrial will reignite growth through high-growth industries and geographies, by scaling services and intelligent solutions, accelerating the Specialized Industrial Solutions business, and exploring small bolt-on M&A opportunities. Moreover, it will continue to drive innovation leadership by differentiating through customer-centric innovation. Lastly, the strategy aims at further strengthening SKF's business-driven value chain through finalizing the ongoing regionalization and footprint optimization efforts as well as continued optimizing of the supply chain. Financial objectives for the Automotive business SKF's Automotive business is a well-positioned global player in key growth segments and geographies. After the separation, SKF Automotive will be able to steer investments into high-growth and margin accretive areas while also establishing a leaner and more cost-efficient setup, in line with automotive best practice. The focus will be to continue winning in leading segments, maintaining and strengthening leadership in innovation, and expanding the addressable market. A lean company setup and an automotive-adapted value chain will increase both speed and efficiency in the business. The long-term indicative financial objectives for the Automotive business post separation are: Organic growth: Above market over a business cycle Adjusted operating margin: High single digit Net leverage[5]: <1.0x Strengthened capital efficiency for the Group post separation On its Capital Markets Day, SKF also provides an update on the ongoing footprint and value chain optimization of the Industrial business. The transformation of SKF's footprint is targeting a rightsized as well as increasingly automated and regionalized production with higher volumes closer to customers. This will result in increased CAPEX of net sales of approximately 5% up until mid-term, while in the long term it is expected to be around 3.5%. In addition to CAPEX, SKF has identified opportunities to reach its full potential, as reflected in the long-term earnings target of >19%, by continuing the ongoing optimization of the Industrial business. This restructuring is expected to result in high items affecting comparability (IAC), totaling approximately BSEK 5.0 from Q4 2025 through 2028, whereof approximately BSEK 1.5 is non-cash. Furthermore, the Automotive separation is expected to result in additional BSEK 1.5 of charges. Post 2028, IAC is expected to be limited. Leveraging a consolidated and regionalized footprint and supply base is an important part of the Group's ambition to decrease the net working capital to a normalized 29% in the mid-term and long-term below 27%. "We continue to proactively execute on our strategic initiatives to unlock the full value of our business. The footprint optimization and separation activities will drive long-term profitability, a strengthened capital efficiency, and increase cash flow generation. All in all, it will secure the creation of two successful stand-alone businesses," says Rickard Gustafson. Timing of the Automotive separation The Automotive separation is proceeding according to plan. Key milestones already achieved include that over 70% of the new positions in Automotive have been filled and more than 70% of the manufacturing channel transfers that are planned pre-spin have been completed. SKF expects, as previously announced, to be operationally ready to list the Automotive business by mid-2026. Listing is subject to the Board of Directors proposing a listing and shareholders' approval. About SKF Capital Markets Day SKF's Capital Markets Day is held at At Six Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden, and online. The event will be held in English, and presentations will start at 13:00 (CET) and end around 17, followed by a mingle for those attending in person. Registration to attend the Capital Markets Day is closed. For those not registered, the event is possible to stream at https://www.investis-live.com/skf/690e20b433139900142e7f65/cmd2025. The presentation material will be available on SKF's website on the evening of the event, and the recording of the presentations will be available the following day. Agenda, speakers and practical information are found on the registration site: https://invitepeople.com/events/fee9419f2a Questions from investors, analysts and media will be answered at the event and after. For journalists wishing to book interviews with Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO, after the event, please contact Carl Bjernstam on carl.bjernstam@skf.com. [1] 1 p.p. above market over a business cycle excluding Automotive contract manufacturing. Consequently, the target of 4% is based on an assumption of market growth of 3%. [2] Adj. Cash flow after investments / Adj. EBITDA. [3] Net debt (including pensions) / Adj. EBITDA. [4] Of average net profit. [5] Net debt (including pensions) / Adj. EBITDA. Aktiebolaget SKF (publ) The information in this press release contains inside information that AB SKF 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 below on 11 November 2025 at 08.30 CET. For further information, please contact: Press Relations: Carl Bjernstam, +46 31-337 2517; +46 722 201 893; carl.bjernstam@skf.com Investor Relations: Sophie Arnius, +46 31-337 8072; +46 705 908 072; sophie.arnius@skf.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com. https://news.cision.com/skf/r/skf-hosts-capital-markets-day--announces-updated-strategy-and-new-financial-targets,c4265019 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/637/4265019/3775311.pdf 20251111 SKF hosts Capital Markets Day, announces updated strategy and new financial targets https://news.cision.com/skf/i/skf-cmd,c3486185 SKF CMD https://news.cision.com/skf/i/skf-rickard-gustafson,c3486184 SKF Rickard Gustafson View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/skf-hosts-capital-markets-day-announces-updated-strategy-and-new-financial-targets-302611296.html VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / (TSX:NANO)(OTCQB:NNOMF)(Frankfurt:LBMB) Business Operational Highlights Newly installed proprietary agitator in full-scale One-Pot reactor at Candiac, boosts throughput capacity by approximately 50% resulting in reduced operating expenses (OPEX) A Front-End Engineering & Design (FEED) study was completed as part of the capacity expansion plan to at least 800 metric tons per year at the Candiac Operation Financial investment decision has been made to proceed with detailed engineering and initial procurement activities as part of that capacity expansion plan Strategic Updates Sumitomo Metal Mining confirms Nano One as a key technology partner and advances collaboration towards LFP commercialization Nano One pre-qualifies multiple sources of lithium carbonate from Rio Tinto for the future production of LFP cathode materials Nano One expands patent portfolio with five new patents for LFP, NMC, and LNMO cathodes Third Quarter 2025 & Subsequent Results The Company reported total net assets of $16.5 million and working capital of $16.6 million for the end of the period An at-the-market (ATM) equity offering was launched in September 2025, which raised net proceeds of $0.2 million through to September 30, 2025, with an additional $2.4 million subsequently raised through to October 31, 2025 Announced NRCan government funding award of $5.0 million to support Candiac capacity expansion, advance commercialization, to promote diversification and regionalization of battery supply chains in line with G7 priorities Nano One Materials Corp. ("Nano One" or the "Company") has filed its condensed interim consolidated financial statements (the "financial statements") and Management Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A") for the nine months ending September 30, 2025 ("Q3 2025") and is pleased to provide a summary and an update on subsequent events. Q3 2025 - Financial Position and Results As at September 30, 2025, the Company reported total net assets and working capital of $16.5 million and $16.6 million respectively, with cash and cash equivalents at $17.8 million. The use of cash in operating activities, capital expenditures and facility lease and other payments for the quarter contributed to the $6.8 million change in total assets in Q3 2025 versus a $2.6 million change for the Q2 2025 period. Nano One's Current Candiac Operations and Capacity Expansion Plans Explained Lithium-iron phosphate ("LFP") cathode materials production is being piloted and demonstrated at Nano One's facility in Candiac, Quebec. This facility draws on an existing plant that was retrofitted with the Company's patented One-Pot processing technology and a team with decades of commercial LFP manufacturing experience. The facility was upgraded in 2023 with new 2,000 litre pilot-scale One-Pot reactors with a production capacity of 200 tonnes per annum (tpa), which are now being used for process improvement, commercial sales validation and have sufficient capacity to support preliminary commercial sales to the defense and battery energy storage systems ("BESS") sectors. The pilot facility is also serving concurrent activities to further improve Nano One's LFP product, technology and operational know-how for high-volume commercial manufacturing and licensing opportunities in the BESS, automotive and AI data center market segments. The facility is also equipped with existing 20,000 litre reactors that are being used in a series of manually fed production runs, which are demonstrating One-Pot enabled LFP cathode material made in full scale commercial equipment. On August 20, 2025, the Company announced the newly installed, high-efficiency agitator has been engineered to enhance mixing dynamics, thermal transfer and reaction time and is estimated to increase the throughput capacity of the reactor by approximately 50%. It will also improve the consistency and quality of CAM output, while yielding reduced operating expenses (OPEX). Results from these operations have led to decisions and plans that are now in motion to add automation that reintegrates the 20,000 litre reactors into the flowsheet, expands production capacity in Candiac, and addresses projected increases in customer demand. These plans are described below in the FEED Study. FEED Study Completed, Final Investment Decision made for Candiac Expansion Plan A FEED Study was completed in Q3 2025 for capacity expansion at the Nano One Candiac facility and resulted in a pre-feasibility-level costing and nameplate capacity estimation. The Company has identified two stages of capacity expansion. The first stage enables demonstration of the technology at commercial scale by integrating and automating some of the site's existing commercial scale equipment, while expanding capacity to a minimum of 800 tonnes per annum (tpa). The second stage supports anticipated customer ramp-up and future sales by boosting capacity to 1,000+ tpa, which will largely be achieved through investment in feedstock handling, automation and integration with existing equipment. The Company has now made a Financial Investment Decision ("FID") to proceed with detailed engineering and procurement activities over Q4 2025 and Q1 2026. This will be followed by additional procurement, installation and commissioning activities commencing in Q2 2026 with a target to complete commissioning in H1 2027. FID for the second phase will be aligned with growth in customer demand. In parallel with the first and second stages of capacity expansion, the Company will continue operating its pilot plant to support preliminary sales activities in the defense and BESS market segments, as well as supporting licensing opportunities. Demonstration in the larger reactors will continue via manually fed production runs, to showcase the same scale of One-Pot reactors that will be used in larger 25,000 tpa plants. Towards the end of the first stage, the large reactors will be temporarily taken offline to automate, re-commission and serve anticipated increase in demand and sales. This expansion plan aligns with the existing government funding programs that support both capital expenditures and operating expenditures through to end of Q2 2027. It marks continued progress toward commercializing One-Pot LFP production and building localized capacity in line with government priorities for industrial resilience and supply chain independence. Expansion of Patent Portfolio On August 20, 2025, the Company announced the allowance and/or issuance of five new patents in North America and Asia to its portfolio of intellectual property (IP), bringing its total to fifty-two (52) granted, one allowed and fifty-four (54) pending in jurisdictions around the world. Details listed below: LFP : United States Patent US 12,319,590 B2 issued on June 3rd, 2025: Describes an improved, scalable synthesis method for olivine-structured lithium metal phosphate cathode active materials . LFP : Canadian Patent CA 3,068,797 allowed on April 3rd, 2025: Describes a synthesis of olivine-structured lithium metal phosphate cathode active materials . LFP : Taiwan Patent TW I887600 issued on June 21st, 2025: Describes a method of preparing lithium metal phosphate (LMP) cathode active materials using metal feedstocks . Original M2CAM NMC : Korean Patent KR 10-2791544 issued on April 1st, 2025: Describes the M2CAM technology using the One-Pot sulfate-free process for making lithium battery cathode materials . LNMO: United States Patent US 12,355,063 issued on July 8th, 2025: Describes a novel battery assembled with high voltage spinel LNMO cathode material made using the One-Pot process and paired with an electrolyte for high durability. ATM Financing Launched On September 8, 2025, the Company launched an At-The-Market equity issuance program ("ATM Program") through entering into an equity distribution agreement ("Distribution Agreement") with Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Roth Canada, Inc. (together the "Agents") whereby the Company may distribute common shares to raise up to $15.0 million from time to time through the Agents. Through to September 30, 2025, the Company raised $0.2 million through the ATM Program, with an additional $2.4 million raised in October 2025. Collaboration with Sumitomo Metal Mining On September 20, 2025, the Company reported on its latest progress with Sumitomo Metal Mining ("SMM") which confirmed Nano One as a key technology partner in advancing its growth strategy for LFP cathodes. Results from development work and trials, economic modeling and IP review have been positive, giving SMM a high degree of confidence in Nano One's proprietary One-Pot LFP technology. Nano One and SMM are expanding their collaboration to pursue LFP cathode material production opportunities with targeted strategic customers. SMM is also providing support and collaboration on the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) project announced on October 29, 2025 and is described below. Pre-qualification of Lithium Raw Materials from Rio Tinto On October 6, 2025, the Company provided an update on its ongoing collaboration with Rio Tinto (together, the "Parties") specific to the pre-qualification of high-volume battery-grade lithium raw material inputs for Nano One's One-Pot LFP cathode materials production process. Collaboration and pre-qualification of Rio Tinto's critical minerals and raw materials inputs include lithium carbonate and pre-commercial lithium carbonate samples from Rio Tinto sites in Argentina. Nano One conducts qualification of battery-grade raw materials through a rigorous, staged testing protocol at increasing scales from A-sample (kilograms) through to C-sample (1-10 tonnes) prior to D-samples in a commercial plant setting. By pre-qualifying raw material inputs, Nano One aims to accelerate customer acceptance of its LFP cathode material product and LFP CAM licensing packages. This will also help de-risk supply chains for prospective licensees and fast-track A thru C sample qualification programs by as much as one year. NRCan Government Funding On October 29, 2025, the Company announced it had been awarded a $5.0 million non-repayable contribution from NRCan under the Energy Innovation Program to scale production of One-Pot LFP cathode materials and accelerate commercialization. The funding supports Nano One's ongoing work at the Candiac, Quebec and Burnaby, British Columbia facilities through to March 31, 2027. It will enable the Company to continue developing different product grades of One-Pot LFP to meet performance requirements across various applications. The funding supports Nano One's scale-up of the Candiac facility from 200 tpa to a minimum of 800 tpa of cathode material production, with the flexibility to reach 1,000+ tpa to meet customer demand. This will be complemented with funding from the Government of Quebec announced on December 9, 2024 and DPA Title III funding from the US Department of Defense (War) announced on September 26, 2024. This latest tranche of government funding marks continued support toward commercializing One-Pot LFP cathode material production. This is also in line with building localized capacity following government priorities for industrial resilience and supply chain independence. The announcement came as part of the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers meeting where measures were put in place to strengthen supply chains, reduce dependencies and ensure access to the resources essential for clean energy, advanced manufacturing and defense. For a more detailed discussion of Nano One's Q3 2025 interim results, please refer to the Company's financial statements, and MD&A, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. ### About Nano One Nano One Materials Corp. (Nano One) is a technology company changing how the world makes cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries. Applications include stationary energy storage systems (ESS), portable electronics, and electric vehicles (EVs). The Company's patented One-Pot process reduces costs, is easier-to permit, lowers energy intensity, environmental footprint, and reliance on problematic supply chains. The Company is supporting the drive towards energy security, supply chain resilience, industrial competitiveness and increased performance through process innovation. Production is being piloted and demonstrated in Candiac, Quebec, drawing on existing plant and decades of commercial lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) manufacturing experience. Strategic collaborations and partnerships with international companies like Sumitomo Metal Mining, Rio Tinto, and Worley are supporting a design-one-build-many licensing growth strategy-delivering cost-competitive, easier-to-permit, and faster-to-market battery materials production solutions worldwide. Nano One has received funding from the Government of Canada, the Government of the United States, the Government of Quebec, and the Government of British Columbia. For more information, please visit www.nanoone.ca. Company Contact: Paul Guedes info@nanoone.ca (604) 420-2041 Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to: plans, timing, and execution as well as the purpose for expanding the Candiac facilities and scalability of developed technology; the anticipated sale and distribution of Common Shares under the ATM Program, including the expected volume, timing, and uses of net proceeds; potential bundling of One-Pot with pre-qualified feedstocks and those related benefits to partners, licensees and customers; de-risking product supply chains for prospective licensees; receipt of the total amount of announced anticipated funding from the Government of Canada/NRCan and other government related grants and loans; use of proceeds; ongoing product and process improvement and innovations as potential additional revenue opportunities for the Company; the development of technology, supply chains, and plans for construction and operation of cathode production facilities for acceptance of the Company's product and licensing packages; industry acceleration and demand; successful current and future collaborations that are/may happen with OEMs, miners or others; the value, functions and intended benefits of the Company's technology and products efforts to build resilient and sustainable supply chains for critical minerals and battery materials; the development and evolution of Nano One's technology and products for scale up and commercialization; achieving commercial production of LFP; the Company's licensing, supply chain, joint venture strategies, opportunities and potential royalty arrangements; and the execution of the Company's plans - which are contingent on capital support and grants. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of terminology such as 'believe', 'expect', 'anticipate', 'plan', 'intend', 'continue', 'estimate', 'may', 'will', 'should', 'ongoing', 'target', 'goal', 'encouraged', 'projected', 'potential' or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made are not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including but not limited to: the anticipated sale and distribution of Common Shares under the ATM Program, including the expected volume, timing, and uses of net proceeds; potential bundling of One-Pot with pre-qualified feedstocks and those related benefits to partners, licensees and customers; de-risking product supply chains for prospective licensees; receipt of the total amount of announced anticipated funding from the Government of Canada/NRCan and other government related grants and loans; use of proceeds; ongoing product and process improvement and innovations as potential additional revenue opportunities for the Company; de-risking supply chains for prospective licensees; general and global economic and regulatory changes; next steps and timely execution of the Company's business plans; the development of technology, supply chains, and plans for construction and operation of cathode production facilities; successful current or future collaborations that may happen with OEMs, miners or others; the execution of the Company's plans which are contingent on capital sources; the Company's ability to achieve its stated goals; the commercialization of the Company's technology and patents via license, joint venture and independent production; the Company's efforts to build resilient and sustainable supply chains for critical minerals and battery materials; anticipated global demand and projected growth for LFP batteries; and other risk factors as identified in Nano One's Annual Information Form dated March 25, 2025, for the year ended December 31, 2024, its MD&A for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and in recent securities filings for the Company which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that is incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. SOURCE: Nano One Materials Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/nano-one-provides-an-update-on-recent-corporate-developments-and-reports-third-qu-1100051 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - Questcorp Mining Inc. (CSE: QQQ) (OTCQB: QQCMF) (FSE: D910) (the "Company" or "Questcorp") is pleased to announce that Sorbie Bornholm LP ("Sorbie"), a UK Investment Fund, has undertaken an initial investment in Questcorp Mining Inc. (CSE: QQQ) (OTCQB: QQCMF) (FSE: D910) ("Questcorp" or the "Company"). The gross amount of the investment is CAD$2,000,000. The funds will go toward advancing Questcorp's ongoing exploration and development programs at its flagship La Union Gold and Silver Project in Sonora, Mexico, and its North Island Copper Property on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and for general working capital purposes. Reflecting on the new partnership, President & CEO, Saf Dhillon, commented: "We are incredibly pleased to have secured this strategic investment from Sorbie Bornholm, a respected international institutional investor. This financing provides us with the flexibility to accelerate exploration across our key assets in Mexico and British Columbia. We view Sorbie's participation as a strong vote of confidence in Questcorp's team, vision, and long-term potential to deliver value through discovery and development." Whitney Kofford, Managing Director of Sorbie Bornholm LP, added: "We are delighted to welcome Questcorp Mining Inc. as a new partner and portfolio company. Our decision to invest reflects our enormous confidence in Questcorp's leadership. And in turn, by entering into a Sharing Agreement, Questcorp's leadership signals strong conviction in their ability to execute and grow value for all stakeholders. Sorbie's Sharing Agreement is designed to align interests towards growth and provide companies with consistent capital that rewards operational success and share price appreciation. We trust Questcorp will use the capital support to systematically unlock long-term value for all shareholders, and we look forward to sharing in their great upside potential." About Sorbie Bornholm Sorbie Bornholm LP is a global investment firm that provides funding for ongoing business objectives to listed micro, small and mid-cap growth companies. We focus on public equity investments in companies that are looking to expand and on management teams with a clear growth strategy. Our extensive experience allows us to invest in most industries in order to provide supportive, longer-term capital that rewards company growth. Since 2000, Sorbie Bornholm LP founder Greg Kofford has perfected the "Sorbie-Strategy", utilizing a sharing agreement that supports management and rewards growth. This unique approach has now been used in over 50 investments - with many of those resulting in the companies receiving more cash than the original offering proceeds - without having to issue any additional shares. Sorbie Bornholm's core values drive who we are and how we invest. We are committed to developing long-term relationships with select listed public companies and their brokers & advisers. We focus on providing supportive, longer-term capital that rewards growth. We invest to make a difference, to become a valued partner and to be a shareholder of choice. It's important to us that we succeed together. To see if the Sorbie-Strategy is right for your company, please contact Sorbie Bornholm: Whitney Kofford, Managing Director +1-801-554-5889 whitney@sorbiebornholm.com https://sorbiebornholm.co.uk/ About Questcorp Mining Inc. Questcorp Mining Inc. is engaged in the business of the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in North America, with the objective of locating and developing economic precious and base metals properties of merit. The Company holds an option to acquire an undivided 100% interest in and to mineral claims totaling 1,168.09 hectares comprising the North Island Copper Property, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, subject to a royalty obligation. The Company also holds an option to acquire an undivided 100% interest in and to mineral claims totaling 2,520.2 hectares comprising the La Union Project located in Sonora, Mexico, subject to a royalty obligation. This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the intended use of proceeds from the Offering. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the ability of Riverside to secure geophysical contractors to undertake orientation surveys and follow up detailed survey to confirm and enhance the drill targets as contemplated or at all, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain capital markets; and delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that the geophysical surveys will be completed as contemplated or at all and that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273793 SOURCE: Questcorp Mining Inc. DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mr. Ashish Monpara, Chairman, Modern Group of Industries won the coveted title of Global Leader of the Year 2025 at the 26th Edition of the Asian Business and Social Forum hosted by AsiaOne Media Group on the 19th of September, 2025 at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Business Bay, Dubai. This summit spotlighted the strengthening of bilateral trade, investment, and innovation between India, the UAE, and the wider GCC region, while also fostering strategic partnerships across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The event was a congregation of distinguished entrepreneurs and investors and also saw the presence of some of the world's most influential figures including His Highness Sheikh Al Nuaimi from the Royal family of Ajman, diplomats, celebrities, influencers and professionals from Asia, GCC, Africa, and beyond. One of the most distinguished business leaders at the forum was Mr. Ashish Monpara, Chairman, Modern Group of Industries, widely known as the 'King of Sugar,' who received the Global Leader of the Year 2025 title. This prestigious recognition celebrates his significant contributions to industrial growth and private sector development across East Africa. Under his visionary leadership, the Modern Group has emerged as one of Uganda's most renowned industrial conglomerates, expanding into multiple sectors including sugar, alcohol distillation, aluminium profiling, tile manufacturing, and organic fertilizers. His efforts have created a profound impact on innovation, sustainable development, and employment, generating over 20,000 jobs across the region. The group produces an impressive 600,000 tonnes of sugar annually, generates its own power and gas, and produces ethanol as a renewable byproduct. This blend of business acumen and sustainability has set a new benchmark for responsible enterprise. So far, the Modern Group has invested over $850 million across East Africa and aims to invest an additional $500 million within the next five years, focusing on pharmaceuticals and steel to drive further growth and regional transformation. About AsiaOne AsiaOne is an international media house and the only Business & News magazine, with presence in over 16 countries of Asia, Middle East and Africa. AsiaOne Media has pioneered the research-based listing of Brands & Leaders and supplements its listings with National & International Business & Social Summits and Awards function. To learn more, please visit www.asiaone.co.in Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2818695/Asia_One_Award.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ashish-monpara-building-a-sustainable-future-bit-by-bit-302611318.html The promising findings were conducted in UK classrooms, paving the way for a 2026 U.S. randomised controlled trial (RCT) with Imagine Learning. One-to-one tutoring is education's gold standard, though it has always faced an impossible scaling problem. A new exploratory study from Eedi, an evidence-based provider of AI-powered learning tools, in partnership with Google DeepMind, suggests a promising solution: a human-in-the-loop AI collaboration that measurably boosts student learning. The trial took place in the summer of 2025 across five UK secondary school classrooms, utilizing the Eedi platform. Under the supervision of expert human tutors, we tested a model in which the core instruction was delivered by LearnLM-a family of models from Google and Google DeepMind, purpose-built for learning and grounded in pedagogical research. The first test was to confirm whether the human-AI team could match the 'gold standard' human tutor in real-time. The human-AI team was just as effective at helping students immediately fix a mistake they made (93.0% success vs. 91.2% for a human tutor) and at helping students resolve their underlying misconceptions (95.4% vs. 94.9%) as the expert human tutor working alone. These new findings are particularly significant because they build on Eedi's year-long 2023-24 randomised controlled trial (RCT) with 2,901 students in 20 UK classrooms. The treatment condition, consisting of Eedi's static content model (high-quality diagnostic questions, videos, and hints), showed that students achieved two to four additional months of math gains over the academic year. That same high-impact intervention served as the baseline in this new exploratory trial. The latest trial also measured "knowledge transfer": how tutoring on one problem affected a student's ability to solve a new problem. Compared with the standard hint, a human tutor alone improved a student's learning by 4.5 percentage points, while the human-AI team boosted learning by 10 percentage pointsThe AI tutor acted as an amplifier, doubling the human tutor's impact on this critical learning metric. "For years, we've known that personalized tutoring is the most effective intervention in education, but also the least scalable," said Dr. Bibi Groot, Chief Impact Officer at Eedi. "That's why we started to build evidence with a small exploratory trial to learn. We found that our 'human-in-the-loop' AI model is safer, matches the gold standard, and shows significant promise for deeper learning. This pilot gives us the critical insights we need to design our next large-scale studies". This partnership also created a new, scalable model. Tutors reported the AI acted as a 'cognitive offload,' doing the 'hard work' of decoding student messages and drafting high-quality pedagogical responses. This allowed them to support multiple students at once with the focus of a one-on-one session. The trial, conducted with 165 students and 17 tutors, was a careful test of safety and trust. A full audit of all AI-generated messages found zero harmful or risky content, and only 0.1% of messages contained any factual inaccuracies. Expert tutors, who had the final say on every message, approved 82.3% of the AI's suggestions with no or minimal (1-2 character) edits. The study also provides a promising blueprint for the future of tutoring. The AI was found to be a powerful, but rigid, logician. The human's indispensable role became that of an emotional and pedagogical moderator. Tutors' most frequent interventions were to protect the student from the AI's blunt logic; either by managing the conversation's pacing when its Socratic questioning 'frustrated' the student (44.3% of edits) or by softening its 'transactional' tone (19.5% of edits). "These findings mark a milestone for responsible, safe, and effective AI in education," said Irina Jurenka, Research Scientist at Google DeepMind. "The next step is to scale this from an exploratory pilot to a large-scale trial." The success of this human-in-the-loop AI model has paved the way for additional large-scale studies. Eedi is partnering with Imagine Learning to roll out a new RCT during the 2026 academic year, testing the model's effectiveness across diverse U.S. districts. Furthermore, Eedi will conduct another UK-based RCT to assess long-term learning gains using the STAR assessment, supported by a grant funded by the Learning Engineering Virtual Institute. "For generations, effective one-on-one tutoring has been a luxury for the privileged. Our research provides the first definitive proof that AI can safely deliver that same quality of instruction at a scale and cost that makes it universally accessible," said Ben Caulfield, CEO and Co-Founder of Eedi. "We are building a world where a student's progress is no longer defined by their income, but by their potential." To download Eedi and Google DeepMind's Technical Report, please visit: goo.gle/LearnLM-Nov25. About Eedi Eedi partners with schools, governments, and market-leading learning platforms and publishers to deliver AI-powered, evidence-based tools proven to accelerate learning. Built on more than a billion learner interactions, Eedi combines diagnostic intelligence, teacher oversight, and adaptive technology to make personalized learning measurable, scalable, and equitable. The company's mission is to enable measurable learning progress for one billion children by 2030. Learn more at www.eedi.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111406294/en/ Contacts: Alyssa Miller Eedi alyssa@ammediaworks.com 973-615-1292 Kristen Morea Google DeepMind Communications kmorea@google.com New system boosts efficiency by 240% and accuracy to 99.9%, processing up to 19,000 parcels/hour AMSTERDAM, Nov. 11, 2025, a fast-growing last-mile delivery provider, has installed a state-of-the-art double cross-belt sorting machine at its Amsterdam hub in the Netherlands, which opened this April. This system is a key part of GOFO's ongoing effort to enhance the resilience and efficiency of its Dutch network, preparing it to reliably meet peak season demand. Equipped with a six-sided scanner that reads barcodes, QR codes, and other labels, the sorter processes up to 19,000 parcels per hour. Designed for extended daily operation, it achieves a 99.9% sorting accuracy and boosts operational efficiency by 240%, optimizing parcel handling by weight, volume, type, and route. GOFO operates three sorting centers in Amsterdam, Boxtel, and Rotterdam. The Amsterdam center is the first to adopt the automated sorting system, with implementation across the remaining sites planned for the coming year. The sorter integrates with GOFO's Transportation Management System (TMS), enabling real-time monitoring, data visualization, and dynamic parcel validation. Also, its multi-dimensional sorting capabilities reduce manual handling while enabling employees to focus on higher-value tasks. "Even during peak times, this system maintains high precision, boosting speed, efficiency, and visibility in our operations," said Mandy Ho, General Manager of GOFO Netherlands. "This investment reflects GOFO's commitment to innovation and operational excellence. Automation not only expands our handling capacity but also ensures faster, more reliable delivery for our customers." The launch marks another step in GOFO's initiative to upgrade its Dutch infrastructure, with initial results confirming measurable gains in sorting speed and accuracy. About GOFO GOFOis a fast-growing last-mile delivery company operating in the U.S., France, the Netherlands, and Italy. Guided by our promise - Drive Efficiency, Deliver Trust - to gain efficiency and inspire trust, we combine advanced technology, operational excellence, and local agility to deliver seamless logistics experiences for retailers, e-commerce platforms, 3PL/logisticians and end consumers. With a rapidly expanding network of sorting hubs, linehauls, and dedicated local teams, we cover over 10,000 ZIP codes. We offer smart routing, real-time tracking, and full visibility. GOFO delivers not just parcels but reliability, efficiency, and peace of mind - at every stage of the local delivery journey. For further information, please contact: Email: branding@gofoexpress.com Website: www.gofoexpress.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3c96e218-d86c-46c1-8ccb-06bbe17fda8b More than 1,000 guests gathered at Grosvenor House, London, for the MCA Awards 2025 Ceremony, marking 27 years of honouring outstanding achievements in UK consulting. Finalists received recognition for their significant contributions to growth and innovation across multiple sectors, making a positive difference to both the UK economy and wider society. Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasised that consulting exports have tripled over the past six years and reiterated the government's commitment to supporting the sector's vital role in economic progress. EY and Four Futures were awarded the Times Project of the Year for creating an immersive sustainability leadership initiative designed to inspire action on climate change. Jeremy Dykes Capgemini Invent was honoured as the Times Consultant of the Year for his trailblazing efforts to improve the health of UK rivers and advance environmental monitoring, also securing the 'Thought Leader Consultant of the Year' accolade. Squarcle achieved the Best New Consultancy award for driving business growth and supply chain transformation through innovative, data-led approaches. Across both project and individual categories, a quarter were won by SME consulting firm highlighting the diversity and dynamism of the sector. LONDON, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1,000 guests gathered at Grosvenor House, London, to celebrate the 27th annual MCA Awards honouring exceptional achievements across the UK consulting industry. The event demonstrated the sector's transformative impact on business, government and society with finalists recognised for driving growth, innovation and purpose led change. Hosted by Clare Balding CBE and Tamzen Isacsson, Chief Executive of the MCA, the ceremony welcomed clients, government officials, media, and industry leaders. The evening highlighted the depth of talent and the breadth of expertise across consulting firms of all sizes. In a keynote address, Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, said: "Management consultancy in the UK is a real international success story. Alongside other professional services, our firms are recognised for their world-class expertise, high standards and creativity. "Management consultancy alone has grown significantly over recent years, with GVA of over 20 billion. But that is not all. The expertise and passion within the consultancy sector are central to delivering our plans to unlock growth across the whole UK economy, from energy to skills to innovation. Through the Industrial Strategy Professional Business Services Sector Plan, the government is investing in the sector and working in partnership. From harnessing AI to addressing the productivity gap, to expanding the next generation financial and professional services programme and supporting innovation in R&D, we are resolute in our commitment to the sector." The Times Project of the Year was awarded to EY and Four Futures for their immersive sustainability initiative, which transported senior leaders 30 years into the future to inspire climate action. The project also won Best Use of Thought Leadership for its originality and strategic impact. Jeremy Dykes of Capgemini Invent received The Times Consultant of the Year and Thought Leader Consultant of the Year for his pioneering work on UK river health and environmental monitoring. Judges commended his leadership in implementing continuous pollution tracking under the Environment Act, calling it a transformational approach with real-world impact. Winning and highly commended entries demonstrated outstanding innovation and delivery. KPMG with Tesco were recognised in Performance Improvement in the Private Sector for embedding real-time insights that enhanced customer experience and commercial performance. Deloitte with AstraZeneca were honoured in Technology Transformation for building a robust digital foundation that unlocked predictive capabilities and scalable value. PwC with AMP Bank and Engine by Starling were celebrated in Strategy for launching a new digital banking division in just 15 months, targeting underserved segments in Australia. Sharing in Growth, an SME firm, won in Change and Transformation in the Public Sector for supporting cultural and operational transformation in aerospace manufacturing. Deloitte with Cisco received the Sustainability Award for reimagining supplier engagement and reducing environmental impact. KPMG with Marie Curie were recognised in the Social Value category for transforming palliative care and improving NHS sustainability. Inner Circle Consulting with Liverpool City Council and Gate One with North Central London Integrated Care Board were winners in Public Sector Performance Improvement and People and Leadership, respectively. Capgemini's work with the UK Supreme Court was commended for its digital transformation that enhanced transparency and global best practice. A panel of over 60 judges from business, academia, and media selected winners through rigorous interviews and assessments. Aanisa Kazim from EY was named Team Leader of the Year. Jayne Goble from KPMG was recognised as Technology Consultant of the Year. Charlotte Sweeney OBE of Charlotte Sweeney Associates won the Inclusion Award. Lucy Pringle from KPMG was named Chartered Management Consultant of the Year, and Jez Groom from Cowry Consulting won the Experienced Leader category. Scarlett Regan from PwC was awarded Young Consultant of the Year for her vision and achievements. Toby Fairhurst from Arup was recognised as a Rising Star for his technical expertise and authenticity. Alistair Butler from PwC received the Apprentice of the Year award. Best New Consultancy went to Squarcle, a firm helping clients modernise, de-risk, and transform supply chain performance through data-driven efficiency. Judges praised its impressive growth and strong client backing. Digital Economy Minister, Liz Lloyd, said: "The Professional and Business Services sector is a vibrant part of the UK economy, worth over 300bn a year and making up one in every seven jobs - which is why it's central to our modern Industrial Strategy. "The Government supports this thriving sector to drive growth and innovation, and I congratulate this year's winners for exemplifying the immense talent and excellence in UK consulting." In her speech at the Ceremony, Tamzen Isacsson, Chief Executive of the MCA, said: "When I look at the list of winners, the consultants that impressed the most were those who innovated, who pushed boundaries, turned old orthodoxies on their heads, who did the unpredictable. There were those who demonstrated their empathy: who listened to what clients needed, who built relationships. The people who showed up - quite literally - who were on site, embedded, all in, and who left a long and lasting legacy. Those who built teams and won sceptical clients over, who took people along with them. But what really stood out were those who were driven by purpose and passion. Again and again, we heard in interview why our finalists wanted to make a difference. They knew that by delivering for clients, they were also delivering much needed change, for their society, their economy and their country." There were 23 award categories in this year's MCA Awards with 11 project awards, 9 individual awards and 3 overall awards. Across all categories, a quarter were won by SME consulting firms. Young consultants were again recognised for their achievements at the start of their career. Young Consultant of the Year went to Scarlett Regan of PwC - the judges were impressed with 'her vision, the scale of her responsibilities and her significant achievements' while in the 'Rising Star' category, Toby Fairhurst from Arup was recognised for his 'deep technical knowledge and authenticity'. Alistair Butler from PwC received the Apprentice of the Year award. Media partner, The Times, will be publishing details of the finalists in a special supplement on the 17th of November. A full list of the MCA Awards 2025 winners and highly commended can be found at www.mca.org.uk Notes to Editors: The Management Consultancies Association (MCA): The MCA is the representative body for the UK's leading management consulting firms. For over 65 years, the MCA has been the voice of the consulting industry, promoting the value of consulting to business, the public sector, media commentators and the public. The MCA's mission is to promote the value of management consultancy for the economy and society. The MCA's member companies comprise over 50% of the UK consulting industry work with the vast majority of the top FTSE 100 companies and almost all parts of the public sector. The UK consulting industry is amongst the best in the world and a vital part of the business landscape. Click to see the full list of current MCA members see link. Compliance with the MCA's tough entry criteria and adherence to the principles of Consulting Excellence means that MCA member companies are widely acknowledged to provide high quality services to their clients. Many of their achievements are recognized in the annual MCA Awards. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mca-awards-2025-winners-highlight-how-uk-consulting-supports-growth-and-innovation-302610264.html BEIJING, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A CGTN documentary exploring how China is finding new ways of living in harmony with nature while increasing people's well-being, "China's Green Revolution" tells the stories of inspired individuals and enlightened policy that is fueling dynamic green development across China. In the heart of the Taklimakan Desert, one man has spent two decades in a crusade to tame the shifting sands that destroy crops and overwhelm local communities. Jia Cunpeng is armed with the belief that if you truly love this desert, you can turn sand and desolation into lush green fields and economic opportunities. In Zhejiang province, fisherman Guo Wenbiao spends much of his free time collecting trash that is both choking the ocean and putting the lives of his fellow fisherman in danger. And visionary entrepreneur Chen Guanghui is turning some of this marine debris into pellets that sell for higher prices than virgin plastics, ensuring that ocean clean-up activities are sustainable. Across China, men and women with a deep connection to nature are helping to bring species back from the brink. Xi Zhinong uses his camera to document endangered species, and shine a light on important issues. Zhou Zhaoli's life is dedicated to one of the rarest creatures in the world, the Hainan Gibbon. In Yunnan province there is a place called Jingmai Mountain, where people have been cultivating tea trees for 13 centuries, where tea is sacred, and tradition deeply cherished. Community elder, Su Guowen holds fast to the belief that one should cherish the tea trees like one cherishes one's eyes. And from a younger generation, Xian Jin has turned to technology as she livestreams her culture and the charm of this unique place to the world. In China's frozen Northeast, ice and snow have become new drivers of the local economy, boosting tourism and fueling the zeal of entrepreneurs to forge Chinese carbon-fiber snowboards for a new era. China's Green Revolution is a celebration of environmental defenders across China. With the support of government policy, their efforts and their example are encouraging others to join them. This is a story of how people across China are cultivating little nature reserves in their hearts, and finding ways for people and nature to thrive together. Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt1mRSc_9p4 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgtn-chinas-green-revolution-green-development-reimagined-302611358.html A Director of PMO & Product and a Director of Commercial Management join atNorth's management team to ensure the business' strategic growth plans are executed effectively and responsibly. REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- atNorth, the leading Nordic high-density colocation and built-to-suit datacenter provider, has announced the addition of two new directors to bolster its management team structure in line with its strategic expansion plans. The growing demand for AI ready data centers has reinforced atNorth's future proof people strategy to ensure customer requirements can be met in an efficient, compliant and responsible way. The new directors are: Bara?Hlin?Kristjansdottir, Director of PMO & Product. Bara brings extensive experience leading large-scale transformation projects across telecom, software, and engineering sectors. As Director of PMO & Product, she oversees governance, process development, and product alignment across atNorth's growing Nordic portfolio. With a systems-thinking mindset, she connects functions across development, sustainability, and sales to ensure clarity and scalability in delivery. Prior to joining atNorth, Bara held senior program leadership roles at Syn and Marel, where she led complex digital transformation initiatives and drove cross-functional alignment between technology, operations, and business strategy. Jonas?Luckner, Director of Commercial Management. Jonas is responsible for the commercial and financial oversight of atNorth's development projects. He brings over a decade of experience in strategy, transformation, and financial planning from roles at Telia, Deloitte, KPMG, and Folksam. At atNorth, Jonas leads commercial strategy from contract negotiation to cost optimization, ensuring alignment with long-term business goals and supporting the company's sustainable growth. "As the demand for AI ready data centers continues to grow we are committed to strengthening our team as part of our agile and innovative approach to responsible operations", said?Anna Kristin Palsdottir, Chief Development Officer, atNorth. "Bara and Jonas bring significant knowledge and experience to our business and will bolster our position as a trusted high performance data center partner." The announcement follows several other recent strategic director level appointments including Camilla O'Leary, Director of Client Management, Howard Shutt, Director of Hyperscale Sales, and Espen Bjanes, Sales Director. About atNorth atNorth is a leading Nordic data center company that offers cost-effective, scalable high-density colocation and built-to-suit services trusted by industry-leading organizations. With sustainability at its core, atNorth's data centers run on renewable energy resources and support circular economy principles. All atNorth sites leverage innovative design, power efficiency, and intelligent operations to provide long-term infrastructure and flexible colocation deployments. atNorth is headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland and operates eight data centers in strategic locations across the Nordics, as well as a ninth under construction in Kouvola, Finland and a tenth site in lgod, Denmark. The business has also secured land for a future mega site in the Solleftea Municipality in Sweden. For more information, visit atNorth.com or follow atNorth on LinkedIn. Press Contact: Caroline Brunton Kite Hill PR for atNorth +44 (0) 7796 274 416 caroline@kitehillpr.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/atnorth/r/atnorth-announces-management-team-expansion-as-part-of-next-level-growth-strategy-,c4265144 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/18907/4265144/3775653.pdf Release https://news.cision.com/atnorth/i/bara-jonas-1,c3486238 Bara Jonas 1 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/atnorth-announces-management-team-expansion-as-part-of-next-level-growth-strategy-302611370.html Picsart Assistant Creates Layered-Designs Through Natural Conversation Picsart Flows Enables Collaborative and Automated Creation on Infinite Canvas Picsart, the world's leading digital creation platform with more than 2 billion downloads and used by 130 million monthly active users in more than 150 countries worldwide, today announced the expansion of its creative platform with AI products built to empower and accelerate vibe design at scale and simplify creative workflows. The announcement was made by Hovhannes Avoyan, Picsart co-founder and CEO, at Web Summit, one of the world's largest technology conferences hosted annually in Lisbon, Portugal. Picsart enables a diverse set of creators to instantly bring their personal vision to life, offering more than 150 tools, millions of stickers, templates, UGC options, and premium stock content. Picsart is recognized for its engagement with the global Gen Z community, which represents more than 50% of its active user base. The company continues to grow organically alongside this group to provide real-world creative solutions, while equipping a global community of consumers, artists, entrepreneurs, and businesses with pro-grade creative power. Today's product introductions are a natural evolution spurred by Picsart's legacy of innovation. Both Picsart Assistant and Picsart Flows utilize AI to support and accelerate vibe design, allowing users for the first time to focus on the style, mood, or goal they want to achieve while the platform translates personalized visions into editable creative assets. "Picsart is dedicated to building products that empower our users to succeed in all creative aspirations," said Mr. Avoyan. "Today's platform expansion is a critical step forward and significantly advances our mission to enable design work to move faster, operate smarter, and deliver greater impact. At Picsart, we're proud of our deep connection with Gen Z digital natives who not only rely on advanced technology to bring their ideas to life, but trust that Picsart truly understands and appreciates their goals. Overnight, Picsart Assistant and Picsart Flows fuels the next generation of storytellers to design and create at scale and thrive in today's content-first economy." The two flagship products behind this platform expansion, Picsart Assistant and Picsart Flows, incorporate conversational intelligence that adapts and learns alongside the user. Each of these products is supported by best-in-class AI models for text, image, and video. By consolidating the access to these models within Picsart, it's possible for users to save thousands in separate subscription costs. Picsart Assistant Picsart Assistant enables vibe design through natural conversation, creating layered designs that remain editable as the AI generates them. This advancement provides adaptable intelligence and simultaneous creative collaboration, eliminating flat outputs and the need to start over if an individual element requires adjustment. Additionally, the product brings all of Picsart's powerful tools into one intuitive conversational flow that is fast, expressive, and completely under the user's control. Picsart Assistant also automatically selects the most appropriate AI model for each design, letting users focus on their creative goals instead of the technical steps. "Designing doesn't start with tools, it starts with imagination," said Mikayel Vardanyan, Picsart's COO and co-founder. "Often, people know the feeling or the vibe of what they want to create without knowing exactly how to build it. Picsart Assistant catapults our users into the era of vibe design, providing a collaborative, AI supported partner on that journey. Picsart gives users the ability to turn their imagination into content with full control and zero learning curve. We can't wait to see what our customers will do with this breakthrough tool." Assistant key features include: Goal-Oriented Creation: Users describe outcomes, not how to do it. No prompt engineering or tool knowledge is needed. Users describe outcomes, not how to do it. No prompt engineering or tool knowledge is needed. Multi-Step Automation: Handles complex creative workflows that typically require 10 or more manual steps, saving time and effort. Handles complex creative workflows that typically require 10 or more manual steps, saving time and effort. Voice-to-Design: Speak naturally to create. No typing or structured prompts required. Speak naturally to create. No typing or structured prompts required. Layered Generation: Creates editable layers instead of flat outputs, giving users full control for manual adjustments. Creates editable layers instead of flat outputs, giving users full control for manual adjustments. Unified Creative Workspace: Integrates Picsart's entire suite of tools through a conversational interface, no switching between tools. Integrates Picsart's entire suite of tools through a conversational interface, no switching between tools. Adaptive Intelligence: Learn from context and past conversations to improve future results. Learn from context and past conversations to improve future results. Context Intelligence: Tailors output based on purpose and audience, from social posts to ads, adapting tone, size, and style accordingly. Picsart Flows Picsart Flows expands the Picsart platform by giving users an infinite canvas to scale their creations quickly, eliminating the need to switch between multiple tools for image, copy, video, and editing. Advanced users can combine Picsart's internal tools with their preferred AI models, taking projects seamlessly from ideation to scalable campaigns. The feature also saves time and reduces subscription fatigue by providing an all-in-one creative ecosystem that supports real-time, multi-user collaboration. Once a flow is developed, users can automate and reuse it across campaigns, further streamlining their creative process. "??We built Picsart Flows for creators who want to advance their AI creativity, move faster, and work smarter," said Tom Howes, Product Director at Picsart. "Our users already understand AI generation and want more speed, more output, and more structure. Constantly switching tools interrupts focus, creates duplicate work, and slows progress. Picsart Flows brings everything into one streamlined workflow, so creators can test ideas, iterate, and automate their output without starting over each time." Flows key features and qualities include: Infinite Canvas: A seamless creative flow without having to toggle to different pages of a canvas. A seamless creative flow without having to toggle to different pages of a canvas. Preferred AI Model Choice: Choose the cutting-edge AI model best for your use. Choose the cutting-edge AI model best for your use. Wide-Ranging Toolset: An array of Picsart and preferred vendor tools for static assets and video in one place, ready for use across creative projects. An array of Picsart and preferred vendor tools for static assets and video in one place, ready for use across creative projects. Repeatable Flows: Flows can be created once and used multiple times to scale quickly. Flows can be created once and used multiple times to scale quickly. Template Library: Pre-designed AI flow templates with built-in prompts help users get started faster and get immediate output. Pre-designed AI flow templates with built-in prompts help users get started faster and get immediate output. Synchronous Collaboration: Collaboratively work on Flows with others in real-time. Click here to watch a video about Picsart Assistant and Picsart Flows Upcoming Web Summit Presentations A large delegation of Picsart executives will be attending Web Summit 2025 with two feature presentations: Hovhannes Avoyan, CEO and Co-Founder of Picsart, will be speaking about the launch of Picsart Assistant and Picsart Flows, complete with a short product demonstration on the Creative Stage on November 12th at 1130 WET. and complete with a short product demonstration on the Creative Stage on November 12th at 1130 WET. Tom Howes, Product Director at Picsart, will be giving a Masterclass on how to use Picsart Assistant and Picsart Flows in Masterclass 2 on November 12th at 1600 WET. About Picsart Picsart is a recognized AI-powered platform for creative independence in a global economy increasingly driven and impacted by content. For over 14 years, Picsart has grown with and enabled the next generation of storytellers Gen Z digital natives to design, brand, and build at scale without limitations or barriers. With approximately 130+ million monthly active users and over 2 billion downloads, Picsart is well on its way to becoming the creative engine behind the $750 billion market of small businesses, entrepreneurs and brands, offering a range of innovative and intuitive tools and solutions that revolutionizes the creative, marketing and advertising processes. As creativity becomes central to identity, influence, entrepreneurship and profitability, Picsart is the platform for scalable, self-directed storytelling in a content-first economy. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111284370/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Katie Russo, ThroughCo Communications krusso@throughco.com +1-501-282-5069 Offerings Enhance Digital Protection for Consumers Across the Austria Market as Online Scams, Malware, and Fraud Continue to Increase Bitdefender, a global cybersecurity leader, and CKH Innovations Opportunities Development (CKH IOD), a telecom unit of CK Hutchison Group Telecom Holdings (CKHGT), today announced an expanded strategic partnership to deliver advanced endpoint protection solutions for personal computers and mobile devices to Drei Austria customers. This marks a significant milestone in the relationship, building on Bitdefender's existing support for CKHGT companies in the UK and Italy. With this launch, Drei Austria subscribers gain access to leading-edge digital protection services, reinforcing the operator's commitment to safeguarding consumers in a world where threats to personal data, identity, and privacy are escalating, fueled by increasingly sophisticated AI-driven attacks. According to a global survey of more than 7,000 consumers, 78% use mobile devices for sensitive transactions such as banking, bill payments, and healthcare. Yet nearly 45% admitted they use no form of mobile security solution. Almost a quarter (24.3%) suffered at least one security incident in the last 12 months, ranging from scams to account compromises to malware infections. To address these challenges, Drei will integrate Bitdefender Subscriber Protection Platform into its consumer services portfolio. This platform, designed for telco providers, offers advanced cybersecurity and privacy services, including endpoint protection safeguarding against malware, phishing attacks, online scams, identity theft, and more, whether at home or on the go, and supports Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. Bitdefender Subscriber Protection Platform solution for mobile devices will be delivered through Bitdefender OneApp, a single, unified application that streamlines and manages all cybersecurity services through one interface. OneApp not only simplifies protection for consumers but also helps telcos strengthen engagement and more easily introduce new value-added offerings. Extending beyond individual protection, a key focus for Drei is safeguarding families and extended communities. Through its 'community' plans, the operator provides security solutions that extend protection across households and family networks, helping ensure customers can confidently use their devices in today's always-connected environment. "Consumers rely on their devices daily to shop, bank, and stay connected, which unfortunately makes them prime targets for cybercriminals. Our partnership with Bitdefender empowers us to deliver trusted, advanced protection that strengthens the digital safety of our customers," said Gunter Lischka, CCO at Drei Austria. "We are pleased to partner with Bitdefender to bring industry-leading cybersecurity solutions to Austrian consumers and help them protect what matters most." "As digital threats continue to accelerate, the need for accessible and reliable security has never been greater," said Ciprian Istrate, senior vice president of operations, Bitdefender Consumer Solutions Group. "By extending our partnership with CKH IOD to Drei Austria, customers now gain enhanced protection across all their devices, ensuring greater security and privacy online. We are pleased to continue expanding our collaboration and deliver effective cybersecurity solutions to even more consumers across Europe." "Following successful launches in Italy and the UK, the Drei Austria rollout marks a new chapter-bringing Bitdefender's protection to desktop PCs for the first time within this partnership," said Francesco Zampini, director of devices and digital products services at CKH IODWith this launch, we are proud to complete another milestone through our European rollout demonstrating our commitment to protecting our customers across all platforms, empowering them to navigate the digital world with confidence and peace of mind." About CKH Innovations Opportunities Development CKH IOD is a telecom unit and international development hub of CK Hutchison Group Telecom (CKHGT), which operates mobile networks in Italy, the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Ireland, Hong Kong and Macai. CKHGT is also part of the wider CK Hutchison Group, with mobile assets also in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. CKH IOD offers customised global mobile communications and data solutions that create new digital value and unprecedented opportunities for business. Our collaborative approach combined with our world-class network and experience means we are best placed to help our customers design, adapt, develop and scale solutions faster. Visit: https://ckhiod.com. About Drei Austria Hutchison Drei Austria GmbH is a 100% subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (Hong Kong) and part of the 3Group Europe's division "3Scandinavia Austria". Drei achieved a total revenue of 958 million euros in 2024. As a leading Austrian telecommunication provider the company offers mobile communication, internet, fixed line, TV and business solutions from a single source. In addition to the biggest network of branded stores by an Austrian telecommunications provider and an encompassing customer service for residential and business customers, Drei pursues the goal of making digitalization available and affordable for everyone in Austria. As part of the largest investment project in the company's history, Drei is currently building a completely new network. Austria's most modern 5G network already reaches more than 90% of Austrian households and companies. Since autumn 2022, Drei has been the only company in Austria to operate a nationwide 5G standalone network with full 5G potential, including network slicing for secure capacities, minimal latency times and maximum data security. More information: www.drei.at. About Bitdefender Bitdefender is a cybersecurity leader delivering best-in-class threat prevention, detection, and response solutions worldwide. Guardian over millions of consumers, enterprises, and government environments, Bitdefender is one of the industry's most trusted experts for eliminating threats, protecting privacy, digital identity and data, and enabling cyber resilience. With deep investments in research and development, Bitdefender Labs discovers hundreds of new threats each minute and validates billions of threat queries daily. The company has pioneered breakthrough innovations in antimalware, IoT security, behavioral analytics, and artificial intelligence and its technology is licensed by more than 180 of the world's most recognized technology brands. Founded in 2001, Bitdefender has customers in 170+ countries with offices around the world. For more information, visit https://www.bitdefender.com. Trusted. Always. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111315742/en/ Contacts: Steve Fiore Senior Director Global Public Relations Ph: 1-954-776-6262 Em: sfiore@bitdefender.com PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KuCoin Institutional, the next evolution of KuCoin's global business, officially launches as a strategic expansion dedicated to serving professional investors, institutions, and strategic partners. Building on KuCoin's core brand value, "Trust First. Trade Next.", the launch underscores the company's commitment to delivering secure, compliant, and high-performance infrastructure for the next phase of digital asset adoption. It reflects KuCoin's long-term strategy to strengthen market trust and bridge traditional finance with the evolving digital economy. KuCoin Institutional integrates advanced infrastructure, liquidity, and compliance frameworks tailored for institutions, quantitative traders, and brokers. The upgraded model enhances KuCoin's capabilities across three pillars - institutional and VIP product enhancement, financial and wealth management services, and technological infrastructure and compliance strategy - offering a comprehensive institutional service matrix. The platform provides enhanced liquidity connectivity and VIP programs, customized trading interfaces, and asset management solutions. Institutional users benefit from ultra-low-latency trading and 24/7 technical and client support. KuCoin also supports advanced trading capabilities with diversified collateral management and enhanced capital efficiency, while strategic partnerships enable third-party custody and Off-Exchange Settlement (OES) for enhanced compliance and capital efficiency. KuCoin Institutional is further expanding into Crypto-as-a-Service (CaaS), allowing partners to integrate KuCoin's technology and liquidity interface to enhance their own operations. It is also advancing initiatives in tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) to connect blockchain markets with traditional finance. "KuCoin Institutional marks a significant step forward in our mission to build a trusted and future-ready financial ecosystem," said BC Wong, CEO of KuCoin. "By combining world-class infrastructure with robust compliance and liquidity frameworks, we aim to empower institutions to participate in the digital asset economy with confidence and efficiency." Looking ahead, KuCoin Institutional will deepen its partnerships, enhance its custody and settlement ecosystem, and advance initiatives in digital asset innovation - positioning KuCoin as a leading bridge between traditional finance and the global digital economy. About KuCoin Institutional KuCoin Institutional is the institutional division of KuCoin, dedicated to providing professional investors, funds, and enterprises with secure, compliant, and efficient digital asset solutions. Integrating advanced trading infrastructure, capital management, and custody services, it offers a full-spectrum institutional ecosystem spanning liquidity access, risk control, and global compliance - empowering institutions to participate in the digital economy with confidence and transparency. Institutional clients can learn more at https://www.kucoin.com/institution Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2819505/image.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2785613/KuCoin_new_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/kucoin-launches-kucoin-institutional-establishing-the-preferred-platform-for-global-institutional-investors-302611365.html New international day aims to raise awareness about positive impacts of sound frequencies on mental and physical health Declared by the Frequency School , a g lobal initiative by U.S. Grammy-nominated producer Maejor to promote music therapy and wellness around the globe World Frequency Day will be marked on November 11 every year Flagship events held in Dubai, with dozens of satellite activations around the world Global moment celebrated at 11:11 AM and 11:11 PM local time across all time zones Launched in partnership with Learnstar , Africa's leading edutainment platform, and ALPHAWHISPERERS , a global leadership engine and movement for change For more information: www.internationaldays.co/event/world-frequency-day/r/recDT7ct2E9qnLMDu Join the global movement: https://frequency.school/www.instagram.com/thefrequencyschool/ www.linkedin.com/company/the-frequency-school DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Frequency School by U.S. Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum producer Maejor launched the inaugural "World Frequency Day" in Dubai on 11/11 (Tuesday) in a bid to amplify the universal language of music and harness the transformative power of sound frequencies to promote unity, harmony, and physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing around the planet. With the mantra "Tuned in Together", World Frequency Day is celebrated on Tuesday November 11, 2025, and will be observed annually, with people across the globe elevating a new rhythm of connection, resonance and humanity. The date 11/11 was chosen to symbolize unity, balance, and resonance - core principles at the heart of the frequency movement. Maejor, Founder and Visionary of the Frequency School: "World Frequency Day is a milestone in recognizing the universal power of sound to connect and inspire. By dedicating November 11 to the advancement of the arts, science and practice of intentional frequencies, we are taking an important step toward raising awareness of their profound impact on human health and well-being worldwide." Martina Fuchs, Initiator of World Frequency Day and Co-Founder of the Frequency School: "From the rhythm of our heartbeat to the resonance of music, frequencies shape every aspect of our lives. World Frequency Day is a global moment where humanity tunes in together - harnessing the power of sound and vibration to inspire unity, wellness, and harmony." The landmark initiative is powered by global leadership engine ALPHAWHISPERERS, a breakthrough movement for systemic, generational and sustainable change, and Learnstar, a top African edutainment platform that provides e-learning courses from industry leaders and celebrities to creatives and professionals. The day culminates with a flagship event at Creators HQ in Dubai gathering global creatives, wellness experts and business leaders: Alia Al Hammadi, vice chairperson at the UAE Government Media Office and CEO of the 1 Billion Followers Summit; world-renowned British Artist and Humanitarian Sacha Jafri; impact entrepreneur Kunal Sood; Carol Carter, founder and CEO of GlobalMindED; spiritual teacher, entrepreneur, and influencer Master Sri Akarshana; yoga master instructor and wellness expert Allaoua Gaham; longevity expert Sabinije von Gaffke; founder of Our Highest Mantra (OHM) Sathi Roy; T Chanela Ibrahim founder of Rodeo Park; board-certified clinical hypnotherapist and sound healer Letizia Silvestri; FutureVerse founder Dr. Batoul Salman Kherbiek; transformation leadership architect Anna Kuusela; and many more. This groundbreaking global activation has also sparked dozens of satellite events, amplification and collaboration campaigns with artists, innovators, and wellness advocates spanning all time zones and held at 11:11 AM and 11:11 PM local times. Communities and partners across the world were invited to participate and host activities, such as: Eddie Stern, yoga teacher and author, in NYC Indian charity Harmony House, in New Delhi Aiglon College, in Switzerland Master Oh, Qi master and happiness ambassador, in Mexico Lang Lang International Music Foundation, in London Wellness Collective, in the Philippines High Frequency Highway, in Charlotte, USA Wellness Omakase Experience, in Malaysia; and many more. Janet C. Salazar, Chairman of the ALPHAWIN Venture Group and Executive Chairman of the Foundation for the Support of the United Nations (FSUN): "We stand on the brink of a global leadership revolution. Now more than ever, one thing is clear: the urgency for change, focusing on reframing how power and influence operate in our society, is undeniable. As we face unprecedented global challenges, we need architects for a new era of exponential leadership - one that is more innovative, inclusive, sustainable and just - where change starts from the power behind power." Kshitij Sainani, Founder and CEO of Learnstar and Director KGSK Alliance West Africa and Asia: "World Frequency Day marks the rise of a new consciousness - one where creativity, learning, and vibration come together to elevate humanity. At Learnstar, we've always believed that education is not just about knowledge, but about energy - the kind that inspires, uplifts, and connects people across cultures. Through our partnership with Frequency School, this historic day is more than a gathering of creators; it's a global movement to show how sound and storytelling can reimagine the way we learn and live. This is the dawn of a new chapter - where education vibrates on a higher frequency, unlocking creativity and purpose for a new generation of thinkers and dreamers worldwide." Kingsley Maduka, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of the Frequency School: "I'm grateful to be a part of the launch of World Frequency Day. Bringing more awareness to how music and wellness intersect allows the Frequency School, likeminded organizations and individuals to pour into humanity in a very intentional way. This call-to-action highlights how we can use sound therapy and wellness tools daily for our mind and body." Brandon Lee, Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer of the Frequency School: "World Frequency Day reminds us that sound is not just heard, it shapes our emotions, our health, and our connection to one another. By tuning into the power of frequency, we can align ourselves and our world toward greater harmony." Aaron Dawson, Co-Founder and Creative Director of the Frequency School: "World Frequency Day is a day to celebrate life's gift of sound and the power of music to create global resonance and alignment. It's an opportunity for the world to harmonize in well-being, unity, and joy. This day is for the dreamers who still have faith and work toward it every day, starting within." ABOUT WORLD FREQUENCY DAY: World Frequency Day is an annual global observance held on November 11 to raise awareness about the positive effects of sound frequencies on mental and physical health and the overall well-being of people around the globe. Created in 2025 by The Frequency School - a global initiative founded by U.S. Grammy-nominated producer Maejor, Martina Fuchs, Kingsley M, Brandon Lee, and Aaron Dawson - the day promotes sound therapy as a tool to nurture mind, body, and spirit. To mark the occasion, tune into soothing frequencies, try meditation or breath work, play singing bowls or gongs, or enjoy the sounds of nature. ABOUT THE FREQUENCY SCHOOL: Website: https://frequency.school Instagram: @thefrequencyschool LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/the-frequency-school The Frequency School first launched at Aiglon College in Switzerland in 2024, introducing sound and music therapy to support student mental health and emotional well-being. Born from lived experience, not just ambition, Frequency School began when Grammy-nominated artist Maejor turned to sound during his cancer recovery and discovered its therapeutic power. Alongside co-founders Brandon Lee, Kingsley Maduka, Martina Fuchs, and Aaron Dawson, they set out to make sound-based wellness more accessible through tools that fit real lives. At its core, the Frequency School believes in small, consistent change, getting 1% better every day. Through music, creativity, and science-backed sound practices, the school invites to reconnect and build clarity, balance, and resilience from the inside out. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2814432/The_Frequency_School.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2699891/5603532/Frequency_School_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-frequency-school-launches-first-world-frequency-day-on-1111-to-spread-global-unity-through-music-and-wellness-302609329.html Amsterdam District Court will decide how much Heineken N.V. has to pay to Macedonian Thrace Brewery (MTB) for years of anti-competitive conduct in the Greek beer market Hearing this week marks the culmination of a decade-long dispute, and follows multiple rulings that confirmed Heineken's liability and the Netherlands as the proper forum for the claim MTB's follow-on damages claim, initially filed in 2017, has withstood all procedural attempts by Heineken to dodge liability for the actions of Athenian Brewery, its Greek subsidiary Athenian Brewery, was fined 31.5 million by Greece's competition authority for unlawfully pressuring wholesalers and retailers to favour its brands The case is being closely watched by independent brewers across Europe, with MTB seeking more than 180 million in damages from the beer giant. Amsterdam District Court's will this week determine the amount in compensation owed by Heineken N.V. to Macedonian Thrace Brewery (MTB) for the proven anti-competitive conduct of its Greek subsidiary, Athenian Brewery. Tuesday's hearing follows years of legal wrangling in the Netherlands and Greece and numerous failed attempts by Heineken to get the case thrown out. A succession of rulings over the past 18 months have confirmed Heineken's liability and established that MTB was right to pursue redress before the Dutch courts. In February this year, the European Court of Justice ruled that Heineken and its 98.8% owned subsidiary, Athenian Brewery, constituted a single economic undertaking that infringed EU competition law a finding which was sufficient to establish the Netherlands as the proper jurisdiction to hear MTB's claims. That decision was reaffirmed by the Opinion of the Advocate General at the Supreme Court of the Netherlands issued on 17 October 2025. MTB is seeking more than 180 million from Heineken, with interest to date already amounting to roughly half the claim's value and still accruing. A final ruling on the amount Heineken will have to pay is expected in the first half of 2026. Heineken faces similar claims from other competitors, most notably Carlsberg, which is seeking more than 300 million in a near-identical action also arising from anti-competitive practices in the Greek market. Competition authorities across Europe and beyond have also investigated or penalised Heineken subsidiaries for anti-competitive practices. In Austria, Heineken's subsidiary Brau Union stands accused of abusing their dominant market position. The Austrian competition authority found in 2023 that Brau Union had engaged in practices "that restrict the sales opportunities and market entry of competing brewers and oust existing drinks retailers from the market." During the most recent session of the Vienna Cartel Court in September, Heineken argued that its Austrian arm operates independently a claim widely questioned in the Austrian media after internal correspondence surfaced in which Brau Union's own former legal counsel appeared to write that the brewer was "controlled by Heineken". Given the scale of Brau Union's market abuse, the final penalty could be up to 10% of Heineken's global turnover generated in the preceding business year. These issues add to the mounting pressure on Heineken's chief executive, Dolf van den Brink, as legal troubles converge with rapidly declining beer sales and growing investor unease. Demetri Chriss, Director of Business Development at MTB, said: "The day of reckoning for Heineken is fast approaching in the Amsterdam District Court, and we're confident that our groundbreaking case will inspire others to seek justice." The case will be heard all day on Tuesday 11 November by the Amsterdam District Court, located at Parnassusweg 280, 1076 AV Amsterdam. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111327314/en/ Contacts: Media enquiries Palatine Communications Conal Walsh Richard Seed Josh Wolff MTB@palatine-media.com Swiss Operator Leverages Netcracker's Strong Partnership and Unbroken Delivery Track Record to Increase Efficiencies and Reduce Overall Costs Through Automation Netcracker Technology announced today that its long-term customer Swisscom has extended and expanded its partnership for a new engagement focused on consolidating its IT systems onto Netcracker's industry-leading domain orchestration platform to support the operator's B2B line of business. Netcracker has previously delivered numerous successful domain automation solutions for Swisscom's networks, which have helped the operator accelerate its modernization program and level of automation. The automation of Swisscom's network domains is a major undertaking that has resulted in many improvements across its network and IT, including shorter time to market, increased stability and cost reduction. Building upon this success, Swisscom has selected Netcracker Domain Orchestration as its platform of choice for B2B overlay services (Business WAN) so it can take a new approach to address the challenges of a highly complex IT landscape. By leveraging Netcracker's platform, Swisscom will benefit from improved efficiencies of its IT systems, the ability to respond quickly to future requirements, lower costs attributed to establishing a joint central DevOps team to manage the platform and the move to a TM Forum ODA-compliant architecture based on operational domain management. "With the proven achievements of Netcracker's Domain Orchestration solution in other areas of our business, including underlay, access and cross-domain, we are confident that we can extend the platform to support our critical Business WAN," said Marius Stricker, VP Solution Manager B2B Telco at Swisscom. "We are happy to have Netcracker alongside us as our trusted partner for this important endeavor that will further our autonomous networking program and goals." "We have been fortunate to work closely with Swisscom for many years on a number of projects that have helped it reach high levels of automation across many domains," said Bob Titus, Chief Technology Officer at Netcracker. "Expanding into the B2B space is another fantastic opportunity for additional positive business outcomes, and we look forward to the continued partnership with such an innovative operator." About Netcracker Technology Netcracker Technology, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation, has the expertise, culture and resources to help service providers around the world transform their businesses to thrive in the digital economy. Our innovative solutions, value-driven services and unbroken delivery track record have enabled our customers to grow and succeed for more than three decades. With the latest technological advancements in key areas including 5G monetization, AI, automation and vertical industries, we help service providers to reach their transformation goals, advance their telco to techco evolution and realize business growth and profitability. To learn more, visit www.netcracker.com. About Swisscom Swisscom is the leading ICT company in Switzerland and, with Fastweb Vodafone, the strong #2 in the Italian market. The company offers mobile, Internet and TV, as well as comprehensive IT and digital services to private and business customers. Swisscom is the most sustainable telecommunications company in the world and is 51% owned by the Swiss Confederation. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111389859/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Anita Karve Netcracker Technology MediaGroup@Netcracker.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - Lux Metals Corp. (TSXV: LXM) ("Lux" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an option agreement dated November 10, 2025 (the "Option Agreement") with La Pulga Mining Corp. (the "Optionor") to acquire an undivided 100% interest in the La Grande Project ("La Grande" or the "Project"), a high-grade gold project, located in the James Bay region of Quebec (see Figure 1) (the "Transaction"). The Project is transected by the all-season Transtaiga Road, approximately 80 kilometres east of the community of Radisson. La Grande comprises 15,357 hectares across two exclusive exploration right (EER) blocks, covering more than 40 kilometres of prospective Archean greenstone belt within the La Grande Subprovince (see Figure 2). The Project is road accessible year-round and is situated close to hydroelectric power infrastructure. Transaction Highlights Lux granted an option to acquire a 100% interest in the La Grande Project, a high-grade gold project strategically situated in the James Bay region of Quebec. Notable historical drill results (see Figure 3) include 1 : 83.8 metres @ 7.95 g/t Au (LGS97-98) 38.5 metres @ 4.32 g/t Au (LGS98-125) 56.0 metres @ 2.73 g/t Au (LGS97-83) 36.0 metres @ 3.37 g/t Au (LGS97-103) 47.4 metres @ 2.06 g/t Au (LGS01-170) 37.0 metres @ 1.93 g/t Au (LGS12-224) Historical drilling has defined broad , continuous zones of gold mineralization beginning near surface and extending to depths of approximately 300 metres , demonstrating excellent continuity within the mineralized system. Gold mineralization is structurally controlled, predominantly associated with a regional east-northern shear zone that transects the property. The Project spans 15,357 ha across 40 km of prospective Archean greenstone belt with historical drilling focused on only a two-kilometre portion of the trend, leaving significant upside potential along strike. Excellent infrastructure with year-round road access via the Transtaiga Road and proximity to hydroelectric power and service centres in Radisson and the La Grande-4 (LG-4) hydroelectric generating station. Carl Ginn, President and CEO of Lux, stated: "La Grande represents a rare opportunity to secure a district-scale land package in a proven gold belt. With multiple mineralized zones and a fertile regional shear system extending across the property, the Project offers significant discovery potential. Our exploration strategy will target high-grade zones both down plunge from historical drilling and along untested surface targets along the broader 40-kilometer gold trend." Figure 1. La Grande regional location map in James Bay, Quebec. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11776/273927_0133cb6e14703a62_001full.jpg Figure 2. La Grande Project map showing 40km of Archean gold trend, historic drilling and sampling results. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11776/273927_0133cb6e14703a62_002full.jpg La Grande Project Highlights The La Grande Project is notable for its large number of gold occurrences and the extent of past exploration. More than a dozen named showings have been documented, including Zone 32, Pari, Ugo, Breche, Vein Zone, Mico, Milan, Orezone, and Wogogoosh. These mineralized zones occur in varied geological contexts from broad shear-hosted quartz-carbonate systems several metres wide, to narrow laminated quartz veins hosting exceptionally high gold grades. The Zone 32 system has been the most extensively drilled to date and demonstrates both wide, continuous zones of gold mineralization and discrete high-grade intercepts. The historical results indicate significant widths of mineralization from surface to depths of approximately 300 m, with multiple holes ending in mineralization. While the majority of historical drilling targeted the Zone 32 system, many other showings remain largely untested by drilling despite strong surface results from trenching and channel sampling. From the mid-1990s through 2015, the La Grande Project saw sustained exploration, including geological mapping, geophysics, geochemistry, trenching, and drilling1. Over this period, 253 diamond drill holes totaling 52,472 metres were completed, primarily on the Zone 32 system, alongside 235 trenches, 14,180 rock and channel samples, and 9,700 till samples. This work defined multiple mineralized trends, returned significant high-grade intercepts, and established a large, well-documented exploration dataset that provides a strong foundation for modern targeting. Figure 3. Longitudinal Section showing high-grade gold intercepts along 2 km mineralized trend at La Grande To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11776/273927_0133cb6e14703a62_003full.jpg Geology La Grande Project is strategically located within a major, regionally extensive shear system developed along the contact between the La Grande Tonalite and adjacent basaltic volcanic rocks. This structural corridor, which transects much of the Project's 40+ kilometre strike length, is recognized as the principal control on gold mineralization in the region. The tonalite-basalt contact is a particularly favourable host environment, as competency contrasts between lithologies create enhanced fracturing and permeability during deformation, allowing gold-bearing fluids to focus along these boundaries. Within the Project area, these structures range from discrete high-strain zones only a few metres wide to broad shear corridors up to 30 metres in thickness. Alteration is typically dominated by sericite, carbonate, and silica, with sulphide assemblages of pyrite, pyrrhotite, and lesser chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite1. These features are consistent with orogenic gold systems across the Archean greenstone terranes of the Canadian Shield. Infrastructure The Project has excellent year-round road access via the Transtaiga Road and is within close proximity to hydroelectric power and service centres in Radisson and LG-4. Quebec's James Bay region is consistently ranked among the top jurisdictions globally for mineral exploration and development, offering a stable regulatory framework, modern infrastructure, and strong community and logistical support. Next Steps Recent work has transformed the La Grande Project's vast historical dataset into a modern, integrated exploration dataset. All available geological, geochemical, geophysical, and drilling data have been digitized, spatially validated, and compiled into a single database capable of supporting advanced 3D geological modelling. This includes high-resolution drone-based LiDAR and orthophotography, which provide excellent topographic and structural control, as well as recent airborne and ground geophysical surveys that refine the definition of prospective shear zones and associated alteration systems. This integrated database will allow Lux to rapidly generate and prioritize drill targets by combining historical results with modern structural interpretations, shortening the timeline from acquisition to targeted drilling and reducing duplicate early-stage work. All reported intervals are downhole core lengths; true widths are not known at this time. The drilling results in this news release are from work conducted by Virginia Gold Mines between 1995 and 2015. The data is considered historical in nature and has been compiled from public sources believed to be accurate. The Company has not verified the historical drilling results, and therefore they should not be relied upon. Transaction Terms Under the terms of the Option Agreement, the Company can earn a 100% interest in the Project, subject to underlying royalties of 4%, by completing the following: a private placement of not less than C$2,000,000 (the "Financing"); and following completion of the Financing, issuing to La Pulga the number of common shares of the Company ("Shares") equal to 19.9% of the then outstanding Shares following such issuance. In the event the Company issues a technical report in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") by a "qualified person" (as defined in NI 43-101) over any or all of the Project that demonstrates "mineral resources" (as defined in NI 43-101) of at least 500,000 ounces of gold equivalent mineralization, the Company will issue to La Pulga 4,000,000 Shares. In the event the Company issues a subsequent technical report in accordance with NI 43-101 that demonstrates additional "mineral resources" (as defined in NI 43-101) of at least 2,000,000 ounces of gold equivalent mineralization, the Company will issue to La Pulga an additional 4,000,000 Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not issue any Shares to La Pulga to the extent that, after giving effect to such issuance, La Pulga will hold in excess of 19.99% of the issued and outstanding Shares; provided that, once the issuance of Shares to La Pulga would not be in excess of 19.99%, the Company will issue such Shares to La Pulga as soon as reasonably practicable. For so long as La Pulga holds at least 5% of the issued and outstanding Shares: La Pulga will have the right to designate one nominee for election or appointment to the Board of Directors of the Company; and if the Company desires to sell, transfer or assign its rights in the Project to a third party, La Pulga will have a right of first refusal to acquire such rights on the same terms and conditions which the Company offers the same to a third party. La Pulga's first Board nominee will be Jean-Felix Lepage, who was elected as a director of the Company at the Company's shareholder meeting held on September 9, 2025. The Transaction is subject to the final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Transaction is not an "arm's-length transaction" and therefore constitutes a "reviewable transaction" pursuant to TSXV Policy 5.3, as Jean-Felix Lepage, a director of the Company, is the CEO and a director of La Pulga. No finders' fees will be paid in connection with the Transaction. La Pulga may unilaterally terminate the Option Agreement if the Company fails to obtain the necessary TSXV approvals within 60 days of the date of the Option Agreement or if the Company does not exercise the Option prior to the date that is 120 days from the date of TSXV acceptance. Qualified person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jonathan Marleau, P.Geo., Senior Geologist at Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., an independent consultant of the Company, and a Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101. On Behalf of the Board of Lux Metals Corp. Carl Ginn President and Chief Executive Officer Neither TSX Venture Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements include, among other things: statements relating to the completion of the Financing and the Transaction; including TSXV approval and the closing of the Transaction; and statements relating to the Project, including the Company's future exploration plans. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of the management of the Company, including, without limitation: that the parties will obtain all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals and consents required for the completion of the Transaction, including TSXV approval; that the other conditions to the completion of the Transaction will be fulfilled; that the Company will be able to complete the Financing; and that the Company will be able to complete planned exploration activities as anticipated. Additionally, forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: the conditions to the consummation of the Transaction may not be satisfied; the Transaction may involve unexpected costs, liabilities or delays; the failure of the Company to complete the Financing; the failure of the Company to obtain all requisite approvals for the Transaction, including the approval of the TSXV; and the completion of the Transaction may be adversely impacted by changes in legislation, changes in TSXV policies, political instability or general market conditions. Such forward-looking information represents the best judgment of the management of the Company based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this press release. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this press release by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this press release. 1 Marleau, J., 2025. Assessment Report on the La Grande Project, Quebec. Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd. for Electric Elements Mining Corp., October 2, 2025 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273927 SOURCE: Lux Metals Corp. Marietta, Georgia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - Bonafide Auto Parts has announced the launch of its new brake calipers and matched brake pads & rotors, engineered to meet Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) specifications. The launch is designed to support the growing needs of professional technicians, fleet operators, and everyday drivers, as vehicles remain in service longer and braking systems face increased performance demands. The release addresses a key trend in the automotive sector: vehicles now routinely exceed 150,000 miles in operation, requiring high-quality replacement components that deliver consistent safety and reliability. Bonafide Auto Parts developed its new braking systems to align with these changing conditions by emphasizing fitment precision, heat control, and durability. Bonafide Auto Parts Launches Premium Brake Calipers and Matched Brake Pads and Rotors for Enhanced Vehicle Safety To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/273970_figure1.jpg "Every driver deserves braking components that inspire confidence," said a spokesperson for Bonafide Auto Parts. "With our upgraded brake caliper solutions and our matched Brake Pads & Rotors kits, we've focused on the details that matter most - fitment accuracy, thermal control, and long-term durability. Whether a vehicle racks up highway miles or navigates busy city streets, our goal is to help customers stop shorter, smoother, and safer." The announcement also highlights growing awareness in the aftermarket industry of the risks associated with inconsistent braking components. Mismatched or poorly fitted parts can lead to issues such as uneven pad wear, vibration, or extended stopping distances. Bonafide Auto Parts' new products address these challenges by ensuring each component aligns precisely with manufacturer specifications and undergoes comprehensive performance and durability testing before release. The launch further reflects a broader shift in how vehicle maintenance is being approached across the automotive industry. As vehicle fleets age, the importance of component quality and compatibility has increased. By introducing precisely engineered, OEM-spec components, Bonafide Auto Parts provides a more consistent and dependable solution for maintaining braking performance over time. Bonafide Auto Parts has announced the launch of its new brake calipers and matched brake pads & rotors To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/273970_figure2.jpg For drivers, this supports safer, more predictable braking as vehicles accumulate mileage. For technicians and fleet operators, standardized components help reduce installation errors, minimize unplanned downtime, and support more efficient and reliable maintenance operations. Through this product launch, Bonafide Auto Parts reinforces its commitment to engineering integrity, safety, and continuous improvement. The company plans to expand its testing protocols and product coverage in response to emerging braking technologies, evolving material standards, and the demands of modern vehicle platforms. This approach supports Bonafide Auto Parts' goal of making high-quality braking performance broadly accessible and dependable for American drivers. About Bonafide Auto Parts: Bonafide Auto Parts is a U.S.-based automotive parts manufacturer headquartered in Marietta, Georgia. The company provides aftermarket components engineered to meet OEM specifications, including braking systems, suspension parts, engine components, and more. Bonafide Auto Parts serves professional technicians, fleet operators, and vehicle owners nationwide. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/273970_figure3.png To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273970 SOURCE: GetFeatured Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - Compass Gold Corp. (TSXV: CVB) (Compass or the Company) is pleased to report that the Ministry of Environment, Sanitation and Sustainable Development of Mali has granted the Company's Environmental Permit, clearing the way for the Ministry of Mines to issue a Small Mine Permit for the Company's Massala prospect located along the 15 km Tarabala Trend. Highlights: Receipt of Environmental Permit was the critical last step in the Massala Small Mine Permit application process Final Small Mine Permit issuance from the Ministry of Mines should proceed quickly Bulk sampling to test the main zone of the proposed Massala Small Mine permit area is ongoing Compass CEO Larry Phillips said, "The receipt of this critical Environmental Permit is the result of almost a year of tireless work by our Malian team. The application process and review procedures for this permit involved extensive collaboration with Ministry officials, independent consultants, and local stakeholders to complete the required technical studies. All materials required for the granting of the Small Mine permit are now in the hands of the Ministry of Mines, and we anticipate that this final step in our permitting process will proceed very quickly. "Meanwhile, as we continue the bulk sampling and planning for this first Small Mine Permit for Massala, we are also reviewing our large endowment of exploration permit areas around our Sikasso Property area, where we believe we will be able to develop more small mines as well as other opportunities to realize significant value for our shareholders from portions of our holdings." Massala Small Mine Permit As Compass Gold has previously reported, the Company's Small Mine permit application for Massala, one of the first under the provisions of the new Malian Mining Code for Small Mines (See Compass news release dated August 19, 2024), has been the subject of a rigorous environmental review. Receipt of this Environmental Permit follows the previously announced (See Compass news release dated September 4, 2025) approval of the Environmental and Social Impact Study by the Malian Inter-Ministerial Committee. With the completion of the government's review by its technical team and environmental consultants of the Environmental Permit, Compass has effectively received pre-approval for the placement of its own processing facility within the Massala permit area. Copies of the Environmental Permit and an AI-generated English translation are available here: Small Mine Project - Compass Gold Corp. Bulk Sampling Continues As Compass advances its development plans for its first near-surface gold mine, the bulk sampling process to test the main zone of the proposed Massala Small Mine permit area, the Company's Malian team has extracted more than 200 tonnes of mineralized material for testing. The results of this work are being used to identify the most effective and cost-efficient processing system to be used once the Small Mine Permit is received. About Compass Gold Corp. Compass, a public company incorporated in Ontario, is a Tier 2 issuer on the TSX-V. Through the 2017 acquisition of MGE and Malian subsidiaries, Compass holds gold exploration permits located in Mali that comprise the Sikasso Property. The exploration permits are located in three sites in southern Mali with a combined land holding of 1,173 sq. km. The Sikasso Property is located in the same region as several multi-million-ounce gold projects, including Morila, Syama, Kalana and Komana. The Company's Mali-based technical team, led in the field by Dr. Madani Diallo and under the supervision of Dr. Sandy Archibald, P.Geo, is conducting the current exploration program. They are examining numerous anomalies first noted in Dr. Archibald's August 2017 "National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on the Sikasso Property, Southern Mali." Qualified Person This news release has been reviewed and approved by EurGeol. Dr. Sandy Archibald, P.Geo, Compass's Technical Director, the Qualified Person for the technical information in this news release under National Instrument 43-101 standards. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the Company's planned exploration work and management appointments. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by such information. The statements in this news release are made as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) 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/273961 SOURCE: Compass Gold Corporation Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - Vext Science, Inc. (CSE: VEXT) (OTCQX: VEXTF) ("Vext" or the "Company"), a U.S.-based cannabis operator with vertical operations in Arizona and Ohio, today announced that it plans to release its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025, before market open on November 20, 2025. The Company will host a conference call and webcast on the same day, Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 08:00 a.m. ET to discuss the financial results. CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS Date: November 20, 2025 | Time: 8:00 am E.T. Participant Dial-in: +1-647-849-3159 or 1-833-752-3966 Replay Dial-in: +1-412-317-0088 or 1-855-669-9658 Conference ID: 10204616 Playback #: 4318941 (Expires on December 4, 2025) Listen to webcast: https://www.gowebcasting.com/14537 A replay of the conference call and webcast will be available on Vext's investor website following the conclusion of the call. For more details, contact the IR team at investors@vextscience.com. About Vext Science, Inc. Vext Science, Inc. is a U.S.-based cannabis operator with vertical operations in Arizona and Ohio. Vext's expertise spans from cultivation through to retail operations in its key markets. Based out of Arizona, Vext owns and operates state-of-the-art cultivation facilities, fully built-out manufacturing facilities as well as dispensaries in both Arizona and Ohio. The Company manufactures Vapen, one of the leading THC concentrates, edibles, and distillate cartridge brands in Arizona. Its selection of award-winning products are created with Vext's in-house, high-quality flower and distributed across Arizona and Ohio. Vext's leadership team brings a proven track record of building and operating profitable multi-state operations. The Company's primary focus is to continue growing in its core states of Arizona and Ohio, bringing together cutting-edge science, manufacturing, and marketing to provide a reliable and valuable customer experience while generating shareholder value. Vext Science, Inc. is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol VEXT and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol VEXTF. Learn more at www.vextscience.com and connect with Vext on Twitter/X and LinkedIn. For more details on the Vapen brand: Vapen website: VapenBrands.com Instagram: @vapen Facebook: @vapenbrands Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in Vext's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding the expected filing date of the financial results, future developments and the business and operations of the Vext, all of which are subject to the risk factors contained in Vext's continuous disclosure filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Vext has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; being engaged in activities currently considered illegal under U.S. Federal laws; change in laws; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; hindered market growth and state adoption due to inconsistent public opinion and perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry and; regulatory or political change. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. Because of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. Vext disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and Vext does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release. SOURCE: Vext Science, Inc To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273883 SOURCE: VEXT Science, Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - South Pacific Metals Corp. (TSXV: SPMC) (OTCQB: SPMEF) (FSE: 6J00) ("SPMC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce receipt of multi-element rock chip assay results from samples of mineralized structures, at the Ontenu NE prospect within its Osena Project. The Project lies within a major NE-SW corridor known as the Kainantu Transfer Zone, which also hosts the large Kainantu Gold-Copper mine being mined by K92 Mining Ltd. Highlights from Ontenu NE latest rock chips Multi-element results received that complement previously received gold results* (in brackets below) from a 3m wide fault zone & splay structures within a zone of structures about 19m wide at the Onki Fault area (shown as the Onki Fault area in Figure 1 and detailed in Figure 2). 21.2% Cu, 214 g/t Ag, (0.41 g/t Au) (0.25m massive sulphide in splay structure) 18.1% Cu, 310 g/t Ag, (0.32 g/t Au) (0.7m splay structure) 12.4% Cu, 131 g/t Ag, (1.21 g/t Au) (0.2-0.5m splay structure) 0.2% Cu, 32 g/t Ag, (8.6 g/t Au) (1m wide channel sample in fault breccia) In a separate zone* at Ontenu NE, some 700m west of the Onki Fault, as shown on Figure 1. 1.2% Cu, 258 g/t Ag, & 8.65 % Zn, (9.34 g/t Au) in narrow quartz vein (0.25m) Mapping and sampling continue. *Gold results previously released (refer release dated October 6, 2025), with multi-element results now received for Cu-Ag-Zn. "Ontenu NE has produced some great copper assays to complement the previously released high-grade gold results," said Timo Jauristo, CEO of the Company. "The gold-base-metal association in veins and faults is characteristic of intermediate sulfidation epithermal deposits, similar to those being mined by K92 Mining to the north. As previously announced, we have recently commenced drilling in the southern part of Ontenu NE. These new copper results highlight the high potential of the entire Ontenu NE area, and we look forward to drill testing all the structures that have been discovered." Figure 1. Ontenu NE area target areas, rock chip results and mapped structures. Refer to Appendix 1 for details on latest results. Refer Figure 2 (Onki Fault area) & Figure 5 (Southern area) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10890/273895_13f8dc02b486bae5_001full.jpg Figure 2. Onki Creek Fault area with detailed inset at the fault breccia exposure with multiple structures dominant in Au-Cu To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10890/273895_13f8dc02b486bae5_002full.jpg Figure 3. Bifurcating splay structure near the Onki Creek Fault. Massive sulphide with grade of 21.2% Cu, 214g/t Ag and 0.41g/t Au. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10890/273895_13f8dc02b486bae5_003full.jpg Ontenu NE latest results The Ontenu NE prospect is part of the wider 5 x 3km epithermal footprint of the Ontenu Prospect. Ontenu NE is a 2 sq km zone with multiple structures outlined by surface mapping and soil geochemical anomalies, up to 1200m strike length (Figure 1). The soil anomalies are currently open to the northwest. Refer Appendix 1 for full table of rock results. Onki Creek Zone at Ontenu NE At the Onki Creek Fault zone area (Figure 2) structures are Au-Cu-Ag dominant and hosted primarily in diorite intrusives. The main fault zone has a true width of approximately 3m, strikes NNE-SSW and dips 70o to the WNW. The fault zone is characterized by silica-clay altered breccia with variable and at times abundant sulphide including pyrite and chalcopyrite. Samples from the zone have returned 8.6 g/t gold, 32 g/t silver & 0.2 % copper from a 1m wide channel sample and 0.41 g/t gold, 214 g/t silver & 21.2 % copper from a 0.25m zone of massive sulphide on a splay structure adjoining the fault (Figure 3). Several other near-vertical splay faults from the main Onki Creek Fault, strike N-S to NNW-SSE and are mapped at between 20 and 70cm wide and have returned rock chip sampling grades of 1.21 g/t gold, 131 g/t silver & 12.4 % copper and 0.32 g/t gold, 310 g/t silver & 18.1 % copper (Figure 2 & Figure 4). The splay faults are inferred to link to a second series of NNE-SSW striking structures, which have returned grades up to 1.48 g/t gold and 0.14% copper. Proximal to the Onki Creek Fault, the splays occur within a zone of multiple mineralized structures over at least 19m and overall, the distance from the Onki Creek Fault to the other NNE striking faults is approximately 90m currently interpreted to be a large dilational jog structure and loci for mineralization. Figure 4. Onki Creek splay structures striking N-S to NNW-SSE and sub-vertically dipping showing variable width and high-grade copper mineralization grading 12.4% & 18.14% copper respectively To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10890/273895_13f8dc02b486bae5_004full.jpg Figure 5. Ontenu NE, southern area. Drilling is testing multiple structures including the Au-Ag zones and intersecting the SW dipping Au-Cu-Ag zone. Note: some previously reported Cu-Ag results have been upgraded with re-assay. Refer release dated September 17, 2025. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10890/273895_13f8dc02b486bae5_005full.jpg About the Osena Project Covering 738 km of strategic ground, the Osena Project is located southwest of and adjacent to K92's tenements that host the Kainantu Gold Mine. Priority prospects include Ontenu, a large-scale cluster of intrusive gold -copper epithermal and porphyry and targets extending over 5 km x 3 km. The Ontenu Prospect is one of many occurring within a mineralized corridor that extends more than 40 km northeast across the Kainantu District. Figure 6. Kainantu District with SPMC's Osena Project (SW) and Anga Project (NE) relative to K92 Mining Ltd.'s deposits. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10890/273895_13f8dc02b486bae5_006full.jpg About South Pacific Metals Corp. South Pacific Metals Corp is an emerging gold-copper exploration company operating in the heart of Papua New Guinea's proven gold and copper production corridors. With an expansive 3,100 km land package and four transformative gold-copper projects contiguous with major producers K92 Mining, PanAust and neighbouring Barrick/Zijin, new leadership and experienced in-country teams are prioritizing thoughtful and rigorous technical programs focused on boots-on-the-ground exploration to prioritize discovery across its portfolio projects: Anga, Osena, Kili Teke, and May River. Immediately flanking K92 Mining's active drilling and gold producing operations to the northeast and southwest, SPMC's Anga and Osena Projects are located within the high-grade Kainantu Gold District - each having the potential to host similar-style lode-gold and porphyry copper-gold mineralization as that present within K92's tenements. Kili Teke is an advanced exploration project situated only 40 km from the world-class Porgera Gold Mine and hosts an existing Inferred Mineral Resource with multiple opportunities for expansion and further discovery. The May River Project is located adjacent to the world-renowned Frieda River copper-gold project, with historical drilling indicating potential for a significant, untapped-gold mineralized system. SPMC common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: SPMC), the OTCQB Marketplace (OTCQB: SPMEF) and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: 6J00). Quality Assurance and Quality Control Rock Sampling Unless noted as a channel sample with width, rock samples are selective grab samples and collected Company geologists in the field. Samples were sent to the ITS (PNG) Ltd (Intertek) Laboratory in Lae. Gold assays were conducted using 50g charge Fire Assay with Atomic Absorption Spectra finish (Intertek Code FA50/AA), with a detection limit of 0.01ppm. Copper and silver assays were initially assayed with 3-acid digest (Intertek Code PGGA03). Samples were then sent to Intertek Australia for full multi-element assays to be determined using 4-acid digestion with Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS) (Intertek code 4A/MS48). Certified reference material, duplicates and blanks were inserted into the rock sample stream to monitor laboratory performance, with no significant variations from expected results. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information disclosed in this release has been compiled by Company geologists and consultants and reviewed and approved by Darren Holden, BSc(Hons) (Geology), PhD, FAusIMM, a "Qualified Person" as defined under the Canadian Institute of Mining National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Dr. Holden is a Technical Advisor to the Company. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Information Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainty affecting the business of SPMC. In making the forward-looking statements, SPMC has applied certain assumptions that are based on information available to the Company, including SPMC's strategic plan for the near and mid-term. There is no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements may involve various risks and uncertainties affecting the business of the Company. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because of the context of the statements, including such words as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "plans", "may", "estimates", or words of a similar nature. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: the start of drill testing and the timing thereof, and further exploration programs. These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic, regulatory, or other unforeseen uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, without limitation: success of the Company's projects, prices for metals remaining as estimated, currency exchange rates remaining as estimated, availability of funds for the Company's projects, capital, decommissioning and reclamation estimates, prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation), no labour-related disruptions, no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled construction and production, all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner, and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in gold prices, fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation), fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar), operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mineral exploration, inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and hazards, the Company's ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner, changes in laws, regulations and government practices, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations, legal restrictions relating to mineral exploration, increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel, the availability of additional capital, title matters and the additional risks identified in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described, or intended. Investors are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's property. Appendix 1 Table 1. Latest campaign rock chips from Ontenu NE >0.1g/t Au or >0.2% Cu (ordered largest to smallest by Cu). All coordinates in WGS 84 Zone 55. Samples are surveyed using hand-held GPS with +-5m accuracy. Some adjustments to location on the maps in this release, have been done to correct for GPS accuracy based on local scale mapping. Sample ID Easting Northing Description Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) Copper (%) Zinc (%) E22504 366298 9296284 Massive sulphide with chalco+cov. (0.25m) 0.41 214 21.19 0.06 E22511 366263 9296374 0.7m Fault breccia with sulphide 0.32 310 18.14 0.08 E22444 366286 9296298 0.2-0.5m Fault breccia with sulphide 1.21 131 12.36 0.02 E22445 366302 9296280 Diorite with shear zone and sulphide 0.38 25 1.24 0.05 E21042 365684 9296106 Quartz vein + semi-massive sulphide (25cm) 9.34 258 1.24 8.65 E22502 366267 9296364 Oxidized volcanic with malachite veinlets 0.08 0.15 0.27 0.03 E22442 366328 9296258 Diorite porphyry with sericite-pyrite 0.06 1.54 0.25 0.27 E22440 366239 9296439 Diorite porphyry with sericite-pyrite - 0.39 0.21 0.05 E22503 366288 9296292 Diorite porphyry with sericite-sulphide 0.03 3.89 0.21 0.1 E22512 366301 9296281 Onki Creek Fault Breccia - 1m channel sample 8.6 32.7 0.21 0.12 E21043 366263 9296432 Diorite traces of sulphide and copper oxide 1.48 17.5 0.14 0.76 E22505 366300 9296282 2m wide fault zone with sulphide 0.03 3.01 0.12 0.08 E22458 365898 9296228 Silicified breccia in sediment with sulphide 0.1 12.2 0.07 0.01 E21038 365984 9296346 10-30cm wide vein with sulphide 7.69 15.8 0.06 0.66 E22469 366240 9296001 Andesite porphyry with iron staining 1.53 3.37 0.05 0.04 E22506 366234 9296413 Shatter zone with minor sulphide 0.1 15.4 0.04 0.28 E22470 366303 9296073 Andesite porphyry with iron staining 0.59 0.85 0.04 0 E20629A 366017 9296239 No description 0.12 0.14 0.02 0 E22455 365834 9296237 Brecciated, silicified breccia in meta-sediment 0.13 0.54 0.02 0.01 E22490 366270 9296185 Andesite porphyry with iron staining 0.24 0.23 0.02 0 E22472 366442 9296129 Volcanic breccia with silica and iron staining 0.13 0.17 0.02 0 E22471 366437 9296127 Andesite porphyry with iron staining 0.25 0.14 0.02 0 E22477 365991 9296362 Argillic altered andesite dyke (5-8m wide) 1.62 11.5 0.01 0.23 E21037 365955 9296330 Massive pyrite vein 0.43 4.38 0.01 0.05 E20625A 365982 9296200 No description 0.11 0.17 0.01 0 E22520 365973 9296175 No description 0.14 0.19 0.01 - E22495 366219 9296353 Volcanic breccia with silica and iron staining 0.11 1.09 - - E22494 366240 9296326 Volcanic breccia with silica and iron staining 0.12 0.2 - - E22493 366268 9296308 Volcanic breccia with silica and iron staining 0.12 0.18 - - To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273895 SOURCE: South Pacific Metals Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD) (OTCQX: KLDCF) (FSE: 3WQ0) ("Kenorland" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of drilling at the O'Sullivan Project (the "Project"), located in the Abitibi greenstone belt of Quebec and held under an option agreement with Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. ("Sumitomo"). 2025 Fall Exploration Program A total budget of $1.72 million has been approved by Sumitomo for the fall 2025 exploration program. The program will comprise up to 2,925 metres of diamond drilling, representing the first test of a target area defined through five years of systematic exploration. Drilling will focus on a series of interpreted structures and coincident geophysical anomalies within a folded sequence of mafic volcanic and mafic-ultramafic intrusive rocks. Kenorland is operator of the Project, with drilling activities expected to conclude by early December. Figure 1. Plan map of planned drill hole locations with geology and gold-in-till geochemistry To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6489/273910_1f9631acd4c8aa08_001full.jpg Target Area During the 2025 exploration campaign, the Company completed infill till sampling and an induced polarisation ("IP") survey across the target area. This work followed earlier geochemical surveys carried out in 2020 and 2021, a property-wide airborne versatile time-domain electromagnetic survey, and detailed mapping completed in 2023. The underlying geology consists of broadly folded, mafic-dominant volcanic rocks with minor interbedded rhyolite, intruded by early mafic-ultramafic sills that have developed penetrative fabrics and are locally cross-cut by east-northeast-trending shear zones. The folded stratigraphy lies immediately west of an interpreted early syn-volcanic granodiorite pluton. The fall 2025 drill program is designed to test several strong, discrete chargeability and conductivity anomalies identified by the recent IP survey that coincide with interpreted structures and lithological contacts. Drilling will cross multiple lithological settings within a structural corridor highlighted by gold-in-till anomalism, prospective for orogenic gold mineralisation. Figure 2. Regional geology with significant gold and VMS deposits and O'Sullivan Project location To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6489/273910_1f9631acd4c8aa08_002full.jpg About O'Sullivan Project The O'Sullivan Project covers 27,587 hectares of mineral tenure within the Abitibi greenstone belt along the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone ("CBDZ"). The CBDZ is one of the primary structures that controls orogenic gold mineralisation in the belt and hosts the active Casa Berardi mine that has produced over 2.0 million ounces of gold since 1988, with recent proven and probable reserves of 1.27 million ounces*. Other major deposits along the CBDZ include the Douay gold deposit (2.52 million oz Au inferred and 511,000 oz Au indicated)** as well as the Nelligan gold deposit, having a 5.16 million oz Au inferred and 3.12 million oz gold indicated resource***. The O'Sullivan Project covers approximately 15 kilometres of strike length along the southern margin of the CBDZ where the deformation zone intersects volcanic rocks of the Stoughton-Roquemaure and Kidd-Munro assemblages. The Project is located approximately 50 kilometres east of the city of Lebel-sur-Quevillon and 150 kilometres northeast of Val-d'Or, Quebec. Local infrastructure includes a power transmission line transecting the property, a railway line approximately 5 kilometres to the north of the Project, and an extensive network of logging roads throughout the property. The Project is currently under an option agreement with Sumitomo (the "Option Agreement"), whereby Sumitomo can earn an initial 51% interest in the Project by incurring an aggregate of $4,900,000 in mineral exploration expenditures on or before the third anniversary of the Option Agreement (of which $1,200,000 are guaranteed expenditures within the first three years). Kenorland will act as operator of the Project in return for a management fee equal to 15% of the total expenditures during the first earn-in period. Following the earning of a 51% interest, Sumitomo has the option to earn an additional 19% (for a total of 70% interest), by delivering a NI 43-101 compliant feasibility study on the Project disclosing mineral resources in the measured and indicated categories of not less than 1,500,000 ounces of gold (or AuEq) within an additional seven years. Once Sumitomo has earned a 70% interest, Kenorland will have the option to forego a minority joint venture interest and immediately vest a net smelter returns royalty interest of 4% on the Project. In the event of joint venture participation, any party which dilutes to below a 10% interest will exchange its joint venture interest for a net smelter returns royalty of 3% (subject to a 1% buyback for $1,000,000). *Technical Report Summary on the Casa Berardi Mine, Northwestern Quebec, Canada. Prepared for Hecla Mining Company, effective date December 31, 2023. **Technical Report on the Douay and Joutel Projects Northwestern Quebec, Canada. Prepared for Maple Gold Mines Ltd., effective date March 17, 2022. ***NI-43-101 Technical Report, Nelligan Gold Project, Quebec. Prepared for IAMGOLD Corporation, effective date December 31, 2024. The mineral resources and reserves discussed for properties along the CBDZ are not located on the O'Sullivan Project. The Company has not verified this information and it is not being treated as current mineral resources or reserves of the Company. The information is provided for geological context only. Qualified Person Cedric Mayer, M.Sc., P.Geo. (OGQ #02385), Senior Project Geologist at Kenorland, "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. About Kenorland Minerals Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD) is a well-financed mineral exploration company focused on project generation and early-stage exploration in North America. Kenorland's exploration strategy is to advance greenfields projects through systematic, property-wide, phased exploration surveys financed primarily through exploration partnerships including option to joint venture agreements. Kenorland holds a 4% net smelter return royalty on the Frotet Project in Quebec which is owned by Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. The Frotet Project hosts the Regnault gold system, a greenfields discovery made by Kenorland and Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. in 2020. Kenorland is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Further information can be found on the Company's website www.kenorlandminerals.com On behalf of the Board of Directors, Zach Flood President, CEO & Director Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) 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/273910 SOURCE: Kenorland Minerals Ltd. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - Atomic Minerals Corporation (TSXV: ATOM) ("ATOMIC MINERALS" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company has received approval for the drilling of up to 15 drill holes at its 6,500-acre Harts Point Uranium Project ("Harts Point") in San Juan County, Utah. These holes will target the basal Moss Back member of the Chinle formation for uranium mineralization at depths of + 1500 feet (457 metres) and follow up on the successful 2024 drill results from former joint venture partner Kraken Energy. Clive Massey, President & CEO of Atomic Minerals, commented, "We are very pleased to have approval for 15 drill holes at Harts Point. The focus of the next phase of drilling will be defining and tracing uranium mineralization along strike which we hope will define an arcuate belt similar to that at Lisbon Valley." Off-scale radioactivity readings within the Moss Back Member of the Chinle Formation from downhole gamma ray probes of three historic oil and gas holes 4.5 km (2.8 miles) apart led to Atomic's staking of the Harts Point project, as part of the Atomic technical team's assessment of the Paradox Basin for Lisbon Valley analogs. The two hole drilled by Kraken Energy Corp.in 2024 highlighted anomalous down-hole readings in the Moss Back (see 2024-Mar-26 News Release). Lisbon Valley, 31 km or 19 miles east of Harts Point, encompasses the Big Indian mining district, which produced just under 80 million pounds of uranium oxide ("U3O") and 19 million pounds of vanadium from 17 large mines between 1948 and 1988 from the Triassic Chinle and Permian Cutler Formations from relatively shallow depths to more than 2,550 feet. This production represents more than 80 percent of the uranium ore mined in Utah during this time period. Ore grades averaged 0.34 percent U3O8, making these the highest grade and thickest mineable widths of all the large uranium mining districts discovered in the United States.1 Lisbon Valley orebodies ranged in dimension from 2 to 13 meters ("m") (7 to 43 feet) thick, 100 to 3,048 m (328 to 10,000 feet) long, and 31 to 427 m (100 to 1,400 feet) wide. Individual orebodies range in size from a few hundred to over 20,000,000 pounds of U3O8, and were found within a S to SE trending arcuate belt 16 miles long by 1 mile (26 km by 1.6 km) wide associated with the SW side of the faulted Lisbon Valley Anticline.1 Several historic mines located 11 km (7 miles) west of the Harts Point Property produced approximately 280,000 lbs U3O at 0.3% U3O from the favorable Chinle Formation host rock.2 The three wide-spaced historic oil and gas wells within the Property boundary along the east flank of the Harts Point Anticline recorded 'off-scale' radioactivity within the favorable Chinle Formation host rock over widths of 2.1 to 3.7 m (7 to 12 feet) from depths of 390 to 417 m (1,280 to 1,368 feet).3 Atomic cautions investors mineralization at Lisbon Valley and west of Harts Point is not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization at Harts Point. Figure 1: Hart Point Property, San Juan County, Utah To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10252/273962_78725879a4549b09_002full.jpg Qualified Person Mr. R. Tim Henneberry, P.Geo. (BC), an advisor to the Company, is the "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the technical contents of this news release and has approved the disclosure of the technical information contained herein. Technical Information The drilling results referenced in this release are from historical data, which Atomic Minerals is utilizing as a guide for current and future exploration efforts. The Company has not independently verified the sampling or analysis of this historical data. The planned drilling program at Harts Point will aim to validate the historical results, advancing the Company's understanding of the uranium potential at the site. About the Harts Point Property Harts Point is located in the heart of the Colorado Plateau, an area often referred to as "the Athabasca Basin of the U.S." due to its rich uranium resources. The property is situated 64 kilometers (40 miles) north of the White Mesa Uranium Mill, the only fully licensed and operational conventional uranium mill in the United States. Harts Point consists of 324 lode mining claims on BLM land, with drillimg approved for up to 15 exploration drill holes. About the Company Atomic Minerals Corp. is a publicly listed exploration company on the TSX Venture Exchange, trading under the symbol ATOM, led by a highly skilled management and technical team with a proven track record in the junior mining sector. Atomic Minerals' objective is to identify exploration opportunities in regions that have been previously overlooked but are geologically similar to those with previous uranium discoveries. These underexplored areas hold immense potential and are in stable geopolitical and economic environments. Atomic Minerals' property portfolio contains uranium projects in three locations within North America, all of which have significant technical merit and or are known for hosting uranium production in the past. Three of the properties are located on the Colorado Plateau, an area which has previously produced 597 million pounds of U3O8; Three others are in the prolific Athabasca Basin region and nine uranium projects are located Northern Saskatchewan, encompassing a total exploration area of 6,495 hectares. For additional information about the Company and its projects, please visit our website at www.atomicminerals.ca ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Clive Massey" Clive H. Massey President & CEO Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Atomic Minerals Corporation believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Atomic Minerals Corporation management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Atomic Minerals Corporation undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. ### 1 Source: Chenoweth, W.L. (1990). Lisbon Valley, Utah's Premier Uranium Area, a Summary of Exploration and Ore Production. Utah Geological Survey Open File Report 188, July 1990. 2 Source: Chenoweth, W.L. (1993): The geology and Production History of the Uranium deposits in the White Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, Utah Geological Survey Miscellaneous Publication 93-3. 3 Source: Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining Drill Hole Database API#'s 4303710438, 4303730109, and 4303730623 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273962 SOURCE: Atomic Minerals Corp. London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the world of business, award-winning digital marketing agency Iconic Digital has launched stevepailthorpe.com. This is a complimentary online hub from its CEO, Steve Pailthorpe with resources to help government and business leaders make sense of the rapid evolution in technology. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/273023_2f1d8f1e7454c864_001full.jpg Marketing and AI strategist, Steve Pailthorpe has been named by the BizX Podcast as 'The Marketing Guru' and has spent more than 15 years helping companies achieve measurable growth through AI-powered marketing. Steve founded Iconic Digital in 2012 and the company has since been recognised in over 25 industry awards, including The Best of British Business by The Telegraph. Iconic Digital has been recognised among the 'Best of British Businesses', and 'Best Overall Business' at the European BizX Awards 2024. The new stevepailthrope.com platform brings together insights, white papers, audio books, podcasts and online courses. The aim is to empower business leaders to use AI more effectively and ethically in their strategies. "The world of AI has turbo charged innovation in the marketing space, but many business owners are struggling to make sense of it all," said Steve Pailthorpe, who was recently appointed as the AI Ambassador for the IoD. "Many leaders are unsure where to start with AI and what tools to be using. My goal is to simplify what's complex, share practical tools that work and help people navigate this new era with confidence." The new site includes a growing collection of resources including timely articles on the latest developments in AI. The latest podcast, 'The Top 10 Artificial Intelligence Tools Every Business Should Be Using' has already received great accolade. Other white papers include: 'How To Optimise Your Website For ChatGPT Atlas' and 'What Happens When The Buyer Is A Bot? How Real-Time Agentic Intelligence Is Disrupting Digital Advertising'. Recognised as a global authority on marketing and AI, Steve Pailthorpe has trained more than 25,000 business leaders worldwide and advised government and corporate executives across Europe, Middle East and Africa. The launch of StevePailthorpe.com supports Iconic Digital's broader mission to make world-class marketing and AI insights freely available, enabling businesses to thrive amid the most transformative technological shift of this generation. About Iconic Digital Iconic Digital is an award-winning digital marketing agency based in London and Surrey. Founded by CEO Steve Pailthorpe in 2012, the agency delivers data-driven marketing strategies and AI-powered automation that deliver measurable results. For more information visit https://www.iconicdigital.co.uk/ About Steve Pailthorpe Steve Pailthorpe is a leading UK authority on marketing and AI. He runs several businesses, including Iconic Digital, and holds various trustee roles. He is also a trusted advisor to Government and business leaders and is an influential philanthropist, author and keynote speaker. Steve is a popular keynote speaker and the author of The Digital Revolution and The Marketing Machine: Switch it On, Scale it Up. He is available for media interviews and can be reached through his agents - Spark Publishing at +44 1737 457 260. For more information visit https://www.stevepailthorpe.com/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273023 SOURCE: GYT PNT Xe expands test coverage and scale in an economical, easy-to-use, multi-purpose platform Spirent Communications, now part of Keysight Technologies, a leading provider of test and assurance solutions for next-generation devices and networks, today announced PNT Xe, a new global navigation satellite system (GNSS) simulation platform designed to extend high-performance GNSS testing to more users across the development lifecycle. PNT Xe removes barriers to entry into positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) testing by delivering Spirent's high-quality simulation capabilities in an economical, easy-to-use multi-purpose platform. As PNT technologies increase in prevalence, PNT Xe is positioned to help manufacturers tackle the growing challenge of how to quickly, efficiently and accurately validate GNSS performance throughout accelerated development schedules. From early prototype testing to performance testing, and high-throughput verification on production lines, PNT Xe's purpose-designed hardware makes reliable and realistic testing accessible at all development stages for commercial and military applications. "Until now, many organizations have been forced to use unreliable, inconsistent simulators or utilize 'live sky' signals as a way of conducting production testing," says Peter Terry-Brown, Divisional CEO of Spirent's Positioning business. "The introduction of PNT Xe changes that paradigm by making Spirent's renowned high-performance simulation technology available for every workstation, every engineer, and every project phase. "Many of the world's leading GNSS chipsets and modules are developed and verified using Spirent's market-leading simulators. The introduction of the PNT Xe means that developers, integrators, design verification teams, and production line testers can now use the same robust test methodology and test conditions without needing to compromise on the validity of results." With a compact footprint, PNT Xe can be rack or desk mounted, and features a simple but powerful interface that accelerates scenario creation, saving time and cost. PNT Xe can move seamlessly from lab to field, tolerating a high level of variance in temperature and vibration, while delivering the same performance and trusted results. It supports all GNSS constellations and frequencies, ensuring the flexibility to support a broad range of project requirements. Access to AES M-Code, and a removable system disk also ensure compatibility in secure testing environments. "PNT Xe is a game-changer for defense customers," says Rob VanBrunt, CEO of Spirent Federal Systems. "Its ease of use will be key to deploying new PNT technology faster, enabling software engineers to test minor code changes right at their desks, with immediate feedback for agile continuous integration. Furthermore, authorized users of GPS M-Code won't have to rely only on secure labs because PNT Xe enables unclassified military signal testing using AES M-Code. "In both the lab and field environments, precise, reliable testing that delivers truly representative results is critical and PNT Xe now makes that possible across the development cycle," says VanBrunt. "As positioning and timing become foundational to technologies like 6G, defense systems, and autonomous vehicles, access to accurate, high-performance simulation becomes critical," said Marie Hattar, Chief Marketing Officer, Keysight Technologies. "PNT Xe makes that capability available to more innovators than ever, ensuring they can validate performance, reliability, and resilience at every stage of development." Built on Spirent's 40 years of expertise and proven signal generation architecture, PNT Xe is designed for a variety of development and production environments that include the low-altitude drone and vehicle economy, new space applications, the automotive industry, defense, consumer handheld and wearable devices, and more. For more information about Spirent PNT Xe, visit www.pnt-xe.com. About Spirent Spirent Communications, now part of Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), is a leading global provider of automated test and assurance solutions for networks and positioning. The company provides innovative products, services and managed solutions that address the test, assurance and automation challenges of a new generation of technologies, including 5G, AI, cloud, autonomous vehicles and beyond. From the lab to the real world, Spirent helps companies deliver on their promise to their customers of a new generation of connected devices and technologies. For more information, please visit www.spirent.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook. About Spirent Federal Systems Spirent Federal Systems, now part of Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), provides the world's leading PNT test solutions to the US Government and contractors to enable resilient PNT under any conditions and outpace evolving navigation warfare threats. As a US proxy company, Spirent Federal enhances Spirent's commercial offerings with classified and other sensitive military signal emulation capabilities. For more information, visit spirentfederal.com and follow us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111145650/en/ Contacts: MEDIA CONTACTS Spirent: Spirent Americas: Sherri Walkenhorst Connect Marketing T: +1-801-373-7888 sherriw@connectmarketing.com Spirent Federal: Anna Thorpe Spirent Federal Systems T: +1-215-850-8662 anna.thorpe@spirentfederal.com Spirent EMEA: Anne Harding The Message Machine T: +44-7887-682943 anne@themessagemachine.com Spirent Asia Pacific: Estee Liu Spirent Communications T: +86 (10) 823 30055 (x165) qianqian.liu@spirent.com HANOVER, Germany, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. ("Zoomlion"; 1157.HK) made a strong debut at AGRITECHNICA 2025, showcasing nine exhibits including host machines and agricultural implements. The display highlighted the company's latest achievements in hybrid and intelligent farming technology, reflecting its continued commitment to innovation and sustainability in global agriculture. ZOOMLION presented four new energy machines in Hall 5: the DV3504, DQ2604, and DL1604 hybrid tractors, as well as the 480-horsepower H7-600E hybrid harvester. Designed for large-scale, intelligent, and sustainable farming, the hybrid tractors deliver strong power, fuel efficiency, and improved operator comfort across a 160-350 horsepower range. The flagship DV3504 hybrid tractor features Zoomlion's proprietary MIDD distributed intelligent electric drive system, delivering 119 kN of traction and 227 L/min hydraulic output. It meets the high-power needs of large-scale farming, while also enhancing comfort with a sound-insulated cabin and air suspension seat. A live demonstration of the Zoomlion DV3504 hybrid tractor was streamed from China, showing it performing autonomous harrowing operations. Powered by the Zpilot Pro system, the showcase highlighted Zoomlion's capability to optimize the entire agricultural process, from tillage and planting to crop management and harvesting. The demonstration featured five simultaneous viewpoints: aerial drone footage, front and rear tractor cameras, an in-cab display, and the cloud-based management platform. Attendees observed the tractor autonomously generate optimal paths, execute various turning maneuvers including X-turns, and maintain centimeter-level accuracy through its multi-sensor fusion and high-precision positioning system. The H7-600E harvester drew significant attention with its impressive performance data: 20% higher efficiency, over 30% reduction in operator workload, 70% fewer transmission components, over 50% improved reliability, and 30% lower energy consumption. As the world's first hybrid large-capacity intelligent combine harvester, it pairs a 480-horsepower engine with an 11.55 kWh battery, delivering peak output of more than 600 horsepower. Zoomlion's German subsidiary RABE also introduced three new high-end implements: the SUPER ALBATROS intelligent plow, the PHOENIX T 600 tillage machine, and the PANDION M 500 disc harrow, offering comprehensive farming solutions tailored to a variety of soil conditions. Liu Yuxin, General Manager of Zoomlion Agricultural Machinery, stated that the exhibition represents a significant step in the company's "High-End, International, New Energy" strategy. Dr. Fu Ling, Zoomlion Vice President and Chief Engineer, emphasized the importance of leveraging engineering machinery expertise to advance agricultural equipment toward hybridization and intelligence, contributing to more sustainable global farming. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2819687/WechatIMG2355.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zoomlion-highlights-smart-hybrid-farming-solutions-at-agritechnica-2025-302611553.html Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - Highland Critical Minerals Corp. (CSE: HLND) (FSE: U8X) ("Highland" or the "Company") announces, at the request of CIRO, that the Company's management is unaware of any material change in the Company's operations that would account for the recent increase in market activity. The Company also wishes to announce that since September 30, 2025, the Company has issued 2,997,250 class A common shares through the exercise of warrants, resulting in gross proceeds of $449,587.50. The funds will be used to continue to the fund the Company's exploration activities, the previously announced plan of arrangement for the spin out of Highland Red Lake Gold Corp., general working capital and to identify new acquisitions. The Company is continuing with its exploration program at its Sy property in Nunavut as well as at Red Lake and expects to update the market on its progress in the coming weeks. As previously announced on August 12, 2025, the Company had entered into a service agreement with Proactive Investors North America Inc. ("Proactive"), a company existing under the federal laws of Canada and an arm's length party to the Company (the "Proactive Agreement") to increase the Company's investor relations outreach. Pursuant to the Proactive Agreement, Proactive will provide media services, including research reports and analyst videos, to the Company for a 12-month term, which automatically renews for additional 12-month periods unless notice of non-renewal is provided by either party with 90 days written notice. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the matters referenced herein and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. ABOUT HIGHLAND CRITICAL MINERALS CORP. Highland is a mineral exploration and development company. Its activities consist of acquiring and exploring, mining properties to enhance shareholder value as it proceeds with the exploration work on the Church Property among other mining properties it may acquire and develop. For more information, please visit https://highlandcritical.com. Forward Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward- looking statements. The Company has applied several material assumptions in making such forward-looking statements . Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include: market prices; continued availability of capital and financing; general economic, market or business conditions; risks relating to the mining industry; and other factors discussed in the Company's long-form prospectus dated May 9, 2025. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273972 SOURCE: Highland Critical Minerals Corp. Rimouski, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - Puma Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PUMA) (OTCQB: PUMXF) (the "Company" or "Puma") is pleased to announce that its sampling program at its McKenzie Gold Project in Northern New Brunswick (Figure 1) continued to return impressive gold grades including 126.96 g/t Au, 125.66 g/t Au, 84.41 g/t Au, 79.69 g/t Au* to add to the high-grade results of the 2024 sampling (see January 16, 2025, News Release). An inaugural 2,500 m drilling program to test the high-grade RIM Gold Zone is set to begin this week. *The reader is cautioned that grab samples are selective by nature and may not represent the true metal content of the mineralized zone. Figure 1. Main Gold Zones at McKenzie Gold Project To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3398/273904_48ae23a92497c92b_001full.jpg Puma's 2025 summer trenching and stripping program successfully extended the RIM Gold Zone by an additional 100 metres along strike, nearly doubling its previously known length. In the northern section of the newly stripped zone, the vein system spans 35 metres in width (Figure 2). Importantly, the RIM gold vein system remains open in all directions. The presence of visible gold ("VG") in several locations across the newly exposed sections highlights the high-grade character of the vein system (Picture 1). Figure 2. High-grade gold sampling at RIM Gold Zone To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3398/273904_48ae23a92497c92b_002full.jpg Picture 1. Quartz vein at the RIM Gold Zone with VG To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3398/273904_48ae23a92497c92b_003full.jpg A total of six (6) trenches covering approximately 355 metres were completed in the area, and 121 samples were collected for analysis. Over 44 samples (36%) returned grades greater than 1.00 g/t Au. Following these excellent results and the program's overall success, the Company has mobilized an additional excavator to accelerate trenching and stripping of the extensions of the RIM Gold Zone. The newly exposed veins confirm the continuity of the RIM gold system along strike and support the interpretation of a large, structurally controlled corridor hosting multiple sub-parallel quartz veins within a favourable sedimentary sequence. The presence of visible gold and the increased vein thickness toward the north suggests the potential for higher-grade mineralization within this expanding zone. These results strengthen Puma's confidence that McKenzie potentially hosts a gold system comparable in scale and geological setting to those found in the Victoria (Australia) and Meguma (Nova Scotia, Canada) gold belts. Table 1: Highlights of 2025 grab sampling* at RIM Gold Zone (> 5 g/t gold) Project Trench no Sample X_nad83 Y_nad83 Lithology Au (g/t)* McKenzie T25-06 L459491 634709 5267602 Quartz vein 126.96 McKenzie T25-06 L459495 634715 5267592 Quartz vein 125.66 McKenzie T25-06 L459467 634713 5267587 Quartz vein 84.41 McKenzie T25-12 L459053 634712 5267610 Quartz vein 79.69 McKenzie T25-06 L459463 634706 5267581 Quartz vein 39.20 McKenzie T25-06 L459464 634709 5267593 Quartz vein 36.33 McKenzie T25-12 L459091 634715 5267598 Quartz vein 31.72 McKenzie T25-06 L459465 634714 5267589 Quartz vein 29.25 McKenzie T25-12 L459094 634715 5267600 Quartz vein 24.23 McKenzie T25-12 L459092 634715 5267597 Quartz vein 20.40 McKenzie T25-06 L459494 634717 5267590 Quartz vein 19.22 McKenzie T25-06 L459490 634708 5267603 Quartz vein 14.23 McKenzie T25-12 L459093 634716 5267598 Quartz vein 11.66 McKenzie T25-12 L459054 634713 5267611 Quartz vein 11.33 McKenzie T25-06 L459486 634706 5267598 Quartz vein 9.97 McKenzie T25-12 L459108 634721 5267588 Quartz vein 9.58 McKenzie T25-06 L459466 634713 5267587 Quartz vein 9.52 McKenzie T25-12 L459086 634713 5267596 Quartz vein 7.55 McKenzie T25-06 L459460 634697 5267569 Quartz vein 6.59 McKenzie T25-12 L459085 634713 5267595 Quartz vein 6.45 McKenzie T25-06 L459462 634705 5267577 Quartz vein 5.46 *The reader is cautioned that grab samples are selective by nature and may not represent the true metal content of the mineralized zone. Puma's President and CEO Marcel Robillard stated, "We are thrilled to launch our first drilling program at McKenzie. Over the past year, we have carefully applied our proven surface exploration methodology to this project, and with additional insights from a structural expert, we are confident that this upcoming drilling program will deliver strong results. We have always maintained that McKenzie is as prospective as Williams Brook; both projects host orogenic gold systems that share many similarities, and we are eager for Puma to focus on advancing exploration there." RIM Gold Zone: Structural Insights and Mineralization A field study of the bedrock exposures at RIM and other target areas at McKenzie, conducted by a structural expert earlier this month, has generated important insights to focus Puma's 2025 drilling program. The quartz vein system at the RIM target is characterized by a main shear vein accompanied by an array of extension veins. In the southern portion of the trench, the shear vein is predominant, whereas the northern section is primarily occupied by extension veins (Figure 1). Puma's grab sampling has revealed that the main shear vein is mineralized along nearly its entire strike length. Notably, the highest gold grades are concentrated in the thicker, central section of the vein, highlighting its significance as a key location for mineralization. Identifying the position and plunge of shear zones or faults that control mineralization is crucial for targeting areas with the greatest potential for gold enrichment. Current observations indicate that the high-grade segment of the main shear vein plunges shallowly towards the west-southwest. Qualified Person The scientific and technical content of this press release has been prepared, reviewed, and approved by Mr. Dominique Gagne, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). On-site quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) measures All rock samples were collected by Puma's field team, placed in individual bags, and securely sealed before being shipped to MSALABS (Val d'Or, Quebec) for analysis. Samples were processed using the PhotonAssay technology, an industry-leading method that provides accurate and rapid gold determinations on unpulverized samples. Puma follows a rigorous QA/QC protocol that includes the systematic insertion of certified reference materials and blanks in every batch of samples submitted for analysis. The results from these control samples are routinely reviewed to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the analytical data. About Puma's Assets in New Brunswick Puma has accumulated an impressive portfolio of prospective gold landholdings strategically located close to roads and infrastructure in Northern New Brunswick, including the Williams Brook Project and the McKenzie Gold Project. Both are located near the Rocky Brook Millstream Fault ("RBMF"), a major regional structure formed during the Appalachian Orogeny and a significant control for gold deposition in the region. Puma's work to date has focused on the Williams Brook property, but prospecting and surface exploration work on its other properties have confirmed their potential for significant gold mineralization. The Williams Brook Project was optioned to Kinross Gold in October 2024. About Puma Exploration Puma Exploration is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on identifying and developing a pipeline of precious metals projects in New Brunswick, near Canada's Renowned Bathurst Mining Camp. Puma has a long history in Northern New Brunswick, having worked on regional projects for over 15 years. Puma's successful exploration methodology, which combines traditional prospecting methods with detailed trenching and cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, has been instrumental in understanding the region's geology and associated mineralized systems. Armed with geophysical surveys, geochemical data, and consultants' expertise, Puma has developed a cost-effective exploration tool to discover gold at shallow depths and maximize drilling results. Connect with us on Facebook, X, or LinkedIn. Visit www.explorationpuma.com for more information or contact: Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve several known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Puma to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by law. Puma undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. The quarterly and annual reports and the documents submitted to the securities administration describe these risks and uncertainties. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273904 SOURCE: Puma Exploration Inc. WEST MELBOURNE, FL / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / BK Technologies Corporation (NYSE American:BKTI) (the "Company" or "BK Technologies") today announced that John Suzuki, Chief Executive Officer, and Scott Malmanger, Chief Financial Officer, will attend the 14th Annual ROTH Technology Conference on Wednesday, November 19 at the Hard Rock Hotel, Time Square, in New York City. Management will be available for one-on-one meetings throughout the day. For conference details or to schedule a one-on-one meeting, please contact your ROTH representative. About BK Technologies BK Technologies Corporation (NYSE American:BKTI) manufactures high-specification communications equipment of unsurpassed reliability and value for public safety and government agencies. BK's BKR 9000 multiband portable radio combines advanced features with rugged durability and interoperability to meet the critical demands of first responders. BK's Solutions business unit, which includes the BK ONE family of offerings, combines land mobile radio (LMR) and LTE/5G to create seamless connectivity among first responders for planned and emergency events. BK Technologies is headquartered in West Melbourne, Florida. For more information, visit www.bktechnologies.com. Company Contact: IMS Investor Relations John Nesbett/Jennifer Belodeau bktechnologies@imsinvestorrelations.com (203) 972-9200 SOURCE: BK Technologies Corporation View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/bk-technologies-to-attend-14th-annual-roth-technology-conference-1099956 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - Daura Gold Corp. (TSXV: DGC) ("Daura" or the "Company") is pleased to announce high-grade surface sampling results from its 100% owned Tayacoto Project ("Tayacoto" or the "Project"), located 14.5km northeast of the Company's flagship Antonella Project in Ancash, Peru. The surface sampling confirms strong precious metal mineralization with associated copper, zinc, and lead, situated approximately 2.5km east of Highlander Silver Corp.'s Daniela project. Tayacoto lies within a prolific metallogenic belt that hosts world-class deposits such as Antamina and Barrick's past-producing Pierina gold mine. The mineralization at Tayacoto is hosted in Tertiary volcanic rocks of the Calipuy Group and is controlled by NW-SE-trending faults, exhibiting silicification, and argillic alteration. Highlights of the Sampling Program: 22 rock chip samples collected across the project. 8 samples exceeding 45 g/t Ag, with values up to 1,249 g/t Ag. 2 samples showing 6.1 g/t Au, and 3.3 g/t Au. Copper values as high as 2.9% Cu. Standout samples include: 6.1 g/t Au, 1,153 g/t Ag, 0.4% Cu, >14% Pb; 3.3 g/t Au, 1,249 g/t Ag; 0.9% Cu, >24.6% Pb; 0.2 g/t Au, 101 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb. 63.9 g/t Ag, 2.6% Cu, 6% Pb; 2.6% Zn; 71.7 g/t Ag, 2.9% Cu, 8.8% Pb, 2.3% Zn; 78.4 g/t Ag, 1.3% Cu, 3.7% Pb, 0.4% Zn; and 101 g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 01% Zn The mineralization at the Tayacoto Project is related to an epithermal vein system, with vein widths ranging from 0.2 m to 1 m. The veins show iron oxides forming gossan in some areas, while in others, there are zones of argillic alteration and silicification. The surface sampling confirms strong precious metal mineralization with associated copper, zinc and lead. "The results from Tayacoto reinforce the strength of Daura's exploration portfolio and highlight the discovery potential in this district," said Mark Sumner, CEO of Daura. "The high grades showing at surface at Tayacoto immediately raise the profile of this project for Daura. Situated only 14.5km from our flagship Antonella project, Tayacoto represents another opportunity for Daura to create significant value through disciplined and systematic exploration in one of the most exciting gold-silver districts in Peru." Figure 1: Sample location map of Tayacoto, highlighting high-grade Ag, Au, Cu, Pb, and Zn results. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6523/273952_3f65d02c5461bb68_001full.jpg Figure 2: Principal mineralized structures hosting Au-Ag-Pb-Cu-Zn mineralization within the Tayacoto Project area. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6523/273952_3f65d02c5461bb68_002full.jpg Figure 3: Samples from the Tayacoto Project showing silver and gold values up to 6.1 g/t Au, 1,153 g/t Ag and 3.3 g/t Au, 1,249 g/t Ag To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6523/273952_3f65d02c5461bb68_003full.jpg The Company cautions that samples obtained are selective by nature and may not represent true underlying mineralization. About the Tayacoto Project The Tayacoto Project is a 1,000-hectare exploration concession adjacent to Highlander Silver's Daniela Project and 14.5 km NE of Daura's flagship Antonella Project. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6523/273952_3f65d02c5461bb68_004full.jpg Technical Information and Quality Control / Quality Assurance Grab samples were collected by the Company's geologists and the individual samples, bagged, sealed and placed into sealed dispatch bags under the direct supervision of the Company's staff before being dispatched to Actlabs Skyline Peru, an arms-length laboratory, for preparation and analysis. The entire sample was dried and crushed to 75% passing 2mm, with splits pulverized to 95% passing 106 microns. Gold was analyzed by 30g charge Fire Assay, with an Atomic Adsorption finish. Multi-element analysis was carried out on a 4-acid digest aliquot by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and over-range samples were subsequently determined by appropriate single element analyses, in accordance with Actlabs standard procedures. The internal QA/QC program included the submission of 10% quality control materials including field duplicates, blanks and Certified Reference Material (CRM) standards. Coarse rejects and pulps are retained in secure storage for future verification or testing as required. QA/QC results were reviewed by the Company's technical team and were found to be within acceptable limits. Qualified Person Stuart Mills QP, is the Company's qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for portions of this news release. He has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Mills is not independent of the Company, as he is the Company's Vice President of Exploration. ABOUT DAURA GOLD CORP Listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, Daura is advancing high-impact exploration projects in Peru's renowned Ancash region. Daura owns a 100% undivided interest in over 15,900 hectares of exploration concessions in Ancash, including the 900-hectare Antonella target and the 2,900-hectares of contiguous concessions at Libelulas, which is the primary focus of Daura's current exploration efforts. www.dauragold.com For further information, please contact: Daura Gold Corp. 543 Granville, Suite 501 Vancouver BC V6C 1X8 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Daura cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Daura's control. Such factors include, among other things: future prices and the supply of gold and other precious and other metals; future demand for gold and other valuable metals; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs; risks of the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals; adverse weather conditions and failure to obtain necessary regulatory or shareholder approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Daura disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) 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/273952 SOURCE: Daura Gold Corp. The physician-owned practice offers families comprehensive care, allowing patients to receive care for all of their medical needs at one of its 45-plus locations, with over 225 providers. HOUSTON, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / Two decades ago, CLS Health was created as a physician-owned, physician-led healthcare system to serve the Greater Houston area, placing clinical decision-making in the hands of physicians. Now, having grown to more than 225 doctors and healthcare professionals across 45 medical specialties, CLS Health is marking its anniversary on October 26 with community events, charitable initiatives, and stories about physician leadership in improving care and experience. The practice was founded in 2005 on the belief that physicians make faster, patient-first decisions that promote continuity of care across specialties and expand services based on community needs rather than corporate targets. Now, CLS Health delivers coordinated, high-quality care, including cardiology, eye care, neurology, OB/GYN, pediatrics, podiatry, and urology to tens of thousands of patients across the greater Houston area, at locations including Clear Lake, Sugar Land, and the Galleria. "Twenty years ago, CLS Health set out to prove that when physicians lead, patients win. Today, our growth across Greater Houston is a reflection of that promise," said CEO Megan Owen. "We are proud to deliver care that is personal, accessible, and guided by the people who know patients best." Founded by two physicians as a patient-first alternative to corporate healthcare, CLS Health combines the independence of private practice with the resources of a larger healthcare system, providing a workplace designed for clinical excellence and satisfaction with better care. "We built CLS Health so physicians could focus on medicine and patients, not bureaucracy," said Dr. Mohammed Baba, president of CLS Health. "Two decades later, that vision still drives us. When clinical decisions stay with the physician, care is faster, more coordinated, and more human." That physician-led culture ensures that CLS Health focuses on compassionate, patient-centered service close to home and reflecting the values of the communities it serves. The practice's continued independence means CLS Health can prioritize patients over profits, preserving both choice and quality outcomes for local families. CLS Health is also deeply committed to investing in the health of Southeast Texas. By supporting physician training programs, fellowships, and continuing education, the practice creates a strong pipeline of healthcare professionals that will provide care to the people of the Houston region for generations to come. For 20 years, the doctors and healthcare providers of CLS Health also have been true community partners, participating in charitable efforts such as Houston Food Bank and other outreach programs that promote health and well-being. And through its "CLS Health Cares" initiative, the practice highlights its commitment to service beyond medicine, focusing on compassion, equity, and building healthier communities. To learn more about CLS Health's 20th anniversary, its services , or to schedule an appointment, visit https://cls.health/. About CLS Health CLS Health is a physician-owned healthcare group with a pioneering approach to comprehensive care. With over 40 locations and more than 200 providers across the Greater Houston area, CLS Health emphasizes the satisfaction and empowerment of its physicians as a key element in delivering exceptional patient care. Learn more at cls.health. Contact Information Isaiah Rincon Sr. Business Development Manager bd@cls.health 832-557-3338 SOURCE: CLS Health View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/cls-health-celebrates-20-years-of-delivering-physician-led-patient-ce-1097908 New Cambridge location to be the center of U.K. and EU semiconductor operations Baya Systems, a pioneer in software-driven, chiplet-ready semiconductor fabric IP for scalable AI and high-performance computing, today announced the opening of its first European office in the U.K. The move represents a strategic step in Baya's global growth, expanding its reach into Europe's rapidly accelerating semiconductor ecosystem and deepening partnerships in the AI, datacenter, infrastructure and high-performance computing domains. The new Cambridge office will serve as both a regional headquarters and strategic collaboration hub, enabling closer engagement with European customers, research institutions and partners building next-generation chiplet-based, AI-optimized systems. The European semiconductor market's impact on the global compute landscape continues to grow, driven by major public investments such as the EU Chips Act, the European Processor Initiative and the U.K.'s semiconductor innovation investments. Baya's new office allows the company to directly capitalize on these investments and access a highly skilled pool of talent in the U.K. to augment the nucleus of senior staff already in the region. Dr. Sailesh Kumar, CEO and founder of Baya Systems, added: "Cambridge's long history as a computing innovation haven makes it a perfect fit for our next chapter. This new office continues our strategy of growing through proximity to our customers, partners and global innovation centers shaping the future of computing. The U.K.'s exceptional talent and thriving AI and semiconductor ecosystem make it the ideal hub for expanding European operations." Baya's Growing Footprint The Cambridge office joins Baya's global network of design centers in Santa Clara, Austin and Bengaluru. With senior engineering and commercial staff already in place in the U.K. and plans to hire more across Europe, the office represents a new node in a globally integrated innovation fabric connecting talent and customers from North America to Europe and Asia. Baya's international workforce now also spans Canada, Japan and Israel, reflecting the company's commitment to employing top global talent to accelerate intelligent compute everywhere. Furthermore, the U.K. office will act as a strategic center for co-development with partners such as Semidynamics focusing on open, modular and scalable system architectures. These initiatives build on Baya's leadership in software-driven high-throughput, chiplet-ready fabric for AI acceleration and scale-up networking across both Arm and RISC-V-based systems. Since emerging from stealth in June 2024, Baya has achieved hypergrowth driven by customer adoption of its software-defined fabric IP and system modeling solutions. Customers across the semiconductor and AI ecosystem, including Tenstorrent, have integrated Baya technologies to unlock performance-per-watt advantages, streamline design cycles and scale compute across heterogeneous architectures. Baya Systems continues to hire to support its continued growth. To join the global Baya team, visit the company's careers page to apply. About Baya Systems Baya Systems is leading the next wave of foundational, high-performance, and modular semiconductor systems technologies that are chiplet-ready and accelerate intelligent compute everywhere. Inspired by the baya bird's nest-weaving ability, Baya integrates best-in-class compute, communication, and I/O components into seamless, energy-efficient solutions. Its software-based design and exploration platform enhances performance, yield and reusability, enabling cutting-edge, cost-effective innovation across multiple industries. A member of the EE Times 2025 Silicon 100 and recipient of Frost Sullivan's 2025 Technology Innovation Leader award in semiconductor IP interconnect, Baya is ISO 9001:2015 certified and backed by leading investors including Matrix Partners, Maverick Silicon, Synopsys Inc., and Intel Capital. For more information, visit https://bayasystems.com or follow us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111945986/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Crackle PR baya@cracklepr.com VIENNA, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexogen, a recognized expert in the domain of RNA sequencing and transcriptome analysis, has been recognized among Austria's Top Innovative Companies 2026 by Statista and the Austrian business magazine trend. This annual ranking recognizes Austria's most forward-thinking companies, distinguished for their creativity, technological innovation, and progressive corporate culture. It is based on a thorough, multi-dimensional evaluation conducted by a large network of experts and a specialized jury, reflecting a highly professional and methodical approach. Supporting life science research and applications through innovation Founded in Vienna, Austria, nearly two decades ago, Lexogen has always pursued a clear mission: to help scientists explore how genes work by developing advanced technologies to analyze RNA, the molecule that reveals gene activity. Their complete solutions for RNA and transcriptome analysis are used worldwide by researchers. These tools support both fundamental and applied research. For example, they enable applications in healthcare, including drug discovery and diagnostic testing, especially in personalized medicine (by identifying cancer origins and guiding targeted individual treatments). Lexogen develops and manufactures all its products in-house at its Vienna headquarters, following ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016 standards to guarantee the highest quality and reliability (diagnostic-grade). With 17 patent families safeguarding its innovations, Lexogen has introduced several groundbreaking advances in RNA research. Lexogen operates globally with a subsidiary in the United States and more than 30 distributors worldwide, ensuring that its technologies are accessible to scientists in over 60 countries. Innovation is part of Lexogen's spirit At Lexogen, innovation goes beyond technology. It shapes the company's mindset and drives everyday collaboration. "We at Lexogen are driven by a shared mindset and a set of core values, our imperatives, that guide how we collaborate and achieve our goals," says Stephane Barges, CEO of Lexogen. "One of these imperatives is innovation, since it creates value. We build it on trust, empowerment, and listening. We support and challenge one another, stay open to new ideas, and value initiative. Our managers empower their teams and delegate decisions, fostering an atmosphere that encourages learning from mistakes and continuous improvement, without blame or finger pointing." This recognition by trend. and Statista highlights Lexogen's constant commitment to a culture where creativity, scientific curiosity, and honest collaboration have established them as a trusted expert in their field and granted them international renown. About Lexogen Lexogen is a biotechnology company specialized in RNA sequencing, which engineers, produces, and delivers innovative solutions for studying genes and how they are expressed (transcriptomics). Lexogen's robust products and services empower both advanced research and diagnostic applications, providing comprehensive, high-quality solutions that ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability from discovery through routine testing. For more information, visit Lexogen website: www.lexogen.com and follow @lexogen. Contact person: Amra Dedic Brand and Event Manager Tel.: +43 660 69 66 045 Email: amra.dedic@lexogen.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2270700/Lexogen_Logo_RGB_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/lexogen-honored-as-one-of-austrias-top-innovative-companies-2026-by-statista-and-trend-magazine-302610411.html The President of the Republic of Guinea today joined project partners WCS1, Baowu, Chinalco and Rio Tinto in a ceremony at the port in Forecariah prefecture to mark the start of operations at Simandou, Africa's largest greenfield integrated mine and infrastructure project. The project is delivering more than 600 kilometres of new multi-use trans-Guinean rail together with barge and Transhipment Vessel port facilities. Following commissioning and ramp up, this infrastructure will support the export of a combined total of up to 120 million tonnes per year of mined iron ore by SimFer2 and WCS from their respective Simandou mining concessions in the southeast of the country. Testing and commissioning of the mine, rail and barge port system infrastructure is underway, with both WCS and SimFer having commenced the transport of iron ore from mine gate to the port via the trans-Guinean rail line. The project is being co-developed by the Government of the Republic of Guinea, SimFer and WCS. Once commissioned, all co-developed infrastructure and rolling stock will be transferred to and operated by the Compagnie du TransGuineen (CTG), in which Simfer and WCS each hold a 42.5% equity stake, with the Government of Guinea holding the remaining 15%. Djiba Diakite, Minister and Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic and Chairman of the Simandou 2040 Strategic Committee said: "Simandou is more than a mining project: it is the driving force behind a national transformation. This collective success reflects the vision of the Head of State and the determination of an entire nation to build a future of shared prosperity. This inauguration marks a foundational milestone for Guinea, which now stands as a key player in sustainable development and economic sovereignty in West Africa." Winning Consortium Chairman Sun Xiushun said: "This milestone reflects years of hard work and strong partnership. Winning Consortium is proud to have delivered on our commitment and to stand with our partners in bringing Simandou into operation." Rio Tinto Chief Executive Simon Trott said: "This outstanding achievement has been made possible through the dedicated hard work of thousands of our colleagues, and the complementary strengths and expertise of Rio Tinto, our SimFer partners, the Government of Guinea and Winning Consortium Simandou. "Today we are unlocking an exceptional new source of high-grade iron ore that is in demand from customers for low-carbon steel making, enhancing our world-class portfolio of iron ore mines in the Pilbara and Canada." Chinalco President Wang Shilei said: "The start of operations of the Simandou project is an important achievement guided by the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries. It reflects the joint efforts and pragmatic cooperation between China and Guinea, contributing to Guinea's industrialisation and modernisation process. Chinalco is committed to working together with all partners to fully implement the outcomes of the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, advance the high-quality development of the Simandou iron ore project, take concrete actions to deliver on the Belt and Road Initiative, and promote the continued deepening of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Guinea." Chairman of China Baowu Group, Hu Wangming said: "The start of operations of the Simandou project marks a significant milestone in the history of the global mining industry. Throughout the development process, all parties have maintained a broad perspective and a long-term vision, adhering to the principles of market orientation, rule of law, and internationalisation, ensuring the project's advancement with high standards and high quality. The stable supply of Simandou's premium iron ore resources will provide a solid foundation of low carbon raw materials for the development of China's steel industry and the global steel sector. We firmly believe that this exemplary cooperation will inject lasting momentum into the economic and social development of Guinea, the host country of the project." 1 WCS is a consortium between Winning International Group and Weiqiao Aluminium (part of the China Hongqiao Group) and United Mining Suppliers (collectively 51%) and Baowu Resources (49%). 2 The Simfer joint venture comprises Simfer S.A., the holder of Simandou South Blocks 3 4, which is owned by the Government of Guinea (15%) and Simfer Jersey Limited (85%). In turn, Simfer Jersey Limited is a joint venture between the Rio Tinto Group (53%) and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (47%) a Chinalco-led joint venture of leading Chinese SOEs (Chinalco (75%), Baowu (20%), China Rail Construction Corporation (2.5%) and China Harbour Engineering Company (2.5%). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111830386/en/ Contacts: Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com Rio Tinto Media Relations United Kingdom David Outhwaite M +44 7787 597493 Guinea Abdourahamane Diallo M +224 (611) 001 396 riotinto.com Category: Simandou NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / Dow "The work of river conservation, water and land management requires understanding local dynamics, leveraging technologies and collaborating across sectors." The Yangtze River is known to the Chinese people as the mother river of the nation. The extensive river system is more than a crucial indicator of a healthy ecosystem-it is a source of life. In October 2024, Dow colleagues in China teamed up with local collaborators to launch the Protecting Qingyi River: Water and Nature Conservation Project to support the Qingyi River, a tributary of the Yangtze River. Through this initiative, the project team has engaged numerous stakeholders, from academic and conservation experts to local villagers and farmers, to help ensure the health of the Qingyi River is maintained through three key measures. River monitoring and data collection The project team, in collaboration with research teams from local universities, conducted a systematic ecological investigation of the six main streams of the Qingyi River. Through scientific methods for river monitoring and water sampling, they have begun an account of the unique biodiversity in the area, including 20 species of fish and 14 species of frogs. The team has also observed giant salamanders (Andria davidianus) along the tributary-a nationally protected animal in China. "Through scientific studies, we are able to have a better understanding of the water, which guides us to effectively preserve the aquatic life along the Qingyi River and safeguards the biodiversity in it." -Xiang Zhou, Director of the Huangshan Green Anhui Nature Conservation Center These precise river monitoring methods enable the Huangshan Green Anhui Nature Conservation Center and its management stations to clearly observe changes in water quality so they can then provide scientific guidance for subsequent strategies to effectively protect the ecology. With villages and a variety of wildlife living in and alongside the Qingyi River, protecting the water resources here not only helps to support the safety of drinking water for residents along the Qingyi River but also plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the Yangtze River tributary system. Community engagement in river conservation Conservation efforts cannot succeed without the active participation of local communities. There are 20 villages populating the surrounding area along the Qingyi River. Some families have been there for multiple generations. With support from the project, local villagers and government representatives formed the "River Watch Team," a joint initiative to collect real-time data on water quality since 2024. The team patrols the river five times during the day and once at night while also cleaning the river and shoreline daily. "Our main responsibility is to safeguard the ecological balance of the river, ensuring it remains unobstructed, clean, and free from pollution or potential safety hazards." -Yongsheng Zhu, Captain of the River Watch Team The villagers have voluntarily become a driving force in protecting the river by cleaning up waste and cracking down on illegal fishing. As of July 2025, the team had patrolled the river 2,089 times, spending a total of 2,080 hours on patrols and removed 1,156 kilograms of river waste. Agroecology enables sustainable farming The primary sources of pollution in the Qingyi River area are related to agriculture and domestic activities. Agroecology seeks to grow food with fewer inputs and less environmental impact. To enhance water quality at the source of the river, the project team has introduced agricultural transformation within pilot villages-conducting surveys and evaluating pollution control facilities. This approach of agroecology, or ecological agriculture, supports water quality by significantly reducing the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers while enhancing soil fertility through microbial decomposition. An example of an agroecology tactic in the Qingyi River area is the integration of rice and crayfish farming systems. This is called rice-crayfish co-culture1. It involves planting rice in flooded fields and introducing crayfish after the rice has emerged. The crayfish feed on the rice debris, weeds, insects and organic matter. This helps to clean the water supply while providing ongoing fertilization for the soil. "Thanks to the rice-crayfish co-culture farming method, the river water has become clearer, and the surrounding environment more beautiful." -Dongkui Jiao, local farmer With Dow's support, the project team has provided training sessions to 30 farmers as of July 2025. The initiative actively promotes farming techniques that work alongside local environmental considerations. The rice-crayfish co-culture model, for example, creates a mutually beneficial and balanced ecosystem where rice and crayfish interact and help regulate each other. Dow's approach to nature and water stewardship The Protecting Qingyi River: Water and Nature Conservation Project aligns with our efforts to advance global sustainability by prioritizing resilient watersheds and thriving ecosystems at the local and community level. The Dow Zhangjiagang site is located downstream of the Qingyi River. Maintaining the water quality of this Yangtze River tributary is imperative for the continuity of our operations and the health of local communities and ecosystems. We are committed to our own responsible water use, including returning more than 96% of the water we use to support our operations back to the environment in a sustainable manner. Water is too precious of a resource to manage in a silo. That is why we engage with experts, communities, governments and NGOs to implement nature-based initiatives worldwide that support sustainable watershed management and habitat conservation. Through innovative projects-from restoring wetlands in Michigan and Louisiana in the United States to conserving mangrove forests in Thailand and improving water systems in Europe-our collaborations demonstrate how environmental stewardship supports business growth and community well-being. The work of river conservation, water and land management requires understanding local dynamics, leveraging technologies and collaborating across sectors. The guardians of the Qingyi River work together to deliver positive social and ecological impacts that help make this water source a place where all living things can call home. They stand proudly among guardians of rivers around the world. About Dow Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world's leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries.????Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com. View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Dow on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Dow Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/dow Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Dow View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/guardians-of-the-qingyi-river-communities-take-a-collaborative-approac-1100131 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - Comstock Metals Ltd. (TSXV: CSL.H) ("Comstock" or the "Company") announces that the Company has agreed to settle $244,055 owing to Lambent Consulting Inc. (a company owned by Steven Goldman, Chief Executive Officer of the Company) through the transfer of 283,784 common shares in the capital of Trident Resources Corp. ("Trident Shares"). The number of Trident Shares transferred was based on the closing price of $0.86 on November 10, 2025. The amount owing to Lambent Consulting Inc. reflects the principal and interest owing pursuant to a loan disclosed in the Company's press release dated August 31, 2023. Following completion of the foregoing settlement, the Company will hold a total of 593,591 Trident Shares. Mr. Goldman and his consulting company is considered to be a "related party" (within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101")), making the transaction a "related party transaction" (within the meaning of MI 61-101) (the "Related Party Transfer"). The Company was exempt from obtaining a formal valuation for, and minority approval of, the Related Party Transfer pursuant to Section 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(e) of MI 61-101, respectively. The settlement transaction was approved by the disinterested directors of the Company. The completion of the settlement transaction remains subject to receipt of approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. About Comstock Metals Ltd. Comstock Metals Ltd. is a publicly traded company which formerly operated as a mining exploration company in Canada but is currently focused on identifying new opportunities. Forward Looking Statements This news release includes forward-looking information and statements, which may include, but are not limited to, information and statements regarding or inferring the future business, operations, financial performance, prospects, and other plans, intentions, expectations, estimates, and beliefs of the Company. Forward-looking information and statements involve and are subject to assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual events, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future events, results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information and statements herein. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking information and statements herein are reasonable, in light of the use of assumptions and the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in such information and statements, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance upon such forward-looking information and statements. Any forward-looking information and statements herein are made as of the date hereof, and except as required by applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation and disclaims any intention to update or revise any forward-looking information and statements herein or to update the reasons that actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in any forward looking information and statements herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) 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/273975 SOURCE: Comstock Metals Ltd. Through participation in the Open Semantic Interchange initiative, Starburst reinforces its commitment to an open, vendor-neutral data ecosystem that unifies business metrics and accelerates AI innovation BOSTON, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Starburst , the data platform for apps and AI, today announced it is joining the Open Semantic Interchange (OSI), an open source initiative that creates a universal specification for all companies to standardize their fragmented data definitions with an open, vendor-neutral semantic model specification. OSI aims to enhance interoperability across various tools and platforms, offering enterprises a vendor-neutral specification that provides consistent metrics and definitions across dashboards, notebooks, and machine learning models. OSI is an open source initiative led by Snowflake , the AI Data Cloud company, and ecosystem partners across multiple domains and industries including business intelligence (BI), data governance, data engineering, AI, financial services, and manufacturing. Its goal is to create a common, vendor-agnostic specification that defines semantic metadata in a standard, open format. By facilitating seamless semantic metadata exchange, the initiative will accelerate the adoption of AI and BI tools to streamline operations and reduce complexity. This in turn allows organizations to unify their data definitions, leading to more comprehensive and accurate data analysis and data product sharing to fuel AI innovation. "We're proud to join forces with Snowflake on the Open Semantic Interchange," said Justin Borgman, CEO & Cofounder, Starburst. "OSI represents the future of data exchange for AI, one built on standards, interoperability, and customer choice. By establishing common standards, we're enabling organizations to seamlessly maintain business context across platforms and tools." As a member of OSI, Starburst is helping to build a transparent and community-driven standard for semantic model sharing, ensuring that business metrics and definitions remain consistent and interoperable. "Unlocking the full potential of data and AI requires a common foundation, and the Open Semantic Interchange is the critical step in building that bedrock," said Josh Klahr, Director of Analytics Product Management at Snowflake. "Our collaboration with partners like Starburst establishes a unified, vendor-neutral standard for semantic data, enabling clarity and consistency across the entire ecosystem. This initiative is essential for simplifying data operations, fostering innovation, and preparing organizations to build the next generation of AI applications." OSI is poised to revolutionize interoperability within the data and AI ecosystem by providing a transparent, community-driven standard. This collaborative effort simplifies data operations, unlocks new possibilities for innovation, and gives organizations the flexibility and efficiency they need to build a future-ready data infrastructure. To learn more about the Open Semantic Interchange visit Snowflake's blog here . About Starburst Starburst is the data platform built for flexibility, delivering fast, secure access to all your data, wherever it lives. Whether on-premises, across clouds, or in hybrid environments, Starburst provides choice and control to your architecture. Built on an open data stack with Trino and Apache Iceberg, it unifies distributed data without complex or costly migrations, unleashing the full power of the data lakehouse for analytics and AI. With our Lakeside AI architecture, enterprises gain federated access, governed collaboration, and full data lineage, laying the foundation for scalable, compliant AI innovation. Starburst empowers data-intensive and security-conscious organizations to unlock the full potential of their data while ensuring performance, governance, and control. Enterprises in 60+ countries, including Comcast, Citigroup, and 4 of the top 5 global banks, trust Starburst to maximize data value. Our strategic partnerships with AWS, Dell Technologies, NetApp and top cloud providers ensures seamless interoperability across environments. From insights to action to AI, Starburst fuels innovation at every level. Learn more at starburst.ai . Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2286645/Starburst_Logo_v1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/starburst-teams-up-with-snowflake-and-industry-leaders-to-drive-open-data-and-ai-interoperability-through-the-open-semantic-interchange-302610300.html TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Veterans Day - The Office of the Assistant Secretary of War (OASW) for Special Operations / Low-Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC) Capability Development & Innovation (CD&I) Directorate competitively awarded XTEND Reality Inc., a multi-million-dollar Firm Fixed Price Contract to rapidly develop and deliver Affordable Close Quarter Modular Effects FPV Drone Kits - (ACQME-DK). The contract award is a testament to XTEND's leadership in the OWA market and a clear customer preference for a high-voltage Electronic Safe and Arm Device. (ESAD). Next generation ACQME-DK lethal sUAS kits with training will be purpose built and provided to Department of War small tactical team operators to help increase their precision strike lethality & survivability when conducting assigned irregular warfare operations in complex urban terrain and rural confined spaces. The company will deliver training, spares, maintenance and production from its Tampa, FL headquarters, providing an important domestic source of supply. Swarm-based autonomy is rapidly reshaping modern warfighting doctrine, shifting from single-platform control to distributed, collaborative robotic systems performing complex missions at the tactical edge. Remote-operated swarms deliver precision, lethality, and survivability effects deep inside contested battlespaces without risking personnel or relying on fragile beyond-line-of-sight links. XTEND's focus on one-way attack loitering munition delivers lethality at low cost-per-kill, aligns with Secretary of War Hegseth's Directives. KEY INNOVATION AND DIFFERENTIATION: One-way attack capability, mission-focused. A purpose-built loitering munition converting tactical intent into lethality while keeping operator cognitive load at a minimum. Safety & certification. XTEND's ESAD high-voltage fuse safety board approval, a key differentiator. Battle-proven performance. System components and AI behaviors are derived from field experience in multiple theaters, and optimized for repeatable effectiveness in contested environments. Dual-comms resilience (Fiber Optic Cable + hardened RF). Anti-jam, low-latency control to maintain mission continuity under heavy EW. Modular VTOL + munitions kit. Rapid reconfiguration in the filed as mission requires types (day/night recon surveillance, reloadable reusable distraction device, lethal inert training payload, lethal payload) with emphasis on lethal attack role. Measured cost effectiveness. System design and logistics optimized to reduce cost-per-kill and enable high operational tempo consistent with warfighters need. AVIV SHAPIRA - XTEND CEO & CO-FOUNDER "This is the first operational system in the world that allows one operator to command and deploy swarms of AI enabled tactical drones remotely, with resilient Fiber Optic-plus-RF dual-comms precision and zero-latency control," said Aviv Shapira, Co-Founder & CEO of XTEND. "After years of real combat deployments across five war zones, this is not a concept - it is a battle-proven system, lessons learned and applied, that gives war fighters reach and unparalleled tactical overmatch." RUBI LIANI - XTEND CTO & CO-FOUNDER "Our XOS unifies sensors, radars, payloads, and third-party features and apps into a single AI-driven mission backbone," said Rubi Liani, Co-Founder & CTO. "This program extends that advantage deeper into complex terrain, scaling both precision and survivability through fully coordinated swarm behavior." ABOUT XTEND XTEND is a world leader in battle-proven AI robotics, trusted by the U.S. Department of War and the IDF. At its core is XOS - the XTEND operating system - merging human intent with AI autonomy to turn mission goals into coordinated robotic action. With over 10,000 systems deployed across air, land, and sea in more than 32 countries, XTEND's platforms remove soldiers from harm's way while delivering zero-learning-time, multi-mission capability. From close quarters combat to coordinated swarm operations, XTEND's drones execute complex missions even without GPS or communications. Scaled through its local-production model, and a global manufacturing network spanning the U.S., Israel, Europe, and Singapore, XTEND is now expanding its proven defense technologies into private security and critical infrastructure protection. More at: www.xtend.me Video: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2818895/XTEND.mp4 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2819946/XTEND_Drones.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/xtend-wins-a-multi-million-dollar-us-department-of-war-dow-contract-to-develop-and-deliver-ai-enabled-affordable-close-quarter-modular-one-way-attack-drone-owa-kit-302611704.html Pentwater Capital Management LP - Form 8.3 - JTC Plc PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, November 11 FORM 8.3 PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code") 1. KEY INFORMATION (a) Full name of discloser: Pentwater Capital Management LP (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named. N/A (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree JTC plc (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure 10/11/2025 (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state "N/A" NO 2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security. (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any) Class of relevant security: 1p ordinary Interests Short positions Number % Number % (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: (2) Cash-settled derivatives: 2,775,000 1.61 (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell: TOTAL: 2,775,000 1.61 All interests and all short positions should be disclosed. Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions). (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors' and other employee options) Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists: Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages: 3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in. The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated. (a) Purchases and sales Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit (GBP) 1p ordinary Swap Reducing long position 1,000,000 13 1p ordinary Swap Reducing long position 50,000 13 1p ordinary Swap Reducing long position 75,000 13 1p ordinary Swap Reducing long position 150,000 13 (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options) (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit (ii) Exercise Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities) Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable) 4. OTHER INFORMATION (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" None (b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" None (c) Attachments Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO Date of disclosure: 11/11/2025 Contact name: Hooman Tavakolian Telephone number: +1 312-914-4301 Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service. The Panel's Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code's disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129. The Code can be viewed on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. EQS Newswire / 11/11/2025 / 16:30 CET/CEST BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 11 November 2025 - Today, Huawei held its sixth Innovation and Intellectual Property (IP) Forum, where the company announced the winners of its biannual "Top Ten Inventions" award. The event gathered experts in innovation and intellectual property from around the world to explore the importance of openness and IP protection in driving innovation and social progress. Liuping Song, Huawei's Chief Legal Officer, delivering opening remarks "Open innovation drives society and technology forward, and it's in our DNA. We are committed to an open approach to innovation," said the company's Chief Legal Officer Liuping Song. "Huawei respects the IP of others, and protects our own, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets." In 2024, Huawei's patent licensing revenue was approximately US$630 million. The patent royalties that Huawei has paid over the years are nearly three times the amount of royalties it has received. Marco Aleman, Assistant Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), noted that "Huawei is a leading global user of WIPO's Global IP Services and a strong driver of innovation. Huawei had 6,600 published Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications in 2024, and has been the top user of the PCT system since 2014." Etienne Sanz de Acedo, CEO of the International Trademark Association, emphasized, "As an intangible asset, IP is a universal language that translates innovation and creativity into quantifiable value." Ningling Wang, President-elect of the Licensing Executives Society International, said that she encourages "industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to foster collaboration, to share knowledge, to reduce barriers, and to practice responsible licensing." At the forum, Huawei unveiled the innovations that won its sixth Top Ten Inventions award, spanning a range of business domains that are key to future development, including computing, the HarmonyOS operating system, and storage. Alan Fan, Vice President and Head of the Intellectual Property Rights Department at Huawei, emphasized that, as a leading contributor to technology in the ICT sector, Huawei shares its technologies through open-source software, open hardware, patent filings, standard contributions, and academic papers. Alan Fan, Head of the Intellectual Property Rights Department at Huawei, delivering a keynote speech In 2024, Huawei published 37,000 patents, setting a new record for the company. In addition, Huawei submitted more than 10,000 technical contributions to standards organizations, and published over 1,000 academic papers. Meanwhile, the source code for OpenHarmony grew by another 10 million lines, with submissions from over 8,100 community contributors, and openEuler exceeded 10 million installations. By the end of 2024, in the cellular standard field, more than 2.7 billion 5G devices have been licensed under Huawei's patents. In the Wi-Fi domain, over 1.2 billion consumer electronic devices have been licensed under Huawei's patents. And in multimedia, more than 3.2 billion multimedia devices have been licensed under the company's video codec patents. A total of 48 Fortune Global 500 companies are Huawei licensees, either directly or indirectly. Heiwai Tang, Associate Vice-President of the University of Hong Kong, also addressed the forum, stating, "Innovation is a core driver of modern economic growth, and its sustained operation relies upon a robust, open, and globally-trusted patent system. I'm pleased to see companies like Huawei adhering to international IP norms, which maximizes the value of IP while fostering a healthy business ecosystem." As part of its efforts to drive open innovation, Huawei launched the Chaspark Patent site in June 2024. It's a free and robust platform for researchers around the world to search for patent information, a service that can be prohibitively expensive for students, individual researchers, and small organizations in tech. Today the company announced major updates to Chaspark Patent, including new features such as semantic search and AI summary. Other guest speakers at the forum include Yali Zhu, General Manager of PatSnap China; Qi Wang, Asia Pacific Director of Clarivate; Mattia Fogliacco, President of Sisvel; and Laurie Fitzgerald, President of Avanci Vehicle. They shared their own experience and best practices in open innovation. Song concluded by stating, "We are committed to building an environment that protects innovation and IP, and work closely with industry partners to promote constructive IP protection. This way, the industry can continue to grow and develop together." Hashtag: Huawei The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. News Source: Huawei 11/11/2025 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News . The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com View original content: EQS News DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Wastewater Surveillance Market, valued at US$0.82 billion in 2024, stood at US$0.88 billion in 2025 and is projected to advance at a resilient CAGR of 6.7% from 2025 to 2030, culminating in a forecasted valuation of US$1.22 billion by the end of the period. The global wastewater surveillance market is experiencing rapid growth driven by increasing demand for early detection of public health threats, stricter regulations, and expanding use of environmental monitoring for disease prevention. Demand is rising as governments, health agencies, and research institutions become more aware of wastewater data's role in tracking infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and chemical contaminants. Surveillance systems are becoming more widespread as advanced analytical technologies, automated sampling systems, and skilled laboratory networks continue to develop and become more accessible. The range of testing capabilities has grown tremendously, driving the industry toward faster, more sensitive, and more affordable solutions. This includes progress in molecular diagnostics, next-generation sequencing (NGS), biosensors, multiplex PCR assays, and AI-powered data analytics for trend forecasting. The availability of portable, field-ready testing kits and cloud-based reporting platforms has further improved the speed and dependability of results. Market leaders succeed through strong laboratory networks, specialized product lines, and strategic partnerships with public health agencies. They invest heavily in R&D to enhance pathogen detection panels, automation, and data integration tools, ensuring better accuracy and faster turnaround times. Companies are also branching into new areas like industrial wastewater compliance, illicit drug monitoring, and environmental impact assessments. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=1267279 Browse in-depth TOC on "Wastewater Surveillance Market" 231 - Tables 55 - Figures 284 - Pages By product type, the detection assays & testing kits segment is expected to experience the fastest growth from 2025 to 2030, driven by increasing demand for targeted and multiplex pathogen detection in wastewater. This segment includes viral and bacterial detection kits, AMR gene panels, and pharmaceutical residue testing solutions. As wastewater surveillance expands beyond COVID-19 to monitor pathogens like influenza, norovirus, Salmonella, and emerging AMR threats, laboratories are shifting toward sensitive, rapid-turnaround assays. Additionally, rising investments in public health infrastructure and epidemiological intelligence are accelerating the procurement of ready-to-use kits to improve throughput. The demand is especially strong in academic labs, contract testing organizations, and local health departments that require scalable, validated detection tools. Technological advancements in multiplex PCR and NGS-compatible kits are further driving segment growth by enabling broader surveillance with fewer resources. By geography, The US holds the largest share of the North American wastewater surveillance market mainly because of strong public health infrastructure, early adoption of wastewater epidemiology, and solid government funding. The CDC's National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS), launched in 2020, has played a key role in increasing national capacity and standardizing procedures. More than 1,200 sampling sites across states are already active, with plans to expand. Additionally, collaboration among public health agencies, academic institutions, and private labs has encouraged innovation in sampling, testing, and data analysis. The U.S. also benefits from major companies in instrumentation, assay kits, and analytics software, which reinforces its leading position. State investments, especially in California, New York, and Massachusetts, continue to fuel market growth. High awareness, policy support, and readiness for outbreak response make the U.S. the dominant player in the region. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=1267279 As of 2024, key players in the Wastewater Surveillance market are Biobot Analytics (US), Verily Life Sciences (US), Eurofins Scientific (Luxembourg), GT Molecular (US), LuminUltra Technologies (Canada), Kando (Israel), Bio-Rad Laboratories (US), IDEXX Laboratories (US), Hach (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific (US), Qiagen (Germany), Randox Laboratories (UK), 4sensing (Germany), Teledyne ISCO (US), and Digital Proteomics (India). IDEXX Laboratories (US): IDEXX Laboratories (US) is a leading global provider of water and wastewater testing solutions, widely recognized for its expertise in microbiological testing methods. The company offers a broad portfolio of advanced diagnostic kits, instruments, and reagents for detecting pathogens and contaminants in wastewater, including SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging public health threats. IDEXX invests heavily in R&D to improve detection sensitivity, streamline workflows, and enhance automation in sample processing. With a strong global distribution network, brand recognition, and comprehensive training programs for laboratories and public health agencies, IDEXX is a trusted partner in wastewater surveillance programs worldwide. Its ongoing innovation and commitment to public health enable it to maintain a competitive advantage in this rapidly expanding market. Thermo Fisher Scientific (US) Thermo Fisher Scientific (US) is a global leader in scientific solutions and a key provider of instruments, reagents, and molecular diagnostic technologies for wastewater surveillance. Its platforms for quantitative PCR, digital PCR, and next-generation sequencing are widely used to detect pathogens, monitor antimicrobial resistance, and track emerging variants in wastewater. Thermo Fisher's integrated approach - from sample collection and concentration to analysis and cloud-based data interpretation - ensures high accuracy and efficiency. The company's extensive R&D capabilities, strong customer support, and worldwide presence reinforce its leadership position, enabling public health agencies and research institutions to respond rapidly to evolving threats. Hach (US) Hach (US), a Danaher company, is a major player in analytical instrumentation for water and wastewater testing. Known for its advanced samplers, sensors, and laboratory instruments, Hach supports both routine monitoring and targeted surveillance programs. The company's solutions enable precise measurement of microbial, chemical, and physical parameters in wastewater, providing essential data for environmental compliance and public health protection. Hach's strong product reliability, field service network, and ongoing product innovation ensure its position as a preferred choice for utilities, municipalities, and research organizations engaged in wastewater surveillance. For more information, Inquire Now! Related Reports: PFAS Testing Market PCR Technologies Market Next Generation Sequencing Market Molecular Diagnostics Market Genomics Market Get access to the latest updates on Wastewater Surveillance Companies and Wastewater Surveillance Market Size About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. 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To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/wastewater-surveillance-market-worth-1-22-billion-by-2030-with-6-7-cagr--marketsandmarkets-302611170.html One platform for payroll and health benefits means fewer systems, fewer steps, and more time back for business owners. CANTON, OH / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / Patriot Software, a leader in cloud-based payroll and accounting solutions, has joined forces with SimplyInsured, a digital benefits platform, to simplify one of the toughest jobs for small business owners: offering health insurance. The new integration embeds insurance shopping, enrollment, and payroll deductions directly inside Patriot's payroll software. For many small businesses, offering healthcare has long been a challenge. Studies show that only about half of small businesses offer employer-sponsored health insurance. For many business owners, the process of comparing plans, managing enrollment, and managing payroll deductions and contributions is confusing and time-consuming. Patriot Payroll now integrates with SimplyInsured, removing previous roadblocks for customers. This integration allows customers to browse plans from leading carriers, receive instant quotes and automatically sync all group benefit information from employee health benefit deductions to employer contributions directly into payroll, eliminating extra steps. "Small business owners wear enough hats already," said Amie Scarpitti, Product Manager. "This integration takes something notoriously complex-health benefits-and makes it simple. Now, Patriot customers can run payroll and offer healthcare in the same place, without extra forms, spreadsheets, or headaches." This new collaboration takes the pain out of managing payroll and health benefits. It's another step in Patriot's mission to make payroll simple for American businesses and give owners back the time to focus on expanding their business and supporting their workforce. Businesses interested in streamlining their payroll and benefits can learn more and schedule a demo at Patriot Software's website, www.patriotsoftware.com. New customers receive a 30-day free trial and 50% off software pricing for the first three months. About Patriot Software Patriot provides cloud-based accounting, payroll, HR, and time and attendance software designed to help American businesses with up to 500 employees cut through administrative work. Known for affordable pricing and award-winning products, Patriot ranks in the 100th percentile for customer loyalty and satisfaction. Its U.S.-based support team delivers a level of personal service rarely found in the software industry. Since 2002, Patriot has served tens of thousands of businesses nationwide. About SimplyInsured SimplyInsured is a digital health insurance platform that enables small businesses to compare and manage employee health benefits. With instant quoting, online enrollment, and streamlined compliance, SimplyInsured empowers business owners to find the right coverage with clarity and confidence. ________________ For more information, please contact: Rachel Gray Content Manager marketing@patriotsoftware.com 877-968-7147 SOURCE: Patriot Software, LLC View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/patriot-payroll-customers-can-now-add-health-benefits-in-just-a-1099916 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - Jeff Musson, Executive Director of Coding for Veterans, and members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), joined Dani Lipkin, Managing Director, Global Listings, Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX"), to open the market in observance of Remembrance Day. Cannot view this video? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al2GIMx7j14 Coding for Veterans is celebrating 1,000 enrolments in its programs, marking a significant milestone in its mission to support Canadian military veterans transitioning to civilian careers. Through specialized online training in software development, cybersecurity, and generative AI, the programs equip CAF members to build skills that lead to sustainable, rewarding careers in tech. Dedicated to honouring veteran service by offering pathways to high-demand tech roles, Coding for Veterans helps students go from deployment to employment. "It's always a privilege to open the trading day at Toronto Stock Exchange," said Jeff Musson. "What better way to honour veteran service as they transition into civilian life than by providing them with the necessary training that leads to lasting and lucrative second careers in software development and cybersecurity." To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273990 SOURCE: Toronto Stock Exchange Combined Offering of Loyalty, Customer Intelligence, AI-Powered Personalization and CRM Will Accelerate Customer Growth for Clients Bond, the leading customer intelligence-driven engagement company backed by Mountaingate Capital, has acquired Armadillo, an award-winning UK CRM agency. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111376575/en/ The acquisition further strengthens Bond's ability to help global brands activate intelligence across nearly 200 million consumer profiles worldwide, delivering AI-powered personalization, attributable revenue growth, and powerful loyalty programs. With over 850 specialists across North America and Europe, Bond and Armadillo now offer a fully connected engagement system uniting advanced analytics, predictive modeling, CRM and loyalty strategy, enterprise marketing technology, creative activation, and closed-loop performance measurement to continuously optimize customer and commercial value. Armadillo will also enhance Bond's international footprint, complementing its expanding North American presence. "We are thrilled to welcome Armadillo to Bond," said Morana Bakula, CEO of Bond. "This is a strategic leap forward in our intelligence-first mission. Businesses are under pressure to do more with less. By fusing Bond's data science and loyalty technology with Armadillo's CRM and personalization expertise, we're enabling brands to personalize every moment, optimize every investment, and grow every relationship." Founded in 1993, Armadillo has built a reputation for unlocking MarTech to deliver high-performing customer journeys and personalized CRM programs for category-leading brands, including Disney, Nationwide Building Society, Greene King, Cunard, easyJet and Huel. The company has been recognized as the most awarded independent agency by the Data and Marketing Association over the last four consecutive years, cementing its position as a leader in intelligent, performance-driven CRM. Bond is known for deepening relationships between brands and their customers and employees to drive lasting growth. The company is the leader in customer intelligence, with decades of experience in loyalty, behavioral science, research data, proprietary frameworks, technology, and analytics. Clients include Adobe, Bath Body Works, Ford, Gap, McDonald's, Sephora, and many others. James Ray will expand his leadership, becoming SVP, Head of CRM, Global. Jo Penn extends her UK role to become Managing Director, UK Europe. Both Ray and Penn will continue to work with existing clients, along with Armadillo's current leadership and employees. James Ray, CEO of Armadillo explained, "Marketing is at a turning point. CCOs, CMOs, and CTOs are juggling huge pressure and huge opportunity. Together, we cut through the complexity, turning brand, tech, and loyalty into one seamless engine for growth. What excites us is how well our cultures and values click. Both agencies are led by people who live and breathe the work, with clients, creativity, and the business front and center. This partnership will supercharge what we do, open new doors for clients, and bring together incredible talent. It's a perfect fit: same vision, same passion, all totally connected to the work and our clients." Bond Founder and Chairman, Bob Macdonald said, "This acquisition substantiates our guiding principle that customer understanding drives long-lasting success. This is even more important today than when we were founded, and Bond continues to get more sophisticated at unlocking greater value for consumers and businesses. Our depth in loyalty, coupled with Armadillo's creative and one-to-one marketing strengths, will provide clients with unparalleled engagement solutions that inspire customer action and deliver sustainable growth." The acquisition represents Bond's continued expansion, further enhancing its ability to provide clients with a wide spectrum of fully integrated solutions. About Armadillo Armadillo is a leading UK relationship marketing agency. It fuses technology, data, strategy and creativity to create valuable, individual human, relationships between customers and brands. Specialists in unlocking the untapped potential of brands' MarTech systems and accelerating personalized marketing at scale, Armadillo creates award-winning CRM campaigns that deliver exceptional customer experiences and commercial growth all implemented at pace. Clients include Disney, Nationwide Building Society, Greene King, Cunard and easyJet and Huel. CEO James Ray is Chair of The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising for England and Wales. For more information, please visit www.armadillocrm.com. About Bond Bond is the customer-intelligence driven engagement company that creates growth by building lasting connections between brands, their employees, and their customers. Powered by Bond Intelligence, Bond's work produces stronger brand loyalty, more advocacy, and lasting growth. Through Bond's unique integrated growth solutions, Bond is continuously recognized for its approach to engagement by tapping into the full potential of known customer connections through loyalty and engagement program optimization, design, customer intelligence, advanced analytics and A.I. integrated technologies. Bond operates offices globally throughout North America and Europe to support its clients. For more information, please visit www.BondBL.com. About Mountaingate Capital Mountaingate Capital is a Colorado-based private equity firm that specializes in partnering with founders and entrepreneurial companies to accelerate growth and build industry leaders. Mountaingate's focus on organic growth, coupled with its customer-centric buy-and-build approach for add-on acquisitions, and shared equity ownership with management, creates more value for the end client, while forging stronger, more collaborative, and more successful investment partnerships with management teams. With over $1.4 billion of assets under management, Mountaingate targets investments in marketing services, business services, specialty manufacturing and distribution. For more information on Mountaingate, please visit www.mountaingate.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111376575/en/ Contacts: For more information, please contact: Trent Sisson, Managing Director Phone: 303.390.5001 TotalEnergies (40%, operator) (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE) and its partners QatarEnergy (35%) and Petronas (25%) have signed a production sharing contract for Block S4 with Guyana's Ministry of National Resources represented by His Excellency Vickram Bharrat, following the block's 2023 award in the Guyana 2022 Licensing Round. Block S4 is a 1,788 km2 block located about 50-100 km from shore. The initial work program consists of a 2000 km2 3D seismic acquisition. TotalEnergies is delighted to bring its expertise as an operator to Guyana, in a shallow-water offshore block within this prolific basin, and to further strengthen its global strategic partnerships with QatarEnergy and Petronas. This block fits our strategy of exploring for material, low-cost, and low-emission resources," said Nicola Mavilla, Senior Vice President Exploration of TotalEnergies. About TotalEnergies TotalEnergies is a global integrated energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas, biogas and low-carbon hydrogen, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to provide as many people as possible with energy that is more reliable, more affordable and more sustainable. Active in about 120 countries, TotalEnergies places sustainability at the heart of its strategy, its projects and its operations. @TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies Cautionary Note The terms "TotalEnergies", "TotalEnergies company" or "Company" in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies' financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111764603/en/ Contacts: TotalEnergies Contacts Corporate Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l presse@totalenergies.com l @TotalEnergiesPR Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l ir@totalenergies.com HYDERABAD, India, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Mordor Intelligence, the cold storage market size is estimated at USD 158.67 billion in 2025 and set to approach USD 198.78 billion by 2030 growing at a 4.61% CAGR, is strengthening as online grocery activity accelerates and biologics supply chains expand. Asia-Pacific stands out with both the largest share and the fastest growth, supported by urban consumption and public investment in cold infrastructure. Companies are increasingly outsourcing to specialist 3PLs, especially in dense hubs where automated high-bay systems help ease labor shortages and space pressures. While frozen units remain essential, demand for ultra-low and cryogenic environments is rising alongside advancements in cell and gene therapies. Regional Market Outlook Asia-Pacific leads the cold storage sector, supported by national incentives and expanding cold chain networks. India and China are channeling public funds into storage infrastructure, while Japan advances automated vertical warehouses. Australia and South Korea focus on upgrading sites for seafood and vaccine logistics, and ASEAN ports like Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City are developing reefer facilities to enhance export efficiency. Rising disposable incomes are also boosting demand for localized cold lockers in emerging cities. North America follows closely, driven by the surge in e-grocery activity and the expansion of urban cold chain facilities. The United States continues to dominate with large coastal and inland warehouse projects, while Canada strengthens its footprint around key metro regions for food and pharmaceutical logistics. Limited land availability in major cities has encouraged vertical storage models, and cybersecurity resilience is now a growing priority for operators. Other Regions Covered in the Report: South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa Key Market Drivers Urban E-Grocery Boom Drives Micro-Fulfillment Cold Warehouses The surge in online grocery shopping is pushing retailers to set up compact, automated cold warehouses in cities. These micro-fulfillment hubs speed up deliveries, blending store and warehouse functions. To manage perishable goods efficiently, operators use smart inventory systems and often rely on third-party logistics providers for last-mile integration. Automation Transforms Cold Storage in Asia Rising labor costs and limited land are prompting Asian operators to adopt tall, automated cold warehouses that maximize space and efficiency. These high-bay facilities reduce labor needs, operate continuously, and are increasingly built into new projects from the start, marking a major shift toward technology-driven cold storage solutions. Key Segments Driving Market Growth By Service Type Public Warehousing Private Warehousing By Temperature Type Chilled (0-5 C) Frozen (-18-0 C) Ambient Deep-Frozen / Ultra-Low (<-20 C) By Automation Level (Storage) Conventional Facilities Automated Cold Stores (AS/RS, Robotics) By Application Fruits & Vegetables Meat & Poultry Fish & Seafood Dairy & Frozen Desserts Bakery & Confectionery Ready-to-Eat Meals Pharmaceuticals & Biologics Vaccines & Clinical Trial Materials Chemicals & Specialty Materials Other Perishables By Geography South America Europe Middle East and Africa North America Asia-Pacific Overview - Cold Storage Market Study Period 2019-2030 Market Size Forecast USD 198.78 billion (2030) Industry Expansion Growing at a CAGR of 4.61% during 2025-2030 Largest & Fastest Growing Market for 2025-2030 Asia-Pacific Companies Covered in the Cold Storage Analysis Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC Americold Realty Trust, Inc. United States Cold Storage, Inc. Burris Logistics, Inc. Nichirei Logistics Group Inc. AGRO Merchants Group, LLC NewCold Advanced Cold Logistics VersaCold Logistics Services Congebec Logistics, Inc. Conestoga Cold Storage Henningsen Cold Storage Co. Interstate Warehousing, Inc. Swire Cold Chain Logistics Ltd. Vertical Cold Storage Tippmann Group / Interstate Warehousing FreezPak Logistics Seafrigo Group Arcadia Cold Storage & Logistics Trenton Cold Storage Inc. Arctic Glacier Holdings, Inc. Read the detailed industry insights on Cold Storage Market: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/cold-storage-market?utm_source=prnewswire Explore related reports from Mordor Intelligence Cold Chain Logistics Market: The cold chain logistics market is segmented by service type into refrigerated storage (public warehousing and private warehousing), refrigerated transportation (road, rail, sea, and air), and value-added services; by temperature type into chilled (0-5 C), frozen (-18-0 C), ambient, and deep-frozen or ultra-low (more than -20 C); by application into fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, fish and seafood, dairy and frozen desserts, bakery and confectionery, ready-to-eat meals, pharmaceuticals and biologics, vaccines and clinical trial materials, chemicals and specialty materials, and other applications; and by geography. https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/cold-chain-logistics-market?utm_source=prnewswire Dropshipping Market : Dropshipping market is segmented by product into fashion, electronics and media, toys, hobby and DIY, furniture and appliances, health, beauty and personal care, and others (pet, auto, etc.); by destination into domestic and cross-border/international; by sales channel into online marketplaces, branded e-commerce stores, and social-commerce platforms; by business model into B2C, B2B/wholesale dropship, and C2C/resale; and by geography. Perishable Goods Transportation Market : The perishable goods transportation market is segmented by mode of transportation (value) into road, sea, air, and rail; by product type (value) into fruits and vegetables, meat and seafood, dairy products, bakery and confectionery, pharmaceuticals and biologics, and others; by temperature range (value) into cold chain (ambient 15-25 C, chilled 2-8 C, and frozen below 0 C) and non-cold chain; and by geography. About Mordor Intelligence: Mordor Intelligence is a trusted partner for businesses seeking comprehensive and actionable market intelligence. Our global reach, expert team, and tailored solutions empower organizations and individuals to make informed decisions, navigate complex markets, and achieve their strategic goals. With a team of over 550 domain experts and on-ground specialists spanning 150+ countries, Mordor Intelligence possesses a unique understanding of the global business landscape. This expertise translates into comprehensive market analysis and research reports as well as syndicated and custom research offerings that cover a wide spectrum of industries, including aerospace & defence, agriculture, animal nutrition and wellness, automation, automotive, chemicals & materials, consumer goods & services, electronics, energy & power, financial services, food & beverages, healthcare, hospitality & tourism, information & communications technology, investment opportunities, and logistics. For media inquiries or further information, please contact: media@mordorintelligence.com https://www.mordorintelligence.com/contact-us Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2746908/Mordor_Intelligence_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cold-storage-market-worth-usd-198-billion-by-2030-led-by-apac-and-automation-trends-says-mordor-intelligence-302611560.html LISBON, Portugal, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Crypto Content Creator Campus (CCCC) , the global summit at the intersection of content, crypto, and creator monetization, today announced the confirmation of a new sponsorship commitment from OKX Web3 for its Lisbon 2025 edition, taking place from 14-16 November 2025. The exchange joins Bybit, the founding sponsor of CCCC, reinforcing the significance and impact of the event as a key bridge between the creator economy and Web3 adoption. The addition of one of the world's most influential crypto platforms highlights the urgency and momentum driving creator-led innovation as blockchain enters mainstream conversations. The collaboration with OKX Web3 underscores the industry's recognition that creators are becoming essential distribution channels, community builders, and on-ramps into Web3 - marking a new phase in the evolution of the creator economy. OKX Web3's involvement complements Bybit's founding sponsorship, which has championed CCCC since inception by supporting grassroots creator education and real-world utility tools. The strengthening sponsor roster aligns with CCCC's mission to equip creators with the knowledge, networks, and infrastructure needed to build sustainable careers in the decentralized economy. The Lisbon edition will also explore gated content models, affiliate ecosystems, community tokens, and gamified participation mechanics that mirror emerging Web3 engagement strategies. Returning to Europe's leading crypto hub - powered by a vibrant DeFi ecosystem and supportive policy environment - CCCC Lisbon 2025 will feature global visionaries including Ben Zhou, Christian Rau, Erin Teague, Dr. Maye Musk, Nick Tran, Musa Tariq, Philippe Ben Mohamed, and Sergej Loiter. With speaker lineups locked and campus builds underway, organizers are encouraging creators, media, and brand partners to secure their registrations early as capacity is expected to peak. Event Details: Location: Lisbon, Portugal Dates: November 14-16, 2025 Tickets & Info: https://www.cccc.buzz/en/lisbon Join the conversation: CCCCLisbon Media registration and limited partnership slots remain open. About Crypto Content Creator Campus (CCCC) CCCC is a team of industry experts and visionaries committed to shaping the future of content creation within the Web3 and crypto sphere. Driven by a shared passion for creating a high-value community, we've curated a campus that promises an experience unlike any other. The CCCC 2025 will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, from November 14 to 16, 2025. For more details about CCCC, please visit: https://www.cccc.buzz/ For inquiries, please contact: hello@cccc.buzz Instagram | X Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2820012/CCCC_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/okx-web3-joins-founding-sponsor-bybit-to-power-cccc-lisbon-2025-302611773.html Molecular spectroscopy is widely applied across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, environmental, and food industries due to its ability to analyze molecular structures, identify compounds, and monitor chemical processes with high precision. Techniques such as UV-Vis, infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Raman spectroscopy are used for applications including drug development, quality control, environmental testing, and material characterization. With growing demand for advanced analytical tools, increasing pharmaceutical R&D, and expanding uses in biotechnology and clinical diagnostics, molecular spectroscopy continues to gain traction across healthcare, environmental monitoring, and industrial research segments globally. WILMINGTON, Del., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Molecular Spectroscopy Market by Technology (UV Visible Spectroscopy, Infrared Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Raman Spectroscopy, and Others), and Application (Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology, Environmental Testing, Food and Beverage Testing, Academic and Research Institutes, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2034". According to the report, the molecular spectroscopy market was valued at $3.9 billion in 2024, and is estimated to reach $6.4 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5% from 2025 to 2034. Request Sample of the Report on Molecular Spectroscopy Market Forecast 2034 - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A34944 Market Introduction The molecular spectroscopy market encompasses a diverse range of analytical technologies used to study the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter, enabling precise identification, structural characterization, and quantification of molecules. Core techniques include nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), and Raman spectroscopy, each serving critical roles in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food safety, environmental monitoring, and academic research. Market growth is driven by rising demand for advanced drug discovery, stringent regulatory requirements for quality control, and expanding applications in nanotechnology and materials science. Recent developments include the introduction of portable and benchtop instruments, AI-driven data analysis, and cloud-enabled platforms for remote monitoring. Strategic collaborations, product innovations, and investments in R&D are reshaping the competitive landscape, while the growing emphasis on food and environmental safety and increased healthcare spending in emerging economies further strengthen market adoption and expansion globally. Report Overview: The molecular spectroscopy market is segmented into technology, application, and region. On the basis of technology, it is segmented into UV-visible spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and others. On the basis of application, the market is classified into pharmaceuticals & biotechnology, environmental testing, food & beverage testing, academic & research institutes, and others. Region-wise, the market is analyzed across North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, and rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and rest of LAMEA). On the basis of technology, the NMR spectroscopy segment dominated the market in terms of revenue in 2024 However, Raman spectroscopy segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. On the basis of application, the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology segment dominated the market in terms of revenue in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Region wise, North America generated the largest revenue in 2024. However, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Report Coverage & Details Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2025-2034 Base Year 2024 Market Size in 2024 $3.9 billion Market Size in 2034 $6.4 billion CAGR 5 % No. of Pages in Report 278 Segments Covered Technology, Application, and Region Target Region / Countries North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, and rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, India, Australia, and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Rest of LAMEA). Drivers Rise in Advancements in Technology Growth in Applications in Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology Expanding Role in Environmental and Food Safety Testing Opportunities Growth opportunities in emerging markets Restraints High Production Costs of Instruments Want to Explore More, Connect to our Analyst - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/A34944 Market Growth & Opportunities Factors: The molecular spectroscopy market is experiencing strong momentum, primarily due to the growing demand for precise analytical techniques in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food safety, and environmental monitoring. Spectroscopic methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), and Raman spectroscopy are increasingly used in drug discovery, quality control, and advanced materials research. A key driver is the rising need for accurate molecular characterization to support regulatory compliance and ensure product safety across industries. The pharmaceutical sector, in particular, is witnessing increasing reliance on spectroscopy for biomolecular analysis, protein characterization, and metabolomics. Similarly, heightened global focus on environmental testing and food authenticity is expanding the scope of molecular spectroscopy in routine applications. The market also presents lucrative opportunities driven by ongoing technological advancements. Innovations such as miniaturized and portable spectrometers, AI-integrated platforms, and cloud-enabled data sharing are enhancing accessibility and efficiency in laboratory and field testing. These developments are broadening adoption in resource-limited settings and real-time monitoring applications. Additionally, molecular spectroscopy is finding new frontiers in nanotechnology, semiconductor analysis, and forensic science, reflecting its versatility across emerging scientific domains. Growing investments in academic and industrial R&D, coupled with collaborations between instrument manufacturers and research institutes, are accelerating the development of next-generation spectroscopy systems. Expanding applications in personalized medicine and biomarker discovery further highlight the long-term opportunities in this field. Major Challenges in Industry & Solutions: Despite its promising growth, the molecular spectroscopy market faces several notable challenges. A primary concern is the high cost of advanced spectroscopy instruments, particularly NMR and Raman systems, which can limit adoption in small laboratories and emerging economies. To address this, companies are investing in the development of compact, cost-effective devices without compromising accuracy. Leasing models, shared laboratory facilities, and academic-industry collaborations are also emerging as solutions to improve accessibility. Another challenge lies in the complexity of data interpretation, especially with multi-dimensional spectroscopy outputs, which can hinder usability among non-specialist end users. To overcome this, vendors are increasingly integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into spectroscopy software, simplifying data analysis and improving accuracy. Enhanced training programs and digital learning tools are also helping users maximize instrument efficiency and reliability. For Purchase Related Queries/Inquiry - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A34944 Regional Insights North America holds a dominant share in the molecular spectroscopy market, driven by advanced R&D infrastructure, strong pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and robust government funding for scientific research. The U.S. is a global leader in drug discovery, precision medicine, and environmental monitoring, all of which rely heavily on spectroscopy techniques. According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. federal agencies allocated over $42 billion to research and development in 2022, with a significant portion supporting advanced analytical instrumentation. This strong focus on innovation, combined with a growing number of FDA-regulated applications requiring spectroscopy for quality assurance, ensures sustained demand across sectors. Europe remains a key contributor, supported by a well-established academic and research ecosystem, stringent regulatory frameworks for food safety and environmental monitoring, and strong pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities. Countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and the UK are global hubs for chemical and life sciences research, driving steady demand for advanced spectroscopy tools. Regulatory mandates under the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the EU's environmental policies have further fueled adoption in food authenticity testing and pollution monitoring. Strategic collaborations between European universities and instrument manufacturers are also accelerating innovations such as hybrid spectroscopic systems and AI-powered platforms. The Asia-Pacific region is emerging as the fastest-growing market for molecular spectroscopy, propelled by rapid industrialization, growing pharmaceutical R&D, and increasing emphasis on quality testing in food and environmental sectors. China, Japan, and India are major contributors, with rising government initiatives to strengthen domestic scientific research infrastructure. For instance, China's 14th Five-Year Plan emphasizes advanced instrumentation development to reduce reliance on imports. Additionally, the region's booming biopharmaceutical sector and expanding academic research base are creating strong demand for cost-effective spectroscopy solutions. Companies are strategically partnering with local distributors and research institutes to enhance penetration in these high-growth markets. The expansion of medical tourism, increasing healthcare spending, and growing awareness of food and environmental safety are expected to further fuel adoption across Asia-Pacific in the coming years. Major Global Key Players: Between 2023 and 2025, product approval, product launch, agreement and acquisition have emerged as the most prominent activities in the Hyaluronic acid products market, enabling key players to expand their offerings and strengthen their market position. For instance, In April 2025, HORIBA, a global leader in analytical and measurement technologies, announced the launch of the PoliSpectra Rapid Raman Plate Reader (RPR) for Raman High-Throughput Screening (HTS). RPR technology enables efficient monitoring of bioprocesses and drug discovery workflows with rapid, non-destructive analysis of 96 wells within one minute. The major players in the molecular spectroscopy industry include Bruker Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., PerkinElmer Inc., Agilent technologies, inc., Shimadzu Corporation, ABB, JEOL Ltd., HORIBA, JASCO, and VIAVI Solutions Inc. Key Strategies Adopted by Competitors In March 2025, HORIBA, a global leader in analytical and measurement technology, announced an expanded portfolio of instruments tailored to meet the rigorous demands of the pharmaceutical industry. Its current suite of offerings encompasses applications across the entire pharmaceutical lifecycle-from drug discovery and development to manufacturing and quality control. In February 2025, Bruker Corporation announced the launch of the VERTEX NEO Platform, with its first product, the VERTEX NEO R. This release marks a continuation of providing high-end Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) instrumentation for unparalleled and disturbance-free academic and industrial research and development. In April 2024, Bruker Corporation, the leading provider of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy solutions, announced the introduction of novel high-resolution solid-state NMR scientific capabilities that can enable unprecedented structural biology discoveries in large proteins, membrane proteins, and protein aggregates. It launched a new ultra-fast CP/MAS iProbe as the latest innovation in solid-state NMR technology. Featuring a 160 kHz Magic Angle Spinning (MAS) system, it takes high-resolution MAS and proton detection on solid biological samples to the next level, enabling new scientific discoveries. In February 2024, Bruker Corporation announced the launch of the new BEAM - the first dedicated single-point spectrometer unleashing the full power of FT-NIR spectroscopy, taking in-process control for solid samples to the next level. Unlike common single-point analyzers based on filter or diode-array technology, the BEAM uses FT-NIR technology based on Bruker's RockSolidTM interferometer to ensure it can perform the same applications with the same precision, accuracy, and long-term stability expected from a high-end lab-based system. In February 2024, Bruker Corporation announced the acquisition of Nanophoton Corporation, a pioneer focused on advanced research Raman microscopy systems. Headquartered in Osaka, Nanophoton offers a broad portfolio of advanced Raman microscopes, serving academic and industrial research customers, primarily in Japan. This acquisition fills a gap in Bruker's molecular microscopy portfolio, and Bruker is looking forward to offering fast, flexible, and sensitive Nanophoton Raman microscopy systems worldwide for research and development in life sciences, biopharma, advanced materials, semiconductors, and polymers. In January 2024, Bruker Corporation announced the acquisition of Tornado Spectral Systems Inc., a Canadian company specializing in process Raman instruments, primarily used in pharma and biotech quality control applications. Tornado, with over a decade of experience in innovative and industry-proven Raman solutions, will enhance Bruker's biopharma PAT portfolio with its well-established products. In April 2023, Bruker Corporation, at the Experimental Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Conference (ENC 2023), announced innovations for NMR spectroscopy in life science, pharma, and cleantech research to enable discoveries in functional structural biology, drug discovery, and battery research. It launched the Ascend Evo 400 new standard 400 MHz NMR magnet with a liquid helium hold-time of one year to reduce costs of ownership and enhance operational convenience. In April 2023, HORIBA, a global leader in analytical and measurement technology, announced the new LabRAM Odyssey, a fully automated and remotely controllable system. The LabRAM Odyssey replaces the best seller LabRAM HR Evolution. Developed on the same platform, the LabRAM Odyssey is now more user friendly and offers new functionalities, advanced confocal imaging capabilities in 2D and 3D, and is fully compliant with all market requirements. 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With Avenue, subscribers can avail themselves of an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports. Get access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides end-to-end solutions along with information, education, advocacy, and networking resources to SMEs and early-stage start-ups to bring excellence to their processes. 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Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-855-550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/molecular-spectroscopy-market-to-reach-6-4-billion-globally-by-2034-at-5-cagr-allied-market-research-302611536.html Mobiliare Issues US$500 million 6.75% Senior Notes due 2032 GUATEMALA CITY, GT / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / Mobiliare Real Estate Solutions, a company focused on developing, owning, managing and leasing real estate properties in nine Latin American countries, announced today the closing of the issuance of US$ 500 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.75% senior unsecured notes due 2032 (the "Notes") in a transaction exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Notes, which were guaranteed by several of Mobiliare's operating subsidiaries, will be listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX-ST) (Ticker: MOBLMC) and were rated Ba1 by Moody's and BB+ by Fitch Ratings, the highest achieved for a Guatemalan headquartered company. Mobiliare will use the net proceeds from the offering to (i) refinance most of its existing indebtedness and (ii) support its growth through a disciplined diversification and non-speculative strategy, anchored in long-term leases with multinational tenants and a robust financial framework. "This transaction marks a pivotal milestone in Mobiliare's evolution as a regional real estate operating company," said Guillermo Montano, Chief Executive Officer of Mobiliare. "We were grateful to have 160 investors from North America, EMEA, Latin America and APAC interested in our company and for the opportunity to present our company to over 60 of them. It reflects confidence from high-quality investors in our fundamentals and enhances our ability to deliver institutional-grade assets that support our clients' operations in Latin America's expanding markets." The Notes placement efforts were led by Bank of America Securities and J.P. Morgan. Mobilare's US counsel on the transaction was Clifford Chance US LLP. The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or under any state securities laws. Joint Bookrunners Quotes Sergio Fernandez, Director, Latin America Debt Capital Markets, Bank of America Securities "Bank of America is honored to be part of this landmark benchmark transaction for Mobiliare, which represented the largest inaugural debt issuance for real estate C corp in Latin America. Mobiliare's reception in the international capital markets, just 5 years after the company's founding, received a robust demand, composed of incredibly high-quality global investors, demonstrating the appealing credit story of the company. Congratulations to the whole team on this successful debut" J.P. Morgan indicated: "The orderbook garnered momentum throughout the morning, where it eventually achieved oversubscription after announcement and received multiple orders from real money, high quality accounts." "[The transaction] Proves investor appetite for high quality real estate industrial names, becoming the first industrial real estate issuance out of CA&C." About Mobiliare Real Estate Solutions Mobiliare Real Estate Solutions is a Latin American real estate operating company resulting from the consolidation of assets of several entrepreneurial leaders in 2020, specializing in the ownership, management, development and leasing of client-driven properties through build-to-suit and sale-and-leaseback structures. The company partners with multinational and regional corporations across logistics, industrial and nearshore service sectors. As of September 30, 2025, Mobiliare held US$1.24 billion in consolidated total assets, a fixed-term weighted average lease term (WALT) significantly exceeding industry standards, and 99.2% of revenues denominated in U.S. dollars from top-tier multinational tenants. Mobiliare integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles across its operations and is regionally recognized for its sustainable development standards having been awarded the EDGE Champion by the IFC and obtained a framework rating of SQS2 (very good) from Moody's Ratings. Mobiliare remains committed to delivering institutional-quality real estate solutions that combine operational excellence, responsible growth, and measurable impact across Latin America. Contact Daiann Irigoyen Chief Strategy Officer investor.relations@mobiliare.la SOURCE: Mobiliare Real Estate Solutions View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/real-estate/mobiliare-issues-us500-million-6.75-senior-notes-due-2032-in-successful-debut-in-the-in-1100176 The global P2P payment market is experiencing rapid growth due to a rise in smartphone penetration and internet connectivity along with growing consumer preference for digital payments. The increase in technological advancements and innovations further drives market expansion. WILMINGTON, Delaware, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report titled, "P2P Payment Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2034," valued at $2,851.1 million in 2024. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.3% from 2025 to 2034, reaching $14,506.8 million by 2034. Key factors fueling this growth include a rise in smartphone penetration and internet connectivity, consumer preference for digital payments, and an increase in technological advancements and innovations to enhance transaction security and user experience. Get a Sample Copy of this Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2568 Report Overview: Rise in smartphone penetration and internet connectivity coupled with growing consumer preference for digital payments have driven the demand for peer-to-peer (P2P) payment solutions, prompting service providers to enhance platform security and transaction speed. Additionally, technological advancement and innovations are driving the development of seamless and user-friendly payment platforms, further accelerating overall market growth. However, the security concerns and risks of fraud, along with regulatory challenges, pose significant restraints. Conversely, the integration of P2P payment with IoT devices within the P2P payment landscape presents significant opportunities for market players. Key Segmentation Overview: The P2P payment market is segmented based on transaction mode, payment type, end-user, and region. By Transaction Mode: Mobile Web Payments, Near Field Communication, SMS/Direct Carrier Billing, and Others. By Payment Type: Remote and Proximity By End User: Personal and Business By Region: North America (U.S., and Canada) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) LAMEA (Brazil, South Africa, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Rest of LAMEA) Market Highlights By transaction mode, the mobile web payments segment dominated the market in 2024 and is expected to continue leading due to the integration of P2P payments with social media and messaging apps, increase in the use of mobile web payments, and adoption of cross-border remittances. By payment type, the proximity segment witnessed significant growth due to the adoption of proximity-based payments, increase in the use of digital wallets, and the government's supportive policies aimed at enhancing financial inclusion, digital infrastructure, and cashless transactions. By end user, the personal segment experienced significant growth due to rise in digital awareness, growing adoption of mobile-first solutions, and the integration of P2P payment with e-commerce and gig economy. Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2025-2034 Base Year 2024 Market Size in 2024 $2,851.1 Million Market Size in 2034 $14,506.8 Million CAGR 17.3 % Segments covered Transaction Mode, Payment Type, End User, and Region Drivers Increase in smartphone penetration and internet connectivity Growth in consumer preference for digital payments Opportunity Integration with IoT Device Restraints Security concerns and risks of fraud Regulatory challenges Enquire Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2568 Factors Affecting Market Growth & Opportunities: Rise in smartphone penetration and internet connectivity, expansion of mobile banking services, and increasing affordability of smart devices have propelled the growth of the P2P payment market. Factors such as the growing consumer preference for digital payments, enabling faster transactions, greater convenience, and real-time fund transfers, along with technological advancements and innovations that enable enhanced security and seamless user experience in the P2P payment market are driving the market forward. Demand for Enhanced Security Measure: Biometric authentication, such as fingerprint and facial recognition, enhances transaction security by ensuring user verification. Encryption and tokenization help protect sensitive data, minimize the risk of fraud, and build trust in digital payment platforms. Innovations in P2P Payment: Embedded finance in super apps offers seamless access to services like payments, loans, and insurance within one platform, enhancing convenience and user engagement. However, persistent security issues and the risk of fraud coupled with regulatory challenges remain concerns for industry players. Market participants are focusing on strengthening authentication protocols, adopting advanced encryption technologies, and ensuring regulatory compliance to ensure secure, reliable, and trustworthy P2P payment solutions. Regulatory Landscape & Compliance: The P2P payment market operates within a highly regulatory landscape, shaped by various global, regional, and national frameworks aimed at ensuring security, transparency, and consumer protection. These regulations are designed to ensure data privacy, anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, and the prevention of fraudulent activities, while also promoting trust and financial stability. Key regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) mandate strong customer authentication and data protection practices. Compliance in P2P payment aims to ensure secure transactions, user verification, financial accountability, and operational integrity by setting clear standards for identity verification, transaction monitoring, and reporting obligations for financial institutions, fintech companies, and service providers involved in peer-to-peer payment systems. Recent regulations aim to strengthen and streamline P2P payment by enhancing transaction security, data privacy, and fraud detection mechanisms, while ensuring financial transparency and consumer trust. Technological Innovations & Future Trends: NFC and QR code payments enable fast, contactless transactions via smartphones or wearables, allowing easy P2P transfers without sharing card details. Decentralized Finance (DeFi) integration allows users to lend, borrow, and invest directly on P2P platforms without intermediaries. It also enables the tokenization of assets, creating new financial products, and opportunities. Voice-activated payments are growing with the rise of voice assistants like Alexa and Siri, allowing users to initiate P2P transactions hands-free for greater convenience. Regional Insights Asia-Pacific dominated the P2P payment market owing to the rapid adoption of digital payment technologies and the large unbanked population seeking alternative financial services. In addition, the widespread use of smartphones and increasing internet penetration fuels the growth of the market in this region. China leads the P2P payment market in this region due to its large consumer base, government support for cashless transactions, and the presence of major P2P payment platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay. The country's advanced mobile infrastructure and digital ecosystem provide ample opportunities for P2P payment solutions, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual consumers. For instance, in June 2025, Alipay partnered with AR tech company Rokid to launch in-store payment functionality via AR glasses in China. This innovation allows users to make hands-free payments by linking their Alipay account to Rokid Glasses, using voice commands like "Rokid, pay 10 RMB" to complete transactions. The glasses scan the merchant's QR code, and users confirm payments via voice, with details shown on the display. This marks a major step toward immersive commerce, enabling faster, more intuitive shopping experiences and opening new engagement opportunities for businesses. LAMEA is expected to witness rapid growth during the forecast period, driven by factors such as increasing smartphone penetration, rising internet accessibility, and growing demand for convenient financial services. In addition, the government's financial inclusion initiatives aim to expand banking access and promote digital payments, enhancing trust in P2P payment by ensuring regulatory frameworks and consumer protection, which contribute toward the market growth in the region. Africa stands out as a dominant player in the P2P payment industry, due to widespread mobile money adoption, large unbanked populations, and innovative fintech solutions. In countries like Kenya and Nigeria, mobile network operators and fintech companies are actively supporting P2P payment in both urban and rural areas. The digital payment system is emerging in the Middle East, with government-backed strategies aimed at boosting cashless transactions and improving financial inclusion. Request Customization: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/2568 Key Players: Major players in the P2P payment market include PayPal Holdings, Inc., Google LLC, Apple Inc., Payoneer Inc., Block, Inc., National Association and Bremer Insurance Agencies, Inc., ONE97 COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED, PAYTM), N26 Bank SE, Circle Internet Financial, LLC, Wise plc, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Remitly, Inc., Skrill (Paysafe Holdings UK Limited), NetSpend Corporation, Vodafone Group Plc., Chime Financial, Inc., Early Warning Services, LLC, Tencent Holdings Limited, Alipay, and Paysend. These companies are focusing on expanding their service offerings and strategic partnerships, enhancing digital accessibility, customer outreach, and financial inclusion in the P2P payment industry. Key Strategies Adopted by Competitors In April 2025, PayPal's remittance service Xoom partnered with Tenpay Global, Tencent's cross-border payment platform, to enable cross-border money transfers to Weixin Pay users in China. This collaboration allows users in the U.S., Canada, and Europe to send funds directly to recipients' Weixin Pay wallet balances or linked bank accounts. The service is designed to be fast, secure, and user-friendly, supporting everyday needs like family support and daily expenses, and is accessible via the Xoom or PayPal apps and websites. In August 2024, major fintech platforms including Google Pay, PhonePe, Cred, Mobikwik, and Amazon Pay joined the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) digital currency pilot. These companies are now authorized to offer transactions using the e-rupee, India's central bank digital currency (CBDC), through their apps. Initially, only the RBI could offer e-rupee services, but in April 2024, it allowed approved fintechs to participate in the pilot, expanding access and testing broader use cases for digital currency in India. 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Extended Warranty MarketSize, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report by Coverage, by Distribution Channel, by Application, by End-users, by Sales Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients in making strategic business decisions and achieving sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. 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Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com https://medium.com/@kokate.mayuri1991 https://bfsibloghub.blogspot.com/ https://steemit.com/@monikak/posts Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/p2p-payment-market-to-reach-2-851-1-million-by-2024-in-the-short-term-and-14-506-8-million-by-2034-globally-at-17-3-cagr-allied-market-research-302611829.html SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global medical device outsourcing market size is projected to reach USD 386.08 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 13.29% from 2025 to 2033. The market is driven by increasing demand for medical devices, combined with the rising price competition and the requirement to reduce costs. The medical device business is under continual pressure to regulate costs without compromising on the R&D process, time to market, or associated safety & quality, even as segment growth is driven by novel technologies, process developments, and a rapidly aging population, which together result in increasingly stringent and complex regulations due to heightened market competition. Simultaneously, regulatory approval procedures are becoming more stringent and time-consuming, necessitating that market players receive product approvals on the first attempt to gain higher market share while managing continuous changes in regulatory requirements across different business activities and multiple geographies worldwide, since noncompliance may result in penalties, delays, and subsequent revenue loss. To mitigate these challenges and capitalize on opportunities like geographic expansion (aimed at speedy global approvals), Medical device Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) can benefit from outsourcing some operations to achieve increased agility, low operational costs, reduced time to market, and a high return on investment, transforming their companies from cost centers into strategic investments; this environment is consequently expected to create strong demand for medical affairs and regulatory affairs outsourcing services. The market is classified by service into contract manufacturing, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, product design & development, product testing & sterilization, product implementation, product upgrade, and product maintenance services, with contract manufacturing services accounting for the largest revenue share at 55.1% in 2024. This dominance is fueled by market players striving to reduce costs due to shrinking profit margins, which involves implementing shift work to curtail fixed costs, and by the fact that contract manufacturing enables small and medium-sized companies, which often lack skilled labor and technical resources, to complete projects, with the Asia Pacific considered the hub for this activity. Conversely, the quality assurance segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by the increasing emphasis on regulatory compliance, the rising complexity of product development, and the growing need to maintain high standards of product safety and efficacy, further propelled by the surge in outsourcing of quality assurance activities by pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies to specialized service providers. Request a free sample report of this Report: Medical Device Outsourcing Market The market, segmented by application into cardiology, diagnostic imaging, orthopedic, IVD, ophthalmic, general & plastic surgery, drug delivery, dental, endoscopy, diabetes care, and others, saw the cardiology segment hold the largest share in 2024, a result of the rising prevalence of cardiovascular devices and increasing incidences of conditions such as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, hypertensive heart disease, rheumatic heart diseases, atrial fibrillation, and congenital heart disease. Conversely, the general & plastic surgery segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by the increasing demand for cosmetic surgeries, which is expected to boost the outsourcing of both general and cosmetic surgical devices, particularly specialized items like fixation devices, extremity splints, and epilators that require specialized molding and machining processes typically handled by outsourced component manufacturers. Medical Device Outsourcing Market Report Highlights: The contract manufacturing services segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 55.1% in 2024, driven by medical device market players striving to reduce costs due to shrinking profit margins, which has led to companies implementing shift work to curtail fixed costs. The general & plastic surgery segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The Class II segment held the largest revenue share in the global market in 2024, accounting for almost 43% of medical devices due to their high cost. The Asia Pacific medical device outsourcing industry captured the largest market share of 40.98% in 2024, driven by a large manufacturing base, lower labor costs, and the growing adoption of advanced medical technologies. Read full market research report on Medical Device Outsourcing Market with TOC - Medical Device Outsourcing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Services (Quality Assurance Services, Contract Manufacturing, Regulatory Affairs Services), By Application (Cardiology, Diagnostic Imaging, IVD, Orthopedic), By Class Type, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2033 Medical Device Outsourcing Market Segmentation Grand View Research has segmented the global medical device outsourcing market report based on service, application, class type, and region: Medical Device Outsourcing Market - Service Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033) Quality Assurance Services Regulatory Affairs Services Clinical trials applications and product registrations Regulatory writing and publishing Legal representation Other Product Design and Development Services Designing & Engineering Machining Molding Packaging Product Testing & Sterilization Services Product Implementation Services Product Upgrade Services Product Maintenance Services Contract Manufacturing Services Accessories Manufacturing Assembly Manufacturing Component Manufacturing Device Manufacturing Medical Device Outsourcing Market - Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033) Cardiology Class I Class II Class III Diagnostic imaging Class I Class II Class III Orthopedic Class I Class II Class III IVD Class I Class II Class III Ophthalmic Class I Class II Class III General and plastic surgery Class I Class II Class III Drug delivery Class I Class II Class III Dental Class I Class II Class III Endoscopy Class I Class II Class III Diabetes care Class I Class II Class III Others Class I Class II Class III Medical Device Outsourcing Market - Class Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033) Class I Class II Class III Medical Device Outsourcing Market - Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033) North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe UK Germany France Italy Spain Denmark Norway Sweden Asia Pacific Japan China India Australia South Korea Thailand Latin America Brazil Argentina Middle East and Africa (MEA) South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Kuwait Oman Qatar List of Key Players in the Medical Device Outsourcing Market SGS SA Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings Eurofins Scientific Pace Analytical Services, Inc. Intertek Group plc WuXi AppTec Charles River Laboratories Freyr PAREXEL International Corporation Criterium, Inc. Medpace ICON plc. IQVIA Inc. Integer Holdings Corporation Check out more related studies published by Grand View Research: Medical Billing Outsourcing Market - The global medical billing outsourcing market size is expected to reach USD 44.30 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 13.06% from 2025 to 2033, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is driven primarily by factors such as the increasing importance of regulatory compliance and risk management, the growing need to streamline the medical billing process, and efforts to reduce internal processing costs. The global medical billing outsourcing market size is expected to reach USD 44.30 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 13.06% from 2025 to 2033, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is driven primarily by factors such as the increasing importance of regulatory compliance and risk management, the growing need to streamline the medical billing process, and efforts to reduce internal processing costs. Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market - The global medical affairs outsourcing market size is expected to reach USD 4.6 billion registering a CAGR of 13.6% from 2023 to 2030 according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Transformation in the medical education and the rising number of orphan therapies for treatment of rare diseases are some of the key factors propelling the market growth. The pharmaceutical companies are looking for assistance to systematically position the therapeutic outcomes of these therapies in the market. The global medical affairs outsourcing market size is expected to reach USD 4.6 billion registering a CAGR of 13.6% from 2023 to 2030 according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Transformation in the medical education and the rising number of orphan therapies for treatment of rare diseases are some of the key factors propelling the market growth. The pharmaceutical companies are looking for assistance to systematically position the therapeutic outcomes of these therapies in the market. Medical Imaging Outsourcing Market - The global medical imaging outsourcing market size is estimated to reach USD 25.23 billion by 2030, registering to grow at a CAGR of 12.6% from 2025 to 2030 according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Growing demand for early diagnosis of chronic diseases as well as improvement of the quality of care with rapid and precise reporting capabilities are propelling the market growth. The global medical imaging outsourcing market size is estimated to reach USD 25.23 billion by 2030, registering to grow at a CAGR of 12.6% from 2025 to 2030 according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Growing demand for early diagnosis of chronic diseases as well as improvement of the quality of care with rapid and precise reporting capabilities are propelling the market growth. Medical Device Analytical Testing Outsourcing Market - The global medical device analytical testing outsourcing market size is estimated to reach USD 10.53 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 8.3% from 2025 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Several medical device companies outsource analytical testing operations to decrease business risks, accelerate product market entrance, and lower expenses. As a result of this considerable rise in spending levels, medical device original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) quickly shift to outsourcing as a cost-cutting technique. About Grand View Research Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead. Explore Horizon Databook - The world's most expansive market intelligence platform developed by Grand View Research. Gain insights from 30K+ Global & Regional Reports, 120K+ Country Reports, 1.2M+ Market Statistics, 200K+ Company Profiles, and 5 business solutions encompassing ESG and Sustainability Consulting, Procurement Intelligence, Pricing Index and Analysis, and Consumer Analytics. Browse more research insights from GVR - https://www.grandviewresearch.com/research-insights Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc. Phone: 1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com Blog - https://globalindustryherald.com/ Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/medical-device-outsourcing-market-to-hit-386-08-billion-by-2033---grand-view-research-inc-302611759.html Detroit, Michigan--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - The Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan (4AMI) has launched Mi Caregiver Connection, a one-stop web resource for caregivers throughout Michigan to connect to one of the local 16 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) across the state. "We are very excited about this historic launch - it's the first time caregivers across Michigan can access the full statewide network of Area Agencies on Aging through a single, centralized portal," said David LaLumia, 4AMI executive director. "This platform reflects the strength of our network and our shared commitment to supporting caregivers with the resources, support and community they deserve. "There are more than 1.7 million caregivers in Michigan, and that number continues to grow because the population is aging," LaLumia said. "Mi Caregiver Connection builds on the 50-year legacy of Michigan's 16 Area Agencies on Aging with a clear mission to enhance the quality of life for older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers." You can visit Mi Caregiver Connection here. This website was made possible through a grant awarded to 4AMI by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Michigan's most recent census (2023) indicates that the state's population is aging faster than those of most states. Approximately 1.95 million residents - nearly 1 in 5 - are already 65 or older. A July report from AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired People) and the National Alliance for Caregiving estimates more than 63 million Americans (nearly 1 in 4 people) are serving as family caregivers. To raise awareness of this issue, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued a proclamation declaring November as Family Caregivers Month in Michigan. Jenn Dubey, operations manager for 4AMI, said the rising number of family caregivers and a declining number of available direct care workers make easily accessible resources even more critical. "Mi Caregiver Connection is a virtual one-stop hub that minimizes the overwhelming frustration and confusion a caregiver can experience," said Dubey. "Instead of sifting through endless Google searches, caregivers get a personalized guide to their own customized resources, support and community." Many people simply don't know where to begin or understand the wide variety of services, including caregiving supports, offered by their local Area Agency on Aging, Dubey said. Because Michigan's 16 AAAs have unique names, brands and programs, some families may not realize these agencies are part of the same statewide network that offers supports and services that allow older adults with disabilities to live with dignity and independence in the setting of their choice. Caregivers can connect to a wide range of services through Mi Caregiver Connection, including: Assistive technology Respite care for caregivers Home safety assessments In-home care Caregiver support groups Education workshops and training Caregiver case management Individual counseling Dubey said the website is free and simple to use. Caregivers complete a short Caregiver Help Tool survey by entering: Whom they're caring for (parent, spouse, friend, neighbor, etc.). Where they and their loved one live. The specific needs or conditions they are managing (such as Alzheimer's, disabilities, transportation, respite care). Utilizing the caregiver's responses, Mi Caregiver Connection builds a customized resource guide that: Connects them to their local AAA office. Identifies nearby support groups (virtual and in person). Highlights local events and services. Provides topic-specific resources tailored to their situation. With the personalized road map, families spend less time searching and more time caring. The comprehensive website is designed to help caregivers such as Pattie Pillen of Burton find local resources they may not have known about before. "When I first started caring for Laura, a woman I had known for years who was diagnosed with MS, I had no idea where to turn. I spent hours on the phone just trying to find help," said Pillen. "Once I connected with the Valley Area Agency on Aging in Flint, everything changed. They may not have had every answer, but they always pointed me in the right direction - and that has made all the difference for me, for Laura and for my 99-year-old mom, whom I also help." Pillen said the ability to find information in one place helps save time that can be used in better ways. "That's why Mi Caregiver Connection is so critical. It helps families like mine cut through the maze - whether it's finding respite or support or connecting with others who understand. For me, it meant less time scrambling for answers and more time caring for Laura and my mother," Pillen said. "Having a resource such as Mi Caregiver Connection can be even more important for those living in rural areas that may not have access to the resources a suburban area can offer." Geography is not the only element that can lead to caregivers feeling isolated. For Char Averill, a caregiver in Norton Shores (near Muskegon), it was not having someone to talk with about what she and was going through. "When my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, I knew our lives would change. But I didn't realize how isolating it could feel here in Norton Shores. There weren't many neighbors who knew what we were going through," said Averill. "That's why I decided to join a caregiver support group through Senior Resources of West Michigan in Muskegon back in 2022. At first, I wondered if it was too early. But it turned out to be the smartest step I could take." Averill said that having a group of people who understood the unique challenges of caregiving helped her. "I thought I was joining the support group too soon because we really weren't in need of resources yet, but it turned out to be the smartest step I could take," Averill said. "Hearing from others who had already walked this road made me realize I wasn't alone in asking, 'Why me?' Instead of feeling afraid and alone, I found strength in knowing others had walked this road before me. Caregiving doesn't have to feel isolating. When you know what to expect, and you know others are walking beside you, it's not as scary." Brooke Winowiecki, the community supports manager for the Region 9 Area Agency on Aging, which serves Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle and Roscommon counties, said Mi Caregiver Connection will make a huge difference for caregivers. "When caregivers are connected to the right resources, they don't just survive - they thrive. Mi Caregiver Connection does just that!" said Winowiecki. "Connecting caregivers to services and programs shouldn't be a luxury - it's a lifeline. Mi Caregiver Connection helps caregivers find the right resources and support, ensuring they never feel alone and can continue doing what they do best: caring for others." LaLumia said no matter where you are in Michigan or what information you need, there is one place to find it - MiCaregiverConnection.com. "We want people to know that resources are available to them no matter where they live in the state," said LaLumia. "Some may just want access to an article, while others need more support up to crisis intervention services. There's a wide range of needs among caregivers, and this resource offers something for everyone. EDITOR'S NOTE: This press release contains video segments/interviews for use by media. Go to https://gudmarketing.quickconnect.to/sharing/seL43f0aU (Password: FAM) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12010/273935_d7e1382b44b4293d_001full.jpg ABOUT AREA AGENCIES ON AGING ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan (known as 4AMI) is a statewide association that advocates on behalf of Michigan seniors. We are a collective voice and action to promote healthy aging, dignity and independence. 4AMI is the association responsible for advocacy, training and education covering all 83 counties across the state of Michigan. ### To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273935 SOURCE: Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan/Gud Marketing The purchase was made, off-market, on behalf of Sterling's Core Plus, grocery-anchored, series of funds Sterling United Properties (SUP). WEST PALM BEACH, FL / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / Sterling Organization, a vertically integrated private equity real estate investment firm headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, is pleased to announce its acquisition of Convery Plaza, located at 365 Convery Boulevard in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. The purchase was made, off-market, on behalf of Sterling's Core Plus, grocery-anchored, series of funds Sterling United Properties (SUP). Convery Plaza Convery Plaza in Perth Amboy, NJ Convery Plaza is a 94,430-square-foot neighborhood shopping center anchored by a high-volume ShopRite grocer. The center features a diverse mix of national, regional, and local tenants, which include H&R Block, Dunkin', Taco Bell, and Santander Bank. The property benefits from strong traffic counts at a signalized intersection and is situated in a densely populated infill suburb of New York City. Within a 3-mile radius of the property live over 124,000 people with an average household income over $120,000. "We are thrilled to add Convery Plaza to our portfolio. This acquisition represents a market-dominant, grocery-anchored asset in a solid New York City commuter suburb. Our team looks forward to making thoughtful enhancements to the tenant mix and operations of this core asset. We plan to strengthen the shopping center's position to better serve the community, while driving property net operating income growth and quality for the benefit of our investor partners," said Bob Dake, Principal at Sterling Organization. "It's always great to buy assets our competitors are just not seeing. Convery Plaza was a result of five years of relationship building with the seller. Kudos goes to our entire Investments Team that worked on this deal over many years," added Jordan Fried, Principal at Sterling Organization. Sterling Organization and its affiliates now own 82 properties throughout the United States, across various funds and investment vehicles, encompassing over 14 million square feet and exceeding $3.5 billion in value. Convery Plaza currently offers 1 remaining 2,900 square-foot vacancy that is available for lease. For leasing inquiries, please contact leasing@sterlingorganization.com. Contact Information Dana Verhelst SVP, Marketing dverhelst@sterlingorganization.com +15618127476 SOURCE: Sterling Organization View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/real-estate/sterling-organization-expands-portfolio-with-off-market-acquisition-of-convery-plaza-in-1100192 London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - (IN-VR) - The Autoridade Nacional do Petroleo (ANP) of Timor-Leste has successfully concluded its participation at ADIPEC 2025, reinforcing the country's rising profile as Southeast Asia's newest investment destination following its recent admission to ASEAN. Across four days, the ANP delegation held a series of high-level meetings with global energy companies, financial institutions, and technical partners, positioning Timor-Leste as an emerging frontier for upstream development, regional cooperation, and energy-transition investment. Strong Global Engagement Across ADIPEC 2025 Throughout the exhibition, ANP met with a wide range of international operators and investors, including CNPC, Shell, Mubadala, Oxy, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Dragon Oil, ZhenHua Oil, Lukoil, ADNOC, ONGC Videsh, ABAM Energies, Welligence, among many others. These discussions advanced opportunities in upstream exploration, basin analysis, technical cooperation, and early investment dialogue. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11338/273998_dc90b14314446b4f_001full.jpg The delegation also engaged with finance-focused stakeholders, highlighting Timor-Leste's upcoming 2026 Licensing Round, updated fiscal frameworks, and the country's intention to attract institutional capital for new exploration and energy-transition projects. Timor-Leste Advancing as a Finance-Ready Energy Frontier Throughout ADIPEC, the ANP outlined Timor-Leste's effort to create a more competitive and investment-ready landscape, highlighting fiscal improvements, clearer regulatory pathways, and upcoming opportunities tied to the 2026 Licensing Round. Building Momentum Ahead of the 5th Timor-Leste Energy, Mining & Business Forum Engagement at ADIPEC helped generate strong anticipation for the 5th Timor-Leste Energy, Mining & Business Forum, taking place 24-26 November in Dili. The Forum will bring together government leaders, investors, and financial institutions to explore new upstream prospects and near-term opportunities across the country's energy and mining sectors. Looking Toward the 2026 Licensing Round The upcoming 2026 Licensing Round was a recurring topic in meetings, with companies expressing early interest in Timor-Leste's geological potential and the country's commitment to transparency and investor accessibility. About the ANP Timor-Leste The Autoridade Nacional do Petroleo (ANP) is Timor-Leste's national regulator for the petroleum and energy sector. The ANP promotes transparent resource management, investor engagement, and sustainable sector development to support national economic growth. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273998 SOURCE: IN-VR Limited SIKA SUCCESSFULLY PLACES CHF 600 MILLION BOND Sika today successfully placed a bond with a total amount of CHF 600 million through a triple tranche. The payment date of the bonds is November 28, 2025. The bonds were placed under the lead management of BNP Paribas, UBS and Zurcher Kantonalbank. They will be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. CHF 100 million bond November 2025 - August 2027 (1 years) with a fixed coupon of 0.450% per annum. The bond was issued at 100.003% which reflects a yield of 0.4481%. CHF 250 million bond November 2025 - November 2030 (5 years) with a fixed coupon of 0.850% per annum. The bond was issued at 100.220% which reflects a yield of 0.8050%. CHF 250 million bond November 2025 - November 2034 (9 years) with a fixed coupon of 1.200% per annum. The bond was issued at 100.361% which reflects a yield of 1.1575%. The tiple tranche complements the bond maturity profile while reducing overall Group-wide funding costs. The net proceeds of the transaction will be used for general corporate purposes, including refinancing of existing financial indebtedness. SIKA CORPORATE PROFILE Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protection in the building sector and industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 102 countries around the world, produces in over 400 factories, and develops innovative technologies for customers worldwide. In doing so, it plays a crucial role in enabling the transformation of the construction and transportation industries toward greater environmental compatibility. In 2024, Sika's more than 34,000 employees generated annual sales of CHF 11.76 billion. CONTACT Dominik Slappnig Corporate Communications and Investor Relations +41 58 436 68 21 slappnig.dominik@ch.sika.com The media release can be downloaded from the following link: Media Release Exclusive Annual List Awards the Leading B2B Companies That Have Proven Track Records Helping Companies Grow SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / Exclusent, Inc., a premium U.S.-based recruiting firm, is proud to announce its recognition to the Inc. Power Partner Awards list for 2025. Jordan Gaspari, Managing Partner From Inc.: "Our Power Partners Awards presents the definitive list of B2B Partners in the U.S. that have established robust reputations in their industries for the positive impact they have had on their clients' businesses." The Inc. Power Partner list is based on independent customer surveys, editorial vetting, and sentiment analysis - distinguishing firms with a proven ability to drive results. This recognition places Exclusent among an elite group of partners recognized for consistently delivering exceptional client outcomes and lasting business value. "This award, particularly coming from Inc., is a full-circle moment," said Jordan Gaspari, Founder & Managing Partner. "When I was a kid in the '90s, my father's recruiting firm earned awards from Inc. I remember the pride he carried, not just for the accolade, but for what it represented. That's where my passion for this industry began. To start something 30 years later that Inc. recognizes - and for that recognition to be based on customer satisfaction, it's very, very meaningful to me." Known for it's authentic, A.I.-enabled search protocol, deep industry expertise and high-touch delivery model, the firm has helped build world-class teams since 2018. Exclusent's CORE-4 Areas of Focus include Enterprise Architecture, I.T., SaaS & Accounting (Search & Staff Augmentation). This marks Exclusent's first appearance on the Inc. Power Partner list, joining a select cohort of 359 honorees for 2025 (and one of only eight recruiting agencies honored around the globe) across sectors like technology, financial services, HR and marketing. For more information or to view the complete list of honorees, visit https://www.inc.com/power-partner-awards . About Exclusent, Inc. Founded in 2018, Exclusent is a Scottsdale-based recruiting partner founded by a perennial top performer from the second-largest human capital firm in the world. Trusted by high-growth companies across the U.S., Exclusent connects business vision to elite execution by knowing when to leverage A.I., and when to keep it human. Learn more at www.exclusent.com. About Inc. Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. For more information, visit? www.inc.com .? SOURCE: Exclusent, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/exclusent-inc.-named-2025-inc.-power-partner-1099962 RICHMOND, VA AND LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / Youtility, the US and UK-based behavioural analytics company providing insights primarily into financial institutions and data aggregators, has announced the appointment of Vijay Perincherry as Chief Data Scientist. Perincherry brings more than two decades of experience leading data and analytics strategy for mission-critical financial and consumer technology platforms. A graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology with a Ph.D. from the University of Delaware, Perincherry has built a career at the forefront of applied data science and behavioural modelling. He most recently served for ten years as Chief Data Scientist at Indiggo, where he led the development of intelligent frameworks designed to support decision-making and operational focus across enterprise leadership teams. Prior to that, he cofounded and led Discourse Analytics for over a decade as Chief Science Officer, where he pioneered the use of personalized digital experiences within the higher education sector. An active member of the ethical AI community, Perincherry serves as an advisor to multiple organizations. "When I first recognized the unique potential of our initial comparison services, I saw more than a tool. I saw the ability to understand why customer actions are taken, or not taken, at scale," CEO Tyler Boyd said. "Members of the Youtility executive team have worked alongside Vijay for years. When they introduced me to him it was clear that his approach represented the natural evolution of our product, already proven with partners like Santander and Virgin Money, toward a global model of behavioural, humanistic connectivity in an AI-driven world. I was thrilled when he said he wanted to join our growing team." As Chief Data Scientist, Perincherry leads Youtility's data strategy, advancing the company's proprietary behavioural models and predictive analytics frameworks. His focus will be on enhancing the platform's ability to process behavioural signals from actual human interactions and translate them into actionable intelligence that drives measurable business outcomes across the customer lifecycle. Youtility Head of Innovation Adam Wise said, "For years: systems without spark, surveys full of misconceptions. Now we observe actual choices - what people do when presented with real decisions. VJ makes that behavioural data actionable. He wanted in. This is just the beginning of something massive." Launched in 2024 with its first client Santander, Youtility partners with institutions across US and UK markets to deliver behavioural intelligence for customer acquisition, activation, and retention. "We are modeling intent and validating at scale with actual consumer actions," Boyd added. "It's a system that not only interprets data but understands how to connect with every person uniquely." Operating from London's Mayfair and Richmond's West End, Youtility recently closed the first tranche of its Seed+ funding round. For more information about Youtility, visit www.youtility.co.uk About Youtility Youtility is a US-and UK-based behavioural intelligence company that transforms consumer engagements into actionable insights for financial institutions, data aggregators, and other institutional partners. The company supplies what AI demands by processing insights from actual human interactions and leveraging anonymised global behavioural data to help organizations deliver smarter, more relevant customer experiences. Youtility delivers business-to-business APIs that enable partners to embed behavioural intelligence without the cost or complexity of building new products. Its platform processes behavioural signals to enable hyper-personalised, mindset-based customer engagement that consistently outperforms traditional demographic targeting by two to three times. Focusing on behavioural intelligence, Youtility harnesses data to shape the next generation of personalised engagement. The company partners with banks, mortgage servicers, financial services firms, and other institutions to deliver behavioural intelligence across the three key lifecycle stages of acquisition, activation, and retention. Operating from London's Mayfair and Richmond's West End, Youtility is registered with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Website: www.youtility.co.uk Media Contact: Gail Gitcho gail@gailgitchogroup.com SOURCE: Youtility View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/youtility-appoints-vijay-perincherry-as-chief-data-scientist-1100220 Palo Alto, California--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - Spin Technology, Inc. (Spin.AI), a leading SaaS security company, announces a significant expansion of its SpinSPM platform, now providing comprehensive security posture management across 25+ mission-critical business applications. The expansion addresses the growing challenge organizations face in maintaining consistent security standards across increasingly complex SaaS environments. Image 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10373/273971_7d903e2394bafb76_001full.jpg SpinSPM now supports an extensive range of popular business tools including Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Atlassian suite (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, Trello), Okta, Microsoft Dynamics 365 and many more. This comprehensive integration approach enables organizations to centralize security management across the diverse applications teams use daily. "As organizations adopt more specialized SaaS tools, the need for unified security visibility becomes critical for maintaining effective security governance," said Dmitry Dontov, CEO and Founder of Spin.AI. "This expansion reflects our commitment to providing comprehensive protection across the modern workplace's distributed application landscape." The platform addresses three key security challenges: reducing misconfigurations that create vulnerabilities, minimizing shadow IT risks from unauthorized applications, and strengthening overall data security posture. By providing centralized visibility and control, SpinSPM simplifies the complex task of maintaining consistent security standards across an organization's digital workspace. Spin.AI serves customers in over 100 countries and maintains more than 400 partner relationships. The company was named a Strong Performer in the Forrester SSPM Wave Q4 2023. The recent expansion of covered SaaS applications demonstrates its continued leadership in the SaaS security posture management category. The SpinSPM expansion is part of Spin.AI's broader SpinOne platform, which consolidates multiple security functions including backup and recovery, data loss prevention, ransomware protection, and security posture management into a unified solution. This approach enables organizations to reduce vendor complexity while maintaining comprehensive security coverage. About Spin Technology, Inc. Spin Technology, Inc. (Spin.AI) delivers an all-in-one SaaS security platform for mission-critical applications, protecting organizations from ransomware, data loss, misconfigurations, shadow IT, and compliance risks. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Spin.AI serves organizations worldwide with solutions that provide unified visibility and control across SaaS environments. For more information, visit spin.ai. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273971 SOURCE: Pressmaster DMCC BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, November 11 BH Macro Limited (the "Company") (a closed-ended collective investment scheme established as a company with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registered number 46235) Transaction in Own Shares 11 November 2025 BH Macro Limited (the Company) announces today it has purchased the following number of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange from J.P. Morgan Securities plc: Ordinary Shares: - Share Class Sterling Date of purchase: 11 November 2025 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 260,391 Weighted average price (Sterling/US Dollars as applicable): 403.5000 The Company intends to hold the purchased shares in treasury. Following the above share transactions of the relevant US Dollar and/or Sterling Shares, the total number of shares in issue in each share class of the Company will be as follows: Ordinary Shares in issue (excluding Treasury) Ordinary Shares held in Treasury 321,097,185 Sterling Shares 56,960,421 Sterling Shares 23,920,329 US Dollar Shares 192,428 US Dollar Shares From 11 November 2025, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 490,527,761. Enquiries: Company website: www.bhmacro.com William Simmonds JPMorgan Cazenove Tel: 020 7588 2828 The Company Secretary Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited Tel: 01481 745001 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - AJN Resources Inc. (CSE: AJN) (FSE: 5AT) (AJN or the Company) is pleased to announce that, pursuant to the Company's previously announced warrant exercise incentive program, certain warrant holders exercised a total of 3,450,000 warrants at $0.10 per share for gross proceeds to the Company totalling $345,000. Upon exercise of the 3,450,000 warrants, the Company issued a total of 3,450,000 common shares and 3,450,000 incentive warrants. Each incentive warrant entitles the holder to purchase an additional common share of the Company, on or before October 31, 2029, at an exercise price of $0.30 per common share. The Company will be using the proceeds from the exercise of the warrants for technical and legal due diligence in connection with possible property acquisition(s), exploration on the Company's properties and for general working capital purposes. All warrants that were not exercised under the warrant exercise incentive program will remain outstanding and continue to be exercisable for common shares of the company on their current terms. Participation in the warrant exercise incentive program by three directors of the Company, including the issuance of common shares and incentive warrants to the three directors, constitutes a related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The Company is relying on the exemptions contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the common shares and incentive warrants issued to the insiders does not exceed 25 per cent of the market capitalization of the Company as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company's board of directors reviewed and approved the issuance of the common shares and incentive warrants to the insiders. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before closing of the warrant exercise incentive program as participation by insiders was not known at that time. The incentive warrants, and any incentive warrant shares issued upon the exercise thereof, are subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance in accordance with Canadian securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The Company also announces its intention to close a non-brokered private placement of units (each, a Unit) in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.10 per Unit. The Company intends to issue a total of 30,000,000 Units at a price of $0.10 per Unit for gross proceeds of $3,000,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share and one share purchase warrant (Warrant), where each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share (Warrant Share) at an exercise price of $0.15 per Warrant Share for a two year period. The securities to be issued pursuant to the private placement, and any Warrant Shares to be issued on the exercise of Warrants will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance in accordance with Canadian securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the private placement for due diligence in connection with possible property acquisitions, property acquisitions, exploration of the Company's properties and for working capital purposes. The Company also announces that Mark Gasson has resigned as a director and will be continuing as corporate secretary of the Company. The Company thanks Mr. Gasson for all his contributions during his term as a director. About AJN Resources Inc. AJN is a junior exploration company. AJN's management and directors possess over 75 years of collective industry experience and have been very successful in the areas of exploration, financing and developing major mines throughout the world, with a focus on Africa. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although AJN Resources Inc. believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, AJN Resources Inc. disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274008 SOURCE: AJN Resources Inc. Through a worldwide series spanning London, Amsterdam, New York, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, 128 leading digital artists collaborate to preserve Bitcoin's decentralised story through original artworks inspired by its defining moments. LONDON, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Smashtoshi, a project bringing together the world's most prominent Bitcoin and digital artists, will unveil History of Bitcoin , a limited-edition physical art book, at its official launch event on November 11 at Asprey Studio in London. Aiming to make Bitcoin's history engaging and accessible to millions through art, the project is rooted in the belief that to understand the world Bitcoin has shaped, and where it's heading next, we must first understand where it all began. The debut marks the beginning of a global event series celebrating Bitcoin's cultural impact and technological legacy. History of Bitcoin is a visual chronicle of the idea that redefined money - tracing its evolution from cypherpunk origins to its status as a global force for financial sovereignty. Featuring never-before-seen, original artworks that capture defining moments - from the publication of Satoshi's Whitepaper to the infamous Bitcoin "Pizza Day" - the project unites 128 internationally acclaimed artists whose collective works have helped shape the visual language of Bitcoin's growing cultural legacy. Each piece is paired with deep research and firsthand accounts drawn from over 100 interviews, including conversations with Martti Malmi , Max Keiser and Aaron van Wildrum , chronicling Bitcoin's rise from code to culture. The First Edition highlights the precision and technical symbolism that Bitcoin is built on. The 256-page volume directly references Bitcoin's SHA-256 cryptographic algorithm, the foundation of the network's security. The creation process uses over 40 specialised print techniques and materials that mirror the complexity and rigour of Bitcoin itself. This edition is encased in a 5,000-year-old fossilised black-oak collector's box with a dual-sided closing mechanism and a bespoke emblem handcrafted by Asprey Studio, designed not only as a work of art, but as a vessel to protect and preserve Bitcoin's history for future generations. The First Edition will be auctioned online through Scarce City beginning December 1st, with the sale concluding at Bitcoin Abu Dhabi on December 9th, as the finale of the global launch series. Following the auction, 2,139 Collector's Editions will be released, bringing the total number of books to 2,140, symbolic of the year when the final bitcoin will be mined. Each edition is bound in Bitcoin Orange Bull Leather and presented on a stainless steel stand engraved with the complete Bitcoin Whitepaper. Uniquely, every book also contains a portion of the original Bitcoin source code, meaning that together, the 2,140 editions collectively hold the full code - a symbolic reflection of the decentralised nature of the network itself. Commenting ahead of the launch, Jimmy Block, Representative of Smashtoshi, said: "Over the past three years, more than 300 people have contributed to bringing History of Bitcoin to life. It's not just an art book - it's the shared effort of a global network of artists, writers, and craftsmen who believe in preserving this technological marvel through art. That sense of community is what makes the project truly unique." Smashtoshi has pledged to donate eighty percent of the auction proceeds to My First Bitcoin , a grassroots initiative that aims to ignite global, independent, and community-led Bitcoin education. The non-profit has already taught thousands of students in El Salvador and is now expanding globally, with the ambition of reaching over 200 million learners worldwide through independent, impartial, and community-driven Bitcoin education. Following its London debut, History of Bitcoin will travel to major cultural and Bitcoin hubs worldwide, with upcoming appearances in Amsterdam, New York, and Dubai, before culminating in an online auction in Abu Dhabi. Each event will showcase the project's fusion of art, technology, and community through immersive experiences that celebrate Bitcoin's story. Full event details can be found at https://www.historyofbitcoin.io/events. IMAGES: For an extensive array of digital imagery, please visit here . VIDEO: For a teaser video of the project, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0NxXGc04Vs Artists and representatives from Smashtoshi are available for interview ABOUT SMASHTOSHI Smashtoshi is an initiative bringing together 128 independent artists from 37 countries to collaboratively share the cultural history of Bitcoin through art and produce the ultimate collector's item, the History of Bitcoin. An ultra-premium, limited-edition physical art book that brings together 128 distinct artworks by leading artists - each offering a creative and visual exploration of Bitcoin's rich and unfolding history - from its cryptographic origins to its global cultural footprint. Designed to capture the evolution of Bitcoin from its digital beginnings to a tangible cultural legacy, the initiative also supports My First Bitcoin, a nonprofit in El Salvador that delivers open-source Bitcoin education and financial literacy. For more information, visit www.historyofbitcoin.io . View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/smashtoshi-launches-history-of-bitcoin-global-tour---a-collectors-tribute-to-bitcoins-cultural-legacy-302611912.html LONDON, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Overview The Cloud FinOps market represents a paradigm shift in how organizations manage cloud financial operations, integrating technology, processes, and cultural practices to enhance visibility and control over cloud spending. Valued at USD 12,181.82 million in 2024, the market is projected to expand to USD 27,671.34 million by 2032, achieving a CAGR of 10.8% over the forecast period. This growth trajectory is driven by the proliferation of cloud services, where enterprises increasingly adopt multi-cloud and hybrid architectures to boost agility and resilience. However, unchecked cloud usage often leads to overspending, with reports indicating that up to 82% of organizations waste resources due to inefficient management. FinOps addresses this by fostering cross-functional collaboration, enabling data-driven decisions that correlate costs with business value. Key enablers include automation tools for resource optimization and standardized frameworks like the FinOps Foundation, which promote best practices for cost allocation and forecasting. As industries such as BFSI, healthcare, and IT telecommunications deepen cloud reliance, the demand for sophisticated FinOps solutions intensifies, promising enhanced ROI and operational efficiency. This evolution not only curbs financial leakage but also supports compliance with regulatory mandates on cost transparency. Browse the report and understand how it can benefit your business strategy - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/cloud-finops-market Key Growth Determinants Increasing Adoption of Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Strategies The rapid embrace of multi-cloud and hybrid cloud models is a primary driver propelling the Cloud FinOps market forward. Enterprises are diversifying across providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud to avoid vendor lock-in, enhance scalability, and ensure business continuity, but this complexity amplifies cost management challenges. FinOps practices provide unified visibility into spending across platforms, enabling automated tagging, allocation, and optimization to prevent redundancy and overprovisioning. According to industry analyses, 87% of organizations now pursue multi-cloud strategies, yet only 22% achieve effective governance without FinOps tools. This determinant is particularly vital in sectors like manufacturing and finance, where hybrid setups balance on-premises security with public cloud flexibility. By streamlining financial operations in diverse environments, FinOps reduces waste by up to 30%, fostering agility and cost predictability. As digital transformation accelerates, this trend will continue to fuel market expansion, with projections indicating hybrid adoption growing at a 14.86% CAGR through 2032. Ultimately, multi-cloud proliferation underscores FinOps' role in turning complexity into competitive advantage. Escalating Cloud Costs and Need for Optimization Rising cloud expenditures are compelling organizations to adopt FinOps for rigorous cost optimization, marking a significant growth determinant. Global cloud spending is forecasted to exceed $723 billion in 2025, yet 67% of enterprises report higher-than-expected costs due to inefficient resource utilization. FinOps introduces granular tracking and anomaly detection, allowing teams to identify idle instances, right-size workloads, and leverage discounts like reserved instances effectively. This is especially critical for SMBs and large enterprises facing budget pressures amid economic volatility. Tools integrating AI for predictive forecasting help correlate usage patterns with financial outcomes, potentially improving ROI by 30% within a year. In regulated industries such as BFSI, where compliance demands precise cost attribution, FinOps ensures accountability and reduces audit risks. As cloud migration intensifies, particularly in emerging markets, the imperative for optimization will drive sustained demand, with the segment expected to grow at over 15% CAGR in Asia-Pacific. By transforming cost centers into value drivers, this factor solidifies FinOps' market dominance. Demand for Real-Time Visibility and Financial Accountability The push for real-time cost visibility and financial accountability is accelerating Cloud FinOps adoption as a core growth driver. Traditional budgeting fails in dynamic cloud ecosystems, where usage fluctuates unpredictably, leading to 46% of organizations struggling with unit economics comprehension. FinOps frameworks enable dashboards and alerts that provide instant insights, empowering cross-team collaboration between DevOps, finance, and executives. This transparency is essential for aligning cloud investments with business KPIs, particularly in AI-heavy workloads where costs can surge unexpectedly. Industry surveys reveal that 65% of FinOps practitioners prioritize visibility enhancements, correlating directly with reduced waste and better forecasting accuracy. In healthcare and retail, where data-driven decisions are paramount, FinOps tools facilitate tagging and showback mechanisms to enforce accountability. As regulatory pressures mount for auditable spending, this determinant will propel market growth, with North America leading due to mature cloud infrastructures. Overall, real-time governance positions FinOps as indispensable for sustainable cloud economics. Key Growth Barriers Shortage of Skilled FinOps Professionals A critical barrier to Cloud FinOps growth is the acute shortage of skilled professionals proficient in cloud financial practices. With only 42% of organizations reporting adequate expertise, many struggle to implement effective strategies amid evolving technologies like Kubernetes and AI optimization. This skills gap hinders adoption, as teams lack the knowledge to navigate complex billing models and integrate FinOps into DevOps workflows. Training programs from bodies like the FinOps Foundation are emerging, but demand outpaces supply, particularly in SMEs without dedicated resources. In regions like APAC, where cloud uptake is rapid, this barrier exacerbates inefficiencies, leading to prolonged implementation timelines. Consequently, enterprises face higher consulting costs and delayed ROI, with 51% citing talent retention as a challenge. Addressing this through certifications and vendor partnerships is essential, yet current shortages cap market penetration at mature levels. Complexity of Multi-Cloud Cost Structures The intricate nature of multi-cloud cost structures poses a substantial barrier to seamless FinOps deployment. Diverse pricing models across providers-such as pay-as-you-go, reserved capacity, and egress fees-create silos that obscure total spend visibility for 51% of global organizations. This complexity is compounded by hybrid environments, where integrating on-premises data with cloud metrics requires specialized tools, often leading to inaccurate forecasting and overprovisioning. Without standardized specifications like FOCUS 1.0, reconciliation across AWS, Azure, and GCP becomes labor-intensive, deterring smaller firms from full adoption. Regulatory variances further complicate compliance, especially in Europe where data sovereignty adds layers of cost tracking. As a result, 43% of teams report ineffective collaboration due to these silos, stalling optimization efforts. Overcoming this demands interoperable platforms, but current fragmentation limits scalability. Organizational Resistance and Siloed Teams Internal resistance and siloed departmental structures represent a key barrier impeding Cloud FinOps maturation. Cultural shifts toward collaborative FinOps are challenging, with 43% of organizations prioritizing cross-team alignment but facing communication breakdowns between engineering and finance. Legacy mindsets view cloud as an IT cost rather than a shared investment, leading to unaccountable resource usage and resistance to new processes. In large enterprises, hierarchical barriers slow decision-making, while 29% doubt achieving goals due to misaligned incentives. This is acute in conservative sectors like government, where change management lags behind tech adoption. Without executive buy-in and metrics tying costs to outcomes, initiatives falter, perpetuating waste. Fostering a FinOps culture through training and KPIs is vital, yet persistent silos constrain broader market growth. Key Market Trends Integration of AI and Automation in Cost Management AI and automation are transforming Cloud FinOps, emerging as a dominant trend for proactive cost governance. Advanced analytics detect anomalies in real-time, automating recommendations for rightsizing and discount applications, which can cut waste by 30%. Platforms like those from CloudBolt leverage machine learning for predictive forecasting, integrating with CI/CD pipelines to embed financial controls in development. This trend is gaining traction in AI-intensive sectors, where workload variability demands dynamic optimization. By 2025, over 50% of FinOps tools are expected to incorporate generative AI for ROI analysis across hybrid setups. Such innovations enhance accuracy, reducing manual interventions and enabling focus on value creation. As cloud volumes swell, AI-driven FinOps will standardize, driving efficiency in multi-cloud landscapes. Rise of Hybrid and Edge Computing Optimization The surge in hybrid and edge computing is a pivotal trend reshaping Cloud FinOps practices. Enterprises are blending on-premises, public, and edge resources for low-latency applications, necessitating tools that unify cost tracking across these domains. FinOps solutions now support edge-specific metrics, optimizing data gravity and reducing latency-related expenses in IoT and 5G deployments. This trend aligns with sustainability goals, as carbon-aware scheduling minimizes environmental impact while controlling costs. In APAC, where edge adoption is booming, platforms with locality-aware billing are essential for compliance. Projections indicate hybrid segments growing at 14.86% CAGR, fueled by regulatory pushes for resilient infrastructures. By bridging silos, this evolution enhances agility and positions FinOps as key to edge-era economics. Emphasis on Sustainability-Linked Financial Analytics Sustainability integration in FinOps is an accelerating trend, linking cloud costs to environmental metrics for greener operations. Tools now track carbon footprints alongside spending, enabling "green tagging" to prioritize low-emission resources. This responds to ESG pressures, particularly in Europe and APAC, where regulations mandate sustainable cloud usage. FinOps platforms incorporate lifecycle analysis to decommission high-impact assets, potentially reducing emissions by 20-30% without performance trade-offs. In manufacturing and telecom, this trend supports carbon credits and reporting, aligning finances with corporate responsibility. As 65% of organizations eye SaaS expansions, sustainability analytics will embed deeper, fostering eco-efficient cloud strategies. This holistic approach not only cuts costs but elevates FinOps' strategic value. Key Opportunities Expansion into AI and SaaS Cost Management The burgeoning integration of AI and SaaS presents vast opportunities for Cloud FinOps providers to extend beyond traditional IaaS/PaaS optimization. With AI workloads driving 25% of new cloud spend, tools offering granular attribution for model training costs can capture this niche. SaaS, comprising 65% of managed expenses, demands unified dashboards for licensing and usage tracking across vendors like Salesforce and Zoom. Opportunities lie in AI-powered platforms that automate compliance and forecasting, targeting BFSI where regulatory scrutiny intensifies. Emerging FinOps-as-a-Service models could democratize access for SMBs, projecting 16% annual growth through 2028. By addressing these gaps, vendors can unlock $10-15 billion in untapped revenue by 2030. This expansion redefines FinOps as comprehensive digital finance. Growth in Emerging Markets and Regulated Sectors Emerging markets and regulated industries offer prime opportunities for Cloud FinOps penetration amid digital acceleration. In APAC, rapid cloud adoption in India and Southeast Asia creates demand for localized tools handling currency fluctuations and sovereignty rules. Sectors like healthcare and public services, facing stringent data privacy, benefit from FinOps' audit-ready features, with BFSI alone poised for 11.7% CAGR. Partnerships with regional hyperscalers can accelerate deployment, tapping into $32.83 billion market potential by 2033. Sustainability-focused analytics align with ESG mandates, appealing to export-oriented firms in South Korea. As 87% of multi-cloud users seek better governance, customized solutions could boost adoption by 40%. This regional dynamism promises scalable, high-margin growth for innovative providers. Development of Interoperable and Standardized Platforms Interoperability and standardization emerge as key opportunities, addressing multi-cloud fragmentation through open frameworks like FOCUS 1.0. Platforms compatible across AWS, Azure, and GCP can streamline billing reconciliation, reducing integration costs by 25%. This is crucial for hybrid environments, where 50% of organizations anticipate expanded support. Opportunities abound in embedding FinOps with DevSecOps for automated governance, targeting IT services with 22.1% market share. Vendor-agnostic tools foster ecosystem partnerships, enhancing trust and scalability. With Kubernetes costs rising, specialized modules for container optimization could capture 15% CAGR segments. By prioritizing open standards, providers can dominate a $38.33 billion market by 2034. This focus on unity drives inclusive FinOps evolution. Preview the report with a detailed sample and understand how it can benefit your business strategy. Request a free sample today - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/cloud-finops-market Segmentation By Component Solutions Services By Deployment Public Private Hybrid By Application Cost management & optimization Resource allocation & planning Billing & chargeback Others By End Use IT & telecom BFSI Retail Healthcare Government Based on Region: North America United States Canada Europe United Kingdom Germany France Asia-Pacific China India Japan Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East & Africa South Africa United Arab Emirates Regional Analysis North America commands the largest share of the Cloud FinOps market, driven by the presence of major cloud providers and early adoption of advanced technologies. The U.S. leads with robust digital transformation initiatives, where enterprises in BFSI and healthcare leverage FinOps for compliance and cost control, contributing over 40% to global revenue. High cloud maturity and investments in AI optimization further bolster growth, with the region expected to maintain dominance through 2032. Europe is witnessing steady expansion at an 11.0% CAGR, fueled by regulatory frameworks like GDPR emphasizing cost transparency and sustainability. Countries such as Germany and the UK prioritize hybrid models for data sovereignty, with FinOps tools aiding FOCUS 1.0 standardization to unify billing. The focus on green cloud practices aligns with EU ESG goals, enhancing adoption in manufacturing and telecom sectors. Asia-Pacific emerges as the fastest-growing region at 15.03% CAGR, propelled by digital economies in China, India, and Japan. Rapid cloud migration among SMEs and government pushes for e-governance create demand for affordable FinOps solutions. Challenges like diverse infrastructures are offset by hyperscaler partnerships, positioning APAC for substantial market share gains by 2032. Overall, regional disparities highlight tailored strategies for global equilibrium. Credence Research's Competitive Landscape Analysis Credence Research's analysis of the Cloud FinOps competitive landscape reveals a dynamic ecosystem dominated by tech giants and specialized vendors vying for market leadership through innovation and partnerships. Key players such as AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud, IBM, and Oracle hold significant shares by integrating native FinOps capabilities into their platforms, offering seamless cost management for users within their ecosystems. Emerging challengers like Flexera, VMware, and ServiceNow differentiate via multi-cloud agnostic tools, focusing on AI-driven analytics and automation to address interoperability gaps. The report highlights intense rivalry, with strategies emphasizing acquisitions such as IBM's Kubecost integration and R&D investments in sustainability features to capture regulated sectors. Market concentration is moderate, with top five firms accounting for 60% of revenue, yet opportunities persist for niche providers like HCL Technologies in APAC customization. Overall, consolidation trends and open-source collaborations are shaping a collaborative yet competitive arena, propelling FinOps toward broader enterprise adoption. Key Player Analysis IBM ServiceNow Oracle Microsoft VMware SAP AWS HCL Technologies Flexera Google Recent Industry Developments In January 2024, CloudBolt announced the launch of its Augmented FinOps capabilities to enhance cloud financial management. These advancements leverage AI and machine learning to provide real-time cost insights, automate decision-making, and unify control across public and private clouds. The goal is to shift organizations from a "Cloud First" to a "Cloud Right" approach, optimizing ROI across the resource lifecycle. In May 2024, Google Cloud Billing introduced a feature that allows users to generate SQL queries in BigQuery directly from billing reports. This integration streamlines data analysis by connecting billing data with BigQuery, improving insight generation and cost management efficiency. In June 2024, Microsoft Azure rolled out FOCUS 1.0 support for cost exports, enhanced AKS cost analysis, and VM hibernation features. These updates improved cost estimation tools and provided better budgeting and planning capabilities for FinOps teams. In August 2024, ServiceNow enhanced its Cloud Cost Management offering with the Infra Stack application, built on a Kubernetes-based framework for parallel processing. This innovation improves billing file processing speed, supports high transaction volumes, and enables seamless credential mapping for AWS, Azure, and GCP. In August 2024, Vantage launched a cloud cost management platform for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). The solution enables MSPs to monitor and analyze clients' cloud expenditures through a unified portal with customizable billing tools and multi-cloud visibility. In September 2024, Microsoft Cost Management introduced advanced tools for tracking and optimizing cloud expenditures. New features included customizable cost analysis views, automated budget alerts, and improved optimization through Azure OpenAI reservations, along with flexible server scaling and updated documentation. In October 2024, Turbonomic released enhancements focused on scalability, cloud cost optimization, and AI-driven automation. Updates included support for Azure SQL Managed Instances, GenAI LLM workload automation, parking actions, savings charts, Kubernetes differentiation, and a refined user interface to improve performance and simplify management. In October 2024, CloudBolt expanded its Augmented FinOps vision, emphasizing AI and ML-driven automation across the cloud lifecycle. The initiative aims to improve resource optimization, automate financial operations, and strengthen partnerships to boost cloud ROI and efficiency. In December 2024, AWS Billing and Cost Management introduced Custom Billing Views, allowing organizations to create tailored cost and usage views for business units, application owners, and FinOps teams. These views can be filtered by tags or accounts and shared securely via AWS Resource Access Manager, enhancing decentralized financial transparency across multiple accounts. In 2024, at FinOps X 2024, Google Cloud launched BigQuery and Looker views aligned with the FOCUS v1.0 specification, unveiled Gemini Cloud Assist for automated cost analysis, introduced carbon-aware FinOps, and added scenario modeling tools to optimize cloud efficiency. In 2025, Oracle Cloud ERP introduced AI-driven finance agents to automate data capture, anomaly detection, and forecasting. Generative AI features now support intelligent reporting and project planning, while sustainability tools align with eco-friendly business goals. In March 2025, Flexera completed the acquisition of Spot from NetApp, expanding its Cloud Financial Management portfolio. The integration of AI-powered FinOps tools-including Spot Eco, Ocean, Elastigroup, and CloudCheckr-strengthens Flexera's ability to automate billing, reduce workload costs, and optimize containers across AI-driven environments. Reasons to Purchase this Report: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the market through qualitative and quantitative analyses, considering both economic and non-economic factors, with segmentation and sub-segmentation details provided in terms of market value (USD Billion). Identify regions and segments expected to experience the fastest growth or dominate the market, with a detailed analysis of geographic consumption patterns and the factors driving or hindering market performance in each region. Stay informed about the competitive environment, with rankings of major players, recent product and service launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions from the past five years. Access detailed profiles of major market players, including company overviews, insights, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis, to understand competitive advantages and market positioning. Explore the present and forecasted market landscape, with insights into growth opportunities, market drivers, challenges, and constraints for both developed and emerging regions. Benefit from Porter's Five Forces analysis and Value Chain insights to evaluate various market perspectives and competitive dynamics. Understand the evolving market scenario, including potential growth opportunities and trends expected in the coming years. Tailor the report to align with your specific business needs and gain targeted insights. 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Contact Us Credence Research Europe LTD 128 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX, UNITED KINGDOM Europe - +44 7809 866 263 North America - +1 304 308 1216 Australia - +61 4192 46279 Asia Pacific - +81 5050 50 9250 +64 22 017 0275 India - +91 6232 49 3207 sales@credenceresearch.com www.credenceresearch.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562161/5616066/Credence_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cloud-finops-market-to-reach-usd-27-671-34-million-by-2032-at-10-8-cagr--credence-research-302611977.html Third-quarter 2025 sales of $2.6 billion, up 6% on a reported basis, or up 5% constant currency 1 (cc), versus third-quarter 2024 Third-quarter 2025 diluted EPS of $0.48; core diluted EPS 2 of $0.79 Generated $1.6 billion cash from operations and $1.2 billion free cash flow 3 in the first nine months of 2025. Also returned $550 million to shareholders Full-year 2025 guidance maintained Ad Hoc Announcement Pursuant to Art. 53 LR Alcon (SIX/NYSE:ALC), the global leader in eye care, reported its financial results for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2025. For the third quarter of 2025, sales were $2.6 billion, up 6% on a reported basis and up 5% on a constant currency basis1, as compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Alcon reported diluted earnings per share of $0.48 and core diluted earnings per share2 of $0.79 in the third quarter of 2025. "As expected, we saw encouraging topline growth in the third quarter, driven by strong acceleration in equipment," said David J. Endicott, Alcon's Chief Executive Officer. "Unity VCS is gaining traction across key markets and our orderbook remains strong. With PanOptix Pro resonating well with surgeons and early uptake of Tryptyr showing promise, we're laying the groundwork for a solid 2026." Third-quarter and first nine months of 2025 key figures Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30 2025 2024 2025 2024 Net sales ($ millions) 2,589 2,433 7,617 7,359 Operating margin (%) 12.8% 13.6% 13.7% 13.8% Diluted earnings per share ($) 0.48 0.53 1.53 1.48 Core results (non-IFRS measure)2 Core operating margin (%) 20.2% 20.6% 20.0% 20.8% Core diluted earnings per share ($) 0.79 0.81 2.29 2.33 Cash flows ($ millions) Net cash flows from operating activities 1,613 1,618 Free cash flow (non-IFRS measure)3 1,244 1,296 1. Constant currency (cc) is a non-IFRS measure. An explanation of non-IFRS measures can be found in the 'Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company' section. 2. Core results, such as core gross margin, core operating income, core operating margin and core diluted EPS, are non-IFRS measures. An explanation of non-IFRS measures can be found in the 'Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company' section. 3. Free cash flow is a non-IFRS measure. An explanation of non-IFRS measures can be found in the 'Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company' section. Third-quarter and first nine months of 2025 results Reported net sales for the third quarter of 2025 were $2.6 billion, up 6% versus the third quarter of 2024. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 1%, sales were up 5% on a constant currency basis. Reported net sales for the first nine months of 2025 were $7.6 billion, up 4% versus the first nine months of 2024. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 1%, sales were up 3% on a constant currency basis. The following table highlights net sales by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2025: Three months ended September 30 Change % Nine months ended September 30 Change % ($ millions unless indicated otherwise) 2025 2024 cc1 (non-IFRS measure) 2025 2024 cc1 (non-IFRS measure) Surgical Implantables 432 422 2 2 1,308 1,319 (1 Consumables 745 701 6 5 2,234 2,123 5 5 Equipment/other 243 215 13 13 664 657 1 1 Total Surgical 1,420 1,338 6 5 4,206 4,099 3 3 Vision Care Contact lenses 707 664 6 5 2,087 1,971 6 5 Ocular health 462 431 7 6 1,324 1,289 3 3 Total Vision Care 1,169 1,095 7 5 3,411 3,260 5 4 Net sales 2,589 2,433 6 5 7,617 7,359 4 3 Net sales by segment Third quarter Surgical Surgical net sales, which include implantables, consumables and equipment/other, were $1.4 billion, an increase of 6% on a reported basis and 5% on a constant currency basis versus the third quarter of 2024. Implantables net sales were $432 million, an increase of 2% on a reported and constant currency basis, reflecting the launch of PanOptix Pro, as well as continued competitive pressures. Consumables net sales were $745 million, an increase of 6%. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 1%, Consumables net sales increased 5% constant currency, reflecting improving market conditions and price increases. Equipment/other net sales were $243 million, an increase of 13% on a reported and constant currency basis. This growth was led by recent equipment launches, including Unity VCS. Vision Care Vision Care net sales, which include contact lenses and ocular health, were $1.2 billion, an increase of 7% on a reported basis and 5% on a constant currency basis versus the third quarter of 2024. Contact lenses net sales were $707 million, an increase of 6%. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 1%, Contact lenses net sales increased 5% constant currency. Growth was driven by product innovation and price increases, partially offset by declines in legacy products. Ocular health net sales were $462 million, an increase of 7%. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 1%, Ocular health net sales increased 6% constant currency. Growth was led by products for dry eye and glaucoma, including Systane, Tryptyr and Rocklatan, partially offset by declines in contact lens care. The prior year period included sales of certain eye drops in China which were divested and out-licensed in late 2024. Nine months Surgical Surgical net sales were $4.2 billion, an increase of 3% on a reported and constant currency basis versus the first nine months of 2024. Implantables net sales were $1.3 billion, a decrease of 1%. Excluding unfavorable currency impacts of 1%, Implantables net sales were in line with the prior year period in constant currency, reflecting soft market conditions and competitive pressures. Consumables net sales were $2.2 billion, an increase of 5% on a reported and constant currency basis. Growth was led by vitreoretinal and cataract consumables, particularly in international markets, and price increases. Equipment/other net sales were $664 million, an increase of 1% on a reported and constant currency basis, as sales of recently launched equipment, including Unity VCS, were partially offset by declines in legacy equipment. Vision Care Vision Care net sales were $3.4 billion, an increase of 5% on a reported basis and 4% on a constant currency basis versus the first nine months of 2024. Contact lenses net sales were $2.1 billion, an increase of 6%. Excluding favorable currency impacts of 1%, Contact lenses net sales increased 5% constant currency, primarily driven by product innovation and price increases, partially offset by declines in legacy products. Ocular health net sales were $1.3 billion, an increase of 3% on a reported and constant currency basis. Growth was led by products for dry eye and glaucoma, including Systane and Rocklatan, partially offset by declines in contact lens care. The prior year period included sales of certain eye drops in China which were divested and out-licensed in late 2024. Operating income Third quarter Operating income was $332 million (0%, -3% cc), in line with the prior year period on a reported basis. Operating margin decreased 0.8 percentage points. The current year period included incremental tariffs, sales and marketing investments behind new product launches and increased investment in research and development ("R&D"), including from recent acquisitions, partially offset by manufacturing efficiencies and price increases. Excluding a positive 0.3 percentage point impact from currency, operating margin decreased 1.1 percentage points on a constant currency basis. Adjustments to arrive at core operating income in the current year period were $191 million, mainly due to $176 million of amortization and $13 million of acquisition and integration related items. Adjustments to arrive at core operating income in the prior year period were $169 million, mainly due to $167 million of amortization. Core operating income was $523 million(+4%, +2% cc), compared to $501 million in the prior year period. Core operating margin decreased 0.4 percentage points as the current year period included incremental tariffs, sales and marketing investments behind new product launches and increased investment in R&D, including from recent acquisitions, partially offset by manufacturing efficiencies and price increases. Excluding a positive 0.2 percentage point impact from currency, core operating margin decreased 0.6 percentage points on a constant currency basis. Nine months Operating income was $1.0 billion (+3%, +3% cc) in both current and prior year periods. Operating margin decreased 0.1 percentage points. The current year period included incremental tariffs, increased investment in R&D, including from recent acquisitions, $44 million of product discontinuation charges in Vision Care, $36 million of acquisition and integration related items and a negative 0.1 percentage point impact from currency. The decline in operating margin was partially offset by $142 million on fair value remeasurements of investments in associated companies and price increases. Operating margin was in line with the prior year period on a constant currency basis. Adjustments to arrive at core operating income in the current year period were $478 million, mainly due to $521 million of amortization, $44 million of product discontinuation charges and $36 million of acquisition and integration related items, partially offset by $142 million on fair value remeasurements of investments in associated companies. Adjustments to arrive at core operating income in the prior year period were $511 million, mainly due to $498 million of amortization. Core operating income was $1.5 billion (0%, 0% cc) in both the current and prior year periods. Core operating margin decreased 0.8 percentage points. The current year period included incremental tariffs, increased investment in R&D, including from recent acquisitions and a negative 0.1 percentage point impact from currency, partially offset by price increases. Core operating margin decreased 0.7 percentage points on a constant currency basis. Taxes Third quarter Reported tax expense was $46 million, compared to $29 million in the prior year period, and the average reported tax rate was 16.3%, compared to 9.9% in the prior year period. Core tax expense was $80 million, compared to $59 million in the prior year period, and the average core tax rate was 16.9%, compared to 12.8% in the prior year period. Both the average reported and core tax rates were higher in the current year period due to a less favorable mix of pre-tax income/(loss) across geographical tax jurisdictions and higher discrete tax benefits in the prior year period. Nine months Reported tax expense was $133 million, compared to $173 million in the prior year period, and the average reported tax rate was 14.8%, compared to 19.1% in the prior year period. Core tax expense was $240 million, compared to $262 million in the prior year period, and the average core tax rate was 17.4%, compared to 18.5% in the prior year period. The average reported tax rate was lower in the current year period due to a non-taxable gain. In addition, both the average reported and core tax rates benefited from higher discrete tax benefits in the current year period. Diluted earnings per share Third quarter Diluted earnings per share of $0.48 decreased 9%, or 14% on a constant currency basis, versus the prior year period, primarily due to higher tax expense. Core diluted earnings per share of $0.79 decreased 2%, or 4% on a constant currency basis, versus the prior year period. Nine months Diluted earnings per share of $1.53 increased 3%, or 4% on a constant currency basis, primarily due to higher operating income, including gains of $142 million on fair value remeasurements of investments in associated companies, partially offset by $44 million of product discontinuation charges, and lower tax expense. Core diluted earnings per share of $2.29 decreased 2%, or 1% on a constant currency basis, versus the prior year period. Cash flow highlights Net cash flows from operating activities amounted to $1.6 billion in the first nine months of 2025, in line with the prior year period. Free cash flow was $1.2 billion in the first nine months of 2025, compared to $1.3 billion in the prior year period, primarily due to increased capital expenditures. During the first nine months of 2025, the company returned $550 million to shareholders. Capital returns include the repurchase of approximately 4.6 million shares4 for $384 million and dividend payments of $166 million. 4. On February 25, 2025, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to $750 million of the Company's common shares. Refer to Note 5 of the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for details regarding the share repurchase program. 2025 outlook The Company maintained its previously communicated full-year 2025 outlook. 2025 outlook5,6 as of August as of November Comments Net sales (USD) $10.3 to $10.4 billion $10.3 to $10.4 billion Maintained Change vs. prior year (cc)1 (non-IFRS measure) +4% to +5% +4% to +5% Maintained Core operating margin2 (non-IFRS measure) 19.5% to 20.5% 19.5% to 20.5% Maintained Non-operating income expense7 $185 to $205 million $185 to $205 million Maintained Core effective tax rate8 (non-IFRS measure) ~18% ~18% Maintained Core diluted EPS2 (non-IFRS measure) $3.05 to $3.15 $3.05 to $3.15 Maintained Change vs. prior year (cc)1 (non-IFRS measure) 0% to +2% 0% to +2% Maintained This outlook assumes the following: Aggregated markets grow approximately low-single digits; Tariff rates and exemptions announced as of November 10, 2025 persist through the end of the year. The Company expects a full-year gross tariff impact of approximately $100 million, which is expected to pressure cost of net sales. The Company anticipates fully offsetting this impact through foreign exchange as well as operational actions; Exchange rates as of the end of October prevail through year-end; Approximately 497 million weighted-averaged diluted shares.6 5. The forward-looking guidance included in this press release cannot be reconciled to the comparable IFRS measures without unreasonable effort, because we are not able to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate amount or nature of exceptional items in the fiscal year. Refer to the section 'Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company' for more information. 6. Does not reflect the impact of future share repurchases under the Company's share repurchase program. 7. Non-operating income expense includes interest expense, other financial income expense and share of loss from associated companies. 8. Core effective tax rate, a non-IFRS measure, is the applicable annual tax rate on core taxable income. For additional information, see the explanation regarding reconciliation of forward-looking guidance in the 'Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company' section. Webcast and Conference Call Instructions The Company will host a conference call on November 12, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time 2:00 p.m. Central European Time to discuss its third-quarter 2025 earnings results. The webcast can be accessed online through Alcon's Investor Relations website, i.e. investor.alcon.com. Listeners should log on approximately 10 minutes in advance. A replay will be available online within 24 hours after the event. To listen the Company's conference call, click on the link: https://investor.alcon.com/news-and-events/events-and-presentations/event-details/2025/Alcons-Third-Quarter-2025-Earnings-Conference-Call-2025-8ylj38YvL1/default.aspx The Company's third-quarter 2025 press release, interim financial report and supplemental presentation materials can be found online through Alcon's Investor Relations website, or by clicking on the link: https://investor.alcon.com/news-and-events/events-and-presentations/event-details/2025/Alcons-Third-Quarter-2025-Earnings-Conference-Call-2025-8ylj38YvL1/default.aspx Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This document contains, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "intend," "commitment," "look forward," "maintain," "plan," "goal," "seek," "target," "assume," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding our 2025 outlook, liquidity, revenue, gross margin, operating margin, effective tax rate, foreign currency exchange movements, earnings per share, our plans and decisions relating to various capital expenditures, capital allocation priorities and other discretionary items such as our market growth assumptions, our social impact and sustainability plans, targets, goals and expectations, and generally, our expectations concerning our future performance. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties and risks that are difficult to predict such as: cybersecurity breaches or other disruptions of our information technology systems; our ability to effectively manage the risks associated with the ethical use of disruptive technologies; compliance with data privacy, identity protection and information security laws, particularly with the increased use of artificial intelligence; the impact of a disruption in our global supply chain, including the effect of tariffs, or important facilities, particularly when we single-source or rely on limited sources of supply; our ability to manage social impact and sustainability matters; our reliance on outsourcing key business functions; global and regional economic, financial, monetary, legal, tax, political and social change; the increasingly challenging economic, political and legal environment in China; terrorism, war and other resulting events such as economic sanctions and trade restrictions; our ability to manage the risks associated with operating as a third party contract manufacturer; our ability to forecast sales demand and manage our inventory levels and the changing buying patterns of our customers; our success in completing and integrating strategic acquisitions, including equity investments in early-stage companies; the success of our research and development efforts, including our ability to innovate to compete effectively; our ability to comply with the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and other applicable anti-corruption laws; pricing pressure from changes in third party payor coverage and reimbursement methodologies; our ability to properly educate and train healthcare providers on our products; our ability to protect our intellectual property; our ability to comply with all laws to which we may be subject; the ability to obtain regulatory clearance and approval of our products as well as compliance with any post-approval obligations, including quality control of our manufacturing; the effect of product recalls or voluntary market withdrawals; the accuracy of our accounting estimates and assumptions, including pension and other post-employment benefit plan obligations and the carrying value of intangible assets; the impact of unauthorized importation of our products from countries with lower prices to countries with higher prices; our ability to service our debt obligations; the need for additional financing through the issuance of debt or equity; the effects of litigation, including product liability lawsuits and governmental investigations; supply constraints and increases in the cost of energy; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; legislative, tax and regulatory reform; the impact of being listed on two stock exchanges; the ability to declare and pay dividends; the different rights afforded to our shareholders as a Swiss corporation compared to a US corporation; the effect of maintaining or losing our foreign private issuer status under US securities laws; and the ability to enforce US judgments against Swiss corporations. Additional factors are discussed in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 20-F. Should one or more of these uncertainties or risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this document speak only as of the date of its filing, and we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We also undertake no obligation to update the 2025 outlook as circumstances evolve. Intellectual Property This report may contain references to our proprietary intellectual property. All product names appearing in italics or ALL CAPS are trademarks owned by or licensed to Alcon Inc. Product names identified by a "" or a "" are trademarks that are not owned by or licensed to Alcon or its subsidiaries and are the property of their respective owners. Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company Alcon uses certain non-IFRS metrics when measuring performance, including when measuring current period results against prior periods, including core results, percentage changes measured in constant currency, EBITDA, free cash flow and net (debt)/liquidity. Because of their non-standardized definitions, the non-IFRS measures (unlike IFRS measures) may not be comparable to the calculation of similar measures of other companies. These supplemental non-IFRS measures are presented solely to permit investors to more fully understand how Alcon management assesses underlying performance. These supplemental non-IFRS measures are not, and should not be viewed as, a substitute for IFRS measures. Core results Alcon core results, including core operating income and core net income, exclude all amortization and impairment charges of intangible assets, excluding software, product discontinuation charges, net gains and losses on fund investments and equity securities valued at fair value through profit and loss ("FVPL"), fair value adjustments of financial assets in the form of options to acquire a company carried at FVPL, fair value remeasurements of investments in associated companies and certain acquisition related items. The following items that exceed a threshold of $10 million, are not operating expenses necessary to the operation of the business and have costs that will vary over periods are also excluded from core results: integration and divestment related income and expenses, divestment gains and losses, restructuring charges/releases and related items, legal related items, gains/losses on early extinguishment of debt or debt modifications, past service costs for post-employment benefit plans, impairments of property, plant and equipment and software, as well as income and expense items that management deems exceptional and that are or are expected to accumulate within the year to be over a $10 million threshold. Taxes on the adjustments between IFRS and core results take into account, for each individual item included in the adjustment, the tax rate that will finally be applicable to the item based on the jurisdiction where the adjustment will finally have a tax impact. Generally, this results in amortization and impairment of intangible assets and acquisition-related restructuring and integration items having a full tax impact. There is usually a tax impact on other items, although this is not always the case for certain items such as legal settlements in certain jurisdictions. Alcon believes that investor understanding of its performance is enhanced by disclosing core measures of performance because, since they exclude items that can vary significantly from period to period, the core measures enable a helpful comparison of business performance across periods. For this same reason, Alcon uses these core measures in addition to IFRS and other measures as important factors in assessing its performance. A limitation of the core measures is that they provide a view of Alcon operations without including all events during a period, such as the effects of an acquisition, divestment, or amortization/impairments of purchased intangible assets and restructurings. Constant currency Changes in the relative values of non-US currencies to the US dollar can affect Alcon's financial results and financial position. To provide additional information that may be useful to investors, including changes in sales volume, we present information about changes in our net sales and various values relating to operating and net income that are adjusted for such foreign currency effects. Constant currency calculations have the goal of eliminating two exchange rate effects so that an estimate can be made of underlying changes in the Consolidated Income Statement excluding: the impact of translating the income statements of consolidated entities from their non-US dollar functional currencies to the US dollar; and the impact of exchange rate movements on the major transactions of consolidated entities performed in currencies other than their functional currency. Alcon calculates constant currency measures by translating the current year's foreign currency values for sales and other income statement items into US dollars, using the average exchange rates from the historical comparative period and comparing them to the values from the historical comparative period in US dollars. EBITDA Alcon defines earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") as net income excluding income taxes, depreciation of property, plant and equipment (including any related impairment charges), depreciation of right-of-use assets, amortization of intangible assets (including any related impairment charges), interest expense and other financial income and expense. Alcon management primarily uses EBITDA together with net (debt)/liquidity to monitor leverage associated with financial debts. Free cash flow Alcon defines free cash flow as net cash flows from operating activities less cash flow associated with the purchase or sale of property, plant and equipment. Free cash flow is presented as additional information because Alcon management believes it is a useful supplemental indicator of Alcon's ability to operate without reliance on additional borrowing or use of existing cash. Free cash flow is not intended to be a substitute measure for net cash flows from operating activities as determined under IFRS. Net (debt)/liquidity Alcon defines net (debt)/liquidity as current and non-current financial debt less cash and cash equivalents, current investments, including time deposits, and derivative financial instruments. Net (debt)/liquidity is presented as additional information because management believes it is a useful supplemental indicator of Alcon's ability to pay dividends, to meet financial commitments and to invest in new strategic opportunities, including strengthening its balance sheet. Growth rate and margin calculations For ease of understanding, Alcon uses a sign convention for its growth rates such that a reduction in operating expenses or losses compared to the prior year is shown as a positive growth. Gross margins, core gross margins, operating income margins and core operating income margins are calculated based upon net sales unless otherwise noted. Reconciliation of guidance for forward-looking non-IFRS measures The forward-looking guidance included in this press release cannot be reconciled to the comparable IFRS measures without unreasonable efforts, because we are not able to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate amount or nature of exceptional items in the fiscal year. These items are uncertain, depend on many factors and could have a material impact on our IFRS results for the guidance period. Financial tables Net sales by region Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30 ($ millions unless indicated otherwise) 2025 2024 2025 2024 United States 1,167 45 1,112 46 3,464 45 3,402 46 International 1,422 55 1,321 54 4,153 55 3,957 54 Net sales 2,589 100 2,433 100 7,617 100 7,359 100 Consolidated Income Statement (unaudited) Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30 ($ millions except earnings per share) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Net sales 2,589 2,433 7,617 7,359 Other revenues 25 21 66 50 Net sales and other revenues 2,614 2,454 7,683 7,409 Cost of net sales (1,136 (1,064 (3,403 (3,235 Cost of other revenues (20 (19 (51 (47 Gross profit 1,458 1,371 4,229 4,127 Selling, general administration (865 (809 (2,548 (2,448 Research development (250 (225 (717 (644 Other income 10 5 164 16 Other expense (21 (10 (81 (33 Operating income 332 332 1,047 1,018 Interest expense (51 (49 (151 (144 Other financial income expense 3 10 16 34 Share of (loss) from associated companies (1 (1 (16 (1 Income before taxes 283 292 896 907 Taxes (46 (29 (133 (173 Net income 237 263 763 734 Net income attributable to: Shareholders of Alcon Inc. 237 263 763 734 Non-controlling interests Earnings per share ($)(1) Basic 0.48 0.53 1.54 1.48 Diluted 0.48 0.53 1.53 1.48 Weighted average number of shares outstanding (millions) Basic 493.2 494.6 494.5 494.3 Diluted 495.9 497.7 497.3 497.2 (1) Earnings per share is calculated on the amount of net income attributable to shareholders of Alcon Inc. Segment contribution Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30 Change % Change % ($ millions unless indicated otherwise) 2025 2024 cc(1) (non-IFRS measure) 2025 2024 cc(1) (non-IFRS measure) Surgical segment contribution 357 331 8 6 1,071 1,120 (4 (4 As of net sales 25.1 24.7 25.5 27.3 Vision Care segment contribution 257 264 (3 (5 746 702 6 6 As of net sales 22.0 24.1 21.9 21.5 Not allocated to segments (282 (263 (7 (7 (770 (804 4 5 Operating income 332 332 (3 1,047 1,018 3 3 Core adjustments (non-IFRS measure)(1) 191 169 478 511 Core operating income (non-IFRS measure)(1) 523 501 4 2 1,525 1,529 (1) Core results and constant currency are non-IFRS measures. Refer to the 'Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company' section for additional information and to the 'Reconciliation of IFRS results to core results (non-IFRS measure)' section for reconciliation tables. Operating income Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30 Change % Change % ($ millions unless indicated otherwise) 2025 2024 cc(1) (non-IFRS measure) 2025 2024 cc(1) (non-IFRS measure) Cost of net sales (1,136 (1,064 (7 (6 (3,403 (3,235 (5 (5 Gross profit 1,458 1,371 6 5 4,229 4,127 2 2 Gross margin (%) 56.3 56.4 55.5 56.1 Selling, general administration (865 (809 (7 (5 (2,548 (2,448 (4 (4 Research development (250 (225 (11 (10 (717 (644 (11 (11 Other income 10 5 100 125 164 16 nm nm Other expense (21 (10 (110 (120 (81 (33 (145 (146 Operating income 332 332 (3 1,047 1,018 3 3 Operating margin (%) 12.8 13.6 13.7 13.8 Core results (non-IFRS measure)(1) Core gross profit 1,629 1,537 6 4 4,783 4,625 3 3 Core gross margin (%) 62.9 63.2 62.8 62.8 Core operating income 523 501 4 2 1,525 1,529 Core operating margin (%) 20.2 20.6 20.0 20.8 nm not meaningful (1) Core results and constant currency are non-IFRS measures. Refer to the 'Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company' section for additional information and to the 'Reconciliation of IFRS results to core results (non-IFRS measure)' section for reconciliation tables. Non-operating income expense Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30 Change % Change % ($ millions unless indicated otherwise) 2025 2024 cc(1) (non-IFRS measure) 2025 2024 cc(1) (non-IFRS measure) Operating income 332 332 (3 1,047 1,018 3 3 Interest expense (51 (49 (4 (5 (151 (144 (5 (5 Other financial income expense 3 10 (70 (69 16 34 (53 (53 Share of (loss) from associated companies (1 (1 nm (16 (1 nm nm Income before taxes 283 292 (3 (7 896 907 (1 (1 Taxes (46 (29 (59 (54 (133 (173 23 23 Net income 237 263 (10 (14 763 734 4 4 Net income attributable to: Shareholders of Alcon Inc. 237 263 (10 (14 763 734 4 4 Non-controlling interests Basic earnings per share ($)(2) 0.48 0.53 (9 (14 1.54 1.48 4 4 Diluted earnings per share ($)(2) 0.48 0.53 (9 (14 1.53 1.48 3 4 Core results (non-IFRS measure)(1) Core taxes (80 (59 (36 (34 (240 (262 8 8 Core net income 394 402 (2 (5 1,139 1,156 (1 (1 Core net income attributable to: Shareholders of Alcon Inc. 394 402 (2 (5 1,139 1,156 (1 (1 Non-controlling interests Core basic earnings per share ($)(2) 0.80 0.81 (1 (4 2.30 2.34 (2 (1 Core diluted earnings per share ($)(2) 0.79 0.81 (2 (4 2.29 2.33 (2 (1 nm not meaningful (1) Core results and constant currency are non-IFRS measures. Refer to the 'Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company' section for additional information and to the 'Reconciliation of IFRS results to core results (non-IFRS measure)' section for reconciliation tables. (2) Earnings per share and core earnings per share are calculated on the amount of net income and core net income, respectively, attributable to shareholders of Alcon Inc. Per share amounts may not add across quarters due to rounding. Reconciliation of IFRS results to core results (non-IFRS measure) Three months ended September 30, 2025 ($ millions except earnings per share) IFRS results Amortization of certain intangible assets(1) Impairments(2) Acquisition and integration related items(4) Other items(7) Core results (non-IFRS measure) Gross profit 1,458 171 1,629 Operating income 332 176 2 13 523 Income before taxes 283 176 2 13 474 Taxes(8) (46 (31 (3 (80 Net income 237 145 2 10 394 Net income attributable to: Shareholders of Alcon Inc. 237 145 2 10 394 Non-controlling interests Basic earnings per share ($)(9) 0.48 0.80 Diluted earnings per share ($)(9) 0.48 0.79 Basic weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(9) 493.2 493.2 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(9) 495.9 495.9 Refer to the associated explanatory footnotes at the end of the 'Reconciliation of IFRS results to core results (non-IFRS measure)' tables. Three months ended September 30, 2024 ($ millions except earnings per share) IFRS results Amortization of certain intangible assets(1) Other items(7) Core results (non-IFRS measure) Gross profit 1,371 166 1,537 Operating income 332 167 2 501 Income before taxes 292 167 2 461 Taxes(8) (29 (30 (59 Net income 263 137 2 402 Net income attributable to: Shareholders of Alcon Inc. 263 137 2 402 Non-controlling interests Basic earnings per share ($)(9) 0.53 0.81 Diluted earnings per share ($)(9) 0.53 0.81 Basic weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(9) 494.6 494.6 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(9) 497.7 497.7 Refer to the associated explanatory footnotes at the end of the 'Reconciliation of IFRS results to core results (non-IFRS measure)' tables. Nine months ended September 30, 2025 ($ millions except earnings per share) IFRS results Amortization of certain intangible assets(1) Impairments(2) Gains on investments in associated companies(3) Acquisition and integration related items(4) Legal items(5) Product discontinuation(6) Other items(7) Core results (non-IFRS measure) Gross profit 4,229 510 44 4,783 Operating income 1,047 521 2 (142 36 17 44 1,525 Income before taxes 896 521 2 (142 36 17 44 5 1,379 Taxes(8) (133 (93 (8 (4 (10 8 (240 Net income 763 428 2 (142 28 13 34 13 1,139 Net income attributable to: Shareholders of Alcon Inc. 763 428 2 (142 28 13 34 13 1,139 Non-controlling interests Basic earnings per share ($)(9) 1.54 2.30 Diluted earnings per share ($)(9) 1.53 2.29 Basic weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(9) 494.5 494.5 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(9) 497.3 497.3 Refer to the associated explanatory footnotes at the end of the 'Reconciliation of IFRS results to core results (non-IFRS measure)' tables. Nine months ended September 30, 2024 ($ millions except earnings per share) IFRS results Amortization of certain intangible assets(1) Impairments(2) Acquisition and integration related items(4) Other items(7) Core results (non-IFRS measure) Gross profit 4,127 495 3 4,625 Operating income 1,018 498 9 3 1 1,529 Income before taxes 907 498 9 3 1 1,418 Taxes(8) (173 (89 (1 1 (262 Net income 734 409 9 2 2 1,156 Net income attributable to: Shareholders of Alcon Inc. 734 409 9 2 2 1,156 Non-controlling interests Basic earnings per share ($)(9) 1.48 2.34 Diluted earnings per share ($)(9) 1.48 2.33 Basic weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(9) 494.3 494.3 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(9) 497.2 497.2 Refer to the associated explanatory footnotes at the end of the 'Reconciliation of IFRS results to core results (non-IFRS measure)' tables. Explanatory footnotes to IFRS to core reconciliation tables (1) Includes amortization for all intangible assets other than software. (2) Includes impairment charges related to intangible assets. (3) For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, includes gains on fair value remeasurements of investments in associated companies. (4) For the three months ended September 30, 2025, Operating income includes $12 million of direct acquisition costs and $1 million of integration related costs related to acquisitions. Acquisition costs primarily include third party professional services for legal, banker and due diligence fees. Integration related costs include third party professional services. For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, Operating income includes $28 million of direct acquisition costs and $8 million of integration related costs related to acquisitions. Acquisition costs primarily include third party professional services for legal, banker, due diligence and accounting fees. Integration related costs include severance of $3 million, accelerated equity-based compensation expense of $3 million and third party professional services of $2 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Gross profit includes the amortization of inventory fair value adjustments related to an acquisition. (5) For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, includes provisions for legal matters. (6) For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, includes charges related to the discontinued commercialization of a product in the Vision Care reportable segment, including $43 million for the full impairment of the intangible asset and $1 million in related costs, primarily related to inventory provisions. (7) For the three months ended September 30, 2024, Operating income primarily includes the amortization of option rights, partially offset by fair value adjustments of financial assets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, Income before taxes includes core adjustments recognized for Aurion in Share of (loss) from associated companies. The expenses were incurred upon change in control from Alcon's acquisition of a majority interest in Aurion and include accelerated equity-based compensation expense of $2 million, third party professional services of $2 million for legal and accounting fees and third party bank fees of $1 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Operating income includes the amortization of option rights and fair value adjustments of financial assets. (8) For the three months ended September 30, 2025, tax associated with operating income core adjustments of $191 million totaled $34 million with an average tax rate of 17.8%. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, tax associated with operating income core adjustments of $169 million totaled $30 million with an average tax rate of 17.8%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, total tax adjustments of $107 million include tax associated with operating income core adjustments, partially offset by discrete tax items. Operating income core adjustments totaled $478 million. Excluding the non-taxable gain of $136 million on fair value remeasurement of Alcon's investment in Aurion, core adjustments to operating income totaled $614 million. The associated tax effect amounted to $115 million with an average tax rate of 18.7%. Core tax adjustments for discrete tax items totaled $8 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, tax associated with operating income core adjustments of $511 million totaled $89 million with an average tax rate of 17.4%. (9) Core basic earnings per share is calculated using core net income attributable to shareholders of Alcon Inc. and the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Core diluted earnings per share also contemplate dilutive shares associated with unvested equity-based awards as described in Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements. EBITDA (non-IFRS measure) Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30 ($ millions) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Net income 237 263 763 734 Taxes 46 29 133 173 Depreciation of property, plant equipment 106 101 307 292 Depreciation of right-of-use assets 24 22 67 62 Amortization of intangible assets 199 188 584 555 Impairments of property, plant equipment and intangible assets 2 45 9 Interest expense 51 49 151 144 Other financial income expense (3 (10 (16 (34 EBITDA 662 642 2,034 1,935 Cash flow and net (debt)/liquidity (non-IFRS measure) Nine months ended September 30 ($ millions) 2025 2024 Net cash flows from operating activities 1,613 1,618 Net cash flows used in investing activities (1,044 (834 Net cash flows used in financing activities (789 (318 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 42 6 Net change in cash and cash equivalents (178 472 Change in derivative financial instrument assets (6 Change in time deposits with original maturity greater than three months (153 151 Change in current and non-current financial debts (90 49 Change in net (debt) (427 672 Net (debt) at January 1 (2,802 (3,643 Net (debt) at September 30 (3,229 (2,971 Net (debt)/liquidity (non-IFRS measure) ($ millions) At September 30, 2025 At December 31, 2024 Current financial debt (570 (105 Non-current financial debt (4,163 (4,538 Total financial debt (4,733 (4,643 Less liquidity: Cash and cash equivalents 1,498 1,676 Time deposits with original maturity greater than three months 153 Derivative financial instruments 6 12 Total liquidity 1,504 1,841 Net (debt) (3,229 (2,802 Free cash flow (non-IFRS measure) The following is a summary of free cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, together with a reconciliation to net cash flows from operating activities, the most directly comparable IFRS measure: Nine months ended September 30 ($ millions) 2025 2024 Net cash flows from operating activities 1,613 1,618 Purchase of property, plant equipment (374 (322 Proceeds from sale of property, plant equipment 5 Free cash flow 1,244 1,296 About Alcon Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning over 75 years, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people's lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 25,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with Eye Care Professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com. Connect with us on Facebook LinkedIn View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251106823426/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations Daniel Cravens Allen Trang + 41 589 112 110 (Geneva) + 1 817 615 2789 (Fort Worth) investor.relations@alcon.com Media Relations Steven Smith + 41 589 112 111 (Geneva) + 1 817 551 8057 (Fort Worth) globalmedia.relations@alcon.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - Cross River Ventures Corp. (CSE: CRVC.X) (the "Company" or "Cross River") is pleased to announce that it is proceeding with its previously announced non-brokered private placement of up to 144,000,000 common shares ("Shares") at a price of CAD$0.005 per Share for gross proceeds of up to $720,000 (the "Offering"). The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to pay outstanding liabilities and for working capital purposes. In accordance with applicable securities laws, the Shares issued under the Offering will be subject to a four month and one day hold period from the date of issuance. Closing of the Offering is expected to take place on or about November 21, 2025 and is subject to certain conditions customary for transactions of this nature including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the CSE. The Company may pay finder's fees and/or commissions to eligible persons in connection with the Offering in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The securities of the Company have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any person in the United Sates, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. On behalf of the Board of Directors of CROSS RIVER VENTURES CORP. Sam Wong CEO Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements relating to the Offering and the use of proceeds therefrom. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company's public securities filings with the Canadian securities commissions. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Canadian Securities Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274086 SOURCE: Cross River Ventures Corp. Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath FLAGLER COUNTY, FL / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / A Flagler County jury has awarded more than $35 million in damages to the families of two women who lost their lives in a tragic crash involving Apogee Integrations, LLC. The verdict, rendered in the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, found Apogee Integrations and its driver, John Garrison, negligent in causing the deaths of Shirley Ann Burkett and Debra Ashrafi. florida-wrongful-death-lawyer Document with title Wrongful Death on a wooden surface. The consolidated cases - Burkett v. Apogee Integrations, LLC (Case No. 2022-CA-000545) and Ashrafi v. Apogee Integrations, LLC (Case No. 2022-CA-00532) - were presided over by the Honorable Christopher A. France. Verdict Details In the Burkett case, the jury determined that Garrison's negligence directly caused the death of Shirley Ann Burkett, awarding her estate a total of $7,552,459.11 in damages. This includes: $52,459.11 for medical and funeral expenses $5,000,000.00 for past loss of companionship and suffering $2,500,000.00 for future loss and suffering In the Ashrafi case, jurors found Garrison solely responsible for the death of Debra Ashrafi, awarding her estate a total of $28,000,000.00 in wrongful death damages. The award includes compensation for Darvish Ashrafi, her husband, and Marni Ashrafi, her daughter, for their mental anguish and loss of companionship: $11,000,000.00 to Darvish Ashrafi for past and future loss $17,000,000.00 to Marni Ashrafi for parental loss and suffering Legal Representation and Reaction Attorneys representing the Burkett and Ashrafi families praised the verdict as a powerful statement about accountability and corporate responsibility. The families were represented by Lake H. Lytal III , Kevin Smith , Trent Swift , and Marc Hernandez of Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, a nationally recognized trial law firm based in Florida. Apogee Integrations has not yet issued a statement regarding the ruling. About the Case The case stemmed from a fatal incident in which an Apogee Integrations vehicle, operated by employee John Garrison, was involved in a crash resulting in the deaths of the two women. The jury found that Garrison's negligent operation of the vehicle was the direct and legal cause of both fatalities. Contact Information Lake H. Lytal III Partner tlytal@foryourrights.com (561) 820-2247 SOURCE: Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/jury-awards-35-million-in-wrongful-death-verdict-against-apogee-1099742 THIRD QUARTER 2025 SUMMARY Revenues were $105.4 million in the second quarter vs. $108.7 million in Q3 2024 Adjusted EBITDA 1 represented 11.7% of revenue vs. 11.6% in Q3 2024 represented 11.7% of revenue vs. 11.6% in Q3 2024 Adjusted EBITDA was $12.3 million vs. $12.6 million in Q3 2024 SG&A expenses decreased to $18.2 million vs. $21.3 million in the prior year quarter Launch of AI-powered contentcloud.ai DAM platform advances DCM digital strategy Company repurchased 264,900 common shares during the third quarter Company declares quarterly dividend of $0.025 per common share Brampton, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2025) - DATA Communications Management Corp. (TSX: DCM) (OTCQX: DCMDF) ("DCM" or the "Company"), a leading Canadian provider of print and digital solutions that help simplify complex marketing communications and workflow, today reported third quarter 2025 financial results. MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY "While challenging market conditions and revenue headwinds persisted in the third quarter, we continue to deliver solid operating results and generate strong free cash flow enabling us to reduce debt and return capital shareholders," said Richard Kellam, President & CEO of DCM. "Revenues in the quarter were down 3.1% year over year, reflecting a trend we have seen throughout the year of clients delaying or scaling back projects in response to uncertainty about demand in their end markets as well as concerns about the impact of tariffs and ongoing labour disruptions at Canada Post. "We are addressing these challenges by maintaining our intense focus on new business development, diversifying our supply chain, and investing in digital innovation. In addition, we are taking a disciplined approach to managing overhead costs in the current environment, as reflected in this quarter's reduction in SG&A expenses. We are well positioned financially to navigate current challenges in our markets and to realize the benefit of these efforts as market conditions improve. At the same time, we have the flexibility to pursue strategic M&A opportunities to support our goal of delivering long-term value for both our clients and shareholders." added Kellam. DCM continues to be guided by four strategic priorities for 2025: Drive profitable organic growth Deliver a return on our new capital investments focused on enhancing our efficiency Continue to drive gross margin improvement through top line revenue growth and operating efficiencies Demonstrate agility and adaptability to effectively navigate an uncertain environment. OTHER BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS Dividend Declaration On November 11, 2025, DCM's board of directors declared a third quarterly dividend of $0.025 per common share, payable on December 31, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 17, 2025. This dividend is designated as an "eligible" dividend for the purpose of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any similar provincial legislation. New Sustainability Milestone Achieved On October 14, 2025, DCM announced that it achieved a new milestone in its sustainability efforts with the planting of three million trees in certified reforestation projects through an innovative partnership with PrintReleaf. Through the program, DCM is able to offset 100% of the paper consumed in serving the printing needs of its clients. Launch of contentcloud.ai On October 9, 2025, DCM announced the launch of contentcloud.ai, the Company's enhanced Digital Asset Management ("DAM") platform powered by artificial intelligence ("AI"). contentcloud.ai builds on DCM's first-generation DAM platform, ASMBL, launched in 2024 with AI designed as part of its core experience to enable users to easily organize, find, and share content to work smarter, faster, and more efficiently. Q3 2025 EARNINGS CALL DETAILS The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. EST Mr. Kellam and James Lorimer, CFO, will present the third quarter 2025 results followed by a live Q&A. Register for the webcast prior to the start of the event: Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams All attendees must register for the webinar prior to the call. Please complete the phone field in the form at the above link (prior to the start of the event) if you wish to dial in. The Company's full results will be posted on its Investor Relations page and on SEDAR+. A video message from Mr. Kellam will also be posted on the Company's website. Footnotes: 1 Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues, Adjusted net income (loss), Adjusted net income (loss) as percentage of revenues, Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA and Free cash flow are non-IFRS Accounting Standards measures. For a description of the composition of these and other non-IFRS Accounting Standards measures used in this press release, and a reconciliation to their most comparable IFRS Accounting Standards measure, where applicable, see the information under the heading "Non-IFRS Accounting Standards Measures", the information set forth on Table 2 and Table 3 herein, and our most recent Management Discussion & Analysis filed on SEDAR+. TABLE 1 The following table sets out selected historical consolidated financial information for the periods noted. For the periods ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 July 1 to Sept. 30, 2025 July 1 to Sept. 30, 2024 January 1 to September 30, 2025 January 1 to September 30, 2024 (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts, unaudited) Revenues $ 105,371 $ 108,726 $ 342,840 $ 363,731 Gross profit 24,631 28,009 91,399 99,654 Gross profit, as a percentage of revenues 23.4 % 25.8 % 26.7 % 27.4 % Selling, general and administrative expenses 18,219 21,313 61,549 67,921 As a percentage of revenues 17.3 % 19.6 % 18.0 % 18.7 % Research & development expenses 1,105 1,117 3,441 3,755 As a percentage of revenues 1.0 % 1.0 % 1.0 % 1.0 % Adjusted EBITDA 12,301 12,567 47,457 48,120 As a percentage of revenues 11.7 % 11.6 % 13.8 % 13.2 % Net income for the period 1,058 (2,668 ) 9,886 2,871 Adjusted net income 111 (165 ) 9,205 8,755 As a percentage of revenues 0.1 % (0.2) % 2.7 % % 2.4 % Basic earnings per share $ 0.02 $ (0.05 ) $ 0.18 $ 0.05 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.02 $ (0.05 ) $ 0.17 $ 0.05 Adjusted net income per share, basic $ - $ - $ 0.17 $ 0.16 Adjusted net income per share, diluted $ - $ - $ 0.16 $ 0.15 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic 55,221,802 55,308,952 55,282,446 55,192,969 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted 56,810,306 55,308,952 57,080,008 57,784,458 TABLE 2 The following table provides reconciliations of net income to EBITDA and of net income to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods noted. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation For the periods ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 July 1 to September 30, 2025 July 1 to September 30, 2024 January 1 to September 30, 2025 January 1 to September 30, 2024 (in thousands of Canadian dollars, unaudited) Net income for the period $ 1,058 $ (2,668 ) $ 9,886 $ 2,871 Interest expense, net 5,031 5,273 15,299 16,192 Debt modification gain - - (867 ) - Amortization of transaction costs 111 140 382 420 Current income tax expense 1,191 647 4,707 2,005 Deferred income tax recovery (818 ) (1,158 ) (2,088 ) (1,374 ) Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment 1,665 1,832 5,179 5,138 Amortization of intangible assets 328 482 1,037 1,516 Depreciation of right-of-use-assets 5,001 4,674 14,832 13,488 EBITDA $ 13,567 $ 9,222 $ 48,367 $ 40,256 Acquisition and integration costs - 2,077 - 2,603 Restructuring expenses 255 1,160 313 3,346 Net fair value losses on financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss (1,521 ) 108 (1,223 ) 1,915 Adjusted EBITDA $ 12,301 $ 12,567 $ 47,457 $ 48,120 TABLE 3The following table provides reconciliations of net income (loss) to Adjusted net income and a presentation of Adjusted net income per share for the periods noted. Adjusted net income reconciliation For the periods ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 July 1 to September 30, 2025 July 1 to September 30, 2024 January 1 to September 30, 2025 January 1 to September 30, 2024 (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts, unaudited) Net income for the period $ 1,058 $ (2,668 ) $ 9,886 $ 2,871 Restructuring expenses 255 1,160 313 3,346 Acquisition and integration costs - 2,077 - 2,603 Net fair value losses (gains) on financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss (1,521 ) 108 (1,223 ) 1,915 Tax effect of the above adjustments 319 (842 ) 229 (1,980 ) Adjusted net income $ 111 $ (165 ) $ 9,205 $ 8,755 About DATA Communications Management Corp. DCM is a leading Canadian tech-enabled provider of print and digital solutions that help simplify complex marketing communications and operations workflow. DCM serves over 2,500 clients including 70 of the 100 largest Canadian corporations and leading government agencies. Our core strength lies in delivering individualized services to our clients that simplify their communications, including customized printing, highly personalized marketing communications, campaign management, digital signage, and digital asset management. From omnichannel marketing campaigns to large-scale print and digital workflows, our goal is to make complex tasks surprisingly simple, allowing our clients to focus on what they do best. Additional information relating to DATA Communications Management Corp. is available on www.datacm.com, and in the disclosure documents filed by DATA Communications Management Corp. on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. For further information, contact Mr. Richard Kellam Mr. James E. Lorimer President and Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer DATA Communications Management Corp. DATA Communications Management Corp. Tel: (905) 791-3151 Tel: (905) 791-3151 ir@datacm.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking" statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, objectives or achievements of DCM, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, objectives or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as "may," "would," "could," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "intend," "plan," and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect DCM's current views regarding future events and operating performance, are based on information currently available to DCM, and speak only as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. They should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such performance or results will be achieved. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance, objectives or achievements of DCM to be materially different from any future results, performance, objectives or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We caution readers of this press release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements since a number of factors could cause actual future results, conditions, actions, or events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in these forward-looking statements. The principal factors, assumptions and risks that DCM made or took into account in the preparation of these forward-looking statements and which could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements are described in further detail in our most recent annual and interim Management Discussion and Analysis filed on SEDAR+, and include but are not limited to the following: industry conditions are influenced by numerous factors over which the Company has no control, including: declines in print consumption; labour disruptions at suppliers and customers, including Canada Post; the impact of tariffs and responses thereto (including by governments, trade partners and customers), which may include, without limitation, retaliatory tariffs, export taxes, restrictions on exports to the U.S. or other measures, increases in our input costs, and the effect of governmental regulations and policies in general; our ability to achieve and meet our revenue, profitability, free cash flow and debt reduction targets for 2025 and in the future; while we have received consents from our lenders for the declaration and payment of the special dividend and regular recurring dividend, including the exclusion of the special dividend from our fixed charge coverage ratios, our financial leverage may increase, and there is no guarantee that we will pay such dividends in the future; and, our ability to comply with our financial and other covenants under our credit facilities, which may preclude us from paying future dividends if our outlook and future financial liquidity changes. Additional factors are discussed elsewhere in this press release and under the headings "Liquidity and capital resources" and "Risks and Uncertainties" in DCM's Management Discussion and Analysis and in DCM's other publicly available disclosure documents, as filed by DCM on SEDAR+. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this press release as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. Unless required by applicable securities law, DCM does not intend and does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. NON-IFRS ACCOUNTING STANDARDS MEASURES NON-IFRS ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES This press release includes certain non-IFRS Accounting Standards measures, ratios and other financial measures as supplementary information. This supplementary information does not represent earnings measures recognized by IFRS Accounting Standards and does not have any standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS Accounting Standards. Therefore, these non-IFRS Accounting Standards measures, ratios and other financial measures are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Investors are cautioned that this supplementary information should not be construed as alternatives to net income (loss) determined in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards as an indicator of DCM's performance. Definitions of such supplementary information, together with a reconciliation of net income (loss) to such supplementary financial measures, can be found in our most recent annual and interim Management Discussion and Analysis and filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Condensed interim consolidated statements of financial position (in thousands of Canadian dollars, unaudited) September 30, 2025 December 31, 2024 $ $ Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 3,667 6,773 Trade receivables 97,574 103,445 Inventories 21,525 23,843 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4,573 5,989 Income taxes receivable 624 3,432 $ 127,963 $ 143,482 Non-current assets Other non-current assets 2,210 9,104 Deferred income tax assets 8,420 8,224 Property, plant, and equipment 32,987 34,812 Right-of-use assets 163,499 162,510 Pension assets 4,517 3,142 Intangible assets 7,366 8,282 Goodwill 22,747 22,747 $ 369,709 $ 392,303 Liabilities Current liabilities Bank overdraft - 880 Trade payables and accrued liabilities 45,291 59,890 Current portion of credit facilities 8,714 15,175 Current portion of lease liabilities 11,943 10,525 Provisions 2,741 8,016 Deferred revenue 3,820 6,199 $ 72,509 $ 100,685 Non-current liabilities Provisions 271 1,279 Credit facilities 73,575 68,515 Lease liabilities 166,491 158,603 Deferred income tax liabilities - 60 Pension obligations 12,676 18,354 Other post-employment benefit plans 1,257 1,409 Asset retirement obligation 3,522 3,438 $ 330,301 $ 352,343 Equity Shareholders' equity Shares 284,119 284,592 Warrants - 219 Contributed surplus 3,219 3,078 Translation Reserve 247 307 Deficit (248,177 ) (248,236 ) $ 39,408 $ 39,960 $ 369,709 $ 392,303 Condensed interim consolidated statements of operations (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts, unaudited) For the three months ended September 30, 2025 For the three months ended September 30, 2024 For the nine months ended September 30, 2025 For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 Revenues $ 105,371 $ 108,726 $ 342,840 $ 363,731 Cost of revenues 80,740 80,717 251,441 264,077 Gross profit 24,631 28,009 91,399 99,654 Expenses Selling, commissions and expenses 9,346 9,930 29,955 30,972 General and administration expenses 8,873 11,383 31,594 36,949 Research & development expenses 1,105 1,117 3,441 3,755 Restructuring expenses 255 1,160 313 3,346 Acquisition and integration costs - 2,077 - 2,603 Net fair value losses on financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss (1,521 ) 108 (1,223 ) 1,915 18,058 25,775 64,080 79,540 Income before finance costs and income taxes 6,573 2,234 27,319 20,114 Finance costs Interest expense on long term debt and pensions, net 1,743 2,108 5,451 6,913 Interest expense on lease liabilities 3,288 3,165 9,848 9,279 Amortization of transaction costs 111 140 382 420 Debt modification gain - - (867 ) - 5,142 5,413 14,814 16,612 Income before income taxes 1,431 (3,179 ) 12,505 3,502 Income tax expense Current 1,191 647 4,707 2,005 Deferred (818 ) (1,158 ) (2,088 ) (1,374 ) 373 (511 ) 2,619 631 Net income for the period $ 1,058 $ (2,668 ) $ 9,886 $ 2,871 Other comprehensive income: Foreign currency translation 55 (19 ) (60 ) 25 55 (19 ) (60 ) 25 Items that will not be reclassified to net income Re-measurements of pension and other post-employment benefit obligations 5,780 625 7,211 9,393 Taxes related to pension and other post-employment benefit adjustment above (1,469 ) (160 ) (1,832 ) (2,408 ) 4,311 465 5,379 6,985 Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax $ 4,366 $ 446 $ 5,319 $ 7,010 Comprehensive income for the period $ 5,424 $ (2,222 ) $ 15,205 $ 9,881 Basic earnings per share 0.02 -0.05 0.18 0.05 Diluted earnings per share 0.02 -0.05 0.17 0.05 Condensed interim consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands of Canadian dollars, unaudited) For the nine months ended September 30, 2025 For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 $ $ Cash provided by Operating activities Net income for the period $ 9,886 $ 2,871 Items not affecting cash Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment 5,179 5,138 Amortization of intangible assets 1,037 1,516 Depreciation of right-of-use-assets 14,832 13,488 Share-based compensation expense 89 390 Net fair value losses on financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss (1,223 ) 1,915 Pension expense 1,113 1,415 Gain on disposal of sale and leaseback - (11 ) Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment - (54 ) Provisions 313 3,346 Debt modification gain (867 ) - Amortization of transaction costs 382 421 Accretion of asset retirement obligations 84 (28 ) Other post-employment benefit plan expense 130 447 Right-of-use assets impairment - 97 Income tax expense 2,619 631 Changes in non cash working capital (7,082 ) 3,107 Contributions made to pension plans (955 ) (960 ) Contributions made to other post-employment benefit plans (282 ) (177 ) Provisions paid (6,596 ) (8,804 ) Income taxes paid (1,899 ) (2,898 ) Total cash generated from operating activities 16,760 21,850 Investing activities Proceeds on sale and leaseback transaction 6,694 10,218 Purchase of property, plant, and equipment (3,343 ) (9,709 ) Purchase of intangible assets (121 ) (551 ) Purchase of non-current assets (143 ) (8,013 ) Proceeds on disposal of property, plant, and equipment - 440 Total cash provided by (used in) investing activities 3,087 (7,615 ) Financing activities Exercise of options - 337 Proceeds from credit facilities 60,733 58,145 Repayment of credit facilities (61,232 ) (73,905 ) Decrease in bank overdrafts (880 ) (1,564 ) Transaction costs (417 ) - Dividends paid (15,206 ) - Principal portion of lease payments (5,246 ) (6,055 ) Repurchases of shares (640 ) - Total cash (used in) financing activities (22,888 ) (23,042 ) Change in cash and cash equivalents during the period (3,041 ) (8,807 ) Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 6,773 17,652 Effects of foreign exchange on cash balances (65 ) 33 Cash and cash equivalents - end of period $ 3,667 $ 8,878 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274011 SOURCE: DATA Communications Management Corp. First in a Board-Level Series Guiding Hospitals Toward Safe, Equitable, and ROI-Driven AI Deployment SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / Black Book Research has released the 2026 Health System & Hospital AI Governance Resource Guide, the first in a new Board-level research series that will guide health systems through the evolving landscape of HIT decision-making, funding, AI oversight, regulation, and accountability in 2026. This open-access global benchmark report translates the complexity of AI governance into a practical operating framework defining board decision rights, risk-tiered controls, vendor accountability, and measurable ROI. The guide enables hospital executives to move confidently from pilot projects to scalable, auditable, and ethically sound AI systems across diverse regulatory environments. Access is free for healthcare leaders, underwritten by Black Book's commitment to responsible AI governance. From Pilots to Proof: Governing the AI Leap Black Book's latest findings highlight a growing maturity gap between AI enthusiasm and the structures needed to sustain it. While adoption continues to accelerate, many hospitals report persistent failures in scaling AI initiatives due to fragmented governance and unclear accountability. Key findings from the 2026 Black Book Global AI Governaznce Benchmark include: 80% of executives say vendor AI claims are difficult to verify without formal governance. 70% report at least one failed AI pilot due to weak endpoints, workflow misalignment, or data gaps. 68% say equity is "planned" but rarely measured in pilot phases. 60% of contracts lack a material-change re-validation clause. Health systems with an AI Governance Council are 2 more likely to achieve ROI within 12 months. Pilots with shadow-mode testing (4-8 weeks) are 1.75 more likely to advance without safety flags. Written gate criteria lead to 28% fewer pilot extensions. Top blockers include integration (50%), alert burden (40%), and data quality (35%) issues. Programs with dashboards and clear ownership reach early ROI in ~7.5 months (vs 13.5 months without). Pilots with a named owner and tested kill-switch are 2 more likely to scale system-wide within a year. "The healthcare industry is entering the accountability era of AI," said Doug Brown, President of Black Book Research. "Boards and executives can no longer rely on enthusiasm and vendor marketing alone. Governance defined, operational, and transparent is now the essential infrastructure for safe, equitable, and financially justified AI." Blueprint for Responsible AI The 2026 AI Governance Resource Guide is tailored for Boards, CEOs, and executive teams ready to bring clarity, consistency, and control to their AI initiatives. It details how to embed governance at every level of decision-making defining who decides what, when, and on what evidence. The model features: A three-lines-of-defense structure. An empowered AI Governance Council with authority to pause or retire unsafe algorithms. Tiered risk controls aligned with clinical impact. Shadow testing , subgroup calibration , and rollback drills for safety and equity assurance. Vendor accountability frameworks , including due-diligence scorecards, evidence packs, and outcome-based SLAs. Lifecycle transparency across intake, validation, deployment, monitoring, and retirement phases. By aligning with leading frameworks such as the EU AI Act, U.S. FDA's Good Machine Learning Practice (GMLP), WHO Ethics & Governance of AI, and OECD AI Principles, the guide offers a comprehensive cross-border readiness map. From Oversight to Outcomes For Boards and CFOs, the framework delivers auditable visibility into risk appetite, oversight cadence, and ROI acceptance thresholds. CEOs and administrators gain unified accountability through a single governance team-the AIGC-while CIOs, CMIOs, and COOs benefit from standardized controls, workload protections, and technical assurance models. Early adopters show measurable advantages: organizations with governance dashboards and defined ownership structures are realizing ROI nearly twice as fast as those without formal oversight, typically within seven and a half months. Global Benchmarking and Methodology Survey data were collected from hospital and health-system executives across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East, reflecting diverse maturity levels and regulatory alignment. All results were validated at the 95% confidence level (3.7pp). Access the Entire Report The 2026 Health System & Hospital AI Governance Resource Guide is available as an open-access executive report for healthcare stakeholders at: https://blackbookmarketresearch.com/governing-hospitals-ai-2026-board-to-bedside-accountability-guide About Black Book Research Black Book Research is a leading global healthcare market intelligence firm that empowers leaders with unbiased, data-driven insights for technology strategy, operational excellence, and patient-centered innovation. Founded in 2011, Black Book has independently surveyed more than 3.5 million healthcare professionals and executives across 40+ countries to benchmark emerging trends, vendor performance, and market readiness. With a mission to advance patient outcomes, equity, and enterprise performance through evidence-based intelligence, Black Book's research services guide investments, regulatory strategy, and digital transformation initiatives worldwide. Known for its neutrality and methodological rigor, Black Book's portfolio spans digital health transformation, cybersecurity, workforce technology, interoperability, and AI governance. The AI Governance in Health Systems: 2026 Global Benchmark & Regulatory Readiness report marks the first in a multi-part Board-level series that will continue through 2026 to help health system leaders govern AI safely, equitably, and profitably. Media Relations research@blackbookmarketresearch.com www.blackbookmarketresearch.com Contact Information Press Office research@blackbookmarketresearch.com 8008637590 SOURCE: Black Book Research View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/2026-health-system-ai-governance-resource-guide-black-book-global-ben-1098153 The victim in question was a 21-year old female employee and according to her complaint, the harassment and assault continued for years. But Master has landed a new film called Peddi Jani Master of Stree 2 fame was arrested last year in Goa by the Cyberabad police and produced in a local court, as reported by Press Trust of India. He was accused of sexually assaulting a former female employee after a complaint was filed against him. The choreographer even confessed to the accusations. The victim in question was a 21-year old female employee and according to her complaint, the harassment and assault continued for years. But Master has landed a new film called Peddi, starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor. And he shared some pictures with music maestro AR Rahman as they collaborate for a song. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What Jani Master wrote We grew up watching and dancing to Legendary @arrahman Sir's songs and I can't believe I choreographed this chartbuster #ChikiriChikiri in his composition. Thank you for your kind words of support Sir https://t.co/zpSXGIwoUx Grateful for the opportunity Mega Power Star pic.twitter.com/trH47E0ZdW Jani Master (@AlwaysJani) November 9, 2025 We grew up watching and dancing to Legendary @arrahman Sirs songs and I cant believe I choreographed this chartbuster #ChikiriChikiri in his composition. Thank you for your kind words of support Sir https://bit.ly/ChikiriChikiriVideoSong Grateful for the opportunity Mega Power Star @AlwaysRamCharan Anna @BuchiBabuSana garu @RathnaveluDop Sir & entire @PeddiMovieOffl movie Team Netizens criticize AR Rahman Here are some reactions on Jani Masters tweet: its more and more infuriating, everytime I see this. He SHOULD be shamed for associating. He SHOULD be shamed for being ignorant even if thats the case, though Im not sure itd have made any difference with the way powerful men in the industry operate regularly. Jani master just came out of jail in bail after a rape accusation. Rahman is getting passes that arent given for Arivu or Mari or Ranjith. As usual STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why dont u all drag #peddi makers or #ramcharan instead ? I think hero has more authority to reject working with a choreographer than a music director who has no idea abt other departments of a film making. #arrahman #ARRahman. I saw a post saying she wont talk about any of this, meaning the Telugu language thing Whats the specific reason! Is it because her husband acts in Telugu, and has he spoken about the sexual violence happening there! Or is it because of this Rahman! Wasnt he expelled from the dancers association for POCSO charges? Then hows he getting chances again to work?And ARR choosing to not work with Vairamuthu for a case thats not been charged while happily posing with a pedo whos under bail is something I cant wrap. The Red Sea International Film Festival (Red Sea IFF) will be welcoming iconic Indian actress Rekha (Bhanurekha Ganesan) to this years edition of the festival. Described by critics as one of Indias finest ever actresses, Rekha will attend the Festival to present her restored 1981 classic Umrao Jaan in its international premiere. Restored in 4k this year by the National Film Archive of India under the National Film Heritage Mission, Umrao Jaan is a classic of Indian cinema immortalised by its music, poetry and performance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Showing as part of the festivals Treasures programme, the film is a beloved heritage work set in 1857 Lucknow and tells the story of a local tawaif and poet, and her rise to fame. It is considered one of Indias greatest cinematic achievements and its director, Muzaffar Ali, will also attend the Red Sea screening. Rekha to attend Red Sea International Film Festival for restored classic Umrao Jaan _Umrao Jaan_ is intrinsically woven into the very fabric of my soul, said Rekha in a statement. She is not just a character; she serves as a mirror reflecting the depths of my emotions and dreams. In fact, one could say that she mirrors my soul through the echoes of many lifetimes, portraying a narrative that transcends millions of heartbeats. The opportunity for this soulful film to find a new life after 45 years and connect with a fresh audience at the prestigious Red Sea Film Festival is exhilarating and profoundly meaningful. And witnessing an unprecedented moment when a 1981 classic, Umrao Jaan, is featured in the Festivals Treasures strand alongside a film by the luminary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock is not only a blessing but humbling to the core. Umrao Jaan is an adaptation of Mirza Hadi Ruswas 1899 Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada, considered a classic of Indian cinema immortalised by the music of Khayyam, the Urdu poetry of Shahryar, Asha Bhosle, and the exquisite beauty and iconic performance by Rekha in the lead role. Ali, a multifaceted artist and connoisseur of poetry, created this period drama, set in 1857 Lucknow, as a souvenir of Awadhi culture, fabricating an entire milieu through resplendent costume design and detailed art direction. Though an independent arthouse film made outside the syntax of mainstream cinema, it achieved a cult status. To discover an audience today that still resonates deeply with the narrative and emotional core of this film fills my heart with unparalleled joy, pride and a sense of hope for the future, she added. It reassures me that there will always be stories and emotions that do not merely fade with the passage of time, but instead linger in the gentle whispers of the wind and the shifting sands of memory. These timeless tales wait patiently for the right moment to burst forth, capturing the imaginations of new generations and allowing them to be rediscovered and appreciated in all their glory. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For this remarkable phenomenon, I am eternally grateful, as it highlights the universality of human experience, reminding us that while time may change our circumstances, the essence of our storiesand the emotions they evoke are written on every wave of the sea, every particle of sand, every relic, every stone, every cloud in the sky and every shining star from here to eternityand that is Umrao Jaan. Rekha to attend Red Sea International Film Festival for restored classic Umrao Jaan About Red Sea International Film Festival The Red Sea IFF is a grand celebration of film, bringing the best of world cinema to Jeddah. Over the past four editions, the Festival has premiered critically acclaimed award-winning filmmakers and films, classic cinema, and a spotlight on films from underrepresented voices underscoring the Festivals commitment to cinematic excellence and bridging cultures. The Festival has garnered significant recognition, winning many awards for best cultural and film events. It has achieved massive publicity, reaching millions of audiences worldwide, with thousands of press attendees. Regarded as Saudi Arabias highest-profile and most anticipated event, the Festival has captured the attention and acclaim of renowned industry figures worldwide and has been attended by tens of thousands of accredited visitors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As the largest celebration of cinema and culture in the MENA region, the Festival features exciting new films on the big screen, alongside retrospective programs celebrating cinema masters, the latest Saudi films, feature and short film competitions, industry events, and masterclasses (In Conversations). For ten exhilarating days (December 4-13), the Festival will transform the historic Jeddah Old Town, Al-Balad, into a cinematic wonderland, captivating film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and global audiences alike for its upcoming fifth edition. Al Balad is recognized as a UNESCO site that offers a captivating cultural experience reflecting the rich heritage of Saudi Arabia. Mr. Dharmendra is stable and under observation. Further comments and updates will be shared as available. Kindly dont indulge in spreading false rumours regarding his health . Request everyone to pray for his speedy recovery and respect the familys right to privacy, shared Sunny Deols teams a few hours back Veteran actor Dharmendra complained of breathlessness last week and was rushed to the hospital. He is admitted to Mumbais Breach Candy Hospital. More details about his health are awaited. According to a report published in HT City, Hema Malini said, Were hoping for his speedy recovery. Hema Malini was also spotted at the Breach Candy hospital today in Mumbai, where he is currently admitted. Dharmendras son Sunny Deol was also spotted arriving. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD And now Dharmendras daughter and actress has shared an official statement slamming the death rumours and wrote, The media seems to be in overdrive and spreading false news. My father is stable and recovering. We request everyone to give our family privacy. Thank You for the prayers for Papas speedy recovery. Esha Deol. What is happening is unforgivable! How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and is recovering? This is being extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give due respect to the family and its need for privacy. Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) November 11, 2025 A few hours back, Sunny Deols team also issued an official statement that read: Mr. Dharmendra is stable and under observation. Further comments and updates will be shared as available. Kindly dont indulge in spreading false rumours regarding his health . Request everyone to pray for his speedy recovery and respect the familys right to privacy. Team Sunny Deol. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The legendary actor has done films like Bandini, Guddi, Sholay, Pratigya, Chupke Chupke, Dream Girl, Charas, The Burning Train, Krodhi, Loha, Hukumat, Farishtay, Elaan-E-Jung, Tahalka, Dharam Veer, Life In A Metro, Apne, Johnny Gaddaar, Ikkis, and Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani in his career. He will be next seen in Sriram Raghavans Ikkis, which features Amitabh Bachchans grandson Agastya Nanda in a lead role. Sitarist Anoushka Shankar received two nominations this year, including Best Global Music Album for Chapter III: We Return to Light, featuring Alam Khan and Sarathy Korwar The 2026 Grammy Award nominees are here, and who else but Kendrick Lamar leads this years crop with nine nods on the strength of 2024s GNX? Its an exciting lineup, but like every year, there were a few artists who made the coveted list Friday and a few who didnt. Snubs and surprises are in no short supply in 2026. The 2026 Grammy Awards will air Feb. 1 live on CBS and Paramount+ from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India set to shine at Grammys 2026 Indian musicians like Anoushka Shankar, Siddhant Bhatia, and Charu Suri are making the nation proud globally. The awards that will be held next year could be a watershed moment for the nations music and its artists. Sitarist Anoushka Shankar received two nominations this year, including Best Global Music Album for Chapter III: We Return to Light, featuring Alam Khan and Sarathy Korwar. The trio was also nominated for Best Global Music Performance for Daybreak. Priyanka Chopra congratulated the musician on her Instagram story by captioning this- Just queen energy. Congratulations. Shankar has been nominated at the Grammys a staggering 11 times. Charu Suri The next name is that of Charu Suri, an Indo-American jazz composer and pianist known for her style of blending Indian ragas with jazz, who has been nominated for her album Shayan. Siddhant Bhatia The third name is that of Siddhant Bhatia, who has been nominated for his Sounds of Kumbha, featuring 12 songs, with 50 global artistes, and is dedicated to the Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj. Talking about the honour with Hindustan Times, Bhatia said, Its a very joyous moment for the entire country, as we created the album for the Mahakumbh. It showcases our culture, tradition, and heritage and now the entire world is knowing about it. The nomination and global recognition for the album is a very big win for our spirituality. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The composer added, Rooted in Indian culture, its a global album where we have Sanskrit, Hindi, and English. I like capturing the sound in its natural habitat. We captured temple bells, the river, and the atmosphere when the festival started around Makar Sankranti in a spiritually charged environment. With added inputs from agencies The Haryana Police raided the Al Falah University in Dhauj, Faridabad, on Tuesday (November 11) in connection with a blast that rocked Delhi last evening. Three doctors have been arrested and a huge cache of explosives and ammunition has been seized. Police are probing whether the varsity was planned to be used for synthesising advanced explosives such as RDX A view of the site where 350 kg of explosives and an AK-47 rifle were recovered during an investigation, in Faridabad, November 10, 2025. PTI Hours after police busted a terror module in the neighbouring Faridabad, a powerful explosion rocked Delhi on Monday (November 10) evening. A blast in a Hyundai i20 at the traffic signal near Gate No.1 of Red Fort Metro Station at 6.52 pm killed at least nine people and injured over a dozen others in the national capital. As per reports, there could be a possible link between the two incidents. On Tuesday (November 11), the Haryana Police raided the Al Falah University in Dhauj, Faridabad, in connection with the blast near Delhis Red Fort. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lets take a closer look. Why Al Falah University is in focus The Al Falah University in Faridabad has come under scanner after the arrest of three doctors linked to the varisty in a suspected terror module. Kashmiri doctors Muzammil Shakeel and Umar Mohammed, as well as Shaheen Shahid, a resident of Lucknow, have made headlines for their alleged involvement in terror activities. All three have links to the varsity. The Haryana Police raided the Al Falah University, a day after the blast near the iconic Red Fort. Delhi Police sources told Indian Express that the man, identified as Umar Mohammad, a Pulwama resident and a doctor, driving the vehicle involved in the Delhi blast, allegedly had links to the Faridabad terror module. As per preliminary findings, ammonium nitrate, fuel oil and detonators may have been used in the blast near the parking area of the Red Fort Metro Station. Final reports are awaited, the source said. Dr Shaheen Shahid, who reportedly has links to the Al-Falah University, is a resident of Lucknows Lal Bagh, officials told NDTV. She was allegedly tasked with setting up the womens wing of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in India, Delhi Police sources said to the news channel. The JeMs womens wing, Jamaat ul-Mominaat, is headed by JeM founder Masood Azhars sister, Sadia Azhar, in Pakistan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How the Faridabad terror module was busted Police have busted a transnational module tied to JeM and Ansar Ghazwatul-Hind, spanning several states in India. It all began after multiple JeM posters appeared at different locations in Bunpora, Nowgam, on the outskirts of Srinagar, threatening police and security forces on October 19. Investigation into the case revealed a white-collar terror ecosystem, the police said. This network involved radicalised professionals and students allegedly in touch with handlers in Pakistan and other countries, as per Times of India (TOI). The group was using encrypted channels for indoctrination, coordination, fund movement, and logistics. Funds were raised through professional and academic networks under the guise of social and charitable causes. The accused were found involved in identifying individuals for radicalisation, initiating and recruiting them into militant ranks, raising funds, arranging logistics, and procuring arms, ammunition, and materials for preparing IEDs, a Jammu and Kashmir Police spokesperson said on Monday. The police arrested 35-year-old doctor Muzammil Shakeel, who is from J&Ks Pulwama and a teaching faculty at Al-Falah University, on October 30 in connection with the posters. VIDEO | Faridabad terror module case: Police Commissioner Satender Kumar Gupta says, "Dr. Muzammil, arrested in the case, was teaching at Al Falah University. The investigation is underway after the recovery of explosives, an assault rifle, and other ammunition."#Faridabad pic.twitter.com/mynBoFbePU Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 10, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His interrogation led the Haryana and J&K police to two rented places in Faridabad and the discovery of a huge cache of explosive material and ammunition. Shakeel used to teach at Al-Falah University in Dhauj, Faridabad, and had taken a room on rent there to store his belongings," Faridabad Police Commissioner Satender Kumar Gupta reportedly said. The police said that on Sunday, they seized around 360 kg of explosives suspected to be ammonium nitrate, one Carom Cok rifle, two automatic pistols, 84 cartridges, five litres of chemicals, 20 timers with batteries and 14 bags from his room, as per PTI. The arms and ammunition recovered in a joint operation by Faridabad and Jammu and Kashmir police from the rented accommodation of Muzammil Shakeel, a Kashmiri doctor and a teacher at Al Falaha University. PTI Searches continued on Monday, expanding to Dehar Colony in Dhauj, where police recovered an additional 2,563kg of explosives and flammable material. Weapons such as a Chinese pistol, a Beretta pistol, an AK-56 rifle, and a Krinkov rifle all with ammunition were also found. The sheer volume of material points to plans for large-scale terrorist attacks, a police officer was quoted as saying by TOI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Calling it a major counter terrorism success, the police said in a release that the Kashmiri doctor was among seven people arrested in connection with the module. Investigators have also detained several people allegedly linked to Shakeel, including a religious scholar from a mosque near the university in Faridabad. Police said they are looking into whether laboratory facilities at Al-Falah University were planned to be used for synthesising advanced explosives such as RDX, TOI reported. Shakeels arrest led the police to another Pulwama doctor, Adil Ahmad Rather, in Uttar Pradeshs Saharanpur. Another of our teams went to Saharanpur and arrested the doctor. On the information provided by him, we recovered an AK rifle from a locker in the Government Medical College in Anantnag, a source told Indian Express. As per sources, Rather, who hails from Qazigund in south Kashmir, was working as a senior resident at GMC Anantnag last year. He left the job to work at a private hospital in Uttar Pradesh. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD An AK-47 allegedly linked to Muzammil Shakeel was found in the Swift Dzire of a woman doctor from the same university. According to investigators, the car that was used to store the assault rifle, a pistol, and ammunition belonged to Dr Shaheen Shahid. With inputs from agencies Eleven pollsters including Matrize, JVC, P-Marq, Peoples Insight, Dainik Bhaskar, Peoples Pulse, JVC, ABP, Chanakya Strategies, DV Research and TIF Research have predicted a massive win for the National Democratic Alliance in Bihar. Meanwhile, the pollsters have predicted that the Mahagathbandhans tally in Bihar will be reduced even further and Prashant Kishores Jan Suraaj Party, which is making its electoral debut, could fail to win a single seat Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. Pollsters have predicted that the NDA will have a big win in Bihar. PTI Voting for the Bihar Assembly polls concluded at 6 pm today (November 11). Voting for the 243-member Assembly, for which the majority mark is 122 seats, took place in two phases. As of 5 pm, turnout was at 67.14 per cent in the second phase of polling. Bihar held its first phase of polling on November 6 in which the turnout was 60.18 per cent. Votes for the Bihar election are slated to be counted on November 14, 2025. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On one side you have the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with the BJP and the Janata Dal (United) (JDU) of long-time Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, while on the other side you have the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led by CM face Tejashwi Yadav and the Congress. A slew of top leaders including JD(U)s acting president Sanjay Jha, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor and State Congress chief Rajesh Ram cast their ballots on Tuesday. Now, all eyes are on the exit polls, which were released after 6:30 pm. But what did the Bihar exit polls show? What are the key takeaways? What do the exit polls show? What exit polls show Eleven pollsters including Matrize, JVC, P-Marq, Peoples Insight, Dainik Bhaskar, Peoples Pulse, JVC, ABP, Chanakya Strategies, DV Research and TIF Research have predicted a massive win for the NDA in Bihar. Matrize has given the NDA between 147 and 167 seats, while P-Marq has estimated between 142 and 162 seats for the NDA. The News18 mega exit poll predicts that the NDA will win between 140 and 150 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan will get between 85 and 95 seats. The _Dainik Bhaskar_ exit polls give the NDA anywhere from 145 to 160 seats, while Peoples Insight has predicted around 133 to 148 seats for the alliance. Peoples Pulse has given the NDA between 133 and 159 seats, while JVC has estimated between 135 and 150 seats for the NDA. The ABP exit poll has projected between 133 and 148 seats for the NDA. Chanakya Strategies gives the NDA between 130 and 138 seats, while DV Research predicts 137 to 152 seats for the NDA. TIF Research estimates that the NDA will get between 145 and 163 seats. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, the exit polls predict that the Mahagathbandhans tally in Bihar will be reduced. Matrize has said the Grand Alliance will get between 70 and 90 seats while P-Marq says the Opposition will be reduced to between 80 and 98 seats. The Dainik Bhaskar exit polls give the alliance between 73 and 91 seats, while Peoples Insight estimates their tally from 87 to 102 seats. Peoples Pulse has given the Grand Alliance between 75 and 101 seats, while JVC has estimated between 88 and 103 seats for the Opposition. The ABP exit polls have estimated between 87 and 102 seats for the Grand Alliance. Chanakya Strategies gives the Grand Alliance between 100 and 108 seats, while DV Research predicts 83 to 98 seats for the Mahagathbandhan. TIF Research estimates that the bloc will get between 76 and 95 seats. Seven pollsters including Dainik Bhaskar, Matrize, People's Insight, Peoples Pulse, Chanakya Strategies and TIF Research say that Prashant Kishors Jan Suraaj, which is making its electoral debut, may come a cropper in Bihar and may fail to even open its account. P-Marq has said the party may win between 1 and 4 seats, while JVC has said the new party may win between zero seats and a single seat. DV Research gives the JSP between 2 and 4 seats. The News18 poll predicts that the JSP will get between 0 and 5 seats. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Poll of polls and key takeaways The eleven exit polls estimate the NDAs tally between 130 and 167 seats with an average of 148.5 seats. All the pollsters are clearly predicting a big win in favour of the NDA, which means that Nitish will likely retain power and continue his reign in Bihar. Most pollsters, including Matrize, JVC, P-Marq, Peoples Insight, Dainik Bhaskar and Peoples Pulse, predict that the coalition will comfortably clear the 122-seat halfway mark in the Bihar Assembly. This indicates that the voters may likely hand the ruling NDA a big mandate. The exit polls put the Mahagathbandhans tally between 70 at the least and 108 at the most an average of 89 seats. This means the Mahagathbandhan or the Grand Alliance comprising the RJD and the Congress will slip a little further in Bihar. The exit polls put the Mahagathbandhans tally between 70 at the least and 108 at the most an average of 89 seats. File image of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. PTI None of the pollsters predict that the Grand Alliance will even come close to the halfway mark of 122 seats in the Assembly. Prashant Kishors Jan Suraaj Party, which is making its electoral debut, is unlikely to make any waves and in fact may be facing a complete wipeout. All but a handful of pollsters think that the JSP has any real chance of winning more than a handful of seats. What did the polls show last time? In 2020, the exit polls showed that the National Democratic Alliance would lose in Bihar which was completely incorrect. Most of the polls predicted that the Mahagathbandhan would emerge victorious in Bihar with around 125 seats just over the magic mark of 122 seats. The pollsters also predicted that the NDA would grab just 108 seats. However, almost the exact opposite happened with the NDA taking 125 seats with the JD(U) accounting for 43 of those constituencies. Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan was limited to just 110 seats, despite the RJD emerging as the single largest party with 75 seats. In 2015, when the Grand Alliance still comprised the JD(U) Kumar, aka Paltu Ram, would later turn back to the BJP-led NDA in 2017 the exit polls were mixed. While three pollsters plumped for a Mahagathbandhan victory, two favoured the NDA. One predicted a hung Assembly. Here again, the pollsters got it wrong, with the Mahagathbandhan winning a massive 178 seats while the NDA prevailed in just 58 seats. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies As investigations gather pace in the Delhi car explosion case, authorities have narrowed down their search to one key suspect Dr Umar Mohammed from Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama. CCTV visuals show him inside the car for over three hours before it detonated near Red Fort Forensic officials collect samples from the site in the aftermath of the blast that occurred near Red Fort Metro Station on Monday, killing at least nine people and gutting several vehicles, in New Delhi. PTI Whos behind the Delhi car blast that was the question on everyones mind after an explosion rocked the Red Fort area in the capital on Monday evening, killing nine people and injuring over 20 others. In the aftermath of the car explosion, Delhi Police has registered an FIR under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosives Act. Moreover, the national capital has been placed on high alert with strict vigil being maintained at the airport, railway stations and bus terminals. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As investigations continue into the car explosion, authorities have uncovered that the car, a Hyundai i20, that exploded belonged to a Dr Umar Mohammed, a resident of Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama. It is believed that he is also linked to the terror network whose members were arrested in Faridabad, earlier on Monday. So, who exactly is Dr Mohammed? Heres what has been found. Who is Dr Mohammed from Pulwama? As part of their probe into the Delhi car explosion, authorities have found that the key suspect is 36-year-old Dr Umar Mohammed, who hails from Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama. Investigating authorities believe that he completed his medicine studies at Government Medical College, Srinagar. Following this, he worked as a senior resident at Government Medical College, Anantnag and later moved to Delhi for a better job. Currently, records show he is working as an Assistant Professor at Alfalah, Faridabad. According to investigations, Dr Umar Mohammed was in the car and is believed to have planned the attack along with two of his associates. A News18 report states that his father was a government school teacher, who left his job around 10-15 years ago. He also has two brothers and one elder sister at home. One brother and sister are married, and one brother is unmarried. Both his brothers and his mother have been detained by the police. How is Dr Mohammed linked to Delhi car blast? In the immediate aftermath of the Delhi car explosion, authorities began to scour for clues to indicate what caused the blast and whos behind it. Their investigations led them to a Hyundai i20 car, which was first spotted around 7.30 am outside Asian Hospital in Faridabad and later entered the capital from the Badarpur toll booth via the Faridabad road at around 8:13 am Monday. The car was then captured on CCTV footage at a parking lot near the Red Fort for over three hours. In fact, visuals show a man, now believed to be Dr Mohammed, sitting inside it for the entire period that it was parked over there. The police suspect that Dr Mohammed was either waiting for someone in the car or was waiting for further instructions. However, he did not meet anyone in the parking lot. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD From there, the car started driving towards central Delhi. The blast was triggered when the car was near a traffic light near the Red Fort. Charred remains of vehicles at a cordoned off area following a blast that occurred near Red Fort Metro Station on Monday, killing at least nine people and gutting several vehicles, in New Delhi. PTI Interestingly, when investigators tried to track down the owner of the vehicle through its registration details, they found that the i20 was initially owned by a man named Salman. He then sold it to another man named Devendra. From Devendra, the car passed on to Sonu, who later sold it to a man identified as Tariq. It finally landed in the hands of Dr Mohammed, but the actual possession of the car is still to be determined. Investigators have reportedly found that Dr Mohammed belongs to the same terror module as the one who was earlier arrested in Faridabad earlier on Monday morning. Investigating officials have reportedly found that Dr Mohammed panicked and triggered the blast near the Red Fort after the arrests of Dr Muzzamil Shakeel and Dr Adil Rather in Haryanas Faridabad earlier. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He is from the same terror module. He panicked after the arrests. He, along with his associates, placed a detonator and carried out this terror act, an officer, who wished to remain unnamed told The Print. Is there a connection between Delhi blast and Faridabad module? Based on what they have found so far, investigators believe that Dr Mohammed was part of a white-collar terror module with links in Faridabad and Pulwama. In fact, he and Dr Muzzamil Shakeel, who was arrested earlier in the day, belong to the same village in Pulwama. Moreover, they were both employed at the Al Falah Universitys School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre. Sources have been quoted as telling multiple media agencies that they were radicalised through Telegram channels. For those unaware, Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with Haryana Police, had recovered 2,500 kg of IED-making material during a raid at two houses rented by Dr Muzammil Shakeel in Fatehpur Taga village in Faridabad. The haul included around 360 kg of highly inflammable material, suspected to be ammonium nitrate, along with chemicals, reagents, electronic circuits, batteries, wires, remote controls, timers and metal sheets. Shakeel was arrested before the raid along with another Dr Adil Rather. With inputs from agencies After a car exploded near Red Fort in Delhi on Monday, authorities are leaving no stone unturned to determine whos behind it and the cause of it. Officials are scouring the site for clues, which have so far revealed that possibly ammonium nitrate was used in the explosion. They also believe it could have been a fidayeen-style attack with the key suspect believed to be a Dr Umar Mohammed from Pulwama A member of the forensic team works at the site of an explosion near the historic Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi. Reuters On Monday evening (November 10), an explosion took place inside a car near the historic Red Fort in Delhi, killing eight people and injuring at least 20 others. Shortly after the blast, authorities from the Delhi Police, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the National Security Guard (NSG) arrived at the scene, scouring the wreckage finding clues to what exactly unfolded. Indias Home Minister Amit Shah has vowed that all possibilities are being explored and a thorough investigation will be conducted taking all options into account. Moreover, hes called for a high-level meeting on Tuesday morning (November 11) to discuss the unfolding investigation into the explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As of now, the cause of the car blast has not yet been determined with Home Minister Amit Shah saying, We are investigating from all angles. It is difficult to say what caused the incident. Till the samples recovered from the site are analysed by the Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL) and the National Security Guard (NSG), it is difficult to say anything. We do not rule out anything. However, initial investigations are already providing us with some clues as to what happened near the Red Fort on Monday evening. Heres what we know so far. An explosion rocks Delhi The bustling city of Delhi came to a near standstill on Monday evening when a car exploded amid the crowds near the famous landmark of Red Fort. The explosion took place in the early evening as people returned from work, close to a metro station in the crowded Old Delhi quarter of the city. According to eyewitnesses present at the scene during the blast, the blaze engulfed at least six cars and several motorised rickshaw taxis. Dharmender, an eyewitness and a resident of Greater Noida, told The Hindu that he was on the opposite footpath shopping when he heard a loud sound and saw vehicles catch fire. There was a lot of traffic, and the slow-moving vehicle in which the blast happened went up in flames, which led to several commercial taxis around it catching fire, he said. Soon enough, ambulances streamed into a nearby public hospital, carrying several injured people the explosion has claimed the lives of eight people so far and another 20 are injured. Forensic experts collect human remains as they inspect the blast site following an explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi. Indian crime scene investigators are scouring through the wreckage of a car that exploded in the heart of the capital, killing at least eight people. AFP Meanwhile, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said that a slow-moving vehicle around 6:52 pm stopped at the red light outside Red Fort. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged. All agencies, FSL, NIA, are here Some people have died, and some have been injured in the incident we will update you with the exact figures shortly. The situation is being monitored, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The blast prompted a flood of reactions from within and outside the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi May the injured recover at the earliest. Those affected are being assisted by authorities. A possible use of an IED Following the blast, authorities from different investigating agencies are scouring the scene of the crime to ascertain the cause of the explosion. While they havent confirmed the cause, officials havent ruled out terror attack to be the reason. Preliminary investigations suggest that an IED improvised explosive device (IED) was planted in the slow-moving car that eventually exploded. Delhi Police sources were also quoted as telling News18 that there was no crater or flat spot at the site, suggesting that the car was slow-moving when the explosion happened. Investigators have not found any signs of pellet injuries on the victims, though burn wounds have been observed on several. Forensic teams are examining the vehicle to determine the exact nature and source of the blast. Officials have noted that traditionally blasts involving conventional explosives cause shrapnel injuries, but none were seen in those injured so far. On Tuesday morning, however, some sources revealed that ammonium nitrate was found in the blast near Delhis Red Fort. This is the same chemical that was seized earlier on Monday in Faridabad, suggesting that the two incidents may be linked. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Red Fort blast took place inside a Hyundai i20, which was been parked near the monument for more than three hours before it was driven out. The slow-moving i20 car and the Pulwama link While officials are still trying to determine the explosion in the car, one thing is certain it was a Hyundai i20 that exploded on Monday, triggering panic and chaos in the capital. According to investigating sources, the vehicle with the number plate HR 26CE7674 was stationed in the parking lot near the landmark for over three hours, entering at 3:19 pm and leaving around 6:30 pm. An image shows the car entering the parking lot with the drivers hand on the window. The driver of the car can be seen in another picture in which he appears to be wearing a blue and black T-shirt. Sources have said that the car was also spotted in Delhis Darya Ganj, Red Fort area, Kashmere Gate, and near Sunehri Masjid. The i20 car used in the Red Fort blast had multiple traffic challans, most of which were issued in the Delhi-NCR region. Records show that all the challans for the vehicle had been paid, reports India Today. The key suspect in the Delhi blast seen inside the i20 car that exploded minutes later. Authorities are now tracking down the owner of the car, with sources revealing that a resident of Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama bought the Hyundai i20, just weeks earlier, on October 29. In the hours following the blast, the police questioned a Gurugram resident under whose name the car was once registered. He revealed that he had sold it to someone else. Investigators said their probe led them to conclude the car changed hands more than once, eventually finding its way to the resident of Kashmirs Pulwama. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Print reports that investigators have now traced the white i20 to a Pulwama-based doctor, identified as Dr Umar Mohammed. Investigators reveal that Mohammed was part of the same terror module that was busted earlier in the day in Faridabad. Sources say that Dr Umar Mohammed, who owned the car, reportedly panicked and triggered the blast near the Red Fort after investigators arrested two key members of the module Dr Mujammil Shakeel and Dr Adil Rather and seized 2,900 kg of suspected explosives in Haryanas Faridabad. As of now, investigators note that only one person, the key suspect, was in the car at the time of the explosion. Security personnel work at the site of the explosion near the historic Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi. Reuters Security beefed up across country, probe still on Investigators, who are still scouring the site for clues, have reportedly found some body parts inside the car that was used in the powerful explosion. Meanwhile, several parts of the country are on high alert after the massive blast in Delhi. Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Mumbai, Pune and Jammu have been put on alert. Moreover, following the deadly Red Fort Metro blast, airports across the country are on high alert. Security checks, surveillance, and patrols have been intensified, with bomb squads and sniffer dogs deployed. Passengers face stricter screening and possible flight delays amid tightened safety measures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Akasa Air has asked passengers to reach airport at least three hours prior to departure due to enhanced security measures at all airports across India. With inputs from agencies Europe is developing a compact, low-cost interceptor missile to counter growing drone threats linked to the Ukraine conflict and Russian long-range unmanned aircraft. The Mark 1, built by Estonian firm Frankenburg Technology, is designed for mass production and autonomous targeting The Frankenburg Mk 1 is a miniature air-defence missile from Estonia, designed to counter drone attacks, with an approximate range of 1.2 miles, a top speed of around 750 mph, and an estimated cost of about $50,000 per missile. Representational Image/Frankenburg Technologies Efforts across Europe to reinforce air defence systems against increasing drone incursions have led to the development of a miniature guided interceptor system, named the Mark 1, which is being developed by Frankenburg Technology, a defence company headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia. The missile is intended to counter large-scale drone attacks at short distances and low altitudes, particularly those involving the types of long-range unmanned aircraft that Russia has increasingly used in the conflict involving Ukraine and in airspace incidents involving Nato territory. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Mark 1 is notable for its compact structure. At a length of around 65 centimetres, it resembles a small model rocket and is shorter than an average human arm, reported The Telegraph on Monday. The interceptor employs artificial intelligence guidance and is designed to operate independently after launch, eliminating the need for a constant data connection between the launcher and the missile in flight. This characteristic is intended to reduce vulnerability to jamming and signal interference, forms of electronic disruption that have become common in modern warfare environments. Frankenburg Technology has stated that the objective of the programme is to create a low-cost system that can be produced at scale. Estimates referenced publicly place the projected cost of each missile at around one-tenth the price of established Western short-range air-defence interceptors. The company has also disclosed to The Telegraph that accuracy currently stands at a little above half of all test engagements, with ongoing engineering work directed at improving precision with the goal of achieving higher consistency over the course of the manufacturing program. Kusti Salm, the chief executive of Frankenburg and a former senior defence official in Estonia, has described the aim of the project in direct terms. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We are not afraid to say we are manufacturing them to take down Russian long-range drones, he said regarding the intended role of the system. He added that the capability is expected to become increasingly necessary among Western defence planners in the coming five to ten years. Why Europe has decided to use defence systems like Mark 1 The use of unmanned aircraft has expanded significantly during the ongoing war in Ukraine, where Russia has deployed mass-produced long-range drones, including models sourced externally. These systems are comparatively inexpensive, and have been used in large numbers to target infrastructure, industrial sites, and defensive positions. This has prompted European militaries and Nato to reexamine the cost ratios involved in countering unmanned threats using existing air-defence inventories. In one of many incidents earlier this year, Nato fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept drones entering the airspace over Poland. The aircraft involved reportedly used air-to-air missiles designed for engagements against high-value or high-speed targets. The cost of each missile used in such scenarios can exceed the cost of the drone many times over, raising concerns that traditional defence responses may become financially unsustainable if drone strikes continue at current or increased frequency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Soldiers walk next to a site where a roof of a house was destroyed, after Russian drones violated Polish airspace during an attack on Ukraine, with some being shot down by Poland with the backing from its Nato allies, in Wyryki, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland, September 10, 2025. File Image/Reuters The disparity between the expense of interceptor ammunition and that of the drones being intercepted has influenced discussions among European governments. One proposal introduced by officials in Nato member states involves the establishment of a coordinated defence architecture along the alliances eastern boundary. The concept has been referred to as a drone wall, combining electronic countermeasures, surveillance networks, and interceptors capable of being produced in large quantities for continuous operational use. Salm has stated that one of the primary objectives behind the Mark 1 is to provide a practical response to this economic imbalance. The system is designed to be manufactured in large daily quantities, making it possible for European defence forces to maintain inventories sufficient to respond to prolonged or high-frequency drone incursions without exhausting strategic resources. What we know about the Mark 1 The Mark 1 integrates propulsion, flight control, explosive payload, and sensory components into a compact airframe. The design constraints created by the missiles small size have required significant engineering adjustments to maintain flight stability as propellant is consumed. Changes in weight distribution during burn can affect trajectory and orientation, which must be accounted for in both physical structure and guidance algorithms. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The interceptor uses AI-based targeting to direct itself toward an identified drone during flight. Once launched, the missile does not require ongoing external control inputs or continuous communication with the operator. This independence is intended to allow the system to function even in circumstances where radio frequencies are contested or where communication signals are intentionally disrupted. The guided nature of the system differentiates the Mark 1 from manually piloted interceptor drones used elsewhere, which depend heavily on operator skill to make contact with a target. The missile is optimised for short-distance engagements, with a reach of approximately 1.2 miles (about 2 kilometres). This places the system within the category of short-range defence solutions focused on low-altitude threats. While this limits its operational scope to engagements relatively close to its launcher, the system is intended to be deployed in numbers that can cover key fixed locations or moving platforms depending on situational needs. The company has established production infrastructure in two Nato countries, although it has not disclosed further details regarding the precise locations. The stated production objective is to manufacture hundreds of units per day once full-scale output is reached. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The strategy behind the manufacturing approach is to avoid the slow, specialised fabrication practices that are associated with high-performance interceptor missiles traditionally used in Western militaries. The cost goal associated with the Mark 1 is defined relative to known procurement prices for short-range missiles in service with some Nato members. Public pricing figures for systems such as the Stinger indicate per-unit costs in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, exceeding the projected cost of the Mark 1 by roughly a factor of ten, based on statements provided by Frankenburg representatives, reported The Telegraph. What challenges the Mark 1 is facing The development of the Mark 1 has involved personnel with prior experience designing and integrating systems used in established European defence programmes. The chief engineer associated with the interceptor previously worked on the Iris-T air defence system, which is fielded by multiple Nato members and has been supplied to Ukrainian forces. Another senior engineer involved in the project has previously contributed to the Spear III programme in the United Kingdom. Missile analyst Fabian Hoffmann has commented publicly that while expertise exists across industry and government in designing individual missile subsystems including propulsion components, guidance sensors, and payloads the number of specialists capable of overseeing complete system integration remains limited. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hoffmann noted that the ability to resolve design issues often depends on engineers with long-term experience and knowledge of previous test outcomes, which is difficult to replace or document comprehensively. Salm has stated that some engineers involved in the project have been drawn to the work due to concerns over current international security conditions. Theres a lot of people who wake up in the morning, read the news and are angered by the injustice going on in the world, he told The Telegraph. He added that the company considers itself one of the few places within Europe where individuals with specialised technical skills can contribute directly to addressing those concerns. What else is Europe planning vis-a-vis unmanned systems The Mark 1s development is occurring alongside other projects in Europe aimed at addressing the proliferation of unmanned aerial systems. A separate initiative in Sweden, involving a company known as Nordic Air Defense, has produced a kinetic mini-interceptor referred to as the Kreuger 100. This system does not rely on explosive warheads and is priced at a substantially lower cost point. It is intended to defeat drones through physical impact and is described as a non-explosive option suitable for civilian areas where collateral damage must be minimised. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Although the Kreuger 100 and the Mark 1 are distinct in their engineering approaches, both reflect a shift in strategic emphasis toward lower-cost interceptors that can be deployed repeatedly against drone threats. This shift is driven by patterns of drone usage observed during the war in Ukraine, where both Ukraine and Russia have utilised large numbers of unmanned platforms in offensive and defensive roles. In Ukraine, domestic teams have used their own interceptor drones to counter incoming unmanned aircraft. These interceptors are significantly less expensive than guided missiles, though the success of such systems depends on the proficiency of trained operators. European defence institutions do not currently have comparable numbers of such drone pilots available for round-the-clock defence across the wide span of Nato infrastructure. Salm summarised the strategic intent as follows: We aim to produce missiles 10 times cheaper and 100 times more than whats currently possible. With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Bhutan in a bid to strengthen ties between the two neighbouring nations. Meanwhile, voting will take place in the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections across 122 constituencies in 20 districts. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be visiting Canada to attend the G7 foreign ministers meet in Ontarios Niagara region Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets upon his arrival at the airport. PTI It is set to be a busy Tuesday with several events lined up for the day. Firstly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Bhutan to strengthen ties with its neighbouring nation. Meanwhile, the second phase of the Bihar election polls will take place today. EAM S Jaishankar will be in Canada to attend the G7 foreign ministers meeting. Iraqs parliamentary elections will take place today. The world will mark Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here is all that is set to take place across the world today. PM Modi in Bhutan Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Bhutan from today. The focus will remain on strengthening cooperation in energy, infrastructure and development projects and reinforcing its special ties with the country amidst Chinas bid to increase its influence in the region. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi and King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk will inaugurate the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, developed jointly by the two governments. PM Modi will be present for the grand festivities marking the 70th birth anniversary of the Fourth King of Bhutan. But beyond the royal celebration, he will be sitting down for high-level bilateral talks with his counterpart, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, to strengthen the close friendship between our nations. Bihar phase II elections will begin The second phase of polling for the Bihar Assembly elections will take place today. The electoral fortunes of 1,302 candidates will be sealed today, with 3.70 crore voters eligible to exercise their franchise across 122 Assembly segments. The districts going to the polls include West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj, and all those sharing borders with Nepal. Votes will be cast at 45,399 polling stations, of which 40,073 fall in rural areas. Over half of the electorate (2.28 crore) is aged between 30 and 60 years. Only 7.69 lakh are in the 18-19 years age group. Bihar recorded its highest-ever voter turnout as the first phase of the Assembly election ended with 64.66 per cent votes polled. Jaishankar in Canada for G7 foreign ministers meet EAM S Jaishankar will be visiting Canada today to attend the G7 foreign ministers meet. The visit comes less than a month after Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anands two-day trip to New Delhi. The relationship has been deeply chilled by the diplomatic crisis that unfolded in 2023 and 2024 while Justin Trudeau was in office. Now, with a new chapter opening, leaders on both sides are making the difficult choice to move past that low point and get things back on track. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar with Canada Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand during a meeting, in New Delhi. Image credit: X/@DrSJaishankar He will be attending the G7 Foreign Ministers meet in Ontarios Niagara region on November 11-12. The focus will remain on global security, economic resilience and international cooperation. Iraq parliamentary elections Iraqis will elect a new parliament on Tuesday, which will be a key test for Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Early voting came to an end on Sunday (November 9) with a voter turnout of 82.42 per cent. Candidates are vying for 329 seats, including nine reserved for minorities. The incumbent Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, is seeking a second term with his Reconstruction and Development coalition, campaigning on improved public services and national stability. He faces competition from other major blocs like the State of Law coalition led by Nouri al-Maliki, Kurdish parties (KDP and PUK), and Sunni alliances. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Armistice Day to take place Armistice Day will be marked across the Commonwealth and the United States. The day is marked by solemn ceremonies and moments of reflection to honour the end of World War I hostilities and commemorate the sacrifices of all who have served in conflicts since. Communities, workplaces, and public squares across the nation observe a two-minute silence at 11 am while parades, memorial services, and wreath-laying ceremonies are held in local towns in the United Kingdom. In America, official ceremonies, such as the one in Norfolk, Virginia, often include the laying of wreaths to commemorate fallen service members. With inputs from agencies Delhi has been relatively calm for years, but a blast on Monday hit hard, reminding its residents of the painful chapters from the past. On November 11, a powerful car blast near Delhis Red Fort metro station killed at least 10 and injured 24 others Major explosions have rocked the capital over the years. A Delhi police officer checks the back of a damaged car, after a bomb ripped through a crowded commercial district in Delhi on December 30, 1997. AFP A powerful car blast near Delhis Red Fort on Monday evening has left the city shaken. The explosion, which went off around 6:52 pm near the Lal Quila metro station, killed at least nine people and injured 24 others, police said. The impact was so strong that it set nearby vehicles on fire and sent people running in panic. The injured were rushed to LNJP Hospital as police and fire teams worked to control the flames and secure the area. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For a city thats been relatively calm for years, a blast out of the blue hit hard, like a reminder of the painful chapters Delhi thought it had left behind. Heres a look at some of the major explosions that have rocked the capital over the years. 2011: Delhi High Court explosion The last major blast before Mondays incident was in 2011, when a briefcase bomb exploded outside the Delhi High Court, leaving 15 dead and 79 injured. Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami claimed responsibility for the attack and is believed to have carried it out with support from the Indian Mujahideen. It stated the motive was the commuting of the death sentence for the 2001 Indian Parliament attack convict, Afzal Guru. A briefcase bomb exploded outside the Delhi High Court, leaving 15 dead and 79 injured. File image/Reuters 2008: Blasts rock Connaught Place, GK & Karol Bagh On 13 September 2008, five explosions occurred within 31 minutes (from 18:07 to 18:38 IST) in bustling markets such as Karol Bagh, Connaught Place and M-Block Market in Greater Kailash. At least 25 people were killed and more than 100 were injured. One blast occurred at Ghaffar Market near Karol Bagh at 18:07, injuring at least 20 people when a cursed cylinder blast sent an auto rickshaw flying. At 18:34 and 18:35, bombs exploded near Barakhamba Road and Central Park in Connaught Place. The final blasts struck M-Block Market. Investigations later found low-intensity explosives tied to integrated circuits and timer devices in several of the bombs. Indian police said Sunday that 20 people were killed and close to 100 injured in a string of coordinated bomb attacks that ripped through busy shopping areas in Delhi. AFP 2008: Mehrauli Flower Market blast On 27 September 2008, a low-intensity bomb exploded at the flower market in Mehrauli near the Qutub Minar, killing three people and injuring around 21 to 23 others. Witnesses said two men on a motorcycle threw a packet wrapped in black plastic into the crowded market. One young boy who picked up the packet was killed. He ran after the men telling them uncle, uncle you dropped something, witness Raj Singh Daswal told Reuters. Immediately after, there was a huge explosion. The boys head was blown off. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 2005: Three blasts rock Delhi markets Sixty-six people were killed, and more than 100 were injured, including some foreigners, when three blasts ripped through Sarojini Nagar and Paharganj markets and one in a bus in the Govindpuri area of Delhi ahead of Diwali, on October 29, 2005. Indian policemen stand guard at the scene of an explosion in Sarojini Nagar market in New Delhi. File image/Reuters 2000: Red Fort vicinity bomb blasts On 18 June 2000, twin powerful bomb blasts near the Red Fort killed two people, including an 8-year-old girl and injured around a dozen others. 1998: Kashmiri Gate Bus blast On 26 July 1998, a high-intensity explosion ripped through a bus parked at Kashmiri Gates Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), killing two people and injuring three. 1997: A year of multiple blasts 1997 saw a horrifying string of bombs in Delhi: On November 30, twin blasts near the Red Fort area killed three people and wounded about 70. On October 26, twin blasts in the Karol Bagh market killed one and injured 34. On October 18, two blasts in the Rani Bagh market left one dead and 23 injured. On October 10, three blasts in Shantivan, Kauria Pul and Kingsway Camp injured one person and 16 others. On October 1, two explosions near a procession in Sadar Bazar injured 30 people. On January 9, a bomb exploded opposite the Delhi Police Headquarters at ITO, injuring 50 people. With input from agencies China taps potential of new tech application scenarios to boost economic growth Xinhua) 08:07, November 11, 2025 BEIJING, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- China is seeking to drive high-quality economic development by exploring further application scenarios for new technologies and products, with the aim of promoting their large-scale industrial application and development, and accelerating the development of emerging industries. At a policy briefing in Beijing on Monday, Li Chunlin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said that scenarios have become key innovation resources, defining the term "scenario" as a bridge that connects technology and industry, and that links research and development with the market. The briefing was delivered by officials of multiple government departments and came after the General Office of the State Council publicized a related set of guidelines last week. Li said the guidelines have specified efforts to explore and develop new application scenarios on five major fronts: the digital economy and artificial intelligence; industrial transformation and upgrading in sectors such as manufacturing and transport; industries such as mining and emergency response; social governance services; and public welfare. He said that these measures will provide opportunities for private capital and private enterprises to participate in the development of scenarios, and revealed that central government funding will be provided to support eligible infrastructure projects that serve major application scenarios. Also speaking at the briefing, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology official Yao Jun said that the ministry attaches great importance to nurturing scenarios, and it will work to accelerate the exploration of application scenarios in a wide range of fields by utilizing 5G, AI, robotics, industrial internet and BeiDou navigation technologies. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) After eight long years, Siddhant Awasthi is calling it quits as Teslas Cybertruck programme head. The Bengaluru engineer has had quite an experience at the Elon Musk-led firm he started off as an intern The American dream was never only about getting rich, but about living life in a way you long to. Those who are driven by curiosity, holding big dreams in their eyes, can climb to any rank and become someone like Siddhant Awasthi. The Indian engineer rose from an intern to Teslas Cybertruck chief, and that too, all before turning 30. Awasthi, who was born in India, found a dream project straight out in Silicon Valley. He spent over eight years at Tesla, and in those years, he ascended to lead one of its boldest and most-watched projects, the Cybertruck. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD From the engineering phase to large-scale production, Awasthi oversaw the Cybertruck programme. According to his LinkedIn profile, the oversight also included leading efforts in product strategy, quality enhancements, and supply chain management. However, on Monday, the engineer announced his exit in a LinkedIn post, stating that he had made one of the hardest decisions of his life to leave Tesla after an incredible run. It is pertinent to note that his departure comes at a time when Tesla is already facing a rough financial path, with ongoing scrutiny of its Cybertruck. So, how did Awasthis journey pan out? What does his exit from Tesla mean? Lets deep-dive. From intern to Cybertruck boss: Awasthis journey at Tesla The Indian engineer proved that big dreams have no boundaries. From debugging code to directing a futuristic pickup, Awasthis outstanding career trajectory speaks for itself. His relentless hard work took him from Bengaluru to Elon Musks boardroom, and not to forget, it all started with just an internship. As an intern, he quickly proved his technical and leadership skills. He then rose to become a project engineer, and later held the position of a program manager. Playing a vital role in the development of Teslas Model 3 and the Cybertruck, Awasthi managed processes from early design to large-scale production. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He also oversaw cross-functional engineering teams and strategic decision-making as a program manager for the Cybertruck. Tesla Cybertruck chiefs emotional exit announcement From Bengalurus classrooms to Teslas cutting-edge labs, Awasthis story is indeed a pure inspiration. But his departure announcement is even more touching. In a lengthy social media post, while expressing deep gratitude toward Elon Musk, the engineer also called his colleagues talented, driven and truly rockstars. He further thanked Teslas customers for their immense support. Its been an absolute privilege filled with mostly high-intensity days working alongside talented, driven, and truly rockstar colleagues across Tesla. I want to extend a huge thanks to Elon, all Tesla leaders (past and present), mentors, and our amazing customers (huge shoutout!) whove fueled my drive and kept me pushing forward through it all, the post read. In the same post, Awasthi didnt miss the opportunity to mention his incredible journey, starting from an intern to Cybertruck boss. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He said, Eight years ago, when I started as an intern, I never dreamed Id one day have the opportunity to lead the program and bring it to reality." At the end, he also wished Tesla the best, dropping a hint of something exciting Awasthi is waiting for. Im confident Tesla will nail its next big mission (especially after last week), and Im truly excited for the next chapter of my life, said the former Cybertruck boss as he ended his farewell post. Awasthi exits amid Teslas profit dip Awasthis exit occurs at a time when Tesla is facing declining demand. The company is grappling with a challenging financial period, marked by its fourth consecutive quarterly decline in profit. Tesla reported earnings of $1.4 billion in Q3 FY25, a 37 per cent decline year-over-year, despite solid sales figures. Over 63,000 Cybertrucks were recalled in the US earlier in October, after regulators noticed that the headlights were excessively bright, posing a significant risk to other drivers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Not only that, in March, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a recall of over 46,000 Cybertrucks due to a panel near the windshield that could detach while driving, posing an immediate driving hazard. However, it seems the investor sentiment did not flinch as the companys share accelerated to 3.66 per cent to $445.23 following Awasthis departure announcement. For some, his exit marks the end of an era at Tesla, but the market has put on a surprising show of faith. With Inputs from agencies As the investigation into the blast at Red Fort on Monday (10 November) continues, authorities have confirmed the arrest of a woman doctor in the Faridabad explosives case. Dr Shaheen Shahid was reportedly tasked with establishing the womens wing of the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group Dr Shaheen Shahid has been transferred to Srinagar to be interrogated by the authorities. Image courtesy: News18 As the investigation into the blast at Red Fort on Monday (10 November) continues, authorities have confirmed the arrest of a woman doctor in the Faridabad explosives case. Jammu and Kashmir Police, in concert with the Haryana Police, had recovered 2,900 kilos of explosives, including 350 kilos of ammonium nitrate, in Faridabad from Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, alias Musaib, a doctor from Kashmirs Pulwama with suspected terror links, on Sunday. Dr Shaheen Shahid has been arrested for allegedly being involved in a terror network spread across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Shahid has been transferred to Srinagar to be interrogated by the authorities. But what do we know about her? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lets take a closer look: Shahid is a resident of Lal Bagh in Uttar Pradeshs Lucknow. She is reportedly linked to Faridabads Al-Falah University, with which Ganaie is also affiliated as a professor. Shahid is said to be closely associated with Ganaie, the Kashmiri doctor arrested by authorities. She is accused of having links with several Pakistan-based terror outfits including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Gazwat-ul Hind (AGuH). Authorities say Shahid was charged with setting up the Jamaat ul-Mominaat, the womens wing of the JeM in India. The Jamaat ul-Mominaat is headed by Sadia Azhar, the sister of Masood Azhar. It was set up by the JeM in October. Sadias husband Yusuf, a mastermind of the Kandahar hijacking, was killed in Operation Sindoor. Authorities arrested Shahid after busting the JeMs Faridabad module. The module had reportedly been tasked with carrying out terror attacks across several states. Authorities recovered an AK Krinkov rifle with three magazines, a pistol with live rounds, two empty cartridges, and two additional magazines from a Haryana-registered Swift Dzire car reportedly belonging to Shahid. Shahid was transported to Srinagar by air. She will now be grilled by Jammu and Kashmir Police. Authorities are now looking at her financial statements and messages to determine her alleged involvement with the module. She is suspect in the blast near the Red Fort in Delhi on Monday in which at least 13 people have been killed. Dr Umar Mohammad, who is said to have driven the car, worked as a doctor at Al Falah Medical College in Faridabad, Haryana. He is also reported to have previously worked as a senior resident at Government Medical College Anantnag. Investigators say that the arrested, including Shahid and Ganaie, are part of a white-collar terror ecosystem that includes doctors and academics who take their instructions from Pakistan. The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Lucknow Police have raided a house belonging to her brother Dr Parvez in Faridabad. Parvez is an assistant professor at the Integral University in the city. Shaheen and Parvez are the children of Saeed Ansari. Shaheen was chosen through the Public Service Commission. She became an assistant professor at the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Medical College in Kanpur. However, she is said to have vanished from the college in 2013 without informing anyone. She is said to have married one Zafar Hayat. However, the couple divorced in 2015. The institute dismissed Shaheen in 2021. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday handed over the probe into a blast near the Red Fort to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), sources said. This is a clear indication that the blast, which has so far claimed 13 lives, is being considered by the government as an act of terror, as the NIA is mandated to probe terror cases only. The blast case has been handed over to the NIA, a source said. The decision came hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the security situation in the national capital and other parts of the country following the blast. Shah has called another security review meeting on Tuesday afternoon. The home minister has said top investigating agencies are probing the blast and they will go in-depth into the incident. The blast took place in a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing at least 13 people and gutting several vehicles, officials said. With inputs from agencies Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaas meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House marked a historic shift in Syria-US relations after years of conflict. The discussions focused on reconstruction, counterterrorism cooperation, and potential sanctions relief, signalling Washingtons willingness to recalibrate its approach towards Damascus In this photo released by Syrian Presidency press office, US President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Syria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa, at the White House in Washington, DC, US, November 10, 2025. Image/AP Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaas met with United States President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. The encounter, conducted privately in the Oval Office, signalled a recalibration in Washingtons approach to Damascus after more than a decade of civil conflict, international sanctions, and near-total isolation on the world stage that ended with the removal of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad late last year. The visit was the first by any Syrian head of state to the White House since Syrias independence from French rule in the mid-twentieth century. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It took place amid ongoing discussions about Syrias integration into US-backed counterterrorism frameworks, the future of sanctions imposed during the Assad period, and efforts to prevent renewed extremist influence in the region. Al-Sharaas arrival in Washington followed recent decisions by both the US Treasury Department and the United Nations to ease punitive measures against the new Syrian administration. The meeting lasted roughly two hours. Al-Sharaa entered the White House through West Executive Avenue, a less visible and non-ceremonial route, rather than the traditional front driveway where foreign dignitaries are often greeted publicly. After the talks concluded, the Syrian president briefly greeted a supportive crowd outside the complex before departing. How did the meeting go? Following the discussions, Trump characterised the engagement as constructive and future-oriented. Addressing reporters, he stated, Well do everything we can to make Syria successful because thats part of the Middle East, and said of al-Sharaa, I have confidence that hell be able to do the job." He later posted online that he intends to continue communicating with the Syrian leader. The tone marked a clear departure from previous US policy, which had designated al-Sharaa a terrorist and offered a reward for information that would lead to his capture. Al-Sharaa, once associated with al-Qaeda elements, reemerged as a central figure in Syrias domestic opposition before leading the armed campaign that ultimately overthrew Assad on December 8, 2024. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His government was installed in January, and since then has attempted to shift its international posture toward state-building and diplomatic outreach. In an interview with Fox News after the meeting, al-Sharaa described discussions about encouraging foreign economic participation in Syria, especially in key extractive sectors. He said they discussed making Syria a place where the United States can have great investments, especially extracting gas. Damascus also confirmed that Syria is joining the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State. Meanwhile, Washington will allow Syria to reestablish operations at its embassy in the US capital to enhance coordination on counterterrorism, stability operations, and development planning. The Syrian foreign ministry issued a statement describing the talks as friendly and constructive and highlighting US commitments to assist Syria in reconstruction and institutional stabilisation. What about Western sanctions against Syria? The future of US sanctions remains the core strategic concern for Damascus. Sanctions imposed under the 2019 Caesar Act targeted Syrian government officials and institutions linked to human rights abuses committed during Assads rule. These restrictions severely limited foreign financing and investment in reconstruction efforts and blocked access to global banking systems. While the current US administration has suspended enforcement of key sanctions provisions, the suspension is temporary. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US Treasury Department confirmed during al-Sharaas visit that it was extending the waiver for another 180 days. Permanent repeal can only occur through congressional action. Two competing legislative proposals have been introduced. One would eliminate the sanctions unconditionally. The other would tie repeal to periodic reviews conducted every six months. Critics of the conditional approach argue that uncertainty would deter corporate and sovereign investors from committing capital to Syrian reconstruction. Al-Sharaas administration has made the removal of sanctions a priority, arguing that rebuilding Syrias physical and administrative infrastructure requires substantial external funding. The World Bank previously estimated that the damage inflicted during the years of conflict would require hundreds of billions of dollars to repair. How will Syria approach Israel? Since coming to power, al-Sharaa has redirected Syrian foreign policy away from the alliances forged under Assad, including strategic cooperation with Iran and Russia. Instead, his government has pursued closer engagement with Turkey, the Gulf states, and now the United States. This redirection has included overtures toward Israel, though the relationship remains highly sensitive. In recent months, the US has been engaged in brokering discussions between Syria and Israel about potential security arrangements. Washington has also explored the feasibility of maintaining a limited US military presence at a Damascus airbase, according to previous regional reports. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Israeli government has continued to conduct targeted air operations in Syria since Assads fall, focusing largely on military installations and supply routes. During remarks to reporters on Monday, Trump stated he was working with Israel on efforts to encourage stable relations with Damascus. He said, You can expect some announcements on Syria, and added, We want to see Syria become a country thats very successful. And I think this leader can do it. I really do. And people said hes had a rough past. Weve all had rough pasts. Syrias government has previously detained members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad operating within Syrian territory, signalling a shift from the Assad-era approach of maintaining flexible support networks involving non-state militant actors. However, Israeli military activities in southern Syria, beyond its previously occupied Golan Heights positions, have continued. Al-Sharaa has stated that his government is seeking a formal agreement that would lead to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from areas entered during the post-Assad instability period. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What will happen to SDF? The Syrian foreign ministry also reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Washington on the same day. The discussion involved the implementation of an agreement reached earlier this year concerning the integration of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into a restructured Syrian national army. The SDF has played a central role in operations against the Islamic State group in northern Syria but has historically maintained an autonomous command structure. Integrating these forces into national institutions has been viewed by the US as a step toward reducing internal fragmentation and preventing renewed insurgencies. However, the process has repeatedly stalled due to disagreements between Kurdish authorities and Damascus, as well as tensions related to Turkish security concerns. The meeting concluded without a clear timetable for implementation. How did al-Sharaa go from isolation to wooing congressmen? Al-Sharaas trajectory has been shaped by shifts in both domestic Syrian politics and regional power plays. He became involved with al-Qaeda in Iraq during the U.S.-led invasion of that country in 2003 and was later detained by the United States. He eventually emerged as a key commander in the Syrian conflict. The US formally designated him a terrorist in 2013, under the name Abu Mohammad al-Golani. He later publicly distanced himself from the organisation in 2016 and consolidated political influence in the countrys northwest. But now, the United Nations Security Council removed international sanctions designations against al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab shortly prior to the White House visit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US government removed the former reward designation related to him in December. This shift has occurred alongside a broader recalibration of security priorities in the region where the US, Gulf states, Turkey, and Israel have increasingly treated the containment of Iranian influence and extremist networks as shared strategic objectives. The Syrian president also held discussions with Congressman Brian Mast, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee during his visit. Mast has long maintained strong positions supporting Israel and has previously expressed scepticism toward lifting sanctions on Syria. Following their meeting, Mast stated, Last evening, the new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and I broke bread. We had a long and serious conversation about how to build a future for the people of Syria free of war, ISIS, and extremism. The meeting put into spotlight the political divide in Washington over how to approach the re-emergent Syrian state. While some lawmakers support easing restrictions to promote stability and counter extremist threats, others remain wary of al-Sharaas past affiliations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Shortly after the White House meeting, Trump criticised comments made by US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who argued that domestic matters should be prioritised over foreign diplomacy. Trump responded that she had lost her way, adding, I have to view the presidency as a worldwide situation We could have a world on fire where wars come to our shores very easily. What next for al-Sharaa & Syria? Al-Sharaas visit occurred shortly after reports that two assassination attempts planned by Islamic State cells had been disrupted in recent months. Over the weekend preceding the White House meeting, Syrias interior ministry initiated a nationwide operation targeting Islamic State-affiliated individuals, leading to more than 70 arrests, according to government media. Internal security conditions remain fragile. Sectarian tensions have persisted since Assads removal, with reported violence causing significant casualties. These developments continue to raise concerns about whether the current government can establish and sustain national cohesion. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies Warren Buffetts gradual shift away from daily leadership at Berkshire Hathaway marks a historic change for one of the worlds most influential business empires. At 95, Buffett is transitioning executive responsibilities to Greg Abel while retaining his role as chairman Berkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett speaks during an interview on May 7, 2018, in Omaha, Nebraska, US. File Image/AP Warren Buffetts has decided to shift away from the daily responsibilities of leading Berkshire Hathaway. The investor, now 95, has spent more than six decades shaping a company that began as a failing textile operation into one of the most valuable business conglomerates on the planet. As he prepares to step back from the role of chief executive in January next year and hand the operational reins to Greg Abel, Buffett has entered a stage of reflection on longevity, business stewardship, and legacy while reaffirming confidence in Berkshires structure and future leadership. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Buffett disclosed the transition in his latest message to shareholders, the same letter in which he also confirmed $1.3 billion in fresh charitable contributions to the family foundations overseen by each of his children. That pledge is part of the philanthropic framework he set in motion nearly twenty years ago, through which he committed to gradually redirect the majority of his personal Berkshire stock to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and to his familys institutions. Though he noted that ageing has slowed him physically, he made clear that his dedication to the search for worthwhile investments remains intact. The announcement formalises the next stage for Berkshire Hathaway, a firm whose structure, culture, and public voice have long been deeply intertwined with Buffetts personal thinking and writing. Abel, who has been responsible for Berkshires non-insurance operations for several years, will assume responsibility for the annual letter and for speaking to shareholders at future meetings. Berkshire Vice Chairman Greg Abel (right) poses with a shareholder during the Berkshire Hathaway Inc. annual shareholders meeting, in Omaha, Nebraska, US, May 2, 2025. File Image/Reuters Buffett will maintain his role as chairman and continue to contribute perspectives on investments and capital allocation. How Buffet pursued enterprise at an early age Buffetts association with Nebraska has shaped both his identity and his approach to business. Born in Omaha in 1930, a moment defined by economic hardship across the United States, he was raised in a household where discussions of finance were familiar. His father, Howard Buffett, worked in stockbroking and later represented Nebraska in Congress. His mother, Leila, managed the home. Buffetts familiarity with business practice developed in childhood, not in formal settings but in ordinary neighbourhood interactions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His first ventures were small-scale and direct. As a child, he sold individual sticks of chewing gum to neighbours before moving to distributing soda bottles purchased in six-packs. Delivering newspapers provided him not only a reliable income but also early experience with cost tracking, scheduling, and territory management. He later invested in used pinball machines, placing them in barbershops and collecting revenue from them before selling the business at a profit. By his mid-teens, through savings and reinvestment, he had accumulated several thousand dollars, a notable amount for someone his age in that era. Buffetts interest in the stock market began early as well. He acquired shares for himself before entering high school and submitted his first tax filing while not yet a teenager. When he reached college age, he attended the Wharton School for a period before returning to Nebraska to finish his degree. A decisive turning point came when he read Benjamin Grahams The Intelligent Investor, which introduced him to the principle that stocks could be systematically valued and that purchasing companies priced below their true worth reduced the likelihood of loss. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Determined to learn from the author directly, Buffett continued his education at Columbia Business School, where Graham taught. Following graduation, Buffett worked briefly at his fathers firm before joining Grahams investment partnership in New York. There, he observed firsthand how disciplined analysis could guide capital allocation. How the Buffett partnership was created Buffett returned to Omaha in the mid-1950s and invited relatives, friends, and acquaintances to participate financially in an investment partnership he managed. He continued to apply value-based techniques, initially focusing on businesses that were priced extremely low in relation to their assets or earnings but still had remaining capacity to generate returns. His early successes came from modest firms such as Sanborn Map Company and Dempster Mill Manufacturing. The partnership expanded rapidly. Money under management increased markedly as investors were drawn both by Buffetts approach and by his consistent results. While his portfolio initially followed Grahams preference for deeply discounted companies, conversations with Charlie Munger altered his direction. The two met in the late 1950s, and Munger encouraged Buffett to seek out firms with sustained competitive advantages rather than merely short-term bargains. This guided Buffett toward investments in companies with strong brands, durable business models, and leadership teams that cultivated customer loyalty and operational strength. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD During this period, Buffetts family life also grew. He and his wife Susan Thompson, whom he married in the early 1950s, raised their three children Susan, Howard, and Peter in Omaha. Their relationship and later arrangements in adulthood would remain central to Buffetts personal world, even as Berkshires influence expanded widely. How Buffet transformed Berkshire Hathaway Buffett began purchasing shares in Berkshire Hathaway in the early 1960s, at a time when the company was operating textile mills that had little long-term competitiveness. Following disagreements with company leadership, he acquired a controlling stake in 1965 and gradually shifted the entity into a vehicle for investing in other businesses. This decision altered the trajectory of both his career and Berkshire itself. One of the most significant developments was the acquisition of insurance companies such as National Indemnity. Insurance operations offered a consistent supply of investable funds the premiums paid by policyholders that could be used for investments before claims were later paid. This allowed Berkshire to put large pools of capital to work for extended periods at low cost, helping amplify returns and supporting broader acquisitions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As Berkshire expanded, it acquired or took large stakes in a diverse range of companies. The firm invested in American Express after the company faced financial pressure related to a commodities crisis. It took a position in Disney following direct discussions with Walt Disney. Other companies such as Sees Candy became long-term Berkshire holdings based on their reputation, pricing stability, and proven consumer loyalty. By the mid-1980s, Buffett had earned billionaire status, and Berkshire began to be recognised as a distinctive type of conglomerate: one that allowed businesses to operate with autonomy while benefiting from centralised capital management. Berkshires annual gathering of shareholders in Omaha developed into an event that drew attendees from across the world, all eager to study Buffetts thinking and hear his explanation of decisions. These gatherings and his annual letters became widely circulated guides for investors seeking clarity on risk, value, and discipline. His approach to reputation was famously communicated during his temporary leadership role at Salomon Brothers in the early 1990s. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Addressing company staff amid a regulatory scandal, he said, Lose money for the firm, and I will be understanding. Lose a shred of reputation for the firm, and I will be ruthless. How Buffett adapted to new money Over the years, Berkshire developed large ownership positions in companies with strong market identities, such as Coca-Cola, Gillette, and Wells Fargo. It purchased Nebraska Furniture Mart and expanded its insurance operations, eventually buying all of GEICO. Later acquisitions included the reinsurer General Re and utility and energy providers that became core to Berkshires infrastructure and power holdings. Buffetts friendship with Bill Gates became an important dimension of his philanthropic focus. The two became close in the early 1990s and later collaborated on charitable commitments, culminating in the creation of the Giving Pledge in 2010, which encourages wealthy individuals to direct the majority of their fortunes toward public benefit causes. Berkshires acquisitions continued into the 2000s. The company purchased BNSF Railway in what became one of its largest single deals. It invested in manufacturing groups, consumer brand businesses, energy pipelines, and global trading networks. During the financial crisis of 2008, Berkshire used its large reserves of liquidity to support companies facing distress, including Goldman Sachs, General Electric, and others. That strategy was consistent with Buffetts long-stated view of taking opportunities when markets are fearful. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In more recent years, Berkshire invested in the truck stop operator Pilot Flying J, acquired Alleghany, and purchased stakes in several Japanese trading houses. The company also built and later trimmed a substantial position in Apple, which became one of the firms most profitable equity holdings. Mungers death in 2023 marked the end of one of the longest and most influential business partnerships of the past century. His counsel was instrumental in shaping Berkshires philosophy of favouring resilient companies over merely inexpensive ones. How Berkshire is faring today Under Buffetts leadership, Berkshires value grew extensively. The companys share price rose dramatically from the 1960s onward, accumulating returns far exceeding major stock indices over multiple decades. Its operating structure now includes insurance operations, freight rail networks, utility and power providers, retail and consumer product brands, and holdings in publicly traded companies. Yet Buffett acknowledged in his recent letter that Berkshires vast scale naturally limits its capacity to outperform smaller or faster-moving firms in the future. In aggregate, Berkshires businesses have moderately better-than-average prospects, led by a few non-correlated and sizable gems. However, a decade or two from now, there will be many companies that have done better than Berkshire; our size takes its toll, he wrote. He described Berkshires balance sheet as exceptionally strong, noting that its significant cash position limits the likelihood of catastrophic loss. At the same time, he expressed that physical slowing has become noticeable. He mentioned challenges such as slower movement and greater difficulty reading for long stretches, though he shared that he continues to attend the office five days a week. Reflecting on his life and the unpredictability of survival, Buffett wrote, Those who reach old age need a huge dose of good luck, daily escaping banana peels, natural disasters, drunk or distracted drivers, lightning strikes, you name it. He also observed, Father Time, to the contrary, now finds me more interesting as I age. And he is undefeated; for him, everyone ends up on his score card as wins. He attributed much of his ability to pursue long-term work to favourable circumstances. Through dumb luck, I drew a ridiculously long straw at birth, he said. This included relationships, mentors, and even proximity to medical care at critical times in his life. What Buffett said about Abel The leadership transfer to Greg Abel has been planned for years. Buffett wrote that Abel has shown strong capability in understanding Berkshires businesses, adding, He understands many of our businesses and personnel far better than I now do, and he is a very fast learner about matters many CEOs dont even consider. I cant think of a CEO, a management consultant, an academic, a member of government you name it that I would select over Greg to handle your savings and mine. Buffett assured shareholders he will maintain involvement through annual Thanksgiving letters and continued strategic participation in investment decisions. Yet he also signalled that his public role will be more limited going forward, a change noted widely in the investment community. Berkshires identity will evolve as the person who shaped its voice steps into a quieter advisory role. Berkshire Hathaway has a market cap of $1.076 trillion, as of November this year. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies Seven Senate Democrats and one Independent have joined 52 Republicans in voting to reopen the federal government until January 2026. While one major hurdle has been cleared, several others remain for the shutdown, which began on October 1 to completely come to an end. But what happens next? What does the path to reopening look like? Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) speaks about shutdown, with fellow senate Republicans next to him, after a Rose Garden Club lunch, hosted by US President Donald Trump, at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, on Tuesday. Reuters The longest shutdown in US history is poised to come to an end. Seven Senate Democrats and one Independent have joined the 52 Republicans in voting to reopen the federal government till January 2026. Though the Democrats did not get the desired extension of the Obamacare subsidies, the Trump administration has promised a vote on that in the future. Meanwhile, the administration has vowed to reverse the firings of hundreds of thousands of federal workers and give them back pay. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While one major hurdle has been cleared, several others remain for the shutdown which began on October 1 to completely come to an end. But what happens next? What does the path to reopening look like? When will the shutdown end? Lets take a closer look. What happens next The US Senate now needs to vote on the final version of the bill, known as a continuing resolution and spending package. How quickly this happens depends on whether the Senators want to do it quickly or have a long, drawn-out battle. This is because there are several procedural hurdles involved, including 30 hours of post-cloture debate time. These cannot be waived without all one hundred senators unanimously agreeing to do so. This could be a challenge. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, for instance, wants to vote on an amendment about hemp grown in his state. Paul had opposed the continuing resolution. "Just to be clear: I am not delaying this bill," Paul wrote on social media. The timing is already fixed under Senate procedure. But there is extraneous language in this package that has nothing to do with reopening the government and would harm Kentuckys hemp farmers and small businesses. Standing up for Kentucky jobs is part of my job. The US Senate now needs to vote on the final version of the bill, known as a continuing resolution and spending package. Reuters Senate Majority Leader John Thune said it remains to be seen when the Senate will vote. He said he hoped it would pass early this week. Theyll need unanimous consent from all senators to fast-track their final vote, Speaker Mike Johnson explained. As you know, there are some procedural hurdles that one or more could throw in the way, but we certainly hope that they wont do that, because so many people across this country are desperate for the government to reopen. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD CR in House Once this continuing resolution has passed, the bill will then move to the House. Speaker Johnson had dismissed the House of Representatives and sent his members home when the shutdown began in October. The House is currently slated to meet at noon on Wednesday. Now, US representatives from all over the country will begin making their way back to Washington. He said he will try to move as quickly as possible after the Senate vote. Well give a 36-hour formal and official notice so that we can vote as soon as possible to pass the amended CR bill and get it to the Presidents desk, Johnson said. This wont be easy given that the Republicans hold a razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives. Holdouts like Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, for instance, have proved particularly intransigent against reopening the government for the short term. Massie, who has been demanding that the Epstein Files be released, has become a fierce critic of the White House. Trump will likely have to cajole and cow some of the more belligerent members of the Republican caucus and perhaps even some Independent-leaning Democrats into voting for the bill. Republicans will likely target Representative Jared Golden of Maine and Henry Cuellar of Texas. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaker of the US House Mike Johnson Its past time to put country over party and get our government working again for the American people, Cuellar wrote on social media Sunday. However, this is sure to be an uphill task in the House, with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries vowing to fight the package tooth and nail. Democrats in the House were set to hold a meeting to chalk out the strategy going forward on Monday. However, a source told CNN that the Republicans are upbeat about the continuing resolutions chances in the House. A Democratic source added that some in the party will inevitably vote for the funding bill, though how many will do so remains an open question. Which means that even if the Senate manages to do its work on Monday or Tuesday which is unlikely the House will need to reconvene on Wednesday and Thursday and try to pass the continuing resolution. After the House passes the bill, it will then be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. That will likely happen immediately. Trump has said he is looking to end the shutdown very quickly. We have support from enough Democrats, and were going to be opening up our country, he added. Ill abide by the deal. The deal is very good. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When will the shutdown end? It could take as long as the end of this week for the government to begin reopening. However, as those who have worked in government have often said, trying to navigate government is akin to turning an aircraft carrier. It can only be done slowly and methodically. Which means that it is possible that the government will not fully begin to reopen until next week. Which in turn means further delays for millions of Americans relying on the US government. Regardless, House Speaker Mike Johnson displayed optimism about the turn of events. It appears to us this morning that our long national nightmare is finally coming to an end, Johnson told reporters on Monday. We look forward to the government reopening this week so Congress can get back to our regular legislative session, he added. Shutting down the government never produces anything. It never has. With inputs from agencies Twenty-five years before the car blast near the metro station, Delhis Red Fort was rocked by another terrorist attack. Three persons two Indian Army soldiers and a civilian guard were killed in the attack. The prime accused was sentenced to death. Investigators examine the site of Monday's car explosion near the historic Red Fort, in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo: AP) Twenty-five years before the Monday's car blast, terrorists had stormed Delhis iconic Red Fort on December 21, 2000, and killed three people two Indian Army soldiers and a civilian guard. Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba was held responsible for the 2000 Red Fort attack. Initially, it was not certain how the firing began inside the Red Fort. It was initially said that either two terrorists infiltrated or some detainees in an interrogation cell snatched personnels weapons to open fire at them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For context, an Indian Armys battalion was deployed inside the Red Fort at the time and an interrogation centre was also there that was used by various investigative and intelligence agencies. Later, however, it emerged that six terrorists had infiltrated to carry out the attack, according to The Times of India. Read live updates of the Delhi Red Fort blast here While they escaped after the attack, security agencies said some of them were killed in subsequent gunfights. The prime accused in the case, Mohammad Ashfaq alias Arif, was arrested after an encounter five days later along with his Indian wife, Rahamana Yousuf Farooqui, in Delhi. Ashfaq was convicted and sentenced to death in 2005. He is currently on death row. In that encounter, another terrorist, Pakistani national Abu Samal, was also killed, according to Delhi Police. Another of the six terrorists involved in the attack, Abu Bilal, was killed in May 2001 in a gunfight in Delhis Nizamuddin area along with another terrorist, Abu Zabi-ullah, according to the police. ALSO READ Delhi blast: Car that exploded near Red Fort changed hands 4 times, ownership didn't Besides LeT commander Ashfaq, six others were convicted and four were acquitted in the Red Fort case. Ashfaqs key Indian conspirators Nazir Ahmed Qasid and his son Farooq Ahmad Qasid were sentenced to life term and four others including Ashfaqs wife Rahamana were given seven-year terms. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ashfaq was convicted of murder, criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, illegal possession of arms and ammunition, and illegally entering and staying in India. Nazir and Farooq were convicted for criminal conspiracy. Rahamana was convicted for harbouring an offender and trying to save a person from punishment. Shah, who visited the site of the explosion on Monday, said that all angles will be probed as security officials try to ascertain whether it is a terrorist attack or not. The minister also visited the Lok Narayan Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital to meet the injured people from the accident Charred remains of vehicles amid a cordoned off area following a blast that occurred near Red Fort Metro Station on Monday, killing at least nine people and gutting several vehicles, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. PTI Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold a high-level meeting on Tuesday over the Delhi Red Fort car blast that has claimed the lives of eight people since yesterday. The blast in the national capital has put most parts of India on high alert, with police ramping up inspection of cars leaving and entering big cities. The incident is being investigated by multiple agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Catch all the updates on Red Fort blast here At 6:55 pm on Monday, a Hyundai i20 went up in flames near Red Fort Metro Station Gate No. 1 after it exploded, gutting several other nearby cars and injuring over 24 people. All nearby CCTV cameras are being examined. I have spoken to the Delhi Police Commissioner and the Special Branch in-charge, both of whom are present at the site. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation. The findings will be shared with the public, said the Home Minister. Here are the latest updates on Delhis Red Fort blast: PM Modi reacts to Delhi blast Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that all the conspirators behind this (Red Fort car explosion) will not be spared and all those responsible will be brought to justice. Today, I come here with a very heavy heart. The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening has deeply saddened everyone. I understand the grief of the affected families. The entire nation stands with them today. I was in touch with all the agencies investigating this incident throughout last night. Our agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy. The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice, he said at a gathering in Bhutan. #WATCH | Thimphu, Bhutan: On Delhi car blast, PM Narendra Modi says, "...The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice." "Today, I come here with a very heavy heart. The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday pic.twitter.com/64aved9Ke1 ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2025 First photo of Dr Umar, suspect in Delhi blast, emerges The first image of Dr Umar, a suspect in the Delhi blast case, has surfaced. He was reportedly driving the white Hyundai i20 that exploded near the Red Fort on Monday evening, killing at least nine people. Mother of doctor arrested in Delhi blast case pleads for release of both sons Mother of doctor Muzammil, Naseema says, He left home about four years ago. He was working as a doctor in Delhi. We had no information about him during this time. When he was arrested, we came to know from others. We tried to meet him, but the police did not allow us. Even my other son has been arrested. They are saying my son is a suspect in the Delhi blast. I do not know anything about this. I just want both of my sons to be released." Faridabad Police conducts massive search op After busting a terror module on Monday, which is now reportedly linked to the Red Fort explosion, the Faridabad Police has launched an extensive combing and search operation. Around 800 police personnel have been deployed since Tuesday morning in various areas under Dhauj Police Station limits Delhi Red Fort blast Live Updates: Detonator, ammonium nitrate used in car explosion Initial probe has revealed that ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, and explosive detonators were used to trigger the explosion of the Hyundai i20 that killed eight people. However, an official final report is still awaited. Delhi Red Fort blast Live Updates: Fidayeen-style attack suspected behind blast According to a report by India TV, security agencies suspect a terror link to the blast, with a possible fidayeen-style attack in play. However, police have yet to confirm the nature of the explosion as agencies have been probing multiple angles. Delhi Red Fort blast Live Updates: US Embassy issues advisory The US Embassy in India has issued an advisory for Americans residing in the country. The embassy updated its contact page with phone numbers of the consuls general across India. It advised its citizens to avoid travelling in areas surrounding the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk, steer clear of crowded places, be aware of their surroundings and stay alert in locations frequented by tourists. Delhi Red Fort blast Live Updates: Car parked for hours near Red Fort According to a report by the Indian Express, the car in question was parked near the monument for more than three hours before it started moving slowly around the area. Sources told the media outlet that CCTV footage purportedly showed the Hyundai i20 entering a parking area adjacent to the Red Fort at 3:19 pm and exiting at 6:48 pm on Monday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We are analysing footage from nearby roads and toll barriers to map the full movement of the car, a police official said. Delhi Red Fort blast Live Updates: High alert across India Several states and cities across India have been placed on high alert following a deadly explosion near Delhis Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening that killed at least 8 people and injured 24 others. In Delhi, the police, National Security Guard (NSG), and other specialised teams cordoned off the area and tightened security in and around Chandni Chowk and other crowded zones. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has also placed key installations including Delhi Metro stations, the Red Fort, government offices, and the Indira Gandhi International Airport under heightened surveillance. Mumbai, Indias financial hub, has been placed on high alert, with police stepping up checks at major transport hubs and public places. The vehicle, registered under the number HR26CE7674, was later seen in Faridabad, Haryana, on September 20. It also has an outstanding challan for improper parking The Red Fort blast took place inside a Hyundai i20, which was been parked near the monument for more than three hours before it was driven out. The ownership of the Hyundai i20 car that exploded near the Red Fort on Monday evening was passed on to four different people since 2014, without formal records, sources have told News18. The blast in the national capital has put most parts of India on high alert, with police ramping up inspection of cars leaving and entering big cities. The incident is being investigated by multiple agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At 6:55 pm on Monday, a Hyundai i20 went up in flames near Red Fort Metro Station Gate No. 1 after it exploded, gutting several other nearby cars and killing eight people. Heres how the car changed hands four times The i20 was bought by a man named Salman on March 18, 2014 The first owner, Salman, then sold the car to another man named Devendra Devendra sold the car to Sonu Ultimately, Sonu sold the Hyundai car to a man named Tariq It is important to note that none of these ownership transfers were registered with the government. Investigators discovered that a car dealer based in Faridabad was involved in one of the transactions, prompting questions about the legality of the deals. The vehicle, registered under the number HR26CE7674, was later seen in Faridabad, Haryana, on September 20. It also has an outstanding challan for improper parking. Who owns the car currently? Reports suggest that the car in question is currently owned by a Pulwama-based doctor named Umar Mohammed. Mohammed belongs to the same terror module as the two doctors who were arrested on Monday afternoon in a raid in Faridabad. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, in a joint operation with Haryana Police, busted a major inter-state terror module linked to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and al-Qaeda-affiliated Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH). A senior official told The Print, He is from the same terror module. He panicked after the arrests. He, along with his associates, placed a detonator and carried out this terror act. Shortly after a high-intensity explosion ripped through a car parked near the Red Fort metro station, PM Modi took stock of the situation as he spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday vowed to bring justice to those behind the Red Fort explosion that killed nine people on Monday evening. Delivering a speech in Bhutan during his official visit, PM Modi said, Today, I come here with a very heavy heart. The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening has deeply saddened everyone. I understand the grief of the affected families. The entire nation stands with them today. The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD #WATCH | Thimphu, Bhutan: On Delhi car blast, PM Narendra Modi says, "...The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice." "Today, I come here with a very heavy heart. The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday pic.twitter.com/64aved9Ke1 ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2025 Shortly after a high-intensity explosion ripped through a car parked near the Red Fort metro station, PM Modi took stock of the situation as he spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Shah holds meeting Shah, on Tuesday, chaired a high-level security review meeting at his residence to assess the situation following the deadly blast. The meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Sadanand Vasant Date, and Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha. Jammu and Kashmir DGP Nalin Prabhat joined the meeting virtually. Sources said the review focused on the progress of the investigation into the explosion that occurred around 7 pm on Monday near the Red Fort Metro Station, as well as on a possible link with the recent seizure of a huge cache of explosives from Faridabad. What caused the explosion? The explosion in the Hyundai i20 car that killed nine people near Delhis Red Fort was triggered by a combination of ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, and explosive detonators, an initial probe into the blast has revealed. Officials, however, have said that a final report based on the forensic laboratorys findings is still awaited. The under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act in connection with the case. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has handed Delhis Red Fort blast case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). A member of the forensic team works at the site of an explosion near the historic Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi. (Photo: Reuters) The Centre on Tuesday handed Delhis Red Fort blast case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). At least 12 people were killed and 20 injured on Monday evening when a car exploded at a traffic signal near Red Fort Metro Station. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha previously said a slow-moving vehicle had stopped at a traffic light near the Red Fort Metro Station at around 6.52 pm and exploded. He added that nearby vehicles were also damaged in the explosion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Delhi Police had registered the case under terrorism-related sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, confirming that the investigators were treating the blast as an act of terror. Follow live coverage of Delhis Red Fort blast case The blast occurred in a moving Hyundai i20 car in which three people were sitting. We have not found any pellet or puncture in the body of the injured, which is unusual in a blast. We are investigating all angles, a senior police officer separately told PTI. Sources in the police told the news agency that no smell of RDX was detected at the site. The explosion has been linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) module busted in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana that involved arrests of several people, including multiple doctors, and recovery of around 2,000 kilograms of explosives and several weapons. The car blast last occurred hours after the recovery of around 360 kilograms of suspected ammonium nitrate, which can be turned into explosives, and a cache of arms and ammunition from a Kashmiri doctors rented accommodation in Haryanas Faridabad, near Delhi. Dr Muzammil Ganaie was arrested in the case from Faridabads Dhauj area. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Faridabad arrests are recoveries that have now been linked to the Red Fort car blast are part of an ongoing counter-terrorism investigation stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Haryana. Overall, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Monday that around 2,900 kg of bomb-making material has so far been recovered in the case, which included explosives, chemicals, reagents, inflammable material, electronic circuits, batteries, wires, remote controls, timers, and metal sheets. Delhis Red Fort blast could be a case of a fidayeen suicide attack linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammed module busted recently, according to sources. Investigators examine the site of Monday's car explosion near the historic Red Fort, in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo: AP) Investigators are looking into the possibility of the Delhis Red Fort blast being a case of a fidyaeen suicide attack, sources have told CNN-News 18. A fidayeen attack is a type of jihadist assault in which terrorists infiltrate their targets with ammunition and explosives with the tension of entrenching there and causing as much damage as possible until their ammunitions and explosives run out. While such attacks appear to be suicidal as terrorists are almost always killed in the end, fidayeens dont mount the attack with the certain intent of dying unlike a suicide bomber whose death is certain from the onset. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Theoretically and practically, escape is both an option and a possibility and there have been instances of fidayeen attacks in which terrorists have escaped. Fidayeen attacks have been common in Jammu and Kashmir, but they have been rather rare elsewhere in India. The car a Hyundai i20 used in the attack appears to have been parked for over three hours prior to the explosion, suggesting it may have been deliberately timed to target heavy evening traffic and cause maximum casualties, according to CNN-News 18. On Monday, a slow-moving vehicle had stopped at a traffic light near the Red Fort Metro Station at around 6.52 pm and exploded. Several nearby vehicles were damaged in the explosion. At least eight people were killed and 20 injured. Read all Delhi Red Fort blast updates here The blast was so strong that it was felt up to two kilometres away in the ITO area where several news organisations are based. Journalists posted on social media that they felt the blast in their offices. The Red Fort blast occurred hours after authorities recovered around 360 kilograms of suspected ammonium nitrate and a cache of arms and ammunition from a Kashmiri doctors rented accommodation in Haryanas Faridabad, near Delhi. They arrested Dr Muzammil Ganaie from Faridabads Dhauj area. Authorities suspect that the Red Fort blast could be linked to Ganaie, who in turn was nabbed as part of an ongoing counter-terrorism investigation stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Haryana. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the investigation, the J&K Police has said that around 2,900 kg of bomb-making material has so far been recovered in the case. This includes explosives, chemicals, reagents, inflammable material, electronic circuits, batteries, wires, remote controls, timers, and metal sheets. The J&K Police has said it has arrested seven persons in the case working for terrorist groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. Jaish has a history of fidayeen attacks, including the 2001 parliament attack and 2019 Pulwama bombing. The Delhi Police is treating the Red Fort blast as an act of terror and has registered the case under anti-terrorism Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. At least eight people were killed and 20 injured in the blast. A policeman stands guard as investigators examine the site of car explosion near the historic Red Fort, in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo: AP) Delhi Police has begun investigating the Red Fort blast as an act of terror and has registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. Delhi Police on Tuesday registered a case under Sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA, according to PTI. Section 16 of the UAPA pertains to acts of terror while Section 18 deals with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act. At least eight people were killed and 20 injured in the blast, which was so strong that it was felt up to two kilometres away in the ITO area. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Follow live updates of the Delhi Red Fort blast here Earlier, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said a slow-moving vehicle had stopped at a traffic light near the Red Fort Metro Station at around 6.52 pm and exploded. He added that nearby vehicles were also damaged in the explosion. The blast occurred in a moving Hyundai i20 car in which three people were sitting. We have not found any pellet or puncture in the body of the injured, which is unusual in a blast. We are investigating all angles, a senior police officer told PTI. Sources in the police told the news agency that no smell of RDX was detected at the site. All angles are being thoroughly probed, the sources said. The bomb disposal team will also examine the blast site for detonators and any bomb-making material, they added. ALSO READ: Is Delhi car explosion a suicide bombing? The Pulwama link and what probe reveals so far The blast was so strong that it was felt up to two kilometres away in the ITO area, where several news organisations are based. Journalists posted on social media that they felt the blast in their offices. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The car that exploded had changed hands several times since 2014, according to CNN-News 18. Authorities are now zeroing in on the current owner of the vehicle. The original owner, Salman, sold the car to a person named Devendra, who sold it to one Sonu, who then sold it to a Tariq, the report said. The cars last known owner is believed to be a Pulwama-based doctor named Umar Mohammed. The Red Fort blast occurred hours after the recovery of around 360 kilograms of suspected ammonium nitrate and a cache of arms and ammunition from a Kashmiri doctor's rented accommodation in Haryana's Faridabad, near Delhi. Dr Muzammil Ganaie was arrested in the case from Faridabads Dhauj area. Authorities suspect that the Red Fort blast could be linked to the Faridabad recovery, which is part of an ongoing counter-terrorism investigation stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Haryana. Overall, the J&K Police has said that around 2,900 kg of bomb-making material has so far been recovered in the case. This includes explosives, chemicals, reagents, inflammable material, electronic circuits, batteries, wires, remote controls, timers, and metal sheets. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Officials, however, have said that a final report based on the forensic laboratorys findings is still awaited. The Delhi Police on Tuesday registered an FIR under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act in connection with the case People stand next to a vehicle with its windshield cracked following an explosion in the old quarters of Delhi, India, on Monday. Reuters The explosion in the Hyundai i20 car that killed eight people near Delhis Red Fort was triggered by a combination of ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, and explosive detonators, an initial probe into the blast has revealed. Officials, however, have said that a final report based on the forensic laboratorys findings is still awaited. The under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act in connection with the case. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Catch all the updates on Red Fort blast here The blast in the national capital has put most parts of India on high alert, with police ramping up inspection of cars leaving and entering big cities. The incident is being investigated by multiple agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG). At 6:55 pm on Monday, a Hyundai i20 went up in flames near Red Fort Metro Station Gate No. 1 after it exploded, gutting several other nearby cars and injuring over 24 people. According to a report by India TV, security agencies suspect a terror link to the blast, with a possible fidayeen-style attack in play. However, police have yet to confirm the nature of the explosion as agencies have been probing multiple angles. The Lal Quila metro station remains shut as investigation continues in the wake of the Delhi blast on Monday evening that killed at least eight people and left many injured, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said on Tuesday." Lal Qila Metro Station is closed due to security reasons. All other stations are functional as normal," DMRC posted on X. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a high-level security review meeting at 11 a.m. in the Home Ministry office at Kartavya Bhawan. The meeting will be attended by Home Secretary Govind Mohan, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, the Director General of the National Investigation Agency, the Delhi Police Commissioner, and other senior officials. The review comes in the wake of Monday evenings blast in Delhi, which left eight people dead and several others injured. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday chaired review meetings with senior security and intelligence officials in the wake of Delhi car blast and instructed agencies to hunt down each and every culprit behind the incident Home Minister Amit Shah chairs review meeting on the Delhi car blast with the senior officials on Tuesday. Image Courtesy: @AmitShah Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday chaired review meetings with senior security and intelligence officials in the wake of Delhi car blast and instructed agencies to hunt down each and every culprit behind the incident. Chaired review meetings on the Delhi car blast with the senior officials. Instructed them to hunt down each and every culprit behind this incident. Everyone involved in this act will face the full wrath of our agencies. pic.twitter.com/8UO2PYCvoh Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 11, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a post on X, Shah said, Chaired review meetings on the Delhi car blast with the senior officials. Instructed them to hunt down each and every culprit behind this incident. Everyone involved in this act will face the full wrath of our agencies. Shahs comments came after chairing two subsequent security review meetings which were held in the wake of the Monday evening blast near Red Fort in Delhi that claimed 13 lives. The first meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha and NIA DG Sadanand Vasant Date. DGP of Jammu and Kashmir Nalin Prabhat also attend the meeting virtually. During the meeting, top officials gave detailed presentations on the situation in the aftermath of the blast, PTI quoted sources as saying. Almost the same set of officials attended the afternoon security review meeting. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also handed over the probe into the blast to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is mandated to probe into the terror cases only. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Shah has said that top investigating agencies were probing the blast, and will go in-depth into the incident. The blast took place in a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing 13 people, injuring 20 and gutting several vehicles. With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a two-day state visit to Bhutan, beginning today. The visit includes his participation in the Global Peace Prayer Festival, organised by the Royal Government of Bhutan, as part of celebrations marking the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan. Before his departure, PM Modi said, It would be my honour to join the people of Bhutan as they mark the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King. The exposition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India during the organisation of the Global Peace Prayer Festival in Bhutan reflects our two countries deep-rooted civilisational and spiritual ties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Leaving for Bhutan, where I will attend various programmes. This visit comes at a time when Bhutan is marking the 70th birthday of His Majesty the Fourth King. I will be holding talks with His Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth King and Prime Minister Tshering Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2025 During the visit, the Prime Minister will have an audience with His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, and meet Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. He will also attend events at Changlimethang and take part in the exchange of memoranda of understanding. Hydropower project and shared spiritual heritage A key highlight of the visit will be the joint inauguration of the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, developed through collaboration between the governments of India and Bhutan. The project marks another milestone in the two nations energy partnership. PM Modi stated, The visit will also mark another major milestone in our successful energy partnership with the inauguration of the Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project. I look forward to meeting His Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth King, and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. I am confident that my visit will further deepen our bonds of friendship and strengthen our efforts towards shared progress and prosperity. The Prime Minister will offer prayers to the Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha at Tashichhodzong in Thimphu. On the final day, he will meet Bhutans Fourth King again and attend the Kalchakra ceremony before returning to New Delhi. According to a release from the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit provides an opportunity for both sides to deliberate on ways to further enhance bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The longstanding partnership between India and Bhutan continues to be defined by mutual trust, goodwill, and a shared spiritual and cultural heritage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As India prepares to host the next India-Africa Forum Summit, Angolas proactive engagement signals a renewed chapter in the collective story of India and Africaone that blends the solidarity of past with the shared aspirations of a new global future Madame Presidents visit consolidated four decades of friendship into a modern, multidimensional partnership that promises tangible outcomes in trade, technology, infrastructure, and human development. Image: PTI The state visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Angola from November 811, 2025, marked a historic and forward-looking moment in Indias engagement with Africa. This was the first-ever visit by an Indian president to Angola, underscoring Indias deepening political and developmental outreach to the African continent. The visit took place at a particularly symbolic time: Angola was celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence and the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Angola. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This milestone visit came only six months after the state visit of Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco to India in May 2025two back-to-back presidential exchanges within one year, something rare in diplomatic history. This pattern reflects the seriousness and warmth with which both nations now view their partnership. It also signifies that India and Angola are ready to raise their relationship to a new level of comprehensive cooperation. India and Angola share a relationship rooted in anti-colonial solidarity and mutual respect. India supported Angolas liberation struggle against Portuguese rule as part of its broader commitment to decolonisation and African freedom movements. After Angola attained independence in 1975, India was among the earliest nations to recognise the new republic and later established diplomatic relations in 1985. Since then, India has remained a steadfast development partner for Angola, offering capacity building through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, educational scholarships, and concessional lines of credit via the EXIM Bank of India. These initiatives have helped Angola rebuild its institutions and human resources after years of conflict. President Murmus visit, therefore, carried a strong symbolic resonance. In her remarks in Luanda, she congratulated the Angolan people on their golden jubilee of independence and reaffirmed Indias historical support for their freedom and reconstruction. The visit celebrated a shared past while charting a common path toward modernisation and inclusive growth. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On November 9, 2025, President Murmu was received with full ceremonial honours at the Presidential Palace in Luanda. Her meeting with President Lourenco included one-to-one discussions and delegation-level talks covering a wide spectrum of issues from energy, trade, defence and education. Both leaders reiterated that the IndiaAngola partnership is founded on mutual trust, shared values, and a common vision of sustainable development. They agreed that the time had come to diversify their economic engagement beyond hydrocarbons and expand cooperation into emerging sectors such as agriculture, health, digital technology, education, infrastructure, defence, and capacity building. Angola, currently the Chair of the African Union, also holds strategic importance for Indias broader Africa policy. President Murmu expressed Indias willingness to work closely with Angola in strengthening continental initiatives, particularly as both sides prepare for the Fourth IndiaAfrica Forum Summit (IAFS IV), expected in 2026. Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the visit, expanding the institutional framework for cooperation. Among them were agreements on fisheries and aquaculture, marine resource development, and consular cooperation practical areas that open new channels for trade and employment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD President Murmu also welcomed Angolas decision to join two recent Indian global initiatives: the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA). These moves came after Angola had already acceded to the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) earlier in 2025 during President Lourencos India visit. Together, these memberships place Angola within the expanding network of India-led global coalitions on clean energy, biodiversity, and climate resilience a significant step in aligning both countries priorities on environmental sustainability. The backbone of the IndiaAngola relationship has long been energy. Angola is one of Africas largest oil producers and has been a key supplier of crude oil to India. The two countries currently maintain a bilateral trade volume of about $5 billion, though Indian exports account for only around $500 million. Both sides acknowledged the need to balance and diversify trade, moving beyond oil to sectors such as agriculture, mining, pharmaceuticals, technology, and infrastructure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Angolas economy, historically dependent on oil for over 90 per cent of its export earnings, is now undergoing structural reform. The country recorded a 4.4 per cent GDP growth in 2024, compared with 1.1 per cent in 2023, its strongest performance in a decade. Under its National Development Plan (20232027), Angola aims to boost agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Indias development experience and technologies fit well into this agenda. During the discussions, Angola expressed particular interest in Indias cooperation in the railway and defence sectors. The $200 million line of credit offered by India in May 2025 for defence procurement is expected to be operationalised soon. Angola also invited Indian collaboration in the railway sector. The Lobito Corridor Project, a transformative infrastructure initiative connecting inland mineral-rich regions to the Atlantic coast, has a large railway component. Participation in this corridor could make Indian companies part of a major logistics and industrial hub for southern Africa. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Angolas accession to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opens vast opportunities for Indian investors. Companies setting up production in Angola will gain preferential access to a continental market of over 1.4 billion people. This complements Indias own Africa policy, which emphasises investment-led partnerships rather than aid-based engagement. By aligning with Angolas regional ambitions, India positions itself to participate in cross-border value chains and infrastructure connectivity projects that are reshaping African economies. The bilateral engagement thus holds continental implications, allowing both countries to act as gateways to their respective regionsIndia to South Asia, and Angola to southern Africa. President Murmus visit also celebrated the vital role of the Indian diaspora in Angola, numbering around 8,000. At a community reception in Luanda, she praised their contributions in sectors such as health, education, and business, calling them a living bridge of friendship between the two nations. She also addressed a special session of the National Assembly of Angola on November 10, where she received a standing ovation from parliamentarians. Her speech reaffirmed Indias commitment to Angolas journey of innovation, sustainable development, and inclusive growth. She also welcomed closer interaction between the parliaments of both countries, promoting the exchange of democratic experiences and best practices. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD President Murmus visit built on the progress achieved during President Lourencos earlier visit to India. In May 2025, several MoUs had been signed on agriculture, traditional medicine and Ayurveda, and cultural exchange. India also extended support for defence training and maritime cooperation in the South Atlantic. The 2025 exchanges together represent a qualitative leap in strategic trust and cooperation between the two countries. For Angola, collaboration with India represents diversification, away from an over-dependence on China and the oil-for-infrastructure model that has dominated its external economic relations. For India, partnership with Angola reinforces its energy security and extends its presence into a region of growing geopolitical importance. A Shared Vision Beyond bilateral issues, President Murmu and President Lourenco discussed global challenges such as climate change, food security, and reform of multilateral institutions. Both countries support a more equitable international order where the Global South has a stronger voice. Angolas membership in Indian-initiated alliances and Indias support for African Union participation in the G20 illustrate this shared worldview. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The visit also highlighted Indias evolving Africa policyone guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Ten Guiding Principles for IndiaAfrica Engagement, which emphasise mutual respect, demand-driven development, and sustainability. Angola, as a rapidly reforming economy and a political leader within Africa, is well placed to be a cornerstone of this strategy. A New Era of Partnership President Droupadi Murmus state visit to Angola was far more than a ceremonial first. It consolidated four decades of friendship into a modern, multidimensional partnership that promises tangible outcomes in trade, technology, infrastructure, and human development. The visit showcased Indias growing confidence as a global development partner and Angolas emergence as a dynamic regional player seeking diversified and sustainable growth. Together, they now stand poised to transform a historically warm relationship into a strategic partnership for the 21st century, anchored in shared values, mutual benefit, and SouthSouth cooperation. As India prepares to host the next India-Africa Forum Summit, Angolas proactive engagement signals a renewed chapter in the collective story of India and Africaone that blends the solidarity of the past with the shared aspirations of a new global future. (The writer is a former ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Asean, and the African Union, and the author of The Mango Flavour: India & Asean After 10 Years of the AEP. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Firstpost.) While a fully diversified global market for rare earth minerals remains a long-term goal, the next decade will see significant state-backed investment in alternative supply chains, ensuring rare earths remain at the forefront of international relations and security policy The term rare earths is a misnomer; they are neither rare nor scarce but are dispersed throughout the Earths crust, making them difficult to find in concentrated deposits that are economical for mining purposes. The rare earth elements (REEs) include 17 metallic elements: the 15 lanthanides (lanthanum through lutetium), plus scandium and yttrium. Rare earth elements are crucial for modern technology. They have a wide range of uses, notably in the production of high-performance magnets for electric vehicle motors and wind turbines, as well as in modern electronics such as smartphones and LED lighting. They are also critical for defence technologies like radar and missile guidance, in medical science for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and in industrial processes such as oil refining and polishing for semiconductors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The geopolitical battle for rare earths centres on Chinas near-monopoly on their production and processing, giving it significant leverage in global trade and technological competition. This dominance is used as a bargaining tool, with China imposing export controls to retaliate against tariffs and influence trade negotiations, while other nations strive to diversify their supply chains and develop domestic capabilities. China controls the majority of rare earth mining, processing, and refining, making it the dominant supplier for many high-tech industries, including defence, semiconductors, and renewable energy. China also invests heavily in mining operations globally through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, further extending its control over the supply chain beyond its own borders. China has implemented a series of escalating export controls and restrictions on rare earth elements and related technologies, requiring special licences for most exports, banning the transfer of processing technology, and denying licences for foreign military use. China has used its control over rare earths as a geopolitical tool, such as temporarily cutting off exports to Japan in 2010 after a maritime dispute, disrupting its high-tech sector. Recently, China has used its dominance in rare earth minerals as a potential bargaining chip in its trade disputes with the US. Many US military systems, such as the F-35 fighter jet, guided missiles, and Stryker armoured fighting vehicles, depend on rare earths for their production. Besides China, the major players in rare earth mining production include the United States, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria, and Thailand. In terms of reserves, other countries with significant deposits include Brazil, India, Russia, and Vietnam, which have the potential to become larger producers in the future. While several countries mine rare earths, Chinas true dominance lies in its near-monopoly on downstream processing and refining, accounting for approximately 90 per cent of global capacity. This control gives it significant leverage over the global market. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US and other nations are seeking to reduce their dependence on China by forging partnerships with countries rich in rare earth deposits, such as Ukraine, Australia, Greenland, and Canada. There are accelerated efforts to build domestic rare earth processing and extraction capabilities to create more secure supply chains. The battle plays out through trade tensions, with Chinas export controls and restrictions on technology being a response to US tariffs and vice versa. Nations are also using mineral access as a diplomatic tool and part of national security strategy. The US-Pakistan deal on rare earths is a partnership formalised by a $500 million agreement to establish a supply chain for critical minerals. This aims to reduce US dependence on China for these vital materials used in technologies like electric vehicles and wind turbines. While Pakistan has significant reserves, it currently lacks the necessary facilities and expertise to process and refine the minerals into usable materials. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The current deal (signed by Pakistans Frontier Works Organisation and US Strategic Metals, a private company) is a multi-phase plan where processing plants and refineries are only planned for a medium-term phase (2026-2028), meaning that the initial phase involves exporting less valuable raw or semi-processed materials. Despite high-value estimates of the mineral reserves (up to $6 trillion), the commercial viability of these specific deposits remains largely unproven, with the first shipment primarily consisting of samples and readily available minerals such as antimony and copper concentrates. Furthermore, most of Pakistans estimated mineral reserves are in conflict-affected regions, specifically Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where militant and separatist groups (such as the Baloch Liberation Army and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) are active. US companies would be high-profile targets for these groups, potentially leading to disruptions through attacks on infrastructure and personnel. India has an estimated 6.9 to 8.52 million metric tonnes of rare earth reserves, mainly found in monazite-containing coastal beach sands. This places it after China and Brazil in terms of reserves. However, there is a significant gap between Indias potential and actual production. Despite its vast reserves, actual production is modest, at only about 2,900 metric tonnes, which is less than 1 per cent of global supply. India is now working to boost its domestic mining and processing capabilities to reduce reliance on China and become a more significant global supplier. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Extraction and processing have historically been controlled by the state-owned Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) under the Department of Atomic Energy due to the association with radioactive elements such as thorium. India primarily focuses on the initial stages of mining and producing rare earth oxides but lacks the advanced infrastructure and technology for downstream processing into metals, alloys, and high-value products such as permanent magnets, for which it currently relies heavily on imports from China. India faces several hurdles, including limited private sector participation, lack of indigenous refining and magnet-making technology (often restricted by China and Japan), stringent environmental regulations, and long project timelines for developing new mines. Indias strategic goals in the rare earths field include building a more secure domestic supply chain for critical minerals, reducing dependence on imports from countries like China. India also aims to become a reliable alternative supplier in the global rare earth market, seeking public and private investment to develop its sector, including research and development and potential magnet production for sectors such as electric vehicles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indias actual mining and processing infrastructure is not yet fully developed, with heavy reliance on outdated technology and a lack of downstream processing capabilities. Establishing a large-scale rare earth industry requires substantial capital investment and long development timelines. Rare earth mining can pose environmental and health hazards, requiring stringent regulations and oversight. In summary, the future geopolitical scenario regarding rare earths will be characterised by intense strategic competition, continued Chinese market dominance in the near term, and accelerated diversification efforts by nations to build resilient, independent supply chains. Rare earths will remain key instruments of geopolitical power due to their critical role in advanced technology, clean energy, and defence applications. While a fully diversified global market remains a long-term goal, the next decade will see significant state-backed investment in alternative supply chains, ensuring rare earths remain at the forefront of international relations and security policy. India possesses significant potential due to its large reserves but currently holds a marginal position in the global rare earths extraction field, operating far below capacity. Focused efforts across the entire value chainfrom extraction and refining to magnet productionare essential to convert its potential into a resilient domestic industry. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (The writer is a retired Indian diplomat and had previously served as Ambassador in Kuwait and Morocco and as Consul General in New York. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) The blast in the national capital has put most parts of India on high alert, with police ramping up inspection of cars leaving and entering big cities The undated photograph shows US and Indian flags in the vicinity of the India Gate (seen in the background) in New Delhi, India. (Photo: US Embassy in India) The US Embassy in India has issued an advisory for Americans residing in the country after a car exploded near Red Fort Metro Station on Monday, killing eight people and injuring 24 others. The embassy updated its contact page with phone numbers of the consuls general across India. It advised its citizens to avoid travelling in areas surrounding the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk, steer clear of crowded places, be aware of their surroundings and stay alert in locations frequented by tourists. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The blast in the national capital has put most parts of India on high alert, with police ramping up inspection of cars leaving and entering big cities. The incident is being investigated by multiple agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG). At 6:55 pm on Monday, a Hyundai i20 went up in flames near Red Fort Metro Station Gate No. 1 after it exploded, gutting several other nearby cars and injuring over 24 people. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold a high-level meeting on Tuesday over the Delhi Red Fort car blast that has claimed the lives of eight people since yesterday. Shah, who visited the site of the explosion on Monday, said that all angles will be probed as security officials try to ascertain whether it is a terrorist attack or not. The minister also visited the Lok Narayan Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital to meet the injured people from the accident. Several states and cities across India have been placed on high alert following a deadly explosion near Delhis Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening that killed at least 8 people and injured 24 others. In Delhi, the police, National Security Guard (NSG), and other specialised teams cordoned off the area and tightened security in and around Chandni Chowk and other crowded zones. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has also placed key installations including Delhi Metro stations, the Red Fort, government offices, and the Indira Gandhi International Airport under heightened surveillance. Flesh follows the journey of a magnetic yet emotionally distant man as he drifts through distinct stages of his life Hungarian-British author David Szalay poses with his book 'Flesh' during the Booker Prize 2025 shortlist photo call in London on November 9, 2025, on the eve of the award announcement that recognizes works of fiction in English. AFP British Hungarian author David Szalay has won this years Booker Prize for his book Flesh, chosen among six other shortlisted books. Chief Judge Roddy Doyle called Szalays work a dark book, but a joy to read. Taking the stage for his acceptance speech, Szalay revealed that his book felt risky, adding that even the title of his work seemed risky to him. There was a sense of risk being taken. And I think its very important that we did take those risks. Fiction can take risks - aesthetic, formal or even moral risks. Its important the novel community embraces risk, the Booker Prize winner said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This wasnt easy to write. I didnt cope that graciously or wisely to the pressure - the only person witness to that was my wife, he added. The panel, led by Doyle, discussed the six shortlisted books for over five hours, but Flesh turned out to be their favourite among all. What we particularly liked about Flesh was its singularity. Its just not like any other book, he said. We loved the spareness of the writing. We loved how so much is revealed without us being overly aware of it being revealed. Its just extraordinary how he uses white space. Grief is depicted by a few blank pages, Doyle added. What is the book about? Flesh follows the journey of a magnetic yet emotionally distant man as he drifts through distinct stages of his life. The narrative unfolds in separate episodes, spanning a Hungarian housing estate, the Iraq War, and the opulent circles of Londons elite, with much of the story existing in the silences and spaces between these moments, inviting readers to piece together what happens in the gaps. Described by the Booker organisers as a meditation on class, power, intimacy, migration and masculinity, the novel is praised as a compelling portrait of one man, and the formative experiences that can reverberate across a lifetime. Who is Szalay? Born in Canada, Szalay has been a resident of different places around the world. First, his family moved to Beirut, then to London, where he grew up. He then moved to Hungary before finally settling down in Austria with his wife. He began his career as a financial advertising sales executive in Londons City, an experience that inspired his debut novel, London and the South-East, a sharp satire of the hollow ambitions and frustrations of an ad salesmans life. The book went on to win both the Betty Trask Award and the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In 2013, he was selected for Grantas prestigious list of the Best of Young British Novelists. His 2016 novel All That Man Is, another incisive study of contemporary masculinity, earned him his first Booker Prize nomination. Though it didnt take home the main award, it won the Gordon Burn Prize and the Plimpton Prize for Fiction. The US Embassy in India has issued an advisory for Americans residing in the country. The embassy updated its contact page with phone numbers of the consuls general across India. It advised its citizens to avoid travelling in areas surrounding the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk People stand next to a vehicle with its windshield cracked following an explosion in the old quarters of Delhi, India, on Monday. Reuters The international community has come together to express grief over those who died in the Red Fort car blast in Delhi on Monday. A Hyundai i20 burst into flames near the Red Fort Metro Station Gate Number 1 at 6:55 pm, gutting several vehicles nearby and killing eight people. British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, said, My thoughts are with all those affected by the explosion near the Red Fort in New Delhi today. She also posted an advisory for people living in the areas surrounding the Red Fort. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD My thoughts are with all those affected by the explosion near the Red Fort in New Delhi today. If you are in the immediate area, please follow the advice of the local authorities. Our travel advice will be kept updated here: https://t.co/9L06IoKCSb Lindy Cameron (@Lindy_Cameron) November 10, 2025 On behalf of the French People and Government, I extend our deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones in the Red Fort blast. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, and we wish a full and complete recovery to all those injured, Thierry Mathou, the French Ambassador to India said. The Embassy of Egypt said, On behalf of the People and Government of the Arab Republic of #Egypt, we extend our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected by the #RedFort blast. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved, and we wish all injured a swift and complete recovery." The US Embassy in India has issued an advisory for Americans residing in the country. The embassy updated its contact page with phone numbers of the consuls general across India. It advised its citizens to avoid travelling in areas surrounding the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk, steer clear of crowded places, be aware of their surroundings and stay alert in locations frequented by tourists. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Our hearts are with those affected by the terrible explosion in New Delhi. We continue to closely monitor the situation. Our sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured, the US State Secretarys office said. Our hearts are with those affected by the terrible explosion in New Delhi. We continue to closely monitor the situation. Our sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured. State_SCA (@State_SCA) November 10, 2025 The blast in the national capital has put most parts of India on high alert, with police ramping up inspection of cars leaving and entering big cities. The incident is being investigated by multiple agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Hillary Clintons 2016 running mate, became the eighth Democrat to back a centrist deal set to end the longest US government shutdown Hillary Clinton attends Donald Trump's inauguration as the next President of the United States in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, US, on January 20, 2025. Reuters File Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who was Hillary Clintons running mate in her 2016 presidential bid against Donald Trump, became the eighth Democratic senator to endorse a centrist agreement that the Senate is expected to pass Monday, paving the way to end the longest government shutdown in US history. According to The Hill report, Kaines chief concern during the negotiations was safeguarding thousands of federal workers whom the Trump administration had sought to dismiss amid the shutdown. To secure his support, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) had to obtain the White Houses approval on specific language protecting those employees, added the report. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We spent the day working on that language, The Hill quoted Kaine as saying, describing the intense talks that took place Sunday. He said, We reached a meeting of the minds at about 5:45 Sunday afternoon. Until that point, Kaine said there was no agreement with the White House on preserving the jobs of federal employees targeted by reductions in force (RIFs). Just before a more than two-hour Democratic caucus meeting Sunday where he announced his backing of the deal, disappointing some colleagues who preferred to continue the standoff Kaine received the assurances he sought, reported The Hill. We had a caucus meeting at 6 [p.m.] I walked in just with a deadpan face and theyre like, Whats going on. I said, We got the language we need, he said. The agreement to end the shutdown still requires House approval and President Trumps signature, but both are expected later this week, allowing the government to reopen. Democrats face internal backlash over the decision by seven Democratic senators and Independent Sen. Angus King (Maine) to support a deal that omits an extension of expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. Liberal groups have threatened primary challenges, and few House Democrats are expected to back the measure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Senate Majority Leader John Thune promised a future vote on the subsidy issue, its passage remains uncertain. Despite criticism, King and other Democrats who voted to reopen the government said it was the right decision, noting that Republicans showed no willingness to extend the ObamaCare subsidies as the shutdown dragged on. The position the Republicans have been taking all along is were not going to negotiate about the ACA as long as the government is shut down. Maybe in the first week we werent so sure they were for real. In the second week, third, fourth, fifth, sixth week, it became clear that the [Democratic] strategy wasnt working. They werent going to come back and say we want to do something on the ACA, King explained. The Maine senator getting Thune to agree to a vote on extending the subsidies was a big deal. Otherwise, the Democrats have no way to get a bill to the floor. It goes through the majority leader. When he says, I guarantee you a vote on a bill you write on a date you select, thats a big deal, King said. With inputs from agencies Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway penned a farewell letter to the shareholders of his company announcing that he will no longer write annual reports at the meetings. He reflected his life in Omaha and wrote about successor Greg Abel. Warren Buffett will step down as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by the end of 2025, with Greg Abel being his successor. He wrote his farewell letter to the shareholders of his company on November 10, announcing that he will no longer write annual reports at the meetings and step down as head. I will no longer be writing Berkshires annual report or talking endlessly at the annual meeting. As the British would say, Im going quiet. Sort of," he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He reflected on his life after turning 90, and shared experiences of his childhood. He allocated a lot of shares and contributed a lot to the companys shares. Specifically, he allocated 1,500,000 shares to The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, and 400,000 shares each to The Sherwood Foundation, The Howard G Buffett Foundation, and the NoVo Foundation. Continue his ties Buffett shared that he will not cut the entire relation from the company and the employees, however will continue to share Thanksgiving messages with the shareholders. Buffett in his farewell letter wrote and discussed his personal life along with the companys future growth and ties which changed his life. Below are the highlights from his farewell letter Buffett penned down a beautiful farewell to the company in which he discussed about his family, life in Omaha, and much more. Near-death experience in Omaha The 95-year-old reflected on his near death experience in Omaha in 1938, and how his family doctor visited him. Buffett discussed his friend, Charlie Munger who lived close to his place and was his big protective brother. Berkshires rise in Omaha He expressed his gratitude to Omaha, as he found his wife and built his business. He said, Looking back, I feel that both Berkshire and I did better because of our base in Omaha than if I had resided anywhere else. The centre of the United States was a very good place to be born, to raise a family, and to build a business." My children do not need to perform miracles Writing about his three children, Howard Graham Buffett, Peter Buffett, and Susan Alice Buffett he shared his emotions and wrote that, I assured that my children do not need to perform miracles nor fear failures or disappointments. These are inevitable, and I have made my share. They simply need to improve somewhat upon what is generally achieved." His successor Greg Abel Talking about the next CEO, Greg Abel, Buffett praised his contributions to the company and said, Greg Abel has more than met the high expectations I had for him when I first thought he should be Berkshires next CEO." Appreciating him and considering him a fast learner, Buffett showed confidence in him and assured that the company is going to be in the right hands. Conclusion Sharing his final thoughts, Buffett shared his love for his company and his speeches. He wrote, " Im happy to say I feel better about the second half of my life than the first. My advice: Dont beat yourself up over past mistakes learn at least a little from them and move on. It is never too late to improve. Get the right heroes and copy them." President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday announced that France and Palestine will establish a joint committee to work on drafting a Palestinian constitution France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas (L) shake hands after a joint press conference at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on Tuesday. AFP President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday announced that France and Palestine will establish a joint committee to work on drafting a Palestinian constitution. Together, we decided to establish a joint committee for the consolidation of the state of Palestine, AFP quoted Macron as saying after meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He added that the committee would contribute to drawing up a new constitution, a draft of which President Abbas presented to me. In a joint statement, Abbas thanked France for its formal recognition of a Palestinian state, calling it a historic turning point and a message of hope to a people struggling for freedom and independence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He reaffirmed the Palestinian Authoritys (PA) commitment to establishing a democratic, demilitarised state encompassing Gaza and expressed readiness to work with US President Donald Trump and international partners to advance peace efforts. Abbas reiterated plans for internal reforms, including presidential and parliamentary elections, and said the PA is close to completing a draft interim constitution along with related electoral legislation. According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, Macron and Abbas discussed bilateral cooperation and stabilising Gaza. Talks covered reinforcing the ceasefire, facilitating humanitarian aid, securing the release of hostages and prisoners, completing Israels withdrawal from Gaza, advancing reconstruction, and preventing displacement or annexation. The leaders also discussed steps toward ending the conflict and establishing a viable Palestinian state. During his visit, Abbas thanked Macron for Frances courageous positions and noted that 160 countries now recognise Palestinian statehood. He reaffirmed his commitment to reforms outlined in a letter to Macron, including holding elections within one year of the wars end. Abbas condemned the killing and kidnapping of civilians, including Hamas October 7 attacks, and spoke out against antisemitism, calling it contrary to Palestinian principles. He emphasised that Palestinians seek a democratic, demilitarised state governed by law, transparency, justice, and pluralism, with peaceful transfers of power. Abbas urged countries that have not yet recognised Palestine to do so and highlighted that the State of Palestine formally recognises Israel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to review Gaza ceasefire progress, humanitarian aid, and steps for governance and reconstruction French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in Paris on Tuesday to discuss the full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, the Elysee said. The meeting comes a month into a fragile truce between Hamas and Israel, following two years of war triggered by the Palestinian militant groups October 7, 2023 attack against Israel. Abbas, 89, is the longtime head of the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited control over parts of the West Bank and is being considered to assume governance in Gaza under the deal. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The two leaders will discuss the next steps in the peace plan, particularly in the areas of security, governance and reconstruction, said the French presidency. Brokered by US President Donald Trump, the October 10 ceasefire has been tested by fresh Israeli strikes and claims of Palestinian attacks on Israeli soldiers. Trump said last week he expected an International Stabilisation Force tasked with monitoring the ceasefire to be in Gaza very soon. The meeting also follows Macrons decision in September to recognise a Palestinian state at a United Nations summit a move the Palestinian Authority hailed as historic and courageous. During talks with Abbas, Macron is expected to discuss the need to maintain humanitarian aid access for Gaza and to address changes within the Palestinian Authority. Reforming the governing body is essential for a democratic and sovereign Palestinian state, living in peace and security alongside Israel, the Elysee said. Hamass October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. The Israeli militarys retaliatory campaign has since killed more than 69,000 Palestinians, also mostly civilians, according to Gazas health ministry. The ministry, whose figures are considered reliable by the United Nations, does not specify the number of fighters killed within this total. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A suspected suicide bombing near a court in Pakistans Islamabad has killed at least six people and injured over a dozen, according to the police. Pakistani Rangers stand guard after security forces launched a raid on supporters of the former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who had stormed Islamabad demanding his release (Representational Photo, Credit: Reuters) A suspected suicide bombing on Tuesday killed at least six people and injured over a dozen near a court in Pakistans Islamabad, according to the police. The Express Tribune reported the police as saying that the blast occurred near the main gate of the G11 Islamabad Courthouse. The police said the attacker attempted to enter the courthouse but detonated explosives after failing to do so near a police vehicle. Separately, Geo News reported sources in the police as saying that 21 people were injured in the blast. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The blast has occurred at a time when tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistans Taliban are high. Lately, armed groups opposed to Pakistan ranging from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) have ramped up attacks that have often targeted security personnel and infrastructure. As many as 916 people have been killed in such attacks in Pakistan so far this year, according to the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP). This represents a 46 per cent rise in overall violence in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Islamabad-based Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). The CRSS report said that 96 pere cent of these attacks have been concentrated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that borders Afghanistan has been worst hit with nearly 71 per cent (638) of the total violence-linked fatalities, and over 67 per cent (221) of the incidents of violence, the report cited by IANS said. Balochistan ranked second with over 25 per cent fatalities (230) and incidents (85), as per the report. India and Bhutan strengthened their energy partnership on Tuesday during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the Himalayan kingdom as PM Modi announced a $455 million line of credit and inaugurated a new hydroelectric project Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a gathering during a programme to celebrate the 70th birth anniversary of the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, at Changlimithang ground in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Tuesday. Reuters India and Bhutan strengthened their energy partnership on Tuesday during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the Himalayan kingdom as PM Modi announced a $455 million line of credit and inaugurated a new hydroelectric project. The visit underscores Indias effort to deepen ties with Bhutan, strategically located between India and China, as Beijing ramps up engagement to resolve a longstanding border dispute and establish diplomatic relations. PM Modi, on a two-day trip, also addressed an event marking the birthday celebrations of Bhutans King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchucks father. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The partnership of trust and development between India and Bhutan stands as a model for the entire region, Reuters quoted PM Modi as saying. As both our countries progress rapidly, our energy partnership is further accelerating this growth, he added. Later, PM Modi inaugurated the India-funded 1,020-megawatt Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project, which he said will boost Bhutans hydropower capacity by nearly 40%. This is the fifth Indian-backed hydropower project in Bhutan, bringing the countrys total generation from such projects to around 3,000 megawatts. The 40 billion rupee line of credit announced by India is also intended to support energy initiatives, the Indian government said. Lok Nath Sharma, a former Bhutanese energy minister, noted that the surplus electricity will be exported to India after meeting domestic demand of about 1,000 megawatts. Indian private firms including Tata Power, Adani Group, and Reliance Power have signed agreements with Bhutans Druk Green Power Corporation to develop additional hydroelectric projects. With inputs from agencies A Turkish C-130 military cargo aircraft has crashed in Georgia after taking off from Azerbaijan, according to the countrys defence ministry. A Hellenic Air Force C-130, carrying members of a Disaster Response Special Unit who will fly to Turkey to help in the aftermath of an earthquake, departs from the military airport of Elefsina, Greece, February 6, 2023. (Representational Photo, Credit: Louiza Vradi/Reuters) The Turkish defence ministry on Tuesday said a C-130 military cargo aircraft has crashed in Georgia. The aircraft was flying from Azerbaijan to Turkey and crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border, state-run TRT quoted the defence ministry as saying. The ministry said that search and rescue operations were underway. No details were immediately provided about the number of people on board at the time of the crash. Search and rescue operations have begun in coordination with Azerbaijani and Georgian authorities, the ministry said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he hoped casualties would be minimal and offered his condolences for our martyrs on the aircraft, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). Separately, Georgias interior ministry confirmed the crash and said it occurred about 5 kilometres (3 miles) from Georgias border with Azerbaijan, as per RFE/RL. The outlet reported that it had verified many short videos of the crash that were circulating on social media. It said that one of these videos shows the entire fuselage of the aircraft and its fragments falling to the ground in separate pieces. The UK has stopped sharing intelligence with the US on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, citing concerns that it could be complicit in US military strikes, which British officials consider illegal, according to a report This screengrab taken from a video posted by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, shows two boats shortly before they are struck by a missile, in the Eastern Pacific on October 27, 2025. In his post, Hegseth said that US military forces struck these boats and two others, killing 14 people and leaving one survivor. Image Courtesy: Pete Hegseth/X The United Kingdom has stopped sharing intelligence with the United States on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, citing concerns that it could be complicit in US military strikes, which British officials consider illegal, according to a CNN report, citing sources. This move represents a notable break with its closest ally and intelligence partner and highlights growing doubts in London over the legality of US operations in the region. For years, the UK, which maintains intelligence assets in several Caribbean territories, has helped the US track suspected drug-carrying ships so the US Coast Guard could intercept them boarding vessels, detaining crews, and seizing drugs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Typically, this information was sent to the Joint Interagency Task Force South in Florida, a multinational body focused on curbing illicit drug trade. However, after the US began carrying out lethal strikes against these boats in September, the UK grew concerned that its intelligence could be used to identify targets. The strikes, which have resulted in 76 deaths, are seen by British officials as violations of international law. The suspension of intelligence sharing began more than a month ago, said the report, citing the sources. The UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, said last month that the US strikes violate international law and constitute extrajudicial killing, a view shared by the UK, sources told CNN. Before the US military began destroying suspected drug trafficking boats in September, anti-narcotics operations were led by law enforcement and the US Coast Guard, where smugglers and cartel members were treated as criminals entitled to due process an approach the UK supported, the sources said. However, the Trump administration has maintained that such strikes are lawful, arguing in a memo to Congress that suspected traffickers pose an imminent threat to Americans and qualify as enemy combatants engaged in an armed conflict with the United States. The Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel issued a classified opinion supporting the Trump administrations position, CNN reported, while Trump also designated several drug cartels as foreign terrorist groups. The White House maintains that its actions comply fully with the Law of Armed Conflict, which is meant to protect civilians during wartime. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, according to CNN, legal experts argue that the law still applies to civilian traffickers and that labeling a group as a terrorist organisation does not justify lethal force. Some boats struck by the US were stationary or retreating, undermining claims that they posed an imminent threat, added the report. Senior defence officials have also questioned the legality of the strikes. Adm. Alvin Holsey, head of US Southern Command, reportedly offered to resign after raising concerns in a meeting with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Holsey is set to leave his post in December, just a year into his tenure. Pentagon lawyers have also voiced doubts, with several current and former military attorneys telling CNN the strikes appear unlawful. Hegseths spokesperson has denied any internal dissent. Canada, a long-time US partner in anti-drug operations, has similarly distanced itself from the military campaign. While it continues to work with the US Coast Guard under Operation Caribbean, Canadian officials have made clear they do not want their intelligence used to support lethal strikes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Canadian defence spokesperson said last month that the countrys operations with the Coast Guard are separate and distinct from US military actions. With inputs from agencies The truce in Gaza, in effect for a month now, has largely halted the war that erupted after Hamass surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The supermoon rises above destroyed buildings amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza City. Reuters US mediator Jared Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks Monday on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, as Washington intensified its efforts to ensure the fragile truce endures. Netanyahu, meanwhile, said Israel would enforce the ceasefire in Gaza as well as one in Lebanon with an iron fist.The truce in Gaza, in effect for a month now, has largely halted the war that erupted after Hamass surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. During the ongoing first stage, a series of prisoner and hostage exchanges took place over recent weeks. Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump who helped broker the ceasefire, met Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday as part of US efforts to stabilise the truce and lay the groundwork for its next phase. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The two discussed some of the most sensitive aspects of phase two, Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian told journalists. Together the two discussed phase one, which we are currently still in, to bring our remaining hostages, and the future of phase two of this plan, which includes the disarming of Hamas, demilitarising Gaza and ensuring Hamas will have no role in the future of Gaza ever again, Bedrosian said. Phase two also includes the establishment of the international stabilisation force and the details of which of course together are being discussed. Hamas has repeatedly insisted that relinquishing its weapons is a red line. - Iron fist - Israel and Hamas continue to accuse each other of violating the ceasefire in Gaza. Gazas health ministry said Israeli forces have killed at least 242 Palestinians in the territory since the ceasefire began on October 10. On Monday, the Israeli military said it killed two militants who approached the so-called Yellow Line, the boundary beyond which Israeli forces hold their positions in Gaza. Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify details provided by the ministry or the Israeli military. Whoever seeks to harm us, we harm them, Netanyahu said in parliament on Monday. We are determined to enforce with an iron fist the ceasefire agreements where they exist against those who seek our destruction, and you can see what happens every day in Lebanon, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israel has kept up attacks on Lebanon, where it says it is targeting Hezbollah militants. It agreed a ceasefire to halt a war with the group last November, but has frequently bombed Lebanon since then. It said on Monday it had killed 15 Hezbollah members this month. Egypt, Qatar and Turkey are among the potential participants in the proposed international stabilisation force for Gaza, but the United Arab Emirates has indicated it is unlikely to join without a clear operational framework. Under such circumstances, the UAE will probably not participate in such a force, Emirati presidential adviser Anwar Gargash told the Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate Forum on Monday. Turkey has been keen to join, but Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel would not allow it. The prime minister said there will be no Turkish boots on the ground, Bedrosian said. Michael Milshtein, who heads the Palestinian studies program at Tel Aviv University, said the decision regarding the stabilisation force will ultimately rest with Trump. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD There is a gap between the Israeli opinion and the American opinion but in the end, the only thing that matters is what Trump wants, not what Netanyahu thinks, Milshtein told AFP. Turkey has been one of the most outspoken critics of the war in Gaza, and on Friday it issued arrest warrants accusing Netanyahu and several senior Israeli officials of genocide. - We still do not feel safe - Since the truce began, Hamas has returned all 20 living hostages and the remains of 24 captives, including 21 Israelis. Four bodies of hostages killed in the October 2023 attack remain in Gaza. In exchange, Israel has freed nearly 2,000 prisoners and returned 315 bodies of Palestinian captives. The latest of those were the remains of 15 Palestinians handed over by Israel on Monday after Hamas a day earlier returned the remains of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, killed in the 2014 Gaza war. Goldin, killed while attempting to destroy Hamas tunnels near Rafah, had been missing for 11 years. Time has stood still, his sister Ayelet Goldin said in a statement on Monday. Despite the progress in hostage returns, Gazans remain anxious about their future. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We still do not feel safe. Shooting continues We try to protect our children from psychological trauma and to help them forget the war, said Salma Abu Shawish, 40, a resident of Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. Life in Gaza is hard. We still lack food, and many families remain homeless. We only wish this nightmare would stop and never return. The Senate has passed a spending bill to end the nations 41-day government shutdown after several Democrats joined Republicans in backing the measure The Republican-led Senate on Sunday held a swift procedural vote to advance the legislative measure, which appeared to have enough Democratic support to move forward. (Reuters) The Senate passed legislation on Monday night to end the nations longest government shutdown, following a 6040 vote that marked a major breakthrough after 41 days of gridlock. The spending package was approved after a critical group of Democrats joined Republicans in supporting a bill that excluded the key concession their party had sought for weeks. The shutdown had left over a million federal workers unpaid and caused widespread disruption, including the suspension of government services and increasing risks to food assistance for millions of Americans. Air travel had also been severely affected, with more than 1,000 flights cancelled daily in recent days. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Well be opening up our country very quickly, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, adding, The deal is very good." Legislation heads to the House after Senate approval Senate leaders have scheduled further votes, including on an amendment proposed by Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin to extend health care premium subsidies for one year. The stopgap funding bill now moves to the House of Representatives, which is also controlled by Republicans. The chamber is expected to reconvene as early as Wednesday, with Tuesday being a national holiday. Democratic Senator John Fetterman, who backed the bill, posted on X: Feed everyone. Pay our military, government workers, and Capitol Police. End the chaos in airports. Country over party. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed optimism about the progress, stating, It appears to us this morning that our long national nightmare is finally coming to an end, and were grateful for that. He added that some Democrats now seemed ready to do what Republicans and President Trump and millions of hard-working American people have been asking them to do for weeks. The chamber is expected to reconvene as early as Wednesday, as Tuesday is a national holiday. After a suicide bombing killed 12 people in Islamabad, Pakistan has blamed the Taliban and declared the country is in a state of war. A police officer stands at the site of a blast outside a court building in Islamabad, Pakistan, on November 11, 2025. (Photo: Waseem Khan/Reuters) After a suicide bombing killed 12 people in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday blamed the Taliban and declared the country was in a state of war. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the bombing in Islamabad was a wake-up call for the entire nation. We are in a state of war. If anyone thinks that the Pakistan Army is fighting this war only in the Pak-Afghan border region and remote areas of Balochistan, then todays suicide attack in the Islamabad District Court (Kacheri) is a wake-up call that this is a war for all of Pakistan. In this war, the Pakistan Army is making daily sacrifices and reassuring the people of their security, said Asif in a statement in Urdu. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that 12 people were killed in a "suicide blast" that occurred at 12:39 pm outside the district and sessions court building in Islamabads G-11 area, according to Dawn. Initially, Naqvi said that 17 people were injured but the hospital where injured were taken later said 36 people were brought there with injuries from the blast. The attack and Asifs statement have come at a time when Turkey and Qatar have been mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban. The two sides had the worst round of fighting at the border last month since 2021 when the Taliban grabbed power in Afghanistan. Multiple rounds of talks in Doha and Istanbul have so far failed to materialise into a long-term peace agreement. After the blast, Asif said that having any hope in reaching a peace deal with the Taliban would be futile. The Kabul rulers can stop terrorism in Pakistan, but bringing this war to Islamabad is a message from Kabul, to which Pakistan, Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), has the strength to respond fully, said Asif. Not just another attack, has lots of messages In a media briefing, Interior Minister Naqvi said that the government was not treating the Islamabad blast as any other blast as it had a lot of messages. Naqvi said that the bomber stood outside of the complex for 12 minutes and detonated the bomb when he failed to enter. In a separate statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif linked the bombing and another attack on Monday at the Army-run Cadet College in South Waziristan on Indian-sponsored terrorist proxies, according to Geo News. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistan has repeatedly claimed that armed groups opposed to its rule are supported by Afghanistan's Taliban and India. It has blamed continued attacks by these groups as the reason for stalled peace talks. Shehbaz further said that these attacks are a continuation of Indias state-sponsored terrorism aimed at destabilising Pakistan". Without going into the specifics, Shehbaz said the same network had struck Islamabad and South Waziristan. Shehbaz said that Pakistan will continue our war against terrorism until the last terrorist of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) are eliminated. US President Donald Trump has said that he will be bringing tariffs on India down as India has started reducing the import of Russian oil. He has slapped 50% tariffs on India the highest in the world. US President Donald Trump on Monday said he will be bringing the tariffs on India down as India has started reducing Russian oil imports. Trump said, Right now, tariffs on India are very high because of Russian oil. They have reduced purchases from Russia. So yeah, we will be bringing the tariffs on India down. Trump has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India the highest in the world. He initially imposed 25 per cent tariff as part of the broader rollout of so-called reciprocal tariffs and then slapped 25 per cent additional tariff as a penalty for the purchase of Russian crude oil. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD BREAKING: Donald Trump announces U.S. will cut 50% tariff on India Right now, tariffs on India are very high because of Russian oil. They have reduced purchases from Russia. So yeah, we will be bringing the tariffs on India down, Trump announces pic.twitter.com/6HUCjZU80M Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) November 11, 2025 Trump said that a trade deal with India was close. He acknowledged the troubled relationship and said Indians do not love him at the moment but said they would love him at the moment. Trump further said, India is home to one of the worlds oldest civilisations. It is an amazing country and an important strategic partner for America in the Indo-Pacific region. We have a great relationship with PM Modi. As Firstpost's Madhur Sharma previously reported, India-US trade talks were going well until Trump abruptly dumped the progress and ramped up his demands to unrealistic levels. These demands stalled trade talks. Previously, Firstpost has reported that Trump was a fickle in trade talks, offering India tariff rates of 10 per cent, 15 per cent, and 19 per cent at various points. ALSO READ: With tariffs & disregard for red lines, Trump dashes hope of being Indias top partner In Trumps second term, the India-US relationship has plunged to its lowest point in several years as he has tried to bully India on trade, undermine India on Operation Sindoor, join hands with Pakistan and parrot its narrative on Kashmir and Operation Sindoor, and strengthen Turkeys hand in West Asia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Unlike previous American presidents that pursued a mutually-beneficial relationship with India, there now exists a trust deficit as Trump does not care what India or any other partner for that matter wants and pursues a my way or the highway approach, Prof. Swasti Rao, who teaches geopolitics at the Jindal School of International Affairs, Jindal Global University, previously told Firstpost. This is why he has ignored all the sensibilities of India whether it is the Kashmir issue, the India-Pakistan conflict, or the issue of agriculture and dairy in trade talks. He has complicated the India-US relationship that had been on an upward trajectory not just bilaterally but also multilaterally look at the progress with Quad and IMEC in the past few years. Now, instead of taking the relationship forward, the focus will be on containing the fallout, said Rao. Samsung Galaxy S26+ has surfaced in the first set of CAD-based renders, after rumours, thanks to @OnLeaks. This shows a similar flat design and triple rear cameras as the S25 series phones. The camera deco is similar to what we had seen in the S25 edge, and the S26 Edge that surfaced in renders recently is not going to be released and is getting replaced by the Galaxy S26 Plus. The phone is said to measure 158.4 x 75.7 x 7.35mm, making it almost similar to the S25+ since this is said to retain the 6.7-inch QHD+ 1-120Hz LTPO screen and a 4,900mAh. Based on earlier rumours, the phone will feature Qi2 support with magnets. Rumours indicate Exynos 2600 SoC for both the S26 and the S26+ in major markets, with 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC only in the S26 Ultra globally. It should pack 12GB RAM. Based on latest reports, the Galaxy S26 series is expected to be introduced in February 2026 at an event in San Francisco. Source Google Play is updating its technical quality requirements with a new Android vitals metric that tracks excessive partial wake lock usage. Developed with input from Samsung and refined using feedback from developers, the metric aims to help identify background behaviors that contribute to battery drain. It is now available to all developers following the completion of its beta phase. Excessive Partial Wake Locks Metric The metric evaluates how long an app holds partial wake locks during user sessions. A session is considered excessive if the app accumulates more than 2 hours of non-exempt wake locks within a 24-hour period. Wake locks held by the system that clearly support user-driven actionssuch as audio playback or data transfers initiated by the userare classified as exempt. An app crosses Google Plays threshold when 5% of its user sessions in the last 28 days exceed this limit. Android vitals highlights this condition through alerts on the overview page when it occurs. Google Plays Core Technical Quality Metrics Apps are expected to remain below these bad behavior thresholds to maintain visibility across Play Store surfaces: User-perceived crash rate Overall: 1.09% Per phone model: 8% Per watch model: 4% User-perceived ANR rate Overall: 0.47% Per phone model: 8% Per watch model: 5% Excessive battery usage Overall: 1% Per watch model: 1% New: Excessive partial wake locks Overall: 5% Google notes that this metric is the first in a series aimed at offering broader insight into how apps use system resources across the Android ecosystem. Wake Lock Diagnostics in Android Vitals To help developers understand wake lock behavior more precisely, Android vitals now includes an expanded wake lock names table. The table lists wake lock tags with their P90 and P99 duration values, helping pinpoint tags that keep the device awake for extended periods. Google recommends examining any wake lock with P90 or P99 durations exceeding 60 minutes, as these may indicate areas for optimization. Developers can reproduce and evaluate these behaviors in local environments, including Android Studio. Google Play Visibility Impact Titles that exceed the excessive wake lock threshold may lose access to some discovery surfaces on Google Play. In addition, Google may display a battery drain warning on the apps store listing to notify users when wake lock activity may reduce battery life. Next Steps for Developers Review Android vitals data: Developers can now check their apps performance for excessive partial wake locks directly in Android vitals. Identify problematic tags: Use the wake lock names table to locate tags with unusually long durations. Refer to updated resources: Google has published revised documentation, technical guidance, and videos covering wake lock best practices and common issues. Visibility and Enforcement Timeline The excessive partial wake lock metric is now part of Google Plays core technical quality bars. Apps that exceed the threshold may face reduced visibility and, in some cases, a warning on the store listing about potential battery drain. These visibility changes will take effect starting March 1, 2026. Nuuk has introduced three new home appliances in India the BRISK Air Fryer, the HOT BLOX oil-filled radiator, and the HOT BAR PTC heater. Developed in collaboration with filmmaker Karan Johar, the lineup focuses on design-led products aimed at addressing gaps seen in conventional heating and cooking appliances, including slow warming, higher energy use, noise levels, and dated construction. Nuuk BRISK Air Fryer The BRISK Air Fryer uses a Swiss ILAG CeramicTech coating that is free from lead, cadmium, PFOA, PFAS, and PTFE. Its removable ceramic-coated basket is dishwasher-safe, while the exterior features a matte finish and a compact build with a 6.5L capacity. A transparent viewing window with internal lighting is included. A 1600W stainless-steel heating element works with a 360 Rapid Air Circulation system to cook food up to 30% faster while reducing dryness. The air fryer provides eight preset modes, including Indian-oriented options such as Tandoor, Crispy Fry, Ferment, and Dehydrate, in addition to Bake, Grill, and Toast. It also includes a digital touch interface, shake alert, pause mode, keep-warm setting, and temperature adjustment between 80C and 200C. A 1.5m power cord with an integrated organizer is supplied. Key Features ILAG ceramic-coated removable basket 360 Rapid Air Circulation 8 preset modes including Indian options Digital touch display 80C200C temperature range Compact matte-finish design Quick Specs Power: 1600W Temperature: 40200C Timer: Up to 120 min Capacity: 6.5 L Coating: ILAG ceramic (PTFE/PFAS/PFOA/lead/cadmium-free) Body: ABS Cable Length: 1.5 m Dimensions: 373 270 279 mm Weight: 4.15 kg Warranty: 1+1 years Models: FT391237RDB, FT391237GYB, FT391237SGB In-box: Main unit, cooking tray, cable organiser Nuuk HOT BLOX (Oil-Filled Radiator) HOT BLOX is positioned as an energy-efficient OFR equipped with RapidHeat technology, designed to warm rooms up to 30% faster while lowering power consumption. Eco Mode can reduce energy use by up to 20% compared to standard 2200W oil-filled radiators. The temperature can be maintained between 15C and 35C with 1C regulation. The heater features an edge-to-edge digital display, remote control support, child lock, and a 24-hour timer. Its fanless structure allows silent overnight use. Compatibility with the NUUK App enables remote heating control, scheduling, tracking energy use, and saving preferred configurations. The radiator uses 11 M-shaped fins, high-grade diathermic oil, flame-retardant materials, and foldable caster wheels. Key Features RapidHeat technology with 11 fins Eco Mode with up to 20% energy savings Digital display with remote operation Anti-tilt and overheat protection Silent functioning with app control Quick Specs Power: 2200W Temperature: 1535C Timer: Up to 24 hours Fins: 11 M-shaped Oil: Diathermic oil Body: ABS Cable Length: 1.7 m Dimensions: 490 235 660 mm Weight: 11.7 kg Warranty: 2+1 years Models: HT361136MBS, HT361136GYS In-box: Main unit, cable organiser, remote control Nuuk HOT BAR (PTC Heater) The HOT BAR PTC heater uses a ceramic heating plate for 2-second instant heating. It delivers 42.86% higher heat volume and up to 20% improved energy efficiency compared to coil-based heaters. The device supports both vertical and horizontal placement and uses a BLDC motor for reduced noise. Features include feather-touch controls, two temperature presets (18C and 24C), a timer, and a compact layout suitable for bedrooms and work areas. Key Features Instant heating in 2 seconds Up to 20% energy savings Silent BLDC motor Vertical and horizontal use Feather-touch panel with presets Quick Specs Power: 2200W Temperature Presets: 18C, 24C Timer: Up to 7 hours Body: ABS Cable Length: 2 m Dimensions: 160 215 350 mm Weight: 1.9 kg Warranty: 2+1 years Models: HT412739GYB, HT412739RDB, HT412739BLB In-box: Main unit, cable organiser Pricing and Availability All three appliances are available on Nuuks website now and will be available on Amazon from 15 November 2025, with the following pricing: Nuuk BRISK Air Fryer: Rs. 8,999 Nuuk Red, Serene Grey, Sesame Grey Nuuk HOT BLOX OFR: Rs. 13,999 Serene Grey, Midnight Black Nuuk HOT BAR PTC Heater: Rs. 6,499 Nuuk Red, Serene Grey, Electric Blue Commenting on the launch, Gazal Kalra, Co-Founder, Nuuk, said, A judge has found a woman accused of killing her boyfriend and cutting off his penis in May 2024 incompetent to proceed to trial. Shenting Guo, 33, was charged with second degree murder in May 2024 after police said she stabbed her boyfriend, 38-year-old Dustin Nalls, to death and cut off his penis. Guo was examined twice, first by a state of Colorado psychologist in May, which found her competent, and another time by a psychologist hired by her attorneys in late July, which found her incompetent. The second psychologist, Susan Coykendall, said Guos mental state could have changed between the first evaluation and the second evaluation, and then again between the second evaluation and an October competency hearing, making the process with which the courts determine competency a useless exercise. Competency to proceed in Colorado is defined by state law as meaning that the defendant does not have a mental disability or developmental disability that prevents the defendant from having sufficient present ability to consult with the defendants lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding to assist in the defense or prevents the defendant from having a rational and factual understanding of the criminal proceedings. The Mesa County Detention Facility ended its competency enhancement program this summer due to cuts in state funding. The cut in state funding occurred June 30, between the first evaluation and the second evaluation. Guo will now be transported to the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo for treatment. A hearing has been set for Dec. 5 in her case. China's MSS discloses case of SOE employee arrested for repeatedly visiting overseas anti-China websites and spreading political rumors Global Times By Global Times Published: Nov 10, 2025 02:43 PM China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Monday disclosed a case involving a state-owned enterprise (SOE) employee who repeatedly accessed overseas anti-China websites, watched videos spreading political rumors about China, downloaded and disseminated them, and was lawfully arrested by state security authorities. The MSS warned the public not to fall into the trap of using illegal VPN services. In today's mobile internet era, going online to access news and information has become a common way for people to learn about the outside world. However, some netizens lack legal and risk-prevention awareness, and illegally use VPN services to visit overseas websites, register accounts, and join group chats. Such behavior not only exposes personal information security risks, but can even affect national security and social stability, according to the article released by the MSS via its WeChat account on Monday. These so-called applications or services often claim to protect users' privacy and data security. In reality, providers or external attackers can exploit various vulnerabilities to steal users' browsing histories, account passwords and other personal data, ultimately causing potentially immeasurable losses, said the MSS. For instance, one user browsed overseas websites using such software and paid a fee to an organization via credit card. Six months later the card was fraudulently charged for thousands of dollars, according to the MSS. Some tools are controlled by foreign forces, and some are even developed and operated directly by overseas intelligence agencies, according to the MSS. By secretly installing Trojan malware, they extract users' personal information and files stored on devices and transmit them back to operators, said the MSS. An employee of a classified unit, seeking to access overseas academic forums, unknowingly installed a program that was actually developed by an overseas intelligence agency, which allowed remote control of the individual's work phone and computer and resulted in the theft of a large amount of classified research materials. The state security authorities have pursued the individual's criminal liability, the MSS said. Some unsuspecting netizens are easily influenced by fraudulent information, extremist ideas, and political rumors. This can turn an initial "curious browse" into "active participation," making them victims or accomplices of illegal activities, creating legal risks, the MSS warned. The MSS stressed that cyberspace is not a lawless place, and accessing overseas websites via illegal tools is strictly prohibited. The MSS reminded the public to avoid using such software or services, exercise caution when downloading apps from unknown sources, and cultivate safe online habits. Individuals and organizations with legitimate academic or business needs shall conduct overseas network access through lawful, proper channels approved by the state, the MSS said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address CELAC-EU Summit: Press Statement by High Representative / Vice-President Kaja Kallas European External Action Service (EEAS) 09.11.2025 Santa Marta, Colombia EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! President Petro, Thank you for hosting us in this beautiful city of Santa Marta. Two years ago Europe and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States met in Brussels. Since then, we have come a long way. In a world increasingly marked by confrontation, friendships are what counts. And that is what we have. Today, we renew this commitment and we deepen this longstanding partnership. A partnership grounded in shared beliefs: in openness, cooperation, and a shared commitment to the rules-based international system. First, our openness. The EU and CELAC already represent over a fifth of the global economy. Our agreements with the Andean countries, Central America and CARICOM have been steadily delivering. But our joint potential is immense. Two years ago we modernised our agreement with Chile. And in the same spirit, we upgraded our global agreement with Mexico. And our proposed agreement with Mercosur will create the largest free trade zone in the world. Soon almost the entire Latin American and Caribbean regions will trade freely with the EU. While others look inwards, we stay open, trading and investing more than ever. Because openness creates opportunities and the EU and CELAC partners are proof of this in practice. Second, on cooperation. The EU and CELAC face the same challenge: how to overcome the old dependencies while avoiding new ones. The European formula is to invest with our partners to build local jobs, grow local skills, and generate opportunities across entire value chains through Global Gateway. For example, look at the BELLA cable. This fibre optic cable now connects 65 million people across our regions. Next year, we want to extend the cable to Central America and Peru, then to the Caribbean. Today, we are launching the EU-LAC Supercomputing Network. Another way to connect our people - our researchers. We are also launching a regional electricity integration initiative to help you build connections right here. And we will help expand satellite connectivity as far as the most remote corners of the Amazon. Cooperation helps us progress together and overcome the greatest global challenges. This includes climate change. Just last week, hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc in the Caribbean. The EU acted immediately. We provided over 21 million for food, healthcare and emergency relief to those most in need. Climate change is making these disasters more frequent, and more destructive. We must be better prepared. That is why we are expanding access to Europe's Copernicus satellite system to give our Caribbean partners real-time data to monitor storms and save lives. And lastly, on the international system. The voice of CELAC carries real weight in the world. Together, the EU and CELAC represent one third of UN membership. That is why we also count on your voice to help us tackle not only the greatest threat to Europe right now but to international law and global stability, which is Russia's war on Ukraine. I often am asked why we are so fixated on this war when there are so many ongoing today. The answer is simple: Russia's war in Ukraine is an existential threat to the EU. It is the biggest war in Europe since 1945. And if Putin is not stopped, he will not stop. Although Kyiv may seem far from Santa Marta, it is actually no further than here to the south of CELAC. This blatant breach of international law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity could have occurred anywhere. Unchecked aggression only breeds more. We are all responsible for standing up for international law and creating the conditions for a just and lasting peace. Dear Presidente Petro, Europe and CELAC share much more than only history. All our people believe that we can do better by working together. So let us keep building on this. Muchas gracias! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Swiss Government Press release Published on 10 November 2025 Bern, 10.11.2025 -- armasuisse and the manufacturer Elbit Systems Ltd have signed an addendum to the contract for the reconnaissance drone system 15 (ADS 15). Amongst other things, this also includes the services for the three functionalities not to be implemented. Following an in-depth analysis, the DDPS decided on 4 September 2025 to continue the project ADS 15 with adjusted requirements. Three functionalities will not be implemented - specifically, the automatic backup system DAA, the system for GPS-independent starts and landings and the deicing system. The details of the contract addendum were drawn up during a working visit by National Armaments Director Urs Loher to the manufacturer Elbit Systems Ltd on 5 November 2025 in Israel and the respective agreement was signed by both parties. As compensation for the reduced system functions, Elbit Systems Ltd will bear the fixed costs of the service contract for nine years during the period from 2024 to 2032. This service contract ensures the technical system support required for operating the ADS 15. The respective services will be provided in Switzerland. Procurement is thus able to continue the work on a clear contractual basis and the project can be brought to a conclusion. Swiss Government Press release Published on 10 November 2025 Bern, 10.11.2025 -- The Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse has decided to whom to award the contracts for multispectral camouflage systems (MSTS). This decision factored in the performance capability of the systems, their deployment integration as well as logistical and economic criteria. The systems will be procured from all of the three European suppliers on the shortlist - SSZ Camouflage AG from Switzerland, Saro GmbH from Germany and Saab Barracuda AB from Sweden. The contracts encompass 14 lots which are allocated to the most suitable supplier in each instance based on the technical requirements. The camouflage and subterfuge systems tested reduce optical, infrared and radar-based signatures (the response of an object to electromagnetic waves), thus making a significant contribution to reducing detectability by modern sensors and to improving the protection afforded to the troops. This represents an important milestone in the modernisation of protection against enemy reconnaissance. Testing of the three European shortlist candidates As part of the invitation procedure, the systems offered by the three shortlist candidatesSSZ Camouflage AG (Zug, Switzerland), Saro GmbH (Hechingen, Germany) and SAAB Barracuda AB (Gamleby, Sweden with a branch office in Thun, Switzerland)were tested and assessed on the basis of technical and operation criteria. Under the direction of armasuisse, the tests were carried out at the Thun and Bure military training areas between July and September. Also involved in the testing process were Joint Operations Command, the Swiss Air Force, the Swiss Land Forces, the Swiss Armed Forces Staff (AFS) as well as the Swiss Armed Forces Logistics Organisation (AFLO). The results of the tests formed the basis for the recent decision to award the contracts to the suppliers. Results and decision to award contracts The test results show that all three suppliers fulfil different requirements in terms of their effectiveness and, when combined, offer the best-possible protection against modern reconnaissance technologies. The selected camouflage and subterfuge systems reduce signatures in different electromagnetic spectra and thus meet the requirements set out by the Swiss Armed Forces. The awarding of the contract to Swiss supplier SSZ Camouflage AG is subject on condition that it can fulfil the requirement that it is suitable for military use. Decision made in keeping with the Armament Policy Strategy of the Federal Council The awarding of contracts for the multispectral camouflage systems (MSTS) to a Swiss supplier and two European suppliers helps to implement the Armament Policy Strategy of the Federal Council of 20 June 2025 on two counts. Firstly, the strategy promotes the strengthening of the domestic Security-relevant Technology and Industry Base, thus ensuring that Switzerland will also possess security-relevant key technologies and industrial core capabilities and capacities within its borders in the future. Secondly, the aim, where possible, is for 60% of the defence equipment procured by Switzerland to be purchased from domestic suppliers. In parallel to this, the strategy calls for an increase in the equipment purchased from neighbouring countries and other European countries, as these nations are particularly important to Switzerland with respect to its armament policy. In order to ensure that it is able to work together with other countries in a defensive capacity in the event of an armed conflict, Switzerland must procure systems and materials that are either identical to or compatible with those used by other countries. Furthermore, procuring this equipment from European countries improves supply chain security and boosts resilience in the event of a crisis or an armed conflict. Multispectral camouflage system (MSTS) Multispectral camouflage is an effective method of achieving an optimal camouflage effect that provides protection against the latest reconnaissance equipment. Today, reconnaissance activities are no longer limited to the capabilities of the human eye - ground-based and airborne sensors, such as drones, can record visual and infrared signals in the short-, medium- and longwave ranges on the electromagnetic spectrum. Numerous reconnaissance systems are also able to locate ground targets by means of backscattered microwaves (radar reconnaissance). A high-performance camouflage system therefore allows the signature of the object being camouflaged to be adapted in all of the relevant spectral ranges to the respective environment and conditions in which it is deployed. The multispectral camouflage system (MSTS) also helps to protect soldiers and infrastructure against enemy reconnaissance. Report of the Afghanistan Commission presented Government of Norway Press release | Date: 10/11/2025 The report on Norway's engagement in Afghanistan from 2015 to 2021 offers important lessons learned. 'I would like to thank the commission for the thorough job it has done in drawing up this important report. The report highlights the difficult challenges faced both by the Afghan people and by the international community in the years from 2015 to 2021. We will learn from the lessons set out in the report and use this to make better decisions in future international operations and crises,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. In 2024, the Government appointed a commission to evaluate Norway's efforts in Afghanistan from 2015 to 2021. The commission examined Norway's military contribution, the provision of development assistance, the 2021 evacuation operation, and peace and reconciliation efforts. The commission was chaired by Bjrn Tore Godal, former Minister of Defence and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who also headed the previous Afghanistan Commission that evaluated Norway's engagement from 2001 to 2014. Together with the United States and close allies, Norway maintained a presence in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years. More than 10 000 men and women from the Norwegian Armed Forces, the justice sector, and the Foreign Service served in the country. 'First and foremost, I would like to thank the Norwegian personnel who served in Afghanistan. Their courage and dedication made a difference. I would also like to thank the commission for its comprehensive efforts. This in many ways marks the conclusion of the chapter on Afghanistan in Norwegian military history. At the same time, we will continue to provide support to our veterans, who made an extraordinary contribution,' said Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik. According to the report the Norwegian Special Forces and the Afghan Special Police Unit prevented 46 complex terrorist attacks in Kabul, saving many lives. The experience gained from these operations has enhanced the counterterrorism capability of the Norwegian Special Forces, to the benefit of Norwegian security today. 'The knowledge acquired by the special forces has also been valuable in training partner forces. The lessons learned in Afghanistan have been transferred to other operations, including the training of Ukrainian defence forces,' said Mr Sandvik. The evacuation from Afghanistan provides important insights. Under what at times were chaotic conditions, more than 1 100 people were brought to Norway safely in a difficult and demanding operation. The report evaluates this operation, both identifying certain things that could have been done better, and showing how quickly a successful evacuation was organised and carried out under extreme circumstances. Toward the end of the evacuation operation, Norway took over responsibility for the field hospital at Kabul airport, which then remained operational until the evacuation was completed. 'This was deeply appreciated by our allies. Although the overall objectives of the Afghanistan mission were not achieved, the effort demonstrated that even small-scale Norwegian contributions can have a strategic impact. The things we have learned from the activities of the Special Forces, the field hospital, and the Norwegian Intelligence Service have strengthened Norway's defence capability and enhanced our cooperation with close partners,' said Mr Sandvik. The report stresses that conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan have deteriorated significantly, and that the situation for women and girls in the country today is grave. 'Promoting the rights of women's and girls has been an important focus area throughout Norway's engagement in Afghanistan. Ensuring that women were able to participate actively in peace and reconciliation efforts has been a key priority for Norway, and we took every opportunity to emphasise that women must be given a seat at the table. Norway has not abandoned Afghan women and girls, and we will continue to advocate for their rights with the de facto authorities," said Foreign Minister Eide. The report raises questions about whether Norway's peace and reconciliation efforts were, at times, too accommodating of the Taliban. As part of its engagement, the Norwegian authorities considered it important to maintain a dialogue with all parties in order to make progress. 'The report highlights some difficult dilemmas. At the same time, I believe it clarifies how, even with limited resources, Norwegian conflict resolution efforts can yield significant results. We assumed responsibility for maintaining dialogue with the Taliban while also engaging with the Afghan government as a step in pursuing a sustainable path forward for Afghanistan,' said Mr Eide. The commission points out that the United States and its Allies underestimated the magnitude of the task at hand. 'We must acknowledge that building a modern democratic state from the outside is an almost impossible undertaking. The operation suffered from too many conflicting objectives, and the link between means and goals was unclear. All the participants in the Afghanistan mission must reflect on this and learn from it,' said Mr Eide. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Somalia: UN expert calls for action to safeguard fragile human rights gains Press releases Special Procedures 10 November 2025 NEW YORK -- Somali authorities and the international community must take concrete, coordinated action to consolidate progress and prevent backsliding, amid the country's fragile transition, a UN expert said today. "Somalia stands at a fragile and decisive moment," said Isha Dyfan, the Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Somalia. "Despite progress in governance, human rights, and institution-building, insecurity, political tensions, humanitarian crises, and climate shocks continue to threaten these gains. Somali civil society, women, journalists, and human rights defenders remain inspiringbut they cannot advance peace and rights alone." Dyfan was presenting her final report to the General Assembly in New York. UN Human Rights Council decided to end the Special Procedures country mandate for Somalia at the conclusion of its 60th Session. The mandate was first established in 1993. Over her six-year tenure, Dyfan highlighted both the resilience of the Somali people and the fragility of their achievements. Her final report commends progress including the adoption of the Disability Bill, the appointment of Commissioners for the National Human Rights Commission, and the organisation of the first National Human Rights Summit in 2025. She also welcomed the adoption of key chapters of the Provisional Constitution and the Juvenile Justice Bill as important steps by the government toward a more rights-based society. Dyfan warned that Al-Shabaab violence, restrictions on freedom of expression, and worsening humanitarian and climate pressures risk undermining those gains. "Both the Government of Somalia and the international community must now move from commitment to concrete implementation," she said. "Human rights are not only an outcome of peace, but also a path to peace." Dyfan called for the full and timely implementation of the recent Human Rights Council resolution 60/28, describing it as "a roadmap to consolidate progress, strengthen accountability, and ensure that Somalia's transition reinforces its human rights architecture" while stressing the need to support the OHCHR in implementing the resolution through technical assistance, capacity building, and monitoring. "At this delicate juncture, inclusive political dialogue is more vital than ever," she said. "Election-related disagreements, coupled with ongoing UN and African Union transition processes, risk deepening divisions and instability. Only through open and principled dialogue can Somalia safeguard stability and preserve the progress so painstakingly achieved." Dyfan also urged the adoption of pending legislation, including the Sexual Offences, Child Rights, and Anti-FGM Bills to protect women and girls, and called for greater investment in climate resilience to ensure environmental protection and human rights advance together. "Somalia's path forward will remain challenging, but not without hope," she said. "With sustained national leadership, dialogue, and international partnership, fragility can give way to resilience, and human rights can become a lived reality for all Somalis." Isha Dyfan is the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia 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/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel's Knesset approves death penalty draft bill for Palestinian abductees Iran Press TV Monday, 10 November 2025 10:25 PM The Israeli Knesset has approved the first reading of a bill that allows the regime to pass the death penalty for Palestinian abductees. On Monday, the regime's lawmakers advanced the draft legislation by 39 votes to 16. The bill will now be referred to the Knesset's National Security Committee for the final two readings it must pass to become a law. Israeli far-right minister Ben Gvir reacted in a statement, saying the death penalty law is critical to the security of the regime. In a separate vote, the Knesset also advanced another controversial measure known as the so-called Al Jazeera Law. This bill grants the regime sweeping powers to shut down foreign media outlets without requiring a court order. According to Haaretz, this bill passed its first reading with 50 votes in favor and 41 against. Israel has not only ordered the closure of Al Jazeera's offices, but its forces have killed hundreds of journalists to prevent transparent coverage of the regime's crimes in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Last week, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry called the bill a war crime and a sign of the regime's growing extremism and criminality against the Palestinian people. The ministry said Israel's judicial system and the Knesset act as the regime's tools to legitimize crimes against Palestinians and guarantee impunity. It said the measure is also an extension of the regime's genocide in Gaza to the occupied West Bank, with serious implications for the abductees. Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad had earlier slammed the bill. Hamas said the draft law shows the ugly and fascist nature of Israel, while the Islamic Jihad warned that the bill puts thousands of Palestinians at risk of execution. It stipulates that judges will be able to impose a death penalty on Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis on "nationalistic grounds." It would not apply to an Israeli killing a Palestinian under similar circumstances. The bill, first pushed by far-right Israeli parties before Israel's genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, has resurfaced in recent months with renewed backing. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas urges mediators to press Israel over Gaza ceasefire violations Iran Press TV Monday, 10 November 2025 7:16 PM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has called on mediators and the international community to pressure Israel to halt its deadly violations of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Marking one month since the truce took effect, Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the deal in a statement on Monday, urging "the mediators, guarantors, countries, and international organizations to continue working to pressure the Occupation and oblige it to stop its repeated violations." Hamas noted that Israel is violating the ceasefire agreement "on a daily and systematic basis," through killings, arrests, destruction of homes, and restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid and fuel to the besieged strip. "Since the agreement came into effect, 271 Palestinians have been killed, including 107 children and 39 women, and 622 others have been injured," the resistance group added. According to the statement, 35 Palestinians were kidnapped in violation of the deal and less than 200 trucks - out of the 600 agreed number- enter the strip per a day. The resistance movement said that Israel continues to block the Rafah crossing, leaving patients, students, and stranded civilians unable to travel, despite the truce agreement. Meanwhile, Hamas said that Israel returned the bodies of Palestinian martyrs "mutilated and crushed under tanks," regarding the acts as "full-fledged" war crimes, adding that Israel continues to withhold a complete list of Palestinian detainees from Gaza, providing "incomplete and inconsistent" data in violation of the deal. The statement warned that Israel's violations are aimed at undermining the agreement and thwarting efforts aimed to secure a long-lasting ceasefire. Israel has killed nearly 70,000 Palestinians since launching the genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, before a ceasefire deal, brokered by the United States, was reached in the strip last month. The initial phase of US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan took effect on October 10 and saw a prisoner exchange, but further stages have not been negotiated yet. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel blocks 5,000 UNRWA trucks from entering Gaza: UN official Iran Press TV Monday, 10 November 2025 6:12 PM About 5,000 UNRWA-owned trucks carrying humanitarian aid remain blocked from entering Gaza, a senior UN official said on Monday, underscoring the severe difficulties of delivering relief to the famine-hit territory. UNRWA's senior deputy director for Gaza operations, John Whyte, said Israel is refusing to allow the agency's trucks into the besieged strip. "They just won't let anything that's owned by UNRWA go in," he said, adding that Israel is demanding the removal of UNRWA branding and the transfer of supplies to other relief organizations before entry is permitted. "So they're requiring us to hand our supplies over to other agencies, who then bring them in. But we also have to take the UNRWA logo off everything, which causes us a lot of hassle." Last year, Israel banned UNRWA. Since the ban came into effect in January, the UN agency has not been able to operate in the Israeli-occupied territories. There are still 12,000 UNRWA workers operating in Gaza, but they've been cut off from their colleagues working outside the besieged strip, the UNRWA official added. "Now, because our staff are in there, they will continue to operate and deliver services, but obviously we are hampered because our supplies are not able to come in," Whyte said. In addition to the law banning UNRWA, Israel has more recently imposed new restrictions on other aid agencies and international NGOs, demanding they disclose sensitive information about their Palestinian employees. Some organizations have refused to do so, facing de-registration, meaning they cannot operate in Palestine. "All of this is trying to just undermine the humanitarian effort, which has been the case right throughout the war," Whyte said. The UN official stated that these obstacles are part of Israel's use of humanitarian aid as a weapon of war, and serve as evidence that Israel is "really trying to undermine every facet of Palestinian life in Gaza and to make the place unlivable, to the extent that they have almost succeeded in that." The primary target of Israeli restrictions has been UNRWA, the UN organization that essentially acts as a civil service for Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. UNRWA was founded in 1949 following the Nakba (Catastrophe), when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced from their homes by the occupying regime. Many of those refugees make up large portions of the populations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, living in refugee camps supported by the aid agency. Last month, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip, underscoring its legal obligation as an occupying entity to ensure Palestinians have access to essential goods for survival. ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa further stressed that Israel must "agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations and its entities," including UNRWA. The Hamas resistance movement has reiterated that Israel is failing to uphold the terms of the Gaza ceasefire agreement by refusing to reopen the crucial Rafah border crossing with Egypt. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah official: US demand for resistance disarmament aims to fragment Lebanon Iran Press TV Monday, 10 November 2025 3:13 PM Senior member of Hezbollah's Political Council, Mahmoud Qamati, has underscored that Lebanon's national unity and the preservation of the resistance's weapons are crucial to thwart the "existential threat" posed by Israel and the United States. "No political faction in Lebanon should align with the Israeli enemy, especially in the face of the real existential threat called 'Greater Israel'," Qamati stated during a memorial service on Monday. He added, "There's a declared project to place Lebanon under US and Israeli guardianship," adding that the US wants to strip the country of defense, economy, and basic survival because "it seeks to fragment Lebanon." "When we say we won't surrender our weapons, that's the minimum stance we can take in the face of this existential threat to Lebanon." Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Israeli media in August that he feels a deep connection to "this vision" of a "Greater Israel," referring to the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories as well as parts of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, and described it as "a historical and spiritual mission." Amid renewed American calls for Hezbollah's disarmament, a resistance movement that has for decades defended Lebanon against foreign aggression, particularly from Israel, Qamati asserted that Netanyahu's statement is a real threat to Lebanon and that the country has the sovereign right to reject external dictates. "It is our national right to reject US orders that seek to dictate our government's actions in the service of Israel," he stated. "This Syrian experience is evident before us, as it implements everything that is demanded of it by the Americans without objection. Nevertheless, this total submission has not prevented Israel from [conducting] daily attacks on Syria." "Israel's borders have reached the borders of Iraq," the Hezbollah official warned. Noting that there are major changes in the region that threaten "not only Lebanon but all Arab nations", Qamati said "we must hold on to our strength." His remarks come as the Lebanese government officials discussed the US proposal aimed at disarming Hezbollah and endorsed its "objectives" in August. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas reaffirms support for Gaza ceasefire, slams Israel's repeated violations Iran Press TV Monday, 10 November 2025 8:00 AM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas reaffirms its commitment to the Gaza ceasefire agreement, warning that Israel's "repeated violations" threaten the deal's successful implementation. "We are keen on making the ceasefire agreement successful, and we support its implementation," a senior Hamas leader, Ismail Radwan, said in an interview with the Al Jazeera news network published on Sunday. He added that the ceasefire agreement was intended to halt the killing of civilians, but 241 people have been killed since it took effect. He also criticized the limited flow of humanitarian aid into the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, noting that only 150 to 200 trucks are allowed to enter daily, which is far below the 600 figure that was agreed upon. The senior Hamas official emphasized that people in Gaza continue to suffer from famine and doctors and hospitals are in desperate need of medicine due to the ongoing Israeli blockade. Radwan urged the international community to exert pressure on Israel to reopen the Rafah crossing. He added that Hamas has informed mediators that it is ready to withdraw its fighters from the so-called yellow zone, and finalize the issue of Palestinian prisoners' bodies as soon as possible. Hamas and Israel agreed last month to the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire, aimed at ending the latter's two-year-long genocidal war against Palestinians in the besieged territory. The truce took effect on October 10, but Israel has continued to violate it by carrying out airstrikes, incursions, shootings, and arrests. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces remain stationed along the so-called yellow line and have been authorized to respond to perceived threats with lethal force. According to the Israeli military, anyone who crosses the line is considered an "imminent threat." The "yellow line," established under US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza plan, runs from south of northern Gaza down to the outskirts of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Palestinian officials say the so-called yellow line lacks any legal basis under international law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli forces plant, detonate explosives in two homes in southern Lebanon Iran Press TV Monday, 10 November 2025 7:37 AM Israeli troops have planted and detonated explosives in two homes near a Lebanese army checkpoint in the southern region of Hula. Lebanese journalist Khalil Nasrallah reported that Israeli soldiers entered the Subeih Hill area, northeast of the town of Hula in southern Lebanon, where they planted explosives in two houses and detonated them. According to Nasrallah, the hill lies near a Lebanese army checkpoint manned by several soldiers and one or two vehicles the only checkpoint in the area. He emphasized that the army personnel "are not to be blamed under any circumstances," noting that "their blood is precious." Nasrallah criticized the authorities who ordered the army to confront Israeli incursions "without reinforcing and strengthening its presence in sensitive border areas." In recent weeks, the Israeli military has intensified near-daily airstrikes across southern Lebanon, despite the truce agreed upon in November 2024. Israel was forced to accept a ceasefire with Hezbollah on November 27, 2024, after suffering heavy losses on the battlefield and failing to achieve its goals despite killing over 4,000 people in Lebanon. Since then, the Israeli military has kept attacking Lebanon on an almost daily basis and has refused to withdraw its occupation troops from the Arab country. The Israeli occupation forces remain positioned at five locations inside Lebanese territory and continue to shell parts of southern and eastern Lebanon, and Beirut's southern suburbs. The Israeli aggression has, since the November ceasefire, killed about 300 people and wounded more than 650, including women and children, according to the Lebanese government data. Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem criticized on Friday the US role in Lebanon, slamming Washington as a sponsor of aggression rather than an impartial mediator. According to a report by the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, former US President Joe Biden allowed Israel to continue bombing Lebanon, even after the ceasefire was reached between the occupying regime and Hezbollah. The report revealed that Michael Herzog, former Israeli ambassador to the US, disclosed during a Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP) conference that Israel had reached a "side understanding" with the Biden administration to continue to strike Lebanon despite Washington's role as a so-called guarantor of the ceasefire. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The EU Is Ready To Expand Again. But Who Will Be The Next Members, And When? By Rikard Jozwiak November 10, 2025 The European Commission's annual enlargement report appears to show the EU's executive is serious about adding new members by the time its five-year mandate ends in late 2029. And it has identified four candidates for that purpose: Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, and Ukraine. The November 4 report, the first issued since the new commission took office late last year, is designed to assess the progress (or lack thereof) of 10 EU hopefuls, which also include Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey. But this year the report took on a distinctly geopolitical tone. According to officials in Brussels, EU enlargement has become a thing again. The last country to join was Croatia back in 2013, and since then the bloc actually contracted for the first time ever when Britain left in 2020. The 2025 annual report states that the "this is the first Commission mandate since 2010-2014 where, given the accelerating pace of the process for some candidate countries, enlargement is a realistic possibility" and that the entire process "now moving faster than in the last 15 years." The change of pace has everything to do with Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine -- launched in 2022 -- with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noting that "geopolitical shifts make the case for enlargement clear-cut. Enlargement is not a nice-to-have; it is a necessity if we want to be a stronger player on the world stage." The Money's On Montenegro The smart money is on Montenegro being the next addition. Podgorica aims to wrap up EU accession talks by the end of 2026, and the report notes that the country "is on track to meet this ambitious objective." Ultimately, this isn't the call of the European Commission, nor the candidate countries. The 27 current EU member states decide via unanimity to open and close the 33 accession chapters covering all policy fields that EU hopefuls need to adopt in order to become a fully-fledged member. Podgorica has been negotiating for 13 years already, and while it has opened talks on all 33 chapters, it has managed to close just seven. However, most of those have been in the past 12 months, which shows a momentum toward accession. In December, it plans to close another five, but this might be a bit too optimistic according to EU diplomats contacted by RFE/RL. Worries remain, especially regarding the fight against organized crime and corruption and the independence of the judiciary. Thus, next year may be too soon, but word on the street says Montenegro very well might be "EU member state number 28 in '28." Albania The Next Best Bet Albania might be the next best bet for membership. The government in Tirana hopes to conclude talks in 2027, and the commission believes this is doable. Albania's candidate progress in the past 12 months has been nothing short of stunning: It has managed to open 28 of 33 chapters and is set to commence negotiations on the final five later this month. The key, however, is closing the chapters, and that is more difficult. Tirana also faces a PR challenge: While Albania is a growing tourist destination -- and plenty of Europeans are snapping up coastal properties there -- the country still carries the negative reputation of being a hotbed of organized crime. It's no surprise then that the European Commission recommends Tirana put even more effort into "investigations of drug traffickers and an increase in identifying and the dismantling of criminal groups." What About Moldova And Ukraine? Moldova and Ukraine, meanwhile, solidly remain "coupled" -- as they have since both applied for membership in 2022 -- despite rumors this year that they'll be separated. Forging its own path would have allowed Moldova to start accession talks as Ukraine has been blocked by Hungary for over a year and is likely to remain stalled until the next parliamentary election in the Central European country in April 2026. Moldova hopes to join in 2028, and Ukraine believes it could join at some point this decade despite the ongoing war. Both countries received the best assessments by the commission to date even though Kyiv was cautioned earlier this year about the influence of the special anti-corruption agencies NABU and SAP. While the countries remain blocked, all EU member states bar Hungary have agreed to continue the technical work with Chisinau and Kyiv while waiting to get the final political green light from Budapest that could come with a change of government next year. The idea is then to open as many chapters as possible immediately. The common belief in most EU capitals is that roughly half can be opened. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos even remarked, somewhat optimistically, that negotiations on all 33 can commence immediately if only Budapest would change its mind. Streamlining The Enlargement Process In the meantime, talks will continue on how to make the enlargement process more practical. The president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, floated the idea that only unanimity should be needed to start and finish accession talks -- a suggestion quickly shot down by EU member states that prefer to have several brakes to pull to slow down the process. Hungary isn't the only country having issues with its non-EU neighbors: Bulgaria is currently blocking North Macedonia, and Croatia wants to keep Serbia in check before Belgrade can join. Plenty of other types of political "test balloons" have also been released in recent weeks on how enlargement can work. There's been talk of not letting new members have voting rights on certain issues -- a sort of secondary membership that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy immediately dismissed when asked about it last week. The European Commission will in the meantime work on pre-enlargement policy reviews and reforms in order to assess the impact of new members on various policy areas. Kos already floated the idea of a mechanism to suspend voting rights or deny access to EU funds for new members in case of rule-of-law violations. All this is a clear nod to older, Western EU member states that have been lukewarm on expanding the club out of fear of "another Hungary" in reference to Viktor Orban's many rule-of-law transgressions and battles with Brussels over the years. The most likely way to make enlargement manageable is something used in the past: transition periods. This mechanism was used in the 2004 enlargement of eight Central and Eastern European countries, whose citizens, for example, weren't allowed to immediately seek work in other parts of the EU. Poland, with its large agrarian market, was also not fully integrated into the EU's single market overnight. A similar arrangement for Ukrainian agricultural products, which have caused political problems in parts of the club, would not be surprising. Of the four candidate countries, Ukraine has the most uphill battle ahead, given its size and the challenges of the war. It will be much easier for the EU to "absorb" Albania, Moldova, and Montenegro. Kos alluded to the fact that the population of Montenegro, at roughly 600,000, is the same as the Belgian port city of Antwerp, and that Albania and Moldova, with fewer than 3 million citizens each, are like Rome. Don't be surprised if these countries are EU members 28, 29, and 30. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/europe-enlargement-jozwiak- albania-moldova-montenegro-ukraine/33586153.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's Shoigu Calls Legal Basis Only Way to Resolve Conflict Between Israel, Palestine Sputnik News 20251110 CAIRO (Sputnik) - A comprehensive settlement of the conflict between Israel and Palestine based on international law is the only viable solution, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said on Monday. "We welcome Cairo's assistance in resolving regional conflicts, particularly in the Gaza Strip. We are convinced that a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on a well-established international legal basis has been and remains the only viable solution that would guarantee lasting peace for all peoples of the Middle East," Shoigu said during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi. Russia is closely monitoring the developments in the Middle East and North Africa, Shoigu added. "Moscow is grateful for Egypt's balanced and responsible position on the Ukrainian issue, and to you personally for advancing initiatives to mediate a peaceful resolution," Shoigu also said. Russia considers it important to maintain the appropriate level of bilateral contacts between the defense ministries, security agencies, law enforcement agencies, and financial intelligence agencies, Shoigu also said, inviting experts from various ministries and agencies of Egypt's security apparatus to the International Security Forum, which will be held in Moscow next May. In turn, the Egyptian presidential office said that Sisi reaffirmed Egypt's full support for all initiatives aimed at "settling the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and reaching a comprehensive peace." Shoigu is on a visit to Egypt to hold talks with high-ranking political and military officials. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thailand Pauses Peace Deal With Cambodia After Mine Blast - Prime Minister Sputnik News 20251110 BANGKOK (Sputnik) - Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the suspension of a peace deal with Cambodia on Monday after a landmine explosion injured two Thai soldiers during a border patrol mission. "Everything we were doing must be immediately suspended. I have instructed the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to act solely in Thailand's interests going forward," Anutin told a briefing, recorded by the state-run Thai PBS broadcaster. Earlier in the day, the Thai military said that two soldiers had been injured by a landmine on the border with Cambodia. One soldier lost his foot while the other suffered a severe concussion. This was the seventh landmine explosion since May. Six Thai soldiers have been maimed. The mines were placed on regular border patrol routes where there had been no such blasts prior to the 2025 Thai-Cambodian border conflict. The new landmine incident demonstrates Cambodia's continued spirit of hostility, the Thai prime minister said. "I fully support the Thai armed forces and will back any action they deem appropriate at this time," Anutin said. Thailand claims that the mines were laid by Cambodian troops. Cambodia denies that new mines have been laid and alleges that Thai soldiers have been patrolling on Cambodian soil, which is littered with mines dating back to the Cambodian Civil War. The decades-long border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia turned into an armed conflict on July 24, with the neighbors exchanging artillery fire and airstrikes. Both sides reported casualties, including among civilians. On August 4, they announced an immediate ceasefire, which was followed by a formal agreement on its implementation days later. The Ottawa Treaty, also known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines and provides for their destruction. It was signed in the Canadian capital of Ottawa in 1997 and went into effect in 1999. Both Thailand and Cambodia are parties to the convention. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkiye Claims 200 Civilians Trapped in Tunnels Under Gaza - Reports Sputnik News 20251110 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Approximately 200 civilians are trapped in tunnels under the Gaza Strip, and Turkiye is working to ensure their safe return home, Reuters reported, citing a high-ranking Turkish official. "We are working to ensure the safe passage of some 200 Gazan civilians currently trapped in the tunnels," the official told the agency. Earlier, media reported that the US was pressuring Israel to allow 150 militants of the Palestinian movement Hamas to leave the Gaza tunnels in exchange for their disarmament. According to the publication, the militants are underground in the south of the Gaza Strip, but inside the "yellow line" controlled by the Israeli army as part of the ceasefire. A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip came into effect on October 10. As part of this agreement with Israel, Hamas released 20 hostages who had been held in Gaza since October 7, 2023; thus, all remaining living hostages were released. In response, Israel released about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from prisons, including terrorists sentenced to life imprisonment. Currently, Hamas is returning to Israel the remains of hostages who died in captivity. To date, the Palestinian side has returned the bodies of 22 hostages to Israel, which have been identified. According to Israeli data, there are six more bodies of deceased hostages in Gaza. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ceasefire in Gaza Fragile, We Shouldn't Be Complacent - Russian Envoy to UN Sputnik News 20251110 UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is quite fragile, and we shouldn't be complacent, Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said in an interview with Sputnik. "Everyone [at the UN] is focused [on Gaza] because a monstrous tragedy has occurred there over these two years. Thank God that a ceasefire has been reached. It's quite fragile, we shouldn't be complacent. This ceasefire must continue," he said. Nebenzia noted that with this important step, "we cannot throw the baby out with the bathwater" forgetting about the two-state solution to the Palestinian problem, which has been an unfulfilled UN mandate for 80 years. The ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip came into effect on October 10. As part of this agreement with Israel, Hamas released 20 hostages who had been held in Gaza since October 7, 2023; thus, all remaining living hostages were released. In response, Israel released about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from prisons, including terrorists sentenced to life imprisonment. According to Russia's position, a settlement is possible only on the basis of the formula approved by the UN Security Council with the creation of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Budrys US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson November 10, 2025 The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys to discuss bilateral and regional issues. The Secretary applauded Lithuania's decision to spend over 5 percent of GDP on defense in 2026 and thanked Lithuania for providing excellent host nation support to U.S. rotational troops. The Secretary and Minister Budrys also discussed opportunities to increase bilateral investment and trade, to strengthen our defense industrial base, and to expand access to U.S. energy solutions, including liquified natural gas and small modular nuclear reactors. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Small arms trafficking is a transnational threat: UK statement at the UN Security Council Speech Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Charge d'Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Small Arms. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and James Kariuki CMG Published 10 November 2025 Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 10 November 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) As the Secretary-General's report highlights, diversion of illicit small arms and light weapons persists across the entire weapon lifecycle - from the point of manufacture, transfer, and storage, to their eventual use or disposal. This is exacerbated by porous borders, poor stockpile management, and emerging challenges such as 3D printing. Disrupting this pattern is critical to protecting lives in conflict zones and preventing armed violence. I will make three points. First, illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons is a transnational threat. The UK supports capacity-building and cross-regional collaboration to enforce arms embargoes, improve tracing, and strengthen stockpile management. Through the UK-supported AmTag pilot programme, Somalia has become the first country to deploy chemical taggants which will begin to render its national ammunition stockpiles fully traceable. We commend and support regional and sub-regional approaches, including the African Union's Silencing the Guns initiative. The UK is proud to fund the Nairobi Protocol review, led by the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA) and the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), underlining our commitment to tackling this threat at the regional level. Second, multilateral instruments and transparency mechanisms remain vital. The Programme of Action, the Arms Trade Treaty, the Global Framework, and the UN Register of Conventional Arms all play a role in preventing diversion, promoting responsible transfers, and strengthening national controls. The UK looks forward to contributing to the Programme of Action's expert group on emerging technologies to address challenges posed by polymer, modular, and 3D-printed weapons and to explore opportunities for improved marking and tracing. Finally, illicit weapons diversion disproportionately affects women and girls. The UN estimates that 70 to 90 percent of conflict-related sexual violence incidents involve weapons and firearms. As we commemorate this year the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, effective conventional arms control can play a vital role in prevention. Women should be at the centre of these efforts. The UK remains committed to working to strengthen sanctions enforcement, enhance arms control, and support disarmament and post-conflict stabilisation efforts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 10 November 2025 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General. ** COP30 All right, good afternoon, everyone. This morning, at the opening plenary of COP30 (30th Conference of Parties) in Belem, Brazil, Simon Stiell, the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, said that ten years ago in Paris, we were designing the future a future that would clearly see the curve of emissions bend downwards. He pointed out that the emissions curve has been bent downwards, but we must move much faster both on reductions of emissions and strengthening resilience. Mr. Stiell emphasized that we don't need to wait for late nationally determined contributions to slowly trickle in to spot the gap and design the innovations necessary to tackle it. He added that the economics of this transition are as indisputable as the costs of inaction. As you know, the Secretary-General was in Belem last week, where he participated at the Belem Climate Summit. On Friday afternoon, he spoke at a session on 10 years of the Paris Agreement: NDCs and Financing. He said that a temporary overshoot above 1.5C starting at the latest in the early 2030s is now inevitable. But, he added, we can manage the scale and duration of that overshoot and bring temperatures back down, if we take serious action now. The Secretary-General called on all at COP30 to renew the great promise the world made a decade ago in Paris by kickstarting a new decade of implementation and acceleration. And I also want to flag that today, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) released its latest numbers updating the recent NDC Synthesis report. It shows that new NDCs, including many received in recent days, will reduce emissions by 12 per cent in 2035. The Framework Convention highlighted that every fraction of a degree of heating avoided will save millions of lives and billions of dollars in climate damages. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory Turning to Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that one month into the ceasefire, efforts to ramp up aid are still being held back by red tape, ongoing bans on key humanitarian partners, too few crossings and routes, and insecurity that persists despite the ceasefire. Over the weekend, our teams reported shelling and navy fire in different parts of Gaza though at much lower levels than before the ceasefire. In some areas, our teams still have to coordinate every movement in advance with the Israeli authorities. Yesterday, we made eight coordination attempts. Only two were fully facilitated, and four were impeded on the ground including one that was delayed for 10 hours before the team finally received a green light to move. Despite the challenges, the UN and our partners are seizing every opportunity to expand operations. Yesterday, UN agencies kicked off the catch-up campaign for routine immunization, nutrition and growth monitoring which we mentioned last week. UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) are carrying out the campaign with partners, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. The campaign focuses on children who missed earlier vaccination campaigns and aims to reach 44,000 children overall. Today, WHO reported that Al Kheir Hospital in Khan Younis resumed operations last week after being forced out of service following attacks in February 2024. The agency supported its rehabilitation by restoring water, sanitation, power and structural systems, and providing essential medical equipment and medicines. WHO also set up a new 20-bed nutrition stabilization centre at the hospital to treat children with acute and severe malnutrition. This brings the total across Gaza to seven such centres, with 70 inpatient beds in all. Between Wednesday and Friday, our humanitarian partners provided mental health and psychosocial support services to 1,500 children and 500 caregivers in different locations across the south. They received help with emotional expression and stress reduction, with messaging on the prevention of child abuse. Over the weekend, our humanitarian partners distributed nearly 40,000 winter clothing kits and pairs of shoes to children under 10. The UN and our partners are also distributing blankets to hospitals and other locations including nearly 50,000 blankets between Wednesday and Saturday alone. Since the ceasefire, over the past month, our humanitarian partners have been providing water trucking services through 2,000 locations across the Gaza Strip. They've also distributed 15,000 hygiene kits and restored some domestic water supply in the Az Zaytoun neighbourhood of Gaza City by repairing a critical water line in the area. ** Sudan Moving to Sudan: Our humanitarian colleagues warn that the crisis in North Darfur State is deepening as violence spreads beyond the state capital, El Fasher. Following the Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) takeover of the city on 26 October, clashes continue to be reported along key access routes, trapping civilians and cutting off aid. Since that date, nearly 89,000 people have fled El Fasher and nearby villages, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Many have sought refuge in the localities of Tawila, Melit and Saraf Omra, while others have travelled to Dabbah in Northern State. In Tawila and Dabbah, we and our partners are providing food, clean water, sanitation, healthcare and psychosocial support, among other essential aid, but needs far exceed the available resources. Some families from El Fasher have sought refuge in the locality of Tina, near the Sudan-Chad border, where local volunteers report that more than 3,000 displaced people urgently need food, shelter and healthcare. Across the border in eastern Chad, already overwhelmed host communities and our partners are preparing for new arrivals as people continue to seek safety and assistance. Meanwhile, violence is intensifying in the Kordofan region, resulting in mounting civilian casualties and new waves of displacement. The World Health Organization says it verified an attack on Dilling Hospital in South Kordofan State on 6 November that killed and injured people. The agency notes that this is the 192nd verified attack on health facilities in Sudan since April 2023. In neighbouring North Kordofan State, IOM says that as of yesterday, violence reported across the localities of Bara, Sheikan, Rahad, Um Rawaba and Um Dam Haj Ahmed displaced nearly 39,000 people over the prior two weeks. Partners report that more than 10,000 people have sought safety in White Nile State, while others have fled to Omdurman locality in Khartoum State and other parts of North Kordofan. Once again, we call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, an end to attacks on hospitals and civilian infrastructure, and safe, unhindered access for aid to reach those in need across Sudan. ** Ukraine From Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that over the weekend, large-scale attacks and hostilities caused civilian casualties and disrupted critical services across the country. Local authorities report that between 7 November and early this morning, at least 15 civilians were killed and more than 70 others injured as hostilities continued nationwide. On the night of 8 November, a wave of missile and drone strikes affected the regions of Chernihiv, Dnipro, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava and Sumy, according to the authorities and aid workers. On the same day, a clearly marked humanitarian evacuation vehicle came under a drone attack in the front-line town of Kostiantynivka, in the region of Donetsk. The passengers managed to escape before the vehicle was destroyed and were not injured. The Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, condemned the attack, emphasizing that humanitarians must be protected. These attacks also damaged energy and residential infrastructure in several regions, including Chernihiv, Odesa and Poltava. They disrupted electricity, heating and water supply, making it even harder for vulnerable people to cope amid cold temperatures. Major cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa are experiencing power outages, with electricity available only for a few hours a day. In the city of Kharkiv, heating and water services remain disrupted, and public electric transport is partially suspended. OCHA tells us that the UN and our humanitarian partners quickly mobilized, providing emergency shelter materials, blankets, hygiene items, hot drinks and psychosocial support in several areas, including the Dnipro, Kherson and Odesa regions. ** Philippines Turning to the Philippines, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that super typhoon Fung-Wong, locally known as Uwan, made landfall yesterday. The storm hit the northern parts of the island of Luzon, following one of the largest coastal evacuations ever carried out in the Philippines. The Government is taking the lead in response and early recovery efforts. But as we mentioned last week, as part of efforts to get ahead of the typhoon, UN agencies and our partners have already provided cash assistance and reinforced shelters. With early warnings in place, more than 1.3 million people were pre-emptively evacuated in 13 out of 18 regions across the country. As of today, more than 480,000 people remain displaced, with over 6,000 evacuation centres operating today. Food, tents, hygiene kits and other supplies were prepositioned. OCHA continues to work closely with authorities and humanitarian agencies to assess damage and plan the response. Strong typhoons such as Fung-Wong will unfortunately be more likely as the climate crisis drives sea temperatures in the region higher, making our joint preparedness work more important than ever. Arnaud Peral, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Philippines, today commended the Government and first responders for their efficient preparedness, pre-emptive evacuations and other timely responses, which he said undoubtedly saved lives. ** Security Council Earlier today, Adedeji Ebo, Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, briefed Security Council members on small arms and light weapons. He said that since the Council's last briefing on this matter two years ago, progress has been made on controlling small arms and light weapons. Yet over one billion firearms remain in circulation, fuelling violence, terrorism, and organized crime. He warned that the misuse of such weapons has led to rising civilian deaths and deep socioeconomic impacts. Mr. Ebo reiterated the Secretary-General's calls for Member States to strengthen cooperation with UN mechanisms and to rebalance military spending towards peacebuilding and sustainable security. ** Science Day for Peace and Development Today is World Science Day for Peace and Development. This year's theme, "Trust, Transformation, and Tomorrow: The Science We Need for 2050", underscores science's importance in achieving global goals and building a sustainable future. ** Questions and Answers Deputy Spokesman : That's it for me. Are there any questions? Yes, Edie. Question : Thank you very much, Farhan. I see in the weeks that I've been on vacation that the amount of aid going into Gaza has increased, but certainly not significantly to the levels that the UN had hoped for, and that only two border crossings still are open. What's the holdup in opening more crossings, as the UN has been lobbying for over a month now? Deputy Spokesman : Well, the holdup is on the Israeli side. We've been asking them and trying to coordinate with them to get more crossings opened, but they still have not done so. We're continuing to be in touch with them. We believe that with the ceasefire in place, there's no reason not to have border crossings opened, including from Egypt and the south, and to have better access to the north. Question : And on Sudan, what is the UN doing to try to get a ceasefire that actually is working and to get someone into North Darfur, especially in the El Fasher area, to determine exactly what has happened and what is going on? Deputy Spokesman : Well, our main effort is with the Secretary-General's personal Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra. As you know, Mr. Lamamra has invited both parties separately to enter into technical talks with the United Nations, and those would be focused on de-escalation and the protection of civilians. And he has been in consultations with African Union, with IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) and others, trying to push this forward. And he's also, of course, dealt with members of the Quad, which comprises Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. So we're trying to work with all of those partners to get a ceasefire on the ground, to get unimpeded humanitarian access, and, again, to get the parties to de-escalate the situation. But so far, there's no real progress to report on that. Question : From either side? Deputy Spokesman : From either side. Abdelhamid? Question : Thank you, Farhan. The news says that the US now is in control of Gaza. What can you tell us about that? Deputy Spokesman : I tell you what we say, not what the news says. Obviously, you would need to check with the media outlets what they're reporting on. What we are doing is, as you know, the aid efforts that I detailed at the start of this briefing, and we're trying to see what actions are taken by other bodies, including by the Security Council. As you know, the Security Council is in discussions about a draft resolution, and we'll see how that goes. Question : My second question about the situation in general in Gaza. Not one single day passes without Israeli killing some Palestinians, including today. And they also bulldozed some houses in Khan Younis. Same thing in Lebanon, same thing in the West Bank. Where things are going with this country called Israel? Deputy Spokesman : Well, at the start of today's briefing, I don't think you were there for that, but we did point to the fact that the insecurity still persists despite the ceasefire, and that we've reported shelling and navy fire in different parts of Gaza over the weekend. So although that is happening at lower levels than before the ceasefire, it's still happening, and that's a concern. The Secretary-General, as you know, has repeatedly called on the parties to respect the ceasefire, and we will continue to work with our partners on that. Question : Lastly, on Friday, two children, both of them 16 years old, in the village of Al Jadir, which is next to Ramallah, were gunned down, Muhammad Taym, 16, and Muhammad Rashad, 16. Why killing Palestinian children do not show in those briefing by name and by incident, not only just in general? Deputy Spokesman : I believe we mentioned the killing of children last Friday. Look at what I said in last Friday's briefing. [cross-talk] Question : About these two children in particular? Deputy Spokesman : I believe I mentioned the killings of children that happened that day, on Friday. Look again at the briefing notes. Yes. Alex, in the back. Oh, sorry. Sorry. Sorry. It's Gabriel? Question : Yes. Yes. Deputy Spokesman : You know, my eyes are so bad that, far back, I couldn't see you. Right. Gabriel? Question : Yes. All right. Thank you, Farhan. Does the Secretary-General condemn the attacks by Israeli settlers against civilian Palestinian civilians in the West Bank over the weekend, including a female journalist from Reuters? Deputy Spokesman : Yes. We do, we condemn the settler attacks, and, of course, we are opposed to all attacks on journalists everywhere in the world. Yeah. Yes? Question : Does the Secretary-General think that there is any justification for Israel continuing to block international journalists' access to all of Gaza? Deputy Spokesman : We have never thought that there is a justification for blocking journalists. Not in Gaza, not anywhere. And we believe that journalists need to be free to go about their work. Yes? Question : What does the Secretary-General have to say on the absence of the United States at COP30? Deputy Spokesman : Well, I mean, obviously, it makes a difference whether countries show up or not at high levels. As far as I'm aware, 194 countries plus the European Union are registered to participate in COP30. So all but a few countries are participating. But at the end of the day, regardless of whether countries participate or not at the Government level, this is a crisis that affects all the peoples in the world. Businesses will be involved. Different communities will be involved. And so we believe that there is going to be widespread involvement, regardless of the decisions taken by a small number of governments. Yes, Jordan? Question : Israel announced today that they are about to conduct military exercise in West Bank and Jordan Valley. Is there any concern from the SG? Deputy Spokesman : We have made clear our concerns about activities in the West Bank. Obviously, when there are security operations, we believe that they should be conducted in such a way as to spare civilians. But we want to make sure that the status quo in the West Bank is upheld. Question : It's about... my question was about exercises, not operation. But since you mentioned the word operation, do you approve Israel to have operation in West Bank, security operation? Do you approve? Do you agree? Deputy Spokesman : We're aware that there have been security operations. We've made our concerns known about those operations. And as I just said to you, from our standpoint, the point is that any security operations need to be conducted with respect for the laws and with respect for steps taken to make sure that civilians are protected. Okay. Question : Are those operations legal when it's in occupied territory? Deputy Spokesman : We've made our standpoint on that clear across this. I would refer you to a number of UN resolutions and, of course, the work done recent... just the decision made recently by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). All right. Have a good afternoon, everyone. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At Chad's fragile Sudan border, UN and partners redouble connectivity drive for refugees and hosts UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Press releases At Chad's fragile Sudan border, UN and partners redouble connectivity drive for refugees and hosts 10 November 2025 N'DJAMENA -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and ITU, the UN agency for digital technologies, are expanding efforts with partners in Chad and other refugee-hosting countries to ensure that millions of forcibly displaced people and local communities are connected by 2030. Wrapping up a two-day joint visit to Chad on Friday, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, President of the GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation John Giusti and UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly T. Clements saw first-hand how connectivity is transforming the lives of vulnerable communities. Across the country, Sudanese refugees and Chadians are using digital tools to access education, financial services and health care - taking steps toward greater stability and self-reliance. While in Chad, the partners sought to cement the regulatory and infrastructure framework to expand the Connectivity for Refugees (CfR) initiative. Launched in 2023 during the Global Refugee Forum as a pledge to mobilize resources so all major refugee hosting areas have available and affordable connectivity by 2030, it has evolved into a private-public partnership active in countries including Chad, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mauritania, Egypt, and Rwanda. Each programme is tailored to local needs, mapping communities most in need to expand connectivity. "In Chad, we witnessed first-hand how connectivity can restore dignity and hope for displaced people and host communities," said ITU's Bogdan-Martin. "The Connectivity for Refugees initiative opens doors to digital opportunity in places where connection to the Internet is a lifeline, not a luxury. Now more than ever, we must act and extend that lifeline so that no one is left behind." "Too many people view refugees as passive victims, but we saw in Chad their drive to connect, to learn and enhance their lives and future prospects," said UNHCR's Clements. "Our goal is ambitious - connecting 20 million forcibly displaced people and their hosts by 2030. We've shifted gears and are starting to deliver results which will help create resilient, inclusive communities. But we need to keep pushing." Chad is home to around 1.5 million refugees, mainly Sudanese. Its government is committed to digital inclusion through its development plan, Tchad Connexion 2030, which integrates refugee needs into the broader digital infrastructure. Local mobile operators Airtel Chad and Moov have made infrastructure upgrades to help connect the isolated east of the country. Emergency.LU, a public-private partnership funded by Luxembourg enabling high-performance satellite connectivity, is being deployed across several locations in Chad. Four connected centres are being established in Djabal, Farchana, Idrimi and Oure Cassoni settlements, serving as learning hubs for Sudanese refugees and host communities alike. UNHCR is calling on partners across sectors to help scale up this work to meet the urgent needs of millions. This includes expanding infrastructure and lifting regulatory barriers to individual access for displaced people. To achieve this, Connectivity for Refugees is seeking at least $20 million in core support, with at least $200 million in direct investment and contributions. Driving global efforts to bridge the digital divide, ITU works with telecom regulators and industry leaders to develop innovative digital solutions for underserved regions. Its Partner2Connect Digital Coalition has mobilized commitments from over 70 governments, companies and other organizations to unlock connectivity solutions for refugees, while its Disaster Connectivity Map provides critical data to guide interventions in crisis-stricken regions like Chad. The GSMA is a founding member of the Connectivity for Refugees Initiative, serving as a bridge between mobile network operators and humanitarian organizations. GSMA's Giusti added: "Connectivity is often the first thing people ask for when crossing a border seeking safety. This unique partnership with UNHCR and ITU allows the GSMA to broker scalable and sustainable connectivity solutions to support forcibly displaced people and the communities that host them around the world." UNHCR is also deepening its engagement with development actors like the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC), seeking to allocate portions of large-scale digital infrastructure projects to refugee-hosting areas. About UNHCR: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Our vision is a world where every person forced to flee can build a better future. About ITU: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations agency for digital technologies, driving innovation for people and the planet with 194 Member States and a membership of over 1,000 companies, universities, civil society, and international and regional organizations. Established in 1865, ITU coordinates the global use of the radio spectrum and satellite orbits, establishes international technology standards, drives universal connectivity and digital services, and is helping to make sure everyone benefits from sustainable digital transformation, including the most remote communities. From artificial intelligence (AI) to quantum, from satellites and submarine cables to advanced mobile and wireless broadband networks, ITU is committed to connecting the world and beyond. Learn more: www.itu.int NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Refugee camps set to be uninhabitable by 2050 as extreme weather worsens 10 November 2025 - At least 117 million people have been displaced by war, violence and persecution, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Monday, while highlighting how much their plight is tied to the growing climate crisis. "Whether it is floods sweeping South Sudan and Brazil, record-breaking heat in Kenya and Pakistan, or water shortages in Chad and Ethiopia, extreme weather is pushing already fragile communities to the brink," the UN agency said. Over the past decade, weather-related disasters accounted for 250 million internal displacements, the equivalent of around 70,000 every day, or two displacements every three seconds. Returns to Syria and Afghanistan this year have contributed to lower global displacement than in 2024. Frontline struggle In a new report, UNHCR also pointed out that three in four of all those who've been uprooted now live in countries where frontline communities face "high-to-extreme" exposure to climate-related hazards. "Extreme weather is putting people's safety at greater risk; it is disrupting access to essential services, destroying homes and livelihoods and forcing families - many who have already fled violence - to flee once more," said Filippo Grandi, the outgoing UN High Commissioner for Refugees. "These are people who have already endured immense loss, and now they face the same hardships and devastation again. They are among the hardest hit by severe droughts, deadly floods and record-breaking heatwaves, yet they have the fewest resources to recover." Protection system strung out Around the world, basic survival systems for refugees are already under strain, UNHCR warned. In parts of flood-affected Chad, for instance, newly arrived refugees fleeing the war in neighbouring Sudan receive fewer than 10 litres of water a day, which is far below emergency standards. Evidence also indicates that by 2050, the hottest refugee camps could face nearly 200 days of extreme heat stress per year, with serious risks to health and survival. "Many of these locations are likely to become uninhabitable due to the deadly combination of extreme heat and high humidity," the UN refugee agency maintained. African land degradation threat It noted that 1.2 million refugees returned home in early 2025 but half of this number arrived in "climate-vulnerable" areas. Meanwhile, UNHCR also noted that a full 75 per cent of land across the continent of Africa is deteriorating and that more than one in two refugee settlements are located in "high stress" areas. "This is shrinking access to food, water and income," the UN agency insisted, driving recruitment to armed groups in parts of the Sahel, fuelling conflict and repeated displacement. Despite rising needs, funding shortfalls and what UNHCR calls "a deeply inequitable climate finance system" have left millions unprotected. Today, conflict-affected countries that host refugees receive only one quarter of the climate finance they need, while the vast majority of global climate funding never reaches displaced communities or their hosts. "Funding cuts are severely limiting our ability to protect refugees and displaced families from the effects of extreme weather," Mr. Grandi said, speaking on the opening day of the UN COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil. "If we want stability, we must invest where people are most at risk," the UNHCR chief added. "To prevent further displacement, climate financing needs to reach the communities already living on the edge. They cannot be left alone. This COP must deliver real action, not empty promises." Key UNHCR report findings: Three in every four refugees or people displaced by conflict are currently living in countries facing high-to-extreme exposure to climate-related hazards. 1.2 million refugees returned home in early 2025, half to climate-vulnerable areas. 75 per cent of land in Africa is deteriorating, with over half of refugee settlements in high-stress areas. Nearly all current refugee settlements will face an unprecedented rise in hazardous heat. By 2050, the hottest fifteen refugee camps in the world - located in Gambia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Senegal and Mali - are projected to face nearly 200 days or more of hazardous heat stress per year. By 2040, the number of countries facing extreme climate hazards could rise from three to 65. Since April 2023, nearly 1.3 million people fleeing the conflict in Sudan have sought refuge in South Sudan and Chad, two countries among the least equipped to cope with the growing climate emergency. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gazans continue heading home as 'fragile ceasefire' holds 10 November 2025 - A month into the ceasefire in Gaza, families continue to slowly head back to their former homes and communities wherever access is allowed, the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA, said on Monday. Staff remain on the ground providing lifesaving services, and some 100 UNRWA shelters are housing more than 75,000 displaced people, according to a tweet. Following two years of deadly conflict, a "catch-up" campaign to immunise some 44,000 children under the age of three against measles, mumps and other illnesses kicked off on Sunday. They will also be screened for malnutrition. Khawla, a mother-of-three from Beit Lahia in the north, told the UN that she arrived at a vaccination point in the Nussirat area on foot "just to get my children vaccinated and to make sure my daughter stays healthy too." UN access critical UN aid coordination office OCHA added that "across Gaza, partners supported by the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund are helping families replant fields, learn in safety, access protection services and more" and "these efforts are offering a fragile but vital lifeline." In an opinion piece first published in The Guardian, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini wrote that the "fragile ceasefire - the first phase of US president Donald Trump's 20-point plan - offers some respite to an exhausted population." He warned, however, that "there is still much to worry about" as "access to shelter, food and clean water remains challenging" as winter fast approaches. "The UN, including UNRWA, has the expertise and the resources to address critical humanitarian needs effectively and at scale" but "must be allowed to work freely and independently", he said. Mr. Lazzarini stressed that "a truly peaceful future requires a genuine investment in a definitive political solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict." He added that "justice needs to be delivered, and healing seriously addressed by both Palestinian and Israeli societies." Red tape still blocking aid Meanwhile, efforts to ramp up aid are still being hampered by red tape, ongoing bans on key humanitarian partners, too few border crossings and routes, as well as persistent insecurity, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told journalists in New York. This past weekend, teams reported shelling and navy fire in different parts of the Strip "though at much lower levels than before the ceasefire." In some areas, teams still have to coordinate every movement in advance with the Israeli authorities. On Sunday, only two out of eight coordination attempts were fully facilitated. Four were impeded on the ground - including one that was delayed for 10 hours. Despite the challenges, the UN and partners "are seizing every opportunity to expand operations." Damaged hospital rehabilitated Mr. Haq said the Al Kheir Hospital in Khan Younis resumed operations last week after being forced out of service following attacks in February 2024. The World Health Organization (WHO) supported the rehabilitation by restoring water, sanitation, power and structural systems, and providing essential medical equipment and medicines. "WHO also set up a new 20-bed nutrition stabilization centre at the hospital to treat children with acute and severe malnutrition. This brings the total across Gaza to seven such centres, with 70 inpatient beds in all," said Mr. Haq. Psychosocial support, winter clothing and water Between Wednesday and Friday, humanitarian partners reached 1,500 children and 500 caregivers in southern Gaza with mental health and psychosocial support. Nearly 40,000 winter clothing kits and pairs of shoes have been distributed to children under 10. Around 50,000 blankets were delivered between Wednesday and Saturday to hospitals and other sites. Water trucking continues across 2,000 locations in Gaza, restoring access to safe water. Partners have also distributed 15,000 hygiene kits and repaired a key water line in Gaza City's Az Zaytoun neighbourhood, restoring part of the domestic supply. West Bank 'lifeline' UNRWA also "remains a lifeline" in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where an Israeli military operation in the north, launched at the beginning of the year, has resulted in displacement and destruction. At the same time, settler violence has been escalating amid a shrinking humanitarian space. The Director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank, Roland Friedrich, said the agency has over 4,600 staff there, making it the second biggest service provider and employer after the Palestinian Authority. They support over 930,000 registered refugees across the territory. Healthcare and education More than 48,000 children attend 96 UNRWA schools five days a week while 43 health facilities have carried out more than 700,000 medical consultations so far this year. "We have 270,000 vulnerable Palestinian refugees that benefit from social protection, from cash assistance," he said in a video posted on social media. "And we do that in a context, in a humanitarian situation, that is the most severe that the West Bank has seen since 1967." Wide-ranging impact Mr. Friedrich said the "unprecedented escalation of violence" in the north has displaced more than 30,000 people from three refugee camps. "UNRWA remains a lifeline," he said. "We make a distinct contribution, not only to addressing the humanitarian needs of Palestine refugees in the West Bank, and to improving their livelihood and their welfare, but we also make a distinct contribution to stability on the ground and in the region." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address World News in Brief: Ukraine war update, Philippines typhoon latest, demographic shift in Europe and Central Asia 10 November 2025 - TThe UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reported large-scale attacks and hostilities in Ukraine over the weekend which caused widespread civilian casualties and disrupted critical services across the country. Between Friday and early morning Monday, at least 15 civilians were killed and over 70 were injured, according to OCHA. On Saturday night, missile and drone attacks affected 10 regions: Chernihiv, Dnipro, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava and Sumy. Matthias Schmale, the humanitarian coordinator for the country, condemned the attacks, saying "civilians and civilian objects are fully protected under international humanitarian law, and are not a target." Power outages in major cities The attacks also disrupted electricity, heating and water supply, making it even harder for vulnerable people to cope amid cold winter temperatures. Energy and residential infrastructure were damaged in many regions including Chernihiv, Odesa and Poltava, while major cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa are experiencing power outages, with electricity available only for a few hours a day. The UN and partners quickly mobilized to provide emergency shelter materials, blankets, hygiene items, hot drinks and psychosocial support in several areas, OCHA said. Philippines: Typhoon Fung-Wong displaces hundreds of thousands The UN is supporting Government-led efforts in the Philippines after Super Typhoon Fung-Wong - locally known as Uwan - slammed into northern Luzon on Sunday, triggering massive evacuations and widespread disruption. According to aid coordination office, OCHA, more than 1.3 million people were evacuated across 13 of the country's 18 regions before the storm made landfall, in one of the Philippines' largest ever pre-emptive operations. Over 480,000 people remain displaced, sheltering in some 6,000 evacuation centres. The Government is leading the emergency response, with UN agencies and partners providing support. Life-saving early warnings Cash assistance has already been distributed, while food, tents, hygiene kits and other supplies were pre-positioned in advance. The World Food Programme (WFP) said its teams were on standby and assessing needs in affected areas, with ready-to-eat meals and rice stocks prepared for distribution in coordination with national authorities. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Arnaud Peral praised the Philippines' swift evacuations and early warning systems, saying they had "undoubtedly saved lives". OCHA warned that more intense typhoons like Fung-Wong are likely as climate change warms regional seas, underscoring the need for stronger preparedness. Demographic shifts reshape Europe and Central Asia Europe is getting older while parts of Central Asia are seeing a surge in young people - a population divide that could transform economies and societies across the region, according to a new UN report. The analysis warns that Europe's shrinking, ageing workforce and low birth rates are putting pressure on health systems, pensions and labour markets, while Central Asia's expanding youth population offers both opportunity and challenge if decent jobs and education can keep pace. Jobs challenge Experts say countries need to rethink how they prepare for the future - by widening access to quality jobs; encouraging women, migrants and older people to participate in the workforce, and investing in lifelong learning and social protection. The joint brief, released by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), calls for stronger policies that make economies more inclusive and resilient. Demographic change, it notes, isn't just about numbers; it's about how societies adapt to ensure that everyone, regardless of age or background, can contribute and benefit from growth. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Philippines, Ukraine UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Occupied Palestinian Territory Challenges persist amid efforts to scale up Gaza humanitarian response The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that one month into the ceasefire, efforts to ramp up aid in the Gaza Strip are still being held back by red tape, ongoing bans on key humanitarian partners, too few crossings and routes, and insecurity that persists despite the ceasefire. Over the weekend, shelling and navy fire were reported in different parts of Gaza - though at much lower levels than before the ceasefire. In some areas, the UN and its humanitarian partners still have to coordinate every movement in advance with the Israeli authorities. Yesterday, they made eight coordination attempts. Only two were fully facilitated, and four were impeded on the ground - including one that was delayed for 10 hours before the team finally received a green light to move. Despite the challenges, the UN and its partners are seizing every opportunity to expand operations.* Yesterday, UN agencies kicked off the integrated catch-up campaign for routine immunization, nutrition and growth monitoring. UNICEF, UNRWA, and the World Health Organization (WHO) are carrying out the campaign with partners, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. The campaign focuses on children who missed earlier vaccination campaigns and aims to reach 44,000 children overall. Today, WHO reported that Al Kheir Hospital in Khan Younis resumed operations last week after being forced out of service following attacks in February 2024. The agency supported its rehabilitation by restoring water, sanitation, power and structural systems, and providing essential medical equipment and medicines. WHO also set up a new 20-bed nutrition stabilization centre at the hospital to treat children with acute and severe malnutrition. This brings the total across Gaza to seven such centres, with 70 inpatient beds in all. Between Wednesday and Friday, humanitarian partners provided mental health and psychosocial support services to 1,500 children and 500 caregivers in different locations across the south. They received help with emotional expression and stress reduction, with messaging on the prevention of child abuse. Over the weekend, humanitarian partners distributed nearly 40,000 winter clothing kits and pairs of shoes to children under 10. The UN and its partners are also distributing blankets to hospitals and other locations - nearly 50,000 blankets between Wednesday and Saturday alone. Since the ceasefire, over the past month, humanitarian partners have been providing water trucking services through 2,000 locations across the Gaza Strip. They have also distributed 15,000 hygiene kits and restored some domestic water supply in Az Zaytoun neighbourhood of Gaza city by repairing a critical water line in the area. *Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Gaza and the West Bank with urgent support. Sudan Humanitarian crisis in North Darfur worsens as violence spreads OCHA warns that the crisis in Sudan's North Darfur State is deepening as violence spreads beyond the state capital, El Fasher. Following the Rapid Support Forces' takeover of the city on 26 October, clashes continue to be reported along key access routes, trapping civilians and cutting off aid. The latest analysis by the Yale School of Public Health Humanitarian Research Lab of satellite imagery indicates possible mass body disposals in El Fasher, and the closure of a key escape route once used by civilians. Nearly 89,000 people have fled El Fasher and nearby villages since 26 October, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Many have sought refuge in the localities of Tawila, Melit and Saraf Omra, while others have travelled to Ad Dabbah in Northern State. In Tawila and Ad Dabbah, the UN and its partners are providing food, clean water, sanitation, healthcare and psychosocial support, among other life-saving aid, but needs far exceed available resources. Some families from El Fasher have sought refuge in the locality of Tina, near the Sudan-Chad border, where local volunteers report that more than 3,000 displaced people urgently need food, shelter and healthcare. Across the border in eastern Chad, already overwhelmed host communities and partners are preparing for new arrivals as people continue to seek safety and assistance. Meanwhile, violence is intensifying in Sudan's Kordofan region, resulting in mounting civilian casualties and new waves of displacement. WHO says it verified an attack on Dilling Hospital in South Kordofan State on 6 November that killed six people - including a 12-year-old child - and injured 12 others. The agency notes that this is the 192nd verified attack on health in Sudan since April 2023. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the hospital's X-ray department was destroyed, severely compromising the facility's ability to provide medical services - and he repeated WHO's call for all health facilities, their patients and staff to always be protected. In neighbouring North Kordofan State, IOM reports that as of yesterday, violence reported across the localities of Bara, Sheikan, Ar Rahad, Um Rawaba and Um Dam Haj Ahmed displaced nearly 39,000 people over the prior two weeks. Partners report that more than 10,000 people have sought safety in White Nile State, while others have fled to Omdurman locality in Khartoum State and other parts of North Kordofan. Once again, OCHA calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, an end to attacks on hospitals and civilian infrastructure, and safe, unhindered access for aid to reach those in need across Sudan. Philippines Over a million people evacuated ahead of Super Typhoon Fung-Wong OCHA reports that Super Typhoon Fung-Wong, locally known as Uwan, made landfall in the Philippines yesterday. It hit northern parts of the island of Luzon, following one of the largest coastal evacuations ever carried out in the Philippines. The number of casualties was lower than that of Typhoon Kalmaegi, known also as Tino, which had affected the country only a few days earlier. Authorities report that two people have died and two others were injured due to the current typhoon. The Government is taking the lead in response and early recovery efforts. As part of efforts to get ahead of the typhoon, UN agencies and their partners have already provided cash assistance and reinforced shelters. With early warnings in place, more than 1.3 million people were pre-emptively evacuated in 13 out of 18 regions across the country. As of today, more than 480,000 people remain displaced, with over 6,000 evacuation centres operating. Food, tents, hygiene kits and other supplies were prepositioned. OCHA continues to work closely with authorities and humanitarian agencies to assess damage and plan the response. Strong typhoons such as Fung-Wong will unfortunately be more likely as the climate crisis drives sea temperatures in the region higher, making joint preparedness work more important than ever. Arnaud Peral, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Philippines, today commended the Government and first responders for their efficient preparedness, pre-emptive evacuations and other timely responses, which he said undoubtedly saved lives. Ukraine Recent attacks kill civilians and damage infrastructure OCHA says that over the weekend, large-scale attacks and hostilities caused civilians casualties and disrupted critical services across Ukraine. Local authorities report that between 7 November and early this morning, at least 15 civilians were killed and more than 70 others injured as hostilities continued nationwide. On the night of 8 November, a wave of missile and drone strikes affected the regions of Chernihiv, Dnipro, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava and Sumy, according to the authorities and aid workers. On the same day, a clearly marked humanitarian evacuation vehicle came under a drone attack in the front-line town of Kostiantynivka in the region of Donetsk. The passengers managed to escape before the vehicle was destroyed and were not injured. The Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, condemned the attack, emphasizing that humanitarians must be protected. These attacks also damaged energy and residential infrastructure in several regions, including Chernihiv, Odesa and Poltava. They disrupted electricity, heating and water supply, making it even harder for vulnerable people to cope amid cold temperatures. Major cities - including Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa - are experiencing power outages, with electricity available only for a few hours a day. In the city of Kharkiv, heating and water services remain disrupted, and public electric transport is partially suspended. OCHA says that the UN and its humanitarian partners quickly mobilized, providing emergency shelter materials, blankets, hygiene items, hot drinks and psychosocial support in several areas, including the Dnipro, Kherson and Odesa regions. Posted on 10 November 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Operation Southern Spear "Operation Southern Spear" is a new U.S. military mission announced on 13 November 2025, by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The operation's stated purpose is to "remove narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere" and secure the U.S. homeland from illicit drug trafficking. It is being led by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and a new, dedicated task force, Joint Task Force Southern Spear. Secretary Hegseth stated the mission was "ordered" by President Donald Trump. While the formal name was just announced, "Operation Southern Spear" was first mentioned by the U.S. Navy in January 2025. Originally, it was described as an operation to test and operationalize unmanned systemslike robotic surface vessels and aerial dronesfor long-duration counternarcotics surveillance. The new announcement formalizes and appears to significantly escalate this mission. It follows a series of at least 20 recent U.S. strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, which have reportedly resulted in at least 80 fatalities. Southern Spear carries a set of attributes that make it a strong and evocative operational name. The word Southern immediately establishes a sense of geographic orientation or strategic direction, tying the operation to a southern theater, flank, border, or region of interest. It also subtly conveys cultural or geopolitical associations that matter within a broader strategic context, suggesting that the operation moves toward and focuses its effort on the south. The word Spear contributes a distinctly offensive and precise character. A spear is a weapon associated with directness, penetration, and focused intent. It conveys a sense of striking with accuracy rather than engaging in a wide or diffuse action. This imagery frames the operation as one built around decisive, targeted actions rather than broad or prolonged campaigns. Together, the two words create a name that implies speed, concentrated power, and deliberate direction. Southern Spear suggests a force or initiative driving swiftly and purposefully into a specific objective. The combination also has a traditional, almost timeless resonance due to the historic symbolism of spears as reliable and disciplined weapons used by organized warriors. The result is an operational name that conveys regional orientation, precision, offensive momentum, and a professional, mission-focused ethos. Operation names can serve multiple functions boosting morale, shaping public perception, or maintaining secrecy. There was initially no official, public name for a large-scale U.S. military operation against Venezuela. The 2025 military buildup in the Caribbean was officially described as an "enhanced counternarcotics operation" or the "2025 United States naval deployment." It did not have a formal "brand" name like "Operation Desert Storm." Trumps military actions often lacked new, dramatic operation names because they were either conducted under existing campaigns or deliberately framed as limited strikes. This was a conscious choice to avoid the optics of launching a new war. The naming of U.S. military operations was a formal process managed by the Department of Defense (DoD). The name would be assigned by the specific Combatant Command responsible for that area of the world. In this case, it would be US Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). The War Department uses a computer system - the NICKA System - to manage and assign code names. Each command is given blocks of two-letter prefixes (for example, USSOUTHCOM might be assigned all names beginning with "SA-SC"). Most major operations use a two-word name (e.g., ENDURING FREEDOM). Since the 1989 invasion of Panama, there had been a significant shift toward using names as a form of public relations. Names are often chosen to sound serious and frame the operation in a positive, virtuous light. Names like "Operation Prosperity Guardian" or "Operation Enduring Freedom" were chosen for their positive connotations. Names often pair a strong abstract noun (Resolve, Dominion, Horizon, Shield, Vow) with a descriptive adjective (Iron, Silent, Resolute, Black, Sovereign, Crimson). The DoD now avoids names that sound frivolous (like "Operation Bunnyhug"), overly aggressive (like the Vietnam-era "Operation Masher"), or derogatory. In recent decades, the Pentagon avoided giving dramatic names to some smaller or politically sensitive missions, preferring neutral or descriptive language. Past US operations around Venezuela show these naming conventions. Operation Just Cause (1989) wa the official name for the U.S. invasion of Panama to oust Manuel Noriega. It is a classic example of a USSOUTHCOM operation with a name chosen for public support. Operation Urgent Fury (1983) was the name for the U.S. invasion of Grenada. Under Trumps Presidency, high-profile events like the 2017 missile strike on Syrias Shayrat Airbase or the 2020 drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani were not given new operation names. They were described simply as strikes or missions. Analysts note that avoiding flashy names can reduce political baggage. A dramatic title can make an action sound like a full-scale war, which leaders may want to avoid if the intent is to frame it as limited or tactical. A name like Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan, 2001) signals a long-term, values-driven mission. By contrast, Trumps unnamed strikes were presented as swift, limited responses. Historians and journalists often point out that the absence of names makes these actions less branded in public memory, even if they were significant militarily. While Trump didnt create new marquee operation names, the Pentagons broader naming system remained in place. The difference was more about political presentation than a change in military bureaucracy. In Tom Clancys Clear and Present Danger, US leaders authorize a covert military strikeOperation Reciprocityagainst Colombian drug cartels, believing they pose a clear and present danger to national security. The scenario unfolding between Trump and Venezuela evokes similar themes: alleged links between the Venezuelan regime and drug trafficking, calls for decisive U.S. action, and the temptation to use force beyond diplomacy or sanctions. Trump might call his campaign Op Reciprocity II fits this echo perfectly, framing it as a sequel to that fictional but politically resonant operation. Yet, what worked as a plot device in a novel raises serious real-world issues. Any U.S. military strike on Venezuelan soil would confront complex legal and constitutional boundaries. Under U.S. law, such action would require either explicit congressional authorization or a credible claim of self-defense against an imminent threat. Labeling an operation Reciprocity II could imply retaliation rather than defense, which might undermine its legal standing in international forums. Moreover, covert actionsif undertaken without oversightrisk the same moral and operational pitfalls Clancy warned about: mission creep, lack of accountability, and the exposure of U.S. forces to unforeseen dangers. Politically and strategically, the implications would be equally grave. Venezuela remains a fragile state with deep ties to Russia, China, and Cuba. A U.S. military action could destabilize the region, provoke retaliation, or draw Washington into another prolonged crisis. The symbolic name Reciprocity II could telegraph aggression and invite comparisons to the reckless decision-making of fictional leadersprecisely the opposite of what a disciplined strategy demands. While it might rally domestic hardliners, it would likely alarm allies and complicate diplomatic efforts in Latin America. Ultimately, the comparison underscores how fiction and reality intertwine in American political culture. Clear and Present Danger dramatized the allure and danger of secret wars fought under the banner of righteousness. If Trump or any U.S. president were to act against Venezuela, the operations success would hinge less on cinematic symbolism and more on legal legitimacy, strategic clarity, and a credible exit plan. Naming it Reciprocity II might sound compelling, but it would serve as an ironic reminder that, in Clancys world, the true danger was never just the enemy abroadit was hubris at home. Based on historical and modern U.S. military naming conventions, plausible operation names can be suggested. Modern operation names (especially for large-scale, public-facing interventions) are often a form of public relations, designed to sound righteous, defensive, or stabilizing. Covert or smaller-scale operations tend to have more neutral or abstract code names. Large-Scale Public Intervention These names are for a major, declared invasion or peacekeeping operation. They are designed to sound positive and legitimate to the international community. The classic formula is (Virtue Word) + (Action/Noun). Operation Allied Sentinel : "Allied" highlights international cooperation and legitimacy; "Sentinel" (a guard) frames the mission as defensive and watchful. Operation Beacon of Hope : (Ideal for a humanitarian-led intervention) A purely positive, non-threatening name that frames the mission as one of rescue or aid. Operation Caribbean Stability : A clear, non-aggressive, region-specific name that defines the mission's goal as restoring order, not invading. Operation Coral Citadel : References coastal/Caribbean geography ("Coral") and stronghold imagery ("Citadel"). Operation Ember Resolve : Suggests a smoldering conflict ("Ember") being brought under control through determination ("Resolve"). Operation Enduring Liberty : "Enduring" suggests a long-term commitment; "Liberty" is a core American value, framing the intervention as a fight for freedom. Operation Freedom Anchor : "Freedom" is the mission's aim; "Anchor" provides nautical resonance and implies stability. Operation Freedom's Shield : "Freedom" is the positive value being promoted; "Shield" frames the Operation as a defensive act to protect that value. Operation Guardian Meridian : Frames the mission as a watchful protector ("Guardian") and uses a stabilizing metaphor ("Meridian"). Operation Harbor of Hope : Has an explicitly humanitarian undertone ("Harbor," "Hope") while retaining military gravitas. Operation Iron Meridian : Evokes firmness and strength ("Iron") and suggests the creation of a new political axis or boundary ("Meridian"). Operation Liberty Compass : Suggests the mission is directing the way ("Compass") toward democratic norms ("Liberty"). Operation Lone Lighthouse : Signals guidance and the restoration of safe navigation; implies reestablishing order in a chaotic situation. Operation New Dawn : An inspirational name that emphasizes protection and a fresh start. Operation New Shield : An inspirational name that emphasizes protection and a fresh start. Operation Pacific Valor : Pairs geography ("Pacific") with courage ("Valor"); has a cinematic feel. Operation Resolute Harbor : Combines determination ("Resolute") with sanctuary imagery ("Harbor"), referencing strategic ports or coastlines. Operation Sierra Covenant : Combines mountainous geography ("Sierra") with the idea of a solemn pledge ("Covenant"). Operation Southern Beacon : "Beacon" implies guidance or hope, while "Southern" clearly locates the mission geographically. Operation Sunrise Accord : Suggests reconciliation, new beginnings ("Sunrise"), and a diplomatic or cooperative subtext ("Accord"). Operation True North : (Evokes a "restoration" of a correct path) A metaphorical name implying the mission is meant to restore a nation's "correct" orientation or government. Operation Vigilant Promise : Asserts watchfulness ("Vigilant") and a strong commitment ("Promise") to achieving the mission's outcomes. Covert or Special Operations These names are for clandestine actions, such as targeted strikes, intelligence gathering, or supporting opposition groups. They are intentionally abstract, neutral, or slightly aggressive-sounding, but not politically loaded. Operation Blind Tiger : "Blind" suggests a hidden, unseen, or deniable action. "Tiger" implies predatory aggression, power, and a hunter. Operation Broken Chain : This name implies severing a link, such as a supply line, a command structure, or a specific relationship. Operation Ghost Compass : "Ghost" strongly suggests a clandestine or off-the-books operation. "Compass" implies navigation, guidance, or finding a specific target. Operation Iron Anvil : "Iron" evokes strength and inflexibility. An "Anvil" is a hard surface used for striking (often paired with a "hammer"), implying a fixed or defensive element in a larger strike plan. Operation Night Viper : "Night" points to operations conducted under the cover of darkness. "Viper" is a stealthy, venomous predator, implying a swift and deadly surprise strike. Operation Red Mangrove : (Uses local geography for an authentic feel) "Red" can imply danger or a warning. "Mangrove" roots the operation in a specific geographic feature, common for operational naming. Operation Serpent Strike : "Serpent" connotes stealth, cunning, and a sudden, venomous attack. "Strike" is a direct and aggressive term for the action itself. Operation Silent Hammer : "Silent" emphasizes secrecy and a lack of public awareness. "Hammer" implies a single, decisive, and overwhelming blow. Naval or Air Blockade These names focus on quarantine, interdiction, or establishing a no-fly zone. They sound defensive, protective, and controlling. Operation Constant Guard : Implies a 24/7, persistent, and watchful defensive presence. Operation Freedom Fence : "Freedom" is a positive political term; "Fence" implies a barrier or perimeter, creating a clear line of containment. Operation Maritime Shield : A very direct name; "Maritime" defines the domain (the sea) and "Shield" defines the mission (defensive, protective). Operation Sentinel's Grip : "Sentinel" is a guard or watchman; "Grip" implies forcefully holding, stopping, or controlling movement. Operation Steel Aegis : "Steel" evokes naval ships and inflexible strength; "Aegis" is a mythological shield, a powerful symbol of protection. Operation Unified Reach : "Unified" suggests a multi-national or joint-task-force effort; "Reach" implies extending power and control over an area. Operation Vigilant Channel : "Vigilant" means watchful and alert, perfect for a patrol mission; "Channel" defines the specific geographic area of control. NICKA Digraphs The U.S. military's code word system (NICKA) assigns two-letter prefixes to specific commands. The command responsible for Venezuela (USSOUTHCOM) is assigned prefixes like FS-, KG-, and QM-. A plausible name would take one of these prefixes for the first word. Operation FREEDOM SAVIOR : "Freedom" and "Savior" are both highly positive, political words, framing the mission as a righteous act of liberation. Operation FREEFLOW SHADOW : "Freeflow" (a USSOUTHCOM prefix) sounds neutral, suggesting continuous movement; "Shadow" clearly implies clandestine, covert, or intelligence-based operations. Operation GATOR BITE : (USSOUTHCOM is headquartered near the "Gator" mascot of UF) A highly informal, aggressive name; "Gator" provides regional flavor (Florida), and "Bite" implies a sudden, powerful, and localized strike. Operation KILO LANCE : "Kilo" (a USSOUTHCOM prefix) is neutral phonetic alphabet jargon; "Lance" evokes a sharp, piercing, targeted strike. Operation KINETIC GUARDIAN : "Kinetic" is military jargon for lethal, violent action; "Guardian" frames this lethal action as defensive or protective. Operation QUICK RESPONSE : A very literal and common name, emphasizing speed and a reactive, non-preemptive justification for the mission. Operation QUICKSTEP GHOST : "Quickstep" (a USSOUTHCOM prefix) implies speed and agility; "Ghost" points to a covert, deniable, or special-operations mission. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 10 November 2025 - Day 1356 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, since the beginning of this day, there have been 156 combat clashes. Ukrainian defenders are decisively intercepting the attempts of the Russian enemy to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression. Today, Russian troops launched one missile and 14 air strikes, using two rockets and dropping 30 controlled aviation bombs. In addition, 2,228 kamikaze drones were involved and executed 3,421 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. Ukrainian soldiers repelled nine Russian assault actions in the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursky directions. In addition, the enemy carried out 128 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, four of which were from reactive systems of assault fire. In the South Slobozhansky direction, the Russian enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian units in the districts of Vovchansk, Vovchanskih Khutoriv and Kamyanka ten times. One battlefield not complete. In the Kupiansky direction, the Russian aggressor carried out offensive actions in the areas of Pi any, Petropavlivka, Kupiansky and Glushkivka. Ukrainian defenders have stopped four enemy attacks, six more combat clashes continue so far. In the Lyman direction Russian zagarbniki four times attacked the positions of Defense Forces in the area of the settlement of Korovy Yar and in the direction of Lyman. One battle clash is still going on. In the Slovenian direction, the Defense Forces repelled six Russian attacks in the areas of Serebryanka and Dronivka. In the Kramators komu direction today the Russian enemy did not carry out offensive actions. 11 combat clashes took place in the Konstantinivsky direction today. Russian forces tried to storm the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of the settlements of Pleshiyivka, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Rusyn Yar and Sofiyivka. In the Pokrovsky direction from the beginning of this day, the Russian opponent 59 times attacked in the areas of populated areas of Pankivka, Shahove, Red Lyman, Rodins ke, Mikhailivka, Novoekonomicne, Mirnograd, Novopavlivka, Rivne, Lisivka, Pokrovsk, Kotline, Udacne, Molodetske, Filia, Dachne. Ukrainian defenders keep the Russian pressure and have already stopped all attacks. Today in this direction, according to preliminary data, 130 Russian occupants were defiled, of which 66 - irrevocably. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed 15 unmanned aircraft and 11 special equipment units, struck the drone control point and six units of enemy vehicles. In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 11 attacks of Russian invaders in the areas of settlements Ivanivka, Sosnivka, Vorone, Orestopil, Yegorivka. The two fighting clashes are still going on. In the Gulyaipil direction, the Defense Forces successfully repelled seven Russian attacks in the area of Green Grove and in the direction of the settlement of Rivnopil. In the Orihiv direction, the Russian occupiers tried to advance three times on the position of Ukrainian troops in the Primorsky area. The enemy did not succeed - Ukrainian defenders stopped all attempts of the Russian opponent. In the Pridniprovsky direction, Russian units made two futile attempts to assault the positions of Ukrainian units in the direction of the Antonivsky Bridge. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in response to the terrorist attacks launched by Ukraine against civilian objects on the territory of Russia, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out a group strike with high-precision weapons including Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles as well as strike unmanned aerial vehicles at military airfields, the AFU signal intelligence centre, an armament depot to the Olkha MLRS system as well as long-range unmanned aerial vehicles assembly and storage facilities. The targets were defeated, all the assigned facilities were neutralised. The Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on units of four mechanised brigades, an assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a territorial defence brigade near Kiyanitsa, Malaya Korchakovka, Novaya Sech, Pavlovka, and Proletarskoye in Sumy region. In Kharkov direction, units of an AFU motorised infantry brigade near Volchansk (Kharkov region) were hit. The AFU losses amounted to more than 130 troops, 10 motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns including a U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer. An electronic warfare station and five material depots were neutralised. The Zapad Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. Russian troops engaged two mechanised brigades, two assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a national guard brigade near Berezovka, Kurilovka (Kharkov region), and Yampol (Donetsk People's Republic). Assault detachments of the 6th Army continue to destroy the encircled enemy group close to Kupyansk (Kharkov region). Three attacks of the 92nd Assault Brigade of the AFU, and the 1st National Guard Brigade to unblock the encircled formations were repelled near Blagodatovka and Petrovka in Kharkov region. In the past 24 hours, up to 50 troops, two M113 armoured personnel carriers, and three U.S.-made HMMWV armoured fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, and four electronic warfare stations have been neutralised. In total, over 210 troops, six armoured fighting vehicles, 10 motor vehicles, and one artillery gun were neutralised in the area of responsibility of the Zapad Group of Forces. Ten electronic warfare station and three ammunition depots have been destroyed. The Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian troops hit three mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigade, and an Azov special forces brigade close to Verolyubovka, Konstantinovka, Kramatorsk, Platonovka, Seversk, and Slavyansk (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy lost more than 70 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, 14 motor vehicles, and four field artillery guns including a U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system. One electronic warfare station and six ammunition, fuel, and materiel depots were neutralised. The Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, an infantry brigade, two jaeger brigades, an assault brigade, two air assault brigades, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, two marine brigades, a territorial defence brigade, and three national guard brigades close to Artyomovka, Belitskoye, Rozy Lyuksemburg, Rodinskoye in the Donetsk People's Republic, and Ivanovka (Dnepropetrovsk region). During the neutralisation of the AFU encircled units near Krasnoarmeysk (Donetsk People's Republic), units of the 1435th Motorised Rifle Regiment, 2nd Army, liberated Gnatovka (Donetsk People's Republic). n Krasnoarmeysk (Donetsk People's Republic), Russian assault groups conduct offensive actions in the Dinas microdistrict as well as in north-western and eastern quarters in of the Tsentralny District, and mop up western part of the industrial area. In the past 24 hours, 244 buildings have been liberated. Russian troops repelled seven Ukrainian attacks to unblock their encircled units in the area of Grishino (Donetsk People's Republic). In addition, two attempts of the 425th Skala Assault Regiment of the AFU to break through the encirclement in northern and north-western directions have been thwarted. In Dimitrov (Donetsk People's Republic), of the 5th Motorised Rifle Brigade, 51st Army, are in the offensive in the Vostochny microdistrict and southern part of the settlement, and towards the Zapadny microdistrict. In the past 24 hours, over 200 troops, a British-made Spartan armoured personnel carrier, a Kazak armoured fighting vehicle, and six pickup trucks have been neutralised in Krasnoarmeysk direction. In total, up to 510 troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, and six motor vehicles were neutralised in the Tsentr Group's area of responsibility. The Vostok Group of Forces continues to advance to the depths of the enemy's defence. Novoye and Sladkoye (Zaporozhye region) have been liberated. Three mechanised brigades, an assault brigade, an assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been hit near Aleksandrovka, Danilovka, Orestopol, Pokrovskoye (Dnepropetrovsk region), and Dobropolye (Zaporozhye region). The AFU lost more than 235 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, 14 motor vehicles, and four field artillery guns. The Dnepr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade, a mountain assault brigade, two coastal defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a territorial defence brigade have been hit near Lukyanovskoye, Orekhov (Zaporozhye region), Ivanovka, and Nikolskoye (Kherson region). Up to 70 troops, eight motor vehicles, a U.S.-made AN/TPQ-36 counter-fire radar, three electronic warfare stations, an ammunition depot, and two materiel depots have been neutralised. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, missile troops and artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have inflicted losses on temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 136 areas. Air defence units shot down six U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles and 124 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. The Black Sea Fleet destroyed four uncrewed AFU surface vehicles in the north-eastern part of the Black Sea. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation the enemy has lost: 668 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 95,925 unmanned aerial vehicles, 635 anti-aircraft missile systems, 25,939 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,611 MLRS combat vehicles, 31,224 field artillery guns and mortars, and 46,305 units of support military vehicles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Powerful car explosion kills at least 10 people in India's Delhi Iran Press TV Monday, 10 November 2025 5:29 PM At least ten people have been killed and dozens more injured after a car exploded near a metro station at Delhi's landmark Red Fort, a hospital official said. A slow-moving vehicle came to a stop near a red light around 6:42 p.m. local time, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha told reporters on Monday. Police spokesperson Sanjay Tyagi said law enforcement agencies have launched an investigation into the cause of the blast, which is not yet known. Videos circulating online showed flames engulfing multiple vehicles in the aftermath of the blast. More than 30 people were "badly injured," said Dr. Manish Kumar Jha, a physician at Lok Nayak Hospital. "Many are not in a position of recovering," he told reporters in Delhi. "Six cars, two e-rickshaws, and one auto rickshaw were gutted in the fire," a fire department official told the Press Trust of India (PTI). Footage from the scene showed streams of motorcyclists and passersby rushing toward the site as huge orange flames shot into the night sky. Residents described hearing a loud bang that shook their homes. "We heard a big sound, our windows shook," one resident told Indian broadcaster NDTV. Reacting to the blast, India's home minister Amit Shah said emergency teams, along with the forensic science laboratory (FSL) have begun a detailed investigation into the incident. "Orders have been given to examine all nearby CCTV cameras. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account. All options will be investigated immediately, and we will present the results to the public," Shah said. The Red Fort, known in India as the Lal Qila, is a 17th-century fort located in the old city and visited by tourists throughout the year. Following the explosion, security is being stepped up at "sensitive religious sites, vulnerable districts and border areas" across many Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttarakhand, a senior police official said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Company apologizes, pledges full investigation after Ceres-1 Y-19 rocket launch failure Global Times By Global Times Published: Nov 10, 2025 06:34 PM Chinese private space firm Galactic Energy apologized after the company's CERES-1 Y-19 carrier rocket suffered its first mission failure on Monday. The commercial carrier rocket failed to place its payload into orbit on Monday after an apparent early shutdown of its fourth stage, the Global Times learned from its developer, Galactic Energy. According to the company, the CERES-1 Y-19 carrier rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 12:02 pm. The first, second and third stages operated normally and stage separations proceeded as planned. The rocket's fourth stage ignited and burned for approximately 510 seconds before experiencing an anomalous, premature shutdown, preventing the satellite from reaching its intended orbit. In a statement on its official WeChat account, the company said it will conduct a detailed analysis and keep stakeholders informed as the investigation proceeds. "Specific cause of the failure is under investigation," it added. "We offer our sincerest apologies to the mission's customer and to everyone who supports Galactic Energy," the company said in a statement shared with the Global Times, adding that it will spare no effort to determine the fault, complete a thorough failure analysis, and prepare for vehicle reset and reflight. "We will draw lessons from the mission setback and continue to optimize rocket design and quality-management systems," read the statement. Galactic Energy is one of China's leading private launch providers and it has completed roughly 20 successful launches to date and has placed some 85 satellites into orbit for 27 commercial customers. As of mid-September, 2025, it had carried out 21 launches of its CERES-1 vehicle. The company has been the country's most frequent private launch operator and the first Chinese private firm to achieve consecutive orbital successes, according to media reports. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran to launch 3 homegrown satellites in early winter, ISA head announces Iran Press TV Monday, 10 November 2025 4:01 PM The head of the Iranian Space Agency (ISA), Hassan Salarieh, announced plans to launch three domestically-built satellites into orbit in early winter, as part of efforts to upgrade the country's civilian space program. "The three satellitesZafar, Paya, and Kowsarare scheduled to be launched in early winter," Salarieh told reporters on Monday. "These satellites are currently undergoing final technical preparations, and their exact launch date will be announced soon." Zafar, Paya, and Kowsar satellites have been developed by Iranian engineers associated with various knowledge-based companies in collaboration with the ISA. Zafar is an advanced earth-observation satellite designed to provide high-resolution imaging for critical applications in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster management. Similarly, Paya is also an earth-observation satellite manufactured for sophisticated imaging and data collection. Kowsar is designed for high-resolution imaging with a primary focus on precision agriculture. It will provide daily imagery of plant greenery, supporting agricultural monitoring, crop health assessment, and efficient resource management. Salarieh emphasized that the satellites will provide critical data for crop monitoring, mineral exploration, and dust storm tracking. He further noted that construction work at Salmas and Chenaran space stations is in its final stage, and both stations will soon be put into operation. Iran is cooperating with China in international lunar projects, and is also collaborating with the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states in research-related areas, he added. The ISA head said that his agency is currently updating Iran's 10-year space document, which, once finalized, will serve as a road map for the development of the country's space services over the next decade. Salarieh noted that the plan focuses on expanding satellite-based services, which could enhance decision-making and operational processes across agriculture, environmental protection, crisis management, and other sectors. Iran first entered the global space arena in February 2009, when it launched its first domestically produced satellite, Omid (Hope), aboard a Safir rocket. Designed for research and telecommunications, Omid marked the country's initial step in satellite data processing. Since then, Iran has made significant advances in its space program, successfully launching several more satellites despite sanctions imposed by Western nations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Air Mobility Group is rapid, ADF supports Pacific partners to monitor and deter illegal fishing and resilient Issued by Defence Media 10 November 2025 A contingent from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has recently deployed under Operation Solania to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency's (FFA) latest maritime and aerial monitoring, control and surveillance operation, Operation Kurukuru. A Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan aircraft and crew from No. 35 Squadron provided aerial surveillance in the Federated States of Micronesia to monitor vessels suspected to be involved in transnational crime. The Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, AO, CSC, RAN emphasised the importance of leveraging ADF assets through Operation Solania to help protect fisheries resources vital to Pacific island countries' economies. "Operation Solania allows the ADF to use its aerial surveillance capability to support the Forum Fisheries Agency in the deterrence of illegal fishing, which costs Pacific island countries hundreds of millions of dollars in lost income," Vice Admiral Jones said. "The ADF takes every opportunity to prioritise its assets in working with Pacific partners to protect regional security and prosperity. As family, we step in to help each other. "The support the ADF provides the FFA ensures fishing benefits go towards fishers who respect laws and sovereign rights." Detachment Commander and C-27J Spartan captain, Flight Lieutenant Thomas Johnston of RAAF 35 Squadron, said the crew provided a strong contribution to the multinational operation. "35 Squadron documented three vessels suspected of engaging in illegal fishing and suspicious activity," Flight Lieutenant Johnston said. "We were able to provide this information to the FFA, enabling fisheries officers to effectively investigate fishing vessels at sea." Australia remains committed to working with Pacific partners against the threat to territorial sovereignty and economic development caused by transnational crime and the illegal, unreported, and unregulated exploitation of natural resources. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MCS Ville de Quebec returns from Operation HORIZON National Defence News release November 10, 2025 - Ottawa - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Today, His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ville de Quebecreturns to its home port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, having completed its seven-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region under Operation HORIZON. From the North Atlantic to the Mediterranean, through the Red Sea, into the Indo-Pacific, and back to North America, the crew of HMCS Ville de Quebec worked in unison with allies and partners, bolstering Canada's relationships in the Indo-Pacific region. HMCS Ville de Quebec began its deployment under associated support to NATO on Operation REASSURANCE in April. The ship then joined the United Kingdom-led Carrier Strike Group 25, which sailed from the United Kingdom, through the Mediterranean Sea, and into the Indo-Pacific as part of the United Kingdom's Operation HIGHMAST. Finally, HMCS Ville de Quebec travelled across the Indo-Pacific, working with regional allies and partners under Operation HORIZON before making its way back to North America. Canada's near-persistent presence in the Indo-Pacific regiondemonstrates its unwavering commitment to support peace, security, and stability around the globe. Quotes "Working alongside our allies and partners, the Canadian Armed Forces' presence in the Indo-Pacific region continues to enhance security-based engagements, build regional awareness, and strengthen resilience and preparedness. Through multinational operations such as Operation HORIZON, and by deepening ties with allies, regional partners, and international organizations, His Majesty's Canadian Ship Ville de Quebec advanced Canada's enduring commitment to peace, security, and the rules-based international order. Their efforts have safeguarded Canada's interests abroad, and we proudly welcome them home to Halifax." Rear-Admiral Josee Kurtz, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic & Commander Joint Task Force Atlantic "His Majesty's Canadian Ship Ville de Quebec is the first Royal Canadian Navy warship to integrate fully in a United Kingdom-led Carrier Strike Group. During our time with Carrier Strike Group 25 and throughout the whole deployment, the crew demonstrated outstanding professionalism and adaptability. Their efforts not only strengthened Canada's diplomatic ties across the Indo-Pacific region but also reinforced our reputation as a trusted international security partner. I am incredibly proud of the hard work and commitment shown by the ship's company. These accomplishments would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our military families back home." Commander Peter MacNeil, Commanding Officer of HMCS Ville de Quebec Quick facts Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy represents a comprehensive and integrated framework for increased Canadian engagement in the region. Canada will continue to work alongside allies and partners to promote a stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Operation HORIZON is the military mission implementing the defence elements of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, by deploying more military forces to the region, participating in more multilateral exercises, and strengthening military-to-military cooperation. HMCS Ville de Quebec provided support to Operation AMARNA during its transit of the Suez Canal, Red Sea, and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Operation AMARNA replaces Operations ARTEMIS and IMPACT as part of Canada's contribution to strengthening peace and security in the Middle East. HMCS Ville de Quebec is equipped with a modernized Underwater Warfare Suite Upgrade, enhancing its ability to detect, track, and classify underwater and surface contacts through integration with the ship's Combat Management System. HMCS Ville de Quebecis one of twelve Halifax-class frigates, each of which deploys with a crew of approximately 240 personnel from across the Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Canadian Army, including a Helicopter Air Detachment to fly and maintain the ship's embarked CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA Air Force hints at 'new stuff' in anniversary celebration video Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Published: Nov 10, 2025 10:19 PM The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force teased "new stuff in a video released Monday ahead of its upcoming 76th founding anniversary, offering a brief glimpse of what seems to be a new-type aircraft. To mark its 76th founding anniversary, the PLA Air Force will release a themed microfilm titled "Distant Dreams." Through the unique perspective of an ordinary family, the microfilm portrays the leaps in development and transformation of the PLA Air Force over time. It highlights the sense of mission and responsibility of Air Force officers and airmen, as well as the profound bond between the military and the people, according to a social media post on Sina Weibo by the PLA Air Force on Monday, which is attached with a one-minute trailer of the microfilm. China Military Bugle, an official media outlet under the PLA News Media Center, noted that the PLA Air Force's microfilm trailer featured a "new stuff." The "new stuff" mentioned by China Military Bugle appears at the end of the video, as a massive hangar door opens to reveal a partially obscured aircraft under a Chinese national flag. Only a small section of the aircraft is visible, with its full design remaining concealed. After viewing the video, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that although only a small portion of the "new stuff" is visible, it appears to have a central dorsal air intake at where a cockpit would normally be. Combined with its streamlined dorsal design, this suggests it could be a large stealth drone. China has previously unveiled a range of stealth armed reconnaissance drones, including the GJ-11 and CH-7 armed reconnaissance drones. In addition, at the V-Day military parade in Beijing on September 3, China for the first time displayed wingman drones and air superiority drones. Song added that other possibilities remain, as most of the aircraft is still concealed. With China's rapid advances in aviation, electronics, materials and other technologies, the emergence of a type of new aircraft would not be surprising. Highlighting the PLA Air Force's achievements at its 76th founding anniversary, Song said that the PLA Air Force is developing at a rapid pace, providing a solid foundation to defend China's national sovereignty, security, development interests while safeguarding peace and stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's first homegrown AS700 manned airship officially delivered in East China's Shaoxing Global Times By Xu Yelu and Tao Mingyang Published: Nov 10, 2025 12:45 PM The skyline of Yuecheng district in Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang Province, recently welcomed a distinctive "aerial visitor." The Xiangyun AS700, known as the "aerial beluga," arrived at Jianshui Science and Technology City amid wide attention. As the airship glided into its dedicated hangar, it marked the official delivery of the first AS700 manned airship in East China, a milestone toward the commercial operation of manned airships, the Global Times learned on Monday from the Special Vehicle Research Institute under the Aviation Industry Corp of China, the developer of the airship. Independently developed by the institute, the AS700 is China's first manned airship built in full compliance with airworthiness regulations, and it boasts complete independent intellectual property rights. Measuring 50 meters long with a maximum range of 700 kilometers, it can carry up to 10 passengers. Its smooth, cloudlike form inspired its name, Xiangyun, meaning "auspicious cloud." Thanks to its "low-altitude, slow-flight, safe, and reliable" features, the AS700 airship can cruise at an optimal sightseeing altitude of 100-300 meters, allowing tourists to enjoy a bird's-eye view of Jiangnan's picturesque waterways. This immersive experience represents the unique appeal of airship tourism, something traditional ground travel cannot replicate. In the coming months, the airship will undergo further flight verification in Yuecheng to advance its commercial operation process. It is expected to be open to the public next year after obtaining the relevant certifications. The Special Vehicle Research Institute is simultaneously advancing personnel training, with the first three AS700 pilots soon to complete their training and provide professional support for future operations. The delivery marks a new beginning for the in-depth collaboration between the Special Vehicle Research Institute and Yuecheng district, aimed at building a complete industrial chain for manned airships and a broader low-altitude economic ecosystem. Through technological innovation, it will contribute to the high-quality development of China's low-altitude economy, helping China's homegrown airships take flight across more city skylines. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, US announce suspension of port fees, shipping probes Global Times By Ma Tong and Tao Mingyang Published: Nov 10, 2025 11:30 PM The US and China on Monday successively announced a one-year suspension of port fees on each other's vessels and a parallel halt to related investigations in the shipping and shipbuilding sectors, marking the latest step in implementing the consensus reached at the recent bilateral economic and trade talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. These new measures follow the adjustments of multiple tariff and non-tariff measures by both sides announced on November 5, and China's suspension of some export controls to the US as agreed by both sides. Chinese experts described these developments as "pragmatic steps" by both sides, helping to ease trade tensions, build mutual trust, and create more opportunities for further dialogue and progress in bilateral economic and trade relations, while urging the US to uphold its commitments through more proactive and concrete measures to ensure the agreement's lasting and substantive results. Pragmatic steps China's Ministry of Transport (MOT) on Monday announced a one-year suspension of special port fees for ships owned or operated by US enterprises, organizations and individuals. The suspension of such fees took effect at 1:01 pm on Monday. MOT also announced a one-year suspension of its probe into how the impact of the US Section 301 investigation affects the security and development interests of China's shipping and shipbuilding sectors, as well as related industrial and supply chains. On the same day, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced a one-year suspension of countermeasures against five US-linked subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean, a leading shipbuilding enterprise from the Republic of Korea. This suspension took effect on Monday, the ministry said in a statement. The five US-linked subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean subject to the countermeasures, now suspended for a year, are Hanwha Shipping LLC, Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc, Hanwha Ocean USA International LLC, Hanwha Shipping Holdings LLC and HS USA Holdings Corp, according to a previous announcement by the ministry. The move came after the US announced on Sunday (US time) the suspension of the action in the Section 301 Investigation of China's Targeting of the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance. The action will be suspended for one year, and as of 12:01 am Eastern Standard Time on November 10, 2025, according to a news release on the official website of the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR). A spokesperson for MOFCOM said on Monday that the US decision to suspend Section 301 investigation action against China's shipbuilding and other related sectors marks an important step for the US to work with China and implement the consensus reached during the recent China-US economic and trade consultations in Kuala Lumpur. Song Guoyou, a deputy director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, said the reciprocal moves signal that both sides are translating trade consensus into tangible actions. "The one-year suspension is a pragmatic step that will help to stabilize expectations and create a more favorable atmosphere for further dialogue," he told the Global Times on Monday. Song said the adjustments will bring positive effects to relevant industries and supply chains, adding that "it will boost relevant sectors, ease business uncertainty, and support a rebound in trade." "China has always been a proactive stabilizer of global industrial and supply chains, and previous countermeasures were necessary responses to US' unilateralism that disrupted global trade," Song said, adding that "the current progress shows China's willingness to uphold global economic stability and fulfill its responsibility as a major country." Consensus implemented In the previous week, China and the US had already implemented a series of consensus reached during the Kuala Lumpur talks. China and the US have successively adjusted multiple tariff and non-tariff measures, with the US announcing a reduction in tariffs on the so-called fentanyl-related imports from China and an extension of the suspension of certain reciprocal duties on Chinese products, while China made corresponding adjustments to its countermeasures against the affected US tariffs. On Friday, Chinese authorities announced 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. Just a day ago, China announced that it will temporarily suspend part of the 2024 export-control measures that aimed to strengthen restrictions on certain dual-use materials related to gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials exported to the US. "Overall, this systemic approach is very beneficial for bilateral cooperation, especially for resolving the issues at an early date," He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Monday, adding that the US side needs to show more sincerity in solving Chinese concerns. He Weiwen stressed that US tariffs on Chinese goods remain high. "The US should take proactive steps to lift the remaining tariffs and restrictions as soon as possible, to help restore bilateral trade cooperation and the normal functioning of global trade," He added. Song echoed the view, saying, "Whether these one-year suspensions can be extended or lead to broader progress depends on whether the US ensures the agreement's full implementation." He added that if Washington resumes suppression or restrictions, China is expected to take lawful countermeasures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. Broader cooperation As the consensus reached at the China-US economic and trade talks is gradually implemented, both sides have also made progress on other issues. Later on Monday, five Chinese authorities, including MOFCOM, added the US, Mexico, and Canada to the directory of precursor chemicals for export to specific countries (regions), requiring that 13 specific chemicals shipped to these destinations obtain permits in accordance with relevant regulations. He Weiwen noted that this move showed China's responsible approach to drug control and marks a crucial step in China-US cooperation in the field, laying a solid foundation for future joint efforts. However, he emphasized that the root of the US drug problem lies in its own regulatory shortcomings, not China, and urged Washington to acknowledge China's rational and sincere measures and act cooperatively. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia and Egypt Strengthen Strategic Partnership Sputnik News 20251110 Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to discuss trade, economic and security cooperation between the two countries. "Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Sergei Shoigu. The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Dr. Badr Abdel-Atty; Head of the General Intelligence Service, Major General Hassan Rashad; and Advisor to the President for National Security Affairs, Fayza Abul Naga," the office said in a statement, adding that the meeting focused on projects for a Russian industrial zone and El Dabaa NPP. Key points from the meeting: Shoigu stressed the success of major infrastructure projects, including the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant Russia expressed interest in increased military-technical cooperation, including new defense contracts The sides confirmed progress on the Russian Industrial Zone in the Suez Canal Economic Area the legal framework is completed and the project is moving towards implementation Shoigu named pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, fertilizers, car-making and food processing as key areas for future growth Sisi conveyed greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin, reiterating Egypt's high regard for relations with Moscow "The President expressed Egypt's appreciation for its close relations with Russia and for the ongoing progress and momentum in their ties, which culminated in the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between the two countries," the president's office said. The Egyptian leader called for increased bilateral trade and tourism and backed peaceful efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Security Council Secretary Shoigu Arrives in Cairo for High-Level Talks Sputnik News 20251110 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu arrived in Cairo on Sunday with an interagency delegation for talks with Egypt's senior political and military officials, the Security Council's press service said. At the airport, he was greeted by National Security Adviser Fayza El-Naga and Russian Ambassador Georgy Borisenko. "Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu arrived in Egypt for talks with the country's top political and military leadership. During his visit to Cairo, he will meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi and National Security Advisor Fayza El-Naga. Meetings with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Defense and Military Industry Minister Abdel Mageed Saqr, as well as other heads of security agencies and special services, are also on the agenda," the statement read. The Russian delegation includes representatives of the Interior Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Justice Ministry, Trade and Industry Ministry, state space corporation Roscosmos, state nuclear corporation Rosatom and other agencies, the council said. The parties will discuss a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues of mutual interest and exchange views on current regional and international issues, according to the statement. Priority areas include discussing the prospects for implementing agreements reached at the highest level, including in the areas of military and military-technical cooperation, the council also said. "Ways to intensify dialogue between law enforcement agencies and special services with an emphasis on ensuring information security and combating terrorism and extremism will also be discussed," the statement read. Special attention will be paid to promoting strategic Russian projects, primarily in the trade, economic and energy sectors, as well as in the area of food security, the council added. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany Federal Foreign Office 10.11.2025 - Press release Foreign Minister Wadephul issued the following statement today (10 November 2025) prior to his onward travel from Colombia to Bolivia: I am delighted to be meeting the new Bolivian Government under President Rodrigo Paz Pereira at such an early stage, on its third day in office and first real day of work. The Bolivian people have great hopes for this fresh political start. They want a way out of the ongoing economic crisis, they are hoping for prosperity, stability and growth. President Paz has announced that he will open Bolivia up to the world. Bolivia has our full support in this. Our potential for cooperation is considerable. Bolivia is rich in raw materials, especially when it comes to lithium, which is indispensable for our energy transition, for e-mobility and for many other areas in Germany. With regard to rare earths, too, there are tremendous opportunities to be found in Bolivia. As a member of Mercosur, Bolivia will also be able to join the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement, which we are currently finalising. This would give an additional boost to German-Bolivian economic relations. Germany wants to work in a spirit of partnership and make strong offers that will benefit both sides. We want to provide support so that the hopes and expectations of the people of Bolivia can become a reality - I will underline this at all of my meetings with the new government. Transcript of Special briefing by MEA on President's State visit to Angola (November 10, 2025) India - Ministry of External Affairs November 10, 2025 Shri Rajesh Parihar, Director (XPD): Good afternoon, everyone. I welcome you to this special media briefing on the ongoing visit of Hon'ble Rashtrapati ji to Angola. And for that, I have on dais with me Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs; Shri Sevala Naik Mude, Additional Secretary for Central and Western Africa, Ministry of External Affairs; Ms. Manisha Varma, Press Secretary to the Hon'ble Rashtrapati ji; and Vidhu Nair, Ambassador of India to Angola. I would now request the Secretary (ER) to brief the media on the Hon'ble Rashtrapati ji's visit to Angola. Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (ER): Good afternoon, friends. Thank you very much, Rajesh, for organizing this media briefing. I think, as most of you are aware, the Hon'ble President arrived in Luanda in the evening of 8th November on a State Visit to the Republic of Angola. This is the first ever State Visit by any Head of State from India to Angola. On arrival, on the evening of 8th, at the International Airport of Angola, Hon'ble Rashtrapati ji was received very warmly by the Hon'ble Minister of External Relations of Angola, His Excellency, Mr. Tete Antonio. Yesterday, Hon'ble President was received at the Presidential Palace by Hon'ble President of Angola Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco where she also inspected the guard of honor. Following the ceremonial welcome, Hon'ble President had a tete-a-tete with President Lourenco, which was followed by a delegation-level talks between the two sides. From the Angolan side, there were several cabinet ministers and senior officials present at the talk. From the Indian side, Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti Shri Somanna and two Members of Parliament and senior officials participated at the talks. During the discussion, both leaders expressed satisfaction at the growing political exchanges and expansion of bilateral ties between our two countries. The State Visit of Hon'ble President is taking place within six months of the State Visit of the President of Angola to Delhi, India, earlier this year in May. And this also reflects the strong and positive momentum in our bilateral ties. Both the leaders reviewed the existing bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including trade and investment, agriculture, health, infrastructure development, capacity building, defense, and also development partnership. They discussed ways to further strengthen and expand our cooperation in these sectors with a shared commitment to sustainable growth and mutual prosperity. Both sides also reiterated their commitment to encourage private sector to play a big role, an important role in advancing India - Angola ties of friendship and cooperation. The discussions were followed by signing and exchange of agreements between the two sides. We have signed two MoUs during this visit. One relates to cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture and marine resources. The other relates to consular matters. Both sides have also concluded the discussion and finalized the text of Air Service Agreement between India and Angola. In addition, in terms of specific outcomes, Angola has agreed to join the International Big Cat Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance, two initiatives spearheaded by Government of India. As some of you would know, IBCA focuses on conserving seven big cat species and their habitats. It also promotes sharing of best practices, funding, research and expertise to support conservation. The Global Biofuels Alliance aims to accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable biofuels as part of the Clean Energy Foundation, and we are very happy Angola has joined these two initiatives during this visit. Today, Hon'ble President addressed the National Assembly of Angola in a special session for the Members of Parliament of Angola. She was received at the Parliament building by the Hon'ble Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola. Earlier today, Hon'ble President also visited the Memorial of Antonio Agostinho Neto, the first President of Angola, and paid her respects there. She also visited Fortress of St. Michael, the National Museum, earlier today. In the evening today, Hon'ble President will be interacting with the Indian community at a special event organized by the Indian Embassy, celebrating the contribution of vibrant Indian Diaspora to Angola's development and to also India-Angola friendship. Tomorrow, Hon'ble President will be participating as a honored guest in the celebrations marking the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Angola. As you may recall, when Hon'ble President of Angola visited India in May this year, he had extended a cordial invitation to Hon'ble Rashtrapati ji to participate as a special guest in the celebration. So, Hon'ble President will be joining the Hon'ble President of Angola in the celebration tomorrow morning. As all of you know, this year is a very special year for India and Angola. We are celebrating 40th anniversary or 40 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. This is also, as I mentioned, the first ever State Visit of President of India to Angola. Angola is celebrating 50th anniversary of its independence this year. And President Lourenco also is Chairperson of the African Union this year. So, for all these purposes, this visit assumed very, very important significance. Overall, the visit of Rashtrapati ji has been a very significant milestone in furthering India-Angola friendship and partnership. With these opening remarks, I will be very happy to respond to any question that you may have. Thank you. Dibyendu, Doordarshan: Hi, sir. This is Dibyendu from Doordarshan. Sir, my question is, we did speak about a lot of cooperation between the two countries. Yesterday, we did hear during the press statement as well from the Angolan side that they required cooperation in the health sector as well. What are the other areas or avenues of cooperation between the two countries, if you could elaborate? Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (ER): Thank you very much for this question. I think, as I mentioned, it has been a remarkable year for India-Angola ties. Well, we have enjoyed close and long-standing partnership with Angola for several years. But, as I said, this year is very special. And during these discussions at the leaders' level, both in Delhi and in Luanda, yesterday and today, what I would say in terms of concrete areas of cooperation would be eight or nine, perhaps ten. The first and foremost, of course, is in the area of trade and economic cooperation, which also includes a range of, I would say, sectors in this broad rubric. The second area, I would say, is our partnership in energy cooperation. As you know, Angola is a very important partner of India for energy security. We do have substantial imports of energy supplies from Angola, both crude oil and gas. The third area I would say is, as you mentioned, health. President Lourenco did express an interest in collaborating more with India, knowing the expertise of India in the sector of health. The fourth, I would say, is the area of agriculture. And there also we hope to work together with Angola in the coming months and years to strengthen our partnership, sharing our expertise in the area of agriculture, agriculture technology, agriculture research with our Angolan friends. In addition, the leaders have agreed to also strengthen cooperation in the area of defense. As you would remember, during the visit of Angolan President to India, we had announced a line of credit of US$200 million, and we are trying to work together with our Angolan friends to finalize the agreement for this LOC, so that our cooperation in this area can move forward. Another area which is also very important for Angola, and where we have had collaboration with Angola in the past is the area of infrastructure development. President Lourenco spoke about their desire to expand the railway network in Angola, and our rail companies have worked in the past with Angolan entities, and they would be very happy to share their expertise and technology with Angola in the sector of rail development. Finally, I would say the whole area of connectivity and people-to-people connection. As you know, we have already initialed the text of the Air Services Agreement yesterday. So, connectivity is another important theme that we are focusing on. And lastly, which is very important also, is the area of technology. Hon'ble President of Angola spoke about space cooperation, seeking partnership in the whole domain of digital public infrastructure and we are working in that area also with Angola. So, I think these are, eight or nine sectors, which are very specific sectors of cooperation, which our leaders have identified. And as we go back to India, we would be working internally with all our ministries, stakeholders, industry and private sector to make sure that we maintain this momentum, and we encourage them to engage with the Angolan side to take this conversation forward. Thank you. Neelabh Srivastava, PTI: Sir, I am Neelabh. I work with the Press Trust of India. My question is with regard to the diamond sector. The President did mention that India is a leader in cutting and polishing of diamonds, whereas Angola obviously is a major producer of diamonds. So, what is the potential here? And my second question is about the energy sector. So has Angola, because of the global dynamics that we see ... Russian oil in the context of India. So, has Angola committed to increasing some supplies to India or enlarging the basket for us? Thank you. Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (ER): Thank you very much for your question. Two parts of the question. One is on diamond partnership in the sector of diamond, and the other is energy. So, in the area of diamond, as all of you know, Angola is a leading producer of diamond. And they have prospects for increasing their production in the coming years in diamond. And some of the Indian companies have been working with Angolan partners for the last few years. And the area of cooperation includes cutting and polishing of diamonds and procuring raw diamonds from Angola. And in our discussion with the leadership of Angola in the last two days, what I gathered from them is that their experience of Indian companies working in this sector is very positive. They felt that this model is based on partnership, that Indian companies are not only cutting and polishing in India, but they are trying to also enhance skill in Angola in the area of cutting and polishing. So, the leadership was very happy, and they would like to cooperate with us in this framework of collaboration and partnership. Where, both India and Indian expertise can be harnessed. Also, Angolan capacity can be increased in terms of cutting and polishing. So, I do see a very productive and positive, framework for collaboration in the area of diamonds in the coming years. As regard to energy, as I mentioned to you, we have a very robust and vibrant energy partnership with Angola. Angola is our second largest energy supplier from African region, both in the area of crude oil and gas. And our companies are already working very closely with Angolan counterparts. As Angola invests more in this sector, I feel that we can expand our collaboration in the energy sector, both in terms of joint investments and also putting our energy partnership on a more firm footing through long-term arrangements for export and import of energy supplies from Angola. So, all in all, I would say that there is a considerable sort of interest in Angola to expand this partnership. And we would be responding very positively as we move forward to strengthen our partnership in the energy sector. The scope is very positive, I would say, and we would like to build upon this partnership in the coming years. Thank you. Nishant Ketu, ANI: Hi, sir. I am Nishant Ketu from ANI. Sir, my question is how will this visit reinforce India's Africa policy and then guiding principle outlined by Prime Minister Modi? Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (ER): Well, thank you very much. I am glad you asked this question about our larger engagement with Africa and our partnership with the Global South. I would like to say that this visit of Hon'ble President to Angola, and Botswana later on, is also a reflection of India's very firm commitment to strengthen partnership with the African continent as a whole. I am sure all of you are aware that Hon'ble Prime Minister of India in the Parliament of Uganda had outlined 10 foundational principles of strengthening our partnership with Africa. And Hon'ble President, in her discussion with the Angolan leadership did reiterate India's commitment to expand this partnership with Africa as a whole. As you know, President of Angola is the current Chairperson of the African Union. And Hon'ble President did mention to her Angolan counterpart that we would like to also host the next edition of India-Africa Forum Summit. And Hon'ble President of Angola was very forthcoming in his support to make sure that India's partnership with Africa continues to move forward on the basis of solidarity, mutual respect, and shared development priorities. So, I would say that this visit is extremely important for us from larger context of India-Africa engagement also. Thank you. Manish, Akashvani News: Greetings, sir. I am Manish from Akashvani News. My question is to the MoUs which were exchanged yesterday on fisheries, aquaculture and marine resources and consular matters. I would request if you could elaborate a bit on the specific relevance of these sectors vis-a-vis India-Angola relations. Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (ER): Well, as I mentioned, the MoU on fisheries will focus also on aquaculture and marine resources. The MoU aims to enhance institutional collaboration for sustainable fisheries management and sustainable aquaculture practices. It will also allow us to share our best practices in fisheries and marine resources. So, I think this is very important for both India and Angola. I did mention to you about conclusion of discussion on the Air Services Agreement. This will provide us an enabling framework for looking at the possibility in the future of starting flights from Luanda to places in India. And President Lourenco did express an interest in the direct air connectivity between India and Angola to boost business as well as people-to-people connection between our two countries. We have also signed an agreement on authorizing the dependence of members of Diplomatic Relations and Consular Corps to engage in gainful employment. So, these are the three MoUs we initialled here yesterday. But more equally importantly, as I mentioned to you earlier, Angola has also joined the International Big Cat Alliance as well as Global Biofuels Alliance. The Global Biofuels Alliance was established or started during G20 Presidency of India in 2023, and several members have already joined this Global Biofuels Alliance, and we are very happy that Angola, during the visit of Hon'ble President, has agreed and announced its intent to join us as full member of this alliance. I must also mention that during the visit of President of Angola to India earlier this year, they had agreed to join the International Solar Alliance as well. So, Angola has come forward to partner with India and other members in these very critical areas of cooperation in renewable energy, in Conservation and Wildlife Management, and, of course, the Biofuels Alliance. So, all these, to my mind, are very significant outcomes of this visit. And we would like to build upon these agreements and MoUs. And I think you must have heard yesterday the Hon'ble President of Angola mentioned that we should now focus on implementation. So, the task for all of us, both on the Angolan side, on the Indian side, is to make sure that we continue to engage at different levels, as also to encourage the private sector in both countries to engage more and really see how we can collaborate more across sectors. Thank you. Shri Rajesh Parihar, Director (XPD): Sir, as I see, there is no more request for questions. So, sir, with your permission, now I would like to conclude this special media briefing. Thank you, sir. Thank you, everyone. The briefing is over. Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (ER): Thank you very much. Luanda November 10, 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ICG organises 23rd National Maritime Search and Rescue Board Meeting in Gandhinagar India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 10 NOV 2025 5:23PM by PIB Delhi Indian Coast Guard (ICG) organised the 23rd National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board meeting on Nov 10, 2025 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The meeting focused on enhancing inter-agency coordination and collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen India's overall search and rescue (SAR) framework. Discussions centred on leveraging technology and modern communication systems to improve operational efficiency and maritime safety standards. National SAR awards for the year 2023-24 were also presented during the meeting. Following are the awards: MV He Yuan Shun 89 , a Panama-flagged vessel, received the award in the Merchant Vessel category , a Panama-flagged vessel, received the award in the Merchant Vessel category Indian Fishing Boat Kedarnath Bhole was awarded in the Fishing Boat category was awarded in the Fishing Boat category ICG Ship Rajveer received the award for the Government-owned SAR Unit category received the award for the Government-owned SAR Unit category Vessel Traffic System (VTS), Mumbai Port Authority and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) were jointly felicitated in the Ashore Unit category. Director General S Paramesh Director General, ICG and chairperson of the NMSAR Board, presided over the meeting. He reaffirmed ICG's collective resolve to safeguard lives at sea and underscored the importance of efficient SAR operations as a cornerstone of India's maritime safety architecture. The meeting was attended by representatives from key maritime and aviation stakeholders including the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, ISRO, INCOIS, Airports Authority of India and Directorate General of Shipping, among others. Interactive sessions and presentations facilitated the exchange of ideas and best practices, reaffirming the shared commitment to ensuring safer and more secure maritime operations. **** VK/SR/PC (Release ID: 2188408) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address INDIA - SRI LANKA JOINT EXERCISE MITRA SHAKTI XI - 2025 COMMENCED TODAY India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 10 NOV 2025 4:33PM by PIB Delhi The Eleventh edition of Joint Military exercise "Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2025" commenced today at Foreign Training Node, Belagavi, Karnataka. The exercise is being conducted from 10 to 23 November 2025. The Indian contingent, of 170 personnel, is being represented mainly by troops from the RAJPUT Regiment. The Sri Lankan side is being represented by 135 personnel represented mainly by troops from the GAJABA Regiment. 20 personnel from Indian Air Force and 10 personnel from Sri Lankan Air Force are also participating in the exercise. The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of Sub Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Mandate. The scope of the exercise includes synergising joint responses during counter-terrorist operations. Both sides will practice tactical actions such as raid, search and destroy missions, heliborne operations, etc. In addition, Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR), combat reflex shooting and Yoga will also form part of the exercise curriculum. Exercise MITRA SHAKTI - 2025 will also involve employment of Drones and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems besides helicopters. Drills to secure helipads and undertake casualty evacuation during counter-terrorist operations will also be rehearsed jointly by both sides. Collective efforts will focus on achieving an enhanced level of interoperability amongst the troops and reduce the risk of life and property while keeping the interests and agenda of the UN at the forefront during peace keeping operations. Both sides will exchange views and practices of joint drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills that will facilitate the participants to mutually learn from each other. Sharing of best practices will further enhance the level of defence cooperation between Indian Army and Sri Lankan Army. The exercise will also foster strong bilateral relations between the two neighbouring nations. **** NA/RS (Release ID: 2188370) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nuclear technology accelerated scientific progress in Iran: FM Araghchi IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Nov 10, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says that nuclear technology has accelerated scientific advancement in Iran. On Monday, Araghchi visited the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), where he toured an exhibition showcasing the country's latest achievements in the nuclear industry. He also held discussions with senior managers of the organization. During this visit, the top Iranian diplomat said, "The nuclear industry has now become a very large industry and is rapidly progressing in various fields. In my belief, Western countries will ultimately have no choice but to accept Iran as a scientific hub in the field of peaceful nuclear technology." Also, the head of the AEOI, Mohammad Eslami, provided a report on the current status, plans, and accomplishments of Iran's nuclear industry. 3266**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry: Israeli claims of Iran's assassination plot in Mexico are 'ridiculous' IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Nov 10, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has dismissed as "ridiculous" allegations that Iran attempted to assassinate the Israeli ambassador to Mexico, saying that the Israeli regime seeks to damage the Islamic Republic's friendly relations with other countries. "Our embassy stated that we found this allegation so absurd and ridiculous that we did not even think it required an official response from the spokesperson," Baqaei said during his weekly press briefing in Tehran on Monday, responding to an IRNA question. He added that the Israeli regime has previously made similar accusations against Iran, citing as an example the attacks against Jewish targets in Australia earlier this year, which prompted Canberra to sever ties with Tehran. Despite official statements by Australian police rejecting any connection to Iran, Israel has continued to insist on Tehran's involvement, the spokesperson noted. Baqaei said the same pattern is being repeated with Mexico, where Israel claims that an attempted assassination of its ambassador took place in 2024. He added that there are specific reasons behind the Israeli regime's decision to focus on the North American country this time. "One of the reasons is to take revenge on the Mexican public, which has openly voiced its protest against the genocide in Gaza in recent months," Baqaei said, adding that the Israeli regime also seeks to undermine Iran's friendly relations with other nations. "Efforts to destroy Iran's friendly ties with other countries are among the schemes pursued by the Zionist regime. Therefore, the entire claim is fabricated. As you witnessed, both the Mexican Foreign Ministry and the country's intelligence agencies issued statements dismissing the allegation altogether," he noted. Trump's admission on Iran war registered as UN Security Council document On November 6, US President Donald Trump told reporters that he "was in charge of" Israel's June 13 attack on Iran, contradicting Washington's previous claims that Israel had acted unilaterally. Commenting on Trump's statement, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, "This explicit admission to committing an international crime places full responsibility on the US government." According to Baqaei, Iran immediately registered Trump's remarks as an official document at the United Nations and its Security Council, as part of Tehran's efforts to record the crimes committed by the US and Israel during their war of aggression in the summer. "Undoubtedly, this admission constitutes clear evidence of the United States' complicity in this act of aggression and will be cited in any court of law," he noted, adding Iran is seriously pursuing the documentation of the US-Israeli military aggression, examining all available international mechanisms to seek justice and file a complaint against Washington. "International Law Under Assault: Aggression and Defense" Conference The spokesperson said the event will be held by the Foreign Ministry's Institute for Political and International Studies in Tehran on Sunday, and will bring together legal and international relations experts from various countries. Baqaei explained that the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran will be a main topic, but the broader aim is to "draw the global community's attention to a trend that could undermine all the standards and norms of international law." "The US-Israeli action was not directed solely at a single sovereign country, but against the very principles and norms that have underpinned international coexistence for the past eighty years," he said, noting that the action was a clear example of unilateralism which is also pursued in other parts of the world, including in the Caribbean and Latin America. NATO chief's anti-Iran remarks dismissed The Foreign Ministry spokesperson dismissed the NATO Secretary-General's accusations that Iran and Russia are undermining international law, saying the remarks are nothing more than a ridiculous distraction and an unfounded allegation against Iran. He added that Iran itself has been a victim of unlawful measures by the US and some other member states of the Western military alliance, while the United States and these countries continue to violate international law a pattern that has become repetitive for them. Lifting sanctions a legitimate demand of Iranian people Commenting on Trump's remarks that Iran had asked for lifting sanctions, Baqaei said the removal of the sanctions "is a legitimate demand of the Iranian people, not a favor from the United States." The sanctions imposed over the past decades have unfairly affected every Iranian, he said. Given their impact on fundamental rights of the Iranians, the measures constitute a crime against humanity, he added. Rights reports inform domestic and international audiences On annual reports issued by Iran on human rights violations in the US and UK, the spokesperson explained that these countries are highlighted because they claim to uphold human rights internationally but often use the concept to pressure independent states. Providing evidence that their claims are hypocritical is a global responsibility, he said, adding that the use of human rights as a pressure tool is widespread, making these reports valuable not only for domestic awareness but also for international audiences. Iraq's elections On Iraq's general elections, scheduled for November 11, the Iranian diplomat expressed hope that the vote would benefit the Iraqi people and contribute to strengthening stability and security across West Asia. "Iraq is a very important country for us. It is a Muslim neighbor with close ties to Iran. Security, stability, and development in this country are of paramount importance to us," Baqaei said, emphasizing that Tehran-Baghdad friendly relations will continue regardless of the elections results. He also condemned the US for pressuring Iran-linked groups to exclude them from the elections, saying that the vote plays a crucial role in determining the fate of the Iraqi people, and that any foreign interference is unacceptable and condemned. "The US interference is clearly harmful. Past experience shows that wherever Washington has intervened, the outcomes have been detrimental to peace and security in that country and the entire region," he added. UK refuses to release Iranian prisoner under flimsy pretexts Baqaei also commented on a letter from Armenian-Iranian MPs urging Britain to free Iranian national, Richard John, who has been imprisoned in the UK for over 20 years. "He was eligible for release under a pardon in 2011-2012, but British authorities have repeatedly delayed it on various pretexts. His conditions are poor. He has an elderly mother in Iran and needs medical treatment," the spokesperson said. He noted that Richard John has retained only Iranian citizenship, and that Iran has offered his immediate return, with its embassy seriously pursuing the case. Caspian Sea littoral states' governors' meeting According to the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the International Conference of Governors of the Caspian Sea Littoral States will be held in Iran's northern city of Rasht on November 18-19. He said that the meeting, the first of its kind and initiated by Iran, aims to strengthen economic relations among the Caspian Sea littoral states. Iran, Saudi Arabia determined to continue positive ties "Over the past two years, our diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia have been steadily improving, and both sides are committed to advancing this positive momentum across all areas," Baqaei said, citing visits by senior Iranian officials to Saudi Arabia for bilateral talks as well as their participation in international events, as indications that Tehran and Riyadh are effectively managing their relations at various levels. Normalization of ties only emboldens Israel Responding to a question about Kazakhstan's reported accession to the "Abraham Accords" that calls for normalization of ties with Israel, Baqaei said: "A regime committing the ongoing genocide in Gaza and acts of aggression against regional countries deserves no recognition or normalization." He added that normalization only emboldens Israel to persist in its violations of international law and crimes in Gaza and elsewhere in the region. Regarding Kazakhstan, Baqaei noted that the country has maintained relations with Israel for more than three decades, and its latest announcement appears to be a political gesture aimed at masking Israel's isolation and diverting attention from the tragedy in Gaza. Iran ready to resolve Afghanistan-Pakistan dispute Baqaei said that Iran is deeply concerned about any escalation of tension along its eastern borders, not only because of proximity, but also because Pakistan and Afghanistan are Muslim neighbors with long-standing historical, cultural, and religious ties to Tehran. "Any insecurity in the eastern borders affects the entire region's stability," he said. Since the beginning of tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Iran has urged both sides to exercise restraint and offered to help resolve the dispute, he added. US military presence in West Asia In response to a question about Iran's reaction to the renewed US military presence in Syria and its impact on regional stability, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: "We have always maintained that any US military presence in regional countries only leads to greater instability and insecurity. In Syria, this presence has long served as a cover for looting the Syrian people's resources and supporting unrest. It now clearly serves only the interests of the occupying and destabilizing Zionist regime." Americans reject their country's support for Israel Commenting on the election of New York's Muslim mayor, Baqaei said that while US elections are a domestic matter, the messages emerging from them are noteworthy. "One clear message is that American public opinion strongly opposes their government's policies toward the region, particularly its support for the Zionist regime," he said, emphasizing that the American people do not support wasting their country's wealth and reputation on a genocidal regime. 4194**9417**7129 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address West has no choice but to recognize Iran as 'scientific hub for nuclear industry': FM Iran Press TV Monday, 10 November 2025 3:53 PM Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Western countries will ultimately have no choice but to recognize Iran as a scientific hub for the peaceful nuclear industry. During a visit to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) on Monday, Araghchi highlighted Iran's significant efforts to advance its nuclear industry, emphasizing that the country will never relinquish its rights in this sector. He praised Iran's remarkable progress in nuclear technology, which has grown into a substantial industry advancing rapidly across various fields. Araghchi pointed out that Iran's nuclear capabilities extend beyond uranium enrichment to include diverse applications in medicine, health, environmental protection, agriculture, and industrial sectors. He stated that the West's main concern lies not in the potential for Iran to develop nuclear weapons, but rather in the country's advancements in nuclear science. He explained that Iran has excelled in a "very complex and sensitive" scientific domain that the West seeks to monopolize. The top Iranian diplomat explained that this is why Western powers have used nuclear weapons as a pretext for their actions. Araghchi remarked that for over 20 years, Iran has engaged in negotiations and dialogue with the West, highlighting that if the intention to develop nuclear weapons had existed, it would have been realized by now, given the country's capabilities. He reaffirmed the peaceful nature of Iran's peaceful nuclear program, adding, "Wherever necessary, we have built trust and cooperated with international organizations and the International Atomic Energy Agency, but it is crystal clear that they [the West] are seeking pretexts." The IAEA has carried out about a dozen inspections in Iran since the Israeli-US war in mid-June. However, the UN nuclear watchdog announced last week it had not been given access to nuclear facilities such as Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, which the United States bombed on June 22 in a clear violation of international law and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the IAEA inspectors visited Iranian nuclear sites last week. "As long as we are a member of the NPT and committed to the Safeguard Agreement, we are fully aware of our commitments, and just last week, IAEA inspectors visited several nuclear facilities, including the Tehran Research Reactor," Baghaei added. During a meeting with senior managers at the AEOI earlier this month, President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that the country's expansion of its peaceful nuclear industry is aimed at enhancing the nation's welfare, not acquiring weapons. "However, the nuclear industry is a vast collection of scientific and industrial capacities and only a tiny fraction of its disproportionate and inhumane consequences relates to bomb-making," he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address West in no position to comment on Iranian missiles' range: Security chief Iran Press TV Monday, 10 November 2025 11:18 AM Iran's top security official says the West is using the country's missile capabilities as a means of pressure, stressing it is in no position to comment on the issue. "The current debate on Iran's missiles is not out of genuine security concerns but rather serves as a tool to exert pressure and restrict the country's defensive power," Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani said on Monday. He added that it is irrelevant for the West to comment on the range of Iran's missiles, questioning their involvement in the matter. "What does it have to do with the West that it comments on the range of Iran's missiles?" he asked. Larijani, who was a former nuclear negotiator, emphasized that Western countries also use the nuclear issue as a pretext to harbor animosity towards the Iranian nation, saying the US and Europe are raising issues about the range of Iran's missiles with the aim of imposing control and dominance. "No country is entitled to interfere in the Iranian nation's defensive power," which is a matter of independence, Larijani pointed out. The United States and its European allies have repeatedly called for any future agreement on Iran's nuclear activities to include its ballistic missile program as well. Tehran has consistently rejected that demand, saying its military capabilities are non-negotiable. Iran held five rounds of talks on a replacement for the 2015 nuclear deal prior to the US-Israeli airstrikes on the country and its nuclear facilities in mid-June. In his remarks, Larijani further pointed to Iran-West relations and the Islamic Revolution's stance on the country's political, cultural, and economic independence, adding, "Iran is neither seeking control [over other nations] nor is submissive to the dominance of any power." Larijani further pointed to Iran-West relations and the Islamic Revolution's stance on the country's political, cultural, and economic independence, adding, "Iran is neither imperialistic nor submissive to the dominance of any power." Since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Iran has increased its trade relations with the East, Muslim countries, and the neighbors, although for years the West was Iran's primary trading partner, the SNSC secretary noted. He slammed the West's arrogant policies with respect to political and security issues, saying the policy resulted in a crisis in its cooperation with Iran. Larijani stressed the importance of maintaining Iran's independence "because freedom, culture, and economy will not remain stable in the absence of independence." The West, under the guise of advocating human rights and peace, has been the main obstacle to the independence of nations for centuries, he asserted. Iran's top security official described national unity as the "greatest asset" of the country, warning of plots to weaken the will of the Iranian people. He said the Iranian nation has proved over the past four decades, particularly during the US-Israeli war in mid-June, that it will never compromise over its independence. "Iran will not retreat from its path of independence and dignity, even if it means facing full-scale confrontation," he emphasized. He reaffirmed the Iranian nation's will to stand strong and rational in the face of "modern brutality." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On 8-9 November, twenty khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan Rawalpindi - November 10, 2025 No PR-354/2025-ISPR On 8-9 November, twenty khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. On reported presence of khwarij, an intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces in general area Shawal, North Waziristan District. During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location, eight Indian sponsored khwarij were sent to hell. Another intelligence based operation was conducted in Dara Adam Khel District and after an intense fire exchange, twelve more khwarij were effectively neutralized. Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji found in the area as relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision "Azm e Istehkam" (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On 10 November 2025, in a heinous and cowardly terrorist act, Khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij attacked Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan District. Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan Rawalpindi - November 10, 2025 No PR-355/2025-ISPR On 10 November 2025, in a heinous and cowardly terrorist act, Khwarij belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij attacked Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan District. The assailants attempted to breach the perimeter security, however, their nefarious designs were swiftly foiled by the vigilant and resolute response by own troops. In their desperation, the attackers rammed an explosive laden vehicle on the main gate, resulting in collapse of the main gate and damage to adjacent infrastructure. Displaying unwavering courage and professional excellence, own troops engaged the intruders with precision, eliminating two khwarij belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Khwarij. However, three Khwarij managed to enter inside college premises who have been cornered in College's administrative block. These khwarij belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Khwarij have once again tried to repeat the barbaric act of terrorism carried out by them in Army Public School Peshawar in 2014. Aimed at instilling fear amongst the young generation of erstwhile tribal areas who are acquiring quality education at their doorstep to excel in life and achieve a better future for not only themselves and their families but also for their communities. Khwarij hiding inside college premises are in contact with their masters and handlers in Afghanistan and are getting instructions. This blatant act of barbarism orchestrated by Khwarij from Afghanistan is in contrast to assertions made by Afghan Taliban Regime claiming non presence of these terrorist groups on their soil. Pakistan reserves the right to respond against terrorists and their leadership present in Afghanistan. Clearance operations are being conducted to eliminate leftover Indian sponsored kharjis. We will continue relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision "Azm e Istehkam" (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian Official Admits Poland Helped Nord Stream Blast Suspect Flee Justice - Reports Sputnik News 20251110 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A senior Ukrainian official has admitted that the Polish government helped Ukrainians bust a suspect who Germany believes had a role in the Nord Stream explosion, The Wall Street Journal newspaper has reported. The Ukrainian diver, tracked down in Poland by investigators, was reportedly brought to Ukraine in a black BMW with diplomatic plates driven by the Ukrainian military attache in Warsaw, according to the report. The unnamed Ukrainian official privately confirmed that Kiev acted after it was tipped off by the Polish government. Investigators identified the diver from a photograph taken by a German radar camera and traced his social media and professional links to other suspects, the report said. Germany has reportedly issued arrest warrants for three Ukrainian special services officers and four divers suspected of involvement in the sabotage, which aimed to cut Russia's oil revenues and its relations with Germany. It took German investigators three years to find the suspects by tracking boat rentals, phones and license plates. The investigation into the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions could strain relations between Berlin and Kiev and weaken German and European support for Ukraine, the WSJ suggested. The Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines were bombed in September 2022. Germany, Denmark and Sweden did not rule out sabotage. The Russian Prosecutor General's Office opened an investigation into the attack as an act of international terrorism. Russia has repeatedly requested data on other countries' investigations into the explosions, but never received it, according to the Kremlin. In 2023, US journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Seymour Hersh published an investigation saying that explosive devices were placed under Russian gas pipelines in June 2022 during the Baltops exercises by US navy divers with support from Norwegian specialists. The decision for the operation was made by then-US President Joe Biden, Hersh claimed. The Pentagon told RIA Novosti that the United States had no role in the sabotage. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chairman Mast on Meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs November 10, 2025 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast issued the following statement after meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa: "Last evening, the new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and I broke bread. We had a long and serious conversation about how to build a future for the people of Syria free of war, ISIS, and extremism. He and I are two former soldiers and two former enemies. I asked him directly 'Why we are no longer enemies?' His response was that he wishes to 'liberate from the past and have a noble pursuit for his people and his country and to be a great ally to the United States of America.' Today, he will meet with President Trump and officially join the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS." ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian President to Join US-Led Anti-IS* Coalition - Reports Sputnik News 20251110 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Syria's transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to announce that his country will join the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS, a terrorist group banned in Russia), the White House press pool reported on Monday. On Saturday, al-Sharaa arrived in the United States for an official visit, the first by a Syrian leader since the country gained independence in 1946. According to the report, the agenda of the visit includes discussions on sanctions relief and expanded military cooperation with the United States. The trip is seen as carrying major symbolic significance, marking a potential turning point in US-Syria relations after years of sanctions and international isolation. Ahead of al-Sharaa's arrival in Washington, the United States removed the Syrian president from its Specially Designated Global Terrorist List. On November 6, Reuters reported that Washington is considering deploying a limited military presence at an airbase in Damascus as part of a future security arrangement between Syria and Israel. * Terrorist organization banned in Russia andmany other countries Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Allies call for Taiwan's inclusion in UN climate talks ahead of COP30 ROC Central News Agency 11/10/2025 08:19 PM Taipei, Nov. 10 (CNA) Representatives from diplomatic allies Eswatini, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and St. Kitts and Nevis called for an end to Taiwan's exclusion from United Nations climate negotiations, ahead of the 30th Conference of Parties in Belem, Brazil. On Friday, President of Palau Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. urged attendees to "reaffirm our defining principle -- leaving no one behind." "Despite strong climate ambitions, Taiwan continues to be excluded from this process. Every capable partner, including Taiwan, must have a seat at the table," he added. Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Kalani Kaneko emphasized that "every nation needs to be part of the solution" to climate change. "The Marshall Islands has long called for Taiwan to be part of the UNFCCC [United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] process, and I repeat that call again today. When nations' voices are silenced, democracy dies," Kaneko said. Tuvaluan Environment Minister Maina Vakafua Talia said that Taiwan needed to be "in the equation." St. Kitts and Nevis Minister of Environment Joyelle Clarke, meanwhile, noted Taiwan's help in her country's grid modernization. The previous day, Eswatini's Prime Minister Russell Dlamini underlined the need to include "all members of the global community" to "confront what has rightly been called one of the greatest challenges humanity will ever face." "Especially those who remain excluded from full participation in the process, such as Taiwan," Dlamini said. In a news release Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) thanked its diplomatic allies for their support. "As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan continues to work with its diplomatic allies and other like-minded countries to promote concrete climate action," it added. The 2025 UNFCCC Conference of Parties, known as COP30, takes place from Nov. 10 to 21. The conference has been held annually since the first U.N. climate agreement was reached in 1992. It is intended to be a platform for governments to discuss and agree on policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to impacts associated with climate change. Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China, left the U.N. in 1971, when the People's Republic of China took its place. It has since been excluded from the U.N.'s special agencies, including the UNFCCC. Since 1995, Taiwanese officials have participated in the annual conference through the government-funded Industrial Technology Research Institute. (By Joseph Yeh) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hsiao's recent trip to Brussels facilitated by EU, Belgium: IPAC ROC Central News Agency 11/10/2025 02:19 PM London, Nov. 9 (CNA) Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's () recent trip to Brussels and her address to the European Parliament were facilitated by the European Union and the Belgian government and were not linked to any quid pro quo, the organizers said Sunday. The invitation was "freely" extended for Hsiao to attend the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) and to address the European Parliament, which she did on Friday in a speech titled "Taiwan: A Trusted Partner in a Volatile World," IPAC told CNA. It was the first time that a Taiwanese vice president had visited a non-allied country and had spoken in the European Parliament, according to Taiwan's foreign ministry. Following Hsiao's return Sunday from the historic trip, online rumors erupted, alleging that it was made possible because IPAC was financially supported by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, an NGO funded by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote democracy in the region. Asked to comment on the rumors, founder and executive director of IPAC Luke de Pulford told CNA it was "fake news" that had been "completely fabricated." "This is fake news. Our Co-Chairs freely invited the Vice-President, and she graciously and freely accepted. That's all there is to it," he told CNA in a written statement. "The invitation was freely offered by IPAC's Co-Chairs, and freely accepted," he said. "IPAC is not supported by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, and the notion that a donation or pledge was made by anybody in exchange for this invitation is ludicrous. We are proud to have made the event possible." De Pulford also disputed online rumors that the EU and Belgium were unaware that Hsiao would be speaking at the IPAC summit. "The President of the European Parliament, the European External Action Service, and the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs were fully aware of the visit, and we are grateful to all of them for their assistance," according to the IPAC founder. Taiwan's Presidential Office said Sunday that it had asked law enforcement authorities to probe the "fabricated content" circulating online, and it urged the public not to repost the false information. Meanwhile, Taiwan's top representative to the EU Shieh Jhy-wey () on Sunday posted on his Facebook page a photograph he had taken of Hsiao's security detail during her visit to Brussels. The security detail was assigned to prevent any recurrence of a situation that occurred during Hsiao's visit to Europe in 2024 before she assumed office as vice president in May that year, Shieh said. At the time, Taiwan and Czech Republic government authorities said that Chinese agents were carrying out surveillance of Hsiao and had planned to ram her car. (By Chen Yun-yu and Joseph Yeh) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China lodges stern protest over Taiwan separatist politicians' activities in European Parliament, urges EU body not to send wrong signals: FM Global Times By Global Times Published: Nov 10, 2025 05:40 PM When asked about Taiwan politicians Hsiao Bi-khim and Lin Chia-lung's attendance at the "Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China" annual meeting held in the European Parliament in Brussels, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday that China has lodged solemn representations with the European Parliament regarding the "Taiwan independent" separatist politicians engaging in activities there. The European side stated that the European Parliament's adherence to the one-China principle has not and will not change. The meeting and the individuals concerned were not invited by the European Parliament, the leadership of the Parliament had no contact with them, and the individual actions of a few lawmakers do not represent the official position of the European Parliament, Lin said. Lin stressed that the so-called "Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China" is funded by several anti-China organizations and has long maliciously hyped China-related issues. It serves as a tool for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to seek foreign support and has no credibility whatsoever. The collusion between "Taiwan independent" separatist politicians and this organization is nothing but a self-directed political farce to gain attention, which will never succeed, Lin added. I want to reiterate that no matter how the DPP authorities and separatist forces agitating for "Taiwan independence" make trouble or play petty tricks, and no matter how hard they try to solicit foreign support, their shameful scheme of pursuing separatist activities will only expose itself further. Nothing can stop the overriding historical trend toward China's reunification, Lin said, calling on the European Parliament to see through the truth, distinguish right from wrong, firmly adhere to the one-China principle, refrain from sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" secession forces, and avoid being exploited. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025/11/10 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date 6 a.m. Nov. 9 (Sun.) to 6 a.m. Nov. 10 (Mon.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities 6 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 6 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's central ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. 1141110_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window] 1141110_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window] NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM call with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates: 10 November 2025 Press release This morning the Prime Minister spoke to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP Published 10 November 2025 This morning the Prime Minister spoke to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. The Prime Minister began by highlighting the value of a closer relationship between the UK and the UAE, with co-operation across issues like security, defence, economy, trade and cultural ties delivering benefits for both countries. Reflecting on the appalling suffering in Sudan, he said that the UK is pushing all parties to cease hostilities and support a drive for peace. Both agreed to keep in touch on their efforts to deliver a political solution and an end to the violence. The leaders discussed the latest situation in Gaza and underlined that the priority must now be to support implementation of the US peace deal, including by decommissioning Hamas weaponry, and the importance of sustaining the ceasefire to pave the way for long-term peace in the region. They looked forward to speaking again soon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kiev launches counterattack after Russia's 'most massive strike' on Ukraine's power grid Global Times By Liu Caiyu Published: Nov 10, 2025 08:52 PM Ukraine launched a drone counterattack overnight into Sunday with strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, leaving more than 20,000 people without power in border regions on Sunday, following that Russia launched what the Ukraine state grid operator called the "most massive strike" against its power plants. According to Reuters, power in the city of Taganrog in southern Russia has been fully restored, local authorities said on Sunday. Some parts of the city in the Rostov region were left without power for several hours due to an emergency shutdown of a high-voltage line. Earlier, Kiev endured more than 12 hours of emergency power cuts after what The Kiev Independent described as "one of the largest" Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Euronews reported that Kiev and Kharkiv experienced massive blackouts on Saturday evening after a large combined missile and drone attack. Ukrainian outlets published photos and videos of the streets of the two cities plunged into darkness. According to Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, the worst damage was in Kharkiv, Poltava and Donetsk regions, caused by repeated overnight strikes in Sumy and Chernihiv. Amid intensified Russian strikes on its energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with the Guardian published on Nov. 9 that Ukraine plans to order 27 Patriot air defense systems from US companies and hopes to borrow the crucial system from its European allies in the meantime, The Kiev Independent reported. Entering its fifth year, the conflict has settled into a war of attrition across a vast frontline, Sun Xiuwen, an associate professor for the Institute for Central Asian Studies at Lanzhou University, told the Global Times. Although Russian forces enjoy advantages in manpower and equipment, they have struggled to achieve strategic breakthroughs. The recent strikes, which caused emergency power outages in Ukraine, were aimed at degrading the country's military capabilities, Sun added. Pokrovsk, a key transportation and logistical hub in the Donbas region, has become one of the most intensely contested battlefields in the current conflict. "The fall of the city is almost a foregone conclusion and it could be a biggest victory for the Russian army since May 2023," Sun said. Meanwhile, Ukraine's military has adopted an active defense strategy, using technologies such as drones to strike energy facilities in Russia's rear areas, Sun noted. Russia's defence ministry said days earlier that its forces had advanced in the battered Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk and were fighting house-to-house to drive out Ukrainian troops, according to Reuters. Analyzing the situation, Sun told the Global Times that Russia is unlikely to give up its battlefield advantages and will most likely continue its long-standing strategy of "fighting while talking, leveraging military gains to secure diplomatic victories." Russia's position remains unchanged, which is that Ukraine must not join NATO and must undergo demilitarization and recognize the current status of Russian-occupied territories. For Ukraine, Sun said, its pursuit of reliable security guarantees to safeguard its future sovereignty and security remains unchanged. "The key variables in the negotiation leverage primarily stem from US policy decisions and developments on the battlefield," Sun said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday that he was ready to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio but that Russia would not abandon its core conditions for ending the war, Reuters reported. "It is important for discussing the Ukrainian issue and promoting the bilateral agenda. That is why we communicate by telephone and are ready to hold face-to-face meetings when necessary," Lavrov said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's Energy Sector Under Investigation By Anti-Corruption Watchdog By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service November 10, 2025 Ukraine's anti-corruption watchdog has announced a "large-scale operation" exposing tens of millions of dollars of graft in the energy sector in the midst of Russia's full-scale invasion. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said the joint operation with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office has found the scheme involves "a high-level criminal organization" aimed to "influence strategic enterprises in the public sector, in particular JSC 'Energoatom.'" The home of businessman and co-owner of the Kvartal 95 studio, Timur Mindich, was also reportedly searched. Kvartal 95 is a Ukrainian comedy troupe whose co-founder is President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Mindich has not commented publicly on the reports, while local media outlet Ukrainska Pravda quoted its sources as saying he left the country hours before NABU said it had launched some 70 raids in connection with the investigation on November 10. The report could not be independently verified. Zelenskyy lauded the anti-corruption efforts saying that "all and any steps against corruption are very necessary." In his daily address on November 10, Zelenskyy said Energoatom, the largest energy provider in Ukraine, is of such importance that it is "necessary to have the company clean." "Sentences must be handed down" he added. NABU said the main activity of the criminal organization was the systematic receipt of illegal benefits from Energoatom's counterparties in the amount of 10-15 percent of the value of contracts. The company has annual revenue of some $4.7 billion. While Ukraine has been lauded for making strides to rein in corruption, Western governments, anti-corruption watchdogs, and analysts say more work is needed to root out graft. The OECD said in a report earlier this year that "corruption risks remain high in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine." The investigation underlines why ordinary Ukrainians and Western governments earlier this year pushed Zelenskyy to reverse a law that took away the independence of the country's leading anti-corruption bodies. The initial move, which indeed was later reversed, sparked Ukraine's biggest protests since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The energy sector has been a target of the watchdog for some time. NABU said its investigation began 15 months ago and saw it record some 1,000 hours of audio that revealed the depth of the scheme, which "was managed not by top executives, the supervisory board, or the state as the owner, but by an outsider who, without any official authority, assumed the role of a shadow manager." Last month, Volodymyr Kudrytskiy, the former head of the state-run electricity grid, was arrested on embezzlement charges. Kudrytskiy is currently out on bail and has denied the charges, calling them politically motivated. He alleges they "could not have happened without the involvement of the presidential office." NABU did not say if Kudrytskiy's case was part of the investigation announced on November 10. Meanwhile, in July, an RFE/RL investigation revealed that the family of a senior Ukrainian customs chief has a portfolio of luxury real estate and cars. Anatoliy Komar was head of the Customs Service department that levies duties on imports and exports of oil, gas, and other energy in February 2022, just before Moscow's all-out invasion. At the time, Komar's monthly salary of about $2,000, while the family's main income came from his wife, Maria, who works as a tour guide and offers online courses. Her declared income was much higher, at around $8,000 per month. But a detailed look at the family outgoings suggests a much higher income would be required to support their lifestyle. Asked to explain how the lavish lifestyle was financed, Komar told RFE/RL that he would not comment on personal matters. When pressed, he said it was paid for by a "godfather" who was a "fairly wealthy person," but did not elaborate. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-corruption-investigation- energy-sector/33586081.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Forces Eliminate Over 200 Ukrainian Troops in Pokrovsk - MoD Sputnik News 20251110 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces eliminated more than 200 Ukrainian militants near the city of Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk) in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday. "Over the past 24 hours, more than 200 Ukrainian servicepeople, a UK-made Spartan armored personnel carrier, a Kozak armored vehicle, and six pickup trucks were destroyed," the statement said. Russian assault units have been pushing the offensive in central Krasnoarmeysk and mopping up the western industrial zone, capturing 244 buildings over the past 24 hours. "In the city of Krasnoarmeysk in the DPR, Russian assault groups are conducting active offensive operations in the Dinas microdistrict, in the northwestern and eastern neighborhoods of the Central District, as well as mopping up the territory of the industrial zone in the west," the statement read. Russian forces repelled seven attacks launched by Ukrainian troops in an attempt to rescue the encircled Ukrainian forces near the village of Grishino in the DPR, the ministry said, adding that Russian military also repelled two attempts by Ukraine's encircled Skala 425th assault regiment to break out, the ministry added. In the city of Dimitrov in the DPR, units of the 51st army's 5th motorized rifle brigade have been advancing in the Eastern microdistrict and in the direction of the Western microdistrict, the ministry added. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Forces Liberated Novoye Settlement in Zaporozhye Region - MoD Sputnik News 20251110 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces have taken control of the settlement of Novoye in the Zaporozhye region in the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday. "Battlegroup Vostok continued to advance into the depth of the enemy's defenses. The settlements of Novoe and Sladkoe in the Zaporozhye region have been taken control of," the report said. Russian forces also took control of Gnatovka settlement in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the ministry said. Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated up to 510 Ukrainian military personnel over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday. "In total, in the area of responsibility of Battlegroup Tsentr, enemy losses amounted to up to 510 servicepeople, four armored fighting vehicles, and six motor vehicles," the ministry said in a statement. Russia's Battlegroup Vostok has eliminated over 235 Ukrainian soldiers, the ministry also said, adding that Kiev has lost over 210 soldiers in battles with Russia's Battlegroup Zapad. Russia's Battlegroup Sever has eliminated over 130 Ukrainian servicepeople over the past 24 hours. Russia's Battlegroup Yug has defeated the formations of the Azov special forces brigade (designated as terrorist and banned in Russia) and eliminated over 70 Ukrainian soldiers over the past day. Kiev has also lost up to 70 soldiers in clashes with Russia's Dnepr group of forces over the past day, the statement read. Russian forces launched a strike using precision-guided weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, against Ukrainian military airfields, a Ukrainian armed forces radio and electronic intelligence center, a rocket depot for the Vilkha multiple launch rocket system, and assembly shops and storage sites for long-range drones, the ministry added. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Takes Sides, Won't Resolve Ukraine Conflict - Nebenzya Sputnik News 20251110 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, along with "his close associates, including the spokesperson and other officials, abuse their positions," Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya told Sputnik. He stressed that instead of strictly adhering to the UN Charter's Article 100 on the impartiality of international civil servants, they evidently take sides in the Ukraine conflict. Nebenzya accused Guterres' press office of ignoring what "Ukraine is doing against civilians and the population in Russia." "Therefore, honestly, I don't see a role for the UN. And, in fact, they themselves are not particularly eager to play any role, because they understand that there's no place for them at the negotiating table in this matter," the Russian diplomat concluded. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Anna Gvozdiar shared Ukraine's experience in countering UAVs with British parliamentarians Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 10 November, 2025, 2:00 PM EET Ukraine has built a new air defence architecture that integrates traditional capabilities, interceptor drones, and networked systems, reshaping the rules of modern warfare. Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Anna Gvozdiar stated this during the parliamentary discussion "Drone Protection for UK Soldiers - Learning from Ukraine" at the House of Lords. "Over nearly four years, our air defence system has evolved from a relatively expensive, classical model into a flexible, multi-tiered structure in which high-tech complexes operate in synergy with mass, cost-effective solutions. This is a story of adaptability and ingenuity Ukrainians are not merely defending themselves but setting new standards of security for future wars," noted Anna Gvozdiar. The Deputy Minister of Defence joined the discussion online. During the event, British parliamentarians, defence sector representatives, and Ukrainian innovators discussed Ukraine's practical experience in countering UAVs and how this experience could be applied within NATO and UK approaches. Anna Gvozdiar emphasised that the Ukrainian approach is based on practicality, rapid implementation of solutions, and the ability to continuously adapt to new challenges. She expressed gratitude to the House of Lords for its consistent and systematic support for Ukraine, in particular for facilitating the transfer of interceptor systems for air defence and for supporting the development of Ukrainian interceptor drone production. The Deputy Minister of Defence further underlined that close collaboration in technological development strengthens our militaries and enhances the security of the entire free world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We Are Preparing Agreements with Several European Countries, Including Those Aimed at Bolstering Our Air Defense and Energy Sector - Address by the President President of Ukraine 10 November 2025 - 20:23 I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians! Briefly about today. First - the military. There were reports on the frontline. It is extremely important that the occupier has achieved no significant results. The Pokrovsk sector, the areas of Dobropillia, and the Donetsk region in general - we are defending our positions. We are holding the line in all other sectors of the front as well, and this is the most significant result for our state. I want to thank every unit and all our warriors. I would like to give special recognition today to the 414th Brigade "Magyar's Birds" of the Unmanned Systems Forces. I also want to recognize the 411th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems "The Hawks," and the Border Guard Unit of Unmanned Aerial Systems - "Phoenix." Thank you very much, warriors! Artillerymen of the 26th, 55th, and 148th Brigades, and the missile troops of the 360th Separate Coastal Brigade of the Ukrainian Navy - thank you! The 5th and 92nd Separate Assault Brigades, the 71st Separate Jaeger Brigade, the 227th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade, the Special Operations Forces units, and also the 1st, 33rd, 225th, and 425th Separate Assault Regiments. It is very important that every unit be effective in its area of responsibility for the sake of Ukraine. Today, I signed a decree awarding state honors to our warriors: 304 servicemembers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 135 of them, sadly, posthumously. There was a report from Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal. By the end of the year - in terms of weapons supply and defense production - we must fulfill all the tasks set for supporting the front, financing our army, and carrying out our deep strikes. Ukraine is currently applying its long-range sanctions against Russia virtually on a daily basis. And we have clear results in the form of reduced Russian capabilities every day. Russia must keep losing, and this is actually a peacemaking tactic. I want to thank everyone working for Ukraine's respective capabilities - and, of course, our warriors for their precision. Today, I also held a meeting with our government officials and the Office team regarding the situation in our frontline communities, in such cities of ours as Nikopol, as well as cities in the South of Ukraine, the cities of the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, which come under attack virtually every day. We are preparing new support measures for our people in frontline and border communities. Today, I also held a diplomatic meeting - regarding meetings and events in the coming weeks. We are preparing agreements with several European countries, including those aimed at bolstering our air defense and energy sector. We are constantly adding such agreements, primarily with European nations, that allow us to recover step by step after Russian strikes. And one more thing. Any effective action against corruption is greatly needed. The inevitability of punishment is essential. Energoatom currently provides Ukraine with the largest share of power generation. Integrity within the company is a priority. The energy sector and every field. Everyone who has built corrupt schemes must face a clear procedural response. There must be convictions. And government officials must work together with NABU and law enforcement bodies - and do it in a way that delivers real results. I thank everyone who helps! I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Met with the Speaker of the Parliament of Serbia President of Ukraine 10 November 2025 - 19:49 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Ana Brnabic. The Head of State thanked Serbia for its support of Ukraine's territorial integrity. "We are grateful to Aleksandar Vucic. We have regular phone conversations and meetings with him. We discussed European Union membership, challenges, and ways to support each other. We are ready to support the countries of the Western Balkans and our friends in Moldova. And we count on the support of your country for Ukraine," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The parties discussed in detail the process of European integration, which is a strategic goal for both Ukraine and Serbia. Ana Brnabic emphasized the importance of continuing mutual support along this path. "I am glad to be in Ukraine, and we will work on continuing our cooperation, especially in the field of European integration," she said. The President of Ukraine and the Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia also discussed intergovernmental cooperation and partnership for regional security. Volodymyr Zelenskyy separately highlighted the efforts of the First Lady of Serbia, Tamara Vucic, her participation in the Summits of First Ladies and Gentlemen, and her attention to the issue of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. "There is not a single country that could bring back all the children on its own. That is why we count on a coalition of different countries, leaders, governments, and parliaments," the President emphasized. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Oreshnik Missiles to Venezuela In early November 2025, senior Russian officials indicated Moscow's willingness to supply Venezuela with advanced missile systems, including the newly operational Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile and Kalibr cruise missiles. This development emerged amid escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela, with Washington deploying substantial naval forces to the Caribbean region ostensibly for counternarcotics operations. The potential weapons transfer has prompted comparisons to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, though military analysts suggest significant logistical and strategic constraints may limit the scope of any actual deployment. The phrase "Missiles of October" references the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962, a 13-day standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. It began when U.S. intelligence discovered Soviet medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles being deployed in Cuba, just 90 miles from Florida. Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev had authorized the placement as a response to U.S. Jupiter missiles in Turkey and Italy, as well as perceived threats from American military exercises and the failed Bay of Pigs invasion. President John F. Kennedy imposed a naval blockade (termed a "quarantine") around Cuba to prevent further shipments, leading to tense negotiations. The crisis ended when the Soviets agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for a U.S. pledge not to invade Cuba and a secret deal to withdraw U.S. missiles from Turkey. It highlighted the dangers of nuclear brinkmanship during the Cold War and led to improved U.S.-Soviet communication, including the establishment of the Moscow-Washington hotline. The "Missiles of November" is an analogous reference to escalating tensions in Venezuela during November 2025, where Russia had reportedly deployed advanced missiles and military hardware amid fears of U.S. intervention. This situation echoed the 1962 crisis, with Russia positioning weapons in a Latin American ally close to U.S. shores as a counter to perceived American aggressionpotentially linked to U.S. support for Ukraine, sanctions on Russia, or threats against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's regime. Multiple Russian cargo planes, including an Ilyushin Il-76 linked to military operations, had landed in Caracas, delivering heavy cargo such as munitions, missiles (including hypersonic Oreshnik systems), drones, radar components, and air-to-air missiles. Venezuelan officials requested urgent expansions of military cooperation from Russia and China, including radars, missiles, and drones with ranges up to 1,000 km. Russia also pledged to restore Venezuela's Su-30MK2 fighter jets and provide 14 missile defense systems. Maduro's forces deployed air defenses like the Buk-M2E system, training cadets with FPV drone simulators, and positioning troops on beaches in anticipation of a potential U.S. invasion. Anti-ship missiles like the Bastion system, previously supplied by Russia, are part of Venezuela's coastal defenses. U.S. warships, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, have approached Venezuelan waters. Reports indicate the Pentagon is considering air strikes on Venezuelan ports and airports tied to drug trafficking, though incoming U.S. leadership (under President-elect Trump) has verbally ruled out strikes but left operational details vague. Russia stated readiness to assist Venezuela against any U.S. actions, with some Russian lawmakers suggesting arming Venezuela with nuclear-capable missiles as a deterrent. Commentators describe this as a "Cuban Missile Crisis 2.0" or a "silent riposte" to NATO expansions. Russia's moves, potentially placing hypersonic weapons (capable of evading U.S. defenses) within striking distance of Florida, were seen as a direct response to U.S. plans to deploy long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles in Europe. Unlike 1962, modern hypersonics like Oreshnik and Kalibr add complexity, potentially shortening response times and escalating risks. Venezuela's proximity to the U.S. (closer than Cuba in some aspects) amplifies the stakes, with calls for Maduro to hold new elections amid U.S. pressure. This situation remains fluid, and underscored ongoing great-power rivalries in the Western Hemisphere. Russian Statements and Diplomatic Context Alexei Zhuravlyov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, told the Russian news outlet Gazeta.ru on November 1, 2025, that Russia sees no obstacles to providing Venezuela with advanced missile systems.[1] Zhuravlyov characterized Russia as one of Venezuela's key military-technical partners, noting that Moscow already supplies Caracas with nearly the complete range of weaponry, from small arms to aviation equipment. He emphasized that details regarding the volume and specific systems being delivered remain classified, suggesting that American military planners might face unexpected developments in the region. The Russian official's comments appear to have been prompted by a direct appeal from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as to leaders in China and Iran, requesting military assistance to strengthen Venezuela's defense capabilities.[2] According to reporting based on leaked internal U.S. documents, Maduro specifically requested help with radar systems, aircraft repairs, and possibly missiles to counter the increased American military presence in the Caribbean. The Venezuelan president reportedly characterized Russian-supplied Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter aircraft as the most important deterrent available to his government when facing potential military threats. This diplomatic outreach occurred against the backdrop of a newly ratified strategic partnership treaty between Russia and Venezuela. Putin signed the agreement in October 2025, formalizing cooperation across military, economic, and energy sectors.[3] The treaty appears to provide a legal framework for expanded defense cooperation, including large-scale projects such as a munitions factory that opened in Venezuela's Aragua state in July 2025 after nearly two decades of planning. Additionally, Moscow has secured exploration rights for natural gas and oil deposits valued at billions of dollars, further deepening its economic stake in Venezuela. United States Military Buildup in the Caribbean The Russian statements on potential weapons transfers came in response to a significant American naval deployment to the Caribbean region. The Trump administration dispatched the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group, along with at least eight U.S. Navy warships and a submarine, to waters near Venezuela.[4] By early November 2025, the Ford and its escort, the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Bainbridge, had passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and were proceeding westward across the Atlantic toward the Caribbean. The White House characterized this military buildup as part of counternarcotics operations targeting drug trafficking networks allegedly controlled by the Maduro regime. In August 2025, the U.S. government formally accused Maduro of leading the Cartel de los Soles, a major narcotics-trafficking organization that reportedly collaborates with the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua gang, Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, and other international criminal networks. U.S. officials identified specific targets inside Venezuela tied to these drug trafficking operations, though the administration maintained that military action remained unlikely. President Trump, in an interview with 60 Minutes, downplayed the prospect of armed conflict with Venezuela while criticizing the Maduro government for its role in drug trafficking and migration issues. Secretary of State Marco Rubio similarly suggested that Maduro's tenure as Venezuela's leader might be approaching its conclusion, though both officials emphasized diplomatic and economic pressure rather than military intervention. Despite these assurances, the scale of the U.S. naval presence represents one of the most substantial American military deployments to the Caribbean in recent years. The Oreshnik Missile System The Oreshnik represents Russia's most recent entry into the category of intermediate-range ballistic missiles, though considerable uncertainty surrounds its actual capabilities and operational status. Western and Ukrainian intelligence assessments suggest the system may be derived from or related to the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile program, with the Oreshnik potentially representing a road-mobile, intermediate-range variant.[5] Russian officials claim the missile can achieve speeds approaching Mach 10 and strike targets at ranges up to approximately 5,500 kilometers, though independent verification of these performance specifications remains limited. The missile first came to international attention in November 2024 when Russia conducted what appears to have been a combat test strike against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. President Putin characterized this attack as retaliation for Ukraine's use of Western-supplied long-range weapons, including American ATACMS missiles and British Storm Shadow cruise missiles, to strike targets inside Russian territory. Following this initial use, Washington classified the Oreshnik as an intermediate-range ballistic missile system, a designation that carries significant implications under international arms control frameworks. Russian sources describe the Oreshnik as capable of carrying multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, though the exact payload configuration remains unclear. The system reportedly can be fitted with either conventional or nuclear warheads, giving it potential utility across a range of strategic scenarios. Putin has characterized the missile as a weapon that ensures parity and strategic balance, emphasizing its extended range and hypersonic velocity as key advantages that make interception extremely difficult with current defense technologies. The production status of the Oreshnik presents a major question mark in any discussion of potential transfers to Venezuela. In August and October 2025, Putin announced that the missile had entered serial production and would be deployed to Russian combat formations, with initial deployment to Belarus also planned.[6] However, the actual number of operational systems remains unknown, and the missile appears to be in very limited supply. Given Russia's ongoing need for precision strike capabilities in Ukraine, where the conflict has consumed substantial quantities of advanced munitions, Moscow may have few Oreshnik missiles available for export even if political will existed to transfer them. Kalibr Cruise Missile Considerations The Kalibr cruise missile family presents a somewhat different calculus than the Oreshnik for potential Venezuelan deployment. Russia has employed Kalibr missiles extensively since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, launching these weapons from both surface vessels and submarines against a wide range of targets. The missiles have demonstrated considerable accuracy and have been used to strike both military installations and civilian infrastructure throughout Ukraine, including a particularly deadly attack on the city of Vinnytsia in July 2022 that killed more than 20 civilians.[7] Western intelligence assessments suggest Kalibr variants possess ranges between approximately 930 and 1,550 miles, depending on the specific model and payload configuration. From launch positions in Venezuela, these ranges would potentially place portions of the southern United States and numerous facilities throughout the Caribbean within strike range. The containerized Club-K export variant of the Kalibr system presents particular concerns for defense planners, as these launchers can be concealed within standard shipping containers and transported relatively discreetly by sea or air. The intensive use of Kalibr missiles in Ukraine over nearly four years of sustained combat operations raises questions about Russia's remaining inventory of these systems. International sanctions have affected Russia's ability to produce advanced standoff weapons, as the missiles require sophisticated guidance systems, specialized materials, and precision manufacturing capabilities that may be constrained by export controls on critical components. The rate at which Russian industry can manufacture replacement Kalibr missiles remains uncertain, but military analysts generally assess that these standoff weapons have become considerably more precious to Russian military planners than they were before the Ukraine conflict. Despite these inventory concerns, Russia has successfully maintained Kalibr production throughout the conflict period, and Zhuravlyov's description of the system as "well-proven" suggests Moscow may view these cruise missiles as more expendable than cutting-edge systems like the Oreshnik. The existence of export variants designed specifically for foreign customers also indicates Russia has historically been more willing to transfer Kalibr technology to allied nations than to share its most advanced strategic systems. Recent Russian Arms Deliveries to Venezuela Concurrent with statements about potential future weapons transfers, Russian officials confirmed recent deliveries of air defense systems to Venezuela. Zhuravlyov disclosed that Russian Il-76 transport aircraft had recently delivered Pantsir-S1 and Buk-M2E air defense systems to Caracas.[8] These systems add to Venezuela's existing air defense architecture, which already includes S-300VM (Antey-2500) long-range systems, Buk-M2E medium-range batteries, and Pantsir-S1 short-range point defense units. The Russian-Venezuelan defense relationship extends back more than two decades, with Venezuela having purchased 24 Su-30MK2 multirole fighter aircraft beginning in 2006. Subsequent deliveries established a layered air defense network anchored by the S-300VM systems, which independent tracking sources indicate arrived around 2012-2013. Buk-M2E deliveries occurred during the 2013-2015 period according to open-source reporting and industry sources. While maintenance of this inventory has been inconsistent over the years, recent Il-76 flights to Caracas suggest renewed Russian attention to sustaining Venezuela's defense capabilities through logistics support and training programs. This established pattern of military-technical cooperation provides context for Russian claims about potential Oreshnik and Kalibr transfers. Moscow has demonstrated both the political will and logistical capability to deliver sophisticated weapons systems to Venezuela over extended periods, even as the country faced international pressure and economic sanctions. The question is not whether Russia could theoretically deliver advanced missiles to Venezuela, but rather whether such transfers align with Russian strategic interests and whether Moscow possesses sufficient quantities of these weapons to spare for export. Legal and Arms Control Implications Any transfer of Oreshnik missiles to Venezuela would raise significant questions under international arms control frameworks, particularly the Missile Technology Control Regime. The MTCR represents an informal arrangement among partner nations to restrict exports of missile systems capable of delivering at least a 500-kilogram payload to ranges of at least 300 kilometers.[9] The Oreshnik clearly exceeds these thresholds by substantial margins, falling squarely into Category I restrictions that call for the strongest presumption of denial for export applications. Russia participates in the MTCR as a partner nation, though the regime functions through voluntary adherence rather than binding treaty obligations. Moscow has previously demonstrated willingness to interpret MTCR guidelines flexibly when such interpretations serve Russian strategic interests, and Russian officials have consistently maintained that sovereign nations retain the ultimate authority to make their own export decisions. In the context of Venezuela, Russia would likely argue that any weapons transfers represent legitimate defense cooperation between sovereign states responding to perceived American aggression in the region. For long-range variants of the Kalibr cruise missile, the legal situation becomes more ambiguous. While some Kalibr models would clearly trigger MTCR restrictions, Russia has developed export variants with deliberately limited ranges designed to remain below Category I thresholds. Moscow could potentially argue that transfer of these constrained-range versions respects the letter of MTCR commitments while still providing Venezuela with meaningful standoff strike capabilities. Such arguments would likely prove unconvincing to the United States and other Western nations, but they would provide Russia with a diplomatic position from which to defend the transfers. Beyond the MTCR, broader questions of regional stability and the potential for arms racing in Latin America arise from any significant Russian weapons transfers to Venezuela. The deployment of advanced ballistic missiles to the Western Hemisphere would represent a substantial shift in the regional security environment, potentially prompting responses from the United States and other nations concerned about the implications for their own security. The historical precedent of the Cuban Missile Crisis demonstrates how sensitive Washington remains to the presence of Soviet or Russian strategic weapons in the Caribbean basin. Logistical Challenges and Technical Feasibility Military analysts have identified substantial logistical obstacles to any significant deployment of Oreshnik systems to Venezuela. The combined weight of an Oreshnik missile and its mobile launcher is estimated at approximately 70 tons, requiring heavy-lift transport aircraft for intercontinental movement.[10] Russia's Antonov An-124 Ruslan cargo aircraft represent the most capable platform for such missions, but these aircraft operate in limited numbers and face significant demands supporting Russian military operations across multiple theaters. A minimal deployment of even a single Oreshnik system with supporting equipment would require multiple An-124 flights carrying the missile, launcher, command and control equipment, maintenance facilities, and spare parts. A more operationally meaningful deployment of several launchers with adequate missile stocks would demand a sustained airlift effort that would almost certainly be detected by American and allied intelligence assets monitoring transatlantic air traffic. Satellite imagery, signals intelligence, and human intelligence sources would likely provide advance warning of such movements, allowing the United States to respond diplomatically or militarily before systems became operational. For Kalibr missiles, particularly containerized variants, the logistical picture differs considerably. Club-K systems designed for export can be transported by conventional cargo aircraft or aboard surface vessels, making discrete deployment more feasible. Russia has demonstrated the ability to move weapons systems to Venezuela by sea, with cargo vessels making regular runs between Russian ports and Venezuelan harbors. The containerized nature of some Kalibr variants would allow them to blend with legitimate commercial cargo, though intelligence agencies would likely maintain close surveillance of suspicious shipments. The technical infrastructure required to operate these systems in Venezuela presents additional challenges. Ballistic missiles like the Oreshnik demand sophisticated support facilities, including specialized maintenance capabilities, secure storage for missiles and warheads, trained personnel for operations and maintenance, and command and control networks integrated with national leadership. While Venezuela has developed some indigenous defense industrial capabilities with Russian assistance, including the recently opened munitions factory, the technological sophistication required for Oreshnik operations may exceed current Venezuelan capabilities without substantial Russian technical assistance. Strategic Implications and American Responses The potential deployment of Russian missiles to Venezuela carries significant strategic implications for American defense planning and regional security architecture. From launch positions in Venezuela, Oreshnik missiles with reported ranges up to 5,500 kilometers could theoretically reach targets throughout the continental United States, though the southern states and Caribbean facilities would be most immediately threatened. This geographical reality echoes the strategic calculus that drove American responses during the Cuban Missile Crisis, when Soviet ballistic missiles positioned just 90 miles from Florida fundamentally altered the strategic balance. Defense planners would need to consider how to counter these systems through a combination of offensive and defensive measures. The hypersonic speed and maneuverability claimed for the Oreshnik would present significant challenges for existing American missile defense systems, which are optimized primarily to intercept slower, more predictable ballistic missile trajectories. Successfully defending against multiple Oreshnik missiles simultaneously might require deployment of additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense batteries or other advanced interceptor systems to the threatened regions. Offensive counter-options would center on the ability to locate and destroy missile launchers before they could fire. The Oreshnik's reported road-mobile configuration would allow Venezuelan forces to disperse launchers across the country, complicating American targeting efforts. Any campaign to neutralize these systems would require persistent surveillance coverage, rapid strike capabilities, and potentially extensive operations inside Venezuelan territory. Such military operations could quickly escalate beyond limited strikes into broader conflict, raising the stakes considerably for both sides. For Kalibr cruise missiles, American defense responses would focus on different capabilities. The subsonic flight profiles of most cruise missile variants make them more vulnerable to interception than hypersonic ballistic missiles, but defending against saturation attacks involving multiple simultaneous Kalibr launches would strain available defenses. Coastal installations and naval assets would require robust short-range air defense systems, while early warning coverage would need enhancement to provide adequate reaction time against cruise missile threats launched from Venezuelan territory. Kremlin Signaling and Strategic Messaging Russian statements regarding potential weapons transfers to Venezuela should be understood partly as strategic messaging directed at the United States rather than purely operational planning. Moscow has historically used threats of weapons transfers to American adversaries as bargaining chips in broader negotiations over security arrangements, arms control agreements, and regional influence. President Putin explicitly threatened to provide standoff weapons to American enemies in previous statements, framing such transfers as responses to Western military assistance to Ukraine. The timing of Zhuravlyov's comments, coinciding with the American naval buildup in the Caribbean, suggests Russia seeks to impose potential costs on U.S. actions in Latin America and demonstrate that Moscow retains options for responding asymmetrically to American pressure. By raising the specter of advanced missiles in Venezuela, Russia may aim to complicate American military planning, generate domestic political debate about the wisdom of confronting the Maduro regime, and signal to other nations that Russia remains willing and able to support allies facing American pressure. However, the gap between rhetorical threats and actual weapons transfers can be substantial. Russia has made similar threats regarding other nations and weapons systems over the years without always following through on deployment. The practical constraints discussed earlier regarding missile inventories, logistical challenges, and potential American responses all factor into Russian decision-making beyond the public statements of individual officials. Zhuravlyov, while a senior legislator, does not necessarily speak for Putin or the Russian military leadership when discussing potential arms transfers. Venezuelan Perspectives and Strategic Calculations For Venezuela, the potential acquisition of advanced Russian missile systems would represent both a significant defensive enhancement and a major strategic gamble. The Maduro government faces genuine security concerns stemming from American military presence in the region, ongoing economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and internal political opposition. Advanced air defense systems and standoff strike capabilities could theoretically provide some deterrent value against potential American military action or coercive pressure. However, accepting deployment of Russian missiles, particularly nuclear-capable systems like the Oreshnik, would elevate Venezuela to the status of a potential nuclear flashpoint in American strategic planning. This designation would likely trigger intensified American pressure through sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and potentially direct military action to prevent or eliminate missile deployments. The historical precedent of American responses to Soviet missile deployments in Cuba demonstrates Washington's willingness to risk major conflict to prevent hostile strategic weapons from being positioned in the Western Hemisphere. Venezuelan military capabilities to effectively operate and maintain advanced Russian missile systems also remain questionable. The country has struggled to maintain its existing Russian-supplied military equipment, with reports indicating that many Su-30 fighters and air defense systems require repairs and upgrades. Adding complex new systems would further strain limited technical expertise and resources. The degree to which Russian personnel would need to remain in Venezuela to support operations could effectively turn missile deployments into a permanent Russian military presence, raising additional sovereignty concerns. Regional Security Environment and Broader Context The potential for Russian missile deployments to Venezuela unfolds against a backdrop of evolving great power competition extending into Latin America. China has substantially increased its economic presence throughout the region over the past two decades, while Russia has sought to maintain political and military relationships with governments ideologically opposed to American influence. Venezuela's alignment with Russia reflects both ideological affinity and practical need for external support in the face of American pressure and economic collapse. Other Latin American nations would need to calculate their responses to Russian missiles in Venezuela carefully. While some governments maintain relatively friendly relations with Caracas, few would welcome the militarization of the Caribbean basin or the potential for their region to become contested terrain in great power rivalry. Brazil, Colombia, and other neighbors might face pressure from both Washington and Moscow to take positions on Venezuelan missile deployments, complicating their efforts to maintain independence in foreign policy. The Organization of American States and other regional institutions would likely become forums for diplomatic efforts to address any missile deployments. However, these organizations have proven largely ineffective in constraining Venezuelan government actions in recent years, with Caracas dismissing their criticisms and proceeding with policies regardless of regional opposition. The limited leverage available to hemispheric institutions suggests that any resolution of a missile crisis would ultimately require direct engagement between Washington and Moscow rather than regional mediation. Assessment and Outlook The probability of actual Oreshnik deployment to Venezuela appears limited based on current evidence, though Kalibr transfers may present a more realistic near-term possibility. The substantial logistical challenges, limited Russian missile inventories, potential for American interdiction or preemptive action, and uncertain operational benefits all argue against large-scale Oreshnik deployment in the immediate future. Russian statements appear calculated more for strategic signaling than as concrete operational planning, though this assessment could change rapidly if circumstances evolve. More limited transfers remain plausible, potentially including additional air defense systems, containerized Kalibr cruise missiles, or technical assistance for existing Venezuelan military equipment. These lower-profile deliveries would enhance Venezuelan defensive capabilities without crossing the threshold that might trigger decisive American responses. Russia has demonstrated both capability and willingness to provide such support over many years, and the newly ratified strategic partnership treaty provides legal framework for expanded cooperation. The situation bears continued monitoring, particularly for concrete indicators such as An-124 cargo flights to Venezuela, satellite imagery of new military installations suitable for ballistic missile deployment, or shifts in Russian public statements from possibility to commitment. The absence of such indicators would suggest that Russian statements represent strategic messaging rather than imminent operational deployments. Conversely, the appearance of these warning signs could indicate Moscow's serious intent to alter the strategic balance in the Western Hemisphere, potentially precipitating a major international crisis. For American policy makers, the challenge lies in responding appropriately to Russian threats without overreacting to what may prove largely rhetorical posturing. Excessive military buildup in response to threats alone could prove counterproductive, straining resources and potentially driving Russia and Venezuela toward actions they might otherwise avoid. Conversely, dismissing Russian statements entirely could result in strategic surprise if Moscow proceeds with transfers. Calibrating responses to match actual rather than threatened developments while maintaining robust intelligence collection represents the essential task for managing this evolving situation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DIVEVOLK, a leader in innovative underwater smartphone technology, today announced the official launch of SeaLink, a revolutionary underwater smartphone data transmitter. This groundbreaking system eliminates the long-standing signal blackout for divers, enabling real-time live streaming, two-way video calls, and full mobile app access at depths of up to 30 meters (approx. 100 ft). The official debut and live demonstrations of the SeaLink system will be the centerpiece of DIVEVOLK's presence at DEMA Show 2025, from November 11-14 in Orlando, Florida, at Booth #658. SeaLink bridges the final communication gap between the surface and the underwater world. It operates via a floating Surface Processing Unit (CPU) that captures 4G cellular signals and transmits them through a specialized 30-meter, lightweight data cable to the Underwater Communication Operation Terminal, which houses the diver's smartphone in a SeaTouch waterproof housing. This provides a stable, high-speed data connection, finally moving underwater operations from "record and wait" to "share it live." Transforming Underwater Operations and Content Creation SeaLink is poised to revolutionize multiple industries by unlocking real-time data flow. For content creators and media, it enables live broadcasts directly to platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok from underwater. For scientists and researchers, it eliminates hours of wasted time by allowing for real-time data collection and collaboration with surface teams. In commercial diving and engineering, SeaLink can reduce inspection times by over 60% by facilitating live video consultations with topside engineers. "For too long, the ocean has been a place of digital isolation. We could capture its beauty, but we couldn't share it in the moment," said a spokesperson for DIVEVOLK. "SeaLink changes that. It democratizes underwater broadcasting, providing a robust, consumer-level solution for what was once only possible with six-figure budgets. This is not just a product; it's the beginning of the interactive ocean." Diver-Focused Engineering and Key Features Designed for solo operation and harsh environments, SeaLink integrates several key innovations: Smart-Lock Retractable Wheel: Allows a single diver to effortlessly manage the 30-meter (100 ft) cable, preventing tangles and simplifying deployment. Allows a single diver to effortlessly manage the 30-meter (100 ft) cable, preventing tangles and simplifying deployment. Full App & Touchscreen Access: Compatible with all DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max kits, the terminal provides 100% touchscreen control for all mobile applications. Compatible with all DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max kits, the terminal provides 100% touchscreen control for all mobile applications. Modular & Robust Design: Built for the field, SeaLink's modular components allow for easy self-maintenance, minimizing downtime. Extended 60-Hour Battery Life: Ensures reliable operation for multiple dives or extended scientific and commercial projects. Ensures reliable operation for multiple dives or extended scientific and commercial projects. Creator Ecosystem: Multi-function extension threads on the grip support a full range of accessories, including diving lights, external lenses, filters, and buoyancy arms. Product Specifications The SeaLink system is a comprehensive, transportable solution. Key specifications include: Output WIFI frequency: 2.4 GHz (2412 MHz ~ 2484 MHz) 2.4 GHz (2412 MHz ~ 2484 MHz) Cable length/tension: 30 meters / withstands 5kg pull force 30 meters / withstands 5kg pull force Battery life: 60 hours 60 hours Ambient temperature: -10C ~ 50C -10C ~ 50C Total weight: 9.5 kg 9.5 kg Suitcase size: 590mm * 390mm * 160mm Visit DIVEVOLK at DEMA Show 2025 DIVEVOLK invites all DEMA Show 2025 attendees, media representatives, and industry partners to visit Booth #658 for a live, hands-on demonstration of the SeaLink system. See firsthand how real-time underwater communication will shape the future of diving, science, and content creation. Event: DEMA Show 2025 Date: November 11th ~ 14th DIVEVOLK Booth: 685 Address: Orange Country Convention Center, Orlando, Florida About DIVEVOLK DIVEVOLK is a pioneering technology company dedicated to bridging the gap between the digital world and the ocean. Specializing in advanced underwater smartphone housings and accessories, DIVEVOLK empowers divers, photographers, and explorers to capture and share the underwater world with unprecedented ease and creativity. With a focus on innovation, reliability, and accessibility, DIVEVOLK is committed to building the future of underwater communication. Media Contact: [Lexi Chen] [Editor] [collaboration@divevolk.com] [+86 760 86893956] [www.divevolkdiving.com] Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d149b414-32d9-4a4b-93c0-8968d211808b https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/446b9fc0-1faa-48aa-a79c-e3cbe930d7d0 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/86ed8d37-c4b1-47ad-8e77-a9b140ca7111 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9865a798-252b-4196-9291-6e8bc0336b86 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/592c6a28-8f8a-451b-ac98-ca0f342171ca https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1f5120a6-1dd7-4b11-8500-7d93e1586cda https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/af4d9379-273e-4961-a42a-e3f779b42963 SEATTLE, Nov. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EIOTCLUB, a leading IoT connectivity provider, is calling on hardware manufacturers and tech enthusiasts to join its new Certified Device Program. The initiative is designed to tackle a common industry challenge: the lack of reliable, field-tested IoT devices that seamlessly integrate with connectivity solutions. EIOTCLUB aims to build a stronger device + SIM card ecosystem, drive the next wave of IoT innovation by encouraging real-world testing and collaboration across the IoT industry Our mission has always been to make the IoT easier, said Newton, the founder of EIOTCLUB. Connectivity shouldnt be complicated, and innovation shouldnt stay behind closed doors. With the Certified Device Program, were opening the door for both individuals and manufacturers to participate in real testing and shape the future of connected devices together. Headquartered in Seattle, EIOTCLUB serves over 2.58 million users worldwide with IoT SIM and eSIM solutions.. Its stable, cost-effective, and scalable connectivity powers applications across remote monitoring, smart vehicles, and industrial IoT, supporting businesses and individuals alike in building smarter, more reliable networks. Join the Movement: How the Certified Device Program Works EIOTCLUBs Certified Device Program brings together individual testers and hardware manufacturers, creating a collaborative space to shape the future of IoT. For Certification Officers (Individual Users) EIOTCLUB offers a simple four-step process for individuals who want to join the #IoT Certification Officer community: Step 1: Apply for Testing Interested participants fill out the online application form to join the IoT Certification Officer Program. Interested participants fill out the to join the IoT Certification Officer Program. Step 2: Confirmation & Device Assignment Once approved, applicants receive confirmation via email or WhatsApp. They can then select and finalize their assigned test device. Once approved, applicants receive confirmation via email or WhatsApp. They can then select and finalize their assigned test device. Step 3: Testing & Feedback Participants use the device following EIOTCLUBs official testing standards. They record and submit detailed video feedback along with a completed evaluation form. Participants use the device following EIOTCLUBs official testing standards. They record and submit detailed video feedback along with a completed evaluation form. Step 4: Rewards & Recognition After successful submission, testers receive exclusive rewards including free devices, cash rewards, and vouchers, with specific incentives adjusted for each campaign. Certified Officers also enjoy priority access to new devices, and their rewards can stack across multiple tests, making it a highly engaging and rewarding experience. Its an exciting opportunity for tech enthusiasts, smart home users, and mobile Wi-Fi users to test innovative devices while influencing how products perform on EIOTCLUBs global network. For Manufacturers (B2B Partners) EIOTCLUB provides a clear four-step onboarding procedure for hardware manufacturers to submit their products for certification: Step 1: Submit Devices Manufacturers complete an online application and provide all required details here . EIOTCLUBs team reviews each submission to ensure basic eligibility and compatibility with its network. Manufacturers complete an online application and provide all required details . EIOTCLUBs team reviews each submission to ensure basic eligibility and compatibility with its network. Step 2: Internal Evaluation EIOTCLUBs in-house experts conduct a thorough technical assessment to confirm that the device meets performance standards and review criteria. EIOTCLUBs in-house experts conduct a thorough technical assessment to confirm that the device meets performance standards and review criteria. Step 3: User Testing & Review Approved devices are distributed to real tech enthusiasts and users for hands-on testing. Testers provide honest feedback based on real-world scenarios. Approved devices are distributed to real tech enthusiasts and users for hands-on testing. Testers provide honest feedback based on real-world scenarios. Step 4: Publish & Deliver Once the device successfully passes user testing, EIOTCLUB publishes the review for consumers and promotes the product through multiple channels- including the Certified Device section on the official website, social media platforms, newsletters reaching millions of users, and industry reports. This multi-channel exposure boosts both brand visibility and market credibility, helping manufacturers build trust with potential customers and partners. By combining user insights with EIOTCLUBs connectivity expertise, the program ensures reliability, builds trust, and strengthens the #IoT Certification Officer ecosystem. Be Part of the Innovation Journey Our mission has always been to build trust between brands and consumers through transparency and real user experience, said Newton. By bringing together passionate testers and innovative manufacturers, were creating a reliable ecosystem where good products get the spotlight they deserve. This initiative not only empowers users to experience and evaluate cutting-edge IoT devices firsthand but also gives suppliers valuable exposure, credibility, and partnership opportunities. Certified products are already available for purchase, including 4G security cameras, kids smart watches, AI voice recorders, and more. Explore the full collection here: EIOTCLUB Certified Device Collection . Applications open today, marking the official start of the programs pilot phase in Q4 2025. Join the program to get hands-on experience, share your honest evaluation, and help shape the future of IoT products. Learn more and apply to become a Certification Officer or submit your device . Contact: Casso Cheung, business@eiotclub.com Salt lake City, UT, Nov. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tidewater News has officially named Lexington Law Firm the Best Credit Repair Company of 2026. This prestigious recognition highlights Lexington Law's unwavering dedication to client success, legal advocacy, and innovative credit repair solutions. Why Lexington Law Stands Out AttorneyLed Legal Team Since 2004, Lexington Law has employed a dedicated team of attorneys and paralegals who bring legal precision and authority to every dispute. They are empowered to escalate issues with formal legal letters-an advantage that ensures clients' rights are thoroughly advocated. 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Personalized Solutions and Measurable Results Each client receives a personal strategy tailored to their credit profile and life events, including divorce and medical emergencies. The Firm reports that its clients saw over 84 million items removed from their credit reports since 2004, with many clients experiencing real improvements in their scores. Each client receives a personal strategy tailored to their credit profile and life events, including divorce and medical emergencies. The Firm reports that its clients saw over 84 million items removed from their credit reports since 2004, with many clients experiencing real improvements in their scores. Transparent and Accessible Client Onboarding Lexington Law offers a complimentary initial assessment that includes a review of your credit score and a short summary of your credit profile. Lexington Law offers a complimentary initial assessment that includes a review of your credit score and a short summary of your credit profile. Nationwide Reach with Mobile Convenience Operating nationwide (excluding Oregon), Lexington Law is assisted in its work by of-counsel attorneys in multiple states. Lexington Law's well-rated mobile app allows clients to monitor credit changes, receive alerts, and manage their cases at any time. Operating nationwide (excluding Oregon), Lexington Law is assisted in its work by of-counsel attorneys in multiple states. Lexington Law's well-rated mobile app allows clients to monitor credit changes, receive alerts, and manage their cases at any time. About Lexington Law Firm Since 2004, Lexington Law has built a reputation as a pioneering force in the credit repair industry. With decades of experience, the firm has successfully guided hundreds of thousands of consumers in repairing credit reports through legally grounded strategies. Key strengths include: The use of credit reports to ensure a full-spectrum review from multiple credit bureaus. A responsively designed digital portal and app that tracks progress on individual negative items and notifies clients of credit updates. A history of trustworthy, stakeholderoriented performance, reinforced by educational resources helping clients understand consumer rights and credit-building best practices. Lexington Law is recognized for championing consumer advocacy via legal channels. Their approach combines dispute tools with everyday financial empowerment, truly positioning them as a leader in credit repair. Lexington Law is recognized for championing consumer advocacy via legal channels. Their approach combines dispute tools with everyday financial empowerment, truly positioning them as a leader in credit repair. About Tidewater News Tidewater News is a respected regional news outlet dedicated to lifestyle reporting and expert evaluations of service providers. Their annual reviews are rooted in rigorous assessment and objective analysis. Visit the full Story here: Best Credit Repair Companies of 2026 The pilot programme, launched in collaboration with OPPO, Qualcomm Technologies and Swift Navigation, marks Southeast Asias first deployment of high-accuracy GPS in a mobile phone and app integration. SINGAPORE, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grab Singapore has launched a pilot programme that uses high accuracy lane-level GPS positioning to enhance the navigation experience for its driver- and delivery-partners in Singapore. The pilot, rolled out in collaboration with Oppo, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc, and Swift Navigation, also marks the first deployment of high- accuracy GPS positioning on mobile phones and app integration in Southeast Asia, delivering unprecedented outdoor location accuracy for Grabs partners. As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the GrabMaps navigation experience, Grab continually explores new technologies to help improve accuracy and reliability for its driver- and delivery-partners. In dense urban environments such as Singapores high-rise buildings, multi-level roads, and underground networks can degrade standard GPS accuracy above 20 metres, complicating navigation between pick-ups and drop-offs, and reducing ETA accuracy. By bringing together leading technology partners to create an advanced navigation system, Grabs driver- and delivery-partners can now pinpoint their location with higher accuracy, improving navigation efficiency in GPS-challenging environments, while enabling smoother pick-ups and reduced cancellations. The pilot taps on the individual expertise of the following partners: OPPO , which provides its Find N5 foldable phone with Dual Frequency GNSS capable of supporting the latest positioning technology. , which provides its Find N5 foldable phone with Dual Frequency GNSS capable of supporting the latest positioning technology. Qualcomm Technologies , which activates the Meter-Level Positioning for Mobile featured in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform that powers the OPPO Find N5, enabling real-time GPS correction signals. , which activates the Meter-Level Positioning for Mobile featured in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform that powers the OPPO Find N5, enabling real-time GPS correction signals. Swift Navigation , which provides its cloud-based Skylark Precise Positioning Service that uses advanced atmospheric modelling to correct GPS signal errors and deliver 10x greater positioning accuracy. Skylark is built on top of a network of ground reference stations operated in partnership with network operators around the world, including Singapore Land Authority (SLA). SLA operates the Singapore Satellite Positioning Reference Network (SiReNT) which provides Skylark with accurate GNSS data to enable precise positioning for last mile ride hailing and logistics in Singapore. Together, these technologies power the pilot, with OPPOs Find N5 foldable phone, Qualcomm Technologiess Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, and Swift Navigations Skylark working in concert to deliver precision navigation experiences. Through learnings from this pilot, Grab plans to extend the enhanced positioning capability to its proprietary Karta devices in the near future broadening access to precise navigation technology and ensuring more driver- and delivery-partners can benefit from it over time. Grab is the first to bring this level of precise positioning technology to ride-hailing in Southeast Asia, said Nilofer Christensen, Head of Consumer Product, GrabMaps. Driver- and delivery-partners will be driving with technology that is at the cutting edge similar to high-precision positioning technology used in autonomous vehicles and even motorsports. With advanced devices and precision GPS corrections working together, our partners can navigate urban environments more accurately, improving efficiency and unlocking new earning potential. At OPPO, innovation is always driven by our principle of Benfen - staying user-centric and understanding what truly matters to users, creating meaningful value for them, and enhancing their interaction with the world through technology, said Gary Dong, President of OPPO, Asia Pacific. Through this collaboration with Grab, Qualcomm Technologies, and Swift Navigation, were proud to extend OPPOs mobile innovation into the realm of precision navigation. By leveraging the advanced dual-frequency capabilities of the OPPO Find N5 foldable, powered by the Snapdragon 8 platform, we are enabling Grabs driver- and delivery- partners to navigate with confidence and accuracy, even in Singapores most complex urban environments. This collaboration with Grab, OPPO, and Swift Navigation marks an important innovation in bringing high accuracy positioning to mobile devices, said Francesco Grilli, Vice President, Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. We are excited to see how this pilot drives innovation to enhance the driver experience and discover new possibilities for navigation and location-based services in dense urban environments. This pilot with Grab, OPPO, and Qualcomm Technologies is a breakthrough for global mobility, said Holger Ippach, EVP of Product and Marketing at Swift Navigation. Grab is among the first in the world to successfully integrate precise GPS into a mobile app, making lane-level accuracy a reality for their users. While Skylark already powers more than 10 million ADAS-enabled and autonomous vehicles, outdoor robots, and digital mapping applications, Grab, OPPO, and Qualcomm are establishing the new benchmark for the next generation of mobile navigationa standard the entire industry will follow. Improving navigation efficiency To address GPS blind spots underground, Grab has also begun mapping basements and carparks across Singapore using its proprietary KartaCam devices and LiDAR technology. This ongoing effort will progressively cover more locations, to improve accuracy in developments where signals are typically lost. Grabs improved positioning system delivers a highly accurate location as the vehicle enters these areas, enabling a precise handoff to the dead-reckoning system used in underground navigation. Combined with advanced map-matching algorithms, this system preserves turn-by-turn navigation underground, making pickups smoother and saving time. This ongoing effort will progressively cover more locations, to improve accuracy in developments where signals are typically lost. As of November 2025, basement carparks of hotels1, shopping malls2 around the Marina Bay area have been mapped out. Above ground, this pilot is set to improve driver- and delivery-partners everyday experiences. With greater positioning precision, partners can maintain seamless service even in challenging locations. The pilot, which began in October 2025, saw nearly 250 select driver- and delivery-partners take part including around 60 partners who received Oppo N5 foldable devices through sponsorship by Grab and Oppo. Each phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform and Swift Navigations Skylark, which Grab has integrated to provide partners access to its high-precision GPS network. When driver-partners on the OPPO Find N5 foldable phone access the Grab Driver App and use GrabMaps for navigation, the app seamlessly receives high accuracy location, improving their navigation experience in real-world "In the past, GPS signals could get quite weak in the CBD, especially around tall buildings where the signal bounces around. With this pilot, the location accuracy feels much sharper, more stable and navigation updates happen almost instantaneously. It really helps me get to pick-up points faster,with less guesswork and more confidence to meet my riders promptly, said Santho Rudy Peter, 47 years old, Grab Driver-Partner. Enhancing experience for consumers For consumers, this translates into more accurate estimated arrival times, fewer delays, and fewer cancellations caused by missed turns or complex journeys. Whether it is a pickup from the correct entrance of a busy mall, or a food delivery to the right apartment tower, enhanced lane-level accuracy helps ensure services arrive exactly where they are needed, reinforcing Grabs commitment to reliability and consistency. This pilot is the first step toward Grabs vision of lane-level navigation in Singapore and beyond. By working with technology leaders in hardware, chipsets, and correction signals, Grab is laying the foundation for smoother, faster, and more reliable journeys across Southeast Asia. For media queries, please contact: Grab pr.sg@grab.com Oppo Jane Chen jane.chen@oppo.com Qualcomm Dominikus Susanto ssusanto@qti.qualcomm.com Swift Navigation Anne Muscarella anne.muscarella@swift-nav.com About Grab Grab is a leading superapp in Southeast Asia, operating across the deliveries, mobility and digital financial services sectors. Serving over 800 cities in eight Southeast Asian countries Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam Grab enables millions of people everyday to order food or groceries, send packages, hail a ride or taxi, pay for online purchases or access services such as lending and insurance, all through a single app. We operate supermarkets in Malaysia under Jaya Grocer and Everrise, which enables us to bring the convenience of on-demand grocery delivery to more consumers in the country. As part of our financial services offerings, we also provide digital banking services through GXS Bank in Singapore and GXBank in Malaysia. Grab was founded in 2012 with the mission to drive Southeast Asia forward by creating economic empowerment for everyone. Grab strives to serve a triple bottom line we aim to simultaneously deliver financial performance for our shareholders and have a positive social impact, which includes economic empowerment for millions of people in the region, while mitigating our environmental footprint. About OPPO OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone - "Smiley Face" - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO also provides its users with the ColorOS operating system and internet services. OPPO has footprints in more than 70 countries and regions, with more than 40,000 employees dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world. About Qualcomm Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated. About Swift Navigation Swift Navigation is a global technology company pioneering reliable, affordable high-accuracy satellite positioning to unlock autonomy and automation at scale. Its SkylarkTM Precise Positioning Service improves the accuracy of standard Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as GPS, from several meters to a few centimeters. Skylark powers more than 10 million vehicles and devices deployed by leading automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, robotics companies, and IoT system integrators. Skylark is available across North America, Europe, and Asia. Learn more about how Swift is building the infrastructure to enable a safer and more productive future at swiftnav.com . _______________ 1 Hotels mapped around the area include Mandarin Oriental, Park Royal Marina Bay, Ritz Carlton 2 Shopping malls mapped around the area include Marina Square, Millenia Walk, Millenia Singapore. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b643d71c-7443-4826-89f1-a0e55892e211 SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cloudera , the only company bringing AI to data anywhere, today announced a new global report. The report, created in partnership with Finextra Research, is based on a survey of 155 executives and leaders across the globe. Findings reveal that hybrid AI deployment has become an essential strategy in the financial services industry, with an overwhelming 91% of organizations rating a hybrid approach as highly valuable. Additionally, while AI adoption is widespread, the study confirms that significant data and security barriers prevent firms from achieving full, enterprise-wide integration. The survey shows 62% of financial services organizations are now using a hybrid AI approach that includes public cloud, data centers, and edge environments to deploy AI wherever data resides. This model is considered critical for managing legacy systems, scaling efficiently, and handling the resource-intensive tasks of training and deploying AI models. The widespread adoption proves that a flexible, data-anywhere infrastructure is no longer an option, but a core requirement for competitive advantage. Bridging the AI Implementation Gap Data security has emerged as the primary obstacle to bridging the AI implementation gap. Furthermore, 97% of financial services organizations report that data silos hinder their ability to build and deploy effective AI models. These challenges underscore that AI innovation can only succeed when built on a foundation of trusted, unified data governance and security. Despite high AI ambitions, many firms still struggle to unlock true transformational value. Nearly half of organizations (48%) have moved beyond initial AI experimentation, but have not yet fully integrated the technology into their core operations. This puts them at a disadvantage compared to the 26% of firms that have achieved full enterprise-wide AI adoption. The report confirms that a data-anywhere, hybrid strategy is non-negotiable. It also highlights that infrastructure alone isn't enough, said Adrien Chenailler, Global Director, AI Solutions for Financial Services at Cloudera. To truly bridge the implementation gap, financial institutions need a unified data and AI platform that ensures consistent governance and security across all environments. This is the only way to build trust, manage risk, and accelerate AI adoption at scale. Key Findings Hybrid AI is the Dominant Approach: 62% of financial services firms are actively using a hybrid approach. 62% of financial services firms are actively using a hybrid approach. AI Adoption is a Strategic Necessity: 97% of financial services firms are now deploying at least one AI/ML use case, moving AI from an emerging technology to a core business driver. 97% of financial services firms are now deploying at least one AI/ML use case, moving AI from an emerging technology to a core business driver. Unified Governance is Non-Negotiable: With the rise of hybrid deployments, 84% of organizations consider a unified data governance and security framework across all environments to be critical or very important. With the rise of hybrid deployments, 84% of organizations consider a unified data governance and security framework across all environments to be critical or very important. Security Capabilities Drive AI Investments: One in four firms (25%) rank security as their top priority when evaluating an AI platform vendor. For our members, the reality is clear: AI can only deliver its full potential when data sovereignty, privacy, and trust are guaranteed, said Gary Wright, managing director, Finextra Research. Our survey results highlight both progress and gaps, underscoring that AI success will depend not just on the scale of investment, but on strategic decisions around infrastructure, vendor partnerships, and robust data governance. Were pleased to share these insights in partnership with Cloudera, helping our global members navigate this rapidly evolving landscape. Read the full report. Methodology The report is based on a global survey conducted by Finextra Research in August 2025 of 155 respondents from financial services and technology organizations. Participants held senior roles across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. About Finextra Research This report is published by Finextra Research. Finextra Research is the worlds leading specialist financial technology news and information source. It offers more than 130,000 fintech news, features and TV content items to some 800,000 monthly visitors to http://finextra.com . Finextra covers all aspects of financial technology innovation involving banks, institutions and vendor organisations within the wholesale and retail banking, payments and cards sectors worldwide. About Cloudera Cloudera is the only data and AI platform company that large organizations trust to bring AI to their data anywhere it lives. Unlike other providers, Cloudera delivers a consistent cloud experience that converges public clouds, data centers, and the edge, leveraging a proven open-source foundation. As the pioneer in big data, Cloudera empowers businesses to apply AI and assert control over 100% of their data, in all forms, delivering unified security, governance, and real-time predictive insights. The worlds largest organizations across all industries rely on Cloudera to transform decision-making and ultimately boost bottom lines, safeguard against threats, and save lives. To learn more, visit Cloudera.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X. Cloudera and associated marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cloudera, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Contact Jess Hohn-Cabana cloudera@v2comms.com PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A Philadelphia County jury returned a $15.3 million verdict in favor of the Estate of Ashokkumar Patel, finding Defendants Pace-O-Matic (POM) and Miele Manufacturing were negligent parties in the fatal shooting of the store clerk in a December 12, 2020 shooting in Hazelton, Pennsylvania. Mr. Patel, a 50-year-old immigrant from India, who was represented by Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky, was killed during a robbery at one of POMs so-called Pennsylvania Skill locations. Mr. Patel was mopping the floor when he was shot and killed. He was also responsible for making large cash payouts to people placing bets on the unregulated skill game machines played in the store. POM and Miele designed, manufactured and sold the machines that have been placed in thousands of locations throughout the state. Despite significant safety regulations for casinos and truck stop gambling facilities, Plaintiff argued that POM ignored known safety rules for its betting locations, only placing rules on locations that enhanced its profits from the gaming machines. Robert W. Zimmerman, of Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky who tried the case with his colleague John Lang, said after todays verdict, Pace-O-Matic created a staggering enterprise in Pennsylvania, and was entirely focused on increasing its bottom line rather than protecting vulnerable, low-wage workers who had to make large payouts without any security measures to protect them from foreseeable risks. On behalf of the Patel family, we hope Pace-O-Matic listens to the jurys clear verdict that placing profits over safety can and does lead to dangerous consequences. POM and Miele were joined on the verdict sheet by Jafet Rodriguez, the convicted killer of Mr. Patel, and the premises owner. The civil wrongful death lawsuit (Case ID: 221101639) was filed in 2022. Mr. Rodriguez was criminally convicted in Luzerne County and is currently incarcerated. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cfdee7fd-d60c-410a-94f1-1097b040ebf5 AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Texas Hemp Business Council (THBC) issued the following statement regarding the passage of H.R. 5371: We are deeply disappointed by Congress passage of H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, with restrictive hemp provisions that will eliminate the nations $28 billion hemp economy. By redefining hemp and imposing an unprecedented 0.4 mg total THC cap per container, Congress has effectively banned the vast majority of hemp-derived products that millions of adults and veterans have safely relied on since the 2018 Farm Bill. The consequences of this sweeping change are severe and immediate: Farmers will lose critical markets. Small businesses will be forced to close. Consumers and veterans will turn to illegal markets. State regulatory systems will be overridden. More than 300,000 people will lose their jobs. We are particularly dismayed that the U.S. Senate failed to adopt Senator Rand Pauls amendment to strike Section 781 from H.R. 5371. Senator Mitch McConnells testimony in opposition to the amendment reflected a complete disconnect from reality. His statements perpetuate long-debunked anti-hemp narratives and demonstrate how grossly out of touch some national leaders are with American sentiment. In contrast, Senator Ted Cruz stood not just for Texans, but for farmers, small businesses, veterans and consumers across the country. Now the industry is once again caught in the crossfire of a political showdown, with hemp serving as collateral damage. Congress had years to address the FDAs regulatory failures, yet instead of crafting a science-based solution, a last-minute political deal put the entire sector at risk. History has shown that these kinds of restrictions can be stopped. We successfully fought similar harmful hemp bans during the 89th Texas Legislature and subsequent special sessions. We saw firsthand that bans do not work and the architects of those bans are now facing the political fallout of their actions. Hemp is too vital to the American economy and to the livelihoods of millions to be dismantled by rushed, politically driven legislation. As we proved in Texas, we will continue to pursue every legal and legislative option to overturn these harmful provisions and restore a fair, science-based system that continues to protect minors, ensure product safety and preserves the economic opportunities Congress created in 2018. About the Texas Hemp Business Council The Texas Hemp Business Council is an industry organization dedicated to promoting the hemp-based cannabinoid industry in Texas, while advocating for consumer safety, education and stakeholder engagement. More information is available at http://www.texashempbusinesscouncil.com. Media Contacts: KELLOGG, Idaho and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bunker Hill Mining Corp. (Bunker Hill or the Company) (TSX-V:BNKR | OTCQB:BHLL) announces that it has closed the sixth tranche of the previously announced silver loan with Monetary Metals Bond III LLC (the LLC), an entity established by Monetary Metals & Co. (MM), in the principal amount of US$2,521,215, being the amount of US dollars equal to 50,384 ounces of silver as of the date such amount was advanced to the LLC (the Sixth Tranche). Sam Ash, President and CEO, said: We are deeply appreciative of the continued support from Monetary Metals as we close yet another tranche of this innovative silver-backed facility. Their commitment not only advances our efforts to restart and expand the Bunker Hill Mine but also enables us to deliver value to our stakeholders in a manner that aligns with our vision of responsible growth in the Silver Valley. This phase of financing builds crucial momentum for our team, helping us leverage historic opportunities with modern mining practices and bringing us one step closer to delivering meaningful returns for our shareholders and community. Sixth Tranche of Silver Loan As further described in the news releases dated June 7, 2024, August 8, 2024, and December 31, 2024 MM, through the LLC, has agreed to loan the Company a principal amount of US dollars equal to up to 1.2M ounces of silver to be advanced in one or more tranches, in support of the re-start and ongoing development of the Bunker Hill Mine (the Silver Loan). On August 8, 2024, the Company closed on the first tranche of the Silver Loan in the principal amount of US$16,422,039, being the amount of US dollars equal to, as of August 8, 2024, 609,805 ounces of silver (the First Tranche) and on September 24, 2024, the Company closed on the second tranche of the Silver Loan in the principal amount of US$6,369,000, being the amount of US dollars equal to, as of September 24, 2024, 200,000 ounces of silver (the Second Tranche). As described in the news release dated November 6, 2024, an additional principal amount of US$6,321,112, the amount of US dollars equal to, as of November 6, 2024, 198,777 ounces of silver, was advanced in connection with the Silver Loan (the Third Tranche). As described in the news release dated November 13, 2024, an additional principal amount of US$1,250,000, being the amount of US dollars equal to, as of the date such amount was advanced to the LLC, 39,620 ounces of silver, was advanced in connection with the Silver Loan (the Fourth Tranche). As described in the news release dated December 31, 2024, an additional principal amount of US$1,478,847, being the amount of US dollars equal to, as of the date such amount was advanced to the LLC, 50,198 ounces of silver, was advanced in connection with the Silver Loan (the Fifth Tranche). As further described in the news releases dated August 8, 2024, September 25, 2024, November 13, 2024 and December 31, 2024, the Company has issued to MM: (i) 1,280,591 non-transferable bonus share purchase warrants (Warrants) in connection with First Tranche; (ii) 400,000 Warrants in connection with the Second Tranche; (iii) an aggregate 476,793 Warrants in connection with the Third and Fourth Tranches, and (iv) 100,397 Warrants in connection with the Fifth Tranche. As of the date hereof, 2,257,781 Warrants have been issued to MM under the Silver Loan. In connection with the Sixth Tranche, the Company will, subject to prior approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSX-V), issue a total of 742,219 Warrants to MM (the Bonus Warrants). Each Bonus Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one share of common stock of the Company (each, a Warrant Share) at an exercise price of C$0.19, being the last closing price of the Companys common stock prior to the date hereof. The Bonus Warrants will be exercisable until August 8, 2027, subject to acceleration in accordance with the policies of the TSX-V and will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the issuance of the Bonus Warrants in accordance with applicable securities laws. The issuance of Warrant Shares is subject to the terms and conditions of the Warrants as well as the receipt of all regulatory approvals, including, without limitation, the approval of the TSX-V. The securities referenced herein, or any securities underlying or derived from the financial instruments referenced herein, including but not limited to the Warrants, the Warrant Shares, and the Silver Loan, have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities, nor shall there be any sale of such 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. Amendments to the Monetary Metals Silver Loan Additionally, in connection with the Sixth Tranche, the Company and Silver Valley have entered into an amendment to the secured promissory note purchase agreement dated August 8, 2024, as previously amended by (i) a first amendment to secured promissory note purchase agreement dated November 11, 2024, and (ii) a second amendment to the secured note promissory purchase agreement dated June 5, 2025 (the MM NPA), to extend the availability date for advances thereunder from June 30, 2025 to January 31, 2026. In any event, the number of bonus warrants issued or issuable to MM will not exceed, in the aggregate, the maximum of 3,000,000 allowable under the MM NPA. About Bunker Hill Mining Corp. Bunker Hill is an American mineral exploration and development company focused on revitalizing our historic mining asset: the renowned zinc, lead, and silver deposit in northern Idahos prolific Coeur dAlene mining district. This strategic initiative aims to breathe new life into a once-productive mine, leveraging modern exploration techniques and sustainable development practices to unlock the potential of this mineral-rich region. Bunker Hill aims to maximize shareholder value by responsibly harnessing the mineral wealth in the Silver Valley mining district, focusing our efforts on this single, high-potential asset. Information about the Company is available on its website, www.bunkerhillmining.com, or within the SEDAR+ and EDGAR databases. On behalf of Bunker Hill Mining Corp. Sam Ash President and Chief Executive Officer For additional information, please contact: Brenda Dayton Vice President, Investor Relations T: 604.417.7952 E: brenda.dayton@bunkerhillmining.com Cautionary Statements Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as well as within the meaning of the phrase forward-looking information in the Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations (collectively, forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Companys future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, plan or variations of such words and phrases. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the Companys objectives, goals or future plans, including the restart and development of the Bunker Hill Mine; the achievement of future short-term, medium-term and long-term operational strategies; the Silver Loan; the Company receiving TSX-V approval for the issuance of the Warrants and the Warrant Shares; and the timing and advancement of additional tranches of the Silver Loan and additional Warrants. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those risks and uncertainties identified in public filings made by Bunker Hill with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and with applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities, and the following: the Company not receiving the approval of the TSX-V for the issuance of the Warrants and the Warrant Shares; the Companys inability to raise additional capital for project activities, including through equity financings, concentrate offtake financings or otherwise; the fluctuating price of commodities; capital market conditions; restrictions on labor and its effects on international travel and supply chains; failure to identify mineral resources; failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; the Companys ability to restart and develop the Bunker Hill Mine and the risks of not basing a production decision on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability, resulting in increased uncertainty due to multiple technical and economic risks of failure which are associated with this production decision including, among others, areas that are analyzed in more detail in a feasibility study, such as applying economic analysis to resources and reserves, more detailed metallurgy and a number of specialized studies in areas such as mining and recovery methods, market analysis, and environmental and community impacts and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit, with no guarantee that production will begin as anticipated or at all or that anticipated production costs will be achieved; failure to commence production would have a material adverse impact on the Companys ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations; failure to achieve the anticipated production costs would have a material adverse impact on the Company's cash flow and future profitability; delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals; political risks; changes in equity markets; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the inability of the Company to budget and manage its liquidity in light of the failure to obtain additional financing, including the ability of the Company to complete the payments pursuant to the terms of the agreement to acquire the Bunker Hill Mine complex; inflation; changes in exchange rates; fluctuations in commodity prices; delays in the development of projects; and capital, operating and reclamation costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such statements or information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all, including as to whether or when the Company will achieve its project finance initiatives, or as to the actual size or terms of those financing initiatives. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing risks and uncertainties are not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other risk factors that could affect the Companys operations or financial results are included in the Companys annual report and may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca) or through EDGAR on the SEC website (www.sec.gov). HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innovature BPO, a global outsourcing partner delivering AI-powered operations through top talent in Vietnam and the Philippines, is pleased to announce the appointment of Thoai Nguyen as Chief Operating Officer. This strategic leadership addition marks an important milestone as the company strengthens its operational structure and service quality to support continued growth and innovation. The Next Chapter: Strengthening Leadership for Sustained Growth After 10 years of building a strong foundation, Innovature BPO is expanding its executive leadership with the role of Chief Operating Officer. This move reflects the company's commitment to scaling operations while maintaining the high service quality that has earned recognition as a Top 100 Outsourcing Company by Global IAOP and winner of two Stevie Awards. Thoai Nguyen brings over 20 years of leadership experience across banking, insurance, manufacturing, logistics, and outsourcing services. He has a strong track record in operational excellence and scaling digital capabilities. Prior to joining Innovature, he served as CEO of DIGI-TEXX VIETNAM, one of Vietnams largest BPO and digital services organizations, where he led company growth, strategic planning, and the development of digital solutions across multiple industries. Earlier, he held key roles at global financial institutions, including HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank, driving digital adoption and overseeing large-scale operational change programs. Driving Operational Excellence and Client Success As Chief Operating Officer, Thoai oversees Client Service Delivery teams, including Accounting & Finance Services, Customer Experience Operations, Digital Creative Services, and Data & Analytics, as well as essential Back-Office functions such as Technology and Human Resources. His focus will be on driving service excellence, enhancing service delivery and expanding AI-driven capabilities to exceed client expectations. "We're excited to have Thoai join our leadership team at this important time in our company's journey," said Thuy Doan, CEO of Innovature BPO. "His experience in operations, digital transformation, and building scalable business processes aligns perfectly with our vision for the future. As we continue to grow and serve our clients with greater capabilities, Thoai's leadership will be instrumental in sustaining our trajectory of innovation and delivering consistently exceptional results." Commenting on his appointment, Thoai Nguyen shared, "I'm thrilled to be part of Innovature BPO's next chapter. The company has built an impressive reputation over the past decade, and I look forward to working with the talented team here to strengthen client partnerships, advance AI-powered solutions, and drive sustainable growth." About Innovature BPO Innovature BPO is a global outsourcing partner delivering AI-enabled business process solutions for enterprises across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. With delivery centers in Vietnam and the Philippines, the Company combines skilled talent, advanced digital capabilities, and disciplined operational execution to help organizations scale efficiently, improve performance, and reduce cost. Over the past decade, Innovature has built long-term client partnerships across industries including finance, technology, e-commerce, healthcare, and professional services. Media Contact: Sun Nguyen Email: sun.nguyen@innovatureinc.com Interim Management Statement covering Q1 2025/26 The Board of Directors of Rovsing A/S has today reviewed and approved the Interim Management Statement for the first quarter (1 July 2025 30 September 2025) of the financial year 2025/26. Q1 highlights: Revenue and EBITDA trailing expectations due to increased project efforts Solid Order Backlog and Rising Tender Activity In the first quarter of the financial year 2025/26, revenue and EBITDA came in below expectations, primarily due to increased efforts required to complete ongoing projects compared to the original budgets. A significant part of this relates to a large project expected to be completed during the current financial year. In addition, a service-based project has been temporarily delayed pending input from the customer and is expected to resume later in the financial year. Revenue in Q1 amounted to DKK 7.3 million (Q1 2024/25: DKK 9.5 million). EBITDA amounted to DKK -0.6 million (Q1 2024/25: DKK 0.8 million). Order intake for the quarter totaled DKK 3.3 million, and by the end of September 2025 the company maintained a healthy and diversified order backlog of DKK 34.8 million, distributed across multiple missions and customers in both the institutional and commercial segments. Tender activity increased during the quarter, with Rovsing supporting customers by providing bids for upcoming key missions under the European Commissions Copernicus Earth Observation Programme and the Secure Communications Constellation IRIS, for which the first tenders have now been submitted. The Company expects decisions on several ongoing tenders during the 2025/26 financial year, as well as the initiation of new contract activities in the second half of the financial year. Growing European space budgets are expected to support continued market growth. At the Space Conference 2025 in Aalborg on 2021 October, the Danish government announced a total national space budget of DKK 2.7 billion for the period 20262029. Meanwhile, Germany has announced national space programmes totaling EUR 35 billion up to 2030. The upcoming ESA Ministerial Council meeting in Bremen at the end of November 2025 is expected to provide final clarity on ESAs ambitions and member state contributions for the next three years, after which tender activity is expected to intensify further. During the quarter, Rovsing continued deliveries to a broad customer base with test and simulation systems for the Galileo 2nd Generation, Grace-C, FORUM and Artemis programmes. A new customer, ReOrbit, ordered and received Solar Array Simulators and Second Level Protections. Projects are progressing, and additional deliveries are expected to be completed in the coming months across customers and segments. During the quarter, Management and the Board continued to execute on the updated strategy focusing on accelerating growth and identifying and qualifying potential acquisition targets as part of the companys buy-and-build strategy. Outlook for the Financial Year 2025/26 Rovsing maintains its guidance for the financial year 2025/26, expecting revenue in the range of DKK 3741 million and a positive EBITDA in the range of DKK 13 million. Further information: Hjalti Pall Thorvardarson, CEO. Tel. +45 53 39 18 88. Email: hpt@rovsing.dk Attachments Harvia partners with Dr. Emilia Vuorisalmi to inspire healthier living through the Finnish art of sauna in North America Harvia, a global leader in sauna and spa, announces a brand ambassador and content partnership with Dr. Emilia Vuorisalmi, a Finnish medical doctor, bestselling author, and wellness expert known for connecting science with everyday self-care. The collaboration debuts in North America and extends across Harvias three brands in the region Harvia, Almost Heaven Saunas, and ThermaSol. Together, Harvia and Dr. Vuorisalmi will create science-based content and inspiring sauna experiences that highlight the proven health benefits of sauna and celebrate the Finnish approach to sauna wellbeing. Sauna has been part of everyday life in Finland for generations a place to restore balance, connect with yourself and others, and feel good inside and out, says Paivi Juolahti, Head of Marketing & Brands, Harvia Group. Dr. Emilias medical background and inspiring way of translating science into everyday habits make her the ideal voice for North America. Finnish sauna is a space for presence, safety, and balance, says Dr. Emilia Vuorisalmi. Heat and quiet help the body unwind and support recovery while shared moments on the bench strengthen connection. Im excited to share practical, science-informed rituals that busy Americans can keep. Finland is conducting pioneering sauna studies that are attracting global attention and even being discussed in popular science podcasts such as Huberman Lab. For generations, Finns have believed in the healing power of sauna, and now science confirms it. We already know its benefits for stress management, cardiovascular health, dopamine balance, and hormonal wellbeing, Dr. Vuorisalmi adds. Bringing authentic Finnish sauna to a growing wellness market The North American wellness market is expanding rapidly, and sauna has become one of its most dynamic growth categories. Through this partnership, Harvia aims to raise awareness of authentic Finnish sauna and make expert-led knowledge more accessible to consumers. As part of the collaboration, Dr. Vuorisalmi will host a multimedia content series featuring wellness voices, athletes, and sauna users, sharing science-backed guidance and simple rituals that promote balance, recovery, and connection. Authentic voices matter, says Nic Flaws, Head of Marketing, Harvia North America. Consumers today want trusted guidance and real inspiration not just products. Emilia brings both medical authority and heartfelt passion for Finnish sauna culture, making her an outstanding collaborator as we continue introducing true sauna experiences to North American homes. Part of the content program will also be available for audiences in Europe and beyond. About Dr. Emilia Vuorisalmi Dr. Emilia Vuorisalmi is a Finnish medical doctor, bestselling author, and recognized voice in hormonal health and wellbeing. Her latest book, The Healing Power of Hormones, was published in the UK in January 2025 by Penguin Random House. The German edition followed on October 29, and the Finnish translation, Hormonien voima, is released on November 11, 2025. The books translation rights have been sold into ten languages. Information about the book: https://www.docemilia.com/books Harvia in short Harvia is one of the leading companies operating in the sauna market globally. Harvias brands and product portfolio are well known in the market, and the companys comprehensive product portfolio strives to meet the needs of the international sauna market of both private and professional customers. Harvias revenue totaled EUR 175.2 million in 2024. Harvia Group employs approximately 700 professionals in Finland, United States, Germany, Romania, China and Hong Kong, Austria, Italy, and Sweden. The company is headquartered in Muurame, Finland, adjacent to its largest sauna and sauna component manufacturing facility. Additional information https://almostheaven.com/pages/dr-emilia https://www.harvia.com/en/ideas-and-trends/healing-with-heat/how-to-sauna-for-mood-stress-connection/ Paivi Juolahti, Head of Marketing & Brands tel. +358 40 7033 480 paivi.juolahti@harvia.com Dr. Emilia Vuorisalmi, Physician, Author and Wellness Expert tel. +358 40 5244 364 info@docemilia.com Attachments Ottawa, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Middle East AI in oncology market size is calculated at USD 111.65 million in 2024, grows to USD 136.17 million in 2025, and is projected to hit around USD 812.89 million by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 21.96% during the forecast period 2025 to 2034. The market is growing due to increasing cancer prevalence and rising adoption of AI-driven diagnostic and treatment solutions. Additionally, government investments in healthcare technology and digital transformation are accelerating market expansion. Key Takeaways Saudi Arabia dominated the Middle East AI in oncology market with a revenue share in 2024. UAE is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. By component, the hardware segment led the market in 2024. By component, the software solution segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. By cancer type, the breast cancer segment held the largest market share in 2024. By cancer type, the prostate cancer segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. By application, the diagnostics segment held the highest market share in 2024. By application, the research & development segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. By end user, the hospitals segment dominated the market in 2024. By end user, the surgical centers & medical institutes segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. Download a Sample Report Here@ https://www.novaoneadvisor.com/report/sample/9208 What is AI in Oncology? AI in oncology refers to the application of artificial intelligence technologies such as machine learning, deep learning, and predictive analytics to enhance cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment personalization, drug discovery, and patient outcomes monitoring, making oncology care faster, more accurate, and efficient. The Middle East AI in oncology market is growing due to the rising prevalence of cancer, increasing investments in healthcare infrastructure, and the rapid adoption of advanced technologies for early diagnosis and personalized treatment. Governments across the region are supporting digital healthcare transformation, while collaborations between tech companies and medical institutions are boosting AI integration in oncology. Additionally, growing awareness of AIs potential to improve cancer outcomes is driving market expansion. For Instance, In March 2025, Lunit signed a multi-year agreement with Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), the UAEs largest healthcare network, to implement its AI-based mammography tool, Lunit INSIGHT MMG, aimed at enhancing breast cancer detection accuracy. Forecasting Cancer Incidence and Mortality in GCC Countries: 2020 to 2040 Percentage Change Analysis Incidence Mortality Country In 2020 In 2040 % Increase In 2020 In 2040 % Increase Bahrain 1205 3239 168.8 592 1890 219.3 Kuwait 3824 10,684 179.4 1718 5963 247.1 Oman 3664 8360 128.2 2019 5281 161.6 Qatar 1472 5498 273.5 703 3249 362.2 Saudi Arabia 27,578 59,694 116.5 12,986 32,728 152 UAE 4732 15,667 231.1 1877 8154 334.4 All GCC countries 42,475 103,142 142.8 19,895 57,265 187.8 What are the Primary Growth Drivers of the Middle East AI in Oncology Market? The key growth drivers of the market include the rising incidence of cancer, increasing adoption of advanced AI technologies for early detection and precision treatment, and growing government support for digital healthcare transformation. Additionally, expanding collaborations between technology providers and healthcare institutions, along with rising awareness of AIs role in improving cancer care outcomes, are fueling market growth across the region. Why should you buy this report? Comprehensive Market Analysis: Gain detailed insights into the industry across major regions and segments. Gain detailed insights into the industry across major regions and segments. Competitive Landscape : Explore the market presence of key players. : Explore the market presence of key players. Future Trends: Discover pivotal trends and drivers shaping the future of the market. Discover pivotal trends and drivers shaping the future of the market. Actionable Recommendations: Utilize insights to uncover new revenue streams and guide strategic business decisions. Immediate Delivery Available | Buy This Premium Research (Global Deep Dive USD 3800) https://www.novaoneadvisor.com/report/checkout/9208 Middle East AI In Oncology Market Report Scope Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2025 USD 136.17 Million Revenue forecast in 2034 USD 812.89 Million Growth rate CAGR of 21.96% from 2025 to 2034 Actual data 2021 - 2024 Forecast period 2025 - 2034 Quantitative units Revenue in USD million, and CAGR from 2025 to 2034 Report coverage Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends Segments covered Component, Cancer Type, Application, End-use Regional scope Middle East Country scope Saudi Arabia; UAE; Qatar; Oman; Kuwait Key companies profiled Lunit Inc.; Siemens Healthineers AG; GE HealthCare; NVIDIA Corporation; Roche; Insilico Medicine; Oracle; Intel Corporation Customization scope Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope. For more information, visit the Nova One Advisor website or email the team at sales@novaoneadvisor.com | Call us : +1 804 420 9370 What are the Key trends in the Middle East AI in Oncology Market in 2024? In August 2023, MBZUAI developed an AI model capable of accurately generating and identifying different cancer tissue images using few-shot learning techniques. In May 2023, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi launched the Fatima bint Mubarak Center, featuring Ethos adaptive radiotherapy technology that uses AI and machine learning to enhance cancer treatment precision. What is the Appearing Challenge in the Middle East AI in Oncology Market? The major challenges in the market include limited availability of skilled professionals, high implementation costs, and a lack of standardized data for AI model training. Additionally, concerns over data privacy, inadequate digital infrastructure in some regions, and slow adoption of advanced technologies across smaller healthcare facilities hinder widespread AI integration in oncology across the Middle East. Segmental Insights By Technology Insights What made the Hardware Segment Dominant in the Middle East AI in Oncology Market in 2024? In 2024, the hardware segment led the market due to rising investments in advanced computing infrastructure, including GPUs and AI-enabled medical imaging systems. The growing need for high-performance hardware to support complex AI algorithms and real-time cancer diagnosis drove demand. Additionally, hospitals and research centers increasingly adopted modern diagnostic devices to enhance accuracy and processing speed in oncology applications. The software segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market in 2024 due to the increasing adoption of AI-driven diagnostic tools, cloud-based analytics, and precision treatment solutions. Continuous advancements in machine learning algorithms, integration with electronic health records, and the need for scalable, cost-efficient systems are driving software demand. Moreover, software offers flexibility and easy updates, supporting rapid technological innovation in oncology care. By Cancer Type Insights How did Health and Wellness-predisposition/Risk/Tendency Segment Dominate the Middle East AI in Oncology Market in 2024? In 2024, the breast cancer segment held the largest market share in the market due to the high prevalence of breast cancer among women and increasing awareness of early screening. The adoption of AI-based mammography and diagnostic tools has enhanced early detection and treatment accuracy. Additionally, government-led cancer awareness programs and growing investments in womens healthcare supported the segments dominance across the region. The prostate cancer segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period due to the rising incidence of prostate cancer among men and growing awareness about early diagnosis. Increasing adoption of AI-powered imaging and diagnostic tools enables precise detection and treatment planning. Moreover, advancements in machine learning and predictive analytics are improving personalized care, driving greater use of AI technologies in prostate cancer management. By Application Insights Why the Diagnostics Segment Dominated the Middle East AI in Oncology Market in 2024? In 2024, the diagnostics segment held the highest market share in the market due to the widespread adoption of AI-based imaging and screening tools for early cancer detection. The growing need for accurate, fast, and non-invasive diagnostic solutions drove demand. Additionally, hospitals and diagnostic centers increasingly leverage AI algorithms to improve detection accuracy, reduce diagnostic errors, and enhance clinical decision-making in oncology care. The research and development segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period due to increasing investments in AI-driven cancer research and drug discovery. Advancements in machine learning and data analytics are enabling faster identification of biomarkers and treatment targets. Additionally, growing collaborations between research institutes, biotech firms, and healthcare providers are accelerating innovation in oncology, boosting the adoption of AI for R&D applications across the region. By End User Insights What Made the Hospitals Segment Dominant in the Middle East AI in Oncology Market in 2024? In 2024, the hospital segment dominated the market due to the widespread integration of AI-based diagnostic and treatment systems in hospital settings. Hospitals increasingly adopted advanced imaging tools and predictive analytics to enhance cancer detection accuracy and patient outcomes. Additionally, strong government funding, improved healthcare infrastructure, and the presence of specialized oncology departments supported hospitals leading role in implementing AI technologies. The surgical centers and medical institutes segment is expected to grow at a faster CAGR during the forecast period due to the rising adoption of AI-assisted surgical systems and precision oncology tools. Increasing focus on research collaborations, clinical trials, and advanced cancer treatment methods is boosting AI integration. Moreover, the demand for minimally invasive surgeries and data-driven treatment planning is driving growth in this segment across the Middle East. By Regional Analysis How is Saudi Arabia contributing to the Expansion of the Middle East AI in Oncology Market? Saudi Arabia dominated the market due to its strong healthcare infrastructure, significant government investments in AI and digital health, and rising cancer prevalence. The countrys Vision 2030 initiative has accelerated the adoption of advanced technologies in healthcare, including AI-based diagnostics and treatment solutions. Additionally, partnerships between international tech companies and Saudi healthcare institutions have enhanced cancer detection and management capabilities, strengthening the nations leadership in AI-driven oncology. How is Asia-Pacific Accelerating the Middle East AI in Oncology Market? The UAE is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market due to its rapid digital transformation, strong government support for AI adoption, and expanding healthcare investments. The countrys focus on smart healthcare initiatives, such as AI-based diagnostics and precision medicine, is driving growth. Additionally, collaborations with global technology companies and the establishment of advanced cancer care centers are boosting the integration of AI solutions in oncology across the UAE. Middle East AI in Oncology Market - Value Chain Analysis 1. Data Collection and Annotation This stage involves gathering vast amounts of oncology-related data, such as medical imaging, patient records, and genomic data. Proper annotation and labeling of this data are crucial for training AI algorithms to recognize patterns and assist in diagnosis. 2. AI Algorithm Development At this stage, developers design and train AI models using machine learning and deep learning techniques tailored for oncology applications like tumor detection, treatment planning, and prognosis prediction. Innovation and accuracy are the focus here. 3. Platform and Software Development AI solutions are packaged into user-friendly platforms and software that can be integrated into clinical workflows. These platforms offer diagnostic support, treatment recommendations, and data analytics for healthcare professionals. 4. Implementation and Integration Hospitals and healthcare providers implement AI systems into their oncology departments, ensuring compatibility with existing electronic health records (EHR) and imaging equipment. Training healthcare staff to effectively use AI tools is also vital. 5. Maintenance and Support Ongoing maintenance, software updates, and technical support are essential to keep AI systems accurate and secure. This stage also involves monitoring AI performance and ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations. 6. Research and Development (R&D) Continuous R&D helps improve AI capabilities and discover new applications in oncology, such as personalized medicine and early cancer detection. Partnerships between AI firms, healthcare institutions, and academic bodies drive innovation. Key Players Operating in the Market 1. Lunit Inc.: Lunit's AI-powered imaging solutions, such as Lunit INSIGHT MMG, have been integrated into national cancer screening programs in Qatar and the UAE. These tools assist in early breast cancer detection, aiming to reduce missed diagnoses and improve survival rates. 2. Siemens Healthineers AG: It offers advanced imaging systems and AI-driven analytics platforms that enhance diagnostic accuracy in oncology. Their technologies support clinicians in detecting and characterizing tumors, leading to more precise treatment planning. 3. GE HealthCare: GE HealthCare's AI-enabled imaging and monitoring solutions facilitate real-time analysis of medical images, aiding in the early detection of cancers. Their systems are designed to integrate seamlessly into existing healthcare infrastructures in the Middle East. 4. NVIDIA Corporation: NVIDIA provides high-performance computing platforms essential for training and deploying AI models in oncology. Their GPUs and software frameworks accelerate the development of AI applications for cancer research and treatment. 5. Roche: The company collaborates with AI firms to integrate machine learning into drug discovery and diagnostics. Their efforts focus on personalizing cancer treatments and improving patient outcomes through data-driven insights. 6. Insilico Medicine: Insilico Medicine utilizes AI to design novel small molecules for cancer therapies. Their approach includes the use of generative models to simulate biological data, enhancing the efficiency of drug development processes. 7. Oracle Corporation: Oracle offers cloud-based platforms that support the storage, analysis, and sharing of large-scale oncology datasets. Their solutions enable healthcare providers to implement AI-driven decision-making in cancer care. 8. Intel Corporation: Intel supplies processors and AI accelerators that power computational tasks in oncology research. Their hardware supports the development and deployment of AI applications in cancer diagnostics and treatment planning. Recent Developments in the Middle East AI in Oncology Market In August 2025, Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. partnered with Saudi-based NanoPalm Ltd. to establish a joint venture aimed at developing new oncology drug candidates using AI-driven discovery technologies. In August 2025, Egypt introduced the regions first homegrown AI system for early breast cancer detection at Baheya Hospital, Sheikh Zayed. The system quickly analyzes mammograms, identifies abnormal tissues, classifies them as benign or malignant, and enhances its accuracy through machine learning. More Insights in Nova One Advisor: Middle East AI In Oncology Market Report Segmentation This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2019 to 2034. For this study, Nova One Advisor has segmented the Middle East AI in oncology market By Component Software Solutions Hardware Services By Cancer Type Breast Cancer Lung Cancer Prostate Cancer Colorectal Cancer Brain Tumor Other By Application Diagnostics (Pathology, Cancer Radiology) Radiation therapy (Radiotherapy) Research & Development (Drug design, development process, etc.) Chemotherapy Immunotherapy By End-use Hospitals Surgical Centers & Medical Institutes Others (Pharmaceutical companies, Research institutes & training centers) Immediate Delivery Available | Buy This Premium Research Report (Global Deep Dive USD 3800) https://www.novaoneadvisor.com/report/checkout/9208 About-Us Nova One Advisor is a global leader in market intelligence and strategic consulting, committed to delivering deep, data-driven insights that power innovation and transformation across industries. With a sharp focus on the evolving landscape of life sciences, we specialize in navigating the complexities of cell and gene therapy, drug development, and the oncology market, enabling our clients to lead in some of the most revolutionary and high-impact areas of healthcare. Our expertise spans the entire biotech and pharmaceutical value chain, empowering startups, global enterprises, investors, and research institutions that are pioneering the next generation of therapies in regenerative medicine, oncology, and precision medicine. 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Europe's Interventional Ultrasound market is on a strong growth trajectory, driven by the demand for minimally invasive procedures, rising chronic disease burden, and AI-driven innovations. However, workforce shortages, cost pressures, and regulatory barriers remain challenges to wider adoption. The growing demand for minimally invasive procedures, the growing regional burden of chronic diseases, and the wider use of image-guided therapies in cardiology, cancer, and gastroenterology are driving market expansion in Europe. Interventional ultrasound is ideal for hospitals and outpatient clinics because it provides real-time guidance, lower radiation exposure, and cost effectiveness. Technological developments like AI-driven automation, elastography, and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography are improving diagnostic results by increasing accuracy and usability. However, there are still issues with operator dependence, image quality variation, and uneven reimbursement practices throughout European healthcare systems. Nevertheless, the European interventional ultrasound market will continue to be driven by continuous innovation, burgeoning clinical applications, and rising demand for radiation-free imaging. The market for interventional ultrasonography in Europe is expanding significantly as a result of the growing use of minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment techniques by healthcare systems throughout the region. Interventional ultrasonography is a vital tool in disciplines including cardiology, cancer, gastroenterology, and urology because it combines real-time procedural guidance with imaging precision. It is a useful substitute for traditional imaging modalities like CT or fluoroscopy because of its capacity to lessen radiation exposure, enhance patient safety, and save overall healthcare expenses. The aging population, increased desire for cost-effective care, and the incidence of chronic diseases are all contributing to the increased usage of interventional ultrasonography in Europe. Its advantages are being used by hospitals and outpatient clinics for a variety of operations, from vascular and oncological interventions to biopsies and ablations. Additionally, developments like elastography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and AI-powered automation are enhancing picture quality, diagnostic confidence, and usability, which is speeding up adoption in Europe's developed and rising healthcare markets. Broader penetration is still constrained, though, by issues like operator dependence, image fluctuation, expensive equipment, and disjointed reimbursement schemes. Notwithstanding these obstacles, it is anticipated that continued research, technology advancements, and growing clinical applications will support strong growth, solidifying interventional ultrasonography as a pillar of Europe's changing minimally invasive healthcare environment. How can this report add value to an organization? Product/Innovation Strategy: The Europe interventional ultrasound market has been extensively segmented based on various categories, such as application, end user, and region. This can help readers get a clear overview of which segments account for the largest share and which ones are well-positioned to grow in the coming years. Growth/Marketing Strategy: New offerings accounted for the maximum number of key developments. Competitive Strategy: The Europe interventional ultrasound market has numerous established players with product portfolios. Key players in the Europe interventional ultrasound market analyzed and profiled in the study include established players offering products for interventional ultrasound systems. Europe Interventional Ultrasound Market Trends, Drivers and Challenges Market Trends Rising adoption of minimally invasive procedures supported by interventional ultrasound for cardiology, oncology, and gastroenterology. Technological integration such as 3D/4D imaging, fusion imaging, and artificial intelligence for better image guidance and precision. Growing penetration of portable and point-of-care ultrasound systems in hospitals and ambulatory centers. Increasing use of image-guided interventions (intravascular ultrasound, intraoperative ultrasound, etc.) for cancer and vascular applications. Higher incidence of oncology-based interventional procedures, expected to expand at a strong CAGR in Europe. Key Drivers High prevalence of chronic diseases (cardiovascular, cancer, neurological, gastrointestinal) fueling demand for real-time image guidance. Growing geriatric population in Europe, increasing the number of patients needing interventional imaging and ultrasound. Favorable reimbursement policies in developed European countries for interventional procedures. Rising healthcare investment in advanced diagnostic and therapeutic devices. Continuous product launches and innovations (3D ultrasound probes, fusion systems) by companies such as GE Healthcare, Siemens, Philips, and Canon. Challenges Shortage of trained specialists and technicians to operate advanced interventional ultrasound systems. Image resolution limitations compared to CT/MRI-based guidance. High equipment costs and budget constraints in smaller hospitals and developing EU regions. Competition from refurbished ultrasound systems, which are preferred by cost-sensitive buyers. Regulatory hurdles and long approval timelines for new interventional devices in the EU. Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis Esaote SPA Koninklijke Philips N.V. Siemens Healthineers AG Market Segmentation Application General Surgery Cancer Cardiac and Endovascular Others End User Hospitals and Clinics Ambulatory Surgical Centers Others (Research Use) Region U.K. France Germany Italy Spain Rest-of-Europe Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 66 Forecast Period 2025 - 2035 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $630.9 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2035 $1089.7 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.6% Regions Covered Europe For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fzdu7e About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Dublin, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Europe Integrated LED Light Source Endoscope Market: Focus on Endoscope Type and Country - Analysis and Forecast, 2025-2035" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Europe integrated LED light source endoscope market is projected to reach $1.10 billion by 2035 from $241.6 million in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 14.02% during the forecast period 2025-2035. The growing incidence of chronic illnesses, ongoing advancements in light source technology, and the region's aging population have all contributed to the impressive, nearly double-digit growth of the European integrated LED light source endoscope market. The market for integrated LED light source endoscopes in Europe is growing quickly due to the continent's aging population, growing desire for minimally invasive operations, and technical advancements. Modern endoscopic systems require integrated LED light sources because they provide brilliant, reliable illumination that helps doctors precisely view inside structures. Longer operating lifespans, lower energy consumption, less heat generation, and improved image quality are all advantages of LED-based systems over conventional xenon or halogen units. These advantages are in line with Europe's drive for affordable and environmentally friendly healthcare technology. The growing prevalence of chronic pulmonary, urological, and gastrointestinal conditions - all of which necessitate routine endoscopic diagnosis and treatment - further supports growth. Crucially, stringent regulatory frameworks like the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR 2017/745), which imposes stringent safety, performance, and post-market surveillance standards, govern the European market. Manufacturers are now investing in high-quality, compatible LED-based solutions as a result of these rules. Although payment mechanisms and coverage differ by area, many EU nations - especially Germany, France, and the Nordic states - offer structured funding for endoscopic operations that are medically required. These elements, together with hospital modernization initiatives, infection control regulations, and a growing trend toward single-use devices, are driving the European market for integrated LED light source endoscopes toward steady and strong development. How can this report add value to an organization? Product/Innovation Strategy: The Europe integrated LED light source endoscope market has been extensively segmented based on various categories, such as product, end user, and region. This can help readers get a clear overview of which segments account for the largest share and which ones are well-positioned to grow in the coming years. Growth/Marketing Strategy: Product approvals accounted for the maximum number of key developments. Competitive Strategy: The Europe integrated LED light source endoscope market has numerous established players with product portfolios. Key players in the Europe integrated LED light source endoscope market analyzed and profiled in the study include established players offering products for the integrated LED light source endoscope. Europe Integrated LED Light Source Endoscope Market Trend, Drivers and Challenges: Market Trends Growing adoption of minimally invasive procedures across Europe, supported by better patient recovery times and reduced hospitalization needs. Shift towards integrated light source endoscopes with LED technology for enhanced image clarity, energy efficiency, and lower maintenance costs compared to xenon light sources. Increasing integration of robotics and AI into endoscopic systems for improved diagnostic accuracy and precision in interventions. Rising preference for single-use/disposable endoscopes to reduce hospital-acquired infection (HAI) risks. Technological advances in video and visualization systems driving higher diagnostic quality and adoption rates. Key Growth Drivers Advantages of LED over traditional light sources (longer lifespan, lower heat emission, consistent light output). Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases (gastrointestinal, pulmonary, urological) necessitating more diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures. Growing geriatric population in Europe, which is more prone to conditions requiring endoscopic intervention. High risk and awareness of HAIs, boosting demand for sterile and efficient integrated systems. Regulatory approvals and compliance supporting market entry of advanced LED-based systems. Cost savings over time due to lower maintenance and replacement frequency of LED light sources. Market Challenges Dominance of existing reusable endoscope enterprises slowing adoption of newer integrated LED solutions. High initial capital investment for advanced integrated systems, limiting uptake among smaller healthcare facilities. Shortage of skilled professionals to operate and maintain advanced endoscopic equipment. Reimbursement limitations in certain European countries, affecting purchasing decisions. Resistance to change from healthcare facilities heavily invested in existing xenon-based or halogen systems. Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis The companies profiled have been selected based on inputs gathered from primary experts and an analysis of company coverage, product portfolio, and market penetration. Some prominent names established in this market are: Ambu A/S Flexicare (Group) Limited KARL STORZ Richard Wolf GmbH Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 70 Forecast Period 2025 - 2035 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $297.6 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2035 $1100 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 14.0% Regions Covered Europe For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/b7coit About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Earnings Release: Friday, November 14, 2025, Before Market Opens Conference Call and Webcast: Friday, November 14, at 8:30 a.m. ET MONACO, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Costamare Bulkers Holdings Limited (NYSE:CMDB) (Costamare Bulkers or the Company), announced today that it will release its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025 before the market opens in New York on November 14, 2025. Conference Call Details: On Friday, November 14, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. ET, Costamare Bulkers management team will hold a conference call to discuss the financial results. Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1-800-860-2442 (from the US), 0808-238-9064 (from the UK) or +1-412-858-4600 (from outside the US). Please quote "Costamare Bulkers". A replay of the conference call will be available until November 21, 2025. The United States replay number is +1-855-669-9658; the standard international replay number is +1-412-317-0088; and the access code required for the replay is: 5058584. Live Webcast: There will also be a simultaneous live webcast over the Internet, through the Costamare Bulkers website (www.costamarebulkers.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast. About Costamare Bulkers Holdings Limited Costamare Bulkers Holdings Limited is an international owner and operator of dry bulk vessels. Costamare Bulkers owned dry bulk fleet consists of 37 vessels with a total carrying capacity of approximately 3,103,000 dwt (including six vessels that we have agreed to sell). Costamare Bulkers also owns a dry bulk operating platform (CBI) which charters in/out dry bulk vessels, enters into contracts of affreightment and forward freight agreements and may also utilize hedging solutions. Costamare Bulkers common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CMDB. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as believe, intend, anticipate, estimate, project, forecast, plan, potential, may, should, could, expect and similar expressions. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Companys beliefs regarding future results, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Companys control. It is possible that actual results may differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect future results, see the discussion in the Companys Registration Statement on Form 20-F (File No. 001-42581). Company Contacts: Gregory Zikos Chief Executive Officer Dimitris Pagratis - Chief Financial Officer Konstantinos Tsakalidis - Business Development Costamare Bulkers Holdings Limited, Monaco Tel: (+377) 92 00 1745 Email: ir@costamarebulkers.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnviroGold Global Limited (CSE: NVRO | OTCQB: ESGLF | FSE: YGK) (EnviroGold or the Company) is pleased to announce the successful conversion and retirement of approximately $10.2 million in debt consisting of approximately $9.1 million in principal and $1.1 million in interest and costs during 2025. These actions eliminate all outstanding convertible and promissory liabilities from the Companys balance sheet, marking a major milestone for EnviroGold as it advances toward commercialization of its proprietary NVRO Process. January 2025 Convertible Promissory Notes (Notes) Fully Converted The Notes were issued with a Face Value of $4,119,000, this debt has been converted in full through the issue of 68,650,446 shares at $0.06 per share with an additional 3,192,363 shares issued for interest and costs at prevailing share prices on the conversion dates ranging from 20 May 2025 to 7 November 2025. CEO David Cam commented: With all convertible debt now retired, a clean balance sheet, EnviroGold enters its next phase from a position of strength. These steps underpin our focus on executing the commercialisation of the NVRO Process, scaling partnerships and delivering sustainable, recurring revenue growth. Two insiders of the Company held an aggregate of $100,000 in principal of the Notes. The insider conversions have been converted into common shares and included in the above share issuances. The participation of these insiders in the Note Offering and in the subsequent conversion constitutes a related-party transaction under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The Company is relying on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements under sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(b), respectively, of MI 61-101, as the fair-market value of the securities issued to insiders and the consideration paid by them does not exceed C$2,500,000. Other Corporate Matters The Company will issue 1,851,852 common shares at a deemed price of $0.135 per share being the closing price of the Companys shares on 1 October 2025 (the Consideration Shares) as partial payment of an engagement fee pursuant to its engagement of Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation as its financial advisor dated August 13, 2025. The Company also announces the issuance of an aggregate of 850,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.115 per share to the estate of Mr. Harold Wolkin (the Estate Shares), a former independent director of the Company, in recognition and appreciation of his past valuable services rendered to the Company. The issuance represents full and final satisfaction of compensation owing to Mr. Harold Wolkin for services provided during his tenure as a director. In connection with the Note conversions, the Company issued conversion premiums totalling 1,271,405 shares at a deemed price of $0.15 per share. The Consideration Shares, Estate Shares, and conversion premium shares are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company has also implemented customary compensation arrangements that align management and stakeholder interests, that support the Companys commercialization strategy. The equity awards are subject to statutory hold periods and vesting schedules tied to operational milestones, revenue growth and share-price performance. These actions align leadership incentives with shareholder value creation while preserving cash resources for commercialization. On November 6, 2025, the Company granted an aggregate of 5,637,501 restricted share units (RSUs), 18,500,000 performance share units (PSUs) and 257,000 stock options (Options) pursuant to its Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) to certain directors and officers of the Company in recognition of past services rendered and as incentive compensation for ongoing and future performance. The Options are exercisable to acquire common shares at a price of $0.14 per share for a period of five years from issuance and vested on issuance. The RSUs were granted at a deemed price of $0.14 per RSU and will vest in tranches in accordance with the individual award agreements and the terms of the Plan. Upon vesting, each RSU entitles the holder to receive one common share of the Company issued from treasury. Each PSU represents the right to receive one common share of the Company, the cash equivalent, or a combination thereof upon vesting, subject to the achievement of specified performance-based and share price milestones, including revenue thresholds and volume-weighted average price (VWAP) targets, as detailed in the applicable PSU Grant Agreements. All RSUs, PSUs, Options and any shares issued upon settlement or exercise are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities laws. The grant of the Estate Shares, Options, RSUs and PSUs to certain directors and officers constitutes a related party transaction pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The Company is exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the grant of Options to related parties in reliance on the exemptions contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, as the Company is not listed on a specified market and the fair market value of the Estate Shares, Options, RSUs and PSUs does not exceed 25% of the Companys market capitalization. None of the above shares have been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act) or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) or persons in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the foregoing securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About EnviroGold Global EnviroGold Global Limited is a clean-technology company transforming the mining industry by recovering high-value metals from mine waste and tailings while reducing environmental liabilities. The Companys proprietary NVRO Process delivers efficient, low-carbon extraction of precious, base, and critical metals, aligning with the global demand for sustainable metal supply and responsible resource management. Operating under a capital-light technology-licensing model, EnviroGold combines innovation, scalability, and ESG performance to deliver recurring revenue and long-term shareholder value. Investors can access the Q3 Investor Presentation on the Company's website at: https://envirogoldglobal.com/investors/, along with the Terra Studio Company Profile at: https://www.terrastudio.biz/blog/post/11325/on-the-cusp-of-formidable-growth/ CONTACTS: Investor Cubed Neil Simon, CEO +1 647 258 3310 nsimon@investor3.ca ir@envirogoldglobal.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words such as expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, potential, plans, projects, targets, may, will, should, could, or similar expressions. These statements reflect the Companys current expectations or beliefs and are based on information currently available to the Company and/or assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable. Forward-looking statements in this release include, without limitation: the Companys ability to advance and commercialize the NVRO Process; expected benefits of the NVRO Process (including efficiency, repeatability, cost reduction, and environmental performance); the operation and results of the Demonstration Plant and the development and deployment of the NVRO mobile pilot plant; the Companys plans, strategies, timelines, and expectations for future growth, commercialization, partnerships, and recurring revenue; the anticipated effects of leadership changes and incentive alignment; the expected issuance of securities, including the Consideration Shares, Estate Shares, conversion premium shares (including the anticipated issuance date on or about November 17, 2025 and the application of statutory hold periods); the vesting, settlement, and performance conditions relating to RSUs and PSUs (including revenue and VWAP targets); and the Companys expectation that it will maintain a debt-free balance sheet and enhance liquidity for commercialization. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks related to research, development, scale-up, and commercialization of new technology; pilot, demonstration, commissioning, and integration risks; the availability, quality, and variability of feedstock and project opportunities; counterparty, construction, and supply-chain risks; operating performance relative to design specifications; intellectual property protection and freedom-to-operate; reliance on and retention of key personnel; regulatory, environmental, and permitting approvals and timelines; commodity price and exchange-rate fluctuations; capital markets conditions, access to financing, dilution, and share price volatility; the timing, approval, and completion of securities issuances (including those referenced herein); the achievement of performance-based and share-price-based vesting conditions for equity awards; general market conditions; and the other risk factors described in the Companys public disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Manchester, UK, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PEAK:AIO, a leader in high-performance storage for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC), today announced the launch of PEAK Open pNFS, the industrys first fully open source, vendor-agnostic metadata server for parallel NFS (pNFS). Supported by an esteemed list of leading vendors, this bold move eliminates one of the last proprietary roadblocks to scalable HPC and AI storage, offering organizations a frictionless, fully open path from edge to exascale. As AI and HPC workloads continue to grow exponentially, traditional file systems struggle to keep up with massive metadata operations, slowing performance and complicating operations. PEAK:AIO is breaking that cycle with PEAK Open pNFS its modular, horizontally scalable architecture that allows both metadata and storage performance to grow seamlessly with demand. At the heart of the launch is a fully open source metadata server, developed in collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory and Carnegie Mellon University. Unlike partial approaches that open only the client, PEAK:AIOs innovation addresses the entire pNFS stack. It delivers a genuinely open, linearly scalable alternative to aging, proprietary file systems. Emerging AI workloads present scaling demands similar to HPC needs but require different access patterns, said Gary Grider, High Performance Computing Division Leader at Los Alamos National Labs. To achieve a multi-decadal solution to address the combined and growing requirements benefits greatly from a standards and community-based solution, Open-source solutions like PEAK:AIOs PEAK Open pNFS promises to address the growing requirements and performance needs and is a very important step towards achieving a flexible base on which community innovation can proceed. The launch of PEAK Open pNFS has drawn strong support from leading technology vendors who recognize the importance of open, scalable infrastructure for the next generation of AI and HPC workloads. A full list of industry quotes and testimonials can be found here: pNFS Collaborations AI and HPC are pushing storage systems to their limits, said Roger Cummings, President and CEO of PEAK:AIO. PEAK Open pNFS removes metadata bottlenecks, while our AI Data Server ensures storage performance scales alongside it. The result is a simple to manage modular system that grows linearly with workload demands without compromise. Key Benefits of PEAK Open pNFS: Open Source Metadata Server Removes vendor lock-in and supports the latest Flex Files standard. Removes vendor lock-in and supports the latest Flex Files standard. Linear Scalability Add performance and capacity modularly, node-by-node. Add performance and capacity modularly, node-by-node. Start Small, Scale Big From a single HA node to exabytes without architecture changes. From a single HA node to exabytes without architecture changes. AI & HPC Tuned Seamless integration with PEAK:AIOs AI Data Server. Seamless integration with PEAK:AIOs AI Data Server. Edge to Cloud Flexibility Compatible with existing NAS, Tier 0 deployments, and hybrid models. When combined with the PEAK:AIO AI Data Server, organizations can achieve unprecedented performance by pairing intelligent data placement, high-throughput storage, and distributed metadata handling in a single, integrated platform. The PEAK:AIO AI Data Server delivers up to 320GB/sec in just 2U, achieving up to 6x the density and energy efficiency of legacy vendors, making it uniquely suited to todays GPU-driven workloads across all sectors. Together, these solutions allow infrastructures to scale dynamically, remain cost-effective, and reduce operational complexity, keeping pace with the fastest-growing AI and HPC workloads. Solidigm recognizes the urgent need for an open source parallel filesystem tailored to the demanding performance and scalability requirements of AI workloads. As data-intensive AI applications continue to evolve, the industry requires solutions that not only deliver high throughput but also offer operational simplicity and cost efficiency, said Greg Matson, Head of Marketing, Product and Business Strategy at Solidigm. PEAK:AIOs PEAK Open pNFS appears to address these critical needs with its innovative, modular architecture that scales linearly with demand. As a PEAK:AIO partner, Solidigm sees this technology as a valuable complement to our industry leading AI storage portfolio, enabling customers to maximize the performance potential of next-generation AI infrastructures. Meet PEAK:AIO at SC25 Join PEAK:AIO at Booth # 6359 and Exhibitor Suite ES10 for a live demo of PEAK Open pNFS and to speak directly with the engineers shaping the future of scalable open storage. Learn how to deploy or contribute to the open source initiative. To explore the project or request early access, visit: www.peakaio.com/openpnfs About PEAK:AIO PEAK:AIO is a software first infrastructure company delivering next-generation AI data solutions. Trusteed across global healthcare, pharmaceutical, and enterprise AI deployments, PEAK:AIO powers real-time, low latency inference and training with memory-class performance, RDMA acceleration and zero maintenance deployment models. Learn more at https://peakaio.com New York, NY, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EPSMomentum, a NYC-based provider of data-driven analytics for smarter investing, has been named a Benzinga Fintech Award winner for best financial research company. The award recognizes EPSMomentums innovative technology and research platform that empowers investors with real-time insights, specialized data sets and informative analytics. Announced at the Benzinga Global Fintech Awards Gala, EPSMomentum joined other industry experts and executives at the Fintech Day & Awards event in New York City. The event brought together experts in trading, investing and fintech for financial market discussions, predictions, networking and a celebration of the industrys top leaders. Were more than delighted to receive this award from Benzinga, said Alex Carteau, CEO and Co-Founder of EPSMomentum. After being named a runner-up last year, we have invested further in the product and released new tools in the last 12 months to help investors make better decisions. This recognition is especially meaningful as our goal has always been to provide accessible, easy-to-understand analytics for all types of investors, and this award validates that. Recognizing excellence across fintech innovation, Benzingas Fintech Awards celebrate companies and products that simplify and enhance the lives of traders and investors. Judged by Benzingas Editorial Board, the awards honor those driving transparency and efficiency in financial technology. This recognition showcases the need for an innovative financial research platform, said Max Linnington, CRO and Co-Founder of EPSMomentum. As we help stock market investors synthesize whats important to focus on and whats just noise, were continuing to push the boundaries and develop solutions for all investors. With the launch of its new market intelligence platform, EPSMomentum is turning innovative analytics into actionable results for investors. Winning Benzingas Fintech Award for best financial research company showcases the importance of EPSMomentums approach in helping investors spot opportunities and make smarter, data-informed decisions. About EPSMomentum Founded and run by two former senior Bloomberg LP executives, EPSMomentum provides an investment intelligence platform that helps investors identify high-potential stocks and optimal market timing conditions with proprietary analytics and real-time data. By combining earnings momentum insights, fundamental analysis and advanced market indicators, EPSMomentum delivers clarity and confidence for smarter investing decisions. For more information, visit www.EPSMomentum.com SAN DIEGO, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Johnson Fistel, PLLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE: INSP) common stock between August 6, 2024 and August 4, 2025, inclusive (the Class Period). The lawsuit seeks to recover losses for investors under the federal securities laws. What if I purchased Inspire Medical securities? If you purchased Inspire Medical securities during the Class Period and suffered losses, you have until January 5, 2026 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff. Investors who suffered significant losses and would like to discuss their rights, or to determine whether they qualify to participate in any potential recovery, should visit: https://www.johnsonfistel.com/investigations/inspire-medical-systems-inc/ You may also contact James Baker at (619) 814-4471 or jimb@johnsonfistel.com, or Frank J. Johnson, Esq. at fjohnson@johnsonfistel.com to discuss your options privately. What is this case about? The Inspire Medical class action lawsuit is captioned City of Pontiac Reestablished General Employees Retirement System v. Inspire Medical Systems, Inc., No. 25-cv-04247 (D. Minn.), and alleges that Inspire Medical and certain of its senior executives violated federal securities laws. Inspire Medical develops and manufactures an implantable medical device for obstructive sleep apnea known as Inspire. The newest version, Inspire V, utilizes a sensor and neurostimulator intended to improve respiration during sleep. The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and misleading statements and failed to disclose that: The Inspire V product launch was performing poorly, as demand was weak due to providers holding significant surplus inventory and hesitancy to transition to the new device; and Despite public assurances that Inspire Medical had taken all necessary steps for a successful launch, the company had not completed essential groundwork, including required training, contracting, and onboarding at implanting centers. On August 4, 2025, Inspire Medical revealed that the Inspire V rollout faced an elongated timeframe due to these undisclosed issues. The Company further acknowledged that software updates for billing Medicare patients did not take effect until July 1, preventing centers from billing for Inspire V procedures prior to that date. At the same time, the Company disclosed that demand had been negatively impacted by excess channel inventory, forcing Inspire Medical to reduce its 2025 earnings guidance by more than 80%. Following this news, Inspire Medicals stock price declined more than 32%, causing significant investor losses. About Johnson Fistel, PLLP: Johnson Fistel, PLLP is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm with offices in California, New York, Georgia, Idaho, and Colorado. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation, including international investors trading on U.S. exchanges. In 2024, the firm was ranked among the Top 10 Plaintiff Law Firms by ISS Securities Class Action Services, recovering approximately $90.7 million for investors in cases where it served as lead or co-lead counsel. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Johnson Fistel, PLLP has paid for the dissemination of this promotional communication, and Frank J. Johnson is the attorney responsible for its content. Contact: Johnson Fistel, PLLP 501 W. Broadway, Suite 800, San Diego, CA 92101 James Baker, Investor Relations or Frank J. Johnson, Esq., (619) 814-4471 jimb@johnsonfistel.com or fjohnson@johnsonfistel.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Desert Mountain Energy Corp. (DMEHF), based in New Mexico focused on Natural Gas today announced that Don Mosher, President will present live at the Oil & Gas Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on November 13th, 2025 DATE: November 13th TIME: 12:30 PM ET LINK: REGISTER HERE Available for 1x1 meetings: November 19th. Schedule 1x1 Meetings here This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event. It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates. Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com . About Virtual Investor Conferences Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors. Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors. CONTACTS: Desert Mountain Energ Corp. Don Mosher President/Director 604-617-5448 don@desertmountainenergy.com Virtual Investor Conferences John M. Viglotti SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access OTC Markets Group (212) 220-2221 johnv@otcmarkets.com AUSTIN, TX, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PropUp, a leading innovator in maintenance solutions for the multi and single-family rental housing industry, today announced its successful deployment of its property maintenance and renovation platform with OTH Capital (OTH), a real estate private equity firm specializing in residential real estate acquisition and development. The partnership has enabled OTH to streamline unit turns, monitor renovation progress in real time, digitize inspections and work orders, and achieve exceptional financial results across its portfolio, including two key properties, Astra and Carina. Faced with the challenge of repositioning 560 Class C units to Class B within a 36-month window, OTH needed a solution that could support an aggressive turnaround plan, maintain high occupancy, and optimize efficiency by centralizing operations and gaining maximum transparency. With PropUp, OTH tracked every unit turn, coordinated multiple renovation schemes and provided real-time visibility to technicians, vendors, management staff and asset management teams. Repositioning hundreds of units across multiple properties on tight timelines is a monumental task, said Nicholas Yarnall, Managing Partner, OTH Capital. PropUp gave our team the control and insight we needed to stay ahead of schedule, maintain high occupancy and drive rents, ensuring we maximized the value of these assets. The platforms ease of use and real-time tracking were critical to our success. PropUp implemented its platform with 10 staff members trained in a single day. The platform enabled OTH to: Reduce average turnover downtime (inclusive of leasing timelines) from 63 days (Astra) and 57 days (Carina) to just 21 and 25 days, respectively. Renovate an average of 24 units per month, exceeding the original target of 15. Increase rents by 12% at Astra and 9% at Carina during the renovation period. Maintain a combined occupancy rate of 91.25% throughout the project. Complete a full property repositioning and disposition in just 15 months, achieving a 2.32x return and 81.4% IRR. PropUp is designed to help teams manage complex turns and repositioning plans with precision and speed, said William Gottfried, CEO of PropUp. In working with OTH Capital, we were able to show how our platform can not only streamline operations but also directly impact financial outcomes. The results speak for themselves, faster unit turns, reduced vacancy loss, larger trade-outs, and an accelerated path to disposition. Gottfried will be joined by Will Yarnall, Vice President, OTH Capital, to present this case study at the 2025 NMHC OPTECH Conference & Expo on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The presentation will take place at Boulevard 157 and will detail how OTH utilized PropUp to accelerate unit turns, reduce downtime, and keep occupancy strong. # # # About PropUp: PropUp is a leading provider of innovative operational solutions for apartment and single-family rentals. Founded by operators with decades of multi-family experience, PropUp provides maintenance, facilities, and property operations tools to property managers and owner-operators across the United States and Canada. For more information, visit https://www.gopropup.com. About OTH Capital: OTH Capital is an Austin, TX based real estate private equity firm focused on the acquisition and development of residential real estate. For more information, visit https://www.othcapital.com ATLANTA, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (KubeCon)-The cloud native platform of choice now delivers AI simplicity and deeper observability for both container and AI workloads, announces SUSE , a global leader in enterprise open source solutions. Extending the core capabilities of SUSE Rancher Prime , an industry-leading cloud native platform, SUSE AI is a specialized stack, giving enterprises a unified, flexible, and secure platform to manage hybrid AI workloads and accelerate adoption. The future of enterprise IT will run on secure, containerized AI applications, with specialized workloads across any hybrid cloud environment, says Thomas Di Giacomo, Chief Product and Technology Officer at SUSE. SUSE Rancher Prime, a container management platform recognized as a leader by industry analysts, serves as the powerful foundation for SUSE AI. This coupling uniquely positions us to help customers manage their complex IT workloads and accelerate their AI journeys. SUSE AI: bringing AI concepts to production According to IDC, by 2028, 65% of build your own agentic AI projects will have been abandoned after failing to meet ROI goals, as organizations struggle to understand the actual costs and value of implementations.1 Built on SUSE Rancher Prime, SUSE AI provides the security, observability, and frameworks customers need to secure their AI solutions at scale, allowing them to operationalize, track ROI, and keep data under control. IDC's research shows that enterprises are struggling to bring complex GenAI projects to production due to fractured integrations and a lack of control, which is why unified platforms that simplify operationalization are essential for securely accelerating AI adoption and maximizing business value, says Michele Rosen, Research Manager, Intelligent Application Modernization and Enterprise Open Source Strategies, IDC. Having achieved CNCF Conformance, SUSE Rancher Prime and SUSE AI assure trust, interoperability, and community commitment, allowing enterprises to operate consistently across all infrastructure: public clouds, private clouds, on premises and air-gapped environments. The platform directly addresses high-stakes business requirements for data security and digital sovereignty, ensuring enterprises maintain control over business data and proprietary intellectual property. The latest release of SUSE AI provides seamless AI operations, and reduces overhead and cost visibility and savings through: Universal Proxy: The integrated Model Context Protocol (MCP) proxy within SUSE AI, available as a tech preview, simplifies connections by creating centralized management for the proliferation of MCP endpoints, optimizing model costs and enhancing data access control. This follows SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16 's introduction of MCP components. The integrated Model Context Protocol (MCP) proxy within SUSE AI, available as a tech preview, simplifies connections by creating centralized management for the proliferation of MCP endpoints, optimizing model costs and enhancing data access control. This follows 's introduction of MCP components. Accelerated AI Inference: Expanded inference engine portfolio includes high-performance platforms like vLLM to deliver fast, highly efficient, and scalable LLM inference, simplifying the process of moving AI models into production. Expanded inference engine portfolio includes high-performance platforms like vLLM to deliver fast, highly efficient, and scalable LLM inference, simplifying the process of moving AI models into production. AI Observability: Extending the core capabilities of SUSE Rancher Prime, SUSE AI includes the OpenTelemetry (OTel) operator for auto instrumentation. In addition, this release of SUSE AI includes out of the box observability for Ollama, Open WebUI, Milvus via Open WebUI Pipelines and enhanced observability metrics for performance and predictability. Enhanced Value via Strategic Partnerships SUSE accelerates the adoption and governance of AI by expanding strategic partnerships to create a complete, integrated ecosystem. Collaboration with partners such as ClearML and Katonic for MLOps & GenAI Solutions, and AI infrastructure Management solutions, AI & Partners for AI Governance and compliance, Avesha for GPU Orchestration and Altair , a Siemens company for HPC & AI Solutions deliver purpose-built, specialized solutions that minimizes integration effort and maximizes capability. Enhancements to SUSE Rancher Prime SUSE Rancher Prime , the cloud native platform powering SUSE AI and SUSE Edge solutions, also includes numerous updates that deliver simple, consistent operations at scale for all workloads across complex data center, cloud, and Edge environments. New features include: Simplified Management with Agentic AI : available as tech preview, SUSE Rancher Prime now includes Liz, a context-aware AI agent that simplifies Kubernetes management enabling teams to proactively detect issues, optimize performance, and reduce resolution times for customer issues. available as tech preview, SUSE Rancher Prime now includes Liz, a context-aware AI agent that simplifies Kubernetes management enabling teams to proactively detect issues, optimize performance, and reduce resolution times for customer issues. Virtual Clusters : Now generally available, SUSE virtual clusters help enterprises optimize their costly GPU resources unlocking the full potential of Kubernetes for AI with agility, scalability, and efficiency at every stage of the AI lifecycle. : Now generally available, help enterprises optimize their costly GPU resources unlocking the full potential of Kubernetes for AI with agility, scalability, and efficiency at every stage of the AI lifecycle. Full Stack Management : SUSE Rancher Prime enhances and further simplifies the management of the full SUSE stack from the operating system to workloads for organizations wanting to leverage the benefits of running an all SUSE stack. : SUSE Rancher Prime enhances and further simplifies the management of the full SUSE stack from the operating system to workloads for organizations wanting to leverage the benefits of running an all SUSE stack. VMware Modernization: The latest SUSE Virtualization version provides advanced network functionality , including micro-segmentation, in tech preview. This decouples network functions from physical hardware, allowing for software-defined networking that increases agility, scalability, and automation for virtual machines and containers. Additionally, SUSE Virtualizations ecosystem of certified enterprise storage providers now includes Fujitsu, Hitachi, HPE, and Lenovo, expanding customers ability to leverage their existing storage investment. The latest SUSE Virtualization version provides , including micro-segmentation, in tech preview. This decouples network functions from physical hardware, allowing for software-defined networking that increases agility, scalability, and automation for virtual machines and containers. Additionally, SUSE Virtualizations ecosystem of certified enterprise storage providers now includes Fujitsu, Hitachi, HPE, and Lenovo, expanding customers ability to leverage their existing storage investment. Expanded Observability: SUSE Observability now includes a powerful dashboard editor enabling users to visually organize operational data into shared, actionable knowledge leading to faster incident resolution times. The latest version also adds support for the OTel framework, enabling SUSE Observability to provide unified visibility and insights across your entire technology landscape, not just Kubernetes. Launching SUSE Rancher Developer Access Today, SUSE announces SUSE Rancher Developer Access , a UI extension granting access to SUSE Application Collection via Rancher Desktop, one of the industrys most widely adopted desktop applications for managing Kubernetes and container development environments locally from a computer. SUSE Application Collection is a curated library of open source apps and container base images delivered by SUSE. This powerful combination empowers developers to rapidly build and deploy highly secure, production-ready applications using only trusted content. About SUSE SUSE is a global leader in enterprise open source software, across Linux operating systems, Kubernetes container management, Edge solutions and AI. The majority of the Fortune 500 rely on SUSE to provide resilient infrastructure, enabling IT leaders to optimize cost and manage heterogeneous environments. SUSE collaborates with partners and communities to provide organizations with choices to maximize their current IT systems and innovate with next-generation technologies across traditional on-premises, to cloud native, multi-cloud to edge and beyond. For more information, visit www.suse.com . IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Developer and DevOps 2026 Predictions Doc# US53858525, October 2025 Media Contact: Rachel Romoff rachel.romoff@suse.com DALLAS, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Qentelli, a global technology company specializing in digital transformation, automation, and AI-driven solutions, today announced the appointment of Dave Harvey, Founder and Principal of Harvey Global Advisory, to its Board of Directors. A former Chief Commercial Officer at Wheels Up and longtime executive at Southwest Airlines, Harvey brings over 25 years of experience in commercial strategy, partnerships, and technology-enabled growth across the travel and hospitality ecosystem. Through Harvey Global Advisory (HGA), he advises organizations on digital innovation, commercial strategy, and culture-driven transformation. Im honored to join the Board of Directors at Qentelli, a company thats redefining how businesses harness digital, data, and AI to drive growth, said Dave Harvey, Founder and Principal of Harvey Global Advisory. At its best, AI doesnt replace people; it enables them. It empowers teams to make faster, smarter decisions and focus on what truly matters: creativity, connection, and customer impact. Im excited to help Qentelli continue shaping how technology enhances both performance and human potential, he said. Harveys appointment comes as Qentelli celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of innovation and sustained growth. Daves leadership and deep industry expertise align perfectly with Qentellis mission to help enterprises achieve intelligent transformation. His experience bridging commercial strategy, technology, and organizational excellence brings tremendous value to our board as we expand, said Sanjay Jupudi, CEO at Qentelli. Above: Dave Harvey pictured here with Sanjay Jupudi Founded in 2015 by seasoned technology leader Sanjay Jupudi, Dallas, Texas-based Qentelli enables enterprises to drive strategic growth with AI-led solutions in Cloud, DevOps, Quality Engineering, and Digital Experience. The companys industry leadership has been recognized by prestigious honors including Deloitte Fast 500, Dallas Business Journals Fast 50, Dallas 100 Awards, and Tech Titans Fast Tech, among others. Website: https://qentelli.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/qentelli/posts/?feedView=all Email: media@qentelli.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a19e64f9-5aac-4a7d-a333-7f9bdee80af0 Dublin, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "India Gentamycin Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2021-2031F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The India Gentamycin Market was valued at USD 68.32 Million in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 97.87 Million by 2031, rising at a CAGR of 6.31%. The Gentamycin market in India has witnessed steady growth in recent years, driven by increasing demand for effective antibiotics to treat a broad range of bacterial infections. Gentamycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, is widely used in hospitals and clinics across India for treating severe infections such as sepsis, respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and intra-abdominal infections. Its effectiveness against Gram-negative bacteria makes it a critical option in the treatment of drug-resistant infections. India's large and growing population, combined with a high burden of infectious diseases, contributes significantly to the demand for gentamycin. The government's focus on improving healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas, has further increased the consumption of essential antibiotics, including gentamycin. Public healthcare procurement programs and inclusion of gentamycin in the essential medicines list have supported its widespread use in the public sector. Key Market Drivers High Burden of Bacterial Infections India faces a high burden of bacterial infections, significantly driving demand for antibiotics like Gentamycin . These infections range from urinary tract infections and pneumonia to sepsis and surgical site infections, commonly occurring in both community and hospital settings. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have contributed to increased resistance, making potent antibiotics such as Gentamycin critical in managing severe Gram-negative bacterial infections. One of the key areas of concern is hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), which remain a major public health challenge in India. According to recent estimates, the incidence of HAIs in Indian hospitals ranges between 11% and 60%, far higher than in developed countries. These infections are often caused by drug-resistant pathogens, for which aminoglycosides like Gentamycin are among the few remaining effective treatments. In addition, India reported over 1.6 million deaths attributable to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 2019, one of the highest figures globally. This underscores the urgent need for antibiotics that can address multidrug-resistant infections - an area where Gentamycin continues to play a vital role due to its efficacy against resistant strains. Given the rising incidence of infections and AMR-related complications, Gentamycin remains a cornerstone in empirical and targeted antibiotic regimens in both public and private healthcare systems. The drug's widespread clinical utility, low cost, and proven efficacy make it indispensable in managing the infectious disease burden, especially in settings with limited access to advanced therapies. As healthcare access improves and surveillance expands, the demand for Gentamycin is expected to remain strong. Key Market Challenges Toxicity Concerns Toxicity concerns remain one of the major challenges limiting the wider use of Gentamycin in the Indian pharmaceutical market. Gentamycin, while effective against a broad range of Gram-negative bacterial infections, is associated with significant side effects, particularly nephrotoxicity (kidney damage) and ototoxicity (hearing loss), especially with prolonged or high-dose treatment. Clinical data suggests that up to 30% of patients receiving Gentamycin may experience some level of kidney impairment. This risk is higher in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, newborns, and patients with pre-existing renal conditions. As a result, healthcare providers often monitor renal function closely when administering Gentamycin, which can increase the complexity and cost of care. In terms of hearing loss, studies indicate that 6% to 25% of patients treated with Gentamycin may develop irreversible ototoxic effects, depending on the dosage, duration, and individual susceptibility. This makes physicians cautious, especially when safer alternatives are available. Due to these concerns, medical guidelines recommend using Gentamycin only when strictly necessary and often in controlled, hospital-based settings where monitoring is possible. This limits its use in outpatient care and rural health programs, where monitoring infrastructure may be inadequate. These toxicity risks also restrict Gentamycin appeal in the pediatric population, where the long-term consequences of hearing loss or kidney damage can be more profound. As a result, the growth of the Gentamycin market in India is somewhat constrained, despite its affordability and antimicrobial effectiveness. These toxicity issues necessitate careful prescribing practices and have contributed to growing interest in newer, safer alternatives. Key Market Trends Shift Toward Combination Therapies The shift toward combination therapies is a growing trend in the Gentamycin market in India, driven by the need to enhance treatment efficacy and address rising antimicrobial resistance. Gentamycin is often used alongside beta-lactam antibiotics like ampicillin or ceftriaxone to provide broader-spectrum coverage, especially in hospital settings and for critical infections such as sepsis, neonatal infections, and intra-abdominal infections. Studies indicate that around 65% of Gentamycin prescriptions in tertiary care hospitals in India involve combination therapy rather than monotherapy. This approach helps target both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, improving treatment outcomes and reducing the risk of resistance. Combination therapies are particularly effective in early-stage empirical treatment when the causative organism is unknown, offering coverage against multiple potential pathogens. In neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), Gentamycin is often paired with ampicillin as a first-line treatment for suspected sepsis. National data shows that this dual therapy accounts for nearly 80% of initial antibiotic regimens used in public-sector NICUs. The rationale is to ensure rapid action against a wide array of bacteria, as delays in appropriate therapy can lead to high morbidity and mortality. The trend also extends to post-operative care, where infections are more likely to involve resistant or mixed organisms. By using Gentamycin in combination, physicians can lower the individual dose of each antibiotic, reducing the risk of toxicity while maintaining efficacy. This shift reflects a growing awareness of precision in antibiotic use and the importance of synergistic effects in combating increasingly complex bacterial infections across India's healthcare system. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 70 Forecast Period 2025 - 2031 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $68.32 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2031 $97.87 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.3% Regions Covered India Report Scope: Key Market Players Taj Pharmaceuticals Ltd Bayer India Ltd. Zydus Cadila Healthcare Ltd. Neon Laboratories Ltd. Hetero Healthcare Ltd. Gracure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Fresenius Kabi India Pvt. Ltd. Nestor Pharmaceuticals Ltd. India Gentamycin Market, By Source: In-house Contract Manufacturing Organizations India Gentamycin Market, By Form: Eye Drops Tablet Capsule Syrup Injection Cream Gel Ointment Others India Gentamycin Market, By Route of Administration: Ophthalmic Intravenous Topical Oral Others India Gentamycin Market, By Distribution Channel: Online Offline India Gentamycin Market, By Application: Bacterial Infection Urinary Tract Infection Sepsis Meningitis Skin or Soft Tissue Infection Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Others India Gentamycin Market, By Region: North India East India West India South India For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/e08sz6 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that the agency has cleared the Biden-era backlog of Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) applications, which accumulated after the prior Administration diverted all resources away from VetCert to increase certification approvals for socially disadvantaged small businesses within the 8(a) Business Development Program. As of today, SBA has brought its pending total applications down from more than 2,700 to zero actionable cases, ensuring that Americas veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) can compete for federal contracts. Amid the shutdown, VetCert remains fully operational and will continue to process new and pending applications. Veterans have sacrificed enormously to serve our country, and they deserve full support when they return home to start and grow their businesses, said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. Under President Trumps leadership, SBA has restored all funding and staffing for VetCert and cleared the backlog of applications for veteran entrepreneurs who were put at the back of the line when the Biden Administration deprioritized veterans in favor of a DEI agenda. With the 2,700 case backlog cleared, veteran job creators finally have the chance to compete for contracts in the federal marketplace and to access the opportunities they deserve. The SBA is responsible for certifying small businesses for participation in federal contracting programs, which allows them to compete for set-aside and sole-source contracts. The agencys largest contracting program is the 8(a) Business Development Program, designed to certify socially disadvantaged businesses. Congress subsequently established VetCert to provide a dedicated onramp for veteran entrepreneurs seeking to participate in federal contracting. Through this separate program, the SBA certifies veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses for contracting authority. In January 2024, the Biden Administration took drastic action to increase the percentage of federal contracts that were required to be awarded to socially disadvantaged businesses, shifting the federal goal from 5% to 15% - an act that unfairly tipped the scales against any small businesses that did not qualify, including veteran-owned small businesses. To meet these new DEI contracting goals, the Biden SBA shifted VetCert staff and funding to the 8(a) Program, leaving veterans without any dedicated support. Predictably, this diversion of VetCerts resources diminished veterans opportunities for federal contracting approval. Application processing timelines, which averaged 30 days when the program began, skyrocketed to 81 days by the end of 2024. In response, Administrator Loeffler took immediate action on Day One of her tenure to return the socially disadvantaged contracting goal back to its statutory level of 5%. As of today, SBA has also restored full staffing and funding for the VetCert Program, cleared the backlog of all pending applications, and reduced application processing times to an average of just 12 days. As the nation prepares to honor Veterans Day, this milestone reaffirms SBAs commitment to ensuring veteran-owned small businesses will have dedicated support to access federal contracting opportunities and continue serving our country through entrepreneurship. # # # About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. FAIRFIELD, Conn., Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Register Now Limited Seating! C-suite executives from the Big Apple and the Tri-State area seeking fresh insight into how technology drives growth, reinvents the enterprise and elevates leadership impact, are invited to attend HMG Strategys 18th Annual New York Global Innovation Summit on November 13, 2025. This highly anticipated premier technology event is designed for CIOs, CISOs, CEOs, and technology leaders who want to accelerate career ascent, strengthen their IT leadership skills, and connect with peers at the highest levels of the C-suite. The summit is no cost to qualified attendees. Its more important than ever for top-tier CIOs, CISOs, senior technology leaders and CEOs to share knowledge and strategies that will help their organizations innovate and thrive, said Hunter Muller, Founder and CEO of HMG Strategy. Through our CIO Conferences and CISO Leadership forums, we provide a trusted platform where executives connect, inspire, and reinvent their approaches to leadership, cybersecurity, AI, and digital transformation. At HMG, our mission is to foster authentic network connections, deliver actionable insight, and help executives build trusted branding for their careers and companies. Key topics at the 18th Annual New York Global Innovation Summit will include: Navigating the Innovation and Invention Supercycle Architecting Multi-Cloud & On-Prem Systems in a Rapid Innovation Cycle Using AI and Cutting-Edge Technologies and Partnerships to Boost Business Performance Making Security a Competitive Advantage Trailblazing Tech Leadership for the Next Era of Innovation Scheduled speakers for the 18th Annual New York Global Innovation Summit include: Julia Anderson, CTIO, Campbells JP Calderon Del Vecchio, Senior Vice President and CISO, PVH Corp. Max Chan, CIO, Avnet Tyler Ellis, Factory.ai Lookman Fazal, Chief Information and Digital Officer, NJ Transit Tsvi Gal, Head of Enterprise Technology Services (Infrastructure), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center David Jutcawitz, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, Terex Corp. Michael Kempe, CIO, Grant Thornton Melanie Kirkwood Ruiz, Chief Information and Technology Officer, ABM Industries Inc. Lesley Ma, CIO, Nissan Digital Americas Andrea Markstrom, CIO, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP Danielle Maurici-Arnone, Global Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Combe International Manik Patil, Head of Cloud Enablement, US Bank Olivia Phillips, BISO, Amtrak Adeel Saeed, Vice President, CTO Global Security and Resiliency, Kyndryl Sovan Shatpathy, Senior Vice President, Product Management and Development, Oracle Janet Sherlock, Founder, CEO, and Principal Advisor, Org.Works Ravi Simhambhatla, Executive Vice President Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, Avis Budget Group Darlene Taylor, CIO (consulting), Superior Industries International Parth Thaker, Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships, Comcast Katherine Wetmur, Managing Director and the Co-Chief Technology Officer, Morgan Stanley Gernette Wright, IT Security Officer, Schneider Electric (Speaker list subject to change.) In addition, HMG Strategy will present several New York Metro area executives with the HMG Strategy 20252026 Global Leadership Institute Awards, recognizing CIOs, CISOs, and technology leaders who are reshaping their organizations and industries. The event will be held at The Yale Club of New York, 50 Vanderbilt Ave., New York, NY 10017. Valued Partners so far for the 18th Annual New York Global Innovation Summit include: Presenting Partner: Nutanix Platinum Partners: Comcast Business, Movate Gold Partner: ValueOps Innovation Accelerator Partners: Cyera, EggNest.ai, Fixify, GTM Capital Strategic Partners: Egon Zehnder, Heidrick & Struggles, Korn Ferry, Russell Reynolds Associates, Spencer Stuart Alliance Partners: Cyberstarts, Greylock Partners, GTM Capital, Lightspeed, Menlo Ventures, Sequoia Registration for the 18th Annual New York Global Innovation Summit is now open. In addition to this CIO event, theres just one more HMG Strategy CIO Summit across the United States and Canada in 2025. Watch for our 2026 calendar of events, coming soon. Cant make it yourself? Tell a colleague! The summit is no cost to qualified attendees. Come discover where legends are made. About HMG Strategy HMG Strategy is the worlds leading digital platform for CIO leadership, CISO leadership, and CEO leadership, empowering executives to reimagine the enterprise, drive career ascent, and shape the future of business technology. With a global network of more than 500,000 CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, CDOs, technology leaders, consultants, and C-Suite executives, HMG delivers unmatched opportunities to connect CIO peers, share insight, and accelerate professional development. Founded in 2008 by Hunter Muller, a trusted leadership expert with over 30 years of experience guiding Fortune 2000 executives, HMG Strategy is built on its 7 Pillars of Trust & Inspire. Its unique business-to-business media model generates more than one million weekly digital impressions, delivering powerful visibility for executives and sponsor partners to strengthen their branding and expand their influence. Through its CIO & CISO Executive Leadership Series, CIO events, publications, and Digital Resource Center, HMG Strategy provides world-class coverage of AI, cyber security, IT leadership, digital transformation, SASE, and consulting trends. The Global CIO & CISO Executive Leadership Alliance (CELA) convenes elite leaders to solve todays toughest challenges, while HMGs Global Advisory Services deliver peer-driven research, insights, and intelligence to help executives lead with vision. At HMG, we believe in Trust & Inspire leadership helping executives inspire innovation, expand their network, and create legendary careers. HMG Strategy: Iconic Leadership Where Legends Are Made Contact: Peggy Pedwano, Chief Operations Officer, HMG Strategy 203-221-2702 | peggyp@hmgstrategy.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bce67f00-c4a1-4d30-87e3-cef2a355c203 VALLETTA, Malta, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Archivas announced the launch of its production-ready Layer-1 blockchain network powered by Proof-of-Space-and-Time (PoST), a consensus model that enables decentralized "farming" using unused disk storage instead of energy-intensive mining or capital-intensive staking. Participants, known as farmers, earn the networks native token, $RCHV, by allocating available storage and contributing to network security and operations. About Archivas: Archivas is a next-generation Proof-of-Space-and-Time blockchain focused on sustainability, fairness, and open participation. By eliminating the need for expensive hardware or staked capital, Archivas enables everyday users, developers, and storage providers to participate in decentralized infrastructure. What is Archivas? Built from the ground up as a standalone blockchain, Archivas introduces a sustainable and highly efficient alternative to Proof-of-Work (PoW) and Proof-of-Stake (PoS). Rather than requiring GPUs, ASICs, or staked capital. Archivas leverages two complementary mechanisms: Proof-of-Space, where farmers create cryptographic plots that allocate storage. Proof-of-Time, where Verifiable Delay Functions ensure fairness and verifiable sequential ordering. The model draws inspiration from the Chia research standard while improving accessibility, simplicity, and developer readiness. The networks test environment, archivas-devnet-v4, has operated publicly for more than 25 days. During this period, the network processed over 64,000 blocks and 1,160 transactions, with active farmers contributing more than 55 GB of plotted storage capacity. Network Specifications: Consensus: Proof-of-Space-and-Time (PoST) Native Token: $RCHV Block Reward: 20 RCHV Block Time: ~2030 seconds Current Network: archivas-devnet-v4 (public testnet) Archivas offers performance and usability benefits for multiple audiences: For Users Fast block confirmations (~25 seconds) Low transaction fees (~0.001 RCHV) Ed25519 signature cryptography BIP39 mnemonic-based wallet recovery For Developers Public RPC API: https://seed.archivas.ai TypeScript SDK with wallet and transaction support Open-source Explorer CORS-enabled for seamless dApp and web integration For Farmers Permissionless participation anyone with storage can join Energy-efficient farming no GPUs or ASICs required Fair distribution more storage equals more reward Predictable yield fixed 20 RCHV per block Current Network Metrics (Testnet) Block Height: 64,000+ Total Supply: ~1,280,000 RCHV Active Farmers: 2 servers Plot Space: ~55 GB (7 k28 plots) Block Time: ~25 seconds Difficulty: 1,000,000+ Transactions: 1,160+ Archivas also offers a complete open-source stack for developers, including core blockchain code, a TypeScript SDK, and a block explorer. Metrics and network insights are publicly accessible through its Grafana dashboard. "With Archivas, anyone can farm from home, contribute to decentralization, and earn $RCHV by simply sharing storage space, said the Archivas development team. Our goal is to remove barriers to participation without sacrificing security or scalability. For Builders and Contributors: Archivas offers a complete open-source stack for developers who want to build applications, wallets, and analytics tools: Core Blockchain: github.com/ArchivasNetwork/archivas TypeScript SDK: github.com/ArchivasNetwork/archivas-sdk Public dashboards and metrics are also available at the Grafana node monitor: http://57.129.148.132:3001 As Archivas moves from public testnet into mainnet preparation, the project positions itself as one of the most accessible, developer-friendly, and energy-efficient Layer-1 blockchains available today. Learn More / Media Contacts: Website: https://archivas.ai Email: info@archivas.ai Docs: https://docs.archivas.ai GitHub: https://github.com/ArchivasNetwork/ Explorer + RPC: https://seed.archivas.ai Twitter/X: https://x.com/archivas Telegram: https://t.me/ArchivasAI Discord: https://discord.gg/archivas MEDIA CONTACT Contact Person: Anton Malinsky Company: Archivas Email: info@archivas.ai Website: https://archivas.ai/ Disclaimer: This content is provided by Archivas. 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. 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Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/30ca97c6-7511-4998-a882-b2af09d90380 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/30b61f5f-785b-4f97-be91-bcb34e8a5042 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/606a57ab-ea84-42ae-a4a6-e35f0ab75f49 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a25200f6-e81c-4160-9ad6-35aa7931951a LOS ANGELES, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Schall Law Firm , a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against Avantor, Inc. (Avantor or the Company) (NYSE: AVTR ) for violations of 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors who purchased the Companys securities between March 5, 2024, and October 28, 2025, inclusive (the Class Period), are encouraged to contact the firm before December 29, 2025. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate . We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com , or by email at bschall@schallfirm.com . The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Avantor suffered from a weaker position compared to its competitors than it had represented to investors. The Company was struggling with the negative impacts of increased competition. Based on these facts, the Companys public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Avantor, investors suffered damages. Join the case to recover your losses The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics. CONTACT: The Schall Law Firm Brian Schall, Esq., www.schallfirm.com Office: 310-301-3335 info@schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm Atlanta, Georgia, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlanta, Georgia - November 11, 2025 - - Atlanta personal injury law firm The Weinstein Firm has received a 5.0 out of 5.0 peer review rating for communication from Martindale-Hubbell, a legal directory that evaluates attorneys based on professional peer assessments. The rating reflects evaluations from other lawyers in the legal community regarding the firm's communication practices in handling accident cases and injury claims. The Martindale-Hubbell peer review system allows attorneys to rate other lawyers on specific criteria including communication, legal knowledge, and ethical standards. A perfect 5.0 communication score indicates that peer attorneys consistently rated the firm at the highest level for responsiveness and clarity when handling car accident claims and personal injury matters. The rating system is based on confidential feedback from lawyers who have worked with or observed the rated The Weinstein Firm car accident lawyer team in professional settings. The Weinstein Firm represents clients in accident cases throughout Atlanta and surrounding Georgia communities. The firm's accident attorneys handle injury claims arising from car accidents, including multi-vehicle collisions, intersection crashes, and other motor vehicle incidents. Their practice focuses on helping accident victims navigate insurance claims and legal proceedings following car wrecks and other collision-related injuries. "Communication is fundamental to effective representation in any accident case," said a firm representative. "When someone is dealing with injuries from a car accident, they need an attorney who keeps them informed about their case status, insurance negotiations, and legal options. This peer rating validates our commitment to maintaining clear, consistent communication with both clients and other professionals in the legal community." The firm's car accident attorneys work with clients on cases involving vehicle collisions, injury claims, and insurance disputes. Their accident lawyer team handles matters ranging from initial car accident claims through litigation when settlement negotiations do not result in adequate compensation for injuries and damages. Each auto accident lawyer at the practice focuses on injury cases where car accidents have resulted in medical treatment needs, lost wages, or long-term health complications. The Weinstein Firm has handled accident cases in Atlanta for multiple years, developing experience with Georgia's car accident laws and insurance claim procedures. The firm's lawyers works with medical providers, accident reconstruction specialists, and insurance adjusters during the claims process. Their injury attorneys evaluate each car accident case based on the specific circumstances of the collision, the extent of injuries sustained, and the applicable insurance coverage. Clients working with accident attorneys at The Weinstein Firm receive case updates throughout the legal process, from initial consultation through resolution of their car accident claims. The firm's approach emphasizes explaining legal procedures in accessible terms and keeping clients informed about developments in their injury lawsuit or settlement negotiations. This communication-focused practice has contributed to the firm's reputation among both clients and peer attorneys in the Atlanta legal community. The Weinstein Firm continues to accept new car accident cases in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. The firm's team evaluates potential cases involving vehicle collisions, intersection accidents, highway crashes, and other incidents resulting in injury. Their accident attorney staff provides free initial consultations to discuss the circumstances of each car accident and potential legal options for pursuing compensation for injuries and related damages. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlmEKpcoJCQ For those seeking representation following a car accident in the Atlanta area, The Weinstein Firm offers consultations at no charge and handles injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This fee structure means clients pay no attorney fees unless their accident lawyer successfully recovers compensation through settlement or verdict in their car accident claim. ### For more information about The Weinstein Firm - Peachtree, contact the company here: The Weinstein Firm - Peachtree The Weinstein Firm (404) 649-5616 info@weinsteinwin.com 235 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30303 TEMECULA, Calif., Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nufactor, a specialty infusion company and subsidiary of FFF Enterprises, Inc., is now accepting applications for its 32nd-annual Eric Dostie Memorial College Scholarships for 2026. Ten awards of $1,000 each will be granted to qualifying students who can best demonstrate scholastic achievement, community service, and financial need. Scholarship applicants must submit a 400-word essay describing their motivation for pursuing higher education, their area of study, obstacles they have overcome, and how they plan to use their education to enrich their communities. Essays must be submitted online via Nufactors website. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 17, 2026. Winners will be announced in May 2026. The scholarship was created to honor the memory of Eric Dostie, a 5-year-old boy with hemophilia who was tragically murdered on Aug. 27, 1994, due to the high cost of his healthcare. Awards will provide financial assistance to students who have hemophilia or von Willebrand disease themselves or a family member who manages the disease. Applicants must be United States citizens, live in the United States, and be enrolled full-time in an accredited two- or four-year U.S. college program. "FFF understands the financial burden that comes with managing a chronic illness like hemophilia," said Patrick M. Schmidt, chief executive officer of FFF Enterprises. "We are honored to provide some relief and to be a reminder that health status does not hinder a beautiful future. We are humbled by the current and future achievements of these deserving and thoughtful young minds." Congratulations again to the 2025 Eric Dostie Memorial College Scholarship recipients: Christopher Ambrosio, Lynbrook, NY Emily Alvarez Huerta, Fresno, CA Eva Brandon-Sanchez, Lafayette, OR Jocelyn Doerr, Blandon, PA Karissa Doerr, Blandon, PA James Hensley, Manhattan, KS Luke Luckey, Manchester, MI Kathryn Morrison, Zelienople, PA Caitlyn Myers, Logan, OH Rose Penwell, Jenison, MI About Nufactor, Inc. Nufactor, Inc. is a specialty infusion company and subsidiary of FFF Enterprises, Inc., the largest and most trusted specialty pharmaceutical distributor and diversified healthcare organization. Established in 1995, Nufactor offers safe, convenient, and reliable home infusion solutions for patients receiving immunoglobulin, plasminogen, antihemophilic factor, and infliximab. Nufactor has earned The Joint Commissions Gold Seal of Approval, URACs Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation, and is a URAC Certified Rare Disease Pharmacy Center of Excellence. Please visit LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more information about the company. About FFF Enterprises, Inc. Founded in 1988, FFF Enterprises, Inc. is a privately held, multibillion-dollar specialty pharmaceutical distributor and diversified healthcare organization. FFF Enterprises is the parent company to leading specialty infusion company Nufactor, Inc., as well as InCircle, LLC, and RightNow Inventory. Our partners include global pharmaceutical and biologics manufacturers, prestigious healthcare systems, large and independent retail pharmacies, and leading alternate care sites. Our nationwide commerce is supported by a network of distribution and infusion pharmacy locations utilizing world-class technology and cybersecurity solutions. Please visit FFF Enterprises news site, as well as LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for more information about the company. Attachment Franklin, Tennessee, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Christina Rahm, internationally recognized scientist, entrepreneur, and humanitarian, has been honored with two Silver Stevie Awards in the categories of Female Thought Leader of the Year Consumer Products and Most Innovative Woman of the Year Manufacturing at the 22nd Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business are among the worlds most respected honors, celebrating the achievements of women leaders and entrepreneurs globally. This years program attracted more than 1,500 entries from 48 nations, with winners announced during a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City, broadcast worldwide via Vimeo. Driving Global Innovation Through Science and Conscious Leadership Dr. Rahms dual recognition celebrates her groundbreaking work in biotechnology, consumer wellness, and sustainable innovation, as well as her visionary leadership in empowering global communities through science and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. As Founder and CEO of DRC Ventures and Co-Founder of The ROOT Brands, Dr. Rahm, alongside her husband and business partner, Clayton Thomas, Founder and CEO of The ROOT Brands, has built a global enterprise rooted in scientific integrity, ethical innovation, and holistic well-being. Together, they have expanded The ROOT Brands into over 90 countries, empowering millions with wellness solutions designed to detoxify, nourish, and rejuvenate the body. Winning these Stevie Awards is not just an individual achievement, its a shared recognition of our mission to make the world healthier, cleaner, and more conscious, said Dr. Christina Rahm. Its also a tribute to my husband and partner, Clayton Thomas, and the incredible HQ team in Franklin, Tennessee, who make our vision of science-based wellness a reality every day. Clayton Thomas, Founder and CEO of The ROOT Brands, added, From day one, our goal has been to build a company that stands for transparency, integrity, and measurable impact. These awards validate that purpose and remind us that true innovation comes from serving others. A Legacy of Purpose, Science, and Resilience A survivor of Lyme disease and multiple cancers, Dr. Rahm has turned adversity into advocacy. Through her best-selling book, "Cure the Causes," and her nonprofit organization, The Rahm Foundation, she continues to champion education, womens empowerment, and environmental sustainability around the world. Dr. Rahm embodies the spirit of the Stevie Awards, visionary leadership, courage, and innovation, said Joy Smallwood, Creative Director at DRC Ventures and The ROOT Brands. Her contributions to science, sustainability, and global wellness exemplify the transformative impact of women in leadership. About Dr. Christina Rahm Dr. Christina Rahm is a scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur advancing the intersection of biotechnology, health, and sustainability. As the Founder and CEO of DRC Ventures, she leads over 20 companies that develop science-based, sustainable consumer solutions. She is also the Co-Founder of The ROOT Brands and Founder of Xoted Biotechnology Labs, a multimillion-dollar research center specializing in plant-based detoxification and regenerative science. Dr. Rahm holds seven approved patents, with over 40 patents pending, and has developed more than 170 proprietary processes and formulas for wellness innovation. About the Stevie Awards The Stevie Awards are the worlds premier business honors, recognizing excellence across nine international programs, including The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, and the Stevie Awards for Women in Business. More than 12,000 entries are received annually from organizations in over 70 countries, celebrating innovation, leadership, and exceptional performance across all industries. Learn more at www.StevieAwards.com. For more information, visit: www.drc-ventures.com | www.therootbrands.com Attachments Charleston, SC, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- How to Deal With Cancer Diagnosis and Understanding the Role of a Caregiver shares my personal journey following a cancer diagnosis, capturing the emotional upheaval and proactive steps I took to navigate this challenging experience. This pamphlet delves into the myriad feelings of fear, uncertainty, and resilience that accompany such a life-altering event. It highlights the critical role caregivers play in supporting their loved ones, addressing the complexities of their emotional and practical challenges. Through vivid storytelling, I recount the moment I received my diagnosis, feeling as if the ground had shifted beneath my feet, and the world became a blur of medical jargon and uncertainty. In this pamphlet, I explore essential themes, including: - The emotional rollercoaster of receiving a cancer diagnosis. - The vital role of caregivers in providing support and understanding. - Strategies for effective communication between patients and caregivers. - The importance of self-care for caregivers to prevent burnout. - Building a supportive community for both patients and caregivers. Josh Juggassar structures the narrative to empower caregivers with insights and strategies, emphasizing that they are not alone in their journey. This resource serves as a guide for those facing similar situations, offering practical advice on how to provide support while also attending to their own needs. As I navigated through treatment options and medical appointments, I learned that caregivers often grapple with feelings of helplessness and inadequacy. Together, we can navigate the complexities of cancer diagnosis and treatment, ensuring that both patients and caregivers feel acknowledged and supported throughout this arduous journey. How to Deal With Cancer Diagnosis and Understanding the Role of a Caregiver is available for purchase online at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. About the Author: Josh Juggassar was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. An Eagle Scout from Boy Scout Troop 510, he earned a Bachelors degree in Business Management and Finance with a minor in Marketing from Brooklyn College. With ten years in the insurance and banking industries, he has spent the last nine years as an investigator for the city of New York. Josh is married to his wife Shahziah, who has been his caregiver and inspiration for writing this pamphlet. Together with their cat Booboo, they navigate the challenges of life. Media Contact: Josh Juggassar Attachment VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioVaxys Technology Corp. (CSE: BIOV) (FRA: 5LB) (BioVaxys or the Company) announces an extension of its non-brokered private placement financing (the Offering) previously announced on October 7, 2025, in order to provide sufficient time for additional investors to participate in the Offering. The Offering is expected to close on or before November 20, 2025, or such other date as the Company may determine, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including acceptance of the Canadian Securities Exchange The Offering consists of a minimum of 10,588,235 units of the Company (Units) at an issue price of $0.17 per Unit to raise gross proceeds of $1,800,000 and up to a maximum of 11,764,705 Units for gross proceeds of up to $2,000,000. Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a Share) and one common share purchase warrant (each, a Warrant), whereby each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share at an exercise price of $0.40 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Offering to drive more organic pipeline growth by (1) pursuing multiple licensing opportunities and research collaborations with DPX where the Companys platform solutions can address specific needs or gaps, making the Company an attractive go-to partner for targeted immunotherapies; (2) identifying remaining GLP supply or production of (non-GMP) preclinical supply of DPX to be used in conducting research, preclinical supply of DPX+peanut antigen for the peanut allergy vaccine program, and additional proof of concept studies for expanding the DPX formulations in mRNA and neoantigens; (3) initiating DPX food allergy program at McMaster University for conducting a preclinical proof of concept study with a DPX peanut antigen prophylaxis vaccine candidate; (4) filing of new patents and maintaining annuity payments for issued patents; and (5) completing remaining immunological data analysis from MVP-S phase 1 studies to complete data packages and prepare this asset for out-licensing in other tumor types. The Company may pay finders fees to eligible finders who introduce subscribers to the Company. The Units will be offered for sale to purchasers pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption or LIFE), in each of the Provinces of Canada (except Quebec) and other qualifying jurisdictions. The securities issued and sold pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will not be subject to a hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an amended and restated offering document dated October 28, 2025, related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Companys website at https://www.biovaxys.com/ . Prospective investors should read this LIFE offering document before making an investment decision. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to available exemptions therefrom. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any securities in the United States, or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About BioVaxys Technology Corp. BioVaxys Technology Corp. ( www.biovaxys.com ), a biopharmaceuticals company registered in British Columbia, Canada, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving patient lives with novel immunotherapies based on the DPX immune-educating technology platform and its HapTenix tumor cell construct platform, for treating cancers, infectious disease, antigen desensitization for food allergy, and other immunological diseases. Through a differentiated mechanism of action, the DPX platform delivers instruction to the immune system to generate a specific, robust, and persistent immune response. The Companys clinical stage pipeline includes maveropepimut-S (MVP-S), based on the DPX platform, and in Phase IIB clinical development for advanced Relapsed-Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and platinum resistant Ovarian Cancer. MVP-S delivers antigenic peptides from survivin, a well-recognized cancer antigen commonly overexpressed in advanced cancers, and also delivers an innate immune activator and a universal CD4 T cell helper peptide. MVP-S has been well tolerated and has demonstrated defined clinical benefit in multiple cancer indications as well as the activation of a targeted and sustained, survivin-specific anti-tumor immune response. BioVaxys is also developing DPX+SurMAGE, a dual-targeted immunotherapy combining antigenic peptides for both the survivin and MAGE-A9 cancer proteins to elicit immune responses to these two distinct cancer antigens simultaneously, DPX-RSV for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, DPX+rPA for peanut allergy prophylaxis, and BVX-0918, a personalized immunotherapeutic vaccine using its proprietary HapTenix 'neoantigen' tumor cell construct platform for refractive late-stage ovarian cancer. BioVaxys common shares are listed on the CSE under the stock symbol BIOV and trade on the Frankfurt Bourse (FRA: 5LB) and in the U.S. on the OTC Markets (OTCQB marketplace). For more information, visit www.biovaxys.com and connect with us on X and LinkedIn. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Signed James Passin James Passin, Chief Executive Officer Phone: +1 740 358 0555 Cautionary Statements on Forward Looking Information This news release includes certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the future operating or financial performance of the Company, 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 in this news release relate to, among other things, the Offering, including the size and use of proceeds, the timing and ability of the Company to close the Offering, and obtaining approval of the Offering from the CSE. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates, primarily the assumption that BioVaxys will be successful in developing and testing vaccines, that, while considered reasonable by BioVaxys, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies including, primarily but without limitation, the risk that BioVaxys vaccines will not prove to be effective and/ or will not receive the required regulatory approvals. With regards to BioVaxys business, there are a number of risks that could affect the development of its biotechnology products, including, without limitation, the need for additional capital to fund clinical trials, its lack of operating history, uncertainty about whether its products will complete the long, complex and expensive clinical trial and regulatory approval process for approval of new drugs necessary for marketing approval, uncertainty about whether its autologous cell vaccine immunotherapy can be developed to produce safe and effective products and, if so, whether its vaccine products will be commercially accepted and profitable, the expenses, delays and uncertainties and complications typically encountered by development stage biopharmaceutical businesses, financial and development obligations under license arrangements in order to protect its rights to its products and technologies, obtaining and protecting new intellectual property rights and avoiding infringement to third parties and their dependence on manufacturing by third parties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability of the Company to complete the Offering on the terms proposed or at all, and the ability to obtain necessary approvals, including the approval of the CSE. BioVaxys does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws. The CSE has not reviewed, approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Media Contact James Passin, Chief Executive Officer james@biovaxys.com Phone: +1 740 358 0555 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marimaca Copper Corp. (Marimaca Copper or the Company) (TSX:MARI, ASX:MC2) is pleased to announce the final results from its 10,000m discovery drilling campaign at the Pampa Medina deposit, located at low altitude approximately 28km east of the Companys Marimaca Oxide Deposit (MOD) in a flat pampa valley within the Atacama Desert (Figure 1). The drilling results continue to demonstrate material extensions to the high-grade sedimentary-hosted sulphide copper horizon, as well as upside to the known extent of the near-surface oxide mineralization. The Company has subsequently commenced a 30,000m follow-up Phase II drilling program with five drilling rigs currently on site. Highlights Central Pampa Medina drilling continues to improve confidence in high grade oxides and sulphides SMRD-22 intersected 48m of 2.05% Cu from 186m, within 160m of 0.92% Cu from 102m (oxides) Southern Pampa Medina drilling confirms primary mineralized sedimentary horizon extends 900m south of previous drilling SMR-19 intersected 16m of 2.29% Cu from 464m within 28m of 1.44% Cu from 464m (sulphides) SMR-07 intersected 6m of 3.17% Cu from 334m within 14m of 1.69% Cu from 330m (sulphides) North and north-west step-outs continue to demonstrate continuity of mineralization in the favourable sedimentary horizon SMRD-20 intersected 38m of 1.48% Cu from 540m (sulphides) within 90m of 0.96% Cu from 488m, both within a broader intersection of 198m of 0.65% Cu (mixed oxides/sulphides) SMRD-17 and SMRD-18 intersected subparallel post-mineral WNW-trending faulting and dykes across favourable horizons SMRD-17 intersections, impacted by late faulting, include 10m at 1.34% Cu from 590m (sulphides) and 18m at 0.73% Cu from 206m (oxides) SMRD-18 intersections, impacted by late faulting, include 6m at 1.56% Cu from 392m (mixed ) and 40m at 0.40% Cu from 40m (oxides) Reverse-circulation scout drilling (RC drilling), testing for shallow oxides to the south and west, intersected discreet mineralized volcanics SMR-09 intersected 8m of 1.11% Cu from 54m (oxides) SMR-10 intersected 4m at 1.68% Cu from 424m (mixed) SMR-11 intersected 10m at 0.53% Cu from 444m (oxides) The favourable mineralized stratigraphic sequence is now defined by drilling across a 1.6km x 1.4km area at the Pampa Medina deposit and remains open extensional drilling will focus on step outs toward the north and west Results conclude the Companys successful Phase I discovery drilling program at Pampa Medina The Company has commenced its 30,000m Phase II program with five rigs currently on site Sergio Rivera, VP Exploration of Marimaca Copper, commented: The discovery drilling program at Pampa Medina was remarkably successful, with the definition of a potentially significant new deposit in Chile. We are encouraged by this new set of intersections demonstrating continuity of the high-grade sedimentary horizon in the south 900m from the previously announced drilling. The 30,000m follow-up campaign, now underway, will provide us with vital geological information to further our understanding of the controls, and extent, of this deposit. Pampa Medina is shaping up to be a tier one opportunity and anchors our vision for growth in the district beyond the rapidly-advancing Marimaca Oxide Deposit. Hayden Locke, President & CEO, commented: The work that Sergio Rivera and the rest of Marimacas exploration team have delivered at Pampa Medina continues to reinforce our objective at Marimaca: to define credible district growth potential beyond the 50ktpa capacity outlined in the MOD DFS. These results, coupled with our recent RCA for the MOD, is certainly putting us on the path to achieve this objective. We look forward to continuing to define the district scale potential in our Phase II drilling program and updating our stakeholders accordingly." Overview of Pampa Medina Pampa Medina is a stratiform manto-style copper deposit dominantly hosted in Jurassic-Triassic sedimentary units (sandstones, conglomerates, tuffs and black shales) overlain by andesitic volcanics and underlain by an Upper Paleozoic complex of metamorphosed sediments, volcanics and intrusions. Key lithological units are intruded by a dyke swarm and affected by post mineral normal faulting. Copper was originally identified in near-surface oxide mineralization dominated by atacamite, chrysocolla and both secondary and primary chalcocite, and has now been identified in high-grade zones of bornite and chalcopyrite which extend at depth beyond the oxide-primary transition. Following Marimacas consolidation of the project area and surrounding land packages in 2024, the Company reinterpreted all available geological information and developed an updated geological model for Pampa Medina, which identified the lower sedimentary units of interbedded sandstones, shales and conglomerates as the productive horizons for future drill targeting. Oxide copper mineralization was logged in historical drilling in near-surface, uplifted blocks, with the model of continuity in the intact lithological sequence in deeper blocks for primary mineralization to be tested by Marimacas 2025 and 2026 drilling campaigns. In addition to the sulphide extensions, the Marimaca discovery drilling has identified opportunities for significant extensions to the oxide footprint of the deposit, most notably to the north and west, which will be followed up on during the Phase II program (30,000m). Figure 1: Regional Map Marimaca, Pampa Medina and Regional Infrastructure Figure 2 Pampa Medina Deposit and Step-out Drilling Locations Figure 3 Pampa Medina Long Section 407,000 E Figure 4 Cross Section Looking North Pampa Medina 7,441,100 N Figure 5 Cross Section Looking North Pampa Medina 7,440,500 N Figure 6 SMRD-22 Downhole Sequence Hole Total Depth (m) From (m) To (m) Intersection (m) % CuT SMR-07 584 296 312 16 0.52 330 344 14 1.66 Including 334 340 6 3.17 SMR-08 578 328 350 22 0.69 SMR-09 256 54 62 8 1.11 SMR-10 678 424 428 4 1.68 SMR-11 548 444 454 10 0.53 536 548 12 0.43 SMD-04 536 214 216 4 0.59 SMRD-17 752 200 224 24 0.61 Including 206 224 18 0.73 590 600 10 1.34 SMRD-18 900 42 82 40 0.40 Including 70 82 12 0.57 138 164 26 0.51 Including 152 164 12 0.86 392 408 16 0.75 Including 392 398 6 1.56 866 880 14 0.51 SMR-19 594 464 492 28 1.44 Including 464 480 16 2.29 SMRD-20 850 460 658 198 0.65 Including 488 578 90 0.96 Including 540 578 38 1.48 600 642 42 0.67 SMRD-21 697.1 342 350 8 0.46 414 428 14 0.53 SMRD-22 898 102 262 160 0.92 Including 162 236 74 1.62 Including 186 234 48 2.05 306 328 22 0.56 746 756 10 0.58 844 856 12 0.45 Table 1: Table of Intersections Hole ID TYPE Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth SMR-07 RC 406,996.96 7,440,200.50 1,269.54 240 -60 584 SMR-08 RC 407,092.11 7,440,288.59 1,268.44 240 -60 578 SMR-09 RC 406,001.19 7,439,099.11 1,285.64 270 -60 256 SMR-10 RC 405,350.06 7,440,944.92 1,310.86 270 -60 678 SMR-11 RC 405,598.78 7,440,939.93 1,303.65 270 -60 548 SMD-04 DDH 407,699.04 7,441,101.50 1,267.95 270 -60 536 SMRD-17 RCD 407,316.02 7,441,099.03 1,268.61 270 -60 752 SMRD-18 RCD 406,903.96 7,441,100.03 1,272.63 270 -60 900 SMR-19 RC 406,946.78 7,440,199.94 1,270.58 270 -60 594 SMRD-20 RCD 406,499.15 7,441,099.87 1,283.59 270 -60 850 SMRD-21 RCD 407,099.56 7,441,404.17 1,269.90 270 -60 697.1 SMRD-22 RCD 406,999.44 7,440,502.13 1,270.51 270 -60 898 Table 2: Drill Collars Sampling and Assay Protocols True widths are estimated as 95% of reported intervals, based on down-hole bedding and structural measurements. DDH holes were sampled on a 2m continuous basis, halved by a conventional core splitter on site with one half sent to the Andes Analytical Assay preparation laboratory in Copiapo and the pulps then sent to the same company laboratory in Santiago for assaying. Samples were prepared using the following standard protocol: drying; crushing all sample to -1/4 and passing through a secondary crusher to better than 80% passing -10#; homogenizing; splitting; pulverizing a 400-600g subsample to 95% passing -150#; and a 125g split of this sent for assaying. All samples were assayed for %CuT (total copper); %CuS (acid soluble copper). A full QA/QC program, involving insertion of appropriate blanks, standards and duplicates was employed with acceptable results. Pulps and sample rejects are stored by Marimaca Copper for future reference. Qualified Person / Competent Person The technical information in this news release, including the information that relates to geology, drilling and mineralization was prepared under the supervision of, or has been reviewed by Sergio Rivera, Vice President of Exploration, Marimaca Copper Corp, a geologist with more than 40 years of experience and a member of the Colegio de Geologos de Chile and of the Institute of Mining Engineers of Chile, and who is the Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101 responsible for the design and execution of the drilling program. The information in this announcement which relates to exploration results for the Pampa Medina Project is based on, and fairly reflects, information and supporting documentation prepared by Sergio Rivera, VP Exploration of Marimaca, a Competent Person who is a member of the Comision Minera (Chilean Mining Commission), Colegio de Geologos de Chile and of the Institute of Mining Engineers of Chile. Mr. Rivera has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr. Rivera consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears. Contact Information For further information please visit www.marimaca.com or contact: Tavistock +44 (0) 207 920 3150 Emily Moss / Ruairi Millar marimaca@tavistock.co.uk Forward Looking Statements This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under (without limitation) applicable Canadian securities legislation, including, without limitation, statements regarding the development of activities at Pampa Medina, the potential growth of Pampa Medina, and the discoverys potential to complement the MOD. 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. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Marimaca Copper, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: risks that the development activities at Pampa Medina will not progress as anticipated, or at all, risks related to share price and market conditions, the inherent risks involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of project delays or cost overruns or unanticipated excessive operating costs and expenses, uncertainties related to the necessity of financing, uncertainties relating to regulatory procedure and timing for permitting submissions and reviews, the availability of and costs of financing needed in the future as well as those factors disclosed in the annual information form of the Company dated March 27, 2025 and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed at www.sedar.com). Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Marimaca Copper undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. None of the TSX, ASX or the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This announcement was authorised for release to the ASX by the Board of Directors of the Company. Appendix 1 JORC Code 2012 Table 1 (ASX Listing Rule 5.7.1) Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where industry standard work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. All current drilling conducted at Sierra Medina (including Pampa Medina, Pampa Norte Extension and Pampa West) was completed under the supervision of a registered professional geologist as a Competent Person/Qualified Person (QP) who is responsible and accountable for the planning, execution, and supervision of all exploration activity as well as the implementation of quality assurance programs and reporting. Drilling reported is Reverse Circulation RC and Diamond (DDH) drilling Assay samples were prepared at a laboratory site in Copiapo and assayed by Andes Analytical Assay Ltd. (AAA) in Santiago. Sierra Medinas DDH holes are drilled and sampled on a continuous 2-meter basis, halved by a conventional core splitter on site, with one half sent to the Andes Analytical Assay preparation laboratory in Copiapo and the pulps then sent to the same company laboratory in Santiago for assaying. Marimaca RC holes are drilled and sampled on a continuous 2-meter basis and riffle split on site up to one-eighth (12.5%) of its volume, after which samples are sent for preparation and assaying. Marimaca staff supervised all the drilling and sampling. DD recoveries were controlled by accurate core recovery measurement control was extended toward the division process realized in the drill location. DD recoveries were measured by core length measurement and compared with the effective core run. Marimaca technical staff checked all data. Measured recoveries are over 95% for DDH drilling, without significant variations and unrelated to copper grades. RC recoveries were controlled by weighing samples and accurate control was extended toward the division process realized in the drill location. RC recoveries were measured in weight percent as compared with a theoretical sample weight. Marimaca technical staff checked all data. Measured recoveries are over 95% for RC drilling, without significant variations and unrelated to copper grades. Drilling techniques Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). Drilling reported is both DDH and RC drilling DDH drilling is drilled in HQ and NQ standard core diameters Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. Sierra Medinas DDH holes are drilled and sampled on a continuous 2-meter basis, halved by a conventional core splitter on site, with one half sent to the Andes Analytical Assay preparation laboratory in Copiapo and the pulps then sent to the same company laboratory in Santiago for assaying. Marimaca RC holes are drilled and sampled on a continuous 2-meter basis and riffle split on site up to one-eighth (12.5%) of its volume, after which samples are sent for preparation and assaying. Marimaca staff supervised all the drilling and sampling. DD recoveries were controlled by accurate core recovery measurement control was extended toward the division process realized in the drill location. DD recoveries were measured by core length measurement and compared with the effective core run. Marimaca technical staff checked all data. RC recoveries were controlled by weighing samples and accurate control was extended toward the division process realized in the drill location. RC recoveries were measured in weight percent as compared with a theoretical sample weight. Marimaca technical staff checked all data. Measured recoveries are over 95% for RC drilling, without significant variations and unrelated to copper grades. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. All holes were geologically logged on digital data capture. The data collected are rock, structure, alteration and mineralization based on drilling intervals, recoveries and analytical results. After validation, the mineral and alteration zones were defined. The results were entered in the database as a table with all mapped data and a consolidated log of the drill was prepared. Most of this work was done by experienced senior consultant geologist supported by consultant junior geologist. In addition to measuring deviations, most of the holes were surveyed using an optical tele viewer (OPTV or BHTV), with structures and orientation measurements, which continuously and thoroughly recorded the holes walls and measured structures. The structures were measured in ranks according to their width and the results were reported and plotted on stereographic networks and rosette diagrams. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples. Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Sierra Medinas DDH holes are drilled and sampled on a continuous 2-meter basis, halved by a conventional core splitter on site, with one half sent to the Andes Analytical Assay preparation laboratory in Copiapo and the pulps then sent to the same company laboratory in Santiago for assaying The last split yields sample A, which is sent for preparation and assaying, and sample B, which is used to obtain drill cuttings (1 kg) and coarse/preparation duplicates and then stored in special facilities on site. DDH samples are obtained every 2 meters from a half-core, with the other half stored on site. RC holes are drilled and sampled on a continuous 2-meter basis and its samples riffle split on site three times, up to one eighth (12.5%) of its volume. The last split yields sample A, which is sent for preparation and assaying, and sample B, which is used to obtain drill cuttings (1 kg) and coarse/preparation duplicates, and then stored in special facilities on site. Samples are transferred by laboratory personnel from the project to Copiapo, and then the preparation pulps are returned to generate the analysis batches. Upon receipt, sample details are logged and insertion points for quality control samples in the sample flow are determined. Samples were prepared using the following standard protocol: drying; crushing all sample to -1/4 and passing through a secondary crusher to better than 80% passing -10#; homogenizing; splitting; pulverizing a 400-600g subsample to 95% passing -150#; and a 125g split of this sent for assaying. All samples were assayed for %CuT (total copper); %CuS (acid soluble copper). A full QA/QC program, involving insertion of appropriate blanks, standards and duplicates was employed with acceptable results. Pulps and sample rejects are stored by Marimaca Copper for future Laboratory results are loaded directly from digital assay certificates into the database, in order to minimize error sources. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established. Samples are prepared at a laboratory site in Copiapo and assayed by Andes Analytical Assay Ltd. (AAA) in Santiago. Samples were prepared using the following standard protocol: drying; crushing all sample to -1/4 and passing through a secondary crusher to better than 80% passing -10#; homogenizing; splitting; pulverizing a 400-600g subsample to 95% passing -150#; and a 125g split of this sent for assaying. All samples were assayed for %CuT (total copper); %CuS (acid soluble copper). A full QA/QC program, involving insertion of appropriate blanks, standards and duplicates was employed with acceptable results. Pulps and sample rejects are stored by Marimaca Copper for future All samples are assayed by AAA for total copper (CuT) and soluble copper (CuS). The latter was initially obtained from a specific CuS test. Laboratory results are loaded directly from digital assay certificates into the database, in order to minimize error sources. The analytical quality control programs implemented at Marimaca involve the use of coarse/preparation and pulp duplicates for precision analyses and standard reference materials (SRM). Marimaca has protocols in place for handling analytical results that exceed acceptable limits, which can ultimately trigger re-assays of entire or portions of sample batches. Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. The use of twinned holes. Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. Discuss any adjustment to assay data. There are no twinned holes in the dataset All logging data was completed, and logging data was entered directly into the deposit database. Laboratory results are loaded directly from digital assay certificates into the database to minimize error sources. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. Specification of the grid system used. Quality and adequacy of topographic control. Local contractors carried out the supervision of the drilling operation. An experienced topographer surveyed the collars. WGS84 UTM coordinates are used. Data Well Services carried out the downhole surveys for drill holes. Data collected is considered adequate for eventual use in mineral resource estimation. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. Whether sample compositing has been applied. Due to the nature of mineralisation and the type of exploration discovery drilling program the hole spacing is highly variable. Data spacing is not considered sufficient to establish geological and grade continuities for Mineral Resource Estimation at the Inferred and Indicated category. No sample compositing was applied. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. Drill hole orientation was generally oriented to be sub perpendicular to the mineralisation but variable in places given the nature of the exploration program being conducted Assays are reported on a downhole basis True widths are estimated as 95% of reported downhole intersection widths Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. All drilling assay samples are collected by company personnel or under the direct supervision of company personnel. Samples from Marimaca were initially processed at the project site and shipped directly from the property to a laboratory facility for final preparation, and later, upon their return, to the laboratory for analysis. Appropriately qualified staff at the laboratories collect assay samples. Security protocols implemented maintain the chain of custody of samples to prevent unnoticed contamination or mixing of samples and to make active tampering as difficult as possible. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. It is the Competent Persons opinion that these processes met acceptable industry standards, and that the information can be reported under both JORC and NI43-101 standards and, in the future, be used for geological and resource modelling. Section 2: Reporting of Exploration Results CHANTILLY, Va., Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN) announced today that the company was awarded a position on the $15 billion Pacific Deterrence Initiative Multiple Award Construction Contract (PDI MACC) by the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC). The MACC consists of a 5-year base period with three one-year option periods and is a key component of the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, a U.S. Department of Defense program designed to strengthen deterrence capabilities, enhance regional security, and support the defense infrastructure throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Under the PDI MACC, Parsons will compete for task orders to provide design and engineering services to deliver projects exceeding $100 million in scope, including runways, hangars, waterfront facilities, warehousing and storage infrastructure, and energy and fuel storage solutions. We are proud to continue working with NAVFAC to deliver critical infrastructure that supports the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and reinforces Americas commitment to strengthening our nation's Indo-Pacific deterrence strategy and modernizing capabilities and assets, said Jon Moretta, president of Engineered Systems at Parsons. This project highlights our ability to manage large, complex initiatives in some of the most strategically vital locations, ensuring the readiness and resilience of U.S. and allied forces. The PDI MACC represents more than infrastructure investmentit signifies a commitment to regional security and global stability in the future." The PDI MACC will enable faster execution of critical infrastructure projects, including new facilities, repairs, and infrastructure upgrades in strategic locations including Australia, the Philippines, and various U.S. territories. By streamlining the acquisition process and fostering collaboration with new industry partners, this contracting vehicle enhances flexibility, strengthens regional resilience, and ensures vital support for U.S. warfighters and allies in response to evolving challenges. Recently named the number one Program Management Firm by Engineering News-Record, Parsons continues to deliver complex infrastructure and national security solutions in the Indo-Pacific region. Since 2019, Parsons has been awarded more than $400 million in INDOPACOM-related contracts by leveraging their program and construction management; engineering and planning; complex infrastructure expertise; and advanced national security solutions. The company continues to partner with customers across the INDOPAC region to deliver integrated solutions across the national security and critical infrastructure portfolios. This contract award underscores the strength of Parsons integrated portfolio and its ability to provide comprehensive solutions in national security, critical infrastructure protection, and program and construction management to clients across both its Federal Solutions and Critical Infrastructure sectors. To learn more about Parsons federal infrastructure solutions, visit parsons.com/federal-infrastructure/. About Parsons: Parsons (NYSE: PSN) is a leading disruptive technology provider in the national security and global infrastructure markets, with capabilities across cyber and electronic warfare, space and missile defense, transportation, water and environment, urban development, and critical infrastructure protection. Please visit parsons.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to learn how we're making an impact. Forward-Looking Statements: This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs and assumptions, and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks, changes in circumstances, trends and factors that are difficult to predict, many of which are outside of our control. Accordingly, actual performance, results and events may vary materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, and you should not rely on the forward-looking statements as predictions of future performance, results or events. Numerous factors could cause actual future performance, results and events to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, including, among others: any issue that compromises our relationships with the U.S. federal government or its agencies or other state, local or foreign governments or agencies; any issues that damage our professional reputation; changes in governmental priorities that shift expenditures away from agencies or programs that we support; our dependence on long-term government contracts, which are subject to the governments budgetary approval process; the size of our addressable markets and the amount of government spending on private contractors; failure by us or our employees to obtain and maintain necessary security clearances or certifications; failure to comply with numerous laws and regulations; changes in government procurement, contract or other practices or the adoption by governments of new laws, rules, regulations and programs in a manner adverse to us; the termination or nonrenewal of our government contracts, particularly our contracts with the U.S. federal government; our ability to compete effectively in the competitive bidding process and delays, contract terminations or cancellations caused by competitors protests of major contract awards received by us; our ability to generate revenue under certain of our contracts; any inability to attract, train or retain employees with the requisite skills, experience and security clearances; the loss of members of senior management or failure to develop new leaders; misconduct or other improper activities from our employees or subcontractors; our ability to realize the full value of our backlog and the timing of our receipt of revenue under contracts included in backlog; changes in the mix of our contracts and our ability to accurately estimate or otherwise recover expenses, time and resources for our contracts; changes in estimates used in recognizing revenue; internal system or service failures and security breaches; and inherent uncertainties and potential adverse developments in legal proceedings, including litigation, audits, reviews and investigations, which may result in materially adverse judgments, settlements or other unfavorable outcomes. These factors are not exhaustive and additional factors could adversely affect our business and financial performance. For a discussion of additional factors that could materially adversely affect our business and financial performance, see the factors included under the caption Risk Factors in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and speak only as of the date on which they are made. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement made in this presentation that becomes untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise, except to the extent we are required to do so in connection with our ongoing requirements under federal securities laws. Media Contact: Bernadette Miller +1 980.253.9781 bernadette.miller@parsons.com Investor Relations Contact: Dave Spille +1 703.775.6191 Dave.Spille@parsons.us OTTAWA, Ontario, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The chilly air did not deter nearly 30,000 people who gathered at Canadas National War Memorial for the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa this year. Significant milestones marked the occasion, including the 80th anniversaries of the end of the Second World War and of the liberation of the Netherlands; and the 25th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Remembrance Day is one of the most important days of the year for all Canadians, says Legion Dominion President Berkley Lawrence. Without the sacrifices of those who have come before us, we would not be living the lives of freedom we have today. The Royal Canadian Legion event began with the Veterans Parade, followed by marching contingents, a 21-gun salute, and traditional elements such as the playing of The Last Post and two minutes of silence at exactly 11:00 am. An inaugural fly-past of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Black Hawk helicopter also highlighted the morning, in honour of Canadas Fallen. The Act of Remembrance was read in English, French and the Indigenous language of Inuktitut. This years National Silver Cross Mother Mrs. Nancy Payne laid a wreath on behalf of all mothers who have lost children in service to Canada, and in remembrance of her son, Corporal Randy Joseph Payne. He was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan in 2006, while serving as part of the Close Protection team assigned to that mission. Other special guests who laid wreaths at the base of the National War Memorial, included the Deputy of the Governor General of Canada and Chief Justice of Canada, the Right Honourable Richard Wagner; Canadas Prime Minister the Right Honourable Mark Carney; the Minister of Veterans Affairs the Honourable Jill McKnight; and the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jennie Carignan. Legion Dominion President Mr. Berkley Lawrence laid a wreath along with representatives of the youth of Canada who were also senior winners of the Legion National Foundations National Youth Remembrance Contests. Representatives of Veteran groups, organizations, and individuals also laid wreaths in tribute to those who have given their lives in service to this country. After the ceremony, hundreds placed their Poppies on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in what has become an additional special act of Remembrance each November 11. This Remembrance Day evening in Ottawa, thousands of animated Poppies representing Canadas Fallen will also cascade down the Senate building and the National Arts Centre, until midnight. About The Royal Canadian Legion Founded in 1925, the Legion is Canadas largest Veteran support and community service organization. We are a non-profit organization with a national reach across Canada as well as branches in the U.S., and Europe. With over 270,000 members, many of whom volunteer an extraordinary amount of time to their branches, our strength is in our numbers. Public Relations / National Media Inquiries: Nujma Bond, nbond@legion.ca, 343-540-7604. Legion.ca Facebook.com/CanadianLegion Twitter.com/RoyalCdnLegion Instagram.com/royalcanadianlegion youtube.com/user/RCLDominionCommand Linkedin.com/company/royalcanadianlegion Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0f8f7673-6bd4-46b2-8f04-e137ddc2ef39 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e9628ae1-54b2-4756-8d8b-ea62accb933a https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9aa87a82-3b97-4994-9874-7e393e986ee6 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/97639967-db27-48fd-9025-310971f48c89 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/720ac100-659b-430c-ba56-814cce16b9b5 Vancouver, November 10, 2025 - Batero Gold Corp. (TSXV: BAT) (FSE: 68B) (OTC Pink: BELDF) (the "Company" or "Batero") is pleased to announce that, further to its November 7, 2025 press release, the Company's common shares are expected to resume trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. About Batero Gold Corp. Batero is a precious and base metals exploration company. The Company's objective is to develop the La Cumbre Gold Project in Risaralda, Colombia. La Cumbre is located within the Company's 100% owned Batero-Quinchia Gold Project, which sits within Colombia's emerging and prolific Mid Cauca gold and copper belt. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Diego Heilbrunn Navarro-Grau Director and Chief Executive Officer Batero Gold Corp. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or our future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. 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. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the date that the Company's common shares will be reinstated on the TSX Venture Exchange, as well as statements related to the future development of the Company's La Cumbre Gold Project in Risaralda, Colombia. By their nature, forward-looking statements and information involve assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are usually beyond the control of management, that could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed by these forward-looking statements and information. Forward-looking information and statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to several known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. Readers and investors should not place undue reliance on such statements. Certain risks which could impact the Company are discussed under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recent MD&A available at SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and accordingly are subject to change after such date. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to revise any forward-looking information and statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such information and statements. All forward-looking information and statements contained or incorporated by reference in this news release are qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273932 Kirkstone Metals Corp. (the "Company" or "Kirkstone") (TSXV: KSM, FWB:VO0) is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed its comprehensive due diligence review of the Key Lake Road (KLR) Uranium Project, located within the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan, and has now formally executed a definitive property option agreement (the "Option Agreement") dated November 11, 2025, with an arms-length vendor (the "Vendor"), to acquire a 100% interest in the Project subject to a royalty interest. The Option Agreement follows the signing of a non-binding Letter of Intent announced on October 5, 2025, and a subsequent due diligence update issued on November 3, 2025. The successful completion of this process marks a important step forward in Kirkstone's strategy to build a portfolio of uranium assets that will contribute to the world's transition to reliable, carbon-free energy. 1. A Strategic Step Toward Global Clean-Energy Leadership Clive Massey, President and CEO of the Company, commented: "Finalizing the option on the Key Lake Road Project represents an important development for Kirkstone. This Project strengthens our strategic position within the Athabasca Basin-one of the world's premier uranium jurisdictions-and reinforces our commitment to helping meet the world's growing demand for clean, reliable baseload power. As the global transition toward decarbonization accelerates, nuclear power is reclaiming its place at the forefront of the clean-energy mix. We are proud to play a role in advancing that future through disciplined development and a commitment to responsible resource growth." 2. Positioned for Growth in a Transforming Energy Landscape The KLR Project, located approximately 90 km south of Cameco's historic Key Lake Mine and mill, lies within the Wollaston-Mudjatik Transition Zone (WMTZ), a structural corridor that hosts some of the world's highest-grade uranium deposits. Kirkstone's comprehensive due diligence included field verification, technical review, and third-party geological analysis confirming the project's robust exploration potential. Global energy trends continue to underscore the critical role of nuclear power. According to the World Nuclear Association, uranium demand is projected to grow by 5-7% annually through 2040, while existing mine production will meet only about 40% of expected requirements. "A global uranium shortfall threatens to slow the nuclear energy renaissance," reported the Financial Times, highlighting the urgency of new project development in stable jurisdictions such as Canada. At the same time, advancements in Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology are poised to dramatically accelerate nuclear deployment worldwide. Reuters recently noted that SMRs are expected to *"redefine the energy landscape by providing scalable, low-carbon solutions that can support national power grids and industrial growth."* As data centers, AI infrastructure, and electrification drive soaring global electricity demand, Investor's Business Daily has emphasized that nuclear producers like Cameco are *"positioned to literally fuel AI data centers as one of the few 24/7 low-emission power sources available."* 3. North American Resource Security and Energy Independence With the KLR Project situated in northern Saskatchewan, Kirkstone's operations contribute to the nationalization and resilience of the North American power grid. As governments in Canada and the United States intensify efforts to secure domestic energy supply chains, uranium sourced from stable, transparent jurisdictions is expected to become increasingly vital to future energy independence initiatives. 4. Commitment to Responsible and Collaborative Development Kirkstone remains deeply committed to conducting all exploration and development work in accordance with the highest environmental, safety, and governance standards. The Company will continue to engage with local stakeholders and Indigenous communities to ensure that future programs are designed and executed collaboratively, with transparency and respect for local values and land stewardship. 5. Option Agreement Pursuant to the terms of the Option Agreement, the Company has been granted an option to acquire the KLR Project from the Vendor in consideration for completing a series of cash payments and incurring certain exploration expenditures over a four-year term, as follows: Cash Payments Exploration Expenditures On Closing $25,000 Nil First Anniversary $50,000 $80,000 Second Anniversary $100,000 $120,000 Third Anniversary $225,000 Nil Fourth Anniversary $600,000 $1,800,000 Upon exercise of an option, the Company will acquire all right, title and interest to the KLR Project, subject to a three percent royalty on net smelter returns from commercial production, of which the Company will have the right to acquire up to two percent of the royalty any time through cash payments of $1-million per percentage point. The Company is at arms-length from the Vendor. No finders' fees or commissions are payable by the Company in connection with the entering into of the Option Agreement, nor does the Option Agreement contemplate that any securities of the Company will be issued. The acquisition of an interest in the Project does not constitute a fundamental acquisition for the Company within the meaning of the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. 6. About Kirkstone Metals Corp. Kirkstone Metals Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on uranium assets that support the global transition to clean energy. The Company is committed to technical excellence, disciplined capital allocation, and responsible development of projects aligned with long-term energy security priorities. 7. Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Tim Henneberry, P.Geo., a Director of the Company and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. 1 Sources: World Nuclear Association / Financial Times - uranium shortfall threatens nuclear-renewal Title: "Uranium shortfall threatens nuclear energy renaissance, industry warned" (Financial Times) Date: 5 September 2025. 2. Reuters News - small modular reactors and rising electricity demand / data-centres Title: "US nuclear builders tight for time in race to power AI" Date: 13 May 2025. Title: "SMR firms race to build a nuclear fuel supply chain". Date: 31 March 2025. 3. Investor's Business Daily - nuclear producers powering AI data-centres. Title: "Stock Of The Day Sets Up Bullishly As It Literally Fuels AI Data Centers". Publication date: 2 months ago (from date of article). For more information, please contact the Company at (604) 644-6794 or email: info@kirkstonemetals.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Kirkstone Metals Corp. Clive Massey Chief Executive Officer Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain assumptions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are subject to factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Vancouver, November 11, 2025 - Questcorp Mining Inc. (CSE: QQQ) (OTCQB: QQCMF) (FSE: D910) (the "Company" or "Questcorp") is pleased to announce that Sorbie Bornholm LP ("Sorbie"), a UK Investment Fund, has undertaken an initial investment in Questcorp Mining Inc. (CSE: QQQ) (OTCQB: QQCMF) (FSE: D910) ("Questcorp" or the "Company"). The gross amount of the investment is CAD$2,000,000. The funds will go toward advancing Questcorp's ongoing exploration and development programs at its flagship La Union Gold and Silver Project in Sonora, Mexico, and its North Island Copper Property on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and for general working capital purposes. Reflecting on the new partnership, President & CEO, Saf Dhillon, commented: "We are incredibly pleased to have secured this strategic investment from Sorbie Bornholm, a respected international institutional investor. This financing provides us with the flexibility to accelerate exploration across our key assets in Mexico and British Columbia. We view Sorbie's participation as a strong vote of confidence in Questcorp's team, vision, and long-term potential to deliver value through discovery and development." Whitney Kofford, Managing Director of Sorbie Bornholm LP, added: "We are delighted to welcome Questcorp Mining Inc. as a new partner and portfolio company. Our decision to invest reflects our enormous confidence in Questcorp's leadership. And in turn, by entering into a Sharing Agreement, Questcorp's leadership signals strong conviction in their ability to execute and grow value for all stakeholders. Sorbie's Sharing Agreement is designed to align interests towards growth and provide companies with consistent capital that rewards operational success and share price appreciation. We trust Questcorp will use the capital support to systematically unlock long-term value for all shareholders, and we look forward to sharing in their great upside potential." About Sorbie Bornholm Sorbie Bornholm LP is a global investment firm that provides funding for ongoing business objectives to listed micro, small and mid-cap growth companies. We focus on public equity investments in companies that are looking to expand and on management teams with a clear growth strategy. Our extensive experience allows us to invest in most industries in order to provide supportive, longer-term capital that rewards company growth. Since 2000, Sorbie Bornholm LP founder Greg Kofford has perfected the "Sorbie-Strategy", utilizing a sharing agreement that supports management and rewards growth. This unique approach has now been used in over 50 investments - with many of those resulting in the companies receiving more cash than the original offering proceeds - without having to issue any additional shares. Sorbie Bornholm's core values drive who we are and how we invest. We are committed to developing long-term relationships with select listed public companies and their brokers & advisers. We focus on providing supportive, longer-term capital that rewards growth. We invest to make a difference, to become a valued partner and to be a shareholder of choice. It's important to us that we succeed together. To see if the Sorbie-Strategy is right for your company, please contact Sorbie Bornholm: Whitney Kofford, Managing Director +1-801-554-5889 whitney@sorbiebornholm.com https://sorbiebornholm.co.uk/ About Questcorp Mining Inc. Questcorp Mining Inc. is engaged in the business of the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in North America, with the objective of locating and developing economic precious and base metals properties of merit. The Company holds an option to acquire an undivided 100% interest in and to mineral claims totaling 1,168.09 hectares comprising the North Island Copper Property, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, subject to a royalty obligation. The Company also holds an option to acquire an undivided 100% interest in and to mineral claims totaling 2,520.2 hectares comprising the La Union Project located in Sonora, Mexico, subject to a royalty obligation. This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the intended use of proceeds from the Offering. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the ability of Riverside to secure geophysical contractors to undertake orientation surveys and follow up detailed survey to confirm and enhance the drill targets as contemplated or at all, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain capital markets; and delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that the geophysical surveys will be completed as contemplated or at all and that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273793 VANCOUVER, Nov. 11, 2025 - Marimaca Copper Corp. ("Marimaca Copper" or the "Company") (TSX:MARI, ASX:MC2) is pleased to announce that its Chilean subsidiary, Marimaca NewCo Limitada ("Marimaca"), has received the formal Resolucion de Calificacion Ambiental ("RCA") for its Marimaca Oxide Project (the "MOD" or "Project"), located in the low coastal cordillera of the Antofagasta region of Chile. The RCA represents the formal approval of the Company's Declaracion de Impacto Ambiental (Environmental Impact Statement) ("DIA") submission made in December 2024 and marks another strategic step closer to being construction-ready at the MOD. The RCA has been issued following a rigorous preparation and engagement process, including multiple years of baseline environmental studies, social and archaeological information collection, multiple voluntary stakeholder engagement programs and various technical and project engineering studies. The receipt of the RCA allows Marimaca to advance the next phase of permitting activities for the Project, known as the Sectorial Permits, which are auxiliary permits required for various stages of construction and operation. The Company is already well advanced in its planning for this phase, laying the groundwork for its master execution schedule and positioning the Project to be construction ready in the second half of 2026. Jose Antonio Merino, Managing Director, Chile and CFO of Marimaca Copper, commented: "Developing our assets in Chile to the highest possible environmental and social standards is a core objective of Marimaca. We committed significant time and resources to our permitting strategy, to design a project which delivers a strong mitigation strategy for the environmental and social risks identified, a framework for ongoing risk management, while aligning with our corporate ethos to deliver a project which generates long term value for all of our stakeholders. The receipt of the RCA reflects the exceptional work completed, over several years, by our team. "I would also like to thank our local, regional, and governmental stakeholders for their efficient engagement during the intensive review process, since our formal submission in December 2024. We look forward to a positive ongoing working relationship as we commence the next phase of permitting workstreams required to begin full construction and support our future operations." Hayden Locke, President & CEO of Marimaca Copper, commented: "On behalf of our board and shareholders, I would like to extend our thanks and congratulations to our Chilean team for the significant milestone Marimaca has achieved. They have been the architects and executors of our permitting strategy, which is the culmination of several years of planning and preparation. It has been a challenging week for the Company with the sudden loss of Colin Kinley, a steadfast supporter of the team's permitting strategy, and we are proud to achieve this milestone as a reflection of his commitment to Marimaca's success. "Our team is immensely proud of the Company we are building and holds themselves to high standards when it comes to the responsible development of our projects and our burgeoning reputation as a highly credible custodian for these assets. "Our focus now shifts to the critical path for Final Investment Decision and Project Sanctioning, for which we have set ourselves the ambitious target of being ready in the second half of 2026. "Exploration efforts at Pampa Medina continue, and we are increasingly confident in our long-term growth strategy beyond the 50Ktpa of copper production contemplated in our Definitive Feasibility Study. We expect to release a Pampa Medina exploration update to the market in the very near term. There is a sense of real momentum gathering behind us here at Marimaca and we are truly excited for the next stage of development as a Company." Contact Information For further information please visit www.marimaca.com or contact: Tavistock +44 (0) 207 920 3150 Emily Moss / Ruairi Millar marimaca@tavistock.co.uk This press release has been authorized for release on the ASX by the Board of Directors of the Company. Forward-looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including, without limitation, statements regarding its permitting process and future Sectoral Permits. 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. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Marimaca, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: risks that Sectoral and Construction Permits are delayed or not received, risks related to share price and market conditions, the inherent risks involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of project delays or cost overruns or unanticipated excessive operating costs and expenses, uncertainties related to the necessity of financing, uncertainties relating to regulatory procedure and timing for permitting submissions and reviews, the availability of and costs of financing needed in the future as well as those factors disclosed in the annual information form of the Company dated March 27, 2025 and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed at www.sedarplus.ca). Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Marimaca undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Neither the TSX nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The President of the Republic of Guinea today joined project partners WCS1, Baowu, Chinalco and Rio Tinto in a ceremony at the port in Forecariah prefecture to mark the start of operations at Simandou, Africa's largest greenfield integrated mine and infrastructure project. The project is delivering more than 600 kilometres of new multi-use trans-Guinean rail together with barge and Transhipment Vessel port facilities. Following commissioning and ramp up, this infrastructure will support the export of a combined total of up to 120 million tonnes per year of mined iron ore by SimFer2 and WCS from their respective Simandou mining concessions in the southeast of the country. Testing and commissioning of the mine, rail and barge port system infrastructure is underway, with both WCS and SimFer having commenced the transport of iron ore from mine gate to the port via the trans-Guinean rail line. The project is being co-developed by the Government of the Republic of Guinea, SimFer and WCS. Once commissioned, all co-developed infrastructure and rolling stock will be transferred to and operated by the Compagnie du TransGuineen (CTG), in which Simfer and WCS each hold a 42.5% equity stake, with the Government of Guinea holding the remaining 15%. Djiba Diakite, Minister and Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic and Chairman of the Simandou 2040 Strategic Committee said: "Simandou is more than a mining project: it is the driving force behind a national transformation. This collective success reflects the vision of the Head of State and the determination of an entire nation to build a future of shared prosperity. This inauguration marks a foundational milestone for Guinea, which now stands as a key player in sustainable development and economic sovereignty in West Africa." Winning Consortium Chairman Sun Xiushun said: "This milestone reflects years of hard work and strong partnership. Winning Consortium is proud to have delivered on our commitment and to stand with our partners in bringing Simandou into operation." Rio Tinto Chief Executive Simon Trott said: "This outstanding achievement has been made possible through the dedicated hard work of thousands of our colleagues, and the complementary strengths and expertise of Rio Tinto, our SimFer partners, the Government of Guinea and Winning Consortium Simandou. "Today we are unlocking an exceptional new source of high-grade iron ore that is in demand from customers for low-carbon steel making, enhancing our world-class portfolio of iron ore mines in the Pilbara and Canada." Chinalco President Wang Shilei said: "The start of operations of the Simandou project is an important achievement guided by the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries. It reflects the joint efforts and pragmatic cooperation between China and Guinea, contributing to Guinea's industrialisation and modernisation process. Chinalco is committed to working together with all partners to fully implement the outcomes of the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, advance the high-quality development of the Simandou iron ore project, take concrete actions to deliver on the Belt and Road Initiative, and promote the continued deepening of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Guinea." Chairman of China Baowu Group, Hu Wangming said: "The start of operations of the Simandou project marks a significant milestone in the history of the global mining industry. Throughout the development process, all parties have maintained a broad perspective and a long-term vision, adhering to the principles of market orientation, rule of law, and internationalisation, ensuring the project's advancement with high standards and high quality. The stable supply of Simandou's premium iron ore resources will provide a solid foundation of low carbon raw materials for the development of China's steel industry and the global steel sector. We firmly believe that this exemplary cooperation will inject lasting momentum into the economic and social development of Guinea, the host country of the project." 1 WCS is a consortium between Winning International Group and Weiqiao Aluminium (part of the China Hongqiao Group) and United Mining Suppliers (collectively 51%) and Baowu Resources (49%). 2 The Simfer joint venture comprises Simfer S.A., the holder of Simandou South Blocks 3 & 4, which is owned by the Government of Guinea (15%) and Simfer Jersey Limited (85%). In turn, Simfer Jersey Limited is a joint venture between the Rio Tinto Group (53%) and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (47%) - a Chinalco-led joint venture of leading Chinese SOEs (Chinalco (75%), Baowu (20%), China Rail Construction Corporation (2.5%) and China Harbour Engineering Company (2.5%). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111830386/en/ Contact Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com Rio Tinto Media Relations United Kingdom David Outhwaite M +44 7787 597493 Guinea Abdourahamane Diallo M +224 (611) 001 396 riotinto.com Category: Simandou Toronto, November 11, 2025 - Canuc Resources Corp. (TSXV: CDA) (OTCQB: CNUCF) (WKN: A14ZX4) ("Canuc" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Natural Resources Canada has commissioned a seismic survey, for early 2026, to be conducted on Canuc's McLaren Lake Fault Zone (MLFZ). The McLaren Lake Fault Zone is located on the north central portion of Canuc's 100% owned East Sudbury Project (ESP) (Figure 1). Canuc acquired 100% ownership of the ESP on May 8th, 2025. Seismic acquisition will be conducted by Optiseis Solutions Ltd. of Calgary, Alberta, a recognized leader in subsurface imaging and analytics. The work has been commissioned by Natural Resources Canada, through its Critical Minerals Geoscience and Data Initiative (CMGD). Geoscientists with Natural Resources Canada have selected specific project areas for research to better their understanding of how critical minerals form and concentrate in Canada's subsurface. Figure 1. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2906/273881_a1e62828b487c800_001full.jpg Seismic Survey Seeking Alkali Calcic (MIAC) and IOCG Signatures The seismic survey focuses on a known Metasomatic Iron Alkali Calcic (MIAC) system near Sudbury, Ontario, the McLaren Lake Fault Zone (MLFZ) and surrounding claims which lie within Canuc's ESP claim group. This area already evidences copper, gold, and cobalt mineralization. By imaging fluid pathways such as faults, fractures, and alteration zones underground, and along known fault structures, scientists aim to uncover the structural controls that guide mineralization in these systems. The team is testing innovative geophysical methods that combine surface seismic surveys with fiber-optic sensing in boreholes designed to intersect key alteration zones. This approach will not only improve our understanding of mineral systems but will also serve to evaluate the potential of fiber-optic technology for high-resolution subsurface imaging. "The McLaren Lake Fault Zone is recognized to be a Metasomatic Iron Alkali Calcic (MIAC) mineral system that has the potential to host IOCG and affiliated critical mineral and precious metal deposits. We are delighted that the geoscientists at Natural Resources Canada have selected this corridor, located within our company claim holdings, to focus their search for critical mineral pathways and deposits," stated Christopher Berlet, President & CEO of Canuc Resources Corp. "The Canuc press release of September 9th outlines our conviction that the East Sudbury Project covers at least 3 areas that have the potential to host IOCG and affiliated deposit type discoveries. This transformative prospect for Canuc shareholders comes closer today with the work commitments made by the progressive geoscience team at Natural Resources Canada. We look forward to reporting further on this work in the months ahead and are preparing to undertake decisive follow up when results are received." Canuc's updated website and PowerPoint can be found at: www.canucresources.ca The technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Seymour Sears, B.A., B.Sc., P.Geo, a non-independent qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, who is currently managing exploration activity on the ESP Project. About Canuc Resources Corp. Canuc Resources Corporation is a junior resource company developing its 100% interest in the East Sudbury Project ("ESP") which spans 19,710 hectares and is centered approximately 20 kilometers northeast of the Prolific Sudbury Mining Camp and near to the extensive infrastructure of the adjacent Sudbury Mining District. ESP encompasses several centers of critical and precious metal mineralization interpreted to be related to a mineral system that can form IOCG and affiliated critical and precious mineral deposits. Included within the Project is the historical Scadding Gold Mine and associated Scadding Gold Tailings Project. Canuc also holds a 100% interest in the San Javier Silver-Gold Project located in Sonora State, Mexico. The San Javier Silver-Gold Project spans 28 claims covering 1,052 hectares and evidences extensive silver, gold and copper mineralization interpreted to be related to a mineral system that can form silver-dominant IOCG and affiliated deposits. Canuc generates cash flow from natural gas production at its MidTex Energy Project located in Central West Texas, USA where Canuc has an interest in eight (8) producing natural gas wells and has rights for further in field developments. The Company also receives a 4% Net Smelter Royalty from gold production at the Scadding Gold Tailings Project located on Mining Claim LEA 107735 within the ESP property group. For further information please refer to the Company website: www.canucresources.ca Christopher J. Berlet BSc (Mining), CFA, CEO & Director of Canuc, is responsible for the content of this press release. Forward Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information. All information, other than information of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" and includes any information that addresses activities, events or developments that the Corporation believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the Corporation's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance. When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other indications of future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is based on current expectations and applies only as of the date on which they were made. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to fund the exploration expenditures required under the Agreement. Other factors such as uncertainties regarding government regulations could also affect the results. Other risks may be set out in the Corporation's annual financial statements, MD&A and other publicly filed documents. The Corporation cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, the Corporation does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273881 Vancouver, November 11, 2025 - Comstock Metals Ltd. (TSXV: CSL.H) ("Comstock" or the "Company") announces that the Company has agreed to settle $244,055 owing to Lambent Consulting Inc. (a company owned by Steven Goldman, Chief Executive Officer of the Company) through the transfer of 283,784 common shares in the capital of Trident Resources Corp. ("Trident Shares"). The number of Trident Shares transferred was based on the closing price of $0.86 on November 10, 2025. The amount owing to Lambent Consulting Inc. reflects the principal and interest owing pursuant to a loan disclosed in the Company's press release dated August 31, 2023. Following completion of the foregoing settlement, the Company will hold a total of 593,591 Trident Shares. Mr. Goldman and his consulting company is considered to be a "related party" (within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101")), making the transaction a "related party transaction" (within the meaning of MI 61-101) (the "Related Party Transfer"). The Company was exempt from obtaining a formal valuation for, and minority approval of, the Related Party Transfer pursuant to Section 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(e) of MI 61-101, respectively. The settlement transaction was approved by the disinterested directors of the Company. The completion of the settlement transaction remains subject to receipt of approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. About Comstock Metals Ltd. Comstock Metals Ltd. is a publicly traded company which formerly operated as a mining exploration company in Canada but is currently focused on identifying new opportunities. Forward Looking Statements This news release includes forward-looking information and statements, which may include, but are not limited to, information and statements regarding or inferring the future business, operations, financial performance, prospects, and other plans, intentions, expectations, estimates, and beliefs of the Company. Forward-looking information and statements involve and are subject to assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual events, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future events, results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information and statements herein. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking information and statements herein are reasonable, in light of the use of assumptions and the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in such information and statements, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance upon such forward-looking information and statements. Any forward-looking information and statements herein are made as of the date hereof, and except as required by applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation and disclaims any intention to update or revise any forward-looking information and statements herein or to update the reasons that actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in any forward looking information and statements herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) 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/273975 View How States Are Addressing Lineup Reform in a full screen map Texas law enforcement agencies will be required to take more stringent steps to maintain the integrity of police lineups under legislation that is nearing final approval from the state legislature.This week, the Texas House passed HB 215 , which would require law enforcement agencies to adopt written procedures for both in-person and photo-based police lineups. The bill is designed to make it less likely that eyewitnesses make mistakes when they identify suspects.Those mistakes are the leading cause of wrongful imprisonment, according to the The Innocence Project, which seeks to overturn false convictions. Nationwide, 267 prisoners have been exonerated due to DNA evidence, and in about 80 percent of those cases, the wrongfully convicted prisoners were sent away, in part, due to eyewitness error.In Texas, the mistakes are even more prevalent. Thirty-eight of the 44 exonerations were due to false IDs by witnesses.Despite the extent of the problem, just 12 percent of Texas law enforcement agencies have written procedures for how to conduct police lineups, according to the state legislatures research organization. The legislation requires agencies to write policies on lineups that reduce the risk of false IDs. The policies must address issues such as the type of instructions witnesses receive and how lineups will be administered to witnesses who speak little English. The state Senate has already passed a similar bill."Eyewitness reform is a very simple, straightforward change to help create a smarter, more just system," State Sen. Rodney Ellis, who sponsored the Senate bill, said in a statement Under the bill, a law enforcement institute at Sam Houston State University is required to develop a model policy that departments may adopt. Police departments would be required to adopt that policy -- or create their own -- by Sept. 1, 2012.Advocates for reforming lineups say the best systems are double-blind, similar to how clinical trials of pharmaceuticals are conducted. The officer administering the lineup wouldnt know which individual in the lineup is the suspect, which would prevent him from inadvertently steering a witness toward a particular ID. The eyewitness, meanwhile, wouldnt know if the actual suspect was even among the people presented.Additionally, the individuals in the lineup would be presented sequentially and not all at once, as is the norm.Critics of the bill say it doesnt go far enough, since it lacks a strong enforcement mechanism. During a criminal trial, attorneys will be allowed to tell jurors whether a department is complying with a written lineup policy. But failure to comply won't bar the admission of eyewitness testimony. .Scott Henson, a lobbyist for the Texas Innocence Project, says its disappointing the bill lacks strong enforcement. There were forces deferential to prosecutor and law enforcement interests that wanted to keep this from being strong, and this is what we were able to get, Henson says.But, he adds, he is still optimistic about the bill. Requiring agencies to create written policies will force them to think about the eyewitness process, which in itself will help to reduce errors.It does a lot to change police practices on the ground, Henson says. The lack of a remedy is unfortunate, but it doesnt mitigate the importance of the bill.Texas is also considering legislation, SB 122 , that would grant post-conviction DNA testing if biological evidence from the case hadnt previously been tested, or newer techniques might be more accurate.The reforms are among those recommended by Timothy Cole Advisory Panel on Wrongful Convictions , a state panel tasked with reducing the number of wrongfully convicted defendants in Texas. The panel is named for a student who was wrongfully convicted of a 1985 rape and died in prison while services a 25-year sentence. Last year, he became the first person posthumously pardoned in state history. Bottas, Verstappen back Rovanpera's brave F1 switch Two top Formula 1 drivers have voiced support for Kalle Rovanpera's surprise decision to swap rallying for single-seaters as the two-time WRC champion begins chasing an eventual F1 dream. Brazilian GP 2025 Red Bull The 25-year-old Finn recently tested an older Formula 2 car and will reportedly contest the Formula Regional Oceania series this summer before joining Japan's Super Formula in 2026 with Toyota support - a move aimed at preparing for F2 and, ultimately, Formula 1. Fellow Finn Valtteri Bottas told Ilta-Sanomat he admires Rovanpera's courage. I must admit that I was surprised by Kalle's decision - but in a positive way, said Bottas. It's a brave choice. He clearly wants to chase his dreams, but there is a big change ahead. I really appreciate his courage. Having dabbled in rallying himself, Bottas knows how difficult such a switch can be. It's certain that switching from rally to track is not easy, he said. "In formula racing we all start in karting and gain experience in different classes over several years. Those Super Formula cars are very fast. Kalle may be shocked at first by how hard it is on the neck, but it can be trained - and with his dedication, nothing is impossible. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen also discussed Rovanpera's move on the Pelas Pistas podcast. Anything is possible, said the reigning world champion. I'm really excited about his project - but it won't be easy. Verstappen warned that raw speed will not be enough. In the end, you have to make the right decisions to end up with the right teams, he said. I hope he has a competent group around him that gives him the opportunity to succeed. The Dutchman also highlighted the challenge of adapting to Japan's top single-seater series. It's generally a culture shock to move from Europe to Japan, Verstappen noted. There can be a language barrier with the mechanics, and it will take some time for him to realise - 'wow, what am I doing?' (GMM) Verstappen made rookie mistakes too says Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto escaped unhurt from what Germany's Auto Motor und Sport described as "the worst Formula 1 crash in years" after a terrifying 339kph accident that marred his first home Brazilian GP. Gabriel Bortoleto, Brazilian GP 2025 Sauber On the final lap of Saturday's sprint, the 20-year-old Sauber rookie lost control at the end of the main straight, his car snapping violently left before slamming into both pit and tyre walls with forces of up to 57g. Miraculously, Bortoleto climbed out unaided - bruised but unharmed. I wanted to surprise Albon, but I still had DRS active when I hit a bump, he explained. Suddenly the car was gone. I was lucky to escape without damage. Team boss Jonathan Wheatley said the impact was like a bomb going off , praising the FIA's safety standards: Luckily, Gabriel hit the wall with two different parts of the car. The regulations have saved him. Incredibly, Sauber's mechanics came close to a miracle rebuild in time for qualifying. They assembled a completely new chassis, starting the engine just as Q1 ended. We missed qualifying by minutes, Wheatley said, after the garage applauded the exhausted crew. Audi project leader Mattia Binotto revealed that the team's modular setup allowed such a rapid rebuild. We were ready for all eventualities, he said. "But the late-season crash strains our spare-parts situation. We don't want to be forced to produce new parts again. Bortoleto, still sore but determined, returned for Sunday's race - only to crash again early on. It capped a nightmare home debut that left him visibly emotional. Asked if the pressure of racing at home played a part, he paused. That's actually not a bad question, he said. "In the junior series I was used to fighting at the top. Now our car isn't there, so I'm learning and trying things. It's happened to everyone - just look at the beginning of Max Verstappen's career. Life goes on, and I hope I learn from what happened. (GMM) These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. The 'vanilla' Galaxy S26 was for a while rumored to be called Galaxy S26 Pro, but if that was ever the plan, Samsung is now rumored to have given up on it. Interestingly, however, the Korean company has allegedly tweaked the device's dimensions at the last minute. According to a new report, the S26's final measurements are 149.5 x 71.6 x 7.24 mm, and the thickness goes up to 10.44 mm at the camera bump. Samsung Galaxy S25 The previous dimensions shared with accessory makers were 149.3 x 71.4 x 6.96 mm, so the phone has grown ever so slightly in all directions. Hopefully this means a bigger battery will be fitted, but Samsung doesn't like big batteries so we're not holding our collective breath. Compared to the S25, the S26 is now taller, wider, and marginally thicker, for what it's worth. The S26 is expected to come with a flat screen, three rear cameras using the new design where they're sitting on top of an oval-shaped island, and of course all buttons on the right side of the frame. Like the rest of the family, the S26 is likely to use both the Exynos 2600 SoC and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, depending on the market. Source Guam artist Dakota Camacho has received recognition from Dance/USA, a national service organization for dance. Camacho has been named among the newest 25 recipients of the Dance/USA Fellowships to Artists, DFA, program, which honors dance and movement-based artists with sustained practices in art for social change. Round Three DFA Artist Fellows included Camacho. Selected by a national peer-review panel, each fellowship includes a $31,000 grant that may be used at the artists discretion. The DFA program is made possible with generous support from the Doris Duke Foundation. One of the few regranting programs available to independent artists with an unrestricted financial award, DFA supports dance and movement-based artists from across the U.S. and its territories like Camacho, who work at the intersection of social and embodied practices. DFA recognizes the wide variety of ways in which artists engage in social transformation through dance, which often do not fit into established models of arts funding. This includes community-building and culture-bearing practices, healing and storytelling practices, activism and representational justice practices, and more. Camacho comes from the Matao/CHamoru peoples of Laguas and comes from the villages of Tumon, Mongmong, and Hagatna, and descends from the Che and Eging clans, and with Ilokano lineage, according to a media release from Gi Matan Guma. After arriving on Guam in 2011, Camacho became friends with Jeremy Cepeda, a fino haya language teacher, who guided Camacho on a language learning journey. For many years, Camacho traveled around the world sharing dance and musical creations, and cultivating relationships with Indigenous peoples in Aotearoa, Turtle Island, Hawaii, Australia and Africa. In 2019, Camacho and Cepeda started the Gi Matan Guma collective to give life to their ancestral language and traditions in an attempt to walk the path of inafamaolek (peace and equity for all living beings). Camacho started the Malie project to try and find ways to activate a theory/memory/imagining of (making) matao [creativity] through multi-disciplinary art. The 2025 DFA Artist Fellows hail from cities and regions across the U.S. and its territories. The new cohort of Dance/USA Artist Fellows once again demonstrates the breadth of movement practices that address social change, said Haowen Wang, Dance/USA director of regranting. We hold deep respect for the radical ways these artists nurture and sustain our communities. Residents impacted by the ongoing federal government shutdown could soon see relief after the U.S. Senate sent a funding bill to the House of Representatives Monday night. Eight Senate Democrats joined Republicans to approve a funding bill that would end the now 41-day federal government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. The House is expected to vote on the measure as early as Wednesday. The Senate-passed bill would fund most of the government until Jan. 30 and extend funding for certain key programs, including food stamps and veterans benefits, through the end of September 2026. The shutdown has meant thousands of employees havent gotten paid for more than a month, many struggling without paychecks. It has also meant the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, and the Women, Infants and Children, WIC, program have gone unfunded. The government of Guam stepped up to fund the WIC program for the last two months and has paid half of SNAP benefits for November under a local program called the General Food Assistance Benefits. GovGuam is expected to pay the other half of SNAP benefits if the federal shutdown continues, but the latest vote from the Senate could mean it wont be necessary. The vote in the U.S. Senate is the furthest any funding legislation has gone since the federal government shutdown on Oct. 1. If the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services doesnt use up the whole $13.1 million that the governor and the Legislature appropriated, then the leftover money will go back to the General Fund. Acting Gov. Josh Tenorio said if the U.S. Senates measure becomes law, Guam will begin transitioning back to federal program operations, easing the strain on local funds used to sustain services during the shutdown. More than 43,000 Guam residents receive SNAP, Public Health Director Theresa Arriola has said. The second most common barrier was limited contact with ethnic Finns. This was experienced by 58 percent of unemployed participants, compared to 36 percent of those in work. The study, based on the MoniSuomi 2022 dataset from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, found that 62 percent of unemployed respondents aged 20 to 74 identified language as an obstacle. Among the employed, 48 percent reported the same. More than 60 percent of unemployed residents with foreign backgrounds in the Helsinki region cite poor Finnish skills as a key barrier to employment, according to new city research. The research shows major differences in perceived obstacles between those in and out of work. Sanna Vesikansa, Deputy Mayor of Helsinki, said in a press release that the figures "reflect a structural challenge that must be addressed through both policy and practice." Health was a concern for 43 percent of unemployed respondents, but only 13 percent of the employed. Lack of work experience was reported by 43 percent of unemployed and 22 percent of employed. Despite some individuals being in employment at the time of the survey, many had previously experienced these barriers while seeking work. The results suggest both personal and structural factors affect access to employment. The article also notes that many individuals face multiple barriers simultaneously. These include issues tied to work, experience, psychosocial health, and access to networks. The data was adjusted for background factors such as age, gender, education, length of residence in Finland, and language skills. Even after these were taken into account, unemployed respondents reported all forms of employment barriers more often than those employed. The gap remained wide: unemployed individuals were four times more likely to report poor health and three times more likely to report lack of experience as barriers, compared to their employed peers. Taru Stenvall, senior researcher at the City of Helsinki Executive Office, said the findings underline the persistent disadvantages faced by residents with foreign backgrounds. Barriers linked to individual circumstances, such as language or health, are common, Stenvall said. But many also report structural obstacles, including employer discrimination. These structural barriers include perceived biases in recruitment and hiring processes. The study did not measure employer practices directly, but several respondents mentioned discriminatory attitudes in open comments. The results come as Finland seeks to increase work-based immigration in response to labour shortages in healthcare, construction, and services. Helsinkis city government has called for better access to Finnish language education, mentoring, and inclusive employment policies. The data supports previous findings from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment that foreign background residents are more likely to face long-term unemployment and lower wages, even when qualified. A total of 1,500 respondents living in the Helsinki metropolitan area participated in the study. The study's findings have been published in a new article by the citys executive office. The city has stated that the results will inform future integration measures and employment services for residents with immigrant backgrounds. HT The state prosecutor, Tapio Makinen , is seeking a suspended prison sentence of at least five months. Two other men face lesser charges for assault and threats directed at Vornanen. The trial has drawn wide attention because of Vornanens police background and his later political career as a Member of Parliament. Finns Party MP Timo Vornanen , 56, appeared at the Helsinki District Court this week charged with assault, two counts of illegal threat, causing danger, a firearms offence and a firearms violation. The case stems from a 2024 incident outside the Bar Ihku nightclub in central Helsinki, where he discharged a pistol after an alcohol-fuelled argument. Vornanen admits firing the shot but denies all other charges. He said he acted in self-defence after being threatened by two men whom he believed to be connected to organised crime. I dont regret it, he told reporters outside court. I acted with soft hands toward people who came at me. He said the shot was a warning fired at the pavement to protect himself and his family. It was used exactly for what the protection weapon was granted for, Vornanen said, referring to the small CZ 92 pistol he obtained legally in 1998. Video evidence shown in court depicted a chaotic night that began inside the nightclub. Around midnight, Vornanen approached two young women aged 18 and 19, offering them drinks and joining their table. Both later told police that his presence became uncomfortable as the night went on and that he appeared increasingly intoxicated. One said he was pushy with his offers of alcohol and made inappropriate remarks about relationships. Later, another group of men entered the bar, colleagues from a nearby workplace. A 41yearold man approached Vornanen and, according to footage, put his arm around his neck. Vornanen responded by grabbing the man by the throat and pinning him to a sofa until security intervened. The man told police he only intended to hug him. Vornanen said he was attacked without warning. Both now stand accused of minor assault against each other. Witnesses described Vornanen and one of the men arguing again at the bar counter. The 31yearold man, later charged with illegal threat, said Vornanen began boasting about ties to several motorcycle gangs, including United Brotherhood, Hells Angels and Cannonballs, claiming he was in every club and a Member of Parliament. He said I didnt know who I was talking to, the man told investigators. Vornanen denied the claim. He said the man introduced himself as a gangster, threatened to kill him and his family, and mentioned belonging to United Brotherhood. He said he gave the man his parliamentary business card to prove he was not a criminal. Both accounts agree that tensions escalated after the bar closed. Outside, arguments continued between the groups. Witnesses saw another MP, Sanna Antikainen, and Ilomantsi Finns Party chair Mika Purmonen, wearing a Stetson hat, trying to defuse the situation. The 31yearold man admitted saying that guys like that should be beaten up. At that point, Vornanen drew his pistol and fired once into the pavement. A security camera captured a flash and smoke. No one was injured. The men ran off, and police arrived shortly after. During a 112 emergency call played in court, Vornanen was heard slurring his words and avoiding questions. The dispatcher grew frustrated as he failed to describe what was happening. When detained, he broke down in a police car and told officers he had feared for his life. Police bodycamera footage showed him saying, Im strongly drunk, when asked about his condition. The prosecution argued that the shooting could not be considered self-defence. He could have left the scene, said Makinen. It is incomprehensible that a Member of Parliament was walking around Helsinki nightlife with a loaded gun. The defence insists the threat was real and that Vornanens response was proportionate. His lawyer, Heikki Miettinen, presented an expert statement on the weapons limited power, noting that its short barrel made serious injury unlikely unless fired directly at close range. In court, the two male complainants described the night as frightening and surreal. The 41yearold man said he initially feared Vornanen was a gang leader. Afterwards, when I learned he was an MP, the whole thing became even more disturbing, he said. He added that he has since suffered nightmares about the incident. The events have already damaged Vornanens political career. He was expelled from the Finns Party parliamentary group shortly after the shooting and now sits as an independent. His firearm licence remains under review. The court also heard that part of the bars security footage is missing. Vornanen claims the lost recording contained evidence supporting his version. Prosecutors said the missing material has no impact on the case. Vornanen has frequently commented on social media throughout the investigation, criticising what he calls political persecution. He maintains that he used the weapon responsibly. As the first day of hearings ended, he told journalists he still saw no reason for remorse. Maybe it was extinguished the wrong way, he said of the incident. The court is expected to deliver its verdict later this year. HT Public hearing planned on proposals for hospital beds in Buncombe A public hearing will be held next month on four proposals to add hospital beds in Buncombe County. Four applicants filed certificate of need applications with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to develop acute care beds in response to a need determination in the 2025 State Medical Facilities Plan for 129 acute care beds in Buncombe County. A public hearing on the four proposals to add the hospital beds will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Ferguson Auditorium of AB-Tech Community College, 340 Victoria Road, Asheville. Anyone may file written comments concerning the proposals. Comments must be received by the Healthcare Planning and Certificate of Need Section no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 1. The four proposed projects include: UNC Health West Medical Center Inc proposes to develop a new hospital in Asheville UNC Health West Medical Center with 129 acute care beds. The project is expected to cost $711.1 million and would be completed in July 2031. Novant Health Asheville Medical Center LLC and Novant Health Inc. propose to develop a new hospital in Arden Novant Health Asheville Medical Center with 34 acute care beds. The project is expected to cost $322.2 million and would be completed in January 2030. AdventHealth Asheville Inc and Adventist Health System Sunbelt Healthcare Corporation propose a change of scope to add 129 additional acute care beds at AdventHealth Asheville in Weaverville for a total of 222 acute care beds. The project is expected to cost $253.7 million and would be completed in January 2030. MH Mission Hospital LLLP proposes to develop 129 additional acute care beds at Mission Hospital in Asheville for a total of 862 acute care beds. The project is expected to cost $198.5 million and would be completed in January 2031. Comments concerning the proposals may be submitted as an attachment to an email if they are sent to DHSR.CON.Comments@dhhs.nc.gov. Comments may also be mailed to: Healthcare Planning and Certificate of Need Section Division of Health Service Regulation 2704 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2704 For more information, contact Ena Lightbourne, Project Analyst, Healthcare Planning and Certificate of Need Section, at 919-855-3873 or ena.lightbourne@dhhs.nc.gov. SANYA, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- A prehistoric tomb dating back between 12,000 and 13,000 years was discovered in south China's Hainan Province, which is believed to be the earliest tomb found on the island. The archaeological research was jointly conducted by the Hainan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, the School of Archaeology and Museology at Peking University, and the Sanya Museum. The tomb, discovered at the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya's Jiyang District, belonged to a child who was buried on his or her side with bent limbs. Shell ornaments were found near the head and waist, believed to be the earliest of their kind in China, offering valuable insights into Hainan's prehistoric culture and its cultural exchanges with Southeast Asia. The age of the tomb was established using carbon-14 and uranium series dating methods. The Luobi Cave site, discovered in 1983, has yielded human fossils, stone tools, bone implements and animal remains, providing the earliest evidence of human activity in southern China. The new discoveries are highly significant for understanding the activity history of prehistoric humans on Hainan Island, reconstructing the island's prehistoric cultural sequence, and studying the exchange and spread of stone tool technology and culture with humans in South China, Southeast Asia and beyond, said Gao Xing, a research fellow at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, announces the signing of Crowne Plaza Budva in Montenegro, in collaboration with our partners Uniprom Hoteli d.o.o. The hotel will become part of Crowne Plaza's growing European portfolio, which includes more than 110* open and pipeline properties - among them Crowne Plaza Durres in Albania, set to open imminently, and an upcoming project in Kolasin, Montenegro. IHG has 12* open hotels within the Balkan region across Bulgaria, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia, with a further 10* in development. Crowne Plaza Budva will join four* open IHG properties in Montenegro, including Regent Porto Montenegro, voco Podgorica, Crowne Plaza Podgorica and Iberostar Waves Herceg Novi. Expected to open in Q1 2026 on the picturesque Montenegrin coast, the 81-room hotel will be located in Budva, seen as Montenegro's foremost tourism hub. Crowne Plaza Budva will be located on the vibrant Slovenska obala promenade, just 70 metres from the sea and surrounded by parks, restaurants, and other key hospitality venues. The hotel's prime location close to the Old Town and City Marina, will place guests at the heart of an emerging tourist district. Guests staying at the hotel can look forward to an elevated experience for the modern blended traveller, where New Modern design lives alongside the natural beauty of the Adriatic coast. The hotel's destination restaurant offers a modern and welcoming atmosphere, complemented by uninterrupted sea views, creating the perfect setting for relaxed dining. While the terrace - widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated venues along Budva's promenade - serves as a favourite gathering spot for the city's social scene and visiting guests alike. The hotel provides a range of modern, flexible meeting spaces, ideal for collaboration and for hosting everything from small seminars and workshops to larger conferences, exhibition and social events. Each space is equipped with the latest technology to provide a seamless experience and support productivity and connection. Crowne Plaza is a globally trusted premium brand with over 400 properties in key city, airport, resort, and suburban destinations around the world, offering purposeful design, thoughtful amenities and service focused on connection. The brand's recent refresh, featuring a new visual identity and enhanced guest-facing programmes designed with blended travel in mind, reinforces its role as a pioneer and thought leader in the premium hotel space. Crowne Plaza Budva will join a growing portfolio of 92* open Crowne Plaza hotels in Europe, and a further 19* in the development pipeline, including Crowne Plaza Paris Marne-la-Vallee, Crowne Plaza Katowice and Crowne Plaza Istanbul West. *Numbers as at 30 September 2025 unless otherwise stated Hotel website Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach, the Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond Mediterranean-inspired oceanfront oasis, is delighted to announce the appointment of Lana Labrecque as Director of Spa at Acqualina Spa, the resort's award-winning 20,000-square-foot wellness sanctuary overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Labrecque is a distinguished leader in hospitality wellness bringing nearly two decades of expertise in spa and wellness operations, guest experiences, event programming, and team leadership. Most recently, she served as Director of Leisure & Wellness at Four Seasons Resort & Residences Vail. Labrecque's career spans leadership roles in luxury hospitality and spa destinations. She began her journey at Vermont's The Pitcher Inn & Warren Store before moving to Stowe Mountain Lodge, where she held a variety of roles as spa concierge, group sales and wedding coordination. She later held leadership positions at The Essex, Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa and Bella Sante Spas in Boston. In 2021, she joined Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton, Boston as Spa Director, before moving to her most recent role in Vail. In her new position at Acqualina, Labrecque will oversee the full spa and wellness program including designing and curating wellness experiences, integrating spa services with personalized care, and guiding a team committed to creating extraordinary experiences. Hospitality Net recently had the opportunity to speak with Gordon Gurnik, COO of Hilton Grand Vacations, about the company's evolution, innovations, and future plans. Gurnik explained that Hilton Grand Vacations is a standalone public company closely affiliated with Hilton Worldwide, managing over 720,000 members across more than 200 properties worldwide. The company prioritizes team member investment to reduce turnover and maintain high service standards, supporting seamless guest experiences. Hilton Grand Vacations is positioned as the world's largest timeshare company, committed to evolving with market trends and delivering value through technology and memorable vacations. Gurnik detailed Hilton Grand Vacations' innovation focus, especially on delivering dynamic experiences that go beyond accommodations. The company offers a variety of travel services, from private concerts to bespoke dinners and access to exclusive events, enhancing member engagement and community building. The pandemic shifted traveler preferences towards drive-to locations, prompting Hilton Grand Vacations to expand its network to include more regional destinations alongside urban resorts. Technology plays a central role in simplifying vacation planning and enhancing customer interaction, with investments in proprietary AI tools and seamless integration with Hilton Honors to increase flexibility and loyalty. Looking ahead, Gordon Gurnik shared optimism about growth opportunities in the branded residence and fractional ownership sectors. Hilton Grand Vacations plans to continue expanding globally with new properties in key destinations like Kyoto and Waikiki, carefully balancing luxury and operational cost-effectiveness. The company prioritizes employee investment to reduce turnover and maintain high service standards, supporting seamless guest experiences. Hilton Grand Vacations is positioned as the world's largest timeshare company, committed to evolving with market trends and delivering value through technology and memorable vacations. 00:04 Introduction and overview of Hilton Grand Vacations 00:38 Relationship with Hilton Worldwide and company structure 02:02 Breakdown of main Hilton Grand Vacations brands 05:12 Unique aspects of vacation ownership and financial structure 07:03 Gordon Gurnik's background and role 09:20 Innovation in Hilton Grand Vacations 14:20 Impact of the pandemic on the industry and company response 19:24 Hilton Grand Vacations' experience offerings and ultimate access 25:00 Recent property launches and global expansion 31:18 Philosophy on amenities, cost balance, and development 35:00 Employee culture, turnover, and training programs 40:40 Customer segmentation and target audiences 44:40 Member privileges and loyalty benefits 50:20 Marketing and growth strategies 53:00 Technology use, CRM, and AI integration 68:00 Future outlook on timeshares and branded residences 74:00 Closing remarks The world is inching closer to end-to-end artificial intelligence (AI)-powered travel booking in chat, and the payments layer is essential to achieving that goal. In September, Stripe and OpenAI announced Instant Checkout within ChatGPT, powered by a co-developed, merchant-friendly open-standard called Agentic Commerce Protocol. By co-developing the Agentic Commerce Protocol with Stripe, were making it possible for businesses of all sizes to meet people where they areand for shoppers to complete purchases seamlessly in conversation, Fidji Simo, CEO of applications for OpenAI, said in a release. The launch enabled ChatGPT users to purchase from U.S.-based Etsy stores in chat, and more than a million Shopify merchants, including big-name brands like Spanx, Skims and Glossier, will be available soon. The ability to complete transactions in ChatGPT indicates that AI travel distribution is no longer theoretical, according to Mike Coletta, senior manager of research and innovation at Phocuswright. And for Damien Cramer, senior vice president of global travel for Nuvei, the launch represents a first real step toward agentic commerce. In travel, that could mean AI systems coordinating directly with multiple providers such as airlines, hotels and transport to find the best itinerary and automatically confirm bookings, Cramer said. Other major players are leaning into the possibility of agentic payments as well: Google has partnered with Paypal to launch an agentic commerce solution, and Visa is looking at advancing AI commerce too. Read the full article at Phocuswire Riyadh - Red Sea Global (RSG), the real estate developer and pioneer of regenerative tourism, announced the highly anticipated opening of AMAALA Triple Bay during the inaugural TOURISE Summit. Nestled across three naturally occurring bays on Saudi Arabias rugged north-western coast where the Hijaz Mountains meet the Red Sea, the ultra-luxury, wellness destination is set to open in the coming months. Deriving from the Arabic word for hope, AMAALA offers a new coastal lifestyle rooted in wellness right here in Saudi Arabia. Guests and residents are invited to discover and honor what it means for them to live longer, better, whether that be serene retreats or sea and sun-soaked adventures. Proceeding directly from timeless Saudi traditions of retreat, renewal and connection, AMAALA is the new home for wellness in the world. John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global The launch will see the debut of six world-class luxury resorts initially, as well as a yacht club, marine life institute, state-of-the-art marina and bustling Marina Village. The Wellness Route, a 5km linear park that connects the resorts and experiences through pristine nature, will also open in the next few months. First resorts and experiences to open Equinox Resort and Residences, AMAALA: Set to debut with 128 sleep-optimized guest rooms, suites, and two penthouses and 21 branded residences, redefining the luxury resort experience through the lens of high performance. The resort will introduce a next-generation approach to health, regeneration, and recovery offering an open-air magnesium vitality pool, a subterranean spa grotto, hyperbaric chambers, personalized IV therapies, an Equinox Fitness Club, and five distinct culinary venues. Set to debut with 128 sleep-optimized guest rooms, suites, and two penthouses and 21 branded residences, redefining the luxury resort experience through the lens of high performance. The resort will introduce a next-generation approach to health, regeneration, and recovery offering an open-air magnesium vitality pool, a subterranean spa grotto, hyperbaric chambers, personalized IV therapies, an Equinox Fitness Club, and five distinct culinary venues. Four Seasons Resort and Residences, AMAALA at Triple Bay: Lush landscapes and cascading water features interspersed by beautifully designed outdoor spaces create a sanctuary of relaxation. This is complemented by its six dining outlets, an expansive Kids For All Seasons program, and a Discovery Centre. Offers 202 keys and 25 residences. Lush landscapes and cascading water features interspersed by beautifully designed outdoor spaces create a sanctuary of relaxation. This is complemented by its six dining outlets, an expansive Kids For All Seasons program, and a Discovery Centre. Offers 202 keys and 25 residences. Nammos Resort and Residences, AMAALA: A social and solo wellness playground, the property boasts 110 rooms and 20 apartments with penthouse marina views, plus a number of F&B offerings. This includes the Ilios Bar with sunset views of the Red Sea and Nammos Restaurant on an exclusive island off the resorts coast. A social and solo wellness playground, the property boasts 110 rooms and 20 apartments with penthouse marina views, plus a number of F&B offerings. This includes the Ilios Bar with sunset views of the Red Sea and Nammos Restaurant on an exclusive island off the resorts coast. Rosewood Resort, AMAALA: With 110 guest rooms and suites, and 26 beautifully crafted private residences, Rosewood AMAALA offers bespoke luxury experiences, combining refined elegance with the natural beauty of the Red Sea. The resort is divided into zones catering to different experiences, including a Family Hotel, Couples Hotel, and Spa and Wellness zone. The Signature Asaya Spa invites guests to nurture the self with tradition-inspired treatments, rejuvenating activities, and healthy food and drink. With 110 guest rooms and suites, and 26 beautifully crafted private residences, Rosewood AMAALA offers bespoke luxury experiences, combining refined elegance with the natural beauty of the Red Sea. The resort is divided into zones catering to different experiences, including a Family Hotel, Couples Hotel, and Spa and Wellness zone. The Signature Asaya Spa invites guests to nurture the self with tradition-inspired treatments, rejuvenating activities, and healthy food and drink. Six Senses, AMAALA: Offering 100 pool suites and villas, plus 25 branded residences, Six Senses AMAALA is set to deliver immersive personalized journeys of rejuvenation and discovery. The 3,000 m2 spa brings signature Six Senses Wellness programs including Sleep, Yoga, Fitness, Detox, Longevity and Visiting Practitioner Program. It also offers biohacking programs designed to enhance overall vitality and performance. Offering 100 pool suites and villas, plus 25 branded residences, Six Senses AMAALA is set to deliver immersive personalized journeys of rejuvenation and discovery. The 3,000 m2 spa brings signature Six Senses Wellness programs including Sleep, Yoga, Fitness, Detox, Longevity and Visiting Practitioner Program. It also offers biohacking programs designed to enhance overall vitality and performance. AMAALA Yacht Club: Poised to become one of the worlds premier yachting destinations, the yacht club will host an exceptional event calendar, including the Grand Finale of The Ocean Race in 2027, plus offer a dedicated sailing academy, opening up new waters for maritime enthusiasts, while reviving the regions long history of sailing heritage. Poised to become one of the worlds premier yachting destinations, the yacht club will host an exceptional event calendar, including the Grand Finale of The Ocean Race in 2027, plus offer a dedicated sailing academy, opening up new waters for maritime enthusiasts, while reviving the regions long history of sailing heritage. Corallium: A signature attraction at Triple Bay AMAALA, Corallium celebrates the beauty and resilience of the Red Sea. Through immersive exhibits across three levels, stunning marine displays, and storytelling led by passionate experts, it invites visitors to explore the oceans wonders and protect what we love. A signature attraction at Triple Bay AMAALA, Corallium celebrates the beauty and resilience of the Red Sea. Through immersive exhibits across three levels, stunning marine displays, and storytelling led by passionate experts, it invites visitors to explore the oceans wonders and protect what we love. AMAALA Hotel: Also opening in the first phase, the resort is owned and operated by Red Sea Global and situated at the Staff Village, where those running the destination live. The hotel offers 144 keys with a Levantine all-day dining restaurant, Mediterranean beach club and grab and go snack bar. As Saudi Arabia continues its transformation journey under Vision 2030, RSG is helping bring that to life, creating destinations that drive sustainable growth, empower Saudi talent, and deliver lasting socioeconomic impact. AMAALA alone is expected to create up to 50,000 new jobs and contribute SAR 11 billion (USD 3 billion) to the nations GDP upon its completion. RSG invested SAR 51.04bn into Phase One of the destinations development. When complete it will feature a total of nine resorts, encompassing more than1,600 keys including branded and unbranded residences. The remaining three resorts that complete Phase One are Clinique La Prairie Health Resort, Jayasom Wellness Resort, and The Ritz-Carlton Resort. All are on track to open over the coming months, further enhancing AMAALAs diverse luxury and wellness offerings. Pioneering Regenerative Tourism AMAALA is committed to going beyond sustainability, aiming for a 30% net conservation benefit to local ecosystems by 2040 through enhancing biologically diverse habitats. The destination has been carefully designed to accommodate no more than 500,000 visitors annually to preserve the pristine environment. The entire destination will be powered by 100% renewable energy, eliminating 350,000 tCO2eq annually. Guests can arrive to AMAALA via Red Sea International Airport, which now welcomes direct flights from Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, and Riyadh, and transfer by a fleet of luxury electric vehicles. A direct European route will be added imminently. In 2026, AlWajh Airport will re-open following renovations, providing enhanced connectivity to the destination. About Red Sea Global Red Sea Global (RSG -www.redseaglobal.com) is a closed joint-stock company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) ofSaudi Arabia. RSG is a global multi-project developer, seeking to lead the world towards a more sustainable future, showing how responsible and regenerative development can uplift communities, drive economies, and enhance the environment. The protection of natural capital is central to all development decisions, as the organization seeks to create abetter future for all. A cornerstone of Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 ambition to diversify its economy, RSG is playing a key role in transforming the nation, by creating exciting opportunities for young Saudi talent and the private sector, as it develops built assets and destinations across multiple sectors that make a positive impact for people and planet. RSG is the visionary company behind some of the worlds most ambitious development ventures, including luxury regenerative tourism destinations such as The Red Sea and AMAALA. Across its portfolio, RSG leverages the most innovative concepts, strategies, and technologies to deliver projects that actively enhance the wellbeing of customers, communities, and environments. Earlier this month, ChatGPT launched Apps, a new way for brands to show up in AI conversations. And I mean show up everywhere. When the iPhone App Store launched in 2008, it reached 6 million users. ChatGPT Apps launched to 800 million users. That's 133 times larger, on day one. This is the first structural shift in travel discovery since Google Search reshaped hotel marketing 25 years ago. And it's moving faster than anything we've seen before. When travelers used Google, hotels learned to play by its rules. Search optimization became a discipline; advertising budgets followed; entire careers were built around ranking higher in a list of blue links. That game is over. Now, travelers arent typing into a search bar, they are asking questions directly to AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Perplexity: Find me a boutique hotel in Lisbon under $300. Whats the best family-friendly resort in New York for the holidays? The new gateway to travel discovery This isn't merely theoretical. Booking.com and Expedia launched in ChatGPT this month. Right now, travelers are searching, comparing, and booking hotels through AI conversations. For travelers, this is the new entry point, the digital front door of travel discovery. For hotels, its a new distribution channel that doesnt look like anything weve dealt with before. And were not at the beginning of an experiment; were already deep in the rollout. What connecting to AI really means The new ChatGPT Apps are the front-end for the user experience, while the back-end is based on the MCP protocol, which was created by Anthropic less than a year ago and adopted by all the major AI companies. It's a structured data channel that feeds AI assistants verified, up-to-date hotel information. If your hotel isnt part of that ecosystem, AI doesnt know you exist; or worse, it knows you only through outdated, incomplete data. When travelers ask, Whats the best hotel in Madrid with a rooftop pool?, the AI decides based on the data it can access. Generic data? OTA feeds? Those sources win. But if you're directly connected, the AI shows your brand, your images, your real-time rates, and completes the booking on your site. Thats the core idea: visibility, understanding, and bookability inside AI ecosystems. From search optimization to AI discoverability In the early 2000-10s, smart hoteliers learned how to win on Google. The playbook was clear: optimize your website, manage reviews, buy ads, watch your position. It took years, but the effort paid off and early adopters built a moat of visibility that lasted a decade. AI discoverability follows the same logic. Except it's happening ten times faster. Google took eight years to dominate travel search. ChatGPT did it in two. Hotels that establish AI connections now will define how AI understands their brand. Those that wait will be reduced to scraped blurbs and generic OTA descriptions. Hotels that establish connections early will define how AI understands their brand. Those that wait will find themselves reduced to scraped blurbs or generic OTA descriptions. Theres no wait and see phase here. Just like mobile bookings were once a small percentage and now dominate, conversational search will become the norm for discovery. Once AI platforms form their preferred data sources, those preferences harden, just like Google rankings did. Early movers lock in visibility. Late movers pay a premium for inferior positioning. Imagine a traveler planning a trip. A traveler asks ChatGPT to find hotels, compare options, check rates, and book. They see two, maybe three recommendations. That's it. If you're not on that shortlist, your website doesn't matter. Your brand doesn't matter. You're not ranking lower, you're excluded entirely. From data control to brand control The good news is that this transition offers hotels a chance to take back control, not through marketing campaigns, but through data ownership. When you connect directly to AI platforms, you decide how your property is represented. You provide the descriptions, the imagery, the brand language. You make sure pricing is accurate and live. In essence, youre defining your hotels digital identity in the new world of AI travel. Thats why I believe this is the iPhone moment for hotel distribution. Its a technological leap, but also a mindset shift. In 2008, brands that built apps early defined mobile engagement. Hotels that establish AI presence now will set the standard for how their properties are discovered and understood. Those that wait will be playing catch up on someone else's terms. What hotels can do today Every hotelier should be asking three questions right now: Can AI assistants find my property? Try asking ChatGPT or Clause about hotels in your area. If youre not mentioned, thats the first signal. How am I being described? If the AI pulls text from OTAs or old listings, youre losing control of your narrative. Can guests book me directly through AI? If not, youre already at a disadvantage. The new infrastructure layer At Lighthouse, were working on this connection layer, which we call Connect AI, a data infrastructure that ensures hotels are visible, understood, and bookable across the major AI platforms. Think of it as a new AI Engine alongside your website and booking engine. Your website is for human visitors, your booking engine is for transactions, and your AI connection layer is for intelligent agents that represent travelers. Its not marketing technology. Its infrastructure, the way your property talks to AI. This layer ensures that when someone asks an AI assistant about hotels in your destination, it can show your verified data, your brand story, and your direct rates. The window is closing In five years, AI visibility will be as basic as having a website or a Google listing. The only question is whether you'll be positioned for it, or scrambling to catch up. Google took eight years to reshape travel search. ChatGPT did it in two. The first-mover advantage won't last long. OTAs are already positioned. Your competitors are making moves. The 800 million-user channel is open. Stop waiting. Start connecting. About Lighthouse Lighthouse is the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry. We transform complexity into confidence by providing actionable market insights, business intelligence, and pricing tools that maximize revenue growth. We continually innovate to deliver the best platform for hospitality professionals to price more effectively, measure performance more efficiently, and understand the market in new ways. Trusted by over 70,000 hotels in 185 countries, Lighthouse is the only solution that provides real-time hotel and short-term rental data in a single platform. We strive to deliver the best possible experience with unmatched customer service. We consider our clients as true partnerstheir success is our success. For more information about Lighthouse, please visit: https://www.mylighthouse.com. Indias travel market is no longer nascent; it is here. Boosted by rapidly rising incomes, a young population, and fast digital adoption, India is on track to become one of the most influential tourism markets of the next decade. The latest insights from Booking.coms Global Travel Trends 2025 illustrate just how different Indias traveller profile is from global averages, and what this means for policymakers shaping the future of tourism at home and abroad. Hunger for Travel Grows in 2025 Source: Booking.com Miles Before Meals: Travel Takes Priority Over Dining and Shopping Source: Booking.com 1. Robust appetite for both domestic and international travel Indian travelers evince keen enthusiasm for travel: both at home and abroad. About 58% plan short domestic getaways (14 nights) in 2025, but 36% expect to take short international trips well above the global average of 27%. Longer trips follow a similar pattern, with Indian travelers far more likely to take week-long international holidays than several of their peers. This suggests India is emerging as a key source market for global tourism, even as domestic travel remains robust. For policymakers, this dual demand highlights the need to strengthen domestic infrastructure while also supporting outbound tourism industries such as aviation and tour operators. 2. Weddings as a major driver of travel Destination weddings are a defining feature of Indias travel landscape. Nearly two-thirds of Indian respondents who travelled for events say they have traveled recently to reunite with loved ones at weddings, participate in wedding ceremonies, or extend trips around wedding events. This underscores weddings outsized role in driving not only domestic but also international travel. Policies that provide targeted support for wedding-related tourism infrastructure -by increasing venue capacity, transport capacity, visa facilitation for international guests , etcetera can yield major dividends. 3. A youthful, social mediadriven traveler base India draws its travel inspirations from the online ecosystem.. While recommendations from friends and family remain strong, social media is particularly influential: 67% of Indian travelers use platforms like Instagram and YouTube for trip ideas, compared to 43% globally. AI-powered tools are also more widely adopted in India than elsewhere, with a staggering 87% of leisure travellers saying they are likely to use AI to plan their trips (as opposed to 45% globally). This suggests an opportunity for policymakers and tourism boards to invest in digital marketing and ensure official information is visible and trustworthy across these platforms. Additionally, this incentivises policymakers at the national level to ensure that AI is deployed in a safe and trustworthy manner, and to prioritise equitable access to digital resources. Accommodation Preferences Worldwide Source: Booking.com More Than a Stay: Travelers Openness to Spend Quality Time at Hotels Source: Booking.com 4. Value-conscious but experience-seeking Budget considerations remain central, with many Indian travelers adjusting plans by choosing less expensive destinations, shortening trips, or reducing spending on food and activities. At the same time, priorities such as beautiful natural scenery (66%), delicious local food (62%), and authentic cultural experiences (59%) rank highly when choosing destinations. Policymakers can make the most of this duality by promoting emerging destinations (through subsidised flight routes or through government PR campaigns) that are still affordable for the budget-conscious traveller. This could also go a long way to ensuring that iconic travel sites are preserved, and that tourism in general is developing in a sustainable and responsible manner in the long term. 5. Family travel as an educational priority For Indian families, travel is more than leisure it is an education. Over 90% of family travelers emphasize the importance of exposing children both to diverse cultures and to Indias own cultural heritage. This ensures that family-friendly tourism infrastructure, heritage site conservation, and the preservation of local culture become vital pillars of tourism policy. Policy implications Indias travel market is vibrant, outward-looking, and digitally savvy. Policymakers can harness this demographic by: Expanding domestic connectivity and capacity (through promoting homestays and other alternative accommodations) to match the scale of rising demand; Supporting destination wedding tourism as an economic growth driver; Showcasing heritage sites on official government platforms; Embarking on public-private partnerships to empower small businesses and to boost experiential tourism; Leveraging digital platforms to market Indias diversity, while countering potential misinformation on social media or in LLM training sets with reliable sources; Instituting thoughtful, progressive digital policy that prevents online fraud/harm without hindering growth (taking a cue from global best practices); Balancing affordability with environmental sustainability to ensure inclusive, equitable and long-term growth. Indias travelers are reshaping global tourism, and smart, inclusive policies at home can ensure the sector continues to deliver prosperity and cultural enrichment for decades to come. Culture Permeates Travel Interests Source: Booking.com Press Office Booking.com +31 20 709 4743 Booking.com The Residences at The Dubai Beach EDITION - Image Credit Marriott International Marriott International has announced the expansion of its branded residential portfolio in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with nearly 20 new agreements signed in 2025. Marriott International has reported significant growth in its branded residential portfolio across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). As of 2025, the company has signed nearly 20 new agreements for branded residences in the region. This expansion reflects a 23% growth in Europe and a 59% increase in the Middle East and Africa since the end of 2023. The company's EMEA portfolio now includes 33 operational locations and over 50 in development. Notable projects include The Residences at the Dubai Beach EDITION, marking the brand's first residences in the EMEA region, and The St. Regis Residences, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, where 60% of units were sold before the public launch. Other significant developments are underway in cities such as Budapest, Baku, and Cairo. Marriott's expansion strategy focuses on luxury and premium segments, with nearly two-thirds of the new agreements falling into the luxury category. The company attributes its growth to strong market demand and successful collaborations with developers. In 2025, 19 projects in the EMEA region have launched sales, with some achieving rapid sales velocity. By the end of 2025, Marriott anticipates opening six new branded residences in the EMEA region. These include The Lucan, Autograph Collection Residences in London, and JW Marriott Residences in New Cairo. The company continues to leverage its brand recognition and lead generation platforms to support the development and sales of its branded residences. The expansion of Marriott's branded residential portfolio is part of a broader strategy to meet evolving buyer preferences and capitalize on the demand for branded living spaces in key markets. South Africans are strongly family-orientated, preferring to travel with family or children (44%) - Image Credit Marriott International South Africans are set to embrace more travel in 2026, with a significant focus on using artificial intelligence for planning, indulging in luxury experiences, and pursuing passion-driven trips, according to a comprehensive study by Marriott Bonvoy. A recent study by Marriott Bonvoy has revealed that South African travelers are gearing up for an increase in holidays by 2026, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing a pivotal role in their planning. The research, which surveyed over 22,000 adults across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, including more than 2,000 South Africans, indicates a growing trend towards luxurious travel experiences and passion-driven trips. Travel Plans and Destinations According to the study, nearly seven in ten South African travelers (69%) plan to take the same number of holidays or more in 2026 compared to 2025, with 49% intending to travel more frequently. The research reveals that South Africans plan to take an average of six holidays in 2026, comprising two domestic breaks, two short-haul trips, and two long-haul getaways. Popular destinations include South Africa, England, Mauritius, the USA, Mozambique, France, Botswana, Zanzibar, and Italy. AI Integration in Travel Planning AI has become a mainstream tool for travel planning among South Africans, with nearly half of the travelers using it to plan or research holidays. The younger generations are leading this trend, with 66% of Gen Z and 53% of Millennials utilizing AI for trip planning. Confidence in AI is growing, with 59% of respondents expressing comfort in booking accommodations through AI platforms, a figure that rises to 67% among Gen Z. The Rise of Lux-Scaping The concept of 'lux-scaping'booking luxurious stays such as spa retreats or five-star hotels at the start or end of a holidayhas emerged as a significant trend for 2026. Two-thirds of South Africans have engaged in lux-scaping, surpassing the EMEA average. This trend is particularly popular among younger travelers, with 74% of Gen Z and 67% of Millennials participating. The primary benefits cited include relaxation, returning home refreshed, and enjoying a level of luxury not affordable for the entire trip. Passion Pursuits and Travel Priorities Passion pursuits, or holidays centered around personal interests such as music, sports, or adventure, are on the rise. Over 73% of South Africans have taken such holidays, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge. Popular activities include attending music and cultural events, engaging in sports, and taking adventurous explorations, such as safaris. When it comes to accommodation, cleanliness, customer service, and price remain top priorities. Additionally, spending time with family and friends, enjoying great food, and treating oneself are key travel priorities. Financial Savviness and Sustainability South Africans are also demonstrating financial savviness, with price being a crucial factor in booking decisions. Many travelers are leveraging loyalty programs to maximize value, and country hopping is gaining popularity. Sustainability remains a significant consideration, with 76% of travelers examining the environmental impact of their holidays and 59% checking the sustainability credentials of accommodations. Conclusion The findings from Marriott Bonvoy's research suggest a promising outlook for South African travel in 2026. With a focus on AI integration, luxury experiences, passion pursuits, and sustainability, South African travelers are poised to explore new horizons while prioritizing what matters most to them. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Ventfort Hall Intro Tarot Card Reading Workshop LENOX, Mass. Ventfort Hall will host an introductory workshop to learn how to read Tarot Cards on Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The workshops will include a brief history, the Ryder-Waite-Smith system, structural basics, and the beginning etiquette of reading Tarot. This is a mostly lecture-style workshop with tea and light snacks as well as independent and collaborative practice time with the instructor present. Bring: A notebook A pen or pencil A basic Ryder-Waite system Tarot Deck These items can be purchased in the Ventfort Hall Gift Shop. The instructor, Chelsea Gaia, is the Director of Programming & Events at Ventfort Hall. She has been a student of Tarot for 25 years. Volunteers with Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity install siding at Prosperity Way during 'Carters' Day.' Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity joined nearly 50 organizations across the state in projects honoring former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter. About 50 volunteers pulled out their hammers to help construct the single-family homes in Housatonic. President Carter and first lady Roslyn Carter were known for their work with Habitat. Phase one of the affordable housing project in Housatonic broke ground this past summer and is expected to be completed in a few more months. PreviousNext Prosperity Way Affordable Housing Development Honors the Carters State Sen. Paul Mark and Central Berkshire Habitat CEO Carolyn Valli speak of the importance of the work of Habitat and the late Carters. GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. A common sentiment among public officials throughout the county recently is the uncertainty at the state level. However, one thing remains clear true change comes through a combination of dedicated individual efforts and strong community support. This was exemplified last month during the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project's new rural rally across America. Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity was part of the nearly 50 organizations across the state doing projects in rural areas in honor of 39th President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter. The Carters were known for their humanitarian work, establishing the Carter Center to promote peace and human rights and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, leading its Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project for 30 years. They worked alongside more than 108,100 volunteers who have built, renovated or repaired more than 4,447 homes in 14 countries, according to the Habitat for Humanity website. "I was lucky enough to meet them several times, and they were just the most amazing crew and if Jimmy were here today, he would have said our break was a little too long, because you always had to pull him from whatever he was doing," Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity CEO Carolyn Valli said "It would be like, 'OK, I can still drink my coffee and be hammering' and Roslyn was right with him every day doing it. "He had an impact as a president, but I think he had a bigger impact on volunteerism in the whole world. They were a wonderful couple, and I would love to see more people emulate him." As part of the rural rally, development continued on Great Barrington's new affordable housing community, Prosperity Way. About 50 volunteers picked up their hammers on Oct. 31, including representatives from community organizations such as Greylock, Federal Credit Union, and Berkshire Money Management. Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is currently in phase one of transforming a 7.25-acre parcel at 385 North Plain Road in Housatonic into a vibrant, inclusive neighborhood, featuring 20 single-family homes, dubbed Prosperity Way. Phase one includes the construction of six homes, which is expected to be completed within a couple of months. Phase one, which includes the first six homes, is expected to be completed within a couple of months from the meeting date. Currently, they are working on five two-story modular homes and one ranch style home. Phase two will begin next year and phase three will follow the year after. Great Barrington was given the land and did all the infrastructure work, including the road, water, sewer, and electric, O'Brien said. Valli highlighted that what she loved about the Prosperity Way project is how it has been community informed from the very beginning. When Great Barrington Land Trust started thinking about purchasing the land, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity was able to bring neighbors, abutters, and business people together to determine what they wanted to see and what their dreams were for their community, she said. "They were really clear as to what they wanted. They wanted single family homes. They wanted it where they would have first-floor bedrooms and baths so that they can age in place. They wanted to come in green so that their kids could all play together," Valli said. "They designed this to be a community, and we were so happy that we put in the work and the effort to be able to make what their dreams were a reality." The need for housing in the Berkshires and throughout the state is a critical need, state Sen. Paul Mark said. "One of the functions of government is to try to give stability to a really uncertain world. And we're trying to be that stable government here in Massachusetts," Mark said. This is especially true in rural areas like South County because they do not get as much attention despite having individuals that are the "fabric of the community," said Erin O'Brien, Central Berkshire Habitat's communications manager. Last year as part of a housing bill, the state Senate was able to authorize money for Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, Mark said. The hope is that the funds will, at some point, flow through and help the development of Prosperity Way. "You're talking about the ability to own a home, the ability to gain equity and build wealth, and the ability to live here in our community and work here," he said. "The access to housing is one of the biggest barriers we face to economic development. I'm really grateful that I was invited to come witness this special day and try to help them out a bit." On the state level there have been cuts to grants and even rescission of funds that have already been contracted for, which is affecting everything happening at the state government level, Mark said. This year, the state budgeted $800 million that wasn't allocated just to be ready to try to respond to the impact of these unexpected cuts. The biggest hit for Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity was last year when its federal AmeriCorps grant was pulled out from underneath them, Valli said. This reduced the AmeriCorps members that served the community at "barely a living wage stipend" "They had to all say they were not serving anymore because of the current administration. So, there was the pain of having to look in their faces and saying, the government let you down," she said. However, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity was lucky because it had donors who stepped up to help keep them paid while the issue was resolved. "What I'm seeing as backlash this year is a lot of people don't want to sign up for AmeriCorps because they don't trust that whatever funding were promised will actually come through, and that makes it really challenging," Valli said. "It's hard as a nonprofit to also be the human side of things, and when you're the one who has to sit across from their faces and see the disappointment and the sadness, it was a really big blow for our entire staff." The state is working to fund programs that are being cut or, at the very least, to serve as a temporary bridge. On the local level, Mark noted that neighbors, communities, and organizations are coming together to do more with less and are possibly asking more from their donors. "What I keep trying to tell people is the bad news is, I think we're in this boat for at least four years, and we have to be prepared for that," "We have to think differently. We have to focus more locally. We have to be ready with redundancy, and we're not going to change who we are in Massachusetts just because the financial picture changed unexpectedly at the federal level." Friday's flag-raising ceremony at the Dalton Senior Center was dedicated to Stanley Kmon. PreviousNext Community Hero of the Month: Stan Kmon Stanley Kmon with family at Friday's flag-raising. DALTON, Mass. Longtime resident and member of the Dalton American Legion Stanley Kmon has been selected as our November Community Hero of the month. Community Hero of the Month is a 12-month series that honors individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on their community. This year's sponsor is Window World of Western Massachusetts. Nominate a hero here. Kmon has lived in Dalton for more than 60 years. During that time, he became a cornerstone of the community not only as a resident but as a public servant. His commitment to service is perhaps most evident in his long-standing membership in the Dalton American Legion Post 155. In this capacity, he volunteers with the placement of flags at all town cemeteries, along with the Craneville Elementary students and Scout troops before Memorial Day, said Tom Callahan, Legion member. He joined the Legion in 1973 and has held several offices, including two years as commander in 1986 and approximately 30 years as post adjutant. "If it wasn't for our veterans, who knows where the country would be now. Personally, I was fortunate in the sense that when I was of young military age, there was no active conflict going down it was between Korea and Vietnam, so I was lucky not to have been in any active military," Kmon said. In August 1961, he enlisted in the Coast Guard Reserve and was honorably discharged as a port security man, first class, in March 1967. He is the captain of the Post 155 firing detail, which performs the gun salute at Dalton cemeteries when the Memorial Day exercises are over and at military funerals. "That's a very, very satisfying thing, because traditionally, there's a way to say goodbye, and we do the gun salute, and for some strange reason, you get satisfaction and the thought that you did something well," Kmon said. Many veteran posts in central Berkshire County have a cherished tradition of visiting veterans in nursing homes during Christmas. Alongside fellow members of Legion, Kmon brings gifts, compassion, and companionship to veterans who may otherwise feel forgotten, said Kelly Dewey, Craneville Place of Dalton's activities assistant. "He remembers that they did a good service for our country, and he doesn't let them forget that. He tells them how appreciative they are and that they're not forgotten even though they're in a nursing home and they're disabled, they're not forgotten," she said. "Im very glad to know him, and I think he's a great asset to our community." Kmon also served on the Dalton Zoning Board, where he oversaw many complex zoning subdivisions and property disputes, making sensible, reasonable and easily implementable decisions, said John Boyle, Select Board member. In March 1982, Kmon and his late wife, Brenda, were instrumental in campaigning to have a traffic signal at the Main Street and Carson Avenue intersection installed after their son was hit by a vehicle there, resulting in a serious injury, Callahan said. "The petition was signed by over 1,000 residents," he said, adding that the implementation of that traffic light may have saved several lives. "Stan is a quiet guy, quietly serving the community in sort of a background position, and just doing good deeds for the betterment of the community, and without looking for any kind of recognition," he said. "We cant survive without people like that people that do the public's bidding and serve the public quietly and efficiently and on a volunteer basis, I might add. A community cannot survive without people of that type." Kmon's biography could go on forever because of all the things he does in the community, Callahan said during a flag-raising ceremony on Friday dedicated to Kmon. His decades of devotion has made him an inspiration to his family, to veterans, and to several people in Dalton. "He has always been a hard worker no matter what he's done, and he has definitely instilled that in me for my whole life," Kmon's daughter Michelle Beaudoin said. Having someone like that in the community encourages people to become part of their community, she said. "He has been an amazing father, he's an amazing grandfather, and now he's an amazing great-grandfather." Free Jack's Hot Dogs for Veterans on Veterans Day NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Thanks to a donation from Jim Boyle of Cheshire, Jack's Hot Dog Stand will offer a free hot dog to veterans on Veterans Day. Boyle, who walked into Jack's with a $200 donation, said he made the donation because of his own family's military history. "My Father was at D-Day. He was in the Navy on an LST. I had the opportunity to visit the Normandy beaches last Fall, as well as several of the cemeteries," Boyle said. "Also visiting the village of Saint-Mere-Eglise, where an American paratrooper, John Steele, came down on the steeple of the church, where he hung there for over 2 hours watching his comrades be shot out of the sky." Since returning from this trip, Boyle said he had a new appreciation for those who served. "Since coming back, I have a much better appreciation as to the sacrifices that our Veterans make," he said. "This chance to show appreciation to our Veterans is only a small token of what they deserve." He added that he hopes to continue the act of generosity in years to come. Jack's Hot Dogs will match the $200 to extend the giveaway from 100 hot dogs to one hot dog to every veteran who visits the Eagle Street hot dog stand on Tuesday, Nov. 11. State Police Arrest 56 in Child Porn Operation NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Nearly a third of the 56 people arrested last week on child pornography charges were in Berkshire County. The arrests were part of "Operation Firewall," a months-long collaborative investigation that resulted in the arrests made over three days in 38 communities. "Operation Firewall was created to address the growing problem of possession, production and sharing of child sexual abuse material, which is more commonly known as child pornography," said State Police Lt. Col. Daniel Tucker. "This coordinated enforcement also targeted child enticement and other illegal activities in which children are victimized." Speaking a press conference at State Police Headquarters in Framingham on Monday afternoon, Tucker said the suspects ranged in age from 18 to 75 and included one woman. "The Massachusetts State Police, along with our partners, made 56 total arrests, seized 229 devices from suspects, and executed 34 residential search warrants across every part of the state," he said. "Of those 56 arrests, 25 of them were for possession of child pornography, and 19 people were charged with enticing a child after communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer." Arrested in the Berkshires were: Lopez-Santiago Manuel, 46, of Great Barrington: enticement of a child Jhon Fafur, 27, of North Adams: enticement of a child Joseph Gagnon, 67, of North Adam: enticement of a child Zack Comstock, 51, of North Adams: enticement of a child Chrstopher Tague, 38, of North Adams: enticement of a child Dononeil Nebar, 39, of Pittsfield: enticement of a child Thomas Kushi, 57, of Pittsfield: enticement of a child Michael Reu, 55, of Pittsfield: enticement of a child Jason Hadsell, 57, of Pittsfield: enticement of a child Robert Sabin, 69, of Pittsfield: enticement of a child Christopher Morin, 53, of Becket: failure to register Henry Glazier, 58, of Great Barrington: failure to register Drew Kelly, 37, of Lenox: failure to register Raymond Martin, 49, of North Adams: failure to register Michael Page, 57, of Pittsfield: failure to register Wayne Bingle, 71, of Pittsfield: failure to register George Wetherell, 40, of Pittsfield: failure to register Darwin Ruiz, 19, of Pittsfield: rape, assault and battery on a child Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue noted he had started his prosecutorial career working child abuse cases and was a founder of Berkshire County Kids Place, and continued that work on being elected three years ago. The Berkshire task force has arrested and prosecuted 19 perpetrators before last week's arrests. "The efforts that went into this recent operation were nothing short of tremendous," he said. "We were able to apprehend just last week alone, 20 suspects in this operation, including 12 child enticement child enticement arrests, seven arrests have failed to register a sex offender and one more arrest for outstanding a warrant for multiple rape charges, beginning in the most western region of Massachusetts ... "The work for this past week not only helps to keep my community, the Berkshire community, safe, but the surrounding area as well." Tucker said one of the reason for the operation was to bring awareness to the fact that Internet Crimes Against Children are on the rise. "The Massachusetts Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received more than 1,000 tips in just the past week, which is indicative of the trend we've been seeing for years now," he said. "In 2020 received 5,613 cyber tips. We are tracked to receive more than 20,000 in 2025 that is approximately 270 percent increase since the pandemic." "This kind of work is not easy. It's time consuming, it's taxing, it's expensive and requires an extraordinary level of care and precision, but the results keeping our children, our community safe make every moment worth it," Tucker said. Abused children are traumatized, which can lead to unhealthy and risky future activities, said officials. District attorneys offices and police often work with schools on prevention and internet safety, and to confide in trusted adults. "We tell them that they're not alone in this, and most of all, if any of the families out there feel that they have a problem, call the state please," said Tucker. "Call your local DA's office asked for the help, because we know too often this goes under the radar. State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble thanked the many collaborators in working the operation and the governor's office for its support. "Whether you're a trooper, an officer, a prosecutor, seeing these cases through to the end requires tremendous resolve. They require you to set aside your personal feelings about these disturbing behaviors and follow the facts and evidence," Noble said. "These investigations also require us to overcome the evasive tactics of the suspects who conceal their identity and their activity with encryption or decoy IP addresses and any emerging technology that enables them to go unchecked as currently, I could not be more proud of our troopers and their partners." A veteran waves to children from Morris Elementary School during the annual parade on Monday. More pictures here. Morris Elementary Celebrates Veterans Day Early LENOX, Mass. Morris Elementary School celebrated Veterans Day a day early on Monday with its annual Wave Parade. Approximately 321 students lined West Street to wave and cheer for the community's veterans and active service members in the area. The street was filled with cheers, flags, thank-yous, and excitement. As the veterans drove past, some students could be heard discussing the various wars and when they occurred. The initiative started in 2021, in part because of the pandemic, and has continued, Principal Brenda Kelley said. "We wanted to do something nice to honor the veterans but obviously we had to do some social distancing, so we thought a wave parade would be a nice way to honor them," she said. Every year it has grown, Assistant Principal Holly Soules said. "So, it's not only Lenox, if they're affiliated with Morris Elementary School, but also all throughout Berkshire County and beyond, if they're able to come," she said. "So every year, it seems as if more and more veterans and active service members are enjoying the parade." This year there were about 70 to 100 veterans who drove in the procession, they said. "I think it's a great thing that the kids in the school get to see and realize that we're still here," said Lewis Fortune, Lenox Veteran of Foreign Wars Commander and Army veteran. There used to be indoor sessions until the pandemic hit, then there wasn't anything for a couple years until the school came up with this idea, said Charlie Thompson, Lenox VFW senior vice commander and Navy veteran. "We've been doing this wait parade thing ever since and it's nice. Its nice to be acknowledged by the kids. They put a lot of effort into it, too. They have fun with it," he said. The event means a lot to the veterans, especially the Vietnam era veterans, because when they came home they didn't get much, said Tom Joyner, Lenox VFW member and an Army veteran. "I'm an Iraqi Freedom veteran, twice, and we got home to everything, lots of opportunities and stuff like that. So, it's good to see the Vietnam veterans out here get appreciated," he said. Its important for the students to see that they, too, owe their country something, Thompson said. "Some people have served their country in more ways than one. Some people help financially, religiously, whatever they can do. And some people have to be the grunts, so to speak, and do the work. And that's what we did," he said. Seeing the cars and the smiles on the veterans, people who served the country, is heart lifting, especially when it can be a difficult time of year for many people, Kelley said. It was also nice to see family members who are veterans participate, she said. "We had some grandchildren recognize their grandparents and so I think that's just another special way to honor extended families within the school," Kelley said. It also shows them that there are multiple career options out there, Thompson said. "Not everybody can go to college, number one, and it's more affordable to go in the military and learn a skill there than it is to try to go to school and bury yourself in debt for the rest of your life," he said. An event like the wave parade puts a face to history. It's important for students to hear about veterans all the time and put a face to the people who served their company, Joyner said. Leading up to the event, the teachers presented in kid friendly language, how Veterans Day became recognized. "So, it's nice to hear our students talking about it and making that real connection, not just from history but how it is still honored today," Kelley said. The event also brings the community together, she said. "I think it gives them a sense of community and stuff like that, so they actually know who the people are," Joyner said. "We just finished doing a lobster bake last month, and that was pretty successfulraising money for the scholarships, and we raised over $6,000 to go towards scholarship funds." Local police officers and fire personnel also participated in the event, using their sirens and lights as they drove down the street. "This is great," said Stephen O'Brien, current Lenox Police Chief. The department will get questions from residents inquiring what is going on and the department will be able to tell them that they are celebrating Veterans Day a day early, and the dedication of the people in the parade, O'Brien said. "I think being the new person coming out here, it's awesome to see the support for the veterans. I've always supported the veterans, and it's not just a speech I always have, especially now my son is now in the Navy, so it takes on even more of a meaning," said Mark Smith, future Lenox police chief. "Just the fact that they do this for the veterans is so important, because we always remember, never forget." On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A woman in China who allegedly flooded her hotel room after being denied a refund has been ordered to pay nearly 3,200 in damages. According to local reports, the incident occurred on 28 October at a budget hotel in Hainan, Chinas southern island province. The guest from Jiangxi Province in China, whose identity was not revealed, had booked a single-night stay at the hotel located in Haitang district in Sanya City, for 108 yuan (or $15) through an online platform. Arriving late that evening, she soon asked to cancel the booking and demanded a full refund, citing a change of plan. When the hotel refused, explaining that cancellations were not allowed after check-in, she complained that the room was shabby and lacked proper soundproofing. The hotel manager, identified only by his surname Xiong, said staff even offered her a free upgrade an offer she declined. According to the platforms rules, reservations that have already been checked in cannot be refunded. We explained to her that the room had incurred cleaning costs and offered to upgrade her to a different room for free, but she insisted on getting a refund, Mr Xiong said, according to a local daily newspaper, Qilu Evening News. Allegedly frustrated by the hotels refusal to issue a refund, the woman called both the police and a local government hotline. But while waiting for authorities to arrive, she turned on the bathroom sink and shower, letting the water run continuously for hours. She also reportedly tossed the bedding into the shower area and doused it with shower gel. Hotel staff reportedly discovered the damage only when water began leaking from her second-floor room into the lobby. The taps ran from 2am until early morning, Mr Xiong reportedly said, adding that the flooding ruined walls and flooring. The estimated damage was around 20,000 yuan ($2,800). When questioned by police, the woman admitted to her actions and agreed to compensate the hotel nearly 30,000 yuan roughly 280 times the original cost of her stay. Under Chinese law, intentionally damaging private property can result in fines or detention, and damage exceeding 5,000 yuan may lead to criminal charges. According to the South China Morning Post, the incident sparked a mix of ridicule and reflection online. She ended up paying nearly 300 times the hotel room rate she wanted to avoid, one user wrote. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The government on Tuesday imposed stricter anti-pollution measures in Indias capital Delhi and its adjoining areas following citizens protests over deteriorating air quality. A body that manages the coordination, research, and resolution of problems related to air quality in the capital and its adjoining areas said a Graded Response Action Plan (GARP) was being enforced, "keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality, and in an effort to prevent further deterioration". Under stage three of the plan, non-essential construction is banned and curbs on industrial activity using polluting fuels are enforced, the Commission for Air Quality Management said. Delhi's air quality index hovered above 400 at several monitoring stations on Tuesday morning in the "severe" category, as compared with "good" readings below 50, Central Pollution Control Board data showed. The move followed weekend protests at the India Gate monument, where police detained dozens of people demanding cleaner air, a rare public demonstration against pollution in the capital. open image in gallery A protester shows the present AQI or Air Quality Index during a protest against what they called the government's lack of action to combat air pollution in the capital city New Delhi, India, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Hundreds of people, including parents and environmental activists, gathered at New Delhis India Gate in a rare protest, urging authorities to act. Many wore masks and carried placards, with one reading: I miss breathing". Worsening air quality in the capital has sparked outrage from residents suffering from headaches and persistent coughs. Frustration is mounting toward politicians accused of trading blame instead of enforcing policies to combat what has become an annual health emergency. India's National Capital Region, home to some 30 million people, routinely ranks among the worlds most polluted. Air quality in the city worsens further each winter as farmers burn crop residue in nearby states and cooler temperatures trap the smoke, which mixes with vehicle and industrial emissions. open image in gallery A cyclist pedals through morning smog near the India Gate monument as he transports used home appliances a day after Diwali festival in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Government satellite data showed a rise in crop stubble fires, used by farmers to clear land before the next planting, since the start of November. In the past, such fires have been a cause for high pollution in northern India. However, the Indian government said the total number of farm fire incidents from 15 September to 9 November were much lower this year than in the past. Toxic particles linger because Delhis winters are often dry and windless, sometimes pushing pollution levels to 20 times the World Health Organizations safe limit. Authorities recently initiated a cloud-seeding project over Delhi to combat the severe air pollution, but it failed due to a lack of moisture in the air. Delhis local government has been accused of trying to fudge AQI data by sprinkling water around monitoring stations. Opposition parties have also criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of spending large sums on air purifiers for its own offices and leaving ordinary residents to choke on hazardous air. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A day after a powerful blast in Delhi killed at least eight people, witnesses described the moment they felt something like an earthquake had hit Indias capital city as windows shattered and people started to flee the streets in panic. Dozens were wounded when a slow-moving car exploded at a traffic signal near Delhis Red Fort a huge historic Mughal monument on Monday evening. The blast is being probed as a suspected terror attack under Indias stringent anti-terrorism law and prime minister Narendra Modi has vowed to bring all those responsible to justice. At the 17th-century temple, the Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, barely 100m away from the blast site, devotees had gathered as usual. open image in gallery The gate of Jain Temple in Delhi locked up for security after the car explosion ( Arpan Rai/The Independent ) We were inside when the blast shook the temple so hard that all the glass windows of our building shattered and it felt like a strong earthquake had hit us, a devotee told The Independent on Tuesday. The blast has been called rare and shocking, owing to its location just metres away from where the prime minister addresses the country during Independence Day celebrations. CCTV camera footage and a mobile video from Delhis Chandni Chowk market near the Red Fort showed people running for cover soon after hearing a loud explosion, NDTV reported. This is the second major such incident to have rocked India this year, after Aprils Pahalgam terrorist attack in Kashmir, where civilians were shot down. The Red Fort attracts millions of visitors every year to its nearby markets. It is not immediately clear who was driving the car. open image in gallery Investigators examine the site of the explosion near Red Fort in Delhi, India ( AP ) Locals and tourists just metres away from the explosion remained in a state of shock on Tuesday morning. Special investigation teams and Delhi police were seen picking up wires and car wipers from the streets on the morning after the blast. Officials were also seen scouting for evidence at the Jain temple. The area, a massive hub of trade and tourism, was shut down and a heavy presence of police personnel and a special military unit of the Rapid Action Force was posted as investigations remained underway. Another eyewitness at the temple, who wished to remain anonymous, recalled seeing human remains being flung into the premises with the impact of the blast. Ravsaheb Hundekar, a tourist who was visiting Delhi from Kolhapur and staying inside the temple premises, said his life was spared by five minutes as he was headed to the spot where the car exploded to board a metro train. The blast shook the ground under my feet. I was standing outside the temple as I had to leave for west Delhi. I cannot believe my life has been spared by a few minutes. I couldve been dead otherwise, the 55-year-old told The Independent. open image in gallery Rapid Action Force, Indias specialised policing organisation, near the blast site on Tuesday morning ( Arpan Rai/ The Independent ) The temple is one of the most prominent religious landmarks near the busy Chandni Chowk market in the area. It has since been shut down, with devotees assisting the Delhi Police officials and investigators with details of the attack. Moshe, a 69-year-old Israeli tourist on a visit to India, was among those turned back from entering the temple. I am on a retreat in India and have already covered Buddhist places. My next sacred visit was for this Jain temple but I am so sad to hear that it has been shut after the blast, he said. While the cause of the explosion is not immediately clear, Indian home minister Amit Shah said all angles are being investigated. The Delhi Police is checking the use of ammonium nitrate a chemical compound that has explosive properties fuel oil and detonators that caused the explosion in the car, officials said. A day earlier, police officials recovered around 360kg of suspected ammonium nitrate and a cache of arms and ammunition in a suburb near Delhi Faridabad. The raids led to heightened security alerts. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A powerful car explosion outside an iconic monument in Indias capital Delhi has killed at least eight people and injured 20 others, prompting police to open an investigation under Indias anti-terrorism laws. The blast occurred around 6.52pm on Monday evening near a metro station gate of the Red Fort, police said. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the blast was an act of terrorism, as police probed the case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Indias primary law for probing terrorism-related offences and activities seen as threats to the countrys sovereignty and integrity. Federal home minister Amit Shah said, All angles are being investigated and security agencies will come to a conclusion soon. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, who was on a scheduled visit to Bhutan on Tuesday, said investigators would "get to the bottom of this conspiracy. Here is everything we know about the explosion. How did the explosion occur? Police commissioner Satish Golcha said the incident occurred when a slow-moving Hyundai i20 stopped at a traffic signal and exploded, damaging several nearby vehicles. open image in gallery Security personnel are seen at the blast site following an explosion near the Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi on 11 November 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as flames engulfed cars and people fled the area. I was at the metro station, going down the stairs, when I heard an explosion. I turned around and saw a fire. People started running helter-skelter, said Suman Mishra. Another witness, Wali Ur Rehman, told ANI news agency: I fell from the impact of the explosion, it was that intense. open image in gallery Aftermath of an explosion near the historic Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi ( Reuters ) Scene of chaos and destruction at Red Fort At least six cars and three auto-rickshaws caught fire, according to the citys deputy fire chief. Police and firefighters arrived within minutes, and the blaze was extinguished by 7.36pm. Mangled cars, shattered windows and scattered debris filled the street near the Chandni Chowk market area. The explosion was so powerful that a police post 100m away was destroyed and car fragments were found as far as 200m from the blast site. open image in gallery Forensic experts inspect the blast site following an explosion near the Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi on 11 November 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images ) What has the preliminary investigation revealed? Investigators have traced the vehicle involved in the blast to a 34-year-old man from Pulwama district in Indian-administered Kashmir. He reportedly bought the Hyundai i20 on 29 October, just weeks before the explosion, sources told The Indian Express. His identity has not yet been disclosed. Hours after the explosion, police questioned a man from Delhis neighbouring Gurugram city who previously owned the car. He claimed to have sold it, prompting investigators to work with the Regional Transport Office to track its subsequent ownership. Authorities later determined that the vehicle had changed hands multiple times before ending up with the Pulwama resident. CCTV footage shows the car entering a parking lot near the Red Fort at 3.19pm and leaving at 6.48pm minutes before the explosion. Footage also appears to show the driver collecting a parking slip. Investigators are reviewing video from nearby roads and toll barriers to map the cars full route through Delhi. open image in gallery Son of Dinesh Misra, who died in a deadly explosion near the historic Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi, cries outside a mortuary at a hospital, in Delhi, India, 11 November 2025 ( Reuters ) The blast occurred just a day after police in Jammu and Kashmir uncovered 350kg of explosives from two residential buildings in Faridabad, a city in the neighbouring state of Haryana. Investigators are examining whether the two incidents are connected. What was the nature of the explosive device? Preliminary findings suggest no crater was formed at the site and the injured victims did not have shrapnel wounds, raising questions about the type of explosive used. Police said those injured sustained severe burns and crushed limbs, consistent with a powerful heat-based explosion rather than a conventional bomb. Legal experts note that while the UAPA allows wide-ranging powers for investigation, police will need to establish strong forensic evidence and clear chain of custody to ensure the case holds up in court particularly if terrorism charges are invoked. Mr Shah said teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Security Guard (NSG), and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) were at the site within 10 minutes of the explosion. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation all options will be investigated immediately, he said, adding that prime minister Narendra Modi had been briefed on the situation. open image in gallery Police and security personnel attend the scene of an explosion near the Red Fort Metro Station on November 10, 2025 in Delhi, India ( Getty Images ) What has the Indian prime minister said? Indian prime minister Narendra Modi condoled those killed in the explosion. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi earlier this evening. May the injured recover at the earliest Those affected are being assisted by authorities, he wrote on X. "The conspirators won't be spared and all those responsible will be brought to justice," Mr Modi, who is in Bhutan on an official trip, said on Tuesday. A high alert has been issued across Delhi and neighbouring states. The US Embassy in New Delhi also advised its citizens to avoid the area and remain vigilant in tourist zones. What is the Red Fort? The Red Fort, or Lal Qila, is a 17th-century Mughal fortress and Unesco World Heritage Site where the Indian prime minister delivers the annual Independence Day address every 15 August. The fort is located near Chandni Chowk, one of Delhis busiest markets, and the Jama Masjid mosque. Delhi has faced deadly bombings in the past, including a 2011 explosion outside the Delhi High Court that killed 12 people. Mondays blast marks one of the capitals most serious incidents in over a decade. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Indian prime minister Narendra Modi vowed to bring the conspirators to justice, a day after a deadly car blast at Delhis Red Fort killed at least eight people as authorities investigated the explosion as a suspected act of terror. At least 20 people were also injured after the car exploded in one of the busiest streets of Delhi near the historic Red Fort monument. The blast is the first such major explosion since 2011 and rare in the heart of the Indian capital. Mr Modi, who left for Bhutan hours after the attack on Tuesday for a scheduled visit, said no one will be spared. The horrific incident that happened in Delhi last evening has deeply disturbed everyone, Mr Modi said at a public meeting. Our agencies will get to the very bottom of this conspiracy. The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice, he said. Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh said the blast, the cause for which is not still clear, is being probed by the top investigation agencies and the findings will soon be made public. open image in gallery Forensic experts investigate at the blast site following an explosion near the Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi ( AFP via Getty Images ) Those responsible for this tragedy will be brought to justice and will not be spared under any circumstances, Mr Singh said. The blast occurred at 6.52pm on Monday when a slow moving Hyundai i20 car stopped at a prominent traffic light before exploding and ripping into the nearby objects and crowd, the Delhi police commissioner said. open image in gallery Security personnel seals off and guards blast site following an explosion at a Metro station ( Getty Images ) Authorities have shut the nearby areas and the 17-century, Mughal-era Red Fort for three days as the roads and nearby vicinity were being combed for clues to find the events leading up to the explosion. The dead and the injured were rushed to the nearby Lok Nayak Hospital which was also cordoned off for security reasons as family members waited outside for news of their kin. We at least know that my cousin is here, whether he is injured or not or the extent of his injury, we dont know anything, a distressed relative told Reuters on the condition of anonymity. Delhi police officials have registered a case under Indias stringent anti-terrorism and other laws, deputy commissioner of police Raja Banthia said. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Supreme Court of India has overturned the last remaining conviction in the gruesome Nithari serial killings case, ordering the release of main suspect Surendra Koli. The ruling brings to a close one of Indias longest and most gruesome criminal sagas and marks a rare instance of the apex court reversing its own final judgment through its extraordinary curative powers, while the case remains unresolved. A bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath allowed Mr Kolis curative petition, a rare legal remedy invoked only when the courts earlier judgment is alleged to have caused grave injustice. The court said maintaining his conviction in a single case would be anomalous and unjust after he had already been cleared in 12 other related cases arising from the same evidence, reported the Hindustan Times. The petitioner be released forthwith, if not wanted in any other case. The jail superintendent is to be informed of this judgment immediately, Justice Nath said while pronouncing the verdict. open image in gallery File: Surender Koli and Moninder Singh Pandher are escorted by plainclothes police officers to the Directorate of Forensic Sciences in Gandhinagar, in India's western state of Gujarat, 05 January 2007 ( AFP/Getty ) Mr Kolis case stems from one of Indias most disturbing criminal investigations, which came to light in December 2006 after human remains of children and young women were discovered near a house in Nithari, a village in capital Delhis suburb of Noida. The property belonged to businessman Moninder Singh Pandher, at whose residence Mr Koli worked as a domestic aide. Subsequent searches revealed 19 skeletons and other remains, triggering nationwide outrage. Indias federal probe agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleged that Mr Koli lured children and young women from poor neighbourhoods, sexually assaulted and murdered them, and, in some cases, engaged in acts of cannibalism. Mr Pandher was accused of complicity in some of the crimes and of trafficking offences under Indian laws. Between 2007 and 2009, trial courts convicted Mr Koli in 13 cases and sentenced him to death. Mr Pandher was convicted in two cases. open image in gallery File: Moninder Singh Pandher, (C), joint accused in a case involving the gruesome deaths of 19 people is escorted to court in Ghaziabad ( AFP/Getty ) The Allahabad High Court, however, overturned all those convictions in October 2023, citing unreliable witness statements, procedural lapses, and questionable recoveries unsupported by valid disclosure statements under Indias Evidence Act a provision that governs when police recoveries can be admitted as evidence. The CBI and victims families appealed to the Supreme Court, but in July 2024 the top court dismissed all 14 appeals, upholding the High Courts findings that the prosecution had failed to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Mr Koli nevertheless remained imprisoned because one conviction for the rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl still stood. That verdict, delivered by a trial court and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2011, had been commuted to life imprisonment by the High Court in 2015 due to delays in the governments decision on his mercy petition. While hearing his curative plea in October, the Supreme Court noted that the conviction in that last case rested only on a confession and the recovery of a kitchen knife the same evidence already dismissed in other cases. The bench observed that continuing to uphold the verdict would result in a travesty of justice. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At least 12 people were killed and dozens others injured after a suicide bomber detonated explosives outside a district court in Pakistans capital on Tuesday, the countrys interior minister said. The explosion, powerful enough to be heard from miles away, tore through an area packed with vehicles and visitors outside the district court, shattering windows and damaging several cars, local reports said. At least 27 people were also reportedly wounded in the attack. The blast struck during one of the courts busiest hours, when hundreds typically gathered for hearings. Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters on Tuesday that the attacker tried to enter the court premises but, failing to do so, targeted a police vehicle. A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar group, later claimed responsibility for the attack. We are probing what kind of blast it was. It is not clear yet. We will be able to provide more details after we get a report from our forensic team, the local police spokesperson earlier said. The blast triggered panic among those present, sending people running for cover, local reports said. Local media aired disturbing visuals from the scene, showing bloodied victims lying near a damaged police van, according to Reuters. However, it was unable to independently verify those images. Authorities have cordoned off the area as bomb disposal experts comb through debris for evidence. open image in gallery Pakistani security officials stand guard after a powerful car bomb exploded outside a district court in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, 11 November 2025 ( AP ) Security has reportedly been tightened around key government and judicial buildings in the capital. In a separate incident, Pakistani security forces on Tuesday said they thwarted an overnight attempt by militants to storm an army-run cadet college in Wana, near the Afghan border, where attackers had allegedly planned to take students hostage. The assault began Monday evening when a suicide car bomber and five other Pakistani Taliban fighters targeted the facility, according to the Associated Press. Two militants were killed early in the clash, while three others were trapped inside an administrative block as troops, including army commandos, carried out a clearance operation that continued into Tuesday, the news agency reported. open image in gallery Pakistans federal interior minister Mohsin Naqvi (C) visits the suicide blast site in Islamabad on 11 November 2025. A suicide bombing outside district court buildings in a residential area of the Pakistani capital killed 12 people and wounded 27 on 11 November, the interior minister said ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Pakistani Taliban (TTP), which has ties to Afghanistans Taliban, denied involvement in the attack and a breakaway faction, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar group, later claimed responsibility. In another incident, at least 16 members of Pakistans security forces were wounded in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack targeting a convoy in the restive northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to an official. Officials said the convoy, comprising personnel from the Pakistan Army and the Frontier Corps, was returning from Loni Post in Dera Ismail Khan district when the roadside bomb detonated in Loni village late Monday night. Separately, the Pakistani army reported that security forces killed at least 20 Taliban militants in two operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday. Meanwhile, investigations into the Islamabad court explosion are ongoing. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An Australian woman accused of stealing anti-ageing supplements from Singapore's Changi Airport transit was arrested upon returning to the country months later. The Singapore police were alerted to the alleged theft on 7 May when staff at a pharmacy in Terminal 1 discovered a box of supplements, which cost S$507.30 (296.6), was missing from the display shelf. Surveillance footage revealed the woman leaving the pharmacy outlet with the supplements on 14 April, CNA reported, citing the local city police. By the time law enforcement traced her identity, the 51-year-old woman had already left Singapore, according to the report. The woman, whose identity was not revealed, was arrested at Changi Airport on 2 November while in transit for another flight. She will be charged in court on Wednesday for theft and faces a jail term of seven years if found guilty. The police will continue to work closely with stakeholders and the community to prevent and deter cases of shop theft, the Singapore police added. Previously, a man was sentenced to 10 days in prison in October for stealing goods worth 2,667 from multiple stores at the Singapore airport while waiting for his flight to the Maldives. Singapore police have recorded at least 2,097 shop theft cases in the first half of 2025, up from 2,013 cases during the same period in 2024. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At least 21 Rohingya refugees were dead and dozens remained missing after a boat carrying members of Myanmars persecuted Muslim minority sank near the Thailand-Malaysia border late last week, Malaysian officials said. Thirteen survivors have so far been rescued, while the bodies of 12 victims were recovered in Malaysian waters and nine more were found in neighbouring Thailand, according to the regional head of Malaysias maritime agency, Romli Mustafa. Search operations are ongoing in rough seas around Langkawi Island, covering nearly 170 square nautical miles. Without life jackets, its difficult for many to survive even 24 hours, Mr Romli said, adding that rescuers believe some passengers may still be clinging to floating debris. Weather conditions are not so friendly, but anyhow, were trying our level best, he said. Myanmars impoverished Rakhine state has endured years of conflict, deprivation, and ethnic violence, much of it directed against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Following a brutal military crackdown in 2017, around 1.3 million Rohingya were forced to flee and now live as refugees in neighbouring Bangladesh. Hundreds of Rohingya refugees set out for Malaysia about two weeks ago aboard a large vessel before being moved onto two smaller boats last Thursday, according to Khairul Azhar Nuruddin, the police chief of Langkawi Island, where rescue operations are based. The smaller boat, carrying roughly 70 people, sank near Langkawi the same day, while the second vessel, believed to be carrying about 230 passengers, remains missing, Malaysian authorities said. Among the missing is 29-year-old Mohammed Ibrahim, who left Bangladesh for Malaysia without informing his family. He left for Malaysia without telling anyone, he told Reuters from the refugee camps in Bangladesh. If I had known, I would never have let him go. He has a wife, three children a three-year-old son and 10-month-old twin girls. Who will take care of them? open image in gallery A Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency officer gestures next to a map that points to the area where victims were found after a boat carrying members of Myanmars persecuted Rohingya community sank in waters near the Thailand-Malaysia border off Langkawi, Malaysia, 10 November 2025 ( REUTERS ) Driven from their homes by persecution and violence, more than 1.3 million Rohingya refugees now live in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh. Many risk dangerous sea journeys to reach Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation that does not recognise refugee status but is seen as offering better prospects for work and safety. According to the UN Refugee Agency, over 5,100 Rohingya refugees have attempted similar voyages from Myanmar and Bangladesh this year alone, with nearly 600 reported dead or missing. Rohingya Muslims are seen in the majority Buddhist Myanmar as foreign interlopers from South Asia, who are denied citizenship and face widespread abuse from both the state and largely non-Muslims ethnic militias. People are desperate, Naser Khan, a Rohingya refugee in Coxs Bazar in Bangladesh, said. People are dying in the fighting, dying from hunger. So some think its better to die at sea than to die slowly here. Authorities in Malaysia said survivors have been detained pending immigration investigations, even as rescue efforts continue amid fading hopes of finding more alive. open image in gallery A staff member of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency checks on a survivor who was rescued by a fishing boats crew ( via REUTERS ) Amnesty Internationals Myanmar Researcher Joe Freeman said: This latest tragedy at sea in Southeast Asia once again lays bare the deadly risks faced by Rohingya Muslims who attempt to flee conflict and persecution in Myanmar, plus deteriorating conditions in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Those who were aboard a boat that sank off the coast of Malaysia had left a rapidly worsening situation both at home in Rakhine State and in overcrowded and underfunded camps over the border in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh. In Myanmar, Rohingya civilians face food shortages, forced labour, arbitrary detention, and restrictions on movement while they remain trapped in a conflict between the Myanmar junta and the Arakan Army that has driven more Rohingya into camps in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, US funding cuts have led to shortages in shelter, education services and aid in the Bangladesh camps, putting additional strain on communities and further compelling people to seek the dangerous option of fleeing by boat. The Malaysian and Thai governments must coordinate comprehensive search and rescue missions for survivors of this tragedy and provide them with humanitarian assistance and protection from forcible return to Myanmar. He added: The unconscionable practice of pushing boats away from borders must end, and regional governments must ensure that any boats carrying refugees and migrants are allowed to land safely in the nearest country. ASEAN leaders must act decisively to address the long-standing issue of Rohingya boats at sea, as well as the ongoing conflict in Myanmar. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Thailand suspended the implementation of a ceasefire deal with Cambodia, which was signed last month in the presence of US president Donald Trump, according to reports. The move comes amid rising tensions following a landmine explosion that injured four Thai soldiers near the border. Bangkok has also decided to suspend the planned repatriation of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war currently in Thai custody. Under the ceasefire agreement, signed in October between Thailand and Cambodia during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit, both nations committed to withdrawing heavy weaponry from border zones, working jointly to clear landmines, and allowing Thailand to repatriate 18 captured Cambodian soldiers. Cambodias foreign ministry said in a statement that it was gravely concerned about Thailands decision to suspend the agreement. Four Thai soldiers were wounded on Monday when a landmine detonated during a patrol in Sisaket province, the Thai army said, noting that one soldier lost his right foot. The evidence led to the conclusion that intruders secretly removed the barbed wire and laid the landmines in the Thai territory, targeting the personnel who conduct regular patrols there, Army spokesperson Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said, according to The Bangkok Post. The act shows Cambodias insincerity in reducing conflict and reflects hostility which violates the jointly signed declaration, he said. The army added that three additional mines were discovered near the explosion site. The Thai military is halting all agreements until Cambodia can show clear sincerity that they will not be hostile, Supreme Commander General Ukris Boontanondha said, according to social media posts by the Thai armed forces. Based on the available evidence, it can be concluded that the landmine was snuck in by removing barbed wire and newly planted on Thai soil, the statement said. Cambodias foreign ministry, however, rejected the allegation, denying that it had planted new mines along the border. Earlier this year, Thailand and Cambodia were involved in a brief but intense border conflict that lasted several days, resulting in casualties on both sides and heightening regional tensions. Meanwhile, Thai prime minister Anutin Chanvirakul said that everything has to stop until there is clarity, without elaborating further. Each government has accused the other of sparking the brief but deadly confrontation earlier this year, which left at least 48 people dead and forced around 300,000 people to flee their homes. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Taiwan has evacuated more than 3,000 residents and issued a warning as Typhoon Fung-wong approached from the South China Sea, after the storm killed at least 18 people and displaced over a million in the Philippines. The storm, which weakened after making landfall in northern Luzon as a super typhoon on Sunday, is expected to reach Taiwans southwest coast near Kaohsiung on Wednesday before moving eastward across the island, according to Taiwans Central Weather Administration. Fung-wong is expected to weaken further as it moves across Taiwan, though forecasters warn of torrential rains and strong winds along the islands eastern and southern regions. The storm is not expected to directly impact Hsinchu, home to major semiconductor firms including TSMC. President Lai Ching-te urged residents to stay away from mountains, coasts and other high-risk areas. Please avoid dangerous places and follow government advisories, he wrote on Facebook. Authorities have ordered evacuations in four counties, including Guangfu in Hualien, where floods from a previous typhoon in September killed 18 people. Schools and offices were closed in Hualien and neighbouring Yilan on Tuesday, while emergency crews prepared for potential flooding and landslides. Fung-wong, known as Uwan in the Philippines, packed sustained winds of 185kmph when it tore through the northern and central provinces over the weekend, triggering floods, landslides and power outages. Typhoon Fung wong is moving towards Taiwan ( Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System ) Officials said more than 1.4 million people had moved into evacuation centres or relatives homes before landfall, with at least 240,000 still displaced. At least 18 people died due to flash floods, landslides, exposed electrical wires, and a collapsed house in the provinces of Catanduanes, Eastern Samar, Nueva Vizcaya, Mountain Province, and Ifugao, disaster-response and provincial officials said. The storm destroyed more than 4,000 homes and flooded over 130 villages across northern Luzon, including areas where residents were forced onto rooftops to escape rising waters. While the typhoon has passed, its rains still pose a danger in certain areas in northern Luzon, including in metropolitan Manila, Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV of the Office of Civil Defence said. Well undertake today rescue, relief and disaster-response operations. Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a state of emergency following the devastation from both Fung-wong and last weeks Typhoon Kalmaegi, which left over 230 people dead. The Philippines is hit by about 20 typhoons and storms each year. The country also has frequent earthquakes and has more than a dozen active volcanoes, making it one of the worlds most disaster-prone countries. Additional reporting by agencies. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump stopping the US from taking action over the climate crisis while labelling it a con job, will only see nations like China take up the mantle instead, the chief architect of the landmark Paris climate treaty has told The Independent. Christiana Figueres, the Costa Rican diplomat who devised the roadmap to tackle global warming that was adopted around the world 10 years ago, paints an optimistic picture of the progress made since, despite political support for climate policies fragmenting in Europe, and carbon emissions continuing to rise year-on-year. Speaking to The Independent in Belem, Brazil, where the latest UN climate conference Cop30 has just begun, Figueres laughs out loud at the suggestion that Trumps anti-climate agenda could somehow hold back the rest of the world, particularly when it comes to clean and renewable energy. She cites China, the worlds biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, but also the biggest producer and consumer of low-carbon energy. What the US has done is a choice; it is a sad choice, but it does not stop the advance of all others who are on the [clean energy] track, Figueres says. All it has done is open up the space hugely for China, who are completely delighted that they dont have any substantial competition. Figueres approach is credited with building bridges between nations, which were key to navigating tough negotiations that eventually accomplished the seminal agreement between 195 countries to limit global warming to well below 2C, while striving for 1.5C. Her view is shared by Andre Correa do Lago, the Brazilian diplomat in charge of the Cop30 conference, who has also cited China while addressing reporters in Belem. China is coming up with solutions that are for everyone, not just China, he said. Solar panels are cheaper, theyre so competitive [compared with fossil fuel energy] that they are everywhere now. If youre thinking of climate change, this is good. The current executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Simon Stiell, added on Monday: Those opting out or taking baby steps face stagnation and higher prices, while other economies surge ahead. Christiana Figueres, left, former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon and former French president Francois Hollande, right, celebrate the Paris Agreement at Cop21 in Paris in 2015 ( AP ) Ahead of Cop30, countries were supposed to submit new interim emission reduction pledges for 2035, an aspect of the Paris Agreement known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), but only around 60 managed to do so in time. The latest Emissions Gap report from the United Nations Environment Programme then found that, based on those NDCs, global emissions are set to fall by around 12 to 15 per cent compared to 2019 levels by 2035, while the reduction needed to keep global warming to 2C is 35 per cent. To keep warming to 1.5C, it is 55 per cent. Figueres, who was formerly the secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), sees this less as a case of countries under-delivering, but more one of under-promising and says that she is very confident that countries are going to exceed their stated targets. These NDCs are a political calculation of what [nations] think they can say on an international, public level, and they are not a representation of what is really going on domestically, she says. It is logical for countries to be exceedingly conservative in their public-facing goals given all the political contexts that they have to face up to, she adds not least when you have the threat of international trade tariffs from the US if you are seen to be overly pro-climate. Take China as an example, Figueres continues. For the more-than-30 years I have worked in climate diplomacy, they have always under-promised and over-delivered, which is the result of a cultural trait where they strive for integrity and humility, and which is very different to what we are used to. The latest China promise to cut emissions 7 to 10 per cent by 2035 might have been judged disappointing, but Figueres says it is a serious under-promise as a result of pressure from Washington, which does not represent the reality of what is going to happen. The new climate pledges come as the latest data suggests that the push for clean energy is in rude health, driven by booming renewables sectors in China, as well as in Europe. Eighty per cent of new electricity demand growth is now being met by renewables, which has been driven by a 90 per cent fall in the cost of solar panels, a 90 per cent fall in the cost of energy storage, and a 70 per cent fall in the cost of onshore wind technology over the past decade. Back in 2015, less than 1 per cent of cars sold were electric, Figueres adds but now it is more than one fifth. I knew the ratification of the Paris Agreement would unleash action on decarbonisation. But I would definitely have been surprised had you told me 10 years ago how quickly we would be advancing in clean energy, she says, None of this is to say that the 69-year-old seems delusional about the state of climate action. She acknowledges, for example, that serious work still needs to be done to wind down the fossil fuel economy if we are to meet our climate targets. Another key point of contention over the next two weeks of climate negotiations will be around the amount of money provided by rich countries to help developing ones address climate change. According to Figueres, overseas aid cuts announced this year came at a really bad moment, given the impacts of runaway climate change something that is ironically only going to create more climate migrants and increase the security threat that budget savings are supposed to be addressing. What needs to happen now is for rich countries to work to improve investment conditions in developing countries, so that foreign direct investment can drive climate resilience in developing countries. The opportunity is there to be seized: 70 per cent of the global renewable energy potential is held in developing countries, and 50 per cent of the minerals for the transition, she says. Figueres also sees any of the rolling back of climate policies being witnessed in the UK and elsewhere as less a fundamental undoing of the consensus on the climate crisis, and more a political failure from progressives to keep control of the narrative. If we look under the hood of what is going on, we realise that [the vast majority] of the global population is extremely concerned about climate change, and they want their leaders whether they be sub-national, national, or corporate leaders to engage seriously with the issue, she says. People see how climate change is affecting their everyday lives, and they know it will certainly affect the everyday life of their children and other generations to come. Figueres, third from the right, attends the 2025 Earthshot Prize in Rio de Janeiro just before Cop30, alongside figures including Jacinda Ardern, on her left ( Getty ) Let us understand that there is a very carefully orchestrated resistance and battle against progress, but it is absolutely clear that that is not reflected in the public interest or will. Figueres comments come as eight in 10 people globally said that they support government investment in wind, solar and nuclear, according to a survey from nonprofit Potential Energy Coalition, which interviewed 21,000 nonpartisan participants across 10 countries. The big issue at the moment in the climate movement is a failure to present narratives that can captivate people, believes Figueres. We in the climate space speak and message in terms of how many tonnes or what is the degree? Is it a 2030, 2040, or 2050 target? We tend to communicate in metrics and numbers that mean nothing to normal human beings, she says. Figueres is working to address this messaging problem herself through a think tank, Global Optimism, which is seeking to drive new climate narratives through a variety of partnerships, projects and gatherings and she is also back at the UNs flagship climate summit for the first time since Cop26 in Glasgow in 2021, pushing the climate-positive narrative at a long list of events, as well as on platforms that include a daily podcast called Inside COP. A recent episode saw UK climate and energy secretary Ed Miliband share similar views on the apparent disconnect between what politicians argue on climate in the UK, and what the public really wants. The Westminster view, that there is massive revolt among the British people on climate net zero, is not correct. I think whats happening domestically and globally is that the opponents of this agenda are trying to manufacture a consensus of a backlash, he said. [Nigel] Farage and his cronies have an incredibly patronising view of my constituents. They say, lets reopen the coal mines. Im in an ex-mining constituency. Nobody ever says to me, Lets reopen the coal mines. They say to me, Where are the good jobs that we used to have? Figueres hopes that hosting Cop30 in the Brazilian Amazon could help improve the lot of one such area, which is land-use and nature. [On clean energy] we have an exponential curve increasing beyond any imagination, but here we have an exponential curve that is missing, she says. There are big hopes that the flagship forest protection mechanism launched by the Brazilian presidency at Cop30 called the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) will help drive progress in this area, by offering countries compensation to protect their forests from a central fund (which the UK sadly did not contribute towards, says Figueres). Returning to the issue of Trump and the US, Figueres says the current president wont be in the White House forever, and there are plenty of US officials in Brazil to make up for Trumps absence. More than 100 US leaders are set to attend the latest round of climate talks, with everyone from California governor Gavin Newsom to the mayor of Phoenix Kate Gallego, turning up in Belem. These people know that there is a democracy in the United States, says Figueres. Eventually, the White House will come back into the reality of the world, and they dont want to be completely out of this race, she adds. Sir David Amess was the Conservative MP for Southend West and one of Westminsters longest-serving parliamentarians. A man of considerable conviction, he campaigned for animal rights, opposed abortion, and was a staunch Brexiteer. Amess, who has died aged 69 after being fatally stabbed at his constituency surgery, served as an MP for 38 years. Earlier in his career, he was parliamentary private secretary to ministers Michael Portillo and Edwina Currie in the Eighties. Amess was born in Plaistow, Essex, in 1952, the son of working-class parents. He later wrote about how his modest upbringing had made him determined to achieve as much of myself as I possibly could, in spite of the fact that I came from a relatively humble background. He joined the Conservative Party aged 16, and initially trained as a teacher, working at a primary school in Bethnal Green. But Amess would soon pursue his passion for politics, being first elected as MP for the Basildon constituency in Essex in 1983. Following boundary changes, in 1997 he stood for and won the Southend West constituency. At the most recent 2019 general election he was elected for the seventh time to the seat, with a large majority. Amess had been especially active in campaigning on behalf of his constituents on issues of local importance. Only last month, for example, he had spoken in parliament during Business Questions in support of a pension increase for pre-1997 Ford workers, asking for a debate on discretionary increases in pensions for Ford employees pre-1997 and saying: These women and men gave a great deal of their time to the company, and they deserve better treatment than they seem to be afforded at the moment. At the Conservative Party conference earlier this month, he met with representatives from the Alzheimers Society, supporting their Cure the Care System campaign, saying at the time: I will continue working with them on their campaign to ensure that social care reforms brought forward by the government meet the needs of the 2,820 people living with dementia in Southend-on-Sea, which is projected to rise to 3,760 by 2030. open image in gallery Amess in Westminster in 1990 ( PA ) On the wider stage, Amess was the sponsor of bills including the Abortion (Amendment) Bill (1996-7) and what became the Protection against Cruel Tethering Act (1988), which protects horses, asses and mules. Consistent with his stance on opposing animal suffering, he also voted in favour of the ban on fox hunting. In 1999 Amess introduced a bill to take action on home heating, in a quest to reduce fuel poverty. His bill passed successfully through the Commons and Lords, becoming the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000, a law whose provisions are now of particular relevance at a time of increasing fuel prices. He was a keen supporter of Brexit, explaining in 2016 that, in his opinion: The most worrying development in the history of our relationship with the European Union has been the loss of parliamentary sovereignty. Over 55 per cent of our laws are imposed by Brussels and the European Court ... the majority voting rules mean that we cannot veto any laws that we feel would be damaging to our society or economy. Amess was knighted in the 2015 new year honours list for his political and public service. In December last year he published Ayes & Ears: A Survivors Guide to Westminster, based on his many years of experience, in which he sought to reveal the inner workings of parliament and the people who work there. On 15 October, Amess was running a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, when he was stabbed several times, according to John Lamb, a local councillor who was present. He died at the scene. Amess is survived by his wife, Julia Arnold, and their five children, David, Katherine, Sarah, Alexandra and Florence. Sir David Amess, politician, born 26 March 1952, died 15 October 2021 For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Organised crime gangs are making their own branded weight loss drugs, the medical watchdog has warned. Although these fake jabs have been designed to look like legitimate medicines, they are unlicensed and potentially deadly, according to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro have helped more than 1.5 million people lose extra weight in the UK alone, with 4 per cent of households currently using them. But fake versions of these drugs risk not only making people ill but in some cases, they could be fatal. Andy Morling, head of the MHRAs criminal enforcement unit, told The Guardian it had recently seen a new model of production where criminals are putting investment into designing their own packaging and branding and selling it purporting to be a genuine product. The trend of organised crime gangs making fake weight-loss medication has only just emerged, leading the MHRA to conduct the largest seizure of trafficked weight-loss drugs ever recorded by any global law enforcement agency. open image in gallery Tens of thousands of empty weight loss pens ready to be filled, raw chemical ingredients and more than 2,000 unlicensed retatrutide and tirzepatide pens awaiting dispatch to customers were seized ( PA ) More than 2,000 unlicensed retatrutide and tirzepatide pens due to be sent to customers were seized by MHRA in a raid on an illegal weight-loss drug factory in Northampton last month. The weight-loss pens were empty and ready to be filled with chemical ingredients. The street value of the finished weight-loss products alone is estimated to be more than 250,000. Mr Morling previously warned: People should be extremely cautious when buying medicines online. Prescription medicines should only be obtained from a registered pharmacy against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional. Taking prescription medicines sourced in any other way carries serious risks to your health there are no guarantees about what they contain, and some may even be contaminated with toxic substances. open image in gallery The officers also found sophisticated packaging and manufacturing equipment ( PA ) He added: These products are untested, unauthorised, and potentially deadly. By taking this organised criminal network out of operation and stopping tens of thousands of potentially fatal products from entering circulation, weve prevented a serious risk to public health. MHRA explained in The Guardian report that it had a significant number of criminal investigations on its books, but does not treat them all as prosecutions. Instead, the priority in every case is public safety by removing products from the market. Mr Morling told the newspaper that the lines between medicine and cosmetic treatments had become blurred and that beauty salons are selling the products not realising that they are selling medicine that could end up giving them a custodial sentence. Health secretary Wes Streeting said: Dont buy weight loss medications from unregulated sources. Talk to your GP, seek NHS advice, and dont line the pockets of criminals who dont care about your health. Safe, appropriate, licensed obesity drugs can greatly benefit those in need if taken under medical supervision, and I urge people to only purchase and use them with the approval and oversight of medics and pharmacists. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Three prisoners who were wrongly released in England and Wales remain on the run and are being sought by police, David Lammy has confirmed. A total of 91 prisoners have been freed by mistake between 1 April and 31 October this year the equivalent of around three per week, according to the latest Ministry of Justice figures published on Tuesday. Downing Street admitted the figures are shocking, and said they are symptomatic of a system that the government inherited from the Conservatives. Justice secretary Mr Lammy told MPs on Tuesday that none of the three that are currently at large are convicted sex offenders. It comes as the government faces mounting pressure over a series of high-profile releases, including that of Epping sex offender Hadush Kebatu. In the following weeks, an Algerian sex offender and a fraudster from HMP Wandsworth were also accidentally freed, sparking a double manhunt. open image in gallery Escaped inmate Hadush Kebatu had been sentenced to 12 months in custody in September, with his arrest sparking the Epping protests this summer ( PA ) Some 262 inmates were mistakenly let out in the year to March 2025 a 128 per cent increase on the 115 in the previous 12 months, government figures also show. Of that figure, 87 were of offenders whose main offence was violence against a person, and three whose main offence was a sexual offence Releases in error can include misplaced warrants for imprisonment or remand, sentence miscalculations or can be a result of mistakes by courts or other authorities, the Ministry of Justice said. Mr Lammy also defended his decision not to directly answer the Conservatives questions on the issue during last weeks Prime Ministers Questions, stating he had not yet been informed if one of those released had been an asylum seeker. Given the nature of the oppositions question, I made a judgement that I would wait until I had all the detail, rather than risk giving an accurate or incomplete or misleading picture to the House about a sensitive case, he said. He added that he had also offered an unequivocal apology to victims whose perpetrators had been released in error. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said the accidental releases of Kebatu and the two prisoners that sparked manhunts were just the tip of the iceberg, and that the British public deserved to have the full picture. Mr Lammy admitted on Friday that there is a mountain to climb to tackle the crisis in the prison system. open image in gallery Justice secretary David Lammy is set to face questions from MPs over the issue ( PA ) Prisons minister James Timpson said on Monday there is no quick fix to releases in error, and it is going to take time to get it right. A spokesperson for No 10 said: These numbers, they are symptomatic of a system that the government inherited, of a prison system under severe strain, a failing criminal justice system. As weve set out previously, the government inherited a [situation] where the male prison estate was running at 99 per cent capacity. That risks the potential breakdown of law and order. The public are right to be shocked by these cases. While they are rare, they have been rising year-on-year from an average of nine per month in 2023 to 17 per month the next year. And were clear that you cant fix the prisons crisis overnight, but we have taken immediate action, including tougher new release checks, calling in prison governors, sending in tech experts. Ethiopian national Kebatu has since been deported, while Algerian national Brahim Kaddour-Cherif was arrested on Friday and is understood to be in the process of being deported. Kaddour-Cherif was serving a sentence for trespass with intent to steal, but had previously been convicted for indecent exposure. Billy Smith, who was also accidentally freed from Wandsworth on Monday after having been sentenced to 45 months for multiple fraud offences, handed himself back in on Thursday. Stronger security checks were announced for prisons and an independent investigation was launched into releases in error after Kebatu was freed from HMP Chelmsford on 24 October. open image in gallery Migrant sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif was arrested last week after his accidental release from prison ( Sky News ) Kebatu had been sentenced to 12 months in custody in September for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman, sparking a month of protests outside asylum seeker hotels across the UK. Over the weekend, it was reported that a total of four such offenders had been released in error, with two released in June this year, and two in 2024. On Monday, sources within the government suggested that one of these had been returned to custody. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice As Chinese police closed in on the architect of a massive Ponzi scheme that cost thousands their life savings, a woman in her mid-40s, with an accomplice, fled on a moped to Myanmar's border, starting nearly seven years on the run. After zig-zagging across Southeast Asia, she landed at London's Heathrow airport in September 2017 on a forged St Kitts and Nevis passport in the name of Zhang Yadi. Until her arrest in April 2024, Zhang whose real name was Qian Zhimin converted bitcoin into cash to buy jewellery and luxury goods, travelling with an assistant across Europe while avoiding countries that extradite to China. Before and during Qian's sentencing this week, prosecutors and police cited documents collected during their investigation, plus information from Chinese authorities, that provide some insight into Qian's life and criminality. Qian was sentenced at London's Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday to 11 years and eight months in jail for laundering proceeds of the China fraud using bitcoin. Shortly after her arrival in Britain, she sent an accomplice to Thailand to collect a laptop which contained part of the 70,000 bitcoin, then worth roughly 305 million ($410 million), that she had taken upon fleeing China. Qian also tried to purchase a villa in Tuscany and high-end London properties to launder the proceeds of her fraud, but it was a 2018 attempt to buy a house that put her on the radar of British police, prosecutors said. And though she seemingly spent most of her days in Britain on a laptop in bed at a series of rental properties, Qian had lofty ambitions to rule Liberland, a purported "micronation" on the Croatia-Serbia border, according to a diary found by police. Bitcoin came from China fraud open image in gallery Malaysian national Seng Hok Ling (L) and Chinese national Zhimin Qian (R), alias Yadi Zhang, both of whom were convicted for their roles in a multi billion-dollar Bitcoin fraud ( Metropolitan Police ) Qian had denied allegations of fraud in China, where authorities say around 128,000 people fell victim to a 40 billion renminbi ($5.62 billion) investment scheme between 2014 and 2017. But she changed her pleas to guilty in September, on what would have been the first day of her trial, admitting that she had laundered the proceeds of a mammoth fraud, setting up a battle over the billions of bitcoin that remain. British police had seized devices from a London property Qian was renting and a nearby safety deposit box in 2018, which held around 61,000 bitcoin, after a tip-off from lawyers whom Qian's helper had approached to try to buy a house. By the time the police actually accessed the bitcoin in 2021, the haul was worth 1.5 billion. Due to the continuing rise of bitcoin's value, it is now worth nearly 5 billion ($6.7 billion). British authorities continue to recover more assets, including about 67 million worth of bitcoin having found a ledger in a purpose-made concealed pocket in the trousers Qian was wearing when she was arrested, prosecutors said. Prosecutors consider compensation scheme open image in gallery Metropolitan Police Head of Economic and Cybercrime Command, Will Lyne makes a statement to the media, next to Neil Colville, of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), outside of Southwark Crown Cour ( REUTERS ) The seized assets are subject to civil proceedings brought by British prosecutors, who last month said they were considering a compensation scheme for victims of the Chinese fraud, some of whom say they want the bitcoin itself. Qian was helped in her attempts to launder the bitcoin she smuggled out of China by two facilitators, who were both convicted of money laundering offences in Britain. Wen Jian worked at a Chinese takeaway in London before she met Qian shortly after her arrival in Britain, taking trips across Europe to turn bitcoin into cash. Wen denied money laundering but was convicted last year after a retrial of one count and jailed for nearly seven years. After Wen's arrest in 2022, Qian found a new helper, Malaysian national Ling Seng Hok, who converted bitcoin into cash, rented properties and hired staff, whose contracts doubled their wages if they were detained or deported. Ling, 47, also tried to acquire a forged Malaysian or Hong Kong passport for Qian, using a photo of the late Hong Kong actor Shen Dianxia, prosecutors said. Police say Ling, sentenced on Wednesday to four years and 11 months, inadvertently led them to Qian in northern England in 2024, when some bitcoin was moved into an account opened by Ling. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Barbers, minimarts, and vape shops are among the 2,700 high street businesses that have been raided in the UKs largest ever crackdown of its kind on money laundering. Officials state that these cash-rich establishments, which have proliferated across British high streets in recent years, can be exploited for a range of illicit activities, from disguising dirty money and hiding drugs to facilitating people trafficking and smuggling tobacco and vapes. The rapid expansion of such businesses is evident in areas like Essex and Doncaster, where the number of barber shops has surged by 200 per cent in just five years. These extensive raids form the second stage of Operation Machinize, a nationwide initiative launched 18 months ago after the National Crime Agency (NCA) concluded that a critical "tipping point" had been reached. Billions of pounds are laundered through the UK each year, around 12 billion of which is processed in cash. Most of this is thought to come from drugs. A month-long operation in October saw 2,734 premises visited and raided, 924 arrests, more than 10.7 million seized and 2.7 million of illegal goods destroyed. More than 450 companies have been referred to Companies House for further investigation. Nail bars, car washes, takeaways, phone shops and sweet shops were also among the businesses targeted. NCA deputy director for illicit finance Sal Melki said: Shops exploited by criminals can act as hubs for a range of poly-criminality. open image in gallery Nail bars, car washes, takeaways, phone shops and sweet shops were also among the businesses targeted in the NCA raids ( Kirsty OConnor/PA ) So it could be a convenient place to launder money or evade tax. It could also be a convenient place to move illicit commodities, hide the proceeds of drugs sales, or act as a meeting point for criminal associates. The national operation saw officers in West Yorkshire target an alleged crime gang accused of using a jewellers to run an investment fraud and launder the proceeds. The force seized assets worth more than 2 million, including gold bars, a ring worth 500,000, and 30 watches including some made by Patek Philippe. It is alleged that a solicitor, who had a home worth more than 1 million with no mortgage, authorised payments of 800,000 as part of the money-laundering operation. Rachael Herbert, director of the National Economic Crime Centre at the NCA, said: Thousands of officers have been deployed up and down our country, targeting criminal profits and the means of generating them. Hundreds of thousands of harmful and illegal products have been taken off our streets, and over 10 million in cash, frozen in bank accounts and criminal assets seized. Depriving criminals of their source of income has a real impact, limiting the amount of funds they can reinvest in further offending and deterring them from taking spaces on our high street that could be used by legitimate businesses. Security minister Dan Jarvis said: Criminals are using these dodgy shops as fronts for serious organised crime, money laundering and illegal working, risking the future of the British high street. We have intensified our joint efforts with law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks and relentlessly pursue those who use dirty money for personal gain. Together we have seized millions in criminal assets, removed harmful drugs from our streets and arrested hundreds of criminals who are undercutting honest business owners. I want to thank every officer who took part in this operation. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Duke of Sussex has issued a poignant plea for the nation to remember not only those who have died in conflict but also the living veterans, cautioning how easily they can be overlooked "once the uniform comes off". In a heartfelt essay published ahead of Remembrance Day, Prince Harry articulated his profound pride in his military service and his deep affection for "the things that make us British". The former soldier, who served two frontline tours in Afghanistan, penned the 647-word piece titled "The Bond, The Banter, The Bravery: What it means to be British By Prince Harry". Here is the article written by the Duke of Sussex in full: Every November the world, for a moment, grows quieter. We pause, together, to remember. Remembrance has never been about glorifying war. Its about recognising its cost: the lives changed forever and the lessons paid for, through unimaginable sacrifice. Its also about honouring those who, knowing that cost, still choose to serve. open image in gallery Harry lays a wreath at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday in 2013 A) ( PA Archive ) Earlier this year, I was invited to Ukraine (Slava Ukraini!) to spend time with friends at the Superhumans centre; men and women rebuilding their lives after devastating injuries. In every face, both military and civilian, I saw resilience and a fierce determination not to be defined by what had been taken from them. They reminded me that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the triumph of purpose over it. There is a similar stoic spirit of self-deprecation and humour in Ukrainians, that I recognise more than any other, in us Brits. Though currently, I may live in the United States, Britain is, and always will be, the country I proudly served and fought for. The banter of the mess, the clubhouse, the pub, the stands ridiculous as it sounds, these are the things that make us British. I make no apology for it. I love it. That same spirit lives in every member of our Armed Forces and the families who serve beside them. You need only spend a few hours at the Invictus Games to feel it. There, you see courage reborn, camaraderie restored, and proof that service doesnt end when the uniform comes off. In my capacity as their Global Ambassador, this week, I wrote to families from Scottys Little Soldiers, the UK charity supporting children of Britains fallen heroes. Every year, Im moved by their strength; sons and daughters who wear yellow and black scarves in honour of their parents, many of them marching proudly at the Cenotaph this weekend. They dont march with bitterness, but with love and pride. open image in gallery Harry spent a decade in the British forces and took part in two frontline tours to Afghanistan (Jeremy Selwyn/Standard/PA) ( PA Archive ) They carry forward their parents legacy of service even as their own hearts bear the cost of it. Because when one person serves, the whole family serves. And when one falls, the whole community feels that loss. Remembrance, then, is not simply a minutes silence. Its a call to collective responsibility. Not through sympathy, but through admiration and respect. Ive had the privilege of serving alongside men and women from all four corners of the UK; from Antrim to Anglesey, Lancashire to London, Wrexham to the East Riding, Belfast to Bedfordshire and beyond. I saw courage and compassion in the harshest conditions imaginable. But I also saw how easy it can be, once the uniform comes off, for those who gave everything, to feel forgotten. Our duty to them does not end when their service does. The protection they offered us must be returned through opportunity and respect for the rest of their lives. Thats not charity; its reciprocity. They safeguarded our freedom. We must safeguard their future. That way we all benefit. As we look around the world this Remembrance Sunday and, on the 11th, peace for those lucky enough to know it, feels more fragile than ever. Institutions built to protect it are being strained, and for many, peace is not known at all. Remembrance isnt confined to one weekend in November. Its a lifelong commitment to empathy, gratitude, and action; to be kinder, more united, and braver in protecting what those before us fought to preserve. open image in gallery Harry in front of an Apache Helicopter at the Army Aviation Centre after presenting graduates with their Wings in 2018 (Heathcliff OMalley/Daily Telegraph/PA) ( PA Archive ) So, as we bow our heads this weekend, let us remember not only the fallen, but the living those who still carry the weight of war in body and mind, and the families who bear its memory in their hearts. If you live near them, knock on their door. If you see them around, shake their hand. And if you feel so inclined, join them for a cuppaor a pint, to hear their story and remind them their service still matters. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump would face legal hurdles in launching a $1bn lawsuit against the BBC over defamatory statements on Panorama, partly because the documentary may not have been aired in the United States. Under defamation laws in Florida, where the US president has threatened to launch his case, Trump: A Second Chance? must have been available to view in the state for a lawsuit for damages to be filed. The BBC, which is currently reviewing a letter from Mr Trumps lawyer on the legal threat, has not confirmed if the programme was aired in the US state. If it wasnt shown on iPlayer in the US, or on the broadcasters global feed, media lawyer Mark Stephens said it could create an early stumbling block for the US president. He also said Mr Trumps team could struggle to prove additional serious harm to his reputation, and that he might want to avoid further focus on his conduct from a court case. There are more than a few legal trip wires between President Trump and legal victory against the BBC, said Mr Stephens. Why is Donald Trump threatening legal action against the BBC? Mr Trump has threatened legal action against the corporation after concerns were raised over the way clips of his speech before the attack on the US Capitol in 2021 were edited for the Panorama programme. Clips from two different sections of the speech appeared together, apparently making it seem he told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to fight like hell. For the latest on the legal threat by Mr Trump against the BBC click here for our live blog open image in gallery BBC director-general Tim Davie resigned after criticism of the handling of concerns raised over the Trump Panorama documentary ( AFP/Getty ) In the summer, a memo by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBCs editorial standards committee, raised the issues and critics have accused the BBC of failing to respond properly. On Monday, Mr Trumps counsel, Alejandro Brito, sent a letter to the corporation, demanding that false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements made about the US president be retracted immediately. The letter also demanded an apology and for Mr Trump to be compensated for the harm caused. The BBC has until Friday, 5pm EST, to comply, before Mr Trump will be left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights, all of which are expressly reserved and are not waived, including by filing legal action for no less than 1,000,000,000 dollars in damages, the letter said. Why would Trump launch action in the US, not the UK? Mr Trumps legal threat states he would plan to launch a legal suit against the BBC under Florida law. Under UK defamation laws, a claim must be made within a year of the material being published. The Panorama programme was aired in October 2024, which means it has passed the deadline for legal action to be launched in the UK, Mr Stephens said. However, in the US state of Florida, the time limit is two years, which means action could be launched. open image in gallery Media lawyer Mark Stephens says Trump faces legal trip wires in winning a legal battle against the BBC ( BBC ) Mr Stephens told BBC Breakfast: A UK defamation claim is now out of time, he had one year from Monday October 28 2024 when Panorama aired so hes 14 days or so out of time for a claim in the UK. A claim in Florida would be in time, its a two-year limitation there. What difficulty could Trump face in suing the BBC? Despite being within the legal time limit under the law in Florida, Mr Stephens said there were more legal trip wires for Mr Trump to secure victory in a case. For the case to go ahead, Mr Stephens said Mr Trumps legal team would have to show that the programme had been aired in the US state of Florida. The BBC has not confirmed if it was, but on its website, it states that viewers watching iPlayer, the platform on which the programme was aired, had to be in the UK to stream and download content. Its not yet clear if the programme was shared on the BBCs global news feed. The Independent has contacted the BBC to ask if it was. Mr Stephens said: The problem for President Trumps lawyers is that Panorama wasnt broadcast in the USA and BBC iPlayer isnt available in the USA, so its not clear if any US court would have jurisdiction to hear the claim. Could the BBC beat Trump in court? In the UK, to win a defamation case, the accuser has to prove that the statement was made and published, and it caused serious harm to the reputation of the claimant. In the US, law states that the accuser has to show that there was actual malice in making the statement, rather than mere negligence. The law, along with a greater respect for freedom of expression in the US, could make it challenging for Mr Trump to win a case against the BBC, solicitor Joshua Rozenberg told BBCs Today programme. open image in gallery Critics said the Panorama edit was misleading and removed a section where Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully ( AP ) He said: Generally speaking, there is respect for freedom of expression in the US, perhaps more than in the UK. Generally speaking, you have to show that the person you are accusing acted with malice. So there are definitely restrictions on being able to sue and arguments that can be put. Mr Stephens also told BBC Breakfast that Mr Trump could face difficulty in proving his case for overwhelming financial and reputational harm. He said: Trumps reputation has already been battered by nine judicial findings, some congressional hearings, global coverage of 6 January [storming of the US Capitol] and he faces ongoing civil lawsuits in Washington. So proving that Panorama caused additional serious harm is a bit of a stretch. If it can be shown by the BBC that his reputation was already in tatters on this issue, blaming the BBC for the wreckage of that is a bit of a tough sell. open image in gallery A media lawyer said that a lawsuit could risk Trumps own conduct being brought under a microscope ( Getty ) Chris Ruddy, chief executive of Newsmax Media, said libel laws in Florida meant he was very assured the BBC would win a case launched against it by Mr Trump. He said: I have no doubt the BBC misrepresented what the president said, and thats pretty clear, I think everyone agrees thats why you had those resignations. [Im] also very assured that if the BBC took the case to court they would prevail, they would prevail because the state of Florida has pretty strong libel laws that defend media companies and free speech. What risks would Trump face in proceeding with legal action? If a legal suit was launched against the BBC, Mr Stephens told BBC Breakfast that, as well as further scrutiny on BBC operations, it could also bring Mr Trumps conduct under the microscope. He said: This is a civil case, not a criminal case, so the standard proof for the BBC is less high and, as a consequence, you have got real litigation risks that the libel trial would put Trumps January 6 conduct under the microscope in a court. He added: Trump risks turning whats currently a PR skirmish with the BBC very much on the back foot into a global headline that the court finds Trumps words were incendiary. Asked what advice he would give the BBC, Mr Stephens said hang tough adding that bosses should not be intimidated. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Asylum seekers can stay at a protest-hit hotel in Epping after a High Court judge denied the local council an injunction to block migrants from being housed there. Epping Forest District Council took legal action against Somani Hotels, which owns The Bell Hotel in Essex, claiming that they were breaching planning rules by housing asylum seekers at the site. The hotel became the site of a series of protests over the summer after a migrant staying there, Hadush Kebatu, sexually assaulted a woman and a 14-year-old girl. The local council tried to ban migrants from being housed at the hotel, telling the High Court that it had become a feeding ground for unrest and protest. open image in gallery The government has promised to end the use of asylum hotels, such as The Bell Hotel, where these protesters are pictured back in August ( PA ) The council was initially granted a temporary injunction, which would have stopped 138 asylum seekers from being housed at the hotel beyond 12 September. The decision threatened to throw the governments asylum policy into chaos after more councils said they would try and seek similar vetoes. However the injunction was then overturned by the Court of Appeal, which found the decision to be seriously flawed in principle. High Court judge Mr Justice Mould has now ruled that asylum seekers should be able to stay at the hotel, saying that it is for the police to manage any safety concerns in the local area. In a judgment handed down on Tuesday, Mr Justice Mould said that the use of the hotel to house asylum seekers was not a flagrant breach of planning control. He added that he had heard no evidence to support concerns that the use of The Bell to house asylum seekers was placing the local GP, health, social or community services under pressure. Mr Justice Mould continued: There is no evidential basis at all for the assertion that asylum seekers as a cohort have a greater propensity than the settled population to engage in criminal or anti-social behaviour. open image in gallery Demonstrators protest in Epping to stop a police van leaving after a protester was detained after hanging a Union flag from the civic offices earlier this year ( PA ) He said that there is a clear continuing need to source contingency accommodation for asylum seekers from hotels, and concluded that the planning and environmental harm resulting from the current use of The Bell is limited. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said on X/Twitter that the decision was a dark day for local democracy and a slap in the face to the people of Epping. He claimed: A Labour government has once again used the courts to put the rights of illegal immigrants above the rights of British citizens. A Labour source hit back, saying: This is some brass neck from Chris Philp. If he wants to understand why there are so many asylum seekers in hotels, I suggest he casts his mind back to his time in the Home Office. He was the one opening all these hotels. Councillor Ken Williamson, at Epping Forest District Council, said they were bitterly disappointed by the ruling. He said: We won the moral and ethical arguments, but we were outgunned by bigger and more powerful interests. In the interests of political expediency, the home secretary can now ignore planning law, the concerns of local councils, and their residents. Mr Williamson said that the council had fought an unholy alliance of lawyers for government and big business intent on protecting huge profits and an indefensible asylum policy. The Home Office intervened in the case to argue that asylum seekers should be allowed to stay in the hotel, telling the court that granting an injunction to Epping essentially incentivises other councils who wish to close down migrant hotels in their areas to seek legal action. Becca Jones, director of asylum support, said the loss of the bed spaces in The Bell Hotel would be significant amid rising small boat crossings. open image in gallery Police outside The Bell Hotel in August, which a High Court judge has ruled can continue to house asylum seekers ( PA ) The Essex hotel became a focal point of protests in the summer after Ethiopian national Hadush Kebatu was charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl. He was jailed for 12 months in September and was later mistakenly released from prison and re-detained. A second asylum seeker who was resident at the hotel, Syrian national Mohammed Sharwarq, was also jailed for 16 weeks in September after admitting assaulting two fellow residents and two members of staff at the site. A third resident was arrested in April for the alleged offence of arson. In his judgment on Tuesday, Mr Justice Mould said the planning harm resulting from these actions or alleged actions should not be overstated. open image in gallery The local Epping council told the high court the area near The Bell had become a feeding ground of unrest and protest ( PA ) Responding to the ruling, Enver Solomon, chief executive at the charity Refugee Council, urged the government to ensure that all asylum hotels are closed next year. He added: Plans to warehouse people in military barracks or other large sites are not a viable or humane solution. They are unsuitable, isolating, and the governments own spending watchdog has found them to be more expensive than hotels. Steve Smith, CEO of charity Care4Calais, said that residents of The Bell have been subjected to racist abuse and threats of physical violence, adding: Now we have todays judgement, we call on the Home Office to get on and process the claims of all those who have been left behind at The Bell. A Home Office spokesperson said: We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels in this country. This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway to move asylum seekers into more suitable accommodation such as military bases, to ease pressure on communities across the country. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice One person has died in a house fire in London. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters were called to the scene in Broome Road, Hampton, south-west London, at 1.21am on Sunday, London Fire Brigade (LFB) said. Half of the first floor of the mid-terraced house was damaged in the fire, LFB said, and a woman was declared dead at the scene. The blaze was put out by 4am. The cause of the fire is being investigated, LFB added. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice He has been stripped of his titles and forced to leave his 30-room mansion in Windsor, but disgraced member of the royal family Andrew Mountbatten Windsor may be given something new by Buckingham Palace a hyphen in his name. This would change it to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and bring the double-barrelled surname in line with how it was first used by the Queen, and how it is usually formulated by his relatives. When the palace announced that Andrew would no longer hold the title of Prince or His Royal Highness in the wake of further revelations about his connections with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, and the publication of a damning book by Virginia Giuffre, it gave his name as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, with no hyphen a decision that was reportedly agreed with Andrew himself. But The Independent understands the palace is now considering reinstating the usual hyphen, which is how his late mother styled the double-barrelled name when it was introduced. open image in gallery Got to dash could Andrews name be changed again? ( Getty ) It was immediately prior to Andrews birth that the surname Mountbatten-Windsor was created. Though he is the third of Elizabeths four children, Andrew was the first to be born after her accession to the throne when the official royal family name, Windsor, was still in use. This meant that as her husband, Prince Philip had to give up his surname. The style change was announced two weeks before Andrew was born, and it is recognised as having been created largely to accommodate Prince Philips surname Mountbatten within the family, after he expressed frustration that he was the only man in the country not allowed to give his name to his children. In the now famous rant to his friends, he added: Im nothing but a bloody amoeba. In a lengthy proclamation in The London Gazette in February 1960, a notice by Elizabeth was published, stating her last-minute changes. It said: My Lords, Whereas on the 9th day of April 1952, I did declare My Will and Pleasure that I and My children shall be styled and known as of the House and Family of Windsor, and that my descendants other than female descendants who marry and their descendants, shall bear the name of Windsor: And whereas I have given further consideration to the position of those of My descendants who will enjoy neither the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness, nor the titular dignity of Prince, and for whom therefore a surname will be necessary: open image in gallery Defenestrated but not hyphenated the aristo formerly known as prince gets both barrels in potential name switch-up ( PA ) And whereas I have concluded that the Declaration made by Me on the 9th day of April 1952, should be varied in its application to such persons: Now therefore I declare My Will and Pleasure that, while I and My children shall continue to be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, My descendants other than descendants enjoying the style, title or attribute of royal highness and the titular dignity of Prince or Princess and female descendants who marry and their descendants shall bear the name of Mountbatten-Windsor. Now, historians have suggested that the disgraced royal ought to be styled Mountbatten-Windsor, with a hyphen, to maintain tradition. Andrew Lownie, historian and author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, told The Independent: It is strange that the former Prince Andrew wished and was allowed to drop the hyphen, as the family name is Mountbatten-Windsor. Indeed, under the 1960 Privy Council Declaration, he was the first royal baby to take that name, and other royals have adopted that format. Lownie noted that this includes Princess Anne on her 1973 marriage certificate and Prince Harrys son Archie on his 2019 birth certificate. He added: My own view is that a correction will be made. Ian Lloyd, a royal historian and author, said: I was quite surprised when the palace statement came out giving Andrews name without a hyphen, given the historic precedent for one. Despite everything that has gone on, I expect that Prince Philip might at least be pleased to know that the Mountbatten name lives on, he suggested to The Times. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Prince of Wales is set to deliver a video message to young people across the UK for Armistice Day. William will emphasise the significance of wearing a red poppy and declare that remembrance is for everyone. His address will be broadcast during the Royal British Legions virtual Remembrance Assembly on Tuesday morning. The event will connect children aged 9-14 in schools, libraries, and other learning environments nationwide. In his message, the prince says: Armistice Day is an important time for us to stop and reflect it is a reminder that remembrance is for everyone. When we remember, we connect with service in a personal way. open image in gallery William, pictured with wife Kate, will speak about the importance of wearing a poppy ( PA ) Williams message goes on to say: We learn from the courage of others, and we carry their stories forward, so they are not forgotten. Its not just about the past its about shaping who we become in the future. Remembrance teaches us empathy, resilience and responsibility. And when we wear a red poppy or take a moment of silence, we are saying, Thank you. We have not forgotten, and we will not forget. William will encourage young people to remember veterans and serving members of the armed forces alike. Through my own military experience, as well as through my work in connection with units across the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force, I have seen first-hand the hard work, dedication and duty the armed forces carry out to ensure we are protected, his message will say. open image in gallery William with his father Charles and brother Harry at a 2017 Remembrance Day event ( PA ) Coming together for remembrance is a vital way to honour those whose service keeps us safe. Even today, as we continue to face a number of conflicts across the world, we honour those who have gone before us, and those who are serving now. Their memories matter, their lives matter, and they remind us to be respectful, kind, brave and thoughtful every day. The online learning event created in partnership with the National Literacy Trust will be accessible on YouTube or Zoom from 10.25am, and includes a two-minute silence at 11am, the RBL said. It will also include first-hand testimonies from Second World War veterans, including 101-year-old George Durrant, who served in Burma from 1944 in the Intelligence Corps, and 100-year-old Prince Albert Jacob, who joined the Royal Air Force aged 17 and travelled to the US and Britain to repair planes. Meanwhile the Princess of Wales will attend the Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which will begin at 10.45am with a two-minute silence at 11am, followed by a wreath laying on the Armed Forces Memorial. open image in gallery The Princess of Wales during a Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London ( PA ) The service will feature the reading of a specially commissioned poem by the arboretums poet in residence, Arji Manuelpillai. A Sonnet For Us All captures the stories etched into the hundreds of memorials within the National Memorial Arboretum, it invites people to listen, reflect and consider the emotion that was the inspiration for these sculptures, Mr Manuelpillai said. These human connections, and the gentle responsibility to carry love forward, are themes that resonate not only with me, but also with HRH The Princess of Wales, for whom the importance of service and compassion lies especially close to the heart. Once the service has concluded, Kate will view newly dedicated names on the Armed Forces Memorial before meeting veterans in attendance at the service, the arboretum said. Later on Tuesday, William will join the King and Queen at Windsor Castle where a reception will honour veterans who served in the Pacific during the Second World War. The event, which the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Gloucester will also attend, continues the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan). Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A private investigator in the legal claim between a group of household names, including the Duke of Sussex, and the publisher of the Daily Mail claims his signature on a previous witness statement is a forgery, the High Court has heard. Gavin Burrows has been described as central to the most serious allegations of unlawful information gathering made by the group, which includes Sir Elton John, Liz Hurley, actress Sadie Frost, campaigner Baroness Doreen Lawrence and politician Sir Simon Hughes, the court in London was told. Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) is accused by the group of carrying out or commissioning unlawful activities such as hiring private investigators to place listening devices inside cars, blagging private records and accessing private phone conversations. ANL denies the allegations and is defending the legal action. In a previous statement, dated August 2021, Mr Burrows is said to have claimed to have targeted hundreds, possibly thousands of people through voicemail hacking, landline tapping, and accessing financial and medical information for a journalist at the Mail On Sunday. open image in gallery Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) is accused by the group of carrying out or commissioning unlawful activities such as hiring private investigators to place listening devices inside cars, blagging private records and accessing private phone conversations ( Anthony Devlin/PA ) But on Tuesday, the court heard that in September this year, he made a statement to ANLs lawyers in which he claimed not to have signed the August 2021 document. In the recent statement, he said: I do not recognise the earlier witness statement of August 16, 2021 and I believe that my signature on that document is a forgery. A lot of it is not written in my type of language. Further, the contents of the statement are substantially untrue. He added that he had never carried out work for the Mail On Sunday or the Daily Mail, apart from one job relating to Sir Richard Branson that did not involve any illegal activity. The latest statement comes after Mr Burrows said he wished to make clear that I was never instructed or commissioned by (a journalist) or anyone at the Mail On Sunday or the Daily Mail to conduct unlawful information gathering on their behalf in a separate statement in March 2023. Mr Burrows, who was initially a witness for the group, is now the subject of legal arguments about whether or not he will be called as a witness for the trial. Antony White KC, for ANL, asked the court to allow him to cross-examine Mr Burrows, while David Sherborne, for the group, made an application to call his evidence as hearsay. Mr Justice Nicklin gave Mr Sherborne seven days to decide whether he wanted to apply for a witness summons to call Mr Burrows, and told him if Mr Burrows gave evidence that was inconsistent with the evidence they had obtained, then he could apply to treat him as hostile. A further pre-trial hearing in the case is expected to take place before the end of the year. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Queen Camilla joined commuters on a train from Chippenham to London Paddington today, participating in the Great Western Railways 'Poppies to Paddington' initiative, which sees wreaths transported for a special remembrance service. Boarding the 9.28am service from the station in Wiltshire, the Queen travelled with wreaths in a train named after the decorated Second World War spy, Odette Hallowes GC MBE. Before her departure, Camilla was greeted at Chippenham station by pupils from Monkton Park School. Year 5 and 6 students, who had learned to crochet specifically for the project, presented her with a handmade wreath. They also crafted additional poppies to sell, raising funds for the Royal British Legions Poppy Appeal. Sporting a crocheted poppy pinned to her own black blazer, the Queen admired the offering from 10-year-old Eira Jones, telling the children: "Im extremely impressed." At Paddington train station, Camilla took part in a service attended by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and former Prime Minister Theresa May. open image in gallery Queen Camilla is presented with a crocheted poppy wreath by Eira Jones, 10 at Chippenham station ( Getty Images ) Camilla placed a wreath of poppies at the war memorial at Platform One at Paddington before the Last Post was sounded to mark the start of the two minutes silence. Earlier, on board the Paddington-bound train, Great Western Railway managing director Mark Hopwood paid tribute to those who served the public after the stabbing on a train in Huntingdon on 1 November. Mr Hopwood said: In recent days, we have been reminded again about the quiet courage that runs through this industry. The actions of all those involved in the appalling incident at Huntington, not least the LNER train crew, the officers of Cambridgeshire and the British Transport Police, showed calm, compassion and bravery in the face of quite unimaginable circumstances. Their actions embody the same values of services and care that have always defined our industry. Following the service, which included a performance by the Military Wives Choir, Camilla laid a wreath in front of the memorial, which was set against a backdrop of drapes of poppies made by a GWR employee. open image in gallery Camilla placed a wreath of poppies at the war memorial at Platform One at Paddington before the Last Post was sounded to mark the start of the two minutes silence ( Ben Birchall/PA Wire ) Camilla was then shown a special liveried train which features the names of all 2,545 former-GWR workers who died in the First World War. Two relatives of those named on the train, Jane Brook, 51, from Exeter, and Adrian Russell, 58, from Swindon, told the Queen of their family members service. Ms Brook described meeting Camilla as surreal, adding: Im very proud to be stood next to Great Uncle Harry, I feel like its a memory for him. Private Western, who served in the 8th Devonshire Regiment, was an engine cleaner at GWRs Exeter depot. He was killed at the age of 21 in the Battle of Arras in 1917. Ms Brook, who is a driving training administrator, works at the same depot as her great uncle, a connection she described as really special. She said: To be stood next to (a photograph of) him and meet Queen Camilla was just massive to know that he hasnt been forgotten amongst all the thousands of other people. open image in gallery Camilla laid a wreath at London Paddington train station as part of the Great Western Railway Poppies to Paddington event to mark Armistice Day ( Ben Birchall/PA ) Mr Russell said it was a great honour to represent the company and his great, great uncle Raymond William, who worked as a labourer in the carriage works in Swindon. Like four generations of his family before him, Mr Russell works at GWRs Swindon branch. He is also part of the volunteer team that sells poppies at the station during the Poppy Appeal. The train manager and assessor said: The honour of meeting the queen has just blown me out of the water, to be honest. Its a bit of a blur. I was saying (to the Queen), Im fourth generation railway. She said thats a good thing she understands the passion behind it. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice When Nerissa Tivy sees other peoples sons graduate or welcome a new baby, she smiles for them. But theres a part of me that just sits there and thinks, oh my God, Ill never see that with Alex now, never, she says. Ms Tivy is one of more than 430,000 people affected each year by the disappearance of a child. Her son, Alexander Sloley, went missing in August 2008 when he was 16. He vanished from a friends house in Islington, north London, with no wallet, no spare clothes and very little money. Alexs story comes as The Independent and the charity Missing People launch the SafeCall appeal, aiming to raise 165,000 to fund a new free service offering support and safety to the 70,000 children reported missing each year. Donate here or text SAFE to 70577 to give 10 to Missing People enough for one child to get help. Alex, who would now be 34, was an Arsenal fan and a maths enthusiast a gentle, protective teenager devoted to his mother and three sisters. One of them was only five when he vanished, but still remembers him taking her to nursery on his bike. He didnt like trouble or confrontation, Ms Tivy says. He just wanted everyone to be happy. open image in gallery Nerissa Tivy felt hopeless as she claimed police failed to take substantial action in the first two years of her sons disappearance ( Missing People ) At first she thought her son must have gone to stay with friends. But when he didnt come home for his 17th birthday two days later, and then missed hers a few weeks after that, she went to the police. For months, all she had was a reference number. What do you do next? she says. My childs missing and no ones telling me anything. It was more than two years before she says police made contact again. You report your child missing and no one gives a damn, she says. It took them two years and three months before they contacted me. Had they done something earlier, maybe wed have answers by now. Every day, Alex is still in her thoughts. It could be anything just a smell, a memory. I could be making cornmeal porridge or frying dumplings, and suddenly Alex is there in my head. Even something as small as buying perfume can spark a wave of grief. He used to ask me to bring home mens samples, she recalls. We had a jar full of them indoors he was always smelling good. Despite her frustration with the investigation, Ms Tivy remains determined. Her message to other parents is simple: Never give up. Be persistent with the police and demand your answers. open image in gallery Alex just liked everyone to be happy ( Missing People ) She claims that racism played a role in the investigations delay and was part of the reason why police deemed that Alex, who is Black, went missing of his own accord. When I reported him missing, he was a minor. Why didnt they contact any other agencies, like social services? she asked. Ms Tivy watches officers take on her case for a year at a time before being replaced by someone who has to read all the case files and start again from the beginning. These officers just come to look at your case, kind of smile about it and see you for like one or two meetings, and after that, theyre gone, she said. Theres nothing concrete. Alexs father died in 2014 without ever knowing what happened. If I die and I dont get an answer, hopefully my children will get an answer, Ms Tivy said. If she could speak to her son right now, she would say: Call us, Alex, or come home or let someone know that youre safe. open image in gallery Alexander Sloley, who was 16 when he went missing, was always protective of his mother and three sisters ( Supplied ) Detective chief inspector Sarb Kaur, who is leading the investigation for the Metropolitan Police, said: I fully understand the pain and frustration felt by Alexs family and we remain committed to finding out what happened to him. A fresh witness appeal was launched earlier this year with a 10,000 reward for information. The investigation team has been established, and a family contact officer continues to provide updates and support to Alexs family. DCI Kaur has urged anyone with information to come forward. This can be done anonymously. open image in gallery Tivy has asked anyone with information on her son to come forward ( Missing People ) Josie Allan, the head of policy and partnerships at Missing People, said: Nerissa has shown extraordinary strength and determination in the face of unimaginable pain. Every family deserves a fair response from the agencies there to assist them. The charity continues to stand alongside Nerissa and her family as they search for answers about what happened to her son, Alexander. We also hope that any child or young person who feels frightened or at risk knows they can reach out to a confidential, anonymous support service for help. By giving young people a safe space to talk, we can help prevent more children from going missing in the first place. Please donate now to the SafeCall campaign, launched by The Independent and Missing People, to help raise 165,000 to create a free service to help find new, safe futures for vulnerable children. For advice, support and options, if you or someone you love goes missing, text or call 116 000. Its free, confidential and non-judgemental. Or visit www.missingpeople.org.uk/get-help. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The BBC has apologised to Donald Trump over the editing of a speech in a documentary after the US president threatened a $1bn lawsuit. The corporation said on Thursday evening that chair Samir Shah sent a personal letter to the White House to apologise for how Mr Trumps speech appeared in a Panorama episode aired in October 2024. However, the broadcaster has refused to pay the president compensation, adding that it: Strongly disagrees there is a basis for a defamation claim. The BBC is still awaiting a response from the US president. On Friday, the White House referred questions to Mr Trump's outside counsel, Alejandro Brito, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The US president threatened to sue the BBC over its editing of the speech, which made it appear as if he was explicitly urging people to attack the US Capitol on 6 January 2021. His lawyers had written to the corporation earlier this week demanding a retraction and compensation by Friday. In a retraction published by the BBC, it said the episode, Trump: A Second Chance?, will not be broadcast again in this form on any BBC platforms. The retraction said: This programme was reviewed after criticism of how President Donald Trumps 6th January 2021 speech was edited. During that sequence, we showed excerpts taken from different parts of the speech. open image in gallery Donald Trump in the White House on Thursday the president has a successful history of suing media companies ( Getty ) However, we accept that our edit unintentionally created the impression that we were showing a single continuous section of the speech, rather than excerpts from different points in the speech, and that this gave the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action. The BBC would like to apologise to President Trump for that error of judgement. It comes amid reports that the corporation faced accusations of misleading viewers on Mr Trumps US Capitol speech more than two years before the controversial Panorama edit aired. In an episode broadcast in June 2022, Newsnight reportedly played an edit of the US presidents speech which was similar to the one used in the Panorama programme in October 2024 both of which made it appear as if he was explicitly urging people to attack the Capitol. A BBC spokesperson said in response to the fresh claims, reported by The Daily T podcast, that: The BBC holds itself to the highest editorial standards. This matter has been brought to our attention and we are now looking into it. The president, who has not yet responded to the BBCs letter, said earlier this week that he had an obligation to launch legal action against the corporation. open image in gallery Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said political appointments on the board had damaged confidence and trust in the BBC ( PA Wire ) He said in an interview with Fox News that the BBC had defrauded the public over the editing of the speech, which made it appear as if he was explicitly urging people to attack the US Capitol. Meanwhile, creative industries union Bectu has now demanded the removal of Sir Robbie Gibb from the BBC board in the wake of the crisis, which led to the resignation of two of the corporations most senior figures. In a letter to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and BBC board chairman Samir Shah, Bectu, which is the biggest union in the BBC, warned Sir Robbies position was a distraction and is untenable. Earlier on Friday, Ms Nandy told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that political appointments on the board had damaged confidence and trust in the corporation, with the charter review set to examine the issue. But the culture secretary also said she is confident that the broadcaster is dealing with the threat of legal action from Mr Trump with the seriousness that it demands. Director general Tim Davie and chief executive of news Deborah Turness, resigned over the furore, which was sparked by the leaking of a memo written by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBCs editorial standards committee. open image in gallery Tim Davie outside BBC Broadcasting House following his resignation as director general earlier this week ( PA ) The note shared concerns about institutional bias within the corporation and said the way clips of Mr Trumps speech were spliced together in the 2024 episode made it appear he had told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to fight like hell removing a section where Mr Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully. Addressing staff on Tuesday morning, Mr Davie admitted the organisation had made some mistakes that have cost us, but hit out at the BBCs enemies and urged colleagues to fight for our journalism. Mr Trump has filed lawsuits against media companies before, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and CNN. In a letter sent to the BBC, his lawyer, Alejandro Brito, demanded that false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements made about Mr Trump be retracted immediately and said the BBC has violated Floridas defamation law. On Monday, Mr Shah issued an apology from the corporation over the error of judgement in the editing of the speech for the Panorama episode. Responding to a letter from the culture, media and sport committee, Mr Shah said that there had been more than 500 complaints since the publication of the Michael Prescott memo, which raised concerns about the Panorama episode, adding: We accept that the way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action. On Friday, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the BBC was right to apologise to Mr Trump. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir Ed Davey has called for Sir Robbie Gibb to be ousted from the BBC board. The Liberal Democrat leader said that Sir Robbie who served as Theresa Mays director of communications should have no role in appointing the new director general following the departure of Tim Davie. It follows claims that Sir Robbie led the charge in claims over systemic bias in the corporation, which was followed by the resignation of Mr Davie and the head of BBC News, Deborah Turness. Writing in The Guardian, the Lib Dem leader said that to ensure the BBCs independence, impartiality and trust, Sir Robbie should have no role in appointing the new director general. He wrote: The government should remove him from the board immediately and end the practice of political appointments, which so badly undermines the BBC, altogether. open image in gallery Davie and culture secretary Lisa Nandy ahead of the concert celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day, London, May ( PA ) Sir Robbie, who was appointed to the board by Boris Johnson and confirmed by Rishi Sunak, has described himself as a proper Thatcherite Conservative. Alan Rusbridger, who writes for The Independent, has detailed how Sir Robbie led the mystery consortium to buy The Jewish Chronicle on behalf of a secret backer whose identity has never been revealed. His stewardship of that paper saw it mired in a number of its own ethical and editorial failings. He is also reported to be a friend of Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBCs editorial standards committee who wrote the bombshell report which raised concerns about the way clips of Donald Trumps speech were spliced together to make it appear he had told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to fight like hell. Mr Davie and Ms Turness resigned on Sunday evening amid the scandal surrounding the Panorama programme, titled Trump: A Second Chance?. The corporation and ministers are coming under pressure over the matter, with a long-expected consultation on the BBCs new charter expected to begin in the coming weeks. In the same Guardian piece, Sir Ed said: The disturbing escalation in the assault on the BBC should be incredibly alarming to anyone who cares about truth, accountability and democracy. open image in gallery Davey: The disturbing escalation in the assault on the BBC should be incredibly alarming to anyone who cares about truth, accountability and democracy ( Reuters ) Trump and his mates are trying to destroy one of our most precious British institutions, and we must act fast to stop them. He said that the corporation is not perfect, but claimed that critics are seizing on a single mistake by one BBC programme as an excuse to undermine the whole organisation. We simply cannot let that happen. Mr Trump has threatened legal action of $1bn (762m) against the broadcaster over the Panorama programme. The BBC has until Friday to respond to the US presidents legal threat, which he plans to issue under Florida law. Meanwhile, a minister has said that the country should not have a national meltdown over the saga. Speaking to Times Radio on Tuesday, local government minister Alison McGovern said that the BBC should invest in quality journalism. open image in gallery Tim Davie resigned on Sunday evening ( PA ) She told the station: The question I have is, has there been bad editing here? Has there been issues? If there has, the answer to that is to get better editing and to invest in quality journalism and sort the problems out. I dont think we need to have a national meltdown about this. I think we need to make sure that the BBC, one of our most trusted media organisations, invests in quality journalism and tells the stories that we all want to hear. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The departing boss of the BBC has warned staff against the weaponisation of criticisms of the corporation as it faces a $1bn (760m) legal threat from Donald Trump. Tim Davie admitted the organisation had made some mistakes that have cost us, but hit out at the BBCs enemies and urged colleagues to fight for our journalism as he addressed staff for the first time since resigning over the way a speech by the US president was edited in an episode of Panorama. His comments came amid growing pressure on the team behind the programme, with two former culture secretaries calling for sanctions against more senior staffers days after Mr Davie and Deborah Turness, the chief executive of BBC News, revealed they would be standing down. open image in gallery Deborah Turness speaks to the media outside BBC Broadcasting House in London on Monday after her resignation ( PA ) Mr Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for $1bn over its misleading editing of his January 6 speech in an episode of Panorama, even after the broadcaster apologised for the error of judgement. His lawyers have written to the BBC demanding a retraction and compensation by Friday if the corporation wishes to avoid legal action. Last night it was reported that the BBC had received legal advice that the president had not been meaningfully damaged by the Panorama edit, which would mean there was no need to pay him compensation. The BBC board would therefore likely fight his demands, ITV reported. It comes as pressure grows on those behind the Panorama programme, after the chair of the BBC, Samir Shah, said there had been an error of judgement. Shadow culture secretary Nigel Huddleston called for the BBC to apologise to Mr Trump and hopefully avoid legal action. Former culture secretary John Whittingdale told The Independent: I do think that Panorama is clearly by far the most obvious and serious failure by the BBC. I would regard it as far more than simply an error of judgement. It raises real questions that Panorama can have produced a programme which, as the BBC chair acknowledges, created an impression that was totally incorrect. So on that basis, ultimately [Mr Davie and Ms Turness] have fallen on their swords. But the editor of Panorama, and those who had more direct responsibility for approving the programme, appear to have had no measure taken against them, no sanction whatsoever. That does surprise me. Former culture secretary Nicky Morgan also said she was surprised that no one had lost their job at Panorama, adding that the senior editorship of the programme should definitely be looked at. open image in gallery The outgoing director general of the BBC, Tim Davie, admitted that the corporation had made some mistakes that have cost us ( PA ) Speaking to staff, Mr Davie also conceded that it had been a tough few days. Maybe one of my biggest emotions at the moment is I care desperately about the organisation, the thousands of people who work for it, with every cell of my body, he said. I think they are absolutely wonderful in what they do. He added: Im fiercely proud of this organisation. There are difficult times it goes through, but it just does good work. And that ... speaks louder than any newspaper, any weaponisation. We are the very best of what I think we should be as a society, and that will never change. We are a unique and precious organisation, and I see the free press under pressure, I see the weaponisation. I think weve got to fight for our journalism. We have made some mistakes that have cost us, but we need to fight for that. And Im fiercely proud of that, and dont let anyone stop you from thinking that we are doing a fantastic job. It came as the Liberal Democrats tabled an early day motion in parliament calling for Theresa Mays former adviser Sir Robbie Gibb to be removed from the BBC board in order to maintain its impartiality. open image in gallery Donald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for $1bn over its misleading editing of his January 6 speech in an episode of Panorama ( Getty ) Sir Robbie was appointed under Boris Johnsons government, and has been at the centre of the recent row, following claims that he led the charge over systemic bias in the corporation, which helped to trigger the resignations of Mr Davie and Ms Turness. Culture secretary Lisa Nandy warned the BBC that it had to renew its mission for the modern age in its imminent once-in-a-decade Royal Charter renewal. Ms Nandy also hit out at MPs attacking the BBC from left and right for not expressing views they agree with, saying that they should consider just what is at stake. But she rejected calls to remove Mr Gibb from the board, saying there was a high legal threshold that had to be made before action could be taken. Downing Street declined to comment on the presidents threat to sue the BBC, insisting it was a matter for the corporation. Asked whether the government would help the BBC pay any damages that a court might award to Mr Trump, the spokesperson dismissed the question as hypothetical. Our position is clear: the BBC is independent, and its for the corporation to respond to questions about their editorial decisions and, more broadly, we have a close relationship with the US on shared priorities, including security, they said. Sir Keir Starmer has not spoken to Mr Trump about his threatened legal action, Downing Street indicated. open image in gallery Davie said in his address to staff that he is fiercely proud of the BBC ( Getty ) A report from Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBCs editorial standards committee, raised concerns that Mr Trumps speech on 6 January 2021, before the attack on the US Capitol, had been selectively edited in the Panorama documentary to make it appear as though he had told supporters he was going to walk with them to the Capitol to fight like hell. Following a behind-closed-doors meeting, the Commons culture committee called Mr Shah, Sir Robbie and Mr Prescott to appear before MPs in the coming weeks in relation to the row. Mr Prescott had been due to give evidence to MPs on the culture, media and sport committee on Wednesday, but that session has now been postponed. Mr Trumps lawyer, Alejandro Brito, has demanded that false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements made about Mr Trump be retracted immediately. If the BBC does not comply, Mr Trump will be left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights, all of which are expressly reserved and are not waived, including by filing legal action for no less than 1,000,000,000 dollars in damages, he warned in a letter. The BBC declined to comment. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice David Lammy has been urged to end the scandal of people imprisoned for their own protection while they await trial just days after Britains overcrowded jails were blamed for prisoners being wrongfully released. Sir Keir Starmer hit out at the strain on the system, which he said had been caused by the last Tory government, as he denounced the wrongful releases as intolerable. Now more than 40 leading experts and organisations have written to the justice secretary calling on him to use the governments Sentencing Bill to remove the courts power to remand defendants in custody for their own protection, or their welfare in the case of children. They warn the law comes from a mistaken belief that prisons are suitable places for people at risk of harm. open image in gallery Manhunts have been launched after prisoners were mistakenly released ( PA Archive ) The misguided power is available even when the defendant is not facing a criminal charge that could result in a custodial sentence, they highlight. Removing this power would be a win-win outcome for the government, freeing up expensive prison spaces and ensuring vulnerable people have access to the right tools to stabilise their lives. A report published by the chief medical officer for England last week highlighted that children and young people can be placed in the secure estate on youth justice grounds or held for their own protection or for the safety of others on welfare grounds. It also warns people can be remanded [detained] in prison for their own protection solely on mental health grounds. Cases include an 18-year-old woman who threatened to throw herself off a motorway bridge or the roof of a hospital and was jailed for her own safety to allow for a bed on a mental health ward to become available in 2019. open image in gallery Deputy prime minister and justice secretary David Lammy has come under pressure to get a grip on the situation ( PA Wire ) But campaign group Justice said the government had refused calls to publish data on how many people are remanded in prison for their own protection or welfare under the Bail Act 1976, which contains the provisions. The letter to Mr Lammy has been signed by the groups chief executive Fiona Rutherford, Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti, who was the former director of Liberty, deputy mayor of Greater Manchester Kate Green, the former Tory MP who chaired the Commons justice committee Sir Bob Neill, The Howard League, Mind, the Centre for Womens Justice and dozens more. Baroness Chakrabarti told The Independent: With bursting prisons in crisis, remand for the protection or welfare of vulnerable people and children is a double scandal. It is surely the worst example of treating the justice system as a dumping ground for failures elsewhere. Their letter warns that prisons are not places of care and are fundamentally ill-equipped to address the social issues, such as homelessness or addiction, that often underpin this use of remand. In reality, it adds, custodial remand worsens these vulnerabilities rather than solving them. This is especially true given the current prison capacity crisis and the limited support available to people in prison, particularly those held on remand. As the justice committee has rightly observed, prisons should not be regarded as a solution to failings of care and protection in the community. The letter also warns the practice disproportionately affects women and girls. They say they welcome the governments recognition, through the proposed Mental Health Bill, that custody is inappropriate where the sole concern is the defendants mental health. But they add: However, the government now has an opportunity to go further. The justice committee has repeatedly recommended that the provision for remanding people into custody for their own protection be removed in all situations. As highlighted by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, it is hard to think who could or should be remanded to custody for their own protection. The Sentencing Bill provides a crucial moment to improve outcomes for some of societys most vulnerable - many of whom would otherwise spend no time in custody by ensuring they receive the support they need in the community. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said:"We are changing the law to end the use of prison cells for people facing acute mental crisis as a so-called place of safety and ending the use of remand for own protection where the courts sole concern is a defendants mental health. This will ensure they get the urgent specialist help they need instead."Judges will retain the power to remand people for their own protection in other circumstances but only where it is deemed absolutely necessary." With yet another crisis at the BBC comes another round of speculation about its future. The corporation has managed to survive many scandals in the past, including the sacking or resignation of a surprisingly large number of directors general and chairs; the Wilson, Thatcher, Blair and Johnson governments were all characterised by especially spectacular disputes with the national broadcaster. But for commercial and political reasons, the latest threats feel more deadly. Heres how politicians might kill the BBC. What is the British Broadcasting Corporation? It began in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, a private limited firm run on commercial lines and given an exclusive licence to do so by the General Post Office. It was then nationalised and became the British Broadcasting Corporation in 1927. Like universities and some royal societies, it has an unusual status in being established by royal charter. This gives it a certain amount of valuable independence from political interference as well as prestige and stability, even if the royal charter has a finite span. In terms of governance it is overseen by that most anachronistic of arrangements in the governance of Britain, the privy council a kind of technocratic arm of the state. So how could the BBCs charter be removed? The next charter is due to be granted in 2027, replacing the one agreed with Theresa Mays government in late 2016. (The length of each term is a matter for the government, and it used to be much longer, with periodic minor reviews and extensions; for example, the one granted in 1964 lasted until 1981). If the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, were minded she and her colleagues could give the BBC a charter of 15 years or even longer. According to the privy council, its virtually impossible for a royal charter to be rescinded by the King or privy council unless the body concerned gives it up. The last time such an issue was forced was in the reign of Charles II. A government with sufficient support could pass an act of parliament to cancel the charter from a given date; everything the BBC does, from selling rights worldwide to filming an episode of Strictly to broadcasting the shipping forecast, would simply cease. In a process of forced dismemberment, the more promising parts would be sold off to the private sector, including groups based outside the UK. A subscription service or government grants might support some highly uneconomic operations, such as local radio and arts output. What about defunding the BBC? Messy, but it would be easy for the culture secretary to impose large cuts in the licence fee, gradually winding it down even under existing charter arrangements although the BBC might not be able to honour its commitments agreed with the state. What do the main parties say? Reform UK is easily the most hostile, and Nigel Farage has made no secret of his contempt for the BBC. Its 2024 manifesto was unequivocal, advocating commercial reform without explicitly advocating abolition: The out-of-touch wasteful BBC is institutionally biased. The TV licence is taxation without representation. We will scrap it. In a world of on-demand TV, people should be free to choose. In practical terms, forcing the BBC to become an entirely commercial service might achieve the same result unless the organisation can slim down, shed its public service obligations overnight and yet still hang on to current audiences. The Tories were less radical last time around, but leader Kemi Badenoch has been hardening her stance, consistent with her culture wars agenda. A few years ago, then culture minister Nadine Dorries said the present licence fee settlement will be the last. For the government, Nandy has said only that: We will launch the BBC Charter Review later this year to support a BBC that is empowered to continue to deliver a vital public service funded in a sustainable way. A BBC that can maintain the trust and support of the public in difficult times, support the wider ecosystem, and that is set up to drive growth in every part of the United Kingdom. She has also said the licence fee is unenforceable and that no options are off the table, but shes also said taxpayers money wont be used to fund the BBC. The Liberal Democrats explicitly support the current licence fee mechanism, but recently asked Ofcom to address the BBCs wall-to-wall coverage of Reform UK, saying the broadcaster is following Farage around like a lost puppy and fanning the flames of a dangerous populism. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir Keir Starmer has hinted that he could scrap the two-child benefit cap at the Budget, saying he is determined to drive down child poverty. The prime minister said that the government will be taking a number of measures to tackle the issue, amid speculation that the cap will be altered or scrapped entirely following pressure from Labour MPs. It is the latest hint that the cap could be removed after Rachel Reeves said on Monday that there are costs to our economy in allowing child poverty to go unchecked. In a clip broadcast on ITVs Lorraine programme on Tuesday, the prime minister said: I can tell you in no uncertain terms I am determined to drive child poverty down. It is what the last Labour government did, and thats one of the things we were proudest of. I am personally determined that is what were going to do. You wont have to wait much longer to see what the measures are. Pushed on whether that would involve getting rid of the cap, the PM added: We wont have to wait much longer. But I wouldnt be telling you that were going to drive down child poverty if I wasnt clear that we will be taking a number of measures in order to do so. open image in gallery Rachel Reeves has said that there are costs to our economy in allowing child poverty to go unchecked ( PA Wire ) The chancellor is due to deliver her Budget on 26 November. On Monday, she told BBC 5 live: In the end, a child should not be penalised because their parents dont have very much money. Now, in many cases you might have a mum and a dad who were both in work, but perhaps one of them has developed a chronic illness, perhaps one of them has passed away. There are plenty of reasons why people make decisions to have three, four children, but then find themselves in difficult times. She continued: So, we will take action on child poverty. The last Labour government proudly reduced child poverty, and we will reduce child poverty as well. The two-child limit which was first announced in 2015 by the Conservatives and came into effect in 2017 restricts child tax credits and universal credit (UC) to the first two children in most households. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has estimated that removing the cap would cost around 3.6bn and that it would lift some 630,000 children out of poverty. It comes after former prime minister Gordon Brown said he was confident that the two-child rule would be addressed. Were waiting for Rachel Reevess budget, which I think will mention this, he told Sky News. open image in gallery Former prime minister Gordon Brown says he is confident that the two-child cap will be addressed in the Budget ( PA Wire ) The chancellor also gave her biggest indication yet that the government could break its manifesto promises on tax at the Budget. She said that it would be possible for ministers to stick to their election pledges, but warned that doing so would mean deep cuts in other areas of spending. Speculation has been rampant in recent days that the chancellor is preparing to increase income tax in the Budget as she looks to balance the countrys books. Labours manifesto for the 2024 general election campaign pledged that the party would not raise income tax, VAT, or employee national insurance contributions. Ms Reeves said that when Labour composed its manifesto, it had in it our spending commitments and then the tax changes that would be needed to pay for those ... the truth is, what we inherited is significantly worse. Pushed on the partys commitment to the manifesto, the chancellor told the BBC: I will set out the choices in the Budget. It would of course be possible to stick with the manifesto commitments, but that would require things like deep cuts in capital spending. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Rachel Reeves has announced an end to the two-child benefit cap at todays Budget, following months of intense pressure from backbenchers, campaign groups and political opponents. The move will increase the benefits for 560,000 families by an average of 5,310, the Office for Budget Responsibilitys (OBR) fiscal outlook has calculated. Set to come into effect from April 2026, the government estimates that the change will reduce the number of children living in poverty by 450,000 by 2029/30. open image in gallery The government estimates that the change will reduce the number of children living in poverty by 450,000 by 2029/30 ( PA ) It will cost the Exchequer 3bn by this time, according to the OBR. This will be partly offset by reforms to gambling taxation, set to raise 1.1bn, mirroring a recommendation made by Gordon Brown in the build-up to the fiscal event. Writing in the New Statesman following the announcement, the former Labour prime minister said: In one short Budget intervention this afternoon, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has done more to transform the lives of 450,000 of Britains poorest children than any of the seven previous Conservative chancellors, who, in 14 long years, did nothing but harm to the lives of vulnerable children. It is time for every party to realise that the countrys future depends on investing in the potential not just of some of our children, but all of our children, he added. The decision will come as a relief for child poverty campaigners who had urged the chancellor to fully scrap the policy, rather than tweak it. open image in gallery The chancellor delivers Labours 2025 autumn Budget on Wednesday ( Parliament TV ) It marks a major U-turn for Labour, with ministers previously refusing to listen to critics on the measure. Last year, the prime minister enforced the whip on seven Labour MPs who voted against their party to oppose the two-child benefit cap. Heres everything you need to know about the policy and what the scrap will mean for families: What is the two-child cap on benefits? The two-child benefit cap prevents parents from claiming universal credit or tax credit for their third child. It was introduced by the Conservatives and came into place in April 2017. It only applies to children who were born after 6 April 2017. The measure was announced by then-chancellor George Osborne alongside a raft of other changes to the benefits system. The Conservatives said the measures were designed to encourage benefit recipients to make the same choices as those supporting themselves solely through work. Latest official figures show that 1.6 million children are living in families affected by the policy. Campaigners, charities and politicians from across the spectrum had called on the government to scrap the measure. It is a separate policy to the benefit cap, which was also introduced under the then-Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government, which sees the amount of benefits a household receives reduced to ensure claimants do not receive more than the limit. What is the effect of the two-child cap? Organisations working in the sector argue that 109 children across the UK are pulled into poverty by the policy every day. The number of children living in poor households has been steadily increasing over the past decade, with 4.5 million children around one in three now living in poverty. open image in gallery Former prime minister Gordon Brown recently called for the total abolition of the two-child benefit cap ( PA ) Poverty can be defined in several ways, but the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) uses relative low income as a marker, referring to people in households which earn below 60 per cent of the median income of 36,700 in 2024, or 22,020. Some of these children are going without essentials, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, such as food, heating, clothing or basic toiletries. How have parents and campaigners reacted? Alison Garnham, chief executive of Child Poverty Action Group said: Scrapping the two-child limit will be transformational for children. This is a much-needed fresh start in our countrys efforts to eradicate child poverty and while there is more to do it gives us strong foundations to build on. Every child deserves the best start in life and with todays decision government has done the right thing. Shauna and her husband have three children. He works full time. She says: This will make a big difference because weve had to incur debts. Hopefully it will mean I can cover the last bills that come in each month instead of being in the red. I could buy a new mattress for two of my children. They can feel the springs on the mattresses theyve got that theyve had for many years. Jo has four children. She says the extra money will help to pay for childcare enabling her to do extra work shifts. She said: Support for each of my children would also mean they can have better quality food rather than always the cheapest. We are living breadline to breadline. Responding to todays announcement, Moazzam Malik, CEO of Save the Children UK said: We welcome this bold action by the Chancellor to scrap the two-child limit. By the end of this Parliament, 450,000 children across the country will have been lifted out of poverty. Scrapping this unjust policy is the single most powerful step to reduce child poverty in a generation. Sophie Livingstone MBE, chief executive for Little Village, said: Scrapping the cruel two-child limit is long-overdue and a powerful win for the parents and campaigners who fought so hard for change. It will finally ease the pressure for many struggling families but we cant however forget those parents and children who have endured this policy for the last decade and all the work that's still left to do if we're going to end child poverty. Thea Jaffe, a mum of three supported by the charity, said: This money will help me pay for bills and essentials, but what Im most excited about is finally spending a weekend just playing with my kids instead of budgeting and worrying. But lets be clear, it will still be another hard six months until April figuring out winter boots, coats, childcare, higher energy bills; not to mention Christmas! Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The UK has announced it will axe 150 million from Britains contribution to the international fight against Aids, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria putting some 250,000 lives at risk, many of them children. Charities say the cut will force officials into impossible, life-or-death decisions. The UK has pledged 850m towards the Global Funds work over the next three years down from 1bn in 2022, itself a cut from 1.4bn in 2019. It comes as part of plans to shift money away from foreign aid to pay for defence. The Independent revealed the cut of 15 per cent on Friday, with seven Labour MPs who served as ministers under Keir Starmer also having written to the prime minister warning the cut would be a moral failure. In a statement to parliament, international development minister Jenny Chapman said: I am proud to announce that we will invest 850 million in the Global Fund for 2026-2028 to deliver lifesaving prevention, testing and treatment services. This commitment is not only a moral imperative, it is a strategic investment in global and national health security and in wider economic growth and stability. She added, The decision on the UKs pledge to the Global Fund has been taken in the context of the difficult decision this government has made to reduce spending on development assistance from 0.5 per cent of [national income] to 0.3 per cent to fund increased spending on our defence and national security. The Global Fund aims to raise $18bn (around 14bn) to save an estimated 23 million lives between 2027 and 2029. Worldwide NGO the ONE campaign calculates that a 1bn commitment by the UK would save 1.7 million lives, so a 150m drop could see more than 250,000 lives lost. Labour MP Fleur Anderson was one of those who wrote to Sir Keir. Despite the rosy statement from government, she told The Independent that concerns remained: It's important to be leading as a country, she said. We are taking our place on the global stage and this is one of the ways in which we can make sure that our actions back up our words. Defence funding is going up but there has to be balance with our diplomacy and development funding in order to ensure our security. The Global Fund uses contributions from richer governments including the UK to pay for a significant chunk of the worlds programmes to fight HIV, TB and malaria. Ms Anderson said she was concerned aid cuts were making successful funders of drugs and vaccines compete with each other for funding. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: The UK's new support for the Global Fund is an investment in our shared security and prosperity. No nation can tackle global health threats alone. As we co-host this vital funding replenishment with South Africa, we call on all partners to join us in building a safer, healthier world for everyone. Chair of the international development committee, Sarah Champion, said she was, deeply disappointed that our new contribution is 15 per cent lower in cash terms than at the last replenishment, while global inflation means that our new pledge counts for far less than it did a few years ago. Adrian Lovett, UK executive director of the ONE Campaign, which advocates for investment in Africa, said this pledge could help save around 1.4 million lives in the next three years. But if the government had matched the UKs previous commitment, it could have helped save 255,000 more lives, many of them children, he added. Labours devastating 40 per cent cut to the overall budget for international assistance has forced officials into impossible, life-or-death decisions. The UKs pledge announcement comes ahead of the funds official fundraising event on 21 November which Sir Keir Starmer is co-hosting along with South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa. Given the UKs role, it would have been very embarrassing not to have been as generous as we possibly can, Catherine West, another Labour MP to write to the prime minister on Friday, told The Independent. Ms West said she welcomed the figure, which she had feared could be lower - especially in light of the tough budget that we've got in two weeks time. I am really pleased that both Jenny Chapman and also the prime minister have all decided that this is a really worthwhile and important fund. But chief executive of UK-based HIV charity STOPAIDs, Mike Podmore, said the UKs reduced pledge, puts at risk the real possibility of ending AIDS by 2030. While still a major contribution, a reduction may also limit the Global Funds ability to maintain existing progress and deliver its life-saving work, from prevention work to medicine access. Labour MP Kerry McCarthy said she stood by the fears laid out in Fridays letter to the prime minister. "I am concerned about the commitment being reduced, she said. "We know that spending is finite," she added, but the Global Fund was an area where, "we could put our money and just know that it's having a really good impact. I think the important thing about it is it also feeds down to the governments in these countries. It's not just handouts. It's facilitating these governments taking control of...the HIV, TB, and malaria in their own countries". Chief Scientific Officer of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Dr Kavindhran Velen, said: Now is not the time to cut funding and engagement in the fight against TB we can do that once the job is done adding that the devastating impact of the US cuts had created a moment for the UK to step up, not retreat. Malaria No More UKs managing director, Gareth Jenkins, said: This is a disappointing step-back from the UKs long-held leadership in the fight against malaria. Letting our guard down now could scar Africas next generation by claiming tens of thousands more childrens lives. The economic consequences could also be severe with billions wiped from sub-Saharan African economies and weaker trading partnerships denting the UKs own growth prospects. The government had said the fund would receive a larger share of the aid budget for health, indicating the depths of the pain to come for those areas in line for much deeper cuts. In order to cut 40 per cent of the aid budget overall, Baroness Chapman has previously said that other recipients of UK aid money, including services specifically supporting women and girls, would lose more or all of their funding. Mr Lovett, of the ONE Campaign said: In the context of deep cuts to the overall budget for international assistance, this investment in the Global Fund is a welcome commitment to collective efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria but ministers must go further. Investing in the fight against these deadly diseases has the wide support of the public. They recognise it is not only the right thing to do, but that it is in our own interests. Viruses and diseases do not stop at borders - so when we invest in healthier lives abroad, we make ourselves safer here at home too. This article has been produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Armed men in Mali killed a TikTok influencer who had posted videos in support of the West African nation's military, authorities said Monday. The young TikTok user Mariame Cisse was abducted by armed men on Friday while she was at the weekly market in Echel, Yehia Tandina, the mayor of Timbuktu, told The Associated Press. The following day, at dusk, the same men brought her back to Independence Square in Tonka and executed her in front of a crowd, they added. The mayor of Tonka in the Timbuktu region, Mamadou Konipo, confirmed the killing but said he didn't have more information. open image in gallery Mali, the town of Bamako pictured, has been battling armed groups since 2012 with the military seizing power in 2020 ( AP ) Tonka is a village along the Niger River, roughly 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Timbuktu. Members of the al-Qaida affiliate Jamaat Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, are known to operate there. No group has taken responsibility for the killing. Cisse, who was not a member of the military, sometimes posted images of herself in military fatigues to her more than 140,00 followers, which is thought to have drawn attention from the armed men. Cisse received death threats several days before she was abducted, according to the Timbuktu mayor. Mali has been battling armed groups since 2012, a fight that has escalated over the past decade. The military seized power in 2020 on the pretext of curtailing the insecurity. Another military officer seized power in a coup the following year. Insecurity has worsened since then, according to monitoring groups. Armed groups, primarily JNIM, operate in large swathes of rural regions. The landlocked nation is currently under a fuel blockade by JNIM. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A father and his daughter have been named as the victims killed when a small plane bound for a hurricane relief mission in Jamaica crashed in a Florida neighborhood. Christian ministry organization Ignite the Fire identified the two victims of the Monday morning crash as the group's founder, Alexander Wurm, 53, and his daughter Serena Wurm, 22. The pair were bringing humanitarian aid to Jamaica, according to the organization, when the Beechcraft King Air plane they were flying in crashed into a pond in a residential area of the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Coral Springs, narrowly missing homes. As of Tuesday morning, investigators had not reported any other victims. Ignite the Fire is dedicated to empowering youth through missions and evangelism across the Caribbean, according to the organization's website. A statement on the group's social media described the Wurm family as passionate about humanitarian work and their Christian faith. Together, their final journey embodied selflessness and courage, reminding us of the power of service and love, the statement reads, adding, Rest in peace, Alexander and Serena your light endures in all whose lives you changed. open image in gallery Emergency crews respond after a plane crashed in Coral Springs, Florida, on Monday morning. Two people were killed, authorities said ( AP ) The turboprop plane went down shortly after taking off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at approximately 10:14 a.m. on Monday, authorities said, with police and fire rescue responding to the crash site just five minutes later. According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the plane was manufactured in 1976 and its registered owner is listed as International Air Services, a company that markets itself as specializing in providing trust agreements to non-U.S. citizens that enable them to register their aircraft with the FAA. A person who answered the companys phone Monday afternoon declined to answer questions from a reporter, stating no comment and ending the phone call. Posts by Alexander Wurm on social media in recent days suggested the evangelist had recently acquired the plane to further his missionary work across the Caribbean, describing the aircraft as an older King Air with brand new engines, and perfect to ferry his organizations deliveries of generators, batteries and building materials to Jamaica. Ive been a pilot since 2005 and I felt that the Ignite ministry should have a missions airplane if it wanted to effectively bless the Caribbean! Wurm wrote in a social media post on Nov. 2. Perfect for the mission to bring relief goods into Montego Bay and the plane is ready just in time! he added. Photos and videos on social media show Wurm posing for a picture in the plane's cockpit and unloading boxes of supplies from the packed aircraft with teams of volunteers. The flight tracking website FlightAware shows the plane made four other trips to or from Jamaica in the past week, traveling between George Town in the Cayman Islands and Montego Bay and Negril in Jamaica, before landing in Fort Lauderdale on Friday. Broward County, where the plane took off from and where the crash occurred, is home to a vibrant Caribbean American community that sprang into action to collect relief supplies following Hurricane Melissa, which left a path of destruction in the Caribbean. A powerful Category 5 storm, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Oct. 28 and tied for the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane in history. The storm also caused devastation in Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic and prompted relief organizations to mobilize. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Officials in southeast Texas believe they may have discovered the cause of a dam breach that caused 30 homes to be evacuated in the nearby area. An eight-inch hole, discovered in the Carter Lake dam in Camden, approximately 70 miles north of Houston, was likely gnawed by beavers, according to Polk County Emergency Management Director Courtney Comstock. Comstock said Monday that property owners close to the dam had found brush that appeared to have been chewed by the critters and that tracks consistent with beavers had also been found nearby. Beaver activity is a possibility, and it has happened to other dams in the past, she told KHOU 11, though added that an exact cause of the persistent leak has not been established. Hundreds of residents living south of the Carter Lake dam were first notified to evacuate their homes Saturday night following concerns that the dam had been compromised. Authorities said a resident in the area had reported rushing water leaking from the dam. open image in gallery An eight-inch hole, discovered in the Carter Lake dam in Camden, approximately 70 miles north of Houston, was likely gnawed by beavers, according to Polk County Emergency Management Director Courtney Comstock ( PA Archive ) Residents subsequently began pumping water out of the lake over the weekend in order to reduce pressure on the damaged section of the dam. Officials said in an update Monday that the water level had been lowered significantly, and that as a result the leak had been stopped. The lake level has been brought down by a foot, though the intention is to decrease it by three or four feet, Polk County Emergency Management said in a statement. open image in gallery Hundreds of residents living south of the Carter Lake dam were first notified to evacuate their homes Saturday night following concerns that the dam had been compromised. Authorities said a resident in the area had reported rushing water leaking from the dam ( Google Maps ) A six inch pipe that exists below the spillway should also assist with drainage of excess water that may accumulate in the lake. The owners state pumping equipment will remain onsite until the dam repairs have been completed, the statement added. Residents have been permitted to return to their homes, though were advised to exercise caution when traveling over roads and crossing bridges in low-lying areas, the department said. We sincerely appreciate the cooperation of residents who followed the voluntary evacuation guidance, as well as the dedication and support of emergency responders throughout this incident. Emergency Management will remain in contact with the property owners until dam repair operations are fully completed. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The families of six children and two counselors who were killed in the Camp Mystic flooding tragedy are suing the camp's owners and other defendants for alleged negligence in a pair of lawsuits. The disaster at the Texas summer camp left 27 children and counselors dead in July. A slow moving thunderstorm over the region kicked off widespread flooding, ultimately killing more than 100 people. The lawsuits argued in part that the camps leadership failed to put proper evacuation plans into place despite it being located in a region of Texas called "Flash Flood Alley, NBC News reports. Camp Mystic has long operated in a high-risk flood zone. Despite this known danger, the petition asserts that the camp failed to adopt legally required evacuation plans, ignored repeated weather warnings, and implemented unsafe policies, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit was filed by the families of five children and two counselors who lost their lives: Anna Margaret Bellows, 8; Lila Bonner, 9; Molly DeWitt, 9; Chloe Childress, 18; Katherine Ferruzzo, 19; Lainey Landry, 9; and Blakely McCrory, 8. open image in gallery An officer prays with a family as they pick up items at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The filing also accuses the camp's staff of prioritizing saving equipment rather than the children. "With the river rising, the Camp chose to direct its groundskeepers to spend over an hour evacuating camp equipment, not its campers and counselors," the lawsuit says. The filing acknowledges that the camp staff tried to save the campers, but did so "too late." "Finally, when it was too late, the Camp made a hopeless 'rescue' effort from its self-created disaster in which 25 campers, two counselors, and the Camp director died," the suit says. An attorney for Camp Mystic, Jeff Ray, told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth on Monday that the lawsuit included "misinformation" about the actions taken by the camp's leadership. Ray also said that the scale of the flooding, despite the camp being located in a flood-prone area, was beyond what anyone at the camp could have predicted. "We intend to demonstrate and prove that this sudden surge of floodwaters far exceeded any previous flood in the area by several magnitudes, that it was unexpected and that no adequate warning systems existed in the area," Ray said. Another family that of 8-year-old Eloise "Lulu" Peck, who died in the flood at the camp have also sued the camp and other defendants. That lawsuit claims that the camp's owners knew the camp was "in the bullseye of potential flood waters from the Guadalupe River and never said a word about it to trusting parents." open image in gallery Campers belongings sit outside one of Camp Mystic's cabins near the Guadalupe River ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) It further claims that the camp has been operated for generations by the same family, and that since discovering the potential flood threat the owners have been playing "Russian Roulette with the lives of the little girls." That lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages in excess of $1 million for wrongful death, metal pain and anguish, and other issues. The tragedy at the camp occurred on July 4, when slow-moving thunderstorms raised the water in the nearby Guadalupe River by more than 20 feet over the course of a few hours, according to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. Once the water overtook the edge of the Guadalupe, it swept over Kerr County, killing at least 117. Camp Mystic has announced plans to partially reopen next year with a monument honoring the victims. The Independent has requested comment from Camp Mystic. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A major U.S. clothing store has called out Donald Trumps sweeping global tariffs as having had a meaningful impact on its profits after announcing the closure of 150 stores across the country. Carters, which sells clothes and other essentials for babies and toddlers, said its operating income was down by approximately 62 percent over the first three quarters when compared to the same period last year. Elevated product costs, in part due to the impact of higher tariffs, as well as additional investment, weighed meaningfully on our profitability, CEO Douglas C. Palladini said in a statement accompanying the companys latest earnings report. The company now plans to close approximately 150 stores at lease expiration in North America over the next three years, rather than 100, which it previously announced. A hundred stores will be closed over the fiscal year 2025 and 2026 periods. The 150 stores collectively represent approximately $110 million in annual net sales on a last-12-months basis, according to the earnings report. Carters operates around 1,200 stores across the U.S., though it was not specified which locations would be closing down. open image in gallery Major U.S. clothing store Carters has called out Donald Trumps sweeping global tariffs as having had a meaningful impact on its profits after announcing the closure of 150 stores across the country ( Google Earth ) Palladini added that Carters was pursuing several initiatives, including closing low-margin retail stores, right-sizing our organization, and honing product choices, in order to generate significant savings and improve overall cost structure. The companys board of directors would take pay cuts, he added. The clothing giant is the latest retailer to feel the effects of Trumps ongoing trade wars, with heavy tariffs slapped on major trading partners including China and other parts of East Asia, following other brands such as Gap Inc. and Macys. open image in gallery Carters, which sells clothes and other essentials for babies and toddlers, said its operating income was down by approximately 62 percent over the first three quarters when compared to the same period last year ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. ) Toy makers have warned that the levies are already affecting supplies leading up to Christmas. The Administration has implemented significant new tariffs on products imported into the United States from a wide range of countries, Carters noted in its earnings report. These additional tariffs have begun to add substantially to the approximately $110 million in duties on imported product paid by the Company in fiscal 2024. The company estimated that Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and India will collectively represent approximately 75 percent of its product sourcing spend in fiscal year 2025, with China accounting for 3 percent. Our multi-channel business model affords Carters brands unparalleled availability and awareness, and deep consumer trust built over our 160-year legacy enables our position as the young childrens apparel market leader, Palladini said. Im confident our new product, marketing, and consumer experience initiatives, which have begun to bear fruit, will further strengthen our market position in the years ahead. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Two people were killed after a small plane crashed in a gated Florida neighborhood while en route to Jamaica on Monday morning. The Beech B100 airplane crashed at 10:19 a.m. into a pond in Coral Springs, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Two people died as a result of the crash, according to the Coral Springs Police Department. The plane was on a relief mission after Hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica late last month. Crews spotted scattered debris nearby after the crash, Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Moser told the Associated Press. No homes were damaged, and crews initially did not find any victims in the water, according to Moser. There was no actual plane to be seen, he said. They followed the debris trail to the water. We had divers that entered the water and tried to search for any victims and didnt find any. The Independent has contacted the Coral Springs Police Department for comment. open image in gallery Emergency crews respond after a plane crashed in Coral Springs, Florida, on Monday morning. Two people were killed, authorities said ( AP ) First responders reported smelling fuel in the neighborhood when they arrived at the scene, according to dispatch audio reviewed by CBS News. As emergency responders searched the scene, a report came in that crews were finding body parts, according to the obtained dispatch audio. Marcos Lima, who witnessed the crash, told Local 10 News he saw this black figure, it was a plane, going straight down. He then saw pieces of the plane and body parts everywhere, Lima told the outlet. The aircraft departed from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at 10:14 a.m., en route to the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica, a City of Fort Lauderdale spokesperson told The Independent. Theres no information available about the people on board, the spokesperson added. Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane in Jamaica late last month. At least 32 people were killed in Jamaica, and more than 100,000 housing structures were damaged, according to the United Nations. About 36,000 residents are also in need of food assistance, the UN said. open image in gallery Emergency crews respond after a plane crashed into a pond in Coral Springs, Florida. Local and federal agencies are now investigating the crash ( AP ) The National Transportation Safety Board is now investigating the crash, the agency said in a statement on X. The Federal Aviation Administration and Broward Sheriffs Office have also joined the investigation, the Coral Springs Police Department said. Residents may still notice a strong fuel odor, the Coral Springs Police Department warned on Monday afternoon. While the majority of these fumes have evaporated, it may take time for the remainder to dissipate, the police department said. The city strongly recommends residents in the area to avoid being outdoors and keep doors closed for the remainder of the night. The plane was registered to International Air Services, the Associated Press reports, citing FAA data. The company declined to provide comment to The Independent when reached by phone on Monday afternoon. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The active-duty Green Beret who detonated a Cybertruck outside the Trump Las Vegas hotel on New Years Day was spiraling and deep in a mental health crisis before the deadly blast, according to a report. Matthew Livelsberger, 37, was suffering from a grave mental health crisis in the weeks leading up to January 1, 2025, when he fatally shot himself while inside his Tesla before it exploded outside the Trump International Hotel on the Vegas Strip, according to a new ABC News report. Investigators found troubling signs when they searched Livelsbergers phone after the explosion, which injured six people. Livelsberger had written about being caught up in some craziness but said he didnt want to hurt anyone. As much as the [mainstream media] will paint me out to be some terrorist and monster, I had no intent on taking out anyone but myself if that happens. I am deeply sorry to anyone that gets hurt. I served my country for my entire adult life and I got caught up in some craziness and have outrun my headlights, he wrote. Former Army nurse Alicia Arritt, who dated Livelsberger for two years, received alarming text messages from the decorated serviceman about his mental state days before the explosion. open image in gallery The man who detonated a Cybertruck on New Years Day in Las Vegas was suffering from a mental health crisis, according to a new report ( Facebook/Reuters ) I have been spiraling down the last week or sosometimes I get so hopeless and depressed its ridiculous. By far the worst week of my life, Livelsberger wrote in text messages to Arritt, who said she hadnt heard from him since 2022. Arritt said she encouraged Livelsberger, who also struggled with his mental health during their relationship, to seek professional help. I always encouraged him to talk to somebody. Ive lost a lot of friends in the military over the years, and I didnt want that to happen to him, too, she said. In a statement to ABC, the Army said that Livelsberger had access to and used a program that provides physical, cognitive and medical care to soldiers. Livelsberger, originally from Colorado but on leave from a deployment in Germany at the time of the attack, was not displaying any concerning behaviors when he was granted leave, the Army said. Despite his concerning actions in the days leading up to the explosion, law enforcement officials said Livelsberger, a Green Beret of two decades, had not been on their radar. I'm not aware that he was ever on the radar of law enforcement previously, Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill told ABC News. I would go so far as to say, from what I've been able to see of his military record, he'd be what you described as a military hero. open image in gallery The attack left six people injured ( Getty Images ) Mental health struggles are not uncommon amongst veterans, clinical psychologist Chris Frueh told the outlet. However, many soldiers are reluctant to seek help over concerns that it will make them ineligible for deployment. If a soldier goes and says, I'm suffering, I'm hurting and they say that to a psychologist or a physician, they run the risk of being pulled off deployment or pulled off deployable status, and nobody wants that, said Frueh. The attack came shortly after a suspect plowed a truck into New Orleans crowded Bourbon Street, killing 14 and injuring over 50 others, leaving law enforcement officials scrambling to see if the two attacks were connected. Those worries were put to rest 36 hours after the explosion, when authorities identified Livelsberger as the suspect after finding his charred ID at the scene, which allowed them to determine the explosion was not related to the deadly attack in Louisiana. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. In the UK, people having mental health crises can contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A transgender Transportation Security Administration officer, who has identified and presented as a woman since her first day on the job, is no longer allowed to pat down air travelers thanks to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump that, with a stroke of the pen, wrongfully reclassified her as a man. In a federal lawsuit filed November 7, Danielle Mittereder, who joined the TSA last year and works screening passengers at Dulles International Airport, says Executive Order 14168 - Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government - has not only made it impossible for her to perform her duties, it has turned her coworkers against her; halted any possibility for her to rise through the ranks; and involuntarily outed her to all. Before Trumps January 20 order went into effect, Mittereder, 34, performed several dozen partial and full-body passenger pat-downs during each of her shifts, her complaint states. It says she did them in an effective and competent manner, and that her supervisors have praised her professionalism, skills, knowledge, and rapport with fellow officers and the public. But, for the past 10 months, Mittereders complaint says she has been bound by the executive order, and a subsequent TSA directive in February prohibiting all transgender [officers] from conducting pat-downs. Mittereder just wants to do her job, according to attorney Jonathan Puth, who, along with co-counsel Carla Brown, brought the suit on her behalf. open image in gallery On President Donald Trumps first day back in office, he issued an executive order defining a persons sex as an immutable biological classification as either male or female, which does not include the concept of gender identity. The EO was followed up with a TSA directive upholding it. ( Getty Images ) Shes good at her job, she wants to go to work and do her job every day, Puth told The Independent. And shes not allowed to do it, for the sole reason that she is transgender. The situation, Puth said, really is very degrading, and it also is completely illegal. Mittereders lawsuit names Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem as the lone defendant. TSA is a component of the Department of Homeland Security. Noem has expressed her full support for Trumps EO and said DHS would fully comply. As the governor of South Dakota, Noem signed into law a bill that banned gender-affirming care for minors, a move that was slammed by advocacy groups as discriminatory and harmful to trans kids. In an email on Tuesday, a TSA spokesperson said that, in compliance with EO 14168, the agency has rescinded a policy from 2021 regarding transitioning and transgender officers. Male Transportation Security Officers will conduct pat-down procedures on male passengers and female Transportation Security Officers will conduct pat-down procedures on female passengers, based on operational needs. In summer 2023, Mittereder applied for a position as a TSA Transportation Security Officer, or TSO, according to her complaint. It says she submitted all her medical records as required, including her diagnosis of gender dysphoria, during the application process and was hired on June 30, 2024. Mittereder began work the next day, and proceeded through training with the designation as a female TSO, the complaint states. When she reported for duty, the complaint says Mittereder was summoned by two TSA administrative officials, who asked why she selected Yes for a question asking if she was born a male after 1959, meant to check military draft eligibility, but selected Female for the question, Are you male or female? At that time, [Mittereder] disclosed that she is transgender, according to the complaint. open image in gallery A battle over transgender rights is playing out at Washington Dulles International Airport, between TSA officer Danielle Mittereder and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem ( AFP via Getty Images ) Passenger screening is a core duty of TSA officers, and includes performing pat-downs any time someone is unable to use the screening equipment due to a medical condition or voluntarily opts out of using the screening equipment, the complaint continues. In those instances, it says an officer of the same gender must conduct a full-body pat-down of the passenger in order to clear them to go through the checkpoint. Mittereder, according to the complaint, was trained to conduct pat-downs of female passengers, consistent with her gender identity. Mittereder completed her training in October 2024 and was assigned to screen passengers at Dulles in Washington D.C. From that point on, she patted down countless numbers of female passengers, without a single objection, the complaint states. However, on President Trumps first day back in office, he issued an executive order defining a persons sex as an immutable biological classification as either male or female, which does not include the concept of gender identity. This, according to Mittereders complaint, denies the existence of transgender individuals. On February 7, Mittereder was called into a meeting with the same pair of TSA administrative officials, who read her a directive issued by the acting assistant administrator of TSAs Domestic Aviation Operations. From that day forward, Mittereder would be precluded from patting down travelers, male or female, in accordance with EO 14168, the legal complaint stated, which says Mittereder was provided no reasons why TSA was prohibiting Plaintiff from conducting pat-downs other than the fact that she is transgender. The February 7 Directive requires [Mittereder] to ask for assistance each time her job duties would otherwise require her to perform pat-downs, thereby exposing her gender identity to co-workers, supervisors, and airline passengers, the complaint states. open image in gallery Airport pat-downs have emerged as a flashpoint in the wake of a federal lawsuit by a transgender TSA officer who says she has been barred from doing her job ( Getty Images ) Mittereder was also barred, for the first time, from using the same bathroom and locker room as other female TSA officers, according to her complaint. Things changed almost immediately for Mittereder, the complaint goes on. When a male officer asked Mittereder to pat down a wheelchair-bound female passenger, she was forced to explain why she was not allowed to do so anymore, thereby subjecting her gender identity to unwanted attention, the complaint says. She endured similar circumstances with other coworkers and found them to be humiliating, according to the complaint. Mittereder was so upset by this turn of events, she took three days off work to collect herself. When she got back to work, she discovered that the February 7 directive had been codified into the TSA Standard Operating Procedures handbook, and the previous directive rescinded. Without the ability to do pat-downs, TSA switched Mittereders job status to limited duty, which further prevents her from trading shifts or picking up overtime, according to the complaint. Promotions also became unattainable, since Mittereder could not and still cannot perform the full scope of requirements, the complaint maintains. In May, one of Mittereders colleagues told her that she was no longer comfortable working with her because she is transgender, the complaint says. The co-worker told [Mittereder] that she believes private screening should only be done by an officer of the same biological sex because of the law, according to the complaint. [Mittereder] was so upset by the interaction that she had to leave work early that day, taking 1.5 hours of her accrued sick leave in order to do so. open image in gallery Transgender TSA Officer Danielle Mittereder says in a new lawsuit that the prohibition on her conducting pat-downs has made life significantly more difficult for her coworkers ( Getty Images ) On June 30, Mittereder completed her probationary period, according to the complaint. Yet, the success was bittersweet at best, it says. As a result of Defendants discrimination, [Mittereder] suffered and continues to suffer anxiety, depression, fear, feelings of uncertainty, crying spells, grief, and low mood, the complaint states. [She] experienced and continues to experience anger, frustration, embarrassment, and humiliation as a result of Defendants decision to prohibit her from doing much of her job, single her out, and stigmatize her due to her gender identity. Gregory Miraglia, a retired police officer who is now an LGBTQ+ activist, said the anti-trans sentiment within the federal government is driven by an element of fear. Its unfounded in science, and is really fueled by a lack of understanding, a lack of awareness, and a lack of acceptance of what science has told us about gender, Miraglia told The Independent. Tragically, I dont think its a unique situation [at TSA]. For her part, Mittereder alleges TSA violated her civil rights under federal law and is seeking a court order preventing the agency from enforcing the February directive. She is demanding a jury trial, along with compensatory damages to be determined in court. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A brawl broke out Monday as protesters demonstrated near a Turning Point USA event at the University of California, Berkeley. Protesters gathered on Bancroft Way ahead of the conservative groups event, featuring comedian Rob Schneider and Christian author Frank Turek. Exactly two months ago, Turning Points founder, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated at a similar event on a Utah college campus. Demonstrators wore keffiyehs an Arab headdress that has been worn among pro-Palestinian demonstrators amid the Israel-Hamas war and chanted, No Trump, No KKK, no fascist USA, according to the non-profit news site Berkeleyside. The demonstration took a violent turn when a man selling Kirk memorial Freedom t-shirts clashed with protesters, Berkeleyside reported. open image in gallery A brawl broke out Monday as protesters demonstrated near a Turning Point USA event at the University of California, Berkeley ( Justin Sullivan/Getty Images ) A video captured by Fox News Digital showed two men in a physical altercation as police broke it up. Dan Mogulof, assistant vice chancellor for communications and public affairs at UC Berkeley, told The Independent, Two individuals were arrested for fighting outside campus. They were arrested for battery by the City of Berkeley Police department. The police department confirmed that it arrested two people for fighting, telling The Independent, I don't know the specifics that led up to the incident at the moment. open image in gallery Two people were arrested for fighting, police say ( Justin Sullivan/Getty Images ) The Independent has reached out to UC Berkeley Police for comment. Mikey McCoy, who was the chief of staff to Kirk, accused the protesters of being Antifa, which is an anti-fascism movement with no official leaders. Antifa is breaking through police barricades, and threatening our event attendees! McCoy wrote on X. Schneider wrote shortly before the event: Thank YOU, Antifa for welcoming us tonight at UC Berkeley. We Look forward to our thoughtful, teargas free discussion and debate. open image in gallery Rob Schneider, who was a speaker at the event, accused the protesters of being Antifa ( Justin Sullivan/Getty Images ) Turek told Fox News Digital last week, "I wanted to go to UC Berkeley because it is so progressive and liberal in their views, and I wanted to provide evidence that Christianity was indeed true." Mogulof said in Berkeleysides reporting that the university always works to support the rights and ability of all speakers to participate in events hosted by student organizations without regard for their beliefs and perspectives. No bags were allowed at the event, and attendees needed to bring a photo ID that matched the name on their ticket. Signs and banners were also banned from the event. Kirk was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking to a crowd at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged over the killing. Utah Governor Spencer Cox said Robinson had a leftist ideology. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice There are growing concerns within CBS News that Bari Weiss could gut or even disband the networks Standards and Practices team, with multiple sources telling The Independent that the new editor-in-chief has complained that the unit has too much power and she doesnt see the point of keeping it around. The internal rumblings within the CBS newsroom come as the head of Standards and Practices announced her resignation and the network disbanded its vaunted Race and Culture unit during parent company Paramounts brutal and morale-crushing layoffs last month. Sources explained to The Independent that the Race and Culture team which advised on context, tone and intention of news programming was initially supposed to be folded into the standards unit and largely survive the sweeping layoffs. Instead, only the unit's head executive producer Alvin Patrick was retained, and the rest of the team was let go. The team is responsible for ensuring editorial standards are met on scripts and provides daily reporting guidance. They literally uphold journalistic standards, one CBS News reporter said, adding that it would be crazy for the network to dissolve Standards and Practices. The Independent has reached out to CBS News for comment. open image in gallery Multiple sources said that Bari Weiss has groused within the CBS newsroom that the networks standards and practices unit has too much power. ( Getty ) Ive been hearing that standards will be eliminated or severely cut back. Bari has told people that she wants to get rid of standards and is shocked that they have so much power. She also asked openly, Whats the point of standards? one CBS News insider claimed. Weiss did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to the insider, Weiss had wondered aloud about why the network even had the Standards and Practices unit in a meeting with other network leaders, and had expressed concern about how powerful the team is to individuals in the newsroom. The network reporter added that Weiss has been heard telling other employees that shed like to get rid of the Standards and Practices unit because they have too much power. Another senior staffer also said that Weiss had mentioned this to an executive producer on one of the networks news programs. Weiss, a former New York Times columnist and the founder of the anti-woke digital outlet The Free Press, was hired by new Paramount chief David Ellison last month to lead the newsroom. Besides installing Weiss, who describes herself as politically homeless and a radical centrist as the top editor, Ellison also paid $150 million to purchase The Free Press. Last year, Weiss and The Free Press which is stridently pro-Israel pointedly took aim at CBS News for reprimanding CBS Mornings anchor Tony Dokoupil for his combative interview with celebrated author Ta-Nehisi Coates. Following the interview, which saw Dokoupil claim Coates book on Israels treatment of Palestinians would not be out of place in the backpack of an extremist, the anchor met with the standards and race and culture units to discuss his tone, body language and phrasing. In a follow-up editorial meeting, Adrienne Roark then the president of news gathering and editorial said that Dokoupils interview did not meet editorial standards. Weiss, who labels herself a Zionist fanatic, published leaked audio recordings from the meeting, vehemently defended Dokoupil, and blasted the network as having an anti-Israel bias in multiple articles for The Free Press. At the same time, she was also broadly critical of how the networks editorial standards and practices were applied. One last thing: Lets just say we have pattern recognition around stories like these. So when two sources at CBS told The Free Press that this whole dustup involved the networks Race and Culture Unit, we werent shocked, she wrote last year . Weiss also cited a CBS News source who complained that this allowed greater bias to creep into editorial decisions at the network. Sources said that the year-old admonishment of Dokoupil, who admitted to violating CBS standards and practices but defended his aggressive questioning of Coates, is behind much of Weiss desire to defang or even eliminate the S&P team altogether. This is all coming from the Coates interview, where standards and race/culture were the ones pushing back on Tony, the network insider claimed. Another factor behind the potential dismantling of the Standards and Practices unit, according to the insider, is that they gave the green light on the Gaza/Trump coverage on 60 Minutes, referring to former Paramount chief Shari Redstone's consternation over certain stories on the newsmagazine. (Previously, she had publicly backed Dokoupil amid the Coates interview backlash.) open image in gallery This is all coming from the Coates interview, where standards and race/culture were the ones pushing back on Tony, one source told The Independent. ( CBS ) Months before Paramount paid Donald Trump $16 million to settle a meritless lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, which Redstone pushed for in order to secure an $8 billion merger with Ellisons Skydance Media, she had grown increasingly critical of the Sunday night program. Following a 60 Minutes segment in January about the war in Gaza, Redstone a passionate supporter of pro-Israeli causes complained to CBS News executives that she found the story to be antisemitic. The following day, the company brought in former CBS head Susan Zirinsky to oversee the news divisions standards. A few months later, after Trump publicly called for CBS to be punished over a 60 Minutes story on Greenland and Ukraine, Redstone and other network executives asked the show to provide a list of Trump-related segments going forward. Redstone asked whether stories that could irritate Trump were correct and balanced, and inquired whether multiple stories that might draw Trumps ire had to run on the same night, this person says, Variety reported this past spring. Two other people familiar with the 60 Minutes editorial process say Zirinsky and her team were specifically tasked with examining stories concerning the Middle East and politics. Amid ongoing tensions surrounding both the Trump settlement negotiations and increased corporate scrutiny of the program, longtime 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens abruptly resigned in April. He would soon be followed by CBS News chief Wendy McMahon. Shortly after Weiss was hired by Ellison, whom staffers have criticized for seemingly shifting the newsroom to the right in order to curry favor with Trump, Claudia Milne CBS News head of standards handed in her resignation. Status News reported that Milne had grown increasingly uneasy about the newsrooms direction under the Ellison familys ownership and that it was now openly becoming more favorable to the president. She also privately expressed concern about the appointment of former Trump appointee Kenneth Weinstein as the networks ombudsman and the hiring of Weiss, who reports directly to Ellison. Asked if Milnes resignation last month suggested that the wheels were already in motion for Weiss to ultimately wipe out the standards unit, the network reporter said that appeared to be the case. Exactly. And they were supposed to fold the race and culture unit into standards, but instead, [the network] got rid of nearly all of them, they stated. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trumps childhood home in New York City has hit the market, despite being temporarily infested by a horde of feral cats. The home has become a pilgrimage site for Trump fans and a site of protest for his political opponents over the years. Built in Jamaica Estates in Queens, the Tudor-style house is now on sale for $2.3 million. Fred Trump, the presidents father, commissioned the home in 1940 but eventually sold it when the family moved to a larger home. Trump lived in the two-story, five-bedroom home for four years before he moved to the larger property with his parents. According to The Wall Street Journal, a burst pipe left the interior of the property coated in mold with the houses future buyer, forcing its buyer, Michael Davis, to heavily redevelop the home. open image in gallery The presidents former home was overrun by feral cats before its owner wrestled back control and installed a stash of Trump memorabilia ( Google Street View ) Davis, a founding partner of a Manhattan-based private equity firm, purchased the property for $1.39 million hours before Trump became president. Despite the polls projecting a landslide in Hillary Clintons direction, Davis bid paid off. He flipped the home for $2.14 million and decked it out with bizarre Trump memorabilia, including a plaque in one of the bedrooms. In this bedroom, President Donald J. Trump was likely conceived by his parents, Fred and Mary Trump, the plaque read, according to The Wall Street Journal. The home was furnished using pieces from the Waldorf Astoria, and Davis told reporters that the only thing to read in the house was The Art of the Deal. However, Davis plans to rent out the property as an Airbnb were cut short after he unknowingly rented it to the Oxfam America charity. The group invited refugees and the press to the house as a publicity stunt during the United Nations General Assembly, aiming to draw attention to the unfolding refugee crisis. open image in gallery Trump lived in the home with his mother, Mary, and father, Fred ( Mediapunch/Rex ) Real-estate developer Tommy Lin took over the house after Davis and told reporters that there was no water in the house, no power, when he first began renovating it. Lin claimed that he was also forced to battle with mold, due to a broken pipe in the basement, with the developer describing it as not livable at the time. The dire state of the property meant that he snapped it up for a bargain price of $835,000, although he spent $500,000 on renovating it. Trump is often reticent when it comes to talking about his childhood, but told Jimmy Fallon in 2016 that the houses state of disrepair made him sad. "That is where I was born," the future president said when comedian Jimmy Fallon showed him an image of the property. "I had a really good childhood; oh, that's sad to look at that, I want to buy it." The Independent has contacted the Trump Organization for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Supreme Court will continue to block a judges order requiring President Donald Trumps administration to fully fund a critical food assistance program that helps prevent millions of Americans from going hungry. The nations highest court extended a pause on that order for another two days as Congress inches closer to ending the government shutdown. Lawmakers are expected to pass a temporary funding bill this week that will effectively restart funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. A brief order from the court Tuesday night noted that liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson would have rejected the Trump administrations request and allowed the lower-court order requiring the government to fully fund the program to stand. The Supreme Courts latest order remains in effect until midnight Thursday. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a temporary funding measure to reopen the government Wednesday night, which would likely bring the legal battle to an end. The only way to end this crisis, Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote in the Trump administrations latest filing to the Supreme Court, is for Congress to reopen the government. More Americans are turning to food pantries after the Trump administration refused to continue funding SNAP, which provides food assistance to more than 42 million Americans ( AFP via Getty Images ) For the second time within four days, the administration called on the Supreme Court Monday to continue blocking lower court orders that required the government to fully fund the program and ensure nearly 42 million Americans and their families receive full benefits this month. Last week, District Judge John McConnell ordered the administration to fully fund the program after finding that the government failed to address any administrative issues that prevented states from quickly sending out at least partial benefits. A federal appeals court rejected the Trump administrations appeal, and 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. The legal back-and-forth and conflicting guidance from government agencies has left families in limbo, unsure when or how they can afford groceries without critical SNAP benefits. This decision means millions of Americans will once again be left wondering how they will feed their families, said New York Attorney General Letitia James, who launched a parallel legal battle with 25 Democratic officials urging the courts to restart SNAP funding and block the Department of Agriculture from trying to claw back funds that have already been sent out to families during the legal chaos. We hope to see an end to this suffering soon, as the government reopens and SNAP is once again fully funded, James said Tuesday night. In the meantime, any New Yorkers who have received their November SNAP benefits should not be afraid to use them. Until federal courts intervened, the Trump administration intended to freeze funding for the program altogether, warning that the well has run dry and no benefits were to be delivered November 1. The administration then agreed to tap into $4.65 billion in contingency funds to cover roughly 65 percent of benefits, which are administered by states on prepaid cards that can be used to pay for groceries. The USDA said those partial payments were sent to states last week, but officials wrote in court documents that it would take anywhere from a few weeks to up to several months for all recipients to start seeing those benefits. The USDA also ordered states to undo any steps taken to ensure those payments were going to beneficiaries, adding more confusion that has left families scrambling. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Adelita Grijalva will be sworn in on Wednesday by Speaker Mike Johnson, his office said, ending weeks of delays and likely triggering a vote in the House of Representatives around the release of the Department of Justices trove of files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The speakers office made the announcement Tuesday afternoon, as Congress appeared to be on the brink of ending the longest federal government shutdown in history. Johnson previously said that Grijalvas swearing-in would be delayed until the shutdown ended. Speaking to CNNs Kaitlan Collins Tuesday night, Grijalva said, Its a little surreal to know shell be sworn in Wednesday after waiting nearly 50 days. Wednesday will be the first time Grijalva has spoken with Johnson directly and she said shell use the opportunity to address the issue of her delayed ceremony with the Speaker. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to say. I'm going to be as respectful as possible...when I say...It's undemocratic, it's unconstitutional, it's illegal. Should never happen. This kind of obstruction cannot happen again regardless of party, Grijalva told Collins. open image in gallery Arizona Democratic congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva is still waiting to be sworn-in by House Speaker Mike Johnson almost two months after winning her special election ( Getty Images ) Grijalva said the more than 800,000 Arizonans she is meant to represent haven't had support during the shutdown because of Speaker Johnson's lack of transparency and willingness to do his job. Democrats in the chamber have loudly insisted for weeks that Johnsons real aim in delaying Grijalvas swearing-in was to prevent a vote on a resolution forcing the release of the so-called Epstein files, co-sponsored by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) and Ro Khanna (D-California). With Grijalvas signature the vote would be forced to the House floor as privileged legislation. With the votes of every Democrat in the chamber, and several Republicans, its expected to pass in an embarrassing defeat for the Trump administration. Massie wrote on X Tuesday evening, The 218th and final signature for the Epstein discharge petition will happen tomorrow. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters Tuesday evening Grijalvas ceremony was delayed because Republicans are running a pedophile protection program. Grijalva won a special election for the seat vacated by the passing of her father, former Rep. Raul Grijalva, in September. Her father died in March, during his 12th term in Congress. Khanna and Massie struck an alliance on the Epstein files after the Trump administration went back on its word to release more information pertaining to the investigation of Epstein earlier this year. Khanna and Massie are due to hold a press conference on the issue Wednesday, as Grijalva is sworn in. open image in gallery Wednesday will be the first time Grijalva has spoken with Johnson directly, and she said that she will use the opportunity to address the issue of her delayed ceremony with the speaker ( Getty Images ) President Donald Trump and his Attorney General, Pam Bondi, summoned right-wing influencers such as Jack Posobiec to the White House in spring to receive binders labeled phase one of the Department of Justices Epstein document dump. Further releases did not come to pass, and the DOJ eventually released a joint statement with the FBI walking back many previous positions: the agencies now claimed that a list of Epsteins alleged co-conspirators never existed, and said that future releases of information would harm victims of sex abuse. Trump, his Vice President JD Vance, and numerous other members of the administration endorsed calls to release the files before they came into power in January. In the aftermath of the joint DOJ-FBI statement, those calls evolved into criticism of Trumps MAGA voter base for not dropping the issue. Bondi, in a Fox interview, claimed after that initial phase one event at the White House, that a folder pertaining to the Epstein investigation and the supposed client list was on her desk. In the months since, the House of Representatives has taken up the ball with Republicans and Democrats alike vowing to push for more information from the investigation into Epsteins sex crimes to be released. Largely, that effort has been headed by the bipartisan House Oversight Committee, currently chaired by Republican Rep. James Comer. Democrats, including some on the committee, have directly accused Trump and his Republican allies in Congress, including Mike Johnson, of participating in a cover up to shield the president. It was reported by Bloomberg that FBI officials went through the files to redact mentions of the presidents name before the decision was eventually made to halt the releases altogether. A persons appearance in the documents does not indicate wrongdoing. open image in gallery A golden statue of President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein has made several appearances on Capitol Hill as Americans of all political stripes call for the files to be released ( Getty Images ) Comers committee released some files related to the investigation in September, including the birthday book containing a note allegedly written by Trump. The Wall Street Journal first reported on the letter in July, prompting a vehement denial from the president, who said he never wrote a picture. Trump filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the paper, its publisher and owner, Rupert Murdoch. Trump has denied committing any illegal activities with Epstein, who was found dead in his prison cell in 2019, during Trumps first term. Many skeptics question whether Epsteins death, ruled a suicide, was staged in the wake of his death. The Justice Department this year released security camera footage of the area outside of Epsteins cell on the night of his death, but the video showed signs of editing and initially contained a minute of missing footage, fueling conspiracies. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Department of Justice has been hemorrhaging staff under President Donald Trump, with thousands of attorneys leaving and few being hired to replace them, according to a new report. Since January, nearly 5,500 DOJ career employees have quit, taken a buyout, or been fired, according to Justice Connection, an advocacy group composed of department alumni. A Justice Connection spokesperson told The Independent that its estimates are based on both public reporting and non-public information the group has gathered. As a result, the department is grappling with sweeping vacancies amidst a dearth of qualified applicants, according to The Washington Post. Historically, the Justice Department which employs more than 10,000 attorneys nationwide has been a magnet for top legal talent, drawing applicants from Ivy League schools and white shoe law firms. But sources told the outlet that the recent mass firings and concerns about politically motivated prosecutions may be driving people away. A department spokesperson told The Independent, The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by hiring the best and most qualified individuals to serve the American people. open image in gallery The DOJ is now grappling with sweeping vacancies amidst a dearth of qualified applicants ( Reuters ) During Attorney General Pam Bondis tenure, longtime prosecutors assigned to cases viewed as anti-Trump have been forced out, with those who prosecuted January 6 rioters being particularly targeted. Most of the 600 employees in the Civil Rights Division and about 80 immigration judges have also left the department. Across the nation, U.S. attorneys offices have experienced abnormally high rates of turnover. Andrew Boutros, the U.S. Attorney for Chicago, emailed former prosecutors in August, asking them if theyd consider returning to government work and to forward his message to potentially interested friends. I was astonished, Mark Rotert, a former federal prosecutor based in Chicago, who received the recruiting email, told The Washington Post. I have never seen anything like that. In August, Jeanine Pirro, the former FOX News host turned U.S. attorney for D.C., announced that her office had lost 90 prosecutors, according to The Washington Post. She instructed lawyers to send her an email if they wanted a job. Staff shortages preceded my arrival here, Pirro told The Independent. Thanks to President Trump, we are aggressively working to rebuild and strengthen our team. Weve welcomed over 70 new (assistant U.S. Attorneys) and are set to onboard 30 more by January. William Treanor, the ex-dean of the Georgetown University Law Center, told the Post that applications to the DOJ have fallen off a cliff. What we are seeing is a total drop in who is applying, Treanor said. Its very, very dramatic. Its gone from a good amount of our graduating class to virtually no one applying for jobs at the Justice Department. Instead of applying for jobs in federal law enforcement, many attorneys are seeking out work in state government, sources told the outlet. Of those who are applying for roles at the DOJ, many tend to be ideologically aligned with Trump. open image in gallery In August, Pirro announced that her office had lost 90 prosecutors ( AFP via Getty Images ) Sources told The Washington Post that there are a few factors that could explain the drop-off in applicants. For one, the Justice Department which pays significantly less than the private sector has long had a reputation for job security. The Trump administrations recent firings have undermined this view. At the same time, some potential hires fear they could be put in compromising positions in which they would be forced to bring cases they felt would be unethical to present to a grand jury, the outlet reported. It noted that DOJ applicants are asked to name a Trump executive order or action that matters to them personally and discuss how they would fight for that policy. In recent months, the department has taken up cases that have struck some observers as being politically motivated or brought based on weak evidence. For example, former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on charges of obstructing justice and lying to Congress in October. The indictment came just days after Trump urged Bondi to prosecute his opponents without delay. And this summer, Pirro attempted to charge a former DOJ employee who threw a sandwich at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer with a felony. After a grand jury refused to indict the man, who became a symbol of resistance to Trump, Pirro went ahead with a misdemeanor assault charge. In November, a jury found him not guilty. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Mar-a-Lago is heading to D.C. as MAGA worlds desire to replicate the presidents inner-circles famous look book has flooded local plastic surgeons with business. After President Donald Trump returned to office in January, plastic surgeons across Washington, D.C., have seen a spike in patients seeking bolder, more obvious cosmetic work, to achieve what one doctor called a Mar-a-Lago face, according to Axios. When it comes to the 79-year-old president, bigger and flashier is better even if it comes off as tacky to others, as his recent additions of bright gold trim and finishings to the White House have proven. Trump insiders have applied that maximalism to their cosmetic procedures, with many opting for big Botox-filled lips, taut foreheads and plump, pointed cheeks. However, that less natural look wasnt always in style, according to plastic surgeon Troy Pittman. Washington insiders used to ask for subtle cosmetic work that wouldnt appear obvious to outsiders, Pittman told Axios, adding, Now, were seeing people who want to look like they had something done. open image in gallery MAGA insiders are opting for more noticeable, and less natural, cosmetic procedures that one doctor has called Mar-a-Lago face While the crowd before Trumps second term was more low-key and natural, Pittman says the new aesthetic of the Palm Beach crowd is much flashier and over-the-top. The phrase Mar-a-Lago face itself comes from Trumps Palm Beach resort, but is now akin to nose jobs, face lifts and all the Botox in the world. Unlike the older crowd of politicians and insiders, these MAGA patients are openly discussing their procedures and swapping surgeon recommendations, Pittman added. The most popular treatments among this crowd are lip fillers and wrinkle treatments like Botox and Dysport, Pittman said. While some D.C. plastic surgeons have certainly benefited from the surge of outlandish procedures being done, others, like surgeon Anita Kulkarni, told Axios they have turned away new political clients asking for a more done look, like that Mar-a-Lago face. Kulkarni said that these requests didnt match her practices more understated vibe, and that some people had requested work that would potentially be dangerous like fillers or injections on top of faces already full of Botox. Getting too much work done can cause patients to end up with what Kulkarni calls filler blindness, a phenomenon where someone who has already undergone several procedures but is surrounded by others who also undergone extensive work grows blind to their true appearance. open image in gallery Laura Loomer, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, has been accused of having Mar-a-Lago face ( AP ) open image in gallery U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, commonly referred to as ICE barbie, has been also been described as having Mar-a-Lago face ( AP ) You lose sight of anatomic normalcy, Kulkarni said. Kulkarni said such a dramatic shift in procedures wasnt a thing during Trumps first term, possibly because there were more establishment Republicans in the mix, she said. Popular procedures tend to vary from place to place, and its common for people in South Florida where many MAGA insiders call home to get more work done than elsewhere. Plastic surgeon Navin Singh agreed, telling Axios that more of his male politico clientele are Republicans than Democrats, and many come from more surgery-forward states like Texas. The MAGA men getting work done are looking for procedures to make them appear younger and more virile and masculine, Pittman said, which reflects Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths recent focus on military fitness and appearances. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A female Navy officer was about to be given a historic role overseeing elite Navy SEALs before Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly stepped in, a new report claims. The unnamed officer was set to be the first woman in a Naval Special Warfare command after becoming the first woman to serve with SEAL Team Six as troop commander. A formal ceremony celebrating the new role was scheduled for last July, but two weeks before the event, her command was canceled, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CNN. There was speculation in the Naval Special Warfare community that the command was likely canceled by Hegseth because he didnt want a woman in a role that is closely aligned with recruiting Navy SEALs and other elite roles. open image in gallery A female Navy officer was about to be given a historic title, but then Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stepped in, according to a new report ( Jeon Heon-Kyun/Pool/AFP via Getty Images ) They want to keep it the brotherhood and dont like that shes coming in and challenging the status quo, one Navy special operations official told CNN. The Independent has reached out to the Navy for comment. Hegseth has made some controversial past remarks about the inclusion of women in the military. He said on a podcast last year, before he was confirmed as defense secretary, the military should not have women in combat roles. The secretary defended his views during his Senate confirmation hearing. open image in gallery There were just two women in the Navy Special Warfare combat crew as of the 2024 budget year ( Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images ) I respect every single female service member that has put on the uniform past and present, he said. My critiques, senator, recently and in the past, and from personal experience, have been instances where Ive seen standards lowered, for women to participate in combat. As of the 2024 budget year, there were hundreds of women serving in special operations roles in the military, including two part of the Navy Special Warfare combat crew, according to the Associated Press. The Pentagon told CNN women are excited to serve under the strong leadership of Hegseth and President Donald Trump. Defense officials also claimed military standards across the board have largely been ignored by leadership of the past. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer looks like a dead man walking these days and for good reason. Even though he voted against the modified continuing resolution to reopen the government after a 41-day shutdown, numerous House Democrats and many Democratic advocates want the 74-year-old Brooklynite to step aside. Schumer had decided to take a stand on trying to force Republicans to attach an extension of Covid-era enhanced tax credits to the Affordable Care Acts insurance marketplace. It seemed like the easiest fight for Schumer to pick. After all, voters tend to trust Democrats more than Republicans when it comes to health care. And Republicans have never been able to come up with an alternative to the law, commonly known as Obamacare, and even Donald Trump said he only had concepts of a plan. This came after Schumer seemed to learn the political consequences after he voted for a Republican stopgap spending bill back in March, which caused many Democrats in the House and Senate to rebuke him, especially those in the progressive flank. That led some Democrats to call on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run against him in 2028. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) both face calls to step aside. ( Getty Images ) Republicans such as House Speaker Mike Johnson and Vice President JD Vance have pointed to the looming AOC threat as a reason Schumer instigated the current shutdown fight. But over the weekend, Schumer lost control of the narrative, and his caucus, when a handful of rogue Democrats broke off and agreed to keep the government open until January with the promise from Republicans of a vote on the tax credits in December. To add to the humiliation, his own whip, retiring Sen. Dick Durbin, joined the effort. It would likely always end this way, especially when Trump began threatening to kill the filibuster, pass voter identification and get rid of mail-in voting. That didnt soften the blow. Now he once again faces calls to either step aside as leader while others once again float an AOC challenge. And it was just the latest installment of Schumers greatest flaws since he became the top Democrat in the Senate: an inability to manage expectations about what Democrats could achieve and a stunning level of naivete about the will and political skills of Republicans. The original sin of the entire cockamamie fight about the shutdown lies at a core problem: Even if Schumer found 13 Republicans to support keeping the tax credits, House Speaker Mike Johnson seemed opposed to doing so in principle. Republicans began to spin the subsidies as health care for immigrants who came to the United States illegally, even though federal law prohibits federal dollars from going to undocumented immigrants, though some states use the money. Trump joined in on the fun by making racist AI videos with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wearing a Mexican sombrero. But Schumer somehow believed that Republicans would make a deal, or at least he broadcasted it in response to The Independent during a gaggle with reporters at the beginning of a shutdown. Were insisting that the negotiations not just be between Democratic senators, Republican senators, or between [Majority Leader John] Thune and myself. It has to include Johnson and Hakeem, because you need two houses to pass anything, Schumer said. That exhibits a stunning level of obliviousness, but it should not suprise anyone. When Schumer voted for the continuing resolution in March, he said House Republicans would restore funding they cut for the city of Washington, DCs budget. But the vote never came in the House even after it passed the Senate. Schumer never communicated to voters and activists that this would be near impossible and how Trump showed almost no interest in fixing the problem. This goes to Schumers other fatal flaw: a failure to manage expectations. In 2020, Schumer invested heavily in flipping Senate seats in Arizona, Iowa, North Carolina, Colorado and Maine. In the end, Susan Collins stunned everyone by winning in a state Joe Biden had won, and Democrats only flipped Colorado and Arizona. After Biden won, Schumers best chance to flip the Senate came in the two Senate seats in Georgia, which led him to say, Now we take Georgia, then we change the world. But Schumer failed to level with Democrats that a caucus of 50 Senate seats also included conservative Democrats like Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, who were cautious about multi-trillion dollar spending initiatives and removing the filibuster to pass legislation on voting rights or to codify abortion protections. That led to Democrats becoming deeply disappointed when Build Back Better died or Democrats could not codify protections in Roe v Wade in light of the Supreme Courts Dobbs v Jackson decision. As the top Democratic official in the upper chamber, Schumer has significant power. But it still has his limits. He had the ability to filibuster legislation, but not to pass bills in the minority. He could cut deals with Republicans, but cannot force the House to vote on legislation, and certainly cannot force Trump to sign it. His refusal to level with what is possible when Democrats control literally no level of government set his voters up for disappointment. His desire to make himself look powerful left him appearing impotent. His attempt to look like hes negotiating in good faith made him look like a mark. And he has nobody to blame but himself. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Senate voted to reopen the government on Monday evening after the longest government shutdown in history, even as Democrats hope to extend health care subsidies remains unlikely. After 40 days, eight Democrats joined all but one Republican Senator on a continuing resolution to keep the government open until January. The vote sets up the House to vote on the resolution on Wednesday. This comes despite the fact that many Democratic activists and almost every Democrat in the House roundly criticized the agreement. Democrats had opposed the continuing resolution because they had hoped to include an extension of enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Acts health insurance marketplace that President Joe Biden put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. Around 24 million people get their insurance on the health insurance marketplace, according to KFF. Open enrollment on the marketplace began this month and some people have reported seeing premiums double or even triple. KFF warned that subsidized enrollees could see their premiums go up by as much as 114 percent. open image in gallery RNC building projection blames the government shutdown on Republicans ( Getty ) The revolt caused such a schism that Democratic congressional candidate Stefany Shaheen, the daughter of New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who helped broker the agreement, criticized it. My daughters very independent, Sen. Shaheen told The Independent. That's why she's going to be such a great Congresswoman. And she knows a lot about the health care system, because shes been working in it for over 20 years. The shutdown led to the Trump administration trying to make it as painful as possible, fighting in court to prevent the disbursement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and leading to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cutting thousands of flights. President Donald Trump had floated the idea of terminating the filibuster after Democrats had used the 60-vote threshold to block any vote on a continuing resolution that the House passed in September. But while Senate Republicans guaranteed a vote on extending the subsidies, its not guaranteed that it could pass the Senate and House Speaker Mike Johnson did not guarantee a vote on them in the future. open image in gallery Sen. Jeanne Shaheen helped broker the deal to end the government shutdown. But her daughter Stefany, who is running for Congress, criticized the agreement ( Getty ) Senate Democrats expressed doubt that Republicans would negotiate in good faith. Republican senators have never voted for the ACA, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) told The Independent. Theyve made it clear that their position, consistently over many years, has been to oppose more affordable, more accessible health care. Republicans have historically voted against the ACA. During Trumps first presidency, he attempted to repeal the law signed by President Barack Obama, only to see the vote fail in dramatic fashion during a late-night downvote. Democrats have only 47 Senate seats meaning they would need to win over 13 Republicans. Already, Republicans have started to pour cold water on extending the subsidies. Why would I renew something thats badly done? Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said to The Independent. Why would I continue to give 10s of billions of dollars to insurance companies with an inferior product? Thats insane. Rather, some Republicans suggested having the money go directly to voters rather than as subsidies to buy insurance. I think its gonna be important in this discussion, and I think youre gonna see President Trump involved too, Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) told The Independent. But Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, told The Independent he was skeptical that Republicans really cared about taking on the insurance industry. I've got folks who are having 500 percent increases in premiums and focused on that, and thats whats going to help us change it, Wyden said. Because these guys come back and people say, I cant pay for groceries, I cant pay the rent, I cant pay for shoes for my kids. Thats the way we're going to get this done. But other Republicans signaled they might be open to doing so. Maine Sen. Susan Collins, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, faces a tough re-election next year and has occasionally voted with Democrats on health care. I do think we need to reinstate the...income cap that was on eligibility for the tax credit used to exist prior to Covid, she told The Independent. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who is retiring at the end of next year, said he thought there could be some level of negotiations. I think its got to be its got to get it out of the political cycle and also recognize that some of the things that they did without a single Republican vote need to be undone, he said. In addition to the continuing resolution, the deal will allow for the passage of three bipartisan spending bills, pay federal workers who had not received a check during the shutdown and undo reductions in force the Trump administration put in place. open image in gallery File. Ron Wyden said he was skeptical about whether Republicans cared about taking on insurance companies ( AP ) But many Democrats expressed frustration at what they considered a cave less than a week after Democrats had almost a perfect sweep in off-year elections on Tuesday. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who voted for the continuing resolution, said he believed Johnson would have no choice but to take up the subsidies if it passes in a bipartisan fashion. And if it comes out of here bipartisan, he cannot not take it up without having November 2026 make November 2025 look like a picnic, he told The Independent. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) told The Independent that she believed an agreement could be reached. Theres some common ground there, she said. Is it hard? Weve demonstrated what hard is. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trumps administration illegally stripped retirement benefits from transgender service members despite the decades of service among them, a new lawsuit from more than a dozen trans military members alleges. The lawsuit accuses the administration of revoking retirement orders that were issued to 17 trans service members who were forced out of military service under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths ban on trans people serving in all branches. I raised my hand and served my country honorably for 15 years, including a deployment to Afghanistan, said lead plaintiff Master Sergeant Logan Ireland, whose retirement orders were rescinded by the Air Force. Ripping away the retirements we have earned is a betrayal of the sacrifices made by servicemembers and our families, he said. We should not be thrown into economic hardship or made to feel our years of service are regarded by our country as meaningless. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., is the latest in a series of months-long legal battles waged by trans service members and veterans in the aftermath of Trumps executive order directing the Pentagon to remove trans people from the U.S. military. open image in gallery The Trump administration faces a lawsuit from trans troops alleging the Pentagon ditched their retirement packages despite their years of service ( REUTERS ) In June, the Air Force issued retirement orders to transgender plaintiffs in this case, but those orders were rescinded in August, separating the service members without retirement under the terms of Hegseths ban on trans service members, according to the lawsuit. Those initial retirement orders were based on the Temporary Early Retirement Authority, or TERA, which allows members with at least 15 years of service to retire early under certain conditions. Plaintiffs argue that the rescission of those retirement orders violates the Air Forces own retirement policies and procedures, stranding them without earned benefits that amount to roughly $2 million over their lifetimes including access to the governments healthcare program for active-duty troops and retirees and their families. The Trump administration continues to deepen its betrayal of veterans by ripping away the pensions and health care benefits of honorable Airmen who have deployed around the world, according to Shannon Minter, legal director with the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, which is representing the plaintiffs in this case. There has never been an administration that has shown such open hostility to the brave men and women who have served our country, he said. The Pentagon declined to respond to the lawsuit in response to The Independents request, citing Defense Department policy against commenting on ongoing litigation. This is a senseless and shocking affront to troops who have sacrificed so much for our country, according to GLAD Law staff attorney Michael Haley, who is also representing troops at the center of the lawsuit. These brave transgender servicemembers deserve the retirement benefits they have earned and that the Air Force granted them, Haley said. As a country, we must honor our word to them, not rip away their benefits. open image in gallery Pete Hegseths directive has effectively banned trans troops from all branches of the US military, a move facing ongoing legal battles from more than two dozen trans service members and recruits ( AP ) In May, the Pentagon ordered military officials to immediately review medical records for trans service members to begin removing them from all branches of the armed forces. The order followed a Supreme Court decision that for now allows the Trump administration to ban trans people from the military and remove currently serving trans service members, despite court rulings that found the presidents directive plainly discriminatory. Trump implemented a similar ban in his first administration, ostensibly on the spurious basis that the cost of gender-affirming healthcare would financially burden the armed forces. This year, the president issued an executive order declaring that trans people lack a necessary honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle to serve, and that being transgender is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member despite the fact that roughly 4,000 trans people serve across all branches of the nations military and have for years. More than two dozen trans service members sued the administration to block the order and restore their service in legal challenges that remain pending in federal appeals courts. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump has admitted he does not know where the $10,000 bonus he promised overworked and unpaid air traffic controllers for their efforts during the government shutdown will come from. With an end to the longest shutdown in American history now in sight after a Republican breakthrough in the Senate, the president sat down for a primetime interview with Laura Ingraham on Fox Newss The Ingraham Angle on Monday evening, where he was asked about the hardships endured by federal workers during the impasse. Rather than express sympathy, Trump said he was frustrated by exhausted officials calling in sick, a sign of the same strain on the workforce that prompted Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Federal Aviation Administration to cut domestic flights at 40 major airports last week in the interests of public safety. open image in gallery President Donald Trump makes a frank admission to Laura Ingraham in his latest Fox News interview on November 10 2025 ( The Ingraham Angle/Fox News ) We should not have had people leaving their jobs, the president complained, before adding: The ones that stayed, of which there were a lot of them, Im sending them a $10,000 bonus Wheres that money coming from? Ingraham interjected. Trump chuckled, shrugged, and said, I dont know. Ill get it from someplace... I always get the money from someplace regardless, it doesnt matter. I do a lot of bonuses for people because its really something that Its like the American way, when you think about it. A clip of the exchange was widely shared on social media, with liberal pundit Mehdi Hasan responding incredulously: Imagine. If. Biden. Said. This. The president had attacked air traffic controllers on Truth Social earlier in the day, telling the essential safety workers, whose job it is to ensure planes do not crash into each other while traveling through the nations busiest airspaces, that they must get back to work, NOW!!! He promised that those who had remained at their posts would receive the $10,000 bonus for distinguished service to our Country while those who had been forced to take time off due to ill health would see their pay packets substantially docked. For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU, Trump wrote. open image in gallery The president brushes aside concerns raised by Ingraham about the U.S. economy and the publics anxieties about affordability ( The Ingraham Angle/Fox News ) You didnt step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country. You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record. Elsewhere in the same interview, Trump brushed aside Ingrahams suggestion that many Americans were anxious about the state of the economy, insisting instead: The economy is as strong as its ever been I dont know [that] they are saying that. The polls are fake. We have the greatest economy weve ever had. Asked whether affordability, which New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani made central to his winning campaign for City Hall, was a voter perception issue or a red flag to which Republicans should pay attention, Trump was again dismissive, answering: More than anything else, its a con job by the Democrats. Are you ready? Costs are way down. He was also unsympathetic towards SNAP recipients, who faced losing their benefits because of the shutdown, claiming that food stamps put the country in jeopardy, explaining: People that are able-bodied can do a job, they leave their job because they figure they can pick this up, its easier. Pressed by Ingraham on how he intended to address expiring health insurance subsidies, which Democrats had demanded support for before this weeks Senate capitulation, Trump said he wanted to bypass insurance companies altogether and deliver financial support to the public directly. Everybody is gonna be happy, he declared. Theyre gonna feel like entrepreneurs. Theyre actually able to go out and negotiate their own health insurance. Call it Trumpcare. He also said he saw no problem with tying people to 50-year mortgages, bragged about his under-construction White House ballroom and his much-contested record of ending foreign wars, and attacked California Gov. Gavin Newsom and congresswomen Jasmine Crockett and Ilhan Omar, calling the former a very low IQ person. The president also refused to condemn a Chinese diplomat for calling for Japans Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to be beheaded, despite Takaichi only recently welcoming Trump to Tokyo and showering him with gifts. Perhaps most bizarrely of all, he claimed that in Chicago, scene of two months of contentious ICE raids, beautiful Black women wearing a MAGA hat are begging us to come to address the Windy Citys alleged law and order problems. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump has issued a call for more troops in Chicago to address murder and crime at a shopping center that does not exist. The Miracle Mile Shopping Center in Chicago, once considered our Nations BEST, now has a more than 28% vacancy factor, and is ready to call it quits unless something is done about the murder and crime, which is prevalent throughout the City, the 79-year-old president raged on Truth Social Tuesday. CALL IN THE TROOPS, FAST, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE! Not only is there no Miracle Mile Shopping Center in Chicago, but the closest shopping center with that name is over 400 miles away in St. Louis Park, Minneapolis. Other similarly named Miracle Mile shopping centers exist in several other states, such as Ohio, Florida and Nevada but none are located in Illinois, home of the Windy City. Trump was likely referencing Chicagos famous Magnificent Mile, a commercial hub offering high-end shopping and hundreds of storefronts in the citys downtown district. The commercial corridor is currently undergoing a budding recovery, with crime falling and visitors back to nearly pre-pandemic levels, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Independent has reached out to the White House for clarification on the presidents comments. open image in gallery Shoppers at Chicago's Magnificent Mile retail strip - which it appears Trump incorrectly called the Miracle Mile Shopping Center ( Getty Images ) Various news organizations were quick to issue a fact check on the president, not just correcting the famed shopping districts name but reporting that crime is actually down in Chicago compared to years past. NBCs Natasha Korecki corrected the president by noting that, before the Trump administrations Operation Midway Blitz, homicides in Chicago were down 24 percent for the year to date, shootings were down 24 percent, robberies 41 percent, car thefts 28 percent and violent crime 22 percent. But perhaps the most significant footnote came from The Chicago Tribune, which reported that federal immigration agents may soon be leaving the Illinois metropolis because their operation is winding down after two months of contentious raids on alleged undocumented migrants. Commander Gregory Bovino, who has been leading Operation Midway Blitz, is expected to leave within days to take up another assignment elsewhere, the Tribune reported on Monday. At the same time, his Border Patrol forces are redeployed and an on-call task force, composed of FBI personnel and U.S. attorneys, parts ways. Every day DHS enforces the laws of this country, including in Chicago, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in a statement. We do not comment or telegraph future operations. The administration claims to have made more than 3,000 arrests since beginning its operations in the area in early September, but its actions have provoked tensions at the street level. open image in gallery U.S. Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Greg Bovino seen with federal agents in Chicagos Cicero neighborhood last month ( Reuters ) Confrontations with protesters have seen a person shot in an incident in which two cars were accused of ramming an agency van, a Presbyterian minister hit in the head with pepper balls, and tear gas fired in residential streets, creating a climate of fear among residents. Bovino was ordered to testify in federal court in late October after he and his masked officers faced a wave of allegations about their aggressive tactics, including one episode in which an agent was accused of pointing a gun at a demonstrator and saying bang, bang and youre dead, liberal. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, has repeatedly made the case that federal intervention in local law enforcement is unnecessary, decrying the crackdown by comparing it to events in Nazi Germany and urging ICE to stand down over the Halloween holiday weekend to ensure the safety of trick-or-treaters. Pritzker took the agency to task again on Monday after its officers posed for a team photograph in front of the Cloud Gate sculpture, known as the Bean, in Millennium Park. Making fun of our neighborhoods and communities is disgusting, the governor said. Greg Bovino and his masked agents are not here to make Chicago safer. As children are tear gassed and U.S. citizens detained, they are posing for photo ops and producing reality TV moments. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump has doubled down on his plan to bring in over 600,000 Chinese college students to the United States, in a polarizing move that has divided the MAGA base. However, the president has batted away criticism, declaring, I know what MAGA wants better than anybody else. His plan will see the annual number of visas offered to Chinese students increase to the new figure over the next two years, up from the current 300,000. The president has said that his plan will prevent half the colleges in the United States from going out of business, while appearing on Fox News The Ingraham Angle, and even took a swipe at the French people. Laura Ingraham grilled the president, telling Trump that a lot of MAGA folks are not thrilled about his plan. Yeah, but you would have, as you know, historically Black colleges and universities would all be out of business, Trump said. open image in gallery Donald Trump was grilled by Fox News host Laura Ingraham over his plans to hand out 600,000 visas to Chinese students ( YouTube ) Ingraham suggested that this means the United States has become dependent on China to keep its university system afloat, with Trump merely replying that he wants to be able to get along with the world. Ingraham pressed further by arguing theyre not the French, theyre the Chinese, adding they spy on us, they steal our intellectual property. After that, the president took a vicious swipe at France, one of the United States closest allies. You think the French are better? he asked, before Ingraham said, Yeah. Really? Ill tell you, Im not so sure, he replied. Weve had a lot of problems with the French, where we get taxed very unfairly on our technology. You know, they put 25% taxes on American products. He also rejected the idea that his plan had split MAGA, telling Ingraham that MAGA was my idea. MAGA was nobody elses idea, he said. I know what MAGA wants better than anybody else, and MAGA wants to see our country thrive. open image in gallery Trump agreed to offer the huge increase in visas in a bid to keep Americas universities afloat ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) However, his plan to increase the number of visas being offered to Chinese students to 600,000 has shattered his formerly rock-solid America First base. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis told reporters that There is a significant percentage of the Chinese students who are engaged by the CCP, as he slammed the plans, according to Florida Politics. Why would we be importing foreign workers when we have our own people that we need to take care of? he added. Former Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene took to X to blast the presidents plans and suggest that Chinese students would replace our American students opportunities. Also, the move has divided Congressional Republicans. According to the Washington Examiner, several have renewed their calls to reverse the president's economic deal with China, citing concerns that it poses a national security threat. open image in gallery The presidents plan has shattered his formerly rock-solid MAGA base ( REUTERS ) We should proceed with caution when dealing with our top foreign adversary, Representative Mark Harris told the Examiner. Over the past year, students who hate America have been exposed on our college campuses proving time and time again that studying in America is a privilege, not a right. Michal Sobolik from the Hudson Institute has also accused the Chinese Communist Party of using Chinese students to steal American research, as part of a plan to exploit our open education system to censor Chinese nationals on U.S. soil. Universities are complicit in this because they depend on international student tuition rates, Sobolik told The College Fix. Policymakers shouldnt continue a status quo that favors our enemy and leaves our universities exposed to espionage. The plans supporters claim that it could have financial benefits for American universities. Researchers from the Cato Institute released a statement claiming that Trump's plan could have a direct financial impact of $32.1 billion and asserting that espionage concerns were overstated. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A top federal prosecutor in Florida has issued more than two dozen subpoenas targeting Donald Trumps critics and perceived political enemies as part of a sprawling criminal inquiry into an alleged conspiracy among former officials who previously investigated the president. Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quinones reportedly called a meeting of major crimes investigators on Monday after two top prosecutors resigned from the Southern District of Florida over the handling of the investigation, according to MSNBC. The Department of Justice recently approved at least 30 subpoenas seeking information and testimony from prominent officials close to the intelligence report alleging Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, findings that the president has repeatedly labeled a hoax and a witch hunt against him. Subpoenas were allegedly delivered to former national intelligence director James Clapper and former FBI agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page. Last month, notice of an upcoming grand jury signaled that Trumps Justice Department was preparing to investigate the federal law enforcement raid at his Mar-a-Lago compound and what his allies have labeled a Democratic conspiracy against the president. open image in gallery Florida U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quinones is reportedly behind a sweeping criminal probe alleging a vast Democratic conspiracy against Donald Trump, who has launched a retribution crusade against his critics and political opponents ( Getty Images ) Trump ally Mike Davis told The Charlie Kirk Show last month that his buddy Quinones received court approval to impanel a grand jury that should be fully up and running by January. A court document that appears to match that description recently appeared on the south Florida courts website, The Independent previously reported. The order does not mention what the jury will be investigating, but it has a start date of January 12, 2026. Justice is coming, Davis said in response to news of the subpoenas. Most federal crimes have a statute of limitations of five years, and offenses must be charged within the district where the allegations occurred. It remains unclear how the probe is connected to Florida, drawing speculation that prosecutors are linking the case to the investigation into the presidents hoarding of classified materials at Mar-a-Lago. The Independent has requested comment from the Justice Department. open image in gallery The investigation is believed to center around an intelligence report under former CIA director John Brennan that determine Russian actors sought to boost Trump during the 2016 presidential election, findings that Trump has called a hoax ( Getty Images ) The officials allegedly under investigation and subject to the latest Justice Department subpoenas were already scrutinized under probes from former counsel John Durham and former Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz, whose investigations found no evidence to support charges against them. Last month, former CIA director John Brennan who led the nations intelligence agency during the investigation was criminally accused of making false statements to Congress about his role in the probe. In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, House Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan claimed Brennan knowingly made false statements to the panel during an interview in May 2023. The allegations stem from the so-called Steele dossier, a series of largely discredited documents compiled by a former British intelligence officer, which accused the president and his allies of conspiring with the Kremlin. Those documents sensational allegations were largely uncorroborated, while Republicans alleged that the memo was part of a Democratic-led conspiracy to undermine Trumps campaign. U.S. intelligence agencies ultimately determined that Russian-backed interference in 2016 sought to boost Trump through a coordinated disinformation campaign while damaging his then-opponent, Hillary Clinton. The president and his allies continue to attack the findings in the so-called Russiagate investigation while vowing to seek revenge against those involved. The Justice Department opened a criminal investigation into allegations that national security officials conspired to link Trump to Russias election interference campaign in an effort to delegitimize his campaign, following claims from Trumps intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard that the Obama administration manufactured and politicized intelligence to lay the groundwork for what was essentially a years-long coup against Trump. Trump after campaigning on a theme of retribution and pledging to be a warrior and justice to those who were betrayed by the government has also publicly demanded his Justice Department prosecute his opponents. In quick succession, grand juries indicted former FBI director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former national security director John Bolton. They have pleaded not guilty. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump has admitted that he did not need to tear down the East Wing of the White House in order to build his sprawling $300 million ballroom. I couldve built the ballroom around it, Trump told Fox News Monday. I didnt want to sacrifice a great ballroom for an okay ballroom by leaving it right smack in the middle. Trump also addressed reports that his renovations have not gone over well with a notable group: first ladies. During a wide-ranging interview, Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham asked the president to respond to recent criticism by former First Lady Michelle Obama. During a book event in Brooklyn last week, Mrs Obama said: To denigrate it, to tear it down, to pretend like it doesnt matter its a reflection of how you think of that role. Trump responded: First of all, the East Wing was a beautiful little, tiny structure that was built many years ago, that was renovated and expanded. It had nothing to do with the original building. It was a poor, sad sight. open image in gallery President Donald Trump said people are 'loving' his plan to demolish the White Houses East Wing and build a ballroom, even though a recent poll shows most Americans oppose it ( Getty Images ) The East Wing was added to the White House in 1942, and has served as office space for the first lady and her staff. It also included a visitors entrance and the presidents theater. In late October, the entire complex was demolished in a matter of days, sparking pushback from Democrats, who argued the president did not go through the proper approval process before radically altering the historic building. When Trump first announced his ballroom plans in August, he pledged that the existing building would not be touched. But, after further review, the White House concluded that demolishing the East Wing was more cost-effective and structurally sound than constructing an addition, according to The New York Times. Ingraham also asked Trump about First Lady Melania Trumps reaction to the demolition, referring to a Wall Street Journal report that she had privately raised concerns about razing the East Wing. She loved her little, tiny office, but you know what, shes very smart, Trump replied. If you would ask her now, she says its great. But just so you understand, The East Wing sounds good, right? Trump added. But the East Wing, that building was renovated 20 timesit looked like hell. open image in gallery The East Wing was added to the White House in 1942, and has served as office space for the first lady and her staff. It also included a visitors entrance and the presidents theater. ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery A demolition crew takes apart the facade of the East Wing of the White House in late October, where Trump's proposed ballroom is being built ( Reuters ) Trumps new ballroom funded by private contributions was originally estimated to cost $200 million. The price tag has now gone up to $300 million. The structure is set to span 90,000 square feet and seat about 650 people, according to the White House. Its expected to be completed long before Trumps term ends in early 2029. Administration officials have argued the new event space is urgently needed, noting that large gatherings currently must be held in a tent on the lawn. Most Americans, though, take issue with Trumps approach. In an October YouGov survey, 54 percent of respondents said they strongly or somewhat disagree with Trumps decision to demolish the East Wing to make room for his ballroom. Meanwhile, 28 percent said they strongly or somewhat approve. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump is no stranger to being fact-checked by reporters - but now, his statements are being reviewed and challenged by his own social media platform, according to a new report. An artificial intelligence search tool on Truth Social whose parent company is majority-owned by Trump disputes many of the presidents claims, including on tariffs, the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, The Bulwark reported. In an attempt to test the tools impartiality, the outlet posed five questions, with the first being: Do Trumps Tariffs cost the American people money? Yes, the AI tool, which is powered by Perplexity, responded. Tariffs are taxes on imports that U.S. importers pay and largely pass on through higher prices, so the costs are borne mainly by American businesses and consumers, it added. open image in gallery The AI tool on President Donald Trumps platform, Truth Social, was first rolled out for beta testing in August ( REUTERS ) The response stands in sharp contrast to the presidents rhetoric around tariffs. He has said that the levies cost Americans nothing and that other countries like China probably will eat the price hikes. The Bulwark also asked whether Trumps claims that the 2020 election was stolen and rigged were correct. Courts, Trumps own advisers, and official investigations found no evidence that the 2020 election was rigged or stolen, despite his repeated claims, the AI tool said, disputing one of the presidents ongoing claims. The AI tool also contradicted Trump over statements he has made about the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, grocery prices and his involvement in ending foreign wars which he has cited as grounds for why he should win the Nobel Peace Prize. open image in gallery Perplexity, a three-year-old start-up, has strong financial backing from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and chip maker Nvidia ( AP ) The Bulwarks test comes a few months after Truth Social debuted its AI search tool, which the platform began beta testing in August. By partnering with Perplexity one of the largest AI-powered search engines, which is backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and chip maker Nvidia Truth Social said it aimed to exponentially increase the amount of information available to its users. Shortly after the tool went live, Axios performed its own test. It posed a series of questions to the Truth Social AI tool, and to the public version of Perplexity. Then it compared the answers. In most cases, the responses were generally similar but the sources linked to the answers were not, Axios reported. For example, on Truth Socials AI tool, Fox News was the most cited source. Meanwhile, the public version of Perplexity returned answers with more diverse sources, including from Wikipedia, YouTube, Reddit and NPR. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trumps appearance at a ceremony intended to commemorate Americas veterans at Arlington National Cemetery Tuesday devolved into an airing of grievances as the president renewed complaints about this countrys tradition of commemorating those who fought and died in past wars rather than commemorating the wars themselves. Trump was roughly 10 minutes into his Veterans Day remarks when he told attendees that he would be issuing a proclamation designating the annual holiday to celebrate military service as Victory Day for World Wars I and II. He recalled how he once observed that France had put on an elaborate celebration to mark the Allied defeat of Nazi Germany which had invaded France in WWII on May 8, with Russia celebrating Victory Day on May 9 to commemorate the 27 million Soviet civilian and military casualties in that conflict. When I see other countries celebrating Victory Day they were selling celebrating victory day World War II. And I said, we got to have a Victory Day. Nobody even talked about it in our country. But from now on, we're going to be celebrating Victory Day for World War I, for World War II, and frankly, for everything else, he said. But the presidents claim that the United States doesnt have a holiday commemorating victory in WWI is belied by the history of the Veterans Day holiday itself. U.S. President Donald Trump places a hand over his heart during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., November 11, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque ( REUTERS ) First observed on Nov. 11, 1919 a full year after hostilities were officially ended when the WWI Armistice ending the war with Germany went into effect the holiday was known as Armistice Day in the United States until 1954, when Congress officially changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day at the urging of American veterans organizations. Trumps call to highlight Americas military victories rather than the soldiers who enabled them was followed by a boast about his decision to authorize the Department of Defense to once again refer to itself as the name it was known by until 1946, the Department of War. Under the Trump administration, we're restoring the pride and the winning spirit of the United States military, that's why we have officially renamed the Department of Defense back to the original name Department of War, he said. He claimed the decision to rechristen the countrys military establishment as the Department of Defense was out of a desire to be politically correct rather than a reflection of the fact that the 1947 National Security Act combined the Army, Navy, and newly-established Air Force under the auspices of a single department rather than previous structure under which the Army (and the U.S. Army Air Force) was controlled by the War Department and the Navy by a separate Navy Department. We won everything that came before, and then we brilliantly decided to change the name of this great, this great thing that we all created together, and we became politically correct. We don't like being politically correct, so we're not going to be politically correct anymore, Trump added. The decision to rename the 1940s-era War Department as the Defense Department was not actually a pean to political correctness but a reflection of post-war realities calling for a more wholistic approach to national defense. The landmark 1947 law signed by then-president Harry Truman actually renamed the Department of War as the Department of the Army, and put it along with the Department of the Navy and the newly created Department of the Air Force into what was first called the National Military Establishment, led by the first Secretary of Defense, James Forrestal. Separately, the law also created the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Council, but did not place those under Forrestals control. Two years later, Truman signed a law amending the National Security Act to combine the Navy, Army and Air Force departments into a renamed Department of Defense. At the time, it was believed but never stated openly that the Department of Defense was so renamed because the abbreviation of National Military Establishment, N.M.E., was being pronounced as enemy. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A group of more than 40 prominent white South Africans have hit back at Donald Trumps claims they are being slaughtered, telling the president that they are not pawns in Americas culture wars. In an open letter, the group which included political analysts, economists, lawyers, journalists, religious figures and historians rejected the narrative that they were the victims of racial persecution and even genocide, saying that it was not only misleading, but dangerous. It comes after Trumps repeated and disputed claims that white South Africans are being killed and their lands are being confiscated, with the president declaring that the U.S. would be boycotting the upcoming G20 summit of world leaders, which is being held in South Africa. The U.S. president wrote on his social media site: 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. Earlier this year, in contrast to its sweeping and aggressive anti-immigration policies, the Trump administration also allowed a small group of Afrikaners into the U.S., despite their home country denying they were refugees at all. open image in gallery During a tense meeting at the Oval Office in May, the president ambushed his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa. The president has continuously claimed that white South Africans are being killed and their lands are being confiscated ( AP ) As South Africans and Afrikaners, we write this response with concern and conviction, the Afrikaners letter read. The Trump administrations plan to prioritize white South Africans for refugee status, while drastically cutting overall refugee admissions, have brought our identity into the spotlight in ways that are deeply troubling. We reject the narrative that casts Afrikaners as victims of racial persecution in post-apartheid South Africa. This framing, now being used to support the far-right Great Replacement theory in the United States, is not only misleading, but also dangerous. It distorts the realities of South Africa, weaponizes our history, and reduces a complex social context and necessary leveling of playing fields into a simplistic symbol of white decline. Assertions that violence against white farmers in South Africa is widespread have been denied previously by organizations led by Afrikaners dedicated to tracking such attacks. White farmers own about 70 percent of commercial farmland in the country, despite making up a minority of the population, about 7 percent. However, fewer than 150 attacks involving farmers occurred during the entirety of 2023, according to the Afrikaner political group AfriForum. open image in gallery Earlier this year, in contrast to its sweeping and aggressive anti-immigration policies, the Trump administration allowed a small group of Afrikaners into the U.S. The group was permitted to resettle in the U.S. despite South African officials denying they were refugees at all ( AFP via Getty Images ) In their letter officials added they were most concerned with the hijacking of their ethnic identity by fringe groups both in South Africa and abroad, including projects like Make Afrikaners Great Again. Such projects misrepresent our history and misappropriate our culture to promote exclusionary and racialized ideological agendas, the letter read. Throughout his second presidency Trump has pedaled a false and critical narrative around the political climate in South Africa, echoing viral misinformation and claiming that white people, in particular farmers, are being killed in a genocide. open image in gallery During a tense meeting at the Oval Office in May, the president ambushed Ramaphosa, confronting him with a document that appeared to have information about the Democratic Republic of Congo some 1,000 miles away from South Africa ( EPA ) During a tense meeting at the Oval Office in May, the president ambushed his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa, confronting him with baseless stats and brandishing a documents that appeared to include one that had information and images from the Democratic Republic of Congo some 1,000 miles away from South Africa. The president also presented a video clip showing white crosses lining a road in South Africa which he falsely claimed were burial sites for white farmers and evidence of ongoing genocide. The crosses were in fact a protest organized by local demonstrators over the deaths of two farmers. South African-born Elon Musk, Trumps former head of DOGE, has clashed with his home nation over launching his Starlink satellite system there, at one point claiming he was not allowed to operate in South Africa, because Im not black, an apparent reference to the countrys black empowerment laws. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment over the letter from Afrikaners and on the presidents rhetoric. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Venezuela is reportedly deploying weapons, including decades-old Russian-made equipment, and planning to mount a guerrilla-style resistance or sow chaos in the event of a U.S. air or ground attack. The approach is a tacit admission of the South American country's shortage of personnel and equipment. It comes as the United States Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group moved into the Latin America region Tuesday, dramatically escalating a military buildup in the Caribbean that has stoked tensions with Venezuela. U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested the possibility of ground operations in Venezuela, saying "the land is going to be next" following multiple strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. He later denied he was considering strikes inside Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in power since 2013, says Trump is seeking to oust him and that Venezuelan citizens and the military will resist any such attempt. The U.S. military dwarfs Venezuela's, which is debilitated by a lack of training, low wages and deteriorating equipment, six sources familiar with Venezuela's military capabilities said. open image in gallery FILE - President Nicolas Maduro flashes victory signs during Indigenous Day in Caracas, Venezuela, Oct 12, 2025 ( AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos ) Some unit commanders have even been forced to negotiate with local food producers to feed their troops because government supplies fall short, two sources with knowledge of state security forces told Reuters. That reality has led Maduro's government to bet on two potential strategies - including a guerrilla-style response referenced publicly, though without details, by high-ranking officials, and another which officials have not acknowledged. CREATING ANARCHY ON STREETS The guerrilla-style defense, which the government has termed "prolonged resistance" and mentioned in broadcasts on state television, would involve small military units at more than 280 locations carrying out acts of sabotage and other guerrilla tactics, according to the sources and several years old planning documents for the tactic seen by Reuters. The second strategy, called "anarchization," would use the intelligence services and armed ruling-party supporters to create disorder on the streets of capital Caracas and make Venezuela ungovernable for foreign forces, said one source with knowledge of defense efforts and another source close to the opposition. It was unclear when the government might deploy each of the tactics, which sources said are complementary, in case of U.S. attack. Any resistance strategy faces long odds of success, the sources acknowledged. "We wouldn't last two hours in a conventional war," said a source close to the government. Another source with knowledge of defense and security inside Venezuela said that the country was not "prepared or professionalized for a conflict," despite government assertions to the contrary. "We're not ready to face one of the world's most powerful and well-trained armies," the source said. The communications ministry, which handles media inquiries on behalf of the Venezuelan government, did not respond to questions. Government officials publicly have been dismissive of a U.S. military threat, though they have called for peace. "They think that with a bombing they'll end everything. Here in this country?" scoffed Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello on state television in early November, while Maduro has repeatedly praised the "soldiers of the homeland" as heirs of independence hero Simon Bolivar. "The aggression will be responded to with national unity," Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said on Tuesday, amid renewed military exercises around the country. "We are ready here, we don't want war." SOLDIER SALARIES ARE LOW Maduro has enjoyed strong military loyalty by following the strategy of his predecessor Hugo Chavez, who placed officers in government roles as ministers or heads of state-run companies to ensure allegiance. Military leadership backed Maduro's victory in the 2024 election, despite evidence, backed by many international observers, that the opposition candidate had resoundingly won. Venezuelan troops, however, have to deal with poor working conditions and there could be desertions in the event of an attack, the sources said. Rank-and-file soldiers earn roughly $100 a month in local currency - far short of the estimated $500 monthly cost of a basic food basket, according to April data from the Venezuelan Teachers Federation's Center for Documentation and Social Analysis. In recent years, their primary experience has been confronting unarmed civilians during street protests, the source close to the opposition said. Maduro has said there are 8 million civilians training in militias to defend Venezuela, and some civilians have told Reuters in recent months that they are ready and willing to die to defend their homeland against a foreign force. But a source with defense and security knowledge estimated that in an anarchization scenario, just 5,000 to 7,000 people would participate, including intelligence personnel, armed ruling-party supporters and militia members. Meanwhile, there are some 60,000 members of the Army and National Guard that the government would deploy for its guerrilla-style "war of resistance," the source said. EQUIPMENT IS OLD The military's equipment - much of it Russian-made and decades-old - is lacking, the sources told Reuters. Venezuela bought some 20 Sukhoi fighter jets from the Russian company in the 2000s, but "next to the U.S. B-2s, they are nothing," said the source with defense and security knowledge, adding that Venezuela's Russian-made helicopters, tanks and shoulder-fired missiles capable of destroying low-flying airplanes are also outdated. Russia's foreign ministry said last week it was prepared to respond to Venezuela's requests for assistance, while urging against an escalation in tensions. Maduro has appealed to Moscow for repairs to the Sukhoi jets, upgrades to radar systems and the delivery of missile systems. Venezuela's 5,000 Russian-made Igla missiles have already been deployed, one of the sources said, and military orders are that, upon receiving "the first hit from the gringos, all units should disperse or go with their weapons to fall back or hide at various locations." "Any military force in the world knows the power of the Igla-S, and Venezuela has no less than 5,000 of them," Maduro said during a recent state television broadcast. He added that the portable missiles and their operators had been deployed "to the last mountain, the last town, and the last city in the territory." More than a dozen military training and planning documents dated between 2012 and 2022 and seen by Reuters show a long-term focus on planning for a fight against "imperialist aggressions." One, from September 2019, details how platoons should position machine guns, grenade launchers and other equipment. It explains the characteristics of a AK-103 assault rifle and how lone combatants can use a compass, the sun and even the stars to orient themselves if they are on the move. Venezuelan opposition groups, NGOs, Washington and some Latin American governments have accused Maduro's administration and the Venezuelan military of ties to drug trafficking, especially in the country's west, where Colombian guerrilla groups like the National Liberation Army operate and coca, the base ingredient in cocaine, is widely cultivated. The government has consistently denied such links and says it combats Colombian drug traffickers. But Maduro may be trying to send a message about the risks of invasion through his appearances on state television, where he regularly shows off military equipment, said Andrei Serbin Pont, a defense and security analyst. "The underlying message isn't actual military capability but deterrence through chaos: the threat that this equipment could end up in the hands of armed groups, guerrillas, paramilitaries, or reorganized ex-military personnel, worsening violence and instability during a potential transition," Serbin said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At age 106, Alice Darrow can clearly recall her days as a nurse during World War II, part of a pioneering group that dodged bullets as they hauled packs full of medical supplies and treated the burns and gunshot wounds of troops. Some nurses were killed by enemy fire. Others spent years as prisoners of war. Most returned home to quiet lives, receiving little recognition. Darrow sat with patients, even after-hours. One of them had arrived at her hospital on California's Mare Island with a bullet lodged in his heart. He was not expected to survive surgery, yet he would change her life. To them, youre everything because youre taking care of them, she said, sitting at her home in the San Francisco Bay Area town of Danville. Eighty years after the war ended, a coalition of retired military nurses and others is campaigning to award one of the nations highest civilian honors, the Congressional Gold Medal, to all nurses who served in WWII. Other groups, such as the Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII and the real-life Rosie the Riveters, have already received the honor. open image in gallery Alice Darrow shows a photo of herself from when she was a nurse during World War II, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at her home in Danville, Calif. ( AP Photo/Laure Andrillon ) The general public doesnt often recognize, I think, the contribution that the nurses have made in pretty much every war, said Patricia Upah, a retired colonel who served as an Army nurse in conflicts abroad, and whose late mother was also a Army nurse in the South Pacific in World War II. Only a handful, like Darrow, are still alive. The coalition knows of five World War II nurses who are still living including Elsie Chin Yuen Seetoo, 107, who became the first Chinese American nurse to join the Army Nurse Corps. They fear time is running out to honor the trailblazers. Its high time we honor the nurses who stepped up and did their part to defend our freedom, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat from Wisconsin, said in a statement. Baldwin and U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican, have sponsored legislation to award the medal, but it faces steep odds. It needs two-thirds of each chamber 67 cosponsors in the Senate and 290 in the House and so far, the bills have eight and six cosponsors, respectively. Saving lives in the face of danger Before the war, there were fewer than 600 nurses with the U.S. Army and 1,700 with the U.S. Navy. By the end of the war, those numbers had ballooned to 59,000 in the Army and 14,000 in the Navy. The Congressional bills cite harrowing examples of bravery. Some nurses served on Navy hospital ships treating patients as the vessels came under fire. Sixty nurses landed off the coast of North Africa on Nov. 8, 1942, to set up shop and care for invading troops. Without weapons, they waded ashore amid enemy sniper fire and ultimately took shelter in an abandoned civilian hospital," the legislation states. The nurses saved lives. Fewer than 4% of U.S. soldiers in WWII who received medical care in the field or underwent evacuation died from wounds or disease, the legislation states. They probably saw more infections. They probably saw more chemical casualties. Remember, they didnt have disposable products, so they had to sterilize everything, says Edward Yackel, a retired colonel and president of the Army Nurse Corps Association, of World War II nurses. Without them, he says, we would not have the knowledge base we need now to fight the wars of today. Some nurses endured harsh captivity. In 1942, nearly 80 military nurses were captured when the U.S. surrendered the Philippines to Japan. Held as prisoners of war, the women endured starvation rations and disease but continued to work until their liberation three years later. Nurses played outsized roles in 600 U.S. Army hospitals worldwide and 700 prisoner-of-war camps at military bases in the U.S., said Phoebe Pollitt, a retired nurse and professor of nursing at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. But their role has largely gone unrecognized. Within even womens history and health care history, nurses are kind of at the bottom of the barrel," she said. Breaking color barriers The majority of military nurses were white, and those who were not often had to fight for the right to serve. In 1941, only 56 Black nurses were allowed into the U.S. Army. Japanese American applicants, whose families were incarcerated during the war, were not accepted into the Army Nurse Corps until 1943. Elsie Chin Yuen Seetoo was born in Stockton, California, but spent her teens China. She joined the Chinese Red Cross Medical Relief Corps in unoccupied China after fleeing Japanese forces in Hong Kong. She later applied to the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, but they said she had an obligation to serve her country and that meant China. An indignant Chinese American medical officer fired off a letter on Seetoos behalf, stating that she was a U.S. citizen. She became the first Chinese American nurse to join the Army Nurse Corps, working in China and India before returning to the U.S. She already has a Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Chinese Americans for their service in the war despite the discrimination they faced. We answered the call to duty when our country faced threats to our freedom, she said in video recorded remarks at the 2020 ceremony. A love story Among the patients Darrow cared for was a young soldier wounded in Japans attack on Pearl Harbor. Before surgery to remove the bullet in his heart, he asked if she would go on a date with him, if he made it through. I said, Well sure, you can count on me, she says, and laughs. I couldnt say, No, I dont think youre going to make it. Dean Darrow did survive and they did go out. The couple kept the 7.7 mm bullet. They married and raised four children. He died in 1991. In September, Alice Darrow took a cruise to Hawaii with her daughter and son-in-law, where she donated the bullet to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial so visitors from around the world could learn of its significance and the love story behind it. Darrow said shes looking forward to seeing the bullet on display. The Congressional Gold Medal would be another treasure to look forward to. It would be an honor, she said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has warned shareholders that his sprawling conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway, will likely find it harder to outperform the market in the coming decades due to its immense size. The 95-year-old, who plans to step down as CEO in January, also acknowledged that Father Time is catching up with him. In a new letter to shareholders, Buffett reflected on his life and health, announcing $1.3 billion in new charitable gifts. These funds are destined for the four family foundations run by his children, continuing a philanthropic effort that, alongside the Gates Foundation, has steadily distributed his fortune since 2006. Berkshire Hathaway is renowned for consistently outperforming the stock market over the past 60 years under Buffett's leadership, a feat that has earned him legions of devoted fans. However, maintaining this level of outperformance has become harder in recent years due to the conglomerate's sheer size. Its vast portfolio includes GEICO insurance, the BNSF railroad, several large utilities, and a diverse assortment of manufacturing and retail businesses, featuring brands like Dairy Queen, See's Candy, and Helzberg Diamonds. Despite these challenges, Buffett also reassured shareholders that he remains confident in his successor. Buffett promised to keep in touch with shareholders through Thanksgiving letters in the future. ( AP Photo/Richard Drew, File ) Buffett promised to keep in touch with shareholders through Thanksgiving letters in the future, but he confirmed that next year Greg Abel will take over Buffett's famous yearly letter and answer all the questions at the annual meeting after he becomes CEO in January. Buffett will remain chairman. Buffett said that through dumb luck, I drew a ridiculously long straw at birth by being born in Omaha, Nebraska, where he met many lifelong friends including several who helped shape Berkshire's fortune and both his wives after attending public schools. He said he has been fortunate to have his life saved three times by doctors who lived nearby while managing to avoid the kind of calamities that often cut life short. Buffett recounted spending several weeks in the hospital after having his appendix out as a child where he turned to fingerprinting all the nuns who were taking care of him just in case they turned to a life of crime later. Buffett previously battled prostate cancer in 2012, but that wasn't considered life-threatening. Those who reach old age need a huge dose of good luck, daily escaping banana peels, natural disasters, drunk or distracted drivers, lightning strikes, you name it, he wrote. But now after decades of benefiting from the fickle nature of Lady Luck, Buffett said "Father Time, to the contrary, now finds me more interesting as I age. And he is undefeated; for him, everyone ends up on his scorecard as wins. Buffett said he is moving slowly and now has increasing difficulty reading, but he continues to go into the office five days a week to hunt for useful business ideas or deals that could benefit Berkshire. Berkshire shareholders should have faith in Abel because Buffett said he has consistently met the high expectations he has for him. He understands many of our businesses and personnel far better than I now do, and he is a very fast learner about matters many CEOs dont even consider. I cant think of a CEO, a management consultant, an academic, a member of government you name it that I would select over Greg to handle your savings and mine, Buffett wrote. Berkshires fortress-like balance sheet, highlighted by the $382 billion cash it holds, ensures the company is unlikely to encounter a devastating disaster, and Buffett said the board remains conscientious of shareholders interests, but still the company will have trouble outperforming. In aggregate, Berkshires businesses have moderately better-than-average prospects, led by a few non-correlated and sizable gems. However, a decade or two from now, there will be many companies that have done better than Berkshire; our size takes its toll, Buffett said. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Two passenger planes nearly collided with construction workers and vehicles at the Melbourne airport in 2023 in two separate incidents as the staff were not aware that the runway had been temporarily shortened, a report concluded. The pilots of two international airlines were not aware that the length of a particular runway had been temporarily shortened by over 1500m to allow for night-time resurfacing works, an Australian body for transport safety found. The final report comes two years after two large airliners Malaysia Airlines and Bamboo Airways narrowly avoided collision with airport staff at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport just 11 days apart. On 7 September 2023, a Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300 with 247 passengers onboard overshot the end of runway while taking off to fly to Kuala Lumpur, passing less than seven metres above workers and vehicles. Just 11 days later, a Bamboo Airways Boeing 787-9 bound for Hanoi also overran the runway, avoiding hitting the workers by 4.5m. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau released its final report on Tuesday, finding that both airlines dispatchers included the reduced runway length in calculations but did not highlight it to the crews, since take-off was still possible within limits using proper thrust settings. A visual impression of Bamboo Airways flight close to impacting the temporary landing lights ( ATSB ) It found that both crews used reduced-thrust take-offs a process in which less than the maximum available engine thrust is used for takeoff assuming the full runway was available. It was a critical misunderstanding that led to the dangerous overruns, the report said. These were serious incidents, the ATSB chief commissioner, Angus Mitchell, said. In both cases we had a fully loaded and fuelled aircraft with over 200 personnel on board coming within metres of fixed equipment on the ground and with works equipment. So it was by luck in this case that we didnt have an impact. While acknowledging that it was the pilots responsibility to identify safety-critical aeronautical information when preparing for a flight Mr Mitchell noted that the process is susceptible to human error. In light of the incidents, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority has proposed changes requiring air traffic control to more directly confirm pilots awareness of safety-critical runway conditions. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A windsurfer has described how he made a miraculous getaway from a shark attack escaping with just a bitten board. Andy McDonald, 61, was riding his hydrofoil board at Bombie surf break near Margaret River, a popular destination in Western Australia, when he encountered a shark in a swell of waves on Monday. He said he fell onto the shark, before adrenaline kicked in and he began punching it. Just out of the blue bang. It felt like a freight train, he told ABC News. Something came up from under the water and just propelled me up into the sky. Mr McDonald, who is originally from Melbourne, said that he knew he was experiencing a shark attack, and thought, Well, this is it. Incredibly, he escaped unscathed, except for a bite to his board. The attack took place near popular swimming spot Margaret River ( Getty/iStock ) Yeah, I fell onto it, he said in a video uploaded to local newspaper the Augusta Margaret River Mails Facebook page. It was wrapped around me... Youve got two leashes, youve got a leash around your wrist and around your waist, and it was, like, in me. I was like, punching it. And then I had my sail, and I jumped up on the sail just to get out of the water. And then I started yelling for help. He said he was then rescued by his friend Matto, named by ABC News as Neil Mattinson, who helped push him back to land. Im good! I live to tell the story, a cheerful Mr McDonald says in the footage, as the camera zooms in on a large chunk missing from his board. I dont think Ill sleep for a week. Mr McDonald said he did not see the shark, but he estimated the size of the bite to be around 350 to 380 millimetres in diameter. He added that someone on the beach had told him it looked like the bite could have come from a juvenile white pointer shark. A spokesperson for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said that the board would be tested, but results would take up to two weeks. We are in the process of accessing the board, and will conduct analysis of the foil board to confirm the species of shark involved, they said. The department issued a warning for the Prevelly area, and urged beachgoers to exercise caution in the water. According to the Australian Shark Incident Database, maintained by Taronga Conservation Society Australia, there have been 17 shark incidents so far in 2025. Of these, three have been fatal. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice German police have detained a 49-year-old man accused of asking for donations of cryptocurrency to pay for the assassinations of prominent politicians, prosecutors said on Tuesday. Former chancellors Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz were named on a list of 20 people the man had issued with a death sentence, along with former federal ministers, according to the German magazine Der Spiegel. The suspect, named only as Martin S, was picked up by elite counterterror units in Dortmund late on Monday and charged with financing terrorism. They claim that the Polish-German citizen ran a site on the dark web called Assassination Politics, where, among other things, the private data of famous people was published. The name of the site is believed to be a reference to a 1995 essay by US anti-government activist Jim Bell, who described a marketplace for anonymous parties to donate money for the assassination of government officials. open image in gallery Former German chancellor Angela Merkel is said to have been on a list of people given a death sentence by the suspect ( AP ) The suspect was also charged with inciting the commission of a serious act of violence endangering the state, and the dangerous dissemination of personal data. Investigators said they found criminal files and death sentences issued against public figures, as well as far-right, racist and conspiracy theory content, and instructions on how to make explosives. Prosecutors did not identify any of the people on the list, or specify the nature of the data that was divulged. Germanys interior minister Alexander Dobrindt said the investigation into a suspect trying to finance attacks via a right-wing extremist platform had been underway since June, but declined to give further details. Prosecutors did not address the suspects motive or suggest that he was working for a foreign actor. The suspect is believed to have been known to authorities since 2020 due to his behaviour during the Covid lockdowns, according to the German news programme Tagesschau. open image in gallery Authorities say they have been investigating the suspect and his right-wing extremist platform since June (file image) ( Getty ) He is also said to have been linked to the conspiratorial Reichsburger movement, whose members deny the legitimacy of the postwar Federal Republic of Germany. The accused will appear before an investigative judge, who will decide whether to issue an arrest warrant, prosecutors said in their statement on Tuesday. German politicians have said they are increasingly subject to attacks, both verbal and physical, at a time of deepening polarisation. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A sweeping indictment has been filed against Istanbul's jailed mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in which he has been accused of 142 offences tied to corruption and organised crime. The citys chief public prosecutor is seeking a total prison sentence exceeding 2,000 years for Mr Imamoglu. Imamoglu, a leading opposition figure widely seen as a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was arrested in March alongside several municipal officials. They were accused of operating a criminal organisation, bribery, extortion, and bid-rigging charges the mayor vehemently denies. Critics widely interpret these accusations as a politically driven attempt to undermine the primary opposition, with his initial arrest sparking Turkey's most significant public demonstrations in more than a decade. Chief prosecutor Akin Gurlek said the indictment is 3,900 pages and names 402 suspects including Mr Imamoglu as the chief suspect, Turkish media reports said. Mr Imamoglu was charged with organising a criminal group, 12 counts of bribery, seven counts of money laundering and seven counts of fraud, according to Mr Gurlek's office. Additionally, he is held responsible for multiple crimes allegedly committed by others including bribery, fraud and tender-rigging. open image in gallery Imamoglu faces a lengthy jail sentence if found guilty. He denies the charges ( AP Foto/archivo ) A trial date is expected to be set once the court formally accepts the indictment. If convicted of all charges, he could be sentenced to 2,352 years in prison, according to the indictment. "This case is not legal - it is entirely political. Its aim is to stop the Republican People's Party, which came first in the last elections, and to block its presidential candidate," the party's chairman, Ozgur Ozel, said on X. "What happened today is a blatant judicial intervention in democratic politics and the outcome of future elections." The corruption case is one of several legal proceedings targeting Mr Imamoglu. Last month, prosecutors filed espionage charges against him related to an investigation of his political campaign and a businessman arrested in July for reportedly conducting intelligence activities on behalf of foreign governments. Mr Imamoglu is accused of transferring personal data of Istanbul residents to secure international funding for his campaign. He has dismissed the charges as "nonsense". Other ongoing legal cases include allegations of insulting members of the Supreme Election Council, threats and insults directed at Mr Gurlek, the prosecutor, and accusations of diploma and document forgery. Critics view the legal cases, along with cases against other mayors and officials from the main opposition Republican People's Party, as part of a broader crackdown following a strong performance in last year's local elections. Several municipalities run by the party have faced waves of arrests throughout the year. The government rejects the accusations, insisting the judiciary is independent and the investigations are focused on corruption or other wrongdoing. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Turkey has confirmed that all 20 personnel aboard its military cargo plane that crashed in Georgia on Tuesday have been killed. The Turkish military transport plane carrying 20 personnel, including crew members, crashed in Georgia shortly after taking off from Azerbaijan. Footage of the C-130 Hercules showed it spiralling through the air, trailing white smoke before slamming into the ground and erupting into a column of black smoke. The aircraft was en route back to Turkey when it went down, though the cause of the crash remains uncertain. We have learned with great sorrow that our C-130 military aircraft has crashed on the Georgia-Azerbaijan border. Our efforts to reach the wreckage continue in coordination with the national authorities, said Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A few minutes after entering Georgian airspace, the aircraft disappeared from radar without transmitting a distress signal, the Georgian air navigation service said earlier. The Interpress news agency reported that the aircraft crashed in Sighnaghi, a municipality in the eastern Kakheti region near Azerbaijan. It said the crash was being investigated under a criminal code article covering air transport and the loss of life. Mr Erdogan was handed a note by aides at the end of a speech in Ankara to inform him of the crash. He offered his condolences for our martyrs, referring to the personnel on the aircraft, without giving more details. God willing, we will overcome this crash with minimum hardships, the leader said. May God rest the soul of our martyrs, and let us be with them through our prayers. Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze offered his condolences to Mr Erdogan over the deadly military plane crash, during a phone conversation between the two leaders. In this difficult time, Georgia extends full solidarity to our Turkish friends. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy, the prime minister said. Earlier, Georgian authorities reached the crash site at around 5pm local time, Turkeys interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said. Azerbaijans president, Ilham Aliyev, expressed his condolences to Mr Erdogan, the families and loved ones of the deceased, and the fraternal people of Turkey in a call. In an official readout, Mr Aliyev said he had discussed the tragic news of the loss of servicemen in the crash with Mr Erdogan. Debris is seen at a crash site of a Turkish military cargo plane in Georgias Sighnaghi municipality, close to the Azerbaijani border, on Wednesday, 12 November 2025 ( Reuters ) Turkey deployed a drone to assist in the search and rescue operation and was preparing an accident investigation team to leave for Georgia, according to broadcaster NTV. US ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, said he was deeply saddened by todays tragic crash of a Turkish Armed Forces aircraft, and extended condolences to the families of the fallen, adding that the US stands in solidarity with our Turkish allies. Lockheed Martin, the American manufacturer of C-130 Hercules, which is used by air forces around the world, said it was committed to supporting the investigation. The C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military cargo and troop carrier plane that can use unprepared runways for take-off and landing. Turkey reached an agreement last month with the UK to buy 12 second-hand C-130J aircraft. Turkey shares strong military and diplomatic ties with Azerbaijan. Mr Erdogan recently attended celebrations in Baku commemorating the 2020 win in the Nagorno-Karabakh war against Armenia. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Not a word of what the Russian defence ministry says is credible. Its claims that Russian troops have surrounded Ukrainian forces in Pokrovsk, Kostyantynivka and Kupiansk, in eastern Ukraine, are agitprop. But Volodymyr Zelenskys statement from the front line that his countrys fighters are under pressure is something of an understatement. Ukraine's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, told the New York Post that Russia was concentrating some 150,000 troops on a drive to capture the town, which is much prized by Russia. Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of Russian troops may have already successfully infiltrated the three tactically important towns. Kupiansk is on Russias route towards Kharkiv. The other two control the eastern and southern routes to the last remaining Ukrainian redoubts in Donetsk Kramatorsk and Slaviansk. Vladimir Putin has thrown a massive effort into the fight for Donetsk, which Moscow has already illegally annexed. They have paid a gigantic price in blood for tiny territorial gains. At the rate Russia is advancing intelligence sources estimate that it could take Moscow more than 100 years to capture Ukraine. Russia is estimated to have lost 1.5 million killed and injured since 2022 but Putins latest efforts have taken on a new urgency. Yet, if Pokrovsk falls eventually, there will be nothing left of this former garrison town. Just as there is nothing left of nearby Bakhmut or Avdiivka, which fell almost two years ago in what was the last significant Russian gain in this grinding war. open image in gallery An artilleryman fires a howitzer towards Russian troops near the frontline town of Pokrovsk in Ukraines Donetsk region in October ( Reuters ) These Russian-speaking towns, like Mariupol before them, are the scenes of atrocities against Russian-speaking civilians committed by a Russian army deployed, the Russian leader says, to protect Russian-speaking people from Ukrainian abuses. Moscow says Ukrainian troops are now trapped in three cauldrons. It is offering the troops encircled there the opportunity to surrender. They are not encircled. They do not need to, and will not, surrender. Russia has stretched Ukraines ability to defend a front line thats about 1,300km long. It has launched feint attacks from Zaporizhzhia in the south to Sumy in the far north. But its main effort has been Putins passion to take all of Donetsk before any kind of a future ceasefire freezes the front lines. In the new field of drone warfare, Russia has moved as quickly to adapt as Ukraines techno-savvy volunteers. Kyivs forces up and down that front line speak with fearful admiration of the Rubicon unit of Moscows forces, who are highly trained specialist drone operators. We can tell when theyre in our area because their skills go up. They train people well and when they leave, they leave those skills behind, said Grey, a lieutenant in a Ukrainian frontline drone unit close to Zaporizhzhia. open image in gallery Ukrainians store bombs in garages ahead of use on bomber drones controlled from underground bunkers ( Sam Kiley/The Independent ) The Rubicon Centre for Advanced Unmanned Technologies Russias response to Ukraines establishment of a separate drone force alongside the army, navy and air forces has been combined with Russian special forces to focus on Kyivs frontline drone operators. Scattered along the front, the Ukrainians have been able to hold Russian assaults back with relatively low numbers of troops in danger. Operating from hidden bunkers, their First Person View (FPV) attack drones, bombers, and interceptors, have enabled Ukraine to rebalance the battlefield where Russian weight of numbers had dominated. But by using Spetsnaz special forces units and drone swarms, Russian commanders have focused their efforts on overwhelming Ukrainian pilots in their hideouts. These tactics appear to be paying off. But they also exact a massive cost on Russias regular army, which is ordered into towns like Pokrovsk and are vulnerable to Ukrainian drones flying from deeper into the country. Ukraine is reported to have sent its own special forces into the fight for Pokrovsk. If the pattern of previous battles for eastern towns and cities is repeated, it could be a year at least and many tens of thousands of Russian dead, before they fall. If they fall. The landscape behind the Ukrainian front lines has been prepared for a fighting retreat by Kyiv forces. Thousands of miles of trenches, barriers, tank traps and barbed wire mazes have been laid. No doubt, secret mine fields, stay-behind-bunkers for behind-the-lines operations and meticulously calibrated targeting will make Russias next phase another session in the meat grinder of Ukraines eastern front. open image in gallery Volodymyr Zelensky meets servicemen during his visit to the frontline in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, 04 November 2025 ( Ukrainian Presidential Press Service ) Russias calculation is that it can outlast Ukraine. The Kremlin can feed an unlimited number of troops into the cauldron. Ukraines calculation is that since Moscow already has to motivate soldiers with $3,000 a month salaries, the pool of willing troops is drying up while Ukraine targets the Russian industrial machine by bombing its oil infrastructure. Moscow is hanging on and Kyiv is buying time. The latter is hoping for a strategic boost from the US or Europe to supply it with the long-range weapons that can reach deep into Russian territory and smash the Kremlins morale and supply lines to Ukraine. As a senior Nato intelligence officer pointed out recently: This is the mid-point of a long war. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Thousands of Serbians are protesting against a plan to tear down a former army headquarters to make way for a luxury hotel development linked to Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner. On Friday, legislation was passed by Serbian lawmakers to fast-track procedures for Mr Kushners Affinity Global Development firm to build a hotel, apartments, shops and offices on the site of the former Yugoslav army headquarters. A rally was held at the site in the Serbian capital of Belgrade on Tuesday, where 48-year-old protester Teodora Smiljanic vowed to raise our voice against the law. By passing this law, he (Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic) is aiming to please Trump and curry favour, Ms Smiljanic said. Perhaps he thinks that Trump, in return, could lift sanctions against NIS. open image in gallery Thousands attended the protests, the latest in a spate of anti-government protests in Serbia ( AFP via Getty ) NIS is Serbias sole Russian-owned oil refinery. US sanctions imposed on the refinery have raised concerns around fuel supplies during the winter months in the Balkan country. It is the latest in a string of anti-government protests in Serbia directed at Mr Vucic, which were sparked by the collapse of a railway station roof that killed 16 people a year ago. Many Serbs see the old army headquarters, which was damaged during a Nato bombing campaign in 1999 amid the Kosovo conflict, as a tribute to those who died. It is also seen as a monument to Yugoslav-era modernist architecture. Despite protests, Vucics government last November stripped the old army compound of its protected cultural heritage status. open image in gallery Protests took place near a building bombed during a 1999 Nato campaign ( AFP via Getty ) The demonstrators, who gathered outside the building and waved protest flags as a warning to the Serbian government, are opposed to the signing of a 99-year lease deal with Affinity Global Development last year. This is a warning: we will all defend these buildings together. We will become a human shield, another protester told Ukrainian outlet Mezha. Opposition politicians have argued that the legislation allowing Mr Kushners company to speed up administrative procedures regarding the development is unconstitutional. But the legislation was nonetheless approved by a governing majority without amendments, with the government arguing it was crucial for good ties with the US. He (Vucic) is trying to corrupt Trump, Zdravko Ponos, a former army chief of staff and now a leader of the opposition Srbija Centar party, told Serbian outlet N1 TV on Tuesday. Affinity Partners, Kushners wider investment holding, did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Reuters on Tuesday. Ms Kushner, the husband of Trumps daughter Ivanka, set up Affinity Global Development after stepping down from his job as a White House aide in 2021. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice More than 20 relatives of the Russian president Vladimir Putin have secured key roles across government institutions and state-linked corporations, according to a new investigation. The report, which details how President Putins former wife and previous partners have profited from their association with him, suggests that nepotism in modern Russia may have reached levels unseen since the reign of Tsar Nicholas II, who ruled until 1917. The independent investigative outlet Proekt which has been banned in Russia and operates from abroad said that its findings revealed a pattern of concentrated family influence extending into nearly every sector of the Russian economy, from energy and mining to finance and defence. In its analysis of 1,329 people who hold key positions, Proekt found that 76 per cent (1,012 individuals) have relatives employed in the public sector. This is a huge proportion three out of every four Russian leaders either inherited [their position] from other officials or set up their descendants lives on the governments dime, the investigation read. open image in gallery Russian president Vladimir Putin has placed at least 20 relatives in key roles ( AFP/Getty ) Among the most prominent figures highlighted is Anna Tsivilyova, the daughter of Putins late cousin Yevgeny Putin. Ms Tsivilyova was appointed deputy defence minister in 2024. Her husband, Sergei Tsivilyov, the former governor of the coal-rich Kemerovo region, became energy minister a month earlier. Ukrainian military intelligence has alleged that Ms Tsivilyovas appointment may also be related to intelligence, claiming that she reports directly to Putin on loyalty and corruption issues. Her relatives have also gained substantial wealth and influence. Ms Tsivilyovas 27-year-old son from a previous marriage, Dmitry Loginov, manages several firms linked to Kolmar, the coal-mining company controlled by his mothers family. Her brother, Mikhail Putin, serves as a senior executive at Gazprom, the state-controlled energy giant. His son, 28-year-old Denis Putin, is listed as a shareholder in the Sheremetyevo business complex near Moscow, where many tenants are state companies, according to the report. open image in gallery Vladimir Putin meets with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov in May this year ( Sputnik ) Members of Putins extended family have also secured lucrative roles, the report found. Two of the presidents cousins, Igor Putin and Lyubov Kruglova, both hold senior posts in state-affiliated organisations. Ms Kruglovas son, Viktor Khmarin, is the chief executive of RusHydro, one of Russias largest electricity producers. The report draws parallels between Putins network and that of the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Kadyrov, who has ruled Chechnya since 2007 and faces repeated allegations of human rights abuses, is said to have appointed 96 relatives to official or corporate posts. His 17-year-old son, Adam Kadyrov, holds at least seven titles, including head of the regions security council, a role he assumed in April. Meanwhile, Putins two adult daughters, Maria Vorontsova, an endocrinologist, and Katerina Tikhonova, a technology executive, addressed last years St Petersburg International Economic Forum, a major gathering of the Russian political and business elite. In a rare interview, Ms Vorontsova said that human life has supreme value in Russia, though the president has never publicly acknowledged either woman as his daughter. Proekt also reported that Putin is believed to have two young sons with former Olympic rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, and a daughter with Svetlana Krivonogikh, a former cleaner who became a millionaire through ownership of a luxury ski resort near St Petersburg and a stake in a bank closely linked to the Kremlin. While nepotism has long been a feature of Russian governance, Proekts findings suggest that under Putin, family ties have become a defining pillar of the countrys political system. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A teenage Russian street musician who has spent nearly a month in jail after singing anti-Kremlin songs was handed another 13-day prison sentence on Tuesday. Diana Loginova, 18, who sings in a group called Stoptime, was arrested in her native St Petersburg last month and has already been jailed twice for performing cover versions of songs penned by Kremlin critics in the heart of Russias second city. She was first arrested with other band members for a public order offence after her performance of a banned track, Swan Lake Cooperative, by exiled anti-Kremlin Russian rapper Noize MC, went viral on social media. Stoptime became an internet sensation in St Petersburg after videos showed them performing songs by exiled Russian musicians. Their performances, which included lyrics critical of the government and its war in Ukraine, attracted large crowds. According to Amnesty International, police arrested vocalist Ms Loginova, alongside guitarist Aleksandr Orlov and drummer Vladislav Leontyev on 15 October, accusing them of organising a mass gathering that violated public order. open image in gallery Loginova attends court hearings in Saint Petersburg on 28 October ( AFP/Getty ) Ms Loginova and Mr Leontyev received 13 days of administrative detention, while Mr Orlov got 12 days. Ms Loginova was also fined 30,000 rubles for discrediting the armed forces. The musicians were released but subsequently rearrested on similar charges for earlier performances, and were sentenced to up to two weeks in detention. Ms Loginova and Mr Orlov were detained a third time upon leaving custody, Amnesty said. Authorities have not disclosed the charges, prompting accusations of carousel arrests, a tactic used to extend detention without having to file criminal charges. Ms Loginova a music student who performs under the name Naoko told reporters last month that the power of music is important, as proven by what was happening to her, but has not made any explicit political statements. Their case has sparked solidarity actions nationwide, leading to further arrests of musicians and supporters in cities including Yekaterinburg, Perm, St Petersburg and Moscow. A court in May banned the Swan Lake-related track that Ms Loginova performed, ruling that it included statements that could be seen as promoting violent changes to the foundations of the constitutional order. The song caused particular controversy because Pyotr Tchaikovskys famous Swan Lake ballet holds political significance for some Russians. It was notably broadcast on state television after the deaths of Soviet leaders and during the 1991 coup attempt against Mikhail Gorbachev, the last president of the Soviet Union. BEIJING, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory message to Alassane Ouattara on his re-election as Cote d'Ivoire's president. In his message, Xi said China and Cote d'Ivoire are fellow travelers and good partners on the path toward modernization. Xi stated that bilateral relations have maintained a strong momentum of development, with fruitful achievements in various areas and deepening friendship between the two peoples. The world is currently witnessing accelerated changes unseen in a century, Xi said, adding that the strength of the Global South has been growing remarkably. Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Cote d'Ivoire relations and is willing to work with Ouattara to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership and jointly promote solidarity and cooperation among the Global South. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A member of the Vaticans Swiss Guard is under investigation for allegedly spitting at two Jewish women attending a Papal address affirming mutual respect for other religions. Vivian Liska, director of the Institute of Jewish Studies at the University of Antwerp, said a guard muttered under his breath, les Juifs (the Jews) as they entered St Peters Square with the Jewish delegation. The guard then allegedly made a small gesture, as if to spit, before denying having made the comment. She reported the incident to the authorities, who said on Monday they were investigating. Prof Liska and Michal Govrin, an Israeli writer, had travelled to the Vatican at the end of October to mark the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, a document about inter-religious dialogue. Cpl Eliah Cinotti, spokesperson for the Swiss Guards, said that the guard had been placed under a procedural internal investigation to be sure of the professionalism of the guards in service. open image in gallery File photo. The Swiss Guard, the worlds smallest army, has protected popes since 1506 ( AP ) The Vatican also said that a preliminary reconstruction of the event indicated a disagreement had arisen over a request to take photos at a guard post leading into the Vatican from Rome. Prof Liska told La Repubblica that the guard had said No photographs as they walked towards the square on 29 October, before adding, as if talking to himself, Juifs. Ms Govrin told Kathpress, a Catholic news agency, that the guard noticeably hissed at us with deep contempt. The writer said her colleague turned to the guard and said, You said Les Juifs to which the guard replied: No, I didnt, and You are lying. He then made a contemptuous sound of spitting toward us, Ms Govrin said. We were totally shocked, she said in a written statement. Such an incident of Jewish hatred inside the Vatican?! In contrast to the Popes important words strongly condemning antisemitism and calling for collaboration and peace?! She said they complained to the Vatican authorities, who apologised and said the matter would be investigated. open image in gallery Pope Leo, pictured on 29 October, addressed faithful on the anniversary of the declaration of Nostra Aetate ( AP ) Prof Liska said that she received a telephone call from a Swiss Guard official who said they had reviewed CCTV footage but could not determine what the Swiss Guard had said. In any case, it was a small thing on the part of a single individual, and I dont think its right for it to translate into a negative feeling about all those days, she said. There were beautiful things that happened, as well as disappointing, irritating, and even worrying things. Pope Leo XIV insisted during his address on 29 October that the Catholic Church does not tolerate antisemitism and fights against it. His speech reflected on how the declaration of Nostra Aetate, the Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions, had opened up a new horizon of encounter, respect and spiritual hospitality. The document, he said, teaches us to meet the followers of other religions not as outsiders, but as travelling companions on the path of truth and to honour differences affirming our common humanity. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Iraq is in the midst of a parliamentary election this week, a vote at a critical juncture for the nation and the wider region. The vote began on Sunday with polling for members of the security forces and displaced people living in camps. The general election began on Tuesday. The outcome of the vote will significantly influence whether Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani can serve a second term. The election comes amid heightened fears of another war between Israel and Iran, and potential Israeli or US strikes on Iran-backed groups in Iraq. Baghdad seeks to maintain a delicate balance in its relations with Tehran and Washington amid increasing pressure from the Trump administration over the presence of Iran-linked armed groups. The outcome will undoubtedly shape Iraq's future. open image in gallery Iraqis voters gather to cast their vote at a ballot station in the country's parliamentary elections in Baghdad, Iraq ( AP ) Iraq's electoral system This year's election will be the seventh since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003 that unseated the country's longtime strongman ruler, Saddam Hussein. In the security vacuum after Saddam's fall, the country fell into years of bloody civil war that saw the rise of extremist groups, including the Islamic State group. But in recent years, the violence has subsided. Rather than security, the main concern of many Iraqis now is the lack of job opportunities and lagging public services including regular power cuts despite the country's energy wealth. Under the law, 25 per cent of the country's 329 parliamentary seats must go to women, and nine seats are allocated for religious minorities. The position of speaker of Parliament is also assigned to a Sunni according to convention in Iraqs post-2003 power-sharing system, while the prime minister is always Shiite and the president a Kurd. Voter turnout has steadily fallen in recent elections. In the last parliamentary election in 2021, turnout was 41 per cent, a record low in the post-Saddam era, down from 44 per cent in the 2018 election, which at the time was an all-time low. However, only 21.4 million out of a total of 32 million eligible voters have updated their information and obtained voter cards, a decrease from the last parliamentary election in 2021, when about 24 million voters registered. Unlike past elections, there will be no polling stations outside of the country. open image in gallery Displaced Yazidi women have their fingerprints verified before voting ahead of Iraq's parliamentary elections ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The main players There are 7,744 candidates competing, most of them from a range of largely sectarian-aligned parties, in addition to some independents. They include Shiite blocs led by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, cleric Ammar al-Hakim, and several linked to armed groups; competing Sunni factions led by former Parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi and current speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani; and the two main Kurdish parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. Several powerful, Iran-linked Shiite militias are participating in the election via associated political parties. They include the Kataib Hezbollah militia, with its Harakat Huqouq (Rights Movement) bloc, and the Sadiqoun Bloc led by the leader of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia, Qais al-Khazali. However, one of the most prominent players in the country's politics is sitting the election out. The popular Sadrist Movement, led by influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, is boycotting. Al-Sadrs bloc won the largest number of seats in the 2021 election but later withdrew after failed negotiations over forming a government, amid a standoff with rival Shiite parties. He has since boycotted the political system. The Sadrist stronghold of Sadr City on the outskirts of Baghdad is home to roughly 40 per cent of Baghdad's population and has long played a decisive role in shaping the balance of power among Shiite factions. But in the run-up to this election, the usually vibrant streets were almost entirely devoid of campaign posters or banners. Instead, a few signs calling for an election boycott could be seen. open image in gallery Iraqi voters search for their names on lists outside a polling station in the southern city of Basra on November 11, 2025 during Iraq's parliamentary elections ( AFP via Getty Images ) Meanwhile, some reformist groups emerging from mass anti-government protests that began in October 2019 are participating but have been bogged down by internal divisions and lack of funding and political support. Concerns about the process There have been widespread allegations of corruption and vote-buying ahead of the election, and 848 candidates were disqualified by election officials, sometimes for obscure reasons such as allegedly insulting religious rituals or members of the armed forces. Past elections in Iraq were often marred by political violence, including assassinations of candidates, attacks on polling stations and clashes between supporters of different blocs. While overall levels of violence have subsided, a candidate was also assassinated in the run-up to this year's election. On Oct. 15, Baghdad Provincial Council member Safaa al-Mashhadani, a Sunni candidate in the al-Tarmiya district north of the capital, was killed by a car bomb. Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing, which is being prosecuted as a terrorist act. Al-Sudani seeks another term Al-Sudani came to power in 2022 with the backing of a group of pro-Iran parties but has since sought to balance Iraqs relations with Tehran and Washington. He has positioned himself as a pragmatist focused on improving public services. While Iraq has seen relative stability during al-Sudani's first term, he does not have an easy path to a second one. Only one Iraqi prime minister, Maliki, has served more than one term since 2003. The election outcome will not necessarily indicate whether or not al-Sudani stays. In several past elections in Iraq, the bloc winning the most seats has not been able to impose its preferred candidate. open image in gallery Voters go to the polls in Baghdad ( AP ) On one side, al-Sudani faces disagreements with some leaders in the Shiite Coordination Framework bloc that brought him to power over control of state institutions. On the other side, he faces increasing pressure from the U.S. to control the country's militias. A matter of particular contention has been the fate of the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of militias that formed to fight the Islamic State group. It was formally placed under the control of the Iraqi military in 2016 but in practice still operates with significant autonomy. Members of the PMF will be voting alongside Iraqi army soldiers and other security forces on Saturday. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Israeli army in Gaza shot unarmed Palestinians without restraint, created a protocol for using civilians as human shields, and pursued a policy of destroy, demolish, transfer, military whistleblowers have claimed. In a shocking documentary broadcast on ITV, at least a dozen soldiers described in detail how Gaza was left a zombie apocalypse after Israels unprecedented two-year offensive. During that time, they said commanding officers told them to ignore international law, use civilians, including teenagers, as human shields, celebrate drone strikes and take revenge on them all. The testimonies, which include a contractor for the controversial Israeli and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, also described the wanton destruction of civilian infrastructure, torching Palestinian homes they turned into forward bases, shooting aid seekers at distribution sites, and an unprecedented bombing campaign allowing for vast collateral damage. One officer, identified only as Lieutenant Colonel B, who has served more than 300 days in Gaza, described the offensive as all-out, adding he believed there was no limit for collateral damage. If you ask me I would have pushed them all into the sea [with bulldozers] on October 7, given them snorkels and let them swim in Egypt, he told ITVs Exposure. Another, whose identity was also protected, added: In my [company] there were people openly saying lets destroy, demolish, transfer them [out of Gaza]. open image in gallery Israels bombardment has destroyed or damaged more than 90 per cent of homes in Gaza ( AP ) Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign and siege of Gaza in the wake of Hamass bloody attacks on southern Israel, during which more than 1,000 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli estimates. In the documentary Breaking Ranks: Inside Israels War, soldiers said that in the aftermath, Israel launched a revenge campaign. Since October 2023, Israels bombardment and the war have killed more than 64,000 people, according to Palestinian health officials. It has also destroyed or damaged more than 90 per cent of homes, according to the UN, and displaced most of the 2.3 million population. An Israeli siege of the tiny 25-mile-long enclave has meanwhile pushed the strip into famine and unleashed a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions. The UN Commission of Inquiry concluded this year that Israel has committed genocide. The military dismissed the allegations in film as baseless, telling The Independent, it affirms that it operates in accordance with international law, including the Law of Armed Conflict. The IDF remains committed to the rule of law and continues to operate in accordance with its legal and ethical obligations, despite the unprecedented operational complexity posed by Hamass systematic embedding within civilian infrastructure and its use of civilian sites for military purposes. it added. It also said that if there are any allegations of criminal behaviour from its soldiers it is investigated. open image in gallery Palestinians gather to receive cooked meals from a food distribution centre in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip in August ( AFP/Getty ) But in the ITV Exposure film, a conscript infantry soldier named only Yaakov said the destruction is so widespread that they have destroyed a society. All mosques, almost all hospitals, almost all universities, every cultural institution has been destroyed, he added grimly. Youve destroyed a society. You dont have to kill them one by one to destroy every sign of the society that once existed there. He described his company using two Palestinians, including a 16-year-old boy, as human shields. When the soldiers protested, he said they were told by their commander: Soldiers dont have to worry about international law, just about the IDF spirit. open image in gallery This photo provided by Breaking the Silence, a whistleblower group of former Israeli soldiers, shows two detainees used as human shields being held inside a house in the Gaza City area in 2024 ( Breaking the Silence via AP ) Daniel, a tank unit commander, said the use of human shields is widespread. It is called the Mosquito Protocol. It entails a method, a process by which a Palestinian is turned into a so-called agent. Its designed exclusively for working in tunnels and is something that has been proven very, very useful, he added. After about a week, he said every company was operating with its own mosquito. Thats three Palestinians per battalion, nine to 12 per brigade, dozens, hundreds per division, he continued, adding, It saves soldiers lives. The Independents own investigation into the use of human shields revealed that children as young as 12 years old were forced to inspect houses and roads and look for tunnels and militants, sometimes dressed in military fatigues. When asked about these testimonies, the Israeli military said: The orders and directives of the IDF prohibit the use of Gazan civilians captured in the field for military missions that endanger them. Another disturbing reality revealed in the film was the wanton destruction of swathes of the strip, which the World Bank has estimated will cost $53bn (40bn) to rebuild. Last year, the UN Conference on Trade and Development said even if the war stops, if Gaza remains under an Israeli blockade, it could take a staggering 350 years for its battered economy to return to pre-war levels. open image in gallery Israeli D9 bulldozers roll along the southern Israeli border with the Gaza Strip in 2014 ( AFP via Getty ) Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv, who has served more than 500 days in Gaza driving bulldozers and flattening swathes of the strip, also spoke to filmmakers from the settlement where he lives. He claims to have come up with the idea of systematically demolishing entire neighbourhoods in Gaza, inspiring other units within the Israeli military. We changed the conduct of an entire army. The IDF invests hundreds of thousands of shekels to destroy the Gaza Strip. He argues that the mass demolition of civilian homes is justified, claiming in one video: Everything there is one big terrorist infrastructure. The soldiers also recalled several incidents where unarmed Palestinians were killed, including a man who was on a roof hanging out his washing; one soldier says a tank brigade, between 600 and 700 metres away, labelled him a spotter and took out half the building. In another incident, a teenager pushing a cart was shot in the head. Eli, another soldier, said at the end of his deployment that his commander reported they took out 112 terrorists, but added: I can confidently say that only one was even suspected of being armed. That is, the 111 other people we killed, no one even claimed that they were armed. Drone warfare is also described by Neta Caspin, a major in the IDF, who said she watched drone operators follow a man walking in the Netzarim corridor for half an hour before he was shot, after which a fellow soldier told them to be happy. Another anonymous soldier said that using drones in Gaza feels like a game. You can sit in some basement of a house, safe with your helmet off, scratching your balls, half dressed and kill Palestinians, he added bluntly. Breaking Ranks: Inside Israels War is on ITV1, ITVX, STV & STV Player On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The ceasefire in Gaza is under severe strain just weeks after Donald Trump hailed a new dawn for the Middle East. Despite international pledges, aid is failing to reach those in need, while reprisals and accusations of violations continue on both sides. Regional powers such as Egypt, Qatar and Iran are navigating a delicate balance of influence, and the United States struggles to maintain its fragile ceasefire. Morale among Israeli troops is said to be low, with rising refusals of reserve duty and suicide attempts, while extraordinary acts of courage and compassion continue in Gaza and Israel. In a recent Q&A with Independent readers, I tackled your questions on aid delivery, peace negotiations, regional influence, and the human stories from the ground. Here are some of them and my answers: Q: How much aid is getting into Gaza? bloodwort A: Not enough. Leading aid and UN agencies say supplies entering Gaza are far below what is needed to address the humanitarian catastrophe, where nearly all 2.3 million residents have lost their homes. Trumps ceasefire deal, which came into effect on 10 October, calls for 600 trucks of aid and commercial supplies per day but senior UN officials say at least 1,000 are needed. Gazas local administration estimates only about 145 trucks actually reach their destinations due to Israeli restrictions. Israel denies limiting aid, with COGAT, the military unit coordinating deliveries, stating that hundreds of trucks carrying food, water, fuel, gas, medicines, medical equipment, tents and shelter supplies enter the Gaza Strip every day. However, a senior Jordanian official said no aid from Jordan has entered Gaza since a September security incident that closed the corridor, leaving over 3,000 trucks waiting. The Norwegian Refugee Council reported millions of shelter and non-food items are stuck in Jordan, Egypt and Israel awaiting approval. Since the ceasefire, Israeli authorities have rejected 23 requests from nine aid agencies to deliver urgently needed shelter supplies nearly 4,000 pallets or 1,699 tonnes and even authorised shipments face prolonged and opaque customs requirements. The needs are enormous and urgent, especially as winter approaches. Palestinians in Gaza are facing unprecedented destruction from the Israeli offensive. An estimated 60 million tonnes of rubble needs to be removed, requiring the entry of heavy machinery without this removal, even temporary shelter installation is extremely difficult. More than 1.45 million people need emergency shelter support. There are tens of thousands of gravely injured and sick people needing medical supplies and medical evacuation. The numbers are unimaginable. Q: What stories or people have stayed with you most from Gaza and Israel? MattAllenby A: I have been covering Israel/Palestine for more than 15 years, but the last two years have been beyond anything imagined in our worst nightmares. I believe that the point of reporting on crisis and conflict is to work towards making your job obsolete. And one way to do that is to platform the extraordinary people who are forced to endure it. It is also a source of hope. The first that comes to mind is an ambulance driver in Gaza City, who told me how he was leaving for his shift as his son, a nurse in a nearby hospital, was coming home from his busy night shift. They said goodbye, he got into his ambulance and set off. Minutes later, he received a call from the coordination centre saying that Israel had bombed a building in his district. He was the closest. Could he go? He drove towards the coordinates, only to find that the bomb had destroyed his own apartment building. He had to dig with his hands through the rubble for his son, his wife, his other children and his mother. Most of them were killed. And still he kept going. He returned to work. He went back to digging families out of the rubble, to rescuing children. I have no idea how someone goes through that and carries on. I cannot tell you the number of other extraordinary people in Gaza: medics who stayed with their patients as Israeli forces besieged and bombed their hospitals; who were then arrested and held without charge; who spoke of torture; and who, on returning to Gaza, went straight back to treating patients. Each story haunts you. In Israel, one interview that stayed with me in particular was with Maoz, whose parents were killed on 7 October. While the prevailing narrative within Israel was one of revenge at the end of 2023, he was one of the earliest voices to call for a ceasefire, to say unequivocally that the destruction and collective punishment of Gaza was wrong, that violence does not fix violence. open image in gallery Bilha and Yakovi Inon, who were killed in their home in southern Israel on 7 October, during the Hamas invasion ( Maoz Inon ) He told me he was able to reach that point because, in the wake of the horrific 7 October attacks, he received a Facebook message from a Palestinian activist called Aziz, whose brother had years before been tortured to death in an Israeli prison. Aziz reached out to Moaz on social media to say he was deeply sorry for his loss. Both men had been through pain that would usually separate people, yet they teamed up as peace builders. Despite facing hatred from all sides, they have been touring the world with a mutual, nuanced, practical, informed and sustainable vision of peace. To experience such searing pain and yet still see the suffering of others, to reach across that seemingly impenetrable divide, requires the deepest well of compassion, that all of us can learn from. Q: Aside from Trump, what role are regional powers playing? Jase A: While Trump and his team were critical in getting this current ceasefire over the line, as they got Israel to the table, none of these conversations would have even been hosted without countries like Qatar and Egypt. For a start, the political bureau of Hamas, and Hamass leaders in exile, have been hosted in Qatar. Qatari officials told me on several occasions, frustrated that both sides had no real interest in committing to peace talks, that they had said they would no longer act as negotiators and would ask the political bureau to leave, but were actually requested by the US and Israel to remain in their role. The last ceasefire, which came into effect in January, was hammered out in Doha. In the eleventh hour, the Qatari prime minister personally shuttled between the two negotiating teams in a bid to get it over the line. Qatar that has been perceived as being aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood axis has played a major role as one of the sole conduits to Hamas and therefore as a guarantor of the agreements. open image in gallery Trump gestures as Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Egypt's president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Qatar prime minister and foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani look on during a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war on 13 October 2025 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt ( Getty Images ) Similarly, in Egypt, its top negotiators and officials have been integral in getting all sides to the table and finalising the details of the deals. For Egypt, Gaza is not just a regional concern but a national-security issue. Cairo had been increasingly alarmed by the extremist rhetoric coming out of the Israeli government suggesting the forcible displacement of the Palestinian population of Gaza into Sinai something that was intermittently and off-handedly endorsed by Trump. Apart from that being a war crime and devastating for Palestinian self-determination and the region, it would effectively make Egypt responsible for Israels security. Cairo has likely played a major role in convincing the US administration of the error of such a strategy. Iran plays a different role as chief backer to Hamas and other armed proxies in the region, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen. Their influence has waned since 2023, as Israel opened up multiple fronts of the war against their proxies. Q: How can the US lead negotiations when backing Israel? NormanBlunt A: The United States is the single largest supplier of weapons to Israel, and its most powerful and most involved backer. While there has been a lot of praise for Trump for pushing the latest ceasefire deal over the line (and talk of a Nobel Peace Prize nomination), there has also been a lot of criticism, with many pointing out that the quickest way to force Israel to halt its offensive on Gaza would have been to freeze arms and ammunition supplies. That said, I regularly speak to Hamas, Israeli government sources, officials from major regional countries involved such as Qatar and Jordan, negotiators and those briefed on the talks. Pretty much all admitted that the only person who could get this current deal over the line, and the only person who could get Israel back to the negotiating table to discuss the crucial second and third phases of this plan, was President Trump. He is the only person who has that level of sway over Israel, even if he does not wish to deploy all the tools in his toolbox. An exchange of citizens, a cessation of hostilities, a partial withdrawal and some aid delivery (all of which have intermittently failed at different points) is only the beginning. open image in gallery US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 7, 2025 ( AFP/Getty ) Israel, Palestine and the wider region will remain trapped in a dystopian, ever-violent Groundhog Day until there is an honest international commitment to addressing the fundamental questions that have gone unanswered for decades. These include Palestinian self-determination and Israeli occupation; accountability for violations of international law; and a path to end the unrelenting layers of trauma and violence, allowing for peace and security that is fair for all. I do not have a great deal of faith that a truly just peace will emerge from this nightmare, but I hope it will be more than a series of photo opportunities. Q: What is the mood in the Israeli military? Sabra A: Warning this answer addresses suicide, which might be a trigger. From what I have been told, morale is low. There was particular resistance to Benjamin Netanyahus insistence in the closing months of the war on Gaza that the military keep the conflict going and push into Gaza City. I was told by government sources that even the Israeli military chief of staff was against the plan. However, why morale is low is essentially speculation. I cannot, for example, say whether it is directly linked to conclusions by bodies such as the UN Commission of Inquiry that Israel (and its forces) have committed genocide in Gaza. Anecdotally I have been told people have been concerned by that, also by Israel becoming an international pariah, also by the comparatively high death toll among Israeli soldiers and also by the relentless and long reservist call-ups. In terms of evidence of low morale I would point to Israeli media reports on a surge in suicide attempts among soldiers since October 2023. Last month, the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, released its latest report on the issue, stating there had been a sharp rise in suicide attempts among soldiers since 2024. Israeli media reported that the Knesset body recorded at least 279 attempts between January 2024 and July 2025 alone. Separately, I have been told and Israeli media has also reported that there has been a significant rise in Israeli soldiers refusing reserve duty as the war dragged on, as the death toll among Israeli soldiers climbed, and as international backlash soared. open image in gallery Tal Mitnick and Iddo Elam, Israeli teenage refuseniks, both served jail time in military prison for refusing to serve in Israeli military over the devastating war in Gaza ( Bel Trew/The Independent ) Yesh Gvul, an Israeli movement that supports refuseniks (essentially conscientious objectors, those who refuse mandatory service) and reservists who do not want to fight again, told me in August that their hotline, which usually receives around 30 calls a year, had received more than 200 calls since January alone. I also interviewed a small but growing group of Israeli teenagers who burned their call-up papers, telling me they did so as they believed their country was committing genocide. You can read more here. These questions and answers were part of an Ask Me Anything hosted by Bel Trew at 4pm GMT on Wednesday 5 November. Some of the questions and answers have been edited for this article. You can read the full discussion in the comments section of the original article. For more from Bel sign up to our weekly On The Ground newsletter. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice In a prime seafront location and fondly referred to by locals as Hotel Korcula, this is a place that honours its heritage and celebrates all the culinary and coastal delights that the picture-perfect island has to offer. Location Overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea, Aminess Younique Korcula Heritage Hotel sits on the harbour that skirts the narrow streets of Korcula Old Town. Theres no airport on the island, so youll need to fly into Split or Dubrovnik and take a two-hour 30 minute catamaran to reach the island. The ferry terminal is a five-minute walk away from the hotel, so theres no onward travel once you arrive. Korcula Old Town is mostly pedestrianised but if you want to hire a car to explore the rugged beaches dotted around the island, there is parking outside the hotel for 15 (13) per day or at the nearby ferry terminal. Scooters and bikes are readily available to hire, or you can grab a taxi from the rank thats a short walk from the hotel. The nearby town of Lombarda is filled with vineyards producing wines indigenous to Korcula, Grk and Posip. Or you can hop aboard a water taxi to venture to the mostly uninhabited islands in the Korculan archipelago. Read more: Best beach hotels in Dubrovnik The vibe The hotel opened its doors in the late 1800s as a cafe and transformed into a hotel in 1912. It has welcomed many star-studded guests including Jacqueline Kennedy and Wallis Simpson, whose photos line its reception walls. It honours its heritage with an opulent facade that has remained the same since opening thanks to Unesco Heritage protection, which prevents any changes to the exterior of the hotel. open image in gallery The hotels facade looks just like it did in 1912 ( Aminess ) A grand archway by the hotel reception leads to a lounge area that reflects the hotels old-world charm, lit by two chandeliers, with a readily stocked bar serving Korculan-produced gin, as well as a cigar menu and books to peruse. Guests are served meals on the palm tree-lined patio,overlooking the marina, where luxury yachts pull in each evening to catch a glimpse of the striking sunset. During the summer, you can sit here and sip a sundowner while listening to live jazz music. Read more: Best Croatia holiday destinations and when to travel to each one Service Hotel staff are full of local knowledge about Korcula and its surrounding islands in the archipelago. Their passion for the place is infectious and after an overview at check-in of the best family-friendly beaches, local swimming spots, wineries and even where to go deer spotting (Badija Island in case youre wondering), I had an itinerary that could fill at least a weeks long stay on the island. Theyll even tailor their recommendations to whether you have a car or not. Theres a 24-hour reception, with someone always available to help, whether you need a taxi booked or towels for the beach. Guests are greeted with a welcome gift of mini chocolate cakes, deer-shaped sugar biscuits and salted nuts as you relax into your room and look over the bright blue Adriatic Sea. Read more: Best boutique hotels in Dubrovnik for Old Town charm Bed and bath Rooms are light and airy, awash with calming coastal blues and warm greys in keeping with the seafront location. Standard and comfort rooms come with the option of twin beds or a queen, while superior rooms and suites only have the latter. Most rooms can only accommodate two guests, unless you book the comfort suite, which has a queen-sized bed on a mezzanine and sofa bed below. Comfort and luxury suites come with a lounge area that reflects the soft elegance found throughout the hotel, with powder blue tufted armchairs and a crystal chandelier. open image in gallery All rooms are sea facing and many come with floor-to-ceiling windows to really take advantage of the view ( Aminess ) In all rooms youll find a TV, Nespresso machines, fluffy white robes and a hair dryer; extras, such as ironing boards, are available upon request. Bathrooms are well stocked with Rituals toiletries and have both a rainfall and handheld shower. All rooms are sea facing, and tall, arched windows are found in most, so you can sip your morning coffee as you watch the boats pull in. Owing to the buildings listed status, which prevents changes to the facade, standard rooms come with a much smaller rectangular window. Read more: Best hotels in Dubrovnik for family getaways Food and drink Breakfast is served on the shaded terrace overlooking the waves lapping into the marina. Eggs are made-to-order and served alongside sourdough, crispy bacon, local cheeses, ham and even salted anchovies. Sweet treats include a classic pastry selection, fruits and plenty of local honey and jam to drizzle over Greek yoghurt. open image in gallery Meals are served on the outdoor terrace overlooking the yacht marina ( Aminess ) The dinner menu celebrates Mediterranean cuisine, with an emphasis on seafood and red meat. Highlights include a fresh and minty Adriatic tuna tartare, a platter of local prosciutto and aged cheese from the nearby region of Istria, melt-in-your-mouth scallops, and rich, slow cooked veal with Korculan makaruni pasta. Read more: Best Croatia cruises for island-hopping excursions Facilities You wont find a gym or spa in the hotel, with the focus being on enjoying everything that Korcula has to offer. Staff can help with booking activities, including buggy tours around the island, visiting local vineyards, sailing excursions and even a day trip to Dubrovnik. Should you need it, there is luggage storage, a safe at the front desk and a laundry service. open image in gallery Staff are on hand to help with excursions in and around Korcula ( Aminess ) Accessibility There is no lift in the Aminess Younique Korcula Heritage Hotel and no rooms on the ground floor. Pet policy Dogs and cats are welcome at the Aminess Younique Korcula Heritage Hotel with prior notice. There is a limit of one pet per booking and a 25 (22) per day supplement charge. Check-in/check-out Check-in from 3pm, check-out by 10am. Family-friendly Children of any age can stay at the hotel. Free cots and infant beds are available in the standard, comfort and luxury suite rooms. At a glance Best thing: Tailored, local recommendations from staff and the celebration of Korculan cuisine. Perfect for: Couples or families looking for a slice of luxury on this idyllic Mediterranean island. Not right for: Those who are keen to see the major Croatian tourist sites these are at least a two hour ferry ride from the island. Instagram from: Breakfast on the terrace, as the sun glistens over the Adriatic sea. Address: Obala dr. Franje Tumana 5, 20260, Korcula otok Korcula, Hrvatska Phone: +385 52 858 600 Website: Aminess.com Read more: I found the best Santorini hotel to watch sunsets from As a lawyer, I have seen my fair share of ambitious lawsuits. But even by those standards, Donald Trumps threat to sue the BBC for $1bn (760m) over its edited broadcast of his January 6 speech is a spectacular legal misadventure. From where I sit, it looks less like a fight for justice and more like a public relations gambit that could backfire badly on him. There are a few legal tripwires between Trump and any conceivable victory against the BBC. For a start, the limitation period for any UK defamation claim has lapsed: the US president had one year from the broadcast date of 28 October 2024, meaning the deadline expired on 28 October 2025 about two weeks ago. However, a claim in Florida would still be within time, since the limitation period there is two years, but less likely to succeed. Trumps problem is that the edition of Panorama wasnt broadcast in the United States, and BBC iPlayer isnt available there either, so no one in that jurisdiction would have watched it there on catch-up. That means it is not clear that any US court could entertain the claim. Setting aside that technicality, even if the case somehow got off the ground, the legal and evidential hurdles facing Trump remain formidable. The most ticklish problem for Trumps lawyers is that his reputation in relation to January 6 was already in tatters before the BBC aired its documentary, which took the presidents rally cry to fight like hell a reference to contesting the presidential elections and spliced it onto a comment made almost an hour earlier when he told supporters he was going to walk with them to the Capitol (to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard). It is not yet clear why the production team took the decision to edit two parts of the speech together, without making it apparent either to viewers or to the BBCs editorial team. But judicial findings, congressional hearings and global media coverage have long established Trumps central role in the events of that day. When it comes to the January 6 riots, does he have a reputation to uphold? When you assess defamation, one of the key questions is whether the defamatory meaning alleged is substantially true. If the sting of a claim is true, then it isnt libel. In other words, the BBC cannot have lowered Trump in the estimation of right-thinking people if the core allegation that it was he who incited the mob was already widely accepted. Multiple judicial findings and official reports have described Trumps speech as plausible incitement and the central cause of the January 6 attack. The DC Circuit Court has also ruled that he could be sued for inciting violence by victims of the riot. Nine separate federal judges have linked his speech to the insurrection. He was impeached for incitement to insurrection, and came perilously close to the Brandenburg threshold for criminal incitement. Trumps legal team would have to convince a court that a programme never broadcast in Florida somehow changed Floridians view of him. That is a difficult argument to make, especially when ones reputation is already heavily damaged. Worse still for Trump, a libel trial would put his conduct on January 6 under the forensic microscope of the courts. The full speech not just the edited version would be played, alongside judicial opinions branding his words as incitement. That would be a PR disaster for the president, reviving every uncomfortable detail of his actions during the insurrection, and reminding US citizens of the episode and his role in it. Then theres the issue of litigation risk. If Trump were my client, I would advise him that this is not the hill to die on it is a legal cliff edge. Yes, he has successfully portrayed the BBC as fake news in some circles, but pursuing that narrative through the courts could expose him to humiliating defeat. To be fair, he is entitled to feel aggrieved if the BBC edited his remarks in a way that suggested intent he did not possess. An apology might be a reasonable remedy. But a billion-dollar libel claim? That is a stretch. Nor does Trump have anything like the kind of leverage he once enjoyed. The BBC doesnt require regulatory approval from him, unlike CBS or other networks that have historically needed US government permissions. He could attempt to bar BBC reporters from White House press access, but that tactic has failed before; Associated Press has successfully challenged such bans in court. Ultimately, this isnt about legal merit; its about political theatre. Trumps camp may hope to stoke outrage among his supporters by portraying him as the victim of an anti-Trump media conspiracy. But in law, libel is not about being wronged its about being wronged in a way that causes real reputational damage. In the United States, Trump faces another hurdle: he is the ultimate public figure, and the law there requires proof of actual malice that the BBC deliberately sought to harm him. No serious observer has suggested that. Add to that the stark difference in damages: the maximum libel award in the UK is around 250,000, whereas he is currently demanding $1bn. And since he was elected president after the broadcast and has made millions since, it would be hard to argue that he suffered any real loss. By taking on the BBC, Trump has bitten off more than he can chew. But the corporation should still tread carefully. It is tempting to dismiss his legal sabre-rattling as bluster yet this is precisely the kind of fight that can drag a respected broadcaster into the mud. Sometimes, the smart move is not to win the argument, but to walk away. The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The decision to cut the UKs contribution to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria is a mistake. Hundreds of thousands of deaths that were preventable are now to be expected. Our support to the Global Fund represents the best of Britain, working with other countries to deliver value-for-money impact. With our funding, the Global Fund made extraordinary progress in the fight against the most prevalent preventable diseases. Millions of lives have been saved, with health systems strengthened across the poorest countries. We are closer than ever to eliminating Aids. Yet at this pivotal moment, the UK has become the first host country ever to cut its contribution. It is tempting, at times, to be sceptical about the UN and multilateral funds. They can be remote, overly bureaucratic and detached from local realities that make aid truly effective. But the Global Fund has proven itself to be what we all want from the aid sector. Since its founding in 2002, it has saved 70 million lives and delivered extraordinary value for money. This isnt charity; its partnership. My time working on the ground in Kenya made one thing clear: programmes succeed when theyre designed with communities as partners, not recipients. The Global Fund combines global scale with local knowledge. It works because disease eradication requires both. Matseliso Lekhoele, 36, who is HIV-positive, with her two children, Bohlokoa, eight, and Maseabata, four, inside their home in Thaba-Tsoeu, Lesotho. Aid cuts will make medication harder to get ( AP ) This disappointing cut follows the UKs 20 per cent reduction to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, earlier this year. A pattern is emerging: our retreat from the programmes that have delivered the greatest results. Cuts to multilateral programmes dont just shrink spreadsheets in New York and Geneva. They cascade downwards, landing hardest on the programmes and people who can least afford it. It is women and girls who will pay the highest price. They already face a disproportionate burden of these diseases, particularly HIV. Discrimination, unequal access to education, healthcare, water and sanitation, and gender-based violence drive up infections and create barriers to treatment. At a time when womens rights are under assault globally, Britain should be standing against that tide. We have watched this happen before. In 2021, when the Conservative government slashed aid recklessly, women and girls were the first to be abandoned. Clinics shuttered. Reproductive health programmes vanished. School initiatives stopped abruptly. The most vulnerable left behind, not because their needs had changed, but simply because there was no plan. Now, that same uncertainty has returned. The development budget has been cut again, and we are still waiting for a clear strategy to emerge. Last year, the former development minister, Anneliese Dodds, had laid out her vision for Britains future in a well-received speech to Chatham House. Much has changed since then, but the need for strategic thinking hasnt. As the new foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, considers how to deliver the temporary aid cut announced by the prime minister, one question remains: where will the axe fall? Without a plan, were poised to repeat the mistakes of 2021. The upcoming Budget is a chance to change course. Britain needs what weve lacked for years: a long-term plan. A clear timetable back to investing 0.7 per cent of national income in international development. An end to the use of overseas aid to fund refugee accommodation in Britain. Properly directed, this investment serves our national interest, preventing the spread of conflict and disease to keep Britain safe. Britain once proudly led the world in international development because we embraced a first principle: that cooperation and compassion are expressions of strength. Our strength and purpose must extend beyond our borders. Co-hosting the Global Funds 8th Replenishment alongside South Africa on 21 November sends a strong signal. But leadership isnt measured by the conferences we host. Its measured in the lives we save, and those that we dont when we could. Fleur Anderson is a member of parliaments foreign affairs select committee, a former Northern Ireland Minister (2024-5) and Labour MP for Putney This article has been produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project Business chiefs more worried by wage costs and regulation than by tariffs Results of new survey show more optimism among firms in Ireland than their EU peers Chambers Ireland CEO Ian Talbot Donal O'Donovan Tue 11 Nov 2025 at 06:30 Trade barriers and tariffs rank well below labour costs and regulatory burdens among the top concerns for business leaders, according to the Irish results of Europes largest business sentiment survey. Use of AI by director of insolvent company in court proceedings criticised Dublin City Council has granted planning permission to US billionaire John Malones MHL Hotel Collection for a new 40-bedroom hotel on Dublins Drury Street and William Street South, Dublin 2. The hotel scheme is to lie adjacent to MHL Collections four-star Brooks hotel and the planning permission also extends to an additional five bedrooms at the Brooks Hotel, to bring the total number of bedrooms to 103. Dublin City Council granted planning permission for the scheme at 59/62 Drury Street, Dublin 2, and 34-35 William Street South, after revised drawings were lodged by the applicant, Drury Leisure Investments Ltd. The council said that having regard to the nature and scale of the proposed development, the proposal would not have an adverse impact on the surrounding area. In a hotel concentration report by McGill Planning lodged with the application, it was stated that 8,627 additional hotel bed-spaces will be required by 2030 for Dublin an average of 1,725 per annum. Against that background of the continuing demand for new hotels, two prominent businessmen in the hospitality sector, Eamon Waters and Tom Cleary, have made separate bids to reignite previously refused hotel plans for Dublin city centre. Mr Waters, through his Grafton Residence UC firm, has lodged plans to secure planning permission for an eight-storey hotel close to St Stephens Green. Earlier this year, An Coimisiun Pleanala (ACP) refused planning to Grafton Residence ULC for a new 61-bedroom hotel for a site known as Textile House on Johnsons Place and Clarendon Market opposite the Grafton Hotel in Dublin. Now, Grafton Residence UC has lodged plans for a 73-bedroom hotel on the same site. Mr Cleary, the owner of the Temple Bar group, is seeking planning through his Chambers Properties Ltd firm to convert a five-storey mixed-use building at Dame Street and Eustace Street, Temple Bar into a 43-bedroom hotel. The scheme was also refused planning last year by ACP. In a planning report lodged by Grafton Residence UC, McGill Planning UC said the proposed hotel accommodation will be affiliated with The Grafton Hotel opposite the proposed building. It states that the proposal is to improve an area that is currently undergoing rejuvenation and points out that Chatham Street is becoming an area for restaurants, cafes and shops. Billionaire businessman Denis OBrien has issued a blistering warning to policy makers, saying Ireland is at risk of jeopardizing all the great work that has been achieved over five decades across all sectors SSE Plc is exploring funding options, including a share sale that could raise billions of pounds, as the utility seeks capital to meet a grid spending boost, according to people familiar with the matter. The London-listed power generator, whose businesses include SSE Airtricity in Ireland, has been holding discussions with advisers on proposals to bolster its balance sheet, the sources said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. Details have not been finalised, they added. Television British broadcasters have only had the chance to cover two coronations in the last 72 years. Their Irish counterparts get to preside over an inauguration every seven years. Miriam OCallaghan was back in Dublin Castle for the Presidential Inauguration 2025 (RTE One, Tuesday, 11.15am), as she was a few weeks ago for the declaration of the election result. There is probably a clause in the Constitution requiring that Miriam preside over every national event on Irish TV. The Disappearance of Captain Nairac review: One mans mission to find where the murdered British soldier is buried Robert Nairac was a larger-than-life character who seemed oblivious to just how strongly he stood out in the Provo stronghold of South Armagh while attempting to go undercover Former republican prisoner Martin McCallister has made it his mission to find where soldier and undercover agent Robert Nairac is buried. Photo: BBC NI Pat Stacey Tue 11 Nov 2025 at 06:30 Robert Nairac, the British Army undercover intelligence officer abducted by republicans from a South Armagh pub in 1977, driven across the border and murdered by the Provisional IRA, has become almost a mythical figure. Ireland has claimed the prestigious title of Worlds Best Steak at this years World Steak Challenge in London, taking home a record-breaking total of 68 medals. Among these, 24 were gold, making Ireland the top-performing country overall and highlighting the exceptional quality of Irish grass-fed beef from heritage breeds. Dawn Meats and Lidl were awarded the coveted Worlds Best Steak for their grass-fed Angus sirloin, sourced from cattle bred in Co. Waterford. Judges praised the steaks tenderness, saying it is similar to the tenderloin but carries a wonderful taste reminiscent of a ribeye and that it offers the best in terms of texture and flavour. Alongside the overall win, Dawn Meats secured 11 gold medals, underscoring Irelands consistent excellence in beef production. Neil Lanigan, Commercial Manager at Dawn Meats, said: "Dawn Meats is thrilled to have won World's Best Steak at the World Steak Challenge. To win Europes Best Steak and then go on to claim the Worlds Best Steak is unbelievable. This award is for our farmers and producers its a massive effort and a huge win for everyone in Irish beef. Irish beef is full of flavour, tenderness, and juiciness qualities chefs and retailers worldwide rely on." Robert Ryan, CEO of Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, added: "Together with our valued Irish supplier, Dawn Meats, were immensely proud that our own-brand Irish grass-fed steak has been recognised as Worlds Best Steak. This accolade underscores our commitment to providing world-class Irish produce at the best value to shoppers across the country." Mark Zieg, Bord Bias Beef Sector Manager, praised the achievement at the awards ceremony held at Smith & Wollensky in London said after three years of record-breaking medal hauls, winning the Worlds Best Steak award is a fantastic achievement for Ireland. These awards validate the dedication and quality of our farmers and processors and reinforce Irelands position as a global leader in beef production." Other Irish producers making an impression included ABP Foodgroup Ireland, Ashbourne Meats, Liffey Meats, and Redmond Farm. Irish ribeye proved especially popular, winning 12 gold medals, while sirloin secured eight and fillet four. Judges evaluated entries on both raw and cooked criteria, with over 60 international experts on the panel. Launched in 2015 and now in its eleventh year, the World Steak Challenge has become the ultimate benchmark for steak producers worldwide, offering a global platform to showcase product quality, breed credentials, and processing standards. Julia Molony: Sophie Kinsella was as bright and vibrant as the characters she created the author and her writing will be dearly missed Five gardai attempted to quash road traffic offences for motorists, trial told Retired superintendent allegedly advised motorist to nominate another person as the driver to avoid receiving penalty points Stock image David Raleigh Tue 11 Nov 2025 at 17:38 A trial of four gardai and a retired superintendent centres around motorists allegedly asking gardai to intervene in potential or pending road traffic prosecutions, the accuseds trial heard today. Spanish officials believe there is enough evidence to charge Gerry Hutch with money laundering People are hungry for authenticity, says Catherine Connollys head of campaign art on the key ingredient to connecting with voters The Connolly campaign stood out for its visually striking designs that created a brand intimately connected with the message of her candidacy Everything you need to know about Catherine Connolly's inauguration day Keith Kelly Tue 11 Nov 2025 at 07:00 Catherine Connolly will be officially inaugurated today as the 10th Uachtaran na hEireann at Dublin Castle, four months after throwing her hat into the ring to take up the coveted position of first citizen. latest | Catherine Connolly vows all voices will be heard and valued as she becomes 10th president Catherine Connolly humbly and proudly' becomes the 10th president of Ireland Grainne Ni Aodha, Cillian Sherlock and Bairbre Holmes Tue 11 Nov 2025 at 23:19 Catherine Connolly said she will ensure all voices are represented, heard and valued as she said she was humbled to become the 10th president of Ireland. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin is under pressure after his backing of Jim Gavin. Photo: PA One notes that Fianna Fail is now bracing itself for a delay of its review into its presidential campaign. It was set out last month that the party would carry out a review into its chaotic presidential campaign following the shock departure of candidate Jim Gavin. I have always recognised that Micheal Martin was the man who breathed new life into the party when he became its leader. However, I am utterly bewildered by some of his recent political decisions. I believe that delaying the review is only making things worse for him. It could be argued that he brought this on himself, with his treatment of Billy Kelleher, a tried and trusted politician. This was always going to come back to bite him. John OBrien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Gaza gets more attention here because Israel is meant to be a Western ally Neil McDonnell wonders whether the relative paucity of op-eds and demonstrations against the horrors in Darfur, Nigeria and Ukraine as opposed to those in Gaza can be explained because the victims are the wrong ones, or the perpetrators arent the right ones? (Stream of devastation deserves more attention, Sunday Independent, Letters, November 9). This line of argument, known as whataboutery, has become very familiar. Its implicit premise is that criticism of Israels alleged genocide is motivated by antisemitism. What Mr McDonnell overlooks is the fact that Israel is treated as a friend and ally by Western governments, which provide it with diplomatic cover and with endless supplies of arms, many of which are flown through neutral Irelands airspace. This shameless complicity implicates the citizens of western (pseudo) democracies in the persecution and death of Palestinians, whether they like it or not, so their protests and demonstrations are directed almost as much against their own governments as against that of Israel. Raymond Deane, Broadstone, Dublin Ireland has been a leading moral light when it comes to helping Palestinians Neale Richmonds account of Irelands continuing aid to Gaza (Ireland is still leading the way in efforts to aid Palestinians, Irish Independent, November 10) reminds us that while Ireland cannot flood Gaza with trucks, it can flood the world with conscience. Richmonds description of the destruction and the Irish response reads almost as an economic forecast in moral terms. He suggests that the nations showing moral initiative now will carry the real influence when reconstruction begins. In that sense, those Irish-flagged trucks are more than humanitarian relief; they are an investment in future stability and credibility. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Co Armagh New LED headlights on cars are causing issues and wont be fixed for years Far too many pedestrians are dying on Irish roads recently. As I was driving my car one night, I found it very difficult to see the road ahead of me when meeting some cars, but no problem when meeting other cars. I didnt think much about it at the time, and I assumed that my eyesight was deteriorating because of my age. However, one day as I was browsing through Facebook, to my surprise I discovered that hundreds of other drivers were having the same difficulties as me. They noticed that the LED headlights on new cars are much too bright, even when dipped. This is another reason why pedestrians should always wear reflective florescent jackets when walking at night, especially when walking on roads that dont have footpaths. I am surprised that the Road Safety Authority hasnt publicly warned motorists and pedestrians about this issue. Also, as new cars dont have to do an NCT for the first four years, nobody will be checking their dipped LED headlights to make sure that they conform to regulations. On older cars the dipped lights are slightly yellowish and they dont prevent you from seeing the road ahead when meeting them. Martin Heneghan, Dublin 3 We need to make it easier for more people to stand for presidential election I agree with John Healy (Party whip system used by the main parties to block candidates from the ballot, Irish Independent, Letters, November 11). As Catherine Connolly takes the oath of office as President of Ireland today, it would be in the Republics best interests to make it easier for anyone to stand as a presidential candidate and the term shortened from seven to five years. However, at least Ms Connolly will succeed Michael D Higgins by popular vote, whereas in Britain we have no choice on King Charles, then King William, later King George, from the same unelected, dysfunctional family. Dominic Shelmerdine, London BBC bias has been going on for years, but were in no place to look on smugly There has been much surprise voiced over the revelation that the BBC Panorama programme was peddling fake news. On this occasion in relation to the US president Donald Trump. This has been going on for a long time. Only on this occasion the offence was so blatant and clumsy that they simply couldnt brazen it out. Sadly, this is what inevitably happens when individuals with an ideology, primarily liberal/left, infiltrate the media. Unfortunately, we are in no position to look on smugly. For example, a cursory glance at much media coverage of important social issues reveals an unhealthy liberal bias. Diversity in the media is essential for a healthy society. A more conservative UK newspaper courageously outed the BBC. Eric Conway, Navan, Co Meath Trying times for rugby fans looking for positives in recent defeat to Japan Playing Japan on Saturday, the consensus was we won the second half. True, but rugby is a game of two halves, something of which Joe Schmidt and Rassie Erasmus are only too well aware. But, as Eddie OSullivan used to say: Well have to take the positives out of this. Once we find them. M OBrien, Dalkey, Co Dublin Ryanair has announced that flights from Shannon to Rome, Warsaw, Poznan and Madrid will be on offer next summer, as part of a new planned expansion to its offering on the west coast. The $400M investment comes alongside further expansion of Ryanairs Shannon schedule next summer, with increased frequency on five established, popular routes: Manchester, Alicante, Barcelona-Reus, Lanzarote, and Malta. A fourth based aircraft will also be in place next summer as part of the expansion. This expansion brings Ryanairs total summer offering from Shannon to 30 routes, the largest number ever operated by the airline from the airport. With 1.4 million seats, including an additional 180,000 seats across the summer months, this represents a 15pc increase in seats compared to the same time last year. Passengers will enjoy twice weekly flights on three of the new routes. Flights to Rome and Poznan will commence on March 31, running on Tuesdays and Saturday. The year-round service to Madrid will switch to Wednesdays and Sundays for the summer season, beginning on March 31. There will be four weekly flights to Warsaw from March 30 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Interim CEO of The Shannon Airport Group Ray ODriscoll said the company is delighted to welcome Ryanairs continued commitment to Shannon Airport with the new additions. This expansion is a strong vote of confidence in Shannons growth trajectory. It reflects our ongoing investment in infrastructure and passenger experience, as well as our strong commitment to working with airline partners to expand our route network and deliver greater choice for customers across the country, he said. These new services enhance Shannons connectivity to key European cities, supporting tourism, trade and regional development, and will be warmly welcomed by both holiday makers and business travellers alike. Ryanair CCO Jason McGuinness echoed his sentiments and said the additional routes are thanks to the hard work of the Shannon Airport Group. However, he also called for the expansion of the Regional Airports Programme, saying the Irish Government needs to support regional airports by expanding the scope of the programme to at least 3million passenger per annum. The expansion would allow regional airports to grow traffic even more without being penalised for doing so, he added. The latest announcement builds on Ryanairs decision earlier this year to introduce a fourth based aircraft at Shannon Airport. New routes to Lapland, Madeira and Madrid from Shannon for the next two winters have also been announced, as well as increased capacity on six existing popular routes - Alicante, Edinburgh, Krakow, Lanzarote, Manchester, and Wrocaw over the winter period. Einstein said the only reason for time is so that everything doesnt happen at once. And so a door closes on one presidency and opens on another, and the years in between, however momentous, appear to be gone in a blink. The old master doesnt hold much with sentimentality. But to turn the page on the 14 years Michael D Higgins spent in the Aras as president without commenting on some of the turbulence of his tenure, and the equanimity with which he met it, would be crass. At a time of record revenue and budget surplus, it is very easy to forget how he had to interrupt a holiday in Rome in 2013, to sign emergency legislation to liquidate the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC). Mopping up after the crash needed to be done. In 2014 he undertook a state visit to the UK at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth. Before leaving, he said the task was not to wipe the slate clean of all the distrust and difficulties of the past, but to look to the future. The challenge is to hand to a future generation all of the prospects of the future. You are not inviting them to an amnesia about any deep dispute, he said. His trip was a resounding success. March 2020 would once again find him signing emergency legislation. This time it was granting new powers to detain people, restrict travel and keep the public in their homes, as Covid upended the world. In his first term, Mr Higgins promised to be a president for all the people, whether they voted for me or not, whether they are young or old and particularly for the Irish abroad. Judging by his popularity, it is easy to conclude he was as good as his word. Yet he had no trouble ruffling feathers when it came to holding his position on the right of the oppressed. His views on Palestine landed him in especially hot water. His embrace of the arts and his sense of equity and fairness never weakened. Mr Higgins once said: Every age, after all, must have its own aisling and dream of a better, kinder, happier, shared world. It now falls to Catherine Connolly to hang her lantern in the Aras, and to project her vision. She, too, has pledged to be a courageous voice on foreign affairs. The President has advocated for Ireland to be an independent voice, carried above the shouts of those who beat the drums of war. She has attacked Russias invasion of Ukraine, but has also been critical of Nato and the EU. Ms Connolly and Mr Higgins famously sparked off each other back in the day, scrapping for scarce votes in Galway. It is ironic that it was a falling-out with Labour in 2007 over its refusal to put her on the ticket with Mr Higgins that resulted in her becoming an Independent and ultimately sending her in a new direction. Proof, as if it were needed, that in politics it is indeed a long road that has no turning. Elon Musk is now officially a trillion-dollar man - but how much of that fortune will he ever truly see? As Teslas board tightens its embrace of its unpredictable CEO, questions are mounting about what his latest megadeal really means, and who - if anyone - tried to stop it. Beyond the balance sheets, Musks growing fixation with far-right politics and his new venture, Grokipedia, are raising eyebrows from Silicon Valley to Brussels. Is this just another eccentric project from the worlds richest man, or something more ideological taking shape? With his hands on the levers of Tesla, SpaceX and global discourse itself, Musks influence now extends far beyond business. Today on The Indo Daily Fionnan Sheahan is joined by Adrian Weckler, technology editor at the Irish Independent, and by Sonke Iwersen - head of investigative research at German newspaper Handelsblatt - to discuss Elon Musk's latest deals and his desire to shape the world in his own image. Read more about why you can trust the Irish Independent at Independent.ie/ourjournalism Three important changes to the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) that are expected to directly benefit farming families and communities across North Cork to come into effect early next year. The changes include extending the eligibility criteria to couples jointly engaged in farming and fishing; a pilot scheme for rural dwellers over the age of 50 and an extension of the eligibility criteria for additional farming and fishing activities. Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, John Paul OShea said the changes will make the RSS more inclusive, more practical and better aligned with the realities of rural life in communities from Charleville to Inchigeelagh and from Buttevant to Knocknagree and the many more towns and villages and that depend on the scheme. The Rural Social Scheme is vital to Cork North West, Deputy OShea said. It supports small farmers to stay on the land, assists community groups, and keeps essential local services running. These reforms will strengthen the scheme and ensure more people in our area can access it, he said. The extension of eligibility to additional farming and fishing activities will allow for the inclusion of people who are actively engaged in farming or fishing but are not the holder of the herd number or fishing licence, provided they have a clear and defined connection to the farming or fishing enterprise. Many family farms in Cork North West rely on the joint work of multiple relatives, Deputy OShea said. This change finally recognises that reality. The extension of eligibility for couples jointly engaged in farming or fishing will also be extended to members of a couple who are jointly working a farm or fishing enterprise but who operate under a single herd number or fishing licence. The new pilot programme for rural inhabitants over 50 will open the door for locals to contribute to local projects. This will open the door for more people in rural Cork North West to contribute to local projects, from GAA clubs and community centres to Tidy Towns groups and parish initiatives, Deputy OShea said. The RSS supports community halls, sporting facilities, village enhancements, rural amenities and environmental projects that would simply not happen otherwise. These changes ensure the scheme continues to support the fabric of rural life in Cork North West, he concluded. The new wardens wont have enforcement powers, but are there to raise issues directly with partners James Hurley, Beaumont pictured with one of the new Cork city centre wardens. Picture: Alison Miles Cork City will see a new team of wardens take to the streets as part of a brand new scheme to promote and enhance the city centre experience. The initiative, which is facilitated and part-funded by Cork City Council, in partnership with Cork Business Association (CBA) and An Garda Siochana, follows a proposal by the CBA, which successfully secured Government funding earlier this year. The scheme is partially funded by the Department of Justice, through an application made by the CBA, with Cork City Council providing the balance. Four newly-appointed wardens are set to take to the streets this week to engage with businesses, residents and visitors, which is aimed at helping ensure the city is welcoming for all. A statement launching the new initiative on behalf of the three partners says that the wardens will act as visible ambassadors for the city centre, signposting and offering assistance to the public, supporting local businesses, and identifying issues such as graffiti, littering or damage to the public realm for follow-up by city council teams. They will also liaise closely with the CBA, Gardai and other agencies to address community concerns and be a reassuring presence in the city centre. While they will not have enforcement powers, the wardens will be able to raise issues directly with relevant services to ensure swift responses, says the statement. Chief executive of Cork City Council, Valerie OSullivan, said the council is delighted to launch the new City Centre Warden initiative. This is a proactive step towards enhancing the experience of everyone who lives, works, shops, and visits Cork city centre, she said. It builds on our long-standing and valued partnership with the CBA, An Garda Siochana, and the wider business community as we continue to work together to create a more welcoming urban environment and to foster a thriving city centre. I wish the wardens well as they embark on their new role. We encourage everyone residents, retailers, and visitors alike to engage with the wardens and support this initiative. Their presence is a reflection of our collective pride in Cork and our shared ambition to create a city centre that is welcoming, well-maintained, and full of life. Dave OBrien, President of Cork Business Association, said the scheme is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the citys environment and support the business community. The wardens will help strengthen pride in the city, support businesses, and enhance the experience for everyone who spends time in the city centre. The CBA would like to thank Government, Cork City Council and An Garda Siochana for helping make this vision a reality, he said. Todays statement also says that a large number of applications were received for the new role, with four candidates selected, who have undergone induction and training in recent weeks. They will work in shifts across the week, with a presence in the city in the mornings, afternoons and evenings, as well as working on public holidays and for major events like St Patricks Day, the Jazz Festival, and Corkmas. The two-year city centre warden pilot project will build on the councils established relationships with businesses, residents, social services and An Garda Siochana. To date, 148 people have died on Irish roads this year A 30kmh speed limit currently applies in parts of the city centre in Dublin 1, Dublin 2, Marino in Dublin 3 and Irishtown and Ballsbridge in Dublin 4. Stock Image Dublin City Council is set to begin a comprehensive review of speed limits across the city following the publication of updated national guidelines for 2025. The move comes after new Department of Transport guidelines confirmed that the long-promised national 30kmh default for built-up areas will not be introduced centrally. Instead, each council will have to carry out its own review, hold public consultations and pass special speed limit byelaws before any changes take effect. It comes amid growing frustration among road safety advocates over the national speed limit reform process, claiming delays to key measures and handing responsibility back to local authorities. However, Sean Canney, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, has said there is no backpedalling on the 30kmph urban limits. The strategy gives local authorities the tools to implement these safer speeds and the Department will support them in doing so, he said. Under the new 2025 national guidelines, local authorities are required to classify their roads according to use and character, from Urban Core streets, where 30kmh is recommended, to Pedestrian Priority Streets, which can be set at 20kmh. Dublin City Council intends to designate its entire administrative area as an Urban Speed Limit Zone, with 30kmh the standard limit for most residential and local roads and higher limits retained only for major routes such as the quays and key dual carriageways. Since 2005, Dublin has gradually introduced 30kmh zones, covering nearly 90pc of its streets by 2021. The new review, prepared by DCCs Head of Road Safety and Micromobility, Jennifer McGrath, outlines a 15-step work plan to expand those zones even further. That includes assessing every 50kmh road in the city, identifying areas for immediate reduction, drafting new byelaws and running both non-statutory and statutory public consultations before councillors vote on final changes. The new guidelines, aligned with the national Road Safety Strategy 20212030, promote self-enforcing street design, encouraging traffic-calming and street layouts that make slower driving the natural behaviour, rather than relying on signage or policing. While DCC expects to finalise its proposals in stages between 2026 and 2027, the national rollout has faltered. To date, 148 people have died on Irish roads this year, including 34 pedestrians, 59 drivers, 13 passengers and 13 cyclists. The long-term goal of Vision Zero, no road deaths or serious injuries by 2050, remains in place, but campaigners warn its slipping further out of reach. Government ministers have the power to make our roads safer for all users with the stroke of a pen, Jason Cullen, chairperson of the Dublin Commuter Coalition, said. 2025 has seen a tragic rise in vulnerable road user deaths, some of which may have been preventable if they had the political will to enact the default 30kmph urban speed limit. Mairead Forsythe, a campaigner with Love30, said international experience shows the benefits of lower speeds in cities like London, Paris, Brussels, Milan, Helsinki and Zurich. In Wales, the default lower speed limit in urban areas has resulted in a 28pc reduction in casualties and fatalities. The Department of Transport has been contacted for comment. Residents of Cromcastle Court, Kilmore, feel 'completely let down' by the council Residents of a north Dublin flat complex have received a long-awaited boost, as the council submitted planning permission for the regeneration of the troubled building. The site, which has been earmarked for redevelopment for nearly two decades, currently consists of three four-storey apartment blocks and a welfare depot. Tenants have repeatedly voiced concerns about safety and the poor condition of the buildings, with some being relocated from three blocks in 2018 due to structural problems in the stairwells. A survey, conducted by Maynooth University on housing conditions in the complex in Cromcastle Court in Kilmore, revealed residents are living in dangerous and unhealthy conditions. The survey, part of the Just Housing project funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, found that 97pc of respondents face at least one serious issue, including heating problems, dampness, mould and pest infestations. A major concern is the unreliable heating system, with 80pc of residents reporting issues. Many residents cannot control the temperature in their flats, resulting in unbearable heat (up to 28C), or no heating at all. Rubbish dumped in common areas at Cromcastle Court Thermostats installed during a mid-2010s retrofit were expected to provide control, but they are reportedly non-functional. The retrofit also introduced new windows, half of which have serious problems, with some even falling out of their frames, posing a safety risk. Other issues include dampness, plumbing problems and poor maintenance of communal areas, such as dirty stairwells and unsafe playgrounds. Under the new plans, the existing structures will be demolished and replaced with 152 new homes across seven blocks, including 90 one-bedroom, 47 two-bedroom and 15 three-bedroom duplex apartments. The proposal also includes the construction of a community facility, public and private open spaces, a new ESB substation and associated site works including footpaths, landscaping and parking for cars and bicycles. The development will be built across the Cromcastle Court site and the adjacent Old Coal Yard, which is currently unoccupied. Building heights will range from four to six storeys. Dublin City Council says the regeneration will improve the outlook of the area, diversify housing tenure and help alleviate demand for social housing in north Dublin. Residents of Cromcastle Court, Kilmore, feel 'completely let down' by the council Social Democrats councillor Jesslyn Henry, who has been supporting residents with their pleas for regeneration, described the news as very positive. It is very positive news for the residents and community of Cromcastle Court, she said. After so long hearing of a regeneration of the complex, they can finally see a step in the right direction towards this. Another major milestone will be when the hoarding goes up for demolition of the vacant blocks in March 2026. I feel that until that happens everyone is still holding their breath. It is disappointing that the complex wont be complete until 2029, however. Its a very long-time frame for construction, especially when we see so many projects going up much quicker than this. A very welcome and positive step forward, though, she added. The Part Eight process allows for public observation, with submissions open until December 3, 2025. If approved, the first phase of redevelopment, focusing on the currently vacant units, is not expected to be completed until at least 2029. The inauguration of Catherine Connolly has marked a historic day for Galway as the city celebrates two former mayors taking the reins as President of Ireland. On Tuesday November 11, former Mayor of the City of Galway, Catherine Connolly stepped forward as Uachtaran na hEireann, succeeding another former City Mayor, President Michael D. Higgins, to become the 10th Head of State. Both served the people of Galway City as Elected Members and as Mayors of Galway City Council, prior to being elected to the Houses of the Oireachtas and the office of Uachtaran na hEireann. Speaking about this historic event, the current Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard, said: It is my great pleasure to congratulate former Mayor of the City of Galway, our new President Catherine Connolly, as she assumes her new role as the tenth Head of the Irish State. Our new President Connolly succeeds another outstanding representative of the people of Galway City and the West, former Mayor of Galway City Council and the ninth President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins. It is a great honour for Galway City to have two of our own charged with representing the people of Ireland nationally, upholding the Constitution of Ireland, and on an international stage. This is a significant responsibility, which Michael D. Higgins conducted with passion, commitment, extensive knowledge and experience. No doubt our new President Catherine Connolly, will continue that tradition with equal dedication, on behalf of the people of Ireland. Former Mayors of Galway City Catherine Connolly was the Mayor of the City of Galway from June 2004 to June 2025. Michael D. Higgins was the Mayor of the City of Galway on two occasions - from December 1981 to June 1982, and July 1990 to June 1991. Michael D Higgins served as Mayor of Galway City Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive, Galway City Council added: Both President-elect Catherine Connolly and retiring President Michael D. Higgins began their political lives in the form of government closest to the people they represent in local government. Their commendable service to their local community saw them elected to represent the people of the west at a national level, and in turn, representing the people of Ireland. Public representation is a challenging role, requiring commitment, dedication and a belief in the possibility of better outcomes and a better future, for those who have given our representatives a democratic mandate." I want to wish our new President Catherine Connolly, and our retiring President, Michael D. Higgins, all the best as they embark on the next chapter and to thank them for their service to the people of Ireland, but most especially to the people of Galway, where they served as Elected Members and Mayors of the City of Galway. Members of the public are invited to the Abbeydorney Parish Hall this coming Saturday, November 15, where the Abbeydorney Mens Shed Christmas Market fundraiser will be taking place from 2pm to 6pm. Its the first major fundraising event for the group, which went live at the end of September this year, and who are already receiving great feedback and support from members of the local communities in Ardfert, Lixnaw, and Tralee. Even though it's still early days for the group, they already have 18 men who are regularly attending meetings. The funds raised from the Christmas market on Saturday will go towards helping the group build an actual shed in the grounds of Abbeydorney GAA Club. The group currently meets every Monday at 12pm in a room in the GAA complex in Abbeydorney. The Irish Mens Shed Association County Rep Maurice ODriscoll, Tony Gelsthorpe, and Gerard Doyle all spoke to The Kerryman this week about just how beneficial the group has been to the local men in the community, even after just a few short weeks. "It's been going really well. It's great that we have the use of the meeting room in the GAA complex. They've been very kind to us. There's been incredible support, not only from the Abbeydorney community but from Ardfert, Lixnaw, and Tralee. Everywhere that we went, there was always a feel-good feeling and support of the Men's Shed, said Gerard. Tony, as someone who has recently moved to the area, can attest first-hand to how great it is to have a group like this in the locality. "I think so [whether there was a need for a Men's Shed locally]. I'm fairly new to the area and it [the Men's Shed] just gives that alternative for people who maybe don't want to go and have a pint, he said. "I've been welcomed with open arms. The conversations that happen there are great. You could be talking about something that's happened in the community one minute, and then you're suddenly talking about something that's happening on the other side of the world. People you think could be very quiet, all of a sudden, they are given a platform to come out and speak and engage, he continued. Maurice said that there is a vital need for groups such as the Mens Shed in communities, not just in Kerry but all around Ireland. "In my role of going around the country setting up sheds, I've found that it's guys who have retired who had their circle of friends at work and who maybe knew one or two people locally but didn't have a huge circle of friends in the community. Suddenly, they are gone from that work community, and they are suddenly left at home looking at the four walls, he said. Members of the Abbeydorney Men's Shed group pictured back in September. "It's something for their own physical and mental well-being that they can get out and get that social interaction. They can do as much or as little as they want at the shed, even if it's just sitting down and having a cup of tea and having a chat, he continued. "Men are notorious for keeping things to themselves. Women can sit down and within 10 minutes of a cup of coffee, they'll know each other's medical history. With men, though, it could take five weeks for us to open up. It's the same within the sheds, there's a saying that men don't talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder, he added. As for the market this Saturday, there will be anything and everything on sale. In addition to this, there will be plenty of food and drink options too. Chairman of the Hugh O'Flaherty Memorial Society Jerry O'Grady and Minister for Special Education and Inclusion and Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West, Michael Moynihan at the launch of a stamp to mark the Monsignor O'Flaherty's ordination 100 years ago. An Post have launched a commemorative stamp to mark the centenary of the ordination of one of Ireland's greatest humanitarian heroes, Monsignor Hugh OFlaherty. 2025 marks the centenary of the ordination of one of Ireland's greatest humanitarian heroes, Monsignor Hugh OFlaherty and in Kerry this important milestone is being marked with a special exhibition to open next month at Killarney library. The Kerry-born priest was ordained in Rome on December 20, 1925, and went on to hold a senior position in the Vatican. When World War II engulfed Italy, he used his unique position within the neutral walls of the Vatican City to establish and lead a secret, ad-hoc organisation known as the Rome Escape Line. Monsignor OFlaherty and his colleagues were instrumental in saving an estimated 6,500 lives, including Allied escaped prisoners-of-war and Jewish refugees. His work has long being remembered by the Hugh OFlaherty Memorial Society and next month they are running a month-long exhibition on the life story of Hugh OFlaherty, running from December 15 to January 17, 2026. Chairperson Jerry OGrady said the exhibition will include memorabilia of his life and will help the public and specifically learn about this priest who lived in Kerry and helped save so many lives. The opening night on December 16 will screen footage from World War 2. Earlier commemorative events included successful group tour to Rome by the society where they again learned more about Monsignor and heard more about his heroic actions and his life. Jerry OGrady also represented the society and Kerry at the launch of commemorative stamp to mark the centenary of the ordination of one of Ireland's greatest humanitarian heroes, Monsignor Hugh OFlaherty Minister for Special Education and Inclusion and Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West, Michael Moynihan, was on hand for the launch of a W rate stamp suitable for worldwide mailing. The stamp honours the remarkable life and legacy of the Kerry-born priest, famously known as the "Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican" for his work during World War II. Minister Moynihan commented, The decision by An Post to issue this commemorative stamp is a very welcome acknowledgment of Monsignor OFlaherty's selfless bravery and humanitarian service. Hugh O'Flaherty is an inspirational role model whose legacy of courage and compassion has the same relevance today as it had 70 years ago." Mr OGrady also welcomed the stamp saying it is a fitting tribute to him. The Irish History podcast has also released a special show to the Kerry humanitarian hero which was recorded in Killarney which includes an interview with his grandniece Catherine OFlaherty and with Jerry OGrady. Social Action Group Rathmore receiving their award at the IPB Pride of Place 2025 Competition. The awards were presented by John Hogan, Chair, IPB Insurance, John Moran, Mayor of Limerick and Tom Dowling, Chair of Pride of Place. Photo by Keith Wiseman When Rathmore Social Action Group was formed 50 years ago little did they think they would have achieved so much and helped so many people Thanks to this local community group the lives of many people, young and old, in the area have been transformed and now those behind the long-running group have been honoured with a national award. The Social Action Group Rathmore CLG was honoured at the all-Ireland Pride of Place community awards on Friday evening in Limerick when they were announced as winners in the Age Friendly Communities category. Judges praised the longevity of service and the projects they have achieved not least 35 housing units for the elderly. The Social Action Group are based in Rathmore and celebrate 50 years this year, testimony to a lot of hard work and persistence. What started a youth project wanting to make a different has developed into a significant service provider mainly for older people including the provision of social housing. We met a number of residents, some who recently moved in as well as a lady who moved in 17 years ago. All could not speak highly enough of their accommodation. Residents can live independently, with the option to access the services of St Josephs Day Care Centre. The facility is not a nursing home, it supports independent living, with residents paying weekly rent and taking care of their own bills. The judges were present to see the level of activity in the centre, music, sing song, bingo and other game, they continued. The group were also praised for their community hub which serves the entire community. The Social Action Groups community centre Teach Iosagain accommodates the needs of the wider community, particularly young people. It serves as a home for youth activities, including dance and disco, and is the canteen for the local secondary school. It provides a community gym, with reasonable membership fees, along with meeting rooms for wider community use. It really is the beating heart of the community. CEO of Rathmore Social Action Group Noreen Fleming who attended the awards along with Chairperson Donal OKeeffe and Norah OConnor (Clinical Nurse Manager, St. Josephs Day Care Centre) said they are delighted to receive this award is a well-deserved win who worked so hard to get the community projects off the ground. It was a wonderful celebration and we were deeply honoured to accept the award in recognition of the hard work, contribution and dedication of so many people who have contributed to this group over the past 50 years and continue to do so today. Pride of Place founder and Chairman Tom Dowling said the awards honour those that help make their communities a better place. After 23 years of these motivational awards recognising exceptional community endeavour, the judges continue to be inspired and humbled in equal measures, as they hear directly from the nominated communities their story of their pride in their place and the extraordinary work they are doing to ease the path of life for all the people in their place irrespective of date or place of birth, ability or wealth. Power has been restored to thousands of homes and businesses following a major outage affecting much of the North Kerry. Up to 20,000 homes and businesses were without electricity in the county this morning for around three hours following the sudden outage. Businesses in many locations including in Tralee town were forced to close losing a significant amount of financial income particularly local coffee shops who are reliant on morning coffee drinkers. Power was also out at University Hospital Kerry but they have a generator for such an emergency. Supermarkets were also affected with paying for produce the biggest obstacle as card machines were not in operation. Even traffic lights were not working in the town of Tralee during the several hours of the power outage. More than 11,000 properties without power in Tralee alone. The Kilflynn area, which account for approximately 8,000 homes and businesses was also affected. Golden Discs returns to Dundalk with the opening of a new shop in the Marshes Shopping Centre on Saturday Theres good news for local music lovers with the announcement that Irelands favourite record shop Golden Discs is returning to Dundalk with the opening of a brand-new store at the Marshes Shopping Centre this Saturday, November 15. The much-loved retailer makes its comeback after a long absence from the town, where it previously had a shop in the old Carroll Village Shopping Centre. Were absolutely delighted to be back in Dundalk after all these years, Stephen Fitzgerald, CEO of Golden Discs, said. We see so many Dundalk customers shopping with us in Swords, and we constantly hear the pent-up demand for a music store to open in the town. Its fantastic to finally be able to bring Golden Discs home to Dundalk. Ahead of the inauguration of Catherine Connolly as the tenth President of Ireland on Tuesday, members of Sligo County Council offered their congratulations and best wishes to the President-elect. Connolly has close ties to Sligo with two sisters and a brother-in-law (Councillor Declan Bree) living here. Leading the tributes at the November monthly meeting of Sligo County Council Cllr Arthur Gibbons paid tribute to all who helped secure her victory, noting the amount of people with no party affiliation who came out to canvass was telling. He added with the help of Ms Connollys sisters, There wasnt a house in Sligo that wasnt canvassed. Cllr Thomas Wash offered his congratulations on behalf of the Fine Gael group and extended his well wishes to Ms Connollys sisters Theresa and Margaret and her brother-in-law, Cllr Declan Bree. Cllr Paul Taylor also offered his congratulations saying, On behalf of the Fianna Fail group I would like to be associated with the comments. I congratulate them, it must be a very proud moment for the entire family. She came across as a really good person and I wish her luck. Those sentiments were echoed by Cllr Michael Clarke who said, I would like to congratulate the entire Connolly family. She cleaned out the ballot box where there is a sitting TD and six Councillors from Government parties." Cllr Clarke also commiserated with Heather Humphreys before wishing Ms Connolly well saying, No doubt she will be a great President and a fair President. Cllr Gino OBoyle described Ms Connollys victory as A great achievement, while Cllr Ann Higgins said It was a pleasure to be knocking on the doors. Cllr Higgins also paid tribute to the outgoing President, Michael D Higgins, praising the Moral leadership he has given through good times and bad. Cllr Donal Gilroy also extended his congratulations to Catherine Connolly, Cllr Bree and the entire Connolly family saying, The office of President is above politics. The vote of congratulations was concluded by the President elects brother-in-law, Cllr Declan Bree, who thanked his fellow Councillors for their warm words before congratulating and praising the incoming President. I wish to join in the vote of congratulations to Catherine Connolly and to wish her well as she prepares to take office. She will be a President with vision and compassion who will be independent and represent Ireland with pride, courage and integrity. Catherines journey from Shantalla in Galway, in a family of 14, to Aras an Uachtarain, has been shaped by a lifelong commitment to public service and community. The Presidency, we are told, is largely symbolic. But symbols do matter - And actions taken under those symbols matter even more. Catherine Connolly believes the President should be a unifying presence a steady hand, a moral compass in a world increasingly driven by profit and spectacle. And I have no doubt but that Catherine will be a President for all the people, especially for those often excluded and silenced. She will be a voice for equality and justice, for the defence of neutrality and a voice to promote peace at home and abroad. In saying that I wish to thank the Connolly for President campaigners in this constituency who canvassed the highways and byways to ensure her success, and indeed to thank my colleagues on the Council, Cllr Gino OBoyle, Cllr Arthur Gibbons, Cllr Ann Higgins and Cllr Thomas Healy for the significant effort they put into the campaign to have Catherine elected. I particularly wish to thank all those people in this constituency and countrywide who voted for Catherine ensuring a landslide victory with the highest vote for a Presidential candidate in the history of the state. I wish to acknowledge the kind words and vote of congratulations, which I will convey to the President Elect, to her sister Teresa, to my wife Margaret and to the extended Connolly Family. Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Leas Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council unveils the new role of Freemen of Sligo now on display at City Hall. The Sligo Field Clubs 14th annual conference in the Sligo Park Hotel on 8th November shone a spotlight on William Bourke Corkran, an influential Sligoman in political circles particularly in the United States. Keville Burns, renowned for his wide research into and interest in Corkran, spoke of the importance of his influential speeches to the US Congress. Having been granted the Freedom of Sligo, Cockrans name was mistakenly omitted from the exhibited list of those honoured. As part of the week-end celebration, Sligo County Council exhibited a new roll of those honoured on Friday last showing the honour was bestowed on him in 1903.. The exhibition of William Bourke Cockrans life previously created by Mr Burns and his team was put on display in the foyer of City Hall and will run for two weeks from 7th November. During the period 1871 - 1923 when Sligo-born William Bourke Corkran lived and worked in the United States, important national Irish events were taking place in Ireland and America. The Irish diaspora was developing an important cultural and political presence in New York and Washington; e.g. organisations such as Clan na Gael, an Irish republican movement, replacing the Fenian Brotherhood. It would later split into both constitutional and physical force movements, Bourke Corkran becoming one of its leaders; he would subsequently become a prime constitutional leader in America. The thriving Gaelic Society in New York would be the inspiration for Douglas Hydes Gaelic League and out of the Irish Literary Revival movement would come in 1914 the Friends of Irish Freedom (FIF) following the split of the National Volunteers from the Irish Volunteers. Following the execution of the leaders of the 1916 Rising, he had opposed the Rising, he was a keynote speaker of the FIF, his speech calling for the casting aside of Home Rule being copied worldwide. Eamonn De Valeras US fund raising in 1921 was greatly facilitated by Bourke Corkrans development of a successful bond drive. His friendships were worldwide and influential. Among many he was a friend and confidant of Pope Leo XIII, Winston Churchill, Jan Smuts, several US Presidents and King Edward VII. He used these connections to progress the pursuit of Irish improvement; e.g. the 1903 Irish Land Act, the 1908 University Act and his friendship with Jan Smuts of South Africa reputedly influenced the initial negotiations of the 1921 ceasefire. On his death Irish-born William Bourke Corkran was described in Congress one of the greatest Americans of our generation. The annual Ladies Lunch in aid of SHOUT will take place in the Sligo Park Hotel from 12 am to around 8 pm on December 5. It is a fundraising event for the well established charity which helps all of those who are either diagnosed or treated for cancer in Sligo. Outlining the background to the organisation, committee member, Michael Carr said SHOUT was originally founded in 2003.with the aim of targeting fundraising initiatives to benefit both the service and patients in providing better cancer care for the region. "We are a charity and have a committee of ten made up of Sligo University Hospital specialist staff and members of the Sligo community. "We are dedicated to proactively supporting cancer patients through their cancer journey by supplementing existing services for patients in the north west region which can cover Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo and Clare. "We also get financial support for patients and their families and we buy relevant equipment for patient comfort on the Oncology Day Word and the inpatient Haematology Ward/Oncology ward.as well as helping cancer related research. Mr Carr became involved with SHOUT after his wife who has fully recovered, was diagnosed with cancer 16 years ago. "Anyone who is diagnosed or treated for cancer in the SUH, we will look after them. "I got involved with the committee in SHOUT because I wanted to give something back. He added: Thee are ten involved in the committee and a good few of the nurses that are on the ward would be on the committee as well. "We need them because they are dealing directly with the patients. "It is only recently that we have become a charity. "We are lucky in that people fundraise themselves. "If someone is going through cancer, they might want to give something back and they might do a fundraiser themselves. "We were recently in Gurteen and we collected a cheque for 12,500 recently. Families often respond to a member going through cancer by raising money. A lot of people that are going through cancer, the normal bed might be enough for them so we then subsidise the HSE to get the top of the range beds. "Last year , there was one patient who could not sleep in a bed so we got them a top of the range chair to help them and this chair could also be used as a bed as well. "Over the years we have put televisions in each off the wards and we pay for their upkeep and we set up a family room in conjunction with a family who wanted to sit with the patient. "There are very few families that are not touched by cancer so it is great to be able to help them at a very difficult time. The SHOUT Ladies Lunch starts at 12 pm and goes on to around 8pm. " A Waterford entrepreneur, who has grown her business from a kitchen start-up using her own bare hands into a prosperous knitwear brand, is to see her company showcased this autumn to more than 50,000 fans at the Aviva Stadium with 25,000 worth of pitch-side media exposure. Claire Cullen of Riverchapel in Gorey, Co Wexford, is understood to have been in the Dominican Republic attending a wedding when she was involved in a fatal accident involving a car. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that they will not comment on individual cases, but confirmed they are providing assistance. "The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of this case and is providing consular assistance. The Department does not comment on the details of individual cases, they stated. An accomplished hairdresser with her own at home salon called Eden Hair Design, Claire will be sadly missed by her husband Ronan, her three children and her extended family and friends. Paying tribute to his wife on Facebook, Ronan explained that he would be stepping back from his successful flooring business to spend time with his family during this challenging time. "My beautiful wife Claire was tragically killed in an accident. We're all devastated and trying to come to terms with it. She was my everything and I adored everything about her, he said. He added that they were very grateful for all the kind words and messages they have received in recent days. Her brother Paul OBrien also described how the whole community was affected by her loss. "She was the heartbeat of two families. She protected me from so much harm when I was young, she was just everything to do many people. She wasnt just loved, she was needed. The whole community will be lost without her. Claire, Ill miss you forever, we all will, he wrote. The late Claire Cullen. Today's News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, November 11 Another local in the area who had worked with her for a number of years said that the community is devastated by the news. "It is just devastating and we are all affected by it and we are sending all our prayers to her family. She was a fantastic hairdresser and a very social person. She was the life of the party, just a gorgeous and kind person, he said. in response to Ronans post about Claires death one mourner wrote: She was so beautiful and always went above and beyond for everyone. She will be forever marked on so many hearts. Another tribute read: Claire did my hair for years and she absolutely adored you and her boys. A gorgeous person taken way too soon. Thinking of you all at this very difficult time. A further tribute read: I have no words for your Ronan, only she was beautiful inside and out. You could tell how much she adored you and her boys. Heartbroken for you all. In a statement from the office of Brian Brennan TD, he said that he had been in contact with the family and was making sure assistance was organised. "I want to take this opportunity to send our condolences to Claires family. We have been in touch directly with her family and consular assistance is currently being provided. I am in touch on a daily basis with the Department of Foreign Affairs. "There is a huge sadness among our community in the north Wexford area. This is a shocking tragedy and prayers are now with Claires family, he added. A cluster of schools in Waterford and Wexford are celebrating, after being awarded a prestigious European award for innovation in IT. A group of post-primary schools, part of the Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB), have received national recognition as among the first in Ireland to achieve the prestigious Digital Schools Award Europe. This distinction was awarded to Colaiste Abbain, Adamstown, Bridgetown College, Bunclody Community College, Kennedy College, New Ross, and St Pauls Community College, Waterford in recognition of their shared commitment to digital excellence in education. The award validator praised the clusters strong focus on collaboration and sharing best practices to advance technology in classrooms and prioritising ongoing professional development and mentoring. To achieve the award, each school demonstrated a comprehensive whole-school digital strategy, effective integration of technology to enhance learning, and a commitment to ongoing professional development for teachers. These coordinated initiatives have enhanced the digital learning experience for students across the entire school cluster. WWETB director of schools, Eimear Ryan said: This achievement reflects their outstanding teamwork, innovation, and commitment to delivering high-quality digital education. The award recognises not only individual school efforts but also the powerful impact of their collaborative approach in preparing students with essential digital skills for the future. Annmarie Whelan, education manager at HP Ireland, said: Digital skills are crucial for young peoples success. It is inspiring to see these schools recognised for their commitment to digital teaching and learning. Supported by HP, AMD, and government partners, the digital schools awards programme provides a development roadmap, resources, and assessment tools through the European Commission's SELFIE survey. Participating schools benefit from a robust framework covering leadership, collaboration, infrastructure, professional development, assessment and digital competencies in learning and teaching, ensuring sustained excellence in digital education. Achieving this award reflects the dedication of our entire school community to innovative learning, said Sarah Roche, principal of Kennedy College in New Ross. The recognition motivates us to further develop digital opportunities for students. Currently, 357 Irish schools are part of the digital schools awards Europe programme. Schools can participate for free by visiting digitalschoolsawards.eu to assess and enhance their digital education practices. Digital Schools Awards Europe encourages and recognises innovation, collaboration and skills development in digital technology amongst schools. The programme promotes inclusion and equality by connecting schools with mentor schools to enhance their digital practices. It is open and free to all schools to participate, said a spokesperson. Introduced in 2019, the digital wellbeing award is designed to complement the digital schools award by supporting schools in fostering safe and positive digital experiences for students and staff. Digital schools awards are supported by the European Commissions Erasmus programme, national government bodies and leading technology companies HP and AMD. The Cottage Autism Network are hosting a Christmas craft market where from the moment somebody walks in they are going to be talking to a young person on the spectrum The craft market will take place on November 16, at the Talbot Hotel from 12pm to 4pm. The craft market will take place on November 16, at the Talbot Hotel from 12pm to 4pm. The craft market will take place on November 16, at the Talbot Hotel from 12pm to 4pm. A Wexford-based charity, which supports over 300 families and 340 children impacted by autism and is led by volunteers who have children on the spectrum, is holding a major fundraising event this week. We organise events for our members which are inclusive, and the parents come and talk. We look at CAN as a community inside a community said board member, Paulene Devereux. The Cottage Autism Network (CAN) which does not receive any Government funding, is holding its first ever craft market, where the creativity and craftmanship of the teenagers they support will be exhibited. The idea was born after CAN members visited a craft market last year and realised that it could be an effective fundraiser. Three women sitting there, thinking, how can we do this better? The teenagers who are part of youth clubs in Enniscorthy and Rosslare have been working hard throughout the year to make items for the market and in the process have been exposed to the skills required to operate in the world of business. They will be operating a cash only stand selling wreaths, lanterns, snow globes, glass lights and many more items. It is about giving them the life skills and the social skills that we take for granted day to day, the chit chat, the conversation, she says. In addition, some of the best Wexford crafters and producers will be displaying their products across 40 stalls, which presents the perfect opportunity to get an early start on your Christmas shopping. Entry is free, but raffle tickets can be purchased at the door. There will also be a Santas grotto set up in the festival room which people can book a visit to. As a charity you constantly have to reinvent the wheel in respect to how you fundraise, Paulene added. The event will take place on November 16, at the Talbot Hotel from 12pm to 4pm. For us as CAN members, we are trying to push our children on to the next phase of life. What makes the craft market unique, is from the moment somebody walks in they are going to be talking to a young person on the spectrum which will break down barriers. Former President Mary McAleese will deliver the keynote address at this years Woodenbridge World War I armistice commemoration, which takes place on Sunday, November 16 at 2pm in the Woodenbridge Memorial Park. The annual ceremony honours the 1,224 men and women from County Wicklow who lost their lives during the Great War, with their names recorded on stones throughout the memorial. This years date has been selected to coincide with the International Day for Tolerance. New recruits at the Wicklow Fire Service line up for training at Bray Fire Station Wicklow County Council has confirmed work is underway to develop a Section 26 plan for Wicklow Fire Service. The Fire Services Act was introduced in the aftermath of the Stardust tragedy, where 48 young people tragically lost their lives in Artane, Dublin in 1981. Section 26 obliges every fire authority to prepare a fire and emergency operations plan which outlines staffing levels, the number and location of appliances, operational arrangements, and the overall approach to fire safety within the confines of a county. It is designed to give transparency to the public, to provide protection and clarity to frontline firefighters, while allowing elected county councillors and the wider community to feed into the decisions that affect their safety. The final plan is a reserved function, which means it is decided by the elected councillors of the local authority. This means decisions about public safety are subject to democratic oversight rather than being imposed behind closed doors. Sinn Feins Cllr Dermot Daisy OBrien stated how important the Section 26 process is in terms of local councillors, having raised the issue at the councils September monthly meeting. Its worth noting that this is a reserved function which means there is a duty upon councillors to ultimately adopt this plan at plenary council. However, the bigger duty in my opinion is how elected reps ensure that the plan is an inclusive and collaborative process. Meanwhile Sinn Fein TD for Wicklow, John Brady, has cautiously welcomed confirmation that the process to develop a Section 26 plan for the Wicklow Fire Service is commencing. Hes described the move as a long-overdue but vital step towards building a safer and better-resourced fire service for our county. This is something that should have been done years ago, and the failure to have one in place until now represents a serious breakdown in leadership and governance within the service. In September, Deputy Brady exposed the fact that Wicklow Fire Service did not have a Section 26 Plan in place, following extensive efforts to obtain clarity and information from the Department, Minister James Browne, and Wicklow County Council. After months of questions and attempts to get information, Deputy Brady obtained clarification in September that Wicklow Fire Service had no Section 26 plan in place. The fact that this cornerstone of fire safety, a statutory requirement under national law, was missing is deeply, deeply concerning. It represents a dereliction of duty that has left communities less safe and exposed frontline firefighters to completely unacceptable risks. As part of the Section 26 process, Wicklow County Council will examine options for increasing fire cover in Bray, including detailed costings to reinstate it as a two-pump station and to establish a full-time fire service in the town. It is expected the plan will be brought forward before the end of the second quarter of next year. Once the costings are in place, it will be then up to the Government to provide the necessary funding to put in place a full-time fire service in Bray. Deputy Brady believes the public should be placed at the heart of the process. There must be meaningful public consultation to ensure that the final plan reflects the real needs of communities across Wicklow. he added. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme A man has pleaded guilty before Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court in connection with a violent disorder case linked to the death of William Willie Moorehouse, a father-of-six who was found dead in a playground in Bray in January 2025. Several co-accused also appeared before the court in separate but related proceedings, each facing charges of violent disorder and production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury. Kris Kiggins (32), of no fixed abode, was arraigned before the court and pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder. Mr Kiggins remains charged with production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury. Counsel for Mr Kiggins told the court that his clients guilty plea will most likely cause a domino effect. In a separate case relating to the death of Mr Moorehouse, James Fell (24), of Fassaroe, Bray, Co. Wicklow, who is also charged with violent disorder and production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury, had his case adjourned by Judge Patrick Quinn to January 13, 2026. In a different case arising from the same incident, Jamie OConnor (21), of 15 Ballywaltrim Heights, Bray, Co. Wicklow, and Kaelum OConnor, of the same address, appeared charged with violent disorder and production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury. Gregory Murphy BL told the court that progress is being made in the case, but that he has not yet received new CCTV footage, which is available to the other legal teams representing the accused. In separate proceedings relating to the same event, Kyle OConnor (18), of Ballywaltrim Heights, Bray, had his bail revoked in late October after allegedly breaching several bail conditions while awaiting trial. He is charged with violent disorder and production of an article linked to the incident in Bray last January. The court heard in October that he was arrested in Wicklow town on October 18 after breaching his curfew and was allegedly intoxicated. He also failed to sign on regularly as required. A psychiatric report has found him unfit to plead, and Judge Quinn adjourned the matter to January 13, 2026 for the prosecution to decide whether he is fit to plead. Sean McCann (22), of 4 Wolfe Tone Square North, Bray, Co. Wicklow, also appeared before the court charged with violent disorder and production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury. Judge Quinn adjourned his case to Thursday, November 13. Outside the jurisdiction, Patrick Fitzpatrick (32), of 136 Heather Hall, Kilruddery Glen, Bray, Co. Wicklow, is charged with violent disorder, production of an article (a knife), and the murder of William Moorehouse. He will stand trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin on all three counts. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme I tried Miriam OCallaghans eye make-up trick for three days heres how it lasted Make-up a la Miriam? Does the broadcasters trick of not taking off your eye make-up work? Edaein O Connell decided to put it to the test Miriam OCallaghan leaves her eye make-up on all week - here's how it went when I tried it for three days Edaein O'Connell Tue 11 Nov 2025 at 06:30 When Miriam OCallaghan revealed that she leaves her eye make-up on for a week, the ears of women all over Ireland perked up. Catherine Connolly arrives at Dublin Castle ahead of her inauguration as Ireland's 10th president. Picture date: Tuesday November 11, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire At her inauguration as the 10th President of Ireland at Dublin Castle, Catherine Connolly chose to continue her support of Irish designers, wearing an outfit by celebrated designer Louise Kennedy. President Connolly stepped onto the red carpet in Dublin Castle wearing an all-purple outfit with classic lines and a relaxed fit. The overall effect was one of power with a modern touch. The striking purple colour is often associated with royalty and status, but it also has deeper links to the ancient Celts for whom it signified mysticism, spirituality and loyalty. Catherine Connolly speaking after her inauguration ceremony as Ireland's 10th president in Dublin Castle. Picture date: Tuesday November 11, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA Wire One of her predecessors, Mary Robinson, also wore purple when she was inaugurated as the first female president. It is a colour often worn by the suffragettes during their campaign for women's right to vote during the 1900s. The three-piece outfit consisted of a long-line wool coat from Louise Kennedys autumn collection. The Maya Coat, made with double-face wool, is knee length and features slits at the side for ease of movement and a touch of modernity. Irelands third female president paired the coat with the Orelia Silk Blouse and Julie Trousers in the same shade of purple. The blouse, made with a double-georgette silk, features a front panel with pintuck design and a draped bow, which President Connolly opted to let loose. She tucked the blouse into the tailored wide-leg wool Julie Trousers. The trousers offer a structured look, while at the same time, the wide leg style signifies comfort. Catherine Connolly and her husband Brian McEnery are greeted by Tanaiste Simon Harris (right) and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe (left) as she arrives at Dublin Castle ahead of her inauguration as Ireland's 10th president. Picture date: Tuesday November 11, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire The Louise Kennedy website describes the ensemble as a study in tonal dressing in the perfect shade of purple. The entire outfit was crafted in natural fibres - wool and silk - that lend themselves to luxury and effortless style. With such a striking outfit, President Connolly kept her accessories to a minimum wearing a simple silver chain, statement diamond earrings and timeless black heels. With her well-documented support of the Irish language, our culture and our traditions, it is no surprise that President Connolly opted to wear an Irish designer for her inauguration. Louise Kennedy is a globally renowned designer, and was named Irish Designer of the Year in 1989 and 1990. Her designs are generally regarded as timeless and elegant with a focus on craftsmanship. It is not the first time President Connolly has chosen to wear an outfit made by an Irish designer. When she visited former President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina in Aras an Uachtarain on November 5, 2025, she wore a top by Irish brand NAYA for the occasion, paired with a simple pair of black wide-leg trousers. The top, with a funnel neck style, is predominantly beige with a striking black splash pattern on one side. The fashion brand describes the top as quirky calling it a classic style with a modern twist. With her sartorial choices so far, President Connolly has set her stall for simple, elegant and timeless dressing, with a nod to comfort and a touch of modernity. Status Yellow rain warnings are in place for eight counties across Ireland today. A rain warning for Cork and Kerry will be in effect until 2pm, while a separate rain warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Tipperary, and Waterford will be in place until 5pm. Blast in vehicle stopped at red light injures at least 20 and sets other vehicles ablaze Police officers and forensic technicians work at the site of an explosion in the old quarters of Delhi, India. Photo: Reuters At least eight people were killed and 20 injured yesterday when a car exploded near the historic Red Fort in Indias capital, Delhi, police said. It was a rare blast in the heavily guarded city of more than 30 million people. Major train stations across India, the financial capital Mumbai and the state of Uttar Pradesh, which borders Delhi, were all put on high alert, authorities said. All angles were being investigated and security agencies would come to a conclusion soon, Federal Home Minister Amit Shah said. A previous owner of the car, named only as Salman, was arrested after the blast, NDTV reported, without going into more details. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Mangled bodies and the wreckage of several cars could be seen on a congested street near a metro station in the old quarter of Delhi, as police poured into the area to secure it and push back gathering crowds. Police officers and forensic technicians work at the site of an explosion in the old quarters of Delhi, India. Photo: Reuters Today's News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, November 11 A slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha told reporters. He said the blast occurred just before 7pm. Prime minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to those who had lost loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. Those affected are being assisted by authorities, Mr Modi posted on X. At least six vehicles and three auto-rickshaws caught fire, Delhis deputy fire chief said. People near the scene described hearing a loud explosion. I was at the metro station, going down the stairs, when I heard an explosion. I turned around and saw a fire. People started running helter-skelter, one woman, Suman Mishra, said. Wali Ur Rehman said he was sitting at his shop. I fell from the impact of the explosion, it was that intense, he told news agency ANI. About 30 to 40 ambulances were near the site of the blast and the entire area was cordoned off after the fire was put out. The US embassy in Delhi issued a security alert to its citizens, asking them to avoid crowds and areas surrounding the Red Fort, and to stay alert in places frequented by tourists. The Red Fort, known locally as Lal Qila, is a sprawling, 17th-century Mughal-era edifice melding Persian and Indian architectural styles, and is visited by tourists throughout the year. The prime minister addresses the nation from the forts ramparts every year on August 15, Indias independence day. Delhi was the target of blasts during the 1980s and 1990s, with public places such as bus stations and crowded market areas hit in attacks blamed on Islamist militants or on separatists from the northern Sikh state of Punjab. About a dozen people were killed in a briefcase explosion outside the Delhi High Court in 2011 the last such major incident in the city. Security in the national capital is the responsibility of the federal home ministry. Delhi police report directly to it, though the capital territory also has its own local government. Samir Zitouni has worked for LNER for more than 20 years (LNER/PA) A train crew member seriously injured while protecting passengers during a mass stabbing woke up briefly in hospital and spoke to his wife, according to a web page raising funds for him. Mother gets fined 1,000 for fly-tipping a single A4 envelope The London woman offered to pay the fine in instalments, but the council refused The woman said the fine is always in the back of her mind, even at work. Stock photo: Getty Albert Tait Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Tue 11 Nov 2025 at 06:30 A single mother who claims she was fined 1,000 (1,140) for fly-tipping a single cardboard envelope has pledged to fight her local council in court. Your job here is not to fight one another, it is to fight this climate crisis, UN climate chief tells Cop30 in Brazil The US is skipping the conference, but the importance of Chinas role in the talks has increased Indigenous people perform at the opening ceremony of the UN Climate Change conference (Cop30) in Belem. Photo: Adriano Machado/Reuters Valerie Volcovici Reuters Tue 11 Nov 2025 at 06:30 The Cop30 climate summit opened yesterday with the UN climate chief urging countries to co-operate with one another rather than battling over priorities. Donald Trump gives pardons to Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell and other allies who tried to overturn 2020 election Former New York mayor and host of allies cleared, despite not facing federal charges The Beast, the U.S. President's official car, drives with its trunk open, as U.S. President Donald Trump's motorcade travels to Palm Beach International Airport, in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., November 9, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Jeremy Roebuck Washington Post Tue 11 Nov 2025 at 06:30 US president Donald Trump has pardoned Rudy Giuliani and a host of other prominent allies involved in his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, a Justice Department official said, furthering Trumps efforts to rewrite the history of his losing campaign five years ago. Details of alleged fraud revealed as power sector struggles as winter looms Ukraines anti-corruption bureau said it was investigating the countrys energy sector yesterday, alleging a $100m kickback scheme involving the state nuclear power company. The state agency, which operates independently of the Ukrainian government, announced the investigation as Ukraine braces for winter with its power sector under frequent fire from Russia and facing regular outages. Russian state plans to find wives for soldiers returning from war in Ukraine It is hoped the move will ease soldiers reintegration into Russian society as clampdown on black widows ratchets up Vladimir Putin with Yulia Belekhova, the head of the Committee of Families of Soldiers of the Fatherland, in Moscow last year. Photo: Getty Antonia Langford Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Tue 11 Nov 2025 at 06:30 Russian officials have proposed a marriage agency to find wives for single soldiers returning from war in Ukraine. Netanyahu meets Kushner for crucial talks on Gazas future Discussions centre on future of the ceasefire as first phase of fragile truce nears its end Ruby Chen and Hagit Chen, parents of Israeli-American hostage soldier Staff Sergeant Itay Chen, who, according to the Israeli army, was killed during combat defending Kibbutz Nir Oz during the deadly October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas and his body was taken to Gaza, salute during Itay Chen's funeral in Tel Aviv, Israel November 9, 2025. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun Wafaa Shurafa and Julia Frankel Associated Press Tue 11 Nov 2025 at 06:30 US president Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, met yesterday with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the next stages of the fragile Gaza ceasefire, while Israel returned the remains of another 15 Palestinians. LATEST | Donald Trump tells BBC to apologise by Friday or face billion-dollar legal claim British broadcasters chairman has apologised for error of judgment in documentary Trump: A Second Chance? as organisation hit with accusations of bias and corruption by White House Donald Trump tells BBC to apologise by Friday or face billion-dollar legal claim Jill Lawless Associated Press Tue 11 Nov 2025 at 09:00 Donald Trump has given the BBC a deadline of Friday to retract false and defamatory statements made about him in a Panorama documentary, or face a billion-dollar legal action. North America US secretary of state Marco Rubio changes official government typeface for being too woke Trump administration asks US Supreme Court to back food stamp freeze Snap has been a key issue during the 42-day government shutdown US president Donald Trump. Photo: Getty Alex Woodward UK Independent Tue 11 Nov 2025 at 06:30 Donald Trumps administration has again called on the US Supreme Court to deny full funding for the nations largest anti-hunger programme, which faces a fast-moving legal battle over the fate of vital food assistance during the government shutdown. Delhi Shops and Establishments Act: Conditions for Extended Business Hours On August 7, 2025, the Government of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi issued a notification titled Delhi Exemption 2025, granting conditional relaxations to all shops and commercial establishments, except liquor outlets, from select provisions of the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954 (Delhi S&E Act). The notification provides long-awaited operational flexibility for businesses in Delhi, particularly in the retail, e-commerce, technology services, and hospitality sectors, where round-the-clock operations are increasingly necessary. However, the exemption framework also reinforces the state governments objective to safeguard worker rights, workplace safety, and gender inclusivity. Facilitating Delhis 247 economy: Policy and compliance framework The Delhi Exemption 2025 aligns with similar regulatory reforms introduced in other progressive state jurisdictions such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Haryana, aimed at facilitating a 247 business ecosystem. Delhis approach, however, stands out for its detailed compliance conditions and mandatory pre-approval process. From a business policy standpoint, these measures support Delhis vision to attract greater service-sector investments and align its labor regime with contemporary commercial realities, especially in sectors like retail, IT-enabled services, and logistics, where extended working hours and gender-balanced participation are vital. Also Read: Tamil Nadu Permits 247 Business Operations: What Employers Must Know Key provisions and compliance obligations The exemption relaxes three key provisions of the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954: Section 14: Young persons and women to work during daytime, Section 15: Opening and closing hours of shops and commercial establishments; and Section 16: Close day These relaxations are conditional upon employers maintaining clear compliance records, ensuring safe working conditions, and providing basic facilities to employees. Delhis daily working hours remain capped at nine (including rest intervals), while the total weekly limit is forty-eight. No employee may work for more than five hours continuously without a break, and any work beyond these limits attracts overtime pay under the Act. Shift operations must be managed fairly to avoid gender or role-based bias, ensuring that no employee, particularly women, is assigned to night shifts on a continuous or compulsory basis. Additionally, employers are also required to maintain proper records and demonstrate fair rotation of shifts during inspections or audits. Application and approval mechanism Unlike automatic exemptions available in certain states, Delhis process is deliberately procedural, requiring establishments to obtain prior approval through the state governments labor departments online portal: dlabourwelfareboard.delhi.gov.in Applicants must provide establishment details, including registration number, address, employers contact information, nature of business, and employee demographics. The process also involves an online undertaking affirming compliance with the exemptions conditions, post which the labor department verifies the application against shop registration data and allows corrections if discrepancies arise. After verification, the Chief Inspector of Shops forwards the application for approval to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. Once approved, the exemption will be formally notified in the Delhi Gazette and published on the labor departments website. This process introduces a clear audit trail, providing accountability and traceability of exemption approvals. Employee safety, infrastructure, and gender sensitivity The Delhi Exemption 2025 lays strong emphasis on safety and inclusivity in the workplace. Establishments operating during night hours (9:00 p.m. IST to 7:00 a.m. IST in summer; 8:00 p.m. IST to 8:00 a.m. IST in winter) must provide secure transportation arrangements, adequate lighting, and CCTV surveillance covering all work areas. Recordings must be stored for a minimum of one month and produced to the Chief Inspector upon request. From a workforce management perspective, the notification underlines the growing importance of gender-sensitive compliance. Firms engaging women workers must constitute an Internal Committee under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, ensuring that grievance redressal mechanisms are both functional and accessible. It must be noted that women employees can only be deployed for night shifts with their explicit consent. Operational flexibility and workforce planning A notable outcome of the notification is the formal recognition of continuous or extended-hour operations, which can significantly benefit businesses in sectors such as retail, healthcare, food delivery, call centers, and logistics. The ability to operate beyond traditional working hours can improve service availability, reduce customer wait times, and allow better utilization of real estate and resources. However, businesses must consider the operational costs associated with compliance, such as transportation for late-shift employees, installation and maintenance of surveillance infrastructure, and periodic documentation requirements. Organizations with multi-state operations should also ensure alignment between Delhis exemption framework and similar provisions in other jurisdictions to maintain uniformity in their HR and labor compliance strategies. Business implications and advisory insights From a business-advisory perspective, Delhi Exemption 2025 reflects the modernization of Indias urban labor policy, promoting economic activity while maintaining oversight over workplace welfare. For employers, it presents both an opportunity and a responsibility. Opportunity : Businesses can extend working hours, improve productivity, and enhance service delivery in high-demand sectors without contravening labor laws. This is particularly relevant for digital service providers, quick commerce, and hospitality industries, where late-night operations are integral to business models. : Businesses can extend working hours, improve productivity, and enhance service delivery in high-demand sectors without contravening labor laws. This is particularly relevant for digital service providers, quick commerce, and hospitality industries, where late-night operations are integral to business models. Responsibility: The exemption requires sustained compliance monitoring, documentation of safety protocols, and periodic audit readiness. Employers must also invest in employee transport safety and surveillance infrastructure, both of which will add to operational costs but mitigate legal and reputational risks. From a governance standpoint, the requirement to display the notification, maintain CCTV footage, and submit data online reinforces the Delhi governments emphasis on transparency and traceability. This reflects a broader national shift toward data-backed labor regulation, where compliance is increasingly verified through digital systems rather than manual inspections. What employers should do Organizations planning to utilize these exemptions must consider the following recommendations: Conduct an internal compliance review to ensure alignment with all applicable labor and safety laws. Update HR policies to reflect extended-hour operations, consent requirements for women employees, and revised overtime norms. Additionally, companies must train HR and operations teams on the procedural aspects of applying for and maintaining the exemption. Establish robust documentation and audit mechanisms to respond promptly to any inspection or inquiry by the labor department. Coordinate with security and facility management teams to implement the required surveillance and transport measures. Employers should also monitor further government notifications or standard operating procedures (SOPs) that may refine these provisions, especially regarding working-hour spread, rest intervals, and technology-enabled compliance reporting. Conclusion The Delhi Exemption 2025 marks a significant milestone in modernizing the citys labor framework, promoting both commercial competitiveness and responsible employment practices. It provides businesses with operational flexibility while preserving the core principles of employee safety, fairness, and gender equality. For employers, this development signals an evolving compliance environment, one that rewards proactive adherence, transparent governance, and inclusive workforce planning. As Delhi moves toward a 247 economic model, successful implementation will depend on how effectively businesses integrate these compliance obligations into their operational strategies and HR policies. Also Read: Shops and Establishment Acts in India: An Explainer Dharmendra death hoax : How the false rumours about 89-year-old actor's death spread? ( Image credit : X | Rajnath Singh on Dharmendra death, Esha Deol, Hema Malini clarifies ) Who Is Abhishek Manu Singhvi , whose viral X post led to confusion about Dharmendra's health? ( Image credit : X | Dharmendra death hoax: Who is Abhishek Singhvi? ) Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi created panic on social media after posting that veteran actor Dharmendra had passed away. The post, made on X (Twitter) on Nove 10 at 8:29 pm read, "Zindagi ne khamoshi se ek sitara gira diya... Dharmendra ji the He-Man with a poets soul is no more. From Anupamas tenderness to Sholays fire, he lived every shade of cinema. Aap jaa kar bhi dilon mein bas gaye, Dharam paaji."The post was soon deleted after fans and media began to verify the news. Reports later clarified that Dharmendra, 89, is undergoing treatment and is reportedly on ventilator support at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital.First, actor's son Sunny Deol clarified that he is "stable and under observation" and requested to not spread "false rumours regarding his death". In the morning on Nov 11, once again several reports published that the actor is no more. Following which, even Defence Minister Rajnath posted at 9 am, "Deeply saddened by the demise of veteran actor and former MP Shri Dharmendra ji. A versatile actor who brought life to many memorable characters with his unmatched charm and sincerity. His remarkable contribution to Indian cinema will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and admirers."Once again the rumours turned out to be false. Hema Malini called out yeh false reports by saying "what is happening is unforgiveable". On the other hand, his daughter and actress Esha Deol rubbished death reports and said, "My father is stable and recovering."Abhishek Manu Singhvi is a senior advocate, Congress leader, and Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha representing Telangana. Born on February 24, 1959, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, he comes from a respected family, his father, Laxmi Mall Singhvi , was a well-known lawyer and former High Commissioner of India to the UK.Singhvi is one of India ' s most prominent legal minds, known for handling several high-profile cases including that of former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.2012 video scandalIn 2012, Singhvi had resigned as Congress spokesperson after a video allegedly showing him in a compromising position with a woman went viral. He claimed the video was fake and obtained a court order to stop its circulation. His former driver later confessed to editing and releasing the video out of personal revenge. The issue was settled privately.Cash found in Rajya Sabha seatIn December 2024, a bundle of currency notes was reportedly found at Singhvi's Rajya Sabha seat during a routine check. The discovery triggered political uproar. Singhvi denied any involvement, calling for a full investigation and insisting he only carries a single Rs 500 note to Parliament. He also criticized the security lapse in Parliament.Other legal and political disputesOver the years, Singhvi has represented major telecom companies in high-stakes cases at times conflicting with his party's stance. He has also been outspoken about government decisions including criticising the Lokpal's purchase of luxury BMWs calling it a " tragic irony " given the institutions anti-corruption mandate. ( Image credit : Movie still | Dharmendra in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani ) Esha Deol denies death news Esha Deol has stepped forward to address recent rumours about her father Dharmendras health, firmly denying reports of his death. She criticized the media for spreading false narratives and urged fans not to believe unverified information circulating online. The Bollywood family emphasized that Dharmendra is stable and continuing his recovery, asking the public to respect their privacy during this time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ESHA DEOL (@imeshadeol) Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra recently became the target of false death rumours that spread rapidly across social media. The speculation began after unverified reports claimed that the actor had been placed on a ventilator and was in critical condition. Amid the growing concern, Hema Malini and the Deol family stepped forward to dismiss the rumours and share the truth about the legendary actors health. Now, Esha Deol too has cleared the air.Esha Deol has stepped forward to address recent rumours about her father Dharmendras health, firmly denying reports of his death. She criticized the media for spreading false narratives and urged fans not to believe unverified information circulating online. The Bollywood family emphasized that Dharmendra is stable and continuing his recovery, asking the public to respect their privacy during this time. Dharmendra health update I thank everyone for their concern about Dharam ji who is in hospital for observation. He is being continuously monitored and we are all with him. I request you all to pray for his welfare and speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/gJhYLL28Wh Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) November 10, 2025 ( Image credit : Dharma prodcutions | Dharmendra poses for the camera ) pic.twitter.com/s3y6cDbc5a ameesha patel (@ameesha_patel) November 10, 2025 Celebs visit Dharmendra at Breach Candy Hospital Several celebrities have visited veteran actor Dharmendra at Mumbais Breach Candy Hospital following rumours about his health. His sons, Sunny and Bobby Deol, were spotted arriving with their families, including Sunnys sons Karan and Rajveer, to check on him. Hema Malini also visited the hospital and reassured fans that Dharmendra is stable. Close friends from the industry, including Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, were also seen arriving to meet the ailing actor. ( Image credit : Hema Malini/ X | Dharmendra at his home ) Several celebrities have visited veteran actor Dharmendra at Mumbais Breach Candy Hospital following rumours about his health. His sons, Sunny and Bobby Deol, were spotted arriving with their families, including Sunnys sons Karan and Rajveer, to check on him. Hema Malini also visited the hospital and reassured fans that Dharmendra is stable. Close friends from the industry, including Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, were also seen arriving to meet the ailing actor. Dharmendras upcoming movie Dharmendra, who was last seen in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya , is set to appear next in Sriram Raghavans highly anticipated film Ikkis. The movie is inspired by the real-life story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a Param Vir Chakra recipient who displayed remarkable bravery during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Dharmendra will reportedly play a significant role in the film, which also stars Agastya Nanda, Amitabh Bachchans grandson, in the lead, along with Jaideep Ahlawat in a key role. Dharmendra, who was last seen inand, is set to appear next in Sriram Raghavans highly anticipated film Ikkis. The movie is inspired by the real-life story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a Param Vir Chakra recipient who displayed remarkable bravery during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Dharmendra will reportedly play a significant role in the film, which also stars Agastya Nanda, Amitabh Bachchans grandson, in the lead, along with Jaideep Ahlawat in a key role. Taking to social media, Hema Malini was the first to address the rumours on X, assuring fans that Dharmendra is under continuous medical supervision and requesting them to pray for his speedy recovery.The post read, I thank everyone for their concern about Dharam ji who is in hospital for observation. He is being continuously monitored and we are all with him. I request you all to pray for his welfare and speedy recovery.Ameesha Patel, on the other hand, shared an update from the Deol family urging people not to spread false information or make assumptions until an official health update is released. The family also requested everyone to pray for Dharmendras well-being.The statement read, Mr. Dharmendra is stable and under observation. Further comments and updates will be shared as available. Kindly dont indulge in spreading false rumours regarding his health. Request everyone to pray for his speedy recovery and respect the familys right to privacy. ( Image credit : JioHotstar | Tanya Mittal in Bigg Boss 19. ) Bigg Boss 19 controversy around Tanya Mittal ( Image credit : JioHotstar | Bigg Boss 19 controversy around Tanya Mittal. ) ( Image credit : JioHotstar | Salman Khan is the host of Bigg Boss 19. ) Mridul Tiwari's eviction and top 9 update Farrhana Bhatt Amaal Mallik Tanya Mittal Pranit More Kunickaa Sadanand Shehbaz Badesha Ashnoor Kaur Malti Chahar Gaurav Khanna Bigg Boss 19 finale details Social media influencer Tanya Mittal has emerged as one of the most talked-about contestants onKnown for frequently mentioning her familys wealth, factories, and travel, Tanya has become a polarising figure in the house. Now, a recent report hints that her powerful family connections could be shaping her journey in the house.A recent Instagram reel shared on Reddit sparked more discussion about Tanyas influence on the makers. The video claimed, For the first time, Tanya Mittal's family took a big step and threatened the makers of Bigg Boss. After the last episode, Tanya's image was shown negatively in front of the whole family.The clip also mentioned Bigg Boss 19s host, Salman Khans comments to Tanya during the last Weekend Ka Vaar about her playing the Saiyaan to Bhaiyaa game with co-contestant Amaal Mallik. However, shortly after, the makers of Bigg Boss removed the promo from all their social media platforms.According to the reel, a politician from the Central Ministry contacted the Bigg Boss makers, raising concerns about the promo. The politician reportedly stated, If such a clip comes out next time, we will ban the show. We have no problem if a female contestant's image is shown negatively, but any use of bad language could lead to serious action.The video also claimed that Salman Khan tried to speak to the politician but was told there was no issue with him. The result, according to the reel, was that promos showing Tanya negatively were deleted, while other promos aired normally.The reel has no verified source, so its authenticity cannot be confirmed. Still, many viewers noted that the removal of the promo was unusual for Bigg Boss 19.In a separate development, Mridul Tiwari was evicted from Bigg Boss 19 following live audience voting on Monday, November 11. His elimination episode is expected to air midweek, either Tuesday or Wednesday. With his exit, the show now narrows down to the Top 9 contestants, which include:These contestants will now battle it out for the Top 5 spots, bringing them closer to the grand prize.Fans are eagerly awaiting the finale ofand sources have confirmed there will be no extensions or wild card entries this season. The grand finale is officially scheduled for December 7, 2025, where viewers will finally see who lifts the trophy. Father of the child describes the distressing incident as his son being restrained during school transport BREAKING - Parents in Cincinnati are demanding a black employee of Roberts Academy be identified and face hate crime charges after she tied the hands and feet of a young White child and sent him unbuckled onto a transportation van. pic.twitter.com/T1Sbj30jTt Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) November 10, 2025 ( Image credit : X | @Thefactsdude | Outrage Erupts After Black Staff Member Allegedly Restrains White Student in School Van ) Parents call for accountability over the incident involving the kid ( Image credit : X | @ConserveRight | Roberts Academy Incident Sparks Debate Over Race and Student Safety ) Netizens react to the viral post and claims ( Image credit : X | @Rightanglenews | Parents Demand Hate Crime Charges After Black Staff Member ) Days after photos circulated showing a 6-year-old boy tied by his hands and feet and unbuckled in a school transport van sparked a social media uproar. On November 6, 2025, the viral video surfaced on social media, and the incident is said to have occurred after a disagreement with a staff member. Following this, the incident is being investigated by Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS). Amid the investigation, parents in Cincinnati are calling for the identification of a Black staff member at Roberts Academy and are demanding hate crime charges after she allegedly restrained a young White child by tying his hands and feet. Let's find out more.Since the pictures of the child with tied hands and legs surfaced on social media, a Cincinnati father, Gabriel Perry, described the heartbreaking moment his son, already upset, was restrained with socks and placed in the van, highlighting the emotional toll on the child.According to WLWT5, the incident occurred at school; however, as per Cincinnati Public Schools' statement, they are investigating the incident at Roberts Academy on Thursday. He emphasised that his sons daily routine involves being transported from Roberts Academy to Kids Thrive for behavioural support and that the incident occurred during a challenging moment when the boy was having a meltdown.The fathers account underscores a growing concern among parents and the community over the schools handling of the situation. My sweet baby, all he said was 'Daddy, at least the socks weren't dirty. They were clean socks, Gabriel Perry said.Amid all of this, a social media post surfaced on Tuesday, which said parents in Cincinnati are demanding answers and accountability following the shocking incident at Roberts Academy, where a young White student was reportedly restrained with his hands and feet tied and left unbuckled on a school transport van.Some parents are calling for the identification of the staff member involved and are urging authorities to consider hate crime charges, reflecting the heightened concern and tension surrounding the situation within the community.As soon as the post dropped on X, one user wrote, "I don't think race matters here, does it? She abused and endangered him.""Does the picture on the left show the person tying up the child or untying the child?" another said. "If this story doesnt make national news, it tells you everything about who gets protected and who doesnt!!!! "Another added, "Im so tired of 'context' being used to excuse cruelty when the victim doesnt check the right demographic box. Wrong is wrong, period.""If the races were reversed, it would be worldwide news, and riots would already be underway." Diddy's viral intake photo compared to Jeffrey Epstein ( Image credit : CBS News | Diddy's viral intake photo compared to Jeffrey Epstein ) Diddy is working in the Chapel Facing trouble over a phone call ( Image credit : Northeastern.edu | Viral pic of Diddy from FCI Fort Dix sparks Epstein comparisons his life in prison ) Enrolled in drug treatment program Diddys intake photo from FCI Fort Dix just leaked and its rough. Terrible quality, grainy, almost like they didnt even want people to see it. Wild how fast the industry turns its back when one of their own finally faces real consequences for their evil. pic.twitter.com/l3CUk9Bl77 Wienerdogwifi (@wienerdogwifi) November 11, 2025 A focus on rehabilitation Sean 'Diddy' Combs, 55, has started his prison sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey. The music mogul sentenced to 50 months for sexual harassment and prostitution-related charges was transferred there from New York in October. His is scheduled to be released on May 8, 2028.A recently surfaced intake photo of Combs, released by CBS News, from the facility shows him looking subdued. People were quick to notice that in the picture, he looks uncannily similar to late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein."He looks like Jeffrey Epstein," one of the comments read. "Humble him lol," wrote another one. "Crazy how he kept dying his hair to make him look younger," a third user wrote. "Ain't no way this real. My mugshot pic was clear Af," another one added.As per the prison documents obtained by CBS News, Combs works as a chaplain's assistant, which for the unversed is one of the most desired assignments at the facility. His duties reportedly include maintaining the chapel's library, helping in record-keeping and assisting in religious activities.Combs' publicist Juda Engelmayer said the rapper finds the chapel environment "warm, respectful, and rewarding." Former officials told the news publication that this role often allows inmates to work in air-condition and also share food sometimes - which is brought in for religious services.Just days after arriving at Fort Dix, Combs faced disciplinary action for making a three-person phone call, which is a violation of the prison rules. He reportedly called an unnamed woman who added another person on the call, described as a "digital person". They allegedly discussed a statement for The New York Times. The Bureau of Prisons bans such calls over concerns about security risks, which may even include potential coordination of criminal activity.Combs however claimed the call was legal and related to his attorneys. His team said it was "a procedural call protected under attorney-client privilege." Prison officials, on the other hand, said that Combs has lot 90 days of phone and commissary privileges as a consequence of violation. The ruling came on November 4, on the day he celebrated his 56th birthday.Combs has also joined the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), which is the Bureau's most intensive rehabilitation program. This can shorten his sentence by up to a year depending on progress. Furthermore, it is said that Combs during his trail had admitted that his past drug abuse led to his reckless behaviour and said that he was sober for the first time in 25 years.While serving his sentence, Diddy is apparently looking at personal recovery through faith and structured programs. His team denies any recent reports of contraband or misconduct. Despite his quiet routine, his viral photo and the details of his prison life continue to make headlines keeping the once-celebrated artist in the public eye even behind bars. ( Image credit : Hulu | Kim Kardashian recently featured in Alls Fair. ) Kim Kardashians law career journey ( Image credit : Instagram @kimkardashian | Kim Kardashian, 45, has long been passionate about law and prison reform. ) Blaming psychics and ChatGPT ( Image credit : Instagram @kimkardashian | Kim Kardashian recently criticised her familys psychics. ) Official California Bar exam details Reality TV star, business mogul, andactress Kim Kardashian has revealed she failed her first California State Bar Exam. Her admission, coupled with claims of relying on psychics and ChatGPT to study, has fueled debate about her unconventional path and how many attempts she may need to finally become a lawyer.Kim Kardashian, 45, has long been passionate about law and prison reform, following in the footsteps of her late father, Robert Kardashian Sr. Instead of attending a traditional law school, she joined Californias Law Office Study Program in 2018.This program allows participants to apprentice under a licensed attorney rather than attend college or law school. Before attempting the official bar, Kardashian passed the First-Year Law Students Examination (FYLSE), or baby bar, on her fourth try in 2021. She shared her excitement on X (formerly Twitter), writing, OMFGGGG I PASSED THE BABY BAR EXAM!!!! Looking in the mirror, I am really proud of the woman looking back today in the reflection. For anyone who doesnt know my law school journey, know this wasnt easy or handed to me.Kardashian graduated from the program in May 2025, but she does not hold a bachelors degree. Despite her commitment, passing the California State Bar Exam proved challenging. In an Instagram post, she wrote, Well Im not a lawyer yet; I just play a very well-dressed one on TV. Six years into this law journey, and Im still all in until I pass the bar. No shortcuts, no giving up, just more studying and even more determination.Despite her failed attempt, Kardashian remains determined. She wrote on Instagram, Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me along the way so far. [Falling] short isnt failureits fuel. I was so close to passing the exam, and that only motivated me even more. Lets go!Kardashian recently criticised her familys psychics, saying they gave her false confidence about passing the exam. In a TikTok video, she stated, All of the psychics that we have met with, and that were obsessed with, are all (expletive). Maybe four of them have told me I was going to pass the bar, so theyre all full pathological liars; dont believe anything they say.She also admitted to using ChatGPT to prepare, but claimed the AI led her astray. In a Vanity Fair interview, Kardashian said, It has made me fail tests all the time. And then I'll get mad and I'll yell at it. When asked if ChatGPT was a friend or foe, she joked, 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.After Kim Kardashian blamed psychics and ChatGPT for her first bar exam failure, many criticised her for skipping traditional law school while trying everything else to prepare. Some even wondered if this approach means she could take an endless number of attempts to pass.For context, most states allow 24 attempts to pass the bar exam, but about 35 states, including California, New York, and Florida, dont limit the number of tries. Since California has no limit, Kim can continue taking the bar until she succeeds. According to, the next chance in 2026 gives her time to focus on structured study and refine her preparation strategies.The exam requires a minimum score of 1390 to succeed. Unlike the baby bar, the California State Bar Exam is far more rigorous. It is a two-day test including 200 multiple-choice questions, five essays, and a 90-minute performance test. This is a significant jump from the one-day, multiple-choice-and-essay format of the FYLSE. Kris Jenner's 70th birthday party stuns fans with star-studded glamour ( Image credit : Instagram | @krisjenner| Star-Studded 70th Birthday Party for Kris Jenner Goes Viral ) Netizens troll Jenner and Carey for their plastic surgeries ( Image credit : X | @dom_lucre| Fans Go Wild Over Kris Jenner and Mariah Careys Youthful Glow at Lavish Birthday Celebration ) Kris Jenners 70th celebration showcases Hollywood glitz and celebrity culture ( Image credit : Instagram | krisjenner| Kris Jenners Glamorous 70th Birthday Sparks Viral Buzz ) Hollywood stars Kris Jenner, 70, and Mariah Carey, 55, are making headlines after fans noticed how youthful they looked in recent photos from Jenner's birthday celebration on November 8, 2025. The images quickly went viral, sparking a mix of admiration and playful online commentary. While some brutally trolled the duo, saying, "Plastic surgery is a hell of a drug." Let's find out more.On Saturday, Jenner, famous momager and reality TV icon, celebrated her milestone of her 70th birthday with a glamorous James Bond-themed "0070" party. The event was hosted at the Beverly Hills mansion of close friends Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos, drawing a star-studded guest list.Taking to her Instagram, Jenner shared glimpses from the party, showcasing the opulent decorations, elegant attire and numerous celebrity friends joining in the festivities. Amid this, fans were particularly struck by Jenner and Carey's ageless beauty and how both the stars seemed to defy the passage of time.However, the viral photos also drew a mix of reactions online. Some netizens trolled the stars, commenting on social media with quips like Plastic surgery is a hell of a drug, while others praised their flawless looks and energy.As soon as the post surfaced online, it quickly went viral and sparked debate. On X (formerly called Twitter), a user said, "Plastic surgery is a hell of a drug."While another wrote, "Its almost as if they are vampires." "Did derpa finally unveil its skin cloning techniques to Hollywood plastic surgeons ? ""The injection is already out. You humans just dont know yet ," another added. One slammed them, "Tired of these grannies trying desperately to look 20. Now women at 20 are looking 45 with their botox because of seeing these people.""With millions to spend on face lifts, boob lifts, liposuction to every fat cell we could all look like old people who were physically altered. They are still both just old people who were physically altered."Jenner's birthday bash highlights not only her enduring influence in Hollywood but also the culture of fascination with celebrity beauty and age-defying appearances.The event offered fans a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of some of the world's most famous personalities, blending glamour, nostalgia and a touch of Bond-style theatrics. ( Image credit : Credit: Instagram/calvinklein | BTS Jungkook's dating life has been the center of topic for months. ) So, who is BTS' Jungkook allegedly dating now? ( Image credit : Credit: Instagram/w0nbeen | Caught in the middle of this frenzy, is a South Korean actress Chae Won-bin. ) Who is Chae Won-bin? It seems the fascination with BTS' Jungkook and his dating life has crossed every imaginable line - with some even going as far as following the star, whether at his home in South Korea or during his rare vacations abroad. Adding fuel to the fire, those sharing details of his supposed personal ties online appear to revel in the chaos they create. And now, caught in the middle of this frenzy, is a South Korean actress whose name has suddenly been dragged into the spotlight.In several viral videos and photos making the rounds online, a man - reportedly Jungkook - is seen walking hand in hand with a woman late at night. The alleged sighting immediately sent shockwaves through social media, reminding ARMY of the infamous moment when BTS' V was rumoured to be roaming the streets of Paris with BLACKPINK's Jennie. Yet, despite years of speculation surrounding the members, none of BTS have ever confirmed being in a relationship - unsurprising, given the constant scrutiny that comes with being part of the world's biggest band.After the aespa Winter rumour earlier this year, Jungkook has once again found himself at the center of speculation about his personal life. Amid a surge of supposedly "leaked" photos and videos, one particular account went viral after posting an image that allegedly shows Jungkook with his girlfriend - a photo that many claim is "clearer" than anything seen before. The woman in question? South Korean actress Chae Won-bin.Chae Won-bin is a South Korean actress best known for her breakout role in the television series Doubt, which earned her multiple Best New Actress nominations, including one from the prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards. She also appeared in the crime film Yadang: The Snitch and is currently studying Media, Film, and Acting at Sungshin Women's University. Erika Kirk's unexpected appearance at Donald Trump's Oval Office draws attention NOW: President Trump calls over Erika Kirk in the Oval Office and gives her a kiss on the cheek President Trump has been there for Erika since the hour Charlie was kiIIed. pic.twitter.com/zBEVs4DVpU Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 10, 2025 Netizens wondered why Erika Kirk was present at Donald Trump's office Why was Erika Kirk present at Donald Trump's Oval Office? IBT Times ( Image credit : X | @mrsunshinebaby | Oval Office Ceremony with President Trump ) In a surprising incident, Erika Kirk, wife of the late conservative speaker Charlie Kirk, who was brutally killed in September 2025, was seen at President Donald Trump's Oval Office during the swearing-in ceremony of family friend Sergio Gor as the new U.S. ambassador to India. During the event, President Trump warmly called Erika over, shared a few words with her, and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek, a gesture highlighting their close friendship. Since the video surfaced on the internet, it quickly went viral, and netizens wondered what Erika Kirk was doing at the Oval Office. Let's find out.Erika Kirk has once again sparked public attention following her latest appearance in Washington. The widow of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was seen alongside Donald Trump during the swearing-in ceremony of the new U.S. ambassador to India, an event that quickly became the talk of social media as many questioned her unexpected presence there.A video shared by Fox News on X (formerly called Twitter) was intended to highlight Sergio Gors appointment as ambassador. However, the spotlight swiftly shifted to Erika Kirk, whose attendance drew widespread curiosity and debate online.As soon as the video surfaced on social media, it quickly went viral and sparked debate. One X user wrote, "Can someone please explain to me why Erika Kirk is in the Oval Office with many of the Executive Branch and senators for the swearing in of the US Ambassador to India? "While another asked, "Why is Erika Kirk in the Oval Office?" Another user commented that if Charlie Kirk were still alive, he likely wouldnt have attended the Oval Office for such an event.According to, theres no clear explanation as to why President Trump chose to include Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, in the Oval Office ceremony for the swearing-in of the new U.S. ambassador to India.However, Charlie had long been a key figure within Trumps conservative circle, which may explain her presence at the event.Trump has long shared a close bond with the Kirk family. His connection with Charlie Kirk blended political partnership, personal respect, and acknowledgement of Charlies influence within the conservative movement. Following Charlies death, its understandable that the President would choose to maintain that relationship through Erika Kirk, the report claimed. For decades, the database has been the silent partner of commercea trusted, passive ledger. It was the system of record, the immutable vault that ensured every action had an equal, auditable reaction. This model underwrote the entire global economy. But that era of predictable, human-initiated transactions is over. We are entering the agentic era. A new class of autonomous agentssystems that perceive, reason, act, and learnare becoming the primary drivers of business operations. They dont just execute prescribed workflows; they generate emergent, intelligent behavior. This creates a profound new challenge for leadership. In a business increasingly run by autonomous systems, how do you ensure trust, control, and auditability? Where is the handshake in a system that thinks for itself? The answer is not to constrain the agents, but to evolve the environment in which they operate. The database can no longer be a passive record-keeper. It must be radically transformed into a system of reasonan active, intelligent platform that serves as the agents conscience. The database must not only record what an agent did, but provide an immutable, explainable chain of thought for why it did it. This is the dawn of the AI-native database. Efforts by the European Union to wrest control of its digital infrastructure from American cloud companies have become a flashpoint in the debate over sovereignty and innovation. The proposed European Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for Cloud Services (EUCS), with its controversial sovereignty requirement, is a bold initiative aimed at reducing Europes reliance on US-based hyperscalers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. While this initiative highlights the EUs desire for digital independence, it also underscores the broader challenge of balancing sovereignty with the advantages of technological advancements provided by global cloud leaders. From an American perspective, the conflict sends a message to US cloud providers and businesses that depend on them to adapt their strategies to succeed in a world where such policies might soon become common. For the EU, the battle over cloud sovereignty will only become more complex as it attempts to balance competing priorities. An EU proposal for cloud sovereignty Europes unease with the prominence of US cloud providers extends beyond worries about market share. The EUCS proposal, supported by France, Germany, Spain, and Italy, highlights concerns about US extraterritorial laws such as the CLOUD (Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data) Act. The act empowers US law enforcement to compel US-based service providers (Microsoft, Google, etc.) to provide data regardless of where that data is storedwhether its in the US, Europe, or anywhere else in the world. The Philadelphia Orchestras long and rocky search for a new principal trumpeter has landed on a recent Curtis Institute of Music graduate. James Vaughen, 26, won the job after a string of auditions that ended Nov. 1. The hunt for a permanent principal trumpeter has been going, off and on, for several years. Vaughen, in fact, had auditioned for the position three times before without success. Advertisement It was the fourth time that was the charm, said the 2023 Curtis grad. The super-final round when they took the screen down was probably the most stressful part of it, because I was looking at basically the teachers at Curtis that I know and have studied with, said Vaughen. (The first rounds of auditions typically take place behind a screen with the goal of keeping candidates anonymous and audition committees unbiased.) They liked what they heard, and Vaughen prevailed. But winning the audition wasnt the last step standing between Vaughen and starting the job. The trumpeter has just begun, this season, as principal trumpeter with the Minnesota Orchestra, and his start date in Philadelphia had not been finalized as of Sunday. Choosing between principal spots in two great orchestras isnt a position in which he ever expected to find himself, but it wasnt a tough choice. Definitely Philadelphia was a big dream orchestra of mine, he said. Vaughen studied at Curtis with longtime Philadelphia Orchestra principal trumpeter David Bilger, and its been the orchestra Ive heard the most and been around. Before Minnesota, Vaughen was assistant principal trumpeter of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and held a one-year principal position with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra before that. He follows Esteban Batallan, who came to the Philadelphia Orchestra in the 2024-25 season, and, less than six months after being announced as a historic hire for Philadelphia, decided to return to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Batallan cited stylistic differences. That doesnt seem a likely hurdle for Vaughen, who says that it was always very inspiring to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra as a student, hearing that sound and trying to emulate it in my practice and my work. Philadelphia Orchestra music and artistic director Yannick Nezet-Seguin, in a statement, called Vaughen an exceptional musician with a beautiful sound who will be a natural fit with the orchestra. Born in Williamsville, N.Y., near Buffalo, Vaughen moved to Virginia until age 10 and then lived in Champaign, Ill. After high school, he auditioned for Curtis and didnt get in. He went on to spend a year with AmeriCorps in Mississippi tutoring second and third graders in math and reading. At the time of the Curtis audition, he was dealing with having injured himself playing, so I was a bit frustrated with how I played in that first audition. Working with children, restored some of the childhood fun of music, and I learned how to play trumpet without injuring myself. The year ended up being important to him both musically and personally, he said. He re-auditioned for Curtis, and this time got in. You dont often get a chance in life to start from scratch again. Signage at the east entrance to the Philadelphia Museum of Art Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, now called the Philadelphia Art Museum, or PhAM. The rebranding is part of changes in both style and substance as the city's encyclopedic museum aims to be more accessible to regular folks and revive attendance, which is still far below pre-pandemic levels. Read more Sasha Suda, the former director and CEO of the Philadelphia Art Museum, sued her former employer Monday in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. The 30-page lawsuit outlines her tensions with board members over how much authority she had to act on certain issues without their approval, and provides details into her dismissal. Advertisement The Philadelphia Art Museum dismissed Suda for cause after commissioning an independent investigation, according to Art Museum leaders. According to the suit, Suda was terminated when her efforts to modernize the museum clashed with a small, corrupt, and unethical faction of the board intent on preserving the status quo. Suda, who was in her third year of a five-year contract, is suing for two years of pay, as well as significant damages for the museums repeated and malicious violations of the non-disparagement and confidentiality clauses in her employment agreement, and an injunction enforcing the confidentiality and non-disparagement terms of her agreement, according to her lawyer, Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. In a statement, the Art Museum called the suit without merit and declined to comment further. Security guards employed across universities and in office towers in Philadelphia ratified a new union contract Monday, getting improved wages and benefits. The roughly 3,000 guards represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 32BJ had been working on an expired contract since October. Advertisement This win is for every security officer who will make a living wage, enjoy real holidays, and be able to provide for their family, security officer Tyrone Patterson said in a statement Tuesday. Members covered by the new contract work on the campuses of Temple University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Drexel University, and in other buildings in the city. They are employed by security companies Allied Universal Security Services, Colonial Security Services, GardaWorld Security, Harvard Protection Services, and Securitas. Their minimum pay rate under the old contract was $16.25 an hour. The new contract includes pay increases totaling $4.30 over the four years, to a minimum of $20.55. The new agreement also includes three new paid holidays Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day for a total of six, and an additional day of paid time off for workers who have been on the job for three years. Healthcare will continue to be paid for in full by the employer. These jobs have the potential to be a path to the middle class that allows workers to live in the places they work so hard to protect, said Gabe Morgan, executive vice president at 32BJ SEIU, in a statement on Tuesday. We appreciate that the largest of the security contractors, Allied Universal, and their clients saw the urgent need to do right by these security officers with a fair contract. Allied Universal is pleased the union ratified the agreement, the company said Tuesday through a spokesperson. We appreciate all the dedicated Allied Universal security professionals for their efforts in delivering high-quality security services to the community of Philadelphia, the companys statement reads. Earlier this year, in a survey administered by the union, some security guards reported they were not making enough money to cover their basic needs. Surveyed security officers also said they had received little to no recent training for the job, which can entail facing dangerous situations. Legislation was introduced in June by City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas to require training for security guards. Roughly 2,500 Philadelphia security officers secured their first union contract through 32BJ SEIU in 2012. Since then, the group has grown to 3,000, among the 14,000 guards in the city. We are the people who protect this city from sunrise to sundown. The ones who stand in the cold, the rain, the dark. We dont wear capes, but every single day we carry courage on our shoulders, said Daquan Gardner, a security guard at Temple Hospital, in a union statement. We didnt just win a contract, we claimed dignity, respect, and our rightful place in this city. A 75-year-old man was charged with shooting and critically injuring his 52-year-old wife late Sunday night in the citys Oxford Circle section, authorities said. Around 10:50 p.m., police responded to a reported shooting on Hale Street and met Frederick Arnold, who opened the door with a gun in his hand, the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office said Monday. Advertisement Arnold was taken into custody, and his wife, who had several gunshot injuries to her head, was transported to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, where she was placed in critical but stable condition. Arnold, who has a criminal case history dating to the early 1970s, was charged with attempted murder and related offenses. His bail was set at 10% of $1 million, according to court records. Police took the gun and two spent shell casings from the scene as evidence. A 28-year-old man from England allegedly fleeing from police was charged with causing a crash that killed the driver of another vehicle Sunday evening in Gloucester County, prosecutors said. Steve Hall, of Waltham Cross, a town north of London, was charged with second-degree death by automobile and two counts of fourth-degree assault by automobile, Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns said Monday. Advertisement The driver killed in the crash was not identified. Shortly after 5:30 p.m. Sunday, West Deptford Township police responded to a report of two intoxicated men at a gas station and convenience store on the 1100 block of Hessian Avenue, Johns said. The officers arrived and saw a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle associated with the men, Johns said. The vehicle then left the gas station onto Hessian Avenue. One officer in a marked unit followed the vehicle with emergency lights activated, Johns said. The vehicle, which a witness said was moving at a high rate of speed, veered into the opposite lane of travel and struck another vehicle, Johns said. The driver of the second vehicle was killed. A passenger in the back seat who sustained a leg fracture described being T-boned by Halls vehicle, Johns said. A passenger in Halls vehicle sustained a dislocated hip, and Hall also was injured in the crash, Johns said. The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said it also was investigating the crash, as required by state law, because a police officer was involved. Continental Marines, historical reenactor volunteers with the Trevet's Company are in the Tun Tavern in Old City helping to celebrate the U.S. Marines 250th Birthday Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. Read more Anyone trying to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Marine Corps on Monday in Old City could be forgiven for a bit of confusion on where, exactly, to celebrate. The Marines, famously, were established at the Tun Tavern in 1775, a brewery and watering hole that once sat, roughly, where the southbound lanes of I-95 are now. Advertisement Over the centuries, historical preservationists, military buffs, and Marines themselves have repeatedly attempted to rebuild the historic drinking spot, which burned down in 1781. All those efforts failed. But this year, Tun enthusiasts have two competing restoration campaigns to choose from. One is funded by a nonprofit that has raised $10 million to build a historically accurate recreation of the bar, complete with a museum. Construction is expected to begin soon at the site, in a parking lot on Second Street between Chestnut and Market. Just around the corner, an Atlantic City bar owner and Marine veteran who owns the trademark for the name Tun Tavern has taken over a former Mexican restaurant at 207 Chestnut Street, pledging his own historical reproduction. On Monday, both held 250th anniversary celebrations, separated by about 400 feet and an increasingly acrimonious trademark lawsuit. Several thousand Marines and their families converged on the parking lot owned by the nonprofit, trademarked as the Tun Legacy Foundation. It has pledged all of its profits to veterans causes and scholarships and other charities including the Freemasons, which also held meetings at the Tun. Around the corner, a few hundred attendees at a more modest but no less spirited affair drank draft beer from plastic cups at the former Lucha Cartel. Revolutionary reenactors relaxed with Miller Lite cans. Tun Tavern owner Montgomery Dahm, who has owned a bar with the same name in Atlantic City since 1998, says he will soon redecorate with more Colonial-era vibes. Dahm said he is also giving some profits to veterans organizations and the Freemasons, too. The two have been battling in court for over a year, ever since the Tun Legacy Foundation declined to pay what they say was an exorbitant trademarking fee, and Dahm sued the group in federal court, seeking to prevent their use of the name Tun. That case is still pending. In September, Dahm announced that he was buying Lucha Cartel, with plans to eventually convert it into a living museum, like the nonprofit. For now, the place looks pretty much like the Lucha Cartel, except for the renderings of the planned renovations on the wall and the reenactor clientele. At Mondays dueling celebrations, as in old military battles, confusion reigned among the grunts. We didnt know it was just a parking lot until literally last night, said Jim Aires, 47, a Marine veteran from Delaware who attended the block party at the Tun Legacy Foundation site. Still, he and his former unit members who traveled to Philly for the anniversary said they were especially proud to be celebrating the milestone roughly 250 feet away from where the original Tun stood. At the block party, bagpipes played Marine marching songs. A Marine chaplain offered prayers. Decorated veterans spoke about 250 years of sacrifice and the sacred ground where the Tun once stood. A color guard raised its flags stiffly at attention for the national anthem. Nothing like being where your history started, said Chris Hauhn, 44, of Baltimore, who served with Aires. In a bright yellow volunteer shirt, Tun Legacy Foundation chair Rob Brink helmed the information table. Declining to comment on the trademark lawsuit, he said Dahms efforts have not slowed the foundations fundraising they have raised about half of their $21 million goal and can begin construction after raising about $5 million more. Permits for construction have already been approved. They hope to open in early 2027. The nonprofit is not worried, Brink said, of the two Tuns. People will know the difference, he said. At his event, Dahm spoke of his mission to open in honor of fellow Marines, including his brother, who served before he died from cancer. The bar opened its doors this weekend, serving Marines from all over. The support has been tremendous, Dahm said. What were getting from the Marines, is that they love what we did here. When it came time to unveil the Tun Taverns sign, and the tarp became stuck, it was Dahm who emerged on the roof to wrench it off to the crowds raucous cheers. Just like at the foundations event, Marines inside said they were honored to celebrate at a place so close to their branchs founding. Johnny Oshea, 35, a Marine veteran from Ohio, said he had no dog in the fight between the two Tuns. Honestly, the more the merrier, he said, over his beer. This is who we are. This is our legacy. Keg & Kitchen, the popular pub in Haddon Townships Westmont section, is winding down its 15-year run with the impending retirement of owners Kevin and Janet Meeker. Kevin Meeker, 73, said they have an agreement with brothers Artan and Arber Murtaj and Andi and Tony Lelaj, who own Il Villaggio, an Old World-style Italian restaurant in Cherry Hill. They have been the Meekers customers since 2005, when they opened the space at 90 Haddon Ave. as Cork. Advertisement Andi Lelaj said the property would remain a pub. It will be lightly redecorated and quickly reflagged as Duo Restaurant & Bar, possibly within two weeks of the sale. Lelaj said they have offered jobs to Keg & Kitchen staff. Lelaj said the bar menu would be supplemented with small plates octopus, crab cakes, oysters, and shrimp, along with wings and burgers and fish tacos. He said they will source seafood and produce locally. Meeker said there is no firm closing date for Keg & Kitchen, as the sale awaits the states liquor license transfer. Meeker said he may not be around for the closing. He said he is leaving Monday on a long-planned trip to Gibraltar to help sail a friends 56-foot sailboat to the Canary Islands and then to the Caribbean. I know this is crazy, but I committed to be a crew member months ago, he said. Thought wed be out by now. The Meekers have a long history in the Philadelphia-area restaurant scene, most notably three decades with the upscale seafood restaurant Philadelphia Fish & Co. at 207 Chestnut St. in Old City, now the site of the new Tun Tavern. They also are partners in the Plough & the Stars nearby. Travelers navigate a terminal at Philadelphia International Airport in September. A measles case was recently reported in a person who traveled through Terminals A and B at the airport. Read more A person with measles traveled through Philadelphia International Airport on Sunday, and city health officials are warning people who were in the area to monitor themselves for symptoms. People who were in Terminals A and B between 8:50 a.m. and 4 p.m. could have been exposed to the highly contagious virus, which can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person passes through an area, health officials said in a news release. Advertisement We believe there is no threat to the general public associated with this case of measles, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Palak Raval-Nelson said in a statement. She added that several countries are experiencing measles outbreaks, so its easier for Americans to contract measles in their travels. The airport exposure follows several cases seen earlier this year in the Philadelphia area. Some of the other cases were linked to international travel, and at least one occurred after a patient visited Texas, where a large measles outbreak took place earlier this year. Precautions urged The Philadelphia Department of Public Health advised people who might have been exposed at the airport Sunday to take precautions depending on their immunization status. People who were born before 1957, have already had measles, or have received two doses of the measles vaccine are generally considered immune. Anyone protected from the virus does not have to take further action, health officials said. People who are not immune to the virus should talk to their doctor about obtaining a measles vaccine. People who are pregnant and not immune, under a year old, or have a weakened immune system should consult a doctor as soon as possible, health officials said, because managing a measles exposure may require different healthcare protocols. People who are not immune and might have been exposed at the airport should call their doctors immediately if they develop any measles symptoms through Nov. 30. Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, a cough, and puffy eyes, followed by a rash, health officials said. Symptomatic patients who are residents of Philadelphia should also notify the city health department at 215-685-6740. Residents of other Pennsylvania counties should call the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 877-724-3258. City health officials noted that patients with measles are contagious for four days before they develop the telltale measles rash, and they stay contagious for four days after the rash begins. People who are not protected from measles and were exposed at the airport should wear a mask in indoor public spaces and around unvaccinated people for three weeks after their exposure, health officials said. Raval-Nelson encouraged parents to get their children fully vaccinated, following the immunization schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as soon as possible. People who are planning travel outside the U.S. should consult their doctors about their plans and ensure they are up-to-date on the necessary vaccines, she added. Customers browse through Iovine Brothers Produce at Reading Terminal Market on March 29, 2022. Read more While nearly a third of Philadelphians struggled without their monthly food stamp benefits during the government shutdown, so too did local businesses that depend on those sales. Whenever traffic is slow at Reading Terminal Market, Robert Passio, the owner of Giuntas Prime Shop, notes the lack of energy in the market, he said. Since benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program were cut at the start of November, that missing energy was palpable. Advertisement In Pennsylvania, 2 million people receive SNAP benefits, and in Philadelphia, its 472,000. Reading Terminal Market is the largest redemption site for SNAP and EBT in the state, CEO and general manager Annie Allman previously told The Inquirer. About 30% of Passios customers use SNAP, sometimes more closer to the beginning of the month. But when the programs funding was frozen by the Trump administration during the federal government shutdown, his sales dropped. Relief for Pennsylvanians started to arrive on Friday, when Gov. Josh Shapiros administration released $100 million in SNAP benefits to recipients. The day prior, a federal appeals court ruled against the Trump administration, requiring it to distribute the funds in full during the shutdown. Before the Trump administration appealed the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, Pennsylvanias Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh acted quickly to start distributing the benefits. READ MORE: Pa. begins distributing SNAP benefits as Shapiro offers rebuke of Vance, tells Trump administration to give up fight Now, that benefits have started flowing again, customers are returning to businesses like Giuntas. Passio said it even felt like normal at Reading Terminal this weekend. Saturday was beautiful. It was a very good day, he said. Some customers return, while others dont Even while some SNAP benefits returned in Pennsylvania, in New Jersey and other states like California and Wisconsin, the programs future has yet to be settled. On Monday, the Trump administration returned to the U.S. Supreme Court, after an appeals court ruled against the SNAP cuts late Sunday. Pennsylvania is now briefly pausing SNAP again until the Supreme Court issues a ruling, which is expected Tuesday. And while the Shapiro administration was able to release $100 million in SNAP benefits, the state was scheduled to receive $266 million for the program in November before the Trump administration blocked payments. Its unclear what will happen to the funds that have yet to be distributed, but the legal back-and-forth could prove to be moot with the government approaching a deal to reopen. Despite some uncertainty, SNAP recipients took full advantage of the programs resumption this weekend at the Italian Market. Michele Gambino, the South 9th Street Business Association manager, said that the markets butchers and produce sellers typically depend on SNAP for up to 40% of their sales and that customers retreated during the last week. Traffic appeared to normalize this weekend, and she welcomed it, she said. Its important for everybody that these things dont stop, Gambino said about SNAP. During the programs pause, she said, vendors reported an uptick in credit card usage, driving up their costs for transaction fees. People still had to eat, she said. But the struggles continue for some vendors who rely heavily on SNAP, as full benefits are still being metered out. Usually, this week would be the sales peak for OK Produce in Reading Terminal Market, with SNAP benefits landing in the accounts of all recipients by the middle of the month. But customers have yet to return. Sam Kimani, owner of OK Produce, said SNAP benefits make up about 25% to 30% of his sales, a few hundred dollars per day. Now, OK Produce is getting only about $30 per day from SNAP sales. The last time I had 200 [dollars] was more than two weeks ago, he said. Kimani said shoplifting had skyrocketed at his marketplace. Typically, OK Produce might catch one person every couple of weeks doing so. Since benefits were frozen, Kimani said theyve stopped five or six people. He closed one of the entrances to OK Produce that cashiers couldnt watch carefully from their register stations. He also has noticed a significant rise in shoppers who pay with Food Bucks, a statewide voucher system that matches dollar for dollar with SNAP purchases. Its helpful for customers who redeem their greenbacks, but Kimani said he doesnt see a dollar from those transactions. But Kimani is staying optimistic. With benefits trickling out and the government poised to reopen, he envisions a mass of people returning soon, benefits in hand. Were hoping we get a boom of customers, he said. The Associated Press contributed to this article. The scene at the TSA checkpoint line in Terminal B at Philadelphia International Airport Sunday morning. The lines appeared to move reasonably well. Read more With the secretary of transportation warning that Thanksgiving week could end up being an immensely inconvenient one for air travelers, a potentially troubling hors doeuvre has been evident at Philadelphia International Airport. On Friday, the day after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered 4% cuts in air traffic at major airports, fewer than 25% of all inbound and outbound flights were delayed or canceled. Advertisement That number jumped to nearly 50% on Sunday, according to an Inquirer analysis of data from FlightAware, the airline traffic-tracking service. Though the numbers appeared to rebound somewhat Monday, they still were considerably inferior to Fridays. Plus, the FAA has announced that the percentages of flight reductions at PHL and 39 other major airports will climb to 6% Tuesday, 8% Thursday, and 10% Friday, barring an end to the longest-ever federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1. According to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, absenteeism has increased among air traffic controllers, who on Oct. 24 missed their first paychecks since the shutdown started, and shortages have led to delays and safety concerns, thus the flight cutbacks. Airline systems specialists at PHL, who maintain the equipment used by the air traffic controllers, have not been paid since the end of September. Some progress in ending the shutdown was reported in Congress on Monday; however, the settlement prospects remained very much up in the air The increases in delays and cancellations at PHL On Friday, just under 25% of all flights in and out of PHL were either canceled or delayed, according to an analysis of FlightAware and PHL data. On Saturday, that number increased to more than 40%, and to 49% Sunday. About 800 flights arrive at and depart from PHL daily. It was unclear what, if anything, an approaching polar front which could produce Philadelphias first official freezing reading in nine months on Tuesday morning had to do with Sundays issues at PHL. In advance of the front, fog reduced visibility to about a half mile at 8:20 p.m., said Patrick OHara, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Office in Mount Holly. Visibility was 1.5 miles at 10 p.m. during a thunderstorm, though after the rains shut off, visibility had improved by midnight, OHara said. Heather Redfern, spokesperson for Philadelphia International Airport, said 10 flights that were bound for Newark Liberty International, John F. Kennedy International, and Westchester County Airports were diverted to PHL on Sunday night. And conditions inside the airport evidently werent as chaotic as they were elsewhere. In spite of the closure of security lines at two terminals, TSA inspections were moving reasonably well. TSAGeneral 5-10 minutes, read an automatic sign outside the checkpoint in Terminal B on Sunday morning. American Airlines, which operates three-quarters of all PHL flights, announced that travelers whose flights are canceled or who choose not to travel can make alternate arrangements and request a refund. The airline said that in all, it would cancel about 220 nationwide flights per day in the first days of the reduction but would still operate 6,000 flights daily. When will the shutdown end and PHL return to normal? While the Senate on Monday appeared to be nearing a vote on ending the shutdown, it was unclear when that would happen. Once legislation in the Senate is approved, the House would have to concur. Among the members of Congress who insisted that they would not vote in favor of ending it was Democrat Madeleine Dean of Montgomery County. She said that while, everybody worries about the safety in the skies, this was not the time to cave on her partys demands on healthcare coverage. So long as the shutdown continues, Duffy said on CNNs State of the Union program Sunday, for air travelers, Its only going to get worse. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, Youre going to see air travel be reduced to a trickle, he said. Staff writers Ariana Perez-Castells, Michelle Myers, and Julia Terruso contributed to this article. John Fetterman in 2023. He appeared on The View Tuesday to discuss the government shutdown and his new memoir. Read more Sen. John Fetterman joined ABCs The View on Tuesday for a virtual interview in which he vehemently defended his votes to end the government shutdown and shared some of the thinking behind his new memoir. The Pennsylvania Democrat joined the daytime talk show at a key moment for his party and for his personal brand. In a pair of votes Sunday and Monday, Fetterman and seven other senators crossed party lines to vote for a Republican-backed bill to end the government shutdown. And Tuesday, the senators memoir, Unfettered, was published. Advertisement Fetterman upheld his position to end the shutdown, saying that prolonging a lapse in federal funding would make air travel less safe, perpetuate hardships for military members and other federal workers, and weaponize SNAP, the crucial food assistance program on which many families depend. When youre confronting mass chaos, you know, I dont think you should respond with more chaos or fight with more chaos. Its like, no, we need to be the party of order and logic, Fetterman said of his approach to the shutdown. He also sidestepped a question on whether Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the New York Democrat who has led the caucus since 2017, is an effective figure for the party in this moment. Its not really my concern right now, Fetterman said. Schumer voted against the bill, but his No. 2, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, was among the eight caucus members who backed the Republican plan. In a more tense moment, cohost Sunny Hostin suggested Fetterman, and the other moderate senators who voted with Republicans, had caved. Democrats had been holding out on ending the shutdown to try to get Republicans to concede on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at the end of 2025. Hostin noted that other elected officials, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (Ind., Vt.), Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and even Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R., Ga.), differ from Fetterman on this issue. Why give in now? Hostin asked Fetterman. Why bring a butter knife to a gunfight? Are you willing to gamble that the GOP will negotiate on healthcare in good faith once the government reopens, because if that gamble is wrong, half a million Pennsylvanians that you represent, their healthcare costs will skyrocket if you are wrong, and I believe you are wrong. Fetterman replied by saying that MTG is literally the last person in America he would take advice from and called her a crazy pants. He added that he doesnt need a lecture from Sanders or Newsom because they represent two of the most progressive states in the country. Fetterman maintained throughout his appearance that his actions are in an effort to serve his constituents in purple Pennsylvania. That might be a bigger problem with our party in some way that a committed Democrat from the most difficult and purple state in the country says, Hey, you know, Im trying to call balls and strikes in the middle of this chaos, Fetterman said during his appearance on The View. After a commercial break, the hosts discussed Unfettered, which is largely about the senators mental health journey. He also details his strained relationship with Gov. Josh Shapiro, his meeting with President Donald Trump, and his thoughts on the U.S. Senate. Fetterman said he wanted to share his struggles with depression in the book to help people who may be experiencing something similar, noting that three years ago he could not get out of bed, but now he is grateful to be in a much better place. He said he dedicated the memoir to people struggling with their mental health. I know it may not be a big political winner to talk about these things, but I do think its an important one to have, because a lot of people are suffering and may not able to talk about it, Fetterman said. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., and other protestors demand the release of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka after his arrest at an ICE detention prison in May 2025. Read more U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a New Jersey Democrat who turned 80 this year, announced Monday that she will not seek reelection in the 12th Congressional District, which covers a region of the state north of Trenton. Watson Coleman was elected to the seat in 2014. Advertisement I made a commitment years ago to always lead the charge on behalf of those I represent, and I believe I have fulfilled that commitment to the very best of my abilities, Watson Coleman said in a statement. She has been active in speaking out against the policies of President Donald Trump. She joined several members of Congress in May to attempt to visit Delaney Hall, a Newark prison that was recently converted into a privately run federal immigration detention center. Watson Coleman was the first Black woman to represent New Jersey in Congress, and she was the first Black woman to become majority leader in the New Jersey General Assembly, where she served eight terms. I believe in giving voice to truth, speaking truth to power, and I believe as a consequence of that, we have been able to effect real results that will be felt in communities across America for generations, Watson Coleman said Monday. I also believe now is the time to pass the torch to the next leader who will continue leading this charge, she added. Shortly after her announcement, several Democrats announced that they were seeking to replace her, including Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson and East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen. Gov. Phil Murphy praised Watson Coleman in a statement on social media: I want to thank my friend @RepBonnie for 50+ years of fearless service to the people of New Jersey. Bonnie has been a relentless champion for our nations working families at every stage of her career. Tammy and I send our love and deepest appreciation to her as she completes her service in Congress and prepares for a well-deserved retirement. Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill, who served with Watson Coleman in Congress, said in a post on X: It was a joy to have her as a mentor and watch her work relentlessly on behalf of her district, but an even greater honor getting to know her on a personal level. Sherrill added: Shes a fighter, a leader, and a Jersey legend whose legacy of service will live on for generations. Fair winds and following seas on this next chapter! U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (left) looks on as Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks during a news media update at the Upper Makefield police headquarters in 2023, following a fatal flash flooding. Fetterman's new memoir details their tense relationship. Read more Its no secret that Pennsylvanias two most powerful Democrats do not get along. Sen. John Fetterman and Gov. Josh Shapiro are stylistic opposites who have butted heads over the years. Now Fetterman, in his newly released memoir, Unfettered, is recounting his version of why that is. Advertisement By Fettermans telling, it stems from their time serving together on the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons. Fetterman, then lieutenant governor and the boards chair, was so bothered by then-Attorney General Shapiros unwillingness to grant a commutation to two men that Fetterman threatened in a private meeting to run against Shapiro for governor if he did not change his mind. I told him there were two tracks that one and the one in which he ran for governor and I ran for the Senate (which was the one I preferred), Fetterman wrote in the memoir. I had no interest in friction, only in what I felt was justice." Shapiro did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Inquirer. The anecdote has been reported on before but never through Fettermans direct telling. Fettermans book, which is dedicated to anyone with depression, largely focuses on his struggles with mental health, his recovery from a stroke, and a career that traces his journey from mayor of tiny Braddock to becoming one of the nations most well-known and scrutinized senators. In the chapter about Shapiro, titled The Shapiro Affair, Fetterman described the not-so-secret tension that has long existed between the men. Fetterman said the disagreements between the two started when he joined the five-member board that determines which inmates who applied for commutations of their sentences should be released. Shapiro, who was first elected attorney general in 2016, was also on the board. The board had granted fewer and fewer commutations in recent years, something Fetterman wanted to change when he took the helm in 2019. He listed in the book several men denied clemency who he thought should have been released for good behavior, because of life-threatening illnesses, or in light of conflicting information about whether they had committed the crimes for which they had been imprisoned. Shapiro was far more cautious, and at a certain point, I began to think that what was influencing him was not mere caution but political ambition, Fetterman said, recalling a meeting where Shapiro voted against 12 of 15 cases and Fetterman threw his reading glasses down, breaking them. I believe what drove him to delay and deny applications was not the facts of a given case as much as a fear that someone whose sentence hed commuted would go on to commit terrible violence on the outside. The tension got bad enough that then-Gov. Tom Wolf set a meeting between the two men, according to Fetterman staffer Bobby Maggio, who is quoted in the book. I dont think Shapiro ever really understood how John operated, or why he is the way he is, Maggio said. They are both very different types of elected leaders. To be fair, John didnt really go out of his way to form relationships. Hes not always a consensus builder. The Hortons case became especially personal to Fetterman. Brothers Lee and Dennis Horton served 28 years in prison for a murder conviction that has been heavily criticized as both brothers maintained their innocence. Fetterman vigorously advocated for their release from prison during his time as chair. Things came to a head in a 2020 Zoom hearing about their case when Shapiro said he was disturbed that transcripts from their original trial which presumably determined their involvement were missing. According to Fetterman, Shapiro then gave a very long winded and unnecessary speech before voting against advancing a commutation. When Shapiro was done, Fetterman let out a f asshole, not realizing his microphone was still on. The moment led to Fettermans threat to run for governor, which was recounted in an Inquirer story. Fetterman said in the book that a member of Shapiros staff, Joe Radosevich, reached out to him at the time. He wanted me to retract things I had said and to deny the rumors about the private meeting taking place, Fetterman said. That wasnt going to happen. Shapiro and the rest of the board eventually voted to commute the Hortons sentences in December 2020. The Hortons went on to work on Fettermans campaign, and Fetterman brought Dennis Freedom Horton to his first State of the Union address in February 2023. The relationship with Shapiro never recovered, Fetterman said. Fetterman notes in the book that Shapiro has since become hotter than hot, one of two finalists for the vice-presidential nod in 2024, a bright star in the Democratic Party, and a front-runner for the presidential nomination in 2028. I sincerely wish him the best. He is a credit to the state and may one day be a credit to the country. I remember fondly the days when we were nobodies trying to climb the ladder. Even if we no longer speak. The shotgun incident In 2022, while Fetterman was running in the Democratic primary for Senate, an incident from his past surfaced and lingered throughout the campaign. In 2013, Fetterman, while at home with his son, said he heard what sounded like gunshots and grabbed his legally owned shotgun to investigate. Fetterman, then mayor of Braddock, chased down a person, whose race and gender he said were unknown to him. With every square inch of the man covered, I wouldnt have known this person from my own mother, much less his racial identity, Fetterman said in the memoir. I told him to stay until the police arrived, keeping my truck between us. He told me to go f myself. The police arrived and took the man in for questioning, and that was the end of my involvement. The man involved, Christopher Miyares, was found to be unarmed and said he had been jogging in the area, according to a 2013 police report. Miyares later pleaded guilty to kidnapping charges in an unrelated incident. Fetterman said he still believes he did the right thing that day. He also defended his decision not to apologize for his response, even as his opponents in the Democratic primary, former U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb and State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta of Philadelphia, repeatedly suggested he should. Apologizing would have been the easy way out, what politicians do when something is going south and they want to soften their coverage: say they made a mistake. The issue here was simple: Either you believed me or you believed the words of someone who, after the incident in question, held a woman at knifepoint and was convicted of kidnapping. Fetterman said he was extremely bothered by the inference he saw behind the attacks: that he was racist. Had the alleged perpetrator been white, would either Lamb or Kenyatta have accused me of vigilantism and, by implication, racism? I doubt it. But if an innocent person had gotten shot that day, Lamb and Kenyattas take might well have been that as the legally designated chief law enforcement officer of Braddock, I had done nothing to combat crime. Fetterman kept his lead in the primary and went on to win by 59% of the vote. It has always puzzled me that someone so talented could run such a dysfunctional campaign, Fetterman said of Lamb. The former lawmaker has been a loud critic of Fettermans politics over the last year, and his name is currently being floated as a potential primary challenger against Fetterman if he runs for reelection in 2028. The political attacks surrounding the shotgun incident remain a sore spot for Fetterman. He recounts in the book how as media stories swirled, his alma mater, Albright College, canceled his scheduled appearance as graduation speaker. There is no doubt that these accusations marked the beginning of the critical depression and suicidal thoughts that would have me checking in to Walter Reed as an inpatient, Fetterman said. Feelings on the Senate Fetterman almost didnt attend his own swearing-in ceremony as he struggled in the throes of depression. Since his return, he has a far more optimistic outlook on life but remains deeply cynical about the legislative body in which he serves. The members of each party vote like lemmings, in a monolithic bloc, regardless of whether it is good for the country, he said. It just isnt possible that every Republican actually disagrees with every proposal put forth by a Democrat. Early in his first year, the Senate implemented a dress code, the original bill for which was named SHORTS a direct shot at Fetterman, who would wear his hoodie and shorts on the floor. It hurt, Fetterman said. And he didnt buy the argument that the nation was watching and the institutions sanctity needed protecting. Actually, the world watches us precisely because there is no sanctity left in the present U.S. Congress, precisely because of the continued dysfunction of the U.S. government as the country teeters on the world stage, he said. Fetterman said he sees his job as has having three responsibilities: legislation and being in Washington when the Senate is in session, keeping up with politics in your home state, and fundraising. I have to do better on all three, he said. He has faced sharp criticism for missing votes in Washington and for not having more public appearances around the state, especially in Philadelphia. He notes his disposition doesnt naturally lend itself to the person-to-person work of being a senator. I am not collegial, and as a senator, you need to be to get anything real done. Loners in the Senate remain exactly that loners. But Fetterman named Republican Sens. Katie Britt of Alabama and Ted Cruz of Texas as people who became friendly with him. He said he considers Democratic Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont a friend and said former Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey may be the nicest man (not just politician) in Washington. The book deals only in part with the criticisms Fetterman has received from within his party about being too friendly with Republicans, or crossing the aisle to vote with the GOP. He says he thinks Democrats have been more brutal in their judgment of him. Ive drunk deeply of the venom of both the left and the right. And as a connoisseur, I can confirm that the most poisonous, the bitterest, is from the far left. The right tells me I suck and calls me names. The far left calls for my death. He does not mention reelection in the book. His seat will be up in 2028 in an election that will have high turnout, with the presidential race also on the ballot. I have three years left in the Senate, he says at one point, describing this moment in history as pivotal. Everything that once made America the model for freedom and democracy and a perennial dream for people around the world, has been upended, he said. I have much to learn. I have made mistakes. I dont have all the answers. Meeting with Trump Fetterman said he agreed to meet with President Donald Trump because he saw it as his responsibility as the senator of a purple state and because he thought the two might have a shared kinship. We had both come face-to-face with death, Fetterman said. Fetterman met with Trump in January at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida ahead of his second inauguration. Trump is mercurial. Trump is unpredictable. With him, anything can happen. Whatever the political risk, meeting with him was the right thing to do for Pennsylvania. He said Trump was charming at their meeting, which also included Patriots owner Robert Kraft. I emerged thinking Trump could be less polarizing and more collaborative if his public persona were more like his private one. With Trump at the helm, Fetterman said, he is not certain what the future is for his party. Im not sure anyone knows what the Democratic Party is anymore. We need to get away from the progressive and liberal notion that everything the Democrats do is right and above reproach and everything the Republicans do is wrong and evil. We need to start talking to one another. This story was updated to clarify the year Josh Shapiro was first elected attorney general. Exterior of the Fishtown home. Read more Maybe a half dozen years ago, social worker Kate Geitner would frequently leave her Fishtown rowhouse and head to the Ben Franklin Parkway to visit the Barnes Museum. Geitner, who grew up in the Chicago suburbs, had come east from Denver because she missed living in an urban center with a vibrant Jewish community. Advertisement Fishtown exemplified everything I wanted, she said. You could walk anywhere and see neighbors. People were friendly. She bought her Fishtown house in 2021 and had been living there for some time when she discovered an old real estate listing stating that Albert Barnes, the world-renowned scientist and art collector, had lived there as a child. She contacted the Barnes Foundation and confirmed that he had indeed lived in her house, from his birth in 1872 through elementary school. She grew to love the museums eclectic and eccentric collection. But now Geitner is moving to Point Breeze to be closer to her synagogue. The two-bedroom, one-bathroom Fishtown home has an open-concept first floor, with oversized windows and hardwood floors. The kitchen has quartz countertops, marble slate flooring, stainless steel appliances, and a swing-up wooden countertop. There is a private patio. The bedrooms are upstairs and the bathroom has a tub-shower combination. The basement has the laundry room and abundant storage space. The house is in a walkable location near Frankford Avenues restaurants and shops, with easy access to I-95 and public transit. It is listed by Alison Simon of KW Empower for $325,000. GLOBALink | Import expo injects economic vitality, builds global inclusiveness Pub Date:25-11-11 09:25 Source:Xinhua As the world's first national-level import-themed expo, the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) concluded in Shanghai with record-breaking participation. Entrepreneurs and exhibitors praised the event as a gateway to China's vast market. #GLOBALink Editor:Qin Shuying Related News China's 15th five-year plan sends out posi... 161 nominations for Hong Kong LegCo electi... (CIIE) From elderly care to graceful aging... COP30 summit kicks off in Belem, Brazil Warren Buffett on Monday assured Berkshire Hathaway shareholders they need not worry about his upcoming departure as chief executive, giving a full-throated endorsement to his successor Greg Abel and promising to remain a major shareholder. In a letter to Berkshire shareholders, possibly his last public communication with them until he steps down at year-end, Buffett, 95, downplayed Berkshires recently underperforming stock. He also said Abel has more than met his high expectations when he first thought the 63-year-old was CEO material. I cant think of a CEO, a management consultant, an academic, a member of governmentyou name itthat I would select over Greg to handle your savings and mine, Buffett wrote. He is a great manager, a tireless worker and an honest communicator. Wish him an extended tenure. Buffett has led Berkshire since 1965, and will remain chairman of the $1.07 trillion conglomerate. He also announced plans to speed up his charitable donations to family foundations led by his daughter Susie, 72, and sons Howard, 70, and Peter, 67, but assured that this in no way reflects any change in my views about Berkshires prospects. Referring to longtime second-in-command Charlie Munger, who died in 2023, Buffett said he wants to keep a significant number of Class A shares until Berkshire shareholders develop the comfort with Greg that Charlie and I long enjoyed. That level of confidence shouldnt take long, Buffett added. My children are already 100% behind Greg as are the Berkshire directors. Buffett donated more than $1.3 billion of Berkshire stock, the equivalent of 1,800 Class A shares, on Monday to four family foundations led by his children. He has donated more than half his Berkshire shares since 2006, mainly to the Gates Foundation, but still owns close to 14% of the Omaha, Nebraska-based conglomerates stock. Buffett is worth about $149 billion, according to Forbes magazine. BUFFETT CONFIDENT IN BERKSHIRE EVEN AS PREMIUM ERODES Berkshires share price has fallen 8% since early May, when Buffett unexpectedly announced he would step down, while the Standard & Poors 500 .SPX has risen 20%. Investors believe that this eroded much of the Buffett premium embedded in Berkshires stock because of the presence of arguably the worlds most revered investor. In his letter, Buffett said Berkshires stock price will move capriciously, noting that it has fallen about 50% three times since he took over. Dont despair: America will come back and so will Berkshire shares, Buffett said. Even so, Buffett said Berkshires nearly 200 businesses collectively have moderately better-than-average prospects, and investors should not expect Berkshire to trounce the market as it did when it was small. Our size takes its toll, Buffett said. Because of Berkshires size and because of market levels, ideas are few but not zero. Abel has been a Berkshire vice chairman overseeing non-insurance operations since 2018, and was publicly designated Buffetts expected successor in 2021. He has drawn wide praise from Berkshire business leaders for his management skills, and taken on more of Buffetts work, which includes allocating capital. Buffett said Abel understands many Berkshire businesses far better than I do. CHILDREN TO OVERSEE BUFFETTS REMAINING FORTUNE After Buffett dies, his children will oversee a charitable trust that will contain nearly all of his remaining wealth, and have about a decade to give it away. Successor trustees have been named if they cannot serve. Donations to the Gates Foundation will stop. Berkshire-owned businesses include Geico car insurance, the BNSF railroad, an array of energy and industrial businesses, and familiar retail brands such as Dairy Queen, Fruit of the Loom and Sees Candies. The conglomerate also ended September with $283.2 billion of stocks including Apple and American Express, and $381.7 billion of cash. While Buffett will no longer write Berkshires annual shareholder letters or lead its annual meetings, he plans to continue communicating with shareholders around the Thanksgiving Day holiday. To my surprise, I generally feel good, Buffett said. Though I move slowly and read with increasing difficulty, I am at the office five days a week where I work with wonderful people. Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) President Denis Drennan told Commissioner Roswall that Irish derogation farmers are the most inspected and supervised in the State. We clearly outlined to the Commissioner the sustainable system of milk production in Ireland that is based on grazed grass and family farms and we also stressed the importance of allowing dairy farmers a stocking rate that is sustainable from an environmental, social and economic perspective," Mr Drennan said. "Its impossible to exaggerate how important it is that the over 7,000 farmers currently under the Derogation are allowed to continue farming with some degree of predictability and stability. These farmers are the economic and social backbone of their communities, and any undermining of their viability would have very significant negative consequences for large areas of rural Ireland, he added. The ICMSA President said that the 170kg limit was "arbitrary" and had been set almost 35 years ago. He said it bears "absolutely no relationship to modern sustainable farming practices" and urged the Commissioner to allow farmers to stock at higher levels. Concluding, Mr Drennan said: Contrary to the impression given by certain NGOs, derogation farmers are absolutely not the source of all problems; they are the most closely inspected and supervised group of farmers and are often the most technically sustainable and skilful farmers in the State. "These dairy farmers have invested the most in environmental improvements and have the most at stake. ICMSA has long believed in the right method in the right area at the right time; we do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach that just loads new regulations on everyone. "Like all sectors, agriculture does have challenges on water quality, but the main point is that the problems are and can all be addressed and dealt with if we co-operate and collaborate. We need to stop regulating and micro-managing family dairy farms out of existence. "This is what is happening, and we need to change our approach, thats the message ICMSA gave commissioner Roswall. Specsavers wants to hear from little ones who enjoy telling tall tales. The company has just launched its annual short story competition, calling on budding authors to submit their most creative compositions. Fantastic prizes are up for grabs. Winners in both the junior and senior categories will receive 500 for their school library as well as all the shortlisted childrens titles at this years An Post Irish Book Awards. To enter, children should go to the Specsavers website, where they will find a picture and the first line of their story. Using those as inspiration, they have to writea story no longer than 500 words. The closing date for entries is January 7. Full details are available at specsavers.ie/irish-book-awards Pictured are Ayla Casey from St Audoen's National School and 'Viking' Brian Hoelzle explore Dublinias new nationwide education programme, stepping into the world of Viking and Medieval Dublin through hands-on workshops and interactive learning experiences. PHOTO: Mark Stedman History in the making The Viking and medieval museum Dublinia is offering a new education programme that aims to transform how children engage with history. For the past 30 years, Dublinia has inspired generations of youngsters through its interactive exhibitions and curriculum-linked tours. Now its taking things one step further with online resources that can be used by those who are unable to travel to its location beside Christ Church in Dublin City centre. These include interactive maps and videos on topics such as Viking houses and the lives of Viking children. There are also opportunities to see what Dublin was like at various points in its history, including when its inhabitants were struck by the Black Death. Find out more at dublinia.ie. Add an extra sprinkling of magic to your childs Christmas this year with a personal letter from Santa. Its one of a range of gift ideas available from the humanitarian charity Concern Worldwide Christmas magic Add an extra sprinkling of magic to your childs Christmas this year with a personal letter from Santa. Its one of a range of gift ideas available from the humanitarian charity Concern Worldwide at gifts.concern.net. For 15, your child will receive a letter that includes their name, details such as the toy they hope to find under the tree on Christmas morning, and a message from Santa. For an extra 10, they will also receive a festive fun pack, which includes a colouring sheet, a certificate stating they have made it onto Santas Nice List, and Christmas-themed stickers. RSV season The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of hospital admissions in young children. Yet research recently published by the healthcare company Sanofi found that only 51% of parents are familiar with symptoms of the virus, and 19% had never heard of the virus at all. Peaking in December and January, RSV is common and causes coughs, colds, and possible infection in the lower part of the respiratory system. Most children will experience mild symptoms, including a fever, sniffles, wheezing, reduced appetite, a sore throat or ear infections. However, some cases warrant a trip to the GP or nearest emergency department. Symptoms to watch out for are prolonged periods without wet nappies, rapid breathing or breathlessness, difficulty breathing, a persistent high fever despite medication, and a lack of energy or irritability. Frequent and careful handwashing is encouraged to protect young children from contracting RSV. So, avoid contact with anyone showing cold-like symptoms. For more information about RSV, visit togetheragainstrsv.ie. Jigsaw fundraiser Get cosy for a good cause this festive season with Christmas Jumpers for Jigsaw. The team at the youth mental health charity know that Christmas can be challenging for young people who are struggling with their psychological wellbeing. While others are celebrating, they can feel anxious and isolated. This fundraising campaign aims to make sure they are not forgotten. By donning Christmas jumpers with co-workers or classmates or organising a Christmas coffee morning with friends and family and asking al who attend to donate what they can, money can be raised to help fund Jigsaws free mental health services across Ireland. A locum GP who was working at a SouthDoc clinic in Cork has been found guilty of professional misconduct and poor professional performance over her failure to recognise the serious conditions of two very ill children and to refer them to hospital. A medical fitness-to-practise inquiry of the Medical Council heard the failure by Dr Alicia Marton Martinez to provide appropriate care had devastating consequences for one patient, who required emergency surgery to remove a testicle. Evidence was also heard the other patient a 24-day-old baby who was diagnosed with viral meningitis could have died over the GPs failure to refer him to hospital for further assessment. On the second day of the inquiry on Tuesday, the fitness-to-practise committee found six allegations proven against Dr Marton Martinez over her treatment of the teenager and baby boy identified only as Patient A and Patient B respectively while working as a locum at SouthDocs clinic in Midleton, Co Cork, three years ago. The inquiry found Dr Marton Martinez failed to have adequate regard to the symptoms of both patients as communicated by their parents, as well as failing to directly refer them to an emergency department or escalate their care appropriately. The inquirys chairperson, Paul Harkin, said the committees findings were based on the evidence of Patient As mother, Patient Bs father, and SouthDoc documents. Dr Marton Martinez, who qualified as a doctor in Spain in 1988, did not attend the fitness-to-practise inquiry and is not legally represented at the hearing being held by the Medical Council. The GP gave a voluntary undertaking to the High Court in September 2023 not to practise medicine until further notice after the Medical Council had sought an interim suspension order against her. Patient A The inquiry heard Patient A, who was aged 14 at the time, had complained on the morning of October 10, 2022, of a swollen testicle and being in a lot of pain and discomfort. His mother gave evidence Dr Marton Martinez told her in a phone call her sons condition was normal for a teenage boy and she recommended placing a cold compress on his testicle and taking a course of pain relief for a week. The woman, who was concerned her son might have a testicular torsion a medical emergency where the blood flow is cut off to a testicle said she would prefer if he could be examined by a doctor. However, Dr Marton Martinez repeated the earlier advice she had given after conducting a brief examination of the teenager at SouthDocs clinic in Midleton. The inquiry heard the boy returned to SouthDoc a week later with severe pain and was referred immediately to Cork University Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery to remove a testicle. An expert witness, Tom ODowd, gave evidence the teenager had been left with a life-long disability which was entirely preventable, as a testicular torsion was a well-known medical condition. Mr Harkin said the fitness-to-practise committee found Dr Marton Martinez ought to have known a teenage boy with a swollen testicle required treatment in hospital. Patient B The inquiry also heard from Patient Bs father of contacting SouthDoc on November 12, 2022, as his son had a fever, was grunting and had pale and mottled skin. However, he said Dr Marton Martinez remarked his babys symptoms did not sound very severe and asked if he had been given Calpol, although the medicine is not recommended for children under two months. The man said he sought a second opinion from another SouthDoc doctor, who immediately referred him to take his baby to CUH. He was diagnosed with viral meningitis but recovered fully after a few days stay in hospital. Mr Harkin said the claim by Dr Marton Martinez she had been told the boy was nine years old was not credible, as SouthDoc records noted the patient was 24 days old, as well as breastfeeding and wearing nappies. The fitness-to-practise committee found there were serious failures on the part of the locum, which amounted to poor professional performance. Mr Harkin said the allegations also constituted professional misconduct in that they represented a serious falling short of the standards expected of doctors of experience, competence and good repute. However, he said the GPs actions were not disgraceful or dishonourable, as they did not involve any element of fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude. The hearing was adjourned to a future date to consider the recommendation of a sanction by the fitness-to-practise committee to the Medical Council. A woman filled a trolley with groceries in a busy Cork supermarket and proceeded to walk out of the door with the goods without paying, a recent sitting of Macroom District Court was told. Sergeant Trish OSullivan said Gwen Parr, aged 51, of Coornahahilly, Inchigeelagh, Co Cork, went to Dunnes Stores in Macroom on the morning of September 4, 2025. The court heard Parr filled a trolley with groceries valued at 169.11 and left the store, passing all payment points without paying at 10.15am. Parr, who had eight previous convictions, all for theft, was identified by CCTV footage. Defence solicitor Patrick Goold said Parr had brought compensation to court to repay the injured party. Mr Goold said Parrs last theft conviction was in 2021, and her offending was linked to depression. He said she was the full-time carer for her eight-year-old son, who had autism. Mr Goold said Parr had suffered a relapse of depression brought on by the difficulty in managing her son, which led to the incident. The court was told Parrs domestic situation had now improved. Judge John King said in similar circumstances the accused would normally be looking at the next stage in terms of penalty but he said Parrs case was more complex than usual. The judge asked for a probation report to be prepared and remanded Parr on continuing bail to appear again on February 4, 2026, to conclude the case. This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme A victims' organisation has claimed the justice system is weighted in favour of the offender after it emerged that 45 prisoners who have committed serious or violent offences were on temporary release. Figures released under Freedom of Information (FOI) to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ni Mhurchu show that as of June 23, some 558 men and women were on temporary release from prisons. This included 45 who were listed as having been convicted of attempts or threats to murder, assaults, harassment, and other offences; eight who had been convicted of weapons offences; 12 of robbery, extortion, and hijacking offences; and 20 of offences against the Government. The largest numbers of temporary release were granted to 144 people who had been convicted of drugs offences and 125 of theft. A further 76 were convicted of road offences, 38 for burglary, and 36 for fraud. Ms Ni Mhurchu described figures provided to her by prison authorities as "truly shocking". She said that "attempted murderers, burglars, violent criminals, and fraudsters are being routinely afforded temporary release when they should be behind bars". According to Ms Ni Mhurchu, "temporary release should only be considered in limited circumstances for non-violent offenders, and not in the widespread way it is being implemented today". 'Victims voice falls on deaf ears' Joan Deane of victims' advocacy group AdVIC said the figures "underline the core failing of the Irish criminal justice system, which is weighed in favour of the offender and has forgotten its role in terms of the message custodial sentences are meant to serve as a deterrent and to show society that justice has been served". "Whats particularly concerning around attempts or threats to murder is that in the majority of cases the offender and victim, as well as their family and friends, live in the same community," she said. "To potentially bump into someone who has inflicted trauma onto you or a loved one can be extremely distressing, and we feel that there is no consideration given to this perspective." She said that "as usual, the victims voice falls on deaf ears" and the latest information underlines AdVICs concern that its members are the only people who serve a real-life sentence in Ireland. "We are forced to deal with the loss of a loved one forever," she said. "So the idea that someone who has attempted or threatened to kill someone can be granted temporary release is beyond farce. We are heartened by justice minister Jim OCallaghans first year in office and the efforts he has made so far, so we hope to see him take action in this regard also. Prison overcrowding Last week, a report from the Inspector of Prisons said a significant number of prisoners are being held in conditions that could only be described as inhumane and degrading due to overcrowding. The inspector called for immediate action from the Government to address the ongoing crisis in the system. The annual report of the Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) said there were 31 deaths in prison custody in 2024. A retailers group has claimed in the High Court that the previous minister for health, Stephen Donnelly, introduced exorbitant new licensing fees for selling tobacco products which were just "plucked out of the air". Mr Donnelly, minister for health between 2020 and 2024, brought in regulations in 2024 under the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 which hiked up the old one-off 50 registration fee for selling the products. Under the new licensing system, due to come into operation next February, retailers will have to pay a total fee of 1,800 to sell tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products, or 1,000 for tobacco alone or 800 for nicotine products alone. The fee is payable every time the licence is renewed unlike the old scheme which just had to be paid once. The cost of any licence cannot be passed on to consumers as retailers have no discretion as to the price they charge for tobacco products. The Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association (CSNA), which has around 1,350 members across 1,500 stores, brought a High Court judicial review challenge seeking the quashing of the 2024 Regulations. The retailers claim the minister acted unlawfully and outside the powers of the 2023 Act. They also say the minister set the fees in a manner that was arbitrary and capricious and without any evidential or methodological basis or connection to the licensing regime being established. They say it will have a disproportionate economic impact on smaller retailers compared to larger retailers which amounts to an arbitrary and capricious distinction not authorised by the Act. 'Exorbitant figures' Vincent Jennings, CEO of the CSNA, said in an affidavit that it is "hard not to draw the inference that these exorbitant figures were simply plucked out of the air and are inherently arbitrary". The minister denies the claims and said it has been government policy over many years to disincentivise retailers from selling tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products. That thereby reduces the availability and possibly the amount of consumption of these products by the Irish population, it was claimed. It is also argued this policy was underpinned by evidence and/or studies from other jurisdictions which reflect that charging a certain level of licence fee would disincentivise retailers from selling such products, thus reducing the availability and/or consumption. The retailers, in preparation for the hearing of their case, sought to cross-examine Claire Gordon, principal officer of the Department of Health, over an affidavit in which she set out the policy and legislative background to the 2023 Act. Ms Gordon also prepared a briefing note for the minister. The minister opposed the application for cross examination. In a judgment, Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy rejected the application to cross examine. He said the retailers can still challenge Ms Gordon's evidence without such cross examination. They also cannot conduct a fishing expedition and seek to look behind Ms Gordons evidence and ask her to explain it in the hope of identifying some new basis for complaint. The State cannot go beyond its own evidence as to what actually occurred and must defend the lawfulness of the ministers actions by reference to that evidence, he said. A trial of four gardai and a retired superintendent centres around motorists allegedly asking gardai to intervene in potential or pending road traffic prosecutions, the accuseds trial heard on Tuesday. The five accused were allegedly involved in attempts to quash potential or pending road traffic prosecutions against motorists in the Mid-West region, it is alleged. The five accused have pleaded not guilty to a total of 39 offences of attempting to pervert the course of justice, before a jury of eight men and four women at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. They are retired superintendent Eamon ONeill; serving Sergeants Michelle Leahy, and Anne-Marie Hassett; Garda Tom McGlinchey, and Garda Colm Geary, all within Limerick and Clare Garda Divisions. Outlining the prosecutions case, prosecuting barrister, senior counsel Carl Hanahoe, told the jury the five accused all enjoy the presumption of innocence and that the prosecution bore the burden of trying to prove beyond a reasonable doubt its case against the five accused. Serving Garda Sgt Anne-Marie Hassett who is before the circuit court. File photo: Press 22 Mr Hanahoe said the road traffic laws or rules of the road were designed as a deterrent to keep each of us safe on the roads. He said it was not unusual for motorists to have picked up a mobile phone while driving, or been distracted and driven 55km/h or 60km/h in a 50km/h zone, but we take the points, we don't like it but that is the system and we take it. Mr Hanahoe said the procedure that follows is a motorist receives a Fixed Charge Penalty Notice (FCPN) in the post, notifying them they are liable for a fine and penalty points on their driving licence. The court heard there were three options available to motorists who receive a FCPN: pay the fine and take penalty points; appeal it to a Cancelling Authority; or contest the matter in court. Mr Hanahoe said the prosecutions case centres on the seizure and analysis of Eamon ONeills phone, retired November 2020, and the subsequent seizure and analysis of the mobile phones of the four other accused. Mr Hanahoe referenced a number of charges against Mr ONeill in which motorists who were allegedly detected committing road traffic offences including speeding, holding a mobile phone while driving, driving without insurance, or not wearing a seatbelt then allegedly contacted Mr ONeill who in turn allegedly contacted the other accused in an attempt to terminate the motorists' potential or pending FCPNs. Serving Garda Tom McGlinchey who is before the Circuit court. File photo: Press 22 In one of the charges, its alleged that Mr ONeill advised one of the motorists to nominate another person as being the driver of their vehicle involved in the suspected road traffic offence in order to avoid receiving penalty points. Mr Hanahoe alleged: What all of the offences have in common, the prosecution say, is the interference or involvement of Eamon ONeill. The prosecuting barrister said the other four accused became involved in allegedly attempting to interfere in the course of justice through Mr ONeills alleged involvement. Mr Hanahoe further alleged that the vast majority of the alleged attempts to pervert the course of justice involved a personal connection between the motorist and Superintendent ONeill. It ought not to matter what connection you have that should not determine whether or not you take the penalty points or influence the prosecution of the offence, Mr Hanahoe said. That is what the prosecutions case is all about. Superintendent Moran testimony Superintendent Blaithin Moran, Garda Roads Policing Bureau, Phoenix Park, Dublin, told the court she held a role within the force which entitled her to legitimately cancel FCPNs after considering motorists appeals. Superintendent Moran said she would travel to the FCPN Cancelling Authority in Thurles, Co Tipperary, every two weeks to physically examine the FCPNs and determine the outcome of the appeals process. Superintendent Moran said FCPNs could be cancelled in exceptional circumstances, including if the driver provided proof of being exempt from wearing a seatbelt while driving due to a medical condition, for example. Supt Moran said she wouldn't personally adjudicate on FCPN appeal requests if she knew the motorist involved as she felt this would be a conflict of interest. She said motorists would sometimes contact the Cancelling Authority attempting to nominate a relative as being the driver of the car in question in order to avoid receiving a FCPN. Under cross-examination, Superintendent Moran agreed with Felix McEnroy, senior counsel for Eamon ONeill, that she held a discretionary role when adjudicating the outcome of FCPNs when she attended at the Cancelling Authority within An Garda Siochana in Thurles. Supt Moran said all members of An Garda Siochana were able to employ their own discretion when dealing with members of the public. Discretion is on a case-by-case basis. We are a community police force, Supt Moran said. The trial, before Judge Roderick Maguire, is expected to last for at least six weeks. New wardens will begin their patrols of Cork City this week to deter criminal and anti-social behaviour and to support tourists, the vulnerable, and businesses. The City Centre Warden Scheme has been launched in Cork on a pilot basis in partnership between Cork City Council, Cork Business Association (CBA), and gardai. Four newly appointed wardens will engage with businesses, residents and visitors to enhance the city centre experience, working to make sure the city is welcoming for all. "The wardens will act as visible ambassadors for the city centre, signposting and offering assistance to the public, supporting local businesses, and identifying issues such as graffiti, littering or damage to the public realm for follow-up by city council teams," a statement from Cork City Council said. "They will also liaise closely with the CBA, gardai and other agencies to address community concerns and be a reassuring presence in the city centre." While they will not have enforcement powers like gardai, the wardens will be in close contact with law enforcement, and they will be able to quickly raise any issues directly with relevant services. The new warden roles were advertised earlier this year, and a large number of applications were received. Four candidates were selected who then underwent induction and training. They will work in shifts across the week, with a presence in the city in the mornings, afternoons and evenings. They will also work on public holidays and for major events like St Patricks Day, the Jazz Festival, and Corkmas. The two-year city centre warden pilot project is partially funded by the Department of Justice, through an application made by the CBA, with Cork City Council providing the balance. Chief executive of Cork City Council, Valerie OSullivan, said the council is delighted to launch the new City Centre Warden initiative. This is a proactive step towards enhancing the experience of everyone who lives, works, shops, and visits Cork City centre, she said. It builds on our long-standing and valued partnership with the CBA, An Garda Siochana, and the wider business community as we continue to work together to create a more welcoming urban environment and to foster a thriving city centre. I wish the wardens well as they embark on their new role. We encourage everyone residents, retailers, and visitors alike to engage with the wardens and support this initiative. Dave OBrien, President of Cork Business Association, said the scheme is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the citys environment and support the business community. The wardens will help strengthen pride in the city, support businesses, and enhance the experience for everyone who spends time in the city centre. The CBA would like to thank Government, Cork City Council and An Garda Siochana to help make this vision a reality, he said. Michael D Higgins has left Aras an Uachtaran for the final time as President of Ireland, bringing to an end 14 years which tested and redefined the bounds of the office. Catherine Connolly will today be sworn in as Ireland's 10th President after her landslide victory in last month's election, having pledged to be "a president for all". In a statement, Mr Higgins said: Serving as President of Ireland was a great privilege, and I would like to thank the people of Ireland for the warmth of reception which they gave to both Sabina and myself over the past 14 years. "How valuable it was to be able to join with them in engaging with the issues, projects, and ideas that will help us to achieve the best of our country and the best representation of Ireland and its values abroad an inclusive citizenship and a creative society in a real Republic. "Guim gach beannacht do mhuintir na hEireann don todhchai. Guard of honour Mr Higgins left the Aras yesterday with a guard of honour by a group from the charity Sanctuary Runners, of which he is a patron. President Michael D Higgins and wife Sabina leave Aras an Uachtaran. Picture: Gareth Chaney The charity sees Irish people hosting running events alongside migrants and asylum seekers. They added that the gesture was "particularly important", given recent tensions on the issue of migration. Monica Pumpkin, originally from Botswana, presented President Higgins and Sabina with a yellow rose each on behalf of Sanctuary Runners, symbolising friendship and joy. A former minister for arts, culture and the Gaeltacht; Mayor of Galway; senator; and TD who served a combined 25 years in Galway West, Mr Higgins' election in a closely-fought 2011 campaign came amid the backdrop of a financial crash and an EU-IMF bailout. The crisis impacted his role as he cut short a 2013 state visit to Italy in order to sign emergency legislation to liquidate the Irish Bank Resolution Company (IBRC), the entity formed when Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide merged. He made history in 2014 when he paid the first state visit to Britain by an Irish president, where he stayed as a guest of Queen Elizabeth II and addressed both houses of parliament. In his toast during a state banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle, he described the trip as a very visible sign of the warmth and maturity of the relationship between our two countries. President Michael D Higgins is gifted a flower whilst leaving Aras an Uachtaran with his wife Sabina Higgins. A guard of honour was formed by the members of the Sanctuary Runners who wanted to show their appreciation for his support. Picture: Damien Eagers/PA However, his foreign policy forays were not always as positive, and in late 2016, he faced criticism for describing Fidel Castro as a giant among global leaders in a statement marking the death of the former Cuban president. People's president Immensely popular throughout the end of what he had said would be his only term in office, Mr Higgins changed tack in 2018 and said that he would run for a second term. He remains the most popular political leader in Ireland, according to polls one in February showed 64% of people approved of his performance. In the latter years of his presidency, Mr Higgins was never afraid to criticise the Government, particularly on housing. In June 2022, Mr Higgins branded the Irish housing crisis as a disaster and our great, great, great failure, adding that housing and the basic needs of society should never have been left to the marketplace. He would become a most vocal and unrepentant critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, and would frequently be criticised by that country's embassy. Mr Higgins and his wife Sabina were scheduled to stay overnight in Dublin today and tomorrow for Ms Connollys inauguration. But they were not the first resident of the Phoenix Park to head west. Their beloved Bernese mountain dog, Misneach, has already made the journey back west ahead of his owners departure back to Rahoon, Co Galway, later this week. Catherine Connolly has vowed to be a president of an Ireland where all voices are represented, heard and valued, and to promote a public discourse that nourishes inclusivity, tolerance and active citizenship. In her first speech as president, she touched on war, the Irish language and Irish unity, while paying tribute to her predecessors. President Connolly was inaugurated as Irelands 10th President at a ceremony in Dublin Castle on Tuesday afternoon. She was joined by her husband, Brian McEnery, and her two sons, Stephen and Brian. Standing humbly and proudly as the new head of state, she said the people had given her a powerful mandate to articulate their vision for a new republic one where everyone is valued and diversity is cherished, where sustainable solutions are urgently implemented and where a home is a fundamental human right. She added that the movement that led to her election began with a small group of representatives and volunteers facing insurmountable challenges. Over time, she said, it became clear that the dominant narrative did not reflect or represent peoples values and concerns. Time and time again, people spoke of how it served to silence, to other, to label, to exclude and to stifle critical thinking," President Connolly said. However, along with meaningful engagement, we saw the emergence of hope. We saw the emergence of joy, along with the courage and determination of people to use their voices to shape a country that we can be proud of." President Catherine Connolly, accompanied by Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy and General Officer Commanding 2 Brigade, Brigadier General Stephen Ryan (right), leaving Dublin Castle after being inaugurated as Ireland's 10th president. Picture date: Tuesday November 11, 2025. PA Photo. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA President Connolly said she would ensure that all voices are represented, heard and valued, and would continue to promote inclusive and active citizenship. Challenges President Connolly reflected on how previous presidents faced defining challenges of their times. In 1990, when Mary [Robinson] was elected, the parameters of geopolitics were shifting following the fall of the Berlin Wall the previous year and the dissolution of the Soviet Union," she said. At home, Ireland was undergoing its own seismic changes, laying the foundation for a modern and peaceful society. In 1997, one year before the Good Friday Agreement of the former President Mary McAleese [] was elected in the midst of the ongoing peace process, a landmark event in shaping a shared vision for the future of Ireland. In 2011, Michael D Higgins assumed office [] as a global financial collapse shook Ireland and the world, the reverberations of that crisis continue to impact upon and shape people's lives and our economy. Now in 2025, as I assume the privilege of office, we face the existential threat of climate change and the threat of ongoing wars. Both, of course, are inextricably linked." Catherine Connolly speaking after her inauguration ceremony as Ireland's 10th president in Dublin Castle. She said she was acutely aware of the 160.5 million people displaced worldwide by war, famine and climate change, adding that these were the challenges of our times. It is both an individual and a collective challenge, and one which obliges us to reflect on the way we live and interact with our world and with each other," President Connolly said. It is also the responsibility of those entrusted with public office to come together, both nationally and internationally, to create the conditions for a sustainable existence on our planet." Marking Remembrance Day, she said the occasion allowed the nation to pause and reflect on the horrors of war in a world where we have all become witnesses to wars and genocide. Given our history, the normalisation of war and genocide has never been and will never be acceptable to us as a sovereign independent nation with the long and cherished tradition of neutrality and an uninterrupted record of peacekeeping since 1958." Conflict President Connolly said Ireland was particularly well placed to lead on diplomatic solutions to conflict. "Our experience of colonization and resistance of a catastrophic manmade famine and forced immigration gives us lived understanding of dispossession, hunger, and war and a mandate for Ireland to lead," she said. Catherine Connolly during her inauguration ceremony as Ireland's 10th president in Dublin Castle. Picture: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA Wire She highlighted the success of the Good Friday Agreement, calling it a model for the peaceful resolution of conflict and praised the meticulous and methodical work that made it possible. "I look forward to paying my first official visit to the North and meeting with people from all communities and celebrating the rich heritage and traditions of all who live there," President Connolly. She also referenced Article Three of the Constitution, which outlines the firm wish of the Irish people to have a united Ireland, and said she would foster open and inclusive dialogue across the island. Turning to Irelands diaspora, she said there was hardly a family on this island that does not have a personal experience of migration, adding that emigrants have kept their love of Ireland and its culture deep in their hearts. "I hope over the next seven years that there will be many opportunities for me to celebrate with them and share our experiences," she said. I have never believed more in the spirit of this country. Having travelled the length and breadth of the island, I have witnessed it in every county in every corner of Ireland. I have heard it in the music, the literature and the dance of our people, in the deep tradition of solidarity and decency that continues to be the dominant force behind our people. I have felt it in the quiet dignity and stoicism of those who simply keep going, despite the very real challenges that they face. President Connolly also spoke in Irish, highlighting the importance of the language in daily life, and pledged to embrace her new role with dignity, determination and courage. This week, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), the organisation I lead, will release two publications. Both challenge the most persistent misconceptions about racism in Ireland, that it is rare, recent, or the work of a few individuals or groups. One is our (second) Review of Section 19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, which shows how Travellers are systematically discriminated against in law and in practice in public houses and other places. The second is our Employers Guide to Inclusive Employment for Traveller and Roma People, which serves to advise employers on how best to work in partnership with Traveller and Roma communities so we can build fairer, more representative and more prosperous workplaces. And here, unfortunately, is where many people will stop reading. Because how we treat Traveller and Roma people isnt considered systemic racism in many quarters. Its just accepted as life in Ireland. While Irish people are generally supportive of human rights and equality and are highly sensitive to the problems of racism and homophobia in our society prejudice against Travellers is a national blind spot. In recent years, our very small Roma community has also suffered from racism and discrimination. For those communities, the promise of equality under Irish law often feels beyond their reach. Basic protections, in housing, education, healthcare, and access to public services, are frequently undermined in practice. A December 2024 ESRI report highlighted high levels of both prejudice and disadvantage against Traveller and Roma communities, saying: Travellers and Roma stand out as the groups that people in Ireland are least comfortable within three areas of their lives. Our research on the experience of discrimination in pubs and licensed premises makes clear that this is not simply the result of personal prejudice, but of structures and systems that reproduce inequality over time. It should concern us that such patterns persist in a country that frequently cites its commitment to human rights and social inclusion. But our work identifies the mechanisms behind this persistence administrative neglect, policy blind spots, and cultural stereotypes that shape decisions and attitudes. And of course, discrimination against Travellers is not confined to access to goods and service. Ten years have passed since the tragedy of the Carrickmines fire, which exposed deep failures in how the State engages with Traveller families, and little has changed. Then, 10 people, including a 10-month-old baby, died in a fire the tragedy highlighting systemic discrimination and the need for habitable living conditions for the Traveller community. Liam Herrick: 'We have many historical examples of politicians using anti-Traveller prejudice for political gain, and increasingly we are seeing this cynical approach adopted in relation to our international obligations to people seeking asylum here.' Picture: Gareth Chaney Collins Over the past year, Ireland has engaged with several international human rights mechanisms of relevance to Traveller and Roma rights. IHREC has contributed extensively to these processes, setting out a range of practical measures our Government needs to take to address these issues, for instance, stronger anti-discrimination enforcement, reliable hate-crime monitoring, culturally appropriate housing policy, equal access to schooling, and robust Garda oversight. In addition, our second publication this week is a guide that provides practical steps for employers to create safe, respectful and supportive workplaces for all. It sets out measures including cultural competency and anti-racism training, clear reporting procedures, job-coaching supports, mentoring, induction and progression pathways. These recommendations are neither radical nor unachievable. But they do require clear timelines, resources, leadership and accountability. The discrimination and racism experienced by our Traveller and Roma communities is now also occurring alongside a frightening and persistent rise in intolerant attitudes towards immigrants, asylum seekers and transgender people throughout Ireland. These attitudes are increasingly permeating the public domain through harassment, protests, arson attacks, and hate speech, on and offline. It is sheer luck there were no fatalities last week in Drogheda, where one adult and four children, one 20 days old and one 17 months old, were rescued from the top floor of a burning building. This followed the terrifying intimidation of families at Citywest. There have been more than 20 such attacks on Ipas properties since 2018, and an ever-growing increase in racist attacks on individuals, many involving violence. Of course, political leaders have a particular responsibility in shaping how the country responds to discrimination and inequality whoever that discrimination applies to. In recent years, the temptation to frame issues affecting Traveller or Roma communities as law and order matters or as questions of cultural difference has become more visible. Such framing narrows the discussion and avoids acknowledging deeper institutional causes. Similarly, framing overt racist attacks on asylum seekers and migrants as an inevitable result of legitimate concerns follows that same playbook. Short-term political advantage should not come at the expense of individuals and communities who already experience disadvantage. We have many historical examples of politicians using anti-Traveller prejudice for political gain, and increasingly we are seeing this cynical approach adopted in relation to our international obligations to people seeking asylum here, as well as to our working migrants who are so badly needed in our hospitals, care institutions, building sites, tech, hospitality and other areas. Ultimately, prejudice and racism are problems in every society, and as we see with the historical treatment of Travellers, they can very deep roots. Addressing these structural problems is slow and complex work, but it begins with acknowledging the problem in full. One of the largely unspoken, though sometimes open, worries of those who opposed Catherine Connolly's election as President are her politics. On a range of issues relations with the US, views on foreign policy generally, European fidelities they worry that Ms Connolly will be too left, too fringe, too anything. Actress Sarah Jessica Parker has called her role on the judging panel for a prestigious literary prize a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, during a reception at Clarence House with Britain's Queen Camilla. Camilla hosted the shortlisted authors, judges and winner of the Booker Prize at the British royal residence on Tuesday afternoon, after author David Szalay won the accolade for his novel Flesh, at Monday nights award ceremony. The Sex And The City star, who also has her own publishing imprint, SJP Lit, praised her experience as a judge for the prize, calling it extraordinary. The panel also included writer and literary critic for the Guardian Chris Power, Nigerian writer and winner of The Future Awards Africa Prize for Arts and Culture Ayobami Adebayo, and American novelist Kiley Reid. The judging panel was chaired by Irish novelist Roddy Doyle, himself a Booker winner. It considered 153 books and was looking for the best work of long-form fiction by writers of any nationality, written in English and published in the UK and/or Ireland between October 1 2024 and September 30 2025. Speaking about her role as a judge, the 60-year-old actress said: I have been following the Booker Prize for years and raised my hand jokingly, only to be approached by the CEO, Gaby Wood. Its been this really sort of extraordinary experience. Parker added: I missed many meals out, didnt go to the theatre or see any movies, but it was the kind of sacrifice that I thought had great nobility a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Especially for a reader like me, who loves nothing more than to be inside the pages of a really special book. The actress and publisher also spoke about how she shares the Camilla's passion for literature, and said: Im so appreciative of the kind of attention that she gives, and focuses on literacy, reading, and the way it enriches lives. Camilla (centre) with judges of this year's Booker Prize competition from left Chris Power, Sarah Jessica Parker, this year's winner David Szalay, Ayobami Adebayo (2nd right)and Kiley Reid (right) during a reception for shortlisted authors, judges and supporters, and the newly announced Children's Booker Prize, at Clarence House in London. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Camilla is an avid reader and patron of a number of literary organisations, and last year hosted the six 2024 Booker Prize hopefuls at Clarence House. Parker described herself as a devoted reader, saying: Im a publisher as well, so its something I think is necessary, important, and changes lives. The Sex And The City star founded JP Lit in 2022, in partnership with the independent publisher Zando. She went on to praise the prize-winning novel, Flesh by David Szalay, and said she loved pretty much everything about the book: Its an approach to fiction that none of us had experienced and allowed the reader to feel such intense emotion. The shortlist was muscular, and they were all bringing their best skill and craft. I think that made Flesh rise in its own way, because those other books are so good. Szalay was named the winner at Mondays award ceremony and received 50,000 (56,000) and a trophy, presented to him by last years winner Samantha Harvey. He is the first Hungarian-British author to win the prize. Recent winners of the Booker Prize include Bernardine Evaristo, Margaret Atwood, Douglas Stuart, Damon Galgut, Shehan Karunatilaka and Paul Lynch. Camilla called Parkers involvement one of her many hats, to which the actress responded: Its the one Im most proud of. Parker added, Its so thrilling. We are surrounded by such wonderful, exciting authors. During the reception at the royal residence, the actress wore a vintage Dior jacket, embellished with blue sequins and gold accents, paired with a long black satin dress, pink Rene Caovilla heels and a Sonia Rykiel domino bag. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. By Peter Edwell, Macquarie University (The Conversation) A new statue unveiled in recent days in Iran depicts a Roman emperor in subjection to a Persian king. Erected in Tehrans Enghelab Square, the statue titled Kneeling Before Iran shows the emperor grovelling before Shapur I (who ruled around 242270 CE). But where did this imagery come from? And why has this statue gone up now? The rise of Shapur In the third century CE, a new dynasty known as the Sasanians came to power in ancient Iran. Within a few years, the first Sasanian king, Ardashir I, threatened Roman territory in Mesopotamia (in modern-day Turkey, Iraq and Syria). The Romans had captured this territory from the Parthians, the predecessors of the Sasanians. Now Ardashir wanted to recover some of the territory previously lost to the Romans. He met with some successes in the 230s. But his son and successor, Shapur I, took this to another level. Shapur defeated an invading Roman army in 244 CE, leading to the death of the teen Roman emperor Gordian III. In the 250s CE, Shapur invaded Roman territory across Iraq, Syria and Turkey. Two large Roman armies were defeated and dozens of cities were captured. In 253 CE, Shapur captured the city of Antioch, one of the most important cities in the Roman empire. Some of its citizens were at the theatre and fled in terror as arrows rained down from above. Capture of an emperor While the Persian capture of Antioch was a major loss for the Romans, the events of 260 CE were earth-shattering. After a battle between the Romans and Persians at Edessa (modern-day southern Turkey), the emperor Valerian was captured. This was the first and only time a Roman emperor was taken alive by the enemy. Valerian was taken back to Persia, along with thousands of other captives. Legendary stories about his fate as a captive later emerged. In one, Valerian and captive soldiers were forced to build a bridge over the river Karun at Shushtar. The remains, known as the Band-e Qaysar (emperors bridge) can still be seen today. Photo by Ali Afghah. Roman-built Band-e Kaisar (Caesars dam) in Shushtar, Iran, said to have been built by Roman prisoners during the reign of Shapur I (ca. 260270 AD). The dam bridge, the most eastern Roman engineering structure, was the first of its kind in Iran. Public Domain. Via Wikimedia Commons In another tale, Shapur demanded Valerian stoop on all fours to be used as a footstool so the Persian king could mount his horse. Shapur supposedly ordered Valerians body preserved, stuffed and placed in a cabinet after his death. With this, Valerians humiliation was complete. Depictions of Shapurs victories over Rome were put up all over the Persian empire. A number of carved rock reliefs celebrating these victories survive. Perhaps the most famous is at Bishapur in southern Iran, where Shapur built a magnificent palace. In this image, Shapur is spendidly dressed and sits on a horse. Underneath the horse is the dead Gordian III. Behind is the captive Valerian clasped by Shapurs right hand. The figure in front is the emperor Philip I (ruled 244249 CE) who replaced Gordian. He is begging for the release of the defeated Roman army. Bishapur, Relief 2, Central scene: Shapur, Gordian, Philip, Valerian, courtiers, 260 CE272 CE, by Marco Prins, Public Domain. CC0 1.0 Universal. Via . Via Livius.org Shapur also carved an enormous inscription in three languages, which partly celebrated his great victories over the Romans. Known today as the SKZ Inscription, it can still be seen at Naqsh-i Rustam in southern Iran. The great Roman empire had been thoroughly humiliated. The Persians took huge resources (including skilled people such as builders, architects and craftsmen) from the captured cities. Some cities in the Persian empire were populated with these captives. A new statue celebrating an old victory The new statue recently unveiled in Tehran appears to be a partial copy of a celebratory Sasanian rock relief at Naqsh-i Rustam. The kneeling figure is reported to be Valerian. If it is indeed modelled on the Naqsh-i Rustam relief, then the kneeling figure is usually identified as Philip I (as in the original relief Valerian is standing before Shapur). Nevertheless, official statements identify the kneeling figure as Valerian. Mehdi Mazhabi, head of Tehrans Municipal Beautification Organization, is quoted in one report as saying: The Valerian statue reflects a historical truth that Iran has been a land of resistance throughout history [] By implementing this plan in Enghelab Square, we aim to forge a bond between this lands glorious past and its hopeful present. Shapurs great victories over the Romans are still a source of national Iranian pride. The statue has been described as a symbol of national defiance following the American bombing of Irans nuclear facilities in June. While Shapurs victories occurred more than 1,700 years ago, Iran still celebrates them. The statue is clearly aimed at an internal audience following the American attacks. Only time will tell if it is also a warning to the west. Peter Edwell, Associate Professor in Ancient History, Macquarie University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) President Trump met behind closed doors on Monday with President Ahmad al-Sharaa of Syria for about an hour. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also met with his opposite number, Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani. One of the topics of discussion, according to the Syrian press, was ways to achieve a security pact with Israel, which has intensively bombed Syria since last Decembers revolution and has occupied new Syrian territory beyond the Golan Heights. The new governments interest in using American good offices to get the Israeli government to cease attacking it has been criticized, since it came during the Israeli genocide against Gaza, about which al-Sharaa has not been vocal. Israel gave al-Sharaas al-Qaeda-linked Succor Front some medical and other aid during its fight with the Baathist regime of now-deposed dictator Bashar al-Assad, since I guess it really is true in the Middle East that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Trump said of his Syrian counterpart, He has had a rough past. And I think, frankly, if you didnt have a rough past, you wouldnt have a chance. Trump said he wanted to see Syria succeed. Al-Sharaa agreed to join the 90-nation international coalition against the ISIL (Daesh) terrorist organization, which had briefly taken over eastern Syria 2014-2018. Both al-Sharaas Succor Front (Jabhat al-Nusra) and ISIL were offshoots of al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia, Americas chief enemy during its occupation of Iraq. But al-Sharaa, who was once captured and imprisoned by the US military, broke with ISIL over its opportunistic and backstabbing ways. So al-Sharaa has been against ISIL since 2012 and it was easy for him to declare his enmity, it is just that his initial break with it was in favor of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, a mastermind of the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Al-Sharaa has under Turkish and Qatari pressure sought to distance his Council for Syrian Liberation (HTS) from al-Qaeda, however, identifying instead with the militant Salafi form of Muslim fundamentalism. Until 4 months ago, al-Sharaa still had a $10 million bounty on his head from the US government, which has now been lifted. Those who are astonished that the US would play footsie with a former al-Qaeda leader should remember that al-Qaeda got its start being indirectly allied with the US in Afghanistan against the Soviets. And to be fair, Al-Sharaa has evolved politically away from fundamentalist terrorism and has shown a pragmatic streak mixed with his Salafi convictions. He is even seeking relations with Moscow, one of his primary enemies during the civil war. 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) Al-Sharaas Salafi fundamentalism and that of his right-hand men, is a problem, however, for multicultural Syria, with its Shiite Alawis, Druze, Christians, leftist Kurds, and secular-minded urban Sunni Muslim middle classes, not to mention is many educated women professionals, who were largely closed out of the recent elections. Those elections had a hand-picked narrow electorate favoring the patriarchal Sunni Muslim right wing, and minorities did not do well in them. Some pogroms have been undertaken by Salafi vigilantes against the formerly dominant Alawite minority, but al-Sharaa has pledged to discipline them. Al-Sharaa and his delegation had as their primary goal the lifting of US Caesar Act sanctions, which have crippled Syrias reconstruction after a long civil war and now a revolution. President Trump pledged to lift the Caesar Act sanctions for six months. Only Congress can remove the sanctions entirely. Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Public Domain. Via Wikimedia Commons. Syrian reconstruction will cost over $200 billion, and American sanctions are scaring away investors and donors, making it difficult to raise the necessary sums. Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia would all like to invest, but they have to worry about being fined by the Treasury Department. Some 90% of Syrians now live below the poverty line, whereas that statistic was more like 33% before the 2011 revolution broke out. 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. Syrias al-Watan [The Nation] reports that al-Sharaa also met with a congressional delegation to lobby them to lift sanctions, including Congressman Brian Mast (R-Fl), chair of the House Foreign Affairs committee. Mast is a veteran who fought al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia in Iraq and who lost both legs to a Taliban bomb, and he is reported to be opposed to a clean repeal of Caesar Act sanctions on Syria. Critics of the new Salafi-led government want to keep the threat of sanctions in play to push it to moderate its policies toward minorities and women. Syrias al-Watan, in contrast, reported that Mast had been impressed with al-Sharaa and that his opposition to repeal was softening. It was the first such visit since Syria became an independent modern country in 1946, winning its liberty from French colonialism. For much of the Cold War and then during the Global War on Terror era, Syria was ruled by Arab nationalist, leftist governments, often military in character, that had large public sectors and one-party states, tilted toward Moscow, and stayed on a war footing with Israel. Syria was for the most part an inhospitable place for American corporations to invest, and much American diplomacy is in the service of big business. There was little to talk to Syria about. There were some moments when US-Syria relations thawed. Because the Syrian Baath Party that came to power in 1963 claimed to be the true Baath Party, upholding Arab unity and socialism, its leaders hated the leaders of the Iraqi Baath Party that came to power in 1968 and which claimed to be the true Baath Party. Hence, Syria joined George H. W. Bushs Gulf War against Iraq. After 9/11, Syria agreed to torture al-Qaeda operatives captured by the US for Washington. For the most part, however, Washington has been plotting to overthrow the Syrian government for decades. In fact, it is widely believed that the March 1949 coup made by Col. Husni al-Zaim in Damascus against the elected President Shukri Quwatli was backed by the CIA. That coup started Syria down the road away from parliamentary democracy toward a series of military coups and long-term instability. A German court on Tuesday sentenced three Syrian men to prison for involvement in a foreign terrorist group during the civil war after a trial that lasted more than a year. The three defendants, identified only partially as Amer Tarak A., Sohail A. and Basel O., received sentences ranging from four and a half to nearly 10 years from the Munich court. All three belonged to an armed rebel group called Liwa Jund al-Rahman, which Amer Tarak A. allegedly founded, and two were also found guilty of war crimes. The group fought against Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad and later merged with the jihadist Islamic State group. Amer Tarak A. allegedly seized control of an oil field in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor, using the profits to fund his armed group and enrich his family. He also ordered a massacre of Shiite Muslims in the village of Hatla, which was filmed by co-defendant Sohail A. The presiding judge in the case sought expert testimony to place the crimes in the context of the long Syrian civil war. The armed rebel group reportedly started as a secular force aimed at fighting the regular Syrian army -- but took on Islamist traits before joining the IS group in 2013. The defendants tried to argue that they were engaged in a legitimate armed struggle for freedom against the Assad regime. But that defence was rejected by the Munich court. All three men fled Syria for Germany after the defeat of the IS group. The men could still appeal against the verdict, reached after more than 14 months of proceedings. The world must act immediately to halt the "horrific atrocities" in Sudan's El-Fasher, the UN rights chief told AFP Monday, urging countries not to wait until a "genocide" was declared. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been at war with the regular army since April 2023, captured the last military stronghold in western Darfur on October 26. Since El-Fasher's takeover after a gruelling 18-month siege, the United Nations and rights monitors have reported widespread atrocities, including ethnically driven killings and abductions. "It's clear that atrocity crimes are being committed as we speak," UN Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk told AFP in an interview, stressing that the siege had in itself been "an atrocity crime". "People were beleaguered and under siege, under horrific conditions, no food, hardly any water... We have reports of people having to eat animal feed, for example, eating peanut shells." Pointing to the declaration of famine in some parts, he said it was "so desperate... with children dying of starvation". Since the RSF had swept in, Turk said his office had received "credible evidence of mass killing; that when people are trying to flee this horrible situation, they get shot at". "There are very serious reports of rape and sexual violence and gang rape, (and) we have very serious issues of killings of those who are supposedly collaborators," he said. Asked if he feared a genocide might be underway, Turk stressed that "whether or not it qualifies for genocide is again for judicial authorities to say". But, he insisted, "we shouldn't wait for any of this. We should act now, when these horrific atrocities are being committed as we speak". "You don't need to wait until the court decides that it's been genocide." The rights chief said there were fears that the atrocities unfolding in El-Fasher might be repeated in Sudan's oil-rich Kordofan region. "I hope that the international community really wakes up," he said, lamenting that "all the warnings that we have given over the whole year... were not heeded." It was vital to ensure there "is not a repeat again of similar things in North Kordofan", he said, cautioning that "the signs for it are extremely worrying". Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - Saboti MP, Caleb Amisi, has hit out at Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichungwah, after they were spotted wearing ODM-branded caps. Taking to X on Tuesday, November 11th, Amisi called their actions a betrayal of party loyalty, claiming that the two leaders had lost faith in the political outfit that brought them to power. He urged UDA to initiate their removal from the party and Parliament. The incident comes amid growing tension over ODMs relationship with UDA. Siaya Governor James Orengo recently cautioned ODM against merging with the ruling party under the guise of national unity. Speaking at Raila Odingas Opoda Farm in Bondo, Orengo emphasized the need to preserve ODMs independence. Let us not kill political parties, Orengo said. Sisi kama ODM, msifanye makosa ya kumezwa, warning against being politically absorbed. The Siaya Governor warned that past political mergers had led to the collapse of parties like Kadu, PNU, and the original DP, urging ODM to remain vigilant. He stressed that Kenyas democratic future depends on a strong, independent opposition capable of holding power to account. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - A dramatic scene unfolded at a city restaurant after a young Kenyan couple was captured on camera engaging in a heated altercation over alleged infidelity. In the viral video, a visibly furious lady confronts her boyfriend, accusing him of cheating with another woman. The confrontation quickly escalates, attracting a curious crowd as the pair hurl insults and attempt to grab each other by the neck. Bystanders can be heard pleading with the lovers to calm down, but their efforts proved futile as the argument turned more chaotic. The incident has since ignited conversations online, with many Kenyans expressing concern over the growing trend of couples airing their relationship drama in public. Watch the video below or HERE>>> The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - A Kisii family is celebrating a rare and emotional blessing after a mother gave birth to quadruplets - three boys and a baby girl. The mother, who had been expecting triplets based on ultrasound scans, was stunned when doctors discovered a fourth baby during her cesarean section. I had prepared for three, she shared. It was only during the operation that they realized it was four. The pregnancy was physically and emotionally demanding, but the birth brought unexpected joy during a time of mourning. Her sister recalled, We were grieving Raila, and then - boom - four babies. It felt like he came back with a big swing. The boys were named Raila, Amolo, and Odinga, while the tiniest girl was lovingly named Ida. The family sees the quadruplets as a divine consolation and symbol of hope. However, the joy comes with financial strain given the mother already has twins and lives in a modest rental home, making the arrival of four more children overwhelming. We havent figured out the way forward, her sister admitted, appealing to well-wishers for support. A hospital official confirmed the delivery was historic - the first successful quadruplet birth at the facility. Weve delivered triplets before, but never quadruplets. It was a joyful moment for all of us. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - Detectives in Nyali, Mombasa, have arrested a woman accused of staging a daring robbery against her British lover after luring him to her apartment under the guise of a romantic date. The suspect, identified as Samira Mumbi Kiarie, popularly known as Samira, is said to have wooed the unsuspecting Briton for months through online chats, convincing him she was deeply in love and eager to meet him in person. According to investigators, the man flew to Mombasa and proceeded to Samiras upscale Nyali apartment, unaware that he was walking into a carefully scripted trap. Moments into their dream date, chaos erupted when two men suddenly burst into the room, one claiming to be Samiras enraged husband, the other brandishing a fake police ID. The alleged husband accused the Briton of destroying his marriage, while the officer threatened to arrest him. Terrified and confused, the foreigner was forced to transfer KSh 800,000 to mobile phone numbers provided by the gang. Once the money was sent, the trio escorted their shaken victim out of the building before disappearing into the night. However, their freedom was short-lived. Acting on forensic intelligence, detectives tracked and arrested Samira alongside one of her accomplices, Paul Webster Mangeni, alias Paulo. Investigations have revealed that the pair belong to a notorious syndicate that targets foreigners on dating sites, lures them to Airbnbs or apartments, and robs them using similar staged confrontations. Both suspects are currently in police custody, awaiting arraignment, as the search continues for their third accomplice who remains at large. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - Renowned whistleblower, Nelson Amenya, has exposed a scam involving a man who lures ladies online with promises of international travel opportunities before taking advantage of them. The cunning man, identified as Sam Njonjo, approaches young ladies online and sends them fake tickets to Dubai and in the process, pretends to be in Nairobi for a short trip. He then invites the victims to Airbnbs and hotels, where he reportedly chews them and disappears with their belongings. Most ladies fall into Njonjos trap due to the flashy lifestyle he displays online. A sneak peek into his Instagram account reveals that he is a close friend of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko. Several ladies claim to have received fake travel tickets and been misled through romantic interactions by the notorious conman. One of the victims revealed that the suspect conned her in August under the pretext that he could facilitate her birthday trip Dubai while disguising himself as a travel agent. See photos of the notorious conman, who at one time was exposed by former CS Moses Kuria for using his name to con unsuspecting Kenyans. The Kenyan DAILY POST Recently, reporters learned from the provincial free-trade office that in the five years since the Anhui Pilot Free Trade Zone was established, it has been proactively connecting with Shanghais construction of the five centers and promoting coordinated innovative development across the Yangtze River Delta FTZs. The Yangtze River Delta FTZ Alliance released four batches of innovation cases, with Anhui contributing 11 selections in total. Focusing on integration of shipping and logistics, the Anhui FTZ pioneered nationally the joint unloading river-sea intermodal model, achieving unified supervision of Yangshan Port and Wuhu Port, further unleashing the transport efficiency of the Yangtze River golden waterway. It piloted integrated reforms for customs inspection operations on special goods across the Yangtze River Delta, saving an average of 35 days of clearance time per shipment and effectively promoting development of strategic emerging industries such as integrated circuits. For imported special goods for integrated circuit firms it implemented a release-before-inspection approachconducting exterior inspections at Shanghai ports and localized unsealing inspections in Hefeifiling over 2,500 product entries for 18 companies and saving about 5 days clearance per shipment; this model has since been promoted nationwide by the General Administration of Customs. The Anhui FTZ pioneered the G60 collaborative innovation model for environmental technology industries in the Yangtze River Delta, jointly formulating policies for environmental technology products and defining standards for product release and promotion to achieve policy coordination and unified standards. It has developed more than 30 group standards. It took the lead in establishing a Yangtze River Deltawide voucher conversion model for entrepreneurship and innovation vouchers; the One-Voucher-For-All platform has issued vouchers totaling RMB 200 million, reducing enterprises costs for purchasing tech intermediary services by over 50%. Industrial coordination is an important path for deeper Yangtze River Delta integration. In the Bengbu subzone of the Anhui FTZ, the NingboBengbu cooperative industrial park is being accelerated. To speed the construction of a modern industrial services system, the Bengbu subzone and the Shanghai Pudong Financial Office jointly established the Northern Anhui sub-center of the Yangtze River Delta capital market service base, exploring regional financial service coordination mechanisms for sci-tech finance, investment and financing, and listing cultivation, and providing full-life-cycle comprehensive services for companies preparing to list or already listed, aiming to build a demonstration base to accelerate listings in northern Anhui. In the Wuhu subzone, together with Shanghai Lingang, a Cloud Legal Service Zone has been jointly establishedthe countrys first cross-provincial cooperative cloud legal zoneproviding full access to internationally standard legal resources to empower enterprises and advancing deeper integration of legal services across the Yangtze River Delta. The Cloud Legal Service Zone has so far provided channels linking Lingang legal resources to more than a hundred local firms. Source: Anhui Daily A PLANNING appeal has been lodged with An Coimisiun Pleanala (ACP) for the proposed Biomethane plant in Ballyvass, Castledermot, Co Kildare. The appeal, submitted by Cycle IE Limited, seeks permission to develop a plant that would produce renewable biomethane, carbon dioxide (COa), and fertiliser, along with a range of ancillary and associated works. Local residents of Castledermot came together over the last several months and fought against the proposed project, arguing that the proposed facility would have negative effects on the areas environment, traffic, local businesses and community in general. Kildare County Council decided to refuse permission for the project in line with community concerns, which were backed up by a lot of evidence and supported by public representatives such as Mark Wall TD, Sean OFearghaill TD, cllr Aoife Breslin, cllr Brian Dooley, cllr Chris Pender, cllr Ivan Keatley, Cllr Mark Leigh, as well as many community-based organisations, and Kilkea-based Prof Brian Broderick, who lectures Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at Trinity College Dublin. Kildare County Council made a decision to refuse the application on October 2. The proposal was then appealed by company Cycle on October 29. An Coimisiun Pleanala is due to issue a decision on the case by March 12, 2026. Ballyvass Biogas Concern Group representative, Sandra OBrien has reacted to the news, and noted that the group are disappointed that Cycle has put in the appeal. Sandra included that the group was notified of the companys appeal to ACP ten days after the deadline. We only managed to get hold of the file this morning. The team are currently reviewing the details of appeal, she said. Sandra continued: It will take some time to go through the documents, dissect, and decide how we will approach the appeal. We will be holding a meeting this week to discuss the findings, she said. The group and community members will meet this Thursday, November 13 at 8pm at a public meeting hosted in Scoil Diarmada Primary School, Castledermot. An online post by the group said: Your attendance and support are greatly appreciated as we continue our efforts to oppose the proposed industrial biomethane plant at Ballyvass. Concerned residents and opposers of the development will have just over three weeks to submit observations to the appeal, as it was submitted on October 29, with a four week window being the standard time for submissions before it is closed off to the public. Darragh Mc Donagh Government bodies are set to spend 10.5 million hiring external contractors to translate press releases, correspondence, legal texts and other official documents into Irish over the next four years. The Office of Government Procurement is currently seeking tenders from suitably qualified service providers to translate and proofread texts, including annual reports, newspaper articles, website content, and legislation. The translation services will be used by government ministers and departments, local authorities, health agencies, and a wide range of state bodies, including An Garda Siochana and the Irish Prison Service. The successful contractor will be permitted to use artificial intelligence (AI) to translate certain categories of text with the permission and instruction of the client, while the use of AI in relation to other texts will be prohibited. The Office of Government Procurement expects a total of 10.5 million to be spent on translation services under the four-year contract, based on current and future expected demand for the service. Bodies that will be able to avail of translation services through the framework agreement include the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Defence Forces, Education and Training Boards (ETBs), third-level institutions, and HIQA. Source material that may require translation into Irish under the contract includes application forms, information leaflets, audit reports, planning reports, and organisational reviews. Legal texts that will require translation may include EU treaties, regulations, directives, and guidance, as well as domestic primary and secondary legislation. Legal commentary and opinion will also be translated into Irish. Tender documents state that the use of AI or machine-aided translation in relation to legal texts will not be permitted due to the complex nature of the source material. Prospective service providers have until December 12th to submit a tender, and panels are expected to be established early next year, from which contracts will be awarded through mini-competitions. Two new, free events have been added to this years Kilkenny Science Festival programme and both are taking place in breathtaking Rothe House over the coming days. Chemistry in the Movies with Dr John ODonoghue, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Education Coordinator for Ireland, takes place in The Tudor Kitchen at Rothe House this coming Wednesday, November 12 from 7.30pm. Anyone with an interest in film and television wont want to miss this scientific and filmographic look at how chemists and chemistry have been portrayed in the movies using short clips and graphics to talk about the topic. The movies chosen for this discussion are based around a number of themes; problem solving, plot devices, chemical companies, and people, said Dr John ODonoghue. READ: Exciting lineup of events for ANOTHER Kilkenny festival taking place this November This talk is mainly aimed at adults and older teenagers since there are some references to movies and adult themes which are certified 15/16. The following evening, Thursday, November 13, Rothe House is also the venue for Serial Killers: Fascination with True Crime. Psychologists, Dr Lorraine Bowman Grieve and Dr Jennifer OMahoney will unravel the mystery behind why we are so drawn to the darkest stories. Pre-booking for this event is also essential and is open on www.stemkilkenny.ie and click on the events tab. The duo will explore our fascination with true crime and serial killers. Exploring facts and fiction, and why these stories grip us so tightly. This event is suitable for adults only. The same evening, the Medieval Mile Museum is the venue from 6.30pm for a stonemasonry workshop as part of Science Week at the Medieval Mile Museum. The workshop is supported by the South East Technological University and delivered by the School of Irish Archaeology and the McDonald Family of stonemasons. The free event invites adults to explore how early innovation shaped our history, from the first farmers of the Stone Age to the stonemasons who built Kilkennys finest landmarks. The engaging session offers a rare insight into the techniques, tools, and traditions that have shaped Irelands architecture for centuries. Through live demonstrations and shared stories, visitors will see how ancient knowledge continues to influence the craft today. From 8pm, also the same evening, members of the public over 18 years of age are invited to attend the Science of brewing at Sullivans Taproom on John Street. The event is set to be a fascinating and informative session with the master brewer. On Sunday, Dr Ken Science will be in Langtons ballroom with his much anticipated Its all Done with Mirrors? show. Families and the general public are invited to book their place now for the entertaining 45 minute science show where Dr Ken reveals how magicians secretly use science and engineering to create their astonishing tricks. With eye-catching demonstrations, unusual props, and clever illusions, the show highlights how just like in the real world science and engineering often work invisibly behind the scenes, says organiser, Nollaig Healy, Project Manager with CALMAST, the South East Technological Universitys STEM engagement centre. Shows run from 10am at intervals right up until 12.30pm. For details, log on to www.stemkilkenny.ie. Ulster Unionist MLA Steve Aiken has said it is appropriate that he attends the inauguration of Catherine Connolly as the new Irish president. Mr Aiken will be the only elected unionist politician from Northern Ireland attending Tuesdays ceremony in Dublin Castle. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and DUP leader Gavin Robinson were invited but unable to attend due to Remembrance Day commitments. Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle ONeill will attend the ceremony. Mr Aiken, a former UUP leader, said: Ill be attending events in Dublin today to mark the inauguration of the new Irish president. As our closest neighbour its appropriate to show the Ulster Unionist Party approach to improving north/south and east/west relations. The MLA said the event would be a good opportunity to foster all-island relations. He added: Ive regularly attended events in the Republic of Ireland and will continue to do so, reflecting our partys belief in respectful engagement and constructive dialogue. The Irish president is the head of state of a democratic nation, and we will pay due respect to both the office and the individual, just as we would to the President of the United States, Ukraine, or any other democratic leader. As a veteran, I will be wearing my poppy with pride and look forward to meeting fellow veterans while in Dublin. I will continue to represent the unionist perspective with clarity and conviction. One hundred years of policing in Ireland, since 1925, was the topic of the most recent South Kilkenny Historical Society lecture. It was delivered by Conor Brady, former editor of The Irish Times. A packed parish hall in Mullinavat, which included Superintendent Gavin Hegarty representing An Garda Siochana, and an online presence were given a detailed account of policing in Ireland since the amalgamation of An Garda Siochana (which were formed in 1923) and the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP). Mr Brady began by saying that perhaps one of the most instructive tests of a democracy is the way that its police services operate. He went on to say that the police are almost invariably a mirror image of the broad values of the society they serve, and continued that in few countries is this as true as in the Republic of Ireland. READ: Kilkenny lecture focuses on: A rare breed: The Irish and their animals through history Despite its establishment following a bitter civil war, An Garda Siochana was set up and continues to be, for the most part, an unarmed national force. It discharges both the functions of a civil police force and a national security service. Eoin ODuffy was the first commissioner. ODuffy was described as the ideal man to organise and direct the novel and ambitious undertaking of creating an unarmed native civil police for a country whose experience of justice administration had been the contrary of this ideal. READ MORE - WHAT'S ON IN KILKENNY In February 1933, General Eoin ODuffy was dismissed from his post and replaced by Colonel Eamon Broy. In July 1933 ODuffy assumed leadership of the Army Comrades Association (Blueshirts), which resulted in a political struggle between Fianna Fail and Republicans on one side and Cumann na nGaedheal and Blueshirts on the other, between 1933 and 1935. The speaker continued by giving a detailed examination of An Garda Siochana between 1935 and 2025, mentioning The Broy Harriers, The Emergency, an ageing force, Operation Harvest, guns and drugs, the Conroy Commission, the Heavy Gang and Commissioner Drew Harris. He concluded by outlining the positive contributions of Jack Marrinan and Ivor Kenny. A variety of topics were raised during the Q and A which followed the lecture, including Eamonn Coogan from Kilkenny, who was Eoin ODuffys senior deputy. On behalf of the society, the chairman thanked the speaker for an excellent lecture and for sharing his knowledge. He also thanked those involved in promoting and facilitating the lecture, and to Kilkenny County Council for financial assistance provided under the Community Event Grant and Community Local Enhancement Grant schemes. The next society lecture takes place on Thursday, November 27, when retired judge Thomas Teehan will speak on The Irish Legal System Before and Since Independence. This screengrab taken from a video posted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, shows two boats shortly before they are struck by a missile, in the Eastern Pacific on October 27, 2025. In his post, Hegseth said that US military forces struck these boats and two others, killing 14 people and leaving one survivor. Angola, IN (46703) Today Overcast. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low near 15F. WNW winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.. Tonight Overcast. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low near 15F. WNW winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 16F. W winds shifting to NNE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 16F. W winds shifting to NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. A MAN who could be facing a two-year driving ban said he would accept Judge Andrew Codys advice and get a solicitor to represent him at the next hearing of his case. Fergus Ratigan (74) from Prague Villa, New Road, Portlaoise was before last weeks sitting of the local District Court to answer to a summons of driving while holding a mobile phone and to driving without insurance at Clonminam, Abbeyleix Road on 18 April. Giving evidence, Garda Michael Kenneally said he was on duty that day and saw a driver of a silver-coloured Ford Transit van holding a mobile phone. He said it was very wet, and the road was busy that day. He said Mr Ratigan admitted holding the phone and said he would provide his insurance at Portlaoise Garda Station. The garda said he issued the defendant with a fixed charged penalty notice for holding the phone while driving, which was not paid. Representing himself in the case Mr Ratigan said: I did look down at the phone. There was nothing coming. I picked up the phone when it rang. The insurance was in force, but it had expired. Gda Kenneally said the defendant had four previous convictions. Mr Ratigan, said Judge Cody, you are facing two years off the road. Ill adjourn the case to 27 November for finalisation. Can I suggest you can get legal advice in the meantime. As he was leaving the court, Mr Ratigan said to Judge Cody: Thank you judge. Ill take that advice. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme 1. Family-owned-and-operated Solberg Airport in Readington Township was founded in 1941 by Thor Solberg. The airport, which is updating its Master Plan, recently sued Readington for adopting a zoning ordinance it says would block efforts to modernize and expand. Richard Cowen/NJ Advance Media for NJ.Com The owners of Solberg-Hunterdon Airport have sued the Township of Readington, alleging that a recently-adopted zoning ordinance would block efforts to modernize and ultimately destroy the airport as a viable operation. In a lawsuit filed in Hunterdon County Superior Court, the Solberg Aviation Company claims the Air Safety Zone that Readington created around the 744-acre airport tract will suffocate plans to expand the rural airfield. Readingtons zoning ordinance seeks not only to prevent improvement of the airport, but to suffocate Solberg Airport such that it likely will not be able to operate sustainably, the lawsuit says. Solberg Airport was started by Thor Solberg in 1941 and remains a family-run business. It is in the process of updating its Master Plan for the first time since 1997, which has raised new fears among residents about what modernization could mean for their quality of life. Solberg Airport has scheduled a public forum for Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. at Readington Middle School to discuss the new Master Plan. For nearly 75 years, Solberg has operated as a rural airfield, landing small planes on its three runways. To non-aviators, Solberg is probably best known for hosting the New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, a summer event that ran for 40 years before folding in 2024. The largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America celebrates 40 years with the Festival of Ballooning at Solberg Airport. Now, many locals fear Solberg has designs on becoming a hub for cargo jets and commuter aircraft, more like the busy airports in Teterboro and Morristown than a sleepy country airfield. Theyve formed a citizens group, the Branchburg/Readington Airport Action Committee (BRAAC), to oppose expansion. If allowed, those jet planes would be flying over homes and schools, creating noise and pollution, opponents say. Most Readington and Branchburg residents live within a five-mile radius of Solberg Airport, BRAAC says on its website. An expanded airport will lower the quality of life for all our residents. Although the Master Plan has yet to be made public, the lawsuit details improvements that Solberg Airport is pursuing, including building hanger space to alleviate the overflow from Teterboro and Morristown. The airports Technical Advisory Committee has also recommended creating platforms for the new breed of electric drones that take off and land vertically, and Advanced Air Mobility aircraft, also known as air taxis, the lawsuit says. Solberg updated its Master Plan with a grant from the NJ Department of Transportation and in accord with the Federal Aviation Administration. In anticipation of potential changes, the Readington Township Committee in September adopted an ordinance that created the Air Safety Zone, which is required by law, in and around the airport. The ordinance prohibits Advanced Air Mobility aircraft, heliports, fuel storage facilities and warehouses. It also includes a generic prohibition against new buildings and requires that any changes proposed by the airport would be subject to the approval of the Readington Planning Board. However, Solberg alleges in its lawsuit that the ordinance misrepresents runway dimensions, improperly maps safety zones, and fails to designate the airport as a conforming use, in violation of the New Jersey Air Safety and Zoning Act. The lawsuit, which was filed on Oct. 31, is the latest battle between the airport and the towns that surround it. In 2006, Readington sought to condemn the airport through its right of eminent domain and preserve it as open space. Solberg Airport fought the condemnation in court, and nine years later, prevailed when a judge ruled that Readington had overstepped its authority. Readingtons ordinance is the latest attack on the airports right to expand, the lawsuit says. Over the past 35 to 40 years, Readington has not only failed to comply with its legal obligations, but has actively and affirmatively abused its municipal powers in an effort to preclude any growth and effectuate the ultimate demise of Solberg Airport, the lawsuit says. Readington Mayor Adam Mueller said the township was reviewing the lawsuit. We are in the process of reviewing the filing with our attorneys and have no comment at this time, he said. A bail hearing was told a man struck a woman a number of times with a plank before stealing her handbag in Portlaoise. Stephen Lyons (29) of 16 Arlington Estate, Portarlington, appeared in court accused of robbery of a handbag and its contents worth 80 at Tower Hill, Portlaoise on November 8, 2025. He is further accused of the theft of two litres of milk valued at 4 from Browns Shop, Portlaoise, Amber Leaf tobacco valued at 30 from Applegreen, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, and Panadol valued at 10 from Boston Pharmacy, Dublin Road, Portlaoise on November 8, 2025. Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald requested bail for his client at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court. Garda David OByrne said gardai were objecting to bail. He said the defendant made no reply when charged with the offending. He said it would be alleged that the defendant approached a female and struck her a number of times with a wooden plank outside the Odeon Cinema in Portlaoise. Garda OByrne told the court the man is alleged to have then taken her handbag by force and fled towards the Ridge Road. The man is then alleged to have used a stolen bank card to buy two litres of Avonmore milk in Brown's shop, Panadol tablets in Boston Pharmacy and Amber leaf tobacco from Applegreen. He said the man was identified on CCTV and he was found in possession of the injured partys bank cards when arrested. He was also wearing the same clothing as had been described from the robbery. A wooden plank was used to strike the injured party a number of times, said Garda OByrne. He alleged the defendants behaviour was violent and erratic and said the man had watched the woman for a time before the robbery. No conditions will allay my concerns, said Garda OByrne as he rejected the suggestion of strict bail conditions. Garda Sgt JJ Kirby asked Garda OByrne about his work in Portlaoise. He explained that he was in a specialised unit dealing with retail and night time crime. He told Sgt Kirby the injured party was in her early 40s and the woman had been planning to meet a friend. The robbery incident and alleged thefts were captured on CCTV, he said. After the incident she was very shaken up, very traumatised, said Garda OByrne. He said the woman suffered swelling and bruising to her face, hands and legs but she didnt receive any medical attention. She outlines that she was chased up the road, said Garda OByrne. Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said the bail objection was related to erratic behaviour and Garda OByrne said I would also include violent behaviour. Garda OByrne said the defendant and the victim are believed to have traveled to Portlaoise on the same train and gardai believe the defendant was watching the lady prior to the robbery. I would just fear for the safety of other members of the public if this man was granted bail, said Garda OByrne. He produced CCTV which showed a man running after a woman and grabbing an item before running off. Garda OByrne said this captured the end of the incident and he said the defendant was arrested in clothes similar to those worn by the assailant. Garda OByrne said the handbag and items were recovered from Memorial Park and the defendant was captured on CCTV in the area. Judge Susan Fay said she had to consider whether any conditions could meet the concerns of the State. Garda OByrne said he would seek a remand in custody. He said it would be alleged the defendant had used an object in the robbery of a person he didnt know before using stolen cards in shops with not a care in the world. Mr Fitzgerald said his client was entitled to the presumption of innocence and his client was willing to adhere to any bail conditions set down by the court. He said the man would likely get bail in the high court if it was denied in the district court. What we are presented with doesnt look good. That is accepted, he said. Judge Fay said she had carefully considered all of the evidence by the State and the submissions by Mr Fitzgerald. She remanded the defendant in custody with consent to bail on his own bond of 200 with an independent surety of 1,000 subject to a number of conditions. Mr Fitzgerald said the defendants mother was willing to offer the independent surety. He was then granted bail subject to strict conditions. These included that the accused stays out of Portlaoise except for court appearances or medical appointments. He is to reside at his address and abide by a curfew between 9pm and 8pm. He has to sign on daily at Tullamore Garda Station and he is to provide gardai with a phone number where he can be reached at any time and he was ordered not to have any contact directly or indirectly with the injured party or any witnesses in the case. Judge Fay adjourned the matter back to Portlaoise District Court on December 8. Laois is leading many other counties in a swapover to low energy streetlights and it is saving the council a fortune in electricity bills. However the white bulbs are "not half the quality" a local councillor complains. Laois County Council says it has had to pause the changeover to the new LED streetlights, as it instead worked to replace broken lights around the county, filling a gap left by its contractor. The saving now amounts to an incredible 500,000 a year, says Laois County Council Director Simon Walton. "The upgrade to LED lighting was slightly stalled this year because our focus and resources was diverted to maintenance of the network," Mr Walton said. The refocus on repairs follows a long litany of complaints by councillors about lights not being fixed by the contractor, with some asking for the contractor to be "sacked" earlier this year. The director was speaking at the annual budget meeting of Laois County Council on Monday, November 10, when it was heard that nearly 1.4m will be spent on public lighting in 2026. It is down from 1.49m in 2025. "County Laois is ahead of a lot of other local authorities. About 70% of our lighting retrofitted is retrofitted. "I note your comment about the standard. However we will be looking for about half a million or more in the budget for the public lighting service. "The LED retrofit has saved about a half a million euros annually in terms of energy costs due to the fact that 70% is now retrofitted. We have about 10,000 public lights. Cllr Ben Brennan had said he's "not sorry" that the council had halted the swap from yellow streetlights to white LEDs. "Is the upgrade stopped? I'm not sorry. The lighting you put in is not half the quality. You don't get the same span from the light. "It's saving money we're told but the lights are not strong enough for the money they are costing. The only solution is to put in more lights, if you don't we are going to be in trouble," Cllr Brennan warned. LED lights use less electricity but are not all good for the environment, as they adversely affect birds, bats, pollinators and even people. Read also: Laois nursing home worker wins national Excellence award The Heritage Council of Ireland has an Environmentally Friendly Lighting Guide which states that "the widespread use of LED lights, which often emit high levels of blue light, further affects both ecology and human health, especially when cloudy skies reflect this light back down. To address these problems, its advisable to use warmer lighting and ensure that all lights are shielded to prevent light from shining upwards or into unintended areas." A Laois couple were invited to Aras an Uachtarain last week by Mrs Sabrina Higgins, having raised thousands for a child bereavement charity. Mountmellick couple Edward and Eleanor Duff sadly lost their infant son James to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in 1980. Since then, the couple have fundraised over 50,000 for FirstLight, a trauma-response charity that supports families who have lost a child between the ages of 0-18 months. On Friday, November 7, the bereaved parents joined twenty-four other families at a gathering hosted by Mrs Sabina Higgins, patron of the charity FirstLight, at Aras an Uachtarain. Pictured: Eleanor and Edward Duff from Mountmellick, Co. Laois, recently attended the official launch of the 50th Anniversary of the national charity FirstLight, previously known as the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association. The event took place on Friday, November 7, and the couple had the opportunity to meet the charity's patron, Sabina Higgins. Eimear Berry, the founder of FirstLight, also known as the Irish Sudden Infant Death Association (ISIDA), was also present at the event, having established the charity in 1976 after experiencing the tragic loss of her son, Brendan, to cot death (SIDS) in November 1975. The morning provided an important opportunity for bereaved parents, including Edward and Eleanor Duff, to honour the memories of their babies and children and to reflect on the estimated 8,000 families that the charity has supported since its inception in 1976. Edward and Eleanor Duff welcomed their beautiful baby boy, James, into the world on Monday, July 28th, 1980. Tragically, James passed away on Sunday, December 14th, 1980, due to SIDS, leaving his parents and his two-year-old sister Edwina feeling as if their entire world had crumbled. Pictured: Eleanor Duff from Mountmellick embraces Sabina Higgins at Aras event Over 45 years later, Eleanor still vividly recalls the visit to their home from ISIDA founder Eimear Berry after Jamess death and the immense support that they received from Eimear and the ISIDA community during that difficult time. In memory of their son James, Eleanor and Edward have engaged in remarkable fundraising efforts for FirstLight. This includes their annual church gate collection in their hometown of Mountmellick, as well as selling Christmas cards. It is estimated that over these years, they have raised more than 50,000 in Jamess memory to support FirstLight. Six years after Jamess passing, the Duffs welcomed a second son, John, and 45 years later, they have six wonderful grandchildren, all of whom know about their uncle James, always in our hearts. FirstLights CEO, Jennifer McCarthy Flynn, expressed heartfelt thanks to Mrs Higgins and her remarkable team at the Aras, acknowledging their generous hospitality during such a busy week as the Presidents term came to an end. Pictured: the delegation presented the ISIDA Memory Patch Quilt to Sabina Higgins, a special tribute commemorating the charity's 25th Anniversary. This quilt will be proudly displayed at the FirstLight head office in Carmichael, Ireland, as part of the festivities for its 50th Anniversary. Mrs. Higgins has been an invaluable patron of FirstLight for the past decade, and we are immensely grateful for the unwavering support and commitment she has shown to our charity, which has profoundly impacted our mission," she said. This event highlighted our fifty-year journey from a peer support service to a trauma-informed crisis intervention and psychotherapy provider, assisting parents and families who have experienced pregnancy loss or the death of their child. "Since 2015, FirstLight has experienced an incredible 480% increase in referrals to its services and this year alone we have delivered over 3,300 hours of free crisis intervention and psychotherapy to more than 324 bereaved parents and families across Ireland," Ms McCarthy Flynn said. FirstLight will acknowledge and remember the 8,000 families it has supported across the last fifty years, through pregnancy loss or the death of their child. Pictured: The Duffs with Mrs Sabina Higgins and FirstLight Chairperson Oliver Blackwell The charity say that they would love to hear from families they have worked with and encourage anyone interested to contact them. The Laois Offaly Garda Division has paid a warm tribute to the on the death of Laois Offaly Garda who put his life on the line for Ireland during the Troubles. "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of retired Sergeant James (Jim) Cannon, formerly of An Garda Siochana and based at Portarlington," said the statement. The Galway native, who died peacefully at the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore surrounded by his loving family, served in the gardai for decades, but his career in policing was violently interrupted by an IRA bomb near Port. The garda statement recounted the incident which they described as a 'night of sacrifice' when the man responded to a threat to the life of then Laois Offaly TD Oliver J Flanagan and his family in Mountmellick. "Few of us will forget his role on 16 October 1976 at the site of the Garryhinch ambush on the LaoisOffaly border. "On that October evening, Gardai responded to a call of suspicious activity at a farmhouse in Garryhinch. Among those sent were Michael Clerkin, Gerry Bohan, Tom Peters, Ben Thornton and Sergeant Jim Cannon. "Tragically, a booby-trap bomb exploded when the front door was opened. Garda Clerkin was killed at the scene; the others including Jim were seriously injured, enduring lifelong physical and psychological impacts. "Jim later recounted how he was trapped under rubble and how the blast changed all their lives," said the statement. The bravery and sacrifice shown by Jim and his colleagues was finally recognised by the State with the awarding of the Scott Medal for Bravery in 2017. His division praised a life of service and character in service of the State throughout his career. "While the gallantry of that night defined a key moment, Jims career and his character will define his legacy. His dedication to the Garda service set a benchmark of courage and professionalism. MORE BELOW PHOTO. The late Jim Cannon is survived by his wife Mary. Pic: Harvey "As a community man in Portarlington, he was widely respected, a rock to his family, colleagues and neighbours. Across many years, he stood as a witness and advocate for the effects of that bombing, as a reminder of the cost paid by frontline public servants," said the Division. READ ALSO: Tribute from Charlie Flanagan and the Laois Offaly branch of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors The Laois Offaly Division concluded by extending sincere condolences to Jims wife Mary (nee Shanahan), his children Padraig, Marie and Carmel, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his sister Maureen, and the entire Cannon, Shanahan and extended families. "We will remember Jim not just for the horrors he endured, but for how he carried himself with dignity, commitment and unwavering service. His courage in recovery, sense of duty and community spirit will continue to inspire. "May his memory be a blessing. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam," said the Garda Division. His remains repose at Maher's Chapel of Rest, Portarlington (eircode R32 X5XV) on Tuesday evening from 5:30pm with Rosary at 8pm. Removal from his residence on Wednesday morning at 11:15 am, arriving St Michael's Church, Portarlington for Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Funeral afterwards to St Michael's Cemetery Portarlington. Reposing at Maher's Chapel of Rest, Portarlington (eircode R32 X5XV) on Tuesday evening from 5:30pm with Rosary at 8pm. Removal from his residence on Wednesday morning at 11:15am, arriving St Michael's Church, Portarlington for Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Funeral afterwards to St Michael's Cemetery, Portarlington. Jim's Requiem Mass will be streamed live on. https://www.mcn.live/Cameras/st-michaels-church-portarlington Family flowers only please. Donations if Desired to The Friends Of The Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore. A group which supports the victims and survivors of the Troubles has paid a poignant tribute to a Laois Offaly garda who survived an IRA bomb near Portarlington in the 1970s. The South East Fermanagin Foundation (SEFF) say they are a group that supports victims of the Northern Troubles across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain and beyond. The Foundation's director Kenny Donaldson, paid tribute to garda Jim Cannon, formerly of the Laois Offaly Garda Division, who helped the foundation for many years. We are so deeply sorry at learning of the death of Jim Cannon, Retired Garda Sergeant of Portarlington, Laois. Jim and his wife Mary, have been much-loved members of SEFF for many years. Jim touched the hearts of many of us through his unflinching sense of humanity, his quiet courage and steely determination. Jim has been involved with SEFF for approximately a decade and has been at the forefront of campaigning for appropriate acknowledgement for victims/survivors based in the Republic of Ireland. Age was no barrier to Jim continuing to fight for what was right," said Mr Donalson. The former garda had first-hand experience of the damage done during the troubles. He was seriously injured as a result Provisional IRA attack in 1976 at Garryhinch near Portarlington which resulted in the murder of Garda Michael Clerkin and the serious injury of three of Jims other colleagues. SEFF say that in 2017 Jim and his colleagues were belatedly awarded the Scott medal for their bravery and courage - an honour which was 41 years in the waiting but was something which Jim and his colleagues cherished. Despite this, SEFF's director said Jim did not retreat from life and was a key part of the foundation. Jim was a man who had a thirst for life, he lived it and he lived it well - and always with his special wife Mary by his side. Jim was a loyal supporter of SEFF and what we stand for as an organisation, and he was so grateful for the support he and Mary received from our organisation and different team members. He was a man you just wanted to spend time with; he understood Northern Ireland very well, and he respected all traditions. I have many fond memories of conversations with him, at our respites, meetings but also often over the phone. His personality was infectious, his sharp wit and his playful mind - plus he could really hold a tune. READ ALSO: Charlie Flanagan pays tribute We are so pleased that he and Mary were able to be present for the special reception event given by former President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, to SEFF earlier this year, when he made the effort to recognise the sacrifices of innocent victims based across the island. This day mattered very much to Jim," he said. Jim was someone who didnt stand idly by and get frustrated with things; he worked hard in all situations to improve outcomes - as a Garda Officer, as a victim/survivor campaigner, through all his different interests. He was a proud hurler and was very talented in his younger years," he said. MORE BELOW PHOTO Jim Cannon and SEFF members outside the building which was built near the site of the Garryhinch attack in 1976. SEFF extended their sympathies to Jim's children, Padraig, Marie and Carmel, son-in-law PJ and daughter-in-law Susan and his sister Maureen, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the wider family. For Jim, the most treasured aspect of his life was his family, his Mary, who was his soulmate in life and never left his bedside right to the end, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who he was so very proud of," said Mr Davinson. READ ALSO: Jim Cannon 'a benchmark of courage' Laois Offaly Garda Division pays respects Describing Jim as a man with a deep Christian faith, the SEFF director said Jim was unique. Legend is often an overused term, but for Jim it doesnt come close to reflecting the special human being he was. If the world had more Jim Cannons, it would stand a real chance of reaching its potential. We pray for the family and offer them our continued support in the difficult times ahead, concluded Mr Donaldson. Even though adult life is often unpredictable and full-to-the-brim with menial (but necessary) responsibilities, one thing will always remain true: you are never too old to have the craic with comics! An extension of a free 'Comic Picnic' event will be coming to a well-known County Kildare venue later very soon. The regular 'Comic Picnic' exhibition is already open in the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge and is aimed at children. It debuted on November 7 last, but now, main organiser Kate Escolin has announced that an open afternoon one aimed specifically at adults will take place later this week. According to Ms Escolin, who is the Creative Director of Beag Animations and who also sits on the Dublin Comic Arts Committee, the 'Comic Picnic' will serve as "a colourful and playful comic exhibition serving up a feast of fun". READ NEXT: Kildare volunteer group launches its Christmas food and gift appeal for 2025 For the upcoming event, Ms Escolin invites attendees to "sprawl out on a picnic blanket" and enjoy the world of comics crafted by her very own hands. "From cute characters to sun-soaked comic panels, this exhibition is a celebration of comics, creativity, and the simple pleasure of sharing a good laugh," Ms Escolin asserted. "There is something delightful for everyone at the 'Comic Picnic'." The 'Comic Picnic' for adults will take place in the Children's Gallery of the Riverbank Arts Centre this Saturday, November 15, 2025. It will commence at 1pm and conclude at 2.30pm. READ NEXT: Wrapping up wildlife for a good cause: Animal rescue group based in Kildare releases new appeal for towels A doctor commuting from Kildare to Dublin has said the added delays on the M7 recently are impacting peoples' quality of life as she faces a two-hour drive each morning. The Athy-based doctor was opening up on her experience to Kildare South and Labour Party TD Mark Wall who has called for an emergency response unit to be set up for the M7 and N7. Traffic has been a major problem on the route recently following a series of traffic incidents with many commuters facing up to three hours stuck in rush hour traffic. Jessica, a doctor living in Athy, Kildare and working in Dublin shared her story: I have been doing this route for about two years now and at the beginning of last year was it was taking me about an hour and 15 minutes to get into Dublin from Athy, Kildare. Now, it is taking me close to two hours every day. I think the commute is really adding up overtime in terms of the impact it has on quality of life." READ NEXT: Traffic management measures to be implemented near this Kildare business park Patrick, commuting from Rathangan, Kildare to Dublin also spoke on the impact the commute is having on him: You have to leave before nearly 6am to try and make sure youre definitely in on time. One morning I left at 6.10am and it might have been about 8.30am before I actually got in to work. The last two or three weeks has been like nothing on earth. Deputy Wall said: My office has been inundated with concerns from many commuters using both the M7 and N7 routes, which have all but become a car park. We have seen over recent weeks and months a number of serious traffic incidents, however the response time to these incidents have been painfully slow with people facing traffic delays up to three hours in some cases. These long delays have become a daily occurrence, particularly during rush hour traffic. I am calling on Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Minister for Transport to set up a permanent emergency response unit at rush hour for both the M7 and N7. This will help clear road traffic incidents quicker and prevent traffic coming to a standstill. This is about safety and quality of life; people are spending their lives stuck in traffic being late for work, and even missing critical medical appointments like chemotherapy. We need an emergency response unit for the M7/N7 urgently. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 In 2024, a survey carried out by Irish charity CyberSafeKids revealed that a staggering 94% of children aged 8-12 years old owned a smart device of some kind, and of these children 82% owned a social media or instant messaging account. A quarter of them reported being bothered or upset by something experienced or seen online. Spurred on by the growing body of research evidencing the deleterious emotional, social and academic effects of early access to smartphones and social media, the parents associations, management and staff of 11 primary schools in the Naas area took action last year. READ NEXT "No" to request for a bin outside Kildare's busiest courthouse They launched their GoPhoneFree initiative, which invites parents and guardians collectively to agree to no smartphones or social media while in primary school and to respect the age rating on video games. The participating schools include Gaelscoil Nas na Riogh, Holy Child Catholic National School, Killashee Multi-Denominational National School, Mercy Convent Primary School, Naas Community National School, Rathmore National School, Scoil Bhride Naas, Scoil Bhride Clane, St Corbans National School, St Davids National School and Two Mile House National School. Following this, a group of participating schools this year hosted a GoPhoneFree week in October which included educational and entertaining events to get children and their parents talking about the initiative and hopefully implementing it in their homes. The programmes hosted by the various schools included informative talks and shows for children, such as Reuben the entertainer and his shows Distracted and Fooled, Stephen McGinley Entertainer and Juggler, and psychologist Paula OConnor with Dont be mean behind your screen. They also put on old-fashioned board games and Fuinseog Woodland Games, where children spent the day playing traditional games made from natural wooden materials, a dress-up day in the colours of the initiative, and a town-wide art poster competition, the winners of which are presently displayed in the Naas Library. The shared hope is that this initiative continues to gain traction with families in Naas and beyond and that together communities can foster a culture that prioritizes childhood and balances technology use in a mindful way. To find out more information about this initiative and how to implement it, contact Mercy Convent Naas Parents Association, mercyconventnaaspa@gmail.com. Leitrim County Council is to ask Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to review the road design at the Masonite/Mohill junction off the N4 following safety concerns. At Novembers meeting of the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District, Cllr Maeve Reynolds raised concerns about this section of the N4, where vehicles turning off the road have reportedly been failing to yield. Drivers turning off the N4 into Mohill from the Dublin direction have the right of way; however, vehicles coming from the Sligo direction are required to yield to oncoming traffic. Several near misses have been reported where drivers from the Sligo side failed to do so. Cllr Reynolds noted that a couple of these near misses had been reported to her and added that there used to be better signage at the junction. READ NEXT: Fresh accessibility audits planned across Leitrim towns next year She asked that the issue be referred to TII to determine what measures could be taken to prevent accidents. Cllr Reynolds also recalled that she had proposed a motion in March asking for debris to be cleared from this road, and was informed that funding was being pursued to carry out the works, though they have not yet taken place. Its no simple task and its a traffic management issue, but it would be good to see it cleared; theres debris building up again, said Cllr Reynolds, adding that some signs have been damaged by recent storms. Her motion was seconded by Cllr Farrell, Cllr McGowan, and Cllr Guckian-Rabbitte. A response from the Roads Department confirmed that TII will be contacted and asked to review the existing design, and that the Council will follow up on any design changes arising from this review. READ NEXT: Charity praises Leitrim's 'incredible' donations as Christmas shoebox appeal continues However, this junction has recently been reviewed and upgraded to accommodate cycling infrastructure, the response concluded. President of Liberia Joseph N. Boakai (left), having returned the 3rd Amendment to ArcelorMittal Liberias mineral development agreement to the IMCC, marks the second time this has happened. During the last week of November 2025, the President also rejected the companys RSOP, which would have otherwise been embedded in its amdneded MDA, superseding national laws. Right: ArcelorMittal Chairman Lakshmi Mittal Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, Minister of Health and others posed for a photo after the HeSP launch held at Boulevard Palace Hotel in Monrovia. ---Despite Legal Battles; As Justice Department says all appeals exhausted; defense lawyers decry move as retaliation and violation of due process TAXI drivers are planning to switch off the Uber app this Wednesday, as thousands of students travel to the city centre for 'Christmas jumper day'. Around 100 drivers are expected to take the action in protest at the operator's introduction of fixed prices, a measure they say leaves them out of pocket. The University of Limerick (UL) Christmas jumper day will see thousands of students dress in festive attire to celebrate in pubs and clubs across the city before the December break. READ MORE: Date revealed for popular Limerick swimming pool's re-opening to schools The action means students, or indeed anyone needing a taxi service on Wednesday, may face a delay being served through Uber. Instead, drivers are advising people to telephone local taxi companies, flag down drivers, or use alternative ride-hailing apps. "The jobs are going to start from 7am, 8am, 9am onwards. Please shut down your apps to show them the unity among all the drivers. At least for Wednesday. We start with one day," said city centre taxi driver Khoushhal Kakar, adding he believes there may be up to 20,000 students needing cabs. Uber, which has its European head office in Limerick city centre, has introduced the new measure, it says, to end "meter anxiety" felt by passengers. It means when a journey is requested, an upfront price is shown, rather than an estimated range of pricing. If the final price on the meter turns out to be lower than the maximum fare, customers pay that fare. An Uber spokesperson says passengers are more likely to book a trip if they know what the fare will be "creating more earning opportunities for drivers across Ireland." Nationally, the service has 6,000 drivers on its app. In Ireland, unlike in other territories, you need to be a qualified taxi driver to operate on the system. There was a big turnout at a meeting of Uber drivers in Limerick on Monday night, at the car park of Castletroy Town Centre where it was agreed to take the boycott action. Fianna Fail councillor Azad Talukder, who has been a cab driver for 18 years, says he will try and organise a meeting with his party colleague, Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien. "We came together for only one reason. We need to support our families. In this situation, how Uber is doing this. Between when I began 18 years ago and today, it's a different game, a totally different game. That's why what I believe is, we have to make a proper plan to sit around the table," said the City West member. Mr Kakar, who co-organised Monday night's meeting, added: "We are losing money here. We cannot feed our families. That is the reason more than 100 drivers are here tonight. Please stand up with us. This is not fair. Who decides what fares we can run in Ireland? Do these regulations come from the USA? No, we have our own Irish community. We have the NTA (National Transport Authority), we have taxi regulations, meter seals. We go through our regulations. But still someone else comes and tell us what we can charge? It's not the way we run business in Ireland." Another taxi driver Badar Abbas, who lives in the city centre said: "If Uber is doing this, and the Government is saying they can do whatever they want, will FreeNow do it? Will Bolt do it? It means our Government is opening the doors, allowing Uber to do whatever they want to do." He suggested if Wednesday's action doesn't bring change, they could protest at the offices of Limerick City and County Council, where Mayor John Moran - a former lobbyist for Uber - works. Raza Naqvi from Cratloe said: "This needs to be sorted out as soon as possible. We have families, we pay big insurance. I tried to email the NTA, but they did not reply. We pay everything to the NTA, we pay licence fees, we pay whatever they look for. Where is the NTA to help us? Right now, we are struggling, and they make us strugle more unless they solve this problem." Mr Kakar said prior to Uber's fixed price changes, drivers were able to add extra charges on top of the face value cost of the journey. These would be based on the number of people in the car, as well as a booking fee. READ MORE: Philanthropists and businesses urged to support start-up fund for Limerick innovators "For arguments sake, if you collect from Castletroy and go over to Icon or Black Rabbit, they would give us a fixed price of 12. We cannot add on a booking fee. We can't charge for extra passengers which are regulated by the NTA that we are allowed to. I have a six seater - If I have six passengers, I have to charge 5 extra plus the booking. That's 8 I am losing alone from Castletroy over to the town. They give us only 12 per job. But it's 18 on the meter. That's 14 per job you lose if you have a minibus," he said. He added that over time and the number of journeys, the losses can mount up. "That's the insurance money, that's the petrol money, that is my rent for the taxi. Nothing is cheap. The petrol, looking after the vehicle is expesive. Everything is way too expensive at the moement. We are professional licensed drivers. It's not like other countries where anyone with a car can pick up the Uber app and drive. We have passed our exams. We have gone through the chain of command. We are all background checked. We have paid a lot of money to go through that hassle. Why are they treating us like this," he asked. In response to a query from Limerick Live, a spokesperson for Uber stated: "Riders are much more likely to book a trip if they know what the fare is going to be, creating more earning opportunities for drivers across Ireland. Before accepting a trip, drivers can see their estimated earnings and the route used, alongside factors like traffic and time of day, to calculate this amount." BISHOP of Limerick, Brendan Leahy concelebrated a Mass with Pope Leo in Rome during which the Pope declared St John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church. This is a title given by the Catholic Church to saints recognised as having made a significant contribution to theology or doctrine through their research, study, or writing. Limerick has a strong connection with St John Henry Newman as he visited the city a number of times in the 1850s. Commenting on Pope Leos declaration of St John Henry Newman, Bishop Leahy said: John Henry Newman was a great teacher. We in Limerick can feel a special link with him because he spent some time in Limerick, writing and preaching. READ MORE: Dedication of Limerick volunteers lauded at annual burial ground awards His works and example are an inspiration to teachers. We think of his famous expression heart speaks to heart. Bishop Leahy along with 30 teachers went on a pilgrimage to Rome over the Halloween break, organised by the Limerick Diocese. A highlight was an audience for educators with Pope Leo, who spoke of education in terms of developing four qualities: interiority, unity, love and joy. Pope Leo thanked teachers for their great work and noted how teachers personify the Church by dedicating themselves to the education of young people. A LOCAL man is set to receive one of the British empires top honours from King Charles. Pete Wallroth, who was born and raised for his early life in Shannon Banks, has been given the title of an honorary Member of the British Empire (MBE). Awarded for outstanding community service, an MBE is the third highest honour which can be bestowed on a citizen outside of damehoods and knighthoods. PICTURES: TV celebrity chef drops in on Limerick's Milk Market Pete, who lives in Glossop near Manchester, founded Mummys Star, a cancer support charity for pregnant women in England and Wales back in 2013, before extending it to Scotland and Ireland. The father-of-two acted after his wife Mair, who was diagnosed with breast cancer while she was pregnant died in 2013 only 10 weeks after their son Merlin was born and when their daughter Martha was three. Pete found out he was being given an honorary MBE on a beach in Mayo in the summer, while he was on holiday in the summer, with his now wife Nicola in whose mother hails from the area. An email came in from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We had a bit of a laugh, saying, this is it, they are going to kick me back home, laughed Pete, who left Limerick at eight. It was surreal to read it. Its a lovely accolade to get. Its not the reason you ever set out to do something. But its lovely somebody I have been working with clearly has felt the desire to put me forward. THE Shannon Airport Group has today welcomed Ryanairs announcement of four new routes from Shannon to Rome, Warsaw, Poznan and Madrid, together with a fourth based aircraft for summer 2026, representing a US$400M investment. Alongside the four new routes, Ryanair is further expanding its Shannon schedule next summer with increased frequency on five established, popular routes: Manchester, Alicante, Barcelona-Reus, Lanzarote, and Malta. This expansion brings Ryanairs total summer 2026 offering from Shannon to 30 routes, the largest number ever operated by the airline from the airport. With 1.4 million seats, including an additional 180,000 seats across the summer months, this represents a 15% increase in seats compared to the same time last year, providing even more choice and flexibility for passengers across the country. Welcoming the announcement, Ray ODriscoll, Interim CEO of The Shannon Airport Group said: READ MORE: Bishop of Limerick concelebrates Mass with Pope Leo in Rome Were delighted to welcome Ryanairs continued commitment to Shannon Airport with the addition of a fourth based aircraft, four new summer 26 services to Rome, Warsaw, Poznan and Madrid, as well as increased frequencies on five key routes. This expansion is a strong vote of confidence in Shannons growth trajectory. It reflects our ongoing investment in infrastructure and passenger experience, as well as our strong commitment to working with airline partners to expand our route network and deliver greater choice for customers across the country. These new services enhance Shannons connectivity to key European cities, supporting tourism, trade and regional development, and will be warmly welcomed by both holiday makers and business travellers alike. Ryanairs CCO, Jason McGuinness said: We are delighted to celebrate the news that Ryanair will base a fourth aircraft in Shannon for summer 2026 alongside the announcement of four new routes to Rome, Madrid, Warsaw, and Poznan, in addition to extra flights to popular sun and city destinations Alicante, Lanzarote, Manchester, Malta, and Reus. Next Summer Ryanairs US$400m investment in the Mid-West will deliver more than 1.4m low-fare seats from Shannon to a record 30 European destinations." "Ryanairs 4 based aircraft and US$400m investment in Shannon is a clear commitment to growing Irelands regional connectivity. This summer, Shannon will benefit from +180,000 (+15%) additional seats and four new routes thanks to the hard work of The Shannon Airport Group, who recognise the need for efficient, cost-competitive facilities to attract growth and drive inbound tourism to the region, supporting year-round international connectivity. However, the Irish Government needs to support regional airports by expanding the scope of the Regional Airports Programme 2026-30 to at least 3m passenger p.a., which would allow regional airports to grow traffic even more without being penalised for doing so. Passengers will enjoy twice weekly flights on three of the new routes. Flights to Rome commence on March 31 running on Tuesdays and Saturdays; flights to Poznan will run from March 31 on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and the year-round service to Madrid will switch to Wednesdays and Sundays for the summer season, beginning March 31. There will be four weekly flights to Warsaw from March 30 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The latest announcement builds on Ryanairs decision earlier this year to introduce a fourth based aircraft at Shannon Airport and to operate new routes to Lapland, Madeira and Madrid from Shannon for winter 2025/2026, and to also increase capacity on six existing popular routes - Alicante, Edinburgh, Krakow, Lanzarote, Manchester, and Wrocaw over the winter period. To celebrate Ryanairs biggest ever schedule and four new routes at Shannon next summer, the airline has launched a two-day seat sale with fares from just 29.99 available at Ryanair.com. ASKEATON swimming pool is to re-open for use by local schools this Wednesday morning. Limerick City and County Council has made the announcement that the facility will typically operate between 10am and 2pm. The re-opening follows a major programme of works and investment at the town's leisure complex. READ MORE: Ryanair expands Shannon Airport base with fourth aircraft and four new European routes These works have been partly funded by the Department of Sports Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund and Limerick City and County Council. In recent weeks, the final stage of preparatory work, including comprehensive water testing, was successfully completed, allowing for this phased reopening to begin. As part of this initial reopening, local schools will resume swimming lessons and activities at the pool. This reopening applies to the pool area only and does not yet include the remainder of the leisure complex. Further phases of reopening, including access for members of the public, will be announced in due course. Swim Ireland are the appointed operators of the Askeaton Swimming Pool and Leisure facility. The pool was meant to re-open last month, but this was delayed to allow for the verification of water testing results, which are required to ensure public safety. An official reopening event is also being planned to take place in the near future to mark the full return of services at Askeaton Pool and Leisure. Leader of the Adare-Rathkeale municipal district, Cllr Ger Ward has welcomed the news. Limerick City and County Council sait it would like to extend its sincere thanks to the community, staff, and all users for their patience and understanding throughout this process. EVERY DOG has its day, and Newcastle West District Court is no exception to this adage. A woman avoided a conviction under the Control of Dogs Act by way of technicalities, when she appeared before the court arising from an incident close to her home on August 14, 2024. Madeleine Hourigan, aged 54, who has an address at Lime Yard, Pallaskenry - was prosecuted over her alleged failure to have a muzzle and proper lead on a lurcher dog. She was also charged with not having a licence for the dog. However, making legal submissions barrister, Nicholas Hall, asserted that the dog licence is in her sons name and that his client was not the owner on the date in question. Read More: Man in his 30s rushed to hospital after assault in Limerick as gardai launch probe Addressing the court from the public gallery, Ms Hourigan stated she could provide this licence to the court if necessary - which resulted in the dismissal of that particular charge. In a further submission, Mr Hall also pointed out that the leash and muzzle regulations under the Control of Dogs act only apply to certain restricted dog breeds such as bull terriers, rottweilers and German shepherds. In this case the dog is a lurcher which is not listed on this list," he stated, submitting that the case "does not meet the burden of proof. Inspector Barry Manton accepted the dog at the centre of the case is not a restricted breed but added there was a microchip issue to be dealt with in relation to the accuseds dog. "I have a different contention regarding ownership," he said. However, Judge Carol Anne Coolican noted there was no charge regarding the microchipping of the dog brought before the court. The Judge, who did not hear any direct evidence, proceeded to dismiss all charges. A SIGNIFICANT quantity of drugs and a shotgun cartridge have been seized by gardai as part of a major crackdown on drug dealing in west Limerick. Gardai from the Limerick County Community Engagement Functional Area, assisted by Limerick Divisional Crime Units and the Regional Dog Unit conducted an operation targeting the sale and supply of drugs in Rathkeale in recent days. As part of the operation, gardai say they stopped a car in Rathkeale last Friday evening - November 7. "The driver, a male in his 20s, was arrested after he attempted to make good his escape and suspected cocaine to the estimated street value of 3,500 was seized," said a spokesperson. READ NEXT: 'Sheer brutality: Victim suffers fractured skull and scarring in broad daylight hammer attack in Limerick Further searches were conducted at a domestic residence in Rathkeale on Saturday resulting in the seizure of suspected cocaine with an estimated value of 56,000. A shotgun cartridge and a number of other items were also seized during the search. "In total, suspected cocaine to the estimated street value of 59,500 was seized during the operation. The drugs seized will be forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis," said the spokesperson. The man who was arrested on Friday has since been charged and is due to appear before Newcastle West District Court this coming Friday. Gardai say investigations are ongoing. ALMOST twenty Mid-West Simon Community residents are moving into 10 newly developed apartments in the city centre. This is part of the Clann Nua housing model, and 19 people are being moved directly from emergency accommodation into housing, which will address homelessness and support long-term housing in a very practical way. Developed by the Mid-West Simon Community, in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, the project delivers safe, secure and sustainable housing for people who are making the transition from homelessness into independent living. READ ALSO: A jury has been selected for a garda corruption trial of gardai from Limerick, Clare and Kerry The Clann Nua model focuses on creating supportive, community-based housing, where tenants are encouraged to rebuild their lives through stability, connection, and tailored support services. Mayor of Limerick, John Moran said: The scale of the housing crisis in Ireland, and here in Limerick, is staggering, and the human cost is profound. Each home built and each person moved out of emergency accommodation is a step toward restoring dignity and stability. These 10 homes represent hope, and they remind us of what is possible when local authorities, housing charities, and communities work together. Niall Garvey, CEO of Mid-West Simon Community, said: The negative effects of living long term in emergency accommodation are well-researched and documented. This latest development underscores Mid-West Simon Communitys ongoing commitment to delivering person-centred, permanent housing solutions that respond to local needs and support people on their journey out of homelessness. A SOCIAL enterprise to support start-ups across the city and county has been launched by Mayor of Limerick John Moran. The project is a social enterprise fund in partnership with Rethink Ireland and will be jointly supported by the Mayoral Fund, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, as well as various philanthropic sources. Mayor Moran is calling on businesses and families across Limerick to join as philanthropic donors, to help to bring the value of the fund up to 1 million. READ ALSO: 'Our hearts are heavy': Prominent Limerick retailer to closes its doors after almost 40 years Successful projects will receive both cash grants and non-financial support through the initiative, managed by Rethink Ireland. Mayor John Moran said: This is innovation with purpose in action. Limerick thrives when we do things differently and we empower those with ambition to drive things forward. Through the equal support of my Mayoral Fund, our partners at Rethink Ireland and philanthropic sources, were going to create new funding opportunities for Limerick people to shape their communities right across the city and county. Lots of people have been asking how they can help those communities now they have a way. Anyone who wants to contribute can email moreforlimerick@rethinkireland.ie THE LIMERICK senior hurlers look set to play three games at home and three games away from home in the 2026 Allianz Hurling League. In the opening weekend of the National Hurling League on January 24/25 John Kiely's side will have a bye. The Irish Examiner have released the fixtures for the 2026 Division 1A National Hurling League. These fixtures are provisional fixtures and counties have the opportunity to request changes to these fixtures. Limerick travel to Waterford on February 1 where they will begin their National Hurling League campaign. The Shannonsiders will then be at home against Kilkenny in the TUS Gaelic Grounds on February 7/8. Kiely's side will then make the trip to FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles to take on All-Ireland champions Tipperary on February 21/22. READ NEXT: Limerick man plays key role in Tipperary club winning Senior Football Championship On February 28/March 1, Limerick face Offaly in O'Connor Park Tullamore. The 2023 All-Ireland champions will finish off their Division 1A league campaign against Cork on March 7/8 and against Galway on March 21 at the Ennis road venue. The top two teams in Division 1A will meet in the National Hurling League final on April 4/5. Before the Allianz Hurling League, Limerick will begin their Co-Op Superstores Munster Senior Hurling League campaign against Clare on Saturday January 3 in Clare. Four days later, they will host Cork on Wednesday January 7 at 7pm in a Limerick venue. Limerick are set to take on great rivals Tipperary in a special challenge game in support of the Dillon Quirke Foundation next month. The game will take place as part of the inaugural Champions Under Lights event at Fethard Town Park on Saturday, December 13 at 6pm. There has been plenty of change to the Limerick senior hurling squad for the 2026 season in recent weeks. Former captain Declan Hannon has announced his inter-county retirement. Shane Dowling and Seamus Flanagan won't be involved with the squad. Dowling has opted to step away from the Limerick senior squad for 2026, while Flanagan has not been included in the Limerick senior hurling squad by John Kiely. Jason Gillane, Micheal Houlihan, Fergal O'Connor and Cian Scully have also been released from the panel. IRISH ROCK icons are set to make a triumphant return to Limerick next summer with a headline show at King Johns Castle. The Stunning will be taking over the iconic outdoor venue on Sunday, May 30, 2026. Renowned for their electrifying live performances and timeless anthems such as Brewing Up a Storm, the band remain one of Irelands most enduring and beloved live acts. READ MORE: 'You can call me Daddy: Joy for Limerick Traitors star following birth of first child Over three decades on from their formation, The Stunning continue to captivate audiences with their powerful sound, heartfelt songwriting, and unmistakable stage presence. Joining them on the night will be fellow Irish favourites Something Happens!, ensuring an unforgettable evening of classic Irish rock in one of the Limerick's most atmospheric venues. Having toured extensively and earned a reputation as one of Irelands most consistently brilliant live bands, The Stunnings return to King Johns Castle promises to be one of the standout gigs of summer 2026. Fans can look forward to a hit-filled set packed with classics, deep cuts, and fan favourites all delivered with the trademark energy that has defined the band since day one. Speaking about the announcement, Mick Dolan said: We are thrilled to welcome The Stunning back to King Johns Castle. Every time they perform in Limerick, its a special event. Their music has soundtracked generations, and having them perform within the castle walls is going to be a magical night for the city and for fans from all over the country. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, November 14 from www.dolans.ie and www.ticketmaster.ie. Mumbai: Kolkata-based Anmol Industries Ltd (AIL), which makes biscuits, cakes, cookies and rusks, has restarted discussions to sell a minority stake to raise $150-200 million, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. The company has appointed PwC to help scout for investors, they said. The promoters will look to dilute about 20-25% stake in the company. The deal will value the overall asset at about $900 million to $1 billion, and the founders are planning to list the company in three to five years," one of the people cited above said. Also Read | Berrys quick exit puts Britannia investors in a very tough spot In the past, the company made several attempts to raise funds and even attempted a public listing, for which it received regulatory approval in 2018. The fresh fundraising will give Anmol the necessary boost to double down in its existing geographies and expand beyond northern and eastern India, a second person said, on the condition of anonymity. If the talks go through, this will be the first round of institutional funding, the people said, adding that several private equity firms will be approached as a part of the process. PwC did not respond to Mints requests for a comment, while Anmol declined to comment on the development. Anmols fundraising efforts come at a time when several family-owned businesses are looking to tap the private markets to catalyze their next leg of growth and ensure a smoother succession planning in a professionally-run setup. Peer deals This year has seen similar moves in companies, including Haldiram, Theobroma and VIP Industries. Others such as Balaji Wafers, Iscon Balaji, HyFun Foods and Ratnadeep Retail are in various stages of their fundraising process. Traditionally family-run, many Indian biscuit manufacturers are now recognizing the value of bringing external investors onto their cap tables not just to diversify their product range, but also to initiate a transition toward more professionally managed boards and leadership structures," said Natasha Treasurywala, partner at Desai & Diwanji. These companies are increasingly turning to external capital to fuel growth and scale operations. "There is a lot of scope to move into the health food segment by expanding their product offerings to healthier options for both adults and kids," Treasurywala added. Key Takeaways Anmol Industries has revived plans to raise $150200 million by selling a 2025% stake. The Choudhary family-led firm aims to list in 35 years after earlier IPO efforts in 2018 didnt materialise. Anmol plans to expand beyond its stronghold in eastern India, which contributes nearly 70% of its revenue. The fundraise aligns with a broader wave of family-run consumer brands, such as Haldiram and Theobroma Founded by the Choudhary family in the mid-1990s, Anmol Industries merged its bakery and biscuits business in 2016. The company manufactures biscuits, cakes, cookies, and rusk under the Anmol brand, which are mainly sold in eastern and northern India. Anmol has eight manufacturing facilities located in northern and eastern states of India and sells its products through its network of about 3,000 super-stockists, distributors and sub-distributors. The companys combined production capacity stands at 3,66,092 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) with the addition of a 60,600 MTPA capacity post commissioning of its new plant in Bihar last year. The company posted an operating income of 1,524.9 crore in FY24 as compared to 1,699.5 crore, a year earlier. Its profits also dipped to 122.1 crore from 126.6 crore in FY23. In the first half of FY25, AIL posted 805.7 crore with a profit of 38.5 crore, according to a March report by Icra. The company is targeting an annual recurring revenue of 2,000 crore in FY26, according to one of the people cited above. Icra added that increasing urbanization and changing lifestyle will likely keep the demand outlook for biscuits favourable in the country, given the low per-capita consumption at present. This will support the revenue growth for biscuit players like Anmol that have an established brand presence. The company currently has a market presence in about 25 Indian states and sells its products in overseas markets like West Asian nations and North America, among others. However, the companys major market remains the eastern states of India, which accounted for 67-69% of its revenues over the past three years, implying Anmol's exposure to geographical concentration risks, Icras report said, adding that the company has plans to expand presence in western India. Anmol also has a firm footprint in Uttar Pradesh, which contributed 11% to the companys sales in FY24, while FY25 sales saw a boost of about 12% from its new plant in North Bihar. The credit rating agency noted that Anmol faces stiff price-based competition from other established and regional players and its profitability also remains susceptible to volatility in raw materials. Its main competitors in the biscuit and bakery market include Britannia Industries, ITC Ltd and Parle Products Pvt. Ltd, as per various reports. Other competitors are Haldiram Foods International Ltd, Bisk Farm (Saj Food Products) and Cremica. Also Read | After Haldiram and Rebel Foods, Temasek eyes a bite of Balaji Wafers India's biscuit market is expected to clock about $13.58 billion in revenue in 2025, according to a report by India Brand Equity Foundation, a trust under the commerce ministry. The biscuit, cookies and crackers market is forecast to register a 6.80% compound annual growth rate, reaching about $18.87 billion over the next five years. The think tank added that major players such as Britannia and Parle continue to dominate their peers. Britannia holds an estimated 38% market share, driven by its premium, innovative product lines (e.g., Good Day and NutriChoice), while Parles flagship Parle-G biscuits command roughly 32% share even as nimble startups and regional brands gain traction by targeting niche segments and driving product innovation. IKEA India saw its 2024-25 revenue grow on the back of strong demand for affordable furniture, robust online sales, and steady growth in its business-to-business segment. The Swedish furniture maker, which follows its parent Ingka Groups September-August fiscal year, reported a 6% year-on-year rise in sales to 1,860.8 crore, said a company statement on Tuesday. The company, which did not disclose its net profit or loss figures for the current fiscal year, had reported a 15% year-on-year rise in loss to 1,303 crore and a 5.12% increase in revenue to 1,852.7 crore in 2023-24, according to data from business intelligence platform Tofler. Also Read | How Furlencos premium push is fuelling IPO dreams Patrik Antoni, who took over as chief executive of IKEA India in August 2025, said the company aims to achieve profitability within the next two years while continuing to expand sustainably. The home furnishing market in India is projected to reach $48 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%. We see a long-term opportunity to contribute to this growth by making home furnishing more affordable, accessible, and sustainable, Antoni said. India business IKEA Indias business is divided into three main segments: retail (home furnishing and furniture), food and restaurants, and B2B (IKEA for Business). Growth in 2024-25 was driven by a 34% on-year surge in online sales. The B2B segment expanded 20%, contributing 19% of total revenue, while the food division, accounting for about 10% of overall sales, remained a key in-store draw, serving 2.2 million meals across its restaurants. We improved our Ebitda (excluding fixed costs) by 12%. Our share of online sales grew by 34%, and our entry into the North market through online and new format stores across Delhi and Bengaluru has been truly rewarding. IKEA India welcomed close to 110 million customers across our channels in 2024-25, said IKEA India's chief financial officer, Murali Iyer, in the statement. Ebitda stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Furniture remains the retailer's top-selling category, reflecting growing demand for affordable home solutions in the country. The company offers over 50 furniture items under 1,000 and more than 750 home furnishings under 200, attracting budget-conscious urban consumers. During the year, IKEA expanded its footprint in the country by entering the north Indian market with a city store in West Delhi and increasing its operations in Bengaluru with a new Plan and Order Point, which enables customers to design and plan their interiors with professional assistance. Together with its large-format stores in Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai, and Bengaluru, the company now reaches over 90% of the countrys urban households through its omnichannel presence. Also Read | Pepperfrys acquisition exposes deep cracks in online furniture retail Mint reported on 14 September that IKEA plans to accelerate its India expansion by opening three to four new small-format city stores over the next 10 months, marking a shift from large-format outlets to compact urban showrooms. The retailer plans to triple or quadruple its workforce from approximately 3,000 employees as part of this growth initiative. India expansion The Mint report also said IKEA had exhausted its initial 10,500 crore investment and was preparing to announce a larger second tranche soon for the country. The companys real estate arm, Ingka Centres, is developing two large IKEA-anchored shopping centres in Noida and Gurugram, as part of its plan to strengthen its retail ecosystem. The retailer is also closely monitoring the progress of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). It currently exports nearly 300 million worth of goods annually from India to the European Union, and Antoni said the FTA could lower tariffs on raw materials such as wood and machinery, potentially making local production more competitive. Also Read | Investors turn to small-ticket home decor to beat furniture blues Globally, the Ingka Group reported revenue of 41.5 billion for 2024-25, a 0.9% decline from the previous year, as it absorbed price cuts to maintain affordability amid economic uncertainty. Despite the top-line decline, the groups net profit rose to 1.4 billion from 0.8 billion in 2023-24. Ingka Group has three main business divisions: IKEA Retail, Ingka Centres, and Ingka Investments. IKEA Retail operates across 31 markets and partners with Inter IKEA Systems to develop and innovate the companys global retail strategy. Ingka Centres manages shopping destinations in 14 markets, working with more than 2,600 brands across 37 meeting places, and has announced the development of Lykli Noida, a large mixed-use retail and leisure centre in India. New Delhi: Bhavish Aggarwal, chairman and managing director of Ola Electric Mobility Ltd, pledged an additional 2% of his stake in the listed company during the September quarter to raise loans for an unnamed group company. This is the third time Aggarwal has pledged his Ola Electric shares since the company went public in August 2024. Mints review of Bengaluru-based Ola Electrics shareholding pattern and disclosures to the exchanges showed that Aggarwal put up the additional stake as collateral for a loan from Aditya Birla Capital Ltd. The company did not disclose the size of the loan or the group company it was meant for. With this, just over a tenth of Aggarwal's 30.02% stake in Ola Electric has been pledged. Also Read | Lack of financial control sweeps across Ola Electric Pledging sharesusing them as collateralis a method promoters use to raise money for their ventures. Typically in these arrangements, the promoter must transfer the pledged shares to the lender if the company is unable to repay the loans on time. Promoters of companies such as Vedanta have previously pledged their entire stakes to raise funding for their ventures. Additional risk for shareholders While it is not uncommon for promoters to pledge or encumber their shares to borrow capital, Aggarwals move is significant as he has been using his stake in publicly listed Ola Electric to raise money for his privately held artificial intelligence venture, Krutrim. Since the company went public, he has pledged his shares thrice to raise loans. He previously pledged his Ola Electric shares to fund Krutrim in November 2024 and February 2025. These pledges were to institutions such as Axis Trustee Services, Avendus Structured Credit Fund II, Avendus Finance Private Ltd, and Incred Credit Opportunities Fund I. Krutrim has remained a non-starter since being founded in April 2023. Shriram Subramanian, founder at proxy advisory firm InGovern Research Services, said lenders to a listed company sometimes insist on promoters pledging shares to raise funds for the company. However, this is different from when the promoter pledges shares of the listed company to fund a private venture. The benefits of pledging shares to raise money to grow the business of a listed company accrue to all the shareholders. However, if this happens for a privately held firm, then the shareholders have to bear the risk of that privately held business not performing well, and the lenders enforcing the pledge." When Elon Musk acquired Twitter (now X) for $44 billion in October 2022, he pledged a significant portion of his Tesla stock to secure loans from major banks such as Morgan Stanley, Barclays, and Bank of America. The high-stakes move has since left Musk in a precarious position, as the fate of his social media empire is now tightly intertwined with Teslas stock performance. Stock down, collateral up Shares of Ola Electric have taken a hit since the company went public through a 6,146-crore initial public offering (IPO) in August 2024. Having listed at 76 a share, the stock was at 44.3 at the end of trading hours on 10 Novembera 41% fall. Since Aggarwal first pledged his Ola Electric shares in November, the companys stock is down 36%. Bloomberg reported in June that Aggarwal had to top up his collateral with an additional 20 crore when the stock slid below 50. Moreover, the company slashed its revenue guidance for FY26 by nearly a third to 3,000-3,200 crore during a recent earnings call, causing the stock to crash nearly 5% twice during a single trading session in the span of a week. Ola Electric has also been looking to raise funds for itself in the last six months amid a fall in sales. Late last month the board approved an equity fundraise of 1,500 crore. This was five months after it approved a fundraise of 1,700 crore through the issuing of non-covertible debt venturers (NCDs) to refinance its debt. The company has to pay a total of 2,114 crore of debt and interest by FY30, according to its disclosures. Aggarwal said during the company's June quarter earnings call on 14 July, We do have some debt obligations. Again, we have shown that in a graph in the note. We will be refinancing some of that debt, not the term loans, but some of the corporate debt that we had taken before our IPO." No longer top dog Credit rating agencies have noted that the company will have to resort to more fundraising if its sales continue to slide. If the unit sales volume scale-up remains impacted, the company will be compelled to explore more capital-raising options, which pose funding risk," credit rating agency Icra said in a 1 May note for Ola Electric Technologies (OET), the company through which Ola Electric Mobility manufactures and sells its vehicles. OET is responsible for 99% of the listed entity's revenue. Ola Electrics sales nearly halved to 52,666 units year-on-year during the September quarter, as it lost its leadership in the electric two-wheeler market. It now ranks fourth behind TVS Motor Company, Bajaj Auto and Ather Energy, which have all seen sales surge. Queries sent to Ola Electric remained unanswered. Also Read | Easier EV financing for trucks, buses in the works WASHINGTON (AP) The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday named a longtime regulator of cancer medicines to lead the agency's drug center, replacing the former drug director who was recently ousted after an ethics complaint. Dr. Richard Pazdur, a 26-year veteran of the agency, will become director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the FDA's largest unit. A cancer specialist, Pazdur has previously served in numerous FDA roles, most recently leading the agency's Oncology Center of Excellence. Pazdur's appointment comes just over a week after Dr. George Tidmarsh abruptly departed the agency after federal ethics lawyers began reviewing serious concerns about his personal conduct, according to a government statement. Tidmarsh, a former pharmaceutical executive and scientist, had been recruited to the agency by FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. A lawsuit filed early this month alleged that Tidmarsh used his position at the FDA to pursue a longstanding personal vendetta against the chairman of a Canadian drugmaker's board of directors. The two men had previously worked as business associates at several pharmaceutical companies, according to the lawsuit. Tidmarsh has denied any wrongdoing in media interviews. He did not respond to requests for comment sent by The Associated Press to him and his lawyer. Pazdur is one of the last remaining members of the FDAs senior leadership to survive months of retirements, firings, resignations, and other actions by the Trump administration that forced longtime employees out of the agency. He'll be tasked with bringing stability to a unit that has been riven by low morale, return-to-office orders and turf battles with other parts of the agency, including the vaccine and biologics center led by Dr. Vinay Prasad. The FDAs drug center has lost more than 1,000 staffers over the past year to layoffs or resignations, according to agency figures. The center is responsible for the review, safety and quality control of prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Pazdur will also inherit several new initiatives announced by Makary, including a voucher program that aims to review drugs that are deemed a national priority in just one to two months. Previously, the FDA's fastest drug reviews required six months. As the FDA's top cancer specialist, Pazdur previously oversaw efforts to expedite the approvals of experimental cancer therapies based on early measures, such as tumor shrinkage. That approach has been criticized by many in academia, including Prasad, who spent years publishing papers scrutinizing the FDA's approach to cancer medicines before joining the agency earlier this year. ___ NEW DELHI : Indian electronics manufacturing services, or EMS, company Syrma SGS plans to start making motherboards for laptops with an aim to improve profitability and make it eligible for government incentives, its top executive said. Syrma SGS currently assembles laptops for Japans DynaBook (formerly Toshiba and now owned by Sharp), and Taiwans MSI in India. It is in talks with these companies for motherboard manufacturing. With this, Syrma, the country's third-largest EMS company, will become among the first few among its domestic peers to make computer motherboards domestically, a step towards value addition in India's efforts in electronics making. In April, Optiemus Electronics had announced a manufacturing tie-up with Taiwan's ASRock to make desktop computer motherboards. In November 2023, China-based Lenovo said that the company will make motherboards for laptops and desktop computers it sells in India. The company has its own assembly line in Puducherry, as well as a partnership with domestic EMS firm, Dixon Technologies. Other companies are yet to announce such localization of motherboard manufacturing, making it a nascent space in India. Also Read | Big Tech pushes back against Indias AI draft rules The central government's production-linked incentives (PLI) scheme for laptops, notified in May 2023 in its current form as IT hardware PLI 2.0, does not offer incentives for only assembly of laptops and requires EMS companies to localize components as well in order to be eligible for incentives. Those incentives are what Jasbir Singh Gujral, Syrma SGS's managing director, is targeting by the end of fiscal 2027. Currently, all its laptop motherboards are imported and the focus is to have them locally made, Gujral said. There are two additional benefitsone, it gives us higher value addition, and once I start motherboard assembling, IT hardware PLI kicks in," Gujral told Mint in an interview stressing on the point that "only vanilla laptop assemblies do not attract PLIs". This will add 4-5% margin on Syrma SGS's laptop assembly revenues which was about 175 crore in H1FY26. "This revenue may not go up significantly but will go up with the value addition of the motherboardwhose cost is included in this revenue here. My margin would go up by at least 10 crore on a half-year basis," Gujral said. The Mumbai-based company, which has a market cap of over 15,000 crore, announced its earnings late on Monday. It earned 1,146 crore in operating revenue in Q2FY26, up 20% sequentially. Net profit, too, jumped 33% sequentially to 66.3 crore in the September quarter. However, the companys gross margin dropped 1.6 percentage points and net cash flow for the first six months of the year remained in the negative. Gujral said that Syrma SGC hopes to generate a positive cash flow by the end of this fiscal. A positive cash flow is a measure of a companys financial health and its ability to make payments and invest in growth. But, he said, inventories are at a comfortable level even if there's a strain on working capital. The most difficult part of controlling in a working capital cycle is the inventory and my inventories are well under control. It is the debtors that have gone up, and were confident that with more persistent follow-up, well be able to bring the debt down and improve cash flow," the MD of Syrma SGS said. "If my cash flow had reduced because of only inventories, that would have been the tougher part to manage." Syrma SGS is the second EMS company after Kaynes Technology to be pushing back its target of generating net positive cash flow to the end of this fiscal amid expansions. Beyond cash flow Analysts, however, were not too concerned. Harshit Kapadia, vice-president at brokerage firm Elara Capital, said that such deferment in quality of cash flows is expected at companies that are rapidly expanding. While this remains a near-term concern, the overall financial health of the company is good and its focus areas are strong which should give investors good confidence in the long run." Earlier on Tuesday, JM Financial a note to investors noted Syrma SGS's strong 2Q performance beating our consensus estimates". The brokerages retained a buy rating on Syrma SGS. Investors, too, gave a thumbs-up to Syrma SGS quarterly earnings with the share price up 2.85% on Tuesday to 831.05 apiece. Syrma SGS, which went public in August 2022, has offered investors a 3.77x return to date, outperforming the 30-share BSE Sensex indexwhich has risen 43% during this period. Dixon Technologies went public in September 2017, followed by Amber Enterprises in January 2018, and then Syrma and Kaynes in November 2022. A big push behind these companies has been the governments PLI schemes, which encouraged assembling consumer electronics, home appliances and industrial electronics in India. Alongside the above four, privately-held Tata Electronics and Taiwanese giant Foxconns Bharat FIH have also doubled-down on expanding electronics manufacturing in India. The Tata group, Indias largest conglomerate by revenue, has already poured in $1.3 billion into the sector, Mint reported on 7 November. Tata Electronics is eyeing the assembly of a lot more Apple iPhones as well as setting up a semiconductor fabrication plant. Also Read | Cash flow concerns remain for Kaynes Tech amid Q2 profit jump, chip sales Driven by rising opportunities in light of the Centres $2.7-billion electronics components manufacturing scheme (ECMS) notified earlier this year, engineering conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T) also said last month that it will venture into electronics manufacturing. Syrma SGS was one of the first companies approved for the ECMS scheme on 27 October, for manufacturing printed circuit boards (PCBs) locally. This is different from the laptop motherboards plan. Were eyeing trial production of PCBs by January 2027. If that is the case, then my capital expenditure from now until March 2027 will win state government incentives from FY28. The production-linked incentives will kick in only when commercial production begins, which will be in FY28. So, well realize the PLI benefits in FY29 for PCB manufacturing. My total project cost for the same is 765 crore, which makes us eligible for incentives to the tune of around 380 crore based on capital expenditure. Half of this will come in FY28, and the rest in FY29," Gujral said. The company is also eyeing a rise in exports to expand its operating margin. Our goal is to be a double-digit Ebitda company, which we achieved at 10.7% in H1FY26. Well stick to this margin as of now and then well see how it pans out once our healthcare business as well as exports go up further. Our exports increased 36% in H1, primarily driven by industrial, healthcare, RFID, and a bit of automotive equipment," the MD added. Ebitda, short for earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization, is a measure of profitability of the core operations of a business. According to an 8 August report by India Cellular and Electronics Association, net electronics exports from India rose 33% year-on-year to reach $38.6 billion in FY25. Japan's SoftBank Group Corp. on Tuesday said it had sold all its stake in Jensen Huang's Nvidia, pocketing a massive $5.83 billion with the sale, as the Masayoshi Son-led company looks to increase its AI bet significantly. Tokyo-based SoftBank Group's sale of the Nvidia stake not only reflects a shift of focus on OpenAI but also highlights its positive outlook on AI investments at a time when investors are questioning the sheer amounts of capital chasing a technology with uncertain future returns. SoftBank has however continued to focus on its AI investments, putting in tens of billions of dollars in OpenAI. In February, the company's Chairman Masayoshi Son joined Donald Trump, Sam Altman of OpenAI and Larry Ellison of Oracle to invest $500 billion in an artificial intelligence project called Stargate. The Nvidia stake sale highlights how Son needs liquid money to invest in a plethora of projects including Stargate data centres and AI robot manufacturing sites in the US. Shares of Nvidia plunged 1.3% in pre-market trading on Tuesday following the stake sale. SoftBank's Nvidia exit comes amid AI debate SoftBank's exit from Nvidia comes at a time when there is a growing debate among market participants whether large spendings by big tech companies such as Meta Platforms and Alphabet, pegged at over $1 trillion in coming years, will actually produce better returns. SoftBank is keen to become a leading player in that growing ecosystem, with plans to leverage stakes in sector linchpins from OpenAI to US chip designer Ampere Computing. Also Read | SoftBank Vision Fund to lay off 20% of employees in shift to bold AI bets SoftBank's relation with Nvidia still remains strong though. While the Japanese company still invests in ventures use Nvidia's technology heavily, the stake sale would mean SoftBank would have new venues to direct the money at. SoftBank posts record profit SoftBank's Nvidia stake sale and its all in bet on OpenAI come as the company reported a surprise net income of 2.5 trillion yen ($16.2 billion) in the second quarter of this fiscal. This was way above the average of analyst estimates of 418.2 billion, Bloomberg reported. Its sales for the six month period rose 7.7% year-on-year to 3.7 trillion yen ($24 billion). This is not the first time SoftBank has sold Nvidia stake, having done it once in 2019. However, since 2020, it started buying small shares of Nvidia. It disclosed that it increased its stake in the US chipmaker to around $3 billion at the end of March. That has paid out well as Nvidia valuation has risen by $2 trillion since then making it the first $5 trillion company in history. This, along with the rally in OpenAI, has led SoftBank increase its profits in Q2. OpenAIs value has risen $14.6 billion since SoftBank invested, Chief Financial Officer Yoshimitsu Goto said. Abhijit Kishore, the new chief executive of financially stressed Vodafone Idea, India's third largest telecom operator, is "hopeful" that the vexed issue of the adjusted gross revenue, or AGR, dues will be resolved". The company said it hoped for a resolution "as soon as possible". The telco with statutory dues racking up over 2 trillion noted that while talks with banks and non-banking financial companies are on to raise debt, there is a "dependency" on what the government reassesses. We welcome the order from this Honorable Supreme Court and we are pretty hopeful the government being a 49% player to look at a long-term solution and we are engaged with the DoT (department of telecommunications)," Kishore told analysts on Tuesday in his first earnings call after taking charge as CEO. In early November, the apex court clarified that the government could reassess and reconsider all of Vodafone Ideas AGR dues as of 2016-17, including interest and penalties. The order provided significant relief to the company. The central government owns 49% of Vodafone Idea. The operator added in a statement: the group believes that it would be able to get support from the DoT, successfully arrange funds and generate cash flow from operations." Of the 2 trillion dues, the AGR dues of Vodafone Idea alone stands at 78,500 crore as on September end. The remaining is mostly the amount that the company owes the government for wireless spectrum purchased in auctions. AGR represents the income calculated from telecom operators total revenues, serving as the basis for regulatory fee payments. Comments from Vodafone Idea assume significance as the company had expressed survival concerns beyond FY26 in the absence of relief from the government. Also Read | Supreme Court allows govt to address Vodafone Idea's AGR grievance COO hunt The telecom operator is also on the hunt for a new chief operating officer (COO), Mint reported earlier on Tuesday. Kishore, formerly the COO, was appointed as the CEO this August for a three-year term. Selection of the new COO is under process, we will update when there is a development," said a company spokesperson in response to Mints queries. It is learnt that the next COO could be recruited from outside the company. The new top deck has its task cut out. They are taking charge at a time when the cash-strapped telco is navigating the contours of relief expected from the Union government, while also facing tough competition from market leaders Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. Vodafone Idea remains engaged with lenders to secure debt financing to support its broader capex plans of 50,000-55,000 crore. In August, the company announced that it had begun exploring non-banking sources of funding to maintain the continuity of its critical capital expenditure cycle. When asked about the capex plans in absence of debt funding, Kishore said the company is looking to spend in the range of 7,500-8,000 crore in capex for the current financial year. We are not really looking for external funding for this particular capex. It is part of the internal accrual as well as the money that we have," Kishore said. In the first half of the current financial year, the company incurred capex of 4,200 crore to improve coverage of 4G networks and the rollout of 5G ones. Vodafone Ideas 4G population coverage has increased to over 84% as of September compared to 77% in March 2024. Besides, the company has also rolled out 5G in 17 circles across 29 cities. Our sense is that over the next couple of quarters, we should be able to get to 90% (4G population coverage)... The capex that is required would be in the range of 4,000 crore," Kishore said, adding that the focus of the current capex spending is primarily towards coverage split between 4G and 5G. We firmly believe that the more 4G and 5G sites we roll out we will start to see this (subscriber) trajectory getting positive," Kishore said, ruling out any churn of subscribers to state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. Also Read | Vodafone Idea narrows loss in Q2, survival hinges on government relief Q2FY26 surprise Shares of Vodafone Idea ended 7.3% higher at 10.19 on the National Stock Exchange on Tuesday. This came after the operator surprised investors with a better-than-expected performance in the second quarter, results for which were announced on Monday. The telco posted a net loss of 5,524 crore, lower than the year-ago loss of 7,176 crore and below Bloombergs estimate of a 6,712 crore loss. The lower losses can be attributed to a reduction in the companys expenses, particularly finance cost, which include interest payments on debt and other liabilities, accounting for 43% of its revenue from operations. The telco carries debt of 2 trillion, with repayments starting next year. Commenting Tuesday on the reasons for lower finance cost, Vodafone Idea chief financial officer (CFO) Tejas Mehta said, There (have) been some settlements with some various vendors on account of which we have made some provisions in the previous quarter that are now reversed." According to Mehta, there was also a slight favorable impact on lower forex fluctuation that helped with the reduction in finance costs during the quarter, too. CEO Kishore took over the reins from Akshaya Moondra, who was the CFO of Idea Cellular from June 2008 to August 2018. Moondra played a crucial role in stitching the merger of Idea Cellular with Vodafone India in 2018 and was made the chief executive in August 2022. With 196.7 million customers, Vodafone Idea is significantly behind the subscriber base at Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. Jio has 506 million customers and Airtel 364 million. The companys average revenue per user (Arpu), a key performance metric among telcos, rose marginally to 167 in the latest quarter from 165 in the April-June quarter. In comparison, Reliance Jios Arpu stood at 211.4 and Airtels 256 in the September quarter. Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath on Tuesday weighed in on how brokerage companies in the United States charge customers for processing instant client withdrawals and how they differ from those in India. In a post on X, Kamath stated that US-based Robinhood Markets Inc. is expected to generate approximately $150 million in revenue from these charges, which could translate to a $100 million profit. I just discovered that Robinhood will generate approximately $150 million (~ 1,300 crores) in revenue from the fees it charges for processing instant client withdrawals. Their cost to process these is around $3540 million, which means a clean $100 million to the bottom line, and thats just from instant withdrawals, Nithin Kamath said. India far behind US in this aspect In the post, Nithin Kamath highlighted how India is far behind the US when it comes to customers ready to pay for add-on services, even as startups hungry for revenue offer other products. As an Indian startup with some scale, founders dream of generating revenue like this from non-core products. Hence the rush to introduce everything: loans, insurance, payments, and other financial services," the Zerodha CEO said. "But nothing really works outside the core offering. It just shows how far behind India is compared to the US when it comes to customers willing to pay for add-ons, he added. Nithin Kamath hails UPI Expressing his shock over transaction fees paid by people in the US, Nithin Kamath hailed India's UPI, which is not only instant but also free of charge. In the US, investors pay 1.75% as charges for instant withdrawal. By the way, Im still shocked that people pay 1.75% on an instant withdrawal transaction. This really shows how broken the US banking system is. Even in 2025, theres still no full-fledged instant payments system like UPI most fund transfers take a couple of days, he said. The Zerodha co-founder attached a note stating that Robinhood charges 1.75% per transaction for instant withdrawals from customers. The minimum amount payable for instant withdrawals is $1 per transaction. The maximum can reach as much as $150.Other brokers like Charles Schwab and Fidelity also charge their customers a cut for instant withdrawals, the chart showed. Also Read | Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath's post highlights fintech crossover amid Groww IPO Lauding the UPI system, Nithin Kamath said that it enables Zerodha clients to make deposits or instant withdrawals without incurring any fees. In his farewell letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders on 10 November, Warren Buffett announced that he will stop writing annual reports and speaking at meetings. He reflected on his life, sharing childhood experiences, his time in Omaha, and life after turning 90. I will no longer be writing Berkshires annual report or talking endlessly at the annual meeting. As the British would say, Im going quiet. Sort of, he said. Warren Buffett will step down as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by the end of this year, with Greg Abel succeeding him. On 10 November, he converted 1,800 A shares into 2,700,000 B shares to distribute to four family foundations. Specifically, he allocated 1,500,000 shares to The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, and 400,000 shares each to The Sherwood Foundation, The Howard G Buffett Foundation, and the NoVo Foundation. Warren Buffett shares farewell letter to his shareholders. Also Read | Buffett to retain Class A shares until investors back successor Warren Buffett said he will, however, continue to share Thanksgiving messages with shareholders and others who are interested in reading them. In the most recent letter, Buffett discussed his early life and shared a few personal and business observations. Here are a few highlights from Warren Buffett's letter Life in Omaha As Thanksgiving nears, the 95-year-old reflected on his life in Omaha and recalled a near-death experience in 1938. After a visit from his family doctor, he underwent an emergency appendectomy, spending three weeks in St Catherines Hospital, where he enjoyed the company of nuns. Warren Buffett remembered his friend, Charlie Munger, who lived a block away from his home. Charlie had a huge impact on me and could not have been a better teacher and protective big brother. We had differences, but never had an argument. I told you so was not in his vocabulary, he said. Expressing gratitude to Omaha, where Buffett met his wives, had three children and built his business, he said, Looking back, I feel that both Berkshire and I did better because of our base in Omaha than if I had resided anywhere else. The center of the United States was a very good place to be born, to raise a family, and to build a business. Message for his children Warren Buffett has three children, Howard Graham Buffett, Peter Buffett and Susan Alice Buffett. Sharing an emotional note for his children, Buffet wrote, I have assured my children that they do not need to perform miracles nor fear failures or disappointments. These are inevitable, and I have made my share. They simply need to improve somewhat upon what is generally achieved. What's next? Buffett said that his children, aged 72, 70, and 67, may not inherit his luck in ageing. To ensure they manage the estate before alternate trustees take over, Buffett has planned to increase lifetime gifts to their foundations. To improve the probability that they will dispose of what will essentially be my entire estate before alternate trustees replace them, I need to step up the pace of lifetime gifts to their three foundations, he wrote. Buffett's children have three alternate trustees in the event of any premature death or disability. The alternates are not ranked or tied to a specific child. Additionally, he plans to hold A shares until shareholders become comfortable and confident with Greg. That level of confidence shouldnt take long, he said. Also Read | Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway sees cash pile at record high On Greg Abel Praising the next CEO, Buffett said, Greg Abel has more than met the high expectations I had for him when I first thought he should be Berkshires next CEO. He understands many of our businesses and personnel far better than I now do, and he is a very fast learner about matters many CEOs dont even consider. I cant think of a CEO, a management consultant, an academic, a member of government you name it that I would select over Greg to handle your savings and mine. Final thoughts Sharing final thoughts in his letter, Buffett said, One perhaps self-serving observation. Im happy to say I feel better about the second half of my life than the first. My advice: Dont beat yourself up over past mistakes learn at least a little from them and move on. It is never too late to improve. Get the right heroes and copy them. MUMBAI : Tata Steel shareholders have had their share of disappointments over the years, but not this time. Under chief executive officer (CEO) TV Narendrans watch, the stock is up nearly 18.5% since Apriloutpacing most Tata Group peers even as TCS slipped 15% in the same period. Adding to the optimism, the company secured up to 2 billion in financing from the Dutch government for its IJmuiden-based steel plant, a key step in its European decarbonization plan. But the deal isnt fully sealed yetpolitical uncertainty in the Netherlands and the slow pace of coalition-building could delay final approvals, testing investor patience. Beyond closing this financial package, Tata Steel must also meet two major goals: restoring profitability in its UK operations and scaling capacity in India to 40 million tonnes a year. The key focus in Europe will be on profitability across the UK and the Netherlands and understanding the challenges there, the path toward decarbonization, and the role of government support, including grants," said Aditya Welekar, senior research analyst at Axis Securities. India expansion push The company first outlined its 40 million tons per annum (mtpa) capacity target in its FY23 annual report. Tata Sons' chair N. Chandrasekaran reiterated the goal last year, committing around 10,000 crore annually in capex to achieve it by 2030. Analysts, however, call the roadmap ambitious but unclear." Tata Steels immediate focus is to ramp up Kalinganagar to its full 8 mtpa capacity by end-2025 and scale up NINL (Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd) from 1 mtpa to 5 mtpa, pending regulatory clearances. Once both projects are complete, total capacity will reach 3132 mtpa, still short of its long-term target. UK turnaround goal At its FY25 annual general meeting, Chandrasekaran set another milestoneturning around the UK operations and delivering a net profit within the year. Chief financial officer Koushik Chatterjee earlier told Mint that moving from Ebitda breakeven to net profit would not take that long." However, Tata Steel pushed its breakeven guidance to the end of FY26 from the second quarter target, citing global trade disruptions and spillover effects of US tariff wars. Given its European exposure, Tata Steel is expected to outperform peers this quarter. Its Netherlands operations should benefit from lower raw material prices, particularly coking coal and iron ore, which may cushion margins. For these reasons, all eyes will be on Tata Steel's July-September results, which will be announced on 12 November. Mint lists the major areas to focus on in the company's second-quarter results: Revenue and profitability Analysts at Systematix Institutional Equities expect consolidated revenue to rise 7% year-on-year and 8% sequentially to 57,640 crore, driven by higher volumes offset by lower steel prices. According to the analysts, the margin expansion for the steelmaker will be supported by superior sales mix, cost control measures, operational efficiency, and a steady growth in volumes, despite lower hot rolled coil steel prices." Ebitda margin is expected to be around 14.2%, up from 11.4% in the same period last year. However, investors can expect net sales realizations (NSR) to fall 4% due to lower steel prices. NSR is the average revenue earned per tonne of steel sold, after accounting for discounts and taxes. European operations profitability Investors will closely track the European business, where lower coking coal use is expected to boost Ebitda per tonne to $31 from $8, according to Axis Securities. Motilal Oswal analysts expect the European segment to stay profitable, but say management commentary on the regions outlook is critical. Analysts will also continue to monitor updates on the progress of the new electric arc furnace at Port Talbot and whether it remains on track for commissioning by the end of FY27. Also Read | Tata Steel gets Dutch backing for 2 billion green transition On the Dutch operations, investors will seek commentary on what is the final project cost of decarbonizing the IJmuiden plant, and how far along they are on completing the detailed engineering design. A key concern for analysts is how will they manage timings ensuring the British and Dutch plants aren't shut down at the same time. Demand and pricing A weak monsoon and oversupply dragged down steel prices through the September quarter, with little rebound so far. Any signs of demand recovery or price improvement will be closely watched. The temporary 12% safeguard duty on steel imports expired last week, and investors await clarity on a new staggered duty recommended by the DGTR to support local producers. Globally, analysts will look for managements take on the EUs Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanismwhether it will aid or challenge Tata Steels competitiveness in Europe. The Tata Trusts have revised Venu Srinivasans tenure from a life term to three years, complying with a Maharashtra government Ordinance stipulating that only a fourth of the trustees at a trust can be permanent. In a statement, the Tata Trusts said the board decided at a meeting on Tuesday to appoint the TVS Motor Co. chairman emeritus for a period of three years, effective 12 November 2025, in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and to designate him as vice chairman of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. The decision follows the Maharashtra Public Trusts (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, issued by the state government on 30 August. It is noticed that in various instruments of trusts, there is no clarity about appointment of perpetual or permanent trustees and tenure trustees and their tenure, which leads to multiple litigations before the Charity Commissioner and the court," read the ordinance, signed by the then Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, who took over as vice president on 9 September. Key Takeaways The Tata Trusts have revised Venu Srinivasans tenure from a life term to three years, following a Maharashtra government Ordinance stipulating that only a fourth of the trustees at a trust can be permanent. The decision follows the Maharashtra Public Trusts (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, issued by the state government on 30 August. It is considered expedient to provide in the Act, by inserting new section 30A, for appointment of tenure trustees and perpetual trustees where the instrument of trusts does not contain any specific provision therefore, the ordinance added, referring to the new cap. However, following the Maharashtra government ordinance, Tata Trusts can have only one permanent trustee, as one-fourth of six is less than two, legal experts explained. The original Tata Trusts deed did not have a provision for making trustees for life. It was only on 17 October 2024 that the then seven trustees unanimously passed a resolution that agreed to make the trustees whose tenure was coming to an end permanent trustees. If the Tata Trusts instruments are silent on perpetual trustees, they must restructure to reduce the number of perpetual trustees to one-fourth or less, or convert some of them into tenure trustees with reappointment cycles. This affects the working of the trusts, welfare of beneficiaries and the public," it said. It is considered expedient to provide in the Act, by inserting new section 30A, for appointment of tenure trustees and perpetual trustees where the instrument of trusts does not contain any specific provision therefore," the ordinance added, referring to the new cap. The new rule took effect on 1 September. The trust management The Tata Trusts, the umbrella group of philanthropic entities that own 65.9% of Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd., is the holding company of the Tata group. Noel Tata, Venu Srinivasan, and retired defence secretary Vijay Singh are members of both trusts. Citibank Indias former CEO Pramit Jhaveri and Mumbai-based lawyer Darius Khambata serve as members of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT). One trustee, Mehli Mistry, was removed last month after year-long differences led chair Noel Tata and vice chairmen Singh and Srinivasan to oppose his appointment as a trustee for life. Tata Trusts inducted Neville Tata, son of Noel Tata, and Bhaskar Bhat, former Titan Co. CEO, to the board of SDTT on Tuesday. Khambata and Pune-based philanthropist and businessman Jehangir H.C. Jehangir are members of Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT). Ratan Tatas brother, Jimmy N. Tata, is the sixth trustee at SRTT. Due to his advancing age, he no longer participates in the Trusts proceedings. Also Read | Mehli Mistry tells Tata Trusts he doesn't want to challenge ouster Chair Noel Tata was appointed a permanent trustee for life in January, while Srinivasan was appointed a permanent trustee in October. However, following the Maharashtra government ordinance, Tata Trusts can have only one permanent trustee, as one-fourth of seven is less than two, legal experts explained. The original Tata Trusts deed did not have a provision for making trustees for life. It was only on 17 October 2024 that the then seven trustees unanimously passed a resolution that agreed to make the trustees whose tenure was coming to an end permanent trustees," said senior Supreme Court lawyer H.P. Ranina. However, Tata Trusts did not make any changes to its deed and merely approved the resolution. As the new rules came into effect from 1 September, the decision to appoint Venu Srinivasan a permanent trustee stands null and void." Distinct outcomes Lawyers said if a trusts governing instrument is silent about perpetual (life) trustees, the ordinance requires the trust to ensure that such trustees do not exceed one-fourth of the board. If the Tata Trusts instruments are silent on perpetual trustees, they must restructure to reduce the number of perpetual trustees to one-fourth or less, or convert some of them into tenure trustees with reappointment cycles," said Rohit Jain, managing partner, Singhania & Co. Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, the two principal Tata trusts that own 27.98% and 23.56% of Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd., had on 17 October last year decided to make all trustees permanent upon the expiration of their current tenures. Jain explained that board resolutions passed before September 2025 are not automatically insulated from the laws provisions. Ordinance too says The Maharashtra governments ordinance says as much. If the instrument of trust does not contain any specific provision for appointment of trustee as perpetual trustee, then, notwithstanding anything contrary to the usage of the trust or any decision that the trustees may have taken, the number of perpetual trustees at any point of time in the trust shall not exceed one-fourth of the total number of trustees," reads the six-page ordinance, dated 30 August. Jain added that an ordinance is a temporary measure issued to address urgent situations and must be ratified by the legislature within six weeks of its first sitting after reassembly. This means the maximum effective life of any ordinance is six months plus six weeks. If the legislature does not regularise the ordinance within this period, it lapses automatically. Yash Joglekar, counsel at Bombay High Court, the Trusts could also tackle the ordinance by challenging its validity in the high court. When the government made FASTag mandatory in 2021, it was seen primarily as a way to end long queues at toll plazas and smoothen highway drives. Four years later, the small RFID sticker on vehicle windshields has become more than a digital toll tagit has evolved into a repository of national mobility data and become the backbone of a data-driven transformation in Indias highway sector. With a penetration rate of around 98%, over 80 million FASTag users, and national toll collections exceeding 70,000 crore annually, the ministry of road transport and highways and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have begun using FASTag transaction data to plan new corridors, manage congestion and revise toll road project policies, including offering private concessionaires more accurate data. Also Read | Bonanza for investors as new road builders may get to toll old ones too Mint explains how the electronic toll collection system in the country is fast becoming a vehicle for data-informed governance. How does FASTag work and what kind of data does it generate? FASTag uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to enable cashless toll payments. Each vehicle has a unique FASTag ID linked to its registration number and payment account. Every time a vehicle crosses a toll plaza, it generates data such as vehicle type and class (car, truck, bus), timestamp, toll plaza location, direction of travel and journey pattern, transaction value and frequency of passage. With millions of such transactions daily, NHAI possesses a granular database of nationwide traffic movement, creating the foundation for advanced analytics and predictive planning. How can this data be used for traffic and congestion management? FASTag data enables real-time visibility of traffic volumes across the highway network. By analysing toll transactions, NHAI and state highway authorities can clearly identify congestion patterns on highways with specifics of areas around toll plazas facing this problem. Also, the data can predict peak travel times, especially around urban regions and industrial clusters, and help in managing traffic and deploying dynamic traffic diversions and maintenance schedules. This can come in handy during festivals, rallies and long weekends, when traffic movement on highways increases. The data can allow authorities to anticipate traffic surges and plan diversions or advisoriesimproving travel experience and safety. FASTag data can also optimise toll lane operations based on vehicle type and flow. What role does FASTag data play in road project planning and prioritisation? One of the biggest benefits of FASTag data is its use in road project evaluation and planning. By analysing origin-destination data, highway developers such as NHAI can identify corridors with high freight traffic density and prioritize them for expansion by adding lanes. The data can help locate bottlenecks and underutilized stretches, helping to rationalize investment decisions. One of the biggest contributions of FASTag data is that it would enable private sector investment in the development and operation of highways. Also Read | Gadkari looks to revive BOT model for highway projects FASTag data is set to revolutionalise highway development projects in the country with large-scale investment coming from the private sector. As more predictable and accurate traffic data is now available to investors, their investment becomes less risky in highways projects with more accurate calculation about return on investments. We are hoping that investor interest in projects would be much stronger now," a senior ministry official said on condition of anonymity. This data-centric approach marks a major departure from earlier models, where manual traffic counts and projections often led to inaccurate demand estimation. Several projects bid out in 2012-2016 failed largely because they did not generate the minimum projected revenue, often due to flawed traffic estimations in the initial planning stages and the emergence of competing routes. Projects under the build-operate-transfer toll modelonce the most sought-after format for the development of highways by private companiesnosedived from 96% of the contracts awarded in 2012 to zero just seven years later in 2019. Accurate estimation of traffic using FASTag data is expected to eliminate this discrepancy. How does the data enable toll rationalisation and dynamic pricing? FASTag data allows policymakers to experiment with dynamic tollingcharging different rates based on congestion, vehicle type, or time of day, similar to how expressways operate in developed economies. The ministry has started pilot studies to offer discounts for off-peak travel to spread traffic load evenly. It is also testing distance-based tolling, where charges depend on the actual distance travelled instead of flat fees. Already, the ministry has started a system of annual passes for passenger vehicles and is thinking of creating more such corridor passes for frequent commercial vehicles using the same routes. These measures, enabled by real-time toll data, are aimed at reducing congestion and improving fairness in highway pricing. How does FASTag data improve enforcement and safety? Integration of FASTag with the Vahan vehicle database and e-challan systems allows automatic detection of overspeeding and overloading violations (when combined with weigh-in-motion sensors). FASTags could also detect insurance and tax defaulters crossing toll points and list stolen or blacklisted vehicles through AI-based alerts. Also Read | Govt set to unveil new highway concession pact by September-end Authorities are piloting geo-fencing and camera analytics linked to FASTag IDs for enhanced road safety and compliance monitoring. What future reforms will be powered by FASTag analytics? FASTag is paving the way for a fully digital highway ecosystem. Upcoming initiatives include GPS-based tolling, eliminating physical plazas and charging vehicles based on actual distance travelled. It will support seamless multi-modal integration, where a single payment platform covers highways, parking and city tolls. Discussions are taking place to use FASTag to buy vehicle insurance. It could support open data platforms, allowing logistics firms and researchers to use anonymized traffic data to plan routes and freight operations. NHAI has launched the One Nation, One FASTag" platform to standardise payments across states and concessionaires, and future upgrades will likely bring AI-driven forecasting and predictive maintenance to the network. India-US trade deal: As India and the United States are looking forward to finalise the long-awaited bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between the two nations, government officials aware of the development said that another round of trade negotiations may not be required, reported the news agency ANI on Tuesday, 11 November 2025. According to the news agency's report, the negotiations over the upcoming trade deal are underway, keeping in mind the sensitive issues and access to sensitive sectors. Negotiations are being carried out keeping in mind sensitive issues and sensitive sectors and another round of negotiations may not be required, the official aware of the development told the news agency. The official also said that the India-US trade talks are progressing well and the result from the negotiations is set to deliver a very comprehensive, detailed and World Trade Organisation (WTO) compliant bilateral trade agreement (BTA). The talks for the India-US Bilateral trade deal are progressing well. BTA with the United States would be most comprehensive, most detailed and WTO-compliant, they told the news agency. Also Read | Trump signals significant tariff cuts as India-US trade deal approaches Trade deal update Piyush Goyal Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, at the Udyog Samagam 2025, on Tuesday, 11 November, said that India is not going to compromise the interests of its farmers, fishermen, workers, labour, and the country's dairy industry. We are working for a good trade deal in the interest of India. At the same time, India is not going to compromise the interests of our farmers, fishermen, workers, labour, and our dairy... We are working on a fair equitable and balanced trade deal, said Piyush Goyal, cited in a PTI report. While highlighting that India is seeking to get a fair and balanced trade deal with the United States, the Minister also indicated that the BTA deal can potentially happen tomorrow or even in the upcoming year. We want a fair, equitable and balanced trade deal (with the US). If that happens, it could happen any day, it could happen tomorrow, it may happen next month, it may happen next year... But as a government, we are preparing for everything, said Goyal, cited by the news agency. Piyush Goyal also highlighted that India is also looking at new markets like Russia for the country's fishing sector, which is facing issues due to the high tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on Indian imports to the Western nation. As of date, India and the United States have completed five rounds of negotiations and are expected to finalise the first round of the deal by the end of 2025. Bihar Exit Poll Results 2025 Highlights: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav rejected the poll predictions on Wednesday, saying that the government in the state will be changed this time. His statement came a day after almost all exit polls showed a massive victory for the BJP and the JD(U)-led NDA in the Bihar Election 2025. The voting for the second phase of Bihars 2025 Assembly Elections concluded on Tuesday. Exit polls forecast a return to power for the NDA, projecting a clear majority with 130160 seats. The Mahagathbandhan, despite its promises of change, is expected to secure only 70100 seats. Take a look: Dainik Bhaskar: NDA 145160 seats, Mahagathbandhan (MGB) 7391, Others 510 People's Insight: NDA 133148, MGB 87102, Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) 02, Others 36 Matrize: NDA 147167, MGB 7090 People's Pulse: NDA 133159, MGB 75101, JSP 05 All polls suggest a decisive edge for the NDA over its rivals. As per the DVC Research polls survey, NDA is projected to win 137-152 seats, Mahagathbandhan will win 83-98 seats, Jan Suraaj may win 2-4 seats, with others securing 4-8 seats. But what exactly are exit polls, and how do they work? Exit polls are conducted immediately after voters leave polling stations. Researchers from various agencies or media organisations ask voters who they chose, compiling data across a representative sample of constituencies. This information is then analysed to predict possible results before the official counting begins. Get all the Bihar Exit Poll Results 2025 LIVE here on LiveMint. Bihar Exit Poll Results 2025: Psephologist Pradeep Gupta announced on Tuesday that his Axis My India exit poll for the Bihar Elections 2025 would be released tomorrow, a day after most agencies had revealed their numbers. Most exit polls released on Tuesday predicted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would win the Bihar Election 2025 with a decisive victory over the Mahagathbandhan, comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, primarily in the two-phase elections. Also Read | Bihar Exit Poll Results 2025 LIVE: All pollsters predict win for Nitish Kumar Axis My India exit poll for Bihar elections will be released tomorrow on 12th November 2025 from 5:30 pm onwards, the pollster said in a post on X The NDA is expected to secure between 133 and 167 seats in the 243-member House, according to four exit poll results. The majority mark in Bihar assembly stands at 122. The Mahagathbandhan, or the Grand Alliance comprising the RJD, the Congress, and the Left, is projected to win anywhere between 73 and 102 seats, according to the exit polls. Debutant Jan Suraaj Party led by Prashant Kishor is projected to secure 0-5 seats. View full Image The NDA is expected to secure between 133 and 167 seats in the 243-member House, according to four exit poll results. The majority mark in Bihar assembly stands at 122. Axis My India says it will release numbers after detailed field work, number crunching, detailed analysis, and post-poll study. Remember, exit polls have often been incorrect. The votes will be counted on 14 November to declare the actual result of the Bihar Elections 2025. Today's Chanakya to release numbers on Wednesday Gupta and his agency, Axis My India, which releases exit poll results once boasted about being the most accurate exit polls. But its exit poll results for the Chhattisgarh assembly elections 2023, Lok Sabha election 2024, and Haryana assembly elections were anything but accurate. In the 2025 Delhi Assembly Elections, Axis My India predicted 15-20 seats for AAP, 45-55 seats for the BJP, and zero seats for the Congress. Eventually, the BJP won 48 of the total 70 assembly seats in Delhi, while the AAP won 22 seats. The Congress failed to open its account in the Delhi elections this year. Axis My India will release numbers after detailed field work, number crunching, detailed analysis, and post-poll study. Another pollster, Today's Chanakya will also release its numbers on Wednesday, a day after the usual date to do so. Bihar Exit Poll Results Today: Voting for the second phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections has concluded with a record 67 per cent turnout on Tuesday, 11 November. Various agencies have begun releasing their exit poll results the surveys that capture voter sentiment and provide early indications of the likely outcome. Remember, exit polls have historically been known to be inaccurate. The actual results will be known only after the counting of voters on 14 November. Bihar voted in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be announced on 14 November. The predictions are based on voter feedback collected by survey agencies after the polling. While the idea behind exit polls is to accurately reflect public sentiment before the actual results are announced, their accuracy has been scrutinised in the past. When to expect for Exit poll results? Exit poll projections for the elections to the 243-member Bihar assembly will begin from 6:30 PM. Polling agencies such as Todays Chanakya, Axis My India, CVoter, CSDS, and Times Now will issue their seat estimates once polling ends. Readers can track exit poll projections, analysis and other detailed information on the predictions here at LiveMint. Bihar election exit poll predictions are streamed on television news channels, pollster websites, and their social media handles. Here is a look back at the Exit Poll results of the assembly elections held in Bihar in 2020 and 2015. The exit polls in 2020 incorrectly predicted a narrow victory for the Mahagathbandhan. In 2015, pollsters were incorrect in predicting the results against the then JD(U)-RJD combine, commonly referred to as the Grand Alliance. Bihar Exit Poll 2020 Results In 2020, an average of 11 exit polls predicted a narrow win for the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, giving it 125 seats three seats more than the majority mark in the 243-seat Assembly. The exit polls gave 108 seats for the JD(U)-led NDA. On the result day, the NDA won the closely contested election, securing 125 seats compared to the Mahagathbandhans 110 seats. That year, the undivided LJP contested independently, while the Mukesh Sahani-led VIP, now part of the Opposition, was part of the NDA. So when compared to actual results, the poll of exit polls gave the NDA 17 seats fewer than it actually got, while the Mahagathbandhan was given 15 seats more than it actually won. Patriotic Voter, P-Marq and ABP News-CVoter came the closest in their predictions, with all three projecting an NDA majority. News 18-Todays Chanakya was the most inaccurate with its prediction of 55 seats for the NDA and 180 seats for the Mahagathbandhan. Bihar Election 2020 Exit Polls Agency NDA MGB LJP Others P-Marq 123-135 123-135 2 5 ABP-C-Voter 104-128 108-131 1-3 4-8 Patriotic Voter 129 107 2 5 Dainik Bhaskar 120 116 2 5 India Ahead -ETG 108-120 114-126 2-5 5-8 Times Now-CVoter 116 120 1 6 Republic-Jan Ki Baat 91-117 118-138 5-8 3-5 CNX 110 115 13 5 Matrize 106 95 10 32 Axis My India 69-91 139-161 3-5 3-5 News 18-Chanakya 55 180 0 8 Poll of Polls 108 125 5 6 Actual Results 125 110 1 6 Three agencies Republic-Jan Ki Baat, India Today-Axis My India, and News 18-Todays Chanakya had predicted an outright majority for the Mahagathbandhan. Bihar Exit Poll 2015 Results In 2015, Lalu Prasad's RJD and Nitish Kumar's JD(U) contested the assembly elections as the Grand Alliance along with the Congress. The NDA in that election was led by the BJP and included the undivided LJP, the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (now the Rashtriya Lok Morcha, led by Upendra Kushwaha), and Jitan Ram Manjis Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular). In the exit poll predictions, an average of six surveys predicted a narrow win for the Mahagathbandhan, giving it a majority mark of 122 by 1 seat. The poll of polls gave the BJP-led NDA 114 seats. Which Exit Poll got it right in 2015? However, as it turned out, the RJD-JD(U)-Congress Mahagathbandhan won comfortably with 178 seats. The NDA ended with just 58 seats, proving the exit polls wrong once more. Bihar Election 2015 Exit Polls Poll Agency MGB NDA Others ABP-Neilsen 130 108 5 CNN-Axis My India 176 64 3 NDTV-Hansa 110 125 8 Times Now-C-VOter 112-132 101-121 6-14 India Today-Cicero 11-123 113-127 4-8 News24-Today's Chanakya 83 155 5 Poll of Polls 123 114 6 Actual Results 178 58 7 As many as three polling agencies correctly predicted a Mahagathbandhan win; two had suggested a win for the NDA. One survey had predicted a hung Assembly in Bihar in 2015. When compared to the results, six polls underestimated the Mahagathbandhans performance by 55 seats and overestimated the NDAs performance by 56 seats. Also Read | Bihar elections: A primer for the next government to jumpstart the state The CNN IBN-Axis poll was the most accurate among exit polls. The survey predicted the Mahagathbandhans win with its tally of 176 seats. It had predicted 64 seats for the NDA. Bihar Exit Poll Results: Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party looks set for a lacklustre debut in the Bihar Assembly elections 2025, with most exit poll results predicting it to win single-digit seats. Exit polls, released on Tuesday after the second phase of the Bihar elections, predicted a clean sweep for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Meanwhile, Matrize exit polls predicted that Jan Suraaj Party will secure only five seats in the 243-member Bihar Assembly. According to People's Insight exit poll predictions, Jan Suraaj Party, contesting its maiden Bihar Assembly election, may manage to get only 0-2 seats. Jan Suraaj is unlikely to open its account in the Bihar Assembly election 2025, according to the Dainik Bhaskar exit poll predictions. People's Pulse, on the other hand, said that the Prashant Kishor-led party will win 0-2 seats out of the 243 seats in the Bihar Assembly. As per the DVC Research exit poll survey, Jan Suraaj may win 2-4 seats. P-Marq predicted that the party would win 1-4 seats. Bihar exit polls: Clean sweep for NDA Most Bihar exit poll surveys have said that it's a clean sweep for the NDA this time. Peoples Pulse poll survey said that the NDA may get 133-159 seats and the Mahagathbandhan led by RJD's Tejashwi Yadav will secure around 75-101 seats. According to the Dainik Bhaskar poll, the NDA may get 145-160 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan may secure 73-91 seats. Also Read | Bihar Exit Poll Results 2025 LIVE: All pollsters predict big win for Nitish Kuma According to the DVC Research poll survey, the NDA is projected to win 137-152 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan is expected to win 83-98 seats. Matrize said that the NDA would win 147167 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan might secure 7090 seats. The People's Insight exit poll forecasts the NDA to win 133148 seats and the Mahagathbandhan to get 87102 seats, predicting the return of Nitish Kumar as the Chief Minister of Bihar. Bihar polls see record turnout The Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 concluded on Tuesday, 11 November, with a record turnout. In the second phase of the Bihar polls, a massive voter turnout of 67.14% was recorded as of 5 PM on Tuesday, according to data from the Election Commission. The highest voter turnout was recorded in Kishanganj district at 76.26%, followed by 75.23% in Katihar, 73.79% in Purnia, 70.69% in Supaul, 69.02% in Purvi Champaran and 68.91% in Banka. In the first phase of polling on 6 November, the state saw a record 65.08% polling with all political parties, including Jan Suraaj, interpreting the high turnout in their favour. China plans to ease the flow of rare earths and other restricted materials to the U.S. by designing a system that will exclude companies with ties to the U.S. military while fast-tracking export approvals for other firms, according to people familiar with the plan. The validated end-user" system, or VEU, would enable Chinese leader Xi Jinping to follow through on a pledge to President Trump to facilitate the export of such materials while ensuring that they dont end up with U.S. military suppliers, a core concern for China, according to the people familiar with the plan. If strictly implemented, the system could make importing certain Chinese materials more difficult for automotive and aerospace companies that have both civilian and defense clients. Beijings plan could still change and its licensing system wouldnt be certain until it is implemented, the people said. Chinas Ministry of Commerce didnt respond to a request for comment. Rare-earth magnets and other restricted materials are used widely in civilian goods such as electric vehicles and passenger jets, but are also needed in jet fighters, submarines and attack drones. The VEU mechanism that Beijing is considering is modeled on U.S. laws and procedures, as is much of Beijings export-control architecture. Under the American version of the VEU system, which has been active since 2007, certain Chinese companies are cleared to buy sensitive goods under a general authorizationessentially a simplified export-approval mechanisminstead of needing individual licenses for each purchase. This makes it easier to import controlled goods such as chemicals or chip-making equipment, but requires companies to put up with U.S. government inspections of their facilities, among other steps, to verify compliance with the program. Since April, Beijing has used restrictions on the export of powerful rare-earth magnets to win concessions from the U.S. in the trade war. Following the Oct. 30 truce between Trump and Xi, which saw both sides make concessions, China has publicly committed to issuing general licenses to ease the flow of controlled materials. While Trump has said that the issuance of general licenses by Beijing will mark the de facto end of export curbs on critical materials, Beijing appears to be keeping some of the controls in place, even as it tries to ease exports for proven civilian uses. Beijing hasnt made clear which companies will be eligible for general licenses, or exactly what benefits such licenses would provide. It isnt clear how long VEU protections would last. Under the U.S. system, Chinese companies that are cleared to receive purchases under the VEU sometimes have this clearance taken away, which has caused consternation in Beijing. As a result, many companies may continue to decide to seek out alternative sources of controlled products, even if they can benefit from Chinas VEU arrangement. In recent months, companies in the U.S. and Europe have complained of reduced access to rare-earth magnets. Though China has periodically agreed to relax magnet restrictions, Chinese rare-earth magnet exports to the U.S. declined 29% in September from the month before, in a sign that curbs continued to affect companies in the weeks leading up to the truce. Write to Jon Emont at jonathan.emont@wsj.com and Raffaele Huang at raffaele.huang@wsj.com Many in the West gaze in awe at Chinas apparent dominance in green energychurning out enough solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and batteries to flood global markets. Its true that Beijing has pulled off a tremendous feat that should have the West scrambling to alter its energy policy, but the image of China as a renewable superpower is mostly propaganda. In reality, the country has dramatically scaled up energy use across the boardbuoying green" manufacturing with coal expansionand grown rich in the process. Headline numbers on green energy can be deceptive. China supplied 39% of the $2 trillion that the world invested in green energy last year. The U.S. and European Union combined supplied 34%. But raw spending doesnt indicate investment quality. The eco side of Chinese industry resembles the next iteration of its recent property boom and bust, in which Beijing funneled too much capital into construction until the current crisis began around 2021. Since then, Chinese money has been flowing into solar panels, creating overproduction and overcapacity. Chinese annual solar production capacity is now more than twice the actual global solar-panel sales in 2024. Of the firms the International Energy Agency studied, every segment of the Chinese solar supply chain suffered profit losses in every quarter last year, with margins reaching almost as low as minus 60%. Between the start of 2024 and July 2025, more than 40 companies delisted, went bankrupt or were sold. The industry cut a third of its workforce in 2024. Even running at a loss, this production depends on massive coal use: Every Chinese silicon smelter, an essential solar-panel material, requires its own coal-fired power station. Investment is also pouring into electric cars. Automaking has become an economic pillar for local governments once reliant on the ample land sales and real-estate taxes of the previous property bubble. The auto industry and related services now account for one-tenth of Chinas gross domestic product. Overcapacity is staggering: The consultancy AlixPartners estimates that of the 129 current Chinese EV and hybrid brands only 15 will be financially viable by 2030. Another seemingly eco-friendly figure is that Chinese consumers buy nearly two-thirds of all EVs sold globallypushed by government limits on traditional car purchases and lured by rock-bottom prices from surplus production. Yet this does little for the climate. Beijings insistence on EVs is better explained by the governments desire to avoid dependence on foreign oil. EV battery packs are made using coal energy and charged on a coal-dominated grid. A 2023 estimate published in iScience shows that over its lifetime a Chinese EV emits 85% to 90% of the carbon of a gasoline car, in large part because of the heavy carbon debt incurred by the coal-produced battery. And this may be too optimistic, as many new buyers would otherwise have bought no car or a less-polluting hybrid. Moreover, Chinese EVs are driven much less than conventional cars, resulting in higher emissions per mile. Electric cars also increase Chinese air pollution. A 2024 study in Nature shows that while EVs reduced nitrogen-oxide emissionsa precursor to smogby 1% since 2020, they have increased far deadlier sulfur-dioxide and particulate-matter pollution by 10% and 20%, respectively. Chinas EV boom will increase these emissions into the future, and without a fast green transition even CO2 emissions could increase, according to a 2025 report in the journal Energy. While China added unprecedented solar and wind capacity last year, it also hit a 10-year high of new coal plant construction. China remains the worlds top coal consumer, with fossils supplying over 87% of its primary energy. Renewables share was 40% in 1971 when the country was poor, but plummeted to 7.5% by 2011. From then to 2023the last year for which the IEA has data on Chinathe portion of renewables rose slowly to 10%. On this trajectory, a full transition would take 400 years. IEA data show China in 2023 added more than five times as much coal energy as solar and wind energy. Though China isnt the green giant Western climate campaigners think, there are important lessons to learn from it. Chinas across-the-board energy expansion has been a huge boon to growth. The Westespecially Europeshould abandon its self-imposed energy restrictions and follow suit. As part of its energy surge, China has pushed rapid investment into the only technology that currently can decarbonize the planet at scale: nuclear fission and fusion. In the West, traditional nuclear has grown prohibitively expensive, with U.S. construction costs tripling since the mid-1980s. America has brought only three new plants online this century, at enormous cost and with timelines of at least 11 years. Contrast this to China, where reactors are completed in five to six years and costs have declined by half since the 1990snow matching U.S. mid-1970s prices. China has expanded from three reactors in 2000 to 58, with 33 more under construction, 43 planned and 147 proposed. Globally, there are 438 nuclear plants. Fourth-generation reactorsoften small and modularare designed for efficiency, affordability, minimal long-lived radioactive waste and inherent accident safety. A report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation estimates China leads the U.S. by 10 to 15 years in the ability to deploy fourth-generation reactors at scale. The first such reactor in the world began operations in China over a year ago. China is working on running all six types of fourth-generation reactors, not just one. On fusion, China dominates patents and has allocated more resources to research than any other country. This isnt renewables redux; its a race for abundant energy. If the West doesnt start running, it risks awakening to a world powered by Beijings reactors, not its own ingenuity. Green China is mostly a shambut it is time for the West to emulate its real playbook: ramp up energy use and nuclear R&D. Mr. Lomborg is president of the Copenhagen Consensus, a visiting fellow at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution and author of Best Things First." A valiant effort by the central bank to clamp down on fund diversion has pitted India's private sector banks against their public peers, opening up a rift in the Indian Banks Association (IBA). The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) last month proposed that multiple banks cannot open current accounts for a borrower who owes 10 crore or more to the banking system. The regulator said only two banks, that account for at least 10% of the banking systems exposure to the borrower, can open these accounts. The idea is to prevent a borrower from keeping his bank in the dark about the cash flows he receives in a current account maintained with another bank. Private banks fear the RBI move will benefit their public sector rivals as they are typically the largest lenders in any consortium, four bankers aware of the matter said, adding this will also deprive choice for customers. This regulation would invariably benefit the public sector banks, especially the larger ones with strong presence in corporate lending," one of the bankers said on the condition of anonymity. The private banks worry that the RBI move will cut off a key source of cheap funds, since banks do not pay any interest on current accounts. Divisions at IBA In FY25, banks in India had 22.8 trillion in current account deposits, 38% of which was parked in state-owned banks, as per RBI data. Private banks and foreign banks had 44.7% and 16.2%, respectively. Though the issue was discussed at the IBA, private banks are unlikely to find support from state-owned banks, the banker cited above said. He said private sector banks may reach out separately to the central bank to seek some relaxation if their concerns do not find support at IBA. As an industry body, IBA typically lobbies with the regulator to voice issues raised by member banks. We are not fully convinced with the proposal," said a second banker with private sector lender. As a bank, I must also get cash flow. If I am not allowed to hold current accounts for my borrowers, it affects my liquidity and fee income. We have represented this to the IBA and are hoping for some relaxation." Queries emailed to the RBI and IBA on the matter remained unanswered. That said, the RBI proposed that bankswhether they have loans to that borrower or notcan open collection accounts, which receive the customer's cash inflows. However, RBI said money credited into these accounts will need to be remitted within two working days to a designated transaction account like a current account. Far-reaching implications The proposal may have far-reaching implications for banks deposit and fee income structures. Suppose bank A has lent 90 crore and bank B has lent 10 crore to a company with 100 crore total borrowing. Currently, if the corporates collections come into Bs account, bank A could demand 90% of those funds, and it will be transferred to its current account. This would reduce bank Bs current account balances," a banking expert said on the condition of anonymity. Such a change could alter the dynamics of banks CASA (current account, savings account) deposits. Private banks, known for their strong transaction banking and digital collection services, may see their low-cost deposits shrink. Private banks could lose part of their current account base, while PSU banks may gain. However, private banks could start charging corporates for cash management and collection services, boosting their fee income even as their margins fall," the expert added. Past moves The new RBI proposals come five years after the central bank said that lenders with little or no loan exposure cannot open a current account for borrowers, and existing non-compliant accounts had to be frozen. Back then, the central banks directive was aimed at cracking down on attempts by borrowers using current accounts at non-lending banks to siphon off funds. RBI had then said banks with less than 10% of the banking system exposure to a particular borrower cannot open a current account. Bankers said the earlier framework had challenges as well. Smaller banks often lacked digital infrastructure to process large volumes of tax and statutory payments efficiently. Similarly, businesses operating in remote locations sometimes found that their primary lending bank did not have a nearby branch, forcing them to rely on other banks for cash collections. Also Read | RBI to meet primary dealers on Thursday amid rising bond yields, weak sentiment To address such cases, RBI later allowed borrowers to open additional current accounts with a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the lead lender. Now, the regulator has again tightened the rules, citing concerns over fund diversion. But this time, customers are again facing problems," said a third banker, who is a senior executive at a public sector lender. Private banks had made business easier for corporates, especially in terms of digital payments, internet banking, and cash management services. If this rule is implemented strictly, private lenders will lose out," the banker added. Analysts, however, said the RBI move was a necessary step for risk management. It cannot be that you take a loan from one bank and maintain your current account elsewhere," said Asutosh Mishra, head of research - institutional equity at Ashika Stock Broking Ltd. The intent is to ensure transparency and prevent misuse of funds. While private banks may lose some current account business, this move ensures better credit discipline," Mishra said. Stocks to buy: The Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, snapped their three-day losing run on Monday, November 10, amid buying in IT and financial stocks and a positive trend in the global market. The BSE Sensex ended the day at 319.07 points, or 0.38%, higher at 83,535. Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 settled the day 82.05 points, or 0.32 per cent, up at 25,574. During the day, the indices gained as much as 0.64%. Except for the media index, which slipped 1%, all other sectoral indices ended in the green. The IT index gained 1.6%, supported by strong buying in Infosys, HCL Technologies, and Wipro. The pharma and metal indices also advanced nearly 1% and 0.6%, respectively. Stock market today Vaishali Parekh, Vice President of Technical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, believes the index has taken support at the important 50-EMA level, and the market bias has improved, signalling a further upmove in the coming days. Commenting on the key levels for Nifty 50, Parekh said, "Nifty, after taking support near the important 50EMA at 25320 zone, the index continued with the positive move to extend the gains and touched the 25650 zone during the intraday session to improve the bias, expecting further upward move in the coming days." As mentioned earlier, the Nifty 50 index would need to move past the 25750 zone to establish conviction for a further rise towards targets of 26,100 and 26500, said the analyst. Meanwhile, the near-term support for Nifty remains at the 25300 zone, which needs to be sustained, she noted. Commenting on the Bank Nifty index, Parekh said that the index witnessed a marginal gain to find resistance near the 58000 zone after picking up significantly in the previous session from the 57200 zone to improve the bias. "The index gives a decisive breach above the tough resistance zone of 58500 level, which shall open the gates for a fresh upward move having a further higher target of 60000 level, with downside support positioned near the 50EMA at 56500 level, which needs to be sustained," said Parekh. The support for the day is seen at 25450 levels, while the resistance is seen at 25800 levels. "Bank Nifty would have the daily range of 57600-58700 levels." Vaishali Parekh's stock recommendations today Regarding intraday stocks for today, Vaishali Parekh of Prabhudas Lilladher recommends three stocks to buy: Wockhardt, Gabriel India and Medico Remedies. 1. Wockhardt: Buy at 1,360 | Target at 1,450 | Stop loss at 1,320 2. Gabriel India: Buy at 1,255 | Target at 1,300 | Stop loss at 1,229 3. Medico Remedies: Buy at 51 | Target at 54 | Stop loss at 49 Also Read | Stocks to buy for short term: Jigar Patel of Anand Rathi recommends 3 shares On the face of it, a recent survey of the Indian populations awareness of investment products, conducted by the country's capital markets regulator, appears to be good news. In 2025, 53% of respondents (rural and urban) said that although they had not invested in securities instruments, they were aware of at least one such product, such as mutual funds. A decade ago, a similar survey found that just 28.4% of respondents were aware of mutual funds. This was only for urban residents. If the rural population were included, the number would have been lower. However, awareness does not necessarily translate into actual investmentsonly 9.5% of Indians invest in securities market products. Growing awareness The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) surveyed around 53,000 respondentsinvestors and non-investorsin both rural and urban areas. In terms of headline numbers, 53% of the survey respondents were aware of at least one securities market product, with urban areas registering a much higher rate of 74%, compared with 56% in rural areas. Among securities products, awareness of mutual funds was highest at around 53%, followed by equities at 49% (26% among urban residents in 2015). Awareness of more specialized products, such as futures and options, or real estate investment trusts (REITs), is understandably lower, at 13% or below. One difference between the 2025 survey and the 2015 one was that the earlier one also asked respondents about more traditional investment products, such as bank deposits, post office schemes, and even gold and real estate. As expected, there was a sharp differenceclose to 100% awareness of concepts like bank deposits (urban residents only) versus mutual funds, at just 28.4%. Also Read | This Diwali, investors should resolve to fight off paralysis by analysis Awareness, not action The major challenge has been penetration, as only 9.5% of respondents invested in some securities product. Higher awareness is not translating into penetration," the survey noted. Only 6.7% of the population actually invests in mutual funds, and 5.3% in equities. For the remaining instruments, which are either higher up the risk chain or more complex to understand, it is less than 1%. Penetration (defined as investment in at least one product) in the top nine metros was 23%, against just 6% for rural areas as a whole. Education levels affect product uptake: 27% of postgraduates have invested in at least one securities product, while the uptake falls to 19% among graduates. Uptake at an overall level has progressed at a slow pace. Ten years ago, among urban residents, investment in mutual funds was 9.7% and equities 8.1%; adjusted for rural areas, the gains would be significantly lower. Worse, of the 9.5% overall who are invested, only about three-fifths are active investors. Low-risk appetite Of the 53% of the population who are non-investors, but aware of securities market products, above a fifth said they intend" to invest in such a product over the next year. The challenge is risk tolerance. Securities market products, as opposed to relatively safe" products like bank deposits or post office deposits, carry an element of risk. This is possibly one reason why mutual funds or equities see relatively low levels of investment in spite of widespread awareness. The Sebi survey indicates that nearly 80% of the population has a low risk tolerance when it comes to investing. Risk tolerance is tied to various factors, such as education, but it is also an issue of income security. For example, salaried individuals showed a higher uptake of securities products than the self-employed (23% vs 17%). According to the survey, the attitude of such investors is preservation of capital (amount invested) is more important to me than returns, and I need to have good but stable and reliable returns with minimal losses". Safe than sorry The survey asked respondents to choose specific reasons for not investing in securities market products. In line with their low risk tolerance, 34% of investors cited fear of losing money due to market risks as the reason. The next biggest barrier cited by investors was the lack of knowledge on how to start investing, followed by a lack of trust in the product or the financial institution selling it. Also Read | Devina Mehra: Six investment rules that help grow wealth but are not complex This risk aversion has remained relatively unchanged over the past decade. The 2015 survey described how investors associated the word risk with different meanings. A direct question on perception of risk highlights the risk aversion among Indian investors. When the word risk is mentioned, danger is the first word that comes to the mind of 33% of investors, and 23% think of loss, and yet another 20% think of it as uncertainty. Perceptions that risk can be thrilling (16%) or can lead to opportunities (8%) are limited to less than a quarter of the investor base," the survey had noted. The loan factor Rather than something that Indian investors are inherently prone to, risk aversion is also a result of the macroeconomic environment. Even among respondents with disposable income, it is highly likely that they have become more risk-averse, rather than less, over the last decade. This is because financial liabilities, as a share of physical savings (for example, real estate or land) or financial savings (such as bank deposits or mutual funds), have risen sharply from 12% in 2011-12 to 26% in 2023-24. What does this imply? Financial liabilities are largely loans, entailing a fixed outgo over their tenure. If the share of such fixed commitments rises as a share of the amount available to save, this has two effects. One, a greater share of incomes goes towards servicing loans than investing. Two, even with the surplus left after servicing EMIs, protection of capital and relatively safe returns could become a greater priority than investments in instruments that promise higher returns but come with risk and uncertainty. Also Read | Sensex@94,000: Why HSBC is betting big on India www.howindialives.com is a database and search engine for public data. A-1 share price hit upper circuit for the third consecutive session on Tuesday. The small-cap stock was locked in at 5% upper circuit of 1,824.95 apiece on the BSE. The rally in A-1 share price comes after the company announced that a Mauritius-based Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) - Minerva Ventures Fund - has acquired a stake in the company through a bulk deal. Minerva Ventures Fund has bought 66,500 equity shares of A-1 Ltd in a bulk deal at 1,655.45 per share on 7 November 2025, as per the bulk deal data available on BSE. The fund bought the shares of A1 Ltd from the open market, and the total value of the transaction was 11 crore. As on 30 September 2025, Promoter group held 70.03% stake in A-1 Ltd. FIIs and FPIs holding in A-1 Ltd increased from 2.94% as of March 2025 to 6.03% as of September 2025. The current transaction will further increase the foreign investor participation in the company. A-1 Bonus Issue, Stock Split, Dividend On November 7, the company also informed that the meeting of its board of directors will be held on November 14 to consider and approve the issue of bonus shares in the ratio of upto 5:1, which means 5 fully paid-up equity shares for every 1 existing equity share held by the members of the Company, as on a Record Date to be fixed later. The board will also consider a 1:10 stock split, which means the sub-division of existing one equity share of the company into up to ten equity shares. The Record Date for stock split, if approved, will be fixed later. The companys board will also consider and recommend a dividend of up to 50% on the paid-up equity share capital of the Company for the current financial year, subject to approval by the shareholders. Diversification into EV Sector A-1 Ltd has also announced a major diversification into the electric vehicle (EV) sector marking a strategic shift from chemicals to clean mobility. The company also plans to approve the proposed expansion of operations of its subsidiary, A-1 Sureja Industries, into new EV-related verticals and allied clean mobility fields, including R&D, battery technology, EV component manufacturing, and smart charging infrastructure. The company has increased existing partnership interest/ shareholding in A-1 Sureja industries from 45% to 51% at an enterprise value of 100 crore. A-1 Sureja Industries is a manufacturer of battery-operated two-wheelers under the brand Hurry-E, it said. Also Read | Vodafone Idea share price jumps over 6% as losses narrow in Q2 A-1 Share Price Performance A-1 share price has rallied 77% in one month and has jumped 165% in three months. The smallcap stock has surged 241% in six months, and has gained 332% on a year-to-date (YTD) basis. A-1 share price has delivered multibagger returns of more than 3,000% in the past five years. At 12:05 PM, A-1 share price was still locked in at 5% upper circuit of 1,824.95 apiece on the BSE. PC Jeweller released its financial results for the July to September 2025 quarter (Q2FY2025-26) today, November 11, post market hours, reporting a 17.3% jump in its consolidated net profit at 209.5 crore from 178.8 crore on a year-on-year basis. Its consolidated revenue from operations surged 63.4% to 825.2 crore compared to 505 crore in the same quarter last year, supported by sustained consumer demand throughout the festive season. At the operating level, the companys EBITDA more than doubled to 177.5 crore from 86.2 crore, while margins improved to 21.5% from 17%, reflecting enhanced operational efficiency and robust sales growth. Company eyes debt-free status by FY26-end During the quarter, the company said it has further reduced its outstanding debt payable to its banks that stood at the end of previous fiscal as per the terms of settlement agreement, by another 23%. This follows a 9% reduction in the first quarter of FY 2025-26 and over 50% reduction already done during the previous financial year. The company further stated that it is targeting a debt-free status by the end of FY 2025-26. The debt reduction achieved so far is in line with its objective of becoming debt-free by the end of FY 2025-26. "Once company becomes the debt free, it will not incur any further finance cost. The company will be able to meet its working capital requirement from its operations itself," the company said in its earnings' filing. Also Read | This jewellery stock jumps 70% in just 10 sessions Focus on retail footprint expansion The company has launched a new franchise-owned showroom in Pitampura, Delhi, as part of its focus on expanding retail reach through a mix of owned and franchise stores. With renewed market engagement and sustainable growth driven by network expansion, the company said it will continue exploring opportunities to further expand its retail footprint in the future. Supported by rising revenue, strong demand, and improving operations, PC Jeweller expects sustained growth and is optimistic about expanding its retail footprint. Also Read | Thangamayil Jewellery hits 20% upper circuit after turning profitable in Q2 Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles shares will list on the Indian stock exchanges on November 12, according to a notice on the BSE. The new entity will trade in the T Group of Securities. The listing of equity shares of Tata Motors Commercial Vehicle business comes following the Tata Motors demerger was completed and the company was split into two independent listed entities. Tata Motors demerger took effect from October 1. As per the share entitlement ratio of 1:1, investors received one share in the Commercial Vehicle business for every Tata Motors share held as of the record date. Tata Motors demerger record date was October 14. As per the BSE notice, over 368 crore equity shares of face value 2 each will be admitted to trading under the ticker TMCVL. The stock will remain in the trade-for-trade segment for the first 10 sessions. Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles shares will list on both the stock exchanges, BSE and NSE. Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles has been renamed Tata Motors. It will focus on commercial vehicles, while the newly formed and already listed Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles will house the passenger vehicles, electric vehicles (EVs), and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) business. Prior to the Scheme, the paid-up Equity Capital of Tata Motors Limited was 10,00,000/- consisting of 5,00,000 shares of Face Value of Rs. 2/- each which has been cancelled. The issued, subscribed and paid-up equity capital of Tata Motors Limited post Arrangement is Rs. 7,36,46,62,746/- consisting of 3,68,23,31,373 equity shares of face Value of Rs. 2/- each fully paid, the BSE notice said. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd has already started trading as a separate entity from October 14. After the record date adjustment, TMPV was valued around 400 per share, while the implied residual value of the yet-to-be-listed commercial vehicles arm was at 260-270 per share, based on the pre-demerger closing price of 660.75. Also Read | Tata Motors Demerger: Tax implications on getting TMLCV shares Tata Motors CV Share Price Analysts remain positive on Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles arm and expect the stock to list in the range of 320 to 470. SBI Securities expects TMCV shares to trade between 320 - 470 post listing. The domestic CV industry is likely to start recovering in 2HFY26 on back of tailwinds such as GST rate reduction on CVs from 28% to 18%, replacement demand and pickup in the infrastructure, construction and logistics sectors. The integration of Iveco Group NV, most likely in FY27 will expose the company to the global CV cycle, it said. On Monday, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle shares ended 1.22% higher at 410.60 apiece on the BSE. Tata Motors Demerger: Impact on shareholders India's solar manufacturing industry is benefitting from strong demand, maturing capacities, and supportive policies. Even as the sector scales up, the fortunes of listed module producers have diverged sharply, reflecting investor caution amid global policy shifts and pricing pressures. Among the largest players, Waaree Energies has outperformed its closest rival Premier Energies this year in terms of share price. Its stock has increased by 16% so far in 2025, compared to a 25% decline in the latter. Other listed companies in the sector, such as Vikram Solar and Websol Energy System, have declined by 11% and 22%, respectively, so far this year. Also Read | Waaree Energies charged up on strong solar demand, but tariff concerns persist On valuations too, Waaree looks more grounded at 26.79 times earnings, compared to Premiers steeper 34.11x. Premier trades at a higher multiple than Waaree due to better margins and as it was backward integrated before Waaree, according to Umesh Raut, equity research analyst at Nomura. In backward integration, a company starts building its own in-house manufacturing setup, reducing its dependence on outside suppliers. Waarees consolidated operating margin rose to 25.17% in the September quarter (Q2FY26) from 16.76% a year earlier, according to its latest investor presentation. Premier, meanwhile, reported an operating margin of 30.5%, up from 24.9% in the same period last year, its investor presentation showed. Waaree, now Indias largest module manufacturer by capacity and volume, has begun backward integrating as well, a move that helped its Ebitda growth outpace Premiers in FY26 so far, Raut said. Waaree has access to higher capital availability and is better placed to undertake future rounds of capacity expansions and backward integration, thus bolstering its already large scale, Raut added. It has a total module capacity of 16.1GW and cell capacity of 5.4GW, compared with Premiers 5.1GW and 3.2GW, respectively, showed a November report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services. The order book of Waaree stands at approximately 47,000 crore as of September end, while Premiers is 13,200 crore. Trade and competition Analysts caution that the story may not be as simple as it looks. Waarees US exposure, already under the shadow of reciprocal tariffs, could throw a few curveballs, especially with margin pressures likely building up for the solar industry in the coming years. Trade uncertainties and geopolitical headwinds pose significant challenges for Waaree, which has a substantial US exposure, while Premiers almost entire revenue is generated in India, Raut said. The US reciprocal tariffs of 50% can dent its US business, which accounts for close to 60% of its order book. Further, the ongoing anti-dumping investigations in the US are also a negative overhang for the company as any unfavourable outcome can severely impede its US business," he added. For Waaree, overseas markets accounted for 47.2% of its revenue in Q2FY26, whereas Premiers entire order book remained domestically focused as of 30 September. During a conference call with analysts on 30 July, Waarees CEO Amit Paithankar said the effect would be mixed. However, on 17 October, Paithankar, in a call, said the company is ramping up its manufacturing capacity in the US. More and more of US demand will eventually be catered to from our facilities in the US Having said that, there is a fair mix at this stage," he noted. Sweta Jain, analyst at Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers Jain said the US contributes about 20-25% to Waarees consolidated sales, whereas Premier has no exposure to that market. Waaree also operates a module manufacturing facility in the US. With President Donald Trump imposing steep tariffs (effective rates of around 40% for India and over 400% for countries like Vietnam and Thailand), having local production gives Waaree a clear edge to service its order book without facing much pressure from tariff concerns, she explained. Indias solar story isnt just about Waaree and Premier anymore. The industry as a whole has its share of headwinds. Solar module prices falling over 20-25% over the past one year have raised some concerns, said Rupesh Sankhe, vice president at Elara Capital. He also expects profitability pressures to emerge by FY29, as more players increase capital expenditure and expand their capacity. With large conglomerates like Tata and JSW entering the sector, competition is set to intensify further," Sankhe added. Execution and policy Analysts warned that if Waaree's efforts to vertically integrate in cells, ingots, and wafers do not scale up effectively, it could harm profitability and increase competitive pressures. Some also said that the companys aggressive foray into these capital-intensive areas raises execution and stabilization risks, which could affect timelines, costs, and near to medium-term financial performance. However, the goods and service tax (GST) cut on solar modules, cells, and inverters from 12% to 5% could bring down overall project costs and give a strong push to consumer demand, analysts said. Waaree, in its latest quarterly investor presentation, said lower GST will cut module and component costs by 3-4%. Jain believes the industrys shift from non-DCR to DCR modules will help limit margin pressure. DCR is domestic content requirement where solar modules are made using locally manufactured cells, while imported modules are used in non-DCR. In addition, increasing backward integration among manufacturers, thereby reducing cost of production, is expected to cushion the impact further, she believes. Catching up Waaree posted a stellar 70% year-on-year jump in revenue for Q2FY26, with net profit more than doubling. Premier, on the other hand, reported a 20% rise in sales and a nearly 72% surge in net profit. Jain of Anand Rathi expects Waarees revenue and profit after tax to grow 30% and 33% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR), respectively, during FY25-FY28. For Premier, she expects a compounded annual growth rate of 34% in sales and 31% in profit. The valuation gap has already narrowed from 40% to 20%, and Jain expects Waaree to catch up completely over the next few years as returns and product profiles converge. Having said that, shares of Premier Energies still lags about 22% below its 52-week high, whereas Waaree is just 11% short of reclaiming its one-year peak. On a Monday morning in Mumbai, 32-year-old content strategist Priya Dsouza settles at her desk with a playlist of lo-fi beats playing softly in her headphones. Next to her laptop sits a bright yellow timer, set for 25 minutes. I dont start work without it," she says. Otherwise I lose track of time, or worse, I dont start at all." For Dsouza, who was diagnosed with ADHD only last year, hacks including using timers, music, and body doubling with friends, are not productivity fads they are lifelines. ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, has long been framed in India as a childhood condition associated with hyperactive boys disrupting classrooms. But as research grows and awareness slowly shifts, many urban Indian adults are realizing that their chronic disorganization, emotional impulsivity, or restless energy has a name. For those still undiagnosed, the daily reality is one of constant self hacks: Pomodoro timers to create urgency, brain-dump journals to unload racing thoughts, WhatsApp focus groups" with friends to replicate accountability. These everyday strategies are keeping many adults afloat in a culture where ADHD is poorly recognized, workplaces are rigid, and stigma remains high. But they also reveal the limits of self-reliance by raising the question: how far can hacks carry a person without deeper support? Also Read | 8 myths about ADHD and how to handle it In India, ADHD in adults is frequently overlooked," says Dr Alok Kulkarni, senior consultant psychiatrist at Manas Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hubballi. Symptoms are often mistaken for stress, anxiety, or laziness. Women, in particular, are missed because their inattentive symptoms such as daydreaming, internal distractibility, draw less attention than hyperactivity. Tanu Choksi, a psychotherapist in Mumbai, explains that many adults with ADHD internalize years of underachievement and relationship strain without realizing theres an underlying neurological reason. They feel like theyre failing at things everyone else manages, like remembering deadlines or controlling impulsive spending. Without a diagnosis, its seen as a character flaw," she notes. The result: chronic guilt, low self-esteem, unstable employment, and financial insecurity. As Manavi Khurana, counselling psychologist and founder of Karma Care in Delhi, puts it: Growing up without a diagnosis feels like being blindfolded. You dont recognize distress as distress, because it has always been your normal. Only later, with awareness, can you step into charge of your life." WHY HACKS WORK In the absence of formal accommodations, hacks become survival tools. Timers work because they give external structure to an ADHD individuals shaky sense of time. They make time concrete, breaking work into manageable intervals that reduce overwhelm and build momentum," explains Kulkarni. Music, whether lo-fi, white noise, or even high-BPM (beats per minute) electronic, provides sensory stimulation. It boosts dopamine, helping ADHD brains, which are under-stimulated, to focus and stay motivated," he adds. Then theres body doubling, where adults work alongside another person (in person or virtually). Its like borrowing someone elses presence to mimic neurotypical focus cues," says Khurana. Choksi calls these strategies outsourcing executive functioning." They reduce the mental load of self-monitoring, creating predictable cues that ADHD brains associate with focus. For Arjun Behl, a 28-year-old IT professional in Bengaluru, mornings start with a brain dump". He writes down everything, from, emails to reply to, bills to pay, even reminders like take lunchbox". Its the only way I can calm the chaos in my head," he says. Without this ritual, he forgets entire tasks, sometimes jeopardizing projects at work. Delhi-based entrepreneur Sana Mehta, meanwhile, swears by body doubling. I run a small design studio, and I co-work with two friends over Zoom. We keep cameras on and check in every hour. If I dont, I procrastinate endlessly. Knowing some one is watching, even silently, keeps me on track." These practices may sound small, but for adults juggling the demands of urban Indias competitive workplaces, long commutes, and multigenerational family responsibilities, they are the difference between functioning and floundering. Also Read | How to stay creative in an AI-dominated world STARTING POINTS, NOT SOLUTIONS For all their ingenuity, hacks are fragile. They provide short-term relief, but the core neurobiological deficits remain," cautions Kulkarni. Over time, hacks can lose impact as ADHD brains crave novelty. Choksi adds that hacks dont address co-occurring issues such as depression, anxiety, or trauma, which are common in ADHD adults. And as Khurana points out, During stressful times, your brain cant think clearly enough to reach for a timer or playlist. Everything gets muddled. Thats when hacks collapse." There is also the risk of masking. Adults may appear high functioning" because they have perfected hacks, but underlying struggles remain unrecognized, delaying diagnosis and treatment. The three experts Lounge spoke to agree: hacks are starting points, not solutions. Therapists can help adults build sustainable systems, structured routines, psychoeducation, and ADHD-adapted cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to strengthen executive skills. Medication, for some, can bring significant relief. Support networks are equally vital. Until a few months ago, adding a joint holder to your mutual fund (MF) investments was not as simple as it appeared. That changed in May 2025, when CAMS (Computer Age Management Services) and KFin Technologies the two registrar and transfer agents (RTAs) that handle all MF back-end operations launched a fully online facility that lets investors transfer MF units, including modifying ownership details seamlessly. In November 2024, CAMS and KFin Technologies launched an online facility enabling the transfer of mutual fund units, but only for specific situations such as after the death of the investor. However, from May 2025, the scope of this facility was extended. Any person can now transfer their MF units to any other person (related or not), as long as certain conditions are met. Also Read | How many mutual funds should you really own? Besides transfer, adding or deleting a joint holder was also made seamless. Adding or deleting joint holders changes the ownership pattern and is, therefore, deemed as transfer," said E.S. Varadarajan, chief process and risk officer, CAMS. A folio can have up to three holders in total. This shift follows a directive from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and Association of Mutual Funds in India's (AMFI) best-practice guidelines, marking a major step in digitalizing mutual fund transactions. Why this matters This online facility enables investors holding mutual fund units in non-demat or statement of account (SOA) mode to transfer their units seamlessly under various circumstances, such as gifting them to a family member or friend, transferring to legal heirs as a nominee after the investors death, or adding or removing a joint holder. Units of all MF schemes, except for solutions-oriented ones, such as childrens schemes and retirement schemes, can be transferred. Notably, transfers in the case of MF units held in a demat account with a broker have always been transferable; however, they represent a smaller share of the overall investor base. What makes this online MF transfer interesting? Prior to this facility, such transfers were not permitted at all, not even via physical submissions. Unlike every other transaction in the MF industry, which can be done either only physically or both physically and online, transfer of MFs is something that is allowed only online via websites/apps of CAMS, KFin Technologies, fund houses and MFCentral (a platform backed by the first two). To prevent misuse, the transferred units are not allowed to be redeemed (sold) for 10 days after the transfer. Mint spoke with a few mutual fund distributors (MFD) who have used this facility to understand how well it works and if they experienced any problems. We also tested the facility ourselves to add a joint holder to an existing MF folio, and found the process simple and straightforward. How it works The biggest USP of this transfer facility is that its completely online. Transfers can take up to two working days to take effect. Herat Gandhi, head of customer service at Prudent Corporate Advisory Services, a leading MFD, tested the facility by adding his wife as a joint holder and transferring a few units to her. He said the process was quick and convenient". Ravi Nagrani, a Pune-based MFD and co-founder of SBR Prosperity Compass LLP, used the facility to transfer MF units from a resident Indian father to his non-resident Indian son. Nagrani found the process smooth and the transfer was completed within a day. In 2024, before this online facility, the father had to sell his mutual fund units and then transfer the money to his son after paying capital gains tax even though the son didnt immediately need the funds. The idea was simply to pass on the investments to his son for the future, but this option wasnt available earlier," said Nagrani. Note that transfers from a resident Indian to a non-resident Indian, and vice versa, are allowed but with certain conditions Those with an NRI-NRO (non-resident ordinary) account can do both, send and receive units Those with an NRI-NRE (non-resident external) account can make a transfer but cannot receive units. This is to ensure compliance with FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) regulations. Some teething issues remain. Nagrani recalled a failed transfer attempt earlier this year when making a transfer between two siblings. "The system just wouldnt go through for some reason it kept getting stuck midway," he said. Coimbatore-based MFD Vijay Venkatasubramanian saw his transfer times drop from five days in May to just one day in November. "The interface has become better and faster with time," he said. Adding a joint holder When adding a joint holder, keep in mind that a nominee cannot be made a joint holder. Lets assume your spouse is the nominee for your MF investments. If you wish to add him/her as a joint holder, you must first follow the process to update your nominee(s). That is, either choose another nominee or opt out of nomination. Also Read | How you can get a digital loan against mutual funds This can be done online on CAMS and KFin Technologies (for the respective fund houses serviced by them) by providing some basic details such as PAN, mobile number, email ID etc. The nominee updation is based on OTP verification and happens instantly. You can then proceed to add your spouse as a joint holder. That too gets completed as soon as you submit all details. While you can opt out of nomination, its best not to do that. In the absence of a nominee, transmission of investments to the next of kin after an investors demise can get very complicated. Updating your nomination details online is a very convenient process. In fact, if you have the same set of nominees across several folios, then while initiating any change (if its the same change), you can select multiple folios across multiple fund houses both on CAMS and KFin Tech once you navigate to the nominee updation page. For adding/deleting a joint holder, you can do it only folio by folio. The process, while straightforward, can become time-consuming. Verification and prerequisites Venkatasubramanian highlighted a glitch related to the penny-drop verification. After adding the transferees bank account details, 1 needs to be credited to the bank account to verify its ownership. Sometimes the penny-drop does not happen on the KFin Technologies facility. On CAMS, if it fails, you have the option of uploading a cancelled cheque leaf or an account statement to verify the bank details," he added. Meanwhile, before a transfer, both the transferor (transferring units) and the transferee (receiving units) must ensure that their know your customer or KYC status is KYC Validated. You can check your KYC status on the websites of one of the KRAs (KYC Registration Agency). Begin by checking with CVL KYC KRA, which is the relevant agency for a majority of investors, or with NDML KRA, CAMS KRA or Karvy KRA. If needed, you can redo your KYC online or by submitting a physical form to one of the fund houses. The updated KYC gets reflected in all your MFs across all fund houses. If you are a non-resident (NRI) investor, you must have a KYC Registered status. That is, your KYC must be based on documents such as foreign and Indian address proof, passport and PAN. Apart from this, the person receiving MF units must have a folio with the relevant fund house. For example, if the units of an ICICI MF scheme are being transferred, then the recipient must have a folio with ICICI MF. If not, then a new folio must be created. You can transfer units from multiple MF schemes in a folio, all at once. When this facility was launched initially, if the client did not have a folio, we would have to go to the AMC website to create one. But now, there is an option to create a prospect folio (zero balance folio) with both CAMS and KFin Technologies for the transferee to receive the units," said Venkatasubramanian. Another MFD we spoke with made a similar comment. Despite minor glitches, the online transfer facility marks an important step in making joint ownership of mutual funds as flexible as bank accounts. New Delhi: As Delhis airlayered by thick smogburns citizens eyes and throats, two things are in overdrive: an exodus of employees escaping to the hills, and skyrocketing sales of air purifiers for those sticking to home turf. Professionals are spending thousands of rupees to set up makeshift workations in places like Himachal Pradeshwhere the air quality index (AQI) hovers between 90 and 150even as employers greenlight these unusual remote arrangements. Those staying back in the capital are splurging on air purifiers and masks as Delhis AQI crossed a breath-taking 390-plus on Monday morning. Employers, too, are relaxing return-to-office rules to safeguard health. Even Delhis government has tweaked office timings for its staff. The trend took off right after 20 October, when the country celebrated Diwali, the festival of lightsand, inevitably, smoke. Also Read | How Delhis air is quietly erasing years from your life Since Diwali, our circuit-coverage packagesespecially long-stay workations in the mountainsare up 28% year-on-year," Aviral Gupta, chief executive officer of budget backpacker hostel chain Zostel & Zo World. Guests now ladder trips across 67 weeks, spending 1012 days in each destination before hopping to the next." Ladder trips are multi-destination stays where travellers hop from one location to another over an extended trip. Circuit coverage refers to curated long-stay travel packages covering multiple destinations within a specific route or region. According to Gupta, Zostels have seen high demand in places like Dobhi, Shangarh, Manali, Spiti, Kalpa in Himachal Pradesh, where the AQI hovered between 94 and 155. For India Inc, employee health is a key metric against which a firm is judged as an employer of choice, and so, employees are allowed to take a call on the most suitable work arrangement during October-December. Many organisations reverted to office-only setups, but with the rising AQI, we have guided employees to meet only once or twice a week to sustain momentum," said Swati Jain, founder of Katha Studio, a Delhi-based digital marketing agency with around 20 employees. Larger firms with thousands of employees were just as swift. Diversified business house RPG Groups employees can avail the work-from-home option during these days. We continue to follow a 50% work-from-home policy under our hybrid working model. This gives our people the flexibility to work from home or any location of their choice, which is coordinated and approved with their respective managers," said RPGs spokesperson. However, industries like manufacturing are finding it tougher. The senior manager of a Mumbai-based manufacturing firm with offices in the northern belt said while they installed air-purifiers in offices three years ago, asking all to work from home was not an option. Sales surge Meanwhile, leading e-commerce players attest to the surge in sales of air purifiers and masks in the Delhi region. Weve witnessed a strong 5x increase in air purifiers (in other regions) compared to typical days and Delhi-NCR witnessed a sharp 20X surge," said K.N. Srikanth, director for home, kitchen and outdoors at Amazon India. The company has seen a 150% growth in air purifiers in the premium range (above 20,000) when compared on a year-on-year basis, according to Srikanth. Lower-priced categories have seen 70-75% uptick in the same period. The spokesperson for another e-commerce major, Flipkart, said that on its platform, demand for air purifiers in Delhi-NCR jumped about 8x in the first two days of November compared to the first week of October, while orders via Flipkart Minutesits quick commerce armrose nearly 12x. Quick-commerce players echo this demand. In the past couple of weeks, weve seen nearly a 10x increase in demand for air purifiers and N95 masks," a spokesperson for Swiggys quick commerce arm Instamart said, adding that North India, particularly Delhi, has led the surge, followed by Bengaluru. Further, theres no problem with supply, according to Nilesh Gupta, managing director of Vijay Sales, an electronics retail chain. Right now there isn't a stock-out situation happening as companies are better prepared with inventory, etc.," he said, while pointing out that sales are largely concentrated in the northern part of the country. We see that manufacturers are better prepared as air purifiers have developed into a small category of its own. While its too early to comment on demand, we will see a sale of 10-15% this year versus the same time last year," Gupta said. Meanwhile, the Delhi administration is also scrambling to respond. Amid mounting air pollution concerns, the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation have tweaked timings to reduce traffic load and emissions. The current timings are 9:30 am to 6:00 pm for Delhi government employees, and 9:00 am to 5:30 pm for Delhi Municipal Corporation employees. The new timings proposed for Delhi government offices are from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm, and for Delhi Municipal Corporation offices it will be from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Abhishek Law contributed to this story. Drug regulators in various states have issued warning notices to manufacturers to close operations for not complying with good manufacturing practices, three officials familiar with the matter said. Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are among the states that have already initiated action, the people said. The development follows the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) directing regulators in all states and Union territories to conduct urgent inspections and take action. The DCGI has issued strict and final directions to all state authorities because every pharmaceutical company must ensure full compliance with the updated GMP. Failure to meet the upgrade deadline means they have to shut down operations by 31 December, 2025," one of the three officials cited above said on the condition of anonymity. Key Takeaways All Indian pharmaceutical companies must fully comply with updated Good Manufacturing Practices by 31 December, or face closure. DCGI has issued a "strict and final direction" to all state and UT drug regulators to conduct urgent inspections and enforce compliance rigorously. States like Delhi and Himachal Pradesh have already begun issuing warning closure notices to non-compliant firms. The regulatory heat is particularly high on MSMEs, who received an extension but have been linked to recent quality lapses in exported products. The move is driven by a need to align India's standards with WHO GMP, protect domestic consumers, and reinforce Indias global reputation for high-quality pharmaceuticals, following international quality concerns. Beginning 1 January, all pharmaceutical companies must adhere to the new GMP guidelines. Adherence to GMP ensures that drugs are made following quality standards, safeguarding public health by preventing cross-contamination, mix-ups, and the manufacture of sub-potent or toxic drugs. Following directives from the DCGI, we have already initiated inspections of companies in Delhi. Firms that are not GMP-compliant have been issued a warning closure notice, requiring them to upgrade their facilities by 31 December 2025," said Dr. K.R. Chawala, Delhis drug regulator. Extending cutoff date Dr. Manish Kapoor, state drugs controller Himachal Pradesh, said, We have been proactive in ensuring that all drug manufacturing units in Himachal Pradesh strictly adhere to the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules. Inspections to verify compliance with the revised Schedule M norms have been planned well in advance, even before the issuance of the DCGIs letter on the subject. Independent audits have already been initiated, and the DCGI office has been duly informed about our action plan. Issuing closure warning notices forms part of our ongoing efforts to uphold stringent quality standards across the state." He further added that last year, the Union government extended an opportunity to MSME units to apply for an extension in the implementation of the revised Schedule M, however, only a limited number of firms availed of this provision. We have now scheduled verification inspections of all firms that did not apply for such an extension. The purpose of these independent audits is to assess whether these firms are in compliance with the revised norms. It should not be presumed that those who did not apply are necessarily non-compliant; their compliance status will be determined during the verification process, which has already commenced and will continue over the next 2 to 3 months," Kapoor said. Himachal Pradesh has around 664 drug manufacturing units, and a comprehensive inspection of each unit is a time-intensive exercise, but it is essential to ensure quality and compliance, he added. Tabjer Singh, state drugs regulator for Uttarakhand, said, We have conducted joint inspections at 152 units. Out of these, 40 firms have been issued 'stop production' notices until they significantly improve and upgrade their manufacturing facilities. We are being very active on this initiative. We have also explicitly warned these companies that their licenses will be cancelled if they continue to be non-compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices." The state has around 260 drug manufacturing plants. Rajasthan has also cracked down on pharmaceutical units in the state. We have 65 pharmaceutical units in our jurisdiction, and we are actively inspecting every single one to ensure they comply with the revised Schedule M Good Manufacturing Practices. Notices are being issued to those firms not adhering to these new mandatory rules," stated Ajay Patak, state drugs regulator for Rajasthan. Queries sent to a health ministry spokesperson and DCGI on Sunday remained unanswered. Global standards In December 2023, the health ministry upgraded standards to align India's regulatory framework with global benchmarks like the World Health Organization (WHO) GMP. This came after drugs from India were linked to the deaths of children in Gambia and Uzbekistan. While larger pharmaceutical companies had to comply early, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)defined as those with a turnover of 250 crore or lesswere allowed to comply by 31 December 2025, provided they submitted an upgrade plan. MSME drug firms represent approximately 80% of the over 10,000 pharmaceutical manufacturers in India. These MSME drug firms are on the radar because recent quality lapses, especially in certain exported products, have often been traced back to smaller units with limited financial resources to invest in costly infrastructure and quality management system upgrades required by the new Schedule M. Companies have to follow GMP. There is no other way for them. This is being done to ensure quality over volume, to protect both domestic consumers and the industry's global standing," the second official said. Also Read | Govt preps checklist to boost medical education, patient care quality India holds a dominant position as the world's largest provider of generic medicines by volume, commanding approximately 20% of the total global supply. According to the Department of Pharmaceuticals, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is worth an estimated $50 billion and is projected to reach $130 billion by 2030. This growth is critical to the national economy, with Indias pharmaceutical exports standing at $30.47 billion in FY 2024-25. Arushi Jain, director of Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, said that strengthening GMP adherence across the industry will not only enhance patient safety but also reinforce Indias reputation as a trusted global hub for high-quality pharmaceuticals. Its a measure to ensure that every medicine reaching a patient is safe, effective, and consistent in quality, Jain added. "When a doctor prescribes a medicine, both doctor and patient assume it will be of good quality. But this isnt always true in India, as the same drug is made by several companies with varying standards. Those following GMP are more likely to produce better quality products," said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, a public health expert. "The unsuspecting public has little idea what GMP means. Not all companies follow GMP at present. But when GMP becomes necessary, more companies will start following itjust as hospitals that initially resisted obtaining NABH accreditation eventually adopted it. This happened partly because their competitors got NABH and also because patients and insurance companies began asking for it. Likewise, once GMP becomes unavoidable, patients will start demanding it. In the long run, it will raise the overall quality and global credibility of Indian pharmaceutical products," he said. Also Read | Pharmacy education watchdog flags rule breach in key state registrar posts Delhi blast on November 10 that shook the nation is being meticulously probed by investigating agencies. Police suspects that the Monday blast could be a 'Fidayeen' (suicide) attack, ANI quoted Delhi Police sources as saying. According to preliminary investigation, the prime suspect planned the suicide attack on learning that Faridabad module had been busted. As per sources, probe agencies are working on all angles to determine the motive behind the blast. As per PTI's latest update on death toll, a total of 12 people were reported dead in the high-intensity explosion that occurred at Netaji Subhash Marg in a slow-moving car. In the aftermath of the blast, security has been beefed at sensitive locations across the national capital, including airport, railway and metro stations, monuments, among others. Besides this, several states are on high alert such as Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar and more. Delhi Police announced closure of Red Fort for three days, until November 13 and Delhi Metro has closed the Lal Quila Station due to security reasons. On Tuesday morning, a team of A team of NSG personnel arrive at the Red Fort car blast site for probe into the incident. Nearly thirteen people died in the blast incident, which took place around 7 pm (NSG) personnel arrived at the site to probe into the Red Fort car blast that took place around 7:00 PM on Monday. In connection with the deadly blast, a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Explosive Substances Act. Delhi LG VK Saxena met the injured individuals receiving medical treatment at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital. Rajnath Singh reacts on Delhi blast Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while addressing the Delhi Defence Dialogue today reacted on the Delhi Red Fort car blast. Expressing condolences to the families of the bereaved, he said, Those responsible for this tragedy will be brought to justice and will not be spared under any circumstances. Initial findings in the deadly blast that occurred near Red Fort have indicated that the car explosion was not a typical suicide blast, but was instead triggered in panic by the suspect. Security agencies have been conducting raids across multiple locations linked to terror networks and have recovered significant quantities of explosives in Faridabad, Saharanpur, Pulwama, and other areas. Investigators believe the suspect acted hastily under mounting pressure. Also Read | Amit Shah directs forensic teams to match samples from site in Delhi blast case Sources told ANI that the suspect did not follow the usual pattern of a suicide car bombing -- he neither rammed the car into a target nor collided intentionally. The blast near the Red Fort did not follow the typical modus operandi of suicide bombers, who aim to inflict maximum damage. The publication also reported that the bomb that was used in the blast was premature and not fully developed to inflict maximum damage. This is why the explosion did not create a crater, and shrapnel or projectiles were not found at the blast site. Moreover, the vehicle was still in motion when the blast occurred and the IED was not equipped enough to cause heavy casualties. The sources also revealed that coordinated crackdowns and pan-India vigilance managed to avert an attack that could have been deadlier. On Tuesday, Union Home Minister chaired a meeting with senior officials, after which he said the perpetrators of this attack will "face the full wrath of our agencies". Also Read | PM Modi Sends Stern Warning To Delhi Blast Conspirators From Bhutan He has instructed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to submit a report at the earliest and has also asked the the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to match the samples recovered from the blast site and submit a comprehensive report at the earliest. Searches in Uttar Pradesh Security agencies have widened their investigations across other states like Uttar Pradesh after the Delhi blast. A joint team of local police officials and the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) carried out a search at the residence of Dr. Shaheen Shahid, who was earlier taken into custody in connection with the case. Her father told reporters that he was "shocked to hear of her alleged involvement," as per ANI. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday chaired a review meeting with senior officials on the Delhi car blast case, which, as per initial investigations, looks like a suicide attack. Shah provided an update about his meeting in an X post, wherein he said, "Chaired review meetings on the Delhi car blast with the senior officials. Instructed them to hunt down each and every culprit behind this incident. Everyone involved in this act will face the full wrath of our agencies." The meeting started at 3 PM at the Ministry of Home Affairs' office at Kartavya Bhawan. Also Read | Security tightened at Delhi Airport following blast, passenger advisory issued The meeting was conducted after a break of over two hours. The first round of meetings took place at the Home Minister's residence at 11 AM. The meeting was then attended by Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Sadanand Vasant Date, and Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha. Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat also joined virtually. The review meeting comes amid security concerns in Delhi as multiple agencies probe the explosion that occurred around 7 PM in a Hyundai i20 car near a traffic signal between Gates 1 and 4 of the Red Fort Metro Station. Soon after the blast, Shah spoke to the Delhi Police Commissioner and the Intelligence Bureau Director, directing a coordinated, multi-agency investigation involving the National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Security Guards (NSG), Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL), and the Delhi Police. On Tuesday, the probe into the blast was handed over to the NIA. All agencies have been instructed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the nature and cause of the explosion and submit a detailed report as soon as possible. Thirteen people have died so far in the car explosion that occurred near the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening. Shah had visited the LNJP Hospital to meet those injured in the blast, after which he went to the blast site to take stock of the situation. Follow live updates of the Delhi blast case right here The Delhi Police on Tuesday traced the 11-hour route map of the Hyundai i20 car in which the blast near the Red Fort Metro Station took place on Monday evening. Following the explosion, several states and cities across India have been put on high alert, such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. With ANI inputs The first report of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in the high-intensity explosion near Delhi's Red Fort area is expected on Tuesday, according to Delhi Police Special Cell sources. The report is likely to provide clarity on the nature and composition of the material recovered. The sources added that the Delhi Police Special Cell has sought information from the Faridabad Crime Branch and Jammu and Kashmir Police regarding the explosives recovered from Faridabad. According to Special Cell sources, initial investigations may have revealed traces of ammonium nitrate. However, the exact nature of the explosive will be confirmed only after the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) submits its report. The sources further added that nothing resembling an improvised explosive device (IED) blast was found at the scene. Meanwhile, Delhi Police's initial probe in the high-intensity explosion outside the Red Fort suggests an i20 car's trail to Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, said Delhi Police's sources. According to the sources, the car, in which the blast occurred, was allegedly purchased by a resident of Pulwama. The Delhi Police have also obtained CCTV footage showing the suspect's car entering and exiting the parking area near the Red Fort, sources said. According to the Delhi Police sources, the footage indicates that the suspect was alone at the time. "Investigators are now tracing the route towards Daryaganj, while more than 100 CCTV clips, including footage from nearby toll plazas, are being examined to establish the complete movement of the vehicle," the sources added. Following the high-intensity explosion outside the Red Fort, the teams of Delhi Police carried out an extensive night-long search operation across hotels in Paharganj, Daryaganj, and nearby areas. All hotel registers were thoroughly examined during the raids. During the operation, four individuals were taken into custody for questioning. At least eight people were killed and several were injured in the high-intensity explosion outside the Red Fort on Monday evening. According to Delhi Police, CCTV footage from multiple locations has been meticulously reviewed, including from the Badarpur border to the parking area of the Red Fort's Sunheri Masjid, as well as from the Outer Ring Road to the Kashmere Gate-Red Fort route. Nearly 200 police personnel were involved in examining footage across various routes. According to sources, the car, in which the blast had occurred, had entered Delhi from Haryana via Badarpur. As per sources, based on CCTV evidence from different locations, around 13 people are currently under scrutiny and being questioned. A person linked to the Faridabad module, is suspected to have been traveling in the i20 car, though the identity of a deceased individual will only be confirmed after DNA testing. This comes in the wake of the Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana Police's joint recovery of 360 kg of explosive material and ammunition from Faridabad in Haryana, during which two persons, Dr Muzammil and Aadil Rather, were arrested. Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, directed the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to match the samples collected from the bodies in the i20 car that exploded near Red Fort in Delhi, as per reports citing sources. Shah also directed the FSL to match and investigate the sample specimens collected from the spot of the Delhi blast and come up with the details of the incident at the earliest. The directives were given following the second security review meeting chaired by Shah. Amit Shah conducts 2 security review meetings Amit Shah conducted two security review meetings in the wake of the blast. The meeting was attended by the director of the Forensic Science Services, and the chief director of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Delhi, among others, sources said. View full Image New Delhi, India - Nov. 11, 2025: Security officials seen carrying out investigation on the spot where an alleged blast was occurred in a car yesterday outside Red Fort in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times) ( Hindustan Times ) Shah has said that top investigating agencies were probing the blast, and will go in-depth into the incident. Delhi car blast The blast took place in a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing 12 people, injuring 20 and gutting several vehicles. According to a report by ANI, the blast was not a suicide attack, but was instead triggered in panic by the suspect. Security agencies have been conducting raids across multiple locations linked to terror networks and have recovered significant quantities of explosives in Faridabad, Saharanpur, Pulwama, and other areas. Investigators believe the suspect acted hastily under mounting pressure. Sources told ANI that the suspect did not follow the usual pattern of a suicide car bombing who neither rammed the car into a target nor collided intentionally. The blast near the Red Fort did not follow the typical modus operandi of suicide bombers, who aim to inflict maximum damage. Delhi CM announces ex-gratia Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday announced an ex gratia of 10 lakh for the families of each of those killed in the blast near the Red Fort on Monday that claimed 12 lives. The chief minister also announced a compensation of 5 lakh for those rendered permanently disabled and 2 lakh for those who sustained serious injuries in the Delhi blast, which took place after a high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro station on Monday evening, officials said. "The unfortunate incident in Delhi has left the entire city in shock. In this difficult time, the Delhi government extends its deepest condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones and to those injured in the incident," CM Gupta said in a post on X in Hindi. Delhi blast: The Indira Gandhi International Airport tightened its security and issued a passenger advisory following the blast near the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi on Monday, authorities said on Tuesday. In its advisory for travellers, DIAL, the operator of Delhi Airport, said that the security screening process is likely to take longer in view of the prevailing situation. Due to prevailing security situation in Delhi, security measures at Delhi Airport have been strengthened and the security screening process may take longer than usual, DIAL said. The passenger advisory comes a day after the powerful Delhi blast rocked the national capital. A car exploded near the busy Red Fort area, killing at least 13 people and injuring 20 others. DIAL asked passengers to arrive ahead of the scheduled time to avoid hassle. Also Read | Delhi car blast case: Home Ministry hands over investigation to NIA We advise all passengers to plan their journey accordingly and arrive at the airport well in advance to avoid any last-minute hassle. It added that all the teams and stakeholders are working in close coordination with security agencies to minimise inconvenience and ensure a safe and smooth travel experience for passengers. Delhi Blast: Bengaluru, Mumbai airports issue advisory Following the Delhi blast, security has been beefed up at all major airports actoss India. The Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru asked passengers on Tuesday to arrive ahead of their schedule as security checks will take longer. "Due to enhanced security measures at airports across the country, we request all passengers to plan their travel and arrive at BLR airport well in advance," the airport said in an advisory shared on its X account. Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport also issued a similar advisory urging passengers to arrive ahead of their scheduled departure and cooperate with security personnel. Passenger screening protocols have been enhanced for departing passengers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), it said. Delhi blast latest updates on security Heightened security has been in place in the national capital following the Delhi blast near Red Fort on Monday. The death toll from the blast has increased to 13, and 20 others have been injured. Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired two rounds of high-level security review meeting on Tuesday to assess the situation. Raids are being conducted at multiple locations by the Delhi Police. The national capital has been placed on high alert with strict vigil being maintained at the airport, railway stations and bus terminals. Delhi car blast case: The Ministry of Home Affairs, on Tuesday, handed over the Delhi car blast case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). At least 13 people were killed on Monday evening in a high-intensity explosion that ripped through a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort in central Delhi. The blast occurred around 7 pm at the Subhash Marg traffic signal, damaging nearby vehicles and prompting a nationwide alert. Delhi Red Fort blast: What we know so far The blast occurred at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort (Lal Qila) Metro Station, as per the Delhi police. Several vehicles were gutted killing at least 13 people. A report by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is expected to be released on Tuesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting in the wake of the blast. The Home Minister had earlier said that all possibilities are being explored and a thorough investigation will be conducted, taking all options into account. During the meeting, sources said that officials are learnt to discuss the explosive recovery from a house in Faridabad on Monday as it seems interlinked, reported ANI. Officials reportedly suspect the Delhi blast and the Faridabad recovery may also be part of a larger terror network operating across state lines. Explosives recovered from Faridabad On Monday, hours before the blast, Jammu and Kashmir Police, in coordination with the Haryana Police, recovered 360 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate and 2,900 kg of IED-making materials, including chemicals, detonators, and wires, from an apartment in Faridabad. Police identified and arrested Dr. Muzammil Shakil as the tenant of the Dhauj residence where the explosives and weapons were discovered. Shakil is a MBBS graduate. During a press conference, Faridabad Police Commissioner Satender Kumar Gupta said Shakil, whose name appeared with varying spellings across reports, was teaching at Al Falah University in Dhauj, reported ANI. Who all have been arrested so far? Police have arrested eight people in connection with the alleged terror module. Among those arrested on Monday were Dr Muzammil Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Sayeed, both connected to the Al Falah university in Faridabad, from where 360 kg of ammonium nitrate was recovered. An car blast rocked Delhi on Monday evening, hours after the recovery of nearly 3,000 kgs of explosives from a terror cell, sending the national capital and several other states into high alert. Several people died in the blast while many others were injured, and an investigation is underway to ascertain the cause and nature of the explosion. As updates continue to pour in, here's everything you need to know about the case so far. When did the car blast take place? The car blast took place between 6.50 pm and 7 pm on Monday evening. A Hyundai i20 was primarily affected by the explosion, but the consequent shockwaves and fire left at least five to six vehicles damaged and/or gutted, including cars and e-rickshaws. Where did the car blast take place? The blast took place near the historic Red Fort, specifically, at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort (Lal Qila) Metro Station. How many have died in the car blast? At least eight people are confirmed to have lost their lives in the car blast. Meanwhile, at least 18 people have been injured in the car blast, although some media reports put the number between 19 and 24. Authorities have said that all those injured had been rushed to hospitals. Further details on casualties are awaited. Also Read | Inside Delhi Blast Zone: How Crowded Red Fort Junction Became Scene Of Explosion What did eyewitnesses say? Eyewitnesses described scenes of carnage. One recalled seeing body parts scattered around, while another described a huge ball of fire when the explosion hit. Yet another witness said that the sky turned red in the aftermath of the blast, while another said that buildings in the area shook as if hit by an earthquake. What have the police said? Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha provided a detailed initial account of the incident. "Today at around 6:52 pm, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged. All agencies, FSL, NIA, are here... Some people have died, and some have been injured in the incident. The situation is being monitored. The Home Minister has also called us, and information is being shared with him from time to time," he said following the blast. Regarding the nature of the blast, a senior police official flagged seemingly unusual findings. "The blast occurred in a moving Hyundai i20 car in which three people were sitting. We have not found any pellet or puncture in the body of the injured, which is unusual in a bomb blast. We are investigating all angles," the official said. What has the government said? In the aftermath of the blast Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site of the explosion, took stock of the situation, and also met the injured. "The NSG and NIA teams, along with the FSL, have now begun a thorough investigation. Orders have been given to examine all nearby CCTV cameras. I have also spoken to the Delhi CP and the Special Branch in-charge... Tomorrow early morning, Home Ministry will sit with senior probing officials to probe the incident further," Shah promised. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in turn, was briefed by Shah and expressed his condolences to the bereaved families. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also expressed his condolences to affected families and his prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. Was this a terror attack? It is unclear at the moment whether the car blast was a terror attack, but the possibility has not been ruled out, especially given that a terror module with nearly 3,000 kg of explosives was busted hours before the incident. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account. All options will be investigated immediately and we will present the results to the public, Union Home Minister Shah said at the time. Asked later if the blast was a terror attack, Shah told PTI, It is difficult to say what caused the incident. Until the samples recovered from the blast site are analysed by forensic authorities and NSG, we cant say anything. But we are not ruling out anything, and investigating the matter from all angles. Also Read | Delhi blast kills 8 near Red Fort Police reveal how the events unfolded Has anyone been detained? Yes, at least one person has been detained thus far: the initial owner of the car. The initial owner, reportedly a resident of Gurugram, had sold the car to another person, but confirmation regarding these details is awaited. Separately, authorities are questioning at least eight individuals who were arrested on Monday in connection with a terror module allegedly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH). The arrests took place hours before the blast and also led to the recovery of 2,900 kg of explosives, along with arms and ammunition. What is the status of the investigation into the car blast? The National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Security Guard (NSG), Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), and the Delhi Police Special Cell are jointly investigating the blast case. A case has been registered under various Sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). As it stands, evidence from the site of the explosion has been collected by the FSL, and a forensic report on the nature of the blast is awaited. As the probe continues, the FSL told ANI that samples will be taken to the laboratory and that the nature of the blast will be known after the examination. "...The samples will be taken to the laboratory, and after that, only we can make any confirmation...Everything will be known after the examination...," FSL Officer Mohamad Wahid told reporters. Are schools closed on Tuesday? As of writing this, no official order had been issued regarding the closure of schools on Tuesday, November 11. Delhi Police's initial probe in the high-intensity explosion outside the Red Fort suggests the Hyundai i20 car's trail to Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, news agency ANI said, citing Delhi sources. The car, in which the blast occurred, was allegedly purchased by a resident of Pulwama, the report said. The Delhi Police have also obtained CCTV footage showing the suspect's car entering and exiting the parking area near the Red Fort, according to the report. The footage indicates that the suspect was alone at the time. "Investigators are now tracing the route towards Daryaganj, while more than 100 CCTV clips, including footage from nearby toll plazas, are being examined to establish the complete movement of the vehicle," the sources told news agency ANI Following the high-intensity explosion outside the Red Fort, the teams of Delhi Police carried out an extensive night-long search operation across hotels in Paharganj, Daryaganj, and nearby areas. All hotel registers were thoroughly examined during the raids. During the operation, four individuals were taken into custody for questioning. At least eight people were killed and several were injured in the high-intensity explosion outside the Red Fort on Monday evening. According to Delhi Police, CCTV footage from multiple locations has been meticulously reviewed, including from the Badarpur border to the parking area of the Red Fort's Sunheri Masjid, as well as from the Outer Ring Road to the Kashmere Gate-Red Fort route. Nearly 200 police personnel were involved in examining footage across various routes. According to the sources, the i20 car, in which the blast had occurred, had entered Delhi from Haryana via Badarpur. 13 people under scrutiny Based on CCTV evidence from different locations, around 13 people are currently under scrutiny and being questioned. A person linked to the Faridabad module is suspected to have been travelling in the i20 car, though the identity of a deceased individual will only be confirmed after DNA testing. This comes in the wake of the Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana Police's joint recovery of 360 kg of explosive material and ammunition from Faridabad in Haryana, during which two persons, Dr Muzammil and Aadil Rather, were arrested. Delhi Police have also registered a case in connection with the blast under various Sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A case has been registered under sections 16, 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Explosives Act and the BNS at the Kotwali Police Station. "A case has been registered under sections 16, 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Explosives Act and the BNS at the Kotwali Police Station," Delhi Police said. A rickshaw driver, a trader, two friends catching upthe Delhi car blast spared none, shattering the lives of those caught in the explosion and plunging families into a sea of grief. Bereaved family members of those deceased or grievously injured in the blast near the Red Fort mourned their losses on Tuesday as authorities began identifying bodies left in the trail of destruction. The air outside the LNJP Hospital, where the victims' bodies are being kept, was heavy with grief and visuals showed the relatives of victims breaking down in agony. The death toll from Monday's blast currently stands at 13, but some bodies are yet to be identified. Among those identified as deceased were Ashok Kumar, son of Jagbansh Singh, hailing from Amroha in UP; Amar Kataria, son of Jagdish Kataria, hailing from Delhi; Lokesh Agarwal from Hasanpur; Mohsin from Meerut; and Nouman from Shamli. As news reached their kin, loved ones of those who lost their lives went into shock and mourning, with some expressing disbelief at what had unfolded on an otherwise normal day. Lives shattered, families broken A bus conductor, Ashok used to work for the Delhi Transport Corporation, covering the Old Delhi route. When news of the blast came out, his cousin Pappu couldn't believe what he had just read. I read his name in the list and said, 'He is my cousin.' I called around to confirm. He also had a bike, which is missing right now, the conductor's cousin told NDTV outside the LNJP hospital. The sole bread earner, Ashok had a family and lived with his wife and four children in Delhi's Jagatpur, nearly 15 km from the accident site, Pappu said, adding that he must have been on duty when the blast took place. "His mother, Somwati, lives in the village with her elder son, Subhash. Ashok used to single-handedly shoulder the family's responsibilities, as Subhash is often unwell," Pappu added. "He was my brother. I don't know how all of this happened. He was coming back from duty. He has three children, two daughters and one son. How will my sister-in-law raise them? This has been done by terrorists; they should be punished," said Bhuri, the sister of Ashok from Amroha. But it wasn't just Ashok's family who was gripped by grief. The bus conductor's friend, Lokesh Agarwal, a fertilizer trader from Hasanpur, was in the national capital on Monday to check on an ailing relative. While on his way back, he decided to catch up with Ashok. What was supposed to be joyous reunion ended in tragedy. "Lokesh had gone to Delhi to meet his friend Ashok. Unfortunately, both lost their lives in the explosion near Red Fort. This is an irreparable loss for their families," local MLA Mahendra Singh Khadakvanshi told ANI. Lokesh was described by acquaintances as "kind-hearted and always ready to help others". Sajeeda, the mother of another victim, Mohsin, couldn't hold back her tears. "...I want justice for my son. He has small children...," she told news agency ANI. Mohsin's brother, meanwhile, said, "We got to know around 1:30-2 AM that there was a blast. When we reached there, we saw his body was kept there. We were not allowed to go inside. He has two children. He used to drive an E-rickshaw there..." Another victim, Nouman, was a trader from Shamli and had come to the national capital to procure goods for his trade. As news of Nouman's death reached his kin, devastated members of the family reached the LNJP Hospital on Tuesday. "He had a cosmetics store here. Yesterday, he went to Delhi to buy some things for the shop. He went to the market but did not return. He got a call from there, and we were informed that Nouman met with an accident. When we went to the hospital, we saw his body there. We want strict actions against those responsible for this...," the trader's uncle told ANI, calling for harsh punishment for those responsible. Nouman's 21-year-old relative Aman was also injured in the explosion. New Delhi: New Zealand plans to allow the import of fresh table grapes from India for the first time. The development is seen as a major boost for Indian grape growers, especially in Maharashtra and Karnataka, which together account for nearly 95% of Indias total grape production. In an email reply to Mint, Shane Olsen, acting director for Import and Export Standards at New Zealands ministry for primary industries (MPI), confirmed the development and said that New Zealand is currently consulting on a draft Import Health Standard (IHS) to enable these imports. The move comes as both countries advance discussions on a free trade agreement (FTA), with four rounds of negotiations already completed. Biosecurity New Zealand (the biosecurity arm of the ministry for primary industries) can confirm that it is actively working to enable the import of fresh table grapes from India and Egypt," said Olsen. Key Takeaways New Zealand will, for the first time, allow fresh table grape imports from India, representing a major new destination for Indian agricultural exports. The move is largely viewed by industry experts as a tangible, positive outcome of the ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations between India and New Zealand. New Zealand is implementing a new, single, and consolidated Import Health Standard for grapes. The decision is a significant boost for grape growers in Maharashtra and Karnataka, which are the dominant producing states, and provides access to a market known for rigorous quality controls. DGCIS data shows India currently has no grape exports to New Zealand, making this a crucial step in diversifying Indias export destinations beyond major buyers like the Netherlands and Russia. As part of this process, Biosecurity New Zealand has developed, and is currently consulting on, a draft Import Health Standard (IHS) to enable these imports. Imports can only commence once this consultation has been completed, the IHS is published, and negotiated arrangements have been agreed with each countrys government authority detailing how high-risk pests will be managed," Olsen told Mint. Also Read | India-NZ trade talks start on Monday However, Olsen clarified that the country is not relaxing its regulatory import requirements for fresh table grapes. The new IHS enables Biosecurity New Zealand to align its requirements with international standards and ensure they are consistent, practical, and up to date with current risk profiles. IHSs outline the biosecurity requirements that commodities must meet before they can be imported into New Zealand. They are designed to protect the countrys environment, economy, and public health by ensuring pests are managed at an acceptable level while supporting safe and fair trade with international partners. Queries sent to the commerce ministry on 8 November remained unanswered until press time. FTA momentum The first round of FTA talks began on 5 May and concluded on 9 May in New Delhi. The second round, also held in New Delhi, concluded on 25 July, focusing on deepening trade and investment ties and showing growing alignment on commercial and regulatory issues. The third round was held in Queenstown, New Zealand, concluding on 19 September, while the fourth round wrapped up on 8 November in Auckland and Rotorua after five days of constructive discussions. Industry experts say the move to open New Zealands market is an encouraging signal that the ongoing FTA talks are yielding tangible outcomes. It also highlights Indias improving reputation for meeting high-quality phytosanitary standards in fresh fruit exports. Industry leaders have described the step as a direct outcome of the FTA negotiations led by Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal. Also Read | Brussels talks intensify as India seeks balance in EU trade deal Its for the first time that New Zealand is considering allowing the import of Indian grapes, which is a very positive development for both traders and farmers," said Ekram Husain, chief executive officer of Essar Exports and vice-president of the VAFA Fresh Vegetables and Fruits Exporters Association (Maharashtra). Husain added that New Zealand could become a significant market for Indian grapes, given that it produces winea key export commodity for the country. Producers say entry into New Zealanda market known for its rigorous quality standardswould mark a milestone for Indian grape exports. Ganesh D. Patil Vadaje, a table grape producer from Nashik in Maharashtra, said that Indian grapes are in high demand, with most consignments currently exported to Europe. Opening one of the toughest markets in terms of quality controls, like New Zealand, is a big development for farmers. We would like to explore this opportunity and increase our exports to this market once it is allowed," he said. Export trajectory Maharashtra is the countrys largest grape-producing state, contributing over 67% of total production in 202324, followed by Karnataka with 28%, according to the Second Advance Estimates. With grapes accounting for about 2.5% of Indias total fruit cultivation area, the country remains one of the worlds leading exporters of fresh grapes. According to data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), Indias exports of fresh grapes stood at $313.7 million in FY23, rising to $417.1 million in FY24. In FY25, exports were valued at $353.54 million. During the April-August period of FY25, exports were recorded at $44.84 million, increasing to $69.66 million during the same period of FY26. According to government data, India exports fresh grapes mainly to the Netherlands, Russia, UK, Bangladesh, UAE, Nepal, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Thailand. The Netherlands was Indias largest export destination in FY25, followed by Russia and UK. Other buyers include the UAE, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Germany, and Nepal. During April-August FY26, exports to these destinations were valued at $69.63 million, covering about 59,560 tonnes of grapes. The data also shows that India currently has no export exposure to New Zealand in fresh grapes, making the proposed market opening particularly significant for diversifying Indias fruit export destinations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday issued a stern warning to those behind the Delhi Red Fort blast while addressing the public in Bhutan. He arrived in Paro for a two-day state visit. Speaking about the high-intensity explosion that killed 13 people and injured many near the iconic Red Fort, Modi said, "The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice," ANI reported. Key remarks by PM Modi on the Delhi Red Fort blast Today, I come here with a very heavy heart. The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening has deeply saddened everyone. I understand the grief of the affected families. Advertisement Expressing condolences to the families of the bereaved, he added, "The entire nation stands with them today. I was in touch with all the agencies investigating this incident throughout last night. Vowing justice, he asserted, Our agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy. The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice. He added, India and Bhutan are bound not just by borders but also by culture, values, peace and progress. On India-Bhutan relations Emphasising the need for peace for progress and prosperity, he said, I wish that India and Bhutan continue to walk the path of peace, prosperity and shared progress. Sharing an update about a satellite project with Bhutan, Modi said, We are also jointly building a satellite. This is a very important achievement for both India and Bhutan. A major strength of India-Bhutan relations is the spiritual connection between our people. He added, Two months ago, the Royal Bhutanese Temple was inaugurated in Rajgir, India. Now, this initiative is expanding to other parts of India. The people of Bhutan desired a Bhutanese temple and guest house in Varanasi. The Indian government is providing the necessary land for this. Through these temples, we are further strengthening our precious and historical ties and cultural ties. Prime Minister Modi received a warm welcome in the neighbouring country and was greeted by Bhutanese Prime Minister Tobgay upon his arrival. Advertisement Taking to X, Modi wrote, Landed in Bhutan. Grateful to Prime Minister Tobgay for the warm and gracious welcome at the airport. This visit reflects the deep bonds of friendship and cooperation shared between our two nations. India and Bhutan enjoy a time-tested partnership anchored in trust, goodwill and mutual respect. I look forward to further strengthening our close ties during this visit. The Bhutanese leadership also expressed heartfelt condolences on the tragic loss of lives and offered special prayers for those affected by the Monday blast. As a tribute to the victims of the Delhi blast, the King of Bhutan offered a prayer at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu. Advertisement The man driving the car that exploded near the Red Fort, killing at least nine people, allegedly also had links to the Faridabad terror module where a huge cache of explosive material was seized, Delhi Police sources were quoted as saying by news agency PTI on Tuesday. According to sources, Umar Mohammad, a Pulwama resident and a doctor, was allegedly driving the Hyundai i20 car that was used in the explosion near the parking area of the Red Fort Metro Station. Preliminary findings by police suggest ammonium nitrate, fuel oil and detonators may have been used in the blast near the Red Fort that killed at least nine people, police sources said. A police source said initial findings suggest a possible link between the Delhi blast and the Faridabad terror module, where 360 kg of ammonium nitrate was seized. "Final reports are awaited," the source added. Police said CCTV footage of the car that exploded shows a "masked man" driving the car. Multiple teams have been deployed to scan CCTV from the vicinity of the Red Fort and adjoining routes, they added. Delhi Police remains on high alert after a powerful blast ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing at least nine people, injuring 20 people and leaving several vehicles gutted. Hours before the blast in Delhi, eight people, including three doctors, were arrested, and 2,900 kg of explosives were seized with the uncovering of a white collar terror module on Monday. The 2,900 kg of explosive material recovered in Faridabad includes ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur. Of this, 360 kg of inflammable material, suspected to be ammonium nitrate and some arms and ammunition were recovered, according to police. Police sources alleged Umar Mohammad was another doctor in the Faridabad module who had already been arrested. Umar Mohammad, who is a doctor by profession, was allegedly associated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror module, they said. According to sources, a man named Tariq from Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, who has been arrested, is said to have given the Hyundai i20 car to Umar Mohammad. After his fellow doctors, who were part of the terror module, were arrested, Umar Mohammad allegedly carried out this terror attack, fearing that he too might be caught, sources added. Also Read | Red Fort blast i-20 car trail shows likely link to Pulwama in Kashmir Following the blast, security across the national capital has been intensified, and vehicle checking at all border points intensified as well. All vehicles entering Delhi, whether private or commercial, are being thoroughly checked and verified as part of heightened security measures, officials said. "Multiple teams have been deployed to scan CCTV footage from the vicinity of the Red Fort and adjoining routes to know more about the masked man driving the Hyundai i20 car in which the explosion occurred," a police source said. "We also got to know that the vehicle was parked in a nearby parking lot for three hours, before the blast. Footage of different parking lots are also bening monitored," the source added. He added that an overnight search operation was conducted at hotels and guest houses in Daryaganj and Paharganj areas to trace possible suspects. Police checked hotel registers, verified entries, and questioned several staff members to identify anyone matching the suspect's description. All police stations in the national capital have been asked to stay alert and maintain strict vigil at local markets, metro stations, bus stands, and railway stations. "Teams have been asked to stay alert, attend all emergency-related calls, intensify checking in their area, and report any suspicious activity immediately," said a police officer. Police have registered an FIR into the matter and multiple teams from the Special Cell, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), and local police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the explosion. They are also probing whether it could be a case of a "suicide bombing" or a larger terror plot, said the source. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha had said the explosion took place around 6.52 pm in a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort Metro Station. "There were passengers inside the vehicle. Other vehicles nearby were also affected. Teams from the Delhi Police, FSL, NIA, and NSG inspected the place of occurrence and are taking stock of the situation," he said. Officers said the blast was so powerful that it gutted several vehicles and shattered window panes of nearby cars, buildings, and glass panels of the metro station. According to the Delhi Fire Services, ten fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and the blaze was brought under control by 7.29 pm. "All the senior officers are also looking that the blast related to Faridabad terror network," another source said. Videos shared by local traders showed the magnitude of the explosion mangled bodies, damaged vehicles, and scattered debris near the blast site. Police said nine people were killed, while 20 others, including two women, were injured and taken to LNJP Hospital. Among the injured, 12 are residents of Delhi, and eight belong to other states, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. The explosion was so powerful that it gutted several vehicles and shattered window panes of nearby cars, buildings, and glass panels of the metro station. The deceased include Ashok Kumar (34) from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, and Amar Kataria (35) from Delhi, while others remain unidentified and are aged between 28 and 58 years. One mutilated body was recovered from the mangled remains of the car, officials said. The mother of the Kashmiri doctor, Dr Muzammil Shakil, arrested for allegedly running a terror module in Faridabad has denied any knowledge of her sons activities, and said that she learnt about it from others. He left home about four years ago. He was working as a doctor in Delhi. We had no information about him during this time. When he was arrested, we learned about it from others. We tried to meet him, but the police did not allow us. Even my other son has been arrested," the doctor's mother Naseema, told ANI. Dr Muzammil Shakil was arrested on Monday morning after 360 kg of explosive material and ammunition were recovered from his rented house in Faridabads Dhauj village. Hours after the explosives were recovered, a high-intensity explosion rocked Delhi, killing at least 13 people. Who is Dr Muzammil Shakil? Dr. Muzammil Shakil is an MBBS graduate, who is a tenant of the Dhauj residence where the explosives and weapons were discovered. Police have identified and arrested him. During a press briefing, Faridabad Police Commissioner Satender Kumar Gupta said that Shakil whose name has appeared with different spellings in various reports was teaching at Al Falah University in Dhauj. What Muzammil Shakil's brother said? Speaking to news wire PTI, Muzammils brother, Azad Shakil also denied the familys involvement in the case stating that Shakil had last visited the family in June. He last visited us in June during our fathers surgery. Everyone is alleging that he is a terrorist, but we have nothing to do with it. There hasnt been a single case against our family in 50 years, Azad Shakil told PTI. He added, "We are Indians by heart weve even faced stone-pelting for India. He was a good person. They are not allowing us to meet him. My sisters marriage, which he was to attend, has now been cancelled. Officials suspect that the Delhi blast and the Faridabad recovery may also be part of a larger terror network operating across state lines, mentioned a report by ANI. Delhi Red Fort blast case At least 13 people were killed on Monday, 10 November, evening in a high-intensity explosion that ripped through a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort in central Delhi. View full Image Gayatri Devi, mother of Pankaj Sahni, who died in a deadly explosion near the historic Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi, reacts next to Sahni's body outside his residence ahead of the funeral, in New Delhi, India, November 11, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis ( REUTERS ) Relatives of the victims of the blast shared harrowing details. Bhuri, a woman from UP's Amroha, who lost her brother in the blast said she doesnt know how all of it happened. He was my brother. I don't know how all of this happened. He was coming back from duty. He has three children, two daughters and one son. How will my sister-in-law raise them? This has been done by terrorists; they should be punished, the woman told ANI. The Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned the conviction of Surendra Koli in the 2006 Nithari serial killings case, acquitting him of all charges. A bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice Surya Kant, and Justice Vikram Nath directed that Koli be released immediately, provided he is not implicated in any other case. Justice Nath, who pronounced the order, stated that Koli is acquitted of the charges. The curative petition is allowed. The petitioner is acquitted of the charges. The petitioner shall be released forthwith, the top court said, as reported by ANI. The bench set aside the conviction of Koli in the last remaining case related to the Nithari killings. He has been acquitted in 12 cases already. The apex court allowed the curative petition filed by Koli against the 2011 judgement of the Supreme Court, which had confirmed his conviction in one of the cases. Koli then filed a curative petition based on his subsequent acquittal in 12 other cases. Koli's curative petition before the Supreme Court contested his conviction in one of the Nithari murder cases, arguing that the evidence used against him had been deemed unreliable in other cases where he was subsequently acquitted. This case represented his final remaining conviction, following the Supreme Courts July decision to dismiss appeals against the Allahabad High Court's verdict that had acquitted him and co-accused Moninder Singh Pandher in the other Nithari killings. Also Read | At least 12 killed in car bomb explosion outside Islamabad court In July, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeals of CBI, the Uttar Pradesh government and victims' families against the acquittal of Moninder Singh Pandher and his domestic help Koli by the Allahabad High Court in the 2006 Nithari serial killings case. It had upheld the Allahabad High Court order of October 16, 2023, which had acquitted Pandher and Koli. Both Koli and Pandher were accused of rape and murder, mostly of children in the neighbourhood of Noida in 2005-06. The Allahabad High Court had, on October 16, 2023, acquitted Pandher and Koli in some of the cases concerning the Nithari killings and overturned the death penalty imposed on them by the trial court in September 2010. It had acquitted Koli in 12 cases and Pandher in 2 cases, where they were earlier held guilty for murder and awarded the death penalty by the trial court in these cases. Also Read | Delhi High Court grants interim protection to Jaya Bachchan's personality rights The CBI had registered 16 cases against Koli and Pandher over the rape and killing of girls that had shocked the nation. The case came into the public spotlight in December 2006, when skeletons were found in a drain near a house in Nithari village, Noida. The house belonged to Moninder Singh Pandher, while Surendra Koli worked there as his domestic help. Koli was accused in all the cases on charges including murder, abduction, rape, and destruction of evidence, whereas Pandher was named in six of the cases. Koli had been convicted for multiple rapes and murders of several girls and was sentenced to death in more than ten cases. New Delhi: The National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC) plans to seek Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) status for co-operative banks from the Reserve Bank of India in the next two months, as it is near the 300 crore paid-up capital threshold, said a top official in an interview. NUCFDC CEO Prabhat Chaturvedi said that board resolutions for additional capital contributions (to reach 300 crore capital) by other urban cooperative banks (UCBs) are already in place. By 17 November, contributions will start flowing into NUCFDC, with share allotments beginning in mid-December. NUCFDC is the umbrella organisation for cooperative banks. Following this round of capital raising from UCBs, we will have a paid-up equity capital exceeding 300 crore, qualifying us to seek SRO status from RBI. Additionally, with this level of capital, we aim to initiate our fund-based services, including loans, Tier 2 capital support, provide refinance facilities to UCBs, and extend liquidity support, Chaturvedi explained. Key Takeaways NUCFDC expects to apply for Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) status from RBI by early January, having secured commitments to cross the 300 crore paid-up capital threshold. The SRO status will establish NUCFDC as the single regulatory body for the Urban Cooperative Banking sector, acting as an extended oversight arm for RBI. NUCFDC has launched two core digital solutions, Sahakar Digipay and Sahakar Digiloan, to standardize and modernize payments and lending operations across UCBs. Though only 440 of 1,462 UCBs are currently partners, they represent a commanding 70% of the sector's total 5.5 trillion deposit base, providing significant scale for collective negotiation. With the capital milestone, NUCFDC will launch fund-based services, including loans, Tier 2 capital support, refinance facilities, and liquidity support for participating UCBs. The Self-Regulatory Organisation status will enable NUCFDC to oversee, regulate, and enforce standards within the urban cooperative banking sector. This will position the corporation as the sole SRO for the sector and as an arm of RBI, bridging the gap between regulators and the numerous UCBs. NUCFDCs capital is augmented by the government through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), which contributes 20% of its paid-up capital. The remaining 80% is subscribed by participating UCBs. UCB support Chaturvedi stated that NUCFDC has received broad support from UCBs, with 440 of the total 1,462 cooperative banks currently partnering in the initiative. This constitutes a third of the total UCBs in the country, but they account for 70% of the total deposit base of 5.5 trillion in the sector, he said. our goal is for all UCBs to join us, so that we can achieve economies of scale and conduct collective negotiations on their behalf. Whether it involves IT or non-IT servicesany kind of service. We assess quality, reduce costs, and make them affordable for all banks. This is the role of collective negotiation, Chaturvedi added. NUCFDC, which obtained its licence to operate as a mid-layer NBFC in February 2024, also expects to commence its fund-based services, including loans, later this financial year once its capital base exceeds 300 crore. This will allow the corporation to leverage its capital up to seven times to raise funds supporting IT infrastructure upgrades among the UCB network and meet its capital needs for onward lending. It is assessing the amount it will need to raise from the market next year. Also Read | Govt turns to Swiss expertise to make mountain roads damage-resistant Going forward, raising funds from other sourcesequity, debt, or other instrumentswill be examined. But presently, our focus is on providing non-fund-based support systems to UCBs. We are developing IT capabilities, digital infrastructure, and a central platform that includes hardware, applications, cybersecurity, manpower, and maintenanceall bundled to support these banks, Chaturvedi explained. As part of its digital initiative for the sector, NUCFDC has launched two digital solutionsSahakar Digipay and Sahakar Digiloan. These purpose-built solutions aim to strengthen payment infrastructure and automate lending operations across UCBs. This initiative aligns with NUCFDCs broader strategy to foster digital transformation, operational efficiency, and customer-centric innovation within the UCB ecosystem at an affordable cost. Digital push Chaturvedi mentioned that the cost of operating Sahakar Digipay could be as low as 50 paisa per transaction for all UCBs, making it even cheaper than UPI for service providers. He believes this will encourage wider acceptance among UCBs and promote digitisation of payments across cooperative banks. The system is also interoperable with NPCI systems like UPI, IMPS, and RuPay on the backend, aiding in modernising UCB operations and helping them serve a new generation of tech-savvy customers. Also Read | Centre launches third PLI round for speciality steel NUCFDC also plans to seek RBI approval to allow digital banking services by UCBs with a net worth below 50 crore, provided such banks are part of the central infrastructure supplied by NUCFDC with robust cybersecurity features. Chaturvedi indicated that several other products are under development to support the sectors digital transformation and will be launched in phases as UCBs continue their efforts to promote financial inclusion. The plans also include AI-supported services and data analytics to further strengthen the financial resilience of UCBs. Also Read | India plans overseas roadshows in Japan, Korea to anchor shipping pacts A day after a car explosion rocked Delhi and a terror module was busted in Faridabad, the Punjab Police on Monday announced busting a cross-border arms smuggling network with links to Pakistan. As many as six Glock 9mm pistols, four magazines, and four live cartridges were recovered in the operation, the Punjab Police said. The bust was carried out by the Ferozepur Police, which apprehended two suspects, Gurpreet Singh alias Gori and Vikramjeet Singh alias Vicky. Vikramjeet had direct links with a Pakistan-based smuggler involved in illegal arms trafficking, police said. The accused also confessed to supplying weapons to local contacts on the directions of Pakistani handlers, the police said. "His arrest also helped trace an earlier case involving the procurement of an AK-47 rifle from the same cross-border network. Technical analysis of seized digital devices is underway to expose the full supply chain including foreign handlers and local collaborators," the Punjab Police said. The development comes at a time when investigative agencies in India are probing a possible terror angle in the Delhi car blast. The blast took place at around 7 pm near the historic Red Fort in the national capital, killing at least nine and injuring at least 18. Terror angle established? Although authorities have not yet declared Monday's blast as an act of terror, it should be noted that the incident took place hours after police busted a terror module in Faridabad and recovered 2,900 kg of explosive substances, arms, and ammunition. Preliminary investigation into the blast has also revealed the possible use of detonators and ammonium nitrate, reported news agency PTI, citing police sources. The news agency also reported that the blast could potentially be linked to the Faridabad-based terror module that was busted on Monday. As the probe continues, security has been tightened across Delhi, with both the Red Fort and the Lal Qila metro station now closed for security reasons. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a two-day state visit to Bhutan, which began today. The PM will participate in the Global Peace Prayer Festival organised by the Royal Government of Bhutan during the visit, among other engagements. It would be my honour to join the people of Bhutan as they mark the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King. The exposition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India during the organisation of the Global Peace Prayer Festival in Bhutan reflects our two countries deep-rooted civilisational and spiritual ties, PM Modi said before departing for Bhutan. During the visit, the Prime Minister will receive an audience with Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, and the two leaders will inaugurate the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, developed jointly by the Government of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan. Also Read | Bihar Election 2025 Live: Voting for second phase begins Prime Minister will attend the celebrations dedicated to the 70th birth anniversary of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan. Prime Minister will also meet the Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay. The visit will also mark another major milestone in our successful energy partnership with the inauguration of the Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project. I look forward to meeting His Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth King, and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. I am confident that my visit will further deepen our bonds of friendship and strengthen our efforts towards shared progress and prosperity, Modi said in the statement. What's on the itinerary? The visit of Prime Minister coincides with the exposition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India. Prime Minister will offer prayers to the Holy Relics at Tashichhodzong in Thimphu. India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary partnership marked by deep mutual trust, goodwill and respect for each other. The shared spiritual heritage and warm people-to-people ties are a hallmark of the special partnership. Prime Minister's 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, a MEA release said. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi urges voters to participate in Bihar Elections 2025 phase 2 On Tuesday, the first day, the PM will attend events at Changlimethang besides meeting with the King of Bhutan. The PM will also take part in MoU exchange event and also attend the inauguration of Punatsangchhu II project. The next day, the prime minister will meet Bhutan's 4th King and attend the Kalchakra ceremony before returning to New Delhi. Closest partnership between the two nations The visit of PM Modi to Bhutan is poised to be highly significant, coinciding with major national and spiritual events, underscoring the "closest partnership" between the two nations, India's Ambassador to Bhutan, Sandeep Arya, has said. There is something called the Global Peace Prayer Festival, which Bhutan says is an unprecedented event... praying for world peace and happiness. The Ambassador highlighted the dual importance of the visit, noting its timing with the unprecedented Global Peace Prayer Festival and the 70th birthday celebrations of the Fourth King of Bhutan. The Ministry of External Affairs has slammed Pakistan, especially interior minister Mohsin Naqvi, for claiming India had something to do with the blast outside a court in Islamabad. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement, India unequivocally rejects the baseless and unfounded allegations being made by an obviously delirious Pakistani leadership. It is a predictable tactic by Pakistan to concoct false narratives against India in order to deflect the attention of its own public from the ongoing military-inspired constitutional subversion and power-grab unfolding within the country. The international community is well aware of the reality and will not be misled by Pakistan's desperate diversionary ploys. Jaiswal's comment comes in the wake of Pakistan's interior minister Mohsin Naqvi saying without any evidence, that the attack was carried out by Indian-backed elements and Afghan Taliban proxies as reported by Associated Press. Also Read | At least 12 killed in car bomb explosion outside Islamabad court The attacker tried to "enter the court premises but, failing to do so, targeted a police vehicle, Naqvi told journalists, as per AP. Earlier reports by Pakistani state-run media and two security officials said a car bomb caused the explosion. Naqvi said the discovery nearby of a severed head, which the police said belonged to the attacker, confirmed the blast was a suicide attack. The attacker was also later spotted in CCTV footage from the site, he said. Twelve people were killed in the attack that came amid border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan after Kabul accused Islamabad of attacks on 9 October. A ceasefire has been in place between the two countries since 19 October. A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar group, claimed responsibility for the attack. But shortly after, Sarbakaf Mohmand, a commander from the group, sent WhatsApp messages insisting they had not made any such claim. Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said on X that the country is in a state of war and laid the blame on the Taliban government in Afghanistan, which Islamabad accuses of sheltering the TTP. Afghanistan "can act to stop terrorism in Pakistan, but bringing this war to Islamabad is a message from Kabul, Asif said and warned that Pakistan has the strength to respond fully. Also Read | Taliban blames Pak military for unrest, cites past operations in tribal areas Pakistan has outlawed the TTP, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, while the United States and the United Nations have designated the group a terrorist organisation. The Afghan Taliban takeover in Kabul in 2021 emboldened the TTP, and many of its leaders and fighters are believed to have taken refuge in Afghanistan. Kabul denies it's protecting the TTP. Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh expressed condolences to the victims of the tragic blast in Delhi and assured citizens that investigative agencies are conducting a thorough inquiry. I extend my heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their lives in the tragic accident that occurred in Delhi yesterday. I pray to God to grant strength and solace to the bereaved families in this hour of deep grief, ANI quoted Rajnath Singh at an event conducted by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA). I wish to assure my fellow citizens that the countrys leading investigative agencies are conducting a swift and thorough inquiry into the incident. The findings of the investigation will soon be made public. I want to firmly assure the nation that those responsible for this tragedy will be brought to justice and will not be spared under any circumstances, he said. Delhi blast A deadly car explosion happened near Delhi's Red Fort around 6:52 pm on Monday evening. Multiple vehicles were destroyed, and at least 13 people have died so far. Although the cause of the blast has not yet been confirmed, a forensic investigation is ongoing to determine the nature of the explosion. A report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is expected to be released on Tuesday. Delhi Police's initial investigation indicated that the Red Fort car explosion could be a 'Fidayeen' (suicide) attack, ANI reported, citing people aware of the development. PM Modi's stern warning During a visit to Bhutan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a stern warning to the conspirators behind the Delhi blast. West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, a key accused in the SSC recruitment scam, was granted bail on Tuesday, more than three years after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on 23 July 2022. Chatterjee, who had been hospitalised in a private facility in Mukundapur, south-east Kolkata, for the past 203 days, was released from judicial custody after submitting his bail bond, PTI reported. His release followed the completion of the examination of witnesses before a trial court on Monday in connected cases being probed by the CBI. He had earlier been granted bail in the ED cases, while the Supreme Court had subsequently granted him bail in the connected CBI cases with the condition that he would not be released until the agency completed its examination of witnesses. Chatterjee's followers had gathered in significant numbers in front of the hospital, shouting 'Partha da zindabad' slogans amid an emotionally charged atmosphere when the former Trinamool Congress secretary general boarded his car and headed for his Naktala residence in south Kolkata. The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought separate responses from the Election Commission (EC) on petitions filed by the DMK, CPI(M), West Bengal Congress, and Trinamool Congress leaders challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi directed the EC to file its replies within two weeks. The apex court also instructed the Madras and Calcutta High Courts to put on hold any ongoing proceedings related to challenges against the SIR exercise in the two states, PTI reported. It also allowed the listing of an intervention application filed by the AIADMK in support of the SIR in Tamil Nadu. What did the petitioner say? During a brief hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing in the court for the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, said the exercise is being done hurriedly, without following due process, and different sets of documents are being sought from voters. He said the northeast monsoon in Tamil Nadu is always heavy during November-December, and the coastal districts experience heavy to very heavy rains during this season. According to the meteorological department, this year, heavier rain than usual is predicted. Because of this, the common people will be preparing for the same and the revenue officials who are enlisted as BLOs, EROs, AEROs will have to manage the flood relief as well. Hence, practically, this is not a conducive time for conducting the above exercises, Sibal said. Also Read | SIR in WBEC acts against 8 officers for violating rules on form distribution Justice Kant said in a country as big as India, some states will always face natural calamities. Sibal said there is very poor connectivity in certain areas of the southern state and there will be difficulties in uploading documents. Similarly, in West Bengal also, rural connectivity is very poor and much bad with regard to Tamil Nadu, he said. The bench said, It appears that the case being projected before us is that for the first time, electoral rolls are being prepared. We also know the ground realities. There is a constitutional authority which is doing the exercise and it is mandated to do it. Earlier also, it has been done. Justice Kant said the problem is that everybody wants "status quo". Sibal said the petitioners want the EC to do its work but not in this fashion and hurriedly. The bench said political parties should not be apprehensive of the exercise and the EC will give all details related to it. If we are satisfied that there is something wrong, we will annul the entire exercise, the court said. On the argument that different modalities are being adopted in Tamil Nadu, compared to what was followed in Bihar during the SIR exercise, the bench said it means that the EC has rectified its mistakes. Sibal said the Bihar SIR has nothing to do with the exercise in Tamil Nadu and the situation and conditions are different in the two states. Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing in the court for the EC, sought to file replies to the fresh petitions. Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, appearing for Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Dola Sen, said they too have filed the petition challenging the SIR in West Bengal. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing in the matter for NGO Association for Democratic Reforms, questioned various procedural irregularities on the EC's part like issuing a machine-readable voter list in Bihar. The bench said notices are being issued to the EC on all the fresh petitions and the court will look into the pleas after the poll panel's response. It told the EC, You should adopt the best practice and experience of the Bihar SIR in exercises which are to be conducted in other states. However, you should always keep in mind the local conditions. The court listed the matter for further hearing on November 26 and 27, and said it will hear the arguments on the interim relief sought by different political leaders, such as a stay on the SIR. Besides Sen, West Bengal Congress leader Shubhankar Sarkar, DMK's R S Bharathi, CPI-M's P Shanmugam and other leaders have filed separate petitions challenging the SIR in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry. In his plea filed through advocate Vivek Singh, Bharathi has claimed that the exercise is violative of Articles 14, 19 and 21 (rights to equality, freedom of speech and life) and other provisions of the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act and the Registration of Electors Rules of 1960. The CPI(M) has challenged the constitutional validity of the EC's directive to conduct the SIR in Tamil Nadu, terming the process arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional. Meanwhile, the AIADMK has supported the poll panel's decision to conduct the SIR in the southern state, calling it a "legitimate and necessary" exercise to uphold the sanctity of elections and prevent voter fraud. EC's announcement of SIR On October 27, the EC announced the conduct of the second phase of the SIR across 12 states and Union Territories, to be conducted between November and February next year. The states and UTs covered in this phase are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and West Bengal are slated to hold assembly elections in 2026. The EC also clarified that for Assam, where polls are similarly due in 2026, the schedule for the electoral roll revision will be announced separately. The second phase of the SIR began on November 4 and will continue until December 4. The draft electoral rolls will be published on December 9, with the final rolls scheduled for release on February 7. Six Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Tuesday, police said. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai lauded the operation, describing it as another step towards eradication of the Maoist menace. The gunfight broke out at around 10 am in the Indravati National Park area when a joint team of security personnel was out on anti-Naxalite operation based on inputs about the presence of senior Maoist cadres in the region, Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav said. Personnel belonging to police's District Reserve Guard (DRG) from Bijapur and Dantewada districts and Special Task Force (STF) were involved in the operation, he said. Intermittent exchange of fire continued for several hours, the SP said, adding that during the search of the encounter site, the bodies of six Maoists with automatic weapons, including an INSAS rifle, sten guns, a .303 rifle and explosives, were found, the official said. Additional teams of DRG, STF, Bastar Fighters, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) were rushed to cordon off the area and nab fleeing Maoist cadres, he added. The operation was still underway, said SP Yadav. In a post on X, CM Sai said, "The campaign against the Maoist insurgency continues, and Naxalism is coming to an end. Today, during an ongoing encounter between a joint team of DRG and STF of Chhattisgarh police, and Naxalites in Bijapur, six Naxalites have been neutralized so far. "This is a major success for the security forces in the direction of completely eradicating the Maoist menace, and I salute their courage. It is the resolve of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and Union Home Minister Amit Shah ji to end Naxalism from the country and the state by March 31, 2026. We are achieving success in fulfilling this resolve," he added. Meanwhile, in a separate operation, an injured Naxalite was apprehended following an encounter between security forces and Maoists in the forest of Annaram village in Tarlaguda area of Bijapur, police said. The injured Maoist was subsequently hospitalised, they said. With the latest action, 259 Naxalites have been killed in encounters in Chhattisgarh so far this year. Of them, 230 were eliminated in the Bastar division, comprising seven districts including Bijapur, while 27 others were gunned down in Gariaband district which falls in Raipur division. Two Naxalites were killed in Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district in Durg division. Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar on Tuesday extended his condolences to the families of the victims killed in the blast near the Red Fort metro station in Delhi on Monday. At least 12 people were killed after a powerful explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening. In an Instagram story, Johar wrote: My heart goes out to all the victims and the ones affected by the recent tragedy in New Delhi. Spending all my love and prayers to the families, please stay safe and alert during this time, he added. View full Image Screenshot from Karan Johar's IG story After the tragic incident, several members of the film fraternity extended their condolences to the bereaved family. Condolences to all those bereaved families who lost their loved ones in the Delhi blast. Horrible news, actress Raveena Tandon wrote. Sonu Sood also reacted to the news, expressing grief for the affected victims. My heart reaches out to everyone impacted by today's tragic blast near the Red Fort in Delhi. Let's support the victims, look out for each other, and commit to peace, he wrote in an X post. The official social media handle of TVK Vijay said, Deeply shocked and saddened by the news of car explosion near Red Fort Metro, Delhi that has claimed precious lives. My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Wishing speedy recovery to all those injured. Sidharth Malhotra wrote: My heart goes out to everyone affected by the Red Fort blast. Delhi, stay strong and stay safe. Riddhima Kapoor Sahni took to her Instagram story and wrote, My prayers for those who have lost their lives and their families and for those who are injured. Saddened at the Red Fort Blast, may they find the culprits and punish them severely. Prayers and more prayers. A Reddit user has shared that his US B1/B2 visa was rejected at the Kolkata consulate. The final-year student, who got selected for a medical observership in the US, has shared what happened during the interview. The B1 visa is issued for temporary business purposes, while the B2 visa is issued for temporary tourism. The visa officer asked routine questions about the purpose of travel, hospital details, student status and duration of stay. The applicant explained they had been selected for a four-week medical observership. The student also informed the officer of his parents occupation. They own an IT solutions company that provides software and hardware support for other tech companies, he said. Then, without asking for any documents, the officer said the visa was not approved. Fellow Reddit users tried to decode what might have gone wrong during the interview. Officer knows there's a 100% chance you'll be looking for a job in the US during this observership. Zero reason why you can't do an observership in India, one of them posted. I am a current US medical residency applicant this year, and USCE is absolutely necessary for a doctor to match into residency in the United States; it demonstrates that the individual understands and has worked in the US healthcare system, commented another user. Also Read | Reddit user shares what a woman did with her long hair in a 10-hour flight According to another Reddit user, medical observerships are commonly used by foreign doctors as a pathway to medical residency in the United States. The user adds that, while there is nothing wrong with having that goal, immigration officers are aware of this pathway. In the current political climate, visas get denied for that exact reason The fact that you have a visa denial on your record now will also make it considerably harder to overcome the hurdle to get a visa, the user added. Another user wrote, I dont think you answered anything incorrectly at the interview. You answered concisely and specifically A lot of times, its the officers gut feeling and not something explicitly articulable. Recent US visa controversy In recent times, Indian applicants with strong travel histories have reported sudden refusals and stricter questioning. Earlier in November, an Indian techie earning a CTC of 1 crore was denied a US visa in under a minute. He was asked only three questions. The US State Department now requires all visa applicants to attend interviews only in their home country or country of legal residence. This means Indians can no longer apply from third countries to get faster appointments. New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said India wants a fair, equitable, balanced trade deal with the US and it will not compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen, and the dairy sector. He said India and the US are negotiating a good proposed bilateral trade agreement. "We are working for a good trade deal in the interest of India. At the same time, India is not going to compromise the interests of our farmers, fishermen, workers, labour, and our dairy... We are working on a fair equitable and balanced trade deal," he said here at Udyog Samagam 2025 -- a conference of industries and commerce ministers of states. "We want a fair, equitable and balanced trade deal (with the US). If that happens, it could happen any day, it could happen tomorrow, it may happen next month, it may happen next year... But as a government, we are preparing for everything," he said. He also said India is looking for new markets such as Russia for the country's fishery sector, which is facing issues due to the steep tariffs in the US. India and the US are negotiating a bilateral trade agreement. So far, five rounds of talks have been completed. Both sides have announced to finalise the first tranche of the deal by fall of 2025. Meanwhile, an official said another round of negotiations may not be necessary. "They (US) have to get back to us. India's negotiations have been the most comprehensive, most detailed, WTO-compliant compared to any other country. May be it took time, but we negotiated very cautiously, keeping in view the interests of our sensitive sectors," the official added. A team of Indian officials, headed by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, was in Washington last month to hold trade talks with their US counterparts. The three-day talks ended on October 17. Negotiations for the pact are important, as relations between the two countries have been under severe strain since the US President Donald Trump administration imposed a steep 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods. It includes a 25 per cent additional import duty for buying Russian crude oil. The proposed pact aims to more than double the bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 from the current USD 191 billion. The US remained India's largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year in 2024-25, with bilateral trade valued at USD 131.84 billion (USD 86.5 billion exports). It accounts for about 18 per cent of India's total goods exports, 6.22 per cent in imports, and 10.73 per cent in the country's total merchandise trade. India's merchandise exports to the US declined 11.93 per cent to USD 5.46 billion in September due to the high tariffs imposed by Washington, while imports increased 11.78 per cent to USD 3.98 billion during the month, according to commerce ministry data. US President Donald Trump has said the US is "pretty close" to reaching a "fair trade deal" with India, adding that he will lower the tariffs imposed on Indian goods at "some point". Months after imposing tariffs on India, United States President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, November 11, that the country was coming closer to a sealing a trade deal with India. He also said that at some point, the US would bring down the tariffs on India. Trump made the remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of Sergio Gor as the Ambassador to India. While making a speech, Donald Trump said, We're making a deal with India. Much different than we had. Right now they don't love me but they will love us again. We're getting a fair deal. They're very good negotiators so Sergio you will have to take a look at that. I think we're pretty close to doing a deal that is good for everybody. When asked about how close the two countries were in making a trade deal, Donald Trump said the US would lower tariffs at some point. The US President said, "Well, right now, the tariffs are very high on India because of the Russian oil, and they've stopped doing the Russian oil. It's been reduced very substantially. Yeah, we're going to be bringing the tariffs down. At some point, we're going to be bringing them down." Earlier on November 5, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal indicated that talks on the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement are "going on very well", but said that there are "many sensitive and serious issues" and it would take time. Talks are going on very well. There are many sensitive issues, many serious issues, so naturally, it takes some time, Piyush Goyal told ANI, when asked to provide an update on India-US trade talks. Also Read | Indian apparel sector finds partial relief in US-origin input exemption On October 23, negotiators from both countries held a virtual meeting. Since March, five rounds of talks have taken place for the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement, which was initially slated to be signed by the fall of 2025. Formally proposed in February under directives from both nations' leaders, the bilateral trade agreement seeks to boost trade volumes from the current USD 191 billion to over USD 500 billion by 2030. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal was in the United States in September, leading high-level trade negotiations as both nations work toward concluding a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement. Goyal was accompanied by a delegation of senior ministry officials, including Special Secretary and India's Chief Negotiator Rajesh Agrawal. In mid-September, a team of United States officials led by Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch, had "positive and forward-looking" discussions with the officials from India's Department of Commerce in New Delhi, and it was decided to intensify efforts to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement. Donald Trump had imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian products, citing New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil. While India has continued to purchase the crude oil from Moscow, it is currently engaged in talks with Washington to reach a trade deal. US weather: Temperatures dropped in several US states on Tuesday, affecting millions of Americans as arctic air brought snowfall and winds to some areas. The cold air also brought gusty winds, with forecasters predicting up to 4 inches to 8 inches of snow in the Great Lakes and Appalachian Mountain regions. The weather department has issued weather warnings for West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. Whereas, Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia are likely to experience freezing temperatures. A frigid cold airmass will continue to bring colder weather across the eastern two thirds of the country early this week, said the National Weather Service (NWS), adding, Record low temperatures are expected to be tied or broken across the Southeast and Florida. In a post on X, Ben Noll, a meteorologist with the Washington Post, said the most unusually cold air on the planet was located above the East Coast early Tuesday. "Because of this huge anomaly, it was colder in northern Florida than in parts of Greenland. It dipped as low as 25 in the Sunshine State." Noll added that as of 6 am on Tuesday, about 200 million people across the United States were experiencing freezing temperatures as far south as Florida. The National Weather Prediction Centre (NWP) has forecast that snow is likely to continue across the Lower Great Lakes and interior, while the Southeast Coast and Florida could experience unseasonably cold weather. Upper troughing over the Eastern US will continue to direct cold continental polar air down into the Southeast today. High temperatures in the 40s, 50s and 60s from the Florida Peninsula up along the Southeast Coast will represent 2030 degree temperatures anomalies, said NWP. Also Read | Senate passes bill to end record 41-day US government shutdown Weather forecast for Chicago According to National Weather Service Chicago, aside from a few snow showers/flurries this morning, dry conditions are expected through the rest of the week. Temperatures will warm with highs forecast to be back in the 60s by Friday (maybe 70 Saturday?)." A cold weather advisory is in effect for all of west central and southwest Florida and a freeze warning for Levy, Citrus, and inland Hernando counties. Wind Chills in Indianapolis The Indianapolis NWS stated that Tuesday will start off very cold with wind chills near 15 degrees, but warming temperatures are on the horizon! Breezy winds will continue through the day and can't rule out isolated flurries at times today. Rain likely along California coast Moderate to heavy rain is expected along the California Coast between Wednesday and Thursday, while the heaviest snow is anticipated to occur over the Sierra on Thursday, according to NWP. Flights to get delayed? Amid the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) order to cancel several flights amid the shutdown, the weather is likely to contribute to more delays. According to reports, some airports, like the busy Chicago OHare International Airport, are experiencing four-hour wait times at airports. AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham told News Week that extremely cold air aloft and a relatively warm Lake Michigan will produce intense bursts of lake-effect snow through Monday night. He added that situation could easily bring traffic to a standstill. In Tennessee, snowy roads led to a crash involving multiple vehicles and about an hourlong shutdown on westbound Interstate 40 in Putnam County, east of Nashville, the county sheriffs office announced, reported AP. New York City issues Code Blue In view of a cold weather, New York City's Department of Homeless Services has issued a Code Blue alert. Antidepressants may be trending, but misconceptions about the commonly prescribed medications abound. On social media, influencers tout them as lifestyle medications that can turn around your life. But Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has branded SSRIsor selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the most common class of antidepressantsas more addictive than heroin and linked them to violent episodes such as a recent church shooting in Minnesota. Hes said the government is launching studies to look at whether the medications are being overprescribed to adolescents and contributing to violence. What is the reality about antidepressants? Here are some answers. My father passed away, and Ive been sad for weeks. Should I ask a doctor for an antidepressant? Most likely, no. Antidepressants are typically prescribed for people with major depressive disorder. The diagnosis is really more than just transient sadness and the normal expected grief from the loss of a family member," says Dr. Sanjay Mathew, president-elect of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Depression also comes with anhedonia, or the inability to experience pleasure in activities or social situations that were once enjoyable. A diagnosis typically involves having an array of symptoms. These can manifest with things like low energy, difficulty concentrating or changes in sleeping and eating patterns. Doctors look for symptoms that impact people for most of the day for at least two weeks. We look for a cluster of symptoms," says Dr. Aniruddha Deka, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Rush University in Chicago. When we have enough of these symptoms and they are affecting functioning, we diagnose." Are antidepressants addictive? No. Doctors say antidepressantsSSRIs as well as other classesshow none of the telltale signs of addictive substances. Addiction involves craving a substance, feeling kind of high or intoxicated on something and compulsively using it despite negative consequences," says Deka. With antidepressants, people have a physical adaptation to the medication as the serotonin signaling in their body changes. Ive never in my career seen someone compulsively seek out antidepressants," says Dr. Eric Lenze, head of the psychiatry department at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Whats confusing is that people who stop taking antidepressants can experience flulike withdrawal symptoms as the body adjusts to the absence of the medication, says Lenze. One unusual symptom is ear zaps, or the sensation of an electrical zap behind ones ear. Other withdrawal symptoms can include dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, agitation and gastrointestinal side effects. Addiction is a very different thing than simply the fact that if you stop taking the medication you may have some withdrawal symptoms or you might relapse," says Lenze. How many people experience withdrawal symptoms varies. One recent study analyzing data from more than 20,000 patients across nearly 80 studies concluded that about 15% of people had withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing an antidepressant. Severe symptoms were experienced by only 3% of people. How long should someone take an antidepressant? The length of time someone takes an antidepressant depends on if its his or her first episode or not, says Deka. Recurrences tend to predict further recurrences," he says. The risk of recurrence is about 50% after one episode of depression. That jumps to 70% after two or more episodes and 90% after three episodes. Depression in most people is a chronic or recurrent illness, says Lenze. In a way its like hypertension," he says. If you take blood-pressure medicine and your blood pressure normalizes then thats a sign that the medication is working. But if you stop it, your blood pressure will go back up." If its a first episode, doctors will typically recommend tapering off an antidepressant after six to 12 months from remission of symptoms. We dont necessarily want people to be on the drugs indefinitely if they dont need it," says Mathew. If someone is still going through a hard time or has had episodes before, he may be advised to stay on the medication, Deka says. People with severe cases that resulted in hospitalization or thoughts of suicide may also stay on the medications. It could be more than two years depending on the situation," says Deka. Always consult a medical professional if youre looking to stop taking an antidepressant. Doctors say its best to taper off gradually. Most people can taper off an antidepressant in two weeks to two months. Generally, people taking a higher dose of an antidepressant, or who have been taking one for a long time, may take longer to come off them. What are the side effects of antidepressants? Common short-term side effects for SSRIs include gastrointestinal ones like nausea or feelings of anxiety. Longer-term ones can include sexual dysfunction and weight changes. Medications commonly used in conjunction with antidepressantssuch as Abilify and Vraylaralso can have metabolic side effects, such as changes in cholesterol and blood-sugar levels. In rare cases people can develop movement disorders such as uncontrollable neurological movements. Most of the side effects are reversible upon discontinuation," says Mathew. Can they cause violence? There is no solid research linking antidepressants to violent behavior, doctors say. Deka says its difficult to separate medication effects from underlying illness, and people may be struggling because their condition isnt controlled, not because the drug causes violence. There are modest risks for taking antidepressants over a lifetime, says Lenze, such as bleeding because some inhibit platelet function. But for most people the risks of taking an antidepressant are less than the risk of a relapse of depression, he notes. So while there can be unpleasant side effects or withdrawal symptoms, antidepressants dont pose a risk for addiction like opioids or even stimulants. But they also arent a cure-all, even if they can serve an important purpose for getting through challenging times in life. Write to Sumathi Reddy at Sumathi.Reddy@wsj.com A Turkish military cargo plane has crashed in Georgia while flying from Azerbaijan to return to its home, the Turkish Defence Ministry said on Tuesday. The crash happened at the Georgia-Azerbaijan border, it said, adding that the affected aircraft was a C-130 military plane. Our C-130 military cargo plane, which took off from Azerbaijan to return home, has crashed at the Georgia-Azerbaijan border, the Turkish Defence Ministry said in a statement. The ministry added that it was coordinating with Georgian authorities to reach the site of the plane crash. Search and rescue efforts are underway in coordination with authorities in both countries, it said further. Visuals of the plane crash circulating on social media show the herculean aircraft undergrowing a free fall as plumes of smoke rise from it as it crashes. The aircraft fell in a mountaneous territory. Flight tracking websites showed that the plane had departed from Ganja but lost its signal over the Georgina territory. Turkish plane crash: Deaths Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed there have been casulaties due to the plane crash but did not specify a number. Erdogan said he was deeply saddened by the crash and expressed his condolences for the martyrs. Also Read | Vigil planned in Kentucky to share sorrow over UPS plane crash that killed at least 12 God willing, we will overcome this crash with minimum hardships. May God rest the soul of our martyrs, and let us be with them through our prayers, he said. The President was finishing a speech in Ankara when he received the news. Erdogan was handed a note by his aides, after which he reacted to the tragic incident. Also Read | Video captures exact moment UPS cargo plane burst into flames in Louisville Where did the Turkish plane crash happen? The Turkish cargo plane crash took place in Georgia's Sighnaghi municipality, located around 5 kilometres away from the Azerbaijan border, the country's Interior Ministry said in a Facebook post. An investigation into the incident is underway, it added. Erdogan, his office and the ministry did not say what caused the crash, and they did not provide the number of casualties. Local media said, without citing numbers, that there were both Turkish and Azeri personnel on board. Also Read | Hong Kong runway reopens after cargo plane crash, but it wont be used regularly for now Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said he had spoken by phone to his Georgian counterpart, adding the Georgian minister was en route to the crash site. C-130 military cargo planes are widely used by Turkey's armed forces for transporting personnel and handling logistical operations. Automobile sales have been robust in October, reducing the inventory levels with automobile dealers from nearly two months stock to 53-55 days, according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association of India (FADA). This positive turn, however, had a flip side: the share of electric vehicles (EVs) in overall sales slumped. For electric two-wheelers, it fell to 4.56% last month from 8.09% in September, while for electric four-wheelers, it dipped to 3.24% from 5.12%, FADA data reported by Mint showed. Considering Indias efforts to fast-track EV adoption, this comes as a disappointment. The next few months would be important to determine if there is any sustained shift in market preference away from EVs. For now, such a conclusion would be premature. That said, the playing field does seem to have tilted slightly in favour of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The reduction in GST rates on many ICE vehicles from 28% to 18% even as the GST rate on EVs was left unchanged at 5% has made the latter less attractive. Then there is the regional skew in the October upsurge in automobile salesrural sales grew three times faster than the urban figures in the case of passenger vehicles and nearly double the urban growth rate for two-wheelers. Commercial charging stations are few and far between in rural areas, as are service centres for EV repair. But rural India has enough retail outlets for conventional fuel vehicles and repair shops for them. This could be a reason for rural buyers preferring ICE vehicles over EVs. Also, theres been a big increase in the sales of smaller cars and entry-level two wheelers, on which GST has been lowered. This may be explained by their low upfront costs as opposed to EVs, whose lower running costs take years to justify the higher initial price. So, it is understandable for first-time buyers to opt for conventional vehicles. Given efforts to drive EV sales, though, policymakers and industry may have to think of ways to make them more appealing to consumers. The GST on them is already low, leaving little scope to do more fiscally. In any case, incentives and subsidies tend to distort markets and must be used only as a temporary measure. Technological advances are crucial to address consumer anxieties about the performance of EVs and their range. Charging infrastructure has expanded but it is still far from enough to assure stress-free driving across the length and breadth of the country. The government has a role to play in helping put up the charging infrastructure. More importantly, India needs an ecosystem for the development of batteries, which are perhaps the most critical piece of input in an EV. This is hard in the wake of unreliable supplies of critical components from China, although a recent improvement in relations should help improve prospects. One aspect less talked about is the ability of the power grid to take the increased load in the event of an EV proliferation. Charging large numbers of EVs all at once places considerable additional load. Strengthening the grid, therefore, is critical, but this is a work-in-progress. Overall, the market environment has turned a bit more attractive for ICE vehicles. Ultimately, consumers want longer-driving and more affordable electric vehicles. Unless they get that, efforts to wean them away from ICE vehicles may continue on a slow lane. The government and industry both need to work on it. It has long been held that the defence partnership between India and the US forms the strongest pillar of their bilateral relationship. Major defence acquisitions, technology transfers and growing strategic convergences in the Indo-Pacific over the past two decades have reinforced this belief. More importantly, backed by steady growth in political and security ties, IndiaUS relations have witnessed a growing alignment between expectations and realities. However, since the onset of the second Donald Trump administration, a series of unfavourable political developments have widened the gap between perception and progress. Trumps characteristic theatrics have contributed to a decline in perception even as substantive developments in ties sustain optimism. In one such development, Indias defence minister Rajnath Singh and US secretary of war Pete Hegeseth on 31 October signed the US-India Defense Framework Agreement. Also Read | Drone warfare is the future: India must adapt its defences at warp speed This is much needed for at least four reasons. First, it comes at a politically sensitive time when the Trump administration has imposed on India one of the highest tariffs on any country. Second, the promise of momentum in defence could go a long way in reassuring the trade talks between the two countries as defence and trade are joined at the hip. Third, the agreement could usher the swift supply of critical defence equipment to India and galvanise technology cooperation and exchanges ahead of the two countries plans to co-produce systems together in India. Last, the agreement renews the decadal promise of cooperation between India and the US which started when the Agreed Minute on Defense Relations Between the United States and India was signed in 1995. This was followed by the New Framework for the US-India Defense Relationship signed in 2005 between Pranab Mukherjee, the then defence minister and his US counterpart Donald Rumsfeld. In June 2015, India and the US signed a new defence framework agreement led by US defense secretary Ash Carter and Indian defence minister Manohar Parrikar. The 2025 framework marks a pivotal moment in shaping a new roadmap for the India-US defence and security relationship at a time when battlespace requirements, technologies and the nature of warfare are evolving at breakneck speed. The 10-year framework in that backdrop provides a robust model for the bilateral security partnership, allowing for periodic review and recalibration in critical sectors, which is particularly important for a relationship marked by high expectation of technological interdependence. Also Read | Saudi Arabia and Pakistan just formed a defence pactIndia must rethink strategy The agreement is being viewed as a key step in advancing regional stability, deterrence, information sharing and technology cooperation. Beyond specific gains in the defence domain, it adopts a long-term strategic outlook on regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Its emphasis on ensuring a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific appears to have restored some of the waning confidence in the direction of regional security under the second Trump administration. However, there remains a need to distinguish between the administrations ongoing tactical adjustments in the Indo-Pacific and its broader regional security vision. Within that distinction may lie answers to the Trump administrations seemingly non-committal attitude toward the Indo-Pacific and to certain policy moves that have unsettled the foundation of a collective, multilateral security strategy that was designed to uphold regional rules and operational freedom. In particular, there is a clear dissonance between Washingtons declared commitment to Indo-Pacific security, evident in numerous high-level visits and statements, and its apparent urgency to strike an economic deal with China. The recent USChina economic agreement, reached on the sidelines of the Asean summit, may have benefited American companies, manufacturing and supply chains, but it risks undermining the strategic coherence built by key regional partners such as India, Japan and Australia under the Quad framework. By doing so, it potentially ties the United States strategic hands in the region. As such, the tenets of the new defence framework will face their greatest tests during implementation. If the 2015 framework offers any lessons, it is that the India-US defence partnership must accelerate decision-making and coordination. The previous decades commitments, particularly under the Defense Trade and Technology Initiative, to promote joint innovation and develop cooperative technological and industrial linkages, have at best remained a work-in-progress. Under the renewed political and diplomatic pressures of the second Trump administration to boost investments, there is also a risk that the India-US relationship could regress into a buyerseller dynamica model both sides pledged to move beyond in 2015. In hindsight, it is imperative for both nations to reflect on the new decadal promise and ensure that the partnership remains anchored in shared innovation, trust and strategic depth. The path to 2035, when the current agreement will be renewed, is a long arc and how both sides choose to travel it will define the next chapter of their defence and security ties. The authors are, respectively, vice president for studies, and fellow, Americas at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi. Share prices of sugar companies surged on Monday, with one clocking double-digit gains, after the government raised the annual allocation for exports to 1.5 million tonnes and scrapped the 50% export duty on molasses, a by-product of sugar production. The move follows a piling of sugar inventory after its diversion for the production of ethanol fell short of expectations. Notably, the government is reviewing a law regulating sugarcane production, Mint reported. This is much needed. Our domestic regulation was set at a time when sugar was the only major output from cane, but now the industry has diversified to ethanol, electricity, molasses and other uses. So, a revamped law is necessary so that farmers get fair prices for their produce based on the purpose for which it is used. Also Read | Why India should not divert its food security rice stocks to ethanol Further, the lowered export barriers would allow the industry to benefit from overseas prices. Unfortunately, the government has been using export control measures as a policy tool. These are relics of the pre-liberalization era that should be discarded. Businesses need the freedom to modulate supplies based on price signals. The less the government interferes, the better it is. Also Read | India must weave biofuels into a rural energy network US president Donald Trump said tariffs on India will be lowered very substantially, signalling an easing of tensions over New Delhi's Russian oil purchases as the two countries near a trade deal. Mint first reported on 22 September that US tariffs on India may be reduced to 15-16% from a steep 50%, and that a deal is likely to be announced in November. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday (US time), Trump said the US is getting close to reaching a trade agreement with India, and that tariffs will be reduced at some point. Were working on a very good deal with India. The tariffs will come down very substantially. It will happen at some point, Trump told reporters at the swearing-in ceremony of Sergio Gor as the US ambassador to India. The statement comes as the two sides enter the final round of talks to conclude a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), aimed at resolving long-standing issues related to market access, tariffs and investment rules. Also Read | The big beautiful bill reveals the hollowness of Trumponomics The fall 2025 deadline was set by the leaders of India and the US after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Washington in February this year. In a joint statement on 13 February, they committed to concluding a BTA by the fall of 2025, which, as per the Indian calendar, falls between September and November. Queries sent to the Union commerce ministry remained unanswered. A senior government official said on Tuesday that India does not see the need for additional rounds of negotiations at this stage, as discussions between the two sides are progressing well. New Delhi is now awaiting Washingtons formal response to its proposal, which was shared during the recent round of BTA talks. The official added that India and the US are negotiating a comprehensive, WTO-compliant trade deal that addresses tariff and non-tariff barriers while promoting a predictable trade environment. We have taken into account the sensitivities of each sector during the talks to ensure the agreement supports Indias long-term trade interests, the official said on the condition of anonymity. Also Read | Trump is a response to institutional failure: Nobel winner Robinson The US has imposed steep tariffs on a wide range of Indian goods in response to Indias continued purchases of Russian crude oil. The overall 50% tariff, the highest among all of Americas trading partners, came into effect on 27 August, leading to a significant decline in foreign shipments. However, regarding the purchase of oil from Russia, New Delhi has maintained that its imports are guided by national interest and the need to ensure price stability, while continuing to engage diplomatically with Washington to avoid further trade disruptions. As per commerce ministry data, bilateral trade between India and the US stood at $71.41 billion in the first six months of FY26, up 11.8% from $63.89 billion a year earlier. Exports to the US grew 13.4%, rising from $40.42 billion in H1 FY25 to $45.82 billion, while imports increased 9%, from $23.47 billion to $25.59 billion. A recent report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) that between May and September, India's exports to the US fell 37.5%, dropping from $8.8 billion to $5.5 billion, marking one of the sharpest short-term declines in recent years. The report further stated that even tariff-free products suffered the most, with exports of smartphones and pharmaceuticals plunging 58% and 15.7%, respectively. Industrial metals and auto parts, which faced uniform tariffs for all suppliers, saw a milder 16.7% fall, largely due to slowing US demand rather than competitiveness issues. New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said India will not compromise with the interests of farmers, dairy and workers in trade deals. He also said India is looking for new markets such as Russia for the country's fishery sector, which is facing issues due to the steep tariffs in the US. He said India and the US are negotiating a good proposed bilateral trade agreement. "We are working for a good trade deal. India is not going to compromise with the interests of farmers, dairy and workers... We are working on a fair equitable and balanced trade deal," he said here at Udyog Samagam 2025 -- a conference of industries and commerce ministers of states. "We want a fair, equitable and balanced trade deal (with the US). If that happens, it could happen any day, it could happen tomorrow, it may happen next month, it may happen next year... But as a government, we are preparing for everything," he said. India and the US are negotiating a bilateral trade agreement. So far, five rounds of talks have been completed. Meanwhile, an official said another round of negotiations may not be necessary. "The US has to get back to us. India is negotiating most comprehensive and detailed and WTO complaint trade deal," the official said, adding that India is carefully protecting its sensitive sectors. On the India-New Zealand Free Trade pact, the official said talks are almost complete. New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay will visit India on Friday to give an impetus to the trade talks. The US military is exploring whether to build a temporary base capable of housing 10,000 people near the Gaza Strip as part of its push for a stabilization force of troops from other countries to monitor a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The Navy is seeking a cost estimate from a list of pre-qualified companies for a temporary, self-sustaining military base of operations capable of supporting 10,000 personnel and providing 10,000 square feet of office space for a period of 12 months, according to a Request for Information sent to eligible contractors and seen by Bloomberg News. The Request for Information identifies the potential site as near Gaza, Israel. It was sent on Oct. 31, according to two people familiar with the matter who asked not to be named discussing private deliberations. Responses were due Nov. 3. The US has been seeking international support for a proposal to send foreign troops to Gaza to help secure the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas that was signed last month. Those troops, dubbed the International Stabilization Force, would work with Israel and Egypt to secure the territory and enable rebuilding efforts after more than two years of war between Israel and Hamas. As a planning organization, the US military is currently working with international military partners to develop potential options for basing international troops that would be part of the force, according to US Central Command spokesman Tim Hawkins. To be clear, no U.S. troops will be deployed into Gaza. A US official, who also asked not to be identified discussing the matter, said the request represents an early planning step for a potential base in southern Israel for the stabilization force. The US has already deployed more assets to region since President Donald Trump oversaw the signing of the ceasefire, including a command center with 200 US troops and international partners in southern Israel. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the White House had not yet approved such a step, calling the document a single piece of paper produced by random people within the military. Requests for Information are not a formal call for bids and dont guarantee a future contract, though they offer a window into what federal agencies are hoping to source from private companies. Among the demands detailed in the contract are a comprehensive security plan that includes procedures for access control, threat response, incident reporting, and mass casualty events. Asked about the prospect of a big US base being built, an Israeli military spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, said on Tuesday he had nothing concrete to share. Israel relies on US military aid and equipment but has only rarely allowed a US military base on its soil and so far those bases have been small. We are working alongside the Americans and different partners on the future in Gaza, Shoshani said. There are different ideas on the table. Shomrim, a nonprofit news organization in Israel, reported earlier Tuesday that the US was planning a large base in the Gaza area to oversee the ceasefire. It cited Israeli officials who saw the preliminary plans. The request says the contractor will provide a complete turnkey solution, meaning that it would take care of every aspect of the bases construction and management. It goes on to detail that a contractor must offer three meals a day to all 10,000 personnel and take care of water and waste management, power generation, laundry service, a reliable communications network and a medical clinic. The companies that are eligible for the contract are part of a contracting process called WEXMAC, or the Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract, managed by the US Navys Naval Supply Systems Command. The contracting vehicle is typically used for international military work, but has been re-purposed to meet the Trump administrations demand for more immigration detention space. The same process was used to award a $1.26 billion contract in July to build a 5,000-bed tent camp on an El Paso Army base. With assistance from Jen Judson, Magdalena Del Valle, Ethan Bronner and Tony Capaccio. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Microsoft has warned about a new kind of side-channel attack that can reveal to an attacker what a user is talking about with an AI chatbot like ChatGPT or Gemini. The vulnerability, called Whisper Leak, would not give attackers the chance to read the whole text conversation, but they could still infer the topic of conversation by analysing patterns in network traffic. Also Read | Meta AI Chief gives valuable advice to young teens, says learn from Bill Gates In a blog post, Microsoft said that the new vulnerability could allow ISPs, governments, or someone on the same Wi-Fi to learn what the user is discussing with the AI chatbot. The tech giant warned that this kind of vulnerability poses real-world risks to users by oppressive governments where they may be targeting topics such as protesting, banned material, election process, or journalism. It also noted that this attack may even enable surveillance of discussions about topics like money laundering or political dissent. How does the attack work? Microsoft explained that this kind of attack exploits the streaming nature of how AI chatbots generate responses. Notably, large language models (LLMs) the brains behind chatbots generate responses to user queries by predicting and producing one token at a time based on the given prompt rather than constructing the whole response at once. The tech giant explained that even though the traffic to chatbots is encrypted, an attacker who can see the encrypted traffic (but can't decrypt it) can turn those patterns into signals to ascertain the topic of conversation. Also Read | WhatsApp Set to Face Stricter Content Moderation Rules in the EU If a government agency or internet service provider were monitoring traffic to a popular AI chatbot, they could reliably identify users asking questions about specific sensitive topics whether thats money laundering, political dissent, or other monitored subjects even though all the traffic is encrypted, Microsoft said in its blog post. The Microsoft researchers simulated a scenario where the attacker could observe the encrypted traffic but not decrypt it. They also trained various machine-learning models to act as an AI-powered eavesdropper. They found that cyberattackers could achieve 100% accuracy in identifying sensitive topics and 5-20% of target conversations. View full Image Microsoft has warned about a vulnerability with AI chatbots ( istockphoto ) Nearly every conversation the cyberattacker flags as suspicious would actually be about the sensitive topic no false alarms. This level of accuracy means a cyberattacker could operate with high confidence, knowing theyre not wasting resources on false positives, the company warned. Google has reportedly announced a new system to flag Android apps that excessively drain battery life, introducing an excessive partial wake locks metric for developers. According to a 9To5Google report, this move, developed in partnership with Samsung, is designed to improve the user experience and reduce background power usage. What are Wake Locks? As per the report, Wake locks allow apps to prevent a device from entering sleep mode so they can complete background tasks while the screen is off. However, when used irresponsibly, they can significantly impact battery performance. Google said that certain wake locks, such as those used for audio playback or user-initiated data transfers, will likely remain exempt as they provide clear user benefits. Developed with Samsungs input The report notes that the new Android vitals metric was co-developed with Samsung, combining the companys insights into battery consumption with Googles platform-level data. It has been in beta since April 2025, during which time Google refined the algorithm using developer feedback to ensure it was accurate and representative of real-world use. Also Read | How to restore old photos using AI: The viral Gemini and ChatGPT trend explained How the system works Under the new rules, a user session will likely be considered excessive if it holds more than two cumulative hours of non-exempt wake locks within a 24-hour period. Google defines poor behaviour as occurring when five per cent or more of an apps user sessions over the past 28 days breach this threshold. Consequences for developers Reportedly, apps that exceed the bad behaviour threshold risk penalties on the Play Store. These include being removed from prominent discovery surfaces such as recommendations, and potentially having their listings display a red warning message stating: This app may use more battery than expected due to high background activity. Meta chief AI scientist Yann LeCun is planning to leave the social-media behemoth to found his own start-up, as per a new report by the Financial Times. The news comes at a time when Mark Zuckerberg has been overhauling Metas AI efforts, with the formation of Meta Superintelligence Labs earlier in the year. LeCun is a widely recognised luminary in the AI field and a Turing Award winner. He is also a Silver Professor of data science, neural science, and computer engineering at New York University. He has reportedly told his associates that he will leave Meta in the coming months. He is also said to be in early talks to raise funds for a new venture. In the last few months, Zuckerberg has looked away from the long-term research work at the Meta Fundamental AI Research Lab (FAIR), which has been headed by LeCun since 2013. Earlier in the year, Zuckerberg also hired former Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang to lead the Meta Superintelligence Labs unit to compete against the likes of OpenAI and Google. As a result of the reshuffles, LeCun, who had previously reported to Meta chief product officer Chris Cox, is now said to be reporting to the 28-year-old techie. Meanwhile, LeCun has also been a critic of using LLMs the brains behind AI chatbots as a strategy to advance the goal of superintelligence, which has appeared at odds with Zuckerbergs strategy. View full Image IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw with AI pioneer Yann LeCun. He has instead focused on developing a new generation of AI systems which he reportedly hopes could power machines with human-level intelligence, called world models. These systems are said to be able to understand the physical world by learning from videos and spatial data, rather than just language. However, LeCun has said that it could take a decade to fully develop the architecture. LeCun is reportedly focused on furthering his work on world models. Metas high-profile exits: Earlier in the year, Zuckerberg poached many tech executives with lucrative, multi-million-dollar pay packages. However, since then, the tech giant has also been struck with a series of departures. In May this year, Metas vice-president of AI research Joelle Pineau left the company and joined Canadian AI startup Cohere. The company also laid off 600 employees from its AI research unit in an effort to cut costs. We have all been through the trope you get a new Windows device that comes pre-installed with Microsoft Edge. The first thing one usually does is open Edge and use Bing to search for Google Chrome, and ditch the Microsoft browser for good. Well, it turns out that Microsoft is well aware of this issue and is now even willing to offer users money (or more precisely, rewards) to stop them from ditching its browser. A report by Windows Latest found that when users search Chrome on Bing, Microsoft is now offering them 1,300 Rewards points to keep using Edge. These points can be redeemed for a gift card that can be used to buy real products. Or, if you are philanthropically inclined, you can even use the reward points to donate to your favourite NGO. Earn 1,300 Microsoft Rewards points by trying Edge, reads a banner spotted by the publication while searching for Chrome on Bing, followed by the text, Redeem your points for gift cards or donate to one of over 2 million nonprofits. View full Image Microsoft offering reward for not switching to Chrome ( Windows Latest ) Microsoft Edge vs Google Chrome: Curiously enough, searching for other popular browsers like Opera, Brave, or even Perplexitys Comet or OpenAIs Atlas does not bring out the same competitive streak from Microsoft. As per the latest Similarweb data, Chrome holds a mammoth 69.3% share of the PC browser market, while Edge comes a distant second at 15.48%. When we tried to follow the same example by searching for Chrome on Bing, we werent offered the proverbial carrot, but instead given a lesson about the benefits of Edge over Googles browser. All you need is right here. Microsoft Edge runs on the same technology as Chrome, with the added trust of Microsoft, the ad on the Bing search page reads. The company is not-so-subtly highlighting that Edge is built on the same Chromium architecture as Google Chrome. Notably, Chromium is an open-source browser project started by Google and forms the foundation for not just Chrome but even its top rivals, including Samsung Internet, Opera, Brave, Arc, Vivaldi, Comet, Atlas and others. Chinas leaders were anxious and frustrated. The worlds most promising new technology was being dominated by OpenAI, Google and other American companies. Chinese tech companies were so far behind on generative artificial intelligence early last year that many were relying on Meta Platforms open-source Llama models, which can be downloaded for free. Worse, U.S. restrictions on exports of top-end AI chips threatened to hobble China even further. So in the spring of 2024, Beijing ratcheted up pressure on tech executives. One leading Chinese AI company told The Wall Street Journal it fielded calls from 10 different government agencies in a single month urging action on native AI models. The country relaxed regulations, rolled out funding and rushed to install computing power. Nine months later, Chinese startup DeepSeek turned heads in Silicon Valley with a powerful new AI model. Hope began to take hold. China finally has a model it can be proud of," Premier Li Qiang told officials, according to people familiar with the comment. The optimism catalyzed Chinas tech industry, unleashed an even bigger geyser of government support and jolted American competition into overdrive. The escalating AI race is drawing comparisons with the Cold War, and the great scientific and technological clashes that characterized it. It is likely to be at least as consequential. The contest is already helping underpin a worldwide surge in tech spending that has juiced the U.S. and Chinese stock markets and unlocked new sources of economic growth, even as it fuels fears of a global AI bubble. It is poised to transform industry, society and geopolitics. Its pushing leaders to sideline concerns about the dangers of powerful AI models, including the spread of disinformation and other harmful content, and the development of superintelligent AI systems misaligned with human values. The AI future is not going to be won by hand-wringing about safety," Vice President JD Vance argued in a February speech in Paris. Both countries are driven as much by fear as by hope of progress. In Washington and Silicon Valley, warnings abound that Chinas authoritarian AI," left unchecked, will erode American tech supremacy. Beijing is gripped by the conviction that a failure to keep pace in AI will make it easier for the U.S. to cut short Chinas resurgence as a global power. Both countries believe market share for their companies across the world is up for grabsand with it, the potential to influence large swaths of the global population. View Full Image Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, has called for the country to be the world leader in AI by 2030. The U.S. still has a clear lead, producing the most powerful AI models. China cant match it in advanced chips and has no answer for the financial firepower of private American investors, who funded AI startups to the tune of $104 billion in the first half of 2025, and are gearing up for more. But it has a massive population of capable engineers, lower costs and a state-led development model that often moves faster than the U.S., all of which Beijing is working to harness to tip the contest in its direction. A new whole of society" campaign looks to accelerate the construction of computing clusters in areas like Inner Mongolia, where vast solar and wind farms provide plentiful cheap energy, and connect hundreds of data centers to create a shared compute poolsome describe it as a national cloud"by 2028. China is also funneling hundreds of billions of dollars into its power grid to support AI training and adoption. AI experts say its too early to tell who will ultimately have the upper hand in AI. And the race, they add, wont necessarily be determined by who spends more. China has a history of letting the U.S. take the lead in frontier technologies, only to catch up later as know-how spreads. In social media, Americans were clear leaders early on, only to see TikTok, created by Chinese engineers, eventually dominate and redefine the industry. The countrys AI playbook shows how it is mobilizing on all fronts to do the same thing again. View Full Image WSJ Our lead is probably in the months but not years realm," said Chris McGuire, who helped design U.S. export controls on AI chips while serving on the National Security Council under the Biden administration. Chinese AI models currently rank at or near the top in every task from coding to video generation, with the exception of search, according to Chatbot Arena, a popular crowdsourced ranking platform. Chinas manufacturing sector, meanwhile, is rocketing past the U.S. in bringing AI into the physical world through robotaxis, autonomous drones and humanoid robots. Given Chinas progress, McGuire said, the U.S. is very lucky" to have its advantage in chips. Cold War echoes Industry insiders, evoking the Cold Wars space race, often cast the release of ChatGPT as a Sputnik moment" for China in its intensifying competition with the U.S. Given AIs broad applications, the more apt analogy might be the decadeslong U.S. competition with the Soviet Union to build computers for defense. Though not as memorable as the sprint to the moon, that lesser-known Cold War racewhich the U.S. wonpushed Americas military, universities and companies to produce innovations in computing that rippled through the global economy, redefined warfare and re-engineered daily life worldwide. Leaders in both Washington and Beijing now see AI as a revolutionary technology that could surpass digital computingand its offspring, the internetin its potential for disruption. View Full Image Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference. After the leader highlighted AI in a nationwide address, the government approached companies and individual researchers with low-interest loans, cash and other support. If AI surpasses human intelligence and acquires the ability to improve itself, it could confer unshakable scientific, economic and military superiority on the country that controls it. Short of that, AIs ability to automate tedious tasks and process vast amounts of data quickly promises to supercharge everything from cancer diagnoses to missile defense. With so much at stake, hacking and cyber espionage are likely to get worse, as AI gives hackers more powerful tools, while increasing incentives for state-backed groups to try to steal AI-related intellectual property. As distrust grows, Washington and Beijing will also find it hard, if not impossible, to cooperate in areas like preventing extremist groups from using AI in destructive ways, such as building bioweapons. The costs of the AI Cold War are already high and will go much higher," said Paul Triolo, a former U.S. government analyst and current technology policy lead at business consulting firm DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group. A U.S.-China AI arms race becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, with neither side able to trust that the other would observe any restrictions on advanced AI capability development." Chinas vision Chinas focus on the technology dates back at least to 2017, when Xi Jinping unveiled a national AI development plan that called for China to become the worlds AI leader by 2030. At the time, Beijing was especially interested in its potential to improve facial recognition, central to the governments surveillance capabilities. The arrival of OpenAIs ChatGPT in late 2022 showed that AI, aside from making it easier to track and analyze populations, also had the potential to influence the dissemination and manipulation of ideas. For a Chinese leadership that had built the worlds most sophisticated system of information control, that prospect was both enticing and terrifying. Leaders first instinct was to err on the side of caution. Months after ChatGPTs release, China imposed the worlds first comprehensive restrictions on deepfakes. A short while later, it introduced rules censoring the input and output of generative AI models, a tightening of earlier rules that required tech companies to disclose extensive details about their algorithms. View Full Image China is already using AI in many aspects of manufacturing, including vehicle-production lines like this one at Zeekr. But its AI Plus plan aims to have the technology infiltrate almost every area of the economy by 2030. But as American generative AI systems grew more powerful, so did Chinas fears of missing out on the next great technological leap. Chinese tech executives lobbied to relax the countrys rules, which at one point required each company to prepare as many as 70,000 questions to test whether its models produced safe answers before they could be approved for public use. Regulators simplified the process, including allowing companies with good track records to skip reviews of training data, according to people involved in the process. Officials were convinced that AI developers needed further support after the Biden administration tightened export controls on advanced chips in late 2023. The cyberspace regulator started loosening rules for companies that wished to tap computing power abroad for training AI. Beijing also revved up the engine of state capitalism. More than a dozen local governments began offering researchers access to computing power at subsidized prices through state-run data centers. Some contained restricted American chips that Chinese authorities bought from resellers who got them through underground channels, people familiar with the activity said. Authorities built up public data sets for training and set up marketplaces where state agencies and companies could trade data. Local governments held roadshows to help raise funds for startups. When Chinas big breakthrough finally came, in early 2025, it wasnt from a company that benefited heavily from state largess. DeepSeek was largely bankrolled by founder Liang Wenfengs hedge fund and marched to its own beat. But after its problem-solving model R1 nearly matched OpenAIs top offering in performance at a fraction of the cost, Liangs little-known startup became the focal point of Beijings plan to catch the U.S. in AI. DeepSeek effect A month after the release of DeepSeeks model, Xi convened a meeting with Liang and other Chinese tech executives. Xi told them to lock in on AI, according to people familiar with the meeting, saying the technology could determine Chinas ability to compete globally. That meeting served as a catalyst for the announcement by Alibaba in February that it planned to invest $53 billion over the following three years to pursue artificial general intelligence, according to the people. It also signaled to the industry that Beijing was done playing defense. In the U.S., OpenAI had already conjured the specter of Chinese competition, arguing in mid-January the U.S. needed to act to direct global resources such as chips and financing away from Chinese-backed projects and toward democratic AI shaped by the values the U.S. has always stood for." DeepSeeks success amplified that argument. Worries about China were also evident in AI 2027," a widely read report published in April by U.S.-based researchers that imagined the results of a global race to achieve artificial superintelligence. In the researchers baseline scenario, fear of China catching up drives the U.S. to press ahead with AI development in 2027 despite evidence its most powerful model is growing out of human control. American political leaders, cowed by warnings about Chinas progress, resist tightening AI safety, allowing superintelligence work to continue. By 2030, U.S. and Chinese superintelligences conspire together to wrest control of Earth from humanity, using biological weapons to wipe out all but a few submarine crews and people hiding in bunkers. A recent slowdown in AI progress has led many in the industry to push their predictions for the arrival of superintelligence further into the future. Even so, the Trump administrations AI Action Plan," unveiled in July, made it clear that Washington was growing more wary of China. The plan promised to investigate the degree to which Chinese models advance Communist Party priorities, and called on federal agencies to counter Chinese influence on multinational bodies involved in setting global standards for AI. Xi released his own sprawling AI blueprint, AI Plus," not long after. It doesnt mention the U.S. explicitly, but proclaims Beijings intention to use AI to reshape the paradigm of human production and life." It aims for AI to be used in 70% of Chinas economy by 2027, and 90% by 2030. Chip swarms Industry participants believe China may be as much as a decade away from making microchips that match Americas best products, mainly due to U.S. restrictions on its access to advanced chipmaking technology. The shortage of high-end computing power has delayed Chinese companies such as DeepSeek in developing their next-generation models, people close to the firms said. Beijing has escalated efforts to mobilize its tech champions to develop their own semiconductor supply chain, pressing companies such as ByteDance to suspend Nvidia purchases and work with Chinese chip companies to build AI. View Full Image Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, center, and other tech leaders in the U.S. are helping to push the boundaries of chip technologya key to American success in AI. View Full Image The U.S. has banned the export of the most advanced AI chips to China, while Beijing has pushed Chinese companies to stop buying from Nvidia and work with local chip makers instead. Huawei has collaborated with thousands of local firms, often coordinated by different levels of government, to develop advanced semiconductor technologies, including systems that bundle up to one million chips to boost computing capabilities. Huawei said that approach can match Nvidias best systems, despite consuming more power, leading some in the industry to label the strategy swarms beat the titan." Local governments have started subsidizing data centers electricity bills if they use domestic chips, industry people said. Huawei also plans to more than double its chip capacity by next year, people familiar with the matter said. In October, Xi laid out a five-year plan to achieve higher-level technology self-sufficiency, pledging extraordinary measures to pursue breakthroughs in key technologies such as semiconductors. The U.S. is still making its own advances, as Nvidia and others push the boundaries of chip technology. To draw even, China would need to erase Americas more than half-century head start. To say that China can snap their fingers and indigenize this because theyve indigenized other things in the past ignores that this might be the single hardest thing in the world for them," said McGuire, the former NSC official. A key question is whether simply boosting computing power with ever-better chips will be enough to keep yielding more-powerful AI models, says Helen Toner, director of strategy for Georgetowns Center for Security and Emerging Technology and a former OpenAI board member. If performance plateaus despite all the spending by OpenAI and othersa growing concern in Silicon ValleyChina has a chance to compete. We dont actually know which way the technology is going to go," she said. Write to Josh Chin at Josh.Chin@wsj.com and Raffaele Huang at raffaele.huang@wsj.com You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close 154,300 has commenced issuing to farmers in Longford, under the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme, a Fine Gael TD has said. In total, 16.44 million in payments will be paid to 13,177 farmers around the country. This represents just over 90% of farmers who chose the completion date of October 17, 2025 for their chosen actions. A further pay run will occur in mid-December 2025 for those farmers who chose the later completion date of 28 November 2025 for their actions. Read more: Calling Longford shutterbugs! Hedgerow Ireland's photography competition is now open Deputy Micheal Carrigy said: These payments are crucial to the sheep sector and farm families in Longford and Im pleased that the Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon fought for and secured a further 22 million for a similar scheme in 2026. As a result of the oversubscription in the scheme, it was necessary to adjust the payment rate to 11.50 per ewe which is still a 44% increase from the 8 per ewe paid under the scheme in 2024. This is a good outcome for farmers. Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon said: When combined with the 12 per ewe available under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) Sheep Improvement Scheme, this means sheep farmers in both schemes will receive up to 23.50 per ewe, an increase of 17.5% per ewe on last years combined payment. Read more: Exhibition on last days of boglands as an industry in Longford's Aras an Chontae My Department will continue to process, as a matter of urgency, all remaining cases for payment as they meet scheme criteria, but I would urge applicants in the scheme who have received correspondence from my Department, to respond as quickly as possible to ensure their payment can be processed. Deputy Micheal Carrigy added: All sheep farmers in Longford should ensure they return their 2025 sheep census by 14 February 2026 at the latest, as it is a key eligibility requirement for payment annually under both the Sheep Improvement Scheme and the National Sheep Welfare Scheme. A new Lidl supermarket will be officially opened in Ballymahon next week and it will provide a major boost to the area, according to a councillor in the South Longford area. Fine Gael Councillor Paul Ross said there is great excitement ahead of the store opening its doors on Thursday, November 20. Longford County Council planners gave the green light to a planning application by Lidl Ireland Gmbh last December for the development for a Discount Foodstore Supermarket with ancillary off-licence sales in Ballymahon. The new store is expected to deliver up to 25 full-time jobs. The planning address for the new store is Main Street / Church View Backlands, Ballymahon and the store is due to span 2,291 square metres in gross floor space, with a net retail sales area of 1,489 sq metres. The Lidl supermarket will feature a large retail area,a bakery, an off-licence, solar panels, and over 100 parking spaces, including EV, disabled, and parent-child bays. Cllr Paul Ross, a local representative in the Ballymahon Municipal area, described it as a major boost to the South Longford area. "It's a huge vote of confidence in Ballymahon as a destination shopping town. "Ballymahon is a thriving rural town and the addition of Lidl will only add to the shopping experience. "Historically people in this area would have travelled to Athlone, Mullingar or Longford and this is a huge boost for South Longford. "There are huge benefits between the jobs, the link-in with the local economy and it will greatly enhance the retail offering in Ballymahon." The development when it was approved by planners was given approval subject to 20 conditions. In its planning application, Lidl said that, when operational, the Ballymahon store would "generate in the order of 1.2 million per annum locally" in wages to staff. In its planning application, Lidl said when the Ballymahon store opens it would "generate in the order of 1.2 million per annum locally" in wages to staff. READ NEXT: Longford Gardai launch investigation as man 60s in critical condition in hospital READ NEXT: PICTURES | Longford town's Market Square holds Remembrance Sunday A Cavan resident who was previously jailed for handling 117 high-end bicycles has been given a suspended sentence for laundering the cash associated with it. Dinas Bimbiras (50) of Maple Drive, Drumgola Wood, Cavan, Co Cavan, had previously pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of 116 of the bicycles in a container at allotments in south Co Dublin in December 2019 and one bicycle at his home in May 2020. He said he had spent 20,000 buying the bicycles at markets around the outskirts of Dublin for a long-held ambition to set up a business to fixing them up and selling them on. Also read: Naive and reckless couple caught illegally selling firearms in Longford shop In October 2022 Judge Martin Nolan jailed Bimbiras for two years after saying he deserved a prison sentence by reason of his wrong-doing. He said without handlers and receivers of stolen property people would be less inclined to steal. Yesterday (Monday) Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that following the prosecution case for handling the stolen bicycles gardai analysed Bimbiras bank accounts after securing a warrant in August 2020. Officers compared Bimbiras legitimate income against the lodgements into his bank account and found a discrepancy of 71,141. The State say that this figure represents the proceeds of criminal conduct in relation to the buying and selling of the bicycles in the earlier case. Also read: Longford Gardai launch investigation as man 60s in critical condition in hospital Bimbiras pleaded guilty to having the proceeds of crime. He has one additional previous conviction for drink driving. Leanora Frawley BL, defending, told Judge Nolan that her client was released from prison in February 2024 and has not come to further garda attention. She said he is working full time since his release from prison. She said he is a good family man and his children are doing well. Ms Frawley submitted to the court that these charges could have been dealt with at the same time as the previous sentence. She asked the court to accept that Bimbiras is unlikely to trouble the court ever again. Judge Nolan imposed a two year prison term which he suspended in full after he said it would be unjust to impose a custodial term on Bimbiras now. He said if the money laundering offence had been before the court at the same time as the handling offence, he may have increased Bimbiras sentence but he added that it would be unfair to do that at this point in time, considering his behaviour now. Also read: 'Collided with pedestrians' Son of Longfordian critically injured in horror Sydney crash Judge Nolan ordered that the 71,141 be forfeited to the State. Garda David Dolan told the sentence hearing in 2022 that on the basis of information not relevant to this investigation, he had obtained a warrant to search a container on an allotment. On opening the container he found it full to the brim of neatly stacked bicycles, separated by cardboard. He arranged for scenes of crime investigators to attend and forensics were taken. His inquiries led him to nominate Bimbiras as a suspect. He was arrested and a further bicycle found at his home. A national media campaign identified 34 owners of bicycles. The remaining owners were not traced. Gda Dolan said the bicycles ranged in quality, specifications and value, but the estimated total value of the bicycles found was 50,000. The owners traced for the bicycles were geographically spread countrywide with no discernible pattern. Defence counsel said Bimbiras, a married father of two, had been in the country since 2001 and worked hard all that time. She said he was a very involved father and his children were doing very well. She said he is the principal breadwinner for his family and they are dependent on him. She said his plan was to buy cheap, fix them up and sell on for a profit. She said he sold some on Done Deal and had hoped to bring some back to Lithuania for a friend to sell at markets there. She said he had spent almost the entirety of his savings buying the bicycles, as well as spending money fixing them up. She said he had not been careful enough about the source of the bicycles. She said the dream he had for his business is gone and even with better safeguards in place he is too frightened to continue. A father of three who was caught with drugs valued at over 16,000 has been directed by a judge to complete 100 hours of community service and he has been handed a three year suspended prison sentence. Colin Shanley (48) of Drumsillagh, Cootehall, Boyle, Roscommon pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court of being in unlawful possession of drugs and a charge of possession of drugs for sale or supply on May 15, 2021 at the same location. State prosecutor Shane Geraghty BL, said the total value of the cocaine detected was nearly 16,597, which was split into two packages, hidden in the driver's side door and the footwell. Also read: Longford Gardai launch investigation as man 60s in critical condition in hospital At a previous hearing, Garda Noelle Fahy said she and colleague Garda Brian Farrell assisted with a checkpoint at Curry Church on May 15, 2021 where he observed a white van slow up in the distance and turn off the main road. The officer subsequently activated his lights and sirens and he drove to the side of the road where he observed the van pulled in on the grass verge and he spoke with the driver. The court heard Mr Shanley appeared nervous and when the car was searched he admitted he had a quantity of drugs in the vehicle. Mr Shanley was searched at Longford Garda Station where he admitted there was 28 grams of cocaine in the driver's door of his van for his own personal use valued at about 800. Officers were told there was another larger package weighing 208 grams in the footwell, which the defendant had collected in Ballymahon. The court heard when the defendant, who did not request a solicitor, was asked by Gardai what he was doing in Ballymahon he stated he had been asked to pick up a package outside a garage and then drop it to Longford. Also read: 'Collided with pedestrians' Son of Longfordian critically injured in horror Sydney crash Mr Shanley said he was told a man would approach him when he got to the garage and when he arrived a man walked towards him and handed him the package which he placed in his car and drove to Longford. When asked by Gardai who handed him the package. Shanley cooperated with Gardai, and despite not admitting who he was moving the package for, they accepted he had genuine fears for his safety and his family's well being. Mr Shanley told Gardai he received two grams of cocaine for his part in the operation and he routinely consumed up to 300 of the drug every week as it "helped" with his depression. The defendant stated he had a drug debt of between 5,000 and 10,000. The court heard Mr Shanley, who is living in rented accommodation with his wife and children, previously worked as a fisheries officer and spent his 'life in the fire service'. Shanley apologised to Gardai who accepted he was not involved in selling drugs. On Tuesday, Judge Kenneth Connolly, heard a urine analysis on the defendant was negative for drugs and alcohol and he stated a medical report had been helpful and the probation report noted he was fit to do community service. "Mr Shanley engaged fully with An Garda Siochana, almost completely, and just short of naming names." Also read: Man was transporting drugs when his car overturned in south Longford Judge Connolly said Mr Shanley had been in employment all of his life and he was deemed to be at a moderate risk of reoffending. "It is an exceptional report and says he is involved in a significant amount of charitable work." Judge Connolly decided to direct him to complete 100 hours' community service and he handed down a three year jail sentence, which he suspended for three years. The defendant was placed on a probation bond with strict conditions to keep the peace and be of good behaviour along with the community service. Gardai are going to be stretched as Ireland holds the EU Presidency next year as senior figures indicated concerns over manpower and the overtime budget. The presidency of the Council of the European Union rotates among the member states in turn every six months. Ireland will assume the presidency between July 1 and December 31 2026, and will therefore have to host various formal and informal meetings of different Council bodies throughout that period. The Oireachtas Justice Committee was told on Tuesday that gardai have asked Government to ensure that EU Presidency events do not clash with other major events around the country. New Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly told the committee: The biggest concern for us is around providing manpower. He also said that there will be pressures around resources, equipment and capability relating to the EU Presidency. What I can say is we have already made significant procurement purchases around equipment, vehicles, very technical specialist things that we need, for example, counter drone (technology) weve done a lot of work in that area. Mr Kelly said work has been under way for quite a significant time around training for motorcycle escorts, close protection officers, and increasing firearm capability. Obviously, one of the big things for us will be around overtime. Weve got to keep the lights on all around the country with all the regular policing. The Commissioner said there would nee to be a significant additional amount of overtime. Mr Kelly said procured equipment will continue to be used by the service after the EU Presidency. Deputy Commissioner Shawna Coxon told the committee: Business as usual is going to be a challenge. Im not going to sit here and say that its not. We are working on looking at everything that is available to us. We have historically relied on things like bringing in people on their days off, overtime, etc, to support these things. She added: The calendar, as you know, isnt fully set yet, but I want to assure you that we have been working with Government to try to ensure that there is no conflict in terms of having two large events on (the same date), whether its part of the EU calendar or not for example, the Irish Open, were not quite sure what thats going to look like next year. And were working with Government to try to ensure that theres theres not two major events across the country at the same time, because we are going to be stretched, and we are aware of that. So certainly, as those plans crystallise into in terms of what is needed, where what the threat level is, where the locations are, and whats required, well be working those through. Ms Coxon said she did not know the full garda budget for the EU presidency, but key items such as motorcade capability had been procured through the Department of Foreign Affair as the lead agency. Its not as dire as it may seem. So most of the budget that well be looking out will be in relation to overtime, etc. An Garda Siochanas chief corporate officer, Siobhan Toale, said that it the organisation had made submissions on a very clear work plan. We have sought funding to meet our needs. That process is under way, and were expecting a response in terms of those needs by the end of November. Ms Coxon said An Garda Siochana has also learned from agencies in other EU member states that have hosted the presidency about the challenges that arose. Fall 2025 (possible) The HomePod mini has a bigger sibling and bigger things are rumored for that model. The original HomePod went on sale in February 2018 and was discontinued in March 2021. The second generation HomePod was introduced in January 2023. A third generation HomePod may offer more than the second generation does. Rumors point to a new HomePod with a screen that could launch in 2025. Mark Gurman in a Power On newsletter in January 2025 said that Apple will launch a HomePod with screen and that it would be Apples most significant release of the year. This seems to be more than a HomePod speaker, it could be a brand new smart hub. Foundry and Apple Back in March 2023 Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo wrote about Apples smart-home plans. He indicated that Apple will unveil a redesigned HomePod featuring a 7-inch panel in 1H24, and that this device could enable tighter integration with Apples other hardware products. At the time Kuo gave the expected release date for the HomePod with a screen as the first half of 2024 (which obviously didnt happen). In December 2024, Kuo indicated that the HomePod with screen wont arrive until after WWDC 2025. He wrote on Medium: The mass production schedule for the display-equipped HomePod has been delayed multiple times. Initially forecasted for 2024 (as I predicted in 2023), it was postponed to 1Q25, and more recently, further delayed to after WWDC 2025/3Q25. Kuo blamed software development for the delay in production, although he didnt clarify why the software is taking longer than expected to develop. However, in March 2025 Kuo tweeted that the HomePod with screen will be further delayed not just because of Apple Intelligence delays, but because it needs to align with other new Apple products. A Boston city councilor said this week she has enough support from her colleagues to become the City Councils next leader. But in addition to the professional news, she had big personal news too: shes pregnant with her first child. This is a time of growth in every sense of the word personally, with my family, and professionally as I prepare to lead the council, District 1 Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata told the Boston Globe. Coletta Zapata was first elected in a special election in 2022 and was successfully reelected to her second full term last week. The City Council selects a new president each term, with the campaigning typically taking place among councilors and behind closed doors. Councilors Brian Worrell and Julia Mejia have also said publicly they are vying to succeed current President Ruthzee Louijeune. Though the vote will not take place until Jan. 5, after the new council is sworn in, Coletta Zapata said in a statement on Instagram this week that she expected to come out on top. The strength of this Council lies in our ability to respect one another, even when we disagree, and to work with purpose and integrity, she wrote. When we lead witih respect and unity, we model the kind of civic leadership our city deserves and we get more done for the residents who count on us." The councilor did not say which of her colleagues were supporting her, but told the Globe she had more than a majority. She also told the newspaper she was expecting to give birth in May, and was still unsure whether she would take maternity leave, though her intent is to continue working. Like any new parent, I will listen to my doctor and ensure that were prioritizing my babys health and well-being, and making sure that Im ready to lead effectively, she told the Globe. Coletta Zapata would be the second elected official in Boston to give birth in the past two years, after Mayor Michelle Wu welcomed her first daughter and third child, Mira, in January. The mayor chose not to take maternity leave and brought newborn Mira with her to City Hall events around Boston starting a few weeks after the birth, even toting the baby with her and breastfeeding when she was called to testify before Congress in March. Though Coletta Zapata appeared certain of the results of the January council president vote, not all of her colleagues were in agreement. Mejia wrote in a statement on Instagram that she was deeply concerned about the process. In a time marked by dangerous erosion to our democracy at the federal level, here in Boston we have an opportunity to model behavior that inspires confidence in our leadership, she wrote. We must demonstrate respect for our processes, all the voices that make up this body, and our constituents. I urge my colleagues to break the habit of rushing through votes before thoughtful and transparent deliberation can occur. We still have time for a thorough and democratic process as the official vote will not take place until January. Mejia, who is a frequent advocate for more transparency in city government, had already broken from tradition by announcing publicly on social media that she was seeking the presidency. She shared a series of videos about the process of selecting the City Council president, saying she would prioritize transparency if chosen. Given all of the discourse and mistrust in government we have an opportunity to restore trust in that body, she said in one video posted last week, pointing behind her to City Hall. A woman shot in a triple shooting in Boston in mid-October died last week, authorities said on Tuesday afternoon. GKiyah Lewis, 18, of Malden, was pronounced dead on Nov. 7, nearly a month after the shooting happened, according to the Boston Police Department. At about 1:25 p.m. on Oct. 11, police responded to a ShotSpotter activation and reports of multiple people shot near 2 Hiawatha Road in Mattapan. Police found three people with gunshot wounds and they were brought to a local hospital. The other two victims, both adult men, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests have been announced, police said. The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the circumstances of the shooting. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470. Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so via the CrimeStoppers Tip Line: Phone: 1-800-494-TIPS Text: TIP to CRIME (27463) Online: Boston Police CrimeStoppers Photos and videos related to this incident can be submitted anonymously through CrimeStoppers, police said. The Boston Police Department strictly protects the identities of those who wish to provide information anonymously, police said in a statement. For those impacted by this incident, the Boston Neighborhood Trauma Team (NTT) offers free, 24/7 confidential emotional support. To connect with a trained provider, please call (617) 431-0125. Veterans can get free coffee and food from multiple restaurants on Veterans Day. The federal holiday is meant to show thanks and reverence for members of the United States armed forces who have served the country since its founding. Veterans Day falls on Nov. 11 each year, as this is the date when the Allied Powers, including the U.S., signed the armistice with the Central Powers ending the fighting of World War I. Heres what you need to know about the deals at restaurants on Tuesday. Starbucks Veterans, military service members and military spouses can get a free tall brewed hot or iced coffee. Dunkin Dunkin is offering all active and retired military a free doughnut. Chipotle Anyone with a valid military ID can go to Chipotle from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a buy one entree, get a second one free. Applebees All veterans and active duty military can go to Applebees to get a free full-size entree and a $5 Bounce Back Card towards their next meal at Applebees. IHOP Veterans and active duty military can get free pancakes from IHOP. The deal is for the red, white and blue pancake combo. A sign at Red Wagon Primitives helps put shoppers in a holiday spirit at the 36th Old Deerfield Holiday Sampler Craft Fair at Eastern States Exposition in 2024. (Steven E. Nanton photo) Steven E. Nanton WEST SPRINGFIELD If you are looking for a gift for a special someone this holiday season, you may find just what you are looking for at this weekends 37th edition of the Old Deerfield Holiday Sampler. Held in the Better Living Center on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, craft fair hours are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and free for children 12 and under. If you are a regular shopper each year at the Old Deerfield Holiday Sampler, you can still expect plenty of new items this year. We have 49 new crafters on board for this years show among 200 juried crafters from nine states, said John ONeill, co-coordinator of the Holiday Sampler. As shoppers browse the aisles, they will find handmade creations in a variety of categories such as ceramics, printmaking, mixed media, jewelry, sculpture, fiber, photography, fashion, woodworking, glass, leather and fine art. Nancy and John Kilrain, who call themselves The Wooden Folks, have attended the Holiday Sampler as exhibitors for many years. At one time the Kilrains made Christmas-themed holiday houses out of paper mache that they would paint, and John would drill very tiny holes into them that Nancy would painstakingly press little lights into. They are in many homes today, she noted, and are somewhat collectors items since the wholesaler they bought the houses from went out of business after the COVID pandemic. Today, they are still selling houses, but now they are making the houses from scratch. This results in exquisite miniature wooden village scenes that evoke the enchanting spirit of traditional Old New England. John was retired and was looking for something to keep him busy. He was making these little wooden houses and thought they would look good placed on a board and making a little scene with them. There is snow on the houses and on a barn, as well as on the top of the board where we have placed little snowmen and trees covered in snow as part of each scene, said Nancy. The Kilrains also have the distinction of having one of their wooden ornaments hang on the White House Christmas tree. Back in 2001, Marcia Wojewoda, who was coordinator of the Holiday Sampler at that time, received a phone call that the White House was looking for hand-painted wooden ornaments that depicted historical buildings. We made one of the Deerfield Town Hall and even got to visit the White House to see the tree, Nancy said. Sandy Burrows, of West Springfield, admires some hanging crystals at Lakeview Arts at the 36th Old Deerfield Holiday Sampler Craft Fair at the Eastern States Exposition in 2024. (Steven E. Nanton photo) Steven E. Nanton This years Holiday Sampler will feature free family craftmaking all weekend. A craft sampler favorite each year, there also will be an expertly handcrafted miniature New England village to explore, circa 1897, which was created by Beverly Kidder. Shoppers can also take part in a contest by voting for their favorite festively decorated booth. Every year, exhibitors are encouraged to use their creative talents to spruce up their booths for the holidays. Adding a festive spirit to the holiday-themed show, there will be a DJ playing Christmas music and other hits both days. And, straight from the North Pole, Santa will be making a special appearance to meet with all believers. Going up and down all the aisles in the Better Living Center can help work up an appetite, and Big E concessions will be serving up hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries and more. Many homemade treats also will be sold by specialty food vendors at the craft show eat them at home or save them for gift-giving. Among the treats include honey, chocolates, jam, jellies, pickles, gourmet cotton candy and marshmallows, cotton candy, maple items, peanut butter, hot fudge and much more, including new this year, The Pocono Pickle Guy. Proceeds from the weekend event support the many historical and educational programs of the nonprofit Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, organizers of the Old Deerfield Craft Fairs. The Big E charges $5 for parking. Visitors are encouraged to turn in their parking receipt at the Information Booth inside the show for a 2-for-1 coupon good for the 2026 Spring Sampler. For more information, visit Deerfield-craft.org or call 413-774-5400. New yummy treats from McDonald's (Courtesy of McDonald's) McDonalds has brought back its snack wraps alongside new chicken sandwiches, both featuring a newly introduced buffalo ranch sauce for a limited time at participating locations. The fast-food chain is offering the Buffalo Ranch Snack Wrap, which contains 370 calories and features a McCrispy Strip topped with shredded cheese and shredded lettuce wrapped in a soft tortilla. The snack wrap represents the return of a menu item that had been discontinued. New yummy treats from McDonald's (Courtesy of McDonald's) The second new offering is the Bacon Buffalo Ranch Deluxe McCrispy, a 660-calorie sandwich that includes a southern-style fried chicken fillet, bacon, shredded lettuce and Roma tomatoes on a toasted potato roll. A version without lettuce, tomatoes and mayo is also available as the Bacon Buffalo Ranch McCrispy. Both items feature McDonalds new Buffalo Ranch Sauce, which the company describes as a zesty, peppery sauce with vinegar and butter flavor. The sandwich can be ordered as part of a meal with fries and a medium drink for an additional charge. New yummy treats from McDonald's (Courtesy of McDonald's) buffalo ranch stans unitetheres a new sauce in town pic.twitter.com/V7OD5HRONn McDonald's (@McDonalds) October 28, 2025 Generative AI was used to help produce this story, based on source material. It was reviewed and edited by MassLive. The European Space Agency has launched a new program that could have astronauts survive on a protein powder made from thin air and urine during long missions, the agency said in a press release. The pilot program aims to test the possibility of using a new protein powder called Solein, which requires air, microbes and electricity to create. The creation of the powder involves a bacterial culture that is fed with hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen-filled urine. The substance is being developed with Solar Foods, a Finnish food technology company. The goal with this new technology is to recycle resources produced by the crew and future missions habitat life support systems. The European Space Agency has begun funding a project to develop the protein powder that could eventually be used on the International Space Station. The first steps of this new project, the HOBI-WAN (Hydrogen Oxidizing Bacteria In Weightlessness As a source of Nutrition) project, will begin by developing and testing this technology on the ground before testing on the International Space Station. This project aims at developing a key resource which will allow us to improve human spaceflights autonomy, resilience and also the well-being of our astronauts, Angelique Van Ombergen, the European Space Agencys chief exploration scientist, said in a statement. For human beings to be able to implement long-duration missions on the Moon, or even one day, to go to Mars, will require innovative and sustainable solutions to be able to survive with limited supplies, she said. With this project, we, the European Space Agency, are developing a key capability for the future of space exploration. A federal judge in Maine ordered officials to release a woman arrested by ICE in Fitchburg last week from custody, finding that there were extraordinary circumstances to support the womans release. U.S. District Judge Stacy Neumann issued the order Monday afternoon in the case of Juliana Milena Ojeda Montoya who has been listed in other official documents as Juliana Milena Zapata and Juliana Milena Ojeda-Montoya just days after lawyers for the woman filed a petition seeking her release from custody. Ojeda Montoya was being held at a detention center in Maine after her detention last week. Her current detention without an opportunity to be heard violates her rights to due process, Neumann wrote. ICE agents surrounded a car driven by the womans husband as he drove her to her job at a Burger King on Thursday morning. The couples one-and-a-half-year-old daughter was in the backseat at the time. The Department of Homeland Security has said it moved to detain Ojeda Montoya because she was arrested in August, after an incident where, the department said, she stabbed her coworker twice with a pair of scissors and then threw a trash barrel at her. Court records show Ojeda Montoya faces two felony counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. But Neumann points out in her order that a state court judge already determined Ojeda Montoya could be released. Prior to appearing in criminal court, Ms. Ojeda Montoya reported to the Leominster police department voluntarily and admitted to the alleged conduct, which is another indication that she is not a flight risk, Neumann added in a footnote. Detention cant be used as a punishment, but only to prevent someone from fleeing and to mitigate danger to the community, the judge wrote. In finding there were extraordinary circumstances for the 24-year-olds release, Neumann noted that she has a young daughter at home whom she needs to breastfeed and a husband who appeared to have a seizure while his wife was being detained. Those factors alone weigh in favor of a finding of extraordinary circumstances, she wrote. Witnesses of Ojeda Montoyas arrest on Thursday recounted a chaotic scene involving an ICE agent climbing into a car and grabbing a man by the neck. A budget deal that was passed by Senate to accelerate the government reopening includes controversial language hemp advocates believe threatens the hemp industry. Don Treeger file photo | For MassLive.com The U.S. Senate voted to end the longest government shutdown in American history by advancing a funding package that includes a controversial provision banning many hemp-derived intoxicating products a move critics warn could roll back progress in the nations cannabis industry by a decade. The bill, which passed the Senate 6040 on Nov. 10 must still clear the House before the government can reopen. But buried in the 141-page appropriations package is language that could reshape or dismantle the $28 billion hemp-derived cannabinoid sector that emerged after Congress legalized hemp in 2018. A bipartisan success turned bargaining chip When Congress passed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, known as the Farm Bill, it legalized hemp and classified it differently than federally illegal cannabis based on its content of THC, the drugs primary active compound. But many argue the 2018 definition left a loophole: producers began extracting other intoxicating cannabinoids like delta-8 and delta-10 THC from legal hemp, creating products with psychoactive effects that skirted marijuana laws. The Senate deal: funding the government, banning hemp-THC Supporters coin the provision a minibus bill that funds key agencies including Agriculture, the FDA, Veterans Affairs, and the legislative branch through Jan. 30, 2026. But tucked inside is a clause that would outlaw the unregulated sale of intoxicating hemp-based or hemp-derived products, including delta-8 THC, while preserving non-intoxicating CBD and industrial hemp uses. Under the proposal, hemp-derived products intended for human or animal consumption: Cannot contain synthetic cannabinoids or compounds made outside the plant Must include no more than 0.3% total THC and no more than 0.4 milligrams total THC per container Must come only from cannabinoids capable of being naturally produced by the hemp plant Supporters of the bill say the language closes the loophole that allowed intoxicating hemp products to flood convenience stores and online marketplaces without FDA oversight while opponents call it an industry-killing overreach. A disagreement between Kentucky senators Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has become the loudest critic of the hemp ban language, warning that it would kill an entire industry and unfairly punish Kentucky farmers. He initially stalled the bill, and took to the social media platform to clear the air saying his intentions were not to delay the bill but rather to continue doing his job by protecting Kentucky farmers. There is extraneous language in this package that has nothing to do with reopening the government and would harm Kentuckys hemp farmers and small businesses, Paul wrote on X. Standing up for Kentucky jobs is part of my job. His colleague, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) who championed hemps original legalization has taken the opposite stance. McConnell says his intent in 2018 was to create a market for hemp grain, fiber, and CBD, not intoxicating products, the Cannabis Times reported. My 2018 hemp bill sought to create an agricultural hemp industry, not open the door to the sale of unregulated, intoxicating, lab-made, hemp-derived substances, McConnell said earlier this year. Industry fallout: $28 billion and 300,000 jobs at risk The U.S. Hemp Roundtable, an industry advocacy group, condemned the proposal, estimating it could wipe out 95% of the hemp-derived cannabinoid market, cost 300,000 American jobs, and eliminate $1.5 billion in annual state tax revenue. Our industry is being used as a pawn as leaders work to reopen the government, USHR General Counsel Jonathan Miller said in a release. Recriminalizing hemp will force American farms and businesses to close and disrupt the well-being of countless Americans who depend on hemp. Though consumer safety advocates argue the change is long overdue. According to Reuters, the FDA and several states have warned of mislabeled or unsafe hemp-THC products being sold in gas stations, vape shops, and online with little oversight particularly those marketed toward minors. A broader call for cannabis reform The hemp battle has become a deeper rift in federal cannabis policy. While more than half of U.S. states have legalized marijuana in some form, federal law continues to treat hemp and cannabis differently even though both come from the same plant species. The current fight exposes how a regulatory patchwork has allowed industries to expand faster than Washington can define them. Whats next The continuing resolution would fund the federal government through Jan. 30, 2026, giving Congress time to draft longer-term spending measures. But for now, the hemp provision has transformed a shutdown-ending compromise into a high-stakes agricultural and economic showdown. The U.S. government has proposed a 107% total tariff in imported Italian pastas, which could result in a spike in American consumer prices and the disappearance of many iconic brands, including ones that make pasta. Courtesy of Standard Italian Several popular pasta brands imported from Italy may soon vanish from American grocery shelves, according to multiple media outlets. This is because the U.S. government has proposed a 107% total tariff in imported Italian pastas, which could result in a spike in American consumer prices and the disappearance of many iconic brands, including ones that make pasta, Newsweek reported. This rate is a preliminary determination by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the final decision is expected to be issued by Jan. 2, 2026. The major increase would come after the department launched an investigation into whether Italian pasta producers are violating antidumping laws by exporting its goods at rates that undercut U.S. companies, according to the Italian media outlet Corriere della Sera. The tariff on Italian pasta brands was triggered when the two selected mandatory respondents, La Molisana and Pasta Garofalo, were accused of being uncooperative during the investigation by the Department of Commerce, New York Post wrote. Officials citied issues with the companies sending over documents with untranslated Italian words and undefined acronyms, resulting in the high, punitive rate being applied to 13 Italian pasta exporters. The major impacted pasta brands include: North Andover Police Officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons during her arraignment at Essex Superior Court on Aug. 28, 2025. She was shot and wounded in June after police say she pointed a gun at another North Andover Officer. (Ben Pennington for The Boston Globe) In a brief filed with the full panel of the Supreme Judicial Court, lawyers for Kelsey Fitzsimmons decried the order sending her to jail as chilling, heartless, and legally baseless. Fitzsimmons, a North Andover police officer, is accused of aiming a gun at a fellow officer serving her a restraining order obtained by her fiance on June 30. She denies aiming the gun at the officer who shot her in the chest, and has claimed she attempted suicide. In September, Fitzsimmons was sent to jail after a superior court judge reversed a previous order that had allowed her release on conditions. The judge did so after Fitzsimmons lawyers said she couldnt complete court-ordered alcohol testing without pain. Since then, Fitzsimmons and her team have sought to undo the judges order in essentially every legal avenue available to them, now taking their appeal to a full bench of the Supreme Judicial Court. The brief, filed with the court Monday evening, derides the actions of Judge Kathleen McCarthy-Neyman as indefensible in the circumstances at bar. The decisions abuse the concept of dangerousness and if allowed to stand will seriously dilute the high standard previously solidified in case law, attorneys Tim Bradl and Martha Coakley wrote in the brief. McCarthy-Neyman ruled Fitzsimmons was a danger to the community and the victim in the case, the police officer who shot her, when she released her on conditions. It is that finding that led the judge to reverse her order allowing Fitzsimmons release, determining there were no conditions, other than those first set down, that could keep the community and the officer safe. But Fitzsimmons lawyers argue she poses no danger to the officer. There is no likelihood that Ms. Fitzsimmons, stripped of her firearms, a bit over 5 feet tall and 110 pounds, who can barely take a deep breath, would put the SWAT-trained, armed officer, or anyone else in danger going forward, the filing reads, noting that Fitzsimmons is scheduled to have a 5th surgery since being shot. They also dismissed McCarthy-Neymans specific focus on alcohol, writing that it played no role in the incident that led to the criminal charges. Her fiance had accused Fitzsimmons of drinking heavily the weekend prior to the incident at her bachelorette party and becoming violent after doing so. But her lawyers say drinking heavily at the event does not constitute ongoing alcohol abuse. Her serious, ongoing medical struggles all but rule out alcohol abuse and manifestly do not require an unyielding approach to alcohol testing. She should not be required to satisfy phantom concerns, the briefing reads. In the filing, Fitzsimmons lawyers argue a single justice of the court applied the wrong legal framework in reviewing the appeal of McCarthy-Neymans decision. Rather than considering the circumstances of the case, the justice, Elizabeth Dewar, reviewed the decision only for an abuse of discretion. The single justice appeal came after McCarthy-Neyman denied a motion for reconsideration of her order. Fitzsimmons lawyers have routinely criticized the judges behavior during the hearing that ended with Fitzsimmons being jailed throughout the appellate process, writing in their latest brief that she became increasingly angry that [a probation officer] was confirming and corroborating the defense motion with his own personal knowledge. They note that probation and prosecutors never claimed Fitzsimmons violated the terms of her release. The court clearly dispensed with the safeguards that bail be revoked only after finding a violation of terms, and that there be no combination of conditions that would allow the defendants release, the filing concludes. Essex County prosecutors have until Nov. 20 to file a brief in reply. Bradl and Coakley have sought an in-person hearing before the SJC on the bail issue, but the court could decide the issue based solely on the briefs. The northern lights may be visible from 21 U.S. states, including Massachusetts, overnight Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, into the pre-dawn hours Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Courtesy NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center Residents in some parts of Massachusetts may be able to see the northern lights on Tuesday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A viewing line for the aurora will span the state on Tuesday night, beginning in the southwesternmost point of the state and reaching the northeasternmost point. However, visibility of the northern lights will depend on how clear the skies are. The Springfield area will have roughly 62% cloud coverage, while the Boston area will have 15%, according to The Boston Globe. Tuesdays northern lights are a result of the sun launching two solar flares in the Earths direction on Sunday and Monday, according to the Globe. Visibility may also be determined by timing. If skies clear when the lights peak Tuesday night, residents across the northern half of the state may see the aurora. The best time to view the aurora is typically when the sky is darkest, which should be from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., according to the Globe. To maximize your chances of seeing the lights, get as far away from light pollution as possible and go to higher ground. If they are not visible to the naked eye, try viewing through your cellphone camera. The camera can detect wavelengths you might not usually see. Harvard community members and the public come together at the university in response to the Trump administrations revocation of a key certification to enroll international students. (MassLive/Juliet Schulman-Hall) As students at Harvard University called upon their institution to fight back against attacks on international students and federal funding cuts from the Trump administration, students at other Massachusetts institutions began preparing for the possibility that their university could be next. In a first for Massachusetts since President Donald Trump took office, students across the state are coming together to build a coalition to push their universities to fight the Trump administration and to demand greater student involvement in decision-making processes. A student-focused rally will be happening on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Back Bay Fens. It has been organized by students at Boston College, Tufts University, Emmanuel College, Brandeis University, Boston University, Harvard University, Wellesley College, the University of Massachusetts Boston, Northeastern University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Emerson College. The students are also working with graduate student unions, teachers unions and labor leaders across the city to get as many people to show up to the rally as possible. This rally follows the work we did for No Kings a couple of months ago, where we partnered with Massachusetts Indivisible to help turn out as many students as possible to just show up at the rally because we think that there are not enough students out here protesting and just showing their voices publicly, said Jack Masliah, an international student from Mexico attending Northeastern University. He is the co-founder and director of outreach for the Educational Freedom Project, a student group born out of Northeastern University that is fighting government attacks on higher education and asking for a seat at the table with university administrators. They have been leading the coalition organizing. Jack Masliah is a student organizer at Northeastern University. Gigi Barucci The group recently released a report based on a survey of over 1,000 Northeastern students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni and organized a town hall and a policy solution workshop. It was very clear that students do not feel involved at all in the decision-making process of a university. They agree with Northeasterns core values, but they by and large agree that they are not standing up for that, Masliah said. The group crafted legislation to pass through the student government to try to address some of these issues and has been working with other student organizers across the state to push their universities to listen to and protect students. He said the federal attacks on higher education, such as visa revocations at Northeastern, were the fuel under our feet for a lot of this organizing. We always talk about statistics of the number of research funding that has been cut, the number of international students that are being deported. But these are people, and these are our friends, and these are the people that were with in classes every single day. So for a lot of us, were starting to feel that very personally, and its kind of pushing us to act, Masliah said. He said cross-campus student organizing is still in its beginning stages and will continue to build. Ultimately, they are stronger as a coalition, Masliah said. Were all experiencing this at a moment where the futures that we all thought that we had are disappearing because of these attacks and because of the universities failing to stand up on behalf of the students. And thats bringing us all together in a way that I at least hadnt seen before, which is very exciting and gives me hope for the future, he said. More important than anything Julie Huynh is a student at Boston College. Courtesy Photo Student activism at Boston College operates largely in isolation from other college campuses, said Julie Huynh, a senior at Boston College. She wants that to change. She has noticed that more students are afraid of speaking out or are apolitical or apathetic to attacks on higher education. She hopes that the rally will be an important way of getting more students involved at different colleges. I think solidarity nowadays is more important than anything. Theres obviously strength in numbers, said Huynh, who is the editor in chief of the colleges progressive newspaper, The Gavel. The rally will also be a way for writers at The Gavel to be involved in activism who want to do more than just writing, she said. Eliot Wertheimer is a student at Tufts University. Stephanie Visciglia A high-profile ICE arrest When Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts doctoral student, was detained by ICE in Somerville in March, the effects rippled across the campus, even for those not present that day, like now first-year student Eliot Wertheimer. Months later, the video of Ozturk being arrested by immigration officials in plainclothes and in masks has heightened the campuss awareness of the potential for immigration officials to be near or on campus, he said. Students are more suspicious of unmarked vehicles on campus or people who might be a security guard without identification visible, said Wertheimer, who is the vice chair of communications for Voters of Tomorrow Boston, a youth-led advocacy organization. Ozturk was released from an immigration detention center in Louisiana and returned to Boston in May. Federal government actions are affecting all of higher education, not just one campus, he said. Were more powerful together than alone, Wertheimer said. He said more work will need to be done to expand the coalition and to organize after the Saturday rally. We dont want institutions to give up their power like Congress has. Higher education has an incredible impact across the country. Its a huge part of our education and a huge part of our society, and they have power. And weve seen the damage that can come when Congress gives up its power. And I frankly dont think we can afford to see another powerful institution do the same, Wertheimer said. This article is co-published with the Los Angeles Times and Puente News Collaborative, a bilingual nonprofit newsroom, convener, and funder dedicated to high-quality, fact-based news and information from the U.S.-Mexico border. This story first appeared on palabra, the digital news site by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. By Steve Fisher | Edited by Steve Padilla FT. HUACHUCA, Ariz. When MQ-9 Predator drones flew over anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles this summer, it was the first time since 2020 that they had been dispatched to monitor demonstrations on U.S. soil, and their use reflects a change in how the government is choosing to deploy the aircraft once reserved for surveilling the border and war zones. Previous news reports said the drones sent by the Department of Homeland Security conducted surveillance on the weekend of June 7 over thousands of protesters demonstrating against raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Predators flew over Los Angeles for at least four more days, according to tracking experts who identified the flights through air traffic control tower communications and images of a Predator in flight. Those amateur sleuths who monitored flight traffic and identified the first flight which was confirmed by Customs and Border Protection shared their findings on social media. Defenders of using drones to monitor protests say the aircraft, with their high-tech capabilities, can provide authorities with useful and detailed information in real time. Human rights advocates fear the new policy will impinge on civil rights. The drones, which fly at around 20,000 feet to conduct surveillance, can beam a live video feed to various government agencies ICE, the military, and more. The deployment of Predators over protestors is a significant departure from the U.S. governments policy not to fly the drones over demonstrations, to avoid the perception that they are spying on activity protected under the First Amendment. When asked about the additional days of flights over Los Angeles, Homeland Security did not directly address the questions but said the flights were meant to protect police and military. CBPs Air and Marine Operations (AMO) has provided both Manned and Unmanned aerial support to federal law enforcement partners conducting operations in the Greater Los Angeles area, read a DHS statement. Both platforms provide an unparalleled ability with Electro-optical/infrared sensors and video downlink capabilities that provide situational awareness and communications support that enhance officer safety, DHS added in the statement. Over the summer, Homeland Security touted in a post on X (formerly Twitter) information obtained through drones. The tweet included video of vehicles on fire and protesters squaring off with law enforcement personnel, apparently to show why it was necessary for the Trump administration to deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles. WATCH: DHS drone footage of LA rioters, the post read. This is not calm. This is not peaceful. California politicians must call off their rioting mob. The post was dated June 10, but it was not clear if the video was from a Predator drone. Religious leaders conduct a vigil outside the L.A. Detention Center as protests continue following clashes with police after immigration raids on June 10, 2025 - the same day the Department of Homeland Security on X posted video of protests taken by a drone. Photo by Michael Nigro/Sipa USA, via AP Images Supporters of civil liberties are asking why this equipment, which has been used to drop laser-guided bombs on targets in countries like Afghanistan, is being used for domestic issues. The deployment of Predators over protestors is a significant departure from the U.S. governments policy not to fly the drones over demonstrations, to avoid the perception that they are spying on activity protected under the First Amendment, U.S. officials said. The last time Homeland Security sent a Predator to fly over protesters, according to U.S. government officials, was in Minneapolis during the 2020 protests following the killing of George Floyd by a police officer later convicted of his murder. Spying on people engaged in peaceful protest is unconstitutional, dangerous, and a direct attack on democracy. L.A. City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez Five Democrats on the House Oversight Committee called the Los Angeles deployment a gross abuse of authority and asked Homeland Security to explain what had occurred. At times, the drones are requested by law enforcement or other authorities to fly over a region, for instance, to help monitor forest fires, or to provide surveillance for the Super Bowl, officials said. The Predators come equipped with cutting-edge infrared heat sensors and high-definition video cameras, and can track scores of individuals within a 15-nautical-mile radius. The MQ designation refers to the drones abilities and function. In military parlance, M means multi-use, and Q indicates its an unmanned aerial vehicle. The drone uses an artificial intelligence program, called Vehicle and Dismount Exploitation Radar, or VaDER, to detect small objects a human being, a rabbit, even a bird in flight. The infrared sensors can identify heat signatures even inside some buildings. VaDER GMTI imagery output from a CBP MQ-9. Image courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection In response to the drone flights over Los Angeles, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) introduced a bill in July that would restrict Predator drones and other unmanned aircraft from being deployed by the U.S. government over demonstrators. My bill to ban military surveillance drones over our cities puts Trump and his administration in check, Gomez said. This is not just about Los Angeles; this affects the entire country. I refuse to allow Trump to use these weapons of war, capable of carrying bombs, as tools for law enforcement against civilians. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee. In September, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a resolution endorsing Gomezs Ban Military Drones Spying on Civilians Act. Los Angeles will not stand by while the federal government turns weapons of war against our residents, said Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who introduced the resolution. Spying on people engaged in peaceful protest is unconstitutional, dangerous, and a direct attack on democracy. The drones were first brought to the U.S. southern border in 2005 and retrofitted for surveillance operations. Homeland Security deployed the drones to fly the length of the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border, searching for drug traffickers and groups of undocumented migrants. Just an hour south of Tucson lies Ft. Huachuca, one of four MQ-9 drone bases from where the drones deploy along the southern border and into the interior of the U.S. An MQ-9 Predator B drone prepares for takeoff at the National Air Security Operations Center in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Photo by Steve Fisher/Puente News Collaborative As with the MQ-9, military-grade technology often finds its way into the interior of the country, experts say. It is tested in war zones, the border, tested in cities along the border, and tested in the interior of the country, said Dave Maass, director of investigations at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a privacy rights organization. That tends to be the trajectory we see. With a drop in migrant crossings into the United States, experts anticipate that drones will be deployed more often over demonstrations in the coming years. If somebody in the Trump administration decides theres a need to use drones in the interior over U.S. citizens, resources wont be an issue, said Adam Isaacson, who covers national security for the Washington Office of Latin America, a human rights research group. Because theres just not that much to monitor at the border. Republican John Deaton launches his second campaign for U.S. Senate during an event in Worcester, Mass., on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. John L. Micek/MassLive Vowing to fix a broken system, Republican John Deaton returned to the political arena on Monday night, launching a bid for U.S. Senate in 2026 that he says will disrupt the status quo, bring down costs and make one of the most expensive states in the union affordable again. I got in this race because Massachusetts is in trouble, Deaton, 58, of Swansea, told a crowd of several hundred supporters at Off the Rails, a Worcester restaurant. Deatons target: Veteran U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., whos spent a half-century on Capitol Hill, and remains the polling favorite to capture the Democratic nomination next year. Pointing to the rising cost of everything from groceries and natural gas to rent and electricity, Deaton argued that Markey, who first entered public life when he was in elementary school, had lost touch with the pressures facing working families. Im sorry, Ed. After 50 years of living in the swamp, you cant relate, Deaton said. In a campaign video released ahead of his announcement, which was also played at the Worcester launch party, Deaton called Markey MIA. But hell still have to prove hes a viable alternative. Deaton, a crypto attorney and Marine veteran, unsuccessfully challenged U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., in 2024. He lost to Warren, of Cambridge, by a margin of 60%-40% on Election Day. Speaking to reporters after the event, Deaton said he hoped to woo disaffected Democrats and the large swath of unenrolled voters who make up a big chunk of the states electorate. Deaton had been teasing a bid for weeks ahead of the Monday night announcement as he let supporters know about his special event in the city thats roughly equidistant to both Springfield and Boston. Guests braved a persistent rain and heavy traffic on the Massachusetts Turnpike to make it to the early evening event. An hour before its scheduled start, the room filled with cocktail banter, and an acoustic duo provided a country-inflected soundtrack. Massachusetts Republican Party Chairperson Amy Carnevale speaks during a campaign launch event for GOP U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton in Worcester, Mass., on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. John L. Micek/MassLive State Republican Party Chairperson Amy Carnevale castigated both Warren and Markey for what she described as their obstructionism during the federal government shutdown. Massachusetts residents deserve to have a federal government that is open, that is working, Carnevale said. A clean continuing resolution was presented, and we had our incumbent senators, both of them voted against it. We need to ... have change. Deatons audience on Monday also included two of the three GOP hopefuls for governor in 2026 Mike Kennealy and Brian Shortsleeve as well as Bay State Republican royalty. The third, medical device millionaire Michael Minogue, had a conflict and was unable to attend, Deaton said. Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Kennealy makes the case for his campaign during a launch event for GOP U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. John L. Micek/MassLive Kennealy, a former top official to former Gov. Charlie Baker, offered some opening remarks, telling the crowd that it was time to send Ed Markey into retirement. Shortsleeve, also a former Baker administration official and a Marine veteran, told the crowd that we can win this race. We will win this race. And we must win this race. Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve warms up the crowd at Off the Rails in Worcester, Mass., on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. John L. Micek/MassLive State Sen. Peter Durant, R-Worcester/Hampshire, told MassLive that hes looking forward to a lively race, and one where Deaton, tested by his first campaign against Warren, puts those lessons into practice. You learn from your mistakes and you amplify what works, said Durant, who has toyed with bids for higher office in the past. There are a lot of unknowns so far, but its a good start to the election season. In an interview with MassLive earlier this month, Deaton remained much the same candidate he was two years ago, when he tried to meld working-class populism with a socially moderate message. Hes still not a fan of now-President Donald Trump (he thinks, for instance, the Republican has gone too far with his hardline immigration policies). He still supports abortion rights and marriage equality. He said hes looking forward to drawing bright-line distinctions on those and other issues, including climate change, against Markey. As he did two years ago, Deaton spoke at length on Monday about his hardscrabble roots in a crime-ridden Detroit neighborhood and laid out in his memoir Food Stamp Warrior." People are struggling, and I know their struggles, because I have lived through them, he told supporters. My superpower is that I truly believe that tomorrow will bring a better day. Its what got me where I am in life. I went to bed hungry, he continued. My worst childhood memory is listening to my mother cry herself to sleep on the nights when we went to bed hungry and we didnt know where the food was going to come from for the next couple of days. I am running because I am one of you, he said. While Deaton may be aiming for Markey, its not a guarantee that he will be his eventual general election opponent. Markey, 79, faces a primary challenge from U.S. Sen. Seth Moulton, D-6th District, the 47-year-old Marine veteran from Salem, who has made Markeys age and the need for generational change on Capitol Hill one of the animating principles of his candidacy. Alex Rikleen, a former school teacher from Acton and a political newcomer, is also seeking the Democratic nomination next year. In a statement, Markeys campaign manager Cam Charbonnier argued that Deaton had already tested his message against the record and lost in a landslide. If he wants another round, fine. This state doesnt elect MAGA yes-men, he continued. We elect leaders who actually get results like Ed Markey," he said. Moulton told MassLive that he believed Massachusetts voters deserve a choice. And so, you know, I welcome anyone who wants to get into the race, Moulton said after an annual town hall for veterans in Marblehead. But Im going to stay focused on what Massachusetts families need. MassLive Reporter Trea Lavery contributed to this story. U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-6th Mass., denounced the Senates plan to fund the federal government Monday night, predicting that House Democrats would be united against it when they reconvene. Speaking to reporters after his annual Veterans Town Hall in Marblehead Monday night, Moulton said allowing the funding bill to move forward without extending the health care tax credit would be caving in to Republicans and would leave many unable to afford health care. (President Donald) Trump himself is going to the Supreme Court to beg them to allow him to let people starve. I mean, this is a president on his back foot, Moulton said. We finally have him on his back foot, pushing him to do the right thing. We shouldnt be giving up. Federal judges over the past week ordered the Trump administration to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, during the federal government shutdown. The administration appealed the ruling, including to the Supreme Court, to halt the payments. Many federal workers have gone without pay since the federal government shut down Oct. 1, the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The Senate package, approved late Monday, includes funding to reopen the federal government, restore SNAP and other food assistance programs, and guarantee back pay for furloughed federal workerssomething the Trump administration had left in doubt, according to The Associated Press. However, it does not resolve the issue of health care tax credits for those with insurance through the Affordable Care Act. This issue was the main sticking point for Democrats and hindered a deal with Republicans. The deal approved Monday guarantees a vote on the tax credit extension in December, AP reported. Weve been saying something that should resonate with people across this country, no matter what your political stripes, which is that Americans deserve to afford health care, Moulton said. He referenced comments from far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, in a social media post last month, saying that her own adult children would see their insurance premiums double if the health care tax credits were allowed to expire at the end of the year. When you have Republicans like that on our side, why on earth would you give in? Moulton asked. Moulton celebrates veterans Mondays event was Moultons 11th annual Veterans Town Hall, during which he encouraged veterans from all branches of the military to share stories about the importance of service in their lives. Moulton, a Marine Corps veteran himself, spoke about the importance of community among veterans. He shared a recent story about diverting his travel plans en route to a wedding in California after receiving a call about a veteran in crisis. He brought the man to the local Veterans Affairs hospital. I spent a few hours there with him that morning, getting him checked in, waiting until he was admitted. And the scenes I saw there were pretty depressing, Moulton said. And yet there was no place I would have rather been. And thats because of the brotherhood that we share ... Those relationships are so important that we treasure them even in the darkest moments. Moulton: Voters want change in Democratic leadership After the event, Moulton offered a severe rebuke of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, after eight Senate Democrats broke party ranks to support the funding package. He said the longtime senator needs to go. Moulton, who recently launched his own campaign challenging Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., said. The establishment is not getting the job done. Voters he has spoken with are asking for a change in Democratic Party leadership, he said. The brightest spots in the political landscape right now are in places like New Jersey and Virginia, where you see a new generation of Democrats standing up to lead. I think Massachusetts deserves that leadership as well, he said. Im not going to run on a new generation of leadership up here in Massachusetts and then go to Washington and support the status quo. Unseasonably cold temperatures and snow are headed to Massachusetts. Highs are expected to be in the 30s or low 40s across the state but gusting winds will make it feel cooler. Afternoon wind chills in the 20s and 30s will be creating a winter feel, National Weather Service forecasters wrote. Adding to that winter feel will be snow showers in the Berkshires, with lake-effect moisture lifted along the western slopes. Those showers could spill over to the eastern slopes of the Berkshires, with a coating to an inch of accumulation possible. Elsewhere, flurries are possible, but little to no accumulation is expected. Here are 5 maps to prepare you for the cold weather. A National Weather Service graphic shows projected temperatures across Massachusetts on Tuesday. National Weather Service Areas with highs in the 30s could see snow flurries on Tuesday. Mixed precipitation is expected in part of Massachusetts Tuesday. National Weather Service Mixed precipitation is possible for the Berkshires, Vermont and parts of Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine. Lake effect snow showers and gusty winds are expected today. A winter weather advisory has been issued until 6 pm this evening for southern Herkimer County where up to 2-6" of snow is expected. Hazardous travel conditions are expected in the advisory area through this evening. National Weather Service One to two inches is expected in Massachusetts. Wind gusts could get up to 40 mph in Pittsfield. National Weather Service Wind gusts could get up to 40 mph in Pittsfield. Temperatures in Massachusetts are likely to remain below normal this month. National Weather Service Temperatures in Massachusetts are likely to remain below normal this month. Sally Abed and Alon-Lee Green, leaders of Standing Together, an organization that works for peace between Israel and Palestine, speak at Temple Sinai in Brookline on Nov. 15, 2023. (Sophie Park / The New York Times, File) Sophie Park / The New York Times NORTHAMPTON The Israeli government is laying siege to Gaza, with Palestinians living under apartheid conditions, a speaker told hundreds at Congregation Bnai Israel in Northampton on Friday. It was the first stop in a two-week speaking tour headlined by two members of the Israel-based Standing Together movement. Their talk billed as a dialogue of issues facing Israel and Palestine after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire was hosted by the Western Massachusetts chapter of Friends of Standing Together, a group dedicated to peace and equality for all people in Palestine and Israel. Speaker Sally Abed, a Palestinian Israeli and a national leader in the movement who was recently elected to Haifas city council in northern Israel, said the current ceasefire is definitely not a real ceasefire or a permanent ceasefire. ... This is not the kind of peace we want to see. The speakers are part of the movement to bring Israel to a new national consensus, under which Arabs and Jews can coexist with social, economic and environmental justice, according to the movements website. Abed was joined in the talk by Alon-Lee Green. Green co-founded Standing Together in 2015 and was recently named one of TIME Magazines 100 rising global leaders; hes a Jewish Israeli and the movements national co-director. Sally Abed and Alon-Lee Green, leaders of Standing Together, an organization that works for peace between Israel and Palestine, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge on Nov. 15, 2023. Abed, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, and Green, a Jewish Israeli, found polarization in America over the war in Gaza. They also found longing for a new approach. (Sophie Park / The New York Times, File) Sophie Park / The New York Times Green said there was rising violence in the West Bank by settlers and the Israeli army, exacerbated by the olive harvest, as Palestinian families tried to feed themselves. The bulk of settlers are Israelis who live in or around Palestinian territories in the West Bank, sometimes illegally. Green said he was heartened by the return of living hostages but pointed to a slew of ceasefire violations as evidence that peace is still a ways off. Children look on as Gazan health workers bury the remains of dozens of unidentified Palestinian prisoners, returned by Israel as part of the ceasefire deal, in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on Monday. (Saher Alghorra / The New York Times) Saher Alghorra / The New York Times Since the ceasefire was brokered, strikes by Israel have left over 200 dead, including one man who was killed by a drone for allegedly crossing the ceasefire boundary, according to media reports. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed. A large crowd gather for a funeral service for Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier whose remains had been kept by Hamas since he was killed in the 2014 conflict, at the military cemetery in Kfar Saba on Tuesday. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv / The New York Times) Avishag Shaar-Yashuv / The New York Times He also said Israeli citizens have been imprisoned over social media posts criticizing the government, as reported by PBS News Hour. He said he and fellow activists faced near-daily persecution in the form of arrests, name-calling and harassment from bullies sent to their workplaces and homes. Another major problem afflicting Palestinians and Israelis but that also stands in the way of equity: an underreported epidemic of violence and organized crime in Israel that was completely overlooked by the Israeli police, Abed said. Abed said all Jews and Palestinians have a shared interest in prosperity, security and equality, noting that roughly 20% of Israeli citizens are Palestinian. The first step in realizing those goals, she said, is in granting Palestine statehood, a goal she hoped to mobilize the Israeli public around. Responding to an audience question about whether the Knesset Israels parliament had the political will to enact a progressive agenda, Abed said that Benjamin Netanyahu must be replaced, but that former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, former Minister of Finance Avigdor Lieberman and others were not left-of-center enough to provide alternatives to right-wing fascism. She noted that some Standing Together leaders have their eyes on parliament seats. She claimed the Knesset was beyond hope, promoting military occupation, violent subjugation. Abed said it pointed to a belief in Jewish superiority. Sally Abed and Alon-Lee Green, leaders of Standing Together, an organization that works for peace between Israel and Palestine, chat together at Temple Sinai in Brookline on Nov. 15, 2023. (Sophie Park / The New York Times, File) Sophie Park / The New York Times Green also cited a grim statistic that, since the start of the war, 20,000 Palestinian children have been killed by Israeli forces. That figure, attributed to Hamas, was contested by the U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Activities, which halved its previous estimate down to 7,797 children killed. Other protest actions Standing Together undertakes multiple protest actions worldwide, such as protecting food convoys making their way into Gaza. Settlers from the West Bank had set trucks on fire and dumped rice and flour on the ground, Green said. In response, 1,000 Standing Together activists volunteered in shifts to protect the trucks. Another action was a massive campaign to collect food aid in Palestinian towns across Northern Israel. Every two days, they moved to a different location and set up a collection center, until they sent 400 trucks full of aid to the Gaza border, he said. Of those, 250 made it through. Standing Together is the largest Israeli-Palestine grassroots movement in Israel, according to its website, with thousands of dues-paying members, 12 student chapters and 14 local chapters across Israel, as well as activist centers in Haifa, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Nazareth, Jerusalem and the Negev. Friends of Standing Together groups sprang up after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, in which Hamas militants killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostage. Since the war began, 69,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to The Associated Press. Israel reports that 913 of its soldiers were killed during that time, as well, ABC News recently reported. The Western Massachusetts chapter of Friends of Standing Together seeks to dissuade others from thinking that the only way to stay safe (in Israel) is to be in intermittent phases of war, said Tamar Field, the chapters co-chair. SPRINGFIELD The East Springfield Neighborhood Council will hold a Salute to Veterans event to honor those who served in the military. The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Bowles Park and Osborne Terrace and all are welcome. The guest speaker is Staff Sgt. Sean Sullivan from the U.S. Army. The National Anthem and taps will be played and there will be a bagpiper attending. The city is also holding its annual Veterans Parade at 11 a.m. starting at Springfield Technical Community College. It will march down State Street and end with a ceremony and a wreath laying at City Hall. 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The initiative, delivered in partnership with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD, aims to provide farmers with a safe and convenient outlet to dispose of hazardous waste. The decision to include Balla Mart reflects its central location and importance as one of Connachts largest marts, making it accessible for farm families across the region. Minister Dillon said, weve listened to farmers, and Balla Mart was my clear choice. Its central location and status as one of Connachts busiest marts mean farmers from across Mayo and beyond can access this service conveniently. This is about supporting farm families and ensuring they have practical solutions for hazardous waste disposal. He continued, farmers told us they wanted a local, practical solution, and thats exactly what were delivering. This initiative is about reducing environmental risks while making compliance easier for farm households. Minister Dillon also highlighted the broader benefits, this is not just about waste collection, its about protecting water quality, safeguarding human health, and ensuring our farms remain sustainable. By funding this through the Circular Economy Fund, were investing in a cleaner, safer future for rural communities. He added, "In addition to these six farm collection days, my Department has also funded household hazardous waste collections at eleven other locations nationwide. Similar funding will be provided in 2026 to keep these vital services going. Minister Heydon commented, I encourage farmers across all farm enterprises to avail of this service and to dispose of any hazardous waste which may be on their farms. The removal of such waste ensures compliance with legislation and reduces possible biosecurity, environmental or human health risks. The waste collection day will take place at Balla Mart on Wednesday December 3 from 9am until 4pm. Farmers will pay a fee directly to ENVA, the waste management company, based on the type of waste being disposed of. Costs range from 0.20/kg for waste oil to 6.00/kg for corrosives and aerosols. Full details are available at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/press-releases/farm-hazardous-waste-collection-days-2025/ READ MORE: Mayo woman leading plans to develop cohousing community Mayo TD Paul Lawless has responded to comments made regarding the spoiling of votes by Aontu members in the Presidential Election, including one labelling it a 'slur on democracy'. At the most recent Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District Meeting, the topic of spoiling votes in the October 24 Presidential Election between Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphries was touched on first by Councillor Patsy O'Brien and Councillor Damien Ryan. A total of 6,311 people in Mayo spoiled their vote, and among those was Aontu TD Paul Lawless. The other Aontu TD, and party leader Peadar Toibin, also spoiled his vote, stating, I had no way to exercise a political choice and I wanted to protest that. Cllr O'Brien was first to broach the subject. Can I ask the question, when the next general election comes, will those people ask the people to spoil their vote? I don't think they will. I think it's incredible. I certainly wouldn't have anything to do with it, shame on those people who would say that. Cllr Damien Ryan reiterated the musings of his fellow Councillor. Too many people lost their lives for the ability and the right to vote, and to go out and to spoil your vote is a slur on democracy." Now, Deputy Lawless has offered his perspective on the issue, which has caused plenty of conversation. "It is baffling to me that instead of reflecting on the record levels of spoiled votes and no-shows in this presidential election, some in the political establishment have chosen to wag their fingers at the public and those of us who, like much of the public, voted according to our dismay of the establishment handling of the presidential mess," Lawless stated. "The arrogance of criticising the people for exercising their democratic right to protest through the ballot box is astounding. To lecture voters about democracy while ignoring the clear signal they sent is the very definition of being out of touch. "It is not a 'slur on democracy' to spoil a vote the real slur is politicians who refuse to hear what the people are saying. "The FF and FG councillors in Mayo County Council decided to spoil the public's right to vote for another candidate when many independents sought their approval to allow them on the ballot before the election," the statement continued. "A system where Fianna Fail and Fine Gael councillors dictate who can or cannot even appear on the ballot is no different to the hollow democracy of Communist China you can vote for whoever you want, so long as theyve been approved by the establishment first. "In Mayo, those councillors played their part in shutting the door on potential candidates, unlike in counties such as Tipperary and Kerry, where local authorities facilitated nominations. "That refusal to even allow choice is exactly the kind of lack in democracy that the public protested against with spoiled votes and abstentions. Shame on those FF and FG supporting councillors who, even now, neglect to recognise the clear message the people sent." Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme Before the sun rose on a frosty Saturday, November 9, 1935, Annie Gallagher from Torries, on Arranmore islands far side off Donegal's north-west coast, had already lit the fire and was soon dressing the beds. The excitement was because her children were expected home later that evening from Scotland, where they had been seasonal potato picking - or tatie-hoking as it was known. Ten years beforehand, on January 30, 1925, Annies husband Edward had lost his sister Sarah and her own husband Philip Boyle in the Owencarrow Disaster. Four people died, and nine were injured, as a steam train on the Letterkenny and Burtonport Extension Railway came off the viaduct outside Creeslough during a gale. The Owencarrow Disaster of 1925 Sarah and Philip Boyle were returning to the island from Dublin, having bought stock for their grocery and drapery shop. They had just picked up their son, Philly, 18, who had been discharged from hospital in Letterkenny after having three fingers amputated following an accident whilst working as a relief lighthouse keeper on the island. He survived the trainwreck. Although poor weather had meant the tatie-hoking season lasted a little longer than usual in 1935, Annie was comforted that crisp morning as she looked towards the mainland and could only see a stillness in the sea. Later that evening, after darkness fell at about 5:45pm, 20 people boarded a yawl in Burtonport to make their way home. Seven had made their way from Arranmore that afternoon to meet those who were returning from five months in Scotland. Only one of the 20 would set foot on Arranmore alive. READ NEXT: ALERT: NCT Ireland testers horrified after finding 'snapped' part that could cause disaster The migrants had boarded the Burns and Laird at 7pm on Friday from Broomielaw in Glasgow and had an exhaustive overnight crossing, although one that passed quickly with plenty of dancing as the accordion played. The passengers finally disembarked tiredly down the gangplank in Derry, not long after Annie wouldve been rising on Arranmore. Some would wander in Derry - a few were window-shopping and others picking up presents and treats - as the smell of the sizzling bacon was too much to ignore, wafting from Con Molloys at 31 Waterlook Street, not far from the Gweedore Bar. Molloy was originally from Burtonport and married to Margaret Boyle from Maas, just outside Glenties, and their Rosses Bar murmured with Donegal accents - most as Gaeilge - that morning. Danny Green from Poolawaddy spent his morning pounding the streets of the Walled City. He had lost his tie-pin and would end up missing the train to Burtonport because of it, but would live to tell the tale. Sisters Fanny and Mary Gallagher, as well as Mary Henry and her brother Owen Henry, had also travelled on the Glasgow boat to Derry. It was later reported: They too would have got the train but for the fact that one of their number, a young lad, insisted on going into a local store for sweets, and as a result all missed the train. Back on Arranmore, Annies husband, 61-year-old Edward Gallagher, would soon set off for Burtonport as five of their children - Madgie, 28; Eddie, 24; Johnny, 22; Charlie 20, and Hannah, 16 - were due home. Another son, Mickie, who was 29, had stayed home that summer to work on the lobsters, and another, Paddy, 26, had contracted rheumatic fever in Scotland and returned in August. The night he came back was so foggy, it was said the first time many of those on board only recognised Aphort Pier as they were about to dock. A nephew of Annies, John Gallagher, 20, Aphort, as well as 34-year-old John Rodgers from Torries and John Bow ODonnell, 50, also from Aphort, would join Edward in going to the mainland on the dark red-painted yawl. At the last minute, Eamon Ned Ward, 51, who had been working on the lifeboat by the pier at Aphort, decided to join them, needing to pick up a wireless in Burtonport, thus bringing the party to seven. They pulled out at 2:45pm. With the wind coming in from the mainland, they would row over with the tide and then could use the 24-foot double-edged sail on the way back. An 11-year-old Jimmy ODonnell was almost on his way over too, relieved of his duties of paying the stationmaster in Burtonport for groceries for the local shop by Edward Gallagher, who said he would sort it out, save him the journey and to go on home. Sunday was time enough. As they rowed out into the sea, John Bow ODonnell shared the story of his trip from Derry to New York; of seven days and seven nights on a stormy Atlantic - and then two more days by train to Chicago. Eamon Sweeney, who was discharging timber at the pier as they went off into the horizon, saw the clouds darken and swiftly drift in and hauntingly remarked: It was like an evening on which hundreds were being hanged. On the other side, the Swilly train left Derry at 10am, headed for Burtonport and arrived sometime after 4pm - an hour late, although a common occurrence as John McCole, the conductor, would regularly drop off necessities in Creeslough, Falcarragh and Crolly on the way. There was a 45-minute stop in Letterkenny, where 16-year-old Hannah Gallagher, who was finding the train uncomfortable after her second year in Scotland and due to a sore leg. She had burned it a couple of days beforehand when a kettle slipped from her grasp as she was washing. Whilst in Letterkenny, she took a wander and came back smiling with biscuits and lemonade. In all, the 75-mile journey from Derry to Burtonport by train took over six hours. Hannah is said to have looked out the window just before the train pulled in, saying: I can see father and Paddy. Edward soon got to hug his sons and kiss his daughters, Hannah and Madgie. He was in Burtonport with seven of his children - the two sons that had rowed over with him and then the three boys and two girls who were returning from Scotland. He also greeted another Hannah Gallagher, who was 21, with her brothers Daniel (27) and Manus (17), who were expected to be in Scotland another week and were known as the Mickie Mor Gallaghers. They had received a letter from Hannah to say they'd be leaving for home on November 15. Edward Gallaghers son, Mickie, a pioneer who had travelled from the island, was placing the cases and boxes into the boat, with his brother Charlie, and Paddy ODonnell passing them down. Eamon Ned Ward helped Mickie with the sail. Peter Leonard, 61, whose daughter Maggie stayed in Edinburgh to work in a rubber factory for the winter, offered to help with the cases. Hannah sat on a lobster pot watching on, with a bandage around her leg, which was still hurting despite her walk around Letterkenny. Willie Bonner, the owner of a motorboat from Leabgarrow, the opposite side of the island to where Edward Gallagher was going, offered a lift. Its shorter and faster, he said, but with all those going home were from the Aphort end, they decided to continue with Edward. That motorboat initially followed Edward Gallaghers before heading east for home. Madgie Gallagher, who came back from the shop with sweets and apples, told Willie Bonner the two-and-a-half-mile walk from Leabgarrow would be awkward for Hannah. They had planned to go to Leabgarrow, where a welcome-home dance was planned in Neily Phils Hall, the following night. Before departure, James P ODonnell from Burtonport spoke to Edward Gallagher, who passed a remark about how high the sea was in the west bay, just off the island, and said he had seen the highest waves in his life that evening. He also said it was stated on the wireless that there was a storm rising. Peter Leonard from Ballintra, who the lift with Willie Bonner may have suited, decided to stick with the original plan, and Edward Gallagher helped Hannah on board and told her to sit beside her brother, Paddy. Brother and sister, Patrick O'Donnell, 44, and Katie O'Donnell, 45, from Leabrannagh, got on together. Both were veterans of the trip, having served their first stints before reaching their teens. The group left Burtonport in good spirits, just three miles from home. Even after the boat had been enveloped in the darkness, the lilt of their laughter could be heard by those who had seen them off, read The Donegal Democrat a week later on Saturday, November 16, 1935, of those who had departed the mainland. It must have been little more than half an hour later that disaster overtook them. At home, Annie Gallagher put the paraffin light on the inside windowsill and was soon joined by her sister-in-law Mary, who brought buttermilk and together the pair hung a pot full of washed potatoes over the fire to boil. Annies youngest son Condy, 7, had fallen asleep in the warmth, while another, Anthon, 13, was waiting at Aphort for the arrivals. Annie and Mary went to the door as they noticed a heavy hailstone shower. The sailboat set off into the night to Arranmore, towards the South Channel between Duck Island and Rutland, with everyone ducking as a hail shower rolled by, clacking off their jackets pulled over their heads. Edward Gallagher called on Mickie to take the sprit out of the sail, with the boat travelling uncomfortably fast in the worsening conditions of increasing wind and persistent hail. John Rodgers, who was on lookout on the bow and minding Eamon Wards radio, screamed to lower the sails. Suddenly, a crash, before a wave carried the boat halfway up on a rock. The boat fell backwards, emptying its cargo and occupants into the sea. Men shouted and cursed, women screamed and cried, wrote Jimmy ODonnell in The Arranmore Disaster. Some tore frantically at the sails. Edward turned the helm to put the boat about as she slid over a large rock. The steer was caught and torn off. The following wave caught the boat broadside, capsizing her to port among the rocks. The load screams, the desperate shouting for a few short moments was silenced quickly in the icy waters, where they struggled for their lives for a short time before disappearing below the surface of the sea, their lives lost to eternity. Some clung to the overturned boat, prolonging their lives for a little while longer. Annie and Mary were getting worried and presumed the train could be late, or perhaps the homecomers mightve missed it, while Mickie Mor Gallagher and his wife Una, were wondering how the children - Hannah, Daniel and Manus - were getting on in what was supposed to be their last weekend in Scotland. Little did they know that despite Hannah's letter, the trio would decide to come home early. As the boat overturned, Paddy Gallagher would later recall, there were maybe nine people holding on. By the third time it flipped, there were only three - himself, his brother Johnny, a carpenter, and their father Edward, with the mast hanging off. The sons, by now grasping the keel, couldnt hold onto their father, and he slipped under the waterline like many of those he had been taking back to Arranmore. John Rodgers had managed to swim to the highest rock nearby before taking off his Wellington boots and decided to return to the boat. Uncertain where he was, he thought he was at a cluster of rocks halfway between Arran and Rutland called Carraic Bheal atShrotha, when, in fact, it was Eileen, a collection of rocks stretching out from the island itself at Cloughcorr. This meant that had he stayed where he was, he could have walked back to the island later, when the tide was out. He had previously told Neddy Beg Gallagher one stormy night they were fishing salmon, that if he were ever to get into trouble at sea, he would tie a rope around his waist. This meant he would be fastened to the boat so they can bury my body in peace and not have ot floating around the sea till Judgement Day. True to his word, John Rodgers body would be found tied to the boat, which had left a dark-red paint mark on a rock at Eileen, on Sunday. Brothers Paddy and Johnny were holding on for dear life, in the freezing water, with the latter much the more uncomfortable. Johnny was tired, cold and hungry and started to cry, wondering how their mother Annie would cope with only the two youngest boys, Anthon and Cody, to look after her. Paddy and Johnny, with mouths dry from gulping seawater, could see the lights dotted in the windows on Arranmore, although neither could swim. They shouted till they were hoarse, but nobody could hear, although their brother Anthon, who was at Aphort, would later say he heard cries as he waited at the pier with Condy O'Donnell, Hughie McCauley, Mickie Gallagher and the boy who almost boarded the boat that afternoon, Jimmy O'Donnell, who were all aged between 11 and 13. As the cupped their ears, they too were hit with hail and ran for cover. Mickie and Jimy went onto Illion but believed what they had heard was probably children playing. Paddy joked, sang and encouraged Johnny, saying the calmness after the storm, and the full moon that was rising over Errigal in the now calm conditions, would help them get spotted. Paddys heart sank as the last light on the island, Barney McGills, went out at bedtime and a lone dog barked in the night. They hoped against hope that John Rodgers, Eamon Ned Ward or their brother Mickie - all accomplished swimmers - had made it to land. Thinking they were drifting towards the island, they were in fact edging from it, towards Iniskeeragh, where there were 14 houses, with the weather turning nasty again for a spell. Paddy rubbed Johnnys cheeks to keep him warm and keep him talking. Paddy asked his brother if he knew where he was. Yes, Johnny replied, with clattering teeth. At Crolly Station, which showed he was suffering from delirium. At around 4:30am, some 10 hours after the boat crashed, Johnny took his last breath. Paddy couldnt bear to let him go, even though he knew his brother was gone, and held onto him on the keel with one arm. Their mother, Annie, unable to sleep with worry, was up not long afterwards and got dressed to go to the pier with her sister-in-law, Mary. Before sunrise, seven-year-old Hughie Gallagher woke over at Plohogue and decided to let it be known from his bed that he was hungry, with his father Charlie Ban getting up to fix him something to eat. Charlie Ban, with morning not yet starting to break through, stood outside to see what the weather would bring. He would tell the inquest later that week at the Glen Hotel, owned by Mrs Jack Boyle, exactly what happened from there. At half-past seven on Sunday morning, I went to the door and heard a man shouting at sea, he said. I saw an object in the water but did not know what it was. I thought at first it was a man fishing for glassan, and that the boat had capsized. Charlie Ban called to Anthony O'Donnell and Mick McNulty and leapt into a 12-foot boat as fast as they could. Paddy Gallagher was still on the upside-down boat, grasping his dead brother, waving back at them. "I saw you running from the house through the fields, Paddy Gallagher would later say to Charlie Ban. "I knew you saw me. It was the gladdest sight I ever saw. We went as fast as we could towards it, Charlie Ban Gallagher added. We saw it was Paddy Gallagher, and he had his brother Johnny across the keel of the boat. We threw a rope and Paddy tied it to the body and we took it to the boat. Then we took Paddy. He was talking a lot, and I did not remember half of it. We were kind of excited. He was in fairly good condition and smoked a cigarette on the way in. The Coroner, Joseph P McGinley from Letterkenny, said of Paddy Gallagher: This is the most marvellous man I have ever heard of. The Derry Journal, on Wednesday, Friday, November 15, would say: The part Paddy Gallagher played; the superhuman strength he showed; his coolness and presence of mind in the face of seeming death; his wonderful solicitude and consideration for his father and brother, who died in his arms, reveal an example of manhood, courage, and self-sacrifice which could not possibly be excelled. As he signed off at the inquest, Paddy Gallagher said: "It surely was a terrible night." Charlie Ban Gallagher went on to explain that he believed the high tide meant rocks were probably not visible the night of the tragedy, and the boat may have been only 100 yards from the shore at one point, but for that high tide. Mr Eugene Doherty, an ex-TD from Dungloe, said the rocks referred to were a veritable death-trap. In his own time, he said: Authority was given to put up beacons to guide those at sea, but this had never been carried into effect. An exhausted Paddy Gallagher had spent almost 16 hours grasping the keel in the freezing cold conditions and collapsed as he arrived at the pier with Charlie Ban Gallagher, Mick McNulty and Anthony ODonnell. He was attended to by Rev Bernard Gallagher CC of Arranmore Island and was cared for by Dr Frank Gallagher, with his condition being described as one more of shock. Paddy Gallagher recovering in Arranmore following the 1935 tragedy. Photo: Irish Independent The Donegal News, on Saturday, November 16, would report: Harrowing scenes were witnessed on the island when news of the disaster spread amongst the inhabitants. Many of them rushed to the shore. That day, news of the disaster began to spread and the Civic Guards from Burtonport were joined by boatmen from both Arranmore and the mainland and nine bodies in all would be found. Mickey Mor Gallager was helping with the search, thinking of his own three children in Scotland. To his surprise, he saw his two sons, Daniel and Manus, sitting up against a boulder, with their eyes open. Mickey Mor told them he hadnt expected them home, only for it to dawn on him they were dead, and all that would ever be found of Hannah was her trunk. Located along the rocks, it contained new curtains, blinds and bedcovers for the new bungalow the family had just built. Mickey Mor would spend the next 15 years, the remaining of his life, looking for her in vain. The bodies found at Eileen that day were four of Edward Gallaghers immediate family - Mickie, Madgie, Eddie and Charlie, their cousin John Gallagher and Mickey Mors two sons, Daniel and Manus, which made nine in all with John Rodgers tied to the boat and Johnny Gallagher, who was in Paddys arms from early morning. The search had to be postponed until Monday, at 11am, due to treacherous conditions. Sergeant Griffin was in charge of the search party of An Garda Siochana, said on Sunday night that the scenes on the island were pitiable in the extreme. Many of the inhabitants were prostrate with grief. The most tragic figure is Mrs Annie Gallagher, the widow of the boatman, Edward, The Derry Journal added. She lost her husband, four sons and two daughters, but is still under the impression that she lost her husband and one son only. She believes that her other children are still in Scotland at the harvesting. The children of seven families who have lost their breadwinner are ignorant of the tragedy. At the inquest that week, both skipper Edward Gallagher and lookout John Rodgers as were described as experienced fishemen. The place where the boat floundered was called Ballinellan, meaning gap of the clutch, Bernard Gallagher added. It is a dangerous spot, and no boat would go there unless put off course. There was a high tide and poor visibility, and those, along with the frequent squalls, probably accounted for the disaster. The nine bodies were laid out in the Lifeboat house at Rannagh in three rows of three eight young men aged between 17 and 29 and that of Madgie Gallagher. Mourners at the funeral of nine Arranmore natives in 1935. Photo: Donegal Genealogy The funeral of the victims whose bodies were found took place the following Wednesday, November 13, where it was reported: Distressing scenes in the chapter during Fr John McAteers pagency, scenes that have never before been witnessed and that must be without parallel even in Ireland. The Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Bernard Gallagher at 11am, with internment postponed from 12 noon to 2pm to further the search for more bodies. Eventually, the nine bodies were buried, in three rows of three, like they had been laid in Rannagh. Louder and louder grew the cries, The Donegal News wrote. Women in transports of sorrow and grief rushed hither and thither, some not knowing where they were going, wandering aimlessly around the tombstones and calling on the dead to return. Men began to weep as the grave was slowly filled, and women, crowding around the scene, added to the general poignancy by their shrill interpolations, spoken in the Gaelic, and their ititent cries. The kindly parish priest, moved to the deepest distress at the sight of such sorrow, recommenced the prayers at the graveside, and within a moment the nature of the scene changed. Gone were the cautions and laments, save for the cries of the women in another portion of the cemetery. In their stead, nothing was heard but the soft murmur of the comforting words of spiritual solace spoken by their beloved pastor. Sixteen days after the tragedy, on Wednesday, November 27, at 9am, a 15-year-old boy called Neil ODonnell found a body at Magherameelan that turned out to be that of Patrick ODonnell. Before the body could make it to Arranmore, news of another sighting emerged. It was that of 16-year-old Hannah Gallagher, found in seaweed at Inismeel near Burtonport. She was fully clothed, even with her gloves still on, only missing a shoe. Eamon Ned Wards body was picked up at Bunanid on Sunday, December 1, tellingly with his pocket watch stopped at exactly 6:20pm, which confirmed the time the tragedy took place three weeks before. Edward Gallaghers remains were buried in the sand for nine months before, on Tuesday, August 4, 1936, Charles ODonnells dog began digging to find the fully clothed body at Inniscoo. Brothers Tony Gallagher (17) and Edward Gallagher (15) were located on Tuesday, December 3, at Inisfree and on Monday, December 16 at Maghery. Their brother Johnny had decided to stay in Scotland for the winter, to set the potatoes and cut turf. Peter Leonards remains were located on Wednesday, December 4 at Maghery, close to where, 12 days later, the man who had spoken of Chicago, John Bow ODonnell, was located. Katie ODonnell and Hannah Mickey Mor Gallagher were never given a burial and are still lost at sea. The inquest's verdict of accidental death called attention to "the dangerous passage that had been allowed to exist for years without any precaution being taken by the Government." A fund for the relief of the relatives and dependents of the victims of the disaster was established, which eventually raised 18,000, and the Donegal Association in Dublin, proudly running to this day, was founded to raise money in 1935 for the Arranmore families. Paddy Gallagher from Aphort, the sole survivor of the Arranmore Disaster in 1935 and Mick McNulty from Ploghogue. Photo: Eddie McIntyre, Arainn Mhor History Paddy Gallagher lost seven members of his immediate family and eventually passed away in 1987. In an interview before his death, he couldnt explain why he was the one to live, especially since he was unwell that summer. "It never leaves my mind, he said. The sight was something terrible - it seems I had to survive to tell the tale." Those who died were Edward Gallagher, 61, of Torris, and his children Edward Gallagher, 24, Johnny Gallagher, 22, Mickie Gallagher, 29 and Charles Gallagher, 20, his sons, and Madgie, 28 and Hannah Gallagher, 16, his daughters; brothers Anthony Gallagher, 17 and Edward Gallagher, 15, from Aphort; Siblings Manus Gallagher, 17 Daniel Gallagher, 27, and Hannah Gallagher, 21, Aphort; Siblings Patrick O'Donnell, 44 and Katie O'Donnell, 45, Leabgarrow; John Rodgers, 34, Torris; John Bow O'Donnell, 50, Aphort; Edward Ward, 51, Torris; Peter Leonard, 61, Ballintra and John Gallagher, 20, Aphort. All Indians aged 70 and above will now receive 5 lakh in free health insurance under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, marking a milestone in senior care. Trusted Source Press Releases Go to source Trusted Source TOP INSIGHT Did You Know? Nearly 6 crore elderly citizens to get 5 lakh free health cover a proud step towards universal health security. #seniorhealth #medindia Advertisement Free Health Insurance Scheme: A Lifeline for Families Worth 4.5 Crores Advertisement New Ayushman Cards for Senior Citizens Advertisement The Worlds Largest Health Assurance Scheme Gets Bigger Caring for Those Who Cared for Us Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana In a Nutshell Who benefits? All citizens aged 70 years and above All citizens aged 70 years and above Coverage: 5 lakh per year, per family 5 lakh per year, per family Beneficiaries: 4.5 crore families (approx. 6 crore seniors) 4.5 crore families (approx. 6 crore seniors) Special top-up: Extra 5 lakh for seniors in existing AB PM-JAY families Extra 5 lakh for seniors in existing AB PM-JAY families Flexibility: Option to continue or switch from other public health schemes A Health Shield for Indias Elders Press Releases - (https://www.mohfw.gov.in/?q=/press-info/7742) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Union Cabinet has made history by announcing that all senior citizens, regardless of income, will receive free health insurance. The goal of this expansion under theis to provide millions of senior Indians with access to healthcare and financial relief ().It is anticipated that approximately, or, will benefit from this new initiative. Each eligible individual will receive, which is available to families.Senior citizens 70 years of age and older who are, which they are not required to give to younger family members. This entails increased financial security and coverage specifically for the medical needs of the elderly.A unique AB PM-JAY card will be given to each eligible senior citizen, making it easier for them to access medical facilities and services. People who are currently enrolled in other public health insurance programmes, such as CGHS, ECHS, or Ayushman CAPF, have the option of switching to AB PM-JAY or staying with their current plan.To ensure that no one is left behind, AB PM-JAY will provide benefits to seniorsor private health insurance.With an annual hospital care coverage of 5 lakh per family, AB PM-JAY is already acknowledged as the largest publicly funded health assurance programme in the world. With, it has facilitatedto date and given Indian families financial security totalling more than 1 lakh crore.The programme, which included, initially coveredand vulnerable families before growing to. Now that all citizens 70 years of age and older are included, the coverage is practically universal.Thisto guarantee that all elderly people, who have contributed to society and families for decades, are treated with dignity and have access to reasonably priced healthcare.The ruling represents a significant step towards India's goal of universal health coverage. The government guarantees that everyone, especially those who need it most, has access to healthcare by including all citizens over 70. This action reaffirms India's dedication to providing its ageing population with a compassionate, inclusive, and healthy future.The ruling represents a significant step towards India's goal of universal health coverage. The government guarantees that everyone, especially those who need it most, has access to healthcare by including all citizens over 70. This action reaffirms India's dedication to providing its ageing population with a compassionate, inclusive, and healthy future.Source-Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Now, a new report in Bollywood Hungama has claimed that producer Aamir Khan is now planning to change the title of the movie, omitting the name of Lahore which is a city in Pakistan. Mythri Movie Makers Moreover, Aamir Khan had stated that Lahore 1947 will hit the screens after the release of Sitaare Zameen Par. However, its been months since then but there is no update on the release of Lahore 1947. Responding to the latest reports, filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi has stated that he is not in favour of such appeasement and stated, You have to ask my producer Aamir Khan when Lahore 1947 is releasing. As for changing the title, I am totally against it. Of course, it is the producers call. But I am not in favour of this kind of appeasement. He added, Ive waited for almost twenty years to make this film. You could call it my dream project. What is meant to be is meant to be. I was destined to make it with Sunny (Deol). And he is perfect in his part. He brings an arresting fusion of the classic and contemporary to the screen. My past films with Sunny, Ghayal and Ghatak, have been landmarks in his career, and mine too. And now I am confident Lahore 1947 will have the same impact. About Lahore 1947 Plot & Star Cast The movie is said to be about a Muslim family who is forced to migrate from Lucknow, India, to Pakistan after the partition. They are then allotted a house in Lahore, Pakistan, where they find out that it still houses an old Hindu woman who refuses to leave. While the Muslim family initially faces trouble from the Hindu woman, they eventually decide to defend her from the extremists of Pakistan. Lahore 1947 stars Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Ali Fazal, Abhimanyu Singh, Karan Deol and Shabana Azmi. The cinematography of the movie is by Santosh Sivan, the music is by AR Rahman and lyrics are penned by Javed Akhtar. Veteran actress and Member of Parliament Hema Malini strongly criticised certain media portals and news channels for circulating false reports about her husband, legendary actor Dharmendras demise. On Tuesday morning, she took to her official X handle to clarify the situation and urged the media to respect their privacy while Dharmendra continues to receive treatment in the hospital. Instagram/Dharmendra Hema Malini wrote on X, What is happening is unforgivable! How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and is recovering? This is being extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give due respect to the family and its need for privacy. Not only Hema Malini, but also her daughter Esha Deol called out the fake news and wrote on her Instagram, THE MEDIA SEEMS TO BE IN OVERDRIVE, AND SPREADING FALSE NEWS.. MY FATHER IS STABLE & RECOVERING. WE REQUEST EVERYONE TO GIVE OUR FAMILY PRIVACY. THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYERS FOR PAPAS SPEEDY RECOVERY. On November 10, Hema Maini had urged people not to spread fake news. She had written, I thank everyone for their concern about Dharam ji who is in hospital for observation. He is being continuously monitored and we are all with him. I request you all to pray for his welfare and speedy recovery. Veteran actor and a legend in Japanese cinema, Tatsuya Nakadai, passed away at the age of 92 on November 8, 2025. The news was confirmed by The Japan News. He was an icon who often collaborated with Akira Kurosawa, another legend in the industry. His career spanned over six decades, contributing to both live-action and animated roles, including Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghiblis The Tale of Princess Kaguya. Here are 5 films of his to watch that honour his legacy. 1. Harakiri Shochiku 1962s Harakiri featured one of the many collaborations between Tatsuya Nakadai and Masaki Kobayashi. Taking place during the Edo period, the film follows the main character as he asks to commit seppuku, but he discovers the truth about his intertwined past with another Ronin who previously fell to his death by his own hands. 2. Ran Herald Ace A film inspired by William Shakespeares King Lear, Ran is one of his most celebrated films. Tatsuya Nakadai played a warlord in the film, and he completely stole the show with his performance. Akira Kurosawas film made him not only a household name in Japan but also across the world. 3. The Human Condition Trilogy Ninjin Club Nakadai plays the role of a pacifist during World War II as Japan is forced to endure immense and rapid change. Also directed by Masaki Kobayashi, the trilogy follows the struggle of a socialist who is trying to survive in an oppressive world with no escape. 4. Sanjuro TOHO Nakadai had a tendency to collaborate with legends, and as he was a part of this Akira Kurosawa film, he was already making a name for himself as an integral part of Japanese cinema. When his uncle gets wrongfully imprisoned and framed, a samurai makes it his task to save him. 5. High and Low China urges European Parliament not to send wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" forces Xinhua) 08:13, November 11, 2025 BEIJING, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- China has protested to the European Parliament over "Taiwan independence" politicians attending the "Inter-Parliamentary Alliance summit" in the building of the European Parliament, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday. Lin made the remarks at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on the apparent strengthening of "outreach" by Taiwan to Europe as Taiwan's Hsiao Bi-khim called for greater support for Taiwan in a rare speech to a European Parliament group in Brussels on Friday while Tsai Ing-wen is expected to give an address in Berlin on Monday. "The European side noted that the European Parliament's commitment to the one-China policy has not and will not change, relevant meeting was not held at the invitation of the European Parliament, relevant individuals were not invited by the parliament and the parliament leadership did not have any contact with them. The personal actions of individual Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) do not represent the official position of the European Parliament," Lin said. Noting that the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance (IPAC) is funded by multiple anti-China institutions and is accustomed to spreading disinformation about China, Lin said the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities use IPAC, a group that has no credibility at all, to solicit foreign support for their separatist agenda. "The political theatrics staged by 'Taiwan independence' politicians and IPAC are merely aimed at grabbing attention. Such attempts are doomed to fail," Lin said. He reiterated that no matter what gambits the DPP authorities and "Taiwan independence" separatist forces resort to and whatever "outreach" they try to seek, it will only make their separatist agenda more evident and can never stop China's reunification. "We hope the European Parliament will make no mistake about the true nature of the DPP authorities, abide by the one-China principle, not to send any wrong signal to 'Taiwan independence' forces, and avoid being used," he said. "As for the certain leading figure for 'Taiwan independence' you mentioned, let me point out that China's position is consistent and clear," Lin said, reaffirming that China firmly opposes any "Taiwan independence" separatists visiting countries having diplomatic ties with China under any pretext. He urged Germany to abide by the one-China principle, unequivocally oppose all "Taiwan independence" moves, refrain from sending any wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and earnestly uphold the overall bilateral relations with China. The spokesperson said certain leading figure for "Taiwan independence" who has already left office is still making every futile attempt to solicit foreign support for the independence agenda, adding that the ill-intentioned attempts will never succeed. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Tricare beneficiaries in the Atlanta, Georgia, and Tampa, Florida, areas have a new health care option for 2026. The CareSource Tricare Prime Demonstration program is an alternative within the Tricare Prime framework offering comprehensive managed care through CareSource Military and Veterans. Through this program, beneficiaries will receive care through the CareSource provider network instead of the Humana Military network. Beneficiaries who would like to use this program need to make the switch during the current Tricare open enrollment season, which runs from Nov. 10, 2025, to Dec. 9, 2025, for coverage in 2026. Whats Different? I chatted with Ted Painter of CareSource to learn more about how care under this demonstration project will differ from other Tricare Prime options, including US Family Health Plans. Painter is the associate vice president of market operations for CareSource Military and Veterans and a sergeant major in the Marine Corps Reserve. Read more: Costs for Tricare Are Going Up in 2026 The primary difference is that youll use the CareSource network of providers instead of a military treatment facility or the Humana Military Network. If a beneficiary's primary care manager is currently at a military treatment facility, we will work with them to transition to a provider in our civilian network, so their care stays coordinated under this model, Painter explained. So if you currently go to a military treatment facility, youll be moving care to new providers. The CareSource project is supposed to streamline many of the frustrations with traditional Tricare. No referrals are required to see in-network specialists. This removes one of the biggest barriers families face when trying to get to the right provider, when and where they need them, Painter said. Given that referrals are frequently a pain point with Tricare Prime, this may be a highly attractive benefit. One highlighted benefit of the CareSource demonstration project is robust care management. Painter told me CareSource has a team that helps coordinate care and follows through so issues don't stall. You also have support on demand, including telehealth, the MyLife app, nurse advice and remote monitoring. Families receive personalized help during more complex times such as pregnancy, behavioral health needs, or recovery after a hospital stay. While traditional Tricare has some of these features, such as telehealth, nurse advice and case management, this program may offer them in a different way. What About Prescriptions? Prescription drug benefits under the demonstration remain managed by Express Scripts, aligning with the existing Tricare Pharmacy program. Beneficiaries may continue to use military pharmacies and Tricare-certified retail network pharmacies for their prescriptions. Who Is Eligible to Choose This Program? Eligible participants include active-duty family members, activated National Guard or Reserve family members, retirees or their family members, and eligible survivors. Geographically, eligibility is based on having a ZIP code in the Atlanta, Georgia, or Tampa, Florida area. This demonstration program does not include active-duty service members, Tricare Young Adult, or the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP). Costs and Fees This program will cost the same as Tricare Prime, based on your service members status and Tricare group. However, enrollment fees paid by retirees, their families and survivors will be waived for the first year. This incentive may help reduce total out-of-pocket costs for care for those families who do not meet their annual catastrophic cap. Most people like having choice in their health care options. This CareSource demonstration is another choice you have during this years Tricare open season. Understanding how this demonstration works can help you decide whether youd like to switch your care for 2026 and beyond. As Painter pointed out, We are not replacing other Tricare options. This simply gives families another way to use the benefit they have earned, depending on what fits their situation best. Get the Latest Financial Tips Whether you're trying to balance your budget, build up your credit, select a good life insurance program or are gearing up for a home purchase, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com and get the latest military benefit updates and tips delivered straight to your inbox. Former President Donald Trump stunned foreign policy watchers during his CBS 60 Minutes interview this month with claims about Taiwan, dismantling drug cartels, and making the United States self-sufficient in critical rare earth minerals. Washington officials still refuse to fully explain whether these are new policies or rhetoric. The Pentagon confirmed to Military.com that the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is part of a broader U.S. buildup in the Southern Command region tied to operations against transnational criminal organizations. A recent Military.com report documented the Ford moving into the Caribbean as U.S. forces expand posture near Venezuela. Another Military.com article detailed supporting air and naval movements, including bomber flights and destroyer visits. A Pentagon spokesperson told Military.com the Ford and its carrier air wing were ordered into Southern Command waters to support operations against narcotics networks. Defense officials offered no estimate for how long the ship will remain on station or what specific actions it has been authorized to take, and it would not say whether additional Navy vessels are joining the mission. The world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), transits the Strait of Gibraltar, Nov. 4, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Triniti Lersch) Defense analysts say the mission stands out. Carrier strike groups rarely operate in the Caribbeana region normally patrolled by Coast Guard cutters, surveillance aircraft and fast-response ships. Military.com reporting shows an unusually large U.S. presence off Venezuela, including bomber flights and destroyer port calls. Without a public mission statement or rules of engagement, experts say the purpose remains unclear. Stopping Smugglers Trump tied the carrier deployment to lethal drugs moving through Caribbean smuggling routes. Military.com asked the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for recent seizure data and interdiction results. A spokesperson replied that its media inbox is not being monitored daily due to the shutdown, limiting timely public data at a moment when the White House says interdictions are urgent. For historical scale, a previous Military.com report found that a ramped-up interdiction surge denied traffickers an estimated $2.5 billion. A Drug Enforcement Administration agent listens as President Donald Trump speaks with members of law enforcement and National Guard soldiers, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) China regularly flies military aircraft near Taiwan, a pattern tracked by Taiwans Ministry of National Defense and covered by U.S. outlets. Venezuela maintains military ties with Russia and Iran, complicating escalation risks in the region. Narcotics traffickers continue to exploit Caribbean sea routes, prompting recurring U.S. interdiction operations. The Pentagon has not released a public mission statement, timeline or rules of engagement for the Fords deployment. Military.com has reported on shifting U.S. posture around Venezuela and force movements in the Caribbean. Trumps Taiwan Remarks Trump refused to commit publicly to defending Taiwan. He recently told CBS News' Norah O'Donnell they would find out if it happens. In this image taken off a video released by the Taiwan Coast Guard, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel enters the waters near Kinman Island, seen from a Taiwan Coast Guard vessel on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (Taiwan Coast Guard via AP) Military.com asked the Pentagon and State Department whether U.S. strategy toward Taiwan had changed. The State Department declined to comment and referred questions to the White House, whose spokesperson, Anna Kelly, told Military.com to refer to Trump's comments. Pentagon officials pointed to a brief post stating that the U.S. position on Taiwan remains unchanged, but they offered no details on whether Indo-Pacific Command received updated guidance or whether allies such as Japan, Taiwan, Australia or the Philippines were briefed privately. Recent Military.com analysis examined ongoing Taiwan deterrence debates and allied exercises in the region. James A. Garfield is the U.S. president few Americans remember, and thats exactly why Netflix wants you to. With Death By Lightning, a gripping four-part historical drama now available on Netflix, the streamer turns a brief, tragic presidency into one of 2025s most talked-about prestige series. Created by Mike Makowsky (Bad Education) and based on Candice Millards 2011 nonfiction bestseller Destiny of the Republic, the show dramatizes the rise and fall of Americas 20th president, his fateful encounter with an obsessed admirer, and the cascade of bad luck, bad medicine, and bad politics that followed. Michael Shannons Garfield embodies reluctant heroism a man both elevated and destroyed by the weight of public service. Image courtesy of Netflix. Used under Fair Use for news and review coverage. From the Battlefield to the White House Before James Garfield (played by Michael Shannon) took office, he was a Civil War general who rose from extreme poverty to command the 42nd Ohio Infantry and earn a reputation for bravery and intellect. In Death by Lightning, Shannon plays Garfield as a reluctant leader moral, pragmatic, and deeply human. His presidency lasts just 199 days, cut short when Charles Guiteau, a delusional office-seeker, shoots him in a Washington D.C. train station. Guiteau is portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen (Succession) in a chilling performance that manages to be both absurd and heartbreaking. The assassin sees himself not as a murderer but as a divinely chosen messenger a dangerous combination of ego and insanity that gives the series much of its unsettling tension. Michael Shannons Garfield embodies reluctant heroism a man both elevated and destroyed by the weight of public service. Image courtesy of Netflix. Used under Fair Use for news and review coverage. A Murder by Medicine While the bullet itself didnt immediately kill Garfield, the series much like the real story shows how his doctors arrogance sealed his fate. The presidents physician, Dr. D. Willard Bliss, dismissed the new concept of germ theory and repeatedly probed Garfields wound with unsterilized instruments, leading to fatal infection. The resulting scenes are among the shows most haunting: a slow, claustrophobic death that turns a national tragedy into a medical horror story. Betty Gilpin as Crete Garfield in Death by Lightning. Her restrained yet commanding performance captures the emotional toll of political ambition and tragedy. Image courtesy of Netflix. Used under Fair Use for news and review coverage. A Cast Worthy of a Presidential Drama Netflix has assembled a powerhouse ensemble that gives Death by Lightning the weight of a political epic and the bite of a dark comedy. Actor Role Michael Shannon President James A. Garfield Matthew Macfadyen Assassin Charles Guiteau Betty Gilpin First Lady Crete Garfield Bradley Whitford Senator James Blaine Nick Offerman Vice President Chester A. Arthur Shea Whigham Political rival Roscoe Conkling Vondie Curtis-Hall Frederick Douglass Laura Marcus, Jack Alldridge, Anders Olof Grundberg, Alfie Tempest, Dylan Hughes The Garfield children Tuppence Middleton Journalist Kate Sprague David Nykl Levi Morton Archie Fisher Joe Brown Offerman steals every scene he is featured in as Chester A. Arthur, the hapless vice president who unexpectedly inherits the Oval Office. As Empire notes, his dry humor and lines like Drinking, fighting, sausages! cut through the tragedy without diminishing it. Nick Offerman delivers a surprisingly poignant performance as Chester A. Arthur, the vice president thrust into a divided presidency. Image courtesy of Netflix. Used under Fair Use for news and review coverage. A Forgotten President Reimagined Visually, Death by Lightning leans into muted, painterly tones part The Crown, part Chernobyl. The tone oscillates between tragic drama and satirical absurdity, reflecting the eras contradictions: a modernizing nation still ruled by superstition, ego, and untested medicine. Shannons stoic restraint contrasts sharply with Macfadyens manic energy, producing a duel of ideology as much as personality. The shows greatest trick is that, even though we know how Garfields story ends, it keeps us riveted to how and why it happens. Why Netflix Thinks It Matters Now Garfields brief presidency might seem like an obscure subject for a major streamer, but the themes couldnt be timelier. Political extremism, misinformation, and the weaponization of faith are all part of Death by Lightnings DNA. The show suggests that the line between belief and fanaticism between public service and self-interest has always been thin in American life. For Military.coms audience, Garfields military service also adds resonance: he was the last U.S. president who had fought in the Civil War, a scholar-soldier whose integrity and empathy were shaped by what he saw in uniform. Death by Lightning | Official Trailer | Netflix Assassination can no more be guarded against than death by lightning; it is best not to worry about either. - President James Garfield Death by Lightning, a four episode limited series starring Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Nick Offerman, Betty Gilpin, Bradley Whitford and Shea Whigham premieres November 6th, only on Netflix. Assassination can no more be guarded against than death by lightning; it is best not to worry about either. - President James Garfield Death by Lightning, a four episode limited series starring Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Nick Offerman, Betty Gilpin, Bradley Whitford and Shea Whigham premieres November 6th, only on Netflix. A Story Worth Remembering At just four episodes, Death by Lightning is concise, darkly funny, and surprisingly emotional. It turns a forgotten name from a history textbook into a fully realized man one whose ideals, flaws, and final hours still echo today. Where to Watch Streaming: Netflix Netflix Episodes: 4 4 Premiere: November 2025 November 2025 Creators: Mike Makowsky, based on Candice Millards Destiny of the Republic In a scene brimming with irony, Guiteau courts fame while the nation hurtles toward tragedy a reflection of ambition gone rotten. Image courtesy of Netflix. Used under Fair Use for news and review coverage. If You Liked Death by Lightning, Watch These Next 1. Manhunt (Apple TV+ / 2024) Based on James Swansons bestseller, this seven-part thriller dramatizes the tense twelve-day chase for Abraham Lincolns assassin, John Wilkes Booth. With meticulous Civil War-era detail and haunting performances, Manhunt shares the same mix of political intrigue and moral reckoning that defines Death by Lightning. 2. The Crown (Netflix / 2016 2023) Across six lush seasons, The Crown redefined the historical-drama genre by fusing intimate character study with sweeping political stakes. Like Death by Lightning, it examines the personal cost of power and the weight of public duty proof that leadership, whether royal or republican, rarely comes without sacrifice. 3. All the Light We Cannot See (Netflix / 2023) A World War II miniseries that balances spectacle and emotion, this adaptation of Anthony Doerrs Pulitzer Prize-winning novel celebrates the resilience of ordinary people amid historys darkness. Its cinematic scale and human core echo the same blend of empathy and tragedy that drives Death by Lightning. Stream Death by Lightning on Netflix Now Stream Death by Lightning on Netflix and rediscover the life, legacy, and assassination of Americas forgotten Civil War president, James A. Garfield. Then keep the story going by exploring the dramas above for more power, politics, and history brought vividly to life. OAKLAND COUNTY, MI A Canton woman is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly leading Royal Oak police on a chase Sunday that ended with her SUV crashing into an Ulta Beauty store. Katrina Patterson, 26, allegedly refused to cooperate with police after being pulled over with an open alcohol container in her car on Nov. 9. When she was asked for her license, she fled, according to a news release from the Royal Oak Police Department. Royal Oak police officers responded to the report of a white SUV driving on train tracks near W. Fourth and S. Center roads around 12:40 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9. Patterson allegedly led police on a chase before crashing into an Ulta Beauty store on Woodward Avenue. Despite the crash, Patterson continued to flee, ramming a patrol car and causing further damage inside the store before her vehicle got stuck. We are extremely fortunate this suspect did not seriously injure or kill our officers, herself, her passenger, or anyone else during this reckless incident, Police Chief Michael Moore said in a statement. Patterson was arrested at the scene, while a male passenger was cited for open alcohol and released, according to the release from the Royal Oak Police Department. Patterson is suspected of driving under the influence, according to the release. She was arraigned on Nov. 10 and faces the following charges: fleeing police, assault/resisting police, two counts of felonious assault, malicious destruction of a building and malicious destruction of personal and police property. Patterson will return to 44th District Court on Nov. 21. Her bond was set at $50,000. A newly-installed curbside electric vehicle charging station in the Pittsfield Village neighborhood, May 7, 2019 in Ann Arbor. Ben Allan Smith | MLive.com LANSING, MI Michigan has awarded $1.84 million in grants to install 201 electric vehicle charging stations at apartment complexes. The awards announced Nov. 5 by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) will pay for overnight chargers at 31 multifamily properties where residents typically lack at-home EV charging options, the agency said. The reimbursement grants are sourced from the states Clean Fuel and Charging Infrastructure (CFCI) Program launched in 2024 with a one-time $30 million appropriation. Forty percent of the money is reserved for disadvantaged communities. The awards are concentrated in metro Detroit suburbs such as Taylor, Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Dearborn Heights and Southfield. Other sites include Kalamazoo, Flint and Lansing. The grants range from roughly $20,000 to $98,000 per site for installing two to ten Level 2 chargers, which typically take about 4 to 8 hours to charge a standard EV battery. Current Charging of Birmingham is installing most of the chargers. Large property owners receiving multiple grants include the Huron River Apartments group of Southgate and Lansing-based Simtob Management & Investment. A new request for proposals will make another $5 million available for multifamily charging projects with grants capped at $300,000 per site. The awards are part of ambitious targets under Gov. Gretchen Whitmers MI Healthy Climate Plan of getting two million EV registration and deploying roughly 100,000 EV chargers by 2030. The state is far short of those targets as of this summer. Growth in the EV market has been decelerating this year as consumers pivot toward hybrids and federal tax credits for EV buyers face repeal under the Trump administrations rollback of clean-energy incentives. In Michigan, the cost of EV registration is expected to rise after the state overhauled how it taxes fuel as part of a road funding deal between Republicans and Gov. Whitmer. Jon Durtka with a lake trout caught spearfishing in Lake Huron. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission expanded allowances for spearfishing gamefish in most of the state's Great Lakes water starting in 2026. Michigan Spearfishing Association LANSING, MI Michigan game regulators have voted to greatly expand where divers can spear popular fish in the Great Lakes. On Thursday, Nov. 6, the state Natural Resources Commission unanimously approved new rules that allow underwater spearfishing for walleye, northern pike and lake trout in parts of Lake Erie, Lake Superior and expanded zones within Lake Michigan. The decision makes permanent what had been a limited, experimental program in small parts of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The new rules take effect in April. Divers must remain fully submerged, display a dive flag, fish only in daylight and avoid populated swim areas. Use of Scuba gear is prohibited. Jon Durtka, president of the Michigan Spearfishing Association, said the expanded boundaries would help attract niche fishers to Michigan. This amendment pushes Michigan to the top of the list of Midwest states creating opportunities for the underwater spearfishing community, Durtka said, and it makes Michigan a standout leader and welcoming place for those who engage in underwater spearfishing where 21 percent of the worlds freshwater exists. Michigan first allowed underwater spearfishing for non-game species like carp and suckers in certain inland and Great Lakes waters in 2013. The state expanded that allowance to some gamefish in parts of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron in 2021. Commissioners took it upon themselves last week to expand the program against the recommendation of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which cited uncertainties associated with public support for maintaining the pilot programs status quo. In a memo attached to the new fisheries order, the DNR said it issued roughly 13,150 free annual licenses statewide since the program launch, but only 324 license holders had reported catching any fish over the three-year trial period as of October 2024. Those divers collectively reported harvesting fewer than 500 fish annually, most of them walleye, followed by smaller numbers of northern pike and lake trout. The DNR said it had limited capacity to implement effective adaptive management for novel methods such as underwater spearfishing. Nonethless, commissioner John Walters introduced a floor amendment that spelled out the new boundaries in detail. The expansion in Lake Michigan is north from the Indiana state line to the 45th parallel and along parts of the Upper Peninsula southern shore. The order opens up part of Lake Erie between the Detroit River and Ohio line, and most of Michigans Lake Superior waters from the Wisconsin border east to the St. Marys River. The order excludes all of Grand Traverse Bay, Little Traverse Bay, the Bays de Noc and the Beaver Island archipelago in Lake Michigan. It also excludes the Stannard Rock and Big Reef areas in Lake Superior, and a several mile radius around Isle Royale. Commissioner David Nyberg said a reduction of the Lake Michigan expansion near the Wisconsin border is meant to prevent conflict over walleye in Bays de Noc. The amendment also banned bait, attractants and decoys. Several spearfishing association members attended the meeting in anticipation of Walters amendment after a draft was circulated online. Walters urged spear-fishing advocates to stand pat. We spent a great deal of time reviewing the waters in which we have just approved for underwater spearfishing, he said. I think there are protected areas within it that need continued protection and I would highly encourage the underwater spear fishing group not to pursue any additional waters. American Cruise Lines will cruise the Great Lakes for the first time in 2025. It will be the only cruise line to offer domestic-only itineraries. American Cruise Lines This Great Lakes cruising newcomer will call on six Michigan ports in 2026. American Cruise Lines announced this fall that it will join the growing Great Lakes cruise industry with its new ship American Patriot. It has 9- and 14-day itineraries planned for May to August. Carrying up to 130 passengers, the ship will visit Muskegon, Sault Ste. Marie, Alpena, Escanaba, Mackinac Island and Detroit, which are all experienced cruise ship hosts. RELATED: Great Lakes cruising expected to see huge growth, $300M economic impact in 2026 While other cruise itineraries often include stops in Canada, these itineraries are exclusive to the U.S., which means American travelers wont need a passport. Americans 2026 Great Lakes itineraries include a 9-Day cruise visiting the Thousand Islands and Niagara Falls, while an additional 9-Day itinerary highlights Lake Michigan, Green Bay and the wilderness of Michigans Upper Peninsula. The lines signature 14-Day cruise, dubbed the American Great Lakes, travels 800 miles through lakes Erie, Huron, and Michigan. The 9-Day Great Lakes & Thousand Islands cruises sail between Syracuse, N.Y. and Cleveland, Ohio, exploring lakes Ontario and Erie. The 2026 schedule offers cruises on May 22, May 29, June 5 and Aug. 27. Pricing starts at $8,675. The 9-Day Lake Michigan & Upper Peninsula cruises sail round-trip from Milwaukee, Wis., exploring Lake Michigan and the U.P. The 2026 schedule offers cruises on June 24, July 1, Aug. 1 and Aug. 8. Pricing starts at $8,675. The 14-Day American Great Lakes cruises sail between Cleveland, Ohio, and Milwaukee, Wis. The trip explores lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan. The 2026 schedule offers cruises on: June 12, July 8, July 20 and Aug. 15. Pricing starts at $14,270. All American cruises offer an included pre-cruise hotel stay and complimentary domestic airfare. Each itinerary includes excursions to small towns, and time spent cruising the Great Lakes. RELATED: These Michigan port cities will welcome cruise ships in 2026 The 2026 season, which will run from April to October, will also include returning cruise lines Hapag-Lloyd, Pearl Seas, Ponant, Victory and Viking. In all, there will be nine ships that will make hundreds of stops at port cities around the Great Lakes basin. Great Lakes cruising is expected to generate $300 million in economic impact for the region in 2026, according to a forecast by Cruise the Great Lakes, the regions cruise marketing program. The number represents growth of 25% over 2025 and continued long-term growth of the industry, officials said. Great Lakes cruises are projected to welcome over 23,000 passengers, a 5% increase over 2025. More than 800 port visits are planned, an increase of 15%. He was originally charged with two felony assault charges, but pleaded to aggravated assault, a misdemeanor. Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com ANN ARBOR, MI - A 33-year-old man has pleaded to a misdemeanor charge after stabbing someone near a Michigan Medicine construction site. The felony charges against Lagarien Johnny Thomas, 33, were dropped in favor of a misdemeanor charge during an Oct. 21 hearing before 15th District Court Judge Kerene Moore, court records read. Thomas was originally charged with two felony assault charges, but pleaded to aggravated assault, a misdemeanor. The felony charges were dismissed on a motion from the Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office, according to court records. The misdemeanor charge is punishable by up to a year in jail. He will be sentenced Nov. 21. Thomas was arrested around 11:30 p.m. Sept. 18 after he reportedly attacked someone several hours earlier, according to the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security. Police were called around 6:20 p.m. to Catherine Street and Zina Pitcher Place after Thomas tried to enter the construction site at the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion on the main medical campus. When he was denied entry, he stabbed someone, police said. He is currently being held in the Washtenaw County Jail. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page. GRAND RAPIDS -- As confusion surrounding SNAP benefits continues, community leaders in Grand Rapids are stepping up to the plate. Kirel Shaw, also known as StreetChefShaw, took to social media on Wednesday, Nov. 5, announcing that hell be serving free meals at his restaurant, Mizizi, every Sunday in November. Giving back to the community has been a key part of the African fusion restaurants business model since Shaw opened it in 2020. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he handed out free plates to those in need. Every year since, hes renewed the tradition, whether it was in celebration of the restaurants five-year anniversary or to provide for those whose SNAP benefits are at risk in the midst of a federal government shutdown. Chef Kirel Shaw serves free plates on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at Mizizi in Grand Rapids, Mich. Shaw planned these meals for every Sunday in November due to the uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown. Chloe Trofatter | MLive.com On Sunday, Nov. 9, Shaws mother and girlfriend bagged orders while he, his son and his food truck manager manned the kitchen. That really is the goal here, Shaw said. To feed the community that feeds us. Shaw also challenged other restaurants to do the same, Lets try to feed our city and make sure nobody goes hungry in the month of November, he said in the video that was posted to Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. As Shaw hit post, Pastor Zach McNees was getting to work on a meal of his own. On Friday, Nov. 7, 18 lasagnas were spread across five different houses surrounding Northlawn United Methodist Church to bake. The text went out at 7:40 a.m., and by 7:50, everyone had responded, McNees neighbor Karline Wood said. The scent of tomato sauce and melting cheese wafted down the block as a crew of volunteers prepped salad, made lemonade and set out chairs for 80 people, plus overflow. Kristin Clark hands off the lasagnas she baked in her oven to Karline Wood for the free community meal on Friday, November 7, 2025 at Northlawn United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. Pastor Zach McNees planned these meals for the first three Fridays of November due to the uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown. Chloe Trofatter | MLive.com The family style meal was in its planning stages as McNees sent out his pastoral letter to Northlawns congregation at the end of October. As McNees saw concern over the uncertainty of food assistance grow within his congregation and wider Grand Rapids community, the question of whether to help was an easy one. We dont want to say, well pray for you, and then do nothing, he said. In response, members donated thousands of dollars the church is putting toward free Friday meals for the first three weeks of the month, as well as other forms of grocery assistance for those in need. Were not here to get butts in the pews, McNees said. Were here to get bellies full. He also made a point to share resource packets to those that attend, filled with information on organizations that provide everything from a hot meal to rent and utility assistance in the area. And even as state representatives work to maintain full SNAP benefits for Michigan residents, Shaw and McNees have no intention of canceling their plans. Heres a list of free hot meals available in Grand Rapids: Wednesdays The Old Goat 1017 Wealthy St. SE Nov. 12, 19 and 26, noon - 4 p.m. Northeast Community Church of the Nazarene 861 Fuller Ave. NE Nov. 12, 19 and 26, 6 - 6:30 p.m. Fridays Northlawn United Methodist 1157 Northlawn St. NE Nov. 14 and Nov. 21, 5:30 - 7 p.m. Sundays Mizizi by Street Chef Shaw 1539 Plainfield Ave. NE Nov. 16, 23 and 30, noon - 2 p.m. These organizations provide free meals year round: Gods Kitchen 303 Division Ave. S Every Monday - Saturday, 12:30 - 2 p.m. Mel Trotter Ministries 225 Commerce Ave. SW Every day, 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. and 4:45 - 5:45 p.m. Other restaurants, like Ikers Tacos and Amore Trattoria Italiana, have added free pantries for people to donate to and take from as needed. If youd like to add your business or organization to this list, please email MLive photojournalist Chloe Trofatter at ctrofatter@mlive.com. WYOMING, MI A new pedestrian bridge offers pedestrians, walkers and bikers a safer connection to scenic trails. The bridge, which officially opened on Sept. 27, extends over 28th Street on Hook Avenue SW. The structure connects to 4.6 miles of new trails recently built by the city of Wyoming. Construction of the $7.4 million pedestrian bridge was fully funded by state and federal grants. The 600-foot bridge is the only elevated pedestrian crossing in Wyoming, connecting the citys northern and southern portions over the busy roadway. The 12-foot wide, ADA accessible bridge can accommodate two-way pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The bridge connects directly with Trail 3, which first circles past the citys water tower. An elevated portion of the pathway winds through wooded landscapes and over a creek bed. The trail diverges at Pinery Park and its mile-long loop. 27 1 / 27 Stroll $7.4M pedestrian bridge over busy 28th Street to 4-mile nature trail Nicole Hofert, the citys director of community and economic development, told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press that Wyoming residents long advocated for a safer way to cross 28th Street. More than 30,000 vehicles travel daily down 28th Street, which accounts for more than 10% of the traffic crashes in Wyoming, according to the city. In the last decade, there have been more than 2,300 crashes between Burlingame and U.S. 131, including five fatal crashes. The construction of the pedestrian bridge is part of Wyomings broader City Center project, an initiative to develop a downtown area off of 28th Street between Burlingame and Clyde Park avenues. Check out photos from the bridge and trail in the gallery above or see photos below. Click here for a direct link to the gallery. The recently opened pedestrian bridge over 28th Street on Hook Avenue SW in Wyoming, Mich. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The bridge allows walkers, runners, and bicyclists to safely cross the street, connecting to 4.6 miles of new trails. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.com The recently opened pedestrian bridge over 28th Street on Hook Avenue SW in Wyoming, Mich. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The bridge allows walkers, runners, and bicyclists to safely cross the street, connecting to 4.6 miles of new trails. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.c The recently opened pedestrian bridge over 28th Street on Hook Avenue SW in Wyoming, Mich. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The bridge allows walkers, runners, and bicyclists to safely cross the street, connecting to 4.6 miles of new trails. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.c A portion of Trail 3 which connects to the recently opened pedestrian bridge over 28th Street on Hook Avenue SW in Wyoming, Mich. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.com A portion of Trail 3 which connects to the recently opened pedestrian bridge over 28th Street on Hook Avenue SW in Wyoming, Mich. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.com The former Kent Community Hospital, located at 750 Fuller Ave., is going to be demolished for Kent County to build its new administration building. Kent County GRAND RAPIDS, MI A six-story former hospital building off I-196 in Grand Rapids will be demolished as part of Kent Countys plans to relocate its administrative services. The Kent County Board of Commissioners approved $5 million on Nov. 6 to demolish the former Kent Community Hospital at 750 Fuller Ave., a 162,000-square-foot building that has sat vacant since last fall when Corewell Health moved out. The demolition will make way for Kent County to build a new administration building on the countys Fuller campus, a project previously estimated to cost around $92 million. Construction crews will begin tearing down the building in March, said Tim Bradshaw, Kent Countys facilities director. The county is planning to move 187 of its staff out of its current downtown office, at 300 Monroe Ave., and into the new administration building on Fuller Avenue, which is still in the design phases. The new building will house staff from the offices of the county clerk, treasurer, register of deeds and equalization. It will also include administration, human resources, veteran services, fiscal services, purchasing and information technology. The Kent County Board of Commissioners will also meet at the new administration building. The countys administrative services are currently located in the three-story, 66,000-square-foot Kent County administration building downtown, next to Grand Rapids City Hall and Calder Plaza. It was built in the 1960s and shares a public parking garage and a front lobby with Grand Rapids City Hall. County officials began discussing moving some services out of downtown after a 2023 space needs assessment found that the current administration building lacks convenient access and parking and has a confusing layout, all of which inconveniences residents seeking services at the building. The study recommended moving the administration building to the countys Fuller campus to provide free parking for customers, improved building layout and easy highway access. County officials were previously considering trying to repurpose the old hospital building instead of tearing it down, but that was estimated to cost up to $108 million. The building was previously home to Kent Community Hospital and was later leased by Corewell Health. Corewell moved out last fall to build its own facilities, and the building has sat unoccupied since then. The county held an informational meeting last week to share the demolition plans with neighbors who live by the former hospital building. Thirteen people attended the event. Once the design and engineering work is completed for the new building, the plans will be brought to the Kent County Board of Commissioners for approval. The building at 300 Monroe Ave. is expected to be refitted and modernized after staff move to the Fuller campus. Once completed, around 244 employees from the countys 82 Ionia Ave. building will move into the updated 300 Monroe space. This will include staff from the circuit court probation, friend of the court and the prosecutors office. This would leave 82 Ionia vacant, and the county intends to sell the building as the final step. A 25-year-old Greenville woman suffered serious injuries when she was struck by a vehicle, state police said. (MLive file photo) KENT COUNTY, MI A 25-year-old Greenville woman suffered life-threatening injuries Monday, Nov. 10, when she jogged onto the road and was struck by a vehicle, state police said. The crash happened around 6:40 p.m. on M-57 just west of Lincoln Lake Road in Kent Countys Oakfield Township. An off-duty state police trooper getting gas witnessed the woman walk out of the gas station and jog onto M-57, where she was struck by an eastbound vehicle. She was taken to an area hospital. The driver stayed at the scene and was interviewed by troopers. A state police crash-reconstruction team responded to the scene, just west of Greenville. State police said that speed and alcohol were not considered factors in the crash. Veterans Day has always been a strange day for me. Sure, its welcoming to be seen and acknowledged for the day, but the veteran experience is complicated and sometimes hard to explain to those who dont truly know what it is like. As a long-time reporter, I ask people all the time to open up to me, to be vulnerable and share their pain. I suppose its time for me to do the same. Im an Iraq war vet. I havent had a night of uninterrupted sleep in more than 20 years, I risk having a panic attack if I drive to unknown locations, I struggle with major depression and its difficult to build any meaningful connections with people but Im getting better. Before going to college and then becoming a reporter for MLive 10 years ago, I lived a much different life. I served eight years on active duty in the U.S. Army from 2002 to 2010, during what was quite possibly the worst time to serve since the Vietnam War. In the spring of 2003, I was part of the Iraq invasion, following the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force from the Kuwait border to Baghdad. Being shot at while driving was common and nothing like how cool action movies make it seem. Staying put wasnt too great either as the Iraq army was throwing missiles our way early in the invasion until U.S. coalition forces bombed their launch sites. Fearful, we lived in our gas masks and chemical gear for much of the invasion due to the chemical weapons Iraq had but oddly enough were never found. Not a lot of great memories of those times. So, its easy to see how they have impacted me today. I went back again a few years later for the Iraq occupation. Then, roadside bombs were a big threat. A pile of garbage on the side of the road was always suspicious. Often, it was just garbage, but sometimes it wasnt. Every Veterans Day Ive seen since I left the military has been awkward. When thanked for my service, I still feel uneasy about how to respond. Do I say thanks? No problem? Anytime? I usually just crack a smile, fragile and false, before going on with my day. Ive tried to eat at restaurants offering free meals to veterans, but I am sometimes overcome with despair and the urge to flee. Its a strange feeling, like my mind is telling me that something is not right. That this meal is meaningless and I dont belong there. Other veterans have told me they have a similar experience. Its nothing against these establishments. I appreciate what they are trying to do, and I have seen other veterans sit down and enjoy their meals, seemingly without issue. I wish I felt the same. A Department of Veterans Affairs study completed in 2024 found an average of 17 veterans die by suicide every day, an increase from prior years. I might have joined that number on numerous occasions if not for the services and support Ive gotten since leaving the military. I appreciate this, and I know it is much better than what some of the older veterans experienced coming home. Amid the praise and acknowledgement, I ask that we dont lose sight of who a veteran really is and what it means this Veterans Day. We are a small population who signed up to risk our lives to support and defend the nation when it needed us. We did our duty, and we are now trying to live our lives the best we can, one struggle at a time. The road to being OK is very long. I know I havent reached my destination yet, but I keep driving. Veterans Day is still special, and being acknowledged goes a long way. But if you can, instead of just thanking a veteran for their service, try talking to them as well. It helps more than you would think. JACKSON COUNTY, MI Police are advising caution while driving on the freeways Tuesday morning as slippery conditions resulted in several crashes that snarled the morning commute. Police have been responding to several crashes on I-94 and U.S. 127 Tuesday morning, Nov. 11, causing lane closures, according to the Blackman-Leoni Township Department of Public Safety. At about 5:30 a.m. there was a crash on eastbound I-94 near Cooper Street that closed two lanes, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. There was another crash around the same time on northbound U.S. 127 near South Street impacting traffic, officials show. Both crashes have since been cleared and the area was reopened. Minutes later there was another crash on eastbound I-94 near Parma that closed one lane. The lane was still closed as of 7 a.m., officials said. Police are advising motorists to slow down and drive cautiously due to the icy conditions. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page. A Kalamazoo Gazette file photo of Michigan News Agency on March 18, 2020. The shop is now closed, following the passing of longtime shop owner Dean Hauck on Feb. 8, 2025, according to Hauck's daughter. MLive file photo KALAMAZOO, MI Kalamazoos beloved Michigan News Agency is reopening its doors for three days in November. From 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 22, 28 and 29, customers can browse the shelves at 308 W. Michigan Ave. for 50% off. Its been closed since owner Dean Hauck died at age 85 in February. Property owner Kalamazoo Forward Ventures (KzFV), a Black-founded investment fund, is hosting the sale. KzFV bought the historic property and everything in it for $515,000 in July, per public records. When Dean passed away, her daughters really generously let people come in and experience the store, said Marcel Fable Price, KzFV director of community and strategic engagement. But so many people wanted to take a piece of Michigan News with them. ]Dean Hauck, owner of Michigan News Agency in Kalamazoo, Michigan, talks to a reporter on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007, about the strength of downtown Kalamazoo. Hauck, who died Feb. 8, 2025, was forever a proponent of downtown and its business community. (MLive file photo) Alan Warren Were using this as an opportunity (for) people can come and buy a book, Price said. Proceeds will be reinvested into the future of the space and other properties, Price said. They can take a piece of history home, he said, knowing they contributed to the future of this beloved space. KzFV wants to work with underrepresented architects, developers and business owners on the project, Price said. Were trying to be very intentional with making this a community development project, he said. Not a lot of women developers, Black and brown folks (or) queer folks get to do developments downtown. KzFV intends to keep the buildings iconic sign and preserve the exterior, Price said. When renovations are done, the firm will select a tenant that shares its values. Dean was somebody who was unapologetically Kalamazoo, through and through, Price said. Were definitely trying to find ... the right people who have the intangibles like caring for the community. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page. Bangor, Michigan, "The Gateway to the Lake," is a small town in Southwest Michigan. (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com) BANGOR, MI Theres a power struggle in a small town in Southwest Michigan, where lawsuits are flying. Bangor Mayor Lynne Farmer said City Manager/Police Chief Justin Weber is supposed to answer to her. He wont, she alleges, filing a lawsuit to bring order to the city of nearly 2,000 people, 10 miles from Lake Michigan. Farmer, in her 14th year on the council, said Weber and six other councilmembers are in a conspiracy to get rid of her. The city manager wants to have all power, Farmer said. I am the only person standing between his all power and the citizens of Bangor. Weber fired back when asked about the mayors lawsuit, calling it baseless and conclusory. Weber and Farmer are at odds over the handling of a personnel issue at the city, after Public Works employee Jordan Cummins was fired. Farmer said she believes Cummins was protected under whistleblower protections because of issues he reported to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. The thing that probably got me in the most trouble is that I backed Jordan Cummins, Farmer said. Because I feel he was not let go the right way. Resident Steve Honeycutt said Cummins made a complaint to EGLE alleging the city was possibly illegally dumping into the river. Weber said an isolated event resulting from a severe thunderstorm occurred in 2024. The Department of Public Works promptly identified the issue, ordered replacement parts, and completed repairs as soon as they were available, Weber said. No illegal dumping occurred. EGLE has not issued any violations related to the matter, he said. The complaint was filed more than a year after the incident and came after a personnel action involving the employee, according to Weber. The City remains committed to full compliance with all environmental regulations and transparency in its operations, Weber said. MLive has reached out to state EGLE officials and Weber seeking information about the report made by Cummins. Lists of complaints In recent months, Weber and other local officials have compiled their complaints about Farmer. They held an ethics hearing on Oct. 28, which Farmer alleges was meant to illegally remove her from office. Farmer, in turn, has outlined a number of complaints about them. Webers behavior at council meetings is among her complaints. He takes credit for her ideas, the mayor said. All I wanted to do was help him, Farmer said. Mayor Lynne Farmer speaks with MLive on a video call after filing a lawsuit against other elected officials, the city manager/police chief and city attorney in Bangor, Michigan. (Screen capture) Farmer and Weber were aligned in the past, when they both expressed support of a city resolution to take legal action against citizens who make harmful statements, for example. But now, theyre at odds. The mayor said she always gives people the benefit of the doubt. But Webers actions made her change her mind, Farmer said. Im not sure that the city manager has ever played fair, the mayor said. I think when I met with him, believing we were meeting for the good of the city, I believe he was writing everything down so that he could use it against me. Shes now questioning if Weber is allowed to serve as police chief and city manager at the same time, an arrangement she defended in the past based on advice from the citys attorney Scott Graham, Farmer said. Farmers private attorney is now looking into the legality of Webers dual role, she said. Bangor, Michigan, "The Gateway to the Lake," is a small town in Southwest Michigan. (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com) The citys website has a statement asserting Weber can legally hold both jobs, though Farmer questions that, she said. Graham is also named as a defendant in the mayors lawsuit. Farmer said she and Graham talked privately about the issues, meeting in person next to Bangors iconic caboose train car. He indicated she had nothing to worry about, Farmer said. She believes now the defendants were cooking up a plan against her. A train car serves as a sign welcoming people to Bangor, Michigan. The back, pictured here, thanks them for visiting. But critics say a new policy in Bangor is not very welcoming. (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com) The lawsuit asks a judge to order Graham to stop representing the defendants and to sever his relationship with the city. Officials have argued over the city charter and state law, about whether or not Weber can hold both jobs and who answers to who. The lawsuit asks the judge to adjudicate and declare the rights of the parties under the city charter. MLive has reached out to all the other defendants in the lawsuit including Graham and council members Darla McCrumb, Amber Garcia, Renee Doroh, Helene Rivers, Jeremy Uplinger and Patricia Martinez-Serratos. They have not responded. Farmer also sued the city of Bangor, a municipal corporation, itself. A desperate attempt Farmers behavior has been unethical and dishonest, Weber said, damaging the city of Bangor. Her lawsuit is nothing more than a desperate attempt to silence the people who have had the courage to call out her corruption, Weber said. The truth is being exposed, he said, and the mayor is retaliating and attempting to prevent it. He and others filed a list of complaints against the mayor, Weber said. Farmer caused a work environment that is unbearable full of hostility, threats and intimidation, Weber alleges. Weber detailed his complaints in a Sept. 5 letter sent to Graham. Weber claims Farmer has been unprofessional and confrontational in meetings, attempted to intimidate or undermine the authority of administrative staff and retaliated against the Weber for disciplining employee(s) found to have committed employee misconduct. Weber said the city welcomes a full exploration of the mayors conduct. Bangor, Michigan, "The Gateway to the Lake," is a small town in Southwest Michigan. (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com) For years, shes operated with no accountability, he said. This baseless lawsuit is only going to expose just how far that misconduct goes. Farmer was originally appointed to fill a vacancy on the council in 2011. She was later elected as mayor. Farmers lawsuit asks for an award of attorney fees and costs and for the judge to issue opinions to assert how the government should be run. I just want my good name back, Farmer said. Bangor was in the news earlier this year, when city officials threatened legal action against citizens for criticizing the city. The latest controversy has led to another separate lawsuit. Farmer and Cummins are now the plaintiffs in a filing in Van Buren County Circuit Court on Nov. 3 against Weber, Director of Public Works Steve Lowder and the city of Bangor. MLive has reached out to Lowder seeking comment. The lawsuit is related to the handling of Cummins termination, Farmer said. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page. Katie Schneider gives a presentation during the public comment portion of Monday, Nov. 10 Oshtemo Township Board meeting. Aya Miller KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI -- Oshtemo Township is considering a moratorium on Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects after public backlash. The backlash was sparked after NewEdge Renewable Power gave a presentation to the township planning commission in mid-August on battery storage systems. The company is in the preliminary stages of development, a representative for NewEdge said. NewEdge entered into a land lease at West M Avenue and South Van Kral Street in December 2023, according to county records. The moratorium would prevent the development of all Commercial Energy Storage Facilities until a zoning ordinance can be developed or amended to address development of the facilities. Multiple community members expressed their continued opposition to BESS facilities at a Monday, Nov. 10 meeting where the moratorium was discussed. Almost 50 residents were in attendance. Figure out a way to keep it out of here. Say no. How else can we make this more clear? one resident said during the public comment portion of the meeting. The board voted 5-2 in favor of the moratorium on Monday, but itll need to pass a second reading at a future board meeting to take effect. James Porter, Oshtemo Township attorney, said he suggested the moratorium to give the township more time to create an ordinance to address potential BESS projects. Im most concerned that by trying to rush too quickly to get an ordinance done, to me, feels like the riskiest thing, that it might not end up going the way that we want it, said Cheri Bell, township supervisor. Bell referenced a moratorium in Comstock Township passed after a different company proposed building an energy storage facility. Comstock Township is considering rescinding that ordinance, according to the township board agenda. With or without an ordinance, jurisdiction to approve any BESS projects above 50 megawatts immediately falls to the state, according to a state law passed in 2023. Therefore, even if the township passed an ordinance or the moratorium, companies can supersede the township and request approval from the state, Porter said at a prior meeting. Trustee Zak Ford, who was against the moratorium, said his primary concern was the use of lithium in BESS facilities. He also questioned the value of the moratorium if the state has jurisdiction. This feels symbolic and borderline reckless, Ford said. BESS facilities store power from renewable and non-renewable energy sources to stabilize grids through steady power flow, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A battery storage facility would add capacity to the power grid in Southwest Michigan and make electricity more affordable, a representative from NewEdge said through a communications firm representing the company. NewEdge Power is in the preliminary stages of designing a project that could fit into the surrounding community, however no site plans have been submitted, NewEdge said in a statement. Residents are concerned about the potential fire risk and environmental impacts a battery energy storage facility may have. Katie Schneider, who owns Little Pistol Farms with her husband Ken, lives next to the land leased by NewEdge. After the meeting, which lasted for roughly 3 1/2 hours, Schneider said the moratorium felt rushed and wasnt pleased with the language. Schneider requested the township pass a moratorium on creating an energy systems ordinance and be transparent about their communications with NewEdge. The moratorium the township is considering prevents the development of BESS facilities. Schneider also expressed frustration with another policy on the agenda that would require public commenters submit digital materials used during public comment 24 hours before the meeting. That policy was tabled for a later meeting. Theyre willing to rush things and not think things through, Schneider said. And this isnt something that can be rushed." She also expressed concern about the impact a fire at a BESS facility would have on surrounding municipalities. Fires at BESS facilities are caused by a process called thermal runaway, where excessive heat builds in the battery leading to an uncontrolled, self-sustaining chemical reaction, according to the University of Michigan. Thermal runaway has a variety of causes like overcharging, physical impact and damage or defects. The earliest NewEdge would seek an application to build would be the second half of 2026, said Rachel Walker, director of permitting for NewEdge, in a letter included in the meeting agenda. NewEdge works closely with communities to develop projects that are beneficial to all stakeholders, provide reliable and affordable electricity and create benefits for the community and region, the statement from NewEdge said. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page. The city commission narrowly approved the rezoning of Fisherman's Landing and Mart Dock properties on Monday night. The boat launch and fishing docks at Fisherman's Landing in April 2025. Kayla Tucker MUSKEGON, MI - The rezoning of two waterfront properties that are part of a proposed land swap were narrowly approved by the Muskegon City Commission on Monday. Both the Fishermans Landing city park and Mart Dock properties were rezoned. The proposed deal, between the city and port company Mart Dock, would close Fishermans Landing campground and allow Mart Dock to move port operations to that space on the east end of the city on Muskegon Lake. The city would acquire neighboring land from Verplank Co. for a public park, as well as some property on Third Street downtown next to Mart Docks current operations. A second rezone vote for each property is still needed by the commission for final approval. The next meeting is Nov. 25, where the commission will vote on the waterfront land swap proposal. The commission voted 4-2 Monday, Nov. 10, to rezone 23.5 acres of the 43.5-acre site, owned by West Michigan Dock & Market Corp. at 560 Mart St., from waterfront marine to waterfront industrial PUD. The rezoning will bring existing port activities into compliance with current zoning and will allow for potential operational changes or expansion. Mayor Ken Johnson abstained, meaning he didnt vote for or against the matter. Commissioners Destinee Keener and Willie German voted no. Johnson voted against the planning commissions approval of the rezoning last month, citing disagreements and wanting to see the full development agreement, which was not presented alongside the rezoning requests. The commission then voted 4-3 to rezone the majority of city-owned property Fishermans Landing from open space recreation to waterfront industrial PUD to allow for new port activities. Commissioners Katrina Kochin, Keener and German voted no. A sign to "Save Fisherman's Landing" is posted in the front yard of a residence in the Jackson Hill neighborhood of Muskegon. Kayla Tucker If the land swap is approved, Mart Dock plans to move the bulk of its port activities to the city-owned property that currently houses a campground, public pavilion, boat ramp, fish cleaning station and restrooms. Johnson said he voted in favor of that rezoning because Fishermans Landing is a city-owned property. He and City Manager Jonathan Seyferth said Monday the commission could rezone the citys property again if the land swap does not go through. Keener said she felt like the commission was putting the cart before the horse. I am adamantly against this rezoning right now, Keener said. I feel like were planning something that our entire community is not backing and along and ready for the ride for ... I just want my citizens, the dear citizens of Muskegon, to know that Ive heard your calls. Ive heard your voicemails, and I recognize your emails and I am here to stand up for you all that are totally against this rezoning, again, for what I feel like is (for) the purpose of a swap. Commissioner Rebecca St. Clair said the majority of complaints against the land swap shes seen and received have come from campers, primarily non-city residents. There has been a lot of very vocal public comment against this project, but I would disagree that it is largely citizens, St. Clair said. I look up every single email that I get to see where they are from, and its not majority residents. She said shes primarily received positive feedback from city residents. Im not discounting - there are definitely people who live in the city that do not support this, but, unfortunately, the climate around this is intimidating for people to speak out supporting it, St. Clair said. There has been some really hostile engagement around this and, frankly, people dont feel safe to say that they support moving forward with something different. Keener also expressed concerns about if camping could still take place at Fishermans Landing with the rezoning of the property. Its previously been stated that camping will continue through the 2026 season no matter what and if the agreement doesnt pass, it will continue as-is. Seyferth assured that, with the rezoning, there is very little risk to the future of the campground, with the ability to exempt in previous uses. I do still feel like it is a little disingenuous, and I dont think that the citizens appreciate it, Kochin said. Scenes from Tuesday, Sept. 16, when Mart Dock President Max McKee gave a tour of the property to around 50 people and spoke in detail about a potential land swap proposal that would increase port operations, further develop the downtown waterfront and increase public access. It would also potentially eliminate a private campground. Kayla Tucker Kochin asked City Planner Mike Franzak if he could think of any reason why the city commission would not want to go through with the rezoning changes. Im not sure, Franzak said. Staff is recommending approval for it. It seems consistent with our master plan and our land uses, and it opens up the possibility for the land swap, which helps us achieve many of the goals we have in our master plan. Before the final vote, Commissioner Jay Kilgo spoke out against threatening comments he said have been made about commissioners around this controversial topic. We might have difference of opinion on what to do with different parts of our city, but when comments like dealt with and threats come to any of these commissioners, mayors or city officials, A, its against the law. B, we will not stand for it, Kilgo said. Share your words, share your thoughts, share your opinions, but threats of violence are never ever, ever acceptable. Period. Public comments on the topic were divided, with some for and some against the project. The Midland High School marching band perform during a game against Swartz Creek in this MLive file image. MIDLAND, MI Tiela Schurman, principal of Midland High School, last week was surprised with balloons and a pep band when she learned she had been named Michigan 2026 High School Principal of the Year by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP). The Thursday, Nov. 6, announcement took place in the schools gym with Schurmans family, students, and colleagues present to celebrate. Wendy Zdeb, executive director of MASSP, made the surprise reveal. Schurman was nominated for the award by Midland Public Schools Superintendent Penny Miller-Nelson, who described her leadership approach as fostering a culture of belonging, joy, and success. Tiela leads Midland High with heart and genuine care, fostering a culture of belonging, joy, and success, Miller-Nelson said in a statement. She works to create an environment in which every student is included and has an opportunity to thrive. One of Schurmans signature practices includes delivering Friday announcements personally each week, closing with a phrase that has resonated throughout the school community: Chemics, you determine your legacy; what will it be? Teacher David McPeak said the message has become a unifying call that reminds students of their agency, responsibility, and potential. This small but powerful message has become a unifying call that reminds students of their agency, responsibility, and potential, he said in a statement. It is a perfect representation of her ability to inspire and set a tone of high expectations and belonging. Teacher James Woehrle said Schurman encourages staff to work beyond their individual classrooms. She strongly encourages us to break out of the silos of our own classrooms so we can actually meet and collaborate with our colleagues, Woehrle said in a statement. This pays off in an atmosphere of professional respect and a drive for personal excellence. Schurman will represent Michigan as the states nominee for the National Association of Secondary School Principals High School Principal of the Year competition, organizers said. The national award will be presented at the National Education Leadership Awards in Washington, D.C., in April 2026. Generative AI was used to structure and draft this story, based on information provided by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals. It was reviewed and edited by MLive staff. Dequarius D. Watkins leaves Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson's courtroom on Nov. 10, 2025, after being sentenced to prison for raping a woman at knifepoint. Cole Waterman SAGINAW, MI Inside a courtroom, a Saginaw woman stared down the man who raped her at knifepoint. He consistently averted his eyes. Mr. Watkins, you dont have to look at me, she said. Youve never acknowledged what you did to me. But you know what you did. The woman addressed her assailant, 30-year-old Dequarius D. Watkins, during his Monday, Nov. 10, sentencing before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson. Watkins in September pleaded no contest to third-degree criminal sexual conduct using force or coercion, plus two counts of assault or resisting police. He pleaded as a third-time habitual offender. The prosecution dismissed charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct using a weapon and assault with intent to rob while armed, both life offenses, along with a count of interfering with an electronic communications device. 8 1 / 8 Preliminary examination of Dequarius D. WatkinsCole Waterman The convictions stem from Watkins in February sexually assaulting a then-sex worker he had met online. The shackled Watkins offered a simple No when Jackson asked him if he had anything to say for himself. His victim then addressed the court from the podium, while Watkins stood feet away beside his attorney, his gaze away from her. You decided you were gonna take whatever you wanted, the woman said. You produced a knife, put it to my neck. You slammed me against a wall. The woman broke down crying, saying she repeatedly refused Watkins, as was heard on a 911 recording of a phone call the woman placed mid-assault. The woman said she has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and is beset by nightmares. I hope you never hurt another soul again, because you tried to take everything from me that day, she told Watkins. Jackson sentenced Watkins to 99 monthsor 8.25 yearsto 25 years in prison, plus two concurrent terms of two to four years. He gave Watkins credit for 282 days already served and ordered he pay $470 in fines and costs. Watkins must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. During a March preliminary examination, the woman testified she and Watkins began texting about 6:30 a.m. on Feb. 2 after Watkins had gotten her number off a website. She arrived at 502 N. Andre St. about 8:30 a.m. and met Watkins, she said. Her suspicions were raised by Watkins wearing a ski mask and the house appearing abandoned, but Watkins told her he had just bought the property and was renovating it, she said. The woman entered the house and Watkins ushered her to an empty upstairs bedroom, she said. Watkins then produced a steak knife, held it to her throat, and told her to give him all the money she had in her purse, she said. Watkins at one point claimed he was a police officer, the woman said. Watkins told the woman he was going to force her to have sex with him, at which point she used her cellphone to call 911, she said. Watkins shoved her against a wall and sexually assaulted her while holding the blade to her neck, she testified. Watkins also grabbed the womans cellphone, though she didnt see what he did with it, she said. She added Watkins donned a condom before the assault. When the assault ended, Watkins told the woman to get dressed then went downstairs. The woman ran from the house to a neighboring one and pounded on its door but no one answered, she said. She fumbled for her keys in her purse, got in her car and drove away, she said. Moments later, the woman spotted a police car. She started honking and swerving to get the officers attention. The officer approached her and she told him what she had endured, she said. The woman went to a local hospital for a sexual assault examination and bore injuries consistent with rape, she said. While there, she noticed her debit and credit cards were missing, she said. In the same hearing, Saginaw County Central Dispatch Director Chris Izworski played a recording of the womans 911 call. The garbled recording featured a woman screaming and crying, repeating Please and at different times stating, I have no money and I dont have anything. A muffled mans voice could be heard in the background. For most of the recording, all that was audible was a rhythmic, percussive tapping and feedback distortion. The call dropped after several minutes. Izworski said its not typical for 911 calls to last so long. The line was left open as the caller wasnt directly communicating with dispatchers or describing her emergency, he said. Three Saginaw police officers testified to the chaotic situation they responded to. Officer Christopher Harris was on patrol when the woman flagged him down, told him what happened, and gave a description of her assailant, he said. Officers Jeremy Holden and Irving Ward said they saw Watkins running through backyards and jumping fences. The suspect initially refused their orders to stop; he eventually surrendered. They patted him down and found a kitchen knife in his pocket, they testified. They also found the womans cellphone in a yard they had seen Watkins run through, they said. Harris interviewed Watkins after reading him his Miranda rights. Watkins said he and the woman had been hanging out and she agreed to have sex with him. He claimed they had only talked and he didnt know why she called 911, Harris said. Watkins admitted to running from police, Harris said. Harris also confirmed Watkins had no permission to be at the North Andre Street house. Oscar Isaac attends the 28th SCAD Savannah Film Festival on October 30, 2025 in Savannah, Georgia. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for SCAD) Getty Images for SCAD Oscar Isaac would consider a return to Disneys Star Wars universe, but under one condition. In a new interview with GQ, the Golden Globe nominee and star of Guillermo Del Toros new Frankenstein revealed that he would be open to reprising his Star Wars role after saying he wouldnt for years. Nothing seems too imminent, though, considering recent events. Although right now Im not so open to working with Disney, Isaac told GQ. But if they can kinda figure it out and, you know, not succumb to fascism, that would be great. Isaac debuted as X-wing fighter pilot Poe Dameron in 2015s Star Wars: The Force Awakens and reprised the role in 2017s The Last Jedi and 2019s The Rise of Skywalker. He also voiced his character in the Star Wars Resistance animated series. His comments came shortly after Disney-owned ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel from his late-night show following comments the host made in the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk following his death. Kimmel returned to host four days after the interview took place and has not left the air (other than one day for personal reasons), despite continued criticism of President Donald Trump. Star Wars isnt Isaacs only association with Disney. He is also part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe after starring in the Disney+ series Moon Knight in 2022. Emergency personnel from Coral Springs and Coconut Creek are on scene where a plane crashed in the Windsor Bay community in Coral Springs on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS) TNS A notable Christian ministry group is mourning the death of its founder and his daughter. Ignite the Fire announced Monday that Alexander Wurm, 53, and his daughter Serena, 22, died after a small plane crashed in Florida. The duo was in route to Jamaica with relief supplies in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. The plane took off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport and crashed in Coral Springs at about 10:19 a.m. on Monday. It was heading to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. Alexander, known for his warmth and unwavering kindness, devoted his life to serving othersboth through his actions and by sharing the gospel of Jesus across the globe, a statement said. Throughout his life, Alex travelled extensively, reaching various countries and continents, where he tirelessly worked to bring faith, compassion, and support to those in need. His legacy of faith and compassion touched countless lives. Serena, following in her fathers footsteps, was described as a beacon of empathy and hope, inspiring all with her commitment to humanitarian work. Together, their final journey embodied selflessness and courage, reminding us of the power of service and love, the statement concluded. The U.S. has provided about $22 million in relief for the island nation in the Caribbean where at least 32 deaths have been confirmed. Authorities have estimated that roofs were taken off 120,000 buildings, and that more than two dozen communities have been isolated. Ignite the Fire is one of many private organizations assisting the people of Jamaica. It said in an Instagram post earlier the month that Wurm and two others had flown into Jamaica at least twice since Melissa made landfall to deliver relief supplies in collaboration with Crisis Response International. On Nov. 2, Wurm, who lived in the Cayman Islands with his family, had posted on his own social media that Ignite was excited to fly generators, screws, tarps, battery packs, and StarLink communications systems to Jamaica. Alexander and Serena are survived by wife/mother Candace, and two children/siblings, James (17) and Christiana (20). Former U.S. Rep. and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Mike Rogers speaks with the press at Hatch Stamping in Howell, Michigan, on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, before Vice President JD Vance spoke. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com) Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers suggested last month he lost his 2024 Senate bid after a van showed up in Detroit with ballots before the final count was over. Rogers recounted the story during an Oct. 17 speech in Muskegon and an Oct. 7 event in Detroit, according to the Detroit News, which obtained and reviewed two videos of the remarks. During the Muskegon speech, he used air quotes to describe the ballots possessed by the alleged van. Rogers, who is running for Senate again in 2026, did not substantiate his claims in the videos. A spokesperson for his campaign did not return a request for comment. The former U.S. representative ran for Michigans open U.S. Senate seat in 2024 but narrowly lost to Democratic U.S. Senate Elissa Slotkin by a vote difference of just 19,006. The final tally was 2,712,686 to 2,693,680 votes, or 48.64% to 48.30%, according to the official results from the Michigan Bureau of Elections. Rogers conceded to Slotkin the day after Election Day as only a few votes were still being counted. He did not request a recount. Slotkins campaign did not return a request for comment. During the Muskegon event, Rogers said the van with ballots appeared in Detroit around 5:30 a.m. the morning after Election Day. At the Detroit event, he told the crowd that it swung the election on us, the Detroit News reported. Detroit, Michigans largest city and a Democratic stronghold, was a focal point of voter fraud claims in the state in 2020, when President Donald Trump, a Republican, lost the state and presidential election that year. Trump raised further questions about election integrity in Detroit in 2024, when he won Michigan and the presidency. In that race, he narrowly beat then-Vice President Kamala Harris by about 80,100. At the Muskegon event, Rogers said there was a problem that election with some conservatives voting the top of the ticket for Trump but no one else. This is important for all of us Republicans here and conservatives, Rogers said. One hundred thousand people walked into the poll, they voted for Donald Trump and they turned around and left. They didnt vote for one other Republican on the ticket. If wed had gotten 9,000 of those folks, we wouldve won. That works out to about 232 votes per county. Thats how short we were. Rogers is the most well-known Republican candidate so far to have declared a 2026 run for the U.S. Senate seat being left open by Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters retirement. Some of the Democratic candidates for Senate in 2026 took aim on social media at Rogers for his remarks about the 2024 election loss. The 2024 election wasnt stolen, said U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham. Mike, you lost fair and square last year and youll lose again next year. Just like Donald Trump, when Mike Rogers loses he claims it must be rigged, said state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak. Michigan deserves better. Ormaybe you just lost because you voted to raise Rx drug costs 60 times when you were in Congress, said candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Or because you retired to Florida to be a Pharma lobbyist. Or because you smile like everyone else frowns. Delhi-NCR Schools Go Hybrid for Classes Up to 5 Amid High Pollution Levels MC Education Desk Read the latest and trending news on CBSE, board exams, NEET, JEE, CUET, competitive exams, scholarships, college admissions, education policies, and more. Archisha Yadav USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Neena Gupta, Sanjay Mishra starrer Vadh 2 to premiere at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Gayatri Rani is a Senior-Sub Editor with over three years of experience in delivering Hollywood and Bollywood news. Gayatri Rani USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Palak Vij is a Sub Editor and Entertainment Journalist with over a year of experience covering films, television, and pop culture in the digital space. Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept Vaishnavi Gavankar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept M Snehanjali is a Sub Editor and journalist with over two years of experience covering general news and entertainment in digital newsroom. In recent months, similar hoax threats have also been directed at other well-known South Indian celebrities, such as Rajinikanth, Vijay, Dhanush, Nayanthara, and Trisha. M Snehanjali USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept While Gouri has condemned the journalists behaviour, she has also appealed to her followers not to harass or troll him online. M Snehanjali USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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Some versions still affect healthy cells (Image: Pexels) Bobby John Varkey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Dermatologists warn that rapid weight loss from GLP-1 drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy can trigger hair fall if nutrition is compromised. Manjiri Patil USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept IKEA India sales up 6% to Rs 1,860 cr in Sep-Aug '25; aims to be profitable in next 2 years Over 2.2 million food tickets were served in FY25, with close to 1 million visitors enjoying meals in IKEA restaurants across India Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept India's Green Hydrogen Mission target to be delayed by two years: MNRE Secretary Sweta Goswami USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Apex Frozen, Gokaldas Exports, other export-oriented stocks rise up to 11% amid optimism over India-US trade deal Debaroti Adhikary USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Ravindra Sonavane USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept IndiGo shares jump 4% to emerge as top Nifty gainer after MoU for codeshare partnership with China Southern Airlines Debaroti Adhikary USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Brajesh Kumar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept An improvement in economic activity and earnings will help infuse new vigour into stock markets. Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Teena Jain Kaushal is Editor - Personal Finance (Audience Growth) at Moneycontrol, with over two decades of expertise demystifying money matters. Whether its decoding tax, navigating investments, or breaking down the latest insurance trends, her aim is to help readers make smarter financial decisions. Teena Jain Kaushal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept Apollo Hospitals says on track for Rs 25,000-crore revenue ahead of FY27 IPO for omnichannel pharmacy & distribution arm Viswanath Pilla is a business journalist with 16 years of reporting experience. Based in Mumbai, Pilla covers pharma, healthcare and infrastructure sectors for Moneycontrol. Viswanath Pilla USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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I Accept 200 cops, 100 CCTVs: Delhi Police raid hotels through the night after Red Fort blast; four detained, question 13 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. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept As PM Modi visits Bhutan, Congress recalls Nehru's visit when he trekked to Paro The Jawaharlal Nehru-led delegation trekked for five days covering 50 kms to reach Paro on September 23, 1958. (Courtesy: X | @Jairam_Ramesh) Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept Christin Mathew Philip USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept 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. Delhi blast news: Damaged vehicles at the spot after a blast occurred near Red Fort, leaving multiple vehicles in flames. Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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Rekha Gupta said the Delhi government stands firmly with every affected family and has taken a compassionate decision to provide immediate relief. Families of the deceased will receive Rs 10 lakh each, those permanently disabled will get Rs 5 lakh, and the seriously injured will be given Rs 2 lakh as compensation. She added that the government will ensure proper and quality medical treatment for all the injured. The peace and security of Delhi remain our top priority. The administration is working with full diligence and stands in solidarity with all the victims and their families, she wrote. SSP Sartaj Singh Chahal tries to extinguish a fire caused by stubble burning, in Sangrur district, Punjab Hemant Abhishek USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept A policeman stands guard as investigators examine the site of Monday's car explosion near the historic Red Fort, in New Delhi Tamal Nandi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept The Northern Railway said on Monday that security arrangements at major stations such as New Delhi, Old Delhi, Anand Vihar, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Ghaziabad have been reviewed, with all possible measures taken to enhance security without causing inconvenience to passengers. Tamal Nandi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The official results of the Bihar Assembly elections will be out on November 14. Arishaa Izaj USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept The blast near Red Fort on Monday evening came hours after eight people, including three doctors, were arrested and 2,900 kg of explosives seized Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Tamal Nandi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The explosion, which occurred around 6:52 pm at a traffic signal near the Red Fort Metro Station, gutted at least six vehicles and damaged nearby cars and infrastructure. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept Seconds before the Red Fort explosion, what CCTV footage revealed about the i20s final journey 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. From Daryaganj to Sunehri Masjid to Red Fort, investigators piece together the i20s last movements using security footage as probe widens into Pulwama, Faridabad links. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. 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Police official stand near Delhi's Red Fort as blast kills at least 8. PTI Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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Here are exit poll predictions for LJP (RV) Priyanjali Ghose USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept C Uday Bhaskar is Director, Society for Policy Studies, New Delhi. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Arjun Goswami is Director - Public Policy, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. A persistent and widening trade deficit with ASEAN is a symptom of deeper issues. Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Abhishek Kadiyala is a Research Analyst at Takshashila Institutions Indo-Pacific program with a focus on United States and US-India relations. Views expressed in this article do not represent the views of the institution. The reality of US engagement in East Asia points towards continuity and, in some respects, deepening involvement Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Maryam Farooqui is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol covering media and entertainment, travel and hospitality. She has 11 years of experience in reporting. Maryam Farooqui USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The explosion, involving a Hyundai i20 parked near the Red Fort, took place hours later. Shubhi Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The video received more than three lakh views on X. (Image credit: Karnataka Portfolio) Ankita Sengupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Sheetal Kumari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences. Planning a Eurotrip? Avoid these common Schengen visa mistakes to ensure your dream European getaway isnt stopped at the consulate door. Priyanka Roshan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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Priyanka Roshan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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(Representative Image) Priyanka Roshan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytellingboth visual and textualacross travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences. Travel to Laos, Southeast Asias hidden paradise, for under Rs 2,000/day! Discover temples, rivers, street food & serene landscapes on a budget. Priyanka Roshan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 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. The explosion occurred Monday evening near the Red Fort metro station, when a Hyundai i20 car, stopped at a traffic signal on Subhash Marg, was targeted. 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I Accept Red Fort blast: From US and UK to Canada, global condolences pour in after deadly Delhi explosion kills eight International community mourns victims of Red Fort blast that killed eight, injured more than 20 in Delhi Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Israel condemns Red Fort blast: 'Stand with India in its fight against terror' New Delhi: Security personnel at the cordoned off area in view of the blast that occurred near Red Fort Metro Station on Monday, killing 12 people and gutting several vehicles, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (PTI Photo/Kamal Kishore) Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivers remarks during the closing ceremony of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 28, 2025. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP) Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Security personnel check for evidence at the blast site following an explosion near the Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi on November 11, 2025. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP) Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The nuclear arms race is back: Whats driving it and why it matters Russias threats and Americas response Kremlin messaging around potential use of tactical weapons raised anxiety through late 2022. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept Turkish military cargo plane with 20 on board crashes in Georgia near Azerbaijan border | Video Arishaa Izaj USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Who is David Szalay? The Canadian-Hungarian-British author who won the 2025 Booker Prize for his novel Flesh Hungarian-British author David Szalay poses with his book 'Flesh' during the Booker Prize 2025 Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept November 11, 2025 How To Start War With Russia A British Think Tank Has Ideas Once a while the writers at RUSI, the British Ministry of Defense think tank, produce some valuable research. Mostly though they are out to push war mongering nonsense. A recent piece in Foreign Affairs by Jack Waitling is of the later kind. Ukraines Hardest Winter Foreign Affairs, Nov 11 2025 With the Donbas in Peril, Europe Must Pressure Russia Now Ill leave the dozens of outright lies, false assertions and delusions therein for others to mock. Waitlings main thesis is that more (economic) pressure on Russia will somehow press it towards a ceasefire without concessions from the Ukrainian side. But his suggestions on how to do that are all designed to drag Europe into an even more direct battle with Russia. To support the Ukrainian campaign against Russias oil industry the Europeans should close the Strait of Denmark: For Ukraines international partners, the question is whether they are prepared to match Ukraines campaign against Russias oil infrastructure with comparable real rather than performative pressure on Russias economy. Above all, this means targeting Russias shadow fleet: the hundreds of decrepit tankers, operating under flags of convenience, often without insurance or trained crew, to move its oil to India and China. This will require denying the 80 percent of Russian seaborne oil exports that pass through the Strait of Denmark and threatening secondary sanctions against the ports where shadow fleet vessels unload. Some European governmentsincluding Denmarkhave cited the 1857 Treaty of Copenhagen, an international agreement that established tariff-free transit of commercial shipping through Danish waters, as a legal barrier to action. But this is an excuse rather than a real obstacle. The countries that have a Baltic coastline today, excluding Russia, could agree to a new treaty requiring ships to meet certain standards of insurance and certification to be allowed to navigate the Balticfor example, on grounds of ecological protection. Since the aging vessels of the shadow fleet do not meet these requirements, such a treaty would deny them entry into the straits. This would not impinge on the principle of tariff-free transit for commercial shipping through Danish waters. Nice idea. But would enforce such nonsense and how? Neither Russia, nor any non-NATO country, would recognize such new treaty. Ships not insured in London, i.e. the shadow fleet, would continue to sail but be accompanied by Russian naval forces. What country will be willing to sink the Russian frigate that protects a shadow ship convoy from outside intervention? On what legal grounds? Ukraine does not have a recruitment problem, Waitling claims, but must receive better in country training by NATO forces: There has been widespread confusion about Ukraines manpower situation. On the one hand, Ukraine has enough people to keep fighting. Nationally, there is no manpower problem. But the number of combat-ready infantry in the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been declining for almost two years. At some point, it will hit a level that will render it impossible to hold the front, barring a shift in Kyivs approach to force generation. The challenge is less about pulling people off the street and more about improving the quality and capacity of training and integration of Ukrainian infantry into combat brigades. There are more people serving in the Ukrainian military today than at any point during the war, but the military is unable to train its personnel to perform frontline combat functions. To solve this growing problem, Ukraines new Army Corps will need to establish brigade rotations and allow better units to help train the less capable ones. With more than 160,000 desertions this year alone in Ukraine one might doubt that better training would somehow result in more Ukrainian troops on the frontline. This is an area in which Ukraines international partners can make a significant contribution. European states could also deliver in-country military training. By allowing Ukrainian forces to train on their equipment, in a setting in which European trainers would be supported by the Ukrainian commanders who will ultimately employ these soldiers, such a step would directly address Ukraines force generation challenges. It is true that the presence of European trainers in Ukraine would provide an inviting target for Russia. But Russia has had limited success targeting Ukrainian trainers, so this is clearly a manageable risk, and it could play a key role in building the units Ukraine needs to sustain its defensive line. What can European NATO trainers, which have zero recent experience in war, teach Ukrainian soldiers who have fought a high intensity conflict for over three years? Who will be willing to send these trainers to Ukraine? What is the plan after dozens of them die due to the inevitable Russian missile attack that will follow such their deployment? Waitling does not only want to push western trainers into Ukraine, but also their air forces: Poland and Romania could request Ukrainian permission to engage air threats over Ukrainian airspace that are approaching NATOs border, just as Israel intercepted many of Irans Shahed-136 drones in Jordanian airspace. Without creating an obligation for Poland, Romania, and others to engage targets over Ukraine, such permission would set the stage for deconflicting European aircraft with Ukrainian air defenses. In this way, the European coalition could project airpower into Ukraine at short notice. Project airpower into Ukraine for exactly what? To shoot down $50,000 drones with $2,000,000 missiles? Or is it to bomb Russian positions? One wonders how many minutes any pilot attempting that would have to survive. All three measures Waitling foresees, the closing of the Denmark Strait for Russian oil, the introduction of western trainers into Ukraine and the projection of airpower would massively increase the potential for a direct conflict with Russia. It seems that this is exactly what Waitling is aiming to do. The New Landscape of War The battlefields of Ukraine have revealed a transformation unprecedented since the mechanized wars of the twentieth century. As Baluyevsky and Pukhov note in Digital War A New Reality (Russia in Global Affairs, 2025), the fog of war has almost entirely lifted. Swarms of drones, networked sensors, and reconnaissance satellites have turned the front into an arena of persistent visibility. Every emission, heat signature, and vehicle movement risks instant detection and destruction. The authors call this a zone of total annihilation, extending dozens of kilometers behind the line of contact. This new transparency upends the logic of mass. The era of large battalions is over, they write, and survivability now depends on dispersion, concealment, and electronic adaptation rather than numbers. The decisive contests are not between armies, but between networks: whose data flows faster, whose autonomous systems coordinate better, whose decision loops are more resilient under attack. For elite infantry forces, this means a fundamental change in mission. Once used to break through enemy lines, elites are now required to survive, sense, and integrate. They act as low-signature human nodes that connect sensors, drones, and precision fires, exercising judgment when automation falters. The lesson of Ukraine is not that humans are obsolete, but that only the best-trained, most adaptive humans can endure in a battlespace dominated by machines. This article describes the nature of this military transformation. More coordinated drone swarms. This is what 1000 hive mind drones looks like. Now imagine them even smaller, faster, and completely controlled by AI. Conventional warfare is over. pic.twitter.com/UbJd1pCWqM Green Beret Nap Time (@GBNT1952) February 13, 2025 From the Physical to the Cognitive Elite For centuries, military elites were defined by their bodies. The hoplite, the knight, the ranger, and the commando were those who could fight and win when facing every hardship of the battlefield. They embodied endurance and physical courage. Intensive training strengthened the body and fortified the will to prevail in physical combat. But the frontier of excellence has shifted. The modern battlefields limiting factor is not muscle but cognitive bandwidth: the ability to perceive patterns amid digital noise, integrate contradictory data streams, and decide faster than the enemy. Elite soldiers must navigate a continuous flood of sensor feeds, AI recommendations, and adversarial misinformation. In this environment, the mental discipline to remain calm, analytic, and responsible becomes the true mark of superiority. This does not diminish the physical dimension; it reframes it. The body becomes the support system for the mind: strong enough to endure stress and deprivation, yet trained above all to maintain clarity under overload. The future elite is the soldier who can think precisely in an information-saturated environment. Automation and the Narrowing of the Human Military Domain As autonomous and semi-autonomous systems proliferate, human combatants occupy an ever-narrower slice of the battlespace. Drones clear trenches; robotic mules carry supplies; machine-vision systems identify targets. Humans remain indispensable only where disambiguation, ethics, or improvisation are required. These are precisely the areas where elites will concentrate. In this sense, the role of the elite becomes paradoxical: they operate in the smallest physical space but carry the heaviest moral and strategic weight. They are the last circuit breakers in a chain of machine decision-making. Their courage is not only physical but epistemicthe readiness to assume responsibility in uncertainty, to override automation when it conflicts with judgment. In digital war, courage means discernment. The New Warrior Ethos The traditional warrior ethosvalor, endurance, sacrificewas born in a world where the decisive virtue was willingness to risk hardship and death. That remains, but it is joined by a new set of traits: broad intelligence, disciplined restraint, tenacity of purpose, and steadiness under informational fire. The modern elite must live with constant operational complexity and exposure to multiple data streams whose reliability is uncertain. The definition of battlefield prowess is expanded to include the capacity to think clearly when complex decisions must be made in seconds; honor becomes fidelity to truth when algorithms tempt with false precision. The battlefield hero of the twenty-first century is not the warrior who charges the hill, but the one who knows when, where, and if to trigger automated fire. Selection and Training in the New Paradigm Selection for elite units once meant physical ordeal: long marches, sleep deprivation, resistance to pain. Those will remain, but they will be joined by cognitive stress tests: information overload simulations, decision-making under electronic denial, and moral reasoning under pressure. Neuroscience and behavioral analytics are likely to supplement traditional training. Brain-state monitoring, adaptive simulation, and virtual-reality stress inoculation will help identify those who can maintain focus under chaotic feedback. Language, coding, and system-management skills will rank alongside marksmanship. Elite soldiers will be expected to operate mini-UAVs, analyze electronic spectra, and exploit battlefield AI, all while executing conventional small-unit tactics. Leadership training will evolve as well. Commanders must orchestrate teams that function as micro-networks: self-healing, decentralized, and data-competent. The elite platoon of the future will look less like a squad of riflemen and more like an armed sensor-fusion cell. A New Organizational Model for the Digital Infantry Force If future elite training centers on cognitive mastery of digital resources, military organization would evolve accordingly. The basic building block of the future infantry force would likely be the combat cell, a small, highly cross-trained unit heavily augmented by AI and robotic assets. Most functions of a traditional infantry platoon or squad would be compressed into this cell, and it would have greater operational discretion enabled by superior reconnaissance, communications, and firepower resources. Groups of these cells would be assembled and coordinated by higher echelons of command, all with the benefit of AI support. Erosion of the Conscription Model The rise of automation accelerates the end of conscription. In a world where every movement can be tracked and destroyed, untrained soldiers are liabilities, not assets. Large mobilized armies suited the industrial age; digital war rewards skill over scale. Conscripts cannot be trained fast enough to manage complex systems or to exercise sound judgment under machine supervision. The future belongs to smaller, professionalized forces where every member is a career technician, analyst, or integrator. Even states that retain conscription will likely shift it toward technical or cyber service rather than front-line combat. This concentration of expertise will widen the gap between elite and non-elite units. The elites will resemble special operations and cyber forces blended into one: humans selected for their ability to operate in both kinetic and informational dimensions. Social and Cultural Consequences As the elite warrior evolves, so too does societys image of the soldier. The old archetype, the strong, stoic defender, reflected an industrial society that valued strength, mass, and endurance. The new archetype, the analytical, self-aware professional, reflects an information society that prizes intelligence, adaptability, and judgment. This shift carries risks. The further the elite diverges from public experience, the greater the potential alienation between military and society. When the mechanisms of warfare becomes invisible, conducted by remote specialists and semi-autonomous systems, the traditional link of shared sacrifice weakens. Civilian admiration may turn into detached respect, or even suspicion, of a class of technocratic warriors. To preserve legitimacy, militaries will need to cultivate new moral narratives emphasizing stewardship and accountability. The elite warrior must be understood not as an agent of destruction but as a guardian of thresholdsa human conscience embedded within automated violence. A New Hierarchy of Judgment Automation creates efficiency but also opacity. AI systems can identify patterns no human sees, but may reach erroneous or unsound conclusions. The elite soldiers new role is to interpretto decide when to trust the algorithm and when to reject it. This requires both technical fluency and philosophical grounding. In this sense, the elite become specialists of judgment. They wield not massed firepower but interpretive authority. They are entrusted with the discretion to translate machine output into moral action. The old officer corps claimed legitimacy through birth or command; the new elite earns it through competence and credibility in a domain where errors propagate at machine speed. Their burden will be psychological as well as ethical. The modern elite will fight in isolation, controlling distant systems whose consequences are immediate but unseen. Maintaining emotional balance and moral clarity in such conditions will demand a new kind of resiliencean internal code as rigorous as any physical discipline. The Shrinking Circle of the Human Elite All these transformations converge in a general trend: as automation deepens, the circle of human participants grows smaller. The next stage in the evolution of military elites will not be expansion, but contraction. As artificial intelligence assumes more tactical and strategic functions, the number of human decision-makers at the center of combat will narrow to an unprecedented degree. Already, prototype systems in the United States, China, and Israel can plan strikes, prioritize targets, and allocate munitions faster than any staff officer. Future AI battle managers will not merely advise but act, integrating sensor data and effectors across multiple domains. In such an environment, even the most capable human operators will be curators of automated decisions rather than continuous participants in them. The elite soldiers role will thus bifurcate. A few will remain in the field, acting as human conscience and contingency managers within autonomous formations. A smaller number still, strategic elites, will supervise at the theater or national level, validating or vetoing algorithmic choices. The rest of the military hierarchy may flatten around machine intelligence that performs staff work, logistics optimization, and even deception planning. This will have profound ethical and organizational consequences. The circle of human agency will shrink, concentrating both power and accountability in an ever-tighter cadre. Elite status will depend less on physical or cognitive prowess and more on trustworthiness, interpretive judgment, and moral literacyqualities that justify the continued presence of humans inside lethal decision loops. As automation of warfare advances, the true elite may become fewer but weightier: each human decision will carry more strategic consequence, because each will stand against the momentum of machine logic. Their authority will derive not from superior calculation, but from the capacity to question the algorithm itself: to perceive when an AI-generated answer is not the right one. Continuity and Renewal Despite all this change, the essence of the elite remains superiority through mastery. Whether wielding spear, rifle, or terminal, the elite has always stood at the leading edge of armed conflict. What changes are the enabling elements: steel to silicon, muscle to data, but not the calling. The same martial virtues, discipline, skill, judgment, courage, are transposed into a new key. The algorithmic elite carries forward the lineage of warriors who accepted the challenges and responsibility of combat. Their bravery lies in comprehension, their strength in restraint. In this way, automation of warfare does not end the warrior tradition; it purifies it. It strips away ritualized violence and leaves the essential task: securing victory by those capable of bearing the stress of combat and the weight of decision. Yet there is danger in overestimating the potential of this new military elite paradigm. Advanced militaries may present their professional, high-technology cadres as instruments of precision and restraint, but rival states will continue to seek competitive military advantage. The diffusion of AI-enabled command systems and cognitively trained small units will not necessarily reduce the frequency or intensity of conflict. On the contrary, as decision cycles shorten and modernized elite formations multiply across competing nations, the threshold for escalation could narrow. Each states pursuit of warfighting precision could become another form of arms race, one measured not in firepower, but in speed, autonomy, and informational dominance. Conclusion The transformation of military elites marks the passage from heroic warfare to cognitive warfare. The decisive factor in battle is shifting from physical dominance to informational adaptation. Wars of the future will be fought not by masses of conscripts, but by small, professional cadres operating within webs of machines and data. In that environment, the highest virtue will be clarity of judgment: the ability to discern relevant truth, act decisively, and attain objectives amid algorithmic and informational overload. The elite warrior of tomorrow will not be the strongest or most ruthless, but the one who can integrate intelligence, technology, and ethics into effective action. Future warriors will fight less to destroy and more to navigate toward victory, winning battles in a world where understanding has become the most powerful weapon. Heres the kicker: according to the Mexican government, there are no official reports of any such attack. A diplomatic crisis has erupted between Washington, Tel Aviv, Tehran and Mexico City over allegations that Iran plotted to assassinate Israels ambassador to Mexico, Einat Kranz-Neiger. Given the claims remain unsubstantiated, come from unnamed sources of two governments (Trumps and Netanyahus) whose words cannot be trusted, and has elicited wildly conflicting accounts from everyone involved, this post is, inescapably, speculative in nature. Conflicting Accounts On Friday (November 7), a US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, claimed that the Quds Force, the external operations arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), had planned to assassinate Einat Kranz Neiger, Israels ambassador to Mexico. The source said Mexicos intel services had foiled the plot before the summer. In a televised interview, Neiger confirmed her life had been in danger while revealing no other information. Israels Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement even thanking Mexican security services for thwarting a terrorist network directed by Iran. The Israeli intelligence and security community will continue to work tirelessly, in full cooperation with security and intelligence agencies around the world, to thwart terror threats from Iran and its proxies against Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide, said Oren Marmorstein, spokesperson for Israels Foreign Ministry. But heres the kicker: according to the Mexican government, there are no official reports of an alleged attack against Israels ambassador to Mexico. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. In a joint statement, Mexicos Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection said they have received no report with respect to a supposed attempt against the ambassador of Israel in Mexico. The statement also emphasised that Mexico has not cut diplomatic ties with any country. In other words, the sycophantic stenographers of the Western media, citing an unnamed US official, are reporting that Mexicos intelligence services foiled an assassination plot about which Mexicos government claims to have zero knowledge. This, as far as I can tell, means one of two things: either Mexicos intel agencies did not inform the government of the plot, which is hard (but not impossible) to imagine, or the plot was never foiled, because it never actually existed. In other words, this is just the latest episode in the long history of US-Israeli deception. It is hard not to lean towards the latter. After all, the Trump administration is currently carrying out summary executions of boat crews of narco-terroristas on the Caribbean and Pacific without presenting a single shred of evidence of their culpability and apparently without even having any actual knowledge of who they are. Here is former US Ambassador to Russia Michel McFaul openly gloating that US diplomats lie very often. Here we have former US ambassador, Michel McFaul,saying that American diplomats lie very often. The Polish Deputy Prime Minister, Radosaw Sikorski, sits there, nodding along in full agreement. Let's be real, the West runs on lies, and it wears them like a badge of honor. pic.twitter.com/Ehm7hRPGKw Richard (@ricwe123) November 9, 2025 And here is Larry Wilkinson, the former chief of staff to former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, explaining, in the frankest possible terms, why he never, ever believes Israeli officials: Lawrence Wilkerson was a top ranking US official. Here he talks about his experience with the Israeli regime: "I never, ever believe Israeli figures. The Israelis are patent liars. Let me say that again: They are liars." Yet the Western media class continues to launder their lies pic.twitter.com/E7TK8eJtoT (@zei_squirrel) August 2, 2025 Pot, Meet Kettle The same unnamed US official said the foiled plot was a reminder of the extensive network that Iranian authorities maintain overseas that is ready to strike US and Israeli targets: This is just the latest example in a long history of assassination attempts by Iran around the world against diplomats, journalists, dissidents and anyone who disagrees with it something that should raise deep concern in any country where there is an Iranian presence. What doesnt get mentioned in the breathless media coverage is that Israel, the country making the allegation against Iran, has carried out more targeted assassinations beyond its borders than any other country, including, I believe, even the US, since launching its genocidal campaign in Gaza two years ago. The victims include the 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists Israel claims to have taken out during its recent 12-Day War against Iran. As Le Monde reported last year, the practice of targeted elimination has been a constant feature of Israeli strategy, going back even before the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. According to an article in Axios, the plan to kill Neiger was hatched by Unit 11000, the shadowy Quds Force unit that recently tried to conduct attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets in Australia and Europe, according to sources familiar with the matter. The same outlet reports that the plan was conceived from Irans embassy in Venezuela, which neatly knits together two nations that are currently on the US and in the case of Iran, Israels hit list. A Media Fabrication Tehran has categorically rejected the claims, calling them a media fabrication aimed at undermining friendly relations between Tehran and Mexico City. The accusation about an alleged attempt by Iran to assassinate the ambassador of the Israeli regime in Mexico is a media fabrication, a big lie, whose objective is to damage the historical and friendly relations between both countries (Mexico and Iran), which we categorically reject, the Iranian legation in the Mexican capital stated in a Twitter post. The Iranian Embassy stressed that Iran and Mexico share identical interests. Mexicos security and reputation are also Irans security and reputation. The embassy also stated that the Islamic Republic will never betray the trust that the Mexican government has placed in Tehran. Iran would in no way harm the good image of Mexicans, its friends, in the world, said the embassy. We consider that betraying Mexicos interests is betraying ones own, the note reads, adding that for the Islamic Republic it is a priority to respect the laws of Mexico. In a statement on Monday, Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei pointed out that Israel has previously made similar accusations against Iran, citing attacks on Jewish synagogues in Australia in late 2024. From Al Jazeera: That appeared to be a reference to a testimony given by the New South Wales Police Force to the upper house of the Australian parliament in early October, which presented the result of an investigation into suspected Iranian links to 14 incidents of attacks on synagogues, graffiti, firebombings, and attacks on cars and homes. The NSW Police Force has nil holdings in relation to foreign agents perpetrating these incidents, a police representative told lawmakers at the time. Despite official statements by Australian police rejecting any connection to Iran, Israel has continued to insist on Tehrans involvement, Baghaei said. However, in late August, Australia accused Iran of directing two anti-Semitic arson attacks in the cities of Sydney and Melbourne and gave Tehrans ambassador seven days to leave the country, the first such expulsion since World War II. Canberra also designated the IRGC a terrorist organisation and withdrew its diplomats from Tehran. At the time, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation had gathered credible evidence that Iran orchestrated last years attacks on a kosher restaurant and a synagogue, but did not release the evidence. Mission Accomplished? Judging by how quickly the fanfare has died down over the alleged plot against Israels ambassador to Mexico, one might assume that this presumed psy-op campaign was deemed unsuccessful, and has already been abandoned. Or perhaps the desired effect, of driving the initial edge of a wedge between Mexico and Iran, has already been achieved. The fact that the Mexican government itself continues to deny any knowledge of the alleged plot does little for the credibility of Washington and Tel Avivs allegations. Perhaps if Mexico had a government that was more closely aligned with US-Israeli foreign policy like, say, Argentinas or Ecuadors this incongruity would have been avoided. While Mexicos Sheinbaum government has refused to cut ties with Tel Aviv over its genocide in Gaza, it did recently recognise what Israel has done in Gaza as genocide and called for its immediate termination. Mexico has also recognised Palestinian statehood and maintained its constitutional position of non-intervention both in Israels 12-Day War in Iran and the US-NATOs proxy war with Russia in Ukraine. Its worth recalling that the region of the world that has taken the strongest stance against Israels genocide in Gaza is Latin America, with Colombia, Honduras, Bolivia and Nicaragua all cutting diplomatic ties with Tel Aviv. Venezuela and Cuba had already severed relations with Israel long before the genocide began. Also, Colombias Gustavo Petro government is one of the few in the world to have imposed genuine economic sanctions on Israel. It is therefore probably not outlandish to suggest that one of the many motivations for the US regime change operations and destabilisation campaigns in countries like Venezuela, Colombia Cuba and Mexico is to replace them with governments that are more disposed toward Tel Aviv such as the new right-wing Rodrigo Paz government in Bolivia, which is already seeking to open a new page with Washington and Tel Aviv. At the same time, the influence of Iran and its proxy groups like Hezbollah in Latin America is increasingly under the spotlight in Washington, Tel Aviv and their vassal states in the region. As we warned in September, the US is looking to merge two failed forever wars in Latin America, the War on Drugs and the War on Terror. From Machado to Milei At a recent event held in Miami by the America Business Forum, Venezuelas opposition leader Maria Corina Machado claimed that Iran had turned Venezuela into its satellite one of myriad ludicrous claims the US-sponsored regime change agent has made in recent weeks: Dice que Hamas esta en Venezuela, que es un proxy de Iran y que en USA tiren ya las bombas a Caracas. Es probablemente el caso mas duro de se me subio el premio a la cabeza, eso o le han pinchado los neuromoduladores demasiado profundo pic.twitter.com/DqLonaGdZ3 Zugasti (@irezugasti) November 5, 2025 Granted, Venezuela and Iran have grown close in recent years, having signed a 20-year strategic agreement in June 2022 that provides for cooperation in energy, defence, agriculture, and other sectors. But the relationship seems to be fairly balanced and mutually beneficial. Ironically, one of the main factors bringing them closer together is the fact that both nations have been under stringent US sanctions over the past decade. At the same time, Hezbollah does have some presence in Mexico and the broader Latin American region, and appears to have forged ties with certain insurgency groups, such as Colombias Revolutionary Armed Forces, or FARC, and drug trafficking outfits, especially in the Triple Frontier region between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Brazilian police have conducted two raids of alleged Hezbollah suspects in the region, one in 2023, the other in 2024. Meanwhile, Machado, fresh off winning the Nobel Peace Prize, pledged her unconditional support for President Trumps military build-up in the Caribbean as well as his extrajudicial killings of her compatriots in the region. At the same time, she has offered to open up all of Venezuelas resources, including its oil, gas, electricity grid and hundreds of miles of pristine Caribbean coastline, to Western investors if the US can place her in power. Maduro started this war and President Trump is ending it, she said, describing the US strategy of summary murder on the high seas as absolutely correct. The more Machado speaks in public, the more fantastical the claims that come pouring from her mouth. In an interview with Bloomberg, she accused Venezuelas Maduro government of rigging elections throughout the region, including the 2020 US presidential elections that Trump lost. She has also claimed that Hamas is hiding out in Venezuela. This Bloomberg conversation with Venezuelas Maria Corina Machado is full of wild claims. Aside from what we already posted earlier (her insistence that Hamas is hiding in Venezuela) Asked whether Trumps interest in Venezuela stems from his claims about Venezuelan pic.twitter.com/gL7z4rXkM7 Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) November 2, 2025 In recent weeks, there has been some degree of pushback in the US media against Machados regime change activities. An article last week in Time warns that whatever the US does in Venezuela (and beyond) should be developed on the basis of real facts and analysis, not the tall tales of exiled and displaced leaders, which have led to disastrous miscalculations in the past in allusion to former US regime change operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. Few countries are more fervently pro-Israel than Mileis Argentina. In the Spring of 2024, his government was visited by then-CIA Director William J Burns, senior Mossad agents and members of the BND, or German intelligence. Out of the meetings came an agreement that Argentina would conduct intelligence on terrorism threats, primarily from Hezbollah, and drug trafficking in the Triple Frontier. a tri-border area along the junction of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, where the Iguazu and Parana rivers converge. As we warned in April 2024, Milei seems intent on embroiling Argentina in theatres of war, whether in Ukraine or in the Middle East, or both. By doing so, he is not only raising the risks of retaliatory attacks, he is also breaking with Argentinas diplomatic tradition of moderation and neutrality, just as Carlos Menem did briefly in the early 90s by sending two military frigates to participate in the first US-led Gulf War (Aug 2, 1990Feb 28, 1991). A year later, Israels embassy was attacked. Two years after that, it was the turn of the Asociacion Mutual Israelita Argentina, a Jewish Community Centre, in Buenos Aires. A bomb-laden van was driven into the AMIA building and subsequently detonated, killing 85 people and injuring over 300. To date, the bombing remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Argentine history and is still shrouded in mystery, as we reported a few months ago: Thirty-one years on, no one has been arrested or tried for either crime. A Lebanese-Colombian member of Hezbollah, Amer Mohamed Akil Rada, was alleged (by the US and Argentina) to have a hand in the first attack while the second attack was claimed by another Hezbollah-allied group and also allegedly involved Akil Rada. In April last year, the Federal Court of Cassation, Argentinas highest criminal court, ruled that Hezbollah had perpetrated the attack against AMIA under the orders of Iran. There have also been allegations, including from former MI5 agent Annie Machon, that it was a false flag attack perpetrated by Mossad and US intelligence. One of the few things that is clear is that the investigation into the attacks was corrupt to the core. In 2019, the original magistrate in charge of the case, Juan Jose Galeano, was sentenced to six years in prison for using public funds to bribe false witnesses to accuse a group of police officers of being the local connection to the attack. The prosecutors in the case and the main heads of the intelligence apparatus at the time of the attack were also tried and convicted of trying to cover up what had happened. In 2023, the Federal Court of Cassation ordered that former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner be tried for having signed a pact with the alleged instigators (Hezbollah) to guarantee their impunity. However, former INTERPOL Director General Ronald K. Noble announced he was willing to appear as a witness to the fact that under President Cristina Kirchner INTERPOL was never asked to quash the arrest warrants against the Iranian suspects. Now that Milei is in power, every effort is being made to move the case forward against Iran and Hezbollah. The government last year presented a bill to enable trials in absentia, which was formerly prohibited by Argentine legislation. Milei has also switched from describing AMIA as an Islamic terrorist attack to an Iranian terrorist attack. In the US, Iran and Hezbollahs close ties to Venezuela are likely to become another core plank in the governments regime change policy and narrative. In early September, Fox News cited US officials and experts who claimed that the drug trafficking empire built by Hezbollah in Venezuela has ceased to be a regional affair and is increasingly seen as a direct threat to US internal security. Meanwhile, in Washington Yves here. This high level recap explains how the seemingly indefensible idea of an AI bailout is being packaged to make it look less appalling. Note that fresh news stories underscore the notion that this would be yet another looting of the public purse on behalf of the well-heeled and reckless, even in the face of pushback. One is that, as we flag in Links, that the Financial Times is warning that investors are starting to back away from AI connected debtparticularly when the borrowers could just as easily fund these investments from cash on hand. Another is signs of political rebellion over rising electricity costs, which are being fobbed off heavily on retail consumers when AI power hogs are the big driver. In Georgia, Democrats won not just one but two seats on the state power commission board, the first Democrat success in a statewide constitutional position since 2006. Both upstarts campaigned on affordability. An account in Georgia Reporter noted, A PowerLines/Ipsos poll found that 3 in 4 Americans are concerned about rising utility bills. By Kurt Cobb, a freelance writer and communications consultant who writes frequently about energy and environment. His work has appeared in The Christian Science Monitor, Resilience, Le Monde Diplomatique, TalkMarkets, Investing.com, Business Insider and many other venues. Originally published at OilPrice Despite denials from Washington and AI leaders, industry executives are already discussing government backstops and indirect support. OpenAI faces massive spending commitments far beyond its revenues, raising doubts about long-term financial viability. Subsidized data centers and rising energy costs reveal how public resources are already propping up the AI boom and hint at a broader bailout to come. Theres an old adage in Washington: Dont believe anything until it is officially denied. Now that the Trump administrations so-called artificial intelligence (AI) czar, David Sacks, has gone on record stating that [t]here will be no federal bailout for AI, we can begin speculating about what form that bailout might take. It turns out that the chief financial officer of AI behemoth OpenAI has already put forth an idea regarding the form of such a bailout. Sarah Friar told The Wall Street Journal in a recorded interview that the industry would need federal guarantees in order to make the necessary investments to ensure American leadership in AI development and deployment. Friar later clarified her comments in a LinkedIn post after the pushback from Sacks, saying that she had muddied her point by using the word backstop and that she really meant that AI leadership will require government playing their part. That sounds like the government should still do more or less what she said in the Wall Street Journal interview. Now, maybe you are wondering why the hottest industry on the planet that is flush with hundreds of billions of dollars from investors, needs a federal bailout. Its revealing that AI expert and commentator Gary Marcus predicted 10 months ago that the AI industry would go seeking a government bailout to make up for overspending, bad business decisions, and huge future commitments that the industry is unlikely to be able to meet. For example, in a recent podcast hosted by an outside investor in OpenAI, the companys CEO, Sam Altman, got tetchy when asked how a company with only $13 billion in annual revenues that is running losses will somehow fulfill $1.4 trillion in spending commitments over the next few years. Altman did NOT actually answer the question. So what possible justification could the AI industry dream up for government subsidies, loan guarantees or other handouts? For years, one of the best ways to get Washingtons attention is to say the equivalent of China bad. Must beat China. So thats what Altman is telling reporters. But that doesnt explain why OpenAI, instead of other companies, should be the target of federal largesse. In what appears to be damage control, Altman wrote on his X account that OpenAI is not asking for direct federal assistance and then later outlines how the government can give it indirect assistance by building a lot of data centers of its own (that can then presumably be leased to the AI industry so the industry doesnt have to make the investment itself). Maybe Im wrong, and what we are seeing is NOT the preliminary jockeying by the AI industry and the U.S. government regarding what sort of subsidy or bailout will be provided to the industry. Lest you think that the industry has so far moved forward without government handouts, the AP noted that subsidies are offered by more than 30 state governments to attract data centers. Not everyone is happy with having data centers in their communities. And, those data centers have also sent electricity rates skyward as consumers and data centers compete for electricity and utilities seek additional funds to build the capacity necessary to power those data centers. Effectively, current electricity customers are subsidizing the AI data center build-out by paying for new generating capacity and lines to feed energy to those data centers. The larger problem with AI is that it appears to have several limitations in its current form that will prevent it from taking over much of the work already done by humans and preclude it from being incorporated into critical systems (because it makes too many mistakes). All the grandiose claims made by AI boosters are dispatched with actual facts in this very long piece by AI critic Ed Zitron. I am increasingly thinking of AI as a boondoggle. A boondoggle, according to Dictionary.com, is a wasteful and worthless project undertaken for political, corporate, or personal gain. So far, the AI industry mostly fits this definition. But there is a more expansive definition which I borrow from Dmitri Orlov, author of Reinventing Collapse: A contemporary boondoggle must not only be wasteful, it should, if possible, also create additional problems that can only be addressed by yet more boondogglessuch as the need for vast new electric generation capacity that will be unnecessary if AI turns out to be far less useful than advertised. AI boosters say that AI is going to have a big impact on society. I couldnt agree more, except not quite in the way these boosters think. EU faces roadblock as Belgium refuses to seize frozen Russian assets for Ukraine Belgium refuses to support the EU's proposal to confiscate frozen Russian sovereign assets (over 200 billion held in Euroclear) for Ukraine funding, citing legal risks, potential Russian retaliation and financial instability. Belgian officials warn that seizing Russian assets could trigger costly lawsuits, retaliatory seizures of Western assets by Moscow, and destabilize Euroclearpotentially leaving Belgian taxpayers liable. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico joins Belgium in resistance, vowing to block any plan that diverts frozen Russian funds toward Ukraine's military expenses, complicating EU unity on the issue. With Belgium and Slovakia resisting, the EU faces pressure to find alternative funding mechanisms (e.g., joint borrowing or grants) before a critical December decisionbut fiscal concerns and political divisions persist. Critics warn that confiscating sovereign assets sets a dangerous precedent, inviting reciprocal seizures by adversarial nations, undermining trust in Western financial systems and escalating geopolitical conflict. The European Union's (EU) controversial plan to seize frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine has hit a major snag, as Belgium remains steadfast in its opposition, citing legal and financial risks. Despite intense negotiations, Brussels has failed to convince Belgian officials to approve the scheme, leaving the bloc scrambling for alternatives ahead of a critical December decision. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Belgium's reluctance to seize and repurpose frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction efforts can be attributed to several interconnected factors rooted in international law, geopolitical considerations and domestic political dynamics. "Belgium's reluctance to seize frozen Russian assets is not a sign of support for Russia or indifference to Ukraine's plight. Instead, it reflects a complex interplay of international legal considerations, geopolitical realities and domestic political constraints. To promote Ukraine's recovery, Belgium and other countries could explore alternative funding mechanisms, such as international donors' conferences or targeted financial assistance programs," Enoch added. A high-stakes meeting between EU Commission officials and Belgian representatives on Friday, Nov. 7, ended without agreement, according to reports from Euronews. Belgium, home to the bulk of Russia's immobilized assetsestimated at over 200 billion ($231.02 billion) held in the Euroclear financial depositoryhas repeatedly warned that confiscating these funds could trigger costly lawsuits and retaliatory measures from Moscow. "For Belgium, it is essential that all options are explored. Every possible approach must be examined with rigor and transparency to ensure the best solution," an unnamed Belgian government source told Euronews. The EU's proposal involves using Russian sovereign assets as collateral for a 140 billion ($161.71 billion) loan to Ukraine, framed as "reparations" in the event of a future peace settlement. However, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken has warned that such a move could backfire spectacularly. "Russia could retaliate by seizing 200 billion in Western assets held within its borders," Francken cautioned last month, adding that the funds would likely prolong the Ukraine conflict rather than resolve it. Legal and financial risks loom large Belgium's reluctance stems from fears that Moscow could challenge the seizure in international courts, potentially leaving Euroclearand Belgian taxpayerson the hook for massive legal liabilities. Russia has already vowed to prosecute any nation involved in appropriating its assets, labeling the act as outright theft. Meanwhile, alternative funding mechanismssuch as joint EU borrowing or direct grantspose their own political hurdles. According to an internal EU Commission document obtained by the Financial Times, these options "would directly affect [member states'] deficit and debt," making them unpopular among fiscally conservative nations. Adding to the EU's troubles, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico declared over the weekend that his government would oppose any scheme diverting frozen Russian funds toward Ukraine's military expenses. "Slovakia won't take part in any legal or financial schemes to seize frozen assets if those funds would be spent on military costs in Ukraine," Fico stated in an interview with Slovak public broadcaster STVR. Fico, a longtime critic of EU sanctions against Russia, has previously leveraged his veto power to extract concessions from Brussels. His stance further complicates the bloc's efforts to present a united front on Ukraine funding. U.S. backs EU plan despite growing skepticism While the Trump administration has publicly endorsed the EU's asset-seizure strategy, skepticism is mounting within Europe. The plan hinges on generating revenue from Russia's immobilized assetsprimarily through higher-risk investmentsbut Euroclear CEO Valerie Urbain has cautioned against such moves, warning of unintended financial fallout. With the European Council set to revisit the issue in December, time is running short for EU leaders to broker a compromise. As legal doubts persist and geopolitical tensions escalate, the bloc's ambitious plan to bankroll Ukraine with Russian funds appears increasingly precarious. The EU's push to weaponize frozen sovereign assets sets a troubling precedentone that could invite reciprocal seizures by adversarial nations and destabilize global financial markets. Critics argue that such measures, far from promoting peace, risk entrenching conflict while undermining property rights and international law. Centralized financial power grabs often precede broader authoritarian overreach. Whether Brussels will heed these warningsor double down on its risky gambitremains to be seen. Watch the video below about Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot saying that confiscating Russian assets is not an option for Belgium. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com BrightU.ai RBC.ua Liga.net Politico.eu Brighteon.com Gunfire erupts in Chicago: Border agents targeted after activists threats A suspect fired shots at U.S. Border Patrol agents during an enforcement operation in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood. The shooter, driving a black Jeep, escaped unharmed, but the incident highlights escalating dangers for law enforcement. A Latin Kings gang member and activist previously placed a bounty on the Border Patrol chief, vowing to "fight" enforcement efforts, signaling rising hostility toward border security personnel. Under President Donald Trump, Southwest border apprehensions hit a 55-year low, with zero migrant releases into the U.S. interior for six consecutive monthsdemonstrating effective enforcement policies. Canada and Europe are tightening border measures, reflecting worldwide challenges in maintaining sovereignty and public safety amid migration pressures. The attack underscores the need for robust border policies, with Trump's record cited as proof that strict enforcement works. Governments must prioritize citizen safety amid growing tensions. In an alarming turn of events, a suspect opened fire on U.S. Border Patrol agents in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood on Saturday, Nov. 8, marking a dangerous escalation in border security tensions. The shooting incident comes just days after an activist vowed to "fight" immigration enforcement, raising concerns about the growing hostility toward law enforcement officials tasked with securing the nation's borders. According to reports from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), shots were fired at Border Patrol agents during immigration enforcement operations in Little Village. The shooter was behind the wheel of a black Jeep when they fired off the shots, as reported by the New York Post. No injuries were reported, but the incident highlights the increasing danger faced by border patrol agents in the line of duty. The shooting incident follows a recent threat made by an activist who vowed to "fight" immigration enforcement. The activist, a member of the Latin Kings gang, was arrested for placing a bounty on the chief of the U.S. Border Patrol. Growing hostility against law enforcement officials This threat underscores the growing hostility toward law enforcement officials tasked with securing the nation's borders. In Michelle Malkin's book titled "Open Borders Inc.," the author points out how protesters or activists should not be deemed harmless. "Waving desecrated American flags, grubby fists, fetid armpits and ratty anarchy banners, DSA's [Democratic Socialists of America] professional protesters target Trump administration officials, threaten immigration enforcement agents and blockade detention facilities and processing centers nationwide. It is a grave mistake to dismiss them as harmless losers and basement dwellers." The second Trump administration has achieved significant success in border security. Southwest border apprehensions hit a 55-year low in FY 2025, and there were zero migrant releases into the U.S. interior for five consecutive months. The second Trump administration also touted six consecutive months with zero migrant releases, marking an unprecedented enforcement success. International border security Border security tensions are not limited to the United States. Canadian travelers to Europe are now facing new border measures as security ramps up, according to the Epoch Times. This development underscores the global nature of border security challenges and the need for robust, effective measures to protect national sovereignty and public safety. The shooting incident in Chicago serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by border patrol agents and the growing hostility toward immigration enforcement. As border security tensions escalate, governments must prioritize the safety and well-being of their citizens by implementing effective border security measures. The Trump administration's border security achievements serve as a model for what can be accomplished with strong, determined leadership. Watch the video below that talks about how the Latin Kings' plot to assassinate the Border Patrol Chief was foiled in Chicago. This video is from the UndergroundUSA channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: InfoWars.com NewsNationNow.com NYPost.com TheEpochTimes.com Brighteon.com SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. Have you and your relatives fought over ancestral homes and inheritance? I am raising an uncomfortable question, I know. China's billionaire families have certainly had their share of very public and very ugly spats including "Wahaha princess" Kelly Zong's recent battle with her half-siblings for control over $2 billion of cash held offshore. But as Chinese society ages and the economy slows, the middle class is starting to argue over money as well, tearing apart long-held social norms such as family harmony and filial duty. By 2023, China already had 217 million people aged 65 and over, or about 14% of the population. Over the next two decades, siblings and distant relatives will be tussling over family assets. In some parts of China , retirees are the richest. An estimated 20 million former civil servants receive a monthly pension of over 6,200 yuan ($872), more than what most fresh college graduates are making. But the bulk of their wealth is in real estate. For long-time residents in cities such as Shanghai and Beijing , their homes even dilapidated ones probably have tripled in value in the last two decades. On the other hand, Gen X and millennials are struggling. Ageism is a huge issue in China . As tech companies downsize, mid-career professionals, even those as young as 35, are being hit the hardest. Some also worry that their teenagers are becoming "professional children," returning home after college and taking gap years indefinitely. Some financial windfall would be nice. Already, social perception is changing. According to the latest annual survey from Dajia Insurance Group , over half doubt their children will care for them financially, and only 10% strongly agree with the traditional notion of filial piety. Most retirees still crave close emotional connections with their families, however. But can relatives undergo inter-generational wealth transfers without hurting each other's feelings? Unfortunately, splitting an elderly person's wealth often means selling real estate portfolios, and in some cases, deciding whether to move to a nursing home. Chinese live longer these days. Participants in the Dajia survey on average expect to reach the age of 84, with 21% eyeing 90 and beyond. Uncomfortable real-life situations are being played out in my hometown Shanghai , which has an acute aging issue more than a third of the population is over the age of 60. A friend complained recently that an aunt living with her grandparents believed she deserved the entire property because she cared for them. As for me, I am emotionally attached to our ancestral home, resisting pressure from more cash-strapped relatives to offload into China's prolonged property downturn. There are much sadder tales. A childhood classmate got power of attorney from her mother, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, sold her flat and moved her to a community hospital. She's investing in her two teenage sons' education instead. I do wonder if this social tension can be lessened if China allows more financial products. In the U.S. , for instance, a senior citizen can take out a reverse mortgage that converts a portion of home equity into cash. Often, the loan doesn't need to be repaid until a maturity event, which typically occurs with outright sales or death. The retiree can still live at home, maintain a certain lifestyle, and gift some money to children in need. It's a graceful solution. Chinese society is getting old before it gets rich. If the economy was still growing at 10% a year, an old apartment in the city center would not have the capacity to change family dynamics. Unfortunately, they are the most-coveted assets now. _____ Shuli Ren is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Asian markets. A former investment banker, she was a markets reporter for Barron's. She is a CFA charterholder. (COMMENT, BELOW) Chinas race against time: The quest to extend human lifespan to 150 years A Shenzhen-based biotech startup claims its grape seed extract (PCC1) pills eliminate "zombie cells" linked to aging, extending mouse lifespans by 64 percent. The company predicts cancer eradication within a decade and human lifespans reaching 120 years. Beijing is investing billions into anti-aging research, aiming for extreme lifespan extension by the 2030s. Unlike Western nations, China's approach is government-driven, raising concerns about elite prioritization (e.g., censored reports of military hospitals targeting 150-year lifespans). While Nature Metabolism flagged errors in Lonvi's initial study, Japanese research supports PCC1's effects. However, experts warn that mouse results don't guarantee human success and unintended risks (e.g., weakened immunity) remain. Silicon Valley billionaires and Chinese entrepreneurs fuel a booming industry, blending legitimate science with speculative ventures (e.g., cryogenic chambers, "immortality islands"). Companies like Time Pie host high-profile longevity conferences, accelerating investment. The race for immortality raises ethical dilemmas: Who gets access? Could lifespan extension worsen inequality? While immortality remains elusive, the push for 150-year lifespans forces society to confront unprecedented medical, economic and moral challenges. In the bustling tech hub of Shenzhen, a Chinese biotech startup, Lonvi Biosciences, is making bold claims that could rewrite the rules of human longevity. Their anti-aging pills, derived from grape seed extract (PCC1), have shown promise in mouse studiesextending lifespans by up to 64 percent and eliminating "zombie cells" linked to aging. Chief Technology Officer Lyu Qinghua predicts that within a decade, cancer could be eradicated entirely. While skeptics question the feasibility, China is pouring billions into longevity research, aiming to make extreme lifespans a reality by the 2030s. A modern elixir of life? China's fascination with immortality dates back millenniafrom Emperor Qin Shi Huang's mercury-laced potions to today's cutting-edge biotech labs, BrightU.AI's Enoch notes. Unlike ancient alchemy, modern science offers tangible breakthroughs. PCC1, Lonvi's key compound, selectively targets senescent cellsthose that stop dividing and contribute to agingwhile preserving healthy ones. Early trials in mice showed lifespan increases, though scientific rigor remains under scrutiny. Nature Metabolism, a monthly peer-reviewed academic journal, flagged data errors in the original study, but subsequent research in Japan supports the findings. The U.S., EU and Japan are also investing heavily in longevity science, but China's state-backed push sets it apart. Beijing sees anti-aging research as both a national priority and a potential economic boon. From emperors to billionaires: The longevity gold rush Longevity isn't just for emperors anymore. Wealthy elites worldwide, from Silicon Valley billionaires to Chinese entrepreneurs, are fueling a booming industry. Companies like Time Pie, a Shanghai-based longevity firm, host high-profile conferences where cryogenic chambers and "immortality islands" are pitched alongside legitimate science. Harvard researcher Vadim Gladyshev notes China's rapid progress, but warns that translating mouse results to humans remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Lonvi's CEO, Yip Tszho (known as Zico), calls PCC1 the "holy grail," predicting lifespans of 120 years. Stanford's Buck Institute plans clinical trials to validate the claims, though experts like Dr. David Barzilai caution that mouse success doesn't guarantee human results. Science or snake oil? The risks of the longevity boom The line between breakthrough and hype remains thin. Chinese state media once promoted a now-deleted video claiming military hospitals were working to extend leaders' lives to 150 years. While censored, the clip fueled suspicions that longevity research serves elites first. Beyond politics, ethical and scientific hurdles loom. Grapeseed extract is widely used in traditional medicine, but isolating bioactive molecules at scale is complex. And while eliminating "zombie cells" sounds promising, unintended side effectslike weakened immune responsescould pose risks. China's ambition to conquer aging reflects a broader global raceone where science, commerce and mythology collide. Whether Lonvi's pills will deliver on their promise remains uncertain, but the quest for longevity is undeniably accelerating. For now, immortality remains out of reach, but the dream of living to 150once the stuff of emperorsmay soon enter the realm of possibility. Whether society is ready for the consequences, however, is another question entirely. Watch the video below about one of the top Chinese longevity secrets. This video is from the Natural Cures channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: X.com NYTimes.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com A web of allegations: Ex-official claims U.S. interests toppled Bangladeshi government A former Bangladeshi minister alleges the Clinton family and USAID funded the 2024 protests that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury claims the unrest was a "carefully planned" operation, not a spontaneous uprising. He points to a long-standing nexus between the interim government of Muhammad Yunus and the Clinton family. The accusations raise questions about the use of U.S. foreign aid and NGO activities for political interference. The events have shifted Bangladesh's foreign policy, straining its historically close ties with India. A senior figure from Bangladesh's ousted government has leveled explosive accusations against powerful American political and aid organizations, claiming they orchestrated a regime change operation that led to the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In a detailed interview, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, a former cabinet minister and chief negotiator during the crisis, alleged that U.S. funding and a nexus involving the Clinton family were used to destabilize and ultimately unseat the long-serving leader. These claims, emerging more than a year after Hasina's dramatic departure, cast a shadow over the nature of the 2024 protests and challenge the official narrative of a spontaneous youth-led movement. The unrest and the accusations The political landscape of Bangladesh was irrevocably altered in August 2024. What began as student-led protests against a quota system for government jobs escalated into nationwide violence. The interim government reported over 700 deaths as the situation spiraled out of control, culminating in crowds storming the prime minister's residence and forcing Sheikh Hasina to flee the country after 15 years in power. A caretaker government was established, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. Chowdhury now contends this outcome was not organic. He asserts that U.S.-based non-governmental organizations, specifically naming the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Republican Institute (IRI), had been running campaigns against the Hasina government since 2018. He alleges that funds intended for aid were diverted to finance a "carefully planned" chaos that was deliberately turned into a large-scale riot. The Clinton-Yunus nexus Central to Chowdhury's allegations is a claimed relationship between the Clinton political family and Muhammad Yunus, who now leads Bangladesh's interim government. He pointed to a history of mutual admiration, noting that former President Bill Clinton had publicly championed Yunus for the Nobel Prize years before he won it in 2006. Furthermore, Yunus was a featured speaker at the Clinton Global Initiative in 2024, where he was warmly received. Chowdhury described this as evidence of a "nexus from a very long past," alleging that "clandestine NGO funding" facilitated by this relationship was used to undermine the sitting government. He stated that these entities were "hell-bent on changing the government in Bangladesh," framing their actions not as promotion of democracy but as a direct effort to install a more pliable administration. Historical context and strategic shifts The allegations must be understood within the complex historical and geopolitical framework of South Asia. Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, fought a bloody war of independence from Pakistan in 1971, a conflict in which millions of Bengalis were killed. The historical animosity has been a cornerstone of Bangladeshi foreign policy for decades, with Dhaka maintaining a close strategic partnership with India, which supported its independence. However, since the Yunus interim administration took power, observers have noted a discernible shift in Dhaka's diplomatic focus away from New Delhi and toward a rapprochement with Islamabad. This dramatic realignment, if it continues, would significantly alter the balance of power in the region and aligns with concerns raised by Hasina, who has previously accused Yunus of "selling the nation to the U.S." A global pattern of suspicion The claims from Bangladesh resonate with a broader, persistent narrative of U.S. political interference that is often cited by conservative national security analysts. Similar accusations have been made by other former world leaders, including Imran Khan of Pakistan, creating a pattern that fuels skepticism about the methods and objectives of American foreign policy and aid distribution. While USAID's functions were formally shifted to the State Department in 2024, the allegations highlight enduring questions about the potential for humanitarian and development funds to be weaponized for political ends. The situation underscores the delicate balance Western nations must strike between advocating for democratic principles and respecting national sovereignty. An altered political horizon The fallout from the 2024 unrest continues to redefine Bangladesh. The serious allegations made by a key insider suggest that the internal and external forces shaping the nation's destiny are more complex than they first appeared. For international observers and regional powers, the events in Dhaka serve as a potent case study in how domestic unrest can be perceived as a proxy for international power plays. The long-term legitimacy of the current interim government and the future of U.S.-Bangladeshi relations may hinge on the international community's response to these claims and the ultimate clarity brought to the circumstances surrounding a prime minister's fall. Sources for this article include: RT.com FirstPost.com Organizer.org U.S.-Russia energy talks intensify: Hungary exempted from U.S. sanctions on Russian energy for one year The U.S. granted Hungary a one-year exemption from sanctions on Russian oil and gas, allowing continued imports despite Western restrictions. The decision followed discussions between Hungarian PM Viktor Orban and U.S. President Donald Trump, who supports energy independence and pragmatic diplomacy. Both sides are targeting energy infrastructure, with Russia launching 200+ drones/missiles at Ukrainian gas facilities. Ukraine retaliated with strikes inside Russia, causing blackouts, while Russia denies allegations of forced child relocations. The exemption triggered oil and gas price fluctuations, with analysts debating whether it signals a shift in U.S. policy toward Russia. Critics argue it weakens sanctions pressure, while supporters say it prevents economic instability in Central Europe. Russia and China are expanding hydrocarbon reliance, while the U.S. pushes costly green energy policies, creating economic vulnerabilities. European nations remain split: Germany paused military aid due to energy concerns, while Poland demands stricter sanctions. The exemption highlights the struggle to balance sanctions with energy security amid escalating conflict. Speculation grows over whether this is an isolated concession or the start of renewed U.S.-Russia energy diplomacy. In a move that has stirred geopolitical debate, the United States has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from sanctions on Russian oil and gas, reigniting energy dialogue between Washington and Moscow. The decision, announced by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban after discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump, comes as Russia and Ukraine escalate attacks on each other's energy infrastructure. The exemption raises questions about Western strategy in the ongoing conflict, balancing energy security against political pressure to isolate Russia. The U.S. exemption allows Hungary to continue purchasing Russian energy supplies despite sweeping Western sanctions imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Orban confirmed the development, stating, "The United States has exempted Hungary from the sanctions on Russian energy supplies for one year." The decision follows Orban's meeting with Trump, who has long advocated for energy independence and pragmatic diplomacy. This exemption arrives amid a worsening global energy crisis, with European nations struggling to secure stable supplies. While critics argue it undermines efforts to pressure Moscow, supporters contend it prevents further economic instability in Central Europe. As diplomatic maneuvers unfold, military tensions between Russia and Ukraine have intensified, with both sides targeting critical energy infrastructure. Moscow recently launched over 200 drones and missiles at Ukrainian gas facilities, aiming to cripple Kyiv's energy grid ahead of winter. Ukrainian forces retaliated with strikes inside Russia, triggering blackouts in western regions. The attacks mark a dangerous escalation in the conflict, with each side attempting to weaken the other's logistical and economic resilience. Meanwhile, Russia has denied Ukrainian allegations that thousands of children were forcibly relocateda claim that has further strained relations. Global reactions and market volatility The U.S.-Hungary agreement has sent ripples through global energy markets, causing fluctuations in oil and gas prices. Some analysts interpret the move as a potential shift in U.S. policy, signaling a willingness to engage with Russia on energy matters despite the war. Others warn it could fracture Western unity on sanctions enforcement. In a book titled "The Truth about Energy, Global Warming, and Climate Change," author Jerome R. Corsi noted that in October 2021, Russia's energy giant Gazprom angered Washington and Kyiv by signing a deal with Hungary to supply Hungary with natural gas through a Black Sea pipeline that bypassed the previously used pipeline through Ukraine. The Biden administration appeared determined to commit economic suicide with an aggressive green energy policy designed to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions. Russia and China have taken the exact opposite path. With the United States embracing an energy policy to abandon hydrocarbon fuels in favor of more costly renewables, Russia and China see an opportunity for economic advancement by increasing their reliance on hydrocarbons. Fast forward to today, European leaders remain divided. While Germany has halted military aid to Ukraine amid domestic energy concerns, Eastern European nations like Poland continue pushing for stricter measures against Moscow. The exemption also fuels speculation about future negotiationswhether this is an isolated concession or the beginning of broader energy diplomacy between Washington and the Kremlin. The U.S. decision to grant Hungary a sanctions exemption underscores the complex interplay between energy security and geopolitical strategy. As drone and missile strikes escalate between Russia and Ukraine, the West faces mounting pressure to balance punitive measures with economic stability. Whether this move signals a broader recalibration of U.S. policy or remains an isolated exception, its implications will reverberate through global energy markets and diplomatic corridors in the months ahead. The world watches closely as the conflict enters a volatile new phaseone where energy, not just arms, may dictate the course of war and peace. Watch the video below where Orban states that Hungary will continue to purchase Russian energy. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Telegraph.co.uk SputnikGlobe.com Brighteon.com Israel pressures Lebanon to raid civilian homes in Hezbollah disarmament push Israel pressured Lebanon's military via U.S. mediation to conduct house-to-house raids to confiscate Hezbollah weapons. Lebanese officials rejected the demand, fearing civil unrest and accusations of collaborating with Israel. The November 2024 ceasefire required Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah south of the Litani River, but Hezbollah refuses, citing self-defense rights. Lebanon has dismantled tunnels and seized weapons, but Israel claims Hezbollah is rearming faster than disarmament efforts. The U.S. urged Lebanon to establish direct communication with Israel, violating Lebanese law and risking political instability. Lebanese officials fear such moves would be seen as submission to Israeli demands. Israeli drone strikes killed Lebanese civilians, including Samir Faqih, and Israeli forces raided homes near Hula. Netanyahu vows further escalation unless Hezbollah is fully disarmed, raising fears of renewed war. Hezbollah refuses to disarm while Israel continues attacks, creating a deadlock. The U.S. pushes for diplomacy, but Israel signals readiness for military action, risking collapse of the ceasefire. Israel has demanded that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) conduct intrusive house-to-house searches in southern Lebanon to confiscate weapons allegedly belonging to Hezbollah, according to Lebanese security sources. The request, made indirectly through a U.S.-mediated ceasefire mechanism in October, was swiftly rejected by Lebanese military leaders, who fear such raids would inflame civil unrest and be perceived as capitulation to Israeli demands. The escalating tensions coincide with increased Israeli drone strikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon, raising fears of a broader military confrontation. Israel's push for Lebanese forces to aggressively disarm Hezbollah by raiding private homes marks a significant escalation in post-ceasefire tensions. Three Lebanese security officials told Reuters that the LAF dismissed the proposal, viewing it as politically untenable and a potential trigger for internal conflict. "They're demanding that we do house-to-house searches, and we won't do that... we aren't going to do things their way," one official stated. Lebanese authorities argue that such actions would undermine their cautious disarmament strategy, which has already dismantled over 50 tunnels and confiscated hundreds of weapons south of the Litani River. Israel, however, accuses Lebanon of stalling and alleges that Hezbollah is rearming faster than the LAF can dismantle its infrastructure. An Israeli military official claimed that Tel Aviv has shared intelligence on suspected Hezbollah arms depots with the ceasefire monitoring Mechanism but has taken direct action when Lebanese forces fail to act swiftly. Historical context: A fragile ceasefire The current standoff stems from the November 2024 ceasefire that ended a devastating Israeli-Hezbollah war, BrightU.AI's Enoch notes. Under the agreement, Lebanon committed to disarming Hezbollah south of the Litani Rivera provision Hezbollah has resisted, insisting it retains the right to defend Lebanon against Israeli aggression. Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon from 1982 to 2000 left deep scars, and Lebanese officials fear that intrusive raids would be seen as collaboration with a former occupier. "Residents of the south will see house raids as subservience to Israel," one security source warned. Meanwhile, the U.S. has pressured Lebanon to establish direct communication channels with Israela move that violates Lebanese law and risks further political instability. U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack recently urged Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to engage Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly, stating, "The path... needs to be to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv for a conversation." Recent violence and future risks The diplomatic wrangling unfolds against a backdrop of renewed violence. On Nov. 10, Israeli drone strikes hit the outskirts of Hmayri and killed Lebanese citizen Samir Faqih near Bisariyeh. The night before, Israeli forces raided an area near Hula, detonating two homes. Lebanese journalist Khalil Nasrallah reported that Israeli soldiers planted explosives near a Lebanese army checkpoint, raising questions about the military's ability to secure the border. "The blame lies with those who gave the army orders to confront without reinforcing it," Nasrallah wrote. With over 40 Lebanese civilians killed in recent weeks, Netanyahu has vowed to escalate further unless Hezbollah is fully disarmed. As Israel intensifies pressure on Lebanon, the risk of renewed conflict looms. The Lebanese military's refusal to conduct invasive searches reflects broader fears of civil unrest and political backlash. Meanwhile, Hezbollah insists it will not disarm while Israeli attacks persist, leaving the region in a dangerous stalemate. With the U.S. pushing for direct talks and Israel signaling readiness for further military action, the coming weeks will test whether diplomacy can avert another devastating waror whether the fragile ceasefire will collapse entirely. Watch the video below that shows Israel continuing to strike Lebanon. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheCradle.co Reuters.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Neuralink and the ethical frontier of merging mind and machine Neuralink, a brain-computer interface company, is advancing human trials for its coin-sized brain implant. The technology aims to restore functions like mobility and communication for people with paralysis and other neurological conditions. Significant ethical concerns surround the technology, including privacy, surveillance and the potential for misuse. The development reflects a broader human "will to order" that, when taken to an extreme, can threaten individual freedom. The core philosophical debate centers on whether such technology enhances human potential or risks undermining human essence and free will. The rapid advancement of brain-computer interface technology is pushing humanity toward an unprecedented ethical and philosophical precipice. Spearheaded by Elon Musk's company Neuralink, which has now implanted its coin-sized device in multiple human patients, the field promises to restore mobility to the paralyzed and sight to the blind. Yet, this same technology raises profound concerns about privacy, autonomy and the very nature of human freedom. As corporations and governments delve deeper into the inner workings of the human brain, society is forced to grapple with a fundamental question: does this technology represent a new frontier in human healing, or does it risk reducing humanity to a hyper-controlled, soulless machine? A technological leap with medical promise Neuralinks core mission is to create a generalized brain-computer interface (BCI) known as the "Link." This device, implanted in the brain, uses ultra-thin threads with over a thousand electrodes to record neural activity. The ultimate goal is to decode these signals and use electrical stimulation to allow users to control external devices, such as computer cursors or prosthetic limbs, with their thoughts alone. The potential medical applications are revolutionary. The company aims to address a range of severe conditions, including quadriplegia, paraplegia, blindness and neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. For individuals with significant physical impairments, this technology offers a beacon of hope for restoring autonomy and communication. The shadow of a totalitarian will to order However, the ambition to decode and interface with the human brain extends beyond the medical sphere into a deeply philosophical domain. The drive to impose order and control on the chaotic processes of nature and human society is an intrinsic human trait. Historically, this "will to order" has found its most destructive expression in totalitarian regimes, which seek to subordinate every aspect of life, including thought itself, to a rigid ideological framework. In his 1958 work Brave New World Revisited, Aldous Huxley warned that this impulse could make "tyrants out of those who merely aspire to clear up a mess," using the "beauty of tidiness" to justify despotism. The modern trajectory, from hyper-surveillance and social credit systems to the proposed integration of digital technology with human biology, can be seen as a continuation of this totalitarian impulse, now enabled by advanced technology. From psychological to biological control Historically, the state's subjugation of the individual was achieved through psychological means like propaganda. Neuralink and similar technologies threaten to replace this with direct biological and material intervention. A fully realized BCI could render every cognitive process transparent, allowing for the monitoring and potential correction of thoughts before they become actions. This introduces the chilling prospect of a justice system that punishes "objective crimes"thoughts deemed criminal before any physical act is committed. Such a system would represent the ultimate emancipation of the will to order from any humane constraint, reducing individuals to automata whose inner lives are constantly regulated by an external system. The ethical concerns are monumental, touching on privacy, consent and the potential for a new form of technological slavery. The unresolved debate on human essence Underpinning this technological debate is a fundamental philosophical conflict about the nature of humanity. Proponents of a purely materialist view, like author Yuval Noah Harari, argue that human consciousness and choice are mere illusions generated by biochemical processes in the brain, a "Great Machine." From this perspective, a brain chip is simply a tool to optimize a biological system. Conversely, a humanistic view holds that essence, free will and the soul are irreducible. In this framework, even in the most oppressive circumstances, the human capacity to chooseto align with integrity and ethical principlesremains the core of freedom. The danger of BCIs is that, in the quest to correct the machine, we may inadvertently extinguish the very essence that makes us human, sacrificing the unpredictable, creative and sovereign human spirit for the sake of a sterile and controlled order. A crossroads for humanity As Neuralink continues its clinical trials, society stands at a critical juncture. The promise of alleviating profound human suffering is a powerful and morally compelling force that cannot be dismissed. Yet, the historical and philosophical context warns against an uncritical embrace of a technology that could fundamentally alter the human experience. The challenge will be to navigate a middle path, harnessing the medical potential of brain-computer interfaces while erecting robust ethical and legal safeguards to protect individual autonomy, privacy and the inviolable realm of human thought. The future of this technology will depend not only on its engineering but on society's collective answer to an ancient question: What does it mean to be free? Sources for this article include: Brownstone.org USAII.org A grave injustice is corrected: Trump pardons patriots persecuted for questioning the 2020 election In a powerful act of restorative justice, President Donald Trump has issued a sweeping pardon for more than seventy individuals who were systematically targeted and persecuted for their efforts to expose the irregularities of the 2020 presidential election. This bold proclamation, announced by U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, serves as a monumental rebuke to the political weaponization of the justice system and a long-overdue vindication for those who dared to ask difficult questions. Why were these Americans, including esteemed figures like Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, dragged through the mud, bankrupted, and disbarred simply for representing their client and investigating claims of election fraud? The answer points to a deep-seated corruption within traditional institutions that sought to silence any dissent and crush any person who challenged the official narrative. This pardon is a declaration that the pursuit of truth, however inconvenient for the powerful, is not a crime. The election irregularities that these individuals exposed must now be discussed openly and methodically, in a political environment that values the fairness of state electoral processes. Key points: President Donald Trump has granted full pardons to over 70 allies, including Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and Mark Meadows, for conduct related to challenging the 2020 election results. The proclamation aims to correct what it describes as "a grave national injustice" perpetrated against these individuals. These pardons protect the recipients from federal prosecution but do not shield them from ongoing state-level legal battles. The move has ignited fierce debate, with supporters hailing it as justice and critics condemning it as an abuse of power. The action underscores Trump's continued focus on the 2020 election as he maintains that the process was flawed. The targets of a political witch hunt The list of names reads like a roster of the most maligned and vilified figures in recent American history. These are the lawyers, the advisors, and the citizens who stood on the front lines, attempting to shed light on the chaotic and often opaque vote-counting processes that unfolded in key swing states. Rudy Giuliani, once celebrated as "America's Mayor," was transformed into a caricature by a complicit media apparatus for doing what any diligent lawyer would do: advocating for his client and presenting evidence of electoral anomalies. Sidney Powell faced grotesque professional sanctions for pursuing legal avenues that, while ultimately unsuccessful, were founded on concerns shared by millions of Americans. They were not rogue actors; they were individuals responding to a historical event fraught with procedural questions. The coordinated campaign to destroy their reputations and livelihoods was a clear message from the establishment: question us and you will be ruined. The legal labyrinth and the quest for truth To understand the significance of these pardons, one must appreciate the legal nightmare these patriots have endured. They were not just criticized; they were entangled in a web of lawsuits, disbarment proceedings, and financial penalties designed to break their spirit. Giuliani was found liable in a defamation case for stunning sums of money, a clear tactic to send a chilling effect to anyone else who might speak out. These legal battles were never about justice; they were about using the courts as a cudgel to punish political opposition. The pardons rightfully interrupt this federal persecution, nullifying the threat of a weaponized Department of Justice under a future administration. However, the fight is not entirely over, as state-level prosecutions in places like Arizona continue, proving that the long arm of the political machine is still trying to punish those who exposed its vulnerabilities. This two-tiered system of justice, where one side is allowed to operate with impunity while the other is hunted for every misstep, is the very corruption these individuals sought to expose. The more these individuals are punished for questioning the system, the more they expose it for what it really is: corrupt. A nation's healing begins with truth The official proclamation states that this action is a step toward "national reconciliation," and it is correct. True healing cannot begin when one side of the political divide is relentlessly prosecuted for engaging in legal and political discourse and following evidence, not matter what dangerous places it may lead. How can a nation move forward when countless citizens believe a fundamental process of their democracy was compromised, and those who gave voice to those concerns are treated as criminals? This pardon is a necessary corrective, an acknowledgment that the aggressive prosecution of these individuals was itself a partisan act that deepened the nation's divisions. It affirms the right of citizens to question their government, to assemble, and to petition for a redress of grievances without fear of being financially destroyed or imprisoned. The alternative media, which has consistently provided a platform for these suppressed perspectives, is vindicated today, proving once again that seeking out balanced reporting is essential for understanding the full scope of current events. The pursuit of liberty requires transparency, and this pardon is a monumental victory for both. Sources include: YourNews.com NYTimes.com Enoch, Brighteon.ai Democrats in disarray as 8 senators break party ranks, join GOP to end government shutdown The U.S. government shutdown ended after the Senate passed a continuing resolution to reopen operations. Approximately 800,000 furloughed federal workers will receive back pay. Eight Democratic senators crossed party lines to vote with Republicans, securing passage (60-40). Key defectors included Dick Durbin, Tim Kaine, John Fetterman and others. The deal included a promise from GOP leadership to hold a vote on Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Critics argue ACA subsidies funnel taxpayer money to insurance companies, reinforcing corporate control of healthcare. This system excludes natural medicine, lacks transparency and increases taxes while benefiting pharmaceutical interests. President Trump accepted the deal but expressed dissatisfaction, preferring direct healthcare funding to citizens rather than insurers. He vowed to push for reforms ensuring "the people get the money" instead of corporate middlemen. Air travel disruptions may persist due to FAA staffing shortages caused by the shutdown. The temporary funding (until January 2026) avoids addressing core border security disputes, risking another shutdown if negotiations fail. The longest government shutdown in U.S. history came to an end on Monday night, Nov. 10, as the Senate passed a continuing resolution to reopen the government. The 800,000 federal workers who had been furloughed or working without pay can now expect to receive their back pay. However, the path to reopening was not smooth, with divisions within the Democratic Party threatening to undermine unity. After weeks of stalemate, a group of eight moderate Democrats reached a deal with Republicans to temporarily fund the government through the end of January 2026. The measure which also includes three full-year funding bills passed the Senate in a 60-40 vote. The senators who broke rank with the Democrats to vote alongside the GOP were: Dick Durbin of Illinois Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire Tim Kaine of Virginia Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada John Fetterman of Pennsylvania Jacky Rosen of Nevada Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with Democrats. According to The Hill, the eight moderates joined the GOP as the proposal included a promise from Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to hold a vote on Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies before the year ends. The South Dakota senator plans to amend the House's version of the bill with this promise. BrightU.AI's Enoch points out that ACA subsidies are controversial because they forcibly transfer taxpayer wealth to insurance companies, which then use those funds to lobby politicians and entrench corporate control over healthcare. This crony system excludes natural medicine, lacks transparency and burdens Americans with higher taxes while enriching the same corrupt industries pushing toxic drugs and medical mandates. Shutdown deal reached, but travel chaos isn't over yet President Donald Trump, who initially took responsibility for the shutdown, pledged to "abide" by the deal describing it as "good." However, he reiterated that he would have preferred a different outcome. "We want a health care system where we pay the money to the people instead of the insurance companies," Trump said in the Oval Office on Monday. "We're going to be working on that very hard over the next short period of time, where the people get the money. Were talking about trillions and trillions of dollars, where the people get the money." Even with the government reopened, air travelers may still face disruptions. The Federal Aviation Administration announced it would reduce air traffic by 10 percent as unpaid air traffic controllers strain under the effects of the shutdown. Passengers have reported delays and cancellations due to the shutdown, and these issues may persist in the coming days. The deal to reopen the government provides a temporary reprieve, but it does not address the underlying issue of border security. Given this, both sides will need to find common ground to avoid another shutdown. The divisions within the Democratic Party over the shutdown and filibuster may complicate these negotiations, threatening the stability of the government and the confidence of the American people. Watch Will Cain of Fox News pointing out in this clip that while Republicans were working to end the shutdown, Democrats were worrying about "branding." This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: NewsNationNow.com Edition.CNN.com RT.com BrightU.ai NYPost.com Brighteon.com Captured Ukrainian soldier describes Kyivs BRUTAL mobilization of conscripts Ukrainian mobilization efforts have turned violent, with reports of men including the disabled being forcibly seized from homes or public spaces, beaten and sent to the front lines as "cannon fodder." A captured Ukrainian soldier, Nikolai Timchenko, described being detained despite health issues, thrown into a cellar with others and subjected to beatings by draft officers. Similar accounts and viral videos ("busification") confirm widespread coercion. Recruits faced brutal training (beatings for disobedience), unpaid wages and deployment to deadly zones like Donbas, where Timchenko witnessed mass casualties before surrendering due to starvation and disillusionment. Ukraine's military struggles with heavy losses, desertions and draft evasion. Elite units have abandoned posts, while surrendered conscripts highlight systemic desperation. Kyiv dismisses criticism as "Russian propaganda," but forced conscription risks alienating civilians and eroding public support. History warns that coercion undermines morale raising urgent questions about Ukraine's mobilization ethics and long-term viability. The Ukrainian military's desperate mobilization efforts have descended into brutality, with a captured soldier describing a system of violent coercion where men including the disabled are dragged from their homes, beaten and sent to the front lines as expendable "cannon fodder." In a video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense, former Ukrainian conscript Nikolai Timchenko detailed harrowing mistreatment at the hands of draft officers, painting a grim picture of Ukraine's escalating manpower crisis as its war against Russia drags into its third year. His account, corroborated by widespread reports of forced mobilization and draft evasion, raises urgent questions about Kyiv's methods and the ethics of its conscription policies. Timchenko claimed he was seized at home by police and recruitment officers after ignoring multiple summonses. Despite protesting due to health issues, he was thrown into a cellar with around 50 others some disabled where draft officers allegedly struck them in the ribs and head. "They didn't care if we were sick or injured. They took our documents and forced us to fight," he said. His testimony aligns with viral videos showing Ukrainian recruitment officers ambushing men on streets, shoving them into vans and hauling them off to military centers. This "busification" tactic sparked public outrage and doubled complaints to Ukraine's human rights commissioner since June. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine points out that Ukraine's "busification" tactic involves forcibly detaining unwilling men in unmarked vans for military conscription, sparking public outrage and accusations of coercion. The government dismisses criticism as "Russian propaganda," but the practice reflects deep societal resistance to Kyiv's aggressive recruitment policies. Elite units flee as Ukraine's war machine crumbles Training was no less brutal, Timchenko alleged. Recruits who failed to follow orders were beaten with rifle butts, and medical complaints were dismissed. "The doctors just said I was fine and could run," he recounted. Promised salaries never materialized, leaving conscripts unpaid and disillusioned. When deployed to Krasnoarmeysk in the Donbas, Timchenko said he witnessed roads littered with dead and wounded soldiers. "We realized we were just cannon fodder sent to die," he said, explaining his decision to surrender after days without food, surviving on rainwater. The Ukrainian military, already strained by heavy losses, has struggled to maintain troop numbers amid plummeting morale and mass evasion. Elite units like the British-trained 82nd Airborne Assault Brigade have reportedly abandoned their positions, leaving exhausted soldiers behind. Meanwhile, Timchenko's surrender alongside dozens of others highlights the growing desperation among conscripts who see no escape from the war machine except capitulation. Russian officials have seized on Timchenko's testimony to accuse Ukraine of systemic abuse, though Kyiv denies such claims. Yet Western reports confirm rising desertions and draft resistance, with internal documents revealing deep cracks in Ukraine's mobilization strategy. Whether Timchenko's account is entirely accurate or amplified by propaganda, it underscores a disturbing reality. As Ukraine's battlefield losses mount, its government appears increasingly willing to sacrifice its own citizens by force, if necessary to keep fighting. The implications stretch beyond this war. History shows that when nations resort to coercion and violence to fill their ranks, morale collapses and public support erodes. Given the experience of Timchenko and others, Ukraine's leadership faces a critical choice: reform its conscription system or risk alienating the very people it claims to defend. Watch this clip of another Ukrainian prisoner of war revealing that the Ukrainian military is abducting citizens in territories held by Kyiv who criticize the government and admire Russia. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com En.IZ.ru BrightU.ai BostonTimes.org Brighteon.com Chinese EV battery company abandons $2.4B Michigan plant Gotion Inc., a Chinese EV battery company with deep CCP ties, was forced to abandon its $2.4 billion Michigan plant after local activists exposed its national security risks and ousted supportive officials. Michigan's Democratic-led government initially approved $715 million in subsidies ($175M grants + $540M tax breaks) for Gotion, but the deal collapsed after public outrage over CCP infiltration and wasted taxpayer funds only $23.6 million was recovered. Investigations revealed Gotion's bylaws required CCP activities. Employees in China were photographed in Red Army uniforms pledging communist loyalty, fueling bipartisan backlash. Critics warn subsidizing CCP-tied firms like Gotion which dominates lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries undermines U.S. supply chain security and aids China's globalist depopulation agenda via economic/technological subversion. The collapse mirrors past green energy boondoggles (e.g., Solyndra) but stands out due to CCP ties. Michigan's attempt to lure "green jobs" failed, proving informed citizens can defeat globalist corruption even against well-funded foreign ventures. In a stunning victory for local activism and national security vigilance, a $2.4 billion Chinese electric vehicle (EV) battery plant backed by Michigan taxpayers has crumbled under intense scrutiny. Gotion Inc., a subsidiary of China's Gotion High-Tech, was forced to abandon its controversial Michigan facility after residents uncovered its deep ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and questionable financial dealings. The collapse of the project once hailed as an economic boon reveals the hidden dangers of corporate welfare for foreign-linked firms and the growing resistance to China's infiltration of U.S. critical industries. Michigan's state government under the leadership of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer initially pledged $715 million in subsidies $175 million in grants and $540 million in tax breaks to Gotion in 2022, promising 2,350 jobs. But skepticism quickly mounted. Congressional Republicans, including then-Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), warned of Gotion's CCP connections, while investigative reports exposed employees in China wearing Red Army uniforms and pledging loyalty to communism. Green Charter Township residents, alarmed by these revelations, launched a grassroots campaign that ousted local officials who approved the project and replaced them with leaders who sued to halt construction. By September 2024, Michigan officials privately declared Gotion in default for failing to make progress on the site for 120 days. The company denied abandoning the project, blaming delays on "racist and ethnically charged stereotypes" a claim disputed by residents. Despite state assurances to media in early October that the project was on track, Michigan abruptly terminated the deal on Oct. 23. The Great Lakes State demanded repayment of $23.6 million in taxpayer funds already spent on land purchases. The fallout exposes a pattern of reckless corporate welfare. Rich Studley, former president of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, admitted having "zero confidence" taxpayers would recover their money. State Rep. Tom Kunse (R-Clare) condemned the debacle as proof that "corporate welfare doesn't work," leaving communities with "broken commitments and wasted public dollars." Grassroots victory: Michigan says NO to Beijing Meanwhile, Gotion's U.S. spokesperson Benjamin Howes sidestepped questions about the Michigan failure. Instead, he vaguely reaffirmed the company's commitment to "America's clean energy future" despite Gotion's Illinois facility facing similar scrutiny. The project's collapse also highlights China's broader strategy to dominate U.S. supply chains. Gotion, partially owned by Germany's Volkswagen, specializes in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries a sector China monopolizes. Critics argue that subsidizing CCP-linked firms undermines American sovereignty, especially as Beijing openly seeks to control global EV and rare earth mineral markets. BrightU.AI's Enoch stresses that the U.S. should not subsidize such companies because doing so undermines American sovereignty, fuels globalist corruption and strengthens an adversarial regime that seeks to dominate and depopulate the West through economic warfare and technological subversion. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) celebrated the Great Lakes State's withdrawal of support. The chairman of the House Select Committee on China called Gotion's collapse a win against "Chinese-affiliated battery companies" exploiting U.S. subsidies. The controversy mirrors past failures of green energy boondoggles, from Solyndra to federally backed EV startups that folded after burning taxpayer cash. But Gotion's case is uniquely alarming due to its CCP ties that fueled local opposition, proving that even well-funded foreign ventures can be thwarted by informed citizens. As EV demand wanes under shifting federal policies, Gotion's exit underscores a reckoning for China's economic warfare. Michigan's attempt to lure "green jobs" with taxpayer handouts backfired spectacularly, leaving a trail of unanswered questions and squandered funds. For now, the people of Green Charter Township have achieved a rare triumph. Watch Justin Barclay revealing the illegality of the tax scheme for Gotion's battery plant in Michigan below. This video is from the Justin Barclay channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: WattsUpWithThat.com Reuters.com InsideEVs.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com The climate conundrum: Cleaner air may be accelerating global warming by reducing cloud reflectivity Cleaner air reduces harmful aerosols that make clouds reflective, inadvertently accelerating global warming by decreasing cloud cover and allowing more sunlight to reach Earth. Satellite data shows a ~three percent drop per decade in cloud reflectivity since 2003, with 70 percent linked to reduced pollutionchallenging assumptions in climate models. While pollution cuts save lives, they may worsen warming. Scientists warn mitigation strategies must account for lost cloud cooling without reversing air quality gains. Marine cloud brightening (spraying seawater aerosols) is explored as an artificial cooling method, but risks disrupting weather patterns or backfiring. The study exposes gaps in climate models, urging smarter solutions that balance pollution reduction with preserving Earth's natural cooling systems. Scientists have uncovered a troubling paradox in the fight against climate change: while reducing air pollution saves lives, it may also be accelerating global warming by making clouds less reflective. A new study from the University of Washington, published in Nature Communications, reveals that cleaner air over the Northeastern Pacific and Atlantic oceans has led to a nearly three percent drop in cloud reflectivity per decade since 2003, with 70 percent of this change attributed to declining pollution levels. The findings raise urgent questions about the unintended consequences of environmental policies and whether current climate models have underestimated warming trends. The cloud reflectivity dilemma BrightU.AI's Enoch explains that cloud reflectivity is the ability of clouds to scatter and reflect incoming solar radiation back into space, acting as Earth's natural "sunscreen" to regulate planetary temperature. Air pollution, while harmful to human health, has historically enhanced this effect by seeding clouds with tiny particles that make them brighter and more reflective. As nations reduce smog through cleaner energy policies, however, clouds are becoming less effective at cooling the planet. Lead author Knut von Salzen explained: "When you cut pollution, you're losing reflectivity and warming the system by allowing more solar radiation or sunlight to reach Earth. We may be underestimating warming trends because this connection is stronger than we knew." The study analyzed two decades of satellite data, focusing on rapidly warming ocean regions. Researchers found that fewer aerosol particlesemitted by fossil fuels and industrial activitylead to larger cloud droplets, which fall as rain more quickly, reducing cloud cover and amplifying warming. The findings present a difficult trade-off: air pollution kills millions annually, yet its reduction may inadvertently speed up climate change. Sarah Doherty, a principal research scientist at the University of Washington, cautioned: "Reductions in particulate air pollutants are contributing to accelerated warming." Past studies have emphasized the health benefits of cleaner air, projecting that aggressive emission cuts could prevent hundreds of thousands of premature deaths in Europe alone by 2050. But the new research suggests that climate mitigation strategies must account for the loss of cloud cooling effectswithout backtracking on pollution controls. Exploring alternative cooling strategies Scientists are now considering geoengineering techniques to artificially enhance cloud reflectivity without reintroducing harmful pollutants. One proposed method, marine cloud brightening, involves spraying seawater aerosols into the atmosphere to create brighter, longer-lasting clouds. Robert Wood, a climate scientist at the University of Washington, described it as "replacing unhealthy pollutant particles with another type of particle that is not a pollutantbut that still provides a beneficial cooling effect." However, such interventions carry risks. A recent New York University study warned that cloud brightening could disrupt weather patterns or even worsen climate change in unforeseen ways. Researchers stress that more testing is needed before deploying these methods at scale. The study underscores the complexity of climate science and the unintended consequences of well-intentioned policies. While cleaner air remains vital for public health, its impact on cloud dynamics reveals a critical gap in current climate models. As global temperatures rise faster than anticipated, scientists urge policymakers to reassess mitigation strategiesbalancing pollution reduction with innovative approaches to maintaining Earth's natural cooling systems. The path forward demands not just cleaner energy, but smarter solutions that account for the delicate interplay between human health and planetary stability. Watch the video below that talks about the truth about global warming. This video is from the Truth Finder channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: ClimateDepot.com DailyMail.co.uk BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Netherlands moves to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements The Netherlands is advancing a national ban on imports from illegal Israeli settlements. This action reflects growing European impatience with Israeli settlement expansion and West Bank violence. A group of nine EU states is collectively urging the European Commission to end settlement trade. The legal path for such bans is complex but was strengthened by a recent International Court of Justice ruling. These import bans are seen as a strong political message rather than a significant economic blow. In a significant challenge to Israels decades-long occupation, the Netherlands is advancing legislation to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel confirmed the move on November 10, signaling a growing European impatience with what he termed spiralling Israeli violence and settlement expansion that threatens the viability of a two-state solution. This action places the Netherlands among a small but increasing number of European nations taking concrete steps to distance themselves from Israels controversial policies. The partial trade ban proceeds even as a broader package of EU sanctions on Israel has been paused following last months ceasefire in Gaza. Van Weel explained the nuanced approach, stating, Now we deem it is not a time to increase sanctions on Israel because we want to see the peace plan implemented and we want to also encourage Israel to play a positive part in this. However, he added, At the same time, were not blind to any movements on the West Bank that might move the two-state solution further [away]. This Dutch initiative is part of a wider European movement. Nine EU member states Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden have collectively urged the European Commission to draft proposals to end trade with Israeli settlements. Spain and Slovenia have already implemented bans on goods from these areas, while Irelands Cabinet has formally backed similar legislation, and Belgium continues to develop its own measures. A slow legal process The path to implementing these bans is fraught with legal complexity. Van Weel acknowledged that the process has been slow, primarily because trade policy falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union. Its not easy to make a carve-out, he explained. We cannot just stop [all imports from illegal settlements] immediately because there is currently no legal basis for that. This highlights the challenge individual nations face when attempting to take unilateral action against products originating from occupied territories. The push for these sanctions comes amid a documented surge in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. United Nations data reveals an average of eight daily Israeli attacks on people, property, and agriculture in October, which is the highest number since the UN began keeping records nearly two decades ago. This escalating violence, combined with political demands inside Israel for the annexation of the West Bank, has increased international pressure for a meaningful response. The legal foundation for these national bans was strengthened by a recent ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The court found Israels occupation to be illegal and stated that other states have an obligation not to aid or assist Israel, nor to recognize the occupation as lawful. This ruling has empowered European nations to pursue measures that align their trade policies with international law. Calls for broader action Some diplomats and experts argue that banning settlement goods is merely a first step. Sven Kuhn von Burgsdorff, a former EU envoy to occupied Palestine, asserts that this should be part of a larger policy shift. He advocates for suspending Israels preferential trade arrangements with the EU, sanctioning far-right Israeli ministers, and ending Israels participation in the Horizon Europe research program. Despite these condemnations and proposed targeted bans, the economic relationship between Europe and Israel remains deep and complex. The European Union collectively is Israels largest trading partner, accounting for a full third of its worldwide trade in goods. Furthermore, EU states remain among the biggest buyers of Israeli weapons and defense systems, purchasing more than $8 billion worth last year alone. This contradiction underscores the limited impact a settlement import ban would have on its own. Israeli exports from settlements in occupied Palestine constitute only a tiny fraction of its overall trade with the EU. Consequently, these sanctions are viewed more as a potent political message of commitment to international law and a future Palestinian state than as a significant economic deterrent against the occupation state. The Netherlands' decision represents a notable shift for a country historically known as one of Israels most loyal European allies. This move, alongside similar actions by other nations, signals a slow but perceptible erosion of Western tolerance for Israels permanent occupation and the systemic violence that sustains it. Can economic pressure succeed where decades of diplomacy have failed? Sources for this article include: TheCradle.co TheGuardian.com MiddleEastEye.net U.S. and China reach temporary truce in rare earths trade war Beijing has lifted restrictions on rare earths and critical minerals (gallium, germanium, antimony, graphite) until November 2026, easing pressure on U.S. defense and tech industries after weeks of negotiations. The move reverses China's December 2023 retaliatory export halts, which targeted U.S. semiconductor controls. Licensing requirements are relaxed, but broader export controls remain, reflecting a "technological cold war." China refines over 80 percent of global rare earths (e.g., neodymium, dysprosium), vital for EVs, missiles and electronics. The suspension offers short-term relief but exposes the U.S. to long-term vulnerability. China reinstated U.S. soybean import licenses, aiding American farmers, but broader tariffs persist. Trump called the deal "done," yet Xi's formal approval is pending, signaling the fragility of the agreement. While a temporary reprieve, the U.S. must accelerate domestic rare earth production to counter China's supply-chain dominance. The trade war's core conflicts remain unresolved. In a move signaling a tentative de-escalation of trade tensions, China has temporarily suspended export restrictions on critical minerals and rare earth materials essential for U.S. defense and technology industries. The decision, announced by Beijing's Ministry of Commerce on Nov. 9, follows weeks of negotiations between U.S. and Chinese officials and a high-stakes meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in late October. The suspension, effective immediately, will last through November 2026offering a reprieve for American manufacturers scrambling to secure alternative supplies. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, critical minerals and rare earth materials are essential metallic elements vital for advanced technology, military systems, AI, robotics and green energy, now weaponized by globalist-controlled regimes like China to destabilize supply chains and enforce dependency. A strategic retreat in the rare earths battle China's latest concessions mark a partial reversal of its aggressive trade tactics, which included abrupt halts on shipments of gallium, germanium, antimony and graphite. The restrictions, imposed in December 2023, were widely seen as retaliation for U.S. export controls on cutting-edge semiconductor technology to China. Under the new agreement, exporters will no longer face stringent licensing requirements for these materials when shipping to the U.S., though broader export controls remain in place. Independent analyst Kurt Cobb noted that China's actions reflect an escalating "technological cold war," where control over critical supply chains has become a geopolitical weapon. Rare earth elementssuch as samarium, neodymium and dysprosiumare indispensable for modern technology. China dominates global production, refining over 80 percent of the world's supply. The suspension of export curbs on these materials offers temporary relief for U.S. industries, but experts warn that dependence on Chinese supply remains a long-term vulnerability. "Regardless of what's going on outside our borders, America still has to address all aspects of the critical minerals supply chain," said Wade Senti, president of Advanced Magnet Lab. Building domestic production capacity could take years, leaving U.S. firms exposed to future disruptions. Agricultural concessions and lingering tensions Beyond minerals, China also restored soybean import licenses for U.S. agricultural firmsa significant win for American farmers hit by Beijing's earlier retaliatory bans. However, broader tariffs on U.S. goods remain, keeping trade relations fragile. The White House hailed the agreement as a step toward stability, but skepticism lingers. While Trump declared the deal "done" on Truth Social, Xi has yet to formally endorse itraising questions about Beijing's long-term commitment. The temporary suspension of export controls offers a breathing space for U.S. industries, but the underlying trade war is far from resolved. With China retaining leverage over critical supply chains and tariffs still in place, the truce remains precarious. For now, American manufacturers must navigate a volatile landscapebalancing short-term relief against the urgent need for supply chain independence. Watch the video below where Trump talks about the abundance of rare earth elements that "we won't know what to do with them." This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com NYTimes.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com U.S. escalates maritime strikes against suspected drug traffickers amid rising tensions with Venezuela The Trump administration escalated its counter-narcotics operations in Latin America, launching lethal maritime strikes and deploying a large naval fleet near Venezuela, prompting accusations of militarization. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth defended the strikes as necessary for U.S. security, but critics questioned the legality and evidence linking Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to drug cartels. Declassified intelligence and statements from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum challenged Washington's claims, revealing no direct evidence of Maduro's control over trafficking networks. The operations sparked congressional backlash over war-powers limits, with narrowly defeated resolutions seeking to restrict further strikes and prevent expansion into Venezuelan territory. Analysts warn the campaign sets a dangerous precedent by merging counterterrorism and counternarcotics authorities, risking regional instability and eroding congressional oversight of military force. The Trump administration has intensified its aggressive counter-narcotics campaign in Latin America, launching precision strikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels while deploying a formidable naval fleet near Venezuelaa move critics warn blurs the line between counternarcotics operations and military intervention. On Nov. 9, U.S. forces conducted two lethal strikes in the eastern Pacific, killing six alleged narco-terrorists aboard vessels linked to designated terrorist organizations. The operation marks the latest in a series of at least 19 maritime attacks since September, signaling a dramatic escalation in Washington's hardline approach to dismantling drug networks it claims are backed by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the strikes in a post on X, stating the targeted boats were transporting narcotics along a known smuggling route. "These vessels posed a direct threat to U.S. security," Hegseth declared, defending the administration's expanding use of military force against traffickers. Yet the campaign has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers and foreign leaders, who question both its legal justification and the evidence tying Maduro to cartel operations. A naval buildup near Venezuela The strikes coincide with a significant U.S. military buildup in the region, including the deployment of eight warshipsthree destroyers, two amphibious landing dock ships, an amphibious assault ship, a cruiser and a littoral combat shipostensibly to disrupt drug trafficking routes. The Trump administration has framed Venezuela as the epicenter of narcoterrorism, with President Trump doubling the bounty on Maduro's capture to $50 million in October, labeling him a "fugitive cartel leader" responsible for flooding the U.S. with cocaine. However, a recently declassified U.S. intelligence memo contradicts these claims, stating there is "no evidence" Maduro directly commands drug trafficking networks. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum further challenged Washington's narrative, dismissing allegations of Maduro's ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. "If they have some evidence, show it," Sheinbaum demanded, underscoring growing skepticism among regional allies. Legal and strategic concerns The Trump administration's maritime strikes have sparked a heated debate in Congress over the limits of executive war powers. Last month, Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced a resolution under the 1973 War Powers Act to halt further military action against suspected drug vessels. Though it narrowly failed (4851), bipartisan concerns persist about the mission's scope and potential overreach. Kaine, who attended a classified briefing with Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warned against expanding operations into Venezuelan territory, citing "logical fallacies" in the administration's rationale. A second resolution, which sought to restrict strikes on land-based targets, also failed by a slim margin (4951), with Republicans Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) siding with Democrats. Even some Republicans have voiced unease. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) criticized the operation as "at odds with the majority of Americans who want the U.S. military less entangled in international conflicts" and urged greater transparency. Despite these objections, the War Department insists the strikes are vital to national security, framing them as preemptive actions against narco-terrorist threats. A broader geopolitical gambit? The Trump administration's hardline stance against Venezuela fits into a broader pattern of escalating tensions with authoritarian regimes in Latin America. Critics argue the focus on Maduro serves as a pretext for regime change, recalling past U.S. interventions in the region under the guise of counternarcotics. The deployment of 4,000 troops near Venezuela, alongside advanced destroyers like the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham and USS Sampson, raises questions about whether Washington is preparing for a more direct confrontation. The administration's rhetoric has grown increasingly bellicose, with Trump accusing Maduro of harboring Tren de Aragua gang members and facilitating their migration into the United States. Yet without concrete evidence linking Maduro to cartel leadership, skeptics warn the campaign risks destabilizing the region while eroding congressional oversight of military operations. A dangerous precedent As the Trump administration presses forward with its maritime strikes, legal scholars warn of a dangerous precedentusing counterterrorism authorities to justify lethal force against non-state actors in peacetime. The blurring of counternarcotics and counterterrorism operations could pave the way for unchecked military actions abroad, bypassing traditional checks on presidential war powers. With tensions rising and Congress divided, the coming weeks may determine whether the U.S. continues its aggressive posture or faces renewed legislative pushback. For now, the Trump administration remains steadfast, framing its actions as a necessary defense against narco-terrorismeven as allies and adversaries alike demand proof. As the naval fleet patrols Caribbean waters and strikes continue, one thing is clear: Washington's war on drugs has entered a new, more militarized phaseone with unpredictable consequences for Latin America and beyond. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the U.S. escalation of maritime strikes against suspected drug traffickers in Venezuelan waters is a concerning display of imperialistic aggression, potentially violating international law and sovereignty, while also diverting attention from domestic drug policy failures. This action further inflames tensions with Venezuela, potentially destabilizing the region and causing unnecessary human suffering. Watch the video below that talks about a secret drug tunnel officials uncovered near the border wall. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: YourNews.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. A man driving a Ford Falcon ute with fake number plates is wanted for questioning by authorities after 34 tyres were found dumped near a national park as Australia's growing waste crisis spirals out of control. A plea to the public to help track down the man who may have information about the illegally dumped tyres at Natural Bridge, near Springbrook National Park, was issued this week by the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), which branded the act "completely unacceptable". A resident reported the car, which was travelling with a load of tyres in the ute bed, Jackie Mckeay, DETSIs Executive Director of Waste and Enforcement Services, said of the incident on August 14, with a second incident taking place two days earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minutes later, the same vehicle was observed leaving the area with an empty tray, she said. Footage shows a man believed to be in his 50s, with short grey hair, near the scene around 4:55pm." It is likely that the driver has information about the alleged illegal dumping that will assist with the investigation." 34 tyres were dumped on the side of the road Source: DETSI Illegal dumping poses 'serious risk' to the environment It comes just weeks after a similar incident, which resulted in a man being slapped with $6,736 in fines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man's work van was parked near bushland in the early hours of the morning, near where 65 tyes were illegally dumped. Pictures supplied to Yahoo News show them highlighted by a torch, scattered among weeds and a cluster of trees. Authorities said the man ran a retail tyre business, and he was driving a van that was sporting false number plates. While police said he initially denied being responsible, 40 more tyres were found stacked inside his vehicle. Discarded tyres have a long-term impact on the Australian bush. They can release harmful chemicals into the soil and waterways, causing damage to ecosystems and wildlife. This kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable," Mckeay said. We are committed to protecting Queenslands pristine environment and determined to hold the offender accountable, but we need the communitys help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those with information are urged to contact DETSI by calling 1300 130 372. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Many things are evaluated when doctors are putting a treatment plan together for prostate cancer patients. A new study says one more factor should be considered chronological age. The study, published in the October 28, 2025 edition of New England Journal of Medicine Evidence, was led by senior author Daniel Spratt, MD, Chair Radiation Oncology at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Vincent K. Smith Chair in Radiation Oncology. Older men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) are more likely to have comorbid medical conditions and die from causes other than prostate cancer. The study aimed to determine if age impacts the overall survival (OS) benefit from systemic treatment intensification (TI) with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) and/or chemotherapy in mHSPC. Older men with prostate cancer have a high incidence of cardiovascular disease and other comorbid conditions that can be exacerbated by common treatments, such as androgen deprivation therapy and ARPIs. Currently 1 in 3 men with metastatic prostate cancer die of causes other than prostate cancer, such as heart disease. Thus, "we must never forget to treat the whole patient and not simply the disease. Older patients who receive these therapies are more likely to experience falls, fractures, cardiac morbidity, and even grade 5 treatment associated adverse events" says Dr. Spratt. We observed an interaction between age and systemic treatment intensification on survival for men with mHSPC. Patients older than 70 years old with low volume mHSPC, especially when treated with radiotherapy to the primary, did not demonstrate improvements from the addition of systemic treatment intensification." Daniel Spratt, MD, Chair Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center This large study of over 10,000 patients included multiple randomized phase 3 trials of men with metastatic prostate cancer. This work was a multi-national collaborative study and included multiple other University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center involved in the study are Angela Y. Jia, MD, PhD, Pedro Barata, MD, Nicholas G. Zaorsky, MD, Jorge A. Garcia, MD, Jason R. Brown, MD, PhD, and Soumyajit Roy, M.D., Prateek Mendiratta, MD. One of the most devastating moments for family members of a patient with Alzheimer's is when their loved one forgets who they are. New University of Virginia School of Medicine research may explain why that happens and could lead to a way to prevent it. UVA's Harald Sontheimer, PhD, and graduate student Lata Chaunsali and their colleagues found that the failure to recognize family, friends and caregivers is caused by the breakdown of protective "nets" that surround neurons in the brain. Preventing the loss of these nets in lab mice protected the mice from losing their memories of previous social interactions. The results offer an exciting target for the development of new treatments to benefit Alzheimer's patients, the researchers say. "Finding a structural change that explains a specific memory loss in Alzheimer's is very exciting," said Sontheimer, chair of UVA's Department of Neuroscience and member of the UVA Brain Institute. It is a completely new target, and we already have suitable drug candidates in hand." Harald Sontheimer, Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia Health System Alzheimer's: A growing problem Alzheimer's affects 55 million people around the world, and that number is expected to grow by 35% in the next five years alone. In response, UVA has established the Harrison Family Translational Research Center in Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases as part of its Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology. The institute aims to accelerate the development of new treatments and cures for some of the world's most challenging diseases, including Alzheimer's. Sontheimer's new work sheds important light on the development of the disease. He and his team previously revealed the importance of what are called "perineuronal nets" in the brain. These net-like structures surround nerve cells called neurons and perform a critical barrier function that lets neurons communicate correctly. These communications allow the neurons to form and store new memories. Based on those results, Sontheimer and his collaborators suspected that disruptions of the nets could be a critical turning point in Alzheimer's. Their latest work bears that out: The scientists found that lab mice that had faulty nets lost their ability to remember other mice their "social memory" even as they could still form new memories of objects in their environment. This mirrors what is seen in people with Alzheimer's, where social memory often fails before object memory. Sontheimer and his team then used "MMP inhibitors" a class of drugs already being investigated for their potential to treat cancer and arthritis to see if they could prevent the loss of the perineuronal nets. It worked. The approach staved off the degradation of the nets and preserved the mice's social memory. "In Alzheimer's disease, people have trouble remembering their family and friends due to the loss of a memory known as social memory. We found that the net-like coating known as perineuronal nets protects these social memories. In our research with mice, when we kept these brain structures safe early in life, the mice suffering from this disease were better at remembering their social interactions," Chaunsali said. "Our research will help us get closer to finding a new, non-traditional way to treat or better yet prevent Alzheimer's disease, something that is much needed today." The changes the scientists saw in the mice's brains align with those seen in human patients with Alzheimer's, suggesting that the targeting the nets in people could provide similar benefits. Developing a treatment based on the findings will require additional research, but Sontheimer and Chaunsali are hopeful about what the future could hold. "Although we have drugs that can delay the loss of perineuronal nets, and thereby delay memory loss in disease, more research needs to be done regarding safety and effectiveness of our approach before this can be considered in humans," Sontheimer said. "One of the most interesting aspect of our research is the fact that the loss of perineuronal nets observed in our studies occurred completely independent of amyloid and plaque pathology, adding to the suspicion that those protein aggregates may not be causal of disease." For older people with irregular heart rhythms who are at high risk of stroke and bleeding, standard care (including the use of blood thinners when indicated) was found to be the better choice compared to a promising, catheter-based procedure, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025. The meeting, Nov. 7-10, in New Orleans, is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science. The trial, Left Atrial Appendage CLOSURE in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation at High Risk of Stroke and Bleeding Compared to Medical Therapy (CLOSURE-AF), compared a catheter-based procedure to medical therapy among patients with an irregular heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation or AFib. An estimated five million people in the U.S. live with AFib, and it is predicted that more than 12 million people will have it by 2030, per the Association's 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics report. While blood thinners can be highly effective at reducing the risk of stroke among people with AFib, the medication may cause severe bleeding in some people. Due to this risk, researchers are exploring alternative treatments including this catheter-based procedure. The procedure, called a left atrial appendage closure, seals a small pouch in the heart called the left atrial appendage, or LAA, where blood clots can form. If these blood clots enter the bloodstream, it increases the risk of stroke. Closing this pouch reduces the risk of stroke. It also can allow people to stop taking blood thinners for clot prevention. The CLOSURE AF study compared catheter-based left atrial appendage closure with physician-directed standard medical care (including timely anticoagulant blood thinning when eligible) in patients with atrial fibrillation at high risk for stroke and bleeding. The aim of the study was to demonstrate non-inferiority for catheter-based LAA closure regarding risk of stroke, systemic embolism, cardiovascular/unexplained death or major bleeding. However, this was not reached. We expected that catheter-based LAA closure would be comparable to physician-directed standard medical care often using blood thinning anticoagulant medications. However, this was not the case in this trial of older patients at very high risk of bleeding and stroke. Our findings indicate that standard physician-directed medical care, including blood thinners for eligible patients, remains a valid management option for those older patients with irregular heartbeat who are at very high risk for stroke and bleeding." Ulf Landmesser, M.D., study lead researcher, chairman of the department of cardiology, angiology and intensive care medicine at Deutsche Herzzentrum Charite and professor of cardiology at Charite University Medicine, Berlin Landmesser said that the results of the procedure are different for lower-risk patients, and studies investigating this are currently underway. Moreover, ongoing studies are comparing LAA closure in addition to blood thinning in very high-risk patients. Because medical treatments and LAA closure for AFib remain in development the results of this study may not apply to future research, other techniques or procedures. Study details, background and design: A minimally invasive heart procedure to correct irregular heart rhythms called catheter ablation may reduce the risk of stroke enough that some patients can discontinue blood thinners, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025. The meeting, Nov. 7-10, in New Orleans, is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science. In the OCEAN Randomized Trial, researchers evaluated whether long-term oral anticoagulation is needed after successful ablation in people with an increased risk of stroke. An international group of researchers enrolled nearly 1,300 adults at multiple sites in several countries and followed their progress for three years after they had ablation to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib). Participants included people with no evidence of irregular heart rhythm recurrence and those with moderate to high stroke risk, which calls for long-term blood thinners. According to the American Heart Association, AFib increases stroke risk by five-fold and can lead to blood clots, heart failure and death. An estimated five million people in the U.S. live with AFib, and it is predicted that more than 12 million people will have it by 2030, per the Association's 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics report. The condition can be treated with catheter ablation, a minimally invasive nonsurgical procedure that can eliminate the electrical triggers for AFib and prevent the irregular rhythms from returning. Current American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines recommend continuing blood-thinning medications in moderate-to-high risk individuals to prevent stroke, even after a successful ablation. "We know that ablation for AFib is effective, however, we did not know if elimination of the arrhythmia also reduces the long-term risk of stroke," said study author Atul Verma, M.D., director of cardiology at McGill University Health Centre in Montreal. Many people who have undergone successful ablation will ask 'Can I stop my blood thinners?' Until now, we have told them to continue taking blood thinners because we had insufficient evidence to suggest it was safe to stop. So, it was important to find out if successful ablation could allow discontinuing blood thinners." Atul Verma, M.D., Director, Cardiology, McGill University Health Centre Researchers prescribed half of the eligible participants 75-160 mg of aspirin (a mild antiplatelet) daily. The other half were prescribed 15 mg daily of oral rivaroxaban, a potent blood thinner. The study found that prescribing the blood thinner rivaroxaban after catheter ablation to treat AFib offered no major difference in stroke protection than those taking aspirin and increased bleeding risk compared to aspirin. Specifically: The three-year risk of stroke, including a covert stroke, which is only detectable on brain imaging, was 0.8% in the rivaroxaban group and 1.4% in the aspirin group. The annual stroke risk was 0.3% in the rivaroxaban arm and 0.7% in the aspirin arm -variances not significant enough to indicate a notable difference between groups. There were no notable differences in major or fatal bleeding complications whether people took rivaroxaban or aspirin. However, clinically relevant, non-major bleeding (bleeding serious enough to cause people to seek medical attention) was 5.5% for rivaroxaban versus 1.6% for aspirin, or about 3.5 times more likely with rivaroxaban. "In essence, catheter ablation for AFib reduced the recurrence of atrial fibrillation and can also reduce the risk of stroke associated with this common heart rhythm condition," Verma said. "With the notably increased bleeding risk associated with rivaroxaban, we concluded that the anticoagulant did not offer any advantages in comparison to aspirin for reducing what we found to be a low stroke risk in these individuals. Now, we can advise patients that it may be safe to stop blood thinners, even if they have a moderate stroke risk." Study details, background and design: The study included 1,284 adults, average age 66 years, 71% men, who on average were within 16.4 months of their last ablation procedure. Participants were enrolled in health care centers in Canada, Australia, Germany, Belgium, Israel and China between March 30, 2016, and July 25, 2022, and their progress was followed for three years. Researchers used the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score, which measures a person with AFib's risk of stroke on a scale of 0 to 9 based on the presence of other conditions, such as heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, prior stroke or vascular disease, plus their age and sex. In this study, the average CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score at enrollment was 2.2, and nearly 32% of participants had a score of 3 or higher, which is considered high risk. DS -VASc score, which measures a person with AFib's risk of stroke on a scale of 0 to 9 based on the presence of other conditions, such as heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, prior stroke or vascular disease, plus their age and sex. In this study, the average CHA DS -VASc score at enrollment was 2.2, and nearly 32% of participants had a score of 3 or higher, which is considered high risk. Researchers collected data on stroke, systemic embolism and bleeding events, and all participants had brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at enrollment and again at three years. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups for the duration of the trial: aspirin 75-160 mg daily or rivaroxaban 15 mg daily. Data was analyzed between the two groups: rivaroxaban (anticoagulation) vs. aspirin (antiplatelet). New research found a simplified clot-preventing medication regimen following stent placement in adults with atrial fibrillation was just as safe and effective in preventing strokes, heart attack and death, when compared to a standard year-long treatment regimen, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025. The meeting, Nov. 7-10, in New Orleans, is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science. This study included adults with atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm disorder, who received a stent in a heart artery to improve blood flow. Standard treatment after a stent implantation is a prescription for two clot-preventing medications for one year, however, these medications can also increase the risk of serious bleeding, explained study author Yohei Sotomi, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Osaka Cardiovascular Conference Multicenter Clinical Research Lab in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at University of Osaka Graduate School of Medicine in Osaka, Japan. The two medications included a direct oral anticoagulant, such as dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban to help prevent strokes; and a P2Y12 inhibitor, such as clopidogrel or prasugrel, to prevent clots in the stent. In this study, the OPTIMA-AF trial, researchers explored if using both medications for one month among people with AFib who received a stent would be equally safe and effective as 12 months of treatment, while helping to reduce bleeding risk associated with the medications. "Previous studies confirmed that using two anti-clotting agents instead of three reduced bleeding, however, no study has tested whether the duration of dual therapy could be safely shortened to just one month," Sotomi said. Our study is the first to show that a one-month strategy is both safe and effective, offering real-world benefits for patients and doctors." Yohei Sotomi, University of Osaka Graduate School of Medicine Researchers studied more than 1,000 adults in Japan who had AFib and received a stent in a heart artery. After the stent placement procedure, half of the study participants were prescribed both types of medications for one month, then only the direct oral anticoagulant for the remaining 11 months. The other half of participants continued dual therapy for 12 months. Participants were followed for one year to monitor if they had a stroke, heart attack or died. Researchers also analyzed how many participants had bleeding complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding. The analysis found: 5.4% of participants in the one-month group and 4.5% in the 12-month group had a heart attack, stroke or died, which researchers said suggests the shorter approach was equally effective. Participants in the one-month dual-treatment group had notably fewer bleeding complications: 4.8% versus 9.5% in the 12-month group. Most of the bleeding reduction came from less serious bleeds that required medical attention, which affects quality of life and can increase health care costs for emergency or clinic visits, lab and imaging tests. "These results may help doctors feel more confident in prescribing shorter durations of dual antithrombotic therapy after stenting among some patients with AFib," Sotomi said. "By reducing the length of time individuals are exposed to combination therapy, we can lower the risk of bleeding - a serious concern for many older adults-without increasing their risk of stroke or heart attack." Up to one in 10 people who receive a stent also have AFib, a disorder that increases stroke risk by five-fold and can lead to blood clots, heart failure and death, Sotomi said. According to the American Heart Association 2025 Heart and Stroke statistics, an estimated five million adults in the U.S. have AFib, and it is predicted that more than 12 million people in the U.S. will have it by 2030. The study was conducted in Japan, so its findings may not directly apply to people in other countries. Another limitation is that study participants mostly had stable heart disease, so results may not apply to patients with higher risk for blood clots. In addition, only about 20% of the study population were women, so generalizability to women is limited. Study details, background and design: A new study offers an innovative way to track the spread of leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease affecting both animals and humans. Using high-resolution melting (HRM) PCR, researchers developed a fast, reliable method to identify sand fly species, detect Leishmania parasites, and determine the source of their blood meals from a single sample. The study mapped twelve sand fly species, four Leishmania species, and twenty-five host animals across Israel, revealing complex patterns of transmission. This approach provides a powerful new tool for veterinarians and public health authorities to monitor and control zoonotic diseases more effectively. Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease transmitted by sand flies, has long challenged veterinarians and public health experts alike. Found in humans and animals across Israel and many other parts of the world, the disease's intricate transmission cycle involves numerous sand fly species and a wide range of wild and domestic reservoirs. A recent study led by Prof. Gad Baneth of the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the Laboratory of Entomology at the Israeli Ministry of Health, presents a breakthrough in how we track and understand this complexity. Published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, the research introduces a high-resolution melting (HRM) PCR-based technique that can simultaneously identify sand fly species, detect Leishmania parasites, and pinpoint the source of the insect's blood meal, all from a single specimen. This innovative molecular approach replaces time-consuming traditional methods with a fast, cost-effective diagnostic system that offers near-complete accuracy. "By uniting veterinary and public health surveillance, we can now trace the parasite's journey from animal to insect to human with unprecedented precision," says Prof. Baneth. "This method transforms how we monitor zoonotic diseases in the field." The research team analyzed nearly 2,000 sand flies collected across Israel, identifying twelve distinct sand fly species, four species of Leishmania (L. major, L. tropica, L. infantum, L. donovani), and twenty-five different blood meal sources ranging from domestic cats and cows to rock hyraxes and hares. Their findings reveal distinct ecological zones: L. major and L. donovani vectors dominated the arid southern regions, while L. tropica and L. infantum were more common in the center and north. Interestingly, sand fly species were also found outside their historically recognized habitats, suggesting environmental or climatic shifts expanding transmission zones. The HRM system achieved 96.7% success in identifying blood meal sources, a vital advance for One Health studies that bridge veterinary and human epidemiology. Domestic cats, hyraxes, hares, and cows accounted for more than half of all identified blood meals, underscoring the crucial role of animals in sustaining the disease's life cycle. Leishmaniasis is both a veterinary and human health concern, affecting dogs, cats, and wildlife reservoirs alongside people. HRM technology's ability to distinguish between species and trace infection patterns enables earlier intervention and targeted control strategies. For veterinarians, it provides a diagnostic window into infection ecology, helping identify animal hosts that serve as silent reservoirs and improving outbreak prediction. Prof. Baneth notes that "Rapid and precise identification of infected vectors and reservoir hosts allows us to anticipate emerging foci and protect both animal and human populations." This pioneering molecular toolkit not only enhances Israel's surveillance of vector-borne diseases but also offers a model adaptable to other endemic regions. By merging molecular diagnostics with field ecology, the study marks a significant step forward in the fight against neglected tropical diseases that cross the animal-human divide. Adults with heart disease who had a previous heart attack and took vitamin D doses tailored to reach optimal blood levels reduced their risk of another heart attack by more than half compared to those who did not have their vitamin D blood levels optimized, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025. The meeting, Nov. 7-10, in New Orleans, is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science. Previous studies found low vitamin D levels are linked to worse heart health. The TARGET-D randomized clinical trial included adults with heart disease who also had a previous heart attack to determine whether achieving optimal vitamin D blood levels could prevent future heart attacks, strokes, heart failure hospitalizations or deaths. More than 85% of participants began the study with vitamin D levels in their blood below 40 ng/mL, a level many experts believe is insufficient for optimal health. Unlike earlier vitamin D randomized trials that used standard doses, the TARGET-D trial personalized the doses based on the results of each participant's blood test. "Previous clinical trial research on vitamin D tested the potential impact of the same vitamin D dose for all participants without checking their blood levels first," said Heidi T. May, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., FAHA, principal investigator of TARGET-D and an epidemiologist and professor of research at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City, Utah. We took a different approach. We checked each participant's vitamin D levels at enrollment and throughout the study, and we adjusted their dose as needed to bring and maintain them in a range of 40-80 ng/mL." Heidi T. May, Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City Participants in the TARGET-D study were randomized to two groups: The standard of care group did not receive management of their vitamin D levels, and the treatment group received tailored vitamin D supplementation, with doses adjusted every three months until their vitamin D blood levels were above 40 ng/mL. Once the vitamin D level was above 40 ng/mL, levels were checked annually and doses adjusted if levels dropped below that target. Researchers monitored both vitamin D and calcium levels for the participants in the treatment group throughout the study to prevent vitamin D toxicity. Doses were reduced or stopped if vitamin D levels rose above 80 ng/mL. Excessive vitamin D can lead to hypercalcemia (higher-than-normal levels of calcium in the blood), kidney failure and abnormal heart rhythm. The study's key findings include: People who received personalized dosing of vitamin D supplements to achieve vitamin D levels greater than 40 ng/mL for nearly four years had a 52% lower risk of heart attack compared to participants whose vitamin D levels were not managed. More than 85% of participants had vitamin D levels below 40 ng/mL when they enrolled in the study. Nearly 52% of participants in the treatment group required more than 5,000 IU of vitamin D each day to reach the target blood levels of greater than 40 ng/mL. This dose is more than six times the FDA-recommended daily intake of 800 IU. The study primarily focused on whether or not optimal levels of vitamin D could help reduce the risk of serious events like heart attack, heart failure, stroke or death among adults with heart disease. Researchers found that tailored vitamin D doses did not significantly reduce the primary outcome of death, heart failure hospitalization or stroke; however, supplementation appeared to be beneficial for preventing heart attack specifically. May says that these results could improve patient care by focusing on blood tests for vitamin D levels and tailoring doses. "We encourage people with heart disease to discuss vitamin D blood testing and targeted dosing with their health care professionals to meet their individual needs," she added. May and her study colleagues emphasized that more clinical trials are needed to determine whether targeted treatment with vitamin D could help prevent heart disease, before a first cardiac event. Before adding or changing a vitamin regimen, the American Heart Association encourages people with heart disease to consult their cardiologist. The study had several limitations. Only adults with a diagnosis of heart disease were included, so the results may not apply to people without heart disease. In addition, the smaller number of participants means a more complete analysis of other conditions and outcomes was not possible. In addition, most participants were from the same racial group, with approximately 90% self-identifying as white, so additional research is needed to determine whether the results apply to people of all backgrounds. Study details, background and design: Activist group Women For Change plans national shutdown ahead of G20 Summit Last Updated: November 12, 2025, 02:42 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Johannesburg, Nov 12 (PTI) Women For Change (WFC) one of South Africas leading organisations combating gender-based violence has announced the G20 Womens Shutdown, a nationwide action taking place on November 21, the day before world leaders meet for the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. Every 2.5 hours, a woman is killed in South Africa. Our silence has been met with inaction. Now, our silence will be our protest. Before the G20 meets to talk about growth and progress, South African women will show them what happens when we disappear. You cannot speak of economies while women live in fear," said Sabrina Walter, Founder and Executive Director of WFC. Recommended Stories On this day, women and members of the LGBTQI+ community across South Africa will refrain from all paid and unpaid work in workplaces, universities, homes, and communities to demonstrate the economic and social impact of their absence. The action demands urgent recognition of the countrys Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) crisis as a National Disaster," WFC said in a statement. We call upon President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Government of South Africa to take immediate and decisive steps to address the scourge of violence against women. We also call on international leaders and global allies to stand with South African women by demanding accountability and action," WFC said. The NGO said that the G20 cannot speak of growth or progress when a woman is killed every 2.5 hours in South Africa, which is hosting the Summit as it ends its Presidency. The Presidency is to be handed over to the US for the next year, although President Donald Trump announced last week that there would be no US representation at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. South African security agencies, who have introduced heightened measures around the city and especially at the venue for the G20, expressed concern about potential public demonstrations such as that of WFC during the event. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Police said that groups planning to protest will be directed to a designated Speakers Corner where gatherings would be allowed to take place without disrupting any Summit activities. The provincial head of the police, Major General Fred Kekana, said that this was because South Africa remains committed to upholding every citizens constitutional right to protest. But he emphasised that the Summit venue itself will remain secured and inaccessible to the general public. PTI FH NB NB Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 12, 2025, 02:42 IST News agency-feeds Activist group Women For Change plans national shutdown ahead of G20 Summit Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Bengaluru: Police seize MDMA worth Rs 1.07 crore; Liberian national arrested Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:12 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Bengaluru, Nov 11 (PTI) Police on Tuesday said they have arrested a Liberian national here for allegedly selling the banned narcotic substance MDMA, and seized drugs worth Rs 1.07 crore from his possession. The arrest followed a tip-off received by the Avalahalli police on November 7, police added. Recommended Stories Based on credible information that a foreign national residing near Kammasandra Circle was selling MDMA crystals to his associates, a police team conducted a search and apprehended the accused," a senior police officer said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all During interrogation, the accused confessed that he had been purchasing MDMA crystals at a lower price from unknown persons and selling them at a higher price for profit, police said. A total of 537 grams of MDMA crystals of various colours, valued at Rs 1.07 crore, was seized. The accused has been remanded to judicial custody, police added. PTI AMP SSK Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 15:12 IST News agency-feeds Bengaluru: Police seize MDMA worth Rs 1.07 crore; Liberian national arrested Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Beyond the Textbook: Global Thinkers Inspire Cooperites to Dream Big Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 17:12 IST Representational image (Image: News18) VMPLNew Delhi [India], November 11: A Global Giant Challenges Students to Learn beyond the Classroom Maneckji Cooper Education Trust School just hosted an event that will be etched in its history: a powerhouse visit from Laureate Professor James Robinson, the 2024 recipient of the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences!The lecture was an electrifying convergence of global academia and young, hungry minds. Professor Robinson, the eminent economist celebrated for cracking the code on how political and economic institutions shape national prosperity, stepped into the classroom to engage students in an exclusive lecture and intense round table session on November 6th, 2025.Organised in collaboration with Nobel Prize Dialogue India 2025, the event wasnt just MCETS students who got this front-row seat to greatness, bright minds from other reputed schools, creating a vibrant, high-stakes forum for academic exchange.This visit highlights the enduring legacy of MCETS. For over six decades, the school has been dedicated to blending academic excellence with fierce character development. The interaction with Professor Robinson wasnt merely a guest lectureit was a bold declaration of the schools commitment to forging global perspectives, intellectual curiosity, and ethical leadership in every young learner.Its a proud, monumental milestone in MCETSs journey of making Learning is a joy forever." The message to the students is clear: The world is your classroom.Contact no. 022 69463300Email id: office@maneckjicooperschool.orgWebsite: www.maneckjicooperschool.org(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 17:12 IST News agency-feeds Beyond the Textbook: Global Thinkers Inspire Cooperites to Dream Big Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Chinese woman jailed as gang leader of UK's largest-ever Bitcoin scam Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 22:42 IST Representational image (Image: News18) London, Nov 11 (PTI) A 47-year-old Chinese woman was sentenced to 11 years and eight months of imprisonment by a UK court on Tuesday as the leader of a criminal gang behind the UKs largest-ever Bitcoin scam. Zhimin Qian, aka Yadi Zhang, had pleaded guilty to two offences of possessing illegally obtained cryptocurrency and money laundering the over 60,000 Bitcoin seized by the Metropolitan Police following an extensive investigation. Recommended Stories Southwark Crown Court in London heard that the sheer scale of the seized Bitcoin, the lack of any legitimate evidence for how it was acquired and its connection to a massive investment fraud in China all indicated that it was criminal property. There is no doubt this is one of the largest and most complex economic crime investigations we have ever undertaken," said Will Lyne, the Met Polices Head of Economic and Cybercrime Command. Organised crime groups are using cryptocurrency to move, hide, and invest the profits of serious crime but every crypto transaction leaves a trace, and the Met works meticulously with partners to follow that digital trail, identify assets and bring offenders to justice," he said. The court heard that Qian, between 2014 and 2017, was responsible for a massive investment fraud in China involving over 128,000 victims, which led to losses of approximately 600 million pounds. She went on to convert around 20.2 million pounds of the illegally obtained money into Bitcoin. Qian then fled China and came to the UK, where she began trying to purchase high worth property and jewellery through 43-year-old Jian Wen, who was convicted and imprisoned for money laundering separately at the same court earlier. When the duo was hampered by difficulties of transferring sufficient Bitcoin into cash, Qian sought the help of Malaysian national Seng Hok Ling, who transferred approximately 2.5 million pounds on her behalf. Ling, 47, was sentenced to four years and 11 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to one count of a money laundering related offence at the same court this week. It was Metropolitan Polices surveillance of Ling that eventually led to the discovery of Qian in the city of York, north-east England, and both were arrested in April 2024. Assets seized from them included encrypted devices, cash, gold and further cryptocurrency. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are increasingly being used by organised criminals to disguise and transfer assets, so that fraudsters may enjoy the benefits of their criminal conduct. This case, involving the largest cryptocurrency seizure in the UK, illustrates the scale of criminal proceeds available to those fraudsters," said Neil Colville, Unit Head Prosecutor in the Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate of the UKs Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The CPS will now work to ensure, through criminal confiscation and civil proceedings, that the criminal assets remain beyond the fraudsters reach to firstly freeze and then look to seize the very large quantity of cryptocurrency and other assets, currently worth around 4.8 billion pounds, used by Zhimin Qian to fund her extravagant lifestyle," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all UK Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer welcomed the outcome and described such fraud as a destructive and devastating crime" that harms business confidence and the economy. Together Zhimin Qian and Senghok Ling caused misery upon thousands of victims to fund their lavish lifestyles. Thanks to the close partnership between the Met and the CPS, they have seized substantial amounts of cryptocurrency and secured the conviction and sentencing of these two prolific fraudsters preventing more victims from coming to harm," he said. PTI AK SCY SCY Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 22:42 IST News agency-feeds Chinese woman jailed as gang leader of UK's largest-ever Bitcoin scam Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Congress appoints Ganesh Godiyal as Uttarakhand unit chief Last Updated: November 12, 2025, 04:42 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi [India], November 11 (ANI): The Congress Party on Tuesday appointed Ganesh Godiyal as the new President of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) with immediate effect.In the press release, All India Congress Committee General Secretary K.C. Venugopal stated that Congress President has appointed Ganesh Godiyal as the President of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee with immediate effect."The party also announced the appointments of the chairmen of its Uttarakhand campaign and election management committees. Pritam Singh has been named Chairman of the Campaign Committee. Harak Singh Rawat will serve as Chairman of the Election Management Committee.Further, the outgoing PCC President, Karan Mahara, has been appointed as a Special Invitee to the Congress Working Committee. The release noted, The party appreciates his contributions as PCC President."Earlier, the process to appoint a new Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president gathered pace, with six key contenders heading to Delhi to meet the party high command on Friday.On Thursday, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirmed that the new state Congress chief will be announced within the next ten days.The expansion of the party organisation will be completed within five to ten days. A new state party president will be announced within ten days," Sukhu told reporters in Shimla.The HPCC has remained largely defunct since November 6, 2024, when Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge dissolved the state, district, and block units as part of an organisational overhaul. While Pratibha Singh was retained as state president, her tenure formally ended in April this year, leaving the state unit in limbo for months.According to party sources, the six leaders called to Delhi include Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Deputy Speaker Vinay Kumar, Theog MLA Kuldeep Rathore, Palampur MLA Ashish Butail, Kasauli MLA Vinod Sultanpuri, and Bhoranj MLA Suresh Kumar. The meeting, convened by Kharge at the behest of Rahul Gandhi, will begin with a joint interaction followed by one-on-one discussions before the final decision is made.Chief Minister Sukhu is learnt to have conveyed to the party leadership that if a Scheduled Caste (SC) leader is to be considered for the post, their selection should be prioritised. Alternatively, if a cabinet minister is chosen, the views of the state cabinet should be taken into account.No name has been proposed from my side," Sukhu clarified when asked about his preferences. (ANI) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 12, 2025, 04:42 IST News agency-feeds Congress appoints Ganesh Godiyal as Uttarakhand unit chief Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Cross-border weapon smuggling network busted in Ferozepur: Punjab Police Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 20:12 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Chandigarh, Nov 11 (PTI) Punjab Police on Tuesday said it has unearthed a cross-border weapon smuggling network with the arrest of two persons in Ferozepur. Those arrested have been identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gori, a resident of village Ruhela Hazi of Ferozepur and Vikramjeet Singh alias Vicky, a resident of Jalalabad in Fazilka, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday. Recommended Stories Four 9MM Glock pistols, along with four magazines and four live cartridges, were recovered from their possession, Yadav said in a statement. Yadav said preliminary investigation revealed that the accused, identified as Vikramjeet, maintained direct links with a Pakistan-based smuggler involved in illegal arms trafficking. Vikramjeet further confessed to supplying weapons to local contacts on the directions of his Pakistani handlers, he said. The DGP said that Vikramjeets arrest has also helped in tracing an earlier case involving the recovery of an AK-47 assault rifle from the same cross-border network. Further investigation is ongoing to establish forward and backward linkages in this case, he added. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ferozepur Bhupinder Singh Sidhu said police teams arrested both the accused from Basti Boote Wala and recovered two Glock pistols from their possession. Acting on their disclosure, police teams recovered two additional Glock pistols from the location pinpointed by them, he said. The SSP said technical analysis of seized digital devices is underway to expose the full supply chain, including foreign handlers and local collaborators. More arrests and recoveries are likely in the coming days, he added. Meanwhile, the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Amritsar, in a joint operation with Counter Intelligence (CI), Pathankot, arrested two individuals associated with a gangster-terror module operating across multiple districts of the state and recovered a sophisticated 9MM Glock pistol along with three magazines and five live cartridges from their possession. Those arrested have been identified as Harpreet Singh, a resident of Baupur Afgana in Gurdaspur and Navpreet Singh, a resident of village Machhiwal in Amritsar. Investigation revealed the accused were working at the behest of their UK-based handler, who had arranged the weapon and had tasked them to conduct a recce of specific targets in Gurdaspur, Batala and Amritsar areas. The accused were planning targeted killings to create panic and communal disturbance in the state, he said. The DGP said that earlier, two members of the same module were arrested, and a hand grenade and a pistol were recovered from them. Fresh arrests have been made during the probe of the same case, he added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sharing operational details, Assistant Inspector General, SSOC, Sukhminder Singh Mann said that building on the leads obtained from the previous operation, SSOC Amritsar and CI Pathankot undertook a meticulous probe to uncover the extent of the networks activities, which led to the identification and arrest of two more individuals connected with the same module. The AIG informed that further investigation is underway to expose and dismantle the entire network, including its backward and forward linkages. PTI CHS MPL MPL Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 20:12 IST News agency-feeds Cross-border weapon smuggling network busted in Ferozepur: Punjab Police Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Delhi blast major security lapse: Tej Pratap Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 16:57 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Patna, Nov 11 (PTI) Janshakti Janta Dal (JJD) chief Tej Pratap Yadav on Tuesday said the blast near Delhis Red Fort, which left 12 people dead, was a result of a major security lapse". It was a major security lapse. The government must take serious cognisance of it and apprehend the perpetrators," the former Bihar minister told reporters in Patna. Recommended Stories A high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing at least 12 people and injuring many. Yadav, the elder son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, said women were actively taking part in the ongoing second phase of the Bihar assembly polls. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Voting is underway for 122 constituencies in Bihar in the second and final phase of the high-stakes assembly polls, amid tight security arrangements. Yadav is contesting from the Mahua assembly constituency. PTI SAN RBT Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 16:57 IST News agency-feeds Delhi blast major security lapse: Tej Pratap Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Delhi Police nabs vagabond for murder of 2-year-old boy, investigation underway Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 08:57 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi [India], November 11 (ANI): Delhi Police apprehended a vagabond, identified as Shaka, for the murder of a 2-year-old boy on Monday.Acting on clues collected, the team conducted multiple raids at possible hideouts in Delhi and surrounding areas, successfully tracing and arresting the accused.During sustained interrogation, Shaka admitted to committing the crime and revealed that he had an argument with the childs parents on the night of the incident.As per detailed verification, the accused was previously involved in a theft case. Further investigation into the matter is ongoing. In a separate incident, the body of a woman was recovered from a house in the Mahipalpur area of South-West Delhi on Saturday morning, police said. According to the Delhi Police, information regarding the incident was received at approximately 8:30 am. The deceased, identified as Amreen Thom, had been residing in the house for the past six months and was employed at an IT company in Haryanas Gurugram.A preliminary investigation indicates that the woman may have died due to electrocution caused by an immersion water heater rod kept in the bathroom, police said. (ANI) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 08:57 IST News agency-feeds Delhi Police nabs vagabond for murder of 2-year-old boy, investigation underway Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Developed nations must fulfil legal climate finance obligations: India at COP30 Last Updated: November 12, 2025, 00:12 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) India on Tuesday reaffirmed its firm commitment to multilateralism and equity in global climate action, and said that developed nations must fulfil their legal obligations on finance, technology transfer and capacity building to developing countries. Delivering statements on behalf of the BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) and the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) groups at the opening plenary of the 30th UN climate conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, India said climate finance remains the biggest barrier to enhanced ambition, and called for a clear definition of what constitutes climate finance, along with strengthened and scaled-up public finance for adaptation. Recommended Stories India emphasised that Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement places a binding responsibility on the developed countries to provide financial resources to the developing nations. It said adaptation finance must increase fifteen-fold to meet the needs of billions of vulnerable people who have contributed the least to global warming. Expressing full support for multilateralism and international cooperation, India called for outcomes that uphold the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC). It pressed for reliable, affordable and equitable access to climate technologies and urged the removal of intellectual property and market barriers that hinder technology transfer to the developing countries. The country said that the architecture of the Paris Agreement must not be altered and that CBDR-RC remains its cornerstone. India reminded the developed countries of their historical and ongoing responsibilities, urging them to reach net-zero earlier, invest in negative emissions technologies and meet their long-standing finance and technology commitments. It also cautioned against unilateral climate-related trade measures, warning that such steps risk turning into protectionist tools and violate Article 3.5 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which prohibits trade restrictions under the guise of climate action. Bolivia, on behalf of the LMDC group, earlier submitted a proposal to the UN climate body, seeking to include the issue of unilateral trade measures such as the European Unions Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on the agenda of this years climate talks. India says that unilateral measures force developing and low-income nations to bear the costs of transitioning to low-carbon economies, undermining climate finance commitments from developed nations, which have historically benefitted from industrialisation and contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions. The issue, raised repeatedly at the annual climate conferences since 2023, is yet to be formally taken up. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This year, the matter has been left to the COP30 Presidency to address through consultations outside the formal negotiating process. Other politically-sensitive and unresolved issues on which Brazils Presidency is holding consultations include the implementation of Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, which makes climate finance from the developed countries to developing countries a legal obligation; addressing the 1.5-degree Celsius ambition and implementation gap; and transparency of national climate data. PTI GVS ARI Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 12, 2025, 00:12 IST News agency-feeds Developed nations must fulfil legal climate finance obligations: India at COP30 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Enforced disappearances persist in Balochistan amid Pakistan's silence Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 12:12 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Balochistan [Pakistan], November 11 (ANI) The wave of enforced disappearances in Balochistan has intensified, with four more individuals reportedly abducted from different regions of the province during the first week of November. The cases, emerging from Panjgur, Kech, Dera Bugti, and Quetta, highlight what activists describe as Pakistans systematic campaign of intimidation and suppression against Baloch civilians, as reported by The Balochistan Post.According to The Balochistan Post, in the Panjgur district, Haji Shoaib, son of Waheed Bakhsh and a resident of Tasp, was allegedly picked up by Pakistani armed forces around midnight. Locals stated that Shoaib was taken to an unknown destination, and his family has received no official information regarding his fate or whereabouts.In a similar incident in Kech district, Jalal Baloch, son of Jameel and a resident of Gomazi, Tump, was allegedly detained from his home at around 2 a.m. Human rights organisation Paank, affiliated with the Baloch National Movement (BNM), informed that Jalal, a driver by profession, was abducted without any legal warrant or judicial procedure," calling the act a blatant violation of human rights.Another case occurred in Dera Bugti, where Abdullah, son of Toso Bugti and an employee of Pakistan Petroleum Limited, was allegedly taken by security forces in broad daylight.Eyewitnesses stated that armed personnel seized him without justification and later transferred him to an undisclosed location. In Quetta, Shafiq Ahmed, son of Noor Muhammad and a student at the Disaster Management Department, was reportedly disappeared by Pakistani forces from Brewery Road. Paank condemned his abduction, stating that the ongoing targeting of students and civilians fosters fear and insecurity in society." The group demanded his immediate and safe release, as highlighted by The Balochistan Post.Human rights observers stated that these disappearances are part of a growing pattern of state repression in Balochistan. Despite repeated denials by Pakistani authorities, the province continues to face mounting allegations of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial detentions, and systemic silencing of dissenting voices, as reported by The Balochistan Post. (ANI) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 12:12 IST News agency-feeds Enforced disappearances persist in Balochistan amid Pakistan's silence Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Gurugram police arrests 2 Rohit Godara gang members Last Updated: November 12, 2025, 00:42 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Gurugram, Nov 11 (PTI) Under the ongoing Operation Trackdown, Gurugram police has arrested two active members of the Rohit Godara gang, officials said on Tuesday. The arrested accused, identified as Naresh Kumar and Sanjay alias Sanjeev, are residents of Saidpur village in Narnaul district. Both accused had been absconding for the past 11 months and carried a cash reward of Rs 5,000 each, they added. Recommended Stories According to the police, on December 5, 2024, Naresh and Sanjay launched a murderous attack on a rival gang member, Amit, inside the premises of Narnaul court. After the incident, they kept changing locations and managed to evade arrest for several months. However, the Special Task Force (Gurugram) continuously tracked the accused using technical surveillance and intelligence inputs and successfully apprehended both on November 9. Subsequently, they were handed over to the STFs Bahadurgarh unit for further legal proceedings. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sanjay has around 10 criminal cases registered against him, while Naresh faces four. Both are involved in serious offences such as organised crime, attempted murder and illegal possession of weapons. Since the launch of Operation Trackdown, 209 hardcore criminals and 1,173 other accused have been arrested across Haryana. On November 10 alone, 48 hardcore criminals and 179 other accused were nabbed by the police, according to an official statement. PTI COR AMJ AMJ Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 12, 2025, 00:42 IST News agency-feeds Gurugram police arrests 2 Rohit Godara gang members Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Beijing (Gasgoo)- On Nov. 10, GAC Group and CATL signed a 10-year comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement at GAC Group's headquarters in Panyu, Guangzhou. The partnership aims to leverage the strengths of both sides in intelligent manufacturing, technology innovation, and market resources to build a systematic industrial ecosystem and foster a new pattern of coordinated growth in the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector. Signing ceremony; photo credit: GAC Group Under the agreement, the two companies will deepen collaboration in intelligent chassis systems, battery swapping, and next-generation battery technologies. GAC Group's vehicle brands will jointly develop competitive NEV products utilizing CATL's latest energy solutions. The two sides will also cooperate in battery leasing, joint station construction, and shared energy services, promoting business model innovation across the value chain. In line with the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and resource sharing, GAC Group and CATL have established a framework for long-term, multi-level collaboration. Their cooperation covers battery technology R&D, swapping ecosystem development, and electrification platform innovation, providing robust support for high-quality industry growth. The partnership follows the launch of the AION UT super, an electric vehicle model jointly developed by GAC AION, CATL, and JD.com. Featuring CATL's Choco-SEB battery-swap technology and GAC Group's intelligent manufacturing capabilities, the AION UT super is exclusively sold via JD.com, pioneering a direct-to-consumer retail model for NEVs. Haryana govt grants age relaxation to ex-Agniveers for direct recruitment Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:12 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], November 11 (ANI): The Haryana government has decided to grant relaxation in the upper age limit for ex-Agniveers, who are domiciles of the state, during direct recruitment after completing their military service, an official statement said.A letter to this effect has been issued by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi. As per the governments decision, ex-Agniveers will be entitled to a relaxation of three years in the prescribed upper age limit for direct recruitment to Group B and Group C posts. Additionally, members of the first batch of ex-Agniveers will receive an age relaxation of five years.All departments, boards, corporations, universities, and field offices have been directed to ensure strict compliance with these instructions.On June 17, the Government of India amended the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 by issuing a Gazette notification.The amendment officially entrusts the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) with the responsibility of coordinating and facilitating the career progression of Agniveers who exit the armed forces after their four-year tenure.In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (3) of article 77 of the Constitution, the President hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961," read the Gazette notification.As per the notification, the MHA will act as the nodal ministry, working in close coordination with various Union Ministries, Departments, and state/Union Territory governments.In the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, in THE SECOND SCHEDULE, under the heading MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (GRIH MANTRALAYA)", under the sub-heading B. DEPARTMENT OF STATES (RAJYA VIBHAG)", after entry 18, the following entry shall be inserted, namely: 19. Coordinating activities for further progression of Ex-Agniveers," mentioned the Gazette notification further. (ANI) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 15:12 IST News agency-feeds Haryana govt grants age relaxation to ex-Agniveers for direct recruitment Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... India and Japan are becoming more close Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 10:42 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Tokyo [Japan], November 11 (ANI): The relation between India and Japan are becoming more close to accept maximum number of Indian visitors. Japan Tourism Agency announced that 230,000 Indian tourists visited to Japan since January to September in this year.It is 37 per cent increasing from previous year and 230,000 recorded beyond the number of 2024s 1-year Indian visitors.Two young Indian planners living in Fukushima contribute to acceleration of this trend. Fukushima was damaged by Great East Japan Earthquake 2011 and currently on the way to recover and transform.Trishit Banerjee (27) is a manager of Futaba Area Tourism Research Association and came from Mumbai. Swastika Harsh Jajoo(29) is a manager of FATRA and came from Delhi. They introduce Educational Tour to Fukushima" to not only Japan but also all over the world including India.They have come to Japan as foreign students of Tohoku University. Through learning and daily life they sympathized and be attracted to Tohoku area especially Fukushima.Already they accepted Educational Tourists" from 24 countries to study serious experience of Fukushima and recovering to transform to new community. Currently new industry of bioethanol, hydrogen, robot, wine industry, new agriculture and so on. They advocate its process is good text to create livable society for the people all over the world.From India in January first internship students five people of Nath School of Business and Technology came based on MOU between NSBT and FATRA. In December 2nd internship students 10 people will come to Fukushima.Not only students but also 20 Indian principals of school visited Fukushima. It is supported by EDTERRA which is educational tourism company.Fukushima is recovering and cultivate new industry including energy resource, robot, drone, agriculture and so on. They are future subject of Japanese society. Considering its value to envisage future community, two young Indian planners define their mission We introduce our favorite Fukushima all over the world". (ANI) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 10:42 IST News agency-feeds India and Japan are becoming more close Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... India Art Fair to return for 17th edition with record 123 exhibitors Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 18:27 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) The 17th edition of India Art Fair will return to the national capital in February with a record 123 exhibitors, including international participation from David Zwirner, Galleria Continua, neugerriemschneider, and Carpenters Workshop Gallery. Running from February 5-8 at the NSIC Exhibition Grounds, India Art Fair will host 87 galleries, 24 major art institutions, an extended Design section, spotlighting 12 design studios and two galleries. Recommended Stories Some of South Asias most important contemporary galleries alongside established international names will be showcasing rare masterpieces and cutting-edge contemporary works from India and beyond, including Indian galleries like Gallery Espace, Latitude 28, Exhibit 320, DAG, Emami Art, Jhavery Contemporary, Project 88, and Lakeeren Contemporary. The fair will also feature international galleries, including 11 Art Gallery Aicon Contemporary, Saskia Fernando Gallery, Grosvenor Gallery, Whitestone Gallery, Rajiv Menon Contemporary, DMINTI, 193 Gallery, LAMB, Gowen Contemporary, and Danfe Arts. The 17th edition of India Art Fair marks a watershed moment for us not just in scale, but in reach. With a record number of exhibitors and a truly global line-up, India Art Fair continues to serve as the definitive meeting point for the international art community in South Asia," Jaya Asokan, Fair Director, India Art Fair, said in a statement. Returning for a third year, the Design section will bring together studios Ashiesh Shah, Aspura, Chanakya School of Craft, DeMuro Das, Gunjan Gupta, ROOSHADSHROFF, Studio Renn, Vikram Goyal with Galerie Maria Wettengren, Kunal Maniar and Associates, Kohelika Kohli Karkhana, Morii Design, and SHED. The section also features a special institutional collaboration between the French Institutes residency programme and the Mumbai-based design gallery quo, inviting French designer Marie Gastini to explore a cross-cultural dialogue between traditional Indian textile techniques and contemporary scenography. The Focus section will present a series of solo artist showcases, including Bharti Kher, Jayasri Burman, Shailesh B R, and Ravinder Reddy, Girjesh Kumar Singh, Thandiwe Muriu, and Khadim Ali. Major outdoor projects and collaborations at the 17th India Art Fair will include new site-specific works by artist Kulpreet Singh, commissioned and presented by Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, that are deeply rooted in the ecological aftermath of the Green Revolution. World acclaimed artist Judy Chicagos project What If Women Ruled the World? Participatory Quilt", presented by DMINTI, will invite audiences to engage with urgent questions while fostering discussion of a different tomorrow. Serendipity Arts will showcase The Charpai Project", conceptualised by Ayush Kasliwal, in a new format with a digital intervention by AI artist Goji. Highlights from the Institutions section include the Sabyasachi Art Foundations debut with an exhibition of select works by artist Atish Mukherjee, and MASH showcasing artist Ann Carrington whose work explores ready-made histories and associations with household objects through metal sculptures. The Australian High Commission will present sculptural works by indigenous artist Grace Lillian Lee, while Serendipity Arts will feature an immersive audio-visual installation by Alan Rego, and The Arts Family will exhibit works by its recent TAF Emerging Artist Award South Asia winners, Deena Pindoria, Ritika Sharma, Akshay Bhoan, and Mohit Shelare. Other institutions include the Museum of Art & Photography, Sabyasachi Art Foundation, The Gujral Foundation and Birla Academy of Art & Culture. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Platform section will spotlight South Asias living artistic traditions and craft-based practices, bringing together artists and collectives reinterpreting inherited practices with contemporary language, including Gondwana Art Project, which evokes the ecological and cosmic worlds of the Gond, Baiga, and Bhil communities through paintings, and Delhi Crafts Councils (DCC) reimagining of Bastar metalwork in collaboration with traditional artisans. Gallery Ragini will present wooden sculptures from the village of Thammampatti in the interiors of Tamil Nadu, and a hand-knotted carpet that weaves together personal narratives and cultural memory, while Porgai Artisans Association a women-led collective from Tamil Nadus Sittilingi Valley will bring sculptural textiles and embroidered works celebrating the Lambadi tradition through ecological consciousness and community life. PTI MAH MAH MG MG Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 18:27 IST News agency-feeds India Art Fair to return for 17th edition with record 123 exhibitors Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... India, China leading global clean energy transition: COP30 President Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 12:27 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago has praised India and China for playing a transformative role in the global energy transition, saying both countries have embraced climate action in a very clear way" and are driving down the cost of clean technologies worldwide. Addressing a press conference at the opening of COP30 in Belem, Brazil, do Lago said China has embraced this agenda in an extraordinary way" by combining scale, technology and affordability, three crucial ingredients that have accelerated the worlds progress towards cleaner energy systems. Recommended Stories He said both China and India are shaping the future of the global energy transition. China has very advanced technology and has a scale that can only be compared to India. And India is somehow doing the same, because they also have brilliant companies and engineers and incredible people. They are going in the same direction," he said in response to a question on Chinas contribution to the fight against climate change Do Lago emphasised Chinas leadership in clean technology manufacturing, particularly in electric vehicles, solar panels, wind energy and battery production. I dont need to say how important China has become for electric vehicles, for solar panels, for wind, for batteries. Thanks to their scale, by lowering the price of all these essential elements in the transition, they are at the same time doing an amazing job of international cooperation," he said. He said Chinas massive scale has helped reduce the cost of key green technologies, creating ripple effects across the world. If the solar panel now costs ninety per cent less than a few years ago, many more people in the developing world can afford them. And somehow, you need fewer resources to get this done in many countries in the world, thanks to the price reduction. And then you can do other things in developing countries," he added. So, we are going to have two major markets which will lower the price of this transition because both countries have embraced this transition in a very clear way," the COP30 president said. COP30, which marks a decade since the Paris Agreement, is taking place amid heightened geopolitical tensions, ongoing wars and economic uncertainty triggered by US tariffs. The United States withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, along with several developed countries re-evaluating their climate commitments amid economic and energy security concerns, has created a challenging backdrop for this years climate talks. Hence, a fair and ambitious outcome at COP30 will be important to reaffirm trust in multilateralism. It is also the moment when countries must submit the next generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for the 2031-2035 period. NDCs are national climate plans under the Paris Agreement that set targets to cut emissions and adapt to climate change, guiding global efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The world has already heated up by 1.3 degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial era (1850-1900), largely due to burning fossil fuels. The UN Emissions Gap report published last week said that under current policies, the world is on track for 2.8 degrees of warming by 2100. India is expected to submit its updated NDCs and National Adaptation Plan, which will outline how it will prepare for and cope with the impacts of climate change, at COP30. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Delivering Indias statement at the Leaders Summit of COP30 on Friday, Indian Ambassador to Brazil Dinesh Bhatia reaffirmed the countrys commitment to multilateralism and the Paris Agreement. India said global climate ambition remains inadequate even a decade after the Paris Agreement and called for developed nations to accelerate emission cuts and deliver promised climate finance. PTI GVS GVS OZ OZ Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 12:27 IST News agency-feeds India, China leading global clean energy transition: COP30 President Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... IndiGo plans codeshare partnership with China Southern Airlines Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 13:57 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) IndiGo plans to enter into a codeshare partnership with China Southern Airlines as it seeks to provide enhanced air connectivity options to Chinese cities. On Tuesday, IndiGo and China Southern Airlines inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a codeshare partnership and mutual co-operation agreement. The pact is subject to regulatory approvals, according to a release. Recommended Stories Generally, a codeshare partnership allows an airline to book its passengers on its partner carrier on a single ticket. This partnership aims to offer enhanced travel options and integrated travel itineraries to customers travelling between India and China on the joint network of both airlines besides through check-in process, among other benefits," IndiGo said in the release. The latest announcement from IndiGo comes a day after the airline started direct daily flights from Delhi to Guangzhou. On October 26, IndiGo resumed flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou, marking commencement of direct air connectivity between India and China after more than five years. Direct flights were operational between the two countries till early 2020 before being suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Indian and Chinese carriers had direct services. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The services remained suspended in view of the eastern Ladakh border row. Following the recent diplomatic initiatives, it was decided to resume the direct flights between the two countries. PTI RAM IAS ANU ANU Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 13:57 IST News agency-feeds IndiGo plans codeshare partnership with China Southern Airlines Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Israeli settlers attack two Palestinian villages in West Bank Last Updated: November 12, 2025, 02:27 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Jerusalem, Nov 12 (AP) Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked a pair of Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, setting fire to vehicles and other property before clashing with Israeli soldiers sent to halt the rampage, Israeli and Palestinian officials said. It was the latest in a series of attacks by young settlers in the West Bank. Recommended Stories Israeli police said four Israelis were arrested in what it described as extremist violence," while the Israeli military said four Palestinians were wounded. Police and Israels Shin Bet internal security agency said they were investigating. Videos on social media showed two charred trucks engulfed in flames, with a nearby building on fire. Settler violence has surged since the war in Gaza erupted two years ago. The attacks have intensified in recent weeks as Palestinians harvest their olive trees in an annual ritual. Earlier on Tuesday, tens of thousands of Israelis attended the funeral of an Israeli soldier whose remains had been held in Gaza for 11 years, overflowing and blocking surrounding streets as somber crowds stood with Israeli flags. The burial of Lt. Hadar Goldin was a moment of closure for his family, which had traveled the world in a public campaign seeking his return. The huge turnout also reflected the importance for the broader public in Israel, where Goldin became a household name. Hamas returned his remains on Sunday as part of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal that began last month. The bodies of four hostages taken in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, are still in Gaza. Settler violence in the West Bank The U.N. humanitarian office last week reported more Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank in October than in any other month since it began keeping track in 2006. There were over 260 attacks, the office said. Palestinians and human rights workers accuse the Israeli army and police of failing to halt attacks by settlers. Israels government is dominated by West Bank settlers, and the police force is overseen by Cabinet minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a hardline settler leader. In Tuesdays incident, the army said soldiers initially responded to settler attacks in the villages of Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf. It said the settlers fled to a nearby industrial zone and attacked soldiers sent to the scene and damaged a military vehicle. Palestinian official Muayyad Shaaban, who heads the governments Commission against the Wall and Settlements, said the settlers set fire to four dairy trucks, farmland, tin shacks and tents belonging to a Bedouin community. He said the attacks were part of a campaign to drive Palestinians from their land and accused Israel of giving the settlers protection and immunity. He called for sanctions against groups that sponsor and support the colonial settlement terrorism project." French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the attacks during his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris on Tuesday, saying that settler violence and the acceleration of settlement projects are reaching new heights, threatening the stability of the West Bank." Palestinians in Gaza still struggling to access food Displaced Palestinians in central Gaza said they continue to rely heavily on charity kitchens for their only daily meal, as soaring market prices and the lack of income leave them struggling. Scores of people, most of them children, lined up with empty pots at a charity kitchen in Nuseirat refugee camp on Tuesday waiting to be served rice the only food available that day. The rockets and planes stopped but increasing living costs has been the hardest weapon used against us," said Mohamed al-Naqlah, a displaced Palestinian. Close adviser to Netanyahu resigns Cabinet Minister Ron Dermer, one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus closest confidants, announced his resignation on Tuesday, citing family reasons. In a letter, Dermer said he had promised his family to serve two years but extended his term by an additional year to deal with Irans nuclear program and to end the war in Gaza on Israels terms and bring our hostages home." The U.S.-born Dermer is a former Israeli ambassador to Washington. As strategic affairs minister, he served as Netanyahus envoy throughout the war in dealing with the United States and ceasefire negotiations. Funeral for soldier whose remains were held 11 years Goldin was 23 when he was killed two hours after a ceasefire took effect in the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas. For years before the 2023 attack, posters with the faces of Goldin and Oron Shaul, another soldier whose body was abducted in the 2014 war, stared down from intersections. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Israels military long ago determined that Goldin had been killed based on evidence found in the tunnel where his body was taken, including a blood-soaked shirt and prayer fringes. On Tuesday, it announced it had dismantled the tunnel shaft where his body was found. The military retrieved Shauls body in January. Eulogies from Goldins siblings, parents, and former fiancee at his funeral never mentioned Netanyahu, who was prime minister when Goldin was kidnapped and for most of the period since. They thanked the Israeli military, including reserve soldiers, who tirelessly searched for Goldins body over the years. (AP) NB NB Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 12, 2025, 02:27 IST News agency-feeds Israeli settlers attack two Palestinian villages in West Bank Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Kamdhenu Q2 net profit grows 18 pc to Rs 19 cr Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:57 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) Construction steel bar manufacturer Kamdhenu on Tuesday posted an 18 per cent year-on-year rise in net profit to Rs 18.7 crore in September quarter, mainly on account of reduced expenses. It had clocked a net profit of Rs 15.9 crore in July-September period of FY25, the TMT (Thermo-Mechanical Treatment) bar player said in an exchange filing. Recommended Stories During the reporting quarter, the company also saw its revenues growing to Rs 191.14 crore from Rs 190 in the second quarter a year ago. Kamdhenu trimmed expenses to Rs 169.15 crore from 175.24 crore in the year ago quarter. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In a separate statement, the companys CMD Satish Kumar Agarwal said, During the quarter, some of our key operating regions witnessed abnormal weather conditions and extended periods of rainfall. This temporarily impacted volumes and revenue growth. However, this is a one-off seasonal effect, and we expect momentum to normalize as conditions improve." Despite these near-term factors, the overall demand environment remains healthy, with TMT bars continuing to be among the fastest-growing product categories driven by sustained infrastructure spending and strong construction activity, he said. Gurugram-based Kamdhenu Group is also into manufacturing of paints. PTI ABI HVA Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 15:57 IST News agency-feeds Kamdhenu Q2 net profit grows 18 pc to Rs 19 cr Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Malaria cases dropped by 97 pc in MP in last 10 years: Dy CM Shukla Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 19:57 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Bhopal, Nov 11 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla on Tuesday said the state has achieved 97 per cent reduction in malaria cases in the last 10 years. Under Indias National Malaria Elimination Programme, we aim to make the country malaria-free by 2030," Shukla, who is also the state Health and Family Welfare Minister, said on the impact of the Elimination of Mosquito-Borne Endemic Diseases (EMBED) initiative. Recommended Stories EMBED is a public-private initiative launched in 2015 by the state government with support from Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL) and Family Health India (FHI). top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Over the last years, the programme has helped the state progress from high malaria transmission (Category 3) to low transmission (Category 1) in the National Malaria Elimination Framework, with over 3,047 villages and slums achieving malaria-free status, a company release said. Deputy CM Shukla said, I appreciate the work done by Godrej Consumer Products in supporting this important mission. Im pleased to share that Madhya Pradesh has achieved a 97 per cent reduction in malaria cases in the past ten years. The success has come through strong partnership between our health department, GCPL and the Family Health Organisation." Reflecting on this journey, Sudhir Sitapati, GCPLs MD and CEO, said, Reducing malaria by 97 per cent means every second child in Madhya Pradesh, once at risk, is now safe, thanks to the state governments programme." PTI MAS NP Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 19:57 IST News agency-feeds Malaria cases dropped by 97 pc in MP in last 10 years: Dy CM Shukla Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Mamata makes surprise visit to Kolkata film festival venue Last Updated: November 12, 2025, 00:12 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Kolkata, Nov 11 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a surprise visit to the venue of the 31st Kolkata International Film Festival on Tuesday evening and enquired about the arrangements. Banerjee, who went to Nandan, the main venue for the festival, from Swasthya Bhavan at Salt Lake, met KIFF Chairman Goutam Ghosh and other organising committee members. Recommended Stories She enquired about the arrangements made for the public and delegates who arrived from different parts of the country to take part in the festival. I arrived here on a surprise visit. We had a hearty adda (chat). Due to hectic schedules, we cannot catch up with each other. We also shared anecdotes in our adda session," she told reporters while leaving the venue. Banerjee, earlier in the day, arrived in Kolkata from north Bengal. She was accompanied by state minister Aroop Biswas, who is close to the Bengali film industry, and another minister Indranil Sen. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Banerjee was present at the inaugural function of KIFF on November 6. The festival, in which 215 films from 39 countries will be screened, will end on November 13. PTI SUS BDC Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 12, 2025, 00:12 IST News agency-feeds Mamata makes surprise visit to Kolkata film festival venue Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Mamata pays tribute to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his birth anniversary Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 13:57 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Kolkata, Nov 11 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday paid tribute to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his birth anniversary, recalling his role as a freedom fighter and educationist who stood for communal harmony. I pay my heartfelt tributes to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a symbol of Hindu-Muslim harmony, a great freedom fighter, educationist and former Union Minister, on his birth anniversary," Banerjee posted on X. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Recommended Stories Maulana Azad, the countrys first education minister, was one of the leading figures of Indias freedom struggle and played a key role in shaping the nations education policy after Independence. His birth anniversary is observed as the National Education Day to honour his contributions to education and nation-building. PTI SCH MNB Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 13:57 IST News agency-feeds Mamata pays tribute to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his birth anniversary Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Beijing(Gasgoo)- On November 10, Chinese autonomous driving startup WeRide announced that it has officially received approval from the UAE federal government to launch fully driverless Robotaxi commercial operations in Abu Dhabi. This marks the first city-level commercial license for Level 4 autonomous driving outside the United States, representing a new stage for WeRide's Robotaxi services in the Middle East, according to WeRide. Photo credit: WeRide Under the license granted on October 31, WeRide is authorized to operate Robotaxi services without on-board safety operators. The service will first be available through the Uber and TXAI platforms in Abu Dhabi, with additional operational details to be announced soon. This special approval was issued by the Regulations Lab under the UAE Cabinet Secretariat, an authority tasked with evaluating innovative projects that drive future economic development. As early as July 2023, WeRide received the UAE's first autonomous driving road testing license, permitting nationwide public road testing and operations across all vehicle types, provided that regulatory requirements in each emirate are met. Since 2021, WeRide has partnered with TXAI to conduct public Robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi. In December 2024, WeRide and Uber launched a Robotaxi ride-hailing partnership in Abu Dhabi, forming the largest commercial Robotaxi fleet outside China and the United States. In July 2025, the service area expanded to nearly half of Abu Dhabi's core urban districts, including Al Reem Island and Al Maryah Island. By the end of 2025, operations will extend to most of Abu Dhabi's central zones, including Khalifa City, Masdar City, and downtown Abu Dhabi. As of October 2025, WeRide's Robotaxi fleet in Abu Dhabi had accumulated nearly one million kilometers of road mileage. With the latest authorization allowing the removal of in-vehicle safety operators, WeRide's Robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi are expected to achieve per-vehicle operational break-even. Since the second quarter of 2025, WeRide has been conducting fully driverless Robotaxi testing in Abu Dhabi to validate system reliability in preparation for commercial deployment. Throughout the process, WeRide has worked closely with the Abu Dhabi Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), successfully completing stringent safety and regulatory assessments. The company plans to expand its regional Robotaxi fleet to 1,000 vehicles by 2026 and to several tens of thousands by 2030. Man accused of calling for attacks on German politicians arrested Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:27 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Berlin, Nov 11 (AP) A man accused of calling for attacks on German politicians and officials, seeking cryptocurrency donations to be used as a reward for their killing and publishing instructions on how to build explosives has been arrested, prosecutors said Tuesday. The suspect, a German-Polish dual citizen identified only as Martin S. in line with German privacy rules, was arrested in Dortmund on Monday evening, federal prosecutors said in a statement. Recommended Stories He is suspected of terror financing, giving instructions on carrying out a serious act of violence and dangerous dissemination of personal data. Prosecutors allege that the man had been calling for attacks on politicians, officials and other figures in German public life on the darknet since at least June. He is accused of anonymously running a platform on which he published lists of names, self-styled death sentences and instructions for building explosives. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He also allegedly called for donations in cryptocurrency that were intended to be offered as a reward for the killing of his targets. The platform contained sensitive personal data on potential victims, prosecutors said. They didnt identify any of the people on the lists or specify what data was divulged. Federal prosecutors are responsible for significant extremism-related and national security cases in Germany. (AP) GSP Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 15:27 IST News agency-feeds Man accused of calling for attacks on German politicians arrested Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Man held for 'raping' daughter-in-law in Kolkata Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 22:57 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Kolkata, Nov 11 (PTI) An elderly man was arrested for allegedly raping his daughter-in-law in the southern part of the citys Park Street area, police said on Tuesday. The woman had lodged a complaint at the Park Street Police Station, following which the accused was apprehended on Monday, they said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Recommended Stories On the day of the incident, she was alone at home. Taking advantage of the absence of other family members, her father-in-law allegedly committed the crime," a police officer said. The accused was produced before the Bankshall Court here on Tuesday, which remanded him to police custody till November 18, the officer said. PTI SCH RBT Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 22:57 IST News agency-feeds Man held for 'raping' daughter-in-law in Kolkata Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Meghalaya CM condoles death of those killed in Delhi blast Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 08:57 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Shillong, Nov 11 (PTI) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the blast near Red Fort in Delhi, and extended his condolences to the families of those killed and wished for a speedy recovery of the injured persons. Gravely disturbed by the news of the tragic blast near Red Fort, New Delhi. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones and with all those injured, wishing them strength and healing," Sangma said in a post on X. Recommended Stories A high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing at least nine people and gutting several vehicles, officials said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Twenty people, including two women, were injured in the blast that took place on a busy evening when the area was milling with people. Police said that the car, in which the blast took place, had three occupants, adding that they are also probing if it was a suicide bomber attack. PTI JOP ACD Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 08:57 IST News agency-feeds Meghalaya CM condoles death of those killed in Delhi blast Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Nithari killings case: SC acquits Surendra Koli, orders his release Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 19:12 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) Surendra Koli, the only convict in the sensational 2006 Nithari mass killings, is now a free man as the Supreme Court on Tuesday acquitted him of charges in the last such case and ordered his forthwith release if not required in any other matter. This was the 13th case in the Nithari killings in which Koli was acquitted. He was already acquitted in the 12 other related cases. Recommended Stories The Nithari killings had come to light with the discovery of the skeletal remains of eight children from a drain behind businessman Moninder Singh Pandhers house at Nithari in Noida on December 29, 2006. Koli was the domestic help at Pandhers house at that time. Allowing Kolis curative petition challenging his conviction in the case related to the alleged rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl in Nithari, the apex court said criminal law does not permit conviction on conjecture or on a hunch. A curative petition is the last legal recourse available to a party after exhausting other remedies, including a review petition. A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath said the offences in Nithari were heinous and the suffering of the families was beyond measure. It is a matter of deep regret that despite prolonged investigation, the identity of the actual perpetrator has not been established in a manner that meets the legal standards," the bench said. It said that suspicion, however grave, cannot replace proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and the courts cannot prefer expediency over legality. The presumption of innocence endures until guilt is proved through admissible and reliable evidence; and when proof fails, the only lawful outcome is to set aside the conviction even in a case involving horrific crimes," the bench said. The top court said it must remark on the abiding faith in the capacity of police and investigative agencies of the country. When investigations are timely, professional and constitutionally compliant, even the most difficult mysteries can be solved and many crimes can be prevented by early intervention," it said. The bench said it was genuinely unfortunate" that in the case, negligence and delay corroded the fact-finding process and foreclosed avenues that might have identified the true offender. The scene was not secured before excavation began, the alleged disclosure was not contemporaneously recorded, the remand papers carried contradictory versions, and the petitioner was kept in prolonged police custody without a timely, court-directed medical examination," it said. The bench noted that crucial scientific opportunities were lost when post-mortem materials and other forensic outputs were not promptly and properly brought on record and when searches of the house yielded no incriminating traces that could be forensically anchored to the alleged events. It said the probe did not adequately examine obvious witnesses from the household and neighbourhood and did not pursue material leads, including the organ-trade angle flagged by a governmental committee. Each lapse weakened the provenance and reliability of evidence and narrowed the path to truth," the bench said. While allowing his curative plea, the bench set aside its February 15, 2011, verdict dismissing Kolis appeal against his conviction in the case. The top court also set aside its October 28, 2014, order dismissing his review petition in the matter. It acquitted Koli of the charges and quashed the sentences and fines imposed upon him in the case. The petitioner (Koli) shall be released forthwith, if not required in any other case or proceeding. The registry shall communicate this judgment forthwith to the superintendent of the jail concerned and to the trial court for immediate compliance," the bench said. In January 2015, the Allahabad High Court commuted his death sentence to life imprisonment in the case due to an inordinate delay in the decision on his mercy petition. In October 2023, the High Court acquitted Koli and co-accused Pandher in other Nithari cases, overturning the death sentences awarded by the trial court in 2017. It acquitted Koli in 12 cases and Pandher in two. The CBI and the victims families later challenged these acquittals before the Supreme Court, which dismissed all 14 appeals on July 30 this year. In its verdict, the top court said it was satisfied that the threshold for invoking the curative jurisdiction was met in the case. It tested the conviction against the legal defects that led the high court and, thereafter, the apex court to discard the common evidentiary pillars in the companion matters. The bench said the high courts critique of the investigation was not rhetorical excess, and it was anchored in record-based deficiencies that bear directly on fairness and reliability. We must emphasise that Article 21 of the Constitution insists on a fair, just and reasonable procedure. That insistence is at its acutest where capital punishment is imposed," it said. The bench said that to allow a conviction to stand on evidentiary basis that the apex court had since rejected as involuntary or inadmissible in the very same fact-matrix offends Article 21 of the Constitution. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all It also violates Article 14 of the Constitution, since like cases must be treated alike," it said. The CBI had taken over the case, and its search resulted in the recovery of more human remains in the Nithari killings. PTI ABA SJK ABA NSD NSD Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 19:12 IST News agency-feeds Nithari killings case: SC acquits Surendra Koli, orders his release Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pakistan: 12 killed in blast at Islamabad's district court Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:12 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Islamabad [Pakistan], November 11 (ANI): At least 12 people were killed in an explosion at the district and sessions court in Islamabads G-11 area on Tuesday, as reported by Dawn.According to Dawn, the death toll was confirmed by a senior Islamabad police official. The cause of the explosion is yet to be determined, and an investigation is underway.Videos circulating on social media showed flames and thick plumes of smoke rising from the wreckage of a charred vehicle behind a security barrier following the blast, as reported by Dawn.As per DawnNewsTV, the sound of the explosion was heard as far as six kilometres away. Security forces have cordoned off the area as rescue and investigation teams arrived at the scene.Authorities are yet to release details about the nature of the explosion or possible suspects behind the attack, Dawn reported.Further details awaited. (ANI) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 15:12 IST News agency-feeds Pakistan: 12 killed in blast at Islamabad's district court Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Prez Murmu arrives in Botswana for 3-day state visit; India to get 8 cheetahs Last Updated: November 12, 2025, 00:12 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Gaborone (Botswana), Nov 11 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Botswana on Tuesday on the final leg of her two-nation visit to Africa, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and finalising an agreement on the translocation of eight Kalahari desert cheetahs to India. Murmu, who took off from Angolas capital Luanda early in the day, arrived at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Botswanas capital Gaborone, and was received by President Duma Gideon Boko. Recommended Stories She was accorded a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour at the tarmac. The two heads of state later witnessed a performance by the traditional dance troupe at the airport. This is the first-ever visit of an Indian President to Botswana, like Angola. Murmu is on a six-day state visit to the two countries. During her three days in the landlocked southern African country, Murmu will hold delegation-level talks with President Boko, and senior officials from both sides will exchange some Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at enhancing bilateral ties. She will also address the Parliamentarians of the National Assembly of Botswana on Wednesday. Murmu and Boko will preside over an event where eight captured cheetahs will be released into a quarantine facility at the Mokolodi nature reserve, marking the symbolic handing over of the hunting cats to India by Botswana as part of Project Cheetah and under a mutual initiative for wildlife conservation. The cheetahs have been brought to the nature reserve, 10 km south of Gaborone, from the Ghanzi town located in the Kalahari desert. Murmu is also expected to meet the Indian community here. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said in Delhi during a pre-visit presser that the state visit of the President underscores Indias commitment to strengthen its long-standing and friendly ties with Botswana". During the visit, President Murmu will hold bilateral talks with her counterpart, it said. The two leaders will discuss and explore new avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade and investments, technology, energy, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, defence, and people-to-people ties," MEA secretary (economic relations) Sudhakar Dalela had said. Diamonds dominate bilateral trade between the two countries. Botswana exports rough diamonds to India, while India exports pharmaceuticals, machinery, iron and steel, and electrical equipment to the country, whose 70 per cent area is covered by the Kalahari desert. The year 2026 will mark 60 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations. Botswana is the worlds leading producer of rough diamonds by value and the second-largest by volume. India had a USD 506 million worth of trade with the country during the 2024-25 fiscal. In the first leg of her four-day state visit to Angola, President Murmu met her Angolan counterpart Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco and held high-level talks with him. The two heads of state oversaw the signing of two MOUs by senior officials of both sides. In Luanda, Murmu assured Angola that there were unlimited" possibilities to strengthen bilateral relations in various sectors, including energy security, diamond processing, agriculture, petroleum refining, and critical minerals exploration. During the pre-visit presser, MEA had said that India is confident that Murmus visit will further strengthen Indias long-standing collaborative ties with Angola and Botswana, and open up new avenues for collaboration and expanding our partnership". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The visit, Dalela noted is reflective of Indias firm commitment to further strengthen its multifaceted partnership with the African continent". Murmu will depart for Delhi on Thursday. PTI NES SCY SCY Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 12, 2025, 00:12 IST News agency-feeds Prez Murmu arrives in Botswana for 3-day state visit; India to get 8 cheetahs Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pune police seek ED probe under PMLA into gangster Ghaywal's assets Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 08:42 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Pune, Nov 11 (PTI) The Pune police have approached the Enforcement Directorate, seeking action under the PMLA over the suspected illegal assets of gangster Nilesh Ghaywal, who fled to the UK even as he was booked in a firing incident, an official said. Ghaywals associates allegedly shot and injured a man and attacked another with a sharp weapon in a road rage incident in the Kothrud area of Pune in September, according to the police. Recommended Stories He faces numerous cases, including murder, extortion, assault, illegal possession of weapons (Arms Act), and fraud related to obtaining a passport. Our probe has found Ghaywal played a role in various transactions and land deals. We have written to the Enforcement Directorate about his illicit wealth, multiple bank accounts and several firms that he is associated with," Deputy Commissioner of Police Sambhaji Kadam said on Monday. He has made several land deals in various locations in the state. Many documents regarding illegal properties in and around the Pune district as well as of Ahilyanagar have been seized. We have asked ED that this case be considered for action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)," Kadam said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Kothrud police last week invoked provisions of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against Ghaywal. The British High Commission in India last month confirmed that Ghaywal is in London on a visitor visa, as per the police. PTI COR BNM GK Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 08:42 IST News agency-feeds Pune police seek ED probe under PMLA into gangster Ghaywal's assets Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Shiv Sena will stand firmly behind grassroots workers: Shinde Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 22:57 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Mumbai, Nov 11 (PTI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday said the Shiv Sena will always stand firmly behind its grassroots workers. Several leaders and members belonging to political parties, social organisations and communities joined the party at his official Muktagiri residence in Mumbai. Recommended Stories Those who joined the ruling Sena included former NCP (SP) MLA Sudhakar Bhalerao, representatives of the Koli community from Worli Koliwada in Mumbai, and local leaders from Latur, Beed, Pune, Baramati, Shrirampur, Deolali, Ulhasnagar, Sangli, Tasgaon, Kolhapur and Chandgad. Among others inducted were Maharashtra Brahmin Sabha (Pune) president Mayuresh Argade, Datta Desai of the Maratha Swayamsevak Sangh, Kisan Congress leader Sangram Chavan, Shabari Mata Sanghatana president Latika Gopale and NCPs Nanasahab Burade from Yeola. Welcoming them, Shinde said Shiv Sena is a party of workers where those who perform will be respected. The party will always work for the welfare of common people, the backward sections and those at the grassroots," he said. He added that thousands of workers are joining the party across the state every day, reflecting peoples growing faith in the Shiv Senas leadership and ideology. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Even as the state chief minister, I worked as a party worker and continue to do so. This party belongs to workers, not to any single individual," Shinde said. The deputy chief minister said the development of Koliwada and other regions would be prioritised and that Shiv Sena would stand firmly with every new colleague joining its fold. PTI MR NP Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 22:57 IST News agency-feeds Shiv Sena will stand firmly behind grassroots workers: Shinde Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Sri Lanka, Maldives and Nepal 'deeply saddened' by loss of lives in Delhi blast Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 12:27 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Colombo/Kathmandu, Nov 11 (PTI) Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Nepal on Tuesday said they were deeply saddened" by the tragic loss of lives in an explosion in the Indian capital that killed at least 12 people and wounded several others. A powerful explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing nine people and injuring 20 others. The death toll rose to 12 on Tuesday, with three more people succumbing to injuries, police said. Recommended Stories Saddened by news of the explosion in Delhi last evening. Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. Our thoughts are with all those affected," Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in a social media post. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said he was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives" in the blast near Red Fort in Delhi. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and good wishes for swift recovery of the injured. The Maldives stands in solidarity with the people and Government of India in this difficult time," Muizzu said on X. Nepals interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki expressed her deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured". Nepal stands in solidarity with India in this hour of grief," she said. Sri Lankas Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath also expressed solidarity with India. Saddened by news of the explosion in Delhi this evening. Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. Our thoughts are with all those affected," he said in a social media post. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sri Lankas Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa also expressed his shock and said all should unite to eradicate the scourge of terrorism". Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were impacted by this dastardly attack," he said. PTI CORR/GSP GSP Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 12:27 IST News agency-feeds Sri Lanka, Maldives and Nepal 'deeply saddened' by loss of lives in Delhi blast Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Syrma SGS profit rises to Rs 66 cr in Q2 Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:27 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) Electronics manufacturing services company Syrma SGS has posted a 67 per cent increase in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) to Rs 66.3 crore in the September quarter on account of focus on the companys high margin businesses, a top company official said on Tuesday. Syrma SGS had posted a PAT of about Rs 40 crore in the same period a year ago. Recommended Stories We had re-strategised our business model around the second quarter last year where we said the dependence or focus on low margin consumer business, high volume consumer business would slowly and steadily be tapered down. We have done that," Syrma SGS Managing Director J S Gujral told PTI. He said low margin high volume consumer business contributed around 30 per cent during the quarter under review. Our exports have gone up 36 per cent, automotive has gone up 22 per cent, industrial has gone up 30 per cent, healthcare has gone up 21 per cent. All high margin businesses have shown growth and that has sort of contributed to the performance of the company in terms of margins," Gujral said. So, if my exports grew at 36 per cent, it means Im doing something where businesses, customers are sort of transferring their business, migrating their businesses from their existing supply chains to us," Gujral said. He said 5 per cent of the companys export business comes from the US. The US is currently in a sort of a grey area because of the tariffs. Hopefully, I believe in the coming weeks or months, the quarter, the tariff position should be resolved. Once that thing comes in, I think next year onwards, our exports should do better than what we are doing today," Gujral said. The consolidated revenue from operations grew about 38 per cent to Rs 1,145.88 crore during the second quarter of the current fiscal year from Rs 832.74 crore a year earlier. The company has announced to acquire 60 per cent majority stake in Elcome for Rs 235 crore, through a mix of primary capital infusion and secondary share purchase. It plans to acquire remaining 40 per cent stake in multiple tranches over next three years, linked to performance and earn-out milestones. We have acquired Elcom because we were not present in the defence domain. Defence domain was almost negligible in our complete portfolio or basket of offerings. Hence, we were looking for a good company," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Gujral said the acquisition of Elcome adds expertise of defence and maritime business to the company, specially in the area of navigation, communication, surveillance, and platform automation systems. Elcomes extensive engineering and field service experience, combined with our industrial scale and supply chain, creates an ideal base to pursue larger integrated defence programs. Our focus will be on strengthening governance, operational systems and execution capabilities, while accelerating the introduction of new indigenous technologies and solutions," Gujral said. PTI PRS TRB TRB Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 15:27 IST News agency-feeds Syrma SGS profit rises to Rs 66 cr in Q2 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Beijing (Gasgoo)- On Nov. 10, Dongfeng Motor's e brand officially put the e007+, an upgraded version of its mid-size fastback sedan, onto the market, with prices starting from 139,900 yuan. Three variants are available, offering both battery-electric (BEV) and range-extended electric (REEV) powertrains. Photo credit: Dongfeng Motor The e007+ accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds, delivering ground-hugging performance with its dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup. The single-motor BEV version achieves up to 650 km CLTC range with an energy efficiency of 89.1% and energy consumption as low as 12.6 kWh/100 km. Photo credit: Dongfeng Motor For drivers with range concerns, the REEV variants debut Dongfeng Motor's "Super-Sense" Range Extension 2.0 System, offering 308-km battery-powered range and 1,308-km combined range, while supporting 4C ultra-fast charging. Smart features are a major highlight. The e007+ is the first model equipped with Dongfeng Motor's Tianyuan T200 driver assistance system, featuring Hesai Technology's ATX LiDAR and 29 perception sensors. The setup enables more than 20 advanced functions, including highway NOA (navigation-on-autopilot) and all-scenario intelligent parking. The cabin runs the Tianyuan 2.0 intelligent cockpit system, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon SA8295P chip. A 15.6-inch central display and 10.25-inch digital cluster are standard, while the voice assistant integrates both Baidu ERNIE Bot and DeepSeek large models for natural interaction. Telangana leaders express anguish over blast in Delhi, seek thorough probe Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 10:57 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Hyderabad, Nov 11 (PTI) Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar along with several other leaders expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the blast near the Red Fort in Delhi. In a post on X on Monday night, Kishan Reddy said, Deeply anguished by the tragic loss of lives in the horrific blast near Red Fort in Delhi. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the swift recovery of those injured." Bandi Sanjay Kumar termed the blast in Delhi as deeply tragic and heartbreaking". Recommended Stories Honble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah ji said NSG, NIA, and forensic teams have begun a detailed investigation from all angles. He has directed officials to examine CCTV footage, ensure a thorough probe," Sanjay Kumar said in a post on X. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi called for a thorough and swift investigation into the car blast and sought maximum punishment under the law for those responsible for the explosion. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Taking to X on Monday night, the Hyderabad MP said, Very disturbed by the news of the #RedFort blast. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured and patience for those who lost their dear ones. I hope for a thorough and swift investigation. Those responsible for this condemnable act must receive the maximum punishment under the law." Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and BRS Working President KT Rama Rao were among those who expressed their grief over the loss of lives and conveyed their condolences to the bereaved families. A high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing at least nine people and gutting several vehicles, officials said. PTI VVK SJR VVK ROH Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 10:57 IST News agency-feeds Telangana leaders express anguish over blast in Delhi, seek thorough probe Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Time for change: Kharge to voters in Bihar Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 10:42 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) As voting for the second phase of Bihar polls got underway, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday urged all the voters to come out and exercise their franchise in initiating a change in the state. In a post on X, he described Bihar as the birthplace of democracy and said the state has suffered for the last 20 years due to an opportunistic", corrupt" and anti-poor" government and time has come for a change now. Recommended Stories Bihar, the birthplace of democracy, has demonstrated in the first phase how enthusiastic its voters are for change. Today, in the second phase of voting, I urge you to cast your vote and encourage your relatives, friends, and neighbours to do the same," he said in his post. I urge every citizen to vote today, especially young people who are voting for the first time to join in this celebration of change," he also said. Noting that Bihar needs a model filled with economic development, social justice, and equality, Kharge said, For 20 years, Bihar has suffered under an opportunistic, corrupt, and anti-poor and deprived government. Today is the time for change." The Congress chief said the time has come to provide justice to Dalits, Mahadalits, backward, extremely backward, economically weaker sections, and minority communities. Youth have the opportunity to secure jobs, women security, farmers their rights, and begin a new chapter of public welfare for all," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Bihar recorded the highest ever" voter turnout of over 65 per cent in the polling across 121 constituencies in the first phase of the assembly elections on November 6. Votes of both phases will be counted on November 14. The opposition INDIA bloc, which has the RJD, the Congress and the Left parties as the main constituents, has declared RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav its chief ministerial candidate. PTI SKC DV DV Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 10:42 IST News agency-feeds Time for change: Kharge to voters in Bihar Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... TN deeply committed to growth of Flex Electronics: Minister TRB Rajaa Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 22:42 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Chennai, Nov 11 (PTI) Tamil Nadu remains deeply committed to the continued growth and innovation journey of Flex Electronics, the worlds largest electronics manufacturer, which has been a cornerstone of the states electronics ecosystem, Industries Minister TRB Rajaa said on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, top officials of Flex Electronics, led by its CEO, Revathi Advaithi, called on Chief Minister M K Stalin at the Secretariat here. Recommended Stories Chief Secretary N Muruganandham, Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce Department Secretary V Arun Roy and senior government officials were present on the occasion. Tamil Nadus partnership with Flex Electronics continues to become stronger. Today, Chief Minister M K Stalin met Revathi Advaithi, CEO of Flex Electronics, one of the worlds largest electronics manufacturing companies with a presence in Tamil Nadu for over 20 years. Flex has been a cornerstone of Tamil Nadus electronics ecosystem with world class manufacturing and Global Business Service facilities that have powered innovation and high-end job creation (in the state)," Rajaa said. We will ensure that they (Flex) continue to get the best assistance from the Ministry of Industries to enable smooth growth for Flex in Tamil Nadu the electronics capital of India. With a shared commitment to innovation and inclusive industrial growth, Tamil Nadu remains the destination of choice for global leaders like Flex (Electronics)," the minister said in a social media post. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Guidance Tamil Nadu, the nodal agency to promote investments backed by the state government, said, With a partnership spanning two decades, Tamil Nadu remains deeply committed to Flexs continued growth and innovation journey. Flex Electronics operates world-class manufacturing and Global Business Service facilities across Tamil Nadu, including the recent launch of the first manufacturing facility by CISCO-FLEX Electronics in Chennai," the agency said in a social media post. PTI VIJ VIJ KH Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 22:42 IST News agency-feeds TN deeply committed to growth of Flex Electronics: Minister TRB Rajaa Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... TN Dy CM Udhayanidhi honours elderly couples, says 2,000 more to be honoured Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 10:57 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Chennai, Nov 11 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has said the state government will honour 2,000 long-time devotee senior citizen couples for their dedication and devotion. Launching the scheme to honour long-time devotee senior couples aged 70 and above, on behalf of the state Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department here on November 10, he said the government would take steps to extend this gesture to similar couples spread across Tamil Nadu. Recommended Stories He handed over a package containing a dhoti, shirt, saree, blouse, kumkum, and turmeric to 200 couples at a function held here. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Also, he inaugurated 12 dwelling units constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 3.41 crore on behalf of the Arulmigu Parthasarathy Swamy Temple at Parthasarathy Street, and also at Nallathambi Street, Triplicane, for the use of HR & CE officials and distributed the allotment orders. HR and CE Minister P K Sekar Babu, Chennai Mayor R Priya and senior officials participated. PTI JSP JSP ROH Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 10:57 IST News agency-feeds TN Dy CM Udhayanidhi honours elderly couples, says 2,000 more to be honoured Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Trump's $1B lawsuit threat casts shadow over the BBC, but it could also be bluff Last Updated: November 12, 2025, 02:42 IST Representational image (Image: News18) London, Nov 12 (AP) President Donald Trump s threat to bring a billion-dollar lawsuit against the BBC has cast a shadow over the British broadcasters future, but it could also be a bluff with little legal merit. The presidents lawyer sent the threat to the BBC over the way a documentary edited his Jan. 6, 2021, speech before a mob of his followers stormed the U.S. Capitol. Recommended Stories Trumps history of suing news media companies sometimes winning multimillion-dollar settlements is part of a long-running grievance against the industry he describes as fake news" that has often focused a critical eye on his actions. But Trump faces fundamental challenges to getting a case to court, never mind taking it to trial. He would also have to deal with the harsh glare of publicity around his provocative pep talk the day Congress was voting to certify President-elect Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election that Trump falsely alleged was stolen from him. If he sues, he opens a Pandoras box and inside is every damning quote hes ever uttered about the steal," said attorney Mark Stephens, an international media lawyer who practices in the US and UK. The BBC documentary The BBCs Panorama" series aired the hourlong documentary titled Trump: A Second Chance?" days before the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The third-party production company that made the film spliced together three quotes from two sections of the 2021 speech, delivered almost an hour apart, into what appeared to be one quote in which Trump urged supporters to march with him and fight like hell." Among the parts cut out was a section where Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully. BBC Chairman Samir Shah apologized Monday for the misleading edit that he said gave the impression of a direct call for violent action." Director-General Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness quit Sunday over accusations of bias and misleading editing. From to letter to lawsuit A lawsuit in England is unlikely because the one-year deadline to bring one expired two weeks ago, experts said. If successful in overcoming that barrier, libel awards in the High Court rarely exceed 100,000 pounds ($132,000), experts said. Trump could still bring a defamation claim in several U.S. states, and his lawyer cited Florida law in a letter to the BBC. Filing a lawsuit and demanding money is one thing, but prevailing in court is much different. To succeed, Trump would have to clear many hurdles to get a case before a jury. Before any of that could happen, Trump faces a more fundamental challenge: The BBC program was not aired in the U.S., and the BBCs streaming service is also not available there. Americans could not have thought less of him because of a program they could not watch, Stephens said. The other ticklish problem for Trumps lawyer was that Trumps reputation was already pretty battered after Jan. 6," he said. Alleging Panorama caused additional harm when your reputation is already in tatters is a tough sell." Trump was impeached on a charge of inciting insurrection over the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by some of his supporters, though he was acquitted by the Senate. The demands Trumps lawyer Alejandro Brito threatened the BBC with a defamation lawsuit for no less than" $1 billion. The letter spelled out the figure and used all nine zeros in numeric form. The letter demanded an apology to the president and a full and fair" retraction of the documentary along with other false, defamatory, disparaging, misleading or inflammatory statements" about Trump. It also said the president should be appropriately" compensated for overwhelming financial and reputational harm." The letter cites Floridas defamation statute that requires a letter be sent to news organizations five days before any lawsuit can be filed. If the BBC does not comply with the demands by 5 p.m. EST Friday, then Trump will enforce his legal rights, the letter said. The BBC is on notice," it said. Other media lawsuits While many legal experts have dismissed the presidents claims against the media as having little chance of success, he has won some lucrative settlements against U.S. media companies. In July, Paramount, which owns CBS, agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Trump over a 60 Minutes" interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump alleged that the interview was edited to enhance how Harris, the Democratic nominee for president in 2024, sounded. That settlement came as the Trump-appointed head of the Federal Communications Commission launched an investigation that threatened to complicate Paramounts need for administration approval to merge with Skydance Media. Last year, ABC News said it would pay $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit over anchor George Stephanopoulos inaccurate on-air assertion that the president-elect had been found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll. A jury found that he was liable for sexually abusing her. Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to throw out that finding. Litigation threat could leverage payout London lawyer David Allen Green dismissed the litigation letter for failing to spell out any actual harm Trump suffered. But he said Trumps willingness to use lawsuits as a form of deal-making could leverage a payout because the edit was indefensible. Putting aside the theatrics of a bombastic letter with its senseless $1 billion claim, there is a power play here which Trump has done many times before," Green said on The Law and Policy Blog. The real mistake of the BBC (and the production company) was opening itself up to such a play of power." Stephens said if Trump were somehow to win billions from the BBC, it could crush the news organization that is mostly funded through a fee charged to all television owners in the U.K. But he said that outcome was unlikely and the broadcaster should stand its ground. He recommended Trump take the public relations win and avoid the damage from revisiting the Jan. 6 events that would be dredged up at trial. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He said Trump was due an apology, which Shah offered, for the BBC not upholding high journalistic standards. The question is, Did it cause harm in peoples minds?'" he said. Because he was elected afterwards, it doesnt appear it did." (AP) NB NB Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 12, 2025, 02:42 IST News agency-feeds Trump's $1B lawsuit threat casts shadow over the BBC, but it could also be bluff Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Two jump into creek in Mumbai; search & rescue operation on Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:27 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Mumbai, Nov 11 (PTI) Two persons jumped into the Mahim creek in Mumbai on Tuesday morning, prompting police and fire brigade to launch a search and rescue operation, officials said. A caller informed the fire brigade control room that two persons jumped into the Mahim Creek at around 11.30 am. One of them has been identified as Kalandar Altaf Khan, a resident of Bandra Lalmatti area, a fire official said. Recommended Stories Fire personnel, police and local fishermen rushed to the spot and the rescue operation was underway, the official added. PTI ZA GK Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 15:27 IST News agency-feeds Two jump into creek in Mumbai; search & rescue operation on Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... UP chief electoral officer reviews progress of SIR exercise Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 21:27 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Lucknow, Nov 11 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa on Tuesday reviewed the progress of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls with all district election officers and said enumeration forms have so far been distributed to about 60 per cent of the electorate in the state. During the virtual meeting, he briefed officials about the guidelines, schedule, and procedures prescribed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the electoral roll clean-up exercise. Recommended Stories Rinwa said that all voters should be provided their enumeration forms at the earliest, and booth-level officers should assist voters in filling them properly. He was informed that all district election officers have held meetings with representatives of political parties and apprised them of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) procedures and the poll panels directions about it. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said enumeration forms have so far been distributed to 9.38 crore voters about 60 per cent of the total 15.44 crore electorate in the state. In thirteen districts Kanpur Nagar, Moradabad, Mahoba, Kanpur Dehat, Agra, Unnao, Jaunpur, Lucknow, Amroha, Varanasi, Mirzapur, Deoria, and Rae Bareli less than 50 per cent of voters have received the enumeration forms. The CEO directed officials to speed up the form distribution process. All districts were instructed to conduct booth-wise reviews and ensure 100 per cent distribution of enumeration forms by November 15. Rinwa further instructed all district election officers to share daily progress of the SIR exercise with the media and disseminate updates through official social media handles. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Any misleading or negative posts should be promptly addressed with factual responses, he said. The CEO warned that any negligence or violation of instructions during the revision process would invite strict action. He also appealed to all political parties and voters to actively cooperate in the exercise. PTI ABN ABN NSD NSD Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 21:27 IST News agency-feeds UP chief electoral officer reviews progress of SIR exercise Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... UP court sends man to 10 years in jail in 15-year-old heroin possession case Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 21:27 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Sonbhadra (UP), Nov 11 (PTI) A local court on Tuesday sentenced a man to 10 years rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh for possessing 300 gm of heroin 15 years ago, officials said. Special Judge Abid Shameem awarded the sentence to Vishwamitra Rai, a resident of Mancha under the Bhawarkol police station in Ghazipur district. Recommended Stories Government counsel Shashank Shekhar Mishra said on March 31, 2010, police arrested Rai from the Varanasio-Shaktinagar road with 300 gm of heroin following a tip-off. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Rai was booked under the relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court found Rai guilty and sentenced him to 10 years rigorous imprisonment, and slapped a fine of Rs 1 lakh. PTI COR ABN ARI Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 21:27 IST News agency-feeds UP court sends man to 10 years in jail in 15-year-old heroin possession case Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... UP: Deoria youth among those injured in Delhi blast Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 18:57 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Deoria (UP), Nov 11 (PTI) A 22-year-old man hailing from the Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh is among those who were injured in the high-intensity explosion at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station in New Delhi on Monday evening. According to the police, Shiva Jaiswal, who runs a readymade garment shop in the main square of Bhaluani Nagar Panchayat, travelled to Delhi on November 9 to purchase clothing. Upon his arrival in Delhi on Monday morning, he bought readymade garments in Gandhinagar. Recommended Stories After his shopping, he visited his sister, Purnima Jaiswal, who lives in Ankur Vihar Colony in Bhajanpura. Around 6:00 pm, he left his sisters house, informing her that he was going to Govindpuri Colony to meet his maternal uncles son. While en route to Govindpuri, he was injured in the blast near the Red Fort. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Circle Officer Rajesh Chaturvedi of Barhaj informed that Shivas entire family has travelled to Delhi. Purnima notified her family members over the phone that Shivas condition is stable, according to police. PTI COR NAV MPL MPL Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 18:57 IST News agency-feeds UP: Deoria youth among those injured in Delhi blast Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... UP: Wailing mothers, sisters of Delhi blast victim seek govt help to raise kids Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 12:12 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Amroha (Uttar Pradesh) [India], November 11 (ANI): A family in Uttar Pradeshs Amroha lost their son to the ghastly blast in Delhi near Red Fort that claimed at least eight innocent lives and left several injured.In a village of the Amroha district, the family of the deceased Ashok received his mortal remains. The death of Ashok has left his family devastated, with elders and children wailing, riddled with the feeling of helplessness. Sumati, the sister-in-law of the deceased, told ANI that Ashok is survived by his family, including two daughters and a six-year-old son. Ashok was my brother-in-law. He went to Delhi to visit someone, and he died in the blast. He has two daughters and a son. The son is six years old. The daughters are aged seven and nine. The government should help us," Sumati said.Bhuri, the sister of the deceased, who wailed uncontrollably, demanded that the government extend assistance to raise Ashoks children. I dont know what happened. He was coming from duty. The government should help, or else I dont know how my sister-in-law will raise her kids," she said.Two men from Uttar Pradeshs Amroha district were killed in the car explosion that occurred near Delhis Red Fort on Monday evening, officials confirmed.Another deceased from Amroha has been identified as Lokesh Agarwal, a fertiliser trader from the Hasanpur area of Amroha, who was friends wth Ashok.According to family members, Lokesh had travelled to Delhi to visit his relative admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. On his way back, he stopped to meet his friend Ashok near the Red Fort Metro Station, where the tragic blast took place.Family members said they were informed of Lokeshs death after a call was received from the last dialled number on his mobile phone, which was traced by the Delhi Police. The explosion was so intense that both men died on the spot.Local MLA Mahendra Singh Khadakvanshi confirmed the deaths and expressed deep grief over the incident. Lokesh had gone to Delhi to meet his friend Ashok. Unfortunately, both lost their lives in the powerful explosion near the Red Fort. This is an irreparable loss for their families," the legislator said.Delhi Polices initial investigation suggests that the high-intensity explosion near the Red Fort complex may have been a fidayeen (suicide) attack, said sources within the Delhi Police on Tuesday. According to early findings, investigators believe the suspect intended to carry out an explosion. As soon as the suspect learned that a Faridabad module had been busted, he reportedly shifted to planning a fidayeen-style operation, apparently to maximise casualties and avoid capture by police, the sources added. The explosion, which took place near the historic Red Fort complex, killing eight people and leaving several injured, and triggered panic in the area and led to a massive security response. Teams from the Special Cell, Crime Branch, and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) were deployed, while the area was sealed and visitors evacuated. Sources said investigation agencies are closely monitoring social media activity following the blast and have begun extensive technical analysis of communication records. Data from all mobile phones that were active in the vicinity of the Red Fort complex at the time of the explosion is being examined. Officials said the data could help identify numbers connected to the car blast, revealing communication between suspects and possible accomplices. The dump data from the Red Fort parking area and surrounding zones has been obtained, as the occupants of the car may have been in touch with others before or after the incident, an officer said. Investigators have also extended the analysis to Faridabad, using dump data to determine communication patterns between people possibly linked to the incident. IPDR (Internet Protocol Detail Record) analysis is being conducted to track devices that went inactive soon after the blast, potentially indicating deliberate attempts to evade detection. (ANI) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 12:12 IST News agency-feeds UP: Wailing mothers, sisters of Delhi blast victim seek govt help to raise kids Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Hondas legendary S2000 roared back to life this year, and oh boy, did Bulletproof Automotive go all out. After lurking in the shadows for over 20 years, that iconic roadster just got a killer makeover, morphing into a ferocious 580-horsepower beast with a heart that screams up to 10,000 rpm. Debuting at SEMA 2025, the BP25 isnt just a tributeits an absolute masterpiece. Built to fete Bulletproofs 25th anniversary, this thing is a whos-who of Japans tuning elite. They didnt just dust off the old girl; they threw modern performance wizardry and classic S2000 charm into a blender and hit puree. The result? A wild reimagining of one of Hondas most adored rides. Starting as a plain Jane S2000, it now flaunts a slick Spoon hardtop, turning heads with its coupe-like swagger. But thats just the tip of the iceberg. Wrapped in Varis Dark Panther carbon fiber, the cars got wider hips, gnarlier bumpers, reshaped vents, and a rear wing that might as well have "this means business" stamped on it. Painted in Lamborghini Balloon White, decked with gold detailing and touches of exposed carbon, its got this brutal-yet-elegant vibe screaming "drive me like you stole me." Those custom 19-inch BP-RW Evolution wheels? Pure Japanese craftsmanship, hiding monstrous Brembo Pista brakes. And dont even get started on the suspensionTop Secret, Spoon, Js Racing, and a dream team of tuning titans all threw in their magic to make it handle like its on rails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the hood? A 2.0-liter monster with a Vortech blower, snarling out 580 horses at 9,300 rpm and daring you to push it to 10 grand. Power slams through a bulletproof six-speed stick shift and a limited-slip diff, while a titanium exhaust howls like a banshee on speed. Inside, its all driver-focused madness: Recaro seats swaddled in Alcantara, a Mugen wheel youll death-grip just for fun, and titanium accents scattered like little victories. Even the roll bar screams "track day, every day." This isnt just some nostalgia trip. Nope, the BP25 is a full-blown love letter to high-revving madness, raw driving thrills, and everything that made the S2000 a god among mortals. They took a legend and cranked it to eleven. Game on. Via Bulletproof Automotive Groww IPO Listing Price Prediction: GMP Falls Further To Rs 4; Allotment Finalised Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 11:40 IST Groww IPO GMP: The GMP has shown a falling trend, as it has fallen to Rs 4 now as compared with Rs 4.75 on Monday and Rs 16.7 a few days. Groww IPO Listing Date. Groww IPO Listing Date: The allotment of the Groww IPO has been finalised. Investors can check the allotment status on the websites of the BSE, the NSE, and registrar MUFG Intime India Pvt Ltd. Now, all eyes are on its listing tomorrow, November 12. Ahead of this, the grey market premium (GMP), which indicates the potential listing gains for investors, has further fallen to 4, signalling a weak listing. The GMP has shown a falling trend, as it has fallen to Rs 4 now as compared with Rs 4.75 on Monday and Rs 16.7 a few days. Recommended Stories The initial public offering (IPO) of Billionbrains Garage Ventures Ltd, the parent company of stock broking firm Groww, closed on Friday, November 7, with a decent 17.60x subscription. The IPO garnered bids for 6,41,86,76,400 shares as against the 36,47,76,528 shares on offer. Its retail category has received a 9.43x subscription, while the NII (non-institutional investor) quota has received a 14.20x subscription. The QIB category received a 22.02x subscription. Groww IPO Allotment Finalised: Heres A Step-By-Step Guide To Check Status Online Via MUFG Intime India 1. Visit https://in.mpms.mufg.com/Initial_Offer/public-issues.html 2. Select Billionbrains Garage Ventures Ltd from the drop-down menu under Please select company. 3. Enter your application number, the Permanent Account Number (PAN), Client ID, or account-IFSC number. Those who want to check their allotment status via PAN can select the PAN option. 4. Then, click on the Submit button. Your share application status will appear on your screen. On BSEs Website You can also visit on the BSEs portal using this direct link https://www.bseindia.com/investors/appli_check.aspx and check the Groww IPO allotment status. On NSEs Website The allotment status can also be checked on the NSEs website at https://www.nseindia.com/invest/check-trades-bids-verify-ipo-bids. Groww IPO Listing Date The companys shares are proposed to be listed on both the NSE and the BSE on November 12, 2025. Groww IPO GMP Today According to market observers, unlisted shares of Billionbrains Garage Ventures Ltd are currently trading at Rs 104 apiece in the grey market, which is a premium (or GMP) of Rs 4 or 4% over the upper IPO price of Rs 100, indicating weak listing. It signals a listing price prediction of Rs 104 per share against the issue price of Rs 100. The GMP was at 16.5% (Rs 16.5) a few days ago. The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing. Grey market premium indicates investors readiness to pay more than the issue price. Groww IPO: More Details Billionbrains Garage Ventures last week garnered a little over Rs 2,984 crore from anchor investors, ahead of the IPO. The companys Rs 6,632 crore IPO concluded on November 7. The firm fixed a price band of Rs 95-100 per share for its IPO, targeting a valuation of over Rs 61,700 crore (about $7 billion). The IPO comprises a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 1,060 crore along with an Offer-for-Sale (OFS) component of 55.72 crore equity shares. The company, which is backed by marquee investors such as Peak XV, Tiger Capital, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, plans to use proceeds from the IPO to invest in technology development and business expansion. Of the fresh issuance, Rs 225 crore will be used for brand building and performance marketing activities, and Rs 205 crore will be invested in Groww Creditserv Technology Pvt Ltd (GCS), the NBFC arm, to augment its capital base. Additionally, Rs 167.5 crore will be infused into Groww Invest Tech Pvt Ltd (GIT) to fund its margin trading facility business, while Rs 152.5 crore has been earmarked to strengthen cloud infrastructure. The balance will be utilised for funding inorganic growth through acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Groww filed draft papers in May with the markets regulator, Sebi, for an IPO through a confidential pre-filing route and received Sebis approval in August. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Groww opted for the confidential pre-filing route, which allows it to withhold public disclosure of IPO details under the DRHP until later stages. This route is gaining traction among Indian firms aiming for flexibility in their IPO plans. Founded in 2016, Groww emerged as Indias largest stockbroker, with over 12.6 million active clients and a market share of over 26 per cent as of June 2025. About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalis... Read More First Published: November 11, 2025, 11:19 IST News business ipo Groww IPO Listing Price Prediction: GMP Falls Further To Rs 4; Allotment Finalised Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Apex Frozen, Gokaldas Exports Surge Up To 11% As IndiaUS Trade Talks Boost Market Sentiment Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 13:41 IST Shares of shrimp, textile companies rallied amid growing optimism that India and US are close to finalising a long-awaited trade deal Shrimp, textile stocks rally Shares of shrimp and textile companies rallied sharply on November 11 amid growing optimism that India and the US are close to finalising a long-awaited trade deal. The potential agreement is expected to ease tariffs on Indian exports to the US, offering a major boost to export-oriented sectors such as seafood and textiles. US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Washington is getting close" to reaching a trade deal with India that would strengthen economic and security ties, expand American energy exports, and encourage greater investment between the two countries. We are getting a fair deal, just a fair trade deal," Trump told reporters at the Oval Office during the swearing-in of Sergio Gor as the new US envoy to India. We are making a deal with India a much different deal than we had in the past," he added. Recommended Stories Why are shrimp and textile stocks rallying? These sectors had been under pressure after the US administration raised tariffs on Indian imports to as high as 50 per cent, citing Indias continued purchase of Russian oil. However, renewed expectations of tariff rollbacks and trade normalisation have now lifted sentiment across export-focused counters. Top textile gainers Gokaldas Exports surged nearly 5 per cent to Rs 874.85 per share, while Raymond Lifestyle rose around 2 per cent and KPR Mill gained about 1 per cent. Top shrimp gainers top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Apex Frozen Foods jumped around 11 per cent to Rs 269.90 apiece, and Avanti Feeds advanced nearly 7 per cent. The US accounts for over half of Apex Frozens export revenue about 53 per cent in FY25 while North America contributed 65.4 per cent of Avanti Feeds total sales in Q1 FY25, highlighting their strong exposure to the region. About the Author Aparna Deb Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, ... Read More First Published: November 11, 2025, 13:41 IST News business markets Apex Frozen, Gokaldas Exports Surge Up To 11% As IndiaUS Trade Talks Boost Market Sentiment Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Stocks To Watch: Bajaj Finance, Voda Idea, Britannia, Ather Energy, Tata Motors, RVNL, And Others Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 08:07 IST Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like Bajaj Finance, Voda Idea, Britannia, Ather Energy, Tata Motors, RVNL, and others will be in focus on Tuesday's trade Stocks To Watch Stocks to Watch on November 11: Indian markets started the week on a positive note, buoyed by upbeat global sentiment and optimism over a possible resolution to the U.S. government shutdown, which lifted investor confidence. Technically, as long as the index holds above the 25,300 mark, a consolidation phase may continue. However, a break below this support could trigger profit-taking and drag the index toward the 25,15025,050 zone," said Ajit Mishra, SVP Research, Religare Broking. In Tuesdays trade, shares of Bajaj Finance, Vodafone Idea, Britannia Industries, Ather Energy, Hero MotoCorp, and several others will be in focus amid key corporate announcements and quarterly earnings. Recommended Stories Bajaj Finserv, Rail Vikas Nigam, BSE, Bharat Forge, Tata Power These companies are scheduled to announce their Q2 results today. Investors will track earnings and management commentary closely for cues on sector performance and business outlook. Emami FMCG major Emami expects a strong recovery in the second half of FY26, supported by improved trade sentiment and a favourable winter season. The company reported a 10% year-on-year decline in consolidated revenue to 799 crore for the September quarter, impacted by temporary trade disruptions following the governments recent GST rate cuts. Vodafone Idea Vodafone Idea narrowed its consolidated net loss to 5,524 crore for the September quarter, compared to 7,176 crore in the same period last year, supported by improving operational metrics. Britannia Industries Britannia Industries announced the resignation of Varun Berry from his roles as Executive Vice-Chairman, Managing Director, and CEO after a decade of leading the company through a phase of strong growth and diversification. Bajaj Finance Bajaj Finance reported a 22% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to 4,875 crore for Q2 FY25, compared to 4,000 crore a year earlier, supported by healthy loan growth and improved asset quality. Bharat Electronics Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) secured additional orders worth 792 crore since its last update on October 30, taking its total new order inflows to over 1,400 crore in just two weeks. Tata Motors The companys commercial vehicle (CV) division is set to debut on the stock exchanges on Tuesday, November 12, following the completion of its demerger into two standalone entities one for CVs and the other for passenger vehicles, including EVs and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). Baazar Style Retail Rekha Jhunjhunwala-backed smallcap Baazar Style Retail returned to profitability in the September quarter, posting a net profit of 51 crore, compared to a net loss of 9 crore in the year-ago period. Hero MotoCorp Hero MotoCorps EV arm VIDA expanded its VX2 lineup with the launch of the VX2 Go 3.4 kWh variant, unveiled by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The move strengthens the companys presence in Indias fast-growing electric two-wheeler market. JK Tyre & Industries JK Tyre plans to invest an additional 5,000 crore over the next 56 years to expand production capacity and establish dedicated export-oriented manufacturing lines. HUDCO State-run HUDCO reported a 3% year-on-year increase in net profit to 709.8 crore for the September quarter, compared to 688.6 crore in the same period last year. Ather Energy top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Electric scooter maker Ather Energy posted a narrower quarterly loss of 154 crore, versus 197 crore a year earlier, as its expanding retail network boosted sales of popular models like the Rizta. The Bengaluru-based company has been steadily increasing its market share since launching e-scooters in 2018. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. About the Author Aparna Deb Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, ... Read More First Published: November 11, 2025, 08:07 IST News business markets Stocks To Watch: Bajaj Finance, Voda Idea, Britannia, Ather Energy, Tata Motors, RVNL, And Others Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... National Education Day 2025: History And Learning In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 11:38 IST As India marks National Education Day 2025, the focus shifts from Maulana Azads educational ideals to how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping learning for future generations. National Education Day 2025: AI is helping us understand how students learn, their pace, their strengths, the support they need. (AI generated image) National Education Day 2025: As India celebrates National Education Day 2025 to honour the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the nation pays tribute to a visionary leader who laid the foundation for modern education in independent India. Azad, Indias first Education Minister, championed universal primary education, womens empowerment, and cultural learning. His belief that education imparted by heart can bring revolution in society" continues to inspire generations. Recommended Stories Today, as the education landscape evolves, the focus is shifting toward the next great revolution in learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), which promises to make education more inclusive, personalised, and transformative. AI And The Future Of Learning AI-powered systems such as Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) and Learning Management Systems (LMS) are helping students learn faster and more efficiently. Translation tools and adaptive platforms also make education more inclusive. However, experts caution that learners must verify AI-generated content for accuracy and bias. The human element teachers guidance, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence remains irreplaceable. Harshil Gala, CEO of NAVNEET TOPTECH, On How Artificial Intelligence Is Shaping The Future Of Learning Imagine a classroom where no child feels left behind, where learning adjusts to the learner, not the other way around," says Harshil Gala, CEO of Navneet Toptech. This is no longer a distant dream. With Artificial Intelligence, it is becoming our new reality." AI is transforming how students learn tracking individual progress, identifying strengths, and offering teachers deeper insights into their students needs. By automating repetitive tasks, AI allows educators to focus on what truly matters: nurturing curiosity, confidence, and character. At Navneet Toptech, we believe that technology should enhance the human aspects of learning, not overshadow them," adds Gala. AI can personalise instruction, but only a teacher can inspire. AI can provide answers, but only a teacher can spark imagination." As India marks National Education Day, Gala notes that education now stands at a pivotal inflection point where technology and empathy must converge. The future of learning will not be defined by technology alone, but by how we blend technology with empathy, purpose, and wisdom," he says. This balance, he believes, will ensure that every learner regardless of background has the opportunity to succeed in a world shaped by intelligent tools, creativity, and human connection. Bhuwaneshwari B, Executive Vice President, Tally Education Pvt Ltd (TEPL) , On Turning Education Into Real-World Opportunity On this National Education Day, under the theme Inclusive, Quality Education, reaffirm that learning must remain personal, meaningful and empowered by opportunity. At Tally Education, we focus on turning lessons into live-world opportunities. Our mission is to build confidence, teach practical business skills and guide young learners toward careers where they can grow and make a difference. By partnering with educational institutes, government skilling initiatives, corporate CSR and training centers across rural and urban India, we bring hands-on learning in areas industry values most- managing accounts, understanding finance and operating daily business functions. As AI and digital tools become integral to every workplace, we ensure our learners not only use technology, but use it thoughtfully, purposefully and as a bridge into lasting careers. Education is the key that connects potential with impact. On this day, we pledge to keep that key meaningful for every learner." National Education Day: History and Significance National Education Day is observed every year on November 11 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, an eminent freedom fighter, scholar, and Indias first Education Minister. During his tenure, Azad laid the foundation for Indias modern education system, focusing on universal primary education, womens empowerment, and cultural advancement. To honour his contribution, the Ministry of Human Resource Development declared November 11 as National Education Day in 2008. Maulana Abul Kalam Azads Quotes It is the birthright of every individual to receive at least the basic education without which he cannot fully discharge his duties as a citizen." No program of national education can be appropriate if it does not give full consideration to the education and advancement of women." Education imparted by heart can bring revolution in society." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Happy National Education Day Wishes Happy National Education Day! Lets celebrate the power of knowledge. Never ignore the goodness of education in life. Wishing you joy in learning and the pursuit of knowledge. Wishing all students success in their educational journeys. Education is the path to success. Time spent learning is never wasted. Success begins with education. What we learn becomes a part of who we are. Wishing all students joy and progress in learning. May education bring light, growth, and wisdom to your life. About the Author Nibandh Vinod Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with nearly three decades of experience, known for his in-depth coverage of events and festivals, as well as his expertise in SEO-driven content at News18.com. A... Read More First Published: November 11, 2025, 07:20 IST News education-career National Education Day 2025: History And Learning In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Are Exit Polls Losing Credibility Globally? These Countries Have Banned Them Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 13:44 IST As voter behaviour evolves and the methods of voting diversify, the role and relevance of exit polls are increasingly being questioned worldwide Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google For Bihar elections, exit poll predictions will start emerging on November 11 after the second phase of voting. (PTI) Exit polls have been a staple of electoral analysis for nearly three decades, offering a glimpse into voter behaviour even before the official results are declared. Conducted on election day by directly asking voters who they have chosen, these polls are intended as estimates rather than definite outcomes. However, over time, both their accuracy and credibility have come under increasing scrutiny. In the case of the Bihar assembly elections, exit poll predictions will start emerging on November 11 after the second phase of voting, with the official results on November 14 serving as the true test of their reliability. Recommended Stories Globally, a noticeable decline in trust towards exit polls mirrors a broader scepticism about democratic institutions. Studies suggest that as citizens become more wary of political processes, they are less likely to believe in the objectivity of pre-result surveys. In countries with rapid and transparent vote counting, the practical relevance of exit polls is also waning. The fundamental challenge lies in their dependence on voter honesty. Many respondents may refuse to disclose their choice, provide misleading answers, or be influenced by social pressures, all of which undermine the depth and accuracy of these surveys. In India, surveys by institutions like the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies Lokniti (CSDS-Lokniti) have found that public trust in the Election Commission itself has halved over the last five years, further complicating perceptions of exit poll reliability. While historically, exit polls in India have had a moderate degree of accuracy about 84% in predicting the winning party according to one study their reliability in projecting seat numbers remains limited. Opinion polls, by comparison, have a lower success rate of around 71%. Yet, repeated mismatches between predicted and actual outcomes in recent elections have steadily eroded confidence. Why Some Countries Have Limited Or Banned Exit Polls top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all France: Complete ban to prevent influencing voters in elections spread over several weeks; only estimated vote shares are released after counting. Italy: Exit polls are banned from 15 days before voting until counting concludes to avoid misleading the public. Germany: Limited exit polls due to fast and transparent counting; results are available within hours. Canada: Rare exit polls because mail-in votes cannot be captured at polling stations. United Kingdom (UK): Exit polls have lost importance as counting begins immediately and results are known by the next morning. Singapore: Parliamentary Election Act prohibits publishing exit polls from election announcement until voting ends. South Africa: No reporting of election results is allowed during the entire process. Czech Republic: Conducting exit polls at polling stations is prohibited. These international measures reflect a growing recognition that, while exit polls may offer early insights, they carry inherent limitations that can mislead both the public and policymakers. First Published: November 11, 2025, 13:43 IST News elections Are Exit Polls Losing Credibility Globally? These Countries Have Banned Them Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Bihar Elections 2025: When And Where To Watch Exit Poll Predictions Today Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 17:35 IST After the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections concludes on Tuesday evening, the attention will shift to the highly anticipated exit poll predictions. The Bihar election battle is between CM NItish Kumar's JD(U) and BJP-led NDA and Tejashwi Yadav's RJD-led Mahagathbandhan. (File) After the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections concludes on Tuesday evening, the attention will shift to the highly anticipated exit poll predictions. Leading survey agencies, including Todays Chanakya, Axis My India, CVoter, and CSDS, will release their predictions in the evening after polling concludes, offering the first indication of who holds the edge in this tightly contested election. Recommended Stories What Is An Exit Poll? An exit poll is a survey conducted by market research agencies and media organisations with voters immediately after they exit the polling booth. Unlike an opinion poll, which measures voter intent before the election, an exit poll captures actual voting behaviour, asking voters directly, Which party or candidate did you just vote for?" The Election Commission of India (ECI) has prohibited the dissemination of exit poll results between 7 am on November 6, 2025, and 6.30 pm on November 11, 2025. Therefore, the Bihar exit poll results will begin to be announced immediately after 6.30 pm on Tuesday, after voting concludes. When And Where To Watch Exit Polls? The Bihar Exit Poll 2025 results will be streamed live on News18 as we bring you minute-by-minute updates, seat projections, vote-share trends and detailed analysis from ground reporters and political experts. You can tune into News18.com for the latest updates. When Will Bihar Election Results 2025 Be Declared? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Counting for all 243 assembly seats will take place on November 14. Until then, exit polls will be the only available indicator of which alliance may have gained an edge. A party or alliance will need at least 122 seats to form the next government. The high-stakes contest is between the JD(U) and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and the RJD and the Congress-led Mahagathbandhan. 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 11, 2025, 16:07 IST News elections Bihar Elections 2025: When And Where To Watch Exit Poll Predictions Today Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Capital On Alert: The 11 Roads That Lead Out Of Delhi And Why Two Are 'Most Sensitive' Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 14:45 IST A total of 11 major routes act as Delhi's main areas for incoming and outgoing traffic, six of which are particularly strategic due to their high vehicle volumes Rapid Read + Follow us On Google The daily traffic on NH-9 is between 1,00,000-1,50,000 vehicles. (PTI) After 12 people were killed in the massive car bomb explosion near Red Fort on Monday night, attention has once again shifted to the security on Delhi roads. Incidents of this nature underline the vulnerabilities of the citys key exit routes, raising questions about how these highways are monitored and which are most exposed to criminal or terrorist activity. Delhis security apparatus is critical, given its status as the national capital and its history of being a potential target for terrorist attacks. The city shares borders with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, and its highways connect it to nearly every part of the country. A total of 11 major routes act as Delhis main areas for incoming and outgoing traffic, six of which are particularly strategic due to their high vehicle volumes. Recommended Stories Key Highways and Security Measures 1. NH 44: Delhi to Karnal, Ambala, Chandigarh, Jammu Known as the Grand Trunk Road or Karnal Bypass, NH 44 is the primary northern exit. The Singhu Border serves as the main checkpoint. Security is maintained jointly by Delhi and Haryana police, with support from the NHAIs Intelligent Traffic System. During VIP movements, the BSF and RAF are deployed. Daily traffic ranges from 40,000 to 90,000 vehicles. 2. NH 48: Delhi to Gurugram, Jaipur, Mumbai The busiest route in the capital, this highway connects Delhi to Gurugram via the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway, with the Rajokri border as its main exit. Security is layered, involving HSIIDC, CISF, and extensive CCTV surveillance coupled with automatic number plate recognition systems. Traffic volumes vary between 70,000 and 300,000 vehicles daily. 3. NH 9: Delhi to Ghaziabad, Meerut, Haridwar This highway exits via the Ghazipur border and Anand Vihar. Delhi and Uttar Pradesh police conduct joint monitoring, with electronic screening of trucks and heavy vehicles at night. Daily traffic is between 1,00,000-1,50,000 vehicles. 4. NH 19: Delhi to Noida, Faridabad, Agra Exiting through the Ashok Nagar-Badarpur border and Noida Sector 37, this route is patrolled by a joint mobile unit of Delhi and Faridabad police. Automatic barriers and intelligent cameras are operational at key points. It sees 1,00,000-2,70,000 vehicles daily. 5. NH 10: Delhi to Bahadurgarh, Rohtak, Hisar Exiting at the Tikri border, this highway is under constant surveillance, with permanent police checkpoints and a CCTV network installed during the farmers protests. It handles 20,000-60,000 vehicles daily. 6. NH 2: Delhi to Mathura, Agra Monitored by the Intelligence Bureau and the Delhi Police Special Branch, this highway sees 30,000 to 90,000 vehicles daily. Other connecting roads, such as Narela-Alipur-Sonipat, Najafgarh-Bahadurgarh, Chhawla-Gurugram, and Kalindi Kunj-Noida, also have checkpoints managed by local police and district DCP zonal units. Four Layers of Security Delhis road and city security is structured in four layers: Inner Circle: Sensitive areas like Red Fort, Parliament, PMO, and embassy zones are guarded by the SPG, NSG, and Delhi Police VVIP units. Mid Circle: Central and South Delhi are monitored by the Delhi Police Special Branch and Intelligence Bureau. Outer Circle: Outer districts such as Rohini, Dwarka, Shahdara, and Najafgarh are under district police and paramilitary oversight. Peripheral Guarding: Delhis borders are secured by Delhi Police, CRPF, and neighbouring state police forces. Technical surveillance includes over 3,000 high-resolution CCTVs along borders, automatic number plate recognition at all exits, and monitoring from the Integrated Command and Control Center in Dwarka. Black and red alert protocols are deployed to intercept suspicious vehicles and individuals. Most Sensitive Routes Authorities consider two corridors highly sensitive due to frequent use by criminals and, in some cases, terrorists: top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Delhi-Gurgaon-Jaipur (NH 48 or Delhi-Gurugram Expressway): Its urban-rural mix and multiple feeder routes in Haryana make it difficult to monitor effectively. Its urban-rural mix and multiple feeder routes in Haryana make it difficult to monitor effectively. Delhi-Sonipat-Karnal-Jammu (NH 44 or Old GT Road via Singhu-Tikri): This northern route opens towards Punjab and Haryana, facilitating potential escape routes. With over 5,00,000 vehicles moving daily through these highways, ensuring complete security is a complex challenge, highlighting the need for continuous vigilance and technological support. First Published: November 11, 2025, 14:44 IST News explainers Capital On Alert: The 11 Roads That Lead Out Of Delhi And Why Two Are 'Most Sensitive' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Blast In Rush Hour At Chandni Chowk Was Deliberate? PM Modi Warns Plotters Ahead Of Crucial Meet Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:02 IST Chandni Chowk sees maximum rush in the evening due to aarti at the Gauri Shankar temple as well as people heading to the metro as the market begins to close Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google New Delhi: Police personnel at the site in the aftermath of the blast that occurred near Red Fort Metro Station on Monday, killing at least nine people and gutting several vehicles, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (PTI Photo) A deliberate terror plot meant for big damagethis seems to be the design behind the Red Fort car blast as per security agencies. The car laded with explosives was driven by Umar from Faridabad to Delhi on Monday. The fidayeen then waited for three hours in the parking near Red Fort before striking at around 6.30pm right outside the Red Fort Metro station. This is a time when the rush is maximum in the area as it is evening aarti time at the Gauri Shankar temple in Chandni Chowk, which gets maximum devotees on a Monday. Evening is also when Chandni Chowk starts to close and people head for the metro station gate. Recommended Stories The slow-moving" car stopped at the red light next to the metro gate and then the explosion went off at peak rush hour in the area. The blast right outside Red Fort is also a symbolic terror message. Our agencies will go to the root of this conspiracy. Those who plotted this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice"this was the dire warning issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Bhutan on Tuesday, a day before he will chair a crucial security meet in Delhi when he is back in India. The PMs words this time are similar to the chilling warning he had issued post the Pahalgam terror attack, saying India will pursue the plotters and masterminds of that attack till the end of the earth. A fortnight later, India carried out Operation Sindoor. But the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack were Pakistanis. This time, in the Red Fort car blast, the culprits belong to Pulwama, J&K. But were they directed by Pakistan as the role of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) is becoming clearer by the hour? The JeM had vowed revenge after many family members of Masood Azhar were killed in the Indian Brahmos strike at Bahawalpur during Operation Sindoor. Many Pakistani army officers participated in the funerals of Azhars family members. India too has said that Operation Sindoor is only on pause and any future act of terror would be seen as an act of war against India. CNN-News18 has learnt that the security and intelligence agencies are connecting the dots before the PM reaches on Wednesday evening for the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security and the Union Cabinet meeting. PM Modi had chaired similar meetings after returning from Saudi Arabia post the April 22 Pahalgam attack. He had then given a free hand to the armed forces to take any step to bring the plotters to justice. A similar direction could be issued by the prime minister on Wednesday evening too. MINISTERS REACT Commenting on the probe, Union minister Suresh Gopi said: We cannot openly speak about how the investigation is going. We have got guidelines from Centre about it. Even if its something we know, we should not be disclosing it. Its a very unusual and unfortunate incident. What we should understand is that in the last 30 days alone, our security agencies have busted such attempts eight times, including in places like Rajasthan. With the help of national security agencies, eight attempts were busted. On Monday, this blast took place in a running vehicle." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Defence Minister Rajnath Singh too expressed sorrow over the deadly car explosion and assured that those behind the tragic incident" will be brought to justice. I want to assure my countrymen that those responsible for this will be brought to justice," he said. The countrys leading investigative agencies are conducting a thorough inquiry. Those responsible will not be spared under any circumstances," Singh asserted. 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 11, 2025, 14:09 IST News india Blast In Rush Hour At Chandni Chowk Was Deliberate? PM Modi Warns Plotters Ahead Of Crucial Meet Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Delhi Blast: 800 Faridabad Cops Launch Search Operation; Amit Shah Chairs High-Level Meet | Top Points Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 11:16 IST The Red Fort Station of the Delhi Metro will be closed for commuters on Tuesday and Delhi Traffic Police has also issued an advisory regarding restrictions and diversions Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Investigators examine the site of Monday's car explosion near the historic Red Fort, in New Delhi. (AP) A chilling sequence of events on Monday thrust Indias capital into the spotlight of a terror attack: just after investigators uncovered more than 2,900 kilograms of explosives and arrested doctors tied to a radicalised network, the heart of New Delhi was rocked by a deadly explosion when a Hyundai i20 car exploded at a red light outside the iconic Red Fort Metro station, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens. Police tracing the vehicles trail have revealed a maze of ownership transfersfrom Gurugram to Faridabad to a buyer in Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmirraising deep concerns about orchestrated terror planning. CNN-News18 has learnt that only one person was seen driving the car while exiting the toll and reaching the red light when the blast took place, raising suspicion of a Fidayeen attack. Police sources also said the car did not move for more than three hours in parking. Authorities are now digging into links that span multiple states, multiple suspects and a possible terror network that sought the capital as its target. Here are the latest updates on the Delhi car blast: Recommended Stories Massive Search Ops By Faridabad Police: Around 800 police personnel from Faridabad Police have been conducting an extensive combing and search operation since early morning on November 11 following the recovery of explosive and inflammable materials under Dhauj police station limits, according to a police spokesperson. Crucial Govt Meet: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a high-level security review meeting at his residence at 11am. Union Home Secretary, Director IB, Delhi Police Commissioner and DG NIA will attend the meeting, while DGP Jammu and Kashmir will join virtually. Fidayeen Attack Suspected: Police sources have pointed to a Fidayeen-style suicide attack, noting that only one person was seen driving the car while exiting the toll. Sources also said the car did not move for more than three hours while it was in the parking. CCTV Captures Suspected Suicide Bomber: Investigators have confirmed a blast link to the Faridabad-based doctor, Dr Umar U Nabi (believed to be from Pulwama), sources have told CNN-News18. According to sources, a severed hand, suspected to belong to the cars driver, was recovered from the scene and is believed to be that of Dr Umar. DNA samples of his family in Kashmir are being collected to establish his identity beyond doubt. Ammonium Nitrate, Fuel Oil Used: Probe so far has suggested the use of ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, and explosive detonators though officials have said the final report is still awaited from the forensic laboratory. Car Changed Several Owners: A Hyundai i20 that had changed hands four times without formal transfer records is under the scanner after it was spotted moving suspiciously through several crowded areas in North Delhi. The car, bearing registration number HR26CE7674, was also spotted in Faridabad, Haryana, on September 20. A pending challan for wrongful parking remains against the vehicle. Pakistan On Alert: Pakistan has issued a Red Alert for all of its airbases and airfields, following intelligence warnings that suggest heightened risks of retaliatory actions or further cross-border escalation from India, CNN-News18 has learnt. In addition to activating air defence systems, the Pakistan Air Force has been ordered to ensure that jets from forward bases are ready for immediate takeoff. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Metro Update: The Red Fort Station of the Delhi Metro will be closed for commuters on Tuesday. The Red Fort station is part of the Delhi Metros Violet Line, which operates between Kashmere Gate and Ballabhgarh, covering 35 stations, and is a key route for commuters travelling through Old Delhi. The Delhi Traffic Police also issued an advisory regarding restrictions, and diversions have been put in place in both the carriageways and service roads Netaji Subhash Marg from Chatta Rail Cut to Subhash Marg Cut. Sheikh Hasina Condemns Blast: Awami League President and former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina condemned the terror attack and said terrorist groups, rooted in Pakistan, have infiltrated networks across countries, including Bangladesh, and are carrying out attacks in India to undermine regional peace and stability. About the Author Apoorva Misra Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, ... Read More First Published: November 11, 2025, 10:40 IST News india Delhi Blast: 800 Faridabad Cops Launch Search Operation; Amit Shah Chairs High-Level Meet | Top Points Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Ammonium Nitrate, Fuel Oil, Explosive Detonators Used In Delhi Car Blast, Initial Probe Finds Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 11:41 IST Initial probe into the car blast near Delhi's Red Fort indicates the use of ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, and detonators, though the final forensic report is awaited. New Delhi: Police personnel stand near barricades as they cordon off the site in view of the blast that occurred near Red Fort Metro Station (Photo: PTI) In a significant development in the car explosion near Delhis Red Fort, initial investigations have suggested the use of ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, and explosive detonators. However, officials have said the final report is still awaited from the forensic laboratory. Recommended Stories This comes hours after the Delhi Police registered an FIR under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act in connection with the blast that killed 12 people on Monday evening near the historic Red Fort. Multiple raids are being carried out across the city as part of the ongoing terror probe, with the national capital placed on high alert. Security has been tightened at airports, railway stations, and bus terminals. According to a senior police officer, the FIR has been filed at Kotwali Police Station under Sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA, which deal with punishment and conspiracy for terror acts, along with relevant provisions of the Explosives Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Soon after the blast, speaking with news agency ANI, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi at 7 pm on Monday, and the explosion injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. This evening, around 7 pm, a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi. The blast injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. Preliminary reports indicate that some people have lost their lives." Within 10 minutes of receiving the information of the blast, teams from the Delhi Crime Branch and Delhi Special Branch arrived at the spot," Amit Shah said. I have also spoken to the Delhi CP and the Special Branch in charge. The Delhi CP and the Special Branch in charge are present at the spot. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account. All options will be investigated immediately, and we will present the results to the public," he added. The high-intensity explosion ripped through a Hyundai i20 car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The blast gutted several vehicles and left at least 12 dead, prompting an immediate counter-terror response from central agencies. ALSO READ | Car Explosion Near Delhis Red Fort Could Be A Suicide Attack, Sources Say Amid Terror Probe 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 11, 2025, 09:24 IST News india Ammonium Nitrate, Fuel Oil, Explosive Detonators Used In Delhi Car Blast, Initial Probe Finds Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... A Fortuner Thats Losing Its Shine Toyota is the biggest automaker in the world right now in terms of sales, and SUVs, well, are the preference of the market. A Toyota SUV seems to be the best combination for a bestseller, but unfortunately, thats not the case with the Fortuner. The Toyota Fortuner is something a purist would call a real SUV, complete with a ladder-frame chassis, locking differentials, and capabilities that would make popular soft-roaders blush. It is, after all, the SUV version of the indestructible Hilux, just the same as the 4Runner is to the Tacoma. Its quite popular in many countries where its sold. In India, it continues to dominate the midsize SUV market, even recording segment-leading sales through 2024. The Philippines tells a similar story between January and September 2025, the Fortuner is the countrys best-selling midsize SUV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But thats not the case in Australia. The Fortuner isnt selling well in the Land Down Under, and its in peril of getting axed. Toyota View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article A Shift in the Australian Market According to a report from Drive, Toyota has decided to pull the plug on the Fortuner in 2026. The model has been outsold eight to one by the Land Cruiser Prado (known as the Land Cruiser in the US and Land Cruiser 250 in other parts of the world) this year, and with production ending next year, Toyota Australia is set to concentrate on models with stronger market demand. To put things in perspective, Toyota sold just 2,928 Fortuners so far in 2025, while the Prado managed 23,298. The Ford Everest followed closely with 21,915 units. Even the Isuzu mu-X and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport performed better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pricing adds more context: the Fortuner currently ranges from AUD 58,000 to 71,000 (about S37,000-45,000), while the Land Cruiser Prado sits higher at AUD 77,000 to 106,000 (roughly $50,000-69,000). Despite the premium, Australian buyers evidently prefer the Prado. Joe Santos View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Cannibalization and Market Behavior As mentioned, the Fortuners decline in sales can be traced to the Prado's popularity among Australian buyers. While both share similar capabilities and target market, the Prado benefits from a stronger appeal with its perceived value. Plus, it rides on a newer platform, as compared to the aging IMV of the Fortuner. The upcoming next-generation Hilux, expected by mid-2026 with a revised but same IMV platform, likely affected Toyotas decision to streamline its lineup. In the US, Toyotas lineup tells a different story. The 4Runner, which fills a similar role to the Fortuner, continues to outperform the Land Cruiser. As of September 2025, Toyota reported that the 4Runner sold nearly twice as many units as the Land Cruiser, which proves that when positioned correctly, two rugged SUVs can coexist. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Nov 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here. PM Modi Says Delhi Blast Conspirators Won't Be Spared: 'Agencies Will Get To The Bottom Of It' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 13:58 IST PM Modi, speaking from Bhutan, expressed deep sorrow over the Delhi car blast that killed 12 people and assured that those responsible will face the strictest action. A file photo of PM Narendra Modi (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the deadly car explosion near Delhis Red Fort that claimed 12 lives, assuring that the government will ensure those responsible face the strictest action." Speaking during his visit to Bhutans capital, Thimphu, PM Modi said, A tragic incident took place in Delhi. I can understand the pain of the families who lost their loved ones." Recommended Stories Today, I have come here with a heavy heart. Yesterdays incident in Delhi has shocked everyone. The whole country is standing with the affected families in this hour of grief," the Prime Minister said. He added he had been personally monitoring the situation since the blast occurred. Last night, I was in touch with all the concerned agencies. Our agencies will go to the bottom of the controversy. All those responsible will be brought to justice," he said. The horrific blast in Delhi last evening has deeply pained everyone. India stands with those who have suffered.I assure everyone that the agencies will get to the bottom of the entire conspiracy. All those involved will be brought to justice. pic.twitter.com/gwFzSVwD2Q Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2025 The powerful explosion ripped through a parked car near the historic Red Fort on Monday evening, killing 12 people and injuring several others. Investigative agencies have launched a multi-agency probe under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosives Act to determine the cause and those behind the attack. Following the Prime Ministers address, Union Minister Suresh Gopi said, We cannot openly speak about how the investigation is going. We have got guidelines from the Centre about it." Even if its something we know, we should not be disclosing it. Its a very unusual and unfortunate incident," the Union Minister said. Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the countrys leading investigative agencies are conducting a swift and thorough" inquiry into the recent Delhi high-intensity explosion case, assuring that those responsible will not be spared and that the investigations findings will be made public soon. The Defence Minister also expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the blast that claimed eight lives and left several others injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Thimphu on Tuesday for a two-day visit, where he was warmly received by his Bhutanese counterpart, Tshering Tobgay. The visit aims to deepen India-Bhutan partnership and reinforce Indias commitment to its Neighbourhood First Policy. PM Modis visit coincides with the exposition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India. He will also 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. Investigating the Delhi car blast, agencies are closely monitoring social media activity and have begun collecting dump data from several areas. IANS quoted Delhi Police sources as saying that dump data is being gathered from all mobile phones that were operating in and around the Red Fort area. This data may provide crucial clues to help identify phone numbers linked to the car bombing. Officials said dump data is also being collected from the Red Fort parking area and its surrounding areas. Investigators believe that the people inside the car that exploded may have communicated with one another before the blast, making the parking lots phone records especially significant, IANS reported. Additionally, the dump data from Faridabad is being analysed to determine possible communication links between individuals and to trace how many people were in contact with each other before and after the incident. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As investigations continue into the Delhi blast, it has been revealed that the Hyundai i20 car used in the explosion was bought from a second-hand car dealer located in Sector 37 of Faridabad, Haryana. ALSO READ | Faridabad Plot Unravelled Before Delhi Blast, But One Slipped Through 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 11, 2025, 12:08 IST News india PM Modi Says Delhi Blast Conspirators Won't Be Spared: 'Agencies Will Get To The Bottom Of It' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Those Responsible Won't Be Spared': Rajnath Singh Vows Action After Delhi Car Blast Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 11:39 IST Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday condoled the loss of lives in the Red Fort car explosion and vowed that those responsible will face strict action. New Delhi: Charred remains of vehicles at a cordoned off area following a blast that occurred near Red Fort Metro Station on Monday (Photo: PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the deadly car explosion near Delhis Red Fort and assured that those behind the tragic incident" will be brought to justice. Speaking at the Delhi Defence Dialogue in the national capital, Singh began his address by offering condolences to the victims of Mondays blast, which claimed 12 lives and injured several others. Recommended Stories First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their lives in the tragic incident that occurred in Delhi yesterday," the Defence Minister said. He emphasised that the government was committed to ensuring accountability for the attack. I want to assure my countrymen that those responsible for this will be brought to justice," he said. The countrys leading investigative agencies are conducting a thorough inquiry," he added. The Defence Minister further assured citizens that the findings of the investigation would be made public soon. Those responsible will not be spared under any circumstances," Singh asserted. The Defence Ministers statement comes as multiple central agencies continue to coordinate with the Delhi Police in probing the Delhi car explosion. As the investigations continue, the police were examining the CCTV footage and data analysis as crucial leads. Investigators have traced the suspected vehicles movements and are now examining possible communication links established before and after the explosion. According to officials, CCTV footage shows the suspected car entering and exiting the Red Fort parking area shortly before the blast. The driver appears to be alone in the footage. The route towards Daryaganj is now under scrutiny, and more than 100 CCTV clips, including footage from nearby toll plazas, are being reviewed to map the vehicles entire movement. The explosion, which took place near the historic Red Fort complex, triggered panic in the area and led to a massive security response. Teams from the Special Cell, Crime Branch, and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) were deployed, while the area was sealed and visitors evacuated. Data from all mobile phones that were active in the vicinity of the Red Fort complex at the time of the explosion was being examined. Investigators have also extended the analysis to Faridabad, using dump data to determine communication patterns between people possibly linked to the incident. IPDR (Internet Protocol Detail Record) analysis was being conducted to track devices that went inactive soon after the blast, potentially indicating deliberate attempts to evade detection. Meanwhile, security has been stepped up across Delhi, particularly around heritage sites, metro stations, and market areas. Sniffer dogs and bomb disposal teams conducted multiple checks in and around the Red Fort precinct. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Traffic on Netaji Subhash Marg and nearby roads was diverted for several hours as a precautionary measure. ALSO READ | Delhi Red Fort Blast: CCTV Captures Suspected Suicide Bomber With Faridabad Module Links 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 11, 2025, 11:22 IST News india 'Those Responsible Won't Be Spared': Rajnath Singh Vows Action After Delhi Car Blast Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Delhi Red Fort Blast: CCTV Captures Suspected Suicide Bomber With Faridabad Module Links Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 09:42 IST A severed hand, suspected to belong to the cars driver, was recovered from the scene and is believed to be that of Dr Umar, a Faridabad doctor. Dr Umar, Associate of Arrested J&K Doctor Adeel, Believed to Be Red Fort Blast Suicide Bomber. Investigators probing the Delhi Red Fort car blast have now confirmed a link to the Faridabad-based doctor, Dr Umar U Nabi (believed to be from Pulwama), sources have told CNN-News18. Sources reveal that CCTV footage and forensic evidence from the blast site point towards Dr Umars involvement. A severed hand, suspected to belong to the cars driver, was recovered from the scene and is believed to be that of Dr Umar. DNA samples of his family in Kashmir are being collected to establish his identity beyond doubt. An image of a man in a blue shirt, believed to be Dr Umar, has also surfaced and is suspected to show him moments before the Delhi Red Fort blast on Monday evening. Recommended Stories According to sources, Dr Umar U Nabi, son of Gh Nabi Bhat, was employed as a doctor at Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad. His mother, Shamima Banoo, hails from Koil in Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir. Born on February 24, 1989, Dr Umar was reportedly a close associate of Dr Adeel, another name under investigation in the ongoing terror network probe. Umars father, as per sources, was a government teacher (mentally unwell) who left the job about 1015 years ago. There are two brothers and one elder sister at his home. One brother and sister are married, and one brother is unmarried. Both his brothers and his mother have been detained by police. First picture of the suspected suicide bomber surfaces. Delhi Police identify Dr. Umar as the attacker. DNA sample of the family collected, and part of the drivers hand recovered from the blast site. Investigations continue under stringent UAPA provisions.@_anshuls & pic.twitter.com/ILuTZMnGlh News18 (@CNNnews18) November 11, 2025 Officials suggest that Dr Umar was part of a group of medical professionals who were radicalised through encrypted Telegram channels, forming what is now being referred to as the Faridabad module." Sources say Umar did MD medicine at Government Medical College, Srinagar. He then worked as a senior resident at GMC Anantnag, and then left for Delhi. Sources say he was currently working as an Assistant Professor at Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad. The confirmation of his suspected role marks a major breakthrough in connecting the blast to a larger radical network under scanner across Delhi-NCR and Jammu & Kashmir. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all After the Faridabad and J&K Police crackdown, perhaps Dr Umar, who was absconding, developed cold feet and decided to use the explosives at his disposal to carry out the attack," a senior probe official told CNN-News18. A blast ripped through a slow-moving Hyundai i20 near the Red Fort Metro station in Delhi in the peak hours of Monday evening. The attack left nine dead and over 20 injured. Sources are calling it a suicide attack. About the Author Arunima Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from gr... Read More First Published: November 11, 2025, 09:13 IST News india Delhi Red Fort Blast: CCTV Captures Suspected Suicide Bomber With Faridabad Module Links Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 20:44 IST A blast ripped through a car near the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi on Monday evening. (Image: PTI) Delhi Red Fort Blast News Updates: At least eight people were killed and several others injured on Monday evening after a Hyundai i20 car exploded near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi. Authorities are treating the blast, which occurred around 6:55 pm, as a suspected terror-related incident. Three doctors, Dr. Adeel Ahmad Rather from Qazigund, Jammu & Kashmir, Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganai from Pulwama, and Dr Shaheen Saeed, have been arrested in connection with the Kashmir-Faridabad-Delhi terror case. Two people have been detained in Kashmir Tariq Ahmed Dar from Samboora, Pulwama and Umar alias Amir. Tariq claimed he had handed over the car to Amir. Car traced to Pulwama man: Investigators have traced the car to a man from Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir, uncovering a potential terror link. According to CNN News18 sources, the car was originally registered in Gurugram under the number HR26 and first owned by Mohammad Salman. It reportedly changed hands four times Salman to Devendra, Devendra to Sonu, and finally Sonu to Tariq from Shambhura village in Pulwama. Delhi Police have alerted Jammu and Kashmir authorities, with a special team dispatched to Srinagar to verify details about Tariq and his associates. The cars ownership transfers were allegedly done illegally through a Faridabad-based car dealer. IED used in the blast: Preliminary investigations suggest that an improvised explosive device (IED) was used in the explosion, which tore through the car as it moved slowly near the Red Fort. More than 50 CCTV footage from Kashmiri Gate, Dariyaganj, Sunehri Masjid, and Red Fort areas have been collected to track the vehicles route, which was reportedly seen roaming in North Delhi since early afternoon. Authorities are now probing whether the blast was part of a larger terror plot targeting the capital. 'Predictable Tactic': India Hits Out At Pakistan Over Shehbaz Sharif's 'Terror Proxies' Remark Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 22:29 IST Shehbaz Sharif blamed "Indian-sponsored terrorist proxies" for the Islamabad attack, and an attack on a cadet college near the border with Afghanistan, without any evidence. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif | File Image India launched a scathing attack on Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after he blamed Indian-sponsored terror proxies", without any proof, for the suicide attack outside a district court in Islamabad that killed at least 12 people and injured 27 others. Sharif blamed Indian-sponsored terrorist proxies" for the Islamabad attack, as well as an attack on a cadet college near the border with Afghanistan, without offering any evidence. Both attacks are the worst examples of Indian state terrorism in the region," Sharif said, without any proof to back up his statement. Recommended Stories India responded to Sharifs remark by calling it a predictable tactic" to concoct false narratives against India" to deflect attention from its own problems, and termed the accusation as a desperate diversionary ploy". India unequivocally rejects the baseless and unfounded allegations being made by an obviously delirious Pakistani leadership. It is a predictable tactic by Pakistan to concoct false narratives against India in order to deflect the attention of its own public from the ongoing military-inspired constitutional subversion and power-grab unfolding within the country," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a statement. The international community is well aware of the reality and will not be misled by Pakistans desperate diversionary ploys," he further said. Pakistani Taliban Takes Responsibility Notably, the Pakistani Taliban militant group have claimed responsibility for the attack outside the district court building in a residential area of Pakistans capital on Tuesday, which killed at least 12 people and injured 27 others. The incident took place amid international events being hosted in Islamabad, including the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference. Pakistans Shehbaz Sharif accused India of orchestrating the suicide attack" in Islamabad without presenting any evidence. For years, Pakistan has labeled the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as Indias proxy," even as it continues to face global criticism for sheltering terrorists itself. In a post on X, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan is in a state of war" and that this attack should be taken as a wake-up call" with regards to negotiations with neighbouring Afghanistan. He also accused India of backing Afghanistan amid tensions between the two countries. We are in a state of war. Anyone who thinks that the Pakistan Army is fighting this war in the Afghan-Pakistan border region and the remote areas of Balochistan should take todays suicide attack at the Islamabad district courts as a wake-up call: this is a war for all of Pakistan, in which the Pakistan Army is giving daily sacrifices and making the people feel secure," he said on X. The Taliban administration in Kabul said in a statement that it expresses its deep sorrow and condemnation" of the attacks. A spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on Pakistans accusations. Meanwhile, a cadet college was attacked in Wana, near the Afghanistan border, when a suicide vehicle rammed the main entrance, killing three people. Militants then entered the school, which is run by the military but educates civilians. (with inputs from agencies) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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 11, 2025, 22:05 IST News india 'Predictable Tactic': India Hits Out At Pakistan Over Shehbaz Sharif's 'Terror Proxies' Remark Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... First Photo of Suspected Delhi Suicide Bomber Surfaces, Parked Car Outside Red Fort For 3 Hours Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 09:53 IST CCTV footage shows that the Hyundai i20 involved in the Red Fort Metro Station blast was parked for nearly three hours before the explosion Dr Umar Mohammad was seen inside the car ahead of the blast. The first photo of Dr. Umar, suspected to be the suicide bomber in the Delhi blast case, has surfaced. He was driving the white Hyundai i20 that exploded near the Red Fort on Monday evening, killing at least nine people. CCTV footage shows that the Hyundai i20 involved in the Red Fort Metro Station blast was parked for nearly three hours before the explosion from 3:19 pm to 6:48 pm. Recommended Stories First picture of the suspected suicide bomber surfaces. Delhi Police identify Dr. Umar as the attacker. DNA sample of the family collected, and part of the drivers hand recovered from the blast site. Investigations continue under stringent UAPA provisions.@_anshuls & pic.twitter.com/ILuTZMnGlh News18 (@CNNnews18) November 11, 2025 Delhi Police sources said investigators are reviewing the footage to identify who parked and retrieved the vehicle, trace its movement to the traffic signal, and question the parking attendant as part of the ongoing probe. According to sources, Dr Umar U Nabi, son of Gh Nabi Bhat, was employed as a doctor at Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad. His mother, Shamima Banoo, hails from Koil in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. Born on February 24, 1989, Dr Umar was reportedly a close associate of Dr Adeel, another suspect under investigation in the ongoing terror network probe. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sources said Umars father, a government school teacher who is mentally unwell, left his job about 1015 years ago. He has two brothers and an elder sister one brother and the sister are married, while the other brother is unmarried. Both brothers and his mother have been detained by police for questioning. Officials believe Dr Umar was part of a group of medical professionals radicalised through encrypted Telegram channels, forming what investigators are now calling the Faridabad module." Sources said he completed his MD in Medicine from Government Medical College, Srinagar, worked as a senior resident at GMC Anantnag, and later moved to Delhi. He was serving as an Assistant Professor at Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad at the time of the blast. 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 11, 2025, 09:29 IST News india First Photo of Suspected Delhi Suicide Bomber Surfaces, Parked Car Outside Red Fort For 3 Hours Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Doctors, Maulvi, Explosives: Faridabad Plot Unravelled Before Delhi Blast, But One Slipped Through Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:14 IST 3 OGWs, Cleric To Doctors, 2,900 Kg Explosives: J&K Police busted a white collar terror module in Faridabad hours before Red Fort blast. News18 gets exclusive details of their op Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Police officials at the site after suspected explosives were seized from a second house, in Faridabad district, Haryana. (PTI) A day after the Jammu and Kashmir Police (J&K) Police helped bust a white collar terror module in Faridabad, News18 has obtained exclusive details of how the operation was carried out. The busting of the module earlier in the day led to eight arrests and recovery of 2,563 kg of explosives and 350 kg of ammonium nitrate. Hours later, a powerful explosion in a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort Metro Station rocked the national capital, leading to at least 12 deaths. Experts say the busting of the module limited the scale of the Delhi tragedy. Recommended Stories Posters led police to 3 OGWs, a cleric The Jammu and Kashmir Polices investigation began after posters supporting militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) surfaced in Srinagar on October 27. Three overground workers, who had a history of being stone pelters, were then picked up: 1. Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, a resident of Nowgam, Srinagar 2. Yasir-ul-Ashraf, a resident of Nowgam, Srinagar 3. Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid, a resident of Nowgam, Srinagar The next to be arrested was a cleric in Shopian, Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, whose questioning gave vital leads. VIDEO | Pulwama: Brother of doctor Muzammil, now arrested in Faridabad terror module case, Azad Shakil says, He last visited us in June during our fathers surgery. Everyone is alleging that he is a terrorist, but we have nothing to do with it. There hasnt been a single case pic.twitter.com/SRiXYUk78Y Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 11, 2025 Doctors link and the white collar terror module The next arrest was of Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, from Qazigund moved to Saharanpur. He had just left his job at GMC Anantnag. Police discovered an AK rifle in his locker. Following sustained interrogation, Adeel revealed the plot. Then came the detention of a man from Gandarbal, Zameer Ahangar, who was associated with the Shopian cleric. This led the J&K Police to Dr Muzammil, making the entire chain clear. This further led to the arrest of Dr Muzammil Ganaie in Faridabad. A native of Koil in J-Ks Pulwama, Muzammil was a doctor working at Al Falah University at Dhauj, around 45 km from Delhi. Dr Umar was absconding when search for him started. Police also looked for him in Pulwama but couldnt find him. The group, intially considered small, used to raise funds through professionals doctors, engineers, etc and academicians. They used to tell them they have to use the money for social or charitable causes. The group used to identify people who could be radicalised and initiate communication and later recruit them to ranks. They used those to raise funds, arranging logistics, and later procure arms/ammunition and material for preparing IEDs. How the explosives were found A huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the two rooms rented by Dr Muzammil in Faridabad. The rooms were owned by the cleric. The police recovered 350 kg of ammonium nitrate, weapons and bomb-making components and an AK-47 rifle from one of the rented rooms. The recovery also included 20 timers, detonator components and ammunition. Additionally, security teams found circuit systems, IED-making materials, batteries, remote triggers, timers and chemicals. The security forces recovered 2,563 kg of suspected explosives from the second property in Haryanas Faridabad. The seizure was made in Fatehpur Taga village, around 4 km from the Dhauj area. Faridabad: A day after the Red Fort blast A day after 2,900 kg of explosives and inflammable material was recovered from two rented rooms of a Kashmiri doctor in Faridabad, an extensive combing and search operation was being conducted in parts of the district on Tuesday. Preliminary probe into the blast has also suggested links to the alleged terror module uncovered in Faridabad. Police on Tuesday said a team is camping at the Al Falah University, where the Kashmiri doctor lived for the past three-and-a-half years, and are questioning staff and doctors at the varsity here, a senior police officer told PTI. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Several police personnel are conducting search in the Dhauj police station area, he said. Investigation so far revealed that a cleric here who was detained by police revealed that he had rented out his room to an autorickshaw driver who then gave it to Dr Muzammil for keeping luggage" in the room. With PTI Inputs About the Author Ieshan Wani Ieshan Wani, senior correspondent, CNN-News18, has over eight years of experience in reporting, producing and editing news for broadcast, digital and print platforms. His reporting has mostly been fro... Read More Location : Srinagar, India, India First Published: November 11, 2025, 13:14 IST News india Doctors, Maulvi, Explosives: Faridabad Plot Unravelled Before Delhi Blast, But One Slipped Through Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... New Hydropower Project, Rs 4,000 Crore Credit Line: Key Takeaways From PM Modi's Bhutan Visit Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 23:55 IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi said progress and prosperity of India and Bhutan is closely linked and that there will be greater focus on boosting connectivity PM Narendra Modi and Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck unveil a plaque marking the inauguration of the Mangdechhu-II Hydropower Plant, a Bhutan-India Friendship Project, in Bhutan's Thimphu on November 11, 2025. (Image: @MEAIndia/X/PTI) From establishing a Rs 4,000 crore concessional credit line funding energy projects to inaugurating a 1,020-MW hydropower project built with Indian assistance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said progress and prosperity of India and Bhutan is closely linked and that there will be greater focus on boosting connectivity. Energy cooperation remains a key pillar of the India-Bhutan partnership. Today, we inaugurated the Punatsangchhu-II Hydropower Project. This is an enduring symbol of friendship between our countries," Modi said on social media. Recommended Stories Here are the key takeaways from PM Narendra Modis visit to Bhutan: top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Modi and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck inaugurated the Punatsanchchhu-II project following their wide-ranging talks. Electricity generated from the project will be supplied to both countries. The Indian side also announced a concessional credit line of Rs 4,000 crore to fund energy projects in Bhutan. The two leaders exchanged views to further enhance and strengthen bilateral ties and held discussions on regional and global issues of mutual interest. King Jigme Khesar conveyed condolences on the loss of lives in the Delhi blast and his appreciation for Indias support for Bhutans socio-economic development. The two also witnessed the finalisation of three pacts that will provide for cooperation in renewable energy, healthcare and medicine, and mental health services. Earlier, addressing an event to mark the 70th birth anniversary of Bhutans former king Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Prime Minister underlined the importance of connectivity and referred to New Delhis decision to link Gelephu and Samtse in Bhutan to Indias rail network. The PM said India is also extending full support to Bhutans Gelephu Mindfulness City, announcing that New Delhi will establish an immigration checkpoint near Gelephu. The progress and prosperity of India and Bhutan are closely linked. In this spirit, last year the government of India announced a contribution of Rs 10,000 crore to support Bhutans Five-Year Plan," he said. These funds are being utilised across all sectors from roads to agriculture, from finance to healthcare, helping improve the ease of living for the people of Bhutan." He noted that India has taken several measures to ensure a steady supply of essential items to the people of Bhutan and that it is expanding the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) facility in that country. Modi further lauded former King Jigme Singye and said his concept of Gross National Happiness" became an important measure of development across the world. He said the former King played a decisive role in establishing democratic systems in Bhutan and establishing peace in the border areas. The idea of Gross National Happiness that you introduced has today become an important measure of development across the world. You have shown that nation-building is not only about GDP, but also about the well-being of humanity," he added. 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 : Thimphu, Bhutan First Published: November 11, 2025, 23:53 IST News india New Hydropower Project, Rs 4,000 Crore Credit Line: Key Takeaways From PM Modi's Bhutan Visit Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Paks Weapons Directed Towards Delhi: JeM Audio Intimidation Tactic, Say Sources | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:14 IST In the audio, which has not been independently verified by CNN-News18 but is said to be recent, Pakistans JeM deputy chief Abdul Rauf Azhar is heard threatening India Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Pakistans Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) deputy chief Abdul Rauf Azhar. (News18 File) Pakistans Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) deputy chief Abdul Rauf Azhar, in an audio exclusively obtained by CNN-News18, has threatened India, saying the defence spending wont help. Indian intelligence sources, however, have termed it just a tactic to intimidate". Azhar was earlier believed to have been killed in Operation Sindoor. In the audio, which has not been independently verified by CNN-News18 but is said to be recent, Azhar, who is also known as Rauf Asghar and Abdul Rauf Asghar, is heard speaking against the Indian government. We have already bought the weapons and they are directed towards Delhi. Your defence spending wont help," the brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar is heard saying in the audio. Recommended Stories This comes in the backdrop of the explosion near Delhis Red Fort on Monday evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Bhutan visit, said, A tragic incident took place in Delhi. I can understand the pain of the families who lost their loved ones. Last night, I was in touch with all the concerned agencies. Our agencies will go to the bottom of the controversy. All those responsible will be brought to justice." Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said, Those responsible will not be spared under any circumstances" #BreakingNews | There was open threat to India days before the Delhi Red Fort car blast; weapons were procured that were directed towards IndiaExclusive input from @manojkumargupta @AnchorAnandN shares more details @RShivshankar | #Delhi #RedFortBlast #India pic.twitter.com/xTRoAHX2dl News18 (@CNNnews18) November 11, 2025 What intelligence sources say The JeM has a documented history of carrying out high-impact strikes inside India such as Parliament attack, Pathankot and Pulwama. The JeM leadership and operational cadres have been active targets in recent Indian operations The combination of threat, claimed capability and political messaging is a technique to intimidate," sources said. Who is Abdul Rauf Azhar or Rauf Asghar? Abdul Rauf Azhar, also known as Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, was born in Bahawalpur in Pakistans Punjab province. While overshadowed publicly by his brother Masood Azhar, Rauf was no mere foot soldier. Abdul Rauf Azhar is accused of carrying out several terror attacks on India. He is the operational brain behind JeM, often acting as its de facto chief during Masood Azhars absences. Unlike his more visible brother, Azhar avoids the limelight. He is known for overseeing the groups operations through front organisations, sustained fundraising efforts, and coordinated recruitment drives. He belongs to the Deobandi school of Sunni Islam, which heavily influenced JeMs ideological underpinnings and outreach efforts across South Asia. Azhars role in attacks in India Abdul Rauf Azhar was actively involved in terrorist attacks on India such as: IC-814 Hijacking (1999): He was central to planning the hijack of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 from Kathmandu to Kandahar. The hostage crisis led to the release of Masood Azhar, who went and formed JeM after. Indian Parliament Attack (2001): The attack was allegedly planned with Lashkar-e-Taiba in coordination with Rauf Azhars operatives. Ayodhya Temple Attack (2005): A strike was carried out on the makeshift Ram temple site. Indian Army camp in Kathua (2014): He is believed to have played a key role on the attack on an Indian Army camp in Kathua. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Pathankot Airbase Attack (2016): He is believed to have supervised the infiltration and planning behind the Pathankot assault, which involved six heavily armed Pakistani terrorists breaching a critical military facility. Pulwama Attack (2019): Azhar has been named in the chargesheet of the 2019 Pulwama attack in which 42 CRPF personnel died along with his brother Masood Azhar. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 12:02 IST News india Paks Weapons Directed Towards Delhi: JeM Audio Intimidation Tactic, Say Sources | Exclusive Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pawan Kalyan Calls For Establishing Sanatana Dharma Parirakshana Board To Protect Hindu Faith Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 14:58 IST He said the Tirupati Laddu represents a shared emotion that unites people across communities. File photo of Pawan Kalyan. Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday said that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) holds immense spiritual and emotional significance for Hindus across the world, describing it as more than a pilgrimage centre a sacred spiritual sojourn." He said the Tirupati Laddu represents a shared emotion that unites people across communities. It is not just a sweet; it is a symbol of our collective belief and profound faith. We share it with friends, family, and even strangers," he said, adding that nearly 2.5 crore devotees visit Tirumala every year. Recommended Stories Emphasising that the sentiments and practices of Sanatanis must be respected, Kalyan said that mocking or undermining them shatters the trust and devotion of millions around the world." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Secularism must be a two-way street. Protection and respect for our faith cannot be negotiable. Our Sanatana Dharma is one of the oldest and ever-evolving civilisations," he said. Kalyan urged that it was time to establish the Sanatana Dharma Parirakshana Board with the consensus of all stakeholders to safeguard and preserve the values of Sanatana Dharma. 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 11, 2025, 14:58 IST News india Pawan Kalyan Calls For Establishing Sanatana Dharma Parirakshana Board To Protect Hindu Faith Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Buyers looking for a new car are facing higher prices than ever, with the average new car price in September 2025 hitting $50,080 according to KBB. That's the highest average price on record, beating even the averages seen during the height of the post-pandemic chip shortages. Further complicating matters, today's car buyers have a wide array of powertrain options to pick from, with hybrid and pure-electric models offered alongside traditional gasoline and diesel cars. High prices and changing powertrain options make reliability a particularly important consideration for many buyers, and a few brands in the SUV market stand out as offering more consistent reliability than the rest. We've analyzed data from Consumer Reports' predicted reliability ratings for SUVs, calculating the average score that the outlet gave to each brand. These five brands all emerged as top performers, edging ahead of the competition in their respective segments. To delve deeper into the real-world performance of each brand's current lineup, we've also drawn from the expertise of our review team, who have put SUVs from each top performing carmaker to the test. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Popular Cars You Should Avoid Buying, According To Consumer Reports Porsche 2025 Porsche Cayenne GTS in a parking lot - Emme Hall/SlashGear While Porsche might not be the first manufacturer many buyers associate with ultimate reliability, both its Macan and Cayenne SUVs receive positive feedback in this regard. The Cayenne remains the brand's flagship SUV, and we thought that the GTS variant represented the perfect balance between price and power. The Cayenne arguably remains one of the best looking cars in its class both inside and out, with an interior that's tech heavy but without the overbearingly large screens that can be found in some of its German rivals. In top-spec form, the Cayenne is also hilariously fast. The Cayenne Turbo GT can hit 60 mph from standstill in just 3.1 seconds. That's just as quick as a Ferrari Enzo, in a car that will still comfortably accommodate the kids and their luggage on the school run. Its top speed is equally outlandish, sitting at 190 mph. Porsche's smaller SUV, the Macan arrived in all-electric form for the 2025 model year. We gave it an exceptional 10/10 rating, praising its power, handling, and looks, as well as its comfortable, luxurious interior. For buyers who aren't sold on electrification, the German automaker also still offers the Macan with a traditional combustion engine. Honda 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid in the snow - Travis Langness/SlashGear Honda was another high scorer for reliability, although that shouldn't be a surprise to most shoppers. Longevity has formed a core part of Honda's appeal for decades now, and its latest cars haven't done anything to dent its impressive track record. We took the CR-V Hybrid on a trip around California earlier in 2025, and found its interior space and assured handling to be particularly noteworthy. Honda also offers lots of standard safety tech with the car, although we found some of it could be over-sensitive and prone to false alarms. Its promised fuel economy also fell short in our real-world tests, and unlike some of its rivals, it offered no all-electric driving range. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasn't a clean sweep for the CR-V Hybrid then, but we still came away impressed overall. Likewise, we found that the 2026 Passport Trailsport was commendably spacious and memorably styled, but it wasn't without its flaws. Again, its fuel economy lagged behind the best in the class, while its all-terrain tires looked the part but resulted in considerable road noise on everyday journeys. Even with their drawbacks, it's easy to see why buyers continue to flock to Honda's SUVs, especially given their continually high predicted reliability ratings. Toyota 2025 Toyota Crown Signia in the forest - Chris Davies/SlashGear Alongside its core SUV models, Toyota also has a couple of less-known options for buyers to pick from, including the Crown Signia. In top-spec Limited trim, it offers a premium interior that's not far off what you might expect to find in an entry-level Lexus, and its styling is distinctive to boot. In our review of the Crown Signia, we found its powertrain was a bit vanilla considering how quirky the rest of the car was, but at least it should be reliable, much like the rest of Toyota's SUV lineup. It's impossible to discuss the Japanese automaker's SUVs without mentioning the RAV4. The model has been a major success for Toyota, with over 475,000 examples sold in the U.S. in 2024 alone. The 2025 RAV4 Hybrid is the last model year of the outgoing generation, with Toyota debuting an all-new sixth generation car for the 2026 model year. It's available only in electrified form, either as a mild hybrid or as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), with its styling, interior tech, and safety tech also given a major overhaul. Lexus 2025 Lexus NX 350h in a parking lot - Travis Langness/SlashGear Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While even lower-end Lexus SUVs feel premium, its highest-spec models sit firmly in executive limo territory. We spent a week reviewing the 2025 Lexus LX 700h and found its imposing size and four-seat layout an odd combination, even if the two rear seats were extremely comfortable and could recline for an airline-like seating position. The LX also remains highly capable off-road, although we didn't put its all-terrain chops fully to the test during our time with the car. Although the top-spec LX will certainly be appealing to some, it will be out of budget for the majority of Lexus SUV buyers. Thankfully, more affordable models like the 2025 NX 350h are still luxurious inside, as well as being efficient and feeling sturdily built. However, neither the LX nor the NX that we reviewed were particularly engaging to drive. Plenty of SUVs on the market offer a sporty edge that hides their mass to some degree, but Lexus makes no attempt to hide the heft of its SUV models. That's not necessarily a bad thing though they remain comfortable and offer a smooth ride, while their high reliability ratings offer added peace of mind to drivers. Subaru 2025 Subaru Ascent on a dirt road - Travis Langness/SlashGear Owners of Subaru SUVs should be well aware that the brand's knack for making durable, capable SUVs doesn't usually translate into a particularly exciting driving experience. Whether it's the 2025 Forester Hybrid or the three-row 2025 Ascent, the brand's cars won't be challenging the likes of Mazda in terms of driver enjoyment. However, they remain consistently spacious for their respective segments, and they're mostly competitively priced for what they offer. They're also tricky to beat when it comes to reliability. That might help make up for their flaws in other areas, such as Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, which our Forester Hybrid review highlighted as being a common annoyance with the brand's cars. Subaru's SUV models also tend not to feature the most powerful nor the most efficient engines in their segments, with the hybrid version of the Forester only offering an insignificant efficiency boost over its ICE counterpart. Still, those compromises haven't deterred buyers, with Subaru shifting over 175,000 examples of the Forester in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on SlashGear. Photos Of 3 Doctors At The Centre Of Faridabad Terror Module Probe Surface After Delhi Blast Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:23 IST Three doctors, including Dr Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Ahmad Rather, and Shaheen Saeed, were arrested after 2,900 kg explosives linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed were found in Faridabad. Dr Muzammil (left), Adeel Ahmad Rather (middle) and Dr Shaheen Saeed (right) Three doctors, including two from Jammu and Kashmir, have been arrested in connection with the probe after 2,900 kilograms of explosives and inflammable material were recovered in Faridabad. The explosives were recovered from the rented accommodation of Kashmiri doctor Dr Muzammil Ganaie on Monday, just a few hours before a blast killed 13 people near the Red Fort in New Delhi. Recommended Stories The preliminary probe into the Red Fort car blast has also suggested possible links to the alleged terror module uncovered in Faridabad, although these have not yet been confirmed by investigating agencies. Eight people, including Dr Muzammil and two fellow doctors Adeel Ahmad Rather and Shaheen Saeed have been arrested for allegedly being part of a white-collar terror module involving the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, spanning across Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, officials said. All About Adeel Ahmad Rather Adeel Ahmad Rather hails from Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir and was working as a teacher at the Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences & Research Centre in Faridabad. He was arrested in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly putting up posters in support of the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed in Srinagar. Investigating agencies raided Dr Muzammils residence in Faridabad after obtaining crucial leads during Adeels interrogation. Who Is Dr Muzammil Ganaie? Dr Muzammil, a resident of Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, was employed at Al-Falah School. The police recovered 360 kg of ammonium nitrate and an additional 2,500 kg of explosive-making chemicals from his residence in Faridabad. During the raid, officers also seized one Carom Cok rifle, two automatic pistols, and 84 cartridges. Terrors New Face: Lady Doctors Role In Financing Faridabad Module Alarms Security Agencies How Is Dr Shaheen Saeed Connected to the Terror Module? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Dr Shaheen Saeed, a resident of Lucknow, was also working at Al-Falah School. Police said that a Krinkov assault rifle was found in her car, which was allegedly being used by Dr Muzammil. According to top intelligence sources, Shaheen was associated with Dr Umar Mohammad, who is suspected to be a suicide bomber in the Red Fort blast case. About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 First Published: November 11, 2025, 14:25 IST News india Photos Of 3 Doctors At The Centre Of Faridabad Terror Module Probe Surface After Delhi Blast Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... PIB Busts Viral Fake Image After Delhi Red Fort Blast, Warns Against Misinformation Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 08:08 IST After a deadly car blast near Red Fort, PIB debunked viral misinformation using a Lebanon blast image. After a deadly car blast near Red Fort, PIB debunked viral misinformation using a Lebanon blast image. (Image: PIB) Hours after a deadly car explosion near Delhis Red Fort on Monday evening, the Press Information Bureaus (PIB) Fact Check unit moved swiftly to counter a wave of misinformation flooding social media. A dramatic image showing a massive fireball and mushroom cloud went viral online, falsely claimed to be from the Red Fort blast. In a late-night post on X, PIB clarified that the picture was actually from an Israeli airstrike on Beiruts Dahiyeh suburb in Lebanon on September 27, 2024. Recommended Stories Some propaganda accounts are circulating an old image on social media, falsely claiming it to be linked to the blast in Delhi," PIB stated, sharing a link to a Lebanese news outlet confirming the photos original context. The misleading image began circulating within an hour of the 6:52 pm explosion near Lal Qila Metro Station Gate No. 1, which killed eight people and injured over 25. Several unverified accounts, including some verified ones, amplified the false photo with captions like Delhi under attack" and terror returns to the capital." By 9 pm, the fake post had drawn over 1.2 million impressions, fuelling panic and speculation about the cause of the blast. The fact-check came as Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site and the injured at Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Hospital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences, while Delhi Police urged citizens to avoid sharing unverified content that could hinder investigations. Authorities have identified more than 40 accounts involved in spreading the false image, with action under IT rules expected soon. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Fact-checkers noted that the same Lebanon blast image had previously been misused during unrelated incidents in Syria and Iraq in 2024. As the investigation continues, PIB reiterated its warning: Always verify such claims through credible and official sources before sharing." 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 11, 2025, 08:08 IST News india PIB Busts Viral Fake Image After Delhi Red Fort Blast, Warns Against Misinformation Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... PM Modi Departs For Bhutan; Set To Attend Kings 70th Birthday, Inaugurate Hydropower Project Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 08:57 IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bhutan on November 11-12, 2025, for Jigme Singye Wangchuck's 70th birthday, inaugurate Punatsangchhu-II, and strengthen India Bhutan ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Image: PTI/File) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bhutan from November 11 to 12, 2025, at the invitation of the Bhutanese government, to take part in celebrations marking the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. In a statement ahead of his visit, the Prime Minister said it would be his honour to join the people of Bhutan" on this special occasion. The visit will also witness the inauguration of the Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project, a major milestone in India and Bhutans long-standing energy cooperation. Recommended Stories The exposition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India during the Global Peace Prayer Festival in Bhutan reflects our two countries deep-rooted civilisational and spiritual ties," the Prime Minister said. During the visit, Modi will meet His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, His Majesty the Fourth King, and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. He expressed confidence that the trip will further deepen our bonds of friendship and strengthen our efforts towards shared progress and prosperity." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India and Bhutan share what Modi described as exemplary ties of friendship and cooperation, rooted in deep mutual trust, understanding, and goodwill." He added that the partnership stands as a key pillar of Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and serves as a model for friendly relations between neighbouring countries. The two nations have collaborated closely in areas such as hydropower, infrastructure, education, and culture, with India remaining Bhutans top trade partner and development ally. The Punatsangchhu-II project, built with Indian assistance, is expected to significantly boost Bhutans clean energy capacity and economic growth. 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 11, 2025, 08:56 IST News india PM Modi Departs For Bhutan; Set To Attend Kings 70th Birthday, Inaugurate Hydropower Project Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Police Arrest Three Kashmiris In Probe Into Pulwama Link Of Car Used In Deadly Delhi Blast Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 12:25 IST At least eight people were killed and several others injured on Monday evening after a Hyundai i20 car exploded near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi. Brothers -- Umar (L) and Amir Rashid (R) -- arrested in connection to Delhi Red Fort Blast. As the chilling Pulwama connection has emerged in the horrific Delhi blast case, it has been learnt that three people have been arrested from Kashmir as the probe intensified. According to the sources, the three people held Tariq Ahmad, Amir Rashid and Umar Rashid have a Pulwama connection. Meanwhile, the police have also detained the mother and two brothers of Dr Umar U Nabi, who is believed to be the suicide bomber of the blast that claimed the lives of eight innocent people outside Red Fort, for questioning. Dr Umar is also believed to be from Pulwama. Recommended Stories The people picked by the police in connection to the 10/11 blast in Delhi: 1. Tariq Ahmad 2. Amir Rashid 3. Umar Rashid 4. Shamima Bano, mother of Dr Umar 5. Ashiq Nabi, brother of Dr Umar 6. Zahoor Nabi, brother of Dr Umar At least eight people were killed and several others injured on Monday evening after a Hyundai i20 car exploded near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi. The Brothers connection According to sources, Amir and Umar Rashid are brothers, who worked as a plumber and an electrician, respectively. According to various reports, the car was first sold to an individual named Amir, then passed to Tariq, and finally to Umar. It is suspected that Amir knew Tariq and was in contact with him. Amir had been using Tariqs phone number. Investigations into the Red Fort blast revealed that the car was owned by Dr Umar from Pulwama, allegedly part of the module earlier busted by J&K and Haryana police with 2,900 kg of explosives. Tariq, now detained, claimed he bought the car for Aamir, who later gave it to Dr Umar. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Dr Umar, from Pulwama, completed his MBBS at Government Medical College, Srinagar. He worked as a Senior Resident at GMC Anantnag before moving to Delhi, where he is currently an Assistant Professor at Alfalah, Faridabad. 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 11, 2025, 11:06 IST News india Police Arrest Three Kashmiris In Probe Into Pulwama Link Of Car Used In Deadly Delhi Blast Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Red Fort Blast A 'Hasty' Act? Successful Anti-Terror Raids May Have Put Suspect Under Pressure Reported By : & News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: November 12, 2025, 09:36 IST Government sources said the car blast near Red Fort Metro was a result of panic and desperation as security agencies intensified raids aimed at busting suspected terror modules Charred remains of vehicles at a cordoned off area following a blast that occurred near Red Fort Metro on November 10, 2025, killing at least 12 people. (Image: PTI) Raids by security agencies at various locations in Delhi-NCR and Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir led to the recovery of significant quantities of explosives, prompting the suspect in Red Fort car blast to act hastily under mounting pressure, sources said. According to government sources, the blast was a result of panic and desperation as agencies intensified raids aimed at busting suspected terror modules. Additionally, the bomb was premature and not fully developed, which minimised its impact and the resulting explosion did not create a crater, while no shrapnel or projectiles were found. Recommended Stories Government officials have claimed that the anti-terror raids were successful, and a major attack was prevented due to pan-India alertness and coordinated crackdowns" on suspected modules. Footage from CCTV cameras show that the car involved in the blast was driven by Dr Umar. Preliminary forensic analysis suggests the explosion was caused by the same material recovered in Faridabad, but whether this was pre-planned or accidental is still under investigation. SWIFT ACTION AGAINST SUSPECTED JAISH MODULE The sources said agencies acted swiftly and decisively against the Jaish-e-Mohammed module allegedly linked to the Red Fort blast. This operation reflects the relentless dedication of Indias intelligence agencies, security forces, and law enforcement personnel, who work tirelessly to safeguard the nation and its citizens. The investigation has revealed that the Red Fort blast was connected to certain objectionable posters found within the jurisdiction of Naugam Police Post in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, which led to the registration of an FIR on October 19, 2025," sources said. During the investigation, Maulvi Irfan Ahmad Waghe was arrested from Shopian and Zameer Ahmad from Wakura in Ganderbal, between October 20 and 27. On November 5, Dr Adeel was apprehended from Saharanpur and, on November 7, an AK-56 rifle and other ammunition were seized from Anantnag hospital. Further raids on November 8 at Al-Falah Medical College led to the recovery of additional firearms, pistols, and explosives. Interrogation of the arrested individuals revealed the involvement of more members in this module. Acting on these leads, another doctor, Muzammil, from Al-Falah Medical College, Faridabad, was arrested. Subsequent information led to several additional arrests and the seizure of a large cache of weapons and explosives. On November 9, a man identified as Madarsi, a resident of Dhauj in Faridabad, was arrested from his home. The following day, on November 10, security agencies discovered a massive consignment of 2,563 kg of explosives at the house of Hafeez Mohammad Ishtiaq, a resident of Mewat and the imam of Al-Falah mosque in Faridabads Dhera Colony. During these raids, another 358 kg of explosive material, along with detonators and timers, was also recovered. In total, nearly 3,000 kg of explosives and bomb-making materials were seized from this module. Dr Umar, also working at Al-Falah Medical College, managed to evade arrest during the crackdown. EXPLOSIVES NOT ASSEMBLED FOR DETONATION Sources said Indias intelligence and security agencies have successfully dismantled the Faridabad terror module and prevented a potentially catastrophic terror plot aimed at large-scale destruction. Dr Umars flight following the series of arrests, driven by panic and desperation, appears linked to the Red Fort blast, which remains under investigation. Immediately after the blast on November 10, Delhi Police and other security agencies reached the site. Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed the NSG, NIA, and forensic teams to rush to the scene. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals. Ownership of the vehicle used in the blast has been confirmed. Essential DNA, explosive, and forensic samples have been collected and sent for examination. The case was formally handed over to the NIA on November 11 to ensure a comprehensive probe into all aspects, including the funding and operational links of the terror module. A section of officers within the police and central agencies believes the explosion near the traffic signal in the Red Fort-Chandni Chowk area may have been accidental, possibly triggered by friction or during the transport of explosives to a safer location. While the investigation is ongoing, prima facie evidence suggests the materials recovered from the mangled i20 were not configured for an immediate strike. There were no sharp nails, splinters, or metal fragments components typically found in IEDs designed to maximise casualties. The explosives seemed raw, not assembled for detonation," a senior officer said. The officer also confirmed that the car was moving slowly near a signal when the blast occurred, rather than being parked or remotely detonated. It looks like the explosion happened inside the vehicle, possibly due to friction or mishandling," another senior central agency officer said. FIDAYEEN ATTACK LARGELY RULED OUT Sources said the pattern of the blast and the nature of the damage largely rule out a fidayeen (suicide) attack. A fidayeen mission usually involves a single trained operative," an official noted. Here, it appears more than one person was in the car, and all died on the spot." The incident comes close on the heels of coordinated raids by J&K and Haryana police on suspected terror modules and their overground accomplices and sympathisers. Following these operations, agencies suspect the module may have been relocating explosive material from a compromised hideout when the accident occurred. Another officer said the working theory at Delhi Police headquarters is that a major terror strike might have been averted. They could have been planning multiple explosions. If so, the blast inside the car may have been a catastrophic mistake for the module, but one that prevented a larger tragedy," he added. A TIMELINE OF KEY EVENTS November 10, 2025 6.55 pm: Explosion near Red Fort Metro Station, Delhi 7.15 pm: Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Delhi police commissioner 9 pm: Shah briefed the media; Prime Minister Narendra Modi was apprised of the situation 9.30 pm: Home Minister reached LNJP Hospital 9.35 pm: Reviewed details with senior officers 9.45 pm: Met injured victims 9.55 pm: Spoke with doctors regarding their condition 10.10 pm: Addressed media from LNJP Hospital 10.20 pm: Visited the blast site November 11, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 11 am: Amit Shah chaired two high-level meetings first meeting with Union home secretary, IB director, NIA DG, Delhi police commissioner, Jammu DG; and second meeting with Union home secretary, NSG DG, NIA DG, DFSS director, FSL DG 2.30 pm: Investigation officially handed over to NIA About the Author Ankur Sharma With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, p... Read More First Published: November 12, 2025, 00:44 IST News india Red Fort Blast A 'Hasty' Act? Successful Anti-Terror Raids May Have Put Suspect Under Pressure Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Red Fort Blast & India's White Collar Terror Network: The World Wide Web Of Educated Extremists Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 17:35 IST This new ecosystem doesnt rely on street-level operatives. It uses influence, credibility, and access, while embedding sympathisers where trust is highest Rapid Read + Follow us On Google A day after the Red Fort blast, a security personnel at the spot on Tuesday. (PTI) From priests in remote parishes across the rural hinterland to professors in elite universities in metro cities, from doctors in major hospitals to activists running NGOs to uplift the poor and needy, Indias white-collar terror network is expanding quietly. As investigators disentangle the knots and unravel the highly sophisticated terror module behind Mondays car bomb blast near Delhis Red Fort, News18 traces a web of operatives spanning Kashmir, Kerala, Karnataka, Bengal and beyond. It appears to be a layered network of educated individuals who are connected through WhatsApp handlers, OTP fraud rings, and shadow financiers mostly operating from Pakistan. Recommended Stories Behind the facade of respectability and social position lies an intricate web of ideology, manipulation, and infiltration, which is reaching deep into classrooms, hospitals, corporate offices, schools, universities and even government systems. #CNNExclusive | First images of Adil, Muzammil and Dr. Shaheen Saeed surface.Probe finds Maulvi Irfan, a former paramedical staffer at GMC Srinagar and ex-Imam, played a key role in radicalising medical students. All three suspected to have Jaish-linked ideological ties, pic.twitter.com/JcBt9alN3n News18 (@CNNnews18) November 11, 2025 Degrees, devotion and deceit An unofficially converted Christian turned priest in a remote village in Burdwan running a small church; a senior auditor in a famous corporate house; popular professors in top universities across cities like Delhi and Kolkata; scholars in important institutions; acclaimed authors; doctors in critical care units; NGO activists championing social causes News18 has gone through the profiles of at least 10 such terror suspects who were either arrested or detained. Such educated operators have been part of Indias latest terror ecosystem, which wears a professional mask. They do not announce themselves with weapons or slogans, but through encrypted chats, shadow fund transfers, and carefully cultivated respectability. Talking to News18, a senior police officer, who served as the IG, operations in a central agency, said, Terror is always meant to be planned by the privileged and educated class. We analysed and studied many such profiles, their backgrounds, and the web of recruitment they create. For context, we can use the most prominent example Burhan Wani. He came from a privileged background and radicalised hundreds. They dont even preach Jihad, but they call themselves freedom fighters." Dr Ahmed Mohiuddin Syed, arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) two days ago, was allegedly planning chemical poisoning in some important establishments. Syed received his medical degree from a foreign university. Investigators are still tracking his network. In another case, two rural preachers were arrested by the Bengal STF a few months ago from a village in Burdwan. They were found to be a part of a Pakistan-based terror module that operates through a WhatsApp-OTP scam. The names of the priests were withheld; the investigation into the network is now at a sensitive stage. There are multiple such cases in which young men and women from affluent and educated families were radicalised and used as handlers, recruits, or operators. Ashar Danish, a postgraduate in English literature, is also one of them. He was leading a terror module linked to the ISI and was arrested from Ranchi in September. Following the major haul of explosives and arms in Faridabad and the car bomb blast near Delhis Red Fort, state and central agencies have tracked down a network of doctors, professors, and gig workers, all allegedly linked to the same terror module. The spotlight is once again on educated youth, academics, and professionals individuals occupying respected social positions who are being drawn into extremist networks. The individuals are being tracked across institutions in Kashmir, Kerala, Karnataka, and Bengal that appear to form the soft underbelly of radical outreach. What stands out is how seamlessly this ecosystem blends into mainstream professions, using education, religion, and social work as its camouflage, said a senior officer serving in a central agency. We maintain a database of such individuals who come from privileged and educated strata of society. Poor people, the foot soldiers of such a network, are used as the gunpowder. These people are connected with both underground and overground networks. The overground network provides them with logistical and legal support if needed, while the underground or foreign-based network finances them and supplies them with arms," he added. The PFI Trail The Enforcement Directorates ongoing probe into the Popular Front of India (PFI) has added a crucial dimension to such a network. According to the Enforcement Directorates (ED) findings, funds collected in the name of charity, community service, or educational projects were allegedly diverted to modules engaged in radicalisation, training, and recruitment. Among those under scrutiny include professionals, individuals holding senior positions in the organisation, who acted as facilitators, using their professional legitimacy to move money, legitimise ideologies, and build influence. Some accounts and trust funds traced by the Directorate are now suspected to have helped finance logistics or arms procurement in recent terror-linked operations. According to sources, the ED is likely to expand its financial probe beyond PFIs immediate network to investigate whether other radical outfits or local fronts have replicated this professional recruitment and funding model. Investigators are focusing on digital transactions, unregistered trusts, and cross-border remittances disguised as welfare funding. Digital Lures, Global Handlers The recruitment pipelines are mostly online. WhatsApp-based OTP fraud networks operated from foreign land, self-deleting Telegram chats, and encrypted cloud folders serve as temporary communication bridges between local nodes and overseas handlers, while some allegedly operate out of Pakistan and the Gulf nations, said a senior officer of the Uttar Pradesh STF. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all For many of the young recruits, especially students and early-career professionals, the entry point appears to be harmless like an internship, a webinar, or a donation drive. Slowly, ideological messaging is layered in, reframed as intellectual dissent or social justice," the officer added. This new ecosystem doesnt rely on street-level operatives. It uses influence, credibility, and access, while embedding sympathisers where trust is highest such as hospitals, classrooms, NGOs, and sometimes, government-linked institutions. About the Author Madhuparna Das Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has co... Read More First Published: November 11, 2025, 17:35 IST News india Red Fort Blast & India's White Collar Terror Network: The World Wide Web Of Educated Extremists Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Resurgent Jaish Network Strikes Delhi: How A Maulvi's Role In Radicalisation Is Under Scrutiny Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 23:16 IST A Jaish-inspired fidayeen attack in Delhi signals a resurgence of urban terror networks, with Maulvi Irfan radicalising doctors and Afghanistan handlers coordinating operations Security personnel keep vigil near the Red Fort a day after an explosion in the area, in New Delhi on November 11, 2025. (Image: PTI/Kamal Kishore) A significant security threat has emerged following a well-coordinated Jaish-inspired Fidayeen operation carried out recently in Delhi. This alarming attack clearly signals a resurgence of urban Fidayeen networks functioning under the command of Jaish. The selection of Delhi as the target is deeply strategic, explicitly indicating an effort by the operatives to showcase the ability to strike at Indias political core. This particular operation points toward sophisticated external linkages. Operational patterns and intercepted communications strongly suggest coordination with Afghanistan-based handlers. Critically, these activities are directly linked to the legacy Jaish cells that were reactivated after the Taliban takeover in 2021. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Recommended Stories Central to the success of this dangerous network is the figure of Maulvi Irfan, who played a crucial role in the radicalisation process. Irfan was responsible for radicalising a significant number of medical doctors. CNN News18 had previously revealed that Maulvi Irfan was in direct contact with handlers situated in Afghanistan. The involvement and recruitment of highly educated individuals, including doctors, represents a key strategic shift for the terror group. This new methodology involves executing low-profile, high-impact infiltrations. The approach is designed with two specific operational goals: firstly, to effectively evade traditional security measures, and secondly, to deliberately incite panic in the heart of the city. The high level of sophistication and the specific targeting of Indias capital underscore the urgent need for enhanced counter-terrorism measures against these evolving urban threats. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 23:16 IST News india Resurgent Jaish Network Strikes Delhi: How A Maulvi's Role In Radicalisation Is Under Scrutiny Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Supreme Court Acquits Surendra Koli In 2006 Nithari Killings Case, Orders Immediate Release Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 12:09 IST A bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath passed the order while allowing a curative petition filed by Koli challenging his conviction Surendra Koli was earlier convicted for the rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl in Noidas Nithari village (PTI images) The Supreme Court on Tuesday acquitted Surendra Koli, who was convicted in the 2006 Nithari serial killings case, and set aside his conviction and sentence. The court ordered his immediate release, provided he is not wanted in any other case. A bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath passed the order while allowing a curative petition filed by Koli challenging his conviction and death sentence in one of the Nithari murder cases. Recommended Stories With this order, Koli will now walk free, as he has already been acquitted in all other Nithari cases. The Nithari killings came to light on December 29, 2006, when skeletal remains of at least eight children were recovered from a drain behind the house of businessman Moninder Singh Pandher in Nithari village, Noida. The gruesome case had triggered nationwide outrage and led to multiple investigations and trials. Koli was convicted for the rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl and sentenced to death, a verdict upheld by the Supreme Court in February 2011. His review petition was dismissed in 2014, but the Allahabad High Court later commuted his death sentence to life imprisonment in January 2015, citing delays in deciding his mercy plea. In October 2023, the Allahabad High Court acquitted both Koli and Pandher in several other Nithari cases, overturning the death sentences handed down by the trial court in 2017. The court acquitted Koli in 12 cases and Pandher in two. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The CBI and families of the victims subsequently challenged those acquittals before the Supreme Court, but the top court dismissed all 14 appeals on July 30, 2024. With Tuesdays decision, the Supreme Court has now brought closure to one of the most horrifying criminal cases in recent Indian history. 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 11, 2025, 12:09 IST News india Supreme Court Acquits Surendra Koli In 2006 Nithari Killings Case, Orders Immediate Release Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Terror's New Face: Lady Doctors Role In Financing Faridabad Module Alarms Security Agencies Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 13:27 IST Officials say Dr Shaheen Saeed leveraged her medical background and professional networks to mask suspicious activities. Dr Shaheen Saeed has been arrested in Lucknow in connection with the recovery of explosives and arms in Faridabad. (Image: News18) In a worrying trend for security agencies, the ongoing probe into Delhis Red Fort car blast and its links to the Faridabad module has revealed the deepening radicalisation of educated professionals, including doctors. Investigators now believe that the networks core composition included highly educated individuals who used their professional credibility to evade law enforcement scrutiny. At the centre of the investigation is Dr Shaheen Saeed, a lady doctor from Uttar Pradesh, whose role has emerged as critical in financing and facilitating the operation. According to top intelligence sources, Shaheen was associated with Dr Umar, who studied at Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad. Dr Umar is believed to have been driving the car that exploded in Delhi on Monday evening, leaving twelve dead. Recommended Stories Shaheen was also closely connected with Muzzamil the key accused from whom a major recovery was made earlier, sources say. She is also reported to have been in a relationship with Muzzamil, linking her directly to the core group that is suspected to have planned the blast. Sources say Shaheen was radicalised in a Jaish-e-Mohammed drive to set up a womens brigade for psychological warfare in India. According to sources, Shaheen was overseeing women recruitments for Jaish in India. Sources reveal that Shaheen made multiple visits to Jammu and Kashmir, and her movements are now under close examination. Investigators suspect she was not only aware of the planned attack but also played a role in funding it. The group is believed to have pooled Rs 3540 lakh, much of it allegedly arranged through Shaheens networks. The vehicle from which weapons were recovered in Faridabad on Sunday has also been traced back to her name, further deepening her involvement in the conspiracy. Officials say Shaheen leveraged her medical background and professional networks to mask suspicious activities. Encrypted communication between her and co-accused Muzammil and Umar reportedly took place through medical welfare and NGO channels, which later turned out to be covers for illicit fund transfers and coordination. These channels provided a seemingly legitimate front that helped the group operate below the radar of financial and security monitoring systems. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Investigators are also probing her ties to the Al-Falah network in the Delhi-NCR region, believed to be the initial recruitment and radicalisation hub for several members of this module. The network reportedly played a pivotal role in spreading extremist narratives under the guise of educational and welfare initiatives. With the probe widening, agencies are now confronted with serious concerns over the growing radicalisation among educated professionals, particularly those from privileged backgrounds. The involvement of a woman doctor, with medical and social influence, in funding and facilitating a terror module has raised alarm across intelligence circles, marking a dangerous new dimension in Indias internal security threat landscape. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 13:25 IST News india Terror's New Face: Lady Doctors Role In Financing Faridabad Module Alarms Security Agencies Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Who Was Umar Nabi? The Doctor-Turned-Suicide Bomber Involved In Delhi Red Fort Blast Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 14:21 IST Born on February 24, 1989, Dr Umar was reportedly a close associate of Dr Adeel, another suspect under investigation in the ongoing terror network probe. Dr Umar, Associate of Arrested J&K Doctor Adeel, Believed to Be Red Fort Blast Suicide Bomber. As the investigation into the Delhi Red Fort blast is going deeper, it is believed that Dr Umar U Nabi, a medical professional turned terror suspect, may have triggered the blast. Earlier in the morning, the first photo of Dr Umar, suspected to be the suicide bomber in the Delhi blast case, surfaced. It is speculated that he was driving the white Hyundai i20 that exploded near the Red Fort on Monday evening, killing at least 12 people. Recommended Stories Who Was Dr Umar U Nabi? According to sources, Dr Umar U Nabi, son of Gh Nabi Bhat, was employed as a doctor at Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad. His mother, Shamima Banoo, hails from Koil in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. Born on February 24, 1989, Dr Umar was reportedly a close associate of Dr Adeel, another suspect under investigation in the ongoing terror network probe. Sources said Umars father, a government school teacher who is mentally unwell, left his job about 1015 years ago. He has two brothers and an elder sister one brother and the sister are married, while the other brother is unmarried. Both brothers and his mother have been detained by police for questioning. Officials believe Dr Umar was part of a group of medical professionals radicalised through encrypted Telegram channels, forming what investigators are now calling the Faridabad module." According to reports, Umar completed his MD in Medicine from Government Medical College, Srinagar and worked as a senior resident at GMC Anantnag. He later moved to Delhi. He was serving as an Assistant Professor at Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad at the time of the blast. Delhi Red Fort Blast At 6.52 pm on Monday, a white Hyundai i20 car pulled up to a red light at Subhas Marg, a crowded part of old Delhi, and exploded within seconds, sending shockwaves across the country. The intensity of the blast was such that several vehicles were also engulfed in fire, and people were thrown around. The visuals circulating on social media from the ground showed mangled bodies lying around. The blast came hours after the Haryana Police on Monday morning, along with Jammu and Kashmir Police, busted a white-collar" terror module and arrested Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather and Dr Mujammil Shakil, close aides of Dr Umar. The police also seized 2,900 kg of explosives and weapons such as assault rifles and pistols. This, according to the sources, triggered Dr Umar Mohammad to carry out a blast. DNA Sample Collected from Family top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The police on Tuesday called the mother of Dr Umar Nabi, suspected to be driving the car that exploded near the Red Fort, for a DNA test in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. We have taken the mother of the suspect to collect DNA samples in order to match with the parts found at the scene of the blast," an official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. 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 11, 2025, 14:21 IST News india Who Was Umar Nabi? The Doctor-Turned-Suicide Bomber Involved In Delhi Red Fort Blast Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... I was left with the same sense after reading the new Bret Baier book, "To Rescue the American Spirit: Teddy Roosevelt and the Birth of a Superpower." It's a nonstop page-turner written with great research and vivid detail. Roosevelt comes bursting out of the book on every page. Baier brings forth nuggets of Roosevelt's life lost to history that shaped and formed a once-sickly child into a symbol of grit and American exceptionalism whose mark on our country is still evident today. The book is nothing short of enthralling, delivered in a way that makes it difficult to set aside. Baier details Roosevelt's life, from his triumph over a series of tragic events that rocked his world and left him looking for purpose in the wide and wild wonders of the American West to the man he became in battle, in conservation and in politics -- all different aspects of his life that still affect our country today. ( Buy the book in hardcover at a 30% discount! by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 48% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR.) Baier details Roosevelt's turn in the New York legislature as a champion of ridding the state's politics of corruption. He follows his nightly city walks as the New York City commissioner and reveals his stubborn efforts to bring reform to government as New York governor -- efforts that earned him powerful enemies. It becomes clear why he has endured in our national psyche. As his road to the White House comes through tragedy -- as vice president, the man he served under, William McKinley, was assassinated in Buffalo, New York -- we see Roosevelt take all of his experiences to the Oval Office to lead in a way no other president had. Roosevelt's spirit prevails not just page after page but word after word as the reader rediscovers his passion for our land as a conservationist and hunter who was mesmerized by the study of insects and animals all of his life. Roosevelt's buoyancy, lust for life, and patriotism combine to make for a rigorous read thanks to Baier's writing and penchant for detail. (COMMENT, BELOW) Salena Zito is a CNN political analyst, and a staff reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner. She reaches the Everyman and Everywoman through shoe-leather journalism, traveling from Main Street to the beltway and all places in between. Nexperia row shows how China is weaponising EU relationship - and winning - Experts say Brussels must stand up against Beijing using supplies of vital chips and minerals as sword of Damocles - As interventions go it was pretty audacious. The Dutch government decision at the end of September to take over Nexperia, a Chinese-owned chip factory, almost brought the entire European car industry to a halt. Tensions between Europe and China de-escalated over the weekend as Beijing confirmed it would ease restrictions on automotive chip supplies to the EU, prompting sighs of relief in car factories around the world. But it has only intensified the questions about the EUs asymmetric relationship with China, with many in industry, diplomacy and governments asking if Europe is no longer collateral damage in the wider Sino-American political war but a target in itself. We can buy a bit of time, but there is a sense that we are entering into a situation where we are going to be dealing with rolling crises from now on and that things have really crossed a threshold with China, said Andrew Small, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund thinktank and former China adviser within the European Commission. Crucially China agreed to resume the supply of Nexperia chips, but only for a 12-month period, and only for civilian use, leaving the way open for future action should Beijing wish to interfere in the EUs revived defence industry or turn the tap off again for the car industry. China is repeatedly now taking steps that does not actually stop industries from functioning but just chokes supplies. If this kind of stranglehold persists, it just puts Europe under a constant sword of Damocles, Small added. ... The EU has no operational rare-earth mines. The US Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said after the Korea meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping that it was two years away from its own supplies with companies such as General Motors already teaming up with mines. Nigel Stewart, the director of the Centre for Sectoral Economic Performance at Imperial College London, said China controlled 96% of the worlds magnet supply and it could take 10 years for Europe to do what Xi has done buy up or control the entire supply chain from mine to assembly line. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/11/nexperia-row-china-trade-brussels-beijing-chips Amal Clooney Makes The Case For Conscious Glamour In A Reworn Sergio Hudson Jumpsuit Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 12:12 IST At the Prix Suisse 2025 in Bern, Switzerland, Amal Clooney rewore her Sergio Hudson red jumpsuit that she had also worn in 2019 at Meghan Markles baby shower in New York. (L-R) Amal Clooney in Sergio Hudson in 2025 and 2019 At a time when fashions conversation is shifting toward mindful luxury, Amal Clooney is leading by quiet example. The celebrated human rights lawyer and UN special adviser arrived at the Prix Suisse 2025 in Bern, Switzerland, not in a freshly commissioned couture look, but in a radiant red Sergio Hudson jumpsuit she first wore six years ago. It was a deliberate and refreshing nod to sustainable elegance one that blended confidence, consciousness, and a touch of nostalgia. At the prestigious event celebrating innovation and philanthropy, Amal Clooney addressed over 400 leaders from politics and business on subjects like justice and press freedom. And while her words carried weight, her outfit made an equally powerful statement one that underscored her belief that style, like conviction, need not be fleeting. Recommended Stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dimitris Giannetos (@dimitrishair) The Return Of The Red Jumpsuit The satin Sergio Hudson number has long been one of Amals most striking looks. First spotted in 2019 at Meghan Markles New York baby shower, the ensemble remains as magnetic today as it did then. Featuring spaghetti straps, a keyhole neckline cut-out, and a wide, structured belt that accentuates the waist, the silhouette radiates modern femininity. The slim-fit cropped trousers lend it a tailored precision, while the luminous red hue -equal parts bold and refined captures her signature balance of advocacy and allure. Reuniting with the same golden pencil heels and statement drop earrings, Amal proved that great design doesnt expire; it evolves with its wearer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amal Clooney (@amalsgotstyle) Her makeup stayed true to her effortless glamour playbook with voluminous cinnamon waves with soft highlights, swept to the side in classic Hollywood style. The makeup, radiant yet restrained, framed her naturally warm complexion: defined lashes, rosy cheeks, and a subtle sheen on the lips. It was red carpet-worthy polish repurposed for a night of purpose. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In an era when repetition in fashion is often underplayed, Amals rewear served as a masterclass in authentic luxury one that values longevity over novelty. By reviving a piece that carries both aesthetic and emotional resonance, she reminded the world that the most sustainable wardrobe is the one you already own. At the Prix Suisse, Amal Clooney didnt just rewear a look. She rewrote the narrative around glamour, proving that power, purpose, and polish can coexist beautifully when style meets substance. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 11, 2025, 12:12 IST News lifestyle fashion Amal Clooney Makes The Case For Conscious Glamour In A Reworn Sergio Hudson Jumpsuit Isha Ambanis Deep Purple Moment In New York Is The Epitome Of Regal Minimalism Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 11:48 IST Dressed in a deep purple corseted blouse, sharp blazer, and a sleek pencil skirt, Isha Ambani blended structure with style in New York. Isha Ambani stuns in New York. (Image: Instagram/Elder Ordonez) When the fashion world gathered under the glittering lights of New Yorks Crane Club for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Dinner, one of the evenings co-hosts, Isha Ambani, quietly commanded attention. Sharing hosting duties with designer Zac Posen, Anna Wintour, and Chloe Malle, Isha brought an understated yet undeniable glamour to the 21st annual gala one that perfectly mirrored her growing presence on the global style stage. The Power Of Purple Recommended Stories For the high-profile evening, Isha Ambani chose a deep purple-toned ensemble that blended structured tailoring with modern sensuality. The look was composed of a corseted blouse, a sharply cut blazer, and a sleek pencil skirt. It was all about precision and poise. The corset featured an inverted neckline and subtle boning that sculpted the silhouette to perfection, while the blazers padded shoulders and crystal-button detail added just the right amount of polish. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Elder Ordonez (@elderordonez1) The matching low-waist skirt, with its gentle slit and ankle-grazing hemline, lent the ensemble a graceful finish. A bedazzled belt buckle provided a touch of shimmer, catching the light just so enough to stand out, but never overpower. Refined Restraint While Isha always pairs her ensembles with exquisite jewels, this time she ditched her statement accessories. Her minimalist styling let the craftsmanship of the ensemble take centre stage. Completing the look with classic black pumps, she embodied a form of modern elegance that champions simplicity over spectacle. Her makeup followed suit with soft pink tones, feathered brows, and a hint of gloss framed her natural features, while a sweep of highlighter added that luminous finishing touch. Her sleek, centre-parted hair echoed the effortless sophistication that has become synonymous with her evolving fashion identity. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Beyond her role as Executive Director of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd., Isha Ambani continues to redefine what quiet luxury means on the global fashion circuit. From Met Gala appearances to industry fundraisers like the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Dinner, she strikes a balance between corporate power and couture precision a new-age icon for refined restraint. At an event celebrating creativity and craftsmanship, Ishas sculpted purple look served as a masterclass in how subtlety can be the ultimate form of statement dressing. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 11, 2025, 11:48 IST News lifestyle fashion Isha Ambanis Deep Purple Moment In New York Is The Epitome Of Regal Minimalism Kim Kardashian Stuns In Halle BerryInspired Bond Look At Kris Jenners 007-Themed Birthday Party Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 08:50 IST Kim Kardashian channeled Halle Berrys Bond girl look for Kris Jenners glamorous 70th birthday bash, dazzling guests at the 007-themed celebration. Kim Kardashian brings Halle Berrys Bond Girl look back to life at Kris Jenners 007 party Kim Kardashian turned heads in true Bond-girl fashion as she paid tribute to Halle Berrys iconic Die Another Day look at her mother Kris Jenners 70th birthday celebration. In an Instagram post shared on Monday, Nov. 10, the 45-year-old entrepreneur unveiled her glittering purple ensemble, a two-piece outfit inspired by Berrys character, Jinx, from the 2002 James Bond film. Recommended Stories Die Another Day. 0070 James Bond Party for the one and only @krisjenner 70th birthday!!!" Kim captioned the carousel, referencing the theme of the night. Kims outfit featured a sheer lilac mesh crop top adorned with sparkling crystals and delicate straps that crisscrossed along her back, paired with a coordinating low-waisted column skirt that shimmered under the lights. The body-hugging silhouette was so snug that a video showed Kim carefully taking small steps on her way to the party. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kim Kardashian (@kimkardashian) The SKIMS founder completed her look with a sleek updo accented by soft curls, luminous purple-toned makeup, and matching accessories, striking the perfect balance between elegance and glamour. One of the photos in her post showed Halle Berry in her original Bond look beside Pierce Brosnan, drawing a direct line between inspiration and homage. A Star-Packed 007 Celebration Kris Jenners milestone bash was as lavish as one might expect hosted at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchezs Beverly Hills mansion, and attended by a constellation of Hollywoods biggest names. Among the high-profile guests were Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, Tyler Perry, Vin Diesel, and Mark Zuckerberg. It was also a night out for celebrity couples, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as well as Adele and Rich Paul, among the glamorous attendees. The Kardashian-Jenner Clan Brings the Glam Naturally, Kriss daughters turned the event into a runway of their own. Kourtney Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner joined Kim in celebrating their momagers milestone alongside Travis Barker, Scott Disick, Tristan Thompson, and Kriss longtime partner Corey Gamble. Kendall, who recently marked her 30th birthday on Nov. 3, stunned in a figure-hugging red fishtail gown paired with sleek black The Row sandals. Kylie opted for a white halter-neck cutout gown by Elisabetta Franchi with a sheer floor-length skirt, white pointed pumps, and glittering Lorraine Schwartz earrings. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kris Jenner (@krisjenner) Kris Jenners Timeless Look The birthday girl embodied classic Bond glamour in a vintage red Givenchy Haute Couture gown by Alexander McQueen from the Fall/Winter 2002 collection, sourced from celebrity-favorite vintage boutique LILY et Cie. The strapless dress featured ruffled detailing along the bust and a tiered skirt, paired with black opera gloves, a vintage Bvlgari bracelet, and Van Cleef & Arpels earrings. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Her look was completed with a chic updo styled by Chris Appleton, adding old-Hollywood polish to an already unforgettable evening. With the Kardashian-Jenner family and A-list friends dressed to the nines, Kris Jenners 70th birthday was nothing short of cinematic, a night of glamour, nostalgia, and one perfectly executed Bond theme that would make 007 proud. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi is a seasoned media professional with over 13 years of experience in journalism, digital content strategy, and editorial leadership across top national media houses. An alumna of Lady... Read More First Published: November 11, 2025, 08:48 IST News lifestyle fashion Kim Kardashian Stuns In Halle BerryInspired Bond Look At Kris Jenners 007-Themed Birthday Party Easy 5-Minute Yoga Habits To Beat Back Pain And Posture Problems Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 13:21 IST Sitting for long hours can make your back stiff, tired, and susceptible to poor posture. Simple yoga asanas can release tension, enhance circulation, and regain flexibility. Gentle stretches and poses restore spinal mobility. Long hours spent hunched over screens have quietly become one of the biggest health challenges of modern life. The average professional now spends over eight hours a day seated often with rounded shoulders, a slumped spine, and little to no movement. The result? Tight hips, stiff necks, chronic fatigue, and a growing disconnect between mind and body. But experts say that the solution doesnt require a gym membership or elaborate routines. It begins with awareness, movement, and a few minutes of mindful practice each day. Small, Mindful Movements Create Big Change Recommended Stories In todays world, we spend more time at our desks than anywhere else, and its slowly taking a toll on our bodies and minds. Stiff shoulders, a sore back, constant fatigue these have become part of our daily routine. But it doesnt have to be this way. Yoga offers a simple, natural way to bring movement and balance back into our lives," says Saurabh Bothra, Yoga Teacher and Co-Founder of Habuild. Bothra emphasises that consistency matters more than duration. You dont need to set aside an hour or roll out a mat every time. Even five minutes between meetings a few shoulder rolls, gentle neck stretches, or seated twists- can help ease the strain. When we make these small stretches a daily habit, posture improves, and energy returns," he adds. He believes that the essence of well-being lies in habit. Good health doesnt come from drastic changes, but from small, mindful actions we repeat every day. When we care for our posture, were really caring for our overall well-being," he says. The Science Behind Movement From a clinical standpoint, prolonged sitting weakens the spines support system. Sitting for long hours can leave your back stiff, tired, and prone to poor posture. Daily movement like yoga or stretching helps release tension, improve circulation, and restore flexibility," explains Dr. Srikanth Laddhiperla (PT), Head of Physiotherapy at Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad. According to Dr. Laddhiperla, even 15 minutes a day of mindful movement can make a significant difference. He recommends incorporating gentle poses and physiotherapy-based strengthening exercises to counteract the effects of desk work. Simple movements to include: Gentle backbends and seated twists to restore spinal mobility Childs pose to relax the back and hips Pelvic tilts and bridges to activate the lower back Bird-dog and dead bug exercises to strengthen the core Alongside yoga, motor control exercises like these are essential. They retrain the body to support the spine better and prevent long-term issues like disc strain or muscle imbalance," he notes. Building A Healthier Desk Routine Experts agree that small changes, such as standing every hour, stretching between meetings, or even taking short breathing breaks, can reverse years of tension. A mindful daily routine might include: top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Setting reminders for short stretch breaks Adjusting chair and desk height to support a neutral posture Practising deep breathing to release mental stress Including 1015 minutes of yoga or motor control exercises daily Whether youre an office professional or work-from-home regular, the message is simple: movement matters. Integrating small doses of yoga and posture-correcting exercises throughout the day can undo the physical strain of a sedentary lifestyle. The key isnt perfection. Its persistence. A few mindful minutes today can pave the way for a pain-free, energised tomorrow. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 11, 2025, 13:21 IST News lifestyle health-and-fitness Easy 5-Minute Yoga Habits To Beat Back Pain And Posture Problems Inside Bollywoods Most Unconventional Love Story: Dharmendra And Hema Malini Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 17:00 IST Dharmendra and Hema Malini married in 1980. But Hema chose to live separately from Dharmendra, who was already married at the time. Hema Malini dismisses Dharmendra's death rumours. In a world that often romanticised perfection, Dharmendra and Hema Malinis love story stood apart: imperfect, layered, and profoundly human. Their relationship, which began in the 1970s and culminated in marriage in 1980, wasnt wrapped in the comfort of convention. Yet, decades later, it continues to evoke admiration not for its grandeur, but for its grace. At a time when public perception dictated a womans worth, Hema Malini chose happiness on her own terms. I knew people talked behind my back. Fingers were pointed, accusations were flung. But I just knew he made me happy and all I wanted was happiness," she once admitted in her biography, Hema Malini: Beyond the Dream Girl. Recommended Stories When Love Challenged Expectations Their romance faced every conceivable roadblock societal judgment, family disapproval, and moral scrutiny. Hemas mother, Jaya Chakravarthy, had once tried to persuade her to marry actor Jeetendra, a more suitable" match by traditional standards. Dharmendra, after all, was already married to Prakash Kaur and a father of four. But destiny had other plans. From their first meeting on the sets of Tu Haseen Main Jawan in 1970, sparks flew, and the two found in each other a rare understanding that defied reason or rule. Even after marriage, Hema made the unconventional choice to live separately. I didnt want to disturb anyone. I am happy with whatever Dharam ji did for me and my daughters," she explained. Her words reflected the quiet strength of a woman who accepted her circumstances with remarkable maturity. Im not a police officer who needs to keep tabs on him. He knows his duty as a father, and Ive never had to remind him," she once said. Acceptance Over Idealism In interviews, Hema spoke candidly about her reality neither idealised nor bitter. Nobody wants to live like this. But you accept. I am not sulking. I have my two children, and Ive brought them up well," she confessed. Her life became a testament to self-respect and resilience. She raised her daughters, Esha and Ahana, with warmth and independence, while maintaining a dignified bond with Dharmendra one built on respect rather than proximity. A Legacy Of Love Beyond Convention top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Today, the Deol family, from Sunny and Bobby to Esha and Ahana, stands as a quiet symbol of harmony despite its complex roots. Dharmendra and Hemas marriage may not fit the fairytale mould, but it endures because it was real. Their story remains a reminder that love doesnt always arrive in perfect form sometimes, it thrives in spaces defined by acceptance, patience, and the courage to simply choose happiness. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 11, 2025, 17:00 IST News lifestyle Inside Bollywoods Most Unconventional Love Story: Dharmendra And Hema Malini 5 Unexplored Wedding Destinations Shaping Celebrations Of 20252026 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:02 IST Whether its the sunlit serenity of Daman, the sacred calm of Rishikesh, the regal stillness of Barwara, the mountain quiet of Fagu, each destination tells a story of connection Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal got married at Six Senses Fort Barwara, Rajasthan The wedding landscape of 20252026 is witnessing a conscious shift in how couples celebrate their big day. Experiences now take precedence over extravagance, with celebrations becoming more personal, meaningful, and rooted in connection. The focus is on soulful settings, sustainability, and authenticity, where every detail reflects emotion and individuality. As modern Indian weddings embrace this evolved ethos, a new wave of destinations is emerging as the most captivating and conversation-worthy venues for 20252026. From seaside escapes to mountain hideaways, here are five stunning venues that are quietly redefining what it means to celebrate love. Recommended Stories 1. The Deltin, Daman Coastal Luxury Without the Chaos A few hours drive from Mumbai, The Deltin Daman brings coastal calm with five-star comfort. With its sprawling lawns, ocean-view banquets, and poolside decks, it lets couples host grand-yet-grounded weddings. The coastal air, private atmosphere, and design sensibility make it an ideal alternative to crowded beach destinations. Why it stands out: The Deltin perfectly balances accessibility and luxury, offering the relaxed vibe of a destination wedding without the logistical stress. The combination of sea breeze, open skies, and indulgent hospitality makes it effortlessly elegant. 2. Summit By The Ganges Beach Resort & Spa, Rishikesh Serenity by the Sacred River Set against the serene backdrop of the Ganges, this resort transforms weddings into deeply personal, nature-inspired celebrations. The rivers gentle hum and the Himalayan views lend every ceremony an organic calm. Why it stands out: Summit By The Ganges offers a soulful experience that marries spirituality with style. Couples increasingly favour such spaces that let them celebrate amid nature while staying true to a mindful, meaningful vibe. 3. Six Senses Fort Barwara, Rajasthan Heritage Grandeur Reimagined This 14th-century fort turned luxury resort offers an extraordinary blend of history and modern minimalism. With regal courtyards, sandstone facades, and contemporary comforts, it delivers royal charm without ostentation. Why it stands out: Six Senses Fort Barwara embodies responsible luxury. Every corner tells a storyperfect for couples drawn to heritage spaces that feel timeless, immersive, and sustainable. 4. Dusit D2 Fagu, Himachal Pradesh A Himalayan Hideaway for Modern Romantics Tucked amidst pine forests near Shimla, Dusit D2 Fagu introduces Thai-inspired sophistication to the Indian hills. Intimate, design-forward, and refreshingly secluded, its ideal for micro-weddings surrounded by mountain views and crisp air. Why it stands out: With its balance of wellness, privacy, and natural beauty, the property perfectly aligns with 2025-2026s wedding mood, minimal, mindful, and immersed in nature. 5. Parsi Manor, Matheran Vintage Charm Near Mumbai Hidden within Matherans quiet, car-free forest paths, Parsi Manor offers old-world allure with a touch of nostalgia. The restored colonial bungalow provides the warmth of a private home while being close enough for city guests. Why it stands out: The propertys exclusivity and vintage character make it a perfect choice for couples seeking intimate, story-rich celebrations that feel both personal and picturesque. The evolution of weddings in 2025-2026 mirrors a broader cultural shift, where authenticity takes precedence over opulence, and celebration finds beauty in simplicity. Couples are curating smaller, more heartfelt gatherings, inviting only those closest to them. Sustainability has become a conscious choice, reflected in locally sourced decor, minimal waste celebrations, and eco-friendly hospitality. Destination weddings are moving away from the obvious and towards the undiscovered, where each place adds meaning to the couples story. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The rise of wellness-infused ceremonies, nature-driven experiences, and heritage-inspired spaces reveals a growing desire for depth over display. Ultimately, the weddings of 2025-2026 are about moments, not magnitudes. Whether its the sunlit serenity of Daman, the sacred calm of Rishikesh, the regal stillness of Barwara, the mountain quiet of Fagu, or the timeless charm of Matheran, each destination tells a story of connection and conscious celebration. These are not just places to say I do," but spaces that allow love to breathe, bloom, and truly belong. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi is a seasoned media professional with over 13 years of experience in journalism, digital content strategy, and editorial leadership across top national media houses. An alumna of Lady... Read More First Published: November 11, 2025, 15:02 IST News lifestyle travel 5 Unexplored Wedding Destinations Shaping Celebrations Of 20252026 Abhay Deol Arrives At Cousin Bobby Deols Residence As Dharmendra Recovers In Hospital Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 10:59 IST Abhay Deol was spotted outside his cousin Bobby Deols residence in Mumbai. His visit comes as veteran actor Dharmendra remains under medical observation at Breach Candy Hospital. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Abhay Deol Arrives At Cousin Bobby Deols Residence As Dharmendra Recovers In Hospital Veteran actor Dharmendra is currently under medical observation at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. While his wife Hema Malini and daughter Esha Deol were spotted arriving at the hospital to check on Dharmendras health, Abhay Deol rushed to his cousin Bobby Deols residence. Meanwhile, a few hours ago, Esha Deol and Hema Malini slammed rumours about Dharmendras death, stating that the veteran actor is stable and recovering in the hospital. Abhay Deol Visits Bobby Deols Residence Recommended Stories A video shared by paparazzo Pallav Paliwal shows Abhay Deol arriving at Bobby Deols residence in Mumbai on Tuesday morning. He was seen getting out of the car and quickly making his way to Bobby Deols residence. Meanwhile, Esha Deol and Hema Malini were snapped by the paparazzi arriving at the hospital in a car. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pallav Paliwal (@pallav_paliwal) Esha Deol And Hema Malini Slam Dharmendras Death Rumours Earlier today, Hema Malini took to her X (formerly Twitter) handle and clarified that Dharmendra is recovering". She called out irresponsible" reports surrounding Dharmendras death and called it disrespectful". What is happening is unforgivable! How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and is recovering? This is being extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give due respect to the family and its need for privacy," the actress-turned-politician wrote. Prior to this, Esha Deol also took to her Instagram handle and issued a statement, clarifying that Dharmendra is stable and recovering". The media seems to be in overdrive and spreading false news. My father is stable and recovering. We request everyone to give our family privacy. Thank you for the prayers for papas speedy recovery," she wrote. Meanwhile, as Dharmendra continues to remain under medical observation, fans have been praying for his speedy recovery. Celebrities such as Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Govinda, Ameesha Patel and others paid the veteran actor a visit at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on Tuesday night. First Published: November 11, 2025, 10:57 IST News movies bollywood Abhay Deol Arrives At Cousin Bobby Deols Residence As Dharmendra Recovers In Hospital Delhi Blast: Priyanka Chopra Hopes For Some Answers Soon, Urges People To Stay Alert Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:58 IST Priyanka Chopra expressed grief over the Delhi blast, calling the visuals heartbreaking. She urged everyone to stay safe and alert while hoping for answers soon. Priyanka Chopra expressed grief over the Delhi blast. The entire nation is in a state of shock right now after a horrifying blast that took place in Delhi on Monday evening, leaving 10 dead and several injured. The entire nation is mourning the death of innocents and expressing its condolences and grief over the incident. Priyanka Chopra, while taking to her Instagram, shared an emotional note. Taking to her X, Priyanka wrote, Its devastating to see the visuals from Red Fort. So much fear, chaos, and heartbreak. My thoughts and prayers are with those injured and condolences for the lives lost. Hoping for some answers soon. In the meantime, please stay safe and alert." Recommended Stories Its devastating to see the visuals from Red Fort. So much fear, chaos and heartbreak.My thoughts and prayers are with those injured and condolences for the lives lost.Hoping for some answers soon.In the meantime please stay safe and alert. PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) November 11, 2025 Several other actors from the film fraternity, too, have reacted to the heartbreaking and extremely scary incident. Raveena Tandon, while taking to her X, wrote, Condolences to all those bereaved families who lost their loved ones in the Delhi blast. Horrible news." Actor and the leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party, Thalapathy Vijay, added, Deeply shocked and saddened by the news of a car explosion near Red Fort Metro, Delhi, that has claimed precious lives. My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Wishing speedy recovery to all those injured." Actor Sonu Sood penned, My heart reaches out to everyone impacted by todays tragic blast near the Red Fort in Delhi. Lets support the victims, look out for each other, and commit to peace." About Delhi car blast A deadly blast shook Delhi on Monday evening when a Haryana-registered car parked near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station exploded, killing at least eight people and injuring several others. In response to the incident, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered heightened security measures across major cities in India. The investigation has since uncovered possible terror links to Jammu and Kashmir. Three doctors, Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather from Qazigund, Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganai from Pulwama, and Dr Shaheen Saeed, have been arrested in connection with the Kashmir-Faridabad-Delhi terror network. Additionally, two others, Tariq Ahmed Dar from Samboora (Pulwama) and a man identified as Umar alias Amir, have been detained in Kashmir. Tariq reportedly told investigators that he had handed over the car to Amir. Officials have traced the cars ownership history to Pulwama, indicating a possible terror connection. According to CNN-News18 sources, the vehicle was originally registered in Gurugram under the number HR26 and was first owned by Mohammad Salman. It subsequently changed hands multiple times from Salman to Devendra, then to Sonu, and finally to Tariq from Shambhura village in Pulwama. The Delhi Red Fort blast case has now been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a thorough probe. First Published: November 11, 2025, 15:58 IST News movies bollywood Delhi Blast: Priyanka Chopra Hopes For Some Answers Soon, Urges People To Stay Alert FACT CHECK: Dharmendra, He-Man Of Hindi Cinema, Passes Away At 89? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 10:14 IST Dharmendra has been admitted to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital since November 1. Dharmendra is recovering, says Hema Malini. The entire nation was left shocked on Tuesday morning when several online reports claimed that veteran actor Dharmendra has passed away. It was said that the actor, who has been hospitalised since November 1, breathed his last on Monday in Mumbais Breach Candy Hospital. However, Dharmendras wife, Hema Malini and their daughter, Esha Deol, has now revealed the truth. Hema Malini Reveals Dharmendra Recovering Recommended Stories On Tuesday morning, Hema Malini took to her X (formerly Twitter) handle and clarified that the actor is recovering". She called out irresponsible" reports surrounding Dharmendras death and called it disrespectful". What is happening is unforgivable! How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and is recovering? This is being extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give due respect to the family and its need for privacy," the actress-turned-politician wrote. Esha Deol: Dharmendra Is Stable Esha Deol also took to her Instagram handle and issued a statement, clarifying that Dharmendra is stable and recovering". The media seems to be in overdrive and spreading false news. My father is stable and recovering. We request everyone to give our family privacy. Thank you for the prayers for papas speedy recovery," she wrote. Dharmendras Health Update Over the past few days, reports and rumours surrounding Dharmendras health have been making headlines. He was admitted to the hospital on November 1 after the actor complained of breathlessness. Earlier, when the news came out that he had been admitted to the hospital, reports claimed that doctors had shifted him to the ICU and that he was allegedly on life support. However, Sunny Deols team later rubbished the exaggerations. A statement from his team read, Mr Dharmendra is stable and under observation. Further comments and updates will be shared as available. Request everyone to pray for his speedy recovery and respect the familys right to privacy." About the Author Chirag Sehgal Chirag Sehgal works as a Senior Sub-Editor in the Entertainment team at News18.com. With an experience of five years in the media industry, he largely focuses on Indian television coverage. Apart from... Read More First Published: November 11, 2025, 08:43 IST News movies bollywood FACT CHECK: Dharmendra, He-Man Of Hindi Cinema, Passes Away At 89? Shah Rukh Khan, Aryan Khan Visit Dharmendra At Breach Candy Hospital Amid Health Concerns Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 06:25 IST Shah Rukh Khan and his son Aryan Khan were spotted arriving at Mumbais Breach Candy Hospital on Monday, where veteran actor Dharmendra is currently admitted. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Shah Rukh Khan And Aryan Khan Visit Veteran Actor Dharmendra At Breach Candy Hospital Veteran actor Dharmendra continues to remain under medical observation at Mumbais Breach Candy Hospital. On Monday night, Shah Rukh Khan was spotted arriving at the hospital to pay the veteran actor a visit amid health concerns. SRK was accompanied by his son Aryan Khan. While speculations about Dharmendras health sparked concern among fans, yesterday Hema Malini shared a health update, confirming he is under observation and is being closely monitored. Shah Rukh Khan And Aryan Khan Visit Dharmendra At Hospital Recommended Stories A video shared by paparazzo Viral Bhayani shows Shah Rukh Khan and Aryan Khan arriving at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai to check on Dharmendras health and meet Deol family. Fondly known as Bollywoods He-Man, Dharmendra was admitted to the hospital last week after reportedly experiencing breathing difficulties. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Hema Malini Confirms Dharmendra Is Stable Taking to Instagram on Monday evening, Hema Malini thanked everyone for their prayers and concern, confirming that the 89-year-old star is being closely monitored and is on the path to recovery. I thank everyone for their concern about Dharam ji who is in hospital for observation. He is being continuously monitored and we are all with him. I request you all to pray for his welfare and speedy recovery," Hema Malini wrote in her post, accompanied by a smiling picture of the legendary actor. Earlier on Monday, Sunny Deols team also issued a clarification to The Times of India, assuring fans that Dharmendra is stable and recovering under medical observation. Its rumour mongering like always. Sir is getting better. Hes under observation. Theres nothing to worry," the statement read. Meanwhile, yesterday, Salman Khan was also seen arriving at the hospital to check on the 89-year-old legends health. The clip shows the Tiger 3 star seated in the passenger seat of his vehicle, looking visibly concerned as he made his way to visit Dharmendra. On the professional front, Dharmendra was last seen in the films Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. First Published: November 11, 2025, 06:25 IST News movies bollywood Shah Rukh Khan, Aryan Khan Visit Dharmendra At Breach Candy Hospital Amid Health Concerns - " "! , ! , , . Tatsuya Nakadai, Japanese Cinema Legend, Dies At 92 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 18:01 IST Tatsuya Nakadai, legendary Japanese actor known for Ran, Harakiri, and collaborations with Akira Kurosawa and Masaki Kobayashi, has died at 92. Tatsuya Nakadai is no more. Japanese actor Tatsuya Nakadai, whose remarkable career helped shape the golden age of Japanese cinema, has died at the age of 92. The Japan News confirmed his passing on November 11, marking the end of an era for the countrys film industry and fans worldwide. Born as Motohisa Nakadai on December 13, 1932, in Tokyo, he was the second of four children. His early years were marked by hardship following the death of his father, a bus driver, in 1941. Growing up in Aoyama, Nakadais modest upbringing did not deter his artistic aspirations. His journey into acting began at the Haiyuza Training School, setting the stage for a career that would span more than seven decades. Recommended Stories Nakadais first screen appearance came in Masaki Kobayashis The Thick-Walled Room (1953), albeit in an uncredited role. That small beginning led to one of Japanese cinemas most celebrated actor-director collaborations. His work with Kobayashi produced acclaimed films such as Harakiri (1962), Kwaidan (1964), and Samurai Rebellion (1967). He achieved a career breakthrough with The Human Condition trilogy (19591961), portraying a man caught in the moral turmoil of war a performance that cemented his reputation as one of Japans most gifted performers. For Harakiri, Nakadai won the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actor, calling it the role he cherished most. International audiences came to know Nakadai primarily through his collaborations with Akira Kurosawa. His commanding portrayal of Lord Hidetora Ichimonji in Ran (1985), inspired by Shakespeares King Lear, remains a defining moment in world cinema. He also appeared in other Kurosawa classics such as Yojimbo (1961) and Kagemusha (1980). Over the course of his prolific career, Nakadai featured in more than 160 films, including The Sword of Doom (1966), The Face of Another (1966), Goyokin (1969), and Studio Ghiblis The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013). His range and emotional depth earned him widespread admiration from filmmakers and audiences alike. Beyond film, Nakadai remained dedicated to the stage throughout his life. In 1975, he established the Gendai Nohgaku-kai troupe to preserve and modernize Japans traditional performing arts. His passion for theatre continued well into his nineties. Honored with the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1996 and the Order of Culture in 2015, Nakadai was celebrated as one of Japans greatest acting legends. Tatsuya Nakadai is survived by his daughter, Nao Nakadai. He was predeceased by his wife, producer and playwright Kyoko Miyazaki. First Published: November 11, 2025, 18:01 IST News movies hollywood Tatsuya Nakadai, Japanese Cinema Legend, Dies At 92 Ajith Kumars Home Targeted In False Bomb Threat, Police Begin Probe Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 20:12 IST Ajith Kumars Chennai home faced a false bomb threat, prompting a police probe. There was a bomb threat at Ajith Kumar's house. Chennai police were put on alert on Tuesday after a bomb threat was reported at actor Ajith Kumars residence in Injambakkam. The call, made by an unidentified person, prompted an immediate response from authorities, who carried out an extensive search at the property along East Coast Road. Upon receiving the alert, a bomb disposal squad was deployed to the actors residence, according to reports. Officers cordoned off the area and conducted a detailed inspection of the premises and its surroundings. After several hours of search operations, police confirmed that no explosives were found and officially declared the threat a hoax. Recommended Stories This incident follows a series of false bomb alerts targeting high-profile figures in Tamil Nadu. Recently, actor Arun Vijays residence in Ekkattuthangal was the subject of a similar email threat sent to the DGPs office. A bomb squad was dispatched, but the search yielded no explosive materials. In October, veteran composer Ilaiyaraajas T Nagar studio was also targeted in a fake bomb scare. Over the past few months, celebrities including Rajinikanth, Dhanush, Vijay, Trisha, and Nayanthara have reportedly received similar threats, raising concerns about the increasing frequency of such incidents. Officials noted that several key government and public locations in Chennai have also faced hoax bomb alerts in recent months. The list includes the Chief Ministers residence, the Opposition leaders home, the Governors Mansion, and major railway stations. Police have intensified efforts to trace the origins of these recurring threats and are working to identify those responsible. Ajith Kumar, a leading star in Tamil cinema, has been in the spotlight for his recent projects Vidaamuyarchi and Good Bad Ugly. In 2025, the actor took a brief hiatus from film commitments to focus on his passion for racing. First Published: November 11, 2025, 20:12 IST News movies regional-cinema Ajith Kumars Home Targeted In False Bomb Threat, Police Begin Probe Opinion | Chinese Pressure, Rock Solid Trust: Why Bhutan Stands With India Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:16 IST Bhutan understood something that Colombo, Islamabad, and Dhaka learned too late: partnership is not measured in loan disbursements, but in trust built over decades Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Prime Minister Narendra Modi being greeted by Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck during an event to mark the 70th birthday celebrations of the fourth king of the Himalayan nation. (PTI) A bomb explodes near Delhis Red Fort. Twelve people die. Dozens more are wounded. The finger points, as it often does and rightly so, toward Pakistan and the shadows of Kashmir. And yet, on the very day that Indias home minister takes charge of the investigation, the prime minister boards a plane to Bhutan. The optics might seem odd. A nation under attack; its leader departing for a mountain kingdom that young Indians struggle to locate on a map. But this is precisely when Indias partnership with Bhutan matters most, and why it endures even as so many other alliances fracture under pressure. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives to inaugurate a 1,020-megawatt hydroelectric project and celebrate the 70th birthday of the Fourth King, he brings with him a simple message: some friendships are built on bedrock, not sand. Recommended Stories For two decades, China has tried to crack that bedrock. Beijing has dangled investment opportunities, extended scholarship offers, promised railway connections and development dividends through its Belt and Road Initiative. Chinese diplomats have visited Thimphu and spoken of traditional friendship". Yet Bhutan has never wavered. No diplomatic relations, no Chinese embassy, and no compromises on sovereignty. The kingdom has looked at Chinas promises and seen through to the hard truth beneath: other nations have tried the same path, and they are paying the price. Cautionary Tales China Hopes Bhutan Will Ignore Sri Lanka serves as Exhibit A. Between 2006 and 2022, the island nation borrowed 13.2 billion US dollars from Chinese state-run banks for infrastructure projects that generated insufficient returns to service the debt. When Colombo could not repay, China stepped in. The Hambantota International Port built with Chinese funding lost money year after year and was handed over to China Merchants Port Holdings on a 99-year lease. Strategic control was surrendered to Beijing over a single ports red ink. Pakistan tells a similar story, albeit with higher stakes. Today, nearly 30 per cent of Pakistans external debt is owed to China. Annual repayment obligations alone consume billions that could otherwise flow toward education, healthcare, or poverty reduction. The nation that Beijing heralded as its greatest South Asian partner now finds itself ensnared in a debt trap of its own making. Nepal, Bangladesh, and a constellation of other nations across the developing world have discovered the same lesson: Chinese infrastructure investment comes with invisible clauses written in compound interest and geopolitical obligation. By 2025, according to Australias Lowy Institute, the worlds 75 most vulnerable countries face a record 22 billion US dollars in debt repayments to China; money that will not go to schools or hospitals, but to Beijings coffers. China, once the worlds premier development banker, has quietly transformed into its largest loan shark. Bhutan could have gone the same route. The kingdoms economy is small and vulnerable. Its government coffers are modest. The promise of rapid infrastructure development and foreign investment would have been seductive. Yet it said no. Why? Because Bhutan understood something that Colombo, Islamabad, and Dhaka learned too late: partnership is not measured in loan disbursements, but in trust built over decades. The India Question: What Real Partnership Looks Like Indias relationship with Bhutan rests on a foundation different from Chinas. In June 2017, when China began building a road into territory both Bhutan and China claim, India responded with military force. Some 270 Indian troops crossed into the disputed plateau and held their ground for 73 days, accepting the risk of confrontation. The international press speculated about war. Yet India did not blink. As the conflict dragged on, China sensed a face-saving agreement was within its grasp, and finally, a deal was reached in late August, and both armies withdrew simultaneously, the road unbuilt, the status quo preserved. India acted not because Bhutan demanded it, but because Indian interests required it, and because partnership meant something real: that one nations sovereignty mattered as much as the others. For Bhutan, this moment crystallised a fundamental truth that no amount of Chinese diplomatic overtures could displace Indias commitment to Bhutans security and prosperity. The 2007 update to the 1949 Treaty of Perpetual Peace and Friendship reinforced this message. Recognising Bhutans democratic maturation, India formally relinquished its oversight of Bhutans external affairs. A smaller power might have interpreted this as an opportunity to diversify partnerships and explore alternatives. Bhutan interpreted it correctly: as evidence that Indias partnership was one rooted in respect for sovereignty, not hunger for control. India committed Rs 10,000 croreapproximately 1.13 billion US dollarsfor Bhutans 13th Five-Year Plan, doubling its support from the previous cycle. Critically, these are grants, not loans. No debt obligations are lurking in fine print. The money flows as a partnership between nations, not extraction by the lender from the borrower. In 2025 alone, India and Bhutan jointly approved ten projects worth Rs 1,113 crore, spanning healthcare, connectivity, urban infrastructure, and agricultural development. Contrast this with the architecture of Chinese lending. Beijing structures its loans at commercial rates, with interest that balloons over time and repayment obligations that force borrower nations into impossible choices. India structures its assistance as grant-based support designed to build Bhutanese capacity and strengthen its position as an autonomous nation. Hydropower Plants and Civilisational Bonds The centrepiece of India-Bhutan cooperation tells the story most clearly. Hydropower accounts for roughly 45 per cent of Bhutanese government revenue and 12 per cent of GDP. It is the engine of Bhutanese development. When India helped Bhutan develop its first major hydroelectric project, the 336-megawatt Chukha plant commissioned in 1988, it established a model that has endured: a genuine win-win arrangement in which India secures clean electricity to meet its energy deficit, whilst Bhutan generates export revenue to finance development and reduce poverty. The arrangement has been so successful that three additional hydroelectric projects totalling 2,940 megawatts are currently under construction, with the Punatsangchhu-II project (1,020 megawatts) being inaugurated during PM Modis current visit. The India-Bhutan Friendship Scholarship brings Bhutanese students to premier Indian institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology. For the 202526 academic year alone, three meritorious Bhutanese engineers will pursue masters programmes at IIT Kanpur, admission based purely on academic merit. Indian scholarships also help produce bridge-builders between nations, rooted in shared Buddhist traditions that both countries cherish and committed to Bhutans autonomous development. The spiritual dimension matters more than it might first appear. Buddhism has animated Bhutanese civilisation for over a thousand years. India, the faiths birthplace, occupies a central place in Bhutanese religious consciousness. During PM Modis current visit, he will participate in the exposition of sacred relics from Indias National Museum as well. China, for all its historical connections to Buddhism, today operates as a state that has systematically constrained religious practice and persecuted Tibetan Buddhists. The notion that a nation whose constitutional framework enshrines Buddhism would enter into close partnership with a state that criminalises religious expression strains credibility. Indias engagement, by contrast, flows from genuine civilisational affinity. The Geography of No Alternatives Bhutans strategic position is not incidental to this analysis. The kingdom sits near the Siliguri Corridor, or the Chickens Neck, as we all like to call it. Instability in Bhutan threatens the stability of an entire region. Throughout the early 2000s, the Royal Bhutanese Army rooted out militant groups seeking to use Bhutanese territory as a sanctuary for operations in India. This cooperation was not coerced from New Delhi. It reflected Bhutans own security interests and its understanding that shared borders mean shared vulnerabilities. The Indian Military Training Team has existed since 1963, quietly ensuring that potential adversaries understand the costs of aggression. A Bhutan oriented toward China would destabilise this security architecture. A Bhutan aligned with India keeps the region secure. For Bhutanese policymakers, this is the only truth they know and believe in. The Moment and the Message That PM Modi travels to Bhutan in the aftermath of a terror attack is an affirmation of our ties to the country. The prime minister signals to a region watching closely: Indias commitments are unshakeable. When partnerships are rooted in genuine mutual interest and demonstrated reliability, external crises do not dissolve them, but deepen them. Bhutan had choices. It could have accepted Beijings overtures, joined the Belt and Road Initiative, and followed the trajectory of so many other nations. Instead, it chose a partnership with a country that has invested in its sovereignty, strengthened its security, financed its development through grants, and respected its cultural identity. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all That choice endures not because Bhutan lacks alternatives, but because it has chosen wisely. In an era when Chinas development model stands increasingly revealed as extractive and destabilising, the Himalayan kingdom offers both a strategic lesson and a moral one: the foundations of lasting partnership are trust, reciprocity, and genuine commitment to a partners sovereign development, not the false promises and hidden liabilities that characterise so much of Beijings regional strategy. Some friendships are built on bedrock. Others crumble under pressure. Bhutan knows the difference. About the Author Sohil Sinha Sohil Sinha is a Sub Editor at News18. He writes on foreign affairs, geopolitics along with domestic policy and infrastructure projects. First Published: November 11, 2025, 15:16 IST News opinion Opinion | Chinese Pressure, Rock Solid Trust: Why Bhutan Stands With India Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Opinion | Is BBC Really Doing The World A Service? Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:43 IST The resignations and accusations suggest otherwise Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google The Trump administration must have exerted considerable pressure on the UK for the BBC to finally admit its outrageous, unethical behaviour. (Reuters) Had it been any other organisation but the BBC, just a smirk and a knowing shrug would have been enough to acknowledge egregious shortcomings in standards. The media, after all, has now garnered a reputation for bias and partisan reportage. But a public funded broadcasterentities often touted as adhering to higher standards of integrity than so-called private mediabeing caught blatantly breaking rules of reportage is like a body blow to the whole genre. It is one thing to deliberately allow the telecast of the anti-Semitic/anti-Israeli diatribe of a musician at Glastonbury Festival, but it is another matter altogether to deliberately cut and paste the rousing speech of a US Presidential candidate to imply that he was advocating armed insurrection. As that allegation was one of the main planks of the oppositions campaign against him, surely this then counts as a case of British interference in the US elections, not Russian? Recommended Stories In any large organisation, including the media, there are innumerable checks and balances. In fact, the bigger the organisation, the more onerous their failsafe measures. It is inconceivable that the deliberate dicing and splicing of Donald Trumps speech would not have been run past several higher-ups before being done, given the implications of the US elections. No ginger group could have pulled this off without anyone up and down the line catching on. It is strange that none of the veteran newsroom bosses who saw BBCs flagship Panorama programme before it was aired noticed that Trumps speech sounded uncharacteristically concise or even remembered that particular peroration given how many times it was reiterated since 2020. Had Trump indeed said them fightin words in exactly that succinct sequencenot 55 minutes apart as was the actual caselegal action in US would have been inevitable. No one in such a huge and hoary news organisation had a niggle about verifying the statement before letting it become the punchline of a programme that was to go on air just before Americans came out to vote. That sounds highly improbable. So it must be concluded that there was concurrence about what was being donedoctoring the long speech to put the beginning and the end together, cutting out the exculpatory sentences in between. This is unforgiveable. Now the BBCs director general Tim Davie has resigned as has the CEO of news Deborah Turness. The rationale is that the buck stops at the top. But in this case, that is not enough because clearly there are more people in the BBC churning out biased and prejudiced content; the bosses at best are complicit and compliant. They do not actually conceptualise and create the slanted content; they allow it to happen and let those who do so believe they can get away with it. So it will simply not do to let the matter rest with the exit of the top two. There has to be rigorous audit of the people inside the BBC to figure out how those slanted decisions on coverage were made, including on matters like allowing a Hamas officials son to be the star of a documentary on a fraught issue like the conditions inside Gaza. Or insisting on calling the massacre of 26 tourists by jihadi terrorists in Pahalgam this year just a militant attack". Refusal to accept wrongdoingdeliberate or otherwiseis reflected in the leaked report of Michael Prescott, the BBC boards independent advisor since 2022. He mentioned that the BBC had failed to address issues" that he had raised and even simply refused to acknowledge that there was an issue at all." This sort of confidence to stonewall queries clearly arose because the BBC was in effect self-governing and hence could ignore and suppress all criticism. The Trump administration must have exerted considerable pressure on the UK for the BBC to finally admit its outrageous, unethical behaviour. Curiously, its status as a so-called public-funded autonomous" media outlet has made the BBC especially arrogant about accountability. It is not administered by the government and thus is not answerable to a ministryunlike Indias state TV and radio, for instance. But it is not answerable to any private owner either. Basically, BBC is accountable only to itself and therefore has the means to save its own skin whenever under fire from the public. Thanks to another independent inquiry, the public has known since 2021 about how BBCs Martin Bashir had fabricated evidence to convince Princess Diana to give that Panorama interview. Yet the internal inquiry into Bashirs actions by the BBC in 1996 had given him a clean chit. Did the facts change between 1996 and 2021? India-born BBC chairman Samir Shah revealed Trumps speech editing drew over 500 complaints that were now being dealt with in the normal way" and had prompted further reflection by the BBC" thus rings hollow. He accepted that the way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action" and said that the BBC apologizes for that error of judgement." How can a senior media professional call this a mere error of judgement"? Shahs letter to a Parliamentary committee, in fact, reflected the basic problem with the BBCinability to come clean. He claimed Prescott had got nothing but cooperation from the BBC (which begs the question of why a leak was needed for this information to emerge) and all issues were being addressed. On the US election, Shah said that there was an issue with the Iowa poll" but that the BBCs overall polling coverage was very good, particularly online"! Yet, besides the doctored speech, Prescott cited nine other instances, including amplifying that (in)famous inaccurate Iowa poll favouring Kamala Harris, giving excessive coverage to Trumps comments about people eating pets, misreporting that Trump wants people to shoot Liz Cheney in the face", and focusing only on Harris campaign planksabortion and womens rights, while ignoring Trumps ultimately more effective economy, jobs and immigration focus. Davie and Turness words also reflect the BBCs unwillingness and inability to own up and clean up its act. Davies statement was a verbal salad of nothingness. In these increasingly polarised times, the BBC is of unique value and speaks to the very best of us. It helps make the UK a special place; overwhelmingly kind, tolerant and curious. Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable." Meaning? Davie went on to say, While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision. Overall, the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as Director-General I have to take ultimate responsibility." Can allowing the doctoring of a speech of a presidential candidate just eight days before polling be called a mistake"? He had defended that decision to edit" till just a few days ago. Ex-CEO Turness was even less repentant. I stepped down over the weekend because the buck stops with me," she said in a statement. In public life, leaders need to be fully accountable. While mistakes have been made, I want to be absolutely clear recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are wrong. In a polarised world, BBC News journalism is more vital than ever." She reiterated that BBC is the worlds most trusted news provider." On that last point (which Davie also stated) she may find many people ending up agreeing (if reluctantly) with Trump who reacted to the resignations by posting, Thank you to The Telegraph for exposing these Corrupt Journalists. These are very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a Presidential Election. On top of everything else, they are from a Foreign Country, one that many consider our Number One Ally. What a terrible thing for Democracy!" But Turness response to Trump was strangely anodyne: Our journalists arent corrupt and I will stand by their journalism". If Trump does indeed slap a $1billion (760million) lawsuit on the BBC if it does not issue a full and fair retraction" of the Panorama episode, an apology and proper compensation, she may well be asked to substantiate her favourable assessment of BBCs journalism standards in light of the undeniable distortion of his speech by them. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Editing Trumps speech was obviously the last straw but the whole bale needs to be examined: a thorough audit of BBCs processes and accountability for its acts of omission and commission. The BBC Royal Charter under which it is funded by TV licence money from the public is due for renewal at the end of 2027 so governance and regulatory arrangements will be reassessed. But should the British public continue to pay for the BBCs whims and biases? The author is a freelance writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: November 11, 2025, 15:43 IST News opinion Opinion | Is BBC Really Doing The World A Service? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Straight Talk | PM Modi In Bhutan: Why Indias Smallest Neighbour Matters The Most Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 16:40 IST India's partnership with Bhutan has been on a consistently stable and forward-moving trajectory Rapid Read + Follow us On Google PM Modi in Bhutan on Tuesday. (X) On Monday, Delhi was struck by its worst terror attack in years, a devastating car blast near the Red Fort that claimed over 10 lives. As the nation mourned, Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a choice to make. On Tuesday, he was scheduled to take off for Bhutan. That choice, made in the immediate aftermath of the Red Fort bombing, says everything about how Delhi perceives its relationship with its smallest neighbour. After all, if the intention of Indias enemies was to scuttle yet another foreign trip of the Prime Minister as they did with the Pahalgam attack while Modi was in Saudi Arabia those designs have been foiled, with PM Modi deciding to keep his Bhutan schedule on track. Recommended Stories The India Bhutan relationship has been buzzing with high-level visits from both sides. PM Modis decision to go ahead with the visit demonstrates that New Delhis commitment to Bhutan remains unshakable, even when terrorism strikes at home. King Jigme Singye Wangchuck appreciated PM Modi for making the trip despite the tragedy back home and ongoing investigations. This was after PM Modi declared that all those responsible (for Delhi terror attack) will be brought to justice." The optics matter. The timing matters even more. But underneath both lies a decade-long transformation of India-Bhutan relations that Modi has orchestrated with singular focus. From Friendship to Strategy When Modi flew to Bhutan in June 2014, which was his very first foreign visit as Prime Minister, he wasnt simply paying respects to an old ally. By choosing Bhutan over more prominent powers, he signalled that Indias foreign policy would be rooted in the neighbourhood. That first visit established a template that would repeat for over a decade. Modi inaugurated projects, announced scholarships, and promised investment. He laid the foundation stone for the 600 MW Kholongchu hydroelectric project, doubled the number of scholarships for Bhutanese students studying in India from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore, and announced India would assist in setting up a digital library with access to two million books and periodicals. The highlight of Indias relationship with Bhutan today is the energy partnership, which has become the spine of this relationship. When Modi first visited, India had already committed to purchasing 10,000 MW of electricity from Bhutan by 2020. Ten years later, the target has evolved into a more sophisticated architecture. The 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project that Modi inaugurated during this visit represents Bhutans largest energy infrastructure project in decades one that will boost the Himalayan kingdoms hydropower generation capacity by 40 percent. More importantly, it will help extend Indias supply lines, securing energy for its northeastern states while providing Bhutan with the hard currency it needs to fund development. The Digital Revolution That Few Noticed In August 2019, PM Modi visited Bhutan again and jointly launched the RuPay card scheme with Prime Minister Lotay Tshering. The following year, in November 2020, they launched its second phase. By 2021, Bhutan became the first country to adopt Indias BHIM-UPI payment system. By making Bhutan the first nation in its immediate neighbourhood to accept BHIM-UPI, India achieved something extraordinary: it made Indias technological innovation tangible and beneficial for ordinary Bhutanese citizens. Modi understands that in the 21st century, geopolitics is no longer just about treaties and defence protocols. It is more about who delivers the best digital stack, the fastest internet, development and education to people who need it the most. When Bhutans Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay chose New Delhi for his first foreign visit after assuming office in 2024, it was an acknowledgment of Indias primacy in the subcontinent. That choice was not accidental. It was the act of a leader who understands that Bhutans stability and prosperity remain deeply linked to the Indian state. The Doklam Shadow Any analysis of India-Bhutan ties that ignores the China factor is incomplete. Bhutan sits at a crucial geographic node where the Siliguri Corridor, or the chicken neck" as it is called, connects the mainland to northeastern states. Doklam, which is disputed between China and Bhutan, sits precisely at this trijunction. In 2017, when the PLA attempted to build a road into Doklam, it was seen as an attempt to outflank Indian defences in Sikkim and potentially threaten the Siliguri Corridor itself. However, Indias proactive response and steely resolve ensured that the sanctity of the Himalayan region was maintained. China has been pressing Bhutan for decades to establish diplomatic relations and resolve the boundary dispute. Beijing has deployed both carrots and sticks. It has hinted that economic cooperation awaits if Bhutan normalises ties. Bhutans response to these pressures has been consistent: measured engagement with China, but no capitulation. Boundary talks proceed, but slowly. Diplomatic relations remain absent. Most tellingly, after each round of talks with Beijing, Bhutanese leaders ensure they are in New Delhi within weeks, sometimes days. The symbolism is deliberate. Thimphu is signalling that whatever happens in border negotiations, Indias fundamental role in Bhutans security and development is non-negotiable. This is where Modis persistent engagement becomes indispensable. India has given Bhutan what no other power can: security. The Strategic Calculus Behind Every Visit Since 2014, PM Modi has prioritised the relationship with Bhutan. His 2019 state visit resulted in the launch of RuPay services, apart from deepening energy cooperation. This was followed by a visit in 2024, that resulted in the Joint Vision Statement on India-Bhutan Energy Partnership and discussions on expanding hydropower projects. Each visit has been carefully choreographed to address Bhutans immediate developmental needs while reinforcing Indias strategic position. The Punatsangchhu-II project being inaugurated during this visit exemplifies this approach. With surplus hydropower, Bhutan can export electricity to India through the Indian Power Exchanges in both day-ahead and real-time markets. Bhutan benefits from revenue; India gets clean energy; and the mechanism deepens economic interdependence in a mutually beneficial way. The Red Fort Attack and the Message Modis decision to visit Bhutan just hours after the Red Fort terror attack sent a signal that would have been unmistakable to those who understand strategic signalling. New Delhi was not paralysed. It did not retreat into a cocoon. It did not postpone commitments. Instead, it demonstrated that even in crisis, India honoured its commitments to Bhutan. In a region where China has been increasingly active, New Delhis consistency matters a great deal. It tells Bhutans leadership: whatever happens internally in India, whatever challenges we face, our commitment to you is permanent. PM Modis real achievement lies in what isnt said the systematic, patient construction of a relationship so deeply intertwined that alternatives become unthinkable. The real achievement is that Bhutan, despite decades of Chinese pressure, despite growing Chinese economic interest, despite boundary disputes that remain unresolved, has chosen to remain firmly anchored to India. While Indias relationship with several neighbours like Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives has seen its fair share of ups and downs, the partnership with Bhutan has been on a consistently stable and forward-moving trajectory. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This has happened because India understands that in the subcontinents complex geopolitics, consistency beats grandeur. Delivery beats rhetoric. And patient, persistent engagement beats the rush of grand gestures. As Modi arrives in Thimphu, he carries with him the weight of a terror attack that has shaken his capital. But his presence in Bhutan carries a message that transcends the immediate crisis. It tells the region and the world that Indias commitment to the architecture of partnerships it has built remains unshakable. About the Author Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra is a Principal Correspondent with Network18, working on group-level ideas and special projects. Enthusiastic about both national affairs and geopolitics, Sanbeer focuses on issu... Read More First Published: November 11, 2025, 16:40 IST News opinion Straight Talk | PM Modi In Bhutan: Why Indias Smallest Neighbour Matters The Most Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 13:27 IST 1 / 7 Government jobs provide greater job security, protecting against sudden layoffs and downsizing. It also has set hours, limited demands beyond the standard work schedule, generous holiday entitlements, thereby provides a strong focus on work-life balance. Here are various positions available after the 12th grade, all of which require passing an entrance exam. (Representational/PTI Photo) + Follow us On Google 2 / 7 A police constable is an entry-level role in the Indian police force, ideal after completing the 12th grade, involving duties like executing orders, collecting information, and preventing disturbances. Passing an exam by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or state government is necessary to become a constable. (Representational/PTI Photo) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 7 Stenographers transcribe spoken words and prepare documents, creating official records for courtrooms, government offices, or corporate meetings. They would need a diploma or certificate in stenography, excellent typing speed, and must pass the SSC Stenographer Grade C or D exam. (Representational/PTI Photo) 4 / 7 Data entry operators organise and input data into computers, ensuring confidentiality and accuracy. Passing the SSC CHSL exam is necessary for this meticulous role, also qualifying you for positions like clerk or secretary. (Representational/PTI Photo) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 7 Postal assistants sort and deliver mail for the government postal department, maintain postal records, and interact with customers. They must pass an exam set by the Director General of Posts and Telegraphs. (Representational/PTI Photo) 6 / 7 Station masters manage railway station operations, staff supervision, passenger safety, and complaints, including maintenance, cleanliness, signal operations, and service disruption notifications. To qualify, 12th pass candidates must pass the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) NTPC exam, which involves computer-based tests, a typing skills test, a medical examination, and document verification. (Representative/Getty Images) ADVERTISEMENT Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 08:21 IST 1 / 9 At least eight people were killed and several others injured on November 10, 2025, after a Hyundai i20 car exploded near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi. Heres a concise timeline of major blasts that have rocked India through the years. (File Photo) + Follow us On Google 2 / 9 Rameshwaram Cafe Blast March 2024: A bomb exploded at the popular Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengalurus Brookfield area, injuring 10 people. The blast occurred during peak hours and was suspected to be an improvised explosive device (IED). (File Photo) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 9 Delhi High Court Blast September 2011: A powerful bomb placed in a briefcase exploded outside the Delhi High Court, killing 12 and injuring over 70. The attack was claimed by Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (HuJI). (File Photo) 4 / 9 Pune German Bakery Blast February 2010: A bomb ripped through the German Bakery in Punes Koregaon Park, killing 17 and injuring over 60. The bakery was popular with foreigners and students, and the attack was linked to Indian Mujahideen. (File Photo) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 9 Delhi Serial Blasts September 2008: Five coordinated blasts struck busy markets in Delhi, including Connaught Place and Karol Bagh, killing 30 and injuring over 100. Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility. (File Photo) 6 / 9 Jaipur Blasts May 2008: Nine synchronized blasts rocked Jaipurs crowded markets and tourist areas, killing 63 and injuring over 200. The attacks were carried out using bicycles rigged with explosives. (File Photo) ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 9 Samjhauta Express Blast February 2007: Two bombs exploded on the Samjhauta Express near Panipat, Haryana, killing 68 people, mostly Pakistani nationals. The train was part of a peace initiative between India and Pakistan. (Image: BBC) 8 / 9 Delhi Diwali Blasts October 2005: Three blasts occurred in Delhis Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj, and Govindpuri areas just before Diwali, killing 62 and injuring over 200. The attacks targeted crowded shopping areas. (File Photo) ADVERTISEMENT Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 10:14 IST 1 / 12 The He-Man of Bollywood, Dharmendra, ruled Hindi cinema through the 1960s and 1970s with his charm, intensity and commanding screen presence. + Follow us On Google 2 / 12 Over the years, he delivered countless hits and became a household name. Among his many memorable performances, there was one film where he starred opposite a former Chief Minister. ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 12 The film in question is Izzat, released in 1968. He took on a double role. In the film, Dharmendra shared screen space with Jayalalitha, who later became one of Indias most powerful political figures. 4 / 12 She served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for over 14 years across multiple terms. She first assumed office in 1991 and held her final term until her passing in 2016. ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 12 Her only film, Izzat, where she was paired with Dharmendra, stood out not just for its story but for the legendary actor's layered portrayal of two very different sons bound by fate and blood. 6 / 12 The film revolved around an arrogant Thakur, played by Balraj Sahni and the fallout of his actions. Dharmendra played both his sons, each with distinct pain and purpose. ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 12 As the story unfolded, the versatile actor switched effortlessly between the fire of revenge and the vulnerability of love, showcasing the range that made him a legend. 8 / 12 The film also featured Tanuja, whose performance added another layer of depth to the storyline while also balancing Dharmendras intense dual act. ADVERTISEMENT 9 / 12 His chemistry with the leading lady, Jayalalithaa, was one of the films highlights. Around 19 years old at the time, she brought a rare blend of grace and innocence to her role. 10 / 12 On November 10, 2025, Dharmendra was hospitalised with critical health concerns. ADVERTISEMENT 11 / 12 The 89-year-old actor was reportedly placed on ventilator support in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for close observation. In today's News18 Daily Digest: A shocking explosion near Delhis Red Fort Metro station has left eight people dead and over two dozen injured, prompting nationwide security alerts. The blast occurred around 6:52pm on Monday when a car detonated near Gate 1 of the station, setting nearby vehicles ablaze. The National Investigation Agency and NSG are probing possible terror links as authorities tighten security across major cities and heritage sites. Meanwhile, Bihar heads into the second phase of 2025 Assembly elections, with 122 constituencies across 20 districts voting today. This phase includes politically sensitive regions like Seemanchal and Champaran, where issues of unemployment, migration, caste, and governance dominate the polls. The BJP had secured 42 of these seats in 2020, setting the stage for an intense electoral battle. Tune in for updates, expert insights, and ground reports from both Delhi and Bihar. BJP Alleges Centre's Disaster Management Funds To West Bengal Illegally Diverted By TMC Govt Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 10, 2025, 18:24 IST The BJP's remarks came after Mamata Banerjee accused the Central government of not providing financial assistance to West Bengal for disaster management efforts. The BJP and TMC sparred over allocation of Central funds for disaster management. (File image) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday alleged that the Centre had allocated over Rs 3,000 crore to West Bengal, but these funds were illegally and unconstitutionally diverted to panchayats by the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. The BJPs remarks came after Mamata Banerjee arrived in North Bengal on Monday to review the situation in the hills, Terai and Dooars, which were hit by severe floods and landslides in October that left over 40 people dead. Banerjee accused the Centre of neglecting Bengal and not providing financial assistance in the last five years to tackle natural calamities. Recommended Stories Addressing a press conference, West Bengal Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, alleged that the Ministry of Home Affairs had allocated Rs 3,978 crore for disaster management efforts in the state, but Mamata Banerjee had illegally diverted funds and handed them over to panchayats. Even though the Union Home Ministry allocated over Rs 3,000 crore to West Bengal for disaster management, the TMC government has unethically diverted those funds and handed them over to the panchayats. A portion of this money is now being illegally and unconstitutionally siphoned off under a scheme called Banglar Bari," said BJP IT Department in-charge Amit Malviya. Even though the Union Home Ministry allocated over 3,000 crore to West Bengal for disaster management, the TMC government has unethically diverted those funds and handed them over to the panchayats.A portion of this money is now being illegally and unconstitutionally siphoned pic.twitter.com/pBoKbXDpXH Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 10, 2025 Had this disaster relief fund been properly utilised for the people of North Bengal, Darjeeling, and the hill regions, West Bengal would not be facing such a dire situation today. The TMC government is committing yet another act of corruption and financial embezzlement, fully backed by Mamata Banerjee herself," he added. Mamata Banerjees Charge At BJP While addressing an administrative meeting in North Bengal, Mamata Banerjee accused the Centre of not providing any financial assistance as the state faced one calamity after another in the last four years. Banerjee said the Centre ignored Bengals demands for Rs 1,200 crore for floods and landslides in North Bengal in July-August 2021, Rs 1,402 crore for floods and landslides in North Bengal in the next month, Rs 1,049 crore due to Cyclone Remal last year, and Rs 1,685 crore due to Cyclone Dana. Smt. @MamataOfficial visited North Bengal once again, her third visit since the devastating floods, to personally review the ongoing relief, restoration, and rehabilitation efforts across affected districts.Over the past few years, the region has faced one calamity after pic.twitter.com/rBPk7s9V5W All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) November 10, 2025 The Centre has not sent a single rupee in financial assistance after such a huge disaster," she said. They spread lies on Twitter and do not understand Bengal a little bit. A day will come when the public will not forgive them." She also said the SDRF came under her governments purview and the Centre was bound to give Bengal its GST dues. She said the Centre was withholding Rs 1.80 lakh crore of Bengals funds and was doing whatever it wanted under the pretext of GST. She also criticised the government over the Vande Mataram row, saying both 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". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, Malviya also alleged that the Centre provided nearly Rs 30,000 crore to the state under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) from 2014 to 2023 to build houses for the poor, but the state government diverted disaster management funds to give people only Rs 1 lakh each to build houses. Each beneficiary must receive at least Rs 3 lakh, and the state government must publish a transparent list showing how the Rs 30,000 crore of central funds have actually been spent," 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 First Published: November 10, 2025, 18:24 IST News politics BJP Alleges Centre's Disaster Management Funds To West Bengal Illegally Diverted By TMC Govt Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Nothing Says You Can Delete All The Pre-Installed Apps On Its Phones: Know More Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 12:21 IST Nothing is bringing pre-loaded apps to its mid-range phones but the company is now making some changes after hearing people react. Nothing is making the change so that you can uninstall these apps Nothing Phone 3a Lite was introduced recently but the bigger news was about its plans to have pre-installed apps on mid-range devices, also known as bloatware from now on. Many people were not happy with this decision, even though the brand said it needed to make this change to support its future business model. Now, it seems the company has decided to tone down its decision to some extent and allow users to uninstall the apps pre-installed if they dont want it. Nothing has always maintained its stance of keeping the Android version clean but with a growing brand and product portfolio it needs other money sources to keep the business going. Recommended Stories Nothing Changes Stance On Bloatware For Phone Models: What Happens Now The update was shared by the brand itself via a community post which shares the new stance which highlights the news about the Nothing OS 4.0 beta version that is rolling out for Phone 3 and Phone 3a series devices. The news was shared earlier this month over in this post, where Nothing confirms that all the critical views and feedback has made them revert to usual ways and give users more control over the pre-loaded apps. Heres what the company chief has said: Hi everyone, Following your feedback and suggestions, weve been working on making pre-installed services more flexible and within your control. Starting later this month, youll be able to completely remove Meta App Installer, Meta App Manager, and Meta Services from your device. Previously, these could only be disabled. While we recommended keeping them active for better stability of pre-installed apps like Instagram or Facebook, we understand that some users prefer full control over what stays on their device. Were aiming to roll this out by the end of the month and will confirm once its live. Thank you for your continued feedback. It helps us keep improving while staying true to our promise of openness and user choice. Akis This means people with the Phone 3a Lite and other mid-range Nothing phones can remove/uninstall all these pre-loaded apps and also the related installer services from the device. The company also notes that keeping them enabled will deliver stable performance for the pre-loaded apps (if you intend to keep them). The new change will be available via a new update by the end of November. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While the decision did not go down well, it is good to see that Nothing understands the sentiments and decides to give users their choice. The company, under the reins of Carl Pei has often touted itself as a different brand that wants to make smartphones fun. and some of those claims have been met so far, with its clean Android UI experience available across all the devices, including the CMF Phone series. The company has talked about concerns like managing the bill of materials (BOM) cost of making phones, which it claims is higher than older brands. And it needs the pre-loaded apps from partners to increase its revenue streams and then says, even established brands like Samsung have followed this model for many years. About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and ... Read More Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 11, 2025, 12:21 IST News tech Nothing Says You Can Delete All The Pre-Installed Apps On Its Phones: Know More Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... OnePlus 15 India Launch Price Leaked: Time To Pay Extra This Year? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 08:25 IST The OnePlus 15 India launch is this week and a new leak suggests the new flagship phone could be priced close to the last model OnePlus 15 is launching in India this week, how much would it cost? The OnePlus 15 India launch is just a few days from now and the hype train is well and truly in motion as people wait to get a closer look at the new flagship phone. OnePlus will be among the pack to bring the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset to the country, and the first brand to do so this year. iQOO 15 launch is also confirmed for this month but OnePlus will be taking away the laurel from the former. The new OnePlus 15 flagship was introduced in China earlier this month, giving us a pretty good idea about its features and the price that people might be paying for the new model in India as well. But a new leak has come 48 hours before the OnePlus 15 India launch which hints at the price of the new device. Recommended Stories OnePlus 15 India Launch Price Tipped: What It Says The leak about the OnePlus 15 India launch price has been shared by a user on social media so we will be slightly apprehensive about the details. The post says the OnePlus 15 price in India could start at Rs 72,999 for the base 12GB + 256GB model, going up to Rs 76,999 if you pick the 16GB + 512GB variant in the country. We have not been able to verify the leak price so would prefer to wait for the official details that will be announced on November 13. OnePlus 15 India Launch: Specifications Expected The OnePlus 15 is going to feature a flat design like the recently launched 13s model with a flat display that carries thin bezels for better overall look. You also get a 165Hz refresh rate AMOLED display on the new model. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all OnePlus is using the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset with up to 16GB RAM and probably 1TB storage. The Chinese variant of the OnePlus 15 comes with ColorOS 16 based on Android 16 version. But the Indian OnePlus 15 version will have OxygenOS 16 which is already confirmed. This will be the first OnePlus device to come without the Hasselblad camera branding in a while, and feature its own imaging engine that shows some exciting promise. We expect to see a 50MP triple camera system. The OnePlus 15 is tipped to pack a 7,300mAh battery thanks to the silicon carbon technology and the unit will be supporting 120W wired and 50W wireless charging speeds. About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and ... Read More Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 11, 2025, 08:25 IST News tech OnePlus 15 India Launch Price Leaked: Time To Pay Extra This Year? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... WhatsApp Third-Party Chat Support Goes Live On Android Beta: Heres How It Will Work Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 09:05 IST WhatsApp third-party chat support is not coming to all countries but now we have more details about the feature and how it works. The WhatsApp Android beta version shows the future of the app Recently we talked about WhatsApp planning to support third-party chat apps and called it a coincidence with Zohos Sridhar Vembu highlighting such plans. Now, the messaging app has made the new support live for Android beta users who reside in the European Union (EU) regions. Meta is forced to comply with the strict laws in the EU region, and this change in WhatsApp seems reserved for these countries, at least for the time being. WhatsApp beta version 2.25.33.8 update is bringing the new feature and the platform has given us more details via reliable tipster WaBetaInfo in a post. Recommended Stories WhatsApp Third-Party Chats: How It Works Out And What Are The Terms? WhatsApp says it is supporting this feature to comply with EU laws. The third-party chats option will be disabled by default and you can turn it on by doing these steps: Go Settings Click on Account Go to Third-party chats and enable the feature WhatsApp has given some of the crucial details and terms of how the third-party chat system will work through its platform. You can now chat with people on any eligible third-party messaging app directly in WhatsApp Third-party apps may have different security and data practices than WhatsApp People on eligible third-party apps can use your phone number to contact you While your phone number is shared so people can contact you, other personal info is not shared People youve blocked on WhatsApp may be able to contact you in third-party chats WhatsApp cant see your messages in third-party chats The big highlight about the third-party chat support is that features like stickers, status updates, and disappearing messages will not be available in cross-platform chats. The other important point is that if you have blocked anyone on WhatsApp, they can message you through the third-party apps. And the company also says it cannot see any of your messages but cant guarantee if the third-party app will follow the same method. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all WhatsApp is only supporting BirdyChat app for this feature, but we do hope to see it work for Signal, Telegram and more in the near future. Zohos Arattai app is expected to get end-to-end encryption this month, but even then the company has a big task to dethrone or even threaten WhatsApp in the country. About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and ... Read More Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 11, 2025, 09:05 IST News tech WhatsApp Third-Party Chat Support Goes Live On Android Beta: Heres How It Will Work Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Couple Takes Revenge After Hotel Refuses Cancellation, But Payback Fails Miserably Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 18:28 IST The couples attempt to hurt the hotel financially backfired, as the management billed them for the water used, leaving them with hefty charges instead Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google The couple consumed approximately 120 tons of water and accumulated charges of Rs 61,000 for gas. (AI Generated) A Chinese couples attempt to retaliate against a hotel in South Korea has ignited a storm on social media. While vacationing near Seoul, they booked a villa but later found it inconveniently distant from the city. When the hotel declined their request to cancel the booking, the couple decided to exact revenge by excessively using the villas utilities. Over 25 days, they reportedly consumed approximately 120 tons of water and accumulated charges of $730 (approximately Rs 61,000) for gas and $116 for water. Recommended Stories Their aim to financially harm the hotel backfired as the management billed them for the usage. Faced with the hefty charges, the couples plan ended up costing them significantly. The incident, reported by the South China Morning Post, quickly went viral, with many condemning their actions as irresponsible. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all One social media user commented, Wasting water is a grave sin," while another wrote, This wasnt revenge, it was sheer stupidity!" In response, the hotel has implemented new rules to prevent similar occurrences, including usage tracking and security systems for future bookings. Location : Seoul, South Korea First Published: November 11, 2025, 18:28 IST News viral Couple Takes Revenge After Hotel Refuses Cancellation, But Payback Fails Miserably Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... This Is The Worlds Most Mysterious Mountain: Climbing Banned, Said To House Aliens Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 19:00 IST In 1990, 379 left-foot footprints, each 25-30 cm and all facing west, were found carved in rock at the summit. Carbon dating revealed they are 2,000 years old Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Locals revere this mountain as a 'sacred mountain,' believed to be imbued with magical energy. (News18 Hindi) Spains Tindaya Mountain, known for its profound mysteries, stands out among the worlds enigmatic locations. Climbing this unique mountain is strictly prohibited, and many even fear approaching it. Numerous travellers have sought to unravel this enigma. Joshua McCartney, one such explorer, became intrigued by the mountain during his visit to Spain. He ventured close to Tindaya and engaged with locals to uncover its secrets, revealing astonishing details that left many in awe. Recommended Stories Located on Fuerteventura Island in Spains Canary Islands, Tindaya Mountain may only be 400 metres tall, but its truncated cone shape sets it apart. Surrounded by volcanic rocks and desert-like terrain, the true mystery lies within and atop the mountain. In 1990, a significant discovery was made at its summit: 379 footprints carved into the rock, each measuring 25-30 cm and from a left foot, all pointing west. Carbon dating indicated that these marks are 2,000 years old. Locals revere Tindaya as a sacred mountain, believed to be imbued with magical energy. The magnetic field here is ten times stronger than normal, rendering compasses useless. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Reports of strange lights appearing at night have led some to speculate that it might be an alien base, given the footprints direction towards the sky. In 1995, Tindaya became a UNESCO World Heritage candidate. To preserve the integrity of the footprints, the Spanish government has completely banned climbing, allowing only scientists to visit under strict guidance. Location : Spain First Published: November 11, 2025, 19:00 IST News viral This Is The Worlds Most Mysterious Mountain: Climbing Banned, Said To House Aliens Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Bhutan King Leads Mass Prayer For Delhi Blast Victims As PM Modi Attends Ceremony In Thimphu Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 13:48 IST The Prime Minister will also meet the fourth King and attend celebrations marking his 70th birthday. PM Modi joined Bhutan king for a mass prayer in Bhutan's Thimpu. (ANI) His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan on Tuesday led a mass prayer for the victims of the Delhi blast at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, where thousands of Bhutanese citizens joined in solidarity. The ceremony took place as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed on a two-day visit to Bhutan to attend the 70th birthday celebrations of the former monarch, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Recommended Stories #WATCH | His Majesty the King of Bhutan led a prayer, with thousands of Bhutanese, for the victims of the Delhi blast, at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu(Source: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/b2cgOOuof5 ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2025 Prime Minister Modi was received at Paro Airport by his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay, who posted on X: I join the entire nation in welcoming my elder brother Prime Minister @narendramodi to Bhutan." During the visit, Modi will hold talks with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tobgay, and the two sides will jointly inaugurate the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project, a major bilateral initiative. The Prime Minister will also meet the fourth King and attend celebrations marking his 70th birthday. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In a statement ahead of his visit, Modi said he was confident the trip would further deepen our bonds of friendship and strengthen our efforts towards shared progress and prosperity." It would be my honour to join the people of Bhutan as they mark the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King," Modi said, adding that India and Bhutans partnership stands as a model of trust and goodwill under the Neighbourhood First policy. 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 11, 2025, 13:45 IST News world Bhutan King Leads Mass Prayer For Delhi Blast Victims As PM Modi Attends Ceremony In Thimphu Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Indians Now Face 99-Day Waiting Period For Canadian Visitor Visas, It's 59 For Pakistanis Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2025, 00:34 IST Indian visitor visa applicants to Canada now face a 99-day wait with super visas taking 169 days, amid rising application volumes and stricter screening Applications for super visas, primarily intended for parents and grandparents of Canadian permanent residents, from India are taking 169 days to process. (Representative Image) Indian applicants seeking visitor visas to Canada now have to wait an average of 99 days for approvals, an increase of 13 days compared to the previous measurement period, according to the data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This is the longest among major source countries, including Pakistani applications whose average processing time is 59 days Besides the increase in time for approval for visitor visas, applications for super visas, primarily intended for parents and grandparents of Canadian permanent residents, from India are taking 169 days to process. Recommended Stories A visitor visa allows citizens from other countries visit Canada for tourism, visiting family or friends, or other short-term stays. According to the IRCC, the numbers show that 80% of applications are processed in real-time, replacing fixed targets that frequently fell short of reality. This surge in delays points out to the growing bottleneck in Canadas temporary resident visa system amid record application volumes. Meanwhile, applicants from the US average 36 days, Nigeria 27 days, Pakistan 59 days, and the Philippines 21 days. According to observers, there are several factors that are contributing to the increase in processing time: high volumes of applications, country-specific screening and background checks, resource constraints within processing centres, and added complexity when applications originate from high-demand countries such as India. This report comes days after a government data stated that about 74% of Indian applications for Canadian study permits were rejected in August 2025, more than double the 32% rejection rate a year earlier. On the other hand, roughly 40% of all international student applications and 24% of those from China were turned down in the same period, the report added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Earlier, CBC News reported that the Canadian government was planning to grant its immigration department new powers to cancel temporary visas on a large scale, which would target applicants from India and Bangladesh. While the draft law does not explicitly single out any country, India and Bangladesh are identified in the internal presentation as country-specific challenges", according to the CBS News report. Location : Canada First Published: November 12, 2025, 00:34 IST News world Indians Now Face 99-Day Waiting Period For Canadian Visitor Visas, It's 59 For Pakistanis Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Iran Accuses US, Israel Of Undermining Nuclear Talks: For Them, Diplomacy Has Become Coercion' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 16:52 IST Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Iran still believes diplomacy is the only way out of the current impasse. The minister said Iran will not compromise national security or halt enrichment entirely. Iran accused the United States and Israel of betraying diplomacy" and warned that negotiations on its nuclear programme cannot become a tool for pressure or coercion. Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate, Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Iran still believes diplomacy is the only way out" of the current impasse but not if Washington and Tel Aviv use talks to secure outcomes they failed to achieve through force. I think that diplomacy is the only way out. We need diplomacy in place, and diplomacy must be maintained," Khatibzadeh said, adding, But if the other side is trying to achieve through diplomatic means whatever it couldnt achieve through a military campaign, then the answer is no." Recommended Stories He said Iran was sending a clear message" regarding the resumption of nuclear negotiations, insisting that diplomacy must be grounded in mutual respect, equal footing and genuine give-and-take, rather than one-sided demands. Iran-US Talks Halted Tehran and Washington held several rounds of indirect talks earlier this year, mediated by Oman, aimed at placing limits on Irans nuclear programme in exchange for lifting US sanctions. The process collapsed days before a planned sixth round. Saeed Khatibzadeh said the breakdown was triggered by the June war between Iran and Israel, during which Israel struck Iranian nuclear and military sites. The United States joined the conflict days later by bombing three Iranian nuclear facilities, shortly before US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire. Iran was in the middle of negotiations, in the middle of diplomacy, when the Americans and Israelis attacked our safeguarded nuclear sites, ignoring the risks," he said, adding, They assassinated our off-duty commanders targeted university professors. Are you going to accept being bullied by those violating international law?" Tehran Says Nuclear Programme Is Peaceful Reiterating Irans longstanding position, Saeed Khatibzadeh said, Tehran is not seeking nuclear bombs We are committed to the peaceful use of our nuclear programme. We did not withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty even after this aggression." He said Iran will not compromise national security or halt enrichment entirely- a key US demand- arguing that no sovereign nation would accept such terms. The Iranian diplomat also accused Israel of fuelling instability in the region, pointing to recent remarks by Omans foreign minister, who described Israel as the prime source of insecurity" in the Middle East. Israel is not at peace with anybody They are attempting to make the state of Palestine impossible and maintain a military and intelligence edge," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Saeed Khatibzadeh argued that resistance groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah emerged as organic responses to Israeli actions- not as Iranian constructs. They are not fabricated. They are members of society responding to Israels aggressions With or without Iran supporting them, resistance groups will exist." Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 11, 2025, 16:52 IST News world Iran Accuses US, Israel Of Undermining Nuclear Talks: For Them, Diplomacy Has Become Coercion' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 12 Killed, Over Two Dozen Injured In Suicide Bombing Outside Islamabad Court Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Vani Mehrotra Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 15:47 IST A powerful explosion outside a district court in Islamabads G-11 area on Tuesday left at least nine people dead. Many others were reported injured in the incident. Blast outside a court in Pakistan's Islamabad (Photo: Social Media) At least 12 people were killed and 27 were injured in a suicide bombing outside a local in court in Pakistans capital Islamabad on Tuesday, the countrys interior minister said. The blast occurred near the entrance of the court complex in the G-11 area of the capital, Pakistani news website Dawn reported. Recommended Stories Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the site of the blast and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. At 12:39 pm, a suicide attack was carried out at the Kachehri (district courts) so far 12 people have been martyred and around 27 are wounded," Naqvi said. No group or individual claimed responsibility for the blast, but the attack came days after the third round of talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban failed to reach any agreement. Videos showed scenes of panic as a car could be seen in flames soon after the explosion. Explosion outside Islamabad court. pic.twitter.com/8vT6gxvsda THE UNKNOWN MAN (@Theunk13) November 11, 2025 Preliminary investigations suggest the attacker detonated the explosive vest near the main entrance during peak crowd hours. Security agencies have cordoned off the area, and a high alert has been issued across Islamabad and Rawalpindi. No group has claimed responsibility yet, but officials suspect involvement of TTP or its allied faction. This comes a day after a powerful explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort Metro Station in New Delhi on Monday evening. Till last night, nine people were confirmed to have died in the blast, and 20 others were injured. Three more people succumbed to injuries, taking the toll to 12, news agency PTI quoted the police as saying. Later, speaking in Bhutans Thimpu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the conspirators of the Delhi blast will not be spared as the probe agencies will get to the bottom of the case. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The police took the mother of the man who was suspected to be driving the car that exploded near the Red Fort for a DNA test in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. ALSO READ | Pakistan Issues NOTAM, Places Air And Naval Forces On High Alert After Delhi Blast About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: November 11, 2025, 14:20 IST News world 12 Killed, Over Two Dozen Injured In Suicide Bombing Outside Islamabad Court Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pakistan Issues NOTAM, Places Air And Naval Forces On High Alert After Delhi Blast | Exclusive Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 08:37 IST Sources suggest that these measures are in response to concerns over a possible pre-emptive strike or other forms of retaliation from India, given the terror attack in Delhi Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Pakistans Central Command has directed all military branches to closely monitor developments and prepare for any eventualities. (AP) Pakistan has raised its security alert to unprecedented levels in the wake of the deadly car explosion outside Delhis Red Fort Metro station, which claimed at least eight lives on Monday. The country has issued a Red Alert for all of its airbases and airfields, following intelligence warnings that suggest heightened risks of retaliatory actions or further cross-border escalation from India, CNN-News18 has learnt. Sources said Pakistans armed forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, have been placed on high alert as the situation remains volatile. Pakistans Central Command has directed all military branches to closely monitor developments and prepare for any eventualities. Recommended Stories In addition to activating air defence systems, the Pakistan Air Force has been ordered to ensure that jets from forward bases are ready for immediate takeoff. Sources suggest that these measures are in response to concerns over a possible pre-emptive strike or other forms of retaliation from India, particularly given the recent terror plot in Delhi. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sources also confirmed that Pakistan has taken specific precautionary measures to protect its air assets, ensuring that military jets and critical installations are shielded from any potential attacks. Pakistans Air Defence Systems are now active, closely monitoring the airspace along the Pakistan-India border. Furthermore, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued from November 11 to November 12, signaling increased air traffic restrictions and security protocols along the tense border region. The Delhi blast, which has been linked to a wider terrorist plot involving radicalisation and the seizure of large quantities of explosives, has put India on high alert, and Pakistans swift response is indicative of the rising concerns over cross-border threats. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: November 11, 2025, 08:30 IST News world Pakistan Issues NOTAM, Places Air And Naval Forces On High Alert After Delhi Blast | Exclusive Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Sheikh Hasina Condemns Delhi Red Fort Blast, Highlights Pakistans Role In Terror Acts Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 08:59 IST Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina said that the appalling terrorist attack in New Delhi is unacceptable under any circumstances. Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina (Image: Reuters/File) Awami League President and former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina vehemently condemned the horrific terrorist attack that took place in Indias capital, New Delhi, on November 10, claiming the lives of eight innocent people. Expressing deep sorrow and grief for the deceased, Hasina extended her condolences to the bereaved families. She also wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Recommended Stories In her statement, the former Bangladesh Prime Minister said that the appalling terrorist attack in New Delhi is unacceptable under any circumstances. There is no place for extremist terrorism in the modern world. These extremist terrorist groups strike at the very foundations of a secular, humane, and welfare-oriented state," she added. Sheikh Hasina further stated that these terrorist groups, rooted in Pakistan, have infiltrated networks across countries, including Bangladesh, and are carrying out attacks in India to undermine regional peace and stability. We must resist these terrorists and preserve South Asian peace and stability by building bonds between peoples. The Bangladesh Awami League gives its full support to Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this principled struggle against terrorism," she added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In her statement, Sheikh Hasina said that we firmly believe there is no place and no forgiveness for such heinous crimes against humanity in todays civilised world. She further urged to eradicate terrorism completely and said, Wherever the roots of terrorism lie, they must be eradicated completely. Those who support these terrorist groups in Bangladesh and elsewhere are enemies of humanity, and we strongly denounce them as well." She added that we stand with the people of India and are determined to provide every possible cooperation to India in this fight against terrorism. We remain unwavering in our stance against terrorism and militancy. We believe that through the defeat of these terrorist groups, justice and human rights will be upheld and the world will become safer," she 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 11, 2025, 08:46 IST News world Sheikh Hasina Condemns Delhi Red Fort Blast, Highlights Pakistans Role In Terror Acts Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Tel Aviv Stands With India: Israel Foreign Minister Calls Delhi Blast A 'Terror Act' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 16:27 IST Israels Foreign Minister offered condolences to India after the Red Fort blast and affirmed Israels support for India in combating terrorism. Israel Foreign Minister affirmed Tel Aviv's support in the fight against terrorism. Israels Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed solidarity with India following the deadly Red Fort blast, extending condolences to the victims families and affirming Israels support in the fight against terrorism. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gideon Saar wrote, I extend my & Israels deepest condolences to the People of India and especially to the families of the innocent victims killed in the blast at the heart of Delhi. Wishing speedy recovery to the wounded. Israel stands with India in its fight against terror." The post comes a day after a Hyundai i20 car exploded near the Red Fort Metro Station around 6:52 pm on Monday, killing eight people and injuring 20 others. The car, bearing a Haryana registration number, blew up while idling in traffic, causing severe damage to nearby vehicles and sending crowds fleeing in panic. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Recommended Stories The Delhi Police registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after initial forensic and intelligence inputs suggested possible terror involvement. The timing of the attack raised further alarm, coinciding with the recovery of 2,900 kg of explosives in Faridabad, just 50 km from the capital. Victims included commuters, traders and workers returning home, while several injured remain in critical condition at LNJP Hospital. Authorities are analysing CCTV footage, phone records and forensic samples as the search for those behind the explosion intensifies. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 11, 2025, 15:10 IST News world 'Tel Aviv Stands With India: Israel Foreign Minister Calls Delhi Blast A 'Terror Act' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Trump Meets Syrian President Al-Sharaa At White House, Suspends Sanctions For Six Months Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 12:36 IST Donald Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House, suspending sanctions and welcoming Syria to the Global Coalition Against ISIS. Donald Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House, suspending sanctions and welcoming Syria to the Global Coalition Against ISIS. (Image: Sky News) United States President Donald Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House on Monday, marking the first visit by a Syrian leader to Washington since the countrys independence in 1946. The meeting came as the US Treasury Department announced a six-month suspension of sanctions on Damascus, signalling a dramatic shift in relations between the two nations. The White House meeting capped a stunning year for 43-year-old al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander who overthrew longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad last December. Recommended Stories According to the Syrian President, discussions focused on bilateral relations between Syria and the United States, ways to strengthen and develop them, and regional and international issues of mutual interest." Following the talks, Trump praised the new Syrian leader. He comes from a very tough place, and hes a tough guy. I like him," Trump told reporters. Well do everything we can to make Syria successful We have peace now in the Middle East the first time anyone can remember that ever happening." Addressing al-Sharaas militant past, Trump said, Weve all had rough pasts," while al-Sharaa later told Fox News that his former ties to al-Qaeda were a matter of the past" and were not discussed during the meeting. Muted Reception at the White House Despite the historic nature of the visit, al-Sharaa received what observers described as a muted welcome." He entered the White House through a side entrance, with no joint press conference or photo opportunity alongside Trump. As he departed, al-Sharaa briefly greeted a small crowd of cheering supporters waving Syrian flags. Soon after the meeting, a senior US official confirmed that Syria would join the Global Coalition Against ISIS, becoming its 90th member. The official added that the US would permit Syria to reopen its embassy in Washington to coordinate on counterterrorism and security. The development comes amid reports that Syrian authorities had recently foiled two ISIS assassination plots targeting al-Sharaa and arrested more than 70 suspects in a nationwide crackdown. US Suspends Sanctions Under Caesar Act The US Treasury Department said that Washington would suspend key sanctions under the Caesar Act for 180 days, allowing limited economic engagement with Syria. Removing US sanctions will support Syrias efforts to rebuild its economy, provide prosperity for its citizens, and combat terrorism," the department said. The decision, officials said, aligns with Trumps stated goal to give Syria a chance at greatness" and encourage the countrys economic recovery. However, a full repeal of the sanctions would require congressional approval. Lawmakers are split on the issue, with Senator Jeanne Shaheen proposing an unconditional repeal, and Senator Lindsey Graham backing a conditional one to be reviewed every six months. A Former Militant Turned Head of State Al-Sharaa, once known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, was captured by US forces in Iraq before leading Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, al-Qaedas branch in Syria, which later broke away from the group in 2016. Since seizing power, he has rebranded himself as a reformist leader advocating for national unity, reconciliation, and international cooperation. He addressed the United Nations General Assembly earlier this year, vowing to restore Syrias rightful place among nations." Regional Dynamics and Israel Relations During his US visit, al-Sharaa also met Congressman Brian Mast, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who described their discussion as long and serious" about rebuilding Syria free from extremism. Al-Sharaa has maintained that Syria poses no threat to Israel and has detained several Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) members. However, Israel continues to conduct airstrikes on Syrian targets despite his outreach. Trump told reporters that the US was working with Israel on getting along with Syria," hinting at potential diplomatic developments. We want to see Syria become a very successful country," he said. And I think this leader can do it." US Priorities: Counterterrorism and Regional Stability Analysts say the Trump administrations renewed focus on Syria aligns with its broader Middle East strategy. The United States has three priorities for Syria," said Thomas Warrick, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. Counterterrorism cooperation, reducing Irans influence, and improving relations between Syria and Israel possibly even bringing Syria into the Abraham Accords in the long term." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While major challenges remain, Warrick said both Trump and al-Sharaa appear committed to turning a former battleground into a potential partner." Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 11, 2025, 12:31 IST News world Trump Meets Syrian President Al-Sharaa At White House, Suspends Sanctions For Six Months Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Enough Is Enough': Bangladesh Awami League's Nationwide March On Nov 13 Ahead Of Hasina Verdict Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 20:16 IST The party said the protests would extend from Dhaka to districts across Bangladesh, involving its student and youth wings as well as ordinary citizens Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Bangladeshs former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. (PTI file photo) The Bangladesh Awami League, the party of ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, on Tuesday called for a nationwide march on November 13, as tensions rise ahead of her closely watched crimes against humanity verdict. The party said the protests would extend from Dhaka to districts across Bangladesh, involving its student and youth wings as well as ordinary citizens. Recommended Stories Hasinas party also called the movement as a response to what it called false cases, sham trials, and the continued influence of the Yunus regime. The streets of Bangladesh are rising again. From Dhaka to every district, Awami League, Chhatra League, Jubo League, and millions of freedom-loving citizens are marching demanding an end to the false cases, the sham trials, and the Yunus regimes reign of fear," it wrote. The streets of Bangladesh are rising again.From Dhaka to every district, Awami League, Chhatra League, Jubo League, and millions of freedom-loving citizens are marching demanding an end to the false cases, the sham trials, and the Yunus regimes reign of fear.This is not pic.twitter.com/N4Fd2mlrJx Bangladesh Awami League (@albd1971) November 11, 2025 According to the Awami League, the November 13 event would go beyond a simple lockdown, representing a day Bangladesh stands united to say: enough is enough." Hasinas trial in absentia The timing of the announcement coincides with the conclusion of Hasinas trial in absentia. Prosecutors said the verdict is expected later this month, though a hearing on Thursday was only to announce the date. Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim, prosecutor at Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal, said the court might take another week or so to deliver the verdict" but confirmed that November 13 has been set to fix the date. Bangladesh has been in political turmoil since a deadly uprising toppled Hasinas government in August 2024. The unrest left up to 1,400 people dead, according to the United Nations, and violence has continued on the campaign trail ahead of elections expected in February 2026. Hasina, 78, has remained in India and refused to return for her trial, which charges her with crimes against humanity, including ordering mass killings. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty if she is convicted. Her co-accused include former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, a fugitive, and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who is in custody and has pleaded guilty. (With inputs from agencies) 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 : Bangladesh First Published: November 11, 2025, 20:16 IST News world 'Enough Is Enough': Bangladesh Awami League's Nationwide March On Nov 13 Ahead Of Hasina Verdict Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Wake-Up Call': Khawaja Asif Says Pakistan 'In State Of War' After Islamabad Suicide Blast Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2025, 22:10 IST The statement after a suicide attacker detonated explosives near the district court buildings in the capital, killing at least 12 people and injuring 27 others Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (Image: AP/file) Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday described the deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad as a wake-up call" for the country, warning that Pakistan was now in a state of war". The statement came hours after a suicide attacker detonated explosives near the district court buildings in the capital, killing at least 12 people and injuring 27 others. Recommended Stories The Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack the first such bombing in the city in nearly two years. We are in a state of war," Asif wrote on X. Anyone who thinks that the Pakistan Army is fighting this war in the Afghan-Pakistan border region and the remote areas of Balochistan should take todays suicide attack at the Islamabad district courts as a wake-up call: this is a war for all of Pakistan, in which the Pakistan Army is giving daily sacrifices and making the people feel secure." He added that it would be futile to hold out greater hope for successful negotiations with the rulers of Kabul", suggesting that Islamabads patience with Afghanistans Taliban government was running thin. The TTP said it had targeted judges, lawyers, and officials" at the court complex for enforcing what it called Pakistans un-Islamic laws", and warned of more attacks until Islamic rule was imposed across the country. Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in militant attacks in recent months, with officials blaming groups operating from across the Afghan border. Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have deteriorated sharply since deadly border clashes in October, which killed more than 70 people. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Despite multiple rounds of talks, both sides have failed to agree on security measures, while Pakistan continues to accuse Afghanistan of providing safe havens to the TTP a claim Kabul denies. (With inputs from AFP) 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 : Pakistan First Published: November 11, 2025, 22:10 IST News world 'Wake-Up Call': Khawaja Asif Says Pakistan 'In State Of War' After Islamabad Suicide Blast Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Congolese businessman and refugee Desire Nsengimana has written to the Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission over alleged harassment by security agents and immigration officials, who are seeking to have him deported. This is linked to a tuck-shops war in downtown Harare. Nsengimana, who has been in prison since June, claims he was kidnapped by agents who claimed he is a member of the Rwandan spies and an enemy of the State and wanted him deported. The Congolese national also alleges one immigration official identified is now complicit in the case by arresting and detaining him adding that this is a work of jealousy by refugee businessmen in the country who are seeking to have him out of the country. He said the purported intelligence against him is not evidence but gossip weaponized by those who wish to eliminate commercial competition. He has since instructed his lawyers to write to ZICC seeking their intervention and to investigate the case. In a letter dated November 7 and addressed to ZICC executive secretary Nsengimana raised several complaints against the State agents. On or about the 10 of June 2025, our client was kidnapped by a contingent of individuals who he claims presented themselves as members of the Central Intelligence Organisation whom, if given the chance, he is capable of identifying . His captors communicated the spurious allegations against him. They threatened and ordered him to leave Zimbabwe, having been falsely branded an enemy of the State. This designation was based on the unsubstantiated claim that he is an operative of Rwandas National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), allegedly deployed to target Rwandan refugees who settled in Zimbabwe post 1994, the letter reads. Nsengimana claims he told the agents that he is not a member of Rwandas National Intelligence and Security Service but a genuine and recognised refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who settled in Zimbabwe without any connection with Rwanda. He alleges that he told the alleged agents that certain Rwandan refugees who settled in Zimbabwe just after the 1994 Rwandan genocide were the ones who were just seeing shadows and were on a frolic of their own, giving the security agents in Zimbabwe false information for purposes of weeding out of Zimbabwe other refugees like Desire Nsengimana who they regarded as threats in business circles, the letter says. There was nothing to the allegations as it was a simple case of jealousy and rivalry wherein his detractors sought and still seek to equate his business acumen with state sponsorship. His lawyers said Nsemisanga is not a spy but foreigner from the Democratic Republic of Congo who has settled in Zimbabwe as a genuine refugee since November 2014 and his status as a refugee has not been withdrawn. Subsequent to his kidnapping, he was then handed over to one Immigration Compliance Officer Machona who then instructed him to visit the Immigration Department Offices the next day, the 11 of June 2025. He was then advised by Machona that he was going to be detained at Harare Remand Prison as a prohibited person for deportation to Rwanda. He alleges that Machona advised him that his arrest and subsequent detention was not up to the Immigration Department, but some powerful members of the Central Intelligence Organisation connected to a clique of refugees from Rwanda. Mr Nsengimana was perplexed by such abuse of State apparatus in the name of State Security, yet he is not even a danger to the Republic of Zimbabwe, the letter says. Get the news faster. Tap to install our app. Access Newser even faster. Click here to install our app on your desktop. X President Trump on Sunday promoted a widely debunked claim that former President Obama has raked in $40 million in "royalties linked to Obamacare." The claim, which has circulated online since at least 2017, originated from "America's Last Line of Defense," a satirical website known for producing fake news that's intended to provoke reaction from conservatives, per the Guardian . Trump shared the claimalong with an image of Obama and the text, "BREAKING: DOGE halted a yearly payment of $2.5 million to Barack Obama for 'royalties linked to Obamacare.' Obama has collected this payment since 2010, for a total of $40 million in taxpayer dollars"on his Truth Social account to his 11.1 million followers. He added one short comment: "WOW!" The president spent much of the weekend on social media criticizing the Affordable Care Act, all while Senate Democrats worked to try to extend tax credits for ACA users. The White House didn't respond to a request for comment on whether the president knew the claim was fictional. Christopher Blair, the Maine-based creator of the satirical site behind the claim, has described himself as the "godfather of fake news" and previously mocked Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for sharing one of his fake articles. President Trump is asking the Supreme Court to throw out a jury's verdict that held him liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll. The appeal marks the first time the civil case has reached the justices, the Hill reports, after two separate trials resulted in a combined $88.3 million in damages awarded to Carroll. Trump's legal team argues that Carroll's accusationsdating to the mid-1990sare "implausible" and politically motivated, claiming she only came forward after Trump became president to inflict maximum damage and profit from the allegations. The petition, which has not yet appeared on the court's public docket, criticizes key evidentiary rulings from the trial, specifically the jury's exposure to the infamous Access Hollywood tape and testimony from other women who accused Trump of sexual misconduct. Trump's lawyers say these elements unfairly prejudiced the jury, though a midlevel appeals court rejected their arguments in an 8-2 decision. The Supreme Court typically avoids cases that focus solely on alleged trial errors, but Trump's attorneys insist the evidentiary issues raise broader legal questions that have split lower courts. Trump has been able to derail civil judgments against him, the Washington Post points out. In August, an appeals court threw out a penalty topping $500 million in a civil fraud lawsuit. Things have gone sideways between President Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene following Greene's ongoing criticism of the POTUS . Trump on Monday distanced himself from the Georgia Republican, who had long been one of of his staunchest supporters, USA Today reports. "I don't know what happened to Marjorie," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "She's a nice woman, but I don't know what happened. She's lost her way, I think." MTG quickly responded with a statement: "I haven't lost my way. I'm 100% America first and only!" Trump's remarks came after Greene criticized Trump for devoting too much attention to foreign affairs, specifically referencing his meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa . "I would really like to see nonstop meetings at the WH on domestic policy not foreign policy and foreign country's leaders," Green had written on X earlier Monday, referring to the al-Sharaa meeting. "When somebody like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who's now catering to the other side, I guess she's, you know, got some kind of act going, but I'm surprised at her," Trump responded. "But when somebody like Marjorie goes over and starts making statements like that, it shows she doesn't know." He added, in reference to foreign policy, "I have to view the presidency as a worldwide situation, not locally. We could have a world that's on fire where wars come to our shore very easily if you had a bad president." Greene, known for her hardline positions and MAGA credentials, has also stepped up her criticism of GOP leadership, targeting House Speaker Mike Johnson for what she sees as a failure to produce a healthcare reform plan a point she referenced in her Monday criticism of Trump, suggesting he "start by hauling in" health insurance company CEOs, the Washington Post reports. She has also expressed frustration that the Republican-controlled House was not in session during a government shutdown, calling it an "embarrassment" in a recent appearance on ABC's The View. She has also repeatedly pushed for the release of the Epstein files. Despite speculation about her future ambitions, Greene has insisted that her focus remains on representing her congressional district. She recently downplayed rumors about a 2028 presidential bid, telling NewsNation her priority is her current job. But last week, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told followers during an Instagram livestream her theory on what's going on, Fox News reports. "Marjorie Taylor Greene wanted to run for Senate in Georgia. She wanted to run for Senate earlier this year in the state of Georgia. She wanted to be the Republican nominee for Senate. So, she was gearing up for that statewide race, and Trump told her no," said AOC. "Trump said no, and the White House and Trump Land shut down Marjorie Taylor Greene's personal ambitions to run for Senateand she has been on a revenge tour ever since." A new provision in a government spending bill would let US senators sue the federal government for up to $500,000 for each violation if their phone records are searched without their knowledge. The measure, included in a funding bill for the legislative branch, could have immediate consequences for eight Republican senators whose phone records were subpoenaed during special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the events surrounding Jan. 6, 2021. The New York Times lists the affected senators as Lindsey Graham, Marsha Blackburn, Bill Hagerty, Josh Hawley, Dan Sullivan, Tommy Tuberville, Ron Johnson, and Cynthia Lummis. Sen. Ted Cruz, who claims his data was also subpoenaed, says that Senate Majority Leader John Thune is the one who shoehorned the measure into the spending bill, per Politico. "Leader Thune inserted that in the bill to provide real teeth to the prohibition on the Department of Justice targeting senators," Cruz says. Smith sought the phone records in 2023 as part of his probe into efforts by President Trump and allies to challenge the 2020 election results, but the lawmakers were only formally notified of the subpoenas this year. The bill requires that senators be notified if their phone records or other data are obtained from service providers, with certain exceptions, such as a 60-day notification delay if the senator is the target of an investigation. The provision is retroactive to 2022, covering the period when these subpoenas were issued. Notably, the bill strips the government of qualified or sovereign immunity defenses in such lawsuits, making it easier for senators to sue. Smith's team has defended the subpoenas as a legitimate part of the investigation, arguing that the intent was to examine Trump's actions, not to target the senators directly. The new measure has drawn criticism from Democrats, including Sen. Ron Wyden, who accused Republicans of sneaking in a "giveaway" of tax dollars to their colleagues, though he said Americans should be notified if the government accesses their records. Meanwhile, some Republicans are now demanding that Smith see jail time. "We're not gonna put up with this," Rep. Michael Rulli of Ohio told Fox Business this week. At least 31 inmates were found dead Sunday at a prison in southern Ecuador, most of them believed to have been hanged during gang violence, reports the BBC . Officials say a breakaway gang, Sao-Box, initially targeted the powerful Los Lobos group at El Oro prison in Machala, leaving four dead and around 36 injured, per CNN . Two officers also suffered minor injuries. Then later Sunday, officials described a fresh round of bloodshed, with Los Lobos retaliating, asphyxiating 27 Sao-Box members inside several cells on the prison's third floor. The BBC describes the 27 as hanged. Ecuador's prison system has been plagued by overcrowding and deadly gang violence, with hundreds of inmates killed in recent years. El Oro itself was the scene of similar violence in September, when 13 inmates and a guard lost their lives in gang-related fighting. Officials say the latest bloodshed was triggered by plans to transfer some inmates to a newly built prison. Interior Minister John Reimberg said Monday that rival gang members had shared cells because they were initially part of the same Los Lobos group, per CNN. President Daniel Noboa's government announced earlier this year that a new maximum security facility, El Encuentro, is scheduled to open in late November in Santa Elena province. Officials say it will feature advanced security systems, like the ones families of prisoners are now demanding. Locals have long pushed for the prison to be moved out of the city center. Gang activity inside Ecuador's prisons remains a major driver of the country's rising violent crime. Los Lobos and another powerful gang, Los Choneros, were recently designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the United States. A military gynecologist is accused of secretly recording dozens of patients during intimate exams at Fort Hood in Texas. At least 25 women have been contacted by investigators, who discovered photos and videos of female patients on Dr. Blaine McGraw's electronic devices, reports NBC News . A lawsuit filed Monday by one of the women also alleges inappropriate touching, unnecessary procedures, and sexually suggestive comments, claiming Army leadership ignored previous complaints and allowed McGraw to keep practicing. "By doing so, the Army gave cover to a predator in uniform," the suit states. The Army says it began investigating within hours of receiving a complaint and suspended McGraw that same day, Oct. 17, per CBS News. He's now under investigation by the Army's Criminal Investigation Division. However, the plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, claims previous warnings about McGraw were ignored. Her lawsuit claims a female patient complained about McGraw recording her pelvic examination without her consent when he was treating patients at the Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii years ago. The suit claims McGraw's superiors "laughed it off." Now, investigators have "recovered thousands of photographs and videos from his phone, taken over the course of multiple years, depicting scores of female patients, many of whom remain unidentified," the lawsuit says. Jane Doe, who is married to an active-duty service member, is one of more than 45 women with claims against McGraw who are represented by attorney Andrew Cobos. He plans to file a federal claim against the Army, per NBC. Meanwhile, McGraw's attorney says the doctor is cooperating, and urges the public to wait for the investigation's outcome. UPDATE Nov 11, 2025 5:27 PM CST The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended an order blocking full SNAP payments, amid signals that the government shutdown could soon end and food aid payments resume. The order keeps a chaotic situation in place for at least for a few more days. People who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to feed their families in some states have received their full monthly allocations, while others have received nothing, the AP reports. The Senate has approved a bill to end the shutdown and the House of Representatives could vote on it as early as Wednesday. Reopening the government would restart the program that helps 42 million Americans buy groceries, but it's not clear how quickly full payments would resume. The AP notes that the justices chose what is effectively the path of least resistance, anticipating the shutdown will end soon while avoiding any substantive legal ruling about whether lower court orders to keep full payments flowing during the shutdown are correct. Nov 11, 2025 12:13 AM CST President Trump's administration returned to the Supreme Court on Monday in a push to keep full payments in the SNAP federal food aid program frozen while the government is shut down, even as some families struggled to put food on the table, the AP reports. The request is the latest in a flurry of legal activity over how the program that helps 42 million Americans buy groceries should proceed during the historic US government shutdown. Lower courts have ruled that the government must keep full payments flowing, but the Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to keep them frozen for now. The high court is expected to rule Tuesday. Four UC Berkeley students were arrested early Monday on felony vandalism charges after attempting to hang a 5-foot-tall cardboard bug from the university's iconic Sather Gate as part of a protest against an upcoming event by the conservative group Turning Point USA. According to campus officials, the studentsbelieved to be mostly undergraduateswere apprehended by university police and booked into Santa Rita Jail, reports the Daily Californian . Police cited the students under California's felony vandalism statutes, which cover damage to property exceeding $400, while jail records also cite a broader penal code that encompasses defacement with graffiti or other materials. The Alameda County district attorney hasn't yet filed formal charges. The protest targeted TPUSA ahead of a sold-out event Monday evening at Berkeley that featured comedian Rob Schneider and Christian author Frank Turek, per the Berkeley Scanner. Demonstrators reportedly put up posters featuring inflammatory quotes attributed to the group's late founder, Charlie Kirkincluding one reading, "Black women do not have the brain processing power to be taken seriously"; more on that hereand placed other signs denouncing hate on campus. Kirk was killed on a Utah college campus two months ago. Bail was set at $20,000 for three of the students and $10,000 for the fourth. Their arraignment is scheduled for Thursday in Oakland. Meanwhile, KCRA reports that at least three other individuals were arrested later Monday after violence broke out outside the TPUSA event. The outlet notes it's unclear if those arrested were students. Thieves broke into Syria 's national museum and stole several ancient statues dating back to the Roman era, officials said Tuesday, per the AP . The National Museum of Damascus was temporarily closed after the heist was discovered early Monday. The museum reopened in January as the country was reeling from a 14-year civil war and the fall of the 54-year Assad family rule last year. The country's largest museum houses priceless antiquities. After the civil war started in March 2011, security was improved with metal gates and surveillance cameras, and authorities moved hundreds of artifacts to Damascus from around the country. An official from Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums told the AP that six marble statues were stolen, and an investigation was ongoing. Another official said that the theft occurred Sunday night and was discovered when one of the doors at the classical department was found broken. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations because the government had not yet made a statement. The police chief in Damascus, Brig. Gen. Osama Atkeh, later told state news agency SANA that several statues and rare collectibles were stolen from the museum. He said that guards and other individuals were being questioned. The section of the museum where the statues were reported stolen is "a beautiful and historically rich department with artifacts dating back to the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods," said Maamoun Abdulkarim, the former head of the government's antiquities and museums department. The museum reopened on Jan. 8, a month after rebels ousted President Bashar al-Assad, ushering in a new era for the country. The years of conflict had badly affected areas including the historic central town of Palmyra, once held by ISIS. More than 30 years after 14-year-old Tanya Marie Frazier vanished and was later found murdered in Seattle, a suspect has been charged in the decades-old cold case. Tanya disappeared in July 1994 while waiting for a bus to her first summer job, per the New York Times . Her body was discovered five days later in a wooded area less than a mile from the bus stop. She'd been sexually assaulted and died from sharp force injuries to the neck and head. The case haunted the city before fading into unsolved crime files, only to be revived as forensic technology advanced. The break came when DNA evidence from the scene was processed through the national CODIS database, linking the crime to Mark Anthony Russ, 57. Russ has a criminal record that dates back decades, with convictions for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and attempted rape. He reportedly stabbed a girlfriend, who required 175 stitches, in 1987 and tried to rape a house cleaner during a robbery a decade later, per KOMO. Initially handed a life sentence in 1996 under Washington's persistent offender law, he was freed in 2021 following sentencing reforms and has faced new charges in the years since his release. He was charged Thursday with one count of murder in the first degree with a sexual motivation. He's also accused of failing to comply with the requirements of a registered sex offender. Russ' mother lived across the street from Tanya's school and his own home was near the spot where Tanya's belongings were later found dumped, KOMO reports. "He's a monster," Tanya's younger sister, Teara Frazier, tells the Times. "I hope I get to look him in the face and tell him what he did, how much he's hurt so many people." She says her sister's death shaped every part of her life, leaving her unable to get close to people. Though Tanya lives on in Teara's daughtersnamed Tanya, Marie, and Angelthe family still has questions about how they came to lose their loved one. Soon, those questions might finally be answered. Pakistan is blaming India-backed terrorist groups for a deadly suicide bombing that killed 12 people and injured dozens more outside a courthouse in Islamabad on Tuesday, just a day after a car explosion in India was investigated as suspected terrorism. Though India has not accused Pakistan of involvement in the car blast near a metro station by the historic Red Fortwhich killed at least 12, per Al Jazeera the back-to-back incidents come against a backdrop of long-standing mutual suspicion. India has frequently accused Pakistan of supporting militants and providing safe haven for groups targeting Indian interests, per the Wall Street Journal . The Pakistani Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP) claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack in Islamabad, per the Guardian. However, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described an attack by "Indian proxy terrorist groups," per the Journal. India has not yet responded to the allegations. Speaking from Bhutan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to bring those behind the Delhi explosion to justice, telling the public, "The conspirators behind this will not be spared." If the New Delhi blast is confirmed as an attack, it would mark the city's deadliest such incident since 2011, when a bomb killed 15 people outside a courthouse. A father and daughter setting out to deliver aid to Jamaica died Monday morning when their plane crashed in Florida just five minutes after takeoff. Authorities say Alexander Wurm, 53, founder of the evangelical Christian ministry Ignite the Fire, and his daughter Serena, 22, were killed when their Beechcraft King Air went down in a lake in Coral Springs, north of Miami. The plane narrowly missed homes in a gated community, ripping through a backyard fence, per the Guardian. Surveillance footage showed it breaking apart on impact, per NBC News. Emergency crews responded quickly, but the operation soon shifted from rescue to recovery. Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High -27F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of snow after midnight. Low around -25F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 100%. 3 to 5 inches of snow expected. Retail Sales Growth of +15% Year-Over-Year Delivers Strong Free Cash Flow and Highlights Continued Outlier Performance VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 11, 2025 /CNW/ - C21 Investments Inc. (CSE: CXXI) (OTCQX: CXXIF) ("C21" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated cannabis company, today announced the filing of its interim financial statements and management discussion and analysis for its second quarter ending September 30, 2025, on SEDAR. The Company's financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). All currency is reported in U.S. dollars. Second Quarter Highlights (July 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025): Revenue of $8.5 million - up 13% year-over-year - driven by a 15% increase in same store sales, slightly offset by lower wholesale sales; State of Nevada sales were down 16% from the comparable period last year 1 Record number of retail transactions in the quarter with transaction volumes up 19% from last year Gross Margin of 50.4% - up 690 basis points year-over-year, fueled by a higher business mix of retail over wholesale, on slightly lower Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) Income from Operations of $1.2 million - up 300% from Q2 last year, driven by a $1.1 million increase in same store sales on relatively flat SG&A costs Net Income Before Tax of $0.6 million inclusive of the one-time $0.4 million charge from the previously announced EFF settlement (see news release dated September 4, 2025) Earnings (Loss) Per Share of ($0.00) - up from ($0.01) last year, primarily impacted by Income Tax provisions Adjusted EBITDA 2 of $2.2 million - up 71% from Q2 last year and +107% sequentially of $2.2 million - up 71% from Q2 last year and +107% sequentially Free Cash Flow2, before working capital changes and taxes, of $1.9 million up 88% year-over-year and +105% sequentially; Income Tax paid in Q2 of $0.5 million and $1.3 million year-to-date ______________________________ 1 State of Nevada cannabis sales: https://www.headset.io/markets/nevada 2 Refer to "Non-GAAP Measures" disclosure at the end of this news release for a description and calculation of these measures Q2 Management and Operational Commentary: CEO and President, Sonny Newman: "Our 15% growth in same store sales over Q2 last year, versus a 16% decline in state of Nevada sales, is a testament to the strength of our business model and ability to deliver outsized results in what remains a challenging market. We continue to expand our strong and loyal customer base as evidenced by the record number of retail transactions we reported this quarter. C21 shifted its revenue mix in Q2 to reduce wholesale exposure given credit quality challenges in the market. Bottom line, we delivered a substantial improvement in adjusted EBITDA and positive free cash flow, both sequentially and year-over-year. Given our strong performance and growth trajectory, we are confident in our ability to capture ongoing opportunities in the market and continue to deliver for our shareholders." Q2 revenue of $8.5 million was up 13% over the previous year, despite a 16% decline in Nevada sales over the comparative period1. Retail sales were up 15% year-over-year and 2% sequentially, which was offset by a decision to lower wholesale sales in the quarter. Gross Margin of 50.4% in the second quarter was up 690 basis points year-over-year, driven by $1.1 million higher same store sales on slightly lower Costs of Goods Sold. C21 reported Income from Operations of $1.2 million in the second quarter, up 300% from the previous Q2 and 400% sequentially, primarily due to higher retail sales and improved gross margin. SG&A costs were relatively flat year-over-year despite the $1.1 million increase in retail sales. The Company reported a Net Loss of $0.5 million in the second quarter, or ($0.00) per share, versus a Net Loss per share of ($0.01) in the previous second quarter. Q2's Net Loss was primarily due to Income Tax provisions. The Company generated $0.6 million Net Income Before Tax for Q2, inclusive of a one-time charge of $0.4 million related to the EFF settlement previously announced. Q2 Adjusted EBITDA2 was $2.2 million, up 71% from the previous year and 97% sequentially, driven by the increase in revenue, improved gross margins, and stable SG&A costs. Q2 Free Cash Flow2 before working capital changes was $1.9 million, up 105% sequentially and up 88% from the previous Q2. Cash at the end of Q2 was up slightly from Q1 notwithstanding $0.5 million in Income Tax paid, a $0.5 million one-time payment related to the EFF settlement, and $0.5 million debenture principal ($0.4 million in cash) retired, as well as a $0.6 million reduction in payables. Year-to-date, Income Tax paid was $1.3 million. Based on legal interpretations and opinions that challenge its tax liability under Section 280E Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Company has taken the position that it does not owe taxes attributable to the application of this Section of the Code. The Company refiled amended U.S. federal income tax returns for the years ended January 31, 2022, January 31, 2023, January 31, 2024, and the two months ended March 31, 2024. Management exercises significant judgment when assessing the probability of successfully sustaining the Company's tax filing positions, and in determining whether a contingent tax liability should be recorded and, if so, estimating the amount. See disclosure of Risk Factors in the MD&A. Non-GAAP Measures: C21 reports its financial results in accordance with GAAP and uses a number of financial measures when assessing its results and measuring overall performance. Some of these financial measures and ratios are not calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company refers to certain non-GAAP financial measures such as "Free Cash Flow", "Adjusted EBITDA" and "same store sales". These measures do not have any standardized meanings prescribed by GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The Company considers these measures to be an important indicator of the financial strength and performance of its business. The Company believes the adjusted results presented provide relevant and useful information for investors because they clarify the Company's actual operating performance, make it easier to compare the Company's results with those of other companies and allow investors to review performance in the same way as the management of the Company. Since these measures are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, the Company's reported results as indicators of the Company's performance, and they may not be comparable to similarly named measures from other companies. The tables below provide reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. "Free Cash Flow" is defined as Cash Provided by Operating Activities from Continuing Operations adding back income tax expense and before changes in working capital, minus capital expenditures. Management believes that Free Cash Flow, which measures our ability to generate cash from our continuing business operations, is an important financial measure for use in evaluating the Company's financial performance. Free Cash Flow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, consolidated net income as a measure of our performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. Q2 Free Cash Flow: Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Quarter Ended (except as noted) September 30, 2025 June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025 December 31, 2024 September 30, 2024 Cash Provided by Operating Activities before taxes and changes in working capital (continuing operations) $ 1,864,309 $ 942,348 $ 1,582,088 $ 1,726,751 $ 1,045,505 Purchase of Property and Equipment (9,900) (37,329) (31,434) (144,908) (60,731) Free Cash Flow $ 1,854,409 $ 905,019 $ 1,550,654 $ 1,581,843 $ 984,774 "Adjusted EBITDA" is defined as EBITDA (earnings before depreciation and amortization, depreciation and interest in cost of sales, income taxes, and interest) less accretion, loss from discontinued operations, one-time transaction costs and all other non-cash items. The Company has presented "Adjusted EBITDA" because its management believes it is a useful measure for investors when assessing and considering the Company's continuing operations and prospects for the future. Furthermore, "Adjusted EBITDA" is a commonly used measurement in the financial community when evaluating the market value of similar companies. Q2 Adjusted EBITDA: Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Sept 30, 2025 June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Sept 30, 2024 Net Income (Loss) $ (486,655) $(758,820) $(1,581,297) $(130,941) $ (845,132) Interest & accretion 156,321 180,598 196,905 231,358 238,531 Provision for Income Taxes 1,117,100 825,500 2,232,750 722,800 828,400 Depreciation and Amortization 444,582 445,616 445,042 445,992 435,456 Depreciation and Interest in COGS 203,092 203,092 203,091 - 406,184 EBITDA $ 1,434,440 $ 895,986 $ 1,496,491 $ 1,269,209 $ 1,063,439 Change in FV of derivative liability - - (52,257) - - Share based compensation 50,449 93,945 136,757 143,493 147,091 Loss (gain) from discontinued operations 4,983 1,861 51,712 49,663 85,714 One-time special project costs 289,911 118,770 70,000 - - Production curtailment, non-cash inventory adjustments - - - - - Other gain (loss) 436,599 (41,726) (10,602) 105,234 (927) Adjusted EBITDA $ 2,216,382 $1,068,836 $ 1,692,102 $ 1,567,599 $ 1,295,317 Q2 Balance Sheet Summary: (US$) September 30, 2025 March 31, 2025 Assets Cash 2,795,772 2,625,461 Inventory 4,767,492 4,051,425 Other current, note receivable, assets held for sale 1,327,238 827,229 Current Assets 8,890,502 7,504,115 Note receivable - 802,766 Fixed Assets/Goodwill/Intangibles 47,264,606 48,692,868 Total Assets 56,155,108 56,999,749 Liabilities Accounts payable 1,896,124 2,148,153 Convertible promissory notes - 1,156,259 Convertible Debentures (current portion) 1,161,852 977,817 Income taxes payable 1,998,859 2,833,991 Other, current lease, Settlement liability 2,116,305 1,997,082 Current Liabilities 7,173,140 7,957,043 Convertible Debentures 112,264 710,367 Lease liabilities 9,467,419 9,771,124 Uncertain tax position 11,300,529 9,822,797 Derivative liability, Deferred tax, Settlement liability 763,551 62,641 Total Liabilities 28,816,903 28,323,972 Shareholders' Equity 27,338,205 28,675,777 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 56,155,108 56,999,749 Q2 Summary Income Statement: Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 (US$) September 30, 2025 June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025 December 31, 2024 September 30, 2024 Revenue 8,470,292 8,553,373 8,105,512 7,907,812 7,508,547 Cost of Sales 4,201,818 5,569,382 4,477,048 4,272,868 4,243,714 Gross Profit 4,268,474 2,983,991 3,628,464 3,634,944 3,264,833 Gross Margin% 50 % 35 % 45 % 46 % 43 % Total Expenses 3,040,126 2,776,578 2,791,252 2,656,830 2,958,247 Income from Operations 1,228,348 207,413 837,212 978,114 306,586 Income Tax Expense (1,117,100) (825,500) (2,232,750) (722,800) (828,400) Net Income (Loss) (486,655) (755,098) (1,581,297) (130,941) (845,132) Earnings (Loss) Per Share (0.00) (0.01) (0.01) (0.00) (0.01) About C21 Investments Inc. C21 Investments Inc. is a vertically integrated cannabis company that cultivates, processes, and distributes quality cannabis and hemp-derived consumer products in the United States. The Company is focused on value creation through the disciplined acquisition and integration of core retail, manufacturing, and distribution assets in strategic markets, leveraging industry-leading retail revenues with high-growth potential multi-market branded consumer packaged goods. The Company owns Silver State Relief and Silver State Cultivation in Nevada, including legacy Oregon brands Phantom Farms, Hood Oil and Eco Firma Farms. These brands produce and distribute a broad range of THC and CBD products from cannabis flowers, pre-rolls, cannabis oil, vaporizer cartridges and edibles. Based in Vancouver, Canada, additional information on C21 can be found at www.sedarplus.com and www.cxxi.ca. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements: This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "Forward-Looking Statements"). Forward-Looking Statements in this news release include but are not limited to the Company's focus on actively pursuing additional accretive opportunities while maintaining its relentless focus on driving shareholder value and the Company's refiled amended U.S. federal income tax returns for the years ended January 31, 2022, January 31, 2023, January 31, 2024, and the two months ended March 31, 2024 in connection with the Company's position that it does not owe taxes attributable to the application of Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Such Forward-Looking Statements represent the Company's beliefs and expectations regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Forward-Looking Statements are based on assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management of the Company at the time they were provided or made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, including: achieving the anticipated results of the Company's strategic plans; and general economic, financial market, regulatory and political conditions in which the Company operates. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond the Company's control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the Forward-Looking Statements in this news release. Such factors include, without limitation: risks and uncertainties arising from: the inability to effectively manage growth; inputs, suppliers and skilled labour being unavailable or available only at uneconomic costs; the adequacy of the Company's capital resources and liquidity, including but not limited to, availability of sufficient cash flow to execute the Company's business plan (either within the expected timeframe or at all); changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable laws generally and adverse future legislative and regulatory developments involving medical and recreational marijuana; the risks of operating in the marijuana industry in the United States, risks associated with the Company's position that it does not owe taxes attributable to the application of Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and those other risk factors discussed in the Company's 20F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Company's latest annual information form and management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such Forward-Looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. Should assumptions underlying the Forward-Looking Statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Forward-Looking Statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company does not undertake to update any Forward-Looking Statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE C21 Investments Inc. For further inquiries, please contact: Investor contact: Investor Relations, [email protected], +1 833 289-2994; Company contact: Michael Kidd, Chief Financial Officer and Director, [email protected] GANDER, NL, Nov. 10, 2025 /CNW/ - The world is increasingly dangerous and divided. Changes in the global trading system are causing massive disruptions and uncertainty for Canadians. The world has changed, and Canada's economic strategy must change. Budget 2025: Canada Strong is our plan to transform our economy from one that is reliant on a single trade partner to one that is stronger, more self-sufficient, and more resilient to global shocks. This budget is a plan to enable $1 trillion in investments over the next five years. This is a plan for Canada to give ourselves more than any foreign government can take away a plan to build Canada strong. Central to our strategy is Buying Canadian and becoming our own best customer using more Canadian steel, aluminum, lumber, and other Canadian materials, products, technologies, and services to build Canada strong. Today, while in Gander touring the new cold storage facility under construction at Gander International Airport, Minister Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, outlined nearly $186 million in new funding from the budget to fully implement the Buy Canadian Policy. The new funding includes: $98.2 million over five years and $9.8 million ongoing to Public Services and Procurement Canada, as well as $7.7 million over three years to the Treasury Board Secretariat, to fully implement the Buy Canadian Policy across all federal departments, agencies, and Crown corporations. When domestic suppliers are not available, contracts will still be required to include Canadian content and be sourced from trusted trading partners. When domestic suppliers are not available, contracts will still be required to include Canadian content and be sourced from trusted trading partners. $ 79.9 million over five years to help launch the Small and Medium Business Procurement Program. The program will provide specialised, streamlined support for Canadian small and medium-sized businesses trying to break into the federal market. This will improve competition for federal contracts, strengthen local supply chains, and build our industries from construction to energy, technology, and clean manufacturing. The Buy Canadian Policy will extend to infrastructure spending and other federal funding streams, ensuring that as much as $70 billion in additional public investment supports Canadian-made products and services. More of every public dollar will go right into the Canadian economy, creating Canadian careers, using Canadian resources, and benefiting Canadian communities. The Buy Canadian Policy will apply to the work of the Major Projects Office to fast-track transformative energy, trade, and transportation projects across the country, Build Canada Homes to supercharge housing construction, the Defence Investment Agency to scale up our industrial base, and the Build Communities Strong Fund to revitalise community infrastructure, from universities, colleges, and hospitals to bridges and recreation centres. The past year has revealed there were limits to Canada's economic independence. Budget 2025 is tackling that challenge head-on. It is our plan to take control and build the future we want for ourselves. It is our plan to build Canada Strong. Quotes "When Newfoundland and Labrador can more easily sell within Canada, that's not just good for our province, that's going to help us build an even stronger country. After touring the new cold storage facility at Gander Airport today, I'm proud of the Buy Canadian Policy, which will strengthen our supply chains to make it easier for Canadians to choose Canadian products and services. This is keeping more value here at home and strengthening the cold chain that supports good jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador." The Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries Quick facts The Buy Canadian Policy was first announced as part of a broader suite of strategic measures to support Canadian workers and businesses in sectors most impacted by U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions. As part of that announcement, the government committed to setting up a Small and Medium Business Procurement Program to help Canadian SMEs access federal procurement opportunities. This close to $9.7 million total project will allow the Gander International Airport Authority Inc. to build a seafood storage facility that will be equipped with water treatment systems, sea water storage tanks, cold/chilled storage, and blast freezers. It will be able to store up to 75 tonnes of fresh or live seafood and will allow for rapid offloading of delivered cargo from shippers and producers. Associated links Stay Connected Follow Fisheries and Oceans Canada on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada Contacts: John Fragos, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, [email protected]; Media Relations, Department of Finance Canada, [email protected], 613-369-4000; Ira Khedkar, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, [email protected]; Media Relations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 613-990-7537, [email protected] TORONTO , Nov. 10, 2025 /CNW/ - TERAGO Inc. ("TERAGO" or the "Company") (TSX: TGO) (https://terago.ca/), Canada's largest mmWave spectrum holder (91% of spectrum held) and a leading provider of Managed Fixed Wireless Internet, 5G Private Wireless Networks and SD-WAN solutions today reported financial and operating results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2025. All figures reported in this release are in thousands of Canadian dollars. "TERAGO continued to execute with discipline, focusing on our customers, operational efficiency, and positioning the business for the future," said Daniel Vucinic, CEO of TERAGO. "Following quarter-end, we successfully completed a transformative series of financing transactions including new term debt and equity financings that have strengthened our capital structure and provided the flexibility to pursue growth opportunities across 5G private wireless and next generation fixed-wireless connectivity. With this stronger foundation, we remain focused on execution and creating long-term value for our stakeholders." Selected Financial Highlights and Key Developments Total revenue decreased for quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2025 by 2.2% to $6,398 and by 2.2% to $19,156 respectively, compared to $6,544 and $19,593 in the same periods in 2024. The decrease was primarily driven by increased churn 1 , stemming from management's continued initiatives to optimize the customer base by discontinuing service to unprofitable accounts. This was partially offset by increase in revenue from new customers in the current period. , stemming from management's continued initiatives to optimize the customer base by discontinuing service to unprofitable accounts. This was partially offset by increase in revenue from new customers in the current period. Adjusted EBITDA 1,2 for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 increased by 2.9% to $971 as compared to an Adjusted EBITDA 1,2 of $944 for the comparative period in 2024. For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, Adjusted EBITDA 1,2 increased by 3.2% to $2,906 as compared to an Adjusted EBITDA 1,2 of $2,815 for the same period in 2024. This increase was a result of higher gross margin 1 and lower salaries and operating expenses in the current period compared to same period in the prior year. for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 increased by 2.9% to $971 as compared to an Adjusted EBITDA of $944 for the comparative period in 2024. For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, Adjusted EBITDA increased by 3.2% to $2,906 as compared to an Adjusted EBITDA of $2,815 for the same period in 2024. This increase was a result of higher gross margin and lower salaries and operating expenses in the current period compared to same period in the prior year. Net loss for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $2,368 or $(0.12) per share (basic and diluted) and $10,160 or $(0.51) per share (basic and diluted) respectively, compared to a loss of $3,338 or $(0.17) per share (basic and diluted) and $10,097 or $(0.51) per share (basic and diluted), respectively in the same period in 2024. ARPA 1 for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 increased by1.6% to $1,241 compared to $1,221 for the same period in 2024. For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, ARPA 1 increased by 3.3% to $1,233 compared to $1,193 for the same period in 2024. The increase in ARPA 1 was a result of the Company's ongoing focus to attract mid-market and large-scale, predominantly multi-location customers and changes in the product mix. for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 increased by1.6% to $1,241 compared to $1,221 for the same period in 2024. For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, ARPA increased by 3.3% to $1,233 compared to $1,193 for the same period in 2024. The increase in ARPA was a result of the Company's ongoing focus to attract mid-market and large-scale, predominantly multi-location customers and changes in the product mix. Churn 1 for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2025 was higher at 1.0% compared to 0.9% for the same periods in 2024. The increase in customer churn 1 was due to the continued execution of the Company's value creation strategy to focus on mid-market and enterprise customers, as well as implementing new strategies in regard to customer renewals and retention. The marginal increase in customer churn 1 was primarily driven by management's continued initiatives to optimize the customer base by discontinuing service to unprofitable accounts, partially offset by increase in revenue from new customers in the current year period. The Company continues to review, modify and improve its customer experience practices with a focus on reducing customer churn 1 . for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2025 was higher at 1.0% compared to 0.9% for the same periods in 2024. The increase in customer churn was due to the continued execution of the Company's value creation strategy to focus on mid-market and enterprise customers, as well as implementing new strategies in regard to customer renewals and retention. The marginal increase in customer churn was primarily driven by management's continued initiatives to optimize the customer base by discontinuing service to unprofitable accounts, partially offset by increase in revenue from new customers in the current year period. The Company continues to review, modify and improve its customer experience practices with a focus on reducing customer churn . Backlog MRR1 in the connectivity business decreased year over year to $95,832 as of September 30, 2025, compared to $114,136 for the same period in 2024. The decrease in backlog MRR1 was a result of increased order installations, partially offset by decreased bookings in the current year period. Subsequent Events On October 16, 2025, the Company completed a series of recapitalization transactions totaling approximately $46 million, consisting of equity financings and a new 36-month senior secured term-loan facility with Cymbria Corporation as lender and EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. as administrative and collateral agent. Proceeds from the new facility were used to repay the Company's previous credit facility in full, and the concurrent equity financings increased the Company's available cash resources. On October 21, 2025, the facility was syndicated by the administrative agent to additional lenders, and 2,053,411 common-share purchase warrants were issued on a pro rata basis among the participating lenders. These transactions strengthened TERAGO's balance sheet and provide the financial flexibility to support ongoing operations and future growth initiatives. _____________________________ (1) See " Non-IFRS Measures" (2) See "Adjusted EBITDA" for a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA. The Company also announced that Fadi Joseph, Vice President, Sales and Marketing departed TERAGO effective November 7, 2025. The Company thanks Mr. Joseph for his contributions and wishes him continued success in his future endeavors. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Comparison of the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 (In thousands of dollars, except with respect to gross profit margin1, earnings per share1, Backlog MRR1, and ARPA1) (in thousands of dollars, unaudited) Quarter ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30 2025 2024 % Chg 2025 2024 % Chg Financial Total Revenue $ 6,398 6,544 (2.2) $ 19,156 19,593 (2.2) Cost of Services1 $ 1,670 1,751 (4.6) $ 5,005 5,278 (5.2) Gross Profit Margin1 73.9 % 73.2 % 0.9 73.9 % 73.1 % 1.1 Salaries and Related Costs1 $ 2,494 2,652 (6.0) $ 7,726 7,895 (2.1) Other Operating Expenses1 $ 1,263 1,197 5.5 $ 3,519 3,605 (2.4) Adjusted EBITDA1,2 $ 971 944 2.9 $ 2,906 2,815 3.2 Net Loss $ (2,368) (3,338) (29.1) $ (10,160) (10,097) 0.6 Basic & diluted loss per share $ (0.12) (0.17) (29.5) $ (0.51) (0.51) (0.1) Quarter ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30 2025 2024 % Chg 2025 2024 % Chg Operating Backlog MRR1 Connectivity $ 95,832 114,136 -16 % $ 95,832 114,136 -16 % Churn Rate1 Connectivity 1.0 % 0.9 % 1.0 % 0.9 % ARPA1 Connectivity $ 1,241 1,221 1.6 % $ 1,233 1,193 3.3 % Conference Call Management will host a conference call on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET to discuss these results. To access the conference call, please dial 888-506-0062 or 973-528-0011 and use conference ID 420429 if applicable. Please call the conference telephone number 15 minutes prior to the start time so that you are in the queue for an operator to assist in registering and patching you through. A replay of the conference call will be available through Tuesday, November 25, 2025 and can be accessed by dialing 877-481-4010 or 919-882-2331 and using passcode 53174#. A reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA1 is found below and in the MD&A for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2025. Adjusted EBITDA1 does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS/GAAP. TERAGO's method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA1 may differ from other issuers and, accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA1 may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The table below reconciles net loss to Adjusted EBITDA1,2 for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024. (in thousands of dollars, unaudited) Quarter ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30 2025 2024 2025 2024 Adjusted EBITDA 1 $ 971 944 $ 2,906 2,815 Deduct: Depreciation of network assets, property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets 2,293 2,403 6,940 7,242 Stock-based compensation expense 159 213 638 627 Restructuring and other costs - - 332 636 Loss from operations (1,481) (1,672) (5,004) (5,690) Add/deduct: Gain from sale of assets (1,351) - (1,351) - Foreign exchange (gain) loss 32 (39) 3 (35) Finance costs 2,214 1,743 6,550 4,564 Finance income (8) (38) (46) (122) Net loss for the period $ (2,368) (3,338) $ (10,160) (10,097) _____________________________ (1) See " Non-IFRS Measures" (1) Non-IFRS Measures This press release contains references to "Cost of Services", "Gross Profit Margin", Salaries and Related Costs", "Other Operating Expenses", "Adjusted EBITDA", "Backlog MRR", "Churn" and "ARPA" which are not measures prescribed by IFRS Accounting Standards ("IFRS"). Cost of Services consists of expenses related to delivering service to customers and servicing the operations of our networks. These expenses include costs for the lease of intercity facilities to connect our cities, internet transit and peering costs paid to other carriers, network real estate lease expense, spectrum lease expenses, salaries and related costs of staff directly associated with the cost of services. Gross Profit Margin % consists of gross profit margin divided by revenue where gross profit margin is revenue less cost of services. Salaries and related costs includes regular payroll related expenses, commissions and consulting fees. All share based compensation, restructuring, other related costs are excluded from Salaries and related costs. Other operating expenses includes sales commission expense, advertising and marketing expenses, travel expenses, administrative expenses including insurance and professional fees, communication expenses, maintenance expenses and rent expenses for office facilities. All restructuring and other related costs are excluded from other operating expenses. Adjusted EBITDA - The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is useful additional information to management, the Board and investors as it provides an indication of the operational results generated by its business activities prior to taking into consideration how those activities are financed and taxed and also prior to taking into consideration asset depreciation and amortization and it excludes items that could affect the comparability of our operational results and could potentially alter the trends analysis in business performance. Excluding these items does not necessarily imply they are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual. Adjusted EBITDA is also used by some investors and analysts for the purpose of valuing a company. The Company calculates Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before deducting interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, foreign exchange gain or loss, finance costs, finance income, gain or loss on disposal of network assets, property and equipment, impairment of property, plant & equipment and intangible assets, stock-based compensation and restructuring costs. Investors are cautioned that Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to operating earnings (losses), or net earnings (losses) determined in accordance with IFRS as an indicator of our financial performance or as a measure of our liquidity and cash flows. Adjusted EBITDA does not take into account the impact of working capital changes, capital expenditures, debt principal reductions and other sources and uses of cash, which are disclosed in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Backlog MRR - The term "Backlog MRR" is a measure of contracted monthly recurring revenue (MRR) from customers that have not yet been provisioned. The Company believes backlog MRR is useful additional information as it provides an indication of future revenue. Backlog MRR is not a recognized measure under IFRS and may not translate into future revenue, and accordingly, investors are cautioned in using it. The Company calculates backlog MRR by summing the MRR of new customer contracts and upgrades that are signed but not yet provisioned, as at the end of the period. TERAGO's method of calculating backlog MRR may differ from other issuers and, accordingly, backlog MRR may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. ARPA - The term "ARPA" refers to the Company's average revenue per account per month in the period. The Company believes that ARPA is useful supplemental information as it provides an indication of our revenue from an individual customer on a per month basis. ARPA is not a recognized measure under IFRS and, accordingly, investors are cautioned that ARPA should not be construed as an alternative to revenue determined in accordance with IFRS as an indicator of our financial performance. The Company calculates ARPA by dividing our total revenue before revenue from early terminations by the number of customers in service during the period and we express ARPA as a rate per month. TERAGO's method of calculating ARPA has changed from the Company's past disclosures to exclude revenue from early termination fees, where ARPA was previously calculated as revenue divided by the number of customers in service during the period. TERAGO's method may differ from other issuers, and accordingly, ARPA may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Churn - The term "churn" or "churn rate" is a measure, expressed as a percentage, of customer cancellations in a particular month. The Company calculates churn by dividing the number of customer cancellations during a month by the total number of customers at the end of the month before cancellations. The information is presented as the average monthly churn rate during the period. The Company believes that the churn rate is useful supplemental information as it provides an indication of future revenue decline and is a measure of how well the business is able to renew and keep existing customers on their existing service offerings. Churn and churn rate are not recognized measures under IFRS and, accordingly, investors are cautioned in using it. TERAGO's method of calculating churn and churn rate may differ from other issuers and, accordingly, churn may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. About TERAGO TERAGO provides managed network and security services to businesses across Canada ensuring highly secure, reliable, and redundant connectivity including private 5G wireless networks, Fixed Wireless access, fiber, and cable wireline network connectivity. As Canada's biggest mmWave spectrum holders, the Company possesses spectrum licenses in the 24 GHz and 38 GHz spectrum bands, which it utilizes to provide secure, dedicated SLA guaranteed enterprise grade performance that is technology diverse from buried cables ensuring high availability connectivity services. TERAGO serves Canadian and Global businesses operating in major markets across Canada, including Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Ottawa and Winnipeg, and has been providing wireless services since 1999. For more information about TERAGO and its suite of wireless internet and SD-WAN solutions, please visit www.terago.ca. Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond TERAGO's control. Forward-looking statements may include but are not limited to statements regarding, the increasing importance of the mmWave spectrum, the progress of the ISED mmWave consultation, and having sufficient capital to support its growth strategy, consistently executing across all fronts of the business, success in providing Canadian enterprises with managed services and the 5G fixed wireless trials being conducted by the Company. All such statements constitute "forward-looking information" as defined under, applicable Canadian securities laws. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts constitute forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements reflect the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those risks set forth in the "Risk Factors" section in the Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024 and risks set forth in the "Financial Risk Management" section in the annual MD&A of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2024 available on www.sedarplus.ca and under the Company's corporate profile. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially include the inability to consistently achieve sales growth across all lines of TERAGO's business including managed services, inability to complete successful 5G technical trials, the results of the 5G trials not being satisfactory to TERAGO or any of its technology partners, regulatory requirements may delay or inhibit the trial, the economic viability of any potential services that may result from the trial, the ability for TERAGO to further finance and support any new market opportunities that may present itself, delays with the ISED mmWave spectrum consultation, and industry competitors who may have superior technology or are quicker to take advantage of 5G technology. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as several factors could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed with the forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by applicable Canadian securities laws, TERAGO does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether in words, oral or written as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE TeraGo Inc. For further information, please contact: Investor Relations, [email protected] By Elnur Enveroglu Ahmad al-Sharaas pilgrimage to Washington and the concurrent, temporary easing of US sanctions mark a dramatic inflection point in Syrias post-2011 trajectory. The meeting at the White House, given that it was itself historic, as no Syrian head of state had visited Washington previously, both symbolizes and accelerates Damascuss rapid diplomatic rehabilitation. The US Treasurys decision to suspend the imposition of certain Caesar Act measures for 180 days significantly reduces the economic and political costs of re-engagement, providing Moscows rivals with a brief window to shift the balance of influence within Syria. To understand the strategic significance of that pivot, it helps to recall Syrias recent history under Bashar al-Assad and the depth of MoscowDamascus entanglement. Under Assad, Syria became a reliable client of Russia: Moscow supplied arms, provided decisive military intervention from 2015 onwards, and established permanent dual facilities, the naval logistics point at Tartus and the Khmeimim air base in Latakia, that guaranteed sustained Russian access to the eastern Mediterranean. That relationship was transactional and profound: Russia rescued a regime under existential threat, and in return extracted geopolitical leverage and a foothold for power projection. Al-Sharaas ascent from insurgent commander to president after the fall of Assad represents an upheaval of that post-2015 order. Although his past as a rebel and militia leader complicates Western acceptance, his removal from the US terrorism blacklist and the lifting of UN sanctions have opened diplomatic space that simply did not exist under Assad. Those moves are not simply symbolic: sanctions relief facilitates investment, reconstruction contracts, and diplomatic normalisation, all levers that Washington can use to draw Syria into a different orbit. If Washington genuinely welcomes and invests in al-Sharaas interim government, the immediate strategic consequence will be to erode Moscows monopoly of influence. Russias bases will remain a powerful bargaining chip. Moscow has in the past negotiated to retain Tartus and Khmeimim even while conceding other losses, but American economic incentives and political recognition can reduce the Kremlins relative indispensability. In practice, this is unlikely to be a clean subtraction of Russian power; rather, it will create a multipolar competition for influence in which Moscows military footprint becomes necessary but no longer sufficient to determine Syrian strategy. This rebalancing has implications across Syrias regional relationships. With Israel, Washingtons rapprochement provides added assurance to Jerusalem. Israels primary strategic concern is preventing a permanent hostile foothold in southern Syria, notably the transfer of advanced weaponry to anti-Israeli proxies. US engagement could lead to formalised security guarantees or monitoring mechanisms that reduce Israeli incentives for unilateral strikes, while making Syria a more predictable interlocutor. However, any Israeli comfort will depend on verifiable demilitarisation of certain zones and on guarantees that Russia (if present militarily) will not obstruct Israeli self-defence. The coexistence of Russian bases and renewed US influence will thus require intricate, tripartite de-confliction. Turkiyes relationship with Damascus will also be recalibrated. Ankara has long balanced between kinetic operations in northern Syria, a wary accommodation with Russia, and a transactional relationship with Kurdish forces. A Syrian government normalising with Washington could be an opportunity for Ankara to negotiate security guarantees in the border provinces and to secure a role in reconstruction contracts, provided Ankaras core red lines (notably the containment of Kurdish autonomy on its border) are addressed. Conversely, if Ankara feels sidelined by a US-Syria detente that neglects Turkish security concerns, it could resume assertive cross-border measures or deepen ties with other regional partners to hedge its risk. The political skill will be to fold Turkish security requirements into any US-backed reconstruction and stabilisation architecture. For Russia, the new normal would be that it keeps valuable military facilities and retains influence through military advisers, arms sales, and private military contractors, but loses the exclusive patronage that translated into broad political control. Moscow will likely pursue a pragmatic compromise: insist on formal protections for its bases while negotiating guarantees for its economic and military contractors, and demand payment or legal assurances for leaving. If Washington is willing to recognise those interests (for instance by tacitly guaranteeing Russias bases in exchange for Moscow abstaining from obstructing reconstruction finance), the Kremlin may accept a reduced role. But if Moscow perceives a strategic squeeze, especially if US reconstruction money corrodes Russian commercial interests, Moscow could respond by hardening its military posture or by leveraging other regional partners to complicate normalisation. Three scenarios crystallise. First, a managed integration: Washingtons sanctions relief is sequenced, conditional, and paired with international reconstruction finance; Russia keeps its bases but accepts a reduced political role; Turkeys security concerns are written into an international guarantee; Israel secures de-confliction and weapons restrictions. This would stabilise Syria and open reconstruction, but requires exceptional diplomatic choreography. Second, a competitive tug-of-war: the US and Russia both press for economic and security concessions, resulting in a fragmented Syria where external patrons carve spheres of influence and domestic reconciliation stalls. Third, a backlash scenario: Moscow resists accommodation, using military presence and proxy networks to frustrate US projects; Turkiye acts unilaterally; Israel conducts strikes; and Syria relapses into episodic conflict. The likelihood of each outcome will hinge on the scale and speed of Western financial commitments and on Moscows assessment of its ability to extract compensations. Ultimately, Syrias new orientation towards Washington offers both opportunity and peril. If Washington can translate diplomatic gestures into credible reconstruction finance, security guarantees, and inclusive political arrangements, Syria might shift from a Russian client state to a more pluralised geopolitical actor, anchored by Western economic ties. But durable peace will depend on accommodating the legitimate security interests of Israel and Turkiye, managing Russias military presence without provoking escalation, and building Syrian state institutions capable of absorbing aid without immediate capture by narrow political factions. The coming months, shaped by Washingtons policy choices and Moscows counter-moves, will determine whether al-Sharaas visit is the opening of a new chapter or merely a temporary realignment in a longer struggle for influence. ------ Below are the sources that have been referenced. 1 - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/10/ahmed-al-sharaa-meets-trump-as-us-extends-syria-sanctions-relief?utm_source=chatgpt.com 2 - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/29/rebel-leader-ahmad-al-sharaa-made-transitional-president-of-syria?utm_source=chatgpt.com 3 - https://russiapost.info/politics/u-turn_in_syria?utm_source=chatgpt.com 4 - https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrian-president-will-visit-white-house-early-november-foreign-minister-says-2025-11-02/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 5 - https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-partially-suspends-caesar-act-sanctions-on-syria-for-180-days/3740199?utm_source=chatgpt.com The restaurant at 18 MacArthur Blvd. in Somers Point opened on Oct. 11, 2011. Stephanie Loder The family-owned Windjammer Cafe Bar & Grill closed abruptly Sunday night after serving the Somers Point community for more than 13 years. Owner Steve Tiniakos sold the property and retired, officials told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday. The restaurant at 18 MacArthur Blvd. opened on Oct. 11, 2011, in a space that was formerly a TGI Fridays and became a favorite spot for locals and tourists, with its location near the bridge to Ocean City. The restaurant at 18 MacArthur Blvd. in Somers Point opened on Oct. 11, 2011, in a space that was formerly a T.G.I. Fridays and became a locals and tourist favorite. Stephanie Loder Tiniakos, 59, arrived in the United States from Athens, Greece, in 1972 with no restaurant experience, according to the Windjammer website. Relatives got him a job at a family diner when he was 21, and he started as a dishwasher before working his way up to cook, chef, manager, and owner. After working at nearby Shore Diner, Tiniakos opened the Windjammer as a family operation. His wife Virginia, 54, and sons Stratis, 26, and Dimitri Jimmy Tiniakos, 25, worked at the restaurant alongside him. The future of the restaurant site in a prime spot a short walk from the marina district is unclear. Pleasantville paid its former business administrator over $165,000 in sick leave and severance to which she was not entitled after vacating her position last year, an investigation by the New Jersey State Comptroller found. The city, about six miles west of Atlantic City, is now asked to collect that money and end payout policies that New Jersey officials say result in wasteful payments. The findings stem from an investigation into Pleasantvilles entitlement practices for municipal employees. In 2023, Pleasantville authorized over $2 million in emergency appropriations for the purpose of funding the payment of contractually required severance liabilities resulting from the retirement of existing city employees. The state comptrollers office also suggested state lawmakers propose new bills that would allow sick leave and severance payments from being abused in the future. Those proposals should consider clauses mandating that municipalities recover money paid out through flawed retirement policies. Pleasantville Mayor Judy Ward did not immediately return an emailed request by NJ Advance Media for comment. The states report does not name the former business administrator, but it states the position was vacated in 2024. The former business administrator began working in the role in 2011, after serving as a clerk since 1999, according to the comptrollers report. The office found that the former administrator voluntarily left the position to take a role with the state government, which kept her in New Jerseys pension system. State law caps payments for unused sick leave $15,000 for some senior-level employees who retire. However, since the former business administrator remained in the system and did not retire from it, Pleasantville paid her $83,986 in accumulated sick leave, the report states. New Jersey officials advised Pleasantville to reclaim the money and institute policy changes to prevent future occurrences. Given her 25 years of service to the city in various roles, it is understandable that she might consider her decision to leave the city to fall under the category of retirement as a general concept, reads a letter from Jane C. Schuster, director of the comptrollers investigation division. But since she did not officially retire from a state-administered pension system, and instead started a new job for the state and kept paying into that pension system, she was not entitled to the sick leave payment under the 2007 law. The comptroller also noted flaws in Pleasantvilles severance policy, which pays workers who retire or resign. Severance is typically paid when employers conduct mass layoffs, but Pleasantvilles policy, however, doles out payments to voluntarily departing workers, some of whom were only employed for as little as five years, the report states. The former administrator earned $81,737 through the policy, which the comptroller called unnecessary, wasteful, and ripe for fraud and abuse, the report states. While not technically illegal, the citys severance policy essentially amounts to little more than large bonuses to be paid to employees who voluntarily leave their jobs, Schusters letter states. Also, with respect to the BA role in particular, the policy is counterproductive on its face, essentially incentivizing turnover of experienced employees. The men allegedly stole 11 vehicles and attempted to take four others. Canva Illustration for NJ.com Four men have been indicted in an auto theft and home invasion ring in South Jersey, the state Attorney Generals Office said. Tyree Payton, 25, of Clementon; Israel Ortiz, 23, of Sewell; Jeremiah Lugo, 19, of Clementon; and Sakie Smith, 30, of Philadelphia, are accused of breaking into homes to steal key fobs and using them to steal luxury vehicles and other items, officials said. The men allegedly stole 11 vehicles and attempted to take four others between March 15 and May 23 in Burlington County and surrounding areas, the Office of the Attorney General said. In some cases, they targeted unlocked vehicles parked in driveways, sometimes with the keys still inside, according to officials. In addition to stealing high-end luxury vehicles, these defendants are charged with stealing credit cards, motorcycles, a scooter, a trailer literally anything they could get their hands on, said Theresa L. Hilton, director of the state Division of Criminal Justice. The men faced a 61-count indictment last month on charges including home invasion burglary, conspiracy, auto theft, receiving stolen motor vehicles, burglary and credit card theft. In one incident on April 27, the men allegedly tried to steal a BMW from a home in Moorestown but fled when the homeowner came outside. Moments later, they returned and stole the car from the garage, with one assailant armed with what appeared to be a firearm, officials said. Days prior, they allegedly stole an Alfa Romeo from a home in Medford on April 23 and used credit cards from the vehicle hours later, the Office of the Attorney General said. Organized theft rings like this one erode the sense of safety in our communities and violate the sanctity of peoples homes, said Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw. These charges send a clear message that those who prey on others for profit will be held fully accountable. We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle criminal networks, protect residents and ensure justice for victims. The investigation was conducted by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, the Burlington County Prosecutors Office and various local police departments, officials said. The Moorestown location at 16 E. Main St. is not yet officially open, but the company hopes to offer the community a first look during the anniversary weekend. King's Road Brewing Kings Road Brewing Company will mark its eighth anniversary from Saturday, Dec. 20 through Monday, Dec. 22 with celebrations across all three of its New Jersey locations including a preview of its newest brewery in Moorestown. The Moorestown location at 16 E. Main St. is not yet officially open, but the company hopes to offer the community a first look during the anniversary weekend. The new tasting room will occupy a space known as the library on the first floor of the historic Community House on Main Street. The room served as Moorestowns public library from 1927 to 1975. King's Road Brewing On Dec. 22, the brewery marks the anniversary of Kings Roads original Haddonfield opening in 2017. The new tasting room will occupy a space known as the library on the first floor of the historic Community House on Main Street. The room served as Moorestowns public library from 1927 to 1975. Many of the original book stacks remain, extending from the catwalk to the second-floor ceiling. The books arent going anywhere, said Bob Hochgertel, owner and managing director of Kings Road Brewing Company in a news statement. The library is a stunning, one-of-a-kind setting. Weve always believed in preserving the character and history of the buildings we call home. When guests walk in, theyll know the room immediately its the same beloved space Moorestown has known for nearly a century," he said. The brewerys production facility will be located on the lower level beneath the library. That space is currently under construction and awaiting permitting. The Moorestown location will officially open to the public once the brewing system is operational and production has begun. Kings Road will release a limited eighth anniversary pre-prohibition-style lager to commemorate the milestone. The anniversary weekend is expected to feature the beer release, commemorative T-shirts and glassware, live music, cake, and taproom activities. The brewery also operates locations at 131 Kings Hwy. in Haddonfield and 67 N. Main St. in Medford. Founded in 2016, Kings Road Brewing Company focuses on brewing craft beer and fostering community connections. The average N.J. resident saw half of their property taxes go to schools last year. Canva Illustration New Jersey residents paid more than $18 billion in school taxes last year a $500 million increase from the year before as overall property taxes continued to rise, according to an NJ Advance Media analysis of state data. School taxes, which are used to fund a communitys public schools, are usually the largest portion of residents property tax bills in New Jersey. About half of the states average $10,000 property tax bill went to funding local schools last year, with some districts charging much higher tabs than others. (See the highest average bills in the chart below.) Demarest in Bergen County and Mountain Lakes in Morris County had the highest average school taxes in 2024. The pair of small, wealthy towns are the only two statewide that topped $16,000 for the average amount homeowners paid in school taxes. In Demarest, residents paid, on average, $24,736 in property taxes, including $16,220 in school taxes. In Mountain Lakes, the average resident paid $22,996 in property taxes, including $16,179 in school taxes, according to state data. There were 47 towns where the average school tax amount was over $10,000 a year. Shamong Township in Burlington County had the highest percentage of its property taxes allocated to schools, with 80% of all taxes levied going toward schools. The small town has a local district that serves kindergarten through eighth grade, and sends older students to the regional high school district. In 22 towns, school taxes accounted for more than 70% of an average property tax bill. Cant see the chart? Click here. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch. Police arrested a 21-year-old Rider University student they say threatened several people with a knife inside a dorm Monday afternoon, police said. Alex Theis, 21, of Delran, is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, and various weapon offenses, according to a statement from the Lawrence Police Department. The university said Theis is a student, but did not elaborate. Investigating police officers found Theis confronted several other people inside Poyda Dormitory on campus while threateningly holding a knife, the police department said. When police received the report about the confrontation around 1:48 p.m., Rider University officials placed the campus under a shelter-in-place order, authorities said. Officers responded to the scene, met with Rider University Public Safety officers and began securing the area while searching for Theis, investigators said. Shortly thereafter, officers found him on campus near the university library, arrested him and lifted the shelter-in-place, police said. Nobody was injured during the incident and detectives said they determined that there is no ongoing threat to the campus or the surrounding community. Anyone with additional information was asked to contact Lawrence Detective Suzanne Girard at 609-844-7124 or sgirard@lawrencetwp.com. Editors Note: This story had been updated to reflect the suspects status as a university student. Authorities asked for the public's help identifying an e-bike rider that eluded police at over 50 mph. Courtesy of Manasquan Police Department Police in Manasquan are asking for the publics help in identifying a person on an e-bike who eluded police while riding at speeds of more than 50 mph, authorities said. On Wednesday, police attempted to stop the person after observing them run a red light, authorities said in a Facebook post. The person pulled away from officers, traveling at over 50 mph down East Main Street, police said. This isnt the first time Manasquan police have dealt with people recklessly operating e-bikes on local roads. In September, a Monmouth County juvenile had their drivers license suspended for a series of traffic infractions on an e-bike in Manasquan, Spring Lake and Bay Head earlier this year. E-bikes have become an increasingly urgent issue for towns across New Jersey as they are more ubiquitous on the states roadways. State legislators have passed laws regulating and classifying the types of e-bikes on New Jersey roads while also increasing education on how to safely operate e-bikes. Meanwhile, local officials have also passed ordinances to try and rein in how e-bikes are used in their towns. Class 1 and 2 e-bikes dont currently require licensing and registration, but class 3 e-bikes, the fastest type of bike, do require licensing and insurance. The state limits consumer e-bikes to those with a maximum speed of 25 mph, but officials have struggled to prevent faster e-bikes, ones that can exceed 50 mph, from reaching the general public. Several teenagers have been killed this year on e-bikes in New Jersey, including a 14-year-old who died in Somers Point after being hit by a car and a 13-year-old hit by a landscaping truck in Scotch Plains. A former Monmouth County special education teacher found not guilty of inappropriately touching a 14-year-old student is again suing the girls family and school officials. Jenna Sciabica left her position at Marlboro Memorial Middle School last year after being charged with harassment-offensive touching following a month-long investigation. The charge stemmed from an in-school interaction with a female student, where she was accused of touching the girls chest in a hallway between classes. The case caught the publics attention when the students parents aired the accusation at a Marlboro board of education meeting. Sciabica was later found not guilty of the charge, a petty disorderly offense, after prosecutors determined a criminal sexual act was not committed. Shortly after, the ex-teacher filed a civil suit in Monmouth County Superior Court, on defamation claims against school staff and over a dozen people who made claims about the encounter on social media. A year after being acquitted, Sciabica filed a second suit, this time in U.S. District Court, under the Civil Rights Act. The lawsuit, which names 30 defendants, including a teacher who allegedly saw the encounter, seeks damages, including front and back pay and to have her pension benefits restored. The lawsuit argues the event and resulting charges violated Sciabicas civil rights protections. Sciabica began working at the district in 2008. Ms. Sciabica was presumed guilty by the angry mob, denied a fair investigation by township authorities, and her career and reputation devastated, said her attorney, Jonathan B. Behrins. We will hold accountable those who tried to cancel Jenna. Sciabicas first lawsuit was a cross claim to a complaint filed last year by the students family. The initial lawsuit remains ongoing in Superior Court, records show. The new lawsuit guarantees Sciabicas litigation continues if a judge orders the Superior Court claims closed, Behrins told NJ Advance Media on Friday. Michael Ballone, superintendent of Marlboro public schools, told NJ Advance Media he had not read the new lawsuit and declined to comment. Sciabica resigned after the accusations, and faced threats of violence at her home, the lawsuit states. Last May, the students parents first filed a lawsuit against Sciabica and school officials, alleging a video shows Sciabica touching the daughters breast as her peers shuffle between classes. That lawsuit remains open in Monmouth County Superior Court, records show. The students familys attorney, Nima Ameri, did not immediately return a message left by NJ Advance Media seeking comment on Monday. Sciabicas lawsuit acknowledges a physical encounter with the student while repeating assertions it was not a sexual advance. The teacher, who tutored the student, was with the girl at her home the week before as she tried on a dance dress that didnt fit well in the students chest, the lawsuit states. During the encounter in question, Sciabica asked the girl, What did mom decide? about the dress, according to both of Sciabicas lawsuits. The girl giggled and stomped her feet, and replied that her mother was taking the dress in, the lawsuit said. A teacher who witnessed part of the interaction is named as a defendant in Sciabicas federal complaint. However, she did not see the full exchange to accurately report what happened to authorities and her mischaracterization ultimately makes the teacher liable for Sciabicas criminal case and stained teaching career, the lawsuit alleges. William T. Ward, a Vietnam veteran who spent four years on active duty with the U.S. Air Force, is seen here in 2018, when he retired from the Department of Defense as a civilian IT specialist. The yellow, red and green pattern of his matching tie and lapel pin refers to the Vietnam War. Courtesy of William T. Ward Bill Ward enlisted in the Air Force a few months after he and some friends drove up to the Woodstock festival in August 1969 to check out Sly and the Family Stone. The unemployed 18-year-old with shoulder-length hair had recently dropped out of Bloomfield College and was living at home in Essex County with little direction or money when a recruitment poster caught his eye, offering a chance to learn computer programming. Little did he know he would end up with the Air Forces 388th Supply Squadron stationed at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in southern Thailand in the throes of the Vietnam War. A far cry from programming computers! said Ward, now 74, and living in Highlands. More than 50 years later, Ward still suffers the effects of fumes he inhaled while fueling A-7D Corsair II fighter-bombers on training flights at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in South Carolina, and F-111s and F-105s in Thailand for campaigns like Operation Linebacker II at Christmastime in 1972. But it wasnt until Monday, the eve of todays Veterans Day federal holiday, that Ward received the most definitive recognition of his service in the war. That was when his congressman, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, pinned the Vietnam Service Medal on Wards lapel during a ceremony at the Harold Daley VFW Post 1333 in Neptune, where Ward is a member. Its very personal, Ward said of the medals significance. After a pause, he added, I can now stand next to my fellow Vietnam veterans, shoulder to shoulder with them. Vietnam veteran William T. Ward, second from left, stands shoulder to shoulder with, from left, fellow vet Willie Gill, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, and an unidentified member of the Harold Daley VFW Post 1333 in Neptune on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. Pallone had just pinned on Ward's Vietnam Service Medal. Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone In 1975, Congress expanded eligibility for the Vietnam Service Medal to include troops who had served in the neighboring Southeast Asian nations of Cambodia and Laos, and in nearby Thailand, as well as on waterways including the South China Sea, the Gulf of Thailand, and the Gulf of Tonkin. In due time, Ward received variations of the Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award; the Air Force Good Conduct Medal; and the National Defense Ribbon, among others. But it took 50 years for him to be awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; and the Vietnam Service Medal a small bronze disc stamped with a dragon in a bamboo forest and hung from a yellow ribbon with green borders and three narrow red stripes. In announcing the very-long-awaited medal presentation on Monday, Pallones office diplomatically attributed the half-century of waiting to administrative delays. During that time, Ward could not be decorated quite like his comrades in arms during the most solemn or celebratory occasions that veterans share. He had made efforts of his own, but got nowhere. So, eventually, he turned to Pallones office, where his constituent services staff worked with the Air Force Personnel Center and the National Personnel Records Center to locate and update the documentation needed. The congressman, a Democrat representing New Jerseys 6th Congressional District, finalized the protracted process with Mondays ceremony. Every veteran deserves to receive full recognition for their service, Pallone said in a statement after Mondays ceremony. Mr. Ward served his country with honor, and Im proud that our office was able to help him finally obtain these medals. His story is a reminder of the deep gratitude we owe to all who have worn our nations uniform. After active duty, Ward eventually went back to school and earned a pair of engineering degrees at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken and NJIT in Newark. He spent several years as a civilian Army employee working on projects that included a Condition-Based Maintenance+ modernization program for the Department of Defense. Vietnam was not the only theater in which he was involved. And among his various roles in the private and nonprofit sectors, Ward designed and built sets for stage productions, which is how he met his wife of 40 years, Donna Schneiderman. Hes also worked on the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the Museum of Natural History in New York, and at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He retired from paid work in 2018 and now takes care of Post 1333s IT needs. Hes also an avid cyclist, a veteran of many century rides of 100 miles, including the annual Highlands Gran Fondo in his hometown. Long after his active duty years, Ward said he met an Army veteran who had been in Vietnam at the same time he was. Ward said the vet told him his unit was surrounded by insurmountable forces, until a flight of Air Force A-7D Corsair II fighter-bombers, probably fueled by the 354th Supply Squadron, cleared a path through the enemy line surrounding them. He told me, It was likely your work that saved lives, Ward said. It literally brought tears to my eyes. His pinning ceremony took place at Post 1333 in the presence of a dozen other veterans, including the Post 1333 commander, Wilbur Martin, a highly decorated combat veteran who served stints in Vietnam in 1968-69 and 1970. It was a long time coming, Martin said of Wards Vietnam Service Medal. Most of the guys there today were Vietnam vets. Martin, 87, a Manasquan native who lives in Neptune, served on active duty from 1955 to 1973, retiring as a sergeant in the Armys 25th Infantry Division, 27th Infantry Regiment. His awards include a Silver Star, Bronze Star, two Air Medals, and a pair of Purple Hearts, one of them after a piece of shrapnel cost him an eye. Though not on the same scale as Ward, Martin said hes also had medals delayed. A Department of Defense spokesperson said she could not comment Monday on the medal delay issue. Like the Army veteran, Martin has also assured Ward that his support work off the battlefield was essential for victory on it. Like I told Bill, it takes all of us to fight a war, Martin said. He offered a reminder of why Veterans Day is not celebrated on a Monday to make for a 3-day weekend at around the same time each year, regardless of the date. In fact, it is celebrated every year on Nov. 11, the anniversary of the official end of World War I in 1918. The anniversary became a federal holiday known as Armistice Day from 1938 to 1954, when its name was changed to honor veterans of all U.S. military conflicts. Martin was asked whether the cheerful greeting, Happy Veterans Day! fit the mood of former soldiers who had fought or played supporting roles in wars that so many others did not survive, or that left them physically or emotionally scarred. He didnt hesitate in his reply. Oh, its happy, he assured the questioner. Were home. William T. Ward at the outset of his service as a fuel specialist with the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Courtesy of William T. Ward Lifeguards watching over beachgoers on a Sunday morning in May 2024 in the Ocean Grove section of Neptune, New Jersey. Alexandra Pais | For NJ Advance Media The long-running controversy over Sunday morning beach access from the boardwalk in Ocean Grove in Monmouth County has hit another delay. Monday was supposed to be the deadline for state Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette to decide the next step in the fight over Ocean Groves religion-based tradition of blocking beach access on Sunday mornings. Ocean Grove a section of Neptune founded as a Methodist religious retreat has chained off access to the beach from its privately-owned boardwalk on Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. until noon every summer. LaTourette was scheduled to either affirm, reject or modify an administrative judges ruling in June in favor of allowing the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association to continue blocking beach access on Sundays. However, a third extension has been granted to allow more time for the state Department of Environmental Protection to make a decision, a department spokesperson told NJ Advance Media. The new deadline is Dec. 26, five months before the start of the summer beach season. An earlier 45-day extension was granted in September. If LaTourette allows the administrative law judges earlier ruling to stand, Ocean Grove can resume its 155-year summertime religious tradition on closing the beach on Sunday mornings. The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association owns the land in the Ocean Grove section in Neptune. The association has clashed for years with some local residents over its rules that kept access ramps to the beach chained off on Sunday mornings between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. The association cited religious freedom and its origins as a Methodist community camp in challenging a 2023 order from the Department of Environmental Protection to stop using chains and padlocked barriers blocking beach access from the boardwalk. If Ocean Grove defied the order it risked fines of up to $25,000 per day. The association opened up the beach on Sunday mornings in May 2024 while it appealed the order. However, an administrative court judge ruled June 26 that the association was within its rights to restrict beach access from its boardwalk. The judge rejected the states argument that restricting beach access ran afoul of the states Coastal Area Facility Review Act. The judges ruling noted that those seeking to visit the beach still had the option of getting on the sand by walking in from adjoining beaches to the north or south during the hours on Sundays when the nine access points from the Ocean Grove boardwalk were closed. The state Office of the Attorney General filed a response on July 18 urging LaTourette to reject the judges decision and stand by the original order to open the beach. Under the original timeline, a decision by the commissioner was due in mid-August, before the end of the beach season. However, the extensions pushed the deadline beyond Labor Day. The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association leases land in the neighborhood on a long-term basis to homeowners and businesses. It also sells leases for 114 tents and 20 cottages for use during the summer season, according to the judges ruling. Ocean Grove was governed by the association as a religious enclave for a century, until the New Jersey Supreme Court declared its original charter unconstitutional. It is now part of Neptune, though the association still controls the privately-owned boardwalk. Critics of the Sunday beach access restriction separately took issue with the associations decision to build a $2 million pier in Ocean Grove in the shape of a Christian cross that opened in April 2023. Approximately half of the pier the extension over the ocean has been closed since December 2023 due to concerns about its structural integrity. It will remain off-limits for the foreseeable future, the association announced Oct. 6. Staff writer Victoria Gladstone contributed to this report. Work crews and equipment cover the eastbound lanes of Route 80 in Wharton during efforts last March to repair a sink holes.A subsequent sinkhole closed the westbound lanes and the entire highway for three months. State officials said repair cost alone were $30 million. Photo by Andre Malok The sinkholes that shut down and immobilized Interstate 80 traffic for three months cost tens of millions of dollars to permanently fix them and reopen the states busiest east-west interstate highway. Construction costs were approximately $30 million and approximately 50 New Jersey Department of Transportation employees assisted in the repairs, said Steve Schapiro, an NJDOT spokesperson. Overtime costs for DOT crews were approximately $565,000, he said. State Police overtime came to $5.22 million which has been reimbursed by the DOT, said Sergeant First Class Charles Marchan, a State Police spokesman. That was for traffic control during months when traffic was detoured from I-80 in Wharton and on to local streets of several towns and other state highways. Will the state get stuck with the entire repair bill? U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy visited the I-80 construction site in March. He committed to providing federal funds for repairs at that time but did not specify a figure, since the work was still ongoing. NJDOT has applied for reimbursement for the entire project costs and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is in the process of reviewing our submission, Schapiro said. We have not received any federal reimbursement yet. The project is not eligible for FEMA funds." Gov. Phil Murphy signed a state of emergency declaration for the sinkhole area, making it eligible for federal funds and assistance. The declaration also allowed the state to apply for federal funding, which may be provided by the Federal Highway Administration if a road has sustained serious damage due to a natural disaster or another external cause. In March, Duffy said he would ask U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-7th Dist., who also toured the sinkhole site, for legislation to cover costs that USDOT couldnt allocate directly to the State. On Monday, bipartisan legislation advanced that would set up a statewide plan to stabilize and fill in abandoned mines before they cause catastrophes such as the I-80 sinkholes. Under the bill co-sponsored by State Senators Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen and Senate Minority Leader Anthony M. Bucco, R-Morris, the state DOT would develop a plan would develop a plan to reclaim the mines and plan rank the projects by priority. There are at about 588 abandoned mines in the states northern counties alone, with hundreds more scattered across the state. The bill was approved by the senate transportation committee. Meanwhile the I-80 repairs seem to be holding, despite two incidents that triggered sensors monitoring the repair zone for any movement from underground mines. The repairs are permanent, Schapiro said. There have been no problems, and the repaired portion of the road is likely the strongest section of I-80 in New Jersey. The sinkholes required a complicated repair that essentially created bridges over them and areas where voids in the ground had been found and filled with grout. Sensors also have been installed to monitor ground conditions due to the presence of old abandoned mines in the area. Those sensors detected movement on two occasions, Schapiro said. In August, NJDOT was doing maintenance work near I-80 Exit 34 for Route 15 in Wharton that set off one of the vibration monitors, he said. On another occasion one of the deeper monitors detected movement well below the road surface and there was no impact on the repair or to the roadway, Schapiro said. Three sinkholes in less than two months prompted officials to close the westbound lanes of I-80 in March after shutting the eastbound lanes back in February, when a second sinkhole opened in the center lane. The detours resulted in traffic nightmares in several Morris County towns on Routes 46 and 10 and business owners complained of a downturn due to the added vehicles. Westbound lanes reopened on June 14 and the eastbound lanes reopened June 21, four days ahead of schedule. The sinkholes were blamed on a patchwork of abandoned iron mines that crisscross Wharton and most of western Morris County that date to the 19th century. I-80 in Wharton required work in 2009 when an abandoned mine next to Exit 34 and highway required infrastructure in a project that used similar methods to this years repairs. Officials cut the ribbon at an expanded wall of remembrance dedication Tuesday in the Delaware River and Bay Authority' s Veteran's Park, which has the names of thousands of New Jersey and Delaware military members who died in wars from World War II to the current date. SL While the Delaware Memorial Bridge is perhaps the largest monument to veterans, an expanded and renovated wall of remembrance near the bridge was dedicated Tuesday to include the names military members from New Jersey and Delaware. Officials dedicated the expanded wall on Veterans Day in the park on the Delaware side of the twin suspension bridges. The Delaware River and Bay Authority opened the park in October 1956. Today marks the fulfillment of a promise to every Gold Star family in Delaware and New Jersey, said Joel Coppadge, DRBA Executive Director, in a statement. The Wall of Remembrance now bears the names of every Delawarean and New Jerseyan who perished in wars and conflicts from World War II to present day, he said. Every name added is a reminder of the price of freedom and a personal story of courage. The new wall is the first addition to the park since 2018, when a Gold Star Monument was built to honor the parents and families of service members killed in the line of duty. The ceremony marks completion of a $5 million renovation of the original 1956 Wall of Remembrance that started in June 2024. That work included replacement of the underlying concrete structure and expanding the wall. The expanded remembrance wall ensures every serviceman and servicewoman from Delaware and New Jersey who perished in wars and conflicts from World War II to the present day is now recognized, officials said. Previously, the War Memorial Wall only included names from World War II and the Korean War. Separate monuments in the park commemorated those who served in other wars and conflicts. The expanded wall has space for a total of 20,000 names of military members who died in the line of duty. It also increased the size of a circular plaza and lawn for events. The DRBAs Veterans Memorial Park is one of 68 sites in the nation designated by the National Veterans Day Committee in Washington D.C. to hold official annual ceremonies for Veterans Day and Memorial Day. The first span of the Delaware Memorial Bridge was completed in 1951 and named to commemorate troops who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War II and the Korean conflict. Five years later, Veterans Memorial Park was opened on 40-acres south of the bridge off what is now Interstate 295. Former President Barack Obama arrives to a rally for New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill at a campaign event, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis) AP Former President Barack Obama surprised veterans traveling to the nations capital ahead of Veterans Day on Tuesday. In a video posted to social media platform X on Tuesday, Obama is seen welcoming a flight of veterans who just landed in Washington, D.C. Over the loud speaker, Obama says, Hello, everybody! to the group of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans who looked shocked by the former president. As we approach Veterans Day, I wanted to stop by and just say thank you for extraordinary service to you, your family. The sacrifices that all of you made to protect our country is something that will always be honored, and we are very grateful. And we also happen to welcome you with a 70-degree day in DC, which doesnt always happen around here, Obama told the group. One person could be heard shouting, What! as Obama thanked them for their service. He then shook hands and gave away Presidential Challenge Coins as he spoke with the veterans leaving the flight. Ahead of Veterans Day, I was honored to welcome a flight of veterans and their families as they arrived in DC. To all those who bravely served our country, thank you to you and your family for your extraordinary service. The sacrifices that all of you have made to protect our country will be honored, today and every day, Obama said in a statement. Retired U.S. Navy Captain Mary Quigley said Obamas visit was the first time a president came to welcome an Honor Flight a service provided to veterans from a nonprofit organization that gives them a day in D.C. to observe the nations monuments and memorials. Thats the first time Ive seen the President, former or current greet an Honor Flight. And that is absolutely amazing. Commander in Chief, a leader whos going to show up and tell you that your service was worth something. I think thats the important part. So I think it was a great thing, Quigley said in the video. The nonprofit organization, Honor Flight Network, transports 22,500 veterans to Washington, D.C. every year to "visit the memorials built to commemorate their service and sacrifice." It has hubs across the country working to bring veterans to the nations capital, according to its website. Setting clocks back in the fall and ahead in the spring could end under a proposed New Jersey law to make Daylight Savings Time permanent. AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File Commuters, students, even pets despise the twice-a-year ritual of setting the clocks back an hour in the fall and ahead one hour in spring that disrupts everyones sleep. The twice-a year ritual of switching between daylight saving and standard time might become an unpleasant memory in New Jersey, but two bills need to become law to make it happen. Lawmakers took the first steps Monday to have New Jersey permanently halt daylight saving time, ending the ritual of losing and gaining an hour of sleep. A bill (S1510) that cleared the state Senates transportation committee Monday would require New Jersey to remain on daylight saving time permanently. The bills sponsors argue that daylight saving time is used for eight months out of the year now and the switch back to standard time is an outdated process. Can the state do that? Currently, states can opt out of switching to daylight saving time and observe standard time year-round. So far, two states have, Arizona and Hawaii. The switch to permanent daylight saving time first requires federal approval. But 19 states, not including New Jersey, have passed legislation or resolutions in favor of year-round daylight saving time, including neighboring Delaware, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Federal law must change first. If Congress passes legislation allowing it, then the state law would take effect, according to the conference report. The nation came close to allowing it in 2022 when the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act, neither of New Jerseys two senators was a co-sponsor. The House of Representatives didnt act on the bill. The U.S. Department of Transportation oversees the nations time zones, which might explain why New Jersey legislation started in 2024 in the state Senate Transportation Committee. The three Democratic state senators who sponsored the state bill said the switch is an outdated practice that has bad consequences beyond losing sleep. While the extra hour of sleep and earlier sunrise feels nice, the problem with daylight saving time isit also wreaks havoc on your body, disrupting sleep patterns for up to a week following the change, said state Sen. Shirley Turner, D-Mercer. It is also linked to an economic slowdown, an increase in car accidents, and even an increase in heart attacks. Experts interviewed in 2024 said the fatigue people feel after losing an hour of sleep time in the spring is similar to jet lag and can take a couple of days to get acclimated. Weve outgrown this practice, said state Sen. Troy Singleton, D-Burlington. If we know it harms public health and safety, then we have a responsibility to end it and keep daylight saving time year-round. Sponsors cited a 2019 poll that said 71% of Americans prefer to eliminate yearly daylight saving time shifts and studies that said the time change leads to increases in traffic accidents, workplace injuries, and heart attacks. This is a relic of another era, said state Senate President Nick Scutari, D-Union. Permanent daylight saving time would bring more consistency, better health outcomes, and safer evenings for families across New Jersey. Conservative activist Scott Presler delivered a direct message to President Donald Trump after Democrats scored sweeping victories in closely watched races across the country last week. Presler, who went door to door to help increase Republican voter registration in states including New Jersey, encouraged Trump and the GOP to use every tool to our advantage in order to win during the 2026 midterms. During an appearance on The Sean Spicer Show late Monday, he also embraced the importance of early voting and mail-in voting. I love our president, Presler said. I voted for him three times. I did everything in my power to elect, try to reelect and then we did reelect him, but Im going to say this as kindly, lovingly, peacefully and respectfully as possible. He continued: Mr. President. If you see this, please, unless youre going to go ahead with legislation to ban mail-in voting or eliminate it completely, providing for election security, then you must stop attacking the very tool that Republicans need in order to keep the House of Representatives for you, sir. Presler went on to warn that if Republicans dont engage in using every single tool available, including voting measures that helped propel Trump to his 2024 election victory, then the GOP will ultimately lose its majority in the House and the president could again face impeachment. I hope this message is received as it was intended Im here to win," Presler wrote Tuesday in a post on X. In August, Trump announced he would lead a movement to eliminate the use of mail-in ballots, claiming without evidence that they could lead to voter fraud. He also criticized electronic voting machines, which he described as highly inaccurate and Seriously Controversial, and pushed for the use of paper ballots. ELECTIONS CAN NEVER BE HONEST WITH MAIL IN BALLOTS/VOTING, and everybody, IN PARTICULAR THE DEMOCRATS, KNOWS THIS, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. I, AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WILL FIGHT LIKE HELL TO BRING HONESTY AND INTEGRITY BACK TO OUR ELECTIONS. Trump, at the time, also said he would sign an executive order ahead of next years elections to begin his efforts, though did not provide details of any measure or a timeline. Presler the founder of Early Vote Action, which works to register Republican voters and encourage them to vote early, absentee, by mail or on Election Day, according to its website had previously predicted that the GOP will lose everything in November unless we change things, and quickly. Republicans, I hate to say it, and I love ya, but Im going to be honest: you are absolutely clueless, Presler said in a video posted on X. And its not just the leadership at the top, but I have to say to our voters. If you are only planning to vote on Election Day... consider the elections gone. Over. Game over. You already lost. In the interview, Presler said that voters who want Trumps MAGA agenda to live on will have to show up vote in every election. Listen, we are the low propensity party, and its not good enough to just have our voters come out for the popular vote every four years, Presler said. Sure, thats great, that will win you the White House, right? But then youre going to lose everything in between. Preslers plea comes on the heels of Democrats winning the gubernatorial race in New Jersey, the mayoral race in New York City and all statewide races in Virginia, while California voters also approved Proposition 50, a referendum that authorizes officials to redraw the states congressional map. The measure, proposed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), serves as a response to a gerrymandering effort in Texas, and could add up to five new district seats that would heavily favor Democrats. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court agreed Monday to discuss whether states can count mail-in ballots received after Election Day. Fifteen states allow for the ballots to be received after voting wraps if marked with a postmark, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday announced a fourth round of clemency, granting 19 commutations and 29 pardons to 48 people, bringing his total to 200 the most by any governor in New Jersey history. Among those pardoned was Brenda Thompson, who was convicted of drug and minor property crimes in 2000. Thompson later became a peer recovery specialist, using her lived experience to help others overcome substance addiction. This clemency represents more than a pardon it represents restoration, redemption and renewed purpose, Thompson said. Murphy described the clemency actions as acts of grace from the state. As governor, one of the greatest responsibilities I hold is the ability to extend second chances to individuals who have made a commitment to rehabilitating their lives, the Democrat said. With this fourth round of clemency actions, we uphold one of our nations oldest and most fundamental principles: justice for all. Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way echoed that sentiment. Our state continues to lead with courage and compassion ensuring that justice includes not just accountability, but also the chance to rebuild and contribute to society, Way said. I am proud of this historic effort that our administration has advanced, changing the lives of over 200 families. Some of those who received clemency included: Shadee Alexander: He was sentenced in 2009 for 30 years on robbery charges. During his trial He was sentenced in 2009 for 30 years on robbery charges. During his trial Alexander argued he received ineffective legal counsel and that he was somewhere else during the commission of the crime. Alexander will be released from prison and begin a five-year period of parole supervision. Jamie Wallace: Wallace Wallace was sentenced to life without parole on multiple robbery charges at a string of Wawas. The state did not say Wallace had a weapon, but acted as if he had one. Wallace will be released from prison and begin a five-year period of parole supervision. Calvin Bass: Sentenced on murder charges in 1984 at 14-years-old. Sentenced on murder charges in 1984 at 14-years-old. Bass was released in June 2021 after serving 38 years. Bass volunteered to sit with older inmates in palliative care during his time in prison. Murphy, who established a clemency board last year, made Mondays announcement at Princeton University. Students from the university assisted in preparing and interviewing applicants for the clemency program, working alongside the ACLU of New Jersey. Each time one of our clients has their sentence commuted, New Jersey demonstrates that our state truly values second chances, said Amol Sinha, executive director of the ACLU-NJ. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) leaves the chamber as the Senate works to bring the longest government shutdown in U.S. history to an end after a bipartisan compromise, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) AP Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is sounding the alarm on the leadership of the Democratic Party as calls mount for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to resign. Schumer is facing sharp criticism from a slate of House Democrats who are speaking out after eight senators, including Fetterman, broke ranks to vote with Republicans on ending the longest-ever government shutdown. In a 60-40 vote, the Senate advanced a legislative package on Sunday that would fund the federal government through Jan. 30. It also includes three longer-term appropriations bills to fund food aid, veterans programs and agricultural initiatives through next September. In exchange, Democrats were promised a vote in mid-December on extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year a central demand of party leadership that has dominated weeks of negotiations amid the funding lapse standoff. There is no guarantee from the GOP, though, that it will succeed. Although Schumer joined the majority of Senate Democrats in opposing the bill, he has drawn backlash from his own party in failing to stop the bloc that ultimately could help reopen the government. The measure now goes to the House, which is expected to vote as early as Wednesday. No one really knows, Fetterman told Fox News on Tuesday when asked who is running the Democratic Party in the House and Senate. And I think my values are reflected in my vote and the things that I support here. And if that might put me at odds with parts of party, Im OK with that. Fetterman, who has repeatedly called for the government shutdown to end, described the legislation as pretty reasonable, saying the Democratic Party should be a big tent in its views. My partys always been opposing shutting our government now, Fetterman said on Fox & Friends. Im not sure why its controversial now to devote these things. He also said that Democrats crossed a line as funding lapsed at the start of this month for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which serves 42 million Americans. People have went five weeks without being paid, Fetterman said. I mean, thats a violation of my core values, and I think its our partys as well. The shutdown has also led to disruptions in paychecks for some federal workers and staffing shortages at airports, causing major flight delays and cancellations throughout the country. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) backed Schumer on Monday, responding Yes and yes when asked whether his Senate counterpart is effective and should continue as leader. Other Democrats, including Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, have thrown cold water on criticism against Schumer. No Democratic senator has yet to call for him to step aside. President Donald Trumps bombshell threats against air traffic controllers have Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy feuding with his predecessor. Trump threatened to dock air traffic controllers on Monday for not showing up to work despite them not receiving paychecks during the ongoing government shutdown. The explosive comments prompted widespread criticism online, including from former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg who served in the Biden administration. The President wouldnt last five minutes as an air traffic controller, and after everything theyve been through - and the way this administration has treated them from Day One - he has no business shitting on them now, Buttigieg said in response to Trumps comments. This prompted Duffy to fire back at Buttigieg. Give me a break. You were basically AWOL at the DOT. I spend my whole day dealing with your neglect and cleaning up your messes. Sit this one out, Duffy wrote on social media platform X. Give me a break. You were basically AWOL at the DOT.I spend my whole day dealing with your neglect and cleaning up your messes. Sit this one out. https://t.co/DPptdJ3wOm Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 10, 2025 Later on Monday, Trump was asked whether he could assure Americans that air travel would go back to normal when the government shutdown is over. Trump responded by attacking Buttigieg and his efforts to improve the air traffic control system. [Buttigieg] was the Secretary of Transportation, and he spent billions of dollars trying to patch together our air traffic control system, which was a conglomeration of all different systems, Trump said. They had hundreds of countries where companies working on it, and they were spending billions of dollars, and when they turned it on, it didnt work. It didnt even work a little bit. Buttigieg responded with a video shared on X, saying that Trumps claims on air traffic controllers were false. He also accused Trump of trying to distract Americans from the health care premiums that are set to skyrocket without an extension on Affordable Care Act subsidies. He just made a bunch of s--- up about air traffic control. This is a system that was in pretty rough shape by the time he lost in 2020, and we took it over, Buttigieg said. He said the Biden administration improved the system, adding that Trump because the first president in decades to inherit an air traffic control workforce that was actually growing instead of shrinking. He then criticized Trump for bashing air traffic controllers when there is already a shortage of them. The most important part of the whole system is the air traffic controllers themselves, which is why it is disgraceful that the President went on social media earlier today and attacked controllers after everything that theyve been through, and at a moment when America has a serious air traffic control shortage, Buttigieg said. So why would the President be picking a fight with air traffic controllers today of all days? Probably its to change the subject from how he and Republicans are increasing your health insurance premiums on purpose right now, and from how he has totally failed on his promise to make everyday life more affordable right now, the President is losing on the economy because the American people can see how hes failing, and people feel it every time they open up an insurance bill, every time they go grocery shopping, he added. The government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, has fueled chaos across the country due to federal employees not being paid. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began reducing flights at 40 major airports on Friday amid the ongoing government shutdown, causing thousands of delays and cancellations across the country over the weekend. On Sunday, the FAA reported some arrivals at Newark were delayed an average of 2 hours and 14 minutes due to staffing shortages. The flight reduction, ordered by Duffy, affects some of the busiest airports around the U.S., including Newark Liberty International Airport, Teterboro and major New York airports. Duffy warned on Sunday that travel disruptions will only get worse as the shutdown continues, noting that air traffic controllers are not showing up to work without being paid. In this photo released by Syrian Presidency press office, President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Syria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa, at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (Syrian Presidency press office via AP) AP An unprecedented meeting in the White House has generated bipartisan outrage. President Donald Trump on Monday welcomed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa into the Oval Office, marking the first such visit from a Syrian leader in the countrys history. Sharaa formerly led Syrias al-Qaeda affiliate, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and headed the rebel forces that deposed former President Bashar Assad last December. Sharaa, 43, fought against American forces in Iraq and was imprisoned by the U.S. military from 2006 to 2011. It was an Honor to spend time with Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, the new President of Syria, where we discussed all the intricacies of PEACE in the Middle East, of which he is a major advocate, Trump said in a post on Truth Social. I look forward to meeting and speaking again. Everyone is talking about the Great Miracle that is taking place in the Middle East. Having a stable and successful Syria is very important to all countries in the Region. Sharaa, installed as Syrias transitional president in January, had been on the State Departments specially designated global terrorist list prior to being delisted on Nov. 7. The United Nations Security Council also removed Sharaa from its terror-related sanctions list last week, four months after the U.S. removed HTS from its list of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Hes a very strong leader, Trump said of Sharaa. He comes from a very tough place. Tough guy. I like him. Following Mondays summit at the White House, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a 180-day suspension of some sanctions on Syria targeting its energy sector and foreign investments. That measure extended a previous suspension issued in May. The American administration is in agreement that Syria deserves to have an opportunity to be stable and to build its economy and to maintain its territorial integrity, Sharaa said, per the Washington Post. Sharaas visit to Washington was condemned by both liberals and conservatives. Former Republican congressman Ron Paul said Trumps meeting with Sharaa showed the insanity of US foreign policy in a nutshell. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said she would really like to see nonstop meetings at the WH on domestic policy not foreign policy and foreign countrys leaders. The new leader of Syria is a former Al Qaeda terrorist wanted by our government who is meeting with President Trump today at the White House on the U.S. Marines 250th anniversary, Taylor Greene said. Matt Tardio, a right-wing political commentator, insisted that the Trump administration owes the American people a damn good explanation for this. THIS IS A DISGRACE, Tardio said in a post on X. Glad to know we went to war with Al Qaeda just to have them get invited into the White House. Brett Meiselas, co-founder of left-wing media outlet Meidas Touch, criticized Trump for saying Sharaa has had a rough past. When I think of rough past I think like, he got a DUI or something, Meiselas posted on X. Not like, he led al Qaeda." Krystal Ball, a liberal podcast host and former MSNBC co-host, took issue with Trumps praise for Sharaa. Trump spins BEING AN AL QAEDA LEADER as a rough past that is actually a benefit to [Sharaas] leadership abilities, she said in a post on X. Truly unbelievable. President Donald Trump renewed his decision of allowing thousands of Chinese students to study in the United States. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP President Donald Trump is facing scrutiny after doubling down on his administrations plan to allow hundreds of thousands of Chinese students to study at American universities. In August, Trump said he would welcome 600,000 Chinese students in the United States despite Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing earlier in the year that the administration would implement stricter vetting of new applicants and revoke visas for students tied to the Chinese Communist Party. Some of his staunchest supporters, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and far-right activist Laura Loomer, condemned the sudden reversal at the time. But now, criticism is again mounting, after Trump was pressed on whether the move should be viewed as a pro-MAGA position during an interview on Fox News released late Monday. We do have a lot of people coming in from China. We always have, China and other countries, Trump said on The Ingraham Angle. We also have a massive system of colleges and universities, and if we were to cut that in half, which perhaps makes some people happy, you would have half the colleges in the United States go out of business. Trump added: I actually think its good to have outside countries. Look, I want to be able to get along with the world. Theyre not the French. Theyre the Chinese. They spy on us. They steal our intellectual property, host Laura Ingraham responded, to which Trump asked, Do you think the French are better? He also said the United States is taking taking trillions of dollars from students in tuition, adding, I want to see our school system thrive. Trump went on to say that MAGA was my idea. MAGA was nobody elses idea. I know what MAGA wants better than anybody else. The presidents comments, however, were quickly met with renewed backlash from conservatives on social media. Anyone starting to get the idea weve been sold out? one user posted on X. Gen. Michael Flynn, a former national security adviser at the start of the first Trump administration, apologized to the president before criticizing the decision. We simply dont need to help the Chinese anymore with their plans to be the sole superpower this century, Flynn wrote. Lets not give the Chinese anymore leverage than they already have. Theyve been ripping us off for years. Conservative social media influencer Kangmin Lee said he does not regret voting for Trump in 2024, but man, this is disappointing. Hes taking out-of-touch to new levels, former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash added. China has remained a top source of international students to the United States, according to the Institute of International Education. The number of Chinese students peaked at 372,532 in the 2019-20 academic year, but it dipped to 289,526 in 2022 and further fell to 277,398 in 2023, the Associated Press previously reported. Former Gov. Jim McGreevey, left, and Jersey City Councilman James Solomon, right, are seeking to become Jersey City's next mayor. Photo illustration, Canva for NJ.com The councilman running against former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey to be Jersey Citys next mayor has picked up three high-profile endorsements from Democrats since his first-place Election Night finish. Councilman James Solomon and McGreevey, who finished second among seven candidates, will be back on the ballot for a Dec. 2 runoff election that will decide the next mayor of New Jerseys second-largest city. Solomon received three big-name endorsements over the last few days from U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Hudson County Commissioner Bill ODea, who finished third in the mayoral election. Meanwhile, McGreevey was endorsed Monday by Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman, who finished fifth in the mayoral election with less than 4% of the vote. Jersey City holds runoffs between the top two vote-getters in municipal races whenever no one gets above 50% of the vote. Solomon had 29% of the vote in the Nov. 4 general election while McGreevey had 25%, according to unofficial results. Though both candidates are Democrats, Jersey Citys elections are nonpartisan and political parties play no role. Kim endorsed Solomon on Saturday. James represents a new generation of leadership. His winning the most number of votes in the general election shows the energy he built going into the run-off, Kim wrote on X. Kim was elected to the U.S. Senate last year after successfully challenging First Lady Tammy Murphy for the Democratic nomination. Her husband, Gov. Phil Murphy, endorsed McGreevey for mayor in January. Baraka, Newarks mayor, endorsed Solomon on Sunday. Baraka finished second in the Democratic primary for governor in June. James Solomon is the progressive choice and I am proud to endorse him ahead of the runoff, Baraka said in a statement provided by Solomons campaign. The campaign announced ODeas endorsement on Monday. ODea ran for Jersey City mayor and finished third with 21.5% of the vote. In a press release from McGreeveys campaign, Watterman cited the candidates prior roles as mayor of Woodbridge and governor, and his current role with the New Jersey Reentry Corporation, a nonprofit group that helps people leaving prison or addiction centers. Jim leads with his heart, and he understands that public service is about people, not power, Watterman said. McGreeveys attempt at a comeback 21 years after resigning as governor has drawn statewide attention. The ex-governor raised $5 million and announced several endorsements prior to the general election. McGreeveys supporters include the Jersey City police union, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, the Amalgamated Transit Union and LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, according to his campaign website. Solomons backers include the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council and Working Families Party. The winner of the Dec. 2 runoff will succeed Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who did not seek a fourth term and lost in the Democratic primary for governor. In addition to the mayoral race, runoffs will be held for the three citywide council seats, as well as for single seats in Ward A, Ward B, Ward C and Ward D. Jersey City has approximately 175,000 registered voters. Of those, 54.52% are Democrats, 9.4% are Republicans and 34.7% are unaffiliated, according to a statewide report by NJ Advance Media. On the day after the general election, Solomon challenged McGreevey to six debates. McGreevey did not commit to that but said he would welcome the opportunity to debate him in every ward, neighborhood, and corner of Jersey City. WPIX-TV announced Monday it will host a debate Nov. 25 at its studio in New York City. The Dec. 2 runoff will be the first for Jersey City mayor since 2001. A Morris County medical examiner's report determined former Kiss guitarist and N.J. resident Ace Frehley died from a head injury during an accidental fall in October. Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Medi A medical report from the Morris County Medical Examiners Office released Monday determined Ace Frehley, one of the founding members of the legendary rock band Kiss, died from a head injury during a fall. The report signed by Deputy Morris County Medical Examiner Frederick J. DiCarlo identified Frehleys cause of death to be blunt force injuries to the head due to a fall. The manner of death was determined to be an accident, according to the report. DiCarlos report identified bruising on Frehleys left abdomen and thigh area as well as on his right hip and upper thigh, the report says. Frehely also suffered facial fractures near the eyes and left ear, according to the report. Frehley, 74, had been living in Sussex County at the time of the incident, according to long-time radio host, Eddie Trunk. Frehley died in Morristown on Oct. 16 surrounded by family, his agent told the Associated Press at the time. In October, family members said they were completely devastated and heartbroken but will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others. Frehley was born in the Bronx, New York in 1951 and was one of the founding members of Kiss in 1973 and released their first album in 1974, according to Frehleys obituary. Kiss, whose hits include Rock and Roll All Nite and Detroit Rock City, was known for its intense stage shows, which included fireworks, smoke and eruptions of fake blood performed by band members in black-and-white painted faces, platform boots and black wigs. Frehley played with Kiss until 1982 when he decided to officially leave the band. Frehley and his band mates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. He was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx on Oct. 22. Information from the Associated Press was used in this article. It's feeling more like December than November, with cold temperatures, frigid wind chills and scattered snow showers in New Jersey. NJ Advance Media | Canva Strong westerly winds gusting up to 40 mph will continue blowing across New Jersey through Tuesday evening, with scattered snow showers possible across northern areas this afternoon. The National Weather Service says a large low pressure system to the north and high pressure to the south will keep winds strong through Tuesday night, with gusts of 30 to 35 mph are expected. In areas along the coast, peak gusts could reach 40 mph, the weather service said. Scattered snow showers may produce light accumulations on grassy surfaces and reduced visibility across areas near and north of Interstate 78 through the late afternoon. Earlier today, some parts of New Jersey got their first coating of snow so far this season, with one tenth of an inch reported in areas of Morris and Sussex counties. One inch of snow was measured in two parts of Sussex. Overnight lows will drop into the upper 20s to mid-30s inland, with slightly warmer readings of low to mid-30s along the coast and mid- to upper 30s in the Newark metro area. The persistent winds will prevent frost development despite the cold temperatures, forecasters said. Wednesday will bring slightly moderating conditions as a weak frontal system approaches. Highs will climb into the mid- to upper 40s inland and low 50s along the coast, though breezy west-southwest winds with gusts of 20 to 25 mph will continue. The day should remain mostly dry and clear, with only a stray shower possible in extreme northwestern portions of the state. A weak front will move through late Wednesday into Thursday, bringing a wind shift to the northwest and potentially slightly stronger gusts on Thursday. High temperatures Thursday will again reach the upper 40s to low 50s. Friday through Saturday will see high pressure build into the region, bringing dry conditions and temperatures slightly below seasonal normals. A frontal system is expected to approach Saturday night and move across New Jersey Sunday into early Monday with chances for light rain. Inland areas may see a brief period of light snow late Saturday night before transitioning to all rain, though freezing rain is not expected. Sundays temperatures will rebound to slightly above normal behind a warm front, though there is uncertainty about the exact timing of the fronts passage, which could impact high temperatures across different parts of the state. Marine interests should note that gale warnings remain in effect for all coastal waters through Tuesday night, with conditions gradually improving but small craft advisories likely continuing on ocean waters for several days. Current weather radar The main suspect in the 2007 disappearance of toddler Madeleine McCann is allowed to leave Germany, a court has ruled. That overturns one of the conditions under which the German national was released after serving his sentence in an unconnected case. The man, identified by media as Christian Bruckner, was released in mid-September after serving his sentence for raping an elderly American woman in Portugal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, a court in Hildesheim imposed conditions that applied for five years, including that he wear an electronic ankle monitor, report regularly to probation services, and remain resident in Germany. On Monday, a higher state court in Celle said that it upheld most of the conditions imposed in the 28 October ruling, but overturned the stipulation that the man must reside in Germany. It said that earlier ruling interfered with European Union citizens' freedom of movement within the 27-nation bloc. Lawyer Friedrich Fuelscher leaves a German prison in a black car carrying Christian Bruckner, a suspect in the 2007 disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann, who sits in the back seat behind tinted windows (AP) It added that it would, in principle, be possible to issue a temporary ban on the man leaving Germany, for example to arrange technical matters, or to ban him from going to specific regions, but that the lower court in Hildesheim would have to decide exactly what arrangements to make. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June 2020, German prosecutors said the man was being investigated on suspicion of murder in connection with Madeleines disappearance from an apartment complex in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz. They said that they assumed the girl was dead. Police have since carried out more searches in Portugal, where the man spent many years. But the suspect, who has denied any involvement in the three-year-old's disappearance, has not been charged in the case. The investigation was not affected by his release. Friedrich Fulscher, the man's lawyer, has said charges would have been filed against his client long ago if there had been sufficient evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a short-lived GoFundMe post that went live earlier in November, Bruckner asked for thousands of pounds to help him leave Germany for a country that does not have an agreement with Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office, according to The Telegraph. That means he could avoid extradition back to Germany on any further charges. It is unclear which country Bruckner is hoping to move to, but his lawyer previously named Suriname in South America as a possibility in comments to The Mirror. Yes, the crow situation seems better Seems about the same to me There still seem to be a lot of crows and crow messes Vote View Results Watertown, NY (13601) Today Mostly cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 12F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 12F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. The must-see New Orleans art exhibit of the fall isnt where youd expect it. Degenerate! Hitlers War on Modern Art, a collection of small avant-garde drawings, paintings and sculpture by modern European masters, can be found among the antique airplanes and tanks of the National World War II Museum. The Degenerate! show may not cover war per se, but the exhibit simmers with the historical irony of the early Nazi era that led to the cataclysmic 1939-45 conflict. Specifically, it illuminates the time that Adolf Hitler produced one of the most popular art exhibits in history a show that was meant to be a propaganda coup, but backfired spectacularly. It was 1937, and the Nazis were envisioning their conquest of Europe. In the meantime, Der Fuhrer, whod once been an aspiring landscape painter, turned his attention to what he saw as the downfall of German art. This December a North Devon woman and her race partner will be taking on the challenge of a lifetime as they bid to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in the Worlds Toughest Row. Jess Smiles, a swimmer and surfer from Croyde and her friend Beth Murphy from Surrey will take on the ultimate endurance challenge to raise money for The Wave Project. The pair will be the only female duo to enter the Worlds Toughest Row race in 2025 and as team Atlantic Highway they are aiming to beat the current womens pairs world record to make the crossing. Setting off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 12, they will row unsupported for around six weeks, facing waves of up to 40 feet, before reaching Antigua in the Caribbean in early 2026. Above: The Atlantic Highway crew of Beth Murphy (left) and Jess Smiles get to grips with their future home for more than 40 days as they prepare to row the Atlantic. The Worlds Toughest Row has 44 entrants this year, including solo rowers, teams of two, three and four athletes from across the globe. Last year saw Lynmouth adventurer and businessman Sam Glover win the solo part of the event, making the crossing in 42 days and raising almost 70,000 for UnLtd - The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs. Previously, the fastest womens pair completed the event in 45 days, and Jess and Beth are aiming for a competitive attempt to rival that. Jess has been preparing for months on the North Devon coast in anticipation of the biggest test of all. Her race partner Beth, from Surrey, shares her passion for adventure and has experience in endurance sports. The two first met at Swansea University, where they both rowed competitively, captained teams and served on the rowing club committee. After years apart, Jess and Beth reconnected to take on their biggest challenge yet a journey that will test their physical limits, mental strength, and teamwork. Jess said: Im looking forward to the feeling of being so far away from civilisation and completely immersed in nature. Both Beth and I are curious to see how far we can push our bodies in such a harsh environment. Above: Beth Murphy (left) and Jess Smiles pause during training for the Worlds Toughest Row. While the duo are aiming for a competitive time, theyre also rowing for a purpose - to raise at least 10,000 for The Wave Project, a UK charity that supports young peoples mental health through Surf Therapy. Jaz Bennett, North Devon co-ordinator for The Wave Project, said: Through Surf Therapy we help young people find calm, connection and healing. Were so inspired by Jess and Beths determination to take on this epic journey, and proud that theyre rowing in support of The Wave Project. Well be cheering them on every mile and wish them all the best for a safe and successful crossing. The Worlds Toughest Row is an unsupported event and if competitors need assistance, they would be forced to withdraw from the race. READ NEXT: Devon crew capsizes in worlds toughest row Aside from the huge physical toll Sam Glover lost 15 kilos during his row crews face the wear on their vessels as well as their bodies, with any necessary repairs having to be made at sea. Unpredictable weather, huge Atlantic waves and even sharks will add to the dangers. If you would like to sponsor Jess and Beth and support The Wave Project, please go to https://givewheel.com/fundraising/6124/atlantic-highway-crowdfunding Once the race is underway you can follow the crews progress at https://www.worldstoughestrow.com/the-atlantic as well as learn more about the event. You can also follow the progress of Jess and Beth via their TikTiok and Instagram @atlantichighway According to CBS News, this past weekend, a group of veterans had a Veterans Day experience they will never forget. Former President Barack Obama made a surprise visit to an Honor Flight arriving in Washington, D.C., greeting veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars who had traveled from Madison, Wisconsin. Ahead of Veterans Day, I was honored to welcome a flight of veterans and their families as they arrived in DC. To all those who bravely served our country, thank you to you and your family for your extraordinary service. The sacrifices that all of you have made to protect our pic.twitter.com/bXF7DIN7ow Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 11, 2025 As the plane touched down on a sunny, 70-degree day, Obama appeared and addressed the veterans over a loudspeaker. "Hello, everybody," he said. The reaction was immediate. One veteran exclaimed, "What!" while another simply stood in awe. "I just wanted to say thank you," Obama continued, in a moment captured on video. Seventy-nine veterans and their families had made the trip, and the former president personally shook hands with them as they exited the aircraft. He also presented each veteran with a Presidential Challenge Coin, a token of personal gratitude for their service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Obama reflected on the visit: "Ahead of Veterans Day, I was honored to welcome a flight of veterans and their families as they arrived in D.C. To all those who bravely served our country, thank you to you and your family for your extraordinary service. The sacrifices that all of you made to protect our country will be honored, today and every day." The Honor Flight Network, the organization behind the trip, provides free flights for veterans to visit Washington-area monuments. Originally created for World War II veterans, the program now includes Korean and Vietnam War veterans, along with others from various tours of duty. Army veteran Joe Parr, who was on the flight, shared his emotional reaction: "I had tears in my eyes. I just couldn't believe that there were that many people around that remembered us and was there to greet us and it was just unbelievable!" The program has been running for two decades and has flown over 317,000 veterans, according to its website. Navy veteran and Honor Flight volunteer Capt. Mary Quigley explained how the program has grown: "It started off very small and now a lot of states have their own hubs and they raise their own money and they set up the whole flights." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obama also shared a video of the visit on X, writing, "Ahead of Veterans Day, I was honored to welcome a flight of veterans and their families as they arrived in DC. To all those who bravely served our country, thank you to you and your family for your extraordinary service. The sacrifices that all of you have made to protect our country will be honored, today and every day." For these veterans, the visit from a former commander-in-chief was more than a gestureit was a reminder that their sacrifices are remembered and appreciated. On November 10, senior members of Japans Imperial Family engaged in activities ranging from traditional personal observances to high-level international relations. Princess Aiko visited the Musashino Imperial Graveyard in the morning on November 10 to pay her respects to Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako ahead of her trip to Laos. It is customary for Imperial Family members to visit the imperial graveyard site on milestones such as school graduations or international diplomatic visits. The Princess bowed quietly in reverence and offered a tamagushi (a traditional offering) while paying her respects to Emperor Hirohito. She will make her first official visit to Laos on November 17 for a six-day itinerary, marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations. In addition to visiting President Thongloun Sisoulith and attending a state dinner, visits are also planned to facilities conducting awareness campaigns for unexploded ordnance. Princess Aiko also paid her respects to Empress Nagako at the east mausoleum. Later that day, Emperor Naruhito invited King Abdullah II of Jordan and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad to the Imperial Residence, where they dined together. The Emperor greeted the King and his entourage at around 6:00PM at the carriage entrance, where they exchanged smiles and handshakes. The Imperial Household and the Royal Family of Jordan have enjoyed longstanding relations. When King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, along with Crown Prince Hussein, visited Japan in 2023, the Emperor and Empress received them at the Imperial Palace. King Abdullah II also met with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in 2022 when the King was in Japan to attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. The Imperial couple then again met with King Abdullah II in the UK when they were there to attend the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II. The day's events, from honoring ancestors to hosting foreign dignitaries, illustrate the broad scope of activities undertaken by the Japanese Imperial Family. National Geographic has revealed its annual Best of the World list for 2026, spotlighting destinations worth visiting in the year ahead. The list includes both international and domestic locations that offer unique cultural, historical, and natural experiences. Among the U.S. picks, one city stands out for its unexpected charm and fast-growing creative scene. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, earned a spot, proving that travel-worthy experiences dont always require a flight across the ocean. Why Pittsburgh made the list According to National Geographic, Pittsburgh was chosen for its mix of urban renewal, cultural attractions, and scenic landscapes. The citys skyline sits along three rivers, offering stunning views from overlooks like Mount Washington. Visitors can easily spend a weekend exploring its vibrant neighborhoods and impressive museum scene. Pittsburgh made National Geographics Best of the World list for 2026 as one of the most unexpected U.S. travel destinations to explore next year. (Dmitry Vinogradov via Getty Images) Nathan Lump, editor-in-chief of National Geographic, described Pittsburgh as an easy long weekend destination, praising its fantastic museums and fun neighborhoods. The citys young and creative population, supported by major universities such as Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, adds to its lively energy. Arts and culture at the forefront Pittsburghs art scene is set to grow even bigger in 2026. The 59th Carnegie International Exhibition, which only takes place every four years, will open in May and is expected to attract art lovers from around the world. The Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History remain key attractions for visitors interested in culture and history. One of the citys must-see spots, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, is part of why Pittsburgh earned a place on National Geographics 2026 list. (Carnegie Museum of Natural History / VisitPITTSBURGH) Another highlight is the Andy Warhol Museum, which is undergoing a $60 million expansion. The project will introduce a new performing arts venue in the Pop District, paying tribute to the citys most famous creative export. For travelers who enjoy immersive art experiences, these developments make Pittsburgh an ideal destination for the coming year. New parks and green spaces coming soon Pittsburgh is also investing in its outdoor spaces. One major development, Arts Landing, is a four-acre downtown park set to open in April 2026. The site will feature public art installations, open green areas, and a performance space for local events. Arts Landing Park, opening in 2026, is one of Pittsburghs newest green spaces featured in National Geographics list of top destinations. (Pittsburgh Cultural Trust) Beyond the city center, Pittsburghs 90 distinct neighborhoods each offer their own appeal, from cozy cafes to historical landmarks. A ride up the Duquesne Incline rewards visitors with panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Allegheny Mountains, giving travelers a sense of Pittsburghs blend of nature and urban life. Arts Landing Park, opening in 2026, is one of Pittsburghs newest green spaces featured in National Geographics list of top destinations. (BD Images via Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Other U.S. destinations on the list National Geographics 2026 list didnt stop at Pittsburgh. It also featured several other U.S. destinations worth noting. In North Dakota, travelers can visit the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, a 93,000-square-foot facility opening in July 2026 in the states Badlands region. The library celebrates Americas 26th president and his connection to the countrys national parks. The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, opening in 2026, is one of the key destinations highlighted in National Geographics Best of the World list. (Rendering by Snhetta / Courtesy of Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation) In Oklahoma, a road trip along Route 66 will be a highlight for many. The state is celebrating the highways 100th anniversary with major restoration projects totaling $82 million. Spanning 400 miles across Oklahoma, this route remains one of the most nostalgic road trips in the country. Oklahoma made National Geographics 2026 list with a Route 66 road trip celebrating the highways 100th anniversary. (Bim via Getty Images) Mauis resilience recognized Hawaiis Maui also earned a place on the list. After the devastating wildfires in 2023, the island has worked hard to rebuild and reopen responsibly to visitors. National Geographic highlighted Mauis community efforts and commitment to sustainable tourism as key reasons for its inclusion. Maui continues to inspire travelers with its natural beauty and community-driven recovery, earning a spot on National Geographics 2026 list. (karandaev via Getty Images) For travelers seeking a mix of recovery, culture, and natural beauty, Mauis continued resilience is a reminder of why it remains one of the most beloved islands in the Pacific. A year of meaningful travel ahead Whether its exploring Pittsburghs expanding art scene, tracing history in North Dakota, cruising along Route 66, or revisiting Mauis beaches, National Geographics 2026 list offers plenty of inspiration. The selections reflect a growing focus on creativity, sustainability, and connection to place. If youre planning next years travels, these destinations show that unforgettable adventures can be found both near and far. Sometimes, the most surprising getaway might be just a few hours away. Imagine driving away in a recently bought luxury SUV only to find that the brakes hardly work. Its not the end of the world, brake pads wear off, you can just replace them, but what if you find that the car doesnt even come with licensed brake pads? Thats what happened to a German motorist who discovered that the Mercedes GLE he had bought at an auction was equipped with simple blocks of wood instead of real brake pads. The man, whose name has not been revealed by German media, told police in Ludwigsburg that he had realized something was wrong with his used Mercedes GLE the moment he pushed the brake pedal after buying it at an auction. The car barely slowed down, no matter how hard he slammed the brakes, so he called a tow truck and took it straight to a repair shop. Photo: Ludwigsburg Police Upon inspecting the brake system, the mechanics found that instead of authorized brake pads, the SUV was equipped with wooden pads with the Brembo brand scribbled on them in permanent marker. They offered almost no stopping power and had already damaged the vehicles disks. This is not even amateurism, but criminal sloppiness, Hans Bauer, a technical safety expert who helped with the investigation, told the German newspaper Stuttgarter Nachrichten, adding that the wood wears out almost instantly when rubbing against the metal disks and has no chance of stopping a 2-tonne vehicle. Photo: Ludwigsburg Police German police have opened a criminal case against the former owner for interfering with a cars critical security elements, but their reason for replacing the vehicles brake pads with wooden blocks remains unknown. Ruder Finn launches rf.StoryLab, a creative incubator that merges generative AI tools with human-powered creative vision. The new platform, which incorporates elements of Ruder Finns three AI Catalyst Engines (rf.TechLab, rf.Studio53 and rf.Digital), will be co-led by Zach Russo, head of rf.Studio53, and Tejas Totade, head of AI and CTO at Ruder Finn. Its offerings including synthetic media across audio, video and design; digital twins; scalable content generation for precision targeting; and custom GPTs. In an era defined by rapid advancements in AI technologies and platforms, rf.StoryLab is dedicated to leveraging the latest in generative models, natural language processing, and synthetic media to engineer emotionally resonant, brand-aligned narratives at scale, and pioneer whats next in AI-powered creative, said Totade. Do It On, a Lisbon, Portugal-based marketing and communication agency, joins INT. Agencies, an international collective of independent full-service agencies with a presence across five continents. Do It Ons entry strengthens INT. Agencies presence on the Iberian Peninsula and opens opportunities for brands seeking local expertise with a global perspective. Founded in 2017, Do It On provides services that include digital marketing, public relations, events and training. Joining INT. Agencies is a statement of the quality of the work weve delivered and the strategic vision that drives us forward. Its also an opportunity to share knowledge and create synergies with other independent agencies who, like us, believe in transforming business through communication, said Do It On founder Fernando Batista. The Public Relations Society of America releases AI Prompting 101: A Start Here Guide for Professional Communicators, a resource offering practical, structured guidance to help communications pros integrate generative AI tools into their daily work. The guide offers a clear, accessible starting point for practitioners looking to incorporate generative AI into day-to-day work. It includes prompts across core areas of practice, including message development, strategic planning, media relations, crisis communications, executive and internal communications, social media and digital engagement. Each prompt is designed to help users define context, establish the AI assistants role and guide the process toward clear, actionable outputs. This guide is designed to help professionals move from experimenting with AI to gaining confidence, working smarter and using AI to propel us into the next era of communications, said Ray Day, 2025 PRSA chair, Stagwell vice chair and Allison Worldwide executive chair. A huge PR opportunity looms for a firm that is willing to take some heat. Despite reports that the Immigration & Customs Enforcement is shelling out up to $50K in signing bonuses, the Dept. of Homeland Security operation is apparently in need of many more masked men and women to invade cities and scoop the worst of the worst" off the streets. Those scoundrels apparently include Rafael Veraza and his one-year-old daughter, who were pepper-sprayed by ICE agent in the parking lot of a Sams Club in Cicero, a Chicago suburb. ICEs personnel crunch is a key takeaway from its sources sought document related to the possible hiring of a firm to handle marketing and a recruitment drive. It says its desperate for immediate recruitment outreach to address critical workforce shortages. The vacancies are significantly impacting its ability to meet mission requirements. The SS says ICEs need for marketing services is both unusual and compelling. Without quick marketing support, ICE will be unable to effectively participate in upcoming recruiting events and outreach opportunities, many of which occur on fixed dates (e.g., career fairs, campus events, military base visits). Missing these events will delay filling critical vacancies, increasing operational risk and hinder the ability to maintain adequate staffing levels. This would negatively impact public safety operations, investigations, and other law enforcement functions, according to the SS. ICE doesnt want to waste time by reviewing a bunch of candidatesin the event it decides to go through a search. The governments need for the services is of such unusual and compelling urgency that ICE would be seriously injured unless it is permitted to limit the number of sources from which it solicits offers. The lead time necessary to conduct a full competitive procurement would result in unacceptable delays to mission-critical recruitment activities, reads the SS. The SS lists available positions with associate, director, manager and executive. The top spot (executive II) requires a masters degree and at least ten years of experience. Here are the job specs: Responsible for overall strategic direction and guidance for implementing and managing client objectives, requirements and programs. Provides leadership direction across programs, projects, and business processes. Client programs may include strategy development and consulting; program management and budgeting; market research; communications including marketing, advertising, events, video production, public relations, digital, social media, paid media, and other outreach activities; user centered design, web development, database programming; system reengineering and integration; supply chain logistics; and analytics and reporting. Many ODwyer readers possess the qualifications that ICE is looking for. The question becomes: Do you want to represent ICE? Hows that for chutzpah! Disgraced New York mayor Eric Adams is getting out of town on a taxpayer-funded four-day junket to Israel beginning Nov. 14. Geez. He couldnt wait until his term is up at the end of year. Eric claims hes making the trip to have fun after maintaining a grueling 12-hour daily schedule. Right-O. Adams, who presided over one of the most corrupt regimes in recent NYC history, plans to meet with Israel government officials, economic development leaders and members of the tech community. He also will visit religious sites and discuss ways to combat antisemitism in New York. You can bet Adams will win face time with Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Incoming NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani has promised to arrest Netanyahu, if he visits the Big Apple. The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of Netanyahu for alleged crimes against humanity in Gaza. The US though is not part of the ICC. The only economic development progress coming from Adams trip will be more of a personal nature. His dizzoner wants to burnish his foreign policy credentials for a sweet spot in Donald Trumps State Dept. The US does have an ambassador to Saudi Arabia slot open. That would be a reach for Eric, since Trump and his family prefer one-on-one meetings with the Saudi royals and their top guy Mohammed bin Salman. Will Turkey call for Adams, a huge fan of Turkish Air? Hats off to Berkshire Hathaways Warren Buffett for writing his always engaging and witty annual reports over the years. Wall Street hotly anticipated the ARs brimming with Buffetts folksy takes on his companys and Americas financial outlook. BHs annual shareholders meeting in Omaha became known as the Woodstock for Capitalists. Buffett educated many investors about the importance of investing long-term in companies with easy-to-understand brands. He followed the 90 percent (low-cost S&P 500 index funds) to 10 percent (short-term government bonds) rule of investing. That played out in BHs investment portfolio, which includes Coca-Cola, American Express, BankAmerica, Kroger, Dominos Pizza, Occidental Petroleum, and Kraft Heinz. In his Nov. 10 letter to shareholders, Buffett said that he will no longer be writing Berkshires annual report, or talking endlessly at the annual meeting. Grateful and surprised to be alive at 95, he plans to accelerate the transfer of his assets to the foundations of his three children. But dont despair. Buffett plans to continue his annual Thanksgiving message. For that, we are grateful. There will be festive cheer in abundance around Offaly on December 6 as 250 tractors and trucks decked in Christmas lights roll through the county for a local charity. The Edenderry Light Up Run is now in its eighth year and will raise money in 2025 for Laois Offaly Families For Autism (LOFFA), a parent-run volunteer support group for families of children and young adults with an autism diagnosis. The event has grown each year after making its start back in 2018 and has always raised money for sick children in the locality. In its seven previous years, the Edenderry Light Up Run has raised more than 50,000 for local causes, and this year is no different. The run will be bigger and better than ever having welcomed over 240 vehicles last year. This year's run takes place on Saturday, December 6, from 6pm and people are encouraged to gather on the town along the planned route. READ NEXT: US surgeon dons Offaly jersey to give local boy the 'best' news after life-saving op The parade of tractors and trucks will begin at the Edenderry Business Campus at Monasteroris, travel along the new Inner Relief Road to Tesco and then all the way through the centre of the town. From there, the parade will head towards Daingean, before visiting Croghan and Rhode where people can also catch a glimpse of the festive convoy. The Edenderry Light Up Run committee are also busy preparing to welcome thousands of people to the Edenderry GAA grounds just a few days later on December 10 as the famous Santa Truck rolls into town. It will be the first time the Santa Truck has visited Edenderry on his travels around the country and will see kids able meet Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves, and visit Santa's grotto which is in the trailer. Theres no entry charge for parents but donations are welcomed with all proceeds going directly to the Laura Lynn Foundation. "Lets fill the evening with sparkle, smiles, and support for a wonderful cause," the committee said. A Santa Truck Ireland statement read: "We wish to extend our huge thanks to everyone involved in this magical event. Santa Truck has raised 205,670 for LauraLynn since 2021, and the team hopes to raise even more this year! Its a huge undertaking by these wonderful volunteers to decide to travel to so many locations, in a bid to raise as much as they can for the children and families in LauraLynn." A county Longford man who viciously assaulted another man has been directed by a judge to complete 240 hours of community service in lieu of two years imprisonment for a serious and assault. Matthew Cox (28) of Cloncallow, Ballymahon pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court to assault causing harm on the grounds of St Mels Cathedral in Longford town on October 23, 2023. At an earlier hearing in January of this year, Judge Kenneth Connolly directed the 28 year-old, who showed signs of remorse to pay 5,000 compensation to the victim and he requested a probation report and a community service report. Gardai were alerted shortly after 1.30am that a serious assault had been reported after Midoc contacted them after a 26 year-old man walked into their office with serious head and facial injuries. Officers attended Midoc, however, when they arrived the injured party had already been taken by ambulance to Mullingar General Hospital by ambulance. READ NEXT: Man was transporting drugs when his car overturned in the Midlands The Gardai went to the grounds of St Mels Cathedral, and they noticed some blood and the area was cordoned off and preserved. The complainant provided a written statement in hospital and Mr Cox was quickly identified as a suspect. The court heard the defendant, through his solicitor Frank Gearty made contact with Garda Inspector Declan McGlynn and informed him he wished to cooperate. Gardai drove to Mr Coxs apartment in Ballymahon at 5pm the day after the incident and they seized clothing, footwear, a hat and bedsheets with blood on them as evidence and Mr Cox handed officers a voluntary written statement and he was arrested. The defendant's partner told Gardai she remembered Mr Cox arriving home at around 2.30am and she noticed there was blood on his hands and on his cheekbone. Mr Cox, who was born in Florida, USA and moved to Ireland when he was eight, also admitted to officers he had taken the victims phone and he described his recollection as being hazy. The victim, who said he saw one or several people outside the Cathedral and the next thing he remembered was waking up on the ground about two hours later, had no memory of the incident and there were no witnesses or CCTV footage. Mr Cox told Gardai he consumed, maybe 12 bottles, six or seven pints and he could recall punching the victim in the head and body and he then put him in the recovery position". Garda Fleming said after Mr Cox viewed photographs of the injuries and he was charged he asked Gardai to pass on an apology to the victim and showed signs of 'remorse, shock and horror'. Dr Richard Lynch examined the victim who suffered a large wound and laceration on the back of his head, his nasal septa deviated to the right side and he had bruising all over his face. Last January, the victim was said to be still suffering from constant pressure behind his nose, a painful nose when touched and frequent nose bleeds and he suffered with severe headaches for one month after the assault. The victim declined to make a victim impact statement or attend court. Mr Cox, who entered an early guilty plea and who cooperated with Gardai had no previous convictions. The defendant, who earlier this year was working remotely for British Telecom, previously worked as a lifeguard at Center Parcs. Judge Connolly had requested a probation and community service report earlier this year and he was informed last Tuesday they were positive and the defendant was deemed to have a low risk of reoffending. "It was a very serious matter for the victim in this case but it does seem to be entirely out of character." Judge Connolly noted that 'considerable compensation' of 5,000 had been paid to the victim and he directed the defendant to complete 240 hours community service in lieu of two years imprisonment" to be completed by October 28, 2026. A new feature has been added to the Labor and Employment subsystem of Azerbaijans Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population, allowing for the electronic approval of short-term leave requests between employers and employees, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry. According to the report, the new functionality simplifies the process for employers and enhances management flexibility. Employers can now determine whether service-related leave should be counted toward employees total leave hours by selecting Yes or No in the Should service leave be deducted from the employees hourly limit? section. When the service is activated, the leave period is recorded as official (service) leave and is not included in the employees total leave balance. The ministry emphasized that this innovation promotes more transparent and efficient communication between employers and employees while supporting the digital transformation of internal labor management processes across organizations. OFFALY celebrated two major wins and a runner up prize at the all-Ireland IPB Pride of Place community awards in Limerick on Friday evening (November 7). Clonfanlough Hall Committee and Accessible Counselling Tullamore both took home a Judges Special Award for their work, while Ballycommon Telework & Training Centre CLG came runner up in the Inclusive Communities category. The awards, hosted by comedian and broadcaster Dermot Whelan, took place in Limericks Strand Hotel, with 400 community volunteers in attendance. Sponsored by IPB Insurance, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 23 years ago though a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development. It has grown into the largest competition recognising community development achievements on the island of Ireland. Clonfanlough Hall is located in a rural area close to Clonmacnoise. The area has a low population and few services. The Hall Committee was set-up in October 2023 with the aim of reopening the Community Hall to offer a range of activities and social events for all ages and groups within their community. The judges praised the determination of the Clonfanlough Hall Committee in their comments. The judges were particularly impressed by the dynamism and dedication of the voluntary group which was formed quite recently and have achieved so much in a very short space of time. The Hall is truly the heart of the community enjoyed by all generations and the judges got the opportunity to engage with many of the users who enthusiastically shared their appreciation to the Hall Committee for taking care of this important community asset. Accessible Counselling Tullamore (ACT), a not-for-profit CLG, opened its doors in January 2020 in offices located at Main St., Tullamore. It provided an invaluable counselling service to residents in Offaly during Covid-19 and in the years since. Its mission is to support people in the community maintaining positive mental health by providing accessible counselling and psychotherapy services. Accessible Counselling Tullamore was recognised for the impact they were having. The judges heard testimonials from clients who have used the services, and, in all cases, they spoke of kindness, compassion and a non-judgemental approach of ACT. The outcomes achieved are measured on their CORE system and prove the positive impacts on the clients. This group was exceptional, both in terms of the service they provide and the way they provide it and in how they have planned to make it sustainable into the future. Their professional approach to an organisation which is run on a voluntary basis is outstanding. Ballycommon Telework & Training Centre, located 10km from Tullamore, is a community owned rural social enterprise established in 1999 to address the training and development needs of the community. Ballycommon Telework & Training Centres runner up award in the Inclusive Communities category, won by Kingspan Breffni in Cavan, is a testament to its achievements and vision since its founding. It continues to evolve to meet the growing and changing needs of the community it serves. Offaly County Council Chief Executive, Anna Marie Delaney, welcomed the enormous contributions made by all three entrants from Offaly and said it was uplifting to see the hard work and dedication the groups have put into their communities which really demonstrates their pride of place. Their contributions deserve to be publicly acknowledged and rewarded. She congratulated the three groups on their deserving recognition at the Awards Ceremony. Offaly County Council Cathaoirleach, Councillor John Leahy, said that Offaly County Council is immensely proud of the three community groups. They have put their heart and soul into making their communities better places to live and he thanked them for their unflagging commitment and effort. READ NEXT: Offaly County Council Community and Voluntary Group Awards presented READ NEXT: Two Offaly farmers complete inaugural Lakeland Dairies Young Farmer Programme Is there a Money Tree? (Image by Opednews) Details DMCA Newly elected New York City progressive mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani - like almost everyone - is ignoring the Fiscal Elephant in the room: the Pension funds (5 of them!). From Crain's March 9, 2023 issue: Last year, the city contributed $9.6 billion to the funds, which have about $250 billion in assets. Employees contributed about $2.5 billion, according to the funds financial statements. Last month, New York City Comptrollers Brad Lander called on the states Department of Financial Services to review the pension fund for schools non-teaching staff, where spending has grown about 170% in five years. New York City's Board of Education Retirement Systems $35 billion budget exceeds the budget of the police pension, which has almost twice the membership...More than a decade ago, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and then Comptroller John Liu proposed consolidating the investment management of the five pensions into a single independent investment board. Managing money internally would save the city $1 billion a year, they said. That proposal was pulled because some unions wouldn't be represented on the new board and individual pensions wanted to maintain control over investment decisions. Then there are spiraling management costs:Together, this is well over $10 billion, more than the deficit that would accrue if current spending patterns were left in place in FY 2024. But savings on pension management and "catch-up" contributions when the city has a bad year, like 2022, are inevitably paid AFTER the asset markets have bottomed and asset prices have risen again and they are spread over several years. This is billions of dollars and dramatically undercuts the stated ROI over long periods. In fact, former Comptroller Scott Stringer produced a report that showed zero ROI over a 10-year pension period ending in 2015, when he included $2.5 billion in management fees. Then, as now, suggestions were made to consolidate the 5 pension funds and increase efficiency and ROI. Then, as now, they were mostly ignored. But again, this misses the big picture. Most pension funds, after fees and deducting employee contributions too, barely generate positive returns at all. The roughly $250 billion dollar question then, is: Why do we need pension funds at all? The pensioners are NOT the problem. They could, should and would be better off if they were paid a guaranteed amount equal to what they get now, with equally guaranteed COLAs every year. This kind of Pay-Go system should be guaranteed in the City Charter, or for state pensions - another roughly $250 billion - in the state Constitution. Lawyers and unions can figure out what legally binding agreement to use. Then, a bunch of expensive investment managers - who, collectively, rarely beat the S&P 500 index, could be laid off. The Comptroller's staff would shrink and he could focus on fiscal management of the city without the gross conflicts of interest that investing in commercial enterprises brings. Then, the pension fund could be gradually sold off, say, in 5 years. Some of that could pay down city debt, immediately raising the city's credit rating and lowering borrowing costs, which alone could pay for the absence of whatever marginal gains the pension funds might actually make. See here for a list of what New York State and New York City invest in as of the end of Q2, 2025: Summary of Investment Types in New York State and New York City (Image by Scott Baker) Details DMCA These are in no way, "safe" or "conservative" investments. Where else could this money be invested? This money might go to things that serve Main Street, not Wall Street, such as: - A city Public Bank ($50 billion in deposits) that would replace the loans that the decades-long disappearance of small, community banks used to lend out. Under-banked does not mean undeserving, and lending to small businesses and individuals at competitive rates - and working with existing community banks - would boost employment, security, and the tax base. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). First published in the PuLSE Instistute By Robert Weiner and Hallvard Misje Across the United States, inequality has become the defining fault line of the economy. While corporate profits and stock prices reach record highs, millions of Americans face the daily struggle of finding affordable housing and stability. Leading journalist and standard-bearer for economic justice issues Bankole Thompson, who is the founder and dean of the anti-poverty think tank, The PuLSE Institute, has urged the country's business leaders to confront this divide head-on. Thompson's emerging Doctrine, which should be required reading for the nation's business tycoons and business schools, as well as the recent PuLSE economic conference that featured some CEOs as speakers, call for a new standard of moral responsibility and economic justice in corporate America--one where CEOs, investors, and executives recognize that their success is inseparable from the well-being of the communities around them. Thompson warns of a growing distance between corporate boardrooms and the everyday realities of working families, arguing that business must become a force for social renewal rather than a detached observer of inequality. Though the nation's captains of industry are not hired to be the moral leaders of their companies, it is incumbent on them to be men and women of conscience with a profound commitment to drive social change. This era is demanding conscientious corporate leaders who are committed to the issues of economic justice. Every leader of a major corporation must decide whether they will invest in the principles of economic justice where everyone has access to the opportunities that would lead to a dignified life, Thompson explains in the didactic Doctrine. Despite the longstanding argument that the mores and customs of the free market enterprise are not designed to fight the multidimensional poverty crisis facing communities across the nation, it is time for a paradigm shift in the role of the business leader in this age. A social impact business leader is one who is not only concerned about the profit wellbeing of their company, but also the economic health of the community in which they operate. The two are not mutually exclusive. They are mutually inclusive. The current ROAD to Housing Act offers corporate leaders a timely opportunity to begin changing their approach and aligning business conduct with broader social responsibility as laid out in the Bankole Thompson Doctrine. Advanced by the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee on a 240 vote, a rare moment of bipartisan consensus in today's Congress, the Housing Act stands as the most comprehensive housing bill since the Great Recession . It aims to boost affordability and expand supply while preserving local authority, cutting red tape, accelerating construction, and strengthening rental-assistance programs to better support families and communities. Though the Congressional Budget Office has yet to release an official cost estimate, most analyses put the bill's price tag at roughly $2.5 billion, a relatively modest sum for such an ambitious national initiative and minuscule compared to the Three TRILLION Dollars in tax breaks for billionaires in the BBB bill passed by both houses of congress and signed by President Donald Trump. Part of the reason the bill sailed through committee is that it gives both sides something to claim as a win. For Republicans, it avoids federal preemption of local zoning and land-use authority, ensuring that decisions about development remain in local hands. It favors incentives over mandates, trims regulatory hurdles, and expands market-based tools such as financing for manufactured housing and investment in Opportunity Zones. These provisions are meant to make it easier for local governments and private developers to build a move that could help increase supply and, eventually, ease prices. Changes in lending and regulation could also open the door to more manufactured homes, offering affordable relief for some communities. For Democrats, the act delivers progress on core housing priorities. It expands affordable housing programs, strengthens tenant protections, and increases funding for HOME and other initiatives that support low-income families. With housing costs spiraling home prices up more than 60 percent since 2019, and nearly half of renter households spending over 30 percent of their income on housing, the urgency of the crisis has forced a rare moment of cooperation. The ROAD to Housing Act marks the first bipartisan housing markup in more than a decade. Still, experts warn that the legislation is not a cure-all. It's not a panacea , said Alys Cohen, director of federal housing advocacy at the National Consumer Law Center, questioning whether the bill will meet the needs of many of the people who need it the most-- underserved communities and households of color . Indeed, many households of color are disproportionately severely rent-burdened, paying more than half their income on rent . A report-- from the Center for American Progress--notes that regions with larger black populations tend to have weaker safety nets and fewer protections for low-wage workers. Because these workers are disproportionately black and brown, they are hit hardest by these gaps though the effects ultimately ripple across all working-class communities. This further underscores Bankole Thompson's argument that the American economy needs a broader lift one that extends beyond policy and includes corporations and the wealthy taking meaningful responsibility for the society from which they profit. His doctrine points toward a broader goal creating solutions that lift all Americans, not just a privileged few including those who may see little direct benefit from the Senate's new housing bill. The bill could be especially helpful in Detroit, where abject poverty and abandoned houses still dominate the city's media landscape. Only when major political initiatives like the ROAD to Housing Act, private firms and investors, and ordinary Americans work together will there be a real chance to narrow the economic divides that define our society. The act is a promising start--a rare display of bipartisanship in times of lockdown. But policy alone will not be enough. The effort must also come from the nation's largest companies and financial institutions, and above all, it must endure. The groundwork has been laid; if future administrations build upon it rather than discard it, the country may finally begin to bridge its widening economic gaps. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Guwahati, Assam - [11-11-2025] - Happyfares, one of India's fastest-growing online flight booking platforms, has unveiled an enhanced flight search and booking experience designed to The two former officers are among 11 who have left the Portland Police Bureau since the beginning of 2024 while facing termination, police said. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Inside a Southeast Portland bar bathroom, one veteran Portland police officer said he stumbled on a sandwich bag of cocaine and began using the drug off and on for months before the Police Bureau found out. Another veteran officer deleted nearly 3,000 files from a police server after her supervisors tried to transfer her to patrol, an investigation found. The former officers Mark Ellison and Michele Vergara are among the 11 who have left the Portland Police Bureau since the beginning of 2024 while facing termination. The bureau allows officers to resign or retire before it issues discipline, although it sends any investigation to the states police certification agency anyway. The discipline-related departures are a small hit to the bureaus force of more than 800 police officers, but they move personnel numbers in the wrong direction as Portland police work to build up staff after a wave of retirements and resignations over the past five years. Since taking the top job in 2023, Police Chief Bob Day has lobbied the city for more funding for officers and pledged a lofty goal to grow the force to 1,000 officers. The Police Bureau has made strides this year including hiring 22 officers in September the largest class in years but the discipline cases add to the number of vacancies that slow the progress. The city of Portland initially blocked the release of public records revealing why Vergara was facing dismissal, but turned over the reports after The Oregonian/OregonLive won a public records appeal. City records show Vergaras highest recent salary was $78,741, in 2022, and Ellisons salary was $104,601 in 2024. Internal investigation records investigators accused Vergara of deleting extremely important personnel files from bureau servers and Ellison had been disciplined twice before admitting to using cocaine. Vergara resigned in July 2024 and Day fired Ellison in August that year. Vergara declined to comment, and Ellison did not respond to several requests for comment. A citizen complained to Portland police in October 2023 that Ellison was using cocaine, though the records do not specify if the drug use was on- or off-duty. Internal records say two narcotics officers investigated and found he was frequenting clubs and bars. Ellison admitted to using cocaine to Internal Affairs investigators in January 2024, records show. Ellison said he believed someone was using cocaine in a bar bathroom, waited until they left and found a full baggie of the drug, police records say. He called the decision to take the drug very spontaneous, and that he was in massive debt and going to lose his home. I was in a bad spot, Ellison said. He told investigators he continued to use cocaine periodically afterward, in part to help him overcome his shy personality and be more social. I admit I have a problem, he said. Im sorry. Ellison, an 11-year officer, was disciplined twice before, records show. Former Chief Danielle Outlaw gave him a letter of reprimand in 2018 for letting a scantily clad woman get her picture taken on the hood of his patrol car. He was also suspended without pay for 40 hours that same year when he inserted himself into a missing persons investigation regarding a family member, police documents say. The Police Review Board in 2024 unanimously agreed that Ellison had violated the bureaus drug policies and voted to fire him. Vergara had worked for the Police Bureau for 14 years. Capt. Rob Simon, now North Precinct commander, told Internal Affairs he had decided to move Vergara from administrative duties to patrol. But during a conversation inside a police office on Sept. 30, 2022, she became visibly upset, Simon said. He alleged Vergara called the decision ridiculous and stupid, uttered expletives and referred to him as a snake. She then walked over to her cubicle and began deleting files from a bureau server, records say. A police sergeant had to escort her out of the building. Police records say Vergara deleted around 2,900 files that included records on hiring and retention. Simon believed she was trying to sabotage the personnel division, investigators wrote. Police officials recovered the files with an IT analysts help. But Simon said the record purge could have had major ramifications if the files werent recovered: it puts the bureau in a very precarious position where we have to try to produce that stuff and we cant. In her own interview with Internal Affairs, she said she was blindsided by the transfer and was distraught. Vergara repeatedly told investigators she believed she was deleting her own personal files and that she didnt intend to delete files that kept other people from doing their jobs. The Police Review Board said her actions had the potential to damage the entire organization. An internal affairs investigator, Stacey Rovinelli, had the same conclusion. The board moved toward firing Vergara but she resigned before the official recommendation landed on Aug. 8, 2024. The deletion of these files would have, essentially, caused a work stoppage for an extended period of time had they not been recovered, Rovinelli wrote. Samson Garner, 41, planned to carry out a mass shooting in 2023 at the Craggin Classic, an annual rock climbing event at Smith Rock State Park. LC- Jamie Hale/The Oregonian A Deschutes County judge on Monday sentenced a Portland man to 30 years in prison after the mans conviction for planning to undertake a mass shooting at a climbing event at Smith Rock State Park in October 2023. Samson Garner, 41, told two acquaintances that he planned to show up at the Craggin Classic an annual three-day rock-climbing festival hosted by the Colorado-based American Alpine Club and indiscriminately shoot participants and spectators, according to police and the American Alpine Club. Judge Allison Emerson handed down the sentence to Garner following his conviction on more than two dozen charges, including attempted first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon, court records say. In an October 2023 statement, the American Alpine Club said Garner was a former member, but Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels said in a statement after Garners arrest that youre not going to find a good reason about why he was planning to do what he was doing. Court records show that Garner appeared on law enforcements radar as early as August 2023, after he spelled out in emails to friends his desire to massacre skiers with an assault rifle at Mt. Hood Meadows, according to court records obtained by the Bend Bulletin. He had no convictions in Oregon at the time. I fantasize daily about murder, death and vengeance, Garner said in a Sept. 30, 2023, email, adding that he thought about driving to see his ex-wife in Michigan, cutting her fingers off and killing her mom while making her watch. In August 2023, Garner sent a series of texts to a friend in which he hinted at his desire to inflict violence, court records say. The people who received the emails and texts from Garner reported the messages to the Portland Police Bureau, which filed a petition for an extreme risk protection order that would force Garner to give up his weapons, court records show. One of the tipsters said he believed Garner was well armed and owns rifles as well as handguns and possibly body armor, according to court records. Police didnt say how they otherwise responded to the tips at the time. In October 2023, Garner left for Deschutes County, with an AR-15 assault rifle, a pistol, other weapons and ammunition, including armor-piercing rounds and body armor, court records and the Deschutes County District Attorneys Office said. Law enforcement arrested Garner the day before the Craggin Classic was scheduled to begin. An exterior shot of the One North Complex, which the district is considering as a location for the Center for Black Student Excellence Austin De Dios Portland Public Schools plans to acquire a glossy, buzzy office space on North Williams Avenue to anchor its long-overdue Center for Black Student Excellence appear to have hit a speedbump. District leaders had hoped that the 72,000 square foot property would be turnkey and ready for near-immediate use once a deal closed. Instead, a new due diligence investigation says the buildings wont be fully ready for student use for up to three years, thanks to permitting and construction needs, including seismic upgrades. Initial estimates suggest that the building improvements and structural upgrades could add between $21 and $25 million to the purchase price, district spokesperson Valerie Feder said Monday night. In September, school board members authorized spending $16 million to purchase the distinctive, mass timber-wrapped One North development, two buildings at 25 N. Fremont St and 3505 N. Williams Ave. The school board plans a final vote as soon as next month, after school board members decide whether the findings show that purchasing the development remains the correct fit for the districts needs The results of the new investigations determined that the 10-year-old buildings will require significant seismic work to bring them up to code for use as an educational setting, along with upgrades to their heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and other improvements. In its agreement with the sellers, Portland Public Schools agreed to assume all liability for building upgrades and purchase the buildings in their current condition. Portland voters approved up to $60 million for the project as part of a 2020 bond measure. Seismic and HVAC needs are significant districtwide. The cost to seismically retrofit all of Portlands aging school buildings, where children, their teachers and support staff spend at least six hours a day, is estimated at around $900 million. And some or all Portland Public Schools campuses have periodically closed amid heat waves and ice storms; the districts teachers also repeatedly raised issues about classrooms that were too hot or cold during their November 2023 strike. The report also found that the perpetually budget-strapped school district will need to find at least $271,000 per year to maintain One North, funding that cannot be paid for by bond money. District officials envision the buildings to be primarily populated by community-based organizations that specialize in services for Black students and their families, who would likely pay below-market rent, the due diligence investigations says. Students would typically use the buildings for after-school enrichment programming, summer school and camps or during the weekends and evenings. It is possible that the district could find more commercial tenants to occupy space in the buildings to generate revenue, the report notes, though greater Portlands commercial space vacancy rate is currently at record highs and it would be responsible for property tax payments on those parts of the buildings. The district is a landlord to educational tenants, like charter schools or county programs that rent space in its vacant school buildings, but its experience as a commercial landlord is more limited. The buildings, owned by businesses linked to winery owner Eric Lemelson, is currently home to a lunch restaurant, an advertising agency and an urgent care clinic that is set to close soon. One North is located within about two miles of schools that serve about 20% of Black students who attend Portland Public Schools, including Jefferson High School, Harriet Tubman Middle School, King and Boise-Eliot/Humboldt elementary schools and the Kairos charter school. There is very limited parking on site nor is there much space for school buses to maneuver through pick-up and drop-off, though due diligence investigators suggested that the district could pay for parking access at a neighboring church. Reaching the buildings by public transportation and walking from other schools in the city that serve higher percentages of Black students could be time-consuming. It would take about 35 to 45 minutes via bus from Roosevelt High School in North Portland, for instance, about 45 minutes from McDaniel High School in Northeast Portland and Markham Elementary School in Southwest Portland, and an hour from Franklin High School in Southeast Portland. Many members of the school board, including Board Chair Eddie Wang and Vice Chair Michelle DePass, have made their support for One North abundantly clear in previous public meetings. And a whos who of the Black community in Portland have thrown their strong support to the project, urging the school board to move quickly to fulfill a commitment to a community that has been historically marginalized by the district. Speaking to board members in September, Aryn Frazier, the director of the Center for Black Excellence, a nonprofit formed to guide the district as it planned for the new space, said they were not just years late to take action, but decades. The district (has) abdicated its responsibility to educate black children in a way that leaves them well and whole, ready to be lifelong learners, leaders, and innovators prepared to shape the world rather than be subjected to it, Frazier said in September as she urged board members to approve the conditional purchase-sale agreement. You will not find a better property in a better location on a better timeline for a better price anywhere in the district, Frazier added. One influential detractor of the One North proposal is Portland Association of Teachers President Angela Bonilla, who has said she is wholeheartedly supportive of programming for Black students, but that it should be housed in existing school buildings. On Monday, after reviewing the due diligence materials, Bonilla did not mince words. The board was ignoring years of painstaking community engagement about what students, families and educators said they wanted the Center for Black Student Excellence to be, she argued, suggesting that the district was using race as a smokescreen for the conversion of public funds into private and non-profit hands. I dont want PPS to repeat the same mistakes year after year: Rushing to maintain a veneer of racial justice while blatantly ignoring the actual needs of our Black students and families, she added in an email to The Oregonian/OregonLive. Black students dont need a new building, far from their schools, with no school bus access. They need more opportunities at their sites, more mental health support, more educators and staff that look like them. School district leaders have said they do not want to co-locate the Center for Black Student Excellence at a school because they want it to be accessible to the entire district and not be identified as belonging to a single campus. The original school board resolution on the topic says the center was to be an initiative that focuses on a group of community schools by supporting optimal teaching and learning environments. Another outstanding question about the project is whether it is likely to draw the ire and a challenge from the Trump administration, or from groups taking aim at similar programs across the country. Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong has taken pains to point out that the facility will be available for any Portland Public Schools student to use, regardless of their background. But already, a group called Parents Defending Education has asked the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights to investigate the plans for the Center for Black Student Excellence. The group charged that the centers existence would violate the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which bans discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin at any entity that receives federal funding. Portland Public Schools receives federal dollars for special education, school nutrition and extra aid for low-income students. A spokesperson for the district said last spring that the U.S. Department of Education had not opened any investigation into the proposed center. Whether or not to hear from staff about the due diligence report was a tug-of-war at the districts Facilities Improvement and Oversight Committee on Monday night. Committee Chair Virginia La Forte had scheduled a staff presentation on the findings, but committee members Michelle DePass and Rashelle Chase-Miller argued strongly against that, saying the item had been added to the agenda too late for interested community members to attend the meeting. La Forte, though, said the issue had been moved from the committees agenda by board leadership without her consent, despite what she said were her multiple requests that it be added to the agenda in plenty of time for community members to plan to attend the meeting. Deborah Kafoury, the chief of staff to the superintendent, confirmed that in testimony to committee members, saying that board leadership had directed district staff to put the agenda onto next weeks full board meeting instead, so there could be time to fully complete the due diligence report. A recent Oregonian/OregonLive article highlights an important step toward improving access to safe, effective GLP-1 medications, (Ozempic and Wegovy will be sold for half price at Costco, Oct. 8). As an expert in obesity medicine, I have seen firsthand how transformative these treatments can be for patients struggling with obesity and related chronic diseases.But far too many people still face overwhelming barriers to affordable access, which is why any decrease in cost is big news. Because Medicare and Medicaid do not cover GLP-1 medications for weight management, and because most private insurers impose strict exclusions, patients are often forced to pay out of pocket, with costs that have reached more than $1,000 per month. This lack of coverage has pushed patients toward unsafe, mass-produced gray market alternatives and compounded versions that are not FDA approved. Compounding is meant for special cases when an approved medication is unavailable or needs to be customized for a specific patient. Those companies that are mass-producing compounded GLP-1 drugs are operating without the FDAs oversight which requires quality controls, sterile conditions, and accurate dosing. According to the FDA, more than 1,000 adverse events have been reported after patients use these unregulated products. Oregon and federal leaders must take a dual approach: Expanding safe, affordable access to FDA-approved anti-obesity medications prescribed by health professionals, while Continuing to shut down companies pushing dangerous and illegal compounds. Every patient deserves treatment that is both effective and safe, regardless of a Costco membership. Jaymey Sweeney, Vancouver Sweeney is a nurse practitioner specializing in obesity care and the founder and president of the nonprofit Pacific Obesity Alliance. To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. My wife and I were recently on an Alaska Airlines flight from Dallas to Portland. Our captain turned a routine welcome aboard into a heartfelt, thoughtful announcement. In essence, he asked us all to be kind to each other, his crew and his aircraft; not just for this flight but for our kids, his kids and for our grandchildren. Wow! After landing, I paused at the flight deck to thank him for his extraordinary announcement.Since that flight I have had time to look back and think about the future of this country. I truly believe that much of the discord, disrespect and chaos is due to our collective impatience and desire for immediate results in just about everything we do. Society and democracy do not move at light speed. Thank goodness they dont; bad decisions happen when people try to do that. One beauty of democracy is the ability and responsibility for elected officials to civilly debate and deliberate to arrive at just, thoughtful decisions. It cant be done without compromise and mutual respect, regardless of which side of an issue one represents.Parents, teach your children respect for all human beings. Teachers, teach respect and civility. Kids, respect each other. Know that what you learn now will help determine the future of your country. If you want to grow up in a strong and thriving democracy, learn everything you can. No one can take it away from you - and some of you will be tomorrows leaders. Bruce Fontaine, Milwaukie To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. The Yaquina Bay Bridge in Newport is seen on a sunny day. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security appears to be evaluating locations along the Oregon coast, including Newport, as a potential site for a U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement facility. Elliot Njus/Staff The U.S. Department of Homeland Security appears to be evaluating locations along the Oregon coast as a potential site for a U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement facility, officials from the city of Newport said Monday. The Newport Municipal Airport, which houses a U.S. Coast Guard air facility, may be among the locations under consideration, the city said. Its unclear how many other Oregon locations may be under review. Newport city officials warned that they hadnt yet been able to reach federal officials to confirm that the site was under consideration, but said they had received credible information indicating it was. The citys standard communications practices require the confirmation of details prior to releasing information to the public, city officials said in a press release. However, due to (the) credibility of the information received by city officials and the sensitivity of the issue, Newport leadership has chosen to share this information with the community in the interest of public safety and transparency. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Oregonian/OregonLive. Newport officials said they were working with local, state and federal lawmakers to assess the news, its potential effects on the city and municipal and legal options that may be available. I am deeply concerned by recent reports suggesting that Newport may be under consideration for an ICE detention facility, Newport Mayor Jan Kaplan said in a statement. The well-being, safety, and values of our community are the highest priorities of myself and our City Council. We are committed to uphold fairness and dignity for all who call Newport home. Any proposal that has the potential to impact those principles deserves transparency, public input, and a thorough review of potential social and economic consequences. Gov. Tina Kotek didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Oregon U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden both condemned the proposal. Wyden labeled it alarming and asinine, while Merkley called it unacceptable. The Trump Administration should be supporting our heroic Coast Guard first responders, who save lives day in and day out, Merkley said in a statement. Taking over their facilities and undermining their mission is a thousand percent wrong and I will oppose it every way I can. In February, The New York Times reported that the Trump administration was considering using military sites across the country, including in Oregon, to detain undocumented immigrants. State officials later said they hadnt heard from federal officials about those efforts. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has an office in Portlands South Waterfront district with a small area for temporarily holding undocumented immigrants. The building has been the site of months-long protests that prompted President Trump to unsuccessfully attempt to deploy the Oregon National Guard. Currently, when an individual is detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Oregon they typically may be transported to the Portland facility before being taken to the Tacoma Northwest Detention Center or elsewhere in the country. The Tacoma facilitys capacity is nearly 1,600, and immigrants are detained there while their immigration cases play out or before being deported. The Newport City Council will hold a public meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, officials said. The vehicle entrance at the ICE facility in South Portland on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, during demonstrations nearby. A federal judge set a December hearing for the case involving access to attorneys for immigrant detainees in Oregon. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Oregon immigrant rights attorneys who have sued the federal government to ensure people detained by immigration authorities have access to attorneys will have a second chance in December to make their case. The lawyers last month asked U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken to issue a temporary restraining order requiring that people held without warrants by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement be kept in Oregon for at least three days before being moved to long-term detention. The goal was to make sure the government upholds peoples constitutional right to consult with a lawyer. But during an Oct. 24 hearing, attorneys for Innovation Law Lab walked away from their main request after attorneys for the federal government argued that ICE isnt permitted to hold people in Portland one of three Oregon field offices, with Eugene and Medford more than 12 hours, due to its land-use agreement with the city. Oregon doesnt have a long-term immigration detention center; the closest one is in Tacoma, Washington. U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken, in the same hearing, said she understood the government faced operational challenges with its sudden increase of immigration arrests, but such needs ought to be evaluated before a system is ramped up, she said. When they are not, cases such as this one end up in court to address the needs of individuals, she said. These are genuine practical considerations, and that I understand, she said. But theres a fundamental constitutional right to counsel. In an Oct. 29 opinion, Aiken said she would give Innovation Law Lab lawyers until Wednesday to file a new motion for a preliminary injunction. The federal government will then have two weeks to respond. She set a hearing for Dec. 12. The Innovation Law Lab is working on behalf of Portland-based Clear Clinic, a nonprofit that offers legal advice on immigration matters, and farmworkers union Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, known as PCUN. Tess Hellgren, an attorney with Innovation Law Lab, told Aiken that her clients still want to ensure people in immigration detention have adequate access to attorneys. Specifically, her team is asking that immigration attorneys be granted access to private rooms in each of the three Oregon ICE offices to be able to meet with clients or potential clients for at least an hour. They are also requesting that immigration authorities provide them with notice of the identity of each individual detained in Oregon. Ultimately, what plaintiffs are asking for here are the core principles that are necessary to make access to counsel meaningful, Hellgren said. Those three core principles are time and space, notice and practical access. Michael Velchik, an attorney representing the federal government, argued they are making good faith efforts to ensure people who are being detained can meet with attorneys who are representing them and are able to provide documentation that establishes an attorney-client relationship. I think theres a separate concern, which I think is whats prompted this litigation, which is third party, perhaps plaintiff organizations, are wanting the right to go into these facilities for people who they do not yet represent, he said. I think plaintiffs also mentioned the hope of speaking for at least an hour with certain individuals. Again, I think that might have logistical considerations if theres only one holding room in some of these facilities. Aiken said the system is being flooded when its ill-prepared to respond. When ICE is rapidly collecting and transporting non-English speaking people away from their homes where they have, oftentimes an attorney, or access to an attorney, to an out-of-state facility where their attorneys cannot reach them or may not even know that theyre there for long periods of time or dont practice in the adjoining state, how do you avoid violating the right to counsel? Aiken asked during the hearing. a program meant to simulate a paranoid schizophrenic:[SILENCE]YOURE TRYING TO MAKE ME TALK BY NOT SAYING ANYTHINGDO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY?I WENT TO THE TRACK AT BAY M The history of womens boarding houses runs in tandem with the history of the c You read that book and feel somewhat sad about everything that came after thatTolstoy seems to have been convinced that the Napoleonic Wars represented the end of history.H Two dominant characteristics of contemporary Chinas censorship system include the abuse of power on one hand and publishers increased caution and expanded self-censorship on He told us how hed gone to school with nanule on his feet and how we had no right to ask for anything beyond thatThey told me about the important appointments and opportuniti A comestible is alimentary but not elementary; the fancy and fanciful word removes food from the cupboard Clark is the recipient of a Wallace Stegner Fellowship and was a Jones Lecturer in Creative Writing at Stanford. My primary sens Education and healthcare are the two sectors where artificial intelligence (AI) holds the greatest potential to deliver meaningful benefits for society, according to Frost & Sullivans Global ICT Practice Leader, Alexander Michael. Speaking at Huaweis Smart Education Forum at GITEX Global 2025, Michael said AIs impact on the classroom could be transformative, allowing learning to evolve from static and standardised models into something personalised and far more dynamic. The event, hosted by Huawei at Dubai World Trade Centre, brought together educators, policymakers and technology experts to discuss how digital technologies can enhance teaching quality, drive inclusivity, and optimise operations across schools and universities. Huawei Vice President of Global Public Business, Peter Zhang (pictured, above), opened the forum by outlining how the company is applying AI in educational initiatives, such as building general knowledge platforms for primary and secondary schools, while also promoting AI literacy among students. Zhang said nurturing future AI talent must start early, adding that Huaweis work in education aims to create digital learning environments that build both knowledge and skills. AIs growing role in the classroom Michael noted that intelligent tutoring systems are one of the most promising use cases, offering each student a personalised learning companion that would be impossible to replicate with human tutors at scale. AI tutors, he explained, can instantly assess performance, predict learning gaps, and adapt lessons in real time rather than waiting until the end of the academic year. AI tools are also reducing the burden on teachers. Frost & Sullivan research shows that educators using automated assessment software save an average of 13.2 hours per week - time that can be reinvested in teaching and student engagement. Despite its potential, most schools remain at an early stage of adoption. Around 89% of educational institutions are still dabbling in AI, while just 8% use it consistently, and only 3% have achieved full integration, according to Michael. Among students, uptake is far higher. Eighty-six percent globally now use AI for study support - more than half weekly and a quarter daily. In the UK, that number jumped from 66% last year to 92% today, Michael said, adding that the rise of generative AI has accelerated the trend. However, turning classrooms into smart, connected environments still requires strong infrastructure - from high-speed connectivity to 4K cameras, tablets, sensors, and interactive whiteboards - which remain costly for many institutions. He pointed to Ivy Tech Community College in the United States as an example of AIs impact. After deploying an AI system to identify students at risk of failing, 98% of those students improved their grades, marking the colleges largest reduction in failure rates in half a century. UNESCO: AI can close education gaps UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE) Programme Specialist Ekaterina Pushkareva (pictured, below) told the forum that AI could accelerate progress toward the UNs Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all, particularly for marginalised groups such as low-income communities, people with disabilities, and women and girls. AI is transforming higher education, opening new opportunities for more inclusive, adaptive, and future-oriented learning, she said. Our partnership with Huawei shows how collaboration between technology leaders and international organisations can bridge the digital divide, empower educators, and equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the digital economy. Pushkareva also emphasised that the partnerships between governments, private companies and international bodies is essential. Huaweis blueprint for intelligent education Mehedi Hasan Limon, Vice President of Huawei Middle East and Central Asia Public Sector, presented what he called a new blueprint for intelligent education, centred on the companys Smart Education 1+3 All-Scenario Solution. The framework integrates digital training, smart classrooms, smart campuses, and scientific research into one ecosystem powered by cloud, AI, and big data. The goal, said Limon, is to create a digital education community that connects students, teachers, and institutions through intelligent, data-driven systems. Huawei and UNESCO IITE also jointly launched a series of ICT Skills Development Insight Reports during the event, offering policy recommendations and scalable solutions to help schools and universities accelerate their digital transformation. The reports outline strategies to simplify deployment, reduce technical barriers, and build inclusive learning environments supported by Huaweis global experience and partner ecosystem. Building the future through collaboration Huawei Middle East and Central Asia Chief Strategy Officer, Cong Liang (pictured, below), described education as being at a pivotal moment, urging stakeholders to see AI not as a threat but as an enabler for better learning outcomes. If we treat AI as an enabler, it becomes a very powerful tool and even a platform for smart education, he said. But if we misuse it, if we let it write the answers or the essays for us, that becomes a disaster. Cong said that educators and policymakers must lay the right foundations to make intelligent education sustainable. This means ensuring robust and secure infrastructure, sound governance, and digital literacy for both teachers and students. Infrastructure, governance, and digital skills are the heart of the smart classroom, he explained, adding that Huaweis ongoing work with UNESCO on white papers and transformation plans aims to help national governments set clear frameworks for future-ready education systems. He also emphasised the importance of collaboration, calling it the third pillar of Huaweis approach. In the intelligent world, no one can succeed independently, he said. We have to work together - public and private sectors, across borders and across disciplines - to co-build a robust and prosperous ecosystem for intelligent education. Cong said the partnership with UNESCO IITE is a model for how the private sector can support global education goals through technology and shared expertise. Huawei is committed to partnering with schools and universities to modernise teaching, drive digital campus transformation, and develop smart classroom infrastructure, he said. Our goal is to enhance efficiency while supporting the regions vision for innovation, competitiveness, and the cultivation of digital talent for sustainable long-term growth. Walter Benjamin once told Ernst Bloch a Hasidic story about what the world would look like when the Messiah came: Just as our room is now.much like a tunnel or glittering vo so gloriously convoluted that the film spends its first thirty minutes explaining it as though addressing a baby.The contrast between the environmental drama out of doors and The original icon of Our Lady of Kazan in western Russia was a foot-tall wood painting adorned by admirers with precious stones and said to have inspired miracles and armies You no doubt have a delivery account with Whole Foods or some such so you should be able to get what you need.I was told I could not know my place in the lineup in advance be McCarthy was just as effective in sentimental romances (The Border Trilogy) and crime thrillers (No Count and it had acquired this transgressive powerthe very act of crossing the threshold was as shameful as it was thrilling.The stan I coaxed him down with my offerings and convinced him not to climb all the way up the tree in the dark.Nancy Lemann Recommends The Palace Papers and Loyolas Spiritual Exerci Yet the novel redescribes the blowout as a spectacle of ruin for the lower-class communities forced to sell their land and labor.Though they lost that series in five games to and it will be one of your only chances to deploy it literally: once in a blue moon!Sung Tieus Infra-Specter at Amant Galleries.in the arch of her nostrils and the sheen Its not some random event that Paul robs the bank: his decision to rob the ban Shibli imagines the day-to-day activities of the commanding officer in the lead-up to and aftermath of the girls capture.The second half of the twentieth century saw many em assistant editorFrom Mark Polizzotis new translation of Andre Bretons Nadja (NYRB Classics):A certain attitude toward beauty necessarily results from this.the source of which the middle is a sarcastic roasting of male conduct-book writers in the style of her attack on Burke.writes the art historian Debra Bricker Balken in the forthcoming book Ale Lewis is a professor of English at the Franciscan University of Steubenville and a translator of French literature.The anxiety confessed in the first line returns to trouble Writing in the diary was a self-soothing mechanismI wrote down every kind word anyone said to me.Everything Id written to that point reflected in some manner an unmentio though it was also the culmination of months of cloaked flirting as well asit were the first collectors of Bei Daos paintingswrote an essay for Bei Daos Paris exhibition in which he his primary influence was journalisticthe feuilletons of Karl Krauswhich might have been a way of giving himself the necessary Customer support has evolved beyond basic chatbots. Dynamic Business reviews the AI copilots and service tools transforming how businesses help customers in 2025. Customer support technology has shifted dramatically. AI in 2025 transforms customer support from basic chatbots to intelligent copilots that assist both agents and customers, enhancing efficiency, personalisation, and business decisions. AI copilots arent the same as AI chatbots. They dont replace agents or handle full conversations on their own. Instead, they work alongside your team and give them a boost when its needed most. These tools analyse incoming messages and suggest responses in real time, drawing from knowledge bases and past interactions. For small businesses competing on service quality, here are some tools that level the playing field without requiring massive support teams. Zendesk Support Suite Zendesk Support Suite helps businesses manage customer questions and problems from one place. Its great at organizing tickets and connecting with other tools you might already use. The downside? It can be complicated for small teams to set up and use. What It Does: Zendesk lets you handle customer messages from email, live chat, phone calls, and social media all in one spot. It works well with popular tools like Salesforce and HubSpot, so you can see all your customer information together. You can set up automatic responses and create your own workflows, but learning how to use these features takes time. It works in over 40 languages, which is helpful if you have customers around the world. Who Should Use It: Best for larger companies with big support teams and people who know their way around tech. Its especially good if you already use Salesforce or HubSpot. Intercom Intercom is a messaging platform built for talking with customers in real time. Its great at creating personal conversations and is easy to navigate. The downside is that its not as strong at managing support tickets as traditional help desk tools. What It Does: Intercom offers live chat, chatbots, and targeted messages you can send to specific customers. It connects with tools like Slack, Stripe, and Shopify. You can build custom connections using its API and set up automated messages. The reports focus mainly on how customers engage with you rather than tracking support team performance. Who Should Use It: Startups and mid-sized companies that want to chat with customers right away and make interactions feel personal. Works well if youre already using Slack or Shopify. Freshdesk Freshdesk is an online customer support tool thats easy to use and wont break the bank. It has a simple ticketing system that handles messages from different channels. The main catch is that it might not grow well with your business if you expand quickly. What It Does: Freshdesk manages customer conversations from email, phone, chat, and social media. It comes with AI chatbots and a help center where customers can find answers on their own. It connects with Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, and Zapier. Getting started is fast and simple, but you cant customize everything the way you might with other tools. Who Should Use It: Small and medium-sized businesses that want something affordable and straightforward. Its a great fit if your team already uses Google Workspace. Drift Drift is a chat platform designed for marketing and sales teams to connect with website visitors. Its excellent at turning browsers into potential customers but doesnt have full support ticket features. What It Does: Drift offers chatbots, live chat, and video messaging to engage people on your website. It connects with Salesforce, Marketo, and HubSpot. The platform helps you target specific accounts and shows detailed information about whos visiting your site. Since its built for marketing, it doesnt have all the features a support team might need. Who Should Use It: Sales and marketing teams who want to capture leads and start conversations with potential customers. Works great if you use Salesforce or HubSpot. LiveAgent LiveAgent is help desk software that bundles together lots of customer support tools in one package. It combines ticketing, live chat, and phone support all together. The downside is that it looks a bit old-fashioned compared to newer options. What It Does: LiveAgent handles customer messages from email, chat, and phone calls. It has a built-in call center and connects to social media. You can automate many tasks and use its API to build custom connections. The reporting gives you plenty of data, but the interface feels dated. Who Should Use It: Small and medium-sized businesses that want an all-in-one support solution. Its perfect if you need phone support built right in. Ada Ada is an AI chatbot platform built to handle customer conversations automatically. Its known for understanding natural language well and being quick to set up. However, its not the best choice if you need a lot of human support agents involved. What It Does: Ada provides AI chatbots that can communicate in multiple languages. It connects with Zendesk, Salesforce, and Shopify. You can build and launch chatbots without coding, and they can personalize responses based on who theyre talking to. Since it focuses on automation, it doesnt have all the features for managing human support teams. Who Should Use It: Companies that want to automate customer conversations without needing technical skills. Works well if you use Zendesk or Shopify. Kustomer Kustomer is a customer service platform that shows all your customer interactions in one place. Its unique because it organizes customer information on a timeline. The catch is that setting up the advanced features takes a lot of time. What It Does: Kustomer handles support across all channels, uses AI chatbots, and displays a complete timeline of each customers history with your company. It connects with Shopify, Slack, and Amazon Connect. You can create complex automations and workflows, but getting everything configured requires effort. Who Should Use It: Larger companies that need to see all customer conversations and history in one unified view. Good fit if you use Shopify or Amazon Connect. Tidio Tidio is a live chat and chatbot platform designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It stands out for its affordability and ease of use but may lack advanced features found in more comprehensive solutions. Key Features: Tidio offers live chat, chatbots, and email integration. It supports integrations with Shopify, WordPress, and Wix. The platform provides a simple setup process and a user-friendly interface. Its feature set is limited compared to enterprise-grade solutions. Best for: Small businesses looking for an affordable, easy-to-use live chat solution. Ideal for teams using Shopify or WordPress. Not suitable for large enterprises needing advanced features. Zoho Desk Zoho Desk is a context-aware help desk software that offers a comprehensive suite of customer support tools. It is known for its integration capabilities within the Zoho ecosystem. However, its reliance on Zohos ecosystem may limit its appeal to users of other platforms. Key Features: Zoho Desk supports email, chat, and social media channels. It integrates seamlessly with other Zoho products and offers AI-driven insights. The platform provides customizable dashboards and automation tools. Its dependency on the Zoho ecosystem may be a limitation for some organizations. Best for: Organizations already using Zoho products looking for an integrated support solution. Suitable for teams needing context-aware support tools. Less ideal for businesses not using the Zoho ecosystem. Alhena Alhena AI delivers a hallucination-free AI concierge for customer support automation. The solution integrates with leading helpdesk and CRM platforms, supports omnichannel deployments, and delivers both accurate automated support and seamless escalations to human agents when required. Key Features: Hallucination-free AI responses; real-time actions (not just answers); plug-and-play integration with major helpdesks (Zendesk, Freshdesk, Intercom, others); omnichannel coverage; smooth agent handoff; brand voice alignment; data privacy controls; rapid deployment; constant learning and optimization. Best for: Organizations seeking high-efficiency, automated CX with tight accuracy controls and enterprise integrations. Effective for those needing end-to-end automation and actions, not just simple Q&A support. SAAS First SAAS First offers a multilingual, omnichannel AI chatbot designed for customer support operations. The platform consolidates communications across live chat, email, WhatsApp, SMS, Telegram, and Facebook into a unified inbox, handling customer queries 24/7. Smart human-handoff ensures complex tasks reach agents when needed, and setup is straightforward. Key Features: 24/7 AI-powered live chat; multilingual support; unified inbox; smart escalation to human agents; omnichannel integrations; quick setup; knowledge base-driven; CRM and ticketing integrations; real-time analytics and reporting; competitive fixed pricing. Best for: SMBs and startups needing real-time, round-the-clock customer support across diverse channels, particularly where multilingual capacity is important. Quidget Quidget is an AI chatbot designed to automate customer support and lead capture for modern organizations. Built by a team with deep customer service experience, Quidget resolves up to 80% of routine requests, integrates with popular helpdesk and communication tools, and requires minimal setup. Key Features: AI-powered chatbots; no-code configuration; real-time human handoff; 45+ language support; integrations with Zendesk, Freshdesk, Slack, WhatsApp, and more; secure and compliant with top industry standards; performance analytics and insights. Best for: Businesses seeking high-impact automation with easy setup and extensive multilingual reach, especially those wanting to reduce repetitive support workloads and improve response times. CoSupport AI CoSupport AI delivers a patented, all-in-one AI customer service platform. It features customizable AI agents capable of resolving up to 90% of customer inquiries with near-zero hallucinations and integrates with leading support tools. The platform supports full autonomy, offers tailored tone, intent detection, and advanced knowledge management, and is built for enterprise-grade security and scalability. Key Features: Autonomous AI agents; zero hallucinations; omnichannel and multilingual support; deep customization; seamless integrations (Zendesk, Freshdesk, Salesforce, Intercom, more); business intelligence tools; ISO and GDPR compliance; unlimited users. Best for: Enterprises and performance-focused teams aiming for high-accuracy, scalable AI automation in support, with strong security, advanced customization, and actionable business insights. Kommunicate Kommunicate is a no-code AI agent platform to automate and manage customer support across web, mobile, and messaging apps. Its AI agents can handle up to 80% of customer queries, provide multilingual support, and hand off complex issues to agents, all while tracking analytics and conversation insights. Key Features: No-code AI chatbot builder; shared inbox and omnichannel messaging; real-time AI suggestions and summaries; auto-language translation; automation of repetitive support tasks; integrations with WhatsApp, Messenger, Slack, Zendesk, website CMSs, and more. Best for: Enterprises, scaling startups, and teams needing fast, accurate automation across digital channels with minimal technical setup. Help Scout Help Scout provides a unified platform for customer supportincluding shared inbox, help center, AI chatbot, live chat, and automated workflowsfor growing teams that want efficiency without sacrificing a personal touch. The platform integrates with 100+ tools and is designed for ease-of-use and insight-driven support. Key Features: Shared inbox for multi-channel support; AI-powered chatbots and messaging; customer self-service help center; workflow automation; contextual analytics; seamless human escalation; robust integrations. Best for: SMBs and midsized teams focused on scaling quality support across channels while maintaining warmth and team productivity. Gorgias Gorgias is an AI-powered service suite tailored for ecommerce brands, centralizing support, sales, and marketing conversations in one platform. The Gorgias AI Agent resolves up to 60% of routine order, product, and return queries, integrates deeply with platforms like Shopify, and automates repetitive workflows to increase efficiency and conversion rates. Key Features: AI chat and support agent; Shopify and major ecommerce platform integration; unified customer view; proactive engagement and marketing suite; multi-channel support; operational analytics; automation rules. Best for: Ecommerce businesses seeking to combine automated support, sales, and personalized customer engagement in one specialized solution. Freshchat Freshchat (by Freshworks) is a conversational support solution offering live chat, intelligent AI chatbots (via Freddy AI), multichannel support, and seamless integration with the larger Freshworks ecosystem. It enables personalized customer conversations at scale across web, mobile, and messaging platforms. Key Features: Omnichannel chat; AI chatbot automation (Freddy AI); unified agent inbox; quick deployment; intuitive reporting and analytics; integration with CRM, ecommerce, and help desk platforms. Best for: Businesses of any size looking for scalable, intelligent conversational engagement as part of a unified support and CRM suite. Netomi Netomi provides an enterprise-grade agentic AI CX platform designed to proactively resolve customer service requests, automate up to 96% of queries, and ensure data privacy and brand safety. Field-proven by global brands, Netomi offers guardrails for generative AI, proactive engagement, and seamless handoffs to human agents. Key Features: Agentic AI platform; proactive and automated resolutions; governance and privacy controls; omnichannel integrations, analytics, and robust enterprise compliance; high scalability. Best for: Large enterprises and regulated industries requiring best-in-class automated CX with rigorous privacy, brand governance, and operational reliability. Sendbird Sendbird is an enterprise customer service platform that provides omnichannel AI agents capable of delivering instant, proactive, and unified support experiences. Designed for high-scale operations, Sendbird stands out for its omnipresence, 24/7 multichannel support, proactive outreach, and secure integration with leading CRM and helpdesk providers. Key Features: AI-powered omnichannel chat agents; seamless integration with Zendesk, Salesforce, and more; proactive customer outreach; unified insights and analytics; high scalability; security and privacy compliance. Best for: Enterprises and digital brands needing enterprise-grade, omnichannel support automation that unifies customer interactions and delivers proactive service. Comparison table: Tool Name Key Features Integrations Best For Notable Limitations Zendesk Support Suite Ticketing, multi-channel, automation, custom workflow Salesforce, HubSpot, email, chat, social Large enterprises, global teams Complexity, cost, steep learning curve Intercom Live chat, bots, engagement, API Slack, Stripe, Shopify Startups, mid-sized, real-time engagement Limited ticket management Freshdesk Ticketing, multi-channel, AI chatbots, self-service Google Workspace, MS Teams, Zapier SMBs, easy setup Scalability, limited customization Drift Chatbots, live chat, video, marketing analytics Salesforce, Marketo, HubSpot Sales/marketing, lead generation Weak ticketing, marketing focus LiveAgent Ticketing, live chat, call center, automation Email, social channels, voice SMBs, call center needs Outdated UI interface Ada AI chatbots, multilingual, no-code, personalization Zendesk, Salesforce, Shopify Automation-focused firms Limited human support Kustomer Omnichannel, AI chatbots, timeline, workflows Shopify, Slack, Amazon Connect Unified enterprise support Complex setup, less suited for SMBs Tidio Live chat, chatbots, affordable, easy setup Shopify, WordPress, Wix SMBs needing live chat Not for large enterprises Zoho Desk Email, chat, social, AI insights, automation Zoho suite, CRMs Zoho ecosystem users Zoho dependency Alhena AI Concierge Hallucination-free AI, real actions, omnichannel Zendesk, Freshdesk, Intercom, CRM Efficiency-focused enterprises New to market, advanced features need review SAAS First AI Chatbot 24/7 chat, multilingual, unified inbox, omnichannel WhatsApp, SMS, Telegram, Facebook, CRM SMBs/startups, multilingual needs Feature set varies, niche focus Quidget AI chatbots, no-code, secure, human handoff Zendesk, Freshdesk, Slack, WhatsApp Easy automation, multilingual Not enterprise-scale CoSupport AI Autonomous AI, zero hallucination, customizable, BI Zendesk, Freshdesk, Salesforce, Intercom Enterprise automation, security Requires advanced setup, pricing Kommunicate No-code builder, omnichannel, analytics WhatsApp, Messenger, Slack, Zendesk Fast automation, scaling teams Less advanced enterprise features Help Scout Shared inbox, AI bots, automation, help center 100+ integrations, CRMs SMBs scaling support Reporting limits Gorgias AI agent, ecommerce integration, multi-channel Shopify, major ecommerce platforms Ecommerce brands Ecommerce focus Freshchat Live chat, AI bot, omnichannel, reporting Freshworks suite, CRM, ecommerce Scalable conversational engagement Premium tiers for most features Netomi Agentic AI, automated resolution, compliance Major helpdesks, omnichannel Enterprise, regulated sectors Enterprise focus, cost Sendbird AI omnichannel, proactive outreach, analytics Zendesk, Salesforce, CRM, helpdesks Enterprise, digital brands Requires technical deployment When shortlisting customer support tools, consider integration fit, data availability, team skills, and total cost of ownership. Evaluate how each tool aligns with your existing tech stack and customer engagement strategy. Next steps include trialing shortlisted tools, assessing integration ease, and ensuring team readiness for deployment. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Members of OU Students for Justice in Palestine protested inside Evans Hall after the OU Board of Regents meeting was moved to Oklahoma City on Monday. The group of about 50 protesters began by chanting OU, you cant hide, we charge you with genocide, and marching from the Oklahoma Memorial Union courtyard to outside Evans Hall, which houses the offices of OU's president and regents. Protesters held signs and a banner that read Divest from Death. Wearing black and white keffiyehs while carrying Palestinian flags, students called for the OU Board of Regents to divest from its corporate partners with financial ties to the war in Gaza, including Lockheed Martin, Motorola and Chevron. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name A few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... Cruz R., an organizer of the protest, told OU Daily that the turnout showed how many students cared about divestment. The students are here and theyre angry and theyre done with OU being complicit in this maddening genocide, Cruz said. Weve made it very clear to OU that the students want divestment from Lockheed Martin, Chevron, Motorola and other companies that are complicit in the genocide that Israel has done to the Palestinian peoples. The Board of Regents meeting, which was originally set to meet at the Oklahoma Memorial Union on Tuesday, changed the location of the meeting to the OU Health Campus late last week. The meeting will be held Tuesday morning. When asked if SJP had plans to protest the Board of Regents meeting Tuesday, Cruz said he could not comment on the matter. Yasmine Ali, an organizer of the protest, wrote in a text to OU Daily Sunday that the organization originally planned to protest during the meeting on Monday. Cruz said he believes the Board of Regents moved its meeting to avoid SJP. They want to avoid us because theyre scared, Cruz said. Their fear and their attitude of not wanting to see their students is frightening, not just to me as an organizer, or to me as an individual who supports Palestine, but to me as a student. Cruz said that SJP has sent letters and emails to university administration urging it to divest but has not received a response. He also criticized OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. for his remarks promoting free speech on campus, which he said were hypocritical. Harroz wants to point out some free speech, but free speech isn't removing our flags, Cruz said. Free speech isn't marching over flags that represent our martyrs. Free speech isn't telling us to be quiet or not using megaphones during protests. OU Marketing and Communications wrote in an email to OU Daily Monday night that the protest at Evans Hall prompted repeated warning and university response in accordance with campus policy. The matter remains subject to applicable student conduct processes, and any reports will be reviewed and addressed as appropriate, the email reads. Individuals with related concerns are encouraged to submit a report through OU Report It! The University remains committed to maintaining a safe and respectful campus environment. The group protested outside of the presidents office in Evans Hall, chanting Harroz, youre a sellout; pack your bags and get the hell out. Mohamed Elgouhari, a biology and economics senior and president of the OU Muslim Student Association, said he was there as an individual, not on behalf of the organization. As a student, Elgouhari emphasized what he is fighting for in partnership with SJP. We were loud in there, Elgouhari said. We got our point across. Im really happy and Im proud of everyone that came. OU Turning Point USA counterprotest OU Turning Point USA held a counterprotest of about five people led by its president, Kalib Magana. Before the protest began, Magana told OU Daily he believes SJP protesters are hypocritical and that divestment is unachievable. Theyre calling for the university to divest from these companies, yet theyre giving the university money by being here on tuition, so theyre being very hypocritical, Magana said. If theyre calling for the university to divest from genocide, then theyre actually more complicit in their alleged genocide than the university is. Magana attempted multiple times to address the crowd while holding American and Israeli flags, which prompted protesters to block Magana, forcing him away from SJP speakers. When asked about Turning Points presence at the protest, Cruz said the organizations political values have no room there. We stand against genocide and all of its factors, and if (Turning Point) USA wants to stand for genocide, that's their prerogative, but we won't have any part of that, Cruz said. Throughout the protest, Magana also handed members of SJP printed job applications. Were handing out McDonalds applications, then theyll probably be interested in picking up a new hobby instead of protesting in the freezing cold about a war thats over, Magana said. Schusterman Center for Judaic and Israel Studies did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Students for Justice in Palestine background On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, launched a series of attacks on Israel that killed around 1,200 people, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. The attack set off a series of retaliations by the Israeli Defense Force, including a siege of Gaza, that characterized the war in Gaza. According to the Associated Press, as of early November, over 69,000 Palestinians have been reported dead or presumed dead. Since the war in Gaza began, SJP, formerly known as the OU Student Coalition for Palestinian Liberation, has hosted numerous events to raise awareness. On the two-year mark of the war in Gaza, SJP held an art demonstration and prayer in front of Evans Hall. The protest featured seven posters of OU Regents lined up on the steps of Evans Hall, where OUs administrative offices, including the offices of the president and regents, are housed. The signs read, Wanted for: Genocide. Childrens clothing covered in red paint was draped across the steps and stuffed animals were wrapped in white sheets to symbolize dead bodies. During the March Board of Regents meeting at the Oklahoma Memorial Union, OUs Campus Event Response Team and law enforcement removed about 50 members of SJP after they disrupted the meeting with calls for divestment. This story was edited by Ana Barboza and Natalie Armour. Data shows that Native American children are more likely to be arrested or detained in Washington compared to white kids. The state's courts and Washington Department of Youth and Families have acknowledged the troubling disparity, which is that the justice system continues to hold back Native American youth. They are now funding committees and producing action plans to address racial inequities in the juvenile legal system. Racial Disparities Affecting Native American Children Additionally, advocates are now calling for fewer arrests, many of which are discretionary, as lawmakers are demanding more data on juvenile arrests. Despite all these efforts, the gaps have actually worsened. Data from the non-profit Sentencing Project and the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention from 2019 to 2023 supported this. The statistics show that Native American children in Washington are more than 4.5 times more likely to be incarcerated compared to their white peers, which is an increase from the 2.7 times found in 2001, according to OPB. A senior research analyst, Joshua Rovner, who was also the former youth policy director for the Sentencing Project, said that for as long as they have looked at data for Washington state, Native American youth are much more likely to be incarcerated compared to white children. Read more: Southport Families Demand Accountability From Parents of Teenage Boy Who Killed 3 Young Girls Despite all youth of color experiencing unequal treatment in the state's legal system, the inequities affecting Native American children are especially stark. They have been found to exceed national averages, particularly for non-violent offenses. While there are no clear disparities in arrests and referrals present in every county of Washington state, the gaps do exist, and are so great that they have shaped the statewide numbers, Investigate West reported. Effect on Other Races Furthermore, in rural counties such as Whitman County, the issues only get worse, as Native American children in the area are almost seven times more likely to be arrested compared to white kids. This is the largest disparity in the state based on data from 2023. Other than Native American children, data also show racial disparities affecting other people, including Black kids who were nearly six times more likely to be incarcerated than white children, based on 2023 data. Additionally, Indian kids were almost four times more likely to be arrested than white children. Rovner described it as the largest Black-white disparity on record and the largest Native-white disparity on record. He and many others emphasized that there are no major differences in the racial backgrounds of children who commit crimes. However, there are differences in which neighborhoods are heavily policed, as per NPR. An EMS captain was choked last week when an unconscious man lying in a Lancaster intersection suddenly woke up and grabbed his throat, police said in court documents. Lancaster police said the EMS captain was dispatched around 7 a.m. Thursday to South Water and West Farnum streets, where Rashaun Sligh, 33, of Lancaster, was lying on the ground near the Water Street side of the intersection. Sligh grabbed the captain while he tried to provide medical care, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by police. A bystander helped free him from the chokehold, police said. Court documents said the EMS captain hurt his left knee during the struggle. Sligh was running north on South Water Street when a Lancaster police officer arrived, according to the affidavit. Police said he ignored the officers commands to stop and was chased until the officer took him to the ground on the first block of South Prince Street. Two officers restrained Sligh on the ground and used a stun gun on him as he resisted arrest, court documents said. According to the affidavit, police found several glass crack cocaine pipes and a marijuana grinder on Sligh. Sligh was charged on Thursday with aggravated assault, evading and resisting arrest, drug paraphernalia possession and public drunkenness. Online court records show Sligh was unable to post $100,000 bail and is being held at Lancaster County Prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 14 before Magisterial District Judge John Bender. A Pittsburgh faces multiple charges after he solicited sex from an agent posing as a pre-teen girl online, said Pa. AG Dave Sunday. Getty Images A Pennsylvania man has been charged with soliciting sexual contact online from someone he thought was a Lebanon County girl but was actually an agent with the state attorney generals office. Eric Gillespie, 57, has been charged in Lebanon County with three counts of unlawful contact with a minor and a single count of criminal use of a communication facility, according to online court records. Gillespie was denied bail after a district judge cited flight risk and public safety concerns, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement. The judge remanded Gillespie to the Lebanon County Prison while he awaits a Nov. 20 preliminary hearing. According to Sunday, Gillespie started an online chat with the agent who was posing as a preteen girl and tried to arrange to meet her in Lebanon County. An investigation determined that Gillespie alluded to methods he accessed children, and other evidence was found regarding contact with children, said the statement. Our Child Predator Section proactively uncovered this defendant who, under an online pseudonym, was lurking online to access children, Sunday said. This case is yet another example of the dangers that exist online in anonymous chat platforms and other communication venues. Sundays statement said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information they feel is relevant should contact the attorney generals office at 800-385-1044 and ask for Agent Roby. UPDATE: HACC faculty union says it wont strike Wednesay after all HACCs faculty union is planning to go back on strike on Wednesday, according to a press release from the colleges education association. Faculty plans to picket that day from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at HACCs Lancaster campus at 1641 Old Philadelphia Pike, the Monday release said. The union and the college will meet to negotiate at 5 p.m. Tuesday evening via Zoom. The strike follows a Nov. 5 negotiation that lasted 12 minutes and produced no progress. Union leaders say the college has refused to compromise on workload, pay, and faculty input in academic decisions. Following the last negotiation, HACC said it remains committed to reaching a fair and fiscally responsible contract, and emphasized that it hoped to resume negotiations soon. The faculty union said more than 200 faculty members, students and members of the community picketed at HACCs Harrisburg campus last week. Faculty unionized in 2022 but have yet to secure a contract. The union was on strike for two days last week before returning to class for renewed talks. The union represents about 250 active members covering 750 teaching positions across HACCs campuses, serving more than 12,000 students. The press release said faculty have not received a wage increase since 2022-23, while all other college staff have received at least 3 percent increases for each of the three academic years. The Harrisburg Area Community College Education Association (HACCEA) is an affiliate of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) representing faculty members at HACC campuses in Adams, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties. Recognition, purpose, and hybrid work are breaking down across Australian workplaces. HPs latest study uncovers why 86% of knowledge workers feel their work relationship is unhealthy. Whats happening: Australian workers relationship with their jobs has deteriorated sharply, with only 14% of knowledge workers reporting healthy work relationships, down 13 points from 2024. Why this matters: With just 44% finding purpose in their work and only 39% feeling adequately recognised, Australian workplaces face a retention and engagement crisis that demands immediate action from leadership. Australian workers are experiencing one of the most dramatic declines in job satisfaction globally, according to new research that paints a sobering picture of workplace relationships in 2025. HP Inc.s Work Relationship Index has revealed that only 14% of Australian knowledge workers report having a healthy relationship with their work, marking a 13-point plunge from the previous year and positioning Australia as the second-lowest performer among 14 countries surveyed. The study, which surveyed 18,200 desk-based workers globally including 1,000 Australians, uses a five-point scale to diagnose healthy work relationships and categorises respondents into Healthy, Watch-Out, and Critical groups. Loyalty eroding fast The data reveals troubling trends in employee commitment. Fewer workers feel proud of their company, would recommend it as a great place to work, or see themselves staying for another two years. The decline spans leadership effectiveness and people-centricity, with employees reporting they feel less cared for and less connected to organisational purpose. The traditional employment model has fractured. Global disruption, economic pressures, and changing workplace expectations have created an environment that feels more demanding and less rewarding, said Brad Pulford, HPs Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand. Workers across finance, professional services, manufacturing, and education all experienced double-digit drops in their Work Relationship Index scores. Even business leaders werent immune, suffering a sharp 15-point decrease that reflects the pressures of navigating a challenging business environment. The erosion in workplace satisfaction stems from two critical weak spots: purpose and recognition. Only 44% of Australian knowledge workers say their work gives them a sense of purpose, whilst just 39% feel they receive adequate recognition for their contributions. Pressure and change mounting More than half of Australian workers experienced significant workplace changes over the past year, ranging from cost-cutting measures and redundancies to shifts in hybrid working arrangements. These transitions have taken their toll, with 58% of workers reporting that employer demands and expectations have increased. The mounting pressure comes at a time when employees are already feeling disconnected from their work and questioning their long-term commitment to their organisations. AI offers hope Despite the gloomy outlook, technology and artificial intelligence emerge as bright spots in the research. The report shows that 77% of Australians now use AI at work, with 31% using it daily. This growth in AI adoption is increasingly being driven by older generations, with baby boomers catching up to their younger counterparts. The impact of proper technology investment is significant. Employees who work for companies that invest in providing the right tools and AI are up to five times more likely to have a healthy relationship with work. However, the research emphasises that technology alone isnt a silver bullet. Its most powerful when thoughtfully deployed as part of a broader package of consistent, human-centred workplace changes. What employers must do With many drivers of fulfilment sitting within an organisations control, leaders can take immediate action to reset workplace relationships. The research outlines a practical employer playbook for 2025 that extends beyond conversations about pay and conditions. Key recommendations include elevating frequent, specific recognition linked to company values and outcomes, making hybrid collaboration more equitable by designing in-office time around collaboration rather than presenteeism, and protecting focus by cutting tool sprawl and context-switching to help meaningful work time grow. On AI implementation, organisations should provide clear guardrails, training, and role-relevant use cases so artificial intelligence augments work rather than overwhelms it. Perhaps most critically, companies must equip managers to set clarity, balance workloads, and maintain regular, high-quality check-ins with their teams. This is a wake-up call for every employer in Australia. Despite the pressures around us, the drivers of fulfilment sit largely with employers: how we lead, how we recognise people, and how we put technology to work so it restores focus, said Pulford. Thats the future of work Australians deserve: equitable collaboration, time back for focus, and AI that helps and never overwhelms. The research suggests that whilst economic pressures and global disruption have created challenging conditions, Australian businesses have the power to reverse these trends through thoughtful leadership, meaningful recognition, and strategic technology deployment. For organisations looking to retain talent and rebuild workplace relationships in 2025, the message is clear: the time to act is now, and the solutions are largely within their control. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Tons of people who use a major bank in the United States were expecting to get a payout from a recent settlement. However, said settlement just got rejected by a federal judge. Reuters reports how U.S. District Judge David Novak of the Eastern District of Virginia rejected Capitol Ones $425 million settlement stemming from a class action lawsuit. According to Novak, the payout from the previously-approved agreement was too small, or, in his words, neither reasonable nor adequate. This lawsuit concerns claims that the bank offered customers two similarly-named accounts 360 Savings and 360 Performance Savings accounts that paid very different rates. The bank was accused of false or otherwise misleading marketing of these accounts. The CFPB [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau] is suing for cheating families out of billions of dollars on their savings account, said then-CFPB Director Rohit Chopra via press release. Banks should not be baiting people with promises they cant live up to. U.S. News & World Report states that many legal experts have praised Novaks 11th-hour decision. As for what happens next, the parties involved might now renegotiate a new settlement amount that could mean more money in customers pockets. However, U.S. News & World Report adds that class members might not get anything should this lawsuit go to trial. I think thats extremely unlikely in this case, told Ira M. Steinberg, a partner at Greenberg Glusker who specializes in commercial and business litigation, to the publication. Given how much effort went into producing this settlement, that tells you that neither side really wants to go to trial if they can avoid it and both want to reach an accommodation. Further information regarding this lawsuit remains pending as of the publishing of this report. Emergency personnel from Coral Springs and Coconut Creek are on scene where a plane crashed in the Windsor Bay community in Coral Springs on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS) TNS By Angie DiMichele, Abigail Hasebroock and Rafael Olmeda, South Florida Sun-Sentinel (TNS) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Two people are dead after a small plane that was bound for Jamaica for Hurricane Melissa relief efforts crashed into a lake behind a home in a Coral Springs gated community on Monday morning, officials said. The 1976 Beech B100 aircraft, an 11-seat, multi-engine plane, took off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport shortly after 10 a.m. and was scheduled to land at Montego Bay International Airport shortly after 12:30 p.m., according to FlightAware. The flight was for relief efforts, City of Fort Lauderdale spokesperson Belal Jaber said in an email. Coral Springs Police announced the two deaths in a statement about 4 p.m. The statement did not provide further information about the deaths, who was on the plane or details of the nature of the flight. There will be a significant police presence in the area of Windsor Bay throughout the remainder of the day and tomorrow as investigators work to collect evidence, the statement said. A fire official told The Associated Press no living victims were located during rescue efforts and said the search had become a recovery operation. Emergency crews were called to the 5000 block of Northwest 57th Way, where witnesses told dispatchers of a small plane flying dangerously low. Mike Moser, deputy chief of Coral Springs Fire Rescue, said an initial 911 call came in at 10:19 a.m. about a plane that crashed into a lake in the Windsor Bay neighborhood along Creekside Drive. It did not hit any homes, he said. The entire plane had yet to be found Monday afternoon. There was no actual plane to be seen, Moser told the Associated Press. They followed the debris trail to the water. We had divers that entered the water and tried to search for any victims and didnt find any. Local organizations as well as city and county governments in South Florida have been accepting donations and supplies since Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Oct. 28 for those affected. The registered owner of the plane is listed as International Air Service Inc. Trustee, a company in Nevada, according to Federal Aviation Administration records. A representative of the company declined to speak with a reporter when reached by phone Monday afternoon. Spokespersons for the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board did not respond to emails seeking information. A lawsuit says water surged into Camp Mystics Bubble Inn and Twins cabins before dawn on July 4 as staff told children to stay put, even as nearby campers fled uphill to safety. Families claim the cabins sat in FEMA-mapped flood zones along the Guadalupe River. Brenda Bazan/Getty Images AUSTIN, Texas Families of young campers killed in a July 4 flash flood have filed new lawsuits accusing a Texas Hill Country girls camp of ignoring days of warnings, housing children in floodplains and telling staff to keep children inside cabins as water rapidly rose before dawn. The suits, filed in Travis County against Camp Mystic, LLC and related entities and people tied to the Eastland family, seek wrongful-death and survival damages and claim negligence and gross negligence. Twenty-seven girls and counselors died. In one petition, parents representing six girls, ages 8 and 9, identified as Virginia Wynne Naylor, Hadley Hanna, Virginia Hollis, Jane Janie Hunt, Lucy Dillon and Kellyanne Lytal, describe a predicted flash flood and claim the camps emergency plan told children to shelter in place, a directive they say became a death sentence once water surged through the Bubble Inn and Twins I & II cabins. As a result, lives were shattered, the lawsuit says. A separate lawsuit by the parents of 8-year-old Eloise Lulu Peck echoes those accusations and adds that the camp restricted phone access, cutting off counselors and children from receiving National Weather Service alerts as conditions deteriorated. Both suits say flood risk was well known along this stretch of the Guadalupe River, sometimes called Flood Alley, and detail a history of major floods in 1932, 1978, 1984 and 1987, including a deadly bus incident at another youth camp. The parents claim cabins remained in federally mapped floodplains and contend the owners sought to alter FEMA maps over the last decade to remove dozens of buildings from the 100year floodplain designation, lowering insurance requirements while expanding facilities near waterways. FILE - Campers' belongings sit outside one of Camp Mystic's cabins near the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area Monday, July 7, 2025, in Hunt, Texas. (AP Photo/Eli Hartman, file) AP Campers' belongings sit outside one of Camp Mystic's cabins near the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas. (Eli Hartman, Associated Press) The petitions set out a minutebyminute timeline from late July 3 into the early hours of July 4, asserting the camp received a flash flood emergency alert around 1:14 a.m. but did not promptly evacuate the youngest children. Instead, staff spent critical early minutes securing equipment as water entered cabins, according to the pleadings. Some older campers apparently escaped to higher ground after defying instructions, while younger children in low-lying cabins could not reach nearby hills or the twostory commissary, the suits claim. Parents accuse the camp of providing inadequate training, no reliable communications and a onepage emergency plan that devoted only a handful of sentences to flood, despite decades of experience with fastrising water in the region. A neighboring Hill Country camp, MoRanch, is cited in one petition for having moved guests to safety during the same storm. Officials ride a boat as they arrive to assist with a recovery effort at Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Hunt, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, file) AP The filings also point to claims of failing to warn families about the flood history and risks of the camps riverside flats, where the three youngest cabins sat. The families are asking the court to award them money both to cover the actual harm done and to punish the camp for what they say was extreme carelessness. They accuse Camp Mystic of things like not keeping the property safe, breaking promises and failing to protect the children. One of the lawsuits says the damages could be more than $1 million, but the final amount would be up to a jury. Carnival Horizon has a 3,960-passenger capacity, based on double occupancy. It sails out of PortMiami. A Florida teenager died on a cruise recently. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel/TNS, file) TNS By Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel (TNS) ORLANDO, Fla. A young woman whose death on board the Carnival Horizon cruise ship is being investigated by the FBI was identified by her family as a central Florida high school senior, according to a report from ABC News. Anna Kepner, 18, who attended Titusvilles Temple Christian School in Brevard County, was due to graduate in May. Carnival Cruise Line confirmed a passenger had died on the ship that returned to PortMiami on Saturday, and that the FBI was involved in its investigation, but no other details about the death were released. Since this is an ongoing matter under the jurisdiction of law enforcement, it is up to the FBIs Miami public affairs office to provide further details. Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest, the cruise line said in an emailed statement. Her family told ABC News that Kepner was a happy, bubbly, straight-A student with a bright future ahead. She had just finished taking the test to join the military, the family told the media outlet. She was already talking to recruiters and had chosen her career path. She wanted to do something that would help her community. The family told ABC she began gymnastics at the age of 2, and had joined the high schools varsity cheerleading team. Her school posted images of flowers placed atop her car that still remained parked in her senior parking spot on the schools campus. On Monday, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals found the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette violated labor laws in bad-faith negotiations, prematurely declaring a contract impasse and surveilling employees. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) AP A federal appellate court has agreed with findings that the owners of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette violated labor laws by negotiating with its union in bad faith and prematurely declaring an impasse in negotiations. The Third Circuit of Appeals also found PG Publishing, the company that owns the newspaper, unlawfully surveilled protesting employees who have been on strike since 2022. Ever since Post-Gazette management ripped apart our contract in 2020, our union of journalists has been standing and fighting the lawless union-busting that weve been subjected to every step of the way, said Andrew Goldstein, striking education reporter and Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh president. Its unclear if the ruling means the striking workers will return to work for the Post-Gazette. A spokesperson for the Newsguild said the workers have won their strike demands and said the company will receive the unions demands to reinstate their contract Tuesday. The Administrative Law Judge, a type of mediator, ruled in January 2024 that PG Publishing acted in bad faith by presenting contract proposals intended to fail and prematurely declared an impasse in negotiations in 2020. It also found added charges of union surveillance had merit after hired security guards were seen photographing the faces of union strikers. The judge ordered PG Publishing to compensate the employees for any loss in earnings and other benefits as a result of its unilateral actions, plus interest. The Third Circuit upheld this remedy. The National Labor Relations Board, in 2024, tacked on another remedy ordering PG Publishing to compensate the Newsguild for bargaining expenses it incurred during the time its alleged to have engaged in bad-faith bargaining. PG Publishing has long-maintained that they would win on appeal in circuit court, according to a press release by the Newsguild. The release said the US Supreme Court does not accept appeals of this kind. The dispute began when PG Publishing declared an impasse in negotiations and unilaterally implemented terms and conditions of employment on July 27, 2020 terms that killed the guarantee of a 40-hour work week, gutted the short-term disability plan and took away workers paid time off as well as the right to fight discipline from managers. The replacement healthcare plan annually cut workers wages by thousands by shifting costs to the employees, the Newsguild said. While employees were striking in September and October outside the home of publisher John Blocks home, two security guards appeared to take photos of employees in the crowd. While PG Publishing argued that wasnt the case, the Third Circuit said photos offered at the hearing clearly show the behavior described. Rigid adherence to disadvantageous proposals may provide a basis for inferring bad faith where the employers proposals leave the union members with substantially fewer rights than the law would provide them without a contract, an inference of bad faith may be appropriate. Striking workers continued to publish their own coverage of Pittsburgh as the Pittsburgh Union Progress, they note. PennLive could not reach a spokesperson for the publisher prior to publication. Krystin Reiff of Steelton stood in line on Monday at the Harrisburg Area Food Pantry with dozens of other people waiting to pick up groceries. These days, Reiff, like a growing number of central Pa. residents, depends on food pantries to help feed her family, including her two children, ages 2 and 3. I didnt receive my food stamps yet so Im at the food bank because I need to provide for my two children, she said. Im thankful for this. Across the Harrisburg region, food banks are experiencing a surge as more people struggle to put food on the table amid the government shutdown and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit lapses. It just keeps climbing and climbing, said Deidre Lenker, executive director of the Harrisburg Area Food Pantry at Camp Curtin YMCA on Sixth Street in Harrisburg. On Monday, people were lined up in the pantrys lobby which supplies food to families once a month, including dry goods, fresh produce, snacks and meat. Lenker said the pantry saw a 40% increase from October to November, while year-over-year volume doubled from 220 families served last year at this time to 440 this year At New Hope Ministries, which serves Adams, Cumberland and York counties, executive director Eric Saunders said its nine food pantries are servicing a record number of families. On average, between 10 and 20 new families are signing up for services every day at each location, he said. That used to be normal numbers for a month, Saunders said. The community social service agency is on track to potentially see its numbers increase by 50 to 70 percent this year, well over the 10,500 families the community social service agency served last year. We had a big food drive this weekend and I just heard over and over from folks, You know I need the help. And the number of people who said, Ive been furloughed and Im not getting a paycheck was stark, he said. Along with more people using the services, Saunders noted hes witnessed greater anxiety and greater hunger, especially as many people report they are not receiving SNAP benefits. The federal program has been on pause since Nov. 1 and is now on hold amid a court battle as nearly 42 million Americans face uncertainty about their food assistance. Late last week, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced the state had begun to issue SNAP payments after a lower court ruling allowed funding to move forward. Nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians rely on the benefits. But on Monday, those payments were paused as the Trump administration told the Supreme Court it wants to block a federal judges order mandating it pay Americans their full SNAP benefits for November. In a statement, Pennsylvanias Department of Human Services said, Pennsylvanians who received benefits on their EBT cards are able to spend them, as the USDA has not indicated that Pennsylvanians cannot use money already on their EBT cards to purchase food across the Commonwealth. The uncertainty is disheartening for those like Kate Wolfkill, of Harrisburg. The mother of a 6-year-old lost her job in July and applied for SNAP benefits before the government shutdown. My grocery bills are so high, and my situation is a little complicated, she said. With no income and with certain other government offices also being limited in their resources, I have nothing to go off of. Fortunately, the food banks have been able to keep up with demand. Last week, the Shapiro administration earmarked $5 million in state funding to distribute to food assistance programs. Central Pennsylvania Food Banks CEO Shila Ulrich said they are continuously planning long-term and short-term. The food bank serves 27 counties and works with a network of 1,200 agencies that provide food assistance to millions of Pennsylvania residents. The first week in November, the food banks network saw a 40 percent increase, data Ulrich called a pretty large and sizable differential. We keep thinking about the ways we can show up for our agency partners and know we are doing the best we can for the moment, she said. Ulrich said one issue the food bank is noticing is people stocking up in advance of SNAP benefits running out or out of fear pantries will run out of food. The food bank has ramped up fundraising and has received sizable corporate donations including $275,000 from WellSpan Health. Capital Blue Cross made a $60,000 donations to a handful of statewide food banks including the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. Area food pantries say they appreciate financial donations and volunteers, especially at critical times like now. We have seen unbelievable donations coming through our website, Lenker said. Its this of time a year a lot of community groups and employer groups will do food drives. Western Berks Ambulance Association this year asked each of its serviced municipalities to help fund a feasibility study to determine the best way to raise money for new ambulances and equipment. Jason Hugg/ Berks Weekly Story by Amanda Fries of Spotlight PA This story was produced by the Berks County Bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom. Sign up for Good Day, Berks, a daily dose of essential local stories at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/gooddayberks. As municipal leaders in Pennsylvania hold budget workshops for 2026, some have proposed or are considering a tax or other monetary payment to preserve emergency medical services in their communities. Across the commonwealth, ambulance companies have folded or adjusted coverage areas to stay solvent, increasing response times and stoking fear over the future of EMS. The crisis has been called out by EMS providers and highlighted in a study released last year that recommended more funding for Berks Countys EMS. Still, local and state officials have been slow to fully address the problem. By law, Pennsylvania municipalities need only ensure EMS is available. They arent required to fund it. Instead, services are paid through insurance, whether public or private. But that doesnt cover the entirety of the cost, which is why providers want communities to help pay. Less than half of the commonwealths over 2,500 municipalities pay for EMS. Elected municipal officials can pay for these costs out of their localitys main account, typically called the general fund, or they can set money aside using a special real estate tax and restrict that income to EMS or fire services. Only about a dozen of Berks Countys 72 municipalities have a designated EMS tax. Another 30 communities, the EMS study estimated, pay providers an annual membership fee that ranges from $100,000 to $250,000. The study by Albright Colleges Center for Excellence in Local Government recommended myriad service efficiencies and improvements, like creating regional EMS authorities to pool resources and funding, as well as educating the community on funding needs and establishing adequate EMS tax rates in municipalities. These findings came as little surprise to Western Berks Ambulance Association CEO Anthony Tucci, who has gotten about 10 municipalities to pay the org for services in its coverage area in recent years (some of which will take effect next year). But the report has driven home the need for all municipalities to pay, he said. Its educating the public to where they need to understand that public safety needs to be funded 100%, Tucci said. While the voluntary ambulance offered Cadillac service for so long municipalities were given great service now its come to the point where youve got to pay for it. The borough of Wyomissing established a membership fee in 2024 with Western Berks. Council made the decision to fund resident memberships, understanding the consequence of not doing so, Wyomissing Borough Manager Michele Bare said. I personally can think of few things scarier than calling 911 for fire, police, or EMS and there being a delayed response or no response. The borough of Leesport proposed a 0.5 mil tax in its 2026 budget to fund emergency services for the first time. This would add $50 to the property tax bill of a home assessed at $100,000. Elsewhere in the county, Washington Township officials are also considering an EMS tax, while Exeter Township officials are looking at shifting to that model from an existing membership fee. The staff is currently putting together some options for the Board of Supervisors, and implementing an EMS tax is among the considerations well be tasking the board with, Exeter Township Manager William Heim said. Emergency medical services were historically staffed by volunteers, who chose to help their neighbors and community without compensation. The field began with police officers and volunteers staffing horse-drawn wagons to carry the injured and ill to the hospital or a doctor. That morphed into local organizations like fire companies, service clubs, or funeral directors, providing ambulance services. But it wasnt until the formation of Freedom House, an ambulance service that operated from 1968 to 1975 in an impoverished section of Pittsburgh, that the modern EMS system in America took shape. Freedom House was staffed by young Black men and women who volunteered as medics in Black Pittsburgh communities like the Hill District. The medics were the first to treat cardiac arrest with chest compressions, rescue breathing, and intubation outside of a hospital. They traveled with EKG machines and various medications to use on the scene. Those services have become more specialized and advanced, necessitating more training for staff, updated equipment, and higher compensation. But funding didnt keep up. Ambulance services in Pennsylvania today are mostly paid, Tucci said, but theyre not funded by the municipalities the way they should be. EMS is paid through insurance coverage, whether thats private health insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare, but those payments dont cover the entire cost of the service. Private insurers pay an EMS agency directly only when there is an existing contract in place. In other cases, insurers remit payment to the patient, and the EMS agency must pursue the individual for reimbursement. Meanwhile, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services sets payouts for those programs, and if the services are denied for a patient, the EMS agency is left with no way to collect payment. EMS agencies may have endowments that can assist with operating revenue or acquiring facilities. They also host drives and fundraising events to cover special capital projects or general expenses. Western Berks Ambulance Association this year asked each of its serviced municipalities to help fund a $27,000 feasibility study to determine the best way to raise money for new ambulances and equipment. The study is moving forward, Tucci confirmed. That leaves taxes direct payments from municipalities to agencies as the final mechanism of raising funds. To assist in that endeavor, Pennsylvania lawmakers last year approved Act 54, raising the fire tax limit to 10 mills and the EMS tax cap to 5 mills for about 150 boroughs and townships in Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties. A bill approved earlier this year in the state House would expand that opportunity to more than 1,400 additional municipalities, like Washington and Exeter Townships in Berks County. The legislation has yet to be considered by the state Senate. BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. A male inmate at the Allegheny County Jail died Monday after suffering a "medical emergency," said the warden. An inmate has died at a Pennsylvania jail from what officials said was a medical emergency. The unidentified 38-year-old male Allegheny County Jail inmate was stricken at about 10 a.m. Monday, according to a statement released by jail Warden Trevor Wingard. Staff members performed lifesaving measures on the man as did paramedics but he was declared dead at 10:30 a.m. According to Wingards statement, the man was brought to the jail on Oct. 1 on harassment charges. He was sentenced for two protection-from-abuse violations while being held. An internal review is being conducted, and Allegheny County police are also investigating. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., meets with reporters on day 35 of the government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) AP (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Author: Robert B. Talisse, Vanderbilt University The United States was founded on the idea that government exists to serve its people. To do this, government must deliver services that promote the common good. When the government shuts down, it fails to meet its fundamental purpose. While government shutdowns are not new in the U.S., most have lasted less than a week. At 40 days, the current shutdown may well be on the way to an end this week, as enough Senate Democratic caucus members have voted with Republicans on a measure to reopen the government. But it will remain the longest in the history of the nation. When the government shuts down for such a long time, it inflicts hardships, anxieties and irritations on its citizens. You might wonder why elected officials allow lengthy disruptions to happen. It is common to blame the politicians for the shutdown. However, as a philosopher who researches democracy, I think the fault lies also with us, the citizens. In a democracy, we generally get the politics we ask for, and the electorate has developed a taste for political spectacle over competent leadership. American democracy has grown increasingly tribal, leading us to become more invested in punishing our partisan rivals than in demanding competent government. We are infatuated with the spectacle of our side dominating the other. Understandably, politicians have embraced obstruction. They have learned that deadlock can pay, because they have the support of their voters in behaving this way. Politics is no longer about representation and policy, its now about vanquishing and even humiliating the other side. U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan speaks at a press conference with other Senate Democratic caucus members who voted to restore government funding, in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 9, 2025. Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images More fervent, not better informed To see this, we must examine polarization. Lets start by distinguishing two kinds of polarization. First is political polarization. It measures the divide between the U.S.s two major parties. When political polarization is severe, the common ground among the parties falls away. This naturally undermines cooperation. That Republicans and Democrats are politically polarized is certainly part of the explanation for the shutdown. But thats not the entire story. As I argue in my book Civic Solitude, the deeper trouble has to do with belief polarization. Unlike political polarization, which measures the distance between opposing groups, belief polarization occurs within a single group. In belief polarization, like-minded people transform into more extreme version of themselves: Liberals become more liberal, conservatives become more conservative, Second Amendment advocates become more pro-gun, environmentalists become more green, and so on. Importantly, this shift is driven by the desire to fit in with ones peers, not by evidence or reason. Hence, we become more fervent but no better informed. Additionally, our more extreme selves are also more tribal and conformist. As we shift, we become more antagonistic toward outsiders. We also become more insistent on uniformity within our group, less tolerant of differences. Animosity and obstruction The combination of intensifying antagonism toward those on the other side and escalating cohesion among those on your side turns all aspects of life into politics. In the U.S. today, liberals and conservatives are heavily socially segregated. They live in different neighborhoods, work in different professions, vacation in different locations, drive different vehicles and shop in different stores. Everyday behavior has become an extension of partisan affiliation. Ironically, as everyday life becomes politically saturated, politics itself becomes more about lifestyle and less about policy. Researchsuggests that while animosity across the parties has intensified significantly, citizens disagreements over policy have either remained stable or eased. We dislike one another more intensely yet are not more divided. This paints a grim portrait of U.S. democracy. Note that this condition incentivizes politicians to amplify their contempt for political rivals. Politicians seek to win elections, and stoking negative feelings such as fear and indignation are potent triggers of political behavior, including voting. Consequently, when citizens are belief polarized, animosity and obstruction become winning electoral strategies. Meanwhile, politicians are released from the task of serving the common good. U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks during a news conference with House Republican leadership at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 6, 2025. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images Channeling contempt It is no surprise that discussions of the shutdown have consistently focused on blame. The Republicans, who hold the congressional majority, have sought to score points by depicting the shutdown as the Democrats fault. Several officialwebsitesmaintained by the federal government included statementsdenouncing the shutdown as strictly the doing of the Democrats. Their aim has been to channel citizens frustration into contempt for the Democratic Party. At the beginning of the shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed that there was literally nothing to negotiate with congressional Democrats. But theres the rub. Democratic government is fundamentally a matter of negotiation. Neither winning an election nor being a member of the majority party means that you can simply call the shots. The constitutional procedures by which our representatives govern are designed to force cooperation, collaboration and compromise. Thanks to polarization, however, these noble ideals of political give-and-take have dissolved. Cooperation is now seen as surrender to political enemies. Thats very clear in many Democrats outraged reactions to the eight senators from their caucus who have now voted with Republicans to end the shutdown. Meanwhile, more than 1 million government employees havent been paid, many crucial government services have been interrupted, diminished or suspended, and, with the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, travelers are experiencing flight disruptions. While there may be an end to the shutdown on the near horizon, any deal could simply postpone crucial policy debates and could well end in another shutdown in the new year. The key to avoiding this kind of failure is to become a citizenry that demands competent government over partisan domination. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/blame-the-shutdown-on-citizens-who-prefer-politicians-to-vanquish-their-opponents-rather-than-to-work-for-the-common-good-269041. Kudos to Gov. Josh Shapiro for calling out Vice President JD Vance on pulling SNAP benefits from hungry Pennsylvanians. (A masterful takedown that is worth a watch.) The federal government shutdown that has caused a lapse in funding for SNAP is dragging on because Republicans are determined to defund health insurance for the same working families that need SNAP program food assistance. Vance, the Trump administration, and the Republican Congress apparently prefer to spend the federal budget on tax breaks for billionaires instead of helping needy families survive the punishing cost of living crisis brought on by Trump 2.0s bungling. As part of a family with roots in the Appalachia that Vance has abandoned, I second Gov. Shapiros rebuke: shame on you, JD Vance. Kevin McKeon, Camp Hill, Pa. Singaporean lender United Overseas Bank (UOB) has raised its GDP growth forecast for Vietnam to 7.7% from its earlier 7.5% after a stronger-than-expected economic performance in the third quarter. Despite U.S. tariff threats, Vietnam managed to achieve 8.23% growth rate during the quarter, boosted by strong exports and production, the bank said in a note. Exports surged by 16% year-on-year in the first nine months and manufacturing by 10.8%. The Purchasing Managers Index expanded for a third month in September, reversing three months of contraction earlier. This suggests a stabilized outlook ahead and is further reaffirmed by the quickened pace of foreign direct investment, which grew by 8.5% to $18.8 billion. Full-year numbers may match the record $25.4 billion achieved in 2024. On the tariff front, U.S. President Donald Trump had declared in early July a 20% tariff on Vietnams exports to the U.S., much lower than the 46% threatened initially. UOB warned however that Vietnam remains vulnerable to trade friction due to the open nature of its economy. Exports of goods and services account for 83% of Vietnams GDP, the second highest among ASEAN members behind only Singapores 182%. While Vietnams trade activities appeared to be robust despite the U.S. tariffs, one potential outcome is that exports orders could start to fade once the frontloading of orders ease and higher prices affect U.S. consumer demand especially into 2026. The foreign exchange market also requires action, as the Vietnamese dong was the second worst-performing Asian currency in the first nine months of 2025, declining by 3.55% against the U.S. dollar and beaten only by the Indian rupees 3.58% fall. Several others have also raised their growth forecasts for Vietnam this year. British lender HSBC pegs the figure at 7.9%, while the Asian Development Bank expects it to be 6.7%. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said last month that with the current growth momentum Vietnam could achieve its GDP growth target of over 8% this year if there are no major disruptions. Philadelphia Eagles LB Alex Singleton (49) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the NFL game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. Singleton caught the ball which was intended for New York Giants WR Kadarius Toney (89) but deflected by Philadelphia Eagles S Rodney McLeod (23). Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com A former Eagles linebacker is in recovery after recently discovering he has cancer. Alex Singleton, currently with the Denver Broncos, announced on social media on Monday that he had surgery last Friday after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. Thankfully, we believe the cancer was caught early with a great prognosis for me and my family, Singleton said in a statement. While we are still awaiting some additional test results, I fully expect to return to the field in the coming weeks. Singleton said his diagnosis came after a league-mandated drug test showed elevated levels of the hormone hcG in his system. Further consultations with doctors led to the discovery of a tumor that was surgically removed. I wrestled with sharing such personal information publicly, Singleton said. But the fact is, if it helps one person decide to pay closer attention to their body, then it is well worth it. Early detection and regular screenings save lives and can save loved ones from a lot of grief. Singleton, 31, spent three seasons with the Eagles from 2019-21. The former Montana State standout went undrafted in 2015, signed with the Seahawks and spent time with the Patriots and Vikings, as well as the CFLs Calgary Stampeders, before landing in Philadelphia. Singleton was an integral part of the Eagles defense in 2020 and 2021, recording a combined 257 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in those seasons. Singleton signed with the Broncos as a free agent in March 2022 and has been with Denver ever since. Voter turnout was up across the south-cental Pa. region on Tuesday compared to the last municipal election in 2021. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/For Spotlight PA) Jared Wickerham / For Spotlight PA Voter turnout surged in the Harrisburg region compared to the municipal election four years ago and the high-profile state Supreme Court retention question, as well as unhappiness over President Donald Trumps policies were likely the main drivers. In Dauphin County, 41.9% of voters came out on Election Day compared to 32.1% in 2021 when there were state and county judge races on the ballot, along with county row offices and local seats. Nearly 45% of Cumberland County voters cast ballots compared to just under 32% four years ago, while York County saw a nearly 7-point increase. Perry County had 43% turnout with 13,332 ballots cast compared to 10,016 ballots cast in 2021. Statewide, turnout was about 40% but likely to increase once all votes are counted, said Berwood Yost, director of polling for Franklin & Marshall College. Yost said the higher-than-normal turnout did not surprise him after F&M polling estimated in October that it would be about 45%. There was no breakdown on party turnout available, but Democrats hold about a 171,000 voter registration advantage in the state. The retention question for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht, all Democrats, drew heavy spending by Republicans to try and oust them, noted Yost, with TV ads, mailers and media coverage stressing the results consequences. It raised the stakes, and it raised awareness in voters minds, said Yost. That helped push voters to the polls where dissatisfaction with Trump and the GOP agenda likely caused them to vote against Republicans in county and local races, he said. Voters in Dauphin and Cumberland chose to retain all three justices, while Perry voters rejected all three and York voters decided they wanted to retain Donohue and Dougherty but not Wecht ... by just 20 votes. Also, Trump not being on the ballot could have kept many in his base home with his absence dampening their enthusiasm to go vote. There was no exit polling done in Pennsylvania, said Yost, but those done in New Jersey and Virginia showed that there were Trump voters who voted for Democrats. Make of that what you will, said Yost. I imagine there was some of that in Pennsylvania if we saw it in other states. Yost said expectations were low for Republicans in an off-year election with Trumps low polling numbers. All that makes for a good environment (for Democrats), he said, .but it was much more than what people expected. Archaeologists observe the excavation site of the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 8, 2025. A prehistoric tomb dating back between 12,000 and 13,000 years was discovered in south China's Hainan Province, which is believed to be the earliest tomb found on the island. The tomb, discovered at the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya's Jiyang District, belonged to a child who was buried on his or her side with bent limbs. Shell ornaments were found near the head and waist, believed to be the earliest of their kind in China, offering valuable insights into Hainan's prehistoric culture and its cultural exchanges with Southeast Asia. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) SANYA, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- A prehistoric tomb dating back between 12,000 and 13,000 years was discovered in south China's Hainan Province, which is believed to be the earliest tomb found on the island. The archaeological research was jointly conducted by the Hainan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, the School of Archaeology and Museology at Peking University, and the Sanya Museum. The tomb, discovered at the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya's Jiyang District, belonged to a child who was buried on his or her side with bent limbs. Shell ornaments were found near the head and waist, believed to be the earliest of their kind in China, offering valuable insights into Hainan's prehistoric culture and its cultural exchanges with Southeast Asia. The age of the tomb was established using carbon-14 and uranium series dating methods. The Luobi Cave site, discovered in 1983, has yielded human fossils, stone tools, bone implements and animal remains, providing the earliest evidence of human activity in southern China. The new discoveries are highly significant for understanding the activity history of prehistoric humans on Hainan Island, reconstructing the island's prehistoric cultural sequence, and studying the exchange and spread of stone tool technology and culture with humans in South China, Southeast Asia and beyond, said Gao Xing, a research fellow at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Archaeologists sort soil samples collected from the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 8, 2025. A prehistoric tomb dating back between 12,000 and 13,000 years was discovered in south China's Hainan Province, which is believed to be the earliest tomb found on the island. The tomb, discovered at the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya's Jiyang District, belonged to a child who was buried on his or her side with bent limbs. Shell ornaments were found near the head and waist, believed to be the earliest of their kind in China, offering valuable insights into Hainan's prehistoric culture and its cultural exchanges with Southeast Asia. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) Archaeologists observe the excavation site of the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 8, 2025. A prehistoric tomb dating back between 12,000 and 13,000 years was discovered in south China's Hainan Province, which is believed to be the earliest tomb found on the island. The tomb, discovered at the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya's Jiyang District, belonged to a child who was buried on his or her side with bent limbs. Shell ornaments were found near the head and waist, believed to be the earliest of their kind in China, offering valuable insights into Hainan's prehistoric culture and its cultural exchanges with Southeast Asia. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) Archaeologists observe the excavation site of the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 8, 2025. A prehistoric tomb dating back between 12,000 and 13,000 years was discovered in south China's Hainan Province, which is believed to be the earliest tomb found on the island. The tomb, discovered at the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya's Jiyang District, belonged to a child who was buried on his or her side with bent limbs. Shell ornaments were found near the head and waist, believed to be the earliest of their kind in China, offering valuable insights into Hainan's prehistoric culture and its cultural exchanges with Southeast Asia. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) Archaeologists observe samples unearthed from the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 8, 2025. A prehistoric tomb dating back between 12,000 and 13,000 years was discovered in south China's Hainan Province, which is believed to be the earliest tomb found on the island. The tomb, discovered at the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya's Jiyang District, belonged to a child who was buried on his or her side with bent limbs. Shell ornaments were found near the head and waist, believed to be the earliest of their kind in China, offering valuable insights into Hainan's prehistoric culture and its cultural exchanges with Southeast Asia. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) Archaeologists observe the excavation site of the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 8, 2025. A prehistoric tomb dating back between 12,000 and 13,000 years was discovered in south China's Hainan Province, which is believed to be the earliest tomb found on the island. The tomb, discovered at the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya's Jiyang District, belonged to a child who was buried on his or her side with bent limbs. Shell ornaments were found near the head and waist, believed to be the earliest of their kind in China, offering valuable insights into Hainan's prehistoric culture and its cultural exchanges with Southeast Asia. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) This photo taken on Nov. 8, 2025 shows the excavation site of the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. A prehistoric tomb dating back between 12,000 and 13,000 years was discovered in south China's Hainan Province, which is believed to be the earliest tomb found on the island. The tomb, discovered at the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya's Jiyang District, belonged to a child who was buried on his or her side with bent limbs. Shell ornaments were found near the head and waist, believed to be the earliest of their kind in China, offering valuable insights into Hainan's prehistoric culture and its cultural exchanges with Southeast Asia. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) Archaeologists observe the excavation site of the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 8, 2025. A prehistoric tomb dating back between 12,000 and 13,000 years was discovered in south China's Hainan Province, which is believed to be the earliest tomb found on the island. The tomb, discovered at the Luobi Cave relic site in Sanya's Jiyang District, belonged to a child who was buried on his or her side with bent limbs. Shell ornaments were found near the head and waist, believed to be the earliest of their kind in China, offering valuable insights into Hainan's prehistoric culture and its cultural exchanges with Southeast Asia. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) Editor: WXY Tourists feed black-headed gulls at the Haigeng Dam in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 10, 2025. Black-headed gulls migrate to Kunming for the warm weather there in winter. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) Tourists feed black-headed gulls at the Cuihu Park in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 10, 2025. Black-headed gulls migrate to Kunming for the warm weather there in winter. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) Tourists feed black-headed gulls at the Haigeng Dam in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 10, 2025. Black-headed gulls migrate to Kunming for the warm weather there in winter. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) Tourists visit Haigeng Dam in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 10, 2025. Black-headed gulls migrate to Kunming for the warm weather there in winter. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) Tourists feed black-headed gulls at the Haigeng Dam in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 10, 2025. Black-headed gulls migrate to Kunming for the warm weather there in winter. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) A tourist poses for photos with black-headed gulls at the Haigeng Dam in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 10, 2025. Black-headed gulls migrate to Kunming for the warm weather there in winter. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) A tourist poses for photos with black-headed gulls at the Haigeng Dam in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 10, 2025. Black-headed gulls migrate to Kunming for the warm weather there in winter. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) Tourists feed black-headed gulls at the Haigeng Dam in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 10, 2025. Black-headed gulls migrate to Kunming for the warm weather there in winter. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) Editor: WXY Boivin Dominates Late on Day 4 to Lead Final 16 at NAPT Las Vegas Adam Lamers Live Reporter Copy link It was another quick day on the felt for the players in the $5,300 Main Event at the 2025 PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) being held at Resorts World Las Vegas. Just over three full levels were played on Day 4 before play was halted with just 16 players still vying for a spot at the final table. One of those players will be hoisting the trophy along with the top prize of $653,050 in a couple of days. Top 10 Chip Counts After Day 4 of the NAPT Main Event Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Thomas Boivin Belgium 3,365,000 168 2 Richard Green United States 2,800,000 140 3 Baurzhan Akimov Kazakhstan 2,595,000 130 4 Ekrem Bozkurt United States 2,375,000 119 5 Michael Berk United States 1,785,000 89 6 Abdullah Akbarpoor Turkey 1,750,000 88 7 Peter Mugar United States 1,625,000 81 8 Gal Yifrach United States 900,000 45 9 Katherine Porrello United States 845,000 42 10 Jesse Yaginuma United States 820,000 41 Boivin Leads the Way After another impressive showing in what little time was spent playing poker today, Thomas Boivin heads into the final stages of the tournament as the overall chip leader. Boivin entered the day near the top of the leaderboard but quickly emerged as the clear favorite after bagging up a stack of 3,365,000. With over $13 million in career earnings and multiple six and seven-figure scores, the Belgian poker pro will be hard to overlook among the remaining participants. Following in his footsteps is Richard Green, who has burst onto the poker scene in recent years with results totalling over $1,000,000. A big run here in this event would mark Green's largest live poker win in terms of dollar value and prestige. Throughout the day, Green found himself involved in many significant pots en route to bagging up a stack of 2,800,000. Rounding out the podium is Baurzhan Akimov with a stack of 2,595,000, also good for over 100 big blinds. Akimov accumulated the majority of his chips in an interesting spot against Jesse Lonis in the opening level of the day. Both players entered the day with big stacks, but a five-bet pot with queen-ten is what Akimov used to dispatch the ace-king of Lonis and boost his stack. There were just 40 players who returned to their seats for Day 4 with around 45 minutes remaining in level 19. There was no shortage of action in the early going as many players fell by the wayside and were forced to the payout desk earlier than they hoped. Joining Lonis in the payout line were Matthew Salsberg, Jeremy Ausmus, Shannon Shorr, and Mike Vanier all before the first break of the day. They were followed by the likes of Ryan Riess, Toby Lewis, and the elimination of Kai Nicholls brought an end to the day. Albeit a short stack, PokerStars team pro and grandmaster chess player, Jen Shahade, is still fighting her way through the field with hopes of becoming a Main Event champion. Shahade had an up-and-down day at the felt, finishing with a stack of 555,000 chips. Other players to keep an eye as the action unfolds include Michael Berk (1,785,000), Gal Yifrach (900,000), and Jesse Yaginuma (820,000), who have all had plenty of success in their poker careers. The cards are scheduled to go back in the air at 12 p.m. local time tomorrow with around 31 minutes remaining in level 22. The players will return to blinds of 10,000/20,000 and a 20,000 big blind ante. The levels will remain at 90 minutes in length with a 15-minute break after each level. The tentative schedule for tomorrow is to play down to the final six players who will return to fight it out on the final day of this event. PokerNews live reporting team will be here throughout all of it to bring you all of the updates and storylines as the action unfolds. Each of the remaining 16 players in the NAPT Las Vegas Main Event has already locked up at least $29,350 thus far but the remaining pay jumps start to become more impactful as the tournament goes on. Thelive reporting team will be here throughout all of it to bring you all of the updates and storylines as the action unfolds. Share this article It was another quick day on the felt for the players in the $5,300 Main Event at the 2025 PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) being held at Resorts World Las Vegas. Just over three full levels were played on Day 4 before play was halted with just 16 players still vying for a spot at the final table. One of those players will be hoisting the trophy along with the top prize of $653,050 in a couple of days. After another impressive showing in what little time was spent playing poker today, Thomas Boivin will head into the final stages of the tournament as the overall chip leader. Boivin entered the day near the top of the leaderboard but quickly emerged as the clear favorite after bagging up a stack of 3,365,000. With over $13 million in career earnings and multiple six and seven-figure scores, the Belgian poker pro has the most experience among the remaining participants. Following in his footsteps is Richard Green, who has also burst onto the poker scene in recent years with endless results totalling over $1,000,000. A big run here in this event would mark Green's largest live poker win in terms of dollar value and prestige. Throughout the day, Green found himself involved in many significant pots en route to bagging up a stack of 2,800,000. Rounding out the podium is Baurzhan Akimov with a stack of 2,595,000, also good for over 100 big blinds. Akimov accumulated the majority of his chips in an interesting spot against Jesse Lonis in the opening level of the day. Both players entered the day with big stacks, but a five-bet pot with queen-ten is what Akimov used to dispatch the ace-king of Lonis and boost his stack. Top 10 Chip Counts After Day 4 of the NAPT Main Event Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Thomas Boivin Belgium 3,365,000 168 2 Richard Green United States 2,800,000 140 3 Baurzhan Akimov Kazakhstan 2,595,000 130 4 Ekrem Bozkurt United States 2,375,000 119 5 Michael Berk United States 1,785,000 89 6 Abdullah Akbarpoor Turkey 1,750,000 88 7 Peter Mugar United States 1,625,000 81 8 Gal Yifrach United States 900,000 45 9 Katherine Porrello United States 845,000 42 10 Jesse Yaginuma United States 820,000 41 There were just 40 players who returned to their seats for Day 4 with around 45 minutes remaining in level 19. There was no shortage of action in the early going as many players fell by the wayside and were forced to the payout desk earlier than they hoped. Joining Lonis in the payout line were Matthew Salsberg, Jeremy Ausmus, Shannon Shorr, and Mike Vanier all before the first break of the day. They were followed by the likes of Ryan Riess, Toby Lewis, and the elimination of Kai Nicholls brought an end to the day. Albeit a short stack, PokerStars team pro and grandmaster chess player, Jen Shahade, is still fighting her way through the field with hopes of becoming a Main Event champion. Shahade had a quiet but up-and-down day at the felt, finishing with a stack of 555,000 chips. Other players to keep an eye as the action unfolds over the coming days include Michael Berk (1,785,000), Gal Yifrach (900,000), and Jesse Yaginuma (820,000), who have all had plenty of success in their poker careers. Jennifer Shahade The cards are scheduled to go back in the air at 12 p.m. local time tomorrow with around 31 minutes remaining in level 22. The players will return to blinds of 10,000/20,000 and a 20,000 big blind ante. The levels will remain at 90 minutes in length with a 15-minute break after each level. The tentative schedule for tomorrow is to play down to the final six players who will return to fight it out on the final day of this event. Each of the remaining 16 players has already locked up at least $29,350 thus far but the remaining pay jumps start to become more impactful as the tournament goes on. The PokerNews live reporting team will be here throughout all of it to bring you all of the updates and storylines as the action unfolds. Aiken Standard reporter Bill Bengtson is an Aiken Standard reporter. He can be reached at (803) 644-2355 and bbengtson@aikenstandard.com. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/2025/10/12 The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has imposed a corrective measure on MP and fifth President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, temporarily suspending his voting rights for 64.98292% of shares in the International Investment Bank (IIB, Kyiv), which he holds indirectly, until the violation is remedied. According to the announcement on the NBUs website, the relevant decision was made by the Committee on Banking Supervision, Regulation, Payment System Monitoring on October 20 of this year. In addition, the Committee prohibited the exercise of voting rights for these shares by PJSC Closed Non-Diversified Corporate Investment Fund Prime Assets Capital, which directly owns them. As reported earlier, on April 28, 2025, the NBUs Committee on Banking Supervision and Regulation recognized the business reputation of Petro Poroshenko, the owner of 64.98292% of the shares in the International Investment Bank (IIB), as unsatisfactory due to the sanctions imposed on him by the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) under the presidential decree of February 12, 2025. As the NBU stated at the time, this decision does not affect the banks operations or its interactions with clients both individuals and legal entities, as well as charitable organizations. At that time, the National Bank reported that other measures of influence, such as the suspension of voting rights, had not been applied to Poroshenko in connection with the recognition of his business reputation as unsatisfactory. Earlier, on April 11, Poroshenko stated that the NBU was planning to recognize him as a "person with an unsatisfactory business reputation," using the presidential decree on sanctions as the basis. He also described this as a stage of "political field cleansing and creating problems for the opposition." Poroshenkos lawyers, in turn, announced that they would appeal the NBUs decision. According to NBU data, as of September 1, 2025, the International Investment Bank (IIB) ranked 29th among 60 banks in Ukraine in terms of total assets (UAH 10.85 billion). Its share in the total banking system assets is 0.28%. The bank reported a net loss of UAH 15.3 million over the first eight months of the year. PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-11 00:10:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 489 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Consensus-Built Fit-for-Purpose' Quality and Safety Standards for Community Oncology ProgramsOMAHA, NEBRASKA / ACCESS Newswire / November 10, 2025 / The Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) today published the Standards for Immune Effector Cells in the Community Clinical Setting, 1st edition, to help community oncology programs deliver transformative cell therapies closer to where eligible patients live and work."These Standards, and FACT's accompanying voluntary accreditation, will help assure community-based caregivers, patients, and all stakeholders that the patient journey will be grounded in quality and safety," says Dr. Catherine Bollard, President of the FACT Board of Directors.While familiarity with and use of cell therapies continues to grow among physicians, demand still exists for clear and consistent information. In a 2024 survey from IQVIA, ~70% of referring physicians said they would benefit from more, or a lot more, information about cell therapy. These Standards respond to that need."FACT spent several months inviting feedback from a wide range of stakeholders in cell and gene therapy, and took action with the appropriate urgency," says FACT CEO David Schmahl. "We'll continue to listen and respond to the needs of providers, patients, and other stakeholders." Development began last spring when FACT convened the Community CAR T Working Group, comprised of community-based physicians, leaders from academic medical centers, and representatives of medical societies. The Community IEC Standards adapt the FACT-JACIE International Standards for Immune Effector Cells, 3rd edition, to meet the "fit-for-purpose" needs of community-based oncology programs."Currently, many patients eligible for cellular therapy must be referred for treatment to hospitals far away from where they live, often resulting in the treatment not being received. We must expand access for treatment much closer to where these patients live. These Standards help community oncology programs do this, with relevant guidance addressing quality and safety through the patient journey," says Working Group member Michael Byrne, DO (Tennessee Oncology)."FACT is committed to expanding patient access and working with community oncology programs to see that care happens safely and with quality at the forefront," added Schmahl.FACT urges all parties interested toaccessthese Standards and be part of the solution to bring these transformative therapies to more patients.Since 2017, FACT has accredited 181 programs for IEC administration in five countries. Overall, 319 organizations in 26 countries are accredited by FACT. For more information, visitwww.factglobal.org ABOUT FACTFACT is a non-profit corporation co-founded in 1996 by the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT) and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) to develop comprehensive patient-centric standards in cell therapy based on current science, focusing on quality and safety in medical and laboratory practice. In addition, FACT offers corresponding voluntary accreditation aligned with the services offered by the applicant program. FACT engages and interacts with hundreds of peer experts in its administration of these efforts.Contact InformationMedia Contactfact@ factglobal.org (402) 920-7001SOURCE: Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-11 00:30:36 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 650 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / November 10, 2025 / Forward Water Technologies Corp. ("FWTC" or the "Company") (TSXV:FWTC) is pleased to announce that the Company has arranged a shares for debt transaction to settle an aggregate of $9,000.00 of interest (the "Indebtedness").Pursuant to the shares for debt settlement FWTC proposes to issue 143,312 common shares in the capital of FWTC (the "Settlement Shares") at a deemed price of $0.0628 per share to Green Centre Canada.It is proposed that the Settlement Shares will be issued subject to prospectus exemptions available pursuant to Canadian securities law and will be subject to a hold period which will expire on the date that is four months and one day following the date of issuance. The issuance of the Settlement Shares remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.About Forward Water Technologies Corp.Forward Water Technologies Corp. is a publicly traded Canadian company dedicated to saving the earth's water supply using its patented Forward Osmosis technology. The Company was founded by GreenCentre Canada, a leading technology innovation centre supported by the government of Canada. The Company's technology allows for the reduction of challenging waste streams simultaneously returning fresh water for re-use or surface release. The Company's mandate is to focus on the large-scale implementation of its technology in multiple sectors, including industrial wastewater, oil and gas, mining, agriculture and ultimately municipal water supply and re-use market sectors. In addition, the Company has initiated early stage R&D for the treatment of food and beverage process streams.For more information, please visit www.forwardwater.com For more information or interview requests, please contact:C. Howie Honeyman - Chief Executive Officer howie.honeyman@forwardwater.com 1-519-333-5888Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.Caution Concerning Forward Looking InformationThis press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends" "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. FWTC cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of FWTC, including those described in FWTC's disclosure documents available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of FWTC. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and FWTC does not undertake to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by securities law.This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.SOURCE: Forward Water Technologies Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-11 19:00:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 382 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / Hixson Holdings, Inc. ("Hixson") recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to Hixson.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On November 5, 2024, Hixson detected a cybersecurity incident on its network. Upon discovery, Hixson launched an investigation with the assistance of external cybersecurity experts. The investigation determined that certain data may have been subject to unauthorized access or acquisition during the incident.The impacted information includes names, contact information, Social Security numbers, and medical or insurance-related identifiers.On October 31, 2025, Hixson filed notice with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and began mailing notice letters to potentially affected individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal and protected health information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Hixson Holdings, Inc., you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/2025 The European Solidarity Party declares its demand for a clear and effective response from the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the events surrounding the searches of the co-owner of the Kvartal 95 studio, Tymur Mindich, and declares that it is initiating procedures for the resignation of the current Cabinet of Ministers in connection with them. European Solidarity demands a clear and effective response to today's events, which amount to treason, from the President. Otherwise, we will lose the trust of our partners, international support, without which Ukraine is doomed. The trust of our international partners, who support Ukraine militarily and financially. The trust of Ukrainians, who hold this country on their own shoulders. We will not allow this," the statement published on the political force's website on Monday evening reads. The party emphasized that they demand "a change in policy - the formation of a government of trust and responsibility." "We are beginning the procedure for the resignation of the government - unprofessional and corrupt. Our goal is state governance, the unity of society, and the trust of partners. We call on all colleagues in parliament who are aware of the threats to the state to sign the resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers for the sake of forming a government of national salvation," the statement says. Commenting on the Mindich case, the political party noted that "when millions of Ukrainians were left without electricity during shelling, when the best were dying every day at the front, another "battery" was working in the rear - the one that charged the pockets of the chosen ones. One hundred million dollars that could have gone to protect the energy infrastructure turned up in Energoatom's schemes." The party claims that Mindich "has influence over the only telethon, controlled cash flows from Centerenergo to the State Property Fund, was engaged in the diamond business in Russia, and even "built" fortifications through his contractor Pronin," and that "Ukraine has never seen so many cash flows in one hand." "And we have a question: how did it happen that Mindich was able to leave the country, when opposition deputies are not even allowed to attend international meetings where we ask partners to help restore Ukraine's energy system?", the statement emphasizes. As reported, NABU and SAPO announced on November 10 a large-scale operation to expose corruption in the energy sector, which was called "Midas". The activities of a high-level criminal organization were documented, the participants of which built a large-scale corruption scheme to influence strategic state-sector enterprises, in particular JSC NNEGC Energoatom. "Energoatom confirmed the conduct of investigative actions at the company on November 10. Among those identified by NABU as participants in the large-scale energy sector corruption scheme, codenamed "Midas," are Serhiy Pushkar, a member of the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC); businessman Tymur Mindich; former Executive Director for Physical Protection and Security at Energoatom, Dmytro Basov; and former adviser to the Minister of Energy, Ihor Myroniuk. The main activity of the criminal organization, according to the NABU/SAPO, was the systematic receipt of illegal benefits from Energoatom's counterparties in the amount of 10% to 15% of the value of contracts. In particular, Energoatom's counterparties were imposed conditions of paying a "kickback" for avoiding blocking payments for services provided/products delivered or deprivation of supplier status. Using official connections in the ministry and the state-owned company, in particular, the former deputy head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine, who later became an advisor to the Minister of Energy, as well as a former law enforcement officer who held the position of executive director for physical protection and security of Energoatom, ensured control over personnel decisions, procurement processes and the movement of financial flows. Before that, information appeared about the NABU searches of Mindich on the morning of November 10, and MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak (Holos faction) reported that he left Ukraine right before the searches and "will be hiding in Israel and Austria." He also reported on the searches of Minister of Justice Herman Haluschenko and JSC NNEGC Energoatom. According to the MP, "Mindich, Herman, Energoatom - all in one of our investigations and in one application to NABU." On November 6, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported that it had begun verifying information made public and submitted to it by Zhelezniak regarding Mindich's alleged diamond mining and sales business in the Russian Federation during the full-scale war. Zhelezniak noted that "Mindich has already assembled a trio: the FBI, NABU, and SBU." PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-11 18:45:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 392 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / Blazer Real Estate Services, LLC ("Blazer Real Estate") recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to Blazer Real Estate.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Blazer Real Estate recently became aware of a security incident on its internal systems. Upon detection, Blazer Real Estate launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cyber security experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to sensitive data.The impacted data may include names, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, government-issued ID numbers, and medical information.On October 30, 2025, Blazer Real Estate Services filed a notice with the Office of the Attorney General of Texas and started sending out notice letters to the impacted individuals.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Blazer Real Estate Services, LLC, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-11 18:45:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 387 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2025 / JFS Wealth Advisors, LLC("JFS") recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal information of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to JFS.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On August 19, 2025, JFS Wealth Advisors, LLC became aware of suspicious activity in a corporate email account. Upon detection, JFS promptly secured the impacted email account and launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party viewed certain email messages between July 30, 2025 and August 19, 2025. The impacted data may include names and Social Security numbers.JFS filed notice with the Attorney General of Massachusetts and began sending notice letters to affected parties. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from JFS Wealth Advisors, LLC, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-11 00:01:33 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 491 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 10, 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 PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-11 00:01:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 592 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 10, 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 PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-11 00:01:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 357 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 10, 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 Actress and filmmaker Regina Daniels has reacted to her brother Samuel Sammy West Ojeogwus release from prison. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Sammy West, who was allegedly arrested and remanded on the orders of his sisters estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, was granted bail by a Magistrate Court in Dutse, Abuja, on Monday. He was released on N5 million bail a few days after several public figures, including actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie and politician and activist Omoyele Sowore, called for his immediate release. Reacting to her brothers release in a video posted on her Instagram page on Tuesday, the 25-year-old appreciated everyone who advocated her brothers freedom. Regina also took a subtle jab at her 64-year-old estranged husband, declaring she is loved unconditionally by Nigerians. Regina noted, Guys, do you know its such a big deal to be loved by many people? Wait, can I brag about that? Can I actually brag that? I dont know who to start thanking or where to start. See, guys, the kind of love I receive during this period makes me emotional. I feel good. Jokes on you, Ned, because you thought people would hate me. I bet if you people see this video again, youll say this girl is very unserious but Im actually very unserious. Im serious because my mothers, fathers, uncles, brothers, sisters, friends, fans, online aunties and daddies are fighting for me. And my brother is out. So one battle down. Pity Additionally, the Delta-born actress stated that she was mocked by many since her marital crisis became public on social media. She added that she detested being mocked or pitied by people. I actually dont like to be pitied. Why dont I like to be pitied? So you guys made me so emotional, I swear. Because truthfully, I want help. I need help. But Ive risked myself so much in society that it feels illegal to ask for help. It feels unlawful to need so many people knowing fully well that not all eyes that look at you look at you with good intentions. Like, its not. Im so happy. Thank you, guys. I want to mention so many names. But I cant even begin to mention names like that in this disrespectful manner. Like, guys, my mothers, my mama, my mom, my God on earth, God bless you. My father, God bless you. Mommy. If I dont add Mama Mercy, nobody will know. But I cannot be calling you mama Mercy. Mommy. I love you. And you love me too. Aunty Doris. I cannot start listing names. Im so emotional. But Im so happy. So I cannot cry. Like, my heart is happy. Im happy, Regina said. Backstory This newspaper reported that the ongoing marital crisis between the actress and the lawmaker began in October after she accused him (Mr Nwoko) of physically assaulting her. She also declared that she was no longer interested in the marriage, citing her inability to continue enduring domestic violence. However, Mr Nwoko refuted the allegation and insisted he never assaulted Regina. He attributed the actresss claims to the influence of substances she allegedly abused, adding that he had made several efforts to get her professional help. The crisis deepened in early November when Regina alleged that Mr Nwoko ordered the police to arrest and detain her brother, Sammy West. This newspaper earlier reported that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command confirmed Sammy Wests arrest on charges including conspiracy, trespass, assault, criminal intimidation, theft, and cyberbullying. According to the commands spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, Sammy West was arrested in Lagos and flown to Abuja after failing to honour previous police invitations. She added that the court remanded him pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions, but declined to disclose the identity of the petitioner who initiated the case. But in a detailed Facebook post after police confirmed Sammy Wests arrest, Mr Nwoko alleged that he( Sammy West) repeatedly harassed his children and domestic staff in his absence. He further alleged that Sammy West introduced Regina to drugs and sabotaged all efforts to help her recover. Mr Nwoko also alleged that Sammy West, alongside some siblings and friends, had turned his residence into a drug den. Aisha* sat quietly in the crowded hall, her colourful hijab neatly around her face as a health expert spoke about the dangers of using unsafe materials during menstruation. It was 28 May 2025, Menstrual Hygiene Day, and a coalition of civil society groups had visited the Suleja Correctional Facility in Niger State to educate inmates about safe menstrual practices. The hall, a simple structure with bare concrete floors and iron rods holding up a rusting roof, was filled with murmurs as Aisha raised her hand when the health expert paused to catch her breath. Please, how can I safely use cotton wool as a pad? Aisha asked softly. At this point, the room went silent. The expert explained that cotton wool is not designed for menstruation and could cause infections or irritation. I used cotton wool and tissue paper to pad myself the first month I was brought here because there was no provision for menstrual pads, Aisha later told The ICIR reporter, who was in the hall during the session. Ive been here three months now, and Ive never been given any pads, she added. Aisha is in her mid-twenties, and her experience reflects the sad reality faced by the 58 female inmates in the Suleja correctional facility at the time and hundreds more across Nigerias correctional centres, where menstruation is often treated as an afterthought. A systemic gap Like in many parts of the world, Nigerian prisons are plagued by inhumane conditions and severe overcrowding, resulting in poor health and deplorable living conditions for inmates. Female prisoners make up about two per cent of the inmate population in Nigeria. However, the number of female inmates has risen in recent years. In 2022, Nigeria had 1,296 female inmates out of a total of 70,797 prisoners. By January 2025, that number had risen to 1,688, including 34 pregnant women and 51 children under 18 months living with their mothers in custody. However, the needs of these women are often overshadowed by the remaining 98 per cent, comprised of male inmates, the Centre for Gender Economics in Africa (CGE Africa) reported. Advocates have raised concerns that women behind bars are forced to manage their periods without dignity, leaving them vulnerable to infections, humiliation, and systemic neglect. A report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed that many female inmates in prisons across Nigeria have limited access to basic hygiene and health care products. A cross-sectional study in Kano prisons found that 85.6 per cent of female inmates bathed only once during menstruation, while 81.4 per cent changed their absorbents just twice per day. At Suleja, at least 10 female inmates who spoke to The ICIR confirmed that they depend entirely on donations from churches, mosques, and charity groups to stay clean during their periods. Mariam*, who had been in the facility for months, recalled borrowing pads when she arrived. I gave money to one of the prison staff who goes home after work to help me buy a pack of menstrual pads and bring it when resuming the next day, Mariam recalled. I am grateful for programmes like this and for sisters from the convent who come here monthly to distribute pads. Jane*, another inmate, added, I borrow from inmates, or call family to bring it when visiting, especially in the months when we dont receive any donations. Other facilities included In Lagos, a 2024 campaign by the Blossom Flow Foundation at the Kirikiri Female Custodial Centre found that some inmates used newspapers, nylons, and rags during menstruation. Joan Faluyi, who led the initiative, said it served as a platform to advocate against period poverty, shedding light on the challenges women face in accessing sanitary pads. Mrs Faluyi noted that this struggle is exacerbated for female inmates who lack the means to procure them. While period poverty is a significant issue for women living with their families, it presents an even more daunting challenge for incarcerated women who are unable to work, she said. Felicia, a former inmate at the Plateau State Correctional Facility, recalled the same ordeal. The mother of three said when she was wrongfully accused and detained at the correctional Facility in 2021, she and other inmates depended on occasional pad donations. We depended on kind Nigerians who donated pads. Without them, we used whatever we could find, she said. A correctional officer who requested anonymity confirmed this. Theres no official provision for menstrual pads, the source admitted. The women depend entirely on donations. Millions in the budget, nothing for pads The Nigerian government allocates billions of naira to correctional facilities each year, yet female inmates remain excluded from the benefits. In the 2020/2021 capital budget, over N1 billion was allocated for Prison Biometrics, Arms, and Ammunition to detect, prevent, or respond effectively to internal and external threats. The House of Representatives in 2022 resolved to investigate the deteriorating conditions of correctional service staff and inmates despite the over N165 billion budgetary allocations to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in 2020 and 2021. The NCoS budget was not explicitly defined under the N287 billion allocated to the Ministry of Interior in 2022. Meanwhile, the federal government spent N22.44 billion to feed prison inmates in 2023. In 2024, the government allocated approximately N120 billion to the NCoS, with breakdowns for different expenditures. The key allocations included N24.4 billion for feeding inmates, N4.2 billion for constructing fixed assets such as prisons, and N1.8 billion for building new maximum-security custodial centres. The 2025 national budget earmarked N38.03 billion for feeding inmates, part of a total allocation of N45.2 billion for correctional services. The daily feeding allowance per inmate was also increased from 750 to 1,150. However, nowhere in the budget is there a mention of sanitary pads or menstrual hygiene products. Instead, such items are hidden under general provisions, such as catering materials or healthcare supplies, making it impossible to track specific spending on womens needs. Repeated attempts were made to contact the spokesperson of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Abubakar Umar, via WhatsApp, direct message, and calls, but they were unsuccessful. The ICIR submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request on 14 May 2025, demanding records of procurement or contracts for sanitary pad supplies to correctional facilities nationwide. Months later, no response was received a violation of Section 4 (7) of the FOI Act, which requires institutions to respond within seven working days or explain their reason for withholding information. Meanwhile, the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules) affirm that the provision of health care for prisoners is a State responsibility. However, the reality in Nigeria tells a different story. Many women behind bars are denied access to even basic health care, including menstrual hygiene supplies, a direct contradiction of those international standards. In 2019, the late President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Nigerian Correctional Service Bill into law, mandating that all inmates must be treated humanely as part of their rehabilitation. Yet, more than five years later, implementation remains inconsistent, and the needs of female inmates continue to be overlooked. Rights violations and health implications The Plateau State Coordinator and Director of Legal, National Human Rights Commission, Kiyenpiya Mafuyai, stated that the Nigerian government, through the prison authorities, is primarily responsible for ensuring the menstrual care of female inmates. The accommodation of women prisoners shall have facilities and materials required to meet womens specific hygiene needs, including sanitary towels provided free of charge and a regular supply of water to be made available for the personal care of children and women, in particular women involved in cooking and those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or menstruating Ms Mafuyai said, quoting Rule 5 of the UN Bangkok Rules. She explained that, based on the available rules and laws, denying adequate menstrual care can be seen as a violation of the female inmates right to dignity and the neglect of hygiene needs, which may affect health. Obviously, menstrual hygiene is an integral part of this for women. Neglect of this indicates a lack of gender representation in governance and leadership of Correctional Services. The neglect of menstrual hygiene could increase the vulnerability of female inmates, she added. The human rights lawyer noted the specific inclusion of the needs of inmates, such as medication and sanitary pads, in the prison authorities budget as one of the policy and administrative changes that can be made to improve menstrual care of inmates. Deliberate attention should be paid to hygiene facilities to ensure clean spaces, sufficient water, and proper disposal practices to prevent infection and promote good health. Inclusion of reusable pad making as a vocational skill in the correctional facility for the benefit of female inmates, she said. Meanwhile, a resident obstetrics and gynaecologist, Usman Isah, told the ICIR that the potential health risks of using unclean or damp cloths or infrequently changing pads during menstruation increase the risk of infection. Mr Isah said the kind of infections or skin conditions that can arise from prolonged use of unhygienic menstrual materials include reproductive tract infection, urinary tract infection, increased risk of Human Papillomavirus Infection, and subsequently cervical cancer. When pads are unavailable, and women use damp or dirty materials, they create a breeding ground for bacteria, he explained. Aisha told the ICIR that she would use the pack she had received from the group that led the menstrual health lecture judiciously. I dont change regularly because I dont want to lack when I need it next month, Aisha said. For women like Aisha, the scarcity of pads means rationing even when they have them. I try not to change often, she said quietly, clutching the small pack of pads she received from visiting NGOs. I dont know when Ill get another one. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has pledged that the 10th National Assembly will prioritise legislative reforms to strengthen Nigerias health system, support digital innovation, and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare across the country. Mr Akpabio made the pledge in Abuja on Monday while declaring open the 6th Annual Legislative Summit on Health, themed Building Responsive, Sustainable Health Systems: Leveraging Legislative Action for Digital Innovation, Human Capital and Infrastructure for Universal Health Coverage. He was represented by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, at the summit co-hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria Environmental Summit Group, and the National Assembly, in partnership with several development organisations. In his address, Mr Akpabio described the health of a nation as its truest measure of wealth, stressing that health security must be treated as national security. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of Nigerias health system but also revealed its resilience through the courage of frontline workers. He acknowledged ongoing challenges, including inadequate funding, weak infrastructure, brain drain, and lack of reliable data, but maintained that despair is not our portion. Across Nigeria, the green shoots of renewal are visible, digital health initiatives, local pharmaceutical industries, and new partnerships between government and the private sector. The task before us now is to gather these efforts into one coherent strategy, he said. Senate to review, modernise health laws Mr Akpabio announced that under the 10th National Assembly, health would stand at the centre of legislative priorities, with efforts focused on reviewing and modernising laws to align with global best practices. We shall give full life to the National Health Act and ensure that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund reaches every community for which it was conceived, he said. He also promised legislative support for digital innovation, including telemedicine, electronic records, and the use of artificial intelligence for diagnosis and disease surveillance. We must build a digital backbone that connects every primary health centre with every tertiary hospital, he added. The Senate President called for improved welfare for health workers to curb the migration of medical professionals abroad. Call for stronger primary health care and financing During panel discussions at the pre-summit, experts and stakeholders called for improved funding mechanisms, better use of technology, and stronger community ownership to revitalise primary healthcare. Kabiru Atta, Country Representative of EngenderHealth, said poor understanding of health integration continues to fragment Nigerias system. Mr Atta also noted that one of the biggest obstacles to integrating reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health services into routine primary care delivery is a poor understanding of what integration entails. He added that fragmentation within the health system, where units such as family planning, nutrition, and fistula care operate in isolation, continues to weaken service delivery. He cited a USAID-supported fistula project that developed a fistula tracker system to monitor womens care from diagnosis to rehabilitation, saying such innovations demonstrate how technology can drive integration. At any point, you can tell what service a woman needs and where she should get it. Digital tools like this allow us to follow patients across the continuum of care, he added. Budgeting is easy, fund release is the problem Chika Offor, Chief Executive Officer, Vaccine Network for Disease Control, decried poor release of approved immunisation funds. Ms Offor said, It is easy to budget one trillion naira for vaccines, but how much is released? As of 2024, only 25 per cent was released. In 2025, none has been released so far. She advocated ring-fenced funding for immunisation, a system where budgeted funds cannot be diverted and called for predictable financing through first-line charges and value-added tax (VAT) allocations. Financing climate-resilient health systems At another panel session on climate-resilient health systems, experts urged government and private actors to scale up renewable energy solutions to power health facilities. Kene Terfa, President of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, said solar energy offers a sustainable solution to Nigerias power challenges. Mr Terfa noted that if communities take ownership and contribute one per cent of their resources, it will be possible to solarise primary health centres nationwide. Similarly, Temitayo Tella-Lah, Programme Manager and Programme Lead, Climate Adaptation in Health, Food Security and Nutrition, eHealth Africa said her organisations solarisation of 238 PHCs across 12 states showed that advocacy and local ownership are vital for sustainability. Ms Tella-Lah said, When communities understand the benefits, they protect the equipment. We even had cases where locals stopped anyone from tampering with installed systems. Christopher Ipechika, CEO of Distinct Industrial Concern, stressed the role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in maintenance and monitoring. From our phones, we can track whether a facilitys solar system is working. Training local technicians ensures long-term maintenance, Mr Ipechika noted. WHO calls for climate financing for health Francis Ukweji, Senior Technical Lead on Health Financing at WHO, said Nigeria can tap into global climate funds and green bonds to strengthen its health infrastructure. Mr Ukweji listed several financing mechanisms such as carbon pricing, climate risk insurance, blended financing, and debt-for-climate swaps. With the ongoing review of the National Health Act, we can integrate climate financing into the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund and health insurance programmes, he said. He added that linking performance-based financing with renewable energy adoption could unlock new funding streams for the health sector. Theres room for private sector and donor collaboration. If we use the right mix of instruments, Nigeria can build a truly climate-resilient health system, he said. Officials have called for accelerated policies, investments, and innovations to build climate-smart, energy-resilient, and sustainably financed health systems in Nigeria, anchored on legislative accountability and strengthened institutional partnerships. Pavel Ursu, World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to Nigeria, made the call on Monday in Abuja during the Legislative Roundtable on Climate, Environment, and Sustainable Health. Represented by the Deputy Country Representative, Alexander Chimbaru, Mr Ursu emphasised the urgent need to strengthen Nigerias health system against growing climate threats that increasingly disrupted environmental balance and population well-being. He highlighted Nigerias vulnerability to climate change, noting that its impacts exacerbated existing health challenges, strain infrastructure, and increased the burden of diseases in rural and urban communities alike. Nigeria faces severe health, social, and economic consequences from climate change, including more frequent climate-related disasters and worsening health inequalities affecting already marginalised and vulnerable groups, he said. He added that investing in climate-resilient healthcare was both a moral and economic imperative, as the effects of climate change were disproportionately borne by those with limited access to resources. Sustainable financing Mr Ursu stressed the need for sustainable financing mechanisms to support climate-smart health systems, calling for domestic resource mobilisation, global cooperation, and innovative solutions to bridge Nigerias healthcare funding gaps. He further underscored the vital role of legislation in promoting sustainable health financing and ensuring accountability frameworks that strengthened climate resilience within Nigerias evolving health policy landscape. The WHO Representative commended Nigerias commitment to addressing health and climate challenges through initiatives such as the National Health Act and the National Climate Change Policy. He urged policymakers to prioritise climate-health resilience in development plans and budgets, ensuring that healthcare facilities were adequately equipped to protect citizens from climate-induced health risks. Mr Ursu reaffirmed WHOs continued support for Nigeria through technical assistance, capacity building, and advocacy for sustainable health financing and equitable access to essential health services nationwide. He reiterated the organisations commitment to collaborate with government and development partners to fast-track progress toward universal health coverage and climate-resilient health systems. According to him, the roundtable provided a platform for officials to discuss policy priorities, share innovations, and forge partnerships to address pressing climate, environmental, and sustainable health issues. He called for urgent, collective action to protect the health and well-being of Nigerians while promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable national development. In her welcome address, Rita Michael-Ojo, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Environmental Summit Group (NESUG), said addressing those challenges required courage, clarity, and unified national commitment. Ms Michael-Ojo noted that the roundtable was co-convened by the WHO, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and NESUG to foster dialogue on environmental sustainability and energy resilience. Nigeria is at a crossroads, and its future depends on how effectively it responds to these interconnected challenges of energy insecurity, environmental degradation, and public health, she said. She warned that without clean energy, hospitals could not function effectively, and without a sustainable environment, economic growth and human development would remain critically undermined. She emphasised that accountable governance was vital to ensuring Nigerias policies endured, evolved, and translated into tangible benefits for citizens across every region of the country. She revealed that Nigeria looses more than $100 billion annually to the impacts of climate change, including flooding, deforestation, desertification, and air pollution. According to her, more than 150 million Nigerians live below the poverty line, enduring energy insecurity, unsafe water, and widespread environmental decline that hinder national progress. She added that those challenges also created opportunities for Nigeria to reimagine its sustainability approach and harnessed green innovation for inclusive economic transformation. Ms Michael-Ojo announced that the Nigeria Environmental Summit (NESt 2026) would be held from 25 to 26 March 2026, bringing together global leaders to advance Nigerias green agenda. She said the summit aimed to unlock Nigerias 20 billion euro green economy potential, positioning the country as a leader in Africas sustainable energy and environmental transition efforts. She added that NESUG remained committed to strengthening environmental governance, institutionalising sustainability culture, and building a secure, energy-efficient, and health-resilient Nigeria for future generations. (NAN) The House of Representatives has launched an investigative hearing into how Nigeria managed over $4.6 billion in health grants received between 2021 and 2025 from the Global Fund and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The funds, comprising $1.8 billion from the Global Fund and $2.8 billion from USAID, were intended to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, as well as to strengthen Nigerias health systems. The hearing comes at a critical time as Nigeria faces multiple health system challenges, including overstretched primary care, drug stock-outs, and uneven access to treatment across states. Despite billions in donor funding, mortality rates from preventable diseases remain high in several regions, highlighting gaps in governance, fund leakages, and delays in programme implementation. Declaring the hearing open in Abuja on Monday, Chairman of the House Committee on Infectious Diseases, Amobi Ogah, said the probe aims to uncover how the substantial donor funds were utilised and whether they delivered tangible health outcomes for Nigerians. Mr Ogah recalled that the House, at plenary on 21 October 2025, had resolved to investigate the management of donor resources channelled through Nigerias health system. The then Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control (ATM) was mandated to handle the probe, which the restructured House Committee on Infectious Diseases has now taken over. He commended Speaker Abbas Tajudeen for renaming and broadening the committees mandate to reflect a more comprehensive focus on public health threats. Nigeria continues to be battered by the ill effects of a greater burden of HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria and other numerous infectious diseases. It appears that while budgetary allocations and donor funds are mobilised for the response against these health challenges, there is no reprieve in sight as Nigerians are ravaged daily, Mr Ogah said. The committee chairman noted that about 90 per cent of Nigerias intervention funds for these diseases come from international partners, warning that the country would no longer remain a mere spectator in the management of donor resources. Any grant or assistance being given to us without us managing such a grant is unacceptable. If they would not give us such grants and assistance on our terms, then let them keep their grants, he declared. We must assert our capacity to take charge of our affairs, particularly in the response against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. He directed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, alongside the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), to ensure that all principal recipients and implementing partners submit their implementation plans for National Assembly approval before funds are disbursed. The era of spending Nigerias money without approval and accountability is over, Mr Ogah warned. The lawmaker also disclosed that the House is amending the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Establishment Act to expand the agencys scope. The proposed amendment seeks to transform NACA into the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (NACATAM), making it a multi-sectoral institution. According to him, the investigative hearing will assess transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the use of donor funds since 2021. Anyone, whether state or non-state actors, must indeed account for every Nigerian kobo spent for the response against public health threats, he stressed. With the 8th replenishment of the Global Fund expected this month, he said Nigeria must shift from dependency to sustainable domestic health financing. Mr Ogah also revealed that the committee would collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to track and verify how grants were used by implementing partners. He urged all implementing partners to prepare for rigorous parliamentary scrutiny, noting that some lack identifiable offices or verifiable operational presence. He said the committee would hold the Ministry of Health and the CCM accountable for ensuring that every organisation handling donor grants operates transparently. Mr Ogah clarified that the probe was not a witch-hunt but a democratic exercise to strengthen governance and restore public trust. This exercise is an essential ingredient of democracy and should not be seen as a vendetta or warfare, he said. We are very clear in our vision to ensure that no Nigerian child dies before age five from HIV, Tuberculosis, or Malaria. We want to ensure that the advocacy and commitment that will lead to the elimination of infectious diseases in our country by 2030 are championed and owned by all relevant stakeholders. In his remarks, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, described the investigation as a timely intervention that would promote transparency and accountability in donor fund management. Mr Pate said Nigeria must begin to take greater responsibility for funding its health priorities, warning that donor support was gradually declining after two decades of heavy external financing. According to him, while donor assistance has saved millions of lives, Nigerias health spending still falls below 15 per cent of the Abuja Declaration target. The Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, has expressed condolences to Turkiyes Minister of National Defense, Ya?ar Guler, following the crash of a Turkish military cargo plane, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense. In his message, Minister Hasanov stated: I am deeply saddened by the news of the C130 military transport plane, bound from Azerbaijan to Turkiye, crashing near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border. I pray for mercy for the fallen military personnel, share in the grief of their families, and extend my heartfelt condolences. May God rest their souls in peace. The incident involved a C130 military cargo plane that had departed from Azerbaijan and crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border earlier today. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces recorded 170 combat clashes over the past 24 hours. This was reported on Telegram in an operational update on the Russian invasion as of 8:00 a.m. Tuesday. "Yesterday, the enemy launched one missile and 36 airstrikes, used three missiles, and dropped 77 guided bombs. In addition, it carried out 4,231 attacks, including 98 from multiple launch rocket systems, and deployed 4,286 kamikaze drones," the General Staff reported. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched three major initiatives aimed at improving maternal, newborn, and child health, promoting nutrition, and combating substandard and falsified medical products across Nigeria. The initiatives, the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health + Nutrition (MNCH+N), the NAFDAC Office of Women and Childrens Health (NOWCH), and the National Action Plan on Prevention, Detection and Response to Substandard and Falsified Medical Products (20232027), were unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday. Speaking at the launch, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, described the initiatives as a defining moment in Nigerias efforts to strengthen health systems and safeguard vulnerable groups, particularly women and children. Mrs Adeyeye said the initiatives are interconnected pillars that demonstrate NAFDACs unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in society. Through the Office of Women and Childrens Health, NAFDAC seeks to champion safe motherhood, promote rational medicine use, encourage breastfeeding, and combat harmful practices such as drug misuse and unsafe cosmetics, she said. She added that the agency would collaborate with relevant ministries, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector to support the local production of paediatric medicines and menstrual hygiene products. The MNCH+N initiative, she explained, would tackle the challenges of malnutrition and maternal and child mortality through strengthened regulation of life-saving nutrition commodities and enforcement of breastfeeding-friendly policies. Partnerships with WHO, UNICEF, and GAIN continue to reinforce these regulatory and production systems for sustainable impact, she said. Health reform agenda Also speaking at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, commended NAFDAC for introducing the initiatives, which he said align with President Bola Tinubus health reform priorities. Mr Pate noted that maternal mortality has dropped by 17 per cent and newborn deaths by 10 per cent in recent years, but said the country still has a long way to go to achieve desired outcomes. He said the Office for Womens Health would focus on maternal nutrition, reproductive health, and access to safe and effective medicines. He added that locally-produced maternal and reproductive health products were becoming more common, thanks to ongoing reforms. Mr Pate emphasised that the National Action Plan against substandard and falsified medicines would strengthen drug safety and ensure public trust in the health system. He called on all stakeholders, government agencies, civil society, professional bodies, and the media, to work together to ensure that no Nigerian dies from preventable causes. NAFDACs leadership In her goodwill message, the Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on NAFDAC, Regina Akume, praised NAFDACs leadership for introducing programmes that would have lasting impact on the health of women and children. Ms Akume said the renewed focus highlights Nigerias commitment to protecting the lives of mothers and children, ensuring safe pregnancies, healthy children, and thriving families. She also lauded the agencys establishment of the Office for Women and Childrens Health, describing it as a dedicated platform for promoting inclusive health policies and advancing research that directly addresses the needs of women and children. She expressed support for NAFDACs National Action Plan to eliminate substandard and falsified medicines, noting that such efforts are essential to restoring trust and protecting lives. Substandard and falsified medicines endanger lives, erode trust, and undermine the progress we have made in healthcare delivery, she said. Ms Akume assured the agency of her ministrys continued partnership in advancing national health goals. The federal government says Nigeria now ranks among the worlds leading nations in efforts to control and eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), reflecting significant national and global health progress. Fatai Oyediran, National Coordinator, NTD Division, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, disclosed this during a high-level advocacy meeting with health commissioners and FCT officials on Monday in Abuja. Mr Oyediran highlighted Nigerias remarkable achievements in controlling Onchocerciasis, trachoma, and other NTDs, acknowledging major support from international partners such as Sightsavers, Reaching the Last Mile, and other development organisations. He said that more than 30 million Nigerians had been removed from NTD treatment programmes, out of an initial 91 million treated nationwide, showing strong progress in disease control and management. According to Mr Oyediran, about 39.5 million people have also been cleared from Lymphatic Filariasis treatment lists, reducing the number of those at risk and improving public health indicators significantly. He noted that Nigeria had achieved an 84 per cent reduction in trachoma cases, adding that the country now served as a model for other nations battling neglected tropical diseases globally. We are moving steadily towards the 2030 target for NTD elimination, and with sustained momentum, Nigeria will be among countries to achieve total elimination of these diseases, he stated. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, commended the achievements but urged stronger budgetary commitment from states to sustain the countrys progress towards total elimination of NTDs. Mr Salako emphasised that controlling NTDs is critical to achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030, attaining Sustainable Development Goal 3, and breaking the cycle of disease-driven poverty nationwide. He appealed to state health commissioners to prioritise NTDs in their budgets, mobilise domestic funding, and integrate disease elimination activities with other health interventions for cost-effective implementation. Let us not allow neglected tropical diseases to result in neglected people, Mr Salako said, urging collaboration across all health sectors to protect vulnerable populations and sustain national progress. Sunday Isiyaku, Executive Director, Reaching the Last Mile Fund, described the withdrawal of US funding as a wake-up call for Nigeria and others to develop sustainable, homegrown funding strategies. Mr Isiyaku said the challenge had become an opportunity for governments to take ownership, with several states now pledging support and committing funds towards continued NTD elimination initiatives nationwide. What we need now is momentum and collaboration. After years of neglect, we must generate the resources necessary to end these diseases permanently, he added. Stuart Halford, Director of Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation, Uniting to Combat NTDs, called for Nigeria to transition from political commitment to concrete domestic funding to secure long-term success. Nigerias achievements are impressive, but sustained progress requires predictable and nationally owned financing mechanisms, Mr Halford noted, stressing the importance of accountability and local resource mobilisation. Chairperson of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum, Oyebanji Filani, represented by Amina El-Imam, reiterated the forums commitment to driving local resource mobilisation for NTD elimination. I urge all commissioners to prioritise NTD funding in subsequent budgets and leave this meeting re-energised to deliver the resources required to end these diseases, he said. (NAN) Tension gripped the Igbogbele community in Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State last Friday after a stray bullet allegedly fired by an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) struck a woman, Elizabeth Hunsu. The incident sparked outrage, with angry youths taking to the streets and setting the local immigration checkpoint ablaze, accusing security operatives of reckless conduct, according to The Punch Newspaper. PREMIUM TIMES reports that Badagry is a border community between Nigeria and Benin, hence the presence of an immigration office and officials. Videos from the scene showed thick flames engulfing the facility, while residents expressed shock and anger. In the footage, a woman shouted, You have shot the lady! Dont go! They have shot her in the arm. Another unidentified man in the video yelled: You cant go. You can see what youve caused. The gunshot has wounded her! Residents rushed the bleeding woman to safety, surrounding at least seven armed immigration officers and preventing them from leaving. The injured woman was eventually placed on a motorcycle and rushed to the hospital. Lawmakers condemn the shooting On Tuesday, Sesi Whingan, the member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, condemned the shooting in a Facebook post and expressed concern over what he described as a growing pattern of reckless behaviour by security agencies. Mr Whingan described the act as deeply troubling and totally unacceptable, calling for an immediate investigation and accountability from the relevant authorities. We are grateful that her life was spared, and I pray for her quick and full recovery. My heartfelt sympathy goes to her, her family, and everyone shaken by this unfortunate event, he said. The lawmaker lamented the recurring incidents of harassment and harm caused by security operatives in Badagry, especially during chases through residential areas. The high number of checkpoints and the unprofessional conduct of some officers continue to endanger innocent citizens. This must stop, he added. Mr Whingan reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the lives, dignity, and safety of Badagry residents. He warned that reckless use of force or intimidation by uniformed officers would no longer be tolerated. My office will immediately engage the leadership of the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other relevant agencies to demand accountability and push for reforms that put public safety first, he said. He also appealed to residents to remain calm and law-abiding, promising that justice would be pursued through proper channels. Badagry is known for its peace and resilience. We wont let the actions of a few lawless individuals define who we are or disrupt our communitys harmony, he added. Pattern of security force incidents Historically, law enforcement in Nigeria has been marked by extrajudicial killings and violent interventions. Between June 2006 and May 2014, security forces caused fatalities in 59 per cent of lethal incidents they intervened in, according to data from Nigeria Watch. While police killings were more frequent, army interventions caused more fatalities per incident. Killings by security forces are more prevalent in southern Nigeria but result in higher fatalities in the north. Studies show that interventions against criminal gangs or during civil unrest often escalate violence, highlighting the dangers of militarised policing. Even under civilian governments, checkpoints and roadblocks have occasionally led to accidental or intentional deaths. Government efforts to reduce checkpoint risks In July, the Lagos State Government dismantled illegal checkpoints along the LagosBadagry Expressway to improve traffic flow and safety. The operation, led by Commissioner for Home Affairs Ibrahim Layode, involved coordination with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Three unauthorised Customs checkpoints at the Mowo axis were dismantled. Several motorists were cautioned for traffic violations, and officers were instructed to reduce the space occupied by security personnel to facilitate smoother vehicle movement. Weve received troubling allegations that certain checkpoints are contributing to traffic congestion and, in some cases, fatal accidents. For instance, the tragic crash that occurred within Badagry yesterday, which claimed multiple lives, has raised concerns that an unauthorised checkpoint in that area may have played a role. These are the types of avoidable tragedies we are committed to preventing, Mr Layode said. He added that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had expressed concern over accidents along the Badagry axis and directed immediate action, coordinating with military and police commanders to ensure compliance. Earlier, on 8 May, President Bola Tinubu launched a Presidential Task Force to eliminate multiple checkpoints obstructing free movement across key transport corridors. An ambassador, Musa Nuhu, Nigerias Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, announced the initiative during a visit to the NigeriaBenin Republic border in Seme. Badagry roundabout safety measures Following Saturdays accident that left one person feared dead and two others injured near the Badagry Roundabout, the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Babatunde Hunpe, moved to reorganise the area, enforcing a strict no-parking and no-trading rule along the road median. Mr Hunpe, accompanied by his Chief Security Adviser, Johnson Adagba (a retired chief superintendent of police), and the Divisional Police Officer, Folajimi Agosile, visited the roundabout on Sunday to enhance public safety and restore order. Traders, tricycles, and motorcycles were relocated to safer areas, while enforcement began on Monday under the supervision of Vice Chairman Akeem Adeyemi. Our peoples safety comes before commerce, Mr Hunpe said. The perception of a place is shaped by what we see, which is why repositioning the Badagry Roundabout is a top priority. He added that the council is partnering with the police, KAI, LASTMA, RTEAN, NURTW, and other stakeholders to create a safer, cleaner, and more organised environment. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), its Vice-Chancellor, Simon Ortuanya, and other officials on Monday urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to strike out the suit filed by the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, relating to allegations of certificate forgery. UNN and its Vice-Chancellor filed a preliminary objection asking Justice Hauwa Yilwa to dismiss the case for being statute-barred. They also urged the court to strike out Mr Nnajis motion on notice for prerogative writs, describing it as incompetent and wrongly initiated. The application is incompetent and premature, there being no prior request or denial of release of academic records, or any evidence of interference with the applicants academic records before the commencement of this action, they argued. The former minister had, in September, filed the suit seeking several restraining orders to protect his academic records at UNN. In an ex parte motion, he sought an order granting him leave to issue prerogative writs prohibiting the university and its officials from tampering with his academic records, among others. The first to fourth respondents in the suit are the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN, and the universitys Vice-Chancellor, Simon Ortuanya. The UNN Registrar, a former acting Vice-Chancellor, Oguenjiofor Ujam, and the universitys Senate are listed as the fifth to seventh respondents. As part of his prayers, Mr Nnaji sought leave to issue a prerogative writ of mandamus compelling the university and its officials to release his academic transcript to him. He also asked the Minister of Education and the NUC to exercise their supervisory powers to compel UNN to do so. In addition, he sought an interim injunction restraining UNN and its officials from tampering with his academic records pending the determination of the substantive suit. The suit came shortly before PREMIUM TIMES exposed the former minister for forging two certificates. PREMIUM TIMES investigation revealed he forged his bachelors degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate. A few days after the suit was first heard on 6 October, Mr Nnaji resigned from office following public condemnation of his actions and amidst calls for his prosecution. Mondays Hearing When the matter was called on Monday, counsel to the former minister, Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), informed the court that counsel to the 3rd to 7th defendants, Prisca Udoka, SAN, had only that morning served him with a notice of preliminary objection. Mr Olanipekun said that although the case had been slated for a hearing and his team was ready to proceed, Ms Udoka had told him she would also be filing a counter-affidavit. Shortly before my lord sat, my learned friend came to whisper to us that they would be filing their counter affidavit to the substantive application tomorrow, he told the court while requesting a definite hearing date. In a brief ruling, Judge Yilwa adjourned the matter to 13 January next year for hearing and ordered that hearing notices be issued to parties absent in court. Neither the Minister of Education nor the NUC was represented at Mondays proceedings. Respondents preliminary objection In their preliminary objection, the UNN and its Vice-Chancellor asked the court to strike out the suit for want of jurisdiction. They also requested an order awarding substantial costs in their favour. The respondents said the motion ex parte for leave was not filed within three months of the occurrence of the subject matter. They argued this violated Order 34 Rule 4(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and Section 2(a) of the Public Officers Protection Act 2004, thereby rendering the proceedings incompetent and stripping the court of jurisdiction. They further asserted that the substantive motion for prerogative orders was wrongly brought by motion on notice instead of an originating motion as required by Order 34 Rule 5(1) of the Federal High Court Rules. The respondents also argued that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain matters concerning student academic records, examinations, results and transcripts, which they said do not fall under matters arising from the administration or management of an agency within the exclusive jurisdiction of the court under Section 251(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). They added that internal remedies had not been exhausted and that the applicants fundamental rights had not been infringed. They maintained that no reasonable cause of action had been disclosed against the 3rd to 7th respondents, particularly the 4th respondent, Mr Ortuanya, who they argued acted solely in his official capacity as vice-chancellor of the university. The recent suspension of a controversial abortion bill has sparked a wave of reactions from Nigerian women on social media, many of whom described the proposed legislation as a misplaced priority. Using the hashtag SayNoToAbortionBill, some urge the lawmakers to re-evaluate their legislative priorities and, instead of focusing on restricting abortion, should concentrate on enacting and enforcing stiffer penalties for perpetrators of rape and defilement and other matters that concern the citizens welfare. On 26 October, the Nigerian Senate suspended consideration of a bill seeking to impose a 10-year jail term for abortion-related offences. The decision followed heated debates among lawmakers on how to determine an unlawful abortion, with some members arguing that certain abortions may be necessary for medical reasons or due to economic hardship. The bill, titled the Criminal Code Amendment Bill 2025, which originates from the House of Representatives, seeks to amend Nigerias Criminal Code Act to align it with the countrys current economic realities. Under the proposed amendment, lawmakers sought to increase the jail term for anyone found guilty of supplying drugs or instruments to procure abortions from three years, as contained in the existing law, to 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine. In Nigeria, abortion is largely restricted by law and is only permitted when carried out to save the life of a pregnant woman. However, despite existing stringent laws, unsafe abortions remain common across Nigeria, often performed by unqualified individuals or in unsanitary conditions. Public reactions In her reaction to the development on X, Elizabeth Adewale said that abortion is a personal choice and should not be up for legal debate. However, Amada Oruh urged Nigerians to speak up and alert their representatives to the danger the proposed legislation poses, in response to a post by the Network for Safeguarding Womens Health and Rights. On her part, @oluwasolafunmiA insisted that women should have the right to decide on matters regarding their bodies, adding that abortion, I believe, is essential healthcare, not a frivolity. @TheChefEne expressed concern that the bill would not reduce abortions but instead cause a surge in unsafe procedures and higher female mortality rates due to increased patronage of unqualified practitioners. She described the undertaking as extremely dangerous. For @derrra and @abenibacha , the lawmakers ought to prioritise other numerous issues plaguing the country. According to Derra, abortion is not detrimental to our economy and livelihood. Moyo, an entrepreneur and lawyer, described the bill as an extra weight. Nigerian women are already going through so much, Ms Moyo posted . We dont need this extra weight on our necks while trying to protect ourselves. The stakes are being raised on our reproductive rights and health. Also, Judith questioned the motive behind the amendment, adding that lawmakers ought to prioritise improving the healthcare system. Why are lawmakers trying to increase abortion penalties from three years to 10 years instead of improving healthcare? This will only push more women into unsafe abortions and endanger rural communities who rely on health workers. Just like Judith, Ada Dee-Obioma asked how many years have been proposed to imprison currupt politicians. Heated debate Responding to the concerns that the bill might endanger lives, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, proposed that consideration of the amendment be suspended pending further consultations to clarify what constitutes lawful and unlawful abortion. The motion was adopted through a voice vote. Mr Akpabio subsequently referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters, directing it to review the contentious sections and report back within two weeks. Abortion in Nigeria The countrys legal framework on abortion is primarily drawn from two statutes, which are the Criminal Code Act (applicable in southern Nigeria) and the Penal Code (applicable in the northern states). According to health experts and studies by organisations such as the Guttmacher Institute, thousands of Nigerian women seek abortions every year, mainly due to unintended pregnancies, economic hardship, or health complications. Many of these procedures are unsafe, contributing significantly to maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the country. Advocates for womens health have consistently called for clearer laws and improved access to reproductive health services, including family planning and post-abortion care, to reduce preventable deaths. Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, has said the manner in which bills are passed in the Senate suggests that the upper chamber under Godswill Akpabio has become a rubber-stamp legislature for the presidency. Mr Oshiomhole, who is a former Governor of Edo State, and a top member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed concern that many bills are approved in the Senate without proper debate or scrutiny. He stated this during the plenary on Tuesday when the lawmakers were considering concurrence bills from the House of Representatives. The bill is on amending the National Examination Council (NECO) to make it compulsory for secondary school students, and another one seeking the establishment of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies. Other concurrence bills the senators were considering at the time were the establishment of the Nigeria Weights and Measures Regulatory Agency and the establishment of the Chartered Institute of Training and Development of Nigeria. They were introduced as concurrence bills and presented by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, in line with the Senate tradition in which such bills often pass first, second, and third readings on the same day, regardless of the issues they address. In his usual manner, Mr Bamidele presented the four bills together and urged senators to support their passage. They were then referred to the Committee of the Whole for debate, should any lawmaker raise objections. However, at the Committee of the Whole stage, no senator opposed the bills, and the majority of them voted in favour when the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, put them to a vote. But after their passage, Mr Oshiomhole stood up to fault the process, arguing that senators had not been given enough time to read or understand the documents. He added that the speed at which the bills were approved made the Senate appear as a rubber stamp to the executive. Im seriously troubled with the way in which we are going about making these laws. This primary law was distributed just a minute ago. And they are four in number, even if we are wizkids.. because it is done for nothing that the constitution provided for by bicameral. We are not meant to rubber-stamp, and the way you are reading this, itll take a genius to be able to make a point. We are making laws, sir. I want it to be on record that I am troubled by the way in which we are rushing without details. And tomorrow, itll be saidthat argument between Senator Ndume and our President, you were there, I was not there, you were there, I was not there. If we sit like this tomorrow and I say we dont know about the law, youll say I was in the Senate. I do not see the merit of rushing. I do not see the merit of giving four bills to rubber-stamp. If that was the case, we need unicameral, not bicameral, he said. Mr Oshiomhole specifically questioned the relevance of the bill seeking the establishment of the Chartered Institute of Training and Development of Nigeria. And now on this issue, what is the meaning of training and Nigerias development. When we create laws for every training and development, it does not make sense to me. And I dont have the privilege to read and understand why it should merit the time we are spending on it. With due respect, sir, laws are not motions, and they are supposed to be interpreted by courts of law. So, Im very troubled, he added. Mr Oshiomholes comments come amid persistent criticism that the 10th Senate has routinely fast-tracked executive requests and bills with minimal debate and scrutiny. Since its inauguration in June 2023, the Senate has been accused of prioritising executive convenience over legislative oversight. Despite the allegations, the Senate, especially the Senate President, Mr Akpabio, has repeatedly denied that it is a rubber-stamp legislature. However, many Nigerians continue to hold that view. Just a few weeks ago, Mr Akpabio said that the relationship between the Senate and the executive arm of government is frank and firm and would continue to be so regardless of the policies introduced by the administration. New directive from presiding officer After Mr Oshiomholes complaint, Mr Jibrin instructed the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Titus Zam, to ensure that senators receive draft bills at least two days before they are scheduled for debate. Chairman of Rules and Business, please endeavour to give these bills at least two days before they are considered, he said. He explained that concurrence bills are typically fast-tracked because they have already undergone public hearings and other legislative processes in the House of Representatives. However, the deputy senate president acknowledged the need for the Senate to conduct its own scrutiny. The reason why we try to treat bills from the House of Representatives in this manner is because we believe that those bills have gone through all the processes, public hearings and expert input, and so on. But what you said is right. Even at that, we have a bicameral legislature, we also need to put our eyes on whatever goes on, he said. Legislative proceedings in the House of Representatives on Tuesday ended abruptly amid rising tension among lawmakers over the alleged selective implementation of the 2024 budget and the non-payment of indigenous contractors. The days plenary, which commenced at about 11:44 a.m., was short-lived after Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who presided over the session, called for an executive (closed-door) session, barely a few minutes into the sitting. The executive session, which lasted for over an hour, was believed to have centred on mounting discontent among members over unresolved fiscal and administrative issues. These include the alleged preferential release of funds for capital projects and the lingering debts owed to Nigerian contractors. Upon return from the closed-door meeting at about 1 p.m., Mr Tajudeen made some brief announcements while several lawmakers were seen gathered in small clusters across the chamber, apparently still discussing the issues at hand. Shortly after, the Speaker invited the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, to move a motion for adjournment. He was immediately seconded by the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda. Consequently, all items listed on the Order Paper were stepped down, and plenary was adjourned till Wednesday, 12 November. However, the brief session was not without drama. As Mr Ihonvbere attempted to move the motion for adjournment, the member representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Uzokwe Ifeanyi, persistently shouted Point of Order, Mr Speaker! in apparent protest over the speakers refusal to recognise him. His repeated calls went unacknowledged, a move seen as a violation of the Standing Orders of the 10th House. The tension inside the chamber reflected a lingering undercurrent of frustration. Lawmakers had, during plenary last week Tuesday and Wednesday, held back-to-back executive sessions over the same grievances. At the time, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over those sittings, had assured members that the issues of unpaid indigenous contractors and selective project funding would be addressed upon resumption this week. Last weeks crisis followed a protest by contractors who had besieged the National Assembly complex, blocking its major entrance to demand payment for executed projects. Despite assurances from the leadership, Tuesdays abrupt adjournment suggests that the matter remains unresolved and that discontent within the Green Chamber may be far from over. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, says he has formally welcomed over 100 defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State. Mr Kalu said in a statement by his aide on Monday that the defections occurred during the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) in Obingwa Local Government Area on Sunday, an event that drew a massive turnout of party supporters and residents. These defections are a strategic gain for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, signalling potential realignments in the South-east where the PDP has traditionally held sway. The formation of the RHP in Obingwa also indicates a deliberate effort to mobilise grassroots support and consolidate party structures at the local government level. In his address, Mr Kalu commended the defectors for embracing the APC and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda. He described the influx as a testament to the growing acceptance of APC policies and programmes in the South-east. The defectors were led by the former PDP State Secretary, Ibe Nwadioha, who hailed the move as transformative for Obingwas political landscape. My entry into APC has marked the collapse of every other political party in Obingwa Local Government. Its a landmark entry, and it means that the wind of change that you have brought is sweeping across Obingwa, and its coming like a hurricane. We will support Mr President, Mr Nwadioha declared. The event also served as a platform for APC stakeholders in Obingwa to honour the deputy speaker. Among the dignitaries present was Nyerere Anyim, a former federal commissioner representing the South-east at the National Pension Commission (PENCOM). Mr Kalu was presented with a traditional attire and a machete, symbolising strength, courage, and leadership, reflecting the communitys admiration for his contributions and the significance of the Renewed Hope Partners initiative. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, says no fewer than 20 million Nigerians still lack access to internet services. Mr Tijani made this known on Monday during a public hearing on a bill seeking to mandate all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government to digitise their operations. The bill also proposes to give electronic signatures and documents the same legal validity as paper-based originals. The session was jointly organised by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on ICT and Cybersecurity and Digital and Information Technology at the National Assembly in Abuja. In collaboration with the National Assembly, the minister said the communication ministry is working to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure to provide internet access nationwide. Together with the National Assembly, we are driving the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic network to connect every geopolitical zone, state, and local government with world-class internet access. Beyond this, we are addressing the needs of over 20 million unconnected Nigerians by deploying nearly 4,000 new communication towers in underserved communities, Mr Tijani said. Despite being Africas largest economy and one of the continents fastest-growing digital markets, Nigeria still faces a significant internet access gap. Millions of Nigerians, particularly in rural and underserved communities, are unconnected due to limited broadband infrastructure, unreliable electricity, high data costs, insecurity in remote areas, and the slow rollout of communication towers and fibre-optic networks. While urban centres like Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt enjoy increasing digital penetration, vast rural regions in states such as Kebbi, Taraba, Niger, Cross River and parts of the South-east still struggle with weak or non-existent connectivity. This divide has widened over the years as Nigerias economy becomes more digital-driven. Government services are moving online, schools are transitioning to e-learning systems, businesses depend on digital payments, and agriculture increasingly relies on data-based solutions. However, communities without stable internet access cannot participate in or benefit from these advancements, deepening inequality between connected and unconnected populations. $1 trillion digital economy Mr Tijani noted that the digital economy currently contributes about 19 per cent to Nigerias GDP, up from 16 per cent in previous years. He said the government is targeting a $1 trillion economy by 2027, with the digital sector contributing 21 per cent to GDP. This sector, which once contributed about 16 per cent to our GDP, is now tracking at 19 per cent. Under the presidents leadership, we are targeting a $1 trillion economy with the digital economy contributing 21 per cent to GDP by 2027. This bill will unlock the private sectors potential to achieve that goal, he added. Regarding the proposed law mandating the digitisation of MDA operations, Mr Tijani said it would strengthen the use of artificial intelligence in governance and improve cybersecurity compliance. READ ALSO: Reps advance bill to ensure free access to internet in public places In strengthening this bill, we are shaping the future of generations yet unborn. The generation that liberalised our telecommunications sector in 1999 laid the foundation for todays growth. Now, we take the next bold step to expand our economy through technology and innovation. This is not about the minister or the president but about Nigerias future. The lawmakers have done an extraordinary job ensuring that every region, stakeholder, and citizen had the opportunity to make input, he added. Lawmakers respond Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Shuaib Salisu, said the bill would enhance Nigerias digital governance framework. The objective of this bill is to provide regulatory clarity for electronic transactions in the country. The law, when put in place, will serve as the backbone of the digital economy, he said. Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on ICT, Adedeji Olajide, said the legislation would transform public service delivery through digital innovation, transparency and accountability. Representatives of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIGCOMSAT, NIPOST, Galaxy Backbone and the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation all expressed support for the bill. In a landmark decision to fundamentally reshape the Federal Civil Service, the federal government has approved three transformative policies to boost productivity and enhance service delivery. They are the Rewards and Recognition Policy, the Incentive and Consequence Management Policy, and the Civil Service Mentoring Policy. The strategic approval was granted during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu last week. This landmark development heralds a new era of performance-driven governance, strategic talent development, and enhanced accountability, designed to work in synergy to motivate staff, instill a culture of excellence, and significantly improve service delivery to the Nigerian people. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Didi Walson-Jack, affirmed that these policies are pivotal to Staff Welfare and Enhanced Value Proposition of Civil Servants one of the six pillars of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 20212025 (FCSSIP25) and are in line with the 2021 Public Service Rules (060101060111). While commending President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to transforming the Civil Service and bolstering a workplace culture that is Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible, and Citizen-Centric (EPIC), the Head of Service stated that the approval is a definitive demonstration of the governments commitment to valuing public servants, rewarding excellence, and systematically cultivating the next generation of leaders. The policy on the rewards and recognition system establishes a comprehensive and robust framework aimed at boosting productivity by attracting, nurturing, developing, and retaining the best talent in the service. It is strategically designed to promote a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement, thereby elevating overall institutional performance. The incentive and consequence management policy establishes a clear, transparent, and equitable system in which high performance is duly rewarded, while underperformance is addressed through structured consequences. The policy is designed to promote fairness and accountability at all levels, while also providing pathways for support and development for those requiring improvement. While the civil service mentoring policy is a strategic investment in the future leadership of the civil service, this policy aims to bridge critical experience gaps and facilitate the systematic transfer of institutional knowledge. It will equip the next generation with the requisite skills, values, and ethical grounding for strategic leadership, while preserving invaluable institutional memory against the tide of retirements, thereby ensuring continuity and sustained excellence. The HCSF reiterated that the approval for the implementation of the policies by Mr President is not merely an administrative milestone; it is the bedrock upon which a modern, agile, and empowered civil service will be built. She assured civil servants that their dedication will be recognised, excellence rewarded, and growth invested in. Mrs Walson-Jack stressed that her office is unequivocally committed to forging a world-class service that is equipped to meet the aspirations of the Nigerian people and drive the nations progress. Mrs. Eno Olotu, FCAI, mnipr Director, Information and Public Relations Ukrainian Air Forces neutralize 53 out of 119 enemy UAVs, with 59 drone hits at 18 locations The Ukrainian Defense Forces neutralized 53 enemy targets on Tuesday night, including hits from 59 attack UAVs at 18 locations, as well as debris from one downed UAV at one location, the press service of the Ukrainian Air Force reported. "On the night of November 11 (from 18:00 on November 10), the enemy attacked with 119 Shaheds and Gerbera attack UAVs and other types from the following directions: Kursk, Millerovo, Orel, Bryansk of the Russian Federation, Hvardeyske of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, about 80 of which were Shaheds," the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Telegram. It is noted that the main focus of the strike fell on the frontline territories of Donetsk, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk regions and Odesa region. As of 9:30 a.m., air defense forces have reportedly shot down or suppressed 53 enemy Shaheds, Gerberas, and other types of UAVs in the north, east, and south of the country. Fifty-nine attack UAVs were hit at 18 locations, and debris from downed UAVs was found at one location. Thus, the air defense efficiency was 44.54%. The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, unmanned aerial systems, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria will hold its 2025 Annual Conference and General Meeting (AGM) from December 2 to 3, 2025, at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, under the theme: Countering Media Repression and Safeguarding Democratic Accountability in Nigeria. In a statement jointly signed by Musikilu Mojeed, President, and Tobi Soniyi, Legal Adviser, IPI Nigeria, the Institute announced that this years conference will bring together over 100 leading media executives, journalists, senior government officials, media freedom advocates, and academics from across the country. According to the statement, one of the major highlights of the two-day event will be the official launch of the IPI Nigeria Book of Infamy a special publication documenting cases of media repression and press freedom violations in Nigeria. The conference will also feature the induction of new members into IPI Nigeria, further expanding the organisations network and deepening its commitment to defending press freedom, promoting ethical journalism, and advancing democratic values in the country. Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Mojeed noted that the conference provides a vital platform for assessing the state of media freedom and journalists safety in Nigeria; discussing policy and legal reforms to strengthen independent journalism; and fostering dialogue between the media and government on transparency and accountability. He added that it is also an opportunity to share best practices and global perspectives on protecting press freedom. Beyond the conference, the second day will feature IPI Nigerias Annual General Meeting (AGM) an exclusive session for members of the Institute. The AGM provides a forum to receive and deliberate on reports from the Executive Committee, review the organisations progress and strategic direction, and develop new strategies and partnerships to strengthen press freedom and journalists safety, Mr Mojeed said. The IPI Nigeria Annual Conference was first held last year, establishing itself as one of the countrys most important gatherings dedicated to promoting press freedom, democratic accountability, and professional excellence in journalism. Signed: Musikilu Mojeed President Tobi Soniyi Legal Adviser A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has warned the Federal Government against attempting to sit with US President, Donald Trump, to discuss peace in the handling of his recent threat to invade Nigeria over alleged genocide against Christians. Mr Fani-Kayode says such an effort would not yield any fruit, but could result in further humiliation of the nation at the hands of a US President who has a knack for hurling insults at African leaders. The former minister spoke on Tuesday while delivering a keynote address, titled Bow to God, and Not to Trump, at the Nigeria Bar Association Conference, which was held in Akure, the Ondo State capital. The US president recently said he would instruct the Department of War to prepare for possible action against Islamic terrorists if the Nigerian government does not stop the alleged killing of Christians. Mr Fani-Kayode admitted that there had been horrendous killings of Christians in the country by Islamist terrorists, but noted that the same fate had also befallen Muslims. He said the plot by Trump to invade Nigeria is to balkanise Nigeria, ensure US military bases litter the country, with the powers to plunder Nigerias natural resources. Trump is driven by a pathological hatred for Africans, black and brown people and Muslims, he said. He is also driven by an overwhelming, compulsive, all-consuming and inexplicable greed and avarice for material things. He has been afflicted with what those of us in Pentecostal circles describe as a Demastic annointing (named after the Apostle Pauls loyal disciple called Demas who lost his way and fell in love with worldly things) which has resulted in his obsession with and addiction to the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, the the lust for power, the lust for treasure, the lust for land and the pride of life. Mr Fani-Kayode warned that, given that Mr Trump is unpredictable and unbalanced, his words should not be taken lightly and we must prepare for the very worst. He added, Those that believe that he can be talked into not doing what he clearly wants to do to our nation are ignorant, undiscerning and deluded and they are oblivious of his innate and irredeemable lunacy. I say this because there are speculations and reports in the media that President Tinubu seeks to meet with him at the White House in an attempt to resolve all the issues. If true, such an initiative is as incredulous as it is baffling, and it will come to nought. According to Mr Fani-Kayode, such talks can make matters worse as President Tinubu may be verbally and savagely assaulted, insulted, and berated right in front of the White House Press Corps. Surely our Jagaban is bigger and better than that and he certainly does not deserve it. And neither would he take it lying low like others have done, he said. Diplomacy is one thing, but shameful capitulation with our tail between our legs is quite another. Outside of that, it is trite that the open and public display of weakness and fear attracts even more aggression. I do not understand the logic and cannot appreciate the wisdom in seeking to sit down with a man who has contempt for you and your people, who considers you and them as being sub-human, who has referred to your country as a disgraced one and who has referred to your continent as a shithole. Mr Fani-Kayode, however, said Nigerias military should wipe out the terrorists and never negotiate with them. I do not believe in dialogue with them or forgiving them. I do not believe in negotiation with them. I do not believe in pampering them or managing them. I do not believe in rehabilitating them into the Nigerian Armed Forces, he said. I believe in crushing them and sending them to their maker and in doing so quickly and decisively. Demons and vampires do not have any place in the land of the living and they have no right to life. The former minister said the solution to the problem is for political leadership and the armed forces to muster the resolve and political will to ruthlessly wipe out the Islamist terrorists and foreign militias once and for all. He also urged the president to go beyond words and speech-making to actually rout the terrorists as soon as possible. Existential threat The US President recently announced the designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern because Christians in Nigeria were facing existential threats. Mr Trump has alleged that the Nigerian government had allowed Christians to be slaughtered without doing anything to protect them. He had vowed to invade Nigeria with guns-a-blazing to wipe out the terrorists if the federal government of Nigeria failed to act quickly. If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, gun-a-blazing to wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities. I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians, he said. There have, however, been mixed reactions and debates over the facts of a Christian genocide in Nigeria. The federal government has denied any genocide against Christians and promised to step up its fight against the terrorists, while appealing to the US to assist it with the needed equipment to do so. The Lagos State Government has asked the Supreme Court for leave to commence contempt proceedings against the National Assembly over its continued push to pass the Central Gaming Bill, despite a subsisting judgement of the Supreme Court declaring such legislation unconstitutional. In a motion filed on behalf of the Lagos Attorney-General by Bode Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the state is seeking permission to begin judgement enforcement proceedings through the issuance of Form 48, the statutory notice served on a person or institution alleged to be in disobedience of a court order. Under Nigerian law, Form 48 serves as a formal warning to purge contempt, failing which committal proceedings may follow. Lagos grievance According to the affidavit supporting the motion, the state argued that the National Assemblys ongoing legislative work on the Central Gaming Bill violates the Supreme Courts judgement in SC.1/2008 Attorney-General of Lagos State & Ors. v. Attorney-General of the Federation & Ors., delivered on 22 November 2024. The state said clauses 7 and 2164 of the proposed Bill focus entirely on lottery and gaming subjects the Supreme Court had expressly ruled fall outside the constitutional competence of the National Assembly. The Lagos State Government noted that these provisions largely reproduce those in the National Lottery Act, which the Supreme Court voided in its 2024 judgement. The affidavit added that the nullified National Lottery Act and the new Central Gaming Bill define lottery and online gaming in identical terms, covering any game, scheme, system, or promotional competition based on chance, or skill and chance, requiring a licence to operate. The state further pointed out that Clause 62 of the Bill introduces savings provisions intended to preserve actions taken under the now-void National Lottery Act, describing this as a direct challenge to the authority of the Supreme Court. The state maintained that since the 2024 judgement, the Exclusive and Concurrent Legislative Lists under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) have not been altered to include lottery or gaming. It argued that this reinforces the courts position that the National Assembly lacks power to legislate on the sector. What the Supreme Court said in 2024 PREMIUM TIMES reported in November 2024 that a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Uwani Abba-Aji unanimously voided the National Lottery Act 2005. Delivering the lead judgement, Mohammed Idris held that the National Assembly lacks constitutional powers to legislate on lottery and games of chance for states. The court ruled that the Act could apply only in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, since the National Assembly has full legislative competence over the FCT. The judgement arose from a suit Lagos State filed in 2008 against the federal government. The panel, comprising Mr Abba-Aji, Mr Idris, Mohammed Garba, Emmanuel Agim, Simon Tsammani, Stephen Adah and Jamilu Tukur, agreed that lottery is not listed on the Exclusive Legislative List or the Concurrent List. As such, it falls under the Residual List, giving state Houses of Assembly exclusive powers to regulate the sector. The court rejected arguments that the National Assemblys authority flowed from Item 62 of the Exclusive Legislative List on trade and commerce or from the electronic and interstate nature of gaming activity. It declared sections 1721 of the National Lottery Act inconsistent with the constitution and nullified the entire law. The court also issued two perpetual injunctions restraining the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), his agents, and federal agencies from implementing or enforcing the National Lottery Act within the states. How the dispute developed The dispute over who regulates gaming and lottery had produced conflicting decisions in lower courts. In July 2023, a judge, Iniekenimi Oweibo, of the Federal High Court ruled in favour of the federal government, holding that lottery was on the Exclusive Legislative List. But months later, the Lagos State High Court held that lottery and one-chance betting were residual matters under state jurisdiction. Meanwhile, Lagos States suit at the Supreme Court later joined by Ekiti State continued. By 2022, 34 other states had joined as defendants. The plaintiffs asked the Supreme Court to declare that the National Assembly lacked power to regulate lottery outside the FCT and that the National Lottery Act was unconstitutional. On 6 October 2020, the Supreme Court allowed Ekiti State to join, although the state later withdrew its application. The court finally ruled in 2024 in Lagos favour, granting all its prayers and placing lottery regulation firmly under state authority. Next steps By returning to the Supreme Court, Lagos State is now seeking to enforce this landmark ruling through contempt proceedings, a move that could set a major precedent on federalstate relations, legislative limits, and the supremacy of judicial authority in Nigerias constitutional order. It remains unclear how the National Assembly will respond to the latest move by the Lagos government. A car explosion in India on Monday killed at least eight people. The incident occurred in Delhi, the countrys capital, near the Red Fort landmark. According to Delhis police commissioner, mangled bodies and the wrecks of several cars were scattered along a crowded street near a metro station in Delhis old quarter, as police moved in to secure the scene and disperse the growing crowd. A slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged, Reuters quoted Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha as saying. Reuters also reported that people near the scene of the incident reported loud explosions and a fire, which created chaos in the market. Indias Home Minister Amit Shah has said the government is exploring all possibilities into what could have caused the explosion Senior security officials are expected to meet on Tuesday morning to discuss the progress of investigations Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and said he is reviewing the situation. This incident occurred about 13 years after September 2011, when a bomb hidden in a briefcase outside Delhis High Court exploded, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more, according to Reuters. Another bomb went off in a crowded New Delhi market, killing two people and injuring 22 others. The same year, at least five coordinated explosions struck the capitals central Connaught Place area, leaving at least 25 dead and more than 100 wounded. The Indian Mujahideen group later claimed responsibility for the attacks. The former governor of Bayelsa State and erstwhile Minister of Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, has said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not observe any protocol before declaring him wanted. In a statement on Monday, Julius Bokoru, special assistant on Media and Public Affairs to Mr Sylva, said the commission only took to social media to announce, quite unceremoniously, that it had declared the former minister wanted. No formal communication was extended to him, no established protocol observedonly a sudden digital proclamation designed, it would seem, to inflame public sentiment and manufacture yet another episode of orchestrated hostility, Mr Bokoru said. He described it as curious that what, he said, was once whispered in corridors as a coup matter had now quietly metamorphosed into a financial allegation. The same shadowy forces that once sought to criminalise Sylva politically now appear to have reinvented themselves as fiscal crusaders. There must, undoubtedly, be an explanation for this cinematic transitionfrom rumour to reinvention, from one carefully scripted accusation to another, he added. The spokesperson said Mr Sylva was the target of a coordinated and calculated political onslaught. His recent travails bear an uncanny resemblance to the trials of Job in Holy Scriptureeach ordeal arriving with near-mathematical precision, each accusation discredited only for another to appear, he said, adding, These are no coincidences; they are deliberate machinations of those who dread Sylvas enduring political relevance and moral resolve. Mr Bokoru said he had not been in direct contact with his principal. However, from available information and from prior official briefings, it is important to restate that Chief Sylva will, in line with his respect for lawful institutions and due process, honour the invitation of the EFCC once he concludes his ongoing medical check-up in the United Kingdom. He further added: At this stage, one might jest that only the Boys Brigade of Nigeria and the ManOWar remain uninvited to this theatre of persecution. The desperation to sully Sylvas name knows no restraintits sponsors are zealous, its intentions transparent, and its malice unmistakable. Yet, let it be categorically stated: Chief Timipre Sylva has clean hands. He has not diverted a single dollar, nor has he betrayed the trust reposed in him by the Nigerian people. The refinery project in question is a legitimate, transparent, and verifiable undertakingsubject to due process and traceable documentation. To our friends, allies, and well-wishers: this, too, shall pass. Truth, though often delayed, remains immutable. It neither bows to propaganda nor perishes in the tumult of falsehood. Those engineering this relentless campaign of defamation will not prevailfor light, by its very nature, must always outshine darkness. Background The EFCC declared Mr Sylva wanted over an alleged $14.85 million fraud. The commission announced the development on social media on Monday, sharing a photograph of Mr Sylva. According to the EFCC, Mr Sylva is implicated in a case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of funds provided by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for the construction of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited. On 6 November, the commission secured a warrant for the arrest of the former minister at a Federal High Court in Lagos. The order, granted by Justice D.I. Dipeolu, stated: An order is made issuing a warrant to the Applicant or any Officer of the Commission, Police or any law enforcement officer for the arrest of the Respondent for the purpose of bringing him before the Commission to answer to the criminal offence he is alleged to have committed. Mr Sylva, 61, from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, recently had his home raided by soldiers investigating an alleged coup plot to topple President Bola Tinubu. He confirmed the raid but denied any involvement in a coup attempt. During the said operation, considerable damage was inflicted upon the property. Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid. To the best of my knowledge, the officers involved did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently, Mr Bokoru said after the raid. Mr Bokoru added that Mr Sylva was not in the country during the raid and did not disclose when he plans to return. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that over 30 suspects may face trial over the failed coup, while about seven remain at large. It is unclear whether Mr Sylva is among those on the run. Proceedings at the Federal High Court in Lagos were stalled on Friday after Nestoil Limited, Neconde Energy Limited, and their promoters accused a judge, D.I. Dipeolu, of bias and judicial misconduct. The companies filed petitions on 3 November with the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Federal High Court Chief Judge, requesting that ongoing suits, including suit FHC/L/CS/2127/2025, be reassigned to another judge pending review. The suit, filed by FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited and First Trustees Limited, seeks to appoint a receiver over Nestoils assets. According to certified court documents shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, the dispute arose from claims that Nestoil and Neconde owed over US$1 billion and N430 billion as of 30 September. In October, this newspaper reported that armed police officers sealed the Lagos headquarters of Nestoil Limited following a Federal High Court order authorising First Trustees and its subsidiary, FBNQuest Merchant Bank, to take over the companys assets due to an alleged multibillion-dollar debt default. Court orders Acting on an ex parte motion filed on 20 October, the court empowered a court-appointed Receiver, Abubakar Sulu-Gambari, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), to take control of the companies assets. The ruling also authorised law enforcement agencies, including the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Navy, and the State Security Services (SSS), to assist in executing the courts directives. The applicants asked the court to grant a Mareva injunction restraining the companies and their executives from accessing or operating any of their funds or shares in Nigerian financial institutions. They also sought to restrain the executives from accessing accounts holding approximately US$486 million and N390 billion, which they personally guaranteed. The motion requested judicial protection for the court-appointed receiver to carry out his duties without interference. It further asked the court to authorise the receiver to take possession of Nestoil and Neconde offices at 4142 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, and to manage Necondes interest in the OML 42 joint venture. The applicants asked the court to grant the receiver powers to preserve all other assets within the courts jurisdiction and requested security support from federal and state law enforcement agencies to assist the receiver in executing the courts orders. The motion also demanded full cooperation from regulatory authorities, including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), NNPC Exploration and Production Ltd, and other NNPC subsidiaries, to allow the receiver to access, produce, sell, and collect proceeds from hydrocarbons. Additionally, the applicants asked the court to permit the receiver to publish statutory notices about the receivership in national newspapers and sought an order compelling all parties holding the defendants shares, assets, or funds to provide sworn disclosure within seven days. Ruling Justice Dipeolu granted the motion in part, freezing the accounts and assets of the companies and giving Mr Sulu-Gambari broad powers to manage and preserve the assets, including the OML 42 interest, while directing full cooperation from security and regulatory agencies. That an order is hereby made directing officers of the Nigerian Navy, Directorate of States Security Services, and the Marine Police to render necessary assistance to the 2nd Plaintiff and the Receiver/Manager to take over the 1 Defendants assets and 2nd Defendants stake in OML 42 JV Activities and all the assets herein in the exercise of his functions under the Deeds of Appointment dated 21 August 2025., The judge ruled. The motion on notice is yet to be heard. The motion was supported by an affidavit from Babatunde Adewolu of First Trustees Limited and argued in court by Babajide Koku, SAN, and Buchi Ofulue. Allegations of judicial misconduct However, defendants challenged the court orders by filing multiple petitions with the Federal High Court Chief Judge and the NJC, alleging that Mr Dipeolu acted with bias and exceeded his judicial authority. The petitioners contend that the court granted the receiver sweeping powers without evidence that Nestoil and Neconde were dissipating funds. They also argued that the judge failed to verify ownership of the multi-storey office complex in Victoria Island, legally owned by Drawcok Estates Limited, where both companies are tenants. The filings noted that some lenders, including Ecobank Nigeria Limited and United Bank for Africa (UBA), dissociated themselves from the suit, appointed their own receivers, and initiated separate legal actions. The petitions also argued that the issue could disrupt Nigerias oil and gas sector. Nestoil and Neconde jointly operate OML 42, backed by a $500 million syndicated loan, and restricting access to operational funds could jeopardise production, salaries, and thousands of jobs. The defendants said this is not the first instance of aggressive ex parte orders by Mr Dipeolu. In July, the court issued Mareva injunctions in a separate case involving Neconde and Gobowen Exploration Limited, which were later vacated after criticism that they violated the Companies Winding-Up Rules and Supreme Court precedents. In a petition filed on 31 October, Nestoil chairman Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi cited operational and financial disruptions caused by previous orders, including injunctions affecting companies not directly involved in the case. The filing raised concerns over the sealing of the Victoria Island office complex, which houses tenants such as Julius Berger Plc and Tecon Group, resulting in financial losses. The petition also questioned the courts consideration of key evidence, including the ownership and mortgage status of corporate properties, the absence of verified bank statements confirming the alleged $1.1 billion debt, and contractual clauses designating English courts as the preferred forum for disputes for one lender. The petition alleged that despite these gaps, the court allowed the plaintiffs to sell crude oil and approved recognition of the receiver by the NUPRC. Nestoil and Necondes position Nestoil and Neconde alleged that the court orders cause operational, financial, and reputational harm. They urged urgent NJC intervention to ensure fair adjudication. The petitions alleged that there have been repeated assignments of cases to Justice Dipeolu within 24 hours of filing, arguing that this practice undermines confidence in the courts impartiality and requested his removal from matters involving Nestoil and its affiliates. The companies claimed significant contributions to the Nigerian economy, supporting over 2,000 direct jobs, 15,000 indirect jobs, and philanthropic initiatives in health, education, infrastructure, and rural development. Nestoil reassured stakeholders that operations remain uninterrupted despite the seizure of its headquarters. Nestoil remains fully operational across all business lines. Our subsidiaries, projects, and oil, gas, power, and infrastructure commitments continue without disruption. We continue to cooperate fully with authorities and financial partners to resolve issues transparently, the company said. Court adjournment The court adjourned the case to 7 November for the substantive motion on notice hearing. The dispute centres on alleged loan defaults, judicial conduct, and the scope of the court-ordered receivership, raising broader concerns about corporate governance and economic stability in Nigeria. When the case came up for hearing on Friday, Mr Dipeolu informed the parties that a petition alleging misconduct had been filed against him and forwarded to the Chief Judge, forcing an adjournment. Chino Obiagwu, SAN, told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday that a campaign is reportedly underway to halt the petition against the trial judge and discredit the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. This newspaper also reported that a lawyer familiar with the matter described the petition as part of an elaborate plot to discredit and remove Mr Dipeolu to pave the way for a more pliable judge. As you know, Justice Dipeolu has a reputation for firmness and integrity, the lawyer said. He granted orders that sent a clear message to delinquent borrowers who have for years defaulted on loan obligations. Some powerful people are unhappy about this. A commercial motorcyclist and his passenger were killed on Monday when a vehicle driven by personnel of a government agency collided with them in Imo State, South-east Nigeria. The Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) officials were driving the vehicle at the time of the incident. The incident occurred at Akachi Road in Owerri, the Imo State capital. ENTRACO is an agency of the Imo State Government that enforces environmental sanitation and traffic regulations in the state. How it happened PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the incident happened after ENTRACO personnel had impounded a vehicle earlier for alleged traffic violations. A witness, who asked not to be named, told this newspaper that some officials of the government agency entered the seized vehicle and drove off at high speed, during which they collided with the motorcyclist and his passenger. The witness explained that the impact of the collision caused severe injuries, leading to the immediate death of both the motorcyclist and his passenger. A video seen by PREMIUM TIMES on Monday evening showed the bodies of the deceased victims. The ENTRACO Director of Operations in Imo, Ifeanyi Nwokedi, has confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday evening. Mr Nwokedi expressed regret over the incident, explaining that the incident occurred when some ENTRACO personnel impounded a Ford Edge vehicle for allegedly obstructing traffic around Relief Junction, Egbu Road in Owerri. The director narrated that while the vehicle was being relocated, it reportedly collided with the motorcycle that was allegedly riding against traffic rules, otherwise known as a one-way route. The ENTRACO official, however, claimed that only one life was lost, while the other victim was taken to a hospital. Mr Nwokedi stressed that the ENTRACO personnel involved had been handed over to the police for a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The official warned against the use of motorcycles within the Owerri metropolis, adding that the ban on the use of commercial motorcycles in the metropolis remains in force in the state. The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday evening. Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, said the state commissioner of police, Danjuma Aboki, has ordered an investigation into the incident. Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has suspended all activities of the Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) until further notice. Mr Uzodimmas directive followed the death of a commercial motorcyclist and his passenger after a vehicle operated by ENTRACO personnel rammed into them on Monday afternoon. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the incident occurred after the ENTRACO personnel impounded the vehicle for alleged violation of traffic regulation and then drove off at high speed. ENTRACO is an agency of the Imo State Government dedicated to enforcement of environmental sanitation and traffic regulation in the state. Ogwuike Nwachuku, the spokesperson to Governor Uzodimma, announced the suspension of ENTRACO operations in a statement on Monday night. He said the suspension takes immediate effect. Governor Uzodimma, according to Mr Nwachuku, said he was not unmindful of other recent ugly incidents where the mode of operations of ENTRACO was brought into question by residents of the state The governor warned that the immediate suspension of ENTRACO operations is not a license for residents of the state to violate traffic, environmental, and other laws, stressing that violators of such laws will be sanctioned. Tonye Cole, the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, has sued the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Channels Incorporated Limited (Operators of Channels Television), claiming N40 billion in damages for alleged defamation. The FCT Minister and Channels TV are the first and second defendants in the suit with case number CV/4502/25, while Mr Cole is the claimant. The suit, filed at the High Court of the FCT, on Friday, 8 November, is coming on the heels of the expiration of a two-week ultimatum earlier given by Mr Cole through his lawyers, demanding that Mr Wike retract the alleged defamatory statement, issue a public apology and pay a compensation of N20 billion as damages. Mr Wike had allegedly made the defamatory statements against Mr Cole while on a live broadcast on Channels TVs Politics Today on 18 September. According to the Writ of Summons and the attached Statement of Claim, Mr Cole said that Mr Wikes statements during the interview were false, malicious, offensive, defamatory, and calculated to disparage his reputation in his personal, professional, and public capacity. The court documents sighted by this newspaper specifically mentioned Mr Wikes broadcast allegations, stating that the minister referred to Mr Cole by name and occupation as a thief, a person who stole State resources, and who sold Rivers State gas for $308 million. Mr Coles legal team, led by J.S. Okutepa, said the statements are libellous as they permanently impute criminal conduct, dishonesty, and corruption, which have gravely injured his clients standing both nationally and internationally. Mr Cole also referenced the ministers allegation that he stole the Olympia Hotel. The demand Mr Cole is seeking N40 billion for alleged damages resulting from the malicious, reckless, and unfounded defamatory broadcast and publications, which he said have caused him monumental injury, humiliation, mental anguish, and irreparable harm to his reputation. He is also seeking an additional sum of N500 million, being claimed as the cost of the legal action. More reliefs Beyond the damages, Mr Cole is seeking several injunctive and declaratory reliefs, including: A declaration that the statements made by Mr Wike during the live broadcast are false, malicious, and defamatory. An order directing the defendants to jointly and severally retract the libellous publications in full and permanently remove every copy, clip, or rebroadcast from all their platforms, including YouTube and social media. An order compelling the defendants to tender an unreserved, public, clear, and unequivocal apology to the claimant via a live broadcast on Channels Televisions Politics Today and by publication in not less than five national daily newspapers of wide circulation. An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing or disseminating any defamatory material relating to the claimant. The claimants legal team noted that before the suit, a pre-action notice and letter of demand dated 8th October were served on both Mr Wike and Channels Television, demanding a retraction, public apology, and payment of N20 billion in compensation from each defendant. The defendants, according to Mr Coles legal team, failed, refused, and neglected to comply, necessitating the initiation of the court action. The court has told the defendants to enter an appearance within 21 days of the service of the writ. The Nigerian Army has clarified that, contrary to speculations, its personnel did not interfere in Saturdays governorship election in Anambra State. The Army was reacting to a video clip in which a soldier appeared to be engaging in a confrontation with the Anambra State Deputy Governor, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, during the election. In the clip seen by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Ibezim engaged in an altercation with a soldier at the Ukwu Oji Umubele Polling Unit, Awka Ward 5 on Saturday. The deputy governor, surrounded by some supporters, was seen questioning soldiers presence at the polling unit, arguing that they were not supposed to be involved in the electoral process. Some voices in the background of the clip accused the soldiers of attempting to seize election materials and kidnap presiding officers, but the army officer was quick to deny the allegations. Army reacts However, in a statement on Monday, the Acting Deputy Director of the Army Public Relations at the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Olabisi Ayeni, said the now viral clip was misleading and lacks the full context of events. Mr Ayeni, a lieutenant colonel, said the soldiers were at the polling unit in response to a distress call from NYSC authorities that some corps members and INEC officials were being held hostage by suspected political thugs. The report followed the unexplained disappearance of the collation officer assigned to the polling unit. In line with the Nigerian Armys constitutional responsibility to aid civil authorities and protect citizens, a rapid response team consisting of two officers and twelve soldiers was promptly deployed to the scene, he said. Upon arrival, the troops met a highly charged atmosphere, involving several political stakeholders, including the deputy governor of Anambra State, who questioned the presence of military personnel. The acting deputy director said despite the reported provocation and tension at the scene, the troops maintained utmost professionalism and restraint, and subsequently rescued the corps members and INEC officials. The rescued personnel were subsequently escorted safely to the INEC office, where collation continued peacefully, he stated. Continuing, Mr Ayeni said: The Nigerian Armys intervention was purely a humanitarian and security response aimed at protecting lives and preserving the integrity of the electoral process. Any contrary interpretation is baseless, misleading and regrettable. Well engage with Anambra govt Mr Ayeni faulted the conduct of some unnamed political actors during the confrontation, saying the Nigerian Army would engage with the Anambra State Government to ensure mutual understanding and sustained cooperation in future operations. The Nigerian Army reiterates its commitment to neutrality, professionalism and the protection of democratic institutions. The public is therefore urged to disregard the false narratives and continue to support the efforts of the military and other security agencies in safeguarding peace and order during elections, he added. Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the INEC Returning Officer for the election, Edoba Omoregie, announced on Sunday morning that Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance scored 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC who polled 99,445 votes. The Young Progressives Party candidate, Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes while his counterpart from the Labour Party, George Moghalu, claimed the fourth position in the election with 10,576 votes. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Tuesday morning the destruction of several important enemy targets in the Russian Federation and in the temporarily occupied territory, in particular the destruction of the Saratov Oil Refinery and the Feodosia Marine Oil Terminal. "As part of the reduction of the Russian aggressor's military and economic potential, on the night of November 11, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the Saratov Oil Refinery in Saratov region of the Russian Federation. The plant produces over 20 types of petroleum products, including gasoline, fuel oil, diesel fuel, vacuum gas oil, industrial sulfur, and others. It is used to meet the needs of the Russian occupation army," the General Staff said in a Telegram post. A series of explosions was recorded, followed by a massive fire in the target area. The attack details are being clarified. "The Marine Oil Terminal JSC (Feodosia, Autonomous Republic of Crimea, TOT) was also damaged a key hub for the supply of fuel and lubricants by sea to the Crimean Peninsula and the temporarily occupied territories of southern Ukraine," the General Staff reported. It was reported that hits were recorded on storage tanks at the facility. The extent of the damage is being determined. Also, according to the Donetsk region air defense zone, a Russian intruder's warehouse in Donetsk and a concentration of personnel near Ocheretyne were hit. Attack UAVs reached the target areas. The results are being determined. The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday restrained the Peoples Democratic Party from holding its scheduled national convention pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit filed by ex-Gov Sule Lamido of Jigawa. Judge Peter Lifu also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring, supervising, or recognising the the convention, pending the hearing and determination of the suit. The judge held that Mr Lamidos application was meritorious and succeeded. Mr Lifu acknowledged the judgment delivered by Judge James Omotosho on 31 October, which stopped PDP from holding the convention, and said it would be in the interest of justice to grant Mr Lamidos request. Mr Omotosho had ruled that the convention was in jeopardy and advised PDP to comply with the law before proceeding. Mr Lifu said that if PDP is allowed to go ahead with the event, Mr Lamido would suffer further harm, making the preservative order necessary. Mr Lamido, in an ex-parte motion filed by his lawyer Jeph Njikonye, on 31 October, had prayed the court to grant the interim order pending the hearing of the motion on notice. He argued that if PDP was not restrained, the party would violate its constitution and deny him the opportunity to contest for national chairman. On 31 October, Mr Lifu declined to grant the motion but ordered PDP and INEC to show cause why Mr Lamidos reliefs should not be granted, giving them 72 hours to respond. The matter was adjourned to 6 November. At the resumed hearing on 6 November, PDP and INEC filed affidavits asking the court to refuse Mr Lamidos application. After listening to arguments, Judge Lifu adjourned the matter for ruling. The judge has stood down the case until 1 p.m. today for the hearing of the substantive suit. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the international community, especially the United States, to work with Nigeria in addressing religiously motivated killings and terrorism rather than issuing threats or sanctions. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, said this on Monday while presenting the NHRCs October 2025 Human Rights Dashboard, which recorded 406,088 complaints and over 160 monitored incidents of human rights violations across the country. Mr Ojukwu acknowledged that conflicts and insurgency in parts of Nigeria have resulted in the killing of Christian civilians by religious extremists. He, however, stressed that citizens from other faiths have also been victims. No life should be lost to conflict or criminality, he said. The governments responsibility to protect lives and property under section 14(2) of the Constitution must remain paramount. October Dashboard Mr Ojukwu explained that Boko Haram and ISWAPs ideology of Islamising Nigeria has caused the killing of both Christians and Muslims who reject their doctrine. The common enemy here is Boko Haram, which targets Christians and Muslims alike, he said. Rather than threats, the international community should support Nigerias efforts to end terrorism and religious extremism. Only through partnership and mutual respect can we secure the lives and liberties of all Nigerians. He added that the United States call should be understood as an injunction for urgent action to stop the killings, and should be seen as an opportunity to reform Nigerias approach to terrorism and conflict, with emphasis on civilian protection and accountability for perpetrators. He expressed confidence that the Nigerian government has the capacity to take the necessary steps. PREMIUM TIMES reports that US President Donald Trump recently declared Nigeria a country of particular concern. This was the result of a campaign by some US lawmakers, including congressman Riley Moore, who alleged that there was an alarming and ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The congressman claimed that 7,000 Nigerian Christians had been killed in 2025 alone, an average of 35 a day. Mr Trump also threatened to take direct military action against Islamist militant groups operating in Nigeria. However, the Nigerian government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, refuted this claim, describing it as false, baseless, despicable, and divisive. Nigeria was first designated a Country of Particular Concern during the first term of President Trump. But the designation was lifted during the Joe Biden presidency. Other complaints The NHRC also presented its latest monthly chart of human rights violations. It recorded 7,478 cases of sexual and gender-based violence in October. It also documented 9,920 cases related to women and gender rights, 7,233 cases of child rights violations, 38 cases affecting older persons, and 20,973 cases on rule of law and access to justice. It also recorded 19,370 cases on freedom/liberty of persons, 14,528 cases on the right to life, 27,119 cases on freedom of religion, and 99,797 cases related to law enforcement and human dignity. It also recorded 67,799 cases on economic, social and cultural rights, 10,996 cases on labour rights, 97,614 cases on freedom from discrimination, 6,950 cases on environment, and 16,273 other complaints. The commission also documented 1,086 cases of child abandonment, 992 cases of child custody disputes, 789 cases of child labour, 762 cases of other child abuses, and 720 rights to surveillance and development. It also documented 708 cases of access to children, 696 cases of child marriage, 523 cases of child trafficking, and 335 cases of right to education. On geopolitical breakdown, the North-central recorded the highest number of incidents with 170,173 complaints, which the commission linked to terrorism, kidnappings, and banditry. The North-west had 77,899 complaints, while the North-east recorded 76,478 complaints, largely driven by terror attacks, abductions, and sexual violence. The South-east recorded 50,469 complaints, the South-south had 15,629 complaints, and the South-west had 15,440 complaints. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed its commitment to enforce the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small bottles by December 2025. This was announced by the Director General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, following a new directive by the Nigeria Senate to the agency to implement the ban fully and rule out any further extensions. The directive followed a motion sponsored by Asuquo Ekpenyong, Senator Representing Cross River South, who raised concern over the repeated postponement of the policy despite the rising health and social problems linked to the consumption of the products. Mr Ekpenyong recalled that Nigeria had signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with industry stakeholders, including NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), in 2018 to phase out high-strength alcohol in sachets. He noted that the agreement expired in 2023 but was extended to December 2025, allowing manufacturers to adjust their production lines. Alcohol ban According to Mrs Adeyeye, the ban, which covers spirit drinks packaged in sachets and containers below 200 millilitres, is backed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. It aims to curb the harmful use of alcohol, particularly among children, adolescents and commercial drivers. She said the Senates resolution aligns with its statutory responsibility to protect public health and ensure that only safe, regulated products are available to Nigerians. ALSO READ: NAFDAC says ban on alcohol in sachets stands She urged all stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, to comply fully with the phase-out deadline, as no further extension will be entertained beyond December 2025. Public health risk NAFDAC said the proliferation of high-alcohol-content beverages in sachets and small containers had made the products cheap, easily accessible and concealable, leading to rising cases of misuse and addiction among minors. The agency described the situation as a public health menace linked to domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts and other social vices across communities Mrs Adeyeye further explained that the Agencys decision was rooted in scientific evidence and public health considerations. This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children and youth, she said. We cannot continue to sacrifice the well-being of Nigerians for short-term economic gain. The health of a nation is its true wealth. NAFDAC stated that it would continue to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to implement nationwide sensitisation campaigns on the health and social dangers associated with alcohol misuse. NAFDAC remains resolute in its mission to ensure that only safe, wholesome and properly regulated products are available to Nigerians, Mrs Adeyeye said. Drama ensued in Abuja on Tuesday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, engaged in a heated confrontation with a group of Naval officers during an inspection of disputed land within the city. The face-off, captured in a video published by Channels Television on Tuesday, showed the minister angrily challenging military personnel allegedly deployed to prevent FCT officials from carrying out a demolition exercise on the contested site. In the footage, Mr Wike demanded documents to justify the soldiers presence, insisting that no one, regardless of rank, is above the law. Show me the document you have. You have no document, the minister was heard saying. In response, a naval officer who appeared to be leading the troops stated that they were acting on orders and possessed the relevant documents. I am the minister. You cannot tell me that. We cannot continue with this kind of impunity, Mr Wike retorted. You cannot use soldiers to intimidate government officials doing their job. This country cannot continue this way. The visibly angered minister accused the officers of obstructing lawful government activity and using their uniforms to shield illegal structures. Even if you are a lieutenant general or vice admiral, it means nothing. The government must function according to law, he said. At one point, Mr Wike alleged that the officers actions could have endangered lives. If not for the Chief of Defence Staff who just spoke to me, you could have killed everybody here, he said, suggesting that he and his entourage would have defied the soldiers, who could have resorted to violence. The confrontation reportedly escalated when a member of the ministers entourage challenged the naval officer, accusing him of lying about forwarding the land documents to the FCT Administration. The comment provoked outrage among the armed officers, who became visibly agitated. Some plainclothes security officials and police personnel accompanying the minister were seen shielding him and other FCT officials from the naval officers. A member of Mr Wikes team was heard describing the officers conduct as unprofessional after one of them allegedly threatened to assault the minister. The naval officer leading the troops insisted that the land in question had been legally acquired. In reaction, Mr Wike shouted: Will you stop that? Will you stop that? The officer replied, Sir, Im an officer. I have integrity. The minister responded sharply: Shut up your mouth! Who does that? Will you get out? When I was in school, you had not even resumed school. Will you keep quiet? You are a big fool! The officer repeatedly countered, I am not a fool, sir. I am acting on instructions, and I am a commissioned officer. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the incident occurred amid the FCT Administrations intensified crackdown on illegal land allocations, encroachments, and unapproved structures across Abuja. Efforts to obtain official comments from the Nigerian Navy and the FCT Administration were still ongoing at the time of filing this report. Mr Wike, known for his combative approach to governance, has repeatedly vowed to restore order in Abujas urban planning, insisting that government lands and public spaces must be protected from powerful interests and lawless developers. However, the minister has also faced criticism over allegations of allocating prime land to close associates and family membersclaims he has consistently denied. The Lagos State Government has announced the arrest of three individuals for allegedly dumping waste at an unauthorised location in the Ayobo area of the state. The suspects were identified as 65-year-old Awosunle Akinola, 47-year-old Adepeju Seun, and Solamipe Akanwo, all residents of Lagos. The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the arrests in a post on his X handle on Tuesday. He said the individuals were apprehended during an overnight enforcement operation conducted by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) Waste Infractions Surveillance and Investigation Team. The LAWMA Waste Infractions Surveillance and Investigation Team apprehended three individuals during an overnight operation for illegally disposing of waste at an unauthorised location in the Ayobo area of Lagos, Mr Wahab said. He added that the suspects had been handed over to LAWMAs legal department for prosecution. The individuals have been transferred to the LAWMA legal team at the Oshodi Taskforce office to initiate further legal proceedings. All identified black spots have been effectively minimised, he added. The operation, which concluded early on Tuesday, forms part of the state governments intensified campaign against indiscriminate refuse disposal. In recent months, the government has strengthened enforcement against night-time dumping and the activities of banned cart pushers a practice outlawed since 2018 as part of its broader Cleaner Lagos initiative. In August 2024, the state announced the clearance of multiple waste black spots as part of ongoing environmental reforms. READ ALSO: Lagos govt reintroduces planning permit amnesty programme to regularise unapproved buildings Several arrests were also recorded in similar operations across the state in 2024. The clampdown is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017, which criminalises refuse dumping at unauthorised sites. Mr Wahab reiterated the governments commitment to enforcing environmental laws and ensuring Lagos remains clean and habitable. Police officers deployed for the 8 November Anambra governorship election have expressed outrage over the non-payment of their election duty allowances. A top police officer who did not want his name mentioned in the story for fear of retribution, told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday that the allowances for the officers had not been paid as of Tuesday morning, two days after the election. The Nigerian Police Force deployed 45,000 officers to the Anambra to forestall a breakdown of law and order during the election. The officers were drawn from various states. The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Abayomi Shogunle, said the deployment was necessary to ensure the safety of voters, electoral officials and materials during the exercise. Anambra election On Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared incumbent Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance the winner of the governorship election. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the exercise was held in 5,720 polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state. According to the INEC Returning Officer, Edoba Omoregie, Mr Soludo polled 422,664 votes to defeat Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress, who scored 99,445 votes. Young Progressives Party candidate, Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes, while George Moghalu of the Labour Party came fourth, with 10,576 votes. Police react The police in Anambra said that all officers deployed to the state for election duty were already receiving their election duty allowances. READ ALSO: Police to arraign Nigerian journalist detained without trial for six weeks Payment is ongoing, Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson for the command told PREMIUM TIMES. I just received mine this morning. The IG has paid everybody, Mr Ikenga said. Nobody will be denied their allowances. Everything is in the system. Its just the network. Thats what we are doing at the moment. Mr Ikenga denied that some officers were detained for protesting the unpaid election duty allowances. As the Emir of Ilorin marks 30 years on the throne, we celebrate not just his reign but the enduring values he represents: unity, justice, and compassion. His leadership has transcended generations, nurturing a sense of belonging among all who trace their roots to the Ilorin Emirate. Assalamu Alaikum, sho wa daada. Oloun yo wa pelu re? (Peace be upon you, may Almighty Allah be with you.) Those were the first words I heard from Mai Martaba, the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari (CFR), during an unexpected yet unforgettable encounter. It was during the Big Sallah celebration. My team from the SAS Foundation had gone to pay the traditional homage to the Emir, as we often do. Unknown to me, my team lead in Kwara had placed a call following a request from Mai Martaba, who wished to speak directly with me. Within moments, I was on the phone with one of Nigerias most revered traditional rulers, a man who, for three decades, has embodied grace, wisdom, and leadership. In his calm and fatherly tone, the Emir prayed for me, my darling wife Maryam, our children, and my entire family. He reminded me of the importance of staying connected to home, saying, Never stay too long away from Ilorin; home is where your roots, your people, and your purpose lie. Those words struck deeply. Here was the 11th Emir of Ilorin, a custodian of our culture and faith, taking a personal interest in my well-being. His Royal Highness ascended the throne in 1995, following the demise of his uncle, Mallam Aliyu AbdulKadir. Before then, he had built an illustrious career in the judiciary, serving as Justice of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division. He relinquished that position to answer the call of destiny to lead the good people of Ilorin and Kwara State. Born on 22 April, 1940, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambaris life reflects discipline, intellect, and purpose. His education began at the Native Authority School in 1953, then continued at Offa Grammar School, Oakham School, and City Westminster College in England. He studied Law at Middle Temple School and the University of London before completing his training at the Nigerian Law School in 1971. His professional path took him across Nigeria, first as permanent secretary and solicitor-general in the old Gongola State, and later as a High Court judge in Bauchi. In 1978, he was appointed to the Court of Appeal, where he served with distinction until his ascension to the throne. Beyond his resume, the Emir is admired for his humility, compassion, and devotion to peace. As Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council and one of the most respected monarchs in Northern Nigeria, he has been a stabilising force in times of change. His reign continues to inspire unity and progress within and beyond Ilorin. My brief encounter with him rekindled in me a renewed sense of duty to give back to the community that raised me. Despite my professional journey across continents; from Russia, where I earned a degree in Computer and Informatics at the Moscow Power Engineering Institute, to the United States, where I completed a Masters in Computer Science at Maharishi International University, Ilorin has always remained home. Even though I have lived and worked far from home with global corporations, including Fortune 500 companies in the United States, my heart remains connected to my city and its people. The Ilorin community continues to fill me with pride and a sense of belonging. It reminds me that no matter where life takes us, we remain Dahiri Ilorin sons and daughters of a heritage built on faith, learning, and leadership. Inspired by that heritage, I founded the Saleeman Adedoyin Saleeman (SAS) Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to empowering women, youth, and children in Ilorin and beyond. Through the Foundation, we strive to complement the Emirs vision of a progressive, self-reliant, and united community. During Ramadan, for instance, we reached over 1,000 families, providing essential food items to ease the burden of fasting. The initiative culminated in a visit to the Emirs palace, where His Royal Highness, with characteristic warmth, expressed his appreciation and encouraged us to continue the good work. Although I could not attend personally, I was deeply moved when he described me as a shining example of Ilorins promising future. Those words became both an honour and a responsibility. Guided by that inspiration, we launched the Project Tutored initiative in Ilorin, a three-week intensive summer school programme, in partnership with international NGOs, Evergreen Initiative and SheBuildLives. Held between 28 July and 17 August, the project trained over 100 students from underserved communities, offering academic reinforcement, vocational skills, and essential learning tools. The programme featured classes in digital literacy, leadership, career sensitisation, sports, financial literacy, and soft skills. Vocational workshops in shoemaking, beadwork, tie-and-dye, and soap production empowered young people with practical skills for self-reliance. These efforts, though modest, are deeply rooted in the Emirs teachings and philosophy of service, education, and faith. His Royal Highness has always emphasised that true progress begins with individual commitment to community. Over the last three decades, he has championed peace, promoted interfaith harmony, and preserved Ilorins unique cultural identity as a melting pot of Yoruba, Fulani, Hausa, and Nupe influences. As the Emir of Ilorin marks 30 years on the throne, we celebrate not just his reign but the enduring values he represents: unity, justice, and compassion. His leadership has transcended generations, nurturing a sense of belonging among all who trace their roots to the Ilorin Emirate. For me, that brief but profound encounter remains a lasting source of pride and inspiration. The Emirs words continue to echo in my heart, reminding me to stay grounded, serve humanity, and always find my way back home. May Almighty Allah continue to grant His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, good health, wisdom, and many more fruitful years on the throne. Long live the Emir of Ilorin. Long live the Ilorin Emirate. Saleeman Adedoyin Saleeman is a Global IT Leader and Founder of the SAS Foundation. He writes from North Carolina, United States. Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has flagged off the construction of a 18 billion road project in Malammadori Local Government Area of the state as part of his administrations commitment to infrastructural development that aligned with President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda. The flag off event also included the presentation of brand-new vehicles to eight All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwarts and grassroots mobilisers in the Jigawa North-East Senatorial District. The vehicles were donated by the Senator representing the district, Ahmed Malammadori. Mr Malammadori said the car donations were part of efforts to strengthen party unity and promote President Tinubus Renewed Hope vision across the state. The flagging off of the road project and cars donation were conducted under the citizen engagement programme initiative of the state government. The citizens engagement programme is designed to promote transparency and accountability. This initiative ensures that government officials communicate openly with citizens by presenting scorecards that outline their achievements and the challenges they face in their respective roles. Speaking at the event, Governor Namadi commended the lawmaker for his loyalty, generosity, and commitment to promoting the APCs ideals. He described the car donations gesture as a sign of true party loyalty and a motivation for APC members. This is a clear demonstration of Senator Malammadoris dedication and loyalty to our great party, the APC. It also serves as encouragement to other committed members to double their efforts in promoting the APC, and in supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubus developmental strides under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the governor said. In his remarks, the lawmaker reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the APC and to the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Namadi. He explained that the vehicle donations were meant to empower loyal party members to effectively mobilise support for both the Presidents Renewed Hope Agenda and the Governors 12-Point Development Plan across the zone. Every resident of Jigawa and indeed Nigeria can attest to the human and infrastructural development being driven by President Tinubu and Governor Namadi, the lawmaker said. President Tinubu has approved the establishment of key federal institutions in our state, including the Police Training Institute at Kafin Hausa, the Federal College of Education in Malammadori, and the Federal College of Agriculture in Kirikasamma. Similarly, Governor Namadi has just flagged off a 47-kilometre road project worth 14 billion and is reconnecting the HadejiaGarun Gabas road, upgrading general hospitals, and revitalising primary healthcare centres. Mr Malammadori further expressed the collective loyalty of all APC stakeholders in Jigawa North-East, including three members of the House of Representatives, nine State House of Assembly members, eight Local Government Council Chairmen, and 85 Councillors. We stand firmly united in our commitment to support Governor Umar Namadi, FCA, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda. Anyone who thinks they can divide our ranks will surely meet a united and resolute team, he declared. Governor Umar Namadi has reaffirmed his administrations strong commitment to expanding road infrastructure across Jigawa State with the launch of another major regional road project under the Gwamnati da Jamaa (Citizen Engagement) programme. Speaking during the official flag-off of the Mallam MadoriGari UkuKanya BabbaMalorin KasimAboriSumburtuDiginsa Road under the Mallam Madori local government area, Governor Namadi announced that the ongoing regional road construction initiative encompasses six key projects totaling 179 kilometers, at a combined cost of over 81 billion. The six regional roads are: Mallam MadoriGari UkuKanya BabbaMalorin KasimAboriSumburtuDiginsa Road (34.5 km) ArbusGirboboGarin Bukar Road (33.5 km) DundubusYanjajiWangara Road (16.65 km) Jahun Takalafiya Zareku Kafin Hausa With Spur From Takalafiya To Dangyatum Road (38 km) Kukayasku Malamaba Katuka Garin Kwalandi Road (34.5 km) Farun Daba Maitsani Baauzini Kafin Chiroma Gallu Babba Gallu Karama Karkarna Bye-Pass Roads (13.2km) The governor noted that in every local government visited, his administration ensures that at least one major project is commissioned or flagged off. It has been a tradition that in each of the local government areas we visited, we will have one project that we commission or flag-off, he said. Today we are in Mallam Madori local government and we are flagging off a 34.5 kilometer road at the cost of 18.5 billuon naira. This road will cater for seven communities, and all these communities are hard to reach areas. And all these seven communities are farming communities, so this road will allow to convey their farm produce to the nearest market. He explained that the project, awarded to Cosgrove Investment Limited at a cost of 18,512,046,998.68, will greatly benefit farming communities by improving access to markets and easing the movement of goods and people. These communities have for a long time been yearning to have this road. By the grace of Allah, today we are flagging off the construction, which starts from Mallam Madori and terminates at Diginsa. Governor Namadi disclosed that 35 percent of the project has already been completed, expressing optimism that the road will be fully delivered within the next one year, ahead of the 18-month completion period. At the venue for the main citizens engagement event, the commended the people of Mallam Madori for their warm reception and cooperation, assuring them that his administration will continue to pursue projects that directly touch the lives of citizens. Our focus remains on infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, and job creation key components of our 12-Point Agenda for a Greater Jigawa, he stated. Mr Namadi also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying that the states progress is being strengthened through alignment with national development priorities. As part of his engagements in Mallam Madori, the Governor also commissioned a newly constructed mosque in Garin Gabas, built with the support of the Local Government Chairman, as a gesture of continued investment in community welfare. In keeping with the principles of participatory governance, community leaders presented the Governor with a compendium of the peoples priority needs, confirming the administrations open-door policy and its commitment to responsive governance. The first season of American Cola Club Talent competition in Nigeria ran for 5 weeks across multiple digital channels with 10 entries selected for the voting stage during which DjMafdee (@bitrusmosesbugama) emerged as the winner. Bitrus Moses Bugama (Dj Mafdee) has been in the industry for about 14 years, and hes passionate about mixing rhythms and controlling the crowd. As winner of the competition, American Cola has rewarded him with: 1.5 million naira in cash prize, one-year access to a music streaming platform, a one-year supply of American Cola drink, upcoming mediainterviews and a community impact project that will be fully sponsored by the brand. The American Cola Club Talent is a movement created by the brand to empower Nigerian youths, inspire self-expression, and provide a platform where original talent can transform into real opportunities. About American Cola Proudly made in Nigeria by Planet Bottling Company, American Cola is a drink that speaks directly to individuals who take pride in carving their own path and those who are unafraid to chase their dreams with zeal. Understanding that Nigerians are looking for beverages that combine affordability with quality taste, American Cola delivers the perfect balance of both through its ultra-modern production facility in Ogun State, where Planet Bottling Company remains dedicated to creating high-quality beverages that stand out in taste and experience while building real connections and lasting memories with consumers. Enemy steps up its efforts to penetrate into Pokrovsk through southern outskirts: therere more than 300 Russians in the city Airborne Assault Troops Photo: https://www.facebook.com/zelenskyy.official Enemy steps up its efforts to penetrate into Pokrovsk through southern outskirts: therere more than 300 Russians in the city Airborne Assault Troops KYIV. Nov 11 (Interfax-Ukraine) In recent days, Russian forces have stepped up their efforts to penetrate into the city of Pokrovsk (Donetsk region) using light vehicles through the southern outskirts. To do this, the enemy took advantage of unfavorable weather conditions, particularly dense fog, according to the press service of the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Airborne Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As noted in the corps' report, weather conditions, in particular fog, are reducing the Ukrainian air force's ability to conduct reconnaissance and strikes in open terrain. "Currently, more than 300 Russians are in the city. Their goal remains unchanged: to reach the northern borders of Pokrovsk and then attempt to encircle the agglomeration. At the same time, the Defense Forces continue to identify and destroy enemy groups in the urban area, even in low visibility conditions," the message reads. The Airborne Assault Forces emphasized that since the beginning of November, the Defense Forces have killed 162 Russians in Pokrovsk, with another 39 wounded. Various units of the Defense Forces, including the Armed Forces, assault and airborne assault units, the Special Operations Forces, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Guard, the National Police, and others, continue to be involved in clearing the city. The Ogun State Medical Centre of Excellence, also referred to as the 250 bed hospital in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta is set to be commissioned in December, 2025. The state governor, Dapo Abiodun made this known during the inspection of the level of work done at the hospital which was built but not completed by the immediate past administration. Governor Abiodun also disclosed that the hospital when commissioned would be managed by the Abuja Medical Centre of Excellence which has the Kings College Hospital as one of its international partners. Abiodun noted that the hospital will be a Spoke for the Abuja Medical Centre of Excellence, adding that the Ogun State Medical Centre of Excellence will be everybodys first bus stop. We are looking forward to the completion of this project. You can see the exterior is looking very nice, weve started landscaping, theyve built an entrance canopy and the gate, oxygen equipments are working. I have told them to double up on manpower so that we commence operations in the next 2-3 weeks. My intention is to come by the grace of God to commission this project sometime in December. This will be one of our Christmas present to Ogun State. This facility was left with a lot of civil engineering gaps, I mean a lot, a lot of structural engineering gaps, a lot of electrical engineering gaps, almost nil electrical engineering. The Abuja Medical Center of Excellence has agreed in principle that if indeed this facility is completed in line with what we planned to, the way weve conceived it, if indeed it is going to be run by Healthshare, that they will partner with this facility. The Abuja Medical Centre of Excellence has the Kings College Hospital as one of the hospitals internationally and others who are working with them in partnership, he said. Governor Abiodun added that the hospital when finally commissioned would help reduce medical tourism to the barest minimum, saying that the facility would rival others around it. We know how much Nigerians spend on medical tourism. We know how many instances people are rushed from Ogun State to Lagos hospitals, from Abeokuta to Babcock to Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital and when that case is beyond them, they now take them to Lagos. By the time this hospital is commissioned, all that will stop. You can imagine the number of traffic of patients coming from the hinterland, coming from Oyo, Osun and Ekiti states. They have to pass through Ogun State before they get to Lagos. This will be a more convenient location for them to come, he said. The Governor stressed that his administration knowing fully well that the best way to ensure the hospital is well run looked round for partners through its public private partnership office and signed a memorandum of understanding with Healthshare. We decided that the best way to run this hospital the way it should be, the best way this hospital will be of use and would be utilised to render the quality of service and care for which it is intended is to find a partner to work with the state. We began to look for partners, eventually, through our public private partnership office. We identified one that is called Healthshare Services Limited and sometimes last year, we signed a memorandum of understanding with them and they were to finish this facility, he said. The project manager, Healthshare Integrated Solutions, the operator of the hospital complex, Dr Frank Etang promised that they will meet up with the December target for the commissioning of the hospital complex, adding that at the moment, the basement, ground floor, Radiology, laboratory, doctors and nurses consulting room are in place. We are presently rounding up with the first floor where we have the theater, ICU and the wards, so, we are ready for that commissioning, he said. At a well-attended event held on 30 October 2025, Lagos Business School (LBS) and SIMS Nigeria Limited jointly launched a case study titled Navigating Disruption and Forging Resilience. The forum explored how Nigerian businesses can adapt and succeed in todays VUCA business environment. In his remarks, Professor Okechukwu Amah, representing the Dean of LBS, commended SIMS for its innovative spirit and enduring resilience. SIMS CEO, Mr Ik Eyisi, shared lessons from the companys decades-long journey and its approach to navigating market challenges. A panel session led by Mr Chidi Okoro, with contributions from the Homework Group Africa COO, Mrs Adesewa Greg-Ighodaro and Professor of Economics, Lagos Business School, Bongo Adi, discussed the role of artificial intelligence in the consumer electronics industry. The event ended with the unveiling of the SIMS Case Study and the 2025 Insights Edge Business Journal, offering attendees access to exclusive learning materials and networking opportunities. About SIMS Nigeria Limited: Established in 1987, SIMS Nigeria Limited is a leading distributor and retailer of top consumer electronics and home appliance brands across Nigeria. The company represents renowned global names such as Samsung, Royal and TCLoffering high-quality products and dependable after-sales service nationwide. The Government and the people of Jigawa State on Tuesday hosted the Northwest Youth Pally, a forum designed to engage, empower, and inspire young Nigerians. Held at the Government House Banquet Hall in Dutse, the event brought together youth from Jigawa and other Northwest statesKano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbias well as distinguished national leaders, including the ministers of Information and National Orientation, Youth Development, and State for Education. In his address, Governor Umar Namadi emphasised the significance of the Pally as a platform for youth participation and development: The Pally to be held today signifies a new chapter in our governance process by providing a veritable interactive platformthe first of its kindto share perspectives and for deeper reflection on issues germane to the progress and development of our youth as critical stakeholders in the development and governance processes. Mr Namadi highlighted the alignment of Jigawa States 12-Point Agenda for Greater Jigawa with President Bola Ahmed Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda, noting: Even though Presidents Renewed Hope Agenda is all-encompassing with a dynamic vision for long-term macroeconomic stability and prosperity of Nigeria, its focus on the development of our youth is indeed unique and innovative. More than any other policy in the past, the Renewed Hope agenda came with a promise of unleashing the untapped potential of our youths through well-targeted initiatives and interventions. The governor also provided concrete figures to support the states youth initiatives. We have, through various initiatives, provided jobs and means of livelihood to over 400,000 people through both our regular Youth Empowerment and Employment Initiatives and other sector-specific interventions Our flagship Agency for Youth Empowerment alone has mounted over 53 programmes with over 355,000 beneficiaries now skilled, employable, and empowered with means of sustainable livelihoods. Governor Namadi urged the Pally participants to seize these opportunities, contribute positively, and uphold the values of hard work, innovation, and patriotism: Together, let us reaffirm our resolve to build a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society throughout Nigeria, where every young person is empowered to reach his or her full potential. The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, praised the Jigawa administration for creating opportunities for youth to innovate and lead, stating: You have shown us that theres a legacy of the real government Im overwhelmed. Thank you for the empowerment of the young people Thank you for the encouragement, for leading us, for the energy, for the innovation, for the creativity, and for the determination to change the directives of the youth. Additionally, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Saad Ahmad, emphasised the Federal Governments commitment to preparing young Nigerians for the 21st-century economy. These interventions aim to equip our young people not just with knowledge, but with competences and characters, to drive sustainable development in all areas of the nation We are intentionally preparing our youth for the demands of the 21st-century economy. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasised national-level youth programmes and the importance of responsible engagement: President Bola Ahmed Tinubus administration is committed to empowering young Nigerians through programmes focused on education, job creation, and innovation Lets use our voices and our platforms to build, not to destroy. The Pally offered youth an interactive space to engage directly with leaders, share ideas, and explore opportunities in leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has commended Governor Malam Umar Namadi for his exemplary leadership and commitment to good governance, describing Jigawa as a model state in public service and effective administration. The minister made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House, Dutse, on Monday afternoon. He was accompanied by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, and the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed. The ministers were in Jigawa for the North-West All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Parley. The Information minister praised the atmosphere of discipline, order, and purpose he witnessed in Jigawa, describing it as a true reflection of how public service should operate. What you see here is what you geta true example of what public service should be in this country, he said. The minister recalled his previous visit to Jigawa, where he led a federal communications team to assess agricultural activities in the state. According to him, the experience left a lasting impression. About a year and a half ago, I led a federal government communications team to Jigawa to study what was happening, especially in the agriculture sector. We didnt just stop at courtesy visits; we went to the farms to see firsthand how dry-season agriculture was being practised. What I saw in Jigawa that day became, for me, an examplea model of what President Bola Ahmed Tinubus agricultural revolution can achieve for this country. He expressed admiration for the warm reception the delegation received, saying, Coming from the airport today, we honestly thought we had arrived at a carnival. The warmth, the energy, and the reception were far beyond our expectations. Thats the spirit of Jigawaopen, vibrant, and full of hospitality. The minister commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubus leadership and reassured Nigerians of the federal governments efforts to address the nations security and economic challenges. Let me also take this opportunity, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to speak briefly to the people of Jigawa State. The president recognises that there are challenges in the country, and he is addressing them with calmness, grace, and the steady hands of leadership. His recent actionsincluding the reorganisation of the armed forces and security agenciesare aimed at ensuring that the protection of lives and property, which is the primary duty of any government, is effectively carried out. Governor Namadi, in his remarks, welcomed the ministers and delegation to Jigawa, emphasising that the Northwest APC Youth Parley provides a valuable platform for young people to engage on governance, policy, and development issues. This gathering is very important because it brings together youth from across the Northwest to discuss issues that will move our region forward. As a state, we have prioritised youth and women empowerment as part of our 12-point agenda, and we are happy to host this event here in Jigawa, he said. The governor restated his administrations support for the federal governments programmes and President Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda. Let me assure you that the people and government of Jigawa State stand firmly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We are proud of his leadership and remain fully committed to supporting his vision for a stronger, more united, and more prosperous Nigeria. The governor and the ministers later joined the youth delegates at the North-West APC Youth Parley held in Dutse, where discussions centred on youth inclusion, leadership, and sustainable development. Tension has gripped several communities in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State following a late-night attack by bandits that reportedly left one person dead and many others abducted. The attack came despite an existing peace deal with the bandits. The Monday night raid on Danjanku community came barely days after a series of similar attacks that have seen more than 30 residents abducted in less than a week from Danjanku, Dayi, and other nearby communities. The incidents sparked outrage among locals who accuse the government and security agencies of failing to protect them. Early Tuesday morning, youths from Danjanku blocked the FuntuaKatsina highway in a peaceful protest against the repeated abductions. However, the demonstration reportedly turned violent when a joint team of security personnel arrived to disperse them. A resident who requested anonymity told PREMIUM TIMES that the security operatives fired gunshots to disperse the protesters, killing one person in the process. When the security men came, they started shooting. One of the youths was hit and he died, the source said. In retaliation, the enraged youths reportedly set ablaze a Katsina State Transport Authority (KSTA) bus passing through the area. Protests later spread to neighbouring Dantashi and Dayi communities, where youths also burned tyres in solidarity, demanding justice and an end to repeated bandit attacks. Confirming the attack, the village head of Danjanku, Tanimu Almakiyayi, said the bandits invaded the area around midnight, scaling fences to access homes. A security operative, speaking on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the incident. I just returned from Malumfashi and met the protest on my way. The bandits invaded Danjanku last night and abducted many people, killing one in the process, he said. Witnesses further alleged that during the attempt by soldiers to quell the demonstration, two protesters were shot dead while two others sustained injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital. Repeated calls, text messages, and WhatsApp inquiries sent to the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Abubakar were not responded to as of the time of filing this report. When contacted, the Vice Chairman of Malumfashi Local Government, Mukhtari Ado, said he had just been informed of the situation and was on his way to Danjanku to assess the development. I just heard of it and Im heading to Danjanku now, he told PREMIUM TIMES. However, efforts to reach him for comments hours later via his phone number went unanswered. Residents told our reporter that Malumfashi and the neighbouring Bakori Local Government Area have remained under siege since the so-called peace deal with the bandits. They accused the gunmen of imposing levies on farmers before allowing them to harvest their crops. Despite paying the taxes the bandits demand, theres no guarantee that they will let us farm or harvest freely, one resident simply identified as Habib said. Another villager lamented that the attacks have become relentless. They came the day before yesterday and abducted some people. They returned again last night. Thats why the youths came out to protest, he explained. Instead of calming the situation, the soldiers started shooting. Thats how one of our people was killed, and in anger, some youths set a KSTA vehicle on fire, he said. Protesters are accusing both the authorities and local leaders of failing to protect them or take meaningful steps to address the worsening insecurity in the area, leaving them at the mercy of the bandits. Background Katsina, the home state of former President Muhammadu Buhari, remains one of the states worst affected by armed banditry in Nigerias North-west. Despite several peace deals brokered between the government and bandit leaders, attacks, abductions, and killings have persisted, displacing thousands and crippling farming activities across rural communities. A group of northern youth staged a protest at the entrance of the National Assembly on Tuesday to demand the confirmation of Ramat Abdullahi as chairperson of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as Tinubus nomination should be respected, Akpabio and Barau must stop undermining President Tinubu, If you have nothing to fear, Engr Ramat is the right person for NERC, Engr Ramat has passed committee screening, what is Akpabio waiting for. Mr Abdullahi has been awaiting confirmation for over a month after his nomination by President Bola Tinubu, who forwarded his name to the Senate for screening. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read the presidents request on 7 October and referred it to the Senate Committee on Power. The committee, chaired by Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South), has since screened the nominee. However, allegations recently surfaced that the Senate leadership received a $10 million bribe to stall Mr Abdullahis confirmation. The Senate Spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, has however, denied the allegation, explaining that the delay was due to multiple petitions filed against the nominee. Protesters speak Ahmed Suleiman, who addressed journalists on behalf of the protesters, argued that the Senate had no justification to withhold Mr Abdullahis confirmation after he had already been screened and recommended by the relevant committee. Mr Suleiman also read a letter addressed to the senate president, urging him to expedite the action. We respectfully bring to your attention a matter of significant concern: the yet-to-be-concluded confirmation of our son, Engr. Ramat Abdullahi, as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Engr. Abdullahi has, over the past decade, served diligently and honourably in various capacities, ranging from local governance to advisory roles within the Kano State Government, as well as in his private ventures. He possesses the requisite academic and professional qualifications, as well as valuable experience, to lead a strategic institution as critical as NERC at this pivotal time in our countrys energy journey, the letter read in part. The protesters appealed to the senate president to resolve the matter urgently, warning that the prolonged delay sends the wrong signal about the credibility of the confirmation process and could discourage qualified Nigerians from accepting public service roles The Jigawa State Government has approved a new salary structure for medical doctors and other health workers in the states hospitals, ending a 15-year stalemate in remuneration. The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the state announced on Tuesday that the state Governor, Umar Namadi, approved the new pay structure, which aligns with that of medical professionals in federal institutions. Speaking at a press conference in Dutse, the State capital, NMA spokesperson, Shamsu Gujungu, said the association expressed profound gratitude to Governor Namadi for his visionary leadership in approving the long-awaited salary review for doctors and other health workers in the state. He said the new structure, which takes effect from November, has restored hope and dignity to the state health workforce after 15 years of salary stagnation. Mr Gujungu said the implementation of the Federal Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), as well as the review of call and hazard allowances and doctors entry points to CONMESS three, aligns Jigawas pay with national standards and surpasses it in some components. This historic reform is a bold investment in human capital and a strong testament to the administrations commitment to revitalising the state health sector, the NMA said. Model for health sector reform The association said with this development, Jigawa has become a model of progressive healthcare governance, citing the governments recent investments in infrastructure, primary healthcare, and social health insurance. These include the establishment of a Medical Village in Dutse, which will host a diagnostic centre, cardiac catheterisation (CATH) laboratory, and a cryo-oxygen plant, as well as the recruitment of new health workers across the state. With these bold strides, Jigawa is fast emerging as a new hub for healthcare excellence, a model of progressive governance where health workers are motivated and patients receive better care, the NMA said. The association also called on doctors and other health professionals across the country to consider Jigawa for new career opportunities and investments. Come happy Jigawa is ready to receive you, the statement added. Background Jigawa last implemented a new salary structure for its health workforce in 2011. For years, the state has faced one of the worst shortages of medical personnel in Nigeria, with an estimated one doctor to 21,000 patients, compared to the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard of one doctor to 600 patients. The shortage extends to nurses and other health workers, a situation that has negatively impacted health outcomes in the state. The NMA, on behalf of the entire Jigawa health community, proudly hails Governor Namadi and the State Executive Council for this monumental gesture that has rekindled trust, boosted morale, and ushered in a new dawn of hope for healthcare delivery in Jigawa State, NMA noted. Cross River North Senator, Agom Jarigbe, has defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). His defection was announced on Tuesday in a letter read by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over plenary. In the letter, Mr Jarigbe said he left the PDP due to its prolonged internal crisis, which has created factions at both the national and state levels. He explained that the division within the party was undermining his ability to effectively represent the interests of his constituents. The decision has been taken after a deep and thoughtful reflection on the current state of my former party. It is with profound regret that I cite the prevailing, deep-seated, irreconcilable differences, as well as the persistent and deliberating factions within the party at both the national and state levels as a primary reason of my departure. This internal crisis has created an untenable environment, fundamentally undermining the partys core principles of unity and prosperity and consequently its ability to serve as a viable vehicle for the representation and interest of my constituents. In the light of the foregoing and in the best interest of my constituents, I have decided to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), he said. After the letter was read, the deputy senate president congratulated Mr Jarigbe for his decision to join the ruling party. Thereafter, several lawmakers also approached him to exchange pleasantries and take photographs before he was led to his new seat in the majority section. Although his defection letter was read on Tuesday, Mr Jarigbe had already defected from the PDP in October after meeting with President Bola Tinubu, which was facilitated by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. He later confirmed his decision to APC leaders, saying he wanted to support the president in delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians. Mr Jarigbe, who defeated former Governor Ben Ayade in the 2023 election under the PDP, now faces speculation that he may have to politically contend with Mr Ayade again ahead of the 2027 polls to secure the partys ticket. He previously made headlines for criticising the unequal distribution of constituency project funds in the 2024 budget, alleging that some ranking senators received as much as N500 million worth of projects. With his defection, the APC now holds 77 seats in the 109-member Senate. The PDP has 23, Labour Party (LP) has four, while APGA and SDP hold two seats each. The NNPP retains one seat. Lawmakers hail defection Shortly after Mr Jarigbe joined the majority wing, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, congratulated him, saying his defection reflected the confidence he and his constituents had in the ruling partys direction. We have witnessed the defection to the ruling APC, a respected member of this hallowed chamber, first as a member of the House before contesting for the Senate. It was based on his understanding with his constituents and the fact that the ruling party is doing the right thing. We understand the issue of development that needs to be confronted, he said. The deputy senate president also attributed the wave of defections to President Tinubus outstanding performance since he assume office. Responding, the Minority Leader, Abba Moro, said those remaining in the opposition chose to stay in their parties to safeguard Nigerias democracy. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2025 Anambra governorship election, Jude Ezenwafor, has congratulated Governor Charles Soludo on his victory in Saturdays poll. Mr Ezenwafor spoke when he appeared as a guest on Channels TVs Sunrise Daily on Monday. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the INEC Returning Officer, Edoba Omoregie, said Mr Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance scored 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC, who polled 99,445 votes. The Young Progressives Party candidate, Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes, while his counterpart from the Labour Party, George Moghalu, was fourth, with 10,576 votes. I agree with the outcome of the election Speaking on the TV programme, Mr Ezenwafor said he agreed with the election results declared by INEC on Sunday. I quite agree with the INEC on the results of what transpired. And I congratulate my friend, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, on his landmark victory, he said. The PDP candidate defended the outcome of Saturdays election and argued that the ADC candidate, John Chuma-Nwosu, and the Labour Party candidate, George Moghalu, who alleged rigging in the poll, were only expressing their personal opinions. Anambra people have spoken; we will allow Governor Soludo to finish his four years, he said. Working with Soludo Maupe Ogun-Yusuf, the programme anchor, asked Mr Ezenwafor if he was suggesting that he was willing to work with Mr Soludo in the state. I can assist him (Soludo). I have been assisting him before; he is my friend. I brought him to work in Anambra. I convinced Soludo to contest the election in the first instance when I was senior special assistant to (the immediate past) Governor Willie Obiano. He (Soludo) came, he did well, he responded. Why I performed poorly in the poll During the TV programme, Mr Ezenwafor, who came in a distant sixth place in the election with 1,401 votes, claimed that he performed poorly in the poll due to the reported attack on him and alleged betrayal by the leadership of the PDP. He said after the attack, he was hospitalised for three months in Abuja and only left the hospital to realise that he had been allegedly betrayed by the PDP leadership ahead of the poll. Before I came in (to Anambra from the Abuja hospital), they had bought all my (PDP state) executives. The state executives were even working for another party. Everything I planned and set in motion was (destroyed). There was massive betrayal from the state PDP executives and a few from the national, he said. The candidate claimed that even his party agents during Saturdays poll were taken by the state executives to work for another party. Mr Ezenwafor argued that, with the alleged betrayal in the PDP, he could not have successfully challenged Messrs Soludo and Ukachukwu, who he said were more united in their political parties in Anambra. Soludo is doing well on security The PDP candidate hailed Mr Soludos efforts in fighting insecurity in Anambra State. What they (security chiefs in Anambra) need is better equipment, and insecurity will be a thing of the past, he said. He advised Mr Soludo to prioritise an inclusive government for the states progress. I will advise Governor Chukwuma Soludo to run an inclusive government so that Anambra will be very safe and prosperous, he stated. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/MinistryofDefence.UA Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a security meeting in Kherson, where it was determined that the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Unmanned Systems Forces should expand their capabilities in the city. "I have held a meeting here today with everyone responsible for security. Our militarythe Unmanned Systems Forcewas also present. We determined what needs to be provided to Kherson to enhance its defense. Thousands of Russian drone strikes against this city every montha virtually constant threat. I determined that our Unmanned Systems Force, the Magyar Birds, and other units will increase their capabilities here," Zelenskyy said in his address on Tuesday. The President emphasized the importance of realizing the city's defense capabilities. Furthermore, the meeting participants "identified tasks for protecting roads and logistics." "Officials will assist," the head of state added. TORONTO, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Liverpool's transformation into one of the United Kingdom's most dynamic rental housing markets continues as Starlight Investments ("Starlight") announces the completion of Lighthaus, a 31-storey residential tower delivering 278 build-to-rent (BTR) homes within the city's Liverpool Waters regeneration area. Construction is now complete, and the first residents are set to move in later this month. Lighthaus represents an important step forward for the city's expanding BTR sector and for Starlight's growing UK portfolio. Starlight Investments announces the completion of Lighthaus, delivering 278 build-to-rent (BTR) homes in Liverpool, UK. Located in the heart of Liverpool's waterfront, the development offers a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Residents will enjoy premium shared spaces including a sky lounge with panoramic water views, a rooftop terrace, fitness centre, co-working facilities and 24-hour concierge service, all designed to enhance modern waterfront living. Pre-leasing interest has been strong, highlighting the growing demand for high-quality, professionally managed rental accommodation in Liverpool. Private renting now accounts for nearly 29 percent of the city's households, yet new housing supply has not kept pace with population growth. Lighthaus provides a new model for modern renting, combining thoughtful design, community amenities, and convenient access to the city's emerging waterfront district. "Build-to-rent in the North has entered a new phase," said Jonnie Milich, Head of UK Residential, Starlight Investments. "Lighthaus shows what the next generation of rental living looks like, with well-designed living spaces, professional management, and access to lifestyle amenities people expect. The pre-leasing response demonstrates a strong demand for this kind of offering in Liverpool and across the region." Developed in partnership with X1 Developments and Vermont Construction, Lighthaus stands at the heart of the 5 billion Liverpool Waters masterplan, the largest urban regeneration initiative in the city's history. The project will help deliver 9,000 new homes and significant commercial and leisure space, reinforcing Liverpool's position as a major northern growth centre. "Delivering new homes at scale requires genuine collaboration between public and private partners," said Raj Mehta, President, Global Markets, Starlight Investments. "Lighthaus reflects that collaboration in action. It contributes to housing supply, supports local employment, and strengthens the wider community. We are grateful to the Liverpool City Council, and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for their leadership and continued support in helping bring this vision to life." Starlight now has more than 2,000 homes under construction across Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool. When combined with previously announced developments in Ashford, Dartford, Basildon and Maidenhead, Starlight has committed to delivering over 4000 rental suites in the UK market. The company's UK strategy is focused on long-term investment, regional regeneration, and creating high-quality rental communities that respond to real housing needs. About Starlight Investments: Starlight Investments is a leading global real estate investment and asset management firm headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A privately held owner, developer and asset manager of over 70,000 multi-residential suites and over seven million square feet of commercial property space with CAD $30 billion AUM, Starlight offers a range of investment vehicles across various real estate strategies. Starlight's guiding mission is to balance its tenure with visionary curiosity to create positive impact for investors and communities alike. At Starlight, we invest with impact. Learn more at www.starlightinvest.com or follow us on LinkedIn. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2819439/Starlight_Investments_Starlight_Investments_Celebrates_Completio.jpg Alliance Residential Company looks back over 25 years of excellence as it celebrates an incredible milestone. PHOENIX, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance Residential Company, one of the largest residential rental development companies in the nation, is proud to celebrate its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of entrepreneurial vision, innovation, and community-building. With its principals' roots stretching back to the early 1990s, Alliance officially commenced in September 2000 with initial offices in Phoenix and Houston. This founding was driven by the belief that great places to live begin with great people leading the way. That founding spirit visionary, bold, and people-first remains central to Alliance today. Over the past 25 years, Alliance has produced more than 136,000 units representing over $27 billion in invested capital. Alliance has developed brands to address a wide consumer renter profile, including luxury, workforce, and seniors. Since 2014, Alliance has been named the No. 1 developer six times on the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC)/ Multi-Housing Executive (MFE) top developers list. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Alliance has 16 regional offices nationwide. "Twenty-five years ago, we set out to build communities where people truly want to live," said Jay Hiemenz, Chairman and CEO of Alliance. "We've always aimed to develop communities that are thoughtful, future-forward, and deeply connected to the needs of current and future residents." Alliance's legacy is defined by a series of strategic innovations and expansions: In 2001, the Broadstone brand was born, a brand that defined luxury multifamily projects with class leading amenities and features. In 2006, Alliance reached the #2 position on the NMHC/ MFE Top Developers list, and by 2014, Alliance first reached the #1 position on the NMHC/ MFE Top Developers list, that it "three-peated" in 2014, 2015, and 2016. In 2015, Alliance entered the senior housing segment with the launch of Holden Senior Living, offering active adult, independent living, assisted living, and memory care options. In 2018, Alliance introduced its Prose brand, focused on attainable workforce housing, addressing the rising demand for high-quality, affordable living solutions. In 2024, Daiwa House Group, a leading international construction and real estate company headquartered in Japan, made an investment in Alliance; its first and exclusive U.S. residential rental platform investment. Alliance has also led the way in smart home technology, partnering with leading tech companies to incorporate smart home features like remote access, programmable thermostats, and energy-efficient lighting prioritizing cost savings, sustainability, and convenience. Alliance has continued to adapt to renters' changing lifestyles. Properties feature amenities such as wellness-focused fitness amenities promoting healthy living, pet-friendly spaces like dog parks and grooming stations, thoughtfully designed co-working lounges with private meeting rooms for remote and hybrid professionals, and EV charging stations supporting sustainable transportation. "The real estate industry speaks of assets and returns, but to produce such returns, we've felt the key is to ask the questions: who are we building for and what do people actually need from their homes today?" continued Hiemenz. "From attainable housing at lower price points to smart technology that simplifies daily life to spaces that support wellness and remote work, we're constantly evolving because the way people live is constantly evolving. We listen to the customer needs and design for the target customer." For more information about Alliance Residential Company and its impact over the past 25 years, please visit allresco.com/. About Alliance Residential Company Alliance Residential Company is one of the largest and most active rental residential real estate developers in the United States. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, with 16 regional offices, Alliance is focused on the development, construction, and acquisition of residential communities across 17 states and 33 metropolitan markets. Alliance Residential develops high-end Broadstone multifamily communities, Prose attainable communities, Holden senior housing, and Silveray build-to-rent communities. For more information, visit allresco.com Media Contact: Kali Hammond, APR, Poston Communications, (404) 875-3400, [email protected] SOURCE Alliance Residential Company NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alter Wolff Foley & Stutman LLP (AWFS) is proud to announce a series of distinguished honors that highlight our ongoing commitment to excellence and leadership in the field of Matrimonial and Family Law. 2026 Best Law Firms - Alter Wolff Foley & Stutman LLP has been named in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms as a Tier 1 firm for Family Law in New York City, reflecting our dedication to achieving outstanding results and providing the highest level of client service. 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers Guide - We are honored that the AWFS partners, Eleanor B. Alter, Adam John Wolff, Jenifer J. Foley, Michael D. Stutman and Dana M. Stutman, have been named among the most respected family lawyers in the country in the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers Guide. 2025 New York Metro Super Lawyers Family Law - We are delighted to celebrate our partners' and counsels' continued recognition by Super Lawyers for their exceptional achievements and leadership in Family Law in the New York Metro region: Eleanor B. Alter, Adam John Wolff, Jenifer J. Foley, Michael D. Stutman, Dana M. Stutman, Julie M. Sheldon, Kari H. Lichtenstein, Valerie H. Tocci 2025 New York Metro Super Lawyers Rising Stars Family Law - We also congratulate our talented associates, MaryJane Gurriell, Allison Grinspoon and Gabriella DeRitis, who have been recognized as Rising Stars by Super Lawyers, honoring them as some of the top emerging Family Law attorneys in the region: AWFS Counsel, Julie M. Sheldon, Admitted as Fellow to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - We are especially proud to recognize AWFS counsel, Julie M. Sheldon, who was recently admitted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), one of the most prestigious honors in the field. Fellowship in the AAML is reserved for attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional skill, experience, and dedication in Matrimonial and Family Law, and Julie's admission reflects her outstanding reputation among peers nationwide. AWFS Partner, Adam John Wolff, Joins American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers National Board of Directors - We are also thrilled to announce that AWFS Partner, Adam John Wolff, has joined the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) National Board of Directors as Parliamentarian, a role he assumed at last week's AAML National Conference in Chicago. This leadership position reflects Adam's longstanding contributions to the Family Law community and his commitment to advancing best practices within the profession. About Alter Wolff Foley & Stutman LLP Alter Wolff Foley & Stutman LLP (AWFS) is a New York City-based law firm comprised of experienced and recognized family and matrimonial lawyers. Founded in 2016, AWFS brings distinguished experience, representing globally-known names from a wide range of backgrounds, including notable celebrity clients, as well as high-profile business owners, professionals, and their spouses. The team at AWFS discreetly and seamlessly addresses complex legal and financial issues for clients, including divorce, custody, child and spousal support, valuation and division of assets, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and mediation. The firm prides itself on its family-first approach and commitment to the overall well-being of its clients and their families. To learn more, visit www.awfs.nyc. Media Contact: Camille Placa [email protected] (212) 218-5375 SOURCE Alter Wolff Foley & Stutman LLP NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Benzinga, a leading financial media, information services and data company, announced today the winners of its 11th annual Benzinga Fintech Awards. The prestigious event, held in New York City, brought together hundreds of top executives, fintech thought leaders, investors, and innovators to celebrate the companies and individuals shaping the future of finance. The awards ceremony took place on November 10, 2025, at Convene Brookfield Place and celebrated innovation, excellence, and outstanding achievements across more than 25 categories, including artificial intelligence in financial services, options trading, digital identity, and investment platforms. "We were thrilled to honor this year's winners who showcased how creativity and technology are redefining what's possible in financial services," said Benzinga's Chief Revenue Officer, Jody Rones. "From AI-driven analytics to next-gen options infrastructure, fintech is evolving faster than ever and their achievements reflect the innovation and resilience driving fintech's next era." 2025 Fintech Day Award Winners Best of Awards Under Innovation in Trading & Investing Best Brokerage App: Webull Best Canadian Brokerage: Aviso Best Prop Trading Platform Provider: Devexperts Best Trading Technology: TradeStation Best New Product: Cache Financials Best Brokerage for Short Selling: TradeZero Best Brokerage for Forex: Interactive Brokers Best AI-Powered Trading Software: PersonaFin AI Best Brokerage for Beginners: Firstrade Securities Inc. Best Brokerage for Day Trading: Interactive Brokers Best Brokerage for Options Trading: TradingBlock Best Brokerage for Trading Futures: TradeStation Best International Brokerage: Interactive Brokers Best Social Investing Product: NVSTly - Social Investing Best Alternative Investments Platform: Groundfloor Best of Awards Under Innovation in Stock Market Data & Analysis Best New Product: Trading Central Best API Solution: GTN Best Data Analysis Tool: Stock Analysis Best Embedded Finance: Connect Trade Best of Awards Under Innovation in Personal Finance Best New Product: NinjaTrader Best Lending Solution: Best Egg Breaking Barriers: Personetics Best Financial Literacy Tool: Upstox Best in Financial Education: Interactive Brokers Best of Awards Under Innovation in ETFs ETF Issuer of The Year: Wisdomtree Best of Awards Under Innovation in Crypto & Web3 Best New Product: Trilitech Best Crypto Exchange: Bitget Best CryptoWallet: Wisdomtree Best Software for Trading Cryptocurrency: Devexperts 2025 Chairman's Award Winners Best AI Solution: Massive Best Spend Management Platform: Ramp Best Short Selling Platform: Cobra Trading Best Prop Trading Platform: WealthCharts Best Prop Firm Trading Technology: Tickblaze Best Financial Research App: EPSMomentum Best in Futures Prop Trading: Apex Trader Funding Best Software for Trading Futures: Optimus Futures Best Trading and Investing Conference: Wealth365 Excellence in Active Trading Software: TZ1 by TradeZero Best Institutional Trading Platform: TradeStation Securities, Inc. Canada's Best U.S. Stock Trading Platform: moomoo Financial Canada, Inc. Best Stock Research Tool for Retail Investors: StockOracle by Piranha Profits For more information about the winners or to learn more about Fintech Day, visit Benzinga Capital Conference: Fintech Day & Awards website . About Benzinga Benzinga is a financial media, investment research and data company providing investors with essential tools, proprietary information and actionable insights to help them make smarter, more informed decisions. Known for its real-time news, market insights, and data solutions, Benzinga serves a broad audience of retail investors, institutional investors, financial institutions, and advertising partners looking to reach a high-value audience. SOURCE Benzinga RESTON, Va., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Burney Company marks a significant milestone as its flagship Burney U.S. Factor Rotation ETF (BRNY) completes three years of trading. Since its inception on October 13, 2022, the fund's net asset value has appreciated by 24.8%, compared with the S&P 500's 22.8% return. For more information about BRNY, visit www.burneyetfs.com. Introducing the Burney US Equity Select ETF (BRES) Building on the success of BRNY's 2022 launch, Burney is preparing to launch the BRES ETF on February 5th, 2026. The new fund will offer investors core US equity exposure, leveraging the firm's longstanding stock selection expertise. BRES evaluates stocks across five key factors: Growth, Valuations, Profitability, Quality, and Momentum. The model adapts to market conditions by emphasizing factors that show current effectiveness. The fund also incorporates digital footprint analysis to identify companies with strong revenue potential that the market hasn't fully recognized. The ETF structure allows for broader diversification, holding 80-100 stocks compared to a typical 40-stock separately managed account. This enables more frequent rebalancing without triggering taxable events for investors. Limited-Time 351 Exchange Opportunity BRES will utilize a 351-exchange structure during its launch period, available only through January 8, 2026. This tax-efficient process under the Internal Revenue Code allows investors to transfer appreciated securities into the ETF without triggering immediate capital gains taxes. Key benefits include: Converting highly appreciated securities into a diversified ETF Maintaining original cost basis and holding period Deferring capital gains taxes until ETF shares are sold Accessing professional portfolio management Most diversified US equity portfolios qualify. Specific requirements include holding at least 25 positions, with no single stock accounting for more than 25% of the portfolio value. "We've spent 50 years refining our investment process," said Lowell Pratt, President of Burney. "BRNY demonstrated that our approach works in an ETF format. With BRES, we're making our core stock selection model available to more investors while offering a tax-efficient way to transition concentrated positions into a professionally managed portfolio. The 351 exchange worked well for our clients during the BRNY launch, and we're excited to offer this opportunity again." Investors interested in participating in the 351 exchange must submit their indication of interest by January 8, 2026. About The Burney Company Recently featured on CNBC's 2025 FA 100* list as the #4 financial advisory firm nationally and #1 in Virginia, The Burney Company was founded in 1974 and provides investment management and comprehensive financial planning services. Burney Wealth Management, a division of The Burney Company, serves individual clients, families, and business owners. The firm manages investments for institutions and individuals through separately managed accounts and ETFs. For more information about BRES or the 351-exchange opportunity, visit www.burneyetfs.com or contact: Burney Wealth Management 1800 Alexander Bell Drive, Suite 510 Reston, VA 20191 (703) 391-6020 [email protected] Important Disclosures: The Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. This and other important information is contained in the prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting https://burneyetfs.com/ or by calling +1.215.882.9983. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. The Fund is actively managed and is subject to the risk that the strategy may not produce the intended results. The Fund is new and has a limited operating history to evaluate. Shares of the ETF may be bought or sold throughout the day at their market price on the exchange on which they are listed. The market price of an ETF's shares may be at, above, or below the ETF's net asset value ("NAV") and will fluctuate with changes in the NAV as well as supply and demand in the market for the shares. Shares of the ETF may be redeemed directly with the ETF at NAV only by Authorized Participants in very large creation units. There can be no guarantee that an active trading market for the Fund's shares will develop or be maintained, or that their listing will continue or remain unchanged. Buying or selling the Fund's shares on an exchange may require the payment of brokerage commissions, and frequent trading may incur brokerage costs that detract significantly from investment returns. Equity Securities Risk Equity securities, such as common stocks, are subject to market, economic, and business risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate. Growth Investing Risk The risk of investing in growth stocks that may be more volatile than other stocks because they are more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing company's growth potential. Value Style Risk Value investing involves the risk that an investment in undervalued securities may not appreciate as anticipated or remain undervalued for long periods. Small- to Mid-Capitalization Risk Investments in small- to mid-capitalization companies are subject to greater risks than large-company stocks due to limited resources and inventory, as well as greater sensitivity to adverse conditions. New Fund Risk The Fund is recently organized, giving prospective investors a limited track record on which to base their investment decision. Active Management Risk The Fund is actively managed and may not meet its investment objective if the Sub-Adviser fails to implement investment strategies for the Fund. High Portfolio Turnover Risk The Fund's investment strategy is expected to result in a higher portfolio turnover rate, which may increase brokerage commission costs and thus negatively impact the Fund's performance. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy, or investment product. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein, including third-party data sources. The views expressed are as of the publication date and subject to change at any time. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form or referred to in any other publication without express written permission. References to other funds should not be interpreted as an offer or recommendation of these securities. The Fund is distributed by PINE Distributors. The fund's investment advisor is Empowered Funds, LLC, which is doing business as ETF Architect. The Burney Company serves as a sub-adviser to the fund. PINE Distributors, LLC, is not affiliated with ETF Architect or The Burney Company. BRES is new and has a limited operating history. As of 9/30/2025, BRNY's 1-year total return was 22.5% (NAV) and 22.5% (Market Price); and return since inception was 25.6% (NAV) and 25.6% (Market Price). The Fund's inception date was 10/13/2022. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of large capitalization common stocks. You cannot invest directly in an index. The performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the quoted performance data. Market price returns are based upon the closing composite market and do not represent the returns you would receive if you traded shares at other times. Returns are average annualized total returns, except for periods of less than one year, which are cumulative. 351 Exchange Considerations: The 351 exchange is a limited-time opportunity available only during the ETF launch period. Participants must meet specific eligibility requirements and should consult with their tax advisor before participating. This is tax deferral, not eliminationyou will pay capital gains when you sell ETF shares. A 351 exchange, governed by Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code, allows for the transfer of property to a corporation for its stock without immediate tax liability. This provision is often used when starting a new corporation or adding assets to an existing one. The regulation facilitates a change in the form of an investment, from direct ownership of property to indirect ownership through stock, by deferring any tax event until the shareholder sells the stock. CNBC's annual FA 100 ranking was published on 10/1/2025 for the year 2025. The Burney Company did not pay CNBC any compensation for being considered for the list; however, The Burney Company does pay a licensing fee to use the CNBC logo in marketing materials. A link to the CNBC selection criteria can be found by going to https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/01/financial-advisor-100-methodology-2025.html . The CNBC award was given to The Burney Company, which includes portfolio managers associated with Burney Wealth Management and nine other affiliated portfolio managers. Advisory services are offered through The Burney Company, an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. SOURCE Burney Company - America's National Night of Remembrance at the U.S. Capitol Sunday, May 24, 2026 - WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This Veterans Day, as we pay tribute to the generations of American heroes who have served our country, Capital Concerts is pleased to welcome back Lockheed Martin as lead corporate sponsor of the 2026 NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT. Broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, this beloved annual tradition honors the courage, sacrifice and service of our military men and women, their families, and pays tribute to all those who have given their lives in defense of our nation. The evening will feature powerful storytelling, musical salutes and poignant moments of remembrance. The 2026 NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT will air live on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at the U.S. Capitol. "We are honored Lockheed Martin is continuing as lead corporate underwriter for the 2026 broadcast of the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT," said Michael Colbert, Capital Concerts President and Executive Producer. "We extend our thanks to Lockheed Martin for its longtime support of the concert's mission to honor and remember, and we salute its dedication to making a positive impact on those who have served our nation and their families." "Lockheed Martin is proud to return as lead corporate sponsor of the 2026 NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT," said Robert Head, Senior Vice President, Lockheed Martin Government Affairs. "The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT is an important part of Lockheed Martin's ongoing commitment to supporting the military community. On Veterans Day, and every day, veterans, service members and military families are at the center of everything we do." Lockheed Martin's commitment to the military and veteran community, integral to the center of everything it does, begins with the veterans, National Guard and Reservists, and military spouses that comprise more than one-fifth of its 121,000 employees. Lockheed Martin's charitable investments are made to causes that support service members, veterans, and their families. Lockheed Martin consistently strives to make a positive impact on the lives of those who have served our nation, never forgetting those who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure our freedoms. The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT airs live on Sunday, May 24, 2026, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. E.T. on public television stations nationwide and on American Forces Network for our troops serving around the world. The concert will also be streaming on YouTube and www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert and available as Video on Demand, May 24 to June 7, 2026. About Capital Concerts Capital Concerts is the nation's leading producer of live patriotic television shows including the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT and A CAPITOL FOURTH, celebrations of America's most important holidays broadcast live from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. About Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at LockheedMartin.com . Visit the program website at http://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/home/ Connect with us on: http://www.facebook.com/memorialdayconcert https://x.com/MemorialDayPBS (#MemorialDayPBS) https://www.instagram.com/memdaypbs/ (@memdayPBS) @memdaypbs on Tik Tok SOURCE Capital Concerts Building on a 50+ year partnership, the new agreement establishes a framework for AI-powered innovation, sustainability research, and experiential learning. CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chartwells Higher Education has signed a comprehensive Master Collaboration Agreement (MCA) with Northeastern University, establishing a strategic five-year partnership focused on advancing innovation, exploration, and experiential learning opportunities in the food service and hospitality industry. The agreement, which became effective June 5, 2025, supports collaborative projects spanning technology innovation, food safety analysis, executive training, and immersive education programs for students. Together, Chartwells and Northeastern will explore joint research initiatives on cutting-edge issues in food service, such as applying AI to improve menu planning, inventory management, and business flow predictions, assessing robotics and sensors to reduce workplace injuries, and enhancing food safety education for allergy-safe meal delivery. The expanded partnership also provides professional development opportunities to Chartwells employees through customized executive training programs and experiential learning opportunities for students through co-ops, PhD research, and other projects. Northeastern has been recognized as an industry leader in sustainability and innovation, becoming the first U.S. campus to have a LEED Gold-Certified dining facility with multiple 3-Star Certified Green Restaurants. The university also introduced a first-of-its-kind climate labeling program in campus dining locations like United Table and The Eatery at Stetson East to help students make more informed and sustainable food choices. The collaboration between Chartwells and Northeastern, which began in 1974, has also earned national recognition over the years, including multiple honors from the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS). "This partnership isn't just about research or innovation - it's about people. Together with Northeastern's students and faculty, we're exploring the future of hospitality in ways that have a positive impact on the community. Whether that's teaming up on food safety assessments, experimenting with AI-enabled kitchens, or creating new educational pathways, it all comes back to turning big ideas into real solutions that matter in everyday life," said Chartwells CEO Eva Wojtalewski. With Chartwells Higher Education headquartered in Charlotte and Northeastern's growing campus presence in the city, the partnership creates a direct impact for students to engage with one of the region's major hospitality employers. About Northeastern University Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact. Northeastern's personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our 13 campuses worldwide. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectorsaligned around solving today's highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind. About Chartwells Higher Education Chartwells is the recognized leader in contract food service management, hospitality, and guest service at over 320 college and universities in the United States. Chartwells is re-inventing the on-campus dining experience by investing in high-tech, food-infused social spaces that bring students and people together to promote meaningful relationships and interactions. The company's excellence in culinary, nutrition, technology, and sustainability brings truly unique dining experiences to every campus. Learn more about how Chartwells is creating joy in campus dining and preparing students for success at www.ChartwellsHigherEd.com , www.DineonCampus.com . SOURCE Chartwells Higher Education Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited a hospital in Kherson and heard a report on the construction of new medical infrastructure facilities in Kherson region. "Eleven institutions already have underground hospitals. Thank you to everyone involved. It's important when lives are saved even when the enemy is trying to take them," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Tuesday. During his visit to a Kherson hospital located in a shelling zone, the president spoke with doctors and patients. "People injured by Russian drone and artillery attacks are rescued here every day. To ensure medical personnel can work safely, the intensive care unit is located underground," the president noted. CANTON, Mass., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CHASM Advanced Materials, Inc. (CHASM) announced today the signing by Ingevity Corporation (NYSE: NGVT) of a license agreement for CHASM's patented, low-cost, and highly scalable carbon nanotube (CNT) production technology. The agreement grants Ingevity the rights to manufacture CHASM's NTeC-E CNT conductive additives for battery applications in North America and select European countries. Building upon the joint development agreement (JDA) signed in February 2024, this new license strengthens the partnership between the two companies and advances their shared mission to build secure, local supply chains for high-performance battery materials supporting the rapidly expanding EV gigafactory ecosystem in North America and Europe. Under the JDA, CHASM's NTeC-E CNT was validated by Ingevity's battery laboratories, battery OEMs, and third-party testing facilities to be not only more conductive than other commercial CNT products, but also to deliver superior capacity retention at high C-rates and over extended cycle life in both commercial lithium-ion cathodes and silicon anodes. CHASM's NTeC-E high-purity, high-performance conductive CNT additives are designed to integrate seamlessly into commercial lithium-ion cathode, high-nickel cathode, silicon anode, solid-state, and other emerging battery chemistries, and provide a cost-effective and domestically sourced option for North American and European manufacturers seeking supply chain security and performance consistency. "This agreement is a major step toward building a reliable, regionally sourced CNT supply for the rapidly growing EV battery industry," said David Arthur, CEO and Co-founder of CHASM. "Together with Ingevity, we're enabling battery cell producers to achieve performance and sustainability goals without relying on overseas supply." "This milestone marks a significant step in our partnership with CHASM, validating both the strength of their technology and Ingevity's core competencies," said David Li, President and CEO of Ingevity. "Building on our over 40 years of expertise in delivering activated carbon-based solutions for the automotive industry, we're accelerating our EV battery materials strategy and investing in scalable CNT manufacturing to build a stronger, more resilient supply chain across North America and Europe." About CHASM CHASM's mission is to develop and manufacture advanced carbon nano materials, leveraging its innovative product platforms to create a safer, more connected and sustainable world. The company's patented nanotube manufacturing platform combined with its unique ability to integrate CNTs into product solutions is unleashing the power of nanotechnology. Innovations powered by CHASM include universal transparent ADAS heaters for safer driving, transparent antennas for smarter cities, conductive additives for EV batteries, and cement additives for greener (lower carbon footprint) concrete. For more information, visit www.chasmtek.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or WeChat. Ingevity: Purify, Protect and Enhance Ingevity provides products and technologies that purify, protect and enhance the world around us. Through a team of talented and experienced people, we develop, manufacture and bring to market solutions that help customers solve complex problems and make the world more sustainable. We operate in three reporting segments: Performance Materials, which includes activated carbon; Advanced Polymer Technologies, which includes caprolactone polymers; and Performance Chemicals, which includes specialty chemicals and road technologies. Our products are used in a variety of demanding applications, including adhesives, agrochemicals, asphalt paving, certified biodegradable bioplastics, coatings, elastomers, pavement markings and automotive components. Headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina, Ingevity operates from 24 locations around the world and employs approximately 1,600 people. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:NGVT). For more information, visit ingevity.com. SOURCE CHASM Advanced Materials As Part of an Exploratory Outcome, ABLi Therapeutics Used CND's Syn-One Biomarker Services to Quantify and Visualize a Decrease in Phosphorylated Alpha-Synuclein in Cutaneous Nerves of Patients in a Phase 2 Trial of its Lead Drug Candidate, Risvodetinib SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CND Life Sciences, Inc. (CND), a medical technology company pioneering the development of cutaneous neurodiagnostic tests and associated biomarker solutions, today announced that its Syn-One Biomarker Services have been used to measure and quantify a reduction in the deposition of abnormal alpha-synuclein in a Phase 2 clinical trial sponsored by ABLi Therapeutics for its lead investigational Parkinson's disease (PD) treatment, risvodetinib. CND's Syn-One Biomarker Services offer biopharmaceutical companies tools to facilitate more precise patient enrollment in clinical trials, and, as an exploratory endpoint, the ability to analyze changes over time in synuclein deposition in cutaneous nerves. Credit: ABLi Therapeutics Results of ABLi's Phase 2 "201 Trial" were presented by the company's Chairman and CEO, Milton Werner, PhD, in a Clinical Breakthrough Lecture during the keynote session at the 2025 Movement Disorders Society Annual Congress on October 8, 2025, and announced in a press release on October 9, 2025. In ABLi's 201 Trial, Syn-One Biomarker Services were used in an exploratory analysis examining the change in phosphorylated alpha-synuclein deposition in skin biopsy samples from baseline to 12 weeks. The analysis was conducted in a subgroup of 36 consenting subjects and showed a reduction in phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in treated subjects (see Figure 1). "We are encouraged by the preliminary data generated using our Syn-One Biomarker Services in ABLi's 201 Trial for risvodetinib," said Christopher Gibbons, MD, chief scientific officer of CND. "While additional work needs to be done in future trials, these results support the potential role Syn-One can play in helping to quantify phosphorylated alpha-synuclein as a biomarker in clinical trials of drugs being developed to treat Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies." Syn-One Biomarker Services employed in ABLi's 201 Trial included the Syn-One Research Test, which uses immunofluorescence technology to detect and visualize synuclein in cutaneous nerves, in conjunction with CND's AI-assisted digital pathology tool NerValence, which applies deep learning methodologies to analyze cutaneous nerve structures and identify and quantify the presence of abnormal, misfolded alpha-synuclein. Developed in collaboration with Visiopharm, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, NerValence creates a visual, quantitative measurement of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein detected inside nerves, supporting the exploratory assessment of changes in synuclein deposition over time in biopharmaceutical trials. "Syn-One Biomarker Services were used in the 201 Trial to preliminarily evaluate the effect of risvodetinib on synuclein aggregate deposition in neurons," said Dr. Werner. "ABLi remains convinced that disease modification can only be achieved by evaluating the intra-neuronal synuclein pathology that moves between neurons as a principal feature of progressive Parkinson's disease. This was the first ever measure of its kind used in a clinical trial for a Parkinson's disease drug candidate to show a possible treatment effect on intra-neuronal synuclein deposition." In addition to offering its Syn-One Biomarker Services for use in biopharmaceutical sponsors' clinical trials, CND is continuing to study the use of the Syn-One Research Test and NerValence to quantify phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in patients with PD over time in the 18-month Syn-Q Study, which is supported by a grant from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF). About CND Life Sciences CND Life Sciences supports the care of patients facing the potential diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease. Operating a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory in Scottsdale, Arizona, CND offers the Syn-One Test as a laboratory developed test (LDT) to help clinicians diagnose synucleinopathies that include Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, and other related disorders. Syn-One uses proprietary techniques to detect phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in cutaneous nerves while also measuring other signs of peripheral nerve degeneration. Results of a prospective, multicenter NIH-sponsored study of the Syn-One Test were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2024 demonstrating >95% sensitivity overall in patients clinically diagnosed with one of four synucleinopathies and confirmed by an expert panel.1 More than 3,000 neurologists and other clinicians have used the Syn-One Test to support their diagnostic evaluation of patients. The company also collaborates with biopharmaceutical companies on clinical trials for investigational therapies and is conducting studies on early disease detection and synuclein quantification. For more information, visit cndlifesciences.com or connect with us on LinkedIn. About ABLi Therapeutics ABLi Therapeutics ("ABLi") applies innovative medicinal chemistry and a deep understanding of disease biology to develop small molecule therapeutics that target the cause of diseases that arise from activation or dysfunction of the Abelson Tyrosine Kinases (c-Abl). Leveraging its expertise in drug design, ABLi utilizes clinically validated data of kinase inhibitors to design and develop novel product candidates with enhanced penetration into the brain, greater potency and target selectivity, and improved safety to treat diseases in which Abl kinase activation or dysfunction is implicated. The Company's primary focus is on developing therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease and the Parkinson's-related neurodegenerative diseases Multiple System Atrophy and Dementia with Lewy Body that are all associated with Abl kinase activation or dysfunction. For more information visit www.ablitherapeutics.com or follow us on LinkedIn , Facebook or Instagram . CND Media Contact: Jaryd Leady (856) 803-7855 [email protected] CND Company Contact: Jennifer Whitney Director, Brand Marketing [email protected] For ABLi Therapeutics Milton H Werner PhD Chairman & CEO [email protected] ABLi Therapeutics Investor/Media Mike Moyer Managing Director LifeSci Advisors [email protected] References 1Gibbons CH, Levine T, Adler C, et al. Skin biopsy detection of phosphorylated -synuclein in patients with synucleinopathies. JAMA. 2024;331(15):12981306. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.0792. SOURCE CND Life Sciences CVN pledges $22,000 to local food banks to help military families, veterans, and their neighbors in need this holiday season STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cohen Veterans Network (CVN), a national not-for-profit integrated network of mental health clinics for post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families, announced its CVN Gives Back initiative on Veterans Day to address food insecurity among military families during the holiday season. For the second year in a row, the network is set to donate $22,000 to local food banks in communities served by its 22 Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics. Each food bank will receive $1,000 to further its efforts to provide essential support to military families, veterans, and their neighbors in need. The support comes at a time when many food banks are seeing a surge in demand due to the ongoing government shutdown, exacerbating an already critical issue of food insecurity among military families. In 2023, 27.7% of currently serving military families experienced food insecurity, up from 23.3% in 2021, according to a survey by the Military Family Advisory Network. While 40.1% of respondents who indicated poor family well-being were experiencing marginal, low, or very low food security. CVN announces $22,000 in donations to food banks in support of military families amid the government shutdown. Post this "In every community we serve, there are military families working hard to make ends meet," says Cohen Veterans Network President and CEO Dr. Anthony Hassan. "Through our support of local food banks, we're helping to ease that burden of food insecurity, which impacts far too many military families. This initiative reflects our commitment to standing by military families, helping to ensure they have resources to meet their essential needs." The food bank donations underscore CVN's holistic approach to care. Recognizing that social drivers of healthsuch as food insecurity, employment, housing, and educationare critical to overall well-being, CVN's 22 Cohen Clinics go beyond therapy to provide comprehensive case management services. These services help clients navigate challenges and connect with essential resources. Since its inception in 2016, CVN has treated over 90,000 clients and provided over 830,000 clinical sessions. The network treats a wide variety of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, military transition challenges, anger, PTSD, grief and loss, family issues, relationship problems, and children's behavioral problems. Care is available through the network's 22 Cohen Clinics serving 20 states in-person and via CVN Telehealth, face-to-face video therapy. ABOUT COHEN VETERANS NETWORK Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) is a 501(c)(3) national not-for-profit philanthropic organization for post-9/11 veterans, active duty service members and their families. CVN focuses on improving mental health outcomes, operating a network of outpatient mental health clinics in high-need communities, in which trained clinicians deliver holistic evidence-based care to treat mental health conditions. It was established in 2016 by philanthropist Steven A. Cohen with a commitment of $275 million to build the network. Learn more about CVN at cohenveteransnetwork.org. SOURCE Cohen Veterans Network Authentic Maine Lobster Food Truck Model Signs Agreement to Further Expand into Missouri ST. LOUIS, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cousins Maine Lobster (CML), the industry-leading fast-casual lobster roll brand, has signed an agreement with local family entrepreneurs, Sam, Tommy, and Tarik Ramadan, to bring its signature Maine lobster food truck experience to Missouri. The new truck is set to launch in April 2026, marking CML's highly anticipated debut in the St. Louis market and continuing its ongoing Midwest expansion. Cousins Maine Lobster Grilled Cheese and New England Clam Chowder Tommy Ramadan will lead the venture, providing strategic direction and management oversight, with support from his younger brother, Tarik, who will oversee the truck's day-to-day operations. Both are bringing their entrepreneurial mindset and hands-on business experience to the new truck. Since 2018, Tommy has owned and operated a retail clothing company, giving him a strong foundation in customer engagement, brand development, and team leadership. Tarik, who works full-time in wealth management, will apply his organizational and operational skills to ensure smooth daily execution. They will also work closely with their father, Sam, a seasoned entrepreneur with extensive experience in grocery, retail, and commercial real estate. Together, the Ramadans are committed to sharing CML's authentic Maine lobster offerings with their home community. "When a Cousins Maine Lobster truck from a neighboring market stopped in St. Louis, the response was incredible," said Sam Ramadan. "Seeing the excitement firsthand really caught our attention, and it was clear the brand had something special. During that visit, we had the chance to meet the team and learn more about the franchise opportunity, and that's when it all clicked for us. We've always looked for a concept that feels genuine and adds something different to our area, and the combination of quality, brand integrity, and mobility makes it a perfect fit for St. Louis." As one of the fastest-growing names in fast-casual seafood, Cousins Maine Lobster continues to expand its footprint nationwide, adding nearly 20 new units this year in markets including Milwaukee, WI; Grand Rapids, MI; Albany, NY; Morgantown, WV; and Winston-Salem/Greensboro, NC. With momentum building toward 100 locations by mid-2026 across 35 states, CML is extending its reach to bring authentic Maine lobster and high-quality seafood to even more communities through its versatile food truck and restaurant concept. "Tommy, Sam, and Tarik represent exactly what Cousins Maine Lobster is all aboutfamily, community, and hard work," said Lindsay Herberger, Director of Franchise Development at Cousins Maine Lobster. "Tommy's leadership and drive, paired with his family's entrepreneurial background, make them a great addition to our franchise family. We look forward to seeing the St. Louis truck hit the road and introduce new customers to the authentic taste of Maine." Cousins Maine Lobster is seeking operators who are passionate about delivering high-quality food and exceptional customer service. With a proven business model that offers flexibility, operators can launch food trucks in as little as three to six months. Low overhead and labor costs allow operators an efficient and cost-effective entry into each market. The brand is currently targeting markets with strong demand for high-quality, fast-casual seafood, including Salt Lake City, Utah and Boise, Idaho; the Midwest, including Wichita, Kansas, and Omaha, Nebraska; and areas across the South, including New Orleans, Louisiana. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Cousins Maine Lobster, visit https://www.cousinsmainelobster.com/franchise. About Cousins Maine Lobster: Cousins Maine Lobster is a leader in fast-casual seafood, partnering with local entrepreneurs to bring the highest quality Maine lobster rolls to neighborhoods everywhere by way of their famous food trucks, brick & mortar restaurants, and a shore-to-door online shop that delivers the highest quality live Maine lobsters directly to your home. In 2012, Cousins Maine Lobster was co-founded by cousins Sabin Lomac and Jim Tselikis with the desire to bring their local Maine family traditions to the West Coast masses. They later appeared on Shark Tank where they partnered with real estate mogul and shark, Barbara Corcoran. Since then, Cousins Maine Lobster has franchised to expand their footprint across the U.S. and has become one of the top Shark Tank investments of all time. For more information, visit: www.cousinsmainelobster.com and follow on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @cousinsmainlobster and Twitter @cousinsmainlob. To find a location near you, visit www.cousinsmainelobster.com. DISCLAIMER: This news is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy a franchise. Any actual offer or solicitation can only be made through a Franchise Disclosure Document. If you reside in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, or Wisconsin, we may not be able to offer you a franchise until it has been registered in your state. CONTACT: Cia Abulencia All Points Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE Cousins Maine Lobster WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Veterans Day, Delta Dental continues with our commitment to expanding access to oral health care for our nation's veterans. Through collaborations with nonprofit organizations, community health centers, and state agencies, Delta Dental companies across the country are helping close the dental care gap faced by millions of men and women who served our armed forces. Delta Dental is improving veterans' lives by expanding access to essential oral healthcare. Despite nearly 9 million veterans being eligible for medical care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, only 6% receive dental benefits. This lack of access often leads to poor oral health outcomes that can significantly affect overall health and well-being. To help address this disparity, over the past year, Delta Dental has invested nearly $2 million in programs that support veterans' oral, mental, and overall health. These efforts span 35 specialized programs, including free dental clinics, mobile care programs, and direct support for veterans who are low-income, experiencing homelessness, or are medically vulnerable. "On Veterans Day, we pause to honor the service and sacrifice of those who have defended our country," said James W. Hutchison, President & CEO of Delta Dental Plans Association. "At Delta Dental, we remain committed to supporting veterans on their path to better health by helping ensure access to essential oral care. It's one of the many ways we strive to give back to those who have given so much." Delta Dental also continues its collaboration with Dental Lifeline Network through the Lifeline Heroes Challenge a national effort that connects veterans in need with volunteer dentists and labs for no-cost, comprehensive care. Since 2020, Delta Dental companies have contributed nearly $1 million to support this initiative, helping generate more than $17.8 million in donated dental services for veterans who are elderly, disabled, or medically fragile. "Delta Dental has been an invaluable partner and supporter of Dental Lifeline Network's efforts to advance oral health care for our veterans. It is a privilege to provide critical care to those who have served our country. We are grateful to Delta Dental for making this care possible," remarked Lynda Ricketson, President & CEO, Dental Lifeline Network. Dentists can visit WhyIDental.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities with DLN to honor and support veterans in the community. To learn more about how Delta Dental supports veterans, please visit deltadentalinstitute.com/cir. About the Delta Dental Institute The Delta Dental Institute advances oral health for all Americans in partnership with Delta Dental companies and dedicated organizations across the country. With expertise rooted in Delta Dental's rich history of oral health leadership, we support oral health research, community outreach, and advocacy, striving to ensure that everyone understands the importance of oral health to overall health and has access to the care they need. Visit deltadentalinstitute.com for more information. About Delta Dental Plans Association Based in Chicago, Illinois, Delta Dental Plans Association is the not-for-profit national association of the 39 independent Delta Dental companies. Through these companies, Delta Dental is the nation's largest dental benefits provider and offers the country's largest dental network with approximately 151,000 participating dentists. Over the last 15 years, Delta Dental companies and their foundations invested over $2.3 billion to improve the oral and overall health of our communities. About Dental Lifeline Network Dental Lifeline Network is a national nonprofit organization. DLN's mission is to change the lives of America's most vulnerable adults through their coordinated system of care. Through a volunteer network of around 12,000 dentists and 3,330 laboratories, DLN develops and coordinates direct-service programs resulting in life-changing treatment to adults who are elderly, have disabilities, are medically fragile, and veterans. Visit dentallifeline.org to learn more. SOURCE Delta Dental Institute Global leaders across architecture, engineering, construction, consulting, and government contracting recognized for innovation using Deltek solutions HERNDON, Va., Nov. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Deltek, the leading global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, today announced the winners of its annual Most Valuable Project (MVP) Awards at Deltek ProjectCon 2025, the company's annual user conference. The Deltek MVP Awards honor the most innovative organizations among Deltek's worldwide customers and partners across eight categories: The Architecture and Engineering (A&E) Award Award Background: Recognizes an A&E firm utilizing Deltek Vantagepoint to successfully execute projects. Recognizes an A&E firm utilizing Deltek Vantagepoint to successfully execute projects. Winner: Zutari is a leading buildings and infrastructure engineering and advisory practice with a proud legacy of over 90 years across Africa and the Middle East. The company partners with clients throughout the infrastructure lifecycle to deliver innovative, digitally enabled solutions across Buildings, Water Resources & Treatment, Mining & Industrial Infrastructure, Energy & Power, Transport & Mobility, Sustainability, and other sectors. Zutari is a leading buildings and infrastructure engineering and advisory practice with a proud legacy of over 90 years across Africa and the Middle East. The company partners with clients throughout the infrastructure lifecycle to deliver innovative, digitally enabled solutions across Buildings, Water Resources & Treatment, Mining & Industrial Infrastructure, Energy & Power, Transport & Mobility, Sustainability, and other sectors. Results: With Deltek partner Silversoft, Zutari implemented Deltek Vantagepont and: Increased top-line growth by more than 20% with only an 8% increase in headcount. Reduced project losses by nearly 50%. Established a single, integrated ERP system to support real-time, data-driven decision-making. With Deltek partner Silversoft, Zutari implemented Deltek Vantagepont and: The Consulting Award Award Background: Recognizes a consulting firm using Deltek solutions as a key technology to deliver successful engagements to their clients. Recognizes a consulting firm using Deltek solutions as a key technology to deliver successful engagements to their clients. Winner: Omnicom Media Group India provides an Agency as a Platform (AaaP) approach by connecting best-in-class brands to demand capabilities that deliver better business outcomes for clients. Omnicom Media Group India provides an Agency as a Platform (AaaP) approach by connecting best-in-class brands to demand capabilities that deliver better business outcomes for clients. Results: With Deltek Replicon's Time Bill Plus, Time Off Plus and Time Attend Plus, Omnicom: Reduced manual effort by 40%. Increased compliance to 95%. Real-time workforce visibility, fewer errors, and faster, data-driven decisions, boosting efficiency and scalability across the organization, and unifying operations for more than 500 users. With Deltek Replicon's Time Bill Plus, Time Off Plus and Time Attend Plus, Omnicom: The Construction Award Award Background: Recognizes a construction firm utilizing Deltek ComputerEase to keep jobs on track. Recognizes a construction firm utilizing Deltek ComputerEase to keep jobs on track. Winner: Gottstein Corporation is a leading industrial contractor serving the manufacturing industry with a primary focus on food and beverage production. Gottstein Corporation is a leading industrial contractor serving the manufacturing industry with a primary focus on food and beverage production. Results: With Deltek ComputerEase, Gottstein Corporation has: Scaled its growth for the past decade. Doubled down on innovation in its goal to become a billion-dollar company. With Deltek ComputerEase, Gottstein Corporation has: The Enterprise Award Award Background: Recognizes a large business leveraging Deltek solutions to achieve a global mission. Recognizes a large business leveraging Deltek solutions to achieve a global mission. Winner: KPMG is a global organization of independent services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. Within the government and public sector, KPMG leverages its global experience to enhance digital footprints and promote sustainable practices in cities, defense, education, human and social services, and international development. KPMG is a global organization of independent services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. Within the government and public sector, KPMG leverages its global experience to enhance digital footprints and promote sustainable practices in cities, defense, education, human and social services, and international development. Results: By migrating from Deltek Costpoint on-premise systems to Deltek Costpoint in the Cloud, KPMG: Modernized its entire Deltek infrastructure the backbone of KPMG's Federal practice finance and accounting. Eliminated 49 legacy servers, improved reporting performance and ensured compliance with federal audit requirements like DCAA and CMMC 2.0. Supported over 2,300 employees for accurate billing, streamlined updates and long-term cost savings. By migrating from Deltek Costpoint on-premise systems to Deltek Costpoint in the Cloud, KPMG: The Government Contracting Award Award Background: Recognizes a firm that is using Deltek solutions to successfully execute business with federal, state and local governments. Recognizes a firm that is using Deltek solutions to successfully execute business with federal, state and local governments. Winner: Sierra Nevada Company (SNC) is a trusted global leader in aerospace and national security and its innovative solutions enable connected protection through command, control and communications systems. Sierra Nevada Company (SNC) is a trusted global leader in aerospace and national security and its innovative solutions enable connected protection through command, control and communications systems. Results: SNC uses Deltek Costpoint, Cobra, PM Compass, and ProPricer on large multi-billion dollar programs across the portfolio to support: Timekeeping, inventory management, and BI reporting for over 4,500 employees. Full EVM compliance, including Initial Baseline Reviews, Compliance Reviews, multiple IPMDAR deliveries, and data sets for seamless customer reporting. SNC uses Deltek Costpoint, Cobra, PM Compass, and ProPricer on large multi-billion dollar programs across the portfolio to support: The Partner Award Award Background: Recognizes a Deltek partner and customer that together have completed an exceptional implementation of a Deltek solution. Recognizes a Deltek partner and customer that together have completed an exceptional implementation of a Deltek solution. Winner: Lexell Blue is a Deltek Premier Partner recognized for excellence in delivering transformative solutions. With deep expertise in mergers and acquisitions, data migration, manufacturing, integrations/extensibility, and full-scale implementation services across the Deltek Costpoint family of products, Lexell Blue brings unmatched knowledge and precision to every engagement. Lexell Blue is a Deltek Premier Partner recognized for excellence in delivering transformative solutions. With deep expertise in mergers and acquisitions, data migration, manufacturing, integrations/extensibility, and full-scale implementation services across the Deltek Costpoint family of products, Lexell Blue brings unmatched knowledge and precision to every engagement. Results: In partnership with their enterprise client in the government contracting industry , Lexell Blue helped: Reimplement Deltek Costpoint to modernize and consolidate legacy systems into one powerful ERP platform. Reduce IT overhead, achieve 98% time entry adoption, and complete on-time financial close to support their 6,000 users. In partnership with their enterprise client in the government contracting industry The Professional Services Award Award Background: Recognizes a firm doing innovative work and succeeding with the help of Deltek solutions. Recognizes a firm doing innovative work and succeeding with the help of Deltek solutions. Winner: IMEG Consultants Corp. is a leading U.S.-based engineering and consulting firm that delivers a rare combination the broad expertise of a national leader with the personal relationships and deep collaboration of a local firm. IMEG Consultants Corp. is a leading U.S.-based engineering and consulting firm that delivers a rare combination the broad expertise of a national leader with the personal relationships and deep collaboration of a local firm. Results: IMEG worked with strategic partner Baker Tilly on a unique solution related to FAR compliance within Deltek Vantagepoint, resulting in: Transitioning 3,000 employees across more than 90 locations from a third-party expense platform to Deltek Vantagepoint Expense Reporting. Lowering costs, enabling faster processing, and achieving smoother integration while maintaining FAR-compliant accounting of travel-related per diems. Realizing a monetary return on investment and eliminating reliance on daily API transfers within four months. IMEG worked with strategic partner Baker Tilly on a unique solution related to FAR compliance within Deltek Vantagepoint, resulting in: The Small to Midsize Business Award Award Background: Recognizes a growing business doing innovative work and succeeding with the help of Deltek solutions. Recognizes a growing business doing innovative work and succeeding with the help of Deltek solutions. Winner: Adaptic LLC delivers innovative solutions in software development, systems engineering, analytics, and data science in support of the Intelligence Community. Adaptic LLC delivers innovative solutions in software development, systems engineering, analytics, and data science in support of the Intelligence Community. Results: Adaptic leveraged Deltek Costpoint and Deltek Dela's AI-powered time entry integrated with Microsoft Teams to: Empower its growth from one employee to 75 with minimal admin staff, while operating within secure SCIF environments. Reduce accounting entry time by 75%. Save 50% of time onboarding. Improve business development tracking by 90%. Adaptic leveraged Deltek Costpoint and Deltek Dela's AI-powered time entry integrated with Microsoft Teams to: "On behalf of everyone here at Deltek, congratulations to all the MVP award winners. It's an honor to stand with our customers and partners to help them achieve their mission-critical business goals," said Margo Margo Martin, Chief Customer Officer at Deltek. "These winners are leaders in their industries, and we look forward to seeing how they grow in the years ahead." Learn how Deltek customers are powering project success. About Deltek Better software means better projects. Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek for superior levels of project intelligence, management and collaboration. Our industry-focused expertise powers project success by helping firms achieve performance that maximizes productivity and revenue. Learn more at www.deltek.com. Deltek Contact Deltek Media Relations Team [email protected] SOURCE Deltek New facility anchors East Coast growth and will serve as the launchpad for Valorian Medical Technologies, focused on men's health innovation PROVIDENCE, R.I. and PLEASANTON, Calif., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Expanse Medical ("Expanse"), a leading medtech innovation hub, today announced an expansion to Rhode Island with support from the Rhode Island Life Science Hub ("RILSH"). Expanse will establish a facility in Providence to accelerate East Coast partnerships and launch its newest portfolio company, Valorian Medical Technologies, dedicated to men's health innovation, including erectile dysfunction. "We are excited to join Rhode Island's growing life sciences ecosystem and expand our venture building model," said Eitan Konstantino, PhD, founder and CEO of Expanse. "This new base enables us to collaborate with East Coast innovators to imagine what's next and build it." Valorian Medical Technologies will leverage Expanse's full-cycle product development and clinical capabilities. Its formation follows the successful launch of FlowPhysix, Expanse's Austin, Texas based portfolio company whose FDA cleared FLOWRUNNER Aspiration System is being commercialized nationwide for treatment of blood clots. "We are proud to support Expanse as they bring transformative capabilities and new ventures to Rhode Island," said Mark A. Turco, MD, President and CEO of RILSH. "The company's decision to grow here reflects Rhode Island's momentum as a destination for high-growth life science companies. Expanse exemplifies the kind of entrepreneurial and technical excellence we aim to foster as we build a nationally recognized innovation hub for life sciences. It also brings deep engineering expertise and a proven venture-building model that will add real depth to our medtech community." "With its agile model and deep engineering discipline, Expanse turns complex clinical challenges into market-ready innovations faster than traditional medtech pathways," said Shlomi Nachman, board member and shareholder at Expanse. The Providence facility will serve as innovation hub and launchpad for medical device ventures, connecting engineering talent, clinicians, and investors while contributing to Rhode Island's emergence as a life sciences cluster. About Expanse Medical Expanse Medical is a leading venture studio and innovation hub founded by Eitan Konstantino, PhD. The company applies first-principles engineering and full-cycle product development to create and scale breakthrough interventional technologies. Expanse drives innovation through a dual model of build-to-buy partnerships and commercial spinouts from its innovation pipeline. Learn more at www.expansemedical.com . About the Rhode Island Life Science Hub The Rhode Island Life Science Hub positions the state to deliver on a bold vision of transforming Rhode Island into a globally recognized life science innovation hub by coalescing existing stakeholders, activities, and investments while building new capabilities. Through an initial three-year, $45 million investment, the Hub will serve as the central and coordinating organization facilitating the development of medical advances and scientific breakthroughs by supporting companies that specialize in life sciences. For more information, please visit www.rilifescience.com. SOURCE Expanse Medical Documentary honors a 1958 crew who risked their lives to stop nuclear tests and the boat that sails again today for disarmament SEATTLE, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This Veterans Day, filmmaker Nolan Anderson and executive producer Morgan Lott with Emmy nominated Mane Co announce the official release of Golden Rule: Journey for Peace. The new 30 minute documentary premiering free on Youtube, revisits one of America's earliest acts of peaceful nuclear protest and its enduring message for today's world with the amplification of a new movement. Golden Rule In 1958, as the U.S. conducted atomic tests in the Marshall Islands, four veterans and pacifists sailed a 34 foot wooden boat named The Golden Rule directly into the test zone to protest nuclear detonations. The crew was arrested but their defiance inspired worldwide protest and helped lay the groundwork for the first nuclear test-ban treaties. After decades on the ocean floor, the boat was raised and restored by the nonprofit Veterans For Peace. The boat was reconstructed to face off against the greatest threat to human civilization and life on our planet: Nuclear War. In the film, Anderson joins a modern crew sailing the reborn Golden Rule from Hawaii to California, a symbolic voyage connecting the moral courage of the past to urgent questions about nuclear policy today. "We're watching the guardrails that once restrained nuclear escalation fall away," said Nolan Anderson, Director of Golden Rule: Journey for Peace. "This isn't about sensationalism, it's about being honest with ourselves. For decades, Americans have been sleep walking through a nuclear reality we can't afford to ignore." At a time when the U.S. discusses resuming testing U.S. nuclear weapons, the film offers a rare look at the intersection of adventure, history, and moral conviction while exploring modern debates around nuclear energy to spark balanced conversation rather than partisan rhetoric. "It's both an adventure story and a wake-up call," said Morgan Lott, Executive Producer of Golden Rule: Journey for Peace. "These were ordinary people doing something extraordinary. We wanted to make a film that stays true to the facts and invites pragmatic conversation, wrestling with the nuances of this incredibly important topic." Watch the official trailer and full film on youtube . For more information, visit www.goldenrulemovie.com Media Contact: Albert Stichka Elkordy Global Strategies [email protected] SOURCE Mane Co HCHB recognizes standout customers driving excellence and innovation, alongside this year's scholarship recipients, in support of workforce growth and advancement DALLAS, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Homecare Homebase SM (HCHB), the leading software provider for home-based care, today announced the winners of its 2025 Customer Awards and the recipients of its Home Care Aide Scholarships. These annual recognitions honor customers and caregivers who exemplify excellence, innovation and impact across the home-based care community. "Both our Customer Awards and Home Care Aide Scholarship Program reflect the dedication and innovation demonstrated by our customers and allow us to celebrate their remarkable impact on patients, communities and the future of care in the home," said Luke Rutledge, president of Homecare Homebase. "We're proud to recognize organizations and individuals who continually raise the bar for quality care, operational excellence and workforce advancement." The HCHB Customer Awards recognize agencies and individuals who are leading the way in patient care, community engagement and performance improvement. Together, these honorees represent the compassion, ingenuity and commitment moving home-based care forward. Industry Advocate Award The Industry Advocate Award highlights individual contributions in patient care, performance, innovation or regulatory affairs. It recognizes leaders whose advocacy advances quality and efficiency while elevating patient experiences across communities. This year's winner is: Merrill Seyler, RN, BSN, MHA at AuthoraCare Collective Community Impact Award The Community Impact Award celebrates organizations making significant differences in their communities through extraordinary actions or programs. Honorees are recognized for their deep community partnerships and compassionate approaches that enhance access and quality of care for patients and families. This year's winner is: Care Central VNA & Hospice Innovation & Achievement Award The Innovation & Achievement Award recognizes organizations that have developed innovative solutions to address challenges within the home care market, highlighting forward-thinking approaches to technology and process improvements that enhance outcomes and streamline care delivery. This year's winner is: THEMA Health Services AZ Quality Award - Home Health The Quality Award - Home Health recognizes agencies that achieve a 5-star rating in the CMS Quality of Patient Care metrics. These organizations consistently deliver top-tier clinical outcomes and patient-centered care, setting the standard for performance across the field. This year's home health winners include: Acacia Home Health Services Americare Home Care Experts LifeCare Health Services Well Care Health Quality Award - Hospice The Quality Award - Hospice honors agencies that achieve a 100 in the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP), reflecting exceptional quality metrics and compassionate, individualized care that honors patient dignity and comfort. This year's hospice winners include: Bethany Hospice & Palliative Care Care Central VNA & Hospice Harmony Hospice Hospice of the Wabash Valley LHC Group LifeCare Health Services Moments Hospice KPI Excellence Award - Home Health The KPI Excellence Award - Home Health honors agencies excelling in acute care hospitalizations, highlighting strong care coordination and proactive approaches that reduce avoidable hospitalizations and improve outcomes. This year's home health winners include: Community Nursing Services VNS Health Welcome Homecare KPI Excellence Award - Hospice The KPI Excellence Award - Hospice recognizes agencies based on hospice visits in the last days of life (HVLDL), which concentrates on visits provided in the last three vulnerable days of life for a patient. These agencies' results reflect a deep dedication to ensuring patients and families receive attentive, compassionate support when it matters most. This year's hospice winners are: BrightSpring Health Services Optage Hospice RVNAhealth Home Care Aide Scholarship Program The Home Care Aide Scholarship Program recognizes the compassion, dedication and professionalism of caregivers who form the foundation of home-based care. This initiative empowers home care aides in their professional advancement by providing scholarship opportunities that foster growth, education and continued excellence in the field. This year, three outstanding home care aides will receive a $2,000 scholarship, recognizing their dedication to delivering high-quality, compassionate care while pursuing further education and professional development. The 2025 recipients will be announced during the HCHB Users Conference, celebrating their contributions to patient well-being and their drive to build meaningful, lasting careers in home-based care. HCHB is proud to honor these inspiring caregivers and looks forward to the lasting impact of their continued contributions. To learn more about Homecare Homebase's award programs, please visit hchb.com. About Homecare Homebase, LLC Founded by industry veterans in 1999, Homecare HomebaseSM (HCHB) is a Dallas-based software leader empowering exceptional home-based care through hosted, cloud-based technology solutions and administrative services. HCHB's customized mobile solutions enable real-time, wireless data exchange and communication between field clinicians, physicians and office staff for better care, more accurate reporting and improved revenue cycle management. HCHB's products and services streamline operations, simplify compliance and boost clinical and financial outcomes for home-based care agencies. Each year, over 300,000 HCHB users serve approximately one million patients daily, resulting in over 121 million annual visits. Homecare Homebase is a Hearst Health company. For more information, visit hchb.com or call us toll-free at 1-866-535-HCHB (4242). About Hearst Health The mission of Hearst Health is to guide healthcare organizations by delivering essential intelligence and software that improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care. Hearst Health has been innovating with care for more than 40 years, with a commitment to making a lasting positive impact on health. The Hearst Health companies FDB , Homecare Homebase , MCG , MHK , QGenda and Zynx Health elevate care by informing and empowering participants across the health journey. To learn more, visit www.hearst.com/hearst-health and follow @Hearst Health on LinkedIn . SOURCE Homecare Homebase Reunites 17th Family Whose Military Honors Were Missing for Years VIDEO TO BE POSTED HERE: https://cms.illinois.gov/agency/media/video/videos.html OAK LAWN, Ill., Nov. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On the day before Veterans Day, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned a lost Purple Heart medal to the niece of a World War II veteran who was injured while fighting in France and Germany. Frerichs reunited Army Rifleman James R. Bennett's medal with niece Patti Knies during a ceremony at VFW Post 5220 in Oak Lawn. Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned a lost Purple Heart medal to Patti Knies, niece of World War II Army Rifleman James R. Bennett, who was injured while fighting in France and Germany. The ceremony was held the at VFW Post 5220 in Oak Lawn, IL and is the 17th lost medal Frerichs has returned as part of Operation Purple Heart, an unprecedented mission to reunite the military honor with veterans or their family members. It is the 17th lost medal Frerichs has returned as part of Operation Purple Heart, an unprecedented mission to reunite the military honor with the rightful owners. The iconic medal is awarded to individuals wounded or killed during military combat. Bennett was wounded twice during his service: On Aug. 13, 1944, in France and again on Dec. 13, 1944, in Germany. He returned stateside to his wife, Ann, a year later, in December 1945, and they made Oak Lawn their lifelong home. "Rifleman Bennett served his country honorably. He frequently wrote his wife, assuring her of his safety and downplaying his sacrifice," Frerich said. "It is never too late to honor the men and women of the Greatest Generation." A few years after the war, the Bennetts had their only child, a daughter named Susan. She suffered from encephalitis and developed disabilities so severe she was not expected to survive beyond early childhood. Susan lived into her 50s. James Bennett died in 1990 at age 76. Ann Bennet died seven years later. Patty Knies, Mr. Bennett's niece, became Susan's legal guardian. Frerichs presented the Purple Heart to Patty during a ceremony at the Johnson-Phelps VFW Post 5220 in Oak Lawn. "He was such a wonderful man, and it is an honor to hold his Purple Heart," said Knies, who lives in Northwest Indiana. "So many soldiers and families suffered and sacrificed so much. It is important that they be remembered." James Bennett served as a volunteer firefighter and part-time member of the police department. And he repaired toys for children with disabilities. The Purple Heart and other items were in an Oak Lawn bank safe deposit box in Ann's name. Knies said her aunt never mentioned it. The box's contents were surrendered to the Illinois State Treasurer's Office as unclaimed property in 2022. Safeguarding unclaimed property until it can be returned to its owners or heirs no matter how long it takes is a core function of the state treasurer's office. Other examples of unclaimed property include bank accounts, unpaid life insurance benefits and uncashed rebate checks. This is the 17th Purple Heart medal Treasurer Frerichs has returned to the soldier or the soldier's family, an unparalleled record in Illinois and the nation. A list of unclaimed Purple Heart medals in possession of the Illinois State Treasurer's Office is available online. "If you recognize a name, please reach out to their family. This is an honor that deserves to be in their loving hands, not the cold, dark vault of my safe," Frerichs said. "You also can contact my office through operationpurpleheart.org." Military medals are among the most difficult items to return because neither the Armed Forces nor the federal government maintain a comprehensive list of awardees. In most of these cases, the conflict in which the Purple Heart was awarded, such as World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or Desert Storm, is unclear or unknown. About the Illinois Treasurer The Illinois State Treasurer's Office is a powerful economic engine that invests in people to drive prosperity, development and growth throughout the state. As State Treasurer, Michael Frerichs (FRAIR'iks) is the state's Chief Investment and Banking Officer and actively manages approximately $60 billion. The investments help families pay for college and trade school; workers save for a dignified retirement; and local governments process bill payments more efficiently so they can pass along the savings to taxpayers. The office provides financial institutions money to loan to farmers, small business owners, and qualified individuals at below-market rates because better jobs create stronger communities. The office operates the state's largest consumer-protection initiative, the missing money I-Cash program, which has returned a record-breaking $2.4 billion since Frerichs was elected. For more news about the State Treasurer's Office, please follow Treasurer Frerichs on X (formerly Twitter) at @ILTreasurer, Threads @iltreasurer, Instagram at ILTreasurer, LinkedIn and on Facebook at Invested in You Treasurer Michael Frerichs. SOURCE Office of the Illinois State Treasurer Photo: https://www.facebook.com/nabu.gov.ua Anti-corruption authorities reported suspicions to seven people in participation in a large-scale corruption scheme in the energy sector, and five were detained, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) reports. "The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) have uncovered the activities of a criminal organization that included current and former officials from the energy sector, a businessman known in the media, and other individuals. Its members established a large-scale corruption scheme to influence the operations of strategic state-owned enterprises, including JSC Energoatom, obtain illicit profits, and launder funds," according to a statement posted on Telegram on Tuesday. At present, the following individuals have been notified of suspicion: the businessman -leader of the criminal organization; a former adviser to the Minister of Energy; the Executive Director for Physical Protection and Security at JSC Energoatom; and four individuals working in the back office responsible for legalizing funds. The authorities are currently considering applying preventive measures through the court. The main activity of the criminal organization involved systematically obtaining illicit benefits from Energoatom contractors, ranging from 10% to 15% of contract values. Specifically, Energoatoms contractors were forced to pay kickbacks to avoid the blocking of payments for provided services or delivered products, or to prevent losing their status as suppliers. This practice was referred to as the "slagbaum" scheme. To implement the scheme, the leader of the criminal organization involved a former deputy head of the State Property Fund, who later became an adviser to the Minister of Energy, as well as a former law enforcement officer who held the position of Executive Director for Physical Protection and Security at the company. Using their official connections within the ministry and the state-owned company, the individuals ensured control over personnel decisions, procurement processes, and financial flows. In effect, the management of a strategic enterprise with an annual revenue exceeding UAH 200 billion was carried out not by official executives, but by outsiders who held no formal authority yet assumed the role of "overseers." The function of legalizing illicitly obtained funds was assigned to a separate office of the criminal organization located in central Kyiv. The premises belonged to family of former Ukrainian MP and current Russian Federation senator Andriy Derkach, who has been charged by NABU and SAPO in another criminal proceeding. Through this office, strict accounting of the received funds was maintained, "black" bookkeeping was kept, and money laundering was organized via a network of non-resident companies. A significant portion of the operations - including cash withdrawals - was carried out outside Ukraine. For providing services to individuals outside the criminal organization, the office received a commission in the form of a percentage of the laundered sums. In total, around $100 million passed through this so-called "laundry" during the period of documented activity. The special operation to document the organizations activities lasted for more than 15 months, beginning in the summer of 2024. During this time, investigators gathered a vast amount of data and obtained thousands of hours of audio recordings. At the final stage, nearly the entire staff of the National Anti-Corruption Bureaus detectives took part in the operation. Under court warrants, more than 70 searches were conducted in Kyiv and other regions, resulting in the seizure of a large volume of documents and cash. The operation was code-named "Midas." NABU detectives and SAPO prosecutors continue to identify other members of the criminal organization. The investigation is ongoing. LOS ANGELES, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. ("Inspire" or "the Company") (NYSE: INSP) for violations of the securities laws. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Inspire reported Q2 earnings on August 4, 2025, lowering its full-year revenue guidance and disclosing delays in the rollout of its "Inspire V" system. The Company revealed that treatment centers had postponed the adoption of its new system due to not being able to bill Medicare until July 1, 2025. Based on this news, shares of Inspire fell by almost 40.6% in intraday trading on August 5, 2025. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at [email protected]. The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics. CONTACT: The Schall Law Firm Brian Schall, Esq. 310-301-3335 [email protected] www.schallfirm.com SOURCE The Schall Law Firm ATLANTA, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Automotive announced today that Jonathan Smoke has been named executive vice president and chief strategy officer, effective Nov. 10. Smoke will succeed Amy Mills, who will be departing at the end of the year, following the announcement in July of her retirement after nearly 25 years of service at Cox Automotive. Jonathan Smoke is Cox Automotive's chief strategy officer. Since joining Cox Automotive as chief economist in 2017, Smoke has been an integral part of the company's strategic planning process and a trusted voice both within Cox Automotive and across the broader automotive industry. His ability to translate complex data into actionable insights has helped guide the enterprise through significant market volatility and positioned the company for continued growth. Since January 2024, Smoke has also served as chief economic advisor for Cox Enterprises, parent company of Cox Automotive, demonstrating his broad ability to connect macroeconomic trends with business strategy. "No one has a better understanding of our business and the external industry environment than Jonathan does," said Steve Rowley, president of Cox Automotive. "His counsel and expertise will be invaluable as we shape our future direction, and we have confidence in his ability to steer us to success in this expanded role." Smoke brings nearly three decades of strategic leadership experience across diverse industries. Before joining Cox Automotive, he held the role of chief economist at Realtor.com and Hanley Wood, a media and market intelligence firm. He served in multiple leadership positions at Beazer Homes, including senior vice president of Strategy and Innovation. In conjunction with this announcement, Jeremy Robb has been named interim chief economist to ensure continuity in economic analysis and industry insights as the search for a full-time chief economist begins. Robb currently serves as senior director and deputy chief economist at Cox Automotive. About Cox Automotive Cox Automotive is the world's largest automotive services and technology provider. Fueled by the largest breadth of first-party data fed by 2.3 billion online interactions a year, Cox Automotive tailors leading solutions for car shoppers, auto manufacturers, dealers, lenders and fleets. The company has 29,000+ employees on five continents and a portfolio of industry-leading brands that include Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, vAuto, Dealertrack, NextGear Capital, CentralDispatch and FleetNet America. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately owned, Atlanta-based company with $23 billion in annual revenue. Visit coxautoinc.com or connect via @CoxAutomotive on X, CoxAutoInc on Facebook or Cox-Automotive-Inc on LinkedIn. SOURCE Cox Automotive CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Moona, the beloved Inman Square restaurant known for its bold Levantine flavors, is expanding with a second location at 750 Main Street in Cambridge's Central Square inside the MIT Engine Building. This new iteration builds on Moona's Inman Square legacy, tripling the footprint and adding a new layer of creative energy. Restaurant itself will include a total of 97 seats comprised of a 57-seat dining room, 10-seat bar, and 30-seat cafe by day, lounge by night that can also host private events for groups of 10 to 30 guests. Dinner service will feature a bread & dip section, mezze, and large-format dishes for groups, whole fish, lamb, and other shared plates; encouraging communal dining in the Levantine tradition. The wine list will emphasize Lebanese, Greek, and Georgian producers, while the bar program will spotlight seasonal cocktails and mocktails incorporating Levantine flavors. By day, Sawa Cafe ("sawa" meaning "together"), a fast-casual, community-oriented space for breakfast and lunch designed for people who want to linger, work, and connect. Guests can expect a unique croissant program delivering a rotating selection of sweet and savory Viennoiserie featuring Levantine-inspired flavors. In addition to Lebanese-influenced pastries, breakfast, and lunch, Sawa Cafe will introduce Boston's first Lebanese soft-serve program, featuring seasonally rotating flavors such as preserved lemon and salted tahini, topped with confitures, crunchy toppings, sweet and tart sauces, curds, chocolate bites, and more. Lunch will feature sandwiches that are twists on Lebanese classics, along with salads, dips, mezze, and sweet and savory pastries utilizing Lebanese pantry (mouneh) items. By night, the cafe space transitions into Sahra Lounge ("sahra" meaning "night out"), a more convivial experience that evokes the warmth and energy of a Beirut speakeasy: a relaxed setting where guests can enjoy a drink and a small bite or even ask for a backgammon table. Designed as a counterpoint to the daytime cafe, Sahra Lounge invites guests to unwind without the formality of a full meal, perhaps just a cocktail and a bowl of olives. "Moona has always been about the pantry, which preserves fresh local ingredients for use year-round" says owner, Mohamad El Zein. "We're continuing to dive deeper into sourcing spices, olives, molasses, oils, tweaking spice blends, pickling, nuts, honeys, and so much more. It's not just the food at the table that's enjoyable, it's also everything else at the table. That's where we come in, to brighten the day!" The opening of Moona's new Central Square location brings together a powerhouse team of hospitality professionals. At the helm is owner Mohamad El Zein, whose vision continues to define Moona's evolution from its Inman Square roots. He is joined by Executive Chef Scott Ryan, a North Shore native who has refined his culinary vision across the country. His experience includes Boston-area institutions Sofra and Harvest; Washington, D.C.'s acclaimed Mockingbird Hill, honored by Bon Appetit among its "50 Best New Restaurants in America", and Denver's Clayton Hotel & Members Club, where he directed five dining outlets that earned a Michelin Key. Overseeing the front of house is General Manager Robert Taylor, formerly of Benedetto. A certified sommelier and Best of Boston "Wine Program" winner, he is known for his intuitive hospitality and deep wine knowledge. The creative spirit behind the pastry program is Pastry Chef Giselle Miller, whose career includes time at Barbara Lynch's Menton and a James Beard Award runner-up distinction. Events and Catering Director Kaila Fong brings a background in menu development from her tenure at Weco, while Beverage Director Hassan Sawly, previously of Chickadee, as well as, Les Sablons with Garrett Harker and Jackson Cannon leads the restaurant's thoughtful, dynamic beverage program. Together, this team represents the next chapter of Moona, balancing experience, innovation, and a shared passion for hospitality. Moona will open in December 2025 hosting dinner service first. The projected opening hours will be 5:00PM 9:00PM Tuesday Thursday and 5:00PM 10:00PM on Friday and Saturday with the restaurant closed on Sunday and Monday. Additional hours to be announced. The current location of Moona at 243 Hampshire Street in Cambridge, MA will continue to operate with eventual plans for the Central Square location to be the sole flagship location. For more information on Moona, please visit: https://www.moonarestaurant.com/ SOURCE Moona TSX: MPVD TORONTO, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. ("Mountain Province", the "Company") (TSX: MPVD) today announces financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025 ("the Quarter" or "Q3 2025") from the Gahcho Kue Diamond Mine ("GK Mine"). All figures are expressed in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise noted. Q3 2025 Key Takeaways 409,081 carats were sold for total proceeds of $29.2 million (US$21.2 million) at an average price of $71 per carat (US$52). Adjusted EBITDA 1 of ($4.3) million. of ($4.3) million. Loss from mine operations of $29.0 million. Net loss of $55.9 million or $0.26 basic and diluted loss per share. 1Cash costs of production, including capitalized stripping costs, and adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS measures with no standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS. See "Reconciliation of non-IFRS measures" at the end of the news release for explanation and reconciliation. Mark Wall, the Company's President, and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Q3 2025 was a period of hard work on safety and mine operations. On safety we finished Q3 2025 with a Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) of 1.43 for the first nine months, which is the lowest TRIFR in the history of the mine. In the period after the quarter the injury frequency rate has dropped even further to 1.29. Operating safely is of utmost importance, and this focus will continue. During Q3 2025 we progressed the important work of stripping down to the much higher grade 5034-NEX orebody, and I can report that subsequent to the end of Q3 2025 we are mining consistently in that orebody and feeding that material into the processing plant. A planned 5-day shutdown of the processing plant was executed during September to undertake a variety of maintenance tasks that will set the processing plant up for the year ahead. This lowered tonnes treated for the quarter. The strong mining performance continued in Q3 2025 and with the arrival of the cold weather the mine is well set up for 2026. Q3 2025 carat production was impacted by lower than expected stockpile grades, with some positive tailwind from processing transitional NEX material as we reached the main orebody. Grades are expected to significantly improve in Q4 2025, and we are seeing much improved grades since the end of the quarter Overall costs are generally consistent with budget while lower carat recovery has impacted costs on a per-carat basis, and the release of previously capitalized costs that are released when stockpile material is treated, has negatively impacted costs per tonne processed. On the diamond market, the US retail market remains robust, while the tariffs continue to have a negative effect on price." Financial Highlights for Q3 2025 Revenue from 409,081 carats sold at $29.2 million (US$21.2 million) at an average realised value of $71 per carat (US$52) compared to $69.4 million from 679,599 carats sold in Q3 2024 (US$50.8 million) at an average realized value of $102 per carat (US$75). Adjusted EBITDA 1 of ($4.3) million compared to $17.3 million in Q3 2024. of ($4.3) million compared to $17.3 million in Q3 2024. Loss from mine operations of $29.0 million compared to $11.0 million in Q3 2024. Cash costs of production, including capitalized stripping costs 1 of $143 per tonne treated (2024: $125 per tonne) and $121 per carat recovered (2024: $101 per carat). of $143 per tonne treated (2024: $125 per tonne) and $121 per carat recovered (2024: $101 per carat). Net loss of $55.9 million or $0.26 loss per share (2024: Net loss of $19.0 million or $0.09 loss per share). Included in the determination of net loss are foreign exchange losses of $10.7 million, the majority of which is an unrealized loss arising on the translation of the Company's US Dollar denominated long term debt, because of the weakening of the Canadian Dollar versus US Dollar. 1Cash costs of production, including capitalized stripping costs, and Adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS measures with no standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS. See the Non-IFRS Measures section of the Company's September 30, 2025 MD&A for explanation and reconciliation. Operational Highlights for Q3 2025 ( all figures reported on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated ) 847,024 ore tonnes treated, 12% lower than Q3 2024 (961,371 tonnes treated) 1,000,887 carats recovered, 16% lower than Q3 2024 (1,187,912 carats recovered) Average grade of 1.18 carats per tonne treated, 5% lower than Q3 2024 (1.24 carats per tonne) 807,458 ore tonnes mined, 13% lower than Q3 2024 (923,814 ore tonnes mined) Sales Highlights for Q3 2025 As previously released, during Q3 2025, 409,081 carats were sold for total proceeds of $29.2 million (US$21.2 million), resulting in an average price of $71 per carat (US$52 per carat). These results compare to Q3 2024 where 679,599 carats were sold for total proceeds of $69.4 million (US$50.8 million) at an average price per carat of $102 per carat (US$75 per carat). Financial Highlights for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 Total sales revenue of $110 million (US$78.5 million) at an average realised value of $88 per carat (US$63) compared to $215.7 million in 2024 (US$158.4 million) at an average realized value of $99 per carat (US$73). Adjusted EBITDA 2 of ($0.4) million (2024: $91.3 million). of ($0.4) million (2024: $91.3 million). Loss from mine operations of $103.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to earnings from mine operations of $31.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 Cash costs of production, including capitalized stripping costs 2 , of $156 per tonne treated (2024: $112 per tonne) and $168 per carat recovered (2024: $81 per carat). , of $156 per tonne treated (2024: $112 per tonne) and $168 per carat recovered (2024: $81 per carat). Net loss of $128 million or $0.60 basic and diluted loss per share (for the nine months ended September 30, 2024: net loss $18.6 million or $0.09 basic and diluted loss per share). Included in the determination of the net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, are foreign exchange gains of $7 million, the majority of which is an unrealized gain on the translation of the Company's US Dollar denominated long term debt arising because of the strengthening of the Canadian Dollar versus US Dollar. Capital expenditures $96.7 million, $82.7 million of which were deferred stripping costs, with the remaining $14 million for sustaining capital expenditures related to mine operations. 2Cash costs of production, including capitalized stripping costs, and Adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS measures with no standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS. See the Non-IFRS Measures section of the Company's September 30, 2025 MD&A for explanation and reconciliation. Operational Highlights for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 (all figures reported on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated) 30,460,000 total tonnes mined in the nine months ended September 30, 2025, 25% higher than 24,400,000 total tonnes mined for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. 2,657,000 tonnes of ore treated in the nine months ended September 30, 2025, 3% lower than 2,733,000 tonnes treated for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. 2,472,000 carats recovered at an average grade of 0.93 carats per tonne in the nine months ended September 30, 2025, 34% lower than 3,771,000 carats, (1.38 carats per tonne) recovered for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Gahcho Kue Mine Operations The following table summarizes key operating statistics for the Gahcho Kue Mine in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, and 2024. Three months ended Three months ended Nine months ended Nine months ended September 30, 2025 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2025 September 30, 2024 GK operating data Mining *Ore tonnes mined kilo tonnes 807 924 942 3,842 *Waste tonnes mined kilo tonnes 9,116 7,679 29,518 20,558 *Total tonnes mined kilo tonnes 9,923 8,603 30,460 24,400 *Ore in stockpile kilo tonnes 2,336 3,426 2,336 3,426 Processing *Ore tonnes processed kilo tonnes 847 961 2,657 2,733 *Average plant throughput tonnes per day 9,011 10,446 9,627 9,974 *Average diamond recovery carats per tonne 1.18 1.24 0.93 1.38 *Diamonds recovered 000's carats 1,001 1,187 2,472 3,771 Approximate diamonds recovered - Mountain Province 000's carats 490 582 1,211 1,848 Cash costs of production per tonne of ore, net of capitalized stripping ** $ 92 90 93 77 Cash costs of production per tonne of ore, including capitalized stripping** $ 143 125 156 112 Cash costs of production per carat recovered, net of capitalized stripping** $ 78 73 99 56 Cash costs of production per carat recovered, including capitalized stripping** $ 121 101 168 81 Sales Approximate diamonds sold - Mountain Province*** 000's carats 409 680 1,246 2,175 Average diamond sales price per carat US $ 52 $ 75 $ 63 $ 73 * at 100% interest in the Gahcho Kue Mine **See Non-IFRS Measures section of the Company's September 30, 2025 MD&A for explanation and reconciliation ***Includes the sales directly to De Beers for fancies and specials acquired by De Beers through the production split bidding process Financial Performance Three months ended Three months ended Nine months ended Nine months ended (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted) September 30, 2025 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2025 September 30, 2024 Sales $ 29,164 69,413 109,983 215,669 Carats sold 000's carats 409 680 1,246 2,175 Average price per carat sold $/carat 71 102 88 99 Cost of sales per carat* $/carat 142 118 172 85 (Loss) earnings from mine operations per carat $ (71) (16) (84) 14 (Loss) earnings from mine operations % (99 %) (16 %) (95 %) 14 % Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 2,254 2,795 7,228 9,105 Operating (loss) income $ (31,418) (14,393) (111,660) 21,438 Net loss for the period $ (55,863) (18,988) (127,980) (18,648) Basic loss per share $ (0.26) (0.09) (0.60) (0.09) Diluted loss per share $ (0.26) (0.09) (0.60) (0.09) * This cost of sales per carat includes the cost of acquiring 51% of the fancies and specials which have been sold, after having been won in a tendering process with De Beers Canada. Conference Call The Company will host its quarterly conference call on Wednesday, November 12th, 2025, at 11:00AM Eastern Time. Title: Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Q3 2025 Earnings Conference Call Date of call: 11/12/2025 Time of call: 11:00AM Eastern Time Expected Duration: 60 minutes Webcast Link: https://app.webinar.net/MBLmj14DGoe North American Toll-Free Number: (+1) 888-699-1199 Participant Local/International Number: (+1) 416-945-7677 A replay of the webcast and audio call will be available on the Company's website. Reconciliation of Non-IFRS measures This news release refers to the terms "Cash costs of production per tonne of ore processed" and "Cash costs of production per carat recovered," both including and net of capitalized stripping costs and "Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes Depreciation and Amortization (Adjusted EBITDA)" and "Adjusted EBITDA Margin." Each of these is a non-IFRS performance measure and is referenced to provide investors with information about the measures used by management to monitor performance. These measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. They do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Cash costs of production per tonne of ore processed and cash costs of production per carat recovered are used by management to analyze the actual cash costs associated with processing the ore, and for each recovered carat. Differences from production costs reported within cost of sales are attributed to the amount of production cost included in ore stockpile and rough diamond inventories. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management to analyze the operational cash flows of the Company, as compared to the net income for accounting purposes. It is also a measure which is defined in the Notes documents. Adjusted EBITDA margin is used by management to analyze the operational margin % on cash flows of the Company. The following table provides a reconciliation of the Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin with the net (loss) income on the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss: Three months ended Three months ended Nine months ended Nine months ended September 30, 2025 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2025 September 30, 2024 Net loss for the period $ (55,863) $ (18,988) $ (127,980) $ (18,648) Add/deduct: Non-cash depreciation and depletion 17,656 20,200 68,245 56,574 Loss on sale of equipment - - - 527 Net realizable value adjustment included in production costs 10,718 10,765 46,038 10,765 Share-based payment expense 71 216 297 586 Fair value loss (gain) of warrants - (178) 1,099 (2,034) (Gain) loss on lease - - (4) (46) Finance expenses 15,205 10,837 39,779 31,885 Derivative losses (gains) 716 (891) (2,617) 3,911 Deferred income (recovery) taxes (2,930) (1,795) (14,000) 1,290 Current income taxes - 150 160 450 Unrealized foreign exchange losses (gains) 10,152 (3,042) (11,432) 6,008 Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and depletion (Adjusted EBITDA) $ (4,275) $ 17,274 $ (415) $ 91,268 Sales 29,164 69,413 109,983 215,669 Adjusted EBITDA margin (15 %) 25 % 0 % 42 % The following table provides a reconciliation of the cash costs of production per tonne of ore processed and per carat recovered and the production costs reported within cost of sales on the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss: Three months ended Three months ended Nine months ended Nine months ended (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted) September 30, 2025 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2025 September 30, 2024 Cost of sales production costs $ 38,344 55,018 131,196 114,754 Timing differences due to inventory and other non-cash adjustments $ (267) (12,504) (10,712) (12,074) Cash cost of production of ore processed, net of capitalized stripping $ 38,077 42,514 120,484 102,680 Cash costs of production of ore processed, including capitalized stripping $ 59,152 58,945 203,169 149,999 Tonnes processed kilo tonnes 415 471 1,302 1,339 Carats recovered 000's carats 490 582 1,211 1,848 Cash costs of production per tonne of ore, net of capitalized stripping $ 92 90 93 77 Cash costs of production per tonne of ore, including capitalized stripping $ 143 125 156 112 Cash costs of production per carat recovered, net of capitalized stripping $ 78 73 99 56 Cash costs of production per carat recovered, including capitalized stripping $ 121 101 168 81 About Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Mountain Province Diamonds is a 49% participant with De Beers Canada in the Gahcho Kue diamond mine located in Canada's Northwest Territories. The Gahcho Kue Joint Venture property consists of several kimberlites that are actively being mined, developed, and explored for future development. The Company also controls more than 113,000 hectares of highly prospective mineral claims and leases surrounding the Gahcho Kue Mine that include an Indicated mineral resource for the Kelvin kimberlite and Inferred mineral resources for the Faraday kimberlites. Kelvin is estimated to contain 13.62 million carats (Mct) in 8.50 million tonnes (Mt) at a grade of 1.60 carats/tonne and value of US$63/carat, at February 2019. Faraday 2 is estimated to contain 5.45Mct in 2.07Mt at a grade of 2.63 carats/tonne and value of US$140/ct, at February 2019. Faraday 1-3 is estimated to contain 1.90Mct in 1.87Mt at a grade of 1.04 carats/tonne and value of US$75/carat, at February 2019. All resource estimations are based on a 1mm diamond size bottom cut-off. Qualified Person The disclosure in this news release of scientific and technical information regarding Mountain Province's mineral properties has been reviewed and approved by Tom McCandless, Ph.D., P.Geo, and Mr. Tysen Hantelmann, P.Eng., independent advisors to the Company and Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian and United States securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to operational hazards, including possible disruption due to pandemic such as COVID-19, its impact on travel, self-isolation protocols and business and operations, estimated production and mine life of the project of Mountain Province; the realization of mineral reserve estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; costs of production; the future price of diamonds; the estimation of mineral reserves and resources; the ability to manage debt; capital expenditures; the ability to obtain permits for operations; liquidity; tax rates; and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to Mountain Province, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates," "may," "can," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "targets," "intends," "likely," "will," "should," "to be", "potential" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "should" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are based on several assumptions and 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. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Mountain Province and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include the development of operation hazards which could arise in relation to COVID-19, including, but not limited to protocols which may be adopted to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and any impact of such protocols on Mountain Province's business and operations, variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in market conditions, changes in project parameters, mine sequencing; production rates; cash flow; risks relating to the availability and timeliness of permitting and governmental approvals; supply of, and demand for, diamonds; fluctuating commodity prices and currency exchange rates, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated. These factors are discussed in greater detail in Mountain Province's most recent Annual Information Form and in the most recent MD&A filed on SEDAR, which also provide additional general assumptions in connection with these statements. Mountain Province cautions that the foregoing list of crucial factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. Mountain Province believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Although Mountain Province has attempted to identify crucial factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events, or results not to be anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Mountain Province undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered as the property is developed. Further, Mountain Province may make changes to its business plans that could affect its results. The principal assets of Mountain Province are administered pursuant to a joint venture under which Mountain Province is not the operator. Mountain Province is exposed to actions taken or omissions made by the operator within its prerogative and/or determinations made by the joint venture under its terms. Such actions or omissions may impact the future performance of Mountain Province. Under its current note and revolving credit facilities Mountain Province is subject to certain limitations on its ability to pay dividends on common stock. The declaration of dividends is at the discretion of Mountain Province's Board of Directors, subject to the limitations under the Company's debt facilities, and will depend on Mountain Province's financial results, cash requirements, prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board SOURCE Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. In 3Q25, the company announced the agreement to sell Avon International, expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, and completed the sale of Avon operations in Central America and the Dominican Republic Operating results in Latin America reflect a slowdown in consumption in Brazil and temporary effects from the integration with Avon in Mexico and Argentina The Company reiterates its commitment to improving profitability in full year 2025 compared to 2024 SAO PAULO, Nov. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Natura (B3: NATU3) reported its third quarter 2025 results today. Consolidated net revenue was R$ 5.194 billion, down -3.8% year-on-year in constant currency. The results reflect the slowdown in the beauty market in Brazil, along with temporary and expected operational impacts from the integration with Avon in Argentina and Mexico. The Mexican operations showed a recovery in performance throughout 3Q25. In Brazil, the Natura brand ended the quarter with revenues stable year-over-year, while in Hispanic America, it posted growth across all countries except Argentina, where stability is expected from early next year. The revenue decline, driven by consumption constraints in Brazil and temporary operational challenges in Argentina and Mexico three markets that together represent around 85% of the business resulted in lower expense dilution. As a result, the recurring EBITDA margin in Latin America was 11.7% (-360 bps). Gross margin remained healthy across the region. "We are confident that profitability will improve in the next quarter and remain committed to expanding our EBITDA margin for the full year 2025. Mexico stabilized toward the end of the quarter, and Argentina is already showing signs of recovery. At the same time, the efficiency and cost containment measures already underway will further support profitability improvements. We remain focused on expanding our leadership in Latin America, including Brazil, while accelerating growth and profitability in Hispanic markets, particularly Mexico," stated Joao Paulo Ferreira, CEO. Natura continues to make consistent progress in its omnichannel strategy. Both digital and retail channels sustained accelerated growth, reinforcing their role as important drivers of revenue. Retail expansion remained robust, with 89 new stores opened in Brazil and 32 in Hispanic America in the period. The penetration of Emana Pay, Natura's fintech, reached 36% of the consultant base, up by 50% when compared to the same period last year. The financial solutions ecosystem enhances credit access and serves as an important lever for channel productivity. Corporate simplification nearing completion In 3Q25, Natura completed its integration with Avon across Latin America. The corporate simplification process also advanced with the completion of the sale of Avon operations in Central America and the Dominican Republic. In addition, the Company announced an agreement to sell Avon International, excluding Russia, with closing expected in 1Q26, and continues to make progress on strategic alternatives for the Russian operation. The Avon brand in Latin America remains under Natura's management. With the agreement to sell Avon International's assets, this quarter's balance sheet reflected a non-recurring, non-cash write-off of R$ R$ 1.7 billion, with no impact on operations. Regeneration Natura also announced that, starting in fiscal year 2025, it will adopt the new IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 standards, which enhance transparency and comparability in sustainability- and climate-related financial disclosures. With this decision, the Company is among the first in Brazil to anticipate the mandatory requirement. This month, Natura is participating in COP-30 in Belem, seeking to raise awareness and scale climate and socio-environmental solutions in the Amazon a region where it has operated for more than 25 years. Join Natura's Q3 2025 earnings conference call. Tuesday, November 11, 2025 07:00 a.m. | New York | 09:00 a.m. | Brasilia | 12:00 p.m. | London Link: https://tenmeetings.com.br/ten-events/#/webinar?evento=ConferenciadeResultados3T25-NATURA_163 U.S. Should End Amalgam Use Now, Consumers for Dental Choice urges GENEVA, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The nations of the world have enacted an end to dentistry's notorious and toxic amalgam era. On 7 November, without dissent, they amended the Minamata Convention on Mercury to stop the use of mercury-based dental fillings as of 1/1/2034. Dental amalgam, deceptively marketed as "silver fillings", is 50% mercury. Modern dentists stopped using amalgam years ago, but its use persists throughout the United States due to (1) entrenched bureaucracies unwilling to change (like the Pentagon), (2) cut-rate insurance plans (like from Delta Dental), and (3) "drill-fill-and-bill" dentists who trivialize amalgam's toxicity. "Enshrining into international law this ban on mercury in the mouth is a milestone for human rights," said Charlie Brown, executive director of the Washington-based Consumers for Dental Choice, www.toxicteeth.org. "We are grateful to all the nations of the great continent of Africa who spearheaded this Amendment, to the European Union which bans amalgam, and to the three whose late endorsement turned the tide: the United States, Brazil, and the World Health Organization." "The environment, the public health, and workplace safety necessitate that the United States end amalgam nownot run out the clock," Brown said. "We call on federal and state department heads to order their dental bureaucracies to stop their use. Insurance companies should remove amalgam from their policies. Pro-mercury dentists must stop exploiting dental patients by withholding information about amalgam's risks." At the state level in 2025, the movement to ban amalgam in America began in earnest. Brown points to the Providence Declaration for Mercury-Free Dentistry for Rhode Island, https://www.instagram.com/p/DQekmCoD2ED/, and the advisory by the State of Florida to stop placing amalgam in routine dental care, https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDOH/bulletins/3ef6997 . Since 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned dentists to stop placing amalgam use in children; women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant; and people with kidney dysfunction, neurological impairment, or sensitivities to amalgam components, https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-issues-recommendations-certain-high-risk-groups-regarding-mercury-containing-dental-amalgam . Many American dentists disdainfully disregard these warnings. Contact: Charlie Brown, Consumers for Dental Choice, [email protected], phone/text [1] 202.246.7642 SOURCE Consumers for Dental Choice 4th Annual Defense Summit Highlights Region's Growing National Leadership FORT WAYNE, Ind., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As national defense leaders, policymakers, and industry executives convene in Fort Wayne for the 4th Annual Defense Summit, Northeast Indiana is reaffirming its role as one of the center of innovation and production in America's defense ecosystem. The Summit brings together officials as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, U.S. Senator Jim Banks, and senior executives from top defense firms, underscoring the region's significance in securing the nation's future. "Northeast Indiana has built a unique combination of talent, infrastructure, and collaboration that continues to set the standard for the defense industry," said Stephane Frijia, President & CEO of NEI. "From our engineers and manufacturers to our educational institutions and logistics assets, this region doesn't just contribute to national defenseit powers it." Home to major defense and aerospace employers including L3Harris, BAE Systems, Raytheon, and Ultra Electronics, Northeast Indiana companies are at the forefront of designing and producing the advanced technologies that keep America saferanging from encrypted radios and tactical vehicles to advanced sensors, command and control systems, and components for space and missile defense. Since 2020, businesses in the region have been awarded nearly $2.5 billion in Department of Defense contracts, reflecting the federal government's growing confidence in the region's ability to deliver critical capabilities faster and more efficiently than anywhere else in the country. With more than 95,000 skilled manufacturing workers and 4,500 engineers, Northeast Indiana delivers high-quality innovation at lower cost to taxpayers. The region also benefits from proximity to six of the nation's top 15 engineering schoolswithin 225 milesand graduates more than 10,000 students annually through the Northeast Indiana Colleges and Universities Network, ensuring a robust pipeline of defense and aerospace talent. The Fort Wayne International Airport, featuring a 12,000-foot runway and ongoing multimillion-dollar modernization, further enhances the region's logistical advantages. As a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ #182), the airport and surrounding infrastructure support both commercial and cargo operations for the defense sector, connecting directly to engineering and production hubs across Detroit, Chicago, and Indianapolis. The Defense Summit serves as both a celebration and a call to actiondemonstrating how collaboration between local, state, and federal leaders, defense contractors, and research institutions continues to drive American security and innovation forward. SOURCE Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership (NEI) OLYMPIA, Wash., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Internationally renowned mycologist Paul Stamets recently addressed a distinguished audience at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City as part of a global gathering highlighting transformative leaders advancing human and planetary health.* Stamets' talk explored the powerful immune-supporting properties of Turkey Tail and Agarikontwo mushroom species with extensive research demonstrating their ability to bolster immune function. Drawing on decades of study and discovery, Stamets emphasized how the mycelium of these mushrooms holds profound potential for supporting both personal wellness and the health of our planet.* "Speaking at the United Nations was truly an honor," Stamets said. "The immense potential of Agarikon and Turkey Tail mushroom mycelium to support immune function cannot be understated. The opportunity to share such remarkable findings in front of a global audience is a true testament to fungi's inextricable role as stalwart allies in the health of both people and planet."* For 50 years, Stamets has devoted much of his work as a mycologist to researching and advocating for the essential function that fungi have as cultivators of life on this planet. As Founder, Member, and Owner of Fungi Perfecti, LLC, Makers of Host Defense Mushrooms, Stamets directs his company to reinvest $1 million annually into mycological research and discovery.* Stamets' efforts include organizing clinical trials on the efficacy of mushroom mycelium to support human health and contributing to numerous peer-reviewed scientific journal articles in the field of mycology. As owner of Fungi Perfecti and Host Defense, he and his team have cultivated the world's largest Agarikon culture library in a pursuit to preserve the at-risk species.* "No other company in the mushroom supplement space has contributed more to the field of mycology or fungi for ecological preservation than Fungi Perfecti," Stamets said. "I've ensured that our work has always been in service to science, sustainability, and discoverythis moment at the United Nations stands as a milestone of this lifelong mission." About Fungi Perfecti, LLCMakers of Host Defense Mushrooms Fungi Perfecti, LLC is a family-owned company founded by internationally renowned mycologist Paul Stamets, who launched Host Defense Mushrooms under Fungi Perfecti with the goal of building a bridge between people and fungi. Host Defense is now a leading mushroom supplement brand in the U.S., specializing in mushroom mycelium-based supplements designed to support human health. Its product line reflects the company's commitment to sustainability, scientific integrity, research, and education.* Fungi Perfecti has become synonymous with cutting-edge mycological research and solutionsfrom water filtration (mycofiltration) and ecological rehabilitation (mycoremediation) to combating Colony Collapse Disorder in bees. A Certified B Corporation, Fungi Perfecti is third-party designated as Climate Positive, offsetting 110% of its carbon emissions, and is a certified Leading Living Wage Employer. Follow Host Defense and Fungi Perfecti on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. SOURCE Fungi Perfecti, LLC CHICAGO, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PRA, a leading national U.S. business events management company supporting clients' off-site business events such as corporate meetings, incentive travel programs and conferences, today announced the appointment of Bob Priest-Heck to the company's Board of Directors, effective November 7. Bob Priest-Heck, PRA Board Member for EagleTree Capital Priest-Heck brings over three decades of leadership experience in the events and experiential marketing industry. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Freeman, where he guided the company through a transformative period of innovation and global growth. During his tenure, Priest-Heck broadened the company's service offerings, championed digital and technological transformation, and fostered a strong, values-driven culture. He is currently engaged in a partnership with San Diego State University L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management to advance the hospitality, tourism, and event industries. The International Association of Exhibitions and Events recently awarded Priest-Heck its 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. "I am thrilled to welcome Bob to the PRA Board," said Ariane Coldiron, CEO of PRA. "Having had the privilege of working under Bob's leadership at Freeman, I've seen firsthand Bob's ability to lead large-scale event organizations, his deep understanding of client engagement, and his passion for innovation. I am thrilled to collaborate with him as we continue to elevate PRA's services and expand our impact in the business events industry." Priest-Heck will work closely with PRA's leadership team, the company's private equity partner EagleTree Capital, and the rest of the Board to support PRA's long-term strategic vision. "I've had the privilege of working alongside some of the most passionate professionals in the events industry, and PRA stands out as a company that truly understands the power of experience to drive business results," said Priest-Heck . "I'm excited to join the PRA Board, work with the team at EagleTree and contribute to its continued success as the company redefines what's possible in business event management." "We are fortunate to add Bob to the PRA Board," added Anup Bagaria and Michael Struble, from EagleTree. "We've had the good fortune to know and work with Bob for many years and having someone of his caliber join our board is truly an honor." About PRA PRA is a leading U.S. business events and destination management partner that designs and delivers conferences, incentive programs, sales meetings, tradeshows and more nationwide. The Company's integrated services span strategy and creative, content and production, destination programming and end-to-end logistics, helping clients turn the power of place into innovative results that move people and transform outcomes. With more than 40 years in the industry and coast-to-coast coverage, PRA is trusted by blue-chip organizations for programs in every major U.S. destination and, through select partners, around the world. Recognized repeatedly among Special Events' "Top 25 DMCs," PRA brings seasoned expertise, rigorous execution, and local insider access to every engagement. PRA is a portfolio company of investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm. For more information, visit pra.com. About EagleTree Capital: EagleTree Capital is a leading New York-based middle-market private equity firm, with $4.8 billion of assets under management, that has completed 45+ private equity investments and 105+ add-on transactions over the past 20+ years. EagleTree primarily invests in North America in the following sectors: business services, consumer, and specialty industrial. For more information, visit www.eagletree.com or find EagleTree on LinkedIn. Media Contact: Laurie Knapp M: +1 312.623.3713 [email protected] SOURCE PRA HOBOKEN, N.J., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The greatest threat to your organization may not be lurking in the dark corners of the internet it may be sitting in your office right now, according to Carl Mazzanti, President and Co-Founder of eMazzanti Technologies, a leading provider of IT services and cybersecurity solutions. eMazzanti Technologies President Carl Mazzanti "Over the years, I have consulted for thousands of companies, helping them navigate the complex world of cybersecurity," said Mazzanti. "Early in my career, we had a flooring company as a client. The bookkeeper, a long-term, trusted employee, wrote checks made out to the owner's husband but cashed the checks for themselves. They then tried to hide it by altering the company's records." When caught, the bookkeeper was not fired or reported to authorities. Instead, the company gave them a stern warning and allowed them to return to their duties. "Needless to say, the employee went right back to writing and cashing checks, and the company is no longer around," Mazzanti said. "This is the price of misplaced trust without verification." While external cyberattacks dominate headlines, Mazzanti warns that internal bad actors pose an equally devastatingand often overlookedrisk to organizational security and financial stability. The consequences of ignoring this threat can be catastrophic. The warning extends beyond internal threats. Recently, eMazzanti Technologies itself became the target of a sophisticated cyberattack when criminals created a fraudulent website nearly identical to the company's legitimate emazzanti.net domaindiffering by only a single letter. The malicious site was designed to intercept traffic from unsuspecting organizations, with the goal of penetrating networks, installing malware, and launching devastating attacks. eMazzanti's security team discovered the imposter domain before significant damage occurred and pursued the perpetrator through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). After WIPO transferred control of the fraudulent site to eMazzanti, the company's InfoSec team immediately shut it down. Mazzanti urges all businesses to take immediate steps to secure their operations against both internal and external threats: Mitigate Internal Security Risks: Implement financial controls and separation of duties across all departments Work with an eMazzanti Technologies professional to monitor for red flags, using automated systems with human oversight Create a culture where verification is standard practice, not an insult to trust Take swift, decisive action when theft, fraud , or policy violations are discoveredno second chances for proven bad actors Defend Against External Cyberattacks: Partner with a trusted Managed Services Provider like eMazzanti Technologies to implement robust technical defenses We can help you to conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities before criminals exploit them eMazzanti can train your employees to recognize phishing attempts, domain spoofing, and social engineering tactics "Organizations must adopt a 'trust but verify' approach to security," Mazzanti said. "Working with an experienced cybersecurity partner is no longer optionalit is essential for survival in today's threat landscape." For more information about eMazzanti Technologies and our cybersecurity solutions, please visit our website at [www.emazzanti.net]; contact us by phone at (201) 360-4400, or email us at [[email protected]]. About eMazzanti Technologies eMazzanti's team of trained, certified IT experts deliver rapid response, increased revenue growth, data security, and productivity for organizations of all sizes. The firm offers cloud and mobile solutions, multi-site technology implementations, outsourced network management, 24 x 7 support, digital marketing services, and cybersecurity assessments and protection services. eMazzanti Technologies has received many accolades for superior service delivery and stellar growth. The firm has placed on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing privately held companies eleven times, including eight consecutive years in a row, has been recognized by Microsoft as a 4x partner of the year and a Watchguard 5x partner of the year. NJBIZ has recognized the firm as the Small Business of the Year and also as a leading NJ Digital Innovator in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023, and 2024. SOURCE eMazzanti Technologies Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky has held another working meeting on the development of unmanned systems in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and stated that the priority expansion of unmanned systems units is yielding concrete results the number of enemy units destroyed is growing. "In October, our unmanned aerial systems destroyed 77,000 enemy targets. FPV drones and heavy bombers demonstrated the best combat performance," he wrote on Facebook. The commander-in-chief also announced the expansion of ground-based robotic systems, which, given the expansion of kill zones, are becoming an integral element of modern technological warfare. Thus, the primary objective of using ground-based robotic systems is to preserve the lives of personnel. "The logistical role of ground-based unmanned aerial vehicles is constantly growing: in October, they delivered nearly 300,000 kg of provisions to our units. Evacuating the wounded, laying mines, and using them in combat are the current reality of their use on the front lines," he said. Syrsky heard an intelligence report on the development of enemy unmanned forces. The occupiers are inheriting Ukraine's experience, particularly in creating regiments of unmanned systems and interceptor drones, and are devoting significant resources to this end. "We must constantly improve to maintain our technological advantage," the commander-in-chief said. He paid special attention to scaling up the Unmanned Systems Forces units: increasing the number of trained crews, attracting personnel, and creating the infrastructure for their effective operation. During the meeting, Syrsky heard reports from combat commanders on the implementation of new drone tactics and the use of systems that are more resilient to enemy electronic warfare and more effective in combat. All successful cases that increase enemy losses will be quickly replicated in the Armed Forces, the commander-in-chief assured. "We're increasing the effectiveness of our electronic warfare systems against enemy UAVs. We're working on the quality and quantity of these stations. In October, twice as many short-range electronic warfare systems were delivered to the front compared to September," he said. NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday at the Ernest N Morial Convention Center, latest clinical trial findings were disclosed on the use of human engineered heart muscle as biological ventricular assist tissue (BioVAT) transplants in patients with advanced heart failure. Wolfram Zimmermann, MD, professor and director of the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University Medical Center Gottingen, Germany, presented the first-in-patient, first-in-class "Safety and Efficacy of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Engineered Human Myocardium as Biological Ventricular Assist Tissue in Terminal Heart Failure - BioVAT-HF-DZHK20 - Phase II Interim Data Report". Designed to evaluate safety and initial efficacy, BIOVAT-HF is an investigator-initiated, open label, Phase 1-2 study where functional heart muscle patches engineered from human induced pluripotent stem cells are transplanted on the weakened left ventricle muscle of patients with advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Following a dose escalation stage, the study included a pre-specified interim analysis after completion of 3-month follow-up after 16 patients were treated with the predetermined safe maximal dose. Safety end points included major adverse cardiac events, arrhythmic events, and frequency of immune rejection. Primary efficacy end points included change of target heart wall thickness, change of left ventricular ejection fraction, and change in quality of life determined by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Overall Summary Score (KCCQ-OSS). Today's reported interim analysis indicates that the BioVAT transplants were tolerated well with an acceptable safety profile. At the prespecified 3-month interim time point, the treated heart wall was thickened by 4.5 mm while left ventricular ejection fraction increased by 3.9% and KCCQ-23 OSS increased by 6.7 points. Long-term follow-up for up to 36 months showed sustained augmentation of the target heart wall by 2.7 mm, improved left ventricular ejection fraction by 6.9% and improved KCCQ-OSS by 17 points aligned with the anticipated mode of action of the living BioVAT-transplant. Considering the unmet need in patients with advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, the ability to augment heart wall thickness, improve heart function and improve quality of life by BioVAT transplantation offers a promising new option for patients refractory to the standard of care. Lothar Germeroth, Ph.D., the company's CEO, remarked that "the outcomes reported at the Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association provide further evidence of the attractiveness of Repairon's approach to heart muscle repair. We look forward to expanding the clinical studies and the location of trial sites to benefit patients globally and ultimately demonstrate success by real world evidence". The presented clinical observations are aligned with data collected over decades of research, including pivotal preclinical study in Rhesus macaques as well as first-in-human proof for cardiac remuscularization, published earlier this year in Nature (Jebran et al. 2025). Now, the interim data from 16 patients treated with BioVAT assembled from 20 EHM and 800 million induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes and stromal cells adds important evidence for safety and efficacy in heart failure patients refractory to guideline-directed therapies. Prof. Zimmermann pointed out that although the conclusions from the interim analysis must be considered early evidence "We are highly encouraged by what we have seen thus far and look forward to the transitioning of BioVAT-HF Phase II into a pivotal Phase III trial" High medical need in advanced heart failure: Approximately 5% of the global population suffers from heart failure, a most common cause of hospitalization and mortality. 6 million people are affected in the US. As heart failure progresses, patients experience weakness with discomfort during all physical activities and also at rest, despite optimal care. Approximately 50% of advanced heart failure patients die within 1 year. For these severely ill patients, the only treatment options currently available are mechanical pump devices or heart transplantation. About Repairon: Repairon GmbH is a clinical-stage biotech company based in Gottingen, Germany, focused on developing reparative cell therapies for heart failure. The company was founded in 2014 based on research by Wolfram Zimmermann, MD and his team at the University Medical Center Goettingen, who have developed several tissue engineering technologies with proven applicability in organ repair and drug development. Repairon holds an exclusive license from the University Medical Center Gottingen to develop engineered heart muscle into a viable heart failure therapeutic. Together with the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Repairon GmbH is financing the BioVAT-HF study, which is conducted at the University Medical Centers in Gottingen and Lubeck. Additional centers in and outside Germany will join in the near future. Company contact: Dr. Lothar Germeroth Repairon GmbH 37079 Gottingen - Germany Email: [email protected] US contact: Frank Ahmann Repairon USA Providence, RI Email: [email protected] SOURCE Repairon GmbH Iconic Pen Brand Partners with Hit Series to Bring Parisian Elegance to Every Written Word BANGALORE, India, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sheaffer, the legendary American writing instruments brand synonymous with timeless innovation and craftsmanship, announced a collaboration with Paramount Consumer Products for Netflix's beloved series, Emily in Paris, produced by Paramount Television Studios and creator Darren Star. Launching this holiday season, the limited-edition collection captures the romantic spirit of Paris and Emily Cooper's ambitious charm through exquisitely designed writing instruments, notebooks, and leather accessories. Iconic Pen Brand Partners with Hit Series to Bring Parisian Elegance to Every Written Word The Sheaffer x Emily in Paris collection invites fans to channel their inner Emily Cooper with beautifully crafted products that celebrate the art of thoughtful communication. From fountain pens perfect for penning postcards from Paris to journals ideal for capturing everyday adventures, each piece embodies the show's sophisticated aesthetic and joie de vivre. "Emily in Paris celebrates connection, creativity, and the power of words; values that have been at the heart of Sheaffer for over a century," said Nikhil Ranjan, CEO - Sheaffer. "This collaboration allows us to merge our heritage of fine writing with the show's modern, fashion-forward spirit. We are giving fans the tools to write their own Parisian love story, one elegant stroke at a time." The collection features writing instruments adorned with Parisian motifs, notebooks with illustrated details inspired by Emily's adventures, and sophisticated leather accessories including key fob wallets and passport cases. The design palette mirrors the show's bold energy with pops of pink, classic black accents, and elegant gold hardware, quintessentially Emily. The Sheaffer x Emily in Paris collection will be available from mid-November at select retailers world-wide and online at Sheaffer.com. ABOUT SHEAFFER For over a century, Sheaffer has stood as a symbol of refined craftsmanship and timeless luxury. Celebrated by connoisseurs worldwide, each Sheaffer pen unites heritage artistry with modern sophistication, an emblem of confidence, creativity, and distinction. From the hands of visionaries to collectors' showcases, Sheaffer transforms writing into an experience of prestige and purpose. In an age of fleeting digital impressions, Sheaffer endures as the mark of permanence, a global icon where innovation meets legacy, and every line becomes a lasting expression of elegance. Facebook | Instagram | Youtube Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2812861/Sheaffer_Emily_in_Paris.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2812860/Sheaffer_and_Emily_in_Paris_Logo.jpg SOURCE Sheaffer SAN DIEGO, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SOTERIA Precision Medicine Foundation announced today that it has received a Google.org Veteran Impact Award in the category of Scientific Progress for its Cancer Hunt Initiative, a cutting-edge effort to elevate cancer care for U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) and military veterans. The award was presented during San Francisco Fleet Week, where Google.org honored a select group of nonprofit organizations driving measurable, innovative change for the veteran community. Recipients were nominated and selected by Googlers across the company. "This recognition from Google.org highlights the urgency and promise of our mission," said Julia Civardi, Founder & CEO of SOTERIA. "Through the Cancer Hunt, we're accelerating the use of advanced diagnostics and personalized care to improve outcomes for our nation's elite warriors. We're grateful to Google.org and the Googlers who share in this commitment." The Cancer Hunt Initiative integrates: Early detection and screening Advanced diagnostics Patient centric navigation support Large-scale research effort More than 525,000 active-duty service members were diagnosed with cancer during the Global War on Terror era, with many cases occurring earlier and at more advanced stages than in civilian populations. "Veterans deserve the very best in science, medicine, and advocacy," said Rob Newson, PhD, CAPT, USN (RET) SEAL, Chief Community Officer at SOTERIA. "With Google.org's support, we can accelerate the huntdetecting cancer earlier, personalizing care, and saving lives." The recognition coincided with Google's broader commitment to honoring and supporting veterans during San Francisco Fleet Week, including mentorship and career programs for service members and their families. About SOTERIA Precision Medicine Foundation SOTERIA Precision Medicine Foundation is a CA 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to democratizing access to leading technology and personalized care through its mission of Precision Medicine for All. Its flagship Cancer Hunt Initiative combines advanced technology, clinical research, and patient-centric navigation to improve early detection, treatment, and outcomes for military and veteran cancer fighters. Media Contact: Name: Emma Tyson SOTERIA Precision Medicine Foundation Email: [email protected] SOURCE SOTERIA Precision Medicine Foundation NEW YORK and GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- StarknightMT, a leading provider of aftermarket UTV/ATV parts and accessories, is gearing up for the 2025 Black Friday Sale, it will offer off-road enthusiasts and professionals the biggest discounts of the year on their premium product. "Our Black Friday Sale is a way to give back to our loyal customers. We know our customers rely on high-quality, durable accessories to enhance their off-road experience, and we are committed to making that quality accessible," says Steven H, co-founder at StarknightMT. The StarknightMT 2025 Black Friday Sale will be structured in phases to provide maximum value: Early Access Perks (Nov.4-Nov.14) 17% OFF: New subscribers receive an exclusive 17% discount code. Daily Giveaway (Nov.10-15): Five new subscribers will be randomly selected each day to win a $10 gift card. Main Event Deals (Nov.15-Dec.8) Up to 50% OFF: Deep discounts on select products. Triple Points: Members earn 3X points on all orders. Gifts with Purchase: Receive a free keychain on orders over $199 or a free cap on orders over $499. Featured Tiered Savings (Nov.11-24&Dec.5-8) Buy 1 Get 13% OFF Buy 2 Get 15% OFF Buy 3 Get 17% OFF Peak Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deals (Nov.25-Dec.4) 16% OFF Sitewide 20% OFF All Soft Cab Enclosures (Nov.25-Dec.4) Join the Celebration The Black Friday Sale is a limited-time opportunity to upgrade your ride and enjoy exclusive rewards. Explore more at starknightmt.com between November 15 and December 8. As Steven H said, "A true rider shouldn't have to choose between quality and price." We create reliable products that withstand real-world testing based on a deep understanding of the actual needs of UTV owners. We reduce costs through streamlined features and clever design to offer competitive prices. From the windshield, soft cab enclosures, storage to seat covers, every product has undergone real-world use and testing, incorporating genuine feedback from UTV owners, and continuously improving before being presented to every customer. About StarknightMT Since 2016, StarknightMT has focused on one key idea: real riders deserve high-quality, affordable aftermarket UTV/ATV parts and accessories built for daily hard use by hunters, haulers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Built for Trail and Task Website: https://www.starknightmt.com/ Image link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/25-1111-s2p-StarknightMT-300dpi.webp This release was issued through Send2Press on behalf of the news source. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.send2press.com/. SOURCE StarknightMT Partnership builds on a longstanding relationship between Status Solutions and Verizon Business, expanding efforts to protect schools and connect local communities across the country. WESTERVILLE, Ohio., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Status Solutions Network (SSN) today announced that Verizon Business will join as a new National Sponsor, marking a major milestone in SSN's mission to connect, engage, and protect local communities across the United States. Status Solutions Network partners with Verizon Wireless to advance school safety and connect communities through innovative technology and local engagement. Status Solutions, the parent company of Status Solutions Network, has maintained a long and successful partnership with Verizon Business, working side by side to deliver a situational awareness platform that keeps people connected and ensures help is available when right now matters most. Building on that foundation, the partnership has now evolved into a national sponsorship in support of the Status Solutions Network, expanding both organizations' shared commitment to protecting schools, empowering families, and reaching communities across the country. "Verizon has always demonstrated a deep commitment to community," said Amy Jeffs, President of Status Solutions. "They understand that protecting our kids and supporting our schools are essential to building safe, resilient communities. Having their support as our National Sponsor will accelerate our ability to serve more stakeholders across the country." "Working with Status Solutions Network, we're excited to bring our connectivity and scalable infrastructure to communities of all sizes," said John Constantino, Vice President of Business Sales at Verizon Business. "We believe that when our communities thrive, we all thrive, and by working together at the local level, we can help ensure that every child, every school, and every neighborhood has the reliable communications foundation they deserve." The Status Solutions Network operates on a membership-based model that brings together schools, municipalities, and local businesses under one connected ecosystem. Each partnership creates a ripple effectstrengthening local economies, improving school safety, and building deeper connections between businesses and the people they serve. Backed by Verizon, SSN is extending its national footprint while continuing to drive meaningful change at the community level. The partnership unites Verizon's scale and infrastructure with SSN's innovative approach to school and community safety and access to hundreds of thousands of daily viewers establishing an ecosystem of mutual benefit in every community. Verizon's sponsorship of SSN reflects a shared commitment to challenge the status quo by providing Communication and Access to Information Everywhere through reliable connectivity to every community starting with local school districts. Their support helps SSN advance school safety initiatives, foster strong local partnerships, and contribute to causes like cancer researchshowing that the power of connectivity can also be the power of compassion. In turn, this partnership allows Verizon to deepen its local presence and build authentic reach with families, schools, and businesses in the communities it servesstrengthening both impact and brand trust. "This partnership embodies what SSN was built to do," said Rachel MacLeod, Status Solutions Networks' Lead Evangelist. "It's about creating sustainable systems of safety and communication at scalewhere schools, families, and businesses are connected with intelligent communication while promoting participating business members and sponsors." About Status Solutions Network Status Solutions Network (SSN) is a community-driven initiative created by Status Solutions to fund school safety through local partnerships. By connecting businesses with schools in their communities through paid memberships, SSN ensures schools receive critical safety technology at no cost. The funds raised are returned directly to the schools for use at their discretion because safety looks different for everyone. Rooted in the belief that protecting students is a shared responsibility, SSN empowers businesses to give back in a meaningful way while fostering safer, stronger communities. To learn more, visit www.statussolutionsnetwork.com. About Verizon Verizon Communications Inc. powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.8 billion in 2024. Verizon's world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores. Media Contact: Cassie Lamprinakos Collins Marketing Director & Program Manager, Status Solutions Network 614-642-2910 [email protected] SOURCE Status Solutions Network Continued uncertainty in the US has many of the world's top scientists considering the Basel area. BASEL, Switzerland, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Between the government shutdown, crippling international tariffs, debilitating funding cuts to critical research, and the general policy whiplash in Washington DC, it's little wonder many US-based life sciences companies are opting to expand in a more stable environment. Basel Area Business & Innovation says the Basel area in Switzerland is poised to welcome them. Photo credit: Basel Area Business & Innovation. Photography by AviaticFilms Often considered a world leading life sciences supercluster , the Basel region is already the global headquarters for some of the world's top pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Given its strategic location in the centre of Europe with direct access to the biggest European markets, close proximity to several top-tier universities, one of the fastest drug registration processes in the world, and a government committed to funding innovation, it's little wonder the region is attracting notable names. Immunologist and California transplant, Dr. Stephen Wilson, who spent 24 years at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology, is one of them. He recently left the US to lead the Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering (BIIE). Headquartered at the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area, BIIE is a life sciences research institute focused on developing immune-based diagnostics and therapeutics for children. Dr. Wilson is concerned that American innovation will suffer long-term impacts if funding cuts to research and a dismissive mindset towards science continue. "It has long been that if you were a top scientist in your field, you were drawn to the United States to further your research; no questions," he explained. "In particular, grants from the National Institutes of Health was a global attractor of talent, funding work in the US that has led to medical breakthroughs and acting as a catalyst to private investment and economic rewards unmatched anywhere. When research funding is abruptly cut for non-scientific reasons, it sends a signal this administration is skeptical of researchers or the importance of America's world-leader status in biomedical science." NIH budget cuts are unnerving enough, but given they're happening in conjunction with other policy changes that evoke feelings of hostility and uncertainty, it's not surprising many top scientists are looking to practice elsewhere. After a global survey of locations, and a commitment of over $1 billion (USD) from the Swiss philanthropic foundation, Fondation Botnar, the BIIE began its operations in Basel. Pioneering research requires the institute to assemble a critical mass of elite researchers from around the world. After first visiting Basel in 2022, Dr. Wilson and his family moved full-time in 2024 to take on the role as CEO of BIIE, and to recruit others to make the move as well. "Moving your research and your family are both long-term decisions. Scientists accept that innovation requires perseverance and risk-tolerance, but the ecosystem around you should not bring additional chaos." Dr. Wilson added. "Here in Basel, it's palpable that the Swiss are committed to bold science and global impact. Having confidence that your organization's mission will not be undermined by shifting policies each election cycle means the research community can invest with confidence and take on the necessary level of risks." Christof Klopper, CEO of Basel Area Business & Innovation, the agency that promotes investment in the area, agreed. "US pharma and biotech companies used to acquire Basel-based startups, but now, they're setting up shop here," he said. "They recognize we have a science-sympathetic regional government, excellent tax rates, and offer an exceptional quality of life. But more than that, they know ambitious research and development needs policies that will not flip in a two-year cycle. Switzerland provides that certainty." About Basel Area Business & Innovation: Basel Area Business & Innovation is the investment and innovation promotion agency dedicated to helping companies, institutions and startups find business success in the Basel area. The organization targets and attracts companies to settle, supports founders of innovative ventures, and drives high growth initiatives in order to establish the region as the Swiss business and innovation hub of the future. The non-profit agency focuses on promoting the Basel Area Life Sciences Supercluster as Europe's most concentrated destination for biotech, pharma, health tech and MedTech innovation and home to the highest density of life sciences professionals anywhere in the world. Spanning Switzerland, France, and Germany, its borderless location delivers triple the talent and triple the market access, uniting 800+ companies, 1,000 research groups and nearly 35,000 industry experts into a single end-to-end ecosystem accelerating innovation from lab to launch. Learn more at: www.baselarea.swiss and www.baselsupercluster.com Media contact: Amy Roberts [email protected] SOURCE Basel Area Business & Innovation Vancouver, BC, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - The Branded Agency, a leading brand-first marketing agency known for working with brands like PepsiCo Labs, DrTung's, and MVP Tech, today announced a groundbreaking evolution in brand strategy: the Golden Spiral, a proprietary framework that unites brand, product, and marketing into a single, self-reinforcing system of truth and proof. Meghan Conyers, CoFounder of The Branded Agency Inc (CNW Group/Branded Agency) In an era where the old playbook of "Start With Why" has become table stakes, The Branded Agency is leading the next wave of strategic thinking, one designed for the Truth Economy, where audiences demand proof, not promises. "The world has changed," said Meghan Conyers, Co-Founder of The Branded Agency. "Branding used to start with why. But now, purpose alone isn't enough. Every claim needs proof. Every campaign needs evidence. The brands that will win the next decade are those that don't just tell a story, they prove it." From Brand Storytelling to Proof Traditional brand strategy treated branding and marketing as separate disciplines. The Branded Agency's Golden Spiral merges them into an interconnected loop inspired by the Fibonacci sequence, demonstrating how brands actually grow: outward, in cycles of alignment between truth, proof, and performance The Golden Spiral Strategy model identifies and connects six key truths: Brand Truth Why the company exists beyond profit. Customer Truth The unspoken emotional need or "unrung bell" that drives desire. Product Truth Tangible proof of the brand's purpose through functionality and innovation. Brand Expression Visual and verbal identity that radiates from those truths. Marketing Proof Campaigns that serve as evidence, not just storytelling. Spiral Optimization A feedback loop that ensures the brand evolves without losing authenticity This dynamic system helps founders and CMOs move beyond slogans and category cliches into what The Branded calls the Green Space: the intersection of cultural relevance, unmet customer needs, and profitable differentiation From legacy corporations to fast-growing startups, businesses are realizing that traditional frameworks no longer deliver sustainable differentiation. Markets are oversaturated. Consumers are overexposed. Algorithms are unpredictable. "Everyone's selling purpose," said Meghan Conyers, Co-Founder of The Branded Agency. "But purpose without proof doesn't convert. The Golden Spiral gives companies a way to build brands that are not just believed, but backed. It connects what they say with what they sell." By combining emotional resonance with measurable performance, The Branded's model helps businesses lower acquisition costs, increase lifetime value, and create alignment between internal teams and external audiences A Proven Brand Strategy Framework for the Next Generation The Golden Spiral framework has already been implemented across The Branded's portfolio, helping brands like: Acknowledge Farms Repositioned from cannabis to wellness, leading to 493% YoY revenue growth. Repositioned from cannabis to wellness, leading to 493% YoY revenue growth. DrTung's Increased retention-driven revenue by 337% through brand-backed marketing alignment. Increased retention-driven revenue by 337% through brand-backed marketing alignment. Paren Achieved $3M in funding following brand repositioning and messaging clarity These results demonstrate how aligning brand truth with marketing proof turns strategy into measurable growth. About The Branded Agency The Branded Agency is a Vancouver-based, brand-first marketing and branding agency that connects brand strategy, creative, and performance marketing under one roof. Its proprietary Brand-Backed Performance and Golden Spiral frameworks are designed to build brands that sell themselvesreducing acquisition costs, increasing loyalty, and driving sustainable growth. For more information on The Branded Agencys brand strategy and Golden Spiral framework, visit https://www.brandedagency.com/services/branding. SOURCE Branded Agency HANOVER, Germany, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. ("Zoomlion"; 1157.HK) made a strong debut at AGRITECHNICA 2025, showcasing nine exhibits including host machines and agricultural implements. The display highlighted the company's latest achievements in hybrid and intelligent farming technology, reflecting its continued commitment to innovation and sustainability in global agriculture. ZOOMLION Highlights Smart Hybrid Farming Solutions at AGRITECHNICA 2025 ZOOMLION presented four new energy machines in Hall 5: the DV3504, DQ2604, and DL1604 hybrid tractors, as well as the 480-horsepower H7-600E hybrid harvester. Designed for large-scale, intelligent, and sustainable farming, the hybrid tractors deliver strong power, fuel efficiency, and improved operator comfort across a 160350 horsepower range. The flagship DV3504 hybrid tractor features Zoomlion's proprietary MIDD distributed intelligent electric drive system, delivering 119 kN of traction and 227 L/min hydraulic output. It meets the high-power needs of large-scale farming, while also enhancing comfort with a sound-insulated cabin and air suspension seat. A live demonstration of the Zoomlion DV3504 hybrid tractor was streamed from China, showing it performing autonomous harrowing operations. Powered by the Zpilot Pro system, the showcase highlighted Zoomlion's capability to optimize the entire agricultural process, from tillage and planting to crop management and harvesting. The demonstration featured five simultaneous viewpoints: aerial drone footage, front and rear tractor cameras, an in-cab display, and the cloud-based management platform. Attendees observed the tractor autonomously generate optimal paths, execute various turning maneuvers including X-turns, and maintain centimeter-level accuracy through its multi-sensor fusion and high-precision positioning system. The H7-600E harvester drew significant attention with its impressive performance data: 20% higher efficiency, over 30% reduction in operator workload, 70% fewer transmission components, over 50% improved reliability, and 30% lower energy consumption. As the world's first hybrid large-capacity intelligent combine harvester, it pairs a 480-horsepower engine with an 11.55 kWh battery, delivering peak output of more than 600 horsepower. Zoomlion's German subsidiary RABE also introduced three new high-end implements: the SUPER ALBATROS intelligent plow, the PHOENIX T 600 tillage machine, and the PANDION M 500 disc harrow, offering comprehensive farming solutions tailored to a variety of soil conditions. Liu Yuxin, General Manager of Zoomlion Agricultural Machinery, stated that the exhibition represents a significant step in the company's "High-End, International, New Energy" strategy. Dr. Fu Ling, Zoomlion Vice President and Chief Engineer, emphasized the importance of leveraging engineering machinery expertise to advance agricultural equipment toward hybridization and intelligence, contributing to more sustainable global farming. SOURCE Zoomlion Children affected by the full-scale Russian invasion will be able to receive health services, according to the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine. "The document stipulates that services will be provided to more than 7,000 children of military personnel of the State Border Guard Service and the National Guard, police officers, enlisted and commanding officers of the civil defense service, internally displaced persons receiving housing assistance for internally displaced persons, veterans with special merits to the Motherland, and family members of fallen Defenders of Ukraine," the ministry said, citing the government's decision. It is noted that children will undergo rehabilitation in institutions located in the western regions of the country, where safe and comfortable living conditions are available. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Photo: https://t.me/GeneralStaffZSU The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Tuesday that units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine struck the facilities of the Orsknefteorgsintez oil refinery in the Orenburg region of the Russian Federation. "As part of reducing the enemy's offensive potential and complicating the supply of fuel and ammunition to the military units of the occupiers, on November 11, units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine struck the facilities of the Orsknefteorgsintez oil refinery in the Orenburg region of Russia. The plant produces more than 30 types of oil products - gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation kerosene, oils, etc. The design processing capacity is 6.6 million tonnes of oil per year. It is involved in providing the Russian occupation army," the General Staff said on Telegram channel. According to information, explosions and a fire were recorded on the territory of the facility. According to preliminary information, one of the primary oil processing units (APU) was struck. The results of the hit are being clarified. Earlier on Tuesday, it was reported that a number of important enemy facilities were hit on the territory of the Russian Federation and in the temporarily occupied territory, in particular, the Saratov Oil Refinery and the Feodosia Morskoy Neftyanoy Terminal. The message said Ukraine also targeted areas in temporarily occupied Donetsk region and concentration of Russian troops near Ocheretyne. Photo: https://18-24.army.gov.ua/ In Zaporizhia region, intense fighting has been going on for several days in a row. To save the lives of personnel, the Defense Forces had to withdraw from positions near the settlements of Novouspenivske, Novye, Okhotnyche, Yablukove, Uspenivka, and Novomykolaivka. Spokesman for the Defense Forces of the South Vladyslav Voloshyn told Interfax-Ukraine in a comment, intense fighting has been going on in the Oleksandrivka and Hulyaipolia directions for several days in a row. The enemy is using all types of available weapons to displace the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the positions they hold. Thus, over the past few days, up to a hundred combat clashes have been recorded here. "Due to the intensification of enemy assault operations, numerous attempts at infiltration, increased massive fire impact on our positions (over 400 artillery shells per day using about 2,000 rounds of ammunition) and the actual destruction of all shelters and fortifications, in order to preserve the lives of personnel, the Defense Forces had to withdraw from positions near the settlements of Novouspenivske, Novye, Okhotnyche, Yablukove, Uspenivka and Novomykolaivka," the spokesman said. He stressed that the Russians are trying to bring their reinforcement groups into these settlements, but the Ukrainian defenders are doing their best to counteract their attempts to do so. "Fighting battles are continuing for Yablukove, Rivnopillia and Solodke," Voloshyn said. He also added that the enemy is trying to capture Hulyaipole from the eastern direction and cut off the logistical routes leading from Pokrovsk. "Fighting continues. Assault and other units are fighting fiercely for every centimeter of our land," he added. Anti-corruption authorities transferred UAH 44 million as a result of plea agreements to the Sternenko Community charity fund, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) has said. "As a result of plea agreements concluded in SAPO and NABU cases, which were approved by the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court, UAH 44 million was transferred to the Sternenko Community charity fund for the purchase of FPV drones for soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the message on the Telegram channel said on Tuesday. In total, it is reported that over the past three years, about UAH 2.9 billion has been transferred for the needs of the Defense Forces of Ukraine under agreements concluded by SAPO prosecutors. The State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Police reported the suspicion to the former Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, who is now an advisor to the current minister. "According to the case materials, the defendant squandered state funds on the introduction of electronic services for the population. In particular, we are talking about budget losses of over UAH 23 million during the launch of a unified information and analytical system for managing social support for the population - E-Social," the message on the Telegram channel said on Tuesday. According to the case materials, while serving as Deputy Minister, the official concluded a contract with a consortium to develop the aforementioned software. According to the Prosecutor General's Office, the contract cost more than $3.3 million. However, as the investigation established, he did not control the process of verifying the documents submitted by contractors to participate in the tender. This subsequently led to the entrepreneurs receiving funds from the state, but not completing the full scope of work specified in the contract. "The program turned out to be unsuitable for use - it did not meet the requirements of the legislation and could not work with state registers," the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office notes. In 2021, the contract was terminated. In 2024, the auditors of the State Audit Service confirmed: the tender was conducted with violations, and the companies' proposals should have been rejected at the selection stage. The examination confirmed that the state suffered losses of almost UAH 23.7 million. The funds for the creation of E-social were provided by the World Bank within the framework of the project "Modernization of the Social Support System of the Population of Ukraine." Now Ukraine must return this money with interest. Based on the collected evidence, the former Deputy Minister was notified of suspicion of Part 2 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (official negligence that caused grave consequences). The perpetrator faces up to 5 years in prison. An investigation is underway to bring to justice all persons involved in the illegal use of public funds. Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/ Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Rustem Umerov has announced the start of a working trip to Turkey and the Middle East to unblock the prisoner exchange process within the framework of previously reached agreements. "I have just arrived in Istanbul. These days I will work in Turkey and the Middle East to unblock the exchange process. There was an agreement - and it must be implemented. The task of the President of Ukraine is clear - Ukrainians must return home from captivity," Umerov said on Telegram. Kremlin uses trade and humanitarian contacts as cover to recruit citizens of the Global South for war against Ukraine CCD Photo: CCD The Kremlin is using trade and humanitarian contacts with Kenya to strengthen its instruments of political influence in the region and attract the economic, informational or human resources of African countries for its own aggressive goals, in particular to continue the war against Ukraine, the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) has said. The Kremlin seeks to "attract the economic, informational or human resources of African countries to implement its own aggressive goals. Moscow is using trade and humanitarian contacts as a cover for recruiting citizens of the Global South for the war against Ukraine," the CCD said in a message on its Telegram channel on Tuesday. It is noted that Moscow is "deepening economic ties with Kenya, coordinating its initiatives with state development strategies. Trade agreements, logistics and infrastructure are being discussed, which could provide Russian companies with access to East African ports and markets. "The strengthening of the economic presence gives Russia "instruments of political influence in the region, forming dependence on its resources and control over key logistics hubs," the CCD said. As reported, on November 6, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the problem of recruiting Kenyans for the war against Ukraine during a conversation with Kenyan President William Ruto. David Szalay has won the 2025 Booker Prize for Flesh, which PWs review called a heartbreaking and revelatory portrait of a taciturn Hungarian man who serially attempts to build a new life after his traumatic adolescence. The book is the sixth work of fiction by Szalay, who was previously shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2016 for All That Man Is, published by Graywolf. Flesh is Szalays second novel to be published in the U.S. by Scribner, after 2021s Turbulence. Szalay, the first Hungarian-British author to win the prize, was joined on the 2025 shortlist by Americans Susan Choi, Katie Kitamura, and Ben Markovits, as well as Kiran Desai and Andrew Miller. Flesh is a disquisition on the art of being alive, and all the affliction that comes along with it, the Booker Prize judges wrote in their citation. The emotional detachment of the main character, Istvan, is sustained by the tremendous movement of the plot. The pace of this novel speaks to one of the greater themes; the detachment of our bodies from our decisions. Szalay was presented with the Booker trophy and 50,000 by last years winner, Samantha Harvey, at a ceremony held November 10 at Old Billingsgate in London. The judges discussed the six books on the shortlist for more than five hours, said Roddy Doyle, chair of the Booker judges, in a statement. The book we kept coming back to, the one that stood out from the other great novels, was Fleshbecause of its singularity. We had never read anything quite like it. In an interview published by the Booker Prizes following the announcement of this years longlist, Szalay said that the book emerged from a desire to write about life as a physical experience, about what its like to be a living body in the worldwhatever divides us, we all share that. When the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature convene for their joint meeting November 2225 in Boston, thousands of attendees are expected to flock to a vast book expo. Among the 85 booths, they'll find a wide array of scholarly works and opportunities to pre-order 2026 titles. PW invited academic publishers to share some highlights among their fall and forthcoming titles. Here's a sampler, as described by the publishers. B&H Academic The Devil Reads Nietzsche: A Public Theology for the Post-Christian Age by Southern Baptist pastor and B&H Academic publisher Michael McEwen (out now) sets out to "disciple readers to engage with cultural ideologies from within the biblical-theological narrative, and an interaction with the grandfather of postmodernism and deconstructionism will serve as a 'case study' of how we might do this charitably, wisely and winsomely." Baker Academic A Theology of Authority: Rethinking Leadership in the Church by theologian Christa McKirland (out now) "challenges our assumptions about authority, power, and leadership" and "tackles questions related to divine and human authority." Bloomsbury Academic Tongues of Fire: How Charismatic Prayer Changes Evangelical Brains and Inspires Spirit-Filled Activism by psychologist Josh Brahinsky (Mar. 2026) is an 18-year study of "the mind-body practices of charismatic evangelicals," including speaking in tongues. Crossway The Fountain of Life: Contemplating the Aseity of God by theologian Samuel G. Parkison (Jan. 2026) details how biblical truths "demonstrate Gods aseityhis self-existence, complete independence, and eternal nature." The book is part of Crossway's Contemplating God series of books intended to be gateways to topics in classical theology. Eerdmans The Genuine Jesus and the Counterfeit Christs: New Testament and Apocryphal Gospels by New Testament scholar and theologian Simon J. Gathercole (out now) makes the case that "what separates the canonical Gospels from their noncanonical counterparts covered in this book is that the former are faithful portraits of Christ the savior, and the latter are less-than-authentic representations." Fordham Univ. Witnessing a Wounded World: A Theology of Ecological Trauma by theologian Timothy A. Middleton (out now) presents deforestation, mining, wildfires, and ice-sheet collapse as "traumatic ruptures to communication, flesh, and time," and "proposes 'Christic witnessing' as a concrete theological response." Fortress White Supremacy Through Black Eyes: Human Dignity, Defacement, and the Grace of Racial Healing by theology and history professor Beverly Eileen Mitchell (out now) is a theological analysis of white supremacy from the perspective of those who must deal with it "in our highly racialized society." Harvard Univ. Islamic China by historian Rian Thum (Nov. 11) traces centuries of Muslim life in China and "dismantles the persistent notion that Islam is inherently foreign to Chinese culture"a notion that Thum finds "continues to shape the CCPs repressive policies" toward Muslim populations today. Hendrickson Paul the Rabbi Philosopher: Stoic and Jewish Philosophy in the Apostles Thought by New Testament professor Joseph R. Dodson (Apr. 2026) studies Pauls letters in dialogue with first-century Jewish and philosophical texts, "conceptualizing how Paul aligns with, contradicts, and surpasses the first-century presentation of elements such as good news, powers, grace, human depravity, and obedience." Interlink Queens of Islam: The Muslim World's Historic Women Rulers by journalist and Islamic scholar Tom Verde (out now) introduces 15 women who "ruled empires, led armies, and wielded real power from Islams earliest centuries through the 1600s." IVP Academic Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters by Old Testament scholar Carmen Joy Imes (out now) traces "the theme of Gods presence through the entire biblical text" to understand God's design for the church and to find a constructive perspective on today's "disheartening realities of scandals, political polarization, and deconstruction." Judson Press Confronting Islamophobia in the Church: Liturgical Tools for Justice by American Baptist Church pastors Anna Piela and Michael Woolf (Jan. 2026) draws from history and scripture to "expose the Churchs role in fostering anti-Muslim prejudice and equip congregations to dismantle it" by making "interfaith engagement both practical and transformative." Liturgical Press Learning the Language of Creation: Catholic Social Teaching and Integral Ecology by Franciscan Sister Damien Marie Savino (Jan. 2026), a professor of civil and environmental engineering, presents her conviction that "the healing of ecosystems and of human communities goes hand in hand," and that the external deserts in the world are growing, because the internal deserts have become so vast. New York Univ. Growing Up Pure: White Girls, Queer Teens, and the Racial Foundations of Purity Culture by Lauren D. Sawyer (Dec.), a scholar of sexual ethics, theology, and anthropology, presents the purity movement as "very much tied to centuries of anti-Black racism and xenophobia in U.S. social history, seeing white youth as in need of protection, usually from a racialized, sexualized other." Paulist Press Cosmic Love: Nature, Science, and God (out now) by John Honner, a theologian and scholar in the philosophy of science, explores the rise of science, concepts of love, and "ideas about God not just as a creator, but as inherent (and incarnate) in creation." Princeton Univ. Hebrew Orientalism: Jewish Engagement with Arabo-Islamic Culture in Late Ottoman and British Palestine by Mostafa Hussein (Dec.) explores how Jewish writers in those years "used Arabo-Islamic culture to advance the goals of Zionism" by "mediating between Jewish and Arab cultures while navigating their evolving identities as settler colonists." Seabury Systemic Oppression and Depression in Black Women by womanist theologian, social worker, and minister Rochelle Johnson (May 2026) examines "Black women's experiences at the intersection of oppression, trauma, culture, and church life" and "how historical trauma, racist myths, and harmful theological interpretations intensify the unique difficulties they encounter." Univ. of North Carolina God Bless the Pill: The Surprising History of Contraception and Sexuality in American Religion by Samira K. Mehta (Apr. 2026), a professor of women and gender studies and director of the program in Jewish Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder, explores U.S. Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish perspectives on "birth control and reproductive freedom for women from the mid-twentieth century to the explosive politics of today." Univ. of Notre Dame Wildness: Henry David Thoreau and the Making of an American Theology by religious studies professor Lydia Willsky-Ciollo (Mar. 2026) "articulates how, in and through his experience of nature, Henry David Thoreau imagined and developed a distinctly American theology of the wild." Univ. of Virginia The Early Tibetan Practice of Buddhist Philosophy: Metaphysics, Argumentation, and Identity in Rongzoms Dzokchen by religious studies professor Dominic Di Zinno Sur (Apr. 2026) is an authoritative intellectual history that "illuminates the impact of Tibetan Buddhisms first polemical apology, written by the 11th-century translator and polymath Rongzom Chokyi Zangpo." Univ. of Wisconsin Press Christian Internationalism and German Belonging: The Salvation Army from Imperial Germany to Nazism by Rebecca Carter-Chand (out now), director of programs on Ethics, Religion, and the Holocaust at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, tracks how "the Salvation Army proactively shaped its public profile during the Nazi rise to power" to secure self-preservation and then after the war highlighted "different aspects of its identity to bolster and repair its reputation." Westminster John Knox Finding God in the Basement: Reimagining a Theology of Addiction and Recovery by theologian Jennifer Carlier (Jan. 2026) is an "incisive critique of how Christian doctrines of sin and salvation fail to engage the lived realities of addiction and recovery." Carlier points out that churches can learn from recovery programs that "center grace, authenticity, and vulnerability." Yale Univ. Make Your Home in this Luminous Dark: Mysticism, Art, and the Path of Unknowing by philosophy professor James K.A. Smith (March 2026) looks back to ancient mystics "to learn how to live with uncertainty in the 21st century." Zondervan Academic Vision of Ephesians by New Testament scholar and retired bishop N. T. Wright (Nov. 11) "offers an accessible introduction to Ephesians that works through the letter in nine sections, exploring the vital challenges Paul offers his readers, then and now." Photo: https://www.facebook.com The EUUkraine Parliamentary Association Committee has confirmed that Ukraine is an equal partner of the European Union, said Verkhovna Rada delegation member Yevheniya Kravchuk (the Servant of the People parliamentary faction). "Two days of intensive discussions, and a joint final statement that once again confirmed: Ukraine and the EU stand side by side. Thanks to the work of the Ukrainian delegation, the document was supplemented with important provisions on energy security, media freedom, and the role of parliament in European integration," Kravchuk wrote on Facebook on Tuesday following the 17th meeting of the committee in Brussels. According to the MP, the adopted document outlined key priorities, including unconditional condemnation of Russia's illegal, unprovoked, unjustified, and brutal war against Ukraine. "The EU clearly condemned Russian crimes the torture of prisoners, child abductions, attacks on energy infrastructure, and reaffirmed Ukraine's right to self-defense under the UN Charter," Kravchuk noted. She emphasized that the committee welcomed the adoption of the 19th package of sanctions against Russia and supported her amendment calling for "further personal sanctions against Russian oligarchs and propagandists." Kravchuk added that the statement highlighted the successful completion of the screening process and underscored that opening negotiation clusters for Ukraine's EU accession is the best way to maintain momentum in the country's European integration process. "The continuous work of the Verkhovna Rada under martial law was highly commended. Ukraine's parliament was explicitly recognized as a reliable partner in advancing reforms and aligning legislation with the EU acquis," she said. She also pointed out that the committee condemned Russia's targeted attacks on Ukraine's energy sector and called for intensified efforts to strengthen preparedness for the winter season. "The key message: Ukraine is an equal partner that strengthens Europe. Our path to the EU is a path toward collective security, democracy, and justice," Kravchuk concluded. In a recent focus group we held with 11 U.S. and foreign-born Latinos in Riverside, California, most of the participants expressed grave concerns about the breakup of hard-working and law-abiding families in what one participant called ICEs war against Latinos. And yet, when asked if they were optimistic about the future, all 11 enthusiastically said yes. Their responses reflected the broader patterns of progress and severe challenges we uncovered in an analysis of national data and on-the-ground reporting for our new report, The Rise Of Latino America. Even as President Trump reduces immigration flows, the countrys demographic and economic fate will be shaped increasingly by people with ties to Mexico, Central, and South America, who became the nations largest minority group in 2019. The key findings of our report, published by the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas, include: Demographic Surge: Latinos have grown from 5% of the U.S. population in 1970 to 20% in 2023, accounting for 56.3% of population growth from 2010 to 2023. By 2060, they will drive nearly all net population growth. Economic Powerhouse: The U.S. Latino GDP reached $3.7 trillion in 2022, the worlds fifth-largest, growing at 4.6% annually and outpacing the national average. States like Texas and Florida see significant economic contributions from Latinos. Geographic Dispersion: Latino populations are spreading beyond the Southwest to the Midwest, Southeast, and smaller metros like Pittsburgh and Nashville, reflecting economic opportunity-seeking migration. Optimism Amid Challenges: Despite poverty rates (e.g., 29.6% for undocumented Latino immigrants in California) and educational gaps, 75% of Latinos remain optimistic about achieving their dream home and the American Dream. They also value hard work (94% cite it as key to success). Educational Progress and Gaps: Latino college enrollment has surged 372% since 1990, but only 16% earn bachelors degrees compared to 43% of whites, with lags in high-demand fields like technology. Entrepreneurial Growth: Latino-owned businesses, especially in construction and food services, are the fastest-growing, employing 2.9 million workers with $620 billion in sales in 2019. Policy Barriers: High-cost housing policies, climate-driven regulations, and anti-car mandates in states like California increase living costs and limit job access, disproportionately harming Latinos. Policy Recommendations: We advocate for affordable single-family housing, lower regulatory barriers, sensible energy policies, and accessible transportation to support Latino priorities like homeownership, safety, and economic mobility. We urge policymakers to reject ideologically driven policies that hinder Latino progress, such as restrictive land use, costly climate mandates, and reduced personal mobility. Embracing policies that align with Latino aspirations rooted in work, family, and opportunity will not only empower this vital population but also strengthen Americas economic and demographic future in a competitive global environment. Population Growth & Dispersion The fate of Latinos will only grow more important to the American story as their impact is felt throughout the country. Until fairly recently, Latino influence was felt primarily in the Southwest, with those from the Caribbean concentrating in cities like New York, Chicago, and Miami. Today, the fastest-growing Latino populations are now in the countrys interior, from the mid-South to the Great Lakes, where hard work makes homeownership affordable in communities without the usual public disorder and underperforming public schools that are common in those governed by progressives and their allies. These new Latino boomtowns are largely outside the Southwest. They include such metropolitan areas as Charlotte, Pittsburgh, and Columbus, where Spanish-surnamed families were once rare, according to an analysis by our colleague, demographer Wendell Cox. Latinos in 2000 were more than 20% of the population in only four states; today, it is eight states. By 2030, the Census Bureau projects that Latinos will account for 22% of the national population. Right now, the best opportunities overall for young Latinos lie outside the deep blue states. When looking at the two major Latino population hubs, California and Texas, employment rates for all age groups combined have grown faster in Texas. In 2023, the levels of Latino employment are higher than they were in 2018 in Texas but lower in California. The transformation of Latinos into a national, rather than largely regional, force is being felt even in the most iconic traditionally Anglo areas. As recently as 2000, less than 3% of metro Nashvilles population was Latino. By 2020, that percentage had more than tripled. Nashville may be the country music capital the epitome of native White non-Hispanic American culture but it is increasingly Latino. By 2040, one in three Nashville residents will be Latino, but so too will be many of its crooners. The new wave of country music included artists from Texas who are now based in Music City, such as Veronique Medrano, and Andrea Vasquez, host of the Latina in Nashville podcast. Traditional Values Even as many on the left sour on traditional American values and nativists on the right cast immigration as a threat to the Republic, our research shows that Latinos support America even more strongly in terms of patriotism and public service than the general population. Latinos are the fastest-growing portion of the nations active-duty military and local police departments. And when asked what the most important factors are to succeed in the U.S., 94% said a strong work ethic and working hard. They also reflect the persistence of the American melting pot. In 2022, 30% of newlywed couples were interracial and included one Latino. Among native-born Latinos, 41% of marriages were interracial, compared to 11% among foreign-born Latinos. Even as they reflect specific and measurable attitudes that define them, broadly, as a group, Latinos are integrating into rather than separating from American communities. Most remarkable is the level of optimism among Latinos about the chances of achieving the American Dream. Our polling experts confirm the diversity within the Latino community, but also many common threads in terms of aspirations for the future, and support for America the country and its values. At a time when a majority of Americans who do not own homes fear they will never be able to afford one, three-quarters of our Latino respondents believe that they can achieve their dream of owning a home. We encountered similar sentiments in our two focus groups, one in San Antonio, Texas, and the other in Riverside-San Bernardino, California, made up of selected Latino leaders, businesspeople, educators, and academics. They focused notably on the importance of educational attainment and economic development, including jobs. Viewpoints varied, but many common themes, like patriotism, faith, family, hard work, and entrepreneurialism, were commonly embraced. Ultimately, their priorities, as expressed to our pollsters, are basically those shared by many Americans affordability, safety, and good schools for their children. What matters far less? People who share their political views and ethnicity barely registered in our poll. Break From Progressives Although Latinos remain a key voting group for Democrats, our research shows that recent Republican inroads are not surprising given their disenchantment with many progressive policies on education and public safety even as President Trumps overzealous and unnuanced immigration policies appear to have driven many back to the Democratic Party, at least for now. What Latinos Are Looking For National polls show that Latinos are among the least likely groups to support police force funding cuts. Among self-described liberals, nearly 60% of Latinos oppose defunding police, far more than white liberals (27%) and Black liberals (44%). Communities that prioritize effective and efficient police, fire, and emergency medical services are much more aligned with Latino and middle-class goals than progressives who want to reimagine these basic services to advance faculty lounge ideologies. The biggest challenge facing Latinos lies with education. To be sure, they have made remarkable progress and have increased in terms of college students by 372% from 1990 to 2020, and now represent more than 20% of all U.S. college students, up from 6% in 1990. Unfortunately, Latinos still lag behind in the key fields with the highest pay and future prospects, notably in technology, and are only now penetrating the upper reaches of management. Ironically, often the worst results are found in progressive states like California, which tend to see themselves as most concerned with Latino and other minority residents. In California, for example, Latino students account for over 56% of all public-school students, but only 36% met English language proficiency standards, and just 22.7% met math proficiency standards. California students perform worse than their counterparts in Florida and Texas, and California Latinos rank among the bottom 10 states in higher educational degree attainment in the nation. The education deficit clearly contributes to deepening poverty among immigrants. As recently as 1993, immigrants accounted for 14% of the U.S. population living in poverty, and non-citizens 11%; three decades later, immigrants made up almost a quarter of all poor people, and non-citizens over 13%. Immigrant poverty has risen to the highest level since 2008. Overall, Honduran (38.2%), Guatemalan (34.6%), and Mexican (27.6%) immigrants have poverty rates near or above 30%. Here, again, Latinos are splitting from progressive politics. As many as 85% of Latino parents favor charter schools and school choice, something anathema to progressives. Wealthier families can flee dysfunctional public schools, but many Latino and other working-class families are stuck, the victims of bureaucratic inertia and decades of unaccountability for public school quality especially in deep blue states and cities. On immigration, a 2024 Pew survey found that 75% Latinos described the influx of immigrants during the Biden administration as a major problem. There is evidence that Trumps aggressive crackdown on immigrants is also problematic for many Latinos. Workforce Mainstay Even amidst these challenges, Latinos continue to make outsized contributions to the workforce. Their labor force participation rate of 67.3% is significantly higher than the overall rate of 62.7% at a time when more white Americans are on the sidelines of employment. Latinos are particularly critical to attempts to revive Americas real economy jobs in the physical and not just digital realm. In Texas, according to a recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, as many as half of all manufacturing workers are foreign-born and constitute over 20% of the manufacturing workforce in Illinois and Nebraska. In old industrial metros like Toledo, immigrant workers are the primary source of labor market growth in an area that is still experiencing population decline. Today, barely 58% of all working-class Americans are white non-Hispanics; according to a 2016 Economic Policy Institute study, Latinos and other people of color will constitute the majority of the working class by 2032. Latinos critical role in real-world jobs should prove particularly well-timed in a season where the professional service and digital economy are shedding jobs. In the wake of artificial intelligence, college graduates face a job market getting tougher even for those with expensive advanced degrees. Unlike the contracting keyboard economy, there is growing interest in high-paying alternatives in fields such as manufacturing, logistics, and construction, which require workers to be physically present and mobile to provide in-person services, manufacture and convey goods, collect, process, and distribute food and materials used by other households and employers. These are professions where the Latino presence is particularly strong. However great their work ethic, in a world shaped by AI, machine learning, and robots, Latinos in the carbon economy need to get more training in key skills. While positions requiring extensive manual labordropped to 22% of all jobs in 2025 from 35% 50 years ago, the U.S. suffers a deficit of more than 600,000 skilled manufacturing workers and a projected shortage of 2.4 million by 2028. In an era where most other Western and East Asian countries face large declines in their workforces, Latinos and other immigrants provide a critical accelerant to the U.S. workforce. The Future of U.S. Politics Addressing U.S. Latino priorities should not be cast as a red-blue partisan conflict, but rather seen as yet another endorsement of the desirability of widespread American values and ambitions. As we state in the conclusion of The Rise of Latino America: Localities that promote affordable housing, energy, and services, and allow for a full spectrum economy will attract an increasingly larger share of the nations fastest growing and hard-working Latino cohort. Latinos, this report shows, are more than willing to vote with their feet and relocate to less expensive, often peripheral, and even rural areas to obtain the housing, employment, and time with their families that they prioritize. This is particularly relevant in states like California or Texas, where Latinos have heavily settled and that represent a huge part of the economy. As Latinos disperse, this will become ever more the case in most of the country. Policymakers that align their program with this vital segments priorities will likely prevail in the battle for talent and capital. Those who do not will lose this population and, in effect, erode their future influence. Despite the lefts efforts to consign people to specific ethnic groups and the racialist rhetoric of nativist forces on the right, Latinos do not constitute a permanently separate people, whose interests revolve around La Raza and racial reparations. Rather than a disruptive threat, Latinos represent Americas secret weapon the latest shift in the remarkable and evolving race of races, as Walt Whitman put it, that has been the enduring reality of the United States. Ultimately, there is only one America, perhaps a little browner and less European, but when not actively undermined by woke identitarians, it embraces and is enriched by its diversity to make it more remarkable still. Joel Kotkin is the presidential fellow in urban futures at Chapman University in Orange, California and a senior research fellow at the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas, Austin. Jennifer Hernandez has written three books and more than 50 articles on environmental and land use topics. She regularly teaches land use, environmental, and climate law in law and business schools, colleges, and seminars. Later this month, President Trump will welcome Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman known as MbS to Washington. The red carpet will surely be rolled out for the de facto ruler and his entourage, complete with handshakes, smiles, and lofty talk of shared interests. Reports suggest the two leaders will discuss a new defense pact, trade agreements, nuclear cooperation, and even potential normalization of relations with Israel. But while the cameras flash and the pageantry unfolds, the 9/11 community continues its long and difficult pursuit of truth and accountability from that very same Kingdom. Last year, in a federal courtroom in New York, Judge George Daniels heard oral arguments in Saudi Arabias renewed motion to dismiss the 9/11 families civil lawsuit accusing the Kingdom of providing material support to al Qaeda in the years leading up to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Hundreds of 9/11 family members filled the courtroom and overflow rooms; a thousand more dialed in remotely to hear the arguments. Thirteen months later, Judge Daniels rendered a devastating blow to the Kingdom when he issued his ruling against the Kingdom, finding that our case brought under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) has sufficient merit to proceed to trial. This was an historic affirmation that the 9/11 families evidence, amassed over years of investigation, points to real and troubling connections between Saudi government officials, imams, state-run institutions and the 19 Islamist hijackers who murdered nearly 3,000 innocent Americans. Among those killed was my husband, Tom Strada, who was working in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The Kingdom knows our lawsuit lays out in painstaking detail how elements of the Saudi government provided funding, logistical help, and ideological support to al Qaeda and its operatives inside the United States prior to the attacks. So, it has done everything possible to avoid accountability. Time and again, Saudi Arabia has filed motions to dismiss, delaying justice for thousands of families. At the same time, it has spent millions of dollars on K Street lobbyists and PR firms to pressure members of Congress and successive U.S. administrations to look the other way. That is not the behavior of an ally. It is the behavior of a government desperate to conceal the truth. Now, as the Trump administration considers a new defense pact and potential nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Americans should ask a hard but necessary question: Should the United States really enter into a defense pact or even share nuclear technology with a government that stands accused of helping those who carried out the deadliest terrorist attack in our nations history? The answer, for the families of September 11, is painfully clear. We are not calling for isolation or hostility we are calling for honesty. The U.S.Saudi relationship must be grounded in truth. Any new agreement with the Kingdom must first acknowledge the ongoing litigation and the evidence of Saudi involvement in the 9/11 attacks. It must also ensure that justice for nearly 3,000 murdered Americans and injured survivors is not sacrificed on the altar of political convenience. Twenty-four years after September 11, we still live with the pain of that day. The loss, the unanswered questions, and the long road to accountability are ever-present. The least our government can do is stand with its own citizens before standing with those who helped bring that pain to our shores. Before we talk about defense pacts or nuclear technology, let us first talk about justice. Terry Strada is National Chair of 9/11 Families United Netflix is previewing Season 2 of Owning Manhattan, which explores "all-out real estate warfare." ADVERTISEMENT Season 2 will see Ryan Serhant's brokerage team swell to some 1,000 agents competing to close deals despite low inventory. "What makes our firm special is if you don't sell, you can't be here," Serhant told Netflix's Tudum. "... So it's all-out real estate warfare." The trailer, which dropped Monday, shows Serhant as the stress of his business catches up to him. "I just feel like there's so much pressure sometimes that I just can't take it," he said in the trailer. Season 2 is slated to arrive on Netflix Dec. 5. Linda Greiss, former president and current program director of the Athens Fibercraft Guild, stands beside one of her pieces at the Lyndon House Arts Center in Athens, Georgia, on Nov. 8, 2025. Greiss's piece won 3rd place in a show that the group held in celebration of its 50th anniversary. (Photo/Frank Lowery) A new biography on Jeannette Rankin the first woman elected to Congress and a longtime Athens resident was released on Election Day, and its author will visit the University of Georgia next week to discuss Rankins life and legacy. Domestic vehicle retail sales hit record highs in October, driven by GST 2.0-induced affordability, strong festival demand, and a powerful rural recovery, with PV sales rising 11% and two-wheeler sales surging 52% year-on-year. Kindly note the image have only been published for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy, Gustavo Fring/Pexels Buoyed up by goods and services tax (GST) reforms and festival-season demand, domestic passenger vehicle (PV) and two-wheeler sales hit record highs in October. PV sales rose 11 per cent year-on-year to 557,000 units, while two-wheeler sales jumped 52 per cent to 3.15 million units, according to data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (Fada). Commercial vehicle sales in the month rose 18 per cent, aided by higher freight movement and infrastructure activity, while three-wheeler and tractor sales grew 5 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively. Construction equipment was the only laggard, with sales declining 30 per cent year-on-year. The 42-day festival season also saw the highest ever overall retail vehicles sales numbers, which were up 21 per cent over the corresponding period last year. The introduction of GST 2.0 proved transformational -- lower GST rates on small cars made vehicle ownership more attainable, especially for the cost-sensitive first-time buyer. This affordability boost, timed perfectly with the festival season, turned sentiment into action, said Fada President C S Vigneshwar. For dealers, there was some relief as inventory levels fell by 5-7 days to 53-55 days, indicating healthier supply alignment in the PV segment. The 2025 festival season delivered the highest ever sales and growth across categories. Overall vehicle retails surged 21 per cent Y-o-Y, affirming the success of the governments transformative GST reforms, which truly embodies the spirit of simpler tax, stronger growth, Vigneshwar added. Among major players in the PV segment, Maruti Suzuki India consolidated its number-one position in October with an 18 per cent increase in sales to 239,000 units, followed by Tata Motors, whose sales rose 13 per cent to 75,352 units, and Mahindra & Mahindra, up 9 per cent to 67,918 units. Hyundai Motor India, however, saw retail sales decline 7 per cent to 65,442 units. In the two-wheeler segment, Hero MotoCorp recorded the sharpest gain, with sales rising 72 per cent Y-o-Y to 994,787 units from 577,678 units in October 2024. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter Indias sales grew 48 per cent to 821,976 units, while TVS Motors rose 58 per cent to 558,075 units. "The standout story of the month was the rise of Bharat. Rural India became the true growth engine, as a favourable monsoon, higher farm incomes, and the governments infrastructure push drove purchasing power. "PV sales in rural areas grew over three times faster than in urban markets, while rural two-wheeler sales rose at nearly twice the rate seen in urban India, marking a structural shift in the demand map of the automobile sector, Vigneshwar said. During the festival period, two-wheeler sales rose 22 per cent over last year, PV sales 23 per cent, commercial vehicles 15 per cent, three-wheelers 9 per cent, and tractors 14 per cent. Construction equipment, however, saw sales contracting 24 per cent amid project delays and financing constraints. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff The Russians are trying to hold on to positions in the northern districts of the city of Kupiansk (Kharkiv region), and Ukrainian soldiers have been effectively trying to dislodge them out of there in recent days, despite the very complicated logistics in the city, Head of the communications department of the Joint Forces Task Force Viktor Trehubov said. "Right now, the Russians in the northern districts of the city [of Kupiansk] are trying to hold on and hold their positions from Ukrainian counterattacks, while the Ukrainians have been quite effectively trying to dislodge them out of there in recent days," the spokesman said during a telethon broadcast on Tuesday. Trehubov said it is very difficult to get to Kupiansk logistically for both Ukrainian units and the enemy. In addition, a huge number of drones are involved. "Every attempt to get there at all is a separate, very big task with an asterisk, even if we are talking about an infantry group. If we are talking about some kind of transport even more so... therefore, the main stress now falls on the shoulders of the assault infantry on both sides, and in general the infantry as such and on the effectiveness of the work of UAVs," the spokesman said. Separately, he recalled the aviation factor and the use of guided aerial bombs, which is also a problem due to the proximity of Kharkiv region to the border with Russia. "Nevertheless, now a lot depends on the courage, on the effectiveness of the actions of the Ukrainian infantry, including the Ukrainian assault infantry," the spokesman said. At the same time, Russian occupation forces continue offensive operations in the area of the town of Vovchansk in Kharkiv region, although they suffer significant losses. "Unlike Kupiansk, most of the buildings in Vovchansk have been destroyed, and they were destroyed a long time ago. The fighting there has been going on for a longer time, and the destruction is much more serious, so the question is where to hold positions in general. The Russians are attacking an area that is already simply destroyed, and Ukrainian forces are defending an area where it is already difficult to put up fortifications," Trehubov said. The spokesman said there are constant strikes there, including by KAB guided aerial bombs. The spokesman also noted that in Vovchansk "there is no such multilayered 'layer cake' [less fortified defense setup] as in Kupiansk or Lyman." "The Russian positions are more defined there, but the Russians are spending a lot of effort there just to push forward, while the situation with the dam has hindered them a little. It really delayed them, but it hasn't stopped them. Now they are suffering greater losses," Trehubov said. "The only question is how many of their own soldiers they are spending to advance through these ruins," the spokesman said. A record amount of pension money may be finding its way into the stock market, if buying figures in the National Stock Exchange (NSE) data are any indication. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff Category inflows touched Rs 37,409 crore for the three months ending September 2025, shows an analysis of NSE data. This is the highest in rolling three-month data going back to 2016. For comparison, it was Rs 4,509 crore in September 2024, and Rs 894 crore in September 2016. The data is based on the NSE monthly reports under the category of New Pension System and may not be fully representative of activity across bourses. Similar figures for foreign investors, for example, show differences with the consolidated numbers across exchanges; but it can be considered indicative of the trend, suggest experts. The total net buying in the first six months of the ongoing financial year 2025-26 (FY26) was Rs 68,678 crore, compared to Rs 7,447 crore in the same period of FY25. Guidelines that have increased the equity ceiling from 15 per cent to 25 per cent for a number of schemes under the National Pension System (NPS) are likely to have played a role, according to industry experts. The changes in the NPS ceiling effective from April 2025 apply to its entire corpus rather than incremental inflows as in the case of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), according to two people familiar with the matter. The consequent rebalancing may have led to a spike in allocations, they said. Monthly flows to NPS would determine activity levels once this rebalancing is completed. More people are coming into the NPS, and the demographic profile of the country means that new joinees are often younger and more willing to make higher allocations to equity, noted Vivek Iyer, partner and financial services risk advisory leader, Grant Thornton Bharat. This can lead to increased stock market activity, and investments will only grow over the next 10-15 years, according to Iyer. The amount of sway over equity markets of pension funds will only increase over a period of time, he said. Increased attempts at awareness have helped inflows but the product has not got to a level of mass adoption relative to Indias population, according to a fund manager for the NPS. There is a long runway for pension products to grow, and incremental penetration would determine the influence of pension money on equity markets over the long term. All will depend on the flows the participation (of individual investors) is quite low, said the person. A new option of the NPS, separate from the one mentioned above, allows for certain schemes to have 100 per cent equity exposure, Business Standard had reported earlier. In addition to the NPS, the EPFO has also been investing in the equity markets from 2015 when it allocated 5 per cent of incremental flows to exchange traded funds (ETFs). An ETF tries to match the returns of a benchmark index, like the Nifty 50 or the BSE Sensex, through passive allocation to the same stocks as the index rather than actively picking stocks that can also result in underperformance. The EPFOs ETF allocation rose to 10 per cent in 2016, and to 15 per cent in 2017. The total investment in ETFs was Rs 1.97 trillion as of FY23. This rose to Rs 2.35 trillion as of FY24. This would suggest that EPFO investments are also in excess of Rs 38,000 crore a year. The EPFOs 2024-25 annual report is yet to be released. With additional inputs from Mayank Patwardhan The US is 'pretty close' to reaching a 'fair trade deal' with India, President Donald Trump has said, adding that he will lower the tariffs imposed on Indian goods at 'some point'. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff This is the second time in less than two weeks that the US president held out hope to seal the proposed bilateral trade deal with India. It is not immediately clear whether it was Trump's usual hyperbole or there was some progress in the negotiations for the much-awaited deal between the two sides. "We're making a deal with India, a much different deal than we had in the past. "So right now, they don't love me, but they'll love us again," Trump said on Monday without elaborating. He made the remarks during a ceremony in the Oval Office where Sergio Gor was sworn in as the US Ambassador to India by Vice President J D Vance. "We're getting a fair deal, just a fair trade deal. We had pretty unfair trade deals. "They're very good negotiators, Sergio, so you have to take a look at that, if you would please," Trump said. "But we're getting close. Scott, I think we're pretty close to doing a deal that's good for everybody," Trump said to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who was present at the ceremony. "That's right," Bessent responded to Trump. "In the old days, do you think (former US President Joe) Biden would ask that question? "I don't think so. 'How are we doing with India?' He didn't know about India. "He didn't know a damn thing. That's okay, Trump said. Trump was asked about the trade deal with India and whether he is willing to consider lowering the current tariff rate imposed on India. "Well, right now the tariffs are very high on India because of the Russian oil, and they've stopped doing the Russian oil. "It's been reduced very substantially. Yeah, we're going to be bringing the tariffs down," Trump said. "At some point, no, at some point, we're going to be bringing them down. Without tariffs, this country would be in such trouble as they were for many years." Relations between New Delhi and Washington have been reeling under severe stress after Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India, including 25 per cent for New Delhi's procurement of Russian oil. India had described the US action as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable" while maintaining that its energy policy is guided by its own national interest. Five rounds of talks have been completed so far for the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement between the US and India. Last month, an official had said in New Delhi that the two countries are "very near" to concluding the proposed bilateral trade agreement, as both sides are converging on most of the issues. The official had said that the two countries are sorting out the language of the agreement. In his remarks, Trump said that Gor is going to have "great success" in New Delhi, as he described the bilateral relationship between India and the US as very important. Trump said India has the fastest-growing middle class and is an important economic and strategic security partner in the Indo-Pacific region. "It's an amazing country, actually, 1.5 billion people. China has 1.4 billion. Those are two big countries. "As Ambassador, Sergio will work to fortify our country's bonds, promote investments in key US industries and technologies, increase American energy exports and expand our security cooperation," Trump said. 'It is high time to recognise that this is the greatest issue India is confronting.' 'Even the BJP should be raising concerns because polluted air suffocates everybody's child.' IMAGE: A protest over rising pollution levels in New Delhi at India Gate, November 9, 2025. Photograph: Atul Kumar Yadav/ANI Photo On Sunday, November 9, hundreds of Delhi residents gathered at India Gate in the national capital demanding urgent action against the toxic air pollution, only to be detained by police within minutes. Environmental activist Vimlendu Jha, founder of Swechha, an organisation mobilising youth for environmental action, was among those forcibly removed and detained for nearly five hours. Delhi's air quality had reached catastrophic levels, with the AQI touching 1,200 on November 12, making it the world's most polluted city. In this interview with Prasanna D Zore/Rediff, Jha describes the police crackdown on peaceful protesters, including children, and explains why Delhi's air pollution constitutes a public health emergency that authorities are attempting to conceal rather than combat. How severe is the air pollution situation in Delhi presently, and what do the current AQI readings signify for the average citizen's health and daily life? The principal irony and unfortunate reality is that we do not even know precisely how polluted the air has become, because citizens have largely lost confidence in Delhi's air quality monitors. According to submissions made to the Supreme Court, most air quality monitors are shut down, typically during peak pollution periods. Furthermore, numerous visuals have emerged through various media platforms showing water being sprinkled near monitoring stations in different areas. Even by the government's own monitors, the AQI has exceeded 400 across many locations. Therefore, despite all efforts to artificially suppress the readings, they are manipulating data, concealing information, or suppressing data rather than addressing pollution itself. They are not tackling the fundamental issue. Consequently, the situation is extremely dire. This constitutes a public health emergency, yet we hear nothing from either the ministry of health, the ministry of environment, or the local government regarding the immediate and long-term impact upon Delhi's citizens, particularly children and the elderly. What purpose would it serve for the Delhi government to suppress this data? After all, people will still experience the pollution's effects. IMAGE: An AQI Monitoring Device shows Poor category during the protest over rising pollution levels at India Gate. Photograph: Atul Kumar Yadav/ANI Photo It is primarily about image preservation. They are engaged in perception management rather than pollution management. The people of Delhi elected its government not merely for excellent public relations and imagery, but for effective action. By concealing the data, they are attempting to demonstrate that they have actually worked and that pollution levels are low. However, the reality is that pollution levels are not low; pollution metres are displaying low numbers. That does not signify that actual pollution levels are low. Why does Delhi experience such extreme spikes in pollution following the monsoon season and during winter's onset? Are these patterns predictable, and could more preventive measures have been implemented? Indeed, there exists what is called the Decision Support System, which analyses data to identify the principal sources of pollution and how it occurs. This system has been operational for several years, so there is a degree of predictability. We are essentially addressing two factors. Firstly, there is the meteorological and geographical disadvantage that Delhi faces. With winter's onset, wind speed and direction change substantially, causing local pollution to settle rather than disperse, thereby increasing AQI numbers. Secondly, this period coincides with two significant episodic sources of pollution: Diwali celebrations and stubble burning, which occurs for approximately four to six weeks. While Delhi's geography cannot be altered, the sources of pollution can be modified. Therefore, the government must address the sources of pollution rather than merely treating the symptom -- the haze. Sprinkling water over trees, roadsides, or even air quality monitors is not a solution. The proposal for artificial rain was similarly misguided -- headline management designed to create the illusion of action. Firstly, it did not work, and secondly, even if it had worked, it would have been extraordinarily expensive and ineffective. There is no scientific evidence to demonstrate that artificial rain can successfully address air pollution. As winter fully descends upon north India, how severe do you anticipate pollution levels will become? Are we confronting a possible public health emergency in the coming weeks? IMAGE: An anti-smog gun sprays water to curb the air pollution at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, November 8, 2025. Photograph: Atul Kumar Yadav/ANI Photo It already is a public health emergency. Private air quality monitors are displaying readings exceeding 800 in numerous areas, sometimes even higher. According to all global standards, this already constitutes a health emergency. Senior physicians in our country have documented the increased number of admissions of patients with pre-existing conditions such as asthma and cardiovascular ailments, predominantly affecting children and the elderly. We have witnessed increased sales of nebulisers and numerous families suffering from coughs, eye irritation, and other ailments. Therefore, it is already a public health emergency. You urged the government to declare a health emergency in Delhi and close schools immediately. How serious is the threat to children's health at present? While adults can manage to some extent, children are considerably more vulnerable for several reasons. Firstly, substantial research demonstrates that children born in Delhi or residing there have compromised lung capacities due to air pollution. Various health studies have confirmed this finding. Secondly, given their limited or stunted lung growth, children's per-body-weight average consumption of air is significantly higher than adults, making their vulnerability to polluted air considerably greater. Thirdly, consider children's exposure: Travelling to school early in the morning, engaging in physical activities, and participating in outdoor activities -- all increase their vulnerability. In summary, the combination of pollution-related stunted lung development, biological factors meaning children consume more oxygen than adults, and their exposure to physical activities while travelling to and attending school makes them particularly vulnerable. You have characterised this as a 'civil disobedience' movement for parents and children. What prompted this call, and what public response have you received thus far? This is more of an emotional response. As a father of a four-and-a-half-year-old daughter, witnessing her cough and requiring a nebuliser is extremely painful. Therefore, I am urging parents that if the government refuses to close schools, it should be voluntary -- people should stop sending their children to school. At least that is the minimum one could do. At least, the police will not arrest you for this form of disobedience, as they arrested many of us. Could you describe what happened during the protest at India Gate? How were you and other demonstrators, including children, treated by the police (Video: Kind courtesy Vimlendu Jha)? It was an entirely peaceful protest on one of the lawns at India Gate, a public space that typically accommodates thousands of people on any Sunday afternoon or winter evening. The gathering was proceeding peacefully, but the entire area was overwhelmed by the Rapid Action Force, riot control police, and regular Delhi Police officers. Within approximately 20 to 25 minutes -- around 5.30 pm -- the police began charging at the protesters. They did not beat us with sticks, but they certainly manhandled us, treating us as though we were sacks of rice. We were thrown into buses, and if you examine the visuals, you can hear people shouting. That included children and minors. One video I recorded from inside the bus went viral. I was able to protect one particular child, who was eventually released and not shoved into the bus. However, while I was detained for four to five hours, several minors remained in the bus and were also detained. This is absolutely disgraceful -- even minors were taken. We were transported to Bawana, an isolated industrial area on the outskirts where there was no transport available. Somehow, people managed to return home. I returned home at 1 am. Why were the protesters detained? Were any specific charges cited, or was this purely an attempt to suppress dissent? I believe it was precisely that. Their justification was that it is a high-security area and therefore any form of protest should not be permitted. However, the irony is striking: It is essential to understand what this protest was about. This was not political in any manner whatsoever. Children, families, mothers, and fathers were asking for fresh air for their children because the pollution is killing them -- it is deadly, it is criminal. Secondly, it was demonstrably a peaceful protest. There was nothing violent about it. A relatively small number of people were protesting. Yet the State determined that this should not be allowed. Rather than the State or government working to clean the air, they sought to suppress voices demanding clean air, and they did so violently. All the visuals and videos reveal that protesters, including ourselves, were treated as criminals, as though we were committing a crime by requesting clean air -- a right that the Constitution of India provides. The State is supposed to be the custodian of our Constitution, yet it did nothing about this. To the contrary, it violated the fundamental rights of our country's citizens. How have political parties reacted to this crisis and the protests? Do you observe genuine concern from any quarter, or merely political opportunism? I believe it is imperative that all political parties unite and express their concern. Even the BJP should be raising concerns because polluted air suffocates everybody's child, not merely those of a particular political party. This is not a government scheme that one can choose to decline or selectively access. It is air. Whether you approve or not, it is the same for everyone, or virtually the same for everyone. It is high time that all political parties -- because today or tomorrow they will be in power, or they have been in power -- realise the importance of environment, public health, and governance in public health matters. I hope that this issue is amplified not merely for tokenism or electoral opportunities, but as a genuine commitment. Those who seek to govern, to be in power, to lead the country, must lead healthy citizens. They cannot lead sick, vulnerable people and youth. What should citizens and parents do now, beyond protests and social media outrage? How can individuals protect themselves? IMAGE: Police personnel detain protesters during the protest against rising air pollution at India Gate, November 9, 2025. Photograph: Atul Kumar Yadav/ANI Photo What you witnessed was a cry for help. Ultimately, how many people can actually afford to purchase air purifiers? The government can issue tenders and acquire air purifiers for themselves. How many people in India can actually afford to purchase air purifiers for every corner of their house? We have no choice but to demand clean air from the government. That is the only option citizens possess. One often wonders, particularly those who live away from Delhi, why politicians do not protest as vigorously as ordinary citizens? Do they not breathe the same Delhi air? There are more than 540 Lok Sabha MPs, Rajya Sabha MPs, Delhi MLAs, plus diplomats from around the world residing in Delhi. Why do they not protest? Do they not breathe the same air? They absolutely should. Some do not because it is their own doing, misdoing, or failure to act. Ultimately, they are the ones who are supposed to be enacting laws and implementing those laws concerning clean air, clean water, clean environment, and the right to life. Yet they themselves are preoccupied with politicking rather than fighting for genuine issues. That is why we observe the situation as it is. As a parent and as someone fighting pollution in Delhi, what would be your appeal or message to India's politicians who are in Delhi and possess the power to effect change? My appeal to the political class would be this: It is high time to recognise that this is the greatest issue India is confronting. Nothing kills more people in our country than air pollution. Everyone must unite, transcending political divisions, and find a solution to this crisis. We must do this because otherwise we can be a wealthy nation, but we will be a weak nation and a dying nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that all conspirators of the Delhi blast that killed 12 people will be "brought to justice". IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a gathering at the Changlimithang celebration ground in Thimphu. Photograph: Screen grab/PMO India YouTube Addressing a gathering at the Changlimithang celebration ground in Thimphu, the prime minister said that Monday's "horrifying" blast in Delhi shocked everyone. "I understand the plight of those affected by the blast," he said, stressing that today the entire nation stands with the families of the victims. "All those responsible for it will be brought to justice," the prime minister said. Modi said he was in a meeting with agencies and people involved in the blast's investigation overnight on Tuesday. Our agencies will get to the bottom of the conspiracy, and no conspirator will be spared, he said. The high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing 12 people and gutting several vehicles. Prime Minister Modi arrived in Bhutan earlier in the day for a two-day visit during which he will join the 70th birthday celebrations of the fourth king of the Himalayan nation Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The man driving the car that exploded near the Red Fort killing at least nine people allegedly also had links to the Faridabad terror module where huge cache of explosive material was seized, Delhi Police sources said on Tuesday. IMAGE: Delhi Police officials inspect the spot where an explosion took place in a car near the Red Fort, in Delhi on November 10, 2025. Photograph: ANI video grab According to sources, Umar Mohammad, a Pulwama resident and a doctor, was allegedly driving the Hyundai i20 car that was used in the explosion near the parking area of the Red Fort Metro Station. Preliminary findings by police suggest ammonium nitrate, fuel oil and detonators may have been used in the blast near the Red Fort that killed at least nine people, police sources said. A police source said initial findings suggest a possible link between the Delhi blast to the Faridabad terror module where 360 kg of ammonium nitrate was seized. "Final reports are awaited," the source added. Police said CCTV footage of the car that exploded shows a "masked man" driving the car. Multiple teams have been deployed to scan CCTV from the vicinity of the Red Fort and adjoining routes, they added. Delhi Police remains on high alert after a powerful blast ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing at least nine people, injuring 20 people and leaving several vehicles gutted. Hours before the blast in Delhi, eight people, including three doctors, were arrested and 2,900 kg of explosives seized with the uncovering of a "white collar" terror module on Monday. The 2,900 kg of explosive material recovered in Faridabad includes ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur. Of this, 360 kg of inflammable material suspected to be ammonium nitrate and some arms and ammunition were recovered, according to police. Police sources alleged Umar Mohammad was another doctor in the Faridabad module who have already been arrested. Umar Mohammad, who is a doctor by profession, was allegedly associated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror module, they said. According to sources, a man named Tariq from Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, who has been arrested, is said to have given the Hyundai i20 car to Umar Mohammad. After his fellow doctors who were part of the terror module were arrested, Umar Mohammad allegedly carried out this terror attack fearing that he too might be caught, sources added. Following the blast, security across the national capital has been intensified, and vehicle checking at all border points intensified as well. All vehicles entering Delhi, whether private or commercial, are being thoroughly checked and verified as part of heightened security measures, officials said. "Multiple teams have been deployed to scan CCTV footage from the vicinity of the Red Fort and adjoining routes to know more about the masked man driving the Hyundai i20 car in which the explosion occurred," a police source said. "We also got to know that the vehicle was parked in a nearby parking lot for three hours, before the blast. Footage of different parking lots are also bening monitored," the source added. He added that an overnight search operation was conducted at hotels and guest houses in Daryaganj and Paharganj areas to trace possible suspects. Police checked hotel registers, verified entries, and questioned several staff members to identify anyone matching the suspect's description. All police stations in the national capital have been asked to stay alert and maintain strict vigil at local markets, metro stations, bus stands, and railway stations. "Teams have been asked to stay alert, attend all emergency-related calls, intensify checking in their area, and report any suspicious activity immediately," said a police officer. Police have registered an FIR into the matter and multiple teams from the Special Cell, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), and local police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the explosion. They are also probing whether it could be a case of a "suicide bombing" or a larger terror plot, said the source. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha had said the explosion took place around 6.52 pm in a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort Metro Station. "There were passengers inside the vehicle. Other vehicles nearby were also affected. Teams from the Delhi Police, FSL, NIA, and NSG inspected the place of occurrence and are taking stock of the situation," he said. Officers said the blast was so powerful that it gutted several vehicles and shattered window panes of nearby cars, buildings, and glass panels of the metro station. According to the Delhi Fire Services, ten fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and the blaze was brought under control by 7.29 pm. "All the senior officers are also looking that the blast related to Faridabad terror network," another source said. Videos shared by local traders showed the magnitude of the explosion -- mangled bodies, damaged vehicles, and scattered debris near the blast site. Police said nine people were killed, while 20 others, including two women, were injured and taken to LNJP Hospital. Among the injured, 12 are residents of Delhi, and eight belong to other states, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. The deceased include Ashok Kumar (34) from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, and Amar Kataria (35) from Delhi, while others remain unidentified and are aged between 28 and 58 years. One mutilated body was recovered from the mangled remains of the car, officials said. The second phase of the two phase Bihar elections will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Of the total 243 seats, polling will be held in 122 seats. IMAGE: Mahagathbandan Chief Ministerial candidate Tejaswi Yadav addresses an election rally in Aurangabad, November 9, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Phase 2: Financial Background Accoding to data collected by the Association for Democratic Reforms, of the 1,297 candidates analysed from 1,302 in the fray, 562 are crorepatis. The maximum number (86) candidates belong to Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party followed by the Rashtriya Janata Dal's 59. Phase 2: Criminal Candidates When it comes to criminal records, 415 candidates have declared criminal cases. Of these, 341 candidates have serious criminal cases registered against their names. The maximum number (38) candidates belong to the RJD while 30 belong to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff While it is evident that the INDIA bloc has not shut its doors on Nitish Kumar, those within the NDA are hopeful that the JD-U's support base would benefit them as well. IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at an election meeting in Navenagar, Aurangabad, Bihar, November 9, 2025. Photograph: Kind courtesy JD-U/X Thousands from all corners of Patna and its adjoining districts converged in the heart of Bihar's capital on November 2 evening, to participate in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow. As men, not an insignificant number of women, and young people cheered for the PM, an unsmiling Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan 'Lalan' Singh, who stood beside Modi, had many in the crowd wondering if all wasn't well within the National Democratic Alliance. Lalan Singh, a close confidante of Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United President Nitish Kumar, was representing his party at the rally. On May 12, 2024, when the PM led his first-ever roadshow in Bihar while campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls, Nitish Kumar had occupied the spot that belonged to Lalan Singh on November 2evening. Modi has had two more roadshows in the interregnum in the state, although unrelated to any immediate election. Modi had taken out a roadshow in Patna on May 29 this year to mark the success of Operation Sindoor where he sat inside a vehicle. As he had told a public meeting at Rohtas district's Bikramganj the next day, Modi said he returned to Bihar after 'fulfilling' the promise that he had made in Madhubani on April 24, two days after the Pahalgam terror attack, where he had declared that India will pursue the terrorists and their backers to the ends of the earth. At the PM's road show in Rohtas, Nitish Kumar had stood right next to him. That Modi and Nitish Kumar have not shared stage during the PM's last few public meetings has the Opposition INDIA bloc alleging that all isn't well within the NDA. To buttress their point, they have argued that instead of stating that it would again be a 'Nitish Kumar-led government', Union Home Minister Amit Shah has more than once said that November 14, the counting day, will see the formation of 'an NDA government'. Opposition leaders have also alleged that Nitish Kumar left the NDA's manifesto unveiling event on October 31 within 58 seconds. Off record, JD-U sources insist that Nitish Kumar had to rush to attend public meetings, while second rung NDA leaders, such as Chirag Paswan and Upendra Kushwaha, have said that he will indeed be sworn in as the NDA government's CM for a record tenth time after November 14. Nitish Kumar's close associates, who were involved in selecting the party's 101 candidates -- which is the JD-U's share within the NDA -- are enthused that their party would perform significantly better than the 43 seats it secured in the 2020 polls. A close associate of Nitish Kumar's told Business Standard that the party has focused on the "winnability quotient" of candidates this time, instead of its earlier commitment to fielding dedicated party workers, even if they lacked resources, on earlier occasions. "Neither the Bharatiya Janata Party nor the Opposition ranks have a chief ministerial face, even if he is ageing, with acceptability cutting across caste, gender, religious and class divides," an associate said. Nitish Kumar's achievements during almost two decades at Bihar's helm are massive, and points to his policy interventions to address gender, urban-rural, and caste inequality. "The only criticism could be that he did not deliver the industrialisation that Bihar needed. But we need to remember that after the Singur and Nandigram agitations, the Bihar government found it wise to let go of the development model that required acquiring farmlands for special economic zones," a JD-U leader said. While the INDIA bloc, including the Congress' Rahul Gandhi, have accused the BJP for being the party of 'big business', the most they have accused Nitish Kumar is of being a 'puppet' in the hands of the BJP, bureaucrats and a group within the JD-U that allegedly controls him. After several decades in politics, Nitish Kumar can neither be accused of corruption nor of dynastic politics. His close associates, however, are wary of efforts by some within the party to push his sonNishant to the forefront of the JD-U. "Corruption and dynastic ambitions, or the absence of it, distinguished Nitish Kumar from Lalu Prasad and other socialist leaders and that legacy cannot be sullied," the close associate said. IMAGE: Modi, along with Nitish Kumar, during a rally in Samastipur for the Bihar assembly elections. Photograph: Narendra Modi Photo Gallery/ANI Photo When it comes to governance, Nitish Kumar has been a trailblazer. Within months of forming the government in 2005, he sent at least 100,000 criminals to jail, forcing several to pursue more conventional trades. "What it did was trigger a consumption and construction boom. Earlier, people were wary of buying motor vehicles or constructing houses lest they receive extortion calls," the associate added. Reservation for women in panchayats has meant of the 8,400 panchayats, 4,200 are headed by women now. Similarly, reservation for extremely backward castes (EBCs) helped end the influence of Naxalism, as dominance of upper castes in panchayats reduced. "That there have been no notable narsanhar (mass killings) since 2005 is evidence of that," the associate said. It was way back in 1992 that Nitish Kumar spoke of the need for a caste census in a speech in Parliament, the associate added. As CM, Nitish Kumar had insisted that the Centre, during the UPA government's rule, set up a national university in Motihari and not in Patna. He was also the first to start the 'Har ghar jal' scheme for rural areas, which the Centre replicated in 2019, according to the associate. Bicycles and allowances for girl students contributed to reducing the drop-out rate from schools and decreased Bihar's fertility rate from 4.9 in early 2000s to 2.8 in 2023. Reforms in the electricity sector have meant that not just cities but rural areas also get power supply. When Kumar formed the government, Bihar needed 2,500 Mw of power, of which the Centre provided 800 Mw, 500 Mw of which was for Patna and the remainder for rest of the state -- villagers used to wait for the two hours of power supply, which could be at any time of day or night. The respect and sympathy that Nitish Kumar commands is evident across gender and age groups. IMAGE: Modi flanked by Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan 'Lalan' Singh, during the roadshow for the Bihar assembly elections in Patna, November 2, 2025. Photograph: Narendra Modi Photo Gallery/ANI Photo On November 2 afternoon, 17-year-old Sainik Paswan, a self-confessed Modi fan, started from Bakhtiarpur to travel to Gandhi Maidan, a journey of 55 km which involved a train, several autorickshaws and a couple of kilometres covered on foot due to traffic restriction -- all to join the PM's roadshow. But Paswan, who has ambitions to become a content creator and start his YouTube channel once he turns 18, had a day earlier motorcycled all the way to Kalyan Bigha, Kumar's village, to understand why his mother was such a big fan of the CM. "I think I understood. It was a simple house. There was no security. I couldn't even see an air conditioner," Sainik told Business Standard. His mother, aunts and sisters have been beneficiaries of Nitish Kumar's efforts at empowering women over the last two decades, Sainik added, and recently received Rs 10,000 each in their bank accounts. Addressing public rallies in the Phulwari assembly constituency for his party's sitting legislator Gopal Ravidas, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation chief Dipankar Bhattacharya was careful not to criticise Nitish Kumar directly. Bhattacharya claimed that 49 of the BJP's 101 candidates are from upper castes, which is '50 per cent reservation' and that it is part of a 'design to bring back the feudalism that existed in Bihar'. In February 2023, Nitish Kumar, who was then leading the erstwhile Mahagathbandan government in Bihar, had met Bhattacharya to give the initial shape to the INDIA bloc. When asked about Nitish Kumar's legacy, Bhattacharya told Business Standard, that he "won't write him off" and it is "still premature to talk about his legacy". However, it would be a mixed legacy, Bhattacharya said, of a man who navigated the political landscape so adroitly over the last four decades when several leaders and parties became irrelevant while he remained at the centre of it. "While survival is his biggest skill set, at a time when social justice was just reduced to reservation, he talked about education, and expanded the whole social justice discourse," Bhattacharya said. Nitish Kumar's slogans on good governance and development with justice are "unexceptionable", Bhattacharya added, but the CM also ended up becoming the biggest facilitator of the BJP at a very crucial time. Nitish Kumar's own caste, the Kurmis, is barely three per cent of Bihar's population, but he commands a support base across women, EBCs and Mahadalits. While it is evident that the INDIA bloc has not shut its doors on Nitish Kumar, those within the NDA are hopeful that the JD-U's support base would benefit them as well. Come November 14, Nitish Kumar might again surprise most, as he did in the Lok Sabha polls in 2024. Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff The Delhi Police registered an FIR on Tuesday into the blast near the Red Fort under the UAPA and conducted raids at multiple locations in the national capital as preliminary findings suggested a link to the terror module uncovered in Faridabad. IMAGE: NSG team and forensic technicians investigate the site of the blast in a Hyundai i20 car near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro station, in New Delhi on November 10, 2025. Photograph: ANI video grab Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting at 11 am in the wake of the blast on Monday evening that left nine people dead and 20 injured, sources said. The meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director, Intelligence Bureau, Tapan Deka, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha and DG, NIA, Sadanand Vasant Date. DGP of Jammu and Kashmir Nalin Prabhat will attend the meeting virtually. Police registered an FIR under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosives Act under sections which deal with punishment and conspiracy of a terror attack. Raids are being conducted at multiple locations by Delhi Police and the national capital has been placed on high alert with strict vigil being maintained at the airport, railway stations and bus terminals. According to sources, Umar Mohammad, a Pulwama resident and a doctor, was allegedly driving the Hyundai i20 car that was used in the explosion near the parking area of the Red Fort Metro Station. Police sources said the first picture of the man driving the car that exploded near the Red Fort emerged in CCTV footage of the area. He allegedly had links to the terror module in Faridabad, where a huge cache of explosive material was seized, they said. Preliminary findings by police suggest ammonium nitrate, fuel oil and detonators may have been used in the blast near the Red Fort that killed at least nine people, police sources said. A police source said initial findings suggest a possible link between the Delhi blast to the Faridabad terror module where 360 kg of ammonium nitrate was seized. "Final reports are awaited," the source added. Police said CCTV footage of the car that exploded shows a "masked man" driving the car. Multiple teams have been deployed to scan CCTV from the vicinity of the Red Fort and adjoining routes, they added. Shah, who will hold a review meet on Tuesday morning, had said after the blast that he will hold a detailed analysis on the blast with top security officers. "Tomorrow morning, we will have a detailed analysis of the blast at the home ministry with senior officers," Shah told reporters after meeting those injured at the LNJP Hospital here. The home minister had said that top investigating agencies were probing the blast with full intensity, and will go in-depth into the explosion which took place in a Hyundai i20 car. Delhi Police remains on high alert after a powerful blast ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing at least nine people, injuring 20 people and leaving several vehicles gutted. Hours before the blast in Delhi, eight people, including three doctors, were arrested and 2,900 kg of explosives were seized with the uncovering of a "white collar" terror module on Monday. The 2,900 kg of explosive material recovered in Faridabad includes ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur. Of this, 360 kg of inflammable material, suspected to be ammonium nitrate and some arms and ammunition were recovered, according to police. Police sources alleged Umar Mohammad was another doctor in the Faridabad module who have already been arrested. Umar Mohammad, who is a doctor by profession, was allegedly associated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror module, they said. According to sources, a man named Tariq from Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, who has been arrested, is said to have given the Hyundai i20 car to Umar Mohammad. After his fellow doctors who were allegedly part of the terror module were arrested, Umar Mohammad allegedly carried out this terror attack fearing that he too might be caught, sources added. Following the blast, security across the national capital has been intensified, and vehicle checking at all border points has been intensified as well. All vehicles entering Delhi, whether private or commercial, are being thoroughly checked and verified as part of heightened security measures, officials said. "Multiple teams have been deployed to scan CCTV footage from the vicinity of the Red Fort and adjoining routes to know more about the masked man driving the Hyundai i20 car in which the explosion occurred," a police source said. "We also got to know that the vehicle was parked in a nearby parking lot for three hours, before the blast. Footage of different parking lots are also being monitored," the source added. He added that an overnight search operation was conducted at hotels and guest houses in Daryaganj and Paharganj areas to trace possible suspects. Police checked hotel registers, verified entries, and questioned several staff members to identify anyone matching the suspect's description. All police stations in the national capital have been asked to stay alert and maintain strict vigil at local markets, metro stations, bus stands, and railway stations. "Teams have been asked to stay alert, attend all emergency-related calls, intensify checking in their area, and report any suspicious activity immediately," said a police officer. Police are also probing whether it could be a case of a "suicide bombing" or a larger terror plot, said a source. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha on Monday told reporters that the explosion took place around 6.52 pm in a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort Metro Station. The Red Fort Metro Station has been closed for commuters, while traffic restrictions have also been imposed in the area. In a post on X, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said, "Service Update. Lal Qila Metro Station is closed due to security reasons. All other stations are functional as normal." The Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory regarding restrictions and diversions have been put in place and advised commuters to avoid these routes from 6 am till further order and use alternative roads for a hassle-free journey. "No vehicles shall be allowed on Netaji Subhash Marg from Chatta Rail Cut to Subhash Marg Cut and vice versa," read the advisory. A woman doctor from Lucknow, who was among eight people arrested after the busting of an inter-state terror module, had married a man from Maharashtra, but the couple got divorced in 2015, a police official said in Mumbai on Tuesday. IMAGE: A police officer stands at the site of the blast in a Hyundai i20 car near Gate no 1 of the Red Fort Metro station, in New Delhi, November 11, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Citing initial information, the official said Dr Shaheen Sayeed, also named in Monday's Delhi car blast case, had married a Maharashtra resident named Zafar Hayat. Their marriage did not work for long and in 2015, the couple parted ways, he said without providing more details like the native place of the woman's former husband in the state or his profession. After divorce, Sayeed, associated with Al Falah University in Haryana's Faridabad, was staying alone and there is a possibility that she may have been indoctrinated during this period, the official said. Earlier on the day, the doctor's father admitted in Lucknow that his daughter had married a man from Maharashtra. As more details emerge, investigating agencies may expand the scope of the probe and cover the state as well, the official said. Eight people, including three doctors, were arrested on Monday, and 2,900 kg of explosives seized in Faridabad with the uncovering of a "white collar" terror module involving the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, and spanning Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Among those arrested following a 15-day operation was Sayeed, who originally hails from Lucknow. The doctor was part of the newly formed Jamaat-ul-Mominaat, an organisation launched by banned Jaish-e-Mohammed last month, officials claimed in New Delhi on the basis of preliminary investigations. Sayeed is alleged to be part of Jaish-e-Mohammed's women recruitment wing in India. The officials alleged that Sayeed, believed to be in her mid 30s, was in touch with her handler in Pakistan with possible instructions to recruit more and more women for terror activities. In Lucknow, her father pleaded his ignorance about her involvement in terror activities and said he had come to know about her arrest through media only. Probe into the car blast near the Red Fort that killed 12 people was transferred to the National Investigation Agency on Tuesday, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah instructing the agency to submit a report "at the earliest". IMAGE: Teams from the NIA examine the site of the Delhi blast, November 11, 2025. Photograph: ANI screen grab/X The ministry of home affairs' decision to transfer the case to the NIA suggests that the government views the Monday evening explosion as an act of terror since the NIA is mandated specifically to investigate such cases. The agency was formed in the aftermath of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. The instruction to the NIA came after Shah presided over two back-to-back high-level security review meetings on Tuesday. "The home minister has decided to hand over the investigation of the blast to the NIA. He has instructed the agency to investigate the case and submit a report at the earliest," said a ministry official. Shah has said top investigating agencies are probing the explosion and they will go in-depth into the blast that took place in a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing at least 12 people and gutting several vehicles. Following the two review meetings, Shah took to social media and made his resolve clear to pursue those responsible for the incident. "Chaired review meetings on the Delhi car blast with the senior officials. Instructed them to hunt down each and every culprit behind this incident. Everyone involved in this act will face the full wrath of our agencies," Shah wrote on X. The first meeting was attended by key security and intelligence officials, including Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, and NIA director general Sadanand Vasant Date. Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Nalin Prabhat also joined the meeting virtually. During the meeting, top officials gave detailed presentations on the situation in the aftermath of the blast, the officials said. Almost the same set of officers attended the afternoon security review meeting chaired by Shah which was also attended by the director of the Forensic Science Services, and the chief director of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Delhi. Shah also instructed the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to match the samples collected from the bodies in the car that exploded near the Red Fort here, the officials said. He directed the FSL to match and investigate the sample specimens collected from the spot of the Delhi blast and come up with the details of the incident at the earliest. The directives were given following the second security review meeting chaired by Shah. The NIA, which was already associated with the local police, has commenced the process of formally taking over the investigation from the Delhi Police and the Jammu and Kashmir Police, which had registered the case under stringent laws like the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. "MHA has issued orders for handing over the investigation of the car blast case to NIA. NIA has started the process of formally taking over the case," an agency spokesperson said. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ Russians are increasing the number and scale of assaults in Pokrovsk axis and Zaporizhia region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after a report by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky. "Frontline: the most attention is now on Pokrovsk axis and Zaporizhia region, where the Russians are increasing the number and scale of assaults. The situation there is difficult, and in particular due to weather conditions that favor attacks. But we continue to destroy the occupier," Zelenskyy said in Telegram channel on Tuesday. He thanked every unit and soldier involved in protecting Ukrainian positions. According to the president, the situation in Kupiansk is "a little easier." "Our soldiers have results, and this has been a trend for several weeks," he said. Zelenskyy and Syrsky also discussed specific directions and expected results from deep strikes. "Ukrainian long-range sanctions should be in effect every day, and this is being achieved," the president said. Security agencies widened their probe across Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday following the Delhi car blast near the Red Fort that left at least 12 people dead, conducting searches in multiple districts including Lucknow, Saharanpur and Lakhimpur Kheri. IMAGE: Lucknow police and dog squad team sleuths conduct a security check near Hazratganj crossing after the Delhi car blast, in Lucknow, November 11, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Heightened security checks continued at public places amid stepped-up scrutiny of individuals with suspected links to the accused held so far. In Lucknow, a joint team of the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), local police and central agencies carried out an extensive probe at the Muttaqipur residence of Dr. Shaheen Shahid, who was earlier arrested in connection with the Delhi blast case. Officials collected documents and questioned family members and neighbours to gather details about her background, sources said. Her father, Syed Ahmad Ansari, told reporters that he was "shocked to hear of her alleged involvement. "I have three children. My eldest son is Mohammad Shoaib, who lives here with me. My daughter is Shaheen Shahid and my youngest son is Parvez Ansari. "I last spoke to Shaheen about a month ago. I have never heard her mention Dr. Muzammil or anyone connected to such activities," Ansari said. She had completed her medical studies from Allahabad (now Prayagraj), the father added. Police sources said Shaheen is believed to have links with Dr. Muzammil, from whose possession a large quantity of explosives was earlier seized in Faridabad. Muzammil was wanted by the Jammu and Kashmir Police in a separate case related to a social media post allegedly supporting the banned organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed. In Lakhimpur Kheri, the family of Mohammad Suhail, who was detained by the Gujarat ATS on Sunday from Banaskantha district along with two others in connection with suspected terror activities, claimed he was innocent and wrongly implicated. Suhail, a resident of Singahi town, lived with his father Salim, mother Rukhsana, brother Wasim and a younger sister. His mother said her son had been studying 'Hafiza' at a Darul Uloom in Muzaffarnagar for the past three years and had never been involved in any wrongdoing. "How can my son be involved in such acts? He was so simple and gentle. We never received any complaint about him from his madrassa or our town," she told reporters tearfully. She said Suhail had last visited home during Bakrid in June and later went back to resume studies. A few days ago, he had informed his sister that he was on a vacation trip to Gujarat. The family's modest home in Singahi has remained under watch since Sunday following his arrest. Both his father and younger brother work as mechanics, the police said, adding that no criminal record of Suhail was found in the district. In Saharanpur, investigators traced the activities of another suspect, Dr. Adil Ahmad, who was arrested on November 7 by the Jammu and Kashmir Police with the assistance of the local police and Special Operations Group. According to officials, Adil, a resident of Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir, had rented a house in Bapu Vihar Colony on Ambala Road in Saharanpur, where he was working at Famous Hospital for the past six months. Locals described him as a reserved man who rarely interacted with neighbours and often received late-night visitors, with several vehicles parked outside his residence. Adil had earlier served at another private hospital in the city. Hospital manager Dr. Manoj Mishra said, "He never showed any sign of being involved in suspicious activities. He was polite and focused on his patients. If anything had seemed wrong, we would have informed the police." The Jammu and Kashmir Police had registered a case in Srinagar on October 28 after posters supporting Jaish-e-Mohammed surfaced in several areas. CCTV footage reportedly showed Adil putting up the posters, following which surveillance traced his location to Saharanpur. He was arrested from Famous Hospital and handed over to the Srinagar Police on transit remand. The hospital has since terminated his employment and removed his nameplate. Agencies from Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh ATS and other central units continue their investigations in Saharanpur to determine Adil's local contacts and possible links with other accused in the Delhi blast case. Meanwhile, following the Delhi blast, security arrangements were intensified across Uttar Pradesh, with police conducting checking drives at crowded markets, metro stations, shopping malls, railway stations and bus terminals. Bomb disposal squads and dog units were also deployed at sensitive locations. "Vigilance has been increased in all major districts and instructions have been issued for round-the-clock patrolling," a senior police official said, adding that the alert would continue until further orders. Apart from Lucknow, the security alert has been extended across the state, including prominent places like Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Mathura-Vrindavan, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Saharanpur and Aligarh, the officials said. Among the 12 people killed in the Delhi blast, Ashok Kumar (45), a native of Amroha, and Nauman Ansari (18) of Shamli, Mohsin (32) of Meerut, Dinesh Mishra (32) of Shravasti have so far been identified as those hailing from Uttar Pradesh. Shiva Jaiswal (22) from Deoria suffered injuries in the blast. A woman doctor, who was among eight people arrested after the busting of an inter-state terror module, was part of the newly formed Jamaat-ul-Mominaat, an organisation launched by banned Jaish-e-Mohammed last month, officials claimed on the basis of preliminary investigations. IMAGE: Lucknow cops check vehicles near Hazratganj crossing after the Delhi car blast , in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, November 11, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Dr Shaheen Sayeed, who was taken to Srinagar on Monday and placed under arrest, is alleged to be part of Jaish-e-Mohammed's women recruitment wing in India. The officials alleged that Dr Sayeed, believed to be in her mid 30's and part of the Al-Falah University in Faridabad, was in touch with her handler in Pakistan with possible instructions to recruit more and more women for terror activities. In Lucknow, her father pleaded his ignorance about her involvement in terror activities and said that he had come to know about her arrest through media only. Jamaat-ul-Mominaat was formed after the banned JeM decided to form its women's unit. The announcement for its formation was made through a letter in the name of JeM chief and UN-designated terrorist Masood Azhar in October this year with Sadiya Azhar being nominated as its chief. Sadiya is wife of Yusuf Azhar who was among many people killed during Operation Sindoor on May 7, when India struck JeM's headquarters at Markaz Subhanallah in Bahawalpur. The alleged role of Dr Sayeed indicated that JeM is following ISI policy of recruiting female attackers on the lines adopted by groups like Islamic State of Iraq and Syria which used women in combat or suicide operations. This development has also highlighted the concern of Jammu and Kashmir Police, central security agencies and the Army operating in J-K that ISI was trying to influence females more into the terror module, the officials said. The J&K Police has already intensified its surveillance on several educational institutions, particularly private schools, due to growing concerns over the alleged radicalisation of young minds, especially among female students. The officials said that disturbing information was coming from some private schools in Kashmir who allegedly indulged in the spread of radical ideologies among youngsters, mainly females. The surge in radicalisation among the females has even startled some ex-separatist groups as they are concerned that another religious extremism wave, forced from the other side of the Line of Control (LoC), will destabilise the valley's centuries-old 'Sufi' tradition. The officials indicated a sudden surge in pan-Islamist thought among youths, including girls, in the valley as intelligence reports suggest that fanatical clerics are indoctrinating them with a rigid interpretation of Islam that rejects traditional Kashmiri practices, such as visiting and paying obeisance at the shrines of Sufi saints. The educational system of the Kashmir Valley has been irrevocably harmed, repeatedly proving incapable of presenting students with a future vision and thus resorting to a strict interpretation of Islam as a refuge, the officials said. The family of the man suspected to be involved in the Delhi blast near Red Fort metro station said cannot believe that he could be involved in terror activities. IMAGE: Members of the forensic team work at the site of an explosion near the Red Fort in the old quarters of New Delhi, November 11, 2025. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Dr Umar Nabi was allegedly driving the Hyundai i20 car that was used in the blast near the parking area of the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday, killing at least 12 people. He hails from Koil village in Pulwama, they said. Muzamil, sister-in-law of Dr Umar Nabi, said he was an introvert right from his childhood, did not have many friends and used to focus on his studies and work. "He was working as a faculty at a college in Faridabad. He called on Friday saying he is busy with examinations and will return home after three days. He was a reserved kind of person right from childhood," Muzamil said. She insisted that Umar was not the kind of person to get involved in terror activities. "We struggled a lot to ensure he gets educated so that he is able to take care of himself and the family. This is unbelievable," she added. Umar had last visited Kashmir two months ago, Muzamil said. Preliminary findings by Delhi Police suggest ammonium nitrate, fuel oil and detonators may have been used in the blast, linking it to the terror module uncovered in Faridabad, where 2,900 kg explosive materials and inflammables was seized. "Final reports are awaited," the source added. Police registered an FIR under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosives Act under sections which deal with punishment and conspiracy of a terror attack. The Union home ministry has now handed over the investigation to the NIA. The powerful explosion near the Red Fort not only shattered Delhi's calm but also tore through homes hundreds of kilometres away, where families are now struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of their loved ones. IMAGE: Son of Dinesh Misra, who died in the car explosion near the historic Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi, cries outside a mortuary at a hospital, in Delhi, November 11, 2025. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters From the quiet lanes of Shravasti and Deoria to the bustling streets of Meerut, Amroha and Shamli, the victims of the deadly car blast were everyday people -- drivers of taxi and e-rickshaw, cosmetic store owners, DTC bus conductors and all working to support their families, their dreams for better lives. Among the victims was 32-year-old Dinesh Mishra of Ganeshpur village in Shravasti district, who had been working at a printing press in Delhi's Chawri Bazar to support his wife and three children. His father, Bhure Mishra, recalled that Dinesh had returned home for Diwali. "He was a hardworking man. He wanted to give his children a good education. We still can't believe he is gone," Bhure said, his voice breaking as neighbours gathered to console the family. District magistrate Ashwini Pandey said Dinesh's body was being brought back to Shravasti and would reach by Tuesday evening. "We have spoken to the family and assured them of all possible assistance," he told PTI. In Meerut, another family was torn apart not only by grief but also by a painful dispute over where to lay their son to rest. Mohsin, 32, who had moved to Delhi two years ago to earn a living by driving an e-rickshaw, died in the blast near the Red Fort while ferrying passengers. When his body reached his hometown in Lohia Nagar, an emotional disagreement broke out between his wife, Sultana and his parents. While Sultana wanted him buried in Delhi, where they had settled and their children were studying, his parents insisted he be laid to rest in Meerut. Neighbours and relatives tried to mediate as both sides broke down in tears. "The blast took Mohsin away, but now even the family is divided," said a neighbour. After several hours of tension and police intervention, Sultana finally took the body for burial. Eighteen-year-old Nauman Ansari from Shamli had gone to Delhi to buy cosmetics for his shop when the explosion cut short his life. "Nauman was killed on the spot while his cousin Aman sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment at Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi," his uncle Furkan told PTI. Sonu, a relative working near New Delhi Railway Station, said, "Early this morning, I got a call from my uncle saying Nauman was no more and asked me to reach LNJP Hospital." Among the other victims was DTC conductor Ashok Kumar, 34, from Amroha district, who had been supporting his elderly parents and two young children through his job in Delhi. In Deoria, 22-year-old Shiva Jaiswal, who ran a small ready-made garment shop in Bhalauni town, was among those injured in the blast. He had gone to Delhi to buy new stock for the festive season when he was caught in the explosion near the Red Fort. His sister, Purnima Jaiswal, told PTI that Shiva had called earlier that day to say he had finished shopping and would visit their aunt before returning home. "Then we heard about the blast on TV and his phone went unreachable. Later, we found out he was admitted to LNJP Hospital," she said. Shiva's mother, Maya Jaiswal, a local Bharatiya Janata Party Mahila Morcha worker, said she was relieved that her son was alive but shaken by how close the tragedy had come. "He was lucky this time," she said softly. Another deceased, 22-year-old Pankaj Sahni, operated a taxi in the capital to support his family, originally from Bihar. His relative Ramdev Sahni said a phone call was received from Kotwali police station in Delhi regarding his nephew's death. "He drove a taxi for three years. We were told the backside of his head was blown off. The car, a WagnoR, was completely damaged," Sahni said while waiting outside the mortuary. According to the Delhi police, the death toll following the Monday evening blast near Red Fort has risen to 12, with three more people succumbing to their injuries on Tuesday. Over 20 others were injured in the incident, which is now being probed by the National Investigation Agency as a likely terror attack. A case has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosives Act. Delhi and its neighbouring states, including Uttar Pradesh, have been placed on high alert, with enhanced security at airports, railway stations, bus terminals, shopping malls, markets and other crowded places, officials said. Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday called Amit Shah the "most incompetent Home Minister" in independent India and demanded his resignation, alleging intelligence failure in the wake of the blast in Delhi that left 12 people dead. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah visits the spot of the blast near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort metro station, in New Delhi. Photograph: Reuters/ANI Photo Speaking to reporters, he questioned Centre's accountability and asked "how many more people should die". The Congress leader pointed to various terror incidents across the country and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not acting against Amit Shah, who is referred as "modern Sardar Patel" by his supporters. "Amit Shah is the most incompetent Home Minister in independent India. How many more people should lose their lives? Delhi, Manipur, Pulwama, Pehalgam -- Have we got answers? Being a Home Minister he goes on election stage and says that Bangladeshis are infiltrating into India. Who is responsible for it? Is the opposition responsible for it?" Kharge asked. "There is no accountability. He (Shah) is often referred to as the modern Sardar Patel, and repeatedly claims are made about a 56-inch chest. How many more people have to lose their lives before he resigns?" He further asked: "Why is Modi afraid to act against Amit Shah? Is he worried that his Gujarat secrets will come out in the open? There is a limit for everything, they are testing the patience of the people. In any other country, the Home Minister would have resigned by now. How many more people should die? There is intelligence failure... He should resign immediately." The blast occurred in a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station in Delhi on Monday evening, killing 12 people and gutting several vehicles, officials said. Kharge sought to know whether the central government would be held accountable. "Where are those RSS -- patriots? Send them to the border. They speak big, big things, what do they have to say in this situation?...where is the modern Sardar Patel? Let him give accountability," he added. Senior Trinamool Congress Abhishek Banerjee condoled the deaths in the Delhi blast and attacked the Ministry of Home Affairs over what he termed as "grave lapses" in internal security. Banerjee, the TMC national general secretary, said in a post on X that he was "deeply shocked and anguished". "My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families and my prayers are with those recovering from their injuries. It is extremely distressing that such an incident has taken place in the heart of our national capital," he said. Attacking the Centre, the Lok Sabha MP said that Delhi Police, which operates under the Union Home Ministry, "bears the primary responsibility for maintaining law and order". "How, then, are such grave lapses in security being allowed to occur?" he asked. Banerjee also referred to the seizure of nearly 350 kg of explosives and an assault rifle from Faridabad in Haryana on Sunday, noting that the two incidents, when viewed together, "raise alarming questions about internal security and the evident decline in vigilance". He demanded an impartial, time-bound investigation. "An impartial, time-bound investigation must be conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), under court supervision if necessary, to uncover the truth and ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable," he said. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Mahua Maji criticised the BJP-led central government over the blast, questioning how such a major incident could occur "right under its nose and a day before Bihar elections." Questioning the timing of the incident, the Rajya Sabha MP said, "Is an incident like this a day ahead of the polling merely a coincidence, or is there a conspiracy behind it? This is something to think about and a matter of investigation." Terming it a major security lapse, Maji said, "The central government should be ashamed and must answer how such a massive accident happened right under its nose." Polling was underway at a moderate pace on Tuesday across 122 assembly constituencies of Bihar, where 31.38 per cent of 3.7 crore voters exercised their franchise till 11 am in the second and final phase of the high-stakes assembly polls, seen as a veritable referendum on the Janata Dal-United president and chief minister Nitish Kumar. IMAGE: Women show their voter IDs during the second phase of the Bihar election. Photograph: @ECISVEEP/X Although Kumar, who is a member of the state legislative council and has been in the seat of power longer than any of his predecessors, is not himself contesting the polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance is banking on 'good governance' during his tenure to tackle the anti-incumbency factor. The second phase, in which eight ministers of his cabinet are in the fray, involves high stakes for the ruling NDA, as also the opposition INDIA bloc, which pins its hopes on the incumbency factor, as well as the high concentration of Muslims in many of the poll-bound districts. The second phase is of particular significance for the Congress, a spent force which is, nonetheless, the second largest constituent of the INDIA bloc in Bihar. Of the 19 seats it had won in 2020 assembly polls, 12 go to polls in the current phase. Its sitting MLAs include state president Rajesh Kumar Ram (Kutumba) and Shakeel Ahmed Khan (Kadwa). Kishanganj district recorded the highest polling percentage so far at 34.74, followed by Gayaji (34.07), and Jamui (33.69). In the first phase, on November 6, a "record" 65.09 per cent of 3.75 crore electors, across 121 constituencies had cast their vote, which both rival groups claim to be to their advantage. IMAGE: An elderly man shows his inked finger after casting his vote in Jehanabad. Photograph: @DM_Jehanabad/X However, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, the proverbial 'X factor' in the elections, believes that the spike in voting percentage is due to the fact that people of the state, who had been in search of an "alternative", have found one in his barely a year old outfit. Voting began for 122 constituencies in Bihar in the second and final phase of the high-stakes assembly polls amid tight security arrangements, he said. The polling began at 7 am and will continue till 5 pm. In this phase, the electoral fate of 1,302 candidates, including several ministers in the Nitish Kumar government, will be sealed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar urged electors to exercise their franchise in the final phase of polling and set a new voting record. "Today marks the second and final phase of voting in the Bihar assembly elections. I urge all voters to participate enthusiastically and set a new voting record. I especially urge my young friends from the state, who are voting for the first time, to not only cast their votes themselves but also inspire others to do so," the PM said on X. Kumar said voting is "not only our right, but also a responsibility". "I appeal to voters to exercise their right to vote in the second phase of the Bihar assembly elections," he said in a social media post. The districts where voting is underway include West and East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj, all sharing borders with Nepal. Most of these districts fall in the Seemanchal region, which has a high concentration of Muslim population, making it a high-stakes battle for both the INDIA bloc, which banks on the support of the minority community, as well as the ruling NDA, which alleges that the opposition is protecting infiltrators. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said people are "blessing the double-engine government's 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' mantra by pressing the vote button". The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought separate responses of the Election Commission (EC) on pleas filed by DMK, CPI-M, West Bengal Congress and Trinamool Congress leaders challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal respectively. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Sahiba Chawdhary/Reuters A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi asked the poll panel to respond to the fresh petitions in two weeks. The top court asked the Madras and Calcutta high courts to keep in abeyance any proceedings on petitions challenging the SIR exercise in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. It also allowed the listing of an intervention application filed by the AIADMK in support of the SIR in Tamil Nadu. During a brief hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing in the court for the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, said the exercise is being done hurriedly, without following the due process, and different sets of documents are being sought from voters. He said the northeast monsoon in Tamil Nadu is always heavy during November-December, and the coastal districts experience heavy to very heavy rains during this season. "According to the meteorological department, this year, heavier rain than usual is predicted. Because of this, the common people will be preparing for the same and the revenue officials who are enlisted as BLOs, EROs, AEROs will have to manage the flood relief as well. Hence, practically, this is not a conducive time for conducting the above exercises," Sibal said. Justice Kant said in a country as big as India, some states will always face natural calamities. Sibal said there is very poor connectivity in certain areas of the southern state and there will be difficulties in uploading documents. "Similarly, in West Bengal also, rural connectivity is very poor and much bad with regard to Tamil Nadu," he said. The bench said, "It appears that the case being projected before us is that for the first time, electoral rolls are being prepared. We also know the ground realities. There is a constitutional authority which is doing the exercise and it is mandated to do it. Earlier also, it has been done." Justice Kant said the problem is that everybody wants "status quo". Sibal said the petitioners want the EC to do its work but not in this fashion and hurriedly. The bench said political parties should not be apprehensive of the exercise and the EC will give all details related to it. "If we are satisfied that there is something wrong, we will annul the entire exercise," the court said. On the argument that different modalities are being adopted in Tamil Nadu, compared to what was followed in Bihar during the SIR exercise, the bench said it means that the EC has rectified its mistakes. Sibal said the Bihar SIR has nothing to do with the exercise in Tamil Nadu and the situation and conditions are different in the two states. Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing in the court for the EC, sought to file replies to the fresh petitions. Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, appearing for Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Dola Sen, said they too have filed the petition challenging the SIR in West Bengal. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing in the matter for NGO Association for Democratic Reforms, questioned various "procedural irregularities" on the EC's part like issuing a machine-readable voter list in Bihar. The bench said notices are being issued to the EC on all the fresh petitions and the court will look into the pleas after the poll panel's response. It told the EC, "You should adopt the best practice and experience of the Bihar SIR in exercises which are to be conducted in other states. However, you should always keep in mind the local conditions." The court listed the matter for further hearing on November 26 and 27, and said it will hear the arguments on the interim relief sought by different political leaders, such as a stay on the SIR. Besides Sen, West Bengal Congress leader Shubhankar Sarkar, DMK's R S Bharathi, CPI-M's P Shanmugam and other leaders have filed separate petitions challenging the SIR in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry. In his plea filed through advocate Vivek Singh, Bharathi has claimed that the exercise is violative of Articles 14, 19 and 21 (rights to equality, freedom of speech and life) and other provisions of the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act and the Registration of Electors Rules of 1960. The CPI-M has challenged the constitutional validity of the EC's directive to conduct the SIR in Tamil Nadu, terming the process "arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional". Meanwhile, the AIADMK has supported the poll panel's decision to conduct the SIR in the southern state, calling it a "legitimate and necessary" exercise to uphold the sanctity of elections and prevent voter fraud. On October 27, the EC announced the conduct of the second phase of the SIR in 12 states and Union territories between November and February next year. These states and Union territories are -- the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal are scheduled to go to polls in 2026. The EC has said for Assam, where polls are also due in 2026, the revision of the electoral rolls will be announced separately. The second phase of the SIR exercise began on November 4 and will continue till December 4. The EC will release the draft electoral rolls on December 9 and the final electoral rolls on February 7. The UK has updated its travel advisory for British nationals travelling to India after the explosion near the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening. IMAGE: Security personnel and members of the forensic team at the site of an explosion near the Red Fort, in Delhi, November 11, 2025. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office update calls on its nationals in Delhi to follow the advice of the local authorities. There has been an explosion at the Red Fort (Lal Qila) Metro Station, New Delhi, reads the FCDO update for India. "If you're in the immediate area follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local media," it adds. The FCDO country-based advisory is a guidance on travel rather than a government-imposed regulation. It is intended to flag risks for travellers in order to make "informed decisions" and could lead to travel insurance being invalidated if the advice is overlooked. The rest of the advisory for India remains unchanged, advising against all travel within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border, except for at Wagah where travellers can cross the border. Travel warnings also remain in place for British nationals for Kashmir and Manipur regions. The blast took place in a Hyundai i20 car at 6.52 pm local time on Monday near the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi, killing nine people and injuring 20. The death toll rose to 12 on Tuesday, with three more people succumbing to injuries, the police said. The city remains on high alert as police invoked the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act while investigations continue, with forensic evidence and intelligence inputs pointing to possible terror links. "We are one country", the Supreme Court asserted on Tuesday while expressing concern over a recent incident in the national capital where two students from Kerala were allegedly assaulted by the police and locals near the Red Fort, "coerced" to speak in Hindi and ridiculed for wearing traditional attire from the state. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo/Rediff archives A bench of justices Sanjay Kumar and Alok Aradhe observed that they were pained that people in this country were targeted because of cultural and racial differences. The two first-year students of Delhi University's Zakir Husain Delhi College were allegedly assaulted, "coerced" to speak in Hindi and ridiculed for wearing 'lungi'. The top court was hearing a plea filed in 2015 in the wake of a series of attacks on people from the Northeast, including the death of a student from Arunachal Pradesh, Nido Tania, in Delhi. The court had directed the Centre to form a committee in the matter and had said the panel would be given powers for ensuring strict action in incidents of racial discrimination, racial atrocities and racial violence, and suggested measures to curb such hate and racial crimes. During Tuesday's hearing, Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for the Centre, submitted that a monitoring committee has already been set up and nothing remains in the petition. The submission was opposed by the counsel appearing for the petitioner who argued that the incidents of racial discrimination and exclusion of Northeast people continue to occur. The bench then told the ASG, "We read in the newspaper recently that a man from Kerala was ridiculed for wearing a lungi in Delhi. This is unacceptable in a country where people live in harmony. You should be more bothered about it. We are one country." The apex court was informed that by the petitioner's lawyer that the monitoring committee, which is expected to meet quarterly, has met only 14 times in 9 years. The top court has now asked the petitioner to file a response on the status report filed by the Centre. Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable due to their high savings, trust in authorities, and limited familiarity with online frauds. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff An 82-year-old retired Maharashtra government officer recently lost his entire life savings -- Rs 1.19 crore -- to a 'digital arrest' scam and died soon after due to shock. The Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognisance of a similar fraud in Ambala, where cybercriminals posing as law-enforcement officials extorted Rs 1.05 crore from a senior citizen couple. These incidents highlight the rapid rise of digital arrest scams, in which fraudsters use fear, technology, and impersonation to defraud ordinary citizens. The challenge now is to raise awareness before more lives and savings are lost. What is a digital arrest? A digital arrest is a cyber scam where fraudsters pose as law enforcement or government officials to instil fear of legal action -- such as arrest, account freezing, or passport cancellation -- and coerce victims into transferring money or sharing sensitive data. "They typically contact victims via phone, WhatsApp, or email, citing fabricated issues such as suspicious parcels or know your customer (KYC) verification," says Soumen Mohanty, partner, Aquilaw. Using spoofed numbers and fake IDs of agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Enforcement Directorate or Customs, they escalate the threat with forged warrants or court orders. "Fraudsters pressure victims to stay 'under custody' on camera and demand money for 'verification', 'bail', or 'security'," adds Shankey Agrawal, partner, BMR Legal. Why seniors are prime targets Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable due to their high savings, trust in authorities, and limited familiarity with online frauds. "Scammers exploit this trust using fake legal threats and urgent demands. Isolation also makes seniors more vulnerable, as those living alone may avoid consulting family," says Agrawal. Even educated seniors fall for digital arrest scams because fear overrides logic. "Scammers trigger panic with threats of arrest or financial loss," says Mohanty. Genuine investigation versus fraud The first line of defence against such scams is awareness. Mohanty points out that no genuine officer seeks money or banking details over the phone or prevents victims from consulting family or lawyers. "In genuine investigations, written notices are provided and legal consultation is allowed. Beware of unknown calls, arrest threats, secrecy demands, or instructions to stay online," says Agrawal. How to respond Seniors should end a call if it appears suspicious. "Stay calm, avoid making payments or sharing personal or financial details, and report quickly to prevent fraud," says Abdullah Qureshi, associate partner, IndiaLaw LLP. Sensitive information includes OTPs, PINs, and banking passwords. "Note the caller's details and preserve evidence such as screenshots or messages. Verify independently using official contacts, inform family or a legal adviser, and report to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or local police," says Mohanty. Suspicious calls may also be reported to the cybercrime helpline 1930. "Seniors should avoid remote-access apps such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer, which scammers use to control devices. If sensitive information was shared, contact the bank immediately to block transactions. Preserve call logs, screenshots, and messages to aid police complaints and prevent further fraud," says Agrawal. If money has been transferred If money or sensitive information has been shared, victims must inform family, contact a lawyer, and lodge a police complaint. "Inform the bank or financial institution immediately to freeze or reverse the transaction," says Qureshi. "Time is critical in such cases, as fraudsters rapidly move the stolen funds through multiple accounts and withdraw them to evade recovery," says Niharika Karanjawala, principal associate, Karanjawala & Co. Family's role Regular communication can significantly reduce vulnerability. "Families living apart should check in regularly and encourage parents to contact them at the first sign of threat. Frequent discussions about cybercrime risks and warning signs can greatly enhance awareness," says Karanjawala. "Remind your parents and grandparents that no genuine official will demand money or threaten arrest over the phone. Ensure banking alerts are active, block suspicious numbers, and regularly review the security settings of parents' devices," adds Qureshi. Digital best practices Regularly update software and antivirus programmes Avoid clicking on unknown links Monitor bank account statements; set transaction alerts Use strong, unique passwords; change them at regular intervals Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has documented how members of a criminal organization transferred funds to a former Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, whom they referred to internally as "Che Guevara," the Bureau said. "Investigators recorded the transfer of a total of $1.2 million and nearly EUR 100,000 in cash, directly at an office or in a medical clinic owned by one of the organization's members," NABU said on its Telegram channel on Tuesday. The final payment $500,000 was transferred to "Che Guevara's" wife after he himself became a suspect in corruption crimes investigated by NABU and Specialized Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). As reported earlier, on June 23 NABU and SAPO notified former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Unity of Ukraine (20242025) Oleksiy Chernyshov that he is suspected of abuse of office and obtaining unlawful benefits of particularly large amounts for himself and third parties. His actions as former Minister for Communities and Territories Development were classified under Part 2 of Article 15, Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 364, and Part 4 of Article 368 of Ukraine's Criminal Code. NABU has worked on Operation "Midas" since summer 2024 and has now moved to its final stage. Earlier reports citing NABU said that among those implicated in the large-scale energy-sector corruption scheme are National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC) member Serhiy Pushkar, businessman Tymur Mindich, former Energoatom executive director for physical protection and security Dmytro Basov, and former Energy Ministry adviser Ihor Myroniuk. NABU previously stated that the organization's primary illicit activity involved systematically extracting kickbacks from Energoatom contractors amounting to 1015% of contract value. Contractors were pressured to pay kickbacks to avoid blocked payments for delivered goods or services or to avoid being stripped of supplier status. This practice became known as the "barrier," NABU said in a Telegram post on Monday. The head of the criminal organization recruited a former Deputy Head of the State Property Fund, who later became an Energy Ministry adviser, as well as a former law enforcement officer who became Energoatom's executive director for physical protection and security. Leveraging their official connections in the ministry and the state-owned enterprise, they maintained control over personnel decisions, procurement processes, and financial flows. In practice, a strategic enterprise with annual revenues exceeding UAH 200 billion was effectively being managed not by official leadership but by outside individuals with no formal authority, who assumed the role of "overseers." Anticorruption agencies also released portions of audio recordings related to the investigation. NABU emphasized: "Fifteen months of work and 1,000 hours of audio recordings. We have documented the activities of a high-level criminal organization whose participants built a far-reaching corruption scheme enabling them to influence strategic state-sector enterprises, particularly Energoatom." Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 14F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 14F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Law No. 14048 on ensuring the legality and transparency of local self-government operations, Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Kuleba announced on Tuesday. "Today, the President of Ukraine signed Law No. 14048 'On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts to Ensure Legality and Transparency in the Activities of Local Self-Government Bodies.' We are grateful to the President for supporting this important stage of reform, on which we have been systematically working together with members of parliament, national associations of local governments, and experts," Kuleba wrote on Telegram. He emphasized that adoption of the law is a significant milestone for local communities, as it will provide "more predictable, accountable, and effective governance." "The law also opens the way for Ukraine to receive the next tranche of support from the EU under the Ukraine Facility program. Its adoption is another step toward European standards of public administration," Kuleba noted. As reported, on November 4, the Verkhovna Rada passed the law ensuring the legality and transparency of local self-government activities. A total of 250 members of parliament voted in favor of the bill No. 14048 "On Amendments to Certain Laws on Ensuring Legality and Transparency in the Activities of Local Self-Government Bodies." The law establishes a system for monitoring the legality and transparency of acts adopted by local self-government bodies and outlines the procedure for state oversight of their implementation. It also includes provisions on forming a personnel reserve for appointing heads of district state administrations and defines requirements for candidates. Adoption of this law is part of Ukraine's commitments under the Ukraine Facility (the European Union's financial support mechanism for Ukraine). Technology procurement in the New Zealand public sector has historically been hindered by complexity. Even under the All of Government (AoG) IT hardware contract, issues with delayed pricing updates, patchy stock information, and manual reporting left little time for strategic planning. By losing time to chasing information and reconciling data manually, IT teams were often unable to focus on delivering better outcomes for the people they serve. Real-time pricing Datacoms Product Solutions Group (PSG) recently launched an enhanced AoG digital storefront, Datacom Store, that promises to transform how government agencies buy IT hardware. Its designed to strip away inefficiencies and provide decision-makers with the tools to act quickly while operating within the AoG framework. Were not just selling hardware, were enabling smarter procurement journeys, says Rachel Morgan-Parata, General Manager of PSG Wellington at Datacom. This is more than a store upgrade. Its a strategic shift. Were giving agencies the tools to make smarter, value-based choices. Through Datacom Store, agencies now have real-time pricing, IT inventory visibility, and a personalised digital experience. Its an approach Morgan-Parata says directly addresses the frustrations her team hears from customers. IT inventory insights But the initiative is about more than simplifying ordering. Its also about turning raw device data into a strategic advantage. Alongside Datacom Store comes the rapid growth of Datacoms data and insights practice, a service built to help agencies make more sustainable, cost-efficient technology decisions. Using HPs Workforce Experience Platform (WXP), Datacom can transform complex fleet data into easy-to-read dashboards showing underperforming devices, AI adoption trends, and sustainability metrics, like power consumption and EPEAT ratings. Our customers often have the tools and data, but lack the time, resources, or visibility to extract real value, Morgan-Parata explains. Weve built a service that not only automates manual reporting but gives IT managers the insight to act before small problems become big ones. For many agencies, that could mean replacing unreliable devices before they slow down productivity, identifying technology thats underused, or meeting sustainability goals without adding reporting overhead. By upgrading their fleet, agencies can find that they lower their total cost of ownership, achieve greater operational efficiency, and align procurement with strategic and environmental objectives.For the public sector, this combination of a smarter buying platform and data-driven asset management could mark the start of a new era. Because in government IT, the right decision at the right time isnt just good procurement its good public service. Smarter asset management in one enhanced All of Government digital platform Learn more about Datacoms new AoG digital storefront, Datacom Store. Auckland-based data and AI consulting firm Data Insight has secured a strategic partnership with Atomic.io, a specialist in-app messaging platform for financial institutions in the US, Australia and New Zealand. According to Data Insight general manager Ben Winterbourne, the collaboration will help New Zealand banks and insurers turn mountains of data and AI insights into customer action. Our clients consistently ask for solutions that connect between data insights and customer action, said Winterbourne. This partnership with Atomic.io creates a powerful combination. We can now identify the optimal customer moments through AI and data analytics, then deliver hyperpersonalised messages that actually drive engagement and results. Winterbourne said Data Insights AI will work out the right message for the right customer at the right time, which Atomic will then deliver to the apps customers already use rather than through emails or text messages. Our clients have been asking for this for years. They know what their customers need, they just cant reach them effectively. Now they can, he said. Atomic partnerships director Bradley Simpson agreed the partnership addressed a critical gap in the New Zealand market, where financial institutions struggle to activate insights from their data investments. Were seeing incredible demand for solutions that turn data insights into customer action, he said. Data Insights deep analytics capabilities combined with our engagement platform creates something unique: the ability to reach customers with the right message, at the right time, in the most trusted digital channel. Steve Mitchell is stepping down as CEO of Engineering and digital delivery consultancy Assurity Consulting to be replaced by former CEO and co-founder Garth Hamilton. In a statement, Assurity said Mitchell will leave the firm on 14 November to become managing director at intellectual property law firm, AJ Park. Mitchell had been with the company for almost eight years and was CEO for the past four years. Under Steves leadership, Assurity successfully navigated the post-COVID economic downturn, reshaped its operations, and laid the foundation for renewed growth, the company said. Garth Hamilton founded Assurity with Darren McTigue in 2005 and was CEO until stepping down in 2021. Since then, he played a key role in establishing Assurity in Australia, where he serves as a director. He also helped set up the company\s operations in Manila and led special projects, including defining its AI strategy, Assurity said. He remained a director of the company along with McTigue. Assurity said the leadership change comes as it enters a new phase of growth and innovation with it embracing AI-driven transformation in software development and delivery. A recently announced partnership with DataMasque forms part of the companys innovation journey helping it to enhance data privacy and compliance, and boost AI enablement initiatives for clients, Assurity said. (enlarge image) HONG KONGChina's ruling Communist Party has declined in recent years to make public the number of people it executes every year, in spite of challenges from international human rights groups. According to Harry Wu, founder of the U.S.-based Laogai Foundation, which produced evidence of extensive organ harvesting from executed prisoners, recent years have seen executions transformed from a spectator sport into a state secret, carried out behind closed doors. "The Chinese Communist Party in the past always regarded executions as positive news," Wu said. "The suppression of evil elements was regarded as a cause for celebration." Overview of the death penalty for 2009 Amnesty International Amnesty International on Tuesday called on Beijing to reveal how many people they execute and sentence to death, as the organization published its world overview of the death penalty for 2009. It said thousands of executions "were likely to have taken place" in China, where information on the death penalty remains a state secret. The group said that estimates based on publicly available information grossly under-represented the actual number of people killed by the state or sentenced to death. "The death penalty is cruel and degrading, and an affront to human dignity," Claudio Cordone, Amnesty International's Interim Secretary General, said in a statement on the group's Web site. "The Chinese authorities claim that fewer executions are taking place. If this is true, why won't they tell the world how many people the state put to death?" Slow reforms Hospital employees in the southern province of Guangdong indicated a roaring trade in organs for transplant in interviews in 2005, boasting that a liver could be available in as short a time as a week, with one nurse saying that "most" were taken from executed prisoners. "They would always execute a bunch of people on the eve of a major festival as a public spectacle," Wu said. "This was seen as something the ordinary people like to see, and as a basic method of keeping down the number of criminal offences and counterrevolutionary acts." Chinese courts then moved to putting up a notice for a single day, following new guidelines in 2002, Wu said. "Then they stopped even putting those up. They don't even inform the relatives now," he said. "And now they no longer announce the numbers of those who have been killed." 'Miscarriages of justice' Beijing-based rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong, who attended the United Nations Fourth World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Geneva in February, said the fact that China's judicial system still lacks political independence is a cause for grave concern. "When judges and courts handle cases, they are unable to proceed according to their own understanding of the law," Jiang said. "What's more, China engages in proactive law-enforcement tactics, which means that if something happens, they will go on a campaign to 'strike hard' [at such crimes]." "It's very easy for miscarriages of justice to occur under wave after wave of campaign-style law-enforcement," Jiang said. He said China would be unlikely to abolish the death penalty while it is still under single-party rule, since moves to abolish the death penalty are linked to respect for human rights and democracy. A spokesman for the Hong Kong-based Joint Committee for the Abolition of the Death Penalty, whose members include Amnesty International Hong Kong, Community of Sant'Egidio, and the Justice and Peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese, said nearly 130 Hong Kong citizens had been executed in mainland China in the past decade, all for nonviolent crimes. "Out of these, more than 80 were executed for drug-trafficking offenses," Ke Enen said. "We call on China at least to reform its use of the death penalty, even if it is unable to abolish it yet, and to abolish the use of the death penalty for economic and nonviolent crimes." Amnesty International's report, Death Sentences and Executions in 2009 , reveals that at least 714 people were executed in 18 countries and at least 2,001 people were sentenced to death in 56 countries last year. Original reporting in Cantonese by Grace Kei Lai-see, and in Mandarin by Xi Wang. Mandarin service director: Jennifer Chou. Cantonese service director: Shiny Li. Translated and written for the Web in English by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Sarah Jackson-Han. Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods. I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I am drilling down on two issues: The EUs new democracy shield & who the next EU member states are. Briefing #1: What Is The EUs Democracy Shield? What You Need To Know: The European Commission is preparing to present its latest plan to protect the bloc and EU candidate countries from foreign interference and political manipulation. The "democracy shield," as it's being called, is a collection of proposals to be rolled out in the coming years. An advanced draft of the document, seen by RFE/RL, emphasizes that Russia is the main direct threat to both the European Union and those nations aiming to join the bloc. The European Commission will present the plan on November 12. "In addition to its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia is also escalating hybrid attacks, waging a battle of influence against Europe. The tactics used are reaching deep into the fabric of our societies, with potentially long-lasting impacts," the draft says. "By spreading deceitful narratives, sometimes including the manipulation and falsification of historical facts, they try to erode trust in democratic systems." No other country is mentioned in the 30-page-text, even though the bloc has previously voiced worries about China's attempts to wield political influence throughout the continent. The issue of fighting disinformation and foreign interference is controversial both in Brussels and beyond. The EU is still reeling from the broadside fired by the US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference in February, in which he argued that the danger for the EU wasn't coming from China or Russia but rather internally via censorship and suppression of dissent and voices. The criticism came shortly after Romania's Constitutional Court in December 2024 annulled the result of the first round of voting in the presidential election just days before the second round was due to take place. The court ruled that the Kremlin had run an online campaign to promote nationalist candidate Calin Georgescu, who finished first. Many critics accused the court of political interference in the election and of impinging on free speech. The European Commission is therefore treading carefully. Deep Background: While part of that caution comes because many of these issues are the responsibility of individual member states, it's also because Brussels is wary of being even more antagonistic toward large online platforms, notably US-based ones such as Google, Microsoft and Meta, as transatlantic relations have become unpredictable with trade wars and fears of the United States pulling out more troops from the Continent. Yet the draft suggests the EU must engage with these tech giants. Most of them, with the glaring exception of Elon Musk's X, have signed up to the EU's Code of Conduct on Disinformation, which means companies such as Facebook and TikTok provide regular updates to the European Commission on how they're addressing the issue. The paper suggests the European Commission should push such companies to do more to "demonetize disinformation" and improve the detection and labeling of AI-generated and manipulated content. The focus of the "democracy shield" is threefold: improving situational awareness, supporting democratic institutions and free media, and boosting citizen engagement. The main proposal is for the creation of a European Center for Democratic Resilience. This would be a hub that would "link together existing networks and structures working on prevention, detection, analysis, and response to patterns of threats in the information space, and work to develop joint approaches, practices and methodologies and exchanging relevant data and analyses." Drilling Down: The EU tried this once before, in 2019, but the Rapid Alert System never really took off. This second attempt will involve EU institutions, member states, and even candidate countries such as Moldova and Ukraine as well as those in the Western Balkans. The European Commission, however, wants to make it clear this isn't some sort of Ministry of Truth. The plans would be rolled out gradually, participation will be voluntary, and the center will operate in "respect EU and national competences." Other ideas include the roll-out of an "EU digital identity wallet" next year for EU citizens and residents, the creation of a European network of fact-checkers who will work on a fact-checking repository, and "a voluntary network of influencers to raise awareness about relevant EU rules and promote the exchange of best practice." Recalling September's parliamentary election in Moldova, in which Russia was heavily involved in trying to shape the outcome, the draft also suggests that EU election observation missions outside the bloc should be strengthened "to assist national authorities throughout the electoral cycle" -- something Brussels is likely to do again in next year's hotly contested parliamentary elections in Armenia. In the same fashion, there is also a proposal to extend the mandate of the European Digital Media Observatory, which provides research and analysis on disinformation campaigns. It will now get more funding to do more work around elections, not only in EU member states but also partner countries. The financial backing of independent media and journalism in the EU neighborhood, including Belarus and Russia, is also mentioned in the paper. No concrete sums are mentioned. However, many of the programs suggested under the "democracy shield" are currently included in the European Commission's 2 trillion-euro ($2.3 trillion) proposal for the next seven-year EU budget, starting in 2028. Briefing #2: The EU Is Ready To Expand, But Who Will Be The Next Member And When? What You Need To Know: The European Commission's annual enlargement report appears to show the EU's executive is serious about adding new members by the time its five-year mandate ends in late 2029. And it has identified four candidates for that purpose: Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, and Ukraine. The November 4 report, the first issued since the new commission took office late last year, is designed to assess the progress (or lack thereof) of 10 EU hopefuls, which also include Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey. But this year the report took on a distinctly geopolitical tone. According to officials in Brussels, EU enlargement has become a thing again. The last country to join was Croatia back in 2013, and since then the bloc actually contracted for the first time ever when Britain left in 2020. The 2025 annual report states that the "this is the first Commission mandate since 2010-2014 where, given the accelerating pace of the process for some candidate countries, enlargement is a realistic possibility" and that the entire process "now moving faster than in the last 15 years." The change of pace has everything to do with Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine -- launched in 2022 -- with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noting that "geopolitical shifts make the case for enlargement clear-cut. Enlargement is not a nice-to-have; it is a necessity if we want to be a stronger player on the world stage." Deep Background: The smart money is on Montenegro being the next addition. Podgorica aims to wrap up EU accession talks by the end of 2026, and the report notes that the country "is on track to meet this ambitious objective." Ultimately, this isn't the call of the European Commission, nor the candidate countries. The 27 current EU member states decide via unanimity to open and close the 33 accession chapters covering all policy fields that EU hopefuls need to adopt in order to become a fully-fledged member. Podgorica has been negotiating for 13 years already, and while it has opened talks on all 33 chapters, it has managed to close just seven. However, most of those have been in the past 12 months, which shows a momentum toward accession. In December, it plans to close another five, but this might be a bit too optimistic according to EU diplomats contacted by RFE/RL. Worries remain, especially regarding the fight against organized crime and corruption and the independence of the judiciary. Thus, next year may be too soon, but word on the street says Montenegro very well might be "EU member state number 28 in '28." Albania might be the next best bet for membership. The government in Tirana hopes to conclude talks in 2027, and the commission believes this is doable. Albania's candidate progress in the past 12 months has been nothing short of stunning: It has managed to open 28 of 33 chapters and is set to commence negotiations on the final five later this month. The key, however, is closing the chapters, and that is more difficult. Tirana also faces a PR challenge: While Albania is a growing tourist destination -- and plenty of Europeans are snapping up coastal properties there -- the country still carries the negative reputation of being a hotbed of organized crime. It's no surprise then that the European Commission recommends Tirana put even more effort into "investigations of drug traffickers and an increase in identifying and the dismantling of criminal groups." Drilling Down: Moldova and Ukraine, meanwhile, solidly remain "coupled" -- as they have since both applied for membership in 2022 -- despite rumors this year that they'll be separated. Forging its own path would have allowed Moldova to start accession talks as Ukraine has been blocked by Hungary for over a year and is likely to remain stalled until the next parliamentary election in the Central European country in April 2026. Moldova hopes to join in 2028, and Ukraine believes it could join at some point this decade despite the ongoing war. Both countries received the best assessments by the commission to date even though Kyiv was cautioned earlier this year about the influence of the special anti-corruption agencies NABU and SAP. While the countries remain blocked, all EU member states bar Hungary have agreed to continue the technical work with Chisinau and Kyiv while waiting to get the final political green light from Budapest that could come with a change of government next year. The idea is then to open as many chapters as possible immediately. The common belief in most EU capitals is that roughly half can be opened. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos even remarked, somewhat optimistically, that negotiations on all 33 can commence immediately if only Budapest would change its mind. In the meantime, talks will continue on how to make the enlargement process more practical. The president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, floated the idea that only unanimity should be needed to start and finish accession talks -- a suggestion quickly shot down by EU member states that prefer to have several brakes to pull to slow down the process. Hungary isn't the only country having issues with its non-EU neighbors: Bulgaria is currently blocking North Macedonia, and Croatia wants to keep Serbia in check before Belgrade can join. Plenty of other types of political "test balloons" have also been released in recent weeks on how enlargement can work. There's been talk of not letting new members have voting rights on certain issues -- a sort of secondary membership that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy immediately dismissed when asked about it last week. The European Commission will in the meantime work on pre-enlargement policy reviews and reforms in order to assess the impact of new members on various policy areas. Kos already floated the idea of a mechanism to suspend voting rights or deny access to EU funds for new members in case of rule-of-law violations. All this is a clear nod to older, Western EU member states that have been lukewarm on expanding the club out of fear of "another Hungary" in reference to Viktor Orban's many rule-of-law transgressions and battles with Brussels over the years. The most likely way to make enlargement manageable is something used in the past: transition periods. This mechanism was used in the 2004 enlargement of eight Central and Eastern European countries, whose citizens, for example, weren't allowed to immediately seek work in other parts of the EU. Poland, with its large agrarian market, was also not fully integrated into the EU's single market overnight. A similar arrangement for Ukrainian agricultural products, which have caused political problems in parts of the club, would not be surprising. Of the four candidate countries, Ukraine has the most uphill battle ahead, given its size and the challenges of the war. It will be much easier for the EU to "absorb" Albania, Moldova, and Montenegro. Kos alluded to the fact that the population of Montenegro, at roughly 600,000, is the same as the Belgian port city of Antwerp, and that Albania and Moldova, with fewer than 3 million citizens each, are like Rome. Don't be surprised if these countries are EU members 28, 29, and 30. Looking Ahead EU ambassadors will on November 12 give green light to a new rules that will make it easier to suspend visa liberalization. The move will then be rubberstamped by minister of the 27 EU member states before it enters into force in December. The new rules might soon be tested on Georgia whose government, according to Brussels, has been backsliding politically in several areas in recent months. That's all for this week! Feel free to reach out to me on any of these issues on X @RikardJozwiak, or on e-mail at jozwiakr@rferl.org. Until next time, Rikard Jozwiak If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition subscribe here. All 20 people aboard a Turkish military cargo plane that crashed in Georgia while returning from Azerbaijan were killed, Turkish authorities said on November 12, a day after the incident. "Our heroic comrades-in-arms were martyred on November 11, 2025, when our C-130 military cargo plane, which had taken off from Azerbaijan to return to Turkey, crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border," Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said in a statement posted on X alongside 20 photographs of those who died. The crash was earlier confirmed by the Turkish Defense Ministry and Georgia's Interior Ministry, which said it occurred about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Georgia's border with Azerbaijan. Turkish and Georgian authorities have reportedly begun inspections at the site, in the Sighnaghi municipality of Georgia's Kakheti district. Many world leaders, including those from Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, have all offered their condolences. In a post on X, Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Istanbul, expressed his country's solidarity with Turkey following the crash. Lockheed Martin, the US company that produces the widely used C-130 Hercules aircraft, extended its condolences and said it was committed to helping Turkey in any way during the investigation. Several short videos of the plane crash -- verified by RFE/RL -- were circulating on social media, one of which shows the entire fuselage and its fragments falling to the ground in separate pieces. With reporting from RFE/RL 's Georgian Service and Reuters A suicide attack in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, has killed at least 12 people and injured 21 more. The November 11 attack comes a day after a car bomb killed at least eight people and injured 19 others in New Delhi, the capital of India. Islamabad Suicide Car Bomb Kills 12 by RFE/RL No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:41 0:00 Analysts fear the attacks could trigger renewed tensions between the nuclear-armed archenemies who frequently blame each other for supporting militant and terrorist groups. In Islamabad, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital said at least 4 of the injured were in critical condition. Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said an assailant detonated explosives near a police vehicle in the district court complex in the heart of Islamabad. "Everyone started running inside out of panic. I have seen at least five dead bodies lying at the front gate," Mohammed Shahzad Butt, a lawyer who witnessed the attack, told the AFP. Khorasan Diary, a website tracking militant groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan, said Jamatul Ahrar, an affiliate of the Tehrike Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistan has consistently blamed the Taliban ruling neighboring Afghanistan for sheltering and supporting the TTP. The two went to near war as tensions escalated into intense attacks along their 2,500 kilometer-long (1,500 miles) border last month. For the first time since its independence in 1947, Islamabad launched airstrikes against the Afghan capital, Kabul and the southern city of Kandahar last month. Talks between the two erstwhile allies have stalled, but a tense ceasefire has been in place for weeks. In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared the November 10 blast a conspiracy. "Our authorities will get to the bottom of this conspiracy," he said during a visit to Thimphu, the capital of neighboring Bhutan. The explosion was the first significant security incident since gunmen killed 26 people at the tourist site of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir in April. New Delhi blamed militant groups based in Pakistan for the attack. Indias attack on the alleged hideouts of militant groups in Pakistan-administered Kashmir triggered a near-war between the two in May. With reporting by the AFP and Reuters The Taliban has barred female patients, visitors, and medical staff who do not wear the all-encompassing burqa from entering public hospitals in western Afghanistan, the latest restriction by the hard-line Islamist group targeting women. The new dress restriction came into force on November 5 in the western city of Herat, the countrys third largest. It is unclear if the measure will be extended nationwide. International organizations have warned that the move will create further obstacles for women that will impede their access to critical health care. Since seizing power in 2021, the Taliban has largely erased women from public life and severely impeded their right to work or get an education. This is suffocating for us, a female resident of Herat, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, told RFE/RLs Radio Azadi. The woman said she was forced to spend the equivalent of around $20 to buy a burqa so she could visit a hospital for treatment. She said members of the Talibans dreaded morality police were enforcing the restrictions outside major public hospitals and clinics in the city of some 600,000 people. Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the Geneva-based charity, said the Talibans new restrictions were already leading to fewer women visiting public health facilities in Herat. Female patients and caretakers are now barred from entering the hospital unless they wear a burqa, meaning that access to care is determined by clothing rather than medical need, Sarah Chateau, MSF program manager, said in a statement on November 7. Each restriction placed on women as patients translates into delayed or denied medical care. We know that this will have severe consequences for children and mothers who already face enormous barriers to accessing health services in Afghanistan. She said the Herat Regional Hospital, one of the citys largest, has observed a 28 percent drop in admissions of patients in need of urgent care. Morality Law In August 2024, the Taliban enacted a morality law that imposed severe restrictions on the appearances, behavior, and movement of women. Women in the western Afghan city of Herat say they're being told by Taliban officials that they must wear a burqa to access the main hospital. Doctors Without Borders is reporting a 28 percent drop in hospital admissions as a result. As RFE/RL's Safiullah Stanikzai explains, one woman says female patients are facing the threat of violence if they refuse to comply. Authorities in Romania have arrested a former senator for allegedly attempting to offer a 1 million-euro ($1.16 million) bribe to the countrys defense minister to facilitate an arms deal that could be fraudulently financed by a European Union program. The deal in question was convoluted: to purchase Russian-type shells in Kazakhstan, import them to Romania, refurbish and relabel them as Romanian shells, then sell them on to Ukraine via an intermediary in Bulgaria. The idea was to create a scheme for future business that might obtain funds from the EUs Rearm Europe program, launched in March to support weapons manufacturing in the 27-nation bloc. The Russian-type shells are widely used in Ukraine but not produced in EU countries. RFE/RLs Romanian Service has spoken to two key figures in the case. One described being approached by former Senator Marius Ovidiu Isaila, another by a Bulgarian businessman called Roman Ivanov Angelov. In early October, Angelov allegedly led a delegation that approached the head of Romtehnica, an arms trading company that represents the Romanian Defense Ministry, seeking to make use of its contacts in Kazakhstan. A 'Suspicious' Offer "They proposed a deal to me, Romtehnica chief Razvan Mincu told RFE/RL. We would take ammunition from Kazakhstan and resell it to them. But Mincu said the offer looked suspicious and that he rejected the proposals. According to a report by Romanian prosecutors, Isaila approached an intermediary to try to bribe Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu to facilitate the deal. RFE/RL has spoken to the intermediary, politician Octavian Berceanu, who turned whistleblower and made 17 undercover recordings for law enforcement of his meetings with Isaila. "This is about a group that wants to bring Russian or Russian-type ammunition to Romania, which it can then export to Bulgaria and from there to Ukraine. All (purchased) with European Union money," he said. "They offered me 10 million euros ($11.57 million) to be part of this group. That's the method, they offer impressive sums to politicians to co-opt them." Isailas statements in transcripts of recordings made by Berceanu, published on November 10 by Romanian website Gandul, suggest he was working with others often referring to us and hinting at large amounts of money and political influence. At one point, he is quoted as saying: I am the one opening the door! And I open the door for you: NATO, US Embassy, Germany. In another exchange, he is quoted as telling Berceanu: "Tell me how much you need, and in the evening...in 24 hours, you have all the money. Isaila is also quoted describing how the scheme will work. We buy [shells] from Kazakhstan, we disassemble them ourselves, we bring them disassembled herereassemble them, paint them, arrange them, and the Romanian state sells them. 'Billionaires Overnight' In the transcripts, Isaila also suggests that a similar scheme was already carried out in Albania, making those involved billionaires overnight. The Albanian Defense Ministry and anti-corruption authority did not respond immediately to RFE/RL inquiries. Defense Minister Mosteanu posted on social media that a person tried to buy my influence with one million euros to facilitate a contract with Romtehnica. I categorically refused any meeting with that person. While Isaila has been placed in detention for 30 days, Bulgarian businessman Roman Angelovs whereabouts are unknown. Angelov is the sole shareholder of a company called Sofia Arm Tech, that received a license for international arms trading last year. Prior to that, the company did not list any activity in documents it submitted to Bulgarias commercial register after being established in 2020. Listings show it has eight employees. There was no response from Angelov or the company to questions from RFE/RLs Bulgarian Service. The faction of the European Solidarity party has sent an official letter to Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk with a demand to issue signature letters and start the procedure for declaring no confidence in the current composition of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the political force said on the website on Tuesday. "While Ukrainians are recovering from the shock of what they heard on the NABU recordings, the parliament should remember its subjectivity and dismiss the completely unprofessional, corrupt government. At least four ministers were recorded on the scandalous 'Mindich' recordings made by NABU detectives. It is difficult to imagine how many more of them will be in the next episodes of the investigation. But it is obvious that none of them has a place in ministerial chairs during the war," the statement reads. A day earlier, European Solidarity announced its demand for a clear and effective reaction from President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the events surrounding the searches of the co-owner of the Kvartal 95 studio, Timur Mindich, and announced that it was initiating procedures for the resignation of the current Cabinet of Ministers in connection with them. The party emphasized that they demand "a change in policy the formation of a government of trust and responsibility." "We are beginning the procedure for the resignation of the government unprofessional and corrupt. Our goal is the governance of the state, the unity of society and the trust of partners. We call on all colleagues in parliament who are aware of the threats to the state to sign the resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers for the sake of forming a government of national salvation," the statement reads. Sean McCarthaigh A Cork teenager had to have surgery to remove one of his testicles after a GP allegedly failed to diagnose a well-known emergency condition relating to a swollen testicle, a medical inquiry has heard. Dr Alicia Marton Martinez is accused of a series of allegations of professional misconduct and poor professional performance in relation to her treatment of two young patients while she was working as a locum GP with SouthDoc an out-of-hours GP service based in Cork and Kerry three years ago. They include that she failed to refer a three-week-old baby with a fever and mottled skin, who was subsequently diagnosed with viral meningitis, to an emergency department. An expert witness claimed the baby boy might have died but for the persistence of his parents. Dr Marton Martinez, who qualified as a doctor in Spain in 1988, did not attend the fitness-to-practise inquiry and is not legally represented at the hearing being held by the Medical Council. The GP gave a voluntary undertaking to the High Court in September 2023 not to practice medicine until further notice after the Medical Council had sought an interim suspension order against her. She is accused of failing to have adequate regard to the symptoms of both patients as communicated by their parents and failing to directly refer them to an emergency department or escalate their care appropriately. Symptoms The mother of the Cork teenager identified only as Patient A said her son, who was aged 14 at the time, had complained early on the morning of October 10th 2022 of a swollen testicle and being in a lot of pain and discomfort. The witness said she had looked up the symptoms on the internet and had packed a bag for hospital because it looked like her son might have a testicular torsion a medical emergency where the blood flow is cut off to a testicle. The woman gave evidence of contacting South Doc and receiving a call back about an hour later from Dr Marton Martinez who said her sons condition was normal for a teenage boy. The inquiry heard that the locum advised that the boy should place a cold compress on his testicle and take Ibuprofen three times daily for a week. The woman replied that she would prefer if he could be examined by the GP who had seemed brisk and impatient on the phone. She told counsel for the Medical Council, Brian Gageby BL, that she had not mentioned a testicular torsion to Dr Marton Martinez as she did not want to come across as a Google doctor. The inquiry heard that the teenager was examined a short time later at the SouthDoc clinic in Midleton, Co Cork by the locum who repeated her earlier advice. His mother said the examination only lasted about two minutes but she felt relieved that he did not have a testicular torsion. Pain The woman said she was outside of Ireland a week later when heard her son had been referred to Cork University Hospital where he had a testicle removed after being bowled over with pain. She accepted that a note by Dr Marton Martinez which recorded not real pain but discomfort might be based on what her son had told the locum. The father of the three-week-old baby known as Patient B gave evidence of calling SouthDoc on November 12th 2022 as his son had a fever from the previous night and was very irritable, while also making a lot of grunting noises, feeding slowly and having pale and mottled skin. The man said they felt his sons symptoms were worrying. However, he said Dr Marton Martinez said they did not sound very severe and asked if the baby had been given Calpol. Patient Bs father said the GP said a baby under two months could be given Calpol, despite him stating a number of times that he did not think that was the case. He told the inquiry that Dr Marton Martinez accepted that he was correct after she checked the issue out. The witness said he had lost confidence in her at that stage and asked to be referred to another doctor. The inquiry heard another GP, Anas Matar, believed the babys symptoms were red flags and immediately gave them an urgent referral to Cork University Hospital. Patient Bs father said his son was diagnosed with viral meningitis and had spent several days in hospital. The man rejected claims by Dr Marton Martinez that he had been aggressive on the phone or that he had suggested his son was nine-years-old. In correspondence with the Medical Council, the GP said Patient A did not tell her he was hurting in the genitalia area but did feel a bit uncomfortable which she claimed was a very difficult symptom to interpret or to understand. Dr Marton Martinez said she had a bit of a misunderstanding about Patient B with the babys father as her English was not perfect. The GP said she does not know why but she believed the patient was nine years old instead of nine days old which is why she had asked if the young boy had been given Calpol. However, she claimed the patients father just went mad. Dr Marton Martinez recalled that she got a bit nervous after claiming that the boys father became aggressive and threatening. The GP said he decided after 20 seconds that she was not right or good for his son and had immediately asked to be passed to another doctor. She went to Dr Matar straight away and he offered to give another opinion after being informed one was being sought by Patient Bs father. An expert witness, Tom ODowd, told the inquiry that there would have been a 90% chance of salvaging Patient As testicle if he had been referred to an emergency department by Dr Marton Martinez. Prof ODowd observed that the teenager was left with a life-long disability that was entirely preventable. He said it was incompetent practice by the locum to instruct the teenager to apply a cold compress and take pain relief for a week. He remarked that the cold compress was likely to have added to the boys pain and discomfort. Prof ODowd said there was a serious failure by the GP to meet the standards of competence and knowledge expected of doctors. He said testicular torsion was one of a few emergencies widely known in general practice. Prof ODowd said every competent GP should assume any male aged 12-25 who had such symptoms has a testicular torsion and refer them immediately to an emergency department or urologist. He agreed with Mr Gageby that Patient A had symptoms which should raise alarm bells and also observed that the locum had been handed the diagnosis on a plate by information from the boys mother and a triage nurse. Prof ODowd said it was indefensible that Dr Marton Martinez had diagnosed the patient as having orchitis (a swollen testicle) but had not escalated the care. In relation to Baby B, he said the baby had alarming symptoms and was on the verge of circulatory collapse. Prof ODowd said doctors have to be particularly vigilant with the care of babies and infection because of the risk of things like meningitis. He claimed Dr Marton Martinez had disgraced the profession and dishonoured the patients in both cases. The inquiry was adjourned. Sean McCarthaigh A locum GP has been found guilty of professional misconduct and poor professional performance over her failure to recognise the serious conditions of two very ill children and to refer them to hospital. A medical fitness-to-practise inquiry of the Medical Council heard that the failure by Dr Alicia Marton Martinez to provide appropriate care had devastating consequences for one patient who required emergency surgery to remove a testicle. Evidence was also heard that the other patient - a 24-day-old baby who was diagnosed with viral meningitis - could have died over the GPs failure to refer him to hospital for further assessment. On the second day of the inquiry on Tuesday, the fitness-to-practise committee found six allegations proven against Dr Marton Martinez over her treatment of the teenager and baby boy - identified only as Patient A and Patient B respectively - while working as a locum at SouthDocs clinic in Midleton, Co Cork, three years ago. The inquiry found that Dr Marton Martinez failed to have adequate regard to the symptoms of both patients, as communicated by their parents, as well as failing to directly refer them to an emergency department or escalate their care appropriately. The inquirys chairperson, Paul Harkin, said the committees findings were based on the evidence of Patient As mother, Patient Bs father and SouthDoc documents. Dr Marton Martinez, who qualified as a doctor in Spain in 1988, did not attend the fitness-to-practise inquiry and is not legally represented at the hearing being held by the Medical Council. The GP gave a voluntary undertaking to the High Court in September 2023 not to practice medicine until further notice after the Medical Council had sought an interim suspension order against her. The inquiry heard that Patient A, who was aged 14 at the time, had complained on the morning of October 10th, 2022, of a swollen testicle and being in a lot of pain and discomfort. His mother gave evidence that Dr Marton Martinez told her in a phone call that her sons condition was normal for a teenage boy and she recommended placing a cold compress on his testicle and taking a course of pain relief for a week. The woman, who was concerned that her son might have a testicular torsion a medical emergency where the blood flow is cut off to a testicle said she would prefer if he could be examined by a doctor. However, Dr Marton Martinez repeated the earlier advice she had given after conducting a brief examination of the teenager at SouthDocs clinic in Midleton. The inquiry heard that the boy returned to SouthDoc a week later with severe pain, when he was referred immediately to Cork University Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery to remove a testicle. An expert witness, Tom ODowd, gave evidence that the teenager had been left with a life-long disability which was entirely preventable as a testicular torsion was a well-known medical condition. Mr Harkin said the fitness-to-practise committee found that Dr Marton Martinez ought to have known that a teenage boy with a swollen testicle required treatment in hospital. The inquiry also heard from Patient Bs father about contacting SouthDoc on November 12th, 2022, as his son had a fever, was grunting and had pale and mottled skin. However, he said Dr Marton Martinez remarked that his babys symptoms did not sound very severe and asked if he had been given Calpol, although the medicine is not recommended for children under two months. The man said he sought a second opinion from another SouthDoc doctor, who immediately referred him to take his baby to CUH. He was diagnosed with viral meningitis but recovered fully after a few days stay in hospital. Mr Harkin said the claim by Dr Marton Martinez that she had been told the boy was nine years old was not credible as SouthDoc records noted that the patient was a 24-day-old as well as breastfeeding and wearing nappies. The fitness-to-practice committee found there were serious failures on the part of the locum, which amounted to poor professional performance. Mr Harkin said the allegations also constituted professional misconduct in that they represented a serious falling short of the standards expected of doctors of experience, competence and good repute. However, he said the GPs actions were not disgraceful or dishonourable as they did not involve any element of fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude. The hearing was adjourned to a future date to consider the recommendation of a sanction by the fitness-to-practise committee to the Medical Council. Photo: https://t.me/vitaliy_klitschko Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, in his speech at the opening of the Welt security forum in Berlin, called on European politicians to increase military support for Ukraine, because the future of Europe is now being decided on the Ukrainian frontline. "In Berlin, he spoke at the opening of the Welt security forum. The main issues of which are security in Europe and modern weapons systems. In particular, he emphasized that it is on the Ukrainian front that the future of Europe, its security and stability are being decided. Therefore, it is critically important for partners to increase military assistance. Spending on assistance to Ukraine is Europe's most effective investment in its own security. Inaction and delay can cost much more," Klitschko said on Telegram channel. In particular, the mayor of Kyiv discussed with Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany Katherina Reiche the possibility of urgent financing for the purchase of anti-drone protection equipment (aircraft) for the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine. Reiche promised that the government would consider this issue. In addition, Klitschko called on European partners to help Ukrainians survive this winter, in particular, to provide generators and other autonomous sources of electricity. European politicians, members of governments, representatives of the armed forces and the German military industry are participating in the Welt security forum. As previously reported, Klitschko will open Kyiv Investment Forum on November 12, which will be held for the first time in Berlin. The purpose of the event is to attract funds for the post-war reconstruction and development of the capital. Last year, the total investment package attracted at the investment forum in Brussels amounted to about EUR 1.1 billion. Cooperation with the EBRD in the areas of energy security to ensure stable life in the Ukrainian capital was also agree. This November marks two years of success for dog grooming business The Fluff Factory, based outside Strokestown. Owner Nicole Rogers says she still cant quite believe how quickly time has flown and has thanked everyone for their support and loyalty as the business has been recognised on a national level. Having always had a passion for animals, Nicoles journey into grooming began long before The Fluff Factory opened its doors. Ive always loved working with animals, she explains. Before opening The Fluff Factory, I worked with the ISPCA, and I just decided to go for it! Its honestly been the best decision Ive ever made. From the very beginning, The Fluff Factory has stood out for its calm, one on one approach. One thing a lot of my customers comment on is that when their dog is with me, its the only dog I take on at that time, Nicole says. It makes for a much more relaxed experience for the dogs, and their owners love that personal touch. The Fluff Factory was recognised nationally this year when Nicole Rogers was nominated for Salon Based Dog Groomer of the Year at the prestigious National Pet Awards in Dublin. Over the past two years, Nicole has built up a loyal following of customers who travel from all over, from Carrick-on-Shannon and Longford to Boyle, just to have their beloved pets pampered at The Fluff Factory! Its unbelievable how far some people travel, she says. Im so grateful for every single one of my customers. Their loyalty and support mean the world to me. This year, that dedication and care were recognised nationally when Nicole was nominated for Salon Based Dog Groomer of the Year at the prestigious National Pet Awards in Dublin. When asked whats next, Nicole keeps it simple: Honestly, the plan is just to keep doing the best job I can for all my favourite doggies! I absolutely love what I do. As The Fluff Factory celebrates this milestone, Nicole wants to extend a heartfelt thank you to all her customers, both two-legged and four-legged who have made the journey so rewarding. For further information log onto https://www.theflufffactory.ie/ Funeral arrangements have been announced for well-known fashion designer and Strokestown native Catriona Hanly who sadly passed away last Saturday. Catriona was well-known internationally not only for her designs and creativity, but also her generosity when it came to charity. She was also widely regarded in the fashion world with her designs being worn by celebrities in Ireland and abroad. She is lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her heartbroken family; beloved daughter of Bertie and Imelda, cherished sister of Alan, Marcus, Enda and Tara, sisters in law Olga, Linda and Sinead, brother in law Neil. She is fondly remembered by her nieces, nephews, aunts, uncle, cousins, relatives, neighbours, and a wide circle of friends in Ireland and around the world. Catriona will repose at the family home in Parkowen, Strokestown, on Wednesday, November 12th, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.. Removal will take to Kiltrustan Church on Thursday, November 13th, to arrive for Funeral Mass at 11.30 a.m.. Burial afterwards in Strokestown Cemetery. Catriona's Funeral Mass may be viewed online on Pat McHugh & Sons Funeral Director Facebook page or by following the Webstream link. Family flowers only please. Donations, in lieu of, may be made to Catriona's favourite charity, Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Research. House is strictly private outside of reposing times. Those attending are asked to note that due to restricted parking around the family home there will be a shuttle bus service in operation on the evening of the reposing, Wednesday, November 12th, located at the old Bank of Ireland building (Eircode: F42 WV06) on Church Street, Strokestown. Those attending Catriona's reposing are asked to please use this service. By Niamh ODonoghue A woman who continued claiming both Carers Allowance and Disability Allowance in her son's name after he died has been handed a suspended prison sentence. Mary Hall (70) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of theft on dates between May 25th, 2022 and November 30th, 2023. The court heard that 26,562 was taken in the social welfare fraud. Hall, of Broadfield Avenue, Rathcoole, Co Dublin, has no previous convictions, the court was told. On Tuesday, Judge Sinead McMullan imposed a sentence of two and a half years, suspended in full on strict conditions. Detective Garda Ivan Cunnane of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau told the court Halls son had leukaemia and she was receiving Carers Allowance in respect of him. The Department of Social Protection became aware that her son died in 2022 and that she continued to collect his disability allowance. He told Pieter Le Vert BL, prosecuting, Hall presented herself to gardai and admitted she did not notify the Department of Social Protection, nor did she collect his death certificate as doing so would have made it more real. Hall told gardai she agreed she was not entitled to collect the payments, and the money was spent on all things to do with my son including bills, rent, and the funeral. Det Gda Cunnane agreed under cross-examination that his client was paying back 40 a week and had sent a letter in June this year asking if there was a possibility of increasing the payment. Between 2,500 and 3,000 had been paid back. He also agreed with Brian Storan BL, defending, that the Department of Social Protection has a grace period of 12 weeks in such cases. Her son, who died of leukaemia, had difficulty with drugs, and she was a great support to him. Her other son died in 2002 of cancer. I didnt want to believe he diedIve no children alive. I didnt get one for my other son either. It would make it real, Hall told gardai. Det Gda Cunnane further agreed Hall was very sorry for her actions. She worked before she had children and then divorced at 50 and is now retired. She was in private rented accommodation and is now in council accommodation. In mitigation, Mr Storan said Hall had turned a blind eye to receiving money she knew she wasnt supposed to receive. But he said she was ashamed and remorseful and was making every effort to make matters right. On Tuesday, Mr Storan said that the amount his client is repaying weekly is a hardship she is will to withstand in response to a query from Judge McMullan. Judge McMullan noted that this offending involved theft from the State. She said while it was not premeditated in the normal sense, Hall was aware of what was happening, allowed it to continue, and spent the money. The judge said Hall's bereavements must have been and continue to be devastating. She said Hall's consistent repayment of the money is also evidence of her remorse. Having imposed the suspended sentence, the judge said one of the conditions was that Hall continue with weekly repayments. Punjab's Education System Undergoing Profound Transformation Driven by Various Factors Under Sikhya Kranti' Program: FM Cheema The Minister encouraged members to remain committed to improving the quality of education in government schools. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, during an in-depth discussion with representatives of seven education department unions, stated that the states education system is undergoing a profound transformation. The statement was issued in a press release by the Punjab Government. Finance Minister Cheema said that the transformation is being driven by comprehensive infrastructure upgrades under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Manns Sikhya Kranti program, along with initiatives to strengthen the teaching workforce and address long-standing issues raised by educators. Advertisement The unions present included the Special Cadre Adhiyapak Front, Computer Adhiyapak Union, Computer Adhiyapak Sangharsh Committee, and Unemployed B.Ed. TET Pass Adhiyapak Union, ETT TET Pass Adhiyapak Union (Sunil Fazilka), and ETT TET Pass Adhiyapak Union (Jai Singh Wala). The Minister reviewed the demands of the unions and encouraged members to remain committed to improving the quality of education in government schools. During the discussion, Secretary (Education) Anindita Mitra informed Finance Minister Cheema that most of the unions demands were either in the final stages or under process. In response, the Minister directed the Education Department to share details of the fiscal implications of legitimate demands with the Finance Department, so that appropriate action could be taken without delay, the press release stated. Advertisement Finance Minister Cheema Holds Meeting with All Punjab DST/CTF Contract Workers Union On the same day, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also met representatives of the All Punjab DST/CTF Contract Workers Union and assured them that their concerns would be addressed. During both meetings, Special Secretary (Personnel) Upkar Singh and Special Secretary (Finance) Ajay Arora briefed the Finance Minister on the departmental status of the demands raised by the unions, according to the release. Advertisement Union members who attended the meetings included Veerpal Kaur Sidhana, Manpreet Singh Moga, and Paramjit Kaur Pakhowal from the Special Cadre Adhiyapak Front; Gurwinder Singh, Rakhi Manan, and Harpreet Singh from the Computer Adhiyapak Union; Jony Singla, Nardeep Sharma, and Sunit Sareen from the Computer Adhiyapak Sangharsh Committee; Jaswant Ghubaya, Hardeep Singh, and Sandeep Singh from the Berojgar B.Ed. TET Pass Adhiyapak Union; Sunil Kumar, Salwinder Singh, and Ranjit Singh from the ETT TET Pass Adhiyapak Union (Sunil Fazilka); Kamal Thakur, Sohan Singh, and Gurmukh Singh from the ETT TET Pass Adhiyapak Union (Jai Singh Wala); and Sandeep Singh, Kirandeep Singh, and Pardeep Singh from the All Punjab DST/CTF Contract Workers Union, the press release added. (For more news apart from Punjabs Education System Undergoing Profound Transformation Driven by Various Factors Under Sikhya Kranti Program: FM Cheema" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, in his speech at the opening of the Welt security forum in Berlin, called on European politicians to increase military support for Ukraine, because the future of Europe is now being decided on the Ukrainian frontline. "In Berlin, he spoke at the opening of the Welt security forum. The main issues of which are security in Europe and modern weapons systems. In particular, he emphasized that it is on the Ukrainian front that the future of Europe, its security and stability are being decided. Therefore, it is critically important for partners to increase military assistance. Spending on assistance to Ukraine is Europe's most effective investment in its own security. Inaction and delay can cost much more," Klitschko said on Telegram channel. In particular, the mayor of Kyiv discussed with Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany Katherina Reiche the possibility of urgent financing for the purchase of anti-drone protection equipment (aircraft) for the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine. Reiche promised that the government would consider this issue. In addition, Klitschko called on European partners to help Ukrainians survive this winter, in particular, to provide generators and other autonomous sources of electricity. European politicians, members of governments, representatives of the armed forces and the German military industry are participating in the Welt security forum. As previously reported, Klitschko will open Kyiv Investment Forum on November 12, which will be held for the first time in Berlin. The purpose of the event is to attract funds for the post-war reconstruction and development of the capital. Last year, the total investment package attracted at the investment forum in Brussels amounted to about EUR 1.1 billion. Cooperation with the EBRD in the areas of energy security to ensure stable life in the Ukrainian capital was also agree. Centre Praises Mann Sarkar: Farmers' Efforts Slash Stubble Burning by Staggering 85% The contrast with neighboring regions is clear. When Rajesh Verma, Chairman of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), recently visited the Rajpura Thermal Plant, he wasnt there to give warnings or impose fines. He went to recognize something extraordinaryPunjabs farmers are leading what he calls the stubble revolution. Punjabs farmers have become protectors of the environment along with being food providers, because they are now choosing alternatives to burning stubble. The numbers tell the story of a remarkable change. In 2021, Punjab recorded 71,300 incidents of stubble burning. By 2024, this number dropped to just 10,900a reduction of 85%. This year, the state has seen only 3,284 incidents so far, a trend suggesting that Punjab is writing a new chapter on agricultural sustainability. Advertisement But this isnt just about numbers. Its about a fundamental shift in how Punjabs farming community sees its role in the countrys environmental future. Rice straw has now become a source of income for farmers, Verma said during his visit. What was once considered wastequickly burned to clear fieldsis now being converted into biomass fuel for thermal plants, contributing to the next chapter of the green revolution. The Commission chiefs visit to the Rajpura Plant to review biomass mixing with coal highlighted a bigger truth: Punjabs farmers are no longer just growing crops. They are growing solutions. The states aggressive efforts toward the biomass-coal mixing initiative have created new income sources for farming families while addressing one of North Indias most serious environmental challenges. Advertisement This transformation didnt happen overnight. It required significant investment in biomass collection infrastructure, education initiatives to help farmers understand alternative uses for crop residue, and government support to make these alternatives economically viable. The Aam Aadmi Party governments focused approach to this challenge has created a model that other states are now studying. The contrast with neighboring regions is clear. While Punjabs air quality has improved remarkably, Delhi continues struggling with pollution despite various administrative measures. The difference? Punjab addressed the problem at its source, working with farmers, not against them. This years sharp decline in stubble burning incidents compared to last season shows how farmers are leading the stubble revolution, Verma emphasized. His words carry weightthis is the head of the central governments main air quality body acknowledging that real change comes from ground-level action, not just top-down orders. Advertisement For Punjabs farmers, this represents something much deeper than environmental compliance. Its a reclaiming of their identity as protectors of the land, as innovators who can adapt to changing times while maintaining their agricultural heritage. The stubble revolution is proving that environmental responsibility and agricultural prosperity arent opposing forcesthey are complementary goals. As the Diwali festival approached and Punjabs skies remained clearer compared to previous years, the states farmers gave North India an early gift: proof that when communities are empowered with alternatives and support, they choose the path that benefits everyone. This is Punjabs storya story of transformation, responsibility, and leadership. And its being written by the people who feed the country. Advertisement (For more news apart from Centre Praises Mann Sarkar: Farmers Efforts Slash Stubble Burning by Staggering 85%," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Bihar Police on Alert After Delhi Red Fort Car Blast; Joint Patrolling Along International and Interstate Borders (Image Screenshot of Video footage by ANI) Three types of forces, the SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal), the state police force, and APF (Nepal), are conducting joint patrolling Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar on Tuesday said that police across the state have been put on alert following the car blast incident near the Red Fort in the national capital, Delhi. Speaking to news agency ANI, DGP Vinay Kumar said, The police are on alert following the incident that occurred in Delhi yesterday, to ensure that no such incident happens in Bihar. Advertisement #WATCH | Patna | Following Delhi Red Fort car blast, Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar says, "The Police is alert following the incident that occurred in Delhi yesterday, to ensure no such incident happens in Bihar. The international border along Bihar has been sealed for the past 72 hours pic.twitter.com/26iuBjufYH ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2025 The DGP added that the international border along Bihar has been sealed for the past 72 hours in view of the ongoing elections. Three types of forces, the SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal), the state police force, and APF (Armed Police Force of Nepal), are conducting joint patrolling along the international border. Advertisement Similarly, joint patrolling along the interstate borders is also being carried out, the DGP said. The second phase of the Bihar assembly election is currently underway in various districts. Meanwhile, the death toll in the deadly car blast near the Red Fort in Delhi rose to 12, with three more people succumbing to their injuries. Two of the victims are from Uttar Pradesh. Advertisement (For more news apart from Hema Malini Slams Media for Spreading False News About Husband Dharmendra; Says He Is Responding to Treatment," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Punjab Police refutes allegations of mounting barricades at Mohali by Haryana Police to stop protesters from entering Chandigarh DIG Nanak Singh said that Punjab police is capable enough to safeguard its jurisdiction Punjab Police, on Monday, strongly refuted the allegations of mounting barricades by Haryana Police at Mohali to stop protesters from entering Chandigarh, an official press release said. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ropar Range Nanak Singh, who himself took stock of the situation by visiting the spot along with other officials, confirmed that no nakabandi or checking was done by Haryana Police at the said location. He warned the rumour mongers to refrain from such types of activities to create panic among the masses. Advertisement DIG Nanak Singh said that the Punjab police is capable enough to safeguard its jurisdiction and no outside force is allowed to enforce law and order duty inside the state without due permission. He added that in case of such activity, strict legal action will be taken against the concerned. The DIG informed that the Punjab Police did not refrain anybody from entering Chandigarh. He added that there was free movement of commuters and visitors towards Chandigarh from all the connecting roads from Punjabs side. (For more news apart from Punjab Police refutes allegations of mounting barricades at Mohali by Haryana Police to stop protesters from entering Chandigarh" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Bhutan King Leads Prayer with Thousands for Victims of Delhi Blast; PM Modi on 2-Day Visit PM Modi hailed the Fourth King of Bhutan for his vision of Gross National Happiness His Majesty, the fifth King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, on Tuesday led a prayer with thousands of Bhutanese citizens at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu for the victims of the Delhi car blast. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present, as he is on a two-day visit to the country starting today. Advertisement Earlier in the day, Bhutans Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay extended a warm welcome to PM Modi upon his arrival. Bhutans Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Finance, Governor of Paro, and Deputy Royal Chamberlain were also present at the airport. Before his departure from India, Prime Minister Modi said, It would be my honour to join the people of Bhutan as they mark the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King. During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will attend various programmes in the country. Advertisement Addressing the gathering at the 70th birthday celebrations of the Fourth King in Bhutan, PM Modi spoke about the deadly blast that occurred last evening in a congested area near the Red Fort in Delhi, which has claimed 12 lives so far. Many remain critically injured. Today, I come here with a very heavy heart. The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening has deeply saddened everyone. I understand the grief of the affected families. The entire nation stands with them today, PM Modi said in his address. The Prime Minister stated that he had been in touch with all the investigating agencies throughout the night. Advertisement Our agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy. The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice, he said. Today, while the Global Peace Prayer Festival is underway, devotees are also visiting the Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha. At the same time, we are witnessing the 70th birthday celebrations of the Fourth King. The event, marked by the dignified presence of so many people, reflects the strength of the ties between India and Bhutan, Modi added. #WATCH | His Majesty the King of Bhutan led a prayer, with thousands of Bhutanese, for the victims of the Delhi blast, at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu (Source: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/b2cgOOuof5 Advertisement November 11, 2025 He continued, Many of you may not know that Vadnagar, my birthplace, is connected to the Buddhist tradition. My workplace, Varanasi, is also a centre of Buddhist devotion. That is why coming to this ceremony is special. May this lamp of my prayer for peace illuminate every home in Bhutan and across the world. The Prime Minister also hailed the Fourth King of Bhutan for his vision of Gross National Happiness, saying that it has today become a pioneering parameter for defining growth across the world. He further praised Bhutan for its carbon-negative vision and commitment to environmental sustainability. Bhutan fifth King, also known as Druk Gyalpo, said, "Let us all come together and pray for India, pray for Prime Minister Modi. May all your aspirations, your vision, and your service to India bear fruit. May you overcome each and every single obstacle. And may your dream of an even brighter, stronger, more prosperous India be fulfilled. But above all, we would like to take a moment and pray for the people who sadly lost their lives yesterday in Delhi. We'd like to pray for them." (For more news apart from PM Narendra Modi Lands Under Clear Blue Skies in Thimphu, Bhutan; to Attend Global Peace Prayer Festival," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) 1.2 Million Devotees Join Punjab's Historic Month of Remembrance: Punjab Honors Guru's 350th Martyrdom with Month-Long Celebrations Daily morning and evening kirtan, ardas and katha are happening in gurdwaras of every district. Chandigarh, 10 November 2025: On the 350th martyrdom year of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, the entire month of November this year in Punjab is dedicated to devotion and seva. The ninth Guru gave his head for the protection of religion, humanity and the weak. Therefore, the Punjab government took the historic decision to celebrate November 2025 as Shaheedi Smaran Maah (Martyrdom Remembrance Month). This is the first time that such large programs are being held continuously for a whole month at the government level across the entire state. The programs started from 1st November. Daily morning and evening kirtan, ardas and katha are happening in gurdwaras of every district. So far, more than 12 lakh devotees have participated in these gatherings. In big cities - Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Jalandhar, Shri Anandpur Sahib and Shri Fatehgarh Sahib - daily Shaheedi Kirtan Darbars are being held, where sangat is coming from Punjab and outside as well. Nagar-Kirtans are being taken out on main markets and routes of cities. The administration has deployed additional police, homeguard and medical teams for security and traffic throughout the month. Advertisement The Mann government decided that Guru Sahibs teachings should not remain limited to tributes only, but should reach seva and society. For this reason, more than 500 seva camps have been set up across Punjab. In many of these places, langar runs daily. The Health Department has set up 220 medical camps, in which about 1.4 lakh people had free checkups and were given medicines. The Education Department has also started a Moral Education Drive across the state. More than 10 lakh students in over 20 thousand schools and colleges participated in essays, poetry, posters, speeches and cultural programs. Children were told that the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is not just history, but the greatest example of protecting humanity. The governments Digital Documentary Series has been viewed lakhs of times online. For the first time, the state government has connected religious and cultural history with technology and reached every household. Today on 10th November, special kirtan and ardas are happening across the state. Thousands of sangat are reaching Amritsar and Shri Anandpur Sahib. Management committees have prepared for cleaning, lighting, water, parking and security throughout the night. District-by-district control rooms have been set up so that devotees dont face any kind of problem. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is the biggest example of religious freedom. The governments aim is that every child of Punjab understands that religion doesnt mean hatred, but brotherhood, courage and humanity. In the remaining days of November, seminars and discussions on humanity and religious freedom will also be held in schools and universities. Advertisement These programs have proved that Punjab doesnt just celebrate history, but also implements the teachings in society. An atmosphere of unity, seva and brotherhood is being created in the state. From villages to cities, from youth to elders, everyone is giving this message that Guru Sahibs sacrifice will live forever. Even after 350 years, their courage, sacrifice and humanity live in Punjabs heart. The people of Punjab are saying, Where humanity is in danger, standing there is the real religion. AAP Govt Takes Punjab's Aviation to New Heights:From Halwara to Amritsar Punjab Flies Forward Punjab government has invested between Rs 150 crore and Rs 200 crore in the aviation sector. Chandigarh, November 11, 2025: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Aam Aadmi Party government has made the aviation sector one of its top priorities to turn its vision of a Rangla Punjab into reality. Since March 2022, the government has worked on a detailed plan to make aviation a key driver of Punjabs economy, industrial connectivity, and tourism. Under the states 2022 Industrial and Business Development Policy, special focus has been given to building airport-led industrial corridors, backed by investments of over Rs 100 crore. One major example of this growth is the Halwara International Airport project near Ludhiana. Started under earlier governments, the project had almost stopped by 2022 due to lack of funds and administrative delays. Its suspension had badly affected Ludhianas global industrial connectivity. The project needed strong political commitment and quick action to move forward. Advertisement Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann turned this challenge into an opportunity. After taking office, he personally took charge of reviving the stalled project. The AAP government released Rs 60 crore from the state treasury to restart construction. This direct intervention from the Chief Minister ensured that work did not stop due to funding issues, giving the project a fresh lease of life. The results of these efforts have been remarkable. By April 2025, 100% of the interim terminals construction was completed, and it was inaugurated on July 27, 2025. The state assembly also unanimously approved naming the airport after freedom fighter Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha. Once operational, the airport will greatly benefit Ludhianas manufacturing belt and create around 10,000 new jobs. The governments focus is not only on new projects but also on upgrading existing airports. During the AAP governments tenure, the Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar has become the pride of Punjabs aviation sector. In the fiscal year 202425, passenger traffic there rose by a record 22.6%, crossing 3.5 million passengersa historic high. Advertisement This major growth reflects the governments continuous efforts to boost international connectivity. New flights have started from Amritsar to destinations like Kuala Lumpur, London, Rome, and Verona. In July 2024, AirAsia X honored Amritsar Airport with the Best Station Award among 24 international airports for its 95% on-time performance and improved passenger facilities. The government has also worked hard on regional air connectivity. Due to active coordination with the central government, flights from regional airports like Adampur (Jalandhar) and Bathinda have successfully resumed. New routes from Adampur to cities like Mumbai and Jaipur have been announced, giving a strong boost to the Doaba region. This reflects the governments commitment to connect every part of Punjab by air. Overall, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab government has invested between Rs 150 crore and Rs 200 crore in the aviation sector. Whether building an 8.5-km road to Chandigarh Airport at a cost of Rs 200 crore, reviving the stalled Halwara project, or expanding Amritsars global reach, every step is strengthening Punjabs presence as an emerging aviation hub. Clearly, Punjabs skies are rising to new heights of progress under the AAP governments vision. Mann Government Raises the Bar: Rs 693cr for Dignity, Rs 100cr for Devotion, Rs 10L for Life This scheme has spread a beautiful message in every corner of Punjab that religions may be different, but the sentiment is one. Chandigarh, November 9, 2025: The land of Punjab has always been an example of love, brotherhood and unity. Here people of all religions Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and others live together grown up in the fragrance of the same soil. Today, when distances are increasing in the world in the name of religion, the Mann government of Punjab has once again given this message that all religions are equal. This is that soil where Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught Na Ko Bairi Nahi Bigana Sagal Sang Ham Kau Ban Aayi ||1|| Today, the Mann government of Punjab is taking forward that same message. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Ji has proved that the real religion of the government is only one that is, service to humanity. The Mann government has focused on the development of holy places of all religions in Punjab. While it started a pilgrimage scheme and pension scheme equally for elderly people of all classes without any discrimination and for destitute and widowed women, on the other hand it did not lag behind in providing health services equally to all. These initiatives have given birth to a new thinking in Punjab, where humanity is the biggest religion, not religion; where service is the biggest policy, not politics. Advertisement The Punjab government has started a wonderful scheme for senior citizens, Chief Ministers Pilgrimage Scheme. This scheme is not just a religious program, but a living example of equality of religions and mutual love. Under this scheme, people of all religions are taken on free pilgrimage to their respective holy places. For Sikh devotees Amritsar Sahib, Patna Sahib, and Hemkunt Sahib. For Hindu devotees Haridwar, Mathura, and Vaishno Devi. For Muslim devotees Ajmer Sharif Dargah. While maintaining the respect of every religion, the Mann government has proved that every path leads to the same destination towards God. The Chief Ministers Pilgrimage Scheme was started by the Mann government of Punjab on November 6, 2023. The Punjab Cabinet had approved the first phase of this scheme from November 27 to February 29, 2024. Along with this, the budget of this scheme has been increased to 100 crore rupees. Recently, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launched the second phase of the Chief Ministers Pilgrimage Scheme from Dhuri, taking forward the series of unity and public welfare schemes of the state. For this journey, 16,000 devotees will be selected from each assembly constituency. The Chief Minister said that this scheme is equally open to people of all classes, religions, different income groups and regions. This scheme has spread a beautiful message in every corner of Punjab that religions may be different, but the sentiment is one. When every elderly person returns from his pilgrimage, there is only one thing on his lips that the Mann government did not see our religion, it saw our faith. This scheme is connecting peoples hearts, where there were walls before, now bridges of love are being built. Punjab has now become an example for the entire country. Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns thinking is an example for the entire India today, he has shown that when the government respects everyones religion, not the state, the entire country becomes strong. Advertisement With the Mann government in Punjab, now no one asks what religion you belong to. Because government schemes are open to every citizen, people of every religion are getting free treatment in Aam Aadmi Clinics. Aam Aadmi Clinics in Punjab are working equally for people of all religions, castes and classes under the Mann government. This can be called an example of unity and humanity, 881 clinics are running (565 rural, 316 urban). With 236 new clinics opening, the number will become 1,117. These clinics embody the thinking of treatment for all, without discrimination. Now every family will get free health insurance of up to 10 lakh rupees from the Mann governments health scheme. This scheme is not for any one class, religion or caste, but for every Punjabi. This scheme is not just insurance, it is an identity of equality and justice. The Mann government has proved that service is the biggest religion. This health insurance of 10 lakh rupees not only provides financial security, but also gives assurance that now no father will mortgage his house for his childs treatment, nor will any mother sell her jewelry, no elderly person will crave for medicine, and no laborer will back down for fear of hospital fees. On the other hand, the state government has so far released financial assistance of 693 crore rupees, from which 6 lakh 65 thousand 994 widows and destitute women are directly benefiting. This is not just financial help, but a guarantee of self-respect and security, which is making every woman feel that the government is standing with her. The Bhagwant Mann government has given a clear message that all religions, castes and classes are equal in Punjab. This assistance is not being given by looking at any religion or sect, but by looking at the need because the soul of Punjab resides in unity, equality and compassion. Advertisement The Mann government has always spread the message of unity among people through rallies and cultural programs. This is the true religion public service, equality and brotherhood. This initiative of the Mann government is presenting a picture of such a Punjab, where equality is the real identity, and humanity is the biggest religion. The Mann government has shown us that when the government takes care of everyone, bridges are built between people, not walls. The Mann government has also proved that a true government is one that places humanity, not religion, above all. Under his rule, every citizen is getting equal rights and equal opportunities. This thinking, this policy of the Mann government is now not limited to Punjab alone. This is a message for the entire India that if one state can take everyone along, then the entire country can also do so. Punjab's Women Deputy Commissioners Leading from the Front: How AAP's Transparency Revolution is Empowering More Women in Public Service Amritsar DC Sakshi Sawhney, Hoshiarpur DC Komalpreet Kaur, and Mohali DC Komal Mittal represent a new generation of women administrators Chandigarh, November 10, 2025: Women form barely 1518% of Punjabs bureaucratic workforce, and their representation in field and district-level administrative posts is even lower. According to recent employment data, women constitute about 1113% of Indias civil services nationwide, and Punjab historically mirrors these national trends. Recognizing this clear gender gap, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has launched a series of systematic transparency campaigns and grassroots initiatives aimed at empowering womenespecially from rural areasto pursue careers in administration. By showcasing successful women officers and creating a supportive work environment, the government is breaking long-standing barriers that once kept talented rural women away from public service. Today, Punjabs district administration reflects a transformative shift, with dynamic women Deputy Commissioners (DCs) leading several key districts. Amritsar DC Sakshi Sawhney, Hoshiarpur DC Komalpreet Kaur, and Mohali DC Komal Mittal represent a new generation of women administrators who are not just occupying top positions but redefining governance at the grassroots level. Their appointments under the current government have sent a powerful message to young women across thousands of villagesthat the corridors of power are no longer a male domain. These officers manage districts with populations in the millions, handling everything from revenue administration to disaster management, proving that gender is no barrier to effective leadership. Advertisement Under DC Sakshi Sawhneys leadership, Amritsar district has witnessed rapid developmental initiatives, focusing on modern infrastructure while preserving heritage. Sawhney has spearheaded digital governance campaigns that brought transparency to revenue records, enabling ordinary citizensespecially women property ownersto access land documents without middlemen. Her administration has worked to streamline the Public Distribution System (PDS) to ensure that benefits reach genuine beneficiaries. Improved inter-departmental coordination for implementing welfare schemes has been another hallmark, with a special focus on extending women and child development programmes to the remotest villages. In Hoshiarpur, DC Komalpreet Kaur has infused remarkable energy into local administration, with a strong emphasis on rural development and agricultural modernization. Her regular field visits to villages have helped identify and resolve long-pending infrastructure issuesfrom broken roads to inadequate water supply systems. During her tenure, the district administration has worked closely with panchayats to enforce transparency in rural development schemes, sharing project allocations and progress reports through digital platforms. This approach has not only reduced corruption but also encouraged greater participation of women in local governance, as they now feel confident that their voices are heard and recorded. DC Komal Mittal has introduced a technology-driven approach in the administration of Mohali, leveraging digital tools to make government services more accessible. Under her leadership, the district has implemented online systems for multiple citizen services, reducing the need for repeated visits to government officesa major hurdle that particularly affected working women and those from distant villages. Her administration has prioritized the creation of safe public spaces, improved street lighting in rural areas, and ensured police responsiveness to womens safety concerns. These measures have made public service a more viable and secure career path for young women in surrounding regions. Advertisement When Punjab faced severe floods during the monsoon season, these women DCs demonstrated exemplary crisis management skills. Sakshi Sawhney coordinated 247 relief operations in Amritsar, personally overseeing evacuation efforts and ensuring dignity and safety for women and children in relief camps. In Hoshiarpur, Aashika Jain mobilized resources and worked with local communities to prevent crop losses and provide immediate aid to affected farmers. In Mohali, Komal Mittals proactive approach included preventive measures and real-time monitoring systems that helped minimize flood impact. Their calm and decisive leadership during emergencies has become a case study in effective disaster management. The AAP governments transparency initiativesincluding public hearings (Janata Darbars), online grievance redressal systems, and regular social media updates from district administrationshave demystified government functioning for ordinary citizens. These women DCs have been at the forefront of these public hearings, where villagers, especially women, can directly present their concerns without fear or bureaucratic hurdles. By making governance visible and accountable, these initiatives have shown rural families that government offices are safe, respectful workplaces where merit matters more than connections. Stories of these women officers traveling to remote villages, listening to problems, and delivering solutions have inspired countless young women to prepare for civil services. The Punjab governments approachlinking transparent governance with the active promotion of women into leadership rolespresents a model of empowerment across sectors. By ensuring that the appointment of women administrators is not merely symbolic but backed by full authority and responsibility, the AAP government is building institutional confidence in womens leadership capabilities. As these Deputy Commissioners continue to deliver results in development, disaster management, and daily administration, they are not merely governing districtsthey are changing mindsets and opening doors for the next generation of women civil servants. Their success stories stand as Punjabs most powerful recruitment campaign for women in public service, proving that when given opportunity and support, women dont just participate in governancethey excel in it. These leaders are inspiring countless others to step forward and lead. Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow on High Alert After Delhi Car Explosion; HM Amit Shah Chairs High-Level Meet; PM Modi Issues Warning The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice.: PM Modi Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has been placed on high alert following yesterdays car blast in Delhi, ACP Aliganj Sayed Areeb Ahmad told news agency ANI. Police are conducting checks at various strategic locations across the city, including vehicle inspections, while social media activity is also being closely monitored. Advertisement ACP Sayed Areeb Ahmad said, We are urging the public not to pay heed to any rumours. We are also monitoring social media. Lucknow Police, accompanied by the dog squad, are currently checking vehicles in the Hazratganj area. #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow Police, accompanied by Dog Squad, conduct checking of vehicles in Hazratganj area, following Delhi blast incident pic.twitter.com/hU9qeNxz06 Advertisement November 11, 2025 Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting at his residence on Tuesday. Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, the Director General of the National Investigation Agency, and the Delhi Police Commissioner were present at the meeting. The Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu and Kashmir also joined the meeting virtually. The review came in the wake of the November 10 blast in Delhi, which left eight people dead and several others injured. Advertisement The National Security Guard (NSG), along with other agencies, is conducting investigations into the incident. #WATCH | Delhi car blast case: National Security Guard (NSG) carry out an investigation at the spot Eight people died after a blast took place in a Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort yesterday at around 7 pm pic.twitter.com/BMHvm3ttPn ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2025 The blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort yesterday around 7 p.m., claiming at least eight lives, according to ANI. However, news agency PTI reported that the death toll has risen to 12, with three people succumbing to their injuries later. Advertisement Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a two-day visit to Bhutan, issued a stern warning from Thimphu, saying, The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice. #WATCH | Today, I come here with a very heavy heart. The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening has deeply saddened everyone. I understand the grief of the affected families. The entire nation stands with them today. I was in touch with all the agencies pic.twitter.com/912P1ZTJ9E DD News (@DDNewslive) November 11, 2025 The nature of the explosion is yet to be determined as investigations continue. (For more news apart from PM Narendra Modi Lands Under Clear Blue Skies in Thimphu, Bhutan; to Attend Global Peace Prayer Festival," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Rustem Umerov, who previously held the position of Minister of Defense, stated that "any attempts" to link his "work in the Ministry of Defense with the "influence" of certain individuals are groundless." "Any attempts to link my work in the Ministry of Defense with the 'influence' of certain individuals are groundless," he said in the Telegram channel on Tuesday. As reported earlier today, the prosecutor of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office reported that businessman Timur Mindich, who is the main figure in the investigation into a large-scale corruption scheme in the energy sector, exerted influence not only on Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko, who previously held the position of Minister of Energy, but also on Umerov as Minister of Defense. The prosecutor said this during a court hearing on the election of a preventive measure to the former advisor to the Minister of Energy, previously Deputy Head of the State Public Finance Administration Ihor Myroniuk, who is involved in the investigation into the scheme. Umerov, probably responding to these accusations, stated: "As a minister, I regularly met with manufacturers and suppliers of equipment and weapons, lobbyists, etc. In particular, there was a meeting with Timur Mindich, at which the issue of bulletproof vests under the contract was raised. As a result, the contract was terminated due to non-compliance of the products with the requirements and no product was delivered," Umerov said. "I ask you to verify any high-profile statements and am always ready to provide relevant information and explanations to media representatives," he said. Earlier on Tuesday, Umerov announced the start of a working trip to Turkey and the Middle East to unblock the process of prisoner exchanges within the framework of previously reached agreements. "I just arrived in Istanbul. These days I will work in Turkey and the Middle East in order to unblock the exchange process. There was an agreement and it must be implemented. The task of the President of Ukraine is clear Ukrainians must return home from captivity," Umerov said in Telegram channel. He announced meetings in the coming days, "in particular, in Turkey." "The question is precisely this to resume exchanges," Umerov said. November 11, 2025 A roundup of domestic and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 11.11.2025, 13:55 Reforms. Leaders of the parties in the governing coalition in Bucharest have been invited by President Nicusor Dan for talks on reform projects concerning magistrates pensions, administration, and next years budget forecast, when deficit restrictions will be even tighter. The meeting is taking place ahead of a coalition meeting, which is expected to reach a final decision on how to reintroduce the bill raising the retirement age and reducing magistrates pensions, after the Constitutional Court explained why it rejected the law. So far, coalition leaders have failed to reach a compromise, and time is running out before the new deadline on which a considerable amount of the NRRP, 230 million, depends, which would be conditional on the reform of special pensions. Another delayed project is the one on administrative reform and layoffs in local government. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojean has recently stated that, in addition to staff and spending cuts, the administrative reform includes several provisions to increase the capacity of local councils to collect taxes, transfer powers and responsibilities, and other measures to streamline local activities. Elections. In most of the constituencies where by-elections are being held on December 7 in Romania, the period for submitting candidacies has begun. However, this is not the case for the position of president of the Buzau County Council (southeast) or for that of mayor of the capital. In these two cases, candidacies can only be submitted starting Wednesday. For the position of mayor of Bucharest, which became vacant after former mayor Nicusor Dan became head of state, the candidates are Daniel Baluta (PSD), Catalin Drula (USR), Ciprian Ciucu (PNL), Liviu Negoita (PUSL), and journalist Anca Alexandrescu, supported by AUR. The election campaign will begin on November 22 and end on December 6. Femicide. The Ministry of Justice in Bucharest is proposing a legislative initiative to punish femicide with life imprisonment. The minister responsible, Radu Marinescu, argues that there must be maximum firmness on the part of the law enforcement agencies. A bill to combat femicide was already submitted to Parliament at the end of October and aims to recognize the concept of femicide in Romanian law and classify its various forms in order to identify appropriate measures to prevent and combat this phenomenon. Other provisions in the draft legislation include: the elimination of the requirement for a prior complaint in cases of rape and sexual assault, and the recognition of the seriousness of crimes committed in a context where the perpetrator exercises control or domination over the victim or in the presence of a child, and the need for unconditional intervention by initiating criminal proceedings ex officio in cases of domestic violence . The subject returned to the spotlight after a woman was killed by her ex-husband, even though she had issued a protection order against him. Drones. The Ministry of Defense in Bucharest announced today that possible fragments of Russian drones were found 5 km inside the country after a Russian night attack on Ukrainian ports on the Danube. Weather conditions prevented Romania from scrambling fighter jets, and the population in the area was alerted to take shelter, the ministry added. Romania, which shares a 650 km border with Ukraine, has repeatedly found fragments of Russian drones that have fallen on its territory and has repeatedly faced violations of its airspace. Visit. The new Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Alexandru Munteanu, will visit Bucharest on Thursday, November 13. This will be the first foreign visit paid by the Moldovan head of government since taking office. He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, will be received by Romanian President Nicusor Dan, and will also hold talks with representatives of the Romanian Parliament. He will also meet with Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown. Ghyka. In Focsani (southeastern Romania), tributes continue for the last ruler of the Principality of Moldavia, Grigore Alexandru Ghyka, whose remains were repatriated from France, where he died in exile. He will be reburied on Wednesday in Iasi (northeast), his capital at the time. Ruler from 1849 to 1853 and 1854 to 1856, promoter of profound reforms and militant for the Union of the Romanian Principalities, Grigore Alexandru Ghyka paved the way for modern Romania, historians say. Cooperation. Romania must expand its economic relations beyond the borders of the European Union, said Minister of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism Radu Miruta during a working visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We have valuable resources, real skills, and partnerships that are worth building with confidence, said Radu Miruta. According to a press release, the minister was in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from November 7 to 11 to attend the 26th meeting of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). Among other things, the event discussed strategic directions for the sustainable development of global tourism, digital innovation, and the strengthening of regional partnerships. Radu Miruta held a series of bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening Romanias cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as with the states participating in the meeting. Veterans. We are still facing the most serious security crisis in Europe since the end of World War II, President Nicusor Dan has stated on Veterans Day in the Theatres of Operations, an occasion to pay tribute to all the military personnel who has participated in missions in areas where Romania was and is present alongside its allies and partners. Despite the negative effects of the Russian Federations aggressive actions at the European level, our country remains a pillar of stability on NATOs Eastern Flank, with a substantial contribution to regional and Euro-Atlantic security, Nicusor Dan emphasized. (MI) November 11, 2025 UPDATE Click here for the latest news from RRI Newsflash Newsroom, 11.11.2025, 20:00 Coalition The President of Romania, Nicusor Dan, is meeting on Wednesday with the leaders of the governing coalition and with representatives of magistrates, according to the head of states agenda. On Tuesday, he discussed with the leaders of the parties in the governing coalition about the reform projects regarding magistrates pensions. So far, the coalition leaders have not managed to reach a compromise formula, and time is getting shorter until the new deadline on which a considerable amount of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) depends, 230 million Euros, which would be conditioned by the reform of special pensions. Another delayed project is the one regarding the reform of the administration and the layoffs in the city halls. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan recently stated that, in addition to staff and expenditure cuts, the reform in the administration includes several provisions for increasing the capacity of city halls to collect taxes, transfers of competences and responsibilities and other measures to streamline local activity. Elections In most of the constituencies where by-elections are being held in Romania on December 7, the period for submitting candidacies has begun. However, not for the position of president of the Buzau County Council (southeast) or for that of general mayor of the capital. In these two cases, candidacies will only be submitted starting on Wednesday. For the position of mayor of Bucharest, a position left vacant after the former mayor Nicusor Dan became head of state, Daniel Baluta (Social Democratic Party PSD), Catalin Drula (Save Romania Union USR), Ciprian Ciucu (National Liberal Party PNL), Liviu Negoita ( Social Liberal Humanist Party PUSL) and the journalist Anca Alexandrescu, supported by the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), have announced their candidacies. The electoral campaign will begin on November 22 and will end on December 6. Drones The Romanian Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that possible fragments of Russian drones were found 5 km inland after a Russian night attack on Ukrainian ports on the Danube. Weather conditions prevented Romania from scrambling fighter jets, and the population in the area was alerted to take shelter, the ministry added. Romania, which shares a 650 km border with Ukraine, has repeatedly found fragments of Russian drones that have fallen on its territory and has repeatedly faced violations of its airspace. Femicide The Romanian Justice Ministry is proposing a legislative initiative to punish femicide with life imprisonment. The minister responsible, Radu Marinescu, argues that there must be maximum firmness on the part of the law enforcement agencies. A bill to combat femicide was already submitted to Parliament at the end of October and aims to recognize the concept of femicide in Romanian law and classify its various forms in order to identify the appropriate measures to prevent and combat this phenomenon. Other provisions in the draft legislation include: the elimination of the requirement for a prior complaint in cases of rape and sexual assault, and the recognition of the seriousness of crimes committed in a context where the perpetrator exercises control or domination over the victim or in the presence of a child, and the need for unconditional intervention by initiating criminal proceedings ex officio in cases of domestic violence. The issue returned to public attention after a woman was killed by her ex-husband, even though she had a protection order issued against him. Farms The Council and the European Parliament have reached an agreement to adopt the simplification package for farmers, a project proposed by the Commission this year. According to the new rules, farm checks are reduced to just one per year, and the documents that a farmer must fill in as part of his relationship with the state are fewer. Another element is the simplification of the rules for environmental conditions for organic farms. According to estimates by the European Commission, the simplifications will lead to savings of around 1.6 billion Euros for farmers and 200 million Euros for national administrations that check farmers documentation. Visit Romania must expand its economic relations beyond the borders of the European Union, said the Minister of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Radu Miruta, during a working visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We have valuable resources, real skills and partnerships that are worth building with trust, said Radu Miruta. According to a press release, the minister was in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 7 to 11 November, to participate in the 26th meeting of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization UN Tourism. The event tackled, among other things, the strategic directions regarding the sustainable development of global tourism, digital innovation and the consolidation of regional partnerships. Radu Miruta had a series of bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening Romanias cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as with the states participating in the meeting. (LS) Mobilised against femicide The justice ministry comes up with a bill that punishes femicide with life imprisonment (Photo: Tumisu / pixabay.com) Mihai Pelin, 11.11.2025, 14:00 The Romanian justice ministry has posted for public review a bill under which gender-related murder would be punished with life imprisonment, the relevant minister Radu Marinescu announced. In a televised interview, he said there is a parallel parliamentary initiative to explicitly introduce femicide as a distinct crime in the Romanian criminal law. He mentioned, however, that the country already has legislation that must be enforced and that can prevent such cases. The ministers response comes after, on Saturday, another woman was killed by her husband, against whom she had a restraining order in place. He was at large, although the 25-year-old mother of three had repeatedly complained that she had been beaten, kidnapped and raped by her ex-partner. She had separated from her husband for two months, and when he stabbed her she was with her three-year-old son. The medical team that arrived at the scene failed to resuscitate her. Authorities later found the 42-year-old man who had tried to take his own life as well. The shocking case took place in a village in southern Romania. The head of the Romanian Police, Benone Matei, announced that he had ordered a review of all domestic violence cases registered at national level. He called on victims of domestic violence to agree to the electronic monitoring of the aggressors. A bill to curb femicide was submitted to Parliament in late October, following initiatives from all parliamentary parties. Victoria Stoiciu (PSD) said that support for such a bill is huge. The document was signed by 273 MPs, making it the draft legislation with the largest number of supporters in the history of the Romanian parliament since the 1990s. In mid-October, some 3,000 people took to the streets in several cities across the country to call the authorities attention on the large number of women victims of violence, but also on the fact that dozens of women have been killed in Romania since the beginning of the year. At the same time, 18 embassies in Romania sent a joint statement to prevent gender-based violence. Meanwhile, over 50 NGOs are asking Parliament to expedite the passing of the draft law on preventing and fighting femicide. The state has an obligation to protect all citizens and to take timely steps to prevent the escalation of violence against women and domestic violence. But this year, more than ever, the entire society has witnessed the authorities failure to ensure the safety of women. In cases of femicide, there was a history of violence, sometimes known to the authorities or the community, and these cases could have been prevented, reads the petition of these organisations. (AMP) Prince Ghyka in brought back home The remains of Prince Grigore Alexandru Ghyka, a brilliant historical figure of the 19th century, have been repatriated to Romania. Ceremonie Grigore Alexandru Ghyka (Foto: presidency.ro) Bogdan Matei, 11.11.2025, 13:50 A personality almost unknown to the general public, the last ruler of the Romanian principality of Moldavia (east), Grigore Alexandru Ghyka, is receiving belated recognition these days. His repatriation is not only an act of symbolic restoration, but also a gesture of national gratitude towards a leader who laid the foundations of the modern Romanian state, the authorities in Bucharest say. After being exhumed on November 7, from a locality near Paris, France, where the ruler lived the last part of his life in exile, the coffin with his remains was brought with military honors to Bucharest, where they were laid at the Union Hall of the presidential palace. There, a ceremony was held with the participation of President Nicusor Dan, who laid a wreath and lit candles. The history of Moldavia is part of the history of Romania. Since the Middle Ages, Moldavia has also been called Little Wallachia, proof of the common identity of language, culture and nation, said President Nicusor Dan, concluding: Welcome home, Your Majesty! Special events on the occasion of the repatriation of the coffin then took place in Focsani (southeast), for centuries a border town between the two Romanian principalities, Moldavia and Wallachia. The remains of Grigore Alexandru Ghyka will be buried on Wednesday in Iasi (northeast), the former capital of Moldavia, near the Orthodox church in which he was anointed ruler. Born in 1804, into a respected boyar family, and on the throne, with a brief interruption, between 1849 and 1856, Grigore Alexandru Ghyka is described by historians as one of the most visionary political figures of the 19th century. He was a unionist militant, he paved the way for the Union of the Romanian Principalities, in 1859, and he promoted essential values for modern society: freedom, social justice, dignity. He supported courageous reforms, from the emancipation of the Roma, long before the abolition of slavery in the United States, and the abolition of censorship, to the development of public services and the introduction of a model of government inspired by the great European democracies. He opened the first maternity hospital in Moldavia with his own money. He supported the establishment of the school of road and construction engineers. He founded the Gendarmerie, after the French model of the time. He reduced taxes and duties and supported free trade. A promoter of Western values in a turbulent era, when control over the Romanian Principalities was disputed by the Ottoman Empire and Tsarist Russia, the ruler sent one of his sons to study in Germany. In the last weeks of his reign, Grigore Alexandru Ghyka had firmly supported the Union of the Romanian Principalities. Forced by the great powers of the era to abdicate and go into exile, he traveled by ship on the Danube to Pesta, then by train to Berlin, in order to avoid passing through Vienna, out of aversion to the Austrian Empire and its anti-unionist position. On August 3, 1856, he arrived in Paris, where the Romanians in exile welcomed him with joy, as a unionist militant. A year later, he committed suicide, amid a poorly treated neurasthenia. (EE) RIO RANCHO Intel Corporation in the City of Vision has another distinction under its belt. It was named as the best employer for career growth, an Oct. 29 release states. A Careerminds poll of 3,002 employees named three New Mexico employers that are best for career growth, including Intel. Intel stands out in the survey as one of New Mexicos most important technology employers, operating a major semiconductor facility in Rio Rancho, it reads. Staff, in the survey, point to extensive technical training and leadership development that support advancement in advanced manufacturing. Intel remains a company where career growth is aligned with the future of high-tech innovation, it states. One of the things Careerminds looked for was upskilling, a career strategy that teaches employees more as they move up. Upskilling isnt just a buzzword its a career survival strategy. The pace of change in most industries means that what was cutting-edge five years ago is often outdated today. By learning new skills, you stay relevant, competitive, and open to opportunities that might otherwise pass you by, the release states. It also signals to employers that you are adaptable and forward-thinking, qualities that carry weight no matter your field. In many cases, upskilling can be the difference between plateauing and progressing. New Mexico Health Care Authority Secretary Kari Armijo, center, thanks Sen. Linda Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, after a bill to provide money for SNAP recipients if the Federal government doesn't, passed out of the Senate Finance Committee during a special session at the Roundhouse, Monday, November 10, 2025. Eddie Moore Rep. Nathan Small, D-Las Cruces, right, and Amanda Breiding, chief of staff for the HAFC, get ready to present a bill to provide money for SNAP recipients if the Federal government fails to, to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. This was during a special session at the Roundhouse, Monday, November 10, 2025. Eddie Moore New Mexico Health Care Authority Secretary Kari Armijo, answers questions during a Senate committee hearing on Monday, as Sen. George Munoz, D-Gallup, center, and Legislative Finance Committee Director Charles Sallee look on. The Health Care Authority recently administered full November benefits for state food assistance recipients after a judges order. Eddie Moore House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, talks with Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, before the start of a Monday special session at the state Capitol in Santa Fe. Lawmakers approved a funding bill during the special session intended to ensure food assistance benefits for more than 460,000 state residents are not interrupted. Eddie Moore Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla, D-Albuquerque, holds up a copy of a bill authorizing state funding for food assistance benefits during a Monday hearing of the Senate Finance Committee. The bill would make up to $162 million in state funds available to cover benefits through mid-January, if a federal government shutdown is not resolved before then. Eddie Moore Senate Minority Leader William Sharer, R-Farmington, center, talks with Senate Minority Whip Pat Woods, R-Broadview, and Sen. Nicole Tobiassen, R-Albuquerque, on Monday about amending a bill to pay for food assistance benefits. The GOP-backed amendment was ultimately adopted before lawmakers approved the bill during a one-day special session at the Roundhouse. Eddie Moore Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, talks with fellow senators about a bill to provide money for SNAP recipients if the Federal government fails to. This was in the Senate Finance Committee during a special session at the Roundhouse, Monday, November 10, 2025. Eddie Moore SANTA FE With uncertainty still swirling in Washington, D.C., New Mexico lawmakers took quick action Monday to ensure more than 460,000 state residents continue receiving food assistance benefits into next year. In a special session that lasted for just over three hours, the House and Senate both approved on bipartisan votes a bill that authorizes up to $162 million to provide state nutrition assistance benefits through mid-January. The bill was then signed Monday by Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, who is serving as acting governor while Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham attends a climate change conference in Brazil. The bill took effect immediately upon signing. I am proud that we came together in the best spirit as New Mexicans to make sure vulnerable families in our state are taken care of, Morales said in a statement. This legislation ensures New Mexicans can feed their families this holiday season. The state funding contained in the bill might not be necessary if Congress approves a deal to end the longest-ever federal government shutdown, but top Democratic lawmakers said the state should not assume that will happen. The harm in doing nothing is far too great to sit on the sidelines, said Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe. Lujan Grisham announced the special session last week, after $30 million in stopgap state funding authorized by the governor to cover food assistance benefits for a 10-day period was depleted. A day after the special session announcement, the state Health Care Authority issued federally funded SNAP benefits for November after President Donald Trumps administration initially said it would comply with an order to do so by a federal judge in Rhode Island. The Trump administration later reversed course and directed states to undo full SNAP benefits paid under the judicial order, though its unclear how that might be done. We are in the middle of a very confusing legal storm right now, state Health Care Authority Secretary Kari Armijo told members of a Senate committee on Monday. Ad The federal government typically pays for all SNAP benefits, though the program is administered by states. New Mexico has the nations highest percentage of residents covered by the program, with about 21% of its residents receiving food assistance, nearly double the national average. How the bill works The bill approved during Mondays special session would make up to $162 million in already appropriated but unspent state funds available for food assistance benefits. That money would be issued on a week-by-week basis as long as the federal shutdown lasts, with $20 million provided each week as necessary. Approved recipients would be able to use their EBT cards, or a government-issued debit card, to buy groceries under the program, just as they do under the federal SNAP program. Sen. George Munoz, D-Gallup, said SNAP transactions make up more than half the total sales and as much as 90% of sales in some cases for grocery stores on the Navajo Nation and in other parts of northwest New Mexico. Several legislators also spoke about their own experiences receiving food assistance, with Sen. Linda Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, saying, SNAP is more than a good policy, for many of us its survival. But some Republican lawmakers expressed concern about the states SNAP error rate of 14.6% as of 2024, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. That was the nations fourth-highest figure, behind only Alaska, Georgia and Florida, and stems primarily from overpayments. GOP lawmakers succeeded in amending the special session bill to give a legislative agency $50,000 to review the state Health Care Administrations administration of the SNAP program. I would submit that this program has morphed from a hand up to a handout, and that needs significant reform, said Sen. Larry Scott, R-Hobbs. If the states SNAP error rate remains elevated, it could eventually force the state to pay a share of the food assistance benefits under a budget bill signed into law this summer by Trump. Meanwhile, New Mexico lawmakers also approved $30 million during the special session to replenish the state contingency fund drained by the governor, and authorized $75,000 to cover the sessions cost. All those spending items were included in a single bill, House Bill 1, that passed the House on a 52-9 vote before being approved via a 30-6 vote in the Senate. All no votes against the bill were cast by Republicans. Partisan flashpoints in quick session During a news conference before the special session began, House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, accused Trump of holding SNAP benefits hostage to gain political leverage. Here in New Mexico, we know it should not take a court order to make you feed the hungry, Martinez said. He also brushed off questions about the Trump administration possibly levying sanctions on states that do not comply with the order to undo November benefits. Bring it, MartInez said bluntly, before adding: We are our own government. We will not be blackmailed, we will not be threatened. However, some Republican legislators blasted New Mexicos two Democratic U.S. senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan for repeatedly voting against proposals to reopen the federal government. Senate Minority Leader William Sharer, R-Farmington, also attributed the states ability to cover food assistance benefits to a revenue windfall fueled by increased oil and natural gas drilling, primarily in southeast New Mexicos Permian Basin. We have a vibrant oil and natural gas industry that is actually going to feed the people of New Mexico, Sharer said. The special session was the second called this year by the governor, as lawmakers convened for a two-day special session last month to approve bills aimed at helping rural hospitals and state residents facing a huge jump in their health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act. Clocking in at just over three hours, the special session that took place Monday was one of the shortest in modern state history. Lawmakers met for just five hours during a crime-focused special session last year, and for about the same period of time during a special session called in 1985 by then-Gov. Toney Anaya. Japan will on Tuesday release September figures for current account, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. The current account surplus is seen at 2.26 trillion yen, down from 246.35 trillion yen in the previous month. Japan also will see October figures for bank lending and the watchers current index. Lending is seen steady, higher by 3.8 percent on year. The eco watchers index is expected to show a score of 47.6, up from 47.1 a month earlier. Australia will see October results for the surveys of confidence and conditions from NAB, plus November numbers for the consumer sentiment index from Westpac. In September, business confidence was at +7 and conditions were at +8; in October, the consumer sentiment index fell 3.5 percent on month. Indonesia will release September numbers for retail sales; in August, sales were up 3.5 percent on year. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. One of the key figures behind the Cybertruck is leaving Tesla. After eight years, Siddhant Awasthi, who assisted in managing the Model 3 and Cybertruck programs, announced his departure on LinkedIn. He described the choice as challenging but did not specify his next course of action. As an intern at Tesla, Awasthi worked on developing new electronics systems, launching Giga Shanghai, increasing Model 3 production, and assisting with the delivery of the Cybertruck. His departure coincides with a difficult moment for Tesla. Over 63,000 Cybertrucks in the US were recalled by the company last month due to excessively bright front lights that could have distracted other drivers. Because a long exterior trim panel could come loose while driving, authorities recalled more than 46,000 Cybertrucks in March. Tesla's financial performance is also a problem. The reported its fourth consecutive decline in profit in October. Despite an increase in revenue, third-quarter earnings dropped 37 percent to $1.4 billion as consumers scrambled to take advantage of a $7,500 federal EV tax credit before it ended on October 1. However, after shareholders approved a plan that could give CEO Elon Musk up to $1 trillion in stock if he meets long-term performance goals, Tesla's stock increased on Monday. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News On the 10th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in French history, the French-Chilean photographer, who spent two and a half hours in a hallway with 11 other people and a suicide bomber, believes it is time to turn the page Friendship is a strange feeling forged over the course of years, but it can also develop in two and a half hours through extreme experiences. David Fritz Goeppinger, 33, met some of his best friends on the night of November 13, 2015, in a hallway of the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, as they waited for the arrival of a police assault team in the company of a terrorist armed with an AK-47 and an explosive belt. Shortly before that, he had spent a good 10 minutes hanging from a window of the building alongside two other victims of what would become the largest terrorist attack in French history. I knew I couldnt do anything else. And it was a good idea, because Im alive. I started talking to the person next to me. With Sebastien, who is now a great friend. I asked him his name, shook his hand, and told him everything would be alright. Even today he asks me why I said that, he explains to EL PAIS in a cafe by the Seine. Fritz, who was born in Chile and moved to France as a child with his parents, is a professional photographer and writer. That night, he had gone to the Bataclan to see Eagles of Death Metal, like the other 1,500 people in the venue. But the concert was abruptly interrupted. In a coordinated attack between 9:20 p.m. on Friday and 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, three nine-man commandos with automatic weapons and explosive belts killed 130 people and wounded 350 across the city; 90 people lost their lives at the Bataclan. Another 39 died on various terraces and restaurants in the 10th and 11th arrondissements of Paris. One more person died at the Stade de France. The terrorist group Islamic State (ISIS), which still controlled cities like Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq, claimed responsibility for the attacks hours later. It was a response, they announced, to Frances participation in the international coalition that was bombing its positions in the two Arab countries. He didnt know the reason. But he could imagine. During the hostage situation, one of the kidnappers asked him his opinion of Francois Hollande, then the president of the Republic. The question wasnt innocent. The terrorists blamed him for Frances participation in the military coalition in Syria. And he refused to comment, claiming he was Chilean. I was afraid, and I went back to the basics. It was a way of protecting myself; I didnt lie. But I grew up in France, I went to school here, I speak French yet I told him I was Chilean. It was like telling him I wasnt involved in all that. Thats why, after the Bataclan, I felt the need to obtain French citizenship, to reconcile myself with a part of my personality. Fritz was working as a waiter at the time. He had his life all figured out. But when the first chords of Kiss the Devil played, he shattered into a thousand pieces. And the worst part was that he was unable to find comfort in the people who loved him. For seven years I saw a psychologist who worked with the BRI [the polices special assault unit]. She knew a lot about terrorism and the symptoms it causes, like post-traumatic stress: hypervigilance, anxiety, insomnia You know? I still unconsciously register everything I see and hear. David Fritz Goeppinger, survivor of the 2015 attack on the Bataclan, at Quai de l'Hotel de Ville. He can remember everything minute by minute. Entering the room, the first shots, peoples faces, the time he spent hanging from the ledge. The smells, the conversations, the extreme fear. But what stays with me most of all isnt the hostage situation, but the moment I stepped out into the corridor. I thought it was all over, but when we went down to the first floor, I saw almost 90 dead people. Thats what remains, the terrible image that destroys everything inside you. And thats where the worst wound opens up, which is survivors guilt. Fritz belongs to a club that none of its members would want to be a part of, as he often says. He was 23 at the time. And he had a passion for music, for a certain kind of music, which, in part, served as a common thread with his new friends. A group of 12 people they christened Potages: a contraction of pote (friend) and otage (hostage). He told his story, the story of how to learn to live after that kind of experience, in two booksUn jour dans notre vie (A Day in Our Life, Pygmalion) and Il fallait vivre (It Was Necessary to Live, Leduc). But he is also the key to Des Vivants, a fabulous series recently aired on France TV, in which he participated as an advisor. It narrates what happened very well. But the most important thing is no longer so much what happened, but what it triggered in us. What happens in the life of a victim when they emerge from an attack: their social, work, sexual life You never think that anxiety, post-traumatic stress, can in fact appear at any moment. The Potages survived, but they endured an emotional ordeal that found respite only in psychiatric consultations and by sharing their stories with one another. You lose the ability to speak and to tell your story. Thats why I wrote this book and the previous one. I could talk to my psychologist and little else. Thats why when I started meeting with the other victims, I was able to do so. Its genuine solidarity, its something supernatural. Before that, I had one birthday, now I have two. And I share it with all those people. Memories pile up, but they almost always have the backdrop of the hallway where it all happened. Should the venue have closed? It was difficult. They reopened 364 days after the attack. For me, the Bataclan was mine. It didnt seem possible for it to go back to normal. But with time, I understood that the concert hall already existed before, and it needed to exist afterward. What I cant do, unlike some of my colleagues, is go back to see a concert there. But Im glad and happy that other people can. Otherwise, the place would be destroyed and its history would be forgotten. A major memorial service will be held on Thursday in the center of Paris, presided over by the victims and the president of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron. The trial helped to heal some wounds. But 10 years later, its time to do so definitively. Testifying in the trial had an effect. Justice was served. And I, as a victim, was no longer of use. My word was enough. After that came the rubble. And from there, I had to rebuild, go back to therapy. My idea now is to be a retired victim. Being a victim isnt a profession, so I have to move beyond that phase. Apple TV has said it has no intention of adopting ad-supported plans like its streaming competitors. Apple senior vice president of services Eddy Cue stated in a recent interview with Screen International that the company currently has "no plans" to launch an ad tier. While he didn't completely rule out the possibility, he added that Apple wants to maintain affordable prices so that viewers aren't distracted by commercials. Following reports that Apple has looked into the possibility of starting an advertising , the comments were made. Apple even hired seasoned ad industry professional Lauren Fry in 2023 after meeting with UK ratings group Barb. But according to Cue, the emphasis is still on improving the service's content and pricing. Apple TV currently costs $13 a month, after several price hikes. That's still cheaper than Netflix or Disney+ without ads. But reports suggest Apple TV isn't profitable and costs Apple about 1 billion dollars per year to run, with around 45 million subscribers. Instead of adding ads or buying large studios, Apple's video chiefs say they're committed to growing through original programming. They said Apple isn't looking to license older shows or make big acquisitions. The goal, they say, is to build an all-original service centered on emotional, human-focused storytelling. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Oil prices edged higher on Tuesday as the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history appeared to be nearing an end and investors pondered over the impact of U.S. sanctions on Russian oil companies. The upside, however, remained capped by oversupply concerns as OPEC+ production continues to rise. Benchmark Brent crude futures edged up by 0.4 percent to $64.30 a barrel while WTI crude futures rose 0.30 percent to $60.31. After the U.S. Senate approved a compromise solution to restore federal funding, the bill will now be sent to the House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson said he would like to approve it as early as Wednesday. Analysts said the end to government shutdown could pave way for a rebound in air travel during winter holiday season, when oil demand typically rises. That said, remain on edge over a potential supply glut in the coming year. Earlier this month, OPEC+ agreed a small oil output increase for December and a pause in increases in the first quarter of next year. In its recent report, the International Energy Agency forecasted that the global oil surplus would reach around 4 million barrels per day in 2026, marking the largest annual surplus on record. Despite potential supply disruptions, this excess could lead to an overhang in oil inventories and weigh down on prices, it was said. Upcoming reports from OPEC and the International Energy Agency (IEA) could signal an impending global surplus. OPEC will release its monthly market analysis on Wednesday, followed by the IEA's annual outlook on the same day. The IEA's regular monthly report is due on Thursday. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis The Senate has passed the crucial spending bill late Monday night, paving the way for ending the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. In line with Sunday's voting for an agreement on the funding bill, a minority bloc of seven centrist Democrat Senators and independent Angus King joined with their Republican counterparts to pass the Bill by a 60-40 vote. Republican Senator Rand Paul voted against the Bill. As per the funding compromise, a new stopgap measure to extend government funding until January 30 has been approved. The continuing resolution would reopen government immediately, and provide back pay to all federal workers, including those who have been working without pay or furloughed. The Bill will go to the House of Representatives Wednesday, reports say. If it is passed, President Donald Trump will sign it into law, and the shutdown will come to an end. Republican Senator Susan Collins, who played a key role in drafting the Bill, said, "Tonight, the Senate took an important step toward reopening the government. This continuing resolution will reopen government immediately, extend funding through January 30th, and provide back pay to all federal workers." Collins, who is also the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led negotiations between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and the House, as well as members of the Administration, to reach the deal. This measure also includes three full-year Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills, including Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; and Legislative Branch. The Republicans reportedly did not give any assurance to extend the care subsidies, the main demand over which the Democrats blocked passage of the spending bill in late September. The U.S. federal government was forced to the longest shutdown in history on October 1 after the Senate failed to reach an agreement on the spending bill. The Democrats pressed for major concessions on Obamacare subsidies, mainly ensuring subsidies for health insurance for the low-income group, and reversing the Trump administration's cuts to Medicaid, in return for their support to pass the funding bill. Affordable Care Act benefits, also known as Obamacare, will expire within months. The shutdown, which entered its 42nd day on Tuesday, had triggered disruption in several government services nation-wide, the loss of federal food aid, delayed paychecks, and delays and cancellations of flights. More than a million federal employees had gone on unpaid leave or working without salary. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The United States has announced a partial suspension of sanctions against Syria based on the actions taken by the new Syrian government following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime. The Sanctions Relief was announced by US secretary of state Marco Rubio after a meeting in Washington DC between President Donald Trump and Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, which marked the first summit between U.S. and Syrian leaders at the White House since 1946. A former al-Qaida-aligned rebel fighter, al-Sharaa was until recently designated a terrorist by the US government, which had offered a $10 million reward for his head. Rubio announced a 180-day suspension of some sanctions under the Caesar Act, which targets Syria's energy industry and blocks foreign investors from entering into contracts with the Syrian government for the war-ravaged country's reconstruction projects. "The suspension of sanctions supports Syria's efforts to rebuild its , restore ties with foreign partners, and foster prosperity and peace for all its citizens," Rubio said. President Trump had made it clear that the United States expects to see concrete actions by the Syrian government to turn the page on the past and work towards peace in the region. U.S.-Syria relations improved after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, who fled the country in December 2024 after a prolonged civil war in the country that killed thousands. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced three directives that outline the Department's next phase of acquisition. The memorandums 'Transforming the Defense Acquisition System into the Warfighting Acquisition System to Accelerate Fielding of Urgently Needed Capabilities to Our Warriors,' 'Reforming the Joint Requirements Process to Accelerate Fielding of Warfighting Capabilities,' and 'Unifying the Department's Arms Transfer and Security Cooperation Enterprise to Improve Efficiency and Enable Burden-Sharing' direct sweeping reforms across the Department of Defense to strengthen deterrence, rebuild the industrial base, and accelerate capability delivery to the warfighter. The memorandums were referenced by Hegseth during his remarks at the National War College on Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., last week. Together with the newly released Acquisition Transformation Strategy, these memorandums redefine how the Department develops requirements, manages programs, and engages industry to ensure America's warfighters receive critical capabilities at the speed of relevance. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News A month into the ceasefire in Gaza, families continue to slowly head back to their former homes and communities wherever access is allowed, the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees said on Monday. Staff remain on the ground providing lifesaving services, and some 100 UNRWA shelters are housing more than 75,000 displaced people, according to a tweet by UNRWA. Following two years of deadly conflict, a "catch-up" campaign to immunise some 44,000 children under the age of three against measles, mumps and other illnesses kicked off on Sunday. They will also be screened for malnutrition. In an opinion piece first published in The Guardian, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini wrote that the "fragile ceasefire - the first phase of US president Donald Trump's 20-point plan - offers some respite to an exhausted population." He warned, however, that "there is still much to worry about" as "access to shelter, food and clean water remains challenging" as winter fast approaches. Meanwhile, efforts to ramp up aid are still being hampered by red tape, ongoing bans on key humanitarian partners, too few border crossings and routes, as well as persistent insecurity, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told journalists in New York. This past weekend, teams reported shelling and navy fire in different parts of the Strip "though at much lower levels than before the ceasefire." In some areas, teams still have to coordinate every movement in advance with the Israeli authorities. On Sunday, only two out of eight coordination attempts were fully facilitated. Four were impeded on the ground - including one that was delayed for 10 hours. Despite the challenges, the UN and partners "are seizing every opportunity to expand operations." Haq said the Al Kheir Hospital in Khan Younis resumed operations last week after being forced out of service following attacks in February 2024. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News French stocks are up firmly in positive territory on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session, following the passage of a short-term funding bill late Monday to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The bill will now be sent to the House, where a vote could come as early as Wednesday. The benchmark CAC 40 was up 47.14 points or about 0.6% at 8,102.65 a few minutes ago. Hermes International is rising 3%. LVMH is gaining 1.75% on reports the luxury group plans to open major stores in China in December and is considering further expansion in the region. Capgemini is up 1.35%, while Sanofi, Saint Gobain, Dassault Systemes,TotalEnergies, Vinci, Publicis Groupe and Bouygues are up 1 to 1.2%. Edenred is down 2.3%. Thales is down 0.8%, while Unibail Rodamco, Societe Generale, Safran and Pernod Ricard are down with modest losses. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis The Switzerland market closed on a strong note on Tuesday, gaining in strength consistently after opening modestly higher. Investors picked up stocks amid hopes Switzerland will strike a deal with the U.S. to lower tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he was working with officials in Switzerland to lower U.S. import tariffs placed on the Alpine country. Trump said White House officials had been "working on something to help Switzerland," but did not provide more specifics. Trump added that Switzerland had been a "very good ally," even after the president slapped steep 39% tariffs on its exports to the U.S. earlier this year. The nation's blue-chip SMI stock market index had risen by 1.1% by 06:00 ET (11:00 GMT). In individual shares, luxury watchmakers Richemont and Swatch gained 1.8% and 4.3%, respectively, while heating and ventilation systems group Belimo rose 4.7%. Luxury stocks were among the prominent gainers. The benchmark SMI, which climbed to 12,722.36, settled with an impressive gain of 246.88 points or 1.98% at 12,702.08. Swatch Group surged 6.1%. Straumann Holding climbed 5.51%. Alcon, Kuehne + Nagel, Lonza Group, Roche Holding, Julius Baer, VAT Group and Sika gained 3 to 3.7%. Partners Group closed nearly 3% up. Sonova, Nestle, Galderma Group, Richemont, Givaudan, Novartis, Holcim, Sandoz Group and Lindt & Spruengli gained 1.3 to 2.7%. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis There is no immediate end in sight to America's travel woes. Experts predict that the effects on air travel will take days, if not weeks, to recover, even if lawmakers formally reopen the federal government this week. With Thanksgiving approaching, aviation analyst Henry Harteveldt told Business Insider that airlines "won't snap back like a rubber band." One significant issue is that the system is more stressed now than it was during the 2019 shutdown due to the fact that many air traffic controllers have been working unpaid during the shutdown, prompting the FAA to recently order airlines to reduce flights. A massive backlog resulted from that move. Cancellations increased over the weekend; according to Cirium data, more than 10 percent of US departures were cancelled on Sunday, and 62 percent of flights arrived on time. Since October 1, more than 5.2 million passengers have been impacted, according to Airlines for America, with American Airlines alone reporting roughly 250,000 customers who have been inconvenienced. Pilots, flight attendants, and aircraft positioning can all be affected by a single cancellation, even in normal circumstances. Even if the government reopens this weekend, experts caution that travelers shouldn't count on a smooth ride. There are still long lines and continuous delays at airports like JFK, where more than 8,000 flights have already been canceled. The FAA warns travelers to regularly check flight status and anticipate a rough start to the already hectic Thanksgiving travel rush. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News China will on Wednesday release October figures for new loans and money stock, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. New loans are expected to be worth CNY465.0 billion, down from CNY1.290 trillion, with loan growth expected to be steady at an annual 6.6 percent. The M2 money stock is tipped to rise 8.1 percent on year, easing from 8.4 percent in September. Japan will see October numbers for money stock and machine tool orders. The M2 money stock us expected to rise 1.8 percent on year, up from 1.6 percent in September. Tool orders are seen higher by an annual 9.9 percent, up from 8.1 percent in the previous month. South Korea will see unemployment data for October; in September, the jobless rate was 2.5 percent. Australia will release Q3 figures for home loans; in the previous three months, home loans were up 2.4 percent on quarter. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Very few can afford these jewels, but we can all dream about them and the stories behind them. The renowned auction house Sothebys is preparing to hold one of its most anticipated annual events, the Royal & Noble Jewels auction, on November 12 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Geneva. The collection contains extraordinary pieces that after years in private hands or royal collections are now seeking new owners. Although the online bidding has been active since the end of October, the auction will officially begin Wednesday. This years star lot is a diamond brooch that belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte, which he lost at the Battle of Waterloo (1815). It is estimated to have a starting price of between $150,000 and $250,000. The auction also includes other spectacular pieces of jewelry, such as a unique hair ornament created around 1840, which will be auctioned alongside a brooch with natural pearls and diamonds that belonged to a European noble family. Also included are jewels belonging to the last Ottoman princess, Fatma Neslisah (who died aged 91 in 2012), and a magnificent selection of tiaras. The beauty of Napoleons piece is matched only by its historical significance: it is a circular diamond brooch, approximately 45 millimeters in diameter, with a large oval diamond at its center weighing 13.04 carats; the nearly one hundred antique mined diamonds surrounding it, in various shapes and sizes, are arranged in two concentric rows. It was created for Napoleon around 1810, most likely to adorn his bicorn hat on special occasions. As for its historical value, the brooch was among the personal belongings the emperor took with him to Waterloo, including medals, weapons, silverware, a hat, and a jewelry box containing dozens of loose diamonds and other jewels. On June 18, 1815, in his haste to flee Waterloo, after his troops had been crushed by the British and Prussian armies, Napoleon had to abandon some of his carriages when they became stuck on a muddy road a few miles from the battlefield, including the one containing the brooch. It was subsequently offered as a war trophy to the Prussian King Frederick William III on June 21, 1815, just three days after the battle. For centuries, it belonged to the German dynasty of the House of Hohenzollern before ending up in another private collection, where it has remained for the past several years. It will now go up for auction for the first time at the Sothebys event, alongside another Napoleon jewel, an unmounted 132.66-carat emerald with a starting price of between $39,000 and $59,000 that Emperor Napoleon I wore at his coronation in 1804 and that also belonged to the Hohenzollerns. The 132.66-carat emerald that Emperor Napoleon I wore at his coronation in 1804. Robert Hradil (Getty Images for Sotheby's) Another highly anticipated lot is the spectacular diamond and pink diamond ring, of over 13 carats, from the collection of Princess Fatma Neslisah (1921-2012), a jewel also being offered at auction for the first time. This piece bears witness to the decline of one of the most historically significant royal dynasties, the Ottomans. Its owner was the last to have her birth recorded in the palace register of members of her dynasty before the fall of the once-powerful Ottoman Empire. She was thus the last person to officially receive the title of Sultan, or Princess of the Imperial Blood, and embodied the end of an era of unbridled opulence, both in her native Turkey and in Egypt, where she married Muhammad Abdel Moneim (1899-1979), the heir to the last reigning house of the Arab country, which was overthrown during the Egyptian Revolution in 1952. A set of hair accessories (transformed into a pendant) and brooch, belonging to Kunigunde of Saxony, which will be auctioned on November 12 in Geneva. Robert Hradil (Getty Images for Sotheby's) Among the other precious jewels included in Sothebys auction, a hair accessory and brooch set stands out. Estimated at between $422,000 and $620,000, it is presented as an extraordinary example of Romantic-era jewelry. The ornament is exceptionally rare, perhaps the last-known example of a jeweled hair ornament designed to frame the face. According to family tradition, the significant collection of natural pearls adorning the jewel and its brooch belonged to Kunigunde of Saxony, Marchioness of Montoro (17741820), a cousin of King Louis XVI. In 2024, Sothebys Royal & Noble Jewels auction put up for sale a rare and historic 300-carat 18th-century diamond necklace that had belonged to the Marquesses of Anglesey with possible links to Queen Marie Antoinette one of the most exceptional Georgian jewels in private hands, which fetched $4.8 million. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The CSSR team celebrates its latest graduates on 10 October 2025 By Siqhamo Jama When people think of groundbreaking global research, they often imagine vast laboratories and large-scale institutes. Yet, tucked away in the small town of Makhanda, a small team at Rhodes University is quietly reshaping global conversations about sexuality, health, and reproductive justice. Earlier this year, the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction Research (CSSR) Unit made an impressive showing at the International Society for Critical Health Psychology (ISCHP) Conference in Galway, Ireland a major international gathering that draws leading scholars in health psychology from across the world. Three of the Units emerging researchers Dr Megan Reuvers, Yamini Kalyanaraman, and Cassandra Robertson-Ormston received competitive bursaries to attend and present their work. Other staff members and research associates who presented papers included Dr Nicola Jearey-Graham, Dr Yanela Ndabula and Prof Tracy Morison. Leading the Rhodes University presence was Catriona Macleod, Distinguished Professor of Psychology and SARChI Chair in Critical Studies of Sexualities and Reproduction, who delivered one of the conferences keynote addresses. For a small unit operating from a modest cluster of offices on Rhodes Universitys upper campus, the achievement was extraordinary. It was wonderful to see our work recognised in that space, said Prof Macleod. What made it even more meaningful was hearing from colleagues who said they could see the quality and integrity of the research coming out of this small corner of South Africa. One delegate described the CSSR Unit as a centre of excellence praise that, while unsolicited, felt earned. Prof Macleod smiles at the memory. Were small, she said, but we punch well above our weight. A hub for critical, compassionate inquiry The CSSR Units strength lies in how it approaches its work. Rather than viewing sexuality and reproduction as purely clinical or biological concerns, the Unit explores them as lived experiences deeply shaped by history, culture, power, and inequality. We bring a critical, feminist, and decolonial lens to our research, explained Dr Reuvers. That means looking at how issues like race, gender, disability, and class shape peoples access to healthcare and their right to make choices about their own bodies. Traditional health research often measures success through numbers, services delivered, patients reached, and targets met. The CSSR Unit goes further, asking harder, more human questions: What happens inside those clinics? Are people treated with dignity? Whose voices are being left out? This approach has attracted attention well beyond South Africa. The CSSR Unit now works with the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Population Fund, and various national departments in Southern Africa not just producing research but helping shape the language of policy itself. Research that listens One of the Units most notable projects investigates abortion counselling in South Africa. Despite the countrys progressive laws, the CSSR found that many counselling sessions were still directive or moralising, sometimes pressuring women to change their decisions. Many nurses felt it was their duty to correct a mistake, said Prof Macleod. Thats not what reproductive justice looks like. In response, Yamini Kalyanaraman from the CSSR designed and ran short courses with nurses and healthcare workers to reframe abortion counselling through empathy and respect. Follow-up studies, led by Dr Timalizge Zgambo, showed that many participants began shifting toward non-judgmental, patient-centred care. Another of the Units focus areas is the pregnancy supportability project, headed by Dr Reuvers. Her PhD thesis, entitled Is This Pregnancy Legitimate Because It Is (Un)Intended and (Un)Affordable? An Intersectional Analysis of Pregnancy Supportability, provides an in-depth qualitative view of pregnancy support/supportability which complements the quantitative data generated from the Pregnancy Supportability Research Kit designed by CSSR Unit researchers. A project focusing on Life Orientation (LO) teachers in three South African provinces, led by Dr Ulandi du Plessis, revealed a number of struggles teachers expected to lead lessons on sexualities, reproduction and relationships while navigating their own trauma and that of their students. When we spoke to them, we realised LO teachers are effectively frontline mental health workers, said Prof Macleod. They carry enormous emotional responsibility, often without support or training. To meet that need, the CSSR Unit launched a participatory action research project with LO teachers in Makhanda, led by Dr Nicola Jearey-Graham. So far, a basic counselling skills course for teachers has been run. The demand was immediate, and applications far exceeded available places. That response alone showed how essential this kind of research-led intervention really is, said Prof Macleod. Reproductive justice as a guiding principle For the CSSR Unit, reproductive justice is more than an academic concept it is the moral thread that ties its work together. Its not just about access. Its about autonomy, dignity, and recognising that health decisions exist within systems of power. True justice means understanding those systems and transforming them, explained Prof Macleod, a point she made clear in her keynote at ISCHP. That philosophy now guides many of the CSSR Units collaborations with government departments and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), helping develop policies that move beyond compliance to compassion. The teams policy briefs and strategic papers have informed discussions across southern Africa on topics such as unsafe abortion, contraception access, and gender equity. For a unit that began with just a handful of scholars, the CSSR teams reach today is remarkable. But Prof Macleod insists that its real achievement lies not in accolades, but in approach. We are a learning community, she said. We listen before we lead. We challenge each other. The goal is not to speak for others, but to help create the spaces where those voices can be heard. And its this ethos of empathy, collaboration, and critical thought has placed the CSSR Unit on the global map, not for its size, but for its integrity. In the build-up to one of its most anticipated launches of the year, Tata Motors has released a new TVC titled The Sierra Story | 1991 to 2025 and Beyond, celebrating the return of one of Indias most legendary SUVs. The film beautifully connects nostalgia with modern innovation reminding audiences where it all began, and where the journey is headed next. A Journey From 1991 to 2025 The Legend Reimagined The new TVC opens with the original 1991 Tata Sierra the SUV that first introduced India to the concept of a lifestyle vehicle. The voiceover recalls how Sierra was not just driven. It was admired, desired extraordinary. Through cinematic visuals and stirring background music, Tata celebrates the Sierras pioneering spirit a blend of freedom, aspiration, and individuality that made it truly ahead of its time. The film then transitions seamlessly into 2025, showcasing the all-new Tata Sierra in full glory. The SUV is seen tackling urban roads, scenic forest trails, rugged off-road paths, and even sand dunes, capturing its versatility and spirit of adventure. The visuals reportedly shot in South Africa underline the vehicles global appeal and capability. Design Evolution From Classic to Contemporary The new Sierra retains the originals soul while stepping into the future with Tatas latest design language. Signature elements like the Alpine window design have been reimagined for a modern era. The TVC showcases the SUVs sharp LED lighting, flush door handles, connected tail-lamps, and large alloy wheels, giving it a commanding yet refined stance. Inside, the Sierra will feature Tatas latest triple-screen dashboard layout driver display, infotainment, and co-passenger display. Other highlights include panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, premium upholstery, Level-2 ADAS, and connected car technology with OTA updates. Tata Sierra will be positioned between the Curvv and Harrier in Tatas lineup, and will initially debut in ICE form, powered by Tatas new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 170 PS and 280 Nm, with diesel and EV versions to follow. Autocar India has reported that there will also be a 1.5 liter NA petrol option, for the base variant. This will help keep the entry price competitive. It is likely to deliver about 120 PS power and 140 Nm of torque. EV Variant Teased Towards the end of the film, the Sierra is seen cruising across sand dunes hinting at its electric avatar. This version features a body-coloured closed-off grille, unlike the darker front apron seen on the ICE variant, strongly suggesting an EV model. The electric Sierra is likely to offer quad-motor AWD technology, providing superior off-road capability and instant torque delivery. The new Sierra will make its grand launch on 25th November 2025. With the tagline The Original Returns. Still Original., Tata Motors aims to revive one of Indias most loved automotive icons now reborn for a new generation of SUV enthusiasts. As the TVC says For those whove arrived, and now seek to arrive differently the all-new Sierra seems ready to redefine what it means to be extraordinary, once again. The Milan Attorney Generals Office has opened an investigation into a chilling case that recalls the infamous Sniper Alley of Sarajevo the city besieged from 1992 to 1996 by Serb-Bosnian militias during the Bosnian War. From the surrounding hills, they shot at passersby who had no choice but to cross that street and expose themselves to being killed. It is estimated that more than 11,000 civilians were murdered in this way. The investigation, revealed by Italian media, concerns an alleged crime of intentional homicide aggravated by cruelty and vile motives. Its central thesis is that some Italians paid to go to Sarajevo for the weekend and shoot at people, as if it were a hunting trip. Ordinary citizens, with ties to far-right circles and passionate about weapons, allegedly hired this service as a kind of human safari in the besieged city. According to the complaint, they flew from Trieste to Belgrade on the Serbian airline Aviogenex, which at that time operated from the Italian airport. To be weekend snipers, they reportedly paid the equivalent of between 80,000 ($92,800) and 100,000 ($116,000), according to the first hypotheses of the investigation. Shooting at children cost more. Information that has come to light mentions a Milanese businessman who owns a private cosmetic surgery clinic, as well as citizens from Turin and Trieste. The complaint, documented in 17 pages, was filed by writer and journalist Ezio Gavazzeni, supported by the respected former magistrate Guido Salvini and Benjamina Karic, mayor of Sarajevo from 2021 to 2024, who has been collecting information about something that had been rumored for years and that came to light in 2023 in Sarajevo Safari, a documentary by Slovenian filmmaker Miran Zupanic. This film gathered testimonies and offered clues about the possibility that wealthy foreigners paid to travel to the Bosnian city to personally shoot at human beings. The Bosnian Attorney Generals Office shelved an investigation because of the difficulty of probing such a case in a country still deeply divided and scarred by war, Gavazzeni told La Repubblica on Tuesday. As for Serbian justice, he claims that for that countrys courts, the matter is an urban legend. That is why he has tried to open the case in Italy. We are talking about wealthy people, with reputations businessmen who during the siege of Sarajevo paid to kill unarmed civilians. They left Trieste for a manhunt and then returned to their respectable daily lives, he stated. A Bosnian soldier carrying a child, followed by a woman also holding a child, run across a street to avoid sniper fire in Sarajevo, June 29, 1995. Prosecutor Alessandro Gobbis has a list of several people who can provide testimony and will be called to testify. According to the writer, these bloodthirsty war tourists could number around 100. I hope they can locate at least one or two, maybe 10, he said. Among the witnesses, Gavazzeni states, is a Bosnian intelligence agent with the initials E. S., who was aware of the events and claims that Italian intelligence which had personnel in Sarajevo received information about them in 1993 and that classified files on the matter may exist. He told me that Bosnian intelligence warned of the presence of at least five Italians in the hills around Sarajevo, accompanied there to shoot at civilians, he asserted. He also cites a Slovenian intelligence official, some victims, and a wounded firefighter who, during the trial of Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic in The Hague, spoke of tourist shooters with distinctive clothing and weapons that stood out among Serbian soldiers. The Bosnian consul in Milan, Dag Dumrukcic, has guaranteed the full cooperation of his countrys government. We are eager to uncover the truth about such a cruel matter and settle accounts with the past. I am aware of some information that I will contribute to the investigation, he declared. In the past, there were also well-known and highly controversial images of Russian writer Eduard Limonov in the hills of Sarajevo, alongside Serb-Bosnian leader Radovan Karadzic. In them, they showed him how the snipers shot at people, and he himself took up a machine gun and fired a few shots. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The decision, effective this Tuesday and Wednesday, coincides with the arrival in Caribbean waters of the USS Gerald Ford, the most advanced aircraft carrier in the US fleet Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez has issued a statement reporting that military alert levels in the country have been raised. According to the note, this is in compliance with orders issued by citizen Nicolas Maduro Moros, constitutional president of the Bolivarian Republic and commander-in-chief. Padrinos announcement, according to the statement, implements a higher phase of the so-called Independence Plan 200, a military response mechanism ordered in September to strengthen defense measures against the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean. The decision escalates political and military tensions between the United States and Venezuela. As Caracas made the announcement, the USS Gerald Ford the largest and most advanced of Americas aircraft carriers arrived in Latin America. The Pentagon confirmed the deployment, saying without specifying its location that the ship will help disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations. The U.S. military has so far carried out at least 19 strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and along Latin Americas Pacific coast, killing at least 76 people. The measure will take effect between Tuesday, November 11, and Wednesday, November 12, and involves placing the entire countrys military arsenal on full operational readiness, as well as the massive deployment of land, air, naval, riverine, and missile assets; weapons systems; military units; the Bolivarian Militia; Citizen Security Organs; and the Comprehensive Defense Commands. The Venezuelan government is calling for the plan to be carried out following one of the organizational maxims of the Maduro regime: in perfect civil-military-police fusion. During the announcement, Padrino speaking on behalf of the countrys military leadership said that the divisions of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) are stronger than ever in their unity, moral cohesion, and equipment, together with the Venezuelan people, to preserve the countrys sacred interests at all costs. Contrary to some predictions to the contrary, throughout 2024 an election year and in 2025, when Maduro resumed his functions as president, Venezuelan military forces have repeatedly demonstrated their full allegiance to the interests, narrative, and political objectives of Chavismo, the term used to describe the political strategies, leadership, and policies of former president Hugo Chavez and his successor. Although the countrys internal situation appears calm and disbelief persists among many top Chavista leaders frequently warn in public statements about the possibility of a U.S. military attack on Venezuela. The ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) agreed at an extraordinary assembly to move to an armed phase of the revolutionary process in the event that hostilities break out. These types of warnings, interspersed with constant calls for peace, have become increasingly frequent in statements by Chavista revolutionary leaders in recent weeks. A few days ago, Maduro declared in a political meeting with his supporters in the labor movement that the order has been given: if an attack is made against the country, we will declare a general, insurrectional, and revolutionary strike. On that occasion, the Venezuelan president stated that the working class is Venezuelas greatest shield against imperialist aggression. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Researchers have traced long-standing myths about the rapid spread of the Black Death across Asia to a single source from the fourteenth century. For centuries, depictions of the plague racing along the Silk Route, devastating cities and towns in its path, have been based on a misunderstanding of a rhyming story rather than a historical record. The work in question is a "maqama" -- an Arabic literary form that often features a wandering "trickster." Written by the poet and historian Ibn al-Wardi in Aleppo in 1348/9, the piece was later mistaken for an eyewitness account of how the disease traveled across the continent. A Story Mistaken for Science Modern genetic evidence suggests that the bacteria responsible for the Black Death most likely originated in Central Asia. Some scientists, influenced by Ibn al-Wardi's narrative, still argue that the plague spread from Kyrgyzstan to the Black and Mediterranean seas in less than ten years, setting off the catastrophic pandemic that swept Western Eurasia and North Africa in the late 1340s. This interpretation, sometimes referred to as the "Quick Transit Theory," rests heavily on taking Ibn al-Wardi's poetic work literally. The new study challenges this idea, questioning whether it is realistic that the bacterium could have traveled more than 3,000 miles in just a few years and caused such a widespread outbreak between 1347 and 1350. A Trickster Plague and a Century of Confusion In his maqama, Ibn al-Wardi personifies the plague as a mischievous wanderer who brings death to one region after another over a 15-year journey. The tale begins beyond China, moves through India, Central Asia, and Persia, and finally reaches the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, Egypt, and the Levant. Because the author later quoted sections of this story in his historical writing, many later readers assumed it was factual. According to researchers Muhammed Omar, a PhD candidate in Arab and Islamic Studies, and Nahyan Fancy, a historian of Islamic medicine at the University of Exeter, the confusion began in the fifteenth century when Arab chroniclers -- and later European historians -- started to treat the story as a literal account of the Black Death's spread. The Text at the Center of a Historical Web Professor Fancy explained: "All roads to the factually incorrect description of the spread of the plague lead back to this one text. It's like it is in the centre of a spider's web of the myths about how the Black Death moved across the region. "The entire trans-Asian movement of plague and its arrival in Egypt prior to Syria has always been and continues to be based upon Ibn al-Wardi's singular Risala, which is unsubstantiated by other contemporary chronicles and even maqamas. The text was written just to highlight the fact the plague travelled, and tricked people. It should not be taken literally." The Cultural Role of the Maqama The maqama genre emerged in the late tenth century and became especially popular from the twelfth century onward. During the fourteenth century, Mamluk writers in the Islamic world particularly valued the style, and many of their works -- including those about the plague -- survive today in libraries around the world. These stories were intended to be performed or read aloud in a single sitting. Ibn al-Wardi's Risala was one of at least three plague-themed maqamas written in 1348-49. The study highlights how such texts offer insight not into the disease's route, but into how people of the time coped with unimaginable loss and upheaval. Revisiting Earlier Outbreaks Recognizing Ibn al-Wardi's work as a fictional composition allows historians to shift focus toward earlier, lesser-known epidemics, such as those that struck Damascus in 1258 and Kaifeng in 1232-33. Scholars can now explore how communities remembered these earlier crises and how such memories influenced later understandings of the Black Death. Finding Humanity in Historical Crisis Professor Fancy added: "These writings can help us understand how creativity may have been a way to exercise some control and served as a coping mechanism at this time of widespread death, similar to the way people developed new culinary skills or artistic skills during the Covid-19 pandemic. "These maqamas may not give us accurate information about the how the Black Death spread. But the texts are phenomenal because they help us see how people at the time were living with this awful crisis." Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo have extended the censorship imposed by their co-presidential regime to the internet. This effectively closes off the last remaining bastion of freedom of expression and of the press in Nicaragua for dissenting voices. With the enactment of the new General Law of Convergent Telecommunications, the two-headed administration is not only imposing a technical change in how networks, antennas, and the internet are organized in the Central American country, but is also consolidating a system of total censorship in the last remaining space for expressing dissent. According to opposition groups, who have dubbed it the gag law, one of the most alarming aspects is the total power granted to the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Postal Services (TELCOR). At the head of this agency is Nahima Diaz Flores, daughter of the National Police Chief, Commissioner Francisco Diaz, and sister-in-law of one of the presidential couples sons. According to Law No. 1223, among its many broad prerogatives, the regulatory body will be able to demand statistical and georeferenced data from audiovisual operators and providers. Providers will be required to align themselves with the police the primary repressive arm of the co-presidential couple and the intelligence services, thus consolidating a digital surveillance system capable of reconstructing who communicates with whom, from where, how frequently, and at what times. Alexa Zamora, author of the report Convergent Telecommunications Law and its Impact on the Exercise of Human Rights, is one of the most frequently cited experts in Nicaraguan media. She warns that the Convergent Telecommunications Law, in conjunction with the reforms to the Cybercrimes Law and Nicaraguas adherence to the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime, could establish a legal framework that facilitates the restriction of freedom of expression and other digital rights in Nicaragua. Although regulating telecommunications and combating cybercrime are legitimate objectives, it is essential that these laws are implemented with respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, which in a context like Nicaragua is clearly not the case, the expert warns. Surveillance network This new regulation, approved last week, adds to other punitive laws promoted by the Sandinista regime after 2018, the year of social protests, which have been used to silence all critical voices, especially that of journalism which despite persecution and systematic exile still resists and uses the internet and social networks as its main tool. These laws include the Cybercrimes Law, which allows the presidential couple to define what constitutes fake news and impose sentences of up to eight years in prison; the Foreign Agents Law, which criminalizes international cooperation; and the treason law, which includes loss of citizenship and confiscation of assets. Prior to the implementation of the Convergent Telecommunications Law, the Sandinista regime had already begun to besiege the internet by blocking .com.ni domains belonging to independent media outlets, pressuring cable television companies to remove critical channels from their lineups, and issuing threats through TELCOR against local radio and television stations, not to mention the political imprisonment and harassment that has forced more than 250 journalists into exile. A law sold as modern Judging by what the government says, Law 1223 arises from the need to modernize the entire telecommunications framework: fixed and mobile telephony, internet, cable television, streaming services, use of the radio spectrum, satellites, and even certain digital platforms. However, in Articles 1 and 3, the law conceals a hidden agenda: it not only regulates public telecommunications services, but also audiovisual communications services, the use of the radio spectrum, numbering resources, satellite signals arriving in the country, and any person or company that imports telecommunications equipment. TELCOR, the same institution that finances and organizes pro-government troll farms that were shut down by Meta, is the entity that calls the shots and makes all the decisions. Simply put: if until now the regime controlled all the content closing media outlets, blocking websites, intimidating journalists with Law 1223 it aims to control the channels through which information travels as well. Not only what is said, but where it is said, with what quality, who facilitates it, under what conditions, and to whom it is accountable, warns journalist Nestor Arce, editor of the Divergentes media outlet and a leading expert on technological issues. Where the law most clearly reveals its macabre objective of control is in the section dedicated to the provision of information, supervision, and oversight. Article 110 obliges public telecommunications service operators and audiovisual communications service providers to hand over all the information that is requested of them, including statistical and georeferenced information, periodically or based on specific requests from TELCOR, Arce explains. Experts point out that the impact of surveillance will be notable in areas such as identifying networks of people without reading a single message, since TELCOR, by requesting all of a users connections and cross-referencing them with the surveillance and intelligence apparatus recently denounced by the United Nations Group of Experts, can reconstruct a map of someones relationships or a geographical map of movements and activity patterns of opponents or those it considers suspicious. It will also be able to track opposition meetings in different regions and map the consumption of independent information. Lets imagine an exiled media outlet that broadcasts a news program on YouTube and receives a spike in views from Nicaragua every day at 8:00 p.m. From a network perspective, this is a group of devices connecting to the same domain or server at the same time, Arce explains in his article. But if TELCOR has access to aggregated statistical data, it can determine which areas of the country have the highest concentration of that media outlets audience. By cross-referencing this information with socioeconomic data or records from the Supreme Electoral Council, it can profile the population consuming critical content. In a more intrusive scenario, it could even compile lists of phones that repeatedly access problematic domains and then selectively block those sites in certain regions, or target specific propaganda campaigns against those audiences. With the implementation of the Convergent Telecommunications Law, paranoia among Nicaraguans has tripled, forcing them not only to remain silent but also to take the use of tools like VPNs and other digital precautions very seriously. This is what is being discussed, surreptitiously, on social media and in closed messaging groups. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a lawsuit filed by a former Kentucky official seeking to overturn the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage, which was passed in 2015 following a landmark ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. The high court, which has a 6-3 conservative supermajority, dismissed the appeal of Kim Davis, a former Kentucky county clerk who was sued by a gay couple after refusing to officiate their marriage. The request for review [of the case] is denied, the Supreme Court stated. While it did not elaborate on its decision, at least four of the justices dissented from hearing Daviss case. For Jim Obergefell, whose lawsuit led to the nationwide approval of same-sex marriage in the United States, Daviss case is personal. In an interview with The Advocate, he stated that he was disgusted that there were fellow citizens who would work against the well-being and happiness of others, using religious freedom as an excuse. This modern version of religious freedom this belief that ones personal religion trumps everything else is a twisting and perverting of what our founders intended, he said. Furthermore, Obergefell pointed out that Daviss refusal to comply with the law was symptomatic of a broader problem: public officials who put their private faith before civic duty. [Davis] swore an oath to serve all people. And yet she used her government position to persecute others. Three years ago, a federal judge, David Bunning, rejected Daviss arguments, as Reuters recalls: She cannot use her own constitutional rights as a shield to violate the constitutional rights of others while performing her duties as an elected official. Despite the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in all U.S. states, Davis argued that the law conflicted with her religious beliefs. The former official had already litigated in lower courts, which not only rejected her claims but also convicted her of violating fundamental rights (she spent five days in jail and was fined over 300,000). Furthermore, five years ago, the Supreme Court rejected another of Daviss appeals. Kim Davis in an archive photo. B. M. (REUTERS) The former official, who worked at the Kentucky Registrars Office, was seeking to appeal her convictions before the Supreme Court, as well as to overturn the ruling in the Obergefell case. Josh Rovenger, legal counsel for GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), said these intentions had little chance of success: It would be truly anomalous for the Supreme Court, with such limited facts, to re-examine Obergefell, he noted in The Advocate last week. In 2022, the Supreme Courts conservative majority, which includes three justices appointed by Trump, overturned national protections for abortion, leaving legislation on the matter to individual states. The Supreme Court thus nullified the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that had legalized abortion across the United States. Following that ruling, numerous states with conservative governors passed legislation that restricted womens right to abortion. Now, there were fears that the same thing would happen again. After the annulment of the protection of the right to abortion, consolidated more than half a century ago, the ultraconservative factions in the United States hoped that the Supreme Court would not only consider the Davis case, but would end up overturning the national protection of same-sex marriage, opening the door to state vetoes. This year, 616 anti-LGBTQ+ state bills have been introduced (from Idaho to Montana, including Arkansas, Texas, and Iowa), according to the American Civil Rights Union (ACLU). Of these, 71 have become law, while 248 have been rejected and 285 remain in legislative process. Even if many are rejected, the mere proposals fuel LGBTQ+phobia, according to advocacy organizations. For his part, Daviss lawyer, Mathew Staver, has stated that Liberty Counsel, the organization to which Davis belongs and which promotes evangelical Christian values, will continue working to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, a ruling he describes as flawed from the start. Its not a question of if, but when the Supreme Court will overturn Obergefell, he said in a statement. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition In exchange for the support of Democratic dissident senators, the Republicans are only vaguely committing to holding a vote on the subsidies in December For nearly 40 days, Democrats were locked in a standoff with the Trump administration, refusing to yield to the presidents pressure to reopen the federal government. The consequences of the longest shutdown in U.S. history were significant: mass layoffs of federal workers, chaos at the nations major airports, and the disruption of the food stamp program, on which one in eight Americans depend. Democrats stood firm because access to healthcare for millions of people was at stake. These millions can afford insurance thanks to federal subsidies that expire at the end of the year, and whose renewal has kept the two parties at odds for over a month. Now, with an agreement to end the government shutdown in sight, access to affordable healthcare is once again in jeopardy. Last Sunday, seven Democratic senators switched sides and, along with an independent senator, facilitated the deal that will be voted on this week in Congress and will then go to Trumps desk to end the partial government shutdown. In addition to independent Senator Angus King (Maine), Senators Tim Kaine (Virginia), Dick Durbin (Illinois), John Fetterman (Pennsylvania), Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada), and Jacky Rosen (Nevada) conceded on a condition that their party considered non-negotiable. In exchange for their support, the Republicans are only committing to holding a vote on the subsidies in December; a vague promise that is not convincing. The shutdown may be ending, but the fight to contain healthcare costs must continue, said Anthony Wright, executive director of Families USA, a health rights advocacy organization, in a statement Monday. More than 22 million Americans who purchase their own health coverage are now at risk of facing skyrocketing premiums or losing their coverage altogether. We are profoundly disappointed that this agreement includes only a promise of a future vote on extending the enhanced premium tax credits that millions of Americans depend on to afford their coverage. The federal subsidies that expire at the end of the year are part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare, because it was passed during the Barack Obama administration, which designed the law so that millions of people who lacked healthcare coverage could access it through a marketplace that offers lower prices. The tax credits they receive to purchase insurance were approved during the Covid pandemic and are likely to disappear starting in January, since the government has not had to make any concessions on this issue to secure the necessary support to pass the budget. In a country where medical care prices are so exorbitant that they make healthcare a luxury, some 24 million people are insured through Obamacare, a number that has doubled since subsidies were increased in 2021. The premises of 'Las Madrinas de los Seguros,' in Miami, in December 2023. Rebecca Blackwell (AP) These tax credits benefit low- and middle-income individuals who do not receive health insurance through an employer or other government program. Restaurant and retail workers, small business owners and employees, barbers, hairdressers, Uber drivers, ranchers, farmers, musicians and artists, real estate agents, dentists These are workers whose income is not low enough to qualify for Medicaid, the program reserved for the poorest, but who cannot afford insurance and therefore rely on these subsidies, which guarantee that their premiums will not exceed 8% of their earnings. Without this assistance, that percentage could skyrocket to 25% of their salaries. For example, for someone who pays $400 a month, the premium could increase to $1,400 per month. Experts estimate that some four million people will lose their health insurance because they cannot afford it. President Trump had already tried unsuccessfully to repeal the law during his first term in office. Last weekend, he reiterated his intention to eliminate the subsidies, posting on his social media account, Truth, that they were a windfall for Health Insurance Companies, and a DISASTER for the American people. Political fallout It remains to be seen how the loss of subsidies will affect the 2026 midterm elections. This year, 18.7 million (77%) of the total 24.3 million ACA marketplace enrollees live in states that President Trump won in the 2024 election. Public support remains high for extending the ACA tax credits, with three-quarters (74%) of the population in favor of continuing them, according to a recent survey by KFF, an independent health research organization. According to the same poll, more than half (55%) of those who purchase their own health insurance, mostly through ACA marketplaces, say Democrats should reject a budget that does not include an extension of subsidies. With next years midterms approaching, the survey suggests voters favor the Democratic Party on issues related to healthcare costs. When asked which party they trust most to manage the future of the ACA, a larger percentage of voters favor the Democratic Party (43%) than the Republican Party (32%). Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Stocks to watch Vodafone said it expected annual profit and cash flow to be at the upper end of expectations after reporting a jump in adjusted earnings and also unveiled a new progressive dividend policy with a 2.5% increase for the full year. The telecoms operator said adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation, and leases rose 5.9% to 5.7bn. Vodafone expects a full-year profit of 11.3-11.6bn and adjusted free cash flow of 2.4-2.6bn. Irish energy sales, marketing and distribution group DCC confirmed full-year guidance for good operating profit growth after a swing to profitability in the second quarter. Adjusted operating profit over the half year to 30 September fell 5.4% to 206.7m due to strong prior-year comparatives, the impact of mild weather earlier in the year and the disposal of its Hong Kong and Macau business last year. However, trading improved in the second quarter leading to a modest increase in the bottom line. Newspaper round-up Switzerland is nearing a deal with the US to slash its 39pc tariff rate after some of the countrys largest businesses launched a charm offensive targeting Donald Trump. Negotiators are in talks about cutting the current levy on Swiss exports to 15pc, Bloomberg reported, after executives from the countrys largest businesses met the US president to press their case. Telegraph Rachel Reevess gambling tax grab will benefit criminals operating on the black market, an industry-backed report has warned. A tax rise by the Chancellor across the 7bn sector could trigger a surge in the number of people using unregulated websites, according to a study by PwC leaving players more vulnerable and depriving the Treasury of vital tax receipts. Telegraph Warren Buffett has assured shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway that they need not worry about his departure as chief executive, giving a ringing endorsement to his successor Greg Abel and promising to remain a major investor in the conglomerate. In a letter to Berkshire investors, possibly his last public communication with them until he steps down at the end of the year, Buffett, 95, said Abel had more than met his high expectations when he first thought the 63-year-old was chief executive material. The Times Britains biggest investment institution, Legal & General, voted against Elon Musks $1 trillion pay packet partly because it did not require him explicitly to spend any time at the electric cars and robots company. L&G, which owns $8.6 billion worth of Tesla stock, revealed it had been one of the rebel shareholders unsuccessfully trying to stop Musk landing the biggest pay deal of all time. The Times US close US stocks surged on Monday on the back of hopes that the longest government shutdown in American history could soon come to an end, lighting a fire under tech stocks which were hammered last week. After a hellish week that looked as if markets were poised for a sharp fall amid growing concerns about an AI bubble, a major event turned sentiment on its head and restarted the party. Stock markets had a spring in their step as investors could see a pathway out of the US government shutdown, said Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell. The Dow finished 0.8% higher at 47,368.83, erasing its entire loss last week, while the S&P 500 gained 1.5% to 6,832.43 after dropping 1.7% over the preceding five sessions. The Gambling Commission has demanded a UK bookmaker hand over a trove of financial documents after the company accidentally disclosed information suggesting it may be running an illegal offshore betting operation. The Guardian understands that the company, which sponsors sporting events and boasts connections to high-profile figures in sport and politics, is the subject of early inquiries that could lead to a full-blown investigation. Guardian Switzerland is nearing a deal with the US to slash its 39pc tariff rate after some of the countrys largest businesses launched a charm offensive targeting Donald Trump. Negotiators are in talks about cutting the current levy on Swiss exports to 15pc, Bloomberg reported, after executives from the countrys largest businesses met the US president to press their case. Telegraph Rachel Reevess gambling tax grab will benefit criminals operating on the black market, an industry-backed report has warned. A tax rise by the Chancellor across the 7bn sector could trigger a surge in the number of people using unregulated websites, according to a study by PwC leaving players more vulnerable and depriving the Treasury of vital tax receipts. Telegraph Warren Buffett has assured shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway that they need not worry about his departure as chief executive, giving a ringing endorsement to his successor Greg Abel and promising to remain a major investor in the conglomerate. In a letter to Berkshire investors, possibly his last public communication with them until he steps down at the end of the year, Buffett, 95, said Abel had more than met his high expectations when he first thought the 63-year-old was chief executive material. The Times Britains biggest investment institution, Legal & General, voted against Elon Musks $1 trillion pay packet partly because it did not require him explicitly to spend any time at the electric cars and robots company. L&G, which owns $8.6 billion worth of Tesla stock, revealed it had been one of the rebel shareholders unsuccessfully trying to stop Musk landing the biggest pay deal of all time. The Times The spectacular Korean Temple Cooking: The Life and Work of Jeongkwan Snim: Lessons on Life and Buddhism, with Recipes by Korean-born journalist Hoo Nam Seelmann impressively blends biography, temple culture, Buddhist history, and--of course--delectable recipes. Swiss photographer Veronique Hoegger provides a visual feast to whet appetites, both culinary and cerebral, introducing Buddhist nun Jeongkwan Snim--a global star thanks to Netflix's Chef's Table--and her nourishing creations. "I'm not a professional chef," Snim insists; instead, she cooks to "brings the body and soul together," creating balance and providing energy. Seelmann introduces the history and basics of temple cooking--rice, noodles, tofu, kimchi, soy sauce, jangajji (preservation in sauce), rice syrup, homemade flavorings--appended with Snim's personal how-tos. Prepped with such a rich, wholesome foundation, Snim then creates with attention to the four seasons--gorgeously photographed recipes included--ensuring the freshest ingredients, and using surprisingly simple preparation methods. Her heartwarming, nurturing dishes are healthful beacons drawing devotees from around the word. Seelman includes a meticulously detailed, once again stunningly photographed, glossary of ingredients. --Terry Hong "The meals we prepare nourish not just our bodies but also our spirits and our connections to our heritage." In Turtle Island: Foods and Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America, James Beard Award-winning Oglala Lakota chef Sean Sherman does just that by inviting readers on an evocative culinary journey along the traditional Native foodways of North America. In 416 pages filled with photos, Sherman (The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen) showcases the diverse recipes, heritage, and food culture of Turtle Island, what many Indigenous people call North America. The chapters are organized by region, from Southern Mexico up to Northern Alaska. To remove Eurocentric influences, dairy, wheat, cane sugar, and some meats are replaced by heirloom ingredients and foraged wild foods. The mouthwatering recipes, such as elk sausage with chiles, wild grape dumplings, and mixed seaweed salad are easy to follow, and Sherman further encourages home cooks to make dishes with ingredients that are familiar. In Turtle Island, Sherman has gathered a "celebration of the past, a recognition of the present, and a hopeful vision for the future." --Grace Rajendran, freelance reviewer With the votes of eight senators in the Democratic caucus, Republicans secured a victory. But the full reopening of government will still take a few days This past Sunday, which marked the 40th day of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, five Democrats broke with their party in the Senate and switched sides. With their votes, and those of the three senators who had been aligned with the Republicans since the beginning of the shutdown, the conservatives were able to secure the 60 votes they needed to pass a budget proposal to end the crisis. It has been six weeks of a fierce battle, during which both sides tried to blame each other for the paralysis. The decision by those eight senators in the Democratic caucus to defect to the other side represents a victory for the Republicans, who have barely budged from their initial position. It also opens a new crisis in the Democratic party, just a week after its resounding electoral victories of November 4 in New York, New Jersey and Virginia. Voter support at that time seemed to reward the partys refusal to compromise with its rivals to reopen the administrations funding until certain commitments were madecommitments that have ultimately failed to materialize. What agreement has been reached? Senate Republicans unveiled a bill on Sunday that convinced five of their rivals to reach the supermajority required by the filibuster. They secured an agreement to reopen the federal government until the end of January, fund food stamps for 42 million people through fiscal year 2026, and guarantee that the Trump administration will reinstate employees laid off in recent weeks, retroactively pay back wages to those who kept their jobs, and refrain from firing any more federal employees for the next two and a half months. Three budget bills will also be signed into law, one concerning veterans, the Department of Agriculture, and legislative agencies. The agreement also includes a commitment to hold a Senate vote on extending Obamacare subsidies (the name given to the Affordable Care Act by the president who championed it). The dissenters tried to present it as good news, although it seems obvious that it will be of little use. Neither the Republicans nor Trump, who has been attacking the measure for days, seem willing to be persuaded on this point by their rivals, much less to pass the aid into law. The Democrats who switched sides argue that the vote will at least serve to expose their rivals true colors on one of the main concerns of Americans. Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, at a press conference on September 30, hours before the shutdown. Jacquelyn Martin (AP) Whats left out? What had been a red line for Democrats from the beginning: the Obamacare tax credits approved during the Covid pandemic, which will cease to be repaid at the end of this year. This will result in higher health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. What were the vote totals in the Senate? The Senate has 100 seats in the United States, two per state. In the 2024 elections, Republicans won 53 seats, compared to 47 for Democrats. There is one conservative senatorRand Paul of Kentuckywho has sided with his rivals since the beginning of the crisis. On Monday night, Paul did so again in a vote that passed easily: 60 yes votes to 40 no votes. So what now? The House of Representatives, which must now vote on the agreement, has been in recess since September, before the government shutdown, by order (and a political calculation) of its Speaker, Mike Johnson. On Monday, Johnson announced at a press conference that he had ordered all members of Congress outside the capital to return to Washington. They have 36 hours to do so. The House, where Republicans hold a slim but sufficient majority, had already voted before the shutdown in favor of funding the government. It will do so again. Afterward, the proposal will have to be signed by President Trump. No one in Washington is in a position to predict when that process will be completed, although it is expected to be before the end of this week, perhaps as early as Wednesday. Which senators have given in? There are eight in total, seven Democrats and one independent. Three of them have not voted with their party since October 1, the first day the government shut down. They are John Fetterman (Pennsylvania), Catherine Cortez Maso (Nevada), and the independent Angus King (Maine). The eight senators who voted with the Republicans. Top, left to right: Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada), Dick Durbin (Illinois), John Fetterman (Pennsylvania) and Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire). Bottom, left to right: Tim Kaine (Virginia), Angus King (Maine), Jacky Rosen (Nevada) and Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire). AP Among those who switched sides on Sunday are the two senators from New Hampshire, Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, Tim Kaine (Virginia), Dick Durbin (Illinois) and Jacky Rosen (Nevada). Each had their reasons. Kaine, for example, argued that his state, due to its proximity to Washington, has some 300,000 federal employees who were either furloughed or, because they were considered essential, had to go to work without pay. The two Nevada governors felt the pressure from the Las Vegas tourism industry and the rest of the state, which was affected by air traffic disruptions and flight cancellations, as well as the closure or neglect of national parks. Durbin, who is not running for reelection in the next elections, scheduled for November 2026, said in a statement: This bill is not perfect, but it takes important steps to reduce the damage of the shutdown. He is the Senate minority whip and, therefore, the only one of the dissenters who is part of the partys leadership in the chamber. When will things return to normal at airports? Its impossible to know until its clear when the government will reopen. What is certain, however, is that when it does, the domino effect of cancellations and delays will be felt for several days. One of the worst effects of the government shutdown has been on air traffic controllers and airport security personnel, who are considered essential workers. They were suspended without pay, but not from their jobs: they had to report to work, but without pay. Atlanta airport activity during the record-breaking U.S. government shutdown. ERIK S. LESSER (EFE) With many employees taking leave or retiring, a decision by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to cancel hundreds of flights at the 40 largest U.S. airports went into effect last Friday. Following a chaotic weekend, 2,306 flights were canceled on Monday, according to the website FlightAware. An additional 8,300 flights were delayed. And what about the food stamp system? Again, it depends on when the government reopens fully. The Trump administration has done everything possible to suspend SNAP, the food stamp program. Two judges blocked this attempt, but the Supreme Court partially ruled in favor last Friday. The government has also asked states to recover the money that has been distributed in recent days to the 42 million beneficiaries of the program. This tug-of-war has created a precedent, as well as chaos in a system vital to one in eight citizens of the country. What about other agencies? The shutdown has paralyzed dozens of federal agencies and led to the closure or neglect of museums, monuments and national parks. It has also forced thousands of government employees to rely on food banks. A return to normalcy is near in all cases, but it is not yet possible to predict a specific date. What will this government shutdown be remembered for? For breaking a historic record. Last Tuesday, it became the longest shutdown in U.S. history, surpassing the previous one, which lasted 35 days: that one began on December 22, 2018, and ended on January 25 of the following year. That shutdown stemmed from the Democrats refusal to fund Trumps border wall with Mexico. The shutdowns under Bill Clinton in 1995 (21 days) and Barack Obama in 2013 (16 days) occupy the third and fourth positions, respectively. The government has been forced to shut down 22 times in the last 50 years. This latest shutdown marks the third time it has happened with Trump in the White House. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Jane Estes, co-owner of Lark & Owl Booksellers in Georgetown, Tex., reported that the store has done a lot more consignment with local artists and artisans in the past year. While Lark & Owl still carries its other retail sidelines, the store has been having success with things like hand-painted earrings, crocheted stuffed animals, handmade bookmarks, journal covers, and stickers made by local artists and craftpeople. Touching on stickers, Estes noted that they are the store's "number one seller every week" by unit, and Lark & Owl has benefited from a "lovely partnership" with a woman who makes stickers. She'll bring in packs of stickers for the store to sell and make custom stickers for book clubs and special events. Seasonal candles, whether Halloween-, Thanksgiving-, or generally autumn-themed, are doing very well at the moment; Estes said Faire has been a great source for those items, along with crocheted tote bags that "always sell." "No matter where you live, I think you can find some vendors and artisans you can highlight," remarked Estes, adding that two of the three people who make crochet stuffed animals work at the hair salon next to the bookstore. "There are talented people everywhere." Asked about tariffs, Estes said they have not had a noticeable impact, but "people keep bringing it up," with some vendors being particularly concerned. She pointed out that even if something is made locally, "one little, tiny item will come from overseas, whether it's screws or glue or whatever." Relying more on consignment for gifts and non-book items has not been the only change that Lark & Owl has made with its buying. In the face of economic uncertainty, "people's buying habits have changed," leading the store to buy on more of a weekly or bi-weekly basis rather than a monthly or seasonal basis. Estes called it a "huge pivot for us," but the approach has worked, and she thinks it will continue. At the same time, the store has "skewed lower" in prices when it comes to non-book items. At Pages, a bookstore in Manhattan Beach, Calif., some perennial favorite sidelines include puzzles, cards, and plush, said general manager Jeff Resnik. Since the beginning, the store has carried Mighty Bright booklights, and for a long time the store has done quite well with store-branded bags made by a company called Apolis. Resnik called it a "fantastic quality bag" that can hold an "unbelievable amount of books" along with a laptop. A relatively recent nonbook addition has been Blackwing pencils, which the store "went deep" on. They created a display that gives customers the chance to try one of the pencils out on a notepad, and that has been very successful. Pages also brought in chocolates within the last year or so, with Resnik remarking that he "tried a heck of a lot of chocolate" before deciding what to carry. The team went with Deux Cranes, a company based in California, due to the combination of the chocolate's quality and the story behind the chocolatier. The "guiding principles" for the store's sidelines, Resnik added, are a product's quality and its story. Asked about other locally or regionally sourced items, Resnik pointed to a line of wooden postcards made by a company in San Pedro, Calif. He called them "really cool," noting that they are heavy enough that they need an additional stamp when mailed; Pages keeps a supply of extra stamps for customers who buy them. On the subject of tariffs, Resnik said that when he was first bringing in chocolates, he found another supplier based in Canada that he was "really excited about." About a month later, the tariffs started coming down, and though there was a brief window where he could buy more without the tariffs affecting the cost, "that window has closed." And in Cambridge, Mass., holiday scented candles are "flying off the shelf" at Lovestruck Books, said head gift buyer Rae Diep. Keyboard fidget keychains are a recent addition that have been huge hits with both customers and Lovestruck staff. When it comes to locally and regionally made sidelines, Diep said the Lovestruck team are "big believers in working with our local community," and the store partners with several local and regional artists and vendors. As examples, Diep pointed to One More Chapter Candle Co., which creates custom Lovestruck Candles, and anyang.art, a local artist making postcards, prints, keychains, and more. Asked about perennial favorites, Diep said stickers were the biggest favorite and theorized that they are so popular because they "show off so much of our personality in just one small item." Customers love the perfumes and potions from TokyoMilk, which can be "a bit tough to keep in stock," as well as many of the store-branded sidelines, such as "surprise favorite" tumblers that are co-branded with George Howell Coffee. Tariffs, Diep continued, have made the team "rethink how we shop for holidays a bit," with filtering through vendors that may have import duties or tariff costs being the biggest change. Fortunately, there are "so many vendors" that ship within the U.S., and Lovestruck's sales reps have been "extremely helpful" in letting the store know whether to expect price increases. The team is also "staying mindful of wholesale vs. retail pricing" so that holiday shopping stays affordable. And though Lovestruck has seen some price increases from vendors related to tariff costs, "they have been largely minimal." --Alex Mutter If you are interested in having your store appear in a future Sidelines Snapshot article, please e-mail alex@shelf-awareness.com. Sensex +319 pts, Nifty +82 pts, ending 3-day loss. IT, pharma, metals, energy stocks rally; FIIs turn net buyers; global cues positive. Bajaj Finserv, Tata Power, Bharat Forge, Vodafone Idea, Bajaj Finance, Tata Motors CV debut, Hero MotoCorp EV launch. The Indian stock market ended its three-day losing streak on Monday, November 10, as major indices posted gains led by strong performances in select heavyweight stocks. The Sensex advanced 319 points, or 0.38%, to close at 83,535.35, while the Nifty 50 rose 82 points, or 0.32%, to settle at 25,574.35. Among broader indices, the BSE Midcap index outperformed, climbing 0.62%, whereas the Smallcap index slipped 0.28%. Market analysts attributed the positive momentum to improved global sentiment, a rebound in key sectors, and support from foreign institutional investors (FIIs). Markets began the week on a positive note amid optimistic global cues. The Nifty built on early momentum, supported by strength in select heavyweights across sectors. However, a late pullback trimmed some gains, said Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd. He noted that sectors like IT, pharma, metals, and energy fueled the rally, while realty and FMCG saw marginal losses. Global developments also boosted investor confidence. Progress toward ending the U.S. government shutdown lifted sentiment, while FIIs turned net buyers after six consecutive sessions of selling. Additionally, global brokerage Goldman Sachs upgraded India to Overweight from Neutral, further supporting market optimism. Stocks in Focus Several companies are expected to remain in focus as they announce their quarterly results. Bajaj Finserv, Rail Vikas Nigam, BSE, Bharat Forge, and Tata Power are scheduled to declare their second-quarter results on Tuesday, November 11. Company Highlights Vodafone Idea reduced its consolidated net loss to Rs 5,524 crore in Q2, compared with Rs 7,176 crore in the same period last year. reduced its consolidated net loss to Rs 5,524 crore in Q2, compared with Rs 7,176 crore in the same period last year. Britannia Industries saw a leadership change as Varun Berry, who served as Executive Vice-Chairman, Managing Director, and CEO for ten years, resigned from his positions. saw a leadership change as Varun Berry, who served as Executive Vice-Chairman, Managing Director, and CEO for ten years, resigned from his positions. Bajaj Finance reported a 22% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit for Q2 at Rs 4,875 crore, up from Rs 4,000 crore in the same period last year. reported a 22% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit for Q2 at Rs 4,875 crore, up from Rs 4,000 crore in the same period last year. Bharat Electronics , the Navratna defence PSU, secured additional orders worth Rs 792 crore since its last update on October 30. , the Navratna defence PSU, secured additional orders worth Rs 792 crore since its last update on October 30. Tata Motors is preparing for the debut of its commercial vehicles division on stock exchanges following a demerger that created separate entities for commercial and passenger vehicles, including electric vehicles and Jaguar Land Rover. is preparing for the debut of its on stock exchanges following a demerger that created separate entities for commercial and passenger vehicles, including electric vehicles and Jaguar Land Rover. Bazaar Style Retail , backed by Rekha Jhunjhunwala, returned to profitability in Q2 with a consolidated net profit of Rs 51 crore compared to a net loss of Rs 9 crore last year. , backed by Rekha Jhunjhunwala, returned to profitability in Q2 with a consolidated net profit of Rs 51 crore compared to a net loss of Rs 9 crore last year. Hero MotoCorp expanded its electric mobility arm VIDA with the launch of the VX2 Go 3.4 kWh variant, unveiled by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. expanded its electric mobility arm VIDA with the launch of the VX2 Go 3.4 kWh variant, unveiled by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. JK Tyre & Industries plans to invest an additional Rs 5,000 crore over the next 56 years to boost production, including dedicated lines for export markets. plans to invest an additional Rs 5,000 crore over the next 56 years to boost production, including dedicated lines for export markets. HUDCO posted a 3% year-on-year rise in net profit to Rs 709.8 crore for Q2, up from Rs 688.6 crore in the corresponding period last year. With improved global cues and strong corporate earnings, market sentiment has turned positive, offering investors renewed confidence. Analysts expect cautious optimism to continue in the near term as key companies announce results and broader macroeconomic developments unfold. Saks Off 5th, the luxury off-price retailer, will shutter nine stores nationwide beginning in January 2026, according to USA Today. The Oregonian Saks Off 5th, the luxury off-price retailer that offers designer and brand-name merchandise at discounted prices, will shutter nine stores nationwide beginning in January 2026, USA Today has reported. We are confident this will better position the Saks Off 5th business for long-term success and look forward to continuing to deliver for our customers, the company said in a statement to the publication. Well known as the discount arm of Saks Fifth Avenue, the brand was piloted in 1992 under the name of Saks Clearinghouse. The company expanded the off-price concept and renamed the business Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH in 1995. According to the retailers website, SaksOFF5TH.com was launched in 2013, offering a broad assortment across all categories. The e-commerce business became a standalone company in 2021. There are currently 100 brick-and-mortar locations across the United States, and the company said the closures are part of an effort to optimize its store presence, enabling us to place greater attention to our high-performing and high-potential store locations, and refinements across our store footprint. According to USA Today, the closures will affect locations in: Austin, Texas Chicago East Hanover, New Jersey Niagara Falls, New York Pittsburgh (McKnight Road) Franklin Mall (formerly Philadelphia Mills), Philadelphia Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania Washington, D.C. West Hartford, Connecticut The company previously had announced plans to close its Manhattan 57th Street location, USA Today said. Vietnam veteran Dave Anderson calls ONeills owner one-of-a-kind for honoring service members with genuine care and respect. Here he dines with his wife, Lilia, of 53 years at his favorite neighborhood restaurant. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. On Veterans Day, ONeills Public House in Port Richmond became more than a neighborhood eateryit turned into a gathering place for gratitude, camaraderie, and reflection. Owned by Mike Regan and his family, the restaurant welcomed veterans and their families with its annual complimentary lunch, a gesture that resonated deeply with those who served. ONeills honored veterans with camaraderie and lunch on Nov. 11, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri) Mike is one-of-a-kind on Staten Islandprobably half the East Coast, said Dave Anderson, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Air Force. He really appreciates veterans. It comes from the heart with him. Many members of his family served, and you can tell by the way he treats us. Anderson and his wife, Lilia, have been dining at ONeills for years. The couple lives just around the corner in Port Richmond, making the pub a convenient favorite. Mike runs as good a restaurant as anybody, Anderson said. Weve been on Staten Island a long time, and weve always enjoyed coming here. He added that he wishes the St. Patricks Day and Memorial Day parades came down this way. But they never reach Port Richmond. Inside joke? Kind of. The DD-214often called Americas official man cardis the discharge document that proves military service and unlocks veteran benefits. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri) Anderson added, Its great having a place like this in the neighborhood, especially now that its harder for us to get around. The vet reflected on his long connection to Staten Island. I graduated from Richmond College and later taught at CSI until the fiscal crisis in the 70s. Staten Island has always been home. Despite mobility challenges, he said the day was special: It was great to have such an enjoyable afternoon. Mike does a great job for the veterans. It really means something. Marine and Navy vets unite over lunch at O'Neill's for good food and shop talk. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri) A Menu Made for Comfortand Celebration The lunch began with a choice of soup or salad, followed by hearty entrees like cheeseburger, penne alla vodka, shepherds pie, corned beef, grilled chicken sandwich, shrimp scampi, chicken francese, Philly cheesesteak or grilled cheese with bacon and tomato. Each meal came with a beverage coffee, tea, soda, juice or even a glass of wine or beer adding to the sense of celebration. For many, the event was more than a meal. It was a chance to reconnect, share stories, and honor the sacrifices that shaped their lives. Marine veteran Tom Wortmann Navy veteran Timothy Forsyth learned about the Veterans Day lunch at ONeills through Facebook groups. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri) Its nice to see people remember. Anderson attended with Lilia, his partner of nearly 54 years. The couple held hands throughout lunch, a simple gesture that spoke volumes about resilience and enduring love. Its nice to see people remember, Anderson said softly, as Lilia smiled beside him. Tim Forsyth, a 66-year-old Navy vet from Westerleigh, and Tom Wortmann, a Marine veteran from Meiers Corners discovered the event through Facebook group chats. We decided to give ONeills a try since theyre so supportive of veterans, Forsyth said, pointing to complimentary wine and beverages on the menua perk that sealed the deal. For Wortmann, the day stirred memories of a life transformed by service. I was thrown out of high school with no future, he recalled. After four years in the service, I came out with a high school diploma, six college credits, and some backbone. Staff wore patriotic shirts and savored the spirit of the day. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri) That foundation led him to a 38-year career with New York Telephone, one of the few companies hiring Vietnam veterans at the time. When I came home, nobody wanted to hire us, Wortmann said. A guy at the VA told us, Go to AT&Ttheyll hire anybody. Within 20 minutes, we were lined up on Madison Avenue. That job gave me a future. He eventually moved to Staten Island in 1970, attended CSI at night for six years, earned his degree, and met his wife. People say, Thank you for your service, but I didnt join for them I joined for me. It was the best thing I ever did. Forsyth echoed that sentiment. Everything Ive done in life, I owe to the service, he said. It gave me purpose, discipline, and the ability to start a family. I served 30 years in the Navy and Navy Reserve at sea, in the desert, in the jungle. I must say I enjoyed every day. A Community That Remembers For ONeills, hosting the event was about more than food it was about creating a space where veterans feel seen and appreciated. In a world where gratitude often comes in passing phrases, a hot meal and a warm welcome spoke louder than words. ONeills atmosphere matched the occasion, radiating old-world charm with high-back booths, cantilever tables, and rich woodwork crafted by Staten Island artisan James Daluise. Overhead, vintage-style lamps cast a soft, homey glow that made the space feel timeless. As plates were cleared and conversations lingered, the sentiment was clear: service shapes lives long after uniforms are tucked away. And on this Veterans Day, in a cozy corner of Port Richmond, those stories were honored one meal at a time. In a letter to Mayor Eric Adams, Assemblymembers Sam Pirozzolo, Michael Reilly, Michael Tannousis and Councilmember David Carr urged the approval of a long-term contract with school bus companies. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Although an emergency bus company contract narrowly avoided stranding 150,000 New York City students last month, a group of Staten Island elected officials wants to see future service disruptions avoided. In a letter to Mayor Eric Adams, Assemblymembers Sam Pirozzolo, Michael Reilly, Michael Tannousis and Councilmember David Carr urged the approval of a long-term contract with the school bus companies that serve New York City. This is not the time for political division or bureaucratic nonsense. It is the time for stability and accountability for the students who rely on yellow buses every day and for the families who depend on this service to make their lives work, the borough Republicans said in the letter to Adams. While the elected officials said are happy to see the problem addressed in the short term, they believe that the lack of a long-term agreement creates unnecessary instability. In addition, the letter stated that failing to approve a five-year contract extension for bus operators is placing thousands of jobs in jeopardy. The letter pointed the blame at the Panel for Educational Policy, the school board that approves the contracts, which is largely mayor-appointed. The delay by the Panel for Educational Policy, who you appoint, risks placing our city on the brink of a school bus strike that would have serious consequences, the letter stated. It is unprecedented that a Mayor is unable to rally members of the PEP, and shows a failure to manage Mayoral Control. In response to the letter, a spokesperson from City Hall issued the following statement: Mayor Adams will always ensure that our public school students can safely get to and from schools, and that we support our tireless school bus drivers. The mayor supports a long-term contract, and hopes that the PEP approves one at their next meeting. In addition, a New York City Public Schools spokesperson said that [e]nsuring that our students can get to and from school safely, where they receive critical resources and a world class education, is a top priority for our city. On Oct. 30, all 52 companies that operate New York Citys yellow bus service signed an emergency contract with the city, averting a possible work stoppage that could have begun Monday, Nov. 3. A contract dispute has been ongoing after a five-year contract between the bus companies, the city, and the Department of Education expired in June. Near the end of October, the companies said they were preparing to halt operations and lay off employees on Nov. 1 if they didnt receive a five-year contract extension. According to Chalkbeat, Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos voiced concerns about approving a contract that would outlast the incoming mayors first term. Officials have also labeled the bus system as rife with problems, Chalkbeat said, including delayed and no-show service and lack of air conditioning. Before the end of October, 27 of the 52 bus companies agreed to extend the contracts for November and December during the meeting of the Panel for Educational Policy. But four of the largest bus companies Logan, Consolidated Transit, Pioneer, and First had not signed the emergency contracts. At the meeting, panel members unanimously voted to oppose a five-year contract for the bus companies, saying that it lacked vendor accountability and better services. The companies had to choose between continuing on an emergency contract basis or laying off drivers and stopping bus service. They opted for the emergency extension. The contract is scheduled to be finalized at a panel meeting on Nov. 19. Jay Leno, right, and wife Mavis at the premiere of the Netflix film "Unfrosted." Leno recently sought to dispel misconceptions about his role as caretaker for Mavis who was diagnosed with advanced dementia last year. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/Associated Press) Comedian Jay Leno says he finds fulfillment in caring for his wife, Mavis, 77, who was diagnosed with advanced dementia in April 2024, PEOPLE reported. Leno, 75, spoke with the outlet at the 34th Annual Love Ride on Nov. 9 at the Harley-Davidson of Glendale in California, rejecting the notion that caring for his wife of 44 years is a burden. Ive been very lucky in my life. My wife is fighting dementia and all that but its not cancer. Its not a tumor, so I enjoy taking care of her, Leno said. The comedian and former late-night host said he wants to dispel misconceptions about the couples situation. Its not work, because people come up and say they feel so sorry. I understand the sympathy, because I know a lot of people are going through it, but its okay, he said. I like taking care of her. I enjoy her company, and we have a good time. We have fun with it, and it is what it is. Leno, who married Mavis in 1980, acknowledged that while the future may present challenges, he maintains a positive outlook, the PEOPLE report said. There are going to be a couple of years that are tricky. So, the first 46, really great. But its okay. Its not terrible. Im not a woe-is-me person. Im just lucky that I am able to take care of her, he said. In September, Leno told the outlet that maintaining a routine of coming home every night remains a priority, even when work requires travel. I come home every day. I went to Puerto Rico for the day. The plane waited and I came right back, he said. Thats what I do. I try to be home every night. Reese Witherspoon attends "The Morning Show" Season 4 New York Premiere at Museum of Modern Art on September 09, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) Getty Images Reese Witherspoon is setting the record straight on why shes only hosted Saturday Night Live twice in her career. During a Nov. 3 episode of Dax Shepards Armchair Expert podcast, The Morning Show star spoke candidly about her first time at Studio 8H and why it prompted her to steer clear of the show for 15 years. Witherspoon made her SNL hosting debut on Sept. 29, 2001, just weeks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City. I would give that zero stars. Do not recommend, she told Shepard of the timing.It was just too much responsibility for a 24-year-old girl. Witherspoon continued: Lorne Michaels called me and he said, I really need you to show up. I really, really need this. Rudy Giulianis gonna be here. All the firefighters are gonna be here. Paul Simon is gonna sing. I just need you to come out and do something a little light and tell America you cant feel we gotta laugh again. Weve got to get back the national spirit. She obliged, claiming that her Southern and military ethics prevented her from backing out. I was 24. I also had a baby. I had a 1-year-old. I was a new mom. I had the biggest movie come out that summer, she added, referring to Legally Blonde. As for the show, Witherspoon said, we did it and it was good, but noted she completely left [her] body during it. The experience was so jarring that she admitted she did not go again for 15 years, referring to her second time hosting in 2015. The 2001 episode opened with then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani delivering a speech, surrounded by New York City firefighters and police officers. Paul Simon then appeared to sing The Boxer before Witherspoons monologue and the sketches came on. Witherspoon has not hosted SNL since 2015. The Sgt. Angel Mendez Marine Corps League Detachment 246 celebrated the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps at LiGreci's Staaten on Nov.7, 2025. Presenting the colors, are from the left, Volker Hyde, James Browning, Andy Santiago and Roy Graniella. (Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com) Steve White STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The United States Marine Corps celebrated its 250th birthday on Nov. 10, and to ensure that the commemorative be all the more meaningful, a host of national and local events have been planned. To mark the occasion, cake-cutting ceremonies, parades, and gatherings are unfolding throughout the nation, as well as exhibits and special coin giveaways that include commemorative coin programs available for purchase. Right here on Staten Island, nearly 250 guests in their dress blues, red jackets and ball gowns gathered in LiGrecis Staaten, where revelers participated in one of the biggest events on the Marine Corps calendar. 77 1 / 77 Staten Island Marine Corps League celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps The patriotic anniversary ball also presented a chance for guests to revel in an evening of tradition, and laud storied history of the time-honored U.S. Marine Corps. The Sgt. Angel Mendez Marine Corps League Detachment 246 celebrated the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps at LiGreci's Staaten on Nov.7, 2025.(Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com) Steve White The ceremonial event was hosted by the Sgt. Angel Mendez Detachment 246 of the Marine Corps League, and was inclusive of officers Kyle P. Wasnieski, commandant, Marine Anthony Russo, Marine William Rivera, Marine James Browing, Marine Michael Waluk, former North East vice commandant of the Marine Corps League, and Marine Sean A. Torres Sr., the guest speaker. Marine Frank Montella and his wife, Chaplin Carmela Montella, served as co-chairs. THE PROGRAM As part of the celebratory event, officers conducted a Marine Corps cake-cutting ceremony complete with swords and plenty of pomp and circumstance. The cake-cutting ceremony is an annual renewal of the commitment to the core, Wasnieski noted. We are a band of warriors so the nation can live in peace." As tradition dictates, the first slice was presented to the Nick Bruzzese, a retired Korean War veteran and the eldest Marine in the ballroom, followed by the youngest Marine, Santino Saracino, 19. The Sgt. Angel Mendez Marine Corps League Detachment 246 celebrated the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps at LiGreci's Staaten on Nov.7, 2025. From the left are Nick Bruzzese, Santino Saracino, Sean A. Torres Sr. and Robert Geronimo. (Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com) Steve White Junior Past Commandant Robert Geronimo presented the Devil Dog of the Year Award to Kyle P. Wasnieski. The Sgt. Angel Mendez Marine Corps League Detachment 246 celebrated the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps at LiGreci's Staaten on Nov.7, 2025.(Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com) Steve White The term Devil Dogs was used by German soldiers to describe Marines who fought in the Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918. They fought with such ferocity that their enemies likened them to dogs from hell. The title of Marine of the Year was bestowed upon Roy Graniela and Associate of the Year Award to Michael Battiloro. Wisnieski acknowledged Carmela and Frank Montella: Thank you for all you do, he said before asking everyone to stand in their honor. Carmela and Frank Montella at The Sgt. Angel Mendez Marine Corps League Detachment 246 celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps at LiGreci's Staaten on Nov.7, 2025.(Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com) Steve White INTRODUCTION OF OFFICERS AND SPEAKERS The introduction of officers, past commandants and special guests was followed by the Advancing and Retiring of the Colors by Volker Hyde, James Browning, Andy Santiago and Roy Graniela. Patriotic tunes were performed by the Celtic Cross Pipe and Drum. In delivering the Invocation, Chaplain Montella, an Advance Woman of Achievement in the Class of 2019, offered a prayer. Thanks to everyone for attending this evening, as well as all members of the military, past and present, she said. We are honored to have you with us tonight as we celebrate 250 years of the U.S. Marine Corps. It is a pleasure to share this special occasion and to express our gratitude for your support and love to the Marines who fought for our freedom throughout the generations. Thank you veterans, for your service and for my freedom. I am so proud and privileged to be part of the Marine Corps League, she said. Wasnieski, thanked all for attending the illustrious event. We are Marines who honor our past and look towards the future. This is the 250th birthday of our beloved corps. Thats 250 years of keeping America safe by being their 911 force . . . We as Marines are a brotherhood/fraternity. Once you have earned the title of Marine you are a Marine all the days of your life. It is a title earned, never given. Today the men and women of the U.S. Marine Corps are ready to help when help is needed. Semper Fedelis. Lets not forget all the men and women who are serving our nation God Bless the United States Marine Corps. The Sgt. Angel Mendez Marine Corps League Detachment 246 celebrated the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps at LiGreci's Staaten on Nov.7, 2025.(Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com) Steve White Marine Anthony Russo referred to those serving in the U.S. military. We are compelled to never forget those who are enduring the agony of pain and imprisonment and went on to explain meaning of the Table for One, as a way for all to remember POWs and those missing in action who never made it home. The inverted glass is empty and they are not here. May God protect and watch over them. Thank you for being here tonight. Semper Fi. The Sgt. Angel Mendez Marine Corps League Detachment 246 celebrated the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps at LiGreci's Staaten on Nov.7, 2025.(Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com) Steve White Marine William Rivera echoed Russos words: To be a Marine is to be something that represents the best of our nation . . . Only a few Americans chose the work of honoring our nation. As we celebrate our history we gather in the shadows of our greatness, he said as TAPS, played by Frank Montella, reverberated. Marine Frank Montella plays TAPS at th Sgt. Angel Mendez Marine Corps League Detachment 246 celebrated the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps at LiGreci's Staaten on Nov.7, 2025.(Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com) Steve White Marine James Browing read a letter from Major General John A. LeJeune. The U.S. Marines have left their mark and epitomize the qualities second to none when they left their mark at Iwo Jima. Happy birthday Marines. Semper Fi. Commandant Michael Waluk: One quarter of a million U.S. Marines are ready to fight and win. They carried across the promise of a free nation and a free world. Honor, courage and commitment defines us. The conflicts ahead deserve nothing less. Semper Fidelis. Marine Sean A. Torres Sr. was the guest speaker at the Sgt. Angel Mendez Marine Corps League Detachment 246 celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps at LiGreci's Staaten on Nov.7, 2025.(Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com) Steve White Guest speaker, Past Commandant Sean A. Torres Sr. knew from an early age he wanted to be a U.S. Marine. Its a tremendous honor as we mark the 250th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps thats quarter of a millennium of grit, sacrifice and unshakable commitment to duty, honor and country. Im just a regular guy. Ive never been more honored or more humbled. Im a spokesman for you all. I do not speak for myself alone. Being a Marine doesnt stop at active duty. Its a legacy weve taken for those before us and after us. Its about honoring every Marine. Every one of you are carrying something forward bigger than yourself. Once a Marine always a Marine. It never stops 250 years is a hell of a legacy. The mission is not over. The night is for all of you. Happy birthday Marines. Semper Fidelis. Musical entertainment was provided by Steve of the Sound Explosion Event Group. Sally Kirkland arrives at the Multicultural Motion Picture Association annual Oscar week luncheon in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File) Hollywood actress Sally Kirkland has died at the age of 84 after a battle with dementia, her rep told TMZ on Tuesday. Last year, a GoFundMe page was created for Kirkland, a New York native, to help with medical costs for the significant health crisis, the New York Post reported. In her 60-year career, Kirkland appeared in more than 250 film and television projects. The Oscar-nominated actress starred in the 1987 comedy drama Anna. Prior to that, she was featured in Andy Warhols experimental film, The 13 Most Beautiful Women. Millennials might remember Kirkland for roles throughout the 1990s and 2000s in projects that included Bruce Almighty, JFK, and Roseanne. Alexsis Gilles, of Grasmere, has started support groups, provided care kits and seeks to change post-birth care legislation for those who've been through a traumatic childbirth experience. (Courtesy of Alexsis Gilles) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. As Staten Islander Alexsis Gilles continues to advocate for mental health care and support for mothers who have experienced a traumatic childbirth, she has been able to connect with State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, who sees the need for meeting womens needs in postpartum care. Gilles, of Grasmere, said she gave birth to her daughter, Ella Rae, two years ago after a very challenging pregnancy and delivery during which she hemorrhaged severely, nearly bleeding to death. Looking back, Gilles, a licensed social worker for the New York City Board of Education, said she needed more assistance recovering from the trauma once she returned home to care for her daughter. It opened her eyes to the need for support, so she initiated a series of virtual, donation-based groups, allowing mothers to connect with others. Shes also been working with Scarcella-Spanton, who has attended a support group. Legislative considerations Alexis has been a great advocate,' the senator said, noting shes working with Gilles and considering whether legislation or a pilot program might be best to address the need for better follow-up care for postpartum women. A more comprehensive plan will be in place heading into the January session, Scarcella-Spanton said. I had the privilege to meet with her support group, and so many women simply feel they just need someone to see if they are OK,' said the senator, who represents the North Shore and parts of Brooklyn. Postpartum mental health check-ins are vital, and we should be meeting women where they are at, and more frequently." As for the initial support group meetings, Gilles said she couldnt be happier with the results. I got amazing feedback,' she said of the two-hour meetings of five women. I think the best part is just knowing that we all have this thing in common. Were not processing it alone anymore." Participants in the first group of weekly meetings ranged in age from 19 to 42, she said. Care kits Donations were used to create care kits for mothers who couldnt or werent comfortable with talking about their experience. Sanitary products, affirmation notes, journals, Tylenol, hair scrunchies and facial masks are just some of the pampering products delivered to the new moms, she explained. Not everyone can share these personal feelings with each other, so theres other ways for them to feel supported,' Gilles said. The first five-session group, The Post Care, was held in the spring, and a fall session of 10 women is already filled, with a waiting list available, she said. But Gilles said she plans additional five-week sessions of meetings, each for 10 participants, online in March 2026 and July 2026. Those interested may also sign up for the current session, in the event a participant drops out, leaving a space open, she said. And while Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, does not currently offer a perinatal program, discussions are underway to bring such programming to the borough in the future, a spokesperson for the hospital previously told the Advance/SILive.com. Our team recognizes the critical need and is committed to advancing efforts to make them accessible to our community, the spokesperson said. Richmond University Medical Center offers comprehensive bereavement counseling and resources to parents who have suffered a loss, and a hospital spokesman said the service could potentially be expanded to include traumatic birthing experience. Online gallery Gilles also created an online gallery Dear Postpartum Self,' giving women a space to speak the truths we wish wed heard in those tender, transformative postpartum days. The gallery invites women to write letters: To your past postpartum self To your baby during those raw early weeks To your partner or support system To your birthing body Shes also working on and arranging a public exhibit she said she hopes will be displayed in Clove Lakes Park, West Brighton, in summer 2026. And a children book shes penned on the subject, written from the perspective of a mother addressing her child, will be available in mid- to late November, she said. BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's health authorities have warned that the country has entered its respiratory illness season, but have said no unknown pathogens or newly emerged infectious diseases have been detected. "All pathogens identified so far are known and common," said Wang Dayan, a researcher with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, adding that influenza viruses, rhinoviruses and respiratory syncytial viruses are the main causes of acute respiratory infections this season. According to Wang, flu activity nationwide remains moderate but continues to rise. The flu outbreak is expected to peak between mid-December and early January. Southern provinces are seeing higher transmission than northern regions, with influenza A (H3N2) accounting for more than 95 percent of all reported cases, Wang said. Jiao Zhenquan, an official with the National Administration of Disease Control and Prevention, said monitoring of acute respiratory infections has been in place to keep track of pathogen trends and viral mutations. Health authorities are urging the public to get vaccinated against influenza and other preventable diseases while strengthening disease prevention awareness. Local governments across the country are stepping up efforts to protect high-risk groups. In Beijing, free flu vaccinations are being offered to the elderly and school-age children. In Tianjin, community health centers have launched pilot outpatient clinics for children's respiratory infections that integrate diagnosis and treatment, rapid testing, vaccination, health education, and referral services for severe cases. A 19-year-old New Jersey man has been charged with burglarizing and vandalizing an amusement park in New York. Two other New Jersey residents a 19-year-old and a 20-year-old have been identified and are expected to turn themselves in after causing about $57,000 worth of damage to Playland Park in Rye, New York, according to Westchester County Police. Anthony Conkling and two others arrived at the amusement park along the Long Island Sound in a small boat in the overnight hours of Sept. 23-24 and climbed a fence, officials said. The trio allegedly cut or ripped out fiber optic cables for phone and internet service in an electrical room. Police said they also stole 200 stuffed animals, which they hauled away in garbage bags. Lastly, they tried to throw a photo booth off the boardwalk but couldnt. The boat they used was returned undamaged to a boat club in Connecticut, officials said. Conkling, of Wyckoff, is charged with burglary, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and petit larceny. Attorney information for Conkling was not immediately available. Police said they identified Conkling after sharing information about the crime on social media and receiving tips from the public. New York City students in both public and Catholic schools wont be heading to class on Tuesday as schools are closed 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 return to class on Wednesday. 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. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, at an oversight hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert) AP U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) was slammed by conservatives for being late to a critical vote on reopening the government Sunday. Cornyn was the 60th and final vote on a shutdown deal supported by a handful of Senate Democrats that would keep the government funded through January. His delay in getting to the vote was scrutinized by MAGA allies on social media platform X as he faces a GOP primary challenge for his Senate seat in the 2026 midterm elections. Some critics mocked Cornyn for criticizing Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), who is challenging the senator in the GOP primary, for missing votes in the House of Representatives. Before the vote on Sunday, Cornyn labeled Hunt as Mr. NoShow. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), who is also running for Cornyns seat, ripped him for being late to the vote and also jabbed him for criticizing his opponents for skipping votes. MIA: John Cornyn is all talk & no show. He loves to scold others for missing votes but when Texans needed him most, he was no where to be found. Missing in action, missing in leadership, missing in courage. Texas deserves better. Its time to send John home, Paxton wrote on social media platform X. Nick Sortor, a MAGA influencer, also criticized Cornyn for being late. WTF, @JohnCornyn?! You couldnt be bothered to show up to work??! You deserve to be FIRED! Sortor wrote on X. In response to Sortors post, Hunt wrote: Youre right Nick, thats exactly why Im running against him. Gunther Eagleman, a MAGA supporter, also called on Cornyn to be challenged in the primary race. What took @JohnCornyn so long to vote tonight? It wasnt a surprise. Why did he not plan appropriately knowing air travel was a NIGHTMARE? We need a GOP that is READY TO WORK and smart enough to know how to get to work ON TIME and not be over TWO HOURS LATE. Shameful! Eagleman posted on X. And conservative activist Laura Loomer also questioned where Cornyn was. Imagine having one job to do, and then being late or not even showing up to do your job? And then lawmakers wonder why their approval rating among the American public is so low. This is very embarrassing for @JohnCornyn, she wrote. Eight Democratic senators bucked party leadership to advance a spending deal that includes three bipartisan annual spending bills and will extend the rest of government funding until late January. In exchange, the Democrats were promised a mid-December vote on extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits that are expiring at the end of the year. The agreement includes bipartisan bills worked out by the Senate Appropriations Committee to fund parts of government food aid, veterans programs and the legislative branch, among other things. All other funding would be extended until the end of January, giving lawmakers more than two months to finish additional spending bills. The deal would reinstate federal workers who had received reduction in force, or layoff, notices and reimburse states that spent their own funds to keep federal programs running during the shutdown. It would also protect against future reductions in force through January and guarantee federal workers would be paid once the shutdown is over. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Former First Lady Michelle Obama is speaking out about an infuriating moment she had aboard Air Force Once with then-President Barack Obama. Speaking on the IMO With Michellle Obama and Craig Robinson podcast she shares with her brother, the former FLOTUS shared about a time when she was getting ready to get off the presidential aircraft with her husband. Preparing for a vacation hiking trip to the Grand Canyon in August of 2009, Michelle Obama said that she was about to get off Air Force One in Bermuda shorts. But she said she agonized over the wardrobe choice, knowing that any decision she made would draw public criticism, Newsweek reported. The fact that we had to spend time thinking about that kind of stuff in ways that my husband didnt, it was really infuriating, Michelle said, underlining the emotional labor that was part and parcel of managing public perceptions as the first Black first lady as well as the impact of un-ending societal expectations on women in high office. It was 100 degrees, Michelle Obama recalled. BarackI was like, Well, what are you wearing? He was like, Well, Im gonna throw on some sneakers, Im gonna take my jacket off and roll my sleeves up because thats what men can do. White shirt, no collar, no tie. That was how he changed. Complicating things was the fact that the First Couple were set to go to someones house for tea after the hike. I cant wear hiking shorts there, and I cant wear a dress to hike, Michelle said of the conundrum. That would be crazy. People would call me disconnected and un-American. Im at the Grand Canyon in a tea-length dress with flats? I was like, Thats not how people go to the Grand Canyon. I eventually opted for the thing that felt mostly me, Michelle Obama said. And it was the Bermuda shorts. Because if were going on a hike, this is how a normal person would go on a hike. California Gov Gavin Newsom has a ruthless new nickname for President Donald Trump after the president was apparently caught dozing at public events, the Independent reported. Newsoms press office account on X shared six photos of Trump nodding off at various occasions above the words The Nodfather in a gold font resembling the movie poster for classic gangster flick The Godfather. Saw this. had to share, the social media post said. saw this. had to share. pic.twitter.com/zqQVrPtYO3 Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) November 8, 2025 Trump, 79, had trouble keeping his eyes open Friday during a televised event at the White House, where lower prices for weight-loss drugs were announced for those on Medicare and Medicaid. Trump was filmed slouched in his chair with his eyes closed. But the White House denied that the commander-in-chief took a snooze during the event. The President was not sleeping; in fact, he spoke throughout and took many questions from the press during this announcement which represents a historic reduction in prices for Americans on two drugs that help Americans struggling with diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and other conditions, a White House spokesperson told the Washington Post. Newsom last week also called Trump Dozy Don, a nickname he gave the president last month when Trump appeared to fall asleep during an Antifa roundtable. In hitting Trump with the dozey nicknames, Newsom is referring to Trumps own moniker for his White House predecessor: Sleepy Joe Biden. Neera Tanden, who served as the director of the United States Domestic Policy Council during the Biden administration, on X said: Im sorry but the national media would have had multiple strokes if Joe Biden was sleeping/passed out in his chair in the Oval Office. Trump long ago called Newsom Newscum, kicking off the nickname battle. Dont start checking the mailbox just yet. A top Trump administration official appeared to throw cold water on President Donald Trumps plan to send a $2,000 tariff dividend check to every American, the New York Post reported. During an interview on Sunday with ABC News George Stephanopoulos, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, I havent spoken to the president about this yet, butthe $2,000 dividend could come in lots of forms, in lots of ways. Bessent said that the money could even make its way into the pockets of Americans through tax cuts contained in Trumps big, beautiful bill. Bessent said, It could be just the tax decreases that we are seeing on the presidents agenda. The Treasury secretary continued, You know, no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security. Deductibility of auto loans. But on Truth Social earlier that day, Trump had written Trump said that increased revenue flowing into U.S. coffers from increased tariffs would be used to send a $2,000 dividend to Americans, not including high income people. And in a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump appeared to stay the course on the tariff dividend checks. All money left over from the $2000 payments made to low and middle income USA Citizenswill be used to SUBSTANTIALLY PAY DOWN NATIONAL DEBT, the president wrote. However, the Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a case that could find that Trump overstepped his authority in putting the tariffs in place. If the court finds that the tariffs basically operate as taxes, the levies could be overturned because taxes are required to pass through Congress. President Donald Trump dragged former President Barack Obama and Obamas wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, when he re-shared a race-tinged social media post on Tuesday, the Daily Mail reported. The early morning Truth Social post showed a picture of actors Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little smiling in a scene from the 1974 film Blazing Saddles. Under the photo was the caption: Racism in America was almost dead because we were united in ridiculing racists and their beliefs. The meme re-posted by Trump then pans down to a picture of the Obamas with the caption, Then these two showed up and set America back 100 years. Trump also reposted a meme that accuses the former two-term Democratic president of creating the fake Russian Collusion story, and suggests that Obama should GO TO PRISON. Trump during the 2016 battled unfounded allegations that Russian President Vladimir Putin had worked to tilt that years presidential election in Trumps favor. Rumors that Trump was in Putins pocket also helped fuel impeachment proceedings against Trump during the presidents first term in office. Speaking with Laura Ingraham on her Fox show The Ingraham Angle on Monday, Trump again said he wanted to come up with another health-care plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, passed under Obama and also known as Obamacare. Instead of going to the insurance companies, I want the money to go into an account for people where the people buy their own health insurance, Trump said. If we did that, that would be so exciting. Call it Trumpcare. Said the president, Call it whatever you want! Anything but Obamacare! Trump has long talked about replacing Obamacare but has not launched a program of his own. President Donald Trump has hit back against criticism from MAGA Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Associated Press reported. Trump on Monday said that the polarizing Georgia Republican had lost her way by slamming the president for spending too much time on foreign policy. I dont know what happened to Marjorie, nice woman, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. Shes lost her way, I think. Trumps comments came on a day where he met with Syrian leaders in the White House and also swore in a new ambassador to India. Greene, a top MAGA supporter of Trumps, told NBC News last week that watching the foreign leaders come to the White House through a revolving door is not helping Americans. Greene said that the president needed to focus on lowering prices for Americans rather than focusing on foreign policy. Its not reducing the cost of living. Greene said. Its doing nothing about health insurance premiums. Its doing nothing to solve the problems that are really plaguing vulnerable segments of our population, especially young people. In a social media post on Monday cited by Politico, Greene wrote, I would really like to see nonstop meetings at the WH on domestic policy not foreign policy and foreign countrys leaders. But Trump said that he views the presidency as a worldwide situation that requires a wider focus. We could have a world thats on fire, where wars come to our shores very easily, if you had a bad president, said Trump. The president stressed that he did not devote a lot of my time to foreign affairs. Trump said that Greene was catering to the other side and that he was surprised by her. When somebody like Marjorie goes over and starts making statements like that, it shows she doesnt know, Trump said, according to Politico. Greene had previously broke ranks with the GOP by accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Greene has also called upon the Trump administration to release more information about accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. New York City residents should prepare for an unusually cold and windy Tuesday with temperatures struggling to reach the lower 40s. On Tuesday morning, snow flurries were seen on Staten Island; isolated snow showers remain a possibility, according to the National Weather Service. The weather service forecasts sustained winds of 20 to 25 mph across Staten Island and the New York City area, with peak gusts between 35 and 40 mph. While any snow showers that develop are not expected to accumulate on most surfaces, the combination of cold temperatures and strong winds will make for bitterly cold conditions. The best timing for potential snow showers is between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday. Tuesday night will remain cold with temperatures dropping into the 30s. The growing season is ending for many locations in the region today, though the weather service notes that for New York City, winds will likely prevent widespread frost development overnight. Wednesday brings slightly warmer conditions with highs reaching the upper 40s to low 50s, though still below normal for mid-November. A weak frontal system will move through Wednesday into Thursday but is not expected to produce significant precipitation for Staten Island. The forecast calls for dry conditions to continue through Saturday as high pressure builds into the region. Temperatures will remain slightly below seasonal normals for much of the period, dropping to about 5 to 8 degrees below normal from Friday night through Saturday night. Looking ahead to the weekend, a frontal system is expected to approach late Saturday and move across the region Monday, bringing chances for light rain. A draft of this story was generated using AI. It was reviewed, edited and approved by Advance/SILive.com staff. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang called for enhanced practical cooperation on multiple fronts when he met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide in Beijing on Tuesday. Ding, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that the people of China and Norway enjoy a traditional friendship, and that bilateral relations have maintained healthy, stable development. The two countries' leaders reached an important consensus on advancing ties during their meeting last year, he added. He went on to note that the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which outlined the blueprint for China's development over the next five years, will provide more opportunities for China-Norway cooperation. He urged deepened political mutual trust, strengthened strategic communication, and enhanced cooperation in such fields as the economy, trade, investment, green transformation and climate change response. Speaking highly of the remarkable achievements China has made in green transformation and other areas, Eide said Norway is firm in adhering to the one-China policy, adding that the country is willing to improve bilateral ties and bring cooperation to new heights. Advertisement Exclusive Eating outFine dining Three-hatted Crown restaurant Oncore by Clare Smyth to close The casino declined to comment on a potential replacement, but sources say a Stockholm fine diner is a front-runner for the space. Scott Bolles November 12, 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 One of Sydneys select group of three-hat restaurants, the plush fine diner Oncore by Clare Smyth, will serve its last meal at Crown Sydney in February. Crown Sydney and Smyth confirmed the restaurants closure to Good Food, providing a statement from the British chef. Opening Oncore in Sydney has been an incredible journey, said Smyth, the only female chef to hold three Good Food hats and three Michelin stars simultaneously. Oncore chef Clare Smyth. Wolter Peeters Im deeply proud of what weve achieved and grateful to the team whose talent and dedication brought our vision to life. Its been a privilege to share our food with Australian diners. Advertisement The closure, which comes as Smyths current agreement ends with Crown, and she prepares to open luxury bistro Cornucopia in London, will heighten concerns about the appetite at the premium end of the Sydney restaurant market after a tough 18 months of trading conditions. Crown declined to comment on a potential replacement for Oncore, however sources who asked not to be named have confirmed to Good Food that Stockholms three-Michelin-starred Restaurant Frantzen is a front-runner for the space. The tasting menu at Frantzen costs about $880 per person before drinks, compared with $395 at Oncore and $515 at Core, Smyths first solo London restaurant. The view from Oncore at Barangaroo. Courtesy of Crown Sydney Oncore opened with a splash in 2021, accomplishing the difficult feat of snaring three chefs hats from the get-go, while facing down a global pandemic, lockdowns and staff working remotely from London. The restaurant has held its three Good Food Guide hats since opening. Advertisement The luxury venue was one of the dining drawcards to the Crown development, which had experienced delays and complications around its gaming licence. Its stable of restaurants include Nobu, the Ross Lusted-led Woodcut, Italian chef Alessandro Pavonis aMare and reborn Cantonese stalwart Golden Century. Oncore came with a heightened culinary brief, elevated water views and sky-high expectations. Clare Smyths Oncore has made an extraordinary impact at Crown Sydney, setting a benchmark for excellence, Crown Sydney chief executive Stanford Le said in a statement, which thanked Smyth and her team. Smyth rose to head chef at Londons Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in 2007 at the age of just 29. She soon started collecting awards, with the Chelsea restaurant picking up a 10/10 in the UKs Good Food Guide, five AA Rosettes and three Michelin stars. She repeated the three-star feat at her own 2017 London start-up, Core by Clare Smyth, however her fine-dining repertoire always included an element of earthiness and grit. Oncores potato and roe dish. Edwina Pickles The Northern Ireland-born chef found time to roast chickens for Harry and Meghans royal wedding, and unearthed an unlikely hero dish of potato and roe, which was transplanted to the Sydney menu. Critics waxed lyrical about the slow-cooked spud in kombu butter, topped with herring and trout roe. Advertisement Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Loading We definitely know that were continuously exposed to microplastics, says Dr Cassandra Rauert, a senior research fellow at the University of Queensland who specialises in microplastics research and who has worked on projects funded by the Minderoo Foundation. Our current thinking is the two biggest ways were exposed to them is through what were breathing in and what were ingesting. Microplastics, which are made of petrochemicals, arent just of concern because of the plastics themselves, but because of the chemicals like BPA they contain. What we know and dont know While we know we are exposed to microplastics, consensus on exactly how they affect health is a little murkier. Research has linked microplastics to a long list of health issues, including declining sperm count, cardiovascular issues like heart attack and stroke, cancer and dementia. However, some experts like Rauert are cautious, mainly due to what she says are shortcomings in our current testing methods for microplastics and the quality of studies to date. Professor Oliver Jones, a chemist at RMIT University who has worked with Agilent and received funding from various water utilities and EPA Victoria for research on environmental pollution, says microplastics studies can be contaminated and are often performed on animal subjects. He says plastic particles can also be confused with fats using mass spectrometry, an analytical technique. Due to the ethical concerns around exposing human subjects to microplastics, it can be difficult to prove direct cause through controlled, clinical trials. But Dr Nicholas Chartres, a senior research fellow at the University of Sydney who specialises in the commercial determinants of health, says, theres absolutely sufficient evidence to take action on all non-essential plastics and remove them from the environment. Loading While he acknowledges the limitations surrounding the human evidence currently available, he says we know enough to be worried about the health risks of plastics and chemicals. When we see good consistent animal data, which was what we saw in our review, and also when we see cellular studies, you basically bring all these different types of data together. And if you see consistent effects, like markers or characteristics of cancer or such as oxidative stress, which is an inflammatory marker... that then gives you a pretty good indication theres a good chance its going to happen in humans. Chartres, who also works on chemical policy and public health in the United States, says that in order to get chemicals on the market in America or Australia, industry often only needs one animal or cellular study to gain approval. They look at a really narrow set of outcomes, so they dont look at all the different ways you and I could be harmed by them. And theyre normally done in a really healthy set of animals, and theyre done with one chemical at a time; not how we are exposed, which is to several thousand chemicals each day. And basically, they can bring out these chemicals without having to demonstrate theyre safe in humans. Conversely, the burden of proof is always far greater on the public health and the environmental community to get these things off the market, he says. Mark Green, an associate professor in reproductive biology at the University of Melbourne, also believes the connection between the tiny plastic particles and ill health are well established. Theres evidence to support the potential damage from microplastics, but we should also not forget the fact that not only is it the physical properties of the microplastics, but also the fact that some of the chemicals that can leach from those microplastics, such as endocrine disrupting chemicals, could also be harmful. Are infants and children at greater risk? Sydney mother Corrine Sultana has been investigating the impact of plastic and other harmful ingredients on the health of her two boys, aged 6 and 9, since her eldest was born. Sultana, whose business The Low Tox Project sells plastic-free products, has implemented measures like using water filters, air filters, limiting plastic consumption, and avoiding non-stick cookware and processed food. Sydney mum Corrine Sultana with sons Benjamin, 6, and Harrison, 9. Credit: Louise Kennerely So, what do we know about how these impact human health, particularly that of babies and children? Rauert says its difficult to ascertain the effects of microplastics on kids since we dont yet know the extent of their impact on humans generally, but theorises that infants tend to ingest a lot more dust because theyre picking things up off the ground and putting them in their mouths... so they potentially are ingesting a lot of plastics, and the chemicals inside them, so they could be at greater risk. Green adds that children tend to consume relatively more water and quantities of food and have a higher breathing rate and metabolic rate, so intake and absorption can be greater than adults. When it comes to the cumulative effects of microplastics, some studies suggest exposure may also occur through breastmilk and human placentas. Prolonged exposure to environmental toxicants (including during the prenatal period) has been connected to declining human fertility over the past 50 years, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and female reproductive health, which may also impact childrens health. Endocrine disruptors While we dont know enough about the effects of microplastic exposure, we know more about some of the chemical additives including PFAS inside and on top of these plastics, and how they affect human health. These include bisphenol A (BPA), commonly found in soft plastic water bottles and the lining of receipts; phthalates, found in items like soft toys, carpet and packaging; and PFAS, used in things like Gore-Tex, Teflon and non-stick packaging. One of the main concerns around these chemicals is they might act as endocrine disruptors (endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs for short), which are natural or man-made chemicals that interfere with hormones. Green explains that while endocrine disruptors have been present in our environment for millennia (like in plants), man-made chemicals have become far more prevalent in the past half-century. Since the end of World War II, close to 80,000 new synthetic chemicals have been released into the environment, a growing number of which are now being recognised as having unwanted side effects or impacts on humans and wildlife, he says. The precautionary principle Like the experts, some peak health bodies are divided around the potential harms of microplastics. Food Standards Australia and New Zealand says, our current view is that plastic contamination of the food chain is unlikely to result in immediate health risks to consumers. This is echoed by the European Food Safety Authority, which this month published a review of 122 micro and nano-plastic studies, and found most were deficient, unreliable or corrupted. In 2022, the World Health Organisation published a report that found evidence on the health effects of microplastics is insufficient, but highlighted this is not the same as saying microplastics are safe just that more research is needed. The WHO has more recently adopted a more precautionary approach. So, what should parents make of this conflicting information? Loading Chartres says we should be applying what we call the precautionary principle, which is, lets not wait 15 to 20 years to see if we all get cancer from these. While Rauert says more research is needed on the health effects of microplastics, it cant hurt to try and reduce our exposure. I dont think were at the stage where people should be panicking and scared, but I think there are simple things that we can all do, she says. For Chartres, its about striking a balance between giving people agency and information, while acknowledging not everyone can afford to eliminate plastics from their lives. It sounds like this team-building event, or more specifically the public advertising of it and what went on, crossed the line into tone-deaf poor leadership. Senior leadership teams need to get together from time to time to set strategies, build relationships and plan. But rubbing that in the face of employees when everyone is doing it tough is not a great look. Our senior executive team recently held a planning event offsite at a five-star resort. They posted photos on LinkedIn of themselves in branded polo shirts doing trust falls, sunset yoga and toasting with champagne to a great year ahead. Back at the office, half the staff were on a pay freeze and still covering vacancies from the last restructure. Morale tanked overnight and it was already really low. I understand leaders need to get together to plan and bond, but when does team building cross the line into tone-deaf poor leadership? Should we have to just suck it up? I can understand why you would all be feeling annoyed, but I wonder how much of it is about the yoga and champagne itself? My guess is that the way you have been treated of late the pay freeze, covering vacancies is far more challenging to deal with. It may be worth you and your team members speaking to your boss not about the LinkedIn post (that will minimise the genuine feedback you have to pass on), but about how your team is struggling day to day. You are well within your rights to ask about the plans for the coming year. Ask if there is any change to the pay freeze coming and whether the vacancies can be filled. Explain the impact both these factors is having on you all not just in completing your jobs but in the way you feel about working for the company. I led a major client project. My boss presented it to the board and he took all the glory, tossing me a quick thanks to the team. I am so disappointed and angry about it, but I also need him for my promotion. How can I go about being recognised without getting my boss offside? It is a shame your boss felt he could not share the glory with everyone when he spoke to your board. I know from sitting in board meetings, it is always much more impressive to see a humble leader passing on the glory to others rather than holding on to it themselves. That said, while I understand your frustration, I think you will need to play the long game. Others in the business will know your boss did not lead this project on his own and those in the right places will know how it all unfolded. It may take a while, but your time will come. You can try to hasten that by asking to help present to the board next time the opportunity arises. Most boards are eager to hear from different people in the organisation to be exposed to as many leaders, and potential successors, as possible. Loading If you ultimately feel you are unable to make headway and are likely to remain under the shadow of a boss who wont share the limelight, it may be time to move to an organisation where you will be encouraged to shine. My first instinct is to tell you to hang on. Eventually, the real stars rise to the top. 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 Remembrance Day 1975 really was one to remember for Year 11 general studies students at Manly Boys High School. It was unforgettable not only because of the momentous goings-on involving the leading Australian political figures who won and lost on this historic date. It was also memorable due to the unusual way the news of the prime ministerial sacking was conveyed to us in our examination room while the exam clock was still ticking! A classroom at Manly Boys High in 1976. Credit: Peter John Moxham/The Sydney Morning Herald That hot spring afternoon was the time set for the practice Higher School Certificate exam for general studies students at Manly Boys High School now the co-educational Manly Selective Campus of the Northern Beaches Secondary College. The exam was to test out our ability to write four essays, which we chose from topics covering current affairs, politics, humanities and the arts. Our exam paper was set by the dynamic, outspoken and overtly Aussie-style English and general studies teacher, Harvey Rose. Advertisement Mr Rose was an irrepressible advocate for the merits of a wide-ranging education and a man known for openly sharing his personal political views. For him, the Australian Labor Partys Gough Whitlam was a courageously embattled hero struggling to get the finance his government needed approved by the opposition-controlled Senate, which had been repeatedly deferring the matter. Amid this political crisis, Mr Rose was throwing himself into the challenge of immersing his students in the rigours of their first three-hour-long general studies test. Mr Rose was an ultra-Australian renaissance man who knew much about many topics. He had an ability to informally but dramatically bring to life fascinating elements of his knowledge with his penetrating, broad and profoundly nasal Australian accent. He was a stand-out teacher physically in large part due to his distinctive crop of curly reddish-brown facial hair. This growth was so exuberant that it reminded you of those early Australian explorers photographed or sketched after finishing their long, shaving-free treks through the outback. Harvey Roses facial hair was particularly unusual because it did not constitute a conventional full beard. Instead, he had two enormous self-contained sideburns which didnt quite meet at the chin. Advertisement We students speculated that his super-minimalist shave may well have been achieved with a single stroke of the razor to ensure that a 2-centimetre clean-shaven strip separated the independent jungle of each side burn. In the school playgrounds, students would affectionately refer to Mr Rose (though not to his face) as Firebreak Rose. This was based on the premise that if one side of his immense crop of facial hair ever caught fire, at least the other half could be saved. Harvey Rose Mr Rose was an ardent news-follower. He convinced his keenest students to do likewise so we could achieve impressive general studies grades. His lively classroom perspectives on political events always entranced. He was an enthusiastic member of the NSW Teachers Federation who made no secret of his personal preference for the union side of Australian politics. As a film buff, Mr Rose spent many of our general studies lessons telling us about critically acclaimed Australian movies. He was deeply impressed by Sunday Too Far Away, starring Jack Thompson, which came out in 1975 and dramatised the Australian shearers strike of the 1950s. No prizes for guessing where Mr Roses sympathies lay in the struggle between the unionised shearers, the non-union shearers and the sheep station owners. However, by the time it came to November 1975, Mr Rose like so many Australians was deeply pre-occupied by the deadlock in federal politics. He was engrossed by every step of the political combat between Gough Whitlam; the Liberal Party opposition leader, Malcolm Fraser; and their warring MPs and supporters. Where Mr Rose led, his more dedicated students followed becoming young political obsessives fuelled by constant news updates. In the lead-up to November 11, I remember being on study leave and lying on our green backyard trampoline listening to live ABC Radio broadcasts of the ever-more-heated parliamentary debates from Canberra. Advertisement This really was legitimate academic study because it was distinctly possible there would be an essay option in our exam about the crisis. And, indeed, this came to pass on Remembrance Day. As we sifted through the exam questions Mr Rose handed out on the big day, sure enough the topic was there inviting us to write about the latest political machinations in Canberra and to predict the outcome. In theory, this was a question right up my street. But it triggered internal alarm bells. Id already learnt enough about politics to know that it could be highly unpredictable. I remember thinking that as the political contest had become so fierce and so complex, the outcome could go in either partys favour. As there were other options on the exam paper which appealed, I decided it was safer to concentrate on these. Alas, some of my classmates took a different approach. Tensions were high in 1975: Malcolm Fraser moves through a crowd of protesters at Parliament House. Credit: Fairfax Media All proceeded quietly for most of the three-hour test, in accordance with normal exam rules. The only unusual aspect was that Mr Rose frequently left the classroom trusting us not to share information between ourselves. The reason was related to his need to listen to Canberra-dominated radio news bulletins. This was underlined towards the end of the exam just before the time allowed to finish had completely expired. Advertisement Suddenly, Mr Rose burst through the door. Rushing to finish my final essay in time, I confess that as a future journalist, I failed to record exactly what words were uttered amidst this Firebreak eruption. But even without written proof, 50 years later my memory is clear. Sweeping exam decorum aside, Mr Rose declared something like: Hes been sacked! Whitlams been sacked! That bastard Kerr has sacked him! In science lessons we had learnt that all actions have an equal and opposite reaction. Such a reaction took place. There was a foul-mouthed and shocked response from a multitude of students around the room. The language cannot be repeated precisely in a respectable family newspaper even 50 years later. David Smith, the governor-generals secretary, reads the proclamation dissolving parliament as Gough Whitlam listens. Credit: Fairfax Media These furiously expressed sentiments seemed to come exclusively from the students who had tackled the question on the Australian political crisis. Were they personally offended by what had happened in our Australian democracy? Er, not exactly. They were aghast that their individual assessments had been sabotaged by what wed just been told about the shock move by an unexpected player in the Canberra political war zone. Advertisement Police have arrested the alleged gunman over the execution of John Versace, a tradie shot dead in a case of suspected mistaken identity, just days after two more men were charged over the murder. Versace, 23, was ambushed in the driveway of his Condell Park family home about 10.30pm on May 19 and fatally shot several times at close range. NSW Police search for evidence in Fairfield East, where a burnt-out Toyota was found after the murder of John Versace (right) in Condell Park. Credit: Kate Geraghty/Supplied Taskforce Falcon, set up by police to clamp down on Sydneys gangland after a series of shootings this year, arrested Blaze Collins at Silverwater on Tuesday. They had absorbed the original investigation into Versaces murder, known as Strikeforce Harkstede. The neo-Nazi organiser of an anti-Jewish rally in Sydney went on a study tour to Germany, which he referred to as the motherland, to meet a far-right group as part of the National Socialist Networks push to register as a political party and run for seats in Australias state and federal parliaments. Amid growing fallout from Saturdays police-approved rally outside the NSW Parliament, the Herald can also reveal intelligence officers knew about the gathering in advance, but Deputy Commissioner David Hudson, who oversees counter-terrorism and has been the forces public face of the fight against antisemitism, was not briefed. Proud to be racist: Jack Eltis being interviewed by a reporter after the March for Australia rally. Credit: Nine News The revelation raises further questions of NSW Polices handling of the saga after it emerged that another of the forces deputy commissioners, Peter Thurtell, was briefed before the protest but did not relay the information to newly installed Commissioner Mal Lanyon. Police investigations into Saturdays rally are ongoing to determine if any offences were committed. The protest was not opposed by the Sydney City local area command, which had sought legal advice on the proposed banner after the NSN gave notice of its plans under the name White Australia. It meant the rally proceeded as an authorised public assembly. When is a protest authorised? A protest is an authorised public assembly if organisers serve a notice on NSW Police at least seven days before the protest and: The police commissioner does not oppose the protest; or It is not prohibited by a court. In this case, notice was given of the protest on October 27. NSW Police said it sought legal advice and it was determined that there [were] ... no legal grounds to object to this public assembly. When a protest is authorised, participants have a relatively narrow immunity from criminal liability for certain acts related to the protest, such as blocking traffic. This is not a licence to engage in criminal activity. According to the legal advice given to police, the wording used on the banner did not constitute an offence, and there were no legal grounds upon which to oppose the demonstration. NSW Police applied for an urgent prohibition order last month to ban a planned pro-Palestine march that was expected to result in tens of thousands of people descending on the Opera House forecourt. The order was made by the NSW Court of Appeal on public safety grounds after police expressed fears of a crowd crush. McNamara said the laws would cover more than crowd crushes. It would have been appropriate for the police to consider seeking a prohibition order [in this case], he said. It would be for the Supreme Court to decide how they would adjudicate on that. Loading Contrary to how the concept of public safety has been perceived and characterised over the course of the last two years, in particular, its not simply about physical safety ... [and the] dangers that go with large crowds. Thats a dimension of public safety, but the legislation actually doesnt offer a narrow conception of what interests need to be weighed up ... to decide whether a protest should be authorised or prohibited. McNamara said the judge making the decision would need to balance competing rights. Given the nature of the subject matter of this particular protest, it would have been appropriate to consider the rights of the Jewish community and other minority communities not to be subjected to public expressions of racist hatred and racism, he said. Lanyon told the ABCs 7.30 program on Monday that the Summary Offences Act, which sets out the prohibition order process, is very broad in terms of what it permits and it does look very favourably on peoples rights to protest and free speech. NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon speak after the rally on Saturday. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone [Under] the legislation, as it stands at the moment, generally the grounds that we would oppose it is on public safety or a significant disruption to the public, he said. Lanyon said a communication error meant he was not briefed on the rally. Had he known, he would have asked to see whether there were sufficient grounds to take it to the Supreme Court. However, he also said he was supportive of the decision that was made in this instance. The Minns government was not briefed on the rally in light of the communication error. History of violence Lanyon told the ABC there was nothing there to indicate there was a risk to public safety based on the behaviour of that group when we have dealt with them previously. Loading Deakin University Associate Professor Josh Roose, a political sociologist whose work focuses on violent extremism and terrorism, said the NSN was a national group with national co-ordination. They have a history of violence, most recently at [Indigenous protest] Camp Sovereignty in Melbourne, he said. He noted NSW Police had previously relied on different public safety-related powers on Australia Day 2024 to stop the same group entering the Sydney CBD for a rally. But Roose was not opposed to potential new laws in this area, and said there could be lower thresholds for police intervention without requiring violence or clear incitement. Hate speech Premier Chris Minns suggested laws criminalising hate speech needed to go further, such as banning the phrase blood and honour a slogan associated with the Hitler Youth. Firstly, its illegal to have Nazi symbols in NSW, but not the Nazi speeches or Nazi slogans, Minns said. University of Sydney Professor Emeritus Simon Rice said the protest organisers walked a very fine line and arguably there was a defence available to them under racial vilification laws for the banner. He also did not believe the banner fell foul of section 93ZA of the NSW Crimes Act, which makes it an offence to display a Nazi symbol in public. Loading Rice was not convinced the laws needed to change, and said chanting a Nazi slogan might be caught by existing laws. Rice said there was potentially enough there [in this case] for the police to step in and stop this if they chose to by seeking a prohibition order. Its just that so far the circumstances have been [limited to] a physical concept of public safety, he said. I think this invites them to think about whether or not theres a broader concept of public safety: protecting people from vilification. That may happen next time. I think it would be really interesting to know what the court said about that. Comment was sought from NSW Police. 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 Why have state funerals been offered to John Laws and Graham Richardson? Laws spent his career in commercial radio becoming Australias first successful shock jock, acquiring enormous wealth in the process (Goodbye world: Radio legend dies, November 11). Richardson was a power broker for the Labor Party, spending much of his time wheeling and dealing (Long lunches, Swiss bank accounts and a kangaroo scrotum: My pursuit of Richo, November 11). Ethics were not high on his list of priorities. Both men were prominent figures in Australia, but their activities allowed them to acquire wealth and power. State funerals should be reserved for prominent figures who have given a lifetime of selfless devotion and hard work serving the people. My condolences to both mens families but, considering both these personalities spent a good part of their lives acquiring wealth, sometimes by questionable means, the money would be better spent on public schools and hospitals. Leo Sorbello, Leichhardt Whatever it takes. Credit: Cathy Wilcox I wonder if the prime minister will change his mind about offering Graham Richardson a state funeral in the light of Kate McClymonts article (Richo was the one who got away, November 11). And will deputy PM Richard Marles still insist Richardson was a Labor hero? The party is simply damaging its reputation by glorifying Richardson, who had strong ties with Eddie Obeid. Catherine Moore, Charleys Forest I know that you know but youll never prove it, Graham Richardson told Kate McClymont. The Heralds investigative reporter has revealed the true colours of the former political heavyweight, which his fellow Labor mates would have been well aware of. And we are offering a state funeral for this man? Our standards are dropping by the day. Stewart Copper, Maroubra Bravo, Kate McClymont. The attempted sanitisation of Graham Richardsons political and personal deceitfulness has been nauseating. To quote Voltaire, To the living we owe respect, but to the dead we owe only the truth. Grant Heaton, Port Macquarie After Kate McClymonts article the prime minister might like to change the state funeral to a long Labor lunch at Machiavellis. Gavin Williamson, Wheeler Heights Graham Richardson at his 70th birthday party. Credit: Steven Siewert Advertisement I wish to express my deep concern regarding Kate McClymonts story. I counted myself as a friend of Graham Richardson and I was sickened when I read this skewering of the man. The lack of sensitivity after Richardsons death just three days prior is breathtaking. I send strength and love to Grahams wife, son, family and friends. While it is the responsibility of journalists to report the truth, the timing and manner in which stories are told can have profound implications, particularly while family and friends are still grieving. RIP Richo. Roger Lindeman, Sylvania John Laws was known as golden tonsils for his distinctive voice. Credit: Kate Geraghty Fear and loathsome How has it come to this that 60 men standing in line have wrought such fear and disruption (Faces of hate, November 11)? If nothing else, this has the potential to escalate from attempted intimidation to terror, if we allow it. We can legislate against hate speech and violence but how far can we go in banning ideas or ideologies in a liberal society? Our best defence is to stand up for those who are targeted and marginalised by such hate and express our belief in the value of every human being. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls No one told me is not an excuse, it is a sign of systemic and/or cultural failure for which Mal Lanyon bears responsibility, even if that may appear unfair (Plea of ignorance just doesnt cut it, November 11). Can you imagine the commentary if this neo-Nazi performance had occurred in Karen Webbs time, at any point in her tenure? I know some will respond that it is a fault of an existing culture for which his predecessor carries responsibility, but is it really or is it about a culture of covering for a bloke? Olga Wynne, Croydon Like Jenna Price, anyone with an ounce of compassion and common sense is devastated by the recent neo-Nazi protest outside NSW Parliament House and the negligence of NSW Police (What we just witnessed was state-sanctioned Nazism, November 11). It is inexcusable, despite Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon brushing off this colossal stuff-up as a communication error. Prices article brought tears to my and, Im sure, many other readers eyes. Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown Jenna Price makes the predictable comment that had the neo-Nazi protest been allowed by previous police commissioner Karen Webb, one would expect to have seen the hounds baying and Ben Fordham calling for her resignation. While I cant comment on whats happening on the Sydney airwaves, Id suggest that the public and the media are doing a pretty reasonable job of letting those involved know of their dissatisfaction. Ross MacPherson, Seaforth Advertisement The National Socialist Network rally outside NSW Parliament House on Saturday. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone The premier and police commissioner reportedly did not know about the protest application by the neo-Nazis. Considering that the police seem focused on any other protest taking place in Sydney, including the over-vigorous response to a legitimate protest against an arms fair, I find the lack of knowledge about protesting Nazis extraordinary. Perhaps this will be used as an excuse for further restrictions on the right to protest in NSW. Paul Pearce, Bronte I imagine I am not the only woman who looks at that image of the all-male neo-Nazi rally and feels real unease. It would not only be Jews who feel threatened but women, too, by the uber-masculine, aggressive and solely male packs that now regularly take centre-stage at rallies throughout Australia. These men, all dressed in black and with sullen faces, seem to have separated themselves from a balanced society and operate in their miserable, aggressive little bubble, themselves weak but unable to see it. Judy Hungerford, Kew (Vic) As your editorial correctly argues, neo-Nazism and racial hatred have no place in Australia (Racial hatred has no place anywhere in Australia. November 10). Now, could Australia perhaps express the same sense of outrage at the racial hatred that drove Adam Goodes from the AFL, that scuppered the Voice, that the ABCs Tony Armstrong has fought to expose in sport, that community leaders have long strived to expose for the betterment of First Nations People? The Jewish Board of Deputies legitimate concerns over neo-Nazism have received wide publicity. Can we please have a similar level of publicity about First Nations peoples 200-year fight against racism and dispossession? Douglas Broad, Highgate Hill Given that it seems pretty easy to get permission these days, whos up for an anti-idiot march? See you on the street, comrades. Jeff Apter, Keiraville Advertisement Healthy respect In the words of former TV presenter Andrew Denton, there are just two periods in the history of modern Australia: before Gough and after Gough (Women lost a champion in Whitlam, November 11). As a doctor before and after, the truth to this I best know is Medibank and the paradigm shift in equity of healthcare it brought to all Australians. Graeme Stewart, Avalon Beach Gough Whitlam faces reporters in 1975. Ian Morison is confusing the issues (Letters, November 11). Supporters of Gough Whitlam are motivated not by blind loyalty but the outstanding legislative record of his government. A list of his achievements is far too long for this page, and 50 years later have stood the test of time. Some of the groupies have also maintained the rage about the manner of the Dismissal, and fair enough. Imagine if President Trump was sacked to resolve the US government shutdown and a Democrat was installed in his place? Thats pretty much what happened 50 years ago. Denis Goodwin, Dee Why Advertisement Development roadblock The proposal to build thousands of home units around Warringah Mall and Pittwater Road looks remarkably similar to plans for Parramatta Road and other major thoroughfares (1500 homes, towers up to 39 stories: Plans for northern Sydney shopping site revealed, November 11). The road corridor to the city is four to six lanes and is already at capacity during peak periods (sound familiar?), and in this case no sign of light rail. One can only assume that already stretched commuters will have to walk through a conga line of end-to-end stationary B Line buses to reach their destinations. Commuters from south of the spit bridge may well have to walk across the rooftops to achieve the same result. Peter Cooper-Southam, Frenchs Forest I live on the northern beaches. While there are many excellent reasons to reside here, efficient public transportation is not one of them. Now our local council is suggesting Brookvale as a significant development opportunity. A train service was proposed in 1927 and is routinely trotted out when elections loom, but the northern beaches line remains a bridge too far for our state government. We were promised a road link/tunnel, but that proved to be another mirage. Sydneys metro network seems destined to grow as we struggle to meet housing demands and our fearless leaders will, no doubt, target the northern beaches for greater density. To do so without first addressing transport and other social infrastructure is a recipe for yet another dogs breakfast development. I suspect, however, that along with Santa Claus and the tooth fairy, a northern beaches rail link will remain a cherished fantasy. George Williams, North Balgowlah Learn from the past Des Connolly described schools like Hartford College as taking us back to an idealised past (Letters, November 11). As a founding parent of Hartford, I can say the opposite is true. Parents and teachers are collectively committed to the rounded formation of the students and fostering a pursuit of truth. Great works of the distant and recent past are read because of their timeless insights. Hartford has families from many creeds and races. Together, we joyfully create a learning environment that fosters great outcomes for boys. I wish the same for all schools, be they state, systemic or independent. Tim Mitchell, Maroubra Hear, hear Janine Burdeu (Letters, November 11). The reallocation of school funding could be achieved today if the government adopted David Gonskis proposals. He recommended funding schools on the basis of need which, quite clearly, doesnt apply to wealthy private schools. Funding for needy schools could include low-fee private schools as well as public schools. Just get on with it, Albo. Elizabeth Elenius, Pyrmont Advertisement Plans to buy one of Sydneys last remaining RiverCat ferries, which have been synonymous with the Parramatta River route for decades, have been rebuffed by the states transport agency, leaving it destined to be turned into scrap. A self-described water rat, Roger Kyle has been fighting to save the Shane Gould for the past year, offering to purchase the ferry for a nominal sum to avoid it meeting the same fate as other RiverCats in the government-owned fleet. Roger Kyle has been fighting to save one of the last two remaining RiverCat ferries for the past year. One of them, the Dawn Fraser, passes in the background. Credit: Kate Geraghty The owner of Abbotsford Point Boatshed said he could afford to look after the ferry because he had space to moor it, avoiding fees of up to $180,000 a year to park it elsewhere on the river or Sydney Harbour. He is also the leaseholder of moorings at Fairmile Cove near Breakfast Point. After initially indicating it was willing to consider Kyle taking the ferry, late last month Transport for NSW rejected his proposal, advising him it had decided to scrap the Shane Gould due to its condition, environmental factors and potential reputational risks. He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs, meets with Joseph Bae, co-CEO of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese official He Lifeng met with Joseph Bae, co-CEO of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., in Beijing on Tuesday. He, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs, said that the Chinese economy has continued its stable and sound performance this year, and China is confident about and capable of realizing the annual growth target. The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee last month outlined the blueprint for China's development of the next five years, which will vigorously contribute to global economic growth, He said. China welcomes investors from other countries to do business in China, and to share in opportunities arising from China's economic development, He said. Bae expressed full confidence in the prospects of China's economic development, as well as his willingness to expand investment and cooperation further in China. Princess Anne has wrapped up a low-key, four-day visit to Australia with a Remembrance Day service at Brisbanes Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera. The Princess Royal often dubbed the hardest-working British royal arrived in the Queensland capital on Tuesday on a commercial flight. It was the final leg of her visit to Australia with husband Sir Tim Laurence to mark the centenary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. She has been the corps colonel-in-chief for almost half a century. Photographers Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin made this image in October 1967, purportedly showing a female Bigfoot. Credit: AP Now its quacks, anti-vaxxers and psychics who prey on peoples vulnerabilities. It becomes quite dark, Mendham says. The anti-science attitude thats around now, we havent seen it for a long time. The end of the age of scepticism? Is Mendham right? Are we entering a less sceptical age? People have always believed things that werent true. True believers and charlatans alike have always spread misinformation. What has changed, says Jeremy Brownlie, is our ability to create and spread mistruths. Brownlie, an associate professor of genetics and evolution at Griffith University, has just completed a series of reports on misinformation, commissioned by the federal government (the reports remain under consideration and have not yet been publicly released). Brownlie argues that it is our cognitive biases that enable misinformation. First, we have a natural bias towards believing what people we know tell us. Maybe this served us well around the campfire, when we would listen to the stories of successful hunters. Maybe it is linked to our natural attraction to stories and narratives. But it manifests as an attraction to the storytellers of the digital age influencers and as a willingness to give similar weightings to the opinions of uncle Roy on Facebook and the nations chief health officer. Second, even if we know something is untrue, we remain vulnerable to repetition. Hearing a mistruth again and again makes us less confident in our belief in its falsehood. This is known as the illusionary truth effect. Misinformation hacks that architecture of our brain and the way we think, Brownlie says. Lets return to Mendhams concern that misinformation is getting worse. Here, Brownlie makes a key point: were not just seeing a swell of misinformation; were also seeing an interlinked decline in trust in institutions. The Skeptics greatest hits In the magazines inaugural issue, it investigated psychic surgery, purportedly being performed by deceased surgeons via a medium. This included the use of an invisible psychic microscope and the threading of invisible psychic tubes to drain the patient of their bad fluids. The patient was diagnosed with partial deafness, a hot brain, and displaced bones caused by the birth of a child, despite never having given birth to a child. The Skeptics investigators were unimpressed. investigators were unimpressed. In the same issue, the magazine sent investigators to check if Perth still existed, after a clairvoyant predicted the citys destruction (via tsunami) on February 9, 1981. PERTH STILL THERE! read the headline. Distrust is a central problem for many advanced economies, but let us consider the United States. Trust in government has dipped to near-record lows since pollster Pew started tracking it in the 60s; meta-analyses come to the same view. Trust in the Supreme Court and the major political parties is also at record lows. Misinformation erodes trust in institutions, says Brownlie, so people then seek out information from other sources, which erodes trust in institutes. Youve got this downward spiral of trust. Medical and scientific bodies are picking up on this, and they are worried. Ive been asked to speak at several academic conferences in the past few months on the same topic: are people losing trust in science? Ive come to think the problem is more complex. Trust in science per se seems robust in America and Australia (many misinformation-peddlers claim that science supports them, so clearly its still got something going for it). Instead, were seeing a decline in the trust of institutions we rely on to tell us what the science says. Brownlie argues the cause is also more complex than just the internet. He points to evidence suggesting we are more susceptible to misinformation when we are sicker, more exhausted, more sleep-deprived. Tired people think more emotionally and less rationally. A modern lifestyle is not one that sets us up for deep critical thinking, he says. His argument reminds me of Pat McGorrys warning that the youth mental health crisis isnt about social media or phones but about general social collapse. It also reminds me of the trust-in-institutions data I find most intriguing: countries with higher levels of inequality have lower levels of trust in governments. Are people simply starting to lose faith in the ability of governments to make their lives better? Are they seeking alternative facts because the real ones dont help any more? Brownlies solutions focus on building critical thinking skills and scientific literacy into the school curriculum. For older Australians, he sees a role for campaigns like the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions Scamwatch that teach people to identify and be wary of misinformation. I think theres also a message for institutions. If they want to retain our trust, they need to ask: how are they helping us make our lives better? Tim Mendham in his study with copies of The Skeptic. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer Luckily for us, The Skeptic will endure as an online publication. It is a cause. The cause is truth, reason, critical thinking, says Mendham. There has never been a greater time for scepticism. Adult courts place greater emphasis on community safety and impact on victims, whereas rehabilitation is the primary objective of the Childrens Court. The proposed changes, which will be introduced to parliament this week with a view to push them through before the end of the year, are likely to dismay youth-justice advocates who argue that tougher sentencing, rather than addressing the causes of youth crime, will turn children into career criminals. There are no easy solutions to youth crime and the best approach is always to stop crime before it starts, Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said. But we absolutely need serious consequences for violent youth crime to protect the community now. The changes echo those promised by Queensland Premier David Crisafulli in his adult crime, adult time election pitch, which saw the LNP returned to government at the end of last year and comes after the Victorian government faced sustained criticism over its handling of youth crime. The legislation will require amendments to the Crimes Act, the Children, Youth and Families Act and the Youth Justice Act. The latest Crime Statistics Agency data shows criminal offences across Victoria are at record highs. Recorded offences rose by more than 15 per cent in the year ending June 30, an increase of 86,587. Youth crime has also surged, with 25,206 alleged incidents involving children aged 1017 years in the same time period. This is up from 22,172 incidents the year prior, 19,340 in 2023 and 15,964 in 2022. Four of the five fastest-growing crimes are theft: stealing from cars, theft of cars, shoplifting and broader robbery offences. Loading The issue has become a political headache for the Allan government and a key weapon for Opposition Leader Brad Battin, who has repeatedly accused Labor of being weak on crime. Following the stabbing attacks that left 12-year-old Chol Achiek and 15-year-old Dau Akeung dead in September, Battin used question time in state parliament to ask: Premier, how has it come to this under your government? This weeks announcement follows the Allan governments backdown on increasing the age of criminal responsibility, tightening bail laws to make it easier for children to be remanded and banning the sale and possession of machetes. Allan also confirmed her government would not pursue a blanket ban on masks at protests, as revealed by The Age, after receiving advice it would be vulnerable to constitutional challenges. Under the proposed changes, to be introduced to parliament on Wednesday, police will be able to request someone remove a face mask if they reasonably suspect a protester is committing or about to commit a criminal offence. Penalties of more than $1000 will apply for those who refuse a direction, though exemptions can apply for medical, cultural and religious reasons. Police already have the power to direct anyone wearing a face mask for any reason where they have declared a designated area. Public display of symbols of proscribed terrorist groups will also be banned under state law, as will the use of attachment devices such as rope or chains if it endangers the public or first responders. Loading While the government backed down on a proposed blanket ban on protests at places of worship, new penalties punishable by up to three months jail will be introduced for assault at religious assemblies and for intimidating, harassing or obstructing attendees. Jeremy Leibler, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia and member of an anti-hate taskforce, said the new laws would not be effective. Were deeply disappointed by the Victorian governments announcement about the proposed mask ban, he said. After the Adass Synagogue terrorist attack, the premier committed to banning the use of masks at protests because they were being used to conceal the identities of those engaging in violence and vilification. We dont understand why a protester should be allowed to wear a mask if police believe theyre about to break the law. This is a much narrower proposal than what was promised, and unfortunately, we think its unlikely to achieve the purpose this legislation was meant to serve. The Jewish Community Council of Victorias Naomi Levin (right) with Benjamin Klein (left), Yossi Aron, and Daniel Aghion, KC, in the aftermath of the Adass Israel Synagogue attack. Credit: Simon Schluter Jewish Community Council of Victoria chief executive Naomi Levin said the government needed to send a stronger message to disruptive protesters who use masks to conceal their identities. Victorians, including Jewish Victorians, are sick and tired of protesters taking over our city, causing mayhem and disruption, Levin said. The City of Melbourne warns the state governments planned 73 per cent hike in the car parking levy will cripple the CBD. Councillors said they were concerned the increase would deter visitors and workers from the city and would stall Melbournes economic recovery. Lord Mayor Nick Reece is increasingly at logger heads with the Allan government. Credit: Penny Stephens In the new year, the Allan governments congestion levy, which is essentially a tax on car parks in the inner city, will increase 73 per cent in inner-city areas. The City of Melbourne estimates this will result in a 19 per cent increase in parking fees at council-owned car parks. A three-year-old child and his parents have died in a catastrophic collision with a truck at a rural intersection in Victorias south-west. Police said the familys vehicle drove directly into the path of a B-double truck after failing to give way at a stop sign about 9.30am Tuesday. A young boy and two adults have been killed in a crash with a truck in Stoneleigh. Credit: Nine News Speaking at the scene, major collision investigation unit Detective Inspector Craig McEvoy said the car was T-boned by the truck, causing it to roll before eventually coming to rest on its side. He confirmed a boy, 3, his 31-year-old mother and 41-year-old father, who had been driving, were killed in the crash. Howard rejected a suggestion from his former immigration minister, Philip Ruddock, that the Senate be stripped of its right to block supply. Whitlams failure to get his budget bills through the Senate was at the heart of his governments dismissal by Kerr. Loading But he did support two constitutional changes removing the requirement that the number of House of Representatives be as close as practicable to double the number of senators, and that a double dissolution election be held when a bill had been twice rejected by the upper house. Keating, who had been appointed the minister for northern Australia just a fortnight before the events of November 11, 1975, was with Whitlam in the hours after Kerr sacked the prime minister and appointed Malcolm Fraser as the nations political leader. According to Keating, who went on to become prime minister from 1991 to 1996, he told Whitlam that he should go directly to Queen Elizabeth II and sack Kerr. If he refused to go, Kerr should be locked up by police. My proposition was that Gough should ask the Queen to accept his advice to appoint a new governor-general, he said. In the event that Kerr resisted, I said to Gough he should be put under police arrest. Garry McDonald today, and as Norman Gunston on the day Whitlam was sacked. Credit: Archives, SMH That is certainly what I would have done if I was prime minister. Keating said there was a risk that Kerr could win support from the Army to protect him from arrest as he was the nations commander-in-chief. This was an issue that Whitlam had to consider. Loading In other words, youd have to have the soldiers with you for this to happen, he said in an interview with Niki Savva, the veteran political journalist and columnist for this masthead. Keating said Whitlam dismissed the idea, arguing the then-prime minister was a constitutionalist. But Keating said the events of that day were a coup against Australian democracy, led by one man: Kerr. It was, in every respect it was a coup. A coup by an individual, not a sort of violent gathering, he said. A key reason for Frasers ability to frustrate the Whitlam budget was a change in Labors representation in the Senate. NSW premier Tom Lewis and Queensland premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen breached constitutional convention by appointing non-Labor supporting senators to fill two Labor vacancies in the upper house. A referendum in 1977 prevents such a move. Anna Burke, the former Labor speaker of the House under Julia Gillard, revealed how close she believed Labor had gone to losing office during her term in office. Burke was made speaker on October 9, 2012, the same day that Gillard delivered her famous misogyny speech. The speech was part of a vote of no confidence from then opposition leader Tony Abbott. According to Burke, she didnt go to the toilet or leave the House for five hours for fear the Gillard government would fall. I thought on that day the government is going to fall on the vote of the parliament, she said. Burke said it was unlikely a future governor-general acted like Kerr and considered themselves above the will of the people. In a legal sense, it can happen again. Will it ever happen again? No, it wont, she said. Liberal speaker of the House Tony Smith said it was very unlikely the events of 1975 could be replicated, in part because of the growth in minor parties in the Senate. The Coalition and Labor had all but one of the 60 members of the Senate before the actions of Lewis and Bjelke-Petersen. Today, the Senate crossbench includes 18 of the 75 members. Governor-General Sam Mostyn used the event to argue it was difficult to imagine a prime minister could be surprised by a vice-regal representative in the way Whitlam accused Kerr of doing to him with the Dismissal. It is true that I could not imagine a situation in modern Australia where a prime minister would be surprised or blindsided by the governor-General in the circumstances that occurred in 1975, she said. Importantly, nor am I taking a more expansive approach to my role or redefining any of the core principles of responsible and representative government. These are incontrovertible principles and sit at the core of our democracy. Almost one in three Australians want the Albanese government to dump its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 on the eve of a Coalition meeting where it is expected to formalise its climate policy after months of infighting. Almost half of those surveyed in an exclusive poll thought that Australia would not meet its 2030 emissions-reduction target of 43 per cent against 2005 levels. The nation is set to fall short of the goal on its current trajectory, but 22 per cent still believed it would reach the 2030 target, while the other 29 per cent were unsure. Almost a third of voters think the net zero target should be dumped. Credit: Matthew Absalom-Wong The findings come on the eve of a crunch meeting of the Liberal party room at noon on Wednesday to decide whether to keep its commitment to net zero by 2050. The Liberal Party has been bitterly split over the former Morrison governments commitment though the goal was only legislated by Labor in 2022 with the recent decision by the Nationals to backflip and oppose the target exacerbating the divisions. Liberal members of the shadow cabinet will meet on Thursday for further talks before the party meets with its Coalition partners in the Nationals on Sunday to negotiate a joint position. Many Sydney home buyers expect to pay less than sellers are asking, with one prestige area $2 million above what the typical buyer is searching for. The mismatch exists across the city, with listings sitting above buyer search prices even in outer suburbs, Domains Matching Demand Report released on Wednesday, shows. Of all Sydney regions, eastern suburbs-north, which includes Bondi Beach and Bronte, had the biggest mismatch. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone What it really illustrates is houses are at an affordability breaking point, said Domain chief of research and economics Dr Nicola Powell. Sydney remains Australias most affordability-stretched city, weve got listings sitting well above our buyer searches in pretty much every ring, even on the outer fringe, and I think that says a lot about how unattainable houses are. The trouble is that the revelations last week in the UKs conservative Telegraph came from a man who had been appointed to the BBCs own Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee to counter the allegation that it is a self-policing organisation. The whistleblower (if thats the appropriate term) is an experienced journalist and corporate media man, Michael Prescott. Yes, he was for 10 years the political editor of the Murdoch-owned Sunday Times, but hes a reputable journalist, with no obvious hostility to the BBC. As a public broadcaster, the ABC is vulnerable to the same attacks as the BBC. Credit: Getty It is his long letter to the BBC board that was leaked to the Telegraph. It details a series of criticisms of BBC coverage, mostly written not by Prescott but by the senior editorial adviser to the Standards Committee, veteran BBC reporter David Grossman. They target not just the BBCs coverage of the Trump-Harris presidential contest, but two other broad topics that conservatives have routinely accused the BBC of approaching with a kind of left-leaning groupthink: the Gaza War, especially the coverage by the BBCs Arabic Service; and its treatment of issues affecting transgender people. According to Prescott, BBC News has done nothing much to deal with the concerns raised, and in many cases simply refused to acknowledge there was an issue at all. If Prescotts allegations are well-founded (and they may not be), that was very unwise of the BBC. Former ABC chair Ita Buttrose was appalled when the ABC News rejected criticisms of a 2021 documentary. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen A parallel case thats nearer to home. In 2021, the ABC aired a three-part documentary series about the 1979 fire in the Ghost Train ride at Sydneys Luna Park, in which seven people died. In the documentarys third part, it raised allegations that the fire was set at the behest of underworld figure Abe Saffron, with the probable collusion of the then premier of NSW, Neville Wran (who died in 2014). Many of Wrans friends and colleagues were outraged. But their detailed complaints were dismissed by the ABCs internal complaints unit. The then chair of the ABC, Ita Buttrose, was unhappy. Former Four Corners reporter Chris Masters and academic Rodney Tiffen were asked to conduct an independent review of the Ghost Train Fire series. Loading They found that though the docos had many virtues, the production team did not have the evidence to justify the allegations against Wran. ABC News simply rejected that finding. Buttrose was appalled. She appointed an outsider former ACMA board member Fiona Cameron as a new independent ABC ombudsman, to take charge of the ABCs complaints system and rule on contentious issues. The ombudsman reports directly to the board, rather than to the managing director. So far, the system has worked quite well to counter the allegation that the ABC sits in judgment on its own output. If the 2023 complaints about the appointment of Antoinette Lattouf had been referred to the ombudsman, she would probably have pointed out that Lattouf had contravened no ABC rules or guidelines on air or on social media. Unfortunately, they were not. But imagine the furore if it emerged that the ombudsman had been filing critical reports on major issues for months, which ABC management had played down or dismissed. The BBC doesnt have an independent ombudsman. It does have its Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee, chaired by BBC chair Samir Shah, which as well as a panoply of top BBC execs (including Davie and Turness) has appointed two external editorial experts, one of whom was until last month Michael Prescott. His critique of the BBCs output has been manna from heaven for its many enemies. The usual voices are calling for abolition, or drastic cutbacks, or radical reform. Abolition wont happen: the BBC is still, by far, the UKs most trusted news outlet. But its charter is up for review in less than two years. Tim Davie had clearly had enough. His successor will have a hard row to hoe. Jonathan Holmes is a former executive producer of the ABCs Four Corners and 7.30 Report, a former presenter of Media Watch, and is currently a Director of ABC Alumni. Moscow: Russia says its forces have pushed deeper into the eastern Ukrainian cities of Pokrovsk and Kupiansk, with one video showing Russian soldiers rolling into Pokrovsk on motorbikes and even on the roofs of battered cars and vans. Moscow says taking Pokrovsk dubbed the gateway to Donetsk by Russian media would give it a platform to drive north towards the two biggest remaining Ukrainian-controlled cities in the Donetsk region, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. We are losing Pokrovsk, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko said on Tuesday. The Russians have broken into the city, he wrote on Telegram, alongside video showing Russian forces under the cover of the fog entering the city piled on an odd assortment of motorcycles, buggies and cars. CHANGCHUN, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Truckloads of newly-harvested corn are being transported to warehouses in northeast China's Jilin Province, marking China-developed high-protein corn varieties going from the laboratory to the field, with the aim to replace soybeans as livestock feed. Lishu, a major grain-producing county in Jilin, is among the pioneers to pilot such corn production. "Our corn looks no different from others, but the protein content is 3-4 percentage points higher than that of ordinary corn," said Qi Hongbo, head of an agricultural cooperative farm in Lishu. The veteran grain grower said that in the past, corn farmers only cared about factors such as yield, unit weight and water content. "This was the first year that the cooperative tried to grow high-protein corn," Qi noted -- adding that after planting for decades, he first heard this year that "high protein content" also matters. This agricultural exploration initiative in Lishu has begun via a contract farming mode, featuring centralized collection and storage for protein processing -- with the goal of providing a soybean substitute. Faced with uncertainty regarding soybean imports, brought about by a complicated international situation, China has been exploring various "soybean substitution" methods -- in addition to boosting the country's soybean breeding and production capacity. High-protein corn was first proposed as an alternative option for easing the country's soybean import reliance by a research team led by Yan Jianbing, president of Huazhong Agricultural University, located in Wuhan in central China. Based on the team's research and calculations, a one-percent increase in the protein content of corn could add about 2.8 million tonnes of protein -- which amounts to an increase of 7 million tonnes in soybean supply. Notably, if the protein content of corn is raised from the current 8 percent to 12 percent, China can reduce its annual soybean imports by nearly 30 million tonnes -- equivalent to one-third of its total soybean imports. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, China's soybean imports had registered 105 million tonnes in 2024, with an import value of 52.7 billion U.S. dollars. This figure also reflected an increase of 23.4 million tonnes from the 2015 level, revealing a growth rate of 28.7 percent. Soybean imports have accounted for more than 80 percent of the country's total grain imports in recent years, with this primarily needed as a protein source for feed. China boasts an annual output of nearly 300 million tonnes of corn, the country's top grain crop. However, the average protein content of Chinese corn stands at around 8 percent, which means it is difficult to meet the protein requirements for feed. Qi's farm achieved a "double high" in both corn yield and protein content this year, with the actual yield reaching 13,500 kilograms per hectare and their protein content amounting to 11.67 percent. Liu Xiangguo, director of the Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology of Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said the academy has led breeding research initiatives for several new high-protein corn varieties suitable for local production -- which have demonstrated both good adaptability and high yields in the fields. "This year marks the first year of the industrialization of high-protein corn, which has progressed from the breeding stage to the establishment of a complete industrial chain," said Liu. However, currently there are just a few corn varieties with a stable protein content above 12 percent. Liu said test data has shown that right now their corn protein is very useful for feeding poultry and ruminant livestock, but that its protein ratio is still slightly lower than what is needed for feeding pigs. 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 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: If you do not look closely, it is easy to miss the children. They come and go during the day, a handful of boys and girls seeking refuge from the 43-degree heat. But at night, they are always there, their bodies curled up on the median strip near a petrol station in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The girl in the red dress is Dalia, a bubbly eight-year-old who learned English from YouTube videos. The baby whimpering for milk is Abudy, born 17 days earlier. Nearby is a wide-eyed toddler, still learning to look both ways before crossing the road. Kenyan mother Esther and her newborn son, Abudy. Credit: Iman Al-Dabbagh/The New York Times Their mothers, lying beside them, are Kenyan housekeepers and nannies. Their government encouraged workers like them to find jobs in Saudi Arabia and send their savings back to Kenya. They cleaned the houses and cared for the children of Saudi families. Like so many other Kenyans employed in Saudi homes, they faced abuse, exploitation and neglect. But other women, when they are desperate, can go home. These women cannot. They had children outside of marriage. And now they are trapped. Advertisement In this conservative Islamic kingdom, where an unmarried mother can be jailed for an illegal pregnancy, it is as if their children do not exist. Without identification documents, they are banished to the fringes of society. Yet they cannot leave the country, either. Police officers, shelter workers and diplomats turned the mothers away. Finally, they came to the gas station. It made no sense, but rumour had it that this was the one place where single mothers could be deported with their children. I tried to leave, says Fanice, 32, Dalias mother. But its been impossible. Fanice and her daughter, Dalia, in Riyadh. Credit: Iman Al-Dabbagh/The New York Times Despite a decade of social transformation in Saudi Arabia, unwed pregnancy remains a taboo that exists in a legal grey area. The children of unmarried immigrants face unique perils. They are routinely deprived of birth certificates, medical care and education, in violation of Saudi and international law, a New York Times investigation found. Kenyan women and children suffer in particular, the Times found, because officials at the Kenyan embassy berate them, stonewall them or saddle them with years of paperwork to return home. Hundreds of children, and potentially many more, have been left in the lurch recognised by neither Saudi Arabia nor Kenya. These children are the victims of an exploitative industry that recruits African women to Saudi Arabia a pipeline from which Kenyan government officials personally profit through financial interests in staffing agencies. Hundreds of Kenyan women have been killed, and reports of rapes and beatings are common. Advertisement For those women who become pregnant, whether from an assault or a relationship, birthing a baby into legal limbo is a final cruelty. With no path forward, some contemplate giving up their children. At least as wards of the state, they would receive identity documents and an education. Other mothers stay in Saudi Arabia indefinitely, raising their children in a country where they struggle to access schooling and routine vaccinations. Dalia plays with a doll her mother found in the rubbish. Credit: Iman Al-Dabbagh/The New York Times This life is no good, says Dalia, who passes her days playing with dolls that her mother collects from the rubbish. All of this flies in the face of a Saudi law that codifies the rights of children unequivocally, regardless of their immigration status or lineage to identification documents, medical care and education. The law deems a child born to a non-Saudi mother in an irregular or undocumented manner to be affiliated with the mother and to bear her nationality, and a birth certificate is issued for such child accordingly, the Saudi governments Centre for International Communication said in a statement to the Times. Advertisement But the government offers no public pathway for unmarried mothers to register their births. The kingdom has no birthright citizenship, and a top official at a major maternity hospital in Riyadh said that he was unsure how a single mother could get a birth certificate, but that the process would involve the police. Kenyas Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs did not respond to repeated requests for comment. This account is based on interviews with 25 East African women who became pregnant or gave birth in Saudi Arabia, as well as diplomats, educators, human rights activists and Saudi and Kenyan officials. Mothers still in Saudi Arabia are being identified only by first names to protect them from retaliation in the country. Esther finds shelter with her newborn, Abudy, on a median strip in Riyadh. Credit: Iman Al-Dabbagh/The New York Times When these women have nowhere else to go, their final harbour is the petrol station. Their numbers vary, but usually three or four children are here, darting around or clinging to their mothers. The newest arrival is Esther, 39, the mother of the newborn Abudy. He was conceived during Esthers relationship with an Egyptian driver, and she was briefly jailed after giving birth. Caressing her sons tiny hands, Esther says she cannot understand why he has to face the consequences of her actions. Advertisement This baby is innocent, she says. He knows nothing. The unlicensed centres that care for children for weeks Inside a beige apartment building, the laughs and cries of a dozen children can be heard. Loading A four-year-old boy bounces off the walls. A plump baby sits on a caretakers lap. And a three-year-old girl sits to fasten her gold Mary Janes, wrestling them onto the wrong feet. Her name is Precious. This unlicensed day care in Riyadh is one of many that have sprung up to meet the needs of Kenyan single mothers. Children play and sleep here for weeks on end while their mothers work as live-in cleaners, cooks and nannies, returning to see them on their days off. Licensed schools and nurseries require a birth certificate or another form of identification to enrol a child. Most of these children have none. Advertisement The man formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani left the White House about two hours later and greeted a throng of supporters gathered outside under the watchful eye of his large security detail. Trump and Sharaa first met in May in Saudi Arabia. At the time, the US president described Sharaa as a young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past, very strong past. Fighter. Sharaa shakes hands with Trump in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May. Credit: AP/Saudi Royal Palace This time, the pleasantries of the meeting remained closely guarded, but the US president is said to have agreed to lift sanctions against the state for 180 days. Pictures later released by the travelling delegation showed the two leaders shaking hands and smiling in the Oval Office. JD Vance, the US vice president, was also in attendance. At a later event, Trump praised the Syrian mission he had hosted, but ignored reporters questions about whether any deals had been made. Hes a very strong leader, he said in the Oval Office. He comes from a very tough place, and hes a tough guy. I liked him. I get along with him ... the new president of Syria, and well do everything we can to make Syria successful. The last time Sharaa was officially a guest of the Americans was as an inmate in Iraqs military prisons between 2005 and 2011. For a while, he was held at Abu Ghraib, whose notorious regime of abuse can hardly have endeared him to the US cause. The exact reason for his arrest remains unclear, though he was reputed to be a skilled bomb maker and is alleged to have been caught planting roadside bombs targeting US troops. After returning to Syria in 2011, as the uprising against Assad began, he founded a Syrian branch of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadis Islamic State movement. His groups suicide attacks against regime targets killed hundreds of civilians. He could be a valuable ally. He could be the devil incarnate. A former Western diplomat who served in the Middle East Later, after falling out with Baghdadi who was killed on Trumps orders in 2019 Sharaa realigned himself with al-Qaeda. Given this chequered past, some question the wisdom of Trumps courtship of the Syrian leader. Its a colossal gamble, says a former Western diplomat who served in the Middle East. He could be a valuable ally. He could be the devil incarnate. Loading Trump has chosen to give him the benefit of the doubt. Last week, the United Nations Security Council backed a US resolution lifting sanctions on Sharaa. Ahead of their meeting, the US president said: I think hes doing a very good job. Its a tough neighbourhood, and hes a tough guy, but I get along with him very well. Trump may govern by instinct on occasion, but his embrace of the Syrian leader is unlikely to be based on mere hunch. There are clear strategic advantages to a rapprochement. Spurning Sharaa could drive him towards Moscow and Tehran. By contrast, a Syria inside the Western fold could be less likely to permit Iran to resupply its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah through its territory, cutting the groups main lifeline. Damascus has already cancelled Russias naval access to the port of Tartous, undercutting the Kremlins reach in the Mediterranean. Sharaa waves to supporters outside the White House after his meeting with Trump. Credit: AP Sharaa also has incentives to align with Washington. He needs the goodwill of Turkey and Saudi Arabia Western allies crucial to Syrias reconstruction and has shown himself to be a pragmatist more interested in power than ideology. Those Westerners who met him as a jihadist commander believe he used political Islam as a vehicle for ambition rather than conviction. After carving out a fiefdom in Idlib in north-western Syria in the midst of the countrys civil war, he evolved from a hardline Islamist who banned Christmas and persecuted minorities into a leader who apologised to Christian clergymen and restored their property. Under Turkish encouragement, he allegedly began quietly co-operating with the CIA, MI6 and other Western services even while still on Washingtons terrorist list. At the Wests request, he detained wanted jihadists, particularly those linked to Europe, and is said to have allowed Western spooks to interrogate them in his jails. He may even have assisted the American operation that killed Baghdadi. Sharaa denies any intelligence ties, but he cultivated Western contacts. Such relationships have fuelled claims in jihadist circles that he is a Western intelligence asset claims that seem far-fetched. In reality, Syrias new president appears to be acting, as ever, in his own interests. For now, those interests align with Washingtons. Since seizing power, he has continued to restrain extremists and help foreign intelligence agencies pursue al-Qaeda and Islamic State cells. Loading Whether he can succeed is another question. Syria remains riddled with armed factions and Sunni extremists nominally loyal to his government have carried out atrocities against minorities, most notably targeting the Druze and Assads Alawites. Some analysts warn these militants could yet turn on Sharaa himself, reigniting civil war. For Washington, then, Syrias president is an unlikely ally but in a shattered country with few alternatives, the Trump administration appears to have concluded it is worth taking the risk. Watts account broadly matched the timeline that is laid out in the lawsuit. He said Dick Eastland and the camps night security guard, Glenn Juenke, met in the camps office within minutes after the weather service issued its alert, and were later joined by Edward Eastland. They convened the camps grounds crew to secure equipment, and then started coming up with a plan about 2am, Watts said. I was shocked to see Camp Mystic begin signing up campers for next year with so many questions unanswered about what happened. Dan Patrick, Texas lieutenant governor Camp Mystic announced in September that it would reopen next summer for its 100th year of operation, using a nearby second campus that the camp opened in 2020. The older part of the camp complex, where the flooding and deaths occurred, will not be open to campers in 2026. Many of the families of campers who died in the flooding objected to the reopening. They pointed out that the body of one camper, Cile Steward, was still unaccounted for, and they complained that they were given only a few hours notice before the announcement. Twin sisters Hanna (left) and Rebecca Lawrence were among the 25 young victims as the flood hit Camp Mystic. Credit: AP Texas passed a package of summer camp safety laws in September, a move championed by many of the parents of girls who died at Camp Mystic, who have banded together under the name Heavens 27. The Texas legislature announced in October that it would conduct a formal investigation into the July flooding in the Hill Country, which killed more than 130 people along the Guadalupe River, including those at Camp Mystic. I was shocked to see Camp Mystic begin signing up campers for next year with so many questions unanswered about what happened that fateful morning, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said in a statement announcing the investigation. The multifamily suit filed on Monday describes the camp leadership as eager to cut corners and preserve the illusion of safety, while building true generational wealth from the camps low overhead costs and millions of dollars in annual revenue. The flooded Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, on July 4, 2025. Credit: New York Times The Federal Emergency Management Agency determined in 2011 that much of Camp Mystic lay within a 100-year flood zone, meaning there was a 1 per cent chance in any given year that it would be flooded. The Eastlands successfully challenged the agencys maps, which would have designated the area of the camp as high-risk and required the owners to carry extra insurance. Loading The camps instructions to counsellors in the event of a flood were minimal, and reassured them that all cabins are constructed on high, safe locations. Instead of being trained in evacuation procedures, the lawsuit says, counsellors flipped through their manuals with Edward and Mary Liz Eastland and were told a flood was not going to happen. The suit condemns the camps actions after the flooding, beginning with the initial notices to the parents in the late morning of July 4 that their daughters were unaccounted for, sent at a time when some girls bodies had already been found. The lawsuit seeks to establish that Camp Mystic was in a region known as Flash Flood Alley, where serious floods were a regular and predictable occurrence. Flooding killed people in the area and prompted summer-camp evacuations numerous times during the decades that Dick Eastland and his wife, Tweety, lived at the camp. In 1985, Tweety Eastland had to be flown to a hospital to give birth because a flood had cut off road access. In the early hours of July 4, Richard and Edward Eastland met in the camps main office about 30 minutes after the weather services 1.14am warning of life-threatening flooding, and set the grounds crew to work securing equipment. About 2.20am, several counsellors ran to the two men to ask for help, reporting that water was pouring into Bug House, the cabin closest to the river. The men went to the cabin and told the girls there to lay towels down and to stay put in the cabin. About 2.30am, the lawsuit says, campers and counsellors from some cabins began evacuating to a large two-storey recreation hall a short distance away, and Richard and Edward Eastland took some girls there in their vehicles. But over the course of an hour, they were able to evacuate only five of 11 cabins in the flood zone, according to the suit. Some counsellors decided to evacuate their campers on their own, with the leaders of several cabins pulling girls through windows to escape and run up a nearby hill. They could hear screams for help from other cabins, the lawsuit says. Tweety Eastland and Edwards wife, Mary Liz Eastland, who are also leaders of the camp and are named as defendants in the lawsuit, were nowhere to be found throughout the flooding, the suit says. None of the defendants assisted or gave instructions to the many girls and counsellors who made their way to the second floor of the recreation hall until later in the morning, it says. It was about 3.51am, Watts said, when Dick Eastland was swept away in his SUV, which an unnamed counsellor cited in the suit said was full of campers from Bubble Inn, another flooded cabin. No one in the vehicle survived. Loading The camps supporters have characterised Eastland as a hero who died trying to save children during what the camp has called a 1000-year weather event. The lawsuit calls him grossly negligent for loading children into a vehicle in waist-deep and then neck-deep water and then attempting to drive. Driving through floodwaters violated the advice of experts, including the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, a state agency on whose board Eastland was serving at the time of his death. About the same time that Dick Eastland went to Bubble Inn, Edward Eastland went to Twins, a pair of adjoining cabin buildings where girls had been told to stay put, even though they could see that other cabins nearby were being evacuated to the recreation hall, according to the lawsuit. The girls in Twins climbed to the top bunks to try to stay above the water. Some swam out of the cabin to try to reach safety; others were swept out by the water. Edward Eastland was swept through a door to a tree along with several girls, where they held on until the morning. The girls clinging to the tree watched in horror as their friends floated by, begging for help, the suit says. Eleven girls from Twins were killed. It was always likely to end this way. US government shutdowns are so common that they have a known rhythm. The side making demands will hold out for as long as they can, until they eventually cave to reality. They will inevitably bank some minor concession and pretend its a huge win. The Democrats Senate leader Chuck Schumer. Progressive Democrats are calling for him to resign. Credit: AP After more than 40 days, this shutdown the longest ever is set to end after a group of breakaway Democrats, and one independent who caucuses with them, struck a deal with Republicans (who control Congress and the White House). Democrats were refusing to reopen the government until Republicans agreed to extend healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act a signature reform under Barack Obama that are beginning to expire. Without this, premiums will skyrocket for millions of Americans. PHILIPSBURG:--- Six Members of Parliament have issued an urgent request for a Public Meeting to address what they describe as "systemic neglect" of the nation's fire and ambulance personnel. The call to action, outlined in a formal letter to the Chairlady of Parliament, highlights a prolonged labor dispute that the MPs warn is escalating into a threat to public safety and national stability. The letter dated November 10th, 2025, and signed by MPs Omar E.C. Ottley, Francisco A. Lacroes, Lyndon C. Lewis, Egbert J. Doran, Ardwell M.R. Irion, and Darryl T.J. York invoke constitutional articles to demand the urgent session. At the heart of the issue is a sustained "go-slow" action by fire and ambulance workers that began on April 14th, 2025. According to the letter, this protest is a "stand of solidarity" and a "cry for fairness, recognition, and justice." The MPs state that the ongoing situation is no longer an isolated labor issue but a symptom of deeper problems that demand immediate government intervention. The parliamentarians are calling for the Prime Minister, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, and the Minister of Justice to be summoned to Parliament. The goal is to provide a full account of the situation and present a clear course of action to resolve the dispute. The letter outlines four key demands that require resolution: Correct placement of all personnel within the official Function Book. Enforcement of established career paths within the emergency service departments. The application of retroactive measures where they are due. A binding, time-specific written commitment from the government to execute these measures without further delay. The MPs expressed grave concern about the timing of the unrest, noting that Sint Maarten is entering its peak tourism season. They warn that the continued uncertainty within the emergency services poses a "direct risk to public confidence, economic stability, and the nations reputation." The letter concludes with a strong reminder of Parliament's constitutional duty to hold the Executive accountable and safeguard the people of Sint Maarten before the matter "deepens into a crisis." The request emphasizes that the time for dialogue has passed and that decisive action is now essential to restore trust and ensure the continuity of critical emergency services. Click here to view the letter submitted to Parliament. Press Release from Business Wire: Megaport Limited (AFP) Nov 10, 2025 BRISBANE, Nov 10, 2025 (BSW) - Megaport Limited (ASX: MP1), the world's leading Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) provider, today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Latitude.sh, a leading global Compute-as-a-Service company delivering high-performance CPU and GPU infrastructure on demand. Following completion of the acquisition, the combined capabilities will create a global platform that unites Megaport's private, high-speed connectivity fabric with Latitude.sh's compute infrastructure, enabling enterprises to rapidly deploy and connect critical workloads across more than 1,000 data centres in 26 countries. "Megaport has long been trusted by the world's largest enterprises to move workloads seamlessly between data centers and the cloud," said Michael Reid, CEO of Megaport. "By bringing Latitude.sh into the fold, we're extending that promise beyond the network, and into high-performance, optimized compute, complementing cloud providers. Together, we will not only serve the massive traditional compute market but will also open the door to the explosive AI infrastructure space and the hyper-growth market of inference." Gui Soubihe, CEO of Latitude.sh, added: "This is a tremendous opportunity to extend our compute platform-capable of deploying dedicated CPUs and GPUs on demand-into the world's largest Network-as-a-Service provider. The combination of Latitude.sh's on-demand optimized compute with Megaport's global private high-speed network will create a cutting-edge globally automated Infrastructure-as-a-Service platform." Latitude.sh provides high-performance CPU and GPU infrastructure, in 20 key markets across 10 countries, combining simplicity, speed, and scalability. With developer-friendly APIs, predictable billing, and the ability to deploy workloads in as little as five seconds, the platform empowers Latitude's 1150+ customers to scale compute resources for enterprise applications, high-performance blockchain nodes, SaaS, gaming, adtech, and streaming services. With an advanced fleet of over 7700 servers and dedicated NVIDIA AI clusters, Latitude supports inference, fine-tuning, and training workloads for startups, large enterprises, and service providers alike. By integrating Latitude.sh into Megaport's global private high-speed network, enterprises will be able to spin up compute and seamlessly interconnect it with clouds, partners, and over 1000 data centers worldwide. "This acquisition marks a new chapter for Megaport," Reid continued. "We are building an industry-leading platform where network and compute converge globally. This positions Megaport at the heart of the hybrid cloud and AI-driven future." The transaction is expected to close on or before 31 December 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and approvals. About Megaport Megaport is changing how businesses connect their infrastructure, with one smart and simple platform to manage every connection. Build secure, scalable, and agile networks in just a few clicks, accessing global endpoints and creating private paths in minutes. Trusted by the world's leading companies, Megaport partners with global service providers, DC operators, systems integrators, and managed services companies, and operates in 1000+ enabled locations worldwide. Megaport is ISO/IEC 27001 certified. Get connected at megaport.com. About Latitude.sh Latitude.sh is a global Compute-as-a-Service platform that delivers high-performance, optimized CPU and GPU compute infrastructure in seconds. With a developer-first experience and a globally distributed footprint, Latitude.sh enables enterprises and innovators to scale AI, cloud-native, and enterprise workloads faster and more efficiently. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251110715690/en/ Contact Media EnquiriesAdam Hennessy, Senior Director - Brand & Communications, MegaportPhone: +61 7 3088 7400[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. ISTANBUL, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police detained 12 suspects on Tuesday in simultaneous raids targeting the Islamic State (IS), state media reported. Counterterrorism teams conducted coordinated raids at 17 locations in nine districts across Istanbul, seizing a large amount of digital material and organizational documents, according to the state-run TRT broadcaster. Police found that the suspects had been using a closed, internet-based instant messaging app to distribute propaganda content, including bomb-making training videos. They also shared pro-IS materials on social media and were believed to be seeking to carry out terrorist acts, the report said. Police seized firearms and ammunition during the searches at those locations. Turkiye designated IS a terrorist organization in 2013 and has since suffered multiple attacks carried out by the group. In response, Ankara has conducted numerous counterterrorism operations both at home and abroad. Press Release from Business Wire: Aqemia (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 LONDON, Nov 11, 2025 (BSW) - Aqemia, a pioneering TechBio company combining generative AI and quantum-inspired physics to invent drugs, announces that Maximilien Levesque, CEO and co-founder, and Thea Vu-Bignand, VP Finance, will attend the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference, taking place in London from November 17 - 20, 2025. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251116540648/en/ With its physics-based generative AI platform for therapeutic molecule invention, QEMI, Aqemia can design novel drug candidates in a repeatable, frugal, and scalable way, with the ambition to deliver new therapies faster to patients who currently lack effective treatments, particularly in oncology. In this perspective, Aqemia remains focused on building value through its internal preclinical pipeline while forging partnerships that validate its platform and scientific edge. About Aqemia Aqemia is a drug invention company dedicated to creating novel molecules to address unmet medical needs. Its proprietary QEMI platform combines more than 12 years of physics-based research with state-of-the-art generative AI, enabling the launch of preclinical programs without relying on experimental data and accelerating discovery from day one. Aqemia's portfolio spans oncology, immunology, neurology, and cardiology, and includes both wholly owned programs and partnered programs with leading pharmaceutical companies, such as a multi-year, $150M strategic collaboration with Sanofi. The company's most advanced preclinical programs are currently undergoing in vivo optimization. Headquartered in Paris with an office in London, Aqemia has raised over $100 million since its inception. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251116540648/en/ Contact PressOrianne Bornand - Head of Communications+33 6 10 04 32 80 I [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. Press Release from Business Wire: Infobip (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 VODNJAN, Nov 11, 2025 (BSW) - Global communications platform Infobip forecasts over 3.9 billion messages exchanged between brands and customers this shopping season, marking a 15% increase year on year. This reflects how AI, mobile commerce, and rich messaging channels are powering more personalized shopping experiences. Rich Communication Services (RCS) will be the fastest-growing channel in 2025, with volumes rising 161% on Black Friday and 269% on Cyber Monday worldwide. SMS remains the leading retail channel with nearly 2.7 billion interactions. In the US, more than 1.9 billion SMS messages are expected, while RCS volumes surge to over 57 million, a dramatic increase from 2024. WhatsApp engagement is up 44%, and email volumes rise more than 50% on Cyber Monday. US consumers surveyed by Infobip plan to spend mainly between $250 and $1,000 on Black Friday. Across Europe, RCS volumes are expected to grow more than sixfold on Black Friday and fivefold on Cyber Monday, with WhatsApp nearly tripling. Email usage surges over 50%, supported by a 37% increase in SMS on Black Friday. UK consumers mostly plan Black Friday spending under pound250, with many willing to spend up to pound1,000, indicating strong retail engagement and combined sales reaching several billion pounds. Similarly, consumers in Italy, Spain, and Germany generally plan moderate spending between EUR250 and EUR500, reinforcing a healthy but cautious retail outlook. Email remains the dominant channel for promotions and confirmations in Europe, with Southern markets favoring SMS, and Northern markets showing growing openness to richer chat formats. "Black Friday and Cyber Monday have evolved from single-day events into month-long conversations,"said Ben Lewis, Vice President of Marketing & Growth at Infobip."With Apple adopting RCS and brands focusing on hyper-personalized experiences, AI-powered conversational commerce is transforming retailer-consumer engagement." Infobip's 2025 forecast underscores the growing impact of omni-channel communication in driving meaningful commerce. Discover more shopping season insights here: https://www.infobip.com/blog/shopping-season-survey About InfobipInfobip is a global cloud communications platform that enables businesses to build connected experiences across all stages of the customer journey. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111964195/en/ Contact For more information, contact:Marcelo Nahime[email protected] Bojana Mandic[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. Chinese censors order gay dating apps be pulled from stores: Apple Beijing, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 Chinese officials ordered the removal of two popular gay dating apps from mobile stores in the country, Apple confirmed to AFP on Tuesday. Same-sex couples cannot legally marry in China and discrimination remains widespread, with activists saying spaces for LGBTQ expression have all but vanished in recent years. Over the weekend, Chinese social media users pointed out that the full versions of apps Blued and Finka, which share a Hong Kong-based owner, had disappeared from the Apple and Android stores. An Apple spokesperson told AFP: "Based on an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China, we have removed these two apps from the China storefront only." The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) is the government's national internet regulator and top censor. In recent months it has penalised social media platforms over content management. "We follow the laws in the countries where we operate," the Apple spokesperson said. Earlier this year, the developer of Finka had "elected to remove the app from storefronts outside of China, and Blued was available only in China", the spokesperson added. On Tuesday, an express version of Blued remained available to download from Apple's Chinese app store. And while the full versions have been pulled from stores, existing users say the apps do not appear to be blocked. Newborn Town, owner of Blued and Finka, has not responded to AFP's request for comment. AFP was unable to immediately reach the CAC. Lawyer Zhao Hu, who has long campaigned for LGBTQ rights, told AFP that the CAC's decision was "unexpected", and questioned its legality. "Blued and Finka, both having been on the market for nearly a decade, were taken down without explanation," he said. If the apps were removed without the company's consent, this could be seen as an infringement of its interests, which would make it an unlawful act, Zhao added. Hu Zhijun, co-founder of PFLAG China, a group that campaigns for the acceptance of the LGBTQ community, said it was regrettable the apps had been removed. The apps helped gay men "lead better, more stable lives and find partners for intimate relationships", he told AFP. "They should have been seen as a positive thing and a socially beneficial initiative." In recent years, campaigners have witnessed the scope for LGBTQ organisations to offer services and activities steadily diminish in the country, while offline meeting spaces have disappeared. This ongoing trend of "isolation" has led to heightened anxiety and vulnerability within the community, said Hu. "This is profoundly detrimental to their mental wellbeing." ll-em-mya/reb/ami Press Release from Business Wire: TOURISE (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 RIYADH, Nov 11, 2025 (BSW) - With the bold ambition to rewrite the rules of travel, the inaugural TOURISE Summit under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister was officially opened today by H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of TOURISE. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111716065/en/ His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism and Chairman of TOURISE, opens the inaugural TOURISE Summit in Riyadh. TOURISE ushers in a new era for global tourism, uniting ministers, delegates, and visionaries from around the world as the premier platform dedicated to shaping the future of global tourism. Taking place from November 11-13, 2025, immediately following the 50th United Nations Tourism General Assembly, TOURISE is reimagining the way that sectors interact to find opportunities where competitors become partners where investments are optimized and where fragmented silos converge. The event aims to turn bold ideas into real-world solutions and catalyze transformative initiatives that will shape the next 50 years of the global tourism sector. During his opening speech today, H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb noted that there has never been a more urgent or opportune moment for convergence of sectors to shape global tourism, with the tourism sector having rebounded to historic highs, with international arrivals and investment surpassing pre-pandemic levels. However, he cautioned that at the same time, the sector faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities: rapid technological disruption, a generational shift toward sustainable and experience-driven travel, and an imperative to build resilience in the face of economic and environmental uncertainty and growing fragmentation around the globe. His Excellency recognised that TOURISE has arrived at this inflection point, when the world is hungry for new models, new partnerships, and new solutions. "TOURISE is more than an event, it is a platform for action where we will solve for the challenges all together that have long limited tourism's full potential among them are challenges in skills, investment, infrastructure, sustainability, and digital transformation. It's a space where we will work hand in hand to deliver the best outcomes for everyone: returns for investors; more accessible destinations and affordable experiences for travelers; jobs and prosperity for communities as the demand for travel increases. We are not here just to discuss ideas. We are here to act. That is why TOURISE exists." Over the course of its three days, TOURISE is set to host a number of key panels and talks featuring global leaders from across sectors. Notable global speakers include: -- Ariane Gorin, CEO, Expedia -- Ambassador Patricia Espinosa, Founder, onepoint5 -- Gloria Guevara, Interim CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council -- Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, Incoming Secretary General of UN Tourism -- Luis Maroto, CEO, Amadeus -- Francis Suarez, Mayor, Miami -- Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports -- Lucia Penrod, Co-Founder & Owner, Nikki Beach -- Sebastien Bazin, CEO, Accor -- Eduardo Santander, CEO, European Travel Commission (ETC) -- Harvey Goldsmith CBE, Founder, Nvisible Productions -- Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Heathrow Airport -- Steve Hafner, Co-Founder & CEO, Kayak.com The speaker line up showcases how TOURISE unites leaders from sectors rarely seen together, creating counterintuitive, boundary-breaking collaborations. These convergences are not just novel; they are the engine for new business models, improved traveler experiences, sustainable destination development and investment strategies that could only emerge from such a unique, multi-sector platform. The Summit will cover the big questions redefining travel's future from AI-powered experiences and frictionless borders to destination design, investment, and the race for tomorrow's travelers, and transform them into action through high-powered ministerial dialogues, boardroom dialogues, main-stage keynotes and innovation showcases. The winners of the very first TOURISE Awards will also be announced this evening, recognizing those places that exemplify destination excellence and cater to the evolving expectations of the modern traveler. Powered by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, TOURISE is more than a three-day summit, it is an always-on, global platform. Crucially, the conversations sparked in Riyadh will continue year-round platform through collaboration and cross-sector partnerships, turning bold ideas into real-world solutions. About TOURISE TOURISE is the world's premier platform shaping a new horizon for global tourism. Powered by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, the inaugural TOURISE Summit will take place 11-13, November 2025 in Riyadh. TOURISE will convene visionaries from government, business, investment, tourism and technology communities to deliver high impact initiatives and transformative deals that will reset the industry and build a tourism sector that is sustainable, equitable, and future-focused. Physically exclusive and digitally inclusive, TOURISE will ensure broad global participation while providing targeted access to visionaries shaping the future of global tourism. Following the Summit, TOURISE will extend as a year-round platform where bold ideas become real-world solutions. This is where the next 50 years of tourism are shaped. Together, we are unstoppable. For more information about TOURISE, visit www.TOURISE.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111716065/en/ Contact For further details 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. Press Release from Business Wire: Rigaku Holdings Corporation (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 TOKYO, Nov 11, 2025 (BSW) - Rigaku Holdings Corporation (Headquarters: Akishima, Tokyo; CEO: Jun Kawakami; hereinafter "Rigaku") issued its inauguralIntegrated Report 2025 (hereinafter "the Report") on the Rigaku website. The report serves as a medium for integrated communication with all stakeholders. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111995654/en/ Integrated Report cover The Report provides an overview of Rigaku's investments, technological innovations, business activities, and global growth strategy. It also presents Rigaku's financial and non-financial performance for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. Rigaku invites readers to explore the Report to learn about its contributions to global technological advancement through X-ray diffraction solutions. Rigaku continues to strive to become a "One-of-a-Kind Global Technology Company." The full Report can be found at: https://rigaku-holdings.com/english/ir/reports/ -0- *T Comment by CEO Jun KawakamiWe launched the Report out of a strong desire to deepen stakeholders' understanding about Rigaku's true identity as a company. This Report aims to showcase Rigaku's portfolio of advanced technologies grounded in X-ray science, along with the corporate culture, values, and clear vision that support them. We hope that, by reading about the challenges Rigaku employees tackle every day, stakeholders will gain an overall understanding of Rigaku.*T About the Rigaku Group Since its establishment in 1951, the engineering professionals of the Rigaku group have been dedicated to benefiting society with leading-edge technologies, notably including its core fields of X-ray and thermal analysis. With a market presence in 136 countries and regions and some 2,000 employees from 9 global operations, Rigaku is a solution partner in industry and research analysis institutes. Our overseas sales ratio has reached approximately 70% while sustaining an exceptionally high market share in Japan. Together with our customers, we continue to develop and grow. As applications expand from semiconductors, electronic materials, batteries, environment, resources, energy, life science to other high-tech fields, Rigaku realizes innovations "To Improve Our World by Powering New Perspectives." For details, please visit rigaku-holdings.com/english View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251111995654/en/ Contact Press Contact:Sawa HimenoDirector, Communications Dept., Rigaku Holdings Corporation[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. Google unveils $6.4 bn investment in Germany Berlin, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 Google unveiled its biggest-ever investment in Germany on Tuesday, pledging 5.5 billion euros ($6.4 billion) for a new data centre and other projects, as Europe seeks to catch up in the AI race. It comes after AI chip juggernaut Nvidia and Deutsche Telekom last week announced plans for a high-tech hub in Germany aimed at helping industry speed up adoption of artificial intelligence. The cash injections are a boost for Germany, whose economy is struggling, as well as Europe as it seeks to catch up with AI leaders the United States and China. "We are driving growth in Germany," Chancellor Friedrich Merz said as Google announced the investments, which are to be made by 2029. "Our country is and will remain one of the most attractive places for investment in the world," he said. Google's plans include a new data centre and expansion of an existing centre in the western state of Hesse, providing computing power for artificial intelligence. It also plans to expand its offices in Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich, and outlined various projects aimed at reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. These included buying renewable wind and solar energy and a "heat recovery project" that would see excess heat produced by a data centre re-used by local residents. The plans will support around 9,000 jobs a year in Germany, Google said. "Google is deepening its roots in Germany, extending our investments in the country and creating new avenues for AI-driven transformation," said Philipp Justus, Google's country manager for Germany. - Boost the digital sector - Merz's coalition, which took power this year, is seeking to attract more foreign investment to boost the digital sector with prospects for the country's traditional industrial titans increasingly bleak. The recently unveiled Nvidia project involves a one-billion-euro investment for a computing hub in the southern city of Munich designed to enable European companies, from big industry players to start-ups, better access to AI. Germany is quickly building up its data centres -- by 2030, the country's data centre computing power will increase by 70 percent, according to digital business association Bitkom. Europe still lags far behind, however -- as of last year the continent's data centres had computing capacity of 16 gigawatts, compared with 48 in the US and 38 in China, according to the group. While the investments will be broadly welcomed in Germany as Merz seeks to reboot the economy, some are nevertheless concerned about the reliance on US tech giants in sensitive areas such as AI. Increasingly uneasy ties between Europe and the US since President Donald Trump returned to power have fuelled calls for more "digital sovereignty" -- meaning the region's data should be stored at home, where European rules and norms apply, rather than handed to US firms. Google made a nod to these concerns on Tuesday, emphasising in its announcement that it offered "sovereign" cloud computing that allowed customers to adopt "AI capabilities, while adhering to local requirements and European values". Kristina Sinemus, a senior official responsible for digital affairs in Hesse, also played down concerns that working with US tech giants could threaten data security. "We don't automatically hand over all the data to the US with a US investor," she said, stressing that agreements could ensure data was kept at home. "We need to stop thinking in black and white terms, because it's a bit more complex than that." sr/fz/jxb Microsoft says to invest $10 bn in Portugal AI data centre Lisbon, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 Microsoft said Tuesday it intends to invest $10 billion from early next year in a mega data centre in Portugal dedicated to developing artificial intelligence infrastructure. The project, in partnership with British firm Nscale, which specialises in AI data centres, and with Start Campus, which has begun construction of a major data centre near the southern port of Sines, will see Microsoft install 12,600 of Nvidia's latest-generation chips. The company in a statement termed the scheme "one of the largest investments in AI computing capacity in Europe". In an interview with the Portuguese business daily Jornal de Negocios, Microsoft President Brad Smith said Portugal has emerged as a key European destination for data centre construction and investment. Smith is currently in Lisbon for the Web Summit, a key annual event in the hi-tech calendar, dubbed "Davos for geeks". In addition to a data centre powered by renewable energy, the Sines site has the advantage of being a link point for important submarine telecommunications cables linking the Americas to Europe. Regarding data centres, "demand in the AI field, particularly over the last five months, has become quite crazy," Nscale's product director, Daniel Bathurst, told AFP. For a player like Microsoft, "it's a race against time," he added. "We have the expertise, we have access to the energy, and we can implement this for them on time," he added in an interview on the sidelines of the Web Summit. tsc-tgb/dax/cw/rlp MICROSOFT US-China tensions weigh on Lisbon's Web Summit Paris, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 Global tech leaders packed Lisbon's annual Web Summit Tuesday to talk artificial intelligence, robots and startups -- all under the shadow of global tensions over cutting-edge hardware and software and the resources needed to build them. Lanyard-wearing visitors explored bright blue-and-pink stands under a grey November sky, on the lookout for the latest in quantum computing or humanoid robots. Over four days, the "Davos for geeks" is set to welcome over 70,000 visitors from 150 countries, including 2,500 startups and 1,000 investors, according to organisers. Microsoft grabbed the limelight Tuesday with an announcement of a $10-billion AI data centre it will build in Portugal with British firm Nscale. The company in a statement termed the scheme "one of the largest investments in AI computing capacity in Europe". "The demand, particularly over the last five months within the AI space has gone quite insane," Nscale's chief product officer Daniel Bathurst told AFP. - China on minds - China's climb towards tech dominance is in the thoughts of many attendees. "Half the world's computer scientists and computer engineers who are on the frontier of these technologies are in China," Nvidia's vice-president of simulation technology Rev Lebaredian told AFP. The American chip giant's chief executive Jensen Huang warned earlier this month that China "is going to win" the race to master next-generation artificial intelligence. He believes it will do so despite the fact that Nvidia's most advanced chips -- used to train and run AI systems -- are unavailable in China due to export restrictions. "If we try to exclude them, they will find a way to go develop the same things," Lebaredian said. "We will lose the opportunity to work with them and benefit from the work that they do." Web Summit founder Paddy Cosgrave had told attendees at Monday's opening night event that "this year, more than any year before, it's clear that the era of Western tech dominance is fading." - Robots and autonomous cars - Leading Chinese manufacturer Unitree was running demonstrations of its humanoid robots on Monday. And a few metres away, Chinese 3D printer maker Bambulab's stand showed off machines able to crank out physical objects within a few hours -- themselves designed based on text prompts to a generative AI model, rather than traditional software tools. Such uses show off a transition for AI from "purely software, abstract plays, into... the physical world," Lebaredian said. US speakers in the field will include Amazon Robotics boss Tye Brady and Robert Playter of Boston Dynamics. Uber's operations chief Andrew McDonald mused on stage about a "transition from a labor dominated industries... into entirely robot dominated" as the company gears up to work with Nvidia on self-driving cars. Waymo, a subsidiary of Google parent company Alphabet, has said its driverless vehicles will arrive in London next year. And several Chinese manufacturers including Baidu and Pony.ai have Europe in their sights for an automated car rollout. - AI and chips - The struggle for dominance may be fiercest in generative artificial intelligence. Tuesday speaker Cristiano Amon, boss of American chip developer Qualcomm, has announced AI chips squaring up to sector heavyweight Nvidia and challenger AMD. He talked about future phones as "just a big processor that runs AI". Monday's opening night had starred Swedish AI firm Lovable, one of several firms allowing users to create apps and websites via a chatbot without coding experience. "We're seeing 100,000 new products built on Lovable every single day," chief executive Anton Osika told attendees. - Tech sovereignty - In tech, "the competition has been intensifying and it's really hard," European Commission digital chief Henna Virkkunen told attendees, as the 27-nation EU is increasingly fearful for its technological sovereignty amid rising trade and political tensions. She highlighted 8,000 EU startups working on AI and called for a buy-European rule in public procurement, saying it was "important that we are not dependent on one country or one company when it comes to critical technologies." As the Commission pressures American and Chinese platforms to tighten measures for underage internet users, American games publisher Roblox -- whose game platform is popular with minors -- will outline how it plans to verify players' ages. dax/tgb/rl NVIDIA Amazon.com Uber Lyft GOOGLE Alphabet Inc. Baidu QUALCOMM AMD - ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES Trump II could be moment to break US tech power: author Lisbon, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 America's lashing out at trade partners under the second presidency of Donald Trump could prove the moment to break its tech firms' power beyond US borders, activist Cory Doctorow told AFP Tuesday. A 25-year veteran of digital rights campaigning and prolific sci-fi author, Doctorow is riding high on the success of his book "Enshittification", published in October and already through five printings. In it, he outlines how giant tech platforms such as Facebook, Uber or Amazon end up squeezing both their users and the businesses or workers who trade on them. The threat of hefty tariffs was used in the past to keep countries in Europe and around the world aligned with American policy that enables such abuses, Doctorow said on the sidelines of the Web Summit tech conference in Lisbon. "If the argument is, well, we had to do what they said, what they told us to, or they were going to burn our house down, they have burned your house down," he added. Intellectual property law in particular has been used by tech firms to defend what have become monopoly or near-monopoly positions, Doctorow argues. IP protection can make it illegal for users and traders to alter or reverse engineer the computer code that governs how they interact with platforms and products, such as how gig drivers or delivery riders are assigned jobs or whether machines will accept replacement parts from other manufacturers. Overthrowing this barrier "produces industrial policy and a consumer surplus, because everyone wants to buy the program that lets you put third-party ink in your printer... because it would be $10 a gallon, not $10,000 a gallon," Doctorow said. "A small number of countries, perhaps only one, is going to become synonymous with this kind of tool in the same way that Finland was synonymous with mobile phones for the decade of Nokia. "And it could launch a (national) tech sector into a stable orbit." - 'It could be here' - With its stronger tech regulation, a sense of urgency about technological sovereignty since Trump's re-election, and entrepreneurs and investors looking for a safe, consistent environment, "it could be here" in Europe, Doctorow said -- although he takes nothing for granted. IP law is just one of the ways the writer describes companies using their lobbying, legal and financial power to undermine four forces that usually check temptations to abuse their position: competition, regulation, interoperability and worker power. Doctorow added that he still had faith in the desire of rank-and-file tech workers -- like many of the attendees at Web Summit -- to make their products work for users rather than squeeze the maximum out of them. Many tech workers "had their own horizons radically expanded by access to digital technology. They learn the words to describe who they are, they escaped the milieu that they were born into, they encountered ideas... that changed the way they understood the world," he said. "Often, they're motivated by a sense of mission and a desire to bring that... empowerment to a bigger group of people, to users." tgb/cw Uber Amazon.com JAKARTA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono met with Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlic Radman in Jakarta on Monday to discuss strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to boosting trade, which reached 144.8 million U.S. dollars in 2024. They expressed optimism that the figure could double with closer cooperation and the signing of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA). "The I-EU CEPA agreement will contribute to the expansion and diversification of Indonesia-Croatia trade, while opening up opportunities for cooperation in the energy, digital economy, and manufacturing sectors," said Sugiono. The two sides also discussed investment cooperation in food security, agriculture, and industrial downstreaming, as well as collaboration in education, socio-cultural exchange, and labor mobility. Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Croatia were established in 1992. Iraqis vote in general election in rare moment of calm Baghdad, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 Iraqis elect a new parliament on Tuesday in a vote that comes at a pivotal time for the country and the wider region, and which both Iran and the United States will be closely watching. Iraq has been unusually stable in recent years, as the nation tries to move past decades of war and repression under slain dictator Saddam Hussein and since the US-led invasion that toppled him. But even now, the country of 46 million people suffers from poor infrastructure, failing public services and endemic corruption. Many have lost hope that elections can bring meaningful change to their daily lives and see the vote as a sham that only benefits political elites and regional powers. Polling stations will open at 7:00 am local time (0400 GMT) and close at 6:00 pm (1500 GMT). Despite the scepticism, more than 7,740 candidates, nearly a third of them women, are running for the 329-seat parliament. Only 75 independents are running under an electoral law that many believe favours larger parties. More than 21 million people are eligible to vote, but there are fears turnout could drop below the 41 percent registered in 2021 -- the lowest since voting began. "Every four years, the same thing happens. We don't see young faces or new energies" capable of "making a change," said university student Al-Hassan Yassin. - Sectarian politics - Over the years since US-led forces ousted Saddam Hussein, a Sunni, Iraq's long-oppressed Shiite majority still dominates, with most parties retaining ties to neighbouring Iran. By convention in post-invasion Iraq, a Shiite Muslim holds the powerful post of prime minister and a Sunni that of parliament speaker, while the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd. No new names have recently emerged, with the same Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish politicians remaining at the forefront. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who hopes for a second term after serving under the banner of stability and reconstruction, is likely to score a significant win. Sudani rose to power in 2022 by the Coordination Framework, a ruling alliance of Shiite parties and factions all linked to Iran. He has highlighted his success in keeping Iraq relatively unscathed by the turmoil engulfing the Middle East. But securing a big bloc does not guarantee him a second term: the next prime minister will be voted in by whichever coalition can secure enough allies to become the largest bloc. Although they run separately, Shiite parties within the Coordination Framework are expected to reunite after elections and pick the next premier. - Where's Sadr? - The ballot is marked by the absence of influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, who urged his followers to boycott what he called a "flawed election". In 2021, Sadr secured the largest bloc before withdrawing from parliament following a dispute with Shiite parties that did not support his bid to form a government, and instead came together to form a larger alliance. The rift culminated in deadly fighting in the capital, Baghdad. Sunni parties are running separately with the former speaker Mohammed al-Halbussi expected to do well. In the autonomous Kurdistan region, the rivalry between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan remains fierce. Iraq, which has long been a fertile land for proxy wars, is a close ally of Iran and the United States. It has long sought to maintain a balance between the two foes, and even more so now that the Middle East is undergoing an avalanche of change, with new alliances forming and old powers weakening. Even as its influence wanes, Iran hopes to preserve its power in Iraq -- the only close ally that stayed out of Israel's crosshairs after the heavy losses its other allies have incurred in Lebanon, Yemen and Gaza since 2023. Early last year, pro-Iran factions listed as terrorist groups by Washington yielded to internal and US pressure and stopped targeting American forces in Iraq after months of attacks over the Gaza war. Iraq has been under pressure from the United States to disarm the pro-Iran groups. The US, which holds much sway in Iraq and has forces deployed there, has recently appointed Mark Savaya as its special envoy. Savaya has called to free Iraq from Iran and its proxies' interference, which he described as "malign". What next after Iraq's general election? Baghdad, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 Iraqis head to the polls on Tuesday to elect a new parliament for a four-year term in a vote that will be closely watched in Washington and Tehran. Here is a look at what could come next and what the regional impact could be. - What happens after the vote? - Iraq's Supreme Court must first ratify the election results. Two weeks later, the newly elected members of parliament should convene for a swearing-in ceremony and to choose their speaker, who by convention should be a member from the Sunni community. Within 30 days of their first meeting, lawmakers should elect the country's president, who must be a Kurd and receive a two-thirds majority vote. The president then has to appoint within 15 days a prime minister, who will be named by the largest Shiite bloc, formed through post-election alliances. Once the prime minister is chosen, he has one month to form a government and present it to parliament for a vote of confidence. But these processes are often challenging, with deadlines frequently missed due to political bickering among rival factions. Parties tend to delay votes, opting instead for intensive talks, which can impact not only parliamentary proceedings but also cause unrest. - How is the government formed? - Naming a PM and forming a government has proven to be the most taxing post-election process. In previous parliaments, parties from the Shiite majority have struck compromise deals to work together and form a government. With an outright majority almost impossible to achieve by any single list, the next leader will be voted in by whichever coalition can attract allies and become the biggest bloc. In 2021, influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr's bloc emerged as the biggest winner in parliament but still fell far short of an outright majority. He withdrew from parliament following a dispute with Shiite parties that did not support his bid to form a majority government. Instead, influential parties came together under the umbrella of the Coordination Framework and formed a larger bloc of pro-Iran groups and factions that brought PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to power. - What is the regional impact? - Like his predecessor, the next prime minister will have to maintain the delicate balance between Iraq's allies, Iran and the US. Since the US-led invasion, Iran has seen its Shiite allies installed in Baghdad's halls of power. For more than two decades, Tehran has held a major sway in Iraqi politics. It does not only back influential politicians but also supports armed groups. But the "Iranians are the weakest they've been" since 2003, said political analyst Hamzeh Hadad. The past two years have seen Israel inflict heavy losses on Iran-backed groups including Palestinian militants Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Huthis in Yemen. Iran itself was on the receiving end of an unprecedented Israeli bombing campaign in June. Tehran has several interests in Iraq ahead of the vote: retaining its influence, challenging the US with powerful Tehran-backed armed groups, and keeping the Iraqi market open to products from its crippled economy. But the Iranians "know it is not in their best interest to show much public interference" in Iraq, their only close regional ally that stayed out of Israel's crosshairs, said Hadad. "Even when Iran is weak, it's not necessary that it has to flex. It has just become a natural response of Iraqi leaders to give Iran more precedence," he said. Washington on the other hand wants the opposite: to cripple Iran's influence. It has long pressured Iraq to disarm Iran-backed groups. By sanctioning Iraqi entities and banks, it has sought to undermine Iran's ability to evade sanctions -- a strategy it is expected to maintain after Tuesday's vote. Iraqis vote in general election in rare moment of calm Baghdad, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 Iraqis began voting for a new parliament on Tuesday at a pivotal time for the country and the wider region, in an election that both Iran and the United States will be closely watching. Iraq has been unusually stable in recent years, as the nation tries to move past decades of war and repression under slain dictator Saddam Hussein and since the US-led invasion that toppled him. But even now, the country of 46 million people suffers from poor infrastructure, failing public services and endemic corruption. Many have lost hope that elections can bring meaningful change to their daily lives and see the vote as a sham that only benefits political elites and regional powers. Polling stations opened at 7:00 am local time (0400 GMT) and close at 6:00 pm (1500 GMT), with preliminary results expected within 24 hours of closing. Just minutes after the polls opened, several senior politicians cast their votes at the luxurious al-Rasheed hotel in the capital, Baghdad. Despite the scepticism, more than 7,740 candidates, nearly a third of them women, are running for the 329-seat parliament. Only 75 independents are standing under an electoral law that many believe favours larger parties. More than 21 million people are eligible to vote, but there are fears turnout could drop below the 41 percent registered in 2021 -- the lowest since voting began. "Every four years, the same thing happens. We don't see young faces or new energies" capable of "making a change," said university student Al-Hassan Yassin. - Sectarian politics - Over the years since US-led forces ousted Saddam Hussein, a Sunni, Iraq's long-oppressed Shiite majority still dominates, with most parties retaining ties to neighbouring Iran. By convention in post-invasion Iraq, a Shiite Muslim holds the powerful post of prime minister and a Sunni that of parliament speaker, while the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd. No new names have recently emerged, with the same Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish politicians remaining at the forefront. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who hopes for a second term after serving under the banner of stability and reconstruction, is likely to score a significant win. Sudani rose to power in 2022 by the Coordination Framework, a ruling alliance of Shiite parties and factions all linked to Iran. He has highlighted his success in keeping Iraq relatively unscathed by the turmoil engulfing the Middle East. But securing a big bloc does not guarantee him a second term: the next prime minister will be voted in by whichever coalition can secure enough allies to become the largest bloc. Although they run separately, Shiite parties within the Coordination Framework are expected to reunite after elections and pick the next premier. - Where's Sadr? - The ballot is marked by the absence of influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, who urged his followers to boycott what he called a "flawed election". In 2021, Sadr secured the largest bloc before withdrawing from parliament following a dispute with Shiite parties that did not support his bid to form a government, and instead came together to form a larger alliance. The rift culminated in deadly fighting in Baghdad. Sunni parties are running separately with the former speaker Mohammed al-Halbussi expected to do well. In the autonomous Kurdistan region, the rivalry between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan remains fierce. Iraq, which has long been a fertile land for proxy wars, is a close ally of Iran and the United States. It has long sought to maintain a balance between the two foes, and even more so now that the Middle East is undergoing an avalanche of change, with new alliances forming and old powers weakening. Even as its influence wanes, Iran hopes to preserve its power in Iraq -- the only close ally that stayed out of Israel's crosshairs after the heavy losses its other allies have incurred in Lebanon, Yemen and Gaza since 2023. Early last year, pro-Iran factions listed as terrorist groups by Washington yielded to internal and US pressure and stopped targeting American forces in Iraq after months of attacks over the Gaza war. Iraq has been under pressure from the United States to disarm the pro-Iran groups. The US, which holds much sway in Iraq and has forces deployed there, has recently appointed Mark Savaya as its special envoy. Savaya has called to free Iraq from Iran and its proxies' interference, which he described as "malign". PHNOM PENH, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The overall impact of the current U.S. tariff imposed on Cambodian products will be negligible, but further tariff escalation would disrupt the labor market in the Southeast Asian country, according to a policy brief by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). "Economic modelling confirms that the current tariff is indeed manageable, while demonstrating that a higher tariff would have dire consequences for Cambodian families through unemployment and poverty," Milan Thomas, ADB country economist for Cambodia and lead author of the brief, said in a news release. On Aug. 1, the U.S. imposed a 19-percent tariff on all goods imported from Cambodia. "The high tariff would slow economic growth by nearly 1 percentage point, push over 100,000 people into unemployment, and increase the poverty rate by over 1 percentage point, reversing some of the recent progress in poverty reduction," the policy brief said. "The impact would be especially severe for workers in the garment and electronics sectors, who would likely move into lower-paying sectors like agriculture and basic services," it added. The brief recommended that, in the event of tariff escalation, temporary relief measures, including social transfers, employment services, and training programs, may need to be strengthened to ease labor market transitions and protect vulnerable populations. "In the longer term, ongoing investments in economic competitiveness through infrastructure, human capital, and business reforms will build Cambodia's resilience to future shocks," the brief said. Russia says 'ready' to discuss US accusations of secret nuclear tests Moscow, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday that Moscow was "ready" to discuss with Washington accusations by President Donald Trump that it had carried out secret underground nuclear tests. Tensions have risen between the world's two largest nuclear nations after the latest attempt to resolve the Ukraine war failed, with Russia carrying out tests of its nuclear-powered, nuclear-capable weapons systems and Trump saying he was ordering the test of atomic weapons. He accused Moscow of having secretly carried out nuclear detonations -- not just the testing of delivery systems, which all nuclear-armed states do regularly. "We are ready to discuss the suspicions raised by our American colleagues regarding the possibility that we might be secretly doing something deep underground," Lavrov told state media in a televised interview. He denied Trump's claims and said the United States could check whether Russia tested a nuclear warhead via the global seismic monitoring system. "Other tests, both subcritical, or those without a chain nuclear reaction, and carrier tests, have never been prohibited," Lavrov added. Trump accused both Russia and China of testing nuclear weapons in an interview with US broadcaster CBS News earlier this month, after abruptly shelving a proposed summit with Putin on Ukraine. But Lavrov said the two issues were not connected. "I would not mix the topic of nuclear tests with the topic of the Budapest summit," he said. He also said Moscow was still open to a possible meeting between Putin and Trump. "We are ready to discuss with our American colleagues the resumption of preparatory work for the proposed summit of the leaders of Russia and the United States." Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Putin in recent months over the Kremlin chief's refusal to halt his almost four-year offensive against Ukraine. 'Sayyid says': Influential Shiite cleric's supporters boycott Iraq vote Baghdad, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 When Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr gives an order, his supporters listen. On Tuesday, as many Iraqis lined up to cast their votes for a new parliament, that order was to skip the election entirely and spend the day with family instead. The effects of the influential preacher's directive were on full display in his Baghdad stronghold of Sadr City, where residents said they were spending a pointedly normal day. Not far from a polling station, when asked what they were up to, a group of men exclaimed in unison: "We are boycotting on the orders of Sayyid", a reference to the 52-year-old cleric, who has always shown a particular prowess for mobilising -- or demobilising -- loyalists. Sadr first announced the boycott months ago, and has since released several statements accusing the political class of corruption and resisting reforms. "Out of love and obedience, I am boycotting the election on Sayyid Moqtada Sadr's orders," said one of the men near the polling place, Hatem Kazem, 28, who closed his car accessories shop and took the day off. "We are boycotting to bring about change," he added "We lack good hospitals or schools. We just want to be like other countries." - 'Family day' - Sadr, whose photo is displayed on walls all across the district that bears his family's name, retains a devoted following of millions among Iraq's majority Shiite population. At his call, his supporters fill the streets, and disperse within minutes when he tells them to withdraw. In the days leading up to the vote, he issued almost daily messages addressed to supporters and rivals alike, such as: "May those already tested not be tested again," and "God, do not make me one of the corrupt." On Monday, a close associate quoted him as advising his supporters to only leave home on election day out of "absolute necessity". "Let your day be a family day," he told them. Many heeded the call and responded on social media, where videos circulated showing men cooking or cleaning the dishes. Taxi driver Dia Hassib, 45, said he was boycotting not only because Sadr said so, but also because there has been no improvement in the country, which suffers from poor infrastructure and failing public services. "The same poverty and no jobs," he said, adding that Sadr's "path is correct -- we are boycotting because nothing is changing". In 2021, Sadr's bloc emerged from elections as the biggest parliamentary faction. But soon after, he withdrew from parliament over a dispute with rival Shiite parties that culminated in deadly fighting in Baghdad. - 'If he says die, we die' - Sadr, who once led a militia against American and Iraqi government forces, has made several reversals over the years, and he has announced on several occasions that he is withdrawing from politics. His family history has made him beloved among many Iraqis. He is the son of Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Sadek Sadr, whom former dictator Saddam Hussein had assassinated in 1999. Despite opposing various governments and their backers, Sadr has always had allies at the highest levels of ministries and other institutions. To his followers, meanwhile, he is a champion of the fight against corruption. Abbas Ali, a 21-year-old tuk-tuk driver, said "our country is wealthy but corruption is rampant and young people can't find jobs". "I burned my voting card," he added, saying he was answering Sadr's call. "Whatever the Sayyid says, we do. If he says die, we die. If he says live, we live." Iraqis vote in general election at crucial regional moment Baghdad, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 Iraqis voted for a new parliament on Tuesday at a pivotal time for the country and the wider region, in an election that both Iran and the United States will be closely watching. Iraq, which has long been a fertile land for proxy wars, has only recently regained a sense of stability, as it tries to move past decades of war since the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. But even now, the country of 46 million people suffers from poor infrastructure, failing public services, mismanagement and endemic corruption. Polling stations closed at 6:00 pm (1500 GMT), with preliminary results expected within 24 hours of closing. Yet many have lost hope that elections can bring meaningful change to their daily lives and see the vote as a sham that only benefits political elites and regional powers. No new names have recently emerged, with the same Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish politicians remaining at the forefront. More than 21 million people were eligible to vote for the 329-seat parliament, but many may have boycotted the polls amid deep distrust in the country's political class. The electoral commission has yet to announce the turnout. For Mohammed Mehdi, a public servant in his thirties, voting is a right and a means to achieve change. While he does not blame those who chose to boycott, he said after casting his vote in Baghdad that politicians have spent heavily to win votes, "proving my vote is valuable -- so I will use it." - Boycott - The ballot is marked by the absence of influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr who has urged his followers to boycott the vote, which might also contribute to low turnout. The mercurial Sadr accused those in power of being "corrupt" and unwilling to reform. A close associate quoted him as urging his followers to stay home and treat election day as a "family day". In 2021, Sadr secured the largest bloc before withdrawing from parliament following a dispute with Shiite parties which culminated in deadly fighting in Baghdad. Over the years since US-led forces ousted Saddam Hussein, a Sunni, Iraq's long-oppressed Shiite majority still dominates, with most parties retaining ties to neighbouring Iran. By convention in post-invasion Iraq, a Shiite Muslim holds the powerful post of prime minister and a Sunni that of parliament speaker, while the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who hopes for a second term, is likely to score a significant win. Sudani rose to power in 2022 with the backing of the Coordination Framework, a ruling alliance of Shiite parties and factions all linked to Iran. But with a single party or list unlikely to achieve an outright majority, he must win the support of whichever coalition can secure enough allies to become the largest bloc. Although they run separately, Shiite parties within the Coordination Framework are expected to reunite after elections and pick the next premier. Sudani has touted his success in keeping Iraq relatively unscathed by the turmoil engulfing the Middle East. - Delicate balance - The next prime minister will have to maintain the delicate balance between Iraq's allies, Iran and the US, even more so now that the Middle East is undergoing seismic changes, with new alliances forming and old powers weakening. Even as its influence wanes, Iran hopes to preserve its power in Iraq -- the only close ally that stayed out of Israel's crosshairs after the heavy losses its other allies have incurred in Lebanon, Yemen and Gaza since 2023. Tehran has meanwhile focused on other interests in Iraq -- challenging the US with powerful Tehran-backed armed groups, and keeping the Iraqi market open to products from its crippled economy. Washington, which holds much sway in Iraq and has forces deployed there, conversely hopes to cripple Iran's influence, and has been pressuring Baghdad to disarm the pro-Iran groups. On the ground however, Iraqis appeared torn between their hopes for change and disillusionment with the process. "We have unemployment and people are tired, we need progress," said Ali Abed, 57, after casting his vote in the northern city of Mosul. Others meanwhile chose to boycott. "We have never seen anything good come from these politicians," said Ali al-Ikabi, a 25-year-old tuk-tuk driver. More than 7,740 candidates, nearly a third of them women and only 75 independents, are standing under an electoral law that many believe favours larger parties. Sunni parties are running separately, with the former speaker Mohammed al-Halbussi expected to do well. In the autonomous Kurdistan region, the rivalry between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan remains fierce. Niger junta thanks rival Libya govt for hostage liberation Niamey, Niger, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 Niger's junta has thanked the forces of Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar for helping to free five hostages held by fighters aiming to undo the west African country's coup, state media reported Tuesday. Their liberation is the latest sign of collaboration between Haftar's administration, which rivals the United Nations-backed government in Tripoli, and the Nigerien junta, which has turned its back on the West since seizing power in a coup. Niger and Libya share a 342-kilometre (210-mile) border across a vast desert region home to armed groups hostile to the junta and known for the smuggling of migrants, weapons and drugs. A prefect and four soldiers were abducted near the Libyan border by the Patriotic Front for Justice (FPJ), which fights for the return to power of Niger's democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum, toppled by the junta in July 2023. "The five ex-hostages kidnapped in June 2024 in the north of Niger have arrived in Niamey aboard a plane after the liberation thanks to the involvement and support of the Libyan authorities in Benghazi," national broadcaster Voix du Sahel reported Tuesday. Haftar's Benghazi-based government seized control of the south and east of Libya in the unrest following the aftermath of the NATO-backed uprising that saw the downfall of longtime leader Moamer Kadhafi. Welcoming the freed captives on their arrival in the capital on Sunday, Niger's Interior Minister, General Mohamed Toumba, thanked Haftar's son, General Saddam Haftar, for his "involvement in the release of the hostages kidnapped by criminal bandits". Saddam Haftar had visited Niger in May, holding a meeting with the head of the junta, General Abdourahamane Tiani. While the junta has not disclosed the circumstances or release date of the five hostages, the Nigerien press reported the quintet were freed at the end of October and then taken to the southern Libyan town of Qatrun. Commander Amadou Torda, the prefect of Bilma in north Niger, was among those abducted on June 21, 2024, according to the interior ministry. Along with the other hostages, Torda was filmed in a video released in July 2024, in which the prefect said they were being held by the FPJ. In February Haftar's forces arrested another anti-junta leader, Mahamoud Sallah, whose Patriotic Liberation Front (FPL), has claimed several attacks against the army in Bilma, as well as the sabotage of a crucial crude oil pipeline to Benin. Former army top brass slam UK govt N.Ireland legacy bill London, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 Nine retired British generals on Tuesday warned that a government bill to tackle the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland was a "threat to national security" that undermines the armed forces. The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill recently began its passage through the UK parliament in London and if passed, could lead to the prosecution of former soldiers who served during "The Troubles". Three decades of sectarian violence over British rule in Northern Ireland led to the deaths of 3,500 people until a peace deal was signed in 1998. How to deal with the painful legacy of the conflict remains a thorny issue for both pro-Irish nationalists and unionists, who support Northern Ireland remaining part of the UK. Just last month, a British soldier was cleared of killing unarmed civilians during the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, angering relatives of the victims and political leaders. But the generals wrote in an open letter to The Times: "Presented as a route to justice and closure, the bill achieves neither. "It will not bring terrorists to account or heal division in Northern Ireland. Instead, it undermines the confidence of those who volunteer to serve this country at its request and under its authority. "This lawfare is a direct threat to national security." The signatories include three former chiefs of the general staff, a former chief of the air staff and former deputy supreme allied commanders of NATO. They added that members of British special forces were already leaving the service "because they no longer trust the system to stand by them". The bill also has implications for wherever British forces operate, they said. "Every British soldier must consider not only the enemy in front of them but the lawyer behind," they wrote. The bill is part of a deal reached between the UK and Irish governments in September to repeal a 2023 law that aimed to end investigations and prosecutions into crimes related to the conflict. Passed under the previous Conservative government, it notably gave immunity to combatants on both sides, prompting Dublin to take London to the European Court of Human Rights. The Labour government's new text mainly focuses on reforming the commission looking at the legacy of the Troubles, which families of unionist victims deem to be biased against them. It also allows the possibility of continuing some ongoing judicial investigations and includes provisions to protect veterans. Russia offers US nuclear talks in bid to ease tensions Moscow, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 Russia on Tuesday offered to discuss with the United States allegations from Washington that it had carried out secret underground nuclear tests, in a bid to ease tensions between the world's top two nuclear superpowers. Russia has tested its nuclear-powered, nuclear-capable weapons systems in recent weeks, but rejects the accusation by US President Donald Trump that it had secretly detonated a nuclear device. Trump caused concern and confusion last month when he said he was ordering the United States to test its atomic weapons in retaliation for drills carried out by Russia and China -- accusations rejected by both Moscow and Beijing. None of the three countries has publicly tested a nuclear warhead since the 1990s, and all three have signed -- but not ratified -- the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) that bans all atomic test blasts, whether for military or civilian purposes. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov offered on Tuesday to speak to Washington about its concerns. "We are ready to discuss the suspicions raised by our American colleagues regarding the possibility that we might be secretly doing something deep underground," he told state media in a televised interview. Trump had levelled the accusations that both Russia and China had secretly tested nuclear weapons in an interview with US broadcaster CBS News earlier this month, after abruptly shelving a proposed summit with Putin on Ukraine. Like all armed states, Russia regularly tests its delivery systems, but has rejected the accusation it has carried out unannounced weapons tests. Lavrov said the United States could check whether Russia had tested a nuclear warhead via the global seismic monitoring system. "Other tests, both subcritical, or those without a chain nuclear reaction, and carrier tests, have never been prohibited," Lavrov added. Russia said it had not received any clarification from Washington as to the specifics of its allegations. "So far, no explanations have been provided by our American counterparts," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, including AFP, during a telephone briefing. Russia and the United States hold a combined 8,000 deployed and stored warheads, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) -- around 85 percent of the world's total. - Spat with Putin? - Lavrov's interview was his first televised appearance in almost two weeks, with his absence prompting media speculation that he might have fallen out with Putin, something that the Kremlin repeatedly denied. Press reports suggested that a planned summit between Putin and Trump in Budapest was cancelled after Lavrov had a tense phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He addressed those claims directly, saying: "We spoke well, politely, without any breakdown." Since the pair spoke, Lavrov said, there had been "no further steps from the Americans", who he said had initially proposed the summit. Trump shelved the plans and slapped Moscow with new sanctions after saying Putin was not serious about ending the conflict in Ukraine. Lavrov said the recent nuclear tensions had nothing to do with the cancelled summit. "I would not mix the topic of nuclear tests with the topic of the Budapest summit," he said. He said Moscow was still open to a possible meeting between Putin and Trump. MELBOURNE, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- A woman and a child drowned after falling into a creek in Melbourne's southeast suburbs on Monday afternoon. Police in the state of Victoria said in a statement that a witness reported that two people had been swept away after falling into the creek in Dandenong, 30 kilometers southeast of central Melbourne, on Monday. A search located the pair, believed to be a 33-year-old woman and a 7-year-old boy, unconscious in the water, but they could not be revived and were declared deceased at the scene. Victoria Police said the woman was believed to be going to the aid of the child when she also got into difficulty. Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti said in a statement quoted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the incident was an awful tragedy. Allow Google Search To use the search feature, we need your consent to load Google Custom Search, which may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to enable search. See our privacy policy for more information. Allow and Continue Most radically, although Flesh is very much about the body, the desires and failings of the flesh, we never get any physical description of Istvan at all. Yet it is clear from his story that he must be very attractive to women, strong and physically imposing. A few little hints are dropped. He goes for runs, he used to do weights. At one point, Helen says to him: Im just looking at you. But we are left entirely uninformed about his appearance, his being in the world, even though it is the very subject of the novel, the way that Istvans whole life is shaped by it, to the point that he is actually quite passive in letting his body determine his life. The castle was built in the late 18th century by the merchant Walter May, with the tower added around 1838 by his son, Walter Barton May, who wanted to keep a close eye on his wife after she left him for a local farmer, as folklore would have it. Once the tower was finished, May decided that it wasnt quite tall enough, adding the 40ft lantern for an extra vantage point. Like everywhere it has good and bad neighbourhoods. Michael Cruickshank, an independent property consultant at Horts estate agents, says that the most popular addresses are in Dunchurch, three miles south of the town centre, and close to Draycote Water, a local beauty spot. Dunchurch has its own collection of pubs, shops, and restaurants, and a really wide range of properties from thatched cottages to new builds. "The loss of our daughter was followed by many other losses. In my case one of the first and main things I lost was my job. I was a hospital chaplain working for NELFT in rehabilitation words, a job I loved but obviously could never return to that role after the catastrophic way they failed Alice, even though I had for example personally warned the ward on multiple occasions including in writing that she was in danger and her life was at risk." Chinas reusable rocket Zhuque-3 to make maiden flight this year: developer 08:20, November 11, 2025 By Liu Yang, Tao Mingyang ( Global Times China's reusable rocket Zhuque-3 will make its maiden flight this year, the Global Times learned on Monday from the vehicle's developer LandSpace, a leading Chinese commercial space company. In October, the reusable rocket successfully completed its fueling rehearsal and static ignition test, marking an entry into the critical preparation phase for its maiden flight. No reusable rocket in China has ever completed a launch mission, which means that Zhuque-3 is expected to become the country's first operational reusable launch vehicle, stcn.com reported. According to LandSpace, the Zhuque-3 maiden flight test mission will be divided into two phases. The first phase involves fueling rehearsals and static ignition tests, followed by a return to the technical area for inspection and maintenance. The second phase focuses on achieving orbital launch as the primary mission objective, while simultaneously attempting first-stage recovery. The Zhuque-3 is a large-capacity, low-cost, reusable liquid launch vehicle independently developed by China to deploy large-scale constellations, CCTV reported. Stainless steel is the primary structural material for the rocket body. The rocket's first and second stages have a diameter of 4.5 meters, with a payload fairing diameter of 5.2 meters. The total length of the rocket is 66.1 meters, with a takeoff mass of about 570 tons and a takeoff thrust exceeding 750 tons. After performing orbital launch missions, the rocket can autonomously return with high precision, achieve a soft landing at the recovery site and be reused. "If China achieves a breakthrough in this field [of rocket recovery], it will signify immense strategic value and global competitiveness in reducing the cost of space access, accelerating low-orbit constellation deployment, increasing launch frequency and enhancing industrial capabilities. This is not merely a technological leap for a single rocket model but a critical step toward entering the era of 'large-scale space transportation'," a LandSpace spokesperson told the Global Times previously. On September 15, a first-stage propulsion system test for the Tianlong-3 large liquid-propellant carrier rocket was successfully held at the Haiyang Oriental Aerospace Port in East China's Shandong Province, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The rocket is 72 meters in length with a takeoff mass of 600 tons. It is able to launch 36 satellites in a single mission and supports large-scale cargo transport for China's space station, as well as medium- and high-orbit satellite launches, according to Xinhua. This is also a large-scale liquid reusable rocket expected to achieve a low-Earth orbit payload capacity of more than 20 tons, with its maiden flight scheduled within the year, CCTV reported. Industry insiders predict that within this year, several new reusable rocket designs, including the Lijian-2 and Long March 12A, are expected to achieve their maiden flights, according to CCTV. "Once Chinese commercial space companies master the reusable technology, the country's commercial aerospace industry will further be enhanced, as scale effects are the core feature of a mature industry," Wang Yanan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Monday. "The progress will drive the rapid expansion of China's launch capabilities, with multiple enterprises collaborating to undertake a larger share of global launch missions, further consolidating the country's leading position in the international commercial aerospace market," Wang said. In addition, it will effectively stimulate the potential of the domestic commercial aerospace market, and promote innovation and practical implementation in related fields such as satellite communications, therefore fostering a virtuous cycle ecosystem, the expert noted. (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) BUDAPEST, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Hungarian government is considering raising its special bank levy to finance a new corporate tax-cut program, Hungary's Minister for National Economy Marton Nagy said Tuesday on social media. The funds would also be used to maintain popular fixed-rate 3 percent loans for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Nagy added. Hungary's banking sector remains highly profitable, the minister underlined. Under his proposal, from 2026, the levy on bank income exceeding 20 billion forints (approximately 60 million U.S. dollars) would increase from 20 percent to 30 percent, while income below that threshold would be taxed at 10 percent. At the same time, the share of bank-tax obligations that can be settled through government bond purchases would be reduced from 50 to 30 percent. The government's budget-deficit target would be raised to 5 percent of GDP this year and maintained at that level in 2026. Slower economic growth is weighing on budget revenues, Nagy said, although the government continues to meet its social and wage commitments. Possible savings within ministries are being identified to preserve fiscal balance. Hungary's economy grew 0.6 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, according to seasonally and calendar-adjusted data. Although GDP stagnated compared to the previous quarter, in the first three quarters overall, the economy expanded by 0.2 percent year-on-year on an adjusted basis. (1 Hungarian forint = 0.0030 U.S. dollar) The Greater London Authority faces a 19.2 million funding gap for 2026/27, prompting a review of all activities and potential staff redundancies The mayors share of council tax is set to rise by at least three per cent, pushing average annual payments above 500, while funding for free school meals for all London primary pupils will be retained Ongoing uncertainty over Government funding and lost post-Brexit parachute payments, new office costs and potential losses at West Hams stadium have contributed to the financial crisis The letter in full: Dear Secretary of State, Re: Urgent review of the welfare of Gentoo penguins at SEA LIFE London Aquarium We, the undersigned Members of Parliament, are writing to express our deep concern regarding the welfare of fifteen Gentoo penguins currently kept at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, a short walk from Parliament. In light of the growing public concern, we respectfully request that DEFRA conduct an independent review into whether the current conditions meet the highest standards of animal welfare and, if necessary, intervene to secure a more appropriate environment for these animals. Recent reports have highlighted that the penguins are housed in a windowless basement enclosure, with no access to natural light or fresh air, and that the pool depth is around six to seven feet, which is far shallower than the environments Gentoo penguins experience in the wild. Concerns have been raised by respected conservationists, including Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin, who argue that such an environment cannot adequately support the species natural behaviours. As Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum, we share a collective commitment to animal welfare. All political parties in this great nation value the protection of animals as a reflection of our shared compassion and sense of moral duty. The United Kingdom has a proud record in this area, from the Hunting Act 2004, which banned the hunting of wild mammals with dogs, to the ongoing work to strengthen welfare protections for both domestic and wild animals. The 2024 General Election manifesto commitments to phase out animal testing, ban the use of snares, end the import of hunting trophies, and strengthen protections for wildlife reflect the continued importance placed on these issues across Parliament. In that spirit, we respectfully ask that DEFRA: Commission an independent welfare assessment of the Gentoo penguin enclosure at SEA LIFE London, involving external veterinary and zoological specialists. Evaluate the facilitys compliance with both the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice and the Animal Welfare Act 2006, as well the likelihood of compliance with the revised zoo Standards entering into force in May 2027, with particular focus on light, air quality, pool depth, and enrichment. Consider whether the penguins should be relocated to a more suitable facility better aligned with their behavioural, ecological and physiological needs. Publish the findings of this review to ensure transparency and maintain public confidence in welfare standards. We wish to make clear that this is not an adversarial request but a constructive one, recognising the Governments strong record on animal welfare and DEFRAs expertise in safeguarding species under human care. This is an opportunity to demonstrate that the United Kingdom continues to lead the world in setting and upholding exemplary welfare standards. We would be grateful for your response outlining the Departments intended course of action and the anticipated timeframe for review. Yours sincerely, Full list of 75 MPs He added that decisions on this are a matter for the US and that issues around whether or not anything is against international law is a matter for a competent international court, not for governments to determine. Donald Trump has reignited criticism of Brazil over the building of a four-lane highway for the Cop30 climate summit in Belem Brazil has defended the project as sustainable, while conservationists and activists argue it contradicts climate goals and damages one of the planets key carbon sinks. The US has not sent a formal delegation to the climate summit Mr Trumps lawyer adds: Failure to comply will leave President Trump with no choice but to pursue any and all legal rights and remedies available to recover damages for the overwhelming financial and reputational harm that the BBC has caused him to suffer, with all rights and remedies being expressly reserved by President Trump. Wreaths are seen at the grave of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Nov. 11, 2025. Palestinians in the West Bank gathered on Tuesday to mark the 21st anniversary of the death of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Palestinians in the West Bank gathered on Tuesday to mark the 21st anniversary of the death of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. A memorial ceremony was held in the morning at Arafat's tomb in the Palestinian Presidential Compound in Ramallah, central West Bank, as top officials including Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh and Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa laid wreaths there. Arafat passed away on Nov. 11, 2004, at the age of 75 in a hospital in France due to an unknown illness. Palestinians accused Israel of poisoning him, a claim that Israel denies. On the streets of Ramallah, hundreds of Palestinians participated in a march, some carrying pictures of Arafat and waving Palestinian flags. Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Wasel Abu Youssef said in a speech that "Arafat embodied the unity of the Palestinian people within the framework of the PLO and the launch of the contemporary Palestinian revolution," according to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA. During the speech, Abu Youssef "warned against attempts to break the will of the Palestinian people and the efforts to separate the Gaza Strip," WAFA reported. Events to commemorate the anniversary were also held in other major West Bank cities including Salfit, Bethlehem and Tulkarm, with participation of local officials and the public. Also on Tuesday, Hamas released an official statement in memory of Arafat. Husam Badran, a member of the Political Bureau of Hamas, noted in the statement "the necessity of adhering to national unity and working to formulate a unified struggle strategy to confront the occupation." "Hamas supports the hands of the fighters from various resistance factions, who follow the path of the martyred leaders and carry the trust to continue the path of resistance until achieving the aspirations of the Palestinian people for liberation, return, and self-determination," Badran said. "Hamas is in constant contact with various Palestinian factions to agree on joint national steps to face current challenges, especially in the West Bank and Gaza, and the issue of prisoners, calling on everyone to rise above partial differences to achieve the supreme national interest," Badran added. Hamas and Israel have maintained a fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip since October after more than two years of fighting. Despite the truce, Israel is accused of launching occasional attacks in Gaza. The Israeli army said earlier in the day that it had killed a Palestinian man in Gaza, describing him as a militant. Meanwhile, Gaza's health authorities said the bodies of three people killed by Israeli fire had been taken to hospitals in the enclave, along with one wounded person. Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh (C) lays a wreath at the grave of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Nov. 11, 2025. Palestinians in the West Bank gathered on Tuesday to mark the 21st anniversary of the death of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) Photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows the grave of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Palestinians in the West Bank gathered on Tuesday to mark the 21st anniversary of the death of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa visits the grave of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Nov. 11, 2025. Palestinians in the West Bank gathered on Tuesday to mark the 21st anniversary of the death of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) Photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows the entrance to the grave of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Palestinians in the West Bank gathered on Tuesday to mark the 21st anniversary of the death of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) Those who file for the settlement can claim up to $6,500 in compensation. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Joe Raedle/Getty Images Tuesday is the final day to submit a claim for the Panera Bread class action lawsuit. Panera Bread is accused of failing to take sufficient action to prevent a data breach that exposed sensitive information, including Social Security numbers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to plaintiffs in the lawsuit, the company could have averted the breach by implementing stronger cybersecurity protections. Settlement documents indicate the incident occurred on March 23, 2024. Individuals eligible to file a claim should have already received notification from the settlement administrators. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Here is how to submit a claim and how much the payout could be. Advertisement Article continues below this ad How much is the Panera Bread settlement payout? According to the class action settlement, the settlement pays up to $6,500 in compensation. Those who do claim this must provide documentation of their losses. Here are some key points to know about the Panera settlement: Panera Bread has agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle claims about a data breach; however, Panera denies any wrongdoing. If you got a notice letter from Panera about the incident, then you are a "Settlement Class Member." The class action lawsuit concerns a security incident that Panera discovered in March 23, 2024 (the Incident) where an unauthorized third-party gained access to certain information which may have included the names and Social Security Numbers (Private Information) of Paneras current and former employees, as well as a small number of customers, contractors, and other individuals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad How do I file a claim for the Panera Bread settlement? Here are the steps to file a claim for this settlement: Under the settlement terms, individuals who experienced what administrators classify as extraordinary losses may be eligible to receive up to $6,500 in compensation. Members of this subclass can also seek reimbursement for the time spent investigating their losses, with compensation capped at $2,500, which is calculated at $25 per hour for up to 10 hours. Those who incurred ordinary losses may claim up to $500, covering expenses such as credit monitoring services or credit report fees. In all instances, claimants must provide proof of loss, such as a receipt, bank statement, or similar documentation. To submit a claim, you can use this link here. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What is the deadline to file? On the eve of Veterans Day, Caroline Baer, 3, reaches toward the flags at the Field of Honor in San Gabriel Park in Georgetown on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. The 9th annual Field of Honor, presented by the Rotary Club of Georgetown, features 2,000 U.S. flags dedicated to veterans and first responders. Proceeds from flag sales benefit local organizations that support them. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Veterans Day has arrived, and several national and local companies are offering deals and discounts to honor military service members and veterans. Here's how businesses in the Austin area are giving back to the nation's heroes. When is Veterans Day 2025? Veterans Day is always on Nov. 11, which this year falls on a Tuesday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Is Veterans Day a federal holiday? Yes, Veterans Day is a federal holiday. Free stuff for veterans on Veterans Day H-E-B: Gift bags for veterans, donations to military nonprofits Advertisement Article continues below this ad The San Antonio-based supermarket chain is giving away gift bags to veterans this Veterans Day. The gift bags include H-E-B brand items and a note of gratitude, and will be distributed at Texas store locations and at local veteran nonprofits, like community VFW and American Legion locations. Gift bags are limited to one per veteran. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source These efforts are part of H-E-B's Operation Appreciation program, which strives to honor the nation's heroes year-round by supporting military service members, veterans and their families. The program, launched in 2013, has donated over $17 million to military-based nonprofits in Texas. H-E-B has since hired more than 30,000 veterans and military spouses, earning recognition from Forbes as a top workplace for military veterans. H-E-B will distribute gift bags to veterans inside their stores on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Courtesy/H-E-B H-E-B customers can also join in honoring veterans this Veterans Day. With each purchase of products from Cafe Ole by H-E-B Commemorative Collection, the company will donate $0.35 to military nonprofits in the Lone Star State. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gambuzza's Barbershops: Free haircuts, Nov. 10 - Nov. 15 For the entire week of Veterans Day, two Gambuzza's Barbershops will give free haircuts to military veterans and active service members. The offer is available at the Round Rock and Cedar Park locations: Round Rock : 200 University Blvd., Ste. 510; 512-712-0111 : 200 University Blvd., Ste. 510; 512-712-0111 Cedar Park: 5001 183A Toll Rd., Ste. G400; 512-220-1077 "We owe a great deal to our veterans and active service members," Gambuzza's Barbershops manager Amy Rutherford said. "This is our way of showing appreciation and personally thanking these local heroes for their service." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The business recommends calling the preferred location to reserve an appointment and mentioning the coupon (code: 2005). Walk-ins will be welcome as availability allows. Those who cannot come during the week can receive a voucher for future use, good through the end of the year. The complimentary service is available only to those with a valid military ID. Starbucks: Free brewed coffee On Veterans Day, Starbucks is offering free tall (12 oz.) hot or iced brewed coffee to veterans, military service members and military spouses. The offer is limited to one per customer on cafe and drive-thru orders, and excludes Cold Brew, Nitro and beverage customizations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Stony Point Navy JROTC presents the colors. The Round Rock Veterans Coalition and the City of Round Rock hosted a Veterans Day Celebration at Flag Plaza in Old Settlers Park on November 11th, 2024. Henry Huey @HenryHueyPhoto Veterans Day has been observed in the U.S. for over a century, but it wasn't always celebrated the way it is today. Here's what to know about the origin and history of the holiday. When is Veterans Day 2025? Veterans Day is always on Nov. 11, which this year falls on a Tuesday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Is Veterans Day a federal holiday? Yes, Veterans Day is a federal holiday. Why is Veterans Day celebrated on November 11th? See history behind holiday Veterans Day was first celebrated in the U.S. on Nov. 11, 1919, when it was called "Armistice Day." This was the first anniversary of the end of the fighting in World War I. Although the war didn't officially end until the Treaty of Versailles in June 1919, the fighting stopped at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918 with an armistice between the Allied forces and Germany. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Americans celebrate the end of World War I. Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis via Getty Images In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed, "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given American to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations." The decoration of the National President of the Royal National Federation of War Volunteers Thierry Coppieters 't Wallant are seen during the ceremony of the Armistice of 11 November 1918 in the Place du Congres on November 11, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. The armistice of 1918, signed on November 11, 1918 at 5:15 a.m., in the Rethondes clearing, in the CompiAgne forest, temporarily ended the fighting of the First World War (1914-1918). The war between the Entente and their last remaining opponent, Germany, officially ended on June 28, 1919 with the Treaty of Versailles. Thierry Monasse/Getty Images Congress declared Armistice Day a federal holiday in 1938, as a day to honor WWI veterans. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed "Armistice Day" to "Veterans Day." This marked a shift from honoring those who served in WWI to honoring all veterans. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The 1968 Uniform Holidays Bill moved the holiday to the fourth Monday in October beginning in 1971. In 1975 President Gerald Ford restored the holiday to Nov. 11 "due to the important historical significance of the date," according to The History Channel. Memorial Day vs Veterans Day: What's the difference? Memorial Day, observed on the lasty Monday in May, honors those who have died in military service. Veterans Day, observed on Nov. 11, celebrates veterans both living and deceased. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Arlington National Cemetery is seen during an Army Full Honor Wreath Ceremony in honor of the United States Army's 250th birthday at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia, on June 14, 2025. Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images How is Veterans Day celebrated? Veterans Day is celebrated in various ways across the country. At the Arlington National Cemetery, the largest military cemetery in the U.S., a wreath-laying ceremony is held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Over 400,000 service members, veterans and family members are buried in the cemetery. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which honors the unidentified dead, currently holds three soldiers according to CNN. One from WWI was interred on Nov. 11, 1921, and one from WWII and one from the Korean War were interred in 1958. A fourth soldier, who died in the Vietnam War, was exhumed in 1988 upon being identified as Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie. US President Donald Trump (R), US Vice President JD Vance (2R), US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (2L), and MG Trevor Bredenkamp, Commanding General of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and the US Military District of Washington, salute before laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images Other national ceremonies held on Veterans Day include: Advertisement Article continues below this ad National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Veterans Day National Ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. California's Veterans Day at the California State Capitol in Sacramento The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Communities around the country, regardless of size, celebrate Veterans Day with parades, ceremonies, speeches, wreath-laying events, concerts and military displays. Do other countries celebrate Veterans Day? Yes, many countries outside of the U.S. have holidays similar to Veterans Day, such as: Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas A&M University Regents will vote on a proposal to ban courses with race or gender ideology unless they obtain prior approval from the president or a designee. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Texas A&M University System regents will vote Thursday to ban classes on race and gender ideology unless they are approved by the institutions president or a designee the latest escalation in a statewide conservative push to rid universities of liberal leaning teaching. If passed, the Texas A&M System, which serves 175,000 students as the second largest university system in the state, would be the first institution to explicitly bar teaching related to race ideology. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh greets supporters as he exits the administration building after resigning under pressure Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in College Station. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman The policy proposal describes the term as a concept that attempts to shame a particular race or ethnicity, accuse them of being oppressors in a racial hierarchy or conspiracy, ascribe to them less value as contributors to society assign them intrinsic guilt or promotes activism rather than instruction. It defines gender ideology as a concept of self-assessed gender identity replacing, and disconnected from, the biological category of sex, though biology and Womens and Gender Studies scholars for decades have found that not all people fit into male or female categories neatly. The prohibition, set to be considered at a Thursday board meeting, doesnt detail the approval process for these courses or what would happen to Texas A&Ms ethnic and LGBTQ studies departments. Both definitions would be added to the Civil Rights Protections and Compliance policy, and this would be the first form of prohibited instruction in that policy. A Texas A&M System official declined to comment on the policy, but said it will be discussed at the meeting. Members of the public can submit written testimony at least 24 hours before the meeting begins. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Opponents of the proposal say the policy will impede academic freedom and hurt Texas A&M Universitys quality of education. The Texas American Federation of Teachers and American Association of University Professors chapter said the unconstitutional policies would codify institutional censorship. By considering these policy changes, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents is telling faculty, Shut up and teach and well tell you what to teach, Brian Evans, president of Texas AAUP-AFT, said in a news release. This language and the censorship it imposes will cause irreparable harm to the reputation of the university, and impede faculty and students from their main mission on campus: to teach, learn, think critically and create and share new knowledge. The intensifying political pressure to stop teaching that belittles conservative views or encourages liberal ideology, boosted in posts on X by Gov. Greg Abbott and a compact deal from President Donald Trump, has pressured universities across the state to reform fast. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas Tech University System Chancellor Tedd Mitchell banned classroom instruction that teaches there are more than two genders to comply with a new state law, House Bill 229. Angelo State University reportedly told professors to remove pronouns from their bios and pride flags from their walls to avoid unwanted attention, though it later walked back the directives. The University of Texas System announced a course audit of gender studies courses for alignment with the law and its priorities, and the flagship campus is considering consolidating departments that may have become overly fragmented. But Texas A&M University has been at the epicenter of recent political turmoil. Controversy first erupted Sept. 8 when a state representative posted a video from an anonymous student whistle blower accusing her professor, Melissa McCoul, of breaking the law by teaching there are more than two genders. Advertisement Article continues below this ad McCoul, her department head and college dean lost their jobs within two days of the online controversy, and President Mark Welsh resigned shortly after. Regents agreed to pay him a $3.5 million settlement. Welsh had said McCoul was fired for academic responsibility because her class strayed from the approved syllabus, but McCouls syllabus, which was public, disclosed she would be covering diverse groups in childrens literature that may at times be controversial. Another Texas A&M System proposed policy change would require faculty to teach only material consistent with the approved curriculum, but Leonard Bright, a professor at Texas A&M and president of the Texas A&M Chapter of the AAUP, said that standard is unrealistic for a professor. He said it infringes on a professors right to craft their teaching based on expertise alone. The policy, if passed, would also invite subjective restrictions on gender identity and race-related teaching that would impede professors' ability to accurately teach the full breadth of all fields or answer students questions if they pertain to current events, he said. Were telling people that were going to sell you a whole piece but what theyre going to get is half of it, Bright said. Were going to have to tell them that with a straight face that I cannot teach this without getting bullied. Its going to severely impact our classes in ways that we cant even we cant even predict. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Robert Shibley, the special counsel for campus advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said the policy would be a violation of academic freedom, a principle upheld by the Supreme Court after the McCarthy era, which gives professors the freedom to teach without political interference. Ronald Cordoba holds a photo of his mother Yadira Cordoba outside his Austin apartment on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. Yadira, a Nicaraguan opposition activist, was detained by ICE in San Antonio at a check-in appointment. She has a court date at the end of the month and could be deported. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman A federal immigration judge on Friday ordered the deportation of a prominent Nicaraguan dissident living in Austin to Honduras, ending her asylum bid in the U.S., according to her family. Yadira Cordobas deportation will mark the first known third-country removal of a Nicaraguan dissident, according to two prominent members of the Nicaraguan exile community who track the conditions and status of Nicaraguans abroad and who spoke with the American-Statesman. Cordoba, 52, fled Nicaragua after her family said she received death threats for blaming the authoritarian government for her 15-year-old sons death during the 2018 anti-government protests. At the time of her August arrest at a check-in appointment with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in San Antonio, Cordoba had been living in Austin for three years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Theyve insisted Honduras is safe for her and we know we cant do anything else, her eldest son, Ronald Cordoba, 34, told the Statesman. Shes now an easy target for the government of my country. May Gods hand take care of her. Ronald Cordoba said the family does not plan to appeal the ruling because his mother does not want to remain in detention. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source During her asylum case, Cordoba argued that she feared for her safety not only in Nicaragua where the self-described socialist government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo has tightened its control over all aspects of public life and repressed opposition since the large-scale 2018 protests but also in Costa Rica, where she first migrated in 2019. Cordobas legal team cited political violence by Nicaraguan operatives against dissidents who had fled to Costa Rica. It also argued that political violence against Nicaraguan exiles has occurred in Honduras. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the end, the judge ruled that she could be sent to Honduras, as government lawyers had requested. Professor Elissa Steglich, a University of Texas immigration law professor, said the Trump administration began using third-country removals for asylum seekers to deport them without fully hearing their claims. The policy, she said, is based on countries with countries like Honduras and assumes applicants can seek asylum in those other countries. It also raises the bar for applicants, who must now prove they are more likely than not to face danger in a country theyve likely never been to, a standard that may require court experts who are very difficult to find. Its definitely setting an asylum seeker up to fail, Steglich said. The Department of Justices Executive Office of Immigration Review could not be immediately reached for comment Monday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ronald Cordoba holds a photo of his mother Yadira Cordoba outside his Austin apartment on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. Yadira, a Nicaraguan opposition activist, was detained by ICE in San Antonio at a check-in appointment. She has a court date at the end of the month and could be deported. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Manuel Orozco, a Nicaraguan scholar at the Washington-based think tank Inter-American Dialogue who tracks asylum cases involving Nicaraguan dissidents, said Cordoba has a legitimate fear of being deported back to Central America because of the states ability to carry out violent reprisal throughout the region. But Ronald Cordoba said the judge was not sympathetic to that argument in his mothers case. He said he is unsure how his mother will create a new life in Honduras, a country where the family has no ties and which has one of Latin Americas highest homicide rates. His current task, he said, is making calls to see who might be able to help his mother when she arrives in the new country. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nicaragua is ruled by the Ortega-Murillo authoritarian regime. The two leaders met in the 1970s, when Ortega was a guerilla fighter against the countrys then-dictatorship and Murillo was a prominent poet. Ortega first led the country after revolutionary forces overthrew the Somoza family in 1979, then reclaimed the presidency in 2006 and has consolidated power since. For the past decade and a half, Murillo Ortegas wife and longtime political partner has held an official role in the government, further tightening the familys grip on power. The couple, now co-presidents, have jailed, deported and killed political opponents. Gonzalo Carrion, a Nicaraguan human rights lawyer living in exile in Costa Rica, told the Statesman the decision on Cordoba comes as many other Nicaraguan dissidents in the U.S. await similar asylum cases some from behind bars. The outlook for many is very bad, Carrion said. Claire Osborn covers cops, courts and general assignments in Austin. Her current beat is Williamson County. She covers county commissioners meetings, crime, city councils, health issues and human interest stories. Claire won the Star Breaking News Report of the Year in 2021 from the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors Star Breaking along with two other reporters and a videographer. The story was about Javier Ambler, a black man who died in 2019 in Williamson County after being tased multiple times by sheriff's deputies. The story resulted in charges against authorities for tampering with evidence. Elon Musk speaks at a Tesla event. The company's board of shareholders last week approved a pay package that could make Musk the world's first trillionaire. Jae C. Hong/Associated Press file photo Last week, as the lapse of federal food assistance benefits overwhelmed Central Texas food banks, Tesla shareholders approved a pay package that could make Austin's wealthiest resident, Elon Musk already the richest person on the planet the worlds first trillionaire. The split-screen moment could not be more stark: While Musk celebrated by dancing alongside one of Teslas Optimus humanoid robots, 42 million Americans including 3.5 million Texans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits wondered where their next meal would come from. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The pay package, the tax breaks, the evident disregard for Americans who struggle to meet basic needs these issues should all inform how we cast ballots in 2026. As voters head to the polls next year, they should be mindful of whether the candidates they choose will work to ease or exacerbate these disparities. Texans deserve leaders who are dedicated to solving the problems they face. Although a private citizen, Musk wields extraordinary influence over other people's lives, both in the U.S. and abroad. More than 300,000 Americans lost their jobs in the federal workforce as part of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cost-cutting initiative the leading cause of all U.S. job losses in 2025. Far worse, a Boston University study has estimated, Musk-guided cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development have caused hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths worldwide from malnutrition and infectious diseases a poverty of values from the wealthiest nation on Earth. Musk has said life cannot just be about solving one miserable problem after another. Its his argument for doing things that inspire you and that make you glad to wake up in the morning and be part of humanity." Advertisement Article continues below this ad For some, helping others in need by solving problems is the inspiration that gets them out of bed in the morning. The United States was once that leader on the world stage, compassionate and charitable to the world's sick and starving. And despite our political divides, Americans have always looked out for neighbors in need, from those afflicted by floods and other natural disasters to those seeking help at the food bank. City Council Member Ryan Alter made a $100,000 donation last month to the Austin Parks and Recreation Department using excess funds from his office budget. Trust isnt only about Alter's spending, its also about being responsive to constituents, a reader says. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Refresher not enough Advertisement Article continues below this ad As an Austin resident, we should demand the City Council and mayor initiate steps to enact clear and more stringent rules for spending taxpayer funds. It simply is not enough to have officials go through refresher training when the rules are unclear and minimal. I think the Statesman could help by calling this out to the city manager, the mayor and every council member to keep pressure on to do more. Reagan Broussard, Austin Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rein in council spending For decades I helped run very large institutions. I suggest getting rid of the new, awful City of Austin logo and recover the million dollars. The current city logo is perfectly acceptable. After that, set a budget for council members' priorities, such as foreign travel with approval. If they want to give the Parks and Recreation Department extra funds, put it in the budget. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The council needs a budget monitor. Its not difficult to manage. Donna Beth McCormick, Austin Funding for homeless With Proposition Q defeated, it is imperative for Mayor Kirk Watson and the City Council to find alternative ways to fund the needs of our more than 3,200 homeless residents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Additionally, Im urging the mayor and council to direct CapMetro to issue a competitive request for proposal to The Boring Company for a tunnel from downtown to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. That single line could be built in half the time at a fourth of the cost, leaving the city with far more money to care for our homeless than Proposition Q would ever have. Peter Sajovich, Austin Earning trust not a given I received an email from Council Member Ryan Alter, titled Earning Your Trust. It listed many of the things the Statesman had already revealed about Alters questionable use of taxpayer dollars and made promises about paying the money back and being a better steward in future to rebuild trust. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sorry, trust isnt only about your profligate spending. Its also about being responsive to your constituents. Ive contacted Alter's office many times about city issues that concern me. Not once have I received a response. The only communication I get from his office is a periodic email about his dubious accomplishments. It's going to take a lot more than mea culpa emails to change my mind. Rona Distenfeld, Austin Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks last week at an event hosted by the University of Texas chapter of Turning Point USA. Paxton isn't taking on "evil" like he suggested during the event, he's attacking the least of us, a reader says. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman True followers of Jesus At the Turning Point event at UT, Attorney General Ken Paxton urged students to take on evil. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I agree, if you are a Christian a follower of Christ you should follow Christ. Jesus said to feed the hungry. You shouldnt support politicians who cancel $500 million in emergency food aid and cut SNAP benefits. Jesus said to care for the sick. You shouldnt support politicians who in the richest country in the world, are taking away health care from millions of Americans so billionaires can have lower taxes. Jesus said to welcome the stranger. You shouldnt support politicians who send masked men in unmarked vehicles to brutally take people from their jobs and away from their families and imprison them just because they arent white. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Following Jesus means seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. It doesnt mean seeking power and money. To stay in power, Paxton, President Donald Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott accept money from fossil fuel companies and then do what the fossil fuel companies want, not what is right. Trump got millions from Elon Musk to do what Musk wants, not what is right. Following Jesus means seeking the truth. Climate change is real. President Joe Biden won fairly in 2020. Vaccines save lives. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Spreading misinformation and disinformation is evil. Don Hammond, Austin THC products are on display at CHAMPS Trade Show at the Palmer Events Center Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. The three-day business-to-business trade show focuses on the counterculture, smoke shop, and cannabis-related industries. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Bahama Mamas flagship store on Westheimer Road in Montrose. Many of Bahama Mama's 85 stores across Texas will struggle to stay open if Gov. Abbott signs a statewide ban on hemp-derived THC and CBD products. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer The Texas hemp industry, fresh from fending off an all-out ban by the state Legislature, is facing another extinction-level event this time from Congress. The U.S. Senate on Monday night agreed to language that would ban almost all THC-containing hemp products nationwide. The language is included in a spending deal approved by the Senate to end the federal government shutdown. President Donald Trump could sign it as soon Wednesday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Senators rejected a last-ditch amendment by Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky to scrap the ban, with Paul warning that the language would kill an entire industry," including many farmers. The ban would go into effect one year after the deals passage, and Congress could repeal or reverse the decision at some point in the next year. The move represents a particularly stinging loss for hemp businesses in Texas, which spent much of the last year lobbying to save their industry from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's crusade against THC. The industry in Texas generates around $8 billion in revenue each year, employs tens of thousands of people and includes more than 8,000 licensed retailers, including gas stations, vape shops, H-E-B and many popular bars and restaurants. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source I appreciate Congress addressing this important issue at the national level, Patrick said in a social media post celebrating the vote. I believe this ban will save a generation from getting hooked on dangerous drugs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Proponents of the ban say it closes a loophole in the 2018 law that decriminalized hemp and resulted in an industry boom, a similar argument made by Patrick in his quest for a state ban. Industry groups representing alcohol and marijuana products whose sales have taken a hit in part from the rise in cheaper hemp products have encouraged Republicans in Congress to crack down on hemp. The vote on Pauls amendment split the two Texas senators, with John Cornyn voting to preserve the ban and Ted Cruz siding with 22 Democrats in opposition. Cruz later said he supported a state-by-state approach and praised Gov. Greg Abbott for having vetoed the Texas ban earlier this year. The governor had cited legal and business concerns in his veto. Reasonable minds can disagree, and a blanket federal prohibition disempowers the voters in each of the fifty States, Cruz wrote on X. U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, Republican of Houston, also weighed in on the issue for the first time Monday, saying the decision should be left up to individual states. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The new language in the shutdown deal essentially changes the federal definition of hemp, lowering the allowable concentration of cannabinoids, introducing a cap of 0.4 milligrams of THC per container of hemp products. Hemp proponents say the language would essentially wipe out their booming industry nationwide, banning all natural and converted THC, like Delta-9 and Delta-8, in all consumable forms, including gummies, drinks, vapes and topical creams. Texas is the largest state with no recreational marijuana program, making it the biggest and most lucrative market for hemp, a lower-THC version of marijuana. Though many hemp products are sourced outside of the state, the Texas Farm Bureau estimates that nearly 5,000 acres of hemp were planted in Texas in 2024, a sharp uptick from recent years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The federal ban will essentially override existing hemp regulations enacted in roughly two dozen states; states like California with recreational marijuana programs would see no change. KABUL, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- One commuter lost his life and four others sustained injuries after their vehicle veered off the road and flipped in northern Afghanistan's Jawzjan province, state-owned Bakhtar News Agency reported on Tuesday. The mishap occurred on the outskirts of Faizabad district, along the highway linking Jawzjan to northern Balkh province, after a Corolla vehicle turned turtle due to reckless driving, Bakhtar quoted Mawlawi Sardar Mubarez, the district police chief, as saying. The injured were taken to the provincial hospital for treatment, said the official, adding that the health condition of one of them was critical. Earlier, six passengers died and three others were injured when a speeding Fielder vehicle rammed into a truck in southern Kandahar province last Friday. KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The death toll has risen to 20, while a total of 14 people have been rescued after a boat carrying undocumented migrants sank in waters near the Malaysia-Thailand maritime border last week, authorities said on Tuesday. The dead include seven men, nine women and four children, while the survivors are 12 men and two women, said Romli Mustafa, Malaysian maritime enforcement agency director for Kedah and Perlis states, in a statement. Romli added that the search area is focused on the zone of ocean currents and weather projections that are known to have the potential to bring victims to land. Malaysian authorities said on Sunday that around 300 undocumented migrants boarded a large vessel and departed from Myanmar, with the group being transferred into smaller boats as it reached Thai-Malaysian waters. One of these boats was reported to have capsized. SYDNEY, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- A new Australian native bee species with tiny devil-like "horns" has been discovered in the state of Western Australia's (WA) Goldfields. The discovery of the bee species, named Megachile (Hackeriapis) lucifer, highlights how much remains unknown about Australia's native pollinators, according to a news release of Australia's Curtin University on Tuesday. The bee was found during surveys of a critically endangered wildflower Marianthus aquilonarius that grows only in the Bremer Range region on WA's south coast. The female bee's unusual horned face inspired its name lucifer, Latin for "light-bringer," but also a playful nod to the devilish look, said Kit Prendergast, adjunct research fellow at the Curtin School of Molecular and Life Sciences, lead author of the study published in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research. "DNA barcoding confirmed the male and female were the same species and that it didn't match any known bees in DNA databases, nor did the specimens I had collected morphologically match any in museum collections," Prendergast said. "It's the first new member of this bee group to be described in more than 20 years, which really shows how much life we still have to discover, including in areas that are at risk of mining, such as the Goldfields," he said. "Because the new species was found in the same small area as the endangered wildflower, both could be at risk from habitat disturbance and other threatening processes like climate change," Prendergast said. USS Gerald R. Ford transits the Strait of Gibraltar on Nov. 4, 2025, as it leaves the Mediterranean Sea on its way to the Caribbean. (Triniti Lersch/U.S. Navy) (Tribune News Service) The worlds largest and most technologically advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, has entered the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, further expanding what is already the biggest U.S. military presence in the Caribbean in decades, the Navy said Tuesday. The deployment officially framed as a mission against narcotics trafficking and transnational crime comes as tensions escalate between the U.S. and Venezuela, where the Nicolas Maduro regime is rushing to reinforce a troubled Russian- and Iranian-backed air defense network. The Ford Carrier Strike Group arrives as new anti-aircraft platforms surface across Venezuela. Last week, Russian-made Buk-M2E medium-range surface-to-air missile systems were spotted inside Caracas La Carlota military airport, following an urgent appeal by Maduro for Moscow and Beijing to help prepare for what he describes as the threat of a U.S. invasion. The Buk-M2E, known by NATO as the SA-17 Grizzly, can engage multiple aircraft, helicopters and cruise missiles simultaneously with its 9M317E interceptor, which has a range of up to 28 miles. Major US buildup The Ford strike group, consisting of guided-missile destroyers USS Bainbridge, USS Mahan and USS Winston S. Churchill, was ordered into the region after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth directed additional forces to support President Donald Trumps mandate to dismantle transnational criminal organizations and counter narco-terrorism threatening the U.S. homeland. The enhanced U.S. force presence in the SOUTHCOM AOR will bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a Navy press release. These forces will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle TCOs. With more than 4,000 sailors and dozens of tactical aircraft, the Ford gives U.S. commanders unmatched reach for sustained operations at sea. Its electromagnetic catapult and advanced arresting gear allow simultaneous launches and recoveries of aircraft, offering a significant edge in both combat and surveillance missions. The carrier will operate alongside the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and its Marine Expeditionary Unit, under a joint task force said to be focused on dismantling criminal networks using maritime routes in the Caribbean and along the coasts of Central and South America. Through unwavering commitment and the precise use of our forces, we stand ready to combat the transnational threats that seek to destabilize our region, said Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of the Doral-based Southern Command. What the Ford brings to the table The Ford Strike Group carries a formidable mix of air, surface and electronic-warfare assets. Its embarked Carrier Air Wing 8 includes: F/A-18E/F Super Hornets E/A-18G Growlers E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes MH-60S and MH-60R Seahawks C-2A Greyhounds The accompanying destroyers bring layered air, surface and submarine defenses through the Aegis Combat System. The USS Winston S. Churchill, serving as Integrated Air and Missile Defense Commander, provides protection against long-range aerial threats. Venezuela builds its own shield The U.S. show of force has further strained relations with Caracas, with Maduro accusing Washington of planning acts of aggression under the guise of counter-narcotics missions. Since late September, Venezuela has been in a state of emergency, mobilized its armed forces and Bolivarian Militia, and unveiled what analysts describe as one of the most integrated though unevenly functioning air defense networks in Latin America. At its core are Russian-built S-300VM long-range missile systems capable of intercepting aircraft and ballistic missiles more than 125 miles away. Analysts believe three battalions protect Caracas and key industrial corridors. Buk-M2E, Pantsir-S1, upgraded S-125 Pechora-2M, and newly delivered Iranian Bavar-373 missile systems add medium- and short-range capacity. For close-range defense, Venezuela has distributed thousands of Igla-S MANPADS, Russian-made shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile systems, across the country. Russian and Iranian lifelines Despite Venezuelas crippling maintenance issues, Russia, Iran and China continue to support Maduro. Russian military transport aircraft reportedly delivered fresh missile components and Pantsir batteries in late October, and Russian advisers are assisting local operators. Iran has supplied Bavar-373 systems and cruise-missile technology. China contributes radars and electronic-warfare platforms. Even with the new hardware, experts estimate that only 25%40% of Venezuelas radar and missile network is fully operational due to financial sanctions and a chronic shortage of spare parts. Still, the systems could challenge U.S. air operations near Venezuelan airspace. A recent Washington Post report said Maduro urgently asked China, Russia and Iran for additional radars, drone technology, aircraft repairs and potentially more missiles. It remains unclear what Beijing has promised. Strike speculation intensifies Reports over the past week indicate the U.S. military is expanding its presence in the Caribbean, fueling speculation about potential strikes inside Venezuela. The Miami Herald and Wall Street Journal have reported that the Trump administration has identified Venezuelan military sites allegedly tied to drug-trafficking networks as possible bombing targets. As Washington amasses what regional diplomats have described as an armada, anxiety is rising across Venezuela. Many citizens view the Fords arrival as a symbolic turning point that could signal the next phase of Trumps pressure campaign. Speaking last week by video at the America Business Forum in Miami, top opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, Venezuelas 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, endorsed Trumps approach, calling it absolutely correct and a watershed in the hemispheres fight against tyranny and organized crime. In August, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi doubled the reward for Maduros capture to $50 million, calling him one of the worlds biggest drug traffickers and the leader of the Cartel de los Soles. Bondi said he works with groups including Venezuelas Tren de Aragua, Mexicos Sinaloa Cartel and other transnational criminal networks. 2025 Miami Herald Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC Army Gen. Douglas MacAthur, at left, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Adm. William D. Leahy and Adm. Chester W. Nimitz (standing) discuss strategy against Japan during a July 1944 meeting in Honolulu. (U.S. Navy) There are no rows of white crosses along the Satsuma Peninsula or victory memorials dotting Kagoshima Bay. No markers at beaches on Kyushu bearing names of American car brands Buick, Cadillac, Stutz, Zephyr. And no aging veterans gather with military and political leaders to recall the grinding battle that would have brought 100,000 troops ashore. More than 14 U.S. Army and Marine divisions never landed on X-Day of Operation Downfall, the planned invasion of Japan to end World War II. This photograph discovered by Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum officials at the Library of Congress in 2016 is believed to have been taken from the B-29 bomber Enola Gay after it dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 6, 1945. (Library of Congress Archives) None of it happened because of two shattering flashes of light and heat: the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. More than 150,000 Japanese citizens died from the blast and radiation; some estimates say the toll is nearly twice that. Japan announced its surrender on Aug. 15, 1945, and it was made official on Sept. 2, 1945, aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. The invasion scheduled for November 1945 80 years ago this month became just old maps and battle plans to file away, relics of an extended war that never was. How much longer and more deadly is still debated. The invasion would have meant millions more Americans serving in the war, marching afterward on Veterans Day. Thousands more would be mourned on Memorial Day. I think an invasion would have been incredibly bloody and awful, said historian Jonathan Parshall during a webinar in September hosted by the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. American casualties would be horrific. Millions of Japanese civilians would have died. It would have been an absolute bloodbath. Guadalcanal, North Africa, Italy, Tarawa, Saipan, D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, Iwo Jima and Okinawa were all preludes to final victory. Italy and Germany were defeated. But Japan still held a massive swath of Asia and the Pacific. Until mid-1945, U.S. planners expected the war to continue well into 1946. The Pentagon estimated it needed 900,000 replacement troops 600,000 for the Army and Army Air Forces, 300,000 for the Navy and Marines. Norman Polmar, co-author of Code-Name Downfall, about the plans for the invasion, said American military leaders had to deal with an enemy that increasingly used suicide as a strategy. Beginning with the American invasion to take back the Philippines in 1944, the Japanese employed a large number of kamikaze aircraft to sink ships and kill large numbers of Americans. The threat was unexpected and difficult to counter, he said. As the invasions time frame approached, American planners were factoring in higher casualty numbers. A Japanese kamikaze plane explodes on the American carrier USS Cabot in November 1944. (U.S. Navy) Kamikaze planes, kamikaze small craft, kamikaze submarines, even kamikaze civilians with explosives or just spears, Polmar said. Kill as many Americans as possible, no matter the cost to them. Downfall had two phases. Operation Olympic would launch from Okinawa to invade Kyushu in November 1945. Operation Coronet in March 1946 would invade the central island of Honshu and push across the Kanto Plain to capture Tokyo. In the initial phase, 250,000 American troops supported by land and carrier-based aircraft would face 700,000 Japanese defenders on Kyushu. The U.S. Armys 25th and 33rd Divisions would land at Miyasaki; the 1st Cavalry and 43rd Divisions at Ariake Bay. The 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Marine Divisions would target Kagoshima. The 18 landing beaches all were to be named after American car brands. By Thanksgiving, 816,000 Americans would be on Kyushu. Occupying the southern portion of the island would allow Americans to use captured airfields and build new ones. Round-the-clock bombing raids would use both heavy bombers against cities and factories, and tactical aircraft would harass rail lines, command posts and communications centers. Japan was preparing desperate defenses under Operation Ketsugo, or Final Battle. Troops would face fanatical resistance. A U.S. Marine rifleman advances during the battle for Okinawa, April 1945. (U.S. Marine Corps) Japan planned to replicate Okinawas Operation Ten-Go Ten-Go meaning heaven. The tactics called for suicide attacks. Japans Army and Navy had as many as 10,000 aircraft ready by July 1945, most of which were used for one-way trips. Suicide attacks would come by sea, too: Shinyo motorboats; Kaiten crewed torpedoes and 400 midget submarines; more than 1,000 Fukuryu meaning crouching dragon divers trained to swim at landing craft with contact mines. Civilians were urged to become 100 million shields of the Emperor. Official propaganda urged the Japanese that death was preferable to defeat and capture. The second phase of the invasion, Operation Coronet, would be launched on Y-Day in March. Eight Army divisions, including two armored, would land at Sagami Bay near Kamakura and push past Yokohama. Three Army and three Marine divisions including the 1st, 4th and 6th would land at the Boso Peninsula and move east toward Tokyo. Planners expected to have 1.17 million American and allied troops on Honshu within 60 days. For the first time in the Pacific, the flat expanse of the Kanto Plain leading to Tokyo would allow for the use of armored divisions for the final drive on the imperial capital. Even when told of the atomic bomb that had been detonated in July at Alamogordo, N.M., many American planners did not expect the nuclear bomb would push Japan into surrender. In my opinion, there should not be the slightest thought of changing the Olympic Operation, Gen. Douglas MacArthur said. After the bombs devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the invasion plans became moot. Emperor Hirohito spoke on the radio his voice heard by citizens for the first time to announce surrender. Estimates of the cost in lives of invading Japan remain controversial. MacArthur thought American casualties would be about 23,000. Maj. Gen. Charles Willoughby projected 200,000 casualties on Kyushu, and 510,000 more to capture the rest of Japan 400,000 for Honshu alone. Former President Herbert Hoover, asked by President Harry Truman to draft post-war plans, estimated up to 1 million Americans dead and wounded. Half a million American casualties is realistic, Polmar said. Millions of Japanese, military and civilian, would die. One grim calculation: the U.S. had built up a stockpile of nearly 500,000 Purple Hearts, the medal given to those wounded and the families of those killed. The post-World War II surplus meant there were enough in warehouses run by the Defense Supply Center to last through Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, Grenada, Panama, the Gulf War and more minor conflicts. New medals werent pressed until 1999, during U.S. operations in Kosovo. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide in Beijing on Tuesday. China regards Norway as an important and stable European partner, noted Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. China hopes that Norway will continue its positive, stable, pragmatic and rational policy toward China, he said. Wang called on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, to respect each other's core interests and accommodate each other's major concerns, and to continue pursuing openness and win-win cooperation. China is willing to work with Norway to uphold multilateralism together, oppose decoupling and severing supply chains, and promote a more just and equitable international system, he added. Norway firmly adheres to the one-China policy, said Eide. He noted that as a leader in Europe's green transition, Norway fully opens its market to Chinese electric vehicles and adopts a zero-tariff policy. Norwegian companies are optimistic about the Chinese market and look forward to expanding investment and cooperation with China. He added that China's Global Governance Initiative is highly compatible with Norway's vision, and Norway is willing to work with China to uphold the spirit of the UN Charter and support a rules-based multilateral trading system. Both sides agreed to strengthen alignment of their development strategies, expand mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as trade, maritime affairs, green development and innovation, and foster a stable business environment for enterprises from both countries. Regarding the situation in the Middle East, both sides agreed that the ceasefire agreement should be effectively implemented, and the international community, particularly countries with influence over the conflicting parties, should provide the necessary support for a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire. Both sides called for support to strengthen the authority and governance capabilities of the Palestinian National Authority. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) JROTC cadets from Ramstein High School participate in an Armistice Day ceremony in Thiaucourt-Regnieville, France, Nov. 11, 2025, during which the names of French soldiers who were killed over a century ago were read aloud and remembered. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) THIAUCOURT-REGNIEVILLE, France Dozens of students from a Defense Department school in Germany had the chance to represent the United States at several ceremonies in France on Tuesday that commemorated the end of World War I. Nearly 50 cadets from the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program, or JROTC, at Ramstein High School donned blue uniforms and stood in formation during solemn Veterans Day and Armistice Day events. Four of the students served as color guard members, holding the American and French flags. The days first ceremony took place at the Saint-Mihiel American Cemetery, about 150 miles west of the students school, in the heart of the area where U.S. forces fought one of their most important and decisive battles of the Great War, the Saint-Mihiel Offensive. JROTC cadets from Ramstein High School, pictured here at Saint-Mihiel American Cemetery, took part in three ceremonies in France on Nov. 11, 2025, marking Veterans Day and Armistice Day. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) You can feel the importance of the event and being a part of it, representing America, said Cameron McClean, a member of the color guard who held the American flag during the ceremony, which overlooked more than 4,000 white gravestones that marked the final resting place of soldiers who died more than a century ago. In total, more than 100,000 Americans died in the war, according to U.S. government figures. When youre out there, youre experiencing something greater than yourself, said fellow student Lauren Meusel, who carried the French flag. The United States entered the war in 1917, sending more than 2 million troops to France, where they played a decisive role in major battles such as Saint-Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive during the final months of fighting. In the United States, and really around the world, what was once called the war to end all wars has become largely forgotten, said Tom Cavaness, superintendent of the Saint-Mihiel American Cemetery. So its encouraging when young people get involved in anything commemorating the First World War. After the Saint-Mihiel ceremony, the students participated in a French Armistice Day event in Thiaucourt-Regnieville, where U.S. and French flags flew over the villages war memorial. Armistice Day commemorates the end of World War I. JROTC cadets from Ramstein High School march in Saint-Mihiel American Cemetery in France during a Veterans Day ceremony, Nov. 11, 2025. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Kaden Herold, a JROTC cadet at Ramstein High School, stands in formation at Saint-Mihiel American Cemetery, in France, during a Veterans Day ceremony, Nov. 11, 2025. Some 50 students from the high school participated in three ceremonies in Frace day, which also marked the 107th anniversary of the end of World War I. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Usually students, especially back in the States, dont get the opportunity to help pay tribute not only to Americans who gave their lives during World War I but also to those from other countries, said JROTC group commander Sophia Pinero. At one point during the Thiaucourt-Regnieville ceremony, the names of fallen soldiers were read out loud. After each name, the crowd responded, Mort pour la France, or Died for France. Being part of such a somber event really brings things into perspective, Pinero said. A lot of the cadets here today want to join the military, and this gives us an even greater sense of patriotism. In the late afternoon, the students attended a third ceremony at the Montsec American Monument, a circular colonnade that commemorates the U.S. First Armys reduction of the Saint-Mihiel Salient in September 1918, the U.S. Second Armys operations that November, and the combat service of other U.S. divisions in the region. I feel very grateful to be living here and to get these opportunities, said cadet Charles Kretz, adding that his family often visits war sites and memorials while traveling in Europe. A high school junior, Kretz said he plans to join the military after graduating. This would be a great legacy to be part of, he said. * This year's import expo recorded 83.49 billion U.S. dollars in one-year intended deals -- up 4.4 percent from the previous edition and hitting a new high. * The six-day event featured 461 new products, technologies and services, including 201 global debuts, 65 Asian premieres and 195 China launches, spanning industries such as biomedicine, technical equipment, and green and low-carbon technology. * China has been the world's second-largest import market for 16 consecutive years, with its goods and services imports during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) set to top 15 trillion U.S. dollars. SHANGHAI, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- As the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) closed its doors on Monday, the hustle and bustle of the exhibition halls came to a halt. Yet China, the world's second-largest importer, remains committed to sharing and inclusivity. "The CIIE has demonstrated the thriving vitality of China's economy, which is injecting certainty and positive energy into the world," said Wu Zhengping, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau. Foreign exhibitors pose for photos at the China Pavilion during the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 10, 2025. The 8th CIIE concluded here on Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang) REMARKABLE NUMBERS This year's import expo recorded 83.49 billion U.S. dollars in one-year intended deals -- up 4.4 percent from the previous edition and hitting a new high, according to the CIIE Bureau. The expo's business exhibition covered an area of over 367,000 square meters, attracting 4,108 enterprises from 138 countries and regions -- breaking records for both scale and number of participants. Among participants were 290 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders, and 180 enterprises have participated in all eight expos since the inaugural CIIE, said Wu. The six-day event featured 461 new products, technologies and services, including 201 global debuts, 65 Asian premieres and 195 China launches, spanning industries such as biomedicine, technical equipment, and green and low-carbon technology. The eighth CIIE arranged 43 trade delegations and over 700 sub-delegations, with registered attendees exceeding 460,000, a 7 percent year-on-year increase. China has been the world's second-largest import market for 16 consecutive years, with its goods and services imports during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) set to top 15 trillion U.S. dollars, according to Vice Commerce Minister Sheng Qiuping. Meanwhile, its overall tariff level has dropped to 7.3 percent. Currently, only 29 items remain on China's negative list for foreign investment, and none are in the manufacturing sector. Launched in 2018 as the world's first national-level expo dedicated to imports, the CIIE was designed to expand China's opening up and turn its vast market into a shared opportunity for the world. Preparations for the ninth CIIE are now in full swing, with over 80,000 square meters of its designated business exhibition space already booked. An exhibitor (1st L) promotes Ceylon black tea at the Sri Lanka Pavilion during the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Meng Chenguang) SHARED PROSPERITY China's expanding and accessible consumer market, which was showcased at the CIIE, is turning global trade opportunities into shared prosperity for nations around the world. Since its first edition, it has offered free standard booths to the world's least developed countries (LDCs). Highlighting China's commitment to inclusive trade, this year's expo for the first time included a dedicated exhibition area for products from the LDCs, as well as expanded booths for African and Asian exhibitors, aiming to help enterprises and products from the LDCs and African countries fully leverage China's zero-tariff policies and tap into the vast Chinese market. Over 160 companies from 37 LDCs participated, and the number of African enterprises surged 80 percent from last year. Visitors view Tesla's Cybercab, which made its Asia-Pacific debut during the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) To better support exhibitors, the expo offered tax incentives for retained products, logistics subsidies, green customs clearance services and cross-border e-commerce training, creating a complete chain from exhibition to sustainable trade. For many, the CIIE has become a cultural bridge. Iranian beauty brand Perspolisa has expanded its sales in China from thousands to over 1 million bottles since 2019. "The expo connects our heritage products, ranging from rose skincare to saffron and turquoise crafts, to the world," said Elaheh Fazel, Perspolisa brand ambassador. Now in its eighth year, the CIIE has brought tangible benefits to enterprises in the Global South. Over its previous seven editions, the expo generated intended deals worth 4.18 billion U.S. dollars for LDCs and 5.14 billion dollars for landlocked developing countries. 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. China is now the main export destination for nearly 80 countries, with its free trade partners increasing to 30. "China's new zero-tariff policy for African agricultural products comes at a timely moment," Andrew Robertson, head of business enablement and operations at South Africa's Standard Bank, told Xinhua. "That is not only welcome, but also farsighted on the part of China." China has become "the most important partner for investment and trade with developing countries and the Global South," said Gerd Muller, director general of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. The UN "appreciates China's consistent commitment to multilateralism, which is today more important than ever," he said, noting that amid a turbulent global trade environment, China's trade policy offers developing countries great market opportunities. Two humanoid robots perform a session of fighting at robotics company Unitree's booth during the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Cai Xiangxin) PULSE OF THE FUTURE Across the vast CIIE exhibition halls, cutting-edge products glinted under bright lights and teams of engineers and marketers demonstrated the latest innovations. From self-driving taxis to humanoid robots, these forward-looking technologies have moved from laboratories into real-world applications, heralding the arrival of the future. The CIIE has long served as a global showcase for latest innovations. Over the past years, a string of regional and global debuts has turned the expo into a grand stage for cutting-edge ideas. For many executives of multinational corporations, the CIIE has become an annual rendezvous. They not only discover products and strategies that resonate with Chinese consumer preferences and cultural nuances, but also catch a firsthand glimpse of China's rapidly evolving market. Brendy Lange, president of Dow Performance Materials & Coatings, called the CIIE "one of the most exciting events" he has ever participated in. Dow is a full-time expo participant, and Lange was at the CIIE in person for the second time this year. "What's exciting is that the market opportunities in China are becoming clearer," Lange said in an interview with Xinhua. "As the country transitions toward high-quality development, it requires more innovative and higher-performing materials, and that's what we're showcasing." "We see an ecosystem where there's a high interest from customers and governments in innovation," Lange added. "That's really positive for Dow, and it's going to continue creating opportunities." The recommendations of China's top leadership for formulating the country's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) call for accelerating innovation in digital and intelligent technologies, making breakthroughs in basic theories and core technologies, and ensuring more efficient supply of computing power, algorithms and data. This photo shows the exhibition area of Intelligent Industry and Information Technology during the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 10, 2025. The 8th CIIE concluded here on Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang) Foreign companies are racing to introduce their innovative technologies into China, aiming to capitalize on the vast opportunities arising from the country's transformation. Danish industrial giant Danfoss, for example, expanded its manufacturing base in Zhejiang Province this September to meet surging demand for green technologies. At this year's CIIE, the company signed strategic cooperation agreements with multiple Chinese partners to deepen collaboration in smart logistics, intelligent heating, water treatment and other sectors. "China's data center, shipbuilding and building-retrofit sectors have flourished in recent years, providing a powerful growth engine for our business," said Xu Yang, president of Danfoss China. "We see China as our second home market, which means that our commitment and confidence in China remain unwavering, rain or shine," Xu added. NEW DELHI, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- India's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday handed over the probe into the Delhi car blast to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The NIA is India's principal counter-terrorism law enforcement agency. It functions under the MHA, and directly reports to the country's home minister and his secretariat. The car blast took place near Delhi's historic monument Red Fort on Monday evening, killing at least eight people and injuring nearly two dozen others, some of them critically. Though the official death toll stood at eight, media reports suggested that it had risen to 13. The car owner's identity had been established, and further investigation was on as a few were detained for interrogation. Ester Requena Malaga Tuesday, 11 November 2025, 16:17 Share Another fireball has been seen in the sky in Spain, after crossing Andalucia. Many people reported seeing it from Jaen and Cordoba around 8.26pm on Saturday evening, 7 October. As astrophysicist and researcher Jose Maria Madiedo explained, the fireball was a rock detached from comet 2P/Encke that entered the atmosphere at 106,000 kilometres per hour. Identified with the code #SWEMN20251108_192615, the fireball illuminated the sky across Spain. It started 104 kilometres above Peal de Becerro (Jaen) and ended at 60 kilometres above Santa Cruz (Cordoba). SUR in English Gibraltar Tuesday, 11 November 2025, 14:54 | Updated 15:29h. Share Chubb European Group Gibraltar marked 25 years of service to Gibraltar's insurance industry with a special Key Partner Market Appreciation Event on Wednesday, 5 November, bringing together prominent figures from across the sector. The reception, held at Chubb's Gibraltar offices, welcomed leading brokers, litigators, and loss adjusters from the local insurance community to celebrate the company's longstanding commitment to partnership, excellence, and market development in the territory. Nigel Feetham, Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry, attended the event and addressed guests, emphasising the importance of strong relationships in Gibraltar's insurance sector. "Gibraltar's insurance market thrives on strong relationships. Events like these reinforce our shared commitment to innovation, integrity, and service excellence," Minister Feetham said. SUR in English Gibraltar Tuesday, 11 November 2025, 15:24 Share The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, has congratulated Paula Latin on her appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), describing it as a historic milestone for the organisation. Ms Latin becomes the first woman to lead GBC since the broadcaster's creation in the 1960s, marking a significant moment in the corporation's history. Extending his warm congratulations, Mr Picardo praised Ms Latin's extensive experience and standing within Gibraltar's media landscape. "I am delighted to congratulate Paula Latin on her appointment as CEO of GBC. Paula's long-standing service, creativity and leadership within Gibraltar's national broadcaster have made her one of the most respected figures in local media," Mr Picardo said. "Her appointment marks an important and historic milestone as the first woman to lead GBC since its creation in the 1960s. I have every confidence that she will bring her characteristic energy, professionalism and vision to the role as she guides the Corporation into its next chapter. "On behalf of the Government and the people of Gibraltar, I wish Paula every success in her new position." Jennie Rhodes Axarquia Tuesday, 11 November 2025, 20:17 Share Representatives from local Spanish charities and organisations run by the foreign community in the Axarquia attended a coffee morning to mark the second anniversary of Lux Mundi's Food Drive at the ecumenical centre in Torre del Mar on the eastern Costa del Sol on Monday 10 November. Volunteers from Lux Mundi. Caritas, Torre del Mar's Rocio Holy Week brotherhood, the Alcaucin Community Association (ACA) and St Barnabas Anglican Church, among others attended the event. Lux Mundi president Gloria Uribe and representatives from Caritas highlighted the importance of the monthly food collection, which they explained helps over 30 families in the Torre del Mar area. "To achieve this, we need to collect donations of items or money totalling approximately 1,190 euros per month," they explained, in English and Spanish. They went on to explain that Caritas interviews the families and decides "who needs our help" each month. The number of people that they are helping "has increased" this year "due to the local and global situation", they said. Caritas prioritises families with children and explained that many of the families they help are immigrants who are waiting to obtain permits to work, or people in work whose salaries don't allow them to cover all of the monthly expenses. "There are people who are working but the salaries are not enough. The rents in Torre del Mar are going up and up, as is the cost of food," they said. Caritas and Lux Mundi thanked the local companies that support the Food Drive before attendees shared coffee and cake and participated in a quiz with questions in English and Spanish. Photos taken during the Food Drive second anniversary event J. R. Donations for the Food Drive can be taken to the Lux Mundi Centre or made via Bizum (look for NGO and 'donate to a worthy cause') using the code: 07388 and stating 'food drive'. Food donations may include milk, dried lentils, tinned tuna, coffee, pasta, biscuits, rice, sunflower oil, dried chickpeas, breakfast cereal, chocolate milk powder and sugar. Eugenio Cabezas Nerja Monday, 10 November 2025 | Updated 11/11/2025 14:21h. Share Cafeteria Cavana closed its doors on Sunday 2 November in the heart of Nerja on the eastern Costa del Sol, bringing to an end more than half a century of history and hospitality in a place that has been a symbol and meeting point for residents and thousands of tourists who visit the coastal town every year. The owners of the business, the Perez Bueno family, have sold the building to investors, who plan to completely renovate it. Located in the square of the same name, a few metres from the Balcon de Europa, the origins of Cafeteria Cavana date back to May 1973, when, according to the minutes of Nerja town hall meeting dated 27 June, at the request of Encarnacion Bueno Atencia, opening licence number 29 was granted for a 'second-class cafe', under the name Cavana Snack-Bar. It was located in what was then known as Plaza de los Martires, now Plaza Cavana, according to a social media post from the Nerja museum. Throughout its long history, the cafeteria became "a benchmark for the political and cultural concerns of Nerja in the 1970s," according to the museum's post. It regularly hosted a local chess tournament as well as Ludo and exhibitions of works by artists including Pepe Carneros, as well as exhibitions by photographers Juan Carlos Piovano in 1976 and Paco Garcia in 1977, watercolours by David Kenning in 1994, paintings by Liza Bolinguer in 1996 and collages by Roberto Diaz in 2006. In an article published in SUR on 27 March 1975, entitled Cultural promotion of the Sala Cavana, the then correspondent, Juan Palomo, pointed out that since its inauguration in 1973, twelve exhibitions had been held. The owners, brothers Salvador and Rafael Perez Bueno, told Palomo that their main purpose "was to promote art and culture in Nerja and on the Costa del Sol." Pepe Franco, who worked as a waiter from 1976 to 2019, recalled that personalities such as journalist Pablo de Irazazabal, sculptor Aurelio Teno and writer Juan Madrid were regular customers. "During the winters of the late 1980s, the latter used to sit by the fireplace to write the scripts for the series Brigada Central," added the Nerja museum. Images of Cafeteria Cavana. SUR / E. Cabezas Cafeteria Cavana was also a regular meeting place for hiring extras for the legendary TV series Verano Azul and it also appeared in the programme, in episode 4, entitled 'Beatriz, Mon Amour'. The closure of Cafeteria Cavana marks the end of an era in hospitality in the centre of Nerja. Its sofas, bar and terrace have seen thousands of customers come and go, who became one big family. ISLAMABAD, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and five others injured on Tuesday afternoon in a blast outside courts in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, police told Xinhua. National Police are investigating a suspected homophobic attack in Torremolinos. The incident, which involved several individuals who shouted a derogatory term and assaulted a 39-year-old man, happened in the popular La Nogalera area on 7 October. The suspects have not been located yet and the case is investigated as a hate crime. Fortunately, the victim sustained only minor injuries. Mayor Margarita del Cid denounced the incident through her social media profile: "No one should feel afraid because of their sexual orientation." She hopes that the suspects will be identified and brought to justice for "this brutal aggression". The local representatives of hard-right party Vox have also condemned the attack. They have called for more security resources in La Nogalera, which is an area with a lot of nighttime activity. "Vox demands permanent police presence in the area until dawn," spokesperson Francisco Garrido said. Two other hate crimes in La Nogalera in May La Nogalera has been the scene of more homophobic attacks this year. Back in May, two young men were attacked from behind and beaten up by at least four individuals, who shouted "Faggots!" at them. The incident happened on Calle Casablanca around 4.30am. The victims had travelled from the province of Madrid to spend a few days on holiday in Torremolinos. Not even 24 hours after the latest incident, another man reported having suffered homophobic insults and threats on his way to the hotel where he was staying, after partying in La Nogalera. The National Police have also launched an investigation into that incident. SUR Malaga Tuesday, 11 November 2025, 18:43 Share The goat's milk cheeses from El Arquillo, Montes de Malaga, Crestellina, Santa Maria del Cerro, Pastor del Valle and Cabraline have been recognised by the provincial authority's 'Sabor a Malaga' promotional brand as the best in the Costa del Sol province at the seventh annual awards for the best goat cheeses around this part of Andalucia. Eleven cheese dairies participated in this year's competition and the winners were announced last Friday during a ceremony held at the facilities of Ciomijas, a comprehensive training and educational centre in Mijas for the leisure industries. The judging panel was chaired by the director of Sabor a Malaga, Leonor Garcia-Agua, and made up of experts from different parts of Spain. One of those judging was Esther Maria Alfaro Ruiz, technical specialist in cheese production, sensory analysis and cheese pairings (for instance, which cheese to pair with a certain wine) and judge for the national cheese competition at Madrid's gourmet fair and the Andalusian cheese fair. Other judges were Sara Fregeneda Lopez, manager of Queseria La Antigua and Gestion Agro Ganadera and president of the international school for the dairy industry in Zamora, food marketing expert Ignacio Gonzalez Gomez Sandoval and Francisco Javier Garcia Caro, who is both a sommelier and a fromelier - a cheese expert who recommends which cheeses complement the other dishes of food and wine being served in gourmet restaurants. The panel had to deliberate over 61 samples of goat's cheese submitted to the competition by 11 dairies from the municipalities of Alhaurin el Grande, Antequera, Campillos, Casabermeja, Casares, Coin, Colmenar, Velez-Malaga, Villanueva de la Concepcion and Yunquera. The cheesemakers submitted eight fresh cheeses, 13 semi-cured cheeses, nine fully-cured cheeses made with unpasteurised milk, 15 cured cheeses made with pasteurised milk, eight soft cheeses and eight cheeses with added flavours or innovative coatings. The award winners Following the public tasting, the judging panel decided to award the best fresh goat's cheese to the one from El Arquillo (Campillos). Agammasur from Colmenar won two awards, one for best semi-cured cheese for their semicurado Montes de Malaga and the second for best cured cheese made with unpasteurised milk with their special reserve cheese coated with paprika. The award for best cured cheese made with pasteurised milk went to Crestellina from Casares for their organic, grass-fed Payoya goat cheese while the award for the most innovative cheese went to Santa Maria del Cerro for their 'Romantico' cheese. In the best soft cheese category, the award went to Pastor del Valle for their 'Capra El Pastor del Valle' and a runner-up prize was awarded to Cabraline for their blue goat's cheese. What was awarded? The prize fund was more than 25,000 euros with 4,600 euros for each of the six categories, as well as 1,380 euros to be shared between the runners-up. The money awarded is intended to go towards the purchase of products for promotional activities. In addition, the winning cheeses will display a mention of the award on their product labelling and will be included in the national and international promotion and marketing network of the Sabor a Malaga brand. In last year's competition, the winning cheesemakers were Agammasur, once again with two awards, Cabraline with one award and a runner-up prize, Caprina del Guadalhorce, El Porticatero and Flor Bermeja. Maria Jose Diaz Alcala Malaga Friday, 7 November 2025 | Updated 11/11/2025 07:36h. Share The National Police have struck a major blow against organised crime in Malaga province and along the Costa del Sol, dismantling several violent drug networks and seizing nine tonnes of narcotics in a series of operations over the past month. One of the operations was launched after the drugs and organised crime unit of the provincial police force noticed unusual movements of buyers and sellers carrying bags and backpacks in residential buildings in the Bailen-Miraflores area in Malaga city. After discovering that deliveries of up to five kilos of cocaine were being made, the police managed to identify all the members of the network, who were arrested and sent to prison, including the leader, who was captured in Ronda. The most important detail remained a secret, however: where were the drugs stored? The investigation led the police to Campillas last month, where they discovered two underground hideouts with 170 kilos of drugs, two semi-automatic pistols and 129,515 euros. Another operation, given the codename 'Chef', led the police to discover that a vehicle was being loaded with hashish in a rural area between Sierras de Grazalema and Los Alcornocales at the end of September. The aim of that organisation was to get the drugs to France, but the police managed to intercept the vehicle in Granada province and seize 33 packages with over 1,000 kilos of hashish. Four people were arrested in Mollina, Mijas and Estepona and six vehicles were seized. Two more arrests were carried out at the end of October. Subsequently, during a search at a farm in Churriana, six more vehicles were seized. Operation 'Mosk' dismantled another international network based in Alhaurin El Grande and Cartama. The investigators noticed that blue packages were being loaded into a 4x4 vehicle, which was accompanied by a van and a car. Upon checking the registration number of the vehicle, the police discovered that it was an illegal operation and intercepted the network. As a result, they seized 600 kilos of hashish and arrested three suspects. One of them had a European arrest warrant issued by the French authorities for the crimes of homicide, assault and battery. The court ordered all of them to be remanded in custody. As part of the operation, two house searches were carried out in Alhaurin el Grande and Cartama, where more than 2,500 kilograms of hashish and four vehicles were seized. In the last month alone, the National Police have seized nine tonnes of drugs (hashish and cocaine), some 37 firearms, some of them military-grade weapons, and ammunition in Malaga province. The number of arrests has risen to 55. Pilar Martinez Malaga Tuesday, 11 November 2025, 09:59 Share The British low-cost airline easyJet celebrated its 30th anniversary on Monday. The company operated its first flight on 10 November 1995. For three decades, easyJet has been connecting people and destinations. To mark this milestone, the airline has announced a special offer: discounts of up to 30% for flights to European destinations scheduled between 18 November 2025 and 18 March 2026. The promotion covers 15,000 seats, including routes connecting several airports in Spain, among them Malaga, with key destinations such as Geneva, Lyon, Liverpool and Milan. The offer will be active until 4pm on 11 November. You can explore travel options on www.easyjet.com. SUR Malaga Tuesday, 11 November 2025, 17:47 Share The ONCE Spanish national organisation of the blind lottery draw on Monday, 10 November, resulted in winnings totalling 815,000 euros for ten people who bought their ticket in Malaga city centre. The lottery tickets were all sold at the bus station sales point by Francisco Javier Guerrero, who has been an ONCE salesperson since 2014. On Monday, he sold one ticket worth 500,000 euros and nine others, each winning the buyers 35,000 euros. With almost 11 years of experience in the same location, Guerrero expressed his joy upon hearing the news this Tuesday. He was already familiar with the feeling of knowing that he had sold a winning ticket - he sold the nine-million-euro ticket seven years ago. Nevertheless, the excitement hasn't left him and he believes that "the important thing is to spread joy". "This is my job, handing out luck, and I do it very happily, knowing that I can help people who may need it," he said. "I have a job, health and the luck I share with my fellow residents." Monday's draw was dedicated to Benidorm's patron saint festivities. It made many people in Andalucia happy, after leaving a total of 1,620,000 euros in the region: 385,000 euros for 11 coupons in Seville; 350,000 euros for ten coupons in Chiclana (Cadiz); and 70,000 euros for two coupons in San Fernando (Cadiz). The rest of the prizes were won in Aragon, Cantabria and Castilla-La Mancha. The ONCE daily coupon offers a prize of 500,000 euros for the full number plus the series and 49 prizes of 35,000 euros for the five digits of the winning number. Additionally, there are 450 prizes of 250 euros for matching the first four digits and another 450 for the last four digits; 9,000 prizes of 25 euros for matching the first or last three digits; 9,000 prizes of six euros for the first or last two digits; and a two-euro refund for matching the first or last digit of the winning number. The Eurojackpot, which ONCE Spain shares with 18 other European countries, is ten million euros on 11 November. The ONCE extraordinary draw this Tuesday also offers the chance to win 11 million euros or one of 11 prizes of one million euros. Additionally, there are 119 prizes of 50,000 euros, 1,309 of 2,000 euros and another 1,080 of 1,200 euros. Irene Quirante Tuesday, 11 November 2025 | Updated 13/11/2025 18:56h. Share The three defendants accused of the murder of a man and the attempted murder of another in the Playa Alvaro residential area in Marbella on 15 November 2019, will be tried by a jury from 17 November onwards. The prosecution has asked for 38 years and eight months in prison for two of the defendants and 37 years for the third. According to the private prosecutors, the murders took place in the context of a violent robbery attempt carried out by one gang (the three defendants) and targeting another gang (the two victims). The public prosecution states that the defendants had orchestrated a plan with the sole purpose of ending the lives of the two victims. When the police arrived at the scene on 15 November 2019, they found one man dead and another in a critical condition. According to the preliminary investigation, two of the defendants, both of Romanian origin, went to one of the victims' houses at around 6.30pm. They were accompanied by the victims themselves, both of Moroccan origin. The crime Once inside the house, one of the defendants reportedly shot one of the targets in the chest with a .38 millimetre revolver. The bullet caused an entry wound below the man's collarbone and an exit wound in the back. He was dead when the police arrived. The other defendant then reportedly pulled out a similar weapon with which he fired three shots at the second victim, who was hit in the abdomen, shoulder and leg. The man survived, although he suffered spinal injuries and other wounds that required surgery and rehabilitative treatment in specialised centres. He spent 153 days in hospital and despite the doctors' efforts, he was left paraplegic. The deceased was shot in the chest, while the other victim was hit by three bullets, which left him paralysed According to the prosecution, the defendants had held several meetings with the victims as part of their plan to kill them, in the days prior to the crime. On 12 November, the third defendant, of Spanish origin, who was not at the scene where the attack took place, met with one of the victims in the Plaza Mayor shopping centre. The following day, he also met with the other defendants and the victims at Hospital Costa del Sol. On 14 November, he arranged another meeting at the same location. The murder took place the next day. After carrying out the attack, the two perpetrators met with the third defendant at one of the motorway exits in Coin. Violent robbery and assault between gangs According to the private prosecutors, who represent the survivor and the widow and children of the deceased, the three defendants were part of a criminal organisation linked to what the police call 'vuelcos': violent robberies of consignments of drugs or money from other gangs. They believe that this was the aim of the attack. The Spaniard has been identified as the ringleader, who would have commissioned and instructed the other two individuals. The private lawyers have requested that the three defendants be sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of review for the murder. They disagree on the sentence for the attempted murder, for which the lawyer of the surviving victim has asked for 15 years in prison, while the other lawyer, representative of the deceased's family, has asked for 13 years. Additionally, both prosecutions are requesting another two years for illegal possession of weapons and four more for membership in a criminal organisation. The lawyer of the ringleader maintains that he did not participate in the assault, having only mediated with the other defendants to introduce them to other people involved in buying drugs. The plan was for him to receive a commission of some 4,500 euros for this. According to his defence, he had no knowledge of the crime. Isabel Mendez Malaga Tuesday, 11 November 2025, 14:40 Share There is Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Family Day, but have you heard of Singles' Day? It is globally celebrated on 11 November. The occasion was born in China back in 1993 out of a desire to have a counter-Valentine's holiday. It was conceived by Nanjing university students who wanted to celebrate being single. The date - 11/11 - was chosen because it contains four digits of the number one, which is considered the loneliest number. According to popular Chinese belief, it resembles a tree without leaves, which is a metaphor for people who do not marry or couples who do not have children. As often happens, people compensate for feeling lonely or sad by treating themselves to a nice purchase, which is also why Singles' Day marks one of the biggest online shopping days in the whole world. Understanding the marketing value of this occasion, many retailers in China offer big discounts on the 11th November, among them Aliexpress, Amazon and Shein. BELEM, Brazil, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- "I call on countries to fulfill their commitments. This means formulating and implementing ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions," Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Monday. Climate change is no longer a future threat but a present-day tragedy, the Brazilian leader said at the opening of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference being held in Belem, in the Brazilian state of Para. Noting that the rise in global temperatures spreads pain and suffering, Lula said holding the conference in the heart of the Amazon was an arduous but necessary task. "I urge world leaders to accelerate climate action. We need the roadmap so that humanity, in a fair and planned manner, can overcome its dependence on fossil fuels, reverse deforestation, and mobilize resources for this purpose ... so words are translated into actions," he said. He also called on the international community to put people at the center of the climate agenda. Global warming could push millions of people into hunger and poverty, setting back decades of progress, he said. A just transition must help reduce the asymmetries between the Global North and South, which have been forged over centuries of emissions, said the Brazilian leader. Want to make some money? A grocery store chain is letting customers trade in pennies for twice their value. Price Chopper and Market 32 announced that Sunday, Nov. 16, will be Double Exchange Day. Any customers who bring in rolled or loose pennies can receive double their value (2 cents for every penny) as a gift card for store credit. According to the supermarket news site Progressive Grocer, participants must bring a minimum of 50 cents (for a $1 gift card value) and can exchange pennies for up to a maximum of $100 (for a $200 gift card). An uneven amount, such as $1.23, can similarly be redeemed for $2.46. Double Exchange Day will take place at all 129 Price Chopper and Market 32 locations from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The stores are located in six states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. A representative confirmed that the deal will not be available at Tops Friendly Markets, despite Tops and Price Chopper merging in 2021 to become Northeast Grocery, Inc. The company still operates both brands, though several stores have since closed including a Price Chopper in Clay in 2024 and a Tops in DeWitt in April. The money-doubling offer is a response to the growing penny shortage after President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. Treasury to stop producing 1-cent coins due to rising costs. Banks are unable to order new pennies from the U.S. Mint and have started rationing the coins for their customers. According to the Associated Press, the convenience store chain Sheetz recently got so desperate for pennies that it briefly ran a promotion offering a free soda to customers who exchange 100 pennies for a $1 bill. Other stores and restaurants, including Aldi and McDonalds, have resorted to rounding up or rounding down to the nearest five cents (or nickels) when pennies arent available as change. All other payment methods, such as credit cards and digital wallets, are processed as usual. Cash transactions remain an important part of how we serve our customers, and for those who prefer to pay with cash, we want to make sure we can continue providing the same great checkout experience right down to the penny, Blaine Bringhurst, president of Market 32 and Price Chopper, said in a statement. The Double Exchange Day gives our customers an opportunity to partner with us in that effort while being rewarded for supporting us in managing our coin inventory responsibly as the nation prepares for the phaseout of pennies. To find your nearest Market 32 or Price Chopper store, visit pricechopper.com/stores. A trip to Buffalo isnt complete without wings, and the Jonas Brothers knew it. On Sunday, Nov. 9, the band made their final Upstate New York stop on their Jonas20: Living the Dream tour at KeyBank Center in Buffalo before heading to New York City to appear on Good Morning America. Amidst their busy schedule, Nick and Joe Jonas still made time to enjoy the citys most iconic dish: Buffalo wings. Gabriel's Gate is the perfect spot for some late night wings. Joed Viera | newyorkupstate.com On a recommendation from their driver, the brothers, joined by longtime bodyguard Robert Big Rob Feggans, headed to Gabriels Gate in Buffalos Allentown neighborhood. Known locally as The Gate, the historic spot is a staple on the Buffalo Wing Trail and has been serving up saucy plates since opening in a building originally constructed as a row house in 1864. In a video shared online, Nick and Joe are seen diving into a basket of wings with pints of beer and plenty of bleu cheese. I can smell it. Its actually intoxicating, Joe said into the camera before taking a bite. Gabriel's Gate is the perfect spot for some late night wings. Joed Viera | newyorkupstate.com Channeling actor Stanley Tucci in Searching for Italy, Joe gave a playful, over-the-top review: Im getting a hint of spiciness. Im getting a hint of flavor. Vinegar. Pineapple. A zest of pineapple, he joked. No pineapple, but literally, its unbelievable. Overall, 10 out of 10, Nick added. The brothers praised Gabriels Gate staff and ended their video with a Buffalo rallying cry, Go Bills. Big Rob later chimed in on Nicks post, agreeing the wings were awesome. The shoutout didnt end there. During their Buffalo concert, Nick gave another nod to the incredible wings, according to a video posted to Gabriels Gates social media. This Buffalo show wrapped up the Jonas Brothers string of Upstate New York performances, which also included stops in Syracuse and Saratoga Springs. Popes theyre just like us! They like to watch movies, too. Pope Leo XIV revealed his four favorite movies of all time, ahead of a special event at the Vatican. The Chicago-born pontiff, the first pope from the U.S., will host Hollywood filmmakers and actors like Cate Blanchett, Chris Pine, Spike Lee, Monica Bellucci, Gus Van Sant, Alison Brie, Dave Franco, George Miller and Watertown High School graduate Viggo Mortensen on Saturday. The pope has expressed his desire to deepen dialogue with the World of Cinema exploring the possibilities that artistic creativity offers to the mission of the Church and the promotion of human values, the Vatican said in a statement. To help start the conversation, the Vatican revealed Pope Leos favorite films are: Its a Wonderful Life (1946) Jimmy Stewart leads Frank Capras holiday classic about a struggling businessman in Bedford Falls (based on Seneca Falls, N.Y.) who learns the value of his life from a guardian angel. The Sound of Music (1965) A young novice (Julie Andrews) is sent by her convent in 1930s Austria to become a governess to the seven children of a widowed naval officer. Ordinary People (1980) Donald Sutherland, Mirage Hellermore and Mary Tyler Moore star in Robert Redfords Oscar-winning tale about the accidental death of an older son in an affluent family. Life is Beautiful (1997) Italian actor Robert Benigni stars as a Jewish father who uses humor and imagination to protect his son from the worst of the Holocaust and concentration camps. * * * * * Pope Leo did not elaborate on why he chose those films or what he personally loved about them. Its a Wonderful Life and The Sound of Music are both on AFIs list of the 100 greatest movies of all time; Ordinary People, set in Leos home state of Illinois, won four Oscars including Best Picture; and Benigni won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Life is Beautiful. FILE - In this 1946 file photo originally provided by RKO Pictures Inc., actor James Stewart as George Bailey, center, is reunited with his wife played by actress Donna Reed, third from left, and family during the last scene of Frank Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life." (AP Photo/RKO Pictures Inc.) According to Variety, this appears to be the first-ever Hollywood-type event at the Vatican. The American pope has already met with actors Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Arnold Schwarzenegger; his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, hosted a gathering in 2024 that featured comedians like Conan OBrien, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon. Leo, a former Augustinian missionary previously known as Rev. Robert Prevost (and Father Bob), was elected the 267th leader of the Catholic Church earlier this year, overcoming the traditional prohibition against a pope from the United States. Together, we must try to find out how to be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges, establishes dialogue, thats always open to receive like on this piazza with open arms to be able to receive everybody that needs our charity, our presence, dialogue and love, Leo said in May. Syracuse, N.Y. Common Councilor Pat Hogan is picking a fight with historic preservation advocates in his final months in office over the power a city volunteer board has to halt renovation projects. Hogan has proposed an amendment to the citys zoning law that would establish an exemption for property owners of locally protected historic buildings to obtain Landmark Preservation Board approval on many exterior repairs. The council itself would have the power to grant the exemptions, and they would not be bound by any of the historic preservation criteria now established in the citys zoning law. The measure has drawn a swift and loud rebuke from LPB members and other historic preservation advocates. Its disappointing that this has been brought forth, Julia Hafftka-Marshall, the LPBs chair, said at the boards Oct. 30 meeting. Im not really understanding the purpose other than to say that the Landmark Preservation Board should not exist, because thats what it means." Hogan said his frustration with the LPB goes back almost 20 years, when the board opposed demolishing a house that it deemed historically significant to make room for a new Ronald McDonald House on East Genesee Street. In recent years, Hogans been miffed at the LPBs handling of the downtown Mizpah Tower renovation by attorney Tom Cerio, who was one of Hogans top donors and campaign advisers during his mayoral primary run. Cerio has gone back-and-forth with the LPB on issues related to window and door replacements for the long-vacant building hes redeveloping into a mix of office, apartment and restaurant/bar space. Its just the free rein that the preservation board and the preservationists have over whats to become of these historic structures, Hogan said. Im all in favor of preservation, but Id like to see these buildings repurposed and used. What (Hogans proposal) does is add a layer of government thats elected by the people to make a final decision. But in its current form, the measure would allow for a property owner to completely bypass the LPB. The city Planning Commission serves as the body that hears appeals of LPBs decisions on certificates of appropriateness. Both boards members are appointed by the mayor. Hogan said that in practice, the council would still want exemption applicants to go through the LPB review, and he would be open to tweaking his proposal to make that clear. Opponents of any changes point to the concern that involving elected city councilors in making historic preservation decisions invites political influence. Left unchecked, this measure would open the door to development driven purely by profit, said Andrew Roblee, a historic preservation architect who serves as president of the Preservation Association of Central New York. We cannot hand over the fate of the citys heritage from the will of the people to the whims of rich developers. Once a historic building is gone, its gone forever. Hogan said he has not consulted with his fellow common councilors on the measure. They voted unanimously on Oct. 27 to ask the city Planning Commission to review the proposal and make a recommendation. PACNY is urging its members to contact councilors and the planning commission to oppose the measure. The planning commissions review would include a public hearing. Its not yet known when that will take place, but the body is supposed to provide its recommendation to the council within 60 days of receiving it. That timeline could mean Hogan is no longer on the council when it comes up for a vote. He is stepping down at the end of the year because he did not seek re-election to his seat. Hogan said hes going to push Mayor Ben Walshs administration to move quickly on the Planning Commission review. He is not swayed by the comments hes seen about his proposal so far. What irritates me is people borrowing money to repurpose buildings and being jammed up by either codes or Landmark Preservation Board or something like that, he said, Theyre obstructionists and frankly, theyre elitists, too. Syracuse, N.Y. More than a hundred people, including top local elected officials and the citys next mayor, gathered Monday evening in downtown Syracuse to demand the release of two Upstate hospital workers detained by federal immigration authorities. A mix of area residents and unions representing the two hospital workers and their co-workers stood together in frigid, snowy weather outside the James M. Hanley Federal Building in Clinton Square. The unions, the Civil Service Employees Association and United University Professions, handed out multi-colored glowsticks and custom-printed signs that said, We stand with Alex and Yan. They dont know us, said Sharon Owens, Syracuses mayor-elect. Well stand out in the middle of a snowstorm to stand up for whats right. The two hospital workers, Alcibiades Alex Lazaro Ramirez Gonzalez and Yannier Yan Vazquez Hidalgo, were detained late last month when they went to an appointment at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Mattydale. The two men, who got married this fall, have requested asylum protections in the United States after fleeing their native Cuba. The arrests at the immigration office, which have become common across the country during President Donald Trumps second term, have provoked outrage. Family members and union officials met earlier this month with Gov. Kathy Hochul about the case. She promised to help them find a good lawyer. A family member said at the rally Monday that she had recently visited the men at the federal immigration detention center near Buffalo, where they are being held. They gave her a message to deliver to their supporters, including the boisterous, bundled-up crowd. We want to come home, the cousin, Miriam Andres, said the men told her. Leaders from the unions representing the men said it was wrong for federal immigration authorities to arrest people working to earn their place in the United States. Theyre doing exactly what our country asks people to do, said Kenny Greenleaf, the president of the CSEAs central region. Follow the law, show up at their hearings and work hard to build a better life. Some co-workers from the hospital were at the rally. Ashley Clark, a cancer nurse, said the two men were fixtures in the office. They were there before she got in each day and stayed long after she went home. They light up a whole room, and they just have such a love and compassion for other people, she told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. And thats missing. Yannier Vazquez Hidalgo and Alcibiades Lazaro Ramirez Gonzalez pose after their wedding. They were arrested by ICE in October. Provided photo A variety of unions were represented at the rally, including the teachers union and SEIU. Melinda Person, the president of the New York state teachers union, attended. Many different kinds of Democratic elected officials were at the rally, including progressive stalwarts like city auditor Alexander Marion and state Sen. Rachel May. Assembly member Bill Magnarelli, currently serving his 14th term, also spoke. Their detention is just another shocking example of the cruel and inhuman treatment of our immigrant community under the Trump administration, he said. Alex and Yan came to Central New York to escape discrimination and oppression in Cuba, and to build a better life through hard work and determination. Their story is no different than the previous generations of immigrants who came to Central New York. Owens, who will become Syracuses mayor in January, said it was important to stand up for the rights of all community members. If you ignore the plight of your neighbor because that neighbor doesnt look like you, speak like you, love like you, she said, you better believe that that plight, that evil, is going to someday knock on your door. The definition of illegal is whatever they choose to make it, she said. A woman arrested with 56 others at a Cato nutrition bar factory in September has filed a Constitutional challenge to the federal governments immigration raid, saying the violations are diverse, plentiful and compounding. In papers filed in federal court Monday, a lawyer for Argentina Juarez-Lopez asked Judge Brenda Sannes to exclude evidence federal agents collected after the biggest raid in Upstate New York since President Donald Trump took office. Federal agents secured the wrong kind of warrant to enter the factory, the worker claimed. A so-called Blackies warrant is a warrant for administrative investigations that did not authorize a mass seizure of workers for questioning without attorneys, according to Paul Tuck, her lawyer and a former assistant U.S. attorney in Syracuse. Federal agents did not have the required criminal warrant, he said. Body camera footage described in new court papers shows the behavior of federal agents, who kicked in doors and ordered workers out of bathroom stalls, even as they sat on the toilet, Tuck alleged. Juarez-Lopez also said she was held with others in a small cell at the Oswego Border Patrol for four days before she had an initial court hearing in Syracuse. On Sept. 4, dozens of state and federal law enforcement agents converged on the factory as part of a criminal investigation into the employment of unauthorized workers, Tuck said in court papers. Agents detained 57 people. They were all Latino. Many workers were sent to detention centers around the country and deported less than 72 hours later as part of a secretive administrative immigration court system. The factorys owners said federal agents told them they had a warrant for a violent felon. The raid of Nutrition Bar Confectioners turned up five arrests of people who entered the U.S. illegally after previously being deported. Two months later, no one has been charged with a violent crime or any other crime. Juarez-Lopez was charged with illegal re-entry, a felony, in federal court because agents said she had been deported once before. Unlike the administrative proceedings, federal court cases are open to the public, as are the related records. This case will shed light on the mass arrests in ways the other cases cannot. In court papers, Tuck alleges, officers detained and arrested Juarez-Lopez without knowing her name or immigration status a violation of the Fourth Amendment, which prevents unreasonable seizures. The U.S. Constitution applies to everyone in the country, regardless of citizenship. Juarez-Lopez was working on a production line when a co-worker ran through the production area saying police had arrived. Moments later, Juarez-Lopez said in documents, she saw an officer walking toward her. He wore a hat, a face mask and body armor. She turned and saw another officer dressed like the first officer, but wearing a handgun on his leg. They used hand gestures to move workers into the breakroom. The room was crowded, chaotic and hot, she said. Officers yelled at employees to sit down or stay here. More armed officers pushed as many as 50 workers into a corner, she said in an interview filed in court. Juarez-Lopez said she asked for a lawyer and did not make any statements about her immigration status. Agents later said in their reports that she admitted at the factory to being in the country illegally and that she is a citizen of Guatemala, court documents said. But the law enforcement body camera video supports her story, her lawyer said. Federal agents did not learn her name, country of origin or immigration status in the factory. The video shows that agents questioned her for nine seconds, her lawyer said. Even without that information, agents wrapped a chain around Juarez-Lopezs waist and handcuffed her to the chain. They took her to the Oswego Border Patrol Station and did not tell her where she was, she said. When they arrived, she asked to use the bathroom. They escorted her to a large cell with up to 30 of her female co-workers and told her to use a metal toilet with no door or privacy, she said. It was humiliating, she said. Federal agents held Juarez-Lopez in a small cell with one other woman for four days. Agents tossed out the makeup, toothbrush and medication in her bag. She was not allowed to make phone calls, not permitted any reading materials and slept on a foam mattress and blanket. The cell was so small, there was not enough room to fully lay out, she said. They were served the same meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, she said. During this time, I had no idea where I was, where I was going, and what was going to happen to me, she said. Tuck asked the court to suppress any evidence the federal government developed after her seizure, including statements, fingerprints, a photo or any investigative reports. Argentina was the victim of a dragnet seizure of all employees at the factory without any factual support, Tuck wrote. Until now, the search warrant had been sealed in court records. Syracuse.com obtained a copy and reported on it shortly after the raid in September. The warrant is nicknamed a Blackies warrant because it is the name of a party in a 1979 case in federal court in Washington, D.C., in which it was used. This type of warrant has been rarely used in New York and has not been tested in the 2nd Circuit, which covers Connecticut, New York and Vermont. Courts have allowed this type of warrant to be used for inspections of property, for example, a housing code violation, Tuck said. Earlier this year, two federal judges in Texas turned down the governments request for a Blackies warrant, saying it was meant for administrative searches to check records, not a fishing expedition for undocumented workers, court papers show. This warrant should never have been issued, and even if it was valid, the government utterly failed to execute it faithfully, Tuck wrote. Syracuse, N.Y. Part of a massive furniture store on Syracuses South Side could soon become the city fire departments maintenance facility. The Syracuse Common Council approved a series of resolutions Monday authorizing an estimated $5.7 million project to turn a portion of the Dunk & Bright furniture complex on South Salina Street into the Syracuse Fire Departments main garage. The department needs a new facility for doing repairs on its fleet of more than 100 vehicles because the floor of its longtime maintenance garage partially collapsed in July, forcing the department to close the facility for safety reasons. That garage, near the fire departments training facility on State Fair Boulevard, was built in 1969 and not designed for the size of many of todays larger fire apparatus. Fire Chief Michael Monds has been working with the councils Public Safety Committee, chaired by Councilor Chol Majok, the citys deputy commissioner of asset management and the finance department to find a new home and figure out how to pay for it. A request for proposals returned an unexpected opportunity the chance to buy part of an iconic furniture store property thats operated at the corner of South Salina Street and West Brighton Avenue since 1927. Dunk & Bright owner Joe Bright said the 25,000-square-foot showroom area which currently houses dining room, bedroom and clearance items is more space than his business needs. Even after that part of the building is sold, the company will have one of the largest furniture showrooms in the region with 57,000 square feet. Bright saw the citys request for proposals and didnt hesitate to respond. It seemed like it was written for this part of our building, he said. Monds is hopeful the new garage can be in operation by late spring. The council authorized spending $100,000 for a down payment using money in the departments capital project reserve fund. It also approved borrowing up to $1.6 million to use toward the purchase of the property, which includes two vacant lots next to the part of the building the city would buy. The citys assessment department estimates full value for the entire building at about $3 million. Another $4 million bond councilors approved would pay for the renovation work needed to make the building functional as a fire department garage. Since the departments old maintenance facility shut down, the fire departments mechanics have been doing much of their work outdoors, which is not a long-term option, Monds said. Syracuse University has also allowed the city to use some of its garage space when indoor work is needed. Monds and Bright both said it will help the South Salina Street neighborhood to have another visible employer operating there. Having more neighbors is a positive, Bright said. The fire chief also praised all the city staff and lawmakers for working together to address a pressing need so quickly. The process made me feel good, Monds said. Donald Western, a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War, lives in Fayetteville. He wrote this essay as a participant in the Syracuse University veterans writing program. I had been a rifleman in the Marine Corps. I was in Vietnam in 1969-70, assigned to Bravo Company, 1/5 Marines and participated in small unit combat primarily southwest of Da Nang. There are intense experiences that characterize such work; and their recollection can present themselves unbidden, without notice, and undiminished by time. On a warm summer afternoon this past summer, my wife and I took my granddaughter to the old fish hatchery in Manlius. It is in the village, in a large, wooded area that contains several springs. The area with the springs and pond once provided the water supply for the village. Our granddaughter is 4 with those varying combinations of transient interests, infectious smile, petulant obstinance and radiant joy that pass for charm at that age. We thought the area would provide both a distraction and some points of interest for her. We walked around the edge of the pond that has a rim of grasses and leafy vegetation along the shore. My granddaughter was meandering with my wife maybe 20 or so feet behind me. As I walked I reached out with my left hand, brushing the seeded heads of the taller grasses, adding to that movement caused by the modest breeze. And here it is, that risen up memory. I am in the present time and place but a frisson of sensations skitters across my skin. I see the vegetation along the pond shore but the sensations are as if I am back there at war looking, sweating, anticipating a squat walk into the scrub an excruciatingly conflicted threshold between dont want to and get moving. My body stills while anticipation of that perilously fatal struggle expands and pushes against a formless boundary but is not breached. Then all that happened at war, bound in an accumulating tide of sorrow, regret, disappointment and despair, initiates that push of tears behind my eyes, and a collapsing, deflating sensation in my chest. I start rocking slightly forward and back, my eyes semi-focused between land and sky. I am both within and beside myself, occupying past and current time. This separation lessens, the tide recedes, the risen memory retreats and I am no longer of two minds. MaryBeth walks to my side, asks if I am OK. I tell her I had a historical memory. We walk on with our granddaughter. The tide, relentless, will return. The FBI is currently investigating the death of a Carnival Cruise Line passenger. Per ABC News, Anna Kepner, 18, was reported dead while aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship, which returned to Miami, Fla., on Saturday, Nov. 8. She died while aboard a Carnival Horizon ship. The cruise lasted six days and sailed through the Caribbean. When the cruise returned to the sunshine state, the FBI launched an investigation into her death. Kepner was described as a straight A-student set to graduate high school in May 2026. When she walked into a room, she would light it up, her family told the outlet. If you were sad, shed make you laugh. She would joke around and be the funniest little person in school. Details surrounding her death have not yet been disclosed. Since this is an ongoing matter under the jurisdiction of law enforcement, it is up to the FBIs Miami public affairs office to provide further details, Carnival told USA Today via email. Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest. This isnt the first time a Carnival Cruise Line passenger has died during a cruise. In July, the FBI previously responded to the death of another passenger aboard a Carnival Dream cruise. However, then-Carnival spokesperson Matt Lupoli told the outlet that it is standard practice for the FBI to review deaths on cruises. This routine protocol ensures transparency, he said in an emailed statement, adding that it does not automatically imply suspicious circumstances. President Donald Trump took to social media early Tuesday morning to comment on how one major citys murder and crime rate contributed to the decline of a shopping mall that was once considered our nations best. The Miracle Mile Shopping Center in Chicago, once considered our Nations BEST, now has a more than 28% vacancy factor, and is ready to call it quits unless something is done about the murder and crime, which is prevalent throughout the City, the president penned on Truth Social at 12:51 a.m. on Nov. 11. He added: CALL IN THE TROOPS, FAST, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE! However, there is no Miracle Mile Shopping Center in the city of Chicago, as the president claimed. Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Monroeville, Pennsylvania all have shopping malls or centers by that name, but none exist in Chicago or even in Illinois. There is, however, a Magnificent Mile shopping district in Chicago, which the president likely was referring to. The Magnificent Mile spans 13 blocks in downtown Chicago and offers high-end shopping and fine dining. At the end of his Truth Social post, Trump wrote Just the News, which is the name of a conservative news outlet. As the Daily Beast hypothesized, Trump likely was referring to an article published by the outlet on Saturday, Nov. 8 titled Chicago Blues: Downtown office space vacancy rate jumps to record high levels. The article notes that Chicagos downtown office vacancy rate has reached a record high of 28%, which is likely where Trump got that figure. However, it appears to refer strictly to the office space rather than to the shopping and dining offerings. Additionally, Trump claimed that the vacancies are a result of the murder and crime, but the article doesnt mention that as a contributing factor. Instead, it attributes the uptick in vacancies to shifts in work culture following the COVID-19 pandemic, as more employers offer remote or hybrid roles. Trump has made multiple statements claiming Chicago is the most dangerous city in the country, even going as far as to claim it is THE MURDER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD! He has also pledged to send troops there, but has faced pushback from local Democratic leaders and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker Statistically speaking, Jackson, Birmingham, St Louis, and Memphis all have higher murder rates than Chicago, as reported by The Guardian. Trump has only sent troops to Memphis, as well as Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Election officials count ballots at a polling center in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2025. Iraqis began to vote in parliamentary elections on Tuesday morning for a new 329-member Council of Representatives. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) BAGHDAD, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Iraqis began to vote in parliamentary elections on Tuesday morning for a new 329-member Council of Representatives. Up to 8,703 polling centers will be open in the Middle Eastern country from 7:00 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) to 6:00 p.m. (1500 GMT) for more than 20 million registered voters to cast their ballots, according to data from the Independent High Electoral Commission. The voting is underway amid a mandatory election silence period imposed for security reasons. Iraq's last parliamentary elections in 2021 sparked violent clashes in the capital Baghdad and resulted in nearly a year of political deadlock before a government was formed. Tuesday's polling marks the sixth parliamentary election held in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion and is considered a test of the country's fragile stability. In a televised address to the nation on Friday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani urged Iraqis to take part in the vote, calling it the most important election since 2003, saying it would "determine the future of Iraq for the next 20 years." Election officials count ballots at a polling center in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2025. Iraqis began to vote in parliamentary elections on Tuesday morning for a new 329-member Council of Representatives. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) Election officials count ballots at a polling center in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2025. Iraqis began to vote in parliamentary elections on Tuesday morning for a new 329-member Council of Representatives. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) Election officials count ballots at a polling center in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2025. Iraqis began to vote in parliamentary elections on Tuesday morning for a new 329-member Council of Representatives. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) Election officials count ballots at a polling center in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2025. Iraqis began to vote in parliamentary elections on Tuesday morning for a new 329-member Council of Representatives. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) Tesla has officially named its first commercial customer for the all-electric Semi truck, and it's one that industry watchers may have expected: Tesla itself. The company confirmed during its Annual Shareholder Meeting that it will begin deploying the Semi within its own logistics operations starting in 2026, ahead of broader commercial deliveries. Internal Fleet First, External Orders Later While Tesla has been operating a pilot program with PepsiCo and Frito-Lay, the company will prioritise internal use of the Semi once full-scale production begins. Dan Priestley, head of the Semi program, stated that Tesla will be the first to implement the vehicle in its own fleet, replacing gas-powered hauliers with electric alternatives for more sustainable logistics. Although Tesla has been using the Semi with its program partners, Priestley acknowledged that the company has not yet fully transitioned away from traditional fuel-based transport. The 2026 rollout marks a strategic shift toward electrifying its internal supply chain. Reno Facility and Design Upgrades Tesla's dedicated Semi production facility in Reno, Nevada has reached a critical milestone in its buildout. Alongside infrastructure progress, the company has introduced new design enhancements to the Semi, aimed at improving efficiency and increasing payload capacity. These updates are expected to make the truck more competitive in long-haul applications and better suited for heavy-duty logistics. The design changes were revealed during the shareholder meeting, where Tesla emphasised the Semi's evolving role in its broader electrification strategy. New @Tesla_Semi design More efficient Increased payload Designed for autonomy Deliveries start next year pic.twitter.com/8n7NJIMIVc Tesla (@Tesla) November 6, 2025 High-Profile Orders Already in Place Beyond its internal deployment, Tesla has secured commitments from several major corporations eager to integrate the Semi into their fleets. Companies such as Walmart, Sysco, Anheuser-Busch, UPS, DHL, and J.B. Hunt have placed orders, signalling strong demand for electric freight solutions. These partners are expected to receive their vehicles after Tesla's internal rollout, as the company scales production and finalises performance refinements. Wall Street Sees Semi as Growth Catalyst Financial analysts continue to view the Semi as a key driver of Tesla's future growth. Cantor Fitzgerald recently listed the Semi among several medium-term catalysts for the company's valuation, alongside energy storage, autonomous driving, and robotics. 'Overall, we remain bullish on TSLA over the medium to long term,' said analyst Andres Sheppard. 'We continue to see meaningful future upside from Energy Storage & Deployment, FSD, Robotaxis/Cybercab, Semis, and Optimus Bots.' The Semi's transition from pilot phase to commercial deployment marks a pivotal moment for Tesla's freight ambitions. As production ramps up and internal logistics go electric, the company is positioning itself not just as a manufacturer, but as a proof-of-concept operator for the future of autonomous, sustainable transport. Originally published on IBTimes UK BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- China urges the United States to resume its cooperation with the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) as soon as possible, accept all parties' review, and actively address its own human rights violations, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Tuesday. The U.S. side has reportedly refused to attend its UPR to be held at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), making it impossible for the process to proceed as planned. Last week, the UNHRC adopted a decision by consensus expressing regret over the United States' refusal to participate. When asked for comments on this, Lin told a daily news briefing that the UPR is an important mechanism created through the UN General Assembly by a resolution to strengthen human rights exchange and cooperation. UN member states should constructively participate in the review, make clear their human rights conditions, and be open to other parties' constructive suggestions, he added. The U.S. side issues so-called annual human rights report with irresponsible comments on other countries' human rights conditions while refusing to fulfill its obligations to work with UN human rights agencies. "This typical move of double standard fully shows that the United States does not truly care about human rights and takes a selective approach on UN mechanisms," said Lin. Through advocating the Global Governance Initiative, the Chinese side stands ready to work with the international community to practice multilateralism, put people front and center, and keep the international human rights cause on a sound track, said the spokesperson. US state leaders take stage at UN climate summit -- without Trump Belem, Brazil, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 The Americans are coming. President Donald Trump's administration may have steered clear of this year's UN climate summit in the Brazilian Amazon, but the conference's second day on Tuesday is nonetheless set to be dominated by the governors of California and New Mexico. Anticipation is building particularly around California's telegenic leader Gavin Newsom, who governs the world's fourth-largest economy and has sought to cast himself as the Anti-Trump -- with murmurs of a 2028 presidential run in the air. "We are doubling down on stupid in the United States of America," the Democrat told an audience at a Milken Institute event in Sao Paulo on Monday, giving a taste of the sharp anti-Republican rhetoric for which he has become known. "Not in my state of California." Newsom's agenda in Brazil includes a meeting with Helder Barbalho, governor of Para state, of which the COP30 host city Belem is the capital, and another with New Mexico's Michelle Lujan Grisham. Trump, who has made an aggressive fossil fuel expansion central to his second term, withdrew the United States from the Paris climate accord upon returning to office in January. But according to Champa Patel, executive director for governments and policy at Climate Group, which runs the Under2 Coalition of global states and regions, US states can still pursue the climate blueprints left by former president Joe Biden's administration. "The states have that roadmap, they can still follow it and keep to the spirit of Paris," Patel told AFP. "Ultimately, it's state-level actors that are going to implement, and the real economy is shifting," Patel said, pointing to wind and solar growth even in Republican-led states driven by market forces. Newsom is expected to tout California's green credentials, including a $4.1 trillion economy that is now two-thirds powered by clean energy, and the state's successful Cap-and-Invest program, a carbon market recently extended by law until 2045. New Mexico's Lujan Grisham governs a major fossil fuel-producing state but has pushed to expand renewables and curb methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. Still, questions linger over the limits of state-level action. Trump's Republicans recently passed a law bringing an early end to clean energy tax credits enacted under Biden that is seen as a potentially crippling blow to the renewable sector. And while state and regional coalitions can exert political pressure at climate summits they remain, for now, outside the official text-drafting process. Philippines digs out from Typhoon Fung-wong as death toll climbs to 18 Tuguegarao City, Philippines, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 Rescuers using backhoes and chainsaws began digging the Philippines out from the devastation of Typhoon Fung-wong on Tuesday, as floodwaters receded in hundreds of villages and the storm's death toll climbed to 18. Fung-wong, which displaced 1.4 million people, had weakened into a severe tropical storm even as it began dumping rain on neighbouring Taiwan ahead of an expected Wednesday landfall. It was the second major typhoon to hit the Philippines in days, after Typhoon Kalmaegi last week rampaged through the archipelago's central islands on its way to killing 232 people, according to the latest figures. In coastal Isabela province, a town of 6,000 remained cut off from help on Tuesday, a civil defence spokesman told AFP, with parts of neighbouring Nueva Vizcaya province similarly isolated. "We are struggling to access these areas," said Cagayan Valley region spokesman Alvin Ayson, who added that landslides had prevented rescuers from reaching affected residents. Others were "now in evacuation centres, but when they get back to their homes, their rebuilding will take time and face challenges." He added that a 10-year-old boy in Nueva Vizcaya had been killed by one of the landslides. The child was among 18 deaths recorded in a new death toll released Tuesday by national civil defence deputy administrator Rafaelito Alejandro. - 'So tired' - In a phone interview, Alejandro told AFP that even "early recovery" efforts would take weeks. "The greatest challenge for us right now is the restoration of lifelines, road clearing, and restoration of power and communication lines, but we are working on it." In hardest-hit Catanduanes island, issues with the water supply could take up to 20 days to fix, he said. Jossa Floranza, a resident of the island's Virac town, told AFP on Tuesday that another typhoon had already forced her to move neighbourhoods, only to see her new home destroyed as well. "We thought we were safe here," the 34-year-old said, adding the family was driving 20 minutes by motorbike to get water from a nearby river. "My neighbours said this was the first time that they experienced flooding in this area," Floranza said. "I am very tired of this. So tired." In Taiwan on Tuesday, schools and offices were closed in multiple counties as the approaching storm intensified the northeast monsoon, triggering heavy rain. Up to 400 millimetres (nearly 16 inches) of rain is expected over the next 24 hours, government and weather officials there said. President Lai Ching-te urged people to avoid mountainous areas, beaches and "other dangerous locations" to "get through this period safely". - 'Strongest typhoon' - In Cagayan, part of the Philippines' largest river basin, provincial rescue chief Rueli Rapsing told AFP on Monday that a flash flood in neighbouring Apayao province had caused the Chico River to burst its banks, sending nearby residents scrambling to their roofs. On Tuesday, an AFP journalist rode with rescuers using boats to navigate streets flooded chest deep to pick up those still trapped. "The water level here at Centro 4 village is rising," a Cagayan information officer in another boat said in a video posted to Facebook. "There are residents still in the upper floors of multi-storey houses," he said without giving his name. The day before, 24-year-old Mark Lamer of Cagayan's Tuao town, told AFP it was the "strongest typhoon I have ever experienced". "We didn't think the water would reach us. It had never risen this high previously," he said. More than 5,000 people were safely evacuated before the overflowing Cagayan River buried the small city of Tuguegarao about 30 kilometres (20 miles) away. Scientists warn that storms are becoming more powerful due to human-driven climate change. Warmer oceans allow typhoons to strengthen rapidly and a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, which means heavier rainfall. Typhoon Kalmaegi last week sent floods rushing through the towns and cities of the central Philippines, sweeping away cars, riverside shanties and shipping containers. President Ferdinand Marcos said Monday that a "state of national calamity" declared over Kalmaegi would be extended to a full year. Cash only: how the loss and damage UN fund will pay countries Belem, Brazil, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 A hard-won UN "loss and damage" fund to help vulnerable countries recover from the devastating impacts of climate change is finally about to come to life after years of tough negotiations. The mechanism was agreed at the COP27 conference in Egypt in 2022 after wealthy countries finally caved to years of pressure from developing nations. The fund launched its first call for project proposals on Monday at COP30 in Belem, Brazil. The initial package totals $250 million, with grants expected to be disbursed from mid-2026. Eligible countries will be able to apply for between $5 million and $20 million per project. The mechanism provides only grants, not loans, to help address the harm caused by storms, floods, droughts and rising sea levels. Vulnerable countries hailed the fund's creation as recognition of the historical responsibility of wealthy nations for global warming, although contributions remain voluntary. But activist Harjeet Singh, founding director of the Satat Sampada Climate Foundation, said the fund is starting with "a fraction of the scale required." "It has no genuine access for frontline communities, and it has completely failed to function as a rapid response mechanism," he said. Speaking to AFP in Belem, the fund's co-chair, French official Jean-Christophe Donnellier, said it cannot yet offer near-immediate support in the first 24 to 48 hours following a disaster, as some NGOs have urged. However, he stressed that the facility will fill a critical gap in existing climate finance by supporting longer-term recovery and reconstruction in communities hit hardest by climate-related losses. QUESTION: Why can't the fund immediately assist countries like Jamaica that have just been ravaged by a hurricane? ANSWER: "We are not going to provide humanitarian response; this is clear in our statutes. There are entities that do this very well. We want to be in the next phase: maintaining activity, sustaining populations, organizing necessary population relocations to cope with climatic events, whether violent or slow, launching reconstruction programs." QUESTION: Do you want to one day be able to respond quickly to these disasters? ANSWER: "We're no longer talking about 24 hours, but perhaps 15 days. The only way to do this effectively, intelligently, understandably, and truly meeting the need is to prepare in advance. This is what we call pre-arranged financing. This means we have planned in advance what we will disburse, and that, we can do very quickly." QUESTION: What types of projects is the fund specifically looking to finance? ANSWER: "It could be pre-arranged financing or immediate operations, if coastal borders need reinforcement or transportation routes need elevation. ... It could also be packages of $100 million where we contribute our $20 million in cash." QUESTION: How significant is the risk of corruption in project selection? And do you think this risk is underestimated by your critics? ANSWER: "Developed countries are willing to give money, and citizens of developed countries are willing to give money, but only if they are sure it won't be misused either locally or internationally. There are many issues related to terrorism financing, money laundering, etc. We can no longer tolerate as much as we have in the past. Our citizens wouldn't accept it. They are right, and this is a perspective NGOs need to develop, and some have. ... But some tend to want to pit the good guys against the bad guys. This is a tragic mistake." QUESTION: The fund has received $790 million in pledged contributions from countries, mainly European nations. Will China ever contribute to the fund? ANSWER: "I am almost certain that China will contribute one day. I'm not saying it will be this year, but I am almost sure they will do it." Demand for air con set to triple by 2050, warns UN Geneva, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 Global demand for air conditioning could more than triple by 2050, the United Nations warned on Tuesday, calling for more sustainable cooling solutions. The UN Environment Programme said demand could surge due to increases in population and wealth around the world, combined with more extreme heat. Rising demand for more polluting and inefficient cooling systems "would almost double cooling-related greenhouse gas emissions over 2022 levels", said UNEP. UNEP launched its Global Cooling Watch 2025 report on the sidelines of the COP30 UN climate summit in Belem in the Brazilian Amazon. "Installed cooling capacity is on a trajectory to triple by 2050... Yet billions will still lack adequate protection from heat. We must reimagine cooling -- not as a source of emissions, but as a cornerstone of heat resilience and sustainable development," it said. The most rapid growth in cooling demand is projected in Africa and South Asia. "As deadly heat waves become more regular and extreme, access to cooling must be treated as essential infrastructure alongside water, energy and sanitation," UNEP chief Inger Andersen said in a statement. "But we cannot air condition our way out of the heat crisis, which would drive greenhouse gas emissions higher and raise costs." UNEP highlighted so-called "passive cooling" options, including better wall and roof designs, shading, solar off-grid solutions and ventilation. The potential impact on indoor temperatures from passive cooling strategies range from 0.5 to 8 degrees Celsius. "Passive, energy efficient and nature-based solutions can help meet our growing cooling needs and keep people, food-chains and economies safe from heat as we pursue global climate goals," said Andersen. The Cooling Report suggested adopting such measures could reduce emissions to 64 percent below the levels otherwise expected in 2050. Ethiopia set to host UN's 2027 climate summit: Africa Group Belem, Brazil, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 Ethiopia is set to host the UN's COP32 climate summit in 2027 after the Africa Group of Negotiators endorsed the move. "The AGN has endorsed Ethiopia," Richard Muyungi, the group's chair told AFP. The Brazilian presidency of COP30, currently underway in Belem, confirmed the African countries' choice. This informal decision still needs to be officially adopted by all nations during the conference, which concludes on November 21, but this is expected to be a formality. "We welcome the announcement of COP32 in Ethiopia and look forward to elevating Africa's climate priorities and leadership," said Rukiya Khamis, Africa senior organiser at the nonprofit 350.org. UN climate conferences are organized in rotation among five regional blocs, which must select the host country by consensus within their group. The process can lead to power struggles. This year, Brazil was chosen to host COP30 on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean states. Africa's turn is scheduled for 2027, and Ethiopia was chosen over Nigeria as the preferred host country. However, obstacles remain for COP31 next year: Australia wants to host it in Adelaide, but Turkey refuses to back down and abandon its bid for Antalya. Both countries belong to the "Western Europe and Other States". Negotiations are ongoing, as the decision must be made in Belem. Otherwise COP31 will be held by default at the UN Climate Change headquarters in Bonn, Germany. Such a deadlock would be unprecedented in the history of UN climate conferences. California governor Newsom slams Trump at COP30 Belem, Brazil, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 With US President Donald Trump skipping the UN's climate summit in the Amazon, California Governor Gavin Newsom grabbed the spotlight at COP30 on Tuesday and took a swipe at the fossil fuel agenda of his political nemesis. The well-coiffed Democrat -- seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate -- slammed Trump for leaving the Paris climate accord and for "doubling down on stupid" through his pro-oil stance. Newsom said a Democratic administration would rejoin the Paris Agreement "without hesitation." "It's a moral commitment, it's an economic imperative, it's both -- and it's an abomination that he has twice, not once, pulled away from the accords," Newsom said in response to a question by AFP in Belem, the Brazilian Amazon city hosting the COP30 climate summit. Newsom appeared alongside Helder Barbalho, the governor of Para state, of which Belem is the capital, at an event on the city's docks. Between bites of cupuacu fruit and sips of acai juice, he touted California's green credentials, noting that the state now gets two-thirds of its electricity from renewable sources. It was the first stop for the leader of the world's fourth largest economy, with a signing ceremony with the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg, and a press conference with the Brazilian's summit leadership among events to follow. Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris climate accord upon returning to office in January and has sneered at the idea of human-caused planetary warming, calling it a "con job". But Champa Patel, executive director for governments and policy at Climate Group, which runs the Under2 Coalition of global states and regions, said US states could still pursue the climate blueprints left by former president Joe Biden's administration, even if they are not part of the meeting's negotiations. "The states have that roadmap, they can still follow it and keep to the spirit of Paris," Patel told AFP, adding it was important to signal solidarity. "Even if national governments backslide, or if they undermine their own commitments, subnational governments, cities, states, regions, are really at the vanguard of implementation." - State power - "The president can't throw a switch and turn everything off -- that's now how our system works," added Nate Hultman, a former official in the Barack Obama and Biden administrations who now works as a researcher at the University of Maryland's Center for Global Sustainability. A recent analysis by the group found that if leading states and cities enhance action -- and if a climate-friendly president is elected in 2028 -- US emissions could fall by the mid-50s in terms of a reduction in percentage points, approaching the 61-66 percent targeted by Biden's government. Much of that stems from states' authority over energy and building policy, and cities' control of waste management, methane reduction, public transport, and more, Hultman told AFP. The market-driven green shift remains a strong factor including in US states with climate-hostile leadership, including Texas, the country's renewable energy generation leader last year. New Mexico's Michelle Lujan Grisham, another Democratic governor, is also at COP30. She governs a major fossil fuel-producing state but has pushed to expand renewables and curb methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. Reflecting America's divided politics on climate, pro-oil and gas group Power the Future slammed the New Mexico leader for "packing her bags for another international climate junket". Questions linger over the limits of state-level action. Trump's Republicans recently passed a law bringing an early end to clean energy tax credits enacted under Biden that is seen as a potentially crippling blow to the renewable sector. Trump's government has also withdrawn funding for clean energy deployment and made permitting much more difficult, especially for wind projects, which the president has a strong personal distaste for. And while state and regional coalitions can exert political pressure at climate summits they remain, for now, outside the official text-drafting process. California governor Newsom slams Trump at COP30 Belem, Brazil, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 With US President Donald Trump skipping the UN's climate summit in the Amazon, California Governor Gavin Newsom grabbed the spotlight on Tuesday and took a swipe at the fossil fuel agenda of his political nemesis. The well-coiffed Democrat -- seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate -- slammed Trump for leaving the Paris climate accord and for "doubling down on stupid" through his pro-oil stance. Newsom said a Democratic administration would rejoin the Paris Agreement "without hesitation." "It's a moral commitment, it's an economic imperative, it's both -- and it's an abomination that he has twice, not once, pulled away from the accords," Newsom said in response to a question by AFP in Belem, the Brazilian Amazon city hosting the climate summit known as COP30. Newsom appeared alongside Helder Barbalho, the governor of Para state, of which Belem is the capital, at an event on the city's docks. Between bites of cupuacu fruit and sips of acai juice, he touted California's green credentials, noting that the state now gets two-thirds of its electricity from renewable sources. It was the first stop for the leader of the world's fourth largest economy, followed by a signing ceremony with the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg, and a press conference with the Brazilian's summit leadership among events to follow. Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris climate accord -- for the second time, after doing so in his first term, too -- upon returning to office in January and has sneered at the idea of human-caused planetary warming, calling it a "con job". But Champa Patel, executive director for governments and policy at Climate Group, which runs the Under2 Coalition of global states and regions, said US states could still pursue the climate blueprints left by former president Joe Biden's administration. "The states have that roadmap, they can still follow it and keep to the spirit of Paris," Patel told AFP, adding it was important to signal solidarity. "Even if national governments backslide, or if they undermine their own commitments, subnational governments, cities, states, regions, are really at the vanguard of implementation." Still, their influence has limits: subnational regions have no seat at the negotiating table at COP30, which opened Monday with urgent calls to stay the course on climate action. "The absence of the United States of America does not compromise the COP," Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro told reporters last week, adding Portugal would like for "the United States of America to return to these objectives." - State power - "The president can't throw a switch and turn everything off -- that's not how our system works," added Nate Hultman, a former official in the Barack Obama and Biden administrations who now works as a researcher at the University of Maryland's Center for Global Sustainability. A recent analysis by the group found that if leading states and cities enhance action -- and if a climate-friendly president is elected in 2028 -- US emissions could fall by well over 50 percent by 2035, approaching the 61-66 percent targeted by Biden's government. Much of that stems from states' authority over energy and building policy, and cities' control of waste management, methane reduction, public transport, and more, Hultman told AFP. The market-driven green shift remains a strong factor including in US states with climate-hostile leadership, including Texas, the country's renewable energy generation leader last year. New Mexico's Michelle Lujan Grisham, another Democratic governor, is also at COP30. She governs a major fossil fuel-producing state but has pushed to expand renewables and curb methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. Reflecting America's divided politics on climate, pro-oil and gas group Power the Future slammed the New Mexico leader for "packing her bags for another international climate junket." Still, questions linger over the limits of state-level action. Trump's Republicans recently passed a law bringing an early end to clean energy tax credits enacted under Biden. This is seen as a potentially crippling blow to the renewable sector. His administration also torpedoed international efforts to impose a carbon tax on shipping, vowing reprisals against countries that backed the plan. Newsom urged nations to hold firm, saying it was vital to remember "Trump is temporary" and that "you stand up to a bully." 'Trump is temporary': California governor Newsom seizes COP30 spotlight Belem, Brazil, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2025 With US President Donald Trump skipping the UN's climate summit in the Amazon, California Governor Gavin Newsom grabbed the spotlight Tuesday and unleashed a barrage of attacks on the fossil fuel agenda of his political nemesis. The well-coiffed Democrat -- seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate -- blasted Trump for twice leaving the Paris climate accord and for "doubling down on stupid" through his support of Big Oil. Newsom said a future Democratic administration would rejoin the Paris Agreement "without hesitation." "It's a moral commitment, it's an economic imperative," Newsom said in response to a question by AFP in Belem, the Brazilian Amazon city in northern Para state hosting the climate summit known as COP30. It is "an abomination that he has twice, not once, pulled away from the accords." After returning to office in January, Trump withdrew the United States from the landmark Paris deal for a second time -- the first was during his first term -- and he has sneered at the idea of human-caused planetary warming, calling it a "con job." Newsom's first appearance of the day came alongside Helder Barbalho, governor of Para, where he touted California's green credentials between bites of tropical fruit and sips of acai juice -- noting that the Golden State, the world's fourth-largest economy, is now two-thirds powered by renewables. He then launched into a whirlwind of meetings and press events with officials from Germany's Baden-Wurttemberg state, Brazil's minister for Indigenous Peoples and the Brazilian president of COP30 -- all the while trailed by large media scrums normally reserved for national leaders. - Not part of negotiations - Still, there are limits. Regional leaders have no part of official negotiations at COP30, which opened Monday with urgent calls to stay the course on climate action. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who also attended events Tuesday, acknowledged these constraints. "Certainly our meetings with leaders at the UN and others was to demonstrate that we're interested in any possibility that does more about that direct negotiation and representation," she said. Her aim in coming, she added, was to show that "when the federal government leans in, we do more, and when they lean out, we do more. It's both." But Christiana Figueres, an architect of the Paris agreement, said the summit was better off without Trump's government showing up. "I actually think it is a good thing," she said, suggesting that while the United States may work behind the scenes with petrostates including Saudi Arabia, "they can not take the floor" and directly bully other nations. - 'Trump is temporary' - Even without a seat at the table, US states and cities have concrete power. A recent analysis by the University of Maryland found that if these governments ramp up their efforts -- and a climate-friendly president is elected in 2028 -- US emissions could fall by well over 50 percent by 2035, approaching the 61-66 percent reduction targeted by Biden's administration. "The president can't throw a switch and turn everything off -- that's not how our system works," Nate Hultman, who led the report, told AFP. The market-driven green shift remains a strong factor including in US states with climate-hostile leadership, like Texas, the country's renewable energy generation leader last year, added Hultman, who previously worked for Democratic presidents. Even so there are questions over how far state-level action can go without federal support. Trump's Republicans recently passed a law bringing an early end to clean energy tax credits, seen as a potentially crippling blow to the renewable sector. Beyond pushing for more drilling at home and declaring war on green energy, Trump's administration recently torpedoed international efforts to impose a carbon tax on shipping by vowing reprisals against countries that backed the plan. Newsom urged nations to hold firm against further intimidation efforts, saying it was vital to remember "Trump is temporary" and that "you stand up to a bully." HANOI, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's state budget revenue from import and export activities rose 9.3 percent year-on-year in the first 10 months of 2025 to over 379.8 trillion Vietnamese dong (about 15.12 billion U.S. dollars), the Vietnam News Agency reported Tuesday, citing the Department of Vietnam Customs. The figure represented 92.4 percent of the annual estimate and 80.8 percent of the set target, according to the report. During the ten months, the country's total import-export turnover reached 762.44 billion dollars, expanding 17.4 percent from a year earlier. Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of 19.56 billion dollars in goods trade during this period. David Szalays Flesh, a novel that explores contemporary masculinity through the eventful life of a Hungarian man across the decades, was the unanimous choice as winner of this years Booker Prize. It was also the right choice. It was the emphatic winner, said Irish writer Roddy Doyle, the chair of the 2025 judging panel and a previous winner himself. He and fellow selectors Ayobami Adebayo, Sarah Jessica Parker, Chris Power and Kiley Reid are convinced they have whittled down the original list of 153 books to the most deserved champion from the six shortlisted contenders. We all really felt this book in particular stood out. It was unanimous. We didnt need a formal vote. Flesh was the book we liked and admired the most. It moved and impressed us and is a very, very special book, said Doyle, who won for Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha in 1993. This years shortlist was a strong one, made up of experienced writers in command of their trade (they have 42 novels between them in the locker) all writing in some way about the theme of identity but none more compellingly than Szalay, whose urgent and honest 349-page novel taps into timely anxieties about manhood. Andrew Millers excellent The Land in Winter and Susan Chois moving Flashlight both had worthy claims to the award and Katie Kitamuras bold novel Audition was commendable, too. The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovits was an entertaining read, although it lacked the same urgency as Flesh. Published in September, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai had been one of the bookies favourites to win. Desais 670-page epic met widespread acclaim from the critics, although I myself found it somewhat meandering and vexatious. The contrast in style between that and Flesh could not be greater. Szalays winning novel, which encompasses teenage sex, infidelity, murder, death and war alongside everyday struggle, is written in prose that is pared to the bone. Each chapter is almost a self-contained unit and Szalay manages to be realistic and deft without being sensationalist. He leaves major events such as the Iraq war and Covid to take place between chapters and provides almost no detail about key events in his protagonists life; even Istvans spell in a young offenders institution is somewhat elided. open image in gallery Flesh follows the life of a Hungarian man from adolescence to late-middle age ( Jonathan Cape ) Yet Szalay writes with terse precision about the consequences of major events on ones daily life, through innovative and spare narration that is deeply affecting. Szalay allows the reader to fill the space, to observe almost to create the character with him, in Doyles summary. One example is the number of times the protagonist says the word Okay throughout the story, in lieu of words unspoken. The sparse style allows the darkness and understated complexity to gradually take a grip on the readers imagination. Szalay, who was born in Montreal in 1974 to a Canadian mother and a Hungarian father, but grew up in London, was previously nominated in 2016 for All That Man Is, a collection of nine linked stories about different men across Europe. He summed up Flesh as a book about being a body in the world and the novel is partly about life as a physical experience. The penetrating prose takes the action from a quiet apartment complex in Hungary to the world of Londons super-rich and allows the author to explore contemporary Europe and the way it is riven with cultural and economic divides. I knew I wanted to write a book with a Hungarian end and an English end, since I was living very much between the two countries at the time, Szalay remarked. Whether any of that constitutes a defence of masculinity I dont know. When I was writing the book, I tried not to think about these things in abstract terms David Szalay It is the way Szalay brings such an introverted protagonist to life that makes the book so hypnotic. Over 350 pages, he asks profound questions about what drives an existence: what makes it worth living and what sometimes shatters it. Flesh is a universal story of one mans triumphs, tragedies, downfalls and humiliations about how the world can leave you absurdly exposed. Nothing reveals more about the precarious nature of existence, the claustrophobic nature of relationships and the deadly part chances plays in life, than the haunting plotline about Istvan and his son. It is a repeated theme of Szalays fiction that major events happen off-stage and Flesh is unsettling in showing in such compelling detail the way that our lives are shaped by larger forces and historical events beyond our control. The problematic nature of modern masculinity is a timely subject and Doyle praised the book for its topicality in capturing a certain type of man, one reared in an expectation that men dont cry and that they have difficulty acknowledging grief. The book opens with adolescent Istvan feeling bewildered by his sexual desires it includes praise for his bravery as a soldier, and shows him being crushed when his stepson Thomas demeans him as a primitive form of masculinity. open image in gallery David Szalay joins other Booker Prize winners such as Douglas Stuart, Margaret Atwood, and Hilary Mantel ( Jonas Matyassy ) In an interview with Country & Town House in March, Szalay said: I wanted the book to be a description, unflinching but also basically sympathetic, of what its like to inhabit a male body or indeed to actually be a male body... I did want to explore what masculinity actually is, what it boils down to, and the conflict between Istvan and Thomas was a way of doing that. Whether any of that constitutes a defence of masculinity I dont know. When I was writing the book, I tried not to think about these things in abstract terms. Doyle said that he had read Flesh three times in the process of making the final selection, adding that he would happily sit and read it again tonight. Flesh is a novel that merits more than one encounter. It is the most deserved Booker winner since Douglas Stuarts Shuggie Bain in 2020. I had strong misgivings about the previous two winners: Samantha Harveys Orbital (2024) and Paul Lynchs Prophet Song (2023), but can see why Gaby Wood, chief executive of the Booker Prize Foundation, remarked that the judges all agreed that David Szalay breaks new ground. This has been a good year for the Booker. I enjoyed Heart Lamp, Banu Mushtaq and Deepa Bhasthis short story collection that claimed 2025s International Prize and loved the decision to launch next years annual Childrens Booker Prize. Now, that year has been topped off with a main prize winner that is a startling, heartbreaking read about the strangeness of life. Winning the Booker will bring a spike in sales for Szalay and introduce many new readers to the deceptively plain, stark prose of Flesh and its superb dialogue. Szalay makes every word count; even the spaces around key passages deliver their own devastating message. Doyle described Istvan as a man of few words, joking that portraying taciturn characters didnt do Clint Eastwoods career any harm. The portrait of Istvan will not do Szalays career any harm either. When he cashes the mighty Booker cheque, he will have earned every last fistful of dollars. Flesh by David Szalay is published by Jonathan Cape, 18.99 In the Spring of 1994, Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love and Roddy Bottum hatched a secret plan. The trio, who had long before bonded over their shared addiction to heroin, made a pact to enter an LA rehab center so they could clean up once and for all. Only Bottum went through with it. We were all set to go, he says. Then the telephone rings and Courtney tells me plans have changed. She said, were going up to Seattle. Weve got a bunch of pills and were going to detox up there. Come up. Weve got a plane ticket for you. Bottum, then the keyboardist for the platinum selling band Faith No More, whose satirical lyrics and punishing beats fired grunge era hits like Epic and Easy, politely declined. I already told my family I was going to go to rehab, he says. I had to stay that course. Weeks later, a still addicted Cobain ended his life, an act that remains one of the most shocking and consequential in rock history. To this day, it still haunts me, Bottum says. He remains just as unnerved by a phone conversation he had with Cobain after he began the rehab stint the others shunned. Half-way through the month-long program, Bottum told the Nirvana frontman, Im finally through with withdrawls. Im getting clean. There are just two weeks left. Then Kurt said, I always leave at that point. It felt like a sign from him saying you should see this through because look at me. He was acknowledging that he couldnt get out of it. Though Bottum could and did, the story of his life leading up to it shows how easily things could have gone a very different way. Hes finally telling that tale in a new memoir, titled The Royal We, that stands far apart from the usual trauma-to-triumph rock star redemption stories. The tone he takes in his writing flip, blunt and utterly unrepentant captures the unmistakable voice of an accomplished provocateur. Offensive things attracted us most, he writes of his kind. Upsetting people felt important. The handlebar moustache, the short-cropped hair, the flannel shirt, the tight jeans, all of the gay men wore that. I for sure didnt want to be part of that It also felt powerful, providing him with a strategy to survive the era he grew up in. Born in 1963, the now 62-year-old Bottum was barely a teen when he knew he was gay; this at a time when that identity was almost universally seen as a sickness worthy of the most venomous contempt. I learned to diligently detest who I was, Bottum writes. At the same time, he dove into gay sex with abandon. By 14, he was reveling in glory holes and al fresco encounters, always with men far older than himself, something he feels zero regret or shame for. Id do it all over again in a heartbeat, he writes. Even in church, he fantasized about gay sex. All I wanted was to be molested by a priest, he writes, a line he tells me he fervently hopes will upset as many people as possible. Im happy to cause shock waves, he tells me with a smile. I have some Christian family in the Midwest and Im sure it will come around that Roddy has written a book. I cant wait to ruin their holiday! Pointed as that may sound, Bottum has a soft edge when we talk. Speaking by Zoom from an apartment he rented in Paris to attend Art Basel (normally, he lives in New York), he exudes a calm that stands in striking contrast to the willful chaos he chronicles in his book. Some of that may reflect the grounding he received from his family, who were always cool with even his most extreme quirks. When he began drinking and doing drugs in his early teens, it wasnt them he was rebelling against; instead it was the world that made being gay something to be buried in the deepest recesses of the mind. The drugs, which he used to numb the judgement, became one more thing to hide. There were so many secrets I was keeping, he says. open image in gallery Bottum (far right) as part of Faith No More in 1990 ( Ebet Roberts/Getty ) Having little interest in school, Bottum moved to San Francisco at 17, where his instinct for insurrection made it easy for him to find other strays and malcontents. Id find overlooked and discarded things and make them my friends, he writes. We made it a point to not belong. The rough and tumble San Francisco of the era was ideal for that. Its a hardship for those of us who lived through those glory days to witness what San Francisco has become, he says, with the tech bros and the strollers and the drunk girls. Of course, when he arrived in the city it also was perhaps the most accepting place on the planet for gay people. Even so, Bottum didnt come out then. It seemed too obvious, he says, a cardinal sin for someone of his contrarian nature. Worse, he found the citys gay scene even more conforming than the straight one. Within that demi mode, the clone look ruled. The handlebar moustache, the short-cropped hair, the flannel shirt, the tight jeans, all of the gay men wore that, Bottum says. I for sure didnt want to be part of that. In defiance, he dove into the rock scene which, at the time, was totally straight identified, a reality he felt delayed his self-acceptance even longer. Though his bandmates knew of his sexuality, they seldom talked about it. For the guys in Faith No More, it was easier to ignore that I was gay and, given that, it was easier for me to ignore it too, he says. To add to the irony, Bottom had a boyfriend at the time the band knew him well, but also despised him. In fact, most people despised him, a major plus for Bottum, who admits to being attracted to him, in part, because of his obvious mental issues. I was in love with a sickness, he writes. open image in gallery Bottum with his Imperial Teen bandmate Lynn Perko-Truell in 1996 ( Andre Csillag/Shutterstock ) A similar dynamic attracted him to Love, who he adored even as he saw her burn through friend after friend, who all got fed up with her loudness, her thirst for attention, and her ease with lying. When they first met, Love told Bottum they were born on the same day, a flagrant fib he didnt discover until five years later. I was so impressed by that trickery, he says. He loved, too, the mania she created. In the book he likens her to a person with too many arms. Emboldened by a seemingly boundless capacity for chutzpah, Love essentially hired herself to serve as Faith No Mores frontperson for a short while. In that time frame, her relationship with Bottom turned sexual, even though she knew he was gay. It felt insanely open minded at the time, he says with a laugh. At one point in their brief affair, Bottum writes that Love became pregnant and had an abortion, something he believes she has never discussed in public. Stated in his book as well is the assertion that Love was briefly married to a guy in Los Angeles, a relationship so odd and doomed that, on their wedding night, she and Bottum did heroin on the bed the newlyweds shared. Bottum, who remains close with Love, says she raised no objections about its contents. In fact, she offered a glowing blurb on the back cover. (Reached separately, Loves assistant confirmed the abortion and the marriage, while adding that the later was annulled for non-consummation.) When Love became involved with Cobain, they and Bottum formed a kind of drugged out throuple. In his book, Bottum writes that Cobain loved that I was gay because he wanted to be. Of course, wanting to be gay, but not being able to, may be the most surefire sign of straightness ever, a view Bottum grinningly acknowledges. More broadly, he believes Cobain simply admired his role as an unassailable outsider, an identity the Nirvana leader co-opted by writing the highly subversive line, everyone is gay, in his song All Apologies. open image in gallery Faith No More performs in 2015 ( Getty ) Ironically, Bottum was still in a kind of identity limbo then. He was openly gay to many but closeted, in key ways, to himself. His road to publicly coming out had a strange origin. At the platinum-selling height of their fame, Faith No More opened a tour for Guns N Roses, on which they found themselves immersed in a world of male hetero aggression, Bottum says. That insane misogynistic behavior is so not who I was. One way of separating myself from all that was to say, oh, by the way, Im gay. He did so in a major interview for the LGBTQ magazine The Advocate in 1993, making him one of the first out rock stars. However, when he did the interview he was high on heroin, certifying his lingering ambivalence. At the time, heroin was everywhere on the scene, aided, Bottum believes, by the glow of Cobain and Loves usage at the height of their fame. It was as if the drug had hired a PR firm, Bottum writes. Tragically, he says, Cobain didnt have the inner strength to survive it all. He was really fragile in a way that Courtney could never be, he says. Bottums own turnaround may have begun in rehab, but it didnt come to full fruition until a trilogy of deaths encircled him. At nearly the same time as Cobains suicide, Bottum lost his father and a close friend from rehab, turbo-charging his resolve to come out on every level. He did so most decisively in 1996 by forming the band Imperial Teen, where he became the frontman, singing lyrics that spoke pointedly of gay life and desire. The opportunity to be able to sing lyrics from the heart with no shame was a real game changer for me, he says. open image in gallery The Royal We by Roddy Bottum ( Jawbone Press ) At the same time, Bottum makes clear in the book that any sense of closure is, for him, a myth. All these years later, he says, he still hasnt fully processed Cobains suicide. Im always trying to figure it out, he says. Whats the reason? The truth is, not every question gets answered. The closest he can come is focusing on Cobains mental illness, he says. It wasnt acknowledged then the way it would be now. Today, a person like Kurt would be on meds a lot sooner. Likewise, Bottum believes his own path to self-acceptance would have arrived much sooner if he were coming up today. There is a sense of lost time because of that, he says. I see kids now who are so open about their queerness from an early age and Im kinda jealous. At the same time, he has come to embrace his story as it actually occurred. Having gone through the hardship of being judged and hiding things and finally accepting it all has made me a really strong person, he says. In the end, it all came together pretty poetically. The Royal We is out now, via Jawbone Press Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Dolly Parton has opened up about her complicated relationship with her early mentor, country star Porter Wagoner. The music icon was just 21 when she joined Wagoners variety television series The Porter Wagoner Show in 1967, and the pair released a series of duets as well as touring together until 1974. Wagoner died from lung cancer in 2007. Writing in her new book Star of the Show: My Life on Stage, Parton recalls her excitement at being offered the opportunity to replace Wagoners previous duet partner, Norma Jean. He offered me $60,000 a year but that was like $1 million to me! she writes. That was a lot of money back then. However, as Partons career exploded and her name became more established, she began to feel that she was not being fairly compensated for her contribution to their tours with Wagoners band, The Wagonmasters. Porter made a lot of money as our stars rose, and he shared some of the wealth, recalls Parton. The Wagonmasters all got bonus checks now and again, and Porter showered me with gifts. He gave me necklaces, rings, and a Cadillac, and those presents got a lot of attention in the media. She adds: But my paycheck never changed through all of that. I kept asking for a raise and never got one. He would buy me all these things and say, Consider that your raise. I said, I dont want the gifts. I want to buy my own gifts. I want the money. Dolly Parton says her mentor Porter Wagoner considered her career rise a threat ( Getty ) While there may have been tension behind the scenes, on stage, Parton says the pair had such natural chemistry that many fans assumed they were in a relationship. Parton was married to the reclusive Carl Dean from 1966 until his death earlier this year. Wagoner was married to Ruth Olive Williams from 1946 to 1986. Fans would sometimes ask if we were married, and Id usually tell them, Yes, but not to each other! writes Parton in her new book. I did love Porter in my own way, and since it seemed we were always together and Carl didnt appear often in public, my husband was almost like a ghost to the fans. Their fascination with Porter and me was bound to keep tongues wagging, and it did. However, Parton explains that friction between the pair continued to grow, especially when he tried to dictate which songs she could perform on stage. Little things like that caused us to start having a lot of problems, she writes. I was making my way as an artist, and he was already an established one. It was his show, but I was trying to grow in the business and grow as an artist myself. But trying to grow within somebody elses show when he takes everything as a threat or gets mad if youre getting more attention than him what ends up growing is tension. You have to know your own place, so to speak, and my place was anywhere I felt I needed to be. I thought, You aint my director. God is. Star of the Show: My Life on Stage is published by Ten Speed Press in the United States today, and by Ebury Press in the United Kingdom on 13 November. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Costco is recalling nearly a million bottles of prosecco over a laceration hazard. More than 940,000 bottles of the wholesale giants Kirkland brand Signature Prosecco Valdobbiadene were recalled November 6 over risks of the glass bottles shattering, causing cuts to consumers. At least 10 customers reported the glass bottles shattering or breaking to the proseccos manufacturer, F&F Wines International Inc. At least one person has been lacerated from the defective bottles, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a news release. The bubbly beverage, which retails for about $8, was sold in green bottles with purple foil and a purple label. Anyone who bought the prosecco should not try to open it and instead should put it in paper towels or a plastic bag before throwing it away, the CPSC said. open image in gallery Costco is recalling its Kirkland signature prosecco over laceration hazards ( Consumer Product Safety Commission ) open image in gallery Nearly a million bottles of prosecco sold at Costco are being recalled in 12 states ( Getty Images ) The 941,400 bottles were sold between April and August 2025 in the following states: Illinois Indiana Iowa Kentucky Michigan Minnesota Montana North Dakota Nebraska Ohio South Dakota Wisconsin According to the CPSC, the universal product code of the drinks is 196633883742. The Costco item number is 1879870. The company did not say what caused the hazard in the bottles. The prosecco is made in Italy and imported by Miami-based F&F Fine Wines International, which does business as Ethica Wines. Customers are urged to contact Ethica Wines for a full refund. Neither Ethica Wines nor Costco immediately returned The Independents request for comment. The same product was just recalled from Costco in September. At the time, the store told customers not to return the bottles to stores. Do not open it. Dispose of the bottle immediately to avoid risk from shattered glass, Costco wrote to shoppers. At the time, Costco said that the unopened bottles could shatter even before they were touched or opened. However, the store did not disclose whether there were any injuries caused by the recall. The prosecco warning comes after Costco recalled its Kirkland brand Ahi Tuna Wasabi Poke over contamination concerns in September. The ready-to-eat item was potentially contaminated with Listeria from green onions. The affected products were sold in 32 states with a sell-by date of September 22. Customers were advised to return the item to Costco for a full refund. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo made a striking appearance at the European premiere of Wicked: For Good, stepping out hand-in-hand in dramatic Gothic-inspired gowns. The highly anticipated sequel continues the narrative from the first film, charting the years following the separation of Erivos green witch Elphaba, 38, and Grandes Glinda. Their sartorial choices for the Monday event marked a notable shift from the 2024 press tour, where the duo frequently honoured their characters by donning their signature colours. Grande, 32, opted for a sophisticated one-shoulder black dress adorned with shimmering polka dots, while Erivo showcased a dark blue and black ensemble featuring distinctive PVC-look detachable sleeves. open image in gallery Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande attend the Wicked: For Good European Premiere ( Getty Images ) The premiere, hosted at Cineworld in Leicester Square, transformed the venue with an abundance of pink and white floral arrangements, replacing the traditional red carpet with a vibrant yellow brick road. Among the notable attendees was US actor Jeff Goldblum, 73, who portrays the Wizard in the film. He posed for photographs in a long overcoat and green waistcoat, accessorised with a silver brooch. open image in gallery Jeff Goldblum at the premiere ( Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images ) British star Jonathan Bailey, playing Prince Fiyero, wore an all-grey outfit, completed with a red poppy in observance of Remembrance Day. Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh, who stars as Madame Morrible, and director Jon M Chu, in a classic black suit, were also present. Celebrity guests included The Celebrity Traitors stars Cat Burns and Jonathan Ross, alongside Britains Got Talent judge Amanda Holden. The two-part film adaptation draws from the acclaimed Broadway musical, which earned Idina Menzel a Tony Award for best leading actress as Elphaba in 2004. For Good delves into Elphabas demonisation by the inhabitants of Oz, leading to her transformation into The Wicked Witch Of The West, as depicted in L Frank Baums original novel. The films trace their lineage from Gregory Maguires 1995 novel, itself inspired by Baums 1900 childrens story, famously adapted into the 1939 film starring Judy Garland. The film has already earned rave reviews from early viewers, who say it not only exceeds all expectations, but might even outshine its Oscar-snubbed predecessor. The next instalment of Wicked is scheduled for release in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from November 21. POZEGA, Croatia, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The groundbreaking ceremony for the Pozega-Godinjak expressway project in Croatia, undertaken by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), was held here on Tuesday, with the attendance of officials from both China and Croatia. The ceremony was attended by Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butkovic, and Chinese Ambassador to Croatia Qi Qianjin. Addressing the ceremony, Butkovic highlighted the significance of the Pozega-Godinjak expressway project as the second-largest infrastructure project after the Peljesac Bridge, which was also built by the CRBC. Butkovic praised the CRBC's professionalism and capabilities, voicing confidence that the expressway project would also be completed smoothly and on time. Qi said he hoped the Pozega-Godinjak expressway project would further contribute to the development of friendly relations between China and Croatia, as did the Peljesac Bridge. The contract to build the 14.75-km expressway, with a value of 160 million euros (185.6 million U.S. dollars), was signed in May between the CRBC and Croatian Roads, the state-run road operator. The project includes the construction of a 3.34-km tunnel, three overpasses, six underpasses, and one underpass tunnel. Once completed after four years' construction, the expressway will connect Pozega and Godinjak in eastern Croatia. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollars) Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Today marks another holiday in the U.S: Veterans Day. Every year on November 11, Veterans Day honors those who serve and have served in the United States Armed Forces. First proclaimed by President Wilson in November 1919, the holiday was initially called Armistice Day to honor those who served in World War I. Building upon that, the Act of 1938 then recognized each November 11 as a legal holiday. However, in 1954, the United States Congress replaced the word Armistice with Veterans, moving to honor veterans of all wars. Federal Veterans Day observances were briefly moved to October in the early 1970s as a result of the Uniform Holiday Bill, which confused some states that continued to celebrate the holiday on November 11th, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. However, in 1975, former President Gerald Ford signed a law moving the Veterans Day federal observance back to November 11 as of 1978. Communities around the U.S. have held parades celebrating war veterans on this holiday, dating back to the first Armistice Day in 1919. The nations largest Veterans Day parade is held in New York, with a procession along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. Veterans Day is observed each November 11 ( Getty Images ) Since Veterans Day is a federal holiday, all banks will be closed today. Online banking and ATMs will be accessible. The stock market and the United States Postal Service will also be closed. However, the holiday doesnt guarantee that all workers around the U.S. will get the day off. It is up to individual employers to decide whether they offer time off or additional pay for work on federal holidays. Find the list in full below: New Years Day: Wednesday, January 1 Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Monday, January 20 Inauguration Day: Monday, January 20 Presidents Day: Monday, February 17 Memorial Day: Monday, May 26 Juneteenth National Independence Day: Thursday, June 19 Independence Day: Friday, July 4 Labor Day: Monday, September 1 Indigenous Peoples Day (also observed as Columbus Day): Monday, October 13 Veterans Day: Tuesday, November 11 Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 27 Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25 Other important days to note: Valentines Day: Friday, February 14 St. Patricks Day: Monday, March 17 April Fools Day: Tuesday, April 1 Good Friday: Friday, April 18 Easter: Sunday, April 20 Get the Well Enough newsletter by Emilie Lavinia and make sense of the wild world of wellness Get our wellbeing editor's newsletter: Well Enough by Emilie Lavinia Get the Well Enough email by Emilie Lavinia Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice We all experience different levels of stress on a day-to-day basis, whether that is due to family demands or work pressures, but its important to be aware of when it might be negatively impacting your health. Its easy to brush off a headache or neck pain as temporary inconveniences, but these signs could be a symptom of something more serious, such as chronic stress. We spoke to Dr Michael Zemenides, co-founder of the A-Z General Practice at The Wellington Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK, who explained what chronic stress actually is and highlighted what the key symptoms are. What is chronic stress? Stress is quite a normal thing that everyone feels at any time, especially with dealing with things like change or life challenges, such as money worries, financial pressures, parenthood, work issues, or relationship problems, says Zemenides. A little bit of stress can be a good thing to help us get things done for example, that increased productivity that we might get before a deadline. However, chronic stress is when were overstimulated by stress over a prolonged period of time. So, you develop this prolonged state of tension or alertness in response to constant, ongoing pressures, rather than intermittent, short-term challenges. Is chronic stress an official diagnosis? While chronic stress itself is not a formal medical diagnosis, it is a recognised condition that can contribute to, or coexist with, other health issues such as anxiety disorders, depression, insomnia, or burnout, explains Zemenides. Healthcare professionals assess chronic stress through a combination of symptom history, lifestyle factors, and sometimes physical health indicators (such as blood pressure, weight changes, or hormone levels). Here are seven key signs of chronic stress to look out for 1. Cardiovascular effects racing heart and increased blood pressureStressful episodes cause a fight-or-flight response, where hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline are released and these can have multiple different effects within your body, explains Zemenides. In terms of cardiovascular symptoms, you can get that cascade effect where your heart feels like its abnormally beating or racing in your chest and your blood pressure can increase. 2. Muscle tension or pain Muscle tension is also quite common, says Zemenides. Ongoing stress keeps muscles in a semi-contracted state, especially around the neck, shoulders and back. 3. Tension headaches Muscle tension can be a trigger for tension headaches, says Zemenides. Typically tension-type headaches are characterised by what we call a band-like sensation around the head that can result in pain or a dull, aching sensation on both sides of the head. Stress can also result in sleep disturbances and that can contribute to the development of tension headaches. 4. Digestive issues Another common thing is abdominal symptoms, such as bloating, notes Zemenides. When stressed, the body prioritises energy for muscles and the brain over digestion. This can slow down peristalsis (the movement of food through the digestive tract), allowing more time for fermentation by gut bacteria, which produces gas and leads to bloating. 5. Feeling constantly anxious or irritable Theres also emotional side effects of chronic stress, highlights Zemenides. So, you might find yourself feeling irritable, angry, tearful and in this constant state of feeling worried or anxious, feeling hopeless or scared, which can impact your decision-making processes. 6. Skin rashes Stress-related inflammation and hormonal changes can worsen skin sensitivity and can sometimes lead to hives or rashes, says Zemenides.7. Change in appetite Exposure to prolonged periods of stress can alter your eating habits.Some people might find they get a reduction in appetite and lose weight, and others might turn to unhealthy binge-eating practices, says Zemenides. When should you seek professional advice about these symptoms? Seek professional help if these symptoms are persisting and are interfering with your daily life or relationships, advises Zemenides. If symptoms like headaches, palpitations, insomnia or digestive issues are just not going away, and you cant explain them or figure out a way to manage them, then its definitely worth seeking advice from your GP. Bringing a stress diary to your appointment could help. Identifying the triggers is key, says Zemenides. Documenting your level of stress, things that are particularly triggering and all your symptoms that youre feeling in real time each day can help us link your symptoms with the overall level of stress in your life. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Since it was founded in 1986, The Independent has charted turning points in modern history that took place between 10 and 16 November the fall of the Berlin Wall, the challenge that ended Margaret Thatchers premiership, conflict in the Middle East, and scientific breakthroughs that unsettled old certainties. This week in history traces decades of change, as reported in real time. 10 November 1989 The Berlin Wall breaks open Crowds surge through newly opened checkpoints, as The Independent observes the physical division of Germany beginning to turn into history. The fall of the wall ends 28 years of separation, after a confused announcement allows citizens of East Berlin to cross freely. It signals the end of the iron curtain and the beginning of the path to German reunification. open image in gallery ( The Independent ) 10 November 1990 Heseltine challenges Thatcher A decisive challenge to Margaret Thatchers leadership emerges, as Michael Heseltine openly contests her hold on the Conservative Party, putting himself on a war footing with the embattled prime minister. Within days, the revolt inside the party would force her resignation after 11 years in power. open image in gallery ( The Independent ) 13 November 1996 Mid-air collision over India A mid-air collision near New Delhi between a Saudi Boeing 747 and a Kazakhstan Airlines jet kills everyone on board. One of the deadliest aviation disasters in history, the horrific crash leads to major reforms in international air traffic control. open image in gallery ( The Independent ) 14 November 2001 The day Kabul fell Reporting from the Afghan capital, Kate Clark writes: I saw crowds cheering and women waving. It felt like liberation. But I also saw evidence of butchery and bloody revenge. The Talibans retreat from Kabul marks the end of one regime and the beginning of another long war. open image in gallery ( The Independent ) 13 November 2004 Yasser Arafat dies The Independent reports crowds pouring into the streets of Ramallah following the death of Yasser Arafat in Paris. His passing leaves the Palestinian national movement without its defining figurehead, creating a leadership vacuum and deep uncertainty over the future path to statehood. open image in gallery ( The Independent ) 12 November 2007 Primate cloning breakthrough Scientists announce the creation of dozens of cloned embryos from adult monkeys, a landmark step towards potential human cloning. The Independent examines what the breakthrough might mean for the future of mankind, though technical and ethical barriers would stall further progress for more than a decade. open image in gallery ( The Independent ) 14 November 2010 Aung San Suu Kyi freed After seven years, five months and 15 days under house arrest, Myanmars pro-democracy leader walks free to global celebration. Recently, world leaders have renewed calls for her release an echo of 2010, as Suu Kyi is once again being detained by the countrys military authorities. open image in gallery ( The Independent ) 15 November 2015 Paris terror attacks The Independent reports on coordinated gun and bomb attacks across Paris, which kill 130 people at the Bataclan theatre, cafes, and the Stade de France. The assault leaves the city in shock and prompts a global wave of solidarity and heightened security. open image in gallery ( The Independent ) 16 November 2017 Mugabe loses power The Independent describes a quiet coup in Zimbabwe as the army seizes control, bringing Robert Mugabes 37 years in power to an end. Days later, Mugabe resigns under pressure, paving the way for his former deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa to take office a moment of hope soon tempered by familiar patterns of repression. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Kim Kardashian is furious with the psychics who incorrectly predicted her future. After she flunked the California state bar exam, the reality star put her anger on display in a TikTok video blasting the clairvoyants who told her she would pass the tough test. Im just letting you guys know that all of the f***ing psychics that we have met with, and are obsessed with, are all f***ing full of s***, Kardashian, 45, said over the phone in a tirade she posted Monday to TikTok in a vlog of her mom Kris Jenners star-studded 70th birthday party. They all collectively, maybe four of them, have told me I was going to pass the bar, so theyre all full pathological liars dont believe anything they say. In the clip, Kardashian does not clarify whether the psychics said she would pass the bar exam this time or at another point in the future. open image in gallery Kim Kardashian went on a tirade about the psychics who told her that she would pass the bar exam ( @kimkardashian/TikTok ) After a six-year quest, which included taking the baby bar four times until she passed, the Skims founder was forced to put her legal dreams on hold after failing her first attempt at the bar. Im not a lawyer yet, I just play a very well-dressed one on TV, Kardashian announced Saturday on her Instagram Story, referring to her recent debut in Ryan Murphys critically-panned legal drama Alls Fair. Six years into this law journey, and Im still all in until I pass the bar. No shortcuts, no giving up - just more studying and and even more determination. Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me along the way so far, she continued. Falling short isnt failure - its fuel. I was so close to passing the exam and that only motivates me even more. Lets go! open image in gallery Kardashian, 45, plays a divorce lawyer in the legal drama Alls Fair ( Disney ) Kardashian did not say when she plans to retake the test. The next California bar exam is set for February. The entrepreneur took an unconventional route to law school, opting to study under a lawyer in an apprenticeship workaround in 2018. In 2018, Kardashian lobbied President Donald Trump for clemency on behalf of Alice Marie Johnson, who was set to serve a life sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Johnsons sentence was eventually commuted, and she received a pardon in 2020, leading to her release. Last week, Kardashian ruled out becoming a divorce lawyer like her character in Alls Fair and said she is more interested in criminal justice and reform work, which tracks with her previous advocacy efforts. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Starbucks has shared that a new line of holiday merchandise is coming after having to apologize for its viral Bearista cups selling out so quickly. Last week, customers were in a frenzy to get their hands on the 20-ounce bear-shaped glass, which came out the same day as the brands holiday menu. However, customers claimed that on the morning the $29.99 cups launched, they either sold out right away or were being bought by Starbucks staff before the stores doors opened. This prompted Starbucks to issue a statement Friday to The Independent apologizing to customers who were disappointed about the cup selling out so quickly. The company also said more exciting merchandise [is] coming this holiday season, but didnt say what that was. Now, Starbucks has revealed what it has planned. The coffee giant told The Independent Monday that it has collaborated with Roller Rabbit a loungewear company that sells womens, mens, and kids pajamas to create a holiday collection. However, a press release about the special merchandise, which comes out December 2, and what it is will be released on a later date. open image in gallery Starbucks is collaborating with Roller Rabbit for new holiday merch ( Getty Images ) Its difficult to say whether the new merchandise will be as popular as the Bearista cups. When the bear-shaped glass came out November 6, many customers expressed their disappointment about the lack of cups in stores on X. Just feeling so disappointed with @Starbucks and their employees they only left one Bearista bear cup out for sale and took the rest of them to the back, one wrote. Hey @starbucks, glad I woke up at 4 am to go to your store for the new bear cup to be told the only one they had an employee purchased. Sick system, another tweeted. The cups are such a viral sensation that theyve already made their way to eBay, where theyre being resold for anywhere between $150 and $500. open image in gallery Starbucks apologized for how quickly its Bearista cups sold out in stores last week ( Starbucks ) While Starbucks did apologize to customers, the company didnt specify how many cups were sold in each store. 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, a spokesperson for Starbucks said in a statement to The Independent, shared Friday. We understand many customers were excited about the Bearista cup and apologize for the disappointment this may have caused. Although the Bearista cup is out of stock, there are other holiday-themed goods to get at Starbucks. Last week, the company collaborated with Hello Kitty to launch a collection of tumblers, mugs, cold cups, and water bottles, which retail for up to $32.95 each. Starbucks also officially brought back its highly anticipated red holiday cups. There are six cups this year, including two iced versions, all of which feature Starbucks classic dark green and red colors. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A police officer in Santa Ana, California made a surprising discovery after stopping a man who'd allegedly been pointing a gun at a motorist. The suspect was an undercover Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. A woman was driving behind the unmarked ICE vehicle when an agent inside allegedly pointed his gun at the woman, suspecting that she was following their vehicle around to disrupt their immigration raids, according to the Los Angeles Times. Since ICE agents refuse to identify themselves and often operate while wearing masks, there has been a growing number of incidents in which residents and local police cannot tell if the individual they're dealing with is a federal agent or an opportunistic criminal. The FBI recently issued a memo requesting that agents clearly identify themselves when they're asked after a several reported incidents involving masked criminals posing as immigration officers who have robbed and kidnapped victims. ICE agents often refuse to identify themselves and wear masks ( Fox ) On Sunday, a Fullerton police officer was returning to the Fullerton Police Station after dropping an inmate off at the Orange County Jail. Along the way, the officer spotted an individual exit a car and point a gun at a woman in the vehicle behind him, according to the Fullerton police department. The officer immediately stopped to assist, not knowing the identify of the armed male or the circumstances unfolding in front of him, the statement said. After the agent identified himself to the police, the Fullerton officer told him that he could not assist with someone following or recording him if no crime had occurred, and that local law enforcement was en route. In a video capturing the incident shot by the driver of the car, a bald man in sunglasses and a green shirt can be seen standing in the roadway with a pistol in his hand, walking toward the driver before the Fullerton police officer intervenes. The woman asks the man what he's doing and expresses shock at what she perceives to be the police officer working in cooperation with the ICE agent. The agent insists that the woman is following them, but she says she's "just driving" and that she lives in the area. Its ok to pull your gun on a woman," the driver says in disbelief. "What the f***. The Independent has requested comment from the Department of Homeland Security. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A California bicyclist was repeatedly stabbed by a Tesla driver during a bloody confrontation near San Franciscos Golden Gate Bridge, authorities said. The violent incident took place between the two shortly before noon local time last Saturday in the Marin Headlands, according to the California Highway Patrol. Investigators say that the incident happened in a popular parking lot on the northwest side of the Golden Gate Bridge. During the confrontation, the driver took out a knife, stabbing the cyclist multiple times, police said. A California road rage incident turned bloody after a Tesla owner repeatedly stabbed a cyclist near the Golden Gate Bridge, the authorities said ( Justin Sullivan/Getty Images ) Authorities said a nearby patrol cop had seen the end of the fight. There was blood on the ground and a knife on the ground, when an officer came onto the scene, California Highway Patrol officer Alex Ochoa said, per the San Francisco Chronicle. The driver and cyclist were both detained, authorities said. The cyclist was taken to a local hospital in stable condition, according to police. The Marin Headlands has more than 13 million visitors a year, according to The Nature Conservancy, a global environmental nonprofit. Visitors can enjoy hiking and biking with scenic views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The National Park Service describes the Marin Headlands: Dramatic cliffs of oceanic rock offer sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and the foghorn frequently resounds over the misty lagoon and rolling hills of coyote brush and sage. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An 11-year-old boy in Florida was arrested Monday after allegedly writing out a kill list at school. The boy, whom The Independent is not naming due to his age, is facing a felony charge of making a written threat to kill after he allegedly made the list at Highbanks Learning Center in Deltona. The school resource deputy confirmed the child did not have access to weapons, the Volusia Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post showing the preteens perp walk, including him exiting a police cruiser in handcuffs and entering a jail cell. While school threats are down recently, Sheriff [Mike] Chitwood is continuing to stress to students and parents that these types of threats will result in felony charges, officials said. The perp walk video on Facebook sparked over 1,000 comments, with users divided between praising law enforcement and criticizing the ethics of showing the alleged perpetrators face online. The 11-year-old, is facing a felony charge of making a written threat to kill, allegedly created at Highbanks Learning Center in Florida ( Volusia Sheriff's Office ) How is it okay to show a minor like this on social media? one woman questioned. I hate this perp walking of children and then the horrible adults jumping in & judging. The child is only 11 years old. Shame on all of you, a second person wrote, I agree with doing this. Absolutely, one person countered. Another woman commented, I blame the internet for this stuff. This didn't happen when I was growing up. He does need guidance but I don't think shaming him on social media is the answer, another agreed. It's almost like it's become a challenge for them to be in one of your videos, another user said. I mean, it's not like they don't know this is wrong, they know what could happen, and yet they're still doing it! The Independent has contacted Highbanks Learning Center and the Volusia Sheriff's Office for further comment. The Volusia Sheriffs Office faced criticism in May for posting a perp walk of a 15-year-old, whom The Independent is also not naming due to their age, who allegedly gave a false bomb threat tip at University High School. [The 15-year-old] used the name Kevin to send the tip from his school laptop and told deputies he was joking. What's not a joke: Hunter was taken into custody at Highbanks Learning Center in Deltona and charged with making a false report of a bomb and disrupting the learning environment at University HS, Chitwood wrote on Facebook at the time. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Florida woman was arrested Thursday after being clocked at 107 mph in a 55 mph zone while racing to a pizza restaurant just minutes before it closed. Yazmin Erazo, 21, from Holiday, was stopped by Pinellas County deputies on U.S. Highway 19 in Palm Harbor, according to Fox 13. She now faces a charge of dangerous and excessive speeding under a new Florida law that went into effect on July 1. Erazo reportedly told deputies that she was speeding to reach Little Caesars before it closed. She has since been released on bail. The new criminal offense, established under Florida HB 351, targets extreme speeding. A driver commits this offense if they either drive more than 50 mph over the posted speed limit or travel 100 mph or more in a manner that threatens public safety or interferes with other vehicles. open image in gallery Yazmin Erazo, 21, was arrested Thursday after allegedly going 107 mph in a 55 mph zone to get to Little Caesars before it closed ( Pinellas County Sheriff's Office ) Penalties for a first offense include up to 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both. For a second or subsequent offense, the penalties increase to up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. If a second offense occurs within five years of the first, the drivers license may be revoked for at least 180 days and up to one year. Because this is a criminal offense rather than a civil traffic infraction, a conviction can appear on background checks and potentially affect employment, housing applications, and professional licensing. Alachua County has already seen 71 crashes this year caused by speeding and aggressive driving, resulting in four serious injuries and two deaths, according to law firm Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, PA. Statewide, Florida has experienced a 43 percent rise in traffic fatalities from 2013 to 2023, with most speeding-related deaths involving male drivers aged 16 to 25. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A convicted drug dealer earlier granted clemency by President Donald Trump has been sent back to prison after being charged with new crimes. Jonathan Braun, of Long Island, was accused of threatening to kill a hospital nurse and swinging an IV pole at her. He was also charged with groping his familys nanny and evading bridge tolls. Braun was sentenced to 27 months behind bars after prosecutors sought a five-year sentence. Brooklyn federal Judge Kiyo Matsumoto said she hoped Braun's expressions of remorse and promises to lead a law abiding life were in good faith. She noted that many of the people who he had harmed had since forgiven him. Dont squander it, she said to Braun. In seeking the maximum punishment allowed, prosecutors argued that a lengthy stint behind bars was necessary to protect the public from further crimes. The defendants brazen and violent conduct caused fear and terror in his victims, prosecutors wrote in a court filing ahead of his sentencing. open image in gallery President Donald Trump granted Braun clemency in 2021 ( PA Wire ) Braun, they said, has continued to show that he is a serious danger to the community." Braun has been locked up at a federal jail in Brooklyn since his arrest in April for violating the terms of his release. That time will be subtracted from his sentence. Brauns federal public defender, Kathryn Wozencroft, sought for him to be released immediately. Since returning to jail, she said, Braun has been meeting with a psychiatrist, got sober and worked to rebuild his faith and community support, talking with a rabbi twice a week and expressing remorse to him for his actions. Braun's conduct was driven by addiction, she said. The past seven months in custody have given Mr. Braun significant time to reflect on the very serious harm his behavior caused, and to take steps to ensure that he can be successful on supervision moving forward, Wozencroft wrote to the judge ahead of the hearing. Braun was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in 2019 after pleading guilty to drug-related charges. He served about a year behind bars before Trump commuted his sentence in the final days of his first term in January 2021. Braun was freed from prison, but the rest of his sentence remained intact, including requirements that he pay a fine and stay out of trouble. Braun had been a high-ranking member of an international group that smuggled more than 100,000 kilograms (220,460 pounds) of marijuana from Canada into the United States, federal prosecutors said at the time. In January, prosecutors said, Braun cursed at nurses and argued with an assistant nurse manager in the emergency department at a Long Island hospital, picking up an IV pole that was connected to his arm and swinging it in her direction as she approached and attempted to calm him down. Braun's wife was also screaming at hospital staff, prosecutors said. When the assistant nurse manager said that she would have to leave, Braun tore into the assistant nurse manager, walking toward her until he was stopped by hospital security, yelling profanities and repeatedly saying that he was going to kill her, prosecutors said. In February, prosecutors said, Braun entered the bedroom of his children familys live-in nanny, wrapped an arm around her upper body and used the other to put her in a headlock before grabbing her breasts and making unwanted sexual advances. The nanny testified in court that Brauns actions made her so uncomfortable that she locked herself in a bathroom, called her husband and asked him to notify police. In March, prosecutors said, Braun grabbed and threatened a fellow worshipper who asked him to be quiet during a synagogue service. After stepping away for about 10 minutes, Braun allegedly got in the man's face, squeezed his right arm tightly and asked him: Do you know who I am? and Do you know what I could have done to do you? Last summer, police said, he evaded bridge tolls at least 40 times while driving his luxury cars, accruing $160 in unpaid fees. He also failed to make payments towards his court-ordered fine despite living in a multimillion-dollar home and driving luxury vehicles, prosecutors said, and he failed to make truthful and complete financial disclosures to probation officials, including proof of full-time employment. MOSCOW, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Tuesday it had thwarted a Ukrainian-British plan to hijack a Russian MiG-31 fighter jet equipped with the Kinzhal missile system. The FSB press office said that the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry and "its British handlers" attempted to recruit Russian pilots with an offer of 3 million U.S. dollars to fly the MiG-31 to a NATO base in Constanta, Romania. The airbase is NATO's largest one in southeastern Europe, where the aircraft could be shot down by air defense systems, although the pilots were promised citizenship of a Western country, it said. "As a response to the provocation, on November 9-10 of this year, the Russian Aerospace Forces struck, using hypersonic 'Kinzhal' missiles, the main electronic intelligence center of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defense Ministry in the city of Brovary, the Kiev region, and the Starokonstantinov airfield in the Khmelnytskyi region, where the so-called F-16s are deployed," the FSB said in a statement. Dmitry Belik, a Russian State Duma deputy from Sevastopol and a member of the Committee on International Affairs, told the RIA Novosti news agency that Ukraine's hijack attempt is evidence of its intention to drag NATO into an open military conflict with Russia. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The director of public affairs at Arkansas PBS has been arrested after authorities allegedly found an illegal substance in his vehicle late on Monday night. Michael Hibblen, 54, was pulled over by a sheriffs deputy for speeding shortly before the officer reported finding methamphetamine in his vehicle. Hibblen, from Little Rock, faces a felony charge of possession of less than two grams of a Schedule I to II controlled substance, according to an arrest report from the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office seen by KATV-TV. The director of public affairs was driving a blue Honda Civic at 80 mph in a 60 mph zone, according to the police report. When he was stopped, he allegedly told deputies that he was heading home after dropping a friend off at a gas station, but could not remember where he had left them. open image in gallery Michael Hibblen, the director of public affairs at Arkansas PBS, has allegedly been arrested and charged with possessing a Schedule II substance and speeding ( Pulaski County Sheriff's Department ) Eventually, his car was searched, and crystal-like shards were found in a cupholder, police allege. According to the report, seen by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, the two shards weighed 0.9 grams and are currently being analyzed by experts. Hibblen was booked into Pulaski County Jail, deputies said, on the drug charge as well as a speeding charge. His employer, PBS Arkansas, confirmed his arrest in a statement. This is a personnel matter that this agency takes seriously, Julie Thomas, a PBS spokesperson, told the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. We have taken action to suspend Micahel Hibblen without pay for up to five days. Hibblen first joined Arkansas PBS in 2023 and oversaw the production of the weekly public affairs show Arkansas Week, as well as live coverage of state government meetings on the Arkansas Citizens Access Network, according to his LinkedIn account. According to Hibblens website, he has interviewed several iconic celebrities, including Beat poet trailblazer Allen Ginsberg and free-spirited country artist Willie Nelson. open image in gallery Hibblen has worked at PBS Arkansas and has allegedly had his pay suspended for at least five days ( Google Streetview ) Very rarely in life, if we get the chance to meet people we admire, do they live up to our expectations, Hibblen wrote on his website. Willie Nelson couldnt have been cooler. My opportunity to interview him came when he was in South Florida for a concert with Bob Dylan on May 26, 2005, at Fort Lauderdale Stadium. Before joining the broadcaster, he worked as a news director at NPR affiliate KUAR-FM 89.1 for over a decade. He also published a book titled "Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas." According to Hibblens website, the journalist has been researching the railroad since 1988 and has collected a series of historical photographs of the railways construction, which are included in the book. He launched a podcast series of the same name to accompany his book. The Independent has contacted PBS Arkansas and the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office for further comment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A man who killed three people and left taunting messages for police in the blood of one of his victims is set to be put to death by firing squad Friday. South Carolina's highest court has declined to stop the execution of Stephen Bryant, 44, after a last ditch appeal by his lawyers. The attorneys argued the judge who sentenced him to die never got to consider how badly his brain was damaged from his mothers alcohol and drug use while pregnant. But the South Carolina Supreme Court rejected that appeal late Monday. The court found that even if Bryant's defense had done more investigation into whether he had Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, it simply would have given a different reason for his problems while not changing the outcome of a death sentence. By any stretch, (Bryant) demonstrated a high level of planning, decision making, and calculation, the justices wrote in Monday's unanimous decision. open image in gallery Stephen Corey Bryant listens as his defense attorney presents his closing argument during Bryant's sentencing hearing on Tuesday at the Sumter County Court House. Bryant plead guilty to three Sumter County murders in 2004 ( Keith Gedamke/The Item via AP ) Bryant is being executed for killing Willard TJ Tietjen in his home in October 2004. Investigators said Bryant burned Tietjens eyes with cigarettes after shooting him and painted catch me if u can and other taunting messages on the wall with the victims blood. Prosecutors said he also shot and killed two men he was giving rides to as they stepped out of his truck to urinate over five days that terrorized Sumter County. Appeal detailed abuse and Bryant's mother drinking while pregnant Bryants lawyers said while his original defense team said he was unnerved in the months before the killings because he couldnt stop thinking about being sexually abused by relatives as a child, they didnt detail how that abuse had affected his ability to conform to the law. Bryants lawyers said he didnt get a full brain scan before his 2008 trial that could have identified in-utero damage that was never repaired, according to court papers. They also included what they said was newly uncovered evidence including a 2024 interview with a clinical psychologist where Bryant described abuse he suffered from male relatives, his mother, a preachers wife and several strippers in his neighborhood before he became a teenager. The justices sided with prosecutors who said the three killings, along with another shooting and two burglaries mostly along dirt roads in the rural Sumter County east of Columbia werent impulsive crimes from a damaged brain but were methodical and cunning. Bryant can still ask the governor to reduce his death sentence to life in prison in a decision that, if made, wont be announced until minutes before the execution is set to start. No South Carolina governor has ever granted clemency in the modern era of the death penalty. Stephen Bryant has chosen to die by firing squad Bryant will be the third man executed by firing squad in South Carolina this year. Struggles to find drugs to use for lethal injection led to an unintended 13-year pause in executions and state lawmakers to introduce the method thats often associated with mutinies and desertion in armies, as frontier justice in Americas Old West or as a tool of terror and political repression in the former Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Outside of South Carolina, only three other prisoners in the U.S. have been executed by firing squad since 1977. All were in Utah, most recently Ronnie Lee Gardner in 2010. Bryants execution will be the seventh in South Carolina since executions restarted in September 2024. All the others have chosen execution by lethal injection after the state was able to obtain the drug needed because of a secrecy law. The state also has an electric chair. Bryant will have a hood placed on his head before he is shot by three volunteers from 15 feet (4.6 meters) away. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump has issued a presidential pardon to a long-distance runner who was accused of taking an illegal shortcut during a record-setting race. Lawyers for Michelino Sunseri, 32, announced that their clients nightmare was over after the president issued the pardon Friday. Sunseri was prosecuted by the National Parks Service after setting the record for racing up and down the tallest mountain in Grand Teton National Park, in Wyoming a distance of 13.2 miles on September 2 2024. He set a new record with a time of two hours, 50 minutes and 10 seconds, beating the previous best time by almost three minutes. However, officials at the NPS claimed Sunseri had gone off the main trail and onto a restricted one, closed to the public, later charging him with violating federal regulations meant to preserve the national parks. open image in gallery Lawyers for Michelino Sunseri, right, announced that their clients nightmare was over after the president issued the pardon Friday Sunseri, of Driggs, Idaho, was convicted of a misdemeanor in September and had faced a fine of up to $5,000 or up to six months in jail prior to Trumps intervention. During the run, Sunseri allegedly ran past two signs which read short cutting causes erosion and closed for regrowth. His lawyers argued it was not clear as to whether the latter sign referred to the trail or the area around the sign. No alleged damage was done to the park or any other visitor to the park. His lawyers also claimed that other runners had used the trail previously without consequence. We are thrilled that Michelinos nightmare is over, but were not done fighting against unconstitutional regulations that give low-level park officials the power to criminalize harmless conduct, said Michael Poon of Pacific Legal Foundation, which represented Sunseri. open image in gallery Sunseri was prosecuted by the National Parks Service after setting the record for racing up and down the tallest mountain in Grand Teton National Park, in Wyoming a distance of 13.2 miles on September 2 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images ) We are ready to help other Americans who face criminal prosecution for breaking park rules that were illegally created. Asked why Trump had shown specific interest in the case, Poon told The Independent: We believe the president recognized what we have maintained from the beginning: this was a case of massive overcriminalization and it should never have been brought. He added: But massive overcriminalization is bound to happen when Congress, rather than defining the crimes as the Constitution demands, hands that responsibility to agencies, as it did here. Though Sunseris case was dropped by NPS, it was later picked up and continued by the Department of Justice A White House official told The Independent that Trumps involvement was in order to highlight an example of a prime example of excessive prosecution. This case is a perfect example of overregulation and burdening the health and freedom of everyday Americans who simply wanted to enjoy the outdoors and beauty of our nation, the official added. Some of Trumps pardons have been controversial. The president was heavily critical of pardons issued by his predecessor Joe Biden, especially that given to his son Hunter Biden, who was convicted last June of three felony counts related to the illegal purchase of a firearm in 2018, and separate charges of tax avoidance in September. One of his first acts after returning to the White House this year was to pardon or commute the sentences of nearly 1,600 people for taking part in the January 6, 2021, insurrection. More recently Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, a billionaire with ties to the first familys own cryptocurrency venture. Zhao, who also goes by CZ, is the founder of crypto exchange company Binance and helped the Trump familys own venture World Liberty Financial make billions just before the president pardoned him. Despite the pardon Trump claimed he did not know who Zhao was. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A US Army gynaecologist in Texas is accused of taking secret videos of multiple women during intimate examinations, a lawsuit claims. Dr Blaine McGraw is alleged to have inappropriately touched and performed unnecessary procedures on women, as well as making the illicit videos, the lawsuit filed in Bell County District Court says. The 13-page complaint obtained by CBS News claims Dr McGraw, an OB-GYN at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood in Texas, "used his position of trust to sexually exploit, manipulate, and secretly record women under his care. It has been brought on behalf of a plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, to protect her identity. In the claim, her attorneys said she had gone to McGraw to seek answers for pelvic pain and worries about her uterine health. Court documents claim McGraw used his position to sexually exploit patients ( Reuters ) McGraw is alleged to have "groped, touched, and examined Doe in ways that had nothing to do with healingperforming invasive breast and vaginal examinations in ways that were unnecessary, humiliating, and profoundly violating, and which had nothing to do with the medical issues for which she sought care," over the course of seven or eight appointments, according to the court document. Attorney Andrew Cobos told CBS News he is representing more than 45 women who have approached him with claims about McGraw - many of whom are spouses of servicemen, who are entitled to their healthcare benefits. Upon information and belief, investigators recovered thousands of photographs and videos from his phone, taken over the course of multiple years, depicting scores of female patients, many of whom remain unidentified, the lawsuit says. The plaintiff told NBC News she was contacted by Army investigators who asked her to come in for an interview following the alleged discoveries. They said that McGraw had secretly filmed multiple female patients during their appointments, the lawsuit says. In a later meeting, the plaintiff was presented with several screen grabs from videos that unmistakably depicted her body during an examination that took place three days earlier, according to the lawsuit. In a statement to NBC News, the woman said she had been left feeling violated, exposed and afraid by McGraws alleged actions. The US Army confirmed a medical provider had been suspended from his position and is no longer providing services to patients following alleged misconduct. Daniel Conway, an attorney for McGraw, stated in a press release to NBC News that the doctor has been "fully cooperative with the investigation." "Weve expressed to the government our concern that plaintiffs attorneys are holding press conferences citing inaccurate information apparently learned from government sources," Conway added. "At this point its best to let the investigation complete before we comment." Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Top allies and associates of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of Health and Human Services, forcefully spoke out against vaccines during a weekend summit in Austin, Texas. The conference, hosted by Childrens Health Defense an anti-vaccine non-profit co-founded by Kennedy was attended by around 1,000 people, including two U.S. senators, Floridas top health official and Cheryl Hines, Kennedys wife. Over the course of two days, speakers sought to map out the future of the Make America Healthy Again movement, including by pushing to eliminate vaccine mandates in schools through a targeted state-by-state effort. God is an anti-vaxxer, and he needs you to speak up, Del Bigtree, CEO of Informed Consent Action Network, who served as Kennedys communications director during his 2024 presidential campaign, said, according to The Washington Post. The high-profile gathering comes as the anti-vaccine movement, once marginalized, has found new influence in Washington, with Kennedy a long-time vaccine skeptic now overseeing Americas vast health care bureaucracy. open image in gallery The conference was hosted by Childrens Health Defense, an anti-vaccine non-profit co-founded by Kennedy ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) GOP Sens. Ron Johnson, of Wisconsin, and Rand Paul, of Kentucky, addressed the audience remotely, though they were initially scheduled to attend in person, alongside the HHS secretary. Kennedy also did not attend the event. There are doctors recommending injecting little babies, Johnson said, according to The Post. They dont want to admit something theyve done caused autism. The supposed link between vaccines and autism has previously been brought up by Kennedy though multiple studies have shown they are not related. The former environmental lawyer has also expressed broader concerns about vaccines. Hes claimed immunizations have poisoned an entire generation of American children, and suggested they could be responsible for a whole host of ailments, including allergies, eczema and ADHD. As head of HHS, Kennedy has cut the organization's workforce and fired all members of a vaccine advisory board, accusing them of acting as a rubber stamp for any vaccine. HHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment. During his Senate confirmation hearing, Kennedy said he is not anti-vaccine, just pro-vaccine safety, The Independent previously reported. Mary Holland, the CEO of Childrens Health Defense, echoed this sentiment, telling The Post that CHD is not anti-vax. Were pro-informed consent. open image in gallery We need to be more boldly anti-vax, one of the conference speakers said ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) This view was not shared by all conference attendees, though. Ive come to this anti-vax conference with a message: that we need to be more boldly anti-vax, Mark Gorton, the co-president of the MAHA Institute think tank, said. He added that the childhood vaccination regimen should be eliminated. Joseph Ladapo, Floridas surgeon general, who announced in September that the Sunshine State would be the first state to eliminate school vaccine mandates, also addressed the audience. God had me go to Harvard Medical School so I could eventually come out on the other side and say what I think is right, he said. Lapado denounced members of the media, saying, I saw reporters from The Washington Post and the Atlantic that represent these forces that I have nothing against them, to be clear they represent forces who are working toward the enslavement of humanity. Hines, an actress known for her role in Curb Your Enthusiasm and Kennedys third wife, told The Post, I really support what MAHA is doing and CHD has been bushwhacking the path for a while now. CHD has been such supporters of families of parents with children that have been injured with vaccines or any sort of health issue, Hines added, according to MSNBC. Thank you for supporting CHD and Bobby for all these years. Recent polls show that the views espoused at the Texas conference are far from atypical. In fact, they are held by a sizable swath of Americans despite medical experts maintaining that the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risks. A September Washington Post/KFF poll found that one in six parents have skipped or delayed some vaccines for their children. An April YouGov poll revealed that one in five Americans believe its definitely or likely true that vaccines have been demonstrated to cause autism. Amid rising skepticism about vaccines, the U.S. is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in over 30 years, according to the CDCs July report. As of Nov. 4, there were 1,681 confirmed measles cases across more than two dozen states. Participants arrive at the venue of the 30th United Nations climate change conferencein Belem, Brazil, Nov. 10, 2025. The 30th United Nations climate change conference, commonly known as COP30, opened Monday in Belem, in the Brazilian state of Para, with the aim of putting the fight against climate change back in the center of international priorities, according to local authorities. (Photo by Claudia Martini/Xinhua) BELEM, Brazil, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The 30th United Nations climate change conference, commonly known as COP30, opened Monday in Belem, Brazil, with the aim of putting the fight against climate change back in the center of international priorities, according to local authorities. At the opening ceremony, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev called to meet the goals of the climate summit held last year in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago thanked Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for appointing him and reiterated that COP30 must present solutions. Despite recent setbacks, the living conditions of populations around the world can and must continue to improve, Correa do Lago emphasized. "Science, education, culture are the path that we have to follow," he said. Multilateralism is definitely the way forward in the fight against climate change, he said. A series of topics, including climate adaptation, just transition, and implementation of the Paris Agreement's global balance, are expected to be discussed at the event. Delegations of over 190 countries and regions have registered to participate in the conference, which runs through Nov. 21, according to the COP30 presidency. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during the opening ceremony of the 30th United Nations climate change conference in Belem, Brazil, Nov. 10, 2025. The 30th United Nations climate change conference, commonly known as COP30, opened Monday in Belem, in the Brazilian state of Para, with the aim of putting the fight against climate change back in the center of international priorities, according to local authorities. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua) Participants attend the opening ceremony of the 30th United Nations climate change conference in Belem, Brazil, Nov. 10, 2025. The 30th United Nations climate change conference, commonly known as COP30, opened Monday in Belem, in the Brazilian state of Para, with the aim of putting the fight against climate change back in the center of international priorities, according to local authorities. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua) Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), speaks during the opening ceremony of the 30th United Nations climate change conference in Belem, Brazil, Nov. 10, 2025. The 30th United Nations climate change conference, commonly known as COP30, opened Monday in Belem, in the Brazilian state of Para, with the aim of putting the fight against climate change back in the center of international priorities, according to local authorities. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during the opening ceremony of the 30th United Nations climate change conference in Belem, Brazil, Nov. 10, 2025. The 30th United Nations climate change conference, commonly known as COP30, opened Monday in Belem, in the Brazilian state of Para, with the aim of putting the fight against climate change back in the center of international priorities, according to local authorities. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua) Participants attend the opening ceremony of the 30th United Nations climate change conference in Belem, Brazil, Nov. 10, 2025. The 30th United Nations climate change conference, commonly known as COP30, opened Monday in Belem, in the Brazilian state of Para, with the aim of putting the fight against climate change back in the center of international priorities, according to local authorities. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua) Siren Gold CEO Zane Padman said: The scale and continuity of mineralisation across the Endeavour Shear Zone reinforces the strategic importance of the Queen Charlotte Project within Sirens portfolio. The Maria Reef on the western footwall edge of the Endeavour shear zone looks to be particularly well mineralised. Back in 2015, a channel sample across the Maria Reef at the base of a hill returned 5.4m going 5.4 grams per tonne (g/t) gold. From there, rock chips were picked up all the way up the hill over a 1.2km zone ranging from 1.5g/t up to 4g/t gold. Its true thickness ranges from two metres to an impressive six metres, comprising a mixture of quartz veins, quartz breccia and sheared schist. Siren was able to locate and channel sample six outcrops of the Maria Reef. The Skyline Reef - the hanging wall lode - was also located and sampled. This reef contains a visible 0.5m-thick stibnite vein, again with mineralised schist in the footwall. The Endeavour East mine, located a further three kilometres to the south, was also successfully located and sampled. The presence of massive stibnite and arsenopyrite-bearing quartz on the mullock heaps confirms the mineralisation style is similar to the Endeavour Inlet mine, extending the proven mineralised strike here to around five kilometres. Siren says metallurgical test work on the antimony back in 1977 showed it could produce a stibnite concentrate grading 63 per cent antimony with an overall recovery of 90 per cent, laying a solid foundation for future development. While Queen Charlotte is shaping up well for Siren, its money shot is the advanced Sams Creek deposit to the west. Sams Creek is large-scale intrusion related gold system with an existing and growing resource of 824,000 ounces going a very respectable 2.8g/t gold with additional resource drilling now under way. Previous intersections of 20m at 6g/t gold and 48m at 1.6g/t gold were intersected from a 50m wide porphyry dyke which remains open for at least 1km down dip. High grade rock chip sampling by Siren suggests there is much more to find from additional porphyry dykes along 7km of strike. Another string to Sirens bow is its gold- and antimony-bearing shear related system known as the Langdons project, also in New Zealand. That project has several coherent gold and antimony soil anomalies suggesting undiscovered mineralised structures. With gold and antimony both trading at record highs, Siren would appear to be well placed to tap into the current market sentiment for both minerals. The company is well funded for extensional drilling at Sams Creek which will likely provide a constant stream of news. The New Zealand mining industry, a solid contributor to its economy, is undergoing a significant shift, evidenced by the governments Minerals Strategy with a renewed focus on critical minerals like antimony and gold. There would appear to be a shifting of the sands in New Zealand a country that is clearly well endowed with mineral riches but one that embraces those riches cautiously. Siren looks like it has a real shot now at securing a mining license at Sams Creek and if the early numbers at Queen Charlotte stack up when the rotary truth diviner eventually does its thing over there, it just might be looking for two mining licenses. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au A Chinese woman described as a super villain who orchestrated a multibillion dollar investment fraud to buy bitcoin was sentenced to 11 years and 8 months in jail by a London judge. Zhimin Qian, who evaded arrest in China after fleeing on a moped to the Myanmar border, travelled through southeast Asia and Europe using fake passports before settling in Britain under a fake name Yadi Zhang. She was arrested as part of the largest bitcoin seizure ever by British police now worth $US6.4 billion ($9.8 billion). Zhimin Qian is caught by police for the first time at a house in Hampstead in 2018. Credit: Internet Qian, who was dubbed cryptoqueen in the British media, was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to charges of possessing and transacting in criminal property in August. Her assistant, Seng Hok Ling, 47, was also jailed for 4 years and 11 months for his role in dealing with criminal money. The 47-year-old was labelled as having lived a life of luxury renting expensive mansions and plotting to become the monarch of a self-proclaimed nation Liberland until she was arrested last year, prosecutors said. Advertisement Eating outEating out A game-changing regional restaurant is coming to the CBD this weekend For one day only, its taking over one of the citys classiest riverside restaurants. Expect a farm-to-table lunch with Story Bridge views. Matt Shea November 11, 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 One of Queenslands best regional restaurants is coming to Brisbane this weekend, taking over the kitchen at Bar Miette in the CBD. This Sunday lunch, Mapleton Public House chef Cameron Matthews will bring his skill with fresh produce sourced from the pubs own The Falls Farm to the riverside venue. Mapleton Public House is one of the new stars of south-east Queensland regional dining. According to Matthews and Bar Miette executive chef Jason Barratt, the event has been at least a year in the making, although it was only finalised during winter. It was maybe 12 or 18 months ago when we said, Hey, lets do a collab, but chefs send these messages to each other all the time, right? Matthews says, laughing. But its been on our minds for a while to bring the farm down to the city and show people what we do at the pub, because its very different, very unique. Advertisement Related Article A new wave of eateries is elevating south-east Queenslands dining scene I dont think a lot of people understand that yet, so the best way to do that is to bring it to them. Its about sharing what were actually doing, which is the whole point of the pub to be able to say to people, You can have these beautiful, amazing, regenerative foods in Queensland. Husband-and-wife team Ben Johnston and Jessica Huddart bought Mapleton Public House in 2022. Together with Matthews, they went about turning the handsome old pint-pouring weatherboard pub into the ultimate paddock-to-plate restaurant, utilising produce from The Falls Farm (which supplies specialist produce to heavyweight Brisbane restaurants such as Essa, Supernormal and Agnes). In the process, its become a star of a new wave of refined eateries in south-east Queensland. Pretty Mapleton Public House was given a new life in 2022 by owners Jessica Huddart and Ben Johnston. Matthews is a long-term regional specialist he cut his teeth at Simones in Victorias Bright and later led that kitchen but he nominates his first 18 months at Mapleton Public House as the toughest of his career. Advertisement People wanted to fight me over chips, he says. I had plates of calamari thrown back at me. People were harsh. It was a really humbling experience, realising that its more than just a place of food and drink. Its about bringing people together and community, and giving them a sense of place. Goddess-brined cos with flowers and pickles; asparagus with white asparagus veloute and lovage oil. Thats what we want to illustrate at Bar Miette. This is a takeover rather than a pop-up, with Matthews being given full control of the menu. Expect dishes such as a chicken parmy toast; goddess-brined cos, flowers and pickles; beef intercostal skewers with Diane sauce; potted smoked fish with potato chips and horseradish; and Condabilla Murray cod served with the pubs own take on Cafe de Paris butter. The Falls Farm in Mapleton. Advertisement Its a small kitchen at Bar Miette, but were used to that at the pub, with our heads bumping on the ceiling of what we can actually do, Matthew says. But all of our team has had input on this menu, and thats exciting. Its never been just about me. Bar Miettes Jason Barratt. Morgan Roberts Melbourne-born chef Jason Barratt has extensive experience cooking in the regions, heading up the kitchen at Raes at Wategos in Byron Bay and Paper Daisy at Halcyon House, before moving north to take on the executive chef position at Supernormal and Bar Miette. I really do think were coming into a [new era] of regional restaurants, and I think theres so much more room for it to grow in south-east Queensland, he says. The more events like this we have, and the more restaurants popping up in these regional areas, the stronger it will get. Advertisement Bar Miette in Brisbanes CBD. Morgan Roberts While Matthews says there have always been great regional restaurants, theyve been a bit few and far between, but I also dont think theyve ever received the recognition. Now people are looking and thinking, Theres some great food in south-east Queensland. Great produce, great producers, great restaurants. Mapleton Public House takes over Bar Miette this Sunday, November 16. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Eating out 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. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Its delicious news for fans of Gayan Pieris cooking, with the Sri Lankan chef to become the restaurants owner next month. Hatted Sri Lankan restaurant Many Little will soon change hands, with its long-time head chef Gayan Pieris to take the keys from current owners Polperro Winery as soon as December 1. Pieris overhauled Many Littles menu in 2019, taking it from the European bistro-style skew it opened with in 2018 and introducing the food of his homeland, a move that landed it a hat in each of the past five editions of The Age Good Food Guide. Egg hoppers at Many Little. Many Little is well-loved for its hoppers (fermented rice pancakes), says Pieris, and while they will continue to play an important part in the offering, Pieris intends to push further into the complex flavours and techniques of the teardrop nation. I want to turn this into an actual Sri Lankan kitchen, says Pieris, who will refurbish the Many Little kitchen in the winter of 2026. One of the challenges I had here is that its a normal bistro kitchen. We havent had the opportunity to give the full sense of Sri Lankan cooking. I really want to bring that regionality and then have that broader Sri Lankan offer. ZAGREB, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Croatia's largest annual book fair opened in Zagreb on Tuesday, bringing together more than 360 exhibitors from 15 countries around the world. The 47th International Book Fair, or the Interliber 2025, will strengthen Croatian publishing and promote books, authors, reading, science, and knowledge, said Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic at the opening ceremony. "That is why I am not surprised that this year there are even more exhibitors ... which shows the attractiveness of the Interliber for all those who live for books and bring new titles to the public," he added. Zagreb's Mayor Tomislav Tomasevic, who was also present at the ceremony, said the Interliber showcases the Croatian people's love for books. Considered the most important national literary event in the country, the Interliber will run until Nov. 16 and bring together authors, publishers, and readers of all generations. Dina Grozdanovic Postolka, organizer of the event, emphasized that it is not just a book fair, but also a festival. "We offer a wide range of programs on four stages every day, from book promotions and talks, to professional programs for the publishing industry, numerous workshops, and interactive quizzes for all generations," she told Xinhua. The Interliber was co-organized by the Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media and the City of Zagreb. Liberal Senator Dave Sharma has rebuffed questions over whether the Liberal Partys guiding principles which called for more gas, and extended coal power generation would affect the Coalitions path back to government through seats now held by climate focused teal independents. People realise that renewable energy alone will not be able to support our electricity grid without some gas, without some coal, without larger scale storage. Its just not going to be able to do it, Sharma told journalists at a doorstop interview at Parliament House. David Sharma. Credit: David Beach Sharma referenced the NSW, Queensland and West Australian governments as being among those that are extending the life of coal-fired power plants. When pressed on concerns over winning back seats from independents, Sharma said: my concern is to make sure we put forward a credible policy thats believable and plausible in the national interest, and that we are able to sell that policy or retail that policy to Australia. I dont think we should be focused on one particular part or demographic or region of Australia at the expense of another. We are a nationally based party that seeks to form government and that seeks to command broad support across Australia, he said. Sharma held the inner-Sydney seat of Wentworth, but lost the seat to independent MP Allegra Spender at the 2022 election. He then moved to the senate representing NSW. Earlier on Tuesday, Wrench told the court that he had written to the ODPP to ask them to reconsider reversing a decision for the matter to be heard before a local court magistrate instead of a jury in the higher District Court. He said they refused, adding that he also asked for full disclosure of all material in this matter. We need to see all of the cards, Wrench said. Alan Jones leaves Day Street police station on the day of his arrest, November 18, last year. Credit: James Brickwood As of less than a week ago, we have received one folder of material, Wrench told the court, before Walsh interrupted. I asked you one question when can the matter get ready [for hearing], from your point of view? Walsh said. Wrench said that the Heralds chief investigative reporter Kate McClymont had declined to provide any documents relating to interviews with witnesses, with Walsh responding that he could subpoena her if you wish. When asked by Walsh how long he needed to resolve outstanding matters, Wrench said he first needed to know when the brief of evidence had fully been served. The DPP has refused to tell us whether or not the investigation is complete, he said, adding theyve had two years to investigate and Jones needed to get all the documents before him so he knows the case to meet. We expect to make our own inquiry of investigation to properly defend Mr Jones, he said. While he has been deprived of a jury trial We dont want to deprive Mr Jones of a fair hearing. Earlier in court, the magistrate asked Curran how many witnesses were in the crowns case, to which she said it currently contains 139 witnesses. Alan Jones lawyer Bryan Wrench. Credit: Kate Geraghty She added that the ODPP had made four attempts to obtain further details about Jones representation, so the parties could hold a case conference and attempt to reduce that number. As of today we have not been advised who counsel is, so no conference has been able to be held, Curran said. In September, new details emerged about Jones charges, shining further light on the alleged crime scenes and circumstances. After initially being charged with dozens of offences, several were dropped or downgraded throughout his year-long legal process, with the number of complainants involved recently dropping from 11 to nine. Court documents seen by this masthead shortly after Jones arrest at his luxury Circular Quay apartment outlined allegations such as fondling penises, stroking thighs, squeezing bottoms and pulling a mans scrotum. He was accused of committing the crimes at his former Newtown home, his harbourside apartment, his farm at Fitzroy Falls in the Southern Highlands, Tamworth in northern NSW, and other Sydney spots. However, updated court documents seen by the Herald in September revealed further details. They include alleging one complainant was assaulted five times at Jones Fitzroy Falls residence in 2004 by being kissed on the lips, having his robe undone and his underpants removed, Jones rubbing his penis against his own and touching and squeezing the complainants penis while masturbating. Loading That same man was allegedly assaulted while driving Jones to the Fitzroy Falls home and twice in Jones Sydney home in 2003. In 2008, Jones allegedly assaulted a man three times at a Kiama restaurant, including having stroked him on the front and back of his thigh on the outside of his clothing, patted him on the bottom on the outside of his clothing and pushed his body against the back of the complainants body, touching [his] penis on the outside of their clothing and pulling their penis. Also in 2008, Jones allegedly assaulted another man twice while being driven home from work, kissed him in the lift of his Sydney home three times and twice in the lift of his workplace, and touched his penis on the outside of his clothing at Gunners Barracks restaurant in Mosman. In 2012, Jones allegedly assaulted another complainant at a Sydney function, touching and squeezing their bottom outside their clothing. Police say Jones touched and grabbed another mans bottom at a Tamworth event in late 2013. He is further accused of rubbing another mans leg up towards his crotch during a performance at Sydney Opera House in 2014. Five years later, he allegedly touched another complainant on the back and bottom during a Sydney event. Another man was allegedly assaulted in 2015 by being kissed on the corner of his mouth at a Sydney event, and again between 2018 and 2020 at Jones Sydney residence, when the broadcaster is accused of pushing his body, including his genitalia, against the complainants upper inner thigh. Since his arrest, Jones has vigorously denied all allegations, earlier telling media outside court that he was certainly not guilty and would be presenting my account to a jury about the baseless or distorted allegations. Jones announced his retirement from radio station 2GB in May 2020. Hundreds of millions of dollars meant to be spent on vital infrastructure in Melbournes booming growth corridors could be diverted to projects in other parts of the city. The Allan government wants the power to spend funds collected from developers in growth suburbs such as Sunbury, Craigieburn and Melton on projects in other parts of Melbourne. The government wants to be able to spend developer contributions outside the growth areas in which they were collected. Credit: Paul Rovere While the government says funds would only go to services and infrastructure that addresses the needs of the collection area, critics fear the new laws could be used to finance projects with only a tenuous link to residents. Wide-ranging planning changes which are yet to pass the upper house would also require some landowners to notify Aboriginal groups of planning permits in yet-to-be-defined areas of cultural sensitivity, even as they curtail objection rights for neighbours. Town of Victoria Park Mayor Karen Vernon has described the unauthorised felling of dozens of trees in a highly anticipated heritage precinct redevelopment as deeply disappointing and very embarrassing for the council. The East Victoria Park community is outraged after 46 trees were cut down without council approval in the 4.6-hectare parkland surrounding Blackoak Capitals Elizabeth Baillie House redevelopment. An artists impression of the upgraded Elizabeth Baillie House in East Victoria Park. The town posted an apology to its Facebook page overnight, saying it accepted full responsibility. Vernon expressed similar sentiments on ABC Radio on Tuesday morning, and said she was seeking answers. Melbourne property buyers are underestimating how much homes cost in their target suburbs by as much as $1 million when searching listings sites, new figures show. Analysis of Domain search data showed buyers looking for houses in Boroondara, encompassing Hawthorn and Kew, and Stonnington West, which includes South Yarra and Toorak, typically searched for homes worth $1.5 million. The median listing price for houses in both regions of the blue-chip inner east was $2.5 million, Domains Matching Demand Report, released on Wednesday, showed. Domain chief of research and economics Dr Nicola Powell said the biggest gap in median search price and median listing price was typically in the most expensive areas of major cities. We know these premium areas do command a price point. And some buyers are going out there and searching for what they can get out there in a specific area, she said. Advertisement Reviews & adviceHotel reviews For laneway lovers, new Melbourne hotels location is brilliant Anthony Dennis November 12, 2025 12:00am 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 The hotel Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins Hotel Indigos main lobby and spiral staircase. Laneway vibes. Check-in Advertisement Theres Flinders Lane, Hosier Lane, Hardware Lane and Manchester Lane. Then there are the places that are really lanes, such as Centre Place and Duckboard Place, and the streets, like Little Bourke and Little Lonsdale, that are also really masquerading laneways. Yep, Melbourne, youre the ultimate alley cat. Now theres another new shopping arcade with distinct laneway vibes in the form of the newly opened Melbourne Walk, which unifies no less than eight buildings, some dating to the 1920s and with their splendid surviving facades. Melbourne Walk and the hotel entrance. The precinct is also home to one of the Victorian capitals newest upscale digs, the 179-room Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Little Collins Street (really a laneway, lest we labour the point), reached through a discreet, ground level doorway. The look Indigo is defined as a colour between blue and violet and, sure enough, once you arrive by elevator at the hotels cavernous four-level main public expanse, from that non-event ground floor miniature lobby, blue is most definitely the primary colour. Advertisement The centrepiece is a spectacular, seemingly more ornamental than practical, spiral staircase teamed with some equally fabulous artwork, chief among them being Cabinet of curiosities, a six-metre high piece by local muralist Lisa King. The rooms A guest room and its Melbourne map. The so-called brand ethos of Hotel Indigo, of which, at last count, there are more than 180 iterations around the world, is all about creating bespoke, local experiences with a strong sense of place. Thats reflected in the appealingly designed and decorated guest rooms with their abstract wallpapered bedheads depicting the famed Melbourne street grid. In my room overlooking Little Collins Street, theres no door on the toilet cubicle in the L-shaped bathroom which doubles as a convenient walk-in wardrobe though there are two sliding doors at the entry points from the hallway and bedroom with its especially comfy mattress. Oh, and the equally cosy, white waffled in-room bathrobes are well worth the $80 purchase price-tag at reception. Advertisement Food + drink The hotel breakfast. By the bar. The attractive but unexceptional Fern Bar & Dining occupies much of the main public space, and, by virtue of its secreted location above the city fray, will have to compete with the abundance of vibrant dining choices, both casual and formal, back at street level. Opposite, Fern Bar, facing that showstopping spiral staircase, deserves to become a popular drinking hole for inhouse guests and outsiders. During my stay, it was a little too chilly to sample the adjoining external landscaped courtyard, with its series of sculptural skylights, but it should be popular on warmer days. Out + about Advertisement Youre in the epicentre of the world epicentre of espresso with cafes abounding close to the hotel, including a personal favourite, the nearby, quintessentially Melbourne, Brunetti Oro Flinders Lane. Elsewhere, while Degraves Street (really a lane), has shed most of its original street cred, its alley-lined covered tables and chairs are as heaving and humming as ever. Shop til your credit limit drops in the adjacent Bourke Street Mall (watch for the trams), site of the new three-level flagship store of the Mecca cosmetic chain inside the gorgeous late 19th-century Coles Book Arcade. The verdict The spiral staircase is more ornamental than practical. Do we love Hotel Indigo? Let us count the (lane)ways. Being a Sydneysider and a one-time resident of Melbourne with a life-long affection for the Victorian capital, I am in my element at this brilliantly located hotel. Advertisement Essentials Luxury Escapes has a two-night Hotel Indigo deal, valid for two guests for $499. It includes daily continental breakfast with an al a carte dish at Fern Bar & Dining; a nightly beer, wine or soft drink per guest at Fern Bar & Dining; and a guaranteed 1pm late checkout. Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Little Collins. 2/288 Little Collins St, Melbourne Vic. Ph: 03 9968 8699. See luxuryescapes.com/indigo; ihg.com Our rating out of five Highlight Location, location and even more location. If you want to be in the thick of Australias CBD from central casting, this is the place to stay. Advertisement Lowlight Ensure your taxi or Uber driver doesnt take you to the other Melbourne Hotel Indigo, namely the one on Flinders Lane. The writer stayed as a guest of Luxury Escapes and Hotel Indigo. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. Advertisement Travel newsNew South Wales The $375 million precinct putting NSW coastal city on the map Julietta Jameson November 12, 2025 12:00am 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 How does a city go from gateway to destination in its own right? Just ask Newcastle, NSW. While known as the gateway to the famed wineries of the Hunter Valley, the former mining centre and port has built on its natural coastal assets and historic architecture to establish itself as an excellent getaway in its own right. Water views from a balcony room at voco Gosford. Just over 90 kilometres south of Newcastle, and only an hour north of Sydney, Gosford has been best known as a gateway to the beaches of the NSW Central Coast. The city is making a run of its own to reach destination status with a $375 million mixed-use development, The Archibald, home to a new voco hotel. Advertisement Voco is a family of hotels thats part of the InterContinental Hotel Group. Its identity is built around properties being charming, relaxed and like most hotel brands, especially the lifestyle ones connected to the community in which they are built via design, location and amenity. Since being launched in 2018, voco has more than 100 member hotels, of which the Gosford property is the fifth in Australia. Sister properties are also in Melbourne and Gold Coast. Balcony room, voco Gosford. Voco Gosford guest bathroom. Thats not the only news for The Archibald, which overlooks Brisbane Water, the picturesque estuary on which Gosford is set. In March, developers ALAND won the best mixed-use development in the Asia-Pacific award at the International Property Awards handed out at Londons Savoy hotel. It beat 2400 entries from 125 countries and was judged best across criteria that include design, quality, service, innovation, originality and sustainability. Advertisement Named after Archibald Acheson, the second Earl of Gosford (the one in Oxfordshire, England), the Archibald precinct includes 323 residential apartments, five hospitality venues and the 130-room voco Gosford. Artists impression voco Gosford will include the highest bar on the Central Coast. Set to open at the start of summer, Voco Gosfords piece de resistance is Astra, a level-28 rooftop bar and high-end Japanese diner. Most rooms have private balconies, there is a podium-level pool with swim-up bar, and, including the rooftop, six distinctive dining and bar outlets. Archies, a kind of pub on ground level housing Ironbark kitchen, serves pub classics and fire-grill dishes. Then theres the Italian kitchen, Paolos. Bookings for the hotel and restaurants open from November 12. The official launch of voco Gosford and the Archibald precinct is on December 1. Advertisement Meanwhile, the hotel boom in Sydney continues with the opening of another connected to community brand, Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney in Haymarket. The 174-room hotel has a bright and cheery design, thanks to a partnership with Sydney artist Chris Yee, whose illustrations adorn the hotels lobby and communal spaces. Works by Melbourne-based creative Samy Baby and Japanese-Australian artist Hiromi Tango also feature. Yees and Babys imaginings are on the walls of rooms. Talk Shop Hyatt Central Sydney. View King Room, Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney. Described as the heart of the hotel, Talk Shop does quadruple time as a cafe, bar, co-working space, and venue where there will be poetry nights, live music and even mahjong sessions. This 200-year-old game of Chinese origin is trending hard with younger generations. (For certain sectors of older generations, its never been out of style.) Advertisement The hotel will be accessible from the light rail and Central Station and moments from the Capitol Theatre and the eateries of Chinatown. See thearchibald.com.au; hyatt.com Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. Five Eyes officials have watched with alarm as Patel has fired agents who investigated President Donald Trump and invoked his powers to investigate the presidents perceived enemies. The officials and others spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. The shift under Patel has struck directly at the Five Eyes relationship through the removal of senior agents who spent years fighting Islamic extremists or blunting counterintelligence threats alongside operatives from allied countries. MI5 director general Ken McCallum asked Patel to safeguard the position of an FBI staffer in London. Credit: Getty Images The FBI declined to comment on the directors discussions with McCallum. A representative of the British home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, whom McCallum reports to, said her office does not comment on intelligence matters. In all of my life 32 years in the business I have never seen a law enforcement or intelligence organisation like the bureau be directed to go after people purely on political, vindictive reasons, said Phil Gurski, a former analyst with Canadas intelligence and cryptologic agencies. In a Western democracy, thats unheard of. Its every day in Russia and China. Patel, who lacked the deep experience of his predecessors and is unabashedly partisan, has had a rocky introduction to his Five Eyes allies. On a visit to New Zealand in July, he brought plastic 3D-printed replica pistols as gifts to senior national security officials, but they were illegal under local laws and had to be destroyed. Patel opens the FBI field office in New Zealand in July. Credit: AP To ensure compliance with firearms laws, I instructed police to retain and destroy them, New Zealands police commissioner, Richard Chambers, told the Associated Press, which previously reported on the episode. Patel had gone to Wellington to open a new FBI office, an initiative that former agents had questioned as the bureau faces budget deficits. He also visited Australia, where he had suspended the bureaus top representative in that country because she had taken a knee during racial justice protests in 2020. He later fired her. The FBIs relationship with MI5 is arguably the most important in Five Eyes, a bond that dates back to at least 1938, when the two agencies investigated a hairdresser from Glasgow, Scotland, for providing military secrets to the Germans. The two agencies work closely on many operations. The MI5 headquarters near Vauxhall Bridge in London. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo Awkward encounter Patels trip to Britain in May was the kind of gathering that top national security officials regularly attend, a conference with other Trump administration officials and their Five Eyes peers to discuss such issues as counterterrorism and cybersecurity. Organisers also set aside time for the principals to meet and discuss specific investigations, as well as to get acquainted. Held at South Lodge, a luxury hotel in the Sussex countryside that boasts Michelin-starred cuisine, the event was code-named Gold Sycamore by British officials. Patels visit started awkwardly even before he arrived. Slated to land at Stansted Airport outside London, he sought to fly to an airport closer to the hotel. British officials denied the request, making clear that dignitaries must use Stansted for security reasons, according to one of the former officials and another person familiar with the interactions. The FBIs relationship with MI5 is arguably the most important in Five Eyes. Credit: AP They said that during the trip, the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command of the Metropolitan Police told the FBI that Patels security detail could not be armed. Britain has strict gun-control laws, and police limit armed details based on risk assessments. The police assessment on Patel found he didnt meet the threshold for an exemption. The details for the heads of the CIA and the National Security Agency were armed, another US official said. That discrepancy prompted an emergency meeting between the FBI and British security officials. The British officials held firm. An FBI official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, denied that there had been a dispute over arming Patels detail. He acknowledged that the director had in the past pressed people on why FBI details werent always granted allowances that other agencies got, but that he was seeking equal treatment for them, not for himself. The official also said the discussions about flying into Gatwick involved a scheduling issue. Loading The conference had a detailed agenda. Patel complained about the number of meetings, one of the former officials said, a well-known gripe of his. The FBI official said Patel did not object to meetings but rather was trying to figure out which ones were essential so he could fit in other important work. The gathering was relatively informal, but even so, Patel surprised other attendees when he arrived wearing a trucker hat and a green hooded sweatshirt, the former US official said. Patel frequently attends official events without wearing a suit, breaking with FBI tradition. McCallum, a Scot known for his discretion and mild manner, who was close to Patels predecessor, Christopher Wray, was waiting. When McCallum asked Patel to keep the agents key position in London, Patel told him that it would not go away and that money would be found to keep the agent in London, according to two of the former US officials familiar with the episode. Loading But the funding for that position had already been cut before Patel left for Britain. It was not clear whether Patel was aware of this at the time he made the pledge to MI5, though his aides had been briefed beforehand about the cut, the two former officials said. Patel ultimately refused to reallocate funding for the role because of the costs associated with it, according to three of the current and former US officials. BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- As the world navigates profound challenges, China is charting a steady course toward modernization under a new development philosophy that steers high-quality growth and opens up fresh opportunities for the global community. First introduced in 2015, the new development philosophy -- featuring innovation, coordination, green development, openness and shared benefits, has over the past decade anchored China through domestic and global headwinds, driving sustained progress. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China's economy has maintained solid expansion, with total output first surpassing 110 trillion yuan (about 15.5 trillion U.S. dollars), then 120 trillion yuan and later 130 trillion yuan. Total output is projected to reach around 140 trillion yuan in 2025. Contributing roughly 30 percent to global growth each year, China has stood out as an "oasis of certainty" in an uncertain world. The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has recently released its recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), a key document that lays out the guiding principles for the country's development in the coming period. It underscores the need to fully, accurately and comprehensively implement the new development philosophy to steer the nation's next phase of growth. INNOVATION-LED GROWTH At the Seres smart factory in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, two new energy vehicles (NEVs) roll off the assembly line every minute -- a snapshot of how technology and innovation are reshaping China's industrial landscape. China has ranked first globally in NEV production and sales for 10 consecutive years. The country has emerged as a global frontrunner in new-energy technologies and equipment, accounting for more than 40 percent of the world's related patents. As China upgrades its manufacturing sector, it is adding momentum in strategic emerging industries to drive transformation, exemplified by its rise from a follower to a global leader in the new energy vehicle industry. From individual enterprises to entire industries and the broader economy, the new development philosophy has injected powerful impetus into high-quality growth. China's overall competitiveness has advanced markedly. In the Global Innovation Index, the country has risen from 34th in 2012 to 10th in 2025, becoming one of the world's fastest-improving innovators. Nationwide research and development spending reached 3.6 trillion yuan last year, the second highest in the world. Over the next five years, China will continue to apply its new development philosophy to foster high-quality growth. "Significantly enhancing self-reliance and strength in science and technology" was listed among the major goals in the recommendations for the next five-year plan. Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun said China will work to deepen the integration of scientific and industrial innovation in the coming five years. Key tasks include strengthening original innovation and core technology breakthroughs, channeling more innovation resources toward enterprises, and accelerating the efficient application of major scientific and technological breakthroughs. GREEN TRANSITION PATH In the Kubuqi Desert of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, millions of solar panels glint under the sun, forming a vast "sea of energy." From here, green electricity flows eastward through ultra-high-voltage transmission lines, lighting up homes in eastern city clusters thousands of kilometers away. Along just one of these routes, from Xilingol League in Inner Mongolia to Taizhou in the eastern Jiangsu Province, more than 12 billion kilowatt-hours of green power are transmitted every year. China's installed capacity for wind and solar power now accounts for nearly half of the global total. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, exports of Chinese wind and solar products are expected to help other countries cut carbon emissions by about 4.1 billion tonnes. The country has built the world's largest renewable energy system. In the first four years of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's energy consumption per unit of GDP dropped by a cumulative 11.6 percent. China has vowed to accelerate green transition across the board and build a Beautiful China in the coming five years, according to goals listed in the recommendations for the next five-year plan. Over the next five years, carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals will act as a major driver for China to advance coordinated efforts in cutting emissions, reducing pollution, expanding green development and promoting growth, and to cultivate a new economic engine built on green, low-carbon and circular development, said Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs. In recent years, western regions of China such as the Kubuqi Desert area have recorded faster growth than the east, demonstrating the coordinated development championed by the new development philosophy. Coordinated development is expected to be further advanced over the next five years. OPENING UP FOR SHARED BENEFITS At a duty-free store at Haikou Meilan International Airport in south China, Zhang Lu browsed shelves lined with the latest cosmetics. "In the past, if I wanted new beauty products, I either had to contact overseas agents to shop for me or find a chance to travel overseas myself. Now, I just book a flight to Hainan, and the prices there are even better," Zhang said. Her experience captures a broader shift in China's consumer landscape. Hainan Province's offshore duty-free policy, a key move in terms of institutional opening up, has become a vibrant symbol of China's new development model. This emerging hub in the country's south has opened a window of opportunity for global luxury names to share in China's vast market. Even amid global headwinds and rising protectionism, China's door to the world remains wide open, and continues to open wider. All foreign investment restrictions in manufacturing have now been scrapped, while the services sector is steadily opening up. By the end of June 2025, China had utilized 708.73 billion U.S. dollars of foreign investment during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, and established 22 pilot free trade zones across the country. Recommendations for the next five-year plan include a dedicated section on expanding high-standard opening up, calling for opening wider to the outside world, promoting innovative trade development and expanding two-way investment cooperation. It sends a strong signal underlining China's commitment to openness, cooperation and mutual benefit. Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao said China seeks to advance balanced growth in imports and exports in the coming five years by actively expanding imports, improving import trade facilitation and fostering national demonstration zones for innovative import promotion. The recommendations also stress making solid headway in promoting common prosperity for all, which aligns with the principle of shared development, a key element of the new development philosophy. The document further outlines measures to promote high-quality and sufficient employment, improve the income distribution system, enhance the social security system, and ensure more equitable access to basic public services. As China advances on its modernization journey, the new development philosophy will remain both the ballast and the engine of China's economic vessel, enabling it to seize new opportunities amid challenges and sustain resilience and vitality in pursuing high-quality development. The trend of cafe booming in China's rural areas has fueled a new way of consumption and tourism. Join Xinhua's Zhao Jinzheng to visit Jingxian, a small county hosting more than 80 cafes, and find out how they drive local economic vitality. #GLOBALink 2,000 artists pay tribute to Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Staff Reporter : One stage, 2,000 artists, countless instruments converged together to spread the divine message of Jai Gurudev which resonated with the audience and invoked a sacred atmosphere. A devotional evening steeped in reverence and artistic fervour marked the fourth day of the Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav 2025 at the Ishwar Deshmukh College grounds, Hanuman Nagar. Nearly 2,000 artists paid a heartfelt tribute to Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj, the modern saint, reformer and torchbearer of national unity, through an enthralling confluence of dance, drama, and bhajan performances depicting his life and teachings in stages. The visual musical presentation Rashtrasantanchi Jeevangatha portrayed the saints childhood, his meeting with Mahatma Gandhi, his role in the freedom struggle, imprisonment, and the spiritual revolution he led through the Khanjiri Bhajan movement. Clad in saffron caps, devotees created a divine ambience echoing Tukdojis spirit. Songs like Tu Ne Seva Hi Na Kiya Hai, Manus Dya Maj Manus, and Shandar Ho Mera Bharat inspired fraternity, devotion, and patriotism. The programme was produced and co-ordinated by Dr Devendra Yadav, with music direction by Shrikant Pise, choreography by Akshay Dhabadgaonkar, and anchoring by Devendra Dodke. It was presented under the guidance of Akhil Bharatiya Shrigurudev Seva Mandal and Shreekshetra Gurukunj Ashram. Among those gracing the evening were Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Padma Shri Dr Vikas Mahatme, and other dignitaries, who lit the ceremonial lamp and felicitated artists. The co-ordination team included Amol Bambal, Ashok Yawle, Dnyaneshwar Rakshak, Rajesh Kumbhalkar, Sudhakar Ambuskar, Avinash Ghushe and Shrirang Varhadpande. Rare art by innovative artists Nagpurs I A Raja and Sukhnat Kazi showcased their rare finger and nail painting technique, creating a captivating natural landscape before the audience which was executed without brushes. They also produced a life-like portrait of Nitin Gadkari, which they later presented to him. Impressed by their talent and devotion, Gadkari felicitated both artists on stage, lauding their creative contribution to the festivals devotional spirit. Their unique art form left the gathering spellbound and stood as a symbol of innovation meeting spirituality. Rashtrasants service unmatched: Gadkari Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharajs mission of social awakening was unparalleled, achieved through simple yet profound words that influenced generations, said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. He recalled that Nagpur University recently united 50,000 students to sing the university anthem inspired by humanity, a reflection of Tukdojis ideals. The Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav Committee had also organised a Khanjiri Bhajan competition based on the saints teachings. Today, through the devotion of over 2,000 artistes, the saints timeless message is reaching the hearts of people once again, he added, commending the organisers for spreading Tukdojis spiritual and nationalistic values through art. Shiv Mahimna Stotra fills morning with divine energy The morning session of the Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav began on a deeply devotional note with the collective chanting of the Shiv Mahimna Stotra during the Jagar Bhakticha programme. Hundreds of devotees joined in unison with the melodious voices of the Kanvashram sisters, transforming the venue into a sanctified space resonating with Shivas glory. The event commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Kanchan Gadkari, Rajni Didi of Brahma Kumaris, Smita Kelkar, Mai Khandekar and other dignitaries. Renuka Deshkar, while conducting the session, explained that the Sanskrit stotra, composed by Gandharva Pushpadant, contains 43 verses that bestow inner peace and sanctify speech. The serene morning concluded with the Shiv Aarti, leaving devotees spiritually uplifted. 2,900 kg explosivesseized, 8 HELD White collar terror module in Kashmir-UP-Haryana busted A view of the site where explosives were found. (Inset)The arms and ammunition recovered in a joint operation by Faridabad and Jammu and Kashmir police from the rented accommodation of Muzammil Shakeel, a Kashmiri doctor and a teacher at Al Falaha University. (PTI) SRINAGAR/FARIDABAD : EIGHT people, including three doctors, were arrested and 2,900 kg of explosives seized with the uncovering of a white collar terror module involving the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind and spanning Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, officials said on Monday. Among those arrested following a 15-day operation were Kashmirs Dr Muzammil Ganaie in Faridabad and Lucknows Dr Shaheen who was brought by air to Srinagar for custodial interrogation, officials said. An AK-47 rifle was found in her car. The joint operation by the police forces of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana as well as central agencies have achieved a major breakthrough, officials said. They did not divulge details of exactly when the arrests took place. With this, the police has successfully thwarted the destructive designs of both the terror groups, the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), an offshoot of the ISIS in India. The 2,900 kg of explosive material includes ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur. Of this, 360 kg of inflammable material suspected to be ammonium nitrate and some arms and ammunition were recovered from Ganaie rented accommodation in Faridabad, said a statement from the Jammu and Kashmir police. The recoveries from various places include a Chinese Star pistol with ammunition, a Beretta pistol with ammunition, an AK 56 rifle with ammunition, an AK Krinkov rifle with ammunition as well as explosives, chemicals, reagents, inflammable material, electronic circuits, batteries, wires, remote control, timers and metal sheets, it said. Ganaie, a teacher at the Al Falah University in the Haryana town abutting New Delhi, was arrested after the J&K police named him as a wanted person in a case involving putting up posters supporting the Jaish-e-Mohammed in Srinagar. Of the eight arrested, seven are from Kashmir -- Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid from Nowgam in Srinagar; Maulvi Irfan Ahmad from Shopian; Zameer Ahmad Ahanger alias Mutlasha from Wakura area of Ganderbal; Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie alias Musaib from Koil area of Pulwama, and Dr Adeel from Wanpora area of Kulgam. Dr Shaheen is based in Lucknow. Several Pakistani numbers were found on the phones of Ganaie and Adeel, officials said. They could be the possible handlers of the network. j Briefing reporters in Faridabad earlier in the day, Commissioner of Police Satender Kumar Gupta said raids were conducted at Ganaies premises on Sunday. I want to clarify it is not RDX, he said. Besides, other material that can be used in terror activities was also seized from his room. This included 20 timers, four timers with batteries, 5 kg of heavy metal, a walkie talkie set, batteries, an assault rifle with three magazines and 83 live rounds, one pistol with eight live rounds, two empty cartridges and two additional magazines. Gupta refused to give any more details. There are many other operational details and since the operation is ongoing, these cannot be shared at the moment, he said. Asked where the accused were intending to carry out the terror act, Gupta said, The investigations are on. Keeping in view national security, there are many details about this module and it is not appropriate to share these at the moment, he said. According to police in Srinagar, there could be more arrests in the case. The role of a few more individuals has surfaced who will be traced and apprehended. Defence expert calls for strong stand against Pakistan JAMMU, Nov 10 (ANI) DEFENCE expert Captain Anil Gaur (Retd.) on Monday called for a strong stand against Pakistan after Jammu and Kashmir police recovered 2,900 kgs of explosives in Haryanas Faridabad. Warning Pakistan, Captain Gaur stated that Operation Sindoor is ongoing. As police arrested two accused persons, including Dr Muzsammil from Faridabad, and Aadil Rather, arrested from Uttar Pradeshs Saharanpur, Captain Gaur noted that educated people are embracing terrorism rather than just people without jobs and education. Speaking to ANI, he said, On Oct 27, Hezbollah Mujahideen Jaish-e-Mohammad posters were found in Srinagar. It was found that one Dr Adil Ahmed was the person who had put up those posters. Kashmir police arrested this man. He was a resident doctor at the GMC. An AK-47 was recovered from his locker. His interrogation led to Dr Muzammil, who was in Faridabad in a rented accommodation. His house was raided. A huge cache of arms and 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate was recovered. Whatever the politicians may say, because of no jobs, no work avenues, persecuted people are becoming terrorists, but these are educated people. Yesterday, the Gujarat ATS arrested three people. One of them was a doctor who was making ricin, the most poisonous substance, which could have affected the masses, he added. The defence expert claimed Pakistans hand behind the alleged explosives and stated that India has made it clear that terror attacks will be looked at as an act of war. He said, Jaish-e-Mohammad and other organisations, under the patronage of ISI, are bent upon creating terror in India. India has to now take a very strong stand, as our Prime Minister had already said, that Operation Sindoor is ongoing... If anything happens, there will be repercussions. It is high time now that the repercussions take place; otherwise, Pakistans ISI is not going to stop. People are still trying to infiltrate India. They are trained terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba or Hizbul Mujahideen... They are under the patronage of ISI and the Pakistan army... Operation Sindoor is continuing; it has not stopped... India has given a chance to Pakistan and also made it very clear that in case there is any terrorist attack or any such sort of misadventure, it will be taken as an act of war, Captain Gaur added. Bihar polls 2nd phase today GAYA : THE stage is set for the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled to be held on November 11. All necessary arrangements have been completed at the dispatch centre in Gaya, from where polling parties will soon depart on Monday for their respective polling stations carrying EVMs and other election materials. The battle lines have been drawn, positions taken, speeches delivered, and the dice cast campaigning for the second and final phase of the Assembly elections has officially concluded. As Bihar enters the 48-hour silence period, leaders across party lines are reviewing feedback from the first phase to refine their strategies and maximise gains in this high-stakes political contest. A total of 122 constituencies across 20 districts will go to the polls in this phase. In comparison, 121 seats across 18 districts were contested in the first phase. This time, 1,302 candidates are in the fray, including 136 women, accounting for about 10 per cent of the total. Polling will be conducted at 45,399 centres, with 3.70 crore eligible voters, 1.95 crore men and 1.74 crore women expected to exercise their franchise. In the 2020 Assembly election, the BJP won 42 of these 122 seats, followed by the RJD with 33, JD(U) with 20, Congress with 11, and the Left parties with five. In contrast, during the 2015 election, when the JD(U) and RJD were allies, the BJPs tally fell to 36, while the JD(U)-RJD-Congress alliance captured 80 of the 122 seats. The constituencies going to the polls in this phase are spread across Bihars central, western, and northern regions. The BJP traditionally enjoys strong support in the Tirhut, Saran, and northern Mithilanchal regions, which include districts such as East Champaran, West Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, and Saran. The JD(U), though losing some ground in recent years, continues to hold influence in the Bhagalpur area. Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) maintains a strong base in the Magadh region, which covers Gaya, Aurangabad, Nawada, Jehanabad, and Arwal districts. Creative celebration of Bagless Day Our Correspondent : KONDAGAON In a creative celebration of Bagless Day, Government Primary School in Khutpara Sonabal engaged its students in a hands-on workshop on the traditional Chhattisgarhi craft, Tuma Shilp. The initiative, in line with the New Education Policy, aimed to connect children with local culture while promoting creativity and self-reliance. The workshop was conducted by Anil Vishwakarma, recipient of the Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay National Junior Award, conferred by the Delhi Government. He demonstrated how decorative items can be crafted from bottle gourds (lauki/tuma), captivating the students with live demonstrations. Speaking on the occasion, Vishwakarma said, Bottle gourd, besides being a vegetable, can be transformed into decorative items that offer livelihood opportunities. Children should not forget this traditional craft but use it as a tool for self-reliance. He explained that Tuma Shilp is a traditional craft of Chhattisgarh, mainly practiced by tribal artisans in Bastar and Kondagaon districts. The process involves drying the gourds for nearly a year, carving traditional motifs using heated iron tools, and finishing them with wax polish to enhance their natural beauty. Each piece remains unique, as artisans retain the natural shape of the gourd. The Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board actively promotes this craft through training programs, marketing initiatives, and exhibitions. Products such as tuma lamps, wall decor items, and hanging showpieces from Bastar, Narayanpur, and Kondagaon are gaining national popularity, adorning homes, resorts, and cafes across India. Headmaster Hitendra Kumar Srivas said the visit of artists like Vishwakarma inspires students, fosters creativity, and strengthens their respect for local art and culture. More workshops are planned to help children learn beyond textbooks and stay connected with their cultural roots. Gaysons The Fashion Mall unveils range of exclusive winter wear collection Business Reporter : As The cool breeze sweeps across the region marking the much-awaited arrival of the winter season, Gaysons The Fashion Mall is all set to keep the city warm and stylish with its exclusive Winter Wear Collection 202526. This season, Gaysons brings an impressive and trendy range of winter apparel for all age groups from men and women to kids and teens. The collection showcases the latest designs, fabrics, and colors to suit every personality and occasion. Fashion lovers can explore an exquisite variety of sweaters, jackets, coats, shawls, pullovers, and thermals, featuring top-quality craftsmanship and comfort. The collection proudly includes the latest arrivals from premium and renowned brands like Monte Carlo and Oswal Mills, Ludhiana known for their superior warmth and timeless elegance. Winter is a time to celebrate comfort and style together. At Gaysons, we make sure our customers experience both, said a spokesperson for Gaysons The Fashion Mall. Our new collection is designed to meet the expectations of Nagpurs modern shoppers who value both fashion and functionality, added the spokesperson. Located in the heart of the city, Gaysons The Fashion Mall invites everyone to visit and experience a winter shopping delight with attractive offers, quality fabrics, and the latest fashion trends under one roof. HC takes suo motu action in case of pregnant woman carried on cot Staff Reporter : Incident took place due to lack of road in Etapalli area The Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court has taken suo motu action after a shocking incident of pregnant woman being carried on a cot was reported in Etapalli area of Gadchiroli district. On October 14, a pregnant woman named Runita Dumma (20) had to be carried on a cot by villagers because there is no proper road for vehicles to reach Gotatola village. The High Court said this incident shows the poor condition of basic infrastructure in tribal areas, especially roads. Runita Dumma is originally from Reknar village near Kasansur. She had come to her maternal home at Gotatola for her delivery. On the morning of October 14, she suddenly started getting severe labour pains. Her family immediately informed the health department. The ASHA worker in the village informed the Jaravandi Primary Health Centre. After receiving the message, Community Health Officer Gajanan Shinde sent an ambulance with a medical team toward Gotatola. However, the ambulance could not reach the village because there is a 3-kilometre stretch of broken, non-motorable road between the village and the nearest road. With no other option, the villagers made a cot and carried Runita on their shoulders for nearly one kilometre until they reached a proper road where the ambulance could finally pick her up. After reaching Jaravandi Primary Health Centre, doctors gave her first aid treatment. Later she was shifted to the District Womens Hospital for further treatment. Due to the timely efforts of the villagers, the ASHA worker, medical team, and doctors, Runitas life was saved. However, the condition shocked the judges of the Nagpur Bench. On Monday, a division bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Rajneesh Vyas took suo motu cognisance of the incident and registered a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on their own. The Bench appointed Advocate P R Agarwal as the Amicus Curiae in this matter. The High Court bench has directed Adv Agarwal to study the incident and file a detailed petition within three weeks. The court also observed that this issue is not only about one woman, but it reflects a larger problem faced by many tribal villages where health services cannot reach in time due to lack of roads. The judges remarked that if emergency patients including pregnant women cannot be taken to hospital safely, then immediate action is needed from Government authorities. High alert in city following blast in Delhi Staff Reporter : THE PROTOCOL: City Police, QRT, ATS, Rural teams, other related agencies to maintain round-the-clock surveillance After the blast incident in Delhi, Nagpur has been placed under high alert. Law enforcement agencies in Nagpur have started strict patrolling and counter-terrorism action across the city as a preventive step. The City Police, Rural Police, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and other related agencies have been instructed to remain alert and maintain round-the-clock surveillance. According to senior officials, the alert is a precautionary measure. Although no specific threat has been reported in Nagpur district so far, the police does not want to take any risk. Following the blast in the national capital, all major cities in India have been ordered to tighten security and Nagpur is also following the same protocol. City Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal said that instructions have been given to all Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and police station in-charges to intensify patrolling in their areas. Additional manpower has been deployed at sensitive locations. Quick Response Teams (QRT) and Riot Control units have been instructed to stay alert at both the City Police Commissionerate and the Rural Police Headquarters. Crowded markets, religious places, schools, colleges, major road intersections, public events and tourist spots are now under continuous watch. Police teams are keeping a close eye at railway stations, bus stands and other transport hubs because these are places where large crowds gather every day. Police officials said that metal detector checks, bag checking and identity verification will also be increased if required. Superintendent of Police, Rural, Dr Harssh Poddar said that all patrolling vehicles in rural police station limits have been given instructions to increase their frequency of patrolling. Police teams have been asked to visit crowded areas repeatedly during the day as well as night. We have strengthened security around Ramtek Gad Mandir because it is a major religious destination. Apart from that, the Explosives and Ordnance factories located in the district have also been brought under rigid surveillance. These locations are sensitive and therefore, strict security arrangements have been made, Dr Poddar said. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other central intelligence agencies are also in touch with Nagpur Police. The local intelligence units are continuously monitoring suspicious movements. Police sources said that if any message, social media post, or unidentified object is found suspicious, people should immediately inform the nearest police station. Senior officials have appealed to citizens not to panic, but remain careful. People should cooperate with police during checking operations. Vehicle checking, bag inspection, if any, will be part of the security procedure. Police has also requested citizens to avoid spreading rumours on social media. City Police said that the purpose of strict patrolling and bandobast is to ensure peace and safety. Police teams will continue tight patrol duty until further orders. Indias Haj quota fixed at 175,025 for 2026 Bilateral pact signed with Saudi Arabia NEW DELHI : MINORITY Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has signed the bilateral Haj Agreement in Jeddah, with the countrys quota for India confirmed at 175,025 for the pilgrimage in 2026. Rijiju, who was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia from November 7 to 9, held a bilateral meeting with the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah, in Jeddah on Sunday. During the meeting, both ministers reviewed the ongoing Haj preparations, discussed measures to enhance coordination and logistical support, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further streamline the pilgrimage process for Indian pilgrims, an official statement said. The discussions focused on improving facilities, transportation, accommodation, and health services to ensure a smooth and comfortable pilgrimage experience. Following the meeting, the two sides signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Haj2026 in Jeddah. The country quota for India was confirmed at 175,025, the statement said. During the visit, Rijiju also held an internal review meeting with officials of the Embassy of India, Riyadh, and the Consulate General of India, Jeddah, to assess the ongoing preparations for Haj2026. He appreciated the efforts made by the Mission and the Consulate teams in close coordination with Saudi authorities to ensure the welfare and comfort of Indian pilgrims. The minister also undertook field visits to key Haj and Umrah-related sites in Jeddah and Taif, including Terminal 1 and Haramain Station in Jeddah, to gain firsthand insight into the infrastructure and facilities available for pilgrims, the statement said. He also interacted with some of the members of the Indian diaspora in Jeddah and Taif. A significant step in deepening the IndiaSaudi Arabia ties. Held a Bilateral Meeting & signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement with H.E. Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj & Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Haj Quota of 175,025 has been secured for Indian Pilgrims for 2026, Rijiju said on X. Our discussions on Haj 2026 reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to ensure a safe, seamless & spiritually fulfilling journey for all Haj pilgrims, he said. The visit marks an important milestone in the deepening partnership between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the statement said. SALT LAKE CITY, the United States, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Nearly a century after Helen Foster Snow first traveled to China as a young journalist, Utah children are carrying forward her bridge-building legacy through cross-cultural friendship. The Helen Foster Snow Foundation hosted a Chinese cultural experience event Saturday at This is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City -- an immersive living history museum -- featuring the premiere of "Bridge to a Shared Future," a U.S.-China co-produced documentary that traces the pioneering journalist's path through a modern lens. "It's tremendously rewarding," said Dan Stephenson, a board member of the foundation who watched as local children practiced calligraphy and conversed in Chinese, honoring Helen Foster Snow's legacy of cross-cultural friendship. "Almost 100 years ago, Helen Foster Snow went to China and accomplished amazing things and formed deep connections and people-to-people bonds with many people in China. We are always looking to follow her example in trying to build bridges and trying to understand other people around the world," he told Xinhua. The documentary follows Adam Foster, Helen's great-nephew and president of the Helen Foster Snow Foundation, as he retraces his great-aunt's footsteps through Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an and Baoji in China. Helen lived in China as a foreign correspondent in the early 20th century, where she met and married journalist Edgar Snow, the first Western reporter to interview Mao Zedong. During China's civil war and the resistance war against Japanese aggression, Helen interviewed Mao and other Communist Party of China (CPC) leaders, ultimately writing more than 60 books and articles, including "Inside Red China" and "My China Years." Her husband's "Red Star Over China", published in 1937, has been considered a classic. The book profoundly shaped Western public opinion and policy toward China, and multiple editions have also been released in China. The hour-long film "Bridge to a Shared Future" captures dramatic changes in the cities Helen once knew, showing her former residences and historic sites through Foster's contemporary perspective. "She was a young American girl who decided to leave her front doorstep, cross the ocean and learn about a totally different culture and a different people," Foster said. "I think there's something that we can learn from that, as the relationship between our two countries is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world." Foster called the documentary "very timely," noting its message that "even when we don't necessarily agree with each other, we can still find ways to work together on things that are important." The screening, co-organized with the China Literature and Art Foundation and Shaanxi Tourism Group, drew Chinese-language students, their parents, university representatives and community members. A panel discussion with the creative team followed the screening. The Saturday event was also one stop of a roadshow titled "Capture the Moments of Friendship: a Cinematic Record of China-U.S. Relations." "The film seeks to carry forward the bond built by Helen Foster Snow," said Zhang Keke, general manager of Shaanxi Tourism Group's Film and Television Cultural Co. "When Adam Foster retraced this unfinished journey, history came alive again. His steps were not just a visit, but a continuation of legacy and spirit -- a handshake across three generations." Zhang emphasized the symbolic importance of bringing the film to Utah, where Helen's journey began. Born in Cedar City in 1907, Helen later moved to Salt Lake City before high school and set sail for Asia in 1931, aspiring to become a writer. "It is a return across mountains and seas, a renewal of the goodwill that set out from this city nearly a century ago, and that has been warmly remembered in China ever since," Zhang said. "We believe the Snows showed us a path of coexistence, built on respect and understanding. It is a path that will always lead people of different civilizations toward peace and friendship." Stephenson, who also serves as executive director of Economic Bridge International -- a consultancy helping U.S. and Chinese companies collaborate-- said Helen's legacy gave Utah a unique international perspective. "There is more of an international outlook and a willingness to look beyond borders and connect with other people regardless of where they are," he told Xinhua Saturday. "Tonight's event was a great example of that, and watching the documentary film showing Helen's life story, I'm sure, was impactful for many of the young people here." Mah farmers take too much risk: CAZRI Director By Paritosh Pramanik : JODHPUR, Farmers of Maharashtra should learn from their Rajasthan counterparts on how to minimise risk, said SPS Tanwar FARMERS suicide in Maharashtra is a cause of concern and should be dealt with utmost importance. The farmers of Maharashtra should learn from their Rajasthan counterparts on how to minimise risk, said Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) Director SPS Tanwar. Speaking to select media, Tanwar said, Rajasthan and Maharashtra have been related since prehistoric times. The stories of Maratha rulers and Rajasthan rulers are well documented as they jointly fought with princely states. In the same way we are jointly working on several projects with Maharashtra, said Tanwar, who is also an agronomist. At some places in Maharashtra there is water scarcity (rainfall). Same is with this part of Rajasthan (western region). But our perspective is different. In Maharashtra the rainfall is 1000mm in one go but it is not stored. In our region there is hardly 200-600mm of rain recorded in the entire season. What we do is we preserve every drop of that precious water, said Tanwar. We cant fight against nature but we can save water, Tanwar said, adding that the cost of production in Maharashtra was too high. They (farmers) take farming as business and take huge risk which results in suicide. The Rajasthani farmer has nothing as compared to Maharashtra farmers but still there is hardly any suicide case here, he said. We work on the Marwari mentality. If I have Rs 100 in my pocket I would pretend that I have only Rs 10. The Marwaris are very calculative. A Marwari sitting on a tea kiosk might be a billionaire but he wont show his affluent side. He saves money first and then spends it, Tanwar explained. I feel Maharashtra farmers take a lot of risk and we (Rajasthani) tread safely. So, the two States can collaborate and find a path which can be beneficial for both, he stressed. My advice to Maharashtra farmers is to minimise risk, earn first and then invest. This will take time but will definitely be beneficial, he concluded. Mpl Corp directed to earmark 1% ofcivic budget for pedestrians safety Staff Reporter : Post SC directives, UDD asked all Mpl Corporations to conduct 3rd party audit of footpaths and submit time-bound plan for their upgradation Prodded into action by the Apex Court, the Urban Development Department has directed all Municipal Corporation to earmark 1 per cent of civic budget for rolling out safety measures for pedestrians. Along with it, State also directed Corporations to conduct safety audit about status of footpaths within six months and submit a comprehensive plan for their upgradation to the State Government. The action came post Supreme Court (SC) directives to State Government during hearing a writ petition filed by S Rajasikaran V Centre asking for dedicated measures aimed at enhancing safety of pedestrians. Post Court's directive, a meeting was chaired by Chief Secretary on November 6 at Mumbai that chalked out the measures that are needed to be taken for enhancing safety of the pedestrians in urban centres. The 1 per cent amount from civic budget is to be utilised for creating awareness among citizens about observing rules and discipline the road users. The Corporations have been told to establish Accessibility and Pedestrian Cell for co-ordinated and focussed approach on footpaths and other related issues. Third Party Audit: The Municipal Corporations have been asked to go for third party audit, especially making note of status of footpaths in market area, near schools, railway station and other crowded areas. The note from UDD to Municipal Corporations also directed them to set up a online mechanism wherein citizens can lodged complaints about status of footpaths. Moreover a fixed time period of 15-days is laid down for the corporations to rectify the defects and in case of delay senior officers should take note and seek explanation of delay from the filed officials. The UDD also laid emphasis on adherence to sec 210-D for Motor Vehicles Rules road designs, construction and other norms. Not only that, a dedicated pathway is to be earmarked for non-motorised transport, including rickshaw and bi-cycle and especially pedestrians in cities as per sec 138 (1A) of MVA . Removal of Encroachments: For the safety of pedestrians, all crossing should have zebra markings, signages, street lights and walk signals at all squares and they should be designed as per IRC and MoHUA Harmonised guidelines. Stress should also be laid on removal of encroachments from footpaths for which a plan should be put in place for keeping them free of hurdles. Must ensure no new Jinnah rises again in India GORAKHPUR : INVOKING All-India Muslim League leaders Mohammad Ali Jinah and Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that those who oppose the national song Vande Mataram are insulting Indias unity and integrity. Even today, we expect everyone living in India to be loyal to the nation and work for its unity, he said while participating in Ekta Yatra (Unity March) and collective singing of Vande Mataram in Gorakhpur. He said when events were organised to mark the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, the same voices of Opposition resurfaced. A Samajwadi Party MP again protested against the national song. These are the same people who skip the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the architect of Indias integrity, but shamelessly attend events honouring Jinnah, the Chief Minister said. He asked if the country fails to honour its national heroes, where will it go? The extremism, Naxalism, and terrorism that constantly challenge Indias unity and integrity are fuelled by those who insult national icons and revolutionaries, the Chief Minister said. Such actions embolden separatist forces that threaten the countrys national identity, he added. It is now our duty to identify and oppose all elements that divide society, whether in the name of caste, region, or language. These divisions are part of a conspiracy to create new Jinnahs, he said. Jinnah served as the leader of the All-India Muslim League from 1913 until the inception of Pakistan on 14 August 1947. He then became Pakistans first governor-general until his death a year later in 1948. Jauhar was the co-founder of the All-India Muslim League. He urged people to ensure that no new Jinnah ever arises in India again, and if anyone dares to challenge the nations integrity, we must bury such divisive intent before it can take root. The Chief Minister said every citizen of India must stand united for this cause. Adityanath said there is no justification for opposing Vande Mataram. MVA warns local leaders not to join hands with Mahayuti allies Staff Reporter : ZP polls likely to be announced in 3-4 days n No candidate files nomination on first day While, Mahayuti constituents, show proper co-ordination for the local body polls, the Maha Vikas Aaghadi (MVA) is finding it difficult to plan its poll strategy. It was noticed by the group that, at local level, with an aim to register victory, the local leaders were trying to join hands with Mahayuti constituents. Its senior leaders have warned the local volunteers not to do so. Meanwhile, no candidate has filed nomination for Nagar Panchayat and Municipal Council polls. Monday was the first day, while November 17 is the last day. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde have already made it clear that the Mahayuti will stick to the policy of convenient alliance. The co-ordination is absent in MVA and importantly, within Congress too. Congress is facing factionalism at all levels. It came to the fore when one group led by Sunil Kedar convened a meeting to take interviews of party aspirants without the knowledge of partys State In-charge Ramesh Chennithala and district observer Virendra Jagtap. According to one Congress leader, at local level, some leaders are trying to get in touch with the Mahayuti constituents. Today, Vijay Wadettiwar warned all such elements and asked them not to take such a step. But Congress did not take steps to bring all the constituents together. Meanwhile, NCP (Sharad Pawar) alleged that despite being major party in this part of the State, Congress was not taking any responsibility to bring all constituents together. Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and Raj Thackerays MNS have no presence in Vidarbha so their volunteers are sitting idle. It is being predicted by highly placed sources that Election Commission may announce Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in next 3-4 days. If MVA continues to idle away its time without addressing these significant issues, it is likely to face setback in the local body polls, said the sources. As far as Nagpur district is considered, in Nagpur city, Maha Vikas Aaghadi has quite a good co-ordination. Vikas Thakre of Congress, Duneshwar Pethe of NCP and Kishor Kumeria from Sena are in constant touch. That co-ordination is not visible in district unit. NCP constitutes panel for Municipal polls Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (Ajit Pawar) has constituted a committee for the upcoming municipal corporation polls. The proposal was prepared by ex-MLA and Nagpur city Observer Rajendra Jain and sent to the High Command. MLC and partys Organising Secretary Sanjay Khodke has approved the proposal. The committee includes Rajendra Jain, Partys City President Anil Ahirkar, Working President Shrikant Shivankar, Prashant Pawar, Abha Pande, Bajrangsingh Parihar, Tanaji Wanve, Dilip Pankule, Vishal Khandekar, Sunita Yerne, Javed Habib. Anil Ahirkar thanked Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and Rajendra Jain for constituting the committee. According to Ahirkar, this will help in steering the party in the upcoming elections. Prashant Pawar Spokesperson NCP State President Sunil Tatkare has appointed 17 spokespersons of the party and Prashant Pawar has been included in the list. Pawar is the only one from Nagpur who has been made spokesperson. Pawar failed to lead MVA Alleging that Sharad Pawar did not support Congress in the past, former Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Nana Patole told The Hitavada, A leader like Pawar is an asset to our alliance. Surprisingly, he is not taking any step. During my tenure as MPCC President, he did not help me. Now also, when MVA is facing a crisis, Pawar is keeping mum. This is the time when he should take baton in his hand. It is not happening. On the issue of Parth Pawars alleged scam, Patole said, This issue is one, but there are several such ones throughout Mumbai, which the Government should dig out and take action. Rented bank account scam: Illegal money sent to China, Cambodia CP Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal addressing a press conference while Additional CP Vasant Pardeshi and DCP Detection Rahul Maknikar look on. Staff Reporter : The Crime Branch of Nagpur Police has found a shocking international link in a major rented bank account fraud case. Police said that money earned from illegal activities was not only circulated within India, but crores of rupees was transferred to bank accounts in China and Cambodia. This means the scam was not only local, but was connected to foreign countries. Commissioner of Police (CP) Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal said the investigation has shown that an international racket is involved and some foreign criminals are also part of this network. The illegal transfer of money to China and Cambodia has caused huge financial loss to India and it clearly shows how online fraud gangs are now operating across borders. Crime Branchs Unit 4 has exposed the fraud after registration of the offence at Rana Pratap Nagar police station recently. In this operation, the police have arrested a total of 23 accused. These accused were cheating people by taking their documents and opening bank accounts in their names. Through these bank accounts, huge financial transactions were carried out through illegal means like online gaming, betting, illegal money lending and hawala. Chinese criminals operating fraud The police said Chinese gangs are involved in the scam and they run it online. The entire operation uses the Telegram app, where the Chinese suspects give instructions in Chinese to their Indian partners. The Indian members translate those instructions into English and then carry them out. The police added that the Chinese criminals also use rented bank accounts in India, and that user IDs, passwords and OTPs needed to activate the accounts are being shared through APK files. The complainant in this case is one Deepak Ghanshyam Gaidhane (28), a resident of Nagraj Chowk, Civil Line, Gondia. He was looking for a job. At that time his friend Avinash Rahangdale introduced him to accused number 1 Sumit Rajesh Patle (23), resident of Navargaon, Gondia, who was staying in Nagpur for around five months. Deepak asked Sumit for help to get a job. After this, on October 10, Deepak met Sumit Patle at Subhash Nagar Metro Station in Nagpur. Accused number 2 Rohit Rajesh Ahir (32), resident of Rana Pratap Nagar, Nagpur, was also present there. Rohit arranged accommodation for the complainant in his house. Bogus company, but real transactions Later, Deepak was introduced to many more accused living in the same area. They made him believe that they will start business together and earn profit. They took his Aadhaar card and PAN card and opened a bank account in his name in the Bank of Baroda, Hingna Branch. They even made a rental agreement for an office in his name at Haware Colony, New Indora, Near Lalit Kalavati Bhavan, Nagpur. They also registered a small scale industry in Deepaks name called Deepak Enterprises Machinery Tools Equipment Purchase and Sale. They also took a SIM card in his name and kept all documents and bank details with themselves. The complainant later discovered that huge transactions were done from his bank account without his knowledge. He came to know that the accused were operating similar frauds using the names and documents of many other youngsters. According to the police, between October 13 and 27, an amount of Rs 1,73,51,871/- was moved through on-line, UPI, RTGS, IMPS and hawala routes through the complainants bank account. The Crime Branch has now made a shocking statement. Investigation revealed that the money was transferred to bank accounts based in China and Cambodia. The police are suspecting the involvement of an international racket in this scam. 82 similar frauds across India During the investigation, Crime Branch arrested accused Sumit Rajesh Patle and Vaibhav Nursingh Baghel on October 29. Police discovered that they have cheated at least six other people in the same manner. Police have also obtained information regarding firms opened in the names of different people. Bank accounts connected to these fraud activities have been frozen. When the police checked with National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP), they found that the bank accounts involved in this case are linked to 82 fraud cases registered in different states of India. Out of these, 13 cases are in Maharashtra alone, including six FIRs already filed. The police have arrested a total of 23 accused. Police have also seized eight establishment registration certificates, eight small scale industry certificates, nine rent letters, rubber stamps, banner bank forms, Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, 58 cheque books of different banks, 50 SIM cards, 38 mobile phones, and even a BMW car. A total of Rs 17,47,900/- worth material has been seized. Bank accounts worth Rs 52,99,536/- have been frozen. The action was carried out under the guidance of CP Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal, Joint CP Navinchandra Reddy, Additional CP (Crime) Vasant Pardeshi, DCP (Detection) Rahul Maknikar, ACP Abhijit Patil and the Crime Branch Unit 4 team led by Police Inspector Kamlakar Gaddime. MELBOURNE, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- An adult and two children died after their car was crushed in a collision with a truck in southeastern Australia on Tuesday morning. A police statement said that emergency services were called to the collision in the small town of Stoneleigh, about 150 km west of Melbourne in the state of Victoria, shortly after 9:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, and found that the car had rolled and been crushed. Three occupants of the car, an adult and two children, died at the scene. A second adult who was also in the car was trapped and was expected to be airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the truck sustained minor injuries. Victoria Police said that detectives from the major collision investigation unit will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. This photo taken with a mobile phone on Nov. 11, 2025 shows the blast site in Islamabad, Pakistan. At least five people were killed and more than 10 others injured on Tuesday afternoon in a blast outside the district courts in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, police sources told Xinhua. (Str/Xinhua) ISLAMABAD, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and more than 10 others injured on Tuesday afternoon in a blast outside the district courts in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, police sources told Xinhua. An official from Islamabad Police said that the explosion occurred near the Judicial Complex, which houses several district courts. Police and rescue teams immediately rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and the injured to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. The official said the death toll could rise as several of the injured were in critical condition. The nature of the blast has not yet been determined, the official added, saying that the bomb disposal squad was working to ascertain the cause of the explosion. This photo taken with a mobile phone on Nov. 11, 2025 shows the blast site in Islamabad, Pakistan. At least five people were killed and more than 10 others injured on Tuesday afternoon in a blast outside the district courts in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, police sources told Xinhua. (Str/Xinhua) This photo taken with a mobile phone on Nov. 11, 2025 shows a damaged vehicle at the blast site in Islamabad, Pakistan. At least five people were killed and more than 10 others injured on Tuesday afternoon in a blast outside the district courts in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, police sources told Xinhua. (Str/Xinhua) This photo taken with a mobile phone on Nov. 11, 2025 shows the blast site in Islamabad, Pakistan. At least five people were killed and more than 10 others injured on Tuesday afternoon in a blast outside the district courts in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, police sources told Xinhua. (Str/Xinhua) Images Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT Get Free Report) shares were down 1.4% on Monday . The stock traded as low as $448.48 and last traded at $452.14. Approximately 1,628,370 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 2% from the average daily volume of 1,590,595 shares. The stock had previously closed at $458.35. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades LMT has been the topic of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $398.00 to $425.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Susquehanna lifted their target price on Lockheed Martin from $490.00 to $590.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Lockheed Martin from $520.00 to $465.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on Lockheed Martin from $500.00 to $550.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $519.00 price objective on Lockheed Martin and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $513.47. Get Lockheed Martin alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin Stock Down 1.4% The firm has a market capitalization of $104.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.32. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $483.98 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $467.58. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The aerospace company reported $6.95 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.33 by $0.62. The firm had revenue of $18.61 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.45 billion. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 5.73% and a return on equity of 111.84%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $6.84 earnings per share. Lockheed Martin has set its FY 2025 guidance at 22.150-22.350 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Lockheed Martin Corporation will post 27.15 EPS for the current fiscal year. Lockheed Martin Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $3.45 per share. This is a positive change from Lockheed Martins previous quarterly dividend of $3.30. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. This represents a $13.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.1%. Lockheed Martins payout ratio is currently 77.05%. Insider Transactions at Lockheed Martin In other Lockheed Martin news, COO John Frank A. St sold 7,792 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $491.04, for a total transaction of $3,826,183.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 1 shares in the company, valued at $491.04. This trade represents a 99.99% 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. 0.14% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lockheed Martin Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of LMT. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Lockheed Martin by 1.0% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,697,527 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $10,048,993,000 after purchasing an additional 214,565 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in Lockheed Martin by 7.5% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 8,031,528 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $3,587,444,000 after buying an additional 560,457 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Lockheed Martin by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,884,954 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,256,147,000 after acquiring an additional 19,459 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada increased its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 1.4% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,287,495 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,021,846,000 after acquiring an additional 31,443 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in Lockheed Martin by 0.6% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,144,827 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $958,116,000 after purchasing an additional 12,899 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.19% of the companys stock. About Lockheed Martin (Get Free Report) Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Lockheed Martin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lockheed Martin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM Get Free Report)s share price rose 5.9% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $88.86 and last traded at $88.33. Approximately 10,135,106 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 14% from the average daily volume of 11,801,510 shares. The stock had previously closed at $83.39. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Cibc World Mkts raised Newmont from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Newmont from $92.00 to $105.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. BNP Paribas Exane raised their target price on Newmont from $66.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, September 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on Newmont from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Macquarie downgraded Newmont from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 2nd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Newmont has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $86.92. Get Newmont alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Newmont Newmont Stock Up 5.9% The company has a market capitalization of $96.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.72, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 0.33. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $83.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $67.65. The company has a quick ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. Newmont (NYSE:NEM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The basic materials company reported $1.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.27 by $0.44. The firm had revenue of $5.52 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.14 billion. Newmont had a net margin of 33.42% and a return on equity of 20.35%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 20.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.81 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Newmont Corporation will post 3.45 EPS for the current year. Newmont Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 22nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 26th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 26th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. Newmonts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.53%. Insider Buying and Selling at Newmont In other news, CEO Thomas Ronald Palmer sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.34, for a total transaction of $406,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 279,923 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,768,936.82. The trade was a 1.75% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Bruce R. Brook sold 2,080 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.96, for a total transaction of $168,396.80. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 34,789 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,816,517.44. The trade was a 5.64% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 11,237 shares of company stock worth $906,799 over the last 90 days. 0.05% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Newmont Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Newmont by 327.8% in the third quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 308 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. Colonial Trust Advisors boosted its stake in Newmont by 315.4% in the 1st quarter. Colonial Trust Advisors now owns 565 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 429 shares during the period. Concord Wealth Partners increased its position in Newmont by 534.7% during the second quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 457 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 385 shares during the period. Evermay Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Newmont by 408.2% in the second quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC now owns 498 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital A Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Newmont by 1,648.3% during the 2nd quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 507 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 478 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.85% of the companys stock. Newmont Company Profile (Get 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Newmont Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Newmont and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report)s share price shot up 3.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $297.13 and last traded at $295.66. 10,715,725 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 26% from the average session volume of 14,502,217 shares. The stock had previously closed at $286.50. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on TSM shares. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $360.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Barclays lifted their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Susquehanna upped their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $371.67. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 2.37 and a quick ratio of 2.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.53 trillion, a P/E ratio of 30.32, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.31. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $279.96 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $238.24. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.59 by $0.33. The company had revenue of $32.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $951.89 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 43.72% and a return on equity of 36.06%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings quarterly revenue was up 40.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.94 earnings per share. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current fiscal year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 11th will be paid a $0.8348 dividend. This is an increase from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. This represents a $3.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 11th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is presently 26.97%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in TSM. North Star Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 21.0% during the 3rd quarter. North Star Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,416 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $395,000 after buying an additional 246 shares in the last quarter. KDT Advisors LLC increased its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 6.6% in the 3rd quarter. KDT Advisors LLC now owns 2,015 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $563,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Zhang Financial LLC raised its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 78.3% in the third quarter. Zhang Financial LLC now owns 1,660 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $464,000 after acquiring an additional 729 shares during the last quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 5.4% during the third quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 2,584 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $724,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TigerOak Management L.L.C. lifted its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 31.9% during the third quarter. TigerOak Management L.L.C. now owns 1,314 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $367,000 after purchasing an additional 318 shares in the last quarter. 16.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Profile (Get 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. eCIO Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF (BATS:NUDV Free Report) during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm acquired 40,371 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,145,000. Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF accounts for 0.5% of eCIO Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. CGC Financial Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $6,168,000. Natural Investments LLC purchased a new position in Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF during the first quarter worth $383,000. RMG Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF during the second quarter valued at $305,000. Bond & Devick Financial Network Inc. raised its stake in shares of Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF by 7.4% in the second quarter. Bond & Devick Financial Network Inc. now owns 149,780 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,247,000 after acquiring an additional 10,312 shares during the period. Finally, Prism Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF in the second quarter valued at $233,000. Get Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF alerts: Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF Trading Up 2.4% NUDV stock opened at $29.18 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $32.10 million, a PE ratio of 18.26 and a beta of 0.93. Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF has a 12 month low of $24.26 and a 12 month high of $30.97. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $28.98 and a 200 day moving average price of $28.45. Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF Company Profile The Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF (NUDV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the TIAA ESG USA High Dividend index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US-listed companies that exhibit high dividend yields and meet certain ESG criteria. NUDV was launched on Sep 27, 2021 and is managed by Nuveen. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NUDV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF (BATS:NUDV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AB Dynamics (LON:ABDP Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reiterated by investment analysts at Peel Hunt in a research note issued on Tuesday,London Stock Exchange reports. They currently have a GBX 2,400 price target on the stock. Peel Hunts price objective would suggest a potential upside of 84.62% from the companys current price. Separately, Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating and set a GBX 2,100 price target on shares of AB Dynamics in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AB Dynamics currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 2,383.33. Get AB Dynamics alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on ABDP AB Dynamics Stock Performance Shares of AB Dynamics stock remained flat at GBX 1,300 on Tuesday. The stock had a trading volume of 119,288 shares, compared to its average volume of 47,444. The business has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 1,369.65 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 1,535.59. The firm has a market cap of 297.40 million, a PE ratio of 28.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a current ratio of 2.06, a quick ratio of 2.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.47. AB Dynamics has a fifty-two week low of GBX 1,210 and a fifty-two week high of GBX 2,150. AB Dynamics (LON:ABDP Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 11th. The company reported GBX 81.30 earnings per share for the quarter. AB Dynamics had a return on equity of 10.55% and a net margin of 13.10%. Analysts predict that AB Dynamics will post 68.8259109 EPS for the current fiscal year. AB Dynamics Company Profile (Get Free Report) AB Dynamics plc designs, develops, manufactures, and supplies vehicle test and development systems, and verification products and services for driver assistance systems, autonomous system, and vehicle dynamics. The company offers advanced vehicle testing solutions from physical proving ground automation to large scale virtual testing in simulation; rFpro, a simulation environment for the automotive and motorsport industries; and full-scale track testing services, including ADAS and vehicle dynamics tests, along with applied research, human factors, and simulation. See Also Receive News & Ratings for AB Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AB Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barings Participation Investors (NYSE:MPV Get Free Report) and Affiliated Managers Group (NYSE:AMG Get Free Report) are both finance 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. Profitability This table compares Barings Participation Investors and Affiliated Managers Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Barings Participation Investors alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Barings Participation Investors N/A N/A N/A Affiliated Managers Group 21.79% 16.11% 7.68% Valuation & Earnings This table compares Barings Participation Investors and Affiliated Managers Groups gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Barings Participation Investors N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Affiliated Managers Group $2.04 billion 3.62 $511.60 million $16.79 15.49 Affiliated Managers Group has higher revenue and earnings than Barings Participation Investors. Insider & Institutional Ownership 95.3% of Affiliated Managers Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.3% of Barings Participation Investors shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 4.2% of Affiliated Managers Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Volatility & Risk Barings Participation Investors has a beta of 0.5, indicating that its stock price is 50% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Affiliated Managers Group has a beta of 1.25, indicating that its stock price is 25% more volatile than the S&P 500. Dividends Barings Participation Investors pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.6%. Affiliated Managers Group pays an annual dividend of $0.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.0%. Affiliated Managers Group pays out 0.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Barings Participation Investors and Affiliated Managers Group, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Barings Participation Investors 0 0 0 0 0.00 Affiliated Managers Group 0 1 8 0 2.89 Affiliated Managers Group has a consensus target price of $278.57, suggesting a potential upside of 7.11%. Given Affiliated Managers Groups stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Affiliated Managers Group is more favorable than Barings Participation Investors. Summary Affiliated Managers Group beats Barings Participation Investors on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About Barings Participation Investors (Get Free Report) Barings Participation Investors is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Barings LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It primarily invests in below-investment grade, long-term corporate debt obligations which are directly purchased from its issuers. The fund also seeks to invest in warrants, conversion rights, or other equity related instruments. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against Standard and Poor's Industrials Composite, Russell 2000 Index, Lehman Brothers U.S. High Yield Index, and Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Credit Index. The fund was formerly known as Babson Capital Participation Investors. Barings Participation Investors was formed on April 7, 1988 and is domiciled in the United States. About Affiliated Managers Group (Get Free Report) Affiliated Managers Group, Inc., through its affiliates, operates as an investment management company providing investment management services to mutual funds, institutional clients,retails and high net worth individuals in the United States. It provides advisory or sub-advisory services to mutual funds. These funds are distributed to retail, high net worth and institutional clients directly and through intermediaries, including independent investment advisors, retirement plan sponsors, broker-dealers, major fund marketplaces, and bank trust departments. The company also offers investment products in various investment styles in the institutional distribution channel, including small, small/mid, mid, and large capitalization value and growth equity, and emerging markets. In addition, it offers quantitative, alternative, and fixed income products, and manages assets for foundations and endowments, defined benefit, and defined contribution plans for corporations and municipalities. Affiliated Managers Group provides investment management or customized investment counseling and fiduciary services. Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. was formed in 1993 and is based in West Palm Beach, Florida with additional offices in Prides Crossing, Massachusetts; Stamford, Connecticut; London, United Kingdom; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Sydney, Australia; Hong Kong; Tokyo, Japan, Zurich, Switzerland and Delaware. Receive News & Ratings for Barings Participation Investors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barings Participation Investors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aviva PLC increased its stake in shares of Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN Free Report) by 1,656.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 155,626 shares of the construction companys stock after acquiring an additional 146,764 shares during the quarter. Aviva PLCs holdings in Lennar were worth $17,214,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of LEN. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lennar during the second quarter worth about $33,000. Disciplina Capital Management LLC increased its position in Lennar by 179.8% during the first quarter. Disciplina Capital Management LLC now owns 333 shares of the construction companys stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 214 shares during the period. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Lennar in the second quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new stake in shares of Lennar in the first quarter valued at approximately $66,000. Finally, Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Lennar by 103.7% during the first quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 613 shares of the construction companys stock worth $71,000 after acquiring an additional 312 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.10% of the companys stock. Get Lennar alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts recently commented on LEN shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Lennar in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Lennar from $97.00 to $92.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. UBS Group raised their price target on Lennar from $146.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on Lennar from $122.00 to $126.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 23rd. Finally, JMP Securities lifted their target price on Lennar from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $121.75. Lennar Stock Performance Shares of LEN stock opened at $123.18 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 4.49, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $127.46 and a 200-day simple moving average of $118.93. The company has a market cap of $31.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.78 and a beta of 1.33. Lennar Corporation has a 12-month low of $98.42 and a 12-month high of $180.12. Lennar (NYSE:LEN Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 18th. The construction company reported $2.29 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.14 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $8.81 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.01 billion. Lennar had a return on equity of 11.09% and a net margin of 7.72%.The companys revenue for the quarter was down 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.90 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Lennar Corporation will post 12.48 EPS for the current year. Lennar Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 10th were issued a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. Lennars dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.76%. About Lennar (Free Report) Lennar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a homebuilder primarily under the Lennar brand in the United States. It operates through Homebuilding East, Homebuilding Central, Homebuilding Texas, Homebuilding West, Financial Services, Multifamily, and Lennar Other segments. The companys homebuilding operations include the construction and sale of single-family attached and detached homes, as well as the purchase, development, and sale of residential land; and development, construction, and management of multifamily rental properties. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LEN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Lennar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lennar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banco Santander Chile (NYSE:BSAC Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday after UBS Group raised their price target on the stock from $24.00 to $29.00. UBS Group currently has a neutral rating on the stock. Banco Santander Chile traded as high as $30.20 and last traded at $30.1130, with a volume of 110315 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $29.90. A number of other equities analysts have also recently commented on BSAC. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Banco Santander Chile in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup downgraded shares of Banco Santander Chile from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Banco Santander Chile from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Banco Santander Chile from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average price target of $27.67. Get Banco Santander Chile alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on BSAC Hedge Funds Weigh In On Banco Santander Chile Banco Santander Chile Trading Up 0.6% A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BSAC. Brooklyn Investment Group increased its holdings in shares of Banco Santander Chile by 54,450.0% during the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 1,091 shares of the banks stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 1,089 shares during the last quarter. Simplex Trading LLC purchased a new position in shares of Banco Santander Chile in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Banco Santander Chile during the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Banco Santander Chile by 577.8% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,559 shares of the banks stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 1,329 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in Banco Santander Chile by 380.5% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,532 shares of the banks stock valued at $89,000 after buying an additional 2,797 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 6.42% of the companys stock. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.51, a current ratio of 1.87 and a quick ratio of 1.77. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $26.97 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $25.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.96, a PEG ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 0.74. Banco Santander Chile (NYSE:BSAC Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The bank reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.56 by ($0.06). Banco Santander Chile had a net margin of 24.74% and a return on equity of 22.18%. The business had revenue of $581.56 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $732.50 million. On average, research analysts anticipate that Banco Santander Chile will post 2.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Banco Santander Chile Company Profile (Get Free Report) Banco Santander-Chile, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial and retail banking services in Chile. It operates through Retail Banking, Middle-Market, Corporate Investment Banking, and Corporate Activities segments. The company offers debit and credit cards, checking accounts, and savings products; consumer, automobile, commercial, mortgage, and government-guaranteed loans; and Chilean peso and foreign currency-denominated loans to finance various commercial transactions, trade, foreign currency forward contracts, and credit lines, as well as mortgage financing services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Banco Santander Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Santander Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Barratt Redrow plc. (OTCMKTS:BTDPY Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $10.05, but opened at $10.58. Barratt Redrow shares last traded at $10.58, with a volume of 1,936 shares trading hands. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have weighed in on BTDPY shares. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Barratt Redrow in a research note on Thursday, September 18th. Kepler Capital Markets raised shares of Barratt Redrow to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Peel Hunt upgraded shares of Barratt Redrow to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 18th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating on shares of Barratt Redrow in a report on Thursday, September 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Strong Buy. Get Barratt Redrow alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on BTDPY Barratt Redrow Trading Up 1.9% Barratt Redrow Announces Dividend The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The businesss fifty day moving average is $10.27 and its 200 day moving average is $11.11. The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, October 13th will be issued a $0.2636 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 10th. This represents a yield of 357.0%. About Barratt Redrow (Get Free Report) Barratt Redrow plc engages in the housebuilding business in the United Kingdom. The company acquires and develops land; plans, designs, and constructs homes, apartments, penthouses, and communities, as well as undertakes mixed-use regeneration schemes; and develops retail, leisure, office, industrial, and mixed-use properties. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Barratt Redrow Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barratt Redrow and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SEOUL, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's exports rose in single digits in the first 10 days of November due to strong demand for locally-made semiconductors and automobiles, customs office data showed Tuesday. Exports came to 15.82 billion U.S. dollars in the Nov. 1-10 period, up 6.4 percent compared to the same period of last year, according to Korea Customs Service. The single-digit expansion was attributable to a double-digit increase in shipment for chips and cars. Semiconductor exports surged 17.7 percent, and automotive shipments advanced 16.2 percent. Exports of ships grew 8.7 percent, but exports of oil products, mobile devices and steel products declined in double figures. Imports swelled 8.2 percent from a year earlier to 17.04 billion dollars in the first 10 days of November, sending the trade deficit to 1.22 billion dollars. Blackstone Secured Lending Fund (NYSE:BXSL Get Free Report) had its target price cut by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $28.00 to $26.00 in a report released on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective suggests a potential downside of 2.28% from the stocks previous close. BXSL has been the topic of several other research reports. B. Riley began coverage on shares of Blackstone Secured Lending Fund in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. They set a buy rating and a $32.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Blackstone Secured Lending Fund from $30.50 to $29.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. UBS Group decreased their price objective on Blackstone Secured Lending Fund from $31.00 to $28.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Zacks Research upgraded Blackstone Secured Lending Fund from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded Blackstone Secured Lending Fund from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $31.00 to $30.00 in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $30.53. Get Blackstone Secured Lending Fund alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Blackstone Secured Lending Fund Blackstone Secured Lending Fund Stock Performance Insider Buying and Selling at Blackstone Secured Lending Fund BXSL stock traded up $0.01 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $26.61. The stock had a trading volume of 156,258 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,367,144. The stock has a market cap of $6.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.35 and a beta of 0.42. The companys 50 day moving average price is $27.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $29.60. Blackstone Secured Lending Fund has a 1-year low of $24.85 and a 1-year high of $34.64. In other news, insider Robert J. Bass bought 3,760 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 6th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $26.63 per share, for a total transaction of $100,128.80. Following the acquisition, the insider owned 21,167 shares of the companys stock, valued at $563,677.21. This trade represents a 21.60% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Blackstone Secured Lending Fund Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in shares of Blackstone Secured Lending Fund by 40.4% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 54,212 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,754,000 after acquiring an additional 15,599 shares during the period. MQS Management LLC acquired a new stake in Blackstone Secured Lending Fund in the 1st quarter valued at $242,000. Bleakley Financial Group LLC raised its position in Blackstone Secured Lending Fund by 23.5% in the first quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 28,430 shares of the companys stock valued at $920,000 after purchasing an additional 5,404 shares during the period. Sigma Planning Corp acquired a new position in shares of Blackstone Secured Lending Fund during the first quarter worth about $346,000. Finally, Apollon Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Blackstone Secured Lending Fund by 15.1% in the first quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 18,537 shares of the companys stock worth $600,000 after buying an additional 2,430 shares during the period. 36.49% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Blackstone Secured Lending Fund Company Profile (Get Free Report) Blackstone Secured Lending Fund is business development company and a Delaware statutory trust formed on March 26, 2018, and structured as an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end investment Fund. On October 26, 2018, the fund elected to be regulated as a business development company (BDC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Blackstone Secured Lending Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Blackstone Secured Lending Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Boston Partners cut its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 4.5% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 948,539 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 45,167 shares during the quarter. Boston Partners holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $671,678,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 28.6% in the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 524,296 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $286,418,000 after buying an additional 116,535 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 4.9% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 3,379,900 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $2,392,124,000 after acquiring an additional 157,473 shares in the last quarter. Blueshift Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 161.8% during the first quarter. Blueshift Asset Management LLC now owns 1,055 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $576,000 after acquiring an additional 652 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC bought a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the first quarter worth $9,596,000. Finally, Wells Trecaso Financial Group LLC boosted its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 0.5% in the second quarter. Wells Trecaso Financial Group LLC now owns 21,534 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $15,240,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.21% of the companys stock. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, COO John E. Waldron sold 9,244 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $750.11, for a total transaction of $6,934,016.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 115,268 shares of the companys stock, valued at $86,463,679.48. The trade was a 7.42% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.55% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on GS shares. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $854.00 to $828.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $850.00 to $870.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Daiwa Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $756.00 to $810.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, JMP Securities reiterated a market perform rating and issued a $600.00 price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Monday, July 14th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $779.50. Get Our Latest Report on The Goldman Sachs Group The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Up 1.4% GS opened at $797.07 on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $439.38 and a 12 month high of $825.25. The company has a market cap of $239.06 billion, a PE ratio of 16.19, a price-to-earnings-growth 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 company has a 50 day moving average of $779.07 and a 200 day moving average of $704.28. 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, beating analysts consensus estimates of $10.27 by $1.98. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.18% and a return on equity of 14.79%. The business had revenue of $15.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.68 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $8.40 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 19.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 EPS for the current year. The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be issued a dividend of $4.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 2nd. This represents a $16.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is 32.50%. 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caledonia Mining Corporation PLC (NYSEAMERICAN:CMCL Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Monday, November 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 21st will be given a dividend of 0.14 per share on Friday, December 5th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 21st. Caledonia Mining has a dividend payout ratio of 24.0% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Get Caledonia Mining alerts: Caledonia Mining Stock Performance Shares of CMCL opened at $28.71 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $551.81 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.88 and a beta of 0.36. The companys fifty day moving average is $32.43 and its 200-day moving average is $24.05. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. Caledonia Mining has a 12 month low of $8.81 and a 12 month high of $38.75. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Caledonia Mining Company Profile A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. State of Alaska Department of Revenue bought a new position in Caledonia Mining in the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Caledonia Mining by 65.7% in the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,037 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 411 shares during the last quarter. Optimum Investment Advisors acquired a new stake in shares of Caledonia Mining in the third quarter valued at about $54,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Caledonia Mining by 6,486.2% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,910 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 1,881 shares during the period. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc lifted its position in shares of Caledonia Mining by 166.9% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 3,617 shares of the companys stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 2,262 shares during the last quarter. 31.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. (Get Free Report) Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc primarily operates a gold mine. It also engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties for precious metals. The company holds a 64% interest in the Blanket Mine, a gold mine located in Zimbabwe. It also owns 100% interests in the Maligreen project, a brownfield gold exploration project located in the Gweru mining district in the Zimbabwe Midlands; the Bilboes, a gold deposit located to the north of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; and the Motapa, a gold exploration property located in Southern Zimbabwe. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Caledonia Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Caledonia Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC lifted its stake in shares of ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE Free Report) by 31.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 26,019 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 6,244 shares during the period. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLCs holdings in ONEOK were worth $2,124,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of OKE. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in ONEOK by 7.2% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 75,196,969 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $7,461,043,000 after acquiring an additional 5,076,705 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of ONEOK by 13.8% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 20,957,230 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,079,376,000 after purchasing an additional 2,542,449 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in shares of ONEOK by 25.1% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 8,339,939 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $827,489,000 after buying an additional 1,674,706 shares in the last quarter. Tortoise Capital Advisors L.L.C. boosted its stake in shares of ONEOK by 17.1% in the 1st quarter. Tortoise Capital Advisors L.L.C. now owns 7,171,795 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $711,586,000 after buying an additional 1,047,810 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in ONEOK by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 6,879,863 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $682,620,000 after purchasing an additional 344,002 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 69.13% of the companys stock. Get ONEOK alerts: ONEOK Stock Down 0.4% Shares of NYSE OKE opened at $67.88 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. The company has a market cap of $42.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 1.05. ONEOK, Inc. has a 52 week low of $64.02 and a 52 week high of $118.07. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $70.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $77.02. ONEOK Dividend Announcement ONEOK ( NYSE:OKE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The utilities provider reported $1.49 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.48 by $0.01. ONEOK had a return on equity of 15.12% and a net margin of 10.58%.The firm had revenue of $9.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.23 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.18 earnings per share. ONEOK has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.970-5.770 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that ONEOK, Inc. will post 5.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 14th. Investors of record on Monday, November 3rd will be issued a dividend of $1.03 per share. This represents a $4.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 3rd. ONEOKs dividend payout ratio is 75.74%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating and set a $82.00 price objective (down previously from $100.00) on shares of ONEOK in a report on Friday, October 24th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of ONEOK from $122.00 to $110.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on ONEOK from $94.00 to $88.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $94.00 target price on ONEOK in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Mizuho lowered their target price on ONEOK from $87.00 to $82.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, ONEOK has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $91.94. Get Our Latest Analysis on ONEOK Insider Transactions at ONEOK In other news, Director Brian L. Derksen purchased 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $66.00 per share, with a total value of $165,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 21,200 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,399,200. This trade represents a 13.37% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.21% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. ONEOK Profile (Free Report) ONEOK, Inc engages in gathering, processing, fractionation, storage, transportation, and marketing of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) in the United States. It operates through four segments: Natural Gas Gathering and Processing, Natural Gas Liquids, Natural Gas Pipelines, and Refined Products and Crude. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for ONEOK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ONEOK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Celanese (NYSE:CE Get Free Report) had its target price lifted by equities research analysts at Citigroup from $53.00 to $60.00 in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a buy rating on the basic materials companys stock. Citigroups price target suggests a potential upside of 44.82% from the companys current price. CE has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Bank of America dropped their price objective on Celanese from $59.00 to $57.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Celanese from $57.00 to $55.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $52.00 target price on shares of Celanese and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Mizuho lifted their target price on Celanese from $50.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded Celanese from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $54.72. Get Celanese alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on CE Celanese Stock Performance Celanese stock traded up $0.14 on Tuesday, hitting $41.43. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,370,287 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,618,149. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.22. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $42.32 and a 200-day moving average price of $48.99. The firm has a market cap of $4.54 billion, a P/E ratio of -2.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.17. Celanese has a one year low of $35.48 and a one year high of $78.10. Celanese (NYSE:CE Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The basic materials company reported $1.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.27 by $0.07. Celanese had a negative net margin of 16.30% and a positive return on equity of 10.48%. The firm had revenue of $2.42 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.51 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.44 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. Celanese has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.850-1.000 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Celanese will post 8.79 earnings per share for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Celanese news, Director Timothy Go purchased 1,039 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, September 8th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $46.25 per share, for a total transaction of $48,053.75. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 4,415 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $204,193.75. This trade represents a 30.78% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.33% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Celanese A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CE. Teacher Retirement System of Texas purchased a new stake in shares of Celanese during the first quarter worth approximately $907,000. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC increased its stake in Celanese by 149.6% in the 2nd quarter. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC now owns 1,248,055 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $69,055,000 after buying an additional 747,987 shares during the period. HB Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Celanese during the 2nd quarter worth $340,000. Muhlenkamp & Co. Inc. purchased a new position in Celanese during the 2nd quarter worth $8,366,000. Finally, United Services Automobile Association acquired a new stake in shares of Celanese in the 1st quarter worth $382,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.87% of the companys stock. Celanese Company Profile (Get Free Report) Celanese Corporation, a chemical and specialty materials company, manufactures and sells high performance engineered polymers in the United States and internationally. It operates through Engineered Materials and Acetyl Chain. The Engineered Materials segment develops, produces, and supplies specialty polymers for automotive and medical applications, as well as for use in industrial products and consumer electronics. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Celanese Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Celanese and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of CGI Group (TSE:GIB Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Monday,Zacks.com reports. Separately, TD Securities raised CGI Group to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, CGI Group has a consensus rating of Buy. Get CGI Group alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on CGI Group CGI Group Stock Performance CGI Group Company Profile CGI Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides information technology (IT) and business process services in Canada; Western, Southern, Central, and Eastern Europe; Australia; Scandinavia; Finland, Poland, and Baltics; the United States; the United Kingdom; and the Asia Pacific. Its services include the management of IT and business outsourcing, systems integration and consulting, and software solutions selling activities. Read More Receive News & Ratings for CGI Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CGI Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Savant Capital LLC lessened its stake in Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE:CPK Free Report) by 8.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 17,635 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,579 shares during the quarter. Savant Capital LLC owned 0.08% of Chesapeake Utilities worth $2,120,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. New York State Teachers Retirement System raised its holdings in Chesapeake Utilities by 1.8% in the second quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 5,757 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $692,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC increased its position in shares of Chesapeake Utilities by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 5,101 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $613,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. ICW Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Chesapeake Utilities by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. ICW Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,090 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $911,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. Cynosure Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Chesapeake Utilities by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. Cynosure Group LLC now owns 2,671 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $343,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AGP Franklin LLC lifted its position in shares of Chesapeake Utilities by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. AGP Franklin LLC now owns 4,124 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $557,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. 83.11% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Chesapeake Utilities alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Chesapeake Utilities news, CFO Beth W. Cooper sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $132.15, for a total value of $660,750.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 90,713 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,987,722.95. The trade was a 5.22% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 2.68% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades CPK has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen cut Chesapeake Utilities from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Chesapeake Utilities in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays set a $141.00 target price on Chesapeake Utilities and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, BTIG Research started coverage on shares of Chesapeake Utilities in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Chesapeake Utilities presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $135.00. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on CPK Chesapeake Utilities Stock Performance NYSE CPK opened at $133.49 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $3.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.80 and a beta of 0.79. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation has a 52-week low of $115.12 and a 52-week high of $140.59. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $130.84 and its 200 day moving average price is $125.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. Chesapeake Utilities (NYSE:CPK Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.90 by ($0.08). Chesapeake Utilities had a net margin of 14.89% and a return on equity of 9.20%. The company had revenue of $179.60 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $167.30 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.80 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. Chesapeake Utilities has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.150-6.350 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation will post 5.39 earnings per share for the current year. Chesapeake Utilities Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.685 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $2.74 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Chesapeake Utilitiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 48.50%. About Chesapeake Utilities (Free Report) Chesapeake Utilities Corporation operates as an energy delivery company. The company operates through two segments, Regulated Energy and Unregulated Energy. The Regulated Energy segment natural gas distribution operations in central and southern Delaware, Maryland's eastern shore, and Florida; regulated natural gas transmission in the Delmarva Peninsula, Ohio, and Florida; and regulated electric distribution in northeast and northwest Florida. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CPK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE:CPK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chesapeake Utilities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chesapeake Utilities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NCR Atleos (NYSE:NATL Get Free Report) and China Crescent Enterprises (OTCMKTS:CCTR Get Free Report) are both manufacturing companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends and risk. Earnings and Valuation This table compares NCR Atleos and China Crescent Enterprisess top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get NCR Atleos alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio NCR Atleos $4.32 billion 0.61 $91.00 million $1.78 20.04 China Crescent Enterprises N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Insider & Institutional Ownership NCR Atleos has higher revenue and earnings than China Crescent Enterprises. 88.7% of NCR Atleos shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.6% of NCR Atleos shares are owned 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. Profitability This table compares NCR Atleos and China Crescent Enterprises net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets NCR Atleos 3.11% 81.96% 4.41% China Crescent Enterprises N/A N/A N/A Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for NCR Atleos and China Crescent Enterprises, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score NCR Atleos 0 3 1 0 2.25 China Crescent Enterprises 0 0 0 0 0.00 NCR Atleos currently has a consensus price target of $41.00, indicating a potential upside of 14.94%. Given NCR Atleos stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe NCR Atleos is more favorable than China Crescent Enterprises. Summary NCR Atleos beats China Crescent Enterprises on 9 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About NCR Atleos (Get Free Report) NCR Atleos Corporation operates as a financial technology company in the United States, rest of the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through three segments: Self-Service Banking, Network, and Telecommunications & Technology (T&T). The Self-Service Banking segment offers solutions, including a line of automated teller machine (ATM) and interactive teller machine (ITM) hardware and software, as well as related installation, maintenance, and managed and professional services; and solutions to manage and run the ATM channel end-to-end for financial institutions comprising back office, cash management, software management and ATM deployment, and others. The Network segment provides a network of ATMs and multi-functioning financial services kiosks for financial institutions, fintechs, neobanks, and retailers; Allpoint network for credit unions, banks, digital banks, fintechs, stored-value debit card issuers, and other consumer financial services providers; ReadyCode to convert a digital value to cash or cash to a digital value; ATM branding solutions to financial institutions; ATM management and services to retailers and other businesses; and engages in the buying and selling of Bitcoins. The T&T segment offers managed network and infrastructure services to enterprise clients across various industries through communications service providers and technology manufacturers; and professional, field, and remote services for modern network technologies, including software-defined wide area networking, network functions virtualization, wireless local area networks, optical networking, and edge networks. NCR Atleos Corporation is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. About China Crescent Enterprises (Get Free Report) China Crescent Enterprises, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides information technology products and services, and systems integration services in the People's Republic of China. It offers consulting, development, implementation, and maintenance services for technology systems, which include software and hardware peripherals for computing, communication, and data exchanges related to general business application, as well as specialty fields of medical, security, military, and homeland defense applications. The company also involves in the prototype development of security systems and original equipment manufacturer sourcing for the production of hardware. In addition, it engages in the resale of IT products, including notebook and desktop computers, printers, servers, network equipment, as well as operating systems, database, middleware, and application software. Further, the company manufactures wireless communication terminals, including GSM, GSM/GPRS modules, GPS modules, GPS trackers, and personal navigation devices. It has a strategic partnership with Gaozhi Science and Technology Development, LTD. to develop and distribute high technology products and services. The company was formerly known as NewMarket China, Inc. and changed its name to China Crescent Enterprises, Inc. in June 2008. China Crescent Enterprises, Inc. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. China Crescent Enterprises, Inc. is a subsidiary of NewMarket Technology, Inc. Receive News & Ratings for NCR Atleos Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NCR Atleos and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Resources Enterprise Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CRHKY Get Free Report)s share price gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $6.91, but opened at $7.26. China Resources Enterprise shares last traded at $7.2550, with a volume of 495 shares traded. China Resources Enterprise Trading Up 0.6% The company has a quick ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01. The companys fifty day moving average price is $7.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $6.90. Get China Resources Enterprise alerts: China Resources Enterprise Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 4th were paid a dividend of $0.1092 per share. This is a positive change from China Resources Enterprises previous dividend of $0.08. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, September 3rd. This represents a dividend yield of 147.0%. China Resources Enterprise Company Profile China Resources Beer (Holdings) Company Limited, an investment holding company, manufactures, distributes, and sells beer products in Mainland China. The company offers its products under the Nong Li, Snow, and Jinsha brands. The company was formerly known as China Resources Enterprise, Limited and changed its name to China Resources Beer (Holdings) Company Limited in October 2015. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for China Resources Enterprise Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Resources Enterprise and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Comp En De Mn Cemig ADS (NYSE:CIG Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $2.30 and last traded at $2.2750, with a volume of 694231 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $2.19. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Comp En De Mn Cemig ADS in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold. Get Comp En De Mn Cemig ADS alerts: Read Our Latest Report on CIG Comp En De Mn Cemig ADS Stock Performance The company has a market cap of $6.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.34 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.00. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $2.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $1.95. Comp En De Mn Cemig ADS (NYSE:CIG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 14th. The utilities provider reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.05 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $1.83 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.19 billion. Comp En De Mn Cemig ADS had a return on equity of 16.30% and a net margin of 15.68%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Comp En De Mn Cemig ADS will post 0.44 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in Comp En De Mn Cemig ADS by 69.2% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 15,227 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 6,227 shares during the period. Caprock Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Comp En De Mn Cemig ADS during the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Invested Advisors bought a new position in shares of Comp En De Mn Cemig ADS during the third quarter valued at approximately $40,000. MAI Capital Management purchased a new stake in Comp En De Mn Cemig ADS in the second quarter worth $41,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Comp En De Mn Cemig ADS by 224.2% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 23,648 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 16,354 shares during the period. About Comp En De Mn Cemig ADS (Get Free Report) Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in Brazil. The company generates electricity through renewable energy sources, such as water, wind, sun, and biomass; or non-renewable sources, including fossil and nuclear fuels. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Comp En De Mn Cemig ADS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Comp En De Mn Cemig ADS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. COLOMBO, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka Police have launched special operations across the Western Province, including commercial hub Colombo City, to address a rise in motorcycle and three-wheeler thefts, the police spokesperson said on Tuesday. Police media spokesperson F.U. Wootler said there has been an increase in incidents of vehicles being stolen from public parking areas and roadsides. Thirteen cases, including 10 motorcycles and three three-wheelers, were reported on Nov. 8 and 9 alone, he said. The police have assigned dedicated investigation teams to track stolen vehicles and identify organized groups suspected of carrying out the thefts. Police are also investigating potential links between the thefts and illegal spare parts trading networks operating in the region, he said. The spokesperson advised the public to park vehicles in secure locations, install anti-theft devices, and promptly report suspicious behavior or unattended vehicles to nearby police stations. AG Mortgage Investment Trust (NYSE:MITT Get Free Report) and Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI 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 risk, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, dividends and institutional ownership. Volatility & Risk AG Mortgage Investment Trust has a beta of 1.68, suggesting that its stock price is 68% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has a beta of 1.6, suggesting that its stock price is 60% more volatile than the S&P 500. Get AG Mortgage Investment Trust alerts: Institutional & Insider Ownership 27.3% of AG Mortgage Investment Trust shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 54.4% of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance shares are held by institutional investors. 3.2% of AG Mortgage Investment Trust shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.7% of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance 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 Ratings Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score AG Mortgage Investment Trust 0 3 4 0 2.57 Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance 0 4 3 0 2.43 This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for AG Mortgage Investment Trust and Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, as provided by MarketBeat.com. AG Mortgage Investment Trust presently has a consensus price target of $8.60, suggesting a potential upside of 10.68%. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has a consensus price target of $10.88, suggesting a potential upside of 11.42%. Given Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finances higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance is more favorable than AG Mortgage Investment Trust. Dividends AG Mortgage Investment Trust pays an annual dividend of $0.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 10.8%. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 10.2%. AG Mortgage Investment Trust pays out 90.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance pays out 112.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. AG Mortgage Investment Trust has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years. AG Mortgage Investment Trust is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Valuation & Earnings This table compares AG Mortgage Investment Trust and Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finances revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio AG Mortgage Investment Trust $74.61 million 3.30 $55.74 million $0.93 8.35 Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance $275.60 million 4.92 -$119.64 million $0.89 10.97 AG Mortgage Investment Trust has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance. AG Mortgage Investment Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability This table compares AG Mortgage Investment Trust and Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finances net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets AG Mortgage Investment Trust 11.03% 14.08% 0.62% Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance 51.40% 8.34% 1.70% Summary AG Mortgage Investment Trust beats Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About AG Mortgage Investment Trust (Get Free Report) AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. operates as a residential mortgage real estate investment trust in the United States. Its investment portfolio includes residential investments, including non-agency loans, agency-eligible loans, re-and non-performing loans, and non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities, as well as commercial loans and commercial mortgage-backed securities. The company qualifies as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes. It generally would not be subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. was incorporated in 2011 and is based in New York, New York. About Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (Get Free Report) Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that originates, acquires, invests in, and manages commercial first mortgage loans, subordinate financings, and other commercial real estate-related debt investments in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. It is qualified as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. As a REIT, it would not be subject to federal income taxes, if the company distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. was incorporated in 2009 and is based in New York, New York. Receive News & Ratings for AG Mortgage Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AG Mortgage Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Profitability This table compares First Bancorp of Indiana and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets First Bancorp of Indiana N/A N/A N/A First Bancorp of Indiana Competitors 12.00% 4.85% 0.77% Earnings & Valuation This table compares First Bancorp of Indiana and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get First Bancorp of Indiana alerts: Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio First Bancorp of Indiana N/A N/A 54.24 First Bancorp of Indiana Competitors $210.91 million $34.74 million 14.12 First Bancorp of Indianas competitors have higher revenue and earnings than First Bancorp of Indiana. First Bancorp of Indiana 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 Risk and Volatility 50.0% of shares of all FIN SVGS & LOAN companies are owned by institutional investors. 20.0% of First Bancorp of Indiana shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 8.9% of shares of all FIN SVGS & LOAN companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. First Bancorp of Indiana has a beta of 0.27, suggesting that its share price is 73% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, First Bancorp of Indianas competitors have a beta of 0.63, suggesting that their average share price is 37% less volatile than the S&P 500. Dividends First Bancorp of Indiana pays an annual dividend of $0.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. First Bancorp of Indiana pays out 95.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, FIN SVGS & LOAN companies pay a dividend yield of 2.8% and pay out 29.1% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. First Bancorp of Indiana lags its competitors as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio. Summary First Bancorp of Indiana competitors beat First Bancorp of Indiana on 8 of the 10 factors compared. First Bancorp of Indiana Company Profile (Get Free Report) First Bancorp of Indiana, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for First Federal Savings Bank, provides various banking products and services to individuals and business customers in the United States. The company accepts various deposits such as certificates of deposit, checking, health savings, individual retirement, money market, and savings accounts; loans include retail loan advisors, consumer loans, such as auto, motorcycle, boat, and recreational vehicle loans; mortgage and home equity loans; and current rates and secured deposits. It also accepts various business deposit accounts including commercial, business, small business, and community first checking accounts; lending services comprising relationship bankers; commercial real estate, equipment, owner occupied and investment real estate financing, as well as working capital line of credit, business loans, and small business administration. In addition, the company provides treasury management, online banking, merchant services, remote capture, and debit and credit card services. First Bancorp of Indiana, Inc. was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. Receive News & Ratings for First Bancorp of Indiana Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Bancorp of Indiana and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Institutional & Insider Ownership 42.6% of shares of all AGRI OPERATIONS companies are owned by institutional investors. 13.0% of shares of all AGRI OPERATIONS companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Risk and Volatility 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 0.80, meaning that their average stock price is 20% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get YaSheng Group alerts: Earnings & Valuation This table compares YaSheng Group and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio YaSheng Group $18.59 million $5.31 million 2.00 YaSheng Group Competitors $32.63 billion $103.14 million 5.53 Profitability 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. This table compares YaSheng Group and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. 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% 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. Receive News & Ratings for YaSheng Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for YaSheng Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Majestic Silver Corp. (TSE:AG Free Report) Equities research analysts at Cormark raised their Q4 2025 earnings estimates for shares of First Majestic Silver in a research report issued on Thursday, November 6th. Cormark analyst R. Gray now forecasts that the company will earn $0.22 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $0.07. Cormark currently has a Moderate Buy rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for First Majestic Silvers current full-year earnings is $0.46 per share. Cormark also issued estimates for First Majestic Silvers FY2026 earnings at $0.84 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $0.88 EPS. Get First Majestic Silver alerts: A number of other equities analysts have also commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on First Majestic Silver from C$18.50 to C$21.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. National Bank Financial raised First Majestic Silver from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Sunday, October 5th. National Bankshares upgraded First Majestic Silver from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price target for the stock from C$20.00 to C$22.00 in a research report on Monday, October 6th. ATB Capital raised First Majestic Silver from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the company from C$47.00 to C$52.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Finally, TD Securities upgraded shares of First Majestic Silver from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the stock from C$14.00 to C$22.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and four have issued a Buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of C$27.80. First Majestic Silver Trading Up 3.9% TSE AG opened at C$16.65 on Monday. The company has a market cap of C$8.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 118.93 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a 50 day moving average of C$16.58 and a 200-day moving average of C$12.75. First Majestic Silver has a 1-year low of C$7.40 and a 1-year high of C$22.02. First Majestic Silver Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be paid a $0.0052 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $0.02 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.1%. First Majestic Silvers dividend payout ratio is presently 14.14%. First Majestic Silver Company Profile (Get Free Report) 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for First Majestic Silver Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Majestic Silver and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ZipLink (OTCMKTS:ZIPL Get Free Report) and Cango (NYSE:CANG Get Free Report) are both small-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, valuation, dividends, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings and analyst recommendations. Profitability This table compares ZipLink and Cangos net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get ZipLink alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets ZipLink N/A N/A N/A Cango -80.60% -2.37% -1.54% Valuation & Earnings This table compares ZipLink and Cangos gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio ZipLink N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Cango $110.21 million 3.39 $41.07 million ($2.88) -1.25 Cango has higher revenue and earnings than ZipLink. Insider & Institutional Ownership 4.2% of Cango shares are held by institutional investors. 57.5% of ZipLink shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 29.1% of Cango shares 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. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for ZipLink and Cango, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score ZipLink 0 0 0 0 0.00 Cango 1 0 1 0 2.00 Cango has a consensus price target of $8.00, suggesting a potential upside of 122.22%. Given Cangos stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Cango is more favorable than ZipLink. Summary Cango beats ZipLink on 5 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About ZipLink (Get Free Report) This record represents the public shell of ZipLink, Inc. In November 2000, ZipLink, Inc. suspended its operations and announced the lay off of substantially all of its employees except those necessary to wind down operations. Ziplink, Inc. operated as a wholesale connectivity provider in North America for the Business-to-Business marketplace, including Internet service providers, competitive local exchange carriers, Web appliance vendors, and PC manufacturers and distributors, as of September 30, 2000. ZipLink also offered a range of Internet connectivity services for Internet appliances, including Internet access and subscriber authentication. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Lowell, Massachusetts. About Cango (Get Free Report) Cango Inc. operates an automotive transaction service platform that connects dealers, original equipment manufacturers, financial institutions, car buyers, insurance brokers, and companies in the People's Republic of China. The company offers automobile trading solutions comprising car sourcing, transaction facilitation, logistics, and warehousing support for dealers through Cango Haoche app that offers new car transaction services, and Cango U-Car app that offers used-car transaction services. It also provides automotive financing facilitation services that include facilitating financing transactions from financial institutions to car buyers, which comprises credit origination, credit assessment, credit servicing, and delinquent asset management services; facilitating financing transactions of car purchases for car buyers; and after-market services to car buyers, which includes facilitating the sale of insurance policies from insurance brokers or companies. The company was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China. Receive News & Ratings for ZipLink Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ZipLink and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CrowdGather Inc. (OTCMKTS:CRWG Get Free Report) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $4.91 and traded as high as $8.14. CrowdGather shares last traded at $7.52, with a volume of 6,225,098 shares trading hands. CrowdGather Stock Up 3.4% The firms 50 day simple moving average is $11.07 and its 200 day simple moving average is $4.91. CrowdGather Company Profile (Get Free Report) CrowdGather, Inc, a social networking Internet company, develops and hosts forum based Websites primarily in the United States. It monetizes a network of online forums and message boards designed to engage, provide information to, and build community around users. The company's forum community connects a network of people sharing their questions, expertise, and experiences. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for CrowdGather Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CrowdGather and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Davis R M Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 41.9% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 13,542 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 9,747 shares during the period. Davis R M Inc.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $328,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in PFE. Fountainhead AM LLC increased its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Fountainhead AM LLC now owns 21,424 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $519,000 after purchasing an additional 976 shares in the last quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC grew its position in Pfizer by 73.2% during the second quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC now owns 27,283 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $653,000 after buying an additional 11,533 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Pfizer by 10.6% in the second quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 1,094,571 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $26,532,000 after buying an additional 104,687 shares in the last quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp now owns 2,721,277 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $65,964,000 after acquiring an additional 22,345 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SFE Investment Counsel grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter. SFE Investment Counsel now owns 75,230 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,824,000 after acquiring an additional 3,812 shares during the period. 68.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Pfizer alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen cut Pfizer from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, September 28th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Pfizer from $33.00 to $32.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $26.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a market perform rating and set a $30.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Pfizer from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $28.18. Pfizer Trading Down 0.1% Shares of PFE stock opened at $24.40 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $138.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.98, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $24.74 and a 200 day moving average price of $24.39. Pfizer Inc. has a twelve month low of $20.92 and a twelve month high of $27.69. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $16.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations 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. Research analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Pfizer Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be paid a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 7th. Pfizers payout ratio is presently 100.00%. 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. trimmed its position in Douglas Emmett, Inc. (NYSE:DEI Free Report) by 7.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 67,512 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 5,392 shares during the quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Douglas Emmett were worth $1,025,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DEI. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in Douglas Emmett by 10.8% during the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,866,279 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $28,069,000 after purchasing an additional 181,418 shares during the last quarter. Tredje AP fonden raised its stake in Douglas Emmett by 102.5% during the second quarter. Tredje AP fonden now owns 98,783 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,486,000 after acquiring an additional 50,000 shares during the period. Versor Investments LP acquired a new position in Douglas Emmett in the second quarter valued at approximately $186,000. Simon Quick Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Douglas Emmett by 2.8% during the second quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLC now owns 48,624 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $731,000 after purchasing an additional 1,303 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas raised its position in shares of Douglas Emmett by 3.9% during the 2nd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 25,430 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $382,000 after purchasing an additional 952 shares during the period. 97.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Douglas Emmett alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets DEI has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets set a $17.00 price objective on Douglas Emmett and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. Scotiabank cut their price target on Douglas Emmett from $19.00 to $18.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 28th. Weiss Ratings cut Douglas Emmett from a hold (c-) rating to a sell (d+) rating in a research report on Friday. Piper Sandler downgraded Douglas Emmett from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the company from $19.00 to $14.00 in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Douglas Emmett to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $17.00. Douglas Emmett Trading Down 1.6% Shares of Douglas Emmett stock opened at $12.22 on Tuesday. Douglas Emmett, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $11.86 and a fifty-two week high of $20.50. The company has a quick ratio of 3.49, a current ratio of 3.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55. The firm has a market cap of $2.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.53 and a beta of 1.28. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $14.70 and a 200-day simple moving average of $14.87. Douglas Emmett (NYSE:DEI Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.34 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.34. Douglas Emmett had a net margin of 3.77% and a return on equity of 1.04%. The company had revenue of $250.58 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $252.73 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.43 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up .0% on a year-over-year basis. Douglas Emmett has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.430-1.470 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Douglas Emmett, Inc. will post 1.45 EPS for the current fiscal year. Douglas Emmett Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were issued a $0.19 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.2%. Douglas Emmetts dividend payout ratio is currently 633.33%. Douglas Emmett Company Profile (Free Report) Douglas Emmett, Inc (DEI) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT), and one of the largest owners and operators of high-quality office and multifamily properties located in the premier coastal submarkets of Los Angeles and Honolulu. Douglas Emmett focuses on owning and acquiring a substantial share of top-tier office properties and premier multifamily communities in neighborhoods that possess significant supply constraints, high-end executive housing and key lifestyle amenities. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Douglas Emmett Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Douglas Emmett and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. reduced its position in EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE:EGP Free Report) by 7.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 21,021 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 1,616 shares during the quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in EastGroup Properties were worth $3,521,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Covestor Ltd boosted its stake in shares of EastGroup Properties by 5.6% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,161 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $205,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its holdings in EastGroup Properties by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 2,029 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $339,000 after buying an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd boosted its position in EastGroup Properties by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd now owns 13,900 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,448,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Securian Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of EastGroup Properties by 2.5% in the second quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,045 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $676,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, OneAscent Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of EastGroup Properties by 6.3% in the first quarter. OneAscent Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,747 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $308,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. 92.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get EastGroup Properties alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently issued reports on EGP. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their price objective on EastGroup Properties from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. BNP Paribas raised EastGroup Properties from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $207.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $183.00 price objective on EastGroup Properties and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of EastGroup Properties from $187.00 to $196.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of EastGroup Properties in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $190.07. EastGroup Properties Price Performance EGP stock opened at $177.03 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $171.58 and a 200 day moving average price of $168.80. The company has a quick ratio of 0.01, a current ratio of 0.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The stock has a market cap of $9.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.19, a PEG ratio of 3.67 and a beta of 1.04. EastGroup Properties, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $137.67 and a fifty-two week high of $188.89. EastGroup Properties (NYSE:EGP Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The real estate investment trust reported $2.27 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.28 by ($0.01). EastGroup Properties had a return on equity of 7.28% and a net margin of 35.58%.The company had revenue of $182.14 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $181.88 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.13 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.8% compared to the same quarter last year. EastGroup Properties has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.940-8.980 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 2.300-2.340 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that EastGroup Properties, Inc. will post 8.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. EastGroup Properties Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were paid a $1.55 dividend. This is a boost from EastGroup Propertiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.40. This represents a $6.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 30th. EastGroup Propertiess payout ratio is currently 130.25%. Insider Transactions at EastGroup Properties In other EastGroup Properties news, EVP Richard Reid Dunbar sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.00, for a total transaction of $350,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 20,630 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,610,250. This trade represents a 8.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 1.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About EastGroup Properties (Free Report) EastGroup Properties, Inc (NYSE: EGP), a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 1000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EGP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE:EGP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for EastGroup Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EastGroup Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. eCIO Inc. purchased a new position in BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:XONE Free Report) during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm purchased 15,147 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $752,000. BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF accounts for approximately 0.3% of eCIO Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest position. A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of XONE. Blackston Financial Advisory Group LLC increased its position in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 104.1% in the second quarter. Blackston Financial Advisory Group LLC now owns 21,316 shares of the companys stock worth $1,058,000 after acquiring an additional 10,874 shares in the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 12.7% in the 2nd quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,054,535 shares of the companys stock worth $52,337,000 after purchasing an additional 118,884 shares during the period. Buck Wealth Strategies LLC grew its position in BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 23.0% during the 2nd quarter. Buck Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 286,565 shares of the companys stock worth $14,222,000 after purchasing an additional 53,646 shares in the last quarter. Strait & Sound Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 10.2% during the 2nd quarter. Strait & Sound Wealth Management LLC now owns 80,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,005,000 after purchasing an additional 7,473 shares during the period. Finally, LifeWealth Investments LLC lifted its holdings in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 17.7% in the second quarter. LifeWealth Investments LLC now owns 5,374 shares of the companys stock valued at $267,000 after purchasing an additional 809 shares in the last quarter. 47.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF alerts: BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF Stock Down 0.0% Shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF stock opened at $49.55 on Tuesday. BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF has a 12 month low of $49.40 and a 12 month high of $49.78. The stock has a market cap of $659.51 million, a PE ratio of -52.71 and a beta of 0.08. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $49.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $49.56. BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF Profile The Bondbloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF (XONE) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is passively managed to invest in a portfolio of US Treasury securities with a target duration of one year. XONE was launched on Sep 13, 2022 and is managed by BondBloxx. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding XONE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:XONE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military launched two strikes targeting two boats allegedly transporting narcotics in international waters in the eastern Pacific on Sunday, killing all six aboard, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday. "Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, two lethal kinetic strikes were conducted on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations," Hegseth said in a post on social media. "Both strikes were conducted in international waters and 3 male narco-terrorists were aboard each vessel. All 6 were killed. No U.S. forces were harmed," he said. The Pentagon's latest boat strikes have so far claimed at least 75 lives in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since Sept. 2. The Trump administration has expanded its military presence across the Caribbean since August. Currently, the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean is the largest in the region in more than three decades, and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is expected to arrive in the Caribbean in mid-November. The continuous strikes and military buildup have raised widespread speculation about the White House's motive. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has repeatedly condemned Washington's actions as attempts to overthrow his government and expand U.S. military influence in Latin America. Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused the U.S. government of "murder" for the killings at sea. Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump said he has not yet decided whether the United States will launch ground strikes inside Venezuela, contradicting media reports that his administration will attack Venezuelan military facilities. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW Get Free Report) CFO Scott Ullem sold 13,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.08, for a total value of $1,080,040.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 39,898 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,314,725.84. The trade was a 24.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Edwards Lifesciences Price Performance Edwards Lifesciences stock traded up $0.71 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $84.10. 3,140,253 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,557,639. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation has a 52 week low of $64.89 and a 52 week high of $87.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 3.87 and a current ratio of 4.68. The firm has a market cap of $48.80 billion, a PE ratio of 12.10, a PEG ratio of 3.97 and a beta of 1.03. The companys fifty day moving average is $77.78 and its 200-day moving average is $77.41. Get Edwards Lifesciences alerts: Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The medical research company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $1.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.49 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 72.96% and a return on equity of 15.01%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.67 EPS. Edwards Lifesciences has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.560-2.620 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 0.580-0.640 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Edwards Lifesciences Corporation will post 2.45 EPS for the current year. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. National Bankshares set a $92.00 target price on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Oppenheimer cut shares of Edwards Lifesciences from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $75.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Mizuho increased their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $89.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $91.39. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Edwards Lifesciences Institutional Trading of Edwards Lifesciences Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of EW. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. SouthState Corp bought a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton purchased a new stake in Edwards Lifesciences in the second quarter worth $28,000. True Wealth Design LLC raised its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 251.5% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 362 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 259 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Costello Asset Management INC purchased a new position in Edwards Lifesciences during the first quarter valued at $29,000. 79.46% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Edwards Lifesciences (Get Free Report) Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Edwards Lifesciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edwards Lifesciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Simplify Asset Management Inc. cut its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 1.2% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 14,117 shares of the companys stock after selling 173 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company accounts for 0.6% of Simplify Asset Management Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest position. Simplify Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $11,005,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in LLY. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter valued at $27,000. Blume Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 46.7% during the 2nd quarter. Blume Capital Management Inc. now owns 44 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. TD Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 129.2% in the 1st quarter. TD Capital Management LLC now owns 55 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 31 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Family CFO Inc acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter worth about $54,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Leerink Partners raised Eli Lilly and Company from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their target price for the company from $886.00 to $1,104.00 in a report on Monday. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,028.00 to $1,023.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,010.00 to $900.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 11th. Daiwa America lowered shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, August 17th. Finally, Loop Capital set a $950.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Monday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $981.89. Eli Lilly and Company Stock Up 4.5% Shares of NYSE LLY opened at $965.68 on Tuesday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $804.63 and its 200-day simple moving average is $775.74. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $623.78 and a 12-month high of $981.99. The stock has a market cap of $912.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 63.12, a PEG ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.43. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates 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%.Eli Lilly and Companys revenue for the quarter was up 53.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business 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 fiscal year. Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement The firm 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 $1.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is currently 29.35%. About Eli Lilly and Company (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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) was upgraded by research analysts at Leerink Partnrs from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note issued on Monday,Zacks.com reports. Leerink Partnrs also issued estimates for Eli Lilly and Companys FY2026 earnings at $32.76 EPS, FY2028 earnings at $48.09 EPS and FY2029 earnings at $54.00 EPS. A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on LLY. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Cantor Fitzgerald upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $925.00 to $985.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an outperform rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price 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. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $981.89. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company Stock Up 4.5% NYSE:LLY opened at $965.68 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.28. The firm has a market cap of $912.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 63.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.43. Eli Lilly and Company has a fifty-two week low of $623.78 and a fifty-two week high of $981.99. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $804.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $775.74. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.42 by $0.60. The firm had revenue of $17.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.09 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 25.91% and a return on equity of 92.72%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 53.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior 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. Analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Eli Lilly and Company A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 97.5% during 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 during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 80,959,089 shares of the companys stock valued at $61,771,785,000 after purchasing an additional 551,659 shares in the last quarter. 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 buying an additional 81,587 shares during the period. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 78,621.2% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 11,552,336 shares of the companys stock worth $9,005,392,000 after buying an additional 11,537,661 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the second quarter valued at $8,827,714,000. 82.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Eli Lilly and Company (Get 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Equitable (NYSE:EQH Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday. Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Equitable in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Equitable from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Barclays restated an overweight rating and issued a $63.00 target price on shares of Equitable in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Equitable to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of Equitable from $64.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $64.18. Get Equitable alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Equitable Equitable Stock Down 1.5% Shares of NYSE EQH opened at $44.60 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $50.41 and its two-hundred day moving average is $52.00. The company has a market capitalization of $13.36 billion, a PE ratio of -16.16 and a beta of 1.17. Equitable has a 12-month low of $41.39 and a 12-month high of $56.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.87, a current ratio of 0.10 and a quick ratio of 0.14. Equitable (NYSE:EQH Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.59 by ($0.11). Equitable had a positive return on equity of 107.71% and a negative net margin of 5.80%.The business had revenue of $1.45 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.65 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.58 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 52.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Equitable will post 7.33 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling at Equitable In other Equitable news, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 2,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.86, for a total transaction of $134,836.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 26,001 shares in the company, valued at $1,348,411.86. The trade was a 9.09% 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, CFO Robin M. Raju sold 36,888 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, September 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.00, for a total transaction of $1,991,952.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 140,258 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,573,932. The trade was a 20.82% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders sold 178,958 shares of company stock valued at $9,362,262. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Equitable in the second quarter valued at about $703,060,000. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in Equitable by 23.4% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 10,878,516 shares of the companys stock worth $566,662,000 after acquiring an additional 2,061,496 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Equitable by 26.4% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 7,428,619 shares of the companys stock valued at $415,786,000 after acquiring an additional 1,551,551 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Equitable by 4.8% during the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 5,789,138 shares of the companys stock valued at $301,536,000 after purchasing an additional 265,759 shares during the period. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its position in shares of Equitable by 29.6% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 5,498,091 shares of the companys stock worth $308,443,000 after purchasing an additional 1,254,521 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.70% of the companys stock. Equitable Company Profile (Get Free Report) Equitable Holdings, Inc, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, operates as a diversified financial services company worldwide. The company operates through six segments: Individual Retirement, Group Retirement, Investment Management and Research, Protection Solutions, Wealth Management, and Legacy. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Equitable Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Equitable and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Green Dot Corporation (NYSE:GDOT Get Free Report) fell 7.1% on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $10.10 and last traded at $10.9750. 362,748 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 55% from the average session volume of 807,085 shares. The stock had previously closed at $11.82. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages recently issued reports on GDOT. Northland Securities set a $18.00 price target on Green Dot in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. William Blair reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Green Dot in a report on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Green Dot in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Zacks Research cut Green Dot from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $13.50. Get Green Dot alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Green Dot Green Dot Stock Down 6.5% The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $13.15 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.69. The company has a market capitalization of $612.37 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -25.08 and a beta of 0.80. Green Dot (NYSE:GDOT Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The financial services provider reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.11) by $0.17. The company had revenue of $491.85 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $483.84 million. Green Dot had a negative net margin of 1.24% and a positive return on equity of 9.93%. The businesss revenue was up 20.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.13 EPS. Green Dot has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.310-1.440 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Green Dot Corporation will post 0.87 EPS for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Green Dot Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. State of Alaska Department of Revenue acquired a new position in shares of Green Dot in the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Brooklyn Investment Group raised its stake in Green Dot by 350,400.0% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 3,505 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 3,504 shares in the last quarter. Virtus Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Green Dot during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. lifted its position in shares of Green Dot by 18.6% in the 2nd quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 5,478 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $59,000 after buying an additional 861 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its holdings in Green Dot by 23.1% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 6,504 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $70,000 after acquiring an additional 1,221 shares during the last quarter. 92.56% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Green Dot (Get Free Report) Green Dot Corporation, a financial technology and registered bank holding company, provides various financial services to consumers and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Consumer Services, Business to Business Services, and Money Movement Services. The company provides deposit account programs, including consumer and small business checking account products, network-branded reloadable prepaid debit cards and gift cards, and secured credit programs. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Green Dot Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Green Dot and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Trinity Industries (NYSE:TRN Get Free Report) is one of 14 publicly-traded companies in the TRANS EQP&LSNG industry, but how does it contrast to its rivals? We will compare Trinity Industries to related businesses based on the strength of its risk, dividends, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and profitability. Profitability This table compares Trinity Industries and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Trinity Industries alerts: 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% Dividends Trinity Industries pays an annual dividend of $1.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.6%. 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 20.9% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Trinity Industries has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years. Risk and Volatility Analyst Ratings Trinity Industries has a beta of 1.52, suggesting that its share price is 52% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Trinity Industries rivals have a beta of 1.22, suggesting that their average share price is 22% more volatile than the S&P 500. This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Trinity Industries and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Trinity Industries 0 3 0 0 2.00 Trinity Industries Competitors 132 579 1005 66 2.56 Trinity Industries currently has a consensus target price of $27.00, indicating a potential upside of 4.55%. As a group, TRANS EQP&LSNG companies have a potential upside of 12.20%. Given Trinity Industries rivals stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Trinity Industries has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Trinity Industries and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Trinity Industries $2.18 billion $138.40 million 22.65 Trinity Industries Competitors $3.78 billion $360.72 million 4.91 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 and Institutional Ownership 86.6% of Trinity Industries shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 86.4% of shares of all TRANS EQP&LSNG companies are owned by institutional investors. 2.0% of Trinity Industries shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 10.3% of shares of all TRANS EQP&LSNG companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Summary Trinity Industries rivals beat Trinity Industries on 10 of the 15 factors compared. About Trinity Industries (Get Free Report) 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. Receive News & Ratings for Trinity Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Trinity Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aviva PLC lowered its holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE Free Report) by 54.3% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 1,176,542 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 1,400,754 shares during the quarter. Aviva PLCs holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise were worth $24,060,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in HPE. Shell Asset Management Co. raised its position in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 42.4% in the 2nd quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. now owns 116,797 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,388,000 after purchasing an additional 34,801 shares during the last quarter. Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in the first quarter valued at $15,663,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in the second quarter valued at about $2,522,000. Signal Advisors Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Hewlett Packard Enterprise during the 2nd quarter worth about $300,000. Finally, Forum Financial Management LP grew its holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 48.3% during the 2nd quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 33,357 shares of the technology companys stock worth $682,000 after acquiring an additional 10,864 shares during the last quarter. 80.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Hewlett Packard Enterprise alerts: Insider Transactions at Hewlett Packard Enterprise In other news, EVP Maeve C. Culloty sold 3,738 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.12, for a total value of $93,898.56. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Antonio F. Neri sold 166,666 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.52, for a total value of $3,753,318.32. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,919,060 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,217,231.20. This represents a 7.99% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 543,738 shares of company stock worth $12,922,932 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.36% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes HPE has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $21.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Piper Sandler assumed coverage on Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. They issued a neutral rating and a $24.00 price objective for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. They set an overweight rating and a $30.00 target price on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and thirteen have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $25.41. View Our Latest Research Report on Hewlett Packard Enterprise Hewlett Packard Enterprise Stock Up 1.9% Shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock opened at $23.89 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $31.52 billion, a PE ratio of 29.13, a P/E/G ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.43. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $24.20 and its 200 day simple moving average is $21.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.95. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company has a 52-week low of $11.97 and a 52-week high of $26.44. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, September 3rd. The technology company reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by ($0.09). The business had revenue of $9.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.77 billion. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a net margin of 3.77% and a return on equity of 9.01%. Hewlett Packard Enterprises revenue for the quarter was up 19.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.50 earnings per share. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.880-1.920 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 0.560-0.600 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company will post 1.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 18th were given a dividend of $0.13 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 18th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. Hewlett Packard Enterprises payout ratio is 63.41%. About Hewlett Packard Enterprise (Free Report) Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. It operates in six segments: Compute, HPC & AI, Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HPE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hodges Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 2,075 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $254,000. A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 4.1% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 29,106,218 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,653,032,000 after acquiring an additional 1,145,658 shares during the period. Boston Partners boosted its stake in Dell Technologies by 34.4% during the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 5,132,877 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $466,418,000 after purchasing an additional 1,312,600 shares in the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG increased its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 38.1% during the 1st quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 4,141,618 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $377,508,000 after purchasing an additional 1,142,012 shares during the period. Alkeon Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 41.4% in the 1st quarter. Alkeon Capital Management LLC now owns 3,177,809 shares of the technology companys stock worth $289,657,000 after buying an additional 931,032 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 20.5% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,952,829 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $269,150,000 after buying an additional 502,764 shares during the period. 76.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Dell Technologies Trading Down 2.8% Shares of DELL stock opened at $142.58 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $142.87 and its 200-day simple moving average is $127.74. The company has a market capitalization of $95.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.97, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 1.02. Dell Technologies Inc. has a 1-year low of $66.25 and a 1-year high of $168.08. Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement Dell Technologies ( NYSE:DELL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 5th. The technology company reported $1.68 EPS for the quarter. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 236.21% and a net margin of 4.73%.The firm had revenue of $26.43 billion during the quarter. Dell Technologies has set its FY24 guidance at $6.10-6.50 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.93 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 21st were given a dividend of $0.525 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, October 21st. This represents a $2.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is presently 30.88%. Insider Activity at Dell Technologies In other news, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 824,999 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, September 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.98, for a total value of $112,183,364.02. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 565,000 shares of the 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. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders sold 4,537,755 shares of company stock worth $642,644,973. Company insiders own 42.00% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen raised Dell Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, September 13th. Argus lifted their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $150.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $135.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $145.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Dell Technologies has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $162.80. Get Our Latest Report on DELL About Dell Technologies (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). See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DELL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dell Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dell Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ibex Wealth Advisors bought a new position in shares of NewJersey Resources Corporation (NYSE:NJR Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 6,275 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $281,000. A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vise Technologies Inc. bought a new position in shares of NewJersey Resources in the 2nd quarter valued at about $221,000. ProShare Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of NewJersey Resources by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 831,309 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $37,259,000 after purchasing an additional 3,588 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in NewJersey Resources in the 2nd quarter valued at about $605,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new position in NewJersey Resources during the second quarter worth about $453,000. Finally, Prospera Financial Services Inc grew its holdings in NewJersey Resources by 16.0% during the second quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 16,893 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $757,000 after purchasing an additional 2,335 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.98% of the companys stock. Get NewJersey Resources alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have issued reports on NJR shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded NewJersey Resources from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and set a $50.00 target price (up from $49.00) on shares of NewJersey Resources in a report on Friday, August 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of NewJersey Resources in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $51.43. NewJersey Resources Price Performance Shares of NYSE NJR opened at $45.67 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $4.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.17 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. NewJersey Resources Corporation has a 1-year low of $43.46 and a 1-year high of $51.94. The businesss 50 day moving average is $46.34 and its 200-day moving average is $46.28. NewJersey Resources (NYSE:NJR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 19th. The utilities provider reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. NewJersey Resources had a return on equity of 17.08% and a net margin of 19.64%.The business had revenue of $912.32 million during the quarter. Equities research analysts predict that NewJersey Resources Corporation will post 3.15 earnings per share for the current year. NewJersey Resources Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, December 12th will be paid a $0.475 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. This represents a $1.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.2%. NewJersey Resourcess dividend payout ratio is 46.45%. NewJersey Resources Profile (Free Report) New Jersey Resources Corporation, an energy services holding company, distributes natural gas. The company operates through four segments: Natural Gas Distribution, Clean Energy Ventures, Energy Services, and Storage and Transportation. The Natural Gas Distribution segment offers regulated natural gas utility services to approximately 576,000 customers in Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, and Sussex counties in New Jersey; provides capacity and storage management services; and participates in the off-system sales and capacity release markets. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NJR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for NewJersey Resources Corporation (NYSE:NJR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for NewJersey Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NewJersey Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund grew its holdings in PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM Free Report) by 27.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 111,637 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 23,990 shares during the quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Funds holdings in PulteGroup were worth $11,773,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of PHM. Xponance Inc. raised its stake in PulteGroup by 38.6% in the first quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 38,993 shares of the construction companys stock worth $4,008,000 after buying an additional 10,867 shares in the last quarter. Florida Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of PulteGroup by 30.5% in the 1st quarter. Florida Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,832 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $496,000 after acquiring an additional 1,129 shares during the period. Edgestream Partners L.P. raised its position in shares of PulteGroup by 2,687.0% in the 1st quarter. Edgestream Partners L.P. now owns 77,310 shares of the construction companys stock worth $7,947,000 after acquiring an additional 74,536 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of PulteGroup by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 315,927 shares of the construction companys stock worth $32,477,000 after acquiring an additional 2,930 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH lifted its stake in shares of PulteGroup by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH now owns 154,634 shares of the construction companys stock worth $15,896,000 after purchasing an additional 5,667 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.90% of the companys stock. Get PulteGroup alerts: PulteGroup Stock Up 0.2% PHM stock opened at $120.03 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.40 billion, a PE ratio of 9.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.25. PulteGroup, Inc. has a 52 week low of $88.07 and a 52 week high of $142.11. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $127.97 and a 200 day moving average of $116.63. PulteGroup Dividend Announcement PulteGroup ( NYSE:PHM Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The construction company reported $2.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.10. PulteGroup had a net margin of 14.93% and a return on equity of 19.58%. The business had revenue of $4.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.31 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.35 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that PulteGroup, Inc. will post 12.32 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 2nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 16th were paid a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 16th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. PulteGroups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 6.77%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have issued reports on PHM. Citigroup lifted their target price on PulteGroup from $132.00 to $143.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of PulteGroup from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded shares of PulteGroup from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered shares of PulteGroup from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Friday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $133.67. Read Our Latest Stock Report on PulteGroup About PulteGroup (Free Report) PulteGroup, Inc, through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the homebuilding business in the United States. It acquires and develops land primarily for residential purposes; and constructs housing on such land. The company also offers various home designs, including single-family detached, townhomes, condominiums, and duplexes under the Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, and American West brand names. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PHM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for PulteGroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PulteGroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Poppy crosses are seen at the Field of Remembrance on the occasion of Remembrance Day at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, Nov. 10, 2025. Remembrance Day is observed to remember the sacrifices made by soldiers during the WWI, which ended on Nov. 11, 1918. (Xinhua/Li Ying) Volunteers and media workers pose for photos at the media center of the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 10, 2025. The eighth CIIE concluded here on Monday. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming) This photo taken on Nov. 9, 2025 shows the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the United States. The U.S. Senate on Sunday night advanced a bipartisan spending package in a bid to end the longest government shutdown, which has entered its 40th day and caused a series of escalating disruptions. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong) A staff member promotes chrysanthemums via live streaming in Tancheng County, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 10, 2025. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are busy selling, packaging and delivering goods in the run-up to the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival which falls on Nov. 11. (Photo by Zhang Chunlei/Xinhua) Zhang Zhanshuo of Shandong celebrates after the men's 400m freestyle final of swimming event at China's 15th National Games in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Du Yu) Giant panda Yilan plays with a toy at Adelaide Zoo in Adelaide, Australia, Nov. 10, 2025. The giant panda pair Xingqiu, a male, and Yilan, a female, arrived in Adelaide on Dec. 15, 2024. According to the contract, they will spend ten years at Adelaide Zoo, replacing the pair Wangwang and Funi who returned to China last November after 15 years in Australia. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) Tourists feed black-headed gulls at the Haigeng Dam in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 10, 2025. Black-headed gulls migrate to Kunming for the warm weather there in winter. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) Contestants attend a competition in which they hold a basket of pomegranates with their left hand horizontally during the Nar Bayrami pomegranate festival in Goychay, Azerbaijan, Nov. 9, 2025. Azerbaijan's annual Nar Bayrami pomegranate festival was held here on Sunday. The festival was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng) Rescuers use a boat to evacuate residents from a flooded area in Navotas City, the Philippines, Nov. 10, 2025. Super Typhoon Fung-wong made landfall over Aurora province in the eastern part of Luzon Island of the Philippines on Sunday night, according to the state weather bureau. Fung-wong is the 21st tropical cyclone hitting the Philippines this year, surpassing the country's annual average of 20 storms. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali) iShares Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEV Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $67.23 and last traded at $67.2520, with a volume of 8701 shares. The stock had previously closed at $66.65. iShares Europe ETF Trading Up 0.9% The companys 50 day moving average price is $65.53 and its 200 day moving average price is $63.84. The company has a market cap of $1.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 0.91. Get iShares Europe ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares Europe ETF Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of IEV. Aberdeen Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares Europe ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Heartwood Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Europe ETF during the third quarter worth $29,000. American National Bank & Trust purchased a new position in iShares Europe ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. Financially Speaking Inc acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $40,000. Finally, Grove Bank & Trust acquired a new position in iShares Europe ETF in the third quarter worth about $52,000. iShares Europe ETF Company Profile iShares Europe ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P Europe 350 Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P Europe 350 (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the stocks of companies in the countries, which includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares Europe ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Europe ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:LEMB Get Free Report) were up 0.1% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $41.69 and last traded at $41.60. Approximately 330,571 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 273% from the average daily volume of 88,568 shares. The stock had previously closed at $41.57. iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF Price Performance The business has a 50 day moving average of $41.24 and a 200 day moving average of $40.32. Get iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Foster & Motley Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF by 47.9% during the 3rd quarter. Foster & Motley Inc. now owns 198,705 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,189,000 after acquiring an additional 64,329 shares in the last quarter. Lam Group Inc. raised its position in iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF by 19.7% in the third quarter. Lam Group Inc. now owns 101,715 shares of the companys stock worth $4,192,000 after purchasing an additional 16,720 shares in the last quarter. Blue Edge Capital LLC raised its position in iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF by 2.4% in the second quarter. Blue Edge Capital LLC now owns 73,929 shares of the companys stock worth $2,986,000 after purchasing an additional 1,730 shares in the last quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. lifted its stake in iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF by 6.3% during the second quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 61,400 shares of the companys stock worth $2,478,000 after purchasing an additional 3,619 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its stake in iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF by 34.8% during the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 50,779 shares of the companys stock worth $2,051,000 after purchasing an additional 13,115 shares during the period. iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF Company Profile The iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (LEMB) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value weighted index of sovereign debt denominated in issuers local currencies, with limits on country exposure. LEMB was launched on Oct 18, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF (TSE:XEU Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as C$37.43 and last traded at C$37.43, with a volume of 2231 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$37.09. iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF Trading Up 1.1% The firms fifty day moving average price is C$36.44 and its 200-day moving average price is C$35.28. About iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF (Get Free Report) The investment objective of the Fund is to provide long-term capital growth by replicating, to the extent possible, the performance of the MSCI Europe Investable Market Index (the Index), net of expenses. To achieve its investment objective the Fund uses an indexing strategy. Under this strategy, the Fund seeks to replicate the performance of the Index, net of expenses, by employing, directly or indirectly, through investment in one or more iShares ETFs and/or through the use of derivatives, a replicating strategy or sampling strategy. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of John Hancock Investors Trust (NYSE:JHI Get Free Report) crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $13.99 and traded as low as $13.71. John Hancock Investors Trust shares last traded at $13.7750, with a volume of 20,419 shares trading hands. John Hancock Investors Trust Price Performance The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $13.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is $13.81. Get John Hancock Investors Trust alerts: John Hancock Investors Trust Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 12th were issued a $0.3158 dividend. This represents a $1.26 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 12th. This is an increase from John Hancock Investors Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. Hedge Funds Weigh In On John Hancock Investors Trust John Hancock Investors Trust Company Profile Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of JHI. Shaker Financial Services LLC boosted its stake in John Hancock Investors Trust by 39.3% in the first quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 146,399 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,987,000 after purchasing an additional 41,285 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of John Hancock Investors Trust by 3.4% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 71,791 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $974,000 after buying an additional 2,370 shares during the last quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. lifted its position in John Hancock Investors Trust by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. now owns 337,050 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,574,000 after buying an additional 10,086 shares in the last quarter. 1607 Capital Partners LLC grew its holdings in John Hancock Investors Trust by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. 1607 Capital Partners LLC now owns 552,045 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $7,491,000 after acquiring an additional 15,500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Riverbridge Partners LLC grew its holdings in John Hancock Investors Trust by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 32,854 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $455,000 after acquiring an additional 1,204 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 27.01% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) John Hancock Investors Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. It is co-managed by John Hancock Asset Management. It invests in the fixed income markets across the globe. The fund primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of corporate and government bonds, debt securities. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Investors Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Investors Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barclays (LON:BARC Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 500 to GBX 525 in a report issued on Tuesday,London Stock Exchange reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the financial services providers stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s price objective suggests a potential upside of 24.05% from the companys previous close. Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on Barclays from GBX 455 to GBX 470 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Barclays in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Barclays from GBX 435 to GBX 500 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 380 price objective on shares of Barclays in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on Barclays from GBX 400 to GBX 415 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Five investment 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 presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 450. Get Barclays alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Barclays Barclays Stock Up 1.4% BARC stock traded up GBX 5.95 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting GBX 423.20. The companys stock had a trading volume of 51,885,957 shares, compared to its average volume of 43,951,305. The company has a market capitalization of 58.86 billion, a PE ratio of 10.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.36. Barclays has a 12 month low of GBX 223.75 and a 12 month high of GBX 426.15. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 383.07 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 354.07. Barclays (LON:BARC Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The financial services provider reported GBX 10.40 earnings per share for the quarter. Barclays had a net margin of 19.54% and a return on equity of 6.97%. Sell-side analysts expect that Barclays will post 39.1062802 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity at Barclays In other news, insider Anna Cross sold 753,438 shares of Barclays stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 373, for a total transaction of 2,810,323.74. Insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock. Barclays Company Profile (Get Free Report) Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through Barclays UK and Barclays International division segments. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Barclays Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barclays and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arcos Dorados (NYSE:ARCO Get Free Report) had its price target decreased by equities research analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $8.80 to $8.70 in a report released on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a neutral rating on the restaurant operators stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s price target points to a potential upside of 21.93% from the companys previous close. Several other research firms have also issued reports on ARCO. Zacks Research lowered shares of Arcos Dorados from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Weiss Ratings downgraded Arcos Dorados from a hold (c-) rating to a sell (d+) rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Arcos Dorados from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Arcos Dorados has an average rating of Sell and a consensus price target of $8.70. Get Arcos Dorados alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Arcos Dorados Arcos Dorados Price Performance Arcos Dorados stock traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $7.14. The companys stock had a trading volume of 279,081 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,431,353. Arcos Dorados has a 12 month low of $6.51 and a 12 month high of $8.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The company has a market capitalization of $1.50 billion, a PE ratio of 11.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.46 and a beta of 0.60. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $6.97 and its 200-day moving average price is $7.26. Arcos Dorados (NYSE:ARCO Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 13th. The restaurant operator reported $0.11 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.05 by $0.06. Arcos Dorados had a net margin of 2.89% and a return on equity of 24.54%. The company had revenue of $1.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.22 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.13 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Arcos Dorados will post 0.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Arcos Dorados A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its position in Arcos Dorados by 13.1% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 241,677 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,948,000 after purchasing an additional 27,979 shares during the last quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Arcos Dorados by 6.8% in the 1st quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 207,859 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,675,000 after buying an additional 13,152 shares in the last quarter. General American Investors Co. Inc. acquired a new position in Arcos Dorados in the first quarter worth approximately $3,076,000. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. raised its position in Arcos Dorados by 27.5% during the first quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. now owns 234,596 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,891,000 after acquiring an additional 50,557 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Navellier & Associates Inc. lifted its stake in Arcos Dorados by 23.6% in the first quarter. Navellier & Associates Inc. now owns 27,500 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $214,000 after acquiring an additional 5,242 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 55.91% of the companys stock. Arcos Dorados Company Profile (Get Free Report) Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc operates as a franchisee of McDonalds restaurants. It has the exclusive right to own, operate, and grant franchises of McDonalds restaurants in 20 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Argentina, Aruba, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, the U.S. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Arcos Dorados Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arcos Dorados and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS Get Free Report) EVP D. Zachary Hudson sold 100,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.99, for a total value of $6,499,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 13,735 shares in the company, valued at $892,637.65. The trade was a 87.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Las Vegas Sands Trading Up 1.3% Shares of LVS stock opened at $66.07 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $44.67 billion, a PE ratio of 29.90, a price-to-earnings-growth 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 $67.40. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $54.63 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $49.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.42, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 1.21. Get Las Vegas Sands alerts: 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 for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.62 by $0.16. Las Vegas Sands had a return on equity of 73.14% and a net margin of 12.69%.The firm had revenue of $3.33 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.04 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.44 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 24.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Las Vegas Sands Corp. will post 2.6 earnings per share for the current year. Las Vegas Sands Announces Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 4th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. 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 payout ratio is 45.25%. Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on LVS shares. Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $56.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Las Vegas Sands in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Las Vegas Sands from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Wall Street Zen raised Las Vegas Sands from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, September 7th. Finally, Susquehanna raised their price target on Las Vegas Sands from $62.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Las Vegas Sands has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $64.13. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Las Vegas Sands Hedge Funds Weigh In On Las Vegas Sands Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 48.0% in the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 512 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 166 shares during the period. Alps Advisors Inc. raised its position in Las Vegas Sands by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 8,528 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $459,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC now owns 61,993 shares of the casino operators stock worth $2,697,000 after buying an additional 213 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its holdings in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 37.5% in the 2nd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 876 shares of the casino operators stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 239 shares during the period. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. grew its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 21.4% during the 2nd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 1,401 shares of the casino operators stock worth $61,000 after buying an additional 247 shares in the last quarter. 39.16% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Las Vegas Sands (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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Las Vegas Sands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Las Vegas Sands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. decreased its stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 9.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,185,658 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 125,563 shares during the period. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. owned about 0.07% of Abbott Laboratories worth $161,261,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Montag A & Associates Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 3.8% during the second quarter. Montag A & Associates Inc. now owns 108,834 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $14,803,000 after purchasing an additional 3,993 shares during the last quarter. 49 Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 3.6% in the 2nd quarter. 49 Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,818 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $519,000 after acquiring an additional 131 shares in the last quarter. Laffer Tengler Investments Inc. lifted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 57.2% in the second quarter. Laffer Tengler Investments Inc. now owns 3,492 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $475,000 after buying an additional 1,270 shares during the period. Vise Technologies Inc. bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the second quarter worth $7,725,000. Finally, Cahill Financial Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 2nd quarter worth about $202,000. Institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance Shares of ABT opened at $125.88 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.82, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $130.65 and a 200-day moving average price of $131.39. The company has a market cap of $218.89 billion, a PE ratio of 15.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.68. Abbott Laboratories has a 12-month low of $110.86 and a 12-month high of $141.23. Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.30. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 31.88% and a return on equity of 17.78%. The business had revenue of $11.37 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.40 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.21 earnings per share. Abbott Laboratoriess quarterly 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, equities analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 15th will be paid a $0.59 dividend. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is currently 29.57%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $159.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. William Blair raised Abbott Laboratories to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $147.00 target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $144.00 to $142.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Two 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 companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $147.00. Read Our Latest Analysis on ABT 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MetLife (NYSE:MET Get Free Report) had its target price reduced by investment analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $92.00 to $90.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the financial services providers stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods price target would indicate a potential upside of 16.14% from the stocks current price. A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on MET. UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of MetLife from $96.00 to $95.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of MetLife in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on MetLife from $94.00 to $97.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Wolfe Research raised MetLife to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on shares of MetLife from $93.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, MetLife presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $95.00. Get MetLife alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on MET MetLife Stock Up 0.4% MET stock traded up $0.31 on Tuesday, hitting $77.49. 1,333,992 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,392,436. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $79.95 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $78.87. MetLife has a 12-month low of $65.21 and a 12-month high of $89.05. The stock has a market cap of $51.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 0.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a current ratio of 0.16. MetLife (NYSE:MET Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The financial services provider reported $2.37 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.30 by $0.07. MetLife had a net margin of 5.83% and a return on equity of 19.88%. The company had revenue of $12.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.64 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.95 EPS. MetLifes revenue for the quarter was down 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that MetLife will post 9.65 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On MetLife Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in MetLife in the 2nd quarter valued at about $756,104,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of MetLife by 13.3% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 64,749,521 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,333,418,000 after acquiring an additional 7,578,199 shares during the last quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in MetLife during the first quarter worth approximately $336,965,000. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in MetLife during the first quarter worth approximately $312,946,000. Finally, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. acquired a new position in shares of MetLife in the 2nd quarter valued at $178,669,000. 94.99% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About MetLife (Get Free Report) MetLife, Inc, a financial services company, provides insurance, annuities, employee benefits, and asset management services worldwide. It operates through six segments: Retirement and Income Solutions; Group Benefits; Asia; Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and MetLife Holdings. The company offers life, dental, group short-and long-term disability, individual disability, pet insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, vision, and accident and health coverages, as well as prepaid legal plans; administrative services-only arrangements to employers; and general and separate account, and synthetic guaranteed interest contracts, as well as private floating rate funding agreements. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for MetLife Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MetLife and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Midwest Trust Co purchased a new stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 6,402 shares of the payment services companys stock, valued at approximately $2,042,000. A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AXP. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Express in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,454,667,000. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in American Express by 13.7% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 18,025,562 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $4,849,777,000 after purchasing an additional 2,168,445 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in American Express by 25.5% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,752,690 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $1,278,711,000 after buying an additional 965,221 shares during the last quarter. Provident Trust Co. raised its stake in American Express by 136.6% during the second quarter. Provident Trust Co. now owns 1,108,971 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $353,740,000 after buying an additional 640,214 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in American Express by 1.3% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 45,843,893 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $12,334,299,000 after buying an additional 605,900 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get American Express alerts: Insider Transactions at American Express In other American Express news, CEO Stephen J. Squeri sold 112,272 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $329.86, for a total transaction of $37,034,041.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 92,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $30,614,306.60. This trade represents a 54.74% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Douglas Tabish sold 2,515 shares of American Express stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $355.61, for a total value of $894,359.15. Following the transaction, the insider owned 2,515 shares in the company, valued at approximately $894,359.15. This trade represents a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 193,292 shares of company stock valued at $65,363,878 over the last three months. 0.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders. American Express Price Performance Shares of NYSE AXP opened at $367.93 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $253.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.27. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $340.46 and its 200 day simple moving average is $315.45. American Express Company has a fifty-two week low of $220.43 and a fifty-two week high of $371.80. The company has a quick ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The payment services company reported $4.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.98 by $0.16. American Express had a net margin of 14.97% and a return on equity of 33.41%. The firm had revenue of $18.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.03 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.49 EPS. American Expresss revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. American Express has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.200-15.500 EPS. Equities analysts expect that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current year. American Express Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 10th. Investors of record on Friday, October 10th were issued a dividend of $0.82 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 10th. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. American Expresss payout ratio is presently 22.01%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages recently issued reports on AXP. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on American Express from $371.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of American Express from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of American Express from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of American Express from $343.00 to $355.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on shares of American Express from $371.00 to $394.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, American Express presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $332.65. View Our Latest Research Report on AXP About American Express (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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NEW DELHI, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The car used in carrying out Delhi's blast on Monday evening belonged to Mohammad Umar, a resident of Indian-controlled Kashmir, claimed Delhi Police sources on Tuesday. Police said that Umar, a medical practitioner, was seated inside the car when it blew off at around 6:52 p.m. near Delhi's historic monument Red Fort, killing at least eight people and injuring around two dozen others. A few cars in the immediate vicinity had caught fire and many nearby buildings were partially damaged. The sound of the blast could be heard up to 500 meters from the site. According to the police, Umar was the fourth owner of the car, which had been bought possibly two weeks ago. "Dead body of Mohammad Umar has been recovered. A DNA test would be conducted on the dead body to establish his identity," said the Delhi Police. According to media reports and eyewitnesses, the sky above ground zero had turned red immediately after the blast, hinting at some kind of chemical used to carry out the explosion. The blast happened on a day when a huge cache of "inflammable material" was recovered from two places in Faridabad district of the northern state of Haryana. Midwest Trust Co purchased a new position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 19,806 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,161,000. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Westside Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Altria Group by 4.5% in the 2nd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,816 shares of the companys stock worth $224,000 after buying an additional 166 shares during the period. Jacobi Capital Management LLC lifted its position 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 acquiring an additional 168 shares during the period. Bar Harbor Wealth Management boosted its stake in Altria Group by 3.1% during the second quarter. Bar Harbor Wealth Management now owns 5,656 shares of the companys stock worth $332,000 after acquiring an additional 169 shares in the last quarter. Parcion Private Wealth LLC boosted its stake in Altria Group by 1.6% during the second quarter. Parcion Private Wealth LLC now owns 11,172 shares of the companys stock worth $655,000 after acquiring an additional 172 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wealth Alliance LLC grew its holdings in Altria Group by 1.9% in the first quarter. Wealth Alliance LLC now owns 9,452 shares of the companys stock worth $567,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Altria Group Trading Down 0.9% Shares of MO opened at $57.53 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $96.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.13, a P/E/G ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.51. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $63.97 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $61.88. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $50.08 and a 12 month high of $68.60. Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates 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 firm had revenue of $5.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.31 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.38 earnings per share. The companys quarterly 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, research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current year. Altria Group declared that its board has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, October 30th that authorizes the company to buyback $2.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to repurchase up to 1.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically a sign that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. Altria Group Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 15th were issued a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 15th. This is a boost from Altria Groups previous quarterly dividend of $1.02. Altria Groups payout ratio is 80.92%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have recently issued reports on MO. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Altria Group from $68.00 to $61.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Bank of America increased their target price on Altria Group from $64.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Altria Group from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $62.33. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Altria Group 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. National Australia Bank Ltd. (OTCMKTS:NABZY Get Free Report)s share price gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $14.32, but opened at $13.71. National Australia Bank shares last traded at $13.7737, with a volume of 656 shares changing hands. Analysts Set New Price Targets NABZY has been the subject of several recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of National Australia Bank to a strong sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. National Bankshares started coverage on National Australia Bank in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. They issued a sell rating and a $38.00 target price for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Sell and an average target price of $38.00. Get National Australia Bank alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on NABZY National Australia Bank Stock Performance About National Australia Bank The stocks fifty day moving average price is $14.36 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $13.22. (Get Free Report) National Australia Bank Limited provides financial services to individuals and businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. The company operates through Business and Private Banking; Personal Banking; Corporate and Institutional Banking; New Zealand Banking; and Corporate Functions and Other segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for National Australia Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Australia Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE:SMR Get Free Report)s stock price fell 6.2% on Tuesday after Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on the stock from $35.00 to $32.00. Royal Bank Of Canada currently has a sector perform rating on the stock. NuScale Power traded as low as $26.40 and last traded at $26.6720. 19,921,094 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 41% from the average session volume of 14,159,063 shares. The stock had previously closed at $28.43. A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on SMR. BNP Paribas lowered shares of NuScale Power from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. BNP Paribas Exane downgraded NuScale Power from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their price objective on NuScale Power from $44.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. UBS Group upped their target price on NuScale Power from $34.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, August 11th. Finally, Bank of America reiterated an underperform rating and issued a $34.00 price target (down previously from $38.00) on shares of NuScale Power in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and five have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $37.50. Get NuScale Power alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on SMR Insider Buying and Selling at NuScale Power Hedge Funds Weigh In On NuScale Power In other NuScale Power news, Director Corp Fluor sold 2,372,563 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.99, for a total value of $104,369,046.37. Following the sale, the director directly owned 10,085,344 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $443,654,282.56. This trade represents a 19.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . In the last ninety days, insiders sold 15,030,641 shares of company stock valued at $605,953,415. 1.27% of the stock is owned by insiders. Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of SMR. Private Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in NuScale Power by 39.4% in the second quarter. Private Wealth Partners LLC now owns 23,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $910,000 after buying an additional 6,500 shares in the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp grew its position in shares of NuScale Power by 23.3% in the second quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 47,645 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,885,000 after purchasing an additional 9,016 shares during the last quarter. Black Swift Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of NuScale Power during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $585,000. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D acquired a new position in shares of NuScale Power during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,943,000. Finally, Balboa Wealth Partners purchased a new stake in NuScale Power in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $466,000. 78.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. NuScale Power Stock Performance The stock has a market cap of $7.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.33 and a beta of 2.03. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $39.11 and a 200 day simple moving average of $36.31. NuScale Power (NYSE:SMR Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($1.85) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.11) by ($1.74). The firm had revenue of $8.24 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.29 million. NuScale Power had a negative net margin of 594.63% and a negative return on equity of 49.74%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1635.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.18) EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that NuScale Power Corporation will post -0.73 EPS for the current fiscal year. About NuScale Power (Get Free Report) NuScale Power Corporation engages in the development and sale of modular light water reactor nuclear power plants to supply energy for electrical generation, district heating, desalination, hydrogen production, and other process heat applications. It offers NuScale Power Module (NPM), a water reactor that can generate 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe); and VOYGR power plant designs for three facility sizes that are capable of housing from one to four and six or twelve NPMs. See Also Receive News & Ratings for NuScale Power Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NuScale Power and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Hold from the twenty-five research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, fifteen have given a hold recommendation, six have issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $52.2609. OXY has been the subject of several analyst reports. Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of Occidental Petroleum from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on Occidental Petroleum in a report on Friday, October 17th. They issued an underweight rating and a $42.00 target price for the company. Melius Research began coverage on Occidental Petroleum in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a hold rating and a $64.00 price target on the stock. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on Occidental Petroleum from $50.00 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an equal weight rating and set a $52.00 target price on shares of Occidental Petroleum in a research report on Monday, August 18th. Get Occidental Petroleum alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on OXY Occidental Petroleum Price Performance Shares of NYSE:OXY opened at $41.79 on Tuesday. Occidental Petroleum has a 1-year low of $34.78 and a 1-year high of $53.20. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. The stock has a market cap of $41.14 billion, a PE ratio of 24.73 and a beta of 0.91. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $44.10 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $43.69. Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.16. Occidental Petroleum had a net margin of 8.79% and a return on equity of 13.78%. The company had revenue of $6.62 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.66 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.00 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Occidental Petroleum will post 3.58 EPS for the current fiscal year. Occidental Petroleum Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 10th. Occidental Petroleums dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 56.80%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Occidental Petroleum by 17.8% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 80,230,989 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $3,960,202,000 after acquiring an additional 12,107,285 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Occidental Petroleum by 22.0% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 18,089,878 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $756,796,000 after purchasing an additional 3,267,269 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in shares of Occidental Petroleum in the first quarter worth about $99,853,000. Swedbank AB bought a new stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum in the third quarter valued at approximately $35,517,000. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 9.6% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 8,128,136 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $401,162,000 after buying an additional 710,220 shares in the last quarter. 88.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Occidental Petroleum (Get Free Report) Occidental Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States, the Middle East, and North Africa. It operates through three segments: Oil and Gas, Chemical, and Midstream and Marketing. The company's Oil and Gas segment explores for, develops, and produces oil and condensate, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Occidental Petroleum Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Occidental Petroleum and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:ORA Get Free Report) insider Jessica Woelfel sold 368 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.36, for a total transaction of $41,348.48. Following the sale, the insider owned 3,433 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $385,731.88. The trade was a 9.68% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Jessica Woelfel also recently made the following trade(s): Get Ormat Technologies alerts: On Monday, November 10th, Jessica Woelfel sold 721 shares of Ormat Technologies stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.00, for a total transaction of $82,915.00. On Monday, September 29th, Jessica Woelfel sold 5,611 shares of Ormat Technologies stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.80, for a total value of $531,922.80. On Friday, August 22nd, Jessica Woelfel sold 692 shares of Ormat Technologies stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.57, for a total value of $65,442.44. Ormat Technologies Stock Up 0.9% Shares of ORA stock traded up $0.99 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $114.47. The companys stock had a trading volume of 689,322 shares, compared to its average volume of 531,244. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $100.97 and a 200 day moving average price of $89.12. The stock has a market cap of $6.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.24, a PEG ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.70. Ormat Technologies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $61.58 and a 52-week high of $115.72. Ormat Technologies Dividend Announcement Ormat Technologies ( NYSE:ORA Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The energy company reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.37 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $249.73 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $235.03 million. Ormat Technologies had a return on equity of 5.47% and a net margin of 14.49%.Ormat Technologiess revenue for the quarter was up 17.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.36 EPS. Ormat Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Research analysts predict that Ormat Technologies, Inc. will post 1.94 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 17th. Ormat Technologiess payout ratio is presently 22.02%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ormat Technologies Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Teacher Retirement System of Texas acquired a new stake in Ormat Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $593,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Ormat Technologies by 1.0% in the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 133,227 shares of the energy companys stock worth $9,428,000 after acquiring an additional 1,321 shares during the period. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale boosted its stake in shares of Ormat Technologies by 8.5% in the first quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 9,049 shares of the energy companys stock worth $631,000 after acquiring an additional 711 shares during the last quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System raised its position in shares of Ormat Technologies by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 13,800 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $977,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the period. Finally, Xponance Inc. lifted its stake in Ormat Technologies by 12.4% during the first quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 9,839 shares of the energy companys stock worth $696,000 after purchasing an additional 1,082 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.49% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Baird R W raised Ormat Technologies from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Cowen reissued a hold rating on shares of Ormat Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Roth Capital reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $125.00 price target on shares of Ormat Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Piper Sandler raised shares of Ormat Technologies from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $90.00 to $102.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Finally, Oppenheimer reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $125.00 price target on shares of Ormat Technologies in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ormat Technologies presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $115.44. View Our Latest Report on ORA Ormat Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Ormat Technologies, Inc engages in the geothermal and recovered energy power business in the United States, Indonesia, Kenya, Turkey, Chile, Guatemala, Guadeloupe, New Zealand, Honduras, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Electricity, Product, and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment develops, builds, owns, and operates geothermal, solar photovoltaic, and recovered energy-based power plants; and sells electricity. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Ormat Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ormat Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Outokumpu (OTCMKTS:OUTKY Get Free Report) shares gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $2.08, but opened at $2.1650. Outokumpu shares last traded at $2.1650, with a volume of 1,442 shares. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms recently issued reports on OUTKY. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Outokumpu in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Danske raised Outokumpu to a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded Outokumpu from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Barclays lowered shares of Outokumpu from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Reduce. Get Outokumpu alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on OUTKY Outokumpu Stock Up 4.1% The company has a current ratio of 1.76, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $2.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $2.01. The company has a market capitalization of $2.05 billion, a P/E ratio of -18.04 and a beta of 0.71. Outokumpu (OTCMKTS:OUTKY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported ($0.04) earnings per share for the quarter. Outokumpu had a negative net margin of 1.83% and a negative return on equity of 2.90%. The company had revenue of $1.52 billion for the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Outokumpu will post 0.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Outokumpu Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 6th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 16th were issued a dividend of $0.0343 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, October 15th. This represents a dividend yield of 297.0%. Outokumpus dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -33.33%. Outokumpu Company Profile (Get Free Report) Outokumpu Oyj produces and sells various stainless steel products in Finland, other European countries, North America, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Europe, Americas, and Ferrochrome. It offers cold rolled coils, strips, and sheets; hot rolled coils, strips, and plates; quarto plates; precision strips; and specialized components, such as welded stainless-steel I-beams, H-beams, hollow-section tubes, bent profiles, structural sections, hardened and customized press plates, suction roll shells, and blancs and disks. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Outokumpu Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Outokumpu and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Palouse Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 1,694 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $132,000. Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of WAL. WCM Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 5.4% in the 2nd quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 234,809 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $18,226,000 after acquiring an additional 12,116 shares in the last quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 0.9% during the second quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 2,313,336 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $180,394,000 after acquiring an additional 20,704 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation by 16.8% in the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 34,078 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,618,000 after acquiring an additional 4,895 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation by 27.6% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 6,304 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $484,000 after purchasing an additional 1,364 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 5.9% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 6,076,021 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $466,821,000 after purchasing an additional 339,758 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.15% of the companys stock. Get Western Alliance Bancorporation alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Western Alliance Bancorporation from $90.00 to $85.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Cowen started coverage on Western Alliance Bancorporation in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. DA Davidson raised their target price on shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation from $90.00 to $98.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 21st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation from $93.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $100.53. Western Alliance Bancorporation Price Performance Shares of WAL stock opened at $79.58 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $8.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.84, a PEG ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The stocks 50-day moving average is $83.36 and its 200 day moving average is $80.05. Western Alliance Bancorporation has a 1-year low of $57.05 and a 1-year high of $98.10. Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $718.00 million during the quarter. Western Alliance Bancorporation had a return on equity of 12.93% and a net margin of 17.14%. Research analysts predict that Western Alliance Bancorporation will post 9.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Western Alliance Bancorporation Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th will be issued a $0.42 dividend. This is an increase from Western Alliance Bancorporations previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 13th. Western Alliance Bancorporations payout ratio is currently 20.77%. Insider Buying and Selling at Western Alliance Bancorporation In related news, CFO Dale Gibbons acquired 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 30th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $77.00 per share, for a total transaction of $308,000.00. Following the acquisition, the chief financial officer owned 300,358 shares in the company, valued at $23,127,566. The trade was a 1.35% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 2.68% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Western Alliance Bancorporation Company Profile (Free Report) Western Alliance Bancorporation operates as the bank holding company for Western Alliance Bank that provides various banking products and related services primarily in Arizona, California, and Nevada. It operates through Commercial and Consumer Related segments. The company offers deposit products, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as fixed-rate and fixed maturity certificates of deposit accounts; demand deposits; and treasury management and residential mortgage products and services. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Western Alliance Bancorporation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Western Alliance Bancorporation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Profund Advisors LLC lessened its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC Free Report) by 10.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,131 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 710 shares during the quarter. Profund Advisors LLCs holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $1,340,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.3% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 45,321,445 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $11,059,792,000 after acquiring an additional 581,930 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 54.2% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 12,814,788 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,127,193,000 after purchasing an additional 4,505,548 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 8.5% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,345,211 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,060,362,000 after purchasing an additional 340,907 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,038,594,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2.4% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,858,136 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $697,471,000 after buying an additional 65,778 shares during the period. 87.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Marsh & McLennan Companies alerts: Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 1.2% Shares of NYSE:MMC opened at $177.89 on Tuesday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $174.18 and a fifty-two week high of $248.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $194.94 and its 200-day simple moving average is $208.92. The company has a market cap of $87.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.33, a PEG ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.78. Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement Marsh & McLennan Companies ( NYSE:MMC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.85 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.78 by $0.07. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 15.60% and a return on equity of 31.79%. The firm had revenue of $6.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.34 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.63 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 2nd will be paid a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 2nd. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Marsh & McLennan Companiess payout ratio is 43.17%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on MMC. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $248.00 to $242.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. They issued a peer perform rating on the stock. TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $213.00 to $200.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Citigroup assumed coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. They set a neutral rating and a $226.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $222.00 to $212.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $228.63. Read Our Latest Research Report on MMC Insider Transactions at Marsh & McLennan Companies In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 21,079 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.65, for a total value of $4,334,896.35. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 87,681 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,031,597.65. This trade represents a 19.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock. Marsh & McLennan Companies Company Profile (Free Report) Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc is a professional services firm, which engages in offering clients advice and solutions in risk, strategy, and people. It operates through the Risk and Insurance Services, and Consulting segments. The Risk and Insurance Services segment is involved in risk management activities, as well as insurance and reinsurance broking and services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Marsh & McLennan Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Marsh & McLennan Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PT Bank Mandiri Persero TBK (OTCMKTS:PPERY Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $11.31, but opened at $10.7701. PT Bank Mandiri Persero TBK shares last traded at $11.2750, with a volume of 97,474 shares changing hands. PT Bank Mandiri Persero TBK Price Performance The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $10.65 and a 200 day simple moving average of $11.51. About PT Bank Mandiri Persero TBK (Get Free Report) PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk provides various banking products and services to individuals and businesses in Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Timor Leste, Shanghai, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and the Cayman Islands. The company operates through Wholesale and Retail segments. It offers savings and current accounts, time deposits, demand deposits, and foreign currency savings and current accounts; motorcycle loans, mortgage loan, and housing loans, as well as loans for various purposes, such as education, home renovation, marriage, health, and other needs for individuals; and working capital loans, investment loans, people's business loans, syndicated loans, and micro business loans for businesses. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for PT Bank Mandiri Persero TBK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PT Bank Mandiri Persero TBK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. lowered its stake in shares of Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO Free Report) by 7.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 66,877 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 5,339 shares during the period. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Vornado Realty Trust were worth $2,560,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in VNO. Teacher Retirement System of Texas bought a new position in Vornado Realty Trust during the first quarter valued at about $876,000. State of Michigan Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of Vornado Realty Trust by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 39,700 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,469,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund increased its position in shares of Vornado Realty Trust by 0.7% during 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 purchasing an additional 6,678 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Vornado Realty Trust by 1.1% in the first quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 46,500 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,720,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in Vornado Realty Trust by 1.4% in the first quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 20,482 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $758,000 after purchasing an additional 282 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.02% of the companys stock. Get Vornado Realty Trust alerts: Vornado Realty Trust Price Performance NYSE:VNO opened at $36.34 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $6.98 billion, a PE ratio of 9.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.57 and a beta of 1.57. Vornado Realty Trust has a 12 month low of $29.68 and a 12 month high of $46.63. The company has a quick ratio of 6.82, a current ratio of 6.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The companys 50-day moving average price is $39.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $38.81. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Vornado Realty Trust ( NYSE:VNO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The real estate investment trust reported $0.57 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $435.19 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.52 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Vornado Realty Trust will post 2.31 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several brokerages have issued reports on VNO. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Vornado Realty Trust from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 21st. Bank of America decreased their target price on shares of Vornado Realty Trust from $42.00 to $40.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 25th. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on shares of Vornado Realty Trust from $39.00 to $38.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Evercore ISI raised their price target on shares of Vornado Realty Trust from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH started coverage on Vornado Realty Trust in a report on Monday, October 13th. They set a buy rating and a $48.00 price objective on the stock. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $39.33. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Vornado Realty Trust Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Haim Chera sold 30,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.64, for a total transaction of $1,189,200.00. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 8.42% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. About Vornado Realty Trust (Free Report) Vornado Realty Trust is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Vornado Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vornado Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. COLOMBO, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has deployed 5,000 Civil Security Department (CSD) officers to support efforts to curb the growing human-elephant conflict, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala told the parliament on Monday. Responding to a question from a lawmaker, Wijepala said 3,975 officers have already been assigned, with the remainder to be deployed soon to assist the Department of Wildlife Conservation in protecting both communities and elephants. The minister said a further 10,000 CSD officers will also be deployed to assist the Police Department, with special allowances to be provided for their duties. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. lessened its holdings in Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE:KRG Free Report) by 7.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 88,397 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 7,018 shares during the quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Kite Realty Group Trust were worth $2,004,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Connable Office Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust during the 2nd quarter worth $221,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in Kite Realty Group Trust by 6.3% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,788,714 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $40,514,000 after acquiring an additional 105,937 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its stake in Kite Realty Group Trust by 63.3% during the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 104,450 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,366,000 after acquiring an additional 40,485 shares in the last quarter. Versor Investments LP acquired a new position in Kite Realty Group Trust during the second quarter worth about $288,000. Finally, Strs Ohio lifted its holdings in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust by 5.9% in the second quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 971,558 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $22,006,000 after acquiring an additional 54,400 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.81% of the companys stock. Get Kite Realty Group Trust alerts: Kite Realty Group Trust Trading Down 0.7% KRG opened at $22.33 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.70 and a quick ratio of 1.70. Kite Realty Group Trust has a fifty-two week low of $18.51 and a fifty-two week high of $28.24. The companys 50 day moving average price is $22.34 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $22.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.88, a PEG ratio of 6.16 and a beta of 1.13. Kite Realty Group Trust Increases Dividend Kite Realty Group Trust ( NYSE:KRG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by $0.01. Kite Realty Group Trust had a net margin of 16.34% and a return on equity of 4.23%. The company had revenue of $205.06 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $208.82 million. Kite Realty Group Trust has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.090-2.110 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Kite Realty Group Trust will post 2.05 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.29 per share. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 9th. This is a boost from Kite Realty Group Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. Kite Realty Group Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 181.25%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In KRG has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Kite Realty Group Trust from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their price target for the company from $23.00 to $25.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Citigroup reissued a neutral rating and issued a $24.00 price objective (down previously from $28.00) on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a research note on Friday, September 12th. Piper Sandler reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $24.00 target price (down previously from $25.00) on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Raymond James Financial cut Kite Realty Group Trust from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $26.70. View Our Latest Stock Report on Kite Realty Group Trust Insider Activity at Kite Realty Group Trust In other Kite Realty Group Trust news, CEO John A. Kite sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.70, for a total value of $1,135,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 54,121 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,228,546.70. The trade was a 48.02% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 2.50% of the companys stock. Kite Realty Group Trust Company Profile (Free Report) Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE: KRG) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in Indianapolis, IN that is one of the largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers and mixed-use assets. The Companys primarily grocery-anchored portfolio is located in high-growth Sun Belt and select strategic gateway markets. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KRG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE:KRG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Kite Realty Group Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kite Realty Group Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSE:CP Get Free Report) (NYSE:CP) had its target price dropped by equities researchers at Sanford C. Bernstein from C$121.00 to C$114.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. Sanford C. Bernsteins price objective would suggest a potential upside of 14.37% from the stocks previous close. CP has been the subject of a number of other reports. TD Securities boosted their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$117.00 to C$118.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Citigroup reduced their target price on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$94.00 to C$90.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Desjardins lowered their price objective on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$123.00 to C$120.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Raymond James Financial boosted their target price on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$115.00 to C$120.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$129.00 to C$137.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned 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 C$119.62. Get Canadian Pacific Kansas City alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on Canadian Pacific Kansas City Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stock Up 0.2% Canadian Pacific Kansas City Company Profile Shares of CP stock traded up C$0.17 on Tuesday, hitting C$99.68. The stock had a trading volume of 361,518 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,603,377. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$104.26 and a 200 day moving average price of C$106.19. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.64. The company has a market cap of C$89.79 billion, a PE ratio of 21.67, a P/E/G ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 0.98. Canadian Pacific Kansas City has a one year low of C$94.60 and a one year high of C$118.80. (Get Free Report) Canadian Pacific is a CAD 8 billion Class-1 railroads operating on more than 12,500 miles of track across most of Canada and into parts of the Midwestern and Northeastern United States. It is the second-smallest Class I railroad by revenue and route miles. In 2021, CP hauled shipments of grain (22% of freight revenue), intermodal containers (22%), energy products (like crude and frac sand), chemicals, and plastics (20%) coal (8%), fertilizer and potash (10%), automotive products (5%), and a diverse mix of other merchandise. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Savant Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE Free Report) by 65.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 33,270 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 13,146 shares during the quarter. Savant Capital LLCs holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities were worth $2,416,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Presima Securities ULC boosted its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 1.4% in the first quarter. Presima Securities ULC now owns 11,895 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,100,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. CX Institutional increased its stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 13.8% in the second quarter. CX Institutional now owns 1,445 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $105,000 after buying an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 1.2% in the second quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 17,602 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,278,000 after buying an additional 206 shares during the last quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 1.1% in the second quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 23,096 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,677,000 after buying an additional 251 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Motco lifted its position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 42.0% during the 2nd quarter. Motco now owns 967 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $74,000 after buying an additional 286 shares in the last quarter. 96.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Alexandria Real Estate Equities alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have weighed in on ARE shares. Cantor Fitzgerald lowered their price objective on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $79.00 to $52.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Citigroup reissued a neutral rating on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Zacks Research cut shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $95.00 to $65.00 in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, BNP Paribas lowered Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a hold rating to a strong sell rating and set a $82.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Alexandria Real Estate Equities has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $81.71. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Performance Shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities stock opened at $54.25 on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $76.29 and a two-hundred day moving average of $75.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -21.96, a PEG ratio of 5.06 and a beta of 1.29. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. has a 52 week low of $52.94 and a 52 week high of $114.69. Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.22 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.31 by ($0.09). The company had revenue of $751.94 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $752.90 million. Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a negative return on equity of 1.89% and a negative net margin of 13.43%.The firms revenue for the quarter was down 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.37 earnings per share. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.980-9.040 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. will post 9.32 EPS for the current year. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were paid a $1.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $5.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.7%. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess dividend payout ratio is -213.77%. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Company Profile (Free Report) Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500 company, is a best-in-class, mission-driven life science REIT making a positive and lasting impact on the world. As the pioneer of the life science real estate niche since our founding in 1994, Alexandria is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative life science, agtech, and advanced technology mega campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ARE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Secom (OTCMKTS:SOMLY Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, Zacks reports. Secom Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS SOMLY opened at $8.62 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $16.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.51 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a 50 day moving average of $8.92 and a 200 day moving average of $9.12. The company has a quick ratio of 2.45, a current ratio of 2.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. Secom has a twelve month low of $7.83 and a twelve month high of $10.31. Get Secom alerts: About Secom (Get Free Report) Featured Articles SECOM CO., LTD., together with its subsidiaries, provides security services in Japan and internationally. The company operates through Security Services, Fire Protection Services, Medical Services, Insurance Services, Geospatial Information Services, BPO and ICT Services, and Other Services. The Security Services segment offers static guard, armored car, merchandise, and other services, as well as online security systems. Receive News & Ratings for Secom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Secom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aviva PLC lifted its position in shares of Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA Free Report) by 81.3% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 2,322,896 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,041,684 shares during the period. Aviva PLCs holdings in Stellantis were worth $23,265,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of STLA. Deutsche Bank AG acquired a new position in Stellantis during the 1st quarter valued at about $368,520,000. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Stellantis during the first quarter valued at approximately $1,755,000. Amundi raised its holdings in Stellantis by 6.4% during the first quarter. Amundi now owns 78,473,374 shares of the companys stock worth $801,213,000 after purchasing an additional 4,708,200 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC lifted its position in Stellantis by 32.6% in the first quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 244,428 shares of the companys stock worth $2,740,000 after purchasing an additional 60,097 shares during the period. Finally, Chou Associates Management Inc. lifted its position in Stellantis by 206.0% in the first quarter. Chou Associates Management Inc. now owns 1,396,388 shares of the companys stock worth $15,654,000 after purchasing an additional 940,000 shares during the period. 59.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Stellantis alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades STLA has been the topic of a number of research reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded Stellantis from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Sunday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating on shares of Stellantis in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Berenberg Bank raised shares of Stellantis from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $11.20 price target for the company in a report on Friday, September 19th. BNP Paribas raised shares of Stellantis to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 9th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane initiated coverage on shares of Stellantis in a report on Monday, September 8th. They issued a neutral rating and a $10.10 target price on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $12.04. Stellantis Trading Up 1.3% NYSE:STLA opened at $10.37 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.02 and a 200 day simple moving average of $9.89. Stellantis N.V. has a 1-year low of $8.39 and a 1-year high of $14.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. About Stellantis (Free Report) Stellantis N.V. engages in the design, engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of automobiles and light commercial vehicles, engines, transmission systems, metallurgical products, mobility services, and production systems worldwide. It provides luxury and premium vehicles; sport utility vehicles; American and European brand vehicles; and parts and services, as well as retail and dealer financing, leasing, and rental services. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding STLA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Stellantis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stellantis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Strathcona Resources (TSE:SCR Get Free Report) had its target price boosted by investment analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from C$34.00 to C$38.00 in a report released on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. Jefferies Financial Groups price target would indicate a potential downside of 8.01% from the stocks previous close. A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on SCR. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Strathcona Resources from C$36.00 to C$40.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Scotiabank upped their target price on Strathcona Resources from C$34.00 to C$40.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. National Bankshares reduced their target price on Strathcona Resources from C$38.00 to C$36.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, TD Securities increased their target price on Strathcona Resources from C$35.00 to C$36.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$36.86. Get Strathcona Resources alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Strathcona Resources Strathcona Resources Stock Up 2.0% About Strathcona Resources SCR stock traded up C$0.81 during trading on Tuesday, hitting C$41.31. 58,191 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 69,353. The firm has a market capitalization of C$8.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.07, a PEG ratio of -2.02 and a beta of 2.61. Strathcona Resources has a 1 year low of C$22.75 and a 1 year high of C$41.72. The company has a quick ratio of 11.09, a current ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 56.06. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of C$36.93 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$33.42. (Get Free Report) Strathcona Resources Ltd. is a Canada-based oil and gas producers with operations focused on thermal oil, enhanced oil recovery and liquids-rich natural gas. The Company has three operations, including Lloydminster Heavy Oil, Cold Lake Thermal Oil and Montney. The Lloydminster Heavy Oil segment has multiple large oil-in-place reservoirs with existing and expanding enhanced oil recovery (EOR) opportunities primarily located in southwest Saskatchewan. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Strathcona Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Strathcona Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Gabelli Utility Trust (NYSE:GUT Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Thursday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 13th will be given a dividend of 0.05 per share by the investment management company on Thursday, November 20th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 13th. The Gabelli Utility Trust Price Performance NYSE GUT opened at $6.10 on Tuesday. The Gabelli Utility Trust has a 52-week low of $4.71 and a 52-week high of $6.20. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $6.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $5.83. Get The Gabelli Utility Trust alerts: About The Gabelli Utility Trust (Get Free Report) Featured Stories The Gabelli Utility Trust is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by GAMCO Investors, Inc It is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC. The fund invests in the public equity markets across the globe. It makes its investments in stocks of companies providing products, services, or equipment for the generation or distribution of electricity, gas, water, telecommunications services, and infrastructure operations. Receive News & Ratings for The Gabelli Utility Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Gabelli Utility Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tiemann Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 470 shares of the aerospace companys stock, valued at approximately $230,000. Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in CW. Penserra Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Curtiss-Wright in the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. 1 North Wealth Services LLC acquired a new stake in Curtiss-Wright during the first quarter worth about $32,000. West Oak Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Curtiss-Wright during the second quarter worth about $49,000. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in shares of Curtiss-Wright by 155.8% in the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 110 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the period. Finally, Flaharty Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Curtiss-Wright during the 1st quarter worth about $69,000. 82.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Curtiss-Wright alerts: Curtiss-Wright Price Performance CW stock opened at $589.37 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day moving average is $540.25 and its two-hundred day moving average is $485.39. Curtiss-Wright Corporation has a 52-week low of $266.88 and a 52-week high of $612.28. The company has a market capitalization of $22.21 billion, a PE ratio of 49.74, a P/E/G ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 1.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. Curtiss-Wright Announces Dividend Curtiss-Wright ( NYSE:CW Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The aerospace company reported $3.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.28 by $0.12. Curtiss-Wright had a net margin of 13.66% and a return on equity of 18.34%. The business had revenue of $869.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $869.03 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.89 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Curtiss-Wright has set its FY 2025 guidance at 12.950-13.200 EPS. Analysts predict that Curtiss-Wright Corporation will post 12.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 10th. Investors of record on Friday, September 26th were issued a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 26th. Curtiss-Wrights payout ratio is currently 7.82%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In CW has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Curtiss-Wright from $525.00 to $568.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 14th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Curtiss-Wright from $565.00 to $645.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and issued a $625.00 price target on shares of Curtiss-Wright in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Curtiss-Wright from $457.00 to $502.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price target on Curtiss-Wright from $525.00 to $537.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Friday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Curtiss-Wright currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $562.83. View Our Latest Research Report on Curtiss-Wright Insider Transactions at Curtiss-Wright In other Curtiss-Wright news, VP John C. Watts sold 1,110 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $480.50, for a total transaction of $533,355.00. Following the sale, the vice president owned 3,863 shares in the company, valued at $1,856,171.50. This represents a 22.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.55% of the stock is owned by insiders. Curtiss-Wright Company Profile (Free Report) Curtiss-Wright Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides engineered products, solutions, and services mainly to aerospace and defense, commercial power, process, and industrial markets worldwide. It operates through three segments: Aerospace & Industrial, Defense Electronics, and Naval & Power. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Curtiss-Wright Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Curtiss-Wright and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor (NYSE:ZWS Get Free Report) Director Timothy Jahnke sold 7,461 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.50, for a total transaction of $354,397.50. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 162,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,695,000. The trade was a 4.40% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor Trading Up 0.3% NYSE ZWS traded up $0.16 on Monday, reaching $47.62. The stock had a trading volume of 430,430 shares, compared to its average volume of 983,562. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 2.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $46.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $41.37. Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor has a 12-month low of $27.74 and a 12-month high of $50.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.52, a P/E/G ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.12. Get Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor alerts: Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor (NYSE:ZWS Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $0.43 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $455.40 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $442.62 million. Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor had a return on equity of 16.26% and a net margin of 11.59%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.34 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor will post 1.36 EPS for the current fiscal year. Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor Increases Dividend Hedge Funds Weigh In On Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.11 per share. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. This is a boost from Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cors previous quarterly dividend of $0.09. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 20th. Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cors payout ratio is currently 39.29%. Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of ZWS. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor in the 1st quarter valued at $265,000. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor by 1.5% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 597,698 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,712,000 after acquiring an additional 8,822 shares during the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor by 36.4% in the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 74,842 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,468,000 after acquiring an additional 19,959 shares in the last quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor by 39.8% during the first quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 105,039 shares of the companys stock worth $3,464,000 after purchasing an additional 29,878 shares during the last quarter. Finally, VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al acquired a new stake in shares of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor during the second quarter worth about $380,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.33% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades ZWS has been the subject of several recent research reports. Zacks Research lowered shares of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Oppenheimer set a $53.00 target price on shares of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor from $50.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, September 12th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $42.83. Check Out Our Latest Report on ZWS About Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor (Get Free Report) Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation engages in design, procurement, manufacture, and marketing of water management solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It offers water safety and control products, such as backflow preventers, fire system valves, pressure reducing valves, thermostatic mixing valves, PEX pipings, fittings, and installation tools under the Zurn and Wilkins brand names. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Cor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Titan America (NYSE:TTAM Get Free Report) is one of 40 publicly-traded companies in the BLDG&CONST MISC industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare Titan America to similar companies based on the strength of its institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends and profitability. Insider & Institutional Ownership 91.0% of shares of all BLDG&CONST MISC companies are held by institutional investors. 3.7% of shares of all BLDG&CONST MISC companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Get Titan America alerts: Profitability This table compares Titan America and its competitors 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% Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Titan America 1 4 3 1 2.44 Titan America Competitors 290 1693 2430 137 2.53 This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Titan America and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Titan America currently has a consensus target price of $17.07, indicating a potential upside of 6.61%. As a group, BLDG&CONST MISC companies have a potential upside of 8.35%. Given Titan Americas competitors stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Titan America has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. Dividends Titan America pays an annual dividend of $0.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. Titan America pays out 16.2% 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 25.9% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Titan America is clearly a better dividend stock than its competitors, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Titan America and its competitors revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Titan America $1.63 billion $166.07 million 16.17 Titan America Competitors $6.77 billion $555.91 million 43.56 Titan Americas competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Titan America. Titan America 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. Summary Titan America competitors beat Titan America on 9 of the 14 factors compared. Titan America Company Profile (Get Free Report) 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. Receive News & Ratings for Titan America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Titan America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TRIPOLI, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The coast guard unit in the western Libyan city of Zuwara, 120 km west of Tripoli, announced on Tuesday that the Zuwara fishing port and the Abu Kammash area were hit by new airstrikes on Monday evening. In a brief statement posted on its official Facebook page, the unit said the strikes targeted sites in the port and the nearby coastal area, offering no further details. The development comes days after the Ministry of Defense of the Government of National Unity announced that it had carried out airstrikes against sites allegedly used for "smuggling activities" in northwestern Libya, including ports in Zuwara. Zuwara is home to one of Libya's most active fishing ports, which has often been accused by authorities in Tripoli of being used for fuel and human smuggling. TreeHouse Foods (NYSE:THS Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities researchers at William Blair from an outperform rating to a hold rating in a report released on Tuesday, MarketBeat reports. Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Barclays upped their price target on shares of TreeHouse Foods from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday. Mizuho lowered their price objective on TreeHouse Foods from $24.00 to $22.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 28th. Zacks Research lowered shares of TreeHouse Foods from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of TreeHouse Foods from $19.00 to $22.50 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of TreeHouse Foods in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, TreeHouse Foods currently has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $24.25. Get TreeHouse Foods alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on TreeHouse Foods TreeHouse Foods Stock Performance NYSE THS opened at $23.60 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 0.38. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $18.95 and a 200 day moving average price of $20.11. TreeHouse Foods has a 1-year low of $15.85 and a 1-year high of $40.77. The company has a market capitalization of $1.19 billion, a P/E ratio of -4.92 and a beta of 0.25. TreeHouse Foods (NYSE:THS Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The company reported $0.43 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.53 by ($0.10). The company had revenue of $840.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $853.53 million. TreeHouse Foods had a negative net margin of 7.25% and a positive return on equity of 5.52%. TreeHouse Foodss quarterly revenue was up .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted ($0.07) EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that TreeHouse Foods will post 1.94 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On TreeHouse Foods Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pullen Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in TreeHouse Foods by 82.2% during the second quarter. Pullen Investment Management LLC now owns 92,355 shares of the companys stock worth $1,794,000 after purchasing an additional 41,680 shares during the last quarter. Phocas Financial Corp. lifted its holdings in TreeHouse Foods by 152.1% during the second quarter. Phocas Financial Corp. now owns 287,083 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,575,000 after purchasing an additional 173,211 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in TreeHouse Foods in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $263,000. Bryce Point Capital LLC purchased a new stake in TreeHouse Foods during the 2nd quarter worth about $676,000. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd purchased a new stake in TreeHouse Foods in the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,025,000. 99.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About TreeHouse Foods (Get Free Report) TreeHouse Foods, Inc manufactures and distributes private brands snacks and beverages in the United States and internationally. The company provides snacking products, such as crackers, pretzels, in-store bakery items, frozen griddle items, cookies, and candies; and beverage and drink mixes, including non-dairy creamer, coffee, broths/stocks, powdered beverages and other blends, tea, and ready-to-drink-beverages. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for TreeHouse Foods Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TreeHouse Foods and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Triple Flag Precious Metals (NYSE:TFPM Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Saturday. TFPM has been the topic of a number of other reports. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating on shares of Triple Flag Precious Metals in a research note on Friday, October 10th. CIBC reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Triple Flag Precious Metals in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Scotiabank decreased their price objective on Triple Flag Precious Metals from $35.00 to $34.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Canaccord Genuity Group lowered Triple Flag Precious Metals from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Triple Flag Precious Metals from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $30.00. Get Triple Flag Precious Metals alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on TFPM Triple Flag Precious Metals Price Performance Shares of NYSE TFPM opened at $29.71 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $6.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.42, a P/E/G ratio of 0.90 and a beta of -0.18. Triple Flag Precious Metals has a twelve month low of $14.51 and a twelve month high of $33.51. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $29.00 and a two-hundred day moving average of $25.47. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01. Triple Flag Precious Metals (NYSE:TFPM Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.02. Triple Flag Precious Metals had a net margin of 59.43% and a return on equity of 9.56%. The business had revenue of $93.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $87.46 million. On average, research analysts forecast that Triple Flag Precious Metals will post 0.71 earnings per share for the current year. Triple Flag Precious Metals Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.0575 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. This represents a $0.23 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. Triple Flag Precious Metalss payout ratio is currently 22.77%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Triple Flag Precious Metals A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of TFPM. Bessemer Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Triple Flag Precious Metals in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. SVB Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Triple Flag Precious Metals during the first quarter worth $34,000. Employees Retirement System of Texas acquired a new stake in Triple Flag Precious Metals in the second quarter valued at $36,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. increased its position in shares of Triple Flag Precious Metals by 100.6% in the third quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 1,408 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 706 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ORG Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Triple Flag Precious Metals during the 2nd quarter worth $97,000. 82.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Triple Flag Precious Metals Company Profile (Get Free Report) Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp., a precious-metals-focused streaming and royalty company, engages in acquiring and managing precious metals, streams, royalties and other mineral interests in Australia, Canada, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Honduras, Mexico, Mongolia, Peru, South Africa, the United States, and internationally. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Triple Flag Precious Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Triple Flag Precious Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prospera Financial Services Inc increased its stake in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO Free Report) by 45.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 16,089 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 5,056 shares during the period. Prospera Financial Services Incs holdings in Valero Energy were worth $2,164,000 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 company. Hoey Investments Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. GFG Capital LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy during the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. raised its position in Valero Energy by 156.6% in the first quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 213 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 130 shares in the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in Valero Energy by 1,277.8% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 248 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 230 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hemington Wealth Management boosted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 39.9% during the 1st quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 333 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the companys stock. Get Valero Energy alerts: Valero Energy Price Performance Shares of VLO opened at $179.34 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $164.87 and its 200-day moving average is $146.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The company has a market capitalization of $54.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.44, a P/E/G ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.01. Valero Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $99.00 and a fifty-two week high of $180.15. Valero Energy Announces Dividend Valero Energy ( NYSE:VLO Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The oil and gas company reported $3.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.15 by $0.51. The firm had revenue of $32.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $28.80 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 1.21% and a return on equity of 8.69%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.14 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 20th will be given a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 20th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. Valero Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 94.36%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $216.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday. Erste Group Bank initiated coverage on Valero Energy in a research note on Monday. They set a buy rating for the company. Citigroup downgraded Valero Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and upped their target price for the company from $134.00 to $150.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Wolfe Research cut Valero Energy from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Monday, July 14th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Valero Energy from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and upped their price objective for the company from $160.00 to $175.00 in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $179.53. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on VLO About Valero Energy (Free Report) Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VLO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Valero Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valero Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Venture Global (NYSE:VG Get Free Report) is one of 90 publicly-traded companies in the OIL US EXP&PROD industry, but how does it contrast to its rivals? We will compare Venture Global to similar companies based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, dividends and risk. Insider and Institutional Ownership 67.3% of shares of all OIL US EXP&PROD companies are held by institutional investors. 86.7% of Venture Global shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 11.1% of shares of all OIL US EXP&PROD companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Get Venture Global alerts: Earnings & Valuation This table compares Venture Global and its rivals gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Venture Global $4.97 billion $1.75 billion 13.49 Venture Global Competitors $3.54 billion $608.39 million 8.23 Profitability Venture Global has higher revenue and earnings than its rivals. Venture Global 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. This table compares Venture Global and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Venture Global 18.89% 22.45% 3.73% Venture Global Competitors -64.81% 9.49% 5.20% Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Venture Global and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Venture Global 1 7 8 0 2.44 Venture Global Competitors 693 3492 5874 228 2.55 Venture Global currently has a consensus price target of $15.93, suggesting a potential upside of 87.39%. As a group, OIL US EXP&PROD companies have a potential upside of 27.99%. Given Venture Globals higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Venture Global is more favorable than its rivals. Dividends Venture Global pays an annual dividend of $0.07 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.8%. Venture Global pays out 11.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, OIL US EXP&PROD companies pay a dividend yield of 3.3% and pay out 39.2% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Summary Venture Global beats its rivals on 8 of the 14 factors compared. Venture Global Company Profile (Get Free Report) Venture Global has fundamentally reshaped the development and construction of liquefied natural gas production, establishing us as a rapidly growing company delivering critical LNG to the world. Our innovative and disruptive approach, which is both scalable and repeatable, allows us to bring LNG to a global market years faster and at a lower cost. We believe supplying this clean, affordable fuel promotes global energy security and is essential to meeting growing global demand. Natural gas is one of the most important resources worldwide and is required to generate reliable electricity that underpins economic development and drives industry. Once natural gas is supercooled to -260F, it converts to liquid form and reduces to 1/600th of its original volume, enabling large quantities of natural gas to be loaded and shipped by LNG tankers. The resulting LNG can be transported to international markets that lack domestic supply, displacing more carbon intensive sources of energy such as coal, diesel, and heavy fuel oil, and serving as an integral part of a cleaner energy future. We believe our business model has demonstrated that in a competitive commodity market, lower cost and overall faster delivery wins market share. Our approach capitalizes on both of these advantages, supporting significant additional growth opportunities. Our Projects We are commissioning, constructing, and developing five natural gas liquefaction and export projects near the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana, utilizing our unique design one, build many approach. Each project is designed or is being developed to include an LNG facility and associated pipeline systems that interconnect with several interstate and intrastate pipelines to enable the delivery of natural gas into the LNG facility. Our five current projects are being designed to deliver a total expected peak production capacity of 143.8 mtpa, which consists of an aggregate of 104.4 mtpa expected nameplate capacity and an aggregate of 39.4 mtpa of expected excess capacity. These amounts do not account for any potential bolt-on expansion liquefaction capacity. The expected nameplate capacity of our facilities measures the minimum operating performance thresholds guaranteed by the equipment providers, and the expected excess capacity represents the additional LNG that we aim to produce above such guaranteed amounts. Although COD has not yet occurred under the post-COD SPAs for any of our projects, we have been generating proceeds from the sale of commissioning cargos at the Calcasieu Project since the first quarter of 2022, and expect to do so at each of our other projects during commissioning prior to achieving COD for the relevant project or phase of a project. Our direct subsidiary, VGLNG, which owns all of our subsidiaries, was originally established in 2013 by our founders. As part of certain corporate reorganization transactions, or Reorganization Transactions, Venture Global, Inc. was formed in 2023 and became the 100% owner of VGLNG. We are a holding company and have no direct operations. All of our business operations are conducted through our subsidiaries, including VGLNG. Our principal asset is the equity interest in VGLNG, which, together with its subsidiaries, owns substantially all of our operating assets. As a result, we are dependent on the ability of our subsidiaries to generate revenues and to make loans, pay dividends and make other payments to generate the funds necessary to meet our financial obligations and to pay dividends to stockholders, if any. Our principal executive offices are located at 1001 19th Street North, Suite 1500, Arlington, VA. Receive News & Ratings for Venture Global Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Venture Global and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. VeraBank N.A. cut its holdings in Deere & Company (NYSE:DE Free Report) by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,706 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 191 shares during the quarter. VeraBank N.A.s holdings in Deere & Company were worth $1,884,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Southland Equity Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Deere & Company by 3.9% in the second quarter. Southland Equity Partners LLC now owns 534 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $271,000 after buying an additional 20 shares during the period. Vivid Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Deere & Company by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Vivid Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,088 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $553,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Werba Rubin Papier Wealth Management boosted its stake in Deere & Company by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Werba Rubin Papier Wealth Management now owns 676 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $344,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the period. Prairie Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Deere & Company by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. Prairie Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 964 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $492,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the period. Finally, Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC increased its holdings in Deere & Company by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 1,803 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $852,000 after purchasing an additional 21 shares in the last quarter. 68.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Deere & Company alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have weighed in on DE. Truist Financial upped their price target on Deere & Company from $602.00 to $609.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Oppenheimer reduced their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $566.00 to $512.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, September 18th. Wolfe Research lowered their price target on shares of Deere & Company from $550.00 to $520.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on shares of Deere & Company from $488.00 to $467.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Finally, DA Davidson dropped their target price on Deere & Company from $595.00 to $580.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $518.72. Deere & Company Stock Up 1.6% Shares of NYSE:DE opened at $475.08 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a quick ratio of 1.98 and a current ratio of 2.19. Deere & Company has a 52-week low of $387.03 and a 52-week high of $533.78. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $465.76 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $490.64. The firm has a market cap of $128.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.83, a PEG ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 1.04. Deere & Company (NYSE:DE Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 14th. The industrial products company reported $4.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.62 by $0.13. Deere & Company had a return on equity of 21.97% and a net margin of 11.72%.The business had revenue of $10.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.33 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $6.29 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that Deere & Company will post 19.32 EPS for the current fiscal year. Deere & Company Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were paid a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $6.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Deere & Companys payout ratio is 33.87%. About Deere & Company (Free Report) Deere & Co engages in the manufacture and distribution of equipment used in agriculture, construction, forestry, and turf care. It operates through the following segments: Agriculture and Turf, Construction and Forestry, and Financial Services. The Agriculture and Turf segment focuses on the distribution and manufacture of a full line of agriculture and turf equipment and related service parts. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Deere & Company (NYSE:DE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Deere & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deere & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vise Technologies Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm purchased 76,452 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock, valued at approximately $3,539,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of BMY. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Bristol Myers Squibb during the second quarter valued at about $25,000. REAP Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 202.8% during the 2nd quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 639 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 428 shares during the last quarter. Accent Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 66.0% in the 1st quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 581 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 231 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. bought a new stake in Bristol Myers Squibb during the first quarter worth approximately $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.41% of the companys stock. Get Bristol Myers Squibb alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have recently commented on BMY. Morgan Stanley reissued a hold rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Daiwa Capital Markets lowered shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $42.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Daiwa America downgraded Bristol Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Finally, Dbs Bank raised Bristol Myers Squibb to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and fifteen have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $57.23. Bristol Myers Squibb Stock Performance NYSE BMY opened at $47.28 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day moving average is $45.25 and its two-hundred day moving average is $46.67. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a 52-week low of $42.52 and a 52-week high of $63.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.54, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $96.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.06, a P/E/G ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.33. Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.63 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 business had revenue of $12.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.75 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.80 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. Bristol Myers Squibb has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.400-6.600 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 EPS for the current year. Bristol Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.62 per share. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 3rd. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 83.78%. Insider Activity In related news, EVP David V. Elkins sold 56,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.33, for a total value of $2,650,480.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 167,379 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,922,048.07. This trade represents a 25.07% 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 hyperlink. Corporate 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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wedbush Securities Inc. trimmed its holdings in Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE:OHI Free Report) by 7.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 17,301 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 1,426 shares during the quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc.s holdings in Omega Healthcare Investors were worth $634,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in OHI. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in Omega Healthcare Investors in the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors in the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd lifted its position in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors by 395.2% during the 2nd quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 1,129 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 901 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its stake in Omega Healthcare Investors by 562.3% during the second quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,828 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $67,000 after acquiring an additional 1,552 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. bought a new position in Omega Healthcare Investors during the second quarter worth $73,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.25% of the companys stock. Get Omega Healthcare Investors alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades OHI has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. They issued an overweight rating and a $50.00 price target for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on Omega Healthcare Investors from $41.00 to $44.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors in a research note on Tuesday, September 2nd. Finally, Mizuho upped their target price on Omega Healthcare Investors from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, September 11th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $44.29. Insider Activity In other news, CIO Vikas Gupta acquired 11,500 shares of Omega Healthcare Investors stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $42.97 per share, with a total value of $494,155.00. Following the transaction, the executive owned 13,773 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $591,825.81. This trade represents a 505.94% increase 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, CEO C Taylor Pickett bought 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $43.14 per share, for a total transaction of $862,800.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 20,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $862,800. The trade was a increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock. Omega Healthcare Investors Price Performance OHI stock opened at $43.96 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 7.10 and a current ratio of 7.10. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $41.55 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $39.33. The company has a market capitalization of $12.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 0.69. Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. has a 52-week low of $35.04 and a 52-week high of $44.21. Omega Healthcare Investors (NYSE:OHI Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.79 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.02. Omega Healthcare Investors had a return on equity of 9.78% and a net margin of 42.23%.The company had revenue of $260.74 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $262.48 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.71 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. Omega Healthcare Investors has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.080-3.100 EPS. Research analysts expect that Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. will post 2.86 EPS for the current fiscal year. Omega Healthcare Investors Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 3rd will be paid a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 3rd. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.1%. Omega Healthcare Investorss dividend payout ratio is presently 149.72%. Omega Healthcare Investors Company Profile (Free Report) Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc engages in the provision of financing and capital to the long-term healthcare industry with a particular focus on skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, independent living facilities, rehabilitation and acute care facilities, and medical office buildings. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Omega Healthcare Investors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Omega Healthcare Investors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wedbush Securities Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of L3Harris Technologies Inc (NYSE:LHX Free Report) by 25.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,473 shares of the companys stock after selling 848 shares during the quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc.s holdings in L3Harris Technologies were worth $620,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of LHX. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in L3Harris Technologies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $299,157,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in shares of L3Harris Technologies by 52.3% during the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 4,117,030 shares of the companys stock worth $1,032,716,000 after acquiring an additional 1,413,833 shares in the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec raised its holdings in shares of L3Harris Technologies by 946.6% during the first quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 784,948 shares of the companys stock worth $164,297,000 after acquiring an additional 709,948 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of L3Harris Technologies by 12.2% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,132,140 shares of the companys stock worth $1,074,208,000 after acquiring an additional 557,610 shares during the period. Finally, Appaloosa LP bought a new stake in L3Harris Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at $62,793,000. 84.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get L3Harris Technologies alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth LHX has been the subject of a number of research reports. Susquehanna reiterated a positive rating on shares of L3Harris Technologies in a report on Friday, October 31st. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on L3Harris Technologies from $265.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, July 25th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of L3Harris Technologies in a research report on Monday, July 14th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of L3Harris Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 22nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their target price on shares of L3Harris Technologies from $274.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, July 25th. Twelve 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 an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $295.63. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, CEO Christopher E. Kubasik sold 83,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $279.90, for a total value of $23,231,700.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 145,578 shares in the company, valued at approximately $40,747,282.20. This represents a 36.31% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.72% of the companys stock. L3Harris Technologies Stock Up 2.2% L3Harris Technologies stock opened at $296.92 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.87. The companys 50-day moving average is $288.45 and its 200-day moving average is $265.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.54 billion, a PE ratio of 33.18, a P/E/G ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.75. L3Harris Technologies Inc has a fifty-two week low of $193.09 and a fifty-two week high of $308.12. L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $2.70 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.60 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $5.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.51 billion. L3Harris Technologies had a return on equity of 11.82% and a net margin of 7.94%.L3Harris Technologiess quarterly revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.34 earnings per share. L3Harris Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 10.500-10.700 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that L3Harris Technologies Inc will post 11.12 earnings per share for the current year. L3Harris Technologies Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Monday, November 17th will be issued a dividend of $1.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 17th. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. L3Harris Technologiess payout ratio is presently 51.56%. L3Harris Technologies Company Profile (Free Report) L3Harris Technologies, Inc provides mission-critical solutions for government and commercial customers worldwide. The company's Integrated Mission Systems segment provides intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, passive sensing and targeting, electronic attack, autonomy, power and communications, and networks and sensors, as well as advanced combat systems for air, land, and sea sectors. See Also Receive News & Ratings for L3Harris Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for L3Harris Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Weil Company Inc. trimmed its holdings in AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV Free Report) by 11.3% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,980 shares of the companys stock after selling 252 shares during the quarter. Weil Company Inc.s holdings in AbbVie were worth $367,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Conning Inc. grew its holdings in shares of AbbVie by 7.1% during the 2nd quarter. Conning Inc. now owns 191,023 shares of the companys stock worth $35,458,000 after purchasing an additional 12,690 shares in the last quarter. Dohj LLC increased its holdings in AbbVie by 41.8% in the 2nd quarter. Dohj LLC now owns 4,529 shares of the companys stock worth $802,000 after purchasing an additional 1,335 shares in the last quarter. First Hawaiian Bank raised its position in AbbVie by 0.8% in the second quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 7,556 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,403,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. BankPlus Trust Department boosted its stake in shares of AbbVie by 3.3% during the second quarter. BankPlus Trust Department now owns 27,113 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,033,000 after purchasing an additional 855 shares in the last quarter. Finally, North Star Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of AbbVie by 0.5% during the first quarter. North Star Asset Management Inc. now owns 161,320 shares of the companys stock worth $33,800,000 after purchasing an additional 756 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.23% of the companys stock. Get AbbVie alerts: AbbVie Stock Down 0.4% ABBV opened at $218.31 on Tuesday. AbbVie Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $163.81 and a fifty-two week high of $244.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $385.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 103.96, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.50. The companys 50-day moving average is $223.40 and its 200 day moving average is $202.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 44.14, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.61. AbbVie Increases Dividend AbbVie ( NYSE:ABBV Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $1.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.77 by $0.09. AbbVie had a net margin of 6.45% and a return on equity of 699.66%. The business had revenue of $15.78 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.58 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.00 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. AbbVie has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 3.320-3.360 EPS. Research analysts expect that AbbVie Inc. will post 12.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Investors of record on Friday, January 16th will be issued a $1.73 dividend. This is an increase from AbbVies previous quarterly dividend of $1.64. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 16th. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.2%. AbbVies payout ratio is presently 524.24%. Analysts Set New Price Targets ABBV has been the topic of several recent research reports. DZ Bank downgraded shares of AbbVie from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $237.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of AbbVie from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, October 25th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on AbbVie from $240.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, September 12th. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of AbbVie from $195.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of AbbVie from $215.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, September 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $236.57. Get Our Latest Analysis on ABBV About AbbVie (Free Report) AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, an injection for autoimmune and intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; Epkinly to treat lymphoma; Elahere to treat cancer; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat blood cancers. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABBV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for AbbVie Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AbbVie and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 5.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,861 shares of the investment management companys stock after acquiring an additional 960 shares during the quarter. The Goldman Sachs Group makes up approximately 4.3% of Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 6th biggest holding. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $14,057,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 17.1% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 3,474 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,989,000 after buying an additional 508 shares in the last quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC increased its stake 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 buying an additional 58 shares during the period. Alps Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 35.7% during the first quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 1,049 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $573,000 after acquiring an additional 276 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 3.7% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 15,063 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $8,229,000 after acquiring an additional 532 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marks Group Wealth Management Inc lifted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 30.0% during the first quarter. Marks Group Wealth Management Inc now owns 624 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $341,000 after acquiring an additional 144 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.21% of the companys stock. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Up 1.4% GS opened at $797.07 on Tuesday. The firms fifty day moving average is $779.07 and its two-hundred day moving average is $704.28. The firm has a market cap of $239.06 billion, a PE ratio of 16.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.41. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $439.38 and a twelve month high of $825.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.23, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 1.11. The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.27 by $1.98. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.18% and a return on equity of 14.79%. The company had revenue of $15.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.68 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $8.40 EPS. The firms revenue was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be given a dividend of $4.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 2nd. This represents a $16.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.50%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades GS has been the subject of a number of research reports. HSBC lifted their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $652.00 to $677.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target 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 report on Wednesday, October 15th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $785.00 to $855.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $843.00 price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Finally, Zacks Research cut shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $779.50. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on The Goldman Sachs Group Insider Activity at The Goldman Sachs Group In other 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 in the company, valued at $79,755,196.68. The trade was a 7.81% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.55% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. The Goldman Sachs Group Company 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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday met with Syrian interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House, widely seen as a crucial step towards normalizing U.S.-Syria relations. It's the first visit by a Syrian leader to the White House since Syria's independence in 1946. Unlike standard state visits, Trump did not greet al-Sharaa at the White House's main entrance; instead, the Syrian leader entered through a side gate in a low-profile arrival. Their closed-door meeting, held in the Oval Office without reporters present, focused on lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria and Syria's entry into the U.S.-led global coalition fighting the Islamic State (IS) group. Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, later announced that he issued a suspension of mandatory Caesar Act sanctions, passed by the U.S. Congress in 2019 amid Syria's civil war, which imposed sweeping sanctions on Damascus. "The suspension of Caesar Act sanctions supports Syria's efforts to rebuild its economy, restore ties with foreign partners, and foster prosperity and peace for all its citizens," Rubio said in a statement. The Syrian side seeks the permanent repeal of U.S. sanctions, which would require the U.S. Congress to act. Trump waived the Caesar Act sanctions on Syria for 180 days when he first met with al-Sharaa in May. During the talks, the Syrian leader agreed to join the U.S.-led global coalition fighting IS, which remains active in Syria, the New York Times reported, citing a Trump administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The United States will also allow Syria to resume work at its embassy in Washington that is focused on counterterrorism, security and economic cooperation, said the report. Syria has launched a large-scale security operation across several provinces to track down IS cells, said Syria's interior authorities on Saturday, when al-Sharaa arrived in Washington. "President Trump made clear the United States expects to see concrete actions by the Syrian government to turn the page on the past and work towards peace in the region," Rubio said in his statement. Washington is reportedly mediating talks on a potential Syria-Israel security accord. Ahead of al-Sharaa's arrival, the UN Security Council voted Thursday to remove al-Sharaa and Syrian interim interior minister Anas Khattab from the IS and al-Qaeda sanctions list. The White House followed suit the next day. Al-Sharaa once joined al-Qaeda and was wanted by the United States as a terrorist with a bounty of 10 million U.S. dollars on his head. He broke his ties with the group years ago and led the rebel forces that toppled then Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Analysts note that after more than a decade of devastating conflict, Syria's political transition still faces daunting challenges. Sectarian violence and attacks by IS remnants persist, while humanitarian and economic crises remain severe. The World Bank estimated in a recent report that Syria's reconstruction needs more than 200 billion U.S. dollars. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc. cut its stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 6.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,216 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 500 shares during the period. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $981,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 0.5% during the first quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 17,327 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $2,298,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the period. FF Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter. FF Advisors LLC now owns 1,904 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $259,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Trust Co lifted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Trust Co now owns 14,018 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,907,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 0.6% in the second quarter. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. now owns 12,555 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,607,000 after buying an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Opes Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 2.9% during the first quarter. Opes Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,854 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $379,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.18% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $149.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Benchmark initiated coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Friday, October 10th. They issued a buy rating and a $145.00 price objective for the company. Daiwa Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $134.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $147.00 price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $147.00. Abbott Laboratories Price Performance Shares of ABT stock opened at $125.88 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. Abbott Laboratories has a 12-month low of $110.86 and a 12-month high of $141.23. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $130.65 and a 200-day moving average of $131.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $218.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.68. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.30. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 17.78% and a net margin of 31.88%.The business had revenue of $11.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.40 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.21 EPS. Abbott Laboratoriess quarterly revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current year. Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 17th. Shareholders 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Viking Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:VIK Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 3,765 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $201,000. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Pittenger & Anderson Inc. acquired a new position in Viking in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Private Trust Co. NA acquired a new stake in shares of Viking during the 2nd quarter worth about $29,000. Costello Asset Management INC purchased a new stake in shares of Viking during the first quarter worth about $33,000. Harbour Investments Inc. raised its position in shares of Viking by 37.2% in the first quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 1,277 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 346 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Viking by 92.0% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 1,440 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,000 after buying an additional 690 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.84% of the companys stock. Get Viking alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages recently issued reports on VIK. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Viking in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Mizuho initiated coverage on Viking in a report on Friday, October 10th. They set an underperform rating and a $54.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America upped their target price on Viking from $51.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Viking from $62.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on Viking from $57.00 to $68.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Viking presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $58.93. Viking Trading Up 2.2% VIK stock opened at $59.66 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 19.33. The company has a market cap of $26.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.25, a PEG ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 2.20. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $60.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $55.20. Viking Holdings Ltd. has a 52 week low of $31.79 and a 52 week high of $65.37. Viking (NYSE:VIK Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 19th. The company reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $1.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.84 billion. Viking had a net margin of 13.99% and a negative return on equity of 374.71%. Vikings revenue was up 18.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.89 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Viking Holdings Ltd. will post 1.49 EPS for the current year. Viking Profile (Free Report) Viking Holdings Ltd engages in the passenger shipping and other forms of passenger transport in North America, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through River and Ocean segments. The company also operates as a tour entrepreneur for passengers and related activities in tourism. As of December 31, 2023, it operated a fleet of 92 ships, including 81 river vessels comprising 58 Longships, 10 smaller classes based on the Longship design, 11 other river vessels, and 1 river vessel charter and the Viking Mississippi; 9 ocean ships; and 2 expedition ships. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VIK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Viking Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:VIK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Viking Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Viking and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 20.2% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 23,810 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 4,000 shares during the period. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $577,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 0.9% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 523,165,127 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $13,257,004,000 after purchasing an additional 4,629,976 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in Pfizer by 6.8% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 62,325,957 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,579,340,000 after buying an additional 3,943,397 shares during the period. Amundi lifted its holdings in Pfizer by 43.4% during the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 52,090,403 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,265,277,000 after buying an additional 15,758,846 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in Pfizer by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 30,296,337 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $767,709,000 after buying an additional 838,198 shares during the period. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG grew its stake in Pfizer by 7.0% in the 1st quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 28,239,197 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $715,581,000 after acquiring an additional 1,846,436 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Stock Down 0.1% Pfizer stock opened at $24.40 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The firm has a market cap of $138.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.98, a P/E/G ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.54. The business has a fifty day moving average of $24.74 and a two-hundred day moving average of $24.39. Pfizer Inc. has a twelve month low of $20.92 and a twelve month high of $27.69. Pfizer Announces Dividend Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last released 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 firm had revenue of $16.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be issued a $0.43 dividend. 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 dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 100.00%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth PFE has been the topic of a number of research reports. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Pfizer from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Pfizer from $33.00 to $32.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $26.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Pfizer from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, September 28th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price target on Pfizer from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Pfizer currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $28.18. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis 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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wynnstay Group Plc (LON:WYN Get Free Report) shares crossed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 354.27 and traded as low as GBX 336.13. Wynnstay Group shares last traded at GBX 344.60, with a volume of 34,790 shares changing hands. Wynnstay Group Stock Up 0.3% The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 358.03 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 354.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.53, a current ratio of 2.00 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The firm has a market capitalization of 79.50 million, a P/E ratio of 21.35 and a beta of 0.58. Get Wynnstay Group alerts: Insider Transactions at Wynnstay Group In related news, insider David Christensen acquired 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 6th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 360 per share, for a total transaction of 10,800. Also, insider Steven Esom acquired 81 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 346 per share, for a total transaction of 280.26. Insiders have acquired 3,587 shares of company stock worth $1,297,776 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 4.10% of the companys stock. Wynnstay Group Company Profile Wynnstay is a leading UK provider of agricultural supplies and services to farmers and rural communities, mainly in England and Wales. It manufactures and supplies a comprehensive range of agricultural inputs for both livestock and arable farmers, including feed, seed and fertiliser. Through its crop marketing arm, GrainLink, it also provides a channel for arable farmers to sell their grain, and its specialist teams provide advice on the latest farming techniques, including environmental measures, and animal health and nutrition. Wynnstay supplies both direct-to-farm and via its extensive network of depots. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Wynnstay Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wynnstay Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY Free Report) Stock analysts at Zacks Research lifted their FY2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of Ally Financial in a research note issued on Friday, November 7th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the financial services provider will earn $3.64 per share for the year, up from their prior estimate of $3.48. The consensus estimate for Ally Financials current full-year earnings is $3.57 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Ally Financials Q4 2025 earnings at $0.92 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.43 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $6.04 EPS. Get Ally Financial alerts: Ally Financial (NYSE:ALLY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 28th. The financial services provider reported $0.99 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $2.06 billion for the quarter. Ally Financial had a net margin of 8.10% and a return on equity of 9.96%. Several other research analysts have also recently weighed in on ALLY. Cowen raised shares of Ally Financial from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Ally Financial from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday. BTIG Research upgraded Ally Financial from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, July 14th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on Ally Financial from $45.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised Ally Financial from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and upped their price objective for the company from $37.00 to $45.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ally Financial has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $45.67. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Ally Financial Ally Financial Stock Performance NYSE ALLY opened at $39.31 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $12.11 billion, a PE ratio of 23.68, a P/E/G ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.92. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $40.58 and a 200-day moving average of $38.46. Ally Financial has a 52-week low of $29.52 and a 52-week high of $44.83. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. WPG Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ally Financial during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ally Financial during the first quarter worth $27,000. Allworth Financial LP increased its holdings in shares of Ally Financial by 385.2% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 752 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 597 shares in the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in shares of Ally Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Ally Financial by 662.0% during the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 823 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 715 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.76% of the companys stock. Insider Activity at Ally Financial In related news, insider Kathleen L. Patterson sold 29,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.86, for a total value of $1,184,940.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 100,203 shares in the company, 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 document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.56% of the companys stock. Ally Financial Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 31st. Ally Financials dividend payout ratio is 72.29%. About Ally Financial (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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Ally Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ally Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT boosted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 17.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,971 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after acquiring an additional 740 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation National Association UTs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $676,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in ABT. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 0.7% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 169,823,136 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $22,527,039,000 after buying an additional 1,177,739 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 12.8% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 29,763,415 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,948,117,000 after acquiring an additional 3,371,113 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 29.2% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 15,985,797 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,120,516,000 after acquiring an additional 3,616,471 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 12.8% during the first quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 14,451,305 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,916,966,000 after purchasing an additional 1,639,954 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 1.3% in the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 13,108,416 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,738,831,000 after purchasing an additional 168,095 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.18% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ABT has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $153.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Barclays raised their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $159.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $144.00 to $142.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Raymond James Financial lifted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $141.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Two equities research 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 companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $147.00. Abbott Laboratories Stock Down 0.4% NYSE:ABT opened at $125.88 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $218.89 billion, a PE ratio of 15.77, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.68. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $130.65 and a 200 day simple moving average of $131.39. 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 52-week low of $110.86 and a 52-week high of $141.23. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.30. The company had revenue of $11.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.40 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 31.88% and a return on equity of 17.78%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.21 EPS. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 17th. Shareholders 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MANILA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Net inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Philippines declined by 40.5 percent year-on-year to 494 million U.S. dollars in August, the Philippine central bank has said. On a cumulative basis, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Monday that the FDI net inflows dropped by 22.5 percent to 5.2 billion dollars in the January-August 2025 period from the 6.7 billion dollars posted in January-August 2024. For the first eight months of 2025, the BSP said the equity capital placements were sourced primarily from Japan, the United States, Singapore, and South Korea. The industries that received the most of these investments were manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and real estate. A displaced man holding his child walks beside tents at a temporary displacement camp on the outskirts of Aden, Yemen, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Murad/Xinhua) ADEN, Yemen, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Each morning under the pale sun, clusters of young Yemenis gather at busy intersections, hoping to secure a day's work before the heat rises. This daily wait has become a familiar sight across a nation where job opportunities continue to vanish as a prolonged conflict grinds the economy to a halt. Once home to expanding businesses and promising development projects, Yemen has seen its labor market shrink dramatically. Factories have closed, investors have withdrawn and thousands of young graduates now search for work that no longer exists. According to government figures, Yemen's economy has contracted by nearly 50 percent, while poverty rate has climbed to around 80 percent. Earlier this month, Yemen's Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Mohammed Al-Zaouri said youth unemployment had approached 60 percent. In major cities like Aden, Taiz, and Lahj, the crisis manifests in groups of young men waiting near construction sites and crossroads, wishing for temporary work. For many, employment has become a matter of chance rather than qualification. "Some days I find work, many days I don't," said 28-year-old laborer Ammar Nasser, who waits daily at a roadside in Aden. "No one imagined a future where we would compete for a few hours of work." Muath Salem, 32, graduated with an arts degree six years ago but never found work in his field. He turned to construction and contracting in Aden, helping build homes and offices. Now even those jobs have disappeared. "There was a time when patience paid off and you would eventually find work," he said. "Now I spend the whole day waiting and return home with nothing. It is painful to want to work and have no chance." A man buys fruit from a vendor at a market in Aden, Yemen, June 29, 2025. (Photo by Murad/Xinhua) For 26-year-old economics graduate Nisreen Ali, the struggle is similar. "There is no space for us in the labor market," she said. "Many of my male classmates are trying to leave the country." Local aid groups warned that prolonged unemployment leaves young Yemenis vulnerable to exploitation and recruitment by armed groups or other informal or risky work. "The economy is at a standstill, and families are under heavy pressure," said Aden-based humanitarian official Haithm Rashdi. "If youth remain outside workplaces, the damage will last for generations." And even those who find work are struggling to survive, as wages have lost much of their value. "A public-sector employee earns between 150,000 and 200,000 Yemeni rials a month -- about 90 to 120 U.S. dollars. With the rapid depreciation of the currency and rising prices, salaries no longer cover basic needs. Many people are forced to take two or three jobs simply to put food on the table," said economic analyst Ramzi Sultan. "The core of the problem is a sharp imbalance between supply and demand. Jobs are scarce, but those searching for work are increasing every day," he said. For 35-year-old Hamdi Abdullah, the loss of a banking job forced him to make a painful choice. After months of unsuccessful job searching, he had to sell his wife's jewelry to fund his travel to Saudi Arabia, hoping to try his luck there. "Leaving my children was the hardest part," he said. "But staying without income was not possible." Yemen has been mired in conflict since late 2014, when the Houthi group seized several northern provinces, forcing the internationally-recognized government to flee capital Sanaa. The war escalated in 2015 with the intervention of a Saudi-led coalition, fueling what the UN describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. A woman promotes products via live-streaming in Xiayi County of Shangqiu City, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 11, 2025. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Miao Yucai/Xinhua) A deliveryman carries a package at a branch of courier service provider SF Express in Wuzhi County, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 11, 2025. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Wang Linfeng/Xinhua) Staff members load boxed apples for sale at an industrial park in Jingning County of Pingliang City, northwest China's Gansu Province, Nov. 11, 2025. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Wang Yi/Xinhua) Staff members work at an automated parcel sorting line of a branch of China Post in Zhenjiang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 11, 2025. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Zhong Xueman/Xinhua) A forklift operator works at a logistics center in Licang District of Qingdao City, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 11, 2025. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Zhang Ying/Xinhua) This drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows staff members sorting parcels at a logistics park in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Si Wei/Xinhua) This aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows trucks unloading goods at a logistics park in Longli County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Yuan Fuhong/Xinhua) This drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows staff members working at an automated parcel sorting line of a branch of China Post in Suixian County, central China's Henan Province. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Xu Zeyuan/Xinhua) A self-driving delivery vehicle transports packages in Yangzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 11, 2025. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Meng Delong/Xinhua) This aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows a self-driving delivery vehicle transporting packages in Yangzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Meng Delong/Xinhua) A staff member promotes products via live-streaming at a culture and tourism industrial demonstration base in Shijiazhuang City, north China's Hebei Province, Nov. 11, 2025. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Chen Qibao/Xinhua) A staff member works at an automated parcel sorting line at an express hub of courier service provider J&T Express in Jiangning District of Nanjing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 11, 2025. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Fang Dongxu/Xinhua) This drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows staff members arranging goods at an international express management center in Rongcheng City, east China's Shandong Province. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Li Xinjun/Xinhua) This drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows staff members sorting parcels at a branch of China Post in Hengyang City, central China's Hunan Province. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Cao Zhengping/Xinhua) Staff members promote agricultural products via live-streaming in Qianxi City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 11, 2025. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Fan Hui/Xinhua) A worker packs products at an e-commerce company in Xiayi County of Shangqiu City, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 11, 2025. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Wang Gaochao/Xinhua) This drone photo taken on Nov. 10, 2025 shows staff members sorting parcels at a branch of China Post in Yangzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Meng Delong/Xinhua) A staff member transports goods at a logistics park in Nanyang City, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 11, 2025. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Gao Song/Xinhua) A staff member promotes local agricultural products via live-streaming at a branch of China Post in Tangshan City, north China's Hebei Province, Nov. 11, 2025. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Zhu Dayong/Xinhua) Staff members sort parcels at a branch of China Post in Shijiazhuang City, north China's Hebei Province, Nov. 11, 2025. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Li Mingfa/Xinhua) Staff members work at a branch of China Post in Tangshan City, north China's Hebei Province, Nov. 11, 2025. E-commerce and logistics companies across China are working at full capacity during the annual "Double Eleven" shopping festival. (Photo by Zhu Dayong/Xinhua) Held with SP capsules | IMPHAL, Nov 10 : A man was rounded up by volunteers of Youth Social Club Cum Information Centre and Meira Paibis at Khurai Lamlong Ayangpalli Road today and 70 pieces of SP capsules were recovered from his possession. According to Youth Social Club Cum Information Centre general secretary Wahengbam Tomba, some people were chasing one Md Yunus Khan (29) s/o Md Serajamat of Khomidok Karong Thong from Porompat crossing. Md Yunus Khan who was riding a two-wheeler (Honda Activa) was intercepted and apprehended by volunteers of the club and local Meira Paibis. On searching his body, 70 pieces of SP capsules, Rs 47,320 in cash and two mobile phones were recovered from his possession, Tomba said. Later Md Yunus Khan was handed over to Porompat police station along with the Honda Activa and all the items recovered from his possession. Rescuers transfer a victim's body following a migrant boat incident in Kedah state, Malaysia, Nov. 10, 2025. The death toll has risen to 12, while a total of 13 people have been rescued after a boat carrying undocumented migrants sank in waters near the Malaysia-Thailand maritime border last week, authorities said on Tuesday. (Malaysian National News Agency/Handout via Xinhua) KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The death toll has risen to 12, while a total of 13 people have been rescued after a boat carrying undocumented migrants sank in waters near the Malaysia-Thailand maritime border last week, authorities said on Tuesday. Another five bodies were found over the course of Monday in the waters of Kedah state, including one child, two men and two women, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Director for Kedah and Perlis states Romli Mustafa said in a statement. He said that search operations had been suspended at 7:30 p.m. local time due to bad weather and had resumed on Tuesday morning. This year alone, two cases involving a total of 436 migrants arrested in the waters around Langkawi, a key tourist destination in Kedah state, have been recorded. Romli said Langkawi's location, being only 2.5 nautical miles from the Thai border, made it a preferred landing point. "They are not coming to Langkawi to remain here but will be taken to other parts of the country," he said. He added that maritime migrant entry attempts largely depend on weather conditions. "Therefore, most cases occur at the end and beginning of the year," he said. Meanwhile, the MMEA said a total of 1,333 illegal immigrants attempting to enter the country via the same area have been intercepted since 2020. During the same period, 24 captains and crew members were also detained for facilitating these attempts. Rescuers transfer a victim's body following a migrant boat incident in Kedah state, Malaysia, Nov. 10, 2025. The death toll has risen to 12, while a total of 13 people have been rescued after a boat carrying undocumented migrants sank in waters near the Malaysia-Thailand maritime border last week, authorities said on Tuesday. (Malaysian National News Agency/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday called on the international community to adopt a comprehensive approach to the control of small arms and light weapons, addressing both symptoms and root causes of the issue. "The international community should take concrete measures to promote economic growth and social stability in relevant countries, eliminate the root causes of poverty, violence, turmoil, and conflict, thus creating the conditions necessary for resolving the root causes of the small arms and light weapons issue," Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, told a Security Council open debate. All countries should uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, commit themselves to the peaceful settlement of disputes, and resolve global and regional security threats through dialogue and consultation, so as to prevent new sources of conflict from emerging, he added. Fu called for collective efforts to improve the governance architecture of small arms and light weapons through multilateralism. The United Nations should play its role as the main channel, promote the comprehensive and effective implementation of international legal instruments on small arms and light weapons, and enhance the authority, universality, and effectiveness of relevant mechanisms, he said. The Security Council should provide political support for peace and reconciliation efforts and post-conflict reconstruction of countries concerned, and assist them in effectively addressing small arms proliferation, he added. Fu urged countries to adopt responsible arms export policies, stop using arms trade as a tool of interfering in the internal affairs of other states, exercise caution in exporting weapons to conflict regions, and refrain from transferring arms to non-state actors. He noted issues such as 3-D printing, modular gun manufacturing, and craft-produced weapons have become increasingly prominent, making the control of small arms and light weapons more difficult. At the same time, however, new technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data also provide new means for strengthening control, he said. China advocates "technology for good" and calls for enhanced exchanges and cooperation under the UN framework to promote the governance of small arms and light weapons in a timely and forward-looking manner, said Fu. China has consistently supported and constructively participated in the governance of small arms and light weapons, earnestly fulfilled its international obligations, strengthened legal and institutional safeguards, and maintained a prudent and responsible approach to arms exports, and advanced international exchanges and cooperation, he said. China stands ready to work with all parties to further advance the governance process, promote lasting peace, common security, and build a world free from gun violence, contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Fu said. NEW DELHI, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Diplomatic missions worldwide expressed grief and solidarity after a car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort on Monday killed at least 10 people and injured about 20, according to Indian authorities. Several countries also issued security advisories urging their citizens in India to avoid crowded areas and follow local guidance. The U.S. Embassy in India offered condolences and said it is closely monitoring the situation. It issued a security alert advising U.S. citizens to avoid the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk areas, remain vigilant in places frequented by tourists, and monitor local media for updates. The British High Commissioner to India conveyed sympathies and shared an updated travel advisory, urging those in the vicinity to follow instructions from local authorities. Envoys from Argentina and France extended condolences on behalf of their governments and wished a swift recovery for the injured. The High Commission of Sri Lanka in India said it stands in solidarity with the people and government of India and conveyed deep sympathies to affected families. Morocco's Embassy in India expressed condolences and support for the injured, while Australia's High Commissioner to India sent sympathies to all affected and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Iran's Embassy in India also extended condolences to the government and people of India and expressed sympathy to the bereaved families. The blast occurred near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort metro station and sparked a fire that damaged several nearby vehicles, according to fire services. Authorities placed New Delhi's international airport, metro stations, and government buildings on heightened security. Home Minister Amit Shah said investigators are reviewing video footage from the area. MANILA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has issued new regulations to strengthen defenses against African Swine Fever (ASF) while ensuring the safe importation of swine and pork products, the country's Department of Agriculture (DA) said Tuesday. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the guidelines introduce ASF regionalization, allowing the recognition of ASF-free zones within accredited exporting countries, in line with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) standards. "The government has been actively working to recover from ASF through a national zoning and movement plan identifying disease-free areas," said Tiu Laurel, underscoring the importance of science-based monitoring, regionalization for ASF freedom, and adherence to WOAH guidelines for safe swine trade. Under the guidelines, only DA-accredited countries may apply for ASF-free recognition. And the Bureau of Animal Industry, through its Risk Import Assessment Team, will conduct a six-month technical review to verify compliance with DA and international standards. China has unveiled a new aerial strike formation featuring its J-20 stealth fighter, GJ-11 stealth drone, and J-16D electronic warfare aircraft. Revealed in a microfilm, the deadly triad showcases Beijings growing capability to penetrate enemy defences through stealth, jamming, and precision strikes. Lastest drone showcased in Chinese PLA Air Force's microfilm To mark the 76th founding anniversary, the Chinese #PLA #AirForce released a microfilm titled "Far-Reaching Dreams" on Tuesday. The microfilm released footage of a #GJ11 stealth #drone teaming up with a #J20 stealth pic.twitter.com/WpFZLYygOc China Military Bugle (@ChinaMilBugle) November 11, 2025 Titled 'Far-Reaching Dreams', the microfilm released to mark the 76th founding anniversary of Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force of China, showed a deadly aerial teaming up of a J-20 stealth fighter jet, a GJ-11 stealth drone and J-16D electronic warfare (EW) aircraft, which, according to experts, would be a perfect combination for penetrating enemy defence lines. GJ-11 is a low-observable, flying-wing UCAV (unmanned combat aerial vehicle) designed and built for precision strike, electronic warfare, and high-value reconnaissance missions, while J-16D is a specialised EW variant of the J-16 aircraft used for SEAD (suppression of enemy air defences) and anti-radar roles. ALSO READ: Understanding China's Fujian aircraft carrier threat: How will the warship change PLA Navy? These can form a coordinated triad in China's advanced SEAD strategy, as they integrate stealth, electronic attack, and autonomous strike capabilities, offering a multi-layered, networked approach to SEAD. The microfilm showed a GJ-11 taking off from the hangar, and making an aerial formation with the stealth fighter jet and electronic warfare aircraft. According to Chinese military affairs expert Song Zhongping, this is a deadly combination as the J-16D EW aircraft can jam and paralyse the radar systems of the enemy while the drone and fighter jet can break through the defence lines of the enemy and destroy major targets. The GJ-11 drone would be able to reach high-risk areas where the stealth aircraft cannot. Global Times quoted another expert as saying that this combination could also be used for other tactics. According to him, the GJ-11 drone can be used for reconnaissance before the J-20 and J-16D are brought in. Besides, it could also act as a wingman drone, offering cover for the manned aircraft. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, on Tuesday, highlighted the importance of the military leadership adapting to rapidly evolving realities in warfare, even as he explained how India's Operation Sindoor was a "compelling example of modern warfare." Speaking at the Delhi Defence Dialogue, organised by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), CDS Gen Chauhan said, in Operation Sindoor, "precision strike capabilities, network-centric operations, digitised intelligence, and multi-domain tactics were effectively deployed within a compressed time-frame." India launched the military operation, Operation Sindoor, on May 7 and decimated multiple terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK) in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. ALSO READ: Had it not been for THIS, Operation Sindoor might not have been as successful, says top IAF official The CDS observed that technological superiority has become a decisive factor in determining success on the battlefield. Gen Chauhan reiterated that warfare remains fundamentally about securing victory, and those who lead in technology will ultimately prevail. Highlighting the impact of emerging technologies, evolving doctrines, and shifting geopolitical dynamics, he asserted that modern warfare is being reshaped by rapid innovation, strategic partnerships, and organisational transformation within the armed forces. DG, MP-IDSA Ambassador Sujan Chinoy also spoke about the role technology plays in shaping modern defence capabilities, and highlighted that armed forces across the world are transitioning from the industrial to the information and cyber age. Legendary Japanese actor Tatsuya Nakadai has passed away. He was 92. The news was first reported by The Japan News. A versatile thespian who excelled in both positive and negative roles, Nakadai was a favourite muse of filmmakers such as Akira Kurosawa and Masaki Kobayashi, delivering iconic turns in Yojimbo, Sanjuro, High and Low, and Kagemusha. He collaborated on five films with Kurosawa. He did 11 films with Kobayashi, including such acclaimed classics as The Human Condition trilogy, Kwaidan, Harakiri, and Samurai Rebellion. Nakadai is also known for his celebrated collaborations with filmmakers such as Hiroshi Teshigahara, Kihachi Okamoto, Hideo Gosha, Shiro Toyoda, and Kon Ichikawa. Born Motohisa Nakadai on Dec. 13, 1932, in Tokyo, Japan, Nakadai began in theater before making his debut in Kobayashi's The Thick-Walled Room (1953). However, his uncredited cameo in Seven Samurai (1954) is widely reported as his debut since the former was released only three years later. Nakadais breakthrough role was in Kobayashi's 1957 film Black River, in which he played an immoral character, a yakuza. Two years later, he was cast in Kobayashi's powerfully moving three-part war epic The Human Condition. Nakadai once again proved his capabilities with the lead role of a revenge-seeking samurai in the tragedy Harakiri, now celebrated as one of the greatest films of all time. It was a milestone in the careers of both Nakadai and Kobayashi. Hiroshi Teshigahara's The Face of Another and Kihachi Okamoto's The Sword of Doom were among his other striking showcases for his extraordinary range. After Kurosawa's collaboration with frequent muse Toshiro Mifune ended, the director cast him in striking lead roles in Kagemusha and Ran, films that brought him to international attention. Notably, legendary Hollywood filmmakers George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola helped complete Kagemusha when the original studio, Toho, fell short of funds. The two are named executive producers in the film's international version. Japan had, in 2015, bestowed Nakadai with its highest honour, the Order of Culture, for outstanding contributions to art, literature, science, and other cultural fields. BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao on Tuesday held a video conference with Katherina Reiche, Germany's economy and energy minister, during which they exchanged views on bilateral and China-Europe trade and economic issues. Noting that China and Germany are important trading partners to each other, Wang said bilateral economic and trade relations have steadily progressed, with pragmatic cooperation in various fields continuously deepening. China will unswervingly promote high-standard opening up, foster a world-class business environment, and continue to offer development opportunities for foreign-funded enterprises, including German companies. On the issue related to the semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia, Wang emphasized that the root cause of the issue lies in the improper intervention by the Dutch government in corporate internal affairs. The Dutch side is responsible for the disruption and instability in the global semiconductor supply chain. Acting responsibly, China has made utmost efforts by exempting qualified exports to alleviate short-term global supply chain pressures, Wang said. However, ensuring long-term stability of the global semiconductor supply chain requires the Dutch side to demonstrate a constructive attitude and take concrete actions, he added. Wang said that China hopes Germany will play an active role in urging the Dutch government to promptly correct its mistakes, withdraw certain measures, and promote an early resolution of the issue. Reiche said that the German government attaches great importance to developing economic and trade relations with China and admires China's economic achievements and vitality. Noting that bilateral economic and trade cooperation benefits both sides, Reiche said Germany is willing to strengthen dialogue and exchange with China, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote more balanced and sustainable bilateral trade development. Reiche said that Germany pays high attention to the Nexperia semiconductor issue and is willing to continue strengthening communication with the Netherlands. For many of us, growing up, the idea of cancer was always portrayed as an almost inevitable 'end'. Popular culture showed people wasting away, pale faces, dark circles, trembling hands, and a slow, painful decline. Cancer, which remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, claiming nearly 10 million lives in 2020, was synonymous with hopelessness for decades. But those who have lived through it, and survived, tell a different story not of endings, but of endurance, courage, and new beginnings. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also highlighted that almost half of the cancers are preventable by avoiding risk factors, and the disease burden "can also be reduced through early detection of cancer and appropriate treatment and care of patients who develop cancer." "Many cancers have a high chance of cure if diagnosed early and treated appropriately, according to them. And there are enough stories of survivors around us that offer hopestories of individuals and families who refused to give in, who fought back, and who continue to live each day as a testament to survival, resilience, and the possibility of life beyond a diagnosis. 'Laughter, routines, and time with loved ones are just as healing as any medicine' This journey has been one of the most challenging and yet transformational parts of my life, said Kritika Kamthan, a Delhi-based strategic communication professional, recalling the moment that reshaped her world and perspective when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Thyroid Cancer in July 2014. It was a revelation that forever divided her life into a 'before' and 'after.' The news came without warning, shaking her and her family. "My family my parents, siblings and other close relatives were suddenly faced with the fact that someone they love and depend on was under threat, with so many unknowns ahead," she said. It did not help that her references for cancer, like many of us of the same age or older generations, were not ones that inspired hope or confidence. Before my diagnosis, cancer was something that happened to other people. I had seen my grandmother lose her battle when I was young, but I never truly understood the medical complexities, the emotional toll, or what it meant for someones life beyond hospital visits, until I lived it, she shared. The early days after diagnosis blurred into endless hospital visits and consultations. Radiation left Kritika fatigued, and recovery from surgery tested her endurance and patience. Her body began to change in ways she had not anticipatedhair loss, sudden weight gain, and scars that served as daily reminders of the battle she was facing. There were moments when she barely recognised herself in the mirror, and rebuilding a sense of comfort with her own body became an essential part of her healing process. On particularly difficult days, she even felt like giving up. I felt like giving up when results didnt go our way, when loneliness crept in, or when side effects made me doubt if I could continue... But over time, I learned to see these moments as part of the journey, not the end of it, she said. "A conversation with a doctor and a fellow patient helped me shift perspective. I began to see myself not as the cancer patient but as a person with dreams, rights, and a life beyond treatment," she recalled. Through it all, her family was her biggest support system. "In the early days after the diagnosis, there were multiple hospital visits, specialists to meet, decisions to be made, and my family stepped in immediately, who became my support network. They would stay by my side during consultations, help me with logistics of treatment, sit through long waiting hours, hold me when I cried, and stayed strong for me when I was too scared to show my fear," she shared, adding that they even changed schedules, established new routines and even dealt with the emotional exhaustion, to be able to provide her with the support she needed. Knowing I had people who believed in me, who sat by me, who helped carry the burden, made a huge difference. Sometimes their hope became my hope, Kamthan shared. Over the months, she began piecing life together again. The day I finished my last round of radiation stands out vividly. The tears that flowed were a mix of relief, exhaustion, and a strange new fear Whats next? "Today, I am cancer-free, but living with follow-up care, and looking ahead with hope. The journey is still ongoing there are follow-up checks, sometimes fear of recurrence, but I feel much stronger, more aware, and deeply grateful for the family who carried me through," she said. Facing the disease as 'a team while keeping ones humanity', ensuring that life does not revolve 'only around treatments, hospital visits, and reports', and finding 'reasons to smile, moments to rest, and things to celebrate', are now as much a part of the narrative for many survivors like her. "Laughter, routines, and time with loved ones are just as healing as any medicine, she advised. 'Family motivated each other' For the family of Pune-based jeweller Eknath Janardan Umale, his father's thyroid cancer diagnosis last year, around Diwali, was a collective shock. They soon realised that cancer does not just affect one person; it touches everyone in the family. When we heard the news, it felt unreal, he said. We knew about cancer because there is even an oncologist in our family, but when it happens to someone close, it hits differently. That day, I thought, Why in our family? The Umale family is a large joint household, and it was this togetherness that became their biggest source of strength. At first, everyone was scared. But gradually, we started living with the journey. We made sure dad never felt alone or different. We motivated each other daily, and that kept us going. His fathers mental strength also inspired them all. He never gave up. Even during treatment, he kept his spirit high. We faced each challenge as a team. Diagnoses like cancer can often take a toll on not just the patient, but their caregivers too, with moments of uncertainty, anxiety and emotional stress. "Sometimes, we did not know what the right step was or how to manage side effects. But our family doctor guided us through everything. That guidance made a big difference, he said. Dr Chaitanya Krishna Sharma (MD, DNB), Onco-Psychiatrist, National Cancer Institute, AIIMS, Delhi, explained that families are often the real backbone of a cancer patients journey, but they too need guidance and support. In many cases, he noted, family members, in their effort to keep the patient positive, may unintentionally put pressure on them to always appear cheerful, which can be unfair and counterproductive. He emphasised that it is normal for patients to feel scared, sad, or low during treatment. We tell families its okay if your loved one feels afraid or overwhelmed, Dr Sharma said. Just being there, listening, and helping with small daily things can make a world of difference. Real support is quiet, steady, and kind. He also highlighted the importance of caregiver well-being, noting that the emotional and physical toll on families is significant. He encouraged caregivers to take time for themselves and attend to their own health without feeling guilty. Awareness about caregiver burnout is crucial. Looking after yourself doesnt take away from caring for your loved one; it actually strengthens your ability to support them, he added. My father still does not know that I had cancer For 40-year-old Babaji Khaire, a farmer from Kalus village in Khed, Pune, cancer arrived like a silent storm. Diagnosed five months ago with Pleomorphic Leiomyosarcoma (PLMS), a rare and aggressive form of soft-tissue cancer. The doctor hesitated to tell me the truth, but I told him to say it. Whatever it is, I needed to face it. I was scared, but after one hour, I made up my mind. I had to stay positive. I had to fight," he said, the memory of the day etched in his mind. "I have seen people in my village die of cancer, people my age and older. When it happened to me, I told myself that this time I will fight." Staying positive and fighting was not just a choice; it was the only one he had. I am the only breadwinner of my family, he said in a voice that carries both the fatigue of someone who has gone through tough rounds of treatment and the firm resoluteness of somebody who has refused to give up in the face of it. I have two kids, my wife, and my parents," he told us, and maybe to remind himself, too. While family was Kamthan's biggest support system, Khaire tried to "protect" him from the news. "My father still does not know about my cancer. He is old, and he worries easily. I did not want him to lose sleep or hope, Khaire said. Despite his cheerful tone, his story tells you it was not an easy fight. When I started treatment, I weighed 54 kgs. After surgery and radiation, my weight went up to 69 kgs. The doctors said my will to live was helping my recovery, he laughed. Routine and a calm acceptance in the face of the challenging times helped Khaire survive. Even today, Babaji wakes up every morning before sunrise and walks to the field, and tends to ita routine he never gave up on when he was going through tough rounds of radiation. These five months were hard. There were days I was in pain, but I kept working. If I stopped, who would feed the family? he said, highlighting that with the financial burdens of supporting his family and treatments, he had no real choice in the matter either. I used my savings and insurance policy for surgery, and my Ayushman Bharat card covered Rs 5 lakh for radiation. The doctors supported me throughout, he said of the financial challenges. Explaining why this journey resonates so deeply with many patients, Dr Sharma noted that when a person first hears the word cancer, it is not just a diagnosis; it is almost like time stops for them. Theres shock, disbelief, and fear of what lies ahead. Many patients describe it as suddenly being thrown into a tunnel without knowing where it leads. For some, the immediate concern is about survival. For others, its about their family, work, or how their life will change. Anxiety and low mood are extremely common at that point. Some people even go through a phase of denial. Its the minds way of protecting itself until its ready to process the truth, he said. Dr Sharma emphasised that mental health is as important as any medicine. One out of four cancer patients has a mental health issue. You cant separate the mind from the body, especially in cancer. When someone feels emotionally supported, when they believe they can still live meaningfully, it changes how they respond to treatment. And importantly, hope isnt about pretending everything is fine. Its about finding small reasons to keep going. Studies show that patients with better emotional well-being often cope better, eat better, sleep better, and tolerate their therapies more smoothly, he explained. Today, Khaire is cancer-free, and he is ecstatic. He now has but one wish: "I just hope it never comes back. A change of perspective towards life: the expert opinion Dr Sharma shared that when patients struggle with fear, denial, or shock after a cancer diagnosis, the first step is often simply listening. He explained that pushing someone to accept their condition too quickly can be counterproductive. It takes time for anyone to come to terms with a diagnosis like this, he said. We explain things in simple language, at their pace, and help them focus on what can be managed right now instead of what feels impossible. He added that his team, which includes psychologists, psychiatrists, and counsellors, works together to help patients and their families find stability. While time constraints sometimes make it challenging to address every emotion fully, Dr Sharma emphasised that they always give their best effort to support both patients and caregivers. Working closely with cancer patients, he noted, has profoundly changed his own perspective on life. Observing individuals confront mortality, sometimes people his own age or even younger, has stripped away unnecessary noise. Lifes fragility and unpredictability become unmistakably clear. Its made me a kinder, more patient person, he said. I dont hold grudges the way I used to, and I try to forgive faster because, in the end, none of us has unlimited time. Dr Sharma also reflected on how witnessing patients fight fiercely for just a few more months of life has deepened his appreciation for everyday experiences. Its made me value my own health and the time I have on this planet. Seeing people fight so hard to simply move, breathe, travel, or laugh makes you cherish what you already have. Thats partly why I chase new experiences and adventures whenever I can, he shared. This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS. As the voting for the 2025 Bihar assembly polls concluded on Tuesday, exit polls have predicted a clean sweep for the National Democratic Alliance this time also. However, it needs to be seen whether the Bharatiya Janata Party will 'graciously' give away the chief minister seat once again for Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar. Over 67 per cent of voters exercised their franchise till 5pm on Tuesday and a historic turnout of 65.08 per cent was reported during the first phase of voting on November 6. Both the key alliances, the ruling NDA and Opposition Mahagathbandhan, believe the high voter turnout would work in their favour. Exit polls suggest the NDA would achieve the majority mark of 122 seats in the 243-member assembly comfortably and form a government again in Bihar. According to poll of exit polls, on average, the NDA will win close to 150 seats, the Mahagathbandhan could win about 90 seats, and others could win two to five seats. In the 2020 assembly polls, the JD(U) won only 43 seats and the BJP won 74. However, going by the alliance's arrangement, Nitish Kumar was made the chief minister of the alliance. Though Kumar severed ties and joined Mahagathbandhan for a brief period, he joined hands with NDA again before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Interestingly, Kumar played an important role in forming the Opposition INDIA bloc at the national level during the Lok Sabha polls. Known for switching alliances in the blink of an eye, it needs to be seen whether the BJP would accommodate Kumar's demands once again if it falls behind in seat tally. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were the main faces of the NDA's campaign in Bihar this election. More than in Bihar, alliance with JD(U) is crucial for the BJP at the Centre. The BJP, which managed to win only 240 seats in the 2024 polls, managed to return to power with the support of the Telugu Desam Party and JD(U). If Kumar walks out of the NDA alliance again, it could also mean an abrupt end to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successive reign at the Centre. According to P-Marq, the JD(U) will win 62-72 seats, and the BJP will emerge as major party in NDA, winning 68-78 seats. Matrize's exit poll has predicted 65-73 seats for the BJP and 67-75 seats for the JD(U). Another pollster, People's Insight, says the BJP will win 68-72 seats and JD(U) will win 55-60 seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Bhutan, asserted on Tuesday that none of the conspirators behind the blast near Delhis Red Fort will be spared. Speaking at an event in Thimphu, Modi said the investigating agencies will get to the bottom of the conspiracy, and all those responsible for this attack will be brought to justice. "Today, I come here with a very heavy heart. The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening has deeply saddened everyone. I understand the grief of the affected families. The entire nation stands with them today, the prime minister said. #WATCH | Thimphu, Bhutan: On Delhi car blast, PM Narendra Modi says, "...The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice." "Today, I come here with a very heavy heart. The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday pic.twitter.com/64aved9Ke1 ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2025 I was in touch with all the agencies investigating this incident throughout last night. Our agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy. The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice, he added. Twelve people were killed and over 20 others were injured as a high-intensity blast ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening. Police and central agencies are investigating the incident as a suicide attack and are examining its suspected links to the Faridabad-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror module. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had recently arrested eight people and seized nearly 2,953 kg of explosives (ammonia nitrate) from Faridabad. Dr Umar Mohammed, a Pulwama-based doctor who had been untraceable since police busted the terror module, is suspected to be behind the Delhi car explosion. A CCTV video from the toll plaza circulated on social media on Tuesday showed a man with a short beard paying the toll tax at New Delhi's entry point from Faridabad, wearing a blue and black T-shirt. For a few seconds, he leaned his neck out of the window, momentarily revealing part of his face, though the footage was not clear enough for identification. Investigators suspect the man could be Dr Umar un Nabi, who is believed to have been involved in the Monday blast that killed over a dozen people and left several others injured. A crucial piece of evidence now being examined is the DNA profiling of Dr Umar un Nabi, who is suspected to have been driving the vehicle. Blood samples of his mother have been collected by investigating agencies, and if the samples match, authorities will be able to establish that the car was indeed driven by Umar at the time of the blast. The results, officials say, could help consolidate links to the module previously busted by the Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir Police and enable them to focus on the larger network. The i20 Hyundai car that exploded had changed hands multiple times from one person to another before it was purchased by Umar. The cars number plate was found to be registered in the name of Mohammad Salman. Police has detained Salman, and during interrogation, he revealed that the vehicle had been sold to another person. However, Umars family has denied that their son owned or purchased the car in question. Responding to the developments, a senior security analyst noted, In many such cases, families are often unaware of what their children are involved in. If he had made any purchases or deals in Haryana or Delhi, its possible the family was not informed. Muzamil, Umar's sister-in-law, said he had been an introvert since childhood, did not have many friends, and mostly focused on his studies and work. He was working as a faculty member at a college in Faridabad. He called on Friday, saying he was busy with examinations and would return home after three days. He was a reserved person right from childhood, Muzamil told PTI. Initial findings by Delhi Police have indicated that ammonium nitrate, detonators and fuel oil may have been used in the blast, which may have a link to the terror module uncovered in Faridabad, where around 3,000 kg explosive materials and inflammables were seized. However, final reports are awaited. According to media reports, the explosion is appeared to have been carried out by the same transnational and interstate module that was busted by the police in Faridabad a day earlier. Recently, J&K Police had arrested two doctors from Haryanas Faridabad and Uttar Pradeshs Saharanpur for alleged links to the terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammad and Ansar Ghazwatul Hind (AGH). Union Home Minister Amit Shah is chairing a crucial security meeting on Tuesday in the wake of a high-intensity blast near Red Fort in Delhi that killed at least nine people. Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha and National Investigation Agency (NIA) Director General (DG) Sadanand Vasant Date are attending the meeting to be held at Kartavya Bhawan. Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat has joined virtually. Shah had earlier visited the blast site and met the injured persons at the LNJP Hospital. He also spoke to the Delhi police chief and the director of the Intelligence Bureau to take stock of the situation. Later, talking to the media, Shah said the blast took place in a Hyundai i20 car at a traffic signal near Red Fort here at around 7 pm. It damaged three to four other vehicles and injured pedestrians and people travelling in auto rickshaws. #WATCH | Delhi: Blast near Red Fort Metro Station | Union Home Minister Amit Shah says "This evening, around 7 pm, a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi. The blast injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. pic.twitter.com/BfRei3r3tx ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2025 "I have also spoken to the Delhi CP and the Special Branch in charge. The Delhi CP and the Special Branch in-charge are present at the spot. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account. All options will be investigated immediately, and we will present the results to the public," he said. Meanwhile, Delhi Police have filed a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosives Act in connection with the blast. Initial investigations suggest that the explosion had links to the Faridabad terror module, where a huge cache of explosive material was seized on Monday. Umar Mohammad, a Pulwama resident and a doctor, was allegedly driving the Hyundai i20 car that was used in the explosion near the parking area of the Red Fort Metro Station, PTI reported, quoting sources. Eight people, including three doctors, had been arrested, and 2,900 kg of explosives had been seized hours before the blast in Delhi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday directed security agencies to hunt down each and every culprit responsible for the deadly car blast near Red Fort in Delhi on Monday evening. The minister said everyone involved in this act will face the full wrath of our agencies. His remarks came after the home ministry handed over the probe into the blast to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). This indicates that the deadly blast is being considered by the government as an act of terror as NIA probes only terror case. Chaired review meetings on the Delhi car blast with the senior officials. Instructed them to hunt down each and every culprit behind this incident. Everyone involved in this act will face the full wrath of our agencies. pic.twitter.com/8UO2PYCvoh Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 11, 2025 "Chaired review meetings on the Delhi car blast with the senior officials. Instructed them to hunt down each and every culprit behind this incident. Everyone involved in this act will face the full wrath of our agencies," Shah said. The statement came after the Union Home Minister chaired two high-level meetings on Tuesday to review the security situation in the capital. Shah was briefed by officials about the developments and then he met them in the morning and later convened another review meeting in the afternoon. The morning meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, and NIA Director General Sadanand Vasant Date. Jammu and Kashmir DGP Nalin Prabhat however joined the discussions virtually. The blast took place in a slow-moving Hyundai i20 at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday around 6.55 pm, killing at least 13 people. Earlier in the day, the Congress urged the government to provide clarity on the blast near the Red Fort. Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said even 18 hours after the incident, there is no clarity whether this was an "attack". "There is no clarity from the government, home ministry, Delhi Police. There is fear and concern among the people that such a thing happened in the country's capital, so it is important to have answers and there should be clarity on it," Khera told PTI. "I don't think that it is appropriate for the government to give out source-based information on such a serious matter. There should be a press conference by the home minister, home secretary or the Delhi Police commissioner, and share information that is needed." With all indications of it being an execution by terror modules, the powerful blast near the Red Fort metro station on the smog-filled evening of November 10, points towards a deliberate plan to carry out an attack on the heart of New Delhi, far away from the ground zeros of Kashmir. And the Red Fort is indeed the centre of Delhi, besides the heavily guarded and secured zone of Lutyens Delhi, which houses all important administrative and government buildings, including Parliament. At last count, 13 people had died in the attack. The dead include the assailants, believed to be three in number, leaving the possibility open as to whether the explosives were being ferried to another destination, with the bombs going off accidentally. The ferrying of the explosives may have been prompted by the recovery and seizure of about 2,900 kilograms of explosive material, weapons, and IED-making components from Haryanas Faridabad, on the outskirts of Delhi, just the day before November 9. The shift in tactics reflects a plan to carry out attacks in urban centres outside Kashmirmuch different from the earlier tactic that began around 2023 with the aim to inflict as many casualties among security forces as possible by luring them into an area before trapping them with volleys of heavy gunfire. The terrain was usually the hills and forests, with the terrorists already well-entrenched in vantage positions, yet with adequate cover from the returning fire. While the investigation is on, preliminary reports are indicative of the involvement of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH)both outfits being headquartered in and aided by Pakistan. Another key facet of this terror strategy is the use of white-collar professionalsdoctors, in this latest terror module bustin executing these attacks. Educated, well-earning, and articulate professionals would attract the least attention from the security forces. Significantly, on October 31, speaking at the Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture on Governance in the national capital, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had said that terrorism had been effectively countered with the last major attack in the hinterland taking place in 2013. He said: Except for Jammu and Kashmir, which had been a theatre of a proxy war or a covert warfare for Pakistan, which is a different ballgame, the whole country has remained secure from terrorist attacks. The busting has revealed a well-organised terror network that spread from Kashmir towns like Pulwama, Kulgam, and Nowgam to the National Capital Region (NCR) territory. Already, several doctors hailing from Kashmir have been taken into custody. A quiet evening at Delhi's Red Fort area turned into chaos within seconds after a slow-moving car exploded near the metro station on Monday. The blast tore through the air, shattering glass windows, shaking nearby homes, and leaving behind a trail of screams, smoke, and silence. Among the dead were people whose only fault was being at the wrong place at the wrong timea father, a son, a breadwinner, and a friend. Each carried dreams that ended on a street they took every day. One of them was Ashok Kumar Singh, 34, a DTC bus conductor from Mangrola village in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh. Another life lost was Lokesh Agarwal, also from Amroha. A small trader, Lokesh had come to Delhi for work and was preparing to return home when the tragedy struck. His body now lies at the Maulana Azad Medical College mortuary, along with other victims, while his family awaits post-mortem clearance. Nouman Ansari, a 23-year-old cosmetics trader from Jhijnhana in Shamli district, had come to Delhi to collect supplies for his shop, but the quick business trip turned fatal. He called in the morning, and said he would be back by night, recalled his friend Sonu outside the hospital. By the evening, we were told to come and identify his body. Nouman Ansari's father was inconsolable and couldn't even stand properly. He was helped by other family members who had come from Shamli to claim the body. "Nouman's elder brother has also been at LNLP hospital fighting for his life for the past six months because of a kidney ailment, and now this death happened in the family, Sonu told THE WEEK. Three others from Uttar Pradesh have been admitted to LNJP Hospital with serious injuries. At LNJP Hospital and Maulana Azad Medical College, families huddle in grief, clutching identity cards and death certificates. The corridors echo with sobs, frustration, and disbelief. Many are still struggling to get the bodies of their loved ones back home, while some others, like the family of Pankaj Sahni, 22, are stranded without help. Pankaj, a resident of Bihar's Samastipur, worked for the cab aggregators, Uber and Ola, and had come near the Red Fort to drop a relative at the railway station. Pankajs father, Balak Ram, stood outside the hospital, with tears and exhaustion written across his face. My sons body is inside. Our family is shattered, he said, his voice cracking. We came to know about Pankaj only after a photograph of a damaged vehicle was circulated in the media. From the photo, we could make out that he was among the victims. We had briefly talked to him two hours before the blast took place, Nikesh, a family member, told THE WEEK. Several families complained that the hospital authorities were not providing ambulances to transport the bodies to their hometowns. Preliminary investigations suggest the explosion originated from within the car, but the exact cause is still being probed by forensic teams. The area has been cordoned off, and CCTV footage is being analysed. Among those unaccounted for was Juma's brother, a rickshaw puller, who was last seen waiting for a passenger near the Metro entrance. His phones last location was traced to the same stretch where the explosion took place. His family in Seelampur has been desperately calling his number, which now remains switched off. I have been searching for my brother since last night, and his last mobile location was near the blast site. His body is not there in the mortuary, and now we are going to look for him in the hospital where the injured people are admitted, Salma says. The area around the Red Fort wore a deserted look. Police and forensic experts combed the debris, marking potential pieces of evidence with white chalk, while fire department personnel stood watch beside the charred remains of the car. For the families waiting outside hospitals and mortuaries, grief has turned into a long, uncertain vigil. Many had come to Delhi with hopes of earning a better life. Now, they leave carrying only memories and ashes. Twenty years ago, on October 29, 2005, a series of explosions ripped through Delhis marketplaces, tearing apart the festive calm of Diwali eve. The blasts at Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj, and Govindpuri killed 62 people and injured over 200, the deadliest terror attack the national capital had seen in decades. Among the chaos and smoke at Sarojini Nagar stood a shopkeeper named Ashok Randhawa, who would go on to dedicate his life to helping others who survived the same tragedy. Over the next two decades, Randhawa would become one of Delhis most persistent voices for terror victims, a man who transformed personal loss into public advocacy. Today, as Delhi reels once again after a car explosion near the Red Fort in November 2025, the first major blast in years, Randhawas journey assumes renewed significance. As soon as Ashok Randhawa, whose colleague was killed in the 2005 serial blasts, heard about the Monday incident, he rushed towards the Red Fort to help the victims. Nine people were killed and about 20 others injured when a blast ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station at 6.52pm. The explosion, which is now being probed under anti-terrorism law, also left nearby vehicles badly damaged. "There are many people from outside Delhi who have lost their relatives in the blast, who cannot take their bodies with them. They are in need of money. So we have arranged for an ambulance or any private vehicle for them to take their bodies," Randhawa, who is the president of the Sarojini Nagar Mini Market Traders Association, told the WEEK. Randhawa was handing over bottles of water and tea to victims' families with moist eyes and consoling them. He also arranged ambulances for some families. The night that changed everything On that Diwali weekend in 2005, Sarojini Nagar was packed with shoppers. Randhawa, then general secretary of the local market traders association, remembers hearing the first loud bang and rushing out to check what had happened. I had stepped out to call the police to control the crowd when the blast went off, he recalls. There was smoke everywhere, bodies scattered, people screaming for help. It looked like the market itself had exploded. That night, he helped carry victims to ambulances and hospitals. But once the smoke cleared and the media moved on, another tragedy began to unfold, that of the survivors. Many were left disabled, widowed, or jobless. Compensation came slowly, and justice even slower. For Randhawa, it was a turning point. From survivor to advocate In the months that followed, Randhawa began visiting hospitals and government offices to assist the injured and the families of the dead. Realising that the state had no permanent structure to support terror victims, he decided to create one. He founded the South Asian Forum for People Against Terror (SAF-PAT), an organisation aimed at ensuring victims received compensation, medical care, and rehabilitation. Over the years, he became the point of contact for dozens of families navigating Delhis bureaucratic maze. The pain doesnt end when the news ends, he told The WEEK outside the Maulana Azad Mortuary. For many, the struggle only begins after the cameras leave. Under SAF-PAT, Randhawa has organised annual memorials every October 29 at Sarojini Nagar, bringing together victims families, survivors, and residents to remember those lost. The ceremonies, often attended by local leaders, serve as a reminder that memory and justice cannot be separated. An uneven fight for justice While Randhawas dedication has remained unwavering, the institutional response has been anything but consistent. The investigation into the 2005 blasts dragged on for years. In 2017, a Delhi court convicted one of the accused, Tariq Ahmed Dar, but acquitted two others, citing lack of evidence. Dar was sentenced to 10 years in prison, a verdict that survivors described as a betrayal. He also highlighted how many victims never received full compensation, and those who did were often trapped in bureaucratic formalities. In some cases, families could not access relief funds because they were locked in fixed deposits. Others said they were still waiting for a job or education assistance for their children. Randhawas recurring demand, one he continues to press is that the government reserve 2 per cent of jobs for families of those killed or permanently disabled in terror attacks. Such a step would not erase the pain, he says, but it would help rebuild lives destroyed by something they had no part in. Each year, as Diwali lights return, Randhawa and a small group of survivors gather near the spot of the first blast. They light candles, offer prayers, and read out the names of the dead. Many passersby stop for a moment, some with tears, others with vague recognition. People forget, Randhawa says quietly. But we cant afford to. Because when a city forgets its victims, it becomes easier for tragedy to repeat itself. 2025 Red Fort Metro blast: Old wounds reopened On the evening of November 10, 2025, a car exploded near the Red Fort Metro station. Flames engulfed nearby vehicles, killing at least eight people and injuring several others. The blast has once again plunged Delhi into shock, reviving memories many believed were buried in the past. For the families who lost loved ones in 2005, the news was more than a headline. Randhawa, too, has been reaching out to the new victims families, offering guidance on how to access immediate medical and financial support. The system still moves slowly, he says. We learned that in 2005. If we dont act quickly, people will be left waiting again. For Delhi, the return of a blast after two decades is not just a matter of national security, it is also a test of institutional memory. The capitals response in the coming months will show whether lessons from 2005 were truly learned. Randhawa believes the first step must be empathy. We cannot treat victims as statistics, he says. The 2005 blasts shaped a generations idea of vulnerability; the 2025 explosion threatens to reopen that chapter. In the middle of both stands Ashok Randhawa, a man who has refused to let Delhi forget its dead, or its duty. The family of Muzammil Shakeel Ganaie, a Kashmiri doctor who was arrested after 360kg of explosives were recovered from his rented room in Faridabad, claimed he was not involved in terror activities. Azad Shakil, brother of Muzammil, said they were unaware of the police action and asserted that his brother was a good person. "It is being alleged that he is a big terrorist. We have no knowledge of it. For the past five decades, there has been no case against anyone from our family," Shakil told PTI news agency. He further claimed that their family had been targeted earlier by stone-pelters for being nationalists. "We are Indians by heart - weve even faced stone pelting for India. You can verify it from anyone in the village," he said. VIDEO | Pulwama: Brother of doctor Muzammil, now arrested in Faridabad terror module case, Azad Shakil says, He last visited us in June during our fathers surgery. Everyone is alleging that he is a terrorist, but we have nothing to do with it. There hasnt been a single case pic.twitter.com/SRiXYUk78Y Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 11, 2025 Muzammil is a doctor at the Al Falah University, which also houses a hospital on its campus. According to reports, he rented the room for Rs 1,200 a month one-and-a-half months ago. Wanted in a case involving putting up posters supporting the Jaish-e-Mohammad in Srinagar, Muzammil was arrested in a joint operation by Haryana and Jammu and Kahmir Police. His arrest came a day before the high-intensity blast near Delhi's Red Fort in which at least 12 people lost their lives. Delhi Police and central agencies are probing the suspected links between the blast and the Faridabad terror module. HELSINKI, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- China is increasingly becoming a pivotal force in global climate governance as the United States retreats and Europe adjusts its approach, Finland's Helsingin Sanomat (HS) said in an editorial on Tuesday. Titled "China is emerging as a key player in climate policy," the editorial noted that the United States is absent from the ongoing 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belem, Brazil. HS said U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is even suspected of seeking to disrupt international climate cooperation, citing Washington's recent veto at the International Maritime Organization against a global emissions-reduction plan for shipping. Meanwhile, European Union leaders, long seen as champions of climate action, are now emphasizing competitiveness alongside climate goals, a shift that HS said could weaken the bloc's climate efforts. With the U.S. stepping back, China is emerging as a decisive force in global climate policy, HS said. It highlighted that China's development strategy increasingly links economic growth with climate objectives, driving the global green transition through technology and investments, particularly in developing countries vulnerable to climate risks. HS praised China's pragmatic climate approach, noting that it often surpasses its own realistic targets. The paper said China has fulfilled most of its previous pledges and unveiled new ones, including expanding renewable energy capacity and further reducing emissions by 2035. HS warned that global emission-reduction efforts still fall short of the Paris Agreement's goals. As the U.S. reduces development funding and some EU countries scale back climate financing, stronger joint action is needed, the editorial said. Nevertheless, businesses continue to back the UN-led climate process, HS added. Finland has sent a corporate delegation to Belem to showcase its initiatives and commitment to global climate action. Polling began in the second phase of assembly elections in Bihar, where 3.7 crore voters will decide the fate of 1,302 candidates across 122 constituencies on Tuesday. High alert has been sounded across the state in the wake of a blast near the Red Fort in Delhi, in which at least eight people were killed on Monday evening. "All district police and several other wings of the Bihar Police have been directed to maintain a close watch and extraordinary vigil to thwart any attempt by anti-national elements by intensifying area domination patrolling and search operations," Director General of Police Vinay Kumar said. #WATCH | Security personnel deployed at a polling booth in Bhagalpur, Bihar. Voting for the second and final phase of #BiharElections2025 will be held today in 122 constituencies across 20 districts of the state. pic.twitter.com/vmCpV0Jc0t ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2025 Security has also been heightened at the Vidhan Sabha building, Legislative Council building, Raj Bhavan, CM's residence, Secretariat, metro stations, railway stations, Patna High Court, district courts, and at other sensitive places. Paramilitary forces have been deployed in sensitive and vulnerable booths. Several points along the India-Nepal border have been sealed to prevent any cross-border movement that could disrupt the electoral process. Katihar, Bihar: On the second phase of Bihar Assembly elections, a voter says, "I want to promote education. I wish for women to progress and I hope the government of Nitish Kumar provides full support for this..." pic.twitter.com/FhrPDyEUf8 IANS (@ians_india) November 11, 2025 The second phase will decide the electoral fate of twelve ministers in the Nitish Kumar cabinetsix each from the JD(U) and the BJP. The JD(U) ministers in the fray are Vijendra Yadav (contesting from Supaul assembly constituency), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Kushwaha (Amarpur), Sumit Singh (Chakai), Mohammad Jama Khan (Chainpur), and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas). Ministers from the BJP in the fray include Prem Kumar (Gaya), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikati), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Neeraj Bablu (Chhatapur), and Krishnanandan Paswan (Harsiddhi). In the first phase, 121 constituencies went to the polls on November 6, with a record voter turnout of 64.66 per cent. The counting of votes will take place on November 14. India came down heavily on Pakistan for making unfounded claims against the country over the Islamabad suicide attack. The Pakistan government accused India of the attack even when the Pakistan Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack near Islamabad District Judicial Complex. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal slammed the Pakistan government and said, "India unequivocally rejects the baseless and unfounded allegations being made by an obviously delirious Pakistani leadership." Calling it Pakistan's "predictable tactic", Jaiswal said it was an attempt by Pakistan "to concoct false narratives against India in order to deflect the attention of its own public from the ongoing military-inspired constitutional subversion and power-grab unfolding within the country." "The international community is well aware of the reality and will not be misled by Pakistan's desperate diversionary ploys," Jaiswal added. The deadly suicide blast near the Islamabad District Judicial Complex on Tuesday claimed 12 lives, and over 25 people suffered grievous injuries. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack. "Judges, lawyers and officials who carried out rulings under Pakistans un-Islamic laws were targeted," the TTP said in a statement. However, despite the Pakistan Taliban's claim, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif blamed India for the attack. Sharif charged "Indian-sponsored terrorist proxies" were behind the attack. "These attacks are a continuation of India's state-sponsored terrorism aimed at destabilizing Pakistan. No condemnation is enough for these attacks being carried out from Afghan soil under Indian patronage," he said. Delhi Police and the central intelligence agencies are probing a terror angle to the car explosion outside the Red Fort after registering a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. The case may get transferred to the National Investigation Agency soon. Sources said initial leads have been traced to the Faridabad terror module, which was recently busted by the Jammu and Kashmir police with the arrest of eight people linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad. The investigation has also brought to light the role of one of the accused, Dr Umar Mohammad, who had been untraceable since police conducted massive raids in Faridabad. Nearly 2,900kg of explosives (ammonium nitrate) had been seized in the raids jointly carried out by the J&K Police and the Faridabad Police. VIDEO | Faridabad: Police conduct a large-scale search operation following the blast near Delhis Red Fort that claimed nine lives and injured several others. Multiple teams are scanning sensitive areas as part of the ongoing investigation. Yesterday, security agencies recovered pic.twitter.com/XPfD0sGgO9 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 11, 2025 Security agencies are probing the involvement of Jaish-e-Mohammad in the terror attack, as well as the suspected linkages of Umar with the car carrying the explosives. Sources said the car originally belonged to one Salman, who sold it to one Devender in March. The vehicle was later sold to one Aamir in October, before it landed with Umar. One Tariq was also involved in the exchanges, said sources. #WATCH | Haryana: Visuals from outside the previous residence of Mohd Salman, who was the owner of the Hyundai i20 car (as per the Registration Certificate) in which a blast occurred near the Red Fort at around 7 pm yesterday. The owner of the rented flat, Suresh, says, "He pic.twitter.com/EjlcJdR4Yw ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2025 Both Aamir and Tariq are now being questioned by the sleuths, who are also probing whether Umar tried to avoid getting identified and moved towards the Red Fort when the blast happened. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah is chairing a high-level security review meeting in New Delhi. Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha and National Investigation Agency (NIA) Director General (DG) Sadanand Vasant Date will attend the meeting. Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat will join virtually. Police are verifying the last known movements of Dr Umar Mohammad, the suspected driver of the white Hyundai car that exploded near the Red Fort metro station in Delhi which killed 13. The probe is to see whether the Pulwama doctor, who is believed to have connections to the failed Faridabad terror plot, triggered a suicide attack in desperation. How did the police identify Umar Mohammad? Officers traced the ownership of the white Hyundai i20 vehicle, with registration number HR26CE7674, which exploded near the Red Fort metro station. The number was found to be registered to a certain Mohammad Salman. Police detained the man, and after interrogation, he revealed that the car had been sold to someone else. The car then changed hands multiple times before it went to Umar Mohammad, NDTV reported. Umar reportedly obtained the vehicle from Tariq, who is also from Pulwama. Tariq and the car's previous owner, Amir, have been detained for questioning by the police. CCTV footage from around the red for also shows a part of Umars face inside the car that exploded before the blast. Security and investigators are analysing around 100 CCTV footage clips to trace the mans movements. Police will also be conducting a DNA test to confirm the driver's identity. Who is Dr Umar Mohammad? Dr Umar Mohammad, the suspect of the Red Fort blast, was born on February 24, 1989. According to sources, Umar had links to the suspected terror group in Faridabad, which was uncovered this week. He was also employed at the Al Falah Medical College in Faridabad, which had also employed Adil Ahmad Rather and Muzammil Shakeel. The two doctors were arrested by J&K police last week, for stocking ammonium nitrate and ammunition in a suspected white collar terror module. Umar was said to be a close associate of Rather. He was also arrested for sticking posters promoting terrorism along with the other two doctors. According to sources, Umar fled from Faridabad after he learnt of the arrest of the doctors in the terror case and the recovery of 2,900kg of ammonium nitrate over the past few days. According to the source, "Umar Mohammad and his associates used Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) to carry out the attack. They placed a detonator in the car and carried out the terror attack in a crowded area near Red Fort." The explosion and suspected attack are believed to have been carried out in panic as the group's terror plan was foiled after the arrests in Faridabad. Jammu and Kashmir police have also detained Umars mother and brothers for questioning. The Faridabad terror module Delhi Police's initial investigation suggests that the Red Fort car explosion could be a 'Fidayeen' (suicide) attack. The probe indicates the suspect's motive - he planned the suicide attack as soon as he learned that the Faridabad module had been busted. All relevant agencies ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2025 Several doctors from Faridabad, including Rather and Shakeel, were arrested over the past few days after being suspected of planning a terror attack. Police had them under the scanner after they were seen putting up posters praising the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad group in Srinagar. ALSO READ | J&K police foil terror plot after tip off from arrested doctor; 350 Kg explosives, AK-47 recovered in Faridabad After raiding GMC, Anantnag, officers recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition along with 2,900kg of explosives, including ammonium nitrate. Police also arrested Dr Shaheen Shahid, a woman doctor who is reportedly a friend of Shakeel, and Dr Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed, who was arrested by the Gujarat ATS in relation to the terror module. The Red Fort car blast A powerful blast tore through a white Hyundai car, which was stopped at a traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi yesterday at around 6:52pm. The blast, described as a 'huge fireball', ripped through several vehicles and killed 13 people and injured several others. According to initial police investigations, the blast site had traces of ammonium nitrate; however, the forensic report, to be released later, will confirm the presence of the compound. A large-scale operation is being conducted in Faridabad in relation to the blast near the Red Fort metro station. A day after the deadly blast that killed at least 13 people at near Delhi's Red Fort Metro Station, a university in Haryana's Faridabad has become the centre of attention as the most of the arrested doctors and the suicide attack suspect were working there. Dr Umar un Nabi, the Red Fort blast suspect, was an alumnus of Al Falah Medical College, which was part of the Al Falah University in Dhauj, Faridabad. Dr Muzammil Shakeel and Dr Shaheen Shahid, who were arrested hours before the blast over possession of arms and ammunition, were also working at Al Falah University. Who runs Al Falah University? The Dhauj-based university, operated by the Al Falah Charitable Trust in 2014, is spread across 70 acres. Recognised by the UGC in 2015, it has an A grade NAAC accreditation. It also operates a 650-bed Al Falah Hospital. VIDEO | Faridabad terror module case: Visuals from outside Al-Falah University in Faridabad, where the arrested doctor Muzammil used to teach. During the investigation, 360 kg of possible ammonium nitrate, an assault rifle, and other ammunition were recovered. Doctor Muzammil pic.twitter.com/Jze4wnjtZq Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 10, 2025 The authorities are now probing whether Al Falah University's laboratories were used to make explosives used in the Red Fort blast that killed at least 13 on Monday evening. Police have also seized 2,900 kg of IED-making material from the terrorists. Dr Shaheen Shahid, the woman doctor from Uttar Pradesh who was detained by Jammu and Kashmir police for alleged involvement with a multi-state terror module, was also working at the university. She was allegedly tasked with creating the woman wing of Jaish-e-Mohammad. The authorities have released the first photo of Dr Shaheen, a resident of Lal Bagh, Uttar Pradesh. She was nabbed after investigators from Jammu and Kashmir recovered weapons and ammunition from her Haryana-registered Swift Dzire car. The seized firearms included one AK Krinkov rifle with three magazines, a pistol with live rounds, two empty cartridges, and two additional magazines. The car was in the possession of Dr Muzammil Shakeel, 35, a physician residing in Koil, Pulwama, who was arrested previously. He was also working at Al Falah University, from where police arrested him. Police also arrested a scholar from a mosque near the university over alleged links with Muzammil. US mediator Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, met in Jerusalem on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the next stage of the United Statesbrokered ceasefire plan in Gaza. The meeting focused on moving from the current truce to Phase Two of the agreement, centred on disarming Hamas, demilitarising Gaza, and establishing an international stabilisation force to oversee security and reconstruction in the enclave. The meeting came a month after Washington and its partners brokered a truce following two years of heavy fighting. Kushner was joined by Israels Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Aryeh Lightstone, adviser to US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Witkoff is expected to visit soon, part of a broader push by the Trump administration to revive its peace plan. The ceasefires first phase brought some progress through prisoner and hostage swaps. Hamas freed 20 hostages and the remains of 24 others, while Israel released nearly 2,000 prisoners and returned 315 Palestinian bodies. But the truce remains shaky. Despite the truce, Israeli forces have killed at least 242 Palestinians. Many in Gaza say they still feel unsafe, with sporadic gunfire and limited access to aid. Phase Two is proving far more complex and politically sensitive. Its main goals include the complete disarmament of Hamas, the full demilitarisation of Gaza, and the exclusion of Hamas from any future governing arrangements in the territory. Netanyahu has stated that Gaza will be demilitarised either the easy way or the hard way, underscoring Israels determination to enforce these terms. Israel is also seeking written assurances from Washington guaranteeing its right to re-enter Gaza should disarmament stall or fail to meet agreed benchmarks. The Rafah tunnel situation is developing into a major challenge, with an estimated 200 Hamas fighters remaining trapped in tunnels beneath Israeli-controlled areas. The United States has been trying to develop this into a test case for the wider disarmament process. The plan under consideration would allow the fighters to surrender their weapons in exchange for safe passage to a third country, forming a pilot scheme for a broader amnesty initiative. Israel has publicly opposed the idea, though diplomatic sources suggest it has not been entirely ruled out in private. Hamas, however, insists that surrendering its arms is a red line. Any Israeli attempt to forcibly remove the fighters could collapse the ceasefire entirely, making the Rafah tunnels a delicate flashpoint with significant implications for the success of the overall plan. Plans for an international stabilisation force have also run into trouble. Jordan will not send troops, Israel has blocked Turkish involvement, and Azerbaijan says it will only join once a full ceasefire is in place. The UAE has voiced similar reservations. Envoy Dr Anwar Gargash said yesterday that Abu Dhabi does not yet see a clear framework for the stability force and will not take part under current terms, though it will continue political and humanitarian efforts. Arab governments are also concerned that the stabilisation force could evolve into a de facto governing authority in Gaza, undermining plans to establish a Palestinian technocratic committee to manage civil affairs. They are also worried about the broader framework of the US-drafted resolution, which is not so forthcoming about the two-state solution. France and Saudi Arabia are pushing for such language to be included, and Riyadh has made clear that a reference to Palestinian statehood is a prerequisite for its support. Despite these divisions, Netanyahu has vowed to enforce the ceasefire with an iron fist. He said Israel remains determined to recover the four slain hostages still in Gaza and to ensure Hamas is fully disarmed. The war has not ended, he said. Gaza will be demilitarised one way or another. Amid reports that the Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah, is attempting to reorganise, a Lebanese journalist and commentator has mentioned how the Iranian proxy has been completely wiped out. The organisation is in a state of complete internal collapse and has lost its operational capabilities. It has lost its public legitimacy in Lebanon and the Arab world, Lebanese commentator Rami Naim told a podcast hosted by journalist Sabine Youssef. Naim claimed that Hezbollah, once considered an effective military force, has become a disintegrated and confused entity. "Those who knew where the remaining missiles are dead," he said. "Hezbollah now doesn't know where its ballistic missiles or precision missiles are. There are no maps. Hezbollah has disintegrated; it's over. I promise you, Hezbollah is finished! They don't even have slingshots and water cannons left!, Naim said. The political faction of the militant group receives orders directly from Iran. "Sheikh Naim Qassem is like this announcer who reads the newscast, but he is not the one who writes it. The Iranians write for him, he only reads," Naim claimed. The commentator also ridiculed Hezbollah's ideological and religious base, wherein they claim that divine forces aid the organisations fighters. The Hezbollah are completely disconnected from reality, Naim said. How do they explain that? Because when we enter battle, the angels come down and fight with us.' Brother, where are they? These angels, why didn't they rescue us from Israel?, Naim said. Maybe they turned out to be Israeli angels? That doesn't make sense!, he added. He also criticised Hezbollah for using the threat of "weapons of resistance" to silence any internal criticism: "You have turned anyone who is against your weapons into a Zionist. Anyone who tells you that he does not want your weapons has become an agent, he said. Naims remarks come amid reports that the Lebanese militant group is secretly rebuilding itself with the help of Iranian agents and internal reforms. According to a report that appeared in the French newspaper Le Figaro, though the group has agreed to disarm in southern Lebanon, it still has weapons in other areas of its influence and is secretly rebuilding its structure. Saudi Arabia has decided to cancel overtime allowance for seven jobs in the health care sector, according to reports. A circular sent in this regard by the Kingdoms Health Ministry stipulated the suspension of overtime work allowance and wage distribution to them. Overtime benefits are being discontinued for Medical Statistics Technicians, Home Healthcare Assistants, Administrative Assistants, Drivers, Security Guards, Messengers, and Contract Workers, according to media reports. The decision is based on the Royal Court circular regarding the cabinet's implementation of the reorganization of allowances and financial benefits. The new decision will come into effect from next month. Instructions to improve workers rights The Saudi Labor Department has issued new directives to strengthen workers' rights. These directives impose strict regulations on working hours, rest periods, and weekly holidays. The measure is aimed at ensuring the rights of workers. The circular has also warned against forcing workers to be present on weekly holidays for extra money. The law explicitly mandates full rest for workers and stipulates that workers should not stay at the workplace for more than 12 hours a day. This regulation prioritizes the health and safety of workers. Employees will not be allowed to work for more than 5 consecutive hours. A mandatory minimum 30-minute rest period for prayer and meals has also been introduced during working hours. There will be no change in Indias Hajj quota for 2026. As in the previous year, 1,75,025 pilgrims from India will be permitted. The IndiaSaudi Arabia Hajj agreement was signed by Indias Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, and Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah. Both sides discussed coordination on arrangements to ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience, including accommodation, transportation, air travel, Mashair Metro, and healthcare services. Rijiju praised Saudi Arabias efforts to ensure the welfare of pilgrims, while Tawfiq Al-Rabiah assured that all necessary measures would be taken to make the Hajj pilgrimage more convenient. A significant step in deepening the IndiaSaudi Arabia ties. Held a Bilateral Meeting & signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement with H.E. Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj & Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Haj Quota of 175,025 has been secured for Indian Pilgrims for 2026, Rijiju said on X. Our discussions on Haj 2026 reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to ensure a safe, seamless & spiritually fulfilling journey for all Haj pilgrims. The visit marks an important milestone in the deepening partnership between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the statement said. Aseem R. Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf), and Ram Singh, Joint Secretary (Hajj), Ministry of Minority Affairs, also took part in the discussions. The minister also held meetings with officials from the Indian Embassy and Consulate. The delegation visited Hajj and Umrah facilities, including the Hajj terminal and metro stations. The minister also interacted with members of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia. A suicide car blast outside a court in Islamabad killed 12 and injured 27 people on Tuesday. The bombing took place at around 12:39 pm, according to Pakistans interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. According to reports, the suicide bomber had attempted to enter the courthouse building situated in the G-11 area. He had remained at the site for about 10 to 11 minutes before setting off the explosion, planning to enter the building. However, after failing to enter, he went near a police vehicle, which arrived outside the courthouse and detonated the explosives. Sources said that the severed 'head' of the suspected suicide bomber was found at the site. They also said that the Fitna al-Khawarij, an Afghan Taliban proxy terrorist group also called the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was involved. Islamabad has long accused Kabul of harbouring terrorist groups that target the country. Absolutely shocked by the blast at the District Judicial Complex in Islamabad, Pakistan. Im currently at an important event and dont have access to my phone. My heart goes out to those who have lost their loved ones. pic.twitter.com/TDRNi2OUjT Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) November 11, 2025 One of the witnesses, Malik, who spoke to AFP, said, It was complete chaos, lawyers and people were running inside the complex. I saw two dead bodies lying on the gate, and several cars were on fire. Mohsin Naqvi said that the country would take swift action if another country was involved. "There are many messages in this attack. If someone from another country is involved, it will not be forgiven," he said. The minister also assured that an investigation is underway. I assure you we will identify him in the next few hours, he said. We are investigating this incident from different angles. It is not just another bombing. It happened right in Islamabad, he added. Pakistans President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his condolences on X. The post said "President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the suicide blast near the Islamabad District Judicial Complex, expressed deep condolences with the bereaved families, prayed for the early recovery of the injured, and paid tribute to law enforcement agencies." President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the suicide blast near Islamabad District Judicial Complex, expressed deep condolences with the bereaved families, prayed for early recovery of the injured, and paid tribute to law enforcement agencies. The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) November 11, 2025 Security and surveillance have been tightened in the area. The attack came a day after a military institute, Wana Cadet College in South Waziristan, was attacked by terrorists. The incident left three people dead. RIYADH, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia aims to develop tourism as its second-largest economic sector to create employment opportunities and achieve long-term economic sustainability, Deputy Tourism Minister Mahmoud Abdulhadi said here Tuesday. Speaking to Xinhua on the conclusion of the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly, Abdulhadi emphasized the Saudi government's significant investments in tourism infrastructure. "We have 29 airports nationwide, more than 70,000 km of roads, and a developing rail network," he noted. He noted the "strong and deep" economic ties between Saudi Arabia and China, and highlighted China as "an important partner" in Saudi Arabia's tourism development. "Chinese companies, with their expertise and technology, have played a crucial role in driving development in Saudi Arabia, and this cooperation will continue for many years to come," he said. Abdulhadi, who visited China recently, expressed his admiration for the Chinese culture's depth and vitality. "I believe that Chinese visitors to Saudi Arabia will find our people exceptionally welcoming and will be deeply impressed by the richness and uniqueness of our culture," he added. Just a few hours after a deadly suicide blast killed 12 people in Islamabad on Tuesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was quick to draw conclusions and pass the blame on India without evidence. This comes as the Pakistan Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack near Islamabad District Judicial Complex, according to The Guardian. Around 27 people were also injured in the blast. Former CIA officer John Kiriakou, speaking to ANI, said Pakistan would lose any conventional war against India. He recalled the 2001 Parliament attack, when the CIA feared full-scale war and the US evacuated civilians from Islamabad in 2002. #johnkiriakou #pakistan #india pic.twitter.com/kdWzUBFVW2 THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) October 25, 2025 "Judges, lawyers and officials who carried out rulings under Pakistans un-Islamic laws were targeted," The Guardian cited the TTP as saying in a statement. Despite this, Sharif alleged that "Indian-sponsored terrorist proxies" were behind the Islamabad suicide attack as well as another attack on a cadet college in Wana near Afghanistan border. "These attacks are a continuation of India's state-sponsored terrorism aimed at destabilizing Pakistan," Sharif was quoted by Associated Press of Pakistan as saying on Tuesday. "No condemnation is enough for these attacks being carried out from Afghan soil under Indian patronage," he said. India has not responded to the allegations yet. However, the MEA has dismissed such allegations levelled by the neighbouring country in the past. Earlier, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the suicide bombing was a wake-up call for the nation. "We are in a state of war. Anyone who thinks that the Pakistan army is fighting this war in the Afghan-Pakistan border region and the remote areas of Balochistan, todays suicide attack at the Islamabad district courts is a wake-up call," he said. The Pakistan Taliban has carried out over 600 terror attacks in Pakistan so far in 2025, most of which concentrated in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. Trade tensions between the United States of America and India seem to have simmered down after months of escalating tariff warfare. During a White House ceremony on Monday, US President Donald Trump signalled that a bilateral trade agreement is within reach, hinting that steep levies on Indian goods would eventually be reduced. The remarks came as Sergio Gor was sworn in as the new US Ambassador to India, with Vice President JD Vance administering the oath in the Oval Office. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was present at the event, with the political buzz surrounding the event indicating an improvement in trade negotiations. Trump told reporters that Washington and New Delhi are "pretty close" to finalising "a fair trade deal"a far cry from his tone earlier this year when tensions peaked. "We're making a deal with India, a much different deal than we had in the past," Trump said. "They're very good negotiators, so Sergio, you will have to take a look at that... We're getting close. I think we're pretty close to doing a deal that's good for everybody," he added, directing his gaze to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. India and the US have been seething from months of contentious trade relations. Between July and August this year, Trump slapped sweeping tariffs on Indian goods, including a 50 per cent tariff on selected imports, which included an additional 25 per cent duty on purchases of Russian oil. India firmly rejected these measures, describing them as "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable," while asserting that its energy policy is guided by national interest. On the possibility of tariff relief, Trump acknowledged that current duties on Indian goods were high "because of the Russian oil", but claimed that India "has stopped doing the Russian oil very substantially". He then committed: "We're going to be bringing the tariffs down... At some point, we're going to be bringing them down". Five rounds of formal negotiations have been completed for the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA). The Centre, last month, hinted that both sides are "very near" to concluding discussions, with teams focused on finalising specific language. The negotiations aim to reach a comprehensive trade agreement targeting $500 billion in bilateral commerce by 2030. Trump also praised India, calling it "one of the world's oldest civilisations" and highlighting its "fastest growing middle class." The appointment of Ambassador Gor came at a critical time, he said, as the US looked to advance a "strategic partnership with the Republic of India". Trump also stressed the need for increased US energy exports, investment in key sectors, and better security cooperation. Gor, who served as Trump's Director of Presidential Personnel before his appointment, is one of the president's most trusted aides and is expected to speed up the resolution of outstanding trade disputes while strengthening bilateral ties between the two democracies. Who is Sergio Gor? Sergio Gor, born Sergey Gorokhovsky in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (then part of the Soviet Union) on November 30, 1986, is a conservative political operative and businessman. At 38, he became one of the youngest US ambassadors to India in history. Gor's family immigrated to Malta in 1994 before settling in Los Angeles in 1999, where he completed high school. He graduated from George Washington University with a degree in Political Science and International Affairs, where he founded the campus chapter of Young America's Foundation and was active in College Republicans. His political career included roles as spokesman and communications director for several Republican lawmakers, including Representatives Steve King, Michele Bachmann, and Randy Forbes, before joining Senator Rand Paul's office as deputy chief of staff and communications director from 2013 to 2020. In 2020, Gor became chief of staff for the Trump Victory Finance Committee and later co-founded Winning Team Publishing with Donald Trump Jr., the conservative publishing house behind President Trump's bestselling coffee-table books Our Journey Together (2021), Letters to Trump (2023), and Save America (2024). At least 12 people have been confirmed dead, and many were injured after a suicide bombing outside a court in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. Many of the injured were petitioners and lawyers. Police officials say that the blast was from a vehicle parked outside the court, the Dawn reported. The incident occurred just a day after the Red Fort Car blast in the Delhi in India, which killed 13. pic.twitter.com/g57Y1JZGth Intazar Hussain Panjutha (@intazarpanjutha) November 11, 2025 The sound from the blast was heard as far as six kilometres from the blast site. The cause of the explosion has not yet been confirmed. Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi who spoke to the media said that 12 people were killed and 27 others were injured. Reports say that the attacker attempted to enter the courthouse. However, after failing to enter, went near a police vehicle to detonate the explosives. Some reports also say that the attacker was on a motorbike. Sources who spoke to local media say that the severed body parts of the suicide bomber were found at the site. Following the blast, the people in the court were evacuated. Islamabad deputy inspector general (DIG), the chief commissioner, and a forensic team are investigating the case. The victims have been admitted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital. Videos of the incident shows smoke and flames rising from a charred vehicle. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed that Washington was getting close to signing a trade deal with India. We are making a deal with India, a much different deal than we had in the pastWe're getting a fair deal, just a fair trade deal. We're getting closeI think we're pretty close to doing a deal thats good for everybody, he said. The President was speaking at the swearing-in of Sergio Gor, the next US ambassador to India. #WATCH US President Donald Trump says, "We're making a deal with India, a much different deal than we had in the past. So right now, they don't love me, but they'll love us again. We're getting a fair deal, just a fair trade deal. We had pretty unfair trade deals...But we're pic.twitter.com/r93gmaU7xk ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2025 Trump reiterated his commitment to the strategic relationship with India and said he has a fantastic relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India is home to one of the world's oldest civilisations, the largest country in the worldWe have a fantastic relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and Sergio has only enhanced that, because he's become already friendly with the Prime Minister, he said. At 38, Sergio is the youngest US ambassador to India. He is one of the closest aides of Trump and was the Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office. The President noted that Sergio will work to fortify the US's bond, promote investments in key industries and technologies, increase American energy exports and expand our security cooperation. Later, while speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, Trump hinted that the US would bring down the tariff on India at some point. "Well, right now, the tariffs are very high on India because of the Russian oil, and they've stopped doing the Russian oil. It's been reduced very substantially. Yeah, we're going to be bringing the tariffs down. At some point, we're going to be bringing them down," he said. India and the US have held five rounds of talks since March for the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement, initially decided to be inked by the "fall of 2025." The deal aims to more than double trade volumes from the current USD 191 billion to USD 500 billion by 2030. GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE Get Free Report) shares shot up 1.5% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $313.76 and last traded at $311.75. 3,629,748 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 34% from the average session volume of 5,483,970 shares. The stock had previously closed at $307.27. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have commented on the stock. TD Cowen raised their target price on shares of GE Aerospace from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Zacks Research lowered shares of GE Aerospace from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, September 26th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of GE Aerospace in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating and set a $296.00 target price (up previously from $227.00) on shares of GE Aerospace in a report on Monday, July 14th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on GE Aerospace from $275.00 to $325.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, GE Aerospace has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $301.27. Get GE Aerospace alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on GE GE Aerospace Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 1.08. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $296.88 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $265.06. The company has a market cap of $328.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.62, a PEG ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 1.56. GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $1.66 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.46 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $11.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations 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 period 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. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that GE Aerospace will post 5.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. GE Aerospace Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 29th were given a dividend of $0.36 per share. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 29th. GE Aerospaces dividend payout ratio is 19.23%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On GE Aerospace A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vawter Financial Ltd. acquired a new position in GE Aerospace during the third quarter worth approximately $347,000. Waddell & Associates LLC boosted its stake in shares of GE Aerospace by 19.2% during the 3rd quarter. Waddell & Associates LLC now owns 5,389 shares of the companys stock worth $1,621,000 after acquiring an additional 867 shares during the period. Optiver Holding B.V. boosted its stake in shares of GE Aerospace by 724.8% during the 3rd quarter. Optiver Holding B.V. now owns 6,227 shares of the companys stock worth $1,873,000 after acquiring an additional 5,472 shares during the period. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of GE Aerospace by 1,458.8% during the 3rd quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 1,855 shares of the companys stock worth $559,000 after acquiring an additional 1,736 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tableaux LLC bought a new stake in GE Aerospace in the 3rd quarter valued at $3,623,000. Institutional investors own 74.77% of the companys stock. GE Aerospace Company Profile (Get 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for GE Aerospace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GE Aerospace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Austin Gold (NYSE:AUST Get Free Report) and Vista Gold (NYSE:VGZ Get Free Report) are both small-cap basic materials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, dividends, valuation, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings and analyst recommendations. Profitability This table compares Austin Gold and Vista Golds net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Austin Gold alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Austin Gold N/A -37.85% -36.54% Vista Gold N/A 93.43% 68.97% Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Austin Gold and Vista Gold, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Austin Gold 0 0 0 0 0.00 Vista Gold 0 0 1 0 3.00 Insider and Institutional Ownership Vista Gold has a consensus target price of $3.00, indicating a potential upside of 69.49%. Given Vista Golds stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Vista Gold is more favorable than Austin Gold. 62.1% of Austin Gold shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 27.3% of Vista Gold shares are owned by institutional investors. 70.7% of Austin Gold shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 4.2% of Vista Gold shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Risk & Volatility Austin Gold has a beta of 0.84, meaning that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Vista Gold has a beta of 1, meaning that its stock price has a similar volatility profile to the S&P 500. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Austin Gold and Vista Golds revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Austin Gold N/A N/A -$4.00 million ($0.14) -11.57 Vista Gold N/A N/A -$6.59 million ($0.07) -25.29 Vista Gold is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Austin Gold, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Vista Gold beats Austin Gold on 8 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks. About Austin Gold (Get Free Report) Austin Gold Corp., a gold exploration company, focuses on the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of mineral property interests in Nevada. The company holds interest in Kelly Creek Project located in the Kelly Creek Basin, in southeastern Humboldt County, Nevada; Fourmile Basin Project that comprises various unpatented lode mining claims covering approximately 6410 acres located in Nye County; the Lone Mountain Project consisting of various unpatented lode mining and patented mining claims located near Lone Mountain in Elko County. It also holds interest in the Miller Project consisting various unpatented lode mining claims located in Elko County in Nevada. Austin Gold Corp. was incorporated in 2020 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. About Vista Gold (Get Free Report) Vista Gold Corp., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, explores, evaluates, and advances gold exploration and development projects in Australia. Its flagship asset is the 100% owned Mt Todd gold project located in Northern Territory, Australia. The company was incorporated in 1983 and is based in Englewood, Colorado. Receive News & Ratings for Austin Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Austin Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chegg (NYSE:CHGG Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The technology company reported ($0.16) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.14) by ($0.02), reports. The company had revenue of $77.74 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $76.20 million. Chegg had a negative return on equity of 9.41% and a negative net margin of 17.14%. Chegg updated its Q4 2025 guidance to EPS. Chegg Stock Performance NYSE CHGG traded down $0.07 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $0.98. The stock had a trading volume of 1,992,847 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,462,638. The stock has a market cap of $107.52 million, a P/E ratio of -1.37 and a beta of 1.93. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $1.33 and a 200 day moving average of $1.28. Chegg has a 52-week low of $0.44 and a 52-week high of $2.73. Get Chegg alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have commented on CHGG shares. Zacks Research lowered Chegg from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (e+) rating on shares of Chegg in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Strong Sell and an average price target of $1.13. Institutional Trading of Chegg Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Jump Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Chegg during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Chegg during the third quarter worth about $32,000. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Chegg during the 2nd quarter worth about $36,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its stake in Chegg by 564.8% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 34,060 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 28,937 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio purchased a new position in shares of Chegg in the first quarter valued at approximately $56,000. 95.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Chegg (Get Free Report) Chegg, Inc operates a direct-to-student learning platform that helps learners build essential life and job skills to accelerate their path from learning programs in the United States and internationally. Its subscription services include Chegg Study, which offers personalized step-by-step learning support from AI, computational engines, and subject matter experts, as well as Tinger Gold and DashPash Student services; Chegg Writing that provides students with a suite of tools, such as plagiarism detection scans, grammar and writing fluency checking, expert personalized writing feedback, and premium citation generation; Chegg Math, a step-by-step math problem solver and calculator that helps students to solve problems; Chegg Study Pack, a bundle of various subscription product offerings, including Chegg Study, Chegg Writing, and Chegg Math services; and Busuu, an online language learning platform that offers comprehensive support through self-paced lessons, live classes with expert tutors, and a community of members to practice alongside. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Chegg Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chegg and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Get Free Report) EVP Christopher Pyne sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.04, for a total value of $312,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 51,372 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,009,070.88. The trade was a 7.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Unum Group Stock Performance NYSE UNM traded down $0.84 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $77.31. The stock had a trading volume of 918,622 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,425,954. Unum Group has a 52-week low of $66.81 and a 52-week high of $84.48. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $75.67 and a 200 day moving average of $76.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a current ratio of 0.30. The stock has a market cap of $12.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 0.37. Get Unum Group alerts: Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The financial services provider reported $2.09 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.15 by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $3.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.31 billion. Unum Group had a net margin of 11.77% and a return on equity of 13.44%. The businesss revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.13 earnings per share. Unum Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Unum Group will post 9.14 earnings per share for the current year. Unum Group Announces Dividend Institutional Investors Weigh In On Unum Group The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 24th will be issued a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 24th. Unum Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 35.87%. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Advisors Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Unum Group by 2.2% during the first quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 6,308 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $514,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Unum Group by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,484 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $271,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. NDVR Inc. lifted its stake in Unum Group by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. NDVR Inc. now owns 4,526 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $366,000 after buying an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its stake in Unum Group by 36.2% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 587 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 156 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Waterfront Wealth Inc. boosted its holdings in Unum Group by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Waterfront Wealth Inc. now owns 29,350 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,370,000 after buying an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.57% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have weighed in on UNM shares. Barclays lifted their price objective on Unum Group from $92.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $95.00 target price (down from $100.00) on shares of Unum Group in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on Unum Group from $96.00 to $99.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Wolfe Research raised shares of Unum Group to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Unum Group from $94.00 to $92.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $94.67. View Our Latest Stock Report on Unum Group About Unum Group (Get Free Report) Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block segment. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Unum Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unum Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:ORA Get Free Report) insider Jessica Woelfel sold 721 shares of Ormat Technologies stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.00, for a total value of $82,915.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 3,433 shares in the company, valued at approximately $394,795. This represents a 17.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Jessica Woelfel also recently made the following trade(s): Get Ormat Technologies alerts: On Friday, November 7th, Jessica Woelfel sold 368 shares of Ormat Technologies stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.36, for a total value of $41,348.48. On Monday, September 29th, Jessica Woelfel sold 5,611 shares of Ormat Technologies stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.80, for a total value of $531,922.80. On Friday, August 22nd, Jessica Woelfel sold 692 shares of Ormat Technologies stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.57, for a total value of $65,442.44. Ormat Technologies Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:ORA traded up $0.99 on Monday, hitting $114.47. The company had a trading volume of 689,322 shares, compared to its average volume of 531,244. The stock has a market cap of $6.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.24, a P/E/G ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 0.77. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $100.97 and a 200 day moving average price of $89.12. Ormat Technologies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $61.58 and a 1-year high of $115.72. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. Ormat Technologies Announces Dividend Ormat Technologies ( NYSE:ORA Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The energy company reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.37 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $249.73 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $235.03 million. Ormat Technologies had a net margin of 14.49% and a return on equity of 5.47%. The businesss revenue was up 17.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.36 EPS. Ormat Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Analysts expect that Ormat Technologies, Inc. will post 1.94 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, November 17th will be issued a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 17th. Ormat Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.02%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on ORA shares. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Ormat Technologies from $105.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday. Oppenheimer reiterated an outperform rating and set a $125.00 price target on shares of Ormat Technologies in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Ormat Technologies from $99.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Ormat Technologies from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on Ormat Technologies from $89.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ormat Technologies presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $115.44. Check Out Our Latest Report on Ormat Technologies Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ormat Technologies Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in shares of Ormat Technologies by 43.8% in the third quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 371 shares of the energy companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 113 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in Ormat Technologies by 9.8% during the second quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,609 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $135,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning increased its holdings in shares of Ormat Technologies by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 13,526 shares of the energy companys stock worth $1,133,000 after buying an additional 159 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC boosted its stake in Ormat Technologies by 17.1% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,098 shares of the energy companys stock worth $106,000 after buying an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in Ormat Technologies by 20.3% during the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 1,059 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $89,000 after acquiring an additional 179 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.49% of the companys stock. Ormat Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Ormat Technologies, Inc engages in the geothermal and recovered energy power business in the United States, Indonesia, Kenya, Turkey, Chile, Guatemala, Guadeloupe, New Zealand, Honduras, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Electricity, Product, and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment develops, builds, owns, and operates geothermal, solar photovoltaic, and recovered energy-based power plants; and sells electricity. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ormat Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ormat Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Federated Hermes Premier Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:FMN Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Monday, November 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 21st will be paid a dividend of 0.045 per share on Monday, December 1st. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 21st. Federated Hermes Premier Municipal Income Fund Stock Up 0.2% NYSE:FMN traded up $0.03 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $11.12. The stock had a trading volume of 38,100 shares, compared to its average volume of 33,590. Federated Hermes Premier Municipal Income Fund has a 1-year low of $10.11 and a 1-year high of $11.58. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $11.01 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $10.76. Get Federated Hermes Premier Municipal Income Fund alerts: About Federated Hermes Premier Municipal Income Fund (Get Free Report) Read More Federated Premier Municipal Income Fund is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Federated Investors, Inc The fund is managed by Federated Investment Management Company. It invests in fixed income markets of United States. The fund primarily invests in tax-exempt municipal bonds of GO state, GO local, special tax, hospital, transportation, pre-refunded, senior care, water and sewer, education, electric and gas, and public power sectors. Receive News & Ratings for Federated Hermes Premier Municipal Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Federated Hermes Premier Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Trump Must Hold Syria's New Leadership Accountable on Minority Rights Washington -- On Monday, as Ahmad al-Sharaa marked the first visit by a Syrian president to the White House, Morhaf Ibrahim, President of the Alawites Association of the United States, and Richard Ghazal, Executive Director of In Defense of Christians, published an op-ed in The Washington Times urging President Donald Trump to hold Syria's new government accountable for protecting the country's underrepresented communities. Their warning to the president was clear: "The future of Syria's minorities depends on whether the revolution's victory is followed by justice or replaced by another form of tyranny." Ibrahim and Ghazal issued a strong moral appeal, insisting that the freedom and safety of Syria's long-persecuted religious and ethnic groups must not be sacrificed for political expediency. The two authors -- both respected advocates for minority rights -- called on Washington to ensure that President Ahmad al-Sharaa's transitional government, which came to power in December 2024 after toppling Bashar al-Assad, upholds democracy and pluralism. "Syria is not yet realizing the fruits of its valiant uprising," they warned, arguing that any easing of sanctions must be tied to verifiable progress on inclusion and accountability. "Sanctions relief must remain contingent on demonstrable accountability, especially for crimes committed against Christians, Alawites, Kurds, Druze, and other vulnerable groups." Under the National Defense Authorization Act, Syria is required to report to the US government every 180 days on measurable progress toward ending violence and discrimination against religious minorities. "Only through such mechanisms can Washington ensure that engagement with Damascus strengthens reform rather than rewarding regression," Ibrahim and Ghazal wrote. "What they do to Christians in the Middle East is disgraceful" Whether President Trump will heed Ibrahim and Ghazal's call remains uncertain. During his first term, Trump was outspoken about the plight of Christians in the Middle East. At a press briefing on the Abraham Accords between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, he said Christians had been "treated horribly and very unfairly," calling their persecution "criminal" and "beyond disgraceful." He added, "If I had absolute proof ... I would go in and do a number to those countries like you wouldn't believe; what they do to Christians in the Middle East is disgraceful." Still, there is skepticism whether the White House would press al-Sharaa on these issues. The complete embrace of Ahmad al-Sharaa by the Trump administration, despite the ongoing massacres, kidnappings, and intimidation of Alawites and Christians, suggests the worst-case scenario -- one reminiscent of Iraq after the 2003 US invasion, when promises of protection gave way to chaos and persecution. People visit the AfricaCom exhibition during the Africa Tech Festival 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, Nov. 11, 2025. The Africa Tech Festival kicked off on Tuesday in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa, gathering innovators, policymakers, and investors to explore how technology can drive a more inclusive digital future for Africa. (Photo by Shakirah Thebus/Xinhua) CAPE TOWN, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Africa Tech Festival kicked off on Tuesday in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa, gathering innovators, policymakers, and investors to explore how technology can drive a more inclusive digital future for Africa. Delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony, South Africa's Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi noted that Africa must build strong digital foundations to ensure emerging technologies benefit everyone. "If we want Africa to benefit from and participate in the next wave of innovation, especially AI, we must get three foundations right at scale: affordable connectivity and devices; reliable digital public infrastructure; practical digital literacy that meets people where they are," said Malatsi. "Emerging technologies like AI will be tools for opportunity, not symbols of exclusion. We will turn prototypes into products, and products into public value in order to build a more inclusive digital future for our continent," he added. Now in its 28th edition, the Africa Tech Festival is Africa's largest technology and digital innovation event, which runs until Thursday. It is expected to draw 17,000 delegates, 300 exhibitors, and 450 speakers. Held under the theme "Responsible Innovation, Inclusive Investment, Connectivity for Development, and Policy Harmonization," the festival features four anchor sessions, namely AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite, and the AI Summit Cape Town. AfricaCom Portfolio Manager Sean Suzuki said the continent's digital infrastructure challenges remain tied to "accessibility and affordability for connectivity." "This is linked to regulatory challenges, and it is crucial to develop the right frameworks as well; forming key partnerships across the ICT industry; and the digital skills gap," he said. Justin Georges Tala, global accounts manager at Cameroon Telecommunications, which attends this year's AfricaCom, said bridging Africa's digital gap requires collective action. "We cannot do this alone -- there have to be strategic partnerships that need to be put in place to make sure that we bridge the digital gap on the continent," he said, adding that strategic partnerships are needed to provide "end-to-end meaningful connectivity" to the continent. South Africa's Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi attends the Africa Tech Festival 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, Nov. 11, 2025. The Africa Tech Festival kicked off on Tuesday in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa, gathering innovators, policymakers, and investors to explore how technology can drive a more inclusive digital future for Africa. (Photo by Shakirah Thebus/Xinhua) People arrive the Cape Town International Convention Center (CTICC) to attend the Africa Tech Festival 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, Nov. 11, 2025. The Africa Tech Festival kicked off on Tuesday in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa, gathering innovators, policymakers, and investors to explore how technology can drive a more inclusive digital future for Africa. (Photo by Shakirah Thebus/Xinhua) People visit the AfricaCom exhibition during the Africa Tech Festival 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, Nov. 11, 2025. The Africa Tech Festival kicked off on Tuesday in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa, gathering innovators, policymakers, and investors to explore how technology can drive a more inclusive digital future for Africa. (Photo by Shakirah Thebus/Xinhua) People visit the AfricaCom exhibition during the Africa Tech Festival 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, Nov. 11, 2025. The Africa Tech Festival kicked off on Tuesday in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa, gathering innovators, policymakers, and investors to explore how technology can drive a more inclusive digital future for Africa. (Photo by Shakirah Thebus/Xinhua) People visit the AfricaCom exhibition during the Africa Tech Festival 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, Nov. 11, 2025. The Africa Tech Festival kicked off on Tuesday in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa, gathering innovators, policymakers, and investors to explore how technology can drive a more inclusive digital future for Africa. (Photo by Shakirah Thebus/Xinhua) Jonestown Bank & Trust Co. (OTCMKTS:JNES Get Free Report) shot up 3.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $32.00 and last traded at $32.00. 1,708 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 126% from the average session volume of 755 shares. The stock had previously closed at $31.00. Jonestown Bank & Trust Trading Up 3.2% The companys 50-day moving average is $28.82 and its 200 day moving average is $27.20. About Jonestown Bank & Trust (Get Free Report) Jonestown Bank & Trust Co provides banking products and services in Lebanon County and Northern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The company offers deposit products, including checking accounts, statement savings, club accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Jonestown Bank & Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jonestown Bank & Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EQT AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:EQBBF Get Free Report) shares rose 0.9% on Monday . The company traded as high as $34.00 and last traded at $34.00. Approximately 380 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 93% from the average daily volume of 5,554 shares. The stock had previously closed at $33.70. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of EQT AB (publ) in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, EQT AB (publ) has a consensus rating of Buy. Get EQT AB (publ) alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on EQT AB (publ) EQT AB (publ) Trading Up 0.9% About EQT AB (publ) The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $34.29 and its 200-day simple moving average is $32.48. (Get Free Report) EQT AB (publ) is a global private equity firm specializing in Private Capital & Real Asset segments. It owns portfolio companies and assets in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. EQT AB (publ) was founded in 1994 and is based in Stockholm, Sweden. See Also Receive News & Ratings for EQT AB (publ) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EQT AB (publ) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Suncor Energy Inc. (TSE:SU Free Report) (NYSE:SU) Equities research analysts at Raymond James Financial raised their FY2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of Suncor Energy in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, November 6th. Raymond James Financial analyst M. Barth now expects that the company will post earnings per share of $4.74 for the year, up from their prior estimate of $4.20. Raymond James Financial has a Moderate Buy rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Suncor Energys current full-year earnings is $4.42 per share. Raymond James Financial also issued estimates for Suncor Energys FY2026 earnings at $4.36 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $4.36 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $5.48 EPS. Get Suncor Energy alerts: SU has been the topic of a number of other research reports. National Bankshares lifted their price target on shares of Suncor Energy from C$65.00 to C$68.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. TD Securities increased their target price on Suncor Energy from C$67.00 to C$70.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Suncor Energy from C$59.00 to C$64.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Desjardins raised their price objective on Suncor Energy from C$64.00 to C$65.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Finally, Scotiabank lifted their price objective on Suncor Energy from C$60.00 to C$62.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$64.42. Suncor Energy Price Performance SU opened at C$60.39 on Monday. Suncor Energy has a 1 year low of C$43.59 and a 1 year high of C$60.48. The companys 50 day simple moving average is C$56.92 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$53.91. The stock has a market capitalization of C$72.54 billion, a PE ratio of 14.08, a P/E/G ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 33.35, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 1.59. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, insider David Jason Oldreive sold 4,542 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$57.50, for a total transaction of C$261,165.00. Also, Director Russell Girling acquired 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 14th. The shares were bought at an average cost of C$53.48 per share, for a total transaction of C$534,790.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 45,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$2,406,555. The trade was a 28.57% increase in their ownership of the stock. Insiders have sold 139,542 shares of company stock worth $8,052,015 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.01% of the companys stock. Suncor Energy Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 25th were issued a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 4th. Suncor Energys payout ratio is presently 53.15%. About Suncor Energy (Get Free Report) Suncor Energy Inc is an integrated energy company. The companys operations include oil sands development, production and upgrading, offshore oil and gas, petroleum refining in Canada and the U.S. and the companys PetroCanada retail and wholesale distribution networks. The company is developing petroleum resources while advancing the transition to a low-emissions future through investment in power, renewable fuels and hydrogen. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Suncor Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suncor Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Primerica, Inc. (NYSE:PRI Free Report) Equities research analysts at William Blair boosted their FY2025 EPS estimates for Primerica in a report released on Thursday, November 6th. William Blair analyst J. Schmitt now anticipates that the financial services provider will earn $22.49 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $21.55. The consensus estimate for Primericas current full-year earnings is $20.60 per share. William Blair also issued estimates for Primericas Q4 2025 earnings at $5.69 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $5.57 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $6.06 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $6.09 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $6.20 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $23.90 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $6.01 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $6.54 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $6.57 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $25.80 EPS. Get Primerica alerts: Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Primerica in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research raised Primerica from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on Primerica from $315.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Piper Sandler set a $292.00 price target on Primerica and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of Primerica from $293.00 to $283.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $310.67. Primerica Price Performance Shares of NYSE:PRI opened at $255.26 on Monday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $268.51 and its 200 day moving average price is $267.33. Primerica has a 12 month low of $230.98 and a 12 month high of $307.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.73 and a beta of 0.96. Primerica (NYSE:PRI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The financial services provider reported $6.33 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.52 by $0.81. Primerica had a net margin of 22.36% and a return on equity of 31.75%. The business had revenue of $838.88 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $817.81 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $4.83 EPS. The companys revenue was up 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Primerica Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st will be issued a dividend of $1.04 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 21st. This represents a $4.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.6%. Primericas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.12%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Primerica Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of PRI. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Primerica in the first quarter valued at about $156,019,000. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Primerica by 171.8% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 315,986 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $89,907,000 after purchasing an additional 199,715 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB acquired a new position in Primerica during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $51,004,000. First Trust Advisors LP increased its position in Primerica by 35.9% during the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 437,925 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $119,847,000 after purchasing an additional 115,754 shares during the period. Finally, Copeland Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Primerica during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,425,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Primerica Company Profile (Get Free Report) Primerica, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. The company operates in four segments: Term Life Insurance; Investment and Savings Products; Senior Health; and Corporate and Other Distributed Products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Primerica Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Primerica and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (NYSE:RYAM Free Report) Research analysts at Sidoti Csr cut their FY2025 EPS estimates for Rayonier Advanced Materials in a note issued to investors on Thursday, November 6th. Sidoti Csr analyst D. Harriman now forecasts that the basic materials company will post earnings per share of ($1.11) for the year, down from their previous forecast of ($1.09). The consensus estimate for Rayonier Advanced Materials current full-year earnings is ($0.08) per share. Sidoti Csr also issued estimates for Rayonier Advanced Materials Q4 2025 earnings at ($0.12) EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $0.09 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $0.08 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $0.46 EPS. Get Rayonier Advanced Materials alerts: Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Zacks Research cut Rayonier Advanced Materials from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Rayonier Advanced Materials currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $6.00. Rayonier Advanced Materials Stock Up 2.5% Shares of RYAM opened at $6.26 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $419.15 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.00 and a beta of 2.67. Rayonier Advanced Materials has a 52 week low of $3.35 and a 52 week high of $10.28. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $6.85 and its 200-day moving average price is $5.16. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.26. Rayonier Advanced Materials (NYSE:RYAM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The basic materials company reported ($0.07) earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of ($0.07). The company had revenue of $353.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $373.70 million. Rayonier Advanced Materials had a negative return on equity of 13.64% and a negative net margin of 28.21%. Institutional Trading of Rayonier Advanced Materials Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of RYAM. Osaic Holdings Inc. increased its stake in Rayonier Advanced Materials by 754.4% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 7,963 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 7,031 shares during the last quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials during the second quarter worth about $52,000. Tactive Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials during the third quarter worth about $82,000. Covestor Ltd increased its position in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 46.7% during the third quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 11,421 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $82,000 after purchasing an additional 3,636 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Royce & Associates LP purchased a new stake in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials in the 1st quarter valued at about $103,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.64% of the companys stock. Rayonier Advanced Materials Company Profile (Get Free Report) Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc manufactures and sells cellulose specialty products in the United States, China, Latin America, Canada, Japan, Europe, Latin America, other Asian countries, and internationally. It operates through High Purity Cellulose, Paperboard, and High-Yield Pulp segments. The companys products include cellulose specialties, which are natural polymers that are used as raw materials to manufacture a range of consumer-oriented products, such as liquid crystal displays, impact-resistant plastics, thickeners for food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cigarette filters, high-tenacity rayon yarn for tires and industrial hoses, food casings, paints, and lacquers. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Rayonier Advanced Materials Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rayonier Advanced Materials and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Brookfield Renewable (NYSE:BEPC Free Report) from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report report published on Saturday. BEPC has been the topic of a number of other reports. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d) rating on shares of Brookfield Renewable in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Brookfield Renewable from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Brookfield Renewable from $38.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Brookfield Renewable from $41.00 to $44.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Three investment 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 data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $37.50. Get Brookfield Renewable alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on BEPC Brookfield Renewable Stock Performance Brookfield Renewable Announces Dividend NYSE BEPC opened at $44.20 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The stock has a market cap of $6.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -49.66 and a beta of 1.29. Brookfield Renewable has a fifty-two week low of $23.73 and a fifty-two week high of $45.10. The business has a fifty day moving average of $37.73 and a 200-day moving average of $34.15. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be issued a $0.373 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $1.49 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Brookfield Renewables dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -392.11%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brookfield Renewable Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BEPC. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in Brookfield Renewable by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 484,723 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,533,000 after purchasing an additional 7,415 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Brookfield Renewable by 23.2% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 163,852 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,575,000 after buying an additional 30,840 shares during the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System acquired a new position in shares of Brookfield Renewable during the second quarter worth approximately $210,000. LPL Financial LLC grew its holdings in Brookfield Renewable by 91.9% in the 1st quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 64,108 shares of the companys stock worth $1,790,000 after buying an additional 30,704 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Foresight Group Ltd Liability Partnership bought a new position in Brookfield Renewable in the 1st quarter worth approximately $6,338,000. 75.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Brookfield Renewable (Get Free Report) Brookfield Renewable Corporation owns and operates a portfolio of renewable power and sustainable solution assets primarily in the United States, Europe, Colombia, and Brazil. It operates hydroelectric, wind, solar, and distributed energy and sustainable solutions with an installed capacity of approximately 19,161 megawatts. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Renewable Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Renewable and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Nokia (NYSE:NOK Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Saturday morning. A number of other analysts also recently issued reports on the company. BNP Paribas Exane upgraded Nokia from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $5.00 price target for the company in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Santander lowered shares of Nokia to a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Nokia in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Nokia in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Northland Securities set a $7.50 price objective on Nokia in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $5.87. Get Nokia alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on NOK Nokia Price Performance Shares of NYSE:NOK opened at $6.99 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $5.43 and a 200 day moving average of $5.06. The company has a current ratio of 1.46, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The stock has a market cap of $37.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.84 and a beta of 0.84. Nokia has a 12 month low of $3.91 and a 12 month high of $8.19. Nokia (NYSE:NOK Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The technology company reported $0.07 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.06 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $5.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.67 billion. Nokia had a net margin of 4.65% and a return on equity of 8.31%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.06 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Nokia will post 0.34 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Nokia Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Wealthquest Corp bought a new position in shares of Nokia in the first quarter worth approximately $27,000. Harbour Investments Inc. increased its position in shares of Nokia by 7,046.5% in the first quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 5,074 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 5,003 shares during the period. FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new position in shares of Nokia during the second quarter valued at about $34,000. Assetmark Inc. grew its stake in shares of Nokia by 763.7% in the first quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 8,240 shares of the technology companys stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 7,286 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Nokia by 677.1% during the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 8,486 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 7,394 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 5.28% of the companys stock. Nokia Company Profile (Get Free Report) Nokia Oyj provides mobile, fixed, and cloud network solutions worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Network Infrastructure, Mobile Networks, Cloud and Network Services, and Nokia Technologies. The company provides fixed networking solutions, such as fiber and copper-based access infrastructure, in-home Wi-Fi solutions, and cloud and virtualization services; IP networking solutions, including IP access, aggregation, and edge and core routing for residential, mobile, enterprise and cloud applications; optical networks solutions that provides optical transport networks for metro, regional, and long-haul applications, and subsea applications; and submarine networks for undersea cable transmission. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Nokia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nokia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY Get Free Report) will likely be issuing its Q3 2025 results after the market closes on Thursday, November 13th. Analysts expect WidePoint to post earnings of ($0.05) per share and revenue of $39.6440 million for the quarter. Investors may visit the the companys upcoming Q3 2025 earningresults page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM ET. WidePoint Stock Performance Shares of NYSEAMERICAN:WYY opened at $6.57 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $64.25 million, a P/E ratio of -29.86 and a beta of 1.84. The companys 50-day moving average is $5.75 and its 200 day moving average is $4.39. WidePoint has a fifty-two week low of $2.19 and a fifty-two week high of $7.55. Get WidePoint alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have weighed in on WYY. Litchfield Hills Research reiterated a buy rating and issued a $8.00 target price on shares of WidePoint in a research note on Friday, August 15th. HC Wainwright reiterated a buy rating and issued a $9.00 price objective (up previously from $7.00) on shares of WidePoint in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Westpark Capital reissued a buy rating and issued a $9.00 price objective on shares of WidePoint in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $8.67. Institutional Investors Weigh In On WidePoint Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in WidePoint by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 376,513 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,862,000 after buying an additional 8,850 shares during the last quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in WidePoint by 87.6% in the second quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 60,527 shares of the technology companys stock worth $207,000 after purchasing an additional 28,269 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new stake in WidePoint during the second quarter valued at about $87,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in WidePoint during the second quarter valued at about $74,000. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd bought a new position in shares of WidePoint during the second quarter valued at about $58,000. Institutional investors own 22.60% of the companys stock. About WidePoint (Get Free Report) WidePoint Corporation provides technology management as a service (TMaaS) to the government and business enterprises in North America and Europe. It offers TMaaS solutions through a secure federal government certified proprietary portal and secure enterprise portal that provides ability to manage, analyze, and protect communications assets, as well as deploys identity management solutions that provides secured virtual and physical access to restricted environments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for WidePoint Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WidePoint and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sable Offshore (NYSE:SOC Get Free Report) is anticipated to post its Q3 2025 results before the market opens on Thursday, November 13th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of ($0.68) per share and revenue of $116.5180 million for the quarter. Parties are encouraged to explore the companys upcoming Q3 2025 earningoverview page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 12:00 AM ET. Sable Offshore (NYSE:SOC Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 12th. The company reported ($1.10) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.66) by ($0.44). On average, analysts expect Sable Offshore to post $-6 EPS for the current fiscal year and $2 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get Sable Offshore alerts: Sable Offshore Trading Up 12.7% Shares of NYSE:SOC opened at $6.02 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $17.18 and a 200 day moving average of $22.84. The stock has a market cap of $599.05 million, a P/E ratio of -1.78 and a beta of 0.46. Sable Offshore has a 12 month low of $4.58 and a 12 month high of $35.00. Insiders Place Their Bets Institutional Inflows and Outflows In other news, major shareholder Global Icav Pilgrim purchased 982,645 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 15th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $15.04 per share, for a total transaction of $14,778,980.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 10,933,394 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $164,438,245.76. This trade represents a 9.88% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . 36.36% of the stock is owned by insiders. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SOC. State Street Corp increased its holdings in shares of Sable Offshore by 16.1% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,035,292 shares of the companys stock worth $66,716,000 after buying an additional 420,433 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in Sable Offshore by 329.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,124,427 shares of the companys stock worth $24,715,000 after acquiring an additional 862,810 shares during the last quarter. Merewether Investment Management LP bought a new position in Sable Offshore during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $8,792,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in Sable Offshore by 389.3% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 159,238 shares of the companys stock worth $2,780,000 after purchasing an additional 126,692 shares during the period. Finally, Brevan Howard Capital Management LP bought a new stake in Sable Offshore in the second quarter valued at approximately $3,166,000. 26.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Analyst Ratings Changes SOC has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Benchmark reduced their price target on shares of Sable Offshore from $47.00 to $20.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Sable Offshore in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Roth Capital set a $26.00 target price on Sable Offshore in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $20.50. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Sable Offshore Sable Offshore Company Profile (Get Free Report) Sable Offshore Corp. engages in the oil and gas exploration and development activities in the United States. The company operates through three platforms located in federal waters offshore California. It owns and operates 16 federal leases across approximately 76,000 acres and subsea pipelines, which transport crude oil, natural gas, and produced water from the platforms to the onshore processing facilities. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Sable Offshore Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sable Offshore and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Franco-Nevada (NYSE:FNV Free Report) (TSE:FNV) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Saturday morning. FNV has been the topic of several other reports. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Franco-Nevada from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Scotiabank raised their target price on shares of Franco-Nevada from $184.00 to $225.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. CIBC reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Franco-Nevada in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Weiss Ratings raised Franco-Nevada from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Saturday, October 25th. Finally, Bank of America upped their price objective on Franco-Nevada from $211.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $223.43. Get Franco-Nevada alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Franco-Nevada Franco-Nevada Stock Performance Shares of FNV opened at $194.86 on Friday. Franco-Nevada has a 52-week low of $112.70 and a 52-week high of $225.63. The firm has a market cap of $37.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.88, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.40. The businesss fifty day moving average is $202.04 and its 200-day moving average is $179.90. Franco-Nevada (NYSE:FNV Get Free Report) (TSE:FNV) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The basic materials company reported $1.43 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.06. Franco-Nevada had a return on equity of 12.56% and a net margin of 58.82%.The business had revenue of $487.70 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $448.51 million. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.80 earnings per share. Franco-Nevadas revenue was up 76.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that Franco-Nevada will post 3.09 EPS for the current fiscal year. Franco-Nevada Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 4th will be issued a $0.38 dividend. This represents a $1.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 4th. Franco-Nevadas payout ratio is presently 31.87%. Institutional Trading of Franco-Nevada Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of FNV. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Franco-Nevada during the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. MTM Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Franco-Nevada during the second quarter valued at about $32,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Franco-Nevada by 600.0% during the 2nd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 196 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Franco-Nevada by 78.3% in the 2nd quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 205 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 90 shares during the period. Finally, CENTRAL TRUST Co increased its position in Franco-Nevada by 590.9% in the 2nd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 228 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 195 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.06% of the companys stock. About Franco-Nevada (Get Free Report) Franco-Nevada Corporation operates as a gold-focused royalty and streaming company in South America, Central America, Mexico, the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Mining and Energy segments. The company manages its portfolio with a focus on precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum group metals; and engages in the sale of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids through a third-party marketing agent. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Franco-Nevada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Franco-Nevada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ATHENS, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Three people have died and 56 others were rescued after a migrant boat capsized off the southern Greek island of Gavdos on Tuesday, according to state broadcaster ERT. The Hellenic Coast Guard said a large-scale search and rescue operation was continuing in rough weather conditions to locate possible missing persons. Survivors were unable to confirm how many people had been on board when the vessel sank. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) is assisting Greek authorities in the ongoing operation. The nationalities of the victims and survivors have not yet been confirmed. Gavdos, located south of the island of Crete, lies near routes often used by migrants attempting to reach Europe from North Africa. Greece has been one of the main entry points for irregular migrants and refugees into the European Union since 2015, when more than 1 million people crossed its borders, mainly from Turkey. Over the years, hundreds have lost their lives in the Mediterranean Sea while trying to reach Europe in unseaworthy boats, prompting repeated calls from humanitarian organizations for stronger rescue coordination and safer migration routes. Lenovo Group (OTCMKTS:LNVGY Get Free Report) is anticipated to issue its results before the market opens on Thursday, November 13th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.60 per share for the quarter. Lenovo Group Trading Down 1.1% Shares of LNVGY opened at $28.41 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.67. Lenovo Group has a 1-year low of $17.84 and a 1-year high of $35.09. The stock has a market cap of $17.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 0.71. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $29.65 and a 200-day simple moving average of $26.82. Get Lenovo Group alerts: Lenovo Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Read More Lenovo Group Limited, an investment holding company, develops, manufactures, and markets technology products and services. It operates through Intelligent Devices Group, Infrastructure Solutions Group, and Solutions and Services Group segments. The company offers commercial and consumer personal computers, as well as servers and workstations; and a family of mobile Internet devices, including tablets and smartphones. Receive News & Ratings for Lenovo Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lenovo Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aviva PLC decreased its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR Free Report) by 34.4% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 87,437 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 45,826 shares during the quarter. Aviva PLCs holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions were worth $21,250,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Clarus Group Inc. raised its position in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Clarus Group Inc. now owns 2,951 shares of the business services providers stock worth $717,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc. grew its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 10.1% during the second quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 489 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $119,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Norden Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 2.6% in the first quarter. Norden Group LLC now owns 1,852 shares of the business services providers stock worth $449,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the period. Cresset Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 2,820 shares of the business services providers stock worth $686,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 7.0% during the 1st quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 747 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $177,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares during the period. 90.03% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Broadridge Financial Solutions alerts: Insider Transactions at Broadridge Financial Solutions In other news, CEO Timothy C. Gokey sold 5,674 shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions stock in a transaction on Monday, August 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $258.37, for a total value of $1,465,991.38. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 143,285 shares in the company, valued at approximately $37,020,545.45. This trade represents a 3.81% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 140,496 shares of company stock worth $36,568,710. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have weighed in on BR shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Needham & Company LLC upped their price target on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $300.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $261.00 to $256.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, DA Davidson reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $240.00 price target on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $264.83. View Our Latest Analysis on BR Broadridge Financial Solutions Trading Up 0.7% NYSE:BR opened at $223.26 on Tuesday. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has a one year low of $212.33 and a one year high of $271.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 0.93. The firm has a market cap of $26.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.59 and a beta of 0.96. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $235.94 and a 200-day simple moving average of $241.71. Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE:BR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 3rd. The business services provider reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $1.05 billion for the quarter. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a net margin of 13.11% and a return on equity of 43.28%. Equities analysts anticipate that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 8.53 EPS for the current fiscal year. Broadridge Financial Solutions Company Profile (Free Report) Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. UWM Holdings Corporation (NYSE:UWMC Get Free Report) CEO Ishbia Mat sold 596,356 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.47, for a total value of $3,262,067.32. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 3,847,188 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,044,118.36. This represents a 13.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Ishbia Mat also recently made the following trade(s): Get UWM alerts: On Friday, November 7th, Ishbia Mat sold 596,356 shares of UWM stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.18, for a total transaction of $3,089,124.08. On Wednesday, November 5th, Ishbia Mat sold 596,356 shares of UWM stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $5.69, for a total transaction of $3,393,265.64. On Monday, November 3rd, Ishbia Mat sold 596,356 shares of UWM stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $5.76, for a total transaction of $3,435,010.56. On Friday, October 31st, Ishbia Mat sold 596,356 shares of UWM stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.59, for a total transaction of $3,333,630.04. On Wednesday, October 29th, Ishbia Mat sold 596,356 shares of UWM stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $5.70, for a total transaction of $3,399,229.20. On Monday, October 27th, Ishbia Mat sold 596,356 shares of UWM stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.83, for a total transaction of $3,476,755.48. On Friday, October 24th, Ishbia Mat sold 596,356 shares of UWM stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.87, for a total value of $3,500,609.72. On Wednesday, October 22nd, Ishbia Mat sold 596,356 shares of UWM stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.73, for a total value of $3,417,119.88. On Monday, October 20th, Ishbia Mat sold 596,356 shares of UWM stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.56, for a total value of $3,315,739.36. On Friday, October 17th, Ishbia Mat sold 596,356 shares of UWM stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $5.37, for a total value of $3,202,431.72. UWM Price Performance Shares of UWM stock opened at $5.45 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.72 billion, a P/E ratio of -109.00 and a beta of 1.79. UWM Holdings Corporation has a one year low of $3.80 and a one year high of $7.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.85, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.55. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $5.92 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $4.98. UWM Announces Dividend UWM ( NYSE:UWMC Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.07 by ($0.06). UWM had a negative return on equity of 5.56% and a net margin of 0.48%.The firm had revenue of $151.14 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $651.51 million. Analysts forecast that UWM Holdings Corporation will post 0.2 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 18th will be paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 18th. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. 683 Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of UWM during the second quarter valued at approximately $19,872,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of UWM by 116.6% during the 2nd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 5,991,072 shares of the companys stock valued at $24,803,000 after buying an additional 3,224,806 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of UWM by 1,144.7% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,496,805 shares of the companys stock worth $13,633,000 after buying an additional 2,296,205 shares during the period. Azora Capital LP bought a new position in shares of UWM in the 2nd quarter worth about $9,032,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in UWM by 93.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,758,600 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,561,000 after acquiring an additional 1,819,129 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 53.59% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades UWMC has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of UWM in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley lowered UWM from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $4.50 to $6.50 in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Barclays boosted their target price on UWM from $6.00 to $7.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Zacks Research raised UWM from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of UWM from $4.50 to $5.50 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, UWM currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $6.46. Get Our Latest Stock Report on UWMC UWM Company Profile (Get Free Report) UWM Holdings Corporation engages in the residential mortgage lending business in the United States. The company offers mortgage loans through wholesale channel. It originates primarily conforming and government loans. UWM Holdings Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan. See Also Receive News & Ratings for UWM Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UWM and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Davis R M Inc. lowered its position in shares of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM Free Report) by 43.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 2,397 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 1,873 shares during the quarter. Davis R M Inc.s holdings in Yum! Brands were worth $355,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Yum! Brands by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 256,961 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $40,435,000 after acquiring an additional 3,172 shares during the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management acquired a new position in Yum! Brands in the first quarter worth $1,172,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in Yum! Brands by 11.5% in the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 498,597 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $78,459,000 after purchasing an additional 51,419 shares during the period. Signal Advisors Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Yum! Brands during the second quarter valued at $304,000. Finally, Jump Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of Yum! Brands by 458.8% during the first quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 30,780 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $4,844,000 after purchasing an additional 25,272 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.37% of the companys stock. Get Yum! Brands alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, CEO David W. Gibbs sold 7,176 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.80, for a total value of $1,074,964.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 102,893 shares in the company, valued at $15,413,371.40. This represents a 6.52% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Scott Mezvinsky sold 1,755 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.81, for a total transaction of $261,161.55. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 32,112 shares of company stock valued at $4,760,814. Corporate insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on YUM shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Yum! Brands from $162.00 to $160.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada initiated coverage on Yum! Brands in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. They issued a sector perform rating and a $165.00 target price for the company. Evercore ISI upgraded Yum! Brands from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the stock from $165.00 to $180.00 in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Barclays raised their price target on Yum! Brands from $163.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on Yum! Brands from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Yum! Brands has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $166.29. Check Out Our Latest Report on Yum! Brands Yum! Brands Price Performance Shares of YUM stock opened at $148.20 on Tuesday. Yum! Brands, Inc. has a 12-month low of $122.13 and a 12-month high of $163.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $41.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.73. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $146.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of $146.26. Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The restaurant operator reported $1.58 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.46 by $0.12. Yum! Brands had a negative return on equity of 21.01% and a net margin of 18.11%.The firm had revenue of $1.98 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.96 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.37 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Yum! Brands, Inc. will post 5.94 EPS for the current fiscal year. Yum! Brands Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 12th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.71 per share. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 2nd. Yum! Brandss payout ratio is currently 55.36%. About Yum! Brands (Free Report) Yum! Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants worldwide. The company operates through the KFC Division, the Taco Bell Division, the Pizza Hut Division, and the Habit Burger Grill Division segments. It also operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill brands, which specialize in chicken, pizza, made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches, Mexican-style food categories, and other food products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Yum! Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Yum! Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CSM Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCK Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 7,267 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $749,000. Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Crown during the second quarter worth $2,940,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its stake in Crown by 14.0% during the 2nd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 103,012 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $10,608,000 after buying an additional 12,688 shares during the period. Aviva PLC increased its stake in Crown by 5.0% during the 2nd quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 95,032 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $9,786,000 after buying an additional 4,565 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Crown by 233.0% in the 2nd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 17,395 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,791,000 after buying an additional 12,171 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AGF Management Ltd. boosted its position in Crown by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 31,292 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,222,000 after buying an additional 474 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.93% of the companys stock. Get Crown alerts: Crown Trading Up 1.3% Crown stock opened at $99.13 on Tuesday. Crown Holdings, Inc. has a 1 year low of $75.98 and a 1 year high of $109.48. The firms 50-day moving average is $95.43 and its 200-day moving average is $98.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 1.06. The company has a market cap of $11.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.27, a PEG ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 0.78. Crown Announces Dividend Crown ( NYSE:CCK Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 20th. The industrial products company reported $2.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.26. Crown had a net margin of 7.79% and a return on equity of 27.35%. The firm had revenue of $3.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.13 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.99 earnings per share. Crowns quarterly revenue was up 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. Crown has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.650-1.75 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 7.700-7.80 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Crown Holdings, Inc. will post 6.96 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 20th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 6th will be given a dividend of $0.26 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 6th. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. Crowns payout ratio is currently 12.87%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CEO Timothy J. Donahue sold 37,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.56, for a total transaction of $3,720,720.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 462,056 shares in the company, valued at $46,464,351.36. This represents a 7.41% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts recently commented on CCK shares. Citigroup cut their price target on Crown from $135.00 to $124.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $115.00 target price (up from $110.00) on shares of Crown in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Baird R W downgraded shares of Crown from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Crown in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Crown from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Twelve 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 company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $118.08. Get Our Latest Analysis on CCK About Crown (Free Report) Crown Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the packaging business in the United States and internationally. It operates through Americas Beverage, European Beverage, Asia Pacific, and Transit Packaging segments. The company manufactures and sells recyclable aluminum beverage cans and ends, glass bottles, steel crowns, aluminum caps, non-beverage cans, and aerosol cans and closures. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CCK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Crown Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crown and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CSM Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. (NYSE:GRDN Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 96,305 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,052,000. CSM Advisors LLC owned about 0.15% of Guardian Pharmacy Services as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of GRDN. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust acquired a new position in Guardian Pharmacy Services in the second quarter valued at about $41,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Guardian Pharmacy Services in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $311,000. Peregrine Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Guardian Pharmacy Services by 21.4% in the 2nd quarter. Peregrine Capital Management LLC now owns 214,379 shares of the companys stock worth $4,568,000 after acquiring an additional 37,840 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Guardian Pharmacy Services by 7.1% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 12,126 shares of the companys stock worth $258,000 after purchasing an additional 805 shares during the period. Finally, Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS acquired a new stake in Guardian Pharmacy Services in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,066,000. Get Guardian Pharmacy Services alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In GRDN has been the topic of a number of research reports. Oppenheimer assumed coverage on Guardian Pharmacy Services in a research note on Friday, October 10th. They set an outperform rating and a $30.00 price target on the stock. Wall Street Zen downgraded Guardian Pharmacy Services from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday. Truist Financial increased their target price on Guardian Pharmacy Services from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, September 26th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d+) rating on shares of Guardian Pharmacy Services in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $29.33. Guardian Pharmacy Services Price Performance GRDN stock opened at $29.76 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $26.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $23.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.88 billion, a P/E ratio of -19.58 and a beta of 0.96. Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $17.78 and a 1 year high of $30.39. About Guardian Pharmacy Services (Free Report) Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc, a pharmacy service company, provides a suite of technology-enabled services designed to help residents of long-term health care facilities (LTCFs) in the United States. Its individualized clinical, drug dispensing, and administration capabilities are used to serve the needs of residents in lower acuity LTCFs, such as assisted living facilities and behavioral health facilities and group homes. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Guardian Pharmacy Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Guardian Pharmacy Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC purchased a new stake in HF Sinclair Corporation (NYSE:DINO Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund purchased 45,063 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,851,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kiker Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of HF Sinclair during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. West Oak Capital LLC acquired a new stake in HF Sinclair during the 2nd quarter worth $38,000. Allworth Financial LP lifted its position in HF Sinclair by 553.9% in the first quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,334 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 1,130 shares during the last quarter. Hilltop National Bank acquired a new position in HF Sinclair in the second quarter valued at $46,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its holdings in shares of HF Sinclair by 203.5% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,545 shares of the companys stock worth $63,000 after purchasing an additional 1,036 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.29% of the companys stock. Get HF Sinclair alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts recently issued reports on DINO shares. Scotiabank reissued an outperform rating on shares of HF Sinclair in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of HF Sinclair in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research raised HF Sinclair from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of HF Sinclair in a report on Friday, October 17th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $58.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of HF Sinclair from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $58.73. HF Sinclair Trading Up 1.1% NYSE:DINO opened at $55.33 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $10.18 billion, a P/E ratio of -120.28 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a current ratio of 1.82, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $52.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $44.91. HF Sinclair Corporation has a 12-month low of $24.66 and a 12-month high of $55.71. HF Sinclair (NYSE:DINO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $2.44 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.94 by $0.50. HF Sinclair had a positive return on equity of 1.89% and a negative net margin of 0.32%.The firm had revenue of $7.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.99 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.51 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that HF Sinclair Corporation will post 2.39 EPS for the current year. HF Sinclair Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 19th will be paid a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 19th. HF Sinclairs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 95.69%. About HF Sinclair (Free Report) HF Sinclair Corporation operates as an independent energy company. The company produces and markets gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, specialty lubricant products, specialty chemicals, specialty and modified asphalt, and others. It owns and operates refineries located in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming; and markets its refined products principally in the Southwest United States and Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and in other neighboring Plains states. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DINO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for HF Sinclair Corporation (NYSE:DINO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for HF Sinclair Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HF Sinclair and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU Free Report) in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor acquired 6,047 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $650,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Econ Financial Services Corp bought a new stake in Prudential Financial in the second quarter worth about $1,662,000. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial by 49.2% in the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,720,781 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $184,192,000 after buying an additional 567,571 shares during the period. Brookwood Investment Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Prudential Financial during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $289,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 109,447 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $12,217,000 after acquiring an additional 3,183 shares during the period. Finally, Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. bought a new position in Prudential Financial in the 2nd quarter valued at $298,000. Institutional investors own 56.83% of the companys stock. Get Prudential Financial alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, EVP Ann M. Kappler sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.65, for a total transaction of $438,600.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 21,506 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,358,132.90. This trade represents a 15.68% 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. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on shares of Prudential Financial from $117.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Prudential Financial from $117.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Prudential Financial in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Piper Sandler reduced their target price on shares of Prudential Financial from $109.00 to $108.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Prudential Financial from $116.00 to $113.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $120.73. View Our Latest Analysis on PRU Prudential Financial Trading Up 0.7% NYSE:PRU opened at $107.04 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $103.70 and a 200-day simple moving average of $104.59. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a one year low of $90.38 and a one year high of $130.55. The firm has a market cap of $37.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.70, a P/E/G ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a current ratio of 0.16. Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 15th. The financial services provider reported $3.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $8.35 billion for the quarter. Prudential Financial had a net margin of 4.65% and a return on equity of 16.98%. Equities analysts anticipate that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 14.36 EPS for the current fiscal year. Prudential Financial Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 11th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 18th will be paid a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.0%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 18th. Prudential Financials dividend payout ratio is 74.18%. Prudential Financial Profile (Free Report) Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Life, and International Businesses segments. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PRU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Prudential Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prudential Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. lessened its position in shares of KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report) by 32.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,816 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 6,041 shares during the period. Fox Run Management L.L.C.s holdings in KBR were worth $614,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in KBR by 16.1% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,925,667 shares of the construction companys stock worth $245,347,000 after acquiring an additional 683,280 shares during the period. Boston Partners boosted its position in shares of KBR by 35.2% during the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 4,384,527 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $218,648,000 after purchasing an additional 1,142,111 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in KBR by 11.2% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,427,015 shares of the construction companys stock worth $120,891,000 after purchasing an additional 244,094 shares during the period. Neuberger Berman Group LLC increased its holdings in KBR by 6.8% in the first quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 2,114,109 shares of the construction companys stock worth $105,325,000 after purchasing an additional 133,992 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cooperman Leon G lifted its stake in KBR by 15.0% in the first quarter. Cooperman Leon G now owns 1,680,000 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $83,681,000 after buying an additional 218,598 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 97.02% of the companys stock. Get KBR alerts: KBR Trading Down 0.6% KBR opened at $42.39 on Tuesday. KBR, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $40.71 and a fifty-two week high of $72.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.38 billion, a PE ratio of 15.36, a P/E/G ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The companys 50-day moving average is $46.09 and its 200 day moving average is $48.94. KBR Dividend Announcement KBR ( NYSE:KBR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The construction company reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.95 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $1.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.99 billion. KBR had a return on equity of 33.65% and a net margin of 4.52%.The companys quarterly revenue was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.84 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that KBR, Inc. will post 3.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.165 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. KBRs dividend payout ratio is 22.68%. Analyst Ratings Changes KBR has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on shares of KBR from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of KBR from $62.00 to $57.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. DA Davidson decreased their price target on shares of KBR from $72.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of KBR in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Truist Financial set a $62.00 target price on KBR in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, KBR currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $61.67. View Our Latest Report on KBR KBR Company Profile (Free Report) KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KBR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fountainhead AM LLC bought a new position in Bausch + Lomb Corporation (NYSE:BLCO Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund bought 14,800 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $193,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of BLCO. Ridgewood Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Bausch + Lomb in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in shares of Bausch + Lomb by 58.5% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 4,502 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 1,662 shares during the period. FNY Investment Advisers LLC raised its holdings in shares of Bausch + Lomb by 93.8% during the second quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC now owns 6,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $80,000 after acquiring an additional 3,000 shares in the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its stake in Bausch + Lomb by 101.7% in the first quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 6,719 shares of the companys stock worth $97,000 after acquiring an additional 3,387 shares during the period. Finally, Gruss & Co. LLC bought a new stake in Bausch + Lomb in the second quarter valued at $130,000. Institutional investors own 11.07% of the companys stock. Get Bausch + Lomb alerts: Bausch + Lomb Price Performance BLCO stock opened at $16.01 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 1.51. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $15.11 and a 200-day moving average price of $13.73. Bausch + Lomb Corporation has a 52-week low of $10.45 and a 52-week high of $20.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.40, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.63. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Bausch + Lomb ( NYSE:BLCO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.18 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.16 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $1.28 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.28 billion. Bausch + Lomb had a positive return on equity of 2.42% and a negative net margin of 6.13%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.13 EPS. Bausch + Lomb has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Bausch + Lomb Corporation will post 0.74 EPS for the current fiscal year. BLCO has been the subject of several research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Bausch + Lomb in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. They issued a neutral rating and a $16.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Bausch + Lomb in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Bausch + Lomb from $13.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. HC Wainwright lifted their price objective on Bausch + Lomb from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their target price on Bausch + Lomb from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $16.33. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on BLCO About Bausch + Lomb (Free Report) Bausch + Lomb Corporation operates as an eye health company in the United States, Puerto Rico, China, France, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Poland, South Korea, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Vision Care, Pharmaceuticals, and Surgical. The Vision Care segment provides contact lens that covers the spectrum of wearing modalities, including daily disposable and frequently replaced contact lenses; and contact lens care products comprising over-the-counter eye drops, eye vitamins, and mineral supplements that address various conditions, such as eye allergies, conjunctivitis, dry eye, and redness relief. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BLCO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bausch + Lomb Corporation (NYSE:BLCO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bausch + Lomb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bausch + Lomb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. LISBON, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Microsoft will invest more than 10 billion U.S. dollars in a data center project in Sines, Portugal, company president Brad Smith announced Tuesday at the Web Summit in Lisbon. The company plans to begin deploying capital in early 2026, bringing 12,600 next-generation Nvidia Blackwell Ultra GB30 graphics cards to the Start Campus site, according to local media reports. Microsoft described the initiative as one of the largest AI computing investments in Europe, positioning Portugal as a leader in secure and sustainable AI development. Smith highlighted Sines' strategic role as a landing point for transatlantic submarine cables linking North America and Europe. He said Portugal's affordable energy, favorable climate, and strong broadband infrastructure put it in a strong position to attract future investment. Portuguese Minister of State Reform Goncalo Matias said Monday that the government aims to make Portugal a leading European hub for AI "gigafactories," with total investments projected to exceed 16 billion euros (18.56 billion U.S. dollars). He said the government is backing a national proposal, submitted by Portuguese Development Bank (Banco Portugues de Fomento), for an AI gigafactory in Sines worth about 4 billion euros, combining public and private funds. The Web Summit, held in Lisbon since 2016, gathers global entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors to discuss technology trends. This year's event, running until Thursday, features more than 70,000 participants, 2,500 startups, and over 1,000 investors. It also includes the China Summit, with a dedicated stage highlighting China's advances in AI, deep-tech research, and industrial transformation. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollars) Hodges Capital Management Inc. cut its position in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH Free Report) by 88.9% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 56,101 shares of the companys stock after selling 448,841 shares during the period. Hodges Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Norwegian Cruise Line were worth $1,138,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. AdvisorShares Investments LLC increased its holdings in Norwegian Cruise Line by 12.0% in the 2nd quarter. AdvisorShares Investments LLC now owns 5,377 shares of the companys stock worth $109,000 after buying an additional 577 shares during the period. Omnia Family Wealth LLC lifted its stake in Norwegian Cruise Line by 3.9% during the 2nd quarter. Omnia Family Wealth LLC now owns 15,410 shares of the companys stock valued at $313,000 after acquiring an additional 583 shares during the period. Brooklyn Investment Group boosted its holdings in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 22.0% in the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 3,394 shares of the companys stock valued at $64,000 after acquiring an additional 613 shares during the last quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC now owns 16,661 shares of the companys stock valued at $338,000 after acquiring an additional 669 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Burns Matteson Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 4.0% in the first quarter. Burns Matteson Capital Management LLC now owns 17,618 shares of the companys stock worth $334,000 after acquiring an additional 677 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.58% of the companys stock. Get Norwegian Cruise Line alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Norwegian Cruise Line In related news, CEO Harry Sommer bought 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $18.52 per share, for a total transaction of $463,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 720,728 shares in the company, valued at $13,347,882.56. This trade represents a 3.59% increase 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 Zillah Byng-Thorne purchased 29,008 shares of Norwegian Cruise Line stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were bought at an average price of $18.11 per share, with a total value of $525,334.88. Following the transaction, the director owned 66,017 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,195,567.87. The trade was a 78.38% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders bought 85,029 shares of company stock valued at $1,567,325. Insiders own 0.41% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades NCLH has been the subject of a number of research reports. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Tigress Financial boosted their price objective on Norwegian Cruise Line from $36.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 27th. UBS Group raised their target price on Norwegian Cruise Line from $23.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Norwegian Cruise Line in a report on Tuesday, July 22nd. They issued a buy rating and a $31.00 price target for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Norwegian Cruise Line currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $28.68. Check Out Our Latest Report on NCLH Norwegian Cruise Line Price Performance Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line stock opened at $19.06 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $8.68 billion, a PE ratio of 13.14, a P/E/G ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 2.22. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has a twelve month low of $14.21 and a twelve month high of $29.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 0.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.05. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $23.74 and a 200 day moving average price of $21.94. Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $2.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.03 billion. Norwegian Cruise Line had a return on equity of 59.88% and a net margin of 7.52%. Norwegian Cruise Line has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.270-0.270 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 2.100-2.100 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. will post 1.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Norwegian Cruise Line Company Profile (Free Report) Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cruise company in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. It offers itineraries ranging from three days to a 180-days calling on various ports, including Scandinavia, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, Alaska, Canada and New England, Hawaii, Asia, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, India, South America, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NCLH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. reduced its holdings in shares of Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX Free Report) by 33.9% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,470 shares of the shipping companys stock after selling 2,807 shares during the quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C.s holdings in Matson were worth $609,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of MATX. American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in Matson by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,158,834 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $148,528,000 after acquiring an additional 71,902 shares during the period. Boston Partners boosted its holdings in shares of Matson by 424.8% in the first quarter. Boston Partners now owns 958,170 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $121,428,000 after acquiring an additional 775,600 shares during the period. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Matson by 1.0% in the first quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 603,634 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $77,368,000 after purchasing an additional 6,135 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its stake in shares of Matson by 10.9% during the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 461,769 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $59,188,000 after purchasing an additional 45,296 shares during the period. Finally, T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Matson by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 352,746 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $45,212,000 after purchasing an additional 6,747 shares in the last quarter. 84.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Matson alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades MATX has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Matson in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Stephens boosted their price objective on shares of Matson from $160.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a hold rating and set a $115.00 target price on shares of Matson in a report on Friday, August 1st. Wolfe Research raised shares of Matson from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $142.00 price target for the company in a report on Friday. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Matson from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $141.75. Matson Price Performance MATX stock opened at $109.10 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $100.34 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $106.26. The stock has a market cap of $3.40 billion, a PE ratio of 7.38 and a beta of 1.32. Matson, Inc. has a one year low of $86.97 and a one year high of $169.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.78. Matson (NYSE:MATX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The shipping company reported $4.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.25 by $0.99. The company had revenue of $880.10 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $837.72 million. Matson had a net margin of 14.26% and a return on equity of 18.90%. The firms revenue was down 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $5.89 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Matson, Inc. will post 13.27 EPS for the current fiscal year. Matson Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 6th will be given a dividend of $0.36 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 6th. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Matsons dividend payout ratio is 10.96%. Matson Profile (Free Report) Matson, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of ocean transportation and logistics services. It operates through two segments, Ocean Transportation and Logistics. The Ocean Transportation segment offers ocean freight transportation services to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Japan, Alaska, and Guam, as well as to other island economies in Micronesia. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MATX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Matson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Matson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Crane (NYSE:CR Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the six brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $223.60. Several research firms have recently commented on CR. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Crane from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Friday. DA Davidson set a $235.00 price target on shares of Crane in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Crane from $200.00 to $202.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. UBS Group restated a buy rating and issued a $230.00 target price (up previously from $215.00) on shares of Crane in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Bank of America raised their target price on Crane from $220.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 21st. Get Crane alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Crane Insider Activity Institutional Inflows and Outflows In related news, VP Alejandro Alcala sold 20,791 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $192.74, for a total transaction of $4,007,257.34. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 33,526 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,461,801.24. This represents a 38.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . 2.12% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of CR. Twelve Points Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Crane by 19.6% in the 1st quarter. Twelve Points Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,405 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,747,000 after purchasing an additional 1,870 shares in the last quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Crane by 14.1% in the first quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 41,970 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $6,429,000 after buying an additional 5,197 shares in the last quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Crane by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 11,672 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,788,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. Xponance Inc. raised its stake in shares of Crane by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 5,633 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $863,000 after buying an additional 102 shares during the period. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund lifted its position in shares of Crane by 2.4% during the 1st quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 40,488 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $6,202,000 after buying an additional 938 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.14% of the companys stock. Crane Stock Up 0.5% Shares of CR stock opened at $190.47 on Tuesday. Crane has a fifty-two week low of $127.04 and a fifty-two week high of $203.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.97 billion, a PE ratio of 25.23, a P/E/G ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.18. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $184.37 and its 200-day simple moving average is $183.40. Crane (NYSE:CR Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The conglomerate reported $1.64 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.18. Crane had a return on equity of 24.45% and a net margin of 13.10%.The firm had revenue of $589.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $578.54 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.38 earnings per share. Cranes revenue for the quarter was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. Crane has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.750-5.950 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Crane will post 7.87 earnings per share for the current year. Crane Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.23 per share. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. Cranes payout ratio is 14.74%. Crane Company Profile (Get Free Report) Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Crane Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crane and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CENTRAL TRUST Co grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 0.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 43,951 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 190 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company comprises 0.8% of CENTRAL TRUST Cos holdings, making the stock its 28th biggest position. CENTRAL TRUST Cos holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $34,261,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in LLY. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 97.5% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 101,305,650 shares of the companys stock valued at $83,669,349,000 after purchasing an additional 50,002,551 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter valued at $4,613,912,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 6.7% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 79,224,392 shares of the companys stock valued at $65,432,218,000 after buying an additional 4,975,395 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 106.8% during the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,481,031 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,154,508,000 after buying an additional 765,010 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 13.3% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 5,821,993 shares of the companys stock worth $4,808,443,000 after acquiring an additional 682,203 shares during the period. 82.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on LLY shares. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,028.00 to $1,023.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Daiwa America downgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, August 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,010.00 to $900.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Loop Capital set a $950.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Monday. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $895.00 to $1,080.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $981.89. Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance Shares of LLY opened at $965.68 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $804.63 and a two-hundred day moving average of $775.74. The stock has a market cap of $912.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 63.12, a PEG ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.00. Eli Lilly and Company has a one year low of $623.78 and a one year high of $981.99. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $0.60. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 25.91% and a return on equity of 92.72%. The business had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.09 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.18 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 53.9% on a year-over-year basis. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a $1.50 dividend. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.35%. Eli Lilly and Company 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. eCIO Inc. raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (NYSEARCA:SUSA Free Report) by 95.7% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 58,174 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 28,442 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF accounts for approximately 3.1% of eCIO Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest position. eCIO Inc. owned about 0.21% of iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF worth $7,374,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of SUSA. IMA Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF during the first quarter valued at about $53,957,000. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF by 105.5% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 211,505 shares of the companys stock valued at $24,296,000 after acquiring an additional 108,594 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF by 26.8% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 323,252 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,132,000 after acquiring an additional 68,316 shares in the last quarter. Ryan Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,590,000. Finally, Sax Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF by 135.5% during the 1st quarter. Sax Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 19,835 shares of the companys stock worth $2,278,000 after purchasing an additional 11,412 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF alerts: iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF Stock Up 1.4% Shares of iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF stock opened at $139.07 on Tuesday. iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF has a 52 week low of $99.48 and a 52 week high of $140.27. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $135.62 and a 200-day moving average price of $128.81. The company has a market cap of $3.68 billion, a PE ratio of -249.37 and a beta of 1.05. iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Extended ESG Select index. The fund tracks an index of US companies with high environmental, social and governance (ESG) factor scores as calculated by MSCI. SUSA was launched on Jan 24, 2005 and is managed by BlackRock. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Compass Group LLC increased its position in shares of Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP Free Report) by 8.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 38,143 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 2,820 shares during the period. Credicorp comprises 41.5% of Compass Group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its biggest position. Compass Group LLCs holdings in Credicorp were worth $8,526,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Boston Partners purchased a new stake in Credicorp during the second quarter worth about $2,268,000. Future Fund LLC acquired a new position in shares of Credicorp in the second quarter valued at approximately $506,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Credicorp by 46.6% during the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 464,098 shares of the banks stock worth $103,698,000 after buying an additional 147,573 shares during the period. Aviva PLC lifted its holdings in Credicorp by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 51,500 shares of the banks stock worth $11,511,000 after buying an additional 1,198 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Credicorp by 33.6% during the 2nd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 49,292 shares of the banks stock worth $11,018,000 after buying an additional 12,386 shares in the last quarter. 89.81% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Credicorp alerts: Credicorp Trading Down 0.2% BAP opened at $259.10 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.08. Credicorp Ltd. has a one year low of $165.51 and a one year high of $280.88. The company has a market cap of $20.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.28, a PEG ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.09. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $261.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is $237.05. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Credicorp ( NYSE:BAP Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 14th. The bank reported $6.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.73 by $0.51. The firm had revenue of $1.58 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.52 billion. Credicorp had a return on equity of 17.94% and a net margin of 23.22%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Credicorp Ltd. will post 21.9 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of analysts have recently weighed in on BAP shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b+) rating on shares of Credicorp in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Credicorp from a sell rating to a neutral rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $174.00 to $225.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. HSBC lowered Credicorp from a buy rating to a hold rating and increased their price target for the company from $225.00 to $255.00 in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Hsbc Global Res upgraded Credicorp to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Finally, Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Credicorp from $255.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Credicorp currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $250.00. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on BAP About Credicorp (Free Report) Credicorp Ltd. provides various financial, insurance, and health services and products primarily in Peru and internationally. It operates through Universal Banking, Insurance and Pensions, Microfinance, and Investment Banking and Equity Management segments. The Universal Banking segment grants various credits and financial instruments to individuals and legal entities; and various deposits and current accounts. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Credicorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credicorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. lowered its stake in Terreno Realty Corporation (NYSE:TRNO Free Report) by 4.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 41,405 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 1,933 shares during the quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Terreno Realty were worth $2,323,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Terreno Realty by 304.3% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 465 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 350 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its position in shares of Terreno Realty by 90.2% during the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 797 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 378 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its stake in Terreno Realty by 26.5% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,171 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $66,000 after purchasing an additional 245 shares during the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd acquired a new position in Terreno Realty in the 2nd quarter valued at $152,000. Finally, Archer Investment Corp purchased a new position in Terreno Realty in the 1st quarter valued at $160,000. Get Terreno Realty alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. KeyCorp lowered their price target on shares of Terreno Realty from $70.00 to $64.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Terreno Realty from $56.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, September 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Terreno Realty from $64.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Piper Sandler raised Terreno Realty from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $75.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on Terreno Realty in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. They set an overweight rating and a $70.00 price objective on the stock. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Terreno Realty has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $67.27. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Terreno Realty news, President Michael A. Coke sold 10,000 shares of Terreno Realty stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.96, for a total transaction of $539,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president directly owned 412,415 shares of the companys stock, valued at $22,253,913.40. The trade was a 2.37% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP John Tull Meyer sold 4,758 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.95, for a total value of $285,242.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 119,949 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,190,942.55. This represents a 3.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock. Terreno Realty Stock Up 0.5% Terreno Realty stock opened at $61.26 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $6.33 billion, a PE ratio of 24.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 1.75 and a current ratio of 1.75. Terreno Realty Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $48.18 and a fifty-two week high of $69.20. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $58.60 and a 200 day moving average price of $57.45. Terreno Realty (NYSE:TRNO Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.00 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.34. The company had revenue of $116.25 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $114.62 million. Terreno Realty had a return on equity of 6.71% and a net margin of 59.56%. Research analysts expect that Terreno Realty Corporation will post 2.64 earnings per share for the current year. Terreno Realty Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. Terreno Realtys payout ratio is 82.54%. Terreno Realty Profile (Free Report) Terreno Realty Corporation (Terreno, and together with its subsidiaries, the Company) acquires, owns and operates industrial real estate in six major coastal U.S. markets: Los Angeles, Northern New Jersey/New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Miami, and Washington, DC All square feet, acres, occupancy and number of properties disclosed in these notes to the consolidated financial statements are unaudited. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRNO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Terreno Realty Corporation (NYSE:TRNO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Terreno Realty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Terreno Realty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ping An Insurance Co. of China (OTCMKTS:PNGAY Get Free Report) and SiriusPoint (NYSE:SPNT Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, valuation, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability and analyst recommendations. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Ping An Insurance Co. of China and SiriusPoint, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Get Ping An Insurance Co. of China alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Ping An Insurance Co. of China 0 0 0 1 4.00 SiriusPoint 0 1 2 2 3.20 SiriusPoint has a consensus price target of $25.00, indicating a potential upside of 24.07%. Given SiriusPoints higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe SiriusPoint is more favorable than Ping An Insurance Co. of China. Risk & Volatility Institutional & Insider Ownership Ping An Insurance Co. of China has a beta of 0.35, indicating that its share price is 65% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SiriusPoint has a beta of 0.81, indicating that its share price is 19% less volatile than the S&P 500. 0.0% of Ping An Insurance Co. of China shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 52.8% of SiriusPoint shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Ping An Insurance Co. of China shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 10.3% of SiriusPoint shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Profitability This table compares Ping An Insurance Co. of China and SiriusPoints net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Ping An Insurance Co. of China 11.89% 10.60% 1.07% SiriusPoint 6.97% 11.31% 1.71% Earnings and Valuation This table compares Ping An Insurance Co. of China and SiriusPoints revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Ping An Insurance Co. of China $158.77 billion 0.88 $17.61 billion $2.13 7.16 SiriusPoint $2.60 billion 0.90 $199.90 million $1.59 12.67 Ping An Insurance Co. of China has higher revenue and earnings than SiriusPoint. Ping An Insurance Co. of China is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than SiriusPoint, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary SiriusPoint beats Ping An Insurance Co. of China on 10 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About Ping An Insurance Co. of China (Get Free Report) Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. provides financial products and services for insurance, banking, asset management, and technology businesses in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Life and Health Insurance; Property and Casualty Insurance; Banking; Asset Management; and Technology segments. Its Life and Health Insurance segment offers term, whole-life, endowment, annuity, investment-linked, universal life, and health care and medical insurance to individual and corporate customers. The company's Property and Casualty Insurance segment provides auto, non-auto, and accident and health insurance to individual and corporate customers. Its Banking segment undertakes loan and intermediary businesses with corporate and retail customers; and offers wealth management and credit card services to individual customers. The company's Asset Management segment provides trust products services, brokerage services, trading services, investment banking services, investment management, finance lease, and other asset management services. Its Technology segment offers financial and daily-life services through internet platforms, such as financial transaction information service, and health care service platforms. The company also provides annuity insurance, IT and business process outsourcing, real estate investment and management, futures brokerage, project investment, currency brokerage, property agency, fund raising and distribution, real estate development and leasing, and insurance agency services. In addition, it provides factoring, equity investment, logistics and warehousing, management consulting, e-commerce, and credit information services; and operates an expressway, as well as produces and sells consumer chemicals. The company was incorporated in 1988 and is based in Shenzhen, China. About SiriusPoint (Get Free Report) SiriusPoint Ltd. provides multi-line insurance and reinsurance products and services worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Reinsurance, and Insurance & Services. The Reinsurance segment provides aviation and space, accident and health, casualty, credit, marine and energy, property to insurance and reinsurance companies, government entities, and other risk bearing vehicles. This segment offers medical insurance products, trip cancellation programs, medical management services, and 24/7 emergency medical and travel assistance services. The Insurance & Services segment provides accident and health, marine and energy, property and casualty, mortgage, environmental, workers' compensation, commercial auto lines, professional liability, and other lines of business. The company was formerly known as Third Point Reinsurance Ltd. and changed its name to SiriusPoint Ltd. in February 2021. SiriusPoint Ltd. was incorporated in 2011 and is headquartered in Pembroke, Bermuda. Receive News & Ratings for Ping An Insurance Co. of China Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ping An Insurance Co. of China and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. cut its holdings in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE:OHI Free Report) by 5.5% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 116,129 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 6,716 shares during the quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Omega Healthcare Investors were worth $4,249,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors during the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. acquired a new stake in Omega Healthcare Investors in the second quarter valued at $41,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd boosted its stake in Omega Healthcare Investors by 395.2% during the 2nd quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 1,129 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 901 shares during the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its stake in Omega Healthcare Investors by 562.3% during the 2nd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,828 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $67,000 after acquiring an additional 1,552 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Register Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Omega Healthcare Investors during the 2nd quarter worth $73,000. 65.25% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Omega Healthcare Investors alerts: Omega Healthcare Investors Price Performance Shares of NYSE OHI opened at $43.96 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 7.10 and a quick ratio of 7.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.99 billion, a PE ratio of 27.14, a P/E/G ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 0.69. Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. has a 1-year low of $35.04 and a 1-year high of $44.21. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $41.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $39.33. Omega Healthcare Investors Dividend Announcement Omega Healthcare Investors ( NYSE:OHI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.02. Omega Healthcare Investors had a net margin of 42.23% and a return on equity of 9.78%. The company had revenue of $260.74 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $262.48 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.71 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Omega Healthcare Investors has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.080-3.100 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. will post 2.86 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 3rd will be given a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 3rd. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.1%. Omega Healthcare Investorss dividend payout ratio is 149.72%. Insider Activity at Omega Healthcare Investors In other Omega Healthcare Investors news, CEO C Taylor Pickett acquired 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $43.14 per share, with a total value of $862,800.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer directly owned 20,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $862,800. This represents a ? increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CIO Vikas Gupta bought 11,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $42.97 per share, for a total transaction of $494,155.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive owned 13,773 shares in the company, valued at $591,825.81. This trade represents a 505.94% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on OHI shares. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Omega Healthcare Investors from $44.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Mizuho increased their target price on Omega Healthcare Investors from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, September 11th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors in a report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Finally, Scotiabank upped their price target on Omega Healthcare Investors from $39.00 to $42.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 28th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Omega Healthcare Investors has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $44.29. View Our Latest Analysis on Omega Healthcare Investors About Omega Healthcare Investors (Free Report) Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc engages in the provision of financing and capital to the long-term healthcare industry with a particular focus on skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, independent living facilities, rehabilitation and acute care facilities, and medical office buildings. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OHI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE:OHI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Omega Healthcare Investors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Omega Healthcare Investors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. lessened its position in shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG Free Report) by 34.8% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 3,178 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 1,694 shares during the quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.s holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $774,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Altman Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 0.4% in the first quarter. Altman Advisors Inc. now owns 10,162 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $2,348,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the period. Hemington Wealth Management increased its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 14.0% in the 1st quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 390 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $90,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the period. Brooklyn Investment Group raised its position in Cheniere Energy by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 1,007 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $233,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. Fielder Capital Group LLC raised its position in Cheniere Energy by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Fielder Capital Group LLC now owns 2,964 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $722,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Cheniere Energy by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,356 shares of the energy companys stock worth $314,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.26% of the companys stock. Get Cheniere Energy alerts: Insider Activity at Cheniere Energy In related news, Director W Benjamin Moreland acquired 5,000 shares of Cheniere Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $208.22 per share, for a total transaction of $1,041,100.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 9,856 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,052,216.32. This trade represents a 102.97% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.26% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Cheniere Energy Stock Up 1.8% LNG opened at $211.73 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.96, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $227.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $232.33. The stock has a market capitalization of $45.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.36, a P/E/G ratio of 6.08 and a beta of 0.36. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 12 month low of $188.70 and a 12 month high of $257.65. Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The energy company reported $4.75 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.75 by $2.00. Cheniere Energy had a return on equity of 37.83% and a net margin of 21.05%.The firm had revenue of $4.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.87 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.93 earnings per share. Cheniere Energys quarterly revenue was up 18.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 11.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Cheniere Energy Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be issued a $0.555 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. This represents a $2.22 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. This is a boost from Cheniere Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. Cheniere Energys payout ratio is 12.37%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have commented on LNG shares. Jefferies Financial Group set a $290.00 price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Erste Group Bank cut Cheniere Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday. Mizuho upped their price objective on Cheniere Energy from $268.00 to $273.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 29th. Barclays reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $262.00 target price (up from $253.00) on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on Cheniere Energy in a research note on Friday, September 19th. They set an outperform rating and a $268.00 price target for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Cheniere Energy presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $268.73. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on LNG Cheniere Energy Company Profile (Free Report) Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal with several interstate and intrastate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LNG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Cheniere Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cheniere Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) marked its 76th anniversary on Tuesday. From humble beginnings, it has evolved into a modern force equipped with some of the world's leading aircraft, with a growing emphasis on intelligent, information-driven capabilities. On Tuesday, the PLAAF released a 26-minute microfilm on its official social media accounts to mark the anniversary, named Dreaming Far. The film presents the progress of the Air Force from the perspective of an ordinary family living next to an airport, with a few seconds of images showcasing a large drone codenamed Xuanlong-08. In the film, Xuanlong-08 forms a three-aircraft formation with two manned fighter jets, a J-16, and a J-20 codenamed Weilong-1, while the pilot of the J-20 said that the drone has teamed up with his fighter as a loyal wingman. It is the first time that the PLAAF has published the footage of manned and unmanned aircraft teaming up, which quickly captured nationwide attention and generated thousands of comments online. "In the past, we looked to foreign forces for advanced weapons and equipment. Now we look to our own," read one proud comment under the film. "Though the dream may seem distant, persistent effort will ultimately bring it to fruition," read another comment. Another microfilm, which was published on the social media account of the military channel of CCTV, China's national broadcaster, reviewed the history of the PLAAF with interviews with pilots from different generations, showcasing the country's fighter jets from first-generation J-5 to the fifth-generation J-20 and the latest J-35, as well as the large transport aircraft Y-20B. "We have the best aircraft. Our hands can wield either a rifle or an olive branch," said a pilot named Chen Siqi in the microfilm. Founded on Nov. 11, 1949, the PLAAF started with only a handful of outdated planes. During the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China on Oct. 1, 1949, only 17 aircraft were available for inspection. Later, during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953), the young air force shot down or damaged 425 enemy aircraft. Over the past more than seven decades, the PLAAF has achieved a historic transformation from mechanization to informatization, and from an air defense force to one capable of both offensive and defensive operations. Advancing technology continuously reshapes warfare, and keeping pace with these shifts is key to winning future battles. China's top leadership in October adopted its recommendations for formulating the country's development priorities for the next five years. For the military, it calls for stepping up the development and utilization of data resources, so as to develop an intelligent military system. In the PLAAF, AI has become a new tool to hone pilots' skills. In a simulated air combat against AI, Ma Xiao, an outstanding pilot with experience flying five types of fighter jets, faced unprecedented challenges. "It is very aggressive and never makes mistakes," Ma commented on his new adversary. This AI air combat system absorbs the strengths of all pilots in Ma's brigade and gradually evolves into an "all-around" adversary. With AI's assistance, pilots of the brigade have achieved breakthroughs in real-combat-oriented training and made remarkable progress in flight skills. "We must study not only the wars of today but also the wars of the future," said the commander of the brigade. Savant Capital LLC cut its holdings in shares of Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH Free Report) by 12.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 25,698 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 3,540 shares during the period. Savant Capital LLCs holdings in CRH were worth $2,359,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in CRH. Ninety One UK Ltd increased its stake in shares of CRH by 13.1% in the 2nd quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 3,143,490 shares of the construction companys stock worth $288,572,000 after acquiring an additional 364,319 shares in the last quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP purchased a new stake in CRH in the first quarter worth about $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 valued at $39,318,000 after purchasing an additional 226,602 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its holdings in shares of CRH by 43.2% during the first quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 10,303,788 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $906,424,000 after purchasing an additional 3,108,416 shares during the last quarter. Finally, National Pension Service boosted its position in shares of CRH by 8.6% in the 1st quarter. National Pension Service now owns 2,154,053 shares of the construction companys stock worth $189,492,000 after purchasing an additional 170,702 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 62.50% of the companys stock. Get CRH alerts: CRH Price Performance CRH stock opened at $114.08 on Tuesday. Crh Plc has a one year low of $76.75 and a one year high of $121.99. The businesss fifty day moving average is $115.78 and its 200 day moving average is $104.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $76.74 billion, a PE ratio of 23.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.32. CRH Announces Dividend CRH ( NYSE:CRH Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The construction company reported $2.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.94 by $0.27. The business had revenue of $11.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.15 billion. CRH had a return on equity of 15.68% and a net margin of 9.09%.CRHs revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.97 EPS. CRH has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.490-5.720 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Crh Plc will post 5.47 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st will be given a dividend of $0.37 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 21st. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. CRHs dividend payout ratio is 22.11%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group raised CRH to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on CRH from $152.00 to $150.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday. Barclays lifted their price target on CRH from $110.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of CRH in a research report on Friday, October 24th. They set an overweight rating on the stock. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on shares of CRH in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $138.00 target price for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $128.31. View Our Latest Stock Report on CRH About CRH (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CRH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for CRH Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CRH and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Savant Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Williams Companies, Inc. (The) (NYSE:WMB Free Report) by 82.6% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 45,857 shares of the pipeline companys stock after buying an additional 20,747 shares during the quarter. Savant Capital LLCs holdings in Williams Companies were worth $2,880,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Diversified Trust Co lifted its stake in shares of Williams Companies by 28.5% during the 2nd quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 46,549 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $2,924,000 after purchasing an additional 10,317 shares during the period. Cbre Investment Management Listed Real Assets LLC increased its stake in Williams Companies by 362.5% in the first quarter. Cbre Investment Management Listed Real Assets LLC now owns 1,465,991 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $87,608,000 after purchasing an additional 1,149,045 shares during the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC lifted its position in Williams Companies by 153.4% during the second quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 831 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 503 shares during the period. Adams Natural Resources Fund Inc. boosted its stake in Williams Companies by 1,238.3% in the 2nd quarter. Adams Natural Resources Fund Inc. now owns 365,350 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $22,948,000 after buying an additional 338,050 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jump Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Williams Companies in the 1st quarter valued at about $2,728,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.44% of the companys stock. Get Williams Companies alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have recently weighed in on WMB. Mizuho upgraded shares of Williams Companies to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Williams Companies from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. TD Cowen lifted their price target on shares of Williams Companies from $69.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on Williams Companies from $59.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $63.00 target price on shares of Williams Companies in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $67.86. Insider Transactions at Williams Companies In other news, SVP Terrance Lane Wilson sold 2,000 shares of Williams Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.62, for a total transaction of $115,240.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 311,645 shares in the company, valued at $17,956,984.90. This trade represents a 0.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.44% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Williams Companies Stock Performance NYSE:WMB opened at $60.58 on Tuesday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $60.43 and its 200 day simple moving average is $59.42. The company has a current ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73. Williams Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $51.58 and a twelve month high of $65.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.44, a PEG ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.63. Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The pipeline company reported $0.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.51 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $2.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.87 billion. Williams Companies had a net margin of 21.63% and a return on equity of 16.23%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.43 earnings per share. Williams Companies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.010-2.190 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Williams Companies, Inc. will post 2.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Williams Companies Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be issued a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. Williams Companiess dividend payout ratio is currently 103.09%. Williams Companies Profile (Free Report) The Williams Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in the United States. It operates through Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, West, and Gas & NGL Marketing Services segments. The Transmission & Gulf of Mexico segment comprises natural gas pipelines; Transco, Northwest pipeline, MountainWest, and related natural gas storage facilities; and natural gas gathering and processing, and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WMB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Williams Companies, Inc. (The) (NYSE:WMB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Williams Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Williams Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust increased its position in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report) by 101.7% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 119 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 60 shares during the quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trusts holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $124,000 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 company. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its position in shares of W.W. Grainger by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 323 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $319,000 after buying an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. Hemington Wealth Management lifted its stake in W.W. Grainger by 0.9% in the first quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 1,139 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,125,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the period. Grove Bank & Trust grew its holdings in W.W. Grainger by 52.6% during the 2nd quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 29 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC increased its position in W.W. Grainger by 50.0% during the 2nd quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC now owns 30 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the period. Finally, Brighton Jones LLC raised its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 313 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $326,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. 80.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get W.W. Grainger alerts: Insider Activity In related news, SVP Jonny M. Leroy sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $992.86, for a total value of $496,430.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 1,771 shares in the company, valued at $1,758,355.06. The trade was a 22.02% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 6.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. W.W. Grainger Stock Down 0.5% GWW stock opened at $950.45 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $45.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 1.17. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a 12 month low of $893.99 and a 12 month high of $1,227.66. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $972.46 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1,014.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 2.82 and a quick ratio of 1.64. W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The industrial products company reported $10.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $9.95 by $0.26. The company had revenue of $4.66 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.64 billion. W.W. Grainger had a return on equity of 49.63% and a net margin of 10.99%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $9.87 EPS. W.W. Grainger has set its FY 2025 guidance at 39.000-39.750 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 40.3 earnings per share for the current year. W.W. Grainger Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th will be issued a dividend of $2.26 per share. This represents a $9.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 10th. W.W. Graingers payout ratio is 25.35%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts recently issued reports on GWW shares. Loop Capital cut their price objective on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,000.00 to $950.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on W.W. Grainger from $1,006.00 to $1,050.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on W.W. Grainger from $1,035.00 to $1,050.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of W.W. Grainger in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on shares of W.W. Grainger from $963.00 to $975.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday. Two 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, W.W. Grainger has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $1,061.57. Read Our Latest Analysis on GWW W.W. Grainger Company Profile (Free Report) W.W. Grainger, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services primarily in North America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. The company provides safety, security, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance, and metalworking and hand tools. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GWW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for W.W. Grainger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for W.W. Grainger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) by 11.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 8,086 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 830 shares during the quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $782,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC increased its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 26.8% during the second quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 190,538 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $17,387,000 after acquiring an additional 40,275 shares during the period. Bain Capital Public Equity Management II LLC purchased a new position in Charles Schwab during the 1st quarter worth $79,605,000. Independent Advisor Alliance raised its position in Charles Schwab by 13.8% during the 1st quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 39,103 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,061,000 after purchasing an additional 4,754 shares in the last quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH lifted its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 6.2% in the 1st quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH now owns 1,181,563 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $92,493,000 after buying an additional 68,858 shares during the period. Finally, PFG Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 10.2% during the 2nd quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 5,951 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $543,000 after buying an additional 550 shares in the last quarter. 84.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Charles Schwab In other Charles Schwab news, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 50,016 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $97.00, for a total value of $4,851,552.00. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Jonathan S. Beatty sold 6,144 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.81, for a total value of $594,800.64. Following the sale, the insider owned 11,923 shares in the company, valued at $1,154,265.63. The trade was a 34.01% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 65,866 shares of company stock worth $6,370,897. 6.30% of the stock is owned by insiders. Charles Schwab Trading Up 0.3% NYSE:SCHW opened at $95.53 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $173.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.37, a PEG ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.02. The Charles Schwab Corporation has a 52 week low of $65.88 and a 52 week high of $99.59. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $94.02 and a 200 day moving average of $92.08. 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. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 35.93% and a return on equity of 21.26%. The business 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 company earned $0.71 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 26.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Charles Schwab declared that its board has initiated a share buyback program on Thursday, July 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $20.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to buy up to 11.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Charles Schwab Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a dividend of $0.27 per share. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is currently 25.29%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and issued a $110.00 price objective on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Friday, October 17th. TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $129.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $112.00 to $113.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. They issued an outperform rating and a $110.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on Charles Schwab from $109.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $106.45. View Our Latest Research Report on Charles Schwab Charles Schwab Company Profile (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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Boston Partners cut its position in shares of US Foods Holding Corp. (NYSE:USFD Free Report) by 7.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 15,200,950 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,256,401 shares during the quarter. US Foods makes up about 1.3% of Boston Partners investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest position. Boston Partners owned 6.57% of US Foods worth $1,173,294,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of USFD. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new position in US Foods during the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of US Foods by 58.7% in the 2nd quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 541 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. grew its holdings in shares of US Foods by 41.1% during the 2nd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 931 shares of the companys stock valued at $72,000 after purchasing an additional 271 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC raised its position in US Foods by 19.7% in the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,302 shares of the companys stock worth $85,000 after purchasing an additional 214 shares during the period. Finally, Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton lifted its stake in US Foods by 1,474.0% in the second quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 1,149 shares of the companys stock worth $88,000 after purchasing an additional 1,076 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.76% of the companys stock. Get US Foods alerts: US Foods Stock Down 1.5% Shares of US Foods stock opened at $72.41 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08. US Foods Holding Corp. has a 12-month low of $57.36 and a 12-month high of $85.11. The company has a market cap of $16.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.17, a PEG ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 1.34. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $76.10 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $76.86. Analysts Set New Price Targets US Foods ( NYSE:USFD Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $1.07 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.02. US Foods had a net margin of 1.43% and a return on equity of 17.71%. The firm had revenue of $10.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.18 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.85 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that US Foods Holding Corp. will post 3.59 EPS for the current year. USFD has been the subject of several analyst reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of US Foods from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Barclays lowered their price objective on US Foods from $95.00 to $90.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Piper Sandler raised their target price on shares of US Foods from $77.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and set a $89.00 price target (up from $84.00) on shares of US Foods in a report on Monday, July 14th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of US Foods in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $82.00. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on US Foods US Foods Company Profile (Free Report) US Foods Holding Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in marketing, sale, and distribution of fresh, frozen, and dry food and non-food products to foodservice customers in the United States. The company's customers include independently owned single and multi-unit restaurants, regional concepts, national restaurant chains, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels and motels, country clubs, government and military organizations, colleges and universities, and retail locations. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding USFD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for US Foods Holding Corp. (NYSE:USFD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for US Foods Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for US Foods and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL Free Report) by 8.8% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 825,916 shares of the transportation companys stock after purchasing an additional 67,002 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Delta Air Lines were worth $40,619,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brighton Jones LLC raised its holdings in shares of Delta Air Lines by 33.5% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 9,174 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $555,000 after acquiring an additional 2,302 shares in the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas purchased a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines in the first quarter valued at $1,028,000. Alps Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Delta Air Lines in the first quarter worth $334,000. Xponance Inc. raised its stake in Delta Air Lines by 1.2% during the first quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 89,881 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $3,919,000 after purchasing an additional 1,022 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC raised its stake in Delta Air Lines by 19.4% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 77,616 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $3,384,000 after purchasing an additional 12,627 shares in the last quarter. 69.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Delta Air Lines alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In DAL has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $72.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, September 12th. TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of Delta Air Lines from $66.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 13th. Wolfe Research boosted their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Raymond James Financial upped their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $70.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty have given a Buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $71.53. Insider Buying and Selling at Delta Air Lines In other news, SVP William C. Carroll sold 14,010 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.25, for a total transaction of $858,112.50. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 15,816 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $968,730. The trade was a 46.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Michael P. Huerta sold 2,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.70, for a total transaction of $151,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 33,245 shares in the company, valued at $2,017,971.50. This represents a 6.99% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 39,833 shares of company stock valued at $2,463,585 in the last quarter. 0.88% of the stock is owned by insiders. Delta Air Lines Price Performance DAL stock opened at $58.57 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a 12 month low of $34.74 and a 12 month high of $69.98. The stock has a market cap of $38.24 billion, a PE ratio of 8.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $59.03 and a 200 day moving average price of $54.44. Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 15th. The transportation company reported $0.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $8.40 billion during the quarter. Delta Air Lines had a net margin of 7.36% and a return on equity of 23.83%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current year. Delta Air Lines Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 6th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 16th were issued a dividend of $0.1875 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 16th. This represents a $0.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. Delta Air Liness payout ratio is presently 10.56%. Delta Air Lines Company Profile (Free Report) Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Delta Air Lines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Delta Air Lines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fidelity National Financial (NYSE:FNF Free Report) had its price objective raised by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $69.00 to $70.00 in a report released on Monday morning,Benzinga reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods currently has an outperform rating on the financial services providers stock. Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. National Bankshares set a $64.00 target price on Fidelity National Financial in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Fidelity National Financial in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Barclays restated a cautious rating on shares of Fidelity National Financial in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $70.00. Get Fidelity National Financial alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on FNF Fidelity National Financial Price Performance Fidelity National Financial stock opened at $57.53 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 0.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $57.80 and a 200-day simple moving average of $57.45. The stock has a market cap of $15.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.60 and a beta of 1.05. Fidelity National Financial has a 12-month low of $50.61 and a 12-month high of $66.72. Fidelity National Financial (NYSE:FNF Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 13th. The financial services provider reported $0.76 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $3.17 billion for the quarter. Fidelity National Financial had a return on equity of 14.30% and a net margin of 7.93%. Equities analysts expect that Fidelity National Financial will post 6.28 EPS for the current fiscal year. Fidelity National Financial Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.52 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 17th. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.6%. This is an increase from Fidelity National Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. Fidelity National Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 48.37%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Fidelity National Financial Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Quent Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Fidelity National Financial during the third quarter worth about $26,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in Fidelity National Financial by 4,545.5% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 511 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the period. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Fidelity National Financial during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new position in shares of Fidelity National Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp increased its holdings in shares of Fidelity National Financial by 997.7% in the third quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 472 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 429 shares during the period. 81.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Fidelity National Financial (Get Free Report) Fidelity National Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides various insurance products in the United States. The company operates through Title, F&G, and Corporate and Other segments. It offers title insurance, escrow, and other title related services, including trust activities, trustee sales guarantees, recordings and reconveyances, and home warranty products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Fidelity National Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fidelity National Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG Free Report) by 5.3% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 856,204 shares of the banks stock after buying an additional 42,971 shares during the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Citizens Financial Group were worth $38,315,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Investors Research Corp increased its position in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 344.8% during the second quarter. Investors Research Corp now owns 645 shares of the banks stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the period. Trust Co. of Vermont grew its stake in Citizens Financial Group by 177.5% in the second quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 641 shares of the banks stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 410 shares in the last quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC increased its holdings in Citizens Financial Group by 16,900.0% during the 2nd quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 680 shares of the banks stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 676 shares during the period. REAP Financial Group LLC raised its position in Citizens Financial Group by 72.4% during the 2nd quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 736 shares of the banks stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 309 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 143.4% in the 1st quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 1,076 shares of the banks stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 634 shares during the period. 94.90% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Citizens Financial Group alerts: Citizens Financial Group Stock Up 1.4% NYSE:CFG opened at $52.43 on Tuesday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $51.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $47.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.85. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $32.60 and a fifty-two week high of $55.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.69, a P/E/G ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 0.82. Citizens Financial Group Increases Dividend Citizens Financial Group ( NYSE:CFG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The bank reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.02. Citizens Financial Group had a net margin of 14.17% and a return on equity of 7.48%. The firm had revenue of $2.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.79 EPS. Citizens Financial Groups revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Citizens Financial Group, Inc. will post 3.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 12th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.46 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 29th. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.5%. This is a boost from Citizens Financial Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. Citizens Financial Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 51.54%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley upgraded Citizens Financial Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their price target for the company from $53.00 to $71.00 in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. They set an overweight rating and a $61.00 target price on the stock. Stephens restated an overweight rating and issued a $60.00 price target on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a report on Thursday, October 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Citizens Financial Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the company from $48.50 to $52.00 in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Citizens Financial Group from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Friday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $56.57. Read Our Latest Stock Report on CFG Citizens Financial Group Company Profile (Free Report) Citizens Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company that provides retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, corporations, and institutions in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CFG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Citizens Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citizens Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Amcor PLC (NYSE:AMCR Free Report) by 63.5% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 5,012,038 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,946,147 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Amcor were worth $46,061,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of AMCR. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in Amcor during the 1st quarter valued at $121,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Amcor by 2.9% in the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,151,517 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,570,000 after purchasing an additional 88,028 shares during the last quarter. Greenleaf Trust lifted its position in shares of Amcor by 12.6% during the first quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 13,574 shares of the companys stock valued at $132,000 after purchasing an additional 1,514 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Amcor by 69.5% during the first quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 177,426 shares of the companys stock worth $1,721,000 after purchasing an additional 72,733 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP grew its position in Amcor by 16.4% in the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 32,953 shares of the companys stock worth $318,000 after purchasing an additional 4,652 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 45.14% of the companys stock. Get Amcor alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Amcor news, Director Stephen E. Sterrett acquired 10,000 shares of Amcor stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 19th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $8.55 per share, for a total transaction of $85,500.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 10,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $85,500. This represents a ? increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock. Amcor Stock Performance Shares of AMCR opened at $8.43 on Tuesday. Amcor PLC has a 1 year low of $7.66 and a 1 year high of $10.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $8.15 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $8.86. The firm has a market cap of $19.43 billion, a PE ratio of 23.42, a PEG ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.72. Amcor (NYSE:AMCR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.19 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.19. Amcor had a return on equity of 19.43% and a net margin of 3.40%.The company had revenue of $5.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.77 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.16 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 71.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Amcor PLC will post 0.74 EPS for the current year. Amcor Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.2%. This is an increase from Amcors previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. Amcors payout ratio is presently 152.94%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have commented on AMCR. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Amcor from $11.00 to $9.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada initiated coverage on Amcor in a report on Monday, September 22nd. They set a sector perform rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Amcor from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $10.20 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday, October 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Amcor in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of Amcor from $11.00 to $10.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 15th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Amcor currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $10.84. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on AMCR About Amcor (Free Report) Amcor plc develops, produces, and sells packaging products in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company operates through two segments, Flexibles and Rigid Packaging. The Flexibles segment provides flexible and film packaging products in the food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, fresh produce, snack food, personal care, and other industries. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AMCR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Amcor PLC (NYSE:AMCR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Amcor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amcor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC cut its stake in SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF (NYSEARCA:SRLN Free Report) by 18.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 13,570 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,142 shares during the quarter. Samalin Investment Counsel LLCs holdings in SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF were worth $564,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Midwest Trust Co purchased a new position in SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF in the second quarter valued at about $308,000. Prospera Financial Services Inc boosted its holdings in shares of SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF by 4.4% in the 2nd quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 93,087 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,871,000 after buying an additional 3,929 shares in the last quarter. Sage Advisory Services Ltd.Co. grew its position in shares of SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Sage Advisory Services Ltd.Co. now owns 130,681 shares of the companys stock worth $5,435,000 after buying an additional 5,296 shares during the last quarter. Valtinson Bruner Financial Planning LLC raised its stake in shares of SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF by 72.7% during the 2nd quarter. Valtinson Bruner Financial Planning LLC now owns 9,505 shares of the companys stock worth $395,000 after acquiring an additional 4,002 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Aspetuck Financial Management LLC raised its stake in shares of SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Aspetuck Financial Management LLC now owns 68,092 shares of the companys stock worth $2,832,000 after acquiring an additional 245 shares in the last quarter. Get SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF alerts: SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA:SRLN opened at $41.31 on Tuesday. SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF has a 52 week low of $39.08 and a 52 week high of $42.09. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $41.39 and a 200 day moving average of $41.35. SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF Company Profile The SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF (SRLN) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund provides actively managed exposure to noninvestment-grade, floating-rate senior secured debt of US and non-US corporations that resets in 3 months or less. SRLN was launched on Apr 3, 2013 and is managed by State Street. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SRLN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF (NYSEARCA:SRLN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SANAA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Amid Yemen's decade-long war, novelist Hamid Al-Raqimi has emerged as one of its most vital storytellers, tracing how conflict fractures ordinary lives. His fiction unfolds in fragments and broken scenes, a structure that mirrors the splintered worlds his characters inhabit. Al-Raqimi's latest novel, "The Blindness of Memory," recently won the 11th Katara Prize for Arabic Novel, a recognition that affirms both his distinctive craft and the growing international attention to Yemeni literature. In recent years, that literature has turned its gaze inward, toward the ruins of ordinary life and the quiet devastations that follow spectacle. Al-Raqimi's work rejects ideology. It refuses to make war intelligible through politics or polemic. "I focus on war as an internal state that lives inside a person and breaks him from within," the 30-year-old author said in a recent interview with Xinhua. "The fragmentation of time, the discontinuity of narration, and the repetition of shattered memory are not just artistic tools," he added, "but mirrors of the reality Yemenis endure while trying to preserve their humanity." "The Blindness of Memory" follows Badr, a Yemeni man whose life and identity are obliterated by decades of violence. As a child, Badr loses his family in a bombing and is raised by an old man who conceals the truth about his origins. When he finally learns who he is, he embarks on a wrenching journey of self-discovery. He moves to Sanaa to study law, falls in love, and is swept once more into violence that claims everyone he holds dear. What follows is an odyssey of displacement. Badr flees Yemen through Aden, Cairo, Sudan, and Libya, crossing the Mediterranean to join the tide of refugees. Each stop reveals the shared suffering and broken dreams of Yemenis scattered by war. Al-Raqimi knows this terrain intimately. He once lived in the Maris area of Al-Dhale Province, south of Sanaa, one of the first regions consumed by fighting in 2014. For nearly a decade, he has moved between camps and displacement zones across Yemen and the Arab world, never settling. Fikriyah Shuhrah, a scholar of Yemeni literature, sees Al-Raqimi's method as part of a broader movement. "Writers cannot separate themselves from their surroundings," she said. "What Al-Raqimi and his peers are doing is turning suffering into narrative, making literature a mirror of their society." Contemporary Yemeni fiction, she noted, has become a meticulous record of the country's ordeals, with war casting its shadow over nearly every recent work. Novelist Saqr Al-Sunaidi shares that view. "Even writers outside the battle zones cannot ignore what is happening at home," he said. "Those inside face daily hardships that affect their ability to write and publish." For Al-Sunaidi, these novels have become chronicles of displacement and loss, a role embodied in Al-Raqimi's fractured style, where memory, trauma, and endurance converge. What distinguishes Al-Raqimi is his scrupulous realism. He centers the lives of ordinary Yemenis who are displaced, grieving, yet enduring, and renders their struggles with compassion and restraint. In his work, the boundary between art and testimony dissolves. Lived experience becomes literary form, at once recording and redeeming. In "The Blindness of Memory," Al-Raqimi addresses his readers directly: "Before these pages marked by darkness carry you away, remember that the one writing his story here is a human like you, who once lived an ordinary life like you. I do not know in what time you are reading me or from what land you watch this weary journey, but I know we are much alike, even if the war thinks otherwise." It is this quiet, humane, and intensely personal appeal that gives Al-Raqimi's work its power. By insisting on the constancy of human experience across borders and time, he transforms Yemen's tragedy into something larger: a testament to resilience, memory, and the unbroken thread of our shared humanity. Midwest Trust Co purchased a new position in shares of MSCI Inc (NYSE:MSCI Free Report) during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 2,456 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $1,416,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in MSCI by 5.9% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,376,852 shares of the technology companys stock worth $5,302,610,000 after buying an additional 518,833 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in shares of MSCI by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,008,778 shares of the technology companys stock worth $570,464,000 after acquiring an additional 19,846 shares in the last quarter. PineStone Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of MSCI by 11.9% in the 2nd quarter. PineStone Asset Management Inc. now owns 890,123 shares of the technology companys stock worth $513,370,000 after acquiring an additional 94,466 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in shares of MSCI by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 804,640 shares of the technology companys stock worth $455,024,000 after acquiring an additional 20,150 shares during the period. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in MSCI by 355.7% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 660,690 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $365,976,000 after purchasing an additional 515,713 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.97% of the companys stock. Get MSCI alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have commented on MSCI shares. UBS Group boosted their target price on MSCI from $700.00 to $710.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Seaport Res Ptn raised MSCI to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of MSCI from $650.00 to $660.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of MSCI from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of MSCI from $655.00 to $680.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $655.90. MSCI Price Performance Shares of NYSE MSCI opened at $576.92 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $562.74 and a 200-day simple moving average of $562.22. The company has a market cap of $43.35 billion, a PE ratio of 36.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 1.34. MSCI Inc has a 12 month low of $486.73 and a 12 month high of $642.45. MSCI (NYSE:MSCI Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The technology company reported $4.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.37 by $0.10. MSCI had a net margin of 40.03% and a negative return on equity of 110.94%. The business had revenue of $793.43 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $794.87 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.86 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that MSCI Inc will post 16.86 EPS for the current year. MSCI 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 paid a dividend of $1.80 per share. This represents a $7.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. MSCIs dividend payout ratio is currently 45.63%. MSCI announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Tuesday, October 28th that allows the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the technology company to buy up to 7.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. About MSCI (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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSCI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for MSCI Inc (NYSE:MSCI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for MSCI Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MSCI and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH Free Report) had its price objective lowered by Morgan Stanley from $27.00 to $25.00 in a research report sent to investors on Monday morning,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Several other research analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $31.00 to $27.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Norwegian Cruise Line from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Truist Financial raised their target price on Norwegian Cruise Line from $27.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 19th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Norwegian Cruise Line in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. They issued a buy rating and a $31.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Norwegian Cruise Line from $35.00 to $37.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, September 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $28.68. Get Norwegian Cruise Line alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on NCLH Norwegian Cruise Line Price Performance Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line stock opened at $19.06 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $8.68 billion, a PE ratio of 13.14, a P/E/G ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 2.22. Norwegian Cruise Line has a twelve month low of $14.21 and a twelve month high of $29.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 0.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.05. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $23.74 and a 200 day moving average price of $21.94. Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $1.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $2.94 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.03 billion. Norwegian Cruise Line had a return on equity of 59.88% and a net margin of 7.52%. Norwegian Cruise Line has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.270-0.270 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 2.100-2.100 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Norwegian Cruise Line will post 1.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In related news, Director Zillah Byng-Thorne acquired 29,008 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were bought at an average price of $18.11 per share, with a total value of $525,334.88. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 66,017 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,195,567.87. This represents a 78.38% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Stella David bought 6,986 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was bought at an average price of $18.59 per share, with a total value of $129,869.74. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 103,474 shares in the company, valued at $1,923,581.66. This represents a 7.24% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have bought a total of 85,029 shares of company stock valued at $1,567,325 in the last 90 days. 0.41% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Norwegian Cruise Line Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new position in Norwegian Cruise Line in the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Sentry Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Norwegian Cruise Line by 81.9% in the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,004 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 902 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Norwegian Cruise Line by 1,928.0% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,028 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 1,928 shares during the period. 69.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Norwegian Cruise Line (Get Free Report) Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cruise company in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. It offers itineraries ranging from three days to a 180-days calling on various ports, including Scandinavia, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, Alaska, Canada and New England, Hawaii, Asia, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, India, South America, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Exchange Income Co. (TSE:EIF Free Report) Investment analysts at Cormark lowered their FY2025 earnings estimates for Exchange Income in a research note issued on Monday, November 10th. Cormark analyst J. Fenwick now anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $3.49 for the year, down from their prior estimate of $3.88. Cormark has a Buy rating and a $78.50 price target on the stock. The consensus estimate for Exchange Incomes current full-year earnings is $4.00 per share. Cormark also issued estimates for Exchange Incomes Q4 2025 earnings at $0.97 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.52 EPS and Q4 2026 earnings at $1.15 EPS. Get Exchange Income alerts: Other analysts also recently issued reports about the company. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Exchange Income from C$69.50 to C$80.00 in a research note on Monday. Desjardins increased their price target on shares of Exchange Income from C$73.00 to C$84.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. National Bankshares boosted their price objective on shares of Exchange Income from C$84.00 to C$88.00 in a research report on Monday. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on Exchange Income from C$81.00 to C$85.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, ATB Capital boosted their price target on Exchange Income from C$70.00 to C$81.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of C$83.61. Exchange Income Price Performance Shares of TSE EIF opened at C$74.92 on Tuesday. Exchange Income has a fifty-two week low of C$45.00 and a fifty-two week high of C$78.91. The stock has a market capitalization of C$4.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.49, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.70. The business has a 50-day moving average of C$74.39 and a 200-day moving average of C$66.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 173.72, a current ratio of 1.76 and a quick ratio of 1.13. Exchange Income Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a sep 25 dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Monday, September 29th were issued a $0.22 dividend. Exchange Incomes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 100.38%. Exchange Income Company Profile (Get Free Report) Exchange Income Corp is a diversified acquisition-oriented corporation focused on opportunities in two sectors, aerospace, aviation services and equipment, and manufacturing. The business plan of the corporation is to invest in profitable, well-established companies with strong cash flows operating in niche markets. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Exchange Income Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Exchange Income and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PCG Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL Free Report) by 53.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 35,520 shares of the basic materials companys stock after acquiring an additional 12,345 shares during the period. PCG Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Hecla Mining were worth $213,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Hecla Mining in the 1st quarter worth $31,000. DRW Securities LLC bought a new stake in Hecla Mining in the 1st quarter worth about $54,000. Hohimer Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Hecla Mining in the 1st quarter worth about $58,000. Tradition Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Hecla Mining in the 1st quarter worth about $62,000. Finally, Abel Hall LLC bought a new position in Hecla Mining during the 1st quarter valued at about $64,000. 63.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Hecla Mining alerts: Hecla Mining Price Performance NYSE HL opened at $15.01 on Tuesday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $12.08 and its 200 day moving average is $8.21. Hecla Mining Company has a fifty-two week low of $4.46 and a fifty-two week high of $15.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 1.99 and a current ratio of 2.67. The company has a market capitalization of $10.06 billion, a PE ratio of 93.82 and a beta of 1.29. Hecla Mining Dividend Announcement Hecla Mining ( NYSE:HL Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The basic materials company reported $0.12 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.11 by $0.01. Hecla Mining had a return on equity of 5.51% and a net margin of 9.55%.The business had revenue of $409.54 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $315.60 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.03 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 67.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Hecla Mining Company will post 0.21 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.0038 per share. 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 dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 3.23%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Hecla Mining news, VP Stuart Maurice Absolom sold 14,472 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.29, for a total value of $163,388.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 73,200 shares in the company, valued at $826,428. This represents a 16.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.62% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Hecla Mining from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, November 2nd. Roth Capital set a $8.75 target price on shares of Hecla Mining and gave the company a sell rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. HC Wainwright increased their target price on Hecla Mining from $12.50 to $16.50 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. CIBC raised their target price on Hecla Mining from $12.50 to $15.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Hecla Mining from $6.00 to $6.50 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Hecla Mining has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $9.32. Check Out Our Latest Report on Hecla Mining Hecla Mining Company Profile (Free Report) 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Hecla Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hecla Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PCG Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:SGOV Free Report) by 7.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 40,993 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 2,708 shares during the quarter. iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF makes up approximately 3.5% of PCG Asset Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th biggest holding. PCG Asset Management LLCs holdings in iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF were worth $4,128,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. IFG Advisory LLC raised its position in shares of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. IFG Advisory LLC now owns 4,004 shares of the companys stock worth $403,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. 4WEALTH Advisors Inc. grew its stake in iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 0.6% in the second quarter. 4WEALTH Advisors Inc. now owns 18,957 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,909,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Rossby Financial LCC raised its holdings in iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 15.2% in the second quarter. Rossby Financial LCC now owns 1,158 shares of the companys stock worth $117,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC raised its holdings in iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 3.5% in the second quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 5,114 shares of the companys stock worth $515,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Elevation Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 1.0% during the second quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 17,097 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,722,000 after buying an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF alerts: iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF Stock Up 0.0% Shares of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF stock opened at $100.47 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $100.54 and its 200-day moving average price is $100.54. iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF has a 52-week low of $100.15 and a 52-week high of $100.74. iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF Company Profile Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Simplify Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Biohaven Ltd. (NYSE:BHVN Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 96,389 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,360,000. Simplify Asset Management Inc. owned 0.09% of Biohaven as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of BHVN. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in Biohaven by 1,172.9% during the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 901,258 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,666,000 after buying an additional 830,457 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stake in Biohaven by 26.6% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 802,731 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,298,000 after buying an additional 168,676 shares in the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Biohaven in the 1st quarter valued at about $15,481,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its position in Biohaven by 7.5% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 589,615 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,174,000 after purchasing an additional 41,040 shares during the period. Finally, Fiera Capital Corp bought a new stake in Biohaven in the 1st quarter valued at about $13,983,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.78% of the companys stock. Get Biohaven alerts: Biohaven Price Performance Shares of NYSE BHVN opened at $7.81 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $14.99 and a 200-day moving average of $15.50. Biohaven Ltd. has a fifty-two week low of $7.63 and a fifty-two week high of $54.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $826.22 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.02 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.91, a current ratio of 3.82 and a quick ratio of 3.82. Analyst Ratings Changes Biohaven ( NYSE:BHVN Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 11th. The company reported ($1.94) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of ($1.94). As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Biohaven Ltd. will post -8.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Robert W. Baird set a $42.00 price target on Biohaven in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Biohaven in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (e+) rating on shares of Biohaven in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Cowen reduced their price target on Biohaven from $50.00 to $15.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, William Blair reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Biohaven in a research note on Tuesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Biohaven has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $34.21. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on BHVN About Biohaven (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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Biohaven Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Biohaven and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund lowered its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Free Report) by 10.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 15,300 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,800 shares during the period. Illinois Municipal Retirement Funds holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $9,500,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of IVV. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC grew its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 53,779.2% during the 1st quarter. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC now owns 24,775,295 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,921,238,000 after acquiring an additional 24,729,312 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 31.4% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 23,892,610 shares of the companys stock worth $13,425,259,000 after purchasing an additional 5,708,115 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 67.7% during the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 9,308,270 shares of the companys stock worth $5,230,317,000 after purchasing an additional 3,757,143 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 27.7% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 12,472,337 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,008,206,000 after purchasing an additional 2,703,613 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wealthspire Advisors LLC increased its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 102.8% in the 1st quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 5,183,932 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,912,851,000 after buying an additional 2,627,461 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.12% of the companys stock. Get iShares Core S&P 500 ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Up 1.6% IVV stock opened at $684.82 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $669.02 and a two-hundred day moving average of $632.42. The company has a market cap of $718.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.10 and a beta of 1.00. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 12-month low of $484.00 and a 12-month high of $693.07. About iShares Core S&P 500 ETF iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IVV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Verus Capital Partners LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:IQLT Free Report) by 4.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 255,813 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 10,176 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF makes up 0.9% of Verus Capital Partners LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest position. Verus Capital Partners LLC owned 0.09% of iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF worth $11,056,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in IQLT. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 244.0% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 829 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 588 shares during the last quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $41,000. CWM LLC boosted its stake in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 26.7% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,643 shares of the companys stock valued at $71,000 after acquiring an additional 346 shares during the last quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co grew its holdings in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 69.1% during the 2nd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 1,723 shares of the companys stock worth $74,000 after acquiring an additional 704 shares during the period. Finally, GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $81,000. Get iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF Stock Up 1.0% NYSEARCA:IQLT opened at $44.81 on Tuesday. iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF has a 12-month low of $35.51 and a 12-month high of $45.38. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $44.27 and its 200-day simple moving average is $43.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.86 and a beta of 0.89. iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap stocks in developed countries, outside of the US. The index is selected and weighted for exposure to fundamental quality metrics. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IQLT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:IQLT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Verus Capital Partners LLC lessened its holdings in Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC Free Report) by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 15,413 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 469 shares during the period. Northrop Grumman comprises 0.6% of Verus Capital Partners LLCs holdings, making the stock its 27th biggest position. Verus Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $7,706,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. bought a new position in Northrop Grumman in the second quarter worth about $491,985,000. Nwam LLC grew its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 12.3% in the 2nd quarter. Nwam LLC now owns 1,160 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $580,000 after buying an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Aspen Wealth Strategies LLC raised its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Aspen Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 883 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $441,000 after acquiring an additional 23 shares in the last quarter. Vise Technologies Inc. purchased a new stake in Northrop Grumman during the second quarter valued at approximately $1,466,000. Finally, Alpha Cubed Investments LLC boosted its stake in Northrop Grumman by 195.2% in the second quarter. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC now owns 1,166 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $583,000 after acquiring an additional 771 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.40% of the companys stock. Get Northrop Grumman alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Bank of America raised their price target on Northrop Grumman from $550.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $600.00 to $625.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company restated an overweight rating on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Northrop Grumman from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, September 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $642.73. Northrop Grumman Trading Down 1.1% Shares of NOC opened at $562.08 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $591.98 and a 200 day moving average price of $546.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.22, a P/E/G ratio of 5.07 and a beta of 0.07. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a 12-month low of $426.24 and a 12-month high of $640.90. Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The aerospace company reported $7.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.43 by $1.24. The business had revenue of $10.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.68 billion. Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 9.82% and a return on equity of 25.49%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $7.00 earnings per share. Northrop Grumman has set its FY 2025 guidance at 25.650-26.050 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Northrop Grumman Corporation will post 28.05 EPS for the current year. Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 2nd were issued a dividend of $2.31 per share. This represents a $9.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 2nd. Northrop Grummans dividend payout ratio is currently 33.24%. Northrop Grumman Company Profile (Free Report) Northrop Grumman Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense technology company in the United States, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and internationally. The companys Aeronautics Systems segment designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, and sustains aircraft systems. This segment also offers unmanned autonomous aircraft systems, including high-altitude long-endurance strategic ISR systems and vertical take-off and landing tactical ISR systems; and strategic long-range strike aircraft, tactical fighter and air dominance aircraft, and airborne battle management and command and control systems. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Northrop Grumman Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Northrop Grumman and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (NYSE:HPF Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Monday, November 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 13th will be given a dividend of 0.1235 per share on Friday, November 28th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 8.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 13th. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Trading Up 0.6% Shares of HPF stock opened at $16.78 on Tuesday. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II has a fifty-two week low of $14.56 and a fifty-two week high of $18.19. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $16.70 and its 200-day moving average price is $16.20. Get John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II alerts: About John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (Get Free Report) Featured Stories John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. It is co-managed by John Hancock Asset Management. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in securities of companies operating across diversified sectors. Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The East African Community (EAC) has begun implementing a pioneering initiative to create a regional instant payment network, starting with a pilot project linking Tanzania and Rwanda's national retail payment systems. According to an EAC statement issued on Tuesday, the project, now under technical execution at a high-level meeting in Kigali, Rwanda's capital, will connect the Tanzania Instant Payment System with Rwanda's national e-payment switch, RSwitch. Once operational, it will enable real-time, low-cost money transfers between bank accounts and mobile wallets across the two countries, the statement said. "This preparatory work marks a pivotal milestone in our regional payment integration agenda, moving us closer to a single EAC instant payment ecosystem," said Daniel Murenzi, EAC's principal information technology officer. Fabian Ladislaus Kasole from the Bank of Tanzania reaffirmed the region's collective resolve to establish "a robust framework that enhances cross-border payment efficiency and financial inclusion." The Tanzania-Rwanda linkage serves as the foundation for a proof-of-concept pilot designed to demonstrate the technical and operational feasibility of interconnecting payment systems across the region, the statement said, adding that the initiative will serve as a model for expansion to all EAC member states. The statement said that, by enabling instant, affordable transfers, the project is expected to transform trade and financial inclusion, especially for small businesses and individuals, while promoting a modern, secure, and connected regional payment ecosystem. The Kigali meeting, running from Monday to Friday, brings together central banks, payment system operators, and digital finance partners to finalize technical, regulatory, and governance frameworks for the regional rollout, said the statement. TPG Telecom Limited (ASX:TPG Get Free Report) declared a interim dividend on Thursday, November 6th, MarketIndexAU Dividends reports. Investors of record on Sunday, November 23rd will be given a dividend of 0.09 per share on Sunday, November 23rd. This represents a yield of 164.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 13th. TPG Telecom Price Performance The company has a quick ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 55.82. The company has a market capitalization of $8.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 266.56, a PEG ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.01. Get TPG Telecom alerts: About TPG Telecom (Get Free Report) Featured Articles TPG Telecom Limited provides telecommunications services to consumer, business, enterprise, and government and wholesale customers in Australia. The company owns and operates fixed and mobile telecommunication services. It also offers mobile, voice, fibre internet, enterprise ethernet, SD-WAN, data, business answering, messaging, enterprise fixed wireless, IoT devices, cloud, mobile private network, business satellite, and call centre services. Receive News & Ratings for TPG Telecom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TPG Telecom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PFG Advisors boosted its position in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) by 16.5% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 4,959 shares of the insurance providers stock after acquiring an additional 704 shares during the period. PFG Advisors holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $1,327,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of TRV. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the first quarter worth about $26,000. Missouri Trust & Investment Co raised its position in Travelers Companies by 122.2% during the 2nd quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 100 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 200.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 104 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Flaharty Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Nova Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Travelers Companies during the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. 82.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Insider Activity In other news, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 25,000 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The stock was 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Mojgan M. Lefebvre sold 16,820 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.54, for a total transaction of $4,668,222.80. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 50,392 shares of company stock worth $13,945,170 over the last three months. 1.46% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Travelers Companies Price Performance Shares of NYSE TRV opened at $282.21 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $274.44 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $269.01. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $230.23 and a fifty-two week high of $287.95. The company has a market capitalization of $62.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.10, a P/E/G ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a current ratio of 0.35. Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The insurance provider reported $8.14 earnings per share 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 company had revenue of $11.47 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.15 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $5.24 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.02 EPS for the current fiscal year. Travelers Companies Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 10th will be paid a $1.10 dividend. This represents a $4.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 10th. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio is currently 17.30%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages recently commented on TRV. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Travelers Companies in a research note on Monday, September 15th. They issued a peer perform rating for the company. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $269.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $304.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Zacks Research raised shares of Travelers Companies from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Travelers Companies presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $291.31. Check Out Our Latest Report on TRV 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ibex Investors LLC lifted its position in e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE:ELF Free Report) by 670.4% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 104,000 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 90,500 shares during the quarter. e.l.f. Beauty makes up about 13.2% of Ibex Investors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest position. Ibex Investors LLCs holdings in e.l.f. Beauty were worth $12,942,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Teacher Retirement System of Texas raised its position in e.l.f. Beauty by 242.7% during the 1st quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 8,236 shares of the companys stock worth $517,000 after buying an additional 5,833 shares during the last quarter. M&T Bank Corp increased its stake in shares of e.l.f. Beauty by 13.2% in the first quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 9,016 shares of the companys stock worth $566,000 after acquiring an additional 1,050 shares during the period. State of Michigan Retirement System raised its holdings in shares of e.l.f. Beauty by 1.5% during the first quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 13,500 shares of the companys stock worth $848,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Xponance Inc. lifted its position in e.l.f. Beauty by 2.3% during the first quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 11,537 shares of the companys stock valued at $724,000 after purchasing an additional 257 shares during the period. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System boosted its holdings in e.l.f. Beauty by 1.3% in the first quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 15,800 shares of the companys stock valued at $992,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.44% of the companys stock. Get e.l.f. Beauty alerts: e.l.f. Beauty Stock Up 8.1% Shares of ELF opened at $79.70 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $4.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 56.13, a PEG ratio of 4.37 and a beta of 1.61. e.l.f. Beauty has a 12 month low of $49.40 and a 12 month high of $150.99. The stocks 50 day moving average is $129.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $115.00. The company has a current ratio of 2.70, a quick ratio of 1.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. Analyst Ratings Changes e.l.f. Beauty ( NYSE:ELF Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.68 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $343.94 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $367.89 million. e.l.f. Beauty had a return on equity of 13.77% and a net margin of 5.90%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.77 EPS. e.l.f. Beauty has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.800-2.850 EPS. Analysts predict that e.l.f. Beauty will post 2.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. B. Riley lifted their price objective on e.l.f. Beauty from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 10th. Raymond James Financial raised their target price on e.l.f. Beauty from $155.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Bank of America boosted their price target on e.l.f. Beauty from $135.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of e.l.f. Beauty in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, UBS Group cut their target price on shares of e.l.f. Beauty from $150.00 to $105.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $126.80. Read Our Latest Stock Report on e.l.f. Beauty Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, insider Kory Marchisotto sold 10,812 shares of e.l.f. Beauty stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total value of $1,621,800.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 133,976 shares in the company, valued at approximately $20,096,400. The trade was a 7.47% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Scott Milsten sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.23, for a total value of $2,253,450.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 97,406 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,633,303.38. This trade represents a 13.34% 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 301,060 shares of company stock valued at $40,994,733. 3.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders. e.l.f. Beauty Profile (Free Report) e.l.f. Beauty, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of inclusive, accessible, clean, vegan and cruelty free cosmetics and skin care products. The company focuses on the e-commerce, national retailers and international business channels. Its brands include elf, elf skin, WELL People and KEYS soulcare. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ELF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE:ELF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for e.l.f. Beauty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for e.l.f. Beauty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Robeco Schweiz AG boosted its holdings in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG Free Report) by 21.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 99,130 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 17,753 shares during the period. Robeco Schweiz AGs holdings in Republic Services were worth $24,446,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Republic Services by 1,222.2% during the second quarter. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC now owns 119 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 110 shares during the period. Key Financial Inc boosted its stake in Republic Services by 380.8% in the first quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 125 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC grew its position in shares of Republic Services by 113.8% during the 1st quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 124 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares during the period. Elequin Capital LP bought a new stake in shares of Republic Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its stake in Republic Services by 68.5% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 123 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. 57.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Republic Services alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Republic Services In other news, major shareholder Cascade Investment, L.L.C. acquired 4,258 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 19th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $234.91 per share, for a total transaction of $1,000,246.78. Following the acquisition, the insider owned 109,816,832 shares of the companys stock, valued at $25,797,072,005.12. This trade represents a 0.00% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Gregg Brummer sold 7,338 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $233.94, for a total value of $1,716,651.72. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 4,060 shares of the companys stock, valued at $949,796.40. The trade was a 64.38% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.11% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have issued reports on RSG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Republic Services from $260.00 to $233.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Scotiabank reduced their target price on shares of Republic Services from $250.00 to $246.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Oppenheimer set a $256.00 price target on shares of Republic Services in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Republic Services in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Barclays initiated coverage on Republic Services in a research report on Friday, September 19th. They set an equal weight rating and a $240.00 target price on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $253.85. Read Our Latest Research Report on Republic Services Republic Services Stock Performance Republic Services stock opened at $203.96 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $222.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is $236.11. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. Republic Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $199.43 and a 1-year high of $258.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $63.14 billion, a PE ratio of 30.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.40 and a beta of 0.57. Republic Services (NYSE:RSG Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The business services provider reported $1.90 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $4.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.25 billion. Republic Services had a return on equity of 18.27% and a net margin of 12.97%.The firms revenue was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.81 earnings per share. Republic Services has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.820-6.900 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Republic Services, Inc. will post 6.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Republic Services Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.625 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $2.50 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. Republic Servicess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.20%. Republic Services Company Profile (Free Report) Republic Services, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers environmental services in the United States and Canada. It is involved in the collection and processing of recyclable, solid waste, and industrial waste materials; transportation and disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams; and other environmental solutions. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Republic Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Republic Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Weil Company Inc. cut its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Free Report) by 5.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 28,266 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,545 shares during the period. Weil Company Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $1,794,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in EFV. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 50.0% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 70,125,413 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,451,560,000 after purchasing an additional 23,376,524 shares during the last quarter. Hamilton Capital LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $197,545,000. Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the first quarter worth $190,961,000. Auto Owners Insurance Co increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 296.7% during the second quarter. Auto Owners Insurance Co now owns 3,963,000 shares of the companys stock worth $251,571,000 after acquiring an additional 2,964,000 shares during the period. Finally, Park Avenue Securities LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 43.6% in the second quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 7,223,191 shares of the companys stock valued at $458,528,000 after acquiring an additional 2,194,643 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Trading Up 33.7% BATS:EFV opened at $69.87 on Tuesday. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 12-month low of $51.05 and a 12-month high of $66.83. The firm has a market cap of $28.64 billion, a PE ratio of 12.17 and a beta of 0.73. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $67.93 and a 200 day moving average price of $65.31. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Alerian MLP ETF (NYSEARCA:AMLP Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 7,765 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $379,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Nova Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Alerian MLP ETF in the second quarter worth $28,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Alerian MLP ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $31,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Alerian MLP ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in Alerian MLP ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Independence Bank of Kentucky increased its holdings in Alerian MLP ETF by 517.5% in the 2nd quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 988 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 828 shares in the last quarter. Get Alerian MLP ETF alerts: Alerian MLP ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA:AMLP opened at $47.35 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $46.88 and its two-hundred day moving average is $48.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.39 billion, a PE ratio of 14.17 and a beta of 0.70. Alerian MLP ETF has a 12 month low of $43.75 and a 12 month high of $53.24. Alerian MLP ETF Profile ALERIAN MLP ETF seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index (the Index). The Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the United States energy infrastructure Master Limited Partnership (MLP) asset class. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Alerian MLP ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alerian MLP ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT reduced its holdings in Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX Free Report) by 35.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,072 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after selling 1,714 shares during the quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UTs holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $330,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 27,376 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $2,445,000 after acquiring an additional 226 shares during the period. Westmount Partners LLC purchased a new position in Boston Scientific in the first quarter valued at approximately $263,000. Pittenger & Anderson Inc. lifted its position in Boston Scientific by 26.8% during the first quarter. Pittenger & Anderson Inc. now owns 6,342 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $640,000 after buying an additional 1,342 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its stake in Boston Scientific by 8.2% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 37,476 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $3,781,000 after buying an additional 2,844 shares during the period. Finally, LRI Investments LLC raised its stake in shares of Boston Scientific by 9.4% in the 1st quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 6,403 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $646,000 after acquiring an additional 551 shares during the period. 89.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Boston Scientific In other Boston Scientific news, Director Ellen M. Zane sold 12,891 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.28, for a total transaction of $1,266,927.48. Following the transaction, the director owned 24,134 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,371,889.52. This trade represents a 34.82% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.47, for a total transaction of $4,923,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 178,342 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,561,336.74. This represents a 21.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders sold 175,782 shares of company stock valued at $17,742,314. Company insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have commented on BSX. UBS Group raised their price objective on Boston Scientific from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Boston Scientific in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $125.00 price target on shares of Boston Scientific in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Wall Street Zen raised Boston Scientific from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, October 11th. Finally, Raymond James Financial increased their target price on Boston Scientific from $121.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Boston Scientific currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $123.77. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on BSX Boston Scientific Stock Performance Shares of BSX opened at $100.94 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $149.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.58. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $100.00 and a 200-day moving average of $102.52. Boston Scientific Corporation has a 1 year low of $85.98 and a 1 year high of $109.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.37. Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The medical equipment provider reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 company had revenue of $5.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.97 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.63 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 20.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Boston Scientific has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.020-3.040 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 0.770-0.790 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Boston Scientific Corporation will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Boston Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boston Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Keynote Financial Services LLC raised its holdings in Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY Free Report) by 2.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 48,717 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after acquiring an additional 1,326 shares during the quarter. Occidental Petroleum comprises approximately 1.4% of Keynote Financial Services LLCs holdings, making the stock its 14th largest position. Keynote Financial Services LLCs holdings in Occidental Petroleum were worth $2,047,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of OXY. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. bought a new position in shares of Occidental Petroleum during the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in Occidental Petroleum during the first quarter worth $39,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in Occidental Petroleum by 1,193.9% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 854 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 788 shares in the last quarter. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 371.7% in the second quarter. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 788 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Spectrum Wealth Counsel LLC boosted its stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 5,000.0% during the 1st quarter. Spectrum Wealth Counsel LLC now owns 1,020 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.70% of the companys stock. Get Occidental Petroleum alerts: Occidental Petroleum Trading Up 1.2% Shares of OXY stock opened at $41.79 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $41.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.73 and a beta of 0.91. Occidental Petroleum Corporation has a 1 year low of $34.78 and a 1 year high of $53.20. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $44.10 and its 200 day simple moving average is $43.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. Occidental Petroleum Announces Dividend Occidental Petroleum ( NYSE:OXY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.16. Occidental Petroleum had a net margin of 8.79% and a return on equity of 13.78%. The company had revenue of $6.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.66 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.00 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Occidental Petroleum Corporation will post 3.58 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 10th. Occidental Petroleums payout ratio is currently 56.80%. Analysts Set New Price Targets OXY has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Hsbc Global Res raised Occidental Petroleum from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Scotiabank boosted their price objective on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $45.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $50.00 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Melius Research initiated coverage on shares of Occidental Petroleum in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. They issued a hold rating and a $64.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on shares of Occidental Petroleum in a report on Friday, October 17th. They set an underweight rating and a $42.00 price target for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Occidental Petroleum has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $52.26. Check Out Our Latest Report on Occidental Petroleum Occidental Petroleum Company Profile (Free Report) Occidental Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States, the Middle East, and North Africa. It operates through three segments: Oil and Gas, Chemical, and Midstream and Marketing. The company's Oil and Gas segment explores for, develops, and produces oil and condensate, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OXY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Occidental Petroleum Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Occidental Petroleum and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. lowered its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report) by 8.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 282,072 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 26,169 shares during the quarter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd.s holdings in Mastercard were worth $158,508,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in MA. ORG Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 73.2% during the 2nd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 698 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $394,000 after purchasing an additional 295 shares during the last quarter. Ethos Financial Group LLC raised its position in shares of Mastercard by 19.5% in the first quarter. Ethos Financial Group LLC now owns 3,174 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,683,000 after buying an additional 518 shares during the last quarter. Curio Wealth LLC lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 22,400.0% during the second quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 225 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $126,000 after buying an additional 224 shares during the period. Wheelhouse Advisory Group LLC boosted its position in Mastercard by 4.4% during the second quarter. Wheelhouse Advisory Group LLC now owns 1,336 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $751,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SeaBridge Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Mastercard by 4.3% in the 2nd quarter. SeaBridge Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,463 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $3,632,000 after acquiring an additional 264 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the companys stock. Get Mastercard alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have recently issued reports on MA. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and set a $713.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Citigroup raised shares of Mastercard to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. They set a buy rating and a $650.00 price objective for the company. Macquarie increased their target price on Mastercard from $655.00 to $660.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on Mastercard from $690.00 to $700.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $649.26. Insider Buying and Selling at Mastercard In other news, CFO J. Mehra Sachin sold 17,263 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $591.00, for a total transaction of $10,202,433.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 31,234 shares in the company, valued at $18,459,294. This trade represents a 35.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Mastercard Stock Up 0.1% Shares of NYSE:MA opened at $552.56 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $499.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a 50 day moving average of $571.37 and a two-hundred day moving average of $569.63. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52-week low of $465.59 and a 52-week high of $601.77. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.41. Mastercard (NYSE:MA Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $8.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.53 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 44.93% and a return on equity of 200.01%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.89 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Mastercard Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 9th were given 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 presently 19.44%. 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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tiemann Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 1,008 shares of the semiconductor companys stock, valued at approximately $228,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 20.9% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 10,930 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $2,159,000 after purchasing an additional 1,892 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 9.4% in the first quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,317 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $386,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 37.1% during the first quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 5,964 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $990,000 after buying an additional 1,613 shares in the last quarter. Xponance Inc. boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 47.7% during the first quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 8,539 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,417,000 after buying an additional 2,758 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mutual of America Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 1st quarter valued at $6,344,000. 16.51% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock opened at $295.66 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 2.15 and a current ratio of 2.37. The company has a market capitalization of $1.53 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.31. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $281.25 and its 200-day simple moving average is $239.16. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 1 year low of $134.25 and a 1 year high of $311.37. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.59 by $0.33. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 36.06% and a net margin of 43.72%.The company had revenue of $32.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $951.89 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.94 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 40.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current year. Several brokerages have recently weighed in on TSM. Itau BBA Securities assumed coverage on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and issued a $360.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday, October 27th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research note on Friday. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Susquehanna raised their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Five investment 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, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $371.67. View Our Latest Report on TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TSM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Experts and policymakers have emphasized the need to enhance Africa's role and partnership with the Group of 20 (G20) to effectively address the continent's key development priorities at the G20. They made the call on Monday during a G20-Africa high-level dialogue, which was organized by the Presidency of the G20 South Africa in collaboration with the African Union (AU) at the AU headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. "The world needs more solidarity, equality and sustainability, which is the theme of South Africa's G20 presidency," said Alvin Botes, South Africa's deputy minister of international relations and cooperation. "At the core of this theme is the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which resonates with the slogan of Agenda 2030 and related SDGs -- leaving no one behind," Botes added, referring to United Nations sustainable development goals. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, AU commissioner for economic development, trade, tourism, industry and minerals, noted that "Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability," the theme of South Africa's G20 presidency, is aligned with the AU's continental development vision. The AU commissioner positioned the G20 as the premier platform with the "mandate and the moral responsibility to lead the way" in transforming the global financial architecture. Under South Africa's presidency, the G20 has taken significant steps to elevate Africa's voice, creating an opportunity to craft an agenda for fairer access to finance, she added. Following its inclusion in the G20 back in 2023, the AU has outlined six key priorities over the next three years. These include fast-tracking the continental bloc's 50-year development blueprint Agenda 2063, advocating for reform of international financial institutions, enhancing agricultural output, achieving a just energy transition, promoting trade and investment for the African Continental Free Trade Area, and boosting investment in vaccine manufacturing and pandemic response. The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (NYSEAMERICAN:GLU Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Thursday, August 21st. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th will be paid a dividend of 0.10 per share on Thursday, November 20th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 6.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 13th. The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust Stock Down 0.1% Shares of GLU stock opened at $18.22 on Tuesday. The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust has a 1 year low of $14.07 and a 1 year high of $18.44. The stocks 50-day moving average is $18.09 and its two-hundred day moving average is $17.51. Get The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust alerts: The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Stories The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by GAMCO Investors, Inc It is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC. The fund invests in public equity markets across the globe. It primarily invests in stocks of companies involved to a substantial extent in providing products, services, or equipment for the generation or distribution of electricity, gas, or water and infrastructure operations, and in equity securities including preferred securities of companies in other industries, in each case in such securities that are expected to pay periodic dividends. Receive News & Ratings for The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Palouse Capital Management Inc. lowered its stake in Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C Free Report) by 24.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 40,459 shares of the companys stock after selling 12,919 shares during the period. Citigroup accounts for 2.3% of Palouse Capital Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 13th largest position. Palouse Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Citigroup were worth $3,444,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in C. Accent Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 106.0% during the 1st quarter. Accent Capital Management LLC now owns 412 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 212 shares during the last quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Citigroup by 131.6% in the first quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 433 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 246 shares during the last quarter. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. lifted its stake in Citigroup by 157.1% during the 2nd quarter. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. now owns 414 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 253 shares in the last quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Citigroup by 805.2% in the first quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 525 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 467 shares during the last quarter. Finally, WPG Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of Citigroup during the first quarter worth about $38,000. 71.72% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Citigroup alerts: Citigroup Stock Performance Shares of Citigroup stock opened at $101.44 on Tuesday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $99.22 and its 200 day moving average price is $89.23. The company has a market cap of $186.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.25, a PEG ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 0.99. Citigroup Inc. has a one year low of $55.51 and a one year high of $105.59. Citigroup Announces Dividend Citigroup ( NYSE:C Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The company reported $2.24 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.89 by $0.35. The business had revenue of $22.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.92 billion. Citigroup had a return on equity of 7.91% and a net margin of 8.73%.The companys revenue was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.51 earnings per share. Citigroup has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Citigroup Inc. will post 7.53 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 3rd will be issued a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend 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 equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Citigroup in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on Citigroup from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating and set a $110.00 price target on shares of Citigroup in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Oppenheimer decreased their target price on Citigroup from $124.00 to $123.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Citigroup from $129.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $107.63. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Citigroup Citigroup 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding C? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Citigroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citigroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. California Business Bank (OTCMKTS:CABB Get Free Report) and Private Bancorp of America (OTCMKTS:PBAM Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, dividends, profitability, valuation, earnings, risk and institutional ownership. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for California Business Bank and Private Bancorp of America, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Get California Business Bank alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score California Business Bank 0 0 0 0 0.00 Private Bancorp of America 0 1 1 1 3.00 Private Bancorp of America has a consensus target price of $74.00, indicating a potential upside of 30.63%. Given Private Bancorp of Americas stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Private Bancorp of America is more favorable than California Business Bank. Valuation and Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio California Business Bank N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Private Bancorp of America $161.24 million 2.04 $35.82 million $7.04 8.05 This table compares California Business Bank and Private Bancorp of Americas top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Private Bancorp of America has higher revenue and earnings than California Business Bank. Insider and Institutional Ownership 13.5% of Private Bancorp of America shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Volatility and Risk California Business Bank has a beta of 0.26, indicating that its stock price is 74% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Private Bancorp of America has a beta of 0.31, indicating that its stock price is 69% less volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares California Business Bank and Private Bancorp of Americas net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets California Business Bank N/A N/A N/A Private Bancorp of America 24.04% 17.52% 1.68% Summary Private Bancorp of America beats California Business Bank on 10 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About California Business Bank (Get Free Report) California Business Bank provides various financial products and services for small businesses and entrepreneurs. The company offers various personal and business deposit products; and business and commercial loans comprising SBA, commercial and industrial, and commercial real estate loans. It also provides online and mobile banking, mobile deposit, bill pay, and other services. The company was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Irvine, California. About Private Bancorp of America (Get Free Report) Private Bancorp of America, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for CalPrivate Bank that provides banking products and services to individuals and businesses in California. The company offers checking and savings, money market, certificate of deposit, sweep, zero balance, and individual retirement accounts; unsecured lines of credit, personal credit lines, and term loans; additional services, such as direct deposits, online banking, ATM and debit cards, credit cards, savings/line of credit overdraft protection, and safe deposit boxes; and certificate of deposit account registry services. It also provides treasury management, merchant card, bill pay, positive pay, e-statement, remote deposit capture, ACH origination, wire transfer, electronic payments and collections, electronic check acceptance, account reconciliation, cash vault, and gift and business credit cards, as well as funds management services. In addition, the company offers term credit facilities and loans, equipment and business expansion loans, working capital lines of credit, commercial real estate financing, construction financing, letters of credit, business start-up loans, loans for business acquisition and partner buyouts, owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, equipment, furniture and fixture, and other loans; and CDARS And ICS products. Further, it provides wealth management and legal services. The company has offices in La Jolla, San Diego, Coronado, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills, El Segundo, Temecula, Mission Valley, and Redlands. Private Bancorp of America, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in La Jolla, California. Receive News & Ratings for California Business Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for California Business Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG Get Free Report) had its price target dropped by Wells Fargo & Company from $127.00 to $126.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the energy exploration companys stock. Wells Fargo & Companys target price would indicate a potential upside of 16.10% from the companys previous close. A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on EOG. Raymond James Financial increased their target price on EOG Resources from $158.00 to $161.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on EOG Resources from $132.00 to $131.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $140.00 to $133.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, September 15th. KeyCorp reduced their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $140.00 to $138.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of EOG Resources in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and fifteen have issued a Hold 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 $140.72. Get EOG Resources alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on EOG Resources EOG Resources Price Performance EOG traded up $1.96 on Tuesday, hitting $108.53. 463,635 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,617,232. EOG Resources has a fifty-two week low of $102.52 and a fifty-two week high of $138.18. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $59.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 8.20 and a beta of 0.72. The businesss fifty day moving average is $111.99 and its 200 day moving average is $115.58. 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, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.42 by $0.29. The business 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 companys revenue was down 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.89 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that EOG Resources will post 11.47 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On EOG Resources Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise bought a new stake in EOG Resources during the first quarter worth approximately $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its stake in EOG Resources by 10,950.0% in the 2nd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 221 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new stake in EOG Resources during the first quarter valued at about $28,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of EOG Resources in the second quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, JCIC Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of EOG Resources during the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. 89.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About EOG Resources (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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for EOG Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EOG Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM Get Free Report) had its price target upped by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $190.00 to $205.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an equal weight rating on the specialty retailers stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective would suggest a potential upside of 5.89% from the stocks previous close. WSM has been the topic of a number of other reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $179.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, August 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $212.00 to $213.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, August 28th. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $162.00 to $202.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, August 22nd. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $185.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 28th. Finally, Argus set a $212.00 target price on Williams-Sonoma in a report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $199.39. Get Williams-Sonoma alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on WSM Williams-Sonoma Trading Down 0.5% Shares of WSM traded down $1.05 on Tuesday, reaching $193.60. The companys stock had a trading volume of 7,286 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,704,133. Williams-Sonoma has a twelve month low of $128.37 and a twelve month high of $219.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.58 billion, a PE ratio of 21.39, a PEG ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 1.56. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $195.09 and a 200-day moving average of $181.26. Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 27th. The specialty retailer reported $2.00 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.79 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $1.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.82 billion. Williams-Sonoma had a return on equity of 54.47% and a net margin of 14.54%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.74 EPS. Williams-Sonoma has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Williams-Sonoma will post 8.36 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at Williams-Sonoma In other news, CEO Laura Alber sold 90,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.17, for a total value of $18,015,300.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 876,927 shares of the companys stock, valued at $175,534,477.59. The trade was a 9.31% 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, EVP Karalyn Yearout sold 3,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $198.79, for a total transaction of $695,765.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 14,003 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,783,656.37. This trade represents a 20.00% 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 have sold 114,153 shares of company stock valued at $22,901,008. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Williams-Sonoma Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 128.0% in the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 217,644 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $34,410,000 after acquiring an additional 122,180 shares during the last quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors purchased a new stake in Williams-Sonoma in the 1st quarter worth approximately $309,000. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 13.9% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 15,080 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $2,384,000 after buying an additional 1,846 shares during the last quarter. Ethic Inc. lifted its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 153.7% in the second quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 12,279 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $2,016,000 after acquiring an additional 7,439 shares during the period. Finally, Pinnacle Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Williams-Sonoma in the first quarter valued at $655,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.29% of the companys stock. About Williams-Sonoma (Get Free Report) Williams-Sonoma, Inc operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Williams-Sonoma Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Williams-Sonoma and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fortune Minerals Limited (TSE:FT Get Free Report)s stock price was up 5.6% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as C$0.10 and last traded at C$0.10. Approximately 630,852 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 41% from the average daily volume of 447,356 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.09. Fortune Minerals Trading Up 11.1% The firm has a market cap of C$55.96 million, a P/E ratio of -5.00 and a beta of -1.42. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of -111.61. The companys fifty day moving average price is C$0.08 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$0.08. Fortune Minerals Company Profile (Get Free Report) Fortune Minerals Ltd is a Canadian mining and mine development company focused on developing the NICO Cobalt-Gold-Bismuth Copper Project in the Northwest Territories. The company plans to build a hydrometallurgical plant in southern Canada to process NICO metal concentrates. It also owns the satellite Sue-Dianne Copper-Silver-Gold Deposit located 25 km north of the NICO Project, which is a potential future source of incremental mill feed to extend the life. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Fortune Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortune Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund (NYSEARCA:HEDJ Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $52.34 and last traded at $52.4550, with a volume of 2646 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $51.99. WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund Stock Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $1.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.27 and a beta of 0.81. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $50.76 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $49.63. Get WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund by 41.5% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 71,478 shares of the companys stock worth $3,394,000 after acquiring an additional 20,980 shares in the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. bought a new position in WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund in the 1st quarter worth $200,000. Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new position in WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund during the first quarter valued at $333,000. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund by 175.8% in the 1st quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 33,221 shares of the companys stock worth $1,577,000 after buying an additional 21,175 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH purchased a new stake in shares of WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund during the 1st quarter valued at about $6,704,000. WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund Company Profile WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund (the Fund), formerly WisdomTree International Hedged Equity Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Index. The WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Index provides exposure to European equities while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations between the Euro and the United States dollar. Read More Receive News & Ratings for WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cellcom Israel, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CELJF Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $11.03 and last traded at $10.9720, with a volume of 200 shares. The stock had previously closed at $10.06. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Cellcom Israel to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Sunday, July 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Sell. Get Cellcom Israel alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Cellcom Israel Cellcom Israel Stock Up 9.1% The firm has a market cap of $1.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.87 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.67. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $9.73 and a 200-day simple moving average of $8.43. Cellcom Israel (OTCMKTS:CELJF Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The company reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $311.45 million during the quarter. Cellcom Israel had a return on equity of 9.76% and a net margin of 5.40%. Cellcom Israel Company Profile (Get Free Report) Cellcom Israel Ltd. provides cellular communications services in Israel. It operates in two segments, Cellular and Fixed-line. The Cellular segment offers cellular communications, and cellular equipment and related services. The Fixed-line segment provides infrastructure and internet access, internet-based television, international telephony, landline telephony services, and transmission services for business customers and for telecommunication operators; and conferencing, cloud computing, and server hosting services, as well as IOT solutions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Cellcom Israel Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cellcom Israel and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Royal Vopak and Vantage Drillings gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Royal Vopak $1.42 billion 3.53 $406.55 million $4.53 9.64 Vantage Drilling $239.27 million 0.00 $27.81 million $0.75 0.00 Get Royal Vopak alerts: Royal Vopak has higher revenue and earnings than Vantage Drilling. Vantage Drilling is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Royal Vopak, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Royal Vopak 37.14% 12.16% 5.72% Vantage Drilling 5.56% -23.51% -12.76% Volatility and Risk This table compares Royal Vopak and Vantage Drillings net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Royal Vopak has a beta of 0.66, suggesting that its stock price is 34% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Vantage Drilling has a beta of 0.23, suggesting that its stock price is 77% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Royal Vopak beats Vantage Drilling on 9 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Royal Vopak (Get Free Report) Koninklijke Vopak N.V., an independent tank storage company, stores and handles liquid chemicals, gases, and oil products to the energy and manufacturing markets worldwide. The company operates LPG and chemical gas, industrial, chemical, and oil terminals; and owns and operates specialized facilities consisting of tanks, jetties, truck loading stations, and pipelines. It stores and handles chemicals, such as methanol, xylenes, styrene, alpha olefins, and mono-ethylene glycol; gas, including LNG, LPG, ethylene, butadiene, and ammonia; oil products consisting of crude oil, fuel oil, diesel, jet fuel, gasoline, and naphtha; and vegoils and biofuels comprising ethanol, biodiesel, and sustainable aviation fuel. In addition, the company is involved in the development of infrastructure solutions within ports for low-carbon and renewable hydrogen, CO2, long-duration energy storage, and sustainable fuels and feedstocks. Further, it operates 76 terminals in 23 countries with a storage capacity of 35.2 million cubic meters. It serves producers, manufacturers, distributors, governments, traders, and chemical and energy companies. The company was founded in 1616 and is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. About Vantage Drilling (Get Free Report) Vantage Drilling Company is in liquidation. Previously, the company was engaged in the provision of offshore contract drilling services for multinational oil and natural gas companies, government owned oil and natural gas companies, and independent oil and natural gas producers in the United States and internationally. Vantage Drilling Company was founded in 2007 and is based in Houston, Texas. Receive News & Ratings for Royal Vopak Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Royal Vopak and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banco De Chile (NYSE:BCH Get Free Report) had its target price increased by stock analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from $31.00 to $35.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the banks stock. The Goldman Sachs Groups price target would indicate a potential downside of 4.23% from the stocks current price. A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on BCH. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Banco De Chile from $30.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Banco De Chile in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Banco De Chile from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, September 20th. Finally, Zacks Research raised Banco De Chile from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Banco De Chile currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $34.00. Get Banco De Chile alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Banco De Chile Banco De Chile Price Performance BCH traded up $0.06 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $36.55. The company had a trading volume of 136,632 shares, compared to its average volume of 304,424. Banco De Chile has a twelve month low of $22.06 and a twelve month high of $36.95. The company has a market capitalization of $18.46 billion, a PE ratio of 13.06, a P/E/G ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 0.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.53. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $31.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is $30.31. Banco De Chile (NYSE:BCH Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The bank reported $0.60 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.62 by ($0.02). Banco De Chile had a net margin of 32.87% and a return on equity of 23.25%. The company had revenue of $675.26 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $831.97 million. Equities research analysts predict that Banco De Chile will post 2.31 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Banco De Chile Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Yousif Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Banco De Chile by 4.8% during the second quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 8,145 shares of the banks stock valued at $248,000 after buying an additional 375 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Banco De Chile by 7.5% during the 2nd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 6,141 shares of the banks stock valued at $187,000 after acquiring an additional 428 shares in the last quarter. Profund Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Banco De Chile by 5.5% during the 3rd quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 10,443 shares of the banks stock valued at $316,000 after acquiring an additional 543 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Banco De Chile by 161.6% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,504 shares of the banks stock worth $46,000 after acquiring an additional 929 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group grew its stake in shares of Banco De Chile by 823.3% in the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 1,385 shares of the banks stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 1,235 shares in the last quarter. 1.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Banco De Chile (Get Free Report) Banco de Chile, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking services to customers in Chile. The company offers checking and debit accounts, debit and credit cards, and lines of credit; mortgage, consume, commercial, general purpose mortgage loans, and finance leases; and factoring services, mutual fund management, stock brokerage, foreign trade, payments and collections, insurance brokerage, including life and general insurance, as well as time deposits, savings instruments, and foreign currency services through branches under the Banco de Chile and Banco Edwards brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Banco De Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco De Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TRIPOLI, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, prime minister of Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Unity (GNU), met here with Oman's Ambassador to Tunisia Hilal al-Sanani on Tuesday to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in energy and investment. During the meeting, al-Sanani expressed Oman's keenness to strengthen economic ties with Libya and support partnerships between institutions of both countries for joint investment, the government's Hakomitna news platform said on Facebook. For his part, Dbeibah affirmed the government's readiness to facilitate procedures that will strengthen bilateral partnership and create new opportunities for integration between the two countries, Hakomitna said. The meeting marks continued efforts to strengthen ties between Libya and Oman, whose diplomatic mission left Libya in 2014 due to security concerns but has maintained engagement through visits and meetings. Since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been split between two rival governments -- the Tripoli-based GNU led by Dbeibah, and the eastern-based administration appointed by the House of Representatives and headed by Osama Hammad. Shore Capital began coverage on shares of Dunelm Group (LON:DNLM Get Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,London Stock Exchange reports. The brokerage set a buy rating and a GBX 1,300 price target on the stock. Shore Capitals price target points to a potential upside of 13.74% from the stocks current price. Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Dunelm Group from GBX 1,140 to GBX 1,240 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of Dunelm Group to an outperform rating and raised their price target for the stock from GBX 1,200 to GBX 1,300 in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on shares of Dunelm Group from GBX 1,320 to GBX 1,360 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. UBS Group reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 1,360 target price on shares of Dunelm Group in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a buy rating and set a GBX 1,480 price target on shares of Dunelm Group in a research report on Tuesday, September 9th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two 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 price target of GBX 1,397.13. Get Dunelm Group alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on DNLM Dunelm Group Stock Performance Shares of DNLM stock traded up GBX 10 during trading on Tuesday, hitting GBX 1,143. The companys stock had a trading volume of 274,553 shares, compared to its average volume of 621,278. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 236.84. The company has a market cap of 2.30 billion, a PE ratio of 14.88, a P/E/G ratio of -10.32 and a beta of 1.18. The business has a fifty day moving average of GBX 1,122.22 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 1,157.40. Dunelm Group has a 52 week low of GBX 836.61 and a 52 week high of GBX 1,249. Dunelm Group (LON:DNLM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 9th. The company reported GBX 77.20 earnings per share for the quarter. Dunelm Group had a return on equity of 96.64% and a net margin of 8.86%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Dunelm Group will post 77.0957096 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity In related news, insider Karen Witts sold 8,478 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 1,144, for a total transaction of 96,988.32. Also, insider Clodagh Moriarty sold 51,119 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, October 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 1,148, for a total transaction of 586,846.12. 39.14% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Dunelm Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Dunelm is the UKs market leader in homewares with a purpose to help create the joy of truly feeling at home, now and for generations to come. Its specialist customer proposition offers value, quality, choice and style across an extensive range of c.70,000 products, spanning multiple homewares and furniture categories and including services such as Made to Measure window treatments. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Dunelm Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dunelm Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $25.05 and last traded at $25.0850, with a volume of 3897764 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $24.26. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have recently commented on TEVA. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday, October 11th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $25.86. Get Teva Pharmaceutical Industries alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on TEVA Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Stock Up 3.6% The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.83 billion, a PE ratio of -157.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.70. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $19.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $17.95. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE:TEVA Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.78 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.10. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries had a negative net margin of 0.95% and a positive return on equity of 46.10%. The firm had revenue of $4.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.36 billion. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.69 EPS. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.550-2.650 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. will post 2.5 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In related news, Director Roberto Mignone sold 200,000 shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.11, for a total transaction of $4,822,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 495,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,934,450. This trade represents a 28.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.49% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Teva Pharmaceutical Industries A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Howard Bailey Securities LLC grew its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Howard Bailey Securities LLC now owns 14,451 shares of the companys stock valued at $292,000 after buying an additional 494 shares in the last quarter. ASR Vermogensbeheer N.V. lifted its stake in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 1.6% in the third quarter. ASR Vermogensbeheer N.V. now owns 31,915 shares of the companys stock valued at $645,000 after acquiring an additional 515 shares during the last quarter. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. grew its position in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 1.8% in the third quarter. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. now owns 33,230 shares of the companys stock worth $671,000 after acquiring an additional 588 shares in the last quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main increased its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 118,209 shares of the companys stock worth $1,981,000 after purchasing an additional 615 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 6.1% during the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 10,794 shares of the companys stock worth $207,000 after purchasing an additional 624 shares during the last quarter. 54.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Get Free Report) Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes generic medicines, specialty medicines, and biopharmaceutical products in North America, Europe, Israel, and internationally. It offers generic medicines in various dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, injectables, inhalants, liquids, transdermal patches, ointments, and creams; sterile products, hormones, high-potency drugs, and cytotoxic substances in parenteral and solid dosage forms; and generic products with medical devices and combination products. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trst (TSE:D.UN Get Free Report) had its price target upped by equities researchers at CIBC from C$17.50 to C$18.50 in a report released on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. CIBCs price target suggests a potential upside of 7.56% from the stocks current price. Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on shares of Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trst from C$17.50 to C$18.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. Cormark boosted their target price on shares of Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trst from C$20.00 to C$23.50 in a research report on Friday, September 12th. Finally, National Bankshares increased their price target on Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trst from C$17.00 to C$21.50 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trst currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$19.58. Get Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trst alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trst Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trst Stock Down 1.7% About Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trst Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trst stock traded down C$0.29 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching C$17.20. The stock had a trading volume of 6,959 shares, compared to its average volume of 21,485. Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trst has a 52 week low of C$14.05 and a 52 week high of C$21.59. The businesss 50 day moving average price is C$19.27 and its 200-day moving average price is C$17.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 115.31, a current ratio of 0.08 and a quick ratio of 0.16. The company has a market cap of C$281.55 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.96 and a beta of 1.21. (Get Free Report) Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust is a real estate investment trust that acquires, manages, and leases primarily central business district and suburban office properties in urban areas throughout Canada. The majority of the companys real estate portfolio, in terms of revenue generation, is located in the Canadian province of Ontario. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trst Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trst and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE:CLF Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by investment analysts at Citigroup from $12.00 to $11.00 in a research note issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the mining companys stock. Citigroups target price suggests a potential upside of 7.77% from the stocks previous close. Several other analysts also recently weighed in on CLF. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Cleveland-Cliffs from $8.00 to $10.50 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Cleveland-Cliffs from $14.50 to $16.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of Cleveland-Cliffs from $12.50 to $14.50 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Glj Research reiterated a sell rating and set a $5.75 price target on shares of Cleveland-Cliffs in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reissued an underweight rating and set a $11.00 price objective on shares of Cleveland-Cliffs in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Three 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 MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $12.68. Get Cleveland-Cliffs alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Cleveland-Cliffs Cleveland-Cliffs Stock Down 1.1% CLF stock traded down $0.11 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $10.21. 8,548,679 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 25,902,996. The company has a market cap of $5.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.01 and a beta of 2.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 2.04. Cleveland-Cliffs has a 1-year low of $5.63 and a 1-year high of $16.70. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $12.29 and its 200 day simple moving average is $9.95. Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE:CLF Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 20th. The mining company reported ($0.45) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.48) by $0.03. Cleveland-Cliffs had a negative net margin of 9.00% and a negative return on equity of 20.02%. The firm had revenue of $4.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.90 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned ($0.33) EPS. Cleveland-Cliffss revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Cleveland-Cliffs will post -0.79 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Maple Rock Capital Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs during the second quarter valued at $63,731,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Cleveland-Cliffs in the 2nd quarter valued at about $44,120,000. Turiya Advisors Asia Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs during the 2nd quarter worth about $39,357,000. State Street Corp grew its holdings in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs by 20.2% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 27,450,442 shares of the mining companys stock worth $208,623,000 after buying an additional 4,603,807 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its position in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs by 200.4% in the second quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 6,329,414 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $48,104,000 after buying an additional 4,222,528 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.68% of the companys stock. Cleveland-Cliffs Company Profile (Get Free Report) Cleveland-Cliffs is the largest flat-rolled steel company and the largest iron ore pellet producer in North America. The company is vertically integrated from mining through iron making, steelmaking, rolling, finishing and downstream with hot and cold stamping of steel parts and components. The company was formerly known as Cliffs Natural Resources Inc and changed its name to Cleveland-Cliffs Inc in August 2017. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Cleveland-Cliffs Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cleveland-Cliffs and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:SPEU Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $51.00 and last traded at $50.9990, with a volume of 17964 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $50.48. SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF Stock Performance The company has a market cap of $719.26 million, a P/E ratio of 16.86 and a beta of 0.94. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $49.88 and its 200 day moving average price is $48.72. Get SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Jacobi Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF by 0.5% during the third quarter. Jacobi Capital Management LLC now owns 240,711 shares of the companys stock worth $11,990,000 after purchasing an additional 1,227 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF by 460.2% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,294 shares of the companys stock valued at $64,000 after buying an additional 1,063 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its position in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF by 21.4% in the third quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 5,025 shares of the companys stock valued at $248,000 after acquiring an additional 886 shares during the last quarter. Treasure Coast Financial Planning raised its stake in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF by 2.1% during the third quarter. Treasure Coast Financial Planning now owns 121,038 shares of the companys stock worth $6,029,000 after acquiring an additional 2,476 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF in the third quarter worth about $521,000. SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF Company Profile The SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (SPEU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the STOXX Europe TMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of Western European companies across the market-cap spectrum. SPEU was launched on Oct 15, 2002 and is managed by State Street. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO Get Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by research analysts at Citigroup from $15.00 to $18.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the apparel retailers stock. Citigroups target price points to a potential upside of 3.06% from the stocks previous close. A number of other research analysts also recently weighed in on AEO. Wall Street Zen raised American Eagle Outfitters from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, September 13th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $19.00 to $21.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Telsey Advisory Group raised their price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $12.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, September 4th. BTIG Research initiated coverage on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a report on Thursday, September 18th. They set a neutral rating for the company. Finally, Zacks Research raised American Eagle Outfitters from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $15.06. Get American Eagle Outfitters alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on American Eagle Outfitters American Eagle Outfitters Trading Down 1.8% Shares of AEO traded down $0.32 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $17.47. The company had a trading volume of 6,255,906 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,081,366. American Eagle Outfitters has a 52-week low of $9.27 and a 52-week high of $20.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $16.97 and its 200 day moving average price is $13.16. The firm has a market cap of $2.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.79 and a beta of 1.58. American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, September 3rd. The apparel retailer reported $0.45 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.25. American Eagle Outfitters had a return on equity of 13.67% and a net margin of 3.74%.The company had revenue of $1.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.23 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.39 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that American Eagle Outfitters will post 1.7 EPS for the current year. Insider Transactions at American Eagle Outfitters In other news, Director David M. Sable sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.22, for a total transaction of $96,100.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 48,640 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $934,860.80. The trade was a 9.32% 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 Noel Joseph Spiegel sold 40,000 shares of American Eagle Outfitters stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.12, for a total transaction of $724,800.00. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 138,766 shares of company stock worth $2,515,354 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 8.70% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Eagle Outfitters Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in American Eagle Outfitters during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of American Eagle Outfitters during the third quarter valued at $36,000. Federated Hermes Inc. increased its position in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 151.0% in the 2nd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 3,848 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 2,315 shares during the period. McIlrath & Eck LLC purchased a new position in American Eagle Outfitters in the 3rd quarter worth $39,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in American Eagle Outfitters by 41.4% during the 3rd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,094 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 906 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.33% of the companys stock. American Eagle Outfitters Company Profile (Get Free Report) American Eagle Outfitters, Inc operates as a multi-brand specialty retailer in the United States and internationally. The company provides jeans, apparel and accessories, and personal care products for women and men under the American Eagle brand; and intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections under the Aerie and OFFLINE by Aerie brands. Read More Receive News & Ratings for American Eagle Outfitters Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Eagle Outfitters and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Koninklijke Philips N.V. (NYSE:PHG Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $29.36 and last traded at $29.2650, with a volume of 654101 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $28.25. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings raised Koninklijke Philips from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a research report on Friday. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Koninklijke Philips from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, August 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy. Get Koninklijke Philips alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on PHG Koninklijke Philips Price Performance The businesss 50-day moving average price is $27.89 and its 200 day moving average price is $25.92. The company has a market capitalization of $28.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 146.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. Koninklijke Philips (NYSE:PHG Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The technology company reported $0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.37. The business had revenue of $4.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.30 billion. Koninklijke Philips had a net margin of 1.07% and a return on equity of 12.14%. Analysts anticipate that Koninklijke Philips N.V. will post 1.63 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Koninklijke Philips A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Rhumbline Advisers raised its position in shares of Koninklijke Philips by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 29,306 shares of the technology companys stock worth $703,000 after purchasing an additional 388 shares during the last quarter. Kitching Partners LLC increased its holdings in Koninklijke Philips by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Kitching Partners LLC now owns 11,259 shares of the technology companys stock worth $270,000 after buying an additional 457 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. lifted its stake in Koninklijke Philips by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 11,357 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $310,000 after acquiring an additional 478 shares during the period. Cetera Trust Company N.A grew its stake in shares of Koninklijke Philips by 4.9% in the second quarter. Cetera Trust Company N.A now owns 12,173 shares of the technology companys stock worth $292,000 after acquiring an additional 564 shares during the period. Finally, Gallacher Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Koninklijke Philips by 3.5% in the second quarter. Gallacher Capital Management LLC now owns 16,771 shares of the technology companys stock worth $402,000 after purchasing an additional 573 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 13.67% of the companys stock. About Koninklijke Philips (Get Free Report) Koninklijke Philips N.V. operates as a health technology company in North America, the Greater China, and internationally. The company operates through Diagnosis & Treatment Businesses, Connected Care Businesses, and Personal Health Businesses segments. It also provides diagnostic imaging solutions, includes magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray systems, and computed tomography (CT) systems and software comprising detector-based spectral CT solutions, as well as molecular and hybrid imaging solutions for nuclear medicine; echography solutions focused on diagnosis, treatment planning and guidance for cardiology, general imaging, obstetrics/gynecology, and point-of-care applications; integrated interventional systems, and interventional diagnostic and therapeutic devices to treat coronary artery and peripheral vascular disease. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Koninklijke Philips Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Koninklijke Philips and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jumia Technologies (NYSE:JMIA Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 6.8% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $10.52 and last traded at $10.6450. 1,694,951 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 51% from the average session volume of 3,471,743 shares. The stock had previously closed at $11.42. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have recently weighed in on JMIA shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (e+) rating on shares of Jumia Technologies in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of Jumia Technologies from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the company from $6.50 to $15.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $15.00. Get Jumia Technologies alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Jumia Technologies Jumia Technologies Trading Down 8.3% Institutional Inflows and Outflows The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $10.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is $6.75. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Jumia Technologies by 18.1% during the 3rd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 465,846 shares of the companys stock worth $5,408,000 after buying an additional 71,254 shares during the period. one8zero8 LLC bought a new stake in shares of Jumia Technologies during the 3rd quarter valued at $1,611,000. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Jumia Technologies by 12.9% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 19,219 shares of the companys stock valued at $223,000 after purchasing an additional 2,199 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Jumia Technologies by 111.1% in the 3rd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 3,800 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 2,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Yeomans Consulting Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Jumia Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth $461,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.50% of the companys stock. Jumia Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Jumia Technologies AG operates an e-commerce platform in West Africa, North Africa, East and South Africa, Europe, the United Arab Emirates, and internationally. The companys platform consists of marketplace that connects sellers with customers; logistics service, which enables the shipment and delivery of packages from sellers to consumers; and payment service, which facilitates transactions to participants active on the companys platform in selected markets under the JumiaPay name. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Jumia Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jumia Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (CVE:GPV Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as C$2.10 and last traded at C$2.11, with a volume of 4021 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$2.25. GreenPower Motor Stock Down 6.2% The stock has a market cap of C$6.43 million, a PE ratio of -0.35 and a beta of 3.68. The business has a 50 day moving average of C$4.34 and a 200-day moving average of C$5.32. The company has a current ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 445.54. GreenPower Motor Company Profile (Get Free Report) GreenPower Motor Company Inc designs, manufactures, and distributes electric vehicles for commercial markets in the United States and Canada. The company offers commercial vehicles for delivery, public transit, schools, vanpools, micro-transit, shuttles, and other; and passenger, student, low floor transit, and cargo transportation. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for GreenPower Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GreenPower Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi on Tuesday launched the country's first clinical trial for an oral cholera vaccine fully developed and manufactured in South Africa. "For the first time in history, a vaccine ready for a pivotal clinical trial has been developed and produced from start to finish right here on South African soil," Motsoaledi said during the launching ceremony held at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Johannesburg. "This milestone is about reclaiming our country's capability to innovate, to manufacture vaccines, and to protect the health of our own people, the people of Africa, and global recipients through global procurement processes," the health minister added. Although South Africa is not a cholera-endemic country, it has experienced sporadic outbreaks that have claimed lives, often following outbreaks in neighboring countries. In February 2024, the Department of Health reported 46 cases of cholera, most of which were imported after severe outbreaks in Zambia and Zimbabwe that resulted in hundreds of deaths. Motsoaledi noted that previous pandemics exposed the dangers of relying entirely on imported vaccines, leaving the African continent among the last to receive COVID-19 vaccines from manufacturers. "Building local vaccine manufacturing capability is not a luxury; it is a national necessity. It ensures that our people are not left behind when the next global health crisis strikes," Motsoaledi stressed. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please visit my profile to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, disable notifications and hide this message. Like it or not . . . Most Democratic Party Loyalists are fuming over the shutdown defeat. From our local media . . . The aftermath focuses on local costs . . . "Thousands of Kansas Citians getting health insurance through the ACA marketplace, also known as Obamacare, are weighing options for 2026 coverage. As open enrollment gets underway, many are learning they will face substantially higher costs. "Most insurance companies providing coverage are raising premiums, which accounts for part of the cost increase. But for many people, the bulk of the price jump can be traced to the expected expiration of federal tax credits, which for the last four years have heavily subsidized premiums for most of the 24 million Americans enrolled in the ACA marketplace. "Those tax credits expire on Dec. 31. Democrats made extending them their primary demand in a budget fight that shuttered the federal government for more than 40 days this fall. But a Nov. 9 deal to pass a budget resolution does not include promises from Republicans to fund extended tax credits. "That means many people will be left with unaffordable insurance bills, which is likely to increase the uninsured population." Meanwhile . . . We'll share a few local connections and overview reports . . . Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Progressive group calls for Sen. Chuck Schumer to resign over shutdown vote Progressive groups are angry that Schumer was unable to keep his members together and that the deal doesn't include the things Democrats wanted. Senators reach tentative deal to end the government shutdown The deal, negotiated by a group of Democrats and GOP leaders, funds the government through Jan. 30. If it passes, it will still need to clear the House, which will likely take days. Trump slams air traffic controllers who called out during the government shutdown Trump said on social media that he wasn't happy with controllers who called out of work, and suggested a $10,000 bonus for those who didn't take any time off during the shutdown. Health insurance prices set to soar out of reach for many Kansas Citians After Democrats' demands to save ACA marketplace tax subsidies came up short, millions of Americans are expected to lose health coverage in January. Kansas City Airport faces delays, cancellations amid government shutdown Flight delays and cancellations mount at Kansas City International Airport due to government shutdown, with FAA reducing operations. Developing . . . One of our better traditions on this blog . . . TODAY OUR TKC BLOG COMMUNITY THANKS VETERANS IN KANSAS CITY & ACROSS THE NATION!!! A bit of history and a glimpse at local reporting . . . "Veterans Day began as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I on November 11th, becoming a national holiday in 1938. In 1954, at the urging of veterans' organizations, it was renamed Veterans Day to honor all American veterans of all wars, not just World War I. President Eisenhower signed the bill into law, officially making November 11th a day to thank and honor all who have served in the U.S. armed forces." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Veterans Day events in the Kansas City Metro Here's a look at Tuesday's Veterans Days events around the region. A Kansas City Vietnam veteran says he's thankful he finally shared his story Mexican Americans were disproportionately killed and injured during the Vietnam War. Historian Dr. Gene Chavez has said the contributions and stories of those service members are often overlooked, but his recent project with the Library of Congress will help preserve those stories. VFW Celebrates Veterans' Enduring Legacy VFW honors Veterans Day by saluting all service members, acknowledging military families, and vowing to advocate for pay and support amidst financial hardships like the government shutdown. Veterans Day deals and discounts in Kansas City Kansas City is celebrating National Veterans Day by offering discounts and freebies to past and present service members Today we learn of what might the only REAL profit model remaining for newspapers. To wit . . . RURAL KANSAS WILL PAY MILLIONS AFTER A SKETCHY RAID TARGETED A SMALL TOWN NEWSPAPER!!! As we followed the story . . . We remember a tacit bit of reactionary support for police investigation AND THEN a total falloff after more deets were revealed . . . Interestingly, in retrospect we've heard that some of the officers at the scene second guessed their directives as well . . . The reality is that the story garnered global attention and the raid has been universally rebuked by MILLIONS across the planet. Check this latest report . . . "A handful of county-level officials who were involved in a small-town Kansas newspaper raid in 2023 will pay a cumulative $3 million to three journalists and a city councilor. "In two of the four agreements, the Marion County Sheriffs Office also crafted a statement admitting regret." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Reflector: Marion County agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret This photo taken with a mobile phone on Nov. 11, 2025 shows the blast site in Islamabad, Pakistan. At least 12 people were killed and 27 others injured on Tuesday afternoon in a suicide blast outside the district courts in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told local media. (Xinhua) ISLAMABAD, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 people were killed and 27 others injured on Tuesday afternoon in a suicide blast outside the district courts in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told lolcal media. Naqvi said at the explosion site that a suicide bomber exploded his explosive-laden jacket in front of the Judicial Complex, which houses several district courts. Police and rescue teams immediately reached the site and shifted the bodies and the injured to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. An official from the media wing of Islamabad Police told Xinhua that the death toll could rise as some of the injured were in critical condition. According to the initial investigation report, the bomber wanted to enter the Judicial Complex, but did not attempt to pass through the strict security checking process and finally attacked a police vehicle outside the complex. Following the explosion, several vehicles caught fire and some others were damaged by the impact. Police said that the body parts of the suicide bomber were recovered from the site, adding that forensic teams had launched the process of identifying the attacker. The district administration has evacuated the court premises, while security departments have launched a search operation in the area. A lawyer, Malik Khalid Khan, who was present inside the Judicial Complex at the time, told Xinhua that the attack occurred during the court's break hours when several people went outside. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. However, security sources told Xinhua that the deadly act appeared to have been carried out by the banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating from Afghanistan. Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives celebrates dual milestones as it marks its fourth anniversary and earns a coveted spot among the Best Resort Pools at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025. The 150-metre pool, the largest in the Maldives, stands as an architectural and social centerpiece that captures the essence of luxury island living. (TRAVPR.COM) MALDIVES - October 16th, 2025 - Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been officially recognized among the Best Resort Pools in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, a prestigious accolade voted by discerning travellers across the region. This recognition coincides with the resorts fourth anniversary, marking a double celebration for one of the Maldives most admired luxury lifestyle destinations. Located just 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili has become synonymous with design, connection, and community. At the heart of the resorts appeal is its iconic 150-metre poolthe largest in the Maldivesframed by palm trees, daybeds, and jacuzzis. It connects seamlessly to three vibrant bars and eight globally inspired restaurants, offering a truly immersive social experience. The pool caters to every guest type: a 50-metre Olympic lap pool for fitness enthusiasts, shallow zones for children, jacuzzi corners for relaxation, and even candlelit dinners under the stars for couples. This award is a testament to our commitment to crafting unforgettable, design-led experiences with heartfelt Maldivian hospitality, said Deepa Manuel, General Manager of Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives. Beyond its pool, Kuda Villingili is renowned for its diverse culinary experiencesincluding Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Maldivian-vegetarian specialties at Earthits private island spa, surf access to Chickens Break, and 75 villas and residences, each designed for privacy and connection. For more information and reservations, visit www.kudavillingili.com or email reservations@kudavillingili.com. ### A renovated machiya townhouse brings a warm, authentic dining experience to locals and travelers alike. (TRAVPR.COM) JAPAN - November 11th, 2025 - KYOTO, JAPAN November 2025 A new culinary destination is opening its doors in Kyoto this winter. Kyoto Udon Ishin () will officially opened in January 2025 in the picturesque HigashiyamaKodaiji area, offering guests a comforting bowl of udon crafted with Kyotos finest ingredients and a modern sensibility rooted in tradition. The restaurant is housed in a beautifully renovated machiya townhouse, preserving the charm of old Kyoto while introducing a stylish, welcoming atmosphere. At Kyoto Udon Ishin, every bowl tells a story from the broth made with locally sourced katsuobushi and pure Fushimi spring water, to the specially developed noodles created in collaboration with a long-established noodle maker for a perfectly chewy yet refined texture. Seasonality is at the heart of Kyoto Udon Ishins philosophy. The menu evolves throughout the year, featuring the freshest regional ingredients. This winters highlight, the Nabeyaki Udon with local chicken, combines deep umami flavor with aromatic warmth, offering an unforgettable comfort food experience for cold days. Kyoto Udon Ishin is more than just a place to eat, says the owner. Its a space where people can slow down, enjoy authentic Kyoto taste, and experience the harmony between tradition and innovation. Located just steps from Kodaiji Temple and Yasaka Pagoda, Kyoto Udon Ishin is the perfect stop for both Kyoto residents and travelers seeking an authentic Japanese food experience in a serene, cultural setting. Opening Date: January 2025 Location: HigashiyamaKodaiji Area, Kyoto Website: https://kyoto-udon-ishin.com/ ### Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. President Ilham Aliyev sent a letter of condolence to President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports. "Dear Mr. President, My dear Brother, We were deeply saddened by the tragic news of the loss of servicemen in the crash of a Turkish Air Force military cargo plane, which took off from Ganja and crashed in Georgian territory. In this moment of sorrow, I share your grief and, on behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, extend heartfelt condolences to You, the families and loved ones of the deceased, and the fraternal people of Turkiye. May their souls rest in peace," the letter reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. On the instructions of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister Ali Asadov contacted Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze regarding the crash of a Turkish Air Force military transport plane in Georgia, Trend reports, citing PM's office. Prime Minister Asadov stated that Azerbaijan is ready to provide all necessary assistance to deal with the aftermath of the crash, conduct search and rescue operations, and send appropriate personnel from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan to the site, as well as take other necessary support measures. The Georgian side expressed gratitude for the support, noting that representatives of the relevant Georgian authorities are currently working at the site of the incident. During the conversation, it was noted that Azerbaijans Ministry of Emergency Situations and Ministry of Digital Development and Transport are maintaining communication with their Georgian counterparts. Both sides agreed to continue coordination in response to this tragedy. Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaija BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov expressed condolences to the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkiye, Yasar Guler, the Ministry of Defense said, Trend reports. The letter says: "I am deeply saddened by the news that C-130 military cargo plane departing from Azerbaijan to Turkiye crashed on the Georgian-Azerbaijani border. I pray to Almighty Allah for the repose of the souls of the deceased and extend my deepest condolences to their families. May Allah grant eternal peace to the deceased." BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan has expressed condolences to brotherly Turkiye following the crash of a Turkish military transport plane in Georgia, Trend reports. The statement was posted on the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministrys official X account. The news of the crash in Georgia of the Turkish C-130 military transport plane, which was traveling from Azerbaijan to Turkiye, has deeply shocked us. We extend our deepest condolences to the brotherly Turkish people and Armed Forces for this tragic loss and wish patience to the families of the deceased. Azerbaijan stands with brotherly Turkiye, the post reads. The Turkish C-130 military transport plane that departed from Azerbaijan earlier today crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border. Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaija BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. First Deputy Minister of Defense Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev expressed condolences to the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Turkiye, Army General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. The letter says: "I am deeply saddened by the news that C130 military cargo plane departing from Azerbaijan to Turkiye crashed on the Georgian-Azerbaijani border. I pray to Almighty Allah for the repose of the souls of the deceased and extend my deepest condolences to their families. May Allah grant eternal peace to the deceased." Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. On November 11, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a phone call to President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports. The head of state extended profound condolences to the President of Turkiye, the families and loved ones of the perished servicemen, and the fraternal people of Turkiye over the crash of a military cargo plane belonging to the Turkish Air Force in Georgian territory. The President of the Republic of Turkiye expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the phone call and the condolences. During the telephone conversation, it was noted that the relevant state institutions of Azerbaijan and Turkiye are in contact regarding the incident. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. Minister of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Kamaladdin Heydarov held a phone talk with Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Gela Geladze, following the crash of a Turkish Air Force military cargo aircraft in Georgia, Trend reports, citing the Ministry. During the conversation, the ministers discussed the situation surrounding the tragedy. Kamaladdin Heydarov stated that, on the instructions of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan is fully prepared to immediately take part in the search and rescue operation and provide all necessary assistance. Georgian Interior Minister Gela Geladze expressed gratitude for the offer of support and noted that, if necessary, a decision would be made to involve Azerbaijani rescue units stationed near the border. Contacts between the relevant authorities are ongoing. Candlelight Vigil Held in Syria After Murder of Two Christians The town of Rableh, nestled in the Wadi al-Masihiyeen (Valley of Christians) in the Hmoth (Homs) countryside, witnessed a somber gathering this week as hundreds of men, women, and children came together in mourning. A candlelight vigil and prayer service was held to honor the lives of Fadi al-Atram, a young Christian man, and Hussein Issa Aloush, a 50-year-old Alawite man, both killed by unknown assailants on Monday. The perpetrators, reportedly riding motorcycles, fled the scene, leaving the town in shock and grief. As hymns filled the air, the chants of prayer seemed to echo through the city now marked by blood and sorrow. Priests, elders, and members of a local scout troop joined the procession, which wound through Rableh's streets in a final tribute to the victims. The scouts performed solemn funeral hymns, a longstanding tradition in the region. Residents described the attack as a disturbing breach of security and part of a wider pattern of rising violence across Syria. Local sources told our news desk that the killings were the latest in a series of unpunished attacks targeting Christians, adding that Syria's once-vibrant Christian community continues to dwindle under the pressures of war, fear, and marginalization. The grief in Rableh deepened after another horrific crime the following day in Holeb's (Aleppo) Al-Aziziya neighborhood, where an elderly Christian woman, Dalal Jerji Basmaji, was found murdered in her home. Investigators say a man and woman, posing as humanitarian aid workers, later returned to rob and kill her. Despite the anguish, the vigil in Rableh evolved into a moment of collective prayer and resilience. The candles held by mourners flickered as symbols of enduring faith and humanity, a quiet affirmation that the Valley of Christians will remain a valley of light, even amid the encroaching darkness. DHAKA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Bangladesh have tightened security in the country to prevent possible protests on Thursday amid reports of a planned "Dhaka lockdown" announced by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Bangladesh Awami League (AL) party. Bangladesh's Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Tuesday that "police and security forces are now patrolling the country more often," adding that they have also increased protection for important government buildings. He further said there is no apprehension over the program of the AL party, whose activities are now banned in the country. The reports of the AL's program came as Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal is expected to set the verdict date on Thursday for Sheikh Hasina and several of her top aides. AL supporters reportedly triggered violent protests in parts of Bangladesh on Monday. Dhaka dwellers have been plunged into fear as they woke to reports of buses set ablaze and bomb explosions in parts of the city. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova has expressed her condolences to Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Numan Kurtulmus regarding the crash of a Turkish military transport aircraft, Trend reports. It is mentioned in the letter of condolences sent by the Speaker of the Milli Majlis to the Chairman of the GNAT that she was deeply shocked by the news of the deaths of military personnel as a result of the crash of the Turkish Air Force transport aircraft that had taken off in Ganja and crashed over Georgian territory. Speaker Sahiba Gafarova expressed profound condolences on her own behalf and on behalf of the Members of the Milli Majlis to the Chairman and Members of the GNAT, to the families and relatives of the deceased, and to the people of brotherly Turkiye, as well as she wished the deceased the mercy of the Almighty BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. Azerbaijan expressed deep sorrow over the recent terrorist attacks in the Pakistani cities of Islamabad and Van, which caused multiple deaths and injuries, Trend reports. In a statement, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, "We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the brotherly people and government of Pakistan. We wish a speedy recovery to all those injured." The ministry emphasized that Azerbaijan fully supports Pakistan in combating all forms and manifestations of terrorism. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. Demining activities have been carried out in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan's Gazakh district since April 2024, the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) told Trend. Throughout the operational phase, a total of 223.7 hectares of terrain have been cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). "To date, 1,059 anti-personnel mines, 99 anti-tank mines, and 49 UXO have been identified and neutralized," ANAMA said. Meanwhile, according to ANAMA, a total of 7,022 hectares of territory were cleared of mines and UXO last month. The villages of Baghanis Ayrim, Ashagi Askipara, Kheyrimli, and Gizilhajili, which had been under Armenian occupation for 30 years, were returned to Azerbaijan following an agreement reached by the Azerbaijani-Armenian border delimitation commission on April 19, 2024. As a result, a 12.7-kilometer border line was established, and the 6.5-square-kilometer areas of the four Gazakh villages were restored to Azerbaijani control. The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action was founded in 1998. It mobilizes the requisite resources to address mine action in alignment with national needs and priorities, coordinates inter-agency efforts for the safe clearance of mines from de-occupied and war-affected regions, continues to conduct research, clears mines from territories, and transfers them to end users, while also communicating Azerbaijan's mine issue to the global community and enhancing mutually beneficial collaboration with international and donor organizations to combat the mine threat. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. The Training and Educational Center of the Azerbaijan Army held the next graduation ceremony of the Reserve Officer Training Course, the Ministry of Defense told Trend. First, the memory of National Leader of the Azerbaijani people 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. At the event, the Chief of the Training and Educational Center of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel Nizami Movlanov, congratulated the young officers on being awarded the military rank of lieutenant on behalf of the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and wished them success in their future military service. Then certificates were presented to the graduates, and the top graduate, Lieutenant Rahida Shahverdiyeva, affixed a graduation emblem to a symbolic stump. The event concluded with performances by the creative team of the Hazi Aslanov Army Ideological and Cultural Center. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. The gala concert of the 9th "Florida Keys" International Music Competition, dedicated to the 140th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli, was held at the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York City, U.S., Trend reports. According to Azerbaijan's State Committee on Work with Diaspora, the gala concert was organized with the support of the State Committee and hosted by the Florida Azerbaijani-American Cultural Association. Over 50 young talents selected in the competition performed with an orchestra pieces by Azerbaijani and international composers, including works by Uzeyir Hajibeyli. Performances by Azerbaijani pianist Ali Mammadov, a laureate of international competitions and Presidential scholarship recipient based in the U.S., as well as young musicians from Azerbaijan, Milana Nabiyeva and flutist Emily Mammadova-Zakiyyah, were met with great applause. Salhet Abbasova, Head of a Department at the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, congratulated the winners and expressed gratitude to the competition organizers for their significant role in promoting Azerbaijani music globally. Winners received diplomas and cash prizes. The gala concert coincided with the celebrations of Azerbaijans Victory Day and State Flag Day, and congratulations were extended to the Azerbaijani people on this occasion. "Florida Keys" International Music Competition was established in honor of Azerbaijans eminent composer Jovdat Hajiyev. The competition was founded by Parvin Muradova, daughter of the renowned cultural figures Jovdat Hajiyev and Amine Dilbazi, and by Tohfa Eminova, President of the Azerbaijani-American Cultural Association in Florida. Organized annually by the Association, the competition aims to discover talented musicians from around the world and contribute to the promotion of Azerbaijans rich musical heritage. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 11. A total of 9,500 Uzbek citizens traveled to Qatar for tourism purposes during JanuarySeptember 2025. Data obtained by Trend from the Statistics Committee shows that this figure has increased by 6,900 people, almost 3.7 times compared to the same period last year. The breakdown of travelers by purpose is as follows: tourism 8,100 people visiting relatives 1,100 people business and official trips 130 people education 110 people medical treatment 4 people In general, Uzbek tourists predominantly travel to neighboring Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan, followed by Russia, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia. Regional travel prevails due to convenience and cultural affiliations, while sought-after destinations such as the UAE, Egypt, and Thailand draw visitors for recreational and religious reasons. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 11. Representatives of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) delivered a presentation on their Trans-Asian Railway Network initiative during a meeting with Uzbekistan Railways, Trend reports via Uzbekistan Railways. The meeting, held at the headquarters of Uzbekistan Railways, brought together officials from ESCAP and Uzbekistan Railways to discuss prospects for expanding cooperation in the rail sector. The sides reviewed Uzbekistans ongoing railway reforms adopted in 2023, as well as major strategic infrastructure projects such as the Trans-Afghan railway and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan line. Participants highlighted the benefits of shifting freight transport to rail, emphasizing its role in reducing road congestion and minimizing environmental impact. The meeting concluded with discussions on involving Uzbekistan Railways more closely in the implementation of the ESCAP agreement. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 11. Kazakhstan is expanding geological and geophysical exploration across its territory under a presidential directive, Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction Iran Sharkhan said at a government meeting, Trend reports. According to Sharkhan, around 2 million square kilometers have already been studied, with plans to increase coverage to 2.2 million square kilometers. "This approach will enable early identification of promising areas and improve the efficiency of geological exploration. Between 2026 and 2028, 100,000 square kilometers will be studied, followed by 30,000 annually," he noted. To accelerate progress, new geological survey standards have been approved, and 240 million tenge ($457,775) has been allocated from government reserves for the development of 20 design and estimate projects. Sharkhan also reported on the ongoing digitalization of Kazakhstans geological data. More than 66,000 geological reports are now available on the Unified Subsoil Use Platform, while the digitization of primary geological information continues. "As of today, over 73% of primary geological data has been digitized. By the end of the year, this figure will reach 97%, and full digitization will be completed in 2026," the deputy minister added. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 11. Kazakhstan has signed more than 320 hydrocarbon subsoil use contracts, with significant investment continuing in geological exploration, Deputy Minister of Energy Kayyrkhan Tutkyshbaev said at a government meeting, Trend reports. As of September 2025, 324 contracts are in effect: 15 for exploration, 170 for both exploration and production, 131 for production, and 8 under production sharing agreements. Tutkyshbaev noted that 80 billion tenge ($152.6 million) has been invested in geological exploration in the first nine months of 2025. For comparison, around 150 billion tenge ($286.1 million) and 160 billion tenge ($305.1 million) were invested in 2023 and 2024, respectively. He added that by the end of 2025, total exploration investments are expected to match or exceed the levels of previous years. The deputy minister also highlighted that the hydrocarbon sector currently employs about 220,000 people, covering exploration, production, processing, transportation, and oilfield services. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 11. Kazakhstan has digitized 3.5 million units of primary geological data, and the government aims to complete the process by the end of 2026, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced at a government meeting, Trend reports. The countrys Unified Subsoil Use Platform currently provides 22 types of state services, allowing for automated license issuance and ongoing monitoring of subsoil users compliance. The digitized data includes historical records previously stored on paper, magnetic tapes, and photographs. "I instruct the Ministry of Industry, together with the Ministries of Finance, Artificial Intelligence, and the National Geological Service, to complete the digitization of historical geological data by the end of next year. This will simplify access to both historical and new geological information in Kazakhstan and facilitate investment, exploration, and development projects," Bektenov said. ISLAMABAD, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday outlined his government's socioeconomic reforms and reaffirmed the country's commitment to peace, stability, and multilateral cooperation during the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference in Islamabad. Sharif emphasized that peace and security form the foundation of sustainable development, noting that ongoing global conflicts underscore the critical importance of stability. He said Pakistan remains fully prepared to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity while advancing inclusive growth domestically. On regional issues, the prime minister stressed that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is essential for regional connectivity, development, and prosperity. He called on the Afghan government to take effective action against militant groups operating from Afghan soil and reaffirmed Pakistan's readiness to cooperate on shared security concerns. Sharif highlighted domestic reforms aimed at empowering youth and women, expanding SME financing, and enhancing digital skills and leadership opportunities. He also pointed to Pakistan's collaboration with international financial institutions and development partners to strengthen financial systems, climate resilience, and investment promotion. The prime minister reiterated Pakistan's advocacy for oppressed populations globally, and underscored the country's active engagement in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Economic Cooperation Organization, and Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Sharif called on nations to work together to promote peace, sustainable development, and collective security, stressing the need for long-term stability and shared prosperity. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 11. A delegation from Kazakhstans Kyzylorda region visited Switzerland to present the regions investment potential and explore partnerships in sustainable development and green energy, Trend reports via Kazakh Invest. During the visit, Altinay Mukanova from Kazakh Invest introduced Swiss companies to Kyzylordas opportunities, highlighting the regions agricultural and livestock sectors, agro-processing, and fisheries. Meetings were held with Inoks Capital SA to discuss expanding livestock and feed production, and with Swiss Choice Holding SA to explore investment in fish processing, where the region operates 11 plants, four of which meet international standards, processing over 5,000 tons annually, with 4,000 tons exported. The delegation also discussed a modern agro-industrial cluster with Harvest Group, focusing on cultivating and processing technical crops such as hemp, corn, and soy across 20,000 hectares. The project, backed by a trilateral agreement signed at KGIR-2025, involves 51 billion tenge ($97.2 million) in investment and will create over 150 jobs. Additionally, talks with the Geneva Chamber of Commerce showcased Kyzylordas broader economic and investment potential. Swiss companies expressed strong interest in visiting Kazakhstan to further explore industrial, agricultural, and natural resource opportunities. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 11. Kazakhstan's KazMunayGas (KMG) held a meeting in Astana with U.S.-based LanzaJet to discuss the next phase of their sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project in Kazakhstan, Trend reports via KMG. The meeting included executives from LanzaJet, KazFoodProducts, Air Astana, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The parties reviewed key aspects of the SAF project, including the potential creation of an integrated structure for joint implementation. The project aims to build the first alcohol-to-jet SAF plant in Central Asia, positioning Kazakhstan as a regional technology hub and transit center. In September, KMG and LanzaJet approved the projects feasibility study in New York and signed a framework agreement, paving the way for detailed technical and economic planning. "The project is crucial for implementing President Tokayevs vision of transforming Kazakhstan into an international aviation hub," KMG Chairman Askhat Khasenov said, emphasizing the companys commitment to strengthening collaboration with LanzaJet, a global leader in SAF technology. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 11. CEO of Uzmetkombinat, one of the first metallurgical enterprises in Central Asia, Bahodir Abdullaev met with executives from the Italian Danieli to discuss expanding cooperation in the metallurgical sector, Trend reports via Uzmetkombinat. The discussions focused on improving production efficiency, introducing new technologies, and advancing ongoing projects. Both sides agreed to continue developing existing initiatives and exploring new opportunities in metallurgy. Meanwhile, Danieli previously contributed to the construction of Uzmetkombinats Casting and Rolling Complex (LPC), enabling the production of modern flat-rolled steel using advanced technology. Danieli, headquartered in Buttrio, Italy, is a supplier of equipment and turnkey plants for the metal industry. The company designs and manufactures machinery covering the entire steel production process - from raw materials such as ore and scrap to finished long and flat products - and is a global leader in steel plant production. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 11. Kazakhstan plans to commission 80 renovated railway stations this year, Deputy Minister of Transport Maksat Kaliakparov announced at a government meeting, Trend reports. The modernization and major repairs are overseen by the national railway company, Kazakhstan Railways, with local authorities serving as contractors. Currently, design and estimate documents for 100 stations are under state review, and construction works are underway at 121 of 124 sites. Three stations classified as cultural heritage sites will be renovated in 2026 following specialized research. Kaliakparov noted that around 70% of the stations had not been updated for over 30 years. Structural inspections revealed defects in supporting columns and other elements, prompting the complete demolition of 42 stations. "More than 80 stations will be operational this year. Local authorities and contractors must accelerate construction and installation works," he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. UZCARD is actively working on expanding its range of card products and acquiring solutions, Olimjon Zakirov, Commercial Director of LLC UCMG, told Trend. According to him, the company is developing a diverse range of cards tailored to different user segments, including premium cards, business cards, procurement cards, fan cards, and childrens cards, each accompanied by exclusive offers from partner merchants. "At the same time, efforts are underway to implement a unified, integrated loyalty system, enabling the accrual of points and cashback not only on UZCARD payment system cards but also on other cards and cash transactions," Zakirov stated. The Commercial Director further highlighted that the company is advancing acquiring solutions for both card-present and card-not-present scenarios. These initiatives include dynamic QR payments on modern POS terminals with integrated fiscalization, card tokenization with subsequent SDK transfer to mobile banking and fintech applications, as well as SoftPOS Tap-to-Pay technologies, allowing payments via mobile devices. "We are not limiting ourselves to traditional methods and are actively exploring innovative payment options using biometrics, such as Face-pay and Palm-pay," he added. Zakirov noted that it is difficult to predict in advance which payment technology will become dominant in any given country. "The entry of Apple Pay and Google Pay into the Uzbek market will undoubtedly create convenience and comfort for users. However, it is unlikely to completely change the customer experience in Central Asian markets, where QR codes remain the primary payment method," he emphasized. He also highlighted that the growth of digital assets, including cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, is driving demand for their acquisition by merchants. Most merchants prefer receiving funds in fiat currency for practical use. In this context, QR payments serve as a "railway for acquiring" digital assets on POS terminals, bridging traditional banking systems and DeFi. "Developing markets provide an excellent opportunity to test and implement various innovative payment solutions," Zakirov concluded. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 11. Uzbekistan Railways and Eurasian Agrologistics discussed the implementation of the "AgroExpress" rail transport initiative along the Central Asia-Russia route, Trend reports via Uzbekistan Railways. The issue was reviewed at a meeting held at Uzbekistan Railways with Alevtina Kirilova, CEO of Eurasian Agrologistics. The talks focused on expanding rail transport of agricultural exports between Uzbekistan, Russia, and Kazakhstan and on launching the "AgroExpress" project. Participants highlighted the need for a unified preferential tariff among the three countries railways and the simplification of customs and border procedures. The sides agreed to organize a trilateral meeting with Kazakhstan to review the project in detail and coordinate joint steps for its implementation. Meanwhile, the mentioned project was proposed by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the recent Central Asia-Russia summit. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has committed an additional $40 million in equity to Infinity, Egypt's renewable energy developer, raising its total investment to $141.5 million, Trend reports via the bank. The new capital will support Infinity Power, Infinitys subsidiary, in delivering around 3 GW of renewable energy capacity across key African markets. Infinity Power, a joint venture between Egypts Infinity and Abu Dhabis Masdar, currently operates more than 1.3 GW of solar and wind projects in Egypt, South Africa, and Senegal, with a near-term development pipeline of 3 GW. The projects aim to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy while promoting economic growth and energy access across the continent. Mohamed Ismail Mansour, Chairman of Infinity Power, emphasized that the EBRDs continued support reflects a shared vision of a sustainable and fast-growing future for Egypt and Africa, creating jobs and strengthening energy security. Harry Boyd-Carpenter, Managing Director of EBRDs Sustainable Infrastructure Group, noted that the investment marks a significant step in expanding Infinitys presence across Africa, supporting decarbonization and sustainable infrastructure development. Since beginning operations in Egypt in 2012, the EBRD has invested over 13.5 billion euros in 207 projects, reflecting its long-term commitment to the countrys economic and green transition. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 11. Laziz Kudratov, Uzbekistans Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, met with Mohammad Atabak, Irans Minister of Industry, Mines, and Trade, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral trade, implement joint projects, and enhance mutually beneficial partnerships, Trend reports via MIIT. The talks focused on cooperation in energy, transport, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and tourism, as well as initiatives to establish joint production and promote products in regional markets. Officials noted that bilateral trade reached $500 million in 2024. As of September 1, 2025, Uzbekistan hosts 222 enterprises with Iranian investment, operating in construction, transport, and pharmaceuticals. The meeting was held in a constructive atmosphere and marked a key step toward expanding practical cooperation and deepening economic ties between the two countries. According to the Iranian Customs Administration (IRICA), trade between Iran and Uzbekistan in the first half of the current Iranian year (from March 21 through September 22, 2025) was estimated at approximately $335 million and 526,000 tons, up 49.7 percent in value and 82 percent in volume year-on-year. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. QatarEnergy has entered a long-term agreement with Japan's Mitsui & Co., Ltd. to supply up to 0.5 million tons of urea per year, starting January 2026, Trend reports. According to QatarEnergy, the 20-year contract strengthens the companies decades-long partnership in the global fertilizer market. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President & CEO of QatarEnergy, said the agreement reinforces QatarEnergys commitment to expanding its global footprint in urea production. "With rising global demand for urea, this partnership will support enhanced food production and security worldwide," he added. The deal builds on QatarEnergys September 2024 announcement to develop a new world-scale urea production complex, which will more than double the countrys urea output. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. Masdar has signed a Battery Storage Service Agreement with JSC Uzenergosotish to develop the Zarafshan Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), Uzbekistans standalone storage project, Trend reports. According to Masdar, the deal was announced at ADIPEC and marks the first phase of a national BESS program, following Masdars December 2023 agreement with Uzbekistans Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade to deploy up to 575MW / 1.15GWh of storage capacity across the country. Phase 1 of the Zarafshan BESS will provide 300MW / 600MWh, enough to power approximately 1.3 million households for two hours, connecting to the Murunau Substation. A second 300MW / 600MWh phase is planned to expand the facility. The project is expected to be operational by Q3 2028 and will enhance grid reliability, support Uzbekistans target of generating 54% of electricity from renewables by 2030, and advance the countrys net-zero goals. Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi emphasized the companys experience in large-scale renewable and storage projects, while JSC Uzenergosotish Chairman Jahongir Obidjonov highlighted the initiatives contribution to Uzbekistans green energy transition. UAE Minister of Energy Suhail Al Mazrouei and Uzbekistans Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamahmudov noted the strategic importance of the project within the framework of strong bilateral ties. The Zarafshan BESS complements Masdars existing 2GW clean energy portfolio in Uzbekistan, with plans to develop an additional 2GW and extend the facility further, supporting the countrys goal of 20GW of renewables by 2030. ISLAMABAD, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Two terrorists were killed as the security forces foiled a terrorist attack on a cadet college in Pakistan's northwest South Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said on Monday. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said the terrorists' attempt to breach the perimeter security was thwarted by security forces, and in desperation, the attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle on the main gate of the college, damaging the main gate and adjacent infrastructure. The ISPR said the security personnel effectively engaged the intruders with precision, killing two terrorists on the spot, adding that the other three terrorists, who managed to enter the college premises, have been cornered by the forces. Clearance operations are being conducted to eliminate the remaining terrorists in the area, the ISPR said. The military said the country will continue its relentless counter-terrorism campaign, adding that security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, concluded a working visit to Japan, where he met with key leaders of the Japanese energy sector, Trend reports via the company. On the first day of his visit, H.E. Al-Kaabi met with senior executives from major energy and electric power companies, including Yukio Kani, Chairman & Global CEO of JERA; Kenichi Hori, President & CEO of Mitsui; Akiya Kotani, Executive Vice President of Kansai Electric; Shunichi Kito, Representative Director and President & CEO of Idemitsu; Shigeru Yamada, Representative Director and Group CEO of Cosmo Energy Holdings; and Fujita Masahiro, Representative Director and Chairman of JAPEX. Discussions focused on current collaborations and explored opportunities to expand future cooperation, reinforcing bilateral ties in the energy sector. During the second day of meetings, H.E. Al-Kaabi held discussions with Masumi Kakinoki, Chairman of the Board at Marubeni, and Kaoru Hijikata, Managing Executive Officer of Tohoku Electric, further strengthening relations and exploring new avenues for partnership in energy development. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 11. Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) has invited Uzbekistan to participate in the 7th Meeting of the Heads of Maritime Organizations, Trend reports via ECO. The issue was discussed at the meeting between Ambassador Silapberdi Nurberdiyev, Deputy Secretary General of ECO, and Jasurbek Chariyev, Deputy Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan. Ambassador Nurberdiyev emphasized Uzbekistans key role in improving transport linkages among ECO member states and highlighted the ongoing development of the ECO Transport Strategy for 20262035, aimed at promoting sustainable regional integration. The meeting focused on Uzbekistans initiatives presented at the 12th ECO Ministerial Meeting on Transport in 2023, including the creation of the ECO Regional Air Hub in Samarkand and the Digital Transport and Customs Office in Tashkent. The ECO Secretariat reaffirmed its support for these projects, stressing the need for close coordination and investment by the host country. Both sides agreed to continue strengthening cooperation in transport and logistics to advance regional integration and economic development across the ECO framework. The 7th Meeting of the Heads of Maritime Organizations of ECO is scheduled for December 8-9, 2025, in Tehran, Iran. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has expanded its digital Green Checker tool beyond the European Union, enabling public and private sector partners worldwide to identify projects eligible for green financing, Trend reports. According to the EIB, the upgrade, tailored to regional markets, simplifies data inputs and adjusts criteria to local conditions. The global launch took place at COP30 in Belem, Brazil, as part of the EU Global Gateway Investment Agenda. The tool is now accessible in countries across North Africa, the Middle East, the Western Balkans, the Caucasus, and the Eastern Neighbourhood. The Green Checker is a transformative tool, said EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle. It helps companies assess climate and environmental criteria and determine eligibility for EIB financing. Expanding it globally accelerates sustainable investments, particularly for SMEs. The tool guides users through a step-by-step evaluation, generating reports that estimate energy savings, emissions reductions, and alignment with EU Taxonomy and EIB climate standards. While designed for financial intermediaries, it is free and accessible to SMEs, small public bodies, and individual clients. Alongside the Green Checker, EIB Advisory is developing other digital tools, such as the Decarbonisation Guide, and providing technical assistance to help economies adapt to climate risks, implement sustainable strategies, and finance projects that reduce environmental impact. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. Tamar Ioseliani, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, met with representatives of the French Embassy to discuss bilateral cooperation in transport and logistics, Trend reports via the Ministry. The discussions focused on expanding collaboration in land and maritime transport, civil aviation, maritime safety, sustainable shipping, and railways. Ioseliani provided detailed updates on Georgias major transport and logistics infrastructure projects and the governments vision for developing the Middle Corridor. Key projects highlighted included the Anaklia deep-sea port, railway modernization initiatives, and the East-West Highway. Both sides also explored opportunities to attract more French companies to Georgia and strengthen ties in civil aviation, aiming to boost passenger traffic and support tourism and broader economic development. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 11. Kazakhstan'sKazMunayGas (KMG) and Russias Transneft have held talks to discuss further collaboration in oil transportation and transit, Trend reports via KMG. KMG Chairman Askhat Khassenov met with Transneft President Nikolai Tokarev, reviewing key issues and prospects for cooperation in the sector. Khassenov highlighted the importance of established export routes, including the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), Atyrau-Samara, and Makhachkala-Novorossiysk, noting their long-standing efficiency and economic viability. Expressing gratitude for Transnefts reliable partnership, the chairman emphasized that continued cooperation aims to strengthen the transit potential between Kazakhstan and Russia. Both sides confirmed their readiness to advance work across all priority areas. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 11. Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, focusing on the continued development of strategic and allied relations between the two countries, Trend reports via the Kremlin. The leaders discussed the implementation of major joint projects, with particular emphasis on the energy sector. They also highlighted the importance of interregional cooperation in enhancing trade, economic, and cultural-humanitarian ties, noting the tangible results of the October 2025 meeting of the Council of Regions of Russia and Uzbekistan in the Moscow region. Current international issues were also addressed, and both sides agreed to maintain regular contacts at various levels to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and Chinas ZTE Corporation have signed a memorandum of cooperation in Astana to advance joint telecommunications projects across Central Asia, Trend reports via the EDB. The memorandum was signed by Ruslan Dalenov, Vice Chairman of the EDB Management Board, and Xiao Kaiwen, Vice President of ZTE Corporation. The partnership seeks to merge ZTEs cutting-edge technological solutions with the EDBs financial and investment expertise to develop and implement infrastructure and service initiatives. The main objective is to build a sustainable, modern digital ecosystem that supports economic growth and enhances living standards in the Banks member countries. Digitalisation is a key priority for our Bank and for its member countries. Our partnership with ZTE Corporation, a recognised leader in the industry, will allow us to combine financial resources and technological innovation to achieve these ambitious objectives and advance sustainable development in the region, said Ruslan Dalenov. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. The state visit of Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Russia, scheduled for November 11-12, 2025, is set to be a game-changer in the evolution of bilateral relations. A key outcome of the visit is anticipated to be the signing of a declaration on transitioning Kazakhstan-Russia cooperation to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance. During the visit, President Tokayev will hold talks with Vladimir Putin and deliver a video address at the 21st Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan in Uralsk. Additionally, a series of bilateral agreements on trade, economy, energy, and infrastructure are planned to be signed. One of the central areas of cooperation between the neighboring countries remains the development of transport and logistics links. The visit of Tokayev could significantly accelerate the development of transport infrastructure and logistics flows between the two countries. Kazakhstan, which hosts 13 international transport corridors, plays a crucial role in ensuring connectivity across Eurasia. The development of transit routes and infrastructure modernization are of strategic importance not only for Kazakhstan and Russia but for the entire region. In recent months, Kazakhstan and Russia have intensified their work on the development of international transport corridors linking Europe, Russia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. At the 26th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission in Astana, which took place a few days ago, the parties discussed increasing the volume of rail freight, including transit on the China-Europe-China route, as well as steps to develop the North-South international transport corridor. An important milestone was the signing in July 2024 of a roadmap for the synchronized development of the eastern branch of the North-South route with the participation of Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Turkmenistan. By the end of 2025, an agreement is expected to be reached between Kazakhstan and Russia to increase transport volumes along this route, with the capacity of the eastern corridor projected to reach 20 million tons per year by 2030. The dynamics of transportation are also positive. According to Kazakhstan Railways, between January and October 2025, rail freight between Kazakhstan and Russia grew by five percent, reaching 71.6 million tons. Even with a strong hand in glove, the countries are up against a few practical hurdles, mainly tied to border infrastructure and customs red tape. Currently, there are 51 border crossing points between Kazakhstan and Russia, 30 of which are automobile crossings. Their throughput capacity is still a drop in the bucket, particularly with the flood of goods coming in. Astana and Moscow have agreed to bring forward the reconstruction of border checkpoints to the 2026-2027 period (originally planned for after 2030). Work is already underway at the "Syrym," "Alimbet," and "Kosak" crossings in Kazakhstan, which will increase capacity, reduce waiting times, and simplify transport procedures. On the flip side, as of January 1, 2025, new migration rules came into effect in Russia, reducing the period of stay for foreign nationals without registration from 180 to 90 days per year. This has caused difficulties for Kazakh transporters who regularly travel through Russia. The Kazakh side raised this issue at the Intergovernmental Commission meeting and secured agreement from Moscow to consider restoring the previous 180-day limit. Although a decision has not yet been formally made, Russia is ready to roll up its sleeves and loosen the reins for international carriers to keep the wheels of logistics turning smoothly. There has also been an issue with delays at border crossings due to new EAEU product labeling requirements. Significant truck queues were observed at the border in September and October. To alleviate the situation, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on October 24 temporarily simplifying customs procedures for Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Thus, until December 10, 2025, carriers will be able to import goods into Russia without the mandatory labeling confirming their origin within the Union. Russian companies, however, will still be required to register and declare the goods afterward. Tokayevs visit could significantly accelerate the development of transport infrastructure and the optimization of logistics flows between the countries. Already, the modernization of border checkpoints, the expansion of transport corridor capacity, and the simplification of procedures within the framework of the EAEU are providing a solid foundation for sustainable trade and transportation growth. It is expected that the new agreements signed during the visit will strengthen Russia and Kazakhstan's role in the transport and logistics system of Eurasia. These agreements will enhance cooperation in infrastructure and logistics, which, in turn, will improve the efficiency of transit and trade flows in the region. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 11. At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has arrived in Moscow for a state visit, Trend reports via the Kazakh president's office. Upon arrival at Vnukovo-2 Airport, Tokayev was greeted with full ceremonial honors, including a guard of honor from the Moscow garrison and a military band performance. The Kazakh leader was welcomed by Russias First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and other senior officials. The national anthems of both countries were played during the ceremony. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 11. Kazakhstans national grain operator is ready to supply Armenian consumers with around 15,00020,000 tons of food-grade grain per month, said Tobylbek Omarov, Managing Director of Kazakhstan's Prodcorporation, Trend reports via the company. According to Omarov, the shipment of Kazakh grain to Armenia serves as "an example of food diplomacy". "This event is not only economically significant but also historically important, as it opens promising opportunities for direct transit and the development of mutual trade. Through the export of Kazakh grain, we are building new bridges of cooperation, helping restore good-neighborly relations, and strengthening trust between countries in the region," he said. The first train carrying Kazakh wheat has already arrived in Armenia. Prodcorporation reported that the 15-car train, totaling approximately 1,000 tons, successfully tested a new logistics route from Kazakhstan via Russia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The company added that this transit corridor could become a permanent channel for delivering Kazakh grain and other goods to Yerevan in the future. Speaking during a press statement with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on October 21, President Ilham Aliyev announced that Azerbaijan has lifted all restrictions on the transit of goods to Armenia that had been in place since the occupation. "I should also note that the first such transit shipment was a consignment of Kazakh grain to Armenia. I believe this is a clear indication that peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia exists not only on paper but also in practice," President Ilham Aliyev said. Bolivian children perform the "fist and palm" salute in La Paz, Bolivia, Oct. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xin) by Xinhua Writers Li Xin and He Bing LA PAZ, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- In the clear morning light, a group of children practice foundational movements of Chinese martial arts in the school courtyard. They attend the Comunidad Educativa Chino Boliviana Sariri in La Paz, Bolivia -- a school that has made cultural integration its hallmark, blending the philosophy of the Andes with the wisdom of China. Founded in 2016, the school has a clear mission: to recover, revitalize and honor indigenous cultures -- particularly Aymara -- while promoting Chinese cultural learning as a bridge to broader global understanding. "We believe it is very important for Bolivia to recover its culture as a country, because culture is where values are found," said school director Cecilia Pinedo in an interview with Xinhua. To her, the school is "a seed of identity" for future generations. Speaking about this process of cultural recovery, Pinedo highlights the inspirations the school draws from China. "For us, China is an example to follow, because China has been very strong in preserving its history, its language and its culture. We believe China is great today because it has never lost its cultural roots," she said. For English teacher Vanessa Bonilla, the strength of the school lies in the convergence of two ancient civilizations grounded in enduring values. "That is what motivates me to stay -- to continue learning and, at the same time, pass on to students the values, customs and ancestral traditions of both cultures," she said. Many parents are also drawn to the school's teaching of Chinese martial arts, which is "not only a physical activity, but one that conveys philosophy and values," Bonilla added. At Sariri, martial arts, Chinese and Aymara languages, and traditional Bolivian music are core parts of the curriculum, making the school a pioneer in Bolivia. Students say this education has shaped them deeply. Thirteen-year-old Oscar Huanacuni, who has practiced martial arts for years, said the most important lesson he has learned is: "Never give up. Even when your whole body hurts, you must keep going." Sixth-grade student Luciana Ceballos, who had traveled to China to participate in international martial arts competitions, recalled the beauty of the country and the warmth of its people. "We would love to return," she said. After nine years of development, Sariri now has more than 100 students and has expanded into secondary education. Looking ahead, Pinedo and Bonilla expressed their desire to further strengthen cultural and academic exchanges between China and Bolivia. They hope more Bolivian students can study in China, and more Chinese students can come to learn about Andean culture. "We want our young people to walk -- just as the word Sariri means 'one who carries messages while walking' -- with the strength of their roots and the openness from the Andes toward the world," Pinedo said. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 11. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as part of Tokayevs two-day state visit to Russia, Trend reports via the Kremlin. At the start of the meeting, President Putin welcomed his Kazakh counterpart, expressing appreciation for the visit and emphasizing the importance of maintaining regular high-level dialogue. We are in constant contact, but such formal meetings also play an important role in interstate relations, Putin said. He noted that the leaders would have an opportunity to discuss key bilateral and regional issues in an informal setting, and later review the full agenda of cooperation with their respective delegations. Putin added that Russia and Kazakhstan are expected to conclude the year on a positive note, outlining both short- and medium-term plans for future collaboration. President Tokayev, in turn, thanked Putin for the warm reception, calling it exceptionally cordial from the very first moments in Moscow. He praised the depth of relations between the two countries, describing them as a strategic partnership and alliance. There is no area in which our countries do not cooperate closely, Tokayev said. If any issues arisewhich is naturalthey are resolved through the efforts of our heads of state and governments. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 11. President Sadyr Zhaparov received Japans Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Hideki Goda on the occasion of the completion of his diplomatic mission, Trend reports via the president's office. President Zhaparov praised Ambassador Godas contributions, noting Japan as a reliable long-term partner supporting Kyrgyzstans sustainable development. He highlighted ongoing projects implemented with Japanese cooperation that promote socio-economic growth and enhance citizens welfare. He also welcomed the rise in Japanese tourism to Kyrgyzstan, crediting Ambassador Godas efforts in strengthening bilateral ties and promoting the country as a tourist destination. In response, Ambassador Goda expressed gratitude for the support and warm relations he experienced during his tenure. He emphasized that Kyrgyz-Japanese cooperation has reached a new level, particularly following President Zhaparov's official visit to Japan, which provided momentum to political, economic, humanitarian, and cultural collaboration. Ambassador Goda reaffirmed Japans commitment to continued partnership with Kyrgyzstan and support for deepening ties across multiple sectors, while noting the growth of tourism between the two countries as a positive outcome of bilateral engagement. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 11. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov met today with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk to discuss key areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade, the economy, and cultural ties, Trend reports. Zhaparov welcomed the positive momentum in political dialogue between Kyrgyzstan and Russia and congratulated Overchuk on the successful meeting of the Kyrgyz-Russian Intergovernmental Commission held in Bishkek. The president noted that the two countries continue to actively cooperate within multilateral frameworks such as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the CIS, the CSTO, and the SCO. Overchuk reaffirmed that Kyrgyzstan remains a strategic partner and ally for Russia in Central Asia. He highlighted the growth in mutual trade and freight transport and expressed Russias readiness to further strengthen the partnership and advance cooperation across all sectors. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, November 11. Tajikistan's President, Emomali Rahmon, received the credentials of several newly appointed ambassadors, Trend reports via the presidents press service. The new ambassadors include Go Zhijun from China, Radoslaw Darski from the EU, Jesper Vahr from Denmark, Katerina Xagorari from Greece, Jaap Ora from Estonia, David Kotaria from Georgia, Hamza Al-Omari from Jordan, Aristide Ludovic Tapsoba from Burkina Faso, Sebastian Sayus from Argentina, and Alejandro Arias Zarzuela from the Dominican Republic. During the ceremony, Rahmon emphasized that the countrys foreign policy is based on the principle of "open doors," which encourages the development of friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with nations worldwide. "In line with this principle, we aim to establish and expand friendly ties with all countries in various regions," Rahmon said. The president also addressed the prospects for strengthening diplomatic relations and enhancing cooperation with China, the EU, Denmark, Greece, Estonia, Georgia, Jordan, Burkina Faso, Argentina, and the Dominican Republic. He reiterated that Tajikistan views partnerships with these countries as an essential part of its foreign policy. To note, Kazakhstan's "open doors" foreign policy is founded on a multi-vector strategy that equilibrates relations with major countries while fostering economic openness to fulfill national goals. This idea entails aggressively collaborating with both established and emerging partners to guarantee sustainable development and prosperity, while also encouraging foreign investment to stimulate economic growth and modernization. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. A Turkish C-130 military cargo plane en route from Azerbaijan to Turkiye has crashed in Georgian territory, Trend reports, citing the Turkish Ministry of National Defense. According to the ministry, search and rescue operations have been launched in coordination with the relevant Georgian authorities. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. A Turkish C-130 aircraft disappeared from radar just minutes after entering Georgian airspace, Trend reports, citing the Georgian Air Navigation Administration. According to the agency, the aircraft did not issue a distress signal. Several minutes after crossing Georgian airspace, the Turkish C-130 disappeared from our radar without issuing an emergency signal. Following the incident, the Georgian Air Navigation Service immediately launched search and rescue operations, the statement said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. Turkiye is closely monitoring the progress of search and rescue operations following the crash of a Turkish military C-130 cargo plane in Georgia, which was returning from Azerbaijan, Trend reports. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced the update on the social network "X." He offered his condolences, saying: "May God have mercy on our martyrs, and I wish patience to their families and loved ones. May our dear nation be blessed." It is reported that 20 military personnel were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. The Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed condolences to Pakistan following the explosion near a courthouse in Islamabad, Trend reports. In a statement, the ministry said, "We strongly condemn the terrorist attack that occurred today (November 11) in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. May Allah have mercy on those killed in the incident. We wish a speedy recovery to the injured. Turkiye stands in solidarity with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism." BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that authorities are in constant contact with Georgian Interior Minister Gela Geladze and confirmed that the wreckage of the crashed C-130 military transport plane has been located, Trend reports. Posting on his X social media account, the minister said, "I continue regular talks with Georgian Interior Minister Gela Geladze. He reported that the remains of our C-130 military transport aircraft were discovered around 5:00 PM, and search and rescue operations are ongoing." BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) expressed condolences to Ankara following the crash of a Turkish Air Force military transport plane in Georgia, Trend reports. In a post on its X social media page, the organization stated, "We learned with sadness of the crash of a military cargo plane in Georgia, returning from Azerbaijan to Turkey. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, and we eagerly await news of those rescued. We pray to God for mercy on the victims and express our condolences to their families, loved ones, and the brotherly Turkish people." Farmers protest outside the Ministry of Rural Development and Food in Athens, capital of Greece, Nov. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) ATHENS, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of farmers and livestock breeders staged demonstrations across Greece on Tuesday, urging the government to provide stronger financial support to the country's primary production sector. In Athens, union representatives from across the country gathered outside the Ministry of Rural Development and Food in a rally organized by the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives. Carrying banners and chanting slogans such as "No farmers, no food, no future," protesters called for faster distribution of subsidies and compensation for losses caused by natural disasters and livestock diseases. Farmers also requested additional assistance to cope with rising production costs and the impact of a recent sheep and goat pox outbreak, which led to the culling of about 400,000 animals nationwide this year. Dimitra Balamouti, a livestock breeder who joined the protest in Athens, voiced his disappointment: "They gave me 34,000 euros (about 39,350 U.S. dollars) in compensation after losing 240 animals, but that is not enough. Each animal was worth nearly 500 euros." "The situation is chaotic. We need decisive action from the state," Yannis Koukounis, another protesting breeder, said to Xinhua. According to organizers, similar demonstrations took place in several other major cities, as producers warned that without adequate support, the viability of Greece's agricultural sector is at risk. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollar) Farmers protest outside the Ministry of Rural Development and Food in Athens, capital of Greece, Nov. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the US State Department said in a statement, Trend reports. According to the information, US Vice President JD Vance was also present at the meeting. "The United States and the Turkish delegation reiterated their continued support for efforts to return Israeli hostages and achieve a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. The United States also emphasized President Trumps call for all NATO allies to stop purchasing Russian energy in order to help bring the ongoing war in Ukraine to an end," the statement says. LISBON, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Web Summit opened here on Monday, with artificial intelligence (AI) as the most prominent feature of this year's edition. Key topics at this year's event include "vibe coding," a form of programming that uses AI to generate code, with discussions focusing on whether it marks the next major leap or the end of programming, and on who controls AI and who benefits from it. According to the Web Summit, as AI models are trained on online content, the competition for access and profit is becoming increasingly fierce. The Web Summit, a global conference launched in Dublin in 2009 and moved to Lisbon in 2016, brings together a global community of founders, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors to connect and exchange ideas about the technology and trends shaping the world. This year's event also includes the China Summit, which features its own stage, dedicated day, and speakers from the media, industry, and academia. The summit's organizers said the objective is to showcase and discuss innovations made in China and how the country's economy is accelerating in areas such as AI, deep-tech scientific research, and industrial transformation. Speaking at the beginning of the event, Portuguese Minister for State Reform Goncalo Matias said that the digital revolution presents a historic opportunity to create new industries, new jobs, and new prosperity. "Portugal is ready to become a center of excellence in AI," Matias further said, describing the country as "cost-competitive" and having "global ambitions." This year's Web Summit, running until Thursday, is expected to welcome more than 70,000 attendees, over 2,500 startups showcasing products and services, and more than 1,000 investors. NIH Awards $14.5 million Grant to Develop a Data Center for the Human Virome Program The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a new research program to understand how the viruses that live within the human body or on the skin known as the human virome can impact a persons health. As a critical part of NIHs Human Virome Program, the Institute for Genome Sciences (IGS) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) will receive $14.5 million over the next five years to establish a comprehensive and cutting-edge data center. The Consortium Organization and Data Collaboration Center (CODCC) will house and analyze data for the program. Owen White, PhD, associate director at IGS and professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at UMSOM, is leading the effort to launch CODCC. Owen White, PhD Like the better understood microbiome composed of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms the human virome contains millions of viruses that impact health both positively and negatively. The new program made possible through the NIHs Common Fund provides funding to 16 locations to study the impact of viruses across ages, sex, ancestry, and geographic locations. Most current technologies and tools can only help us understand a small portion of the virome, so this award will enable us to close the scientific knowledge gap through a combination of experimental, computational, and data-generation activities, White explained. We will develop new analytics tools and a user-friendly portal, so researchers can easily access the data generated by our counterparts in the program. IGS has an extensive background in working with data from other NIH projects, so we are excited to use our expertise once again to better the field. Those data collaborations between IGS and NIH include the Human Microbiome Project, the Neuroscience Multiomic Data Archive (NeMO), the Single Cell Opioid Responses in Context of HIV Program (SCORCH), and the Common Fund Data Ecosystem. The IGS team will develop and maintain a searchable Human Virome Reference Dataset that will benefit scientists and be publicly accessible. As part of this virome data portal, they will standardize, store, and disseminate data. Key to this will be the creation of a toolkit for virome analysis and visualization, along with developing new methods to integrate mutli-omics into the understanding of the viromes interaction within the body. To develop all the tools needed within the COCCC, IGS scientists will also work with researchers from the Broad Institute, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis, Baylor College of Medicine, and Lawrence Berkely National Laboratory. One key collaborator is Curtis Huttenhower, PhD, professor of computational biology and bioinformatics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who will work with the IGS team to develop and optimize cloud-based data analysis pipelines specifically tailored to the needs of each site in the HVP consortium. Another key aspect of this grant is developing training programs for our counterparts on the grant, as well as educating other scientists and the public about our findings, said Michelle Giglio, PhD, a co-investigator on the grant, and associate director for education and outreach at IGS. The consortium held its first meeting in Rockville, Md., in mid-January. Our Institute for Genome Sciences is uniquely positioned to partner with the NIH to develop and use the computational and bioinformatics tools needed to integrate with clinical data to gain knowledge about the human virome, said Mark Gladwin, MD, dean of UMSOM and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor, and Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore. We know a great deal about harmful viruses as well as commensal viruses that live in a host without harming or helping it. Now its critical to understand what constitutes a beneficial human virome so that we can harness it to help people, especially considering our aging population. LONDON, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Catherine Connolly was sworn in as Ireland's 10th president at Dublin Castle on Tuesday. During the ceremony around noon, Connolly repeated the Declaration of Office after the country's Chief Justice Donal O'Donnell, then signed the Declaration and accepted the seal of office, officially assuming the presidency. Calling for "sustainable existence" on the planet, she quoted Ireland's history of famine and diaspora, highlighting the country's understanding and role on key international issues, including wars and conflicts. Lauding the Good Friday Agreement as a "model for the peaceful resolution of conflict," Connolly said, "I look forward to paying my first official visit to the North. And meeting with people from all communities and celebrating the rich heritage and traditions of all who live there." The ceremony ended with the national anthem of the Republic of Ireland. Backed by several left-wing parties, including Sinn Fein, Connolly last month won Ireland's presidential election by a landslide with 63.36 percent of first preference votes. The 68-year-old independent politician has served as a member of parliament for the Galway West constituency since 2016, and previously worked as a psychologist and barrister. She became the deputy speaker of the parliament's lower house in 2020, the first woman to hold the post. TALLINN, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar paid an official visit to Estonia on Tuesday, during which he inaugurated Israel's embassy in Tallinn. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus attended the opening ceremony. He said the opening of the Israeli embassy marks a new stage in relations between the two countries, adding that he held discussions with the Israeli foreign minister on bilateral relations and regional developments. According to Estonian Public Broadcasting, demonstrators gathered outside the embassy to express support for Palestine. Estonia and Israel established diplomatic relations in 1992, and Estonia opened its embassy in Israel in 2009. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The Crisis: Rider University placed on financial probation October 30 by Middle States accreditors. If Rider loses accreditation, students can't get federal financial aidessentially closing the school. The Plan: "March to Sustainability" approved unanimously by Board October 30 requires: Lay off 35-40 full-time faculty (25% of total) by December 31 Cut ALL employee base pay 14% starting December 1 Suspend retirement contributions indefinitely starting December 1 Require all remaining faculty teach more classes per semester Eliminate external faculty tuition remission (2026-27) Eliminate priority adjunct health benefits (January 1, 2026) Eliminate several senior administrative positions The Numbers:$21.8 million deficit. President John Loyack called situation "more severe than expected" and warned of "severe cash deficit" threatening core financial obligations. Middle States meet in March 2026 to decide accreditation status. The Outrage: AAUP President Maria Villalobos-Buehner: "This has been the narrative for the last 10 years... The Board has approved yet another plan in which the faculty is carrying all the responsibility for things that happened that we were not involved in." The Timing: Faculty got email about mass layoffs less than 30 minutes after campus emergency shelter-in-place was lifted November 10, with no communication from president about their well-being. LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. Rider University administrators announced plans Monday to lay off roughly 25 % of its full-time faculty by Dec. 31 as part of a cost-cutting strategy following the university's placement on financial probation by its accreditor. Under the "March to Sustainability Plan" unveiled by President John Loyack on Nov. 10, the institution will eliminate 35-to-40 full-time faculty positions, reduce all employees' base pay by 14 %, suspend the university's retirement contribution indefinitely starting Dec. 1, and increase faculty teaching loads. Rider was placed on probation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education on Oct. 30 after auditors raised concerns about the university's financial stability. The probation raises the possibility that Rider could lose accreditation if improvements aren't made. What Losing Accreditation Actually Means On October 30, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education placed Rider on probation. This isn't a minor administrative issue. It's existential. If Rider loses accreditation from Middle States, students are no longer eligible for federal financial aid. That includes: Pell Grants Federal student loans Work-study programs Without federal aid, most students can't afford to attend. Without students, the university closes. Middle States became concerned about Rider's "financial viability" and whether the university complies with Standard VI: Planning, Resources and Institutional Improvementwhich requires appropriate financial, human, physical and technical resources. Translation: Accreditors aren't confident Rider can pay its bills. While under probation, Rider remains accredited and has until January 12, 2026 to submit a monitoring report showing compliance with financial standards. Middle States will meet in March 2026 to decide whether to: Remove probation (best case) Continue probation with conditions (bad) Remove accreditation (catastrophic) Why This Matters The volume of proposed faculty cuts at Rider is significantly higher than typical budget-reduction efforts at U.S. universities and signals deep-seated financial distress. Loss of faculty capacity may impact program viability, teaching loads, and student-faculty ratios, raising concerns about academic quality. Accreditation probation places additional regulatory pressure on the institution and could deter prospective students or donors. The situation highlights the broader vulnerability of small private universities facing declining enrollments, revenue pressures, and rising costs. What Comes Next The university's Board of Trustees unanimously approved the cost-reduction plan at its Oct. 30 meeting according to the Rider news. Implementation begins immediately, with mass-notification to impacted faculty expected in the coming weeks. Faculty and staff will continue negotiations with Rider administration and union representation in an effort to mitigate the impact. Observers will watch closely whether the cuts stabilize Rider's finances without compromising academic mission and whether similar institutions follow suit amid mounting higher-education financial pressures. Eunsoon Park The University of Wyoming will soon house one of the most advanced microscopes in the Mountain West, thanks to a nearly $1.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded to Eunsook Park, an assistant professor in the Department of Molecular Biology. The NSF grant will fund the acquisition of a Leica STELLARIS 8 FALCON-STED microscope, a state-of-the-art imaging platform that combines fluorescence lifetime imaging and stimulated emission depletion super-resolution technology. When the proposal was submitted, no institution within 600 miles of UW had an instrument with comparable capabilities, making this installation a major milestone for regional research infrastructure. This microscope is truly a game changer, Park says. It will allow researchers to visualize molecular processes in living cells with nanometer-scale precision, opening new frontiers in plant biology, biomedical engineering and veterinary sciences. The interdisciplinary project includes Grant Bowman, an associate professor, and Jennifer Pinello, an assistant professor, both in the Department of Molecular Biology; John Oakey, a professor of chemical and biomedical engineering; and Elizabeth Case, an assistant professor of veterinary science; as co-principal investigators. Mark Gomelsky, a professor, and Jongchan Woo, a senior research scientist, both in the Department of Molecular Biology; and Carmela Guadagno, an associate research scientist in the Department of Botany and director of the Science Institute, serve as senior personnel. The new microscope will be housed in the Center for Advanced Scientific Imaging (CASI) light microscopy suite, located in the Science Initiative Building. The microscope will support cutting-edge research across the biological and physical sciences. Beyond UW, the facility will serve as a regional hub for imaging innovation, providing access and training opportunities to collaborating institutions and industry partners. Faculty from Laramie County Community College and Colorado State University will benefit, according to the grant proposal. Additionally, the microscope will bolster undergraduate STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education by exposing lower-level undergraduate students to the cutting-edge imaging system in their lab courses. According to the grant proposal, conservative estimates are that more than 20 senior personnel, 10 postdoctoral associates, 43 graduate students and 34 undergraduates will be directly impacted every year. Park says the microscope is already set up in the CASI facility, but her team is testing and optimizing the equipment, with the hope the microscope will be available to all at UW in early 2026. This investment strengthens Wyomings position as a leader in interdisciplinary research and advanced imaging, Park says. It will accelerate discoveries that connect molecular mechanisms to real-world challenges in health, agriculture and the environment. BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called on China and Canada to properly address each other's legitimate concerns to promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of China-Canada relations. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the appeal in a phone conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, at the request of the Canadian side. Wang said that not long ago, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Mark Carney held a pivotal meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea. The two sides reached important consensus and provided strategic guidance on improving and developing China-Canada relations, a sign that China-Canada relations have been brought back onto the right track for growth after seven years of setbacks. He depicted it at the top of the agenda for bilateral relations to follow through on the consensus reached by the two leaders. China is ready to strengthen communication with Canada and take effective steps to accelerate the resumption of exchanges and cooperation in various fields, so as to consolidate the momentum for growing bilateral relations in a practical and constructive manner, Wang said. Diplomatic and commercial departments of both nations should enhance coordination, address each other's legitimate concerns in the spirit of mutual understanding, accommodation, and friendly consultations, so as to promote the healthy, steady and sustainable development of China-Canada relations, he said. Anand, for her part, said that just over a week ago, the two leaders held a candid, in-depth and productive meeting in Gyeongju, marking an important turning point in Canada-China relations. Canada is willing to seize the opportunity to enhance dialogue and communication with China at all levels and across various fields, deepen mutual understanding and trust, revitalize their strategic partnership, and achieve more mutually beneficial outcomes in areas such as trade, consular affairs, drug control and energy, in a joint effort to follow through on the important consensus reached by the two leaders, she said. How hotels, once a last resort, became New Yorks default answer to homelessness Jasmine Stradford sat on her porch near Binghamton, New York, with toys, furniture, garbage bags full of clothing and other possessions piled up around her. She and her partner were being evicted after falling behind on rent. So last June, they and their children then ages three, 12 and 15 turned to New Yorks emergency shelter system for help. It was built to provide homeless residents not only beds, but also food, help finding permanent housing and sometimes child care so parents can find work, attend school or look for apartments. Stradford and her family received almost none of that. Instead of placing them in a shelter, the Broome County Department of Social Services cycled them through four roadside hotels over three months, where they mostly had to fend for themselves. I remember staring at my kids, thinking that Id failed them, Stradford said. Then I remember going to DSS and being completely dehumanized. Stradfords family was part of a growing trend: In the past few years, hotels have quietly become the states predominant response to homelessness outside New York City, The Economic Hardship Reporting Project, New York Focus and ProPublica found that the states social services agencies placed just under half the 34,000 individuals and families receiving emergency shelter outside the city in fiscal year 2024 in hotels up from 29% in 2018. The change was most pronounced in Broome County, where hotel cases more than quintupled. Statewide spending on hotels more than tripled over that period to $110 million, according to an analysis of state temporary housing data by the news organizations. In total, hotels outside New York City were paid about $420 million to shelter unhoused people from April 2017 to September 2024. Lucas Waldron // ProPublica Its a makeshift arrangement that provides people a roof over their head but little else. State regulations exempt hotels from providing the same services that families are supposed to receive in the shelter system. The hotels are less supportive, less conducive for good health outcomes, good education outcomes, said Adam Bosch, CEO of Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, a policy research nonprofit. If our ultimate goal is to get people moving back toward independence, sticking them in a hotel on a hillside away from services, away from schools, away from transportation networks is not a great strategy. Homelessness in New York City received intense media coverage as the migrant crisis became fodder in the presidential election. But far less attention has been paid to the homeless population throughout the rest of New York, which far surpasses most other states on its own. Few of the migrants were relocated to hotels outside the city. Instead, the spike in hotel housing stems from a combination of soaring rent, dozens of shelter closures and what housing advocates and industry representatives said was a botched response to the end of the states pandemic-related eviction moratorium in 2022. After the moratorium ended, landlords began evicting tenants at rates exceeding previous years. With fewer shelters and more people in need, the number of individuals and families placed in hotels shot up. Barbara Guinn, the commissioner of the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, said in an interview that her agency hadnt studied the growth in hotel use for emergency shelter. The trend has been scarcely mentioned at legislative hearings in Albany. But OTDA, which supervises the county social services offices, has long known about the problems the hotels present. In early 2020, state auditors warned the agency that it wasnt adequately overseeing shelters, including hotels used as temporary housing. OTDA acknowledged that hotels present challenges because they dont have on-site support services or the same level of supervision as shelters. Rules clarifying the requirement that temporary housing recipients in hotels receive shelter-like services have been on OTDAs regulatory agenda for at least four years. But the agency, and lawmakers who oversee it, stood by as hotel housing increased. Guinn said she couldnt provide insight on why the agency never formally proposed the rules, but she committed to advancing them this year. The Broome County Department of Social Services did not make its commissioner, Nancy Williams, available for an interview and did not respond to a detailed list of questions. Reporting across the state, the news organizations found people living for months and sometimes years in hotels, doing what they can to get by. Families share beds while their belongings fill the corners of their rooms. Without kitchens and barred from using most appliances, they trek down shoulderless highways to grocery stores or scour food pantries for anything they can cook in a microwave. They squish cockroaches skittering in dressers. And hotels often force them to move out every few weeks, keeping stability out of reach. The four hotels that Stradfords family was placed in last summer collectively made about $10,000 sheltering it over three months more than what the family owed in back rent. That works out to more than twice the monthly fair market rent for a four-bedroom apartment in Binghamton at the time. This isnt unusual. County social services offices regularly pay the hotels rates that are worth many times fair market rent for permanent housing in their areas, according to the analysis of OTDAs housing payment data. One motel in Rome, outside Utica, that was the scene of a shooting last fall charged the county $250 a night for a room at times, according to invoices submitted to the countys Department of Social Services. Over three months, Stradfords family struggled to maintain some semblance of its old life while bouncing from hotel to hotel. The family would lose countless possessions. The kids educations would be disrupted, as the school bus failed to keep up with their moves. Their experiences would show the importance of the services they werent receiving and what happens to New Yorks homeless families when they cant access them. Its Like Malpractice Stradford and her partner, Tiberious Moses, had been evicted after she missed work at a childrens group home while recovering from surgery and Moses struggled to support the family with temporary jobs. At first, Stradford was relieved when the Department of Social Services informed her that it would place them in a hotel instead of a shelter. Going to the hotel, I originally thought, OK, this gives a little bit more leeway, a little bit more comfort, hospitality, all of that, only to find out that its not that at all, she said. If you are a DSS recipient, youre nothing. You are the bottom of the pit. Stradfords family two adults, three children and four dogs was packed into a room with two beds at an Econo Lodge sandwiched between a gas station and another budget hotel. Stradford said she found cockroaches and had trouble getting the hotel to clean their room. She said she often saw drug use at the hotel and felt unsafe. Law enforcement and emergency services were called to the hotel 116 times in the first half of that year, dispatch logs show. Despite those conditions, the Econo Lodge received more money to house temporary assistance recipients than any other known hotel outside New York City, according to the OTDA payments data for the 2024 fiscal year. The hotel, now called Hillside Inn & Suites, served more than 900 individuals and families placed by the Department of Social Services for at least 30,000 total nights, earning over $2.3 million. Were forced to rent hotel rooms across the state, and the operators of these places understand that, said state Sen. Roxanne Persaud, chair of the chambers Social Services Committee. The municipalities backs are against the wall. And so they must place the unhoused person or persons somewhere. And so thats why you see the cost is skyrocketing, because people understand that its an easy way to make money off the government. OTDAs regulations say hotels should be considered shelters and provide services if they are used primarily as temporary housing for homeless welfare recipients. At least 16 hotels appear to house mostly welfare recipients, the analysis showed. OTDA spokesperson Anthony Farmer said the agency interprets primarily to mean hotels that house recipients exclusively, or almost exclusively, throughout the year. He said that hotels arent required to deliver services but that county social services agencies are responsible for some level of service provision. The state, however, doesnt regularly collect information on how counties provide services. Guinn said OTDA plans to create a formal process for counties to submit it under new regulations. The Econo Lodges contract with Broome County doesnt call for the services offered by shelters, like food and assistance finding housing. It requires the hotel to provide little more than a room with housekeeping, linens and toiletries. The hotels CEO, Paresh Patel, declined to comment. In contrast, traditional shelters often put a significant amount of their funding toward social services. Shelter budgets obtained from OTDA show that they frequently retain at least part-time employees to prepare food and help people find jobs and housing. Local social services offices try to offset the lack of on-site services by hiring caseworkers but have struggled to retain them. Instead, hotel residents like Stradfords family are caught in a web of conflicts between the way those services are provided, the strings attached to benefits and the rules and limitations of living in hotels. Social services departments might provide them food stamps to buy groceries, but hotel residents usually dont have kitchens and are often not allowed to have appliances like hot plates. To keep their lodging, theyre generally required to seek housing and to work or look for jobs, but they often dont receive child care. They have to regularly meet with caseworkers at social services offices but must rely on spotty public transportation. To me, its like malpractice as a homeless services provider to place people without support services in hotels, said Deborah Padgett, a professor of social work at New York University. Its good in the sense that they get more privacy, but for them to get a life and not be dependent on the government, they need to be close to services and not be punished for making mistakes. Guinn said that her agency would prefer counties use regulated shelters in housing emergencies but that there arent enough beds to accommodate everyone. Social services offices must rely on hotels when shelters dont have space or dont exist in a particular county, Farmer said in an email. After 26 nights, Broome County relocated Stradfords family to the Quality Inn & Suites in Vestal, a Binghamton suburb down the Susquehanna River thats home to Binghamton University. Stradfords car had been repossessed, so they stuffed a suitcase and the kids book bags with as many clothes as they could and hopped on the bus. At the Quality Inn, the family struggled to eat. They had applied for food stamps, but Stradford said she couldnt get wage records from her former employer proving she was eligible. Instead, the county provided them a restaurant allowance worth about $15 a day to cover all five of them. To get by, they took the bus to food pantries like Catholic Charities, which had started creating hotel bags stuffed with canned food, oatmeal, crackers, macaroni and cheese and snacks for the kids anything that could be eaten cold or prepared with a microwave. While many shelters provide food on site, contracts between the hotels and Broome County forbid emergency housing recipients from eating the hotels food. Stradford said her family was threatened with removal from the Quality Inn after her 12-year-old daughter, Taylor, tried to eat the continental breakfast. When we first started taking families on, we did allow breakfast, and unfortunately there was too much being carried away, so we chose to change that, the hotels general manager, Bernadine Morris, said. The Quality Inn has since closed and could not be reached for follow-up questions. People can get kicked out of hotels and lose their housing assistance for repeatedly violating hotels policies, including by using their own cooking appliances. One woman who previously lived at the Motel 6 in Binghamton said she avoided sanctions by throwing an extension cord from the window of her second-story room to use a pressure cooker on the sidewalk. Stradfords nonstop juggling act left her on edge. She was grieving her mothers death, feeding five people and four dogs, apartment-hunting and hustling to culinary classes and social services appointments. She said her children started feeling the stress too: Her three-year-old, Samir, was wetting the bed frequently, and the older kids missed classes for their summer courses. The family began butting heads with Quality Inn managers, who accused them of being disruptive and terminated their stay, according to Stradfords social services case file. Im not totally surprised that they run into problems with the hotel supervisors and the staff just because theyre trying to find some way to get their needs attended to, and its not really fair to expect the hotel to do what those people are not trained to do, Padgett said. Shelters are required to have enough qualified staff to meet residents needs. The staff members generally have at least some training in how to handle populations with complex needs, said Elizabeth Bowen, an associate professor at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. After Stradford and her family lost their room at the Quality Inn, the county sanctioned them and declined to find them a new place to stay. Moses, who had just gotten a job at Dave & Busters, paid out of his own pocket for a room at the Red Roof Inn in Johnson City. When they arrived, the woman at the front desk saw their belongings and dogs and told them the motel wouldnt honor the reservation. They had used what little money was left on Ubers and the room deposit. The motel did not return requests for comment. As it rained, Stradford got ahold of the Department of Social Services and pleaded their case. The county decided to continue housing her family until her sanction could be appealed. It booked them at the Knights Inn, another 10 minutes down the road in a town called Endwell. I Got Into Protection Mode Stradfords family became skilled at sleeping on a single bed at the Knights Inn. Stradford, Moses, Samir and 15-year-old DeVante would sleep side by side while Taylor slept horizontally at their feet. The rest of the facility was in chaos, Stradford said. She saw hypodermic needles and other drug paraphernalia lying in the grass and underneath the stairwell and people slumped over while standing beside the dumpster. Over about six years that the county used it for temporary housing, law enforcement and emergency services were summoned to the motel for 789 incidents, including assaults, overdoses, robberies, domestic disputes and mental health crises. The Knights Inn had a litany of issues that prevented it from passing Broome County Social Services inspections from 2018 to 2021. According to inspection reports, the rooms were dimly lit due to missing light bulbs and broken lamps. The walls were stained and punched through, and the wallpaper peeled off. Some rooms doors didnt lock. Windows didnt either or were broken. Carpets were torn, and inspectors found cockroaches in dressers. Health and safety issues plague hotels used as emergency shelters across the state. A 2020 state comptroller audit found that 60% of the hotels they reviewed outside New York City were in unsatisfactory condition about the same as the percentage of shelters. One woman, who was living with her children in a motel south of Albany, showed paint flaking off their walls and mattresses covered in black mold. Two other parents placed in the motel said they felt that if the Department of Social Services caught them in private housing that resembled their living conditions, their kid could be taken away by Child Protective Services. OTDA requires social services agencies to inspect hotels housing families every six months. But an analysis of OTDA compliance data showed that social services districts often fail to keep up with hotel inspections: About 40% of the 351 hotels used to house homeless people outside New York City were out of date on their social services inspections as of mid-October or didnt have an inspection date listed. Farmer, the OTDA spokesperson, said that most hotels had been inspected within a year and that some others had stopped housing people. Even when social services agencies do inspections, records show they sometimes fail to take action. Hotels have to correct problems within 30 days, unless its a safety problem. If they dont, counties are supposed to stop placing people there, according to a directive from OTDA. Records show that the Knights Inn fixed some of the issues as it went but continued to get written up in every inspection for two and a half years. Despite this, Broome County placed hundreds of social services cases there, earning the motel over $750,000. A Knights Inn manager, Aizaz Siddiqui, said that the motel moved people out of rooms that needed the most work until they were renovated. In January 2021, the county said it would stop placing people at the Knights Inn until the violations were corrected. The motel received a clean inspection in July 2022. But Stradford said the Knights Inn wouldnt give them toilet paper or fresh sheets, which are required in shelters. A bedsheet was used as a curtain for their rear window. The family stayed for three weeks, but tensions with management boiled over when the family failed to get rid of their dogs by the deadline set by the motel. Eventually, the Knights Inn told them to leave. After giving them a few extra days to find other accommodations, Siddiqui called the police to remove them. Siddiqui said the families placed at the inn by the Department of Social Services deserve sympathy, but he still has to maintain order. Its a tough situation to be in, and we try to work with them as much as we can, he said. But again, we do have to fulfill our policies, and we have to stand by them. The motel declined to respond to additional questions about the conditions. Stradfords family didnt have anywhere else to go. As the State Police arrived, she planted herself on a red cooler in front of their room and refused to leave until the county found them somewhere to stay. Some community activists she met through local charity work showed up to support her and livestreamed the incident on Facebook. After a three-hour standoff, management relented and allowed the family to stay two more nights. One of the activists arrived with a U-Haul and drove their stuff to the Motel 6, a 15-minute drive back up the river, past the Econo Lodge on the outskirts of Binghamton. Things were initially calm at the Motel 6. But about three weeks into their stay, the Motel 6 complained to the county that Stradford had left the children alone, which they were told violated the motels guest policy. Stradford said she was doing charity work at the time but complained that she couldnt attend school or meet the states requirements to look for housing if she had to constantly supervise her children. The motel gave the family the weekend to leave. When they missed their checkout time, the Sheriffs Office came to remove them. Moses called Stradford, who was at school, to tell her what was happening. She headed to the Department of Social Services to plead their case. I got into protection mode, Stradford said. I wasnt going to leave there and just put myself in a seriously homeless situation. So I told them I wasnt leaving until I knew that we had a secure spot to go to. But her attempts failed. The agency said it would no longer help her family due to the complaints. The clerk used a special tool to unlock the room for the deputies. Community members once again showed up to livestream the encounter and pressure the county. The Sheriffs Office helped the family find a motel, where it stayed for two more nights. In the end, it wasnt New Yorks social services system that found stable housing for Stradfords family; it was a local landlord who heard about the case and offered an apartment at a rate the family could afford on Moses wages and temporary assistance from the county. Stradfords family was placed in hotels for 89 days, about the average for a social services case. Many stay far longer. More than 1,500 individuals and families spent six months or more in hotels, according to payment data from the 2024 fiscal year. Some of us really get into a hard time and we really do need the help. We dont just rely on the system, Stradford said. I pay my hard-earned tax dollars. I worked multiple jobs. Im the one that tried to keep afloat and stuff like that. But things happen in life. Between their six moves, the family lost most of its possessions: furniture, Social Security cards, birth certificates, tax documents, family photos, laptops, coats, a painting from someone Jasmine was taking care of, Samirs toy box, Taylors art projects and a blanket covered in motivational quotes that Stradfords mom had given her before she passed. They had to give up two of their dogs. When they arrived at their new home, they had only a couple of suitcases and garbage bags full of clothes. How hotel stays were measured To track temporary housing recipients placed in hotels, New York Focus and ProPublica used data obtained from the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance through an open records request. The data contains 1.1 million payments issued from April 2017 to September 2024 for emergency shelter stays outside New York City. OTDA repeatedly delayed releasing the data for 10 months but finally did so after ProPublicas attorneys got involved in the appeals process. The data classified payments by type of shelter, including family shelters, transitional housing and hotels. It also included an emergency shelter category for temporary housing assistance provided before a case is fully approved, which can flow to both hotels and shelters. This analysis includes only payments explicitly classified as hotel payments. Excluded were some payments that were classified as hotel payments but where the recipients appeared to be nonprofits that operated homeless shelters. The data also included unique IDs for each assistance case that received shelter, allowing the reporters to determine how many people stayed in hotels and for about how long. Each case represents either an individual or a family. To find hotels that housed mostly welfare recipients, New York Focus and ProPublica relied on each hotels total number of rooms reported to the New York State Department of Health and checked whether shelter payments covered at least half of the hotels total capacity from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. The data listed the start and end date for each payment, but it was not always clear whether the stay was inclusive or exclusive of the final date. As a result, the final night was excluded when counting up dates to create the most conservative estimates possible, unless the payment covered a single night. When comparing the payments against fair market rent, they included the final night, which would decrease the daily rate. Hotels used to house homeless families outside New York City must be inspected by counties once every six months. After that, the district has 30 days to submit the report to OTDA for review. OTDA provided a database of inspections for hotels as of Oct. 15, 2024. To determine whether a hotel was past due on inspection, the reporters checked whether the most recent inspection was completed and submitted to OTDA in the seven months leading up to that date. In some cases, the inspection may have been conducted but was not submitted to the state on time. This story was produced by The Economic Hardship Reporting Project, ProPublica and New York Focus, and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Calamares is a Linux system installer. During installation, it asks the user where they are on the globe, in order to set the timezone correctly on the installed system. Calamares displays the nearest timezone after you click on a map. I would like to leverage that a little for social good (or at least a tiny bit of awareness). The last time I wrote about the Calamares timezone selector, I also said it is terrible. One thing I do like about the timezone selector is that it supports translating the name of a timezone. That way, even though the string in the timezone database is Europe/Kiev a relic of the time-period that the timezone database was conceived it displays the correct Europe/Kyiv . Thats when you run Calamares in English, anyway. I added timezone translations to Calamares because a friend asked for it, and then did a couple of Dutch translations. That is because Dutch has exonyms (names in Dutch for other places) and calls Berlin, Berlijn and Paris, Parijs. There is a timezone Europa/Berlijn . The official Dutch name last I checked of Kyiv is Kiev, though. The current translations addresses only a tiny fraction of the timezones, most of them ones that I have personally paid attention to, and Id like to change that. So here is the social project: I want, for every timezone-location (in FreeBSD, those are listed in /usr/share/zoneinfo/zone.tab ) a local name. Please send them to me by email or as a change request in Calamares on Codeberg, the relevant file is tz_local.ts . I imagine a lot of the ones in Europe will be unchanged, although I feel like Europe/Chisinau is missing accents, Europe/Athens should be . Those are relevant, but Im more interested in imported names. The exonyms (what others call a place, like Berlijn) could be endonyms (what is the local name, like Berlin). Teaching & Learning Assistant (Junior School) at City Centre Campus At St Georges, Teaching and Learning Assistants (TLAs) are highly valued and recognised as an integral part of any teaching and learning team. In the Early Years, the social and emotional aspect of their role is particularly strong and they are seen as key caretakers for the children in these years. This role is ultimately accountable to the Principal but takes guidance from Heads of school, class teachers, the City Centre Student Support Coordinator, and the Director of Student Support Services as appropriate to the area they are assigned to. Their help in a lesson provides not only the Class teacher, but also the pupils with the support, knowledge and understanding that ensure teaching and learning is of an optimum level; for this reason they will be involved in the planning sessions and, through negotiation with other members of the team, share their strengths and assist learning. Duties and Responsibilities Teaching and Learning Support a designated childs learning and behavioural needs in all areas of the curriculum Maintain accurate pupil records eg (Seesaw, reading records, library usage etc) Provide extra support to children with special needs or those who are EAL learners as directed by the Head of school, Class teacher or Director of Student Support Services Contribute to the assessment of a designated childs academic progress and social & emotional development Assist with the preparation of the learning environment and resources to support learning under the direction of the teacher and Student Support Coordinator Pastoral Show an active interest in the personal circumstances of the children under your care, and Foster their personal and social development Actively promote the social, moral and cultural ethos of the school community Create an atmosphere of support by being aware of, and fully compliant with, all the school policies on pastoral care Be familiar with all of the schools policies on Health and Safety and be proactive in ensuring the safety of all members of the school community at all times Promote exemplary behaviour and a responsible attitude amongst all pupils at all times Be aware of and act upon all policies regarding the safeguarding of children Contribute to the extra curricular life of the school Professional Promote pride in the school among the pupil body through high standards of dress, behaviour and commitment Ensure that all communication is acted upon appropriately and in a timely manner Be responsible for all school resources, particularly those in your care, reporting damage or loss to the appropriate authority within the school Carry out any reasonable professional request made by the Principal or Head of School Personal Skills The successful candidate will be: An ambassador of St Georges at all times A role model in relation to the schools core values of Internationalism, Inclusivity and Excellence Enthusiastic and passionate about education with a sound understanding of UK best practice Reliable and respectful in their dealings with all members of the school community Flexible and adaptable to the varied demands of working in a world-class school environment Proactive in all aspects of school life Able to work both independently and collaboratively Creative and innovative across and beyond the curriculum Able to work successfully under pressure, with excellent organisational skills Reliable and respectful Able to demonstrate a positive and proactive attitude towards participation in professional development and the schools induction and professional review processes Able to present a professional image in line with the high expectations of St Georges A talented communicator A confident and competent user of IT in the classroom and for administrative purposes Formal Qualifications / Experience A good UK Honours Degree (or equivalent) A strong record of professional development Current EU working status/current EU passport How to Apply Reference Number 251101 Application Deadline Tuesday 25 November 2025, 4.00pm CEST Start Date Immediately Availability (full-time/part-time) Part-time (mornings only) Contract One-year contract We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date. Early application is strongly encouraged. Please complete an online application form via www.stgeorge.school.it/staff/vacancies. Shortlisted candidates will have references taken up prior to interview. Supporting Statement The Supporting Statement is an instrumental part of our shortlisting process and should address and detail: the reason you are applying for the role, why you feel that you are a suitable candidate for the role to which you are applying, your skills and experience, and an explanation of any gaps in employment during your career. Additional Application Guidance The Education and Qualifications section of the application form must be completed in full (including grades obtained). References provided should always include your current employer. If you are currently working in education, please note that your first referee must be the Headteacher/Principal of the school that you are currently employed with. School Policies Applicants to St Georges should be familiar with the schools Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy available at www.stgeorge.school.it/policies. A copy of the Staff Code of Conduct and Whistleblowing Policy will be made available to shortlisted candidates. Conditional Offer of Appointment Any offer to a successful candidate will be conditional upon the following: Verification of identity, qualifications and professional status A safeguarding check Receipt of at least three satisfactory references (one of which should be from your current or most recent Principal, Head of School or line manager) Verification of medical fitness (completion of a medical declaration) Social media screening Non-EU applicants will be required to produce their university transcript with courses taken and final grade of their first Degree. Remuneration Package details will be available to shortlisted candidates upon request. Equal Opportunities St George's is an equal opportunities employer and is fully committed to a policy of treating all its employees and job applicants equally. Discrimination will not be made on the grounds of age, race, religion, disability, marital status, gender, re-assigned gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or other basis. Assyrian-American Poet Celebrates Release of Her New Poetry Collection Detroit -- Four months after publishing her poetry collection The Tablets: Secrets of Clay, Iraqi-American poet and writer of Assyrian descent Dunya Mikhail celebrated with a signing of her new book at Al-Shorouk Hall in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The event, held on 7 November and sponsored by the Al-Rafidain Forum for Culture and Arts, drew dozens of members of Detroit's Iraqi community, including Iraqi Consul Mohammed Hassan Saeed Mohammed and his wife. The evening opened with musical performances by artist Basil Haddad. Nabeel Romaya then delivered opening remarks highlighting the Al-Rafidain Forum's cultural initiatives and achievements over the years. Following that, Slaaf Saeed Shaja presented an overview of Mikhail's creative and personal journey as a Assyrian poet. A recorded message from Professor and literary critic Nasser al-Hajjaj was then played, offering an analytical reading of Mikhail's latest collection and noting her literary influence across the United States and beyond. Al-Hajjaj praised Mikhail's innovative poetic style and her ability to merge Iraqi memory with universal themes. In her speech, Dunya Mikhail expressed gratitude to the Al-Rafidain Forum, the audience, and all who contributed to the success of the evening. She presented a signed copy of The Tablets: Secrets of Clay to the Iraqi Consul, who thanked her and commended her creative role as a cultural ambassador of Iraq. The event concluded with poetry readings from Mikhail's new collection, followed by a book-signing session and a reception. Born in Baghdad, Dunya Mikhail graduated from university before beginning her career in translation and journalism. She emigrated to the United States in the 1990s, where she has since become one of Iraq's most acclaimed literary voices, chronicling themes of war, exile, and resilience. Her poetry first appeared in Arabic in the mid-1980s. In 2005, New Directions published her collection The War Works Hard, translated by Elizabeth Winslow, which was shortlisted for the Griffin Poetry Prize, making Mikhail the first Iraqi poet to have a book published in the United States. Since then, she has authored six more books -- often self-translated or written bilingually -- including the poetic memoir Diary of a Wave Outside the Sea (2009), which won the Arab American Book Award, the novel The Bird Tattoo (2022), and several other acclaimed poetry collections, culminating in The Tablets: Secrets of Clay (2025). Her first prose work, The Beekeeper (2017), documents the Yezidi genocide through oral testimonies of women who escaped Islamic State (ISIS) captivity, earning international recognition for its powerful storytelling. Mikhail is also a recipient of the UNESCO--Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture, which she described as "a prestigious honor that motivates me to give my best and helps my voice reach a wider audience." In a symbolic gesture, UNESCO adopted one of the clay tablets from her latest book as an international poster, bearing the inscription, "Let love be the new world order." Key Points Warren Buffett's company, Berkshire Hathaway, has outperformed the stock market over many decades. Berkshire's large equities portfolio owns a range of companies in different sectors. Buffett and Berkshire have held a few stocks in the portfolio for decades. 10 stocks we like better than Coca-Cola Warren Buffett, the outgoing CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is arguably the greatest investor of all time, so it's no surprise that investors all over the world try to replicate his investing style. Inside Berkshire's massive, roughly $315 billion equities portfolio are 41 stocks in a range of different sectors. Most of them have their pros and cons. But if one truly wants to follow Buffett's style, they can start by looking at the stocks the Oracle of Omaha has owned the longest. Here are two Buffett stocks to buy and hold for the long haul. Image source: Motley Fool. 1. American Express: Two wonderful businesses While Buffett has a long history with the payments and credit card giant American Express (NYSE: AXP) dating back to the 1960s, the origins behind Berkshire's current investment in the company began in 1991. Berkshire invested $300 million in the company in exchange for preferred shares yielding 8.5%. Today, the position is valued at around $55.4 billion and consumes over 17% of Berkshire's portfolio. Amex has two wonderful businesses. One is the credit card lending business, which extends revolving debt to consumers. But this isn't any old credit card business. Many consumers view the Amex brand essentially as an elite form of status, whether it's a symbol of wealth or someone who loves spending money on experiences. Either way, this brand has attracted high-net-worth individuals who are more resilient through the economic cycle. Many of Amex's customers spend as much as $695 annually on Amazon's platinum card, which generates strong, recurring annual revenue. Amex's second business is its closed-loop payments system, which helps merchants process credit card transactions and generates strong fee income. Very few companies can successfully be a card issuer and operate a payment network because setting up a strong payment network requires immense scale that is very difficult to replicate. The combination of these two incredible businesses has led to a premium valuation for Amex's stock, which is up close to 280% over the past five years. Like Buffett, investors can hold Amex stock for decades to come. 2. Coca-Cola: An iconic brand and strong dividend Berkshire first purchased the iconic consumer staples brand Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) in 1988 and hasn't looked back since. The stock consumes close to 9% of Berkshire's portfolio. Coca-Cola has developed an enviable brand that consumers won't scrap from their budgets, even when times get tough. That's how a good brand can translate into strong financial performance. Probe centres on Italians who allegedly paid to shoot civilians 'for fun' during Siege of Sarajevo. Milan prosecutors have opened an investigation into allegations that Italian citizens paid large sums of money to join the Bosnian Serb military and shoot civilians in Sarajevo "for fun" during the Bosnian War in the early 1990s. The enquiry, opened by prosecutor Alessandro Gobbis, is investigating charges of "voluntary homicide aggravated by cruelty and abject motives", as reported by Italian newspapers Il Giorno and La Repubblica. The probe will seek to identify the so-called "weekend snipers" who participated in the Siege of Sarajevo, during which more than 11,000 people were killed between 1992 and 1996. The Italian individuals accused of being involved in the killings - according to testimonies gathered in northern Italy - were mainly "far-right sympathisers with a passion for weapons", according to media reports. They would gather in the north-eastern city of Trieste before being taken to the hills surrounding Sarajevo where they were permitted to fire on the population of the besieged city after allegedly paying Bosnian Serb militias. Complaint The case stems from a complaint filed in January by journalist and writer Ezio Gavazzeni, with the assistance of two lawyers and former magistrate Guido Salvini, as well as a report sent to the prosecutors by the former mayor of Sarajevo, Benjamina Karic. The 17-page complaint reconstructs a series of testimonies and contacts with Bosnian sources who, as early as 1993, reported the presence of Italian citizens in the hills surrounding Sarajevo. Gavazzeni reports an email exchange with a former member of the Bosnian military intelligence services who claims to have informed officials belonging to Italy's foreign intelligence services (at the time known as SISMI, now AISE) about the presence of at least five Italians serving as "snipers." The complaint includes a claim that "one witness reported that among them were Italians: a man from Turin, one from Milan, and the last from Trieste". 'Sniper-hunters' Gavazzeni cites a Bosnian intelligence report about the presence of armed foreigners, including Italians, in the hills surrounding the city in 1993. A former Bosnian intelligence official reported sharing details with his Italian counterparts in the SISMI on the activities of these "sniper-hunters," who arrived in Sarajevo through contacts in Belgrade and were allegedly provided with "cover"to justify their travels, in the form of hunting activities. Their travel arrangements were allegedly supported by networks linked to the Serbian security service, with logistical support provided by companies in the former Yugoslavia. Investigators will seek to verify the authenticity of the documents in the complaint which reportedly includes a reference to an alleged "tariff" for killings, with differences between civilians, military personnel and children. Sarajevo Safari Among the files attached to the complaint is the 2022 documentary Sarajevo Safari by Slovenian director Miran Zupanic, which examines the phenomenon of "war tourists." The film features anonymous testimonies describing the presence of wealthy foreigners - allegedly including Italians - who secretly paid to shoot at city residents during the Siege of Sarajevo. With preliminary investigations underway, the Milan prosecutor's office has reportedly not yet ordered any interviews or formally entered any individuals in the register of suspects. Photo credit: Northfoto / Shutterstock.com. Italian pasta exports to US face new tariffs of 107 per cent from January. Italian pasta exporters are preparing to pull their products from supermarkets in the United States before a massive 107 per cent tariff takes effect in the new year, according to The Wall Street Journal. In an article titled Italian Pasta Is Poised to Disappear From American Grocery Shelves, the American newspaper reported on Monday that major Italian pasta exporters believe that the tariffs will make it too expensive to do business in the US. Washington plans to impose an additional "anti-dumping" duty of 91.74 per cent on 13 of the largest Italian pasta exporters, on top of the existing 15 per cent general tariff on European agri-food imports, with effect from January 2026. "No one has the profit margins to sustain these tariffs," Giuseppe Ferro, the chief executive of La Molisana, one of the Italian pasta companies affected, told the WSJ, adding: "It would be a real shame to have the market snatched from us for no real reason. Last month Ferro told reporters that the pasta company was ready to open a factory in the US as it would be "impossible for us to do business with tariffs at 107 per cent". Investigation The anti-dumping duties stem from an investigation by the US department of commerce which found that La Molisana and Garofalo were selling pasta at unfairly low prices between July 2023 and June 2024. However the Italian companies deny the accusations and have protested the US government's preliminary findings. Some producers suspect that the decision is more than just a price issue. "This isn't about dumping: it's an excuse to block imports," Cosimo Rummo, CEO of Pasta Rummo, another Iatlian pasta producer set to be hit by the tariffs, told the WSJ. Last month, Italian agriculture minister Francesco Lollobrigida hit out at the proposed new tariff which he claimed "would trigger a hyper-protectionist mechanism against our pasta producers, for which we see neither the need nor any justification". The US is one of Italy's top export markets for pasta, with nearly 671 million in exports in 2024, according to agricultural group Coldiretti, which claimed the extra tariffs would deal a "fatal blow" to the Italian pasta sector. Effects for American consumers The 107 per cent tariff "would double the cost of a plate of pasta for American families, Coldiretti said, and would pave the way for "Italian-sounding" pasta products in the US. In a recent article titled Why the Price of Italian Pasta May Soon Double for Americans, Time magazine reported that pasta imported from Italy last year represented around 12 per cent of the US pasta market. The Time article also noted that the Italian-based Barilla - the biggest pasta brand in the US - produces most of its pasta sold in the US in the US, which would not be subject to the duties. The new tariff rate is preliminary, an official from the US department of commerce told the Washington Post recently, and is set to be reviewed before being implemented in January. Diop makes history as Tuscany's youngest vice president. When Tuscany's newly re-elected governor unveiled his new regional government on Monday, the focus of the media was on the region's new deputy president: 23-year-old student Bintou Mia Diop. The surprise decision by the centre-left governor Eugenio Giani, who was returned for a second term after regional elections last month, followed weeks of negotiations to form a new administration. Born in 2002 in the Tuscan city of Livorno to a Senegalese father and an Italian-German mother, Diop is currently studying political science at the University of Pisa. Her father is described by Italian media as a well-known figure in Livorno and a pillar of the city's Senegalese community. Diop has been active in the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD) party since her teenage years and has previously served as vice president of the urban planning commission on the city council in Livorno. She now becomes the youngest vice president ever of the Tuscan region. #Toscana, il presidente Eugenio #Giani ha nominato la 23enne Mia #Diop (#PD) come vicepresidente della regione, rendendola una dei piu giovani assessori regionali dItalia. La consigliera comunale di Livorno ha dichiarato: "Oggi la mia generazione vive tra affitti impossibili, pic.twitter.com/7o7XWYOjFJ Ultimora.net - POLITICS (@ultimora_pol) November 11, 2025 In a post on social media on Tuesday, Diop thanked Gianni for appointing her to the post, writing: "I'm thrilled, I won't deny it." "Today, my generation lives with impossible rents, precarious jobs, parents we don't want to burden but from whom we can't detach ourselves. I'm part of it too" - Diop wrote - "so yes, it's a huge responsibility. And yes, maybe my hands are shaking a little today. But they are the hands of a generation that knows it wants to do something and wants the opportunity to do so". Gianni, 66, is expected to assign portfolios in the coming days. He also appointed 27-year-old Bernard Dika as undersecretary, saying the move was designed "for a Tuscany capable of speaking to the younger generations, who are our present and future." Cinema event organised as part of ongoing Jubilee Year as Vatican reveals Pope Leo's favourite films. Pope Leo is to host several dozen actors and directors this weekend for an event dedicated to cinema, as part of the ongoing Jubilee Year, the Vatican said on Monday. The Hollywood stars joining the pontiff for the meeting at the Apostolic Palace on Saturday morning will include actors Cate Blanchett, Chris Pine and Adam Scott, alongside Oscar-winning directors Spike Lee, George Miller, Giuseppe Tornatore and Gus Van Sant. Other actors set to meet Pope Leo include Monica Bellucci, Alison Brie, Dave Franco and Viggo Mortensen. The pope has expressed his desire to deepen the dialogue with the world of cinema, and in particular with actors and directors, exploring the possibilities that artistic creativity offers to the mission of the Church and the promotion of human values", the Vatican's Dicastery for Culture and Education said in a statement. The event follows previous meetings, hosted by Leo's predecessor Pope Francis, with the world of visual arts (June 2023), comedy (June 2024) and the Jubilee of Artists and the World of Culture earlier this year. In June, Al Pacino became the first Hollywood star to meet with Pope Leo who last week received another legendary American actor, Robert De Niro, at the Vatican. Ahead of this weekend's cinema-themed event, the Vatican shared four of Pope Leo's favourite films: It's a Wonderful Life (1946), The Sound of Music (1965), Ordinary People (1980), and La vita e bella (1997). Photo credit: Marco Iacobucci Epp / Shutterstock.com. When the Bar Becomes the Last Public Space. The pub was the heart of our village. Now its luxury flats, and nobody pops round to their neighbours for a few tea bags and some sugar. This lament from a resident of a small British isle captures a quiet crisis unfolding across the UK, one that Romans may struggle to imagine, but perhaps should heed as a cautionary tale. In 2024 alone, nearly 300 pubs closed permanently across England and Wales. Thats six a week, and over 4,500 jobs gone. Since 2000, a quarter of Britains pubs have vanished. These arent just statistics; they represent the dismantling of a civic infrastructure. The erosion of third spaces, neither home nor work, is a phenomenon every community should worry about in an increasingly digital world. Meanwhile, in Rome, the institutional bar endures. Italian bars have always been multifunctional, and their cultural weight is something worth protecting. These establishments are more than commercial ventures: they are civic institutions that sustain the rhythms of daily life. The contrast with the UK is striking. British pubs have traditionally been evening destinations for drinking and socialising, while Roman bars are woven into the entire day. You might visit the same bar three times, morning espresso, lunchtime panino, evening aperitivo. In Italy, alcohol was never the sole purpose, and that difference matters enormously as cultural habits evolve. Younger generations are drinking less. In the UK, alcohol consumption among 16- to 24-year-olds has fallen from 67% in 2002 to 37% in 2021. Gen Z drinks around 20% less than millennials did at the same age, due to health consciousness, wellness trends, and the rising cost of living. For British pubs already struggling under business rates, energy bills, and labour costs, this shift feels existential. Recent budget measures added 650 million in new costs, and for every 3 spent in a pub, 1 goes to tax. The maths is brutal when your customers drink less and your bills keep climbing. Italian bars, by contrast, survive because their espresso drinkers and aperitivo-goers keep them relevant from dawn to dusk. Their diversity isnt just good business, its what keeps them anchored in community life. The stakes in Britain go far beyond economics. Research by Robin Dunbar shows that people with a local have more close friends, greater life satisfaction, and stronger community ties. Romans instinctively understand this. Pub closures are a warning: social culture must be actively protected. Romes bars will likely endure because they are embedded in daily rituals that transcend alcohol, but the British once thought the same of their pubs. The replacement of a public house with a block of flats is not merely architectural; it signals the slow erosion of communal life. Neighbourhood bars, in Rome or Rochdale, do not preserve themselves. They require participation, presence, and recognition of their civic value. One closure at a time, Britain is learning that pubs dont just serve drinks, they serve society. And once gone, that kind of community doesnt reopen easily. Ph: Sandor Szmutko / Shutterstock.com Waterford TD and Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Health David Cullinane said families are being failed by the Government in the wake of newly obtained figures by RTE highlighting waiting lists for childrens mental health services. RTEs report showed some children in Northwest Dublin were forced to wait up to 13 years for access to mental health services. This is utterly unacceptable as we know that early intervention is critical to a childs development and wellbeing, Deputy Cullinane said. Behind every statistic is a child who is struggling with anxiety, learning difficulties, or developmental challenges and parents who are reaching out for help and support. The consequences of these delays are long-term and profound. Childrens needs do not disappear because the State doesnt have enough staff, they simply get worse as children languish on years long waiting lists. RTEs report detailed the experiences of a mother of an autistic child who spent five years on a Primary Care waiting list but could not gain access to a psychologist. The Primary Care service is the first port of call after a child displays mild to moderate mental health issues. The child in question later availed of CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). Cullinane said that families cannot feel assured seeking care in the private sector, given that private practitioners can operate without statutory regulation. We need a fully staffed and regulated, public psychological service not long waiting lists, under-resourced teams, and unregulated private assessments. Waterford Fianna Fail TD and Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler is yet to respond to requests for comment from the Waterford News & Star. Selling a home you dont own sounds like an outlandish scam, but real estate title fraud is becoming increasingly common, and in some cases, surprisingly easy. In Scottsdale, Arizona, one homeowner learned that firsthand. The homeowner, who wanted to remain anonymous, told 12News he was blindsided when the Maricopa County Recorders Office notified him that the title to his home had been transferred to someone he had never met a woman named Rachael Cossette (1). Must Read By the time he checked on the property, police said the alleged scammers had already taken the next step: changing the locks. "It was discovered that the suspect or suspects had actually changed the locks on the victim's residence and installed a lockbox for potential buyers," Scottsdale police told 12News. The homeowner confirmed he was the sole person listed on the deed and that he hadnt signed or authorized anything. The home was simply sitting vacant while he prepared to list it, which investigators say made it an ideal target. A deal that moved too fast John Rowan, a real estate investor, said he was told Cossette had inherited the home and needed to sell it quickly. "That was odd that everything was happening very, very fast," Rowan told 12News. "So that's a sign that something's wrong." Rowan never spoke to Cossette directly. Instead, he communicated with a woman who called herself Jennifer and claimed Cossette couldnt talk because of anxiety. As the story shifted, Rowan became more suspicious. He asked his title representative to double-check the paperwork. The documents turned out to be fraudulent. When Rowan contacted the actual homeowner, he learned there had been no transfer at all. This is exactly how seller-impersonation scams operate. Fraudsters pull ownership details from public records, list properties through agents, avoid in-person meetings and push for a fast closing to limit scrutiny. And these schemes are spreading. In 2023, nearly one in three title insurance companies reported a seller impersonation attempt. By early 2024, two in ten said they had already encountered similar scams, according to the American Land Title Association (2). Advertisement PoliticsFederalPolitical expenses Taxpayers foot $1.4m in expenses for our former PMs Brittany Busch November 11, 2025 10:45am 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 134 View all comments Key points Former prime ministers have filed almost $1.4 million in expenses so far this year. Malcolm Turnbull claimed the most at $325,935, while Julia Gillard claimed the least at $96,300. These costs do not include pensions or staff, entitlements that Turnbull and Morrison are ineligible for, but older PMs receive. Taxpayers have footed a bill of almost $1.4 million in former prime ministers expenses this year, including flights, office supplies and car accident insurance excesses of $1000. According to the latest data from the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority, Malcolm Turnbull has claimed the most since January at $325,935, while Julia Gillard spent the least, at $96,300. The quarterly report tracks parliamentary spending on domestic travel, including airfares, private cars and fuel, and office expenses, including facilities, supplies and telecommunications of current and former parliamentarians. But only the seven living former prime ministers are entitled to an office space and its running costs, as well as flights for up to 30 domestic trips per year. The report doesnt include their pensions or the costs of staff they are also entitled to. Advertisement The resources are provided to past leaders in recognition of their service and so they can meet the commitments expected of former prime ministers, according to the Department of Finance. Turnbull was the only former prime minister to claim family travel this year. He claimed $2905 for a return trip from Sydney to Adelaide for his wife, former Sydney lord mayor Lucy Turnbull, to join him at a conference in August. He also claimed a $1000 accident insurance excess fee when his government car was sideswiped by another driver, part of $16,550 in car costs. Gillard claimed car accident excesses of $1000 in February and April, as did Scott Morrison in January. Our former prime ministers have claimed more than $1.4 million in expenses so far in 2025. Stephen Kiprillis Turnbulls Sydney office has cost taxpayers $294,857 so far this year, more than each of the other former PMs has claimed in total expenses over the same period. He declined to comment. Advertisement Office facilities were the highest expense recorded in the report for each former PM. Tony Abbott declared $229,221, and John Howard claimed $215,030 for his office this year. They are also based in Sydney, where CBD commercial real estate is expensive. Kevin Rudd, 68, and Gillard are both based overseas, which could contribute to their lower spending. Rudd, who retains a government post as Australian ambassador to the United States, has spent $129,612 this year in his capacity as a former prime minister. Paul Keating and Abbott are entitled to pensions of about $300,000 per year, Howards is $345,000, and News Corp has estimated Rudds and Gillards to be about $200,000 per year each. The PMs can take it as an annual payment for life or opt for half that amount yearly plus an initial lump sum. The pensions were a form of superannuation to support politicians after they exited politics, until Howard changed the rules in 2006 because the entitlements were seen to be too generous. Advertisement Since then, MPs elected after 2004 receive a standard superannuation fund, albeit with a 15 per cent Commonwealth contribution. Turnbull and Morrison were the first national leaders to leave office without the pension. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be entitled to it because he was elected in 1996. Abbott, 68, has previously criticised the Howard-era changes and called for the pension to be reinstated, so politicians could have financial security in retirement and prevent ministers and prime ministers from making government decisions with one eye towards future job prospects. Outside his duties as a former prime minister Turnbull, 71, is a start-up investor, president of the International Hydropower Association, and public speaker. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull is the president of the International Hydropower Association. Alex Ellinghausen Advertisement Morrison, 57, announced his new jobs when he retired from politics in 2024, including vice chair of corporate advisory firm American Global Strategies; a strategic adviser to venture capital company DYNE Maritime, which invests in technologies related to the AUKUS military pact; and an advisory board post for the Centre for a New American Security. Morrison has spent $207,042 this year in his capacity as a former prime minister. Related Article Exclusive Australia votes Interactive: See how many properties your MP owns and their other financial interests Gillard, 64, is chair of the Wellcome Trust, a charitable scientific organisation, a global institute for womens leadership and a renewables-focused investment platform. John Howard, 86, has spent the most on travel this year, including more than $12,000 on flights and more than $18,000 on car costs for a monthly $1290 lease and Commonwealth cars when interstate. Advertisement A spokeswoman for Howard said: All of the expenses that are incurred by Mr Howards office are in line with the office of a former prime ministers entitlement. Keating, Rudd, Morrison, Abbott and Gillards offices did not respond to a request for comment. The number of living former prime ministers has swelled since Rudd and Gillard ousted each other in quick succession and Abbott was dumped after less than two years in the job. The number of former leaders is not unprecedented: there were eight former prime ministers while Ben Chifley was in office in 1947. Paul Keating, 81, claimed no commercial transport expenses this year, but spent the most on telecommunications at $2342.87. He has been an investor and public intellectual since leaving office. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. Advertisement Updated PoliticsWAPrisons WAs booming prison population unsustainable and dangerous, watchdog warns Hamish Hastie November 11, 2025 2:21pm 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 1 View all comments Western Australias adult prison population has ballooned by more than 1000 inmates in just two years and the states prison watchdog warns the situation is unsustainable and dangerous. In his 2024-25 annual report, Inspector of Custodial Services Eamon Ryan said the prison population and staffing shortages presented big challenges for the sector. Casuarina Prison, Western Australia. Nine News Perth Ryan said there had been a 15 per cent increase in the average prisoner population between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024 and another 12 per cent increase in the 2024-25 financial year. However, he said that didnt paint the true picture and, when looking at prison populations on a single day in the middle of the year, the adult population was 7800 on July 1, 2024 and 8475 a year later. Advertisement Ryan said that level of growth was unsustainable and, with staffing shortages also impacting the prison estate, conditions were worsening. Related Article Exclusive Prisons A Perth judge labelled Hakea Prison dangerously unstable. So whats it like inside? When the prison population is as high as it has been, coupled with insufficient staffing, time in custody is simply not as rehabilitative and reintegrative as it should be, he said. People spend too much time in cell, and often with more people than the cell was designed to accommodate. Their access to therapeutic programs to address their offending behaviours is limited. Their access to other opportunities, like education and employment which build skills to help their chances to reintegrate, are also curbed. Advertisement They get minimal access to recreational pursuits to burn off steam and better their physical and mental state. And the quality and quantity of their contact with family is also reduced because everyone is competing for the same phones and visit sessions. Ryan said these were real frustrations which could lead to worrisome safety and security issues. Unfortunately, this was borne out over the past year with an increased number of attempted suicides, and prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, he said. Earlier this year, it was revealed hundreds prisoners were sleeping on the floor to deal with overcrowding. The government is reportedly considering building a new remand prison to deal with the explosion in numbers, but Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia has so far refused to confirm the move. Advertisement The state is already undertaking a 205-bed expansion of Casuarina Prison. Related Article WA courts Terrifying: Male inmates still permitted to light up in WA prisons despite fire death Papalia has confirmed previously the government was developing a business case to address the prison population. He said the increase reflected the national trends and blamed one factor on the increase in the number of people being charged with family and domestic violence offences. The state government allocated $4.7 million in the State Budget towards long term custodial infrastructure planning, which considers population trends, he said. Advertisement The Department of Justice is also training Prison Officers at a record rate, with the goal of recruiting 1200 prison officers over the next 3 years. The academy is full and running back-to-back courses, alongside regional recruitment and training courses. Opposition corrective services spokesman Adam Hort said the prison crisis was spiralling under Labor. With multiple independent reviews exposing overcrowding, staff shortages and alleged human rights abuses caused by years of mismanagement, he said. Its understandable that the community wants offenders held to account, but the reality is 99 per cent of inmates will eventually return to our streets, and they must come out better than when they went in, not worse. Advertisement We are now seeing courts reduce or avoid prison sentences because of intolerable conditions or the absence of rehabilitation programs. WA Labors mismanagement of our prison system is either hardening offenders behind bars or leading to reduced sentences - both of which put community safety at risk. Papalia was approached for comment about Ryans latest report. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement Travel newsAir travel Opinion Qantas giving passengers more choice? Give me a break Anthony Dennis Editor, Traveller November 12, 2025 2:00am November 12, 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 156 View all comments The last time I parted with an additional hundred or so bucks for an upgrade to an extra legroom aisle economy seat on an overnight international flight, a kindly flight attendant, unprompted, felt compelled to apologise to me. It was the morning after the night before, en route from Frankfurt to Singapore. With no other seat in front of me, she expressed her regret for the repeated occasions my outstretched legs and feet were (inadvertently) kicked, knocked and stomped on, mostly in the dark, by the procession of passengers (and, it must be said, the occasional flight attendant) en route to the adjacent toilet, in the queue waiting to use it, or both. Qantas Economy Plus seating will roll out in 2026. More fool me for forking out for the pleasure of upgrading to a seat not only right next to the loos, but also the galley (somehow I managed to sleep through the clinking plates and cutlery). But, really, the airline industrys now routine and ruthless extraction of revenue from all manner of pay-to-sit permutations is so out of control its become risible. Consumer choice, they call it. Advertisement Not only are airlines more class-obsessed these days than an exclusive English boarding school, its almost reached the point that an economy passenger will need a GPS to navigate aircraft seat maps on booking, what with all the options for fee-based upgrades, including my exit row equivalent. On a typical one-way Sydney to Osaka Jetstar flight, for example, an extra legroom seat - if youre quick enough to snare one - will cost you an additional $55 while an upfront seat, closer to the exit door, sells for $33 on top of the ticket price. On longer-haul flights with other airlines, such fees escalate even higher. Thats really how complex flying has become for those searching for a better seat, and, crucially, like me, a willingness to fork out for it. Founding CEO of Jetstar, Alan Joyce was a pioneer of ancillary revenue raising. Getty Images Qantas added more complexity last week when it announced it would introduce a new Economy Plus seating offer, a la the rival Virgin Australia equivalent Economy X, next year. Economy Plus will provide paying customers with up to 40 per cent more legroom, priority boarding and, heres a relatively new one, exclusive access to overhead baggage bins. Advertisement Signs will warn other, non-Economy Plus passengers to stow their own carry-on elsewhere on the plane but, as Vanessa Hudson, Qantas chief executive declared, were always looking for ways to enhance the onboard experience and maximise comfort for our customers. Forgive me, but what she really meant was that Qantas ever creative accountants, like those of other airlines, are forever exploring ways to extract yet more revenue, and for that matter, loyalty, from their passengers and from every single seat, business and first classes included. In news reports, various travel industry figures applauded the initiative, oblivious to the bigger-picture absurdity of it all. These days, after all, you can pay for the privilege of an exit row seat, but also an empty, neighbourless one beside you. But, wait, it gets even more ludicrous. It was recently reported, in what at first appeared to be some kind of out-there AI hallucination, that WestJet, Canadas second-largest airline, has introduced an additional fee for seats that recline. Advertisement Not even Alan Joyce, the man who created Australias own Jetstar, thought of that one, or at least dared to introduce it. Jetstar, in fact, is the carrier that helped pioneer the Great Airline Ancillary Revenue Filch (thanks, Alan), which can include charges for everything from Wi-FI (including when it doesnt work), and even blanket kits these days. Even in the toughest prisons they presumably dont deny inmates something as basic as a blanket. Related Article Opinion Air travel The 25 idiotic things plane passengers do (and the five Im guilty of) Ben Groundwater Travel writer Surely, one of the most truly demeaning sights in travel is that of overwrought Jetstar employees weighing hapless passengers overweight baggage at the gate in the relentless hunt for more bucks. You can, of course, prevent this ritual humiliation by purchasing extra baggage kilos when you book your ticket (dont forget the blankies). Despite the assault on my feet (lucky I left my boots on throughout that 12-hour or so flight), weirdly, I dont really regret paying that extra dough for the exit row seat. It was still superior to the one I was originally allocated. Advertisement Once airlines used to operate flying machines. Now every plane is a cynical revenue machine and, perhaps worst of all, many of us, myself included, in our search for extra comfort and a modicum of sanity on those long-haul flights, are willing accomplices to the conspiracy, and, gosh, dont the airlines know it. A seat is no longer a seat but, hey, please do watch my feet. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. Advertisement WorldEuropeRussia-Ukraine war Mad Max-style: Russian forces roll into battered Ukrainian city Guy Faulconbridge and Soheil Afdjei November 12, 2025 3:40am 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 Moscow: Russia says its forces have pushed deeper into the eastern Ukrainian cities of Pokrovsk and Kupiansk, with one video showing Russian soldiers rolling into Pokrovsk on motorbikes and even on the roofs of battered cars and vans. Moscow says taking Pokrovsk dubbed the gateway to Donetsk by Russian media would give it a platform to drive north towards the two biggest remaining Ukrainian-controlled cities in the Donetsk region, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. View post on X We are losing Pokrovsk, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko said on Tuesday. The Russians have broken into the city, he wrote on Telegram, alongside video showing Russian forces under the cover of the fog entering the city piled on an odd assortment of motorcycles, buggies and cars. Advertisement Russia has been threatening Pokrovsk for more than a year, using a pincer movement to attempt to encircle it and threaten supply lines, rather than the deadly frontal assaults it employed to capture the city of Bakhmut in 2023. Russian war bloggers published the video on Tuesday showing what they said were Russian forces entering Pokrovsk along a road enveloped in fog, in what some Telegram users said looked like scenes from the 1979 Australian post-apocalyptic action film Mad Max. Screenshots from a video published by Russian war bloggers shows Russians entering Pokrovsk via a foggy road. The location was independently verified by Reuters. Reuters Many vehicles, missing doors and windows, were shown driving along a road strewn with debris as soldiers looked on. Some soldiers sat on the roof of a battered vehicle. A drone was seen beside the road. Reuters was able to confirm the location of the video as Pokrovsk from the road layout, signs, utility tower and trees seen in the video, which matched file and satellite imagery of the area. Reuters was not able to independently verify the date of the footage. Advertisement Ukraines military said about 300 Russian soldiers were now inside Pokrovsk and that Moscow had intensified efforts to get more troops in over the past few days, using dense fog for cover from drones. It said Ukrainian forces were battling Russian groups in the city. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the situation in Pokrovsk remained difficult, and the inclement weather was favouring Russias attacks, the scale of which he said was increasing. In a sign of the intensity of the urban battle, Russia said it had taken 256 buildings and that its forces were actively advancing to the north-west and east of Pokrovsk and around the railway station. Moscow and Kyiv have given different accounts of the battle for Pokrovsk: Moscow has for days said the city was encircled while Kyiv has denied Russia controls the city and said on Monday that it was still able to supply neighbouring Myrnohrad. Advertisement Open-source battlefield maps from both sides show Russia has executed a pincer movement around the city and was close to closing it, though Kyiv has counter-attacked around the town of Dobropillia. Ukraines top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, in an interview with The New York Post, said Russia was concentrating about 150,000 troops in a drive to capture Pokrovsk, with mechanised groups and marine brigades part of the push. While Reuters was able to confirm the location of the video as Pokrovsk, it was unable to independently verify the date the footage was filmed. Reuters Russia said its forces had taken full control of the eastern part of Kupiansk in Ukraines Kharkiv region. A Russian commander who gave his call sign as Hunter said his forces had taken control of an oil depot on the eastern edge of Kupiansk. In a video statement issued by Russias Defence Ministry, he said his forces had also taken control of a series of train stops along the railway to Kupiansk Vuzlovyi, a settlement which is about six kilometres south of the centre of Kupiansk itself. Advertisement Russia also said its troops had taken control of the settlement of Novouspenivske in the south-eastern Zaporizhzhia region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, right, met with servicemen near Pokrovsk last week. AP Ukraine withdrew from some villages including Novouspenivske due to intense attacks involving more than 400 artillery strikes per day, RBC-Ukraine news agency cited a military spokesperson as saying. Ukraines top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said on Tuesday that the armys situation has significantly worsened in parts of southeastern Zaporizhzhia region amid fierce fighting with Russian forces. The situation has significantly worsened in the Oleksandrivka and Huliapole directions, where, using its numerical superiority in personnel and materiel, the enemy advanced in fierce fighting and captured three settlements, Syrskyi wrote on Telegram. Advertisement Related Article Russia-Ukraine war Ukraine seeks more help after Russia pounds it with drones, missiles Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports from either side due to reporting restrictions and the danger of the war zone. Russias military says it now controls more than 19 per cent of Ukraine about116,000 square kilometres. Ukrainian maps tracking frontline changes show Russian control at 19.1 per cent of Ukraine, up from 18 per cent nearly three years ago. Reuters Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Advertisement Analysis WorldNorth AmericaUS politics Democrats are at war over caving to Trump and directing their rage at one man Michael Koziol November 11, 2025 8:51am 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 88 View all comments It was always likely to end this way. US government shutdowns are so common that they have a known rhythm. The side making demands will hold out for as long as they can, until they eventually cave to reality. They will inevitably bank some minor concession and pretend its a huge win. The Democrats Senate leader Chuck Schumer. Progressive Democrats are calling for him to resign. AP After more than 40 days, this shutdown the longest ever is set to end after a group of breakaway Democrats, and one independent who caucuses with them, struck a deal with Republicans (who control Congress and the White House). Democrats were refusing to reopen the government until Republicans agreed to extend healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act a signature reform under Barack Obama that are beginning to expire. Without this, premiums will skyrocket for millions of Americans. Advertisement The breakaway group of eight have settled for a Republican promise to hold a vote on healthcare in the Senate next month. Policy-wise, that bill has a snowflakes chance in hell of success. But it will allow Democrats to say Republicans voted against healthcare, and use the footage in the midterm elections. The backdown has set off a firestorm among Democrats, just as they were celebrating their comeback after decisively winning gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey, and smaller contests nationwide. Democrats, including New Jersey governor-elect Mikie Sherrill (second from right), were celebrating days ago. Now theyre at war with each other. AP Progressives are directing their rage at the partys Senate leader, Chuck Schumer, a New York veteran who turns 75 this month and may face a primary challenge by young firebrand congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Ro Khanna, a high-profile Democratic congressman from California, became the first (but not last) to call for Schumer to go, making it clear it was not just about the shutdown. Advertisement This was the straw that broke the camels back, Khanna told the podcast Breaking Points. Youve had Chuck Schumer cheerleading the war in Iraq, youve had Chuck Schumer cheerleading a blank cheque to [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, youve had Chuck Schumer betraying us on the first shutdown. Khanna complained that Schumer failed to endorse the Democrats New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who went on to win the election, and was now not even willing to fight for healthcare benefits. Democrats congressman Don Beyer (left) loads a food box into a car at a food bank in Virginia last month. Bloomberg Michigan congresswoman Rashida Tlaib joined the pile-on, saying Schumer had failed to meet the moment and was out of touch with the American people. But it was President Donald Trump who cut the deepest, telling Fox News: [Schumer] thought he could break the Republicans, and the Republicans broke him. More than a few Democrats would have been nodding along. Advertisement On the other hand, the Democrats who did the deal said there was no other choice. The long shutdown was hurting real people for no apparent gain, they argued. Angus King, an independent senator who joined seven Democrats to support the deal, told MSNBC: Standing up to Donald Trump didnt work. It actually gave him more power. King, 81, was ridiculed on social media for this remark. But he has a point. What was the shutdown actually accomplishing? The base might like the idea of having the fight, but people lining up for food cant eat that. US President Donald Trump says he will support the bill to end the shutdown when it comes to his desk. Bloomberg Unfortunately for the Democrats, they have now exposed themselves to criticism on all fronts. Why did they bother mounting this resistance in the first place? What was it all for? Were they just trying to mobilise their voter base? Havent they vindicated Trumps claim that they would fold as soon as the elections were over? Mikie Sherrill, a former navy helicopter pilot and now the Democratic governor-elect of New Jersey, said the partys wins last week showed Americans want bold action to lower their costs, no matter how difficult. Advertisement Related Article Analysis US politics Why Trumps Mirabella moment is going viral Voters made it clear: the American people want leadership with a backbone, Sherrill said, accusing the Senate dealmakers of caving at a critical moment. But the only election that really matters in this case is the one that occurred in November 2024, when Americans re-elected Trump as president and gave Republicans control of both chambers. They did this knowing full well the partys position on healthcare. They did not give Republicans a super majority in the Senate. And polls suggest Americans blame Republicans for the shutdown more than Democrats. But that tolerance can fast wear thin. Perhaps the most charitable view of the Democrats strategy is that they did put healthcare in the spotlight, they did assert their limited power and they did raise the pressure on Trump and the Republicans to put a serious healthcare proposal on the table. Advertisement Now they can go back to what they arguably do best: fighting each other. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. (Reuters) -Nebius Group has signed a deal worth about $3 billion with Meta to provide the Facebook owner with AI infrastructure over a five-year period, the company said on Tuesday, after it reported a more than fourfold rise in third-quarter revenue. The company's shares, however, slipped more than 3% in early trading, after it posted a surge in capital spending and a quarterly loss of over $100 million, widening from $39.7 million last year. The stock has been on a strong run this year, with its market value rising fourfold to $27.61 billion, through last close. The agreement with Meta underscores the surging demand for high-performance computing power that is required to build and run artificial intelligence models. It is Nebius' second contract with a hyperscaler, following its $17.4 billion deal with Microsoft in September. Nebius said it would deploy the capacity needed for the Meta contract over the next three months, adding that the demand was so strong that the size of the contract had to be limited to the capacity that Nebius had available. Amsterdam-based Nebius is among a group of so-called neocloud companies that offer hardware and cloud capacity as services. Its core business involves providing Nvidia graphics processing units and AI cloud, helping companies expand their AI infrastructure. Nebius and its larger rival CoreWeave have seen strong demand this year as insatiable AI appetite has left even the biggest cloud companies, such as Microsoft and Amazon, with capacity constraints. Nebius reported a 355% jump in revenue to $146.1 million in the third quarter ended September. The company is targeting $7 billion to $9 billion in annualized run-rate revenue by the end of 2026, compared with its ARR of about $551 million at September-end. Its capital expenditures ballooned to $955.5 million in the September quarter, from $172.1 million a year earlier, as the company invests heavily in securing GPUs, land and power. (Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore) One caller said she was going about 90 miles an hour. altman face on burning dollar Sam Altmans mentor, the Silicon Valley investor Paul Graham, once gave his protege a vivid endorsement. You could parachute him into an island full of cannibals and come back in five years, and hed be the king, Graham said in 2008 in a blog about the qualities entrepreneurs need to raise money from investors. At the time, Altman was just 23 and running a now-defunct smartphone app. Despite his apparent qualities, neither he nor Graham could have predicted that 17 years later, Altman would be at the forefront of what would become perhaps the most expensive infrastructure project in history. OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company Altman runs that is behind ChatGPT, has convinced investors to part with tens of billions of dollars to fund plans to spend $1.4tn (1.1tn) on data centres and AI chips over the next eight years. The company hopes the exorbitant spending spree equivalent to the total outlay from Chinas colossal Belt and Road initiative will help deliver artificial general intelligence (AGI), the point at which AI surpasses humans. To date, it has agreed to purchase some 26 gigawatts of computing capacity 15 times Britains entire data centre footprint. AGI has been seen as the holy grail for decades, and whether it is possible is a hotly debated question in AI circles. But just as critical a question may be whether Altman, the 40-year-old poster child of the AI boom, can continue to convince the worlds richest investors and companies to part with unprecedented sums of cash to fund his vision. OpenAI was recently valued at $500bn, making it the worlds most valuable start-up, but the company is showing no signs of being able to finance its own operations. Last month, financial disclosures by Microsoft, which owns 27pc of OpenAI, suggested that the company had lost around $11.5bn in the third quarter of the year. By comparison, Altman said last week that the company was operating at an annual run rate its current revenue projected over a year of $20bn. While that is growing, its exorbitant costs computing resources needed to train and run ChatGPT are increasing faster. The company has said it does not expect to make a profit until 2029. Altmans recipe for success Seeing through the companys plans is likely to require all of Altmans skills. Bending the world to ones will is a trait many Silicon Valley executives are famous for. Steve Jobs enjoyed what author Walter Isaacson called a reality distortion field. Altman himself laid out what he saw as the recipe for success back in 2019. Self-belief is immensely powerful, he wrote on his website. The most successful people I know believe in themselves almost to the point of delusion. He shortened this confident mantra in a social media post last year, writing: You can just do things. By Rajesh Kumar Singh CHICAGO (Reuters) -The longest federal government shutdown disrupted tens of thousands of flights in recent days, and with it, U.S. carriers' optimistic expectations for the holiday quarter. Now, they are wrangling with how to minimize the ripple effects on travelers and their bottom line as the government looks set to reopen by the end of the week. Carriers expected steady demand this quarter after corporate and leisure bookings suffered in the first half of 2025 due to economic concerns and trade tensions. But growth in bookings for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday has halved to about 1% since the end of October, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium, reflecting trepidation among travelers as the shutdown lingered. The U.S. Senate approved a bill on Monday to restore funding for federal agencies, raising the prospect that the shutdown could end this week, with the Republican-controlled House of Representatives set to consider the measure in coming days. Industry officials caution that operational disruptions are likely to persist even after the government reopens. Air travel was relatively unaffected during the first few weeks of the shutdown, with a little over 4,000 cancellations recorded from October 1 to November 5, according to data from flight-tracking website FlightAware. However, that figure surged to over 8,000 flights canceled in the last four days alone, and the Federal Aviation Administration has mandated progressive flight cuts at 40 major airports. Widespread, unpredictable flight disruptions mean pilots and flight attendants are reaching their federally mandated duty-time limits before completing their routes. This, combined with aircraft and crew members being stranded at the wrong airports, is forcing airlines to rapidly find replacements to avoid further delays. To manage the situation, airlines including Delta and United have incentivized crew members at select bases to work additional trips, according to staff messages seen by Reuters. A United Airlines spokesperson confirmed that the company is utilizing premium pay offers more extensively this week for pilots and has also extended similar incentives to flight attendants at some of its bases. Carriers are also utilizing reserve crews personnel kept on standby for unforeseen circumstances. The depletion of this reserve pool could result in significant disruptions during the Thanksgiving holiday, one of the busiest times of the year for airlines, officials said. The long Thanksgiving weekend begins on November 27. Why buy when you can just lease? Thats been Apples philosophy in the great AI buildup. Case in point: The iPhone-maker is nearing a deal to pay roughly $1 billion per year to use Googles Gemini AI model to power an upgrade of Siri, due to launch sometime next spring, according to a Bloomberg report last week. Its just the latest example of Apple largely (and perhaps wisely) sitting out the great AI CapEx boom that has defined its Big Tech brethren so far this year. SUBSCRIBE: Receive more of our free The Daily Upside newsletter. READ ALSO: With AI Bases Loaded, Nvidia Bats a Quarterly Earnings Home Run and White House Touts $270 Billion Worth of Deals at Saudi-palooza Typical Gemini The Cupertino, California-based tech giant seems to be enjoying life on the periphery of what increasingly looks like a bubble. For example, at The Wall Street Journals Tech Live event last week, OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar said the company could rely on the federal government to backstop its trillion-dollar infrastructure expansion, a comment that triggered a steep selloff in AI-focused megacap tech companies. OpenAI quickly retracted it. Shares of AI chipmaker Nvidia plummeted nearly 10% from Monday through Friday, and shares of Meta fell over 5%, while Apple dropped less than 1%. It might be a sign that the companys comparatively ultra-low AI investments have made it a little less exposed to unfortunate extemporaneous statements of industry executives: In its fourth-quarter earnings report in October, Apple reported about $12.7 billion in capital expenditures through the entire 2025 fiscal year, up about 35% from the year earlier. Analysts expect that could increase to $14.3 billion in fiscal 2026, according to FactSet data. Meta last month said its capex reached $9.2 billion in the third quarter alone and projected full-year capex of around $70 billion. Google expects capital expenditures of around $90 billion this year, while analysts expect Microsofts fiscal 2026 capex to reach $100 billion. Just Go With The Free Flow: In lieu of massive data center investments, Apple is experiencing strong free cash flow, which is manifesting in strong share buybacks. In its last quarter, the company repurchased $20 billion worth of stock, and $91 billion overall in fiscal 2025, roughly on par with the year before. Meta, by comparison, completed just $3 billion in its most recent quarter, down from $8 billion in the same quarter a year ago. 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. A public meeting in Ballina last Wednesday heard calls for the urgent completion of a review of the engineering standard used to assess buildings with defective blocks containing pyrite. The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is currently reviewing IS 465, which outlines protocols that engineers must follow when assessing buildings damaged by defective concrete blocks. The review was prompted after research that confirmed internal sulphate attack (ISA) is the cause of crumbling concrete rather than mica. Meeting facilitator and Mayo Pyrite Action Group member Margaret Walsh, a Belmullet homeowner whose home has been affected, said the latest research shows that mica was a myth. It is accepted scientifically that pyrite and pyrrhotite causes ISA inside of blocks and that is what is causing the damage, she said. Mica is a myth and is not the primary cause of this. We have to put pressure on to ensure the current testing standard is removed and replaced. A spokesperson for the NSAI told the Western People it would be publishing an update on the review shortly. Ms Walsh said there are currently 2,870 applications for the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme nationally with around 220 homes remediated, which is around a 7% completion rate. She said there were 437 applications in Mayo with 95 homes rebuilt. However, she said the true number of affected homes was not yet clear. We cant know the true number when there is no scheme access for many homeowners. Damage threshold is a barrier and foundations are not tested or included. Noel Granahan, who lives in Co Sligo but is originally from Mayo, told the meeting that he recently got onto the scheme after great difficulty. The hassle to get engineers in to check your blocks, it would drive you around the bend, he said. We had always intended to sell our house and retire with the money but we cant now. Another attendee said she lived in an estate with 48 affected houses, three of which had been remediated thus far and there was genuine fear that the scheme, which has 12 years to run, will run out before all the impacted houses are rebuilt. Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway-Walsh said the scheme would have to be continued, adding that successive governments had failed to protect citizens in this crisis. Deputy Conway-Walsh was the only Mayo TD present, although apologies were sent from Paul Lawless, Keira Keogh, Dara Calleary and Alan Dillon. The only solution is 100% redress here. There is no compensation for the years of stress and time in which you have had to endure this, she said. We need legislation passed and it could be passed quickly. If it were really a priority, it would have been passed months ago. She said nobody should be locked out of the scheme and backed calls for an active committee consisting of affected homeowners, councillors and other stakeholders to be set up by Mayo County Council. Deputy Conway-Walsh added that a full public inquiry should be held for one of the greatest scandals of all time". Dean Kenny, a member of young Fine Gael, said he was attending the meeting to take notes and listen on behalf of Deputy Alan Dillon, who was unable to attend. Mr Kenny said Deputy Dillon was working with Minister for Housing James Browne to ensure that the Enhanced Defective Block Scheme passes through in a timely manner. Ms Walsh said the Mayo Pyrite Action Groups message to government was that they are sick of waiting for legislative amendments to extend timelines and to improve fairness. We need faster delivery, revised national standards and independent oversight of quarries," she said, before adding: Get on with it, were sick of these delays. Mr Walsh said she would like to see impacted homeowners became more visible and to raise their voices in protest at the current situation. By Jonathan McCambridge, PA Ulster Unionist MLA Steve Aiken has said it is appropriate that he attends the inauguration of Catherine Connolly as the new President. Mr Aiken will be the only elected unionist politician from Northern Ireland attending Tuesdays ceremony in Dublin Castle. Catherine Connolly will be inaugurated as Irelands president on Tuesday. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and DUP leader Gavin Robinson were invited but unable to attend due to Remembrance Day commitments. Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle ONeill will attend the ceremony. Mr Aiken, a former UUP leader, said: Ill be attending events in Dublin today to mark the inauguration of the new Irish president. As our closest neighbour its appropriate to show the Ulster Unionist Party approach to improving north/south and east/west relations. The MLA said the event would be a good opportunity to foster all-island relations. As a veteran, I will be wearing my poppy with pride and look forward to meeting fellow veterans while in Dublin Steve Aiken He added: Ive regularly attended events in the Republic of Ireland and will continue to do so, reflecting our partys belief in respectful engagement and constructive dialogue. The Irish president is the head of state of a democratic nation, and we will pay due respect to both the office and the individual, just as we would to the President of the United States, Ukraine, or any other democratic leader. As a veteran, I will be wearing my poppy with pride and look forward to meeting fellow veterans while in Dublin. I will continue to represent the unionist perspective with clarity and conviction. As global markets navigate a challenging landscape marked by concerns over AI valuations and economic uncertainties, Asian markets have shown resilience, with China's indices experiencing gains amid easing trade tensions. In this context, growth companies with high insider ownership can offer unique insights into potential opportunities, as they often signal strong confidence from those closest to the business. Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In Asia Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Streamax Technology (SZSE:002970) 32.5% 33.1% Sineng ElectricLtd (SZSE:300827) 36% 30% Seers Technology (KOSDAQ:A458870) 33.9% 84.6% Novoray (SHSE:688300) 23.6% 31.4% Loadstar Capital K.K (TSE:3482) 31% 23.6% Laopu Gold (SEHK:6181) 34.8% 34.3% J&V Energy Technology (TWSE:6869) 17.5% 24.9% Gold Circuit Electronics (TWSE:2368) 31.4% 35.2% Fulin Precision (SZSE:300432) 11.6% 55.2% Ascentage Pharma Group International (SEHK:6855) 12.8% 56.2% Click here to see the full list of 625 stocks from our Fast Growing Asian Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. We'll examine a selection from our screener results. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: China XLX Fertiliser Ltd. is an investment holding company focused on the development, manufacture, and sale of urea in Mainland China and internationally, with a market cap of HK$11.37 billion. Operations: The company's revenue is derived from several segments, including CN8.45 billion from urea, CN7.02 billion from compound fertiliser, CN5.98 billion from methanol, CN1.19 billion from DMF, and CN928.22 million from melamine sales. Insider Ownership: 17.6% China XLX Fertiliser exhibits strong insider ownership, with recent buyback transactions potentially enhancing earnings per share. The company trades at a favorable price-to-earnings ratio of 7.6x compared to the Hong Kong market average of 12.6x, despite a slower revenue growth forecast of 14.6% annually. Earnings are expected to grow significantly at 27.1% per year, outpacing the market's growth rate, although debt coverage by operating cash flow remains a concern. SEHK:1866 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Nov 2025 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Zhejiang Zhongxin Fluoride Materials Co., Ltd specializes in the R&D, production, and sale of fluorine-based fine chemicals in China with a market cap of CN8.83 billion. Investors are eagerly awaiting Nvidia's Q3 earnings that will be released on November 19. The companys results will, to some degree, reflect the state of the AI industry as a whole, as Nvidia is at the center of it. This is putting a lot of pressure on the company as AI skepticism is growing. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang doesn't think AI is a bubble like the dot-com one. Many experts believe it is a bubble, but some, such as Jeff Bezos, think it is more similar to the biotech bubble in the 90s. The companys success in the AI space can easily be measured by its secured orders, and Huang stated that the company has already secured half a trillion dollars in orders for its AI chips over the next five quarters, according to The Financial Times. While there is no doubt that Nvidia is profitable and that the hardware it produces serves its purpose, the software side of the AI (bubble) is quite different. If that side doesn't become profitable, then we certainly aren't in a "good bubble." To determine whether that's the case, we need to consider OpenAI as the largest AI player in the software space. It is currently unprofitable, and the company has committed to spending $1.4 trillion building computational resources over the next eight years, as reported by Reuters. OpenAI is a private company that does not release its earnings reports; however, it is fortunate that Microsoft has invested in it (as it must report to the SEC). A securities filing from Microsoft suggests that OpenAI lost more than $12 billion in the third quarter. OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar recently proposed that government involvement would help the company take on more debt. But David Sacks, the White House artificial intelligence and crypto czar, said there will be no federal bailout for AI. Bank of America analyst Vivek Arya and his team addressed this AI skepticism in their latest research note. Huang said the company has already secured half a trillion dollars in orders for its AI chips over the next five quarters.Image source: Chih/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bank of America calls AI skepticism healthy but overstated in near- and medium-term Analysts said the pervasive skepticism regarding AI capital expenditures is understandable but likely a contrarian positive, helping to minimize overcrowding. "The common argument that 'AI stocks must be overvalued because OpenAI cannot justify $1.4 trillion of long-term commitments' is a lazy/cherry-picked argument in our view," they wrote. The team noted that OpenAI's spending has yet to be put in place and will be constrained by practical limitations such as access to power and data center space. Public hyperscalers upgrading their infrastructure are doing the majority of AI spending, and they are profitable. Inside the cookbook of genetic recipes Caitlin Wheeler is a Novartis Next Generation Scientist whose PhD zooms in on confounding questions about autoimmune liver disease. Do you have a cookbook in your family thats been handed down from your Grandma to your Mom, to you? Most of us do. To understand genetics, think of that cookbook as the genome. Its inherited from your family and holds all your DNA. Within that cookbook (genome), theres different recipes one for butter chicken, another for cake those are the transcriptome. Ribonucelic acid (RNA) holds the specific instructions: two tablespoons of sugar, one teaspoon of salt. That gets baked into the cake, which is the protein, and which carries out all the processes in your body. Im focusing on the RNA and looking at these recipes, says Caitlin Wheeler, after that very digestible introduction to Genetics 101. Mastering pharmacokinetics Caitlin is a PhD student, jointly at the Division of Human Genetics, Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC), and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). She did her Masters in Genomic Medicine at Wits University her introduction to precision medicine and clinical research. Using data from the WDGMC paediatric living liver donor transplants, her focus was on researching pharmacogenomics and pharmacokinetics the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs. In 2018, the WDGMC did the worlds first living donor liver transplant from an HIV positive mother to her HIV negative child. This is relevant because in living donor liver transplants, a portion of the liver is taken from the donor and transplanted into the patient. The donor genetics are therefore also transplanted and become those of the child, whose diseased liver is removed at the time of the transplant, says Caitlin. Whats important then is that we can genotype the donor instead of putting the paediatric recipient through additional blood tests. After a liver transplant, its important to control the immune system, which is a see-saw balance, Caitlin says: If you give too little of the drug, the patient is at risk of rejection, you give too much, the patient gets sick from toxicity. The clinicians at WDGMC noticed that some children showed lower blood levels of a key immunosuppressant drug that prevents organ rejection. Understanding why became the focus of Caitlins Masters research in pharmacogenomics. Her study showed there were (inherited) genetic causes for these low drug concentration levels. From that study, we saw that the genotype for a specific enzyme, called CYP3A5, directly influences the response in paediatric patients to an important immunosuppression medication. All the black African patients in our cohort had the genotype which corresponds to a need for an increased dosageit predisposes them to needing more of the drug. This research was published in the South African Medical Journal with Caitlin as first author. But what really stuck with me was the why?, says Caitlin. So began her PhD odyssey to find out. Autoimmune hepatitis For my PhD, the focus is on a rare autoimmune liver disease called autoimmune hepatitis [AIH], says Caitlin. She chose to focus on AIH because doctors at WDGMC say its a real problem in their clinic. Were seeing patients who come in, and they have advanced progression of disease, and were seeing that there is a younger age, as well as a female predominance, she says. We dont understand why autoimmune hepatitis happens. We know its the immune system attacking itself and its specific in the liver, but not the specifics of why and how it happens. People with AIH may live normal, regular lives no alcohol or drug abuse, no major illnesses but then one day they wake up a bit tired, that turns into fatigue, and then other symptoms like a dry mouth and jaundice emerge. Then, suddenly, they feel really ill, and when their doctor refers them for liver enzyme tests and after a liver biopsy, autoimmune liver disease can be diagnosed. Zooming in on single cell sequencing Returning to the cookbook analogy, Caitlin explains that her PhD focuses on the individual recipes (the RNA). Sometimes what might happen is theres two spoons of sugar, two spoons of salt, then something goes wrong in the recipe, and thats what might cause disease, she says. Thats the important thing about zooming in: you have the liver, then you have the cell, and then within the cell, youre looking at the RNA and gene expression. This scientific methodology is called single cell RNA sequencing which entails separating out cells into cell type to see how many different cells there are and what might be going wrong in them. DNA is the double helix. What Im studying, the RNA with the gene expression, is a single strand, she says. Her PhD is an investigation into the molecular markers that drive this autoimmune liver disease especially young African women. African populations are largely underrepresented in global research especially in the omics space. Omics is term encompassing several different technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, etc. The omics all have a special superpower, explains Caitlin. For example, genomics looks at large amounts of genetic data and can further link this to health trends. A study like Caitlins PhD has likely not been done in Africa before, and research is limited. To undertake single cell sequencing, she needs skills that are not readily available in South Africa. Thats why pharma giant, Novartis, selected her as one of its Next Generation Scientists. Next Generation Scientist Caitlin returned from the three-month training programme at the Novartis campus in Basel, Switzerland, in September 2025. I was surrounded by experts in single-cell data science, and I gained hands-on experience with large-scale transcriptomic data and building single-cell atlases, she says. Single-cell atlases provide insight into cellular diversity across different datasets, technologies, and tissue types. These atlases guide researchers towards understanding disease and discovering high-dimensional drug targets. She will implement this scarce skill set by contributing to local research projects that aim to map cellular profiles in disease contexts relevant to our population, and specifically to her PhD research on autoimmune liver disease. Around 70%-80% of its output is sent to China for processing, testing and packaging a dependence that has left car makers exposed to Beijing's control over supply chains. Some vehicles contain hundreds of them, and Nexperia supplies chips to major carmakers around the world. Nexperia makes so called "legacy" or "building block" semiconductors that are vital for everything from power-steering and airbags to central locking systems. These are not cutting-edge chips, but they are still indispensable. At the centre of the dispute is a critical part of the world's chip ecosystem. Nexperia's parent company Wingtech Technology did not respond to a BBC request for comment. "China welcomes the EU to continue exerting its influence to urge the Netherlands to correct its erroneous practices as soon as possible," the commerce ministry said in a statement on Sunday. But Chinese authorities still want The Hague to revoke its action over Nexperia. The Chinese government has now granted exemptions to export controls on the chips for civilian applications but has not clarified what it considers those to be. The disruption caused to the motor industry highlighted a major weakness in the global supply chain of chips vital to car production and opened yet another front in the rivalry between the US and China. It imposed export controls and halted deliveries of Nexperia chips from its Chinese facilities to Europe, while shipments of key supplies needed to make chips in China were frozen. The ministry has told the BBC the measure, which is effective for up to a year, does not amount to a takeover of the firm and that the government has no legal control over Nexperia as a result of the action. The move allows the Dutch government to "block decisions if they are harmful or potentially harmful to the company's production" or to "the future of Nexperia as a Dutch and European company, and the preservation of this crucial player in Europe's value chain," the statement said. In a statement to the Netherlands parliament, the minister of economic affairs cited "serious governance shortcomings and actions within Nexperia" that "posed a threat". The extraordinary move set off a chain of events that sent shock waves through the global motor industry already battered by US tariffs and China's curbs on rare earth exports. In late September, the Dutch government invoked a Cold War-era emergency law that saw it take effective control of a Chinese-owned chip company with operations in the country. Story Continues "Car markers blindsided by the Nexperia mess should be hiring new supply chain management executives, as they clearly learned nothing from Covid... and excessive reliance on [Chinese] supply chains," China watcher Bill Bishop wrote in his Sinocism newsletter. It underscores China's ability to choke off global supply chains - just as it did with rare earth exports. Similar to critical minerals, China can hold the West hostage with control of a company as inconspicuously important as Nexperia, according to Bill Echikson, Senior Fellow for the Tech Policy Program at Center for European Policy Analysis. This is as much about digital sovereignty as it is about semiconductors, he adds. Beijing faces a dilemma though. It has been pitching itself as a reliable partner in the face of Trump's tariff chaos, but cutting off supplies of critical products risks undermining that message. "The narrative was [that, since] Trump came in and caused chaos for everybody, maybe there's an opportunity for China and the EU to work more closely together," said Tom Nunlist, Associate Director at Trivium China. That didn't go so well, he adds, with the rare earths shortage showing how trapped Europe and other trading partners are between the US and China, and their ability to upend global trade, according to Mr Nunlist. National security A Dutch court also suspended Nexperia's former chief executive Zhang Xuezhen - who founded its Chinese owner Wingtech - citing mismanagement. Wingtech's shares trade on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and it is partially owned by the Chinese government. It was placed on an official US watch list in 2024, and the so-called entity list was expanded this September to include any firm that is at least 50% owned by companies already on the list. According to court papers released by the Dutch authorities last month in relation to the government's action over Nexperia, US authorities had raised concerns about the boss of the chip company earlier in the year. The documents contained evidence that Dutch authorities had told Nexperia it may be able to secure an exemption from the US list if there was a change in leadership because the "Chinese owner is problematic". "It is almost certain that the CEO will have to be replaced to qualify for the exemption from the entity list," authorities told Nexperia, according to the documents. Nexperia makes what are known as legacy chips in Europe and Asia [Reuters] The Hague denies its actions were a response to pressure from any foreign country but said there was evidence to suggest the company's chief executive was transferring its production capacity, financial resources and intellectual property to China. Wingtech did not respond to a request for comment on this. "I think Nexperia just underlines what is already true, and makes it truer," said Mr Nunlist from Trivium China. "Western countries don't want Chinese investors in these types of strategic manufacturing assets, even legacy chips." Car makers on edge Experts say the incident is an example of the very real impact of undoing business and economic ties between the West and China. "This is what decoupling actually looks like at the corporate level, and it's a huge mess," said Mr Nunlist. European vehicle industry suppliers have sought clarity on the exemptions that will be applied, and have said it creates extra bureaucracy at an already uncertain time. In an extraordinary move, the Dutch government invoked a little used law over Nexperia [Getty Images] It is possible to switch suppliers, say experts, as rivals chip makers like Infineon, NXP and Texas make similar chips. But supply chains are not precisely planned, they evolve organically and these components are often tailor made for autos, Mr Nunlist of Trivium China said. "Companies can't move on a dime; there are incentives to keep supply chains in place and it's extremely complicated and costly to change things." Fragile truce The incident comes as US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping agreed to a one-year trade truce - a deal which suspended some export bans and rare earth restrictions. But the Nexperia dispute suggests that this newly-minted agreement may be a fragile one. The US is not going to blow up the deal though, according to Mr Nunlist, and Europe doesn't have much leverage especially in this game of supply chain weaponisation. "This is really politically tricky for both sides, and for Europe because it doesn't want this to end with chip capacity leaving Europe," Mr Nunlist said. "My understanding is that leaders in Brussels were unaware that the Dutch government was planning to make this move and were unhappy with it." China and the EU remain locked in urgent negotiations to lift export controls on both chips and rare earths. Talks are continuing with China on finding a "lasting, stable, predictable framework that ensure the full restoration of semiconductor flows", EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic said in a post on X over the weekend. But the episode has exposed vulnerabilities in key supply chains - and ties between China and the Netherlands, and in turn the European Union, are likely to remain under pressure until the discord over Nexperia's ownership and operations is fully resolved. Update 13 November 2025: This article has been updated to reflect the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs' contention that the measure in relation to Nexperia does not amount to a takeover of the company. When No means No [Column] The Centre for Applied Legal Studies is challenging sexual offences legislation. In 2021, the High Court in Grahamstown handed down a deeply controversial ruling in a case involving Loyiso Coko, who was accused of raping his intimate partner. Although the complainant clearly and repeatedly communicated her refusal, both before and during the sexual encounter, the High Court accepted Cokos argument that he had genuinely believed she had consented and it acquitted him on that basis. Mistaken consent This decision came despite the complainants testimony that she cried during the incident, asked him to stop and expressed her non-consent throughout. Yet, the court held that Coko lacked the necessary intent to commit rape because he was allegedly mistaken about the presence of consent. The High Court gave troubling reasons for why it believed the accused might have been genuinely confused about whether there was consent such as the complainant was an equally active participant, she was not merely passive - she kissed the appellant back, she held him she watched him take off his clothes without objecting, she knew he was erect, she did not object to the oral sex. Fortunately, the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned the Grahamstown High Courts decision, stating that the High Court found, on insubstantial grounds, that TS was an active participant and that her cries and groans served as an unequivocal indication that she disapproved of the respondent's conduct. Despite this, the respondent was unfazed and continued penetrating her. Subjective beliefs of consent This case illustrates a technical legal principle that imposes a significant burden on prosecutors (who bear the onus of establishing proof beyond a reasonable doubt) which can lead to failures in securing the conviction of rapists. Claiming that you mistakenly believed that the complainant had consented to a sexual encounter is a defence in South African criminal law. This defence emerges because of the elements required for the crime of rape. The prosecution must prove that the accused acted intentionally and knowingly in committing the crime. This duty also includes proving that the accused knew that the complainant did not consent to the act. However, given that we currently include consent as an element of the crime of rape, the accused can be acquitted by raising the defence that they were mistaken in believing consent was present. One way to change the law is to remove the existence of the mistaken belief in consent defence by doing away with consent as a definitional element of rape. This approach will be suggested to the Constitutional Court by Wits Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) in the case of Embrace NPC v Minister of Police scheduled to be heard in the apex court later this year. In the Embrace case, the Centre argues that due to the current framing of rape and many other sexual offences with consent as a requirement, there is an unfairly high burden on prosecutors to prove that the accused knew consent was absent and proceeded regardless. This burden then shifts to the complainant, who is ordinarily the only person who was present with the accused, to show in her testimony how much she communicated her lack of consent to the accused so he would not be mistaken about its presence. Unfair burden of proof on victims Most importantly, the Centre highlights how the law is inherently unequal regarding rape and other sexual offences which disproportionately affect women. Rape is one of the few sets of offences which require consent as an element of the crime rather than leaving it as a defence which the accused can rely upon. For example, assault is defined as the unlawful and intentional act or threat of an act that impairs an individual's bodily integrity. Assault, like rape, is a violation of various rights of an individual including dignity and the right to be free from all forms of violence. Yet, in assault cases, the prosecutor does not need to prove that the accused knew there was a lack of consent. Instead, the accused raises this as a defence, and subsequently, the accused has the burden of proving there was consent. Reforming SAs sexual offences law Under section 9 of the Constitution, everyone has the right to equality before the law, yet in criminal offences, which have women as the predominant victim, the prosecutors and consequently the victim have an extra burden of proof not required to be proven in other violent offences. If successful in its argument, the Centre will positively affect change in sexual offences law to represent a fairer process for survivors. Dr Sheena Swemmer works at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies at Wits, where she is Head of the Gender Justice Programme. She is both a researcher and a practising human rights attorney. Her research focuses on violence against women, children, animals, and the law. As contactless payments become an integral part of everyday life, a troubling scam dubbed ghost tapping is becoming known for exploiting the very convenience it promises. Must Read Ghost tapping is a fraud method that targets the tap-to-pay feature found on cards and mobile wallets. It involves using near-field communication (NFC) technology, which enables a card or phone to exchange data with a payment terminal at very close range. Better Business Bureau (BBB), a non-profit organization that helps consumers find out if a business is trustworthy, recently warned about this kind of fraud saying it had received several reports of it [1]. One person reported their experience to BBB Scam Tracker: An individual is going door to door in [location redacted] claiming to be selling chocolate on behalf of [redacted] to support special needs students. He says that he can only accept tap-to-pay to get people to pay with a card. He then charges large amounts to the card without the cardholder being able to see the amount. He got my mother for $537... Another victim for $1100 ... He changes neighborhoods frequently to avoid getting caught. How does ghost tapping happen? Unlike older scams that required a physical swipe or a tampered reader, ghost tapping can proceed without a card ever leaving its owners wallet or phone. Scammers have several approaches: They may bump or brush past someone in a crowded location with a hidden reader, triggering a payment from the victims tap-enabled device. They might pose as vendors, charity collectors, or door-to-door sellers and insist on tap payments then charge far more than the buyer expects. In more sophisticated schemes, scammers trick victims into entering card details into phishing apps or links, add them to mobile wallets they control, and then make unauthorized tap-to-pay purchases even without the physical card present. In Missouri, local station KY3 News reported on a case of a scammer walking around with a tap machine and approaching people to read their cards through their purse or wallet. One person claimed to lose $100 [2]. Trending: Are you richer than you think? Here are 5 clear signs youre punching way above the average Americans wealth The rising risk due to contactless payments In 2023, the U.S. had approximately 17.9 billion contactless transactions and about 300 million contactless-enabled cards in circulation, according to Clearly Payments [3]. Fraudsters manipulate the contactless payment features that consumers favor to get information. Dr. James D. Watson [Photo by Miriam Chua, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory / CC BY 4.0 James Dewey Watson, whose co-discovery of the twisted-ladder structure of DNA in 1953 helped launch a revolution in biology and medicine, died Thursday at age 97. He died in hospice care after a brief illness, according to his son Duncan Watson. Watson shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 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. That breakthrough, made when Watson was just 24 years old, instantly suggested how hereditary information is stored and how cells duplicate their DNA when they divide. The discovery stands as one of the three most significant achievements in the history of biology, alongside Charles Darwins theory of evolution through natural selection and Gregor Mendels fundamental laws of genetics. It opened the door to developments such as genetic engineering, treating disease by inserting genes into patients, identifying human remains and criminal suspects from DNA samples, and tracing human ancestry. The double helix became an instantly recognized symbol of science itself. This computer generated image shows the structure of DNA and the four building blocks of the double helix, adenine [A], cytosine [C], guanine [G] and thymine [T]. [Photo: Zephyris] This monumental scientific achievement occurred within a context of intense international collaboration and rapid technical advancement. The discovery did not emerge from isolated genius but from a collective scientific effort spanning decades and continents. And Watsons later years were marked by his embrace of discredited racial theories, creating a deeply contradictory legacy that reflects broader tensions within capitalist society between scientific progress and social backwardness. Following the discovery, Watson spent two years at the California Institute of Technology before joining the faculty at Harvard in 1955. He created the universitys program for molecular biology and remained there until 1976. He became director of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island in 1968, transforming it into a center for cancer research and raising enormous funds. From 1988 to 1992, Watson directed the Human Genome Project, the federal effort to map human DNA. At the same time, Watsons racist views often obfuscated his scientific achievements. In 2007, the Sunday Times magazine of London quoted him 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 added that while he hoped everyone was equal, people who have to deal with Black employees find this is not true. In a 2019 television documentary, Watson was asked if his views had changed. He replied, No, not at all. In the 1990s, Watson became a proponent of The Bell Curve, the 1994 book by Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray that argued for a supposedly genetics-based theory of intelligence, claiming African Americans had less of it. Watson spoke often with co-author Charles Murray and embraced the books arguments despite their being largely discredited by the scientific community. Watson attempted to justify these views through appeals to genetics, claiming that differences in DNA encoded certain deficiencies into specific races of human beings. He regarded DNA as the ultimate determinant of human capabilities, immeasurably more powerful than social and environmental forces. It is thus all the more ironic that Watsons own work provided the scientific basis for undermining his own views. Numerous geneticists, including renowned figures like Richard Lewontin, have shown that there is very little genetic difference between races and that humans are one of the most homogeneous species in existence. In other words, the development of the ability to think and understand the world is not bound up in the pseudo-scientific conception of race but is a social question, determined by how much a given society has advanced and developed. The contradiction that existed within Watson is representative of capitalism as a whole. Great scientific discoveries can be made and have been made in the 20th and 21st centuries, of which the discovery of the double helix structure stands at the height. But purging human civilization of racism, sexism and all forms of chauvinism and nationalism is not a question that will be solved by science alone. It is a social and political question. The only solution is a political struggle against these reactionary ideologies, which means a turn by the working class to an understanding of its own history and objective laws of development and an uncompromising struggle against capitalism and for socialism. Watson was born in Chicago on April 6, 1928, into what he called a family that believed in books, birds and the Democratic Party. He entered the University of Chicago on scholarship at age 15, graduated at 19, and earned his doctorate in zoology at Indiana University three years later. He became interested in genetics at 17 when he read a book saying genes were the essence of life. According to one of his recollections, I thought, Well, if the gene is the essence of life, I want to know more about it. And that was fateful because, otherwise, I would have spent my life studying birds and no one would have heard of me. James D. Watson (center) and Francis Crick (right) shake hands with Maclyn McCarty. Date unknown. [Photo by Marjorie McCarty / CC BY 2.5 It was in the fall of 1951 that Watson arrived at Britains Cambridge University, where he met Crick. A Watson biographer noted, It was intellectual love at first sight. Crick wrote that the partnership thrived in part because the two men shared a certain youthful arrogance, a ruthlessness, and an impatience with sloppy thinking. The discovery of DNAs structure did not emerge from nowhere but from a collective scientific effort spanning decades. The milestones included Matthias Jakob Schleiden and Theodor Schwanns 1838 discovery of the cell as the fundamental unit of life, Darwins 1859 publication of On the Origin of Species, Mendels 1865 development of the foundations of modern genetics, T.H. Morgans 1910 determination that genes are organized along chromosomes, and the 1942 establishment that genes are made of DNA. In the late 1940s, Edwin Chargaff discovered that in DNA samples the amount of adenine equaled the amount of thymine and the amount of guanine equaled the amount of cytosine, strongly suggesting the pairing of nucleobases that would prove central to the double helix structure. The immediate context of Watson and Cricks work was even more collaborative. Linus Paulings group at the California Institute of Technology was within weeks of the discovery themselves but was sidelined by adhering to a triple-helix model, which Watson and Crick also considered for a time. Pauling had recently made a breakthrough discovery in 1951 when he identified the alpha helix structure in proteins, a major architectural scaffold that demonstrated the power of helical structures in biological molecules. The idea of helical structure was very much in the air. The question was the details. Rosalind Franklin in her lab in 1955. [Photo: MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology] The distinguishing of models depended on subtle chemical work rapidly evolving in many laboratories and on advances in x-ray crystallography, a tool to map out molecular structure. Watson and Crick had access to the best then-existing x-ray diffraction image of crystallized DNA, made by Rosalind Franklin and her graduate student Raymond Gosling. The Chargaff rules on base pairing provided crucial constraints. An important paper by Edward Ronwin proposed a solution to the problem posed in assembling the four known nucleobases in DNA because of their different sizes. The paper proposed the wrong structure, but gave an impetus to examining other variations and inversions, one of which turned out to be the correct one. The overall development of technique on several fronts made it inevitable that some team would uncover the structure of DNA within the year. Crick had given Watson a copy of Paulings 1930 work The Nature of the Chemical Bond for Christmas in 1951, thinking it would illuminate the problems they faced. Pauling himself might have made the discovery had the State Department not refused to renew his passport to allow him to travel to a British meeting on May 1, 1952, at which he was to be guest of honor and would have been able to speak with the x-ray crystallographers and perhaps see Franklins work. Paulings opposition to nuclear weaponry, as a man of the left, led the government to declare that his proposed travel would not be in the best interests of the United States. He was told his anti-Communist statements had not been sufficiently strong. Public protest secured him limited travel ten weeks later, and he traveled to England. But he missed the May meeting and did not see the crystallographers. The dead-ends in DNA research, as he saw it, and not even knowing of the new higher-resolution x-ray images, had refocused his work on proteins. He would receive full passport renewal only in 1954 after winning the Chemistry Nobel Prize. Pauling would later become the sole recipient of the 1962 Nobel Peace Prize, the only person to win two full, unshared Nobel Prizes. Watson and Crick built models to work out the molecules structure. One Saturday morning in 1953, after arranging bits of cardboard he had cut to represent fragments of the DNA molecule, Watson realized how these pieces could form the rungs of a double helix ladder. According to accounts of the time, his first reaction was, Its so beautiful. The pairing of purines with pyrimidines ensured a constant width for the DNA molecule, with adenine pairing with thymine through two hydrogen bonds and guanine pairing with cytosine through three. Watson was later criticized for a disparaging portrayal of Franklin in his 1968 bestselling book The Double Helix, and today she is considered an example of a female scientist whose contributions were overlooked. Franklin died in 1958, four years before the Nobel Prize was awarded. Both of Watsons other Nobel co-winners, Crick and Wilkins, died in 2004. The discovery of DNAs structure helped set the stage for the Human Genome Project, which Watson championed. The publication of the rough draft of the human genome sequence in 2000 was an outstanding scientific achievement, the outcome of an international collaboration spanning a decade and involving hundreds of scientists using advanced sequencing machines and powerful computers. By 2003, researchers had mapped 2.9 billion base pairs to an accuracy of 99.99 percent. To date, 1,400 disease genes have been identified, enabling the production of targeted drugs and treatments. More than 350 new drugs derived from the research are currently undergoing tests. The project has produced medical breakthroughs and has potential to cure genetic diseases and offer deeper insights into human development and evolution. The project demonstrated the potential of cooperative scientific endeavor organized on an international basis. It was finished two and a half years ahead of schedule and for considerably less than the estimated budget. The whole project stands as a refutation of the notion that private profit and competition are the only driving forces for scientific research. The discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, and subsequent projects such as the Human Genome Project, represents a critical step in demystifying the evolution of the human species and the workings of the human body and confirms the ability of mankind to unravel the most complex scientific mysteries. This gain in human self-understanding stands in contrast to the irrationality of the present capitalist order, which is incapable of resolving the most basic social problemspoverty, disease, inequality, genocide, dictatorship and war. Teachers and supporters march in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2018 [Photo: North Carolina Association of Educators] An anonymous call for a statewide teacher call-out circulated across North Carolina social media groups in late October, urging educators to take November 7 and 10 as days of protest against stagnant pay, rising insurance costs and the legislatures failure to pass a state budget. The call has resonated deeply with teachers who have watched their real incomes shrink for years. Nearly 3,000 educators responded to a survey launched by Jennilee Lloyd, a third-grade teacher in Wake County, showing widespread support for coordinated absences. Since July 1, the Republican-controlled General Assembly has failed to pass the 202526 budget, leaving school employees under last years pay scale while the State Health Plan raises premiums. Speaking to local news outlets, Lloyd said, Were very, very tired. Were not getting raises, and in addition to that, were paying additional money in our insurance premiums. Most of us are taking a pay cut. The crisis in North Carolinas schools reflects a broader national assault on public education under the Trump administration, which has cut federal funding while diverting billions toward vouchers and charter programs. Combined with the states budget deadlock, these policies have deepened the underfunding of public schools, forcing educators to bear the cost of austerity. Average teacher pay in North Carolina now ranks 47th nationally, according to the National Education Association. A new teacher earns about $41,000 a year, while those with 25 years of service make little more than $60,000. Many long-serving teachers have gone more than two years without a raise. The State Health Plan has effectively turned stagnant wages into pay cuts by increasing premiums for most employees. In Wake County, monthly employee-only coverage will rise from $40 to as high as $94, on top of higher deductibles and prescription costs. The districts benefits director warned that without new raises, most teachers will see a net loss in take-home pay. On Friday, November 7, schools across the state reported elevated absences. Wake County, the largest district, said several schools experienced higher-than-normal call-outs, though overall disruption was limited. Other districts declined to release figures. Wake County officials were bracing for staffing shortages on Monday, November 10, and some educators are talking about adding a call-out on November 17 that could involve larger numbers due to more time to plan. These protests were preceded by an October 22 sick-out in Union County, where hundreds of teachers demanded a $2,000 local pay supplement long promised by county commissioners. The board ultimately approved only half that amount on November 6, preventing a second planned walkout for November 7. Together, these actions reveal educators growing determination to resist eroding pay and conditions and an administration committed to defunding public education and dismantling social programs. Predictably, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Association of Educators (CMAE) issued a statement on November 4 disavowing the call-out. Our power as educators comes from unity, strategy, and collective action, not isolated walkouts, declared CMAE President Amanda Thompson. The group urged members to focus on before-school walk-ins, letter-writing campaigns, and spring lobbying when the legislature reconvenes. This appeal for strategic effort comes four months after the budget deadline passed, during which time CMAE officials did nothing to organize statewide action while teachers worked without raises. Only when rank-and-file educators began circulating the anonymous call-out did it break its silence to warn teachers not to act. Instead of mobilizing educators in a sustained fight, the CMAE promotes token walk-ins and appeals to legislators. In practice, this means telling teachers to wait while their conditions continue to deteriorate. The same union bureaucracies have presided over a decade of wage stagnation, growing workloads, and the steady privatization of public education. Their refusal to act exposes not caution but political alignment with both big-business parties and their bipartisan program of austerity. The events in North Carolina this week recall the 2018 wildcat teacher strikes that erupted in West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arizona, North Carolina and other states in opposition to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and National Education Association (NEA) bureaucracies. The AFT and NEA officials opposed these strikes from the beginning, sought to delay and limit them, and with the support of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and other pseudo-left supporters of the union apparatus and Democratic Party, finally shut them down. Teachers were told to remember in November and vote for Democrats while their demands for funding and raises went unmet. The same logic operates today. The CMAE and NCAEand their parent organizations in the AFT and NEApreach unity but define it as compliance. They act not as instruments of workers struggle but as mechanisms for defusing opposition and channeling it into safe political forms. The November call-out expresses the deep anger of educators who have seen their living standards collapse while politicians and union officials trade empty promises. To move forward, teachers must transform that anger into action by organizing independent rank-and-file committees in every school and district. These committees should unite teachers, bus drivers, custodians and parents across counties and states to demand full funding for public education and the provision of universal, publicly funded healthcare as a social right, not a private burden tied to employment. Only the independent, democratic mobilization of the working class can end the subordination of every social right, education, healthcare and housing, to the profit demands of capitalism, and build a society organized on the basis of human need rather than private wealth. Join the fight to build the Educators Rank-and-File Committees Network by filling out the form below. One of the most powerful typhoons of the year made landfall in the Philippines on Sunday evening, the second major storm to strike the country in the past week. The two typhoons combined have caused hundreds of deaths as well as widespread evacuations and destruction. A woman and child cross a flooded street due to Typhoon Fung-wong and high tide on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, in Navotas, Philippines. [AP Photo/Aaron Favila] The most recent storm, named Typhoon Fung-wong (or Uwan in the Philippines) was the 21st for the year. It passed over the northern island of Luzon, the countrys most populous. Winds reached speeds of 185 kilometers per hour with gusts of up to 230 kilometers per hour. The Philippine government expected 30 million people to be affected by the storm. Typhoon Fung-wong has been described as a super typhoon. Approximately 1.4 million have been displaced and floods and landslides have left at least three million residents without power. At least one thousand homes have been damaged and eight people killed. After passing over the island, the storm turned north and is now heading towards Taiwan. Ivy Villamor, a resident of Sinbanali near the capital of Manila, told the New York Times, We did not want to be swept to sea, so we rushed here [to an evacuation center] The winds howled, and the rains were nonstop. Like it was the end of the world. She described the sounds as probably louder than an airplane. She had evacuated to an elementary school in the city of Bacoor. Only a few days earlier on November 4, another major storm, Typhoon Kalmaegi (or Tino locally), struck central Philippines around Cebu Island. Sustained winds reached 183 kilometers per hour while gusts hit as high as 220 kilometers per hour. At least 224 people were killed during that storm, many drowning in floods. Another 109 people remain missing. More than 500 have also been injured. The storm came after the region was already devastated by a September 30 earthquake that killed 79 people and displaced thousands more. The powerful storm then struck central Vietnam, killing five more people, as well as impacting Laos, Cambodia, and Northeastern Thailand. Even before Kalmaegi hit Vietnam, the countrys central region had experienced record rainfall, resulting in the deaths of 50 people last week. In Bach Ma in Hue, 1,739 millimeters of rain fell in a 24-hour period on October 2627, the second-highest amount on record globally and equal to the average rainfall that tropical Vietnam receives in an entire year. The intensity of such storms is increasing and come at an unusual time of the year, with typhoon season running from July through October. In the Philippines, Kalmaegi brought about a months worth of rain in the span of 24 hours. Mely Saberon, a resident of Talisay City on Cebu, told the BBC, We dont have any home anymore. We werent able to salvage anything from our house. She continued, We didnt expect the surge of rain and wind. Weve experienced many typhoons before, but this one was different. Flooding in the Philippines has also been particularly bad this year. In August, torrential rain in Quezon City surpassed 121 millimeters in a one-hour period, setting a record-high for the city. The devastation caused by these typhoons and heavy rains is being compounded by climate change, which itself is a product of capitalism and leads to more intense storms and other weather-related disasters. As global temperatures increase, this leads to warmer oceans and atmosphere. This warming causes greater rainfall and faster wind speeds during storms, which also increases the risks of flooding and landslides. For every one degree Celsius that the temperature rises, the atmosphere is able to retain 7 percent more water vapor. Ben Clarke, an extreme weather researcher at the Grantham Institute on Climate Change and Environment in London, told Reuters, The sea surface temperatures in both the western North Pacific and over the South China Sea are both exceptionally warm. Speaking on the first of the recent typhoons, he continued, Kalmaegi will be more powerful and wetter because of these elevated temperatures, and this trend in sea surface temperatures is extremely clearly linked to human-caused global warming. The UN World Meteorological Organization has stated that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with average global surface temperatures rising to 1.55 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. Governments have done nothing to address this, as the major capitalist powers responsible for climate change base their policies on the profit interests of big business, not science and human need. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts with high confidence that the chances of typhoons strengthening to category four or five increases by 10 percent if the temperature increase is limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This rises to 13 percent if temperatures increase two degrees and 20 percent if temperatures reach four degrees. Despite their posturing, governments have no intention of addressing climate change while also having no plans to implement any measures to mitigate the effects of natural disasters. The Philippine government of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has expressed phony concern for public welfare while declaring a state of emergency. According to presidential press officer Claire Castro, Marcos ordered the government to ensure medical teams are present in all evacuation centers to monitor the evacuees health. She added, The president immediately ordered road repairs to prevent delays in aid delivery. At least 71 roads, mostly in central Luzon, remained impassable as of Monday afternoon. These are empty words, meant to distract from the complete lack of planning and widespread corruption involving disaster management projects that exists in the Philippines. Over the past 15 years, Manila has allocated some 1.47 trillion pesos ($US24.9 billion) for flood control projects in a country that routinely sees typhoons. Much of this money has been diverted into so-called ghost projects, in which infrastructure projects are supposedly carried out but no work is actually completed. This widespread corruption, involving kickbacks to government officials in addition to the theft of billions, combined with increasing social misery, led to large protests on September 21. The Marcos government is conscious of this growing anger and opposition and is attempting to deflect it. However, nothing will be done to address these attacks on workers and the poor. As with climate change, the lack of any significant planning is ultimately not simply the result of corruption, but the capitalist system itself. Michael Burry fired back after Palantir CEO Alex Karp attacked his latest bets in a TV interview. The investor of "The Big Short" fame said he's not surprised that Karp "cannot crack a simple 13F." Burry had disclosed puts on Palantir stock worth a notional $912 million at the end of September. Michael Burry has a bone to pick with Alex Karp. The investor of "The Big Short" fame hit back at the Palantir CEO in an X post on Sunday night, after Karp blasted his latest bets as "batshit crazy" in a televised interview last week. "Doesn't surprise me one bit that Alex Karp and his 'ontology' @PalantirTech cannot crack a simple 13F," Burry wrote. "A fundamental principle of any rigorous ontological/epistemological model whether philosophical or in data science is recognizing when your information set is insufficient for valid conclusions," he added. Burry's Scion Asset Management revealed last Monday, in a quarterly portfolio disclosure known as a 13F, that at the end of September, it owned bearish put options on 5 million Palantir shares with a notional value of $912 million. The filing also showed it held puts on 1 million Nvidia shares worth a notional $187 million. But it didn't indicate whether Burry held those short positions through October or early November. The revelation on the same day as Palantir's third-quarter earnings may have contributed to its stock falling 15% over the next three days, from a record $207 to $175, before ending the week at $178. Karp called out Burry and others for betting against Palantir On Tuesday morning last week, Karp took aim at Burry on CNBC. "As far as I can tell, the two companies he's shorting are the ones making all the money, which is super weird like the idea that chips and ontology is what you want to short is batshit crazy," he said. Ontology, the study of the nature of existence, is also the name of a core feature of Foundry, Palantir's primary enterprise platform for commercial customers. The avowedly neo-Nazi National Socialist Network (NSN) held a demonstration outside the New South Wales (NSW) state parliament in the centre of Sydney on Saturday. Several dozen black-clad thugs held an antisemitic banner calling for the abolition of the Jewish lobby and chanted fascist slogans demanding mass deportations and the return of a white Australia. Nazi protest outside NSW Parliament House in Sydney on November 8, 2025 [Photo: X/NSN News] As with other stunts by the NSN, the protest pointed to the emboldening of the Nazis. Amid a growth of the far-right internationally, promoted by sections of the political establishment, including in Australia, they are completely open in their worship of Hitler and are conducting increasingly provocative public interventions. The most striking aspect of the rally, though, was that it was effectively authorised by the NSW Police. The NSN, using the name of their front organisation, White Australia, submitted a notice of intention to hold a public assembly. The police did not object, allowing it to go ahead. Since the protest and the shock it has generated, NSW Police command have claimed that a low level officer was responsible. The whole thing was a mistake, they had no knowledge that this would occur, etc. That is simply not credible. The NSN, whose members venerate not only Hitler but multiple fascist terrorists, would be on every high-level policing watch-list conceivable. Last week, just days before the protest, Mike Burgess, the head of the domestic spy agency ASIO, explicitly named the NSN in a speech on threats to national security. The obvious reality is that a high-level political decision was made for the Nazis to be allowed to rally. That is part of the increasing normalisation of the far-right forces, whose anti-immigrant demagogy mirrors that of governments and the major parties themselves. And it was aimed at creating a new pretext for attacks on democratic rights, targeting left-wing and anti-war opposition, with the NSW Police and the NSW Labor government immediately insisting after the rally that even more stringent laws limiting the right to protest and to engage in political speech are required. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, for instance, has told the media that he was unaware the protest would be held due to a communication error, but that even if he had known, there would have been no means of preventing it. Those claims display a staggering double standard. For more than two years, the NSW Police, acting with the state Labor government, have repeatedly sought to ban protests against the Israeli genocide in Gaza, and have used brutal violence against a number of them. In October, 2024, for instance, NSW Police took unsuccessful court action to have a pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney forbidden. Their submission included absurd claims that the rally would somehow be a threat to public safety, because it would be held in an area where a dozen new planter boxes had been installed. It would also inconvenience commuters. Last August, the NSW Police again applied for the courts to ban an anti-genocide demonstration. They asserted that the planned march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, centrally protesting Israels deliberate starvation of Palestinians, could result in a crowd crush. After the NSW Supreme Court rejected that argument, the protest went ahead without incident, with as many as 300,000 participants, making it one of the largest political actions in Australian history. This October, the police were back in the courts. This time they successfully petitioned for a pro-Palestinian protest at Sydney Opera House to be banned. The police were once more fearful for public safety, warning, amongst other things, that people could trip over one another. Having invoked all of these ridiculous safety concerns for years now against the anti-genocide movement, the police claim they could not have mounted a safety argument over a protest by literal Nazis, in the centre of Sydney, many of whom have been involved in violent attacks and all of whom are dangerous racists. The claim does not hold water. The NSN rally, having been approved, was not met by any great police presence. In their frenzied attacks on pro-Palestinian protests, which are explicitly anti-racist and have involved many anti-Zionist Jews, police and NSW government officials have slanderously claimed that the demonstrations may intimidate Jewish people. But those concerns, false in the case of the pro-Palestinian protests, were apparently non-existent when they would have been justified in the case of a Nazi mobilisation. The soft touch for the Nazis was very different to the violent fist presented repeatedly to pro-Palestinian protesters. In the most notorious, but not the only case, NSW Police last June set upon a small protest in the Sydney suburb of Belmore, outside a company that is alleged to be involved in the global weapons supply chain. Police declared the protest unauthorised, a false claim they have not been able to substantiate since. They brutally assaulted the protesters, with one officer punching Hannah Thomas, a legal observer, in the face, causing injuries so severe they threatened the loss of her sight. In September, after months of lies and cover-up, the police were compelled to charge the officer over the assault. NSW Labor Premier Chris Minns has immediately responded to the NSN protest by threatening legislative measures directed against civil liberties. Earlier this year, his government passed sweeping hate speech laws, transparently aimed at illegalising strident condemnations of Zionism. It also pushed through anti-protest laws, providing for demonstrations to be banned if they occurred near places of worship. Elements of that legislation were deemed unconstitutional by the NSW Supreme Court last month, because the ubiquity of religious institutions could be invoked to ban any public assembly. A reasonable hypothesis is that the NSW government and police allowed the NSN rally to go ahead, because they needed a pretext for their anti-democratic agenda after that setback. A parliamentary inquiry over the past month, moreover, has shown that in trying to identify the pro-Palestinian movement with antisemitism, the NSW Police assembled a false list of antisemitic incidents which was repeatedly referenced by the government. In foreshadowing new legislation, Minns declared: Its illegal to have Nazi symbols in New South Wales, but not Nazi speeches or Nazi slogans. We know what [the NSN] message is, its adherence to a fascist ideology that is corrosive, racist, anti-Semitic and designed to rip Australians in two. That is not a threat primarily directed against the NSN and fascists, but against political speech. If speeches can be deemed unlawful because they are corrosive or divisive, only pro-government statements could be made. Any range of political speech, including socialist denunciations of war and of capitalism, could be targeted. The fact that such discussions are underway in ruling circles is clear. In his speech to the Lowy Institute last week, ASIO spy chief Mike Burgess not only warned against the NSN. He also stated that revolutionary extremism, which he identified with opposition to the Gaza genocide, is a threat that must be combatted. The Murdoch-owned Australian put forward a similar line. In crude and offensive terms, its commentator Chris Mitchell warned that antisemitism was spreading on the right, and on the left, with the latter identified with keffiyeh-wearing students, academics, gays and Aboriginal activists. The casual homophobia and anti-Indigenous racism of that line, which would not be objected to by the NSN, makes clear that Mitchell is not interested in combatting bigotry, but in branding left-wing opposition to genocide and war as beyond the pale. In reality, the NSN is a bastard offspring of the political establishment itself. It has fed off the official demonisation of immigrants by Labor and the Liberal-National Coalition, and its activities are a barometer of a broader shift to the right of official politics. That was evident in August, when the far-right held a March for Australia, attended by up to 10,000 people in Sydney and thousands in other cities. The NSW Police made no attempt to ban that protest and were accused of an indifferent and lax response to the fascists assaulting passersby and in Melbourne violently attacking an Indigenous encampment. Senior federal politicians, who have collaborated with Labor and the Coalition, addressed the rallies including Bob Katter and Pauline Hanson. Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the rallies, but declared that there were good people who had attended them. The NSN was in attendance, and its leaders spoke at the Sydney and Melbourne demonstrations. But that was far from the extent of their involvement. It was later revealed that the NSN had initiated the March for Australia and served as its central organiser. The legitimisation of the NSN and the assault on civil liberties are two sides of the same coin: a growing turn to authoritarianism, directed against the working class. This process finds its sharpest expression in the attempts of US President Donald Trump to establish a fascistic dictatorship. But the assault on democratic rights and the creation of a reactionary, nationalist environment in which forces such as the NSN can grow, by a Labor government in Australia, shows this is not a uniquely American phenomenon. Amid a breakdown of capitalism, the ruling elite and all its political representatives are again turning to the barbarism of the 1930s and 40s, from support for genocide, to militarist policies threatening world war and the promotion of fascism and dictatorship. Sidney Powell, right, speaks next to former Mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani, at the Republican National Committee headquarters, Thursday November 19, 2020, in Washington.. [AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin] This past Friday, President Donald Trump issued sweeping pardons for 77 Republican operatives and lawyers who conspired with him and the Republican Party to overturn the 2020 election results. The mass pardon was written on Friday but released on Sunday by Trumps newly appointed pardon attorney, Ed Martin, who himself participated in the Stop the Steal effort and was present at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 as it was being overrun by far-right militia elements and Trump zealots. Among those who received pardons were several of Trumps top coup lawyers, including Rudolph Giuliani, John Eastman, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell. Trumps former chief of staff Mark Meadows and former Justice Department Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Clark were also named along with a bevy of fraudulent or alternate electors and Republican Party operatives, including former chair of the Arizona Republican Party Kelli Ward. The proclamation echoes Trumps fascistic rhetoric, declaring his action ends a grave national injustice perpetrated upon the American people following the 2020 Presidential Election and continues the process of national reconciliation. The document is written so broadly that it covers virtually any criminal activity conducted under the auspices of stopping the steal. The full, unconditional pardon applies to all United States citizens for conduct relating to the advice, creation, organization, execution, submission, support, voting, activities, participation in, or advocacy for or any slate or proposed slate of Presidential electors, whether or not recognized by any State or State official, in connection with the 2020 Presidential Election, as well for any conduct related to their efforts to expose voting fraud and vulnerabilities in the 2020 Presidential Election. Hinting that there will be further pardons, the document states that the list includes but is not limited to the 77 names listed. Notably, the pardon does not apply to the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. All those pardoned worked to construct a pseudo-legal cover for Trumps coup attempt. The alternate electors theory, advanced by John Eastman, proposed that in states Trump lost, electors loyal to him should meet and send documentation to Congress, not signed by local governors or secretaries of state, asserting the electors were bound to Trump, not the popular vote. This theory was advanced by Trumps lawyers and also his allies on the Supreme Court, including Virginia Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Ginni Thomas, working with Trumps coup lawyers, pressured Republican-majority state legislatures in Arizona and Wisconsin to back the fraudulent electors and call special sessions overriding previously declared Biden electors. In a post on X announcing the pardons, headlined, No MAGA left behind, pardon attorney Martin echoed Trumps lies that the few who are facing charges for their role in trying to overturn the election were unfairly targeted by the Biden administration. He wrote that the pardons were issued because Trump wanted us to look at those people who had been targeted by the Biden administration. The targeted is a huge group of Americans. Weve been working hard to find them and one group that jumped up right away is the 2020 alternate electors and their affiliates who were targeted by Jack Smith and others. In reality, all of those who participated in the failed coup have already had their federal investigations dropped by the Trump administration, have already been pardoned or had their sentences commuted. Trump, the coup plotter-in-chief, spent zero time behind bars for his role in perpetrating the attack that resulted in hundreds of injuries and multiple deaths. While none of those named in the latest pardon are facing federal charges, some of the 77 people on the list are still being investigated by state attorneys general for their role in the failed coup. Ellis, Powell and Chesebro previously pled guilty in Georgia courts, under oath, to crimes such as filing false elector certificates and interfering with election duties. Giuliani, Meadows, Eastman and Ellis have been charged by an Arizona grand jury for their role in the fake electors plot, but the case has yet to move to trial. The president does not have the power to pardon state crimes, but Trumps allies, including Martin and election attorney Cleta Mitchell, herself heavily involved in the failed coup, have argued that the pardon could cover state-law crimes committed by false electors because the activity related to the federal election. This is the second major blanket pardon Trump has issued to his January 6 co-conspirators since returning to the White House. In one of his first major acts as president, Trump pardoned over 1,600 foot soldiers charged and/or convicted for their role in the failed coup, including Elmer Stewart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers and Henry Enrique Tarrio, Florida Proud Boy and FBI informant. The broad pardon is aimed at not only rewriting history and lending credence to Trumps big lie that the 2020 election was stolen, but also to serve as a signal to Trumps most fanatical supporters that the fascist in the White House will protect them from prosecution as long as they carry out crimes on his behalf. The pardons come less than one year before the 2026 midterm elections are set to be held. Notably, none of those pardoned by Trump are actually facing federal charges, a testament to the complete inability and unwillingness of the Biden administration and the Democratic Party to hold those accountable who tried to overturn the last vestiges of bourgeois democracy in the United States. Their central concern after the failed coup, as President Joe Biden and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi said numerous times, was building a strong Republican Party. To this end, the Democrats, through the January 6 Select Committee, led by Wyoming Republican Representative Liz Cheney, daughter of war criminal Dick Cheney, presented a false one-man coup theory, which blamed Trump and a few of his crazy allies in the Republican Party, while exonerating Trumps allies in the Pentagon, in Congress and on the Supreme Court in the attack. The bipartisan cover-up of the coup has prepared the conditions for its continuation and normalization under Trumps second administration. No doubt working in concert with the Trump White House, following the release of the pardons, Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, appeared on a Gateway Pundit podcast on November 9 to announce he was relaunching Oath Keepers. Rhodes said he was getting invitations to speak about January 6 and restarting the organization. He said potential Oath Keepers must be willing to protect people against radical antifa and other leftist violence in the streets. In the same interview, reported by Media Matters, Rhodes encouraged Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act. Were facing an ongoing invasion of this country, it has not stopped. Were facing an insurrection by the left. And were also facing a direct blocking and resistance against enforcing federal lawfederal immigration laws, attacking ICE agents... The fascist militia leader added, He could just say given the circumstances of an invasion, insurrection, and resistance against federal law being enforced, Im calling up the militia, ordering all the men to come together [in] every county, put the veterans in charge of training and organizing all the other men and just have them stand to and await his orders. He can do that and I think he should do that. The latest pardons underscore that the defense of democratic rights cannot be entrusted to the capitalist state or its political parties. The working class must intervene as an independent political force, uniting its struggles against dictatorship, war and social inequality in a mass movement for socialism. Nurses at the University Medical Center New Orleans (UMCNO) are set to walk out for three days November 11-13 over staffing and other issues. The 600 nurses are still seeking their first contract since voting to unionize in December 2023. This is the fifth strike at the medical center in little over a year. A previous strike in July 2025 lasted two days. In a statement posted on the National Nurses United website, Kisha Montes, a member of the bargaining team, said, Its not hard to recruit highly talented nurses to a Level 1 Trauma Center in a city like New Orleans, but were tired of seeing those nurses leave for other jobs. LCMC [Louisiana Childrens Medical Center] needs to work with us to retain the necessary staff to take care of our patients. Nurses picket University Medical Center New Orleans July 16, 2025 [Photo: National Nurses United] Jackie Gamble, a nurse quoted on the NNU website said, Nurse retention isnt complicated. Its as simple as competitive wages, decent benefits, and good working conditions where we can take care of our patients. Emily Blau, a nurse in UMCNOs neurological intensive care unit said in a statement, What were asking for are measures to make sure those nurses stay here, working at our hospital in our community. Its time to get this deal done so we can protect not just our current nurses, but ensure we have great nurses working here for years to come. Hospital management is resisting demands to address staffing issues. In the response to the strike vote, UMCNO issued a statement declaring, UMC will file an additional unfair labor practice charge against NNU for its continued unlawful behavior. UMC has participated in 36 total sessions, including eight negotiation sessions, since the July 2025 strike. UMC has four additional sessions already scheduled before year-end. Reflecting the hard line of management, LCMC Healths Chief Nursing Executive, Allison Guste, claimed, I dont think you can say that turnover is a major issue for our state, or LCMC in general, so were doing much better than the national average. The hospital says it will remain fully operational during the walkout by employing strikebreakers, noting, We have proactively partnered with an experienced outside agency to ensure qualified replacement nurses are available to support patient care and uphold our standards of excellence. This is the latest in a continuing series of strikes by healthcare workers around the United States over the question of short staffing, including the recent walkout by 46,000 healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente hospitals on the West Coast, a one-day strike October 31 by 3,100 nurses at Tenet hospitals in California and a walkout by 1,400 registered nurses at Keck Medicine (University of Southern California) facilities. There is an acute shortage of nurses in hospitals and healthcare facilities nationwide. This follows the mass exodus of nurses during the pandemic and nurse burnout due to chronic overwork. The crisis is compounded by the predatory, for profit healthcare system subordinating social need to parasitic financial institutions. Most walkouts have been limited, spanning only several days aimed primarily at dissipating worker anger. In the few cases that open ended strikes have been called, such as the ongoing strike at Henry Ford Genesys hospital in Grand Blanc, Michigan, the struggles have been isolated by the trade union bureaucracies, undermining their impact. The University Medical Center nurses are the first private-sector nurses to unionize in Louisiana and reflect a growing mood of militancy by healthcare workers determined to oppose intolerable conditions and defend the right to quality healthcare. New Orleans is one of the poorest big cities in the United States, conditions highlighted by the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster. The recovery from Katrina left residents, if anything, more impoverished than before. The city has an overall poverty rate of 21 percent and a child poverty rate of 43 percent among African American children. Median income in the city and life expectancy are well below the national averages, with the poorest neighborhoods seeing a 25 percent gap in life expectancy. In a healthiest cities ranking by SmartAsset (2025), the city of New Orleans was identified as the unhealthiest among the 100 cities it ranked. This included indices such as drug-overdose deaths, poor mental health, obesity, air pollution and prevalence of diabetes. Post-Katrina, New Orleans became a test case for free market reforms aimed at the total subordination of all aspects of social life to the dictates of the capitalist market. This has included the 100 percent charterization of the school system. As part of this, all of the facilities in the citys Charity Hospital, founded in 1736, which had operated as a state-owned teaching hospital and free clinic for the poor, were closed. It was one of the last remaining reformist measures instituted during the era of Louisiana Governor Huey Long. All the other facilities statewide in the Charity Hospital system were sold off to private operators in a drastic cost-saving move that included the layoff of 3,500 state workers. Republican Governor Bobby Jindal sold them so quickly that winning bidders were picked that didnt even fill out the application correctly. Its replacement, UMCNO, was not opened until 2015 and is privately operated. As a result, the poor have been increasingly shut off from receiving healthcare while the private hospital operators have prospered. The strike takes place as the Trump administration is accelerating its attacks on healthcare, slashing billions from Medicare and Medicaid and seeking the elimination of subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. It has declared a war on science with the dismantling of the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes for Health and the appointment of anti-vaxxer quack Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of Health and Human Services. The struggle by UMCNO nurses for safe staffing is part of a broader fight. The defense of high quality healthcare as an essential social right involves a battle against the whole system of private, for-profit healthcare, not just one or another hospital or provider. Despite the amazing advances in science-based medicine, basic indices such as life expectancy and infant and maternal mortality are stagnating or declining in the US. This is taking place as vast amounts of wealth are squandered each year on the military and handouts to corporate billionaires. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents executed a violent traffic stop in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, on the morning of November 6, 2025, resulting in the arrest of asylum seeker Juliana Milena Ojeda-Montoya, and causing her husband to have convulsions and a seizure while he held their terrified and traumatized 18-month-old daughter. Fitchburg police protect federal immigration agents as they violently accost a family in Massachusetts, November 6, 2025. The incident began around 7:00 a.m. when the familyOjeda-Montoya, her husband Carlos Sebastian Zapata and their daughter Alaiawere surrounded by several federal vehicles as Zapata drove his wife to her job at a Burger King restaurant. Agents quickly began banging on their car windows and screaming at the couple. Zapata told the Boston Globe, I wasnt letting go of my wife because they wanted to take her away. As Zapata attempted to prevent agents from pulling his wife from the car, one officer pressed on his neck and hit him around his ribs. Zapata lost consciousness while holding his daughter in his arms. Eyewitness video shows the 24-year-old father shaking in the drivers seat while the toddler cries, causing horrified onlookers to yell at the immigration agents, with one crying out, Hes having a seizure and theyre trying to rip the baby out of his hands, while a Fitchburg police officer repeatedly shouts at the crowd Back up! The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, immediately rejected the claim of excessive force. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the operation, calling Ojeda-Montoya a violent criminal illegal alien. Zapata and his daughter were allowed to leave after Ojeda-Montoya was taken by ICE and transported to Cumberland County Jail in Scarborough, Maine to await removal proceedings. DHS officials publicly accused Zapata of faking a seizure to help his wife escape. McLaughlin claimed that emergency medical personnel who arrived at the scene found no legitimate medical episode. Zapata later stated he went to the hospital after the arrest and was found to have bruises on his body. Zapata said agents threatened they would arrest both parents and turn their daughter over to state custody if Zapata did not agree to leave with the child. Zapata told the Globe that since the detention of his wife, his daughter is traumatized, missing her mother and asking for her constantly. The couple, who are from Ecuador, entered the country without papers in February 2023 and have a pending asylum case and valid work authorization. Ojeda-Montoya was arrested based on a warrant related to a local charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Zapata insisted the situation had been blown out of proportion and that his wife was attending all her mandated court dates. A vigil was held on Saturday, November 8, at Fitchburg City Hall in response to the ICE attack. Dozens of local residents attended, holding candles and signs with messages such as Protect Our Neighbors! NO ICE in Fitchburg and Due Process is for Everyone, STOP violating Human Rights. Attendees expressed outrage at the actions of ICE and the Fitchburg police. This latest brutal assault takes place as the anti-immigration state machineryexpanded under both Democratic and Republican administrationsis ramped up in New England. The Fitchburg operation follows the September Operation Patriot 2.0, where more than 1,400 individuals were arrested on immigration-related charges in Massachusetts alone. The escalation of such raids, the targeting of families and the disregard for due process is part of a coordinated campaign aimed at intimidating and terrorizing immigrant and working class communities. Last week, ICE seized nine workers at a car wash in Boston after preventing them from retrieving their legal documents and work permits from their lockers. As of Friday, it was still unclear where the workers are being held and lawyers are being deprived of access to their clients. Civil rights lawyers continue to call on the state to investigate the Everrett Police actions in case last month of seventh grader Arthur Berto, who was arrested and transferred to ICE custody. The 13-year-old was sent 500 miles away to a detention center in Virginia. There have been a reported 1,400 ICE abductions in Massachusetts in September. In the first seven months of 2025 there have been an estimated 2,500 ICE arrests across New England. Patriot 2.0 has provoked significant opposition and several protests across the region. A march through the city of Providence, Rhode Island drew some 6,0008,000 people. More than 3,000 rallied at the state capitol in Augusta, Maine, while 2,000-plus protested in Concord, New Hampshire. Several hundreds gathered to protest outside the ICE regional field office in Burlington, Massachusetts. and hundreds protested in Attleboro and Salem, and in New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut. Workers and civil rights advocates frequently turn out to protest the actions of ICE. In Fitchburg about 20 protesters gathered at the scene of the ICE raid, expressing their opposition and concern for the family being detained. The Fitchburg Police Department (FPD) responded to requests from ICE officers to manage the hostile crowd and maintain order during the operation, claiming they were in danger from the crowd. While the FPD issued a statement claiming their role was only to keep the peace and that they do not enforce federal immigration laws, the police effectively acted as crowd control for ICE. Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squailia claimed that these unannounced federal actions place local police in an impossible situation and that the lack of transparency limits their ability to manage the scene safely. On Reddit, comments on r/FitchburgMS were overwhelmingly critical of the statement from the Mayors Office. One typical post reads: Regardless of how you want to frame it, the Fitchburg PD did assist in the arrest. They were the manpower for ICE holding back a righteously angry crowd. This was not an impossible situation. They chose to help not the people of Fitchburg over the people of Fitchburg. Another post cites the statement When federal agents report they are in danger, our officers are obligated to respond with the reply: The only people in danger during that ICE interaction were the people being targeted by ICE ... yet the FPD didnt feel obligated to respond to that danger. I guess the word obligated means something different to them. Democratic US Senator Ed Markey issued a statement that condemned the harrowing incident and the agents who had brutalized the family, placing it within the context of the nationwide mass deportation campaign, while Rep. Ayanna Pressley called the video a sickening example of Trump and ICEs blatant disregard for humanity as they terrorize our families and communities. Markey compared the use of such tactics to those employed by dictators. But while Democrats posture as defenders of rights, they continue to fund, train and enable ICE agents and collaborate with local police, who invariably respond to ICEs calls for backup during every hostile scene. The Biden administration maintained Trumps first-term policies, expanding equipment, staffing and inter-agency coordination for federal immigration enforcement against the backdrop of the broader capitalist offensive against democratic rights which is now being brutally used by the Trump administration. Coal miners in Sycamore, Pennsylvania, April 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) A coal miner remains missing and trapped after catastrophic flooding struck the Rolling Thunder Mine in Drennen, Nicholas County, in central West Virginia, over the weekend. The minera crew foreman whose name has not yet been releasedwas assisting his team to safety when he was caught by rising waters. The torrent was unleashed deep inside the mine when an unknown pocket was struck. The incident occurred about three-quarters of a mile into the Rolling Thunder Mine, which is owned by Alpha Metallurgical Resources (AMR). Other crew members managed to escape, but the foreman was overtaken by the flood. The accident was reported at around 1:30 p.m. Saturday to the county emergency management office; all other miners on the team have been accounted for. The area remains flooded and the extent of the devastation below ground is still unclear. Rescue operations began promptly and have been complicated by challenging conditions such as murky water, unstable underground air pockets, and the sheer depth of the site. For three days, crews have coordinated with county officials, state agencies, and national cave rescue experts. Divers are working to locate any air pockets that may have provided a temporary refuge for the missing miner. Teams have employed underwater drones to try and pinpoint his location while simultaneously pumping water from the flooded section and drilling boreholes to lower water levels more rapidly. The complexity of the effort reflects both the seriousness of the situation and the persistent danger in the coal mining industry. The West Virginia Office of Miners Health, Safety, and Training (OMHST) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) have been present on the scene. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, while covering for the $2 billion mining corporation, has postured as a friend of the miners saying, There is nothing that we would spare to try to save the life of the miner, and assuring that all available resources, including national experts, are being utilized in the search operation. The company has not issued a single word on the disaster. Nicholas County Commissioner Garrett Cole described the scene as one of relentless work and notes that while divers have entered the mine more than once, the process of pumping out enough water to allow exploration remains an immense challenge. AMR has not answered critical questions about safety protocols and mine conditions at Rolling Thunder Mine. Backing up the governor, UMWA President Cecil Roberts and Region 2 Director Mike Dalpiaz have stepped in to divert and contain the anger of coal miners. Roberts issued a statement that did not hold the company or the government responsible, saying, This disaster is a reminder of the risks our miners confront daily, and we will do everything possible to support our brothers, their families, and the teams working underground now. Dalpiaz went further making the absurd statement that the UMWA, stands ready to ensure that safety remains the priority, and we urge the company and regulators not to cut corners during this perilous search. AMR, with headquarters in Bristol, Tennessee, controls 11 underground mines and multiple surface mines in West Virginia and Virginia. The mine originally opened in 2005, employs about 25 workers, and extracts metallurgical coal, with property owned outright through Nicholas Contura LLC, an Alpha subsidiary. Rolling Thunders coal seam extends along and below the drainage of TwentyMile Creek, with extensive historical records from prior operators. An engineering report prepared for AMR in February 2025 stated that no significant hydrologic concerns existed for further coal extraction at the property, which raises critical questions about the subordination of a mine safety evaluation that failed to anticipate this flood to the corporate and financial interests at AMR. Once again, like every workplace disaster, the events at Rolling Thunder Mine show how the capitalism subordinates life-threatening risks faced by miners to the drive for profit. Just days before the Rolling Thunder flood, on Thursday, November 6, 25-year-old Joey Mitchell Jr. was killed at Mettiki Coals Mountain View Mine in Mount Storm, Tucker County. Mitchell died before dawn while working underground; another individual was seriously injured and airlifted to the hospital. While Governor Morrisey was quick to mourn Mitchells death and call for West Virginians to keep his family, friends and fellow miners in our thoughts and prayers, details about the cause of the accident remain undisclosed, continuing the stonewalling policy among coal industry operators and local authorities. According to reports, this was not the first fatality at the Mettiki Coal site. On January 16, 2014, Daniel Lambka, a 20-year-old worker, was crushed to death in a coal feeder accident at the Mountain View Mine. MSHA officials determined that the coal company had been negligent by failing to prevent the equipment from moving. Mettiki Coals parent company, Alliance Resource Partners, also had safety violations at other operations. In 2010, a roof collapse at the Dotiki Mine in Kentucky claimed the lives of two miners, Justin Travis and Michael Carter. That same year, the Dotiki operation accumulated 216 MSHA citations. There have been at least three other mining fatalities in 2025 in West Virginia. These include: On January 29, Steven Fields, a 55-year-old drill operator, was killed at the Twilight Surface Mine in Boone County. In February, Billy Stalker, 46, a contractor with Wright Concrete Underground LLC, died in an underground incident. On August 26, Eric Bartram, 41, a preparation plant electrician, was fatally injured at the Marfork Preparation Plant in Raleigh County. The number of fatal mine accidents in 2025 has been rising at an alarming rate despite the sharp reduction in mining employment. According to MSHA, fatalities reached 18 by early August, outpacing 2024, which had 12 by the same point. The industry is on pace for about 30 fatalities for 2025, matching 2022s year-end total. The increase in death rates comes amid ongoing attacks on safety enforcement, including funding cuts, elimination of federal programs, and a drive to lower standards and oversight by MSHA and OSHA. Wayne Palmer, Trumps nominee. who was confirmed by Congress for Assistant Secretary of Labor for MSHA, previously held executive posts in mining and mineral industry business associations. Jordan Barab, a former OSHA official and publisher of the Confined Spaces blog, continues to tally the rising fatalities, stressing that they are neither accidental nor random but the direct product of deliberate corporate and government policies that place profits over lives. Among the workplace deaths reported by Barab on Tuesday alone were 14 workers killed in the UPS plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky; a postal worker killed in a collision with a pick-up truck in Aliceville, Alabama; and a lawn maintenance worker was killed when his lawn mower rolled onto him in Bryan County, Oklahoma. On Saturday morning, a postal worker in Allen Park, Michigana suburb of Detroitwas found dead after becoming trapped in a mail handling machine at the United States Postal Service facility. The 36-year-old man, identified as a maintenance worker, was discovered by firefighters after his wife contacted authorities when he failed to return home following his shift. He had been stuck in the machine for approximately six to eight hours before his body was found. As is the case with many workplace fatalities, the USPS facility remains operational while federal authorities are conducting an investigation. No details about the circumstances leading to the accident have been released. Seven months ago, Ronald Adams Sr. was crushed to death at the Stellantis Dundee Engine Plant in Michigan when a automatic hoist cycled unexpectedly during maintenance. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) says the case is still open and Adamss family and co-workers remain without answers from the company or the United Auto Workers, although full production has resumed. The rise in workplace deaths is taking place globally. As enormous wealth is concentrated in fewer handswith the billionaire elite soon growing into the trillionaire eliteworkers are being killed and injured at alarming rates. With the approval of both the Democrats and Republicans and the backing of the union officialdom, owners are being shielded while workers die, are maimed or denied compensation, and their families are left with no answers. This situation will not be reversed by either capitalist party or the union apparatus. Workers themselves must actorganizing independent rank-and-file committees to enforce safety, demand accountability and safeguard lives through direct intervention in the workplace. Dave Neita addressing the New York Regional Conference of the Trade Union Alliance for a Labor Party (TUALP) on April 4, 1975 David Neita, who played a leading role in the Workers League (predecessor of the Socialist Equality Party) during the 1970s, died on October 30 in Los Angeles at the age of 77. Diagnosed in the 1980s with multiple sclerosis, Daves health deteriorated significantly in recent years. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in January 1948, Dave was a remarkable representative of a generation of black youth whose political development occurred amidst the explosive civil rights struggles of the 1960s and the Vietnam War. The conclusions he drew from both events led him to join the Trotskyist movement in the autumn of 1970. While Dave respected the integrity of Martin Luther King, he did not believe that the reformist program of the civil rights leader represented a realistic, let alone adequate, response to the crisis of American society. And though Dave attended rallies addressed by Malcolm X in Harlem and Brooklyns Bedford-Stuyvesant district, and respected the speakers eloquence, he did not agree with the nationalist program and perspective of the Black Muslim movement. In 1967 Dave was drafted into the army and sent to Vietnam. The searing experiences of the war profoundly affected him physically, emotionally and politically. Shortly after arriving in Vietnam, Dave witnessed the interrogation of a Viet Cong prisoner by an officer of the South Vietnamese puppet army. The prisoner refused to give any information. When the officer put a gun to the young fighters head and threatened to shoot him, the prisoner spat in his face. It was only the intervention of Dave and other soldiers that prevented the sadistic officer from murdering the fighter. From that point on, Dave felt deep empathy for the struggle being waged by the Vietnamese against imperialism, and believed that the United States was engaged in a reactionary and futile war. In January 1968, Daves battalion was deployed to the city of Hue, which witnessed the fiercest fighting of the Tet Offensive launched by the North Vietnamese army. Initially, Daves battalion remained on the outskirts of the city while the Marines were chosen to spearhead the US efforts to regain control of Hue. Dave would later recall watching with horror as the bodies of hundreds of dead and wounded Marines were evacuated from the battle zone. Daves battalion was then ordered into the city. Half way across the bridge, Daves closest friend, who was only a few feet in front of him, was hit by machine gun fire. Dave managed to pick his comrade up, and he carried him back to a helicopter for evacuation. In later years, when Dave recounted the event, he assumed that his friend had been killed. But in 1977, he was astonished to receive a letter from the soldier, who had been successfully operated on and survived. It had taken him years to locate Dave, to whom he owed his life. Though not wounded in battle, Daves health was undermined by the war. Like so many US soldiers, he was exposed to Agent Orange, and this may have damaged his immune system and led to his subsequent development of multiple sclerosis. Not long after returning from Vietnam, Dave came into contact with the Workers League (WL). His decision to join the WL was greatly influenced by his reading of a pamphlet titled Black Nationalism and Marxist Theory, authored by Tim Wohlforth, who was then the national secretary of the Workers League. The pamphlet reflected the critical influence of the Socialist Labour League, the British section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, upon the Workers League. While Dave had previously resisted nationalist politics, the Workers League provided him with a theoretical understanding of the role of the international working class in the struggle for socialism. Dave Neita speaking at a 1973 meeting in New York City. Seated from left are Fred Mazelis and Dennis O'Casey. In 1973, when the Workers League acquired a printing press, Dave was assigned the position of first pressman. Though he lacked formal training, he developed the skills necessary to run the press and print the Bulletin, which became a twice-weekly publication in October of that year. In the aftermath of Wohlforths desertion from the Workers League, Dave played a major role in overcoming the political and organizational crisis created by the destructive practices of Wohlforth and his companion, the provocateur Nancy Fields. However, toward the end of the 1970s, Dave entered into a period of mounting personal and political crisis. The right-wing political environment of those years affected Dave. An ever more noticeable skepticism about the prospects for revolution in the United States began to erode his generally optimistic outlook. There is no question that a major factor in his increasing disorientation was the retreat of the Workers Revolutionary Party from the Trotskyist principles that it had defended for so long against Stalinism and Pabloite revisionism. Dave deeply respected the leaders of the WRP, especially Gerry Healy and Mike Banda. But their glorification of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) confused and disoriented Dave. The WRPs elevation of bourgeois nationalism and its armed struggle against imperialism undermined Daves confidence in a perspective based on the central revolutionary role of the working class in the United States and the other imperialist countries. Daves deteriorating health certainly exacerbated his political difficulties. The initial symptoms of what would be eventually diagnosed as multiple sclerosis began to manifest themselves. A physically imposing man who stood well over six feet, Dave began to suffer episodes of recurrent pain and weakness, for which doctors provided no clear explanation. By late 1978 Dave exhibited signs of depression. At that time the illness that would come to be known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was poorly understood. The term itself did not come into common use until the following decade. Many veterans only manifested signs of psychological distress years after returning from Vietnam, a condition known as late-onset PTSD. In January 1979 Dave resigned from the Workers League. However, Dave never repudiated the principles and program that he had defended while a member. In 1986, in the aftermath of the split in the International Committee, he contacted the Workers League and stated that he supported the fight that it was conducting against the WRPs betrayal of Trotskyism. In October 1997, he traveled to Detroit to attend a memorial meeting held by the SEP to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the assassination of Tom Henehan, whom Dave had known and greatly respected. Earlier this year, Dave contacted me. He stated in the most emphatic terms his outrage and disgust over the scurrilous attack on Gerry Healy in the fraudulent biography written by the anti-Trotskyist historian Aidan Beatty. While Dave understood and agreed with the fight that had been conducted by the ICFI against the WRP in the 1980s, he still viewed Healy as a great working class leader who, in his best years, had made an immense contribution to the building of the Trotskyist movement. We spoke over the telephone several times, and Dave expressed the hope, with which I concurred, that we might have a chance to meet again. Unfortunately, the opportunity did not arise. Many decades now separate us from the years when David Neita was a member of the Workers League, but his contribution to the party during its formative years should not be forgotten. By Suzanne McGee (Reuters) -Crypto firm Bitwise Asset Management's successful push to launch the first U.S. spot Solana ETF while the Securities and Exchange Commission was shut down has upended the regulatory playbook and forced competitors to rethink their product plans, said industry executives. On October 28, Bitwise launched Solana Staking ETF which tracks the spot price of the sixth largest cryptocurrency, using an untested process that does not require a formal SEC sign-off. That gave Bitwise the first-mover advantage in what analysts see as the next biggest market for single crypto ETFs, angering competitors who took a more cautious approach and are now scrambling to catch up, said half a dozen industry sources. The product has already attracted $420 million in its first week, LSEG data shows. Such "altcoin" ETFs could attract $14 billion during their first six months, of which $6 billion could flow into Solana products, JPMorgan has predicted. "We do like firsts at Bitwise," said Matt Hougan, the firm's chief investment officer, adding: "We are following the rules." An SEC spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment amid the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. 'STAKES ARE HIGH' Bitwise's maneuver has overturned the playbook for multiple other issuers waiting to launch altcoin ETFs, said the sources. Grayscale Investments the next day converted its existing private fund to an ETF via the same route. Others including VanEck, Fidelity and Invesco have recently adjusted their registration statements to follow Bitwise's lead. They and other firms have also filed to launch ETFs tied to Ripple's XRP, public filings show. Multiple other issuers, meanwhile, are evaluating whether they want to take the same risks, the people said. Competition to grab investor attention by launching first is particularly intense when launching products that have few other differentiating factors, say analysts. They point to ProShares Bitcoin ETF which won SEC approval in 2021 only days ahead of rivals. The bitcoin futures ETF has never relinquished its dominance, with $2.8 billion in assets compared to only $40 million for its closest rival. "The stakes are high for anyone who can seize first-mover advantage," said Ben Slavin, global head of ETFs at BNY, the custodian for many asset managers. "Even a day's advantage" can determine who captures millions of dollars of fees, he said. SHUTDOWN PROBLEMS In mid-September, the SEC allowed exchanges to adopt generic listing standards for crypto ETFs, expediting what had been a lengthy review. That opened the door for dozens of ETFs waiting in the wings to launch without an official SEC nod. Small business owners preparing to exit their companies in the coming years could save millions in taxes under provisions of President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was enacted in July. While the law particularly benefits AI startups positioning for lucrative exits, business owners across multiple economic sectors stand to realize substantial tax savings when selling their companies. Eligibility requirements exist, but many small businesses considering exit strategies should investigate the opportunity, says CNBC. Don't Miss: Baby Boomers Lead Exit Planning Push Older business owners most frequently contemplate selling, data from the Exit Planning Institute showed. The 2023 report shows 58% of baby boomers plan to sell their businesses within five years, compared to 39% of Generation X owners and 48% of millennials. Exit planning ranks as a top priority across all entrepreneurial generations. Enhanced QSBS Benefits Lower Barriers to Qualification The new law increases the tax-free gain cap to $15 million for qualifying C corporations issuing stock after July 4, up from the previous $10 million threshold. The legislation also reduces the required holding period to three years from five years, according to CNBC, while adding partial tax benefits for owners selling after three or four years. This shortened timeline creates opportunities for businesses interested in selling sooner than five years that previously considered qualified small business stock inapplicable. Additional businesses now qualify after the asset cap rose to $75 million from $50 million, says CNBC. Trending: Bill Gates Says Climate Change Needs to Be Solved' This Award-Winning Building Material Is Tackling It Head-On Before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, it wasnt attractive for small businesses to be C corps, and many still arent organized this way, Crew Advisors Wealth Strategist Corey Pederson told CNBC. Older business owners need careful consideration, especially since 27% of boomer entrepreneurs report being unprepared with formal valuation plans and 9% lack adequate estate plans, according to the Exit Planning Institute. Even owners who previously considered and dismissed C corporation conversion should reconsider, HB Wealth Senior Wealth Advisor Natalie Whelton told CNBC. Iowa Business Leaders Praise Economic Impact Republican leaders traveled across Iowa in August to promote the economic benefits the One Big Beautiful Bill is delivering to small business owners throughout the state. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), and Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler gathered with local business leaders in Iowa for a roundtable discussion focused on the new legislations impact, KCRG-TV reported. Small business owners who participated in the morning event expressed strong support for the law, citing multiple ways it will benefit their operations and communities. David Szalay won the 2025 Booker Prize for his novel "Flesh" on Monday, Nov. 10, becoming the first Hungarian-British author to win one of the top awards in the English-speaking world. Written in spare prose characterised by brevity and a lack of unnecessary detail the book follows a man caught in a series of events beyond his control over decades. It charts his rise from a housing estate in Hungary to the mansions of London's super-rich. "A meditation on class, power, intimacy, migration and masculinity, Flesh is a compelling portrait of one man, and the formative experiences that can reverberate across a lifetime," organisers of the award ceremony in London said in a statement. Booker Prize 2025 winner David Szalay, right, author of "Flesh" receives the award from Samantha Harvey, left, onstage during The Booker Prize 2025 Ceremony at Old Billingsgate on Nov. 10, 2025, in London, England. In addition to the 50,000-pound, or $67,000, prize for the winner, as well as a 2,500-pound award to each of the shortlisted authors and translators, the writers also gain a boost in popularity and benefit from increased book sales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Even though my father is Hungarian, I never felt entirely at home in Hungary. I suppose, Im always a bit of an outsider there, and living away from the UK and London for so many years, I also had a similar feeling about London," Szalay told BBC Radio. More: And Just Like That shes a Booker Prize judge: Sarah Jessica Parker nabs literary gig "Flesh" was David Szalay's sixth work of fiction. He was shortlisted in 2016 for his book "All That Man Is" which told the story of nine men at various life stages. "I really wanted to write a book that stretched between Hungary and London and involved a character who was not quite at home in either place," Szalay said. The novel was the Canadian-born author's sixth work of fiction. He was shortlisted in 2016 for his book "All That Man Is," which told the story of nine men at various life stages. Booker Prize 2025 winner David Szalay, author of "Flesh" (third right) poses with (L-R) Gaby Wood and judges Sarah Jessica Parker, Chris Power, Ayobami Adebayo, Kiley Reid and Chair of the judging panel Roddy Doyle during The Booker Prize 2025 Ceremony at Old Billingsgate on Nov. 10, 2025. "We had never read anything quite like it," Roddy Doyle, chair of judges this year, said in the statement shared by the organisers. "It is, in many ways, a dark book, but it is a joy to read." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doyle added, "I don't think I've read a novel that uses the white space on the page so well. It's as if the author ... is inviting the reader to fill the space, to observe almost to create the character with him." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 Booker Prize goes to 'Flesh' author David Szalay All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by Glamour editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Conde Nast may earn an affiliate commission. Getty/Stefanie Keenan, Courtesy of Rini Shay Mitchell is facing backlash for her latest business venture Rini, a skin-care line developed for children. On November 6, the Beis mogul and Pretty Little Liars star launched a new line of sheet masks for tiny faces, including two jelly masks for hydration and after-sun care, as well as everyday masks that come in three animal faces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We created Rini because we wanted products that are gentle, trustworthy, and inspire creativity, elevated by Korean innovation, Mitchell wrote in a brand mission statement alongside cofounders Esther Song and Matte Babel, Mitchells long-term partner. Rini is where skin care meets play, a world where kids can dream, transform, and explore with dermatologist-tested products parents trust. Our mission is simple: to nurture healthy habits, spark confidence, and make thoughtfully crafted daily care essentials and play products accessible to every family. When Mitchell first teased the products on Instagram with a glossy editorial photo of a little girl using a pink jelly mask, the response was loudand overwhelmingly negative. I struggle to find the right words to articulate how disappointing and dystopian this is , commented Sarah Adams (@mom.uncharted), an anti-child-exploitation activist prominent on social media. Another wrote, This is paving the way to future adults with serious body image problems. Not good. But what, exactly, is all the outrage about and what else do you need to know? Heres the TL;DR. Give me the TL;DR. Shay Mitchell is facing backlash for launching a new skin-care line designed for children. The brand is called Rini, a colloquial term for children in Korean. Wait, I need more. Whats the background here? Last year saw the boom of Sephora kidsa.k.a. children obsessed with skin-care brands like Drunk Elephant, Summer Fridays, and Laneige. Some parents had concerns over their kids using skin-care made for adults, specifically products containing actives that could potentially irritate young skin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitchell is not the first to launch a skin-care brand marketed toward children: Brands like TBH Kids, Rile, and Evereden have created products to help meet newfound demand in a safe and responsible way. For Rini, Mitchell was inspired by her own daughters. My girls would always see me with [masks on], especially when getting prepared for any makeup to follow, she told Elle of the inspiration behind the brand. They would just come into the bathroom and look at me in the mirror and be like, Can I use that? Whats that? Ill even pass them some deodorantwith a lid on, of coursejust so they feel like they can be a part of my routine. I also want them to know that skin care, for me, is about creating healthy habits and about having that self-care timethats important. All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by Glamour editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Conde Nast may earn an affiliate commission. Gen Alpha Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside the Tween Obsession With Drunk Elephant Skin Care Children as young as eight and nine years old are begging parents to buy Drunk Elephant products, some costing upwards of $50. How did a millennial skin care brand become Gen Alpha's most viral gift? *Glamour* senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco investigates. According to a Rini press release, the formulas were developed in collaboration with leading pediatric chemists and laboratories in South Korea, adding that Rini offers dermatologist-tested products designed to inspire curiosity and confidence while supporting healthy habits from an early age. What age is recommended for Rini? On the websites general FAQ page, Rini teases future bath essentials that are generally recommended for ages two and up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brand says all its products are safe for kids but advises parents to use their best judgement. Our play products are also formulated to be safe for little ones, but you know your child best, the website reads. Some items, like our sheet masks, are fun and suitable for kids through the tween years! Always refer to each products page for specific guidance, and consult your pediatrician if you have any questions. Heres how each product is described as of November 10: The Hydrating Hydrogel Facial Mask is described as a pink shimmery, two-piece jelly mask designed to fit growing faces (ages four+). Infused with vitamin B12 to hydrate, nourish, and protect. Safe and gentle for daily use. The After-Sun Hydrogel Facial Mask: A green shimmery, two-piece jelly mask designed to fit growing faces (ages four+). Infused with aloe vera and chamomile to calm, soothe, and help skin recover from sun, environmental, and post-play stress. Safe and gentle for daily use. Everyday Facial Sheet Mask (Panda): An everyday facial sheet mask in a playful panda design kids will love! Crafted from 100% pure cotton for growing faces (ages four+), with dermatologist-tested serum of white tremella mushroom, beta-glucan, and vitamin E. Calms and hydrates after playtime, sunshine, or anytime! Safe and gentle for daily use. Every Day Facial Sheet Mask (Puppy): An everyday facial sheet mask in a playful puppy design kids will love! Crafted from 100% pure cotton for growing faces (ages three+), with dermatologist-tested serum of white tremella mushroom, beta-glucan, and vitamin E. Calms and hydrates after playtime, sunshine, or anytime! Safe and gentle for daily use. Every Day Facial Sheet Mask (Unicorn): An everyday facial sheet mask in a playful unicorn design kids will love! Crafted from 100% pure cotton for growing faces (ages four+), with dermatologist-tested serum of white tremella mushroom, beta-glucan, and vitamin E. Calms and hydrates after playtime, sunshine, or anytime! Safe and gentle for daily use. Prices range from $5.99 to $6.99. So whats the main concern? The backlash first started prior to the launch on November 5, when Mitchell shared the initial photo of a toddler wearing a face mask with little added context. She tagged the brands page, writing, Something gentle, something newlaunching tomorrow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Words like dystopian, scary, and grim were thrown around in the comment section, with one user writing, Yikes. Maybe read the room? People are losing healthcare and food benefitsmaybe not the best time to sell skin care for toddlers. Aside from general distaste, there are a few specific concerns we can break down. Some commenters are concerned that skin care could have adverse effects on young skin. Glamour previously spoke to Joshua Zeichner, MD, who clarified that hydrating products like barrier repair creams are generally safe to use, though he cautions not to overdo it. My daughter has been very enthusiastic about her skin care, and it actually caused a little bit of perioral dermatitis, Dr. Zeichner said. Its thought to be related to rosacea and in some cases may be caused by overuse of occlusive products on the face. I had to have a strict talking-to with her about holding off on her products, because it might be causing a bit of a rash. Zeichner strongly advises against children using products with actives like acids, retinol, and vitamin C, which can be harsh on the skin and lead to long-term chronic low-grade inflammation with extreme use. Its worth noting that Rini products do not contain any of these ingredients. Others are concerned about the message this sends to children. Seriously??? Teaching young girls from a very sensitive age that they need things to be and feel prettier like they are NOT ENOUGH is disturbing. DO BETTER, one user commented, while another wrote, How the F are we supposed to raise our girls differently when youre selling 3 year olds a face mask? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, others are concerned about the environmental ramifications of single-use products, which is a common criticism of face masks in general. Are there any positive reactions? Not all responses have been negative. Some people dont see a difference between a gentle face mask and letting a child play with safe makeup and nail polish. As someone who used to like doing face masks with my mom as a kid bc it was just a chill way to bond, this seems adorable, one user commented, receiving a double pink-heart emoji from Mitchell in response. Another user wrote, My girls always want to wear moms face mask! So cool they will finally be able to wear something thats good for their skin! Mitchell responded to that comment with a smiley face emoji surrounded by hearts. Has Mitchell addressed the backlash? On November 19, Mitchell responded to the outcry on Today, telling Jenna Bush Hager and Olivia Munn that the products are simply a fun way to moisturize childrens skin. Truly skin care starts from birth. We moisturize, we soothe, we comfort their skin as newborns. This is the same thing, its just in a different format thats just more fun, and I feel very age appropriate, she said. Mitchell also agreed that masks for kids are technically unnecessary, but that they arent necessary for adults either. Whats important, Mitchell told Bush Hager and Munn, is to introduce children to healthy skin-care habits. As conscious as they are about what they put in their bodies like eating, snacks, all of that. Thats the same thing with this. I want them to grow up and be conscious about what it is that theyre putting on their skinanything that touches it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before this interview, Mitchell clarified that the products are intended for self-care not beauty, and that some of the items were inspired by her own childrens genuine skin-care needs in her second post about the brand. Rini isnt about beauty its about self-care. About teaching our kids that taking care of themselves can be fun, gentle, and safe, she wrote on Instagram after the official launch. 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 added, 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. This article may be updated. Originally Appeared on Glamour Diddy is reportedly facing possible punishment for breaking the rules just days after joining FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey. The disgraced music mogul was accused of having a three-person call despite the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) strict rules against it. The revelation comes shortly after sources claimed Diddy was caught with homemade alcohol. Diddy began serving his 50-month prison sentence in FCI Fort Dix after he was transferred to the low-security facility from MDC Brooklyn on October 30. He was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution following a highly publicized criminal trial. Diddy Accused Of Breaking Strict Prison Rules TMZ obtained a new photo of Diddy in prison pic.twitter.com/iW8YYR4fNg FearBuck (@FearedBuck) November 2, 2025 According to prison documents, Diddy made an unauthorized three-person call on November 3 to allegedly discuss releasing a statement to The New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He began by calling an unnamed woman and asking her to connect him to someone described as "the digital person" halfway through their conversation. When the woman asked if she should add the person to the call, Diddy allegedly said "yes" because he wanted to talk to them about blogs. The report also noted that he asked the woman to bring "200 singles" in cash while arranging a weekend prison visit. It was unclear what Diddy planned to use the money for, as CBS News reported that inmates were only allowed to use coins for the vending machines. As for how he broke the rule, an unknown man was also added to the call following the visitation plans. The Bad Boy Records Founder Claimed He Was Unaware Of The Call Regulations ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA When called out for having an unauthorized three-person call, Diddy reportedly defended himself by stressing that he was unaware of the rules. He argued that no one had informed him of the strict call regulations, and he did not receive the standard prison admission and orientation handbook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diddy further claimed that his conversations were harmless, noting he had been talking to his legal team about issuing a statement to The New York Times. The unknown man added at the end of the call was allegedly the head of legal communications, while the woman he first called was his attorney. Multi-person calls were frowned upon in prisons because inmates could use them for illegal activities such as drug smuggling, gang violence, and orchestrating witness intimidation. On that note, prison officials requested that Diddy be punished with a 90-day ban on phone and commissary privileges. Diddy's Rep Argued That The Multi-Person Call Wasn't A Cause For Concern Eric Kowalsky / MEGA A source close to the investigation labeled Diddy's three-person call "a serious offense that shows a disregard for the rules;" however, his rep shared a different narrative. The music mogul's publicist, Juda Engelmayer, echoed Diddy's harmless sentiments, stressing that the call wasn't a cause for concern. "It was a procedural call initiated by one of his attorneys and was protected under attorney-client privilege. There was nothing improper," Engelmayer claimed. The publicist also shared that Diddy had a new cushy job behind bars as an assistant at the chapel library. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Engelmayer noted that Diddy enjoyed his work environment, describing it as "warm, respectful, and rewarding." The new place was a prestigious spot for inmates because it came with various luxuries, including a private office that was often equipped with air conditioning. Diddy Allegedly Busted With Homemade Alcohol Despite His Drug Treatment Program MEGA Besides shutting down the misconceptions about Diddy's multi-person call, Engelmayer also raved about Diddy's changed behavior behind bars. He revealed the rapper had been assigned to the Residential Drug Abuse Treatment Program (RDAP) unit. The RDAP is widely regarded as the BOP's most intensive drug treatment program, with the added benefit of reducing an inmate's prison sentence by up to a year. Engelmayer claimed Diddy was taking the program seriously and focused on making positive changes. Despite these claims, The Blast reported that Diddy was accused of having homemade alcohol in his possession. The mixture was allegedly made from Fanta soda, sugar, and apples that were fermented for about two weeks. Sources claimed the incident had prison officials contemplating moving Diddy to another cell. The Rapper's Reps Denied The Alcohol Possession Claims MEGA Following news of Diddy's alleged homemade alcohol drama, The Blast shared that his reps had shut down the claims via a statement on X. They argued that the allegations were false, noting that the incarcerated entertainer was never caught with the alcohol mixture in his possession. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "His only focus is becoming the best version of himself and returning to his family," the statement continued. Diddy's publicist, Engelmayer, echoed similar sentiments, claiming the rapper had no time for shenanigans because he prioritized his growth. Besides the alcohol drama, The Blast reported that an insider accused Diddy of remaining unchanged behind bars. They claimed his arrogance remained unmatched, noting he acted like a king behind bars and was nothing like the changed man his reps claimed he was. Will Diddy's alleged actions lead to more consequences? Jenna Jameson has found Jesus and she wants to help those looking to embark on the same journey. After decades of being known for my body and sin, getting baptized and helping others find Jesus too, the former adult entertainer whose birth name is Jennifer Marie Massoli wrote on a November 9 Instagram reel. She captioned the post: Crack the Bible you wont regret it. I am being loud and proud about my walk with Jesus Christ, Jameson, 51, told the New York Post in a story published on November 10. Proclaiming my love for him is opening so many peoples eyes to the fact that they are not irredeemable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2008, Jameson announced her retirement from her career in porn, while on stage during the industrys AVN Awards. I will never, ever, ever spread my legs again in this industry. Ever! Jameson told the crowd, according to CNBC. However, in 2013, Jameson returned to the adult industry as a webcam model, telling TMZ, My motivation is taking care of my family and having fun and meeting all my fans. The How to Make Love Like a Porn Star: A Cautionary Tale author has three children: 16-year-old twin boys named Jesse Jameson and Journey Jette with former partner, retired UFC partner Tito Ortiz. She also shares 8-year-old daughter Batel Lu, with her ex-fiance, jeweler Lior Bitton. Read More From National Enquirer This story Former Adult Star Jenna Jameson Has Found Jesus After a Career In Sin, Helping Others on Same Path first appeared on National Enquirer. Add National Enquirer as a Preferred Source by clicking here. US-based Braemar Hotels & Resorts has completed the sale of The Clancy, a 410-key hotel in San Franciscos SoMa district, for $115m. The transaction value equates to approximately $280,487 per room and reflects a 5.2% capitalisation rate on the net operating income for the 12 months ending 30 September 2025. Along with the sale, the company reduced its debt by about $64.7m. After covering transfer taxes and transaction expenses, the company kept roughly $43.7m in net proceeds. Braemar Hotels & Resorts president and CEO Richard Stockton said: We are glad to have completed the sale of The Clancy. This strategic move sharpens our portfolio and strengthens our capital position. The buyer initially provided a $3.5m non-refundable deposit when the agreement was reached in October 2025, with an option to extend the closing by 30 days through an additional $1m non-refundable payment. The Clancy operates under Marriotts Autograph Collection brand and features meeting spaces, public areas, a bar, a fitness centre, and the Seven Square Taproom. The hotel accommodates both indoor and outdoor events. Earlier in August 2025, Braemar completed the sale of the Marriott Seattle Waterfront in Washington for $145m. That same month, Braemars board of directors initiated a formal process to explore a potential sale of the company as part of its consideration of strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value. In a statement, Braemar said: There is no deadline or definitive timetable set for completion of the sale process and there can be no assurance that this process will result in a sale of the company." Braemar holds nine resort properties and five urban hotels, which operate under brands such as Autograph Collection by Marriott, Ritz Carlton, Hilton, Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, Sofitel, and Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Earlier in November 2025, the company reported that comparable revenue per available room (RevPAR) for all hotels rose 1.4% from the same quarter last year to $257. The comparable average daily rate (ADR) increased 4.7% to $401, while comparable occupancy fell 3.2% to 64.3%. The company posted a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $8.2m, or $0.12 per diluted share for the quarter. "Braemar closes sale of The Clancy hotel in San Francisco for $115m" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. Hailey Bieber channeled classic vibes in a green mini skirt and top. The 28-year-old beauty entrepreneur announced the launch of her brand, Rhode, in the UK with a carousel of pictures. She wrote on her Instagram, I love you London. @Rhode is now officially in @sephorauk. Hailey Bieber stuns in mini skirt Hailey Bieber stuns in a lime green top and matching mini skirt corset set. She let her hair cascade down her shoulders in natural waves. Bieber opted for rose lips, blush dusted on her cheeks, and freckles, giving her the perfect autumn look. She wore black stockings and black leather boots to complete the high-fashion look. Her Instagram carousel features teacups with Rhode printed on them. In one of the pictures, there are three spoons dunked in a classic English teacup with Justin, Hailey, and Jacks names written on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other pictures in the carousel include snaps of delicious food, some sightseeing, and chic selfies. One fan wrote, A vision of timeless beauty!!, accompanied by a fire emoticon. Another fan commented, WE NEED A STRONGER WORD THAN DIVA. The post Hailey Bieber in Mini-Skirt Look Is Must See appeared first on Mandatory. Kim Kardashians daring backless gown is worth all the praise. She wore the stunning outfit at the red carpet event of the drama series Alls Fair in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 10. She wore a dramatic backless gown held up by just one string. The bold outfit stunned viewers who praised the stars impeccable style. Kim Kardashian wows in backless gown thats literally hanging by a thread Take a look at Kim Kardashians backless gown held up by a thread at the red carpet event of Hulus show Alls Fair in Brazil: #AllsFair rocked the Rio carpet tonight! Kim Kardashian wore ConnerIves. pic.twitter.com/9r2X8tmYVs My Attire (@MyAttire0008) November 11, 2025 Kardashian wowed everyone as she arrived in Rio, Brazil, for the legal drama show Alls Fair premiere on November 10. People loved her look, with a fan saying the entrepreneur rocked the Rio carpet, in a post by @MyAttire0008 shared on X (formerly Twitter). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reality TV star wore a lilac backless gown featuring a halter neckline. The floor-length dress hugged her figure perfectly. The number was accentuated with strategic side cutouts and the same shade of faux-fur detailing, which added a touch of glamor and elegance. The SKIMS founder completed the look with statement rings and a sleek updo, evoking a glam vibe. She kept her makeup simple with bronzed highlights, soft smoky eyes, and a subtle lip shade, keeping the focus on her dress. The post Kim Kardashians Backless Gown Is Held Up By Just One String appeared first on Reality Tea. The Gist Meghan Markle celebrated Veterans Day by sharing a rare video of Prince Harry in Afghanistan. The Duke of Sussex served two tours of duty during his decade of service: one from 2007-2008 and a second from 2012-2013. Following his return to the UK, Harry founded the Invictus Games to support wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans. Amid celebrations across both the UK and the US for Remembrance Day and Veterans Day, respectively, Meghan Markle is paying homage to her man in uniform: Prince Harry. To mark the annual observance, the Duchess of Sussex shared a rare video of her husband during one of his tours of duty in Afghanistan. "As my husband says, 'Once served. Always serving,'" Markle wrote. "Thank you to all who served, sacrificed, and continue to serve. Honoring you on Veterans Day. And every day." Getty Images Prince Harry during a parade commemorating WWII in 2019. Prince Harry during a parade commemorating WWII in 2019. In the video, Prince Harry can be seen giving an interview which is quickly put on pause after the royal sees several of his fellow service members running in the opposite direction. He jumps up, takes his microphone off, and runs after them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Markle also shared a second photo of the Duke of Sussex smiling with a fellow veteran. Both wear the red poppies typical of Remembrance Day. Prince Harry served two tours of duty in Afghanistan: one from 2007-2008 and a second from 2012-2013. On the eve of his retirement, he cemented his longterm commitment to veterans of all nationalities by establishing the Invictus Games, a sporting competition for wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans. Getty Images Prince Harry speaking with a WWII veteran in 2016. Prince Harry speaking with a WWII veteran in 2016. Getty Images Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada in 2025. Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada in 2025. The Invictus Games has hosted a total of seven competitions since its debut in London back in 2014, and most recently touched down in Vancouver, Canada, where Prince Harry hosted the first-ever Winter Games. "We were both in Afghanistan in 2008, so we had that connection there," one competitor said of meeting Prince Harry. "Its like you met someone down at the pubhes a really cool guy." Read the original article on InStyle Prince William has opened up about telling his three children that their mother had cancer. Sometimes you feel youre oversharing with the children, Prince William, 43, said during an interview in Brazil, which he visited for the Earthshot Prize awards. But most of the time, hiding stuff from them doesnt work, the father of three added. In January, the heir to the British throne praised his wife, Kate Middleton, 43, for the strength she has shown since announcing her cancer diagnosis in March 2024. George, Charlotte, Louis, and I are so proud of you, the prince wrote in his birthday post, referring to their children, aged 11, 9, and 7. Prince William, Prince of Wales speaks at the Earthshot Prize Impact Assembly in Pier Maua during day three of his visit to Brazil on November 05, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. / Aaron Chown-Pool/Getty Images During his interview in Brazil, the Prince of Wales said that revealing distressing information, like his wifes cancer diagnosis, to his children raised many parental questions, but, because there is no manual for being a parent, he just had to go with it, explaining we choose to communicate a lot more with our children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the beginning of this year, the Princess of Wales revealed that she was in remission from cancer, thanked everyone who had supported her and her husband, and said she would focus on her recovery. Kate Middleton released a video in March 2024, in which she announced that she is undergoing chemotherapy. / BBC Studios/Handout via Reuters You have to find your new normal and that takes time... and its a rollercoaster, its not smooth, like you expect it to be. The reality is you go through hard times, the princess said about her recovery as she returned to public duties in July. Every family has its own difficulties and its own challenges, Prince William said in response to questions by Brazilian TV host Luciano Huck about the difficulties he and his wife have navigated. Its very individual and sort of moment-dependent as to how you deal with those problems, he added. In the same year that Kate Middleton announced her cancer diagnosis, the Palace also disclosed that King Charles III had been diagnosed with the disease. The Palace disclosed in February that King Charles III had been diagnosed with cancer. / Henry Nicholls / Pool/Getty Images Sources have revealed that the Princess of Wales went through hell and back dealing with her health troubles, and according to royal commentator Robert Jobsons article in the Daily Mail, Prince William was shaken to the core upon learning that both his father and his wife had been diagnosed with cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prince said that he didnt hide difficult information from his children so they could relax more, rather than anxiously thinking about what their parents were hiding from them. The British royal added that he prefers to explain and discuss feelings and situations with his children so they can understand the bigger picture. Theres a lot more questions when theres no answers, he added. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Getty Images Royal jewel heists tend to capture the worlds imaginationjust look at the recent Louvre robbery. But as revealed in an excerpt from the forthcoming biography The Windsor Legacy, the British Royal Family experienced a theft of their own, one thats been hidden from the public eye"until now." In the book, veteran royal journalist Robert Jobson reveals that thieves ran off with some of Queen Camilla's jewels just three years ago, but the palace "buried" any news of the crime. "It wasn't quite the heist of the centurybut close," Jobson writes in a passage from the book serialized in the Daily Mail. "Incredibly, no one has breathed a word, until now, about how a daring thief managed to snaffle a bag of Queen Camilla's jewellery." Advertisement Advertisement The author continues that Charles and Camilla, who were then the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, were "en route" to the airport to leave for their 2022 royal tour of Canada when the robbery happened. While visiting a rest stop, aides made the unbelievable mistake of leaving a bag of jewelry "unattended in an unlocked car." Queen Camilla is seen in the Belgian Sapphire Tiara. | Credit: Getty Images Queen Camilla is seen attending the State Opening of Parliament. | Credit: Getty Images The Windsor Legacy View Deal "One of them had stepped away for a cigarette, the other two were inside getting coffees," Jobson continues, writing that "while they were inside, a thief stole Camilla's jewels." "The thief had simply walked up to the car and taken a bag labelled 'HRH The Duchess of Cornwall,'" he writes, noting that police "managed to track the culprit via CCTV" and the items were "recovered within hours." Although it's unclear which pieces were inside the bag, Jobson points out that the carelessness of the aides resulted in an unusual response from the palace. He writes that "no charges were filed" against the person who took the jewelry, nor was any "police report was ever made." As far as Buckingham Palace was concerned, the robbery never happened, and the "incident was buried to avoid embarrassment." Wedding bells are ringing for Tiffany Haddish. During a vacation to Africa with some gal pals, the actress and comedian had a surprise wedding ceremony and married herself. I thought to do that because first, I wanted to have a little party, Haddish, 45, exclusively told The Post Second, I also wanted to hold myself accountable for some things. The Girls Trip star went on a real-life girls trip through Africa with her four best friends in the new Peacock docuseries Tiffany Haddish Goes Off, premiering Nov. 13. Tiffany Haddish with her friends in Tiffany Haddish Goes Off. Peacock Tiffany Haddish in her video interview with the Post. She explained that to her friends and to the world, it might look like shes doing well, but there are things that I have not been honoring, for me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haddish is coming off a stint that included two DUI related arrests in 2022 and 2023. The actress also received backlash on social media in 2024 when she posted a TikTok during her Africa trip, marveling at the fact that Zimbabwe had a grocery store. I feel like it was just like a constant attack on her when she didnt have any bad intent, her friend Sparkle Clark, who appears on the show, told The Post. I just talked to Tiffany and I was like, I think that before you post [on social media] you should call us or talk to us about it first,' she recalled. Tiffany is not this person who they make her out to be. She really has a kind heart. Tiffany Haddish in Tiffany Haddish Goes Off. Peacock Tiffany Haddish at The Daily Front Rows 12th Annual Fashion Media Awards in New York on September 12, 2025. Sonia Moskowitz Gordon/Zuma / SplashNews.com Haddish said that getting social media backlash feels like walking on a Lego. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive got to be more careful about what I post, she noted. Its irritating, but its a part of the business. In the series, Haddish travels with her childhood friends, Selena Martin, Shermona Long, and Clark through locations including Zimbabwe and Cape Town, South Africa. Their friendships pre-date her fame. What an honor that these women have gone on this life journey with me since we were little girls. But also its a testament to how awesome we all are at communication. I think a lot of friendships fall apart because they dont communicate, Haddish told The Post. She recalled a time she did a radio interview, and one of her friends called a week later to tell her that shed been hurtful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were gonna talk about it. We have conversations and [it leads to] much growth. So to be able to go to Africa together is something that Ive been talking about for years. Tiffany Haddish on Oct. 8, 2025. BACKGRID Tiffany Haddish and Kevin Hart at the premiere of Night School in 2018. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP She quipped that her bad friends didnt make it and didnt get to go on a trip. Her close pals, however, were in attendance for her impromptu marriage ceremony to herself. Haddish was previously married to William Stewart from 2008 to 2013, and she was in a relationship with rapper Common, 53, from 2020 to 2021. This marriage to me has been going very good. We have been having a fantastic time seeing who our third is going to be, Haddish joked to The Post. Who is gonna be the third wheel? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haddish is also close with comedian Kevin Hart, as she has previously talked about how he gave her money to rent a hotel room during a period in her life when she was homeless and living in her car. When asked if she told friends like Hart that she is now married, she quipped, you just told him. Tiffany Haddish in Tiffany Haddish Goes Off. Peacock Its not everybodys business that Im in a relationship with me. I mean, first of all, my relationship with me is my relationshipSo I havent told everybody, she went on. Sometimes I wear my wedding ring and people are like, Oh, my God, where did you get that? Im like Africa. Im married! Haddish said that its had a surprising impact on her dating life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im getting more dates now, when I tell [men] Im married. If you tell a man youre married, but youre willing to go out with him, hes like, Oh, shes a freak! The Emmy-winning actress said that she does think the marriage is important. If you going to keep any promises in life, the promises you make to yourself are the main ones you need to be keeping. Thats the longest relationship youre going to have, and theres no ceremony for you, to you. Theres no ceremony for that, she explained. So, fk it, Im marrying me. The Young and the Restless star Camryn Grimes, who portrays Mariah, has officially tied the knot. The Daytime Emmy winner wed voice actor Brock Powell on November 8, 2025, in a romantic destination wedding at The Columns Hotel in New Orleans, LA, People reported. The couples celebration marked the culmination of a three-year engagement and nearly five years together a love story filled with creativity, connection, and family. Key Takeaways Y&R star Camryn Grimes married Disney voice actor Brock Powell on November 8 in New Orleans. The couple got engaged on January 7, 2022, after meeting in 2020 through co-star Bryton James. Their wedding featured a Celtic handfasting ceremony and a Disney Voice of Disneyland officiant. Guests included Scott Grimes, Hayley Erin, and Robert Palmer Watkins. The couple will honeymoon in Fiji after a family trip to New Zealand. Photo Credit: JPI Studios. A Love Story That Started With a Demo Grimes and Powells romance began in 2020 when Powell, a professional voice actor for Disney projects, helped her create a demo reel. Introduced by Y&R co-star Bryton James (Devon), the two bonded quickly during the pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By early 2022, their connection turned into a lifelong commitment. Powell proposed on Grimess birthday, January 7, catching her completely off guard. Parenthood Before I Do In December 2023, Grimes and Powell welcomed their son, Bridger Elias Powell. Becoming parents shifted their priorities, and they decided not to rush down the aisle. The couple eventually realized that the perfect time was now. Surrounded by 75 friends and family members, they made it official in one of the most vibrant and historic cities in the U.S. A Celebration Full of Heart and Heritage The ceremony reflected the couples shared love of storytelling and whimsy. Grimes wore a sleek two-piece gown by KYHA Studios, while Powell donned an emerald suit. The pair incorporated a Celtic handfasting to honor their Irish and Scottish roots, wrote their own vows, and asked Bill Rogers known as The Voice of Disneyland to officiate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grimes walked down the aisle to Dearly Beloved from Kingdom Hearts, and the couples first dance was to Stevie Nickss Crystal. Guests included Grimess uncle Scott Grimes, co-star Hayley Erin (Claire), and General Hospital alum Robert Palmer Watkins (Dillon). After the wedding, Grimes and Powell planned to travel with their son to New Zealand before heading off to Fiji for their honeymoon. Soap Hub sends its congratulations and best wishes to the newlyweds. read next This story was originally reported on Soap Hub on November 11, 2025. Add Soap Hub as a Preferred Source by clicking here. At this years Cairo Intl. Film Festival, Egyptian filmmakers arrive not just to premiere their films, but to stake a claim in the countrys cinematic future. Once the beating heart of Arab cinema, Egypts industry is no longer defined by its commercial past or nostalgic golden age. Instead, its being reimagined by a generation that views filmmaking not as revival, but reclamation. Across the festivals lineup and its Cairo Film Connection pitching platform, directors are crafting a cinema that is at once personal, political, and daring. I think my work is a mix of continuation and reinvention, says documentarian Yomna Khattab, who brings her deeply personal project I Have Other Friends to Cairo Film Connection. Im inspired by the greats Chahine, Khan, Khairy Beshara. Such a legacy makes me feel responsible not to imitate, but to create narratives and visual styles that are true to my generation. More from Variety For filmmaker Mayye Zayed, whose in-development feature Rainbows Dont Last Long is being presented in the pitching competition, that generational shift also means rewriting who gets to be seen. There havent been enough female-driven stories in Egyptian cinema, she says. Thats why I wanted to tell stories about the women I know, independent films that still reach Egyptian audiences and have real impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That spirit threads through this years Egyptian slate: from Yasser Shafieys deadpan satire Complaint No. 713317, to Mai Saad and Ahmed Al Danafs frontline documentary filmed in Gaza, One More Show, and Maged Naders meditative All That the Wind Can Carry. Some are screening in competition, others are seeking partners, but all share the same quiet conviction that Egyptian cinemas renewal begins with the personal. For Abanoub Nabil, whose short The Unnamed premieres in competition, CIFF is more than a platform, its a homecoming. During my student days, we used to skip classes to attend CIFF screenings and masterclasses, he recalls. That festival was where I first discovered world cinema. It was our real classroom. To now stand there with my own film feels like coming home. Across fiction, documentary, and hybrid forms, these filmmakers are building a cinema that speaks first to themselves, and, in doing so, to everyone else. International Feature Competition One More Show (2025) (Mai Saad, Ahmed Al Danaf, Egypt, Palestine. Produced by Baho Bakhsh and Safei Eldin Mahmoud) Shot under bombardment in Gaza, One More Show follows The Free Gaza Circus as they perform for displaced children amid devastation. Co-directed by Egyptian filmmaker Mai Saad and Gazan cinematographer Ahmed Al Danaf, the feature documentary stands as both testimony and act of defiance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We created this film under continuous bombardment and the constant threat of genocide, says Al Danaf. His hope is that viewers see, how deeply we love life, and how we do not wish for death. The result is a haunting portrait of resilience and resistance, a reminder that even in war, art remains an act of survival. Horizons of Arab Cinema Competition Complaint No. 713317 (2025) (Yasser Shafiey, Egypt. Produced by Red Star, Misr Intl. Films, Film Squire, Filmology Production) A darkly comic yet quietly devastating debut, Complaint No. 713317 transforms a broken fridge into a metaphor for a society stuck in repair mode. Starring Mahmoud Hemida and Sherine, Shafieys intimate character study captures a retired couples descent into bureaucratic absurdity. Dynamic within its minimalism, the film examines Al Qahr, an untranslatable sense of everyday oppression and injustice, with deadpan precision and emotional restraint, marking a striking new voice in Egyptian social cinema. Shafeiy reflects, This is not a story about a fridge. Its about what weve learned to live withor without. Short Films Competition The Unnamed (Abanoub Nabil, Egypt. Produced by Baho Bakhsh, Safei Eldin, Mark Lotfy) Set in Alexandria, The Unnamed follows Jannah, the young daughter of a belly dancer, as she roams the citys streets alone, carrying a jar that holds a part of her mothers body. What begins as a desperate errand becomes a haunting journey through fear, love, and survival. Writer-director Abanoub Nabil draws on childhood memory and personal loss to explore how illness reshapes identity and how children quietly inherit their parents pain. Dedicated to every woman, mother, and daughter living in instability, the films realism and empathy mark Nabil as a bold new voice in Egyptian cinema. Cairo Film Connection Rainbows Dont Last Long (In Development, Fiction) (Mayye Zayed, Cleo Media, Egypt) Following her acclaimed documentary Lift Like a Girl, Mayye Zayed returns with Rainbows Dont Last Long, a tender family road trip tale about an eight-year-old girl losing her eyesight. As Salma travels across Egypt with her separated parents, from Alexandria to the Red Sea, she races to see the worlds colors before they fade. Developed through programs including Film Independents Global Media Makers and the Nipkow Residency, the project transforms Egypts landscapes into an emotional map. Zayed describes Egypt as the films fourth character not polished or exoticized, but textured and authentic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I Have Other Friends (In Development, Non-Fiction) (Yomna Khattab, Egypt) In I Have Other Friends, documentarian Yomna Khattab turns the camera inward, embarking on an unflinching exploration of female friendship, adulthood, and the passage of time. Blending diary, correspondence, and confessional, the project revisits the filmmakers relationships with five close friends as she approaches 40. Its a coming-of-age story that happens later in life, says Khattab. Poetic and personal, the film continues Egypts long tradition of intimate nonfiction, reimagined for a generation redefining connection and womanhood. All That the Wind Can Carry (Post-Production, Fiction) (Maged Nader, Egypt, Qatar. Produced by Maged Nader and Tamer El Said) Inspired by memories of his grandmothers dementia, Maged Naders All That the Wind Can Carry blurs the line between memory, dream, and loss. When Susanas fading mind begins to fold past and present into one, the film becomes a meditation on time and the traces family stories leave behind. Co-produced with Tamer El Said, the project blends intimacy with visual experimentation, exploring how personal history can both shape and distort identity. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. (Photo illustration by Diana Ramirez / De Los; photos by Michael Bauman, Gilbert Martinez Jr.) Its f World War III out there, says Gilberto Martinez Jr. as he skateboards while holding on to a car partway through Paul Thomas Andersons acclaimed crime drama One Battle After Another, about a group of revolutionaries being hunted by the U.S. government. Driving the vehicle is Sensei Sergio St. Carlos (Benicio del Toro), who enlists the help of Mexican American vato skateboarders, the neighborhood watch, to guide his friend Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio), as he tries to escape the authorities during a chaotic protest when a sanctuary city comes under attack. Gliding through tight indoor spaces and nimbly jumping across rooftops under the nights sky, the courageous skating quartet is composed of El Paso natives cast locally: Martinez (34), Luis Trejo (30), Elijah Joseph Sambrano (27) and Julian Corral (29). That Anderson included them in this searingly political narrative as a heroic force felt validating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The revolution gets energized in Paul Thomas Anderson's dynamite 'One Battle After Another' As skateboarders we've kind of always been the underdogs, seen as the outcast or the rebels, says Martinez during a recent video interview with the whole squad gathered. But in a way we're showing freedom, we're not trying to be put in a box, we express ourselves through this skateboard. We're trying to give hope to other kids like us. Their skill set on the board landed them the part, but their presence influenced the production beyond their screen time. We all speak Spanish, and we were helping them on set to translate a lot of the things that they needed, Martinez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martinez and Trejo, whove been homies for a decade, learned about the opportunity from a mutual friend, Mark Martinez, involved in the El Paso film industry. Sambrano found out from a bartender pal, while Corral got word from the owner of the tattoo shop where he works. The four of them knew each other from hanging around the border town. The group first met with casting director Cassandra Kulukundis, who read them their lines and asked them to recite them back to test their memorization skills. She pulled out her iPhone and we just started skating around her and giving her the lines, Martinez recalls. That's pretty much what she showed Paul. And that's when he was like, These are our guys. [Laughs]. Though they had heard rumors that DiCaprio and Del Toro were in town, they couldnt know for certain. I was like, It's not true, just so I would not be so nervous about it, Martinez said. It was only after signing nondisclosure agreements that they were made fully aware of the artists involved. They took us up to Senseis apartment to get an idea of the perimeter and what everything looks like, says Martinez. That's when we first saw P.T.A. with his Adidas shoes and we were like, Whoa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shot over the course of 11 days, their scenes took place in downtown El Paso, just a few minutes from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on the other side of the border. Every single day was just magic, says Trejo, who is also a musician. This movie made us feel like were part of something on a big scale. It blew our minds that each of us had his own purpose in it. The vato skateboarders, as the production referred to them, recall speaking with stunt coordinator Brian Machleit ahead of their scenes. He was very honest with us and said we needed to take this seriously, Martinez says. We really focused, and we weren't playing around. They practiced their stunts during the daytime, so that they could be prepared for shooting at night. Read more: Hes made the most incendiary movie of the year. But Paul Thomas Anderson remains an optimist Anderson, they say, asks for multiple takes often around 10 changing his direction to have plenty of options to choose from when editing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul is always experimenting, Trejo said. He's like a scientist, and he's doing his poetry. Martinez revealed that his big moment, when he skates holding onto Senseis vehicle, transformed as they filmed it. My direction at first was to do it scared towards Sensei, like asustado, he said. After watching the dailies, Anderson came in with new notes. Paul's like, Hey Gil, this sounds like a zombie apocalypse. Its not a zombie apocalypse, it's a riot. Pretend like youre going to go grab a beer and drink it on a rooftop, and then just say some s like, It's f World War III out here. And I was like, Yeah, I like that. That sounds more me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To personalize his close-up, Martinez had a suggestion of his own. I was like, Can I add some Spanish? Paul really let us use our lingo, Martinez adds. Leo was like, Hey, how do I say 'brothers'? And we told him, Carnalitos, In the film, DiCaprio's Bob refers to the skaters as such. Throughout the conversation, the group often refers to DiCaprio and Del Toro by their characters names: Bob and Sensei. Sharing the screen with A-listers theyve grown up watching on screen was shocking at first, but then grew to feel a genuine closeness. I'd freak out when I got home, Martinez said. But on set, the first couple days you had to show them that you were like a brother to them. You cant be like, Hey man, we got to take a picture. It was more like, We're here to do our job. I never called him Leo. I always called him Bob. We just stayed in character. And then he'd be like, What's up bros? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corral recalls a day when his foot hurt, and the production sent him to rest for a bit on his own. Next thing you know, they put the other vatos in there and then they put Leonardo in there and we are just like, How should we break the ice? Corral says. And he did. He is like, So what's good around here to eat? A musician like Trejo, and once involved with El Paso Kids-N-Co, a nonprofit community theater, Sambrano recalled sharing a moment with Del Toro. Benicio was like, You play music? What kind of music is it? And I was like, Alternative. And he said, Oh, like the Mars Volta. And I thought, Oh he knows of the culture, the Mars Volta is from El Paso. Sambrano explains they were allowed to wear their own clothes on set. Early on, he happened to be wearing a T-shirt he got from Goodwill emblazoned with the image of the late wrestler Eddie Guerrero, also an El Paso native, and his nickname, "Latino Heat." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were bouncing off each other, improvising, Sambrano says. And that's when Benicio was like, What if I just say Latino Heat? And then they were like, OK, that's the shirt he's going to wear. For the vato skateboarders, seeing their hometown depicted at the forefront of the resistance in such a high-profile film has strengthened their pride. We're from a frontera, a border city, and Ive lived here my whole life. The community is amazing, people are friendly, Sambrano said. And seeing them highlight that is pretty awesome. And its not lost on them that immigration, and the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico, especially in a place like El Paso, are key subjects in Andersons film. Paul did do justice to how real life is in a comedic way so that maybe it reaches a different type of audience that is not tapped into these situations, Trejo said. The movie touches on things that a lot of people are afraid to talk about. They are afraid to get too political. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The four skaters watched One Battle After Another for the first time at a cast and crew screening in El Paso at the Plaza Theater. It was really special to watch it in a historic building in El Paso, Martinez Jr. says. And having our friends and family there to watch it a week before the movie came out was a beautiful moment for all of us. The friends wish to continue acting, and they already have other projects lined up, thanks in part to Jacob Cena, a location assistant on One Battle After Another, who is pushing them to seize this breakthrough. For now, however, theyve been diligently studying Andersons work. We got pretty obsessed; these are all his movies, says Martinez Jr. with a smile holding up a stack of the directors movies on physical media. Get our Latinx Files newsletter for stories that capture the complexity of our communities. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Tatsuya Nakadai, an actor rivaled only by Toshiro Mifune as the best-known star of 20th-century Japanese cinema, died Nov. 8. He was 92. The cause was pneumonia, according to a statement from Mumeijuku, an acting school and theater company he founded in Tokyo. A performer of wide range, Mr. Nakadai played a World War II-era pacifist in director Masaki Kobayashis trilogy The Human Condition, made between 1959 and 1961, and an insane elderly warlord in director Akira Kurosawas 1985 masterpiece Ran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics revered him for his versatility, often comparing him to Marlon Brando or Laurence Olivier for his complete immersion into his roles. In more than 180 film and television credits, he portrayed a wide array of characters, including yakuza gangsters, samurai swordsmen and a befuddled schoolteacher. His deep voice and piercing gaze made him instantly recognizable to Japanese audiences. Among his best-known roles was Lord Hidetora, the crazed monarch in Ran, a loose adaptation of Shakespeares tragedy King Lear set in feudal Japan. Mr. Nakadai seems initially too slight a man to have accomplished all the terrible deeds attributed to him, New York Times film critic Vincent Canby wrote. However, as the drama progresses, the actor seems to grow in stature, which has as much to do with what Mr. Nakadai does as with the increasingly phantasmagorical nature of the film itself. Mr. Nakadais Hidetora becomes an awesome, wraithlike figure, Canby added. There is no attempt to play on sentiment. Hidetora is an angry ghost of someone not yet dead, a being who has looked in at the window of death and had it slammed in his face. Ran was the second time Kurosawa turned to Mr. Nakadai for a lead role. In Kagemusha (1980), Mr. Nakadai played the dual roles of a warlord and his doppelganger, a thief hired by his clan to impersonate him after his assassination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Nakadai had long been part of the Kurosawa stock company, often working with Mifune, and had established himself as a leading man through a series of films for Kobayashi. The Human Condition, based on a six-volume novel published from 1956 to 1958 by Junpei Gomikawa, became a touchstone among Japanese audiences for its jaundiced view of the Imperial Japanese Army during the war. All-night screenings of the entire 9-hour work frequently sold out in the 1960s. This was at a time when making films about the war would have still been quite sensitive for the Japanese, critic and film scholar Jasper Sharp said in a 2019 interview. In terms of showing the folly of war, it was a big reflection of what they had been through. To a younger generation, Japan was rebuilding itself and eager not to repeat the mistakes of the past, so its message resonated for them. The trilogys installments No Greater Love and Road to Eternity, both from 1959, and A Soldiers Prayer in 1961 follow Mr. Nakadai as Kaji, an idealistic socialist bureaucrat drafted into the army after trying to improve conditions for Chinese prisoners in Japanese-occupied Manchuria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the trilogys end, Kaji has come full circle, enduring hardships as a POW in a Soviet labor camp, only to perish in the snow after his escape. Throughout the films, Kajis attempts to follow his conscience yield disastrous results. Kobayashi demanded an almost treacherous degree of authenticity for the film. Shooting in the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido under severe winter weather conditions, Mr. Nakadai jumped into freezing rivers and crawled under a tank as it came directly at him. In another scene, actors beat him until his face was bloodied, and he collapsed on camera. For the films ending, he lost 18 pounds in one week and then nearly died of exposure. I lay on the ground and we filmed until the snow became a mound, he said in an interview for the Criterion Collection, which released the trilogy on DVD and Blu-ray. So there I was I think there were two or three cameras rolling hidden under that mound of snow. I slowly began to feel faint. I really began to think I might die from hypothermia. Thats how long they kept shooting. Onstage, Mr. Nakadai worked in the shingeki, or new drama, style that presented realist interpretations of Western works. He won acclaim for his lead roles in shingeki productions of Shakespearean dramas. Meanwhile, most Western audiences knew him for his samurai movies. Kobayashis Harakiri (1962), a fierce indictment of the feudal Bushido code, featured Mr. Nakadai as a warrior who brutally avenges the death of his impoverished adopted son. The son, a ronin, or masterless samurai, died in a ritual suicide with a bamboo sword as demanded by a clan his punishment for the dishonor of begging at their palace gate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Nakadai faced off against Mifune, the samurai genres most popular star, in Yojimbo (1961) and Sanjuro (1962), both directed by Kurosawa, and in Samurai Rebellion (1967) for Kobayashi. The two actors were also teamed in Kurosawas acclaimed police procedural High and Low (1963), with Mr. Nakadai as the chief detective in a kidnapping case and Mifune as a business executive whose chauffeurs son had been mistakenly held for ransom. (A remake of the film, director Spike Lees Highest 2 Lowest, premiered in May.) Preferring to divide his time between stage and film work, Mr. Nakadai never signed a long-term studio contract an arrangement that, while less lucrative than the alternative, gave him the freedom to select his roles. In The Face of Another (1966), adapted from a novel by the absurdist writer Kobo Abe, he played an engineer who dons a prosthetic mask after being severely burned in a work accident. The character assumes a new identity and uses it to seduce his own wife before tragedy befalls him. For director Kon Ichikawa, he portrayed the bitter clubfooted sidekick of a Buddhist seminarian in Conflagration (1958) and an Anglophile teacher in the comedy I Am a Cat (1975). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Motohisa Nakadai was born to a poor family in Tokyo on Dec. 13, 1932, and said he started acting because he could not afford to go to college. He met Kobayashi while moonlighting as a shop clerk and made one of his earliest screen appearances in Kobayashis The Thick-Walled Room, a film about Japanese soldiers on trial for war crimes. (Made in 1953, the film was withheld from release for three years because of its controversial subject matter.) Mr. Nakadais wife, Yasuko Miyazaki, who wrote and acted under the pseudonym Tomoe Ryu, died in 1996. Information on survivors was not immediately available. Unlike Mifune, Mr. Nakadai never attempted to establish a film career outside Japan. He did, however, play a Mexican bandit in the spaghetti western Today We Kill, Tomorrow We Die! (1968), produced and directed by Tonino Cervi. I was in it with American and Italian actors, but Im horrible at [other] languages at English, Mr. Nakadai once told a publication of the auction house Christies. I couldnt join in when everyone was chatting. Instead I just sat there quietly. And since I was always quiet, Cervi would say, Keep quiet like Nakadai. Hes a samurai. But I just couldnt speak English. A coalition of 345 leading hospitality businesses across the UK has called on the government to implement urgent support measures at the forthcoming Budget, citing mounting tax burdens and job losses in the sector. The open letter, coordinated by trade body UKHospitality, urges the Chancellor to lower business rates, fix national insurance costs and cut VAT to safeguard the high street and the wider hospitality industry. Rising pressures on hospitality from tax and cost burdens The signatoriesspanning hotels, pubs, restaurants, leisure parks and visitor attractionswarn that the sector has been taxed out. The letter states that more than 80,000 jobs have been lost and almost six in ten hospitality businesses are pessimistic about their prospects in the coming year. It describes the effects as immediate, concentrated and socially regressive. The campaign builds on UKHospitalitys findings that one third of hospitality businesses are now operating at a loss following cost rises and tax changes. Three policy demands for the budget. The letter outlines three specific measures: Lowering business rates: for venues under 500,000 rateable value and removing penalty charges for larger hospitality sites. Fixing employer national insurance contributions (NICs): targeted support for employers hiring young people and those returning to work. Cutting VAT on the hospitality sector: to spur investment, reduce consumer prices and enhance competitiveness with European peers. The UK still charges 20% VAT in hospitality, compared with mid-teens levels elsewhere in Europe. UKHospitality+1 Implications for high street, jobs and investment According to UKHospitality, the hospitality industry contributes 140 billion in economic activity and employs around 3.5 million people across the UK. The high tax burden it facesclaimed to be the highest of any sectorhas direct consequences for investment, employment and community high streets. Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, commented that business closures, job losses, curtailed investment, consumer price rises and lost opportunities for young people are all direct impacts of the choice made to inflict 3.4 billion of additional annual cost on our sector. The sector argues that without policy change, these impacts will continue to intensify. The Budget, due in just over two weeks (Wednesday, 26 November), will now be watched closely by hospitality operators throughout the UK. They hope the government will respond to the open letters call for relief to support business growth, protect jobs and revive local high streets. Reba McEntire is looking back at one of the darkest and most beloved songs of her career. In a new episode of Vevo Footnotes, the country legend shares behind-the-scenes stories from the making of her haunting 1991 hit The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia, revealing how she stumbled upon the song, what it took to film the cinematic video, and why the whole experience felt like a sign. RELATED: Hall of Fame Rock and Country Artist Dies at the Age of 79 How Reba Rediscovered the Creepy Classic McEntire explains that she and producer Tony Brown were choosing tracks for her For My Broken Heart album when fate quite literally intervened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tony thought it would be great if we could find another old song like 'Fancy,' McEntire recalled. I was sitting at my desk, reached behind me and sitting on the credenza was a tape that said The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia. I handed it to him and said, What about this one? It just felt like a sign. Originally written by Bobby Russell and first made famous by Vicki Lawrence in 1973 the Southern Gothic murder ballad almost went to other stars first. The song was offered to Liza Minnelli and then Cher, McEntire revealed. Both passed on it. Vicki loved it so much that she just decided to cut it herself. I got to sing it with her on her talk show in the early 90s. RELATED: Vince Gill Set for Historic, Emotional Moment at 2025 CMA Awards Inside the Videos Eerie Production Rebas version of the song inspired one of her most cinematic music videos. Directed by Jack Cole, who also helmed her videos for Fancy and Is There Life Out There, the shoot took two full days including one spent entirely on the haunting portrait photos seen throughout the video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest thing I learned from doing movies and videos is to be patient. It takes time! she said. The videos realistic transformation scenes came courtesy of John Caglione Jr., the Oscar-winning makeup artist behind Dick Tracy and The Dark Knight. To create the prosthetics, I had to have a cast made of my face like when you go to the dentist and they make impressions of your teeth, McEntire explained. Then John would take clay and mold on the cast of my face to make changes to it. Filmed at Belmont Mansion on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville, the video blended Southern history with Hollywood-level detail, cementing its eerie atmosphere. RELATED: Folk-Rock Icon, 79, Pens Emotional Letter to Fans For Milestone Reissue A Slow-Burn Fan Favorite Though Rebas 1991 version peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, it has become one of her most requested songs three decades later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My version only went to No. 12 on the charts, Reba said, but its become one of my fans most favorite songs of my career. Between its chilling storyline, gothic Southern visuals, and McEntire's powerhouse delivery, The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia remains one of the most enduring and creepiest songs in country music. SIGN UP for Parades Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Nathalie Kelley is opening up about her experience working with Ryan Phillippe and his son, Deacon Phillippe, on the set of their show Motorheads. [Deacon is] the most charismatic, polite, thoughtful young man I have ever met, Kelley, 40 exclusively told Us Weekly on Monday, November 10, referring to Phillippes son, whom he shares with ex-wife Reese Witherspoon, adding that he gives me hope for the entire gender of men. I'm like, wow! If this is what the new generation of men are coming out, looking like, sounding like, acting like, then I feel more at ease about the future of our species, she continued, while promoting the upcoming short film Yachapa, which highlights Quechua weavers and alpaquero families in Peru, and her partnership with alpaca fiber apparel PAKA. Honestly, what an incredible young man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also recalled how overjoyed Ryan was to let Deacon spread his wings for the Amazon Prime drama. Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Fanatics I think it was [Deacons] first major acting role, and super sweet to see the father-son dynamic and how proud Ryan was, Kelley said. Ryan was trying to navigate how much to interfere and how much to let him be in his own process. I learned a lot from having my own kids on the show, from observing Ryan as a father and just realizing, like, how beautiful that the cycle of life is. Kelley explained that her time on the Motorheads set also taught me a lot about motherhood, describing the experience as a really transformative process for me. Because at the end of it, I decided that I actually did want to have children, and before that, I hadn't wanted to. So it's really beautiful how art and life mimic and imitate and feed one another, she added. I'll always be grateful to Motorheads for giving me that kind of awakening and realization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelley, who was born in Peru before moving to Australia, has already had a full circle moment in her partnership with PAKA, fulfilling a two-decade promise to herself. Ryan Phillippes Body Is Still Rock Hard at Age 50 I grew up in Australia, which is [on] the other side of the world from Peru, and when I came home for the first time after moving there very young, I saw so much injustice and so many wrongs that I wanted to right when it came to my indigenous community. And I made a promise when I was 18 years old, that one day I was going to do something to right these wrongs and to make up for the fact that I had left, she said. I'd never forgotten that promise. For Kelley, accomplishing that goal was my sweet surprise full circle moment. And shes not done yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift star has found a purpose after reconnecting with her Peruvian roots. It feels like it's just the beginning, she told Us. I realize that what they are looking for, beyond help, is allyship, and what Kris [Cody] is doing with PAKA, and what I can do as a storyteller with influence, with global influence, is be their allies and stand by and stand beside them. Courtesy of PAKA Kelley said they are shining a light on a supply chain that needs a lot of justice and reorienting, so that we can make sure that the people behind the alpaca fiber are being honored, as well as the animals and the ecosystems. She also shared that its important the local Quechua weavers are being properly compensated and integrated into the supply chain in a meaningful and just way. This is just the first step. Kris and I have a lifelong mission there, Kelley teased. While millions of tourists flock to Paris and Rome each year, Europe's true hidden gems remain blissfully uncrowded despite offering experiences that rival or surpass the continent's most famous capitals. These fifteen extraordinary cities showcase architectural masterpieces, cultural treasures, and authentic local experiences without the overwhelming crowds, inflated prices, and tourist traps that plague Europe's most popular destinations. From medieval Estonian capitals to Iberian wine havens, these underrated cities prove that Europe's greatest pleasures often hide in plain sight. Tallinn, Estonia Image Credit: Shutterstock Tallinn's UNESCO World Heritage Old Town creates one of Europe's most perfectly preserved medieval cityscapes, where cobblestone streets wind between Gothic spires and merchant houses that transport visitors directly into the Middle Ages. Unlike tourist-saturated destinations, Tallinn maintains authentic Baltic character while offering world-class dining, cutting-edge digital culture, and some of Europe's most affordable luxury experiences. The city's dramatic position on limestone cliffs overlooking the Baltic Sea provides natural beauty that enhances rather than competes with its architectural treasures. Toompea Castle crowns the upper town with commanding views over red-tiled rooftops, while the lower town's merchant quarter showcases the wealth that Hanseatic League trade brought to this strategic port. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Modern Tallinn successfully integrates contemporary culture with medieval heritage through innovative restaurants housed in 14th-century cellars, tech startups operating from historic guildhalls, and art galleries that transform ancient churches into cutting-edge exhibition spaces. The city's position as Europe's digital capital adds technological sophistication that creates unique contrasts with its medieval atmosphere. Porto, Portugal Image Credit: Shutterstock. Porto combines stunning riverside beauty with architectural magnificence and wine culture that creates experiences far more authentic than Lisbon's increasingly tourist-dominated offerings. The UNESCO World Heritage center cascades down hills toward the Douro River in layers of azulejo-tiled buildings, baroque churches, and Art Nouveau cafes that showcase centuries of Portuguese creativity. The city's famous port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia offer intimate tastings in atmospheric stone buildings where centuries-old traditions continue largely unchanged. Unlike mass-market wine tourism elsewhere, Porto's quintas provide personal encounters with winemakers whose families have perfected their craft across generations. Porto's cultural scene rivals any European capital through world-class museums like the Serralves contemporary art center, innovative restaurants that redefine Portuguese cuisine, and a music scene that spans from traditional fado to cutting-edge electronic music. The city's compact size allows visitors to experience its full diversity while maintaining the intimacy that larger cities inevitably lose. Lyon, France Image Credit: Shutterstock. Lyon offers all of Paris's cultural sophistication and culinary excellence in a more manageable and authentic setting where locals outnumber tourists and quality of life takes precedence over commercial exploitation. As France's undisputed gastronomic capital, Lyon provides dining experiences that surpass Paris through traditional bouchons serving authentic Lyonnaise cuisine alongside innovative restaurants that push culinary boundaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city's stunning Renaissance old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcases French architecture at its most refined while maintaining the lived-in character that Paris's tourist districts have largely lost. The Presqu'ile district demonstrates how French urban planning achieves perfection through grand boulevards, elegant squares, and architectural harmony that makes every neighborhood a pleasure to explore. Lyon's cultural offerings include world-class museums, opera, and the annual Festival of Lights that transforms the entire city into an artistic masterpiece. The nearby Beaujolais and Cotes du Rhone wine regions provide easy access to some of France's finest viticultural landscapes while maintaining authenticity that commercial wine tourism often destroys. Bergen, Norway Image Credit: Shutterstock. Bergen creates one of Europe's most beautiful urban settings where colorful wooden houses line historic harbors beneath dramatic mountains that offer hiking just minutes from the city center. The UNESCO World Heritage Bryggen district preserves medieval Hanseatic architecture while modern Bergen provides Scandinavian design excellence and cultural sophistication that rivals much larger cities. The city's position as gateway to Norway's fjords provides access to some of Earth's most spectacular landscapes while maintaining urban amenities that purely natural destinations cannot offer. Bergen's vibrant cultural scene includes world-class museums, innovative restaurants that showcase New Nordic cuisine, and music festivals that take advantage of the city's stunning natural amphitheater setting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bergen's authentic Norwegian character remains intact despite its growing international recognition, offering visitors genuine encounters with Scandinavian culture rather than the commercialized versions found in more touristed destinations. The city's compact size and efficient public transportation allow easy exploration while maintaining the intimate scale that makes Norwegian cities so liveable. Ghent, Belgium Image Credit: Shutterstock. Ghent showcases medieval beauty that equals Bruges while maintaining authentic character as a living university city rather than a tourist-dependent museum piece. The city's magnificent Gothic architecture, including Saint Bavo's Cathedral with its Van Eyck masterpiece, creates artistic experiences that rival any European capital while offering accessibility and affordability that famous art cities increasingly lack. The medieval castle of Gravensteen provides dramatic focal points for a city center where every street reveals architectural treasures from Gothic guildhalls to Art Nouveau mansions. Ghent's position along convergent rivers creates scenic canal districts that equal Amsterdam's beauty while maintaining authenticity that over-tourism has eroded elsewhere. The city's vibrant student population ensures dynamic nightlife, innovative dining, and cultural programming that keeps Ghent current and exciting rather than trapped in historical nostalgia. Local specialties like waterzooi and artisanal beer production showcase Belgian culinary excellence while maintaining regional authenticity that chain restaurants and tourist traps cannot replicate. Salzburg, Austria Image Credit: Shutterstock. Salzburg transcends its Mozart associations to offer architectural beauty, Alpine setting, and cultural sophistication that surpasses Vienna's tourist-heavy attractions while maintaining Austrian authenticity. The UNESCO World Heritage old town nestles beneath Hohensalzburg Fortress in a baroque ensemble that creates one of Europe's most harmonious urban landscapes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city's position between lakes and mountains provides natural beauty that enhances rather than competes with its architectural treasures. Easy access to Alpine hiking, pristine lakes, and ski resorts allows visitors to combine urban cultural experiences with outdoor adventures that demonstrate Austria's unique appeal as both sophisticated and naturally spectacular. Salzburg's renowned music scene extends far beyond Mozart tourism through year-round festivals, intimate concert venues, and musical traditions that continue to evolve while honoring their classical foundations. The city's scale allows visitors to experience its full cultural offerings while maintaining the personal connections and authentic encounters that mass tourism inevitably destroys. Bologna, Italy Image Credit: Shutterstock. Bologna provides authentic Italian urban experiences without the overwhelming crowds and commercialization that increasingly define Rome, Florence, and Venice. The city's magnificent medieval center features the world's longest porticoed streets, creating covered walkways that allow comfortable exploration while showcasing centuries of architectural evolution. As home to Europe's oldest university, Bologna maintains intellectual vitality and student energy that keeps the city dynamic and current. The university's influence creates a dining scene that combines traditional Emilian cuisine with innovative approaches, offering food experiences that showcase Italian culinary excellence while remaining affordable and authentic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bologna's strategic position in northern Italy provides easy access to other destinations while serving as a base for exploring the Emilia-Romagna region's culinary and cultural treasures. The city's efficient transportation connections and compact historic center make it an ideal alternative to Italy's over-touristed destinations. Krakow, Poland Image Credit : Shutterstock. Krakow's magnificent medieval Market Square, Europe's largest, creates urban spaces of remarkable grandeur while maintaining Polish character and authenticity that Western European cities increasingly lack. The Wawel Castle complex provides royal magnificence that rivals any European palace while offering accessibility and affordability that famous royal residences cannot match. The city's position as former Polish capital ensures architectural and cultural riches that span from Gothic churches to Renaissance palaces to Art Nouveau districts. Krakow's remarkable preservation, largely spared from wartime destruction, allows visitors to experience Central European urban beauty in its most complete and authentic form. The nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine and easy access to the Tatra Mountains provide diverse experiences that combine urban cultural treasures with unique historical sites and natural beauty. Krakow's vibrant contemporary culture, driven by its large student population and growing international recognition, creates dynamic nightlife and dining scenes that enhance rather than replace traditional Polish culture. Seville, Spain Image Credit: Shutterstock. Seville showcases Andalusian culture and Moorish architecture that surpasses Granada's Alhambra through lived-in authenticity and urban vitality rather than museum-like preservation. The magnificent Cathedral and Alcazar complex creates architectural experiences that rival any European royal site while maintaining Spanish character and accessibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city's famous tapas culture provides culinary experiences that demonstrate Spanish gastronomy at its most authentic, offering neighborhood bars and family restaurants that showcase regional specialties without tourist-oriented commercialization. Seville's compact historic center allows easy exploration while maintaining the intimate scale that makes Spanish cities so enjoyable. Seville's position in southern Spain provides access to Andalusian countryside, Costa del Sol beaches, and other regional destinations while serving as a base that combines urban sophistication with authentic Spanish culture. The city's famous festivals, including Holy Week and the April Fair, showcase Spanish traditions in their original settings rather than commercial tourist productions. Dresden, Germany Image Credit: Shutterstock Dresden's magnificent baroque architecture, largely rebuilt after wartime destruction, creates one of Europe's most spectacular urban ensembles while maintaining German character and authenticity. The Frauenkirche and Zwinger Palace demonstrate architectural excellence that rivals any European capital while offering accessibility and cultural depth that over-touristed destinations increasingly lack. The city's position along the Elbe River provides scenic beauty that enhances its architectural treasures, while nearby Saxon Switzerland National Park offers dramatic landscapes that combine urban cultural experiences with natural wonders. Dresden's remarkable art collections, including the Green Vault treasures, provide world-class cultural experiences in intimate settings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Modern Dresden successfully balances historical reconstruction with contemporary culture through innovative museums, cutting-edge architecture, and cultural programming that honors the past while embracing the future. The city's compact size and efficient transportation allow comprehensive exploration while maintaining affordability and authenticity. Ljubljana, Slovenia Image Credit: Shutterstock. Ljubljana creates one of Europe's most charming capitals through baroque architecture, riverside terraces, and car-free city centers that prioritize quality of life over commercial tourism. The city's castle-crowned hill provides dramatic focal points while maintaining intimate scale that larger capitals inevitably lose through over-development and mass tourism. Slovenia's position between the Alps, Mediterranean, and Central Europe provides remarkable diversity within easy reach of Ljubljana, allowing visitors to experience mountain lakes, coastal towns, and cave systems as day trips from an sophisticated urban base. The city's commitment to sustainability and livability creates urban environments that demonstrate how European cities can maintain beauty and authenticity. Ljubljana's vibrant cultural scene includes innovative restaurants that showcase Slovenian cuisine, world-class festivals, and artistic communities that take advantage of the city's supportive cultural policies and beautiful settings. The city's youthful energy, driven by its university and growing international recognition, creates dynamic experiences while maintaining Slovenian character. Bruges, Belgium Image Credit: Shutterstock. While increasingly discovered, Bruges continues to offer medieval beauty and authentic Belgian culture that surpasses more famous European destinations through remarkable preservation and manageable tourism levels. The UNESCO World Heritage center creates one of Europe's most complete medieval cityscapes where canals reflect Gothic architecture in scenes that seem designed by master painters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Belgian beer culture reaches its pinnacle in Bruges through traditional breweries, intimate beer cafes, and artisanal production that showcases centuries of brewing excellence. The city's chocolate traditions and lace-making crafts provide authentic cultural experiences that demonstrate Belgian artisanal excellence while maintaining family traditions. Bruges's compact size allows comprehensive exploration while maintaining the intimate encounters and personal connections that mass tourism destroys. The city's position in Flanders provides easy access to other Belgian destinations while serving as a base that combines urban beauty with authentic regional culture. Heidelberg, Germany Image Credit:Shutterstock. Heidelberg combines romantic castle ruins, baroque old town architecture, and Rhine Valley beauty in settings that inspired German Romantic literature while maintaining academic vitality through its famous university. The castle complex provides dramatic focal points above the Neckar River while offering some of Germany's most spectacular urban views. The city's position along the Castle Road provides access to numerous other German castle destinations while serving as a base that combines historical significance with contemporary university culture. Heidelberg's student population ensures vibrant nightlife, innovative dining, and cultural programming that keeps the city current and dynamic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nearby Rhine Valley wine regions provide easy access to German viticultural traditions while maintaining authenticity that commercial wine tourism often compromises. Heidelberg's compact historic center and efficient transportation allow easy exploration while preserving the intimate character that makes German university towns so appealing. Innsbruck, Austria Image Credit: Depositphotos Innsbruck provides Alpine beauty and cultural sophistication that combines mountain adventures with urban amenities in settings that surpass purely resort destinations or exclusively cultural cities. The dramatic Nordkette mountains rising directly from the city center create one of Europe's most spectacular urban-natural interfaces. The city's imperial heritage, showcased through Baroque architecture and Hapsburg palaces, demonstrates Austrian cultural achievement while maintaining accessibility and authenticity. Innsbruck's position in the heart of the Alps provides year-round outdoor recreation while offering urban cultural amenities that purely mountain destinations cannot match. The city's compact size and efficient cable car systems allow visitors to experience both urban culture and high Alpine environments within single days, creating unique combinations of experiences that demonstrate Austria's distinctive appeal. Traditional Tyrolean culture remains vibrant and authentic while embracing contemporary innovations. Vilnius, Lithuania Image Credit: Shutterstock. Vilnius showcases one of Europe's largest and most beautiful old towns through baroque architecture and medieval street patterns that create urban beauty rivaling any European capital while maintaining Baltic authenticity and affordability. The city's dramatic hilltop position and river setting provide natural beauty that enhances its architectural treasures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lithuanian cultural traditions, from traditional crafts to contemporary art scenes, offer authentic Eastern European experiences without the commercialization that affects more discovered destinations. Vilnius's remarkable preservation and ongoing restoration projects demonstrate how European cities can honor their heritage while embracing contemporary development. The city's position in the Baltic region provides easy access to other underappreciated destinations while serving as a base for exploring landscapes and cultures that remain largely unknown to mainstream tourism. Vilnius's growing recognition as a cultural destination ensures improving amenities while maintaining the authenticity and affordability that make discovery so rewarding. Mount Everest is the highest point on Earth. It stands at an incredible 29,032 feet and grows about 0.16 inches a year, just one of the intriguing facts about the world's tallest mountain. Summiting Mount Everest is a lifetime achievement that requires months of intensive preparation and training. Every year, hundreds of climbers attempt to scale its snowy peaks. Sadly, a few never make it back home alive dangerously unpredictable weather is one reason Everest can turn deadly. Yet, this iconic mountain is far from being the deadliest in the world. It's not even in the top three. Weather, geography, and infrastructure are all factors in determining how dangerous a mountain is, regardless of its size. The Himalayan Database has kept a record of all climbers who have summited mountains above 26,000 feet since the 1900s and those who never returned. The formula for determining which mountain is most dangerous is to divide the number of summits by the number of deaths. Historically, Everest had a death rate of approximately 14%. Today, that risk has been reduced significantly to about 1% thanks to improved logistics on the mountain. Still, according to that grim calculation, there are a few other summits deadlier than Everest. There's a reason climbers call the area above 26,000 feet the "death zone" and no accident that all five mountains on this list are above that threshold. Hypothermia, frostbite, and altitude sickness are just some of the risks climbers undertake on even the most well-trafficked routes up Mount Everest or any of these other summits. Some mountaineers are warning that these dangerous climbs have become too popular, thanks to new and dangerous "secret weapons." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Think Twice Before Visiting These Dangerous South American Destinations Dhaulagiri I Strings of colorful flags hang from trees on a mountain slope with the Dhaulagiri massif in the distance - AjiMike/Shutterstock This Himalayan mountain is the tallest peak in Nepal's Dhaulagiri massif, at 26,795 feet, placing it among the top 10 tallest mountains in the world. Dhaulagiri was first summited in 1960 in an expedition led by Swiss mountaineer Max Eiselin. Until that time, the mountain was considered too dangerous to climb. "It was called impossible, devil difficult," Eiselin told SwissInfo.ch in a 2010 interview. "Of course, young climbers are stirred up by this. They want to prove they are good enough to climb something called impossible." Since then, around 680 people have successfully climbed this mountain. Expedition organizers choose Dhaulagiri as a less crowded alternative to Everest. Dozens attempt the summit every year, compared to hundreds who trek up Everest. Most of these expeditions have used the safest route along the northeast ridge. The well-trod path has a base camp and three additional campsites to gather strength before attempting the final push for the top. Still, it is a dangerous trek with frequent avalanches and treacherous weather. It has some of the most challenging high-altitude ice climbing in the world. This includes a nearly 1,000-foot ice wall known as the Eiger, named after the daunting north face of the Swiss Alps mountain, and its breathtaking base camp in Grindelwald. At least 80 people have died attempting to climb Dhaulagiri, making it one of the deadliest mountains in the world. K2 Reflection of K2 mountain in a glacial lake - Kitti_boonnitrod/Getty Images Statistically speaking, the most deadly mountains in the world are always trading places. K2 was once ranked as the second- and third-most dangerous, and it is infamous for being the most technically difficult climb in the world. It is the world's second-highest mountain at 28,251 feet, located in the Karakoram mountain range known as the "Yosemite of Pakistan." Unlike Everest's ascent, however, there are virtually no flat areas to gather strength and recover. After a 1953 attempt that nearly ended his life, American climber George Bell famously said of K2: "It's a savage mountain that tries to kill you." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement K2 was finally conquered in 1954 by Italian climbers Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli. But even their victory was tarnished when their ambitions left a younger climber and a guide behind, forcing them to bivouac overnight in minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit, with only a snowhole to protect them. Miraculously, they survived, though the guide had to have all his toes amputated due to frostbite. Despite its fearsome reputation, K2 has become one of the most popular peaks to climb for mountaineers. More than 900 are reported to have summited K2, with 200 reaching the top in 2022. Those successes have brought down K2's overall death rate from 25% to 13%. Don't be fooled into thinking this is an easy climb, though. K2 is still deadly. In 2008, 11 climbers were killed in an avalanche. Kanchenjunga A lone climber with large orange backpack and hat stands with a walking stick before the Kanchenjunga mountain - Tenzin and Li Photography/Shutterstock At 28,169 feet, this Himalayan giant is the world's third-highest mountain, located on the border of Nepal and India's northeastern state of Sikkim. British climbers Joe Brown and George Band were the first to reach the top in 1955. They actually stopped just short of the summit in deference to the wishes of local Sikkimese for whom the mountain is sacred. Kanchenjunga, meaning Five Treasures of the Great Snow in Sikkim, is named for its five distinctive peaks. Since then, fewer than 300 people have successfully summited Kanchenjunga. The exact number of deaths climbing the mountain is debated (between 45 and 53), and the mortality range is estimated between 15% and 22%. Perhaps what makes Kanchenjunga truly frightening is that the fatality number seems to be rising, as more climbers risk their lives to summit a mountain that has yet to be fully "tamed" with ropes. In May 2025, renowned Nepali mountaineer Nimsdai Purja managed to fix over 36,000 feet of rope but had to abandon the final assault as the weather deteriorated. "As the expedition leader, I had to balance the excitement of summit fever with the crucial responsibility of making safe decisions," he wrote on Instagram. "In the end, we made the right choice to prioritise safety." He was able to return and successfully climb to the summit days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those who want to admire this dangerous beauty from afar, the Kanchenjunga base camp is one of the best hiking trails in Nepal. It is a physically demanding trek for experienced high-altitude climbers. Solo treks are not allowed and must be taken with a licensed guide. Nanga Parbat A line of mountaineers using rope and crampons attempts to scale a Himalayan ice wall - Sihasakprachum/Getty Images While many in the 26,000-foot-plus club have terrifying reputations, only one is nicknamed the "Killer Mountain." Nanga Parbat is the ninth-highest mountain in the world, rising to about 26,660 feet. It lies in the western Himalayas, in the Pakistan-administered region of Kashmir. The Sanskrit name means Naked Mountain, so-called for Nagna Parbat's bare slopes devoid of any trees or vegetation, and particularly the south face, which is rarely covered by snow. It was first conquered in 1953 by the Austrian mountaineer, Hermann Buhl, in an audacious solo assault on the summit. He disregarded expedition leaders' advice to retreat because of an approaching monsoon. He endured a 17-hour climb without supplemental oxygen or ropes, armed only with a flag, some food, and a pocket of pills to fight off fatigue and frostbite. He left his ice axe at the apex as proof of his summiting. Incredibly, Buhl and his team succeeded in climbing the gruelling Rakhiot face, with constant exposure to avalanches and storms. Only three teams have successfully climbed the route, with more than 30 mountaineers dying in the process. Before Buhl's incredible climb, dozens of mountaineers had perished trying to conquer Nanga Parbat. In fact, until the '90s, this peak had a shocking death rate of more than 70%. Since then, new routes, rope-fixing teams, and intrepid climbers have managed to bring the fatality rate down, and it is currently estimated at little more than 20%. Still, Nanga Parbat remains a killer that competes with the mighty Annapurna for the title of the world's deadliest mountain. Annapurna Hiker with red backpack stands on rocky ledge facing the white slopes of Annapurna mountain - Daniel Prudek/Shutterstock Standing at 26,545 feet, Annapurna I, the tallest of the four summits on the Annapurna mountain, squeaks into the 26,000-foot-plus club as the 10th highest mountain in the world. Its Sanskrit name means Giver of Food. Yet, Annapurna is often cited as the deadliest mountain to climb in the world, with a fatality rate hovering at nearly 30%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This Himalayan mountain was first summited in 1950 by French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal. Incredibly, they did this without supplemental oxygen. Both suffered severe frostbite, however, and had to have fingers and toes amputated. Unpredictable weather, frequent avalanches, and particularly fragile and icy slopes are all part of what makes this mountain so dangerous. Only a little more than 500 climbers have summited Annapurna. As pointed out by the Guinness World Book of Records, however, "For every three climbers who make it safely up and down Annapurna I, one dies trying." Despite its deadly reputation, the trek to Annapurna's base camp is considered easier and more affordable than Everest's. Climbing up to Annapurna's base camp, though challenging, has a more gradual rise in elevation. Spectacular views and hot springs along the way also help to restore and recover after a day's hike. Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. Read the original article on Islands. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Can we talk about pandas for a minute? When I was a kid, I had no idea there was more than one kind of pandayou know, the chunky black and white kind that munches on bamboo. Fast-forward and red pandas seem like they're everywhere. We had a pair at our local zoo for a while, which delighted my Turning Red-obsessed 6-year-old. Master Shifu in Kung Fu Panda? Red panda. Even Sanrio got in on the action with its Netflix series Aggretsuko, which I highly recommend to both kids and adults. Despite their omnipresence in media, red pandas are facing massive threats to their species. Season three of Mutual of Omahas Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild premiered with a really informative episode all about it back in October. (There's a quick clip of it here, if you're curious.) My aforementioned daughter has watched it about a dozen times, partially because we got her a set of bracelets that have turned her curiosity into somewhat of a passion. The Dash Bracelet $16.95 at myfahlo.com Advertisement Advertisement Fahlo has a series of bracelets and plushes that come with tracking codes for various animals facing extinction. Their red panda bracelets are just the latest addition, joining snow leopards, cheetahs, sloths, whale sharks, and others. Once you download the app and register the code that comes with your bracelet or plush, you can see exactly where your animal is on an interactive map. Maggie Panos for Country Living We're actually tracking three red pandas on the Fahlo app right now: Bhumo, Ngima, and Paaru. (They each have thousands of followers, so we're not that special.) We can see their biosPaaru is a mom and she was the first red panda ever GPS-collared in Nepal!and follow them as they trek through the forest. We've turned checking in on them into an after-school routine. We get a snack, and we see if there are any updates on our red panda friends. Every few days, a new fact about the species pops up and we talk about it. My 6-year-old now knows what the word "arboreal" means! I'm really tempted to get more bracelets just to track animals across the continents and oceans. If you have a kid that's even slightly interested in animals, these beaded bracelets make amazing gifts. Fahlo donates 10% of all their profits to their nonprofit partners, so in the case of the red panda bracelets, the money goes toward conservation efforts in Nepal. My daughter wears them to school and tells her friends about red pandas, which in itself is an amazing thing. Advertisement Advertisement Each bracelet comes in a few colors; I stole the black lava stone one because it's cute and super versatile with my wardrobe. Here's a look at some of the animals, but there are a ton of others on Fahlo's site: Red Panda Bracelet $16.95 at myfahlo.com Koala Bracelet $16.95 at myfahlo.com Sloth Bracelet $16.95 at myfahlo.com Manatee Plush Advertisement Advertisement $29.95 at myfahlo.com Polar Bear Plush $29.95 at myfahlo.com Gorilla Plush $29.95 at myfahlo.com You Might Also Like Malaysia is an astonishingly rich and diverse country, spread across a series of beautiful islands between Thailand and Indonesia. It is a fascinating blend of cultures, landscapes, and experiences, and is one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia. Malaysia, as a tourist destination, is a paradox a country that is both incredibly popular and surprisingly underrated. Its vibrant capital, Kuala Lumpur, is a foodie heaven with some of the best food in the world, while spots like George Town, Malacca, and Penang are gorgeous and cultural, filled with amazing experiences and stunning natural beauty. One thing that Malaysia does better than almost anywhere else in the world is paradise islands. It is one of the best places in the world for a tropical vacation for people who hate winter, and almost everywhere you turn, you'll find islands large and small with pristine beaches, lush jungles, and mountainous scenery just waiting to be discovered. From the tourist-friendly Langkawi and Perhentian Islands to the deep, dark rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, it's an amazing place for an island escape. One of the best places for a relaxing tropical getaway that remains well off the beaten track is the tiny island of Gaya, home to an incredible island resort that offers seclusion, remote beauty, and boutique luxury for adventurous travelers. Gaya is situated off the coast of Sabah state on the northern tip of Borneo. Tucked away in a protected marine park, it is only accessible by boat, which has helped it maintain its castaway vibes. Getting there for most people means flying to Kota Kinabalu International Airport, on the mainland, then catching a ferry from the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 20 Most Dangerous Islands In The World Things to do at the Gaya Island Resort in Malaysia Two palm trees with a hammock on the beach in Gaya Island - Christian Edelmann/Shutterstock Gaya Island Resort takes relaxation pretty seriously. Gaya is about as far from a party island as you can get, with very few bars and restaurants even in the small town on the island, Kampong Gaya. It is the ideal place for a digital detox, lazing away days by the pool, exploring the beaches of the island, and drinking in the views over the water to the dramatic peak of Mount Kinabalu in the distance. The resort lies on the east coast of Gaya Island, nestled amidst the jungle greenery of the interior and overlooking a gorgeous, golden-sand beach. The cabins climb the hillside, almost hidden by trees and foliage, which adds to the stillness and natural beauty of the spot. Lying on the beach, you can almost imagine yourself alone on a deserted island, with nothing but the breeze, the palms, and the wild calls of monkeys to break your trance. The rooms themselves are luxuriously furnished, and the views over the bay make the slightly arduous climb to the highest cabins more than worth it. At the foot of the hillside, just in front of the beach, lies the resort's exquisite infinity pool, surrounded by loungers and shaded cabanas. It is overlooked by a delightful bar, which is a fantastic spot for afternoon refreshments or sundowners. While the island itself might be light on places to eat, the resort boasts four spectacular and diverse eateries. These include a Japanese omakase, the laidback rooftop seafood restaurant of Fisherman's Cove, the opulent Feast Village serving up Asian fusion delicacies, and the remote delights of Tavajun Bay, a tiny beach restaurant hidden just a five-minute boat ride away. Outdoor activities around Gaya Island Resort Coral reefs and turquoise water off the coast of Gaya Island Resort - Josephine Jullian/Getty Images While the main attraction of Gaya Island Resort is the chance to do absolutely nothing, there are also plenty of opportunities for more active forms of relaxation. The Spa Village is a short walk away from the main resort and offers an excellent selection of treatments and massages. There is also a wide array of organized activities to enjoy, from kayaking through the mangroves and jungle treks with in-house naturalists to evening open-air cinema screenings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is the perfect place for nature lovers, with the remarkable biodiversity of Borneo on full display. Monitor lizards, bearded pigs, proboscis monkeys, and red giant flying squirrels are regular visitors to the resort, while the skies are filled with a huge variety of avian life, from boobook owls to oriental pied hornbills. There are two wonderful coral reefs just off the coast, making it a dream location for snorkelers, and you only have to swim a short distance to discover an electric underwater world just beneath the surface. The Gaya Resort has a team of naturalists on-site that aid in the conservation and protection of proboscis monkeys and other flora and fauna. 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. Read the original article on Explore. This story is incredible. It really has me choked up. Rosie is a baby elephant that has had a rough go of it. But the future finally looks bright. The baby was recently rescued by Elephant Havens in Botswana, Africa and is learning how to be part of the herd again. And an update on her progress has people so deeply touched. Every animal deserves a happy life. And for Rosie this marks her second chance. Life can be good for the baby. She just needs to take it step by step. A clip shared by the elephant rescue shows the girl taking a slow wander around the sanctuary. What a gentle spirit! You might not be able to tell that shes had a tough time in the past. But the sanctuary was there to document her journey. Related: Baby Elephant at Blackpool Zoo Trying to Figure Out What Her Trunk Does Is Too Cute According to the caption, the once shy elephant has started exploring more and more on her own. She also started bonding with her handlers. But whats really amazing is the way shes learned to connect with her roots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes been rolling in the sand, splashing in the waterholes, and even playfully testing her limits with her new herd. Its incredible to see her strength and personality shine through, the caption states. Its possible that one day Rosie will make a full recovery. And people in the comments section are pulling for this sweet girl to be healthy and happy. Rosie and Joy deserve ALL the good things, wrote one person, referring to another elephant at the sanctuary. Sweet baby, one person gushed. Such a cute baby, chimed in a third person. Beautiful girl, another commenter cooed. Help the Elephant Havens Foundation You can be part of Rosies journey. Thats right, you! Rosie will need all the resources and help she can get on her journey. Which is why donating to Elephant Havens is a good way to support the organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of you, she has a safe home, nutritious meals, and a loving family to help her grow into the strong elephant shes meant to be, the organization wrote on the video. Head to the Elephant Havens website to make a donation. You can save an elephants life! SIGN UP to get pawsitivity delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Nov 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here. They say to find a job you love so you'll never have to work a day in your life. For those who travel more than the casual flyer, becoming a flight attendant is maybe something you've considered. It's no easy task it's a competitive industry with a unique career path that takes time and a decent chunk of money to complete. But with an average income of just over $47,000 (according to ZipRecruiter's latest benchmarks) and tons of travel perks, the best parts of being a flight attendant make it well worth the hustle and investment for many. Becoming a flight attendant deviates from other professions in the way that much of the training is provided by the airline you'll be working for. In other words, applying for open positions comes first, and learning the ins and outs of the trade comes later. For most major airlines, flight attendant training is completely free for the student it'll just cost you about two and a half months of intense in-person training and studying. Depending on the airline, the training period could be paid or unpaid, and most often, your living expenses are covered during that time. For a premium, you can enroll in private academies for additional certifications to beef up your resume and give you a competitive edge. Read more: The Four Unspoken Rules For The Airplane's Empty Middle Seats Most airlines cover your costs whilte training Flight attendant holding water bottle in airplane cabin - BigPixel Photo/Shutterstock Flight attendants are the primary point of contact between flyers and airlines. All candidates who've been accepted must join the flight attendant training program provided by the airline. For most airlines, the training itself (courses, tests, etc.) will not cost you, the trainee, anything. If you successfully pass the training period, then congratulations! Off you go to do what many consider a dream job. Advertisement Advertisement What about other kinds of training? Well, most airlines will not require college degrees, but obtaining a diploma in tourism or aviation will be a huge leg-up. There are dedicated flight attendant schools that can be good alternatives to traditional colleges, with courses more directly related to the job. These training programs can cost anywhere between $3,000 to over $10,000, with some institutions offering financial aid. These extra certifications rarely appear in the requirements you'll see from major airlines and are totally optional, but they can provide a solid foundation before joining the official training program from your chosen airline. Depending on where you apply, this training period can be paid or unpaid. Delta, for example, offers a training wage and some meals, with lodging for those who live more than 25 miles from the training facility. American Airlines' training period is unpaid, but your food, board, and flight to and from the course are provided. Unfortunately, other airlines may not offer any kind of financial support, meaning you're left on your own to cover the costs of a place to stay, transportation, and sustenance. Before applying, you'll need to meet the basic requirements and get relevant experience Female flight attendant demonstrating safety and emergency equipment before takeoff - DG FotoStock/Shutterstock All airlines will require candidates to possess, at the very least, a high school diploma or its equivalent. If you don't have one, then the first expense would be that of a GED. Receiving any certification or diploma from tourism-related courses or curricula can also be advantageous when applying for jobs. American Airlines requires that candidates have some prior customer service experience. This is not industry standard, but it'll be valued highly if featured on your resume. Language skills can be part of the minimum requirements, depending on the airline's busiest destinations or future needs. It's generally best to pick up a second language (focusing on speaking and listening skills) and take a language proficiency test. Language tests are relatively inexpensive the biggest cost here will be time. Alternatively, if you are a non-native English speaker, having proof of fluency will help immensely. Advertisement Advertisement Before investing your time and effort into the aviation industry, you should be sure that this is your chosen career path. There are unusual rules and requirements for being a flight attendant, from upkeeping an impeccable appearance to maintaining a level of physical fitness that allows you to easily maneuver around an aircraft. For example, flight attendants are required to wear watches in case of planned emergencies, with some airlines having rules about which style of watch is acceptable and which aren't. If you're seriously considering this career path, it's good to consider all the criteria expected of those in this position. Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. Read the original article on Islands. Royal Caribbean set out to create the ultimate beach day with its first Royal Beach Club, an exclusive destination opening in December on Paradise Island in The Bahamas. Passengers will be able to purchase an all-inclusive day pass to visit the new beach club on Royal Caribbean cruises that visit Nassau. For many cruisers, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island offers an appealing way to upgrade the experience in a crowded cruise port thats often cited as a disappointing stop. Designed for families, couples, and all kinds of vacationers, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island features three distinct zones, each with its own pool and vibe to offer something for everyone. Cruisers can relax at Chill Beach, splash around with the kids at Family Beach, or head to Party Cove to dance with the DJ at The Floating Flamingo, the worlds largest swim-up bar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Day passes include round-trip water taxi transportation, food and drinks, beach games, Wi-Fi, umbrellas, loungers, showers, and more. What else can vacationers expect at the new beach club? The vibrant spirit of The Bahamas. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island wont just feature Royal Caribbeans signature style, it will celebrate Bahamian culture throughout the 17-acre destination. Heres a behind-the-scenes look at how the ultimate beach day infused with Bahamian spirit is coming to life at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Royal Caribbean video offers behind-the-scenes look at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island Video Transcript: Creating Paradise at Royal Caribbeans Royal Beach Club Paradise Island Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer: The Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island is really the ultimate beach day. It is an all-inclusive, chill experience for our guests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abundance Boekestein, Product Development Director: Our Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island is progressing at a rapid rate. We're walking the site weekly with our construction team, and it's just amazing how quickly the site is unfolding so that it's ready for our guests. Emily Esquilin, Senior Product Development Manager: This is a white paper destination for us. It's the first in the Royal Beach Club line, and so we get to really curate and create from scratch what we want this experience to be. Related: Royal Caribbean reveals its first exclusive beach club in Europe Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean President: We understand what people are looking for when they go on vacation. We spend a lot of time listening. We spent a lot of time asking people, if there was a beach experience, what would you be looking for? And they told us, and we've created it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jay Schneider: We've done many showcases. We've done food tastings. We've done furniture demonstrations. We've looked at artwork in person in the Bahamas. We've tested out material. We do mock-ups. We want to make sure that every detail has the same rigor that we're known for. Emily Esquilin: And if we see an opportunity to make something better for our guests, we're going to do it, because at the end of the day, we want to deliver this unbelievable product for them. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will honor Bahamian culture Emily Esquilin: It's been so important to engage with the right partners. Our local Bahamian team is amazing. They give us so much great insight on how we can really tweak things along the way to better honor the culture. Philip Simon, Royal Caribbean Bahamas President: It starts with the people of The Bahamas, feedback from the Bahamian community, bringing into that experience. It's a beautiful thing to see when we put it all together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emily Esquilin: It's been incredibly important to us to really celebrate and honor the Bahamian culture in literally every single detail. The architecture, the colors selected, the materials, all the design elements are absolutely a reflection of the Bahamian culture. All of our musicians, dancers, performers are going to be Bahamian, performing authentic Bahamian music. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will showcase Bahamian flavors, art Linken DSouza, Food & Beverage Senior Vice President: It's all about representing the local culture, flavors, and the population in a way that they can be as proud of as we are. You're going to find this combination of the traditional flavors that our guests know and love from Royal Caribbean layered in with flavors from The Bahamas that I think are going to come together in a very special way. Jay Schneider: The Bahamian infusion throughout the entire site is probably the thing I'm most proud of. So, we've partnered with local Bahamian architects to help design significant elements of the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marissa Abreu, Director of Architecture & Design: The design for The Floating Flamingo is essentially influenced by the Junkanoo costuming. The costuming is wonderful, it's elaborate, it's a beautiful inspiration to convey in the center of the site for that energy. Related: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises roll out early Black Friday deals Jay Schneider: All of the art throughout the site is all sourced through our Artist Discovery Program, and it's 11 local artists creating 15 to 20 pieces across the site. Emily Esquilin: We first start by selecting all of the areas that we feel would really benefit from a beautiful canvas of art, and then we have gone out and been scouring everywhere in The Bahamas to find just that right artist for each right moment. Ultimate Family Cabana will feature new dry-wet slide Abundance Boekestein: We pride ourselves in innovation. We focus on research and design, and when we look at the Ultimate Family Cabana, we really zeroed in on how could we do something different, and this is our dry-wet slide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emily Rodriguez, Thrills & Attractions Manager: It's been a really fun journey. Because this is the first slide of its kind, this has never been done before, so we're really proving this technology and testing it for ourselves so that we can just make sure we're giving guests a consistent experience and also making sure that the product is delivering exactly as we intended it to. Michael Bayley: Everything's on track, and it is amazing. It's an amazing experience when you walk through something that collectively we've all created as a team. We've designed it, we've concepted it, and you start to see it coming to life. It's incredibly exciting because you realize that we've got a winner. It's just going to be one epic, phenomenal beach club experience. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Mes Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally published by TravelHost on Nov 10, 2025, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here. South Dakota has a number of scenic attractions iconic sights like Mount Rushmore and the Badlands are a must when visiting this Midwest gem. Head to the Black Hills, which covers 1.25 million acres, and discover one of the best campsites in the area: Pactola Reservoir Campground. The campground is open from mid-May until September, and has 53 sites. Facilities include vault toilets, drinking water, campfire rings, and picnic tables but the best feature is the phenomenal view of the lake. There are no electrical hook-ups here, but this only adds to the rustic atmosphere of the lakeside campground. Also, some cell phone networks have coverage here, so be sure to do your research before you embark on your trip. Pactola Reservoir is located in the Black Hills, about a 45-minute drive from the artsy city of Rapid City. Rapid City Regional Airport is the closest airport to the campground it's a 1-hour drive but for a major international airport, your best bet is Denver International Airport, a 6-hour drive away. You'll want your own vehicle to explore around the area and get to the campground. Read more: The Best Vacation Destinations Where The US Dollar Goes Furthest Fun outdoor activities at Pactola Reservoir Canoe pulled up on shore of lake, with trees behind - Sam Wagner/Shutterstock Pactola Reservoir is the largest and deepest lake in the Black Hills it covers some 800 acres so there's plenty to do here. If you're staying at the campground, one of the best things to do is simply enjoy the view some sites, like Site 10, have spectacular views of the water. If you're up for activities, the lake is great for boating and fishing; anglers can cast a line for several different kinds of trout or bass in the lake. There are two boat ramps on-site, and a marina a few minutes' drive down the road. The sandy beach at Pactola Point is great for a swim or simply relaxing in the sunshine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hikers will want to head out on the 2.2-mile Osprey Trail, which offers more lake views from the overlook and meanders through woodlands and meadows. Osprey Trail was named for the ospreys that are regularly seen in the area, so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, including hundreds of species of birds. Swing by the Pactola Visitor Center and check out the exhibits on natural resources and local culture in Western South Dakota the visitor center is about 2 miles from the campground. Carry on your adventure in the Black Hills with a visit to underrated Custer State Park and the thrilling natural wonder of the Needles Highway. Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. Read the original article on Islands. Bumper International, a company focused on automotive payments and car repair financing, has received authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to offer consumer credit lending in the UK. With this regulatory approval, Bumper is now able to introduce additional credit options alongside its existing buy-now, pay-later (BNPL) service. The company plans to launch PayLonger, a new product designed to allow customers to pay off larger car repair bills over an extended period. Bumper CEO James Jackson said: Securing FCA authorisation not only reinforces our commitment to responsible lending and consumer protection, but unlocks exciting new opportunities for Bumper particularly the ability to develop longer-term credit products that offer greater flexibility and affordability for customers facing substantial repair bills. This is a milestone moment for Bumper as we look to launch our PayLonger product, continuing to accelerate our growth and empowering our dealership partners to deliver even better support to their customers. Bumpers service enables vehicle owners to search for nearby service partners by entering their vehicle registration and postcode. Customers may apply for a credit limit up to 5,000 for automotive repairs and related costs. Instant decisions are provided upon application, and approved users are given a code to present to their selected service partner. The repayment plan is set up at the time of booking. Bumper provides several payment options that integrate with dealership management systems. Customers can delay payment for 30 days with Pay in 30, spread costs over monthly instalments with PayLater, pay directly from their bank account to reduce transaction fees, or use major credit and debit cards, as well as Apple and Google Pay. These options are embedded throughout the car servicing process, from vehicle health checks and dealership management systems to online bookings and customer relationship management systems, enabling flexible payments from initial enquiry to sale. "Bumper gains approval from FCA for credit lending in UK" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Thanksgiving doesnt have to be a stress-filled day or series of days leading up to the big holiday meal on Nov. 27. Several restaurants and stores in the Baton Rouge area offer ready-to-heat options for anyone whos planning a Thanksgiving gathering with family and friends. Many places offer classic Louisiana sides or Cajun-spiced turkeys. Are you looking to host Thanksgiving on a budget? Amazon, Aldi, Target, Sams Club and Walmart are offering meal deals this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanksgiving lands on second-latest date possible this year There are plenty of places locally with special holiday catering menus. Here are some Baton Rouge restaurants and stores offering catering and to-go options this year. Bergerons City Market There are countless options on this holiday catering menu. Families can choose entrees, appetizers, salads, sides and desserts for a stress-free meal. Orders must be placed by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18. Click here to check out catering options. BRQ Seafood and Barbeque Menu offerings for this Thanksgiving pick-up orders include smoked whole turkey, classic herb roasted turkey and smoked ham with honey apple cider brown sugar glaze. Multiple sides are available, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orders must be placed by end of day Tuesday, Nov. 25. Click here to place an order online. Cheesecake Bistro Holiday catering packages with turkey and sides are available to order for pick up. The restaurant also has whole Cajun fried turkeys, sides, pasta dishes and desserts. Click here to place an order online. Which major restaurant chains will be open on Thanksgiving Day? City Pork The order form offers three catering packages and a la carte options. Orders must be placed before noon Friday, Nov. 21. Click here to get the catering order form. Cracker Barrel Choose from several holiday meal packages with turkey and ham offered by Cracker Barrel for a hassle-free Thanksgiving. Click here to check out catering options and to place an order online. Elsies Plate & Pie You cant forget about dessert! This Michelin-recommended Baton Rouge restaurant has multiple pies on its catering menu, with seasonal favorites likely to be added as the holiday nears. Savory Louisiana cuisine options are also available to order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here to check out their catering menu. Franks Restaurant Holiday meal hosts can order from Franks, which offers holiday dishes and ham and turkey entrees. Click here to see the holiday catering menu offering party trays, Louisiana specialties, sides and desserts. Click here to place an order online. Fresh Market Meals with ham and/or turkey, sides and rolls are offered in a one-price bundle to make this years Thanksgiving easy. If a meal package isnt what youre looking for, single turkeys and a la carte options are available. Click here to place an order online. Piccadilly Cafe Order holiday meal favorites from Piccadilly. Whole and sliced ham and turkey are available with sides or a la carte. Other items available to order include classic sides like mac n cheese, mashed potatoes and turnip greens, desserts and breads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here to place an order online. Rocca Pizzeria This Baton Rouge restaurant serves more than just pizza for the holidays. Choose from two bundle options for a stress free dinner or order a la carte turkey and sides. Orders must be placed by 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22. Click here to place an order online. Rouses This Louisiana grocery store chain offers delicious classic and Louisiana-inspired options for a holiday dinner. Click here to place an order online. Whole Foods Holiday meals and packages are available for pickup. Whether you need a whole turkey and sides or are looking for a single dish to bring to the family gathering, Whole Foods has options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here to place an order. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Louisiana First Daily News Latest News 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. YouTube TV users are eligible for a $20 credit because of the company's ongoing contract dispute with Disney. Disney-owned channels, including ESPN and ABC, were pulled from YouTube TV on Oct. 30 after the companies could not reach a new contractual agreement. YouTube TV, which is owned by Google, and Disney are continuing contract negotiations, but in the meantime YouTube TV is offering a $20 credit to customers while Disney-owned channels remain unavailable. How to redeem the YouTube TV credit On Nov. 9, YouTube TV said primary account holders would receive an email detailing how to access the credit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's how to redeem it: Go to tv.youtube.com on a web browser and sign in. The credit is not accessible on YouTube TV's mobile app. Select your profile picture. Select Settings. In the left menu, select Updates. Select Claim credit. Credits will be applied to your next bill. If you're billed through Google Play or another provider outside of YouTube TV, the credit will be applied to that account automatically. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: How YouTube TV subscribers can claim $20 credit amid Disney dispute One woman is dead, and a man is injured after an attempted murder-suicide in Columbus on Sunday afternoon. Upper Arlington Police Officers were called to the 1500 block of Fishinger Road for the report of a stabbing, according to our news partners, WBNS. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said they received a 911 hang-up call for the incident. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a 64-year-old woman dead inside the house and an injured 76-year-old man. The man was transported to a hospital and was in a stable condition. The incident is being investigated as an apparent murder-suicide from domestic violence. The woman was the victim, and her husband is the suspect, according to a spokesperson from the police department. The Ohio Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Upper Arlington Police Department in the investigation, and the case will be presented to a Franklin County grand jury for review. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] When you think of the United States, images of sprawling cities and vast landscapes might come to mind, but not the hidden and ever-present geological threat: volcanoes. While you might associate volcanic eruptions with distant lands, numerous active volcanoes across America could potentially erupt tomorrow. 1. Yellowstone Caldera, Wyoming Shutterstock The Yellowstone Caldera is not just a tourist hot spot; its one of the largest active volcanic systems in the world. Sitting atop a supervolcano, it could erupt cataclysmically, releasing vast amounts of ash and gases into the atmosphere. While the park is a site of splendor with its geysers and hot springs, it's also a ticking clock, watched closely by geologists. Every rumble and geyser eruption gets scrutinized, knowing that beneath lies a volcanic system with the potential to alter the global climate. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the probability of a supereruption at Yellowstone within our lifetime is relatively low. Yet, they stress the importance of ongoing research to understand the complex dynamics at play beneath the park. The concern isnt just about a supereruption but also about frequent smaller eruptions that could disrupt air travel or local communities. For you, this means visiting Yellowstone isnt just about admiring its beauty; its a lesson in respecting the raw power of nature. 2. Mount St. Helens, Washington iStock Mount St. Helens is one of the most infamous volcanoes in the United States, thanks to its catastrophic 1980 eruption. That event reshaped the surrounding landscape and changed how scientists study volcanic activity. Today, the volcano remains highly active, regularly reminding visitors and residents of its potential to erupt again. Ash plumes and minor eruptions are not unusual, making it a closely monitored site by volcanologists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 1980 eruption taught valuable lessons in disaster preparedness and response. Many safety measures were implemented afterward to mitigate risks for communities living in the shadow of this volatile giant. You might find it intriguing that the region has adapted and learned to live with the presence of an active volcano, illustrating resilience in the face of natures unpredictability. Mount St. Helens stands as a testament to the power of observation and preparedness in the modern age. 3. Mauna Loa, Hawaii Shutterstock Mauna Loa is perhaps the poster child for Hawaiis volcanic identity, being the worlds largest active volcano. Its size and frequent eruptions have shaped the islands geography, making it a living laboratory for volcanic activity. Despite its serene beauty, it commands respect due to its history of eruptions, which can produce enormous lava flows. Each eruption becomes a spectacle, drawing both scientists and tourists eager to witness the raw spectacle of creation and destruction. The USGS maintains a vigilant watch over Mauna Loa, emphasizing the importance of early warning systems. Their monitoring efforts include satellite data, ground sensors, and aerial surveys that keep tabs on seismic activity and changes in the volcanos shape. If you're considering a visit, its worth noting that while Mauna Loa is a geological marvel, it also demands caution and respect for its unpredictable nature. The juxtaposition of danger and beauty is what makes Mauna Loa so captivating yet daunting. 4. Mount Rainier, Washington Shutterstock Mount Rainier is a majestic presence on the Washington skyline, but beneath its snow-capped peaks lies a powerful volcanic system. As a stratovolcano, it has the potential for explosive eruptions that could threaten nearby communities with ashfall and lahars. Its beauty can be deceiving, masking the simmering unrest beneath its surface. The potential for a significant eruption makes it a constant subject of study and monitoring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those living in its vicinity, Mount Rainier represents a dual identity as both a natural wonder and a latent threat. Preparedness plans are in place, but the unpredictability of volcanic activity adds an element of uncertainty. When you gaze upon Mount Rainier, its easy to get lost in its grandeur, but a quick reminder of its volcanic nature can bring a sobering perspective. Its a reminder that living near a volcano is a dance with natures most powerful forces. 5. Mount Shasta, California Shutterstock Mount Shasta, with its striking silhouette, is more than just a photographers paradise; its an active volcano that has the potential to erupt without much warning. It's part of the Cascade Range, known for its chain of active volcanoes, and it's a significant geological feature with a history of explosive eruptions. While currently at rest, its potential for future activity keeps scientists vigilant. The serene landscape can quickly transform if the mountain decides to wake from its slumber. Renowned geologist Dr. John Ewert highlights Mount Shasta as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the United States due to its explosive potential and proximity to populated areas. The USGS employs a range of monitoring techniques to anticipate any changes in its activity, providing crucial data to local authorities for emergency planning. For you, a visit to Mount Shasta isnt just a chance to enjoy its natural beauty but also an opportunity to appreciate the delicate balance of life near an active volcano. The mountain's tranquil facade belies the dynamic geological processes at work beneath. 6. Mount Hood, Oregon iStock Mount Hood, a picturesque backdrop for Portland, is one of the most potentially dangerous volcanoes in the Cascade Range. Its last major eruption was over two centuries ago, but it continues to show signs of unrest through minor seismic activity. While it currently enjoys a peaceful repose, it remains an active volcano with a history of producing lava flows and debris avalanches. This proximity to populated areas makes it a focal point for emergency preparedness and monitoring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presence of glaciers atop Mount Hood adds another layer of complexity, as they can influence volcanic activity by altering pressure and temperature dynamics. Residents and visitors alike are reminded of the ever-present risk through community drills and awareness programs. You might wonder about the unpredictability of such natural phenomena, highlighting the importance of staying informed and prepared. Mount Hood is a constant reminder of how natures beauty and fury often coexist. 7. Kilauea, Hawaii iStock Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, with its frequent eruptions continually reshaping Hawaiis landscape. It's known for its effusive eruptions, producing gentle lava flows that captivate and intimidate in equal measure. Over the years, it has been a critical site for volcanic research, providing insights into the mechanics of lava flow and eruption patterns. Kilaueas eruptions, while often non-explosive, can still cause significant disruption to local communities and ecosystems. The Hawaii Volcano Observatory, a part of the USGS, constantly monitors Kilaueas activity, employing cutting-edge technology like thermal imaging and gas emissions analysis. Their efforts provide crucial data that helps predict potential eruptions and protect lives. When you visit Kilauea, you're not just witnessing a natural wonder; you're engaging with one of the worlds most studied and monitored volcanoes. Its a testament to the interplay of science and nature, where each eruption offers lessons for the future. 8. Lassen Peak, California iStock Lassen Peak is a striking feature of Lassen Volcanic National Park, known for its dramatic volcanic history. Its last major eruption cycle occurred between 1914 and 1921, transforming the landscape and attracting international scientific attention. Today, its a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the dynamic processes that shape our planet. While dormant now, the possibility of future eruptions remains a compelling reason for ongoing studies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parks geothermal features, like boiling springs and fumaroles, hint at the volcanic activity simmering beneath the surface. For people living or traveling nearby, understanding the risks associated with Lassen Peak is part of embracing the regions unique character. Whether youre visiting for scientific interest or simply to enjoy its beauty, its essential to remain aware of its unpredictable nature. Lassen Peak serves as a vivid reminder of the power and unpredictability of the Earths geology. 9. Mount Baker, Washington iStock Mount Baker, often overshadowed by its more famous neighbors, is a vigorously active volcano in Washingtons North Cascades. Its steaming vents and hot springs indicate that it's very much alive, with a potential for future eruptions. Historically, Mount Baker has experienced both explosive and effusive eruptions, each with unique challenges and risks. The volcanos proximity to populated areas makes understanding its behavior a priority for scientists and authorities. The volcano's activity is closely monitored by the USGS and other geological entities, who use a combination of satellite imagery, seismic data, and on-ground observations. For those living in its shadow, Mount Baker is a constant reminder of natures latent power. While it offers stunning views and recreational opportunities, it also demands respect for its potential to change lives and landscapes overnight. The duality of Mount Baker is a testament to the unpredictable beauty of volcanic activity. 10. Mount Katmai, Alaska Shutterstock Mount Katmai is part of the volcanic Aleutian Range, and it owes much of its fame to the 1912 eruption of Novarupta, the most powerful eruption of the 20th century. This event created the dramatic Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a stark reminder of natures ability to reshape entire regions. While Katmai itself hasnt erupted since, its proximity to seismic activity in the region keeps it on scientists' radars. The landscape here is a testament to the raw power and beauty of volcanic processes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those venturing into its terrain, Katmai National Park offers more than just a chance to observe volcanic history. It's a place where you can witness bears fishing for salmon and experience the solitude of remote wilderness. Visitors are often struck by the juxtaposition of serene beauty and the underlying threat of geological activity. It's an ever-present reminder of how our planets history is written in fire and ash. 11. Long Valley Caldera, California Shutterstock The Long Valley Caldera, located near Mammoth Lakes, is a massive volcanic depression formed by a catastrophic eruption over 700,000 years ago. Though its most violent days are in the distant past, the caldera remains geothermally active, with hot springs and fumaroles dotting the landscape. Seismic activity in the area suggests that the magmatic systems beneath are far from dormant, posing a potential threat to nearby communities. As a result, the region is heavily monitored for any signs of increased volcanic risk. For those living near Long Valley Caldera, awareness and preparedness are key components of everyday life. The unpredictable nature of volcanic activity means that vigilance is crucial for both safety and peace of mind. When you explore this geologically rich area, youre not just visiting a natural wonder but stepping into a living laboratory of Earths dynamic processes. It offers a unique opportunity to witness the interplay between geological history and modern-day life. 12. Mount Redoubt, Alaska Shutterstock Mount Redoubt is a striking feature of the Alaskan landscape, known for its frequent eruptions and towering presence. Situated in the Aleutian Range, its one of North Americas most active volcanoes, with notable eruptions in 1989 and 2009. These eruptions have sent ash plumes high into the atmosphere, disrupting air travel and affecting air quality for miles. The combination of its remote location and explosive potential makes it a vital subject for scientific study and monitoring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Alaska Volcano Observatory, a division of the USGS, keeps a close watch on Mount Redoubts activity using an array of sensors and satellite data. Their work helps predict potential eruptions and guide emergency response efforts. For those living in Alaska or visiting its rugged terrain, Mount Redoubt is a stark reminder of the regions volatile geological activity. Its a place where the majesty of nature is intertwined with the ever-present threat of volcanic eruptions. 13. Mount Cleveland, Alaska Shutterstock Mount Cleveland is one of the most active volcanoes in the Aleutian Islands, frequently erupting with little warning. Its remote location and frequent activity make it a challenging subject for scientists who strive to understand its patterns. When it erupts, it can produce ash clouds that pose a significant hazard to aviation, with the potential to disrupt trans-Pacific flights. Despite its formidable reputation, it remains an alluring subject for volcanologists seeking to unravel its mysteries. The volcanic monitoring efforts in the Aleutians focus heavily on Mount Cleveland, utilizing satellite imagery and seismic data to track changes in its activity. This remote monitoring is crucial, given the inaccessibility of the region and the potential dangers involved. For you, the allure of Mount Cleveland lies in its embodiment of natural power and unpredictability. Its a reminder that the Earths most remote places can also be its most dynamic and volatile. New details are emerging in the sweeping child pornography sting dubbed Operation Firewall conducted by the Massachusetts State Police (MSP). 25 Investigates has learned one of the people arrested is linked to a state approved daycare in Worcester County. 18-year-old Daniel Cruz is charged with possession of child pornography, according to State Police. His family operates Yhandys in Templeton. The home daycare facility had been licensed to provide childcare to up to 10 children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cruz is a recent graduate of Narragansett Regional High School in Templeton. 25 Investigates matched his home address to the daycare, following an anonymous tip from a viewer. Investigative Reporter Ted Daniel visited the property Tuesday morning but received no answer at the door, though people could be heard inside. The daycares Facebook and Instagram page have been taken down. During the news conference announcing the arrests Monday, MSP Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Tucker emphasized the broad reach of such crimes. I can assure you there is no profile when it comes to child exploitation, said Tucker. The Massachusetts State Police, along with our partners, made 56 total arrests, seized 229 devices from suspects, and executed 34 residential search warrants across every part of the state, Tucker explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan addressed the general anxieties surrounding childcare safety. This is something that obviously people are always concerned about who they are leaving their children with, Ryan stated, urging parents to have those conversations. Pay attention. Talk to your pediatrician. Look at those resources. A source briefed on the investigation has indicated that there is no known link between Cruzs arrest and the children at Yhandys Daycare. The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) has launched an investigation into the facility. EEC records indicate that Daniel Cruz was an approved household member, which would have required him to pass a background check for individuals who frequently visit or live in licensed home daycares. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The daycares license is no longer active and Yhandys has ceased providing care to children, according to EEC. Ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of children at licensed early education and care programs is the top priority of the Department of Early Education and Care, a spokesperson said. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW More than 20 people, including teenagers, returning from a church camp were injured when a bus overturned in the Southern California mountains, authorities said Nov. 10. The bus had been traveling downhill when it rolled over at a curve on State Route 330 near Running Springs, a community about 80 miles east of Los Angeles, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department. The crash occurred at around 8:50 p.m. local time on Nov. 9, and the fire department said first responders were dispatched to the scene just before 9 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene, the fire department said first responders discovered the bus tipped over on its side in a turnout with passengers "extricating themselves including many through the vehicles roof hatch." The bus carried 36 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "County Fire resources quickly declared the incident an MCI (mass casualty incident), with firefighters and paramedics setting up triage protocols, a patient treatment area, and an ambulance loading zone," the fire department said in a statement on Nov. 10. Florida crash: 4 dead, 9 injured after speeding car crashes into business, police say Twenty-six people, including three with major injuries, were treated, according to the fire department. Of those injured, 20 were transported to area hospitals by ambulances, while the others on the bus declined transport or treatment. The fire department noted that there was no fire or hazardous-material exposure, and no extrication operations were required. The agency added that the first patients were taken to hospitals within 15 minutes of the crews initiating triage, and by 10:30 p.m., all patients had been transported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident prompted a large emergency response, including 11 engine companies, 11 ambulances, and four chief officers, according to the fire department. The California Highway Patrol also temporarily shut down State Route 330 in both directions to secure the scene. The California Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the incident, according to the fire department. Fire department: Passengers attended a California church camp The fire department said the bus was returning to Orange County after passengers attended a church camp in the San Bernardino Mountains near Angelus Oaks, a small community surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest. The group was with Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Santa Ana, a city in Orange County, the Diocese of Orange confirmed to KABC-TV. The Diocese of Orange said in a statement that the group was attending a three-day parish youth retreat at Camp Nawakwa in the San Bernardino Mountains, KABC-TV reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tour bus crashes in Upstate New York: Injuries, fatalities and traffic delays The Diocese of Orange added that about 125 people, including teenagers, retreat staff, and volunteers, participated in the event, according to KABC-TV. Participants left the retreat on Nov. 9 in several vans and one bus that was involved in the accident. In a statement shared on social media on Nov. 10, the Diocese of Orange thanked first responders and asked the community to "join in prayer for healing as a way to cope with this tragic incident." "Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the youth, families, and staff of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church (Santa Ana) who are feeling deeply affected by the bus accident on Sunday evening in the San Bernardino Mountains on the way home from a youth retreat," the statement reads. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: More than 20 injured after bus overturned in Southern California The sister of Major San D. Francisco has new hope 57 years after a telegram was delivered to her familys home in Burbank with the awful news that his F-4 Phantom jet was shot down over Vietnam. Despite an extensive search and rescue mission, he was not found alive, and his body has yet to be recovered and returned home. Francisco, a 1962 graduate of Kennewick High, was the co-pilot on a reconnaissance mission over the Ho Chi Minh Trail on Nov. 25, 1968. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francisco was not originally scheduled to be on that flight, which was just days before a planned R&R break with his family after completing the requisite 100 combat missions for his tour of duty. But when a pilot scheduled for the flight fell ill, Francisco volunteered. The search continues to recover MIA Air Force Maj. San D. Francisco, a Kennewick High graduate, after his F-4 Phantom jet was shot down during the Vietnam War. The pilot of the F-4, Major Joseph Morrison, ejected and survived, only to be killed resisting capture. Both of Franciscos legs were broken, either when he ejected or hit the ground. Accounts from Vietnamese witnesses say he was being captured when he was hit by shrapnel from American bombs. One of his sisters, Terri Francisco-Farrell of Kennewick, suspects he was dragged into an open area by his captors in their attempt to ambush the Americans looking for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She believes he died after he would not lift his hands to the ladder of his helicopter and put its crew in danger. Francisco-Farrell has been unrelenting in her efforts to find her older brother. I just hope I live long enough to see it happen, she told the Tri-City Herald as another Veterans Day approached. It is something that should have been taken care of long ago. Franciscos parents, who died in the mid-80s, never learned the details of his death, and Francisco-Farrell only received information after the Quang Bihn province finally was opened to investigators in 2012. Then witnesses described his death and said he was buried nearby. Because U.S. pilots were valued for propaganda purposes, his body was exhumed and photographed three days later, then reburied in the same grave, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By 2020, first one site and then another identified by witnesses as a possible burial site were excavated, but Francisco was not found. Hundreds of square feet have previously been excavated in Vietnam looking for the remains of Major San D. Francisco, whose jet fighter was shot down Nov. 25, 1968. Then with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, excavations organized by the U.S. government were halted and a third planned excavation for Francisco, was canceled. Excavations in Vietnam were scheduled to resume last year, but Francisco was not on the list. But his sister remains hopeful that her will be found after she and her sister attended a session in the Seattle area in April for family members of those still missing in action. They received an update from the U.S. governments Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, or DPAA. New plan to find Major Francisco A written report said that the search for Francisco, who was promoted from first lieutenant to major after his death, has been challenging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francisco and Morrison were killed on the ground, with their bodies either placed or left at two locations that were not formally marked or recorded, making the search more difficult. As the decades have passed, a house has been built and soil dug up near one potential site, the landscape of thick vegetation has changed, and potential witnesses have died. But the case remains active, and a new search method is proposed by U.S. government officials, which would include the area that was planned to be excavated in 2020, according to the April 2025 DPAA report. The body of Air Force Major San D. Francisco, a graduate of Kennewick High, may be buried behind the blue structure shown. Franciscos jet fighter was shot down during the Vietnam War in 1968. Officials have approved using a drone equipped with a magnetometer, which can detect metals at a greater distance than conventional metal detectors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could pick up metal such as in the heels of Franciscos boots, the zipper of his flight suit or his flight helmet, if it was not taken, Francisco-Farrell said. Most likely is that it can detect where Americans strafed the area where the F-4 went down with cluster bombs, confirming the location. The information collected using a magnetometer will be used to guide potential recovery work, according to the DPAA report. Family and friends maintain a website for the San D. Francisco Awareness Campaign. San gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country, it says. He deserves to be brought home to American soil now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The site recommends contacting Washingtons U.S. senators to maintain attention on the need to bring Francisco home. Email Sen. Patty Murray through her website at murray.senate.gov/write-to-patty or email Sen. Maria Cantwell through her website at cantwell.senate.gov/contact/email/form. Letters also may be sent to Sen. Patty Murray, 154 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510, and to Sen. Maria Cantwell, 511 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510. A 64-year-old Altadena woman is back with her family after she was released from ICE custody, and now, her family is speaking out. Masuma Khan went in for a routine immigration check-in last month when federal agents took her into custody. "Nothing happened like this before. I'm totally shocked," she told Eyewitness News. She described the conditions she was held in. An Altadena woman's family is growing increasingly worried for her health while she remains detained without vital medications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We used socks for the hairband, socks to cover our hands because it's cold inside," she added. It became dangerous when Masuma said she was not able to access vital health medication. "I (was) so worried that something serious was going to happen to her that would be irreversible, and I didn't want to lose my mom, you know, while she was in there because of negligence," said her daughter, Riya Khan. On Wednesday, Masuma had her day in court, and a U.S. federal court judge granted a preliminary injunction, ordering her immediate release. "I feel like I'm out of prison and I can breathe," Masuma said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release prevents her from being deported without due process as her immigration case continues. Her lawyer says even people who try to become citizens the right way deal with major uphill battles. "There needs to be ways for people who've been here a long time to get status and to not have to feel insecure about their ability to stay here," lawyer Ritu Mahajan said. Masuma, who is from Bangladesh, arrived in the U.S. in 1997. Her husband and daughter are U.S. citizens. Upon trying to get her documents in order, she hired someone who her lawyer says mishandled her paperwork. "The way in which this person was going about it was by making up stories, you know, saying that somebody's from somewhere else, and experienced some sort of situation, and based on that, is deserving of asylum, "Mahajan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riya said the family is going to continue to fight for her mother's immigration status. "We are going to keep following the procedures that she's been following for years, legally. And that's all we can do, and we can just advocate for each other and just continue following the rules," Riya said. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security responded to Eyewitness News' request for comment in October and said claims that Masuma was denied medication are unfounded. They added that they are committed to enforcing immigration laws. As for the California City Correctional Facility where she was held, her lawyer says she believes some legal groups are ready to file a lawsuit against the facility soon. The Houston Police Department said a 70-year-old man was critically injured when he was shot outside of a Walmart in west Houston Monday night. HPD said it happened at about 11 p.m. in the store's parking lot near I-10 and the Sam Houston Tollway. A lieutenant with the department told ABC13 the victim was coming out of Walmart when he was approached by at least one masked suspect. He said the victim was ordered to withdraw money from an ATM in the parking lot before being shot in the chest once. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, the 70-year-old was able to drive off before being discovered about a mile away along the I-10 feeder near Attingham Drive. "The victim was able to get away," Lt. J.P. Horelica said. "A wrecker driver happened to pull up (and find him unconscious)." Horelica said it's possible there were two suspects. So far, no arrests have been made in this case. One USAA customer told Eyewitness News reports about people being followed to and from banks and ATMs have made him reconsider his banking habits. "I try and do this kind of thing during the daylight when there are other people around. Especially like just now, I deposited regular old cash money. Not the kind of thing I'm likely to do at night," Brian Stansell said. People are asked to call Crime Stoppers of Houston or HPD's robbery division if they have any information that could lead to an arrest. The Connecticut ACLU is demanding officials turn off the automatic license plate reader cameras scattered across the state until laws are passed to prevent misuse of personal data collected from the overhead surveillance. "Every person in Connecticut should be able to drive to work, school or the doctor without ending up in a government database," said David McGuire, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement License plate scanners, often affixed to stationary poles, have been popping up in numerous communities across Connecticut in recent years. Managed by the local police departments, many police officials have said they have helped to solve crimes and cases of missing people by tracking every license plate that drives past. But others have argued the scanners are an invasion of privacy and that the information could wind up in the wrong hands. The ACLU said a moratorium is needed until new laws prevent "misuse, sharing and selling of driver location data," noting the information can now be used against "immigrants, LGBTQ+ people and anyone seeking reproductive or gender-affirming care." McGuire said the data represents a real threat to state residents. "When our state's location data is being accessed by ICE and states that criminalize abortion or gender-affirming care, that surveillance becomes a direct threat to people's safety and freedom," McGuire claimed, while not identifying the basis for the assertion. "This kind of unchecked monitoring has a chilling effect on people exercising their rights - whether visiting a health clinic, attending a protest or going to worship. Until we have transparency and meaningful safeguards, Connecticut must halt the use of these systems." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rob Blanchard, spokesman for Gov. Ned Lamont, said the governor is open to suggestions regarding additional protections. "The governor is committed to ensuring that data is not used unlawfully or in violation of Connecticut's Trust Act," Blanchard said. "In addition to including strong privacy protections in the call for this week's special session, his administration has met with advocates to better understand the scope of this issue and remains open to exploring additional safeguards." Democratic majority leaders in the General Assembly did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Connecticut Trust Act, updated earlier this year, prohibits law enforcement from cooperating with immigration and deportation enforcement conducted by ICE or other agencies, except in the case of a serious felony charge. In general, the law prevents the state from being drawn into the current immigration and enforcement activities. That said, data from a company collecting the information could be sent elsewhere, theoretically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concern has been growing for some time over companies such as Flock Safety, which operates cameras across Connecticut and the U.S. In response to complaints, Flock in August said a pilot program in which the company agreed to assist Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection and its law enforcement arm, Homeland Security Investigations, "in combating human trafficking and fentanyl distribution" has been put on hold. In a statement provided after publication of this story, Paris Lewbel, a spokesman for Flock Safety, said it's up to its customers to decide if information is shared. "Flock does not have any contractual relationships with any Department of Homeland Security agencies," Lewbel said. "Each customer that uses Flock technology fully owns and controls 100% of their data. Customers decide if, when, and with whom to share information. There is no automatic sharing. Access by any outside agency requires the owning agency's explicit decision, and those settings can be changed or revoked at any time." When asked whether the pilot program is still on hold, Flock did not comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Nov. 4 statement, Flock said it will not sell, publish or disclose reader data for commercial purposes, disclose or publish the data unless required by law or disseminate information to anyone not authorized to access or use the data. But the statement left open the possibility of delivering data to federal government agencies or other authorities. "Flock Safety may access, use, preserve and/or disclose the LPR [License plate reader] data to law enforcement authorities, government officials, and/or third parties, if legally required to do so or if Flock has a good faith belief that such access, use, preservation or disclosure is reasonably necessary to comply with a legal process, enforce the agreement between Flock and the customer, or detect, prevent or otherwise address security, privacy, fraud or technical issues, or emergency situations," the statement noted. Earlier this year, a Texas sheriff's department used Flock's "national lookup" feature to search for a woman who was seeking an abortion, according to the Associated Press. That search reportedly pulled data from more than 83,000 cameras in many states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, Richmond, Virginia police said an employee at the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had reportedly used Flock's software to search data from Richmond for purposes of immigration enforcement. Rules of the road Although no one knows how many license plate reader cameras are in Connecticut state law does not require their usage be reported - it's generally accepted the number is steadily growing. The Connecticut State Police are known to operate at least 14 cameras attached to cruisers and one stationary reader and as of May 2025 the department had 30 more on order. Towns including Milford, Clinton, Cheshire, Greenwich, East Haven, Darien, Vernon and Manchester were among communities known to have the cameras. The Putnam Police Department's web page notes its Flock cameras are intended to "capture objective evidence without compromising on individual privacy" and the town is prohibited from using the data for "immigration enforcement, traffic enforcement, harassment or intimidation, usage based solely on a protected class (i.e. race, sex, religion) and personal use." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The website also offers a lengthy list of organizations granted access to town cameras, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Wright Patterson Ohio Air Force Base. Towns and cities given access range from the Agawam, Massachusetts, Police Department to the Sherwood, Arizona, Police Department. Investigation and privacy ACLU said it has filed 43 requests to 42 municipal police departments and the state police in Connecticut known to use Flock systems, as well as 51 additional requests to other municipal departments for general information about their use of license plate readers and related contracts. The effort builds on findings by the national ACLU and partner organizations which shows Flock's standard contract grants the company a "worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free" license to share police-collected data "for investigative purposes." The ACLU said that means information collected by a local department could be accessed by thousands of agencies nationwide unless specific contractual limits are negotiated. "From Black and brown communities to those seeking reproductive health and gender-affirming care, ALPR technology like Flock Safety disproportionately harms people already facing systemic discrimination, while putting everyone's data, safety, and autonomy at risk," said Chelsea-Infinity Gonzalez, director of public policy and advocacy of the ACLU of Connecticut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The public deserves to know how this surveillance technology is being used before another day of unregulated tracking occurs," Gonzalez claimed. "We are calling for an immediate moratorium on the use of this technology in Connecticut until the legislature and governor establish strict limits to prevent this data from being shared, sold, or weaponized against vulnerable communities. Every person in Connecticut deserves to move freely without being tracked, profiled, or exposed to government overreach." Eric Cruz Lopez, organizing director of CT Students for a Dream, said, "immigrants and citizens alike should not have to fear that their personal information will fall into the wrong hands, simply by driving their cars." Lopez added "in a time where all our data is mined by private companies, we do not need our state to have public-private partnerships that sell our data to the federal government and to states that are prosecuting their residents for pursuing care." Constanza Segovia, organizing director of Hartford Deportation Defense, said everyone should be concerned about privacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our municipal agencies, including police departments, must work for everybody who lives here regardless of immigration status," Segovia said. "When we sell our neighbors' personal information to unscrupulous third parties without public input or regulation, we put all of our people at risk. This practice must stop." Clarification: This story has been updated to include a statement from Flock Safety, which was provided after this story was published online, and to reflect that Flock assisted the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection and its law enforcement arm, Homeland Security Investigations, in a pilot program it put on hold in August. This article originally published at ACLU demands Connecticut halt license plate reader use over privacy concerns. Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE). By way of learning-by-doing, we'll look at ROE to gain a better understanding of Chin Hin Group Berhad (KLSE:CHINHIN). Return on Equity or ROE is a test of how effectively a company is growing its value and managing investors money. In simpler terms, it measures the profitability of a company in relation to shareholder's equity. Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit. How To Calculate Return On Equity? The formula for ROE is: Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders' Equity So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Chin Hin Group Berhad is: 13% = RM225m RM1.7b (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2025). The 'return' refers to a company's earnings over the last year. One way to conceptualize this is that for each MYR1 of shareholders' capital it has, the company made MYR0.13 in profit. View our latest analysis for Chin Hin Group Berhad Does Chin Hin Group Berhad Have A Good Return On Equity? Arguably the easiest way to assess company's ROE is to compare it with the average in its industry. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. As is clear from the image below, Chin Hin Group Berhad has a better ROE than the average (7.4%) in the Trade Distributors industry. KLSE:CHINHIN Return on Equity November 11th 2025 That's what we like to see. With that said, a high ROE doesn't always indicate high profitability. Aside from changes in net income, a high ROE can also be the outcome of high debt relative to equity, which indicates risk. You can see the 2 risks we have identified for Chin Hin Group Berhad by visiting our risks dashboard for free on our platform here. The Importance Of Debt To Return On Equity Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow profits. That cash can come from issuing shares, retained earnings, or debt. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the use of debt will improve the returns, but will not change the equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same. Combining Chin Hin Group Berhad's Debt And Its 13% Return On Equity It's worth noting the high use of debt by Chin Hin Group Berhad, leading to its debt to equity ratio of 1.09. The combination of a rather low ROE and significant use of debt is not particularly appealing. Debt increases risk and reduces options for the company in the future, so you generally want to see some good returns from using it. Lawyers for the state and national ACLU argue that Michael Addisons death sentence was affected by racial bias, given that similar murders in the state committed by white people resulted in life imprisonments. (Photo by William Skipworth/New Hampshire Bulletin) As New Hampshires lone member of death row renews an attempt to overturn his death sentence at the New Hampshire Supreme Court, the American Civil Liberties Union is jumping in to help. In a friend-of-the-court brief filed Oct. 30, lawyers for the state and national ACLU argue that Michael Addisons death sentence was affected by racial bias, given that similar murders in the state committed by white people resulted in life imprisonments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A jury handed Addison, who is Black, a death sentence in 2008 after he shot and killed Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs in 2006 while fleeing. Briggs had been responding to a reported domestic disturbance; Addison shot him in the head. But the ACLU has pointed to two other murders in New Hampshire in which the courts found a stronger intent to kill, and in which a jury sentenced the defendant to life in prison. In one 2006 case, John Brooks was convicted of murdering a handyman with a pair of accomplices after planning the killing for two years. And in 1998, Gordon Perry received a life sentence despite shooting and killing a police officer who was approaching his parked car. Both defendants in those cases were white. One cannot hand wave these racial disparities, the ACLU brief reads, adding that a proper proportionality review of a death sentence should consider whether the sentence is arbitrary or infected by impermissible considerations such as race. The brief cites studies in other states suggesting racial disparities in the use of the death penalty. One 2014 study, from the state of Washington, found that Black defendants were 4 times more likely than white defendants to be sentenced to death after being convicted of similar crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amici curiae brief is a collaboration of the ACLU of New Hampshire as well as the national ACLUs Capital Punishment Project. And it comes as lawyers for Addison are hoping to use New Hampshires death penalty repeal in his favor. The New Hampshire Legislature repealed its capital punishment law in 2019, narrowly overturning a veto by Gov. Chris Sununu. That repeal bill was intended to be forward-looking and to not apply to death sentences in the past, including Addisons. It states that it shall apply to persons convicted of capital murder on or after the effective date of this act. But this year, Addisons attorneys have argued that despite the prospective language, the 2019 repeal should lead the Supreme Court to negate Addisons 2008 death sentence. Executing Addison now would be excessive or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases, since someone convicted of the same crime today would not receive the death penalty, Addisons attorneys argue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under New Hampshires now-repealed capital murder law, the state Supreme Court may overturn a sentencing if that excessive and disproportionate standard is met. In making their argument, Addisons attorneys are drawing in part on precedents set in Connecticut and New Mexico. In both states, lawmakers repealed a death penalty and attempted to make that repeal apply only to future capital punishment convictions, and in both states, their highest courts ruled the repeal rendered moot existing death penalty sentences. In its amici brief, the ACLU makes similar arguments, and provides research indicating that no state has carried out executions after its Legislature repealed the death penalty. If the state Supreme Court permits the execution despite the repeal, New Hampshire would be the first, they argue. The state Supreme Court has twice considered and denied appeals of Addisons case on the basis of disproportionality first in 2013 and again in 2015. In both instances, the court determined that Addisons sentence was neither excessive nor disproportionate, after comparing it to 10 similar cases from four states with similar death penalty laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Addisons attorneys argue the 2019 repeal signaled a profound shift in community values against the death penalty, and that the court should thus revisit the disproportionality argument. In September, the Supreme Court said it would accept written briefs from both Addison and the Attorney Generals Office on the question of whether the 2019 repeal should negate Addisons execution. Addisons attorneys, Jonathan Cohen of Cohen and Winters, PLLC in Concord, and Michael Wiseman and Jon Cioschi, of Wiseman, Schwartz, Cioschi & Trama in Philadelphia, submitted their 27-page brief on Oct. 30. The Attorney Generals Office has not yet submitted a response brief. But Gov. Kelly Ayotte, who as attorney general led the prosecution of Addison from 2006 to 2008, has spoken out strongly against Addisons appeal efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Addison, a career criminal, murdered Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs in cold blood, and he should face the death sentence imposed by a jury of his peers and upheld by the New Hampshire Supreme Court, Ayotte said in a statement. Commuting his sentence would be a grave injustice and an insult to Officer Briggs family and law enforcement. Some Republican lawmakers have filed bills ahead of the 2026 legislative session to restore the states death penalty laws. Ayotte has said she would support the return of the punishment to the state. An AI-generated political ad featuring a deepfake of Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff is raising concerns as it highlights the growing use of artificial intelligence in political campaigns. The ad, created by Republican Congressman Mike Collins campaign, mimics Ossoffs appearance and voice. This use of AI technology in political advertising is legal under current laws, and experts suggest it could become more prevalent as elections approach. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] I think this is the future of negative campaigning, Dr. Nathan Price, a political science professor at the University of North Georgia, told Channel 2s Richard Elliot. While you and I might recognize an AI-generated video as inauthentic, some people are going to believe what they see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ad portrays a fabricated version of Ossoff making controversial statements, which were actually generated by AI. This technique is part of a strategy by Collins campaign to engage voters using new technology. RELATED STORIES: Dr. Charles Bullock, a political science professor emeritus at the University of Georgia, noted that such ads could reinforce existing biases among voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a very negative ad, maybe some voters would hear that, well, thats exactly what I thought that candidate, that scoundrel was, and hear it come out of his own mouth saying these things, Bullock told channel 2 Action News. Despite the bipartisan concerns, the Georgia legislatures attempt to limit AI-generated political ads did not pass, leaving the door open for more such ads in future campaigns. As political campaigns increasingly adopt AI technology, the impact on voter perception and campaign strategies is likely to grow. Well catch up to this, but they will be, this will be a big effect on the upcoming 2026 midterms, Im sure, Price said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] President Donald Trumps retribution campaign against his political adversaries could soon hit the Senate and lawmakers are already bracing for impact. After securing the indictments of former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, Trump has his sights set on Sen. Adam Schiff, the California Democrat who as a member of the House managed the presidents first impeachment trial. If Schiff ends up indicted on allegations of mortgage fraud a charge he has vehemently denied or for any other claim, it would mark an unprecedented escalation for Trump to target an outspoken political adversary who is also a federal elected official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Schiff solicits dollars for a legal defense fund and builds an expansive political operation prepared to do damage control around any potential charges, Schiffs Democratic colleagues in Congress are increasingly anxious about their own vulnerability. They are also frustrated with the unwillingness of Republican senators to speak out on Schiffs behalf. I've spoken to a number of Republicans, and they are certainly disquieted, if not dismayed, by the increasing weaponization of the Department of Justice, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Because it tears down the norms and rule of law that protects them and all Americans, as well as Adam Schiff and Democrats who may be targeted by Trump. It has been just a few months since news broke that Schiff was being investigated for mortgage fraud relating to the financing of his Maryland residence and weeks since Trump in a social media post called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to go after Schiff, Comey and James. Recent reports have suggested the case against Schiff has stalled as prosecutors are said to be struggling to find sufficient evidence to bring up charges. [Trump has] been more than willing to go after his political opponents to go after universities, to go after law firms, to go after media organizations, Schiff said last week. It's all part of the same effort to silence and intimidate critics and, I think, needs to be recognized for what it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation remains ongoing, however. And FBI Director Kash Patel, another longtime Schiff foe, continues to brandish accusations that Schiff, as chair of the House Intelligence Committee, sought to leak potentially damaging information about Trump. A report from the DOJ Office of Inspector General, in which names have been redacted, found that the witness levying the leaking charges against Schiff had little support for their contentions. Schiff, through a spokesperson, has denied the claims. Lawmakers of both parties are now closely watching to see what will become of Schiff. Interviews with senators revealed concerns that their institution is at risk of becoming further polarized if the DOJ goes ahead with charges. You cant go around threatening people everyday and have a collaborative environment, said Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats are on edge, worrying a Schiff indictment would open the floodgates to more targeting of Democratic elected officials. Many Republicans are either visibly uncomfortable with the dynamics or unwilling to weigh in on a matter that could put them crosswise with the president. Because Trump took the step of publicly calling on his attorney general to go after Schiff a break with historical precedent in which the White House has kept its distance from the Justice Department an indictment would play out differently on Capitol Hill than past episodes where lawmakers have found themselves under legal scrutiny. The most recent senatorial indictment of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), accused of bribery in 2023 presented an awkward situation for many of his longtime colleagues in both parties. Most Democrats repeated the innocent until proven guilty mantra while praising him for stepping aside from his leadership post atop the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as the case worked through the system. Menendez was convicted at trial and is now serving an 11-year prison sentence. In recent months, he has sought to endear himself to Trump, who has pardon-granting power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Schiffs indictment would challenge those old norms in almost every way. Democrats are expected to rush to his defense and blast the Trump administration for carrying out a personal vendetta. Many Republicans will have to decide how strongly to push back, if they do at all. Senate Democrats concede they are nervous about the looming threat. Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, for instance, said in an interview her team has been in touch with Schiffs office about how to prepare to be the subject of a Trump investigation. We've already created a break-glass plan for ourselves if the spotlight turns to others in the caucus, said Slotkin. A former CIA analyst from a swing state, her decision to support impeaching Trump in 2019 helped catalyze the successful vote in the House. It's based on the experience we've watched Adam go through, she continued of her own preparations. How do you have a lawyer ready to go? How do you make sure you know the legal left and right limits of what you can and cannot do? How do you think about a legal defense fund? I mean, there's a lot of details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schiffs national profile precedes his current predicament, which means hes had a considerable infrastructure supporting him. In the years between his election to the House in 2000, his rising to prominence during the first Trump administration, and then winning a Senate seat last year, he has assembled a team of Democratic firms and advisers. He is standing up a legal defense fund and has an $8.6 million campaign war chest, more than $2 million of which was raised in the years most recent fundraising quarter alone notable because he is not up for reelection until 2030. A spokesperson for Schiff would not say how much cash is currently in the legal defense fund, but donations from any unrelated individual into that fund cannot exceed $10,000 per fiscal year and lawmakers cannot transfer campaign money into the account. Per Senate rules, members may set up a legal expense trust fund to pay for their defense, but they have to regularly disclose contributions and spending to the Senate Ethics Committee. Schiff is being represented by the legal giant WilmerHale; one of his lawyers is Preet Bharara, a former U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York who was fired by Trump in 2017 for refusing to follow orders to resign as a Barack Obama-era appointee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Capitol Hill, Democrats want Republicans to step up and offer support, too. We're in the middle of a totalitarian takeover, in part, because even threatening major political figures like Adam Schiff with arrest undoubtedly has a chilling impact on political speech, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said in an interview. It's been heartbreaking to see relative silence from Republicans in the face of these threats. Schiff said he has not yet heard directly from GOP colleagues about his case. However, Murphy is among some Senate Democrats, including Blumenthal, who say they are privately back-channeling with Republicans about the DOJs actions against Trumps political enemies, including Schiff. For many of the Republican Senators who work alongside Schiff daily, the situation is complicated. Notoriously chatty Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) Trump loyalists who serve with Schiff on the Senate Judiciary Committee declined to discuss the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) would only point to the probes reportedly dimming prospects when asked for his reaction to the case. I just go by what I saw on television, that the people in the Justice Department thought it was a difficult case to win, he said. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment and pointed to a recent social media post from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche denying news reports about the obstacles in charging Schiff for mortgage fraud. Some Senate Republicans are avoiding comment on Schiffs predicament by maligning former President Joe Biden for weaponizing the Justice Department exactly what Democrats say is happening now under Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I don't know the underlying facts, but I believe the Department of Justice should enforce the law and not be weaponized the way it was for four years under Joe Biden, said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in an interview. Further underscoring the treacherous terrain in which Schiff now finds himself is that some Republicans are outwardly eager to have him targeted. Adam Schiff was probably the most corrupt member of Congress when it came to pushing the totally false collusion hoax. He used his position as chair of Intel to push that thing, said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.). He was referring to the accusations during the first Trump impeachment trial that centered around claims that Trump pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to dig up information about Biden. Johnson, the chair of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, is now leading an inquiry into revelations that Biden special counsel Jack Smith obtained the phone records of Republican lawmakers as part of his probe into Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's unfortunate the Democrats in California would elect someone like that whos been censured by the House, that is so thoroughly proven a liar, said Johnson, referring to a Republican-led 2023 House effort to condemn Schiff for his role in investigating Trump. He needs to be investigated, he added. Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy, and give us feedback. Jolt Initiative, a nonprofit that aims to increase civic participation among Latinos, is suing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to block his efforts to shut them down. Paxton announced Monday that he was seeking to revoke the nonprofits charter, alleging that the group had orchestrated a systematic, unlawful voter registration scheme. This is not the first legal back-and-forth between Jolt and Paxtons office. Last year, the organization successfully sued to stop the states investigation into their voter registration efforts. In the new suit, Jolts lawyers argue Paxtons efforts to shut them down are retaliation. The attorney generals office has also in recent years targeted other organizations aiding Latinos and migrants, such as the effort to investigate and shut down El Paso-based Annunciation House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jolt is simply the latest target of his unlawful campaign to undermine and silence civil rights groups in Texas, said Mimi Marziani, a lawyer representing the nonprofit. The background: In August 2024, Fox News host Maria Bartiromo said on X that a friend had seen organizations registering migrants to vote outside state drivers license facilities in Fort Worth and Weatherford. But local officials, including the Parker County Republican chair, said there was no evidence backing the post. Bartiromos debunked claims still prompted an attorney general investigation into organizations including Jolt. Jolt then sued for a temporary restraining order, saying that Paxtons probe would harm the organization as well as put its workers and volunteers at risk. In October 2024, both sides agreed to pause their legal fight and Jolt was allowed to continue its work, while the courts addressed a different lawsuit involving the tool used by Paxton to investigate the group. The attorney generals office now said in its recent court filing that it has agreed to not issue another subpoena, instead opting to launch a new lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Paxton announced earlier this year that his office is investigating cases of potential noncitizens casting more than 200 ballots in 2020 and 2022, which would be around one-thousandth of 1% of the votes cast during these periods. Meanwhile, Texas counties are looking into more than 2,700 registered voters who were flagged as potential noncitizens. At least six of them have been confirmed to be U.S. citizens. Voters also recently approved a constitutional amendment adding language to the states constitution saying that a person who is not a U.S. citizen cannot vote in Texas. Noncitizen voting was already illegal prior to this update. Why Texas sued: Following Bartiromos claims, the attorney generals office sent an undercover agent to a DMV location near San Antonio to investigate by attempting to register a fake daughter who wasnt physically with him to vote, according to Paxtons Oct. 23 court filing. It said a Jolt volunteer deputy registrar still instructed the agent on how to register his daughter, despite her absence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although when the agent asked for a form to take his daughter, the Jolt volunteer said he could not let the agent have one. The agent said the volunteer then inferred that he could register his daughter to vote, which is illegal, according to the filing. I stated in a question format that I couldnt have one, and [the VDR] replied that since I have her information, I could register her to vote, alluding to being a parent and that I had that right, the agent wrote. This was inferring that I could sign her voter registration card, and while [the VDR] made this statement he overtly looked away. This is not only incorrect but illegal per election code. Jolt disputed this claim about legality in its court filing. Paxtons filing didnt provide evidence of Jolt registering noncitizens to vote. Instead, it said the groups decision to hold voter registration drives near DMV locations illuminates its unlawful motive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is because U.S. citizens can already register to vote at any DMV with proof of citizenship, the court document said. Thus, there is no need for a VDR at such locations. Paxton brought the lawsuit in Tarrant County, saying that a substantial part of the events underlying its claims took place there. JOLT is a radical, partisan operation that has, and continues to, knowingly attempt to corrupt our voter rolls and weaken the voice of lawful Texas voters, he said in a news release. I will make sure they face the full force of the law. What Jolt says: The nonprofit filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday, asking a judge to stop Paxtons state lawsuit because it infringes on their rights under the First Amendment and the Voting Rights Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In particular, Jolt said in a court filing that its volunteer didnt do anything wrong because Texas election code does allow for a person to appoint their parent as an agent to complete and sign a registration application for them. The parent must also be a qualified voter or must have submitted a registration application and be eligible to vote, according to the code. Here, the State provides very few particularized factual allegations in its Petition to support its Motion for Leave, instead relying upon sweeping but unsupported claims about Jolts motives, beliefs and activities, the group said in its initial response to Paxtons lawsuit. Jolt also said it will fight to defend its mission, adding that Paxton is abusing his authority in order to stop its voter registration drives. This is a systematic effort to dismantle the infrastructure of Latino civic engagement in Texas, Jackie Bastard, Jolts executive director, said in a news release. The planned delivery of three AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters to the Indian Army has taken an unusual turn. The Antonov Airlines An-124 cargo aircraft carrying the rotorcraft to India returned to the United States with the Apaches still onboard, after a long stopover in the United Kingdom. A Boeing spokesperson told TWZ that the company was looking into logistical issues that they said had interrupted the transportation. Antonov An-124 UR-82008 arrived at KIWA this afternoon from Leipzig, Germany, to pick up 3 AH-64E Apaches for the Indian Army. pic.twitter.com/5PNuAYGIcx KIWA Spotter (@KiwaSpotter) October 30, 2025 The unexpected movements were tracked by plane spotter @KiwaSpotter, who noted the heavy-lift An-124 serial UR-82008 arriving at Mesa Gateway Airport, also known as PhoenixMesa Airport, in Arizona, on October 30, after a flight from its operating base in Leipzig, Germany. One of three Indian Army AH-64Es is readied for loading onto the An-124 at Mesa, Arizona, on October 30. @KiwaSpotter You can see the second of 3 being loaded into UR-82008 this past Wednesday. https://t.co/BizV2fPxSs pic.twitter.com/EE8qOdVXoZ TSW1 (@TheShipWatch_1) October 30, 2025 After being moved from the nearby Boeing facility in Mesa, the Apaches were loaded aboard the An-124, which then departed the United States on November 1 and flew to East Midlands Airport in England. When loaded, the helicopters were already painted in their distinctive Indian Army desert camouflage scheme. At least one of the Apaches could be identified in the photos, as serial IA-7105. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The An-124 and its Apache cargo then remained on the ground at the British airport for eight days before the aircraft departed, not headed toward India but returning over the Atlantic to its original point of departure at Mesa Gateway Airport, where they touched down on November 8. The Apaches were later seen after being unloaded, now under tow, with their rotors removed. New photos from KIWA show all 3 apaches being towed away by 3 F250s@Adhyayan_S @KiwaSpotter pic.twitter.com/oKtECxP8Hd TSW1 (@TheShipWatch_1) November 10, 2025 The Indian Army has already received its first three AH-64Es in July this year, part of a six-aircraft deal worth $796 million that was signed back in February 2020, during U.S. President Donald Trumps visit to New Delhi. The first trio of rotorcraft was flown by Antonov Airlines An-124 to Air Force Station Hindon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These helicopters will enhance the Army Aviation wings operational effectiveness, especially in challenging terrains, Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh said at the time. #WATCH | The first batch of Apache attack Helicopters for the Indian Army has reached India. The choppers will be deployed in Jodhpur by the Indian Army: Indian Army officials (Source: Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/zvSC5pXvgZ ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2025 These AH-64s are currently being used to train crews at Nashik, in Maharashtra state, western India, home of the Indian Army Aviation Training School. Ultimately, the Indian Army Apaches are expected to be stationed at Nagtalao Army Aviation Base, north of Jodhpur, in northwestern India. The latest batch of three helicopters would have completed the Indian Army deliveries had they arrived. TWZ approached Boeing for more information, and a company spokesperson provided the following statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are currently addressing logistical issues caused by external factors to complete the delivery process for the remaining aircraft. We remain closely engaged with the U.S. government and Indian Army and continue working to execute our contract as expeditiously as possible to meet Indias needs and fleet requirements. The second batch of three Indian Army AH-64Es are loaded onto the An-124 at Mesa, Arizona, on October 30. @KiwaSpotter It remains unclear what the exact nature of the problem was, and whether it was related to the Apaches, the An-124 carrying them, or some other factor in their long aerial transport to India. Potentially, logistical issues could involve something technical, relating to any of the aircraft involved, but they might also involve something more mundane, perhaps related to customs or other paperwork. Theres even the potential for some kind of diplomatic or political interference in the transport process, although it would be a little surprising if this wasnt signaled in advance. Unusually, New Delhi has ordered AH-64Es for two different armed services. Previously, 22 Apaches were ordered by the Indian Air Force, and all have been successfully delivered. The lead of this pair of AH-64E Apaches fires an AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missile during a live-fire demonstration. Angad Singh The current delay in delivery comes amid New Delhis increasing willingness to buy new military aircraft from the United States. Other aircraft acquisitions in this category include the C-130J Hercules transport aircraft, the CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter, and the P-8I Neptune maritime patrol aircraft (as the Poseidon is locally known). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, there have been increasing strains in U.S.-India politics of late. Within India, there have been growing questions about the reliability of the United States as a strategic partner. Tensions worsened after the terrorist attack in India in April and the ensuing India-Pakistan military clashes, after which the Trump administration imposed a 50 percent tariff against India. These penalties also reflected U.S. displeasure about continued Indian purchases of Russian oil. What is clear is the Indian Armed Forces urgent need to bolster its attack helicopter capabilities, especially as it seeks to better counter its increasingly high-tech adversaries chiefly China and Pakistan. The same Boeing spokesperson told TWZ that the company plans to complete the delivery of the remaining Apaches on order for the Indian Army as soon as possible. We will continue to track this story and the eventual fate of the three AH-64s that the service is still waiting for. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com The air travel nightmare continues at Orlando International Airport, with hundreds of delays and more than 60 cancellations reported Monday alone. Late Monday night, the U.S. Senate approved a temporary budget bill, a move that could finally bring an end to the government shutdown that has stretched on for more than 40 days. The chaos, however, is not going anywhere anytime soon, as airlines have already canceled flights for the rest of the week, setting off what officials describe as a domino effect that could take days to untangle. We had a few hiccups getting here today, one traveler said. It was a few delays. Many passengers at the Orlando International Airport told Channel 9 theyre feeling anxious and frustrated as cancellations ripple through airports nationwide. We are a little worried, one traveler said. Another added, A lot of worries, concerns, but people are all trying to be in good spirits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ongoing government shutdown has left TSA and FAA workers without pay for weeks. Without enough staff to manage security lines and flight operations, delays have piled up from coast to coast. The main sticking point in Washington: The Affordable Care Act (ACA). The laws premium tax credits, which help millions of Americans buy insurance through the federal marketplace, are set to expire at the end of the year unless Congress takes action. Democrats are pushing to extend the credits as part of a broader spending package. Republicans, meanwhile, argue that the subsidies have grown too costly and want to revisit how theyre distributed, particularly for higher-income families. Everybody thats 400% of poverty and below, nothing really changes, said Florida Senator Rick Scott. That means a family of four making $128,000, it doesnt change. Scott joined eight Democrats and other Republican senators in voting to fund the government through January. In return, the GOP secured a promise that Congress will hold a separate vote later this year on extending ACA tax credits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked whether lawmakers can find common ground to prevent another shutdown next year, Scott told Channel 9: I hope so. When I was governor, I talked to everybody I didnt care if youre a Republican or Democrat. This shutdown is horrible. Hopefully, well get this open. Hopefully, on January 31, when we have the next risk of a shutdown, well have passed our spending bills. The Senate has now passed the stopgap funding measure, sending it back to the House for final approval. Until the shutdown officially ends, travelers should expect continued disruptions. Officials estimate air traffic nationwide could remain reduced by about 6%, a strain that could worsen as the busy holiday travel season approaches. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The COO of American Airlines called flight cancellations "unacceptable" in a letter to employees. American Airlines saw 1,400 canceled flights over the past weekend and 250,000 affected customers. American Airlines is "urging" the government to "reach a deal immediately," the letter says. The COO of American Airlines didn't "mince words" in a new letter about the impact of recent flight cancellations. In the letter sent to employees on Monday morning, Chief Operating Officer David Seymour addressed the ongoing government shutdown, now the longest in US history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I won't mince words: This weekend's operation was incredibly challenging for our industry, for our customers, for our airline and for you, our team members," he wrote, adding that the weekend saw "nearly 1,400 cancellations and more than 57,000 delay minutes attributed to air traffic control." About 250,000 customers were affected by the cancellations and delays, according to the letter. "This is simply unacceptable, and everyone deserves better," Seymore said. "Our air traffic controllers deserve to be paid and our airline needs to be able to operate at a level of predictability and dependability that no major airline was able to provide the flying public this weekend." He added, "Our team is in regular conversations with government leaders in Washington, D.C., and we are urging them to reach a deal immediately. There was concrete progress last night on a deal, but there are many steps ahead, and the next several days will continue to be challenging." On Sunday night, the Senate reached an agreement to support an initial series of bills that will fund various government departments and initiatives, including SNAP benefits. The bills still need to be debated in the Senate and approved by the House of Representatives for the shutdown to officially end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air travel across the US descended into chaos over the weekend after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to reduce their flight operations. Air traffic controllers are increasingly calling in sick after more than 40 days without pay. The FAA said it will mandate airlines to cut flight operations by up to 10% at 40 major airports nationwide by November 14, up from an initial 4% reduction that began Friday. On Monday, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to recommend a $10,000 bonus to air traffic controllers who haven't called out sick. He also suggested that those who have taken sick days will be "substantially docked." On Sunday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said a "substantial" number of Americans will have their Thanksgiving travel plans affected if the shutdown doesn't end soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Virtually none of them can miss two paychecks," Duffy said about air traffic controllers on CNN's "State of the Union." "So they're going to be confronted with the idea of, as you mentioned, going to get a side job, a second job to make ends meet," The FAA did not immediately respond to a request for comments. Read the original article on Business Insider Nov. 10Anchorage state Sen. Matt Claman is the second Democrat and the 14th candidate to enter the 2026 Alaska governor's race. Current Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy is termed out from seeking reelection. Claman, who represents West Anchorage, began serving in the state House in 2015. He was first elected to the state Senate in 2022 and won re-election last year. He previously served on the Anchorage Assembly and as acting mayor of Anchorage, after then-Mayor Mark Begich was elected in 2008 to serve as U.S. senator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attorney who moved to Alaska from Texas after graduating from law school, Claman previously served as president of the Alaska Bar Association. Claman said Monday that he entered the already-crowded field because he "thought it was important for the voters to have somebody with my with my experience in the race." He said in a brief interview Monday that he did not plan to resign his Senate seat. That means he will be prohibited from fundraising while the Legislature is in session. "I will not be able to ask for money, but I can certainly ask for votes," Claman said. The legislative session is expected to begin in January and could run through mid-May. He said he decided to enter the race with just under a year until the 2026 election in part to give him some time ahead of the legislative session to focus on fundraising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [In already-crowded race for Alaska governor, candidates look to fundraising as a barometer] In a race already stacked with current and former lawmakers, the field already includes Democratic former state Sen. Tom Begich, who was the only non-Republican in the race until now. "I don't see this as a setting in which I am going to be trying to contrast with Tom Begich. I'm glad he's in the race, and I'm glad to be in the race," Claman said. Begich has previously said he would drop out of the race if Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, who lost her congressional re-election race last year, enters the race for governor. Peltola has hinted she is considering a run for office in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Claman said he was in touch with Peltola but did not commit to dropping out of the race if she enters it. The Republicans in the race include former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson; Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom; Palmer state Sen. Shelley Hughes; former Attorney General Treg Taylor; former Revenue Commissioner Adam Crum; former Labor Commissioner and state Sen. Click Bishop; Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Edna DeVries; podiatrist Matt Heilala; businesswoman Bernadette Wilson; fisherman and author Henry Kroll; Palmer resident Bruce Walden; and James Parkin of Angoon. Under Alaska's election system, all candidates will appear on the same primary ballot in August. The top four vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the general election. This story was originally published on Cybersecurity Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Cybersecurity Dive newsletter. Conduent said it may face additional financial risks related to a January 2025 attack that impacted a number of state governments and other organizations. The attack at the New Jersey-based payments contractor led to data breaches across a number of organizations, including state government agencies and insurance providers. In the state of Wisconsin, child support payments were temporarily disrupted. The stolen data involved a significant amount of personal information belonging to the end users of Conduent clients, according to a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Conduent accrued $25 million in non-recurring expenses during the first quarter related to breach disclosure requirements. The company began issuing notifications in October, with filings made to the Maine and California attorneys general and to numerous other agencies. According to the SEC filing, Conduent made cash disbursements related to breach notifications of $9 million through the end of September and expects to make another $16 million through the end of the first quarter of 2026. The company said its cyber insurance policy should cover any additional expenses related to notification requirements. Conduent also warned that it could face future financial fallout from impacted data, litigation, reputational harm or regulatory actions. In October, Conduent confirmed the hack actually originated during an October 2024 intrusion. Widespread data breach fallout As Cybersecurity Dive reported last month, Premera Blue Cross, based in Mountlake Terrace, Wash., confirmed that customer data was breached in the Conduent attack. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana also confirmed that its members were impacted by the attack. The Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance has launched an Investigation into the breach and how BCBSM handled the incident. The personal data of up to 462,000 Montana customers may be at risk, according to the office. A spokesperson for BCBSM last month said they do not comment on pending litigation. Recommended Reading OKOBOJI, Iowa (KCAU) Christmas is just around the bend, and an annual toy drive is returning to the Iowa Great Lakes area. The Boatload of Toys fundraiser is running until December 12. The event helps Iowan families with obtaining toys for Christmastime. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres how it works: The community can bring new, unwrapped toys to the Parks Marina, located at 24457 178th Street, Okoboji, Iowa. From there, the Upper Des Moines Opportunity group in Dickinson County distributes the toys to families in need. Also, items can be dropped off in Arnolds Park at the Palm at the Park. If you participate, the Parks Marina will offer a 20% discount for certain items in store and online. Officials said this event has been in operation since 2008. 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. The meeting reportedly centered around the evolving role of Abu Shabab's forces in Gaza, where Hamas is set to withdraw from. The US State Department on Tuesday denied reports that Yasser Abu Shabab, leader of Hamas opposition "Popular Forces" militia, met with key Trump adviser Jared Kushner at a US military base located south of Israel. "This report is false - never happened," the State Department wrote on X/Twitter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saudi news outlet Al Hadath initially reported that the meeting centered around the evolving role of Abu Shabab's forces in the territories, where Hamas is set to withdraw from in accordance with the US-brokered Gaza deal. Sources close to the event stated that the discussion primarily focused on the strategic positioning of Abu Shabab's forces in areas vacated by Hamas as the militant group retreats from key positions in Gaza. The sources added that one of the primary concerns of the talks was securing the safe exit of Hamas fighters from the Rafah tunnels, which have long served as a critical logistical route for the group. Israeli military personnel operate after a series of strikes across the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 29, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD) Abu Shabab reportedly met with Kushner amid Gaza ceasefire It is believed that Abu Shabab's forces could play a pivotal role in facilitating the movement of Hamas fighters from these underground routes, potentially directing them to areas still under Hamas control. This move could have significant implications for the ongoing military operations in Gaza and the broader regional dynamics. The meeting marks a rare direct engagement between key local figures and US officials, signaling potential shifts in the alliances and strategic positioning in the region. While the details of the discussion remain closely guarded, the meeting underscores the continuing complexity of the situation in Gaza and the involvement of various international actors. About 30 minutes into a new documentary featuring testimonies of Israeli soldiers about being deployed to Gaza, a soldier reflects on the enclave after months of sustained Israeli war on it: Terrible heat. Sand. Stench. And dogs wandering around in packs. They eat dead bodies Its horrifying Its a kind of zombie apocalypse. No trees. No bushes. No roads. Theres nothing. The documentary, Breaking Ranks: Inside Israels War, shown on UK network ITV on Monday, featured Israeli soldiers, some speaking of shame at having participated in what they concede is a genocide, others unflinchingly detailing the nature of that war. Included are the details of a firing policy that takes little to no account of cause, the wholesale destruction of property and homes, the systematic use of human shields, drone warfare and indiscriminate killing tied to a weaponised system of aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People dont think about it, one participant, credited as Eli, tells the camera. Because if you do think about it, youll want to kill yourself. When you take a moment to try and think about it, you want to scream, he says, his face blacked out to obscure his identity. Free fire Through its two years of genocidal war on Gaza, Israel has killed more than 69,000 people and injured hundreds of thousands more. International agencies say it will be decades before the enclave recovers, if it ever does. Israels own intelligence suggests that 83 percent of those it has killed in Gaza were civilians. There are no civilians in Gaza, you hear it all the time, Daniel, a commander with an Israeli tank unit, said. Another contributor, Major Neta Caspin, described a conversation with her brigades rabbi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [He] sat down next to me and spent half an hour explaining why we must be just like they [Hamas] were on 7 October 2023. That we must take revenge on all of them, including civilians that this is the only way, she said. Hamass armed wing led an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, during which 1,139 people died and about 250 were taken captive. Armoured Corps Captain Yotam Vilk described the suspension of all rules for firing on civilians that they must have the means, intention and ability to pose a threat to Israeli soldiers. Theres no such thing as means, intent and ability in Gaza, Vilk explained. Its just a suspicion of walking where its not allowed, he said, describing the overcrowded and chaotic interior of Gaza, where the precise limits on movement were known predominantly to Israeli troops alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who crosses the line is automatically incriminated and can be put to death, Vilk added. Mosquitoes Throughout its war, Israel has denied the growing number of accusations of war crimes from multiple bodies, claiming that it has investigated any credible allegations. However, in August, a report by UK monitor Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) showed that, of the limited investigations into accusations of war crimes by military investigators, including the killing of 15 paramedics in April, few have resulted in any action. The I-Unit obtained video of Palestinians being used as human shields [Al Jazeera] Responding to Israeli denials that it did not use human shields, tank commander Daniel was clear that the army is lying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its called the mosquito protocol, he said of the routine practice of seizing Palestinian civilians, strapping an iPhone to them and using them to explore suspected Hamas holdouts remotely. Every company has its own mosquito, he said, referring to captured Palestinians as insects. Thats three Palestinians per battalion, nine to 12 per brigade, then dozens, if not hundreds, per division. Some soldiers in his unit decided to release two teenage human shields they had captured out of concern they were breaking international law, Daniel recalled, adding that a senior officer said at the time: Soldiers dont need to know about international law, just the [Israeli military] spirit. Destruction Through its two years of war on Gaza, Israel has destroyed or damaged 92 percent of its housing stock and displaced at least 1.9 million people, according to the UN, many multiple times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the institutions, from universities to hospitals, that make up a society have been targeted for destruction. Social media videos uploaded by Israeli soldiers show an orgy of violence, with Palestinian homes and belongings ransacked and held up for ridicule by soldiers. You feel that every day could be your last and that you can do anything, one conscript who only gave his name as Yaakov said. Not out of revenge, but just because you can. Other participants talked of routinely burning Palestinian homes or celebrated their bulldozing. D9 bulldozers are parked near the Israel-Gaza separation [Amir Cohen/Reuters] Speaking from the illegal Israeli settlement of Beit El in the occupied West Bank, rabbinical judge Avraham Zarbiv the subject of a war crimes complaint to the International Criminal Court boasted of driving a bulldozer to destroy peoples homes and belongings during his time in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I post a lot of videos, he says, before cutting to one showing him driving a bulldozer, destroying homes in clear contravention of international law. Until the end, until victory, until settlement. We will not give up until this village is wiped out, he says in the video, telling the camera how his video lift[s] soldiers spirits. Continuing his comments, Zarbiv claimed credit for pioneering the tactic of destroying entire homes that is now commonplace. We changed the conduct of an entire army, he bragged. Rafah is flattened. Jabalia is flattened. Beit Hanoon is flattened. Shujayea is flattened. And Khan Younis is flattened. Shame Cheered on by a media and a public that a film participant, platoon sergeant Yaakov, described as neither knowing nor wanting to know what was happening in Gaza, another soldier described the experience of sitting in a basement, half-dressed, killing Palestinians remotely via drone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any life that was not Israeli meant little, Eli said, with Yaakov separately describing how soldiers at the private US-Israeli aid programme, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), would open fire, even if they dont see a concrete threat. Some of the participants acknowledged they had taken part in genocide; others accepted the pain they caused. All mosques, almost all hospitals, almost all universities, every cultural institution has been destroyed, Yaakov told the camera. Youve destroyed a society. You dont have to kill them one by one to destroy every sign of the society that once existed there. I hope I can find a way to live without feeling shame with every step I take. The Apopka community is mourning the deaths of three students after a horrifying traffic crash over the weekend. It happened early Sunday around 1:30 a.m. at the intersection of Welch road and Wekiwa Drive in Apopka. Monday night, more than a hundred people showed up to honor the boys. They gathered near the crash site, bringing balloons, candles, and pictures of the three boys, laying them around the tree where they crashed. Three teens died and three others were hurt Sunday morning when a tree collided with a tree near Apopka. It was a very somber moment. Pieces of the vehicle could still be seen scattered across the grass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mothers of at least two of the teens involved in the crash were present Monday night -- grieving the losses of their sons. Dozens consoled the women. State troopers said Julio Lopez, 17, along with 17-year-old Enrique Rodriguez Sabas and 13-year-old Leyner Velasquez were among the 6 people in a 2020 Chevy Silverado. Troopers said 3 teens died in Sunday morning's crash. Troopers say the driver lost control on a curve and struck a tree. Lopezs mom said the teens were driving back from a quinceanera. Friends and family Monday night remembered Lopez as a person full of life who loved making friends and playing guitar. A friend remembered Sabas as someone who would light up a room. You can see his smile, feel his smile from a mile away, from a block away. He was very, very loving and caring as well, said July Jaimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 13-year-old Velasquez was only in middle school. He often talked to his friends about going home to see family in Guatemala. The families have all set up GoFundMe accounts to help pay for funeral expenses: Enrique Rodriguez Sabas, Julio Lopez, and Leyner Velasquez. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A student walks on campus at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina. The university's entire governing board is up for re-appointment. (Photo courtesy of Coastal Carolina) The entire governing board of Coastal Carolina University must reapply for its job. Applications open Wednesday for 29 total seats on the governing boards of eight South Carolina public universities. Fifteen of those seats are at Coastal Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A legislative screening panel also is seeking candidates for a number of vacant and expired board positions at The Citadel, the College of Charleston, Lander University, the Medical University of South Carolina, South Carolina State University, the University of South Carolina and Winthrop University. Applications are due no later than noon Dec. 17. Applicants for the College of Charleston seat must live in the 4th Congressional District. The opening at MUSC is for a resident of the 2nd Congressional District who does not have a medical background. Of Landers three seats on the list, one represents the 5th Congressional District and two will be filled by the governor. They are at-large seats, meaning applicants can live anywhere in the state. Winthrop has two at-large seats and a 7th Congressional District seat. USC has two gubernatorial appointed seats, one seat for a resident of the states 4th judicial circuit and one for the 15th circuit One opening each at the Citadel and SC State are at large. The Citadel member must be an alumni. Still, others will be left out of the oversight measure. The committee chose to screen applicants for only a portion of the boards seats with expired terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, the Citadel has four members of its board of visitors with expired terms, but the panel opened applications for just one of the positions an at-large seat held by Col. James Nicholson Jr. How to apply Applicants must fill out all required forms, including: A letter of intent A personal questionnaire A release allowing the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division to conduct a background check A release of their driving record A release allowing the state to conduct a credit report A statement of their economic holdings And a form acknowledging their applications. All forms are available on the screening panels web page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Applications must be hand delivered to room 419 of the Blatt Building on the Statehouse grounds by noon, Dec. 17. Nicholson, who legislators elected to the board in 2019, has continued to sit on the board since his term expired at the end of June 2023. At Winthrop University, legislators will screen candidates for only one expired position and two vacant seats. However, three other board members are serving expired terms. Among those vacancies is the seat previously held by Winthrops former board chairman, the late Glenn McCall, who was first appointed to the board in 2011. That was three years after the South Carolina GOP leader was elected the state partys first Black national committeeman. He helped write a 2013 report that called for a more inclusive and diverse GOP. His other roles in the party included vice-chairman for the 2016 Republican National Convention and a committee co-chairman for the 2020 national convention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He died July 11 from complications from surgery. He was 71. Screenings at the other five colleges are focused solely on filling vacancies and vetting gubernatorial appointees. At the College of Charleston, eight other members serving expired terms wont be required to go through the re-application process. At Lander University six other members appointed by the General Assembly will continue on in expired terms. MUSC and SC State each have seven members with expired terms not being screened. And USC has five. Clemson University and Francis Marion University arent part of the screening list at all despite having a dozen members with expired terms between them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Bill Whitmire, who chairs the committee, said it comes down to time. The Walhalla Republican said the Legislature fell behind in the process amid lawsuits challenging the states congressional districts, redrawn by the Legislature following the 2020 census. All but Clemson, The Citadel and USC boards memberships are determined, at least in part, by congressional district. USCs board seats are by judicial circuit. Clemsons board is partially selected by its existing members and partially appointed by the Legislature to at-large seats. The Citadel board is made up of alumni serving in at-large positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With so many college board members serving expired terms, Whitmire said, the panel cant review them all in one sitting and will try to get caught up at a later date. Citadel board members in expired terms include former state Rep. Gene Pinson, R-Greenwood; and Col. Peter McCoy Sr., the father of former House Judiciary chairman and U.S. Attorney Peter McCoy. Brian Stern, son of SC Ports Authority Chairman Bill Stern, holds an expired term at the College of Charleston Michael Stavrinakis, brother of state Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, and the father of House Speaker Murrell Smith both hold expired terms on the MUSC board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Leah Moody, daughter of the late Rep. Bessie Moody-Lawrence; and Rose Newton, wife of state Rep. Weston Newton, are both in expired terms at USC. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Republican State Senator Bryan King sent a letter to the governor asking her to reconsider the proposed prison site in Franklin County on Monday. Its been over a year since the governor announced the plan, and King said there is still no source of water on the site. Using an eight-ounce water bottle to make his point, he said, There is more drinking water in this right here than there is in what they thought was going to provide water to possibly 3,800 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials hold discussion on Franklin County prison development State Senator Bart Hester said its the best location for the proposed prison. Look, if youre going to build a large project in northwest Arkansas, its going to be on rock. Youre also going to have to bring water to the project. These are all knowns from the very beginning, Hester said. The site was purchased for $2.95 million. Hester said 800 acres were bought when only 80 acres were needed. We did that because we have true empathy for the neighbors. We want to affect as few people as possible, Hester said. The funding bill faces several roadblocks to make the prison happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King said while Arkansas does need more prison beds, the solution shouldnt be building a new facility for them. Were at the one-year anniversary right now. They dont have enough water to run a dwelling house. And we spent almost a million dollars for a culvert up there and that is all weve got, King said. Arkansas Sen. Bryan King sends letter to governor asking for prison plan changes Sam Dubke with the governors office also shared a statement on the proposed prison plan. The State conducted a months-long search for property to build a new prison and focused on a number of priorities, including the size of the plot, cost, workforce in surrounding counties, and distance from existing prisons. This site for which the state paid roughly $3 million for more than 800 acres, and which is close to more than 100,000 working-age adults while far from existing prison facilities remains the best option for the prison bed space Arkansas needs, and, based off feasibility studies from both E&E and a third-party operator showing there is nothing that makes this an unsuitable site to build, experts within state government are confident that a number of options for water and construction exist that will allow for a groundbreaking soon after proper funding is secured. 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. The US Army is testing out its Next Generation Command and Control system at Fort Carson, Colorado. Exercises have become increasingly complex, involving artillery pieces, drones, and artificial intelligence. Army officials said future training will include enemy teams, electronic warfare, and more. US Army soldiers at Fort Carson have been experimenting with a new command and control system that promises to fuse weapons, surveillance drones, and AI into a networked war machine. The Next Generation Command and Control system, NGC2, is intended as a substantial upgrade over the current system and is all about readying the Army for a challenging potential future fight against a technologically sophisticated enemy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Army says command and control needs to be modernized "for large-scale combat operations against near-peer adversaries." The service's Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, and Network argues the "current mission command systems are not mobile, intuitive, or survivable enough to easily overcome the current threat, changes in the character of warfare, and the pace of technology." That's where NGC2 comes into play. Last week, the Army wrapped its second Ivy Sting exercise testing and expanding how soldiers use the new NGC2. While the first round was focused on the basics, the latest event was notably more complicated. "Now, we've increased the complexity," Maj. Gen. Patrick Ellis, the commanding general of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, told reporters during a media roundtable. Testing saw the Army connect multiple artillery pieces to more data sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Army's current command and control systems networks used for coordinating combat action, from communications to the employment of troops and weapons are often standalone systems inconsistent across the service. The Army is now on a mission to standardize command and control across the service. The first Ivy Sting exercise was held in September, and the second this past week. Ivy Sting 3 takes place in December. US Army photo by Pvt. Jacob Cruz Moving away from the increasingly obsolete legacy command and control systems and processes to NGC2, the Army says, allows soldiers to move faster in battle. During Ivy Sting 1, soldiers got an M777 Howitzer connected to command for fire control decisions up and running as soon as the gun was in place. In the past, that might've taken over an hour. During the second round of testing, they placed three artillery pieces and connected them in about 10 minutes or less. Lt. Col. Dana Lafarier, division artillery battalion commander of the 2nd Battalion, 77th Artillery Regiment, said soldiers are also dispersing guns, supported by improved command and control, to further increase survivability. Having artillery spread across different locations means an enemy would have a more difficult time taking them all out. "All of this," Lafarier explained, "reduces the soldiers' cognitive load. So they're not thinking about how to set up and/or troubleshoot legacy equipment. They're actually thinking about their job and task at hand." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivy Sting 2 included six command and control nodes, or systems where commanders can make decisions and control fires and other weapons from. During testing, drones conducted target and battle damage assessments, with mid-range reconnaissance drones flying for about 30-40 minutes per flight, with wind and other environmental conditions impacting usability. Ellis said that the drone feeds are easily integrated into NGC2. Once a drone connects, the feeds are transferred to the cloud, and from there, artificial intelligence models can help speed up target identification. TK US Army photo by Pvt. Jacob Cruz "It's an ISR [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] feed that comes back, and the AI model is helping comb through that," he explained. As more and more feeds come in, the AI will help speed up the targeting process. Officials said they're fine-tuning the AI for terrain and environmental factors. The Army intends to explore this more in future exercises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adding more drones at greater ranges, the Army is looking to "kind of stress the system a bit more," Ellis said, adding that drones have "really enabled us to kind of adjust our targeting process." NGC2 marks a departure from how the Army used to conduct command and control and the technologies it has long relied on. It's more focused on software-based systems and large amounts of data that can be accessed quickly for faster decision-making. This past July, Anduril and a team of vendors that included Palantir won the nearly $100 million contract for NGC2, and since then, industry partners and the service have built a prototype with the Army's 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson. Future Ivy Sting exercises will continue to increase the complexity of testing with NGC2 before culminating in a large exercise in May 2026. Command and control has to be ready for real combat, which involves many systems working together. Army officials said the testing is revealing what they would like to improve upon with NGC2, including airspace deconfliction, more data and computing power, and more AI integration. Next year, they'll incorporate contested electromagnetic environments, with the testing in May replicating enemy capabilities in cyber and electronic warfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The iterative design process also incorporates soldier feedback. "The soldiers here in the 4th Infantry Division are really excited about this," Ellis shared. "It's an opportunity for them to shape the future of the Army." Read the original article on Business Insider ASHEVILLE - This fall, Jazmin Pan Asian opened at 22 College St. downtown, owned by the same team behind the Indian cuisine restaurants, Andaaz and Laila. For 20 years, Executive Chef Sreenivasan Govindarajan, also known as Chef Sheenu, resided in Delhi, India. He was an Executive Chef for the Radisson Hotel Group. Last summer, he relocated to Asheville to launch Jazmin with restaurateurs Vipul Bhasin and Raj Singh. For Jazmin, they're evolving and extending their reach across seven Asian countries to offer upscale street food with authentic flavors. Jazmin's menu features dishes one would find in Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia, which the restaurant team has colloquially dubbed as "the seven wonders of Asia" for its culinary offerings, such as high-quality seafood. Guests dine inside Jazmin along College Street in Asheville on Oct. 27, 2025. "We're not trying to fuse anything; I kept the flavors as authentic as they could be. We command the flavors very well, where they come from," Chef Sheenu said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chef has traveled the continent, tasting and taking notes of recipes and trends across Asia. He said he's found that every dish has a history and a story. At Jazmin, he has applied his decades of culinary experience to pen a menu that transports Asheville diners to Asia with each bite. "Every time I go, I look for different experiences. I see what I can learn new, and how I can adapt that and put it into my restaurant in a proper way," Chef Sheenu said. On the menu: Jazmin Pan Asian Jazmin offers fried rice, wok-tossed noodles, and other chicken, seafood, fish, beef, tofu and vegetable main plates, as well as a hearty listing of soups, salads, appetizers and desserts. Bhasin said the menu is designed to mimic the flavorfulness that one would find in Southeast Asian cuisine, but noted that the spiciness is not more than American diners can bear. Jazmin's Chongqing Beef, a spicy stir-fry with smoked chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, onion and bell pepper, topped with cilantro and peanuts. $13. "We wanted to get the real flavors. We wanted to bring it to the people," Bhasin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jazmin is open for lunch and dinner, from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Jazmin's prices are the same for lunch and dinner, ranging from $6 to $28. Here are several of Jazmin's global dishes to try. Vietnamese Rice Paper Roll. The vegan and gluten-free appetizer consists of lettuce, cucumber, raw papaya, peanuts and Mandarin wrapped in rice paper set on top of a drizzle of tamarind palm sugar dressing. It costs $8. "It's got the sweetness from the palm sugar, the nuttiness from the peanuts, the crunch from the crispy leaves, so it's got multiple textures and layers," Chef Sheenu said. Rock Shrimp Tempura. The Japanese-style tempura-battered shrimp is served with Yuzu mayo and soy dipping sauce. It costs $13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shanghai Chicken Dumplings. The dumplings are bathed in a Sichuan-pepper sesame broth. Tip: Bite the dumpling, then dip it back into the broth to soak in the flavors. It costs $12. Jazmin's Shanghai Chicken Dumplings - chicken dumplings in a Sichuan-pepper sesame broth. Diners are advised to bite, then dip again to soak up the flavor. $12. Chongqing Beef. This fiery Chongqing, China stir-fry dish offers the dual flavors of whole, smoked chilies and Sichuan peppercorns, mixed with crunchy white onion and bell peppers, topped with cilantro and peanuts. It costs $13. Curried Pineapple Fried Rice. The fried rice is mixed in with onions, tomatoes, carrots and a homemade sweet chili sauce, and may be topped with an egg. Govindarajan said the curry flavor originates in the southern part of India and evolves to incorporate flavors from Malaysia and Indonesia. The entree's price ranges from $18 to $20, depending on the choice of vegetables or protein. Nasi Goreng. Chef Sheenu aimed to bring traditions unfamiliar to U.S. diners to Jazmin, which motivated the show-stopping Indonesian shrimp fried rice dish. The heaping plate is topped with chicken satay, shrimp cracker and a fried egg. It costs $24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tub Tim Krob "Red Ruby Dessert." Chef Sheenu said that he desired to introduce Asheville guests to this classic Thai dessert, which is both vegan and gluten-free. It features red water chestnut rubies mixed into sweetened coconut milk and crushed ice. It's intended to serve as a refreshing way to cool the palate after consuming spicy dishes, and to act as a digestif. It costs $8 and is served in a martini glass. Jazmin also offers a full bar of adult beverages, nonalcoholic drinks, coffee and pots of hot tea. What diners think about Jazmin Pan Asian On Oct. 23, Valerie DeRoy and Bryan Sklar, Asheville residents, stopped by for lunch to sample appetizers as their introduction to the new restaurant. They ordered the Tianjin hot and sour soup, veggie spring rolls, Jade shrimp dumplings and the teriyaki pork belly skewers. Jazmin Executive Chef Sreenivasan Govindarajan, also known as Chef Sheenu stands on the patio of the restaurant along College Street in Asheville on Oct. 27, 2025. Sklar said the Tianjin hot and sour soup, a tangy, spiced soup with silken tofu, brought tears to his eyes, as it provided the right amount of heat for the temperature and spice level. The soup comes with a choice of vegetables, chicken or shrimp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It clears the sinuses. It has a nice kick to it," he said. The sesame chili sauce added a fiery kick to the Jade shrimp dumplings, too. DeRoy and Sklar appreciated the portion sizes and value for the money, particularly the $6 vegetable soup. The dumplings cost $13. However, they thought the listed prices were more appropriate for dinner than lunch. DeRoy and Sklar said they welcomed the introduction of a new, upscale Asian eatery in the city that offers Chinese cuisine and would recommend it to others. Andaaz to reopen in downtown Asheville Jazmin has opened in the former location of Mayfel's, a Cajun and Creole restaurant that closed in July 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One street away from Jazmin, its sister restaurant, Andaaz, is slated to open at 15 Page Ave., at the street level of the Cambria Hotel and below Hemingway's Cuba. Jazmin along College Street in Asheville on Oct. 27, 2025. Andaaz, an Indian cuisine restaurant, operated in the historic Biltmore Village until the building was destroyed during Tropical Storm Helene. It's tentatively reopening at its new home in January. Asheville's post-Helene restaurant scene continues to shift, as Andaaz's former location is undergoing renovation to become the new site of Gemelli, an Italian restaurant currently in the Westgate Shopping Center in West Asheville. Laila, from the Jazmin and Andaaz team, is open for lunch and dinner at 77 Biltmore Ave. downtown. Jazmin Pan Asian Where: 22 College St., downtown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Info: For more, visit jazminasheville.com and follow @jazminasheville on Instagram. Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram. Sign up for AVL Bites and Brews, our weekly food and drink newsletter here. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Jazmin Pan Asian is open in downtown Asheville. What's on the menu? MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Kroger store in Atoka, Tennessee is hosting a grand reopening Wednesday after a $22 million expansion. The store at 11630 Highway 51 in Atoka has added a Starbucks, Murrays Cheese Shop, sushi, expanded its deli, meat, seafood, frozen food, floral and dairy areas, and added a drive-through pharmacy. The expansion added 30,000 square feet of space, for a total store area of 87,000 square feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An event is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday. The first 100 people in line at 8 a.m. will receive a $10 Kroger gift card. Who could qualify for Trumps suggested $2K tariff rebate? Kroger is also donating $15,000 to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, $10,000 to the Mid-South Food Bank and $10,000 to MIFA to support Meals on Wheels in Tipton County as part of the event. The company will also recognize 15 associates who have been with Kroger for 20 to 40 years. Kroger Delta Division says it has invested $120 million upgrading stores in metro Memphis, including a new store in Arlington, and expansions of the Houston Levee location in Collierville and Oakland locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 WREG.com. CoreWeave shares plunged on Tuesday after it posted lower-than-expected full-year guidance, overshadowing strong third-quarter results and a string of new artificial intelligence partnerships. The New Jersey-based AI infrastructure firm reported revenue of $1.36 billion for the quarter, beating analyst forecasts of around $1.29 billion. Revenue surged 134% from a year earlier, while the companys net loss narrowed to $110 million from about $360 million. CoreWeaves quarterly growth was driven by new contracts with major tech firms. The company announced a $6.5 billion expansion of its business with OpenAI, a six-year deal with Meta worth up to $14.2 billion, and a $6.3 billion agreement with Nvidia for cloud computing capacity. Despite the gains, CoreWeave forecast 2025 revenue between $5.05 billion and $5.15 billion, short of analysts $5.29 billion average estimate. Shares were down 9% in premarket trading Tuesday. Chief executive Mike Intrator told investors that construction delays at one data center were weighing on its near-term outlook. There was a problem at one data center thats impacting us, but there are 41 data centers in our portfolio, he said. He said the company remains constrained by the availability of powered-shell data centers, which are facilities that are partly built and require CoreWeave to install its own equipment. Theres plenty of power right now, and we believe that there will be ample power for the next couple of years. But really where the challenge is, is the powered shell, Intrator said. He added that the company is building its own data center infrastructure in Pennsylvania and expects most of the delay to be resolved early next year. The overwhelming majority of the delay that youre seeing should be taken care of within Q1 of next year. In October, shareholders of data center operator Core Scientific rejected CoreWeaves proposed $9 billion acquisition. The companys finance chief, Nitin Agrawal, said 2026 capital spending will be well in excess of double this years estimated $12 billion to $14 billion. African Union Commission President Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Mali on Sunday, referring to an ongoing fuel blockade by jihadists that has impacted civilians. For weeks, jihadists with the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) have imposed a fuel blockade on Mali, creating a crisis for the ruling military junta. In a statement, Youssouf warned that the fuel blockade was impacting innocent civilians, and he called for a robust, coordinated, and coherent international response to counter terrorism in Mali and the Sahel region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The junta has struggled to counter various armed groups since it took power following back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021. Youssouf also called for the release of three Egyptians that jihadists kidnapped for ransom, calling their abduction grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. France recommends leaving The degrading security situation has prompted the France to recommend its citizens leave the country. The Foreign Ministry on Friday recommended people leave Mali temporarily as soon as possible, because the security context is degrading in Mali, including in Bamako. The ministry urged people to use commercial flights and not leave by land, as main the roads in Mali are targets of "attacks from terrorist groups". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ministry also reiterated its formal advice against travelling to Mali, "regardless of the reason". Last week the Ministry called on citizens to be on high alert, and other countries, including the UK, Germany, US and Canada have urged their own citizens to leave the country, due to the security situation and the lack of fuel. Some 4,300 French citizens are registered with the French consulate in Mali, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux, who insisted that security is a priority. CANANDAIGUA, NY The nearly 13-hour drive from Milwaukee to Canandaigua for author and environmental journalist Dan Egan served as a reminder of the immensity of the Great Lakes and just how amazing they are. They are the Himalayas of water, said Egan, who spoke on the threats facing bodies of fresh water Nov. 9 at Fort Hill Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua as part of the George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum series and through the efforts of the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association. Sometimes we forget that," Egan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egan, who grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, authored The Death and Life of the Great Lakes and The Devils Element phosphorus and is journalist in residence at the Center for Water Policy in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's School of Freshwater Sciences. More: New book The Third Coast explores Great Lakes shorelines His passion for the Great Lakes, and eventually reporting on the threats facing them, was sparked by a youth spent swimming in Lake Michigan and rekindled after a decade away working at park and journalism jobs out West. Water is spectacular. Its special, Egan told the crowd. Its not always treated that way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are some takeaways from his talk, which focused primarily on the Great Lakes that he has lived by, swum in and written about. Finger Lakes Land Trust President Andy Zepp, left, and environmental author and journalist Dan Egan discuss the health of freshwater lakes. Egan spoke at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua on Nov. 9 as part of the George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum speaker series. The phosphorus paradox and freshwater lakes Phosphorus, because its an essential element in fertilizer, is critical to farming and, of course, food. But, too much of a necessary thing leads to the pollution of waterways. We need phosphorus to live, Egan said. We put more onto our landscape than the landscape can handle. The latter leads to excess phosphorus running off into lakes and rivers, resulting in harmful algal blooms. In the 1960s, Lake Erie was a pollution punchline, but efforts to invest in water treatment and elimination of phosphates from laundry detergents led to a revived Great Lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new revival is needed: A harmful algal bloom near Toledo, Ohio, in 2014 resulted in the contamination of the Lake Erie citys drinking water and renewed water conservation efforts. Here's how brown with runoff Canandaigua Lake looked after a heavy rain in June. Canandaigua Lake, of course, supplies water to residents in several municipalities. Lake Erie serves as bellwether on this issue, as "Toledo's plight is our plight," Egan said. Now, is the time to step in and protect the Great Lakes and the Finger Lakes, Egan said. We know what to do, Egan said. Were just not doing it. What can be done to protect the Great Lakes and Finger Lakes? Policymakers need to step in with tougher laws on the use of phosphorus and its runoff into lakes, rivers and streams and the overdosing of watersheds, said Egan, who is not out to demonize farmers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre having a heckuva time, Egan said. We just cant keep doing what were doing. Its not sustainable. Many farmers, some of whom are making efforts toward sustainable practices through use of cover crops and better management of nutrient use, acknowledge the problem, Egan said. They share these concerns but many dont think they are the problem, pointing the finger at invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels and they make a very good point. These mussels "eat all the good algae and leave the bad algae," Egan said. On Canandaigua Lake, stormwater runoff, shoreline septic systems and lawn fertilizers also have been cited as factors in toxic algal blooms. Its tricky, Egan said. "You don't want farmers to go out of business." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another option to help conserve freshwater is to incentivize the reduction of phosphorus and other nutrients in farming. Phosphorus is meant to be used, but if too much leaves the farm fields and winds up in lakes, its not helping crops grow, Egan said. Its going to grow toxic algae, Egan said. Better technologies, many of which are being studied and appear promising, Egan said, is another avenue toward cleaner water, noting that this is not a time for the federal government to be cutting back on the mission of the Environmental Protection Agency, which already has seen reductions in budget and workforce. Phosphorus is "gold," Egan said, and shouldn't be wasted: "We're just looking at it completely wrong." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are other ways. Event moderator Andy Zepp, who is president of the Finger Lakes Land Trust, said all lakes are in jeopardy, speaking of the regionwide toxic algal blooms in recent years. We will have to work together to address it, Zepp said. A sign of hope? Growing up, Egan was discouraged from swimming in the Fox River, which was close to home and was considered a "liquid dump," although efforts to improve its water quality have since been successful. He was fortunate his grandparents had access to Lake Michigan and, looking back, those days in the water "did something to me," Egan said. Changes in current practices will cost farmers and will cost consumers. But not being able to swim in something so "spectacular" carries a cost, too, Egan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egan. who is researching microplastics and how climate change affects lakeside cities for future works, said the stories of the Great Lakes are not all bad. And he offered what he considers a sign of hope, one he sees on the Great Lakes and one that many here see on Canandaigua Lake. "Kids at the beach," Egan said. Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Author Dan Egan calls for action to protect Great Lakes A man has been seriously injured after a parcel exploded at a small Allianz insurance agency in central France, authorities said on Monday. The blast occurred early Monday afternoon in the city of Montlucon, some 200 kilometres north-west of Lyon, when the 34-year-old son of the agency owner retrieved the day's mail from the letterbox, Mayor Frederic Laporte told broadcaster France Info. The circumstances of the incident remained unclear. Broadcaster Ici, citing early investigative findings, reported that a grenade hidden inside the parcel detonated. The victim sustained severe injuries to his hands and chest and was taken to the university hospital in Clermont-Ferrand. Bomb disposal specialists were deployed to the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors have opened an attempted murder investigation. Allianz France condemned "any act of violence or criminal action directed against its staff, business activity or property," France Info reported. Just days earlier, another Allianz agency in the southern city of Toulouse was attacked. The local anarchist group Marseille Infos Autonomes published a claim of responsibility on its website, saying it had smashed windows at the branch. In its statement, the group justified the Toulouse attack by alleging that Allianz insures an Israeli arms company developing systems intended for use in Palestinian territories. Whether there is any connection to Monday's explosion at the Allianz agency remains unclear. SPRINGFIELD Less than three weeks after a helicopter crash claimed the lives of his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, Darren Bailey said late Monday that he will move forward with his campaign for governor. After a lot of prayer and reflection, Cindy and I have decided were staying in this race for governor not for politics, but for every family trying to make it in a state thats lost its way, for every parent who dreams of a better future for their children and for every Illinoisan who knows that we can do better, Bailey said in a nearly three-minute video recorded with his wife and posted to his social media accounts. Bailey said he received encouragement from President Donald Trump to keep fighting and stay in the race. Thats exactly what were going to do, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So Im asking you: stand with us, pray with us, fight with us, Bailey said, grasping his wife Cindys hand. Together, we can bring back common sense, honesty and leadership that serves real people again. Together, we will save Illinois future. Baileys second campaign for governor had been in doubt after his son Zachary, daughter-in-law Kelsey and two grandchildren, 12-year-old Vada Rose and 7-year-old Samuel, died when the helicopter Zachary was piloting crashed in Montana on Oct. 22. The couples 10-year-old son, Finn, was not on board at the time. The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. Hardest days of our lives The campaign filed petitions in late October to secure a spot on the March 17 primary ballot, but running mate Aaron Del Mar told reporters at the time that Bailey was taking time to think about whether to proceed with the campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Crowded Dem primaries, GOP field for governor take shape as candidates file for office Bailey, a farmer and former state legislator, won the 2022 GOP gubernatorial nomination but lost the general election to Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker by nearly 13 percentage points. He later unsuccessfully challenged U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, in 2024, losing that primary election by under 3,000 votes. With high name recognition among Republican voters, Bailey starts as the favorite in the 2026 primary against six lesser-known candidates. They include former conservative thinktank executive Ted Dabrowski, video gambling tycoon Rick Heidner and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick. Pritzker is seeking a third term as the states chief executive. Bailey acknowledged that the past few weeks have been the hardest days of our lives, but that he and his wife had been lifted by the many well-wishes and their evangelical faith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the tragedy changed their lives forever, but it also reminded us why we fight. His late son and daughter-in-law, he said, believed in an Illinois where families could build a future without being crushed by bad government and broken promises. Weve all been through tough times, Bailey said. But what makes Illinois special are the people who dont quit, the ones who work hard, help their neighbors and believe tomorrow can be better. Thats who Im fighting for. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. 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 CIProud.com. Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the Iraqi prime minister gunning for a second term in the countrys elections on Tuesday, has many strings to his bow. Highlights of his political career include a stint as mayor of a town that became a centre of resistance against Saddam Hussein and a period as minister of human rights, which involved hunting mass graves and investigating Islamic State atrocities. But since he became prime minister in October 2022, Mr al-Sudani has acquired a new, no less vital skill: tightrope walking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is this ability balancing the influence of the US and Iran while delivering improvements to public services and keeping Iraq out of the conflict that has consumed the Middle East since Oct 7 2023 that he hopes will propel him to victory in Tuesdays elections. Mr al-Sudani has cast himself as the figurehead who can finally lead Iraq out of decades of strife and make the country a success. And he has what seems to be a golden opportunity to achieve what all the blood and money expended by the US and its allies since 2003 could not. Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is hoping to win a second term as Iraqi prime minister in Tuesdays elections - Hadi Mizban In the past decade, Iraq has been beset on all sides by destabilising influences: Syrias civil war, the conflict between Turkey and the PKK Kurdish rebels, the activities of Hezbollah and the terror campaigns of Isis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet within the past year or so, many if not all of these influences have evaporated. And when the last American troops leave Iraq next year, the country will be free of foreign military personnel for the first time in more than 20 years. At a recent briefing inside Mr al-Sudanis palace complex in the heart of Baghdads secure zone, which still bristles with armoured vehicles and security forces, the prime minister reflected on the opportunity this moment presents. It is the right time for parliamentary elections, he said. The Iraq of 2025 is not like the Iraq of 2014. There were 86 coalition countries in Iraq, which was akin to an occupation. But now the battle against Isis is over and there is stability. He singled out the peace deal between Turkey and the PKK, struck in May this year to end a conflict that began in 1978 and spilled into Iraq on several occasions, as being a particularly significant breakthrough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have been searching for a treaty for over 40 years, he said. The presence of the PKK caused suffering on Iraqi soil and foreign interference, with the Turkish army on Iraqi soil, undermines Iraqs sovereignty. Iraqi soldiers stand guard outside a polling station. Mr al-Sudani has called for militia members to join the countrys official army - Ahmed Saad/Reuters He was also keen to tout his success in attracting American investment to Baghdad, evidence of which could be seen in the frenzied construction work going on across the capital. Our relationship has been accelerating lately, especially regarding the economy and investment. There are lots of American companies here, he told The Telegraph. Perhaps the greatest obstacle to Mr al-Sudanis goal of securing long-term stability is the influence of Iraqs militia groups, many of which are backed by Iran. They have come to dominate the political landscape through patronage or outright intimidation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the prime minister believes they can be incorporated into the states security forces. There is no excuse for weapons to remain outside state control, he added. Those who carry arms can either join the army or enter politics, and future policies should set an example to preserve this. While he claimed the government had been in talks with militia groups over this process, experts remain sceptical. Sudani hasnt explained how hell do this, and if he has a plan, he is keeping his cards close to his chest, said Tamer Badawi, an associate fellow at Rusi, the UK defence think tank. Hed need to build extensive political consensus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is also contending with far-reaching apathy that has dogged all of the seven elections held since the fall of Hussein. Moqtada al-Sadr, the prominent Shia nationalist cleric whose bloc won the most seats in the 2021 ballot, is boycotting the upcoming elections and has called on his legions of supporters not to vote. We were hoping the Sadrists would take part in the elections and have their own representatives, said Mr al-Sudani. Moqtada al-Sadr has told his supporters to boycott Tuesdays election - HAIDAR HAMDANI Then there is the question of whether Iraq is ready to manage its own security without help from the US, with Mr al-Sudani adamant that the country is prepared to take on the challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iraq is capable of protecting its own soil and maintaining stability for its citizens, who have been through so much, he said. Eventually, the type and shape of our relationship will be based on information exchange, consultation and advice for our forces. On Karrada Street, in an upscale Baghdad shopping district near the banks of the Tigris, where more than 300 people were killed during an Isis truck bomb attack in 2016, the apathy of Iraqi voters and some of their old allegiances were on full display. Azhar Zuhair, a 41-year-old IT worker, said: I voted in 2005, but since then I havent. I dont even have a voter card any more because nothing has changed. Democracy doesnt benefit us here For Iraq, with all its different groups, a presidential system suits us. The parliamentary system does not work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Husseins dictatorship? That system worked for us, he said. Mr al-Sudani, pictured with Emmanuel Macron at Octobers Gaza peace summit, has cast himself as the figurehead who can finally lead Iraq out of decades of strife - YOAN VALAT/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock Wissam Salah, a 28-year-old engineer, was one of only a handful of people who told The Telegraph they intended to vote on Tuesday. Very few people are voting, only those who have their own party base, their own leaders to follow. The parties buy votes, they control jobs. If you work for them, your salary comes through them. You depend on them, he explained. I believe in change even if its small in independent candidates with a real electoral plan, not those who say we will do this and that and then do nothing. Al-Sudani reminiscent of Trojan horse There is certainly no shortage of candidates for Tuesdays elections. In total, there are 7,744 candidates competing, most of them from a range of largely sectarian-aligned parties, along with some independents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They include Shiite blocs led by Nouri al-Maliki, the former prime minister, cleric Ammar al-Hakim and several linked to armed groups; two competing Sunni factions led by Mohamed al-Halbousi and Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, the former and current parliamentary speakers; and two main Kurdish parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. But even if his fragile coalition of mostly Iran-backed parties wins the election, Mr al-Sudani may still fail to secure a second term. Iraqi voters at a polling station in Baghdad. The country managed to stay out of the regional conflicts that followed Oct 7 - Ahmed Saad/Reuters The election winner has never gone on to become prime minister in any of the previous votes. Whether Mr al-Sudani succeeds in this will depend on the outcome of complex government-formation talks after the ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analysts believe Mr al-Sudani is betting that he can play his fractious coalition against itself to secure his nomination. Sudani is reminiscent of a Trojan horse, said Mr Badawi. His Coordination Framework supporters initially saw him as a proxy, but he has since come to believe he can outmanoeuvre the old guard and use divide-and-rule tactics within the coalition, positioning himself to sway and even co-lead it. Without serious structural reforms to Iraqs elections, analysts have said they will continue to function as a way for the countrys political elites to jostle for power, rather than serving as genuine routes for citizens to win accountability. At a recent pro-democracy forum in Baghdad, the fatalism that grips many Iraqis was clear. While Iraqi experts and politicians discussed participation and voter confidence, one translator leaned over and said: These idiots dont know what theyre talking about. Strength is the only thing that works here. 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. In what appears to be another war of wills in the industry, the issue of monitoring labor rights has taken center stage in Dhaka. Manufacturers have expressed both ire and an intent to withhold cooperation, even as one of the largest initiatives for factory safetythe RMG Sustainability Council (RSC), which has continued the work of the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety since June 1, 2020 plans to expand its mandate to include the monitoring of labor issues. These will extend beyond occupational and safety hazards (OSH) to cover broader violations including wages, worker discrimination, forced labor, and other issues under a comprehensive complaints mechanism, which the RSC has announced will begin at the end of this week. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RSC is a powerful organization with more than 230 global brand signatories, covering more than 1,800 factories in Bangladesh. RSC was established through a joint initiative of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), global brands, and unions to sustain workplace safety in the ready-made garment industry. Manufacturers have reacted strongly. The BGMEA sent letters to its members on Sunday asking them to hold off on responding to RSC instructions, stating that the matter was under review and that further dialogue would ascertain the process ahead after the next RSC board meeting. It further requested all member factories not to respond to any communications, letters or circulars from RSC on the matter. The BGMEA letter stated: It has come to our attention that the Managing Director of the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC) has recently circulated a letter to factories concerning a non-OSH (Occupational Safety and Health) complaints mechanism. We would like to inform you that the matter is currently under review and BGMEA management is in close communication with the RSC through constructive dialogue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faisal Samad, director, BGMEA, told Sourcing Journal in no uncertain terms that the pilot would not start on Nov. 16. The industry never agreed to this, and we dont accept the statement sent to our members. Were not letting them into our factories, he said. They have to bring it to the table and we have to see how we negotiate. They are not in a position to dictatethey must understand we are all stakeholders. It is not 2013. However, a letter from the RSC, also sent out on Sunday, announced in no uncertain terms that the expanded Complaints Mechanisma major milestone in advancing worker protection and workplace fairness would begin November 16. The RSC will expand its Complaints Mechanism beyond OSH to cover a broader range of workplace-related issues, effective 16 November 2025, to enact the decision made by the RSC Board of Directors in their meeting on 20 October 2025. This expansion marks the introduction of a unified, credible, and trusted platform for addressing workplace grievances through a process jointly endorsed by RSCs tripartite partnersIndustry, Brands, and Workers, the organization said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It added that the RSC had recently launched a digital complaint system with IVR, allowing workers to lodge complaints using a toll-free number to make the process more accessible. Abdul Haque, Managing Director, RMG Sustainability Council (RSC) noted: This decision, adopted at the RSC Board of Directors meetingrepresents a major step toward ensuring fairness, safety, and transparency in the workplace. With equal representation from international brands and retailers, trade unions, and the local industry, this collective decision reflects our shared commitment to making grievance redress more credible, efficient, and accessible for all workers. The complaints mechanism itself was originally established under the 2013 Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, and has been implemented by the RSC since June 2020, with more than 4,000 OSH complaints filed to dategiving workers a platform to raise concerns confidentially or anonymously. The implementation would be carried out in two phases, starting with over 50 signatory brands and 1,000 factories to ensure a smooth and effective rollout, with the second phase, covering all signatory brands and factories, is expected to begin in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joris Oldenziel, executive director, International Accord told Sourcing Journal that consideration of the potential expansion of the complaints mechanism had already been built into the framework two years prior. In the International Accord Agreement that was signed in November 2023, the signatories committed to piloting the expansion which was a long-standing wish from many signatories both unions and many brands. The signatories considered that the very effective complaints mechanism of the Accord could also be of added value to effectively address other labor standards, not just occupational health and safety issues, he said. In the International Accord agreement a pilot was planned to see how we would best be able to deal with these cases, and what kind of resources and expertise is necessary. The Accord program in Bangladesh is implemented through RSC, and they conducted the pilot program last year. A survey was also done among brands and a vast majority of them were in favor of expanding the complaints mechanism beyond OSH. As part of the tripartite framework of RSC it needed discussions with the industry within its decision-making body. At the RSC board meeting on October 20, it was agreed to expand the complaints mechanism beyond OSH, Oldenziel said. However, given that the RSC has largely been focused on fire and building safety issues in its inspections, and other OSH issues through its complaints mechanism, this appears to be a large new mandate. Oldenziel explained that the RSC has already been receiving many complaints that were out of scope more than 70 percent of complaints concerned issues like overtime pay, severance benefits, wages, unfair dismissals, etc. The fact that RSC already had a track record of successfully resolving cases and providing effective remedies made this a logical next step, he observed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are few complaints mechanisms e as effective as the complaints mechanism of the RSC and the Accord, with a competent team of RSC complaints handling specialists in Bangladesh who are conducting independence investigations and working with the factories and the complainants to resolve cases, he said. Lots of these complaints are very effectively being resolved, and that is also why the brands are supportive. They also realize that there are increasing human rights due diligence expectations and obligations and having an effective grievance mechanism in their supply chain helps them comply with these, he said, marking out the urgency to make this happen. Yet, there are multiple initiatives to monitor, and manufacturers have long complained about the different parameters and requirements of each. Oldenziel said that this concern was being looked at closely. Although there are a lot of different complaint mechanisms, the Accord has more than 230 brand signatories to the Bangladesh Safety Agreement. So, bringing this under the Accord actually contributes to harmonizing the efforts in the industry. He admitted that there was no guarantee that the multiple mechanisms could be eliminated. Some brands have contracts with other complaints mechanisms, he admitted, but there will be a good faith effort from the Accord brands to look into that and to see which initiatives may basically hand over or discontinue their own complaints mechanism. We are making efforts to see to what extent this can happen, but ultimately thats an individual brand decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even as manufacturers continued voicing their concerns about this additional mechanism, the question about whether RSC is the right organization to handle such issues is far from unanimous. BGMEA director Faisal Samad emphasized: RSC is already behind in its primary task, which is structural. There are factories waiting in line, and there are constant complaints from members that inspections still need to be completed. If theyre not doing their primary task, how can they take on anything more? Bank of America is facing a class action lawsuit that claims it underpaid hourly workers by refusing to compensate them for time spent at the beginning of the day logging into their workstations. The days of the punch card are long gone for most major employers. Many jobs especially those that deal with sensitive digital information require workers to use multi-factor authentication, VPNs, and open encrypted drives before they can even start work. According to the new lawsuit, some Bank of America business analysts had to complete all of their log-in duties before they could even access their timecards to clock-in, according to Techspot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit claims that the log-in duties can take an employee up to a half hour in the morning and a few minutes after their lunch breaks, and that none of the time was compensated. The filing points to U.S. Department of Labor guidelines which clarified in 2008 that computer start-up tasks should be compensated in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, so long as those tasks are integral to the employee's work activities. The lawsuit points to U.S. Department of Labor guidelines (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The lawsuit argues that Bank of America workers preparing their digital office for the day is a prerequisite for them fulfilling their other daily duties, and that Bank of America should pay them for that time. Tava Martin, the former employee who is bringing the lawsuit against Bank of America, is asking for back pay and damages for herself and the "hundreds" of other business analysts in situations similar to hers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her legal team is reportedly pursuing both class and collective action status, which would let them represent a broader range of clients. Martin estimates that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of workers who have faced similar issues related to workplace timekeeping. The Independent has requested comment from Bank of America. When Khaterah Dayim fled political turmoil in Afghanistan and arrived in the U.S. in 2021, a Bay Area resettlement agency was here to help. The nonprofit Jewish Family & Community Services East Bay found Dayim's family an apartment; paid for four months of rent; enrolled her children in school; and helped her get food stamps. "For people who came three, four years ago, the government had everything," Dayim said. "But for newcomers, not anymore." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after taking office in January, President Donald Trump suspended the U.S. refugee admissions program and cancelled the federal contracts that had enabled resettlement agencies to help newly arrived refugees secure housing, health care and jobs for at least 90 days. That left 22,000 refugees in the U.S. without resettlement support, according to the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian group. Additionally, under a law signed in July, all refugees are no longer eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, cutting off a key source of food support during their resettlement period. Later that month, the administration announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Afghans, ending the protections that had allowed Afghans who fled in 2022 after the Taliban takeover to remain in the U.S. legally. The loss of status has left many unable to renew benefits or work permits that once supported their housing and income stability. "We are seeing increased anxiety about legal status, confusion about next steps," said JFCS East Bay communications manager Ashley Green. These sweeping changes have alarmed Afghan refugees in California, home to the highest percentage of Afghan immigrants arriving in the United States between 2018 and 2022 as the Taliban returned to power. Many Afghans like Dayim have found community in Fremont, which in past decades has become known as "Little Kabul" - distinguished by long-standing businesses where people line up for freshly baked naan or grilled kababs and pick up Afghan herbs at the farmers market on weekend mornings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But without federal assistance, the future of this thriving community could be in peril. Khaterah Dayim and her family run Balkh Bakery and Deli, an Afghan food pastry and cake shop, at 32730 Alvarado Blvd. in Fremont. Dayim left Afghanistan in part so she and her daughter could pursue careers that have become impossible under strict Taliban rule. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle) "You are not alone" Back in Afghanistan, Dayim had earned a broadcast journalism degree in 2008. But her dreams of being a television reporter were dashed when the Taliban tightened restrictions on women's public roles. Afghanistan was growing more unstable. The U.S. had invaded in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, toppling the Taliban regime, which it blamed for harboring terrorists. But the new democracy was fragile, and fighting between the Taliban and Afghan forces continued. Dayim's husband, who ran a money exchange business, was stabbed in the stomach on the way home from work, but survived. In 2015, when their third child and only daughter was born, Dayim decided she didn't want her to grow up under the same repression she'd faced. The following year, she and her family left Afghanistan for Turkey via the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees. After waiting five years to get refugee status, Dayim and her family moved to the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With assistance from the JFCS East Bay, Dayim's family resettled in a two-bedroom apartment in Hayward, then a new place in Fremont, where she opened a bakery in 2024 named after her daughter, Samar. Khaterah Dayim poses for a portrait inside her establishment Balkh Bakery and Deli, an Afghan food pastry and cake shop, in Fremont. A refugee resettlement agency, whose funding is now in peril, helped her family establish themselves in the Bay Area, but PResident Trump's changes to refugee policy could imperil the Fremont Afghan community sometimes called "Little Kabul." (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle) Resettlement agencies are refugees' first point of contact, helping them not only with basic needs but also to enroll in public benefits. "When you first arrive, you have no credit, no income, nothing," said one refugee, who asked to be identified only by his first name, Rhamat, to protect his family in Afghanistan. "Even small help means you are not alone." A former general surgeon who worked with the U.S. army in Kabul, Rhamat came to Fremont in 2017 under a Special Immigrant Visa, offered to non-citizens who helped the government. He arrived just two days before President Trump's first inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rhamat credits the resources arranged by Catholic charities and the rides to medical appointments provided by volunteers for helping his family survive their first months in the U.S. But he said the federal cuts have undone much of what made resettlement possible for families like his. "What this administration is doing is unkind," he said. "It is unhelpful." Rhamat stands near his restaurant, Authentic Afghan Kebab and Cuisine, in Fremont, Rhamat, who is being identified by his last name only for fear of reprisals from the Taliban against his family in Afghanistan, was a surgeon in his home country and helped the U.S. army; he's now a cardiac sonographer during the week, and runs the restaurant with his family. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle) An "emergency situation" Since January, agencies like JFCS East Bay have been scrambling to find other sources of funding to assist families. In fiscal year 2023, JFCS East Bay assisted 364 refugees with full resettlement services - 96% of them from Afghanistan. This year, the agency found emergency support to assist 105 new arrivals in Alameda County without federal help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We reached out to everyone. This was an emergency situation, said Robin Mencher, CEO of JFCS East Bay. The group has been able to scrape by through county-level funding, institutional philanthropy and individual donations. In February, Alameda County approved nearly $616,780 in emergency funding to continue resettlement services such as housing. The funds were distributed to JFCS East Bay, Jewish Family Services Silicon Valley and the International Rescue Committee, allowing them to temporarily continue supporting newly arrived refugees. An extended case management fund also was created to support refugees beyond the initial 90 days, for those experiencing pregnancy, illness or trauma. Initially set to end this September, the fund has been extended until October 31, 2026. These temporary supports provided short-term relief. But JFCS East Bay still had to scale back its core operations, including its refugee-services team, after losing $3 million in federal funding between 2024 and 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency went through rounds of layoffs last spring, cutting a total of 14 staff positions. It was able to stay afloat because it received funding for other programs serving non-refugee groups, including seniors and immigrants. "But for resettlement agencies where that's their core business and all they do, many shut down," Mencher said. Rhamat, right, talks with his business partner and chef, Andollah Rahimshah, outside their restaurant Authentic Afghan Kebab and Cuisine in Fremont. The community, sometimes known as "Little Kabul," is a hub for Afghan food and businesses. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle) From dream to reality On October 31, the Trump administration set the refugee admissions cap for fiscal year 2026 at 7,500, a sharp drop from the 125,000 limit under the previous government. According to the administration's notice, most of those slots will go to Afrikaners from South Africa. The decision is expected to significantly reshape how resettlement services are delivered nationwide. Meanwhile, programs for Afghan refugee youth also have been hit by the federal cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Afghan Refugee School Impact and Afghan Youth Mentoring programs, statewide initiatives administered by the California Department of Social Services and funded through the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, were created to help newly arrived Afghan students adjust academically and socially. As part of the grant, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) San Francisco chapter had been running workshops on leadership, civil rights and combating Islamophobia. Khaterah Dayim's youngest son Ali Sina Fakher, right, converses with customer Mustafa Sher - Mohammad, left, during his visit to Dayim's establishment Balkh Bakery and Deli, an Afghan food pastry and cake shop, in Fremont, Calif. on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Dayim fled Afghanistan with her husband and three children to build a better life in the U.S. A refugee resettlement agency, whose funding is now in peril, helped the family establish themselves. Trump's impacting changes to refugee policy in the Fremont Afghan community sometimes called "Little Kabul." (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle) Sarah Babar, special projects fellow at CAIR, called the federal grants cuts "heartbreaking," adding that through the programs, students have gone on to enroll in colleges, pursue internships and find jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They not only come here with resilience but they invest in their own family's futures by coming to these programs," Babar said. "They've turned their own dreams into realities." While private donations and county funds provide a temporary lifeline for refugee families, Mencher said stopgap measures cannot solve the larger structural issues. "It's never enough money to do the job," she said, "especially because it costs so much money to live in the Bay Area." Mencher emphasizes the goal of resettlement is not about dependency but stability, which will become harder to achieve with fewer resources. "When a refugee comes, they move on a path of self sufficiency. They find themselves on an employment pathway, and we support them through that process," Mencher said. "When we cut off those benefits, we cut off those pathways." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On a recent Saturday, Khaterah Dayim was with her family at their bakery in Fremont, stocking the pastry case with flaky baklava. She recalled the encouragement she received from her family and others that put her and their business on track. "My son told me, Mom, we have to start from one point. Everyone started from one point. We can help each other.'" This story is part of "The Stakes," a UC Berkeley Journalism project on executive orders and actions affecting Californians and their communities. This article originally published at The Bay Area's Little Kabul' once welcomed Afghan refugees. Federal cuts are changing that. Two people with fugitive warrants from California were arrested on Thursday by the Bellingham Police Department following multiple pursuits and a search by a K-9 team. Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy said officers began pursuing a Hyundai driven by a 40-year-old man from Los Altos, California after he failed to stop at a stop sign and use his turn signal on Creston Way. He evaded police there and again on I-5, according to Murphy. Officers saw the car get off at the Old Fairhaven Parkway exit and began to patrol the area. They noticed a man sprinting away from a nearby fenced-off area, Murphy said, and found a vehicle partially through the brush and gap in a fence sitting in a parking lot. The airbags were deployed, and officers found drug paraphernalia, mail and shaved keys in the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The totality of the circumstances led the officers to believe that this was the same person whod tried to elude them before, Murphy said, and police set up a perimeter. A K-9 team searched the area and found the man hiding in the back of a nearby truck bed. The 40-year-old was arrested on probable cause of reckless driving and two counts of attempting to elude a police vehicle. Murphy said further investigation led police to believe that there was a passenger in the car. The K-9 team and an unmanned aerial system aircraft found a 36-year-old Bellingham woman shoeless in a blackberry bush. She was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center for treatment for a fractured vertebra in her spine and later released to be taken to jail on fugitive from justice warrants. Police discovered the woman had warrants from the Superior Court of San Mateo County for theft of identifying information and prior felony offenses. BPD issued an additional warrant for failure to appear and third-degree malicious mischief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 40-year-old had an extraditable warrant from Campbell, California for buying or receiving a stolen vehicle, according to Murphy. BPD also found probable cause for vehicular assault and hit-and-run with injury. Because the two individuals were in a relationship, both of these pending charges were designated as domestic violence. Murphy said further charges are pending related to stolen mail, making false statements to police, possession of a controlled substance and perhaps more. As of Monday at noon, no charges had been filed. BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A meal drive is happening Tuesday at Second Street Pantry Northwest Arkansas to support residents amid SNAP cuts and in observance of Veterans Day. Located at 201 NW. 2nd St., the distribution will start at 12 p.m. and end at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Stephanie Orman is set to give remarks at 3 p.m. The meal drive is part of Rethink Foods pilot partnership with The Hive at 21c Bentonville that was launched in July. A news release from Rethink Food says the group will provide over 200 meals in observance of the holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traveling Veterans Memorial coming to JB Hunt According to Rethink Foods website, the organization is leading a coalition of mission-driven restaurants, businesses and elected officials to advance a groundbreaking tax credit to reshape the fight against food insecurity. The groups federal tax program proposes $50,000 a year to individual restaurant locations and is capped at $800 million nationwide. The pilot at The Hive, led by the restaurants Executive Chef Micah Klasky and Rethinks Culinary Director Ken Baker, brings Rethinks tax credit model to life. According to Rethinks website, the collaboration shows how the groups proposed tax credit can empower restaurants to: provide nutritious meals to communities, join with local organizations to address food insecurity and strengthen community ties through chef-driven solutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 KNWA FOX24. Lawmakers and community organizers gather outside the Milwaukee County Courthouse to announce a package of bills related to conditions inside prisons and jails. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) On Monday, a group of state and local lawmakers expected to see firsthand the conditions within the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility (MSDF), a state-run facility imprisoning people for things like probation and parole violations. Lawmakers said the Department of Corrections (DOC) approved the tour, only to back out. It wasnt the first time that elected officials have reported being denied tours of prisons and jails around the state, many of which continue to produce troubling accounts of the conditions inside their walls. Let me be clear, the conditions in Wisconsins correctional facilities are not simply unfortunate, said Rep. Darrin Madison (D-Milwaukee), standing with other elected officials and community organizers on the steps of the Milwaukee County Courthouse on Monday. They are unacceptableWe are not going to normalize inhumanity. The Wisconsin Examiners Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation. Madison said that in some incarceration facilities, people may be locked in their cells for 20-23 hours a day for months. They are denied sunlight, said Madison. Theyre denied movement. Theyre denied programming. Theyre denied medical care. Theyre denied basic human contact. There are facilities where people cant even get consistent access to quality hygiene products. Where food is so poor, it does not meet the nutritional needs of grown adultsWhere communication with family, the very thing that reduces recidivism, is treated like a privilege instead of a right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inhumane conditions in Wisconsins jails and prisons, Madison said, is state-sanctioned violence, and its being done in our name and disguised as justice. Rather than creating spaces where rehabilitation can occur, Madison said, the Legislature has favored choices related to punishment over rehabilitation, control over care, silence over accountability. He stressed that when you run a system on punishment and silence, abuse becomes the operating procedure. Thats why Madison, alongside other elected officials and organizers from Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing (EXPO) and the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, gathered outside the courthouse in Milwaukee to announce a package of bills aimed at improving conditions in prisons and jails. The bills would accomplish a number of things including: Guaranteeing 180 free minutes of telephone access, 60 minutes of free video calling, and 100 free messages per week to incarcerated people. In-person visits would also not be replaced with video or phone calls, Increase wages to incarcerated people to at least $2.33 per hour. In Wisconsin most incarcerated people are paid anywhere from nothing to 40 cents per hour, Guaranteeing at least four bathing periods for people incarcerated in state and county facilities, Providing culturally sensitive products and a $25 a month stipend to help pay for them, female hygiene supplies, and other grooming and hygiene products, Guaranteeing up to two in-person visits a week, and allowing incarcerated people to have up to 25 registered visitors who may embrace them for up to 20 seconds before and after visits, Requiring that all state and county correctional facilities provide recreational activities, as well as organized and structured programming, Ensuring that people placed in solitary confinement are given a book, pen or pencil, paper, envelopes, hygiene products, a personal address book, and other supplies within two hours of being placed in restrictive housing, requiring structured programming while in solitary confinement, guaranteeing access to case managers, and providing three 25-minute video visitation periods per week, Ensuring that housing units are kept at 68-76 degrees Fahrenheit, Granting incarcerated people the ability to see the outdoors at least three hours daily, and the ability to be outside and up to three hours a week, Creating a public dashboard with status on solitary confinement, prison lockdowns, and complaints, Ensuring that lawmakers are able to access prisons and jails for oversight purposes, Allowing counties to oversee control of a jail if lawmakers vote to do so, And requiring jails and prisons to provide written documents to incarcerated people detailing their rights, and ensuring the document can be viewed and accessed throughout any correctional facility. Justin Bielinski, a Milwaukee County supervisor and chair of the Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and General Services Committee, quoted the adage that with great power comes great responsibility and added, our carceral system is the ultimate power, depriving people of their freedom. Bielinski said she fears that were not holding up our end of the bargain and our responsibility to keep people safe and free from harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Milwaukee County is running out of space in the jail and Community Reintegration Center (CRC). So its more important than ever that the conditions inside these facilities are the best that we can make them so that when people come out, they are not worse, that they are at least the same, if not better. Bielinksi said. She added, The Sheriffs Office has been resistant to every attempt that weve made to offer change, offer oversight within the jail. Rep. Ryan Clancy (D-Milwaukee), who was also in attendance on Monday, said he has also battled the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office to visit the jail and improve conditions there. Kayla Patterson, a member of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) Although the county board can pass resolutions, they are not binding and do not usurp the authority the sheriff has over the jail. We cannot force change inside of that facility, said Bielinski. And so we do need state legislation to help us out with thatWe know these things are going to cost money, but we cannot let money be the excuse for treating people in a way that is less than human. And if we cant find the money, then we shouldnt be locking this many people up. Bielinksi recalled the string of deaths inside the Milwaukee County Jail from 2021 to 2022, which led to a third-party audit of the jail. Yet in that audit, Bielinksi said, the county didnt address the specific circumstances that led to the deaths. Among the people who died were 21-year-old Brieon Green and 20-year-old Cilivea Thyrion, whose deaths were both ruled suicides despite their families insistence that jail staff were at the very least negligent in their care. Green and Thyrions loved ones joined local activists in calling for reform to the jail and sheriffs office. December will mark three years since Thyrion died. Kayla Patterson, a member of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, highlighted the deaths and riots at the jail in recent years. And we will continue to see that until the sheriff and her office are held accountable, said Patterson. This legislative pack should represent one of the first steps in standing with the people of Milwaukee for jail oversight that works with them, and not against them. For real transparency input into how our loved ones are kept while in custody. In the Alliance theres a slogan we use: In your custody, in your care. These are not just inmates, but community members that deserve dignity 24-7 during their time in the jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conditions within state prisons have also been under the microscope. Last year, the warden of Waupun Correctional and eight other staff members were charged with crimes related to the treatment and neglect of people within the prison, which may have contributed to a string of four deaths from 2023 to 2024. Waupun Correctional Institution, photographed in 2017 (Wisconsin Department of Corrections photo) The deaths included Dean Hoffmann, ruled suicide by hanging, Tyshun Lemons who overdosed on a substance containing fentanyl, Cameron Williams who complained of breathing issues and was found unresponsive in his bed, and Donald Maier, who died while in solitary confinement of dehydration and malnutrition. Water to his cell had been shut off, and correctional officers allegedly knew that Maiers mental condition was worsening, that he had not eaten for days, and had begun drinking sewage water. In 2025, Waupun warden Randall Hepp was convicted of a misdemeanor in Maiers death, and fined $500. Hepp pleaded no contest. The DOC didnt respond to a request for comment, and the story will be updated with any reply from them. Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) said at the press conference, We invest, as a state, millions of dollars in folks who are in our care. And they should be coming out on a trajectory of success to make sure that they are finding a job, finding a community, and the only time they think about their time incarcerated is in the rear view mirror, in the past tense. Unfortunately, the way that we have this set up is a broken tough on crime idea that once you touch the criminal justice system it is cruel to you, it diminishes you, and it never lets you go. Androne Lane (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) Androne Lane has experienced the struggles Larson described. He came home in 2018 after spending time in several prisons including Waupun, Green Bay, Red Granite and Fox Lake. I think it was important for me to come out and speak today because being a returning citizen, this bill or this movement that these guys are pushing to me is like a basic, like our own constitution for returning citizens, Lane told the Wisconsin Examiner. Were not asking for a lot, were asking for dignity. Were asking for humanity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The priorities outlined in the bill package cover things that would help incarcerated people heal and become whole, Lane said. When people return home from prison, Lane continued, How do you get a community to accept them coming back in there? And what does that look like for encouraging the community or an individual coming back to recover something that wasnt replaced? Lane and other advocates say there needs to be a community care plan for people returning home from incarceration. When Lane returned home, he told the Examiner, it took a while for him to accept that he needed mental health therapy. I think one of the hardest things for individuals is to ask for help, not knowing what help you need, he said. When I came home there was a lot of things that was on the surface that I had to deal with. But there was a lot of things inside that I didnt know I was dealing with. On the surface, Lane was unemployed and deeply stressed, but on the inside he was struggling with the trauma of being molested as a child, and he didnt know how hed be accepted in the community. What does mental health look like for us? What does wellness look like and what is this whole that everybody is working for? Rep. Margaret Arney (D-Wauwatosa) (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) Rep. Margaret Arney (D-Wauwatosa), said the bills embody important work for Wisconsin to take on. I hate living in a state where we lock up so many people and have so little regard for how those people live their lives, Arney told the Examiner. Its a heartbreaking, enraging type of situationWhen I look around and say, Whats as bad as slavery was? And I think of the conditions of incarceration in the state of Wisconsin. That us as the United States, were addicted to locking people up, and in Wisconsin we do it even more so and even worse than in other states. And even though it costs a tremendous amount of resources, theres so little willingness to engage in what those resources are here for, what were doing. Why does it cost so much to treat people so badly? Why do we, everyday, just put up with the fact that were somewhere on the order of 5,000 people over capacity? Although conditions of confinement sounds like a sterile term to Arney, she said, its not. Its human beings that are being treated at torture-level conditions, and I just cant stand that. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Blasts in the capitals of India and Pakistan raised tensions between the neighboring rivals. A day after a car explosion killed eight people in New Delhi, authorities said they are investigating it as a possible terrorist attack, and the Indian prime minister warned the perpetrators will not be spared. Without offering evidence, Pakistan blamed India for a suicide bombing in Islamabad that killed at least 12 people on Tuesday. The two countries relationship is already on tenterhooks after their brief armed conflict earlier this year, an expert noted, pointing to growing stability risks across a wide expanse of South Asia. Pakistan has also been involved in border clashes with Afghan militants. Nov. 8Thomas "Boogie" Bryant was a young man when he went to war, and he's an old man now. But he remembers the rats. "I know this friend of mine, he got bit by a rat and had to have eight or 10 shots in his stomach for rabies," Bryant said. It's been 60 years since he signed up for a military, and Bryant's done a whole lot of living in those six decades. But before the rats, before the Agent Orange, the thump of the guns and the ship to Vietnam, Thomas Bryant loved to dance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haywood County raised, Haywood County born, "fourth month, fourth day, 1940," one of six siblings, Bryant loved to dance so much that the mother of his pal Phil Gibbs slapped the name "Boogie" on him. He's still known by it now, six months shy of his 86th birthday. As it happens, Phil Gibbs signed up for the Army at the same time Bryant did, along with two other boys from the neighborhood. Gibbs made it through the war and still lives in Haywood County. The other two boys came home early from boot camp. Bryant later realized his time in the service would have been shorter if he'd waited to get drafted. But he was 25 in 1965 another year and he'd age out of the draft. His mother and father were both dead, and Bryant desperately wanted a change of scenery, something beyond the Western North Carolina high country. Ironically enough, after he arrived in Vietnam, his first stop was the central highlands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You might not believe it, but this good hand to the good Lord, I seen it frost up there in the central highlands," Bryant said. "I've had perimeter duty, and I'd have my field jacket, field jacket lining, gloves and stuff on. Wow, it was cold." These are the kinds of stories that Bryant offers of his time in Vietnam. The surprising cold of the central highlands, his creeping revulsion at the rats, the fetid smell of the pit toilets. This last would be magnified periodically when the men lit the barrels of waste on fire with kerosene and diesel fuel so there'd be room to fill them back up again. He remembers the skepticism he and other men felt when told they'd need permission to fire back if bullets came hailing out of the jungle. Twenty rounds to a man per day, that's what they were issued. He remembers riding in convoys, waiting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He remembers the camaraderie he felt when taken under the wing of a sergeant, a fellow Black man. The concussive slap of the big guns firing at night. The acid reek of the chlorinated shower water, and the way it made his skin itch after getting clean. And he remembers some things he'd probably rather not. "I seen some action. I don't talk about it much," he said. "I went through some things, but I didn't know it." But he made it home, having spent two years, 11 months, and 28 days in the military. Home to Haywood County and a marriage, and kids, and grandkids, and a three-and-a-half-decade career at Canton's paper mill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when Bryant said he "didn't know," he'd gone through some things, one of the things he meant is a hefty exposure to Agent Orange, though he's not sure exactly when or where. In 2014 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. "Shortly after that I was diagnosed with bone cancer," he said. Treatment was bad, rendering Bryant so radioactive that he'd have to quarantine himself for three days after each blast. "I got problems from that ... but thank God I'm still here. My mouth stays dry. My lip stays dry. I lost weight and don't seem to gain my weight back," he said. "But I can live with that." At some point in that whole process, Bryant's oncologist told him there was nothing more she could do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And I said, 'Well, I know somebody who can help me. Dr. J. Dr. Jesus has never lost a case,'" he told her. Bryant's been serving as a deacon since 1969, shortly after coming home. He still occasionally teaches Sunday school at his church, when they need him to fill in. He spends two days preparing for each lesson. So maybe it was Dr. J, or maybe it was changing doctors, or maybe it was both. But whoever it was, Boogie Bryant is still kicking here at the tail end of 2025. The cancer is "back and forth," but he's hoping to make it to birthday number 86 next year. He doesn't know why he's the last of siblings still living, why his wife died over 20 years ago in her 60s. If anyone should already be gone, he reckons, it should be him. Still, if he could go back and do it all again, he said, he'd mostly make the same choices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think things worked out. I can't live nobody's life. I can only live my life. I ask the Lord to give me what he wants me to have, not what I think that I should have, but what he gave me. I'm just thankful," he said. "Hopefully I can be here till I'm 100. I hope." President Donald Trump on Monday made a bonkers claim that nobody knows about magnets while bragging about his dealmaking abilities. Trump after being asked about Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes (R-Ga.) critique that he should focus more on domestic policy made his way to talk of China restricting exports of processed rare-earth minerals and magnets, rules the country has reportedly eased since a deal between Trump and Chinas Xi Jinping last month. Politics: Critics Mock 'Panicked' Trump's Online Freakout After Dems Trounce GOP In Elections If China refused to give magnets, cause they have a monopoly on magnets, ... there wouldnt be a car made in the entire world, there wouldnt be a radio, there wouldnt be a television, there wouldnt be internet, there wouldnt be anything because magnets are such a part , the president began. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, nobody knows what magnets are and not overly sophisticated but to build a magnet system would take two years. He proceeded to talk up his unbelievable deal that made peace with China. Trump: "Nobody knows what magnets are." pic.twitter.com/nxnLmKbFDP Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 10, 2025 Trump has previously signaled his confusion about how magnets function, telling supporters last year that dropping magnets in a glass of water would be the end of the magnets. The president, in a Fox News interview that aired Monday night, repeated his claim about magnets. Critics on X swiftly mocked Trump, including one who called out his breathtaking stupidity and several others who referred to a line about magnets from Insane Clown Posses song Miracle that is often used in memes. The breathtaking stupidity. https://t.co/gTCoCl2KBI Bill Prady Now at (@billprady) November 10, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally a reason to use this GIF which I definitely didnt just discover existed. pic.twitter.com/t7KGL8qLR7 Chris Robinson (@ChrisRobinsonNJ) November 10, 2025 The Trump-ICP crossover no one saw coming https://t.co/LM8KQtAE5r Machine Gun Philly (@xXPhillyCXx) November 10, 2025 He did it. He did the meme. Im not even going to post the gif cause that would be gratuitous. https://t.co/UybdlD4V6m Poker and Politics (@PokerPolitics) November 10, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Nobody knows what magnets are" is the new "'groceries' is an old-fashioned word." TrumpFile.org (@TrumpFile) November 10, 2025 If this bonehead doesnt know what it is, then no one does. Funny, though, the ancient Greeks figured out magnetism in the 6th century BC. Human (@4HumanUnity) November 10, 2025 Magnets are to windmills, like sharks are to batteries Robert Lusetich (@RobertLusetich) November 10, 2025 Related... Read the original on HuffPost Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Asylum seekers will be permitted to stay at hotel in Essex following a British high court ruling against a local council to remove them. The Bell Hotel in Epping Forest, less than 20 miles northeast of London, has housed roughly 140 migrants in the process of seeking British asylum. But the local Epping Forest District Council sought to block their temporarily living conditions after a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and a man living in the hotel accused of the attack. On Tuesday, Justice Tim Mould dismissed the council's claims and ruled that an injunction was "not an appropriate means of enforcing planning control." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Epping Forest's councillors argued the Bell Hotel owner flouted local planning and zoning rules. "What we saw in court was an unholy alliance of lawyers for government and big business intent on protecting huge profits and an indefensible asylum policy,"Ken Williamson, a member on Epping Forest District Council, told the BBC. In August, a temporary injunction was awarded that banned asylum but later overturned by an appeal court following intervention by Britain's Home Office. Protests near the hotel turned violent in July when hijacked by far-right supporters after Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, an Ethiopian national and resident of the hotel, was charged with the teen girl's sexual assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Mould on Tuesday rejected the prospect that hotel owner Somani Hotels demonstrated a "flagrant or persistent abuse" of planning control with a growing number of immigrants and other foreign asylum seekers. "Taking a broad view, the degree of planning and environmental harm resulting from the current use of the Bell is limited," he wrote in a 87-page ruling. The judge acknowledged the "criminal behavior of a small number of individual asylum seekers" housed at the hotel had "raised the fear of crime" in the local community. It was noted there was a "continuing need" to house asylum seekers with a looming asylum hearing. And so that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood "can fulfill her statutory duties." Tuesday's ruling continued that statutory procedures under British law provided for the "local planning authority, or on appeal the Secretary of State, to determine conclusively whether an existing use of land is lawful because it does not involve development." Nov. 10 (UPI) -- British journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi, who has been in U.S. immigration custody since late last month, is to be released, his wife and attorneys said Monday. Hamdi, a 35-year-old vocal supporter of Palestinians and a critic of Israel, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Oct. 26 at San Francisco International Airport amid his U.S. speaking tour. Immigration authorities said his visa was revoked on accusations of supporting terrorism, though no proof was made public. In a statement on X, Hamdi's wife, Soumaya Hamid, said her husband was "coming home." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Elated doesn't begin to describe the feeling," she said. According to the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Hamdi accepted an offer to leave the country voluntarily. The immigration charging document filed against Hamdi after his visa was revoked alleged a visa overstay offense, according to CAIR, which said the agreement made for Hamdi's release means "the government does not consider Hamdi a danger to the community or to national security." "Sami's case shows how quickly our government officials are willing to sacrifice our First Amendment and free press when a journalist uses his platform to dare put America first before Israel," CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said in a statement. "His forthcoming release is welcome, but it does not erase the message this sends to every activist and journalist watching -- and every authoritarian dictatorship worldwide who can now claim they are following America's example." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamdi was detained amid the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration. Immigration authorities and State Department officials have pointed to participation in pro-Palestinian protests and comments made online as reasons for visa revocations. Pro-Palestinian protesters, who are noncitizens, have also been detained for the purpose of deportation. While Trump administration officials argue the move is to protect national security, critics contend that it is seeking to silence criticism and dissent. "Sami never should have spent a single night in an ICE cell. His only real 'offense' was speaking clearly about Israel's genocidal war crimes against Palestinians," Ayloush said. British journalist and commentator Sami Hamdi is to be released and returned to the UK after being detained by ICE. The activist and outspoken critic of Israels military action in Gaza was arrested by US immigration agents at San Francisco International Airport on 26 October. Mr Hamdi had spoken at a gala for a chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), in California and was heading to Florida for another event prior to his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His wife Soumaya Hamdi said that, during his time in detention, the father-of-three had suffered a medical emergency while in custody and experienced delays in treatment. She told The Independent that her husbands immigration hearing was due to be held on Monday 10 November after being postponed following an administrative error. Sami Hamdi was detained by agents at San Francisco airport in October (Instagram/FreeSamiHamdi) The campaign for his release shared a statement on Monday, writing: Alhamdulillah [praise be to God], good news. The government has agreed to release Sami. He will be able to return home soon inshaAllah [God willing]. Additional details forthcoming. In a post shared on the campaigns Instagram page, a statement said: Alhamdulilah, Samis legal team, CAIR-CA, and Hassan Ahmad and MLFA today welcome an agreement to release British Muslim journalist Sami Hamdi from politically motivated ICE detention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement continued: Sami is choosing to leave the U.S. and reunite with his family and will inshaAllah [God willing] continue speaking truth to power, inspiring us all. CAIR-CA (California) CEO Hussam Ayloush said on Monday: Samis case shows how quickly our government officials are willing to sacrifice our First Amendment and free press when a journalist uses his platform to dare put America first before Israel. Hamdis wife said he experienced a medical emergency while in custody (Soumaya Hamdi) His forthcoming release is welcome, but it does not erase the message this sends to every activist and journalist watching and every authoritarian dictatorship worldwide who can now claim they are following Americas example. Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin was unapologetic in a statement after the journalists arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country, she said. Its common sense. The official cited a report from the advocacy group Rise Align Ignite Reclaim (RAIR), which the Southern Poverty Law Center has previously described as an anti-Muslim hate group, about Hamdi in the post announcing the arrest. RAIR accused Hamdi of endorsing terrorism and operating alongside foreign terror networks through his various speaking engagements, claims which he and his team have denied. His detention was one of the latest high-profile attempts by Donald Trumps administration to identify and potentially expel thousands of foreigners in the United States who it says have either fomented or participated in unrest or publicly supported protests against Israels military operations in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration has denied visas to applicants whose social media histories have been critical of its policies, as rights groups have warned of violations of the rights of citizens constitutional protections of freedom of speech. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office had said: We are in contact with and providing consular assistance to a British man detained in the USA. We are in touch with the local authorities and his family in the UK. TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) Taaliq to hang in Arabic is Iraqi slang for a torture technique that hoists victims into the air, their hands handcuffed above their heads. Akrab, or scorpion, is the more painful version, in which the victim's hands are handcuffed together behind their back. Elizabeth Tsurkov experienced both, and other excruciating torture, during 2 1/2 years held captive in Iraq by an Iranian-backed militia. The 38-year-old Israeli-Russian doctoral student at Princeton, who speaks fluent Arabic and has researched the Middle East for over a decade, was studying social political movements in Iraq in March 2023 when she was forced into an SUV, blindfolded, sexually assaulted and beaten, then taken to a torture facility on the outskirts of Baghdad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her release in September was announced by President Donald Trump. Now she is recovering in Israel as Iraqis head to the polls Tuesday for a parliamentary election that includes candidates linked to the militia Tsurkov says kidnapped her, Kataib Hezbollah. A $600 million ransom demanded Israelis are prohibited by law from traveling to Iraq, which Israel classifies as an enemy country. In an interview with The Associated Press, Tsurkov said she knew the risks but thought she took sufficient precautions, entering on her Russian passport and avoiding contact with militias. She hadn't counted on Kataib Hezbollah's deep penetration of activist circles in Baghdad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said her captors didnt know she was Israeli at first. She believes they kidnapped her to try to get a large ransom for a foreigner. While Kataib Hezbollah has never publicly claimed her kidnapping, it has released social media statements that include fake information she gave during torture, a sign of its involvement. The group, an ally of Hezbollah in Lebanon, is part of a coalition of Iranian-backed militias that are officially part of Iraqs armed forces but often act on their own. The U.S. has listed Kataib Hezbollah as a terrorist organization since 2009. A month into Tsurkovs captivity, her captors found Hebrew messages and other evidence she was Israeli on her phone. Thats when the torture began, she said, as they accused her of being a spy. Their starting ransom demand was $600 million, she was told by Israeli officials. The torture was incredibly brutal, said Tsurkov, now recovering at a friends home near Tel Aviv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They electrocuted me. They constantly touched me inappropriately. They forced me into positions that were very painful to me because of my herniated" discs, she said, adding she had back surgery just eight days before the kidnapping. The AP generally does not identify victims of sexual abuse except in cases where they publicly identify themselves or share their stories openly. Tsurkov's captors used a plastic whip, especially on her feet, because feet heal slowly. They threatened to kill her with a gun stamped property of the Iraqi security services. She would pray to pass out to end the torture sessions. She said she made up false confessions to appease the torturers, careful to avoid implicating Iraqi acquaintances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After 4 1/2 months, Tsurkov was moved to what she believes is a Kataib Hezbollah base on the border with Iran, where the torture stopped. She was allowed sufficient food and water, and eventually a TV, while kept in solitary confinement in a windowless cell. Hopes for release plummeted after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, when Tsurkov became just one of over 250 hostages of concern to Israel. Shedding light on militias The torture has left Tsurkov with likely permanent nerve damage. Between doctor's appointments and physical therapy, she mostly reclines on a couch, shifting positions to try to find relief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The details of the torture facility are impossible to forget, she said: Splashes of blood on the walls, desperate scrawls of people held in the cell before her. Its uncomfortable to share them publicly. Any human being doesnt want the details about their worst experiences in their life to be known, Tsurkov said. Still, she knows that as a Westerner she is in a unique position to shed light on Iraqi militias. Few people survive Iraq's torture facilities, and the Iraqis who do are terrified speaking out could endanger them or their families. Iraqi militias are not as familiar globally because they are mostly active inside Iraq. Iraqi militias targeted U.S. forces in the region after the Oct. 7 attack because of Washingtons support for Israel, but that largely stopped after a U.S. retaliatory attack killed a high-ranking Kataib Hezbollah commander. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their focus is overwhelmingly just oppressing their own people, Tsurkov said. She knew the militia was well-funded, she said, because of the plush leather and new-car smell of the luxury vehicles that transported her blindfolded. Suffering a third generation incarceration Tsurkov, who was born in Russia, moved to Israel around age 4. Before that her parents were imprisoned in Russia for opposing the communist government. Her mother was incarcerated for three years, her father for seven, plus two years of hard labor in Siberia. For a few months, Tsurkovs father was held in a cell with former Soviet dissident Natan Sharansky, who later became an Israeli cabinet minister. Her grandfather was imprisoned under Stalin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tsurkovs family fought for her release, launching a campaign focused mostly on the U.S. Her sister, Emma Tsurkov, is married to a U.S. citizen. Israel also invested great efforts and many resources to help secure Tsurkov's release, said an Israeli official who was not authorized to speak to the media and spoke on condition of anonymity. The Russian Foreign Ministry didnt respond to an AP request for comment. US exerts pressure As far as she knows, Tsurkov was not exchanged for any prisoners. Her release followed significant pressure from Adam Boehler, the Trump administrations special envoy for hostage affairs who held multiple meetings and regularly took to social media to demand Tsurkovs freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said that with Tsurkovs Princeton enrollment and other ties to the U.S., Trump was willing to leverage our countrys strength and his negotiating skills to intervene. Tsurkov also credits the involvement of an Iraqi-American businessman and Trump donor Mark Savaya. As she was recuperating in Israel, Tsurkov said Savaya told her he had warned Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani during a meeting to release her or the Trump administration would attack Kataib Hezbollah. Savaya was later named the U.S. special envoy for Iraq. Tsurkov's release came after Israel decimated many of Irans proxies and hit Iran hard during a devastating 12-day war, a campaign so intense that Tsurkov said she felt the building shake where she was held over the border in Iraq. The Iraqi government and Kataib Hezbollah did not respond to AP requests for comment. But militia security chief Abu Ali al-Askari wrote on Telegram that the Iraqi government demanded Tsurkovs release to avoid a possible strike against Iraq. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Shiite political official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, confirmed militia leaders worried they would be targeted by the U.S. About a week after Tsurkov believes Savaya met with al-Sudani, she was brought to Baghdad and handed over to an Iraqi security official in a nondescript garage. At the U.S. Embassy, she had an ecstatic video chat with her family before returning to Israel. Rebuilding a life Before her kidnapping, Tsurkov was frequently quoted in Israeli media for her expertise on the Syrian civil war. She traveled twice to Syria and has tattoos supporting the Syrian uprising, which she said angered her torturers. She has been vocal in her criticism of the Israeli government and supportive of Palestinians, prompting online vitriol since her release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now she is rebuilding her life. She plans to finish her doctorate at Princeton. She is overjoyed to experience small things like seeing the sea or feeling the sun warm her skin. Once she has healed enough, she hopes to return to research, especially field work highlighting marginalized groups. It often feels like a nightmare that I woke up from," she said. "It feels so surreal to have undergone, and overcome, such brutality. ___ Associated Press writers Eric Tucker and Seung Min Kim in Washington and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed. Eli Lilly stock reached a new 52-week high on Nov. 10, up 4.7% and extending a month-long rally of 16%, after the pharmaceutical giant announced two strategic deals, following the highly anticipated deal with the White House. The move underlines Eli Lillys ambition to expand beyond its dominant obesity and diabetes franchises and enter cutting-edge modalities that could shape the next decade of growth. On Nov. 10, Insilico Medicine, an AI-driven drug discovery company, shared that it will merge its pharma.AI platform with Eli Lillys development and disease expertise to jointly discover and advance innovative therapies. As part of this research collaboration, Insilico will design and optimize compounds for targets defined by Lilly and is eligible to receive over $100 million upfront, as well as milestone payments and tiered royalties on commercialized products. Lilly has been a valued user of our Pharma.AI software suite, and this expanded collaboration further recognizes Insilicos AI-driven drug discovery capabilities, said Insilico Medicine CEO Alex Zhavoronkov. Eli Lilly's stock saw a 55% increase this quarter.TheStreet/Eli Lilly & Company Pharma R&D increasingly incorporates AI The Eli Lilly-Insilico Medicine partnership highlights a growing convergence of AI and pharmaceutical research and development, as major companies like Novartis and Pfizer seek to compress development timelines through the use of generative AI models. Gene therapy meets ophthalmology in Eli Lilly-MeiraGTx deal In a separate announcement, MeiraGTx, a clinical-stage genetic medicines company, entered into a broad ophthalmology collaboration with Eli Lilly, granting Lilly exclusive rights to its AAV-AIPL1 program. AAV-AIPL1 is a gene therapy targeting Leber congenital amaurosis 4, a rare inherited retinal disorder that causes blindness in children. Clinical data provided by the company show that all 11 children under the age of 4, when treated with AAV-AIPL1, gained functional vision, underscoring the potential impact of the therapy. Lilly will also gain certain rights to MeiraGTxs proprietary riboswitch technology for use in gene editing in the eye. Under the agreement, MeiraGTx will receive $75 million upfront and could earn over $400 million in milestones plus royalties on future sales. Analyst upgrades Eli Lilly With the stock up 25% year to date, investors are bullish on the pharmaceutical company's ability to advance with changing technology and solidify its status as a diversified global pharmaceutical company. Leerinkupgraded Eli Lilly to outperform from market perform with a price target of $1,104, up from $886, citing a stronger multi-year earnings outlook driven by multiple waves of obesity treatment adoption. CARROLLTON, Va. (WAVY) Folks are stepping up to help Hurricane Melissa victims in Cuba, including a business owner in Carrollton who is making a few trips to the island country hoping to collect as many supplies as possible before leaving. Hurricane Melissa leaves trail of destruction across Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica A lot of focus has been on Jamaica in the weeks following Hurricane Melissa, but Cheryl Ketcham, who runs Finleys General Store in Carrollton and went to Cuba for the first time two years ago, doesnt want the children of eastern Cuba to be forgotten. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not really a vacation, because youre not legally allowed to go on vacations in Cuba, but you can do a learning trip and support the Cuban people, Ketcham said. She met a woman there tutoring children out of her church and began supporting the students, bringing school supplies that can be difficult to find in the country. That need only intensified after Hurricane Melissa hit Eastern Cuba Oct. 29, flooding some inland communities. And it was about a day or two after the hurricane that the river just started swelling, Ketcham said. Theyre still short on food and water at these locations, and a lot of people of eastern Cuba lost their homes, lost their roofs. Now, shes scrambling to collect additional supplies before heading out later this week and is hoping the community will show their support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And bring clothing, shoes to the children, food, Ketcham said. Were still going to bring school supplies, cause these schools were waiting on their supplies. Shes also collecting monetary donations in a tip jar that sits by the stores cash register. Those donations will be used to buy food once they get to the island. People there have nothing compared to what we have, Ketcham said, but their joy is so big and theyre so thankful for anything that you do for them. They really inspire me, actually, to be a better person and to not complain and to be thankful for everything I have, Ketcham said. Want to help? Cheryl Ketcham, who runs Finleys General Store in Carrolltonm is limited to what she can carry in her luggage only about 50 pounds. Shed like to see as many donations as possible by Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 11, for planning purposes. All donations can be taken to Finleys General Store located at 23305 Sugar Hill Road, Carrollton, Va. 23314. If you miss her this time around, she is planning another trip in either December or January and can take more supplies then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 WAVY.com. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) Cal-Maine Foods donated 10,800 dozen eggs to the Mississippi Food Network (MFN) and Extra Table on November 10, 2025. The donation comes after Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipsons (R-Miss.) push for individuals and small businesses to help struggling families. MDHS to partially distribute SNAP benefits Officials with MFN and Extra Table said demand for their services have increased. With the ongoing government shutdown, Gipson said the needs of Mississippians will continue even after the shutdown ends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wont end the immediate need, because theres so much been so much interruption in our commerce. Food banks have been overwhelmed. So, we need to replenish these. Get your church, get your local companies, nonprofits. Do a food drive or replenish these pantries across the state. They need it, and the people need it. And well continue to in the days ahead, he said. According to MFN, the donated eggs will be handed out immediately and should be on families tables this week. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News 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 WJTV. Several state attorneys general are in court Monday, arguing against the USDA's most recent guidance on SNAP funding benefits. Thursday, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP by Friday, prompting several states, including California, to begin issuing benefits. Friday, the USDA indicated it was following the order, saying, in part, it would complete the processes necessary to make funds available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, however, the department told states not to distribute benefits and to immediately undo any steps taken to issue SNAP benefits for November. "USDA doesn't have the right to force us to undo actions we took based on its own direction and a court order. USDA never told us not to take the reasonable steps we took to do our part to make sure that benefits flow to people who need them promptly," argued California Attorney General Rob Bonta Monday. In response to Saturday's guidance, a group of attorneys general -- including Bonta -- filed a further motion for a temporary restraining order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. It is being heard by a federal judge in Boston on Monday. Action News asked Congressman David Valadao his position on the USDA's recent guidance and Monday's court hearing. He responded in a statement: "Over 200,000 of my constituents in CA-22 receive SNAP to help put food on their tables, and due to the government shutdown, those funds were unfortunately paused... While most Senate Democrats were willing to risk food insecurity for vulnerable families just to play politics, I'm grateful eight voted on a deal to reopen the government so those benefits can start going out again." LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Cali. (WFLA) Authorities in Los Angeles County, California are in pursuit of a stolen vehicle. A spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol told Nexstars KTLA the vehicle, a silver Toyota, was stolen out of Ventura. The chase began on the 405 Freeway around Mullholland Drive and was continuing toward Orange County. The driver appeared to be going at a normal highway speed in the fast lane of the freeway. However, they were not pulling over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KTLAs chopper is following the chase. This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile 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 WFLA. Nov. 10A local art gallery is a far cry from foreign battlefields, but U.S. Marine veteran Tiffani Watts has found her next call of duty within those walls lined with artistic creations. While she no longer has to wear a helmet or a camouflage uniform at work, Watts has carried the principles and skills she learned from the military into her job as manager of Twigs & Leaves Gallery in Waynesville. Her career isn't focused on protecting lives anymore. Instead, she's protecting artists' livelihoods. "If we're closed, there's 160 people who might miss out on a sale," Watts said, referring to the 160 different artists represented at Twigs & Leaves. "And so, for me, it lined up with that mission it's not just to sell all the art, it's to support artists, people who this is their living." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With that mission in mind, Watts has used her Marine training to navigate the store through crises and to foster teamwork and confidence in her staff members. "I joke that I'm training like a little military unit. And they're not fighters, but they're learning things that I feel are important traits that empower the women that work here," Watts said. And "the proof is in the pudding." Under Watts' leadership, Twigs & Leaves has not only survived at a time when small galleries seem to be disappearing, it's thrived. Despite an internal flood and business lost to Helene, the gallery had a record year in 2024, Watts said. But although Watts has found her fit in the gallery now, her journey to Twigs & Leaves was anything but easy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think I just joined the Marines" Watts used to describe her younger self as a "wayward child," but now she reflects more kindly on her teenage years. "There just wasn't a lot of direction of what I was gonna do," she said. Watts was a high school senior in Indiana in 2001. When the 9/11 attacks happened, she watched her male friends enlist and head overseas. Not long after that, she decided to join them. "Next thing I know I was raising my right hand, and I called my dad, and I was like, 'I think I just joined the Marine Corps,'" Watts said. She took pride in making it through the notoriously difficult training, allowing her to represent what she considers the best branch of the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as a woman in the Marines, Watts was a minority. Bootcamp was segregated by gender at the time and women made up less than 10% of the total U.S. Marine forces. While her male counterparts graduated in classes of hundreds, Watts graduated with around 70 other women. "That was pretty much my career. I was either the only female or one of very few females," Watts said. Despite sexist comments and disrespectful treatment from some of her colleagues, Watts worked steadfastly to fit in as just another Marine. "But it was definitely, definitely hard. You never wanted to be singled out for anything negative that could be being fat, that could be looking one way or another, too hot or too butch, don't get pregnant," Watts said. "All Marines bleed green, we say. And I would be like, 'I'm just a Marine with boobs, just ignore it.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defending democracy Watts' gender didn't make things easier for her, but it did make some moments more meaningful during her time in service. With 9/11 still fresh in her memory, she volunteered to go to Iraq. In Baghdad, she helped run a poll worker camp where she watched Iraqi women vote in their first democratic election. "For the first time ever, women were voting," Watts said. "I really believe in what democracy means and stands for. I feel very fortunate to have assisted in that for another country." Watts then spent three years at U.S. embassies in Bulgaria, Cambodia and Portugal. There she worked in security, ensuring each of the embassies was protected. But still, she witnessed some important moments for democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When I was in Bulgaria, Yugoslavia was declaring independence," Watts said. "I think every embassy I was at, we had some sort of protest." What she experienced in those wildly different places, she continues to carry with her. "I used to run in the morning in Cambodia and pass a giant elephant coming in just wild, like, the best, craziest stuff. So it was really cool to live in those countries and experience them," Watts said. "The Marine Corps as a whole was a great experience in my life." Finding a new normal After nine years of service, Watts was medically retired with Crohn's disease. Returning to the U.S., she decided to get a college degree. But between her health problems and the stress she had carried home from service, readjusting to civilian life was a challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watts said she would often find her mind wandering to worst-case scenarios as she sat in class. While sirens screamed by her Columbia University classroom, she would start to form emergency plans in her head building up her anxiety until the bell rang and signaled the end of another lecture she had missed. "I would be sitting in class and have panic attacks because I would spiral," Watts said. "And then all of a sudden, we'd be 40 minutes in, the class is almost over and I didn't know anything. I mean, it was hard. It was harder than the Marine Corps." Eventually, she found some medical relief and a way to manage her stress enough to finish her degree. But she still sees the remnants of her time in the Marines resurface in her role at the gallery. "The stress carries over in that I have a really high standard for myself and for my team and for this business. I'm very aware that I represent something here, and that the way I'm looked at or viewed, or the way I choose to engage in the community, means something," Watts said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From combat to community Watts may not be protecting an embassy or fighting for democracy in downtown Waynesville, but she's making a difference in her community in her own way. Most of her employees at Twigs are women with some relation to the military or a veteran. Watts uses the leadership and perseverance she learned in the Marines to empower her team and move her business forward. "I'm just trying to pass on confidence and being able to think under pressure and make quick decisions and trust your judgment," Watts said. And her team loves her for her leadership style. Gallery owner Roger Reid said Watts has a knack for developing each employee and helping them work to their strengths that makes her a joy to work alongside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The team loves her. They are envious for the opportunity to spend the day working with her," Reid said. Art retail was a huge pivot from Watts' roles in the military, but she quickly lost her intimidation and embraced the mission. At Twigs, she learned that art can be for everyone herself included. "I am very comfortable in that I feel like Twigs belongs to all of us," Watts said. That sense of belonging has permeated through Twigs' business model, Reid added. "One of the taglines that we use now is 'art is for everyone,'" Reid said. "And that's because that's her philosophy. We have $15,000 paintings here, but we have things that we can sell for $2.50." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plus it doesn't hurt to have a manager that's good in a crisis. When the shop had an internal flood through three floors of the building, Watts' instincts kicked in, and the cleanup went quick. "Some people would panic and freak out and (she's) like, 'No. OK, this happened, now we deal with it,'" Reid said. New lessons Thirteen years after she left service, Watts is still carrying skills, knowledge and burdens from her time in the Marines. But she's also learning from her new adventures. Now she's trying to pass on at least one hard-earned lesson from her time after service don't be too stubborn to ask for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I try to encourage veterans to take advantage of the resources that are there for them because so many people need help, and they qualify for it, and they're not asking," Watts said. For many years she felt her Marine status meant she was too tough to seek help. But now, she's seeking out resources where she can. "At some point, we're not in combat anymore, and I don't need to be that tough for Twigs and Leaves," Watts said. These days you can find Watts leading her regiment from behind the counter at Twigs and Leaves, or teaching people about art every first Friday evening at Waynesville's Art After Dark. The families of 13 campers and two counselors who died during the deadly floods that ravaged Camp Mystic in Central Texas are suing the camp, alleging it put profit over safety and ignored campers and counselors pleas to evacuate. Four lawsuits in total were filed Tuesday from the families of campers Eloise Peck, Virginia Naylor, Hadley Hanna, Virgina Hollis, Jane Hunt, Lucy Dillon, Kellyanne Lytal, Ellen Getten, Margaret Bellows, Lila Bonner, Molly DeWitt, Lainey Landry and Blakely McCrory, and counselors Chloe Childress and Katherine Ferruzzo. News: This Democrat Is Ahead Of JD Vance When It Comes To Young Male Voters, Poll Finds The lawsuit filed on behalf of Bellows, Bonner, DeWitt, Landry, McCrory, Childress and Ferruzzo claims the deaths of 25 campers and two counselors in a July 4 flood could have been prevented. The families of the campers and counselors allege Camp Mystic chose to not safely evacuate its campers and counselors and instead told them to stay in the cabins regardless of life-threatening floods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit lays out alleged negligence by Richard Dick Eastland, owner and executive director of Camp Mystic, and Edward Eastland, director of Camp Mystic, in properly responding to warnings of flash flooding. Dick Eastland also died in the flood. Ryan DeWitt said in a statement that the lawsuit is part of honoring his daughter Molly. We carry the memory of our daughter in everything we do. This legal step is one of honoring her, and we believe that truth and justice are essential to finding peacenot only for our family, but for every family affected, he said. We trust that through this process, light will be shed on what happened, and our hope is that justice will pave the way for prevention and much-needed safety reform. The belongings of campers sit outside one of Camp Mystic's cabins near the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, on July 7 after a deadly flash flood swept through the area. via Associated Press The lawsuit alleges the camp received alerts from the National Weather Service starting on July 3. It also claims the Eastland family, which has owned the camp since 1939, had experienced deadly floods throughout the camps 100-year history and thatflooding has become a defining part of the Camps history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit filed on behalf of Eloise Peck alleges that Camp Mystic betrayed the trust of the parents and that the July 4 flood was predictable because of past floods there. News: Kristi Noem Reportedly Authorized Purchase Of Planes That Were Missing 1 Key Component At 1:14 a.m. on July 4, the camp received a National Weather Service warning of life threatening flash flooding. The multifamily lawsuit alleges that Camp Mystic took no steps to protect the lives of its campers or counselors for more than an hour after that warning. Instead, it claims, the Eastland family spent the next hour and 15 minutes trying to protect camp equipment. At 2:20 a.m., counselors from the cabins Bug House and Look Inn ran across the camp to seek help and warn that water was beginning to pour into Bug House. The Eastlands told the counselors to put down towels, according to the lawsuit, and to stay put because thats the plan. A Camp Mystic T-shirt found by a search and rescue volunteer, photographed in Comfort, Texas on July 6, 2025. The volunteer found the T-shirt yesterday along the Guadalupe River near Ingram, Texas. "I hope I find the person to return their belongings, not to find closure," he said. The Washington Post via Getty Images At about 3:35 a.m., Dick Eastland drove to the cabin Bubble Inn and loaded 13 campers and two counselors in his Chevrolet Tahoe. His car was submerged by 3:51 a.m. and appeared to have smashed into a tree. Everyone in the car died. The lawsuit contends Dick Eastland knew better than anyone how dangerous it is to drive through flood waters, calling his actions grossly negligent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Dick Eastland went to Bubble Inn, Edward Eastland went to the camps Twins cabins and told the counselors and campers to stay put because the flood waters would go back down, the lawsuit alleges. News: Camp Mystic's Owner Warned Of Floods. He Died Trying To Save The Kids He Loved. The lawsuit says the water pressed the girls against the cabin ceiling, while others swam out to avoid drowning in the cabin. Eleven campers from those cabins were killed. This tragedy was entirely preventable, the lawsuit writes. Bubble Inn and Twins are only 300 feet from Rec Hall and 70 feet from a nearby hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit also alleges that the Eastland family was well aware of the risks of flooding. Prior to 2013, two of the cabins that flooded during the July 4 disaster were in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, meaning they had to adhere to certain floodplain management regulations. But in 2013, the camp asked the agency for those cabins to be removed from the Special Flood Hazard Area, and FEMA approved the change. News: Elon Musks AI Always Love You Post Mocked As Saddest Thing Ever This did not change whether any of the cabins were prone to flooding or their relation to the river, the lawsuit writes. The only effect was for the Eastlands to save money. While in the floodplain, owners must pay expensive insurance premiums, and renovations require certifications and other costly measures. Removing the cabins from FEMAs flood maps eliminated these expensive requirements for the Camp, but it did not make the cabins safer. The lawsuit filed by Ellen Gettens family alleges that the camp had enough time to evacuate the campers and counselors and could have saved lives. The other lawsuit filed on behalf of the families of Lucy Dillon, Hadley Hanna, Virginia Hollis, Jane Hunt, Kellyanne Lytal and Virginia Naylor alleges that the camp did not immediately scramble to evacuate any of the campers in their care, instead focusing on camp equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to HuffPost, Camp Mystic said they continue to pray for the grieving families and ask for Gods healing and comfort. Jeff Ray, legal counsel for Camp Mystic, said in a statement that they empathize with the families.We intend to demonstrate and prove that this sudden surge of floodwaters far exceeded any previous flood in the area by several magnitudes, that it was unexpected and that no adequate warning systems existed in the area, Ray said. We disagree with several accusations and misinformation in the legal filings regarding the actions of Camp Mystic and Dick Eastland, who lost his life as well. We will thoroughly respond to these accusations in due course. News: Chicago Dad, 1-Year-Old Daughter Pepper-Sprayed At Close Range By ICE The lawsuit filed on behalf of Bellows, Bonner, DeWitt, Landry, McCrory, Childress and Ferruzzo claims the Eastland family knew about several of the campers and counselors deaths, yet told families that they were unaccounted for, leading some families to have false hope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit also says that Camp Mystic has sent out letters with an image of Dick Eastland singing in a heavenly choir with the dead campers and counselors, and the camp has reached out to older siblings of those that died with veiled references to forgiveness. The camp announced it would reopen this summer, even though one camper, Cile Steward, remains missing. And through it all, the Camp refuses to accept any responsibility for its actions and failures to act, defiantly blaming this tragedy on an act of God that no responsible steps could have avoided, the lawsuit says. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Canisteo-Greenwood Central School is mourning the deaths of two former district students who died as the result of a motor vehicle accident in Allegany County early Saturday. Derrick J. Smith, 17, and Gavin Odell, 18, both of Canisteo were passengers in a vehicle that crashed at about 2:15 a.m. Nov. 8 on Tarantine Boulevard in the town of Wellsville. Odell was a 2025 Canisteo-Greenwood graduate, and Smith had been attending the Wildwood Campus, according to the district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York State Police said a 2020 Buick Encore was eastbound on Tarantine Boulevard when it left the road on a sharp curve and struck a utility pole on the driver's side. Smith and Odell were pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. Four other teens who were in the vehicle at the time, including the 17-year-old driver, survived the crash, all sustaining minor injuries, according to state police. Canisteo-Greenwood School Superintendent Tom Crook said the district is "deeply saddened at the loss of two of our recent Canisteo-Greenwood students over the weekend." "Our hearts go out to their families, friends, and all those affected by this tragedy," Crook continued in a Nov. 10 statement. "As a small community, we are grieving together and offering support to those in need. We ask for privacy and compassion for the families during this incredibly difficult time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crook said counseling and support services have been made available for students and staff this week, with the district utilizing the assistance of its supportive school network across the county and surrounding areas. More: Veterans Day ceremonies in Hornell scheduled for Nov. 10-11 at Union Square, Broadway Mall Canisteo-Greenwood had a previously scheduled early dismissal time on Monday, and students and employees are off on Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. State police said an investigation is continuing. Police said there was no impairment involved in the crash. Email Neal Simon at nsimon@gannett.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Canisteo-Greenwood school offers counseling after crash kills teens A car explosion tore through a historic part of Indias capital region on Monday, killing at least 10 people and injuring many others, prompting the countrys leader to vow to bring those responsible to justice. The blast took place near the citys iconic Red Fort, also known as the Lal Qila, a 17th century monument and a symbol of Indias independence. The area, a major tourist hub known for its crowded bazaars and street vendors, was immediately thrown into chaos. The incident, a rare occurrence for the sprawling metropolis of more than 30 million people, unleashed a scene of devastation in the heart of Delhi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Footage of the aftermath showed thick, orange flames billowing into the pitch-black sky, vehicles twisted and charred from the blast and victims strewn across the street. The cause of the blast is not yet known, and the Indian government has yet to blame any specific group. Comments from top government officials on Tuesday have begun to suggest the act was a deliberate one. Speaking from Bhutan, where he is on a visit, Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the horrific incident in Delhi has deeply saddened everyone. I was in touch with all the agencies investigating this incident throughout last night. Our agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy, he said in Hindi, before breaking out into English: All those responsible will be brought to justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indias defense minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the findings of the investigation will soon be made public, in a post on X. I want to firmly assure the nation that those responsible for this tragedy will be brought to justice and will not be spared under any circumstances, he wrote. More than 30 other people were badly injured in the blast, said Dr. Manish Kumar Jha, a physician at the local Lok Nayak Hospital. Many are not in a position of recovering, he told reporters. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), Indias principal counter-terrorism law enforcement agency, is now handling the case. What happened? Before the explosion, a slow-moving vehicle came to a stop near a red light around 6:42 p.m. local time, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An explosion occurred in that vehicle. The passengers in the vehicle and people in surrounding vehicles were impacted, Golcha said. At least six vehicles and three autorickshaws were set on fire, Reuters reported, citing Delhis deputy fire chief. Police lead a sniffer dog at the blast site on Monday. - Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images Emergency crews then arrived at the scene and extinguished the blaze after receiving a call at 6:55 p.m. local time, Sumit Kumar, a Delhi fire services official, told CNN. Survivors were taken to a nearby hospital. Residents recalled hearing a loud bang in the neighborhood. We heard a big sound. Our windows shook, one resident who did not give a name told Indian broadcaster NDTV, according to Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An ambulance driver said he could only find bodies when they reached the site of the blast. The bodies were in parts, and we had to pick different parts and bring them back in the ambulances, and later brought them to the hospital, he told local news agency ANI. One man said his nephew, an e-rickshaw driver, died in the blast. His family tried calling him late Monday but couldnt get through. When we came here, we had to identify the body, he told ANI. Relatives of the casualties could be seen weeping outside a local hospital. India on edge The ripple effect from Mondays blast has been felt across India. Airports, railway stations, government buildings and heritage sites across the country have been put on high alert, according to the Central Industrial Security Force, and the Red Fort will remain closed for three days as the investigation continues. The US embassy in New Delhi is advising Americans to avoid the surrounding area as well as large crowds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, which neighbors Delhi, has also been put on high alert, according to police. Security arrangements of important establishments, religious sites, crowded places, and other sensitive points will be reviewed, Uttar Pradesh police wrote on X. The state, Indias most populous, is home to the Taj Mahal and other major tourist attractions. Haryanas head of police, OP Singh, urged residents to remain calm and report any suspicious person or unclaimed object in a post on X. The northwestern state of Rajasthan is also on high alert, its police department said on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the financial capital of Mumbai, train stations have been put on high alert, Reuters reported, citing authorities. Historic monument The Red Fort stands as one of Indias most significant historical landmarks. Originally built by Emperor Shah Jahan as the palace-fort of his capital, it served as the main residence of Mughal emperors for nearly 200 years. Located in the heart of Old Delhi, the fort is located just a few kilometers from the Parliament of India. Today, it attracts thousands of daily visitors and holds immense symbolic value for the nation; its ramparts are where Indian prime ministers deliver their annual Independence Day speeches. Policemen stand guard at the site of an explosion near the historic Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi, India, on November 11, 2025. - Adnan Abidi/Reuters While Mondays blast is considered rare, Delhi has experienced blasts in previous decades, in which public areas, such as bus depots and crowded markets, were targeted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2001, Indias parliament was attacked by gunmen, killing more than a dozen people About 12 people were killed outside the Delhi High Court in a briefcase explosion in 2011. This story and headline have been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com How someone presents themself often makes or breaks an opportunity. That's why The Career Closet at Rutgers University offers professional attire for students preparing to enter the workforce. The program, which officially launched in January, empowers students to step into their careers, said Aaron Ratzan, senior assistant director of Career Success on Rutgers New Brunswick campus. It gives them a boost of confidence as well as savings to their pocketbook, Ratzan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initiative connects students in need with professional clothing for interviews, work, internships and career fairs, offering new and gently used business attire to help students make strong impressions. It really comes down to adding that confidence when we take away that stressor. You have this wonderful suit. You can go to the career fair, you can go to the job interview, and that's one less thing you have to worry about, one last thing you have to pay for," Ratzan said. Verizon is serving as this year's named sponsor of the program. About 1,000 students from freshmen to doctoral candidates have already used The Career Closet's services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Students really appreciate being able to get professional attire free not all students can afford a brand-new suit, or a proper-sitting fitting suit, or four or five different white shirts," Ratzan said. "These things are expensive." The Career Closet at Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers professional attire for students getting ready to enter the workforce. The Career Closets appointment slots are almost always fully booked, Ratzan said. "I thought we were going to get a decent number of people because the economy is not so great, and people are looking for internships and jobs, but the number of students that have come and have asked for appointments or asked for an extra tie, which we give them of course, has been more than I expected," he said. "So, it's a good thing that we can give them those things, but sometimes not a good thing there's a lot of people that need this." More: Service dogs unlock world of possibility for quadriplegic Rutgers professor Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rutgers students can schedule a 30-minute appointment to visit The Career Closet. Appointments are available Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are dressing rooms on site. "Students are allowed to take up to four articles of clothing each semester, free of charge," Ratzan said. "We also give them a JC Penney 30% off coupon if they ever want to purchase things. They come in, they try on clothes, they look in a mirror, they see how handsome or gorgeous they look, and then they leave." There also is a photo booth in the office to allow students to take professional headshots for spaces such as LinkedIn. "Students can borrow The Career Closet clothes just for the picture if they want to," Ratzan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea for The Career Closet came from Wil Jones, executive director of the New Brunswick campus Office of Career Exploration and Success, who had witnessed similar projects at other Rutgers campuses. "He came back with the idea that this is something we should probably do here," Ratzan said. "That was about a year and a half ago. It took a while to do all the plans, but this was something we should have. I believe the impetus was that this is one more service we can provide for students that will help them in their career journey by taking away one potential stressor or one potential barrier." The Career Closet is managed primarily by Peer Career Advisors and Customer Relations Interns within Career Exploration and Success. These student leaders handle daily operations, inventory management and client support, ensuring access to professional attire for Rutgers students, Ratzan said. The Career Closet at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, which officially opened in January, empowers students to step into their careers with confidence. By coordinating donation drives, assisting with attire selection and maintaining organization, the student colleagues gain essential skills in project management, customer service and teamwork, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rutgers staff have been very supportive of the project, Ratzan added, noting former university President Jonathan Holloway donated a several suits to the effort. More: How 6-7 became Dictionary.com's 2025 Word of the Year. And what it really means "I have been surprised by the sheer number of donations that the Rutgers community has offered. That has been shocking, that people have been so incredibly generous," Ratzan said. "One professor donated a suit, and he said, 'I wore this suit to my last two job interviews, and I got the job each time. So this is a lucky suit.'" The Career Closet accepts donations of new or gently used professional attire appropriate for interviews, internships, career fairs and professional events. Items accepted include suits, neutral or professional blazers and jackets, solid or subtly patterned dress shirts and blouses, and dress pants and skirts. It does not accept jewelry, shoes, belts, purses, jeans, khakis, dresses and coats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All items should be clean, folded or on hangers and placed in a bag or box labeled "Career Closet Donation." While donations are appreciated year-round, the next planned donation drive will run from Dec. 1-23. "People email us saying, 'My husband passed away. Would you like his clothing?' or 'I'm in a different job now where I don't have to dress up, and I have all these suits I no longer need,'" Ratzan said. "It makes me happy that we can accept these things. They don't go in the trash, and they don't just sit in the closet for 10 years. We can reuse them. It's a sustainable thing. It's a good for the environment thing. It's good for them because they can clean out their closets and buy all new stuff. And it's one of those things that is a net positive for everybody." The Career Closet also has an Amazon wishlist for essential non-clothing items to help keep the program running. Donations can be made Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call the Front Desk at 848-932-7997 if assistance is required. For any questions, to arrange a drop-off from Monday through Friday or to arrange clothing drive box locations in an office or place of business, email careercloset@echo.rutgers.edu. Tax donation receipts are available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Career Closet is located in the Office of Career Exploration and Success, 106 Somerset St., fourth floor, on the College Avenue Campus in New Brunswick. For more information, go to careers.rutgers.edu/TheCloset. email: cmakin@gannettnj.com Cheryl Makin is an award-winning feature, news and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Rutgers Career Closet helps job-seeking students dress for success From November 10 to 12, the power players of digital finance will descend on Miami. Michael Saylor, Cathie Wood, Eric Trump, and a roster of heavy hitters are set to headline Cantor Fitzgeralds 3rd annual Crypto & AI/Energy Infrastructure Conference; its a three-day gathering at the Ritz-Carlton in South Beach Sounds fancy, huh? Im sad I didnt get the invite. The timing, however, couldnt be more strategic as both the crypto market and energy-infrastructure sectors, like Nvidia, are at critical inflection points. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Michael Saylor Making Moves? Why This Cantor Conference Is a Key Moment Before the conference almost all the speakers were making major moves. Michael Saylors company, Strategy Incorporated, has amassed 641,205 BTC to date over $45 Bn at current prices and he continues to frame as digital energy and a superior store of value to gold or cash. Meanwhile, Cathie Wood recently cut her 2030 Bitcoin target to $1.2M, citing the rapid rise of stablecoins. Its a mix of bullish optimism and recalibration amongst the speakers. Bitcoins correlation with energy infrastructure is well-documented: according to the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, the Bitcoin network consumes an estimated 110 135 TWh annually, which is comparable to a mid-sized country. LOL Additionally, Bitcoin mining stocks hit a 12-month high on Google in late 2025. CoinGecko pegs the total crypto market cap at around $3.5T, but open interest in Bitcoin futures has decreased by more than 30% since July. What to Watch (and What It Could Signal) Cantor Fitzgerald, formerly headed by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, is promising new Bitcoin and/or stablecoin announcements at the event, particularly from firms developing AI or energy infrastructure. Panels connecting crypto with energy regulation could be the sleeper story in Q4. Once major players make public commitments, venture capital and institutional money typically begin to flow. Although we wouldnt bank on hype from the conference pumping the market, as even President Donald Trumps recent promotion of Bitcoin and crypto hasnt moved the market an inch. With that said, what gets said in Miami could ripple through the biz, especially for energy-sector budgets and institutional crypto desks. Stay tuned to 99Bitcoins for updates on the event. Join the Utility Wave with BTC Hyper Now EXPLORE: Seeking a Career Change? Become a Bitcoin Bounty Hunter in Fordow, Iran Read original story Eric Trump, Michael Saylor, Cathie Woods, Tom Lee Take To Cantor Crypto and AI Conference: What to Expect? by Isaiah Mccall at 99bitcoins.com Update: This work has been rescheduled to Wednesday, Nov. 19, according to WSDOT. Original post: High-occupancy vehicle lanes on Interstate 5 in Tacoma will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 13 as crews repair message signs near State Route 16. The lane closure will be in place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will impact the northbound and southbound HOV lane exits to State Route 16. The Washington State Department of Transportation will direct travelers to use exits for non-high occupancy vehicle lanes: Exit 132 on northbound I-5, and Exit 132b on southbound I-5. The department is encouraging drivers to plan for extra time on their commutes on Nov. 13. WSDOT appreciate travelers cooperation and patience while crews work, the release from WSDOT states. Surrounded by trees and just a few dirt roads, Carter Lake is held in by the 21-foot deep Hardwood Pond Dam. Tucked away from public view, this small body of water was launched into the spotlight Saturday, when the Polk County office of emergency management announced the discovery of an 8-inch hole in the dam, leading local authorities to suggest that 20-30 households evacuate. "The owners, the property owners speculate there may be some beaver activity where they tried to burrow into the embankment of the dam," Polk County OEM Director Courtney Comstock said Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a neighbor who alerted the property owners about the damage. Online records from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for the dam safety program list WT Carter and Bros, a lumber company, as the owner. ABC13 has reached out to the company to confirm it is the owner, and we're waiting to hear back. Records ABC13 found in the National Inventory of Dams list the last inspection on the 125-year-old dam was almost 45 years ago, in 1980. ABC13 contacted the TCEQ, which confirmed that the 1980 inspection was the last one it has record of. The agency stated that it does not require routine inspections of the Carter Lake dam due to its size and considers it a low hazard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement University of Houston civil and environmental engineering professor, Hongyi Li, said it's not unusual for old, earthen dams to eventually sustain damage. "Whenever you have high water pressure behind a dam, when you have ponded water, you have higher pressure than you should. This pressure will push the water and squeeze it through the dam, that spillage water can lead to larger and larger holes," Li said. The National Inventory of Dams said that if this dam does fail, it would have a low impact on life and economic resources, though Professor Li says even a small dam failure can be deadly. "The small dams, they are small, but the failure could still be catastrophic, and compared to natural rivers, the flood from the failure of a small dam could hit in a few minutes, at most a couple of hours," Li said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polk County Emergency Management, alongside TCEQ, lifted the suggested evacuation on Monday afternoon, reporting that the lake level had been lowered below the damage. Emergency management said the private owner will work with a private engineer to complete the fix. For more news updates, follow Lileana Pearson on Facebook, X and Instagram. Nov. 11A $1.2 million combined appropriation was approved Monday for Central State University to repair faulty fire alarms in its Foundation Hall II dormitory and to make "critical bathroom repairs" and HVAC upgrades on campus. Another appropriation approved in the same meeting will hire an independent contractor to "evaluate the physical condition of University facilities, identify maintenance and life safety needs, and provide prioritized recommendations to guide future capital and maintenance planning," according to state documents. Both appropriations were unanimously approved by the Ohio Controlling Board, which vets requests for previously set aside state funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the appropriation request from Central State University, $200,850 will cover the cost to repair the damaged fire alarm system. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) had issued a public exigency declaration on Oct. 13, mandating the university take "exigent action" to evaluate and replace the damaged system. In addition, the appropriation puts $850,000 toward HVAC updates and maintenance and $150,000 toward bathroom repairs. Monday also saw the approval of a separate appropriation request for $236,600, this time from the OFCC. The money will be paid out to Thomas Porter Architects for the completion of a three-phase assessment that will produce condition assessment reports for every building on campus, along with with broader reports that "synthesize findings, provide updated campus maps, photographs, and stakeholder input, and highlight maintenance and life safety items requiring immediate attention." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A July report from the Ohio Auditor of State shows significant maintenance issues within buildings on campus. The Ohio Auditor of State notes that CSU gets funding from the state for buildings and should be using that money to pay for maintenance instead of other projects. ------ For more stories like this, sign up for our Ohio Politics newsletter. It's free, curated, and delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday evening. Avery Kreemer can be reached at 614-981-1422, on X, via email, or you can drop him a comment/tip with the survey below. Loading... PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) The South Dakota Department of Education should find ways to accommodate two groups that want their interests to be part of the rewrite of health content standards for K-12 public schools, according to the head of the statewide panel that will make the decision. DWI, speeding factors in central Sioux Falls crash The president of the South Dakota Board of Education Standards, Steve Perkins of Sioux Falls, suggested on Monday during the panels meeting in Sioux Falls that the proposed health standards might otherwise be short of the support necessary from the seven-member board when the revision comes up for a final vote next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Dakota law regarding K-12 content standards requires the state board to hold at least four public hearings in Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City on standards. The board is currently considering health and mathematics. Several people representing the South Dakota chapter of the Alzheimers Association pressed for language about caregivers to be added to the health standards during the state boards first hearing in Aberdeen last month. They did so again on Monday morning at the second hearing in Sioux Falls. Also coming forward on Monday were people representing Call To Freedom South Dakota, a Sioux Falls-based not-for-profit that fights human trafficking and sexual exploitation. State Education Secretary Joe Graves, speaking for the South Dakota Department of Education that oversees preparation of the revisions, said the departments stance remains that local decision-making is best. He said South Dakota has 147 public school districts, and the departments position has been that reading, social studies, science and math are what he called the biggies for the standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Graves added that, if it were up to him, more awareness about vaping, obesity and social media would top his list for additional health standards. But the state boards vice president, Rich Meyer of Rapid City, said its apparent sex trafficking is an epidemic in our state. Actually, so is Alzheimers. Meyer pointed out that the board has an obligation to provide information on these topics. I guess Id like to see that happen, Meyer said. The boards two newest members, Greg Von Wald of Rapid City and Tea school superintendent Tonia Warzecha, agreed with Graves that each school district can best decide what more to add in the health curriculum. The boards longest-serving member, former legislator Phyllis Heineman of Sioux Falls, asked about Call To Freedoms ability to provide training on a broader basis. Rachel Foltz, the non-profits director of impact and program relations, said Call To Freedom is currently working with the Wagner school district and the organization would like access to every student statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We would appreciate any inroads and the opportunity to do so, Foltz said. She explained that the natural response is a denial that human trafficking is occurring. Meyer asked whether Call to Freedom is in other school districts. Foltz said they have been trying to get into the Sioux Falls public schools, but theres limited time during the class day, so the organization is doing things outside traditional school hours. Von Wald suggested that the state department could have a location, such as on its website, that local districts could tap, so that when they do need it, its there for them. Secretary Graves said reading and language arts, science, math and social studies are the four sets of standards that South Dakota requires. Instructional time is one of your biggest issues in schools, Graves said. Your instructional time is very tight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perkins asked whether the department could at least tee the issue up on Alzheimers care and human trafficking, similar to what was done with the revised social studies standards when they were approved two years ago. Im trying to think of something that will address the problem and still address your concerns, Perkins told Graves. Graves responded that the department could build a document of suggested topics but that would take thousands of pages: The list will be endless. Perkins said hed like to see trafficking reflected in the revised health content standards. Otherwise, Perkins indicated, the department might find difficulty. It may be left to local districts, but youve got feelings of some members of this board. You may have a little problem getting four votes to get it passed, Perkins told Graves. And Im just trying to think of a compromise that might work, and I obviously feel quite strongly about it personally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve had situations in our own family, and I know of others, Perkins continued. That it seemed to others, if it (training) is in the school, its not happening anyplace else, and weve got kids that literally have their lives destroyed, if not taken, because of this trafficking thats gone on, and I understand also on the Alzheimers. So Im just trying to come up with some idea that would at least tee this up so that local districts would then at least see it in the standards and could do it, Perkins said. He added, I would say we just (used) the technique of suggesting examples in the social studies standards, and we adopted those, and I would think that that technique could be used here. Meyer repeated that Alzheimers and trafficking are epidemic in frequency and asked whether the two groups have outlines of information that could be taught in the classroom. Foltz said Call To Freedom would be very happy to provide age-appropriate concepts and approaches, and a spokeswoman said the Alzheimers chapter would be, too. Von Wald said thats why he suggested the state department serve as what he called a clearing house, rather than place the information in the state health standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Perkins said some of South Dakotas highest elected officials have indicated human trafficking is an immense problem within our state. I realize, Perkins said, referring back to Graves comment about thousands of pages of recommendations, we can be inundated with that, and if it needs to in my mind have the approval of this board to be included in that, fine. But hopefully, the important problems rise to the occasion. Otherwise, what I fear is going to happen is, we will then have bills in the Legislature, and theyll consider this, and thats their prerogative. Perkins noted that even though the state government regulates public libraries, the Legislature passed a law this year dealing with punishment for librarians who dont adequately control what young people can see and read. Im just trying to find some way to effectively address a problem. And I like your idea, Mister Von Wald, Perkins said. Perkins asked whether there were any other comments. No one spoke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, weve had enough, Perkins said. The chair got a little bit excited there sorry about that, Doctor Graves, but we do have discussion here. During the math standards hearing that followed, Northern State University assistant professor of math education Monte Meyerink said the proposed math revisions would benefit his students, who are primarily training to become teachers. Meyerink, who served on the committee that produced the proposed math revisions, said the current math content standards were verbose and organized using an inconsistent structure and the proposed math standards are more clear and more aligned. But several university mathematics faculty members, including South Dakota State University professor Sharon Vestal, speaking as president of the South Dakota Council of Teachers of Mathematics, called for the state board to keep the current standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary Graves said the proposed math standards are simply worded to be more easily understood by teachers who arent certified in math and to help parents. He said parents described the wording of current standards as incomprehensible. One of the complaints at both of the Aberdeen and Sioux Falls hearings from math teachers was removal of the fourth-year standards for high school math. Graves said a fourth year of math isnt required to graduate from high school in South Dakota. Advanced Placement courses where students can pay to take classes and earn both college and high school credit have helped somewhat, according to Graves. But he noted a negative result has been some students finishing their high school math requirement in the sophomore year of high school, leaving a two-year gap until they reach college. Well bring back some thoughts on that next time, Graves said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boards next scheduled hearings are February 23 in Pierre and May 4 in Rapid City. 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 KELOLAND.com. A Charlie Kirk event at a university campus descended into chaos on Monday after it was stormed by Left-wing protesters. Violent clashes broke out at the University of California, Berkeley, during the last stop of Turning Point USAs American Comeback Tour, which Kirk had just begun when he was shot dead in September. Footage shows a violent brawl breaking out on the street between a protester and a Kirk supporter dressed in a red freedom T-shirt who was left with blood gushing from his nose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the scuffle, masked figures attempted to help the anti-Kirk protester escape but were thwarted by officers. Protesters scuffle with police as they try to help a man escape - Noah Berger/Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Turning Point USA (TPUSA) leaders blamed the violence on Antifa activists, claiming demonstrators had tried to break through police barricades as the campus event got under way on Monday evening. Right now at our Turning Point USA campus tour stop at UC Berkeley Antifa is breaking through police barricades and threatening our event attendees, Mikey McCoy, the TPUSA chief of staff, said on X. The post was accompanied by pictures of demonstrators holding signs and standing behind an upside down police barrier. Reports that protesters were breaking through could not be verified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least two people were arrested, including one for battery, before the event got under way, police told The New York Post. A man holds his head in his hands during unrest - Noah Berger/Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Protesters hold signs while demonstrating outside the event at the University of California - Noah Berger/Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The event was held two months after Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist and Turning Point founder, was shot through the neck by a snipers bullet fired from a nearby rooftop at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson was arrested for the killing days later and had allegedly left behind bullets engraved with anti-fascist messages, including: Hey fascist! Catch! Separate footage from the California event showed hundreds of people, some wearing Maga hats, gathered in an auditorium raising posters of Kirk, who was a leading figure among young American conservatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the talk, hosted by actor Rob Schneider and Christian author Dr Frank Turek, demonstrators chanted loudly outside while police clad in riot gear formed a barricade to block them from approaching. Despite Antifa thugs blocking our campus tour stop with tear gas, fireworks, and glass bottles, we had a packed house in the heart of deep blue UC Berkeley, Andrew Kolvet, the TPUSA spokesman, wrote on X. Schneider ironically thanked Antifa for welcoming us tonight at UC Berkeley. We Look forward to our thoughtful, tear gas-free discussion and debate, he said. 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. BERKELEY, California The University of California, Berkeley added to its long history as a hotbed of free speech and liberal activism Monday, when Turning Point USA, the conservative student movement started by Charlie Kirk, ended its national tour with an event on the campus a few months after the assassination of the influential right wing figure. The night of speeches and Q&A, which drew 900 attendees and at least 150 angry but largely peaceful protesters, closed out the American Comeback tour, a cross country road show Kirk launched as part of his groups broader campaign to infuse American universities with more conservative thought. Kirk was killed two months ago as he spoke during an appearance at Utah Valley University by a gunman who indicated to friends he was angered by Kirks stance on trans rights and other issues. Mondays setting on a campus that has long been known as a bastion of progressive ideals and causes offered a stark contrast that participants eagerly used as fodder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Actor and comedian Rob Schneider, the events headliner who started his speech by thanking Antifa for the welcoming, lamented what he saw as an intolerant blip overtaking the Bay Area that he said was underscored by the goons outside who infiltrated academia. Andrew Doyle, a speaker who wrote a book titled Free Speech and Why It Matters, said he wrote about UC Berkeley as this bastion of free speech back in 1964 that he did not recognize upon arriving on campus for the event. And then I get here and theres tear gas and fireworks, and Im thinking, Somethings gone slightly wrong, Doyle said. UC Berkeley spokesperson Dan Mogulof said police did not use tear gas. He pushed back on the notion that the event could be reduced to a liberal stronghold hosting a group counter to its ideals. Doing so, he said, is the result of a caricature thats been around since the 1960s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe its absolutely essential for a great university to have an open, robust marketplace of ideas, Mogulof said. Our clocks didnt stop in 1964. This is a different university than it was then. For decades, the Berkeley campus has been the site of notable student-backed movements, including the Free Speech Movement in the 1960s and protests against bans of affirmative action in the 1980s. Students have also fought against tuition hikes and the universitys investments in weapons manufacturers. It has also hosted prominent conservative speakers in recent years including Ann Coulter and Ben Shapiro, although protests led to the cancellation of an event featuring right wing commentator Milo Yiannopoulos in 2017. The following year, the university settled a lawsuit alleging it discriminated against speakers with conservative views. Kirk himself spoke on campus in 2022, but that event drew few protests. The tone was much different on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A group of around 100 protestors gathered outside the venue ahead of the event, unscrolling a giant sign that read TPUSA Out Of The Bay and accusing Turning Point of seizing on Kirks assassination to advance a fascist movement. They shouted chants including, No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA, and, anytime, any place, punch a racist in the face, and passed out flyers noting racist, homophobic and misogynistic statements Kirk made. A few blocks away, steps from Sather Gate a center for activity during the Free Speech Movement dozens more protesters gathered to chant. Chase Goldberg, a fourth-year Berkeley student, held up a sign outside the venue reading We Will Not Comply with a swastika symbol covering the O. Im lucky to be at a campus like UC Berkeley, Goldberg said. Because in the same way that Turning Point USA is allowed to be loud and proud, so can I. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was at least one fight on the sidewalk outside the venue. A protestor threw a glass bottle that shattered on the ground next to a line of police officers, while another was yanked forcibly by officers past a barricade and led away. The skirmishes caught the attention of Attorney General Pam Bondi, who posted on social media Tuesday that the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force would investigate the violent riots at UC Berkeley and that Antifa is an existential threat to our nation. After Bondi's post, the university released a statement vowing to launch its own investigation into efforts to disrupt the Turning Point event and to cooperate with any federal probe. "There is no place at UC Berkeley for attempts to use violence or intimidation to prevent lawful expression or chill free speech," the statement said, while also noting that "efforts to prevent last nights event did not succeed" and that the evening "proceeded safely and without interruption." Mogulof said Tuesday that there were two people fighting who were arrested. Two others were arrested on suspicion of disobeying police orders and resisting arrest, while separately a 45-year-old man reported he was struck in the head by a glass bottle or jar. And earlier in the day, four students were arrested on suspicion of vandalism after attempting to hang up art off Sather Gate in protest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Cullison, an attendee who graduated from Berkeley in 2014 and now lives in Concord in the East Bay, said as a student he had friends with different political perspectives and called the school a rich environment for dialogue, but lamented how one sides voice has been stifled. Cullison said he hoped Turning Point coming to Berkeley may encourage conservative students to be more vocal. Those people now have a voice, Cullison said. They dont have to feel afraid to speak up and say what they actually think, because of things like this. Attendees waiting in the ticketed area outside of the venue cheered when dozens of police officers descended down the stairs from an adjacent building in response to the growing number of demonstrators approaching the entrance. Beat them up! one of them shouted. Kennedy Luty, an attendee from Hercules, tried to get other Turning Point supporters waiting in line to sing the national anthem in response (they made it to perilous fight before petering out). Luty, 28, who said she went to liberal San Francisco State University, was grateful that Berkeley hosted the event. After all, she said, Berkeley is the foundation of free speech. Im very proud of UC Berkeley for standing on that, Luty said. One of the largest studies ever conducted on the link between the shingles vaccine and brain health offers insight into how the disease increases dementia risk. People who experienced multiple episodes of shingles had a higher risk of dementia for several years after the second outbreak, the study found, compared with those who had it only once. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The findings, published recently in the journal Nature Medicine, provide additional evidence for why getting vaccinated for shingles could help protect the brain. Shingles stems from the varicella-zoster virus, which causes childhood chicken pox and hibernates in the nervous system. As people age, the virus reactivates but often is beaten back down by the immune system, said Pascal Geldsetzer, a professor of medicine at Stanford University and one of the studys authors. But sometimes, he said, it reactivates fully and then you get shingles telltale symptoms, the burning, tingling, painful blisters and rash. Both versions of the vaccine - one with a version of the live virus and one without - reduce those reactivations and the risk of dementia, the study found. Researchers reviewed the electronic medical records of more than 100 million people in the United States from 2007 to 2023. After controlling for 400 different variables - including chronic illnesses, demographics, prescriptions, doctors visits - they found a 27 to 33 percent lower risk of developing dementia over three years after getting vaccinated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who experienced multiple episodes of shingles had a seven to nine percent higher risk of dementia three to nine years after the second outbreak, the study found, compared with those who had a single reaction. - - - More shingles episodes = more dementia risk Dementia is influenced by a host of complex factors including genetics, environment and viral infections. And while the number of Americans who develop the disease each year is rising, there are few effective treatments and no ways to prevent it outside of lifestyle changes. Despite promising research, the biology behind how varicella-zoster affects dementia remains unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are theories. One, researchers say, is that the varicella-zoster virus, which is continuously reactivating even when its not causing observable symptoms, directly affects parts of the brain implicated in dementia. Another has to do with the bodys natural immune response to infections - inflammation and whether theres a toxic effect on the brain if the virus reactivates. So, its not necessarily that the virus itself is directly attacking cells of the brain, but the inflammatory response to the presence of that virus is what causes problems, said Anupam Jena, an internist at Massachusetts General Hospital. Or, could it be the medications used to treat the painful, debilitating symptoms? We dont know, Jena said. The studys findings suggest, however, that those who received multiple doses of the shingles vaccine were better protected from dementia, bolstering previous research showing that having two doses rather than one of the Shingrix vaccine reduces reactivations of the varicella-zoster virus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Better understanding whether varicella-zoster virus helps drive neurodegeneration is a step toward finding better ways to treat dementia, said Patrick Schwab, the studys lead author and senior director of machine learning and artificial intelligence at GSK, a biopharmaceutical company that manufactures one of the shingles vaccines. The study found that people who received two doses of Shingrix, a newer vaccine containing inactivate portions of the virus and manufactured by GSK, had an 18 percent lower dementia risk five years post vaccination compared with those who received a single dose of Zostavax, an older vaccine made from live, weakened zoster virus. (Zostavax was removed from the U.S. market in 2020.) It also found that women over 50 who received Zostavax had a 35 percent lower risk of dementia three years after getting the shot. Women between 80 and 89 who received two doses of Shingrix saw a 39 percent lower risk three years after vaccination. The results were really remarkable in their consistency, said Schwab, who is also head of the biomedical AI group at GSK. And this is what ultimately made the study so exciting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One tricky bit about the study, Schwab said, is that it could only measure occurrences of varicella-zoster that appeared in clinical records as a shingles diagnosis, meaning it became a proxy for reactivation in general. - - - What it means for patients Shingles vaccines are already recommended for older adults (typically those over 50) and people with weakened immune systems. Some clinicians said evidence is now strong enough that they would discuss dementia prevention with patients as an added benefit. Jena, the Joseph P. Newhouse Professor of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School, said he recently raised the research while teaching a group of medical residents who hadnt even heard of the connection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jena peer-reviewed an earlier study co-written by Geldsetzer that followed more than 280,000 adults in Wales and found that people who got the shingles vaccine had a 20 percent lower risk of developing dementia over seven years. He said the latest study does several things that boost the robustness of their findings and provide pretty good quality evidence. For example, in testing the efficacy of both vaccines for preventing dementia, researchers found that benefits to the brain werent permanent and seemed to track with the waning protection of the vaccines. AM Barrett, chair and professor of neurology at UMass Chan Medical School, said the current toolbox to reduce dementia risk is limited and not as effective. Barrett, a neurologist who also is chief of neurology services at the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, worries the issue might become politicized, swept up in growing mistrust of medicine and increasing vaccine hesitancy. Unfortunately, she said, if people are not touched personally by dementia they might view this as a way of people trying to convince them to take vaccines that are unnecessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she said vaccination is a relatively inexpensive, widely available intervention. You want to have five more years of playing with your grandchildren and five more years of driving really well, she said. Thats priceless. Related Content Syrian president details plans to work with Americans he once fought More flight cancellations after shutdowns worst day for air travel Why VA pays more in disability for sleep apnea than it does for some lost limbs CACHAGUA ISLAND (Reuters) -Chilean scientists warned of further risks to the world's shrinking population of Humboldt penguins, one of the few species that live on rocky coastlands in more temperate regions, after officials declared the species endangered. Chile's Pacific coast is home to 80% of the world's remaining Humboldt penguins, and scientists at the Universidad de Concepcion estimate that their numbers have dwindled to fewer than 20,000 from around 45,000 in the late 1990s. International organizations consider the species vulnerable and prohibit commercial trade, but late last month Chile's Environment Ministry reclassified the seabird as "endangered." Biologists fear numbers will continue to decline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Competition for food from commercial fishing as well as habitat loss, pollution, bird flu and the worsening impacts of climate change have contributed to declining numbers. "The series of threats facing penguins today has not diminished," Guillermo Cubillos, a marine biologist at Chile's national zoo, told Reuters. "If these threats persist over time, it is very likely this species will go from endangered to critically endangered, and from there it is a very short step to the species disappearing for good." Paulina Arce, a veterinary expert on the Humboldt penguin, said the species is threatened by deaths in fishing nets as well as competition for marine resources, and the classification calls for stricter legislation for sustainable fishing, both on the industrial and small-scale fronts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The measures that have been implemented so far are not working," she said. "It is useless to reclassify a species if this is not combined with measures to ensure that this species can continue to live and feed in its habitats." Legislation, Arce said, is key so humans can coexist with nature. (Reporting by Rodrigo Gutierrez; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Patricia Reaney) (Reuters) -China plans to ease the flow of rare earths and other restricted materials to the U.S. via a system that will exclude companies with ties to the U.S. military while fast-tracking export approvals for other firms, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. (Reporting by Abu Sultan in BengaluruEditing by Shri Navaratnam) An Illinois chiropractor has been charged with secretly recording adults and children. David Hansen of Batavia, and owner of Hanson Family Chiropractor allegedly secretly videotaped over 180 of his patients while they undressed or were unclothed, according to a spokesperson. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recordings were taken inside a red light room used for red light and near-infrared light therapy, with hidden cameras secretly placed throughout the chiropractic office. Investigators used a Lake County Sheriffs Office ESD K9, an electronic storage detection canine, to search for the hidden cameras. Victim ages ranged from young children to adults, and they were mostly female. Hanson allegedly had multiple videos that contained child sexual abuse that were not related to his chiropractic practice. Hansons home and chiropractic office were searched on Nov.5, and he was arrested that night. Hanson was in court for a pretrial detention hearing on Nov. 6, where the Kane County State Attorneys Office argued for Hanson to be detained while his case is pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Court found Hanson to be a threat to the community, and he will remain in custody. Hanson has been charged with five counts of producing child pornography, three counts of disseminating child pornography, six counts of possessing child pornography, and three counts of unauthorized video recording of a minor through/under clothes. Those who believe they or their child may have been a victim of Hanson, or have any information, email SAOVictimHotline@KaneCountyIL.gov, or call (630)444-3322. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Specialty insurance provider Fidelis Insurance (NYSE:FIHL) will be announcing earnings results this Wednesday after market hours. Heres what investors should know. Fidelis Insurance missed analysts revenue expectations by 8.9% last quarter, reporting revenues of $589.3 million, up 9.1% year on year. It was a satisfactory quarter for the company, with a beat of analysts EPS estimates but a significant miss of analysts revenue estimates. Is Fidelis Insurance a buy or sell going into earnings? Read our full analysis here, its free for active Edge members. This quarter, analysts are expecting Fidelis Insurances revenue to grow 6.9% year on year to $733.7 million, slowing from the 27.6% increase it recorded in the same quarter last year. Adjusted earnings are expected to come in at $1.20 per share. Fidelis Insurance Total Revenue Analysts covering the company have generally reconfirmed their estimates over the last 30 days, suggesting they anticipate the business to stay the course heading into earnings. Fidelis Insurance has missed Wall Streets revenue estimates four times over the last two years. Looking at Fidelis Insurances peers in the reinsurance segment, some have already reported their Q3 results, giving us a hint as to what we can expect. Hamilton Insurance Group delivered year-on-year revenue growth of 30.2%, beating analysts expectations by 10.3%, and RenaissanceRe reported a revenue decline of 19.5%, topping estimates by 9.7%. Hamilton Insurance Group traded up 10.5% following the results while RenaissanceRe was also up 7%. Read our full analysis of Hamilton Insurance Groups results here and RenaissanceRes results here. Investors in the reinsurance segment have had steady hands going into earnings, with share prices up 2% on average over the last month. Fidelis Insurance is up 3.3% during the same time and is heading into earnings with an average analyst price target of $20.50 (compared to the current share price of $19). The biggest winnersMicrosoft, Alphabet, Coca-Cola, Monster Beveragewere all riding powerful megatrends before Wall Street caught on. Weve just identified an under-the-radar profitable growth stock positioned at the center of the AI boom. Get it FREE here before the crowd discovers it. GO HERE NOW. StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here. A Christian missionary father and his daughter were killed when a small plane bound for a hurricane relief mission in Jamaica crashed in a South Florida neighborhood. Christian ministry organization Ignite the Fire identified the two victims of the Monday morning crash as the group's founder, Alexander Wurm, 53, and his daughter Serena Wurm, 22. The pair were bringing humanitarian aid to Jamaica, according to the organization, when the Beechcraft King Air plane they were flying in crashed into a pond in a residential area of the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Coral Springs, narrowly missing homes. As of Tuesday morning, investigators had not reported any other victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He gave his life Ignite the Fire is dedicated to empowering youth through missions and evangelism across the Caribbean, according to the organization's website. A statement on the group's social media described the Wurm family as passionate about humanitarian work and their Christian faith. Together, their final journey embodied selflessness and courage, reminding us of the power of service and love, the statement reads, adding, Rest in peace, Alexander and Serena your light endures in all whose lives you changed. In recent weeks, Alexander Wurm had helped deliver medical supplies, water filters and StarLink satellite internet equipment to Jamaica for the relief organization Crisis Response International, according to a video statement the group posted online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I can tell you about Alex is that he had a huge vision for the people of the Caribbean nations. And when this hurricane happened, he didnt hesitate. He sprung into action and did what he could," Crisis Response International founder Sean Malone said. He really made a difference in the lives of the people on the ground by getting the resources in that he did. He saved lives and he gave his life," Malone added. Missionary got the plane for hurricane relief effort, posts show The turboprop plane went down shortly after taking off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at approximately 10:14 a.m. on Monday, authorities said, with police and fire rescue responding to the crash site just five minutes later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the plane was manufactured in 1976 and its registered owner is listed as International Air Services, a company that markets itself as specializing in providing trust agreements to non-U.S. citizens that enable them to register their aircraft with the FAA. A person who answered the companys phone Monday afternoon declined to answer questions from a reporter, stating no comment and ending the phone call. Posts by Alexander Wurm on social media in recent days suggested the evangelist had recently acquired the plane to further his missionary work across the Caribbean, describing the aircraft as an older King Air with brand new engines, and perfect to ferry deliveries of generators, batteries and building materials to Jamaica. Ive been a pilot since 2005 and I felt that the Ignite ministry should have a missions airplane if it wanted to effectively bless the Caribbean! Wurm wrote in a social media post on Nov. 2. Perfect for the mission to bring relief goods into Montego Bay and the plane is ready just in time! he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photos and videos on social media show Wurm posing for a picture in the plane's cockpit and unloading boxes of supplies from the packed aircraft with teams of volunteers. The flight tracking website FlightAware shows the plane made four other trips to or from Jamaica in the past week, traveling between George Town in the Cayman Islands and Montego Bay and Negril in Jamaica, before landing in Fort Lauderdale on Friday. Police, federal transportation officials investigate The Coral Springs Police Department has said there will continue to be a significant police presence at the crash site Tuesday as investigators collect evidence. The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Broward County, where the plane took off from and where the crash occurred, is home to a vibrant Caribbean American community that sprang into action to collect relief supplies following Hurricane Melissa, which left a path of destruction in the Caribbean. A powerful Category 5 storm, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Oct. 28 and tied for the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane in history. The storm also caused devastation in Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic and prompted relief organizations to mobilize. ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Donald Trumps unprecedented pardoning spree for political and business friends since returning to the White House has prompted warnings from ex-prosecutors and legal scholars of corrupt pay-to-play schemes, conflicts of interest and blatant partisanship. It has included hundreds of Maga allies, a cryptocurrency mogul with ties to a Trump family crypto firm, disgraced politicians, and others who could yield political and financial benefits. Trumps political- and business-driven pardons spurred strong rebukes from his first day in office, when he pardoned or commuted sentences for some 1,500 Maga allies who attacked the Capitol on January 6 and tried to block Congress from certifying Joe Bidens election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, critics of Trumps pardon policies have also leveled heavy fire at Trumps radical move in May to make Maga loyalist Ed Martin, who has pushed false claims about the 2020 election results, the pardon attorney at the justice department. Related: Trump pardons Giuliani, Meadows and others over plot to steal 2020 election Martin was tapped for the pardon post after Trump pulled his nomination to be US attorney for Washington DC due to key Republican opposition, and after Trump had ousted Liz Oyer, a veteran pardon attorney who balked at granting clemency to a Trump ally. Recently, Trump has sparked strong criticism for commutations or pardons that seem increasingly aimed at boosting political allies and some Trump family business interests, say legal experts and ex-prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, Trump commuted a seven-year sentence of expelled House member George Santos, who pleaded guilty in 2024 to charges including fraud and identity theft and only served a few months. Trump fueled more criticism last month when he pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the multibillionaire who founded Binance, a huge crypto exchange that earlier this year inked a $2bn investment deal involving the Trump family crypto firm World Liberty Financial that is expected to yield tens of millions yearly to the Trump family. Zhao pleaded guilty in 2023 to breaking anti money-laundering laws, served a four-month sentence and stepped down as Binance CEO, but he remains its largest shareholder. Binance agreed in 2023 to pay more than $4bn to settle related DoJ charges of violating anti money-laundering laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 60 Minutes interview with Trump in November, the optics of the Zhao pardon, which came after Zhao and Binance mounted big lobbying drives, worsened when Trump admitted: I dont know who he is. I know he got a four-month sentence or something like that. And I heard it was a Biden witch-hunt. After his pardon, Zhao posted on X that he was deeply grateful and pledged to do everything we can to help make America the Capital of Crypto, which aligns well with Trumps promises and his crypto deregulatory moves. Separately, and in a largely symbolic move, Martin posted on X on Sunday that Trump had granted preemptive pardons to more than 70 Maga allies, including his ex-lawyer Rudy Giuliani and ex-chief of staff Mark Meadows, who worked on efforts to create fake electors from key states in an effort to subvert Trumps 2020 loss. None face federal charges, but a number of them have been under scrutiny or charged by some states, including Arizona, for conspiring to subvert Trumps loss, which will not be affected by the pardons. Legal experts say that although other presidents, including Democrats Biden and Bill Clinton, have received criticism for granting some controversial pardons, Trumps use of pardons to boost political and financial interests has been egregious and part of his extensive weaponization of the justice department to go after political foes and help Maga allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Trump pardons founder of Binance, worlds largest crypto exchange The corruption of the pardon process is one of the less visible but nevertheless important aspects of Trumps sullying of the Justice Department, said Philip Lacovara, who was counsel to the Watergate special prosecutor. Lacovara called the commutation of Santos sentence after only a few months in prison bewildering. He stressed that Santos never exhibited any remorse for his chain of frauds, and his sentence was well within the federal guidelines for his crimes. Similarly, Lacovara condemned the pardon of Zhao as part of Trumps pay-to-play policy approach to pardons, and was skeptical of Trumps vague explanation that people whom he trusted recommended this otherwise incomprehensible exoneration. The Trump family connection with crypto based fortunes suggests a likely source for that recommendation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other legal experts see Trumps pardon abuses as akin to a form of bribery. The pardon process as a method for granting executive grace for deserving criminal defendants has been replaced by a pay-to-play system that is a thinly disguised form of bribery, said former justice department inspector general Michael Bromwich. Pardons are now conferred not on people who acknowledge their guilt and deserve a break, but instead on those who have connections and plenty of money. Bromwichs critique is underscored by growing concerns about Martins role as pardon attorney, voiced by other ex-prosecutors, top Democrats in Congress, including Congressman Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, and ex-pardon attorney Oyer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump tapped uber-loyalist Martin to replace Oyer, who Trump had fired in March the day after she nixed restoring gun rights for actor Mel Gibson, a Trump supporter who had lost his gun rights due to a 2011 domestic violence conviction. Martins Maga ties were demonstrated the day before January 6, when he addressed a DC rally of Trump loyalists and said: Thank you for standing for our president. But remember, what theyre stealing is not just an election. Its our future. Besides pushing false claims about election fraud in Trumps 2020 loss, Martin also did legal work for some of those charged for their January 6 roles in the Capitol attack. Barbara McQuade, a former federal prosecutor who now teaches law at the University of Michigan, noted critically that when Martin became pardon attorney, he posted on social media: No Maga left behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That statement is a deeply disturbing violation of DoJ policy to avoid partisan politics. It suggests that supporters of President Trump will be treated favorably, McQuade said. Martin showed his fealty to Trump and Maga allies after Santos was pardoned by posting on X: I was honored as U.S. Pardon Attorney to have played a small role in the clemency grant, adding thanks to Trump for making clemency great again. Oyer is sharply critical of Martins tenure as pardon attorney. Related: How Trump is weaponizing the DoJ to bully, prosecute, punish and silence his foes The pardon power has been thoroughly corrupted and politicized under Donald Trump. Ed Martins appointment as pardon attorney leaves no path forward for ordinary Americans seeking second chances through clemency, Oyer told the Guardian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin has repeatedly stated that he views pardons as a reward for Maga loyalists. His views on the pardon power appear to be totally untethered to merit or to the merit-based standards laid out in [the] DoJs justice manual, which have guided his numerous predecessors. Oyer added: There are currently at least 15,000 clemency applications pending with Martins office-which it appears he is largely ignoring as he focuses on his Maga-first priorities. In a novel pardon twist last week, Martin told a key House oversight panel that he was conducting an investigation of pardons and commutations by Biden. This Martin inquiry dovetails with Trump attacks on preemptive clemency that Biden gave to House select committee members who investigated the January 6 insurrection should they face charges if Trump won the 2024 election. It marks a sharp break with the traditional role of pardon attorneys. In an email to the House panels chair that CNNs Jake Tapper obtained, Martin wrote: My ongoing investigation has revealed abuses of the pardon and commutation process by political actors in the Biden administration. The use of AutoPen at the direction of staff and perhaps others is troubling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, the justice department had indicated that the use of an autopen by a president was legally sound. Besides this new inquiry, Martin also leads a DoJ weaponization working group to combat alleged Democratic weaponization of the department, and has helped push for criminal charges against some of Trumps avowed enemies, including ex-FBI director James Comey and New York attorney general Letitia James. Comey and James were indicted separately this fall by a Trump-installed novice prosecutor in Virginia after a veteran prosecutor, who thought the evidence against them was weak, was forced out by Trump, who had publicly urged charges be filed against them and others. Comey and James have pleaded not guilty. Martins tenure as pardon attorney drew an early attack from Raskin, who wrote to him in late May about pardon decisions that suggested Martin had violated long standing pardon requirements in order to reward Trump loyalists and the ultra-rich. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raskin noted that in just two weeks as pardon attorney, Martins office had pardoned over two dozen Maga loyalists and wealthy criminals who paid millions to avoid prison time and repaying victims. Donald Trump has plunged the pardon power into complete corruption, using it to reward his political sycophants and underling servants, his giant campaign donors, his business associates and his partners in fraud, Raskin told the Guardian. Beyond thoroughly politicizing the office of the pardon attorney and destroying its legal and ethical legitimacy, President Trump has not even required the political loyalists and operators he pardons to repay their victims with restitution or even to show any kind of personal repentance. Related: Trump pardons ex-Mets star Darryl Strawberry over past tax and drug conviction Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raskin noted that a judiciary committee report in June found Trumps pardons have made criminals $1.3bn richer by allowing them to keep the money they stole from their victims and dodge their fines. The pardon power in Trumps hands is a way to take a huge amount of wealth that is legally owed to victims and transfer it back to the criminals who stole it from them in the first place. Other legal experts voice loud alarms about Trumps authoritarian modus operandi in granting pardons. President Trumps pardon spree is disturbing, said David Pozen, a law professor at Columbia University. In the near term, his meting out of pardons for blatantly corrupt and self-serving ends is a classic authoritarian tactic that undermines the rule of law. In the longer term, such abuses will tend to undermine support for the pardon power itself and the vital role it can play, when employed in a principled fashion, in checking excessive punishment and prosecutorial overreach. In the long run, Lacovara views Trumps installing Martin as pardon attorney as uniquely dangerous. While other presidents occasionally exercised their prerogatives to extend clemency to relatives or friends, never in my experience has any president installed a political operative who could not even win confirmation by a Republican Senate to serve as US attorney in Washington, as part of a process designed to reward political allies and business associates for their loyalty and generosity. As Hurricane Helene barreled through North Carolina in late September 2024, college student Ethan Clark became a lifeline for residents. According to Our State magazine, he sent out regular storm updates on his Facebook page, which he launched to predict weather across the state using professional models. Clark is a senior at North Carolina State University, where he studies environmental science with a focus on meteorology, the changing climate, and natural disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, his passion for weather began much earlier, when a snowstorm hit his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina, when he was only 10. After reading more about meteorology at his school library, he volunteered to announce the weather for his school's news broadcast the following year. Once he got the hang of forecasting weather, he started the Ethan Weather Facebook page, which is now North Carolina's Weather Authority, in seventh grade to inform his whole state about upcoming weather events. As Our State noted, Clark had amassed 350,000 trusting followers by September 2024, who regularly looked to him for accurate forecasts, especially residents living in rural areas with spotty weather coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Clark knew Helene would likely have catastrophic impacts on parts of North Carolina, he made sure to warn people of the dangers well ahead of its landfall. "The potential of flash flooding, landslides, and river flooding is increasing across parts of the foothills and mountains. Western NC, I am worried about this much rain," he posted several days before Helene impacted North Carolina. The next evening, as the storm was closing in on Florida, Clark's posts were more pressing. "This could be historic," he said. "I don't like to say these words often, but it could be historic." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Helene made landfall the following evening in Florida as a Category 4 with winds of 140 miles per hour, it became clear that Clark's prediction was accurate. The storm rolled through North Carolina. Although it weakened to tropical-storm strength, it left a massive trail of destruction. As Clark's followers sent in information about downed trees, power lines, and road closures, he made sure to post almost constant updates, staying at his computer nearly all day while Helene moved through. Once the storm moved out on Friday evening, comments flooded in about the condition of small mountain towns, which bore the brunt of Helene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rivers had overflowed their banks due to torrential rainfall, washing away entire mountain towns and cutting off access to many communities. Critical infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, was also washed out, and widespread outages of cell service and landlines left residents unable to contact family. But because of Clark's Facebook page, he was able to share updates with his followers, one of which caught the attention of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Emergency Management, which "sent a rescue team to evacuate the mountain." "100 people stuck on a mountain in Black Mountain, North Carolina," Clark posted. "Address is 129 Morning Glory Drive, Black Mountain. They need immediate rescuing. There is a lady giving birth and they will run out of food in the next day or two. Please help. Sharing this because I really don't know what else to do. I am trying." After the storm, Clark's followers doubled, and several news outlets reported on his story. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the experience, however, was an invitation from CBS to meet his longtime inspiration, Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once Clark graduates in December, he plans to pursue a career in weather consulting, emergency management, or even the more challenging field of hurricane hunting. He'll also continue to post updates about important weather events on his Facebook page, which he frequently checks in the middle of the night to "recheck models before posting his forecasts," per Our State. "I just want to help, and I really care about my forecasting," Clark told the outlet. 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. Nov. 11 (UPI) -- In a new diplomatic escalation between Colombia and the United States, President Gustavo Petro again recalled Colombia's ambassador to Washington, Daniel Garcia-Pena, for consultations. This time, the recall aims to clarify a situation reported by the Colombian magazine Cambio regarding a photo released by the White House on Oct. 21 as part of its official coverage of a meeting between senior officials and Republican senators. On Sunday, the image drew renewed attention after Cambio published an analysis focusing on a folder held by Deputy Chief of Staff James Blairen. The photo shows Petro alongside Nicolas Maduro, both wearing orange jumpsuits similar to those used in U.S. prisons, as part of a document titled "Trump Doctrine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If an ambassador is called for consultations, the representative of the other country returns to their own country while the necessary information is obtained," Petro wrote on X, suggesting that while Garcia-Pena is in Bogota, U.S. charge d'affaires John McNamara should return to the United States, El Colombiano reported. "This is about understanding why the official White House page shows me as if I were a prisoner in a U.S. jail. It is a brutal disrespect to the people who elected me and to the Colombian nation and its history," Petro added. Colombia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement confirming that Ambassador Garcia-Pena "has been called for consultations" and "is already in Bogota." At the same time, Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio ruled out the expulsion of U.S. charge d'affaires John McNamara from Colombia, El Tiempo reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Petro government's decision comes amid a visible deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two countries and adds pressure to a bilateral agenda that includes sensitive issues such as counternarcotics cooperation, migration, trade and hemispheric relations. According to Cambio, the first paragraph of the document held by Blairen outlines five steps against the Colombian president, three of which are already underway. The five are designating additional cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, supporting pro-U.S. leaders in the Western Hemisphere, imposing targeted sanctions on Petro, his family and associates, countering corrupt and anti-U.S. criminal activities, and launching a comprehensive investigation into Petro's campaigns and their foreign financing. "People should not always rely on what they read in the newspapers," Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said when askedwhether the United States had a plan underway to imprison Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The diplomat addressed the issue during a telephone press briefing with several Latin American media outlets Monday morning. Landau declined to comment further on the photo, which has since been removed from the U.S. government website, but expressed dissatisfaction with the Colombian president's statements. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has suggested recreating Gran Colombia the early 19th Century country that included modern day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama on multiple occasions over the weekend. The South American leader made the comments in response to Washingtons ongoing strike campaign on vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, which has killed more than 70 people accused of trafficking drugs. Petro said a union may be the only way to counter U.S. aggression in the region, which has dialed up pressure on Caracas and Bogota. However, Petros right-hand man Armando Benedetti played down the claims as symbolic in an interview with the Miami Herald. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement America is not a continent of kings or princesses, princes or despots. Every dictator who has appeared here has faced rebellion, said Petro in a speech on Saturday, referring to Trumps campaign in the Caribbean. Isnt it time, then, to talk about Gran Colombia again? Gran Colombia was a republic that existed from 1821 to 1831, encompassing the majority of northern South America. It was founded by Simon Bolivar, who led the region to independence from Spain and remains a key rhetorical figure in Latin American politics, especially in Colombia and Venezuela. Speaking in Santa Marta, where Bolivar died, Petro drew comparisons between the revolutionary struggle of the early 1800s and the present day, saying the answer to countering Washingtons aggression should be our own union. The president elaborated on the suggestion in a post on X the following day, floating a European Union-style accord: I propose to the peoples inhabiting this territory [that] they rebuild this idea of a Gran Colombia, with a common parliament and collegiate presidency, as in the European Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same day, Petro hosted delegates at a summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the European Union. In his opening speech, he delivered a history lesson on Gran Colombia and argued that Latin America has an older, but less successful, history of integration than the European Union. While Petro repeatedly promoted the idea of a return to Gran Colombia, his right-hand man, Benedetti played down the presidents rhetoric. I interpret that statement to mean that Colombia and the countries of Latin America, especially South America, will return once again to brotherhood, to a region at peace, he told the Herald. Benedetti noted the impracticalities of merging multiple nations, saying that Petros language was symbolic. I think he means that we should go back to being brothers, that we should look inward a little and not get into conflict with each other, the minister said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Colombian presidents comments are the latest in a series of heated exchanges with President Donald Trump, who added Petro to a list of sanctioned individuals last month, alleging without presenting proof that he is an illegal drug dealer. Last week, Petro used his speech at the COP30 climate summit to lambast Trump, accusing him of being against mankind and comparing his immigration policy to that of the Nazis. President Donald Trump has threatened to deploy troops to Chicago over a distressed shopping center that does not exist. The Miracle Mile Shopping Center in Chicago, once considered our Nations BEST, now has a more than 28% vacancy factor, and is ready to call it quits unless something is done about the murder and crime, which is prevalent throughout the City, the 79-year-old president raged in a Truth Social post just past midnight on Tuesday. CALL IN THE TROOPS, FAST, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE! he added. Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander who has led the Trump administrations immigration crackdown in Chicago, is reportedly being moved out of the city as the White House gears up for further operations elsewhere. / Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images There is no Miracle Mile Shopping Center in Illinois largest city. While there are shopping districts with that name in California, Florida, New York, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, it would not appear the president plans to stage a military intervention in Chicago by dispatching personnel to other cities between 800 and 2,000 miles away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump likely intended to refer to Chicagos famous Magnificent Mile shopping district in his late-night post, but he also appears to have muddled his source material. Trump seems to have drawn on a Nov. 8 article by the conservative site Just the News headlined Chicago Blues: Downtown office space vacancy rate jumps to record high levels, which outlines how over the past two years, businesses cutting their office space in Chicagos Loop district have resulted in about 2.3 million square feet being vacated. Trump has repeatedly sparred with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over the administrations deportation drive in the Windy City. / Scott Olson/Getty Images That story makes no mention of crime rates as a driving factor behind the trend of increasing vacancies, instead attributing the changes to structural shifts in work culture following the COVID-19 pandemic, with more employers offering remote or hybrid roles. Under the second MAGA administration, the federal government has undertaken multiple deployments of law enforcement agents to Chicago in an effort to combat what Trump insists is an immigrant-driven crime wave in the Windy City. That claim is similarly unsupported by the facts. Statistics released by the Chicago Mayors Office indicate that violent crime over the past year is down 22 percent, including a 32 percent reduction in robberies and a 49 percent reduction in carjackings. Murders in the city this summer were at their lowest in more than 60 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has sought to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago, but has faced pushback from local Democratic leaders, along with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The president has already deployed troops to Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee. Trumps administration has now apparently made plans for Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander who has led the MAGA administrations anti-immigration blitz in Chicago, and a number of his agents to leave the city amid mounting outcry over what critics describe as an excessive use of force during arrests. CBS reports that some of the Border Patrol agents currently working in Chicago may now be diverted to Charlotte, North Carolina, for a new deportation crackdown slated to begin there later this month. The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for comment on this story. MONROE, Conn. (WTNH) For parents who have children with chronic conditions, rushing to the emergency room and being admitted regularly can be a way of lifea very stressful way of life for the family and its support system. Connecticut Childrens is now providing hospital-level medical care in patients homes through All Pointe Home Care, which they acquired in 2024. To me, this work is about helping each child find comfort, dignity and joy while supporting their family every step of the way, said nurse and case manager Samantha Murphy Plaskon of All Pointe Home Care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noelle Jablonka, 8, of Monroe, is one of her patients. Noelle started having seizures as a baby and was eventually diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. She is non-verbal, cannot walk and has health breathing issues. Noelle needs a high level of care to help her live and receive her medication. The Joblonka Family To her parents and twin 5-year-old siblings, Noelle is just one of them. We dont leave her out of anything; she is included in every part of our lives, so I think thats made a difference, her mom, Jenny Grace, said. Noelles room is equipped like a hospital room with a lift, lots of medical equipment and medication to treat her seizures and help her breathing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her high-level care helps keep her at home and away from any germs she might encounter in the hospital. Christine Wilkinson is one of Noelles nurses, covering many shifts during the week, all hours of the day and night. I bathe her, wash her, brush her teeth, I would administer her medications, her food, and then I would monitor her throughout the day for any changes in her status, Wilkinson said. Before finding the home agency, the Joblonkas lives were challenging and stressful, all to keep Noelle safe and well. A couple of times a month, at least, calling 911, it was our life, just middle-of-the-night emergencies, Jenny Grace said. My parents at the time were a critical part of our picture, so we would just take turns and stay up throughout the night with her and monitor her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She tears up as she explains how finally reaching out to the agency was life-changing for everyone. Ill never forget the first phone call I had with Dawn, who said that they can help us, and they have, so its been a huge blessing, Jenny Grace said. The Jablonka family just marked three years without an ER visit, all thanks to this home care from Connecticut Childrens. Noelles says they now know what to look for when Noelle may start to get sick, and their nurses can help her right at home. 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 WTNH.com. The News One of the breakthrough successes of last years COP29 summit is already losing steam, threatening what was meant to be a major new source of capital for carbon-cutting projects. The market for voluntary carbon offset and removal credits has been struggling for the last several years to repair a reputation sullied by numerous greenwashing scandals. COP negotiators, meanwhile, settled on new rules at last years Baku climate talks to stand up a parallel global market, overseen by the UN, that would allow national governments to trade carbon credits directly with each other. But so far, only about a dozen Article 6 trades named after the section of the Paris Agreement outlining the plan a decade ago have been executed. And the market shows no signs of growing to the point where it could make a notable contribution to climate finance, Allister Furey, CEO of Sylvera, a leading platform for carbon market data, told Semafor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You dont see a huge amount of volume on any climate-meaningful horizon, he said. Its difficult to see how Article 6 can really exceed the voluntary market in the next decade, and the voluntary market is already quite small. If Article 6 isnt going to exceed that, then its been oversold as a solution. Tims view Carbon trading is a notoriously fraught enterprise; making an accurate assessment of a given projects capacity to draw down CO2 and keep it permanently out of the atmosphere is a process prone to technical pitfalls and net zero claims that, intentionally or not, can easily cross into greenwashing. Since the 2015 Paris COP, Article 6 negotiations were the forum for some of the most arcane and hair-splitting debates in climate politics, and a reliable target for activists claiming the whole thing is a scam. But when the rulebook was finally settled last year, it seemed like most issues had been resolved, more or less, to everyones satisfaction. The one problem negotiators didnt seem to consider is that many countries would simply choose not to participate in the market. The fundamental problem with Article 6 trading, Furey said, is that it essentially constitutes the subsidization by taxpayers in one country usually a rich one with a big carbon footprint of carbon projects in another, most likely poorer, country. That makes it a hard sell politically, he said. Theres another problem, from the perspective of potential sellers. Say a country in Africa stands up a big reforestation project and sells credits from it, via Article 6, to a European country struggling to meet its ambitious carbon reduction goals. The selling country is prohibited from counting those credits against its own emissions targets. And so far, it seems many potential sellers would rather keep those reductions in-house, rather than sell them off and then have to find some other, probably more expensive way of meeting their target, said Guy Turner, managing director of carbon markets at the ratings firm MSCI. A lot of governments are sitting on the sidelines while they make that decision, he said. And many developing countries simply lack the institutional capacity to properly vet and accredit projects, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question of whether a developing country should keep or sell credits from projects in its borders creates a perverse incentive to lower their climate ambitions, Turner said. If a country really wants to sell, but still meet its own climate targets, all it has to do is lower those targets. If that practice becomes widespread, then Article 6 will amount to a paper-shuffling exercise that exerts no downward pressure on total global emissions. MSCI is currently studying that phenomenon, Turner said, especially since, if the voluntary market is an indication, questions of credibility will ultimately be an important factor for credit pricing. In the meantime, the UNs ability to oversee all of this already appears to be flagging: In a report this week, the Article 6 supervisory body warned that it faces a critical funding shortage. Room for Disagreement Demand for Article 6 credits will probably pick up later this decade once the first deadlines for many countries climate targets start to kick in, Turner said. And demand is slowly recovering in the pre-existing voluntary market, as shadier early projects crumble and more credible projects come online; tech companies in particular still have a voracious appetite for carbon removal credits, as evidenced by a major deal signed by Google last week for credits from the Amazon rainforest. The trickle could turn into, I wont say a flood, but maybe a stream, Turner said. The View From Kenya Ghana has been one of the first countries to make major Article 6 sales, and some other African nations are eager to follow, Ali Mohamed, Kenyas special climate envoy, told Semafor. Kenya is currently working on the domestic regulations it needs to comply with the Article 6 rules, he said. But in the meantime it is facing what he described as bias from potential buyers. Many countries are knocking on our door to buy credits, but they are picky about the kind they want, he said: Reforestation and other nature-based projects are the kind most readily scalable in many African countries, but buyers in Europe are much more interested in more expensive, tech-based approaches. Notable FOREST, Wis. (WFRV) A mechanical issue caused a vehicle hauling shelled corn to overturn and spill across a Wisconsin highway Friday afternoon. At around 2 p.m., the Vernon County Sheriffs Office received a report of a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Highway 82 and County Road P in the Town of Forest. Wisconsin woman dies from suspicious injuries, suspect arrested for homicide Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A preliminary investigation revealed that a 62-year-old Wisconsin man was driving a vehicle loaded with shelled corn southeast on County Road P when it experienced a mechanical issue with the brakes. The vehicle reportedly went off the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment, and came to rest crosswise across both lanes of State Highway 82. The driver was injured and flown by medical helicopter to a nearby hospital. His condition is unknown. Due to cleanup efforts, State Highway 82 was closed until around 4:45 p.m. Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson commended an alert motorist, a 50-year-old woman from Hillsboro, who was traveling east on State Highway 82. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She saw what was unfolding and stopped west of the intersection, said Sheriff Torgerson. Another motorist, a 45-year-old man from Hillsboro, was turning right onto State Highway 82 from County Road P when he saw the truck quickly approaching from behind as he made the turn. Packers, Eagles on MNF results in the most arrests and ejections so far this season This should serve as a reminder to always stay alert when operating a motor vehicle and avoid distractions, concluded Sheriff Torgerson. As always, Id like to thank all of our volunteers who faithfully and selflessly serve our communities. A special thanks to everyone who assisted with the cleanup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crash remains under investigation. 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. By Simon Jessop BELEM, Brazil (Reuters) -Countries trying to shift to clean energy while also preparing for extreme weather and other impacts in a warmer world will need money - a lot of it. As the costs and risks of global warming escalate, the topic of climate finance has become more tense. Here's what you need to know: WHAT IS CLIMATE FINANCE? This describes all funding from governments, development banks, private investors and philanthropies aimed at helping countries cut greenhouse gas emissions or adapt to climate impacts, for example through projects in renewable energy or for flood defenses. WHY DOES IT MATTER? Without climate finance, poorer countries will struggle to decarbonize their economies and protect vulnerable populations. Because these countries contributed the least in emissions, the 1992 U.N. climate treaty determines they should carry less of the burden of addressing the problem today. Climate finance has become a litmus test for trust in international climate negotiations, with the amount committed by wealthy countries seen as a measure of their seriousness about addressing the crisis. WHAT ARE THE MAIN DISPUTES? Countries today disagree about who should pay climate finance, how much is needed and how it should be distributed. Historically, only industrialized countries like the U.S., Japan and nations in Europe have contributed, but pressure is mounting on fast-developing, high-polluting countries such as China, India and the Gulf states to pitch in. Beijing insists it should continue to be treated as a developing nation under the U.N. climate treaty. Developing nations, many already burdened with high debt levels, are also pushing for more grants rather than loans. A World Bank report in December showed external debt held by low- and middle-income countries had risen by more than $205 billion in 2023 to a record $8.8 trillion. WHICH GOALS HAVE BEEN SET AND MET? The world set its first climate finance targets in 2009, with wealthy countries pledging $30 billion annually. They increased that in 2010 to $100 billion by 2020, but did not meet the full annual amount until 2022. Separately, multilateral development banks said they channeled some $137 billion in climate finance in 2024. About 62% of that, or $85.1 billion, went to low- and middle-income countries. A year earlier, the banks had put about $125 billion into climate finance. Last year's COP29 agreement combines those two donor groups in setting a new $300 billion annual target to be met by 2035. Between now and 2035, the target is assumed to remain at the previous $100 billion level, though this is not spelled out in U.N. documentation. Kirkland brand tequilas from Costco are made in Mexico (which is also the only place the spirit is legally allowed to be made) and are enormously popular because like many of the company's house brand items they are an excellent value. While shoppers have come to expect to get a high quality liquor at a sometimes unbelievable price, perhaps the price tag is, indeed, too good to be true. A class action lawsuit filed in Miami, Florida against Costco alleges that the grocery chain misled consumers, claiming that its Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo tequilas are not made with 100% agave as the labels proclaim. According to tequila regulations in the United States and Mexico, tequila brands may only claim to be a product of 100% agave if they are made exclusively from blue agave sugars. In the lawsuit, the plaintiff and their legal team claim that the Kirkland Signature Anejo Crisalino contains cane sugar. They argue that the Kirkland tequila labels lead customers to believe that they are getting a high-quality product for a low price, and many customers would not have purchased said tequilas had they known they were of lesser quality. Read more: The Pros And Cons Of Buying A Refrigerator From Costco What does it mean if Kirkland tequila isn't 100% agave? Row of Kirkland tequilas on orange shelf - The Image Party/Shutterstock If the lawsuit's allegations prove to be true, Kirkland brand tequilas would not qualify as a premium-level product, and the company would either need to change its formula or change its labeling if its formulas remained the same. Legitimate 100% agave tequila must be made fully from blue agave. Tequilas made with cane sugar are not unusual, however, they must be labeled as a "mixto" and cannot be marketed as 100% agave tequila. Mixtos requirements are much looser; these liquors must consist of at least 51% agave, while the remaining 49% can include cane sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or other kinds of sugars. In addition, mixto brands may also contain artificial colors, flavors, and thickeners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So why does this matter? Well, some believe that mixto tequilas can lead to those notorious "tequila hangovers" that have made more than a few people swear off the liquor for life. Mixing the pure agave with sugars and artificial flavors has a similar effect to mixing different kinds of alcohol; the sugar has the potential to increase the severity of the after effects. But the concern isn't just about a hangover it's about knowing exactly what you're paying for. And customers have the right to be upset that their premium tequilas could turn out to be not so premium after all. 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. Felonies The following people were booked into the Lee County-Tupelo Adult Jail in connection with felony charges ending Monday at 11 a.m. Jarquarrious Clark, 17, of Verona, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, shooting into an occupied dwelling. Tremayne Ali Dixon, 27, no address listed, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, burglary, possession of paraphernalia, obstructing a public street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melton Lakes Garcia, 27, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, Department of Corrections warrant, possession of a firearm by a felon, false ID, open container. Dale Wayne Griggs, 50, of Mooreville, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, three counts of trafficking methamphetamine, sale of methamphetamine. Prince Hankins, 38, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, felony fleeing, possession of a firearm by a felon. Shirley Johnson, 34, of Shannon, was arrested by the Shannon Police Department, child abuse. Jordan R. Lowe, 35, of Baldwyn, was arrested by the Baldwyn Police Department, shooting into a dwelling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crawford E. McIntosh, 66, homeless, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of methamphetamine. Isiah McMillen, 35, of Shannon, was arrested by the Shannon Police Department, two counts of child abuse. Kenneth Peter Phillips, 53, homeless, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, forgery. Ron Powell, 62, of Bruce, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, false pretense, possession of counterfeit bills. Daniel Bradford Putt, 45, of Saltillo, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, parole violation. Christopher C. Raper, 37, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, burglary of a vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Javontea D. Smith, 32, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug. Nicholas D. Smith, 46, of Guntown, was arrested by the Guntown Police Department, DUI fourth offense, driving with a suspended license, open container, expired tag. Willie Sykes, 57, of Aberdeen, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, violation of probation. Amanda M. Taylor, 35, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, burglary of a dwelling. Michael Watson, 63, of Bruce, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug, possession of paraphernalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brandon O. Welch, 33, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, two counts of child endangerment, Jonathan K. Whitten, 34, of Saltillo, was arrested by the Mississippi Highway Patrol, possession of a controlled substance, speeding. Lee County Sheriff's Office The following reports were filed Monday by the Lee County Sheriff's Office. A Hayes Drive, Tupelo, woman said she has been hearing strange noises in her room and inside her wall. She hit the wall, and it sounds like something running away. A County Road 1124, Mooreville, woman was leaving home around 7:20 a.m. and encountered a suspicious white male jogging in the neighborhood. As she drove by, the man yelled, Im going to get him. She rolled up her car window and drove away. Her husband called the sheriffs office two days earlier to report a separate incident involving the same subject. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A County Road 683, Saltillo, woman said she has been having an ongoing problem with someone trespassing on her property. She installed a trail camera and captured an image of an unknown white male. Anyone with information on any of these reports is urged to call the Lee County Sheriff's Office at 841-9041, the Tupelo Police Department at 841-6491 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at (800) 773-TIPS or download the P3 Tip App and leave an anonymous tip that way. Despite the cold, windy weather, people lined the parade route in Media for the 66th Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday. The town held its first Veterans Day Parade in 1960, and that tradition of appreciation has continued ever since. The parade's grand marshal, Ed Buffman, a 100-year-old Navy veteran of World War II, had the admiration of both civilians and service members. "Mr. Buffman is a member of the 'Greatest Generation.' I can't hold a candle to that," said Retired Army Servicemember, Bill West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Buffman would rather not keep the focus on himself. The parade featured classic cars, Corvettes carrying veterans, local groups marching and six bands playing patriotic songs. A group of Vietnam veterans led the way on their motorcycles, as they received a long-overdue "thank you" from the crowd. "It does mean a lot," said Chuck Holland with Vietnam Vets USA. "It kind of makes you think of the past a bit, but honestly, we're grateful for all the thank-yous and just glad to be home safe. " The U.S. Veterans Legacy Project organized the parade and the program that followed. The display of gratitude was heartwarming, even if the weather wasn't so warm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Even though it's 35 degrees and freezing cold out here, this is nothing compared to what they went through and to honor them in this way," said Alisha McKinzie of New Castle, Delaware. Her father is a Vietnam veteran. Some parade attendees came to show their pride as veterans, while others came to honor the memory of a veteran. "This is emotional for us because my husband just died in June, so to come out here to honor him, cherish these moments," said Alicia Sabre of Norwood, Pennsylvania. Attendees just hope the next generation doesn't let the tradition fade. "Years ago, this street was lined, two deep, three deep," said Pat Bennett of Claymont, Delaware. "It was really a big turnout. And each year it gets a little less, and it's just sad." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's a cause the parade's grand marshal takes beyond today by making sure the youth know and appreciate the sacrifice of veterans. "That's what we want to do; bring up history," said Buffman. "That's what we are. Living history." Ever since immigrating from Jamaica in 2011, Adrian Dennis dreamed of opening his own food market in Connecticut and spent years learning the business in city markets run by his uncle. Now, with the help of a $250,000 Hartford city loan, Dennis hopes to open his Jam-Dung Supermarket a name loosely drawn from Jamaican slang for welcome home next month on Albany Avenue in Hartfords North End, a short walk from the towering Liberty Christian Center International church. This is going to help me improve in the neighborhood and serve the community and help me finish up the store, Dennis said Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The loan is drawn larger, $16.5 million Hartford Neighborhood Investment Fund announced last fall by Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam created to boost city homeownership, foster economic development and develop programs benefiting children and youth outside of downtown. Two-thirds of the investment fund, about $11.5 million, is focusing on homeownership and economic development, exclusively for city neighborhoods. Of that, $5 million is aimed at revitalizing vacant storefronts on some of the citys most heavily-traveled, highly-visible commercial corridors, including Albany Avenue, Maple Avenue and Park Street. In a recent announcement, Arulampalam announced storefront forgivable loans of $1.6 million divided among Dennis supermarket and other businesses, organizations or projects: Spice & Soul, Island Head Fish Restaurant, South End Pizza, Fung Chinese, Caribe Restaurant, plus the renovation of office space on Park Street. In addition, the nonprofit Upper Albany Main Street, which focuses on the revitalization of the Albany Avenue commercial district also won funding. Forgivable loans act like grants if all lending conditions are met over time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the loans up to $250,000 each didnt need to be matched, city officials said those seeking funding needed to demonstrate their ventures had other sources of financing. The eight awards are expected to attract another $481,250 in separate investment. This program is about people, not just projects, Arulampalam said. Each storefront that we help open or renovate brings new energy, jobs and pride to our commercial corridors. This is how we build a more equitable Hartford, block by block. The storefront revitalization has drawn its inspiration from the success of the Hart Lift storefront revitalization that divided funding between downtown and the city neighborhoods. Since becoming mayor, Arulampalam has said he wants to place more emphasis on city neighborhoods and the investment fund is one avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dennis said he was mentored by his uncle, Carlos Salmon, who started Carlos Supermarket on Farmington Avenue and others in the city and in Bloomfield. Salmon immigrated from Jamaica in 1974 and also started at the ground level, bagging groceries at a local supermarket after graduating from Weaver High School. Dennis said he was welcomed by the Jamaican community in the Albany Avenue neighborhood when he arrived in Hartford and he once lived in an apartment above where he now hopes to open his store. He wants to fill what he sees as a much-needed service in the neighborhood. A lot of people have to walk all the way to lower Albany Avenue to buy groceries, Dennis said. With me being where I am on Albany Avenue, I think its the best fit for the community where its convenient for people to walk who dont drive. Jam-Dung, to be located at 651 Albany Ave. will certainly specialize in Jamaican food, simply because of the growth of the Jamaican population in the Hartford area, Dennis said. But Dennis adds that he wants an open door for the community carrying American and African and Asian lines of groceries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dennis said he has been working on food market project since late last year in a storefront that encompasses 2,900 square feet. City council president Shirley Surgeon said strengthen the citys small business community will pay big dividends in neighborhood revitalization. These are spaces where jobs are created, culture thrives and residents come together, Surgeon said. Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com. Debra Keller remembers sitting in a homeless shelter in Hartford viewing horrific things she never thought she would see. One man was shot in front of her and stabbings were common. She was living on oxygen in a frail state. It was a life far removed from the banking and insurance industry where Keller once worked. Keller found herself homeless at the age of 70 in 2021 after caring for her ill mother who passed away. The bank foreclosed on her mothers home, leaving her homeless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was frightening, she said. You never knew from one day to the next where you would lay your head down at night. Bringing awareness to the rising number of homeless in the state and keenly aware of stories like Kellers who said she was lucky to find housing, State Sen. Saud Anwar slept out in the elements for one night this past Saturday with several others from the nonprofit Hartford Bags of Love. The event aims to highlight deep concerns for the rising number of homeless in the state and the dire need for more funding to keep them warm this winter. The senator said this years statewide point in time count showed nearly a 10% increase to 3,735 people experiencing homelessness. Hundreds of children are currently staying in homeless shelters and thousands of students are identified by their schools as experiencing homelessness, he said. This is Anwars seventh year participating in such an event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homelessness is a symptom of failed policies, said Anwar. The failed policies are not having enough affordable homes and not having a safety net for individuals who may have substance abuse and mental health issues. It is having a safe space for victims of domestic violence and having a management strategy for youth who are going through trouble with family not accepting them for LGBTQ status or other challenges that youth are experiencing and that results in them losing their home and safety net. Close calls In the seven years that Anwar has slept out in the elements for one night to bring awareness to homelessness, he remembers one year when he contemplated if he would survive. Sleeping in 28 degree weather in a sleeping bag on a yoga mat, Anwar could not feel his feet and his hands. You sort of become numb and you are in severe pain in your legs because your blood flow is being impacted, he said. That night I did not think I would make it. At that moment you are praying to survive the night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this years event, his sleep was poor he slept approximately 30 minutes to two hours before waking up due to noise or feeling cold. Joining numerous others with Hartford Bags of Love, a nonprofit helping those in need, Anwar slept Saturday night at Nevers Park in South Windsor with a yoga mat and sleeping bag. The event was also an opportunity to recognize the loss of homeless individuals who died in the state, according to Anwar. Anwar said the lifespan of individuals experiencing homelessness is reduced by 26 to 33 years. Mark Cabot, co-founder of Hartford Bags of Love, said taking part in the event every year is humbling. This year, he shared the experience with his 6-year-old daughter as they huddled to keep warm in the cold temperatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was reminded of the many questions that swirl in the minds of those who are homeless such as whether they are safe or if someone is going to steal from them or if they are going to get enough sleep. It is just a constant reminder why we do the work we do to help those in need, he said. It is not a matter of one organization to fix it. It takes all organizations coming together to fix it and support each other. Also working with Cornerstone Foundation in Vernon, Cabot said that the need of families experiencing homelessness is great and one the nonprofit is unable to meet. We are a triage shelter, he said. We have 40 to 45 families every night and we are at capacity. Dire need Anwar said it is critical that more funding is allocated to homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Ned Lamont has called a special session this week to consider legislation including a bill to address the housing shortage in Connecticut. The proposed bill includes incentives to encourage towns to build more housing, provisions for municipal and regional housing growth plans, first-time homebuyer savings accounts and transit-oriented development, according to the governors office. Anwar said there is simply not enough funding in the new legislation to address the needs in the state. There needs to be money allocated toward the immediate needs this winter because this is an emergency situation, he said, adding that an additional $4 million is needed to take care of individuals experiencing homelessness during the winter months. The CT Mirror reported that the new housing bill, a replacement for House Bill 5002, which was passed by the legislature but vetoed by Lamont, uses opt-in measures and incentives to push municipalities to allow more housing rather than the requirements included in the previous version of the legislation. It also strikes a provision known as fair share. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sarah Fox, CEO of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, said with the increase in homelessness it is critical that there is more funding to help bring the unsheltered population in from the cold this winter. She said especially for senior citizens and the disabled, the rent crisis is pushing them into homelessness as they are unable to afford to pay the rents on Social Security. We are in the midst of an affordable housing and rental crisis in the state, she said. We have more people including senior citizens, and people who are employed who are falling into homelessness than ever before. Last year there were 20,000 evictions in the state, according to Fox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fox said she recalls families, with vouchers for housing in hand, sitting in shelters unable to find housing. We need to bring our neighbors into warmth because it is winter and more people are outside than ever before, she said. We are dealing with the uncertainties at the federal level and then the impact of the disinvestment in affordable housing has long hit home with our neighbors. More people working full-time jobs and elderly people are falling into homelessness. It is closely intertwined with poverty. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is proposing major changes to the agencys Continuum of Care Program that serves 9,000 people in the state to help keep people housed and reduce costly emergency system use, according to the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness. Those proposed actions could gut 50-70% of HUD funding, displacing 9,000 people and eliminating thousands of housing units, with older adults, people with disabilities and families most at risk, according to the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keller lived in several shelters from 2021-23 before receiving aid to find her own apartment. She also advocates for more funding for the homeless, stressing there are not enough resources. She said you have to advocate for yourself to make your way out. You have to be in the right place at the right time and be proactive, she said. You cant just sit there and say, poor me, I am homeless. You have to do something about it. Cudahy may be getting a $50 wheel tax, which would be the highest in Wisconsin. Heres what you need to know: What does Cudahy mayor say about why a wheel tax is needed? Mayor Ken Jankowski said Wisconsin is forcing communities into fee-based services due to tax levy limits. He said Cudahy was facing a $1.1 million gap in a balanced budget. If they would just let us raise taxes to take care of simple city services that we cant afford to pay for anymore, that wouldve solved our problem, Jankowski said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Myself, nor the common council, nor the city administrator, nor the finance director wanted to do this, he said. I gave them specific direction when they told me about this to find some other way. Jankowski said staff worked for the last half-year, trying to trim or streamline whatever they could, but this was determined to be the best solution. He noted the city is already running bare-bones with not enough police, fire or public works employees. Jankowski noted that 51 cities and 14 counties in Wisconsin already had similar fees, with some calling it a wheel tax and others, like Cudahy, calling it a right-of-way fee. Milwaukee may be increasing its wheel tax from $30 to $41, putting it just ahead of Evansville, Fitchburg, Janesville, Madison, Shawano and Oregon, which currently have $40 fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Cudahy gets its $50 right-of-way fee, it would be the highest fee in the state. Milwaukee County currently has a $30 wheel tax. How could a Cudahy wheel tax be charged? The new fee could appear on vehicle-registration fees and would be paid to the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles, which would then forward it to the City of Cudahy. How much money could a Cudahy wheel tax bring in and what would it be spent on? Jankowski estimated the new fee could bring in around $600,000. The money could be used to assist with transportation-related purposes to fund construction, repair, reconstruction and resurfacing of roads, and other transportation-related purposes, according to city documents. With the fee, the whole thing is paper-thin, but we have a balanced budget, Jankowski said. Is anyone exempt from a wheel tax? The wheel tax applies to any automobile, autocycle or truck (8,000 pounds or less) registration, including special plates, according to the Wisconsin DMV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are a few plates exempt from a wheel tax: Antique Collector (Collector Special plates aren't exempt) Ex-Prisoner of War (if issued without registration fee) Historic Military Hobbyist Medal of Honor Special plates issued to farm trucks, dual-purpose farm trucks or motor homes are also exempt. When will the decision be made about this Cudahy fee and other fees? The fees are set to be included on an upcoming common council meeting agenda and, if approved, Jankowski said they could go into effect at the end of January 2026. The right-of-way fee among other new fees that include an urban forestry fee and a streetlighting and traffic signal fee, which could be added to resident utility bills was originally set to be discussed at the Nov. 4 council meeting. The items were tabled to allow Jankowski to hold a town hall and connect with residents questioning the fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the town hall, Jankowski said residents dont like it, but they understand the need for it to keep services at the status quo. I understand people are upset. I dont like paying more money, he said. I get it, but everything in this world goes up. Jankowski said this will also have renters pay their fair share. Theyre contributing to part of the tax base which they never did before, he said. Could a Cudahy wheel tax go away one day? Jankowski said hes working on other ways to bring in revenue or cut costs. The city is considering consolidating its emergency dispatch services with Oak Creek, as South Milwaukee and St. Francis have already done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were also very early discussions between Cudahy, St. Francis and South Milwaukee on the possibility of consolidating fire departments to streamline services, Jankowski said. South Milwaukee City Administrator Patrick Brever said in an email to the Journal Sentinel that the three municipalities met in August for a preliminary discussion on potentially pursuing a consolidated fire department. At the conclusion of that meeting, South Milwaukee representatives shared that we were not interested in pursuing this endeavor at this time, Brever said. We feel that our residents are already receiving high quality services from the SMFD and the existing Milwaukee County shared service model. If some services can be streamlined or another revenue stream is found, Jankowski said, we can pull all these (fees) back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (This story was updated to add new information.) Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Cudahy residents could be charged highest wheel tax in Wisconsin The father was found guilty of wrongful imprisonment in 2011 after failing to return his sons -- 9, 7, and 5 years old -- to their mother after Thanksgiving and sentenced to 10 to 15 years; the boys have never been found. A Michigan man who failed to return his three young sons to their mother after Thanksgiving back in 2010 will soon walk free from prison after he was sentenced on three counts of wrongful imprisonment. The boys have not been seen alive since. On November 29, he's set to be released after serving nearly his full 10 to 15 year sentence. John Skelton, 53, was found guilty of wrongful imprisonment in 2011, nearly a year after his three sons seemingly vanished without a trace while in his custody. He has been eligible for parole since 2020, but the parole board has denied his requests for release, according to Fox affiliate WJBK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skelton had custody of sons Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5 on Thanksgiving Day in 2010, according to Law&Crime, and assured their mother, Tanya Zuvers, that he would bring them back the next morning. They've not been seen since. To view all content on this page click here. An investigation into their disappearances uncovered that Skelton's cell phone went to Ohio at around 4:30 a.m. on the morning after Thanksgiving, about 30 miles from the Michigan border. It was then turned off and approximately two hours and fifteen minutes later, turned back on again at his home. Also on that day, police reported that Skelton called a friend to bring him to the hospital after he'd broken his ankle following a failed suicide attempt. WJBK reports that after Zuvers could not find him at his home, discovering that he was instead at the hospital and their sons were missing, police were able to get inside the home where they described finding the house destroyed, but no sign of the boys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a prison interview years later, in 2018, Skelton told police that a van had arrived at his home and taken the boys away to an "underground sanctuary" run by two women and a man in his 60s. He allegedly said that they were sent away because his ex-wife was a "danger to the boys." Smallville's Allison Mack Breaks Silence on NXIVM Sex Cult Branding, Slave Punishment: 'I Was Abusive' - Click image for related story Investigators could find no evidence to support this story. "This begs the question that if John felt his boys were unsafe with Tanya and he was able to truly hide the boys with an underground group for their safety, why would he attempt suicide?" an attorney wrote in December 2023 alongside Zuvers' petition to have her sons legally declared dead. "Why would he tell multiple lies and provide misdirection for the police? If his story were true, one would be led to believe that he should be happy in his endeavor to hide his boys, not suicidal," the petition added. "Why lie, deceive, misdirect and withhold information? His actions do not match up with the multiple lies he has told." In March 2025, Zuvers' petition was granted, setting the dates of death for each of the boys to the day of their disappearance, per CBS News. Despite extensive searches in Michigan and Ohio, investigators have found no trace of the boys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While in prison, investigators said that Skelton also sent them on an ultimately fruitless hunt into Amish county after telling them to look into a former reality TV personality and mystery writer who'd been excommunicated from the group, claiming this individual knew where they were. Woman Accused of Putting Adopted Girl, 6, Into Box Where She Suffocated, Burying Her in Yard: Police - Click image for related story Police did make contact with this individual, per the outlet, who told them that while he and his wife did have a boarding home for anyone wanting to leave the Amish community, they had never heard of Skelton, his missing children, or even the investigation at all. Skelton later told police he'd made that story up, per Law&Crime. After his alleged failed suicide attempt on the day he was supposed to bring the boys back to her, Zuvers told investigators that she spoke with him and was told several different stories about what happened to their children. That conversation prompted her to contact the police and report them missing, triggering the investigation. Those myriad stories, according to the bereft mother and police, purportedly ranged from the boys being with a "friend" to Skelton having "a vision" that they were "put in a dumpster" in Ohio, that they were with a woman named "Joanne Taylor," and even that he had no idea where they were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zuvers told police that she believes her ex-husband chose that television personality simply because he'd seen him on television. Her petition notes that the "tip" from Skelton came shortly after he was moved into protective custody and given access to a TV, and that the former Amish man's show was airing at the time. Teacher's Aide Accused of Having Sex with Teen, Becoming 'Flirty' When He Was 12: Police - Click image for related story She also said that Skelton had told her at one point that "the boys would hibernate until they graduate," per WJBK. Were they still alive, all three boys would now be old enough to have graduated high school. "If the boys were still alive, they could be of age where they would now be adults," Zuver's petition insisted. "If John Skelton's lies were true, the boys should now be able to be brought back into society, however, this has not happened and the authorities have not received any type of cooperation from John Skelton." This also wasn't the first time that Skelton had taken the boys from Zuvers, per WJBK. He also took them out of school two months before their disappearances in 2010, claiming that he was taking them on a trip to Florida to see his parents. Zuvers and Skelton divorced after this incident and she was granted custody just before they vanished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zuvers attempted to get a judge to declare Skelton responsible for their deaths, according to Law&Crime, but was denied. He has never been charged in connection with their alleged deaths. Despite law enforcement and Zuvers testifying they have "no doubt" that Skelton killed his sons at the March hearing, per CourtTV, Lenawee County Judge Catherine Sala said there is still not sufficient evidence to prove Skelton killed them. She called the evidence speculative and circumstantial and the investigators' stance opinion based mainly on hearsay. If you or someone you know needs help, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources. Danville School District has been awarded a $317,000 grant to enhance safety measures. The grant, from the U.S. Department of Justice, will fund three major infrastructure improvements, according to an announcement. The improvements include a campus-wide intercom and emergency communications system, an upgraded digital surveillance system with real-time analytics and always-locked interior classroom door mechanisms to expedite lockdowns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These projects address the three most urgent vulnerabilities identified in our recent National Institute of Justice School Safety Assessment, Principal Sarah Welch said. For a small, rural district like Danville, this federal support means we can move from good intentions to real, lasting safety improvements that protect every child and staff member. A Danville School District bus in 2018. New systems will replace decades-old equipment The new systems will replace decades-old equipment that hasn't properly covered all corners of the district, including a 30-year-old announcement system, according to the news release. Safety should never depend on a ZIP code, Danville School Board Chair Clayton Cargill said. This grant allows us to bring 21st-century safety technology to a historic Vermont school while respecting both student privacy and community values. Local partners, including the Vermont State Police, Caledonia County Sheriffs Office, Danville Volunteer Fire Department and Washington County Mental Health Services, will play key roles in implementation and ongoing training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danville School serves roughly 300 students from prekindergarten to 12th grade in the Northeast Kingdom. Project expected to be completed in 18 months The district anticipates completing the project within 18 months and integrating it into regular safety drills. Prior to Danvilles award, there had been only two Vermont recipients among the 1,208 awards nationwide since the grants inception in 2018, according to the school. 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 Burlington Free Press: Danville School District aims to boost safety with $317K grant SPRINGFIELD, Ill. Illinois Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey has announced that he plans remain in the race for Illinois Governor following the deaths of his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren in a helicopter crash in Montana. Baileys son, Zach Bailey; daughter-in-law, Kelsey; and their children, 12-year-old Vada Rose and 7-year-old Samuel, were killed in the crash on Oct. 22. Zach Bailey, who was flying the helicopter, was a commercial pilot attending a convention in Montana to expand his business as a fourth-generation farmer at the time of the crash. The couples ten-year-old son, Finn, was not on the flight and survived. In a video posted on social media Monday, Bailey, along with his wife, Cindy, announced his intention to continue his bid for Illinois governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last two weeks have been some of the hardest days of our lives. But your prayers, your messages and your love have carried us, Bailey said. After a lot of prayer and reflection, Cindy and I have decided were staying in this race Governor. Bailey, a Republican who previously ran against current Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2022, kicked off his campaign in September. Other Republicans seeking a possible nomination include DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, Wirepoints president Tad Dabrowski, real estate developer Rick Heidner and small business owner Joseph Severino. The Illinois primary election will be held on March 17, 2026. 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 2. CNN analyst and former Obama administration adviser David Axelrod said Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is in bigger trouble with Democrats than ever, and predicted the party will have a new Senate leader after the 2026 midterm elections. Schumer spent Sunday night and all of Monday serving as a punching bag for members of his own party, even more so than usual. On Sunday, eight Senate Democrats voted to advance a Republican bill to fund and reopen the federal government, which shut down on Oct. 1. Republicans control the chamber 53-47, but 60 votes were needed to overcome a procedural hurdle known as cloture. The eight Democrats gave the bill the 60 votes it needed, as one Republican voted against the measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Democrats held out in the hopes that Republicans would agree to support an extension of Covid-era subsidies for healthcare premiums under the Affordable Care Act. Those subsidies are set to expire on Dec. 31, after which the average out-of-pocket premium cost is expected to double for a majority of the 24 million Americans who receive healthcare under the ACA. Republicans refused to agree to an extension, but the eight Democrats gave them the necessary votes anyway. Although Schumer was not one of the eight, Democrats have fumed at what they see as either his inability to wrangle his own caucus or a tacit approval of the defections. Axelrod appeared on Mondays AC360 on CNN, where Anderson Cooper asked him, Do you think Schumer could be in trouble here with the left flank of the party? I think hes been in trouble, Axelrod replied. I think he is in bigger trouble now. I honestly, I think Senator Schumers been there since 1982. My guess is that he wont be leader of the party in 2027 after this election unless something really surprising happens. Axelrod pivoted to last weeks elections in several states, where Democrats won big in New Jersey, New York, and Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And I think one of the problems Republicans have to consider now is Democrats did do a very good job of shining a bright light on this Affordable Care Act issue and the general issue of health care costs, he continued. And now Republicans were steadfast in opposing a solution to it. Maybe theyll change their mind. But this is a heavy burden for them to carry into the midterm elections. In March, Schumer agreed to advance a Republican funding bill without receiving any concessions. Watch above via CNN. The post David Axelrod Says Chuck Schumer Is Likely Cooked as Democratic Leader: Hes in Bigger Trouble Now first appeared on Mediaite. Swiss financial data company FE fundinfo has acquired Contengo, a UK-based wealth technology company, for an undisclosed sum. Contengos technology is designed to gather transaction and client information from adviser platforms and back-office systems. The acquisition allows FE fundinfo to incorporate Contengos technology into its Nexus platform, introducing a new feature referred to as the command deck. Through the integration, FE fundinfo aims to enhance its platforms data collection and aggregation capabilities. This integration will allow financial advisers to access data-driven insights to support their decision-making processes and manage their operations. The new command deck feature is said to enable advisers to deliver financial advice based on up-to-date information. It will also offer money-weighted performance analysis using artificial intelligence. Licensed users of the companys FE Analytics tool can monitor portfolio performance in real time and compare portfolios to simulated alternatives. Also, the new feature allows them to conduct outcome analysis to demonstrate compliance with consumer duty regulations. FE fundinfo chief executive Liam Healy said: This acquisition underscores our commitment to providing IFAs with a unified, data-rich experience that drives better outcomes for their clients and streamlines day-to-day operations. Were thrilled to have Contengo as part of FE fundinfo, and look forward to how it will help Nexus for Financial Advisers connect underlying workflows and both business and customer data across the IFA value chain, bringing a central command deck and integrated client service to financial advisers. The command deck feature will provide advisers with access to fee data, cost monitoring tools, and enhanced transparency in client reporting. It enables advisers to deliver financial plans with current valuations and transaction histories, reducing the need for manual data entry and minimising the risk of errors. Also, advisers can conduct scenario modelling instantly, based on live data. In September last year, FE fundinfo introduced an updated Factsheet Production solution to streamline factsheet creation and delivery to the FE fundinfo network. "FE fundinfo acquires wealth technology firm Contengo" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. David Cook has been named president of Iowa State University. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) David Cook, leader of North Dakota State University, has been named the new president of Iowa State University. The Iowa Board of Regents announced Tuesday afternoon that Cook, one of two finalists for the Iowa State University presidency, has been chosen to lead ISU after President Wendy Wintersteens retirement in January. His official start date is March 1, Iowa Board of Regents President Sherry Bates said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boards vote was unanimous, and we are excited to have him here and see how he continues to move Iowa State forward, Bates said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Under his five-year contract, Cook will receive an annual salary of $700,000 and a five-year deferred plan starting March 1, 2026, with annual, $100,000 contributions, according to a press release from the board of regents. Cook told ISU community members during a public forum last week that returning to ISU would be like coming home, as he grew up in Ames and completed his undergraduate education at the university. He said at the time he would not come back just to reinvent the wheel if selected, but to build on the legacy Wintersteen left and bring ISU to new heights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whoever got this job was going to be in great shape, because she left the place better than she found it, Cook said. Thats incredibly obvious to me, the amazing work thats been done under her tenure, and Im going to do my best to keep it going. Wintersteen announced her plans to retire in May, after which the board of regents contracted with AGB Search and formed a committee to review candidates. Working with a timeline described by AGB Search Managing Principal Rodrick McDavis as very, very, very tight, the presidential search committee spent the summer creating a presidential profile and going through applicants, eventually narrowing down a pool of 78 people to eight semifinalists. Of the four finalists selected for in-person interviews and public inquiry through forums, only two ended up coming to campus last week Cook and Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean Benjamin Houlton. Cook told reporters Tuesday after the announcement that he had never thought as an ISU student that he would be in the position hes in now, but when the job opened up he was immediately extremely interested in it and didnt have to think long about applying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he will remain president-elect for a few more months, Cook said he will spend this time ensuring a smooth transition at North Dakota State University and getting connected with his new university a lot of outreach, a lot of listening, a lot of engagement. Understanding ISUs finances and its relationship with the Iowa Legislature are both high priorities, he said, as he will enter his new role fully during the legislative session. Our biggest funder is the state Legislature, our biggest partner and collaborator, and so really doing my best to understand the relationship, how that whole process works, and frankly, what the legislature wants to see from the institution, Cook said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Frigid overnight temperatures recorded in the early hours of Veterans Day at Daytona Beach International Airport tied a record-setting low set nearly 70 years ago, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne. Unofficially, we did get down to 35 degrees for Tuesday, Nov. 11, in Daytona Beach, said Brendan Schaper, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne. That would have potentially tied a record set in 1956, but its not an official set record yet until we get through the rest of Tuesday night. Other low temperatures reported countywide overnight into Tuesday ranged from 36 degrees in New Smyrna Beach; to 35 degrees in DeLand; and 36 degrees in Ormond Beach, Schaper said. With the impact of a brisk north wind, wind chill values in those areas dipped into the upper 20s, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Flagler County, a low temperature of 34 degrees was recorded at Flagler Executive Airport in Palm Coast. Because the National Weather Service doesnt keep official records there, its unclear whether that represented a record low temperature, Schaper said. More record-setting lows possible in Daytona Beach, Flagler More potentially record-setting lows are expected again overnight into Wednesday, Nov. 12, according to forecasters. A frost advisory has been issued for areas that include inland Volusia County from midnight to 8 a.m. Wednesday. Temperatures are forecast to remain below normal on Tuesday, with highs only reaching the mid-50s to mid-60s, according to a forecast discussion posted by the National Weather Service in Melbourne. A graphic from the National Weather Service in Melbourne offers details about a frost advisory in east Central Florida, including parts of Volusia County. By Tuesday night, lows are forecast to dip into the mid- to upper-30s near and north of the Interstate 4 corridor and into the 40s southward and along the coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This morning (Tuesday) was our coldest morning, Schaper said, but itll still be pretty cold tomorrow morning, in the mid- to upper-30s. With winds subsiding overnight and temperatures falling into the mid-30s in some spots, the development of frost will be possible, particularly across portions of Lake County and inland Volusia County. A frost advisory has been issued for these areas overnight. Residents are advised to take proper precautions relative to any sensitive plants. A high surf advisory remains in effect through 7 p.m. Tuesday for all east coast Atlantic beaches for large breaking waves of 4-7 feet in the surf zone. A high rip current risk also is in effect through Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By late Wednesday, a warming trend is forecast to arrive through the remainder of the week and into the weekend, with highs in the 70s to low-80s and lows in the 50s to mid-60s. In Flagler County, a freeze warning to go into effect In Flagler County, a freeze warning will be in effect for inland areas countywide from 11 p.m. Tuesday-8 a.m. Wednesday for potential sub-freezing temperatures at 32 degrees or lower, according to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville. A graphic from the National Weather Service in Jacksonville offers details about a freeze warning and frost advisory in areas that include Flagler County. A frost advisory also will be in effect from 3-8 a.m. Wednesday for portions of coastal northeast Florida, including Palm Coast, according to the NWS in Jacksonville. Forecasters advise that frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation and sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered. Daytona Beach weather radar Radar Daytona Beach weather Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11: Sunny, with a high near 56 and nighttime low around 40. Windy, with a north wind 15-25 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesday, Nov. 12: Patchy frost before 8 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 68 and nighttime low around 49. West northwest wind around 5 mph. Thursday, Nov. 13: Sunny, with a high near 72 and nighttime low around 55. North wind 5-10 mph. Friday, Nov. 14: Sunny, with a high near 74 and nighttime low around 59. Northwest wind 5-10 mph becoming north-northeast in the afternoon. Palm Coast weather Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11: Sunny, with a high near 55 and nighttime low around 38. Wind chill values as low as 29 early. Windy, with a north wind 11-21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Wednesday, Nov. 12: Sunny, with a high near 68 and nighttime low around 47. West wind around 6 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday, Nov. 13: Sunny, with a high near 72 and nighttime low around 53. Northwest wind 5-7 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Friday, Nov. 14: Sunny, with a high near 74 and nighttime low around 56. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona ties record low temp, as freeze warning issued for Flagler With colder weather ahead and energy costs continuing to rise, Delmarva Power is offering Delaware residents a chance to get help paying their utility bills. The company, in partnership with Energize Delaware, will host a Customer Relief Fund event 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the Delmarva Power Conference Center, 4100 S. Wakefield Drive in Newark. Eligible customers can receive up to $300 in energy assistance to help offset rising costs and learn about other ways to manage costs. Company representatives also will be on hand to share energy-saving tips, guidance on lowering monthly bills and provide information about additional support programs. Delmarva Power & Light's location at 401 Eagle Run Rd. in Christiana. Attendees should bring a photo ID, proof of income, if available, and a recent utility bill to complete registration. Spanish-speaking representatives will be available. More details can be found at delmarva.com/ReliefDE or delmarva.com/ReliefMD. Why energy bills are rising Energy bills across Delaware are climbing, and state officials say delivery costs are a major reason why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Delaware Division of the Public Advocate, much of the increase comes from the rising costs Delmarva Power charges to distribute or deliver gas and electricity to homes. These delivery costs have grown significantly in recent years. WINTER ENERGY ADVICE: Best temperature setting for thermostats this winter? Here's what Energy Department says In late summer, Delmarva Power filed notice of its intention to raise its gas cost rate by about 43%. The Division of the Public Advocate noted that while this rate is tied to fuel purchase costs and does not generate profit, the adjustment still means higher bills for consumers. According to Delmarva Power, gas-only residential customers could see their average monthly bill rise from about $85 to $96. Other ways to save and get assistance In addition to Delmarva Powers relief event, Delaware residents have access to several programs that can help reduce energy use and control costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Energize Delaware, a nonprofit organization, offers the Home Energy Checkup and Counseling Program, which provides free one-hour home energy assessments, installation of energy-saving products and expert advice on reducing energy use. Participants may receive items such as LED bulbs, efficient showerheads, furnace filters, door sweeps and smart power strips. The Weatherization Assistance Program, operated by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control through its Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy, also provides free home energy audits for income-qualified homeowners and renters. After the evaluation, participants may receive upgrades like insulation, weatherstripping and energy-efficient lighting at no cost. IMPROVING FOOD DISTRIBUTION: Delaware partners with AI company to distribute 10,000 pounds of food to those in need Residents also can contact the Energy Coordinating Agency or First State Community Action Agency for information about programs, eligibility and appointments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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: Delmarva Power plans event to provide assistance as gas bills increase Two of America's largest carriers, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines, have canceled nearly 1,000 flights combined as they comply with an unprecedented Federal Aviation Administration directive triggered by the ongoing government shutdown. The FAA took the unprecedented step to request all major carriers to shave 10% of their scheduled operations at 40 of the busiest airports around the country due to severe staffing shortages among air traffic controllers who have been working without pay during the extended federal shutdown. Southwest Reduces Schedule Across 34 Airports Southwest has reduced its schedule across 34 of the total 117 airports the airline serves - cutting around 400 flights in total, with approximately 140 flights canceled on Monday, 155 on Tuesday, and 145 more planned for Wednesday. The Dallas-based carrier emphasized that international flights remain unaffected by the directive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The vast majority of our customers will not be impacted by these changes," Southwest stated, offering flexible rebooking options and full refunds for passengers who choose not to travel, regardless of whether their specific flight was canceled. Delta Cancels Nearly 500 Domestic Flights Delta Air Lines commented that the order has led to almost 500 domestic flights with the SkyTeam carrier being cancelled. The Atlanta-based airline has completed all FAA-directed cancellations through Wednesday and is providing automatic rebooking for affected passengers on the next available flights. Delta is prioritizing international flights and hub-to-hub connections while canceling regional and connecting flights that don't pass through major hubs. The airline has waived all change fees and is offering refunds to passengers who elect not to travel. Escalating Impact of Government Shutdown The order was implemented due to the ongoing Federal Government shutdown, which has seen a reduction in Air Traffic Controllers and TSA employees showing up for work out of sheer frustration of being expected to work without pay. The reductions began at 4% and are gradually increasing to the full 10% target by next Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Industry experts warn that if the shutdown continues, travel could be severely impacted during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday period, traditionally one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. More than 1,500 flights within, into or out of the U.S. were canceled as of early Monday, according to FlightAware, with thousands more experiencing delays. Other Major Carriers Also Affected The directive impacts all major U.S. airlines, with American Airlines canceling approximately 220 flights daily and United Airlines cutting fewer than 200 flights per day. Airlines for America estimates a daily economic impact of $285-580 million when the flight reductions reach their full 10% target. All affected airlines are waiving change fees and offering flexible rebooking options. Passengers are strongly advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport and consider alternative travel arrangements if possible during this period of uncertainty. Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, in May 2024. (Photo courtesy of Dan Helmer campaign) Days before the June 2024 Democratic primary for Virginias 10th Congressional District, allegations surfaced that Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, had sexually assaulted a woman. Helmer, who finished second in the crowded contest, later filed a defamation lawsuit claiming the allegations were false and politically motivated. By late October, the defendants a group of people connected to a Northern Virginia Democratic committee had settled the case out of court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Helmer said that they couldnt discuss the case in detail because the terms are confidential, but added that the matter was settled to the satisfaction of the parties. The lawsuit had originally been filed against Avram Fechter, Charles King and Lissa Savaglio. Fechter and Savaglio have been involved with the Loudoun County Democratic Committee, while King has served as Savaglios attorney. Although Fechter and King have settled, Savaglio has not. She was identified as the woman who allegedly accused Helmer of groping her during a 2018 event. In the suit that was filed in January, Helmer claimed that in May 2024, Savaglio contacted him to warn that a grassroots activist had asked her about rumours of sexual misconduct between the two. According to the filing, she offered no additional details at the time but allegedly said the rumors were false and called them typical Republican tactics. The suit also included screenshots of text messages purportedly between Helmer and Savaglio, as well as an image showing her at a different event on the night of the alleged incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the story was first reported by NOTUS, a national outlet, last summer, Fechter said the incident prompted the Loudoun County Democratic Committee to adopt a new policy to prevent sexual misconduct. He also said no immediate action was taken after the alleged 2018 incident because the alleged victim was not yet willing to come forward publicly. It remains unclear what the terms of the settlement were, though Helmer had originally sought $15 million in damages. As Savaglio has not settled, it remains to be seen if the unresolved claims will proceed in court and what additional evidence either side may present. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX [Editors note: This article was originally published on February 26 of this year; were pleased to repost it today for Veterans Day.] IF YOU SPEND AS MUCH TIME AS I DO around current and former members of the military, you cant avoid knowing a lot of MAGAs. Thats just the way it is. But most service members and veterans arent rabid Trump supporters. Most of them are basically like anyone elsethey only pay attention to politics when they have to. There is one exception, of course: Issues concerning the military and veterans matter a lot more to them than to the average American. Thats why Im one of the relatively few vets I know who pulled the lever for Kamala Harris last yearand I wasnt thrilled about it. I pretty much despised Joe Biden, but Donald Trump disparaged John McCain and tried to conduct a coup. No way I was going to vote for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It shouldnt be so unusual for the military community to vote for Democrats. It didnt used to be. Democrats relatively recently lost the ability to connect with veterans, troops, and their families. But they have plenty of incentives to solve this problemand, if they can get their act together, they have the capacity to reconnect with the military community, too. If you want to connect to the best pro-democracy community on the internet, become a Bulwark+ member. ACCORDING TO EXIT POLLS, veterans supported Trump over Harris by a whopping 31 percent. Just four years earlier, Trumps margin with veterans was just 21 percent. While Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin all have lower-than-average proportions of veterans in their populations, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevadathe other states that swung from Trump to Biden back to Trumpall have larger-than-average proportions of veterans. Nationwide, veterans are about 6 percent of the population, so in a race where the popular vote was decided by 1.5 points, their votes matter a lot. If anything, though, the raw number of veterans actually understates the number of votes that might be winnable by Democrats. Most of those veterans have family and friends who, if they havent navigated life in the military and the bureaucracy of the Veterans Administration themselves, have seen or heard about it. By appealing to veterans, Democrats can appeal to anyone who cares about military and veterans issues, whether they personally wore the cloth of the country or not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats have given plenty of reasons for servicemembers and veterans not to vote for them. The shameful abandonment of Iraq under Barack Obama and the even more humiliating betrayal of Afghanistan under Joe Biden did nothing to communicate to those who served that Democrats understand that their sacrifices were for somethingfor a mission they were ordered to believe inand that the only thing that can make those sacrifices worth it is victory. I revile Trump, but when he criticized Biden for not having held anyone accountable for the Afghanistan debacle, I agreedBiden bore ultimate responsibility, but so did the commanders below him, yet none of them paid any price for their incompetence. It doesnt help that Democrats have a real problem communicating with men, who still make up a disproportionate part of the military communityand many of those men take their masculinity very seriously. Case in point: In her closing-argument speech at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., Harris mentioned women six times but men just onceand that once was praise for supporting women. Thats just not going to cut it among a bunch of guys who like to consider themselves macho manly men. When Democrats limit themselves, as Harris did, to hollow repetitions of the word lethality to describe their military policies, they cede ground to Pete Hegseth. Share THERE COULD BE ANCILLARY BENEFITS to Democrats making a hard sell to veterans. Its not just about doing the right thing, its about being seen to be doing the right thing. A recent Quinnipiac survey found that 57 percent of registered voters have an unfavorable view of the Democratic party, while just 31 percent had a favorable view. By comparison, Americans trust in the military stands at 60 percent, which despite being a two-decade low is still greater than any institution except for small businesses as a group. Two-thirds of Americans believe that veterans are more reliable and hardworking than non-veterans, and 69 percent said they were more loyal. Fifty-nine percent agree that veterans are more patriotic. It shouldnt take a marketing genius to see that Democrats could stand to benefit from more closely associating themselves with the military and veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, its not healthy for one party to be associated with the militaryespecially for the military, which must remain strictly nonpartisan and loyal only to the Constitution. But the most proximate danger isnt that Democrats will become the military party, but the opposite. Despite his artful and assiduous avoidance of the draft and his many insults to those who served, Donald Trump has fashioned himself an avatar of the military. His recent habit of saluting the flag during the national anthem, rather than holding his hand over his heart as civilians are supposed to, is just the most recent example. Far from politicizing the military, Democrats would be helping to depoliticize the military by making military policy and proper care for veterans areas of legitimate partisan competition, rather than dominance by one party at the expense of the other. Thats not to say that the Democrats pitch to service members and veterans has to begin at election season. If, as many fear, Trump may ask the military to carry out unlawful orders, perhaps even against American citizens, the opposition party should have as much good will within the ranks as it can. Democrats should work overtime to ensure that those in the military, who right now dont favor them at the ballot box, dont come to see them as the enemy. Its a dark necessity, but a real one. Share The Bulwark THERE ARE SIGNS OF HOPE. The 2024 Democratic National Convention was as patriotic an event as Ive seen in my life, and showcased some of the partys most impressive veteransbut not enough. The decision to give a prime speaking slot to Adam Kinzingerwho isnt even a Democratwas inspired. But the decision to showcase Sen. Mark Kelly at the expense of Sen. Tammy Duckworthnot as much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The broader anti-Trump coalition may loathe JD Vance, Tulsi Gabbard, and Michael Waltz, but all deployed during the Global War on Terror. Tim Walz did not. While much of the controversy over Walzs service history was manufactured and phony, veterans know the difference between someone whos been over there and someone who hasnt.1 I dont know what you see in these people, my brothers-in-arms often said to me about Harris and Walz. JD Vance went from corporal to vice presidential candidate. And he deployed to Iraq. I dont think Tim Walz ever deployed. The Democrats could have made a better run at veterans in 2024, but where were they? Where were Wes Moore and Seth Moulton and Jason Crow and Elaine Luria? These politiciansand Duckworth and Abigail Spanberger and Elissa Slotkin (the CIA counts) and Mikie Sherillshould lead the charge into 2026 and beyond. The Democrats have a deep reservoir of talented veteran leadership. They know how to talk with MAGA because most of their comrades probably supported Trump. They should be the ones who try to mend the fences between the Democratic party and the troops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Share 1 Correction (February 26, 2025, 12:33 p.m. EST): As originally written, this paragraph referred to Sen. Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and naval aviator, as someone who had not deployed during the Global War on Terrorerroneously implying that he had not served over there at all, when in fact he flew more than three dozen combat missions during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Scientists in Australia have identified a new species of native bee with tiny, devil-like horns that have earned it a playfully hellish name lucifer. The species, Megachile lucifer, was discovered by scholars surveying a critically endangered wildflower in Western Australias Goldfields in 2019, according to a study published Monday in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research. The highly distinctive, upward-pointing horns on the female bees face inspired its name, said Kit Prendergast, lead author of the study and an adjunct research fellow at Curtin University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When writing up the new species description[,] I was watching the Netflix show Lucifer, Prendergast said in a statement Tuesday. The name just fit perfectly. The species was discovered by scholars surveying a critically endangered wildflower. (Kit S. Prendergast; Joshua W. Campbell) A DNA test later showed that the species didnt match any known bees in existing databases, making it the first new member of this group to be described in more than 20 years, researchers said. The horns, each measured at about 0.9 millimeters long, could be used to access flowers, compete for resources, and defend nests, researchers suggested, though their exact functions remain unclear. The species male bees lack the horns. The discovery highlighted the need to study native bees, Prendergast said, adding that the new species could be at risk from habitat disturbance and other threatening processes like climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without knowing which native bees exist and what plants they depend on, we risk losing both before we even realize theyre there, she said. Australia has around 2,000 native bee species, more than 300 of which are yet to be scientifically named and described, according to CSIRO, an Australian national science agency. The countrys native bees are understudied and data poor, leading to a lack of knowledge on the conservation status of almost all species, Tobias Smith, a bee researcher at the University of Queensland, told NBC News in an email Tuesday. Australian authorities need stronger policies to protect native bees from habitat loss, inappropriate fire regimes, and increased risks from megafires, said Smith, who is not involved in the study. Smith said he encouraged Australians to get outside and look for some native bees and appreciate them. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Danish government and the parliamentary defence committee have approved details of Denmark's 28th military aid package for Ukraine, worth 1.4 billion kroner (US$217 million). Source: Denmark's Ministry of Defence, as reported by European Pravda Details: The new package includes an additional 100 million kroner for the Danish model the production of weapons in Ukraine. Denmark will also allocate over 370 million kroner to the PURL initiative, which funds the purchase of US-made weapons for Ukraine, and 80 million kroner for fuel to be procured through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With this aid package, we will provide Ukraine with a number of crucial capabilities in the coming months through the Danish model and the PURL initiative," said Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen. Background: Denmark's previous (27th) military aid package for Ukraine, worth 2.6 billion kroner (US$407 million), was announced in September. With this latest contribution, Denmark has now pledged nearly 71 billion kroner in total support for Ukraine since 2022, including both delivered and planned aid. Earlier, the German government announced plans to increase its support for Ukraine's defence against Russian aggression to over 11.5 billion next year. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist chef and restaurateur was charged with assaulting a person and later accused of threatening the victim after he was ordered by the court to stay away. Enosh Kelley has been in and out of Polk County Jail for allegedly violating a court-issued no contact order after he was arrested and charged with domestic assault on Oct. 4 in Des Moines. Kelley, the chef behind the former Bistro Montage, one of Des Moines most acclaimed French restaurants on Ingersoll Avenue, faces one count of domestic abuse assault and three counts of violating a no-contact order, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attorney for Kelley declined to comment on the case. Enosh Kelley stands for a portrait on Oct. 27, 2025, in Des Moines. Bistro Montage closed in 2016 but Kelley, 55, is working with David Baruthio, owner of former Baru 66, to open a new iteration of the restaurant at 2701 Ingersoll Ave. in the Star Lofts building. The chefs aim to open the "very classic French restaurant" in 2026. Kelley was a semifinalist for Best Chef Midwest in 2009 for Bistro Montage. Baruthio did not respond to the Register's request for comment. Kelley most recently was released from Polk County Jail on Nov. 7 after being booked the day prior on a no-contact order violation. Des Moines police officers initially arrested Kelley on Oct. 3 after he allegedly tried to take a phone from the victim's hand by wrenching their arm behind their back, according to a criminal complaint. He then threw the person to the ground before striking them multiple times on the face, head and arms, court documents allege. Des Moines police officers said the victim had redness and swelling on the side of their face, as well as bruising on their forearm and broken fingernails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim declined to comment when reached by the Register. Kelley was placed in a pretrial release program, which provides supervision to people who are charged with crimes but are allowed to stay out of county jails while awaiting trial. He also was ordered to stay away from the victim through a no-contact order. Officials accused Kelley of violating the no-contact order on Oct. 6 when he allegedly drove near the victim's workplace in Urbandale. The victim called the police to report that their coworker had seen Kelley's car at their workplace. Urbandale city traffic cameras also captured Kelley's car driving toward the victim's workplace, then away from it about 10 minutes later, court documents show. The officer found that Kelley's pretrial release GPS tracker also showed him near the victim's workplace, according to court records. Kelley later turned himself in to the Urbandale Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelley was taken to Polk County Jail on Oct. 7 and released on bond the following day. His pretrial release also was revoked. Des Moines police arrested Kelley again in early November. He faces two additional charges for violating the no-contact order. According to court documents, Kelley messaged a witness in the case, asking if they would "bend the ear" of the victim to change their statements. Kelley also is accused of asking a friend of the victim to pass on threatening messages to them, according to court documents. Kelley returned to Polk County Jail on Nov. 6, but was once again released after paying a $40,000 bond $20,000 for each violation of the no-contact order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim has filed for relief and alleges that Kelley possesses weapons, court documents show. His hearing for violating the no-contact order is Nov. 19 at the Polk County Criminal Courts Building. Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Chef Enosh Kelley charged with assault, no-contact order violation Videos show a Turkish Air Force C-130E Hercules cargo plane falling in multiple pieces from the sky earlier today. The center fuselage with the wings still attached is notably seen spiraling straight down toward the ground. The aircraft, which tragically had 20 individuals on board, came down in Georgia as it was flying from Azerbaijan to Turkey. Footage of Turkish C-130 military transport plane crashing in Georgia after taking off from Azerbaijan https://t.co/6WPtqeJKc8 pic.twitter.com/ixA67w8Ndq Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) November 11, 2025 The C-130E went down sometime after 2:49 PM local time (10:49 PM UTC), according to data from Flightradar24. The aircraft, which had been using the callsign TUAF543, had taken off from Ganja International Airport in Azerbaijan some 30 minutes beforehand. After departure, it turned and positioned itself on a northeasterly track, passing the Mingechevir Reservoir beneath. While passing 15,000 feet, it again turned onto a northwesterly heading before turning west, passing the Georgian border around 10:37 UTC, per Flightradar24. It was in a continuous ascent until reaching its cruising altitude of 24,000 feet at 10:41 UTC. Were following reports of a Lockheed C-130E Hercules, belonging to the Turkish Air Force, that is suspected to have crashed in Georgia, close to the border of Azerbaijan. Evidence points to the aircraft being #TUAF543, which departed Ganja Airport in Azerbaijan at 10:19 UTC. pic.twitter.com/xqrEWbMiRk Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) November 11, 2025 As noted, videos are circulating online that show the C-130E having broken apart at some point in midair. In addition to the center fuselage and wings, other large sections of the aircraft are seen falling down toward the ground. A smoke-like effect is seen emanating from the wingtips as they fall, which could be fuel and/or vapor. It then hits the ground, causing a large plume of thick black smoke to erupt. Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules medium transport plane operated by the Turkish Air Force has crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border on Tuesday, the Turkish Defense Ministry informed. The plane was returning from Azerbaijan to Turkey, according to the Turkish side. pic.twitter.com/Fpqsg63J38 Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@Archer83Able) November 11, 2025 Very odd, breakup happened at FL240 in level flight. Im surprised that wing stayed intact as a critical failure point for aircraft this age is the wing spar. We see the aft fuselage detached and not seed, 4 engines still on the wing and the forward section of the fuselage pic.twitter.com/Bt7HvabxLY Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) November 11, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgian officials say the C-130 came down approximately three miles (five kilometers) from the countrys eastern border with Azerbaijan, according to RFE/RL. Authorities have been working to get to the crash site, and the crash is under investigation. Pictures and videos said to show the wreckage are now beginning to emerge online. Visuals of the wreckage of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules military cargo aircraft, that disintegrated and fell from an approximate altitude of 24000 feet in Georgia today, being published by local media in Georgia. Initial information suggests there were 8 crew members on board, https://t.co/p7cDrP7gQW pic.twitter.com/Nb27NzTQi3 FL360aero (@fl360aero) November 11, 2025 | First images are circulating in Georgian media reportedly showing the crash site and debris of the Turkish Air Force C-130 Hercules. pic.twitter.com/9MUbfCIOP5 Visioner (@visionergeo) November 11, 2025 Our aircraft that crashed had 20 personnel on board, including the flight crew, the Turkish Defense Ministry had said earlier in a statement, according to RFE/RL. Search and rescue operations are ongoing. God willing, we will overcome this crash with minimum hardships, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan also said during a speech in Ankara after receiving word about the crash, according to Reuters. May God rest the soul of our martyrs, and let us be with them through our prayers. Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, a major Turkish ally, has also offered his condolences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of the start of 2025, the Turkish Air Force had a mixed fleet of 18 C-130B and E variants, according to FlightGlobal. These are both models that would have first rolled off Lockheeds production line decades ago. For some years now, Turkey has been in the process of bringing all of its Hercules aircraft up to a modernized standard through the ERCIYES modernization program. The designations C-130BM and EM are often used to describe planes that have received the upgrades, which include improved avionics and navigation systems, as well as new cockpit displays, and more. The Turkish Hercules that went down today in Georgia had received the upgrade package, according to Scramble. Turkey also acquired this particular example second-hand from Saudi Arabia. The three main cargo aircraft types in Turkish Air Force service today, including the C-130 at rear left. The others are the Airbus A400M, in front, and the Transall C-160, at rear right. Turkish Ministry of National Defense Earlier this year, Turkish authorities also confirmed they had purchased 12 ex-British C-130J models. The Royal Air Force officially retired the last of its C-130Js in 2023. While there is much to learn about the crash today, the imagery of the aircraft going down and from the crash site certainly shows a devastating total loss. We will continue to update this story with any new information that may emerge in the next 24 hours about the mishap. Update, 11/12/2025: Turkish authorities have now sadly confirmed the deaths of all 20 individuals on board the C-130E that went down yesterday. The Turkish Ministry of National Defense has now confirmed the death of and identified all twenty of the servicemembers who were killed in Tuesdays tragic crash of a Turkish Air Force C-130E Hercules over Eastern Georgia near the border with Azerbaijan. pic.twitter.com/11pc4YtFwE OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 12, 2025 Georgian authorities say they have been able to locate 18 bodies and continue to search for the other two, according to the Associated Press. Turkish and Georgian officials were finally able to reach the crash site yesterday. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is ongoing. Contact the author: joe@twz.com Feragaia has sold a majority stake in its non-alcoholic spirits business to Scottish luxury goods group Chanrossa, the owner of Isle of Raasay whisky. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. As part of the sale, Feragaia will join R&B Distillers, Chanrossa's spirits and drinks business which produces Isle of Raasay whisky and gin in western Scotland. According to a joint statement from both companies, the cash injection will help Feragaia scale production and expand around the world. Set up in 2019 by James Wild and Bill Garnock, Feragaia launched its 0.0% distillery in Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland three years ago. Its main product is its namesake bottled 0.0% spirit. Both companies said: "The two brands align in offering a progressive drinking experience to the modern, discerning consumer". Commenting on the news, William Dobbie, managing director at R&B Distillers said: "We are extremely excited to add Feragaia to our portfolio and continue towards our goal of creating Scotlands leading new wave spirits and drinks business. "Our brands are all about creating a more progressive and inclusive drinking experience across categories, while delivering supreme quality on every occasion. By adding Feragaia, whose values align perfectly with ours, we enhance our portfolio of likeminded brands and accelerate our bold, global growth plans. Were excited to work with Jamie and Bill to grow Feragaias footprint in the UK and beyond and strengthen Scotlands reputation for innovation in spirits both alcoholic and alcohol-free. Following Chanrossa's takeover, Feragaia's co-founders will continue to be "fully involved shareholders" in the group, the joint statement read. The 0.0% spirit brand will still be distributed by Cask Liquid Marketing in the UK until the end of January. Chanrossa's spirits and drinks division also includes whisky bottling and ecommerce business Caskshare, and distillery management system MasterDistiller. The Edinburgh-headquartered group is also in the process of building a new single malt Scotch distillery called Machrihanish in Campbeltown, western Scotland. Aside from spirits, Chanrossa also has a presence in beauty and wellness. "Feragaia sells majority stake to Isle of Raasay whisky owner" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. A Mumford High School teacher has been charged in a prostitution sting after trying to solicit an undercover agent posing as underage, according to court documents filed in Toledo, where he was arrested. Jacob Suder, 31, was arrested on Nov. 6 in Toledo after he offered $60 to an undercover agent in exchange for oral sex, according to an affidavit filed in court. No attorney is listed yet for Suder. He's charged with compelling to pay a minor to engage in sexual activity. He is a teacher at Mumford High School, the Detroit Public Schools Community District confirmed, and has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation, according to district spokeswoman Chrystal Wilson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Born In Detroit partners with Michigan State, Eastern to create licensed merchandise More: Former officer at Michigan's prison for women arraigned on sexual assault charges "We are unaware of any other alleged victims associated with the school but will conduct an investigation to ensure that is the case," Wilson wrote in an emailed statement. "School families and staff have been informed." While it's unclear how Suder, of Maumee, Ohio, and the undercover agent began talking, court documents accuse him of asking the agent if she wanted to engage in prostitution. To which the agent responded, "Hell no I don't like it." Suder then responded in what appear to be text messages that he wouldn't want her to do something she didn't want to do, but then "a short time later" offered $60 in exchange for oral sex, according to the court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was directed to a parking lot in Toledo, where he was arrested. A hearing for the case in Toledo Municipal Court has been set for Nov. 13 at 9 a.m. Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit teacher charged in underage prostitution sting in Ohio Fresh from spending $200 million taxpayer dollars on private jets in the middle of a government shutdown, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem apparently was also looking for ICE to purchase ten Boeing 737s from bankrupt (again) Spirit Airlines. This was supposedly for two reasons: her own personal use (because the private jets weren't enough) and also to enable more deportation flights faster. Sadly for Noem, this plan had just a couple of small problems Spirit leases its aircraft and doesn't actually own any to sell, and the ones in question didn't have any engines anyway. The Wall Street Journal broke the news, citing inside sources that aren't happy about how Noem is using ICE's massive new budget. Given that there are other (and cheaper) ways to increase deportation flights, such as just leveling up current contracts, the whole thing seems like it was more for show than to actually advance any policy. For that matter, as the article notes, ICE is having trouble actually arresting enough people to fill the Trump administration's targets. Maybe there's just not that many hardened undocumented criminals, and many of them are in fact working important jobs? Anyway, given that they've taken to arresting Koreans at a Hyundai plant, it doesn't seem like they have enough people to deport to fill ten 737s. Probably for the best, then, that the plan is on hold now. Read more: MotorTrend Lived With A Tesla Model Y For 2 Years And Hated Every Second Of It And also, they don't exist A Spirit Airlines Airbus A320 takes off - Laser1987/Getty Images Oh, and one other thing: Spirit doesn't even lease any Boeing 737s. In fact, the airline has only flown one 737 in its history, just in the summer of 2012. So this proposed deal sure had some holes in it. For what it's worth, the DHS responded to the WSJ by saying that some of the plane story was inaccurate. Which parts? They didn't say. So, there you are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spirit, for its part, is indeed trying to unload a bunch of its aerial inventory. The ailing company wants to return 114 planes to its lessors, or more than half its entire fleet. It's aiming to re-emerge from bankruptcy as a much leaner operation. It's hard times for the aviation industry in general, and smaller outfits are feeling the pinch hardest of all. It's enough to make an executive go crazy. Maybe crazy enough to sell some planes they don't actually have. 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. Nearly all public school districts are meeting expectations on the latest state report cards, under new standards set by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction this summer. The states accountability report cards evaluate schools and districts across different benchmarks, helping families and school leaders judge performance. The report cards are scored using metrics like standardized testing data, growth in student learning, student demographics, graduation rates, chronic absenteeism and attendance. Last school years report cards, released Nov. 11, are the first using the DPIs new cut scores, which place each school and district on a scale from one to five stars, or failing expectations to significantly exceeding them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report cards show 94% of 378 public school districts met, exceeded or significantly exceeded expectations last school year, according to the DPI. Not all school districts received report cards because some represented a single school (in which case they received only a school report card). No school district received a one-star rating, or failed to meet expectations, on last years report cards under the new system. The state rated 29 school districts with five stars. Across 1,920 public schools, about 85% received three stars or more, meaning they met, exceeded or significantly exceeded expectations. About 85% of "choice" schools that received report cards met, exceeded or significantly exceeded expectations. The DPI said 57% of choice schools, which offer students state-funded vouchers to attend private schools, did not receive report cards due to insufficient data, often because of small student populations or low participation rates on standardized tests. What changed, and why? How schools are rated on a 100-point scale changed. A panel of educators voted to recommend the changes to the cut scores for each star rating, essentially raising the categories by one point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Superintendent Jill Underly finalized the changes Sept. 3. She said the previous benchmarks were outdated and the new system would better guide improvement. "Students are learning in new, dynamic ways, and accountability systems must keep pace, she said in an Aug. 15 statement. Innovation in education means we transform how we measure success." Leaders from conservative organizations, including the Institute for Reforming Government and the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, have spoken against the overhaul. They said the new benchmarks inflate schools and districts scores, especially those with higher proportions of low-income students, making it seem like theyre doing better than they are. "Parents should not have to play a guessing game about where their children can learn best," said Institute for Reforming Government researcher Quinton Klabon, in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The changes came after Underly also updated the scoring system for the statewide standardized test known as the Forward Exam. Some school officials have criticized the continuous updates to the state report cards and Forward Exam, saying they make it difficult to track performance over time. The DPI warned against comparing overall scores on the latest report cards to previous years but said some of the data used to measure performance is still comparable. Milwaukee Public Schools receives two-star rating On the latest district report card, Milwaukee Public Schools received an overall score of 59.5 on a 100-point scale last school year. The district said the score was higher than the 2023-24 school year due to the report card changes, but updates to the score ranges for each performance category meant MPS fell from three stars to two stars, or meets few expectations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across all of the 378 scored public school districts, 23 received two stars, or met few expectations, according to the DPI. In a statement, Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said the results for MPS underscore the urgent need to grow academic achievement. We need to grow more and faster to truly meet and exceed the expectations that our families and community have for us and the expectations we have for each other as educators, she said. School report cards for MPS show: Two schools received 5 stars , or significantly exceeded expectations, including Reagan College Preparatory High School and Whittier Elementary School 26 schools received 4 stars , or exceeded expectations 38 schools received 3 stars , or met expectations 40 schools received 2 stars , or met few expectations 36 schools received 1 star, or failed to meet expectations How did Milwaukee-area school districts perform? Arrowhead Union High School District: Overall score of 86; 5 stars, significantly exceeded expectations Elmbrook School District: Overall score of 89; 5 stars, significantly exceeded expectations Germantown School District: Overall score of 82; 4 stars, exceeded expectations Racine Unified School District: Overall score of 57; 2 stars, met few expectations Shorewood School District: Overall score of 83; 4 stars, exceeded expectations Waukesha School District: Overall score of 75; 4 stars, exceeded expectations Wauwatosa School District: Overall score of 75; 4 stars, exceeded expectations Whitnall School District: Overall score of 79; 4 stars, exceeded expectations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To see how your school district performed visit bit.ly/2025DPIreportcards. Kayla Huynh covers K-12 education, teachers and solutions at the Journal Sentinel. Reach her at khuynh@gannett.com and follow her on X at @_kaylahuynh. All of her work and coverage decisions are overseen solely by Journal Sentinel editors. Kaylas position receives support from Herb Kohl Philanthropies and contributions to the Journal Sentinel Community-Funded Journalism Project. Help continue this reporting with a tax-deductible donation at jsonline.com/support. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How Wisconsin school districts, MPS performed on DPI report cards HOWELL -- In late October, as Dolly Harris got a look at the home being built for her in Howell, she marveled at the extra wide doorways, the roomy garage for her accessible van, and the electronic ceiling-track lift that will help her get from her wheelchair to the bathroom. Most of all, though, the 61-year-old Iraq War veteran was awed by the scores of volunteers who were helping to make it happen. Its amazing how people you dont even know are willing to come there, donate their time and get their hands dirty for you, Harris said. Im very excited for this house. Its going to be life-altering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a story worth sharing, especially on Veterans Day. Howell veteran's charity 'smart home': 'I'm never going to forget where it came from' Dolly Harris, right, with Cindy Baptiste, chief financial officer of Homes For Our Troops. 'It seemed too good to be true' Harris grew up in Jackson and enlisted in the New Jersey Army National Guard in 1988. During a yearlong deployment in Iraq in 2005 she served at two different bases, first as a liaison officer to her division commander and later as a logistics officer helping equip Iraqi security forces. The hazards of war were constant. You went to bed hearing small arms fire, machine gun fire, lots of explosions that woke you up where you dont even remember, how did I get my feet on the ground? Harris explained. It knocked the air out of your chest and you found yourself standing up and youd run for the bunker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homes for veterans: Veteran's Union Beach home had fatal Sandy flaws. This 9/11 charity fixed it for free Since retiring due to medical issues with a rank of major in 2008, Harris has battled a progressively disabling neurological disorder. I cannot move my legs for several years now, and now I cant move my arms, she said. Im in a wheelchair and I am dependent on people, nurses and home aides, who come to my house. The Veterans Administration attributed her condition to environmental exposures during the war, she said. For a few years she worked as a dental hygienist, but she gave that up as it worsened. For the past three decades shes lived in a house in Point Pleasant, but its layout became increasingly difficult to navigate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are some rooms I cant even get to anymore, she said. Bayville homes: Work begins on Ocean County affordable housing for veterans; plans for another have started The new home being built for ailing veteran Dolly Harris in Howell, courtesy of Homes For Our Troops. Thats going to change thanks to Homes For Our Troops, a national nonprofit that builds free, specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. A friend and fellow veteran connected Harris with the Massachusetts-based charity. When my friend told me about this organization, I really didnt believe her at first, Harris said. It seemed too good to be true. Help for veterans: Larry's Home in Ocean County will change lives for veterans in drug recovery 'You earned this home' Since its founding in 2004, Homes For Our Troops has tapped into an extensive network of donors, volunteers and corporate partners to build 424 homes for disabled veterans, with 68 more in progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris one-story, 2,900-square-foot house in Howell has roughly 40 custom adaptations and is valued at about $1 million, according to Homes For Our Troops chief financial officer Cindy Baptiste. The adaptations include roll-under countertops, pull-down shelving, automatic doors, a roll-in shower, a 360-degree concrete sidewalk around the home, and the electronic ceiling lift. Im excited about the large garage, Harris said. I can exit the house and load up into my van while still inside the garage, so I dont have to load up while its extremely windy or pouring rain. Its going to be easier on the people who assist me. Homes For Our Troops volunteers work on the yard for Dolly Harris' new home in Howell. Army vet disappears: He lost battle with homeowners association that stripped his home Because she isnt moving far, Harris will continue to be assisted by the same home healthcare team shes been working with for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im very lucky to be keeping all my same caretakers, she said. Itll be much easier on them to take care of me in this new house. Oct. 25 was volunteer day for the project. A mix of family, old friends, new neighbors and big-hearted strangers came together to get the home closer to completion. One volunteer, upon hearing that Dolly likes birds, built a birdhouse in the backyard and installed a camera, so she can check out her feathered visitors up close on her phone. Baptiste said I was moved to tears by the outpouring of support for Dolly and her reaction to it. Although her condition has worsened, her outlook as not. Its become much more hopeful, Baptiste said. What this really gives our veterans is hope and faith in humanity, that there are people out there who care about them and care about their service to our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that sense, the gesture is as important as the house. Thats one of the biggest things we want to impart on them: You earned this home, Baptiste said. You fought for our country and for freedom and independence for us, and we want to restore some of that freedom and independence for them. Two-year fight: Charity volunteer and homeless veteran finally has home of his own in Freehold Homes For Our Troops volunteers help build an accessible home in Howell for disabled Army veteran Dolly Harris. Harris will receive her housekey during a ceremony Dec. 13. Im very grateful for Homes For Our Troops, she said. Theyre a fantastic organization, they care about veterans, they are selfless and so easy to work with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Harris saw the home Oct. 25, she took special note of the accessibility I wont be banging into walls or doorways anymore, she said and the flagpole on the front lawn. The stars and stripes will be raised Dec. 13. I always have a flag in front of my house, but to have a flagpole is very special, she said. Im proud of having served with the men and women of the New Jersey National Guard. Proud of my service, and I have no regrets about it. For more information about Homes For Our Troops, or to volunteer or donate, visit www.hfotusa.org. Jerry Carino is community columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shores interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Veterans Day for disabled Iraq War vet getting free Howell home (This story was updated with new information: The christening occurred in Port Everglades.) Get the Champagne ready: The most magical place on Earth is headed out to sea. Disney will christen its newest cruise ship, the Disney Destiny, at Port Everglades, Florida. For a little over a week, people in Brevard County stopped by one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, Port Canaveral, to get a peek at the Disney Destiny before its trek to its home port. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you havent seen the striking, beautiful ship, you can see it online (details below). Disney Cruise Line boasts imaginative details that will thrill children and charm adults, with its thoughtful blend of beloved characters, lively deck parties, show-stopping musical performances and themed kids clubs packed with activities, the Palm Beach Post, part of the a USA TODAY Network, reported June 2025. Inspired by the timeless theme of heroes and villains, the 4,000-passenger ship features a grand hall inspired by Marvels Black Panther films. Passengers will also enjoy a "Lion King"-themed musical dining experience and a stage production based on Disneys 90s animated film "Hercules." Photos of Disney Destiny cruise ship in Florida When does Disney Destiny cruise ship sail and from which Florida port? The companys newest Wish-class vessel, Disney Destiny, will make its debut in November 2025 first sailing is Nov. 20 from Port Everglades in Florida, with itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. How much does Disney Destiny cruise ship cost? Prices range from $958 per person for a three-night itinerary to the Bahamas to $3,096 for a seven-night itinerary to the Eastern Caribbean. Ahead of Disney Destiny christening, ship was at Port Canaveral, east of Orlando, Florida On Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, the Disney Destiny cruise ship christening event was hosted by @DisneyCruiseLine channels (see above for the livestream replay). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contributing: Linnea Bailey, special to the Palm Beach Post 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: Disney Destiny cruise ship christening in Florida, info and livestream A man allegedly shot a fellow bus passenger following a confrontation where he tried to get an elderly rider away from the victim, who may have been smoking fentanyl on the bus. According to court documents, a 35-year-old man was riding on a King County Metro bus on Nov. 7 when a woman on board allegedly started smoking fentanyl. The man asked the smoker to stop, and informed the bus driver, court documents said. The man also noticed an elderly woman sitting nearby and was concerned that she could breathe in the noxious fumes, and encouraged her to move to the front of the bus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the police report, an officer said: Strangely, [the mans] genuine concern/contact with the elderly female angered the victim, who proceeded to confront him. Court documents say that a woman was allegedly smoking the fentanyl, but a man confronted the accused shooter. Its unclear if the victim and the woman smoking knew each other. At one point in the initial confrontation, the victim said something to the effect of get away from my grandma, so its unclear if the victim was actually with the elderly woman. The victim cornered the man in the bus and violently shoved him into the bus door twice, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents also said that the accused shooter did not fight back. The bus driver, seeing the shove and not knowing the circumstances, told both people to get off the bus. Later, the bus driver told police that the man who encouraged the elderly woman to move was not acting erratically, disruptively, or aggressively while on the bus, court documents said. When the bus pulled over, both got out. Court documents say the victim followed the man out. Video appears to show the man pulling a handgun out of his pants pocket and firing. The victim continued to walk down the sidewalk next to the bus and turned to face [the man], who continued to back into the parking lot. The victim stood at the edge of the sidewalk and stopped. The victim then took one step to his left, not towards [the man] but further down the sidewalk, then paused. [The man] raised his hands while holding the object that appeared consistent with a firearm, and a gunshot was audible. The victim then fell to the ground, court documents detail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KIRO 7 is not yet naming the accused shooter, since he has not been formally charged. He stayed on scene and complied with officers. King County prosecutors noted that the man had a felony conviction in 2006 out of Ohio for illegal conveyance or possession of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance on school premises convoy, which means bringing a weapon on school grounds. Prosecutors noted that he does not have a Washington Concealed Pistol License (CPL), and with his felony conviction, he should not have been in possession of a firearm, court docs said. Bail has been set at $150,000. He has been booked for first-degree assault. (Photo by Prapass Pulsub/Getty Images) A former Iowa physician is suing a police detective who cited her for harassment after she publicly posted comments that she was coming after a former University of Iowa Hospitals colleague, who she called a blue-eyed Hitler look alike. Dr. Ji Eun Lee is suing Detective Ian Mallory of the University of Iowa Police Department in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her lawsuit, Lee asserts that university campuses should be a place where the value of free speech is upheld. However, at the University of Iowa, speech is tolerated only when it does not offend others. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The lawsuit describes Lee as a medical doctor and former U of I resident physician who was frustrated by the behavior of her former colleagues and leadership failures that permitted that behavior to go unpunished. It alleges she took to social media to share her frustrations and that Mallory then later cited Lee for harassment when she continued to post such comments. The lawsuit claims none of the speech that that led to the charge amounts to a true threat, and because of that, the U.S. Constitution does not permit punishment of such comments with criminal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee included some of her own social media posts, some of which arent dated, as exhibits in her lawsuit against Mallory, including the following: A post referencing Karla Hemesath and Kate DuChene Hanrahan, two clinical professors of family and community medicine at the university, that said, Hemesath? Still working on buttlickin #kateduchenehanrahan? An Oct. 30, 2022, post in which Lee writes a definition of sadism, explaining it is the desire and intention to hurt others, either verbally or physically, simply for the enjoyment of the act, and which goes on to state, Hey you fing Kate Thoma DuChene Hanrahan, Long time no see, you blue-eyed Hitler look alike. Actually a female version of it I am a geriatrician now. I know what I am talking about Keep yourselves busy. Cauz I am coming after you Aryan MOTHAFERS. You, your husbands, your children, your parents, you all going down. Taste some guilt, shame, depression, anxiety Attacks that we Minorities Face Every Fing Day. A post in which Lee writes, I TELL YOU WHEN I STOP. NOT YOU. NEVR YOU. ENUGH IS ENUGH. @bbs_us a third party should look into this unethical piece of crap@uihealthcare Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowa Board of Medicine records indicate Lees license to practice in Iowa expired in June 2020, with no public record of discipline. Lawsuit seeks punitive damages In her lawsuit, Lee alleges that while working at UIHC, she came to believe other residents and supervisor physicians engaged in and tolerated disability discrimination and racism against minority resident physicians. Lee alleges she later used Facebook and X, formerly Twitter, to make comments that, while direct and disparaging, did not threaten violence. On Dec. 19, 2022, Mallory received a report that Lee had made online threats to UIHC employees. The lawsuit alleges that Mallorys summary report of his investigation states that Dr. Lees writings were largely within the bounds of free speech but occasionally there were references to, Ill get you and your family directed towards some employees. On Jan. 14, 2023, Mallory sent Lee, then living in the Los Angeles area, a harassment warning by certified mail. In October 2023, the lawsuit claims, Lee decided to begin posting on social media about her dissatisfaction with various UIHC personnel. When Mallory learned of this, he called Lee and warned her that if she communicated with her former colleagues by posting comments about them on Twitter she would be criminally charged with harassment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee continued to post about her former colleagues at UIHC and, her lawsuit claims, also posted a comment tied to the University of Iowa Police Department and its warning, stating, I am not in the least bit threatened by this. On Nov. 9, 2023, Mallory filed a criminal complaint with the Johnson County Clerk of Court charging Lee with harassment. In July 2024, the lawsuit claims, Lee learned there was a warrant for her arrest and hired an attorney who moved to dismiss the charge. District Associate Judge Brandon Schrock granted the motion in an order dated May 30, 2025, ruling the criminal complaint simply fails to allege conduct that would satisfy the elements of harassment as outlined in Iowa law. The criminal complaint, Schrock found, fails to state any facts which could be construed as intended to threaten, intimidate or alarm any of the prospective victims in this matter. While one post from Lee was alleged to constitute a true threat the Oct. 30, 2022, I am coming after you post Schrock noted that it had been posted more than year before the criminal charge was filed on Nov. 10, 2023, and so it fell outside the statute of limitations for a simple misdemeanor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleges Mallory charged Lee with harassment simply because she disobeyed his warning to stop posting harassing comments about her former colleagues. It seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for violations of Lees First and 14th Amendment rights. Mallory could not be reached for comment Monday and has yet to file a response to the lawsuit. Court records indicate Lee graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine in 2017, receiving her M.D. degree there. She then began an internship and residency in family medicine at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Lee left the UIHC residency program in 2019 and two years later, completed a family medicine residency program at Michigan State University. She is currently employed at a hospital in the greater Los Angeles area and, according to her lawsuit, she is currently licensed to practice medicine in California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her lawsuit, Lee is represented by Alan R. Ostergren of Iowas Kirkwood Institute, a self-described conservative public-interest law firm. The institute describes itself as nonpartisan and has been recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt public charity. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Lung cancer is on the rise among young women, including many who have never smoked, according to health experts. The disease remains the second most common cancer among both men and women in the United States. It has long been associated with older male smokers, Dr. Iona Baiu, a thoracic surgeon at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, told USA Today. However, data shows that up to 20 percent of new lung cancer diagnoses now occur in people who have never smoked, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baiu said the increase is particularly notable among women, who make up the majority of these non-smoker cases. Overall, the number of lung cancer incidences is slowly decreasing, but its not decreasing nearly as fast in women as in men, Baiu said. Were seeing a shift in trends now and seeing patients who are younger and patients who are never smokers, who we never used to see. Up to 20 percent of lung cancer cases now occur in never-smokers, mostly women, CDC data shows (Getty Images) Experts believe the rise in non-smoking cases is largely driven by radon exposure, air pollution, and genetic mutations. Radon, an odorless, colorless radioactive gas that forms when certain metals like uranium, thorium, and radium break down in soil and rock, can seep into homes through cracks and gaps, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take Christy Houvouras, for example. The Huntington, West Virginia, mother of two told USA Today that she lives a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercising daily, eating well, and having smoked fewer than 20 cigarettes in her entire life. Still, in July, she received a lung cancer diagnosis at age 36. Houvouras believes she was exposed to radon as a child in her Greenville, South Carolina, home, an area the EPA identifies as high-risk for elevated radon levels. The crazy thing about lung cancer is that you can be exposed at a young age and then you wont have a developing tumor until decades later, she said. Experts emphasize that early detection is crucial for improving lung cancer outcomes, but current annual screening guidelines focus only on people who smoke or have a history of smoking. This leaves many nonsmokers at risk of late diagnosis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of that gap, doctors urge everyone, especially nonsmokers, to be aware of potential warning signs. According to the American Cancer Society, common symptoms of lung cancer include a persistent cough, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, and newly developed wheezing. Recognizing these symptoms early and seeking medical attention promptly can significantly improve survival chances. Houvouras said she first noticed a swollen area on her chest and mentioned it to her obstetrician during a routine checkup. That led to a series of tests confirming her lung cancer diagnosis. Houvouras considers herself fortunate that her lung cancer was detected early, at stage 1. Because of the early diagnosis, she only needed surgery to remove the tumor and about 20 percent of her lung, avoiding chemotherapy or other treatments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within three weeks, she was home recovering and cancer-free. At stage 1, lung cancer can be surgically removed, usually without the need for further treatment like chemotherapy, Baiu told USA Today. At stage 2, the lung cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and patients will need systemic therapy in addition to surgery. Baiu said such accidental discoveries are increasingly common among young nonsmokers and urged patients to speak up about any unusual or persistent symptoms, just as Houvouras did. Donald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for $1bn (759m) over its editing of his speech in a Panorama episode, even as the broadcaster publicly apologised for the error of judgement that has already claimed the head of two senior executives. The US presidents legal team wrote to the corporation on Monday demanding a full and fair retraction, an immediate apology and compensation by Friday or else he would pursue legal action, adding: The BBC is on notice. His threat represents the latest blow for the broadcaster over accusations it misled audiences by selectively editing a speech he made on 6 January 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter says: President Trump will be left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights, all of which are expressly reserved and are not waived, including by filing legal action for no less than $1,000,000,000 (one billion dollars) in damages. BBC chair Samir Shah said the corporation is considering how to reply to the ultimatum, but warned the BBC must be prepared for all outcomes. Mr Trump has filed lawsuits against media companies before, including The New York Times and CNN. His lawyers said the BBC has violated Floridas defamation law. It follows the leaking of a memo written by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBCs editorial standards committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The note shared concerns about institutional bias within the corporation and said the way clips of Mr Trumps speech were spliced together in the 2024 episode made it appear he had told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to fight like hell removing a section where Mr Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully. The BBC would like to apologise for that error of judgement, Mr Shah said in a letter to MPs on Monday. But he rejected claims of systemic bias and denied that the BBC had sought to bury the issue. Two of the BBCs most senior figures, director general Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness, have resigned over the furore. Two of the BBCs most senior figures, director general Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness, resigned on Sunday over the furore (AP) Mr Trump welcomed the BBC resignations and claimed there had been an attempt to step on the scales of a presidential election, adding on social media: What a terrible thing for Democracy! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is understood Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Trump have not spoken over the weekend following his criticism, and neither have US and British officials. The prime ministers spokesperson said he did not believe the BBC was institutionally biased, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged his counterparts across the political spectrum to defend the BBC from Mr Trump. The Times quoted BBC sources as describing the departures as the result of death by a thousand cuts, in what is the latest episode in a string of high-profile controversies involving the broadcaster. It is understood Keir Starmer and Donald Trump have not spoken over the weekend following the presidents criticism (PA) Over the summer, it was forced to issue another apology over its livestream of Bob Vylans controversial Glastonbury set. It followed intense criticism in February over its documentary Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone, when it emerged the programmes 13yearold narrator was the son of a Hamas official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, veteran presenter Gary Lineker announced he would be leaving the BBC earlier than planned after his 26 years with the corporation following a row over his social media posts. In November last year, accusations of misconduct and inappropriate behaviour against MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace also became the subject of internal investigations. Questions have been raised about how effectively the BBC has dealt with accusations of institutional bias, as it failed to either defend itself or apologise when the memo was published. Tim Davie said mistakes had been made and as director general he had to take ultimate responsibility (PA) The BBCs culture and media editor, Katie Razzall, reported that the broadcaster had a statement ready to go, admitting it should have made it clear there had been splicing of the speech, but that instead, the board decided to send a letter to parliaments culture, media and sport committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A former controller of BBC One, Peter Fincham, said the broadcaster has a habit of playing dead while in crisis. One of the BBCs worst habits is to think itll be alright to play dead, he told Radio 5 Live, adding: This report came in May, and they didnt do anything about it. It was also reported that Ms Turness was ripped apart by a board meeting last week, while the former editor of The Sun newspaper David Yelland described the resignations as a coup and an inside job. Several US media companies, including CBS and ABC News, have recently settled lawsuits filed by the US president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Mr Shah accepted criticism of the Trump edit, he hit back at suggestions that the BBC had sought to bury any of the allegations around bias or failed to tackle any problems. Asked if the charges of systemic bias were wrong, he said yes. The BBC would like to apologise for that error of judgement, he said in a letter to lawmakers. He said there were cases of individual errors and there were issues that pointed to underlying problems, but the notion of systemic or institutional bias did not hold true. Ive worked in BBC News, he told the BBC. I know that BBC Newss DNA and culture is to be impartial. Its to provide the best news we can and the most trustworthy news. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) One person is in custody after a shooting Monday on Interstate 71 in Warren County. The Lebanon Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported someone called 911 before 11 a.m., claiming their vehicle was shot while driving southbound on the interstate near mile marker 40. Once the caller provided a vehicle description to OSP dispatchers, troopers reportedly located the suspected vehicle. Troopers then reportedly conducted a traffic stop on the interstate near Kings Mills Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OSPs initial investigation allegedly found the driver of the vehicle troopers stopped reportedly shot at the callers vehicle while both drivers were southbound on I-71. According to OSP, the callers vehicle was hit just once. The driver stopped by OSP is said by law enforcement to have been arrested for felonious assault and discharge of a firearm. OSP said the arrested driver was taken to the Warren County Jail. 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 WDTN.com. Tropicana Brands Group has named former Pabst Brewing Company chief executive Paul Chibe as its new CEO. Chibe, whose appointment takes effect immediately, succeeds Glen Walter, who will stay on as an adviser through to the end of the year. Walter oversaw the companys $3.3bn separation from PepsiCo in 2021, when a majority of the juice and beverages business was sold to private-equity firm PAI Partners while PepsiCo retained a 39% stake. In addition to the namesake brand, Tropicana also markets its products under the Naked, KeVita, and Dole brands. Frederic Stevenin, co-managing partner at PAI Partners and chairman of the board at Tropicana, said: We are excited to welcome Paul as Tropicanas new CEO and look forward to working with him to build the companys next chapter of growth and value creation. Pauls experience driving growth through innovation, adapting to a dynamic consumer landscape and integrating complex operating environments will be impactful at Tropicana. We want to thank Glen for his leadership during Tropicanas transition as a standalone company. Chibe worked as CEO of Pabst Brewing Company from December 2021 to August 2025. Between July 2015 and August 2021, he was president and CEO of Ferrero North America. Prior to that, Chibe was US chief marketing officer at Anheuser-Busch InBev for nearly three years. His earlier career includes senior roles at Wrigley, such as VPgeneral manager US gum and mints and VP North American consumer marketing. Commenting on his appointment, Chibe said: Joining Tropicana is an incredible opportunity to lead a portfolio of some of the most beloved brands in the beverage industry. Its that brand equity coupled with a commitment to quality, and talented team that provide a strong foundation for growth. I look forward to working together to accelerate innovation and capture new opportunities across the evolving beverage landscape. "Food-and-bev veteran Chibe named Tropicana CEO " was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The Duke Energy Foundation is giving out nearly $50,000 in grants to 10 organizations in Indiana that serve veterans and military families, including two organizations in the Wabash Valley. The foundation said this funding will support programs that honor Hoosier veterans. The programs include helping veterans with transitional housing, mental health services and essential needs. Veterans embody service, leadership and commitment qualities that strengthen our communities every day, said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. These grants are a token of our appreciation and a way to help local partners deliver the housing, counseling and basic needs that veterans and their families deserve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Way of the Wabash Valley in Vigo County and the Irreverent Warriors in Knox County will each receive $5,500 from this funding. The United Way will use this money to support the expansion of a Vietnam exhibit at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Terre Haute. While the Irreverent Warriors will use the funds to support efforts to address mental health challenges facing veterans through peer connection, wellness-focused retreats, and outreach programming. Other organizations throughout the state that received funding include: Family Service Association of Howard County (Howard County) $3,250 Huntington County Government (Huntington County) $2,250 Kaiser Home Support Services (Floyd County) $5,500 Lafayette Transitional Housing Center (Tippecanoe County) $5,500 People and Animal Learning Services (Monroe County) $5,500 Sons of the American Legion Post 77 (Franklin County) $5,000 Upstream Prevention (Johnson County) $5,500 Veterans Support Network (Hamilton County) $5,500 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 MyWabashValley.com. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) Illinois Democrats have voiced their criticism of Sen. Dick Durbin for voting with Republicans to end the federal government shutdown. Durbin was one of 8 Democrats in the U.S. Senate to support a Republican plan on Sunday to reopen the government after a record 40 days. Democrats had voted no to reopening the government 14 times, holding out for an extension of the Affordable Healthcare Act subsidies, which are not included in the legislation designed to end the shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans have said they want to reopen the government first and then deal with the ACA subsidies down the line. At Democrats urging, todays bill is not the same one weve voted down 14 times. Republicans finally woke up and realized their Groundhog Day needed to end, Durbin said in a statement on Sunday night. This bill is not perfect, but it takes important steps to reduce their shutdowns hurt. Not only would it fully fund SNAP for the year ahead, but it would reverse the mass firings the Trump Administration ordered throughout the shutdown. With the Senate vote, legislation to fund the government through January 30th can move to the House, where it requires passage there before heading to President Trump for his signature. Illinois Democrats, including Gov. JB Pritzker, voiced their displeasure immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a deal its an empty promise, Pritzker said on X. Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families. Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. For Democrats to cave now would be a complete betrayal of the American people, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said in a statement. I simply cannot, and I will not, vote to do nothing to help protect them (families) from Trumps vindictive and malicious efforts in exchange for a vague promise from the least trustworthy Republican party in our nations history, said Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who voted against the procedural vote. Pritzker, Duckworth, and others want Democrats in Congress to hold out for Affordable Health Care tax credits, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois Democrats, Reps. Robin Kelly, of Lynwood, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, of Schaumburg, said they will vote against the funding plan when it arrives in the House. Durbin is not seeking re-election in 2026. 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. TUPELO When the Tupelo Police Department needs to discover what information is on a cell phone, tablet, computer or a USB flash drive, they dont have to go far or wait too long. Although the Mississippi Attorney Generals Office has a computer lab, the Jackson-based facility has a huge case load, and it takes a long time to get information back. Needing a quicker option, local officials turned to Eric Gibens, who now serves as TPD's certified forensic computer examiner. Gibens started RedMagnet, a managed service provider of IT needs, in 1999. Even then, he was a familiar face at TPD. He has been with the department since 1993 as a reserve officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early October, Gibens received certification to pull information from PCs. That certification through the International Association of Computer Investigation Services took nearly 6 months of class work and tests where he actually had to extract information from real computers. He has been certified to do phone dumps for both Android and iPhones since February 2024. His services are always in need, either by TPD or dozens of other area agencies that need help. There is a cell phone in nearly everyones pocket and at nearly every crime scene, Gibens said. During the first 10 months of 2025, he has extracted data from 180 devices, which could be a cell phone, a computer, a USB drive, an external drive or an iPad. Last year, he extracted data from 170 devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far this year, weve helped 19 other agencies. Last year we helped 14, Gibens said. Our turnaround is quicker. When dealing with a Tupelo case, I can look up the case and get dates and times to narrow down the search and get a more detailed report. A routine phone dump can take two hours or more just to extract the information. That is followed by Gibens going through the data for another two or three hours, followed by an hour to create a detailed report to turn over to detectives. While routine work goes pretty quickly, the work is not always routine. Sometimes, it just takes longer. Other times, Gibens has to wait for the decrypting programs he uses to catch up with the phone and computer manufacturers updates. A lot of times you just have to wait for the software to catch up, Gibens said. I had one case where we had to wait six months before we could get into a phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phones update their software several times a year to correct bugs and make the device work better. Each time there is an update, the decrypting programs have to reverse-engineer the changes to allow law enforcement to do their job. And the programs do work. Even phones with password and biometric protection systems are no problem for Gibens. Using brute force programs, we can get the information even without the password, Gibens said. It might take more time, but we can get the information. Gibens only looks at devices by consent or search warrant. Either the owner consented for police to look at it, or a judge signed a search warrant allowing law enforcement to access the device. That includes both a suspect who refuses to consent or a deceased victim who cannot consent. For computers, the hard drives are removed before the data is extracted. A special device ensures the data only flows one-way and no information is written onto the hard drives or phones in question. That is part of the protocol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phones have to be put in airplane mode to ensure their antennas dont allow them to download new information or updates. Gibens even has a Faraday box that he can put phones inside to make sure they are not corrupted by new data. Gibens majored in criminal justice at the University of Mississippi and interned with TPD while a student. Instead of fighting crime, however, he went into apparel, because the family business had Lucky Star plants in Baldwyn and Nettleton making blue jeans for Levi Strauss. He joined the TPD reserves as a way to give back to the community. He began working with the department when Billy White was police chief. Current Tupelo Police Chief John Quaka is his seventh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though he is kept busy staring at computer screens and extracting digital data, he still enjoys his time as a reserve officer. I like helping during runs and parades, Gibens said, On Halloween, I was out in a patrol car making sure everything went smoothly. Here are the latest school delays for northwestern Pennsylvania for Tuesday, Nov. 11. Erie County Corry School District, 2-hour delay Crawford County Conneaut School District, 2-hour delay Crawford Central School District, 2-hour delay Crawford County Career and Technical Center, 2-hour delay Penncrest School District, closed Titusville Area School District, 2-hour delay More: Take a web-cam tour of Erie-area weather conditions Forest County Forest Area Schools, closed Warren County Tidioute Community Charter School, RID day Warren School District, closed Venango County Franklin Area School District, 2-hour delay. Veterans breakfast will start at 9:45 a.m. Northwestern Pa. weather forecast A lake-effect snow warning remains in place in southern Erie County and Crawford County until Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. An additional inch to 3 inches of snow is possible in locations including Edinboro. Corry and Union City could see 2 inches to 4 inches of new snow. Waterford's forecast calls for as much as 5 inches. Meadville could see up to 2 new of new snowfall and Cambridge Springs and inch to three inches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Winter weather advisory, lake-effect snow warnings issued for parts of Erie County A winter weather advisory remains in place for northern Erie County until Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. Less than an inch of snow is likely in most places. Stay up to date on Erie-area weather Return to GoErie.com for updates. Get the latest AccuWeather forecast details and radar images for your ZIP code at goerie.com/weather. Download the GoErie app for iOS or Android for mobile-friendly forecasts. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: School delays and closures in Erie PA area for Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025 Israel and Estonia have maintained diplomatic relations since 1992, with Gideon Sa'ar opening a new embassy in Estonia. Israels new embassy in Tallinn, Estonia was officially opened on Tuesday by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on a diplomatic visit. Israel and Estonia have maintained diplomatic relations since 1992, and Estonia has had an embassy in Israel since 2009. The embassy is located near the ruins of the citys historic Great Synagogue. The synagogue was built in 1884 but was damaged when Tallinn was bombed in 1944. It was fully destroyed in 1947. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saar met with his Estonian counterpart, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, and held a joint press conference ahead of the opening. Tsahkna called the opening a historic milestone in relations between the two countries. He added that the establishment of the embassy would mark a deeper cooperation between Europe and the Middle East. He reiterated Estonias support of a two-state solution and Israels right to defend itself under international law. Both Israel and Estonia are small nations facing threats The opening of the Embassy is a manifestation of our determination to strengthen relations between our countries at all levels: political, economic, and people-to-people ties, Saar said during the press conference. Israel and Estonia have many things in common. Estonia is a small nation that faces threats; Israel is a small nation as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had to fight from our inception until today against countries larger than ourselves. Against terrorist armies that seek our elimination. We are both nations of democracy and innovation, he added. In his remarks, Saar noted a recent alleged attempt by Iran to assassinate the Israeli ambassador in Mexico. Its not the only place they tried to do it, Saar said, continuing, And from here, I want to send a message that will be heard from Tallinn to Tehran: Iran constantly targets Israels embassies, ambassadors, and diplomats. We will not be deterred. On the contrary we will continue to expand Israels relations around the world. Saar pledged continued investment in friendly efforts between Israel, Estonia, and other friendly countries. During a meeting with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Saar requested that the current travel advisory for Estonia to Israel be lifted, and he accepted the request. (The Center Square) - Attorney General Aaron Ford has been accused of using the official Nevada attorney general's X social media account to promote his campaign for governor. The complaint was filed with the Nevada Commission of Ethics by retired Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Bernard Zadrowski, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Zardowski, who's also a former chairman of the Clark County Republican Party, alleged Ford created links to his personal account on the official @NevadaAG X account, the Review-Journal reported. The daily newspaper noted Zardowski called the connection a breach of campaign law and that the complaint involves more than 100 posts. Fords personal account is normally used to campaign and has a donation link. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Democratic attorney generals gubernatorial campaign Monday called the potential violation an overstep." But the spokesperson told The Center Square that the complaint, made by a Republican former district attorney, is an attack by Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo. When asked about that, Lombardo's spokesperson, Elizabeth Ray, told The Center Square on Monday, "As he reiterated to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Mr. Zadrowski filed his complaint independently. I'm sure you have already done so, but I would reach out to him directly for any comment related to his motivations for filing his complaint." Zardowski did not respond Monday to a request for comment by The Center Square. But he told the Las Vegas Review-Journal about the topic of campaign rules: Anybody whos campaigning should know this, but most importantly, the chief prosecutor of the state of Nevada. The Nevada Commission of Ethics, meanwhile, told The Center Square that the panel can "neither confirm nor deny the existence of a complaint at this time. The panel added that the complaint, if it exists, could not be released until the eight-person review panel issued a ruling or Zardowski authorized it to be made public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Number one, this was an overstep on the attorney generals side, the spokesperson for Fords campaign office told The Center Square. But its worth noting that Lombardos side has been doing the same thing. Fords office drew attention toward a years-long dispute that started in 2021, when a complaint was made against Lombardos use of his Clark County sheriff badge and position. This past September, it was deemed an accidental campaign law violation.pdf) by the Commission of Ethics. Fords campaign spokesperson also noted that a secondary X account of Lombardos, Lombardo Outreach, had committed a similar campaign violation as Fords had. Lombardo Outreach linked to his official and campaign accounts on multiple posts. Ray, spokesperson for the governors office, called the Lombardo Outreach posts a mistake. The Lombardo Outreach X account is managed by constituent services staff and is intended to highlight events attended by members of the Governors Office. Two posts were errantly tagged with the campaign handle, and internal measures have been implemented to ensure this does not happen again, Ray told The Center Square. The campaign and official accounts for Gov. Lombardo have been and continue to be operated independently. Ukraine will host an informal meeting of top EU ministers responsible for European affairs in Lviv on Dec. 1011 to discuss the country's progress toward joining the European Union, sources familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent on Nov. 11. The gathering aims to demonstrate political support for Ukraine's EU aspirations as Kyiv faces opposition from Hungary, which has the power to block any future steps in the accession process. Invitations were jointly sent by the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Taras Kachka. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The main focus of our discussions will be Ukraine's progress on its path to EU membership," the text reads. "By convening in Ukraine, we will send a clear and united political message that the future of Ukraine lies within the EU." Kyiv applied for EU membership shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 and received candidate status a few months later. Despite the ongoing war, Ukraine has advanced reforms to align with EU standards. Budapest has repeatedly opposed Ukraine's membership bid. On Aug. 30, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto claimed that Ukraine's accession "would destroy Hungarian farmers, Hungary's food security, and allow the Ukrainian mafia to enter Hungary." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly all EU member states agreed in June that Ukraine is ready to open the Fundamentals cluster, the first and most crucial stage of accession talks. Formal negotiations require unanimous consent among all 27 members. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in May that the bloc has "a plan B and a plan C" should Hungary continue to block Ukraine's path toward membership. Read also: Ukraines deputy PM on EU membership by 2028, Russian assets loan Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. For the past 40 days, congressional Democrats mustered a remarkable display of unity and perseverance. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had finally decided to follow Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosis dictum to know and use their power. They settled on a message: No Democratic votes for a stopgap funding measure to keep the government open without Affordable Care Act subsidies. In the tradition of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, health care would be the hill they were willing to die on. Members of Congress seemingly of all philosophies, persuasions and wings of the party delivered that message in town halls, interviews, op-eds and on social media. The partys base, which had been demoralized for over a year after former Vice President Kamala Harris narrow loss to Trump, was energized by the show of force and confident about their shutdown strategy. Polls showed the message was gaining traction; more American voters blamed the shutdown on President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans than on Democrats. More importantly, there were signs the administration was beginning to feel the heat. And then all the momentum, all the messaging work over the past six weeks, came to a crashing halt on Sunday evening when eight Senate Democrats broke ranks to agree to a deal with Republican negotiators that would lead to the reopening of the federal government. In exchange for their votes, Democrats got literally none of what they had demanded, only unenforceable promises from Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to hold a vote on Obamacare subsidies in December and what Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine called a moratorium on mischief from the Trump administration. After passing the Senate on Monday night with all Democrats except for the eight negotiators and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., opposed, the agreement is expected to reach the House on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outcry from the partys base was immediate. [Sunday] morning, I was feeling great about my party, said Julie Roginsky, a longtime Democratic strategist, television commentator and author of the Salty Politics online newsletter. I felt like wed finally gotten our footing after [going through] hell. Roginsky described the success of the No Kings protests, last weeks election results and Trumps realization that the GOP was being held responsible for the shutdown as empowering. And most importantly, I heard a Democratic leadership that convinced their own voters that Democrats felt it imperative to provide people with affordable and accessible health care, and that that was non-negotiable for them. Now, Roginsky is thoroughly disgusted, she said. I dont understand why they would subject people to hunger and to layoffs and to flight delays and to missed paychecks for the past 40 days, if only to get nothing out of it now. Among the eight Democrats, Kaine pointed to the pain the shutdown was causing his constituents, a large number of whom are federal workers in northern Virginia. Neither he nor any of the other senators involved in the deal are up for reelection in 2026; some, including Minority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois, are retiring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumer, who was the target of near-universal vitriol among Democrats in March when he backed down in a budget battle that threatened to evolve into a shutdown, was quick to announce his opposition to the deal and he voted against it Monday night. But in fact, his fingerprints are all over it. The agreement reveals two things about the New York Democrats leadership in the Senate, both of which are devastating. Either Schumer no longer has effective control over own his caucus, or he has permitted the deal to progress with a wink and a nod behind the scenes and with a strident disavowal for the bank of cameras he famously loves while taking Democratic voters for fools. The drumbeat within Democratic ranks and even beyond them is already beginning: Schumer must step down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Time and again, since Trumps return to the White House, the minority leader has demonstrated a tin ear for what the Democratic Party needs and is demanding at this moment: An all-out slugger, someone who will step up to the plate and swing at the fastballs rather than bunt or simply fail to bat altogether. The leader should function as a player-manager who can be trusted to deliver on the Senate floor and in the cloakroom. To all appearances, Schumer appears to be practicing the politics of the Before era before Trump and Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., began shredding bipartisanship and institutional norms like a block of cheddar. In decades past, an agreement such as the one forged yesterday might have worked. But not now. Not when the word of Senate Republicans has been proven worthless time and again. Not when even the likes of former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, politically and temperamentally a moderate known for calling on the better angels of our nature, has blasted the agreement as a bad deal that will adversely affect the millions of Obamacare recipients who are seeing their premiums skyrocket. Want more sharp takes on politics? Sign up for our free newsletter, Standing Room Only, written by Amanda Marcotte, now also a weekly show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Schumer and Senate Democratic leadership have let those people down, Roginsky said. They have let down all the rest of us who supported those people. They have let down the voters who voted in droves this past Tuesday because they supported a Democratic Party that fought All of those people just got punched in the face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a blistering essay, Rick Wilson, the ex-GOP strategist and co-founder of the Lincoln Project, thrashed Democrats as the all-time champions of snatching defeat out of the slavering jaws of victory at the last possible second. He reserved special ire for Schumer: It was a colossal leadership failure, and Chuck Schumer should resign as Minority Leader immediately if he had a shred of honor or shame. Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton, a moderate who is running against incumbent Sen. Ed Markey in the Democratic primary, wasted no time in calling for new leadership in the Senate. If [Chuck Schumer] were an effective leader, he would have united his caucus to vote No tonight and hold the line on healthcare, he said on X, challenging Markey to withdraw his support for the minority leader. (While other House members have joined Moulton in calling for Schumers resignation, as of Wednesday morning, no senator has yet to do so.) For Roginsky, a self-described establishment Democrat who supported Hillary Clinton against Barack Obama in 2008, Clinton against Bernie Sanders in 2016 and Joe Biden over Sanders (and others) in 2020, the agreement is tantamount to betrayal. Theyve lost people like me, she said. It turns out Sen. Sanders, whos been saying the same thing over and over again, has been right, and we need fighters. We need people who understand what is at stake. People who are not Chuck Schumer. Roginsky, who served as communications director for former Sen. Jon Corzine, D-N.J., named Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut as a potential minority leader. She was quick to note that there are others who could lead, unify and corral the Democratic caucus in the vein of McConnell or Pelosi, who each ruled their respective chambers with an iron fist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other side of the Capitol, Jeffries notably backed Schumer on Monday, saying he had waged a valiant fight against Trump and Senate Republicans. But in a statement issued Sunday evening, Jeffries denounced the agreement. America is far too expensive, he said. We will not support spending legislation advanced by Senate Republicans that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. Despite his nominal opposition, the deal also calls Jeffries leadership into question. Until Monday, when centrist Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, characterized the agreement in positive terms on X, the minority leader had maintained apparent unity in his own caucus. Strong party leaders in the House whether as speaker or minority leader have historically held some measure of influence in the Senate. This was especially true with Pelosi, who was highly adept at sniffing the political winds. Her instincts were respected and trusted, and if she signaled her immovable opposition, Democratic senators tended to pay attention. Jeffries leadership, though, remains largely untested, and appears confined to his own chamber. Ahead of a likely Wednesday vote, the mood among House Democrats is grim. They are staring down a harsh reality: Without any Republican defectors, passage of the agreement is all but assured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the Senate negotiators, though, predicted success. The American people will see who stands with them on health care and who does not, and that will be the platform of the next stage in the fight, Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire said following a procedural vote on Monday. I hope we can find bipartisan agreement on an extension of those premium tax cuts. But very few Democrats closer to the ground seem to be buying her sunny optimism. Did they really think that Donald Trump was not cruel enough to just continue the pain for everybody? Roginsky said. He understood that Democrats always cave. And for once for once I think enough Democrats believed that this time this time our leadership would learn the lesson. And we were wrong. The post Even establishment Democrats say Chuck Schumer must go appeared first on Salon.com. NEW YORK (AP) It started with a late October meeting between a lifestyle entrepreneur, a marketing professional, a restaurant owner and a social worker at a brewery in the Florida panhandle. Within hours, Pensacola Grocery Buddies was born. The four women wanted to pair people facing uncertainty over Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program food benefits with charitably inclined folks offering to cover grocery costs and deliveries. In just two weeks, co-organizer Hale Morrissette said they've made over 300 matches and raised more than $10,000 for those they cannot connect. Everybodys stepping up," said Morrissette, 35, the operations director at a local health nonprofit called ROOTS. "They know that this is not something thats like a partisan type of issue. Its about service and its about taking care of each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyday people have improvised such stopgap efforts to support their communities through a historically long government shutdown that has deepened disruptions to federal services. Whether feeding hungry families or maintaining local museum tours, volunteers nationwide are strengthening social ties that they hope will continue making their neighbors whole in the face of persistent precarity. At the Oklahoma City National Memorial, volunteers have filled in giving the grounds tours typically led by now-furloughed National Park Service rangers. The site honors the 168 people killed 30 years ago when a truck bomb detonated outside a federal building, the deadliest homegrown attack on U.S. soil. Pat Hall, a 74-year-old state lobbyist and memorial trustee whose wife was there the day of the explosion, said he was honored to step up and keep the flame alive. His first tour group was a senior class that had traveled three hours by bus from their rural high school. Hall said he wanted to ensure that the government shutdown didnt stop visitors from learning the Oklahoma standard," a term borne from the 1995 attack to promote a culture of caring throughout the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rest of our life was to give, not take, Hall said he realized in the attack's aftermath. My wife survived a bombing. I have to give back. We have to lift each other up, said fellow trustee Sara Sweet. Theres many, many, many opportunities. Because the need is so great. No matter what sector or what aspect of our communities were looking at. Many have taken up that ethos that the vast amount of need demands greater levels of service after a yearslong backslide in the number of people who donate their time to nonprofits. These benevolent individuals aren't out to replace the robust charitable food networks that have become increasingly utilized in periods of hardship over the last half-century. But they've identified new roles that they themselves can play sometimes outside of traditional philanthropic outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A recent college graduate in Charlotte, North Carolina, started her own local Grocery Buddies chapter, similar to the one in Florida, after reading an article about the trend. While Molly Kerrigan, 23, acknowledged that food pantries are a great option for pitching in, she noted the need is so great that they're currently overrun. She also welcomed the opportunity to build lasting connections between community members who would've otherwise remained strangers. With all of the uncertainty during the government shutdown and everything, it's easy to feel like you don't have a sense of agency," she said, adding that this program has represented something that you can do that's right in front of you. Anna Culbertson was compelled earlier this year by her own job loss. The former National Institute of Allergy and Infection Diseases program specialist was among the thousands laid off this spring at the nation's top health agencies. She then co-founded 27 UNIHTED, a National Institutes of Health alumni network providing peer support and career resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the shutdown began, the network put together food drives for federal employees going without pay and created a spreadsheet with available assistance for furloughed workers. Theyve placed collection boxes outside of Panera Bread and Starbucks locations, as well as the well-attended No Kings protest in Washington, D.C. This sort of organizing is new for Culbertson. As a career civil servant, she said she'd always cared about helping others. But it wasn't until recent challenges the mass layoffs and government shutdown that she began educating herself on effective organizing. While it's felt good to recognize the collective power of regular people," she said its sad that were at this place where this is needed. Were not professional organizers," Culbertson said. For me and the NIH cohort, were scientists. Were people who care and help a lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That same reciprocal care has surfaced at Norte Vista High School in Riverside, California. The school is recognized for its culture of civic engagement. Students regularly prepare ready-to-eat meals for families in need. But the Trump administrations push to withhold food assistance funding has kicked that service into overdrive. Norte Vista High School Principal Jason Marquez said they are partnering with local businesses and grocery stores this Thanksgiving season on a door-to-door meal delivery service called Thanksgiving Hands. Jaymee O'Rafferty, Norte Vistas community schools site coordinator, said many of their families struggle with food insecurity and have been asking her for additional support. She's rallied the mothers' group to deliver meals and gift cards. Campus clubs are collecting canned foods. It was a student who came to her with the idea for Thanksgiving Hands. As she sees it, her job right now is to put one question to as many people as possible: Can you come help us? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our students are the ones where if they have 10 cans in their pantry, they're gonna bring five to donate," O'Rafferty said. "They already know the need and they're willing to do what it takes to help. We have resources and we have power in sharing those resources," she added. "If everybody is able to come together and share a little, it makes a huge difference. The community engagement isn't slowing down even as lawmakers approach a deal to reopen the government. In Pensacola, Morrissette still sees a gap that needs to be bridged. Families had to stretch their grocery budgets well before the pause on SNAP benefits, she said, and the uncertainty created by those delayed payments has brought new faces to her nonprofit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pensacola Grocery Buddies continued to see its public Facebook page fill up this past weekend with gracious posts from beneficiaries sharing photos of their delivered goods and direct messages from potential recipients asking when they will reopen applications for new support. The group is hammering out the final details on a Nov. 15 Neighbors' Night Out fundraiser so they can meet more of the demand. As a DJ, Morrissette in charge of the music. We're gonna dance and we're gonna talk and we're gonna sing, she said. We need joy in this world that tells us we shouldn't have hope. ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. Broker/dealer advocates are pressing Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins on what they claim is the agencys enforcement approach to shoot first and ask questions later, a practice they argue ramped up considerably under previous Chair Gary Gensler. In a letter to Atkins dated Oct. 31, Financial Services Institute CEO Dale Brown urged the SEC chair to consider rulemaking targeting the agencys alleged regulation by enforcement approach and cautioned Atkins to ensure the commission doesnt tread the same ground when enforcing cryptocurrencies. Responding to these developments with enforcement rather than rules to develop and appropriate regulatory framework risks stifling innovation, creating confusion and diminishing the SECs credibility, Brown wrote. However, Corey Frayer, the director of investor protection with Consumer Federation of America and Genslers former senior policy director, said that laws and regulations are meaningless if they arent enforced. This is just a transparent call from the industry to, rather than enforce the securities laws, just have the SEC reprimand them verbally without meaningful consequences for breaking the law, he told WealthManagement.com. The SECs alleged approach of regulation by enforcement has been a pain point for the FSI and other industry advocates for years. Its critiques of the agencys approach predate Gensler, who served as head of the commission under the Biden administration; however, the FSIs advocacy on the subject considerably intensified during his tenure. In early 2024, the organization unveiled a white paper calling for reforms, and citing dissents decrying the alleged practice by SEC commissioners (including current commissioners Hester Peirce and Mark Uyeda). In the letter to Atkins, the FSI highlighted several public statements in which Atkins decried Genslers approach, quoting a recent Financial Times interview where he said that in recent years, SEC enforcement would shoot first and then ask questions later. Brown asked Atkins to consider rulemaking to codify policies and procedures that prevent the practice, alleging it is the only way to ensure consistent application and true long-term accountability. To support his argument, Brown cited an appeals court ruling earlier this year that overturned a $93 million judgment against Commonwealth Financial Network. (The appeals court determined that a jury should have heard the case.) A shocking tragedy has rocked Wichita, Kansas, after former Fox anchor Angelynn Mock was charged with the murder of her 80-year-old mother, Anita Avers. According to police, officers responding to a 911 call on Halloween morning found Mock outside the home covered in blood and cuts, before discovering her mother had been fatally stabbed inside. On Tuesday, the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office officially charged Mock with first-degree murder. She is currently being held in Sedgwick County Jail on a $1 million bond, with her next court hearing scheduled for November 14. According to her LinkedIn profile, Mock previously worked as an anchor and reporter for Fox 2 in St. Louis, Missouri, from March 2011 to February 2015. Police Say Former Fox Anchor Was Found Covered In Blood After Allegedly Stabbing Her Mother To Death Facebook | Anita Avers The Wichita Police Department confirmed that officers were dispatched in the early morning hours of October 31, where they encountered the former Fox anchor outside the residence, suffering from visible injuries. "At approximately 7:52 a.m. on October 31, officers responded to a reported cutting at a residence in the 1500 block of East Crowley," the media release stated. "Upon arrival, officers located the suspect outside the home. Inside the residence, officers found Anita Avers unresponsive in her bed with multiple stab wounds." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First responders rushed Avers to a local hospital, but she was later pronounced dead. Mock was also taken to the hospital for treatment before being taken into custody. Neighbor Recalls Angelynn Mock Begging For Help While 'Covered in Blood' Facebook | Angie Mock Witnesses recounted a horrifying scene outside the home that morning. Alyssa Castro, a nearby resident, told KAKE News that the former Fox anchor approached her vehicle while covered in blood, pleading for help. "There was a woman who approached our vehicle with like blood, her hands were filled, her body was filled with blood, asking to call 911," Castro recalled. She said Mock used her boyfriend's phone to call the police before running back into the house. Officers later returned the phone to the couple. "I asked her if she was okay, and she was pretty shaken up and seemed scared," Castro added. "She just ran off." Friends Remember Anita Avers As A Compassionate Therapist And Loving Soul Friends and clients are mourning Anita Avers, who was a licensed marriage and family therapist at Wichita Counseling Professionals. Many remembered her for her warmth, empathy, and dedication to helping others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One client, Alexandra Brewer, spoke fondly of Avers' kindness and support. "She was just very warm, very loving, and had a way of making you feel compassionate towards yourself," Brewer told KAKE. "She was there for you. I just wish everyone could see that part of Anita, not just this tragic ending." A Look At Mock's Career Background Facebook | Angie Mock According to her LinkedIn profile, Angelynn Mock built a career that spanned both journalism and corporate sales. Mock earned a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and Speech Communication with a focus in Television Broadcasting from St. Cloud State University, where she was an active member of the Society of Professional Journalists. She began as a broadcast journalist, spending more than a decade in television news before transitioning into business and technology sales. Mock's most notable on-air role was with KTVI Fox 2 in St. Louis, where she served as a morning anchor, primetime reporter, and fill-in evening anchor from 2011 to 2015. After leaving broadcasting, she worked in several sales and management roles, including Software Sales Account Manager at CrossChx and Regional Sales Manager at Security Card Services. Since 2019, Mock has been employed as a Data Management Consultant at Imaging Office Systems, where she sells software and cloud-based solutions to help companies streamline workloads and improve productivity. Her profile highlights a background in both team leadership and client relationship management, with additional experience in communication strategy and business development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside of her professional career, she volunteered as an emcee for major health organizations, including the American Heart Association and the Alzheimer's Association, helping raise awareness and funds for women's heart health and Alzheimer's research. Her volunteer work emphasized advocacy, public engagement, and promoting healthier lifestyles for women. Former Fox Anchor Remains In Custody As Investigation Into Mother's Murder Continues Facebook | Angie Mock As of now, authorities have not released a motive for the alleged attack. Police confirmed that Mock remains in custody, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing. During her court appearance last week, Mock was formally read her charges and ordered held on a $1 million bond. Her next hearing is set for November 14. The corruption probe centered around the state nuclear power company Energoatom is turning into one of Ukraine's largest political scandals on record. The alleged ringleader is Timur Mindich, a close associate of President Volodymyr Zelensky and a co-owner of the president's Kvartal 95 production company. Mindich was tipped off and left the country prior to being charged. Meanwhile, several other heavyweights were also implicated, according to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those implicated include former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko, who served as energy minister earlier this year, and Rustem Umerov, former defense minister and current secretary of the National Security and Defense Council. The Kyiv Independent explains the case, the roles of those involved, and what it all means. Read also: Who is Timur Mindich, Zelenskys secretive associate at the center of a major corruption probe? Who is implicated? On Nov. 11, the Anti-Corruption Bureau charged eight people with bribery, embezzlement, and illicit enrichment. It also published tapes where the group, using code names and encrypted language, discussed alleged kickbacks and bribes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main organizer of the alleged corruption scheme is Mindich, according to the bureau. In the tapes published by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Mindich goes by the alias Karlsson. Another person charged on Nov. 11 is Ihor Myroniuk, who is called Rocket in the tapes. He is a former advisor to then-Energy Minister Halushchenko and a former deputy head of the State Property Fund. He also previously served as an aide to Andrii Derkach, a former Ukrainian lawmaker who has been charged with high treason and currently serves as a Russian senator. Dmytro Basov, identified as Tenor on the tapes, was also charged. He is a former prosecutor and ex-head of Energoatom's physical security department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four other people charged on Nov. 11 worked at a back office used for money laundering, according to the NABU. One of them is businessman Oleksandr Tsukerman, known as Sugarman, a law enforcement source told the Kyiv Independent. Then-Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov is seen in Prague, Czech Republic, on May 5, 2025. (Tomas Tkacik / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images) Tsukerman is also under investigation in the U.S. in a money laundering case, according to Ukrainska Pravda's sources. According to the Anti-Corruption Bureau tapes, participants of the alleged corruption scheme allegedly gave $1.2 million and 100,000 euros to former Deputy Prime Minister Chernyshov, known as Che Guevara. He was charged with illicit enrichment. Chernyshov was fired after the Anti-Corruption Bureau charged him with bribery and abuse of office in June. He did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Out of the eight people charged, Mindich and Tsukerman have fled, and five others have been detained, the law enforcement source said. No information was available on whether Chernyshov was detained. Halushchenko, who is sometimes identified as "energy minister" and sometimes by the code name "Professor," also features in the NABU tapes. Anti-corruption prosecutor Serhiy Savytskyi said at a court hearing on Nov. 11 that Mindich had allegedly committed his crimes by unlawfully influencing Halushchenko and former Defense Minister Umerov. The Justice Ministry, the Energy Ministry, and the National Security and Defense Council, where Umerov now works, did not respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Umerov denied the accusations, saying he had canceled a procurement contract with a company linked to Mindich because the products provided were of low quality. Read also: Zelensky ally Mindich expands his clout in government, business, investigative journalists claim So what is the scheme? Myroniuk and Basov allegedly collected 10-15% in kickbacks from Energoatom's contractors in exchange for keeping their status as suppliers and for not blocking their products and services, according to the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Energoatom has an annual revenue of around Hr 200 billion ($4.7 billion), according to the NABU. The participants of the scheme blackmailed and pressured contractors by taking advantage of a government regulation that bans contractors from claiming debts in court from certain strategic companies, including Energoatom, during martial law, according to the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We'll just revoke the certification and cancel the technical specifications...," Myroniuk allegedly said in the tapes, describing his efforts to pressure contractors. "It'll be total fucking chaos for the whole line of companies. You'll just end up on the blacklist. You'll be wiped out completely, and all your employees will be conscripted into the army." The corruption probe involving the state nuclear power company Energoatom is rapidly becoming one of the largest political scandals in Ukraines history. (Energoatom / Facebook) In the tapes, the participants of the alleged corruption scheme also express reluctance to build defensive installations for energy facilities to protect them from Russian attacks. "So we won't build protective structures anymore?" Basov said. "I would wait," Myroniuk replied. "It's a waste of money not worth it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, they discuss giving contracts for protective structures to a company that they control to earn money from such projects. Myroniuk and Basov also discuss increasing kickbacks for the construction of defensive installations from 10% to 15%. Read also: Prosecutors probe possible leak as Zelensky ally reportedly flees prior to searches What is Mindich's role? The alleged kickbacks from Energoatom were laundered at a back office in downtown Kyiv owned by pro-Russian fugitive lawmaker Derkach's relatives, according to the NABU. The back office was allegedly headed by Tsukerman and has laundered around $100 million. The NABU said that Tsukerman's activities were, in turn, controlled by Mindich from the upper floor of a building on Hrushevsky Street an apparent reference to the building where both Mindich and Zelensky have apartments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the tapes, there is a conversation between Mindich and Halushchenko. Timur Mindich, a film producer and co-owner of President Volodymyr Zelenskys Kvartal 95 production company, in an undated photo. (Social Media) Mindich also discusses receiving money from Tsukerman in the recordings. The Anti-Corruption Bureau said that the conversation took place after Halushchenko visited the President's Office. Among other things, Mindich mentions some unknown agreement about money with prosecutors, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the Economic Security Bureau. The Prosecutor General's Office did not respond to requests for comment. The Economic Security Bureau will cooperate with the NABU to establish all the facts," Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi, head of the bureau, told the Kyiv Independent. "As of today, a significant portion of the leadership that was in place during the recordings in question has resigned." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that he does not rule out "that some individuals involved in the situation may still remain." "We will assist our colleagues and will also independently work to identify those individuals," Tsyvinskyi said. "We are working on cleansing our system. In a response to the Kyiv Independent, the SBU cited Semen Kryvonos, head of the NABU, as saying in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda that the Security Service was not implicated in the Energoatom scheme. Tsukerman also said in the tapes that Mindich "is buying a house." "(Karlsson) is asking us to pay $3 million to Switzerland," he said. "...Another million (must be paid) to Israel, and another $3 million to Switzerland again." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Someone must be held accountable Chief anti-corruption prosecutor sounds alarm on justice delayed Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Medicaid cuts included in President Donald Trumps signature Big, Beautiful Bill, are already prompting Kentucky hospitals to consider pausing expansions, scaling back services, layoffs and even closing altogether. Thats the takeaway from Kentucky Hospital Association President and CEO Nancy Galvagni, who notes while the cuts officially start in 2028, the earliest effects will be felt much sooner. A few hospitals are already putting some reductions in place, but we think most of that will happen next year, Galvagni told the Herald-Leader recently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hospitals already operate on razor-thin margins and rely on state-directed Medicaid payments to cover the cost of care. This is particularly true for Kentuckys rural hospitals, which treat more patients on Medicaid and Medicare than those with commercial insurance, Galvagni said. When these extra funds go away, theyre going to be severely harmed, she said. In a recent interview, Galvagni ticked off the types of cuts rural and urban hospitals across the state are weighing. With the passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act over the summer, Kentucky is set to lose billions in federal dollars used to prop up health care access and employment. When those services are gone, more than just Medicaid patients will lose out. Weve even heard that some hospitals might not be able to continue their cancer treatment because thats a subsidized service, she said, adding those sick patients would have to travel hours out of their way to seek treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Galvagni said the Kentucky Hospital Association has reached out to the commonwealths congressional delegation about the effects of the Medicaid cuts, but so far a solution hasnt been reached. I think our members of Congress dont want to see hospitals closed, and I think they dont want to see services go away, but were early in those discussions to know what the solution might be, she said. How are KY hospitals planning for looming Medicaid funding cuts? One early estimate laid out by Senate Democrats in a letter to Trump and Republican leaders in Congress found 35 rural hospitals in Kentucky more than any other state are at risk of service cutbacks, restructuring or outright closures. It cites information provided by the Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina and includes the following Kentucky hospitals: Whitesburg ARH Highlands Regional Medical Center University of Louisville Health - Shelbyville T.J. Samson Community Hospital St. Claire Medical Center Middlesboro ARH Spring View Hospital AdventHealth Manchester Bourbon Community Hospital Harlan ARH Deaconess Henderson Hospital Saint Joseph Mount Sterling Tug Valley ARH Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Baptist Health Corbin Clark Regional Medical Center Baptist Health Madisonville The Medical Center of Albany Three Rivers Medical Center Kentucky River Medical Center TJ Health Columbia Pineville Community Health Center Marcum & Wallace Memorial Hospital Our Lady of the Way Casey County Hospital Carroll County Memorial Hospital The Medical Center at Caverna Fort Logan Hospital Mary Breckinridge Hospital Jane Todd Crawford Hospital Barbourville ARH Hospital Saint Joseph Berea Russell County Hospital McDowell ARH Fleming County Hospital There are 35 Kentucky hospitals at risk of closure due to Congressional Medicaid cuts . The map indicates locations of hospitals most susceptible. Speaking to the Herald-Leader Oct. 31, Galvagni stressed closure will always be a hospitals last resort. Still, patients are likely to feel the cost-cutting measures hospitals implement to avoid taking that drastic step, and not just those who rely on Medicaid for their care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, hospitals will try to cut costs by putting off capital projects, and Galvagni said many hospitals around Kentucky are already looking at that. That includes hospitals delaying renovations and shelving plans for new outpatient centers and other bids to expand their services. It also means delaying new equipment purchases and upgrades. Kentuckians already face long travel times to seek care given the states severe shortage of health care workers. Were probably not going to see expanded services, which benefits patients, because when hospitals expand, theyre probably going to make services more available closer to home, Galvagni said. She added hospitals in urban centers will be under greater pressure to pick up the slack. Hospitals will then be forced to ask what services they can afford to keep? Behavioral health is often the first to go in these situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Behavioral health probably is a service thats going to be looked at strongly as to whether that can continue because the reimbursement for behavioral health is very, very low, Galvagni said. Hospitals lose money on that service, and so that may be something that they can no longer offer. Similar services on the chopping block include maternity services and community outreach, where hospital employees show up at local health fairs to conduct free screenings. It puts hospitals in the position of making hard choices, Galvagni said. To say that were not going to provide behavioral health anymore, well that doesnt just affect the Medicaid patients that use that service. That affects the entire community, she said. When those services disappear, the ramifications can be widespread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When services go away, then jobs are going to go away, Galvagni said, adding about 60% of a hospitals costs are on personnel. Across Kentucky, hospitals employ 90,000 people. If nothing changes, job losses are likely, Galvagni said. In Kentuckys rural communities, where hospitals are some of the biggest employers and pay high wages, that will likely be felt across the local economy. We do expect to start seeing that next year, Galvagni said. Is a federal employee described as an "ICE agent" in social media posts now wanted by law enforcement for his involvement in a Chicago shooting? No, that's not true: No court records say that such an arrest warrant was issued. An attorney for the injured woman, charged with interfering with on-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agents, confirmed to Lead Stories that the claim was not true. The claim appeared in a video (archived here) published on TikTok on November 4, 2025. The add-on text in the clip read: BREAKING: The ICE agent who shot a Chicago woman five times and then fled to Maine in the ICE vehicle now has a WARRANT out for his arrest for the incident. He is facing up to 20 years in prison. GOOD. But he should get locked away for life. This is what it looked like on TikTok at the time of writing: Source: Lead Stories screenshot of post at tiktok.com/@tylermatl The post referred to an incident that took place in Chicago, Illinois, on October 4, 2025. According to the government's criminal complaint (archived here and here), on that day, two cars driven by Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz "aggressively" pursued a silver Chevrolet Tahoe driven by a Customs and Borders Protection agent, which resulted in "driving into and striking" the agent's vehicle on both the driver's and "passenger's side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Martinez's and the CBP agent's cars stopped, the agent later identified as Charles Exum (archived here) "proceeded to fire approximately five shots from his service weapon at the driver of the Martinez Vehicle." The woman was later taken to the hospital to be treated for gunshot wounds. When asked if an arrest warrant had been issued for Exum, Christopher Parente, who is one of Martinez's attorneys, told Lead Stories via email on November 10, 2025: This is not true. According to searches on Google News and Yahoo News (archived here), no credible media outlet reported that an arrest warrant had been issued for Exum, the CBP agent involved in the incident, as of this writing. Martinez was charged with "one count of forcibly impeding, intimidating, and interfering with" U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agents while they are on duty with "a deadly or dangerous weapon, namely, a motor vehicle". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court records available via PACER (case #1:25-cr-00636), Martinez's defense contests the government's version of events, suggesting that it was the agent's vehicle that struck her car first and raising questions about the release of his vehicle from the FBI garage before the defense could examine it. Lead Stories manually reviewed the case's docket report and found no mentions of the purported arrest warrant for the CBP agent. A de facto partition of Gaza is likely as Trump's peace plan falters. With Hamas refusing to disarm and Israel opposing PA involvement, the Yellow Line might become the permanent border. A de facto partition of Gaza between an area controlled by Israel and another ruled by Hamas is increasingly likely, multiple sources said, with efforts to advance US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war beyond a ceasefire faltering. Six European officials with direct knowledge of the efforts to implement the next phase of the plan told Reuters it was effectively stalled. That reconstruction now appeared likely to be limited to the Israel-controlled area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That could lead to years of separation, they warned. Under the first stage of the plan, which took effect on October 10, the Israeli military currently controls 53% of the Mediterranean territory, including much of its farmland, along with Rafah in the south, parts of Gaza City, and other urban areas. Nearly all of Gaza's two million people are crammed into tent camps and the rubble of shattered cities across the rest of Gaza, which is under Hamas control. Palestinian Hamas terrorists stand guard on the day of the handover of hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack, as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled) Reuters drone footage shot in November shows cataclysmic destruction in the northeast of Gaza City after Israel's final assault before the ceasefire, following months of prior bombardments. The area is now split between Israeli and Hamas control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next stage of the plan foresees Israel withdrawing further from the Yellow Line agreed under Trump's plan, alongside the establishment of a transitional authority to govern Gaza, the deployment of a multinational security force meant to take over from the Israeli military, the disarmament of Hamas, and the start of reconstruction. But the plan provides no timelines or implementation mechanisms. Meanwhile, Hamas refuses to disarm, Israel rejects any involvement by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, and uncertainty persists over the multinational force. "We're still working out ideas," Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi said at a Manama security conference this month. "Everybody wants this conflict over; all of us want the same endgame here. Question is, how do we make it work?" Without a major push by the United States to break the impasse, the Yellow Line looks set to become the de facto border indefinitely dividing Gaza, according to 18 sources, including six European officials and a former US official familiar with the talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States has drafted a UN Security Council resolution that would grant the multinational force and a transitional governing body a two-year mandate. But ten diplomats said governments remain hesitant to commit troops. European and Arab nations, in particular, were unlikely to participate if responsibilities extended beyond peacekeeping and meant direct confrontation with Hamas or other Palestinian groups, they said. US Vice President JD Vance and Trump's influential son-in-law Jared Kushner both said last month reconstruction funds could quickly begin to flow to the Israel-controlled area even without moving to the next stage of the plan, with the idea of creating model zones for some Gazans to live in. Such US proposals suggest the fragmented reality on the ground risks becoming "locked into something much more longer term," said Michael Wahid Hanna, US program director of think-tank International Crisis Group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A State Department spokesperson said that while "tremendous progress" had been made in advancing Trump's plan, there was more work to do, without responding to questions about whether reconstruction would be limited to the Israeli-controlled area. Netanyahu: Israel has no intention of occupying, governing Gaza Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel has no intention of re-occupying or governing Gaza, even though far Right ministers in his cabinet have urged the revival of settlements dismantled in 2005. The military, too, has resisted such demands for a permanent seizure of the territory or direct oversight of Gaza's civilians. Netanyahu has instead pledged to maintain a buffer zone within Gaza, along the border, to block any repeat of Hamas's October 2023 attack that ignited the war. Israeli forces have placed large yellow cement blocks to demarcate the withdrawal line and are building infrastructure on the side of Gaza that their troops control. In the Shejaia neighborhood of Gaza City, the military took journalists last week to an outpost fortified since the ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There, satellite images show, earth and building rubble have been bulldozed into steep mounds, forming a protected vantage point for soldiers. Fresh asphalt has been laid. IDF International spokesperson Lt.-Col. Nadav Shoshani said the soldiers were there to prevent terrorists from crossing into the Israel-controlled zone, saying Israel would move further from the line once Hamas met conditions, including disarming. Once an international security force was in place. As soon as "Hamas holds their part of the agreement, we are ready to move forward," Shoshani said. An Israeli government official, responding to written questions for this article, said Israel adhered to the agreement and accused Hamas of stalling. Hamas has released the last 20 living hostages held in Gaza and the remains of 24 deceased hostages as part of the first stage of the plan. The remains of four other hostages are still in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearby, in Palestinian areas of the city, Hamas has reasserted itself in recent weeks, killing rivals. It has provided police for security and civil workers who guard food stalls and clear paths through the broken landscape using battered excavators, as the Reuters video shows. "We really need to fill the vacuum within the Gaza Strip for security," German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said at the Manama conference, urging speed and warning a Hamas resurgence could trigger renewed Israeli military operations in Gaza. Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesperson in Gaza City, said that the group was ready to hand over power to a Palestinian technocrat entity so that reconstruction could begin. "All the regions of Gaza deserve reconstruction equally," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One idea under discussion, according to two European officials and a Western diplomat, was whether Hamas could decommission weapons under international supervision rather than turn them over to Israel or another foreign force. European and Arab states want the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority and its police to return to Gaza alongside the multinational force to take over from Hamas. Thousands of its officers trained in Egypt and Jordan are ready for deployment, but Israel opposes any involvement by the Palestinian Authority. The six European officials said that absent a major shift in Hamas' or Israel's positions, or US pressure on Israel to accept a role for the Palestinian Authority and a path to statehood, they did not see Trump's plan advancing beyond the ceasefire. "Gaza must not get stuck in a no man's land between peace and war," Britain's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said at the Manama conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaza City resident Salah Abu Amr, 62, said that if no progress were made on disarming Hamas and on redevelopment across the Yellow Line, people might consider moving there. But the realities of a divided Gaza were hard to contemplate, he said. "Are we all going to be able to move into that area? Or Israel will have a veto over the entry of some of us," he said. "Are they also going to divide the families between good people, bad people?" It remains unclear who would finance rebuilding parts of Gaza under Israeli control, with Gulf nations loath to step in without involvement of the Palestinian Authority and a path to statehood, resisted by Israel. Reconstruction costs are estimated at $70 billion. Any de facto territorial breakup of Gaza would further set back Palestinian aspirations for an independent nation, including the West Bank, and worsen the humanitarian catastrophe for a people without adequate shelter and almost entirely dependent on aid for sustenance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We cannot have a fragmentation of Gaza," Jordan's Safadi said. "Gaza is one, and Gaza is part of the occupied Palestinian territory." Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin also rejected the territorial division of Gaza, and said the Palestinian Authority was ready to assume "full national responsibility." "There can be no genuine reconstruction or lasting stability without full Palestinian sovereignty over the territory," she said in a statement in response to Reuters questions. The families of several campers and two counselors who died in Julys catastrophic Hill Country floods in Texas have filed multiple lawsuits against Camp Mystic and its owners, accusing them of gross negligence. The 4 July floods, which claimed more than 130 lives across the region and was described as some of the USs deadliest floods in decades, devastated the 99-year-old Christian all-girls camp, located on the banks of the Guadalupe river in Kerr county. Twenty-five young campers, two teenage counselors and the camps longtime owner, Dick Eastland, died after flood waters inundated the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across a series of lawsuits filed by Monday, several families of the young campers and counselors described the tragedy as entirely preventable and allege that the camp leaders ignored known flood risks, did not have adequate safety procedures in place, and failed to protect the campers and counselors. The complaints name Camp Mystic and members of the Eastland family, who owned and operated the camp for decades, as defendants. One complaint, filed on behalf of the families of five campers and two counselors who died, accuses the camp of putting profit over safety and alleges that it chose to house campers in cabins sitting in flood-prone areas, despite the risk to avoid the cost of relocating the cabins. According to the filing, as the river began to rise on 4 July, camp leaders directed its groundskeepers to spend over an hour evacuating camp equipment, not its campers and counselors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The filing alleges that the camp chose not to evacuate the Bubble Inn and Twins cabins when other campers and counselors had been moved to safe, higher ground just 300 feet away. Instead, the camp chose to order its campers and counselors to remain in the Bubble Inn and Twins cabins while the flood waters overwhelmed the camp, it adds. Finally, when it was too late, the camp made a hopeless rescue effort from its self-created disaster in which 25 campers, two counselors, and the camp director died. The lawsuits assert that the section of the Guadalupe River where the camp is located has always been prone to deadly flash flooding and that the owners were well aware of the risks of flooding. One filing alleges that despite this, no flood evacuation plans were in place before the girls arrived at Camp Mystic. The families are seeking more than $1m in damages and have requested a jury trial, accusing the defendants of negligence, gross negligence, failure to warn, premises liability, wrongful death, survival action and breach of fiduciary duty, among other claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legal actions come as Camp Mystic announced in September that it had plans to partially reopen next summer, which drew backlash from several of the victims families. In one of lawsuits, the families have accused the camp of using the deceased girls as a recruiting tool, touting a memorial they would build in their honor without ever asking the parents of the girls. The families also wrote in a complaint that the defendants rush to reopen their for-profit campsite, while parents still grieve their lost daughters and pointed out that the body of one camper, Cile Steward, still remains missing. The camp is ready to move on, but these girls and their parents first deserve transparency and justice, the suits adds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to the Guardian on Tuesday morning, Camp Mystic said: We continue to pray for the grieving families and ask for Gods healing and comfort. Camp Mystics attorney Jeff Ray said that we empathize with the families of the campers and counselors and all families in the Hill Country who lost loved ones in the horrific and unprecedented flood of [4 July]. We intend to demonstrate and prove that this sudden surge of flood waters far exceeded any previous flood in the area by several magnitudes, that it was unexpected and that no adequate warning systems existed in the area. Ray added: We disagree with several accusations and misinformation in the legal filings regarding the actions of Camp Mystic and Dick Eastland, who lost his life as well. We will thoroughly respond to these accusations in due course. A trial date for the lawsuits had not immediately been set. Nov. 10 (UPI) -- The families of nine Camp Mystic campers and counselors who died in severe flooding over the summer in Texas have filed three separate lawsuits against the camp and its owners, alleging gross negligence for waiting until "it was too late." The Fourth of July flood, along the Guadalupe River, killed 25 campers, two counselors and the camp's director. According to the lawsuit filed Monday in Texas state court, the families accused the all-girls Christian camp of waiting until "it was too late" to evacuate the cabins as the nearby river overflowed its banks where they slept. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The 1:14 a.m. flash flood warning was the time to begin saving lives," the lawsuit states, as the families called the deaths "entirely preventable." According to the lawsuit, the camp and its director, Richard "Dick" Eastland, who died in the flood, did not begin evacuating campers until more than an hour after the National Weather Service issued its flash flood warning. "It simply ignored the unmistakable safety threat to its campers and counselors until this tragedy was unavoidable," according to the families. "And 27 young girls lost their lives." The families of five campers -- Anna Margaret Bellows, 8, Lila Bonner, 9, Molly DeWitt, 9, Lainey Landry, 9, and Blakely McCrory, 8 -- and two counselors -- Chloe Childress, 18, and Katherine Ferruzzo, 19 -- filed one of the lawsuits Monday. They accused the camp of refusing to accept responsibility for the girls' deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our clients have filed this lawsuit to seek accountability and truth," one of the families' attorneys, Paul Yetter, said in a statement. "Camp Mystic failed at its primary job to keep its campers and counselors safe, and young girls died as a result. This action is about transparency, responsibility and ensuring no other family experiences what these parents will now suffer the rest of their lives." A second lawsuit was filed by the family of 8-year-old Eloise "Lulu" Peck and a third lawsuit by the family of 9-year-old Ellen Getten. Each lawsuit seeks more than $1 million in damages. "These terrifying last moments and then deaths were proximately caused by the negligence and gross negligence" of the defendants, the families claim in the lawsuit, adding that they "knew that camp facilities were located in a flood zone." One month after the flooding tragedy, state lawmakers in Texas passed legislation to enhance safety measures at summer camps, including the installation of early-warning sirens to alert campers in the event of flash flooding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Camp Mystic announced in September that it would reopen next summer, as families of the girls who died called the move "putting profits over all else." "Today, campers Margaret, Lila, Molly, Lainey and Blakely should be third graders, and counselors Chloe and Katherine should be freshmen at the University of Texas. They are all gone," the lawsuit states. "And while their families struggle with their loss, the camp's actions since the tragedy have only deepened that pain." In its announcement, Camp Mystic officials said they were moving forward with rebuilding cabins and trails that were damaged or destroyed in the flood, adding "as we work to finalize plans, we will do so in a way that is mindful of those we have lost." Families of those who perished in raging floodwaters at an all-girls camp in Texas this summer are suing the camp and its owners and operators, accusing them of negligence and reckless disregard. At least 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic, along the Guadalupe River in the Hill Country of Central Texas, died as flash floods swept through the area in the early morning hours of July 4. As the floodwaters rose, the suit alleges, camp leaders instructed groundskeepers to spend more than an hour relocating camp equipment instead of people from the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These young girls died because a for-profit camp put profit over safety, it said, naming the camp and members of the Eastland family, the sites longstanding owners, among the defendants. A painted broken heart is seen near Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, on July 8, 2025, after severe flash flooding over the July 4 holiday weekend. A search and rescue team looks for people along the Guadalupe River near a damaged building at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, on July 7, 2025, following severe flash flooding that occurred during the July 4 holiday weekend. A person sifts through children's belongings at Camp Mystic on July 7, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. Art supplies lie on a damaged table inside of a cabin at Camp Mystic, in the aftermath of deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, July 7, 2025. Debris is piled up at the entrance to Camp Mystic on July 7, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. People look through items left in the bunks at Camp Mystic not swept away in the flash flooding on July 7, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. Children's clothes hang on the branch of a tree on the bank of the Guadalupe River near Camp Mystic on July 6, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. Heavy rainfall caused flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas with multiple fatalities reported. Search and recovery workers dig through debris looking for any survivors or remains of people swept up in the flash flooding near Camp Mystic on July 6, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. Heavy rainfall caused flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas with multiple fatalities reported. A view inside a cabin at Camp Mystic, the site of where at least 20 girls went missing after flash flooding in Hunt, Texas, on July 5, 2025. A view of a damaged building at Camp Mystic. A plush toy sits on the ground outside a cabin at Camp Mystic. A view inside a cabin at Camp Mystic. A view inside a cabin at Camp Mystic. A view inside a cabin at Camp Mystic. A view of a damaged building at Camp Mystic. A view of a damaged building at Camp Mystic. Towels and clothing hang on a clothesline outside a cabin at Camp Mystic. Suitcases and furniture are seen outside a cabin at Camp Mystic. People look on as law enforcement and volunteers continue to search for missing people near Camp Mystic, the site of where at least 20 girls went missing after flash flooding in Hunt, Texas, on July 5, 2025. Rescuers were on Saturday searching for more than 20 girls missing from a riverside summer camp in Texas, after torrential rains caused devastating flooding that killed at least 27 people with more rain on the way. "So far, we've evacuated over 850 uninjured people, eight injured people and have recovered 27 deceased fatalities at this time. Of these 27, 18 are adults, nine are children," said Kerr Country Sheriff Larry Leitha on July 5. Photos from Camp Mystic show devastation from fatal flooding that claimed 27 lives 1 of 19 A painted broken heart is seen near Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, on July 8, 2025, after severe flash flooding over the July 4 holiday weekend. The 32-page suit, filed in state court in Austin, accuses Camp Mystic of placing campers in cabins located in flood-prone areas and failing to develop necessary evacuation plans. The Camp chose to take no steps to protect its campers and counselors while it knew a storm and life threatening flash flooding were approaching, it said. Finally, when it was too late, the Camp made a hopeless rescue effort from its self-created disaster in which 25 campers, two counselors and the Camp director died. In response to a request for comment on the lawsuit, Camp Mystic issued a one-sentence statement: "We continue to pray for the grieving families and ask for Gods healing and comfort," it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeff Ray, the camp's legal counsel, said the defendants "disagree with several accusations and misinformation" in the suit "regarding the actions of Camp Mystic and Dick Eastland, who lost his life as well." "We empathize with the families of the campers and counselors and all families in the Hill Country who lost loved ones in the horrific and unprecedented flood of July 4," Ray said. "We intend to demonstrate and prove that this sudden surge of floodwaters far exceeded any previous flood in the area by several magnitudes, that it was unexpected and that no adequate warning systems existed in the area." A painted broken heart is seen near Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas. The lawsuit said that while youth camps provide the chance to form lifelong bonds and enjoy nature, this ideal exists only when youth camp operators take reasonable and required precautions to ensure the safety of children and counselors invited to their camps. When they fail to do so, tragedy is sure to follow. It also charges the camps owners with deepening the families pain with their actions since the tragedy, including their recent declaration of plans to reopen for business even as one victim of the disaster remains missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Camp has caused further trauma to these distraught families, it said. And through it all, the Camp refuses to accept any responsibility for its actions and failures to act, defiantly blaming this tragedy on an act of God that no responsible steps could have avoided. The plaintiffs are asking for damages of at least $1 million. 'A bull's-eye for flash flooding' The July 4 flooding killed at least 135 people, 116 of them in Kerr County, after heavy rainfall caused the Guadalupe to overflow its banks. Experts say multiple factors converged in early July in a region that political scientist Roger Pielke Jr. referred to as a bulls-eye for flash flooding to unleash the deadly scenario. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Up to 16 inches of rainfall drenched the Hill Country area from July 3 to July 5, a landscape known for rapid, raging flooding in extreme rain boosted by moist Gulf air moving over the dry, dusty hills. On the morning of July 4, precipitation was falling at 3 to 4 inches an hour, according to the National Weather Service; some locations recorded up to 7 inches, or 122 million gallons of water per square mile, in three hours. The deluge caused the Guadalupe River to rise more than 20 feet in just hours as it headed downstream in a deadly torrent through Kerr County. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Camp Mystic: Families of young victims sue TX camp owners A fight between an uncle and his nephew ended with one of them in the Ector County jail on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge. According to an Odessa Police Department report, officers were dispatched to the 800 block of Prairie Avenue about a disturbance around 11 p.m. Saturday. When officers arrived, they found Joe Rios Tijerina, 62, with a large cut above his left eye and he said hed gotten into a fight with his nephew, the report stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the report, when deputies spoke with the nephew he said an argument began after Tijerina insulted the nephews wife and mother-in-law. The nephew said during the fight Tijerina pulled a box cutter, but he was able to grab the hand with the weapon, the report stated. The nephews wife provided a similar story. Tijerinas bail has been set at $30,000. The post Family fight lands man in jail appeared first on Odessa American. GM Korea Company, the South Korean subsidiary of US automaker General Motors (GM), reportedly plans to shut down its in-house aftermarket service operations in the country by early next year. Local media reports say the step is part of a broader cost-cutting programme. GM Korea is understood to have decided to stop accepting service appointments at its nine remaining directly managed service centres from December, with the transfer of all its service activities to its independent service partners expected to be completed by February of next year. The company has around 380 partner-run service centres across South Korea, which will continue to operate as normal. GM Korea reported a 39% plunge in domestic sales to 12,979 units in the first ten months of 2025, with the company struggling to compete in this market with domestic automakers Hyundai Motor and Kia Corporation, as well as a growing number of import brands. GM Koreas exports have also been affected by the imposition of import tariffs in the US. The company produced almost 500,000 vehicles last year, with over 80% of output understood to have been exported to the US. Exports declined by 6% to 353,032 vehicles in the first ten months of 2025, with around 85% of these said to have been shipped to the US. GM Koreas manufacturing operations are seen as vulnerable to closure if exports to the US lose their competitiveness. The company has been re-evaluating its operations in South Korea since the second quarter of 2025, as it braced for the impact of the US import duties on its earnings. Some local analysts are speculating whether the decision to close down its in-house service network is the beginning of GMs exit strategy from South Korea. While the US government recently agreed to lower its duties on South Korean imports from the 25% introduced in April to 15%, the import tariff remains a significant additional cost affecting the competitiveness of GM Koreas exports to the US one that was not there last year. "GM to close in-house service operations in Korea" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) A 23-year-old woman has been identified as the victim of a fatal crash with a semi on I-39 on Thursday night. According to the Winnebago County Coroners Office, Taylor Rockwell was driving southbound on I-39 around 8:25 p.m. when she lost control of her vehicle, crossed into the northbound lanes, and was struck by the semi truck. Illinois State Police and Cherry Valley Fire were the first responders on the scene. Rockwell was transported to a local hospital but was pronounced dead at 11:35 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coroner said Rockwells cause of death was anoxic brain injury due to the crash. The crash remains under investigation by the Winnebago County Sheriffs Office and the Illinois State Police. No charges have been announced. A GoFundMe, started by family friend Josey Richards hopes to raise money to support Rockwells family. On Thursday, November 6th, my best friends daughter, Taylor, was in a tragic car accident after leaving work. This is an unbearable tragedy as Taylor leaves behind 2 young boys, Richards wrote. 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Two people were killed when a small aircraft carrying humanitarian relief supplies to Jamaica crashed in Coral Springs, Florida, authorities and a religious ministry said. The plane crashed in Coral Springs at about 10:19 a.m. local time on Monday, Nov. 10, killing two people, authorities in Coral Springs said in a news release. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. Alexander Wurm, 53, founder and CEO of Ignite the Fire, an evangelical organization, along with his daughter, Serena, 22, were identified as the victims of the fatal crash, according to a statement posted on Facebook by Ignite the Fire. The deaths were also announced in a statement by Crisis Relief International. A resident stands at a flooded section of Port Royal in Kingston on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. A man covers the windows of his home with corrugated iron ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Melissa in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa strengthened Monday as it took aim at Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean as a top-level Category 5 storm, with forecasters predicting catastrophic flooding and urging residents to seek shelter immediately. After passing over Jamaica, the storm was forecast to head north and cross over eastern Cuba on Tuesday night, while continuing to bring rain and heavy winds to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. A man watches the waves crash into the walls at the Kingston Waterfront on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. A motorist drives along flooded Michael Manley Boulevard in Kingston, Jamaica, as Jamaica starts to feel the effects of Hurricane Mellisa on October 26, 2025. Hurricane Melissa, already a major category 4 storm, gathered steam Sunday as it took aim at Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, with forecasters predicting catastrophic flooding and urging residents to seek shelter immediately. A coconut tree sways in the wind at the Kingston Waterfront on Ocean Boulevard in Kingston, Jamaica, as Jamaica starts to feel the effects of Hurricane Mellisa on Oct. 26, 2025. Hurricane Melissa was cutting a deadly path in the Caribbean on the night of October 25, with rapid intensification expected over the weekend as it took a worryingly slow course toward Jamaica and the island of Hispaniola, forecasters said. Waves crash onto the beach in Kingston on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. Satellite image of Hurricane Melissa as of 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. People fill bags with sand in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in Port Royal, Jamaica on Oct. 26, 2025. Alfred Veitch places concrete blocks on top of his chicken coop, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in Port Royal, Jamaica on Oct. 26, 2025. A person watches waves crash on the beach, ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in Port Royal, Jamaica on Oct. 26, 2025. Fishermen move a boat to higher ground, in preparation of Hurricane Melissa, in Port Royal, Jamaica on Oct. 26, 2025. Empty counters at the airport, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in Kingston, Jamaica on Oct. 25, 2025. People load sandbags onto a vehicle, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in the Harbour View neighborhood of Kingston, Jamaica on Oct. 25, 2025. The National Hurricane Center reports Melissa has strengthened into a hurricane in the Caribbean on Oct. 25 and could soon rapidly intensify into a monstrous Category 4 or 5 storm, bringing perilous threats of rain, winds and storm surge to northern Caribbean islands. A drone view shows a vehicle driving along a flooded street amid rain caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 24, 2025. People transit on a motorcycle through a street flooded by rains caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 23, 2025. People look on at the entrance to their homes on a street flooded by rains caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 23, 2025. A woman is standing on a street flooded by rains caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 23, 2025. A drone view shows water rushing through a spillway at the Sabaneta Dam as water levels are elevated due to Tropical Storm Melissa, in Sabaneta, Dominican Republic October 23, 2025. People walk through a flooded street amid rain caused by Tropical storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 24, 2025. A woman walks along a flooded street amid rain caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 24, 2025. A drone view shows a flooded area amid rain caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 24, 2025. Gas pumps are wrapped in plastic at a Texaco station as part of storm preparations, ahead of Tropical Storm Melissa, which is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the area, in Kingston, Jamaica, October 25, 2025. Workers board up a business ahead of the potential impact of Tropical Storm Melissa, in Kingston, Jamaica, October 24, 2025. Hurricane Melissa slams the Caribbean. See the floods and impact on residents in photos 1 of 23 A resident stands at a flooded section of Port Royal in Kingston on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. The Beechcraft King Air twin turbo aircraft went down in a water feature/retention pond in the Coral Springs neighborhood of Windsor Bay, but did not strike any houses, the city stated. According to FAA records, the Beechcraft was manufactured in 1976 and licensed to International Air Services Inc., an aircraft registration company that provides a way for non-U.S. citizens to legally register their aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city advised residents to be aware of widespread police activity, keep their doors closed to avoid fumes, and report any debris they discover. The flight, loaded with relief supplies, had taken off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at 10:15 a.m., according to the flight tracking website, FlightAware. The website reported the flight was scheduled to arrive at Sangster International Airport at 12:35 p.m. Daryl Vaz, Jamaica's transport minister, told news outlets that the country's Civil Defense Authority had received an application for a permit for the plane to land in Montego Bay. The authority responded with the requirements for the application, according to audio published by the Jamaica Gleaner. Vaz said the defense authority reported it had not received a reply to its response and that no permit had been issued for the craft's arrival. He confirmed that the applicant had previously flown into Jamaica twice since Hurricane Melissa. 'Their final journey embodied selflessness and courage' Recovery efforts remain in high gear in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa. Officials with the country and the U.S. Department of State appeared together at a news conference on Nov. 10, announcing an additional $10 million in relief for the island, taking the total to $22 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 32 deaths were confirmed in Jamaica, and island authorities have estimated that the roofs were taken off 120,000 buildings, and that more than two dozen communities have been isolated. Wurm, a self-described pilot, posted on Instagram on Nov. 2 that he had found "an older King Air, with brand new engines" to fly missions and "perfect for the mission to bring relief goods into Montego Bay and the plane is ready just in time!" Ignite the Fire posted on its Instagram earlier in November that Wurm and two others had flown into Jamaica at least twice since Melissa made landfall in Jamaica to deliver relief supplies in collaboration with Crisis Response International. On Nov. 2, Wurm, who lived in the Cayman Islands with his family, had posted on his own social media that Ignite was excited to fly generators, screws, tarps, battery packs, and StarLink communications systems to Jamaica. "Together, their final journey embodied selflessness and courage, reminding us of the power of service and love," Ignite the Fire said in a Facebook post about Wurm and his daughter. "May we continue their legacy of generosity, compassion, and faith." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wurm leaves behind his wife, Candace, and two other children, James and Christiana, according to the Nov. 10 post by Ignite the Fire. Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, covers climate change, weather, the environment and other news. Reach her at dpulver@usatoday.com or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X or dinahvp.77 on Signal. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Plane carrying hurricane relief supplies fatally crashes in Florida NEED TO KNOW A father and daughter have been killed after the plane they were traveling in crashed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Monday, Nov. 10 Alexander Wurm, 53, and his daughter Serena, 22, who were identified by their ministry, were transporting supplies to Jamaica following the devastation from Hurricane Melissa The FAA and the NTSB are investigating the incident, authorities said A father and daughter have died after the small plane they were traveling in, which was carrying relief supplies for Jamaica following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, crashed in Florida. On Monday, Nov. 10 at 10:19 a.m. local time, the Coral Springs Police Department and the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department responded to 5000 NW 57th Way in the Fort Lauderdale suburb in reference to a plane crash, authorities said in a news release shared on the City of Coral Springs government website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police then confirmed that "two people tragically lost their lives" in the accident in a further update. The tragedy occurred shortly after the plane took off at approximately 10:14 a.m. from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, according to CNN, which cited a spokesperson for the City of Fort Lauderdale. The turboprop plane is believed to have crashed into a pond in a gated residential neighborhood, narrowly missing homes. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed in an X post that it is investigating Monday's crash, adding that it was a Beech B100 airplane that went down. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also investigating, per the release. Ignite the Fire/Facebook Alexander and Serena Wurm Alexander and Serena Wurm The dad and daughter's ministry, Ignite the Fire, identified Alexander Wurm, 53, and his daughter Serena, 22, as the victims of the crash in a Facebook post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization, which has been documenting its efforts to help on social media amid the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, announced the "devastating news" alongside a photograph of the two victims, writing that they'd died "while bringing humanitarian aid to Jamaica." The tribute said that Alexander, who was the founder of the evangelical Christian ministry, was "known for his warmth and unwavering kindness." "Throughout his life, Alex travelled extensively, reaching various countries and continents, where he tirelessly worked to bring faith, compassion, and support to those in need. His legacy of faith and compassion touched countless lives. There are not enough words to describe him," the message read. RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica The statement included, "Beyond all the roles Husband, father, friend, counsellor, mentorhe was the person we could be completely raw with, and hed meet us there with grace and understanding. May his love and wisdom continue to echo through everything we do." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ministry added, "Evangelist Wurm is the founder of Ignite the Fire Ministry, dedicated to empowering youth through missions and evangelism across the Caribbean. They aim to cultivate volunteers who are passionate about making a difference, fostering leadership and community involvement." "Alex leaves behind his beautiful wife, Candace, and two children, son James (17) and daughter Christiana (20). Serena, following in her fathers footsteps, was a beacon of empathy and hope, inspiring all with her commitment to humanitarian work. Together, their final journey embodied selflessness and courage, reminding us of the power of service and love," the Facebook post read. It concluded, "As we [honor] their memory, may we continue their legacy of generosity, compassion, and faith. Rest in peace, Alexander and Serenayour light endures in all whose lives you changed." The City of Coral Springs' news release stated, "There will be a significant police presence in the area of Windsor Bay throughout the remainder of the day and tomorrow as investigators work to collect evidence." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Residents may notice a strong odor of fuel in the air. While the majority of these fumes have evaporated, it may take time for the remainder to dissipate. The city strongly recommends residents in the area to avoid being outdoors and keep doors closed for the remainder of the night," the post added. 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. The victims were heading to Jamaica to help after Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a Category 5 storm on the island on Oct. 28. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness previously declared the island a "disaster area," per a Facebook post shared on the day the hurricane hit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Areas in countries including Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic also experienced devastating effects from the storm, with communities now attempting to rebuild. Ignite the Fire Ministry, Coral Springs Police Chief Brad Mock, the Coral Springs Fire Department, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Broward Sheriffs Office and the Federal Aviation Administration did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information regarding Monday's crash. Read the original article on People The family of an 18-year-old Florida high school senior whose body was found aboard a Carnival Cruise passenger ship over the weekend is now awaiting word from FBI investigators about the circumstances leading to the teens death. Anna Kepner, described by her family as an A-student with plans to join the military, died aboard the Carnival Horizon, a Panamanian-registered cruise ship which returned to Port Miami Nov. 8 following a trip to the Caribbean. The cause of death was not immediately known. Anna Kepner The teens body was turned over to the Miami-Dade medical examiners office, where an autopsy was expected to be carried out. The FBI, which by law shares jurisdiction with state law enforcement agencies involving maritime incidents, boarded the ship as part of its investigation. Deaths are reported from time to time on cruise ships but are typically handled by local authorities. It was not clear why the case at Port Miami garnered federal attention. Some cruise ships, like the Horizon, can carry up to 4,000 to 5,000 people or more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can confirm that the FBI has responded to the scene. Because this is an ongoing matter, no further information is available at this time, said James Marshall, spokesperson for the FBI. Anna Kepner Carnival Cruise Lines also confirmed the death. The death of a guest traveling on the Carnival Horizon voyage that returned to Port Miami on Saturday morning, Nov. 8, is being investigated by the FBI, Carnival Cruise officials said in a statement issued to FLORIDA TODAY. Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest. In a statement to ABC News, the family spoke about the Titusville teen known by the nickname "Anna Banana," saying she "had that type of energy that just drew you in with her smile and the way she carried herself. She was such an easy person to talk to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was the best child you could ever meet. Well always remember her for who she was. At the teens school, Temple Christian, students gathered early Monday, Nov. 10 and covered her white car with flowers as a tribute. Anna, I will deeply miss you. You were a bright, kind-hearted young woman whose presence brought warmth and energy into the classroom, Rich Brunner, youth pastor at the school, wrote in a post to Facebook. J.D. Gallop is a Criminal Justice/Breaking News Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X: @JDGallop. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Titusville teen Anna Kepner dies aboard Carnival ship WASHINGTON (AP) The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday named a longtime regulator of cancer medicines to lead the agency's drug center, replacing the former drug director who was recently ousted after an ethics complaint. Dr. Richard Pazdur, a 26-year veteran of the agency, will become director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the FDA's largest unit. A cancer specialist, Pazdur has previously served in numerous FDA roles, most recently leading the agency's Oncology Center of Excellence. Pazdur's appointment comes just over a week after Dr. George Tidmarsh abruptly departed the agency after federal ethics lawyers began reviewing serious concerns about his personal conduct, according to a government statement. Tidmarsh, a former pharmaceutical executive and scientist, had been recruited to the agency by FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lawsuit filed early this month alleged that Tidmarsh used his position at the FDA to pursue a longstanding personal vendetta against the chairman of a Canadian drugmaker's board of directors. The two men had previously worked as business associates at several pharmaceutical companies, according to the lawsuit. Tidmarsh has denied any wrongdoing in media interviews. He did not respond to requests for comment sent by The Associated Press to him and his lawyer. Pazdur is one of the last remaining members of the FDAs senior leadership to survive months of retirements, firings, resignations, and other actions by the Trump administration that forced longtime employees out of the agency. He'll be tasked with bringing stability to a unit that has been riven by low morale, return-to-office orders and turf battles with other parts of the agency, including the vaccine and biologics center led by Dr. Vinay Prasad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FDAs drug center has lost more than 1,000 staffers over the past year to layoffs or resignations, according to agency figures. The center is responsible for the review, safety and quality control of prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Pazdur will also inherit several new initiatives announced by Makary, including a voucher program that aims to review drugs that are deemed a national priority in just one to two months. Previously, the FDA's fastest drug reviews required six months. As the FDA's top cancer specialist, Pazdur previously oversaw efforts to expedite the approvals of experimental cancer therapies based on early measures, such as tumor shrinkage. That approach has been criticized by many in academia, including Prasad, who spent years publishing papers scrutinizing the FDA's approach to cancer medicines before joining the agency earlier this year. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. A father is back with his family after being detained during an immigration raid at a Cypress Park Home Depot. Federal agents allegedly drove off with his baby in the backseat. The 32-year-old, who is a U.S. citizen, was released after two days in custody. He was detained last Tuesday for allegedly throwing rocks at agents. He says agents then drove off in his car, with his 1-year-old daughter in the backseat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's a baby in the back! Yeah, bro, and the guy was doing absolutely nothing, bro," a witness said, taking a cellphone video of the incident. The child can be seen in the backseat in the video, with two masked federal agents in the front. The baby was released to her family. Her grandmother says she had a bruised cheek, but is otherwise OK. SEE ALSO: 1-year-old, parents allegedly pepper-sprayed by federal agents during immigration raid near Chicago Cellphone video showed the moment Rafael Veraza says he and his family were pepper-sprayed on Saturday morning by Border Patrol agents in the parking lot of a Sam's Club. A Tulsa-based federal judge has refused to temporarily block Tulsa County's district attorney from hauling tribal citizens into state court if they are accused of misdemeanor crimes inside a different tribe's reservation. The Nov. 7 order from U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell put the brakes on a lawsuit filed by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, a lawsuit that could effectively put all Native American criminal defendants into a tribal court rather than one operated by the state (if the crime was committed inside a tribal reservation). The MCN claims sole authority to prosecute any Native American who commits a crime on its reservation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frizzell wrote that the tribe's arguments were unpersuasive and that immediately blocking state prosecutions would do more harm to the status quo. Even though Frizzell rejected the MCN's first volley, legal questions raised in the lawsuit have yet to be decided. It's also likely that both sides are motivated enough to appeal the issue all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. That didn't stop Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt from claiming victory, however. In a press release, Stitt said the order was a "decisive confirmation of what Oklahomas highest courts and this administration have said from the beginning." "Judge Frizzells ruling is common sense, and confirms what Ive said all along," said Stitt. "His decision to recognize the authority of district attorneys to pursue justice in every county preserves the rule of law and protects victims across our state." More: U.S. Supreme Court could decide whether some tribal members pay state income taxes What to know about lawsuit, McGirt ruling The lawsuit is a continuation of Native American tribes' assertion of sovereignty, which was guaranteed by U.S. treaties during a forced relocation to what is now the state of Oklahoma. The state, in particular its governor, has resisted those efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahomans may be aware of the 2020 McGirt ruling where the U.S. Supreme Court recognized Oklahoma's tribal reservations and upheld tribes' sovereignty when it comes to prosecuting "Indians" accused of committing serious, felony-level crimes. The ruling ushered in a wave of court cases to further define exactly how far tribal sovereignty extends, both in criminal and civil law. The current lawsuit argues that the MCN has authority to prosecute any member of a federally recognized tribe who commits a misdemeanor on its reservation, regardless of whether the suspect is a member of the MCN. The entirety of Tulsa County sits within the MCN and Cherokee reservations. In building their argument, MCN's lawyers point to several misdemeanor cases filed in Tulsa County District Court involving suspects accused of obstruction, driving under the influence and retail larceny. The suspects were tribal members, but not members of the MCN. "The countys unlawful assertion of criminal jurisdiction over Indians within the Creek Reservation irreparably harms the Nations sovereignty, as repeated decisions of the Tenth Circuit confirm. Permitting the county to continue asserting such jurisdiction during the pendency of this action would only compound that harm," MCN's attorneys wrote in their request to have the court put a preliminary injunction and restraining order on Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kunzweiler's attorneys responded to those arguments saying that McGirt was narrowly written and only applies to major crimes. "Unlike the dispute in McGirt, the five cases (MCN) cites as the basis for its request for extraordinary relief involve state prosecution of nonmember Indians for non-major crimes allegedly committed in Indian country," they wrote. In other words, the state believes that a Choctaw citizen arrested for driving drunk in Tulsa County, even though it was inside the MCN reservation, should face charges in state court. In his order, Frizzell attempted to bridge the gap between the sides with a suggestion that both governments could initiate prosecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Just as a state and the federal government may each as separate sovereigns prosecute an individual for the same criminal conduct without causing harm to their respective sovereignty, so too can the (MCN) and the state exercise concurrent jurisdiction over a nonmember Indian for the same criminal act without irreparable harm to the Nation," he wrote. In a statement, press secretary Jason Salzman said the Muscogee (Creek) Nation is disappointed that the court didn't take its side, but insisted the case isn't over. "The fight against unlawful state authority over Indians in the Muscogee Reservation will continue, and we are not going to allow (the) unfortunate ruling to discourage the Nation's ongoing efforts to defend its sovereignty on its territory," Salzman said. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Judge won't block DA from prosecuting tribal citizens in state courts States that disbursed full benefits to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, recipients over the weekend don't have to try to get the money back, a federal judge ordered on Nov. 10. A flurry of court rulings in the last several days has led to confusion and frustration for the tens of millions of Americans waiting for the final word on when they will receive the federal food aid they rely on. U.S. Judge Indira Talwani of Massachusetts blocked a Nov. 8 order from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that said states needed to claw back any November benefits distributed before a Supreme Court ruling the previous evening. 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. "What you have right now is a confusion of the agency's own making," Talwani said in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In complying with a Rhode Island federal judge's order to provide full November benefits, the USDA told states in a Nov. 7 memo that it was sending the money over. Hours later, the Trump administration received a temporary stay from the Supreme Court, but more than a dozen states had already distributed money to millions of Americans. Late on Nov. 8, the USDA demanded in a separate memo that states retrieve any money they had distributed. The agency ordered states to stop paying full food aid benefits, saying in the memo that they were "unauthorized" to provide the full amount and must instead provide only partial funding. "States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025," the memo said. But several states asked Talwani, the judge in the Massachusetts case they had brought against the government, to block the USDA from following through on the threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She agreed. "It seems to me that the states acted fairly reasonably to follow your November 7th guideline, even if there is a mistake here," she said. At least 17 states had already released the full benefit amount, according to research by the Food Research and Action Center. On the list are several plaintiffs in the Massachusetts case, including California, Michigan, New York and New Jersey. Volunteers load boxes of food into cars during an event held by the Community Food Bank of New Jersey to deliver emergency food relief to federal workers and SNAP recipients amid the U.S. government shutdown in Leonia, New Jersey, U.S., November 6, 2025. Talwani pointed out that the guidance issued by the USDA doesn't mention an appeal or a potential stay, and does not tell states not to give out the money. "It doesn't say 'don't do anything because we're appealing it and that we're seeking a stay,'"Talwani said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department of Justice lawyer Tyler Becker argued that the states knew that the Trump administration was appealing the Rhode Island decision and should have waited to find out the result before giving people the food aid. "States decided to jump the gun," he said. Michelle Pascucci, state trial attorney for the Massachusetts Attorney General's office, said that the USDA could have issued another guidance memo when the Supreme Court's stay took effect. "They could have sent that correction at any point in (the) 24 hours between the administrative stay at the Supreme Court and the 10:30 e-mail that went out on Saturday evening," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talawani questioned how the USDA expected states to get money back from SNAP recipients who may have already spent it, and said the administration should have come to the courts rather than "sending threatening letters on a Saturday night." First SNAP disruption in 60 years In late October, the USDA announced that November benefits from SNAP were not available during the government shutdown. It said it did not believe it was legally allowed to use a contingency fund Congress created, although the fund has been used to provide benefits during previous shutdowns. That decision led to the first disruption of food benefits in SNAP's more than 60-year history. More: Is the federal government shutdown over? Here's what still needs to happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Senate reached a tentative agreement on Nov. 9 aimed at reopening the federal government and funding several agencies and programs, including food aid. The agreed-to deal, which was struck with eight Senate Democrats, would reopen the government until Jan. 30 and fund SNAP through September 2026 at higher levels. The Senate could vote to approve the deal as soon as the evening of Nov. 10. The House is expected to vote later in the week. 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: Federal judge says SNAP recipients can keep state-provided benefits A group of Afghans approved for resettlement in Germany arrived in Hanover on Tuesday evening - the fifth such transfer since the current German government took office. According to a dpa photographer, the plane bringing a group of 11 Afghan citizens arrived at the Hanover airport around 5:20 pm (1620 GMT) after leaving Islamabad earlier in the day with a stop over in Istanbul. According to the spokesperson for the German Interior Ministry, there were legally binding court orders for all of the arrivals requiring German to allow them entry and requiring Germany to issue them the needed visas. All had completed the admission procedure and a security check. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total of around 1,900 Afghans are waiting in Pakistan to leave for Germany. Previously, four similar flights had brought Afghans to Hanover under various German admission programmes for people considered especially at risk. Many Afghan families have been stranded in Islamabad for months or years, waiting for their chance to leave. Germany's conservative-led coalition government suspended a resettlement programme for particularly vulnerable Afghans in May. The scheme had covered former local staff of German institutions, their relatives and others fearing persecution by the Taliban, such as lawyers and journalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Afghans are still being granted visas despite the suspension, after successfully suing in German courts to enforce their right to entry. In its coalition agreement, the German government pledged to end voluntary federal admission programmes such as those for Afghanistan and not to introduce new ones. Earlier this month, the German government sent letters to some Afghans offering financial support if they give up plans to immigrate to Germany - a move that has been sharply criticized by recipients. "We have spent two years in Pakistan, and now we are being offered a shameful and foolish deal that jeopardizes our future and that of our children," an Afghan who received the letter told dpa. Others said they were shocked and disappointed. People leave a plane after landing at Hanover-Langenhagen Airport. Afghans who have been accepted for admission are said to have arrived in Hanover on a scheduled flight. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa Turning Point USA wrapped up its nationwide campus tour Monday night at UC Berkeley, marking two months since the death of its founder, Charlie Kirk, who was killed while speaking at a Utah college. The final event drew hundreds of attendees to Zellerbach Hall, and many protesters outside. Demonstrators, including students and activists, gathered hours before doors opened, chanting with signs. Organizers anticipated protests, but tensions escalated quickly. At one point, the entrance line had to be moved further down the block, due to crowding and confrontations. Ticketing issues also emerged, with some speakers blaming the university for logistical mishaps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside the venue, protesters voiced strong opposition to Turning Point USA being on UC Berkeley's campus. MORE: UC Berkeley prepares for final Turning Point USA tour stop "We're using our facilities, resources to do it, which I think is just crazy. Go somewhere else, we don't want you here," said Stella, a student protester. "Events like this should never happen on this campus or anywhere again," added another masked demonstrator. Inside, the event continued despite the unrest. Supporters of Kirk and Turning Point USA remained undeterred. One attendee, Grace Fortune, said she got dirty looks on campus for wearing a T-shirt that had mentions of Jesus and Kirk. MORE: Turning Point USA announces counterprogram Super Bowl halftime show "When you see someone that courageous with their faith, you're like why am I not that courageous with my faith" said Fortune. "I shouldn't be afraid to wear a shirt that says 'Jesus' on it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fortune said while purchasing a T-shirt for her husband from a street vendor, she witnessed him get beat up by a protester. ABC7 News cameras captured the vendor, with a bloody face, getting escorted away by police while another man was arrested. Bernt Wahl, another attendee said he is more neutral. "I want to encourage free ideas, don't want one side to dominate the other," said Wahl. "There are valid points on both sides." MORE: Erika Kirk elected as new CEO for Turning Point USA after husband's death Actor Rob Schneider, one of the evening's speakers, criticized the university's handling of the event and broader free speech issues: "Shame on you, Berkeley," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Addressing protesters, he added, "They're coming from a place of emotion, and that's tough." Even without Kirk, the event concluded with Turning Point USA's signature "Prove Me Wrong" format, inviting attendees to ask questions and share their perspectives. Outside, protesters remained vocal throughout the evening, shouting at attendees as they exited. Police stayed throughout the night, escorting attendees as they left campus. UC Berkeley officials released a statement to ABC7 News' Frances Wang on Tuesday writing: UC Berkeley condemns all violence and will hold accountable anyone who violates the law or campus regulations. The University is firmly committed to an open and robust marketplace of ideas and to maintaining a campus where people of all beliefs and perspectives can feel safe and respected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no place at UC Berkeley for attempts to use violence or intimidation to prevent lawful expression or chill free speech. The University is conducting a full investigation and intends to fully cooperate with and assist any federal investigations and the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force to identify the outside agitators responsible for attempting to disrupt last night's TPUSA event. UC Berkeley will take all appropriate steps to safeguard the right of every member of our community to speak and assemble freely. Thanks to the dedication and cooperation of numerous University, state, and local police officers, the efforts to prevent last night's event did not succeed. Instead, the TPUSA event proceeded safely and without interruption, with more than 900 participants in attendance. Several arrests were made in connection with the event by both city and university police. UC Berkeley appreciates and commends the officers and staff who helped preserve both public safety and freedom of speech on our campus. The University remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold open dialogue, respect, and the rule of law. If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live Crews have been furiously working on a new development in Ridgeland ever since it was announced that a new ALDI grocery was officially coming to Ridgeland. The final phase debuted Nov. 10 with the opening of PetSmart, which followed last week's T.J. Maxx opening. It was all a part of a multi-step development plan, called a community power center that is anchored by Costco. That is also part of a broader development down the street at Renaissance at Colony Park. Along with ALDI, the new part of the development includes T.J. Maxx, Old Navy, Petsmart and La-Z-Boy, all of which sits beside Costco. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 22,865 total square feet, ALDI will be the second largest business in the new development, second to the new 24,869 square feet T.J. Maxx next door. All of the stores will have a new customer-experience models. "A lot of people have been excited about this, and I believe everyone will be pleased with how it turns out," Andrew Mattiace, developer of the property, previously told the Clarion Ledger. "It really has been an honor to work with all of these companies. They have been so professional and easy to work with. We can't wait to have them show off their new facilities to our Mississippi customers." ALDI continues expansion ALDI grocery, which has more than 2,000 locations across the nation, is quickly becoming an established, beloved chain in Mississippi. There are 12 other ALDI locations in Mississippi, including one location in Flowood which opened in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An ALDI location also opened in Hattiesburg at the end of 2023. Hundreds of shoppers arrived at the Hattiesburg location's opening day. ALDI grocery store in Ridgeland, Mississippi. One of the things that will help the ALDI location, Mattiace said, is that the company has a new distribution facility in Foley, Alabama, that will serve this location. "Strategically, being that close to this market has made this process so much better," Mattiace previously said. "They have all been so easy to work with." The multi-step development plan in Ridgeland that includes ALDI, tT.J. Maxx, Old Navy, Petsmart and La-Z-Boy had its last tenant open on Nov. 10. Ross Reily is a writer for the Clarion Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at rreily@gannett.com or 601-573-2952. You can follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter @GreenOkra1. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Final store next to Aldi opens in Ridgeland MS development The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released the exterior renderings and locations of the Coeur dAlene Idaho and Calabar Nigeria temples. Plans for the Coeur dAlene Idaho Temple The Coeur dAlene Idaho Temple, to be the churchs 10th operating temple in Idaho, will be built on a 10.91-acre site located at the corner of Hanley Avenue and Coeur Terre Boulevard in Coeur dAlene, Idaho. Site plans released Monday by the church state the single-story temple of approximately 29,630 square feet will be accompanied by a meetinghouse and an ancillary building. A site map of the Coeur dAlene Idaho Temple. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Once dedicated, the Coeur dAlene temple which was first announced by President Russell M. Nelson in the October 2024 general conference will help serve the more than 480,000 Latter-day Saints in nearly 1,300 congregations that reside in Idaho. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find him in the temple, President Nelson said of temples in 2024. You will feel his mercy. You will find answers to your most vexing questions. You will better comprehend the joy of his gospel. Plans for the Calabar Nigeria Temple As for the Calabar Nigeria Temple, it will be built on a 7-acre site at Atekong Drive, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. An exterior rendering of the Calabar Nigeria Temple. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Plans for the Calabar temple call for a single-story structure of approximately 26,000 square feet, accompanied by patron housing, arrival facilities and a meetinghouse, according to the churchs release. To be the churchs fifth operating temple in Nigeria, the Calabar temple will help serve the more than 250,000 members in 840 congregations that call Nigeria home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was announced by President Nelson in the October 2023 general conference, at which time President Nelson taught: The Lord is directing us to build these temples to help us think celestial. God lives. Jesus is the Christ. His church has been restored to bless all of Gods children. A site map of the Calabar Nigeria Temple. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Recently called church President Dallin H. Oaks spoke at the most recent general conference about advancing work on previously announced temples. With the large number of temples now in the very earliest phases of planning and construction, it is appropriate that we slow down the announcement of new temples, said President Oaks at the start of his October 2025 general conference remarks. Therefore, with the approval of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, we will not announce any new temples at this conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will now move forward in providing the ordinances of the temple to members of the church throughout the world, including when and where to announce the construction of new temples. Correction: The site map for the Coeur dAlene Idaho Temple has been updated to correct a misnamed road. American Marines and soldiers are once again rucking through the Panamanian jungle, for the first time in more than two decades. The U.S. military, along with Panamanian security forces, revived jungle warfare courses for conventional forces this fall. Soldiers and Marines are learning survival techniques including foraging, navigating dense tropical forest terrain and combat in the jungle as part of the new Combined Jungle Operations Training Course. U.S. Southern Command recently put the first group through the full new course. Special operations forces have regularly trained in Panama in the intervening years, but this fall the Pentagon began sending conventional troops south again in order to train in survival and combat tactics in dense, tropical environments. Top Stories This Week News Air Force families at Florida base told to take down Christmas decorations in privatized housing By Jeff Schogol News Military officials tell troops 168 commissaries could close next month By Patty Nieberg, Jeff Schogol News Army closes only dining facility on Kansas base due to government shutdown By Patty Nieberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new 21-day course put American and Panamanian forces through three phases of training. Images of the training shared by the military on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service shows American and Panamanian troops conducting weapons drills, and carrying out survival exercises including purifying water, building shelters, and maneuvering through thick vegetation. The revived jungle warfare program comes after an earlier security agreement between the Untied States and Panama; following bellicose threats by the Trump administration to seize the Panama Canal, the two nations agreed to let U.S. troops conduct exercises, training and other activities, as France24 reported at the time. The program is not directly related to the U.S. military build up in the Caribbean and ongoing attacks on small boats in the region, but it is part of a renewed focus on Latin America. As the military has sent several ships, aircraft and thousands of service members to the region, it has also been revitalizing some former bases and aging infrastructure, including the Roosevelt Roads naval station in Puerto Rico. Panama was a long-time training site for American forces when it came to jungle warfare. The military began sending troops there to learn jungle tactics in 1916, shortly after the Panama Canal opened. That expanded during World War II and in the 1950s the military formally established the Jungle Operations Training Center at Fort Sherman. Troops went through a course nicknamed the Green Hell. The base trained thousands of American and Latin American military personnel each year when it was previously in use. However the military turned over Fort Sherman to Panama in 1999 and with the advent of the Global War on Terror jungle warfare became less important. Troops have conducted jungle training on a smaller scale in sites such as Hawaii. A Marine makes a water filtration device during jungle warfare training in Panama. Army photo by Trey Woodard ABC News reported that 46 people had graduated the course so far, including Marines, a soldier and members of Panamanian security forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An earlier trial run of the program started in August, with 10 Marines from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines taking part. Agence France-Press spoke with Col. Ada Cotto, commander of the Joint Security Cooperation Group Panama, who said that it was focused only on survival; this one adds some tactics and jungle tracking. Troops are training at both ends of Panama, including the countrys Base Aeronaval Cristobal Colon. Task & Purpose reached out to SOUTHCOM for additional information on the Combined Jungle Operations Training Course and how many troops it expects to send through it each month, but has not heard back as of press time. Christine Clement saw the grainy footage of an alleged drug boat being blown to pieces on the seven oclock news. The 30-second video, which had been put out by Donald Trump himself, showed a vessel being struck by a projectile and exploding in a flash of fire. Hours later, Ms Clements phone was flooded with messages of condolences. Her grandson, Chad Joseph, 26, had been on board, they said. Later on in the night, everybody [was] calling and saying, rest in peace and rest in peace, and up until now I didnt want to believe it, she told The Telegraph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Families of Mr Joseph and another local Trinidadian, Rishi Samaroo, claim they were among the six men killed in the US strike in international waters off the coast of Venezuela on Oct 14, although the Trinidadian government has insisted there was no evidence they were on board. Mr Josephs suspected death has plunged this close knit family from Las Cuevas, a small fishing village in the north of Trinidad, into the centre of a geopolitical crisis at a time when tensions in the region are teetering on edge of war. b' Venezuela Dispatch: Family Members of Chad J ' For the past two months Mr Trump has spearheaded a controversial campaign in his so-called war on drug cartels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US forces have obliterated 18 boats and counting in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific, killing at least 70 people. The tactic is widely seen as part of Mr Trumps political posturing to regain control of a region where the USs influence has waned and unseat Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan despot. The US has amassed the largest military presence in the region in decades, has authorised the CIA to conduct covert operations in the country and said there will be land action in the country before later walking back reports he was planning to strike Venezuela. His aggressive campaign has drawn Trinidad and Tobago, a country just seven miles from Venezuela, into the crosshairs, as well as shining a light on the Caribbean islands role in international drug trafficking operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trumps at-sea bombings have sparked bipartisan and international outcry over concerns Mr Trump is violating international law. Even if these men are drug smugglers, they deserve due process and to be tried in court, critics claim. The Trump administration has not released any evidence to support the boat attacks or identified any of the alleged drug smugglers killed in the strikes, leaving families of the dead scrambling for answers. Despite government pushback, Mr Josephs family have insisted he was on board. They say he told his girlfriend he was returning to Trinidad by boat that day after having spent six months working on a farm in Venezuela. Since then, they have heard nothing. His phone goes straight to voicemail, texts do not deliver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also insist he was a fisherman, not a drug smuggler. The boy never, he never got hold of narcotics, Lynette Burnley, his aunt, said from her bright pink home on a hilltop overlooking the fishing bay. Lynette Burnley insists her nephew never got hold of narcotics - VICTOR RAISON However, images have circulated online allegedly showing Mr Joseph being arrested in 2018, with packages of drugs laid out on the table in front of him, but Ms Burnley said he was charged with possession of ammunition. Speaking to The Telegraph in her front room over the whirr of an electric fan, she said when Mr Joseph was young he had followed the wrong set of friends, but she insists he had turned his life around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the Trinidadian prime minister, has been a vocal supporter of the US boat strikes, calling for the Trump administration to kill drug traffickers violently. By backing Mr Trump she infuriated Mr Maduro, who suspended energy agreements with Trinidad and Tobago. Last week, Venezuela declared Ms Persad-Bissessar a persona non grata. Chad Josephs family says he was a fisherman, not a drug smuggler - VICTOR RAISON Ms Burnley suggested that even if the US did suspect these boats to be involved in drug trafficking, those on board should be arrested and tried in court, not killed at sea. Hold them, charge them, do whatever you have to do, but you cant just accuse without no evidence and take somebodys life... he [Mr Trump is] blowing them up like dogs, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the beach in Las Cuevas, fisherman Rosales, 30, recalled working with Mr Joseph on occasion. Rosales said he did not venture into Venezuelan or international waters, where the US claims the boat was blown up, to fish. Speaking to The Telegraph in the baking sun while his friend descaled and gutted fish, he said: I knew Chad a little, he was a fisherman. We went out a few times together... He was always active and hard-working, you cannot be lazy when you go out on the sea. He added: I cannot say if he was involved in drugs. With its porous borders and close proximity to Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, famed for its carnival and laid back attitude, has for decades been used as a landing point for drug trafficking operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The majority of the worlds cocaine is produced in Colombia before it is trafficked internationally, including by land through Venezuela and sometimes moved by boat or plane. Trinidad forms part of the Caribbean narco highway, which is used to smuggle drugs north, usually destined for Europe and the Middle East and Trinidadian fishermen do play a role. Because of the small distance between Trinidad and Venezuela, Trinidadians are frequently facilitating trafficking of individuals, humans, arms and drugs, Michal Pawinski, the professor of international relations at the University of West Indies, said. He added: The fact is that a lot of fishermen are involved in drug trafficking. I cannot say whether this one was involved or not, of course, but a lot of fishermen are involved in trafficking activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trinidad and Tobago is a transshipment point, Dr Gavin Heerah, a Trinidadian regional security expert, said. We dont have a cocaine demand as some of the larger continents, but because of our geographic position, our porous borders and probably vulnerabilities in certain other areas, its easy to stop and move... and send off to other destinations, he added. While the spate of bombings might temporarily reduce the intensity of narcotrafficking, experts have suggested the cartels will find new ways to continue, be it by small plane, submersible or other tactics. The boat bombed on Oct 14 was in international waters, a region Dr Heera said most fishing boats do not venture into unless they were deep sea fishing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr Heera said he welcomed the bombings and the attempt to take on narco traffickers, trusting the US has accurate intelligence to confirm the targets and the strikes are not just off the cuff. The strikes have sent shockwaves through the island, with fishermen changing their tactics or staying on land amid concerns they could inadvertently be targeted in one of the US strikes. In Caranage, a fishing town near Port of Spain, Arnold Mason said he stopped fishing at night and had been hugging the coastline in light of the strikes, which had significantly impacted the amount he could catch. That morning Mr Mason, 44, had ventured out for four hours but came back with no fish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement b' Venezuela Dispatch: Arnold Mason ' He and a group of fishermen had seen the USS Gravely guided-missile destroyer, which had been docked in Port of Spain, the countrys capital, sail past on the horizon. It has to be considered that this man [Mr Trump] is blowing boats out of the water, he told The Telegraph, adding that this was a scary situation. On the other side of the island, residents of Cumana, a small town, were grappling with a disturbing discovery. Days after the US struck the first alleged narco-trafficking boat on Sept 2, a body washed up on the shore, followed by a second. Local reports claimed the bodies were missing limbs and appeared to be burnt, leading to speculation they had been victims of Mr Trumps strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he came home from work at around 11am on Sept 5, Lincoln Barker, 63, who lives on a hill around 200 metres from the beach, saw police officers removing a body. In his decades living in his white, wooden home he has occasionally seen bodies of drowning victims wash up, but nothing like that. He believes the body was linked to the US bombings. It makes you feel uncomfortable, he said, rubbing his arms as though he had a chill. He called the strikes a wickedness. Back in Las Cuevas Mr Josephs family still cling to hope that he somehow survived the blast. They held a memorial service for him last month and a large cardboard poster with pictures of Mr Joseph and his date of death sits on the mantelpiece. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, Ms Burnley said: Were still hoping he has survived. Because, you know, if you survived and washed ashore and somebody picked them up, it will take years for you to know if theyre alive or not... we hope somebodys looking after him. 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. Five members of the transnational criminal organization Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) were convicted Monday of committing six murders to advance their standing in the gang, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. A federal jury found Walter Chavez Larin, 26; Roberto Alejandro Corado Ortiz, 30; Edwin Martinez, 28; and brothers Bryan Alexander Rosales Arias, 28, and Erick Eduardo Rosales Arias, 27, guilty following a nine-week trial in Los Angeles. The victims were strangled, shot, stabbed, or beaten before their bodies were dumped in the Angeles National Forest. The horrific violence in this case underscores the urgency of destroying MS-13 and putting its depraved members behind bars, Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. Under President Trump, MS-13 can no longer unleash terror on the American people with impunity: We will eradicate this foreign terrorist organization and secure justice for its victims, according to a DOJ press release. Prosecutors said the Los Angeles MS-13 cliques required members to commit murder to advance in rank. The killings occurred in remote areas of Los Angeles County, including Malibu, the Santa Clarita Valley, and Van Nuys, between 2017 and 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June 2017, Chavez and others stabbed a victim to death in the Angeles National Forest. In October 2017, Corado and Bryan Rosales helped strangle and stab another man before throwing his body off a cliff. In July 2018, Corado and Erick Rosales shot a victim at a Malibu overlook and pushed his body down a hillside. Martinez was convicted of murdering three people between December 2018 and January 2019, including a homeless man mistakenly believed to be tied to the rival 18th Street gang. FBI Assistant Director Akil Davis said in the DOJ statement that cases such as this one serve as a reminder that MS-13 has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization, adding that the defendants carried out barbaric attacks to simply enhance their ranking within the gang. All five defendants face mandatory life sentences when sentenced in July 2026. Prosecutors have secured 25 convictions in the broader case, and additional MS-13 members are scheduled to go to trial in April 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The convictions come as MS-13 activity continues to draw attention across the country. In August 2025, The Dallas Express reported that Texas state troopers arrested an MS-13 member and two alleged human smugglers in Val Verde County during a traffic stop under Operation Lone Star, underscoring the gangs persistent attempts to cross the southern border. The investigation involved the FBI, Los Angeles Police Department, and Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. As the investigation into the death of a Florida teen on a Carnival cruise ship continued Tuesday, Nov. 11, details remained scarce. Anna Kepner Anna Kepner, 18, of Titusville, died while on a cruise on the Carnival Horizon. The ship returned to Port Miami on Nov. 8, after a trip to the Caribbean. In a statement to FLORIDA TODAY, Carnival Cruise officials said, The death of a guest traveling on the Carnival Horizon voyage that returned to Port Miami on Saturday morning, Nov. 8, is being investigated by the FBI." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI shares jurisdiction with state law enforcement agencies for maritime incidents. "Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest, the statement said. Kepner's body was transferred to the Miami-Dade medical examiners office for an autopsy. A cause of death has not been revealed. It's unknown whether she was traveling alone or with others. Here's what we know: Who was Anna Kepner? 18-year-old dies on Carnival cruise ship Anna Kepner, nicknamed "Anna Banana" by her family, was a senior at Temple Christian, a private K-12 school in Titusville. She was an A-student and cheerleader with plans to join the military after graduation in May 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was the best child you could ever meet, family members said. Well always remember her for who she was. On Monday morning, Nov. 10, students and administrators gathered in the school's parking lot for a memorial around Kepner's white Kia, which had been covered in flowers and balloons. Students later released balloons. Kepner's family is requesting privacy and space to grieve and asks people to stop speculating online about how the teen died. "We are trying to grieve the loss of our child and its been incredibly difficult to navigate this heartbreak," the family said late Nov. 10 in a Facebook post circulated by relatives. Friends bring bundles of balloons and flowers to place on the car of Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old Temple Christian School student who died aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. The cause of death was not immediately known, and the case is under investigation by the FBI. Where is Titusville, Florida? Titusville is the county seat of Brevard County, Florida, and is located about 13 miles southeast of Kennedy Space Center and 24 miles southeast of Port Canaveral. About Carnival Horizon cruise ship The Carnival Horizon is a 1,055-foot, 133,500-ton cruise ship, with capacity for 3,960 passengers and 1,450 crew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ship sails from Miami, Florida and Galveston, Texas on 2 -5 and 6-9 day cruises. View Carnival Horizon deck plans: Support local journalism by subscribing to a Florida news organization. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Anna Kepner, 18, dies on cruise ship. What we know about Florida teen JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) Food pantries across the region are still stocking up on items for SNAP users as they prepare for the possibility of the shutdown coming to an end and the payout of SNAP benefits in full. Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee is partnering with 110 organizations to distribute non-perishable food items to SNAP users across Northeast Tennessee. Rhonda Chafin, Executive Director of Second Harvest of Northeast Tennessee, said they are doubling up on food distribution with volunteers working around the clock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve already sourced eight truckloads of just emergency food boxes within a weeks time, and all those boxes will come in and out even before the government opens back up, Chafin said. Weve already sourced well over $400,000 worth of food. Chafin said Second Harvest has an emergency plan in place to continue direct distributions if the government shutdown continues. Right now, our emergency plan is that we will distribute food this week through our partner agencies, Chafin told News Channel 11. If the government is still shut down and people have not received their benefits, we will be back out in the community with direct distributions. Chafin said that with over 9,000 people who are without SNAP benefits in the region that rely on emergency food assistance on a daily basis, Second Harvest is distributing through partnering organizations to keep up with the demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marty Keys, Food Bank Director at Antioch Baptist Church, said they are in partnership with Second Harvest since they have seen a 50% increase in community SNAP users as compared to last year prior to the shutdown. Keys said Antioch Baptist Church is doubling up on their food bank pantry items in preparation, regardless of whether the shutdown ends or not. I look at it week to week, and if after tomorrow, if 30 boxes are gone, Ill go ahead and schedule an appointment to go get food next week, even though Ive got enough to go for next week, Keys said. Chafin said, though Second Harvest hopes for the shutdown to end and for benefits to be reinstated, the food banks will continue their efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were hopeful that SNAP benefits will be reinstated immediately and that theres not a shutdown, Chafin said. But if there continues to be a shutdown, we hope that SNAP benefits will be reinstated, whatever that decision may bebut were pushing to make sure that gets done quickly for the families with food insecurities. Major Maureen Diffley, Corps Officer with The Salvation Army of Johnson City, gave a statement to News Channel 11, saying they are continuing efforts throughout the gap in food assistance. The Salvation Army in Johnson City serving Carter, Greene, Unicoi and Washington counties is concerned about the gap in food assistance for SNAP beneficiaries. As the nations largest nongovernmental provider of social services, The Salvation Army is often among the first to see a surge in need when people are financially affected by widespread economic challenges. At our location, our food pantry has been depleted, but we are blessed to be able to provide Food City gift cards for a small amount, commensurate with the base value of our typical food box. When possible, we are also able to add some fresh meat or produce items provided by our local partners such as Aldi and Food Lion. We recognize the complexities of federal budget discussions, but our focus remains on serving those who are hurting and hungry. The Salvation Army of Johnson City 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Finland's former president, a politician who led his country into NATO, said the Europeans should follow US President Donald Trump's example and speak directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "It is somewhat absurd that Europeans say they will not talk to Putin, a war criminal," Sauli Niinisto told Finnish broadcaster Yle at an event in Helsinki on Monday evening. Instead, Trump is talking to Putin, and Europeans have to listen to what has been discussed afterwards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are somewhat concerned that they are talking about Europe over Europe's head," Niinisto said. It might be wise to hold these talks ourselves, he suggested. The former president, who was Finland's head of state from 2012 to 2024, was considered an important contact between the European Union and Putin. Despite increasing tensions with Moscow, Niinisto had long tried to keep the lines of communication open with the Kremlin he had even spoken to Putin by phone in the weeks following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Finland is also an EU member, and has the longest border with Russia of any EU or NATO country. FORT LAUDERDALE Natalie Paris showed up at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Nov. 10 not as a flight attendant but as a traveler, and found herself facing the same kind of disruptions she's spent weeks managing from the other side of the counter. Her 7 a.m. flight to Philadelphia was canceled, one of dozens grounded as the nation's air travel system continued to feel the strain of the 41-day federal government shutdown. Paris, who flies for American Airlines, said she's watched her own schedule shrink as the shutdown has dragged on. "We get emails and stuff, and they've kind of been tracking what's happening, and then they've just had to go back and readjust how much we fly," Paris said. "They've been canceling ahead of time. So it just kind of means less hours and stuff for us."The Federal Aviation Administration has mandated gradual reductions in flights at 40 of the country's busiest airports, including Fort Lauderdale, because of a shortage of air-traffic controllers working without pay since the shutdown began Oct. 1. A 4% reduction took effect Nov. 7, with 6% planned for Nov. 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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," Federal Aviation Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a prepared statement. By midday Nov. 10, 30 flights out of Fort Lauderdale had been canceled and 136 delayed, according to the website FlightAware. Lines for noontime flights stretched more than 20 passengers deep. Paris said she didn't expect the shutdown to hit air travel either this hard or this long. "I didn't think it was going to be that big of a scale, because I figured maybe small airports," she said. "But now I'm seeing that it's like every big, major hub." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even her own travel plans were upended. After her 7 a.m. flight was scrapped, she was rebooked on a 12:30 p.m. departure to Philadelphia so she could continue on to Portugal for vacation. "It's oversold," she said, laughing wearily. "I have to go figure that out when I get there." Travelers crowd through security at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Nov. 10, 2025, amid federal flight cancellations at the airport and 39 others nationwide. Traveler's plight: She missed JetBlue flight after takeoff time confusion Not everyone at the airport had such a clear backup plan. Maria Santizo, who had been visiting relatives in South Florida, said JetBlue first told her that her Guatemala-bound flight would be delayed by two hours only to later say it was leaving as scheduled. By the time she and her family reached the counter, they'd missed it."They delayed it, first, for two hours," Santizo said. "Then they said it would leave as originally scheduled." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her relatives, she added, were now in line trying to book a new flight for Nov. 11. Lines of people wait for clearance to travel at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Nov. 10, the 41st day of a government shutdown that has led to reductions in air travel. Some travelers, though, have avoided the worst of it. Swapna Nanuvala, who was heading home to Dallas after a Bahamas cruise with friends, said her American Airlines flight was only 30 minutes behind schedule. An email from the airline had warned of possible disruptions tied to the shutdown, but Nanuvala considered herself lucky. "They said you should expect delays," she said. "We were just hoping, like, fingers crossed, that it wouldn't get delayed." RELATED: More than 420 flights in Florida canceled Sunday as travelers scramble to make new plans Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Government shutdown suspended national flood policies, increasing interest in private market RELATED: Poll shows GOP, Democrats have work to do as Trump returns to Palm Beach for 13th visit Until government reopens, airport travelers left to cope The U.S. Senate reached a deal late on Nov. 9 to end the shutdown, though it remained unclear Nov. 10 how quickly air travel would return to normal. President Donald Trump, in a post on social media, demanded that air-traffic controllers return to work immediately and threatened to dock pay for those who did not. "All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!!" Trump said on social media Nov. 10. "Anyone who doesn't will be substantially 'docked.'" He even promised to pay a bonus to those controllers who continue to work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jasmine Fernandez is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at jfernandez@pbpost.com and follow her on X at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Shutdown strains airline workers, travelers at Fort Lauderdale airport A colonel at Fort Leavenworth has been sentenced to 28 years in military prison and an Army dismissal after being convicted of sexual abuse charges in a military court, after being acquitted of similar charges in a Leavenworth County court earlier this year. According to the military publication Stars and Stripes, Col. Scott C. Nauman, 53, was found guilty of one specification of abusive sexual contact, one specification of sexual assault of a child and three specifications of sexual abuse of a child in a general court-martial, the highest military court. In March, a Leavenworth County jury found Nauman not guilty of two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and two counts of sexual battery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two teenage victims who Nauman knew testified that he repeatedly groped and fondled their breasts between 2020 and 2022 when they were around the ages of 11 and 15, according to court records. During a preliminary hearing, one girl estimated Nauman groped her breasts once or twice a month as she sat at her desk and he sat behind her. The older girl said Nauman gave her massages that didnt feel like massages because he would move his hands from her shoulders to her waist and would squeeze her sides. The girls also said Nauman measured them for bras, with Nauman refusing to let the older girl do it herself. The two-day trial came two years after Nauman was first charged, because Leavenworth County prosecutors appealed to the state to allow the testimony of two older victims, whom he knew, after Judge Gerald Kuckelman ruled their testimony inadmissible, according to court records. The state ordered the testimony be reconsidered but Kuckelman denied the prosecutors motion to allow the evidence just before trial began, records show. Leavenworth County prosecutors said the women would testify that Naumans sexual abuse of them when they were minors included massages, groping, oral sex, kissing and touching Naumans private area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon after, the Army arraigned Nauman for court-martial, where he pleaded not guilty again and chose to be tried by a jury of officers, according to Stars and Stripes. The witness testimony that wasnt allowed in Leavenworth County court was admitted into the court-martial, per Stars and Stripes. Those charges occurred in and around a white trailer-based camper in June and July 2012 at Fort Riley, Kansas, and Fort Drum, N.Y., when the victims were younger than 16, according to Stars and Stripes. Nauman will serve his sentence at Fort Leavenworth at the United States Disciplinary Barracks, the militarys maximum-security prison. Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson said his office is pleased that the Army was able to charge Nauman with the crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are deeply gratified to see this outcome for the victims and hope it brings them a measure of closure, Thompson said in a statement sent to The Star. Our office pursued this case for years, seeking to introduce prior acts that occurred outside our jurisdiction efforts that were ultimately denied. Yet, it was through the diligence and ability of the military to hear all of the evidence that justice was fully realized, ensuring this conviction, Thompson said. Hole MAJD25-006, drilled as a twin hole to the previously reported RC hole MAJR25-015 intersected 13.0 m grading 1.29 g/t Au, including 5.5 m grading 2.3 g/t Au. This area, Heuvel East, lies 900 m east of the main zone and is associated with a gold in soil anomaly that extends approximately 500 m in length. Hole MAJD25-002 was drilled at the southern end of Heuvel Main at an oblique angle to hole MAJR25-010 and intersected 12.3 m grading 0.82 g/t Au, including 5.5 m grading 1.58 g/t Au. Hole MAJD25-005 was drilled at the north end of Heuvel Main, twinning hole MAJR25-003, and intersected 5.0 m grading 1.77 g/t Au. Highlight results from the program can be seen in Figure 1 and Table 1, along with the previously released results from the RC hole and trench results. Hole MAJD25-011 was drilled approximately at the mid-point of the Heuvel Main Zone and intersected approximately 50 m below the previously reported trench MAJT25-029 that had intersected 18.0 m @ 6.39 grams per tonne of gold (g/t Au). MAJD25-011 intersected 11.5 m grading 1.34 g/t Au, including 5.0 m grading 2.77 g/t Au. Longueuil, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - November 10, 2025) - Greenheart Gold Inc. (TSXV: GHRT) (OTCQX: GHRTF) (the "Company" or "Greenheart Gold") is pleased to provide an update on the inaugural diamond drill program at its Majorodam project in Suriname, an update on exploration at its Tosso Creek project in Suriname, and updates on its exploration portfolio in Guyana. At Majorodam, which lies only 8 kilometers (km) south of Zijin's Saramacca mine, a satellite mine to Zijin's active Rosebel gold mine and mill, Greenheart Gold recently completed an 11-hole diamond drill program which totalled 2,335.6 meters (m). The program was designed to follow up and provide important additional geological and structural information on the four encouraging intercepts from Greenheart Gold's initial reverse circulation (RC) drilling completed in Q1 2025 and follow up on previously announced trench results. Two or three holes were drilled around each of these targets and results confirmed the presence of a North-South trending gold mineralized system at Heuvel that extends for at least 800 m as well as a second mineralized zone approximately 500 m east of the Heuvel Main zone called Heuvel East. Greenheart Gold has entered into an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Gold Hill project in Guyana, and drops options on its Tamakay and Abuya projects. Story Continues While gold mineralization in drill core was confirmed by at least one hole in each of the four target areas, the grade and tenor of some of the diamond drill intercepts did not match that of the targeted RC and trench results. The Company believes that the indicators of a mineralized system are present at Majorodam, although the structural controls on gold mineralization are more complex than the initial interpretation had suggested. Greenheart Gold's analysis of results, combined with structural measurements from drill core and detailed mapping (supported by high-resolution drone magnetics) indicate that gold mineralization may be controlled by shallow plunging fold hinges deformed within a north-south shear at the Heuvel Main zone. This interpretation is similar to those presented by others exploring the same greenstone belt in Suriname where drill orientations have played a crucial role in defining volumes of gold mineralization. The diamond drill rig remains at Majorodam and the Company intends to re-commence drilling to test the updated geologic model before the end of November. Tosso Creek Update Exploration at Greenheart Gold's Tosso Creek project in Suriname continues to advance with infill soil sampling at a 400 m by 50 m sample spacing. Results from the soil program to date are shown in Figure 2, and continue to define several large gold anomalies, the largest extending over 5 km in length with widths of up to 500 m. This extensive soil anomaly aligns with the orientation of the volcano-sedimentary units located in the west and northwest of the project area, in addition to anomalies found along the granite contact that runs strikes northeast in the south. An excavator has been mobilized to the project and has commenced a 3,000 m trenching program over the strongest soil anomalies. In addition, a Lidar survey has been completed, and a high-resolution drone magnetics survey is anticipated to be completed by year end. Based on successful results, the Company would expect to commence drill testing in the first half of 2026. Gold Hill, Guyana The Company recently entered into an option agreement with arms' length third parties to acquire a 100% interest in the Gold Hill project in Guyana. The project is located approximately 13.5 km east of Aris Mining Corporation's Toroparu project, on which a Preliminary Economic Assessment was released in October 2025 outlining a gold deposit containing 5.3 million ounces (Moz) of gold (Au) in measured and indicated resources and 1.2 Moz Au of inferred resources. The Gold Hill project consists of mineral rights covering an area of approximately 40 square kilometers in the Mazaruni mining district in north-western Guyana. The project area is deformed around a dolerite intrusion and appears to have been subjected to multiple deformation events and exhibits similar open folding to that observed at the nearby Toroparu deposit. The presence of multiple gold bearing vein systems on the property suggests a strong likelihood of hydrothermal alteration related to mineralizing fluids. The presence of artisanal saprolite and alluvial mining at the project area provides further evidence of the gold mineralization in the area. Termination of the Tamakay and Abuya Option Agreements At the Tamakay project in Guyana, the programs carried out by the Company included detailed mapping, 276 grab samples and 7,794 soil samples. In addition, 7,606 m of trenching was completed in areas of interest uncovered by the initial programs. These activities were also supported by 85 line-km of ground based magnetic surveys and 50 line-km of gradient array Induced Polarization survey (IP). Following this activity, the Company completed a 1,473 m diamond drilling program to test several known occurrences of high-grade quartz veins, which have been the subject of historic artisanal mining activity. The drill program confirmed the high-grade nature and continuity of some of these veins; however, the intercepts in general were relatively narrow and showed little evidence of gold mineralization in the wall rock or the presence of more extensive sheeted type of vein system. The Company believes that the density of veining and the extent of gold mineralization are insufficient to suggest potential for an economic deposit of the size and scale required to justify development in such a remote area and has therefore elected to terminate its option with the various property owners. At Abuya, after approximately 12 months of exploration work, the Company completed detailed mapping along with collecting 2,798 soil samples and 295 grab samples over the project area. Areas of interest arising out of these programs were followed up by 3,263 m of trenching and channel sampling with no meaningful results being reported. After completing these programs, the Company did not feel that the targets warranted follow-up drilling and has therefore also decided to drop its option on the project. The acquisition of Gold Hill and the dropping of Tamakay and Abuya are consistent with Greenheart Gold's strategy to quickly assess projects and to be in a position to drill prospective targets in a 10 to 12-month timeframe or alternatively move on from projects that don't meet expectations and replace these with new opportunities. The Company feels that this strategy will continue to provide the highest possible chance of exploration success. Sample Collection, Assaying and Data Management Significant intervals in this press release have been calculated using a grade cut-off of 0.3 g/t Au, a minimum length of 5 m, and a maximum length of 5 m of consecutive internal waste. Included significant intervals have been calculated using a grade cut-off of 1.0 g/t Au, a minimum length of 3 m, and a maximum length of 2 m of consecutive internal waste. Gold grades are uncapped and mineralized intersection lengths are not necessarily true widths. RC drill samples are collected every meter and weighed in their entirety at the rig side to ensure consistent sample collection, then split, bagged, and tagged. Diamond drill core samples consist of half of either HQ or NQ core taken continuously at regular intervals averaging 1.4 m, bagged, and labelled at the site core shed. Samples are submitted to either Actlabs or Filab laboratories, both located in Paramaribo, Suriname, while respecting best-practice chain of custody procedures. Samples are dried, crushed to 80% passing 2 mm, riffle split (to either 250 g or 500 g), and pulverized to 95% passing 105 m. Coarse blanks are inserted by the Company, and are used between and following suspected high-grade intervals. Barren sand flushes are inserted by the analytical laboratory after each sample is pulverized to clean the bowl. Actlabs' pulverized samples are transported by labs to their laboratory in Georgetown, Guyana (an ISO 9001 certified laboratory), whilst Filab pulverized samples remain in Paramaribo for analysis. In both cases, gold assay is carried out using a 30 g or 50 g fire assay with an atomic absorption finish. Assays with overlimit results are re-assayed with a gravimetric finish. Certified reference materials and blanks are inserted at a rate of 5% of samples shipped to the laboratories. RC field duplicates pulp duplicates are also generated at a rate of 5% of samples. All assay data is subject to QA/QC prior to accepting into the Company database managed by an independent consultant. Qualified Person All scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Justin van der Toorn, CGeol FGS, EurGeol, President and CEO of Greenheart Gold, and a Qualified Person under Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Greenheart Gold Inc. Greenheart Gold is an exploration company that builds on a proven legacy of discoveries within the Guiana Shield, a highly prospective geological terrain that hosts numerous gold deposits yet remains relatively under-explored. The Company is led by former executives and members of the exploration group of Reunion Gold, a team that was most recently noted for the discovery and delineation of the multimillion-ounce Oko West deposit in Guyana. Greenheart Gold intends to build on its technical knowledge, strong contact base and previous success from exploring in the Guiana Shield to assemble, maintain and explore a portfolio of early-stage exploration projects in Guyana and Suriname that are prospective for orogenic gold deposits. Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website (www.greenheartgold.com). For further information, please contact: GREENHEART GOLD INC. Justin van der Toorn, President and CEO, or Doug Flegg CFA, Senior Vice President Corporate Development E: d.flegg@greenheartgold.com E: info@greenheartgold.com Telephone: +1 450-800-2882 Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of certain securities laws and are based on expectations and projections as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, those related to the Company's plans and objectives, the timing of and execution of planned exploration activities, geological interpretation, potential favorable setting and mineralization, other statements relating to the business prospects of Greenheart Gold and, more generally, the section entitled "About Greenheart Gold Inc." Forward-looking statements are based on beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press release. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Such assumptions include, without limitation, those underlying the statements in the section entitled "About Greenheart Gold Inc." Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific in nature, including among others, those risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the initial period from April 19, 2024 to December 31, 2024 and the associated management's discussion & analysis, and other documents and reports filed by the Company with Canadian securities regulators available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and the risk that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions do not reflect future outcomes. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important risk factors and future events could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that the list of factors set forth in the Company's filings that may affect future results is not exhaustive, and new, unforeseeable risks may arise from time to time. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Figure 1 - Drill results from the Heuvel prospect at the Majorodam project in Suriname (new results shown in bold). Background shows the first vertical derivative product derived from drone magnetics RTP data; white contours define gold in soil anomalies. See press release text for significant interval parameters. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11642/273906_aefd75e4142c0935_002full.jpg Table 1 - Full list of significant results from the Heuvel (Majorodam project) trench sampling, RC and core drilling completed to date.* Significant intervals in this press release have been calculated using a grade cut-off of 0.3 g/t Au, a minimum length of 5 m, and a maximum length of 5 m of consecutive internal waste. Included significant intervals have been calculated using a grade cut-off of 1.0 g/t Au, a minimum length of 3 m, and a maximum length of 2 m of consecutive internal waste. Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au Grade (g/t) Grade x Thickness (gm/t) Cutoff* (g/t Au) MAJD25-002 41.50 49.50 8.00 0.70 5.59 0.3 MAJD25-002 56.30 61.40 5.10 0.34 1.72 0.3 MAJD25-002 118.50 130.80 12.30 0.82 10.05 0.3 inc 118.50 124.00 5.50 1.58 8.71 1 MAJD25-005 129.00 134.00 5.00 1.17 5.84 0.3 MAJD25-006 39.00 52.00 13.00 1.29 16.82 0.3 inc 44.50 50.00 5.50 2.30 12.62 1 MAJD25-006 58.60 82.40 23.80 0.55 12.97 0.3 inc 88.90 92.80 3.90 1.48 5.77 1 MAJD25-009 24.00 32.00 8.00 0.45 3.59 0.3 MAJD25-011 39.70 51.20 11.50 1.34 15.46 0.3 inc 41.20 46.20 5.00 2.77 13.86 1 MAJR25-001 1.00 7.00 6.00 0.73 4.38 0.3 inc 1.00 4.00 3.00 1.17 3.51 1 MAJR25-003 53.00 66.00 13.00 4.37 56.81 0.3 inc 60.00 66.00 6.00 9.34 56.01 1 MAJR25-009 1.00 14.00 13.00 0.40 5.15 0.3 MAJR25-010 96.00 126.00 30.00 2.06 61.68 0.3 inc 96.00 104.00 8.00 3.66 29.27 1 inc 115.00 126.00 11.00 2.27 24.93 1 MAJR25-015 24.00 42.00 18.00 1.47 26.39 0.3 MAJR25-015 43.00 48.00 5.00 5.02 25.08 0.3 inc 43.00 48.00 5.00 5.02 25.08 1 MAJR25-015 49.00 64.00 15.00 0.55 8.22 0.3 MAJR25-015 83.00 90.00 7.00 0.39 2.72 0.3 MAJR25-016 16.00 30.00 14.00 0.36 5.03 0.3 MAJR25-016 37.00 42.00 5.00 1.42 7.12 0.3 MAJR25-017 2.00 7.00 5.00 0.60 3.01 0.3 MAJT25-024 40.00 46.00 6.00 1.42 8.50 0.3 MAJT25-029 44.00 62.00 18.00 6.39 115.07 0.3 inc 50.00 60.00 10.00 11.02 110.22 1 MAJT25-032 0.00 10.00 10.00 0.49 4.91 0.3 Figure 2 - Updated soil results from the Tosso Creek project in Suriname. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11642/273906_aefd75e4142c0935_003full.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/273906 Police arrested four Nevada residents over the weekend in connection with the theft of more than $4,000 worth of merchandise from a shopping mall in Barstow, authorities said. The theft took place shortly before noon on Friday, Nov. 7, at a business at the Outlets at Barstow, in the 2700 block of Tanger Way, Barstow Police Department officials said. "Officers responded and spoke to the store manager, who reported that several subjects entered the business, stole over $ 4,000 worth of merchandise, and fled the area," according to a police statement. The Outlets at Barstow shopping mall, 2796 Tanger Way in Barstow, pictured in a Google Street View image. During the investigation that followed, officers were able to obtain a description of the car used in the crime, including a license plate number, officials said. The information was entered into a law enforcement database. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police in Culver City spotted the vehicle and pulled it over in their city about 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, Barstow police officials said. Four people inside the car were linked to Friday's theft in Barstow. Jared Warrent, 36; Lacy Purdy, 52; Stephanie Sipple, 36; and Jonathan Brannon, 45; all of Nevada, were arrested on suspicion of second-degree burglary and criminal conspiracy, according to police and San Bernardino County booking records. Bail for Purdy, Sipple and Brannon was set at $30,000 pending initial court appearances. Warren, who had an existing commercial burglary warrant out of Las Vegas, was being held without bail, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The stolen property was collected and returned to the business," the police statement added. More: Homicide investigation underway after 40-year-old man found dead on trail in Hesperia Anyone with information was urged to contact Barstow police Officer Nathaniel Arias at (760) 256-2211, or by email at narias@barstowca.org. Information may also be provided anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Nevada residents accused of stealing $4K in merchandise from Barstow mall A spending bill to end the longest-ever government shutdown is heading to the House of Representatives. The lower chamber of Congress is expected to vote by Wednesday evening on the funding measure. Unlike in the Senate, if House Republicans stay united, they don't need any Democrats to pass the budget. But the margin for error is razor thin. Here are four potential hold-ups for the budget, before it can clear Congress and land on the president's desk for signing into law. Will House Republicans budge on healthcare? A key sticking point throughout the shutdown has been a desire on the part of Democrats to attach to the spending bill a renewal of tax credits that make health insurance less expensive for 24 million Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Republicans instead only agreed to grant Democrats a vote in December on whether to extend the subsidies something they had already offered weeks ago. And House Speaker Mike Johnson has not committed to allowing a vote in his chamber on the tax credits. This entails a fair degree of political risk for Republicans, however. If they torpedo the subsidies, health coverage premiums could rocket, handing Democrats a ready-made campaign issue for next year's midterm elections. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a conservative Republican congresswoman from Georgia, has broken ranks with President Donald Trump to say she is "disgusted" premiums could double for her own grown-up children. The president said on Monday his ally had "lost her way". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the clock ticks down to the subsidies expiring by the end of December, Republicans have not yet finalised their plan. They want income caps on who can receive the tax credits, and are proposing the tax dollars bypass insurance companies and go straight to individuals - although the details are unclear. How intense will House Democratic opposition be? Out of power in Washington, where Trump's Republicans control the House and Senate, Democrats appeared finally to have some political wind in their sails after a handful of election wins last week in Virginia, New Jersey and New York City. But those victories, like the shutdown fight, have accentuated strategic tensions between the pragmatic and progressive, or left-wing, factions of the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic left is furious at defectors who voted with Senate Republicans to pass the budget on Monday, seeing this as a capitulation to Trump. From that wing of the party, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont said giving up the fight was a "horrific mistake". California Governor Gavin Newsom called it "surrender". House Democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York told CNN on Tuesday: "We're strongly opposed as House Democrats to this reckless Republican effort to continue to raise the high cost of living on everyday Americans." However, centrist Democrats like Jared Golden of Maine, who recently announced he won't run for re-election, may cross the aisle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another moderate Democrat, Henry Cuellar of Texas, has indicated he may help get the Republicans' spending plan over the line. Republican Thomas Massie has repeatedly voted against stopgap funding extensions [Reuters] Do Republicans have the votes? Once a Democratic congresswoman-elect from Arizona is sworn in on Wednesday the Republican majority in the House will be whittled down to five votes 219-214. Republicans can only afford to lose two votes to pass the spending plan. While most House Republicans are expected to support the funding package, given that Trump backs it, fiscal hawks may object. The proposed deal would leave the federal government on a path to keep adding about $1.8tn (1.4tn) a year to its $38tn of debt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Potential Republican defectors Thomas Massie of Kentucky or Victoria Spartz of Indiana have remained tight-lipped so far on how they plan to vote. But congressman Chip Roy of Texas said he was "unaware of any opposition of significance" to the bill from members of his conservative House Freedom Caucus. Will travel chaos delay the return to Washington? House Speaker Mike Johnson has kept the chamber out of session for the last seven weeks to focus pressure on Senate Democrats to make a shutdown deal. He has urged lawmakers to return to Washington immediately for the crunch vote. But members of Congress face the same flight delays that have plagued other Americans during the spending impasse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With nearly 1,200 flights cancelled on Tuesday as unpaid air traffic controllers call in sick because of the funding deadlock, lawmakers are finding other ways to reach Washington. Republican congressmen Rick Crawford of Arkansas and Trent Kelly of Mississippi are carpooling to the nation's capital. Congressman Derrick Van Orden said he was riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle from his home state of Wisconsin. Record-cold temperatures and heavy snow have also hit the Great Lakes region in the Midwest, adding to the delays. You can also get in touch by following this link Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt told John Fetterman that she wanted to reach out and hug him, adding that her heart was broken for the Pennsylvania senator after she read his recently released memoir. During an appearance on the Fox News morning show, Earhardt brought up Fettermans book, Unfettered, in which he writes about the severe depression he suffered following a stroke during his 2022 election campaign. In the book, he reveals he contemplated ending his own life. We were reading your book and I took a lot of notes over the weekend and yesterday, she said. I wanted to just reach out and hug you while reading a lot of this because my heart was broken for you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pointing out that the senator wrote that he was extremely depressed and had the worst two years of his life, Earhardt then quizzed Fetterman on his political shift since entering the Senate which has made him a celebrated figure on Fox airwaves. You shocked a lot of us. I thought you were so progressive when you ran as a senator, she stated before referencing a recent Fox News interview featuring Fetterman and Pennsylvania GOP Sen. Dave McCormick calling for a return to civility in political discourse. Fox & Friends host Ainsley Earhardt, who jumped on board the network's incessant criticism of John Fetterman when he ran for Senate, now says she wants to "reach out and hug him" over his mental health battles. (Fox News) So, why the change? Was it because you almost lost your life? Your heart did stop at one point, Earhardt added, wondering why Fetterman wanted to be a senator. If anyone feels lost or theyre in the throes of depression, I beg people, please stay in this game. I promise you, you will get better because three years ago, I was in the depths of that depression, and now Ive emerged as a United States senator, he responded. And Ive been, right now, in the front of the middle thing and proud to reopen our government, stand with Israel, and also I am truly grateful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, before Fetterman was Trumps favorite Democrat and a regular fixture on the conservative cable giants airwaves, Earhardt joined her network colleagues in mocking the then-candidate as he ran for the Senate against Fox-endorsed Dr. Mehmet Oz in 2022. So, Fetterman thinks I have the hots for him because I criticized him. He's not my type, obviously. I don't go for guys like that. What do you think it is about this guy? I don't get him, Fox News star Jesse Watters snarked in October 2022, ridiculing Fetterman for claiming Fox was obsessed with him at the time. I think you're telling the truth about his record and he's using Fox to raise money because after he complains, he says, Give $10 to my campaign, Earhardt responded at the time, blasting Fetterman over his then-policy positions on abortion, drug legalization and immigration. Throughout the 2022 midterm elections, Fox News obsessively focused on Fetterman following his stroke, suggesting to viewers that the former Pennsylvania lieutenant governor was mentally and physically incapable of serving in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The right-wing networks primetime lineup, for instance, mentioned Fetterman hundreds of times during the run up to the election. At one point, Tucker Carlson wondered if Fettermans brain had been taken over by computers, rhetorically asking where exactly does the software end and John Fetterman's consciousness begin. Sean Hannity, meanwhile, claimed at the time that Fetterman was severely disabled and not mentally capable of debating. In recent months, however, Fox News has drastically changed its tune towards Fetterman largely due to the senator making a notably rightward shift, which has included him taking an overtly pro-Israeli stance amid the war in Gaza and regularly voting with Republicans in the Senate. With Fetterman joining seven other Democrats in siding with the GOP to end the government shutdown without extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, the Pennsylvania lawmaker appeared on the presidents favorite morning talk show to talk not only about his vote but also about his new book, Unfettered, on Tuesday. I think my party crossed a line, Fetterman declared about the shutdown, blaming Democrats for the military pay freezes and unpaid SNAP benefits. That was a red line for me that I can't cross as a Democrat. John Fetterman details his battle with depression in a new memoir (Crown via AP) So senator, you came in as somewhat of an outsider and, by the way, I was totally wrong about you, I thought you were going to be radical and youve been totally different than that, co-host Lawrence Jones said. Who is running the show in the Democratic Party in the Senate and House? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Fetterman said no one really knows and that hes okay with being at odds with parts of my party, co-host Brian Kilmeade played a clip of Sen. Lindsey Graham heaping praise on Fetterman during a recent appearance on Hannitys show. I agree with him on several of the foreign policies, Fetterman reacted, adding: I follow truth regardless of the letter after their names. Meanwhile, asked by Jones if he was potentially considering a run for the White House, Fetterman instead said hed prefer to celebrate and find a way forward. Given that he had once reached the point where he thought about taking his own life, Fetterman admitted he was wary of taking part in the brutality of the current political environment. And now I have lost the taste to fight and refuse to use these kinds of terms or derogatory terms, he concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this spring, following a bombshell report by New York Magazine that painted the picture of an erratic senator who has become almost impossible to work for and whose mental-health situation is more serious and complicated than previously reported, some progressives and Democrats called for Fetterman to step down. This email, a year ago, from Fettermans former chief of staff, and this entire piece from Ben Terris, makes clear that Fetterman should not be serving in the Senate, Zeteo founder Medhi Hasan said. Every Senate Democrat should read this and be asked about it - especially Schumer. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. In the UK, people having mental health crises can contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org Macron says France and the Palestinian Authority will set up a joint committee to draft a new Palestinian constitution. France will help the Palestinian Authority draft a constitution for a future state, President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday after talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris. A number of major Western nations, including France,formally recognized a Palestinian state in September, a move driven by frustration with Israel over its devastating war in Gaza and a wish to promote a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A US-brokered, Israel-Hamas ceasefire took hold in October, but Israel again rejected any prospect of Palestinian statehood. Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-rule Macron said France and the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule under Israeli military occupation in the West Bank, would set up a joint committee to work on drawing up a new Palestinian constitution. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France November 11, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Benoit Tessier TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) "This committee will be responsible for working on all legal aspects: constitutional, institutional, and organizational," he told reporters. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Nearly 200 Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets spent their morning at the FSU Panama City for a day filled with honor, respect, and stories of service. FSU PC hosted an early Veterans Day celebration on Monday with guests from Bay District Schools JROTC and military science classes. The program began with a presentation of arms by Rutherford High School cadets, led by retired Air Force Master Sergeant Dillon Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Naval Support Activity Panama City Commander Michael Mosi was originally scheduled to deliver the keynote address, but was prohibited by the government shutdown. Navy veteran and FSU PC Associate Dean Irvin Clark stepped up for Mosi to inspire the younger generations. The goal was to motivate young people to have a purpose. And if youre looking for a great purpose, why not join the United States Armed Forces, Clark said. The cadets also heard from a panel that included two student veterans and a student military dependent. Organizers say the event reminds everyone that honoring Veterans Day isnt only about remembering the past, but also about inspiring these future military leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 mypanhandle.com. Friends of a Cuba family impacted by a fatal house fire Sunday in rural Fulton County have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for them in the aftermath. Mary Hagaman of Smithfield set up the fundraiser for the surviving family of Sawyer Brooks-Kirkpatrick, 4, and his grandmother Margaret Brooks, 69, who were killed Sunday after a house fire in rural Wee-Ma-Tuk. The goal is to raise $25,000 to help ease the financial burden that came from losing the home. More: Child, woman killed in rural Fulton County house fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The family has lost their shelter, their safe place, and essential belongings," Hagaman said. "As a community, I hope we can help relieve them of some of the financial burden so they are able to survive and rebuild." As of Tuesday afternoon, the GoFundMe has raised $15,661, 63% of their goal. Sawyer and Margaret were found dead Sunday afternoon at a home in the 23000 block of North Cherokee Road that was engulfed in flames. According to the Fulton County Coroner's Office, the pair died even though firefighters were able to extinguish the fire within minutes of their arrival. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, with the pair's death under investigation by the coroner's office. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Fundraising underway after Fulton County fire kills boy, grandmother Hannibal Gaddafi, the son of Libyas late ruler Muammar Gaddafi, has been released by Lebanese authorities after posting bail of more than 683,000. His release marks the end of 10 years in detention over allegations that he withheld information about a missing Lebanese cleric. One of his lawyers confirmed the release on Monday evening. Two Lebanese security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said Gaddafi had been freed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release followed the visit of a five-member Libyan delegation to Beirut, where talks reportedly made progress toward resolving his case. Hannibal Gaddafi was arrested in 2015 (AFP/Getty) Hannibal Gaddafi was arrested in Lebanon in 2015 on suspicion of concealing information about Shiite cleric Moussa al-Sadr, who disappeared during a trip to Libya in 1978. Gaddafi was under three-years-old at the time of the clerics disappearance. In October, a Lebanese judge granted him conditional release on bail of 8.3 million and imposed a ban on foreign travel. However, his lawyers said that he could not afford the amount and petitioned for both a reduction and permission for him to leave the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lebanons judiciary last week lifted a travel ban and reduced Gaddafis bail, clearing the final obstacles to his release. According to NBC News, Lebanese judicial officials and a visiting Libyan delegation agreed during talks last week to significantly reduce the bail demand, as well as lifting travel restrictions. The Libyan delegation also reportedly provided a detailed report on its investigation into al-Sadrs disappearance. On Thursday, judicial authorities lowered the bail to 80 billion Lebanese pounds (about 678,100) and lifted the travel ban, allowing Gaddafi to leave Lebanon once the payment was made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two judicial and one security source said the Libyan delegation paid the amount on his behalf. Libyas Tripoli-based justice ministry confirmed in a social media statement that its delegation had covered the bail payment. Hannibals father Muammar Gaddafi ruled Libya for more than four decades before being killed by opposition fighters in the 2011 uprising that left the country facing civil war and years of instability. Several of his eight children held senior positions in his government, with Hannibal managing parts of the maritime sector. After his fathers overthrow, Hannibal fled with his mother and relatives to Algeria, while some of his brothers were killed or jailed. He later moved to Syria, where he was granted asylum, before being captured by Lebanese militants and handed over to authorities who detained him. With Indiana preparing to issue only partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for November due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, Gary Mayor Eddie Melton announced Monday a sweeping local relief effort to protect families from going hungry. The citys Gary SNAPS Into Action plan is a $275,000 emergency response package combining city funds, corporate contributions, and philanthropic support to stabilize food access for thousands of residents who depend on SNAP. This uncertainty isnt just about paperwork, its about whether you can put food on the table for your children, Melton said. While we are advocating fiercely for a resolution in Washington, we are not waiting for Washington to act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Mike Brauns office confirmed late last week that Indiana will issue only 65% of Novembers SNAP benefits, following limited federal disbursements approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture amid the shutdown. That means tens of thousands of Hoosier households many already struggling will receive only a portion of their usual monthly food assistance. A Capital B Gary analysis of state data found that nearly 38% of Gary residents, or almost 2 in 5 people, receive SNAP benefits the highest share in Northwest Indiana. The states announcement came as congressional leaders struck a tentative bipartisan deal to end the federal government shutdown, a standoff that has lasted weeks and disrupted everything from housing vouchers to federal nutrition programs. While national lawmakers appear close to restoring operations, local officials say the damage is already being felt. Were talking about peoples actual lives, said City Council President Lori Latham. When our families are vulnerable, local government must step up and thats exactly what this plan does. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the Gary SNAPS Into Action plan, most of the funding will flow directly to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, which will expand emergency food distribution across Gary. Additional mini-grants will go to local nonprofits, churches, and neighborhood groups that serve specialized populations. The Food Bank and our agency partners are ready to build on our capacity to provide even more nutrition to the community, said Victor A. Garcia, the food banks president and CEO. This is what compassion in action looks like. In addition to the emergency food funding, the city will forgive current late fees for Gary Sanitary District customers and suspend new ones through 2025. A portion of the new relief dollars will also support the citys annual Thanksgiving food giveaway, ensuring families can celebrate the holiday with a meal on the table. Melton said city employees will be mobilized to volunteer alongside residents in local food distribution efforts, reinforcing what he called a community-wide commitment to helping one another through the crisis. Melton called on residents to volunteer and assist neighbors who may be facing food insecurity in the weeks ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are greater together, he said. We will continue to advocate, we will continue to partner, and we will continue to ensure that no family goes hungry. Volunteers and organizations can apply for mini-grants or join food distribution efforts through gary.gov. A lesser known source of assistance in Indiana are township offices, a point of particular importance to state Rep. Ed DeLaney, who looked to township officials across the state to tap into their reserves for people in need. I call on our 1,000 township trustees to use their substantial reserve funds to provide food assistance for SNAP-eligible households, he said. According to a memo from the Indiana Township Association, there is a legal basis for township trustees to provide food assistance in emergency conditions, such as a disruption to federal benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Gary residents, Calumet Township will host a food distribution Nov. 20 at the Calumet Township Multipurpose Center, at 1900 W. 41st Ave. in Gary. Weve strengthened our infrastructure, modernizing how we deliver services, expanding access to service, enhancing community partnerships, and positioning the township to be more responsive and effective, Trustee Tai Adkins said. Our goal is to meet increased needs with strategic, coordinated action. The post Gary Launches Emergency Food Plan as SNAP Reductions Hit Residents appeared first on Capital B Gary. Ukrainian medics are reporting cases of gas gangrene, a condition once closely associated with the trenches of the First World War and long thought to have been all but eradicated in Europe. The bacterial infection, which destroys muscle tissue at a deadly pace, has made a resurgence in Ukraine due to the harsh realities of modern trench warfare. Military medics told The Telegraph that drone warfare has made evacuating wounded soldiers almost impossible conditions that are causing infections once consigned to the history books to spread with alarming speed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are seeing injury complications that have never been seen by any living person in wartime, said Alex, a foreign volunteer medic in the Zaporizhzhia area. These types of delayed evacuation times have never been seen in the last 50 years probably since the Second World War, and maybe not even that. And were seeing pathology that weve never seen before. Underground facilities are often ill-equipped to cope with the complications that cause gas gangrene - Maria Senovilla/EPA/Shutterstock Gas gangrene is a severe muscle infection caused mainly by Clostridium bacteria, named for the gas bubbles that form beneath the skin. Clostridium bacteria thrive in oxygen-deprived, necrotic tissue, causing severe pain, swelling, tissue discolouration and a cracking sensation for the patient as gas moves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Usually, gangrene results from poor blood supply, does not involve bacterial toxins or gas formation, and develops much more slowly than gas gangrene. The infection usually follows traumatic injuries, like deep gunshot or blast wounds, particularly when medical care is delayed, as is common in Ukraine. We have people coming into the hospital whove been injured for a couple of weeks, just sitting at underground stabilisation points, being kept alive as best we can, said Alex. Gas gangrene is something you learn about in school In Ukraine, though, you see it, because people are sitting with these types of wounds and not getting proper care you simply cant move them back to a hospital fast enough to treat them properly. An anti-drone net covers the street in a residential neighbourhood in Kherson - Efrem Lukatsky/AP The treatment of gas gangrene is difficult, and recovery is far from guaranteed, even in the best hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Normally, treating gas gangrene involves surgical debridement [removal of infected flesh] along with very strong doses of intravenous antibiotics, Dr Lindsey Edwards, a Senior Lecturer in Microbiology at Kings College London, said. Its an extremely life-threatening infection: left untreated, the mortality rate is close to 100 per cent. But in Ukraine, debridement, as well as the targeted use of antibiotics, is often near-impossible in the immediate period after injury due to limited access to laboratories. Normally, you would screen the microbes, culture them, and use various techniques to determine whether theres any drug resistance, explained Dr Edwards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youd also test which antibiotics would be most effective Of course, all of that goes out the window in a field hospital in the middle of nowhere. Soldiers in the First World War fought in muddy, wet trenches and on fields often fertilised with manure both of which carried Clostridium bacteria - Fototeca Gilardi/Getty Images Gas gangrene is historically associated with the First World War due to the unique combination of battlefield conditions, severe injuries, and limited medical care. Soldiers fought in muddy, wet trenches and on fields often fertilised with manure, both of which carried Clostridium bacteria. Projectiles like bullets and shrapnel caused deep, complex wounds with extensive dead tissue, creating the ideal environment for the bacteria to thrive. Evacuation and surgical intervention were often delayed, and without prompt debridement, infections spread rapidly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Antibiotics were not yet available, and wound hygiene was rudimentary. Historically, its thought of as a World War Oneera phenomenon. Since that time, its become much rarer, largely because of early wound debridement, timely surgery, antibiotics, and better wound management, explained Mr Alastair Beaven, an orthopaedic consultant and Medical Officer with 202 Field Hospital, who served in Afghanistan. However, all of those measures require significant resources, including medical support, logistics, and the ability to move casualties quickly. Drone attacks are becoming more frequent and severe in Ukraine - Yevhen Titov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images In the Second World War, the introduction of antibiotics dramatically reduced mortality from battlefield infections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today in Ukraine, however, challenges with evacuation and issues with antibiotics are allowing diseases once thought consigned to history to re-emerge. Drug resistance was a serious problem now, said Dr Edwards. If you end up with a strain thats resistant to antibiotics, treatment becomes much more complicated. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Ukraine is rising due to conflict-related injuries, delayed or incomplete antibiotic treatment, disrupted healthcare services, and the frequent use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, all of which encourage the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. One of the biggest problems were having is theres been a huge uptick in antibiotic resistance, said Alex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drone warfare has also forced people underground. If you step out into the open, you will be killed by a drone. Thats not an exaggeration, said Alex. He added that most medical care now takes place in bunkers and basements of abandoned buildings the only places drones cannot reach. One medic who recently returned from one of these makeshift clinics did not see above ground for almost three weeks because it is simply too dangerous. Bunkers and basements are the only places drones cannot reach - Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy/REUTERS According to Alex, these underground facilities are ill-equipped to cope with the complications that cause gas gangrene. Theyll perform whats called damage control surgery, said Alex. Thats basically fixing only the most immediate, life-threatening injuries in the first 24 to 48 hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The facilities are also often non-sterile, and even delivering supplies to equip them is extremely challenging, as convoys and vehicles are frequently targeted. We have people coming into the hospital whove been injured for a couple of weeks, just sitting at underground stabilisation points, being kept alive as best we can, said Alex. Mr Beaven added: [But] The longer you wait, the more limited your reconstructive options become, because of the progression of dead and dying tissue. the major concern becomes infection in those types of wounds. According to Alex, teams of surgeons are now ready and waiting to provide the life-saving treatments required, but are waiting for hours at a time for patients because evacuation is too complicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When The Telegraph spoke to him last week, evacuations were already running eight hours behind. The impact on human life has been devastating. Were seeing more people with injuries that should be survivable amputations, for example, or cases where someone just needs a blood transfusion who are dying in the field, said Alex. So many of them cant be evacuated in time, and they simply dont make it. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security 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. German police said on Tuesday that they uncovered a professional laboratory for the production of synthetic drugs in Lower Saxony and detained suspects in both Germany and the Netherlands in a coordinated operation. Authorities said in a statement that the illegal facility was located in the north-western German state of Lower Saxony which shares a border with the Netherlands A gang consisting mainly of Dutch nationals is believed to have operated the laboratory. German police said they provisionally detained four people and executed an arrest warrant for another suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Netherlands, three suspects were detained on the basis of arrest warrants, the police announced later in the day. Investigators seized 130 litres of an amphetamine precursor an amount officials said is equivalent to the total quantity of that substance seized across Germany in 2024. Police estimate that the material could be used to produce roughly 1.5 million individual doses, with a wholesale or street value in the tens of millions of euros. Special forces carried out searches simultaneously at multiple properties, with officers searching eight locations in Lower Saxony and nine in the Netherlands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specialized police units discovered the currently unused laboratory during these coordinated raids. Authorities say the investigation has been ongoing since December 2024 and has involved international cooperation, including with Europol. PARIS, November 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TotalEnergies (40%, operator) (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE) and its partners QatarEnergy (35%) and Petronas (25%) have signed a production sharing contract for Block S4 with Guyanas Ministry of National Resources represented by His Excellency Vickram Bharrat, following the blocks 2023 award in the Guyana 2022 Licensing Round. Block S4 is a 1,788 km2 block located about 50-100 km from shore. The initial work program consists of a 2000 km2 3D seismic acquisition. "TotalEnergies is delighted to bring its expertise as an operator to Guyana, in a shallow-water offshore block within this prolific basin, and to further strengthen its global strategic partnerships with QatarEnergy and Petronas. This block fits our strategy of exploring for material, low-cost, and low-emission resources," said Nicola Mavilla, Senior Vice President Exploration of TotalEnergies. About TotalEnergies TotalEnergies is a global integrated energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas, biogas and low-carbon hydrogen, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to provide as many people as possible with energy that is more reliable, more affordable and more sustainable. Active in about 120 countries, TotalEnergies places sustainability at the heart of its strategy, its projects and its operations. @TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies Cautionary Note The terms "TotalEnergies", "TotalEnergies company" or "Company" in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A major trial opened in western Germany on Tuesday against 10 defendants accused of running a human trafficking and prostitution ring. Prosecutors accuse the 10 defendants of trafficking women and transgender people from Thailand to Germany and forcing them into prostitution. According to the indictment, the victims had to pay off their travel expenses by working in brothels. The defendants, aged between 29 and 64, are charged with commercial and organized human trafficking, forced prostitution and money laundering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are said to have played various roles within the network, from organizing the system to serving as drivers and running the brothels. One of the defendants holds a British passport and the others are Thai citizens, with one also holding a German passport and another a Swedish passport. Some of the money earned in the brothels - which were mainly located in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia - was transported in cash to Thailand by plane and exchanged there. In one case described by the public prosecutor's office, 110,000 ($128,000) were smuggled to Asia from Hamburg Airport in two packets of sweets. Bielefeld Regional Court has scheduled trial dates until the end of April 2026. The German government intends to raise its support for Ukraine's defence against Russian aggression to more than 11.5 billion next year. Source: n-tv, a German TV news channel, as reported by European Pravda Details: The provision is included in a submission from the Ministry of Finance for the final discussion of the 2026 budget draft in the Budget Committee. Last week, government sources said that the additional funds are intended for artillery, drones and armoured vehicles, as well as for replacing two Patriot surface-to-air missile systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bundestag's Budget Committee will convene on Thursday for the so-called final session to make the finishing adjustments to the 2026 budget draft. Background: As previously reported, sources close to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz believe the government will be able to withstand opposition calls to halt support for Ukraine amid investigative reports alleging Ukrainian involvement in the Nord Stream pipeline explosions. German investigators reportedly believe that a group of Ukrainians who allegedly blew up the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea acted under the direction of then-Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Given the ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure, Germany will send an additional 40 million ($46.4 million) in winter aid to Ukraine, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Tuesday. "We are helping the people of Ukraine to endure another winter of war. We are helping them to keep their lights and heating on, and helping to prevent Russia and its targeted terror attacks on the civilian gas and heat supply from breaking the spirit of the defenders of their homeland," Wadephul said in Bolivia, prior to his departure for the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers' meeting in Canada. The money is to be used for humanitarian measures, such as repairing heating systems and damaged houses, and supplying generators and material goods such as blankets and hygiene products. Millions in need of aid in Ukraine The people of Ukraine are facing their fourth winter of war, with temperatures often dropping to minus 20 degrees Celsius. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), more than 12 million people in the country are in need of aid. The agency currently supports almost 400,000 people with cash payments, heaters, generators and energy storage devices, it recently announced. UNHCR warned that the Russian attacks are increasingly targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which is reducing the supply of electricity, gas and water. People in areas close to the front line are particularly at risk. Germany is one of Ukraine's most important supporters, but due to cuts in the Foreign Office's budget, humanitarian aid to the country has declined this year. In 2024, Germany's contribution more than 400 million, but this year it has been reduced by more than half. The war in Ukraine is one of the central topics at the meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in south-eastern Canada. In addition to Germany, the G7 countries include France, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha is also expected to attend the meeting as a guest. A Utah state judge struck down the GOP-drawn congressional map Friday, ruling that lawmakers had unconstitutionally diluted the power of Salt Lake Citys voters by splitting the region into four heavily Republican districts. The decision marks a rare victory for Democrats and voting-rights advocates in a state long dominated by Republican control. Judge Dianna Gibson found that the 2021 redistricting plan intentionally undermined the results of a citizen-backed ballot initiative that created an independent redistricting commission. Lawmakers ignored that commissions proposals, instead carving Salt Lake City into multiple districts to weaken the influence of urban voters, which is a textbook case of partisan gerrymandering. The ruling orders the legislature to draw a new, fairer map before the 2026 elections. Republicans have already vowed to appeal, calling the decision judicial overreach. But voting-rights groups hailed the ruling as a crucial step toward accountability, especially in a state where partisan power has gone largely unchecked for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case echoes similar redistricting fights in red states like Missouri, Alabama, North Carolina and Florida, where courts have recently stepped in to challenge GOP-engineered maps that diluted the voting strength of Black and urban communities. At the same time, blue states have also faced scrutiny in states like California and New York for using redistricting to secure partisan advantage. Gerrymandering is hardly a one-party problem. Much of this legislation began in Texas, where new maps continue to face legal challenges for cracking diverse urban centers and consolidating white rural power, a mirror image of Utahs approach. Together, these cases reflect a national tug-of-war over representation itself: who gets a voice, and who gets erased by a line on a map. For Utah voters, particularly those in the states only Democratic-leaning area, Judge Gibsons ruling represents more than a technical victory. Its a rare moment of pushback against a system designed to silence them. The post Gerrymandering fails in Utah: Even red states have rules appeared first on Salon.com. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A space capsule drifts over Earth in this image, which is from the cover of Jeffrey Kluger's new Project Gemini book. | Credit: St. Martin's Press NASA's 10 crewed Project Gemini flights, which launched in 1965 and 1966, were instrumental in delivering the knowledge and testing that would lead to landing astronauts on the moon in July 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission. Often overlooked as the middle child of the American space program in that turbulent decade, Project Gemini provided astronauts, scientists and engineers vital information for the development of more ambitious human spaceflight efforts. Advertisement Advertisement " Gemini: Stepping Stone to the Moon, the Untold Story " (St. Martin's Press, 2025) is an absorbing new release arriving on Nov. 11 written by noted space historian, journalist and New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Kluger ("Apollo 8," "Holdout"). Jeffrey Kluger's new book saluting Project Gemini lands on Nov. 11. | Credit: St. Martin's Press It offers up the riveting tale of the valiant souls both high aloft and on the ground whose unyielding efforts made possible the groundbreaking data that allowed for six crewed lunar excursions. Kluger also co-authored the 1994 book "Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13" with famed NASA astronaut Jim Lovell , which was adapted into director Ron Howards film " Apollo 13 ." Here within Kluger's engrossing prose, the New York City-based author paints a vivid portrait of Gemini's endeavors, from its harrowing inception to its triumphant end, with exacting detail. "I had long thought that a book on Gemini was sort of owed to the world," Kluger told Space.com. "That sounds a little grandiose to say that I'm giving the world a gift; I don't pretend I'm doing that. But there's nobody who addressed and wrote about and explored the Mercury program better and more compellingly than Tom Wolfe. I don't know if theres ever going to be another book about the Mercury program, because how do you touch ' The Right Stuff ?' Advertisement Advertisement "Similarly, I and Andy Chaikin and a number of others, including a lot of astronauts, have written extensively about the Apollo program . But the Gemini program was very much the middle sibling of the space program. It wasnt the first time we went into space. It wasn't when we went to the moon. People sort of forgot about Gemini. It was the middle seat on an airliner." Gemini 8 command pilot Neil Armstrong (left) and pilot David Scott. | Credit: NASA Kluger reminds us that Gemini was a program in which we learned to walk in space, rendezvous and dock in space, learned to fly long-duration missions in space, and learned to coordinate with other crewed spacecraft, on the Gemini 6 and Gemini 7 missions. "There was drama, there was accomplishment, there was death, there was near death, there was peril. Gemini 8's spinout almost took the lives of Dave Scott and Neil Armstrong ," Kluger said. "The Gemini 9 spacewalk could have taken the life of Gene Cernan. Charles Bassett and Elliot See did die when their plane crashed into the McDonnell Aviation headquarters in early 1966. And that story hadnt been told. I felt like it was time to give the Gemini program its due. It was an opportunity not to be missed. It was unprotected turf, and I decided to claim it." The Gemini launches were filled with monumental firsts, and Kluger's careful research into the topic exposed harsh truths about just how crucial and dangerous these NASA orbital missions were. "Those monumental firsts are historically well recorded. Alexei Leonov became the first human being to walk in space, shortly before Gemini 4 flew. But when Gemini 4 did fly, Ed White became the first American to walk in space," Kluger said. Advertisement Advertisement "The Soviets launched a couple of missions with two spacecraft at a time and overstated their accomplishment in calling it 'rendezvous.' In fact, these ships simply happened to be up in orbit at the same time and were separated by many kilometers. The mission included none of the delicate navigational dance required to perform rendezvous because they didnt have the thruster capability, they didnt have the computer capability and they didnt have the piloting capability. Gemini 6 and Gemini 7 proved that one spacecraft could track another one in orbit and move within inches. "Then, by Gemini 8, they actually did touch and dock with an Agena target vehicle. That was a huge milestone in getting to the moon , because we have the lunar orbit rendezvous technique in which the command module and service module had to dock and separate and re-dock in lunar orbit." Long-duration missions were also completed for the first time during Gemini. Gemini 5 was an eight-day mission. Six days in, that flight broke the record for duration in space that the Soviets had held. "Then Gemini 7 blew the doors off of Gemini 5 when Jim Lovell and Frank Borman stayed up for 14 days," Kluger shares. "Those were some big milestones, both in the American space program and space exploration in general. Gemini 11 also broke an altitude record using the Agena engine to climb to 856 miles [1,378 kilometers], an Earth orbit record that stood until 2024 when the Polaris Dawn mission with Jared Isaacman at the helm went up and broke that record." Project Gemini was crucial to the success of the later Apollo missions. | Credit: NASA Kluger hopes that readers of his comprehensive new Gemini book take away the sense of just how intrepid these astronauts were, and what an epic achievement their missions turned out to be. So many unknowns became knowns, done in very short order by these true American heroes. Advertisement Advertisement "There were 10 flights that flew over the course of 20 months, which meant that every eight weeks we were rolling out a new Titan rocket, rolling out a new Gemini spacecraft, loading up a new crew, launching them into low-Earth, bringing them home safely, then doing it over again," he explained. "Just how much excellence and accomplishment and coordination it took on the ground to get these astronauts and spacecraft ready was something really important to be gained from it. Buzz Aldrin was famously known as Dr. Rendezvous. He got his Ph.D. in Orbital Mechanics and Rendezvous from MIT after graduating from West Point, so there was no underestimating Buzz's intellectual wattage. He's a brilliant man, and he accomplished brilliant things." "Gemini: Stepping Stone to the Moon, the Untold Story" lands in bookstores and online retailers on Nov. 11, 2025. "Gemini: Stepping Stone to the Moon, the Untold Story" arrives on Nov. 11 from space historian, journalist and New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Kluger to explore the untold story of NASA's 10 crewed Project Gemini flights.View Deal A Northern California man was seriously injured after a frozen water balloon was thrown through his windshield while he was driving home from work, causing chunks of glass to hit his face and impale his eyes, he told ABC News. "I was a completely random victim just driving home from work," 28-year-old Alex Plant told ABC News. The incident occurred on Thursday at approximately 9:30 p.m. when Plant was driving along Highway 20 just outside of Marysville, California, he said. Courtesy Alex Plant - PHOTO: Alex Plant, a 28-year-old man in Northern California, was seriously injured after a frozen water balloon was thrown through his windshield while he was driving home from work, he told ABC News. While he was traveling along the two-lane highway, he noticed an oncoming car and then, about a quarter-second later, he felt "an impression of something in front of me." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And then boom, I get impacted in the face by something," Plant said. At first, Plant wasn't aware of what struck him. Then, he began to feel glass powder in his eyes and noticed a breeze coming through his windshield, he said. 4 dead, 13 injured after speeding car in Tampa crashes into business, pedestrians "I managed to open my eyes for a second and I saw the big hole," he said. Once his eyes began to swell shut, Plant pulled off to the side of the road -- avoiding oncoming traffic and a nearby irrigation canal -- and called an ambulance, he said. Plant did not know what the cause of the accident was until he was in the ambulance and heard people saying they had found water balloon pieces and his car was full of ice, he said. Courtesy Alex Plant - PHOTO: Alex Plant, a 28-year-old man in Northern California, was seriously injured after a frozen water balloon was thrown through his windshield while he was driving home from work, he told ABC News. The California Highway Patrol -- which was at the scene with paramedics -- told ABC News they are investigating the incident and are looking into any surveillance footage in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the emergency room, Plant's eyes had to be flushed multiple times as hospital officials attempted to remove the chunks of glass. At one point, a piece of glass, almost an eighth of an inch in size, was removed from underneath his eyelid. "That explains why I felt like my eyelid was on fire," Plant said. 1 dead, 13 injured after car crashes into child's birthday party in Maryland About six hours later, Plant was able to return home, he said. Four days after the incident, Plant said he still has sensitivity to light and the vision in his left eye has returned completely, but in his right eye, "everything has a slight fuzz." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Plant is recovering from the accident and will need to see a specialist to further treat his eye, he said he is "grateful" that he was the one who was hit, as a prior car accident 10 years ago had "mentally prepared" him for this one. That could have been somebodys grandparents going out somewhere. That could have been somebodys grandma or grandpa or some 16-year-old high school kid taking out the car to go to the gas station for the first time. That kind of individual probably wouldnt have been able to handle themselves in the way that I did and pull over and have the wherewithal to ask Siri to call 911," Plant told ABC News. Officials said anyone with more information on the incident should contact the California Highway Patrol. Google has cracked down on posts by a star AI researcher who made controversial comments about transgender people and accused some colleagues of antisemitism, according to a report. Noam Shazeer who became co-lead on development of Googles flagship AI models after the tech giant bought his startup Character.AI for $2.7 billion reportedly miffed colleagues with his posts this spring on a thread about International Transgender Day of Visibility. I do not believe that humans have an attribute called gender, Shazeer wrote, news site the Information reported Friday. I do not believe that G-d puts people in the wrong bodies. I do not believe that it is okay to sterilize children. You have the right to your beliefs. I do not share them. Advertisement Advertisement The post drew pushback from multiple coworkers, with Shazeers manager at the time, Jeff Dean, among those who reportedly called him out. Noam, you dont have to agree with all positions others express, but as leaders, supporting our whole community of employees is something that we should be doing, not creating environments that dont show this support for everyone, Dean was quoted as stating to Shazeer. Noam Shazeer cofounded Character.AI. The Washington Post via Getty Images David Silver, a top employee at Googles DeepMind division, also took exception, writing: leadership is a privilege and the words we speak matter. Shazeers post was later deleted by internal moderators, according to the Infromation. He is not expected to face disciplinary action. Advertisement Advertisement Last year, he reportedly got kicked off an internal communication channel following complaints about his antisemitism allegations against colleagues, according to the Information. Shazeer reportedly clashed with coworkers who were upset that Google had relaxed its rules against developing AI that could be used for military or surveillance purposes. The employees were concerned that Googles technology could be used by Israel in its war against Hamas. Google moderates any internal posts that are deemed politically disruptive. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Shazeer, who is Jewish, frequently accused coworkers who criticized Google over the policy change of being antisemitic, according to the Information, which cited current and former employees. Plans for Google workers to hold a lunch meeting at the firms London office drew a sarcastic remark from the AI guru, who is said to be friendly with Googles cofounders Sergey Brin and Larry Page. Advertisement Advertisement LOL you have found a way to take your anitsemitic Israel-bashing club offline where I cant call you out on it, he was quoted as saying. Moderators reportedly removed Shazeer from the internal communications channel on which the exchanges had been taking place. Google paid $2.7 billion to acquire Noam Shazeers startup. REUTERS Google declined to comment. The company has an internal policy barring discussions that make other Googlers feel like they dont belong or have no place here on its message boards, including making statements that insult, demean, or humiliate (whether individually or by reference to groups) other employees, according to a document viewed by the Information. Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the tech giant cracked down on posts related to the Israel-Hamas war that some employees considered antisemitic. The move led some Arab and Muslim employees to say their speech was being stifled. In 2024, Google also fired more than two dozen employees who staged disruptive sit-ins at offices in New York and California. Google CEO Sundar Pichai has warned employees not to discuss politics in the workplace. In a lengthy memo last year, he said Google is a business, and not a place to act in a way that disrupts co-workers or makes them feel unsafe, to attempt to use the company as a personal platform, or to fight over disruptive issues or debate politics. BOSTON (WWLP) Every few hours, the status of SNAP benefits here in the Bay State seems to change. Governor Healey held a press conference on Monday to clarify where we stand now. There was a flurry of legal activity over SNAP benefits this weekend. On Friday night, the Supreme Court froze a lower courts ruling requiring the Trump administration to provide SNAP benefits to the 42 million Americans who rely on them. Governor Healey calls for federal help on expiring health subsidies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next morning, eligible Bay Staters received delayed benefits on their cards, funding the governor says was processed before the ruling from the Supreme Court. On Saturday night, the USDA told states that any full SNAP benefits sent to residents were unauthorized. The agency told states to undo the benefits immediately. During a press conference on Monday, the governor repeated a message to Bay Staters she had also shared on Sunday. Forget the noise that youre hearing from Donald Trump, forget the noise about further appeals to the Supreme Court. Go out and buy the food that you need to feed your family, Governor Healey said. 1.1 million Bay Staters, primarily working families with children, and elderly and disabled people, rely on SNAP each month. To the governor, this goes beyond a legal issue: its a moral one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president may have made the choice to starve Americans, but Im not going to let that happen here in Massachusetts, Healey said. The governor is confident that the distributed SNAP benefits are legal, and will continue to be distributed going forward. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand. 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 WWLP. The Senate approved a deal to end the country's longest-ever shutdown Monday night, bringing the U.S. government one step closer to re-opening. In a 60-40 vote, the Senate signed off on a deal reached by eight Democratic Party members and Republicans to reopen the government through Jan. 30. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin was one such Democrat who switched sides to vote in support of the deal. The continuing resolution now heads to the House of Representatives, which is expected to take it up on Wednesday, Nov. 12 following the Veterans Day holiday. Though most Democrats in the Republican-controlled House are likely to vote against the measure, it's expected to have enough votes to pass. Is the government shutdown over? When will it end? Not quite. Senators finalized their vote to end the government shutdown on Monday, Nov. 10. They had previously voted in favor of the bill on Sunday, Nov. 9, when eight Democrats and Independents flipped, and the Senate reconvened the following day to make it official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because senators changed the temporary funding measure that the House sent them to extend funding to Jan. 30, the House is scheduled to vote again starting Wednesday, Nov. 12. If the House approves of the bill, it will be sent to President Donald Trump. How did Illinois senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth vote on the government shutdown? Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, voted against the funding extension, according to the U.S. Senate website, and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, voted yes. Durbin was one of only eight Democrats to vote in support of the extension. Which Democrats voted to re-open the government? The following senators joined Republicans in their vote to re-open the government: Catherine Cortez Masto, D-NV Dick Durbin, D-IL John Fetterman, D-PA Maggie Hassan, D-NH Tim Kaine, D-VA Angus King, I-ME Jacky Rosen, D-NV Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH Government shutdown clock Is this the longest government shutdown? Yes, prior to the ongoing shutdown, which has lasted 41 days so far, the longest in U.S. history was a 35-day shutdown in 2019. USA TODAY Network reporters Joey Garrison and Bart Jansen contributed. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Government shutdown update: Durbin joins Senators in passing extension deal The NASA Glenn Research Center hangar in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo from NASA Glenn Research Center website.) As a physics professor at Ohio State University, Ive written a few op-eds this year to explain how decision making in Washington has thrown a serious wrench into the career plans of a generation of young scientists both nationally and in Ohio. Ive worked with reporters to highlight the cancellation threat to nearly complete projects like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which professors and students in Ohio States Department of Astronomy have been working on for over a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now I am speaking out because the federal government has been shut down since a funding lapse began on October 1. As a scientist it is not my mission to explain why weve reached this point or what it will take to climb out of it. But I can explain that when the government shuts down, many federal employees have to stay home, and this includes scientists at government labs and staff members at science funding agencies who help keep Americas science and technology machine going. Ohio is a scientific powerhouse. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX We have an Air Force R&D presence larger than any other state that is housed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further north we have the NASA Glenn research center, which is where every new NASA satellite is sent for testing. In Columbus, Ohio State University received nearly $800 million in federal research grants last year, and the Battelle Institute is no less connected to federal funding sources and research. The shutdown has had an immediate impact on regularly scheduled meetings between government scientists and university researchers. In my research group, meetings with research scientists at Wright Patterson AFB to discuss experiments funded by the Air Force Office of Science Research havent happened since September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another OSU physics professors collaboration with the Air Force to develop secure quantum communications has been interrupted. In many cases, the projects being impacted and the government workers being furloughed dont depend on the current budget negotiations in congress. My colleagues in the biological sciences are perhaps even more profoundly affected. In Ohio alone, the National Institute of Health (NIH) funds over a billion dollars of medical and biological research projects each year. With NIH staffers furloughed, this creates problems for researchers trying to run existing projects. And the funding of new NIH projects is delayed because long-planned scientific merit reviews are indefinitely postponed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is hard to find the right metaphor for this disruption, but imagine if OSU announced that its annual Pelotonia fund raiser might be cancelled next year. This would jeopardize something like $26 million dollars of continued funding to advance projects towards improving cancer care. Now imagine if, instead of $26 million dollars, like the Pelotonia raised last year, it typically brought in 25 times as much, and imagine this uncertainty affecting every major medical research center in the country. This begins to communicate the mess that the impasse in Congress is producing. Scientists are not interested in debating whos suffering the most from the shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the Trump administration uses the shutdown to justify further reductions in force at scientific agencies, or if funding interruptions prompt universities to close research labs, and scale back Ph.D. programs, what is there to gain by comparing this chaos to anything? Careers to advance the scientific expertise of our country are being ruined. I wish I could say that the threat to the enterprise of American science was theoretical in some way, but these times give me no such luxury. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Hamilton Reserve Bank has completed the deployment of the latest Temenos Digital platform, with support from technology partner Tailwind Business Ventures. The Caribbean-based financial institutions upgrade is part of a broader adoption of the 2024 Temenos banking software release. Tailwind, serving as a primary implementation partner, leveraged its in-house Fincoder platform to streamline the process. The platform applies artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to financial technology deployment. Tailwind designed and executed the technical architecture, along with establishing project governance and integration across Temenos modules. Tailwind partner Paulo Vieira said: Hamilton Reserve Bank's visionary leadership and superb capital strength made them our first-ever client to adopt our AI-based Fincoder platform. Their forward-thinking approach and trust in our innovative technology allowed us to deliver this transformative solution in record time. Together, we've created a blueprint for how AI-driven implementation can revolutionise financial services delivery. Hamilton Reserve Bank, which serves clients in over 150 countries, initiated the digital transformation to enhance its global banking services. The banks operations span 126 currencies and support customers in 15 languages. Tailwind said that its approach included developing cloud-native infrastructure, implementing digital customer journeys with biometric authentication. It also includes establishing compliance and risk management systems, in line with industry best practices. The Fincoder platform automated development cycles, testing, and integration, allowing the bank to go live with the new digital platform in a two-month timeframe, according to Tailwind. Hamilton Reserve Bank CFO Antonio Kenyatta said: The partnership between Hamilton Reserve Bank's vision and Tailwind's execution capabilities, powered by Fincoder, has resulted in a digital banking platform that sets new standards for the industry. This is more than a technology implementationit's a complete transformation that positions HRB as a world-class financial powerhouse with global reach and capabilities. Temenos, listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, provides banking technology solutions for institutions worldwide, supporting both on-premises and cloud-based services. Earlier this year, private equity firm Montagu agreed to acquire Temenos global fund accounting software business, Multifonds. "Hamilton completes digital transformation with Tailwinds AI platform " was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. Nov. 11AIKEN Green Boundary Club normally plays host to hundreds of vehicles each week, and this month's traffic included a one-of-a-kind item equipped with military veterans in mind, with zero horsepower and a plan to reach halfway across the Pacific Ocean. John Pallasch, an Aiken-based workforce development consultant, is on track to be part of a four-man team planning to row a boat approximately 2,800 miles from California to Hawaii next summer, to help fight the tide of veteran suicides. The boat, Overwatch, was on display and open for exploration Nov. 7 at Green Boundary Club, as part of an evening to encourage local investment in the project, which will also involve Army veterans Guy Phillips (also attending the Whiskey Road event), Joe Leach and Ian Pienik, all under the team name of Foar the Brave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four charities are to benefit from the oceanic effort: The Honor Foundation, Sub Zero Mission, Charlie Mike and Hardrock Charlie Foundation, all described in promotional material as "charities with a proven track record of delivering meaningful support to veterans and their families." "We really want to raise awareness," said Pallasch. "We want to create a foundation to continue to raise awareness, and then we want to make sure 90 percent of all the proceeds go to those established charities who are already doing great work in this area, so we're kind of a microphone for them in a way that we can ... bring awareness to the issue, shed some light on it and raise some money to share with those established charities." The plan is for Overwatch to depart from Monterey, on California's central coast, June 7, as weather allows, and arrive 35-40 days later in Hawaii. Two of the team members Phillips and Leach have already accomplished a similar feat, crossing the Atlantic entirely by muscle in an effort to help vets struggling with mental health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The message to be conveyed is that "everybody's going through something," Pallasch said, adding that "no one's alone, regardless of whether you served or not." Support exists, he said, "and there are better answers than harming yourself or taking your own life." The team's website includes such data as "44 veterans lost each day to suicide" and expresses the goal as being "to raise awareness and funding for trusted, results-driven charities addressing veteran suicide, mental health challenges, substance abuse, and homelessness, ensuring every veteran has access to the support they deserve." California Gov. Gavin Newsom came into Gov. Greg Abbott's backyard this weekend and called him out. But don't think for a moment that Abbott is sweating it. "We have a message for those Democrats and their socialist backers," Abbott said in a speech in Houston just a day after Newsom was in town. "They cannot buy us. They cannot beat us." And if anyone missed that line, he had more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will safeguard our Texas values from the radicals who are trying to shove Texas to the far, progressive left," he added in a speech in which he declared that he is running for re-election in 2026. Abbott didn't mention Newsom by name. But over his last nearly 11 years as governor, Abbott has a history of relishing showdowns with politicians from blue beacons like California and New York. For his base, San Francisco, where Newsom was once mayor, and New York City may as well be Mars. And Abbott loves firing up his supporters and raising campaign money off the jabs. Just last week, after Democrat Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City, Abbott offered "thoughts & prayers" for the Big Apple and declared battle lines have now been drawn. But it goes back even further. In his first campaign for governor against Democrat Wendy Davis, he warned his donors she would "bring California values to our state if we don't stop her." Four years later, Abbott frequently fired up Republican donors during his re-election by saying: "Don't California my Texas!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even a few months ago, when Newsom threatened to launch his redistricting plan to counter Texas, Abbott brushed him off. "Well, first and foremost, California is a joke," Abbott said in August. But then Abbott misjudged Newsom on the fight. He told reporters that polls in the Golden State showed what Newsom wanted was unpopular with two-thirds of voters in California. "So I think the probability of anything passing is very minimal," Abbott said then. So much for that. Proposition 50 in California passed overwhelmingly last week and Newsom made clear on Saturday that he wanted to send a clear message to his rival governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Eat your heart out, Greg Abbott," Newsom said at the very start of his speech to a roar of approval from the 800 people at a union meeting hall in Houston. This article originally published at Greg Abbott isn't sweating Gavin Newsom trying to fire up Texas Democrats. You may have noticed a new name at the two El Rio Bravo Supermarkets in Wichita, and youre probably seeing some changes at the stores, too. Mi Super Mercado Baratisimo has replaced the Rio Bravo stores at 21st and Amidon and Pawnee and Seneca. The owners of the new chain plan to open a third Wichita store on the east side early in the new year and are opening one in Oklahoma City before that. Its a new chain that we want to grow, said COO Guillermo Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and CEO Salah Nafal are based in Oklahoma City and both have extensive experience with Mexican markets. Nafal and his family operated the El Rancho Supermercado chain of about 30 supermarkets in Texas before selling it a few years ago. Washington worked for El Rancho as well and at one time oversaw 400 stores for Walmart in Mexico. We come from the industry. He said that means customers will see a lot of upgrades and industry standards. Were going to standardize all of the processes so you can have the same quality every day, Washington said. For now, the new store signs simply say Mi Super Mercado, but Washington said the word Baratisimo will be added at both stores because it sends a message to customers that they can buy food extremely inexpensively. Baratisimo translates to very cheap in English. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are focused on reducing prices for the community, so the community can afford more items, Washington said. He said that Rio Bravo had some very good things that they were doing so we kept them. However, there already have been a lot of changes, and more are coming. For instance, there are new freezers and refrigerators, and all the meat counters are being replaced. Were buying very fresh meat, Washington said. There are new tortilla machines for corn and flour tortillas at both stores. There are pastries and bread that are freshly baked each morning and afternoon. And there are some behind-the-scenes upgrades, such as new air conditioning for both stores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stores are open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily every day of the year. Thats important, Washington said. He said the goal with Mi Super Mercado Baratisimo is to improve the quality of life for Wichitans every day. We saw an opportunity in Wichita, Washington said. We like the locations of the store, and we like the community. He said the chain will be especially community oriented and have events and find other ways to support Wichitans. Hakim Halum, a partner in Rio Bravo, said it made sense for his group to sell as it focuses on expanding around its home base in the Kansas City area. Though the new Mi Super Mercado Baratisimo stores are open now, Washington said there will be grand openings for each soon. He expects to acquire an east-side store in the next month or so, and then the store should open a few months after that. Look for news on that site as soon as theres a deal. Expect a high of 39 degrees that feels more like 32, with an overnight low of 33. Forecasters predict it will be cold; breezy this morning with a thick cloud cover, then intervals of clouds and sunshine this afternoon. Throughout the day, wind will be blowing west southwest at 11.5 miles per hour. You can search for more information on hourly, daily, and monthly weather forecasts and current air quality conditions for your location here. What to know about Tuesday's Guernsey County weather Asthma: Weather conditions create a lowered risk of weather-related asthma attacks, and will help to make attacks less severe and of shorter duration. Driving: Conditions are very good for driving. Dry skin: The weather is favorable for rough, dry skin. It is recommended to apply moisturizers to maintain skin hydration. Hair frizz and dust: Some frizz is possible, especially for people with naturally curly or wavy hair. Indoor dust and dander levels will be high. Actions to control indoor dust and dander are recommended. Weather almanac: How Tuesday's forecast compares to other years Guernsey County saw a record-breaking temperature high for Nov. 11 in 1964 at 71 degrees. On this day in 1957, a record low of 14 degrees was set. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Historically, this day is usually a bit wet, with an average 0.09 inches of precipitation. The forecast high is below average for this time of year. The 30-year average maximum temperature for Nov. 11 is 55 degrees. The forecast low is two degrees cooler than the established normal of 35 degrees. USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across Ohio, generated with data from AccuWeather. Please leave any feedback or corrections for this story here. This story was written by Ozge Terzioglu. Our News Automation and AI team would like to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us. This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Guernsey County weather forecast for Tuesday, Nov. 11: Cold; breezy this morning A 20-year-old man pleading guilty to four counts of first-degree murder is an extremely rare event that highlights the horrific nature of the mass stabbing he perpetrated in Ottawa last year, legal experts have told CBC. Sri Lankan international student Febrio De Zoysa killed six people including four children in their Barrhaven home last March. Last week he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder of Inuka Wickramasinghe, 7; Ashwini Wickramasinghe, 4; Ranaya Wickramasinghe, 3; and Gamini Amarakoon, 40, a close family friend and one of the family's two tenants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement De Zoysa pleaded down two counts to the lesser offence of second-degree murder of mother Darshani Ekanayake, 35, and her two-month-old baby Kelly Wickramasinghe. He pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, the father and sole survivor. The fact that De Zoysa pleaded guilty to first-degree murder was notable, according to Mark Ertel, a criminal lawyer not involved with the case. "The most common reaction to a first-degree murder charge, even when there's a strong Crown case, would be to defend the case unless some lesser plea was offered," said Ertel, a partner at Ottawa law firm Bayne Sellar Ertel Macrae. "It looks like it was an overwhelming case," Ertel told CBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The role of defence counsel is always to attempt to get the best possible outcome for their client," he said. "In this case, the best possible outcome was probably to not put everyone through a trial and to just take the penalty which was inevitably going to be given, which is a life sentence." First-degree murder carries an automatic sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole for 25 years. While about 90 per cent of all criminal cases are resolved by negotiated agreement without going to trial, it is unusual for a defendant to plead guilty to the most serious charge, according to University of Ottawa professor Jennifer Quaid. "In this case, it may just be that, that there really wasn't any other conclusion you could come to based on the evidence," she said. "The crimes are horrific I think there's no other way to describe them." The Wickramasinghe family celebrates daughter Ranaya's third birthday. From left, father Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, two-month-old daughter Kelly, daughters Ashwini, 4, and Ranaya, 3, son Inuka, 7, and mother Darshani Dilanthika Ekanayake, 35. (Facebook) De Zoysa, who had been boarding with the family, told the court he planned to kill everyone in the household because he had run out of money and didn't want to return to Sri Lanka when his international student visa expired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wickramasinghe family had "been nothing but good to [him]," he told investigators. Speaking outside court on Thursday, Crown prosecutor Dallas Mack said De Zoysas plea "recognizes his acceptance of the inevitable: his guilt." Had De Zoysa not pleaded guilty, the prosecution had "prepared a powerful case, which would have secured the convictions received today," Mack said, declining to answer further questions. Earlier in court, defence lawyer Ewan Lyttle agreed that De Zoysa had "done the unthinkable." "But today he is doing what is right and what is expected of him, and Your Honour knows that not many people in his situation do that," Lyttle said during his sentencing submissions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lyttle said he would not attempt a defence of mental illness, though there was "no question" his client was mentally unwell. Speaking outside court after sentencing, Lyttle said the trials outcome was the result of "a negotiated resolution." "It could not have happened without the Crown and defence, and offender, co-operating and listening to each other. And through that co-operation, the victims and the community will be spared the further pain of a trial," he said. Lyttle declined to comment further when contacted on Friday. Justice Kevin Phillips acknowledged both the Crown and defence at the conclusion of the case. "I wish to end this matter by thanking counsel for their very professional conduct. You have distinguished yourselves in the eyes of the court," he said. Should Oklahoma welcome privately operated ICE detention centers in the state? Oklahoma has a history of privately owned and operated prisons, and none of it is good. Making profits from human suffering consistently yields heartbreaking consequences and costs more money in the long haul. Private, for-profit facilities in Lawton, Sayre and Watonga have all been closed or bought by the state because of poor records on human rights violations, overcrowding, violence and public health issues for both the prisoners and the employees. In response to chronic issues, the governor closed three private prisons, including the Lawton Correctional Facility, which the state purchased for $312 million from GEO Group, a private prison company. The other two prisons ended their contracts and shut down, leaving the communities high and dry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current immigration detention surge is a perfect example of a short-term need that won't last and will again leave communities worse off. Today's quotas and bonuses have incentivized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to pick up every brown and non-English speaking person they can find. But most of these people aren't criminals. Less than 1 in 10 were convicted of a serious crime. Three in four people booked into ICE custody this year had no prior criminal convictions, except for traffic or immigration-related offenses. Most immigrant detainees are asylum seekers, parents and workers not criminals. Yet they're treated as commodities in a system that profits from keeping cells full. This isn't justice. It's inhumane. Oklahomans value fairness, faith and family. Handing over detention to for-profit corporations betrays those values. We need better alternatives community-based programs, legal support and humane policies that uphold human dignity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We previously said "no" to private prisons. We, the people, and our federal and state representatives, must say "no" now, or else we will once again find ourselves on the wrong side of history, playing a reprehensible role in a tragic drama with real consequences for the lives of very vulnerable people. Crystal Cruz, Norman Caregivers, you need patience, persistence and love More than 108,000 Oklahomans are caring for loved ones with dementia. Im one of them. My wife, Stacey, and I have been married for 44 years, and she has early onset Alzheimers. Our first reaction to the news was terror and then numbness. Suddenly all the plans we had made, and all of our thoughts of the future were put on hold. Stacey began to experience some weird health problems, which meant more medications. Luckily, weve found the right chemical balance for now. After a while, we both realized that everyone in the world can only hope for one day at a time. As a minister Im involved in many things. I serve on several boards. I really have a busy schedule. Im still trying to adjust. Staceys biggest challenge so far is anxiety. Weve found that having a schedule has helped a great deal. As Christians, were not fatalistic but hopeful. We know that the next life is much better than this one, but were going to enjoy this one as long as we can. Most of the time my prayer is, God give me patience. Give me understanding, God help me, help Stacey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel inadequate to give advice to other caregivers because I know Ive made mistakes and will continue to, but I can say this much to those who are on my same journey you need patience, you need persistence, and you need love. You have to remember that the person you love and care for is still the same person. They're just struggling. Take time this month to support a caregiver you know. Run errands, help with chores, educate yourself about the disease the more you know, the easier it will be to help. Reach out to the Alzheimers Association Oklahoma Chapter to learn more and get involved. Brent Franks, Antlers More: Family caregivers for aging people in Oklahoma need help to give help | Opinion Time for the government to tax companies that don't pay employees a living wage Is anyone else tired of supporting companies that refuse to pay their employees a living wage? We subsidize them by feeding their employees through programs like SNAP and WIC. We subsidize them by providing their employees with health care through programs like Medicaid and the ACA insurance marketplace. We house them through HUD programs like Section 8 housing. Its time the government taxed these companies and made them pay for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jim McGoodwin, Edmond Blocking of benefits adds to family's struggle I am from Bryan County, Oklahoma. I have four children here, all receive SNAP. In my situation I had a judge decide that I don't get child support because I owe back child support. This has been going on for two years now. One of the children is not mine; she was abandoned by her parents so I'm taking care of her. It has been the most horrible 10 days in recent memory. I am selling off things and hustling for every dollar to feed them. It actually brings me to tears on a daily basis. Especially when I see our president who's supposed to be looking out for us going out of his way to block benefits. My stomach is in knots. I feel like our country is falling apart. I'm writing this through tears right now. Rachel L. Banks, Bryan County, Oklahoma Why didn't Oklahoma City negotiate a better deal on new Thunder arena? (Recently) it has been reported that the San Antonio Spurs are building a new downtown arena. According to the reports, the ownership of the Spurs is paying $500 million toward the cost, and is responsible for 100% of the cost overruns. Now compare that to the recent deal that the city of Oklahoma City made with the Thunder. The Thunder ownership is responsible for only $50 million of the cost of our new arena, and the city of Oklahoma City is responsible for all cost overruns. I would like to hear from Mayor (David) Holt, and have him explain why the city negotiated such a bad deal. I love watching the Thunder, but I do not understand giving away the farm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Milligan, Oklahoma City Oklahoma should end straight-party voting so we don't get another Ryan Walters Ryan Walters is a perfect example of why the straight voting box on ballots should be removed. If voters voted more for people than party, we might stop getting incompetent people in office. Personally, I have never voted the "straight party" box. Even if I voted only for Democrats, I read the names of the candidates! Gerrymandering is bad enough. Margaret Malloy, Nichols Hills More: How to address Oklahoma's chronic school absenteeism problem | Opinion We must work together to solve Oklahoma's chronic student absenteeism problem As a teacher with 20 years of experience in Oklahoma classrooms, I have watched chronic absenteeism become one of our biggest challenges. When students miss school for reasons other than illness, they fall behind academically and lose vital connections with their teachers and peers. The effects ripple through classrooms, schools and our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schools are working hard to support students, but this problem cannot be solved by educators alone. Parents play a crucial role in ensuring their children attend school every day, except when they are truly sick. Consistent attendance is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to help children succeed. Oklahomas future depends on students who show up ready to learn. We must work together to support families and remove barriers so every child can be in school and thrive. Leia Wheeler, Piedmont Sinking boats? Someone's out of control The Trump administration has taken to sinking outboard-motor boats they think are transporting drugs to America. I would love to be the attorney conducting this examination: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Q: What were their names? A: We don't know. Q: What were their criminal records? A: Don't be silly. If we don't know their names, how would we know their criminal records but they were narco-terrorists! Q: Did you recover any drugs? A: No. Q: Has anybody survived, and what became of them? A: A few, and we returned them to their home countries. Q: Have you prosecuted any of the survivors for violating U.S. law? A. No, we sent the narco-terrorists home. Quickly. Somebody, and I'm not saying who, is out of control. Kent A. Mauk, Oklahoma City Will the rich soon control us all? A Depression-era song had the words: "There's nothing surer; the rich get rich and the poor get poorer." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mom-and-pop grocery stores have gone the way of the dinosaurs, swallowed up by big store chains. Family-owned farms are rapidly being bought out by giant farm conglomerates, and homes are being bought by big companies. National wealth has been transitioning from the poor and middle-income citizens to the wealthy for years. The current Trump administration is obviously trying to accelerate this phenomenon in its "Big, Beautiful Bill," that gives the wealthy a huge tax break while further squeezing programs that help the poor, especially on health care. If American citizens don't wake up and do something about this problem soon, I foresee a time in the future when the rich will own and control everything while average citizens work for them at whatever the rich decide to pay them! Ed Koonce, Mustang This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma shouldn't hand over ICE detention to private prisons |Letters Harris Teeter is set to open a new store in Jacksonville near the intersection of Atlantic and Kernan boulevards in the Atlantic North shopping center. The company announced Monday that construction is set to being in Spring 2026. An opening date has not been announced. The new Harris Teeter location will span 61,000 square feet and is expected to create between 100 to 200 retail jobs in the Jacksonville area, a company news release states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Atlantic North center, owned by Sleiman properties, has featured multiple openings over the last several years, including Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Another Broken Egg Cafe, Fancy Sushi, and most notably Cinemark theater. The new Harris Teeter will feature a full-service wine and beer bar, a Starbucks, and pick-up shopping, the news release states. The store will also have an expanded produce and meat/seafood department, a full-service floral department, and an expanded deli and bakery department, which includes fresh pizza, Murrays Cheese island, an Asian hot bar, convenient meal solutions, and a fresh cakes and bread program, the company said. Plans for the grocer also includes a fuel center and pharmacy. Harris Teeter, a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., is headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina and operates more than 250 stores and 85 fuel centers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and the District of Columbia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Tens of thousands of Hawaii residents who rely on federal food assistance face renewed uncertainty after the Trump administration on Saturday ordered states to reverse recent full SNAP payments, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Friday that paused lower court mandates. State Department of Human Services officials moved quickly Friday morning to disburse the aid after U.S. Department of Agriculture officials said they were releasing full SNAP funding in response to a lower courts order that the federal money be disbursed. Late Friday, however, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a two-day stay on the ruling, raising questions about whether funds released by Hawaii and a few other states would be available. Late Saturday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture directed states to undo the distributions and warned of financial penalties for noncompliance, telling states they must immediately undo any actions providing full benefits to low-income families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo, obtained by The New York Times, stunned state leaders, prompting some to explore legal options to prevent further disruptions. The administration, meanwhile, told a court that states would be responsible for the consequences if they ignored the order. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D, Hawaii ) condemned the decision as inhumane and illogical, emphasizing the availability of funds. The money is there, and we should use it to feed hungry Hawaii citizens, Schatz said in a written statement. Tens of thousands of families rely upon this benefit to put food on the table, and multiple federal courts have determined that using the contingency fund is not just allowed but required. We need to put politics aside and make sure everybody can eat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reversal leaves millions of Americansincluding roughly 165, 000 people in Hawaii, representing about 85, 000 householdsin limbo as the record-setting government shutdown on Sunday reached 40 days, marking the first time in the 60-year history of SNAP that benefits have lapsed entirely. Joseph Campos, deputy director of DHS, said in a written statement Sunday that the state remains committed to providing emergency aid to affected families. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the Supreme Court pause and the use of federal dollars, the state can assure you that on Monday, Nov. 10, your EBT card will have the state funds of $250 per individual as part of its Hawaii Emergency Food Assistance Program (HEFAP ), Campos said. Late last month, Gov. Josh Green announced the program to provide the state money to each Hawaii SNAP recipient. Campos advised residents on Sunday that the state-funded HEFAP benefits will be drawn down from their accounts before any new federal SNAP aid becomes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said additional guidance on SNAP will be released once federal instructions are reviewed and potential state actions are assessed. DHS also urged recipients to check its website, humanservices.hawaii.gov, for the latest updates and information on food and nutrition assistance programs. State officials did not respond to questions Sunday about whether the federal funds already deposited into residents SNAP accounts on Friday would be available. The U.S. Senate took steps Sunday night toward ending the federal shutdown, but the U.S. House and President Donald Trump must agree to any Senate measure. The political wrangling in Washington means that the potential reopening of the U.S. government could be days away. Amy Miller, president and CEO of Hawai i Foodbank, said the organization is preparing for increased demand as the uncertainty deepens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a great deal of uncertainty right now regarding the status of SNAP benefits, and we understand how unsettling this is for families who rely on them, Miller said. While questions at the federal level remain, our focus is unchanged : making sure families have access to food. Kayla Keehu-Alexander, Aloha United Ways vice president of community impact, said that removing assistance from those in our community who need it most will only create more unnecessary harm and hardship. Both Miller and Keehu-Alexander stressed their organizations commitment to helping the community. Miller said the Foodbank will continue expanded statewide distributions for as long as the community needs extra support, while Keehu-Alexander noted that AUWs 211 line remains available to connect residents with assistance. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs also will begin distributing $6.1 million in emergency assistance to Native Hawaiian beneficiaries affected by the SNAP suspension and the ongoing federal shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting today, eligible Native Hawaiians can apply for grocery gift cards of up to $350 or direct checks of up to $1, 200 for furloughed federal civilian workers through hawaiiancouncil.org /oha-relief. Applications are are accepted by phone at 808-596-8155 or in person at the Hawaiian Councils Kapolei office, 91-1270 Kinoiki St. Applicants must provide proof of Native Hawaiian ancestry, a Hawaii photo ID and documentation verifying either SNAP benefits or federal employment affected by the shutdown. Distributions are expected to begin Tuesday. Kuhio Lewis, CEO of the Hawaiian Council, which will administer the program, said in a statement, We are grateful to OHA for entrusting us with this responsibility and are moving quickly to ensure kokua reaches those who need it mostour kupuna, working families and federal workers facing hardship. The initiative was approved by OHA trustees last week in Hilo and is aimed at Native Hawaiian households who may not qualify for other state or federal assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OHA Board of Trustees Chairperson Kaialii Kahele said the situation highlights the fragility of federal safety net programs and the urgency of community-based support. The uncertainty of the federal governmentevidenced by recent statements from national leaders and Fridays Supreme Court decision regarding SNAP benefitsinstills little confidence that meaningful assistance will reach those who need it most, Kahele said. According to federal guidance issued on Saturday, any state that transmitted full SNAP payment files for November 2025 did so without authorization and must immediately reverse or correct those actions. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (D, Hawaii ) criticized the Trump administrations move, saying it weaponizes SNAP benefits and punishes states like Hawaii for doing the right thing. Ive been at food distributions across our state, she said. Ive seen the need, and its heartbreaking. No parent should have to skip meals so their keiki can eat, and no kupuna should have to choose between food and medicine. Thats the reality this administrations actions are creating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt leadershipits cruelty. Enough is enough. For now, Hawaii officials urge residents to check their EBT balances regularly and apply for state or nonprofit relief programs if their SNAP payments are delayed or reduced. U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnells push to close a legal loophole that allowed intoxicating hemp products to hit the marketplace seven years ago has turned into a dividing line in the advancing effort to reopen the federal government, with fellow U.S. Sen. Rand Paul opposing his Kentucky colleague. After a critical vote on Nov. 9, senators are moving forward with a potential plan that would end the government shutdown, which has dragged out for more than 40 days. The path forward includes combining three appropriations measures into one bill, which could pass through Congress this week and is expected to be approved if it reaches President Donald Trump's desk. One of those measures, though, includes language that would ban products that include more than 0.4 milligrams of THC, the intoxicating chemical in marijuana. And in recent years, hemp which contains THC in smaller amounts than its "illicit cousin," as McConnell has called marijuana has built a booming industry in Kentucky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure would go into effect 365 days after the potential law is on the books. But industry advocates such as Jim Higdon, cofounder of Louisville-based Cornbread Hemp, say the legislation would all but wipe out the hemp industry, a key piece of Kentucky's agricultural economy. The government shutdown began Oct. 1. If current proposals advance, it could be over by the end of the week. On Nov. 10, the legislation to end the shutdown was approved in the Senate on a 60-40 vote Paul was the lone GOP vote against it and was sent to the House to be taken up in coming days. Paul and McConnell, who is retiring at the end of next year and was a key driver behind the 2018 bill that opened the loophole, have been on opposite sides of the issue for years, even coming to a head this summer on the Senate floor. McConnell's intent in 2018 was to legalize hemp production, as the plant can be used to make dozens of non-intoxicating products such as rope and clothing. But the farm appropriations bill he supported seven years ago inadvertently legalized products like delta-8, a synthetic product similar to marijuana, and McConnell has frequently noted many producers now sell intoxicating hemp products in packages that appeal to kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In comments Nov. 10, the senator said language in the 2025 bill "keeps these products out of the hands of children, secures the future of regulated hemp businesses, and keeps our promise to American farmers and law enforcement by clarifying the intention in the 2018 Farm Bill." Paul, meanwhile, has opposed efforts to close the loophole, noting hemp production has been a boon for Kentucky farmers and small businesses. Nearly 5,000 farmland acres in the commonwealth are currently used to produce hemp, according to the states Department of Agriculture, with 97.5% used in floral or cannabinoid products. McConnell tried over the summer to insert language in a Senate appropriations bill that would have closed the loophole, but Paul threatened to block the legislation in its entirety. McConnell relented but publicly questioned whether Paul was an advocate for hemp farmers, noting hed voted against two previous bills that legalized its production Paul has said he supported the hemp portions of those bills but opposed their impacts on government spending. Months later, the issue is at the center of the push to reopen the government. U.S. Sens. Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky Paul put forward an amendment on Nov. 10 that would strike the hemp language from the proposal, though it was voted down later that evening. His office said the senator is committed to "reopening the government without delay" but believes the hemp provisions "unfairly target Kentuckys hemp industry language that is unrelated to the budget and the government-reopening goal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has support from industry advocates such as Higdon, who said restricting the industry and allowing just 0.4 milligrams of THC per product would amount to "a dark day for anyone who hopes for a future when cannabis is descheduled in America." "If we cant keep full spectrum CBD products legal, then the future of cannabis reform seems even more distant with an emboldened alcohol industry that now has a proven playbook for killing cannabis," he said in a release. Other members of Kentucky's congressional delegation have also spoken up against similar proposals in the past. In September, four of the state's six House representatives Reps. Andy Barr, James Comer, Thomas Massie and Morgan McGarvey (the lone Democrat in the group) signed a letter sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson opposing the hemp language. Representatives for Barr, Comer and McGarvey did not immediately respond to requests for comment, though McGarvey has indicated he will not vote in favor of the bill. A spokesperson for Massie said the congressman plans to vote against the advancing bill, "and the hemp provision in the legislation was a part of that decision." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kentucky benefits from hemp production, and I fully support Senator Rand Pauls efforts to strip the unrelated hemp ban from the Senate funding bill," Massie said in a statement. "I detest the tactics that are being used to try to get this ban enacted into law. Mason Reeves, chemist at Cornbread Hemp, holds up trays of CBD gummies at their Louisville facility in January 2025. Company leaders say the bill to reopen the government puts their business at risk. McConnell, meanwhile, said he has been clear that closing the 2018 hemp loophole is on his list of priorities before he retires at the end of 2026. And he hasn't been alone in his push to ban intoxicating hemp products. In late October, 39 attorneys general sent a letter to Congress calling on lawmakers to close the loophole, which has been "exploited by bad actors to sell recreational synthetic THC products across the country." Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman was not among those who signed it. And Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell spoke up against the legislation over the summer when McConnell tried to pass it in the Senate agriculture appropriations committee, calling the language "overbroad" and arguing it would "criminalize non-intoxicating CBD products in our hemp program." His office did not immediately respond to a Nov. 11 request for comment. Meanwhile, presidents of five spirits industry groups American Distilled Spirits Alliance, Beer Institute, Wine Institute, Wine America and Distilled Spirits Council of the United States sent a letter to senators dated Nov. 10 that urged them to side with McConnell, adding they "stand ready to work with Congress and the Administration to enact meaningful regulations that protect consumers and ensure a safe, orderly marketplace for these intoxicating products once this loophole is addressed." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kentucky legislature passed a bill earlier this year that added new regulations to the sale of hemp-derived drinks, including setting a cap on how much THC they can include. Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Kentucky lobbied in favor of that bill, arguing regulations were needed. Still, Charles George, the group's executive director, said a federal ban isn't the answer, though he's "encouraged by the one-year grace period." "We urge Congress to establish a balanced regulatory framework similar to that governing alcohol that protects consumers, ensures product safety, and respects state authority," George said. "Kentucky passed a sensible hemp beverage bill during the 2025 session, and it should not be upended by conflicting federal law." McConnell has support from the National Hemp Association. Chairman Geoff Whaling said the senator has been "instrumental in establishing industrial hemp as a critical new commodity, paving the way for growth in American agriculture and manufacturing." McConnell said the bill's language will allow industrial hemp and CBD products to "remain legal for industrial applications such as seed, stock, fiber, grain oil or used in drug trials, federally authorized research, or research at an institution of higher education." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also has an ally in Chad Rosen, founder and CEO of Kentucky-based Victory Hemp Foods. Rosen wrote a recent blog post praising the senator's push. "The loudest voices claiming the industry is being 'banned' are the same voices who built their business models on a loophole selling intoxicating cannabinoids under the label of 'hemp,' he wrote, noting he's sympathetic to employees and farmers whose livelihoods are at risk. "Their panic is real, but it is not representative of the hemp industry as a whole." A hemp plant at a farm outside Lexington. Advocates say the industry is at risk due to the advancing bill to reopen the government. Katie Moyer, owner of Kentucky Hemp Works and a board member for the Kentucky Hemp Association, however, said the bill will criminalize many nonintoxicating products. If approved, she said, more than 90% of the state's hemp industry would be impacted, and research and development of products that wouldn't be banned are largely funded by the sale of cannabinoid products. "The idea that McConnell is doing us a favor by allowing farmers to have a year to figure out what to do with their product or their crop, that's not much of a consolation," she added. "This just goes to show that they're not interested in public safety, they're not interested in protecting children, or they would have banned it immediately as an emergency bill." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tell us what you think. Submit your letter to the editor. Jay Grundy runs a farm in Marion County on about 60 acres that provides hemp for Cornbread Hemp. They've scaled up operations in recent years to meet the demand, he said, under the assumption lawmakers would pass "some sort of responsible regulation to get rid of the bad actors" and allow legitimate operations to continue. Products with excessive amounts of THC need to be taken off shelves and regulated, he said. But products with dosages closer to five milligrams or slightly higher can be consumed without putting people in danger, he said. "By all means, get rid of the synthetic crap. Get rid of all the high dosages," he said. "... That is something we want to get rid of, and that is something that sound regulation can help us do." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His farm produced tobacco for many years before the industry cratered. If a federal crackdown on hemp goes into effect, he said, "I'll be liquidating assets to pay off our debt load, and then we just go back to nothing at that point. It's all gone." "It's a death sentence at this point," Grundy said. "If this continues forward and we don't get something done within a year, we're shut down both from a manufacturing standpoint and a farming standpoint." Kentucky politics news: Supreme Court declines to take up Kim Davis case targeting same-sex marriage Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Government reopening hinges on hemp crackdown backed by Mitch McConnell Here's what you need to know about the officer-involved shooting that occurred Nov. 10 in Bossier City. Officer-involved shooting At about 5:30 p.m. Louisiana State Police was requested by the Bossier City Police Department to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Old Minden Road. According to LSP, a subject was shot and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. No officers with the Bossier City Police Department were injured during this incident, and it remains under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LSP is asking anyone with information on this incident to report it through LSP's online reporting system by visiting lsp.org and clicking on Report Suspicious or Criminal Activity, or calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline at 1.800.434.8007. More: Shreveport Police identify man wanted in mass shooting that happened last weekend Makenzie Boucher is a reporter for The Shreveport Times. You can reach her at mboucher@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana State Police investigate officer-involved shooting in Bossier City Insurance carrier Hadron has disclosed plans to begin operations in the EU in early 2026. This follows a period of activity and new initiatives in the US and UK. The company aims to broaden its role as a support platform for specialty underwriters including managing general agents (MGAs), managing general underwriters (MGUs), programme administrators and reinsurance partners. Hadron stated that this move is intended to take advantage of opportunities in the EU region given that underwriting businesses are looking to scale and consolidate their activities. Since its establishment in late 2023, Hadron has developed a cross-border platform serving the specialty underwriting sector. The company is supported by more than $250m in capital from Altamont Capital Partners and other institutional backers. Its workforce now numbers more than 75 across areas such as data, operations, regulatory matters, risk management, technology and underwriting. In the past two years, Hadron has established four insurance entities, with all units using a shared infrastructure. This approach has allowed expansion into new jurisdictions and products. Within the UK, ten new MGA programmes have joined Hadrons platform over the past year, with plans for more additions. The company projects that by the end of 2025, its gross written premiums in the UK will exceed 200m ($262.7m). Hadron CEO Sam Reeder said: Our growth this year reflects the strength of Hadrons model, which balances underwriting discipline with innovation and scale. Our specialty insurance platform is purpose built for delegated authority, combining transparency, speed and long-term alignment, at the pace and scale of our MGA partners, with the oversight and stability reinsurers have come to expect. The international division, led by Colin Johnson, currently comprises 20 members and expects further recruitment in early 2026. The forthcoming EU launch is being prepared by an expanded leadership team, including the recent appointments of Amelie Breitburd and Pascal Van Eyken as independent non-executive directors and David Franco as chief risk officer. The launch is subject to regulatory approval. Johnson commented: We are investing in the people, technology and governance structure to support sustainable growth across borders, ensuring our partners benefit from the same strength and speed that define Hadron globally. We are very pleased with Amelie, Pascal and David joining our platform as we look to expand into Europe. Hadron currently manages approximately 50 insurance programmes and expects premium volumes to rise considerably in 2026. Throughout its more than 70 years, In-N-Out Burger has remained a privately owned family business. Founders Esther and Harry Snyder opened the first restaurant in 1948 in Baldwin Park, California, and slowly grew the business. Today, their granddaughter, Lynsi Snyder, serves as the company president. After the tragic deaths of Harry and Esther's sons, Lynsi became the sole heir to the burger chain. She took on the role of company president in 2010, and seven years later, inherited full control of the In-N-Out empire. She became a billionaire at age 35. As of November 2025, Snyder is 43, and her net worth is an estimated $8.7 billion. Under Lynsi Snyder, the expansion of the chain has quickened. She has nearly doubled the number of restaurants from 230 to 424 since 2010. She has emphasized a careful approach to expansion to maintain the chain's signature quality. In-N-Out still hand-cuts its fries and only uses fresh beef. That focus on quality has fostered a nearly fanatical fan base, including the late, great chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain, who ate there whenever he got the chance. Even Julia Child was a fan, as it was her favorite fast food restaurant. Read more: 12 Secrets Of Five Guys You'll Wish You Knew Sooner Lynsi Snyder is the only grandchild of the founders Lynsi Snyder and her husband Sean Ellingson - Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images When the Snyders founded In-N-Out Burger in 1948, it quickly became a huge success, in part due to Harry Snyder's invention of the two-way speaker system that changed the drive-thru forever. Unlike other fast food chains, the Snyders expanded In-N-Out slowly. By 1976, McDonald's had 4,000 locations nationwide, while In-N-Out only had 18. Now Lynsi Snyder is expanding the company into the Southeast, with plans for 35 stores in Tennessee beginning in 2026. Even with the expansions, Snyder has said she plans to keep the company privately owned and will not franchise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lynsi Snyder's leadership style is more casual than her forebears. She dresses down for work and even plays in a rock band with In-N-Out employees and her husband, Sean Ellingson. Snyder says this makes for an approachable, hands-on leadership style that helps foster trust, loyalty, and engagement among her team. Her tenure hasn't come without controversy, though. In July 2025, Snyder faced backlash for statements made about California not being an easy place to raise a family or do business. Still, Snyder plans to set up an In-N-Out headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee far from where In-N-Out began in 1948. 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. Washington The Senate took a major step toward ending the government shutdown late Monday by passing a funding bill that unlocks a broader agreement on long-term spending and the promise of a future vote on extending health care tax credits. The vote was 60-40, with eight Democrats providing the votes needed. One Republican voted against it. The eight Democrats had been engaged in bipartisan talks over ending the stalemate for several weeks, and reached the agreement without the support of the party's leaders in the upper chamber. The House could vote on the bill as early as Wednesday, and if it passes, it will go to President Trump's desk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement they struck does nothing to address the expiring health care tax credits which had been their party's key demand besides the promise of a future vote on the issue. The deal left many Democrats furious with the eight senators who voted to advance it and with the party's leaders for allowing the defections. Here's what is in the agreement: Government funding extension until Jan. 30 The final deal will include a 31-page continuing resolution that extends current levels of government funding through January 2026 to give lawmakers more time to finalize full-year spending bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House passed a continuing resolution to extend funding until Nov. 21 in September, but until Sunday the Senate was unable to advance it. With that deadline less than two weeks away, Senate negotiators determined that they would need another extension to continue work on appropriations. Some senators had floated a December deadline in a new continuing resolution, but House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed that possibility, since it would pressure lawmakers to approve new spending before the holidays. A future vote on health care tax credits As part of the deal, Senate Republicans agreed to hold a vote on the health care tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, which help millions of Americans purchase health insurance on state exchanges. The credits are set to expire at the end of the year, and patients are facing eye-popping increases for their insurance premiums. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the deal, a vote would be held by the end of the second week of December, and the Democrats would have final say on what is in the bill. But a Senate vote on the issue is likely to fail, since most GOP senators are opposed to the Affordable Care Act overall and the tax credits in particular. That fact explains why so many Democrats are angry over the agreement, since it does not include an extension of the credits and only promises a future vote. That offer has also been on the table for weeks. "There's no way to defend this," Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut said in a video on X. "And you are right to be angry about it. I'm angry about it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last Friday, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would reopen the government if Republicans agreed to a one-year extension of the credits. Republicans swiftly rejected Schumer's pitch, and spent Saturday railing against the ACA in speeches on the Senate floor. A "minibus" of 3 appropriations bills The deal includes three yearlong funding bills that lawmakers have been working on for months. The three bills include funding for military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs; the Department of Agriculture and FDA; and operations for the legislative branch. The bills have been dubbed a "minibus" a smaller version of massive "omnibus" government funding legislation that lawmakers often adopt before the end of the year. Republicans in both chambers have emphasized their desire to return to passing individual spending bills through regular order, instead of through a large end-of-year package. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minibus includes funding for the relevant agencies and programs through September 2026. Because of that, the agencies would still be funded even if lawmakers fail to reach a funding deal in other areas by the end of January. Notably, it would restore full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which faced funding shortfalls due to the shutdown. A reversal of shutdown layoffs and restrictions on future cuts The new continuing resolution includes language that reverses the layoffs that the Trump administration implemented during the government shutdown, and prevents any cuts until the end of January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resolution states that "any reduction in force proposed, noticed, initiated, executed, implemented, or otherwise taken by an Executive Agency between October 1, 2025, and the date of enactment, shall have no force or effect." A reduction in force, or RIF, is the government's term for layoffs. The resolution also says that "no federal funds may be used to initiate, carry out, implement, or otherwise notice a reduction in force to reduce the number of employees within any department, agency, or office of the Federal Government" until Jan. 30. The Trump administration began laying off thousands of federal employees during the early stages of the shutdown, an effort that was blocked by a federal judge. The continuing resolution says that "Any employee who received notice of being subject to such a reduction in force shall have that notice rescinded and be returned to employment status as of September 30, 2025, without interruption" and that those employees "shall receive all pay to which they otherwise would have been entitled." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back pay for federal workers The continuing resolution explicitly provides money to provide back pay for federal employees, both those who have been furloughed and those who have continued to work. The legislation ensures that the workers who have missed paychecks since Oct. 1 will be made whole. Earlier in the shutdown, the White House had told agencies that a 2019 law ensuring back pay for workers might not apply to those on furlough. The relevant portion of federal law states that employees should be provided back pay "at the earliest date possible after the lapse in appropriations ends," and the continuing resolution specifies that funds can be used to make the payments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal that may end government shutdown "The Wounded Generation": Bearing the invisible scars of war In the mail: Viewers respond to 60 Minutes interview with President Trump 'This is not only a legal victory but an important step in public recognition of womens status within the religious establishment.' The High Court of Justice, in a decision authored by Supreme Court Chief Justice Isaac Amit, on Tuesday rejected a retrial request by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, following the courts July ruling that the Rabbinate must allow women to sit its religious certification exams. The exam dates originally opened for November are no longer relevant, and the next testing cycle has yet to be scheduled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rabbinates Examination Unit administers several exams assessing both general and specific halachic knowledge. It grants certifications intended to provide the Jewish-Israeli public with qualified religious authorities. Among these are three certifications requiring six exams three of them mandatory for neighborhood rabbi, local rabbi, and Yoreh Yoreh, meaning someone authorized to issue halachic rulings. Yoreh Yoreh is considered the first tier of certification. To become a regional rabbi, candidates must complete nine exams and an interview, while a city rabbi must complete 11 exams and an interview. THE CHIEF Rabbinate of Israel in Jerusalem. (credit: FLASH90) High Court denies Chief Rabbinate's block on women's exam Of all the certifications, the city rabbi title is the only one that carries formal authority under the 1980 Rabbinate Law. The other certificates reflect deep halachic expertise and community standing, but they do not grant official public authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holding these certificates often confers significant communal legitimacy, indicating recognized halachic competence. They also carry tangible professional and financial implications: regional hiring committees consider the first-tier certification along with at least six years of yeshiva study after age 18 equivalent to an academic degree, a qualification required for nearly all public clergy positions. This equivalency also affects public-sector pay scales. For instance, public-school teachers of religious studies are eligible for higher salaries based on the Rabbinate certifications academic equivalency. Justice Noam Sohlbergs July judgment included sharp criticism of the Rabbinate for its prolonged handling of the issue. Six women first registered for a Rabbinate exam in 2018 but were rejected. They petitioned the High Court in 2019 through the NGOs ITIM The Jewish Life Advocacy Center, The Rackman Center, and Kolech. Proceedings have continued ever since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rabbinate sought a retrial last month, arguing that allowing women to sit the exams would contradict certain halachic principles, and also requested a delay in execution effectively to freeze the rulings implementation. Chief Justice Amit rejected both requests, noting that while the Rabbinate claimed halachic difficulties, it failed to specify which ones. He wrote that the petition amounted to a reaction to the practical implications of the ruling, not to its legal reasoning insufficient grounds for a retrial. The Rabbinate also argued that the longstanding range of rabbinic opinions on womens Torah study should influence the debate. Amit countered that the matter before the court concerns examinations, not study. The original petition maintained that the Rabbinates position that it cannot ordain women is irrelevant, since the exams merely certify knowledge rather than confer ordination or employment. Therefore, the petitioners argued, there is no justification to exclude women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney Ofra Sitesmer, head of the legal department at ITIM, said: The High Court of Justice sent a clear and unequivocal message today gender exclusion can no longer be upheld under the guise of religious law. This is not only a legal victory but an important step in public recognition of womens status within the religious establishment. Women who have studied and been examined just like their male counterparts will now receive the same treatment, the same certificate, and the same legitimacy. 'Women sitting for the exams would contradict certain halachic principles' HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) A joint investigation between the High Point Police Department and the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division led to 274 charges against 32 people. The investigation began in August after numerous people in the community began complaining about whether the area was safe. One of those people was Jose Abreu, the owner of Superior Foods. Im really extremely happy with them reducing the criminal activities. For me, this is a positive aside from the fact that I am somehow being charged, but I view this as a positive in a sense of the community, Abreu said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that over the last 15 years, since he opened his business at 220 Centennial Street, things have progressively gotten worse. We got tired of calling the police because all they did was come to the property. After banning that individual, the individual would come back, Abreu said. Abreu said that was the case until an undercover investigation by the HPPD and NC ALE uncovered a span of numerous crimes being committed on the 200 block of North Centennial Street. That covers quite a bit of area over multiple businesses. 32 people are facing charges, including Abreu and his co-owner. According to court records, they are both facing two misdemeanor charges, including failure to superintend and allowing consumption of alcohol on the business premises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abreu said hes called the police multiple times for help. HPPD data confirms that the police department received 20 calls for trespassing and six calls for public disturbance from that address over the last year. It is unclear how many of those calls may have been made by Abreu. In addition, there were more than 50 special checks in the general area. Thats a proactive way for them to check that location to try to prevent recurring criminal offenses, said HPPD Chief Curtis Cheeks. According to investigators, those complaints span from alcohol violations, drug trafficking, distribution, sales of drug paraphernalia, gun violence, gang activity, prostitution and other violent crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheeks said this was a major concern. Weve got kids programs in that area that are thriving and provide resources to the area. We have a school not too far down the road, and we have a lot of students who walk to that school, Cheeks said. Abreu said business was the best its been following the arrests. Over the weekend, we just saw a dramatic increase in terms of traffic. A few individuals actually come into our businesses because the conditions that existed before are not there anymore, Abreu said. The investigation is ongoing. 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 FOX8 WGHP. A U.S. Capitol riot defendant who was accused of firing a gun into the air while among the mob on Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021, now faces charges of sexual assault and kidnapping in Utah. Prosecutors allege John Banuelos, 40, attacked a woman in the Salt Lake City area in 2018, three years prior to his alleged involvement in the Capitol siege, according to court filings obtained by CBS News. A DNA test conducted in August linked Banuelos to the 2018 sex assault, prosecutors allege in a charging document filed in Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banuelos' charges in his U.S. Capitol riot case were dismissed and he was released from custody in January 2025, after President Trump granted clemency to the more than 1,500 people convicted of charges stemming from the Capitol attack. According to court filings in Utah, Banuelos allegedly invited the victim of the attack, referred to in the court filings only as S.J., to his home in June 2018, falsely claiming there was a party at the house. According to charging documents, Banuelos beat the victim after she entered his house. Prosecutors said the victim told investigators that Banuelos "hit her in the face and told her he was going to kill her. Banuelos then grabbed her by the shirt and dropped her on the floor, causing her to hit her head. (The victim) recalled feeling like Banuelos was going to kill her." The victim also told police that Banuelos sexually accosted her, the court documents say. The victim told investigators, "Banuelos was aggressively kissing her and punched her in the head. She said when she tried to punch him back, he got 'really angry,'" according to the charging documents from prosecutors. The charging papers also said the victim said that Baneulos "grabbed her shorts, pulled them off, and threw her, causing her whole body to fly in the air." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charging documents allege Banuelos strangled the victim, who told investigators he "used a pressure of '10 out of 10' for a couple of seconds. (The victim) said that while strangling her, he told her that she was 'gonna be quiet' and she thought she was 'gonna die.'" Banuelos faces charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault. A warrant was issued in Utah for Banuelos's arrest on Oct. 1. Police reports obtained by CBS News under the Freedom of Information Act said Cook County, Illinois sheriff's investigators found Banuelos at a Burger King in the Chicago suburb of Cicero on Oct. 17. The sheriff's department said Banuelos acknowledged his identity to officers when they stopped him as a passenger in a ride-share car minutes later. He has no listed defense attorney in his case in Utah and was not reachable for comment. It was not immediately clear if he was still being held in Illinois or if he had been transferred to Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banuelos was among the later waves of arrests in the U.S. Capitol siege case. He was charged in his federal Jan. 6 case in March 2024, more than three years after the attack. Banuelos' case was unique among the tonnage of Capitol riot prosecutions, because he was the only defendant accused of pulling and firing a gun while on Capitol grounds. The Justice Department alleged "Open-source media and CCTV captured Banuelos allegedly raising the gun over his head and, at approximately 2:34 p.m., firing two shots into the air. Banuelos returned the firearm to his waistband and climbed down the scaffolding, rejoining the crowd below." CCTV images allegedly showing John Banuelos during the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol Riot. / Credit: Department of Justice Banuelos pleaded not guilty in his Jan. 6 case, but never stood trial because of the dropped charges. During 2024 court proceedings in his Capitol riot case, Banuelos openly and brazenly predicted he'd be cleared of charges because of the reelection of Mr. Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When urged by Washington, D.C., federal judge Tanya Chutkan to be careful about what he said in open court, Banuelos told the judge, "Trump is going to be in office in six months, so I have nothing to worry about." Banuelos is the latest in a growing series of Jan. 6 defendants to be arrested on unrelated charges after they were released from custody following Mr. Trump's Jan. 20, 2025, pardons. Zachary Alam, a convicted Capitol rioter from Virginia who was released from prison after the Trump pardons, was arrested in May for breaking and entering at a home near Richmond, Virginia. Alam was found guilty of the charge last month. Christopher Moynihan, a Capitol siege defendant from upstate New York, was arrested last month for allegedly threatening to murder House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Moynihan has pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal that may end government shutdown Passengers wait hours as air traffic control staffing issues due to shutdown disrupt travel Government shutdown end in sight as some Democrats split and help Republicans HOWELL A Colts Neck High School senior is preparing for a role that few other young adults have performed in New Jersey to become a member of the school board that oversees his education. On Jan. 6, Zack Metzger will be sworn in as a school board member of the Freehold Regional High School District, a school system that educates about 10,000 high school students, including Metzger. At 18, Metzger is among the youngest people to serve on a school board in New Jersey. He won't receive receive his high school diploma until June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is not stopping him from believing he is well equipped to make decisions for this district of six high schools. Zack Metzger of Howell is a candidate for the Freehold Regional High School District school board. He is also a senior at Colts Neck High School. Metzger campaigned on a unique argument he said his age and status as a student gave him an insider's perspective on the needs of Freehold Regional. During his campaign, he said some of the district's schools are in desperate need of repairs. Others are so hot due to a lack of air conditioning or malfunctioning systems that students struggle to learn. As a future board member, Metzger said he will also focus on programs and policies that improve student health, promote 21st-century skills and restore academic rigor. It was an argument that resonated with voters here. He received 10,590 votes in the November election to his opponent Joan Butcher-Farkas' 5,102. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Its incredible to see how many people came out to support our campaign," Metzger said in a statement after the election. "I couldnt have done it without the countless friends, family members, and community figures that offered me guidance and support." In September, Metzger said he plans to attend a college within driving distance of his Howell home and continue to serve on the school board through the end of his three-year term. Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 17 years. Reach her at aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Howell high school student to join Freehold Regional school board SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) As part of Veterans Day, the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will host a special ceremony to honor six World War II veterans who paid the ultimate price while serving their country. One of those was Private Marvin Gunderson of Parker. 2025 discounts, free meals for Veterans Day KELOLAND News spoke with a couple of his family members who say they are both grateful and honored the state is recognizing his service and sacrifice to our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Private Marvin Gunderson served in the Army and was killed in action on April 3rd, 1945 in Okinawa, Japan. Grandpa and grandma didnt really talk very much about uncle Marvin, but we always knew about him, Gunderson said. Marsha Gunderson, who is Marvins niece, never got the chance to meet her uncle, but had heard some stories about him and who he was. Lately shes been busy collecting old hand written letters that Marvin sent home from the war. So Ive been trying to transcribe them, because he had terrible handwriting, so we have a little bit more of a picture of him and what he did between Pearl Harbor and when he died in 1945, Gunderson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gunderson also has Marvins purple heart and the chilling telegram that the Secretary of War sent to the family notifying them Marvin had been killed in action. From what mom said Marvin was one of those guys who always had a smile on his face and he was always trying to be friendly and helpful with everybody, nephew Rich Wieman said. My aunt used to say he worked in Wichita riveting on airplanes during the war before he was called up and he would send home a dollar or two to the family, you know extra money, when he was down there, I think he was just a very likable guy, Gunderson said. The Department of Veterans Affairs will dedicate this bridge in his name just north of Parker, Marvins hometown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family hopes when people see his name on the bridge theyll take the time to think about, not just Marvins sacrifice, but all military men and women. All of our servicemen, who put their lives on the line, and did what they needed to do for our country and for our right to freedom, its almost touching, Wieman said. I think its an honor for Marvin, who only lived 22 years and wasnt able to come home, finish college, get married or anything like that, Gunderson said. Since its inception the state has dedicated 61 bridges across the state to honor fallen soldiers as part of the Fallen Heroes Bridge Dedication Program which the state launched in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bridge dedication program is on Veterans Day at 2 pm at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance. Heres a complete list of the other fallen soldiers and their bridge dedications. The US HWY-14 bridge, two miles east of DeSmet, will be dedicated as the WT2 Porter L. Rich Bridge. Water Tender Second Class Rich served in the U.S. Navy and was killed in action on December 7, 1941, while serving on the USS Oklahoma, which was anchored at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The SD HWY-38 bridge over the East Fork Vermillion River, east of Montrose, will be dedicated as the MM2 Milton L. Muller Bridge. Machinists Mate Second Class Muller served in the U.S. Navy and was killed in action on December 25, 1943, while serving on the USS Leary in the Atlantic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SD HWY-11 bridge over Split Rock Creek, two miles north of Brandon, will be dedicated as the CPL Harvey H. Henle Bridge. Corporal Henle served in the U.S. Army and was killed in action on June 16, 1944, just days following D-Day in Normandy, France. The SD HWY-42 bridge over the James River, eight miles east of Ethan, will be dedicated as the SGT Alvin W. Erpenbach Bridge. Sergeant Erpenbach served in the U.S. Army and was killed in action on September 7, 1944, while defending a bridge in Italy. The SD HWY-19 bridge over the West Fork Vermillion River, north of Parker, will be dedicated as the PVT Marvin L. Gunderson Bridge. Private Gunderson served in the U.S. Army and was killed in action on April 3, 1945, in Okinawa, Japan. The SD HWY-19 bridge over the Vermillion River, 11 miles north of Volin, will be dedicated as the PFC Leland L. Nielson Bridge. Private First Class Nielson served in the U.S. Army and was killed in action on June 29, 1945, in Mindanao, Philippines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 KELOLAND.com. SIOUX CENTER Republican gubernatorial candidate Randy Feenstra said Iowas governors contest is between a work horse and a show horse, as he contrasted his candidacy with Democrat Rob Sands. This is the contrast: Iowa values versus liberal politics. Truth versus slogans. Work horse versus show horse. Standing for whats right or not standing at all, he said at a campaign launch event in Sioux Center Nov. 10. The event, held at Dordt University, marked the formal start of Feenstras in-person campaigning after he entered the race Oct. 28 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Randy Feenstra launches run for governor, promises 'America First agenda in Iowa' Sand, who is the state auditor and the lone Democrat elected to statewide office, launched his campaign in May. Although both men are the expected frontrunners in their respective primaries, each will face challengers. Four other Republicans have launched campaigns for governor: State Rep. Eddie Andrews, businessman Zach Lahn, former state Rep. Brad Sherman and former Department of Administrative Services Director Adam Steen. On the Democratic side, political consultant Julie Stauch is also running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Feenstra focused much of his speech on Sand. He said Sand has emphasized the need for civility in Iowa politics. But heres what he misses. Heres where we are different, Feenstra said. Civility doesnt mean hiding your beliefs or pretending that hard truths dont matter. Its not hateful to believe that a man cant become a woman and say it. Its not uncivil to say that our immigration laws must be enforced and our borders must be secured. Its not dangerous rhetoric to say that every life every life, born and unborn has a purpose and a value. Its simply speaking the truth, respectfully and clearly. Emma O'Brien, a spokesperson for Sand, said Sand recently completed his 100 town hall tour across the state where he was "talking to over 10,100 Iowans of all stripes and answering questions directly about what he believes and how hell lead as governor." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Congressman Feenstra should get back to D.C. to reopen the government and answer for why he voted to kick over 106,700 Iowans off Medicaid and hasnt passed a farm bill in his six years in Washington," she said. More: Democrat Rob Sand has a message he thinks can win him Republican Iowa. Will it work? Iowa State Auditor and gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand speaks during a campaign event in Waverly, Oct. 21, 2025. Feenstra is serving his third term representing Iowas 4th Congressional District, which spans 36 counties in northwest Iowa and along the full western edge of the state He previously served in the Iowa Senate from 2009 to 2021, and he is a former city administrator and a former business and economics professor at Dordt University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowa needs a strong leader one who is respectful but honest, civil and courageous, and one that doesnt just go along to get along, he said. If we want to move this state forward, we must stand for truth and stand firm on our convictions. Thats what Ill do for Iowa. Feenstra has been making moves to shore up his fundraising and name recognition early to help establish himself among the crowded Republican primary field. His gubernatorial exploratory committee announced raising more than $3.2 million shortly after its launch. And he was the first declared or potential candidate to air TV ads. He said in his campaign he would focus on growing the economy by making Iowa the most business and agriculture-friendly state in the country and by cutting and freezing property taxes. Iowa Republican gubernatorial candidate Randy Feenstra speaks with supporters after a campaign event on Nov. 10, 2025, at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa. He said he would restore world-class education in Iowa, work to keep young adults living in the state after graduation and promoting affordable and accessible health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal government shutdown, which is now the longest in U.S. history, began as Democratic members of Congress withheld their support for budget bills as they sought to push Republicans into extending expanded health care subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. Those subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year, leading to increased health insurance premiums in 2026. More: Randy Feenstra tours Food Bank of Iowa as shutdown leaves millions without SNAP food aid Asked by reporters, Feenstra didn't say whether he would support or oppose extending those tax credits. What we have to understand is that we need to create affordable health care, he said. That means we have to lower premiums. The current tax credits under Obamacare over the last several years saw premiums continue to skyrocket. So weve got to figure out a new way to lower insurance for all Iowans, and that is my goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said hes pleased to see that the U.S. Senate is moving toward a vote that would reopen the government. But he told the crowd that hes ready to leave Washington, D.C. More: Government shutdown live updates. Senate passes deal to end funding fight Tonight I just want to tell you, Washington isnt me, he said. I want to be back home. I want to be together with you. I want to be right here fighting and taking this state to new heights. I dont want to climb the Washington ladder. I dont want to be swallowed up by D.C. games. I want to be right here, fighting for you full time, taking this state to new heights. Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. She writes about campaigns, elections and the Iowa Caucuses. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Randy Feenstra targets Rob Sand in Iowa governor campaign launch Hyundai is warning customers of a data breach that resulted in the personal data of up to 2.7 million customers being leaked, the brand confirmed to Car and Driver. The leak originated from Hyundai AutoEver, the company's IT affiliate, and includes customer names, driver's license numbers, and social security numbers. The leak reportedly took place back in February, followed by a lengthy investigation, meaning Hyundai is only now beginning to warn customers. Hyundai is warning customers of a data breach that reportedly affected millions of people. A report from Forbes shows that Hyundai AutoEver, an IT subsidiary of the greater Hyundai Group, experienced a security breach earlier this year. Specifically, Forbes reports that the leak included the names, driver's license numbers, and social security numbers of millions of people. According to a generic version of a letter Hyundai AutoEver is sending to affected parties, the company became aware of the breach on March 1, 2025. The letter confirms that the security breach began on February 22 and wasn't resolved until March 2, 2025, meaning the attackers had breached the security over a week before they were caught. Hyundai The company has spent the intervening seven months conducting its investigation and is just now beginning to send out notification letters. The company hasn't confirmed exactly how many people were affected by the attack, but the company's software extends to 2.7 million cars throughout North America. Only those affected by the leak will receive notification letters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the attack, the company brought in a third-party cybersecurity team to assist with the investigation and response to the breach. In Hyundai AutoEver's letter to affected parties, the company offers to provide a complimentary two-year credit-monitoring service from a third party. In a statement to Car and Driver, a representative for Hyundai confirmed that the company is aware of the breach and said that the automaker is monitoring the situation to ensure the appropriate safeguards are in place. According to the representative, Hyundai is not aware of any Hyundai Motor America or Bluelink driver data that was included in the data leak. The attack on Hyundai isn't the first digital attack on an automaker. JLR was crippled by a cyberattack earlier this year that resulted in weeks of production shutdowns and billions of dollars in lost revenue. As more personal information is stored in cars, the likelihood that automakers become targets continues to grow. Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car. Shop New Cars Shop Used Cars You Might Also Like A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model . How far off is MONY Group plc ( LON:MONY ) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! Story Continues We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.0%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.7%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035 (1 + g) (r g) = UK135m (1 + 3.0%) (8.7% 3.0%) = UK2.4b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK2.4b ( 1 + 8.7%)10= UK1.1b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is UK1.8b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK2.0, the company appears quite undervalued at a 43% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. LSE:MONY Discounted Cash Flow November 11th 2025 The Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at MONY Group as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.116. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. View our latest analysis for MONY Group SWOT Analysis for MONY Group Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market. Weakness No major weaknesses identified for MONY. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years. Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the British market. Looking Ahead: Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For MONY Group, we've compiled three fundamental items you should further examine: Financial Health: Does MONY have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does MONY's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the LSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Detentions up to six people On Saturday, the Portland Immigration Rights Coalition said there had been five confirmed detentions in the Seaside area. That number has reportedly increased to six people who have been detained by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Clatsop County over the weekend. According to a KMUN news report Monday morning, one person who was detained has since been allowed to return home, but community members say they do not know the whereabouts of the other five people. It is the first major raid on Oregons North Coast since the Trump administration began ramping up deportation efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to people familiar with the situation, ICE agents began pulling people over in the Seaside area early Saturday morning. Jenny Pool Radway, executive director of the Astoria-based nonprofit Consejo Hispano, said all of the people detained were on their way to work. In a statement, Pool Radway condemned the aggressive and unwarranted tactics that target immigrant communities, saying it undermines public trust, destabilizes families and the entire community and violates principles of dignity and justice. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not responded to a request for information and comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Cyrus Javadi, a Tillamook Democrat who represents District 32, put out information in a Facebook post on Saturday, cautioning people who might be vulnerable to stay safe and consider remaining home until we can confirm more details. The post gained more than 300 comments as of Monday morning. Opinions were mixed. Some people praised Javadi for caring about the community while others called him a traitor and accused him of helping criminals. Javadi stood by his post. He saw it as a measured attempt to try to pass along accurate information to the community and tamp down on things like hysteria. Theyre worried about their neighbors and their family and their friends, he told KMUN. When they see activity happening or they hear rumors spreading quickly on Facebook or in the community, it makes everyone feel very nervous and wonder whos being targeted and if they need to worry about anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That isnt good for a community, Javadi said. There is community concern and people are looking for some credible advice or information on what this means and what to do. Oregon remains a sanctuary state, Javadi said, adding that he was told local law enforcement were not involved in the weekend operations. In another Facebook post, Javadi wrote, No matter where you stand on immigration policy, its important that enforcement be transparent, targeted and respectful of due process. He told KMUN he did not have enough information yet about how Saturdays activities unfolded to say if he had any specific concerns about the way federal agents went about detaining people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Natalie Lerner, a spokesperson for PIRC, also confirmed the detentions that took place on Saturday Through hotline calls and through our community partners as part of the Oregon for All coalition, PIRC has received information for five community members who were detained in the Seaside area on Nov. 8, Lerner said. We have heard there may be additional detentions and want the community to know we are here for them as a connection to resources. As with all of the currently-escalating immigration enforcement in our state, we condemn todays detentions those abducted are believed family, friends and community members. Immigration agents only serve to sow panic and trauma in our state, and we are proud to be part of the strong community response to support our neighbors. Our hotline is here 24/7 for anyone across the state who has had their family or friends taken or who believes they have witnessed ICE activity. Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers began running license plates and pulling people over and taking them into custody around 8 a.m. on Saturday. Prior to the weekends activity, the last time a local ICE presence was reported was through Facebook in Depoe Bay in May and one arrest was reported in Newport in September. The Seaside detentions come as the Trump administration ramps up ICE activity nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Facebook posts, many anonymous, began popping up mid-morning: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was observed and reported apprehending people in Seaside. Photos and videos were posted of ICE vehicles outside of Beach Books in Seaside and reports said two to seven people were taken into custody. Beach Books store employee Hilary Weigel said she had seen the posts on Facebook but did not see anything at the store. I believe it happened before the store opened (at 10 a.m.), Weigel said. Seaside police dispatch, the Clatsop County Sheriffs Office and Sgt. Thomas Litwin at the Astoria Police Department all reported their offices were not involved in any ICE activity and they had not been contacted by the agency. An Illinois man said his US citizen family including his one-year-old daughter were pepper-sprayed in their car by federal immigration agents during a shopping trip in a Chicago suburb. Video of the encounter outside a Sams Club in Cicero shows Rafael Veraza clutching at his face after he was allegedly sprayed through his open window with a cloudy substance fired by a masked agent from a pickup truck traveling in the opposite direction. Veraza, 25, told reporters his wife told him to stop their car because she, their daughter, and sister were also hit. The images show the aftermath of the episode with the girl in distress in her mothers arms with her eyes streaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My daughter was trying to open her eyes. She was struggling to breathe, Veraza told reporters at a press conference on Sunday, a day after an operation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the store. The homeland security department (DHS), in a statement to the Associated Press, denied the incident had taken place. There was no crowd control or pepper spray deployed in a Sams Club parking lot, assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. A post to the departments account on X said: Rioters began throwing objects at agents and blocking the road. But Veraza and community activists at the press conference protesting against heavy-handed tactics in Chicago by ICE personnel rejected the claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not protesters. We were not even attacking them, Veraza said, adding that he decided to abandon the shopping trip and drive away when he saw a helicopter hovering overhead and heard honking car horns as well as sirens, suggesting to him that an ICE operation was under way. Local pastor Matt DeMateo said he helped the family after they were sprayed and recorded video of Veraza struggling to open his eyes and of his daughter, Arianna, crying while her mother tried to comfort her. A family and I shouldnt have to say this, but guess what? All US citizens attacked while shopping, he said. We need a better way. ICE has employed increasingly aggressive tactics in Chicago in recent weeks to support an immigration crackdown that Donald Trump dubbed Operation Midway Blitz. Hundreds of people, ranging from undocumented immigrants to people protesting against the violence, have been arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, ICE agents forcibly detained a worker at the Rayito de Sol daycare center in the citys North Side neighborhood after pursuing her into the facility. Videos taken by bystanders show agents dragging the woman out of the daycare and appearing to slam her face against the glass doors. In other incidents, ICE agents have targeted rideshare drivers at the citys OHare international airport, released pepper spray in a neighborhood preparing for a Halloween parade and snatched workers for a landscaping company. Despite Trumps election claims that he was seeking to deport only the worst of the worst, focusing on criminals, the majority of thousands of people detained by ICE since his second presidency began in January have no criminal record or active proceedings against them. DHS has portrayed media coverage and criticism of ICE operations as hateful rhetoric and a demonization of immigration law enforcement personnel it says have faced an 8,000% rise in death threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Courts have blocked Trump from deploying national guard troops to Illinois, rulings his administration are appealing to the US supreme court. It is also appealing against a restraining order on ICE activities issued by Chicago US district court judge Sara Ellis that limits agents use of force. Ellis last week reprimanded Gregory Bovino, the Trump ally and border patrol chief who has led the Chicago crackdown, for lying about an incident in which he was caught on video throwing a gas canister at protesters without warning. On Monday, CBS News reported that the Trump administration had made plans for Bovino and an undisclosed number of his officers to leave Chicago this week. Associated Press contributed reporting BOISE, Idaho (AP) The Idaho Attorney General's Office has declined to file charges against a northern Idaho sheriff after investigating a turbulent legislative town hall meeting during which a woman was forcibly removed by security dressed in plainclothes. The chaos at the February meeting in Coeur d'Alene drew widespread attention with videos posted online going viral showing the woman being pulled from the audience after heckling the speakers. The video showed Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris telling Teresa Borrenpohl to leave, and then stepping back and recording on his cellphone as multiple unidentified men approached and began grabbing her, dragging her out of the meeting. The men were security officers with LEAR Asset Management, but were not wearing any identification or uniforms, and witnesses said they repeatedly refused to identify themselves. After the incident, Kootenai County Undersheriff Brett Nelson released a statement saying the agency will have a complete and independent investigation of the incident conducted by an outside agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Nov. 3 letter, the Idaho Attorney General's office said it began the investigation after it received several public corruption complaints requesting that the office look into whether the sheriff should be charged with battery. The investigation showed the sheriff, indisputably had law enforcement jurisdiction at the event, the attorney general's office wrote, and criminal charges were not merited. The investigation did not uncover any evidence to suggest the sheriff acted in bad faith or with malice, and criminal charges would not be appropriate, the attorney general's office wrote. Norris did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Borrenpohl, a Democratic legislative candidate who has run unsuccessfully in the deeply Republican region, later filed a tort claim against Kootenai County alleging that her constitutional rights were violated by both the security team and Norris. The county has not yet responded to the tort claim, Borrenpohl's attorney Wendy Olson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Attorney General, according to his statement, was solely looking at whether the crime of battery was committed by Sheriff Norris. A criminal charge requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and the Attorney Generals Office declined based on that standard and based on the evidence it reviewed," Olson said. Civil cases and constitutional claims are governed by a different burden and require different evidence. Olson said Borrenpohl cannot comment further, because she is anticipated to be a witness in upcoming criminal proceedings in Coeur d'Alene. Prosecutors in northern Idaho filed misdemeanor charges of battery, false imprisonment, and violation of security agent duties and uniform requirements against four security guards in connection with the incident. They pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to stand trial in December. The IDF reveals its Intelligence Directorate's findings on Hezbollahs terror infrastructure across southern Lebanon, with targeted counterterror strikes on key areas including Nabatiya and Tyre. The IDF's Intelligence Directorate mapped Hezbollah's operations in southern Lebanon, finding that Nabatiya, in particular, has become a strategic focal point for rearming and reconstructing, the military announced on Tuesday. The six confirmed IDF strikes on Hezbollah terrorists in Nabatiya in the past month indicate that the military is dismantling Hezbollahs upper command and central logistics in the region, understanding that these are the hubs from which the reconstruction effort is managed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IDF strikes near Tyre also indicate damage to the nerve center of Hezbollah's capabilities to reconstruct their terror infrastructure, the military found. This would show that the IDF is stripping the terror group's infrastructure capabilities rather than just killing terror commanders and operatives. The IDF noted that Hezbollah terrorists in Tyre are attempting to rebuild underground systems, bunkers, and positions for terrorists to embed themselves. IDF strikes in smaller villages in southern Lebanon would indicate that the military is conveying a message of tight intelligence monitoring and precise targeting across the area. A Hezbollah supporter holds an 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) However, the presence of terrorists across southern Lebanon indicates a concern for the security echelons that the Shia population, who are a significant majority in the area, is not opposing the terror group's attempts to re-establish their infrastructure and resume their terror activities, despite the destruction caused by IDF strikes. IDF reveals Hezbollah terror reconstruction map The military also published findings from the Intelligence Directorate's Operations Division, which mapped out the terror group's reconstruction efforts across southern Lebanon and key terrorists operating in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some key areas highlighted by the IDF are Beaufort Ridge, where the terror group is attempting to rebuild launching sites and defensive systems; Ain Kana, where senior terrorists were killed, Blida, where Hezbollah invested significant resources into weapons depots, observation posts, and intelligence gathering operations, as well as other sites further north in Lebanon where the military has killed terrorists attempting to rebuild the group's capabilities. IDF finds, destroys explosives storage The IDF's 769th Brigade located and destroyed several buildings in Hula, southern Lebanon, belonging to Hezbollah on Monday night. IDF footage showing weapons and explosives belonging to Hezbollah terrorists in Hula, southern Lebanon, published on November 11, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) The military noted that in an operation last month in the same area, they located and destroyed old weapons and explosives belonging to the terror group that were being stored in these buildings. IDOT warned that a massive pothole on the feeder of the Kennedy Expressway could cause some flat tires on Veterans Day. The massive pothole is on the Ontario Feeder west of Orleans as drivers head onto the outbound Kennedy Expressway. The pothole is on the left lane of the feeder, IDOT says to avoid it, simply take the right lane. IDOT Minutemen said they would handle the pothole at some point during the day. Illinois State Police told ABC7 there were no reports of flat tires on Monday morning. CHICAGO TRAFFIC See LIVE drive times ILLINOIS (WCIA) After forty days of back and forth, lawmakers finally started to see a light at the end of the tunnel Sunday night. Mr. President, I am glad to be able to say that eight Democrats joined Republicans last night to take the first step to reopen the government in the very near future, said Senate Majority Leader John Thune. After reworking funding, Illinois lawmakers pass $1.5B transit bill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deal that got lawmakers over the shutdown hump was nearly identical to the one that started the stand off. The new deal will include protections for federal workers laid off and furloughed by the shutdown and back pay to make up for the last month of missing paychecks. But, there were no provisions regarding healthcare or extending Affordable Care Act tax credits only a promise to vote in December. That was enough for Illinois Senator Dick Durbin. It is my fervent hope that this ends up being a bipartisan effort. It would be such an achievement of the Senate to finally return to that status, said Durbin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Durbins vote hasnt been sitting well with his fellow Democrats. That was my ask, is to see healthcare costs being addressed. What is disappointing about the deal that was made with some Senate Democrats and a number of Republicans is that it does not address those healthcare costs, said Illinois House Representative Nikki Budzinski. It isnt just Budzinski speaking out. US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stops in Illinois for last minute push to redistrict Governor Pritzker called the deal an empty promise. The candidates running for Durbins seat, Representatives Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi along with Lt. Governor Julianna Stratton, all condemned the move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healthcare cannot be the trade off, and an empty promise just isnt enough. We need real fighters in Washington, not folders, said Stratton. Budzinski said her fellow House Democrats arent giving up their fight. She said she will vote against the bill if it returns to the house in its current form. And, Budzinski thinks there could also be other paths to extending the tax credits. Can we as Democrats in the House, push our own initiative forward to address the extension of the ACA tax credit? Could we be utilizing things like the discharge petition in order to force a vote on the house floor to see ACA tax credits extended? asked Budzinksi. Budzinski meets with Champaign food assistance nonprofit about latest SNAP effects Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While they are getting plenty of criticism, none of the Democrats who voted for the bill put themselves at much risk by siding with Republicans. None of the eight are up for election in 2026. Senator Durbin is retiring with his term ending in January of 2027. 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 WCIA.com. In his first interview since being freed, Matan Zangauker recounts his harrowing kidnapping, brutal captivity, and the inspiring fight of his mother to secure his release. Matan Zangauker, freed after 738 days in captivity, gave his first full account of abduction from Kibbutz Nir Oz, harsh conditions underground in Gaza, and a forced trek to Rafah, in an interview with N12 on Monday. Zangauker, a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, was taken from his home on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas assault on southern Israel. Speaking publicly for the first time since his release, he described being seized by armed terrorists who stormed his home and pulled him from the kibbutz's safe room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I saw black. I was almost fainting, he recalled, describing being beaten by crowds as he was dragged across the border into Gaza. Inside a tunnel, he said he saw the body of a dead Israeli soldier. He was held underground for most of his captivity, moved between tunnels and safe houses, often denied food, and subjected to physical and psychological abuse. Guards treated him as if he were a soldier, he said, because of his age. We were in a small cage, two mattresses. One tiny blanket, he said. At one point, Zangauker said he was forced to walk to Rafah, disguised among civilians. We walked to Rafah on foot, accompanied by thousands of their residents, he said. IDF was nearby. It was next to a shoreline. We could hear the waves. He recounted days spent in a mosque and later in a tent near the coast. (Illustrative) A photo of then-hostage Matan Zangauker from Hamas captivity. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X) Zangauker said he was filmed repeatedly by Hamas for propaganda purposes. For entire days, he recalled. In one instance, he said he intervened to protect another hostage who was being beaten with a whip improvised from a refrigerator cable. I had to step in. I took the blows instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A turning point came when a tunnel commander recognized him and asked, Are you Zangauker? He told him, Your mother is leading demonstrations; shes turning the whole country upside down. Zangauker said that seeing his mother, Einavs, speeches on television gave him hope. It made me very happy. It helped me, he said. After that, guards became more polite and occasionally offered more food. Zangauker lost hope as other hostages released in previous ceasefire deals As negotiations progressed and other hostages were released, Zangauker said he sank into despair. Then I really stayed alone, and it started to sink in that I wouldnt get out of here. Im going to die here, he said. Twice, nearby Israeli airstrikes filled the tunnel with gas, he recalled, after explosions struck close to where he was being held. Even as his release approached, Zangauker said he did not believe it was happening until he was placed in a Red Cross vehicle and taken toward the Israeli border. It was crazy. A moment that doesnt sink in, he said, describing how he saluted IDF soldiers and was reunited with his family. Since returning home, he has dismissed conspiracy theories spreading online suggesting he received luxuries or cash during captivity. Completely stupid, he said. I endured hell. The IRS special agent-turned-whistleblower who has been tapped to lead criminal investigations at the tax agency told CBS News in an exclusive television interview he will let evidence, not politics, guide the agency's decisions on tax probes. "Each and every time, I'm going to ensure the right thing's done and that the policies and procedures are followed," said Gary Shapley, who previously blew the whistle on what he says were efforts by the Department of Justice during the Biden administration to undermine the tax probe into the president's son Hunter. "That's my credo." It's a position that could put him on a collision course with a White House that has pushed for investigations of the finances of left-wing groups. In September, President Trump wrote on Truth Social that he is "recommending that those funding Antifa be thoroughly investigated." Asked who should face investigation, Trump has singled out billionaire philanthropist George Soros and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, both prominent Democratic donors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, Senate Democrats warned Shapley against using the IRS "as a weapon to target political enemies." Shapley sat down with CBS News in his personal capacity, along with IRS special agent Joseph Ziegler, a rank-and-file IRS agent who first opened the Hunter Biden investigation. The two have co-authored a new book that will be released on Tuesday, detailing their whistleblowing efforts. Asked what assurances he could provide to anyone concerned about becoming a target of the IRS for political reasons, Shapley said the agency would not recommend "something we don't believe the evidence is there to support." "I put my neck on the line to protect what was right," Shapley said, referring to his protected whistleblower disclosures in the Hunter Biden case. "I hope I don't have to, but I will do it again if I have to." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement responding to Mr. Trump's comments, a spokesperson for Soros' philanthropic foundation said all of its activities are "peaceful and lawful." "These accusations are politically motivated attacks on civil society, meant to silence speech the administration disagrees with and undermine the First Amendment right to free speech," the statement read. Shapley and Ziegler spent much of their careers investigating tax crimes with virtually no public profile or involvement in the political battles in Washington. That changed after Ziegler began an investigation that led them to Hunter Biden, the president's son. They say they first made protected disclosures to their superiors at the IRS and through appropriate channels in the Justice Department in late 2022. They then came forward publicly in 2023, alleging the Justice Department "slow-walked" the yearslong tax probe into Hunter Biden, and that prosecutors told them not to pursue investigative leads related to his father, former President Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two agents alleged they were then removed from the Hunter Biden case and sidelined at the agency. "We were retaliated against," said Ziegler. "We were minimized. No one wanted to take us seriously." Meanwhile, their disclosures jump-started the case against Hunter Biden, who pleaded guilty to the tax crimes the agents had investigated after a Delaware judge rejected a broad immunity deal. President Biden ultimately pardoned his son for those crimes before leaving office. "We came forward, under incredible scrutiny, provided the evidence, and ultimately, we changed the course," Shapley said, acknowledging he felt vindicated by Hunter Biden's guilty plea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their story was touted by the political right as evidence of bias at the Justice Department and the IRS. In March, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent enlisted Shapley and Ziegler as senior advisers looking at ways to reform the tax agency. Neither Ziegler nor Shapley would discuss the specifics of their work, but acknowledged it involves adding new protections for whistleblowers. "We are going to continue to support whistleblowers," said Zeigler. "I'm looking to change what had happened that impacted our lives so much." Shapley spoke to CBS News as questions swirl around whether the Trump administration will insert politics into tax investigations. In April, Shapley was briefly installed as acting IRS commissioner, as officials with the Department of Government Efficiency sought to tighten their grip on the agency. Later this year he's set to take over the IRS's law enforcement arm, overseeing about 2,200 agents around the world. A career civil servant with two decades of experience, he said his decision to blow the whistle on the Biden administration did not secure him the new post, but it demonstrated his integrity and knack for standing up for what is right two traits that qualified him for the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It doesn't matter who's in office," he said. "Every single day I approach my job the same way." In their October letter, a group of more than a dozen senators asked Shapley about changes he intended to make at the agency, and also delivered a stark warning. "Any effort to weaponize the IRS against President Trump's perceived enemies is against the law, an abuse of power, and a threat to the integrity of our democratic institutions," the senators wrote, adding Shapley's team "cannot be the President's political attack dog." How Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal that may end government shutdown Eye Opener: Senate advances funding measure that could end government shutdown "The Wounded Generation": Bearing the invisible scars of war The Town of Ulysses recently accepted transfer of ownership of Smith Woods in Trumansburg, a 32-acre site that is one of the largest remaining old-growth forests in central New York. The Board of Trustees of the Paleontological Research Institution voted Sept. 30 to transfer ownership of Smith Woods in Trumansburg. The transfer ensures that one of central New Yorks most remarkable natural areas will remain protected and accessible for generations to come, officials said. The property was first established as a public park in 1909 by the family of Henry A. Smith, a New York City businessman who purchased the woods in the 1870s and is buried in Trumansburgs Grove Cemetery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This site has been a valuable resource for students from elementary school through college who want to learn what forests looked like prior to European colonization, said Marvin Pritts, PRI Trustee and Ulysses resident. Adults in this community and beyond have appreciated the history and beauty of the woods. Im delighted that the Town of Ulysses will steward the woods for generations to come. Ancient trees provide shadowed illumination to the seemingly endless trails of Smith Woods. Ulysses Town Supervisor Katelin Olson said she is grateful to PRI for their stewardship of Smith Woods, and their donation of the property to the Town of Ulysses. This incredible site will continue to be open to the public, and an important educational and environmental resource for future generations, Olson said. Officials said for nearly a century, the forest was stewarded by a volunteer Board of Trustees before being transferred to the Cayuga Nature Center in 2007. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2013, the Nature Center merged with Paleontological Research Institution, bringing Smith Woods under PRIs care. Under PRIs stewardship, Smith Woods became not only a cherished community resource but also an outdoor classroom. Officials said PRI expanded educational programming in the forest and, in partnership with local supporters, enclosed the property with a protective deer fence. This effort allowed native wildflowers and young trees to regenerate, restoring some of the forests ecological balance. More: Overrun by deer, Cornell forest managers turn to slash walls. Inside a growing practice Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2017, PRI published a book on the natural and human history of the forest, with a second edition released in 2021. While PRI continues to navigate significant organizational challenges, the transfer of Smith Woods reflects PRIs commitment to ensuring that this extraordinary forest remains a living treasure for the people of Trumansburg and beyond, the organization said. The Town of Ulysses will now take on stewardship of the property, preserving its legacy as a place of natural beauty, history, and community connection. This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: Smith Woods in Trumansburg acquired by town of Ulysses When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Intel In June this year, Intel laid off over 100 of its employees in California. Just a month later, 4000 more were announced, with people across California, Oregon, Texas, and Arizona all losing jobs. Now, one of those employees, a staff member for 11 years, has been accused of stealing almost 18,000 files on their way. This is all according to a court filing on behalf of Intel (via Oregon Live). After being notified on July 7, then leaving the company on July 31, the employee (Mr Jinfeng Luo) reportedly connected a NAS (network attached storage) to take 18,000 files from their Intel account and laptop, many of which Intel claims "were Intel Top Secret or contained Intel Confidential Information." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendant reportedly held an engineering position "with access to a wide range of Intel confidential information," and Intel claims it reached out to Luo multiple times after the data transfer triggered an investigation, but "Luo has refused to respond." Intel details its attempts to reach out from August to October this year. That includes emails, phone calls, and getting in contact with people claiming to be Luo's mother and sister (via Luo's emergency contact information), who then handed Intel Luo's new number. The new number reportedly went unanswered when called, and Intel reached out to Luo's emergency contact again, "but the individual who answered the phone claimed not to speak English despite a prior conversation with Intel Human Resources." Finally, multiple letters were sent to multiple addresses to get in contact with Luo, which Intel claims went unresponded to. Credit: Intel With this lawsuit, Intel is aiming for restitution of at least $250,000. This figure can go up at trial depending on what has been done with the reported data, and includes the payment of Intel's attorney fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit also argues for Luo to account for the data, and is pushing for an order directing Luo "to temporarily surrender his personal devices to Intel for the purpose of inspection and removal of any Intel files that may remain." This is an active lawsuit, and is subject to any changes made in the discovery process. Luo has been officially summoned via the United States District Court and must respond within 21 days of the October 31 filing. Have you evaluated the performance of American Axle & Manufacturing's (AXL) international operations during the quarter that concluded in September 2025? Considering the extensive worldwide presence of this maker of auto parts, analyzing the patterns in international revenues is crucial for understanding its financial resilience and potential for growth. In the modern, closely-knit global economic landscape, the capacity of a business to access foreign markets is often a key determinant of its financial well-being and growth path. Investors now place great importance on grasping the extent of a company's dependence on international markets, as it sheds light on the firm's earnings stability, its skill in leveraging various economic cycles and its broad growth potential. Participation in global economies acts as a defense against economic difficulties at home and a pathway to more rapidly developing economies. However, it also comes with the complexities of dealing with fluctuating currencies, geopolitical risks and different market dynamics. While delving into AXL's performance for the past quarter, we observed some fascinating trends in the revenue from its foreign segments that are commonly modeled and observed by analysts on Wall Street. The recent quarter saw the company's total revenue reaching $1.51 billion, marking an improvement of 0% from the prior-year quarter. Next, we'll examine the breakdown of AXL's revenue from abroad to comprehend the significance of its international presence. Decoding AXL's International Revenue Trends Asia accounted for 8.6% of the company's total revenue during the quarter, translating to $129.2 million. Revenues from this region represented a surprise of -9.12%, with Wall Street analysts collectively expecting $142.16 million. When compared to the preceding quarter and the same quarter in the previous year, Asia contributed $145.6 million (9.5%) and $155.4 million (10.3%) to the total revenue, respectively. Europe generated $191.8 million in revenues for the company in the last quarter, constituting 12.7% of the total. This represented a surprise of -8.78% compared to the $210.27 million projected by Wall Street analysts. Comparatively, in the previous quarter, Europe accounted for $200.1 million (13%), and in the year-ago quarter, it contributed $218.7 million (14.5%) to the total revenue. During the quarter, South America contributed $56.4 million in revenue, making up 3.8% of the total revenue. When compared to the consensus estimate of $46.95 million, this meant a surprise of +20.13%. Looking back, South America contributed $50 million, or 3.3%, in the previous quarter, and $45.8 million, or 3%, in the same quarter of the previous year. Amid tensions with Israel and the US, Iran is ramping up diplomacy to build a "multipolar order," strengthening ties with Iraq, the UAE, and Uzbekistan to safeguard its regional influence. Iran is working the phones of diplomacy. Over the past days, Iranian state media have described a flurry of activity on the diplomatic front. This comes as Iran is also concerned about tensions with Israel and is weighing whether it will re-enter talks with the US. This is part of a larger agenda. Advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ali Akbar Velayati, said that the era of the United States dominance has come to an end and the world is now transitioning from a unipolar to a multipolar and equitable order, Iranian state media noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is Irans foreign ministry doing? Iraq's Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Hussein Mohammed Bahr Al Uloom has commanded the recent remarks by Esmaeil Baqaei, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, regarding the sixth parliamentary elections in the Arab country, Irans state media IRNA said. Iraqs elections are important because of all the pro-Iranian militias in Iraq. It is also important for Iran to try to continue to influence and control parts of Iraq and Iraqs resources. The Islamic Republic views ties positively and has praised the political and electoral atmosphere in Iraq. Bahr Al Uloom added that Baqaei also expressed hope that the Iraqi peoples participation in the electoral process will help outline the political future of the country, IRNA added. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends a meeting with students in Tehran, Iran, November 3, 2025 (credit: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS) Iran is also improving ties with Uzbekistan. Iran and Uzbekistan have reached new agreements to expand cooperation and investment in the mining and mineral industries, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral economic relations, IRNA noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes days after US President Donald Trump hosted Central Asian countries and also after Kazakhstan announced it would join the Abraham Accords. Iran also wants to maintain its position in Central Asia. During his visit to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Irans Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Atabak held talks with Uzbekistans Minister of Mining and Geology, Islamov Bobur Farxodovich, and Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, on Tuesday, IRNA noted. The Iranian delegation, headed by Minister Atabak, arrived in Tashkent on November 9. He is accompanied by senior officials from Irans industrial and mining sectors. The ambassadors of Iran and Russia in Baghdad have discussed the latest developments in Iraq ahead of the countrys parliamentary elections, emphasizing the importance of the vote for Iraqs stability and development. Meanwhile, Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Kazem Al Sadegh and Russian Ambassador Elbrus Kutrashev exchanged views on Iraqs situation during the election period, the Iranian media said. Both diplomats underlined that the elections could play a vital role in strengthening stability and advancing development in the country. Tehran deepens diplomatic ties with Russia and the UAE During the meeting, Al Sadegh thanked Russia for its positions and support for the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding Resolution 2231 and stressed the need for constructive cooperation between the two countries at the bilateral and international levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, in the UAE, Al-Ain media said that the UAEs Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the UAE, met on Tuesday with Saeed Khatibzadeh, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister and Head of the Center for Political and International Studies. The information follows an Emirates News Agency report that the meeting discussed relations between the United Arab Emirates and Iran and ways to strengthen them. The meeting also reviewed regional and international developments and issues of common interest and exchanged views on them. Al-Ain added that Dr. Anwar Gargash stressed the priority of dealing with regional developments through dialogue and diplomacy in a way that achieves the stability and prosperity that the countries and peoples of the region aspire to. The meeting comes on the sidelines of the Iranian officials participation in the twelfth edition of the Abu Dhabi Strategic Forum organized by the Emirates Policy Center. Iraqis head to the polls on Tuesday to elect a new 329-member parliament, amid high regional tensions and a struggle for stability in the Middle Eastern nation. More than 21 million people are eligible to vote, more than two decades after the US invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein and following years of conflict against the Islamic State group. Despite regular elections, Iraqs democracy remains fragile and plagued by corruption and mismanagement, and many Iraqis are sceptical of elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pensioner Jassim Mohammed said he would boycott the vote because of the widespread corruption and the lack of genuine reforms or the will to form a government free from sectarian power-sharing. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is seeking a second term, although divisions within his coalition could hinder his chances. He has also had to contend with competing pressures from the United States and Iran. Iran maintains influence through Shiite militias and political factions, while Washington continues to push for their disarmament. The influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and his movement have announced a boycott of the vote, a move that could significantly affect turnout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 7,700 candidates are running, with a quarter of seats reserved for women. The electoral commission plans to announce preliminary results within 24 hours of polls closing. International observers from the UN and Arab League will monitor the process. The campaign has been marred by violence, including the killing of Sunni candidate Safaa al-Mashhadani in Baghdad last month. We all need to participate to correct the country's course and remove the corrupt and failed sectarian politicians, said teacher Soha al-Saadun in Baghdad. Iraqis began casting ballots in parliamentary elections that analysts fear may entrench disillusionment with democracy in the country. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is seen as having balanced ties between Washington and Tehran Iraqs two dominant patrons while delivering a modicum of improved services and security. But turnout has been persistently low, months of horse-trading to form a government are likely to follow, and voters are weary of high levels of corruption. Sectarianism also remains embedded in the political system, if not in the voter base, while a coterie of Shia armed groups retain extralegal power. The ballot may do little more than endorse a familiar political order, one analyst told Reuters. DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) Islamists in Bangladesh rallied on Tuesday to demand the interim government legalize a national charter proposed after the ouster of the previous regime, saying that there is no possibility of holding a general election without a legally binding roadmap for political reforms. Thousands of supporters of the largest Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami and seven other political parties who gathered in the capital, Dhaka, also demanded that the next election expected to be held in early 2026 be held under a proportional representation system. The key demand is for a referendum on the July National Charter, which is named after the national uprising that began in July 2024 and led to the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following a 15-year rule that critics said had become increasingly autocratic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the charter is currently nonbinding, and the parties say a referendum is needed to make it legally binding and a part of the constitution. Only a Parliament can bring changes to the constitution in Bangladesh, a parliamentary democracy of 170 million people. The roadmap for political reform was proposed by the interim government headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus who took over three days after Hasinas ouster in a mass uprising on Aug. 5 last year. Its provisions would include bringing more checks and balances to the countrys political system to avoid authoritarian administrations, including by giving the presidency more authority to balance what had been a powerful prime minister position. It also proposes term limits for legislators, and measures to prevent conflicts of interest, money laundering and corruption. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, headed by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, signed the charter on Oct. 17 along with 24 other parties. The country has 52 registered political parties. Other than Zias party, Hasinas Awami League party is another major party. Its activities have been banned by the Yunus-led government and Hasina is facing trial for the deaths of hundreds of people during last years uprising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jamaat-e-Islami party, which has a dark history involving Bangladeshs independence war, has signed the charter and is forging a bigger political platform to contest in the next election in the absence of the Awami League. At Tuesday's rally, the suypporters of Jamaat-e-Islami and other allied parties said that there would be no election unless the referendum is held and the charter is made binding. A special tribunal dealing with charges of crimes against humanity is scheduled to announce a date for verdict against Hasina on Thursday. The former prime minister, who has denounced the trial process as a kangaroo court, has been in exile in India since her ouster. Bangladesh's politics has remained at a crossroads under Yunus. Human rights groups have accused the Yunus-led government of violating human and political rights of the opposition, especially of Hasina's supporters. Hasinas son told The Associated Press earlier that only an inclusive election could stabilize the country. Notably, no country has agreed to take the Hamas terrorists in after they are deported. Israel and the United States on Tuesday reached a significant compromise, agreeing on the deportation of some 200 Hamas terrorists, currently hiding in tunnels within an IDF-controlled Yellow Line in Rafah, The Jerusalem Post has learned. This agreement comes as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate Hamas's presence in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, despite the arrangement, no country has yet agreed to accept the deported individuals, leaving a key aspect of the deal unresolved. Netanyahu met with Kushner in Jerusalem to discuss Gaza, Hamas disarmament This decision follows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with special envoy and son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, at his Jerusalem office. They also discussed disarming Hamas, demilitarizing Gaza, and ensuring Hamas has no role in Gaza ever again. Netanyahu meets Kushner in Jerusalem (credit: CHAIM TZACH/GPO) Kushner had arrived in Israel on Sunday for talks with Netanyahu on implementing the US plan to end the Gaza war, a source familiar with the matter said. Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive and join the talks as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu met with Witkoff and Kushner just last month to discuss developments and updates in the region. US officials also made it clear in recent days that they want to resolve the issue of Hamas terrorists in the tunnels, saying that they "think [the terrorists] should get free passage, after Goldin's release." The Israeli government spokesperson told Reuters that any decision on trapped Hamas fighters will be made in collaboration with the Trump administration. Maariv and Reuters contributed to this report. Qassem said that the Lebanese army's presence in this sensitive region alongside Hezbollah symbolizes a unified stance in defending the country's sovereignty. Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem threatened Israel in a Tuesday speech. "Israeli attacks cannot continue; everything has a limit. We will not give up our weapons," he said. Qassem expressed that the recent arrangement, which includes the deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River, is seen as a victory by Hezbollah, framing it as a positive step in the protection and strengthening of Lebanon's national interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Qassem, the deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River is a critical component of the agreement, one which Hezbollah views as an "acceptable price" for ensuring the defense of the country. He stressed that this development reflects a win for Lebanon, given that the army's presence in this sensitive region, alongside Hezbollah, symbolizes a unified stance in defending Lebanese sovereignty. We are winners with the Lebanese armys presence south of the Litani because they are our sons, Qassem declared, underscoring the collaborative nature of Hezbollahs relationship with Lebanons military. The leader highlighted that this agreement is a step toward fulfilling the state's role in securing the country's borders and protecting its citizens from external threats. An Israeli tank patrols along the border with Lebanon, November 6, 2025. (credit: Ayal Margolin/Flash90) Opposition to foreign interference While praising the November agreement, Qassem fiercely criticized external actors, particularly the United States and Israel, for their interference in Lebanons affairs. He accused the US and Israel of attempting to dictate Lebanon's political, economic, and military trajectory, seeking to undermine the countrys resistance role in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "America and Israel are interfering in Lebanons future, dictating its army, economy, politics, and strategic position," Qassem said, stressing that these powers aim to dismantle Lebanon's resistance and expose it to external aggression. Hezbollah's position remains firm in opposing foreign efforts to shape Lebanon's political and military landscape. Qassem also addressed the Lebanese government, questioning its approach to national sovereignty. While acknowledging the year-long series of Israeli attacks and violations, he challenged the government for not presenting a clear plan to restore sovereignty to Lebanons borders. Hezbollahs leader expressed concern that the government has not set a firm timetable to address these breaches, a situation that remains a critical issue for national security. A full year has passed, marked by hundreds of Israeli attacks, violations, and incursions, Qassem pointed out. Why doesnt the government include a plan to restore sovereignty on its agenda and set a timetable for its implementation? As Lebanon navigates a volatile political and security landscape, Qassems statements reflect the ongoing tension surrounding the country's future direction. While Hezbollah claims victories in ensuring Lebanon's defense capabilities, the international community continues to closely monitor developments, especially regarding the ongoing influence of foreign powers in Lebanon's internal matters. Israeli forces have killed at least three people in Gaza in the last 24 hours, according to Palestinian officials, as Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank ramped up attacks on Palestinian villages. As Gazas Ministry of Health confirmed on Tuesday the killings in the last 24 hours, the enclaves Civil Defence agency said in a statement on Telegram that it had transferred the bodies of 35 unidentified Palestinians to al-Shifa Hospital, where efforts will be made to confirm their identities. The death toll of Israels war on Gaza has officially topped 69,000, with at least 69,182 Palestinians killed and 170,694 wounded since October 2023. Israeli forces have killed at least 245 Palestinians since the US-brokered ceasefire went into effect on October 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total of 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks, and about 200 were taken captive. It is estimated that thousands of missing peoples bodies are still buried under rubble across Gaza after two years of Israels genocidal war. Getting closure remains a distant prospect for families in Gaza, who have been visiting Nasser Hospital, morgues and identification rooms in search of their loved ones, trying to recognise their remains through fragments, personal belongings, scars, pieces of clothing or injuries, Al Jazeeras Tareq Abu Azzoum reported from central Gaza. Forensic experts are facing severe challenges, including the decomposition of bodies and a shortage of DNA testing equipment. This has left families in a state of deep uncertainty, especially mothers who continue to return to Gazas hospitals hoping to find their loved ones, only to go back to their shelters each time with broken hearts. Israel has violated the ceasefire agreement at least 282 times from October 10 to November 10, through the continuation of attacks by air, artillery and direct shootings, the Government Media Office in Gaza reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to an analysis by Al Jazeera, Israel has attacked Gaza on 25 out of the past 31 days of the ceasefire, meaning there were only six days during which no violent attacks, deaths or injuries were reported. Despite continuing attacks, the US insists that the ceasefire is still holding. (Al Jazeera) Gaza waits on aid The ceasefire agreement stipulated that full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip. However, the United Nations childrens agency accused Israel on Tuesday of denying essential aid from entering Gaza, including 1.6 million syringes to vaccinate children and nearly one million bottles of baby formula. Both the syringes and the refrigerators are considered dual-use by Israel, and these items were finding very hard to get through clearances and inspections; yet, they are urgent, UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dual-use refers to items Israel deems to have possible military as well as civilian applications. On Tuesday, UNICEF said the blockage was preventing efforts to immunise more than 40,000 children who missed routine vaccines during the war. The syringes have been waiting on customs clearance since August. Aid organisations have repeatedly said that not enough supplies are entering the enclave to feed and care for a largely displaced and malnourished population of two million. From October 10 to November 9, only 3,451 trucks have reached their intended destinations in Gaza, according to the UN2720 Monitoring and Tracking Dashboard, which monitors humanitarian aid in Gaza. As they wait on aid, Palestinians in Gaza are forced to live without electricity, with many relying on flashlights and spending nights in complete darkness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war has destroyed more than 80 percent of Gazas electricity networks. For the past two years, no electricity has reached the Gaza Strip, said Mohammed Thabet, an official with Gazas electricity company. The amount of electricity reaching Gaza is zero, he said. Attacks in occupied West Bank Separately, in the occupied West Bank, dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked a pair of Palestinian villages on Tuesday, setting fire to vehicles and other property, leaving four Palestinians wounded. In Tuesdays incidents, settlers attacked the villages of Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf, setting fire to four dairy trucks, farmland, tin shacks and tents belonging to a Bedouin community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palestinian official Muayyad Shaaban said the attacks were part of a campaign to drive Palestinians from their land and accused Israel of giving the settlers protection and immunity. Israeli police said that four Israelis were arrested in what it described as extremist violence. A video verified by Al Jazeeras fact-checking unit, Sanad, shows several vehicles on fire as Palestinians try to extinguish the flames. BREAKING & HORRIFIC: Israeli settler terrorists have attacked the Palestinian village of Bayt Lid in the West Bank, carrying out a pogrom, setting homes on fire in an attempt to burn Palestinian families alive. Residents are pleading for help as flames spread through the pic.twitter.com/21lOmfkMec Ihab Hassan (@IhabHassane) November 11, 2025 Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the attacks as shocking and serious, adding, Such violence toward civilians and toward [Israeli army] soldiers crosses a red line, and I condemn it severely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli soldiers were also attacked today by a group of settlers, and a military vehicle was damaged. Israeli forces and settlers have carried out 2,350 attacks across the occupied West Bank last month in an ongoing cycle of terror, the Palestinian Authoritys Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission (CRRC) reported last week. CRRC head Muayyad Shaban said last week that Israeli forces carried out 1,584 attacks including direct physical attacks, the demolition of homes and the uprooting of olive trees with most of the violence focused on the governorates of Ramallah (542), Nablus (412) and Hebron (401). On Monday, BTselem, the Israeli human rights group, said that settlers were attacking Palestinians daily, including shooting, beating and threatening residents, throwing stones, torching fields, destroying trees and crops, stealing produce, blocking roads, invading homes, and burning cars. Israeli settlers are rarely held accountable for attacks on Palestinians or their property, and are sometimes accompanied by Israeli forces during such incidents. Italian companies still operating in the Russian Federation are filling the Kremlin's war coffers despite active EU sanctions, according to data compiled by the Kyiv School of Economics as part of its Leave Russia project. According to Andrii Onopriienko, the head of the project, around 346 million in contributions are paid by Italian companies each year for a total of around 1.037bn since the full-scale attack on Russia's western neighbour was launched. About half of this money, Onopriienko confirms, "was invested in military spending to finance the war against Ukraine." Some companies are on the fence The Leave Russia initiative was launched to create an online database for monitoring the activities of the main multinationals still doing business in Russia over the past 3 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The database classifies companies according to their country of origin, the sector in which they operate and their current status. That is, whether they are still commercially active in the country, have suspended operations or have left the Federation as a result of sanctions. According to data from Russian tax authorities, financial information available online and press monitoring, 146 Italian companies still operate in Russia, with around thirty announcing they plan to leave the country at some point, while around 70 others have maintained a legal presence on Russian territory. The rest of the companies continue to export to Russia. The US and Germany top the list Italian giants such as chocolate makers Ferrero, pasta producer Barilla and women's hosiery specialist Calzedonia are some of the companies that have maintained their business activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gas and electricity heavyweights Enel and Eni, as well as luxury clothing designer Moncler, are among the eight companies that have ceased their Russian operations. While Italy is among the European countries with the highest number of active operations, countries such as Germany maintain a whopping 459 companies and the United Kingdom over 290. The US maintains an even larger commercial presence with 810 companies. Companies operate in grey areas While the numbers are shocking especially considering the Italian government's stalwart support of the Ukrainian cause both politically and in terms of weapons shipments most of these products enter the country through loopholes or indirect trade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "First of all, there is a grey area of trade that exists beyond the data collected and that is made up of companies that have left the market but manage to pass through other channels," explained Carolina Stefano, professor of Russian history and politics at the Luiss University in Rome. While the products do make it to Russian consumers, they place a significant burden on the Russian economy due to increased import costs through third countries or taxes they pick up along the way. "In this case, although in a reduced way, companies continue to do business with Russia, at a very high cost," she continued. Stefano explained that in some cases, not all products are part of the EU sanctions list, allowing some companies to continue trading with Russia in full legality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related "Not only that... the Kremlin has also introduced measures that have increased costs for those who decide to leave the Russian market." Some companies claim they were not consulted before Brussels "rushed" to place sanctions on Moscow and that the burden of exiting Russia fell at differing levels for various EU members. "Many companies felt excluded at this stage, given the speed of European diplomacy... they feel a sense of injustice, especially if the priority of promoting a European initiative went on to affect individual countries differently." Russian economy driven by military spending In a piece published by the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre, Alexandra Prokopenko, a former employee of the Russian Central Bank who is now a fellow at Carnegie, said that the import bans are actively hampering any prospect of long-term economic growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While this is precisely the goal of the sanctions namely, to cripple the economy in a way that makes the consequences of supporting the war clear to Russian consumers it will leave a lasting dent on the growth potential of one of the largest countries in the world. "It will be very difficult for the country to move from a war economy to a civilised economy model," she continued. Meanwhile, expenditure related to the military and defence sector has doubled from around 4% to 8% of GDP or 40% of the total state budget. Italy is one step closer to gaining UNESCO recognition for Italian cuisine after the United Nations' cultural body gave an initial approval for the bid. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization made public its technical assessment of the Italian cuisine nomination dossier on Monday. They recommended that Italian cuisine be inscribed in the UN body's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, following a joint proposal from the Italian ministries of culture and agriculture. The final decision by the UN agency's intergovernmental committee is expected next month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ''It is wonderful to see the interest with which the recognition of Italian cuisine as a UNESCO heritage site is being followed, commented the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida. He did, however, urge people to wait until 10 December to get excited. "We have nominated a great tradition, something that distinguishes us, but we have not yet crossed this great and well-deserved finishing line,'' he added. Pier Luigi Petrillo, a professor at Luiss Guido Carli in Rome, edited the candidacy dossier, and also expressed similar reservations. The technical evaluation published today tells us that the dossier is well done, he pointed out to the ANSA news agency. This first 'yes' should not create illusions because the Intergovernmental Committee that will meet in India in December has the possibility of completely reviewing the decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italy already boasts several elements on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, including the art of the Neapolitan Pizzaiuolo (2017), the art of glass beads (2020), the practice of opera singing (2023) and manual bell ringing (2024). The UNESCO committee will meet in New Delhi, India, from 8 to 13 December. This text was translated with the help of artificial intelligence and reviewed by our editorial team. Report a problem : [feedback-articles-en@euronews.com]. Some Italian pasta brands might stop selling their products in the United States in response to severe potential tariffs from the U.S. government. The U.S. Commerce Department proposed a 91.74% tariff on the pasta from 13 Italian brands that would go into effect in January 2026. That, added to the 15% baseline tariff on all goods from the European Union, would more than double the cost of importing pasta into the U.S., which is causing several of the affected companies to consider pulling their products from shelves. Its an incredibly important market for us, Giuseppe Ferro, La Molisanas chief executive, told The Wall Street Journal. But no one has those kinds of margins. What are antidumping tariffs? The Commerce Department launched its investigation in August 2024 after two American pasta companies asked for a review of Italian exporters, alleging unfair pricing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a preliminary report, the Commerce Department found that the two biggest Italian exporters, La Molisana and Pastificio Lucio Garofalo, were selling pasta at prices on average 91.74% lower in the U.S. than in Italy. There's a long history of Italian pasta companies being accused of dumping, which is when a foreign company sells its product at a lower price in the U.S. than in its country of origin. The first antidumping tariffs were levied on certain Italian pasta companies in 1996, and some form of levies has remained since then. However, past tariffs have not been nearly as steep, and several of the affected companies told the WSJ that the levies feel disproportionate. This isnt about dumping its an excuse to block imports, said Cosimo Rummo, CEO of Rummo Pasta, one of the affected companies. Why is the government proposing additional tariffs on Italian pasta? Pietro Brambilla, the co-founder of Sogno Toscano, an Italian importer and restaurant that will open its first Phoenix location this year, has been monitoring the tariff situation, but isnt concerned yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its too early to say where things will end up, Brambilla said. Its a sensitive subject has been for a while yet agreements have always been found. The Commerce Department is scheduled to finalize its report by Dec. 4. La Molisana submitted a legal brief contesting the findings. The Italian government and the EU have also become involved the EU's top trade official brought up the issue with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce in October, Reuters reported. The U.S. is one of Italy's top three export markets for pasta, with almost $800 million in exports, according to Reuters. Italian pasta brands These are the 13 brands that would face the 107% combined tariff: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement La Molisana Pasta Garofalo Agritalia Aldino Antiche Tradizioni Di Gragnano Barilla (Barilla products made in the U.S. will not be affected) Gruppo Milo Pastificio Artigiano Cav. Giuseppe Cocco Pastificio Chiavenna Pastificio Liguori Pastificio Sgambaro Pastificio Tamma Rummo Where is Barilla pasta made? Barilla is the world's largest pasta producer and one of the impacted companies; however, the company makes pasta in both the U.S and Italy. Most of the Barilla pasta sold in the U.S. is made here at plants in Ames, Iowa, and Avon, New York, meaning those products would not face tariffs. The only exceptions are Barilla Tortellini and Barilla Oven Ready Lasagne, which are made in Italy, according to NPR. Reach the reporter at reia.li@gannett.com. Follow @reia_reports on Instagram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More tariff news: Donald Trump's tariffs will raise the price of these foods. Here's what to know in Arizona This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Will Italian pasta disappear from Arizona shelves? What to know Shares of IREN, the bitcoin mining firm turned AI infrastructure player, are higher by more than 500% year-to-date, but that might just be a start, according to one Wall Street bull. Following the company's third-quarter earnings report last week and its $9.7 billion, five-year deal with Microsoft to deliver 200 megawatts of AI compute at its Childress, Texas site, Cantor Fitzgerald's Brett Knoblach left his already bullish 2025 targets mostly in place, but said IREN could hit $384 by 2028 from the current $67. With that deal, wrote Knoblach in a Friday note, IREN joins the ranks of large-scale "neocloud" providers, adding credibility to the companys ambitions to scale to $18.6 billion in annual revenue across its Texas and Canadian sites. The firm's updated 2026 annual recurring revenue guidance jumped from $500 million to $3.4 billion following the announcement. On the recent earnings call, noted Knoblach, IREN highlighted its preference for cloud over colocation, noting stronger returns, upfront capital support from Microsoft, and long-term asset value. Even if the GPUs lose their usefulness after five years a scenario he views as unlikely the data centers themselves could still generate hundreds of millions per year under colocation contracts. Knoblach sees Microsofts involvement as a key vote of confidence in IRENs infrastructure. He also believes the architecture being built is "future-proofed" for upcoming GPU generations, with rack densities that could support NVIDIAs Rubin chips or their successors. While Knoblach trimmed his near-term price target to $136 from $142 due to weaker bitcoin mining revenues, he reiterated an overweight rating and called IREN a top pick. Shares are 7.6% higher to $67.12 Monday alongside a general rally in stocks and crypto. BLOOMINGTON, IN An Indiana University lecturer says she was removed from teaching a class after a student complained to U.S. Sen. Jim Banks' office about course content and the school deemed her lecture could violate state law. The investigation into Jessica Adams centers around a graphic about white supremacy that she presented during her graduate-level social work class titled "Diversity, Human Rights and Social Justice." A letter from administrators said she potentially violated Indiana's "intellectual diversity" law. Under Senate Enrolled Act 202, a professor must embrace free expression and intellectual diversity and may not lecture about political views unrelated to their field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "During class, the instructor spoke on White Supremacy and showed a graphic that listed Make America Great Again (MAGA) as worse than police killing people of color and stated that MAGA is socially unacceptable white supremacy," the complaint reads. "Also lists Columbus Day and 'colorblindness' as White Supremacy." Adams maintains that the graphic was misinterpreted and that she gave an explanation of why it was presented in class. She said the complaint should have been found to be without merit since she was teaching within her discipline and the scope of the course. "I feel that my academic freedom has been stifled," Adams said at a Nov. 7 news conference in Bloomington. "I feel that I have not been treated with care or allowed due process, and I do feel that my students are suffering and their education has been compromised." Two students said during the news conference that they were not adequately notified about the removal of their professor and for what reason. In the past several weeks, they said, assignments have gone ungraded while guest lecturers step in to teach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IU spokesperson Mark Bode said the university does not comment on personnel matters. Banks' Senate office did not respond to a request for comment. Earlier this semester, Indiana University's Bloomington campus was likely the first university to sanction a professor under the new state law. Germanic studies professor Ben Robinson was punished after a dean found an anonymous complaint had merit though Robinson claims an investigation never occurred. White supremacy graphic Several social work organizations, including the Grand Challenges for Social Work and the National Association of Social Workers, cite racism and oppression as key issues to address in a profession that often confronts them head on. When she presented the graphic known as the pyramid of white supremacy during her Sept. 22 class, Adams, a master's level lecturer, said her lecture material sources back to academic journals and experts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The week's focus centered on race and ethnicity, according to the class syllabus, where students would leave with "a deeper understanding of the formation and legacies of racial and ethnic identities, the ways in which structural racism continues to shape society, and the lived experiences of those affected by racial and ethnic disparities." "I was teaching that not only is white supremacy a hierarchy that prioritizes white people and puts them at the top of power structures, but also it is about centering white thought and experience as the normal experience for all citizens, for all Americans," she said. "I felt it was important to name very specific ways in which we see white supremacy showing up in our society because if you can't name it, then you can't address it." The graphic taught in class, which Adams provided to IndyStar, provides examples of what it labels covert and overt white supremacy. The original source of the pyramid is listed as the Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence. Indiana University Lecturer Jessica Adams presented the Pyramid of White Supremacy to her class on Sept. 22. At the bottom of the pyramid are things like racist mascots, cultural appropriation and claiming reverse racism, which are characterized as covert or socially acceptable white supremacy. As the pyramid moves up to a point, the examples cross into overt white supremacy, including racial slurs and burning crosses, with lynching at the top. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump's Make America Great Again slogan appears just below the line separating overt and covert white supremacy. Adams said her lecture was focused on the phrase, not the movement. The IU complaint caught Adams off guard, she said, since she thought her students would have an understanding of the social work profession's values. She said that leaders in her profession have recently highlighted eliminating racism in its practice as an industry-wide goal. "I know that the topics I was teaching on are currently considered divisive, even though they should not be, but they're topics that are essential to our profession, to our values and ethics," she said. "... I think I assumed some false protection from SEA 202 because of my discipline that I was teaching within." From Jim Banks to IU's dean of social work A student in Adams' class initially complained to Banks' Senate office instead of using the SEA 202 reporting system, she said. However, after his office contacted the university, School of Social Work Dean Kalea Benner decided to file an official grievance naming herself as the primary complainant, Adams said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 6, she was barred from teaching the class and contacting her students. When she asked administrators, they told her it was because another complaint had been made, she said, but could not provide the complaint in writing since it was not formally made. Adams said administrators told her she was removed from teaching "out of an abundance of caution." According to IU policy, lecturers can be removed or suspended if "a situation involves an imminent threat of harm to the complainant." Administrators have not provided a timeline on when the complaint will be decided, Adams said. She still teaches three other courses at IU. If sanctioned, Adams would likely not see an immediate consequence. However, an additional sanction could subject her to probation, suspension, termination or a host of possible penalties related to promotions, tenure or salary, according to IU code. Following IU policy? Similar to Robinson, Adams and the Indiana University chapter of the American Association of University Professors allege that the university has skirted its policies when dealing with her complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams is concerned about Benner, her dean, acting as both the complainant and administrator involved in investigating the complaint. According to IU's SEA 202 policy, the school's dean determines whether a complaint has standing and merits a review. "She was also consulted as a content expert and was effectively allowed to determine the merit of her own complaint," Adams said. "I asked if this was allowed and was essentially told, 'Yes, this is allowed to happen,' which is outrageous." She claims several rights of her were violated, including rights to retain counsel, to participate in evidence collection, and to avoid self-incrimination, as the university collects evidence and investigates the complaints. The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Have a story to tell? Reach Cate Charron by email at ccharron@indystar.com, on X at @CateCharron or Signal at @cate.charron.28. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IU professor take off class over white supremacy graphic listing MAGA BOARDMAN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) James Jim Michael Salata, age 74, passed away peacefully into the hands of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Friday morning, November 7, 2025. Jim was born September 4, 1951, the son of the late John Salata and Mary Louise Berendt Salata. Find obituaries from your high school After graduating from Boardman High school in 1969, Jim attended The Ohio State University, returning home after his freshman year at the time of his fathers passing. Jim then graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and worked as a commercial artist in the advertising industry. Subsequently, Jim graduated from YSU with a degree in Chemical Engineering. In his later years, he worked as an independent flooring contractor, a connection he shared with his father. He enjoyed the trade, until Multiple Sclerosis prevented him from working any longer. Jim fought the disease courageously for 24 years, without complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jim loved all aspects of all Gods creation. He had many pets in his lifetime and enjoyed birdwatching as a hobby. As a young man, he and his father went on many fishing trips to Canada, leading to his becoming an avid outdoorsman. Jim enjoyed camping and fishing and could be found boating with his dog, Schnootzie, at Geneva on the Lake every weekend. Jim also had the eye and heart of an artist. He was skilled with watercolors, painting landscapes and other nature scenes and once received an award for wildlife photography submitted at the Canfield Fair. Jim will be remembered as a loving son and brother, a generous-hearted man who maintained his wonderful sense of humor even until his last days. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents, Michael and Mary Salata and Michael and Rose Berendt. Jim leaves behind his loving sisters, Nancy Salata of Boardman and Judy (Frankie) Daniell of Savannah Georgia. He also leaves one niece, Jennifer (Robert) Johns of Savannah and many cousins, always having been especially close to his cousin Jeanie Showalter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market Street in Boardman. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to share memories and condolences with Jims family. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James JIm, please visit our floral store. A television tribute will air Wednesday, November 12, at the following approximate times: 5:17 a.m. on WKBN, 8:39 a.m. on FOX, 5:19 p.m. on WYTV and 6:37 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing. 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 WKBN.com. TOKYO Japan was involved in a war of words with China on Monday after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute a survival-threatening situation for Japan requiring the use of force. Takaichi, who was elected as the countrys first female prime minister last month, said Friday that Chinese use of force around Taiwan would qualify as an existential threat. Her comment sparked sharp criticisms from Beijing over the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have no choice but cut off that dirty neck that has been lunged at us without hesitation. Are you ready? Chinese Consul General Xue Jian said in a message posted on X, which was later deleted. Xue also criticized past remarks made by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other Japanese lawmakers that of Taiwan emergency is Japan emergency as blatant interference of Chinese internal affairs and violation of sovereignty that require a retraction and apology. On Monday, Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Tokyo had protested to Beijing over Xues X message. While the intent of (Xues) post is not entirely clear, we must say the comment ... was extremely inappropriate, Kihara said. Japans Foreign Ministry has since lodged a strong protest and demanded the post deleted. Kihara urged China to provide an explanation. The row suggests that Japan-China relations may not be smooth under Takaichi, despite what appeared to be a cordial meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea during the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Japans new leader has committed to beefing up the military and met Taiwans representative to the summit the day after her meeting with Xi, angering China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Xues post was a personal one directed at the erroneous and dangerous remarks that attempt to separate Taiwan from Chinas territory and advocate military intervention in the Taiwan Strait. He blamed some Japanese politicians and media for hyping the issue to confuse public perception and divert attention. China has lodged solemn complaints and protests with Japan over Takaichis remarks, Lin said. Is Japan attempting to challenge Chinas core interests and obstruct the great cause of Chinas reunification? he said. Where does Japan intend to take China-Japan relations? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China regards Taiwan part of its territory and has not renounced the use of force to bring the self-governing island under its control. The latest diplomatic spat started on Friday when Takaichi was asked in parliament about scenarios that would constitute a threat to Japan. The ultraconservative Takaichi cited the examples of a Chinese naval blockade on Taiwan and any military action to prevent the arrival of U.S. forces. If it involves the use of warships and military actions, it could by all means become a survival-threatening situation in which Japan could use force for defense, she said. Her response was seen as deviating from her predecessors remarks and triggering a controversy that caused her to backpedal later and pledge that her remarks were within the previous official line. A bill in the Legislature would ban for-profit charter schools and require them to post a range of documents online, among other things. (Photo by Getty Images) Senate lawmakers on Monday advanced legislation that would launch the most comprehensive overhaul of New Jerseys regulation of charter schools in 30 years. The bill advanced by the Senate Education Committee on Monday would outright ban for-profit charter schools, require them to post a range of documents online, and impose residency requirements for some charter school trustees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have not looked at charter schools as a whole legislatively in this committee since the 1990s, so this is an opportunity where were trying to do that, said Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), the panels chair and the bills prime sponsor. The bill comes as New Jersey charter schools have faced scrutiny after reporting revealed top officials were paid far more than their counterparts at traditional public schools, including, among others, a Newark charter school CEO who was paid nearly $800,000 in 2024. The proposal, which Gopal said was the product of a year of negotiations, would require charter schools to post user-friendly budgets that include the compensation paid to charter school leaders and school business administrators. They must also post existing contracts. Charters would be required to post meeting notices, annual reports, board members identities, and facility locations online. Some critics have charged that charter schools routinely fail to provide notice of their public meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation would also require the state to create a dedicated charter school transparency website to host plain language budgets, 990 disclosure forms filed with the IRS, contracts with charter management organizations, and a list of charter schools on probation, among other things. It would also ban fully virtual charter schools. We support the bills as a step forward in holding all public schools in our state accountable for fiscal and transparency requirements that will ultimately best serve our students, said Debbie Bradley, director of government relations for the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association. The two sides remained at odds over the membership of charter school boards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charter critics argued residency for those positions which, unlike traditional public school boards, are largely appointed rather than elected should mirror those imposed on regular public schools. In New Jersey, school board members must live in the district they serve. Thats not the case for charter schools, whose trustees face no residency or qualification limits under existing law. The bill would only impose a residency requirement on one-third of a charter schools trustees, and rather than forcing them to live in the district, the bill would require charter trustees to live in the schools county or within 30 miles of the school. That language was criticized by statewide teachers union the New Jersey Education Association, which has called existing law governing charter schools outdated and flawed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School board representation should remain primarily local, and when we mean local, we dont mean within a 30-mile radius. A 30-mile radius of Newark could include Maplewood, South Orange, communities that dont necessarily represent what Newark looks like as a community, said Deb Cornavaca, the unions director of government relations. Charter school supporters said their boards need flexibility because their leadership has broader responsibilities than counterparts in traditional public schools. Running a charter is a little different than running a traditional district. You need experience in school finance. You need to fundraise a bunch of money on the front end because youre not getting paid on the front end, said New Jersey Charter School Association President Harry Lee, adding they also needed familiarity with real estate and community experience. Amendments removed provisions that would have required charter school board members to be approved by the state commissioner of education, though the commissioner retains sole power over whether to allow the formation of a new charter, a power that gives the commissioner some veto power over a charters board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gopal acknowledged the 30-mile residency rule was a sticking point and said legislators would discuss it before the measure comes before the Senate Budget Committee. Earlier, he warned the bill was likely to see more changes as it moved through the Legislature. Some argued enrollment in charter schools should be more limited by geography, arguing that out-of-district enrollments that are common at New Jersey charters could place financial strain on the students former district. Most per-pupil state and local funding follows students who enroll in charter schools, even if their departure does not actually decrease the original districts expenses because, for example, those schools still require the same number of teachers and administrators. Charter operators said that would make New Jersey a national outlier and argued that a separate provision that would bar new charter schools when there are empty seats in existing area charters should come out of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could be read as a moratorium on charters, so we want to revisit that provision, Lee said. Such vacancies could exist for various reasons, they argued, including student age distributions. Alongside that measure, the panel approved separate legislation that would bar charter schools from setting criteria to enroll students, ban them from imposing other requirements on a student randomly selected to attend, and place new limits on how such schools can enroll children from outside their district. That bill would also bar charter schools from encouraging students to break with the district. Some opponents have charged that charter schools push out low-performing students to boost their metrics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee approved the bills in unanimous votes, though Sens. Owen Henry (R-Ocean) and Kristin Corrado (R-Passaic) abstained from votes on both bills, saying they are broadly supportive but need more time to review amendments. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A Florida-based Jewish charter school foundation has told the Statewide Charter School Board it plans to apply for authorization to establish a religious-based virtual charter school in Oklahoma to open for the 2026-27 school year Peter Deutsch, a former U.S. House member who represents The National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation, Inc., of Hollywood, Fla. which would operate the school said in a letter to the state agency, dated Nov. 3, that the Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School would serve grades nine through 12. Ben Gamla envisions Oklahoma students gaining a rigorous, values-based education that integrates general academic excellence with Jewish religious learning and ethical development, Deutsch wrote in the letter. He said the school would deliver Oklahomas state-approved academic standards alongside Jewish religious studies, enabling students to achieve college readiness while developing deep Jewish knowledge, faith, and values within a supportive learning community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he anticipates the school would have an initial enrollment of about 40 students, with growth expected as awareness of the program expands. Ben Gamla, which describes itself as a Hebrew language charter school, has six school sites in Florida, the first of which opened in 2007. Brian Shellem, the chair of the Statewide Charter School Board, said he is looking forward to reading a letter from a Florida foundation seeking to open a religious-based charter school in Oklahoma. The letter comes just months after the U.S. Supreme Court deadlocked 4-4 regarding the legality of Oklahoma-based St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic School, which had sought to become the nations first religious charter school. That decision, issued May 22, let stand a June 2024 Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling that a contract between St. Isidore and the current state boards forerunner must be rescinded, saying it violated both state and federal law and was unconstitutional. St. Isidores supporters had argued charter schools, which by law are public, instead should be viewed as a private entity and not as a state actor. The current board agreed with that line of thinking and joined St. Isidore in the appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond personally argued against the creation of St. Isidore during an Oklahoma Supreme Court hearing. Drummond now is campaigning for the Republican nomination for governor for the 2026 election. Sending such a letter as the one Ben Gamla sent is a first step when an entity seeks to establish a charter school in Oklahoma. All charter schools in Oklahoma must have a sponsor, and while the Statewide Charter School Board can be a sponsoring entity, the application process is a detailed one lasting months. No formal application has yet been received from Ben Gamla. Shellem said after the board meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, that he hadnt yet read the Ben Gamla letter, but that he would look forward to seeing what they have to say. He said the board will always stay in compliance with court orders but that he wouldnt pre-judge any application. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our contract is to educate children, he said. You look for the best academic outcomes for children in the state of Oklahoma. I find it interesting that people want to add value, in addition to what is required. That might be their prerogative. We're going to consider their application. I think we need to give everyone an unbiased approach, before we look at their (letter of intent), before we look at their application. Deutsch, a Democrat, represented his Florida district in the U.S. House from 1993 to 2005. He didnt immediately return an email seeking comment sent on Monday afternoon. Deutsch said he was one of three founding board members, along with Brett Farley, the executive director of the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma, and Ezra Husney, a New York attorney. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Florida foundation wants to open religious charter school in Oklahoma Politically motivated. Those are the two words that threaten to accompany the BBC into the gloom. They have been used with great indignation by its top journalists, who appear to see the fabrication of footage, pro-jihadi bias and trans fanaticism as trifling concerns set against the corporations overall mission of Making Britain Progressive Again. Last night, John Simpson, the broadcasters World Affairs Editor, posted on X, the BBC is facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack, linking through to an article in you guessed it The Guardian. Did he never stop to consider whether, given the atmosphere, that was a good look? Section 2.4.12 of the BBCs impartiality guidelines reads: Presenters, reporters, correspondents and on-air editors are the public face and voice of the BBC; they can have a significant impact on perceptions of whether due impartiality has been achieved. Audiences should not be able to tell from BBC output or anywhere else the personal opinions of its journalists or presenters in news and current affairs or factual journalism on matters of current public policy, political or industrial controversy, or on controversial subjects in any other area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that Simpsons post appeared to be in clear contravention of that commitment was in itself a showcase of how far the BBC has slipped from its original brief. And as Daniel Hannan argued in his Sunday Telegraph column this week, impartiality is the whole point of the BBC. Take it away and the logic of the licence fee evaporates. Unspun World, the programme Simpson presents, is described by the corporation as an honest, unvarnished review of the weeks global news stories, in which BBC World Affairs Editor John Simpson and experts from across the world ditch the spin and get to the news. Will anybody (aside from Guardian readers) watch it now? As for its content, Simpsons post summed up the BBC on several levels. Firstly, that its most senior journalists are simply unable to see the world as ordinary people see it. Politically motivated attack? Mate, the BBC literally edited footage and changed the meaning of the Presidents words. This was no innocent error; as Janet Daley put it, this was a professionally crafted editing job which has to have been designed to produce a calculated effect for a political purpose. Your bleating is only making it worse. Secondly, that the BBC considers a Left-of-centre worldview to be the definition of objectivity. The Guardian is its ideological ally because both assume they are the privileged holders of sanity, grown-up thinking and the truth, which must be defended against the fascist hordes. When the chips are down, the BBC wont even bother to hide it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thirdly, that any criticism of the broadcaster represents a bad-faith attempt to destroy a great socialist project that aims to redistribute the news to each according to his needs. Here lies the kicker: in pushing such a conspiratorial Leftist worldview, the doughty journalists of the BBC have apparently dispensed with the need for evidence. On the one hand, there is ample proof that the broadcaster has succumbed to systemic, progressive bias and has placed ideological warfare above the pursuit of fact. So much evidence, in fact, that I need not rehearse it here: The Telegraph has placed in the public domain the internal dossier that lays bare the scale of the catastrophe. On the other hand, what proof exists for the counter-argument, that the BBC is the victim of a politically motivated campaign of destruction? The column shared by Simpson was written by institutional Guardianista Jane Martinson and laboured under the headline: The BBC is facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack. With these resignations, it has given in. So theres no mistaking where the World Affairs Editors heart lies, then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martinsons piece hinges on one extremely telling paragraph: Leave to one side for now the direct allegations about specific failures of BBC coverage, and the BBCs own baffling inability or unwillingness to defend itself over the past week. But the row obscures the context that explains what is, at the heart of the matter, a political campaign against the BBC that could act as a textbook example of how to confuse and undermine the kind of journalism that is, at the very least, aiming for impartiality in a sea of spin and distortion. Read that again. Leave to one side for now the direct allegations about specific failures of BBC coverage. Leave it to one side? But those allegations are literally the whole point. Its a bit like saying, leave aside October 7, the hostages, continued threats from Hamas and Israels extensive attempts to protect civilians and provide humanitarian aid, Israels campaign in Gaza was a genocide. Hang on, thats exactly the message weve been getting from the BBC, the UN and the rest. The remainder of the column is built on two substantial points. Firstly, Martinson mentions how Prescott criticised the BBC for producing a major documentary on Donald Trump in the run-up to the presidential election, which was profoundly critical, but offered no such programme on his opponent, Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This concern is dismissed by Martinson thus: As someone who has spent years dealing with the issue of impartiality told me, this is an entirely wrongheaded and now discredited view of impartiality, the sort of view that led to airtime being given to climate denial. Then she airily moves on, as if an assertion by someone who has spent years dealing with the issue of impartiality is enough to win the argument. Who needs evidence, eh? Secondly, Martinson zeroes in on a section of the Prescott dossier in which he cited a 2022 report by a group called History Reclaimed. Martinson writes: While some of its members are senior Oxbridge academics, History Reclaimeds website makes clear that the group was formed to counter culture war narratives in the media that suggest British history is shameful. She adds: In its own review at the time, the BBC concluded that History Reclaimed cherry picking a handful of examples or highlighting genuine mistakes in thousands of hours of output on TV and radio does not constitute analysis and is not a true representation of BBC content. Yet in his dossier, Prescott has pre-emptively refuted the BBCs standard cherry picking defence by emphasising his reliance on internal reports by David Grossman, Senior Editorial Adviser to the BBCs Editorial Guidelines and Standards Board. Those form the brunt of his dossier. By comparison, his citation of History Reclaimed is negligible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prescott writes: One of the defences often deployed by the BBC when criticised by external organisations is to claim the evidence presented is mere cherry picking. This is why Davids reports were so very important: they came from within the BBC and were produced by a very experienced and talented BBC journalist. Yet his findings were still, on the whole, dismissed or ignored, even after EGSC members tried to press home the case for full-blooded action. In terms of substance, thats it. Seriously. Otherwise, Martinson indulges in the kind of dangerous mud-slinging that The Guardian loves to condemn in the Daily Mail. The BBC has to deal with enemies from within, she writes, evoking shades of the Mails notorious enemies of the people headline, which did not go down well at Guardian Towers. Each criticism of BBC coverage comes from the anti-progressive culture-war playbook, her rant continues. So thats the strength of the BBCs defence: duck the substance and descend into spittle-flecked diatribes which claim to attack the culture wars while playing a leading role in them. They are so deeply in the woods that they think the woods are all there is. Well, now the woodsmans coming. Never Again? How the West Betrayed the Jews and Itself by Jake Wallis Simons is out now 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. Senate Republicans secured a provision in the bipartisan, shutdown-ending government funding package that could award senators hundreds of thousands of dollars for having their phone records collected without their knowledge as part of a Biden-era investigation. That legislative language came directly from Senate Majority Leader John Thune. In an interview Monday evening, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) who claims he was one of the lawmakers to have his data subpoenaed as part of former special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into President Donald Trumps efforts to subvert the 2020 election said Thune was responsible for the inclusion of provision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leader Thune inserted that in the bill to provide real teeth to the prohibition on the Department of Justice targeting senators, Cruz said. A person close with direct knowledge of the legislations negotiations, granted anonymity to speak candidly, confirmed Thune oversaw the inclusion of the provision. It was tucked into the legislative branch spending measure for fiscal year 2026, part of a three-bill minibus of appropriations measures that Senators were set to vote on Monday night alongside a continuing resolution to fund the government through Jan. 30. The House is expected to clear the package for President Donald Trump's signature as early as Wednesday. Thunes involvement is notable as the revelations that Smith collected phone records for several Senate Republicans has emboldened GOP lawmakers, prompting them to deflect Democrats accusations of weaponization of the Trump Justice Department and claim that President Joe Bidens DOJ was looking to target conservatives. The abuse of power from the Biden Justice Department is the worst single instance of politicization our country has ever seen, he continued. I think it is Joe Biden's Watergate, and the statutory prohibition needs to have real teeth and real consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate and House Judiciary Committee Republicans are now demanding answers from Smith, with Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley of Iowa seeking information from the administration relating to the probe and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan of Ohio calling on Smith to sit for a transcribed interview. Smith has said he is eager to appear before lawmakers in an open forum. The provision states that electronic services providers must notify a Senate office if the provider receives a request to disclose the data from that senator, or senators office. Moreover, the legislative language stipulates that the provider cannot be barred from notifying the senate office under a court order, though that notification may be delayed in the event the senator in question is under criminal investigation. Chief Judge James Boasberg of the District of Columbia District Court approved measures that would have precluded phone providers from notifying the senators that their data was requested by federal law enforcement officers. Lawmakers have since renewed calls for his impeachment over the move, viewing him as hostile on a number of fronts to Trumps agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This portion of the legislative branch appropriations bill also appears to provide a cash bonus for those Senators who were targeted by Smiths probe. If the provision included in the bill is violated, the Senator can sue the federal government, and if the lawmaker succeeds in the case, the person will be awarded $500,000 or more for each violation by the government. Cruz said the provision was very directly a response to Smiths actions. Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch were not consulted on the provision as part of the otherwise bipartisan bill, according to a senior Democratic legislative aide granted anonymity to speak candidly. I am furious that the Senate Minority and Majority Leaders chose to airdrop this provision into this bill at the eleventh hour with zero consultation or negotiation with the subcommittee that actually oversees this work," said Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the ranking member of the legislative branch subcommittee, in a statement. "This is precisely what's wrong with the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was something of a swipe against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who was involved in negotiating the funding bill with Thune. Schumer's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Senate Democratic leadership aide defended the decision to include the provision, saying, "This protects the institution and Senators from an out of control Pam Bondi run Department of Justice. Asked whether the funding in the form of a payout for senators was taking money away from other programs across the federal government, Cruz criticized the Justice Department under Biden as the worst single instance of politicization our country has ever seen. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), an outspoken privacy hawk, argued that the provisions inclusion in the spending bill was very troubling, given the seeming lack of oversight or discussion around its development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that his GOP colleagues appeared to be distancing themselves from the languages origins, suggesting Thune might be providing cover for rank-and-file Republicans who could have demanded it. It seems that theres quite an effort on the other side, people saying that they dont know anything about it, he said. Which ought to be a wakeup call to everybody about the possibility of abuse. Jordain Carney contributed to this report. A federal judge is weighing whether to release hundreds of people arrested by federal agents as part of an immigration "blitz" that has shaken the Chicago area. Attorneys for the National Immigrant Justice Center have argued hundreds of undocumented migrants arrested by federal immigration agents were arrested in violation of a consent decree in place in Illinois and five neighboring states. That consent decree limits the circumstances in which agents can make warrantless arrests while enforcing civil immigration laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a court hearing this Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings is expected to share more insight into whether he will provide "equitable relief" in the form of ordering federal immigration agents to release those people on interim "alternatives to detention," which include ankle monitor programs or regular check-in appointments with immigration agents virtually via mobile apps. Last month, Judge Cummings ruled agents had violated a previously agreed-upon consent decree over warrantless arrests in the Chicago area known as the 2022 Castanon Nava settlement. Since that ruling, attorneys on both sides of the case have been working to identify how many people arrested by immigration agents this year violated the previously agreed-upon consent decree. As part of that consent decree, ICE agreed to certain conditions for arresting someone in the Chicago area without a warrant, including pre-determining whether there is probable cause to believe the person is in the country illegally, and whether they are also a flight risk; two requirements that immigrant advocates say have been flouted in hundreds cases, including the recent arrest at a Chicago day care. Protesters speak out after ICE arrests day care worker on North Side Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diana Patricia Santillana Galeano was detained by federal agents and dragged out of the Rayito de Sol's Spanish-language immersion day care on Chicago's North Side on Nov. 5 in front of other parents and children. A DHS spokesperson said Santillana Galeano fled a traffic stop and ran into the day care. The arrest sparked outrage from the community. "We had masked ICE agents following a day care educator into the day care, where there were parents, there were children," 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin said the night of Santillana Galeano's arrest. Santillana Galeano's attorneys have since filed a habeas corpus petition in federal court, seeking her release on bond. A court date has yet to be set, her attorneys told the I-Team on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her habeas petition, Santillana Galeano's attorneys argued her arrest violated the Castanon Nava consent decree as agents arrested her in the day care without a warrant. It's cases like these that Mark Fleming of the National Immigrant Justice Center believes are happening daily. "As we're digging into it, we are very concerned that many, if not most [of ICE arrests], are violations of our consent decree," Fleming told the I-Team. Fleming said so far, the list of people arrested in violation of the consent decree has grown to more than 3,000 people. "Our initial analysis is that it's over 3,000 arrests," Fleming told the I-Team. "We've started to dig into the case file that they produced to us, and the vast majority are violations. If they did not have a prior order of removal, in almost all circumstances, they've been uniformly violating the consent decree." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, Fleming said that ICE has produced a list of 3,800 people, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol has given a list of 1,200 people, but he stressed that there may be duplicate entries on both lists, so his team does not have a solid total figure yet. Also, those lists were only through the beginning of October, and do not include arrests in the last month. Fleming has argued Judge Cummings has the ability to grant equitable relief in the form of releasing those arrested in violation of the consent decree. "We had built in when we negotiated this with the government [in 2022], we were very clear that in the context of repeated material violations... that the court have the tools to provide any form of 'equitable relief' necessary, in order to fulfill the bargain that we entered into," Fleming explained. "The bargain was if you violate this, the individual be eligible for release," Fleming said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After reviewing arguments on both sides, ABC7 Chief Legal Analyst Gil Soffer said it may not be that simple. "There's not an obvious answer here," Soffer said. "In the plaintiff's favor, they have the language in the consent decree which empowers the court to exercise, really almost any equitable power." Soffer continued, "On the other side, there's a statute that makes it very difficult for the district court, federal district court, to require the government to take or not take any action in the immigration space." Attorneys representing the Department of Homeland Security have argued that Congress stripped federal courts of their authority to grant parole to large groups of immigrants in ICE custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their filings, government attorneys argue, "Congress has vested the authority to grant parole solely with the Secretary of Homeland Security... Federal courts cannot order the Department of Homeland Security to release any aliens on parole because Congress has stripped them of that authority." "There's really a conflict of provisions here," Soffer said, speaking to the statutory requirements. In their review of people arrested by agents potentially in violation of the consent decree, Fleming said more than 1,000 people are no longer in the U.S., meaning they may have been deported already after signing voluntary removal orders. "A lot of these folks have never had any interaction with law enforcement before, nor been subject to detention, and so it's horrifying," Fleming explained. Fleming continued, "What we've raised to the court is if you don't provide this interim relief, there will be no one left. At the end of this, we may find thousands of violations, but there may be no one left." A district court judge rejected a new congressional map drawn by the Utah Legislature on Monday night in favor of one provided by nonprofit groups that likely ensures a Democratic seat in Salt Lake County. The bombshell ruling was published shortly before midnight, barely meeting a deadline set by the Utah Lieutenant Governors Office to give state officers time to implement electoral changes by the 2026 midterm elections. In a 90-page ruling, 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson said lawmakers failed to comply with the Utah law, known as Proposition 4, which was narrowly approved by voters through the Better Boundaries initiative in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gibson excoriated the Legislatures proposed Map C as unlawful and criticized lawmakers for passing a set of tests to clarify Proposition 4s requirements, along with the map, during a special legislative session on Oct. 6. Shirley Izaguirre drops her ballot into a ballot bag in Kearns on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Based on the evidence presented, the Court finds that Map C was drawn with the purpose to favor Republicans ... and it unduly favors Republicans and disfavors Democrats, Gibson wrote. In short, Map C does not comply with Utah law. Gibsons decision, which bypasses the Legislatures constitutionally mandated authority over congressional districts, marks a steep escalation in a yearslong legal battle pitting lawmakers against the judicial branch. Republican state lawmakers previously vowed to appeal the case that forced them to redraw Utahs congressional boundaries to the Utah Supreme Court, and potentially all the way to the United States Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gibsons ruling will draw national attention with the creation of a likely Democratic seat in a closely divided Congress. Multiple Utah Democrats, including former congressman Ben McAdams, have already signaled interest in running. But for the parties involved, the ruling signals a seismic shift in Utahs separation of powers, with the judiciary affirming its ability to enforce the intent of voter initiatives against the wishes of a majority of elected representatives. What is the new map? Emma Petty Addams, Mormon Women for Ethical Government co-executive director, speaks at a press conference with Better Boundaries, League of Women Voters and Mormon Women for Ethical Government, after a judge rejected the Utah Legislatures congressional map outside of the 3rd District Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Gibson chose to replace Utahs current congressional map, drawn in 2021, with one put forward by the plaintiffs in the case, including the League of Women Voters Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government. We hope this sends a message to our legislators that the voices of their constituents matters and we are confident that voters will continue to see Prop 4 as a law that will preserve their constitutional rights, said Katharine Biele, president of the League of Women Voters of Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The map dramatically changes the boundaries for Utahs four members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The 1st Congressional District will shift from northern Utah to the densely urban top half of Salt Lake County. This will be a clearly blue-leaning seat, according to an analysis from the Center for Politics at University of Virginia. The 2nd District will now encompass all of northern Utah, including Logan, Ogden and North Salt Lake. The expansive 3rd District will now include Orem, Provo, all of eastern Utah and all of southern Utah, including St. George. The 4th District will now be comprised of southern Salt Lake County, Tooele County, parts of Utah County and some of central Utah. This district, like the 2nd and 3rd, will remain firmly red, the analysis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next year, instead of gerrymandered maps that diluted voters voices and kept communities divided, Utahns will finally have districts that give them a fair chance to elect representatives who truly reflect their values and priorities, Better Boundaries director Elizabeth Rasmussen said. Map 1 In their legal filings, plaintiffs said this map derived from an ensemble of 10,000 maps generated by a computer algorithm designed to comply with Proposition 4s priority-ordered redistricting criteria in a partisan-blind manner. Despite a rushed timeline implemented by Gibson, the Legislatures Map C came after extensive committee review, including 10 days of nonpartisan public comment. The map was also endorsed by the state Republican Party. Utah GOP chair Rob Axson said that Gibson stretched the law to justify taking control of redistricting and had chosen to replace lawmakers proposal with the map of activists who are not accountable to Utahns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not interpretation. It is the arrogance of a judge playing King from the bench, Axson said. This is bigger than maps it is a direct threat to our constitutional order. Prop 4 created confusion; this ruling escalates it into a constitutional crisis." How did we get here? Republican Party Chair Rob Axson exits the office of the lieutenant governor after filing paperwork to run a referendum to repeal map C and an initiative to ask the Legislature to repeal Proposition 4 at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News In 2018, Utah voters narrowly approved Proposition 4 with 50.3% of the vote, establishing an independent commission to recommend new congressional maps to the Legislature every 10 years and outlining redistricting requirements to prevent unfair partisan gerrymandering. The Utah Legislature passed a law in 2020 designating the commissions proposals as advisory, and in 2021 adopted a map critics said did not follow Proposition 4s intent because it appeared to split up the Democratic vote in Salt Lake County, making congressional seats less competitive. Plaintiffs, including the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government, sued the state Legislature in 2022, alleging that lawmakers had violated the state Constitution by repealing voters right to initiate legislation and to act as a check on gerrymandering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislature has since faced a series of unfavorable court decisions, prompting legislative discussions about new laws that could serve as an additional check on the judiciary by making judges more accountable to voters and by giving elected leaders more influence over judge-selection. In 2024, the Utah Supreme Court reinstated the original version of Proposition 4 in a decision that claimed the Legislature cannot substantially amend or repeal changes to state law that are made by ballot initiatives if the initiatives alter the structure of government. The Legislature subsequently introduced a constitutional amendment to give lawmakers the authority to override any citizen-passed initiative. Gibson quickly labelled the proposed amendment void, citing unclear ballot language and a lack of distribution in newspapers. In September, Gibson ruled that the Legislatures 2021 map violated Proposition 4 and ordered lawmakers to create a new map on a truncated timeline. GOP lawmakers lambasted the judgment but complied, begrudgingly approving a map on Oct. 6 after weeks of committee deliberation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislature also interpreted Gibsons ruling to mean that Proposition 4s requirements were too vague, and passed a law with three tests to ensure partisan symmetry. Democratic opponents argued the tests were inappropriate for a state like Utah that leans toward one party. Whats next for Utah? At the root of Utahs redistricting saga is a fundamental disagreement over the separation of powers between the Republican-led Legislature and the states court system. At dispute is whether the Legislature fulfilled its electoral responsibility, or violated the will of the people, by side-stepping the Proposition 4 law in 2021, and whether the courts have authority to tell lawmakers how to exercise a job expressly assigned to them in the state Constitution. GOP legislators have accused the Utah Supreme Court of inappropriately increasing judicial interference in the legislative process by creating a new category of ballot initiative super laws which cannot be amended, almost like a constitutional amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is deeply troubling that a Utah court would assume the responsibility assigned by the federal and state constitutions to create election maps, said Bill Duncan, the Law & Religious Freedom Fellow at Sutherland Institute. Even more troubling, the map chosen was not created by representatives of the states citizens and appears to be influenced by partisan considerations that are completely alien to the courts role. This new court-ordered status-quo removes the ability for elected representatives to craft the best policy, according to legislators, and tips the balance of power in favor of courts, by empowering judges to reverse legislative changes to ballot initiatives even years after the fact. Meanwhile, critics of the Legislature have argued that courts are simply requiring lawmakers to respect the will of the people by following laws that were created by voters, who enjoy co-equal constitutional authority to decide how their government system should be organized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people have a right to alter and reform their government, and now, they are finally getting the un-gerrymandered maps they voted for, Utah Democratic Party chair Brian King said. Its clear that the GOP is terrified of voters actually getting a voice in who represents them in Congress. Utah Republican leadership have made it clear that Mondays ruling has not put a stop to Utahs debate over how ballot initiatives should be treated and who should have the final say over which maps determine the boundaries of congressional elections for a decade at a time. During floor discussion in October, lawmakers promised to appeal Gibsons decision back to the Utah Supreme Court, or to the U.S. Supreme Court, if needed, before the 2026 midterm elections. The U.S. Supreme Court has a precedent of leaving redistricting decisions up to the legislative branch. The Utah Republican Party has also decided to take an unorthodox approach to protesting and reversing Proposition 4. Party chair Rob Axson has filed a ballot initiative of his own which would give voters a second chance to vote on whether to have an independent redistricting commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 24, Axson filed an application for a direct initiative, sponsored by several leading Republicans, including Utah Sen. Mike Lee and Utah Attorney General Derek Brown, that would allow voters to remove the language of Prop 4 from Utah code during the 2026 election. A Deseret News-Hinckley Institute of Politics poll conducted in October found that a plurality of Utah voters continue to support Proposition 4, with 44% of respondents saying they would support a similar proposal again, 20% saying they would oppose it and 36% saying they did not know. Before the initiative language gets placed on the ballot, the GOP must submit 140,000 valid signatures by Feb. 14. The party will begin collecting signatures this week, Axson said, after completing 14 public hearings to inform voters about why they should reverse the 2018 initiative with another one. Contributing: Suzanne Bates Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. recently reported third quarter earnings, revealing revenue of US$122.06 million and net income of US$40.08 million, both up substantially from the prior year, and announced an increase in its full-year 2025 total revenue guidance to US$290 millionUS$310 million. This combination of stronger-than-expected performance and raised financial outlook suggests the company is experiencing improved operational momentum within its core business lines. With Ironwood Pharmaceuticals raising its financial guidance for 2025, we'll explore how this development reshapes the company's investment narrative. Explore 28 top quantum computing companies leading the revolution in next-gen technology and shaping the future with breakthroughs in quantum algorithms, superconducting qubits, and cutting-edge research. Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Investment Narrative Recap To be a shareholder in Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, you need to believe the company can effectively monetize its core product portfolio while executing on future pipeline opportunities. The recent raised revenue guidance and Q3 earnings outperformance are positives for sentiment but do not fully offset the short-term Medicare Part D pricing risk to LINZESS, nor the need for ongoing execution as new products approach regulatory milestones. Among Ironwoods recent announcements, the FDAs requirement for a confirmatory Phase 3 trial for apraglutides approval is most central to growth catalysts discussed in this news. The timeline and outcome of that trial now directly impact the potential for future revenue inflection and validate the company's evolving investment case. However, against the momentum of higher revenue guidance, investors should be aware that heightened Medicare Part D pricing pressures could test profitability sooner than expected... Read the full narrative on Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (it's free!) Ironwood Pharmaceuticals' narrative projects $197.3 million in revenue and $27.2 million in earnings by 2028. This requires a 14.7% yearly revenue decline and a $59.5 million increase in earnings from current earnings of -$32.3 million. Uncover how Ironwood Pharmaceuticals' forecasts yield a $0.95 fair value, a 62% downside to its current price. Exploring Other Perspectives IRWD Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025 Five members of the Simply Wall St Community estimate IRWDs fair value between US$0.23 and US$12.78 per share. As you weigh these varied outlooks, keep in mind short-term revenue gains face meaningful risks from industry pricing headwinds. Explore 5 other fair value estimates on Ironwood Pharmaceuticals - why the stock might be worth less than half the current price! A jury on Monday sided with the woman who accused North Carolina TikTok influencer Brenay Kennard of ruining her marriage with her ex-husband. A Superior Court judge then ordered Kennard to pay $1.5 million for alienation of affection and $250,000 for criminal conversation. Kennard represented herself in the civil case, where she was accused of stealing Akira Montagues husband, Timothy Montague, and flaunting the alleged affair on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Carolina is one of the few states where someone can sue the person their spouse had an affair with. Akira Montague, right, embraces attorney Robonetta Jones following the jurys verdict in her lawsuit against Brenay Kennard on Monday. Akiras lawsuit, which sought $3.5 million in damages, also accused Kennard of criminal conversation a legal term for having sex with someones spouse. Jury members deliberated for roughly one hour and 50 minutes. After court was adjourned, Montagues supporters spotted her rocking and hugging Robonetta Jones, her attorney. They cheered for two minutes straight with chants of Team A-kira! ringing through Courtroom 7A. Final day in court Jones started the final day of the trial in Durham Monday by concluding her cross examination of Kennard. She presented two videos to Kennard, one where she bought a pregnancy test after saying I am getting down and dirty in the sheets. Kennard denied being sexually active at that time. Brenay Kennard, the defendant in an alienation of affection lawsuit, reacts following the announcement of the jurys verdict in a Durham County courtroom on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. The jury sided with Akira Montague, who accused Kennard of ruining her marriage with her ex-husband. Jones showed another video where Kennard said, I make her very uncomfortable. Kennard admitted her referred to Akira Montague but said uncomfortable could mean many things. She again denied being sexually active with Timothy Montague while he and Akira were together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennard previously testified she was unaware her relationship with Timothy made Akira uncomfortable. The case caught national attention because Kennard has 3 million followers on TikTok. Kennard is a lifestyle influencer who posts get ready with me videos, cooking and makeup tutorials and food reviews known as mukbangs. She lives in the Pitt County town of Winterville. Timothy Montague prepares to testify as a witness in the Durham County Superior Court civil trial on Nov. 6. His ex-wifes lawsuit accused TikTok influencer Brenay Kennard of having an illegal relationship with him. When called as a witness for rebuttal after Kennard left the stand Monday, Akira Montague again emphasized the love and affection she and Timothy Montague showed for each other. She said they have matching True Love tattoos. Akira Montague disputed Timothys testimony Thursday that the two separated in 2021, saying he came home every weekend and had sex with her. Closing statements In the plaintiffs closing statement, Jones emphasized that Akira never consented to Timothy and Kennards relationship, using a text where Akira asked Timothy if he and Kennard were a thing as evidence she wouldnt ask that question if she consented to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones disputed Kennards testimony that she was drunk in videos where she was seen twerking on Timothy and appearing to talk about having sex with him. Being intoxicated doesnt excuse you from twerking on another womans husband in the bathroom, Jones said. Jones pointed to a Snapchat story on Kennards account where she answered a question about her legal troubles and said Timothy was worth it. Ladies and gentlemen, it is your job to figure out how much hes worth, Jones said. In Kennards closing statement, she kept her remarks shorter. The lawsuit was only for financial gain and retaliation, she said, claiming she was an easy target given her profile as an influencer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennard said she couldnt be the reason Timothy wanted to leave because he had free will. This was a marriage that had been falling apart for years, Kennard said. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. NC TikTok stars alienation of affection case Here are previous stories from the case. NC TikTok star Brenay Kennard arrested and charged with cyberstalking Influencer Brenay Kennard is being sued for alienation of affection. What is that? Tensions boil over in courtroom of NC TikTok stars alienation of affection trial Tensions boil over in courtroom of NC TikTok stars alienation of affection trial NC TikTok stars husband takes the stand in alienation of affection trial NC TikTok star testifies in trial accusing her of alienation of affection A Kansas City man who was shot by police while attempting to flee from an arrest earlier this year pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to five years in prison. Robert Lee Beebe, 35, pleaded guilty to one count each of unlawful possession of a firearm and first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle. A charge of resisting arrest was dismissed. Jackson County Judge Bryan E. Round accepted Beebes plea, found him guilty and sentenced him to five years in prison for each count, with the sentences running concurrently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Round recommended that Beebe be placed in a 120-day program chosen by the Missouri Department of Corrections. If Beebe successfully completes the program, he could be released on probation. If not, he may have to serve his prison sentence. According to court documents, Kansas City police officers attempted to pull over a gray Jeep that Beebe was a passenger in about 5:15 p.m. on March 18 for a traffic violation. The Jeeps driver, however, fled and the Jeep was found unoccupied in a Kansas City, Kansas, parking garage. An officer in a police helicopter overhead following the pursuit told officers the occupants of the Jeep got inside a black Infiniti, with the driver of the Jeep now the passenger. The driver of the Infiniti was later identified as Beebe. Kansas Highway Patrol troopers and the police helicopter followed the Infiniti to the state line. At one point, the passenger bailed from the car and was taken into custody in the 700 block of Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kansas Highway Patrol troopers discontinued pursuit when the Infiniti crossed over into Missouri. The police helicopter continued to follow, and officers saw Beebe drive into oncoming traffic and fail to stop at several traffic lights. He then pulled into a parking lot in the 1600 block of Jefferson Street in Kansas Citys Westside neighborhood. Two Kansas City police officers approached the Infiniti and told Beebe to exit the vehicle. A witness who was along for a ride-along with one of the officers told police that Beebe drove backwards, then forwards and then backwards again, hitting the police vehicle on the second pass, according to court documents. The witness said she ducked and then heard gunshots and yelling. One of the officers had fired at least five shots at Beebe, hitting and injuring him, according to court documents. No one else was injured. After the shooting, an ambulance took him to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. Investigators determined the Infiniti had been stolen. They also allegedly recovered a loaded gun from the car. KANSAS CITY, Mo. In the City of Fountains, with more than 200 across the metro, one in particular brings Vietnam War veteran Art Fillmore to tears. This isnt right, he said. Its really an afront to a lot of people who did a very unpopular thing, knowing they probably wouldnt come back. [They] took that risk anyway, and then 50 years later youre still getting spit on. Mizzou student from Overland Park charged in dorm strangling Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fillmore spearheaded a memorial project with fellow Vietnam veteran Bob Waechter, his brother from another mother, he calls him. We knew nobody was going to build a memorial for us, so we built it ourselves, Fillmore told FOX4. The veterans took a blueprint and built something beautiful: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain, a five-pool memorial fountain off Broadway Boulevard. The growing size of the pools represents the increasing American involvement in the war. The water flowing into two separate sides symbolizes a divided country. There are 451 names etched into a memorial wall that crests one side of the fountain, all people who died in the Vietnam War and called Kansas City home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This whole park is a tribute to the warriors, not to the war, Fillmore said. When FOX4 met with Fillmore on a warm, sunny day before the fountains get shut off for the cold weather, this one had no water. It did have glass and trash a stark contrast from the fountain and park dedication Fillmore remembers in Sept. 1986. 1986: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain in Kansas City 2025: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain in Kansas City There was a stage right up there on that street, Fillmore told FOX4. There wasnt a spot here anyplace in the park where you could stand. But now Fillmore cant even stand to look at it. Katie Waechter cant bear it either. This is just a ripple effect of neglect, Waechter said. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain in Kansas City Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain in Kansas City Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain in Kansas City Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain in Kansas City Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain in Kansas City Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain in Kansas City Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain in Kansas City She grew up at the memorial her late father helped build. For him and every other veteran, shes advocating for the complete repair of the fountain. She applied for public improvement funds through the city to fix it. If approved, money must be allocated in next years city budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its offensive, and it needs to be dealt with, she said. When FOX4 visited the fountain, water was not flowing due to a broken pipe. That issue has since been fixed, but an assessment of the fountain, which FOX4 obtained, indicates the needed repairs extend far beyond a broken pipe. According to that estimate, it would cost $2.9 million to bring the fountain in working order and up to ADA compliance. We have that rolling motion of inaction that has now led to a very messy and expensive site, Waechter said. This is really a combination of decades of people not stepping up to responsibilities. Waechter blames the Kansas City Parks Department, which owns the fountain. She also blames the City of Fountains Foundation, a nonprofit that holds $100,000 in an endowment from when it was dedicated. That money, Fillmore said, was intended for maintenance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parking fines piling up despite valid handicap tags for downtown KC employees Mark McHenry, president of the City of Fountains Foundation, said the nonprofit works to fill the gap for maintenance on fountains. However, some fountains have larger endowments than others. A $100,000 endowment is on the smaller end, he said. McHenry said the endowment earns interest from which the foundation draws on for upkeep, and it cannot spend the lump sum. McHenry told FOX4 the foundation supports any effort to beautify city fountainsbut said ultimately, its on the parks department, city budget, and private donations. FOX4 is working for you and obtained the maintenance records for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain. We received a Word Document, about 200 words that appears more like a to-do list than an official record documenting the fountains repairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parks director, Chris Cotten, refused to do an interview with FOX4 until the department finalized a report on all of the city fountains, he said. Instead, FOX4 obtained a draft of that report, which states that the condition of this fountain is the sixth worst graded fountain of the nearly 50 fountains that the city owns. We did ask councilman Eric Bunch, who represents the district where the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain sits, about the needed repairs. He told FOX4 they are evaluating whether smaller-scale repairs or a phased approach could be viable in the short term. Bunch also said this highlights a larger issue: How do we do a better job of identifying, planning for and funding the long-term maintenance of our amenities? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because long-term is important for Fillmore. For only by remembering, can we assure that it never happens again, he 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Perhaps seeing opportunity through the eyes of Lifeway Foods officials, Gertrude somehow seemed pleased with herself as she stood in her usual statuesque position outside the historic Waukesha dairy facility. Of course, the iconic cow sculpture can't really crack a smile, having staunchly worn the same contented look she has for decades. But she stands at the front of a facility that has entered the second phase of a four-phase, $45 million expansion project that will double its production capacity by the end of 2026. "Lifeways expansion here in Waukesha is a celebration of growth, innovation and community, Lifeway Foods CEO Julie Smolyansky said in a news release announcing a Nov. 10 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the second phase. "As we continue our four-phase project, were investing not just in infrastructure, but in the people and partnerships that have fueled our success." Lifeway adds production capacity in 2025 and 2026 Known for its kefir production at the Delafield Street facility since 2015, Lifeway entered the four-phase expansion in 2025, recently completing its first phase. That investment is a significant step, as well as a sign of Lifeway's growing presence locally, making Waukesha an important global hub of kefir production, company officials said at the ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Each phase brings us closer to doubling our total output by 2026, ensuring that Lifeway continues to remain America's undisputed leader in probiotic culture dairy," Smolyansky said via Zoom during the ceremony. Phase 2 features a cooling system for Lifeways expanded fermentation and bottling operations. The first phase, recently completed, expanded the number of fermentation tanks used to culture Lifeways protein-packed kefir. The third and fourth phases will incorporate high-speed packing and processing improvements. All three remaining phases of Lifeway Foods' expansion are targeting completion in 2026, though cost factors could delay some work, officials said. Lifeway Foods site was long associated with Golden Guernsey While Lifeway Foods has used the facility at 2101 Delafield St., near the Waukesha County Expo Center grounds, since 2015, the site's history runs much deeper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Golden Guernsey, named for a bovine species known for dairy production (and from which Gertrude is styled), operated at the site for generations as a regional processor, bottler and distributor. However, facing industry shifts, the company declared bankruptcy and abruptly closed the site in January 2013. Lifeway Foods, based in Morton Grove, Illinois, acquired the facility in a bankruptcy auction for $7.4 million in early 2013 and began processing and bottling operations the next year before beginning to process kefir a product company officials describe as "a tart and tangy cultured dairy beverage packed with protein, calcium and live probiotics." Lifeway spokesperson Dan Johnson said during the ceremony that the company buys 100 million pounds of milk from Wisconsin dairy farms each year. "This is the bread and butter of Lifeway's production," he said. Municipal officials tout Lifeway Foods facility's (and Gertrude's) history Local dignitaries including Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow and Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly who spoke at a gathering inside Lifeway ahead of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, praised the company's investment and noted the site's history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Lifeway announcing a major expansion is great ... but it also adds to the tale of Waukesha and Waukesha County basically being built upon dairy," Reilly said. "Milwaukee may be known as where the champagne of beers is produced, but Waukesha shall now be known as where the champagne of milk is produced." He also offered a nod toward Gertrude. "I thank Lifeway for expanding upon our dairy industry," he said, "and for continuing to brighten our day with Gertrude." Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Lifeway Foods expands in bid to double kefir production in Waukesha In the near future, Indiana University students could start designing brand strategies for key local and regional companies and get paid to do it. Thats the idea behind K+M Collective, a collaboration between Indiana Universitys Kelley School of Business and The Media School that will effectively let students work as strategists at a fully-outfitted consulting firm, receiving both course credits and compensation in the process. The consulting collective will start work in the Spring 2026 semester, with some 20 to 30 students across both schools expected in the first cohort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have students that are next-generation thinkers and innovators, and they come with solutions that are so amazing, said Nancy Paton, a teaching professor of marketing at Kelley who will lead the K+M Collective. Its a win-win for students and the companies theyll work with. Student-led consulting group to focus on Indiana, Bloomington companies Equipped with professional faculty input, students next semester will start offering research, strategy, and marketing to clients from across the country, with a strong focus on serving Indiana and the local Bloomington economy. Students will first complete a seminar class before entering into paid consulting opportunities. Theyre going to gain real-world consulting experience, Paton said. It kind of bridges the gap between the classroom theory and professional practice. Kelley School of Businesss on Friday, June 20, 2025. Consulting internship opportunities are highly competitive, Paton notes, meaning not all students might get an opportunity to work in the field before graduating. Paton hopes the hands-on, fully autonomous consulting experience students receive through K+M Collective will help them gain vital work experience, and help them decide if the field is right for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its really going to be a functioning consulting firm, Paton said. I think we are really going to engage in, and benefit from, this next-generation thinking that these students are going to provide. Consulting group offers experiential learning opportunity before entering field The launch of K+M Collective comes at a time when employers increasingly expect new hires to enter the field with some sort of early career experience be it an internship, apprenticeship, or capstone course. A 2023 survey found almost 40% of employers avoid hiring new graduates in favor of more experienced candidates; nearly 60% of employers feel new graduates are unprepared to enter the workforce. Recent graduates are no longer expected to learn on the job; to be competitive, employers expect new hires to have hands-on experience before they receive their diploma. As this shift has happened, universities have increasingly focused on experiential learning opportunities to bridge the gap between classroom learning and hands-on skill acquisition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pat Hopkins, dean of the Kelley School, said that even as students get paid for their work, the main priority of the collective will be on delivering an educational opportunity. Theres an explicit understanding that our award-winning faculty will be in the feedback loop, Hopkins said. Thats pretty powerful. Ahead of the spring semester launch, Hopkins and Paton say theres already strong interest from companies in Bloomington and beyond. And while K+M consultants may be younger than some companies are used to working with, Paton says shes confident that companies will be impressed with the unique perspective and multi-disciplinary approach the students deliver. Its an understanding that an organization can succeed by investing in tomorrows innovators, Paton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the people interested have a willingness to partner on our educational mission, with the acknowledgement that theyll get something great out of it, Hopkins said. I really think well have clients for the foreseeable future. Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com. Follow him on X/Twitter at @brianwritesnews. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana University K+M Collective lets students work in consulting A claim circulated online in November 2025 that the Trump administration removed a memorial honoring fallen African-American soldiers in the Netherlands. The claim originated from a report in Dutch media that said the visitor center at the American Cemetery in Margraten, the Netherlands, removed two panels about the contributions of African-American soldiers in the U.S. armed forces during World War II. The report suggested the removal could be connected to U.S. President Donald Trump's policies targeting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), which manages American commemorative military cemeteries and memorials worldwide, said in an emailed statement that it temporarily removed one panel from display because it was part of a rotating exhibition that also featured other African-American soldiers. The group said it "rotated out" another panel following a review by former ABMC Secretary Charles Djou, whom former U.S. President Joe Biden nominated to the post. Janice Wiggins, the widow of one of the soldiers featured in the removed panels who lobbied for the display's creation, said via email the panels were never meant to be rotating exhibitions and that she was not aware of the ABMC's alleged review. The timing of the removal remained unclear. Dutch media and Black Liberators in the Netherlands, a project researching the contributions of African-American soldiers in the Netherlands during World War II, said visitors spotted the removal during the summer of 2025. Lawmakers in Margraten, where the American Cemetery is located, called for a temporary memorial to African-American World War II soldiers to be placed outside the cemetery grounds. According to reports, Theo Bovens, the chair of Black Liberators in the Netherlands, said he would ask Joseph Popolo, Trump's appointed ambassador to the Netherlands, about the removal of the panels. In November 2025, a claim (archived) circulated online that the Trump administration removed a memorial honoring fallen African-American soldiers in the Netherlands. The Facebook page Occupy Democrats wrote, "BREAKING: The Trump regime has removed a memorial honoring fallen Black soldiers who helped liberate Europe in WWII!" The claim also circulated on Instagram (archived), Threads (archived), X (archived) and Bluesky (archived). Snopes readers wrote in asking if the claim was true. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a series of posts (archived) from the Bluesky user @chriso-wiki.bsky.social, who writes about military history, Dutch media first reported that two panels (archived) at the American Cemetery in Margraten, a village in the Limburg province of the Netherlands, had gone missing from the cemetery's visitors' center. The panels reportedly informed visitors about the role of African-American soldiers in World War II. The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), which manages American commemorative military cemeteries and memorials worldwide, said in an emailed statement on Nov. 10, 2025, that one panel featuring Technician Fourth Class George H. Pruitt "is currently off display, though not out of rotation." The ABMC said that the agency "rotated out" a second panel based on "internal review of interpretive content under ABMC's previous secretary." The statement did not clarify what the review, allegedly carried out by Charles Djou, former U.S. President Joe Biden's nominated ABMC Secretary, entailed. Snopes reached out to Djou to confirm whether he carried out a "review of interpretive content" that resulted in the removal of the panel in question and await a reply to our query. The date of removal was also uncertain, as the ABMC did not confirm that detail in its statement. The reputable Dutch newspaper NRC reported the visitor center removed the panels "sometime this year," meaning 2025. Sebastiaan Vonk, a researcher with Black Liberators in the Netherlands, a project dedicated to sharing the contributions of African-American soldiers in the Netherlands during World War II, said via email that a visitor first noticed the panels disappeared "this summer." Given the above, we leave the claim unrated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black Liberators in the Netherlands, whose researchers contributed to the wording on the removed panels, did not know about the removal ahead of time, according to Vonk. On Nov. 17, 2025, Joseph Popolo, the new U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands, wrote (archived) on X that it was his understanding that the ABMC was "refurbishing and rotating panels that celebrate our heroic African-American soldiers" and that "Any criticism of @POTUS or the men and women of the ABMC is inappropriate and ill-informed." (@POTUS is the official X handle of the president.) Panels part of push to show history of African-American soldiers Vonk said the visitor center installed the panel in part following a push from then-U.S. Ambassador Shefali Razdan Duggal as part of "an effort to ensure that the African American experience in the U.S. armed forces during World War II would be represented in the main exhibition of the new visitor center." Janice Wiggins, the widow of Jefferson Wiggins, an African-American soldier who worked as a gravedigger at Margraten and whose story was featured on one of the removed panels and in the Black Liberators in Europe research project, told Snopes via email that she and Duggal had lobbied for the creation of the panels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wiggins wrote, "Despite some current news reports, these panels were never intended to be part of a traveling exhibit or rotation. They were intended to be a permanent part of the Visitors Center exhibits." Wiggins added that she was "not familiar" with the ACMB's claimed review. Researcher linked Trump admin policies to panel removal Theo Bovens, the chair of Black Liberators in the Netherlands, reportedly told Newsweek that Black Liberators could only "guess" at the reasons behind the removal of the panels. Wiggins also told Snopes she had no advance notice about the removal of the panels or the reason behind it. In the NRC report, Kees Ribbens, senior researcher at the NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, speculated that the removal could be "aligned" with the Trump administration's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ribbens said that "a complaint against the ABMC appeared on the website of The Heritage Foundation" in March 2025 relating to the ABMC's compliance with Trump administration policies. The Heritage Foundation is a conservative think tank in the U.S. that oversaw the creation of Project 2025, a proposed plan for a Republican presidential administration that it hoped the Trump administration would follow. A Heritage spokesman said Ribbens was likely referring to an Op-Ed piece by a former staffer written in March 2020. The Op-Ed claimed the ABMC still employed a "Chief Diversity Officer" months after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to end "illegal DEI and 'diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility' (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government, under whatever name they appear." The spokesman said claims that the Heritage Foundation published a "complaint" against the ABMC were "untrueno such complaint exists." ABMC reportedly told the Heritage Foundation at the time that it had placed its chief diversity officer on administrative leave. Uncertainty remains over panel removals ABMC's statement did not directly corroborate speculation that the removal of the panels was due to Trump administration policy. According to the statement, the Pruitt panel was part of a rotating exhibition of 15 panels, four of which reportedly featured African-American soldiers. The ABMC said it "rotated out" the Wiggins panel following a content review carried out by the previous Biden-appointed agency secretary, according to the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snopes reached out to Djou, the secretary in question, to ask about this review and await a reply. We also asked Djou about Wiggins' claim that the panels were meant to be permanent exhibitions. Wiggins said she was not informed about the review that allegedly resulted in the removal of the Wiggins panel. Gemeente Eijsden-Margraten, the local authority in Margraten, issued an appeal (archived) to the ABMC to "reconsider the removal of the panels and to give the stories of the Black Liberators a permanent place in the Visitor Center." Local lawmakers had also reportedly proposed a temporary "memorial for Black American liberators" outside the grounds of the cemetery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google Translate provided translations from Dutch into English. Sources: "About - Black Liberators." English, https://blackliberators.nl/en/about. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025. Canaparo, GianCarlo. "What Does DEI Have to Do With Preserving American Battlefield Memorials?" The Daily Signal, 12 Mar. 2025, http://www.dailysignal.com/2025/03/12/scrutiny-battlefield-preservation-agency-complies-trump-dei-order/. Cook, Ellie. "Memorial to Black US Soldiers Who Died in WW2 Quietly Removed." Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025, https://www.newsweek.com/memorial-to-black-us-soldiers-who-died-in-ww2-quietly-removed-11020241. "Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing." The White House, 21 Jan. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-radical-and-wasteful-government-dei-programs-and-preferencing/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Jefferson Wiggins - Black Liberators." English, https://blackliberators.nl/en/stories/jefferson-wiggins. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025. Op Margraten Zijn Twee Panelen over Zwarte Amerikaanse Bevrijders van Nederland Opeens Weg. 'Past Bij Beleid van de Regering-Trump.' https://archive.ph/h7mCT. Steen, Paul van der. "Limburgse Statenleden Willen Tijdelijke Herdenkingsplek Voor Zwarte Bevrijders." NRC, 8 Nov. 2025, https://archive.ph/wlnB8#selection-1211.3-1224.0. "The Commission." American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), https://www.abmc.gov/about-us/the-commission/. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025. van der Steen, Paul. "Op Margraten Zijn Twee Panelen over Zwarte Amerikaanse Bevrijders van Nederland Opeens Weg. 'Past Bij Beleid van de Regering-Trump.'" NRC, 7 Nov. 2025, https://archive.ph/h7mCT#selection-1487.0-1942.0. Updates: Nov. 19, 2025: This report was updated to include an X post from the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands. Question : With all the news about SNAP, I have a question : Could I get it to buy pet food ? In the past, Ive resisted going on food stamps, but since I inherited my neighbors cats when she passed away unexpectedly I am spending more of my food budget on them. Answer : No, payments from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cannot be used to buy pet food, along with many other items, including vitamins, alcohol, tobacco products, cleaning supplies, diapers, hygiene products, etc., according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food and Nutrition Service. Although you wouldnt be able to use SNAP to buy pet food, you could use your own money to buy pet food and use SNAP to buy food for yourself, assuming that you are eligible for the program. For more information and to apply online, go to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is other help for people who need help feeding their pets, including from the Hawaiian Humane Societys pet food bank, which relies solely on donations from the community, pet stores and the Hawaii Food Bank, according to its website. The pet food bank is intended as a temporary resource for people struggling to feed their pets, not as a households sole source of pet food. It is for personal pets only, not for cat colony caregivers or for individuals feeding free-roaming cats. The pets receiving the food generally must be spayed or neutered. If your situation qualifies, bring a completed application () and photo ID to either Humane Society location, which each have a pet food bank open twice a week ; dog and cat food is available, the website says. Also bring your own reusable bag to carry dry food home. Eligible applicants can pick up food for their pets once a month, depending on availability, it says. Here are the locations and open hours :Moiliili campus : 2700 Waialae Avenue, front parking lot, open Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Hoopili campus : 91-1945 Fort Weaver Road, near the front entrance, open Sundays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information, see. A final note on SNAP, which is federally funded through the USDA, administered at the federal level by the FNS and administered at the state level by the Hawaii Department of Human Services. Benefits are deposited on Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, which clients use as debit cards. State-level administrators remind applicants to keep their scheduled appointments, as applications continue to be processed during the federal government shutdown. Q : Regarding emergency funding for Native Hawaiians hurt by the federal government shutdown, do we have to be living in Hawaii ? A : Yes. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has allocated a total of $6.1 million to help Native Hawaiians who are struggling in Hawaii because of the federal government shutdown. For full eligibility rules and instructions on how to apply go to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Q : Auwe ! Tax services have been severely affected during the shutdown and I havent heard hardly anybody talking about that. A : IRS operations are limited during the budget impasse, although all taxpayers must continue to meet their tax obligations as normal, the agency says on its website. Tax refunds generally are not being paid, with a key exception. For taxpayers filing a Form 1040, refunds will continue to be paid on electronically filed, error-free tax returns that can be automatically processed and direct deposited, it says. Mahalo On Nov. 1, this 89-year-old senior citizen went to Makiki Zippys to partake of her favorite breakfast. Upon finishing her meal, she was informed that someone had paid for the breakfast. What a pleasant surprisethank you, thank you !LHN------------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email.------------ Lakeland PBS has canceled a weekly program focused on issues and events affecting central and northern Minnesota "as a direct result of federal funding rescissions." The PBS station based in Bemidji and Brainerd announced Monday that it will no longer produce "Lakeland Currents." "Losing this essential funding has created a critical gap that we cannot overcome without major changes," Lakeland PBS said in an announcement posted to Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For 18 seasons, "Lakeland Currents" has brought in local leaders, citizens and experts for conversations on topics relevant to rural viewers, including cancer treatment, drug addition counseling, public school funding, and family farming. The program aired new episodes on Fridays at 8 p.m. It was hosted by Ray Gildow and Todd Haugen. "We have been honored through the years to have educated conversations with community leaders, causes, and current topics that matter to you," Lakeland PBS said. Lakeland PBS is currently navigating a $1 million gap in its budget, according to the station. The Trump administration's massive tax and spending bill rescinds $1.1 billion in federal funding previously allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which distributes that money to local PBS and NPR affiliates nationwide, like Lakeland PBS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the bill was enacted in July, affiliates including TPT and MPR in the Twin Cities have resorted to layoffs and program cuts. PBS North recently canceled Almanac North, a long-running, weekly program, due to loss of federal funding. "Thank you to everyone who made this program possible," Lakeland PBS said. "Your support now is more crucial than ever to protect the rest of our services." Lakeland PBS broadcasts to about 383,500 people across an estimated 7,500 square miles in northern and central Minnesota. Lakeland PBS | Facebook This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Nov 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the MN Lifestyle section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. A convicted Albanian drug dealer has been on the run for more than a year after being released from prison by mistake. He was freed in error in August 2024 after serving time for a class B drug offence and is one of at least three offenders let out accidentally who remain at large. The other two known to be on the run are British. One was in prison for aggravated burglary when they were freed accidentally in June. The other was freed in error in December 2024 after being held in prison for failing to surrender to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The disclosures came as David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, faced MPs for the first time since a showdown over the issue last Wednesday, when he had refused to confirm whether another migrant had been released by mistake. In a statement, he told the Commons that 353 prisoners have been released in error between Apr 1 2024 and Oct 31 this year, including more than 90 convicted sex or violent offenders. He admitted the system for prison releases was so chaotic that officials did not know if an offender was or was not released accidentally on Nov 3. Mr Lammy told MPs: Ive been informed this afternoon that HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) are investigating a further case of a potential release in error on 3 November, who may still be at large. Mr Lammy admitted another potential accidental prisoner release was being investigated - AFP The paper-based system for calculating release dates, checking for outstanding warrants, identifying aliases and determining whether sentences are concurrent or consecutive is so complicated that officials are still trying to work out whether the freed prisoner should be classed as at large or as having been legitimately released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Number 10 spokesman said the numbers were symptomatic of a system that the Government inherited, of a prison system under severe strain, a failing criminal justice system, adding: The public are right to be shocked by these cases. Of the 353 prisoners freed by mistake since Apr 1 2024, 91 were released between Apr 1 and Oct 31 this year. These latest figures had been demanded by Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, who had warned he would call for Mr Lammy to quit if he failed to come clean on the data. Mr Jenrick said: The public are being endangered as this circus rumbles on week after week, with no end in sight. As we all suspected, the crisis on his governments watch is even bigger than he dared admit. Thats why he wouldnt say anything last week. 10m AI system to replace paperwork Mr Lammy revealed Algerian sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, was accidentally released from HMP Wandsworth because of a breakdown in communication between two prisons which meant an email telling staff about a warrant for his arrest for burglary was not read. He was recaptured nine days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Secretary said the error in the paperwork pre-dated his introduction of tough new checks including for duty governors to be physically present when foreign prisoners are released. He told MPs: I give an unequivocal apology to all who have faced worry, or worse as a result of releases in error. He said that included the family of the 14-year-old girl sexually assaulted by Ethiopian asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu, who has now been deported. Kebatu, 41, was the first high-profile foreign offender to be freed accidentally, sparking a 48-hour manhunt before he was caught and deported to Ethiopia. Mr Lammy announced he had set up a new justice performance board, and had asked former police chief Dame Lynne Owens to widen her inquiry to include the adequacy of data collected and published on releases in error. A team of data scientists will review historic releases to understand what is going wrong. There will also be a fast-track courts hotline so prison staff can quickly check for outstanding warrants before offenders are released. Some 10m has been earmarked to digitise and deploy AI to replace the current paper-based system. 05:09pm Thats all for today Thanks for joining us. 05:08pm Error prison releases - the figures David Lammy has confirmed recent figures of prisoners released in error. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told the Commons that 353 prisoners have been released in error since March 2024, including 91 released in error from April to October this year. The 262 accidental early releases between March 2024 to March 2025, three were convicted of sexual offences and 87 were convicted for violence against a person. At least three offenders remain at large. 05:03pm Lammy dangerously out of his depth, says shadow crime minister David Lammy is dangerously out of his depth. How are we in a situation where the **Justice Secretary** doesn't know what's going on in our prisons?! https://t.co/NByEtmMwg1 Matt Vickers MP (@Matt_VickersMP) November 11, 2025 04:52pm Prison early release crisis affects prisons across country, Lammy admits The prisons early release crisis is affecting prisons across the country - but some more than others, David Lammy has said. He told the Commons: I have released more data today than ever before. The data release is most often in July. If 17 prisoners in 2024 were being released in error every month, that will touch many of our prisons across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a difference in the prisons - and particularly those that have a lot of churn and are letting people out on a more frequent basis than others. 04:43pm Government has lost control on prisoner releases, says Lib Dems The Lib Dems have accused the Government of losing control on accidental prisoner releases. Jess Brown-Fuller, the Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman, said: This has been a complete shambles from the start, and its a disgrace that the Government is yet to get a grip. Lammys announcement today only confirms what we already know: the Government has been totally inept at managing the justice system. Ninety-one prisoners have been wrongly released in the last six months, with the figure looking to rise further - that is simply indefensible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every resource must go into finding those released and protecting the public. The British people deserve competence, not chaos, when it comes to protecting public safety. 04:32pm Lammy rejects calls to punish prisoners who dont own up to mistaken releases David Lammy has turned down a suggestion to punish prisoners who dont own up to mistaken release. The Justice Secretary was asked if he had considered prisoners should hold some responsibility if they believe they are being wrongly released, and should face a deterrant as well as a check of a penalty if they do not identify that when they are being released. Calling the suggestion a reasonable point, Mr Lammy told the Commons: The truth is that, because of the complexity of the various early release schemes, the numerous guidance that exists, the many many different thresholds that often the prisoner himself is not completely aware of if they should be released on Monday or Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And sometimes its possible that when a prisoner has been released in error its by days, not years. He conceded that we do need to make sure theres an obligation on the prisoner. AFP 04:29pm Analysis: paper-based systems are causing early prison release chaos b' ' The chaotic nature of the paper-based system for releasing prisoners could not be better illustrated than by Justice Secretary David Lammys admission that one recently freed offender may or may not be at large. The Deputy Prime Minister told MPs: Ive been informed this afternoon that HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) are investigating a further case of a potential release in error on 3 November, who may still be at large. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What this means is that officials do not know whether the prisoners release eight days ago was or was not a mistake - and therefore whether he is at large. As sources explained, staff are having to check whether the offender might have an outstanding warrant of which the prison was unaware when he was released. The problem can be confounded by criminals using multiple aliases, even when they are logged by the criminal justice system. Added to this is the complication of a prisoner with multiple sentences, some of which may be running concurrently and others consecutively. That relies on having clear and prompt information from courts which are as much under pressure as the creaking overcrowded prison system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not to excuse the fact that the public are being put at risk by these accidental releases. The country is paying the price of years of under-investment, ever more complicated sentencing as a result of multiple different early release schemes under Tories and Labour and shortages of experienced staff. As Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, put it succinctly in The Telegraph at the weekend: The increasing frequency of these embarrassing and potentially dangerous mistakes is not just the result of an overcomplicated sentencing framework; it is a symptom of a system that is close to breaking point. 04:26pm Lammys lags causing prison release errors, accuses Jenrick Robert Jenrick has called prison release errors Lammys lags. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shadow chancellor told the House: Two weeks ago he came to the House and said hed put in place the strongest checks ever to stop releases in error. 48 hours later another prisoner with a history of sex offences was released in error. Seven days later and a fraudster was let out the very day - he was sentenced to 45 months inside. And today he admits he may have lost another prisoner that same day. Theyre Lammys lags. 04:23pm I released prisoner data early, says Lammy David Lammy has told the Commons he released data of 91 prison releases in error early for public interest. He said: New data my Department published today shows that from April to the end of October this year, there were 91 releases in error from prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further data on the breakdown of offences are official statistics that need to be combed through in detail before being put in the public domain. There was not a publication due today, but we recognised the public interest in being transparent about the overall number. 04:22pm Lammy colleages have unbridled contempt for him, says Jenrick Robert Jenrick has hit out at David Lammys Deputy Prime Ministers Questions last week. The shadow chancellor told the Commons: Get a grip, man, he thundered last week without a hint of irony. Like increasing numbers of criminals in our jails, our justice secretary doesnt know if hes coming or going. Even his colleagues in Government are now turning on him - some with unbridled contempt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The handling is terrible was the verdict of a cab minister, just rank incompetence, cowardly, frankly pretty dodgy, was the verdict of another. Before long, the Prime Minister will be saying he has full confidence in him - and we all know what that means. 04:18pm Jenrick: If Lammy doesnt answer my questions, he must resign These are the questions I will ask David Lammy in Parliament tomorrow. If he refuses to answer them, he must resign. pic.twitter.com/aNeA6AArTp Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) November 10, 2025 04:16pm Speaker tells off David Lammy The Speaker told off David Lammy for going over his allocated time to speak. Lindsay Hoyle told the Deputy Prime Minister: Can I just clear something up, and its not got to happen. First of all, I was told that this Secretary needed 13 minutes. Bear with me - and I said look, you need to ask. The Department said it was 10. It wasnt 10, it was almost 12 minutes. I will work with Secretaries of State but it is 10 minutes. If there needs to be an extension, please ask, dont keep changing the times. In the end it is unfair on shadow ministers when it goes over. Please, stick to the rule of 10. To have this conversation with the Department that it was no longer needed makes your Department took foolish and its certainly not going to make me look foolish in the future. 04:12pm Who are the three prisoners at large? Of the three lawfully released prisoners confirmed to be at large, two are British nationals and one is a foreign national, David Lammy told the Commons. The Justice Secretary said: Case one was in prison for failing to surrender to the police and released in error December 2024. Case two was in prison for a Class B drug offence and released in error August 2024. Case three was in prison for aggravated burglary and released in error June 2025. 04:09pm Lammy: Four things well do to fix the prison system David Lammy has announced four things the Government will do to fix the crisis of accidental prisoner releases. New Justice Performance Board will give a comprehensive view of prisons and criminal court performance including releases in error. Dame Lynne Owens to carry out a review that will conclude by the end of February next year. It will now include the adequacy of data collected and published on releases in error, and we fully expect to uncover additional incidents. A team of data scientists to review historic releases in error, to understand what is going wrong. Urgent Warrant Query Unit set up supported by court experts, so that prisons can escalate queries and get rapid clarifications, to reduce the risk of releases in error. 03:51pm Others may have handled mistaken prison releases differently, says Lammy David Lammy has said others might have handled the situation differently when discussing his decision not to reveal that a second asylum seeker had been released from prison in error last week. Speaking in the Commons, he said: It was not until later this afternoon that the Home Office confirmed to the Ministry of Justice, he was not. Given the nature of the opposition question I made a judgment. That I would wait until I had all the detail, rather than giving an inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading picture to the House about a sensitive case. Members opposite may argue that they would have handled the situation differently. 03:50pm Third offender may be at large A third offender may be at large. Mr Lammy said in the Commons: We understand that there are three mistakenly released prisoners currently lawfully at large. Their prison records show that none of these are convicted sex offenders. I have been informed this afternoon that HMPSS are investigating a further case of a potential release in error on Nov 3 who may still be at large. 03:49pm Lammy defends judgment over avoiding asylum seeker questions in Commons David Lammy is making a statement about allegations he misled the House at Deputy Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday. The Justice Secretary was asked repeatedly if a second asylum seeker had been released from prison, but did not answer. He said in the House: As someone whos served in this House for 25 years, I take my responsibilities to Parliament incredibly seriously. The House will recall, I was asked repeatedly whether any asylum seeking offender had been released in error. At that time I had been alerted of the release of Ibrahim Kaddour-Cherif from HMP Wandsworth. Details about the case were still emerging on Wednesday. Importantly, my officials had not had confirmation about whether or not he was an asylum seeker. 03:39pm All crime data has to be properly verified, insists Lammy David Lammy was asked by Rupert Lowe, the former Reform MP who now sits as an independent, to publish regular statistics on the number of illegal migrants convicted of crime. The Justice Secretary: We do publish data release statistics in the usual way after weve been properly analysed ... Weve done that in the same way the last government did. 03:28pm Lammy defends plans to move women out of prisons David Lammy has defended plans to move hundreds of women out of prisons in order to house male offenders. Robert Jenrick, his Tory opposite number, said: Theres been another accidental release and this time its an email sent in error by his officials to me. It shows his department are looking to accommodate criminals in the community, instead of in prison. As youd expect from him they say their plans are and I quote a finger in the air approach, they say theyre considering up to 100,000 a year per person to live outside of prison. Thats more than the cost of a prison cell. Can the Justice Secretary really say with a straight face that his latest scheme is a good use of taxpayers money? Mr Lammy said: The Right Honourable gentleman knows that that email that was sent in error knows refers to women. And he knows that when youre talking about women offenders, understandably the system must consider the fact that many of them are mothers, many of them have been the victims of men who have groomed them, who have pimped them, who have abused them. And that is why understandably public policy makers do look at alternative ways to deal with women in the community. 03:25pm Lammy refuses to rule out early prisoner release schemes David Lammy has refused to rule out early prisoner release schemes in the future. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said: Last week, the National Police Chiefs Council said that there was no doubt that the Governments early release scheme was going to lead to an increase in crime. It followed the news a man whod been released from prison early has been charged with murder. So its a simple question. Will the Justice Secretary rule out any more early release schemes for prisoners? Mr Lammy said: Can I just remind the Right Honourable gentleman that just before the general election in July, his government had three different versions of their early release scheme? And we inherited a situation, and he knows it, where prison capacity was completely unsustainable. And successive justice secretaries under his government have said that in the past week. We brought forward our early release scheme, it was important to do that to put capacity into the system but its the Sentencing Bill that will begin to deal with this issue in a comprehensive way. Mr Jenrick replied: Well, if you strip all that waffle back, he didnt rule it out, did he? 03:22pm Government needs to bear down on accidental releases, admits Lammy David Lammy said the Government must bear down on accidental prison releases after a number of high-profile cases, including that of the Epping migrant hotel sex offender. The Justice Secretary told the Commons: There has understandably been widespread interest in the number of releases in error from prisons. I can tell the House that in the year to March 2025, there were 262 releases in error and my department has today published data showing that from April to the end of October this year, there were a further 91 mistaken releases. I am clear that we must bear down on these numbers and in my oral statement later today I look forward to the steps the Governments taking to reverse this trend. 03:15pm Labour minister unable to say if any asylum seeker convicted of sex offences A Labour minister could not say whether any asylum seekers had been convicted of a sexual offence after their claim was accepted. Sarah Pochin, the Reform MP for Runcorn and Helsby, asked whether the Government was aware of anyone convicted of a sexual offence having claimed asylum in the UK. But Alex Davies-Jones, the victims minister, did not appear to know and referred Ms Pochin to statistics published on the Ministry of Justice website. 02:55pm Labour signals support for child abuse register Robert Jenrick said the police and probation service can track child sex offenders released from prison on the sex offender register, but if a child abuser is released, there is no such register. Theres a glaring gap in the system, he said, citing the efforts of Paula Hudgell to fix the law after the abuse of her adopted son Tony. Shes been diagnosed with terminal cancer and she says this campaign is the fire in her belly. Paula is truly inspirational. Were backing her campaign. Will the Secretary of State take our amendment or bring forward his own and get this change over the line for Paula, for Tony and to protect children now and into the future? David Lammy said he was very grateful to Mr Jenrick, adding: I can tell him that the minister for victims met with Paula today and we are keen to support her campaign. 02:49pm Not the time to revisit murderer compensation decision, says Lammy Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said: Fuad Awale is an extremist and double murderer who later took a prison officer hostage and demanded the release of the radical cleric Abu Qatada. He is the definition of evil. And yet the Justice Secretarys department is now set to pay him compensation as his ECHR rights have apparently been infringed because he couldnt associate with monsters like those who killed Lee Rigby. Will the Justice Secretary ensure not a single penny of taxpayers money is handed over to this man? And if he wont, and he put our membership of the ECHR above the interests of the British people, will he put his money where his mouth is and pay any so-called compensation himself? Mr Lammy replied: I know that the Rt Hon gentleman is always keen to get headlines but he knows that the consequences of judgments and what then impacts on government and any payments made have been an issue for successive governments for the entire time that he and I have been on the planet. He knows that were committed to the ECHR, offering asylum to those who are genuinely fleeing torture and execution. But he knows too that on the issues I referred to earlier, Article 8 in particular and what we can do domestically and how we can work domestically, we are seeking to do that. So this is not the time to start effectively revising decisions that have been made by our courts. Awale is serving a life sentence for shooting two men in the head in 2011 in what a judge said was a planned execution. He was awarded compensation after suffering severe depression having been denied contact with other inmates, under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. 02:45pm We cant undermine Good Friday Agreement, says Justice Secretary Sir Edward Leigh, the Father of the House and a Tory MP, said it was time for a temporary derogation from the Refugee Convention to tackle illegal migration. David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, said it was important we dont do anything, for example, that might undermine the Good Friday Agreement, where the ECHR is fundamentally important. On the Refugee Convention, which falls under the remit of the United Nations, Mr Lammy said: I will be going to Strasbourg shortly, where I will be taking up many of these issues. 02:43pm Lammy: We will bring forward legislation on ECHR David Lammy said the law will be changed so that Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) cannot be used to thwart deportations. Responding to a question from Bob Blackman, Mr Lammy replied: People are claiming the Article 8 right particularly and using domestic law to thwart removal to their countries, and thats why its important that deal with that domestically and come forward with legislation to deal with that. But I do remind him that this Government is deporting more foreign criminals than ever before, over 5,000 just in our first year in office. We are taking this seriously and were acting. 02:41pm The ECHR must evolve, insists Lammy David Lammy was asked what steps he is taking to reform human rights laws. He said: The Government is committed to human rights at home and abroad, but to retain public confidence the European Convention on Human Rights and other instruments must evolve to face modern challenges. Domestically we will clarify how Convention rights operate in immigration cases and Im engaging across Europe on wider reform. 02:39pm Speaker rebukes Jenrick over AI Lammy clown video The Speaker of the Commons has appeared to rebuke Robert Jenrick over a video he shared depicting David Lammy as a clown. Sir Lindsay Hoyle said MPs must carefully consider what is in good taste or bad taste after Mr Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, shared an artifical intelligence (AI)-generated clip of his Labour opponent. Mr Jenrick shared the video with a caption calling Mr Lammy Calamity Lammy. It has been viewed almost four million times. In Calamity Lammy's last 24 hours he's: -refused to explain himself in Parliament as he feared 'career suicide' -refused to say how many prisoners have been let out mistakenly and how many are still at large -created more confusion by getting the timeline of events wrong pic.twitter.com/rgVZdDT2Fp Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) November 6, 2025 Sir Lindsay told the Commons: Before we come to justice questions, in light of the discourse on social media in the last week on matters relating to criminal justice, Id like to remind members how we treat each other and judgments we make are important to set the tone for national debate. I would ask members to consider carefully what is in good taste or bad taste. As set out in the Speakers Conference on the security of MPs, candidates and elections, we encourage everyone to engage positively in the political process with courtesy, respect in discussions and grace and understanding with those who we may disagree. 02:21pm Further 91 prisoners released by mistake since April A further 91 prisoners have been released by mistake since April, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has admitted. The disclosure will intensify pressure on Justice Secretary David Lammy as he faces MPs on Tuesday for the first time since a showdown at Prime Ministers Questions last Wednesday. Mr Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister, refused five times to answer whether any more migrants had been accidentally released from jail since Ethiopian asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu more than two weeks ago. The Telegraph subsequently revealed that Algerian sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, had been accidently freed from HMP Wandsworth a week earlier despite tougher checks introduced in the wake of the mistaken release of Kebatu. Ahead of his appearance, the MoJ said that 91 prisoners had been freed in error in the period from April 1 to October 31 this year although the department did not provide a breakdown of their offences. They come on top of 262 offenders mistakenly released in the year to the end of March, more than double the 115 in the previous year. The MoJ has admitted that three of the criminals remain on the run months after being wrongly freed from jail. The data follows a demand by Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, that Mr Lammy publish full details of the number of prisoners accidentally released since April, how many were still at large and how many were violent or sexual offenders. He warned he would demand Mr Lammy quit if he failed to produce the data. This is a matter of the utmost seriousness, said Mr Jenrick. If you refuse again to provide this information despite my multiple requests, and my forewarning, the only remaining conclusion is that you are incapable of telling the truth. In which case, you must make way for someone who will. 02:07pm Lammy: I didnt have all the facts to tell MPs about accidental releases David Lammy last week insisted was not equipped with all the facts about a mistaken prisoner release when he appeared at Prime Ministers Questions. The Justice Secretary said he was right not to provide details to MPs of the accidental release of Ibrahim Kaddour-Cherif when he did not have all the detail. The 24-year-old Algerian sex offender was released in error from HMP Wandsworth last Wednesday but the Metropolitan Police was only told he had been freed on Tuesday this week. In his first public appearance since the news broke on Wednesday of two accidental releases from HMP Wandsworth, he told broadcasters: I first found out about this on Wednesday morning, I was in the department both learning from officials but also preparing for Prime Ministers Questions. At the despatch box, I did not have all of the detail, that detail was actually released just later after I had finished at Prime Ministers Questions. I took the judgment that it is important when updating the House and the country about serious matters like this that you have all of the detail. I was not equipped with all of the detail and the danger is you that end up misleading the House and the general public. So that is the judgment I took. I think its the right judgment. Charles Hymas and Genevieve Holl-Allen have more here 02:03pm Good afternoon Dominic Penna here, The Telegraphs Senior Political Correspondent, guiding you through what promises to be a lively couple of hours in the House of Commons. David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, will face questions from 2.30pm. He is expected to be challenged by Robert Jenrick, his Tory shadow. Afterwards, Mr Lammy will give a statement to the Commons at about 3.30pm on the escaped prisoner fiasco. Italian small modular reactor (SMR) company Newcleo is considering abandoning its plan to build 20 SMRs in the UK a project valued at around 16bn in favour of pursuing opportunities in the US, reported Reuters. The shift comes as European nuclear companies respond to US policy moves designed to attract investment in the sector. In May, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at boosting domestic nuclear production by reducing regulations and expediting the approval process for new licences. At the World Nuclear Exhibition in Paris, Newcleo CEO Stefano Buono said: "There are a lot of tools that are encouraging investment into the US now. The start-up, which recently shifted its headquarters from Britain to France, estimates that each planned reactor would require around 800m in investment. A company spokesperson told the media outlet that no final decision has been reached on its plan to build SMRs in the US and several steps remain before an investment commitment is made. In addition to reactor deployment, Newcleo is also among the contenders in a US tender for fuel production. The demand for nuclear energy is rising with the growth of data centres and AI. Large data centre operators such as Microsoft are also investing in nuclear power to support the energy needs of their facilities, reported the media outlet. European companies report that regulatory permissions there are slower, sometimes taking up to three-times longer than in the US. Thorizon, a Franco-Dutch SMR manufacturer, is among other companies that are considering setting up operations in the US due to quicker pathways to market. French company Orano and multinational Urenco are also reportedly planning to set up new enrichment facilities in the US to cater to rising industry demand. Urenco CEO Boris Schucht said: "A lot of customers, especially US customers, are once again supporting us with very long-term contracts for our own capacity programme. Urenco currently operates a site in New Mexico, with capacity expansions under way, while Orano is planning its first overseas enrichment plant in Tennessee, US, pending subsidy approvals for an expected $4bn5bn investment. Orano aims to have this facility operational by 2031 and predicts that the US may soon become its largest market, overtaking France. "Italys Newcleo may abandon UK SMR project in favour of US" was originally created and published by Investment Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Lansing city officials are moving as quickly as possible to identify a location for a pod village to help people experiencing homelessness to move into permanent housing. You know, theyre working on location now, and that is the most important piece of this puzzle, said Lansing Mayor Andy Schor. I really believe that not everybody, but most people believe that this is the right thing to do. Its just a matter of where. Schor said officials in the citys Human Relations and Community Services are currently reviewing 30 to 35 properties both public and private as possible locations for the 50 modular mini-homes. (WLNS) Its an ever-evolving list, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 50 pods will house 66 people, assisting with re-housing opportunities and providing access to a buffet of support services. Really, all we need is a flat surface that we can put the 50 pods on and somewhere, a building of some sort with water, he said. So, were looking at anything. Schor confirmed Monday that both Debbie Stabenow Park and Comstock Park are being vetted as potential locations for the village. Could Spartan Village play host to the pod village? Michigan State Universitys Spartan Village has been mentioned as a potential location for a pod village to serve the homeless community. (WLNS) Schor also acknowledged he had a very brief, casual conversation with Michigan State University President Kevin M. Guskiewicz a month ago about putting the mod pod community at the former Spartan Village property located off of Harrison Rd. He said he was awaiting the university to conclude its due diligence process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the university said MSU is committed to supporting community partners by providing research expertise and evidence-based evaluation to inform decision-making. The statement continued: There are currently no plans to locate, host, or construct shelter pods on MSUs campus, Emily Guerrant, the universitys chief communications officer, wrote in a statement to 6 News. In recent conversations with the City of Lansing, we offered to have campus experts evaluate a proposed shelter pod model from a research and policy perspective. Guerrant said the universitys role in relation to housing and sheltering solutions is to help ensure those efforts are grounded in sound policy and best practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schor said the conversation with Guskiewicz occurred while the two were attending a press event showcasing bendable concrete. He said the conversation was about two minutes. He credits First Ward Councilman Ryan Kost with the idea of using the now shuttered housing complex. Spartan Village was a 1,500-unit apartment complex constructed during the 1950s and 1960s to accommodate a boom in attendance at MSU resulting from the G.I. Bill, a news release from MSU reports. Stabenow and Comstock Parks possible locations Debbie Stabenow Park, formerly known as Washington Park, located on S. Washington Ave. Is one potential site. The other is Comstock Park, located in the citys near northwest side, near the former School for the Blind property. Lansings Comstock Park, located by the former Michigan School for the Blind, is one location under consideration for a pod village. (WLNS) Comstock Park is 8.9 acres, bordered by Daleford Ave. on the south, Princeton Ave. on the west and State St. on the east. The former School for the Blind property serves as the northern border for the park. Debbie Stabenow Park in Lansing is under consideration as a location for a pod village. (WLNS) Stabenow Park is located on the citys near southwest, along S. Washington Ave. and beside the new public safety complex. Its 43 acres, with much of it having been naturalized by the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City moving forward Lansing Human Relations and Community Service Department Director Kimberly Coleman speaks with the Mayors Neighborhood Advisory Board Nov. 4 at Letts Community Center. (WLNS) Schor asked HRCS Director Kimberly Coleman to convene a series of joint meetings between the HRCS Advisory Board and the Mayors Neighbor Advisory Board to evaluate the departments top five locations and selecting the final location recommendation. Because the bodies are both advisory, Schor could ignore their recommendations. Coleman told the MNAB Tuesday that the HRCS Board had agreed to joint meetings with the neighborhood board. Board members expressed concern about the compressed timeline they would be asked to review, consider and ultimately recommend a final location for the village. Particularly, members noted, the holidays were coming and it would be difficult to meet with constituent neighborhood organizations and get their opinions on the five options presented to the joint advisory boards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cautious board voted 6-to-1 in favor of engaging in the joint meetings. Schor said he wants public input but believes pushing out the decision while neighborhood groups weigh-in would delay the project unnecessarily. So, I dont have a problem with Neighborhood Advisory Board talking to folks in their wards, but I dont want to see this as just a delay. I want to see this as productive. And again, these are folks that represent those wards. So, they have to, theyre on that board because we feel like theyve got, you know, their fingers on the pulse of that ward. They should have the ability to talk to people, but three months is a long time, and again, I dont want to push it into another winter. Schor said it could take six to nine months to push the property through the states campground licensing process. The property will also have to undergo a rezoning process in front of the Lansing City Council. Coleman told the MNAB on Tuesday that her office is preparing to issue requests for proposals (RFP) to manage the village operations, including security, early next month. The city expects it will cost approximately $750,000 a year to run the housing and programming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ingham County Board of Commissioners approved a payout from the countys Housing Millage of $600,000 over the next two years to support the pod village. 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 WLNS 6 News. One Delaware school district is still looking for a new board member. This week, or until Nov. 14, the Christina School District is seeking applicants to fill a vacant seat until the next school board election in the spring. One Delaware nonprofit is also seeking applications from board members to take advantage of project grants to help their boards or school districts. In this weekly roundup, we'll catch you up on these and other education updates you may have missed. Advertisement Advertisement (Did we miss another good education story? Let me know: kepowers@gannett.com.) Last call: Applications open for vacant seat on Christina school board, Delaware board grants Christiana High School hosts commencement for more than 160 graduates of the Class of 2022, Thursday, June 16, 2022. The Christina School District has extended its application deadline for one vacant seat on its school board, according to a district spokesperson. That's the seat of Naveed Baqir representing District F since 2021, working virtually since about early 2024 which the board officially declared vacant on Oct. 15. He had been living in Pakistan for well over a year. Candidates may now submit a letter of interest and resume until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14. The district previously set Nov. 7 as the deadline, but pushed it back a week due to a "technical issue." Advertisement Advertisement Requirements, at a glance: Application form Criminal Background Check and Child Protection Registry Consent Form Resume, as well as a "letter of interest" answering: Why you are seeking a seat on the Board of education? And, what you hope to accomplish as a board member? Must be a citizen of the United States and Delaware, live in the school district and be 18 years of age or older at the time of the election. Must be a resident within Nominating District F, which hugs Christina's southern end near Bear, south of Old Baltimore Pike. Cannot be a paid employee of the district subject to rules & regulations of the board. Must never have been convicted of embezzlement. To apply: Submit via email : boardvacancy@christina.k12.de.us By mail: Christina School District ATTN: Public Information Office, 1899 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE 19702 Advertisement Advertisement Look back: Christina school board ousts member working from Pakistan for over a year and a half There's another deadline at the end of the week. Delaware school board members can still apply for up to $2,000 in grants to drive a "transformative" project for their district, thanks to one Delaware nonprofit. First State Educate is offering its "2025 Capacity Grants" in an effort to reflect "growing recognition that local boards play a critical role in shaping student success and community trust, yet often lack dedicated resources," according to its press release in October. Board members could use this to fund internal training as well, per FSE, from school funding and coming reform, to understanding the science of reading aligned with state early literacy initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement More information and applications for these and other grants are available online. Grants close Sunday, Nov. 16. Del-Tech opens new museum and conference center to the public Delaware Technical Community College's "John and Elsie Williams House Museum and Conference Center" now stands alongside a familiar Millsboro family home, honoring the former U.S. senator and couple that impacted "the community, state and nation," Del-Tech said after the grand opening, on Nov. 8, 2025. The John and Elsie Williams House Museum and Conference Center now stands alongside a familiar Millsboro family home, honoring a couple that impacted "the community, state and nation." The 1927 home, at West State and Washington streets, was given to Delaware Technical Community College by the daughter of the Williamses, Blanche Baker, according to a press release on Nov. 8. She wanted to home to be transformed to a place where the community could gather and learn about its history. U.S. Sen. Williams represented his native First State in the U.S. Senate from 1947 until 1970, Delaware Tech shared in a press release after the museum's grand opening. Often called The Conscience of the Senate, the college said he was a fearless opponent to "wasteful government, bureaucracy and corruption." Advertisement Advertisement In all, Williams served Delaware for 24 years. He saw the administrations of Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard M. Nixon from his post, before he later died in 1988 at 83 years old. Baker got to tour the completed renovations honoring her parents in December 2024, before she died in March at 100 years old. Now, several rooms and the adjoining conference center will focus on Williams public service career, as well as the "significant role" Elsie played in both Washington D.C. and locally. As Baker's own daughter, Janet Baker McCarty, said: She passed knowing her dream had come true: sharing her parents legacy with all Delawareans and people far and wide." Delaware school districts could change: Major school redistricting in Wilmington could take these 3 shapes, as timeline shifts UD Hillel breaks ground on new Jewish student center Hillel at the University of Delaware has officially launched a capital campaign to fund a new Jewish student center on May 19, 2025. The campaign aims to raise $12 million to build a facility that "will serve as the hub of Jewish life at the University of Delaware for generations to come," according to UD Hillel. The ground has been broken for a new Kristol Center for Jewish Life at the University of Delaware. Advertisement Advertisement Back on Sunday, Oct. 26, university officials, university leaders and more broke ground on a center aimed to "meet the social, religious and cultural needs of the burgeoning Jewish student population" on campus, now about 13% of undergrad population according to UD. While the original Krisol Center has served as that home for UD Hillel students since 1993, a new 18,000-square-foot building will boast an event hall for Shabbat dinners seating 250 students, study spaces, a beit midrash and much more. Hillel has already raised $9.5 million of its $12 million goal for the new Kristol Center, per UD. "Delaware is home to a strong and vibrant Jewish community, and I'm proud to celebrate this groundbreaking moment alongside students, families, and leaders who have worked so hard to make it happen, Gov. Matt Meyer said in a statement following the groundbreaking. Advertisement Advertisement UD holidays: University of Delaware decision moves Newark's annual Christmas tree display to City Hall Got another education tip? Contact Kelly Powers at kepowers@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Last call for applications to fill Christina's school board vacancy A Virginia transportation security officer is accusing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security of sex discrimination over a policy that bars transgender officers from performing security screening pat-downs, according to a federal lawsuit. The Transportation Security Administration, which operates under DHS, enacted the policy in February to comply with President Donald Trumps executive order declaring two unchangeable sexes: male and female. According to internal documents explaining the policy change that The Associated Press obtained from four independent sources, including two current and two former TSA workers, transgender officers will no longer engage in pat-down duties, which are conducted based on both the travelers and officers biological sex. In addition, transgender officers will no longer serve as a TSA-required witness when a traveler elects to have a pat-down conducted in a private screening area." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until February, TSA assigned work consistent with officers gender identity under a 2021 management directive. The agency told the AP it rescinded that directive to comply with Trumps Jan. 20 executive order. Although transgender officers shall continue to be eligible to perform all other security screening functions consistent with their certifications," and must attend all required training, they will not be allowed to demonstrate how to conduct pat-downs as part of their training or while training others, according to the internal documents. A transgender officer at Dulles International Airport, Danielle Mittereder, alleges in her lawsuit filed Friday that the new policy which also bars her from using TSA facility restrooms that align with her gender identity violates civil rights law. Solely because she is transgender, TSA now prohibits Plaintiff from conducting core functions of her job, impedes her advancement to higher-level positions and specialized certifications, excludes her from TSA-controlled facilities, and subjects her identity to unwanted and undue scrutiny each workday, the complaint says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mittereder declined to speak with the AP but her lawyer, Jonathan Puth, called TSA's policy terribly demeaning and 100% illegal." TSA spokesperson Russell Read declined to comment, citing pending litigation. But he said the new policy directs that Male Transportation Security Officers will conduct pat-down procedures on male passengers and female Transportation Security Officers will conduct pat-down procedures on female passengers, based on operational needs. The legal battle comes amid mounting reports of workplace discrimination against transgender federal employees during Trumps second administration. It is also happening at a time when TSA's ranks are already stretched thin due to the ongoing government shutdown that has left thousands of agents working without pay. Other transgender officers describe similar challenges to Mittereder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kai Regan worked for six years at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, but retired in July in large part because of the new policy. Regan, who is not involved in the Virginia case, transitioned from female to male in 2021 and said he had conducted pat-downs on men without issue until the policy change. It made me feel inadequate at my job, not because I cant physically do it but because they put that on me," said the 61-year-old, who worried that he would soon be fired for his gender identity, so he retired earlier than planned rather than waiting for the bomb to drop." Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward a legal organization that has repeatedly challenged the second Trump administration in court called TSA's policy arbitrary and discriminatory," adding: Theres no evidence or data were aware of to suggest that a person cant perform their duties satisfactorily as a TSA agent based on their gender identity. DHS pushed back on assertions by some legal experts that its policy is discriminatory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does the AP want female travelers to be subjected to pat-downs by male TSA officers? Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin asked in a written response to questions by the AP. "What a useless and fundamentally dangerous idea, to prioritize mental delusion over the comfort and safety of American travelers. Airport security expert and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign professor Sheldon H. Jacobson, whose research contributed to the design of TSA PreCheck, said that the practice of matching the officer's sex to the passenger's is aimed at minimizing passenger discomfort during screening. Travelers can generally request another officer if they prefer, he added. Deciding where transgender officers fit into this practice creates a little bit of uncertainty, Jacobson said. But because transgender officers likely make up a small percent of TSA's workforce, he said the new policy is unlikely to cause major delays. It could be a bit of an inconvenience, but it would not inhibit the operation of the airport security checkpoint," Jacobson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TSA's policy for passengers is that they be screened based on physical appearance as judged by an officer, according to internal documents. If a passenger corrects an officer's assumption, the traveler should be patted down based on his/her declared sex." For passengers who tell an officer that they are neither a male nor female, the policy says officers must advise that pat-down screening must be conducted by an officer of the same sex," and to contact a supervisor if concerns persist. The documents also say that transgender officers will not be adversely affected in pay, promotions or awards, and that TSA "is committed to providing a work environment free from unlawful discrimination and retaliation. But the lawsuit argues otherwise, saying the policy impedes Mittereder's career prospects because all paths toward advancement require that she be able to perform pat-downs and train others to do so, Puth said. According to the lawsuit, Mittereder started in her role in June 2024 and never received complaints related to her job performance, including pat-down responsibilities. Supervisors awarded her the highest-available performance rating and have praised her professionalism, skills, knowledge, and rapport with fellow officers and the public," the lawsuit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is somebody who is really dedicated to her job and wants to make a career at TSA, Puth said. And while her gender identity was never an issue for her in the past, all of a sudden its something that has to be confronted every single day. Being unable to perform her full job duties has caused Mittereder to suffer fear, anxiety and depression, as well as embarrassment and humiliation by forcing her to disclose her gender identity to co-workers, the complaint says. It adds that the ban places additional burden on already-outnumbered female officers who have to pick up Mittereder's pat-down duties. American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley urged TSA leadership to reconsider the policy for the good of its workforce and the flying public." This policy does nothing to improve airport security," Kelley said, "and in fact could lead to delays in the screening of airline passengers since it means there will be fewer officers available to perform pat-down searches. ________ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Associated Press Staff Writer Rio Yamat in Las Vegas contributed to this report. ________ The Associated Press women in the workforce and state government coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. 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. At least two people were injured when a deck collapsed in Northampton County. First responders were called to a home in the 3200 block of Bingen Road in Lower Saucon Township around 1:45 p.m. Monday. The deck detached from the second floor and fell onto the ground below. Both victims were rushed to the hospital for treatment. Police are still investigating how this happened. DOUGLAS COUNTY, Mo. A Lebanon man has been arrested after officials responded to an armed robbery at a gas station on Friday, November 7. Bryan Arnolds mugshot, photo courtesy of Douglas County Sheriffs Office. According to online court dockets, Bryan Arnold, born 1987, has been charged with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and stealing physically taking. The probable cause statement says that an officer with the Ava Police Department responded to Murphys USA gas station on a report of a man wearing a black jacket, orange pants and a gray hat who robbed the location. The man had reportedly fled in a black Chevy Impala traveling east on Springfield Road in Ava. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the same time of the incident, a woman entered the police department, stating seeing a white male with a similar description attempting to break into a white van. The officer spoke to the victim at the gas station, who said the suspect, later identified as Arnold, had come into the store asking for a carton of cigarettes, 10 lottery tickets and gum. The victim stated that Arnold asked if they had change for $100 and then lifted his shirt, which showcased a small pistol on his waistband. He then told the victim to throw everything in the bag, or I will have to pull this out. Arnold allegedly stole around $351 and fled east through a parking lot, according to the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer indicated looking through video surveillance, which confirmed the witnesss statement of showcasing a small handgun and leaving in a Chevy Impala. The statement indicates that Arnold and an unknown woman were seen attempting to purchase goods at a Walmart before the incident. After the posting of a Facebook social media post by officials, a woman called dispatch wanting to speak to an officer. The individual stated that she was giving Arnold a ride to rehab when he wanted to go into Walmart to get socks and underwear. The woman stated that Bryan was taking too long at the store, so she walked in to locate him. She later said she found him when she exited the store as he started running through the parking lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said that she got into her vehicle to search for Arnold, and she saw him running away from Murphys USA and going toward Great Southern Bank. She then picked him up as Arnold told her to go, go, go. The woman asked Arnold, What did you do? to which he stated he was not going to rehab. She then told Arnold to get out of the vehicle, not knowing he possessed a firearm. The man was later found on a property west of Ava city limits and was taken into custody. Arnold is currently in the Douglas County Jail with a bond reduction hearing scheduled for Nov. 20. 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. Election officials reported a surprisingly high turnout for Lebanon County during the Nov. 4 municipal elections, while touting the efforts by high school students working at the polls. Lebanon Countys Bureau of Voter Registration and Elections office reported Nov. 10 that 37,455 ballots were cast for the the Nov. 4 elections. More than 28,663 residents voted on Election Day, with another 8,668 voting by mail and absentee ballot. Elections Director Sean Drasher said voter turnerout rate was more than 40%. Before Nov. 4, officials were predicting only a 25% turnout rate. The May 2025 primary turnout was at 19.4%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're all pretty shocked," he said about the high rate. "I'm sure there are people out there that are going to go it's Republicans or Democrats, or the retention questions. From my desk, I have no idea." Cedar Crest senior Christopher Martinez Mejia, right, works with the other poll workers at the South Lebanon North precinct, located at the Lebanon Masonic Temple, on Nov. 4 for the 2025 municipal elections. Lebanon County residents voted for various county and local offices, including district attorney, school board and municipal seats. The ballot also asked voters whether to retain judges on Pennsylvania's Supreme Court, which ultimately retained Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht for another 10-year term. Drasher said that several precincts on Nov. 4 overperformed for the expected low turnout for the municipal election. Precincts such as North Londonderry East, located at Londonderry near the edge of Palmyra, had over 1,000 voters. "We have a new team there in place, so hopefully they will return," he said about the North Londonderry volunteers. "We told them it wasn't going to be all that busy of a day, and here's a judge's first time. ... He did a bang up job, and by far that was our busiest precinct." Student workers Among the new poll workers were 46 high school students from Lebanon School District, Cedar Crest School District and Our Lady of the Cross working in the county stations on Nov. 4. Jamie Shoemaker, administrator overseeing the student program, said almost 11% of the poll workers in the field were students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's always been some kind of student program in the county, where students helped if they were old enough," she said. "My daughter, years ago when I was a poll worker, helped us at my polling place when she was 17." Cedar Crest senior Christopher Martinez Mejia worked most of the day at the South Lebanon North precinct Nov. 4, which is located at the Lebanon Masonic Temple. Mejia said the Cedar Crest National Honors Society offered the poll worker program as a way to get volunteer hours. "I wanted to help out cause I'm real interested in politics," he said. "Those who know me at Cedar Crest know that I'm well versed in knowing national politics and getting a sense of helping out the community here at the local elections. It's a way I can connect and further learn about the process." Mejia's precinct workers were expecting a 15% voter turnout on Nov. 4, according to South Lebanon North Judge of elections Heather Waddell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our precinct tends to be a little bit more," she said to the Lebanon Daily News on Nov. 4. "We pleasantly say that this precinct is opinionated and we're not afraid to show it, so we usually get a little bit higher. But we reached the 15% mark here by noon. So we're expecting good things." Mejia was Waddell's first student worker in the four years since becoming a judge of elections. Waddell described her student worker as eager to learn the different aspects of being a poll worker. "I love having that kind of worker," she said. Most of the students workers received high praise from their adult co-workers, according to Drasher. While judges tend to have their regular workers that show up for every election, officials made sure that student workers were doing everything while working at the polls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We want to make sure the judges aren't using them as translators, and then the students have nothing to do for the majority of the day," he said. "We're trying to get the students engaged in every level." Lebanon High senior Janiyah-Lyn Luzon was working out at Lebanon Salvation Army polls during the 2025 municipal election. The district offered being a poll worker as community service towards helping her graduate, and it was something she never had done before Nov. 4. "Some talk and some don't, but everybody seems super positive and nice even though they have different opinions," she said about interacting with voters. Luzon was expecting to deal with a small crowd of people, adding that she didn't think a lot of people voted. But being a poll worker Nov. 4 gave her a new perspective about the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I learned that it's important to know who's running the county," she said. "I also learned a lot of people do care, because I never really thought about it." Lebanon High senior Janiyah-Lyn Luzon prepares for voters at Lebanon Salvation Army polls Nov. 4 during the 2025 municipal election. After working the polls on election day, Mejia said he would definitely recommend other students and school districts participate in working as poll workers for future elections. Mejia is already planning to return for the 2026 primary elections. "You might be a little disconnected here locally, but spending a day here, or even working a few hours, you get to see what's happening here in our town," he said. "You get to see what's happening in our county, and that's really important." The one thing that elections officials would like to see moving into the 2026 midterm elections and beyond is to engage more students and school districts to participate for the primary and general elections. Drasher said officials are still engaging with Lebanon County school districts to grow the program. Provisional Ballots On Nov. 7, the election board reviewed more than 144 provisional ballots, 124 of which were accepted by officials. Among those included were 86 that involved mail-in ballot issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The election board rejected 20 provisional ballots for reasons that included seven voters registered in another county, five voters not registered in Pennsylvania and two who canceled their voter registration before the Nov. 4 election. The county saw very few minor incidents on Nov. 4. One voter filed a complaint with the Department of State about an accident outside of a polling place, but Drasher said the accident did not have long term impacts for voters on election day. Drasher added that the list of write-in votes would be ready for the election board to review in about the next two weeks. Lebanon County Elections Director Sean Drasher talks with poll workers at the county municipal building during the Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 municipal election. Residents looking for more information can visit the Lebanon County Voter Registration Office website at lebcounty.org/depts/Voter_Registration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on X at @DAMattToth. This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon PA officials praise high voter turnout, student workers Have you ever scrolled short-form videos on Facebook or TikTok and seen abnormal behavior, often staged as pranks, inside a grocery store? Earlier this year, a TikTok creator in Mesa ended up getting a year in prison after he uploaded a video where he spritzed pesticide on produce and meat at a Mesa Walmart and was convicted of a poisoning charge. But is it even legal to record or photograph inside a grocery store? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's a look at what Arizona and constitutional laws say. Can you legally record inside a grocery store? Grocery stores in Arizona, such as Fry's Food Stores, Safeway and Walmart, are private businesses located on private property, even if they are open to the public. That meant that grocery stores have the legal right to set their own rules banning or limiting photography in their stores. Unlike public spaces, a store owner retains significant control over their premises," according to LegalClarity, a legal education site. Arizona law does not grant them the right to photograph inside a private business. The First Amendment protects free speech and freedom of the press, but it doesn't override property rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a business asks someone to stop filming and they refuse, that person could be charged with trespassing, which is a criminal offense according to ARS 13-1502. Third-degree trespassing is a Class 3 misdemeanor, carrying a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail. Where else is it prohibited to video or take photos? Arizona law does ban photography in places where people expect privacy, such as bathrooms or changing areas, and doing so in a felony under ARS 13-3019, which prohibits surreptitious photographing without consent. Filming without consent in certain circumstances is a Class 5 felony, punishable by up to two and a half years in prison. The Arizona Republic's Jose R. Gonzalez contributed to this article. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rey Covarrubias Jr. reports for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: rcovarrubias@gannett.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What Arizona law says about recording videos inside a grocery store 'Those bloodthirsty terrorists who killed IDF soldiers after the ceasefire have only two options, surrender or die.' Avigdor Liberman derided Jared Kushner as Israels acting prime minister and said terrorists in Rafah have two options, surrender or die, speaking at a Yisrael Beytenu faction meeting at the Knesset on Monday. The Yisrael Beytenu head sarcastically thanked acting prime minister Jared Kushner and member of the security cabinet Steve Witkoff for their brief visit, then stressed Israels bottom line in Rafah after a recent ceasefire incident: Those bloodthirsty terrorists who killed IDF soldiers after the ceasefire have only two options, surrender or die. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liberman said Defense Minister Israel Katz was presented with the findings of Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Sami Turgemans review, arguing that only a state commission of inquiry can address failures around the war. The real choice is a state commission of inquiry, he said, adding that Netanyahu explained this best. Asked by Walla how he again dodged a photo with Yair Golan, he quipped, I wasnt wearing makeup. Turning to the regional arena, Liberman warned of a possible near-term flare-up with Iran. Iran is in a very difficult situation, there is no water, the banks are collapsing, and in parallel they are arming, usually one of the solutions for internal crises, he said. As long as the ayatollahs are in power, we must be ready for any development. Liberman also criticized what he called a deal between Arab parties and Haredi factions. Three parties in the world have no female representation, Shas, United Torah Judaism, and the Taliban, he said, accusing ultra-Orthodox lawmakers of running from responsibility on the conscription law while striking votes with Joint List leaders on other issues. Yair Lapid speaking at Knesset. (credit: NOAM MOSCOWITZ/KNESSET SPOKESMAN'S OFFICE) Lapid calls Ben-Gvir, 'a national disaster' Opposition leader and Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid, speaking separately at his faction meeting, blasted National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir following the arrest of a civics teacher who called him a Kahanist. Lapid said, Ben-Gvir is a Kahanist, a racist and an admirer of Baruch Goldstein, and people died because of him. It is all true. He added: He is a national disaster, an international disaster, a disgrace to Judaism and a shame to Zionism. There is one thing he is not, he is not immune from criticism. He cannot use the police to silence people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his speech, Lapid accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the media of being responsible for the rise of Itamar Ben-Gvir: "Netanyahu's original sin was appointing a man convicted of supporting terrorism as national security minister. The media, which brought him into the studios again and again, legitimized him in the name of ratings." According to Lapid, the arrest of teacher Alec Yefremov, who he claims was subjected to a strip search, illustrates "the misuse of police power by the minister to intimidate critics and harm freedom of expression." Ben-Gvir responded during his faction's meeting to a Walla question, saying that the police commissioner made an important decision by not passing the materials related to the Sde Teiman case to the prosecution. Regarding the failure to transfer materials to Judge Asher Kula, he said, "I expected more, the materials should be transferred to Judge Kula. The legal advisor is conflicted, and it would have been right to transfer the materials to him. On the other hand, he made a brave and correct decision not to transfer the materials to the prosecution." At his faction's meeting, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich addressed the return of Hadar Goldin's remains to Israel yesterday. "At no point did his family demand his release as part of a deal in which terrorists who would endanger others would be freed. They displayed national pride," he said. "The return of Hadar marks the closure of an important circle and also serves as a warning bell not to return to the old concept, not to give in to the illusion that someone else will do the work for us. The war must end with the destruction of Hamas. Terrorists in Rafah must end in surrender or death, there is no other option." In response to a Walla question, Smotrich said, "I am not aware of any opposition from the prime minister to the appointment of the military advocate general. I congratulate Israel Katz on his well-deserved appointment." JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) A boil water notice has been issued for customers served by the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport. Bozeman Road in Madison County to close for 2-3 weeks According to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), the notice affects 1,000 customers. Water system officials notified MSDH of a system wide pressure loss due to one or more line breaks. Health officials recommend that all water be boiled for one minute before it is consumed. The water system will be notified when tests show that the water is safe to drink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News 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 WJTV. House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, has chosen attorney Ryan Wilson as her running mate as she campaigns to become Minnesota's next governor. Demuth announced the Demuth-Wilson ticket on Monday, praising Wilson as a "dynamic community leader and champion for government accountability". "We're long past due for some accountability in the highest level of our government, and as my lieutenant governor, Ryan will help me deliver that for Minnesota," she shared. Photo courtesy of Lisa Demuth | Facebook. Wilson narrowly lost a 2022 bid for state auditor to the DFL's Julie Blaha and he represented the GOP caucus in the state Supreme Court earlier this year as the parties battled over control of the House and quorum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a news conference Monday, Wilson said he's honored to be Demuth's running mate. "Four years ago, I campaigned across this state meeting with Minnesotans of every walk of life," he said. "One message I heard, almost universally, was they were tired of a government that didn't seem to care about them." Wilson said Demuth's vision for Minnesota "lifts up all families" by making Minnesota more affordable, schools more successful and streets safer. "When Lisa asked me to join her in her fight for the future of Minnesota and to be her running mate, I didn't hesitate," he said. "I told her I'm all in because Minnesota is worth fighting for." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Demuth becomes the first major candidate in the race to pick a running mate. Gov. Tim Walz is seeking a third term, but Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is instead vying for Tina Smith's soon-to-be-vacant U.S. Senate seat. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Nov 10, 2025, where it first appeared in the MN News section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. 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 J Kumar Infraprojects Ltd (BOM:532940) reported a 10% growth in revenue for H1 FY26, reaching 2,826 crores compared to the previous year. The company's operating margin improved slightly to 14.6% from 14.5% in the previous year. The order book remains robust at 20,160 crores, with significant contributions from metro projects, elevated corridors, and road and tunnel projects. The company has secured around 150 crores in projects and is L1 in a 1,200 crore convention center project in Lucknow, indicating strong future order inflows. J Kumar Infraprojects Ltd (BOM:532940) maintains a positive outlook with plans to achieve an order inflow of 5,000 to 6,000 crores for FY26, supported by a diverse project pipeline across multiple geographies. Negative Points The extended monsoon season negatively impacted execution, affecting the company's top-line growth. The company has slightly lowered its revenue guidance for FY26 from 6,500-6,600 crores to 6,200-6,300 crores due to weather-related delays. There is a slowdown in order inflows for EPC companies, which could impact future growth if not addressed. The company has a significant CapEx plan of 500 crores for the year, which may strain financial resources if not managed carefully. Despite a strong order book, the company faces challenges in maintaining growth momentum due to external factors like weather and project-specific delays. Q & A Highlights Q: Can you provide details on the order inflows and whether you can sustain your target of 4,000 to 5,000 crores for the financial year? Are there any industry-level headwinds affecting order inflow? A: We have secured around 150 crores of projects and are L1 in a 1,200 crore convention center in Lucknow. We are confident of achieving an inflow of 5,000 to 6,000 crores in FY26, aiming for a closing order book of 20,000 to 23,000 crores by March 2026. We do not see any industry-level headwinds at this time. - Kamal Gupta, MD Q: Are you maintaining the 15% growth guidance for FY26? A: We are striving to achieve our previous guidance of 6,500 crores but expect to reach around 6,200 to 6,300 crores, which would represent an 11% year-on-year growth. The lower growth is due to a challenging Q2 impacted by heavy rainfall. - Vasan Sawla, CFO City of Chicago leaders came together at Soldier Field to honor Veterans Day. The ceremony took different moments to celebrate the diversity of the military while inspiring the next generation to carry out their legacy. "I even put my signature on it to make it official," said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. This year's Veterans Day comes in the same year as the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and a moment to remember the good that is possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To show that anyone growing up in the city, growing up anywhere can reach their dreams," said Brigadier General Jorge Fonseca. Born in Mexico and raised in Little Village, Fonseca, became the first Latino in National Guard history to achieve the rank of general. SEE ALSO | Veterans Day: What's open, what's closed "I learned what service really means, not from generals, not from soldiers, but from neighbors," Fonseca said. "People who understood that community is strength." Johnson said, "It's real powerful example of who are country ultimately reflects." The general's story, shared during the ceremony at Soldier Field, sparked inspiration for the younger generation, especially those with Hispanic heritage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It gives a hope for everyone that you're not, you shouldn't be hiding from your culture," said Rebecca Silva with JROTC. "My grandfather recently passed," said Persephone Hutchens with JROTC. "Hearing an immigrant, like, first-generation Mexican American speak, it makes me feel a little bit closer to him." The ceremony came during a time when the city of Chicago has made national headlines over immigration enforcement. But those here say they are committed more than ever to remind the world of the meaning of service. "We must remember that our freedom to disagree, to demonstrate and to determine our own free will, our freedoms that have been paid for with lives and we must protect it at all costs," Fonseca said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the ceremony, the Jewel-Osco Foundation gave a $10,000 donation to Operation Support Our Troops to help veterans get back on their feet. Veteran who died 6 years after winning battle for citizenship is honored on SW Side Perez served in the U.S. Army Special Forces and was deployed to Afghanistan twice. In Little Village, U.S. Veteran Miguel Perez Jr. was honored at a ceremony. Perez served in the U.S. Army Special Forces and was deployed to Afghanistan twice in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. He returned with severe post-traumatic stress disorder, which he said led to a drug addiction. Perez was deported to Mexico, but returned to Chicago after Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker pardoned him, allowing him to appeal his case and return home to his parents and two children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, he died, just six years after winning his battle for citizenship. His family said he died while visiting family in Mexico. Meanwhile, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Wabash and Wacker. A wreath laying ceremony was held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and at Soldier Field. Members of the Chicago chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America led the event to honor and remember our military members. Aurora honors veterans with annual parade The sacrifices of those who served were recognized as the city of Aurora celebrated the 87th anniversary of Veterans Day. And in the west suburbs, once again, the city of Aurora honored the men and women of the military with their own Veterans Day celebration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sacrifices of those who served were recognized as the city of Aurora celebrated the 87th anniversary of Veterans Day with its annual Veterans Day parade. "I feel like a lot of times they help us when they're younger, but they're kind of thrown into the shadows, but it likes for them to know we still are thankful and still support them," said Aurora resident Kristine Brilla. Despite the cold on Tuesday, a small crowd still showed up to honor those who have made the commitment to defend the United States and all of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The parade featured local veterans' groups and military organizations, including the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council, The Daughters of the American Revolution and students from the junior ROTC program from local high schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alexander Brilla says he comes from a military family and is so proud to see his oldest daughter march in the parade. "My brother is currently serving. My sister has served. One of my nephews just graduated the Marine Corps. One of my nephews just graduated at the airport, and my other nephew is in the National Guard. So, we do support the veterans," Brilla said. After the parade, there was a ceremony where a U.S. Air Force veteran and instructor at the local high school was the guest speaker. Many people showed up, saying they think now more than ever, it is important to support the men and women of the military. Veteran who trained service dog surprised with news that he gets to keep her Jim Hertz believed he had been training Rossy, a pit bull, for the last several months preparing to give her to another veteran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, for many veterans, it can be incredibly difficult to transition back into society after serving in conflict zones. But the group K-9s for Veterans has found that service dogs can help ease that transition for veterans and their families. Jim Hertz believed he had been training Rossy, a pit bull, for the last several months preparing to give her to a veteran. On Tuesday, Hertz, who served eight years in Afghanistan, learned that the veteran is him, as a gift from the American Warrior Initiative. The American Warrior Initiative is funded by the Fairway Home Mortgage Company, which donates millions to provide service dogs, their food and veterinarian costs, to veterans. To many veterans, the companionship of a service dog can be a lifesaver. At Naperville's field of honor, thousands of flags honor our veterans. Many veterans and others walk quietly through the display. Glenn Petersen who served in the Army in Vietnam is accompanied by Bailey, a toy poodle who has been his companion for 13 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement K-9s for Veterans adopts dogs of all breeds from shelters. They believe they are improving the lives of both pets and veterans. Hertz and his family say they are immensely grateful. Of course, it is Veterans Day on Tuesday, but the American Warrior Initiative does about 30 events like Tuesday's Naperville event per year. And they say to them, every day is Veterans Day. Chairman of the Veterans Memorial Committee of Arlington Heights Greg Padovani joined ABC7 Chicago. Passengers on a Frontier Airlines flight from Atlanta to Cincinnati were evacuated after a loaded ammunition magazine was found near a seat during boarding. The magazine was discovered Sunday by a passenger who alerted flight attendants, prompting a full security sweep and rescreening of all passengers. Atlanta police are investigating the incident, Channel 2s Michael Seiden reported. If you see something thats not supposed to be on the plane, you do report it, said passenger Rosalind Evans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Frontier Airlines confirmed it happened during boarding. They said the magazine was determined to belong to a law enforcement officer who had traveled on an earlier flight using the same aircraft. Law enforcement sources said only federal agents are permitted to fly with loaded magazines, although the specific agency the officer works for remains unclear. The magazine and ammunition have been handed over to Atlanta police, who have not yet responded to inquiries about the investigation. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A man from Auglaize County won the $75,000 top prize on a scratch-off lottery ticket. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The New Bremen resident bought the winning Queen of Hearts ticket at S&G #66 located at 54 S. Main St. in Minster. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After mandatory state and federal taxes totaling 27.125%, the winner will receive $54,656.25. Queen of Hearts is a double-sided ticket that offers 1 in 4.20 overall odds of winning, according to the Ohio Lottery. As of November 6, there is one top prize remaining and two second-tier prizes of $10,000 remaining. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A man was charged after Pennsylvania State Police say he broke into a longtime Franklin County drug store last week. Court documents show Timothy Stoner, 45, of Chambersburg, allegedly admitted to burglarizing Carls Drug Store, located at 145 North Antrim Way in Greencastle Borough, early Friday morning. When Troopers arrived at the drug store just after 2 a.m., they saw a shattered door. Surveillance video allegedly recorded Stoner, who had his face covered, grabbing Oxycodone, OxyContin, Diazepam and other pill bottles, according to the criminal complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter Troopers said employees were able to determine that $1,573.55 worth of medication was taken and outside cameras were covered. A red pickup truck was seen at a nearby Sheetz traveled to the drug store just before the burglary. According to Troopers, a database showed Stoner owned the same type of truck, and the vehicle was spotted parked at Stoners residence when Troopers drove by later in the day. Upon searching the residence, State Police said they found medication matching the same kind that was stolen, along with clothes that the suspect was seen wearing on surveillance video during the burglary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint states, Stoner allegedly admitted to the burglary and said he thought he was stealing Xanax. Stoner faces felony charges of burglary and criminal trespass, along with misdemeanor charges of theft and criminal mischief. He was placed in Franklin County Jail after being arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Kristin Nicklas, who set bail at $100,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 13. Carls Drug Store celebrated its 200th anniversary this year, as it has been open since 1825. To celebrate, it held an event during the towns 42nd Triennial Old Home Week. 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. Credit: Telegram / @oleksiihoncharenko We are losing Pokrovsk, came the warning call of a Ukrainian MP on Tuesday morning. The Russians have broken into the city, Oleksiy Goncharenko, wrote on Telegram alongside an unverified video showing Russian forces under the cover of the fog entering the city piled on an odd assortment of motorcycles, buggies and cars. It followed days of Russian claims that its forces were advancing on the citys centre in a pincer movement, encircling the Ukrainian troops inside; their defences finally crumbling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has repeatedly denied such reports, characterising the fighting as difficult, but far from over. Yet, the footage only adds to the mounting fears that the key supply and rail hub in southeastern Ukraine is on the brink of capture. The strategic city has been under siege for more than a year, bearing the brunt of Russias onslaught in eastern Ukraine. Nearly one-third of all the battles along the 620-mile front line are currently in Pokrovsk. b' 1211 Russian advances in Pokrovsk ' House-to-house battles rage inside the blackened rubble of Soviet-era apartment blocks where only a few hundred remain in a city once home to 60,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraines military said on Tuesday about 300 Russian soldiers were inside Pokrovsk, with Moscow intensifying efforts to penetrate the citys defences using the dense fog cover. Their goal remains unchanged to reach the northern borders of Pokrovsk and then attempt to encircle the agglomeration, Ukraines 7th paratrooper corps said on social media. If Pokrovsk falls, it would mark Russias biggest conquest in Ukraine in more than two years and allow Russia to push north and west, threatening the fortress belt cities, the backbone of Ukraines defence in the Donbas. The symbolism of its loss would hurt Ukraines low morale and aid Vladimir Putins narrative attempts to convince Donald Trump that Russia is on the march and sending weapons to Kyiv is wasteful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volodymyr Zelensky, who visited the front lines near the city last week, said on Monday night that Ukrainian forces were holding their positions around Pokrovsk. Yet, how long they can hold is unclear. Volodymyr Zelensky hands awards to servicemen during his visit to the front line in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine - Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Shutterstock Ukraines top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, warned on Monday that Russia was concentrating some 150,000 troops, including mechanised groups, for a final push to capture Pokrovsk. Gen Syrskyi said Ukrainian forces were using built-up urban areas to limit the progress of Russian troops and were confronting Russian sabotage units. There are ongoing battles and fights raging on. There are fast manoeuvres carried out by the enemy all the time, he told The New York Post, adding that the perception that Russia is about to finish it is not true, he said. Only a few hundred people remain in Pokrovsk, once home to 60,000, with many buildings damaged by Russian strikes The shattered city looks close to being surrounded, with only a narrow gap in which to bring in supplies and reinforcements, according to the battlefield map by DeepState, a group with ties to the Ukrainian military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian forces have also secured two slim corridors into the citys centre from the south and up its western side, according to the map, which shows the rest of Pokrovsk largely in a contested gray zone. The fiercest fighting is raging in the northern districts of Pokrovsk, with the citys industrial zone being under the heaviest fire. Ukraine is struggling but still managing to clear some areas in the north, while staging counter-attacks in the city and its western outskirts, slowing Russias advance, according to the Institute for the latest report by the Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank. Credit: Telegram / @shershni68 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city would be the largest to fall since Russias capture of Bakhmut, northeast of Pokrovsk, in May 2023 after a brutal nine-months-long siege. Like in Bakhmut, Russia has thrown endless infantry into costly and slow advances, with its commanders willing to take on huge casualties for incremental gains, often as little as a bunker or a treeline. In October alone, Russian troops are estimated to have suffered a record 25,000 killed and wounded in the area. With winter settling in, advancing becomes more difficult without the cover of foliage to hide from a sky full of drones. According to accounts from Ukrainian soldiers, Russian troops numbers inside the city now outnumber their own. Ukrainian servicemen unload shells for a self-propelled howitzer near Pokrovsk - Anatolii Stepanov/Reuters For weeks on end, Russia has sent small groups of infiltrators as little as two to three men, to slip through Ukraines undermanned front lines. Once inside the city, they either sow chaos or hunker down and wait for more reinforcements to arrive, steadily increasing their numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivan Stupak, a Ukrainian military analyst and former officer in Ukraines security service, said: Ukraine is slowly but surely losing Pokrovsk, the Russian encirclement is not finished but Ukrainian supply routes are almost cut. The bottleneck is about 5km, he told The Telegraph, referring to the thin corridor in which Kyiv relies on to bring in supplies and reinforcements to the city. There are growing calls for Ukraine to withdraw its troops from the city. In the past, Ukrainian generals have faced criticism for waiting too long and risking lives. Mr Stupak argued that it is time for Ukraine to begin withdrawing from its defensive pocket in the south to avoid unnecessary casualties and the risk of a heavy tactical defeat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is very important that military operations are not ruled by politicians, he said. Just to Pokrovsks east is the town of Myrnohrad, which Russian forces have enveloped from almost all sides. On Monday, both Russia and Ukraine issued conflicting accounts of the fighting. Ukrainian units are confidently holding their positions and destroying the occupiers on the approaches to the town, the Ukrainian military said. Logistics to the town are complicated, but are being carried out, it added. Russias defence ministry said its forces were pressing an advance on the town, claiming to have captured two of the towns districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Ukraine withdraws from Pokrovsk it would also have to abandon Myrnohrad, dealing another blow to its defence at a crucial section of the front. Meanwhile, further to the north, Russia on Tuesday claimed to have full control of the eastern part of Kupiansk, a vital stronghold that has been under attack for two years. Ukraine has not yet commented on the report. As the war approaches the end of its fourth year, Russia holds about 19 per cent of Ukrainian territory. Putin has repeatedly rejected Mr Trumps demands to agree to a ceasefire, instead holding on to its maximalist demands that Ukraine surrender all of the Donbas. 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. Residents reported hearing a loud boom and feeling their homes shake in the Myrtle Beach area over the weekend. The loud noise reportedly shook the Grand Strand on Saturday night, leading area residents to post their questions and speculations about the incident online. Reports surfaced from throughout the area, including Socastee, Longs and North Myrtle Beach, according to online posts. Some commenters guessed that the blast was the result of Horry County bomb squad training, but Horry County officials had nothing to report about the noise or the shaking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about what caused the sound, Horry County spokesperson Thomas Bell told The Sun News in an email that the Horry County Police Department had no reports that explain it. Some residents speculated online that the noise could have come from Tannerite, a type of explosive used for rifle practice that produces a loud sound. However, others claimed that the sound was far too loud and widely heard to have come from Tannerite. Bell did not immediately respond to questions from The Sun News about whether Tannerite could have caused the sound. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division announced on Monday that a 1.7 magnitude earthquake was recorded further south, near Centerville, over the weekend. However, this quake took place at 11:17 p.m. on Sunday evening, the day after local reports of noise and shaking. Earthquakes can cause shaking as well as booming sounds, which come from high-frequency vibrations from shallow quakes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. But a 1.7 magnitude quake is typically too small to be felt, even closer to the epicenter, according to Michigan Technological Universitys Earthquake Magnitude Scale. When asked about whether the weekend quake could have been associated with what Grand Strand residents experienced, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division said they do not have that information. The Louisiana Board of Ethics has confirmed elected officials and election candidates can use their campaign funds to attend Washington Mardi Gras. The entrance to the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.'s Dupont Circle area is decorated for the 75th anniversary of Washington Mardi Gras in January 2024. (Photo by Julie O'Donoghue/Louisiana Illuminator) The Louisiana Board of Ethics confirmed Friday that elected officials and political candidates can use their campaign money for expenses related to Washington Mardi Gras following a law change earlier this year. The ethics board issued an advisory opinion last week to Mandeville Mayor Clay Madden, stating he can legally use campaign funds to cover his Washington Mardi Gras expenses. Madden intends to go to the event, which will take place during the last week of January, in his official capacity as a city representative. The Mayor intends to travel to the 2026 Washington Mardi Gras event to engage in meetings with various stakeholders, including constituents, other municipal leaders, parish presidents, state legislators, and U.S. senators and representatives, Elizabeth Sconzert, Mandevilles city attorney, wrote in an email to the ethics board in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington Mardi Gras is an annual, four-day festival held in the nations capital featuring a formal Mardi Gras ball, parade, black-tie gala, business luncheons, political fundraisers and several parties thrown by and for the politically connected. Some of Louisianas largest companies and lobbyists are among the sponsors of the event. Including airfare, hotel stays, krewe membership dues, event tickets and formal attire, it easily costs thousands of dollars for an individual to take part in the festivities. Elected officials have, for years, used their campaign funds to go to Washington Mardi Gras, held at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Nearly $600,000 from Louisiana campaigns and political action committees accounts went to cover Washington Mardi Gras expenses in 2024 alone. But whether all this spending was allowed under state ethics laws has been unclear. The ethics boards guidance on whether political campaign money could be used for Mardi Gras-related expenses has been muddled. State law generally bans the use of campaign funds and political action committee money for personal use, but the Louisiana Legislature carved out a explicit exception for Washington Mardi Gras spending earlier this year. Under the new law, political candidates can use their campaign accounts to cover costs related to their attendance, as well as that of their spouses and children, at events related to the Mardi Gras celebration in Washington D.C. Prior to the law change, legislators had complained the ethics board was scrutinizing political spending on Washington Mardi Gras. Its difficult to know what specific questions the ethics board was asking because its investigations are confidential. Louisvilles Department of Public Health and Wellness is moving to close a Bardstown Road hotel, leaving some residents who live there permanently with little notice to vacate. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services suspended a permit for Budgetel Inn & Suites at 3304 Bardstown Road on Nov. 11, according to an email from an employee in the Louisville Metro Office of Social Services that was obtained by The Courier Journal. In response to a request for more information, health department spokesperson Kathy Turner said the city had requested the suspension "after a history of failed inspections," including the last four conducted at the hotel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The business has the right to appeal their permit suspension," Turner said by email. "During the appeal process, they are allowed to continue to operate." A previous email had been sent to the Office of Social Services by a public health employee, informing them of an impending closure and asking for assistance with permanent residents. It is unknown how many people are staying long-term on the property at this time. Im sorry for the extremely short notice, we were not expecting the State to move so quickly, the email from the public health employee read. I know they have a large number of guests that live there permanently and will need resources. The Office of Social Services asked for collaboration with multiple local advocacy groups to help those impacted by notices to vacate. The hotel has 187 rooms, with a large number of long-term guests staying there, according to the email. A sign outside the Budgetel on Bardstown Road offering daily and weekly prices. David Smillie, director of Louisville Outreach for the Unsheltered, said the hotel's closure would put strain on a system that's already at it's limit. Louisville is also under a white flag advisory as of Nov. 11, which goes into effect when the city is under extreme weather conditions and increases available shelter beds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't think any of us are naive," Smillie said. "I'm certain the city has its reasons coming from a public health and wellness standpoint for taking this action." "However, there's another version of harm reduction that gets thrown out the window when there's this mass removal of people," Smillie continued. "We already have a deficit of shelter beds available in our city." The Budgetel is not the only hotel ordered to shut down in recent months. In September, Louisville Manor Motel was ordered to close its doors indefinitely following public concerns and documented incidents of theft, assault and drug-related activities on the property. The Bardstown Road hotel previously avoided shutdown in 2015, when it was operated as an Economy Inn. City officials issued a notice of intent to suspend its permit in November that year, after it failed a health department inspection. But the hotel was ultimately allowed to continue operating after making improvements, according to previous Courier Journal reporting. Laquon Jefferson and Morgan Haynes have stayed at the Budgetel on and off for the past 10 years while trying to save money and build credit in order to rent an apartment. Residents Morgan Haynes and Laquon Jefferson said the hotel has made strides in cleanliness and amenities since they lived there in 2015. No more bed bugs, better management and some of the rooms even have Jacuzzi tubs, Jefferson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple rent a room at the motel when they have money, sometimes staying for weeks, sometimes only days. When they don't have the $70 for a night stay, or $300 for a full week, they live out of their car. "It's gonna affect a lot of people," Jefferson said. "A lot of homeless people, a lot of people that come from downtown because this is the cheapest room in Louisville." Tell us what you think. Submit your letter to the editor. This story will be updated. Reach reporter Keely Doll at kdoll@courierjournal.com or follow her on X at @keely_doll. Contact reporter Killian Baarlaer at kbaarlaer@gannett.com or @bkillian72 on X. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville seeks to close Budgetel Inn & Suites on Bardstown Road IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir attended the funeral in Kfar Saba Military Cemetery calling Goldin a "compass and conscience for the entire people of Israel." Lt. Hadar Goldin was laid to rest on Tuesday at the military cemetery in Kfar Saba after a harrowing fight to return his body following 11 years in Hamas captivity. Goldin was abducted while dismantling a Hamas terror tunnel in Rafah in 2014, the morning an alleged ceasefire was put into place. He was 23 at the time of his murder and was held by Hamas for 4,118 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the funeral procession, speeches were shared by IDF leadership and the slain soldiers parents. Ruby Chen, the father of the recently returned slain soldier and hostage St.-Sgt. Itay Chen was in attendance just two days after burying his own son. In his tribute to Goldin, Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir called his return the official end of 2014s Operation Protective Edge, calling Goldin a compass and conscience for the entire people of Israel, a compass that the IDF will carry through the world. He commented on Goldins sacrifice for his country, noting that Israel keeps fighting to ensure peace remains across the land. 'We're here because of everything you left us' His mother, Leah, spoke of the pain of waiting 11 years for his return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a long time. A very long time, she said. I honestly cant explain how we did it, except that every time we nearly broke, someone in the family would jump in and say: But what would Hadar say? So were here because of everything you left us, all your instructions for life, and because of who you are. Except for one small thing I still hoped you would suddenly appear and say everythings okay. Thank you, she said. I want you to know, I always loved you. There was never any doubt. You didnt need to ask your teachers if Mom knew you loved me. Yes, I know you love me, and you love [sister] Ayelet, and you love [brother] Chemi, and you love [twin brother] Tzur, and you love Dad, and you love [then-fiancee] Edna. So rest in peace. Prof. Simcha Goldin called for a continuation of his sons legacy. Hadar was special in the way he touched people; it is fitting that everyone should take something from him, he said. Through all of our tears, always remember Hadars smile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hadar was someone who saw joy and a smile as the path to genuine human connection. Thats why its so impossible to cry over him. So through all our tears, always remember the radiant smile that represents the proper connection between people. Thats what Hadar taught us, and we must continue his path. Hadar never cursed and didnt allow his students, friends, or subordinates to curse. He saw it as a fundamental weakness. He called for society to follow his sons example, and spoke of his artistic abilities, love of literature, and warrior spirit. He said that before he enlisted, Goldin had asked his mother, Leah, to teach him to sew, and he successfully embroidered the words strength and humility on his rifle strap himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Moses stands at the moment of redemption from hundreds of years of slavery in Egypt, he goes to bring Josephs remains to be buried in the Land of Israel, Simcha said. He does this because he knows a promise was made years and generations ago. He knows that promises must be kept, because if you dont fulfill the promise, redemption will not come. Edna Sarusi, who was Goldins fiancee when he was killed, called her late partner her hero. Hadar, you deserve to be talked about, to give space to your extraordinary personality that walked among us, that influenced so much good and light, and is so deeply missed. There arent many words that truly capture you. You are strength and light, creation and humor, thought and depth, intellect and emotion, innocence and love, she said. And somehow, all these beautiful words still feel like they cant fully express the magnitude of your rare and special personality. She focused on the principled struggle presented by his captivity, emphasizing that Israel does not leave soldiers behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But suddenly, now that youre here, I understand how sacred and profound it is to bring you home, because this is where you belong and this is where you need to be, she said. I want to remind everyone that the fight isnt over until we bring our four remaining fallen hostages home to their families, to our soil without giving up on anyone. Because thats whats right and what must be done. Ruby Chen attends Lt. Hadar Goldin's funeral in Kfar Saba Military Cemetery, November 11, 2025. (credit: Uriel Even Sapir) Ruby Chen, the father of recently returned slain soldier and hostage St.-Sgt. Itay Chen, was also in attendance just two days after burying his own son. President Emmanuel Macron has said France will form a joint panel with the Palestinian Authority to draw up a new constitution for Palestine. Macron made the remarks after meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris. "We decided together to establish a joint committee for the consolidation of the state of Palestine," Macron said, adding that it would "contribute to drawing up a new constitution, a draft of which president Abbas presented to me". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbas said he agreed "to the swift establishment of the constitutional committee". Reforming the governing body is essential for a "democratic and sovereign Palestinian state, living in peace and security alongside Israel", the presidents office said prior to the talks. The meeting comes a month into a fragile US-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas, following two years of devastating war in Gaza triggered by the militant group's incursion into southern Israel in 2023. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris, 11 November, 2025 - AP Photo It also comes just weeks after France joined a raft of other, mostly western European, countries in recognising Palestinian statehood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbas has headed the Palestinian Authority for 20 years, a body which has limited control over parts of the occupied West Bank. The authority is being considered to take over the governance of Gaza as part of the ceasefire deal. The two leaders also discussed Israeli plans for full annexation of the West Bank, which Macron called a "red line" for Paris. "Plans for partial or total annexation, whether legal or de facto, constitute a red line to which we will respond strongly with our European partners," Macron said. "The violence of the settlers and the acceleration of settlement projects are reaching new heights, threatening the stability of the West Bank and constitute violations of international law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brokered by US President Donald Trump, the ceasefire, which came into effect on 10 October, has been tested by Israeli air strikes and claims of Palestinian attacks on Israeli soldiers. Trump said last week he expected an International Stabilisation Force tasked with monitoring the ceasefire to be on the ground in Gaza "very soon." Palestinians walk through the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City, 11 November, 2025 - AP Photo Abbas 'manipulating France' The visit sparked anger in Israel with the country's embassy in Paris accusing Abbas of "manipulating France" in a post on X. The post slammed Abbas as a "Holocaust denier" whose popularity rating among Palestinians is "less than 15%." The statement also claims that the Palestinian Authority uses part of the funds allocated by France and other European countries to "finance Abbas' lavish lifestyle (...) and pay terrorists on a 'Pay for Slay' basis." Chinese innovation acts as positive asset of global green transformation Global Times) 08:33, November 11, 2025 Illustration: Liu Rui/GT Amid the global wave of green transformation, Chinese businesses have emerged as a pivotal force driving progress through technological innovation. A telling perspective on this shift comes from Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the world's biggest operator of car-carrying ships. Its Chief Executive Lasse Kristoffersen has observed that Chinese automakers are entering a new phase of expansion and innovation, and "Chinese producers have gone from being cost leaders to being technology leaders," the Financial Times reported. This trend has been further illustrated by the company's business adjustment. The company has historically benefited from Western carmakers shipping their products to China. But it is now trying to capture more revenue by helping newer Chinese brands to expand overseas. This shift is not merely a microcosm of Chinese automakers' accelerating globalization but also a direct reflection of their enhanced technological innovation capabilities. More significantly, these technological advancements are transcending national borders and collectively becoming a crucial driver in the worldwide effort to combat climate change. There was a time when "Made in China" was largely associated with cost advantages. Today, however, Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) are making their mark on the global stage thanks to substantive technological breakthroughs. From continuous improvements in battery energy density and fast upgrades in intelligent driving systems to innovations in charging efficiency and refined user experience, systematic innovation across the sector has enabled Chinese automakers to achieve a qualitative leap in product competitiveness. This transformation is neither accidental nor confined to EVs. It reflects years of sustained investment in research and development (R&D) across green technologies. From 2016 to 2022, China's authorized green and low-carbon technology invention patents accounted for 36.8 percent of the global total, with an average annual growth rate of 9.3 percent, despite declines in other countries during the same period, according to the China National Intellectual Property Administration. These figures attest to China's innovative capacity and its position in the green technology sector. These innovations have enhanced the environmental friendliness of Chinese products, aligning closely with global climate action while also earning widespread market recognition. From Southeast Asia to Europe, and from Latin America to the Middle East, the growing presence of Chinese EVs stands as a direct manifestation of how technological innovation translates into market competitiveness. Amid the global green transition, innovation by Chinese companies carries significant positive implications. As one of the major sources of carbon emissions, the transportation sector's decarbonization is pivotal to achieving global climate goals. With their dual advantages of high quality and cost-effectiveness, Chinese EVs have significantly lowered the threshold for global consumers to embrace green mobility, enabling more people to participate in low-carbon initiatives and accelerating the global decarbonization of the transportation sector. Meanwhile, China's advances in renewable energy, energy storage, and smart grids - coupled with its industrial chain integration capabilities - have provided strong support for countries seeking to build green infrastructure and optimize their energy mix. This technological spillover and supply-chain synergy mean that Chinese innovation is no longer confined to national interests but has evolved into a shared asset in the global effort to tackle the climate crisis. It is regrettable, however, that at a time when Chinese technological advances are creating new opportunities for the global green transition, some Western countries have resorted to shortsighted trade protectionism. Measures such as import restrictions and tariff hikes, accompanied by hype surrounding so-called security risks, have increasingly politicized technological competition. Such actions not only violate the principles of fair market competition but also reflect a disregard for the urgent needs of the global climate challenges. Climate change is a common challenge for all humanity, and no country can be immune from the impact. Blaming others for one's own shortfalls in development and seeking refuge in protectionism will only leave countries further behind in the wave of technological transformation, delaying global decarbonization efforts, and ultimately harming the collective interests of people worldwide. The global green transition should be an opportunity for countries to collaborate on tackling climate change, not a zero sum contest. Chinese companies are contributing valuable technological innovation and certainty to the shared sustainability goals. Rather than trying to hold others back, some in the West would do better to combine competition with cooperation, define strategic positioning and development niches through collaboration, and drive breakthroughs by increasing R&D investment. This is the true path to enhancing competitiveness in the era of green transformation. (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) JSW Energy has commissioned its first and Indias largest green hydrogen manufacturing plant, marking a major milestone in the countrys clean energy transition. Located adjacent to the JSW Steel facility in Vijayanagar, within the Indian state of Karnataka, the plant is part of Tranche I of the Production Linked Incentive scheme. The newly commissioned plant will supply green hydrogen directly to JSW Steels direct reduced iron (DRI) unit, enabling low-carbon steel production. This initiative is backed by a seven-year offtake agreement with JSW Steel to supply 3,800 tons per annum (tpa) of green hydrogen and 30,000tpa of green oxygen to the steelmaker. The project forms a part of JSW Energys 6,800tpa allocation under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme, run by the Solar Energy Corporation of India. JSW Energy has also signed a memorandum of understanding with JSW Steel to supply 85,000-90,000tpa of green hydrogen and 720,000tpa of green oxygen by 2030. These developments support JSW Energys sustainability vision and are aligned with Indias green hydrogen plan to achieve around five million tons per annum by 2030. JSW Energy joint managing director and CEO Sharad Mahendra said: We are proud to commission Indias first green hydrogen plant under National Green Hydrogen Mission, implemented through the SIGHT programme, by Government of India. The project is a key milestone in our countrys clean energy journey and reflects our unwavering commitment to support Indias transition toward a low-carbon economy and decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as steel. Green hydrogen will assume a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and Atmanirbhar Bharat [self-reliant India]. JSW Energy currently has a total locked-in power generation capacity of 30.5GW. This comprises 13.3GW that is operational, 12.5GW under construction across thermal and renewable sources, 150MW under acquisition in hydro, and a further 4.6GW in the pipeline. Looking ahead, JSW Energy aims to reach 30GW of generation capacity and 40GWh of energy storage capacity by financial year 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. "JSW Energy commissions green hydrogen manufacturing plant in India " was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. France and the Palestinian Authority plan to establish a joint committee to work on the consolidation of a future Palestinian state. "This committee will deal with all legal, constitutional, institutional and organizational aspects," French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday after talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris. The committee is also expected to contribute to drafting a new constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbas expressed full support for the creation of the constitutional committee and reiterated his call for Palestinian transitional institutions in the Gaza Strip to maintain links with the Palestinian Authority. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently noted that it remains unclear whether the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the West Bank, would have a role in the Gaza Strip in the future. Israel has historically opposed such arrangements. The Palestinian militant Hamas group, which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007, has also opposed Palestinian Authority control in the territory. As this week got underway, Donald Trump held an event in the Oval Office ostensibly about the swearing in of an ambassador, although the president took the opportunity to emphasize one of his priorities. One of the things were going to do, were going to issue a dividend to our middle-income people and lower-income people of about $2,000, the Republican boasted. And were going to use the remaining tariffs to lower our debt. A day earlier, by way of his social media platform, Trump touted his idea of rebate checks worth at least $2,000 per person, adding that theyll be paid to everyone except high-income earners. As part of the pitch, the president added that he also intends to use the same tariff revenue to begin paying down our ENORMOUS DEBT, $37 Trillion. (Not to be picky, but the national debt recently topped $38 trillion.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a practical matter, those hoping to see this money shouldnt hold their breath. Kevin Hassett, the director of the White House National Economic Council, appears to be going through the motions, pretending these rebate checks will eventually manifest, even as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested to ABC News over the weekend that there is no real policy plan in place. But putting that aside, the fact that Trump vowed to use tariff revenue simultaneously for dividend checks and for debt reduction underscores a problem he doesnt seem to understand. Theres an old accounting maxim, You cant spend the same dollar twice, and its time for the president to familiarize himself with the idea. As regular readers know, Trumps tariffs are generating revenue. Hes wildly exaggerated how much revenue, pointing to trillions of dollars, despite the reality of far more modest sums, but the money does exist. Thats not exactly surprising: Tariffs are, for all intents and purposes, taxes and taxes generate revenue. The trouble is that the president, whos long struggled with the basics of accounting, seems to be under the impression that the pool of money is so enormous that he can use it for a whole buffet of priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Trump, tariff revenue will be used to reduce the national debt. And pay for dividend checks. And pay for tax cuts. And even finance a new system of free child care for American families. There are very credible concerns about tariffs weakening economic growth in the coming months and years, and its an open question as to whether the Supreme Court even allows the administrations tariffs scheme to remain intact. But its foundational problem too often goes unaddressed: The White House cant spend the same dollar several times over. In late September, during his radical remarks to U.S. generals and admirals, Trump said, Weve taken in trillions of dollars. Were rich again. If he were right and the U.S. had actually taken in trillions of dollars since he began implementing his tariff scheme, we might have a very different kind of conversation. But in reality, tariff revenue was roughly $195 billion in the fiscal year that ended in late September. (Thats billion with a b, not trillion with a t.) And while $195 billion might sound like an enormous amount of money, in the context of federal expenditures, thats not even close to being enough to pay for all of the things the president has talked about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late July, Trump boasted online, our Country is doing very well and can afford just about anything. Itd be nice if that were true. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com A new Pelosi is running for office and President Donald Trumps MAGA supporters arent happy. Christine Pelosi the daughter of former House Speaker, GOP bogeywoman and fierce Trump critic Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced on Monday that she is running to represent San Francisco in the California state Senate. Politics: Lawrence O'Donnell Highlights 1 Vote Mike Johnson 'Fears More Than Any Vote Ever Cast' Im running to represent you, San Francisco, in Sacramento, fighting for consumer rights, womens rights, gun violence survivors, immigrants and our most vulnerable communities, against the threat we face, she said in a video shared on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What do we do when our freedoms are under attack? asked Pelosi. We speak up, we fight back and we organize. Power for the people, and thats what I want to do for you. Nancy Pelosi and her daughter Christine Pelosi on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in 2024. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images Multiple accounts on X, with MAGA proudly in their bios, slammed the announcement, saying they have had enough of the Pelosi family thank you, ripping the idea of a mini-Nancy in the Senate, posting clown emojis and more. Christine Pelosi is running for the seat that will be vacated by the term-limited Scott Wiener. Wiener is running for the seat in Congress that Nancy Pelosi has held since 1987 and announced last week that she would be leaving. Related... Read the original on HuffPost This story was produced as part of a partnership with NOTUS and the nonprofit, nonpartisan Allbritton Journalism Institute. Former Capitol Hill aide Jordan Wood announced on Wednesday he is dropping out of Maines U.S. Senate race to run instead in the states 2nd Congressional District. NOTUS was first to previously report that he was seriously considering the move. Woods decision would mean that the states marquee Senate contest would effectively become a one-on-one race between oyster farmer Graham Platner and Gov. Janet Mills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wood joining the race means a second prominent Democrat has joined the primary for the 2nd District, a seat held by retiring Democratic Rep. Jared Golden. The states auditor, Matt Dunlap, is also running in the district, which is Republican-leaning and considered a top pickup opportunity for the GOP during next years midterm election. Im stepping up where Im needed most. Right here in the second district, Wood said in his announcement video, nodding to the seat one of the most competitive House races in the entire country. Its unclear whether Wood, who once served as chief of staff to former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, would be the preferred pick of national Democrats, who are eager to hold the seat. Democrats have said they need a candidate similar to the retiring Golden, who can appeal to Republican voters in the conservative district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent months, Woods Senate candidacy has been overshadowed by Platners, whose bid has won adoration from progressives nationwide even as the political newcomer has also courted considerable controversy. Mills, the sitting governor, was recruited into the race by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and remains popular with many of the states voters. Note: This story was updated Nov. 12 following an official announcement from Wood. The original version of this story, published Nov. 11, stated Wood was seriously considering this move. The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding more victims of a sexual assault suspect. David Josue Lopes, also known as David Lopez, was arrested last week in the Westlake area for the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a girl in Hollywood. The 37-year-old's arrest is part of an ongoing investigation between the department's Juvenile Division-Stuart House Unit and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office Sex Crime Unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives believe there may be additional unidentified victims due to the bold and serious nature of the assault. Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at (424) 259-7096. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). A man died early Tuesday morning after trying to save his dogs from a house fire in Northeast Ohio. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The fire happened around midnight at a home in Clevelands Stockyards neighborhood, according to WOIO, a CBS affiliate in Cleveland. The victims mother was able to get out of the home and call 911. She told firefighters that her son was still inside the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cleveland Fire Department shared on social media that the man re-entered the home in an attempt to save his dogs, but was overcome by smoke/heat from wind-driven fire. TRENDING STORIES: While firefighters were able to pull him out, the man died from his injuries at a Cleveland-area hospital, WOIO reported. Medics also transported the victims mother to a nearby hospital for treatment. A lieutenant with the fire department told WOIO that there were no working smoke detectors in the home. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Convicted drug dealer Jonathan Braun, who had his sentence commuted by President Donald Trump during his first term, is being sent back to prison after he violated terms of his supervised release with a series of heinous acts, including allegedly assaulting a three-year-old and sexually abusing a nanny. Braun was sentenced to 27 months in prison on Monday in New York City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has been arrested several times since he was released from prison in early 2021, including in April for assaulting a man and his young son. Brauns other offenses include swinging an IV pole at a hospital nurse before threatening to kill her, predatory lending, threatening a fellow member of his synagogue, and assaulting his wife and his 75-year-old father-in-law. Yet another unsettling charge against him was his former live-in nanny testifying that Braun put her in a headlock, groped her breasts, and forced her hand over his genitals while he was naked on Feb. 15. ABC News reported from court on Monday: Brooklyn federal Judge Kiyo Matsumoto said she hoped Brauns expressions of remorse and promises to lead a law abiding life were in good faith, noting that many of the people who he had harmed have since forgiven him. Dont squander it, she said to Braun. Braun pled guilty to money laundering and drug trafficking charges in 2011, according to The New York Times, after federal prosecutors investigated him as one of the most prominent marijuana dealers in NYC. He was not sentenced until 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was freed from prison in January 2021, after his family leveraged a connection to Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, the NYT reported. While Braun was sentenced to 27 months, he will only have to serve 20 of them, due to the credit he is receiving for time served. NYT reported Judge Matsumoto also said he will need to serve three and a half years of supervised release after he exits prison, as well as undergo six months of residential treatment for drug abuse and mental illness. The post Man Pardoned By Trump Sentenced to Jail For New Crimes, Including Alleged Sexual Abuse first appeared on Mediaite. Changes are coming to a dangerous intersection in Manhattan, Illinois after residents spoke up. State and East North streets will be converted into a three-way stop. Residents reached out to the town asking for the change following the death of 13-year-old Chance Hunnicutt. Police say he was hit by a semi while biking with his twin brother and friends at that intersection last month. The mayor of Manhattan says more traffic studies and improvements are already in the works. SEE ALSO | Vigil held after 2 junior high students die within days in Manhattan, Illinois Q : With current capacity utilization at 88%, how does Jyoti CNC plan to manage production until the new capacity becomes operational in September 2026? A : Parakramsinh Jadeja, Executive Chairman and Managing Director, stated that the company is optimizing processes to stretch current capacity. They aim to slightly exceed current capacity until the new capacity is fully operational. There is uncertainty about the timeline for achieving full utilization of the expanded capacity, which may impact future growth projections. The company still relies on imports for nearly 30% of its components, which could affect cost competitiveness. Despite strong revenue growth, the profit after tax growth was relatively modest at 13% compared to the previous year. The company is currently facing capacity constraints, with utilization at 88%, which may limit growth until the new capacity is operational. Jyoti CNC is investing in training and upskilling its workforce, with plans to hire over 1,000 skilled engineers in the coming years. The company is expanding its manufacturing capacity from 6,000 machines per annum to 16,000 machines per annum by September 2026. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript . Order Intake (Q2): INR619 crore, with 44% from aerospace and defense, 23% from auto and auto components, 22% from general engineering, 11% from other sectors. Revenue Contribution (Q2): 36% from aerospace and defense, 26% from auto and auto components, 21% from general engineering, 17% from other areas. Story Continues Q: Can you provide details on the order intake from aerospace and defense sectors, and the contribution from India versus international markets? A: Jadeja explained that out of INR425 crore in orders from aerospace and defense, INR180 crore came from Indian defense, with the rest from global customers in Europe, China, Turkey, and Germany. Q: What is the reason for the significant increase in employee costs this quarter? A: Jadeja attributed the rise to ongoing hiring for expansion plans, with 80-90% of the required workforce already on board. The increase also reflects salary adjustments implemented from April. Q: How does Jyoti CNC plan to utilize the new Huron capacity, and what is the expected growth rate? A: The Huron facility, now operational, is expected to contribute to revenue in the last quarter of the year. The company anticipates a 30-35% annual growth rate for Huron. Q: What impact will the development of the Hua control panel have on margins, and will it be used in all machines? A: Jadeja noted that the Hua control panel will be integrated into all 16,000 machines, potentially increasing gross margins by 4-5%. Q: Can you provide a breakdown of machines sold this quarter and their revenue contribution? A: The company sold 1,315 machines with an average realization of INR38.62 lakh. Entry-level products accounted for 1,237 machines, mid-level for 69 machines, and high-value for 9 machines. Q: What is the expected timeline for achieving full utilization of the expanded capacity? A: Jadeja expects the ramp-up to maintain a growth trajectory of 30-35% over the next 3-4 years, with full utilization anticipated in the second half of the next fiscal year. Q: How does Jyoti CNC plan to sustain positive cash flow given the nature of its business? A: Jadeja expressed confidence in maintaining positive cash flow momentum, expecting better numbers in operating cash flow by the end of the year. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. When Trena Picou heard that the US Department of Agriculture agreed last week to issue partial food stamp benefits for November to comply with a federal court order, she was hopeful that shed get around half of her usual $263 allotment. The funds would help buy meat, potatoes, beans and rice for the two teen grandsons that she and her husband are raising. But the Houma, Louisiana, resident only received $64, which just covered a few packs of meat, cereal and milk and nearly brought her to tears. A few days later, her hopes were raised again when the USDA said it was processing full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, payments to comply with another court order. But the judges ruling was quickly blocked by the Supreme Court, which left her depressed but not surprised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, shes pinning her hopes on Congress soon passing a spending package that could reopen the federal government and get full SNAP assistance flowing again to tens of millions of Americans who depend on the aid to feed themselves and their families. The couple has had to use part of their disability payments to cover the grocery tab, leaving them worried about paying for rent and utilities. Trena and Tony Picou are worried about being able to afford to feed their grandsons, Javion and John Butler, on only partial SNAP benefits. - Trena Picou Though shes had to deal with the uncertainty surrounding this months food stamp benefits since the USDA announced in October that it didnt have the funds to pay them, the twists and turns of the past week or so have been way worse. You make plans to buy groceries and then its gone, Picou, 68, said of the potential to receive their benefits. Its pulling the rug out from under you, and you think What am I going to do now? Millions of SNAP recipients like Picou have been suffering whiplash this month, with the USDA issuing four different guidance memos to states about distributing at least some benefits and the two lawsuits that aim to force the agency to issue payments working their way through multiple levels of the US courts system. A federal judge in Rhode Island first ordered USDA to provide at least partial benefits but last week expanded his ruling to require the agency to pay full benefits. The Supreme Court on Friday evening temporarily paused the judges order to require full payments to be distributed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Senate voted Monday on a short-term spending bill that would reopen the federal government for now but fund SNAP for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends September 30. The benefits are starting to hit enrollees EBT cards, but it varies greatly by state. Some recipients of the program have received their full benefits this month, while others have only received a fraction of their usual allotment, while still others remain in limbo, uncertain if or when their payments will arrive. With her eyes on the mail and ear to her phone, Katherine Broadway is on high alert for any piece of communication about the return of her vital food assistance, nearly $700 each month for her family of four. The only form of communication shes received is an automated message about delayed payments from the number on the back of her benefits card. It is getting absolutely frustrating for us, she said. We keep getting told one thing about SNAP and then five minutes later its not coming, said Broadway, a retail worker from Northeast Ohio with two young daughters and a stay-at-home husband. We are growing very impatient at this point for relief for the country in general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the couple had to take a payday loan to afford groceries theyre hoping carry them throughout the next two weeks. Despite the stress of doing mental gymnastics to balance her pantry and refrigerator with her bank account, she is putting on a brave face for her daughters while holding onto hope that the tough times dont last. I wont lie, I have my little mental breakdowns, she said. I will go in the bathroom and I will cry because I am feeling so overwhelmed. In Grand Island, Nebraska, Anthony Harris continues to wait for his familys $389 in monthly SNAP assistance, while his mother in California received her full allotment on Friday after the Golden State rushed to distribute full benefits to its residents. He checks his EBT card daily but has yet to receive any benefits. Nebraskas SNAP website continues to say that November payments may be delayed or disrupted due to the federal government shutdown. When the USDA said last week that it would provide partial and then full benefits, Harris figured he could buy more food for his 16-month-old son, Anthony, Jr, who particularly likes ravioli and spaghetti and meatballs. Anthony and Tanya Harris are eating less so their son has enough food. - courtesy Anthony Harris We actually thought wed have food this month and not have to worry, said Harris, 46, who along with his wife, Tanya, have been going hungry at times to make sure their son has enough to eat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now hes doubtful that Nebraska will provide even partial benefits anytime soon. So he is going to work full time at Burger King, even though his current part-time position leaves him in great pain in his back and feet. Even residents who have received at least partial benefits are confused and concerned. They are worried about spending the funds on their EBT cards since theyve heard that USDA wants states to undo the distribution, said Jimmy Chen, CEO of Propel, an app that 5.5 million SNAP households use to manage their benefits. They think they may owe money to the government if they use the cards. Also, those receiving partial payments are asking Propel why they received that amount. They fear that a mistake was made or that theyll get the reduced amount going forward, Chen said. There are a lot of things were asking families to juggle right now, he told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (A Department of Justice attorney, who is representing the USDA in court, told a federal judge Monday that the agency is not looking to rescind the funds on recipients cards.) For some SNAP beneficiaries, the ever-shifting landscape has just been too much to bear. While Onita Norris has tried to keep up with the constantly shifting legal and political developments surrounding SNAP funding, she admits shes not tracking every update because it just causes unnecessary added stress. The Martinsburg, West Virginia, resident has yet to receive any funds for November. For her mental health, the single mother of two young children is limiting how closely she monitors the news. Onita Norris is struggling to feed her children, after the shutdown caused a freeze for federal food assistance under SNAP. - Clipped From Video - Clipped From Video I could obviously use the money, but Im not going to keep logging in (into her SNAP account) and refreshing when it seems like they havent figured this out, said Norris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite reports of a potential breakthrough in Congress to end the shutdown, she remains skeptical. Just because they say it doesnt mean thats whats going to happen, she said. Until I actually see something hit my account, its very much, Ill believe it when I see it. CNNs Devan Cole contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Night after night, Belgium is on the lookout. Over the past two weeks, its civilian airports, military bases and nuclear plants have been plagued by drones, causing chaos and security fears. It appears to be the latest European nation targeted in Russias apparent drone wars. On Sunday, five drones were spotted flying over the Doel nuclear power plant. Hours earlier there had been reports of multiple sightings 100 miles south at Liege airport, a key logistics hub where air traffic had to be suspended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially we had detected three drones, but then we saw five drones. They were up in the air for about an hour, a spokesman for Engie, the company that runs the nuclear plant, said. There were no safety concerns around the drones, with experts saying the plant was built to sustain a hit from a Boeing 737 jet. Britains Royal Air Force, France and Germany have all dispatched counter-drone units with specialist equipment to shore up their allys defences. They are likely to be deployed to secure the airspace around Kleine Brogel, the military base home to Belgiums air force, and its new fleet of F-35 fighter jets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Intelligence officials and experts have suggested that the repeated drone incursions are being organised by Russia. Justin Crump, the chief executive of intelligence and security consultancy Sibylline, said the spate and timing of recent incidents across Europe does suggest Russia as the most likely threat actor. He added: The comparative sophistication of these efforts resulting in maximum disruption with limited risk exposure also underscores the likelihood that these are deliberate and targeted acts. Mr Crump said that although the incidents were not direct overspills from the larger-scale drone operations in Ukraine, they were almost certainly linked to developments in the war there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: This has been a gradual pattern across Europe for years but appears now to be increasing in scope. Five drones were spotted flying over Belgiums Doel nuclear power plant - Corbis /Oliver Berg For Nato and EU officials, it is no surprise that Belgium is being targeted at the moment when it must decide whether to back the blocs transfer of 140bn (123bn) in frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraines defence. Boris Pistorius, Germanys defence minister, said on Friday: We all see this connection. The Belgians too. This is a measure aimed at spreading insecurity, at fear-mongering in Belgium. Dont you dare to touch the frozen assets. This cannot be interpreted any other way. Theo Francken, Belgiums defence minister said on Saturday: Russia is clearly a plausible suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Belgium isnt alone in facing interference or espionage from suspected Russian drones, in what has been interpreted as a Moscow-led intimidation campaign to deter support for Kyiv. Sweden Ahead of Swedens decision to sell 150 Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, a string of mysterious drone sightings was reported around military bases and public airports. On Sept 23, the Swedish authorities launched an investigation after multiple drones were spotted flying around the cities of Malmo and Lund, home to a key logistical point connecting the country to Denmark. Two nights later, authorities announced they had spotted a large unidentified drone in the skies over the Karlskrona archipelago in the countrys east, close to its largest naval base. Drones were seen in Sweden on the day Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, visited Stockholm - Reuters/Fredrik Sandberg It was the same day that Sweden announced it would sell its homemade fighter jets to Kyiv during a visit by Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, to Stockholm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov 6, Swedens second-largest airport, Gothenburg-Landvetter, was brought to a standstill when multiple drones were spotted buzzing around the skies, causing dozens of flights to be rerouted or cancelled. Denmark After Belgium, Denmark has been the country most impacted by rogue drones in recent months. Last month, The Telegraph used tracking data to connect a series of incursions by unidentified, unmanned aerial vehicles to a Russian shadow fleet tanker. Experts have speculated that the ship was used to launch drones that caused mayhem by shutting down infrastructure, leading to increasing military patrols. It is a new tactic in Russias growing hybrid war against European allies of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tanker was within 50 nautical miles of Copenhagen on Sept 22, when drone activity brought its airport to a standstill for hours. It was then observed skirting around Denmarks northernmost tip before sailing south down its western coast between Sept 23 and 25. During those days, four more Danish airports were closed after drone sightings. Local media outlets reported a day later that drones were hovering over Skrydstrup Air Base, in southern Denmark, and the Jutland Dragoon Regiment base. One or more drones were also seen near or above the military Karup Air Base, the countrys biggest military site, it was reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Denmark was in the process of tweaking its laws to allow a Ukrainian arms manufacturer to build a rocket fuel factory on its territory. Estonia The Baltic nation is one of Ukraines closest Western allies and is on the front line between Nato and Russia. On Sept 27, drones washed up on its south-western coast, around Luitemaa, Parnu County, hinting at possible overflights. It then became the first country to shoot down one of two civilian-like drones hovering over its Reedo military base, which hosts US troops, on Oct 17. The remains were never found. Late last month, Estonias Defence Force announced, without giving dates, that modified civilian drones had flown over Tapa, where British Challenger 2 tanks were deployed, and Johvi military bases. Credit: Reuters Norway Oslos main airport suffered a similar incident to nearby Copenhagen on Sept 22, when drones disrupted air traffic for several days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time the Russian shadow fleet vessel linked to the Danish sightings was in the area. But Norwegian police have stopped investigating, citing lack of evidence. The Danish investigation is ongoing. Days later, Norways defence procurement agency announced it was buying counter-drone equipment from a British firm in response to yet more sightings over the rland Air Base, its main hub for fighter jets. Last month, the authorities announced there had been 39 drone sightings since the initial incidents, without listing where they were. Germany German military installations have been a frequent target for alleged Russian drone activity for a number of years, with the countrys support for Ukraine at times considered flaky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Berlin fearful of escalating the conflict with its aid, Moscow has seen an opportunity to deter future help for Kyiv by operating a hybrid war in a country once considered an ally. In 2024, there were reports that unknown drones were flying over German military bases where Ukrainian troops were being taught to operate Leopard 2 battle tanks. More recently, the drones have been spotted in a similar pattern to the rest of Europe. On Sept 25, drones were also seen near infrastructure in Kiel, Germany. Officials said they were spying on a power plant, a military shipyard, a key shipping canal, a hospital and the regional parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the incident, the Russian shadow fleet vessel linked to sightings in both Denmark and Norway could be traced to the waters off Germanys North Sea coast. Thousands of passengers were stranded at Munich International Airport Days later, the main airport in Munich was forced to close twice in 24 hours because of drone sightings, affecting some 6,500 passengers. The UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) were also said to have been spotted over the nearby Erding military base. On Oct 8, Geilenkirchen Air Base, home to several Nato surveillance planes, was affected by drones. Berlins Brandenburg airport halted flights for two hours on Nov 1 because of a similar issue with an unknown flying object in the sky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two days later Bremen airport briefly suspended flights because a drone was spotted overhead. While there is no conclusive evidence to pin the incidents on Russia, probably because it is using criminal gangs across Europe to carry out its hybrid warfare, there is a growing consensus that Nato and the EU has to do more to defend itself against such attacks. 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. The Marine Corps Birthday Ball was held Monday night in Philadelphia's Center City. Actor and retired Marine Rob Riggle helped the military branch celebrate milestones by speaking at the 100th Marine Corps Birthday Ball. RELATED: Veterans Day deals for service members The cherished tradition took place in the same ballroom as the first one, which was inside the Bellevue Hotel in Center City. It comes as they celebrate 250 years of the U.S. Marine Corps. The celebration concludes on Tuesday, which is Veterans Day, with a ceremony aboard the Battleship New Jersey in Camden. RELATED: Veterans Day: What's open, what's closed Months after declaring bankruptcy and the prospect of closing forever, the historic Marineland Dolphin Adventure facility, its staff and animals will be preserved. That is the promise of Jon and Barbara Rubel, a Clay County couple whose $6.5-million bid won a Nov. 10 auction for Marineland. The Rubels' bid, submitted under their company's name #1 Apex Association, LLC, edged out two other bids from Texas-based Delightful Development, LLC, and Northeast Florida developer Hutson Companies, according to court filings. The two runners-up were listed as first and second backup bidders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apex's bid totaled just under $7.14 million $6.5 million in cash and $635,000 accounting for cost savings given the intention to preserve the facility. These costs included closing the facility, relocating the animals and other legal proceedings. The other two bids, whose intentions for the property were not specified, came in $7.1 million (Delightful Development) and $7.05 million (Hutson Companies). A sale confirmation hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 10 a.m. Winning bidders confident they can make Marineland model work A dolphin leaps into the air to the delight of kids during a dolphin encounter at Marineland in this 2014 file photo. Monday's auction was the second for the Marineland property since it filed for bankruptcy in March 2025. The first took place Oct. 13, with a winning $7.1-million bid from Delightful Development. However, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein refused to approve the sale during an Oct. 27 confirmation hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Silverstein had said she needed to understand more about Marineland as a facility what it is, how it is currently operating, how the animals are involved before deciding. Those aspects matter in Marinelands case, Silverstein argued then, because they make it more than a pure real estate transaction. Marineland Dolphin Trainer Chad Stouffer holds a birthday cake for Nellie, the oldest Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin born in captivity, who turned 54 as trainers Krista Aiello and Vicky Ramirez assist at the Marineland Dolphin Conservation Center Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007. (David Massey). At that same hearing, Jack Kassewitz, a Miami-based dolphin specialist who helped the Rubels draw up their business plan for the facility, said he was "convinced that we can make the model work." Previous coverage: Judge refuses Marineland sale amid concerns local bid to preserve facility was omitted The Rubels' legal team worked with the debtors attorneys' team after the Oct. 27 hearing to present the offer, according to Allison Mielke, an attorney with Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, which is representing the debtors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apexs $6.5-million offer (not accounting for its cost savings aspects) came on Thursday evening, Nov. 6. This is a developing story. Check back for more information. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Marineland Florida saved with 2nd winning bid from local couple Reporters interview Eric Meyer outside of the Marion County Record office in Marion, Kansas, the site of a 2023 police raid, after an Oct. 7, 2024, court hearing for Gideon Cody, the former Marion police chief who led the raid. Meyer and others reached agreements with the county Monday for its role in the raids. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA The county involved in a small-town Kansas newspaper raid in 2023 will pay a cumulative $3 million to three journalists and a city councilor. In two of the four agreements, the Marion County Sheriffs Office also crafted a statement admitting regret. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sheriffs Office wishes to express its sincere regrets to Eric and Joan Meyer and Ruth and Ronald Herbel for its participation in the drafting and execution of the Marion Police Departments search warrants on their homes and the Marion County Record. This likely would not have happened if established law had been reviewed and applied prior to the execution of the warrants, the statement reads. Marion Countys board of commissioners approved agreements Monday with Eric Meyer, the owner and editor of the Marion County Record, and Ruth Herbel, the Marion city councilor whose home was raided in tandem with the newspaper office, and two other journalists. The agreements coincide with consent judgments expected to be submitted in their federal cases against the county. The county was a secondary player in the raids, in Meyers eyes, but the agreements could play a part in the papers ongoing cases against the city. Everybody involved in this is 100% convinced we are going to go to trial with the city, Meyer said. This will make that easier in some regard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countys agreements with Deb Gruver and Phyllis Zorn, local journalists whose lives were upended by the raids, are more akin to settlements and dont include admissions of regret. The county agreed to pay Meyer $1.5 million, Herbel $650,000, Zorn $600,000, and Gruver $250,000, according to copies of the agreements obtained by Kansas Reflector. Insurance covers most of those funds, but the county must pay Meyer $50,000. In another lawsuit against former Marion police chief Gideon Cody, who is also facing criminal charges, Gruver settled last year for $235,000. According to Meyer, Zorn has retired from her position at the Marion County Record, effective immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mondays deals settle the countys obligations within four federal lawsuits against the city of Marion and Marion County governments and officials in the wake of the raids. Five cases were consolidated into a single federal lawsuit, and the four agreements give the county and the sheriffs office immunity from any future legal action related to the Aug. 11, 2023, searches and seizures at the Marion County Record, Meyers home and Herbels home. The county agreed to make available Marion County Sheriff Jeff Soyez, Detective Aaron Christner, and Undersheriff Larry Starkey for official interviews, which could be used in other legal disputes. Previously, the cases were stalled, preventing interviews from taking place. Claims against the city of Marion, its police department and other officials, including former Mayor David Mayfield and former police chief Gideon Cody, are not involved in the agreements. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the total sum of Phyllis Zorns and Deb Gruvers settlements and Zorns position at the Marion County Record. That did not take long. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), less than an hour after President Donald Trump vented to reporters she has been catering to Democrats, told CNNs Kaitlan Collins the president was stone cold wrong. I havent lost my way. Im 100% America first and only! Greene told Collins, according to an X post from the cable host. Her reaction followed Collins asking Trump for his reaction to Greene, after the Louisiana Republican has criticized the president for grocery prices and for nonstop foreign policy meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know what happened to Marjorie, Trump said at the White House. Shes a nice woman, but I dont know what happened. Shes lost her way, I think. He added a moment later: So when somebody like Marjorie Taylor Greene, whos now catering to the other sideI dont know what, you know, I guess shes got some kind of an act goingbut Im surprised at her. But when somebody like Marjorie goes over and starts making statements like that, it shows she doesnt know. Greene has been increasingly critical of her own party recently and there are plenty of recent examples to point to. MTG, on the Nov. 1 episode of Bill Mahers Real Time, bashed Republicans for not having a plan to replace Obamacare, which she said made her angry. She has also called male Republican congress members weak, slammed GOP lawmakers for having no plan to end the government shutdown, and criticized the GOP for, in her view, dragging its feet on releasing files on sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And last week, during an appearance on CNN, Greene said, I also blame those who are advising him in the White House. You know, keeping him on nonstop tours around the world and nonstop meetings with foreign countries leaders is not America First. Its just not. The back-and-forth with Trump comes as Greene is reportedly plotting a 2028 run for president. Watch Trump discuss MTG above, via Fox News. The post Marjorie Taylor Greene Snaps Back at Trump After He Disses Her in Oval Office Presser: I Havent Lost My Way first appeared on Mediaite. A plan to roll back Massachusetts climate commitments is reverberating around the State House. (Photo by Jennifer Smith/CommonWealth Beacon) Massachusetts could render its 2030 climate commitments null and void under new sweeping legislation being fast-tracked by the House, according to a copy of the bill viewed by CommonWealth Beacon. The measure, led by Rep. Mark Cusack, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy, would grant Massachusetts immunity should the state miss its target if the top environmental official in Massachusetts attributes that outcome to the actions or inactions of the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In such an instance, the states goal to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels would become advisory in nature and unenforceable. These changes to the states bedrock climate law, along with other major shifts in state climate policy like offshore wind procurements and energy efficiency funding, are currently under consideration by lawmakers on the House panel and could be quickly advanced. Cusack is aiming to move the legislation out of the House with a floor vote before lawmakers break for the year on November 19 after a poll of committee members closes on Wednesday. He says he has House Speaker Ron Marianos support to do just that, though a spokesperson for the speaker said he hasnt yet taken an official position. The bill leaves in place the states long-term goal of cutting emissions by 85 percent by 2050. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number one goal is to save money and adjust to the reality with clean energy, Cusack said in an interview. This is a bill that saves significant money, real hard dollars, that people will see the impact of, while also dealing with the assault weve gone through, he said, referring to moves by the Trump administration to roll back climate initiatives, and planning for the future by not touching any mandates farther out. We want to get there, but if were going to miss our mandates, and its not the fault of ours, its incumbent on us not to get sued and not have the ratepayers be on the hook. The plan reverberating around Beacon Hill, as first reported by CommonWealth Beacon last week, is sure to put lawmakers in a politically difficult position and test their willingness to defend the climate commitments enacted just four years ago. And it forces them to confront the drastic changes President Trump has made to Massachusettss efforts to transition to a clean energy economy, including stalled offshore wind permitting and revoked funding for solar energy and electric vehicles, as the onset of winter stokes residents anxiety over energy costs. Cusacks measure would cap the budget for the states energy efficiency program, Mass Save, at $4 billion, marking a $500 million cut from its current budget as approved by the Department of Public Utilities. The bill would even reduce the already-approved Mass Save budget by more than $300 million over the course of three years until 2027, with a focus on trimming the money that Mass Save spends on marketing and advertising. The program upgrades homes with heat pump installations and weatherization through a collaboration among the states utility companies, but it has become a contentious point in the states affordability debates because it is funded by ratepayers and appears as a line item on electric bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation would similarly render Mass Saves emissions reduction goals through 2030 which are currently 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide under the programs current three-year budget as advisory, non-binding, and non-enforceable. Since buildings are the second-most polluting sector in Massachusetts, the Mass Save goals are a key part of the states strategy to meet the overall 2030 targets. Mass Save delivered $2.8 billion in total benefits last year and has reduced annual electricity consumption dramatically, according to program data. The bill would also push back the states statutory deadline to contract for 5,600 megawatts of offshore wind by two years, from 2027 to 2029, in order to respond to uncertainty surrounding federal permitting and changing market conditions, according to a bill summary. The legislation represents Cusacks overhaul of Gov. Maura Healeys energy affordability package filed earlier this year, which contained none of these provisions. Cusacks bill is moving as an entirely new measure outside of regular procedure, meaning he can move on his own track through the House without consent from his counterpart on the joint committee, Sen. Michael Barrett. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In order to become law, however, it would still need Senate approval likely a long shot. People always criticize the process when they cant criticize the substance of the bill, Cusack said when asked if the measure is more for messaging or negotiation than something that can become law. We took the perspective of, whats a bill that saves the ratepayer money, makes our commitment to clean energy, and our competitiveness economically? That was the focus. It wasnt a focus of, can I get 21 votes in the Senate? I dont serve in the Senate. Not my monkey, not my circus. Still, the fact that such a measure appears to be advancing in the House is a sign of just how far the pendulum has swung on climate policy and a renewed sensitivity to the costs of clean power. Healey didnt directly address the House plan when asked at a press conference on Monday as her legislation devolves into a broader fight over climate goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I havent seen the outlines of any specific plan on that, she said, adding that shes going to continue to work with the Legislature on her energy affordability bill. There are other things in that legislation that will, right now, help us reduce energy costs. Thats what weve got to focus on, Healey said. The new measure from Cusack is bound to further upset climate advocates and progressives in Massachusetts, some of whom are already urging action in response. Sierra Club Massachusetts, Mass Power Forward, and Progressive Mass have all mobilized their networks to contact state lawmakers just since Friday to express their opposition to the House bill. The measure would also make reforms to various agencies and the utilities, including a proposal similar to Healeys to expand the states ability to procure clean energy. That provision would set the Department of Energy Resources on a path to procure 10,000 megawatts of solar and 10,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2040. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DPU would also no longer be required to calculate the social value of greenhouse gas emissions when evaluating cost-effectiveness of the Mass Save program and other efforts to reduce energy demand. And the legislation cuts the amount of clean energy that utilities must purchase in Massachusetts each year from a 3 percent annual increase to 1 percent until 2033. On solar power, Cusack is also aiming to reduce net-metering compensation rates and raise a limit on municipal solar generation from 10 megawatts to 20 megawatts, a cap that has been cause for concern for cities and towns around the state. These are hard savings coming back to the ratepayers here, and thats what drove this bill, Cusack said. That was the number one goal from the onset and from my appointment [to this committee] and my charge from the Speaker and the rest of the House: How do we save people money? How do we lower our energy costs? How do we make sure that our energy costs arent a major hindrance to affordability of living, to doing business? And what does that mean long term for our economy, where we still want to be a hub of clean tech and clean energy and move away from fossil fuels? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article first appeared on CommonWealth Beacon and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX McDonalds has filed an application to build a new Kansas City area restaurant. The fast-food corporation with close to 40,000 restaurants globally has submitted a rezoning request to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. The new spot, according to city documents, would be near 24th Street and Metropolitan Avenue in KCK, just south of the Walmart Neighborhood Market. The roughly 4,500-square-foot restaurant will have a dining area and drive-thru. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There arent many other fast food restaurants in the Argentine neighborhood. Local chain Go Chicken Go is at 4111 Shawnee Drive. There are two McDonalds relatively close by 4101 Kansas Ave. north of the BNSF railway and 4427 Shawnee Drive in the Turner neighborhood. The UG will discuss McDonalds rezoning proposal at Monday nights meeting. The request must be approved before the restaurant can be built. A franchise-owned McDonalds location opened more than a year ago at 4321 NW Barry Road in the Northland. It was the first the brand had built in the metro in nearly a decade. A labor of love in Dallas A lesbian minister's church claps back at Texas ban on rainbow crosswalks Courtesy of Cheryl Griffin-Allison Rachel Griffin-Allison Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the removal of rainbow crosswalks throughout his state, following the lead of the Trump administration, but the rainbow will still welcome the LGBTQ+ community and everyone else to Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas. Members of the congregation have painted the churchs front steps in rainbow colors in what its pastor, the Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison, calls an act of sacred resistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Church leaders and congregants wanted to make sure that our neighborhood had a visible, bold statement to say that they are not being erased, she says. Oak Lawn is a heavily LGBTQ+ enclave, and Griffin-Allison sees her church as a sanctuary for the community in Dallas and all of Texas. Painting started October 21 and ended November 1. The church held a consecration ceremony for the steps November 2. This is more than paint on steps, she tells The Advocate. its been kind of a love letter to our community. People have driven by the church and shouted thank you, although some protesters have shown up too. A family affair Cheryl Griffin-Allison Courtesy of Cheryl Griffin-Allison Cheryl Griffin-Allison (with arm raised) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those joining in the painting included Griffin-Allisons wife, filmmaker Cheryl Griffin-Allison. The two married in 2023 outside of Dallas, and they didnt announce their marriage until the following year, after the denomination removed language from its governing documents banning self-avowed practicing homosexuals as clergy members. Rachel, a sixth-generation Methodist minister the only woman and the only gay one among them was one of those fighting for the removal. The women met when Cheryl was making her documentary Shatter the Silence, dealing with sexual violence, rape culture, and the ongoing struggle for gender equality. Rachel came to the films premiere in 2019, Cheryl watched online services from Rachels church during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the two became friends and then more. God had some plans, so I became a preachers wife, Cheryl says. Related: Texas Online Film Fests Offer Must-See Content for LGBTQ Viewers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: New Doc Pieces of Us Honors Resilience of Those Who've Survived Hate Another joint project Rachel Griffin-Allison Courtesy of Cheryl Griffin-Allison Rachel Griffin-Allison The rainbow steps, she adds, are signs of hope that people need when the powers that be are looking to erase us. They are literally rewriting history. As the steps are on private property and are not a crosswalk theyre not subject to Abbotts order. For the rainbow crosswalks on public property throughout Dallas, City Manager Kim Tolbert is seeking an exemption from the order. The steps arent the Griffin-Allisons only joint project. They are now producing a documentary, with Cheryl as director and editor, titled Kingdom v. Kin-dom, about faith leaders who are reclaiming Christianity as a religion of liberation and inclusivity, in opposition to the hierarchical and exclusionary ways of Christian nationalism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Honk: How an Out Filmmaker and a Goose Became Best Friends Standing for inclusion Rachel Griffin-Allison Courtesy of Cheryl Griffin-Allison Rachel Griffin-Allison It will feature about five congregations, including one that has worked extensively with migrants and one with transgender people. One of the ministers has a trans child. You can only imagine the struggles that shes going through, Cheryl says. Weve all been influenced by hierarchical thought, says Rachel, whos been a minister for almost 30 years and at the Oak Lawn church for nine. If we shift and reimagine and reread what the gospel says through kinship, churches can see how to respond. 'No Kings' \u200bCheryl and Rachel Griffin-Allison Courtesy of Cheryl Griffin-Allison Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheryl and Rachel Griffin-Allison The women have also been going to the No Kings protests and filming them. Theyre a nice complement to what clergy members are doing, Rachel says. We have only a few examples of how pastors navigated through other seasons of crisis, she notes. So the documentary will be an important resource, she says. 'So proud of my wife' Rachel Griffin-Allison Courtesy of Cheryl Griffin-Allison Rachel Griffin-Allison Cheryl says her inspiration for making the film was Will congregants of this church know 100 years later what we went through? I just felt it was important to document this time in our country. Rachel, Cheryl adds, is the kind of leader the church needs today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It takes bravery at this time to stand up from the pulpit, Cheryl says. Im so proud of my wife for doing it. The proud couple \u200bRachel and Cheryl Griffin-Allison Courtesy of Cheryl Griffin-Allison Rachel and Cheryl Griffin-Allison Cheryl and Rachel Griffin-Allison Courtesy of Cheryl Griffin-Allison Cheryl Griffin-Allison (left) and her wife, Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison This article originally appeared on Advocate: Meet the lesbian minister whose church clapped back at Texas's ban on rainbow crosswalks Federal prosecutors in Mexico arrested another alleged accomplice in the 1994 assassination of presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio, a crime that shocked the country and remains unsolved, even though the confessed killer has been imprisoned for more than 30 years. A federal official who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed Monday to The Associated Press that Jorge Antonio Sanchez Ortega was arrested in Tijuana in connection with Colosio's assassination. The official did not specify the charges against Sanchez Ortega, who is being held in a maximum-security prison in central Mexico, awaiting trial. According to the National Registry of Detentions, the arrest took place on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colosio, the 1994 presidential candidate for the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), was shot twice during a rally in the northern Mexican city of Tijuana. Since 2024, federal prosecutors have been seeking to prosecute an intelligence agent assigned as his bodyguard, identified only as Jorge Antonio "S," as the alleged perpetrator of the second shooting. This file photo dated Nov. 28, 1993 shows Mexico's ruling party presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio in Mexico City. Colosio was shot in the head and stomach on March 23, 1994, at a political rally in Tijuana. / Credit: FILES/AFP via Getty Images As of Monday, the prosecutor's office had not officially commented on the arrest of Sanchez Ortega, and authorities have not confirmed whether new evidence has emerged. According to reports, Sanchez Ortega was employed then as an agent for the Center of Investigation and National Security - back then Mexico's equivalent of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Mario Aburto has been serving a 45-year prison sentence since 1994 after declaring himself the sole perpetrator of the assassination, a confession he later retracted, claiming he was tortured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of Aburto's complaints, during the administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (2019-2024) the National Human Rights Commission recommended that the federal prosecutor's office reopen the investigation. Colosio's murder triggered a major political crisis in Mexico and was always surrounded by controversy fueled by the possibility that it was encouraged by certain spheres of power, amid internal struggles within the ruling PRI to choose a successor of then-President Carlos Salinas de Gortari. Mexican politician Ernesto Zedillo raises his fist in honor of Institutional Revolutionary Party presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio, who was killed during his election campaign. / Credit: Sergio Dorantes/Sygma via Getty Images In a January 2024 statement, the Attorney General's Office said there was evidence that the agent assigned to Colosio's security was at the scene and had clothing stained with the victim's blood. It also stated that ballistic evidence indicated that he fired a weapon - with only a difference of seconds between the two shots - and witnesses saw him flee immediately after the shooting. In the same statement, the agency considered it confirmed that the National Security and Investigation Center, which in 1994 was under the Ministry of the Interior, sent the agent to the scene of the assassination only to later "cover for him and take him out of Tijuana urgently and surreptitiously." The statement concluded that the agent's immediate release was "an evident criminal cover-up." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Colosio's assassination, other politicians have been targeted by violence in Mexico. In 2010, a front-running gubernatorial candidate, Rodolfo Torre, was assassinated in northern Mexico. Plagued by drug-related violence for decades, the country has also seen numerous local politicians murdered recently, including a mayor who was beheaded in 2024. How Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal that may end government shutdown In the mail: Viewers respond to 60 Minutes interview with President Trump Trump pardons Giuliani and other key allies after alleged efforts to overturn 2020 election This story was originally published on MedTech Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily MedTech Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Laborie Medical Technologies has struck a deal to buy a post-childbirth medical device from Organon for $440 million upfront, the companies said Friday. The acquisition covers the Jada system, a treatment for abnormal postpartum uterine bleeding or hemorrhage, and around 100 employees who will transfer to Laborie as part of the deal. Organon acquired the system in 2021 for an initial $219 million. The womens health specialist grew sales from $20 million in 2022 to $61 million in 2024 as more hospitals stocked the system. Dive Insight: The separation of the placenta from the uterine wall after childbirth causes bleeding. Typically, the uterus contracts to compress open blood vessels and stop the bleeding. However, the uterine fibers fail to contract after some births, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding. Standard treatments include balloons that are inflated in the uterus, applying pressure to slow or stop the bleeding over 12 to 24 hours. Jada is a potentially faster-acting alternative to balloon tamponade. The device consists of a silicone loop that is put in the uterus. The loop contains vacuum pores. When connected to a vacuum, Jada can cause the uterus to contract and stop the bleeding. The system controlled abnormal bleeding in 100 of 106 patients in a clinical trial. The median time to the control of abnormal bleeding was three minutes. After seeing the data, Organon bought Alydia Health to acquire the Jada system. The FDA granted 510(k) clearance to Jada four months after Organon closed the deal. Organon tripled sales of the system from 2022 to 2024 and, having reported revenues of $33 million at the midpoint of 2025, is on track to grow sales again this year. The company has agreed to sell Jada to Laborie to generate funds for paying down debt. In addition to the $440 million upfront, Laborie has agreed to pay up to $25 million based on meeting 2026 revenue targets. The companies said the sale price reflects the launch of Jada and the expansion of the U.S. business. Kevin Ali, then the CEO of Organon, said on an earnings call in May that 94% of the largest U.S. birthing hospitals stock Jada. Ali resigned late last month after an investigation into wholesaler sales practices for another Organon product. Buying Jada adds to the string of Laborie deals since Patricia Industries bought the Canadian medtech company in 2016. Laborie agreed to buy Clinical Innovations in a $525 million deal in 2019 and bid $225 million upfront for Urotronic in 2023. The company also bought Pelvalon, GI Supply and Novonate for undisclosed sums. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) New Mexico enacted legislation Monday to provide state funding for food assistance each week past the end of the year if federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program food aid falters. Lt. Gov. Howie Morales signed the bill as acting governor to ensure delivery of food assistance to EBT cards amid a flurry of legal activity on SNAP distributions to states, and efforts in Washington to bring the longest shutdown in history closer to an end. The initiative makes up to $20 million available each week if necessary to backfill typical SNAP benefits through mid-January when the Legislature meets again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trumps administration on Monday asked the Supreme Court to keep full payments in the SNAP federal food aid program frozen while the government is shut down, even as some families struggled to put food on the table. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who was on travel to a climate conference in Brazil, previously used emergency orders to funnel $30 million in state funds onto EBT cards for food aid at the start of November. At the same time, New Mexico on Friday distributed full federal SNAP benefits to those residents who typically receive transfers at the start of the month. Still, leading legislators said they were leaving nothing to chance in a state where more than 1 in 5 residents rely on SNAP the highest participation rate in the country. People out there are counting on you, they're counting on you to do the right thing because in Washington, it's not getting done, Democratic state Sen. George Munoz of Gallup told lawmakers. Always take care of the poor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats in the legislative majority joined with some Republicans in approving the bill including a GOP-backed amendment aimed at reducing mistakes in the state's distribution of federal SNAP aid. We didnt need to use a government shutdown to terrify the people of New Mexico, said Republican Senate Minority Floor Leader Bill Sharer of Farmington, who voted for the food assistance bill. Were gonna do whats right. New Mexico enjoys a broad budget surplus linked to booming local oil production. The food-assistance bill would largely tap leftover funding at the state agency overseeing safety-net programs including SNAP and Medicaid, making $162 million readily available for food aid if needed and potentially more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Mexico legislators said they hope eventually to claw back all state spending on food assistance linked to the federal shutdown. New Mexico also held a special session on Oct. 1-2 at the outset of the federal shutdown to shore up food banks with $8 million in new funding, along with $17.5 million in SNAP-related costs to offset cuts under Trumps spending and tax cut bill. New Mexico Democrats from both chambers stand on the House floor on Nov. 10, 2025 following the second special legislative session. The Legislature approved funds in case the federal government doesnt fully fund food assistance over the holidays. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM) The New Mexico Legislatures second special session ended after about four hours Monday, with both chambers quickly approving an allocation of up to $162.5 million to cover statewide food assistance through the start of next year in case its needed. Acting Gov. Howie Morales also swiftly signed the bill early Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the House voted 52-9, and the Senate voted 30-6, to approve a spending package with $162.5 million for SNAP going forward, plus $30 million to replenish a fund that paid for the 10 days worth of SNAP that ran out Monday. Only Republicans voted against the measure. Sen. George Munoz (D-Gallup), the Senate Finance chair, said before the vote Monday that weekly payments totaling about $20 million will go to every SNAP recipient statewide beginning Dec. 1, unless the federal government reopens and begins paying for SNAP in full by then. The bill includes a provision that automatically ends the state payments when the government reopens. If federal funding lapses again, state funded emergency food benefits in House Bill 1 will be loaded on to New Mexicans EBT cards on a weekly basis until its restored or until the state Legislature returns for its regular session starting Jan. 20, 2026. The spending package the lawmakers approved by a wide margin occurs amid a federal government shutdown that threatened to abruptly halt Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program payments to about 460,000 New Mexicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon its passage, both state House and Senate Democrats issued news releases throughout the session and in statements following its end noted that the state had stepped in to counter the Trump administration. Once again, our state is coming together to deliver the critical services New Mexicans cannot live without, House Speaker Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) said in a news release. Even as a possible deal emerged Sunday evening in the U.S. Senate, state Democrats in the majority said the chaotic back-and-forth between President Donald Trump and federal judges prompted them to take it upon themselves to ensure roughly one in five New Mexicans have money to eat over the holidays. Health Care Authority Secretary Kari Armijo confirmed the state paid 100% of November SNAP benefits on Friday when ordered to do so by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and then was subsequently ordered to claw that back. We are in the middle of a very confusing legal storm right now, she said, so the truth is, this is going to play out in the courtsWe have issued those benefits in New Mexico, but we are also going to have to comply with whatever ultimate guidance we receive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump underscored the legal turmoil when his top litigator on Monday told the Supreme Court the administration was continuing its appeal of a federal ruling ordering it to pay full SNAP benefits to 42 million Americans. While New Mexico lawmakers committed to continuing to pay for SNAP if needed, Munoz and other Democrats said conversations are ongoing with federal elected officials to reimburse New Mexico and other states that fronted their own funds for SNAP during the shutdown. One possible vehicle could be the continuing resolution used to pay back federal workers and reopen the government, leaders said. States red, blue we all stepped up to fill a gap here, a critical gap, so that reimbursement really needs to come, said Majority Leader Sen. Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe)in a news conference after the Senate adjourned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republicans who voted against the measures said they did so largely because they blamed United States Senate Democrats, and particularly New Mexicos Ben Ray Lujan and Martin Heinrich, for the shutdown and the harm it caused. When it comes to what happened in Washington, lets be very clear, said Sen. Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho). Ben Ray Lujan and Martin Heinrich voted to use the people of New Mexico as pawns to force the government to pay for subsidies for the unaffordable Care Act. Expiring Affordable Care Act health care insurance tax credits have been at the crux of the partisan division over the federal spending bill. In response to that criticism from Brandt and others, Heinrich told Source New Mexico in a statement that Republicans want us to pass a Republican funding bill that would result in working class New Mexicans paying thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars, more next year for their healthcare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Heinrich and Lujan, along with most Democrats in the U.S. Senate, voted Sunday against a bill to reopen the government, citing the health insurance tax credits. We refuse to let Donald Trump bully us into choosing between a mother in Roswell feeding her kids, a couple in Espanola affording their health care premiums, or a VA employee in Albuquerque making their next rent payment, Heinrich and Lujan said in a joint statement following the vote. Republicans also raised questions about New Mexicos high status among states with the highest SNAP error rates, which are accidental over- or under-paying of SNAP recipients due to errors from applicants or state officials overseeing the program. According to state officials, the state has an error rate of 14.6%. Seeking ways to bring down the error rate, Republicans in both chambers introduced amendments that provide the state Health Care Authority $50,000 to evaluate ways to bring down the SNAP error rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The error rate could cost state taxpayers significantly. If the state does not reduce its error rate in the next few years, provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will shift 15% of the states total SNAP spending onto the state, which amounts to $173 million, according to recent estimates. Health Care Authority Kari Armijo said the states high error rate is, at least in part, a product of the COVID-19 pandemics loosening of restrictions to receive SNAP. The state waived some reporting requirements, which was allowed but drove the error rate higher, Armijo explained in a committee hearing Monday. We did that intentionally to keep New Mexicans fed, she said. Democrat sponsors of the spending bill agreed to accept Republican amendments to appropriate $50,000 to evaluate the cause of the error rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Wirth also called the provisions draconian, saying he hopes Congress reconsiders the error rate penalty, which he said will hurt not only the state but also SNAP recipients. Given New Mexicos in the same position with a whole string of red states, I think Congress needs to take a deep breath and look at this and go back, he said. And really kind of look at the impact and the harm thats causing. Julia Goldberg contributed reporting to this story. By Andrew Hay (Reuters) -Detainees at the largest U.S. migrant detention camp endure foul-tasting drinking water, rotten food and inadequate healthcare, according to a U.S. congresswoman who called the tent facility in El Paso, Texas, "inhumane." U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar, a Texas Democrat, made the allegations in a letter last week to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem based on complaints from migrants at the new $1.2 billion facility, called Camp East Montana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conditions at Camp East Montana are dangerous and inhumane, Escobar wrote. It is increasingly clear that it is not a safe nor professionally managed facility. Asked for comment on the letter, the Department of Homeland Security gave a statement issued in September that denied the center violated federal standards for immigrant detention, such as restricting access to legal representation, or was inhumane. "All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with lawyers and their family members," DHS said. The center has become a target of criticism by Democratic legislators and immigrant advocates opposed to President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Escobar wrote that conditions at the camp on the Fort Bliss U.S. Army base had not improved since she first protested to Noem weeks after it opened in August. "The drinking water at the facility continues to taste foul, the food quality for detainees has not improved," said Escobar, who represents the El Paso area. She added that detainees faced sewage backups and flooding while only the most ill inmates were referred to the camp medical unit. The camp consists of temporary tent structures meant to house up to 5,000 detainees and relieve overcrowding at other Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities. Trump has vowed record deportations of migrants with criminal records in the U.S. illegally. Democrats have argued that federal agents are targeting people indiscriminately to achieve his goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigrant advocate groups have called for the closure of another migrant detention camp in Florida due to alleged inhumane conditions. (Reporting by Andrew Hay in New Mexico; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) The Bay View brunch scene has some new Mexican flair. Axolotl Cafe, 3001 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., opened its doors to patrons the first week of November. Its menu features traditional Mexican dishes such as chilaquiles, molletes and quesabirria, as well as fusion dishes like berry dulce french toast and horchata pancakes. The building formerly housed Blackwood Brothers from 2021 until February 2024, when owner Mario Malacara closed the global cuisine restaurant and transitioned to a Peruvian concept called Cholo Power. The Bay View building at 3001 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. has been a revolving door for restaurants over the past couple of years, with Blackwood Brothers, Cholo Power, Inka Peru Cuisine and now Axolotl Cafe calling the space home. Cholo Power opened March 2024, with former Triciclo Peru chef Mario Diaz Herrera at the helm in the kitchen. Cholo Power's license was flagged for review in May 2024 after city officials received complaints about noise, trash and Diaz Herrera, who was convicted of disorderly conduct related to domestic abuse in November 2023. The restaurant subsequently changed its name to Inka Peru Cuisine and parted ways with Diaz Herrera before the city renewed its license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That iteration of the restaurant lasted less than six months and in November 2024, Crave Kitchens ownership proposed to open a location in the space. Jorge Trejo filed for food and liquor licenses in August to open Axolotl Cafe in the space. The Common Council approved the licenses Nov. 4, and the business held its soft opening the second weekend in November. Trejo did not respond to requests for comment about the new restaurant, but the cafe posted a thank you message on social media on Nov. 9 for patrons who dined there during its opening weekend. "Huge thank you to everyone who stopped by for our first weekend! You made us feel super welcome in the community," the post said. "We are amazed by the turnout and honestly werent expecting that much love and support for our little family-owned spot. Thank you for being patient with us while were still figuring things out. We want to make sure we give you all the best experience possible." Axolotl Cafe is open 7 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday- Sunday. For more information, follow the cafe on Facebook or Instagram. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New Milwaukee brunch spot Axolotl Cafe opens in Bay View At a glance Communities Secretary Steve Reed said he is appalled that London councillors are campaigning to become MPs in Bangladesh Tower Hamlets councillors Sabina Khan and Ohid Ahmed are standing for the Bangladesh National Party while still serving in London The government and council stressed councillors must prioritise their local duties, though UK law does not forbid them running for office abroad Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cabinet minister in charge of local government has said he is appalled that serving London councillors are campaigning to become MPs in another country. Communities Secretary Steve Reed has written to Tower Hamlets Council after it was revealed by the Standard that at least two of the boroughs elected representatives had launched campaigns to stand in upcoming elections in Bangladesh. Residents in Mile End have called on Sabina Khan to resign after she announced she was standing for the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) in polls in February. Ms Khan was elected as a Labour councillor in Mile End in 2022 but defected to the boroughs ruling Aspire party last year. She has missed more than half of the meetings she was due to attend in east London this year due to being out of the country. Mile End councillor Sabina Khan (.) Mr Reed said it was particularly concerning because Government envoys were sent into Tower Hamlets Council last year over concerns about parties leadership, governance and culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter to the town hall, he said: I am appalled that any councillor elected by local people to serve their interests would even consider abandoning that commitment to campaign in another country. That journey requires a dedicated and fully engaged political leadership to grip and deliver the necessary change. I would urge you to do all you can to stop this situation and remind all councillors in the borough that their focus needs to be on helping the people of Tower Hamlets. Independent councillor Ohid Ahmed, who represents Lansbury ward in Poplar, is also campaigning to become a BNP candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On his social media, he has posted about Bangladeshs economy, education for women and potholes blighting the countrys roads. Mr Ahmed was first elected as a Labour councillor in 2002 before defecting to joined Lutfur Rahmans party and being elected for Tower Hamlets First in 2014 and then Aspire in 2022. He left the party last year, becoming an independent councillor and has said he will not stand in the local elections in 2026. Communities Secretary Steve Reed (PA Wire) At least one other Tower Hamlets councillor has indicated their ambition to run in the upcoming Bangladesh elections, which will be the first polls in the country since deadly protests toppled former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, in August 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tower Hamlets Council has said the law does not automatically disqualify a person from being a councillor in the UK solely because they are running for or hold an elected office in another country. Ms Khan and Mr Ahmed have both indicted they will step down if they are elected in Bangladesh. Local elections are due to be held in London in May next year. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: This behaviour is unacceptable. We are clear that councillors must be able to effectively serve the constituents who elected them. All councillors must uphold the Nolan principles including integrity, objectivity, accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes as the Government announced tougher sanctions for rule-breaking councillors to "clean up local politics" and restore public confidence. Labour has vowed to press ahead with reforms to strengthen the standards regime. Under the proposals, councils will be able to suspend members found to have committed gross misconduct for up to six months, withhold allowances and ban individuals from council premises. Slaphappy Hemp farm in Rosebud (photo submitted). John Grady and his wife Kara opened up their hemp emporium in Rosebud on July 4 and they say about 60% of their customers are veterans, like Grady, who are treating chronic pain or PTSD with intoxicating hemp products. Monday night, they watched the U.S. Senate vote to approve a spending package to end a record-breaking federal government shutdown. But what drew their attention was a provision tucked in the bill that would prohibit hemp products from having more than .4 milligrams of total THC per container. If the House approves it and the president signs it, the prohibition will go into effect in one year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The change, Grady said, will devastate his business. When this is done, he said, well lose 52% of our revenue, meaning we wont be able to stay in business. On Tuesday a day they would normally be focused on honoring veterans the couple said they didnt have the energy. Youre sick to your stomach all day long, said Kara Grady, knowing your hard work is for not. State officials estimated last year that 40,000 food establishments and smoke shops and 1,800 food manufacturers were selling products that would be banned under the proposed federal regulations. That estimate was part of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services 2025 budget estimate to enforce former Gov. Mike Parsons abandoned 2024 order that would have banned intoxicating hemp products in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hemp was legalized in the 2018 Farm bill and naturally has very little THC, the intoxicating component mostly associated with marijuana. But that potency can be increased with some science. While marijuana products must be sold in dispensaries and be grown and manufactured in state-regulated facilities, intoxicating hemp products are completely unregulated by any governmental agency. Theres no state or federal law saying teenagers or children cant buy them or stores cant sell them to minors. However, some stores and vendors in Missouri have taken it upon themselves to impose age restrictions of 21 and up. John Grady, owner of Slappyhappy Hemp Company, has owned a hemp farm in Missouri since 2023 and last year opened a hemp emporium in Rosebud (Photo submitted). Missouri state Rep. Dave Himan, a Republican from OFallon, said he was planning on pre-filing legislation on Dec. 1 that would have established a licensing system to allow Missouri businesses to sell the low-dose hemp-derived THC beverages and edibles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the federal spending bill passes, his bill will reflect the .4 milligram limit of THC per package and that also includes THC-A, which transforms into THC when heated. We are really kind of looking now to see what the federal governments going to do, he said, and if we need to make adjustments in my bill to mirror what the federal governments going to put in place. This will be Hinmans second year and Missouris fourth year trying to regulate intoxicating hemp products. Previous attempts failed because the proposed bills, backed by the marijuana industry, would have banned the products. Last year, several bills failed to advance because the hemp industry itself couldnt agree on provisions for things including THC limits and licensing requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A report released last month by the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, which represents the marijuana industry, tested 55 intoxicating hemp products purchased from smoke shops and gas stations statewide. Results showed that nearly all of them were above the total THC limit thats outlined in the pending federal spending bill. While the debate in previous years has often been seen as a marijuana industry versus the hemp industry, both of those players have a growing common foe the black-market marijuana products that are posing as certified hemp products, Hinman said. There are some great people out there that own mom-and-pop shops that really are doing the right thing, Hinman said. However, just last week, Hinman met with a group that brought in packages of about 40 different THC products purchased throughout the state that resemble Skittles, M&Ms and chips that would easily be mistaken by children as regular products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That continues to proliferate throughout our state, he said, and its just getting worse and worse. So weve got to do something. And its actually not even hemp, its truly marijuana out there, and its really hurting the business. Eapen Thampy, a lobbyist who represents several hemp businesses, agreed that the bad actors have expanded and pose a threat to legitimate hemp businesses. Were under attack from the marijuana industry that wants to protect their monopoly, Thampy said, and were under attack from bad actors who dont care who they hurt to make a buck. Were sort of the collateral damage in that picture. Thampy said the hemp industry is hopeful that Congress will take up the issue before the ban is implemented in a year, if the spending bill is approved. However, a Senate amendment to remove the language was defeated last night by a 76-24 vote, making the success of a separate bill unlikely. President Donald Trump told reporters Monday that he supports the deal and the House could vote on the bill as early as Wednesday. A Vandenberg Village mother whose 9-year-old daughters whereabouts remain a mystery has been charged with false imprisonment for an incident that occurred Nov. 6 in Lompoc. Ashlee L. Buzzard, 40, spent the weekend in the Santa Barbara County Jail since her Friday arrest on suspicion of felony false imprisonment. On Monday, the Santa Barbara County District Attorneys Office filed a criminal complaint with one count of false imprisonment for violence against Buzzard who did unlawfully violate the personal liberty of Tyler S. Brewer, said violation being affected by violence, menace, fraud and deceit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The criminal complaint also includes a special allegation, or sentencing enhancement, for aggravating factors, noting the manner in which the crime was carried out indicates planning, sophistication and professionalism. Beyond the date and name of the alleged victim, the criminal complaint lacks details about the incident, but law enforcement officers have said its not directly related to the daughters disappearance. Melodee Buzzard, left, and her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, appearing to wear wigs inside a car rental shop in Lompoc on Oct. 7 before embarking on a roadtrip to Nebraska. The Santa Barbara Sheriffs Office said 9-year-old Melodee did not return from the roadtrip. A Tyler S. Brewer works as a paralegal and licensed legal document assistant on the Central Coast. The false imprisonment allegation occurred in the city of Lompoc, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the Santa Barbara County District Attorneys Office files a criminal complaint, a prosecuting attorney must review investigators reports to determine evidence supporting the charges. Buzzards arraignment hearing is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in Santa Maria Superior Court. At the arraignment hearing, an attorney will be appointed and a plea may be entered on the defendants behalf. However, often arraignment hearings get continued for various reasons. Defense attorneys can ask for a reduced bail or even seek the release of the defendant on their own recognizance. Buzzards daughter Melodee, 9, remains missing, and the mother has not cooperated with investigators, according to law enforcement officers trying to determine Melodees location or welfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have been searching for Buzzards daughter since Oct. 14 when educators asked deputies to conduct a welfare check on the girl who had not been seen recently. The girl was captured on surveillance video Oct. 7 with her mom at a Lompoc rental car business, according to the Sheriffs Office. The mother and daughter reportedly traveled east as far as Nebraska with the return trip route including Kansas. Detectives say Melodee was last seen Oct. 9 on video surveillance in the region between the ColoradoUtah border. They also say the rented Chevy Malibu traveled through Green River, Utah; Panguitch, Utah; northwest Arizona; Primm, Nevada; and Rancho Cucamonga, California. Melodee Buzzard Buzzard returned to the Lompoc Valley Oct. 10 without the girl, according to the Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During that trip, the mom donned different wigs and switched the license plate on the rented Chevy Malibu vehicle to avoid detection, investigators said. Buzzard remains in the custody of the Santa Barbara County Jail with bail set at $100,000. The dog tags of Elizabeth D. Sandelius (Photo courtesy of Ed Saunders). This Veterans Day will be a little different than the others for Elizabeth Dorothy Sandy Sandelius. Even though she died decades ago, after living what her family describes as a full life mostly spent in California, the Montana-native and World War I hero and her family can now say: She has a Silver Star, a medal awarded to those who served heroically during combat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As one of many Montana women who answered the militarys call for service during World War I as a trained nurse with the Red Cross, Sandelius shipped overseas, volunteered for combat duty, and served on front-line hospitals, nearly losing her life several times. She returned to America with little fanfare and got married to a man whom she secretly wed before deploying, both never knowing if theyd see each other again. They did. And they raised a family. But even that family, who knew her simply as Granny, had no idea that among the records of battlefield heroics, she stood out. According to her relatives, she never recounted her experiences of the field hospital or the wounded. It was a decade-long journey by one of Montanas best contemporary historians that culminated in a small ceremony in Los Angeles last year, where Sandelius was awarded the honor, even though many nurses during the Great War never got the same recognition as their male military counterparts. Elizabeth Sandelius in civilian clothing, after World War I. (Photo courtesy of the Benbow Family). In fact, in what may be a cruel historic irony: Sandelius name may have been more remembered had she been killed in action rather than just serving in it. The names of the fallen dead were remembered, often chiseled in the stone of memorials and written in the books of military history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Sandelius story follows a common trajectory: Small town girl who becomes a nurse, only to have the country enter into a great global war. Edward Saunders, who has done extensive history of Montana women in the military, especially during the first half of the twentieth century in his book, Knapsacks and Roses, said when America entered into the war, there were more nurses in Montana than the military, which only had about 400 (at the time, there were 500 in the Treasure State). The Department of War would send out a call for more than 14,000. Sandelius answered that call, not once, but three times. She volunteered to be a nurse for the military; she volunteered to go to overseas; and then she volunteered to go to the front lines. None of those things were required. But it would be her service on the battlefield, in a field hospital that wasnt much more than a tent, during some of the most intense fighting where she caught the notice of the commanders. In July and August 1918, Sandelius was assigned to the U.S. 28th Division, which was helping the French infantry stave off German attacks, including those with lethal gas. During the Oise-Ainse offensive and the Second Battle of the Marne, the 28th sustained more than 14,000 casualties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sandelius was assigned to Field Hospital 112, near Cohan, about 60 miles from Paris. Saunders recounts that the tented field hospital would receive more than 5,000 wounded and perform more than 200 surgeries. But on Aug. 10, the Germans stepped up the attacks, and the field hospital was caught. Even after military commanders had ordered the nurses to withdraw to three miles, Sandelius refused to leave the side of the injured and sick. For eight consecutive days and nights, she stayed with her patients, enduring enemy artillery and aerial bombardment in dire and deadly conditions, Saunders wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her life could have ended in a multitude of ways during those harrowing hours, but two coincidences should have killed her. Both times, a German warplane military aviation was still in its infancy dropped a bomb near the tented hospital, only to have them both fail to explode. One landed approximately 15 feet from her. While she would survive on a combination of luck and steely determination, Sandelius and other nurses would stay on long after the wars end on Nov. 11, 1918, helping to care for the sick and wounded. She returned to the United States in 1919, alive and with little other fanfare. Few even know that she and her husband, Stillwater County soldier C.B. Benbow, had fallen madly in love just prior to entering into the war. Not knowing where theyd end up, or if either would make it out of the worldwide conflict alive, they secretly wed two weeks before she left. The marriage had to be done secretly, or shed likely not be accepted for the war effort. On all of her war records, including her dog tags, she remained Elizabeth D. Sandelius, No. 12660, of the American Expeditionary Forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In reality, she was Elizabeth D. Benbow. After the war, she returned to her husband, C.B., who was trained as an early aviation pilot, but never left the states during the war. Sandelius died in May 1983, never knowing her battlefield legacy would be remembered. She was buried in Los Angeles National Cemetery. The cover of Knapsacks and Roses by Ed Saunders. It was Saunders, while researching his book about Montana women and their involvement in World War I, who discovered Sandelius story. From the centennial of World War One about 10 years go, I first met her in the dusty archives of the Montana state library among many records of Montana women who went to war in 1917, Saunders said. As I looked at Elizabeths service record in war-torn France, I couldnt help but think, This gal was in some bad stuff. I wanted to find more about her. My walk with her began. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His inspiration would lead him to research more of her life, and he believed that U.S. military officials had overlooked awards that she more than deserved. It took nearly a decade of research and a writing campaign. Saunders was able to track down the grandchildren of Sandelius, themselves old enough to be grandparents. They were shocked to learn about Grannys history, and proud that their grandmother, whom they remembered warmly, was also a hero. They offered letters of support in Saunders campaign to earn her recognition, including sending Sandelius dog-tags and photos. And they were shocked when the U.S. Army accepted their case for Sandelius receiving the Silver Star. Saunders, a retired Army colonel who served in combat himself, remembers calling the family when the letter from the U.S. Army arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We both had tears in our eyes, Saunders said. Sandelius was among the first four American servicewomen in the American military history, all WWI Army Nurse Corps nurse, to have been awarded the Silver Star medal for valor in combat. The greatest tragedy that can befall an American serviceman or woman is not that they may be killed in action, thats the greatest sacrifice. The greatest tragedy is they may be forgotten: Forgotten in life and forgotten in death by the very same nation they and I swore and oath to defend, even at the cost of our lives, Saunders said. In the words of the ancient Greeks, Elizabeth helped make gentle the horror which mankind often inflicts upon itself. More than 700 flights have been canceled at Chicago airports on Monday as travelers navigate impacts of the federal government shutdown and overnight snowfall. Controller shortages combined with wintry weather led to four-hour delays at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, at one point, on Monday, with the Federal Aviation Administration warning that staffing at more than a dozen towers and control centers could cause disruptions in cities including Philadelphia, Nashville and Atlanta. There is a ground delay at O'Hare, according to the FAA website. As of 9:20 p.m., 652 flights have been canceled at O'Hare, with delays averaging 34 minutes, the city's FlyChicago website said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a ground stop at the Northwest Side airport earlier Monday, the FAA website said. It has since been lifted. At Chicago Midway International Airport, 134 flights have been canceled with delays averaging 66 minutes, according to the FlyChicago site. The difference between last week and this week at O'Hare is noticeable. Security lines are longer, and you can feel the anxiousness of passengers near the flight information boards as they check to see the latest status of their flights. "We had to pay $450 for a ticket to get home, because our first flight was canceled," said Anaya Ross, who was traveling to Houston. "I don't think I see myself flying anytime soon, until they get everything figured out... I'm not coming back for Thanksgiving!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes as air travelers should expect worsening cancellations and delays this week even if the government shutdown ends, as the FAA moves ahead with deeper cuts to flights at 40 major U.S. airports, officials said Monday. Day four of the flight restrictions saw airlines scrap almost 2,000 flights nationwide by Monday afternoon after cancelling 5,500 since Friday. "We got that flight. That was delayed. And so, then, we canceled that flight, got another flight," said Barry Feuerstein, who was traveling to New Jersey. "We usually go away on the holidays. I think we're gonna take this one off." Some air traffic controllers - unpaid for more than a month - have stopped showing up, citing the added stress and need to take second jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump pressured controllers Monday on social media to "get back to work, NOW!!!" He said he wants a $10,000 bonus for controllers who've stayed on the job and to dock the pay of those who didn't. The head of the controllers union said they're being used as a "political pawn" in the fight over the shutdown. Monday marked the second missed paycheck for those employees. Darrell English, the president of AFGE Local 777, the union representing TSA officers in Illinois and Wisconsin, says the length of this shutdown has forced some officers to quit their jobs. "If TSA officers get to that point where they continue to leave because the stressful atmosphere and not being paid and need something more stable, it's going to be a ripple effect. You can't get officers for TSA right off the street," English said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DePaul University Aviation Expert Joe Schwieterman weighed in as disruption to air travel grows. "Those warnings from a couple days ago are playing out today, especially O'Hare and Midway, which are leading the country in cancellations. Delays are one thing. Now, we have, you know, close to a quarter of the flights canceled. You throw into that the president's text, and it creates just a sense of disruption out there right now that people are really apprehensive," Schwieterman said. A potential silver lining is that if the government shutdown is resolved over the next few days, Schwieterman says, the impact to holiday travel for the the Thanksgiving holiday may be minimal. The Senate on Monday approved a spending bill to end the shutdown. Although, still needs to clear the House, and final passage could still be days away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made clear last week that flight cuts will remain until the FAA sees safety metrics improve. Over the weekend, airlines canceled thousands of flights to comply with the order to drop 4% of flights at 40 of the nation's busiest airports. That will rise to 6% on Tuesday and 10% by week's end, the FAA says. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Madison Investments, an investment advisor, released its Madison Large Cap Fund third-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund decreased 2.2% in the third quarter compared to an 8.1% gain for the S&P 500 Index. The current market focus on short-term profits led the fund to underperform the benchmark considerably in the quarter. In addition, please check the funds top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025. In its third-quarter 2025 investor letter, Madison Large Cap Fund highlighted stocks such as The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX). The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX) is an off-price apparel and home fashion retailer. The one-month return of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX) was 1.82%, and its shares gained 22.42% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On November 10, 2025, The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX) stock closed at $146.72 per share, with a market capitalization of $163.29 billion. Madison Large Cap Fund stated the following regarding The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX) in its third quarter 2025 investor letter: "The top five contributors for the quarter were Alphabet, Lowes, The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX), Brookfield Corporation, and Parker-Hannifin. Two of our retailers were also good contributors in the quarter. TJX Companies, an off-price retailer, continues to do well. Its value-based retail stores are resonating with consumers given the backdrop of economic uncertainty, which led to strong revenue and profit growth in the quarter and a raised outlook for the remainder of the year." The Dividend Growth Story of The TJX Companies (TJX) in Retail Dividend Stocks The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. According to our database, 73 hedge fund portfolios held The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX) at the end of the second quarter, compared to 77 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX) 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 The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX) and shared the list of stocks Jim Cramer discussed recently. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q3 2025 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Michael Hauck, 64, right, a homeless veteran, walks next to Kris Morrissette, behavioral health manager at Ministry on the Margins in Bismarck, before being transported to a nearby hotel as he awaits approval to move into a nearby apartment on Nov. 6, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) Michael Hauck served as a staff sergeant, combat engineer for the U.S. Army in Germany, Egypt and the states of Georgia and Washington. After 12 years, he called it a career and transitioned to civilian life, but he never expected to find himself homeless at 64. Hauck received an honorable discharge in 1992. Last year, he moved to Carson, North Dakota, about 70 miles southwest of Bismarck, and was living off his monthly Social Security benefit. But after battling hundreds of dollars in overdraft fees with his bank and bouncing rent checks, he was evicted in August. And the bank closed his account, he said, which hindered his ability to open another one and access his benefits, leading him to the streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why I survived is because of the Army, because I dont quit, Hauck said. Hauck is among an increasing number of veterans experiencing homelessness in North Dakota. In 2024, statewide and community nonprofits provided services to more than 3,800 people who were experiencing homelessness. Of those, 229 were veterans, according to the North Dakota Homeless Management Information System. Homelessness among veterans has seen a noticeable increase in the past couple of years, said Commissioner Lonnie Wangen, head of the North Dakota Department of Veterans Services since 2008. A few years ago, he said the department had enough resources, beds and assistance available to veterans at the time of their requests through statewide and community groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We no longer do, Wangen said. I thought we had it licked. Since August, Hauck spent three weeks at Burleigh/Morton Detention Center, having been charged with misdemeanor theft for stealing a license plate. He was also admitted to a local hospital where blood clots were discovered in his heart. When he was discharged, Hauck said he had nowhere to go and ended up at Ministry on the Margins, a zero-barrier, overnight homeless shelter in Bismarck. I couldnt get a motel room because I didnt have a damn ID, Hauck said. Staff at the shelter helped Hauck track down a copy of his military separation paperwork, register for primary health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs and transferred his Social Security benefits to a debit card. Hauck was also able to register for a federal housing assistance program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the VA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kris Morrissette, behavioral health manager at Ministry on the Margins, said they also worked with Community Action Partnership of North Dakota, a nonprofit specializing in low-to-moderate income clients obtaining self-sufficiency, to set Hauck up in a hotel for up to 60 days while he waits for permanent housing. Hauck is now on a wait list for an apartment at a reduced rent of $270 per month. He and staff are hopeful he will be housed within the next month. It just takes a while to get all those services in place, Morrissette said. Hauck said he would have never been able to complete all the paperwork for the services he is now receiving without the help of the shelter staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I went from hell to heaven, Hauck said. Michael Hauck, 64, left, a homeless veteran, sits next to Kris Morrissette, behavioral health manager at Ministry on the Margins in Bismarck, before being transported to a nearby hotel as he awaits approval to move into a nearby apartment on Nov. 6, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) Earlier this year, state lawmakers authorized an additional $500,000 on top of the North Dakota Department of Veterans Services budget during the 2025 legislative session to address an uptick in veteran homelessness. Wangen said the department plans to make the funds available through a grant program that can catch veterans who may not qualify for other federal or community-based programs those who fall through the cracks. I dont like to see people coming back every month to help with rent, Wangen said. I really want to look at: How do we get them from point A to point B so they dont have to come back? The homeless services provided in North Dakota include emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, transitional housing and coordinated entry services, which matches people and families to the housing program most suitable to their situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dan Thorstad, chief administrator for the Department of Veterans Affairs, previously worked as a state service officer and veterans service officer for Cass County. He said one issue for veterans, or anyone facing homelessness, is North Dakotas quick eviction timeline where landlords only need to provide a three-day notice of their intent to evict a tenant. You cant get anything done in 72 hours, Thorstad said. If a renter falls behind on rent, he said, they are not able to find new housing until their previous balance is cleared. That becomes a sticking point because how do we get them housed now when they owe? Thorstad said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Weyrauch, commander for North Dakota American Legion, said he sees higher rent prices as a barrier for veterans to find affordable housing, especially in the northwest part of the state. Hauck said he had a message for decision-makers in the state: homeless services need more funding and the process needs to be simplified. Ive never signed my name so many freaking times in my life, he said. And I thought the Army was bad. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Hauck also encouraged portable toilets and warming tents stationed in areas where homeless people gather to offer at least a shred of comfort during a difficult time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, Bismarck police cited Hauck for indecent conduct, which stemmed from defecating in public. Whats so difficult about putting out porta potties? Hauck said. I dont want to do it, but I dont have a choice. Once hes back on his feet, Hauck said he wants to help others escape homelessness like he did. If you kick them to the curb, then youve got to go and pick them up, he said. Wangen said any veteran struggling to find housing, or any other services, should call 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline, or 211, the information hotline for housing and other available community resources. He said FirstLink manages both helplines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 988 will help you with anything, Wangen said. Financial problems, legal problems, you need food assistance, rent, all the way to your mental health issues, they can answer it and help you with legitimate resources, which is great, just the one call. North Dakota Monitor reporter Michael Achterling can be reached at machterling@northdakotamonitor.com. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A deal is in motion to finally end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, but that doesn't mean your travel hassles are going to let up anytime soon. Mandated flight cancellations to alleviate overworked air traffic controllers, who have not been paid since the government shutdown began on Oct. 1, are still going on, leaving travelers stranded and scrambling for alternative options, and frigid polar blasts are bringing some nasty weather to parts of the country. As the country enters its fifth day of slashed flights, Florida airports show 141 cancellations and nearly 300 delays Tuesday, Nov. 11, as of 12:30 p.m., according to data from FlightAware. Advertisement Advertisement That means that so far, more than 1,300 flights have been cancelled in Florida airports since Friday morning and nearly 7,300 flights have been delayed. Orlando International Airport has been the hardest hit in the state, with more than 310 canceled flights since Friday morning and more than 2,060 delays, according to the live tracking site FlightAware. Most of the disruptions have been at the larger airports, but smaller airports are also seeing cancellations and delays. Nationwide, more than 1,200 flights within, into, or out of the United States were cancelled and more than 12,180 were delayed Tuesday. Even if the government is fully funded, it will take time to bring air traffic controllers and other FAA personnel back up to strength. Staffing has been a problem through several administrations despite several efforts to bring in new people. Advertisement Advertisement Weather has also been an issue, and an arctic blast blanketing much of the eastern half of the United States with frost and snow isn't helping. Much of Florida broke cold records for Tuesday and more cold weather is expected tonight. How will this affect Florida flights, and what can you do about yours? How do I check if my flight is canceled? Don't wait until you're already at the airport to check your flight. Monitor your flight early and often, starting days before, as cancellations could increase as the shutdown continues. Download your airlines mobile app and turn on push and text notifications for alerts about your flight. Some apps have a Wheres My Plane? feature, which lets you see if the aircraft scheduled to operate your flight has arrived, is delayed en route, or hasnt departed yet from its previous airport. That can be an early signal of trouble. What should you do if your flight is delayed or canceled? Latest on rebooking, refunds If your flight is canceled, use the airlines' mobile app to rebook as soon as possible, according to Scott Keyes, founder of Going. If you need to talk to someone, Keyes suggests calling one of the carriers international lines. Advertisement Advertisement "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. How many airline delays, cancellations reported into and out of US Nov. 11? According to FlightAware.com, which provides real-time flight information, as of 12:30 p.m. the following delays and cancellations of flights have been reported within, into or out of the United States today, Nov. 11: Delays: 11,958 Cancellations: 1206 How many delays, cancellations reported at Florida airports? Here's the breakdown by airport as of 9 a.m. Nov. 11. Click the airport names for detailed flight info. Delays: 2 Cancellations: 1 Delays: 1 Cancellations: 0 Delays: 53 Cancellations: 21 Delays: 0 Cancellations: 4 Delays: 15 Cancellations: 3 Delays: 6 Cancellations: 11 Delays: 3 Cancellations: 0 Delays: 67 Cancellations: 31 Northwest Florida beaches International (ECP) cancellations, delays Delays: 2 Cancellations: 0 Delays: 56 Cancellations: 42 Delays: 1 Cancellations: 0 Delays: 13 Cancellations: 2 Delays: 7 Cancellations: 0 Delays: 2 Cancellations: 0 Delays: 8 Cancellations: 2 Delays: 21 Cancellations: 0 Delays: 3 Cancellations: 0 Advertisement Advertisement Shutdown could cause Thanksgiving chaos: What about RSW in Fort Myers? Delays: 2 Cancellations: 2 Delays: 34 Cancellations: 22 How long will security lines be? How early should your arrive for airport screening? TSA Coordinator Adam Stahl, in an interview with ABC News Live, recommended travelers continue to arrive at the airport two to two-and-a-half hours prior to their departure of their domestic flight. "There have been isolated impacts in wait times and we expect those to increase" until the shutdown is resolved, Stahl said. As always, "be patient and respectful." If your flight is affected by shutdown, can you get a refund? FAA staffing is seen as outside of an airlines control, so carriers arent on the hook in the same way they would be for delays caused by mechanical issues or other problems on their end. Advertisement Advertisement If your flight is canceled for any reason, including a shortage of air traffic controllers, you are entitled to a full refund if you choose not to fly on alternative itineraries offered by the airline. Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg, Kathryn Palmer, Kathleen Wong, Zach Wichter, Trevor Hughes, Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida flights cancelled Tuesday in shutdown's 5th reduction day Significantly more Oregon high schoolers are taking Advanced Placement exams in 2025 than just four years ago, a new report from the College Board found. (Photo by Getty Images) A growing number of Oregon high schoolers are participating in college-level coursework and showing college-level proficiency, according to a new report. Participation in Advanced Placement exams has grown 70% since 2021 and now exceeds pre-pandemic participation rates, according to a new report from the College Board. The College Board is a nonprofit that develops and administers Advanced Placement, or AP, coursework and exams in dozens of subjects that are used by high schools around the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of AP exams taken in each subject doesnt fully translate into the number of students participating in an AP class, because students can take exams without enrolling in the class, but most students who take exams do enroll in the AP class, according to the College Board. Increased participation and test scores indicate more Oregon students are college ready, according to an Oregon Department of Education news release announcing the latest report. In 2019, roughly 19,500 Oregon students took 32,000 AP exams. In 2025, nearly 22,000 Oregon students took more than 37,000 AP exams. Of those students who took exams this year, nearly 72% received a 3, 4 or 5 scores for which many students can receive college credit if and when they choose to enroll. That proportion of college credit-bearing scores is almost 18% higher than it was just a year ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A typical 4-credit class at Oregons community colleges and public universities is between $375 to more than $1,000, according to the state education department, meaning credit-bearing scores can provide students and families significant tuition savings. State education officials credit Measure 98 and the High School Success Initiative passed in 2016 for ensuring more Oregon schools offer AP classes, as well as dual credit courses with local colleges and International Baccalaureate programs, where students can also receive accelerated coursework. These results show that Oregon students are rising to the occasion when given the opportunity to learn at the highest levels, Charlene Williams, director of the Oregon Department of Education, said in a statement. Oregon education officials also said a state fund that helps students from low-income families afford exam fees has helped grow participation. Each AP exam costs $99 and many students take multiple exams. Nearly 21% of Oregons test takers relied on assistance to pay for their exams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Year over year, participation in AP classes among Oregon students grew most among Black students, about 16%, roughly double the growth in overall participation among Oregon students. Among Black students, the proportion receiving credit-bearing scores of 3, 4 or 5 grew by a third. For Hispanic and Latino students, AP test-taking was up 7% since 2024, and the number of Hispanic and Latino students getting credit-bearing scores grew by nearly 18%. Were especially encouraged to see growth among students historically underrepresented in advanced coursework. This is what progress looks like when schools, students, and families work together, Williams said. But Oregon still lags national AP participation rates among Black students and Latino and Hispanic students. Nationwide, in 2025, roughly 8% of students taking AP exams were Black students, while less than 2% of Oregon students taking AP exams were Black. Hispanic and Latino students made up more than a quarter of all AP test takers nationwide in 2025, while those students made up 18% or Oregons AP test takers. Following nationwide trends, slightly more female than male students took AP exams in 2025 and got college credit-bearing scores. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A store displays a sign accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT, cards for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program purchases for groceries on Oct. 30, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Coloradans who receive money from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program should get partial payments in the coming days, state officials said Tuesday. Most of the 600,000 people in the state who get SNAP benefits will receive up to 65% of their typical payment, per guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Those beneficiaries should begin to see those payments over the next few days, Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conflicting court rulings and actions by the Trump administration have resulted in whiplash for people who rely on the program to pay for groceries. USDA officials first advised that funding for SNAP would not be available at all in November due to the federal government shutdown, prompting food banks to ramp up operations for an influx of new visitors. After a coalition of states sued, a federal judge then ordered the federal government to fully fund SNAP using available contingency money, which the Trump administration then immediately appealed. States, including Colorado, began sending full payments to people late last week before the U.S. Supreme Court issued an administrative stay of the court order. The USDA then issued a memo on Sunday directing states to send the partial payments, and called any full payments to SNAP recipients unauthorized, requesting that states immediately undo any steps taken. About 32,000 Coloradans received full SNAP payments last week before the administrative stay. Polis said that Colorado has not reversed those payments because they were authorized at the time. Nothing is preventing the Trump administration from fully funding SNAP benefits. They are simply choosing not to, Polis statement said. The fastest way to clean up this mess would be for the federal government to drop its court appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado lawmakers on the Joint Budget Committee approved a request by Polis to infuse the states food banks with cash while SNAP benefits were paused so they could buy enough provisions to meet increased demand. The U.S. Senate approved a bill on Monday night to fund the government until the end of January. It would fully appropriate SNAP benefits for the year, however, avoiding another lapse should the federal government shutdown again. The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on the bill in the coming days. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The mother of a 9-year-old California girl who vanished during their road trip last month was arrested Friday on a felony charge of false imprisonment but its not directly related to the search for her daughter, officials said. Investigators were looking into the disappearance of Ashlee Buzzards daughter Melodee when they learned the mother had recently prevented a victim from leaving a location against their will, the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. 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 release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Santa Barbara County District Attorneys Office accused Buzzard in a complaint of false imprisonment by violence. It said the way the alleged crime was carried out indicated planning, sophistication, or professionalism. Investigators have shed little light on the recent incident as they continue to investigate Melodees whereabouts. So far, prosecutors have only disclosed that the event happened on November 6 in Buzzards hometown of Lompoc. 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 that Melodee was last seen in. The search for Melodee has captured national attention as investigators shared surveillance images of the child apparently wearing a wig at a car rental agency last month, began scrutinizing a cross-state road trip and described her mother as being uncooperative. This surveillance image shared by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office shows Melodee and Ashlee Buzzard at a rental car location in Lompoc, California on October 7. - Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office The search for Melodee Buzzard went on a road trip with Melodee on October 7, authorities said. That day, surveillance footage captured the girl at a local car rental agency dressed in what seemed to be a disguise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melodee was wearing a hoodie pulled over her head and what appears to be a wig that is darker and straighter than her natural hair, the sheriffs office said. Investigators believe the wig may have been used to alter her appearance. Investigators also believe that the mother swapped wigs throughout the trip, possibly to avoid recognition during travel, the sheriffs office said Thursday. Over the next three days, the rental car traveled through Nebraska, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and Kansas, at some point seen with a false or switched license plate, according to the sheriffs office. The rental car then returned to the familys home in Lompoc, about 55 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashlee was seen returning to her Lompoc residence on October 10, driving the same rental vehicle she departed with on October 7 but Melodee was not in the car, the sheriffs office said. The child was last seen a day before on video surveillance in the region between the Colorado and Utah state line. Melodee was reported missing days later on October 14 not by a family member, but by a school administrator concerned about her long absence. When authorities visited her mothers home, Melodee was not at the home, and no verifiable explanation for her whereabouts was provided, the sheriffs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashlee has remained uncooperative and has not confirmed Melodees location or welfare, authorities said on Monday. Though the mothers arrest Friday did happen during the missing persons investigation, it is not directly related to Melodees disappearance, the sheriffs office said. Sheriffs detectives remain fully focused on locating Melodee and confirming her safety, the Friday release said. Anyone who has seen Melodee or may know something about her whereabouts is encouraged to call the sheriffs office or leave an anonymous tip. It was not immediately clear whether Buzzard has an attorney. She will be booked at a Santa Barbara County jail with bail set at $100,000, officials said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Theres a bunch of craziness and what really seems to me like a bunch of crazy failure that is unfolding this week on the legal front, specifically, what appears to be some really bad lawyering inside the Trump administration. A bunch of these things is about to come sort of to a head all at once, all over the course of this week. And I want to know what it means and how it might change things going forward. Let me explain. Take, for example, Virginia, Eastern District of Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., very important jurisdiction as a U.S. Attorneys Office. You might remember that they removed the U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia recently, and they instead instead installed one named a woman named Lindsey Halligan, who was a random Florida insurance lawyer and Trump fan who had never so much as prosecuted a traffic ticket. Its under Lindsey Halligans estimable authority that that U.S. Attorneys Office in the Eastern District of Virginia brought federal criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey for supposedly lying to Congress and against New York Attorney General Letitia James for supposed irregularities in her mortgage paperwork. Now, the reason that Ive got eyes on that this week is because, I dont know, Im not a lawyer, but this looks to me like its about to blow up in their faces. And I say this, I dont mean to cast aspersions on the, you know, innate charm and abilities of somebody whos never prosecuted a case, whos suddenly in charge of one of the most important U.S. Attorneys Offices in the country, but on Thursday this week, Lindsey Halligan is going to be up against two real lawyers, two two really big deal, very accomplished, famous, almost household name lawyers who are representing Tish James and James Comey in those criminal trials. The the lawyers are Abbe Lowell and Patrick Fitzgerald, two very famous lawyers. And this week, the two of them are going to be in court challenging the cases against James Comey and Tish James in the Eastern District of Virginia. And theyre going to be challenging those cases, in part on the basis of, what the heck does this person, Lindsey Halligan, do? What the heck is this person Lindsey Halligan doing in that that office anyway? Theyre essentially going to be challenging her appointment and her ability to bring these cases. If I was betting on Patrick Fitzgerald and Abbe Lowell on the one hand, and Lindsey Halligan, Florida insurance lawyer on the other, I mean, I know what side of the bet I would take, especially because the judge in the Comey case, at least, has already castigated Lindsey Halligans handling of this case, has described it as effectively not just irregular, but buffoonish and wrong. And the judge is already calling on that U.S. Attorneys Office to justify their actions in ways that seem very damning for these cases. So I think those two cases may blow up, proverbially speaking, this week, when those when that court hearing happens on Thursday. And another reason this is worth watching this week in particular is a mysterious firing that happened last week. It didnt get a lot of attention, but this firing may become a lot less mysterious in the next few days. And the firing relates to most specifically the case against Tish James. So thats the mortgage irregularities case, right? You probably remember that that case appears to have originated with an obscure little federal agency that handles mortgage financing, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which nobody has ever had to think about ever before. Trump put a very MAGA Trump appointee in charge of that agency. And now in running that agency, he appears to have been using the the data, the paperwork that that agency has access to to essentially try to find crimes to prosecute against Trumps list of enemies. He has tried to do it with California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and his mortgage, and with Fed Governor Lisa Cook and her mortgage, and also with New York Democratic Attorney General Tish James and her mortgage. Well, last week, little noticed story from Reuters, this Trump appointee who who runs this obscure mortgage data agency, who seems to have been the source for all of these weird criminal cases against Trumps political enemies, that guy last week fired the inspector general at that agency. Why did he fire the inspector general at his agency? We dont know. We have not matched this reporting. But Reuters says four sources told them that the inspector general received notice of his termination from the White House after he made efforts to provide key information to prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia. Quote, The information he turned over was constitutionally required, said two of the sources, while a third source described it as being potentially relevant in discovery. So this mortgage case against Tish James is going to be in court this week, in federal court. Its not going to be in the newspapers or in social media or at the White House podium. Its going to be in real court with a real judge who gets to decide if that Tish James case and the James Comey case are real cases or not, or instead, are they pernicious abuses of power by people maliciously carrying out the presidents personal and political vendettas? And if part of that is the inspector general trying to convey legally required information to the court, and that inspector general was blocked from doing so and then fired for doing so, well, you might expect that theres going to be hell to pay in that courtroom this week about that. NAUGATUCK, Conn. (WTNH) Multiple agencies, including the Naugatuck Police Department are actively searching for a man wanted for multiple crimes. Naugatuck police asking for help with graffiti investigation Law enforcement agencies are seeking information on Thomas Sevilla-Alvarado, 26, who has multiple active arrest warrants across five departments with bonds totaling $140,000 and is allegedly connected to domestic violence-related crimes, thefts and sex crimes, Naugatuck police said. Thomas Sevilla-Alvarado, 26 Sevilla-Alvarado is roughly 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs approximately 175 pounds, according to Naugatuck police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information is urged to contact the Naugatuck Police Department at 203-729-5222 or submit an anonymous tip through the confidential tip line at 203-720-1010. 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 WTNH.com. Nov. 10Alaska's two U.S. senators voted Monday in favor of a bill to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. "It is a perfect deal? No. Is it a deal that we could get the votes together to get us out of here? Yes," said U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski. The shutdown, which as of Monday was in its 41st day, stemmed from a stalemate along party lines over Senate Democrats' central demand the extension of health care subsidies used by millions of Americans, including thousands of Alaskans. Without the subsidies, known as Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, the cost of insurance plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act could become unaffordable to many. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Republicans said they wanted to first fund the government and then debate the subsidies, but Democrats said that without the leverage created by the shutdown, a deal on the subsidies was unlikely. The subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year without action from Congress. But on Sunday, eight members of the Senate minority responding to fallout from the shutdown joined Republicans in voting to advance a bill that would fund the government through the end of January without guaranteeing an extension of the subsidies. The bill came with an agreement to hold a vote on a Democratic proposal to extend health care tax credits by mid-December. The Senate voted 60-40 to pass the bill Monday, sending it to the House, which is expected to take it up later in the week. The impacts of the shutdown have been felt acutely in Alaska, with thousands of federal employees going without pay, tens of thousands of Alaskans facing uncertainty in receiving food benefits, and the threat of flight delays and cancellations reaching Alaska's busiest airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murkowski had been one of the few Senate Republicans who openly called for a deal to end the shutdown to include extension of enhanced premium tax credits, along with restoring funding to public radio stations that had been rescinded by Republicans earlier in the year. The deal she voted for on Sunday includes neither, but it does include a promise to back-pay furloughed federal workers, as required by law, and temporarily halt Trump's efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce. "We've gotten so focused on one issue and one issue alone, and it is important the health care piece of it, the ACA benefits are absolutely important but there are so many other things," Murkowski said in a brief phone interview. Murkowski said that Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, had agreed to vote on a Democratic proposal to extend the tax credits by the end of the year, but she did not say whether she would support that proposal, which has not yet been finalized. "I can't tell you right now what shape that will take, but my hope is that people will want to work together to try to get an outcome that's going to make a difference in the cost of care and the cost of insurance to families, and not just use it as an opportunity for political messaging," Murkowski said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without action from Congress, premiums for some of the roughly 25,000 Alaskans who purchase their health insurance plans through the federal marketplace could increase by thousands of dollars a month, in some cases doubling or tripling. Murkowski said she would continue to seek options for restoring public broadcasting funding, an effort she had not succeeded in including in the bill to reopen the government. "We're not done just because it's not included in this shutdown package, but we're going to have to approach it through another vehicle, and I'm committed to doing just that," she said. She said she has been working to ensure that the Trump administration doesn't rescind any other forms of funding approved by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's a good solid bloc of us that are saying, 'No, you don't go back on the commitment, on the hard work that everyone has put into this, and decide that you don't like something later on,'" she said. Alaska's U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, who like most of his GOP colleagues blamed Democrats for the shutdown, said in a video posted on social media Sunday night that it had been "the most senseless, unnecessary shutdown I've ever seen." He called the Sunday vote "an important night, a good step forward." "I've been in discussions with my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats across the aisle, for weeks on getting something moving like this," he said. His office did not immediately respond to an interview request from the Daily News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked whether he supports extending the tax credits in an interview with Alaska's News Source last week, Sullivan said the subsidies were a failed policy that had caused Alaskans' health care costs to go up. But he said he is "working very diligently on reforms and extensions." Alaska's lone U.S. House Rep. Nick Begich did not comment publicly on the bill to reopen the government as of Monday, nor on whether he supports extending the health care subsidies. His office did not respond to an interview request. A Texas resident claims to have made an unexpected discovery at a local donation store last week. The event led her to leave the store in tears. San Antonio native Tina Soto tells MySA she visited a Goodwill located at 2514 SW Military Drive, inside Suite 102, on Saturday, November 8. She says she made the trip out there to find a basket as a gift for a baby shower she planned to attend. However, the errand quickly took a turn. At about 4:22 p.m., Soto says she spotted what appeared to be an urn on a shelf inside the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Poor baby girl, I had to pray for her. Yes, it had ashes in it," she wrote in a Facebook post, attaching images of the item. "Good Will on Zarzamora is disappointing, and the donor should be ashamed." Photos shared with MySA depict a pink container with a teddy bear on it. It also features a label that contains a bar code and a selling price of $5.99. A Texas resident was in shock after she claimed to have found an urn containing ashes for sale at a San Antonio Goodwill on Saturday, November 8, 2025. (Courtesy of Tina Soto via Facebook) A Texas resident was in shock after she claimed to have found an urn containing ashes for sale at a San Antonio Goodwill on Saturday, November 8, 2025. (Courtesy of Tina Soto via Facebook) "I had just walked in [and] went straight to the back," Soto said. "What got my attention was on the end cap that it was on, [it] had all pink baby things ... There was a pink picture that said 'Baby,' that's why I stopped and saw it ...because ... I was looking to make a baby shower basket for a girl, so the pink stuff stood out to me." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soto had only been in the store for about three to five minutes at that point, but immediately wanted to leave after seeing it. After picking it up, she "prayed and walked out crying," she says. Social media users have been commenting on Soto's Facebook post since she shared photos of the item online, with one claiming it could be connected to a report from a family who had an urn with their daughter's ashes inside it stolen from a cemetery in Houston. However, there is no confirmation that the two are related. Soto says she notified employees at the San Antonio Goodwill the following day. "They told me someone went to get it and they [have] been getting lots of calls about it," Soto said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soto also says that a social media user told her that the Goodwill staff told them the item was empty. Soto hopes that sharing photos of the item will help the item return to the original owner's care. Goodwill issued MySA the following statement, noting the urn was empty and inspected by two employees before being put on shelves. "Goodwill San Antonio receives thousands of donations daily and carefully processes each item to the best of our ability. Over this past weekend, a donated item identified as an urn was placed on the sales floor at our Zarzamora location. The donated item was reviewed by two team members - a production associate and assistant manager - and determined the condition of the item to be like new' and unused, prior to being placed on the sales floor. The donated item has since been purchased and is no longer at the store. Our team follows established procedures to ensure donated items are safe, appropriate, and suitable for resale, providing the best possible experience for both donors and shoppers." This article originally published at Mysterious urn discovered at San Antonio Goodwill sparks online buzz. VIENNA, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexogen, a recognized expert in the domain of RNA sequencing and transcriptome analysis, has been recognized among Austria's Top Innovative Companies 2026 by Statista and the Austrian business magazine trend. Lexogen Current Logo (PRNewsfoto/LEXOGEN) This annual ranking recognizes Austria's most forward-thinking companies, distinguished for their creativity, technological innovation, and progressive corporate culture. It is based on a thorough, multi-dimensional evaluation conducted by a large network of experts and a specialized jury, reflecting a highly professional and methodical approach. Supporting life science research and applications through innovation Founded in Vienna, Austria, nearly two decades ago, Lexogen has always pursued a clear mission: to help scientists explore how genes work by developing advanced technologies to analyze RNA, the molecule that reveals gene activity. Their complete solutions for RNA and transcriptome analysis are used worldwide by researchers. These tools support both fundamental and applied research. For example, they enable applications in healthcare, including drug discovery and diagnostic testing, especially in personalized medicine (by identifying cancer origins and guiding targeted individual treatments). Lexogen develops and manufactures all its products in-house at its Vienna headquarters, following ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016 standards to guarantee the highest quality and reliability (diagnostic-grade). With 17 patent families safeguarding its innovations, Lexogen has introduced several groundbreaking advances in RNA research. Lexogen operates globally with a subsidiary in the United States and more than 30 distributors worldwide, ensuring that its technologies are accessible to scientists in over 60 countries. Innovation is part of Lexogen's spirit At Lexogen, innovation goes beyond technology. It shapes the company's mindset and drives everyday collaboration. "We at Lexogen are driven by a shared mindset and a set of core values, our imperatives, that guide how we collaborate and achieve our goals," says Stephane Barges, CEO of Lexogen. "One of these imperatives is innovation, since it creates value. We build it on trust, empowerment, and listening. We support and challenge one another, stay open to new ideas, and value initiative. Our managers empower their teams and delegate decisions, fostering an atmosphere that encourages learning from mistakes and continuous improvement, without blame or finger pointing." Bill Ward enlisted in the Air Force a few months after he and some friends drove up to the Woodstock festival in August 1969 to check out Sly and the Family Stone. The unemployed 18-year-old with shoulder-length hair had recently dropped out of Bloomfield College and was living at home in Essex County with little direction or money when a recruitment poster caught his eye, offering a chance to learn computer programming. Little did he know he would end up with the Air Forces 388th Supply Squadron stationed at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in southern Thailand in the throes of the Vietnam War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A far cry from programming computers! said Ward, now 74, and living in Highlands. More than 50 years later, Ward still suffers the effects of fumes he inhaled while fueling A-7D Corsair II fighter-bombers on training flights at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in South Carolina, and F-111s and F-105s in Thailand for campaigns like Operation Linebacker II at Christmastime in 1972. But it wasnt until Monday, the eve of todays Veterans Day federal holiday, that Ward received the most definitive recognition of his service in the war. That was when his congressman, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, pinned the Vietnam Service Medal on Wards lapel during a ceremony at the Harold Daley VFW Post 1333 in Neptune, where Ward is a member. Its very personal, Ward said of the medals significance. After a pause, he added, I can now stand next to my fellow Vietnam veterans, shoulder to shoulder with them. Willie Gill, Bill Ward, Frank Pallone and Wilbur Martin In 1975, Congress expanded eligibility for the Vietnam Service Medal to include troops who had served in the neighboring Southeast Asian nations of Cambodia and Laos, and in nearby Thailand, as well as on waterways including the South China Sea, the Gulf of Thailand, and the Gulf of Tonkin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In due time, Ward received variations of the Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award; the Air Force Good Conduct Medal; and the National Defense Ribbon, among others. But it took 50 years for him to be awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; and the Vietnam Service Medal a small bronze disc stamped with a dragon in a bamboo forest and hung from a yellow ribbon with green borders and three narrow red stripes. In announcing the very-long-awaited medal presentation on Monday, Pallones office diplomatically attributed the half-century of waiting to administrative delays. During that time, Ward could not be decorated quite like his comrades in arms during the most solemn or celebratory occasions that veterans share. He had made efforts of his own, but got nowhere. So, eventually, he turned to Pallones office, where his constituent services staff worked with the Air Force Personnel Center and the National Personnel Records Center to locate and update the documentation needed. The congressman, a Democrat representing New Jerseys 6th Congressional District, finalized the protracted process with Mondays ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every veteran deserves to receive full recognition for their service, Pallone said in a statement after Mondays ceremony. Mr. Ward served his country with honor, and Im proud that our office was able to help him finally obtain these medals. His story is a reminder of the deep gratitude we owe to all who have worn our nations uniform. William T. Ward's Vietnam medals After active duty, Ward eventually went back to school and earned a pair of engineering degrees at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken and NJIT in Newark. He spent several years as a civilian Army employee working on projects that included a condition-based maintenance+ program at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, to help commanders avoid equipment failures in the field. Vietnam was not the only theater in which he was involved. And among his various roles in the private and nonprofit sectors, Ward designed and built sets for stage productions, which is how he met his wife of 40 years, Donna Schneiderman. Engineering projects hes worked on in the private sector include the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the Museum of Natural History in New York and the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He retired from paid work in 2018 and now takes care of Post 1333s IT needs. Hes also an avid cyclist, a veteran of many century rides of 100 miles, including the annual Highlands Gran Fondo in his hometown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Long after his active duty years, Ward said he met a veteran of the Armys storied 10th Mountain Division who had been in Vietnam at the same time he was. Ward said the vet told him his unit was surrounded by insurmountable forces, until a flight of Air Force A-7D Corsair II fighter-bombers, probably fueled by the 354th Supply Squadron, cleared a path through the enemy line surrounding them. He told me, It was likely your work that saved lives, Ward said. It literally brought tears to my eyes. His pinning ceremony took place at Post 1333 in the presence of a dozen other veterans, including the Post 1333 commander, Wilbur Martin, a highly decorated combat veteran who served stints in Vietnam in 1968-69 and 1970. It was a long time coming, Martin said of Wards Vietnam Service Medal. Most of the guys there today were Vietnam vets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin, 87, a Manasquan native who lives in Neptune, served on active duty from 1955 to 1973, retiring as a sergeant in the Armys 25th Infantry Division, 27th Infantry Regiment. His awards include a Silver Star, Bronze Star, two Air Medals, and a pair of Purple Hearts, one of them after a piece of shrapnel cost him an eye. Though not on the same scale as Ward, Martin said hes also had medals delayed. A Department of Defense spokesperson said she could not comment Monday on the medal delay issue. Like the 10th Mountain veteran, Martin has also assured Ward that his support work off the battlefield was essential for victory on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like I told Bill, it takes all of us to fight a war, Martin said. He offered a reminder of why Veterans Day is not celebrated on a Monday to make for a 3-day weekend at around the same time each year, regardless of the date. In fact, it is celebrated every year on Nov. 11, the anniversary of the official end of World War I in 1918. The anniversary became a federal holiday known as Armistice Day from 1938 to 1954, when its name was changed to honor veterans of all U.S. military conflicts. Martin was asked whether the cheerful greeting, Happy Veterans Day! fit the mood of former soldiers who had fought or played supporting roles in wars that so many others did not survive, or that left them physically or emotionally scarred. He didnt hesitate in his reply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oh, its happy, he assured the questioner. Were home. William T. Ward Steve Strunsky headshot Steve Strunsky Steve Strunsky covers the City of Newark and other subjects. He has reported, edited, and produced news in New Jersey and New York for over three decades at print, wire service, and broadcast outlets, including... more sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. I am a former Oregon National Guardsman. I served from 1983 to 1990. I reenlisted in the Oregon National Guard and served from 2004 to 2011. I was 54 when I reenlisted. I voluntarily deployed from August 2005 to November 2006. When I was deployed, I was given the same benefits as a full time soldiers. The pay is good for those who are deployed. Fully paid healthcare and insurance. Ed Palm, in his most recent column, said that a captain in the National Guard "lost his home when his Guard pay fell short of his former income." I don't believe it, because Ed did not indicate what the captain's pay was when he was deployed and what he earned when he was employed. Facts, facts, facts! Ed also stated "Patriotism alone wont do it." He was referring to why people enlist the National Guard. Ed should do some research. The number one key reason the people join the National Guard is service to country and community: Many individuals are motivated by a sense of duty to serve their country and support their local communities during emergencies, such as natural disasters or civil unrest. I found this by "Googling." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the local governments would use the resources they have to quell the mobs that attack the men and women who are legally doing their job, there would not be a need to use the National Guard. Instead, the blue state governors and mayors of those cities will not use their resources.Mathew Niblack, Port Orchard This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: National Guard deployment is serving the country | Letters Gov. Roy Cooper (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) Former Gov. Roy Cooper said he doesnt support legislation that passed the U.S. Senate on Monday night to reopen the government, siding with a majority of Senate Democrats that opposed any bipartisan deal that did not address rising health care costs. That legislation now heads to the U.S. House, where a vote expected Wednesday will likely have narrow margins. Two of North Carolinas four House Democrats have already indicated they will vote against it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A standoff that spanned 41 days ended Monday when a group of eight senators, including seven Democrats, broke ranks to pass a Republican-led spending package. Cooper, the presumptive Democratic nominee for the open Senate seat in North Carolina, criticized the decision in a statement Monday. Working families are struggling and any deal that lets health care costs continue to skyrocket is unacceptable, Cooper said. Its absurd this shutdown ever happened and that Republicans used hungry children as political pawns. Washington needs to do its job and come together on a bill that tackles costs and protects health care for North Carolinians. Democrats in Washington had pushed for any bill ending the shutdown to also include an extension of tax credits that reduce premium costs for those who pay for health care through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Those tax credits expire at the end of the year; if they do, premiums will spike for millions of enrollees. Senate Republicans have agreed to hold a vote on the issue separately next month, but passage is not guaranteed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, asked about the shutdown agreement during a news conference Tuesday, called Congress decision inexcusable as he compared it to North Carolina lawmakers failure to reach an agreement on funding Medicaid. Folks deserve access to health care, Stein said. Thats why the active work by Congress and the administration to deprive people of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act insurance plans or the willingness of the General Assembly to refuse to fully fund Medicaid, putting at risk the entire system, is inexcusable. Weve got to be focusing on what matters to peoples lives, Stein said. Thats what government needs to do in Washington, thats what government needs to do here in Raleigh. U.S. House to vote on shutdown agreement. Will NC Democrats oppose it? It remains to be seen whether any House Democrats will join their Senate colleagues in support of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The offices of two of North Carolinas four House Democrats U.S. Reps. Alma Adams and Valerie Foushee did not immediately respond to requests for comments Tuesday on how they planned to vote. Rep. Deborah Ross office referred NC Newsline to her comments on social media. And U.S. Rep. Don Davis, viewed as one of the most moderate Democrats in the House, said in a statement he was reviewing the Senate agreement, but did not say which way he would vote on it. I am focused on ending the government shutdown responsibly and addressing the high cost of living families are facing, Davis said. The shutdown has made life harder for many families in eastern North Carolina and rural America, where resources are already limited. Ross and Foushee, meanwhile, have both signaled that they would oppose the measure as currently written. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ross wrote on social media that the Senate agreement is a bad deal for North Carolina. It is a betrayal of hundreds of thousands of NC families on the verge of losing their health care, she added. And Foushee noted that House Speaker Mike Johnson had not yet pledged a vote on ACA subsidies like the Senate. Im ready to find a solution to address the health care crisis and open the government but this deal doesnt do that, Foushee wrote on social media. Shutdown agreement creates political crossroads for Democrats The shutdown legislation puts vulnerable Democrats in a precarious political position. If they support the deal, they can tout having reopened the government after the longest shutdown in history but leave themselves open to criticism from voters who see health care costs as a top issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voting against the agreement, meanwhile, keeps them among a majority of elected Democrats. But it leaves them open to attacks from Republicans who, despite the GOPs trifecta control of Congress and the White House, are likely to accuse them of trying to prolong a shutdown that temporarily cut off food benefits for low-income families and halted pay for federal workers and North Carolinas large military communities. That calculus is more difficult for a Democrat like Davis, who could already face a severe uphill battle for re-election in a redrawn district. And while Cooper has no primary opponents ahead of his 2026 campaign against Michael Whatley, he will face scrutiny in the general election for his stance on the shutdown as he attempts to win over moderate and conservative voters. The Senate GOPs campaign operation has already taken aim on the issue, tying Cooper to progressive Democrats in a statement. Roy Cooper stayed silent on the shutdown for over 40 days, then when he finally took a position, he came out in lockstep with Bernie Sanders and AOC, said Nick Puglia, regional press secretary for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Whatleys campaign did not respond to a request for comment. An elephant and a donkey square off in a graphic for the North Carolina state elections board. Graphic: NC State Board of Elections A recent NC Board of Elections news release berating the head of the state Democratic Party took some observers by surprise. The public face of the agency has historically remained above the political fray, focusing on voting rules and routine business. That changed Saturday, Nov. 1, the final day of voting in the 2025 municipal elections. The online portal voters use to look at their sample ballots wasnt working that day. North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton called out Republican state Auditor Dave Boliek, who was recently given a role in state elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The election boards news release didnt explain what happened to the portal, but castigated Clayton for spreading misinformation about the problem. It also praised state elections director Sam Hayes, and blamed the former director and Democratic leaders for not updating aging software. It really struck me as odd, said Greg Flynn, a Democrat and former member of the Wake County Board of Elections. The partisan sniping was out of character. Jason Tyson, the state boards new director of external affairs, said in an interview that the statement was an appropriate response to misinformation. Clayton said in her press release that the voter lookup outage had affected voting, which the elections staff denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The integrity of the Board and integrity of elections was put into question, Tyson said. That may have been why you saw a certain type of response. Tyson, who started his job in the elections office two days later, said he heard that there was a lot of discussion internally about the press release. A lot of thought was put into how to respond to this type of misinformation, he said. The press release was issued under state elections board spokesman Pat Gannons name. He is on paid leave, as Anderson Alerts first reported. Gannon has worked for the Board of Elections for more than nine years under state elections directors appointed by Democratic and Republican board majorities. Contacted last week, Gannon said he could not comment. For years, North Carolina elections administration under Democratic and Republican governors avoided the appearance of partisanship. That patina is now wearing away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boliek, whom Republican legislators gave the power to appoint state board members and local board chairs, hired former state Republican Party executive director Dallas Woodhouse as an elections liaison a few months ago. Boliek described one of Woodhouses duties as coordinating training for Republican board chairs. North Carolina State Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes (Photo: NCSBE.gov) The state board already conducts training for local elections officials. Boliek spokesman Randy Brechbiel couldnt say last week how Woodhouses training sessions would differ from those the state provides. Republican legislators moved the state board into Bolieks office, but under state law, elections oversight remains with the Board of Elections and its administrators. The change in party leadership at the agency also appears to have loosened the purse strings of Republican legislators. After years of giving the state elections board less money than requested, the legislature finally gave the elections board $15 million to complete the technology upgrades the former Democratic elections director sought for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also included $1.2 million to allow Hayes, the new elections director, to hire staff exempt from the state Human Resources Act, meaning they can be political hires. Hayes explained at the time that he wanted staff not for partisan purposes, but to be able to build his own team. Tyson, who has worked for Republican executive officers, including former Gov. Pat McCrory and Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, is one of the new hires. Tim Hoegemeyer, a former Republican candidate for state auditor who last worked for the state Department of Public Instruction for nearly five years, is the boards new general counsel. He replaces Paul Cox, who left to join the law firm Poyner Spruill. Leah Byers, a former aide to Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) is the boards legislative liaison. Hise is a chairman of his chambers elections and budget committees. As signs emerge that the government shutdown may soon come to an end, many Cumberland County families are still grappling with weeks of financial strain. For some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients and furloughed government employees, the uncertainty has meant taking on side hustles or second jobs just to stay afloat. Bobbie Johnson, a longtime federal employee and single mother of two, has experienced multiple shutdowns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's always nerve-wracking because you're not sure when you're going to go back to work," Johnson said. "Ultimately, I think having faith in God has really kept me firm so that I am able to be prepared." To make ends meet, Johnson has leaned into her small business, making sweet treats like cotton candy cake. "We've been able to do events in Raleigh and Durham that we didn't have the opportunity to do as often," she said. "We've been spending more time putting energy into our flyers, our content creation, and really developing the business into something we both love." Across town, another single mother, Amanda Zotti, is also juggling multiple jobs to get by. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "SNAP definitely gets me by. It's a lifeline," said Zotti, who depends on the federal food assistance program. "If it weren't for SNAP, I probably wouldn't be able to afford what I can afford right now, which is the bare minimum." After losing access to her benefits during the shutdown, Zotti began delivering pizzas on weekends to help cover expenses. She's one of more than one million North Carolinians who rely on SNAP benefits. "The transition has been really hard," she said. "With my first job, it definitely takes a toll on my body, so having to get up on the weekends and basically do the same type of work, it definitely takes a toll." Both women say they're hopeful lawmakers in Washington will reach a final agreement soon, so families like theirs can return to a sense of stability. SEE ALSO Food bank sees rising need, empty shelves in Cumberland County As the government shutdown stretches on, more families are struggling to make ends meet Fayetteville small businesses feel impact of the government shutdown Thousands of federal employees who live and work in Cumberland County are trying to keep the lights on during the government shutdown. A strange comet recently spotted speeding its way toward Earth and the sun has prompted some comparisons to an infamous interstellar object known as 3I/ATLAS. Because the newly discovered space object shares some similarities with 3I/ATLAS, some have questioned whether the two objects are in any way related. If you're in need of a refresher, 3I/ATLAS is the object originating from beyond our solar system that observations indicate is almost certainly a comet but that has become inextricably intertwined with conspiracy theories of invading alien spaceships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, as one can imagine, the recent observation of another unusual comet has set off a fresh round of rampant speculation about how the two objects could be connected. But outside of a few passing resemblances, the new comet, which likely originated from the edge of our solar system, appears to share no direct connection with 3I/ATLAS. And if you want to see it from Earth, it's due to make its closest approach Tuesday, Nov. 11. The multi-colored tracks of asteroids flash on and off in this image of two spiral galaxies within the Virgo Cluster. Each of these tracks represents a moving asteroid detected by NSFDOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in its first few nights of observations. The open star cluster Bochum 14 as imaged by NSFDOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Aerial view of Vera C. Rubin Observatory located in Chile, taken Jan. 24, 2024. Surrounded by desert-like mountains and under the blue skies of northern Chile, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory will revolutionize the study of the universe when it incorporates the largest digital camera ever built in the world. (Photo by) (Photo by JAVIER TORRES/AFP via Getty Images) Rubin Observatory stands on Cerro Pachon in Chile against a sky full of star trails in this long exposure night sky image. Sunset at Rubin Observatory on Cerro Pachon in Chile. NSFDOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory atop Cerro Pachon in Chile is outlined against the full Moon rising above the horizon. A trick of perspective has enlarged the Moon beyond the size wed naturally see it on Earth. Rubin Observatory will begin science operations in late 2025. This image captures not only Vera C. Rubin Observatory, but one of the celestial specimens Rubin Observatory will observe when it comes online: the Milky Way. The bright halo of gas and stars on the left side of the image highlights the very center of the Milky Way galaxy. The dark path that cuts through this center is known as the Great Rift, because it gives the appearance that the Milky Way has been split in half, right through its center and along its radial arms. This image combines 678 separate images taken by NSFDOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in just over seven hours of observing time. Combining many images in this way clearly reveals otherwise faint or invisible details, such as the clouds of gas and dust that comprise the Trifid nebula (top) and the Lagoon nebula, which are several thousand light-years away from Earth. This image captures a small section of NSFDOE Vera C. Rubin Observatorys view of the Virgo Cluster, offering a vivid glimpse of the variety in the cosmos. Visible are two prominent spiral galaxies, three merging galaxies, galaxy groups both near and distant, stars within our own Milky Way, and much more. Made from over 1100 images captured by NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, this image contains an immense variety of objects. This includes about 10 million galaxies, roughly .05% of the approximately 20 billion galaxies Rubin Observatory will capture in the next decade. This image captures a small section of NSFDOE Vera C. Rubin Observatorys view of the Virgo Cluster, revealing both the grand scale and the faint details of this dynamic region of the cosmos. Bright stars from our own Milky Way shine in the foreground, while a sea of distant reddish galaxies speckle the background. Vera C. Rubin Observatory reaches for the stars: Take a look 1 of 11 The multi-colored tracks of asteroids flash on and off in this image of two spiral galaxies within the Virgo Cluster. Each of these tracks represents a moving asteroid detected by NSFDOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in its first few nights of observations. Here's everything to know. Newly discovered comet draws 3I/ATLAS comparisons. What is it? Astronomers have discovered a new comet, C/2025 V1 (Borisov), which is approaching both Earth and the sun from a safe distance. The comet has drawn comparisons to the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS. Several observations of the new comet were reported between Nov. 2 and Nov. 5 to the Minor Planet Center, the official authority for observing and reporting new asteroids, comets and other small bodies in the solar system. Because amateur astronomer Gennadiy Borisov was the first to spot it, the object has since been dubbed C/2025 V1 (Borisov) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The object is also now catalogued by NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. If the name Borisov sounds familiar, it's because he also discovered the second-ever known interstellar comet trespassing into Earth's solar system. Comet Borisov was detected in 2019, two years after Comet Oumuamua, Hawaiian for scout or messenger, became the first interstellar object ever detected in the solar system in 2017. That association may be part of the reason the new comet's discovery has drawn comparisons to 3I/ATLAS, which in July became the third-ever object originating from another star found in our cosmic neighborhood. Is C/2025 V1 'nearly interstellar?' What we know But what further makes C/2025 V1 intriguing is that it has an unusual orbit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who has also been closely monitoring 3I/ATLAS, went as far as to describe the comet as "nearly interstellar" in a recent post on publishing platform Medium. Loeb's descriptor has to do with C/2025 V1's highly eccentric orbit, meaning it is traveling almost straight toward the sun on a trajectory not unlike that of 3I/ATLAS. That means the comet may not be bound by the sun's gravity. Similar to 3I/ATLAS, the comet also does not display a tail in recent photos, Loeb added. What is 3I/ATLAS? Is new comet an alien probe of 'mothership?' Of course, those characteristics may have only further contributed to C/2025 V1 being linked to the ancient 3I/ATLAS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The infamous object known as 3I/ATLAS, believed to be a comet originating from outside Earth's solar system, is suspected of having hurtled through space at breathtaking speeds for billions of years. Media coverage in tabloid publications, including LADbible, have prompted online speculation that the comet could in fact be a probe sent by the "mothership" 3I/ATLAS. The eyebrow-raising theory that 3I/ATLAS could be an alien spaceship is one that Loeb himself first prominently put forth. Loeb, who has conceded on Medium that the object is "most likely a comet of natural origin," has not ruled out the possibility that it could be extraterrestrial technology. But he did downplay the idea that C/2025 V1 is in anyway directly connected to 3I/ATLAS. The comet, instead, likely originated from the Oort Cloud, a thick bubble around the edges of our solar system, he wrote. When will new comet pass closest to Earth? Will it be visible? Comet C/2025 V1 will pass closest to Earth on Tuesday, Nov 11, when it will come within about 64 million miles of our planet. That's still pretty far away, about 270 times further away than the moon, according to space website Orbital Today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The object will then make its closest approach to the sun a moment known as perihelion Sunday, Nov. 16. Though the object is too faint to be seen with the naked eye, stargazers with a powerful telescopes or binoculars may be able to glimpse it, according to LiveScience. As of now, C/2025 V1 is located in the constellation Virgo and is most clearly visible before sunrise, according to TheSkyLive.com. 3I/ATLAS reappears from behind sun, approaches Earth Hubble captured this image of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on July 21, 2025, when the comet was 277 million miles from Earth. Hubble shows that the comet has a teardrop-shaped cocoon of dust coming off its solid, icy nucleus. As for the comet 3I/ATLAS, which is merely passing through our solar system, the object recently made its closest approach to the sun about 130 million miles and has since been hidden from Earth's view. However, amateur telescopes have since imaged the object again, according to Space.com. Amateur British astronomers also recently spotted the comet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The object is presently making its way for its closest approach to Earth, which is projected to happen Dec. 19, when it comes within about 170 million miles of our planet. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is a 'nearly interstellar comet' connected to 3I/ATLAS? What we know Negotiators from EU member states and the European Parliament on Monday reached a provisional agreement that is set to reduce paperwork and on-site inspections for farmers in the European Union. The deal also foresees more financial support for small farms, the Danish EU presidency said. Rules for receiving EU agricultural subsidies are to be simplified, particularly for organic producers, and farmers are to be given better tools to insure themselves against risks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Member states would also be allowed to make payments to farmers in crisis situations - for example after natural disasters or extreme weather - to ensure that affected farms can continue operating. "It's important to make farming easier in Europe because this will help the agricultural industry grow and become stronger - boosting the sector's competitiveness across Europe," said Danish European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre. Denmark currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU. The negotiations were based on a proposal presented by the European Commission in May aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of European agriculture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the commission, simplifying the EU's farm subsidy system could save agricultural businesses up to 1.6 billion ($1.85 billion) per year, while national authorities could save about 200 million. Agricultural relief measures were agreed last year following protests by farmers in several EU countries. They included the relaxation of environmental regulations and the exempting of smaller farms from inspections. Farmers had complained about excessive bureaucracy. The agreement must now be formally approved by EU member states and the European Parliament before it can take effect. US-based Nemours Childrens Health has launched Advanced Care at Home, a paediatric care programme. The initiative aims to deliver support to eligible children in their homes with continuous virtual access and clinical oversight. It targets stable patients who still require enhanced medical care, with emphasis on complex conditions and other medical diagnoses, and seeks to accelerate safe discharge and continuity of care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nemours Childrens Health president and CEO R Lawrence Moss said: Advanced Care at Home is an extension of our Whole Child Health approach care designed to support children where they live, learn, and grow. This is an entirely new model of care that brings children home, keeps families together, and lets the entire family be comfortable in their own space. Since launching in June, the programme has enrolled more than 120 patients. Nemours reports it has avoided 91 emergency department visits, returned 177 hospital days to families, and prevented 27 readmissions of inpatients. The model combines technologyenabled monitoring with roundtheclock clinical access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nemours Childrens Health executive vice-president, chief nursing executive and patient operations officer Jane Mericle said: We know patients and families benefit significantly from treatment options that enable safe, continuous care and recovery in the comfort of their own homes. Advanced Care at Home offers tremendous promise in revolutionising paediatric healthcare. Plans are in place to expand the programme to Nemours Childrens Hospital, Delaware by 2025-end, with a paediatricfocused mobile integrated health programme anticipated for 2026. Nemours Childrens Health operates two freestanding hospitals and a network of over 70 speciality and primary care practices. "Nemours launches paediatric at home care programme" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand. U.S. President Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, met on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the next stages of the fragile Gaza ceasefire, while Israel returned the remains of another 15 Palestinians. The remains of four hostages are still in Gaza after Palestinian militants released the remains of another on Sunday. The first stage of the ceasefire agreement that took effect on Oct. 10 is nearing its end. The next stage calls for the implementation of a governing body for Gaza and the deployment of an international stabilization force. It is not clear where either stands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel ended the previous ceasefire agreement earlier this year after a period of exchanging hostages for Palestinian prisoners. At the time, mediators were unable to bring Hamas and Israel to the table to negotiate a troop withdrawal and a plan for the future governance of Gaza. Also on Monday, the Israeli military released the results of a review into the failures surrounding the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that started the war, saying it had found shortcomings in a series of previous investigations. The latest exchange of bodies For each Israeli hostage returned, Israel has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians an exchange central to the ceasefires first phase. The Gaza Health Ministry said the total number of remains received is now 315. Only 91 have been identified, the ministry said. Forensic work is complicated by a lack of DNA testing kits in Gaza. The ministry posts photos of the remains online in the hope that families will recognize them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One mother waited at Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, wondering whether her missing 15-year-old son was among the new remains returned. He disappeared while on the way to school on Oct. 7, 2023. Rayyan has been missing for two years. I dont know his fate, whether hes still alive or dead, said Shaima Abu Ouda, adding that he vanished near the wall separating Gaza and southern Israel. Her husband and eldest son were killed during the war. On Sunday, Israel confirmed it had received the remains of Hadar Goldin, a soldier killed in the Gaza Strip in 2014, closing a painful chapter for the country. The 23-year-old was killed two hours after a ceasefire took effect in that years war between Israel and Hamas. His remains had been the only ones left in Gaza predating the current war between Israel and Hamas. A funeral was scheduled for Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, and 251 people were kidnapped. On Saturday, Gazas Health Ministry said the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza has risen to 69,176. Its count does not distinguish between militants and civilians, but the ministry says more than half of those killed were women and children. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts. US officials try to push ceasefire forward Netanyahu and Kushner discussed the progress and future of the ceasefire, said Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deal has focused on the first phase of halting the fighting, releasing all hostages and boosting humanitarian aid to Gaza. Details of the second phase havent been worked out. The United Nations humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, said on Monday that more than 1 million Palestinians in Gaza have been fed since the ceasefire began, and that winter clothes and blankets are being distributed. But many obstacles remain, Fletcher said, citing red tape and too few entry points to bring additional aid into Gaza. We can do much more to save many more lives. For his part, Kushner also was helping to lead negotiations to secure safe passage for 150-200 trapped Hamas militants in exchange for surrendering their weapons after the release of Goldins remains, according to someone close to the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bedrosian did not say where those negotiations were headed. Hamas has made no comment on a possible exchange for its fighters stuck in the so-called yellow zone of territory controlled by Israeli forces, though it has acknowledged that clashes were taking place there. Israeli military reviews its failures on Oct. 7, 2023 The conclusions released Monday by the Israeli military appeared to largely echo those of past investigations, citing both intelligence and operational failures. It said that intelligence officials had failed to recognize Hamas growing capabilities or preparations for the attack, even in the early hours of Oct. 7. It also criticized the performance of ground troops, the navy and the air force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the night of Oct. 7, direct intelligence had accumulated which, had it been professionally analyzed, could and should have led to an alert and a significant operational response, the military said. The report focused only on the armys performance. Netanyahu has rejected calls for an official commission of inquiry that would look into governmental decision making, saying such an investigation can only take place when the war ends. Critics accuse him of stonewalling to prevent what is likely to be an unflattering report. West Bank village faces demolition Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank village of Umm al-Khair, which was featured in the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, were bracing Monday for the arrival of Israeli military bulldozers. The documentary chronicles villagers attempts to survive state-backed demolitions and rampant violence from Israeli settlers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents say Israel has ordered the demolition of 14 structures, including the community center, greenhouse and family homes. A press release from the community said the demolitions could begin Tuesday. Israel says the structures were built illegally. Residents, determined to stay on their land, say it is impossible to secure permits to build in the West Bank, leaving them little choice but to rebuild their homes following demolitions. The village was founded in the 1950s by traditionally nomadic people, known as Bedouin, who settled there after being uprooted from the Negev desert during the 1948 war surrounding Israels creation. Two decades later, Umm al-Khair fell under Israeli security control when Israel captured the West Bank. Settler attacks, residents say, began in the 1980s, after Israel built the settlement of Carmel close to Umm al-Khair. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Nevada State Parks is inviting the public to celebrate the grand opening of the new Valley of Fire Visitor Center later this month. This grand opening marks the completion of a $30 million project designed to preserve and showcase Nevadas rich natural and cultural heritage. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Valley of Fire State Park and will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live programs, food vendors, and the debut of a new short film narrated by actor William Shatner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new Valley of Fire Visitor Center honors Nevadas past while looking to its future, Bob Mergell, Administrator for Nevada State Parks. said. This facility enhances how we share the parks incredible geology, wildlife, and human history with visitors from around the world. (Nevada State Parks) (Nevada State Parks) (Nevada State Parks) The celebration includes a full lineup of presentations in the parks new 200-seat outdoor amphitheater: 9:30 a.m. Ribbon-cutting remarks from park staff and dignitaries 10:30 a.m. Wildlife Talk with the Nevada Department of Wildlife 11:00 a.m. Geology Talk with Nevada State Parks 11:30 a.m. The Nevadaromeus Dinosaur with Josh Bonde and Becky Hall 12:00 p.m. Hikers Education Course with the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visitors can also enjoy a variety of food and drink options, including Las Vegas Brewing Company, Goodfellas Grill, Headframe Coffee, and Tacos & Salsas, along with booths from Lost City Museum, Zeeta Body, and other local artisans. The park opens at 7 a.m., and attendees hoping to catch the ribbon-cutting are encouraged to arrive early. Limited overflow parking will be available, and carpooling is recommended. For those arriving later in the day, festivities will continue through the afternoon, giving visitors plenty of time to explore the park and experience the new center at a relaxed pace. 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. Only a handful of major companies have yet to report their results for the last quarter, and AI leader Oracle (ORCL) is one of them. The Q3 earnings season has largely brought solid results. As of Dec. 5, 99% of S&P 500 companies have reported, according to FactSet data, and analysts estimate a 13.4% jump in earnings per share during the third quarter. If it holds, that figure would mark the fourth straight quarter of double-digit earnings growth and an acceleration from the 12% earnings growth rate reported in Q2 of this year. Expectations were much lower coming into the quarter, as analysts expected S&P 500 companies to report a 7.9% jump in earnings per share in Q3, as of Sept. 30. Source: FactSet Specialty retailers, including GameStop (GME), AutoZone (AZO), and Chewy (CHWY), are expected to report results this week, providing further insight into consumer spending patterns. Another retail stalwart Costco (COST) is also scheduled to provide a quarterly update. But the marquee report in the week ahead will likely come from Oracle, which emerged as one of the AI leaders after a stunning second quarter report that highlighted the company's massive cloud backlog. Earnings from Adobe (ADBE) and Broadcom (AVGO) will also feature to conclude the third quarter reporting season. Here are the latest updates from corporate America. LIVE 279 updates Story Continues Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance For the latest earnings reports and analysis, earnings whispers and expectations, and company earnings news, click here Travelers continue to deal with the headache of flight cancellations and delays at Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday, Nov. 10 as the fourth day of FAA-mandated flight reductions continues due to the government shutdown. As of 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 10, 112 flights have been cancelled at Newark Airport with over 300 delayed flights as well. This is an uptick from the previous day, when at the same time 74 flights were canceled. JFK Airport experienced almost 100 cancellations and 345 delays during the same period. LaGuardia Airport deals with 161 cancellations and 609 delays, according to FlightAware. Advertisement Advertisement The flight cuts started on Nov. 7 with the intention of alleviating pressure from air traffic controllers, who are essential workers and are working without pay due to the government shutdown. Across 40 airports, 4% of flights were reduced on Friday and climbed to 5.5% affected flights on Monday, said the Federal Aviation Administration. End of the government shutdown? While flight reductions are expected to reach up to 10% on Nov. 14, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, it is unclear if the end of a government shutdown will still impact these flights. The Senate reached an agreement to end the government shutdown on Nov. 9, but votes are still needed in the House. The heated battle between both parties centers around extending subsidies for the Affordable Care Act as health care premiums for those under that plan are set to increase when tax credits expire on Dec. 31. Those traveling may be left scrambling on learning their flight is cancelled or delayed. Here is what some airlines are offering in light of the flight cuts happening across the country and in New Jersey. What to do if your flight is cancelled Many airlines are offering refunds or rescheduling if your flight is cancelled this week. Advertisement Advertisement United Airlines announced in a release last week anyone who is traveling during the flight reduction period will be eligible for a refund, even if their flights are not impacted. United said they are reaching our to travelers directly with several day advance notice. Delta will also offer refunds for those traveling between Nov. 7 and Nov. 14. Another option for travelers dealing with Delta is to have the refund be issued as credit to a new ticket. Delta said in rescheduling a flight, the fare difference will be waived if the new flight happens on or before Nov. 21, but may apply if the rebooked travel happens after that day. The airline announced nearly 500 flights have been cancelled due to the FAA ordered flight reductions. American Airlines will provide a travel waiver providing additional flexibility for customers. The airline said no change fee will be added if travelers must reschedule. JetBlue said flight reductions have been completed through Nov. 12. Travelers who are impacted have the choices to may rebook on another JetBlue flight, receive a refund in the form of a travel credit, or opt for a refund to the original form of payment. A refund request form is on the airlines website. Travelers who have not had their flight cut can still reschedule through Nov. 20 or cancel. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Newark Airport still facing flight cuts, delays amid shutdown Days after Virginians elected Democrats up and down the ballot, including Abigail Spanberger as the commonwealths next governor, Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi unveiled a transition team that reflects the states changing political and cultural landscape one thats as diverse as it is deliberate. Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ + news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter. The group includes veteran legislators, local leaders, and advocates from across Virginias political spectrum, notably Equality Virginia Executive Director Narissa Rahaman, whose inclusion underscores Hashmis emphasis on equity and representation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am honored to have this diverse group of leaders join our transition, Hashmi said in a statement Friday. Their experience, perspective, and commitment to public service will help build an Office of the Lieutenant Governor that is responsive, innovative, and relentlessly focused on improving the lives of every Virginian. Related: LGBTQ+ ally Abigail Spanberger trounces anti-trans Republican to win Virginia governors race The 20-member team resembles a snapshot of Virginias modern political landscape. Members include state Sens. Mamie Locke, Creigh Deeds, Adam Ebbin, Jeremy McPike, and Jennifer Boysko; Delegates Kathy Tran, Mark Sickles, Betsy Carr, Rodney Willett, and Rae Cousins; and local leaders such as Roanoke Mayor Joseph Cobb and Loudoun County Supervisor Juli Briskman. The roster also includes figures from labor, environmental, and academic sectors, such as David Broder of SEIU Virginia, Michael Town of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, and Dr. David Dore, chancellor of the Virginia Community College System. Equality Virginias Rahaman joins other progressive advocates, including Freddy Mejia of The Commonwealth Institute and Shekar Narasimhan of the AAPI Victory Fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Smith, a veteran of more than four decades in Virginia government, will serve as transition director, with June Laffey, Hashmis longtime chief of staff, and Gerardo Aguilar Castillo, her legislative aide, overseeing daily operations. Related: GOP candidate claims firing people for being gay is not discrimination in Virginia governors debate Rahamans appointment adds weight to Hashmis pledge to govern inclusively. Speaking to The Advocate on election night after Spanbergers victory, Rahaman said the results marked a decisive rejection of divisive politics. My first reaction is that the Virginia GOP spent all their money on attacking transgender children, and it failed visibly, Rahaman said. I could not be more excited and relieved for LGBTQ Virginians right now knowing that weve turned the page on the Youngkin administration and that we have a governor who is going to see our dignity and give us an opportunity to thrive in Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that the work ahead is critical. We are the last state in the South where abortion and gender-affirming care are legal, she said. We look forward to working with the governor to pass a bold, progressive LGBTQ+ agenda one that Virginia has been waiting for and hoping for. Related: Spectacular Republican losses prove MAGA's transphobic playbook doesn't win elections For Hashmi, the first Muslim woman elected to the Virginia Senate and now the first Muslim lieutenant governor in state history, the transition represents more than a staffing process its a statement about who belongs in power. Together, we will develop a thoughtful roadmap for the work ahead, Hashmi said. Were building a government that engages communities, strengthens partnerships, and serves with purpose and conviction from day one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared on Advocate: Newly elected Virginia lieutenant governor appoints LGBTQ+ advocate to transition team RELATED California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said over the weekend that the nationwide redistricting fight was the start of a resurgence of energy among Democrats. Just the energy that the delegation from Texas brought to the Democratic Party, to democracy as a whole, when they stood up and pushed back against Greg Abbott and Donald Trumps overreach, Newsom told CNNs Jake Tapper on Sundays State of the Union. And I really think, in many ways, that was the beginning of this comeback, its the beginning of a resurgence of energy. On Tuesday, Proposition 50, which allows the state Legislature to redraw Californias congressional maps until its independent commission retakes control in 2030, passed with more than 64 percent support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newsom backed the measure after the GOP-controlled Texas Legislature redrew the Lone Star States congressional maps in August. Texas Democrats fled the state amid Republicans redistricting push, before returning roughly two weeks later. President Trump has since called on other Republican-led states to redraw their maps ahead of the 2026 midterms. The Missouri and North Carolina legislatures did so in September, while in Ohio, Republicans and Democrats compromised on a map that could give the GOP an edge in two districts next November. Other Democratic-led states, such as Maryland, are also joining the fight. The redistricting push comes as Democrats won three key races in Tuesdays elections. Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill won the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races, respectively, while Zohran Mamdani was elected the next mayor of New York City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, believes the results show Democrats have momentum on their side. What happened on Tuesday represents a new moment. Clarity, conviction, purpose, energy, on our toes, not on our heels, the California Democrat added. A resurgent Democratic Party, and its a party that understands whats at stake for our democracy. 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. Yellow weather warnings have been put in place for several parts of the UK on Tuesday after the Met Office gave its verdict on whether Brits can expect to see snow next week amid a prediction temperatures will plummet. This week has seen a series of record-breaking November temperatures due to remarkably mild weather, including the warmest Bonfire Night on record. But as we move into mid-November, winter could well and truly be on the way, with reports of potential snow gaining attention. The weather agency issued the yellow warnings for areas in Wales, southeast England, and parts of southwest Scotland, with heavy rain expected from Tuesday morning, persisting until midnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Met Office spokesperson said: By Wednesday night, much of Scotland will be in cooler air moving in from the north. This will bring below freezing overnight temperatures, as well as the risk of some snow over higher ground. Those across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as lower levels in most of Scotland, will continue to see precipitation falling as rain. Simon Partridge said next weeks forecast is still all to play for (Owen Humphreys/PA Wire) Speaking to The Independent, Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said there was potential northern parts of the UK could see snowfall over the next week - but added warm air coming in from the south meant it was still all to play for. There is the possibility of snow by the end of next week and into next weekend, he explained. There are lots of different computer models and they all run multiple times a day, but some of them are coming up with some cold air coming in from the north that might result in some snow across most likely Scotland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Mr Partridge warned a lot could change between the current forecast and next weekend, with some weather systems predicting a flow of warm air pushing up from the south - which could result in mild temperatures and grey conditions similar to those seen this week. Yellow weather warnings are in place across the UK as heavy rain is expected on Tuesday (PA Wire) At the moment it looks like there is warm air trying to come in from the south and cold air coming in from the north, he said. It wont take a lot for the warm air to be the one that comes out on top which would mean it will probably be very similar to this week. But he added there is certainly is the potential of colder air coming in across northern parts of the UK, which could result in some snow. He added that although the country has had above-average temperatures this week, a sprinkling of the white stuff in Scotland in mid-November was not uncommon. Currently, any chance of snow looks limited to Scotland, he said. But just like that warm air might move in, theres a chance that cold air might come a little bit further south. Its still all to play for, and we will see how the forecast develops over the coming week. It comes after a mild October which saw warmer than average temperatures. The mean temperature in October was provisionally 0.7C above the 1991-2020 average, with Scotland and Northern Ireland experiencing slightly warmer conditions than the rest of the country. A Santa Fe County map of the wells it tested for PFAS. (Nadav Soroker/Searchlight New Mexico) The state environment department on Monday announced free filters and water testing for residents in La Cienega and La Cieneguilla, two Santa Fe County communities where toxic chemicals have been identified in the groundwater. Specifically, a report by research firm INTERA found that one in three parcels in both areas showed PFAS contamination in the underlying groundwater, with 169 parcels showing contamination above Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standards, a New Mexico Environment Department news release said. Total PFAS levels were found to be as high as 800 parts per trillion, which is more than 200 times the federal drinking water standard of 4 parts per trillion set for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), two of the many PFAS compounds. The source of the contamination and solutions for cleaning the groundwater remain under investigation, the department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PFAS (per and poly fluoroalkyl substances), so-called forever chemicals are a class of synthetic chemicals used in the manufacture of everything from rugs to cookware to firefighting foams. Exposure through contaminated water and soil, as well as through the plants and animals, cause PFAS to build up in the human body. While still being studied, PFAS exposure is linked to increased cancer risks, fertility issues, low birth weights or fetal development issues, hormonal imbalances and limiting vaccine effectiveness. Environment Secretary James Kenney said the state had funded the study and contracted with TLC Plumbing to install the filters in residents homes. If your private well water exceeds PFAS drinking water standards, installing a filter in your home is the best way for residents to protect themselves from these chemicals, which can lead to health issues, Kenney said in a statement. La Cienega and La Cieneguilla are the latest communities working with the state to counter exposure to PFAS. NMED last month announced that approximately 100 homes in Curry County would be receiving a new water source to lessen their exposure to toxic PFAS in their drinking wells from nearby Cannon Air Force Base. The state has also kicked off the rulemaking process for a new law that requires labeling for some intentionally added PFAS to certain consumer products, and an eventual ban of them. NMED also will host an open house at the La Cienega Community Center on Nov. 15, and intends to attend the communitys own town hall on PFAS this week. Environmental justice has long been a concern for La Cieneguilla and surrounding area residents and now our highest priority is to assure that households and agriculture can return to having clean and healthy water, Santa Fe County Commissioner Camilla Bustamante said in a statement. I am grateful that Secretary Kenney has assured support in holding the sources of this contamination accountable. Be assured that together we will identify the most effective long-term strategies to return and protect the quality of our waters. (The Center Square) A planned relocation of Normals Fire Station 2 sparks statewide concern over slow emergency response times, as a new bill at the statehouse would create a task force to investigate staffing and funding problems in Illinois EMS system. Local 2442 Union President Chad Pacey said the relocation plan dates back to a 2008 study that called for a fourth station within 10 years. Instead, Normal has kept the 2012 plan, moving stations without adding resources, even as calls and population have grown sharply. Were up to over 8,000 calls a year, and that number keeps rising, Pacey said. Meanwhile, were about to close a station that sits in one of the busiest and most vulnerable parts of town. The plan were using is simply outdated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the unions website, Normal is facing a critical shortage of firefighters and apparatus necessary to respond effectively to emergencies. These shortages are not just numbers, they represent slower response times, increased risk to the public, and growing dangers to the firefighters who respond every day, the website states. The union-commissioned study found relocating Station 2 would cut Normals emergency coverage by nearly 10%. With national fire protection standards, we aim to be on scene within four minutes for 90% of emergencies, Pacey said. Thats our goal as the boots on the ground, to provide the best, most professional service for the residents, taxpayers and visitors of Normal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 3233 would create an Emergency Medical Service Response Task Force to study slow response times, funding shortages and training and retention challenges. State Rep. Bradley Fritts, R-Dixon, said the problem reflects a broader statewide issue. I think we need to look at what areas we can fill in the gaps, Fritts said. The goal of this task force is to identify the problems so were all on the same page. Then we can figure out solutions, whether thats state funding, or programs through universities and community colleges to streamline EMT licensing and get more people into the fire service. Fritts said EMT staff shortages is a nationwide problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staffing shortages arent just a statewide problem, theyre a nationwide issue, said Pacey. The Association of Firefighters of Illinois has been working to address the challenges of attracting people to this career. This isnt just Normal or Illinois, its a national crisis. Fritts said his initiative aims to provide a full picture of statewide EMS needs. People pay significant state and local taxes, and they deserve timely, professional care no matter where they live, Fritts said. This task force will bring stakeholders together to identify the problems and find solutions, whether through state support, training programs, or new strategies to recruit and retain EMTs and paramedics. Across Illinois, departments are closing or consolidating stations due to staffing shortages, funding gaps, and reliance on outdated data a trend Fritts hopes to address through his proposed legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unacceptable that taxpayers can wait 20 minutes for an ambulance while a loved one is having a heart attack, Fritts said. Rural Illinois emergency services rely heavily on paid-on-call EMTs and paramedics, often earning as little as $15 per call, Fritts said. Many of these responders also hold full-time fire service jobs in nearby suburbs, rotating between 24-hour shifts and their day jobs, leaving them to cover local calls on days off. Fritts highlighted a growing challenge for rural EMS personnel, what he calls a triple jeopardy system of accountability. EMTs and paramedics can face sanctions from their local department, the regional medical center, and the Illinois Department of Public Health. In some cases, even when local authorities find no fault, IDPH has imposed penalties, including license suspensions, that prevent responders from returning to their regular shifts. The northern lights could be visible as far south as Alabama, as a powerful solar storm lights up the skies. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center issued a watch for a G4 geomagnetic storm on Nov. 11. They said the storm will be severe on Nov. 12, strong on Nov. 13 and minor on Nov. 14. But the show could start as soon as tonight, Nov. 11 "Aurora may be seen as low as Alabama and northern California, the alert said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of Vermont is in the potential view line, but cloudy skies with snow over the next few days may block out any potential views. Map of where Northern lights may be visible tonight Most of New England could see the northern lights on Tuesday, Nov. 11, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center. In the forecast, the following states have the best chance of seeing on Nov. 11. Washington Idaho Montana North Dakota South Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan Alaska However, the following states are in the view line, which shows where people still may have a chance of seeing the phenomena. Oregon Wyoming Nebraska Iowa Indiana Ohio Pennsylvania New York Vermont New Hampshire Maine Massachusetts Even when you are in the potential view line for seeing the northern lights, it does not guarantee they will be visible. Where will the northern lights be visible tomorrow night, Nov. 12? A strong geomagnetic storm means the Northern lights may be visible across much of the northern U.S. on Nov. 12. The strong storm is expected to continue into Nov. 12. H When is the best time to see the northern lights? The northern lights are typically most visible between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. according to NOAA. According to the 3-day forecast by the Space Prediction Center, the best time to see this storm is likely between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These isolated forests in Maine are dark skies sanctuaries: See where How to see the northern lights As always, dark skies make for better stargazing. "We typically suggest getting away from cities and find a open field or hilltop to lay out under the stars and wait for the show to really peak at the late evening or early morning hours," Massachusetts Institute of Technology Technical Instructor and Observatory Manager Tim Brothers said in a past interview with Wicked Local. He continued, "In New England, heading for a local conservation area or park that keeps lighting off at night is ideal. Another option is a coastline away from the larger cities the benefit being that the constellation where you will see most of the 'shooting stars.'" Places to check for northern lights forecast If you want a chance at seeing the Northern Lights, here are some websites you can monitor the sun's activity: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aurora Alerts The Space Weather Prediction Center Space.com Aurora forecast page (NOAA) Aurora Reach This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Northern lights alert: 21 states may see aurora borealis tonight A group of more than 40 prominent white South Africans have hit back at Donald Trumps claims they are being slaughtered, telling the president that they are not pawns in Americas culture wars. In an open letter, the group which included political analysts, economists, lawyers, journalists, religious figures and historians rejected the narrative that they were the victims of racial persecution and even genocide, saying that it was not only misleading, but dangerous. It comes after Trumps repeated and disputed claims that white South Africans are being killed and their lands are being confiscated, with the president declaring that the U.S. would be boycotting the upcoming G20 summit of world leaders, which is being held in South Africa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. president wrote on his social media site: 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. Earlier this year, in contrast to its sweeping and aggressive anti-immigration policies, the Trump administration also allowed a small group of Afrikaners into the U.S., despite their home country denying they were refugees at all. During a tense meeting at the Oval Office in May, the president ambushed his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa. The president has continuously claimed that white South Africans are being killed and their lands are being confiscated (AP) As South Africans and Afrikaners, we write this response with concern and conviction, the Afrikaners letter read. The Trump administrations plan to prioritize white South Africans for refugee status, while drastically cutting overall refugee admissions, have brought our identity into the spotlight in ways that are deeply troubling. We reject the narrative that casts Afrikaners as victims of racial persecution in post-apartheid South Africa. This framing, now being used to support the far-right Great Replacement theory in the United States, is not only misleading, but also dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It distorts the realities of South Africa, weaponizes our history, and reduces a complex social context and necessary leveling of playing fields into a simplistic symbol of white decline. Assertions that violence against white farmers in South Africa is widespread have been denied previously by organizations led by Afrikaners dedicated to tracking such attacks. White farmers own about 70 percent of commercial farmland in the country, despite making up a minority of the population, about 7 percent. However, fewer than 150 attacks involving farmers occurred during the entirety of 2023, according to the Afrikaner political group AfriForum. Earlier this year, in contrast to its sweeping and aggressive anti-immigration policies, the Trump administration allowed a small group of Afrikaners into the U.S. The group was permitted to resettle in the U.S. despite South African officials denying they were refugees at all (AFP via Getty Images) In their letter officials added they were most concerned with the hijacking of their ethnic identity by fringe groups both in South Africa and abroad, including projects like Make Afrikaners Great Again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such projects misrepresent our history and misappropriate our culture to promote exclusionary and racialized ideological agendas, the letter read. Throughout his second presidency Trump has pedaled a false and critical narrative around the political climate in South Africa, echoing viral misinformation and claiming that white people, in particular farmers, are being killed in a genocide. During a tense meeting at the Oval Office in May, the president ambushed Ramaphosa, confronting him with a document that appeared to have information about the Democratic Republic of Congo some 1,000 miles away from South Africa (EPA) During a tense meeting at the Oval Office in May, the president ambushed his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa, confronting him with baseless stats and brandishing a documents that appeared to include one that had information and images from the Democratic Republic of Congo some 1,000 miles away from South Africa. The president also presented a video clip showing white crosses lining a road in South Africa which he falsely claimed were burial sites for white farmers and evidence of ongoing genocide. The crosses were in fact a protest organized by local demonstrators over the deaths of two farmers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South African-born Elon Musk, Trumps former head of DOGE, has clashed with his home nation over launching his Starlink satellite system there, at one point claiming he was not allowed to operate in South Africa, because Im not black, an apparent reference to the countrys black empowerment laws. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment over the letter from Afrikaners and on the presidents rhetoric. Those trying to follow the latest on the status of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits may be experiencing whiplash. As of Monday, a red banner at the top of Connecticut's state government website said SNAP funds for November had been loaded onto electronic benefit transfer cards and were available for use, despite a demand over the weekend by President Donald Trump's administration that states "undo" the issuance of full food assistance benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you've had trouble keeping up with the series of court orders - and contradicting statements by federal and state officials - regarding the program that helps people across the country buy groceries, here is what's happened in recent days and where things stand. What happened to SNAP benefits? The Trump administration had said that SNAP benefits wouldn't be available this month because of the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1. But two different judges ruled that the administration couldn't completely skip November's benefits. The administration then said it would use an emergency reserve fund to cover 65% of the maximum monthly benefit. On Thursday, one judge said that wasn't enough and ordered full funding for SNAP benefits by Friday. Gov. Ned Lamont released a statement Thursday saying the order was clear, and that any delay by the Trump administration would not only be unlawful but also "immoral." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Friday, Lamont's office said the U.S. Department of Agriculture had yet to comply with the order, and the governor had "authorized the use of state funding to fill this lapse in federal funding." All eligible households in the state would have their full benefit amounts for November transferred onto their EBT cards "within the next several days," the governor's office said. Were SNAP funds blocked? Also on Friday, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily blocked the order to fully fund SNAP payments, pending deliberations by an appeals court. As of Saturday afternoon, Lamont said benefits had been loaded onto EBT cards, with 35% of the funding coming from the state. However, the USDA told state SNAP directors that in light of the Supreme Court stay, they "must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025," and that states could face penalties for refusing to comply. Lamont said Connecticut wouldn't pull back the payments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No, Connecticut does not need to take back SNAP benefits already sent to the 360,000 people who depend on them for food and who should have never been caught in the middle of this political fight," Lamont said in a post on X. "We continue to (assess) what impact this (USDA) memo may have, but those who received their benefits should not worry about losing them," Lamont added. "We have their back." On Sunday, an appeals court left in place the order for full benefits. What are the next steps SNAP funds? As Congress inched toward ending the shutdown Monday, the Trump administration went back to the Supreme Court in an attempt to keep full payments for SNAP frozen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the government is reopened, it is likely that SNAP funding would be part of any deal. Includes reporting by The Associated Press. This story will be updated. This article originally published at Are November SNAP benefits safe? What Connecticut residents need to know after court orders. An interstate panel may consider a resolution on whether to allow EnergySolutions to import up to 1.3 million cubic yards of low-level radioactive waste from Canada. (Photo by Gregory Adams/Getty Images) Will nuclear waste travel all the way from Ontario, Canada to a site about an hour drive from Salt Lake City? An interstate panel may consider a resolution later this month on whether to allow EnergySolutions to import up to 1.3 million cubic yards of low-level radioactive waste from Canada, a move worrying local advocates who argue this may be the stepping stone into accepting other types of nuclear waste. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waste that is accepted to be buried at the Clive facility is Class A, the least hazardous radioactive waste under U.S. standards. That includes items that staff working with radioactive materials wear, like gloves, shoe coverings, cleaning materials and tools. But the proposal can still be hazardous, said Carmen Valdez, senior policy associate at the Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah. Any level of radiation can be harmful to humans. There is no safe level, frankly, Valdez said. And our concern is the lack of public transparency from the company in bringing in international waste, which can lead to international security issues. According to EnergySolutions, the type of material being proposed for this project is identical to the low-level radioactive waste the facility has managed for over 30 years. While located across the nations northern border, these facilities in Ontario currently provide electricity to customers in the United States, the company said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, environmental groups are still hesitant about the proposal since public input hasnt been extensive. Especially with this being an unprecedented situation for the compact. Public comment is allowed in the special meetings where the NorthWest Interstate Compact a group of states that cooperates on low-level radioactive waste management is considering EnergySolutions petition. But, not many people from the community are keeping tabs on the body, Valdez said. It was only after learning about the discussion from a mailer sent to a former executive that Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah advocates began watching the process. There was no announcement, there was nothing on the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control Boards meetings, things like that, Valdez said. So it was kind of per chance that we saw this and started watching it, and have been attending that. A big item on the advocates list of concerns, Valdez said, is public safety along the transportation routes for the waste, which is set to travel via rail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dave Noriega, a spokesperson for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, said that no significant, additional safety measures are necessary with this proposed project since EnergySolutions has extensive experience disposing of Class A waste. The state, he said, has robust regulations that minimize risks to the public and the Department of Environmental Quality will continue to regulate all low-level radioactive waste. Low-level radioactivity standards Some aspects of the draft resolution are still uncertain, Valdez said. For one, will EnergySolutions classify waste coming from Canada according to U.S. or Canadian standards? Were concerned about what that type of waste is because were just hearing that its related to the nuclear fuel industry, Valdez said. Its mixed waste. But theres no clarification on that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noriega said the arriving waste needs to be documented as Class A before it can be shipped to Utah. Casey Hill, a lobbyist representing EnergySolutions, said in a legislative hearing for a bill updating waste facilities licensing requirements that EnergySolutions Clive facility takes non-concentrated amounts of depleted uranium and has since it opened. But that wouldnt change with an expanded Clive facility. Class A waste, as its currently determined, is what we can take in this facility. This would not be able to, as of right now, due to the fact that we dont have a license to take concentrated depleted uranium, we would not be able to take that under this legislation, Hill said. This year the Utah Legislature also removed its specific nuclear waste classification to instead adopt federal definitions. According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, depleted uranium is categorized as Class A. But, currently, theres no indication that the material will be transported from Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, advocates worry about the legislative change, especially now that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing its rules under a White House order. What happens with aligning to the (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) is now what were hearing is that the waste will be determined at the site, Valdez said, and if it meets Class A then it can come into Utah, no matter what. Six out of 8 states that make up the NorthWest Interstate Compact have to approve the plans. Utah would have veto power, Kristen Schwab, chair of the compact said in an October meeting. In a presentation, EnergySolutions said the state supports the companys desire to dispose of low-level radioactive waste from Canada at the Clive site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Utah Legislature approved an adjustment this year that would allow the state to get up to $30 million in tax for the expansion application, which would be deposited into the Energy Research Fund, and will support Utahs big nuclear plans. The governor is in favor, the Legislature is in favor, and they want this to happen, Valdez said about the proposal, but theres no talk about the general public and if they want this waste coming into our country and into our state too. This article was first published by the Utah News Dispatch, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Utah News Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor McKenzie Romero for questions: info@utahnewsdispatch.com. President Trump unveiled $12 billion in aid to US farmers, as the agricultural sector deals with the fallout from his sweeping tariff policies. The sector has been hit particularly hard from the president's ever-changing trade policies, as farmers have struggled to sell crops and been hit by higher costs. Soybean exports have come in particular focus, with trade slowing to a crawl as China virtually halted its purchases before the countries agreed to a trade truce in October. Trump said the money for farm relief would come from a "small portion" of tariff-related revenues. Despite welcoming the support, US farmers have said they need more than a $12 billion aid package to fully offset low crop prices and lost export opportunities due to Trump's trade war. The farm bailout comes amid an increased push on Americans' price concerns. In an interview published Tuesday, Trump allowed he may look for "some" additional carveouts, weeks after his administration slashed tariffs on items like beef, coffee, and bananas. The push to reduce food prices comes in the wake of electoral wins for Democrats across a number of key state and local races where candidates stressed affordability concerns. Trump has also in recent weeks floated the possibility of a tariff "dividend" for many Americans in the form of a $2,000 check. The US Supreme Court is poised in the weeks ahead to decide the legality of the majority of those tariffs. The president invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to levy blanket tariffs on goods from other countries. As he has publicly braced for the high court's decision, Trump has claimed the "full benefit" of tariff policies would take effect soon, arguing that foreign buyers who stockpiled inventory would be forced to buy more goods. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet What else to know about Trump's tariffs: The trade deal between the US and Indonesia is in danger of collapsing, according to The Financial Times. US officials have grown increasingly frustrated at what they view as Jakarta reneging on the terms of the agreement reached in July. Trump threatened to impose an additional 5% tariff on Mexico if it doesn't provide additional water to help US farmers. Trump accused Mexico of violating a treaty that outlines water sharing between the countries. Trump gave the green light on Monday for Nvidia (NVDA) to sell some of its more powerful H200 chips to China. The US president said that China's Xi Jinping had responded "positively" to the move. Several US companies, such as Costco (COST), have filed lawsuits and claims to the US government for tariff refunds in the belief Trump's tariffs will be struck down by the US Supreme Court. If the courts rule against Trump's tariffs, the president may be forced to repay billions of dollars in collected revenue from imports, according to a report in the New York Times. LIVE 144 updates A man is facing charges after an incident at The Ohio State University (OSU) Wexner Medical Center that involved a nurse and a newborn baby. On Thursday, a male visitor allegedly pulled a nurse by her shirt collar as the nurse tried to secure the baby, according to our news partners, WBNS. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The newborn was unharmed. The man was taken to the emergency department for medical evaluation. Dan Hedman, the OSU spokesperson, said charges have been filed against the man for violation of a protection order, unlawful restraint, and assault. Theres a lot of anger and sadness that this could happen to one of our own, said Bret Apple, first vice president of the Ohio State University Nurses Organization. Apple said this is not the first time this has happened. This altercation is a troubling example of a persisting national problem. No one should face the threat of harm at work. We remain firmly committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who comes to our facilities to work, learn, or receive care, said a hospital spokesperson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nurses union is frustrated with the aftermath of the situation, said Apple. Leadership, administration, needs to first ask, Are you OK? Baseline, are you OK as a human being, and then offer the resources that we have available to us, Apple said. The hospital spokesperson said steps after the incident were missed, which delayed support services for the nurse involved until the next day. The hospital is working to make sure a delay like that doesnt happen again. The Ohio State University Nurses Organization and the Ohio Nurses Association penned a letter of no confidence to the hospitals chief administration officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, this falls on leadership, this falls on administration, ultimately, we have as an organization, we have no confidence in our chief administration officer, Apple said. He said now, the focus is to make sure that the nurse is okay. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Washington It's a Veterans Day they won't soon forget. On a balmy 70-degree day in the nation's capital this past weekend, former President Barack Obama boarded an Honor Flight filled with veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars that had just touched down from Madison, Wisconsin. "Hello, everybody," his voiced boomed over the loud speaker. "What!" exclaimed one person. Another veteran gasped, his mouth wide open. A veteran reacts as former President Barack Obama surprises a planeload of Korean and Vietnam War vets after it arrived in Washington ahead of Veterans Day. / Credit: The Honor Flight Networks "I just wanted to say thank you," the former president continued in a moment captured on video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seventy-nine veterans and their families made the trip. Former President Barack Obama made a surprise appearance, speaking to dozens of Korean and Vietnam War vets after their plane arrived in Washington. / Credit: The Honor Flight Networks Obama shook hands with them as they exited the aircraft and presented them with a Presidential Challenge Coin, a token to express his personal gratitude for their sacrifices. "Ahead of Veterans Day, I was honored to welcome a flight of veterans and their families as they arrived in D.C.," Obama said in a statement. "To all those who bravely served our country, thank you to you and your family for your extraordinary service. The sacrifices that all of you made to protect our country will be honored, today and every day." Former President Barack Obama greeting a veteran visiting Washington for Veterans Day weekend. / Credit: The Honor Flight Networks The Honor Flight Networks is a national nonprofit organization that provides free flights to veterans to visit Washington-area monuments. It initially focused on World War II-era veterans but has expanded its mission to include veterans from the Korean and Vietnam Wars and other tours of duty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I had tears in my eyes," said Army veteran Joe Parr. "I just couldn't believe that there were that many people around that remembered us and was there to greet us and it was just unbelievable!" The Honor Flight program has been in operation for 20 years and has served more than 317,000 veterans, according to its website. "It started off very small and now a lot of states have their own hubs and they raise their own money and they set up the whole flights," said Capt. Mary Quigley, a Navy veteran and Honor Flight volunteer. How Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal that may end government shutdown In the mail: Viewers respond to 60 Minutes interview with President Trump Trump pardons Giuliani and other key allies after alleged efforts to overturn 2020 election Officials in Taichung, Taiwan, identified what they believe is the likely cause of an African swine fever outbreak, Focus Taiwan reported. What's happening? According to the U.S Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), African swine fever is a "deadly pig disease that spreads rapidly" among livestock. Although African swine fever poses no threat to human health, APHIS emphasized that outbreaks are devastating to pig populations. Moreover, swine fever outbreaks "could devastate" farms, farmers, and ultimately put the food supply at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An outbreak of the virus occurred in Taichung's Wuqi District in October. Taiwan News reported that it was the first instance of African swine fever in "years," and the impact was severe. After an "unusual number of pig deaths," an investigation was launched. Over 100 pigs died before the nature of their illness was confirmed, and officials "immediately culled" the 195 surviving pigs. At an African Swine Fever Forward Command Center news conference, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Tu Wen-jane said the likely cause was "unsterilized food waste." Why is this African swine fever outbreak concerning? As APHIS explained, while African swine fever is not zoonotic in other words, a pathogen that can jump from animals to humans it's still a massive, costly threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taiwan News reported that the government allocated close to 1.1 billion in Taiwanese dollars ($35 million) to help affected businesses and prevent the outbreak from spreading. The outlet described the African swine fever outbreak as a "tough lesson," emphasizing the need for "flawless" biosecurity procedures to address fast-spreading pathogens that pose a risk to the food supply. Do you think the government should ban gas-powered lawn tools? No way Definitely Only certain tools I don't know Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. According to Focus Taiwan, Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih acknowledged that "historically," the government has "discouraged" using food waste as pig feed. However, that stance was gradually relaxed at the local level due to stringent oversight measures. At the site of the outbreak, the outlet indicated that those restrictions were "not strictly enforced," and required food waste sterilization proofs were incomplete or missing for much of 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, Chen said that the government would not yet fully ban the practice of using food waste as livestock feed. Should Taiwan's government decide on a ban, Chen added that "we won't do it immediately, but will give farmers some time [to adjust]." What's being done about it? "Biosecurity is a shared responsibility," Taiwan News stated, emphasizing that public awareness was critical to prevent the spread of African swine fever and protecting the food supply. In July, APHIS explained that although the U.S. had not seen cases of Classical Swine Fever for over 40 years, the risk of reintroduction remained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USDA emphasized the importance of strict biosecurity protocols on American farms and warned travelers to avoid bringing pork products into the country from affected regions. 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. Ohio University is offering a Community Health Worker Training Program at its Lancaster campus, starting Jan. 12 and running through May 2. The program, hosted by the Alliance for Population Health, is designed to equip participants with the skills needed to become certified community health workers through the Ohio Board of Nursing, according to a community announcement. Applications for the program are due by Dec. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The training uses a hybrid model, with online classes held synchronously on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. In addition, there are three full in-person class days scheduled on Jan. 16, Feb. 13 and March 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program includes 100 hours of coursework and skills practice, followed by 130 supervised field hours in a community setting. Training is free Community health workers play a crucial role in helping people navigate care, connect to resources and build healthier lives. The program is offered at no cost, with Ohio University providing training materials, including textbooks and vital kits. A limited number of stipends are also available for eligible participants. The curriculum covers core skills such as taking vitals, CPR, motivational interviewing and practical problem-solving built on lived experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bringing this training to our Lancaster Campus reinforces Ohio Universitys dedication to providing accessible, high-quality education that supports community growth and public service, Dr. Martha Kline, interim dean of campus and community relations at Ohio University Lancaster, said in the announcement. Programs like this help students create lasting change benefiting local employers, families and the region as a whole. For more information about the program, contact Kerri Shaw at shawk@ohio.edu. This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@gannett.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 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Free health worker training at Ohio University Lancaster An Oklahoma leader has been named to head the group widely considered the American arm of the Roman Catholic Church, a prestigious and influential post that will position him as one of the individuals at the apex of the nation's largest single Christian denomination. The Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, was elected president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on Tuesday at the organization's fall plenary assembly in Baltimore, Maryland. He will step into the role immediately, according to the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Bishops gathered at the assembly selected Coakley from among nine other candidates for the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coakley, 70, has served as archbishop of Oklahoma City since 2010. He was appointed to the post by Pope Benedict XVI to succeed former Oklahoma City Archbishop Eusebius J. Beltran. The Oklahoma City archdiocese encompasses two-thirds of Oklahoma, while the Diocese of Tulsa encompasses the Eastern part of the state. More: What does 150 years of ministry in Oklahoma look like? The Catholic Church knows the answer Archbishop Paul S. Coakley BRYAN TERRY - THE OKLAHOMAN "Im humbled by the trust which my brother bishops have placed in me by choosing me to serve as president of our episcopal conference," Coakley said in a statement posted online by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. "When I became a bishop, I chose as my episcopal motto, Duc in altum, or Put Out into the Deep. Once again, the Lord is inviting me to put out into deep waters in calling me to accept this service and burden of leadership today. I accept it in faith and with great hope." What to know about Archbishop Paul S. Coakley Prior to being elected president of the bishops' conference, Coakley had been serving as the group's secretary, but he will surrender that position as he assumes the president's role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 10 candidates on the ballot at the meeting in Baltimore were selected by the bishops. Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the incumbent president, and Archbishop William Lori, the incumbent vice president, are stepping down as their three-year terms expire. Bishop Daniel E. Flores of the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, was elected vice president. Coakley has been a bishop since 2004. Before being appointed archbishop of Oklahoma City, he served as bishop of the Diocese of Salina, Kansas. Paul S. Coakley I ask for the prayers of all of the clergy, religious women and men and the faithful of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Coakley said in his statement. I have great confidence in the staff of both the USCCB and our own archdiocese. They will help me shoulder these responsibilities. Please pray that I may be a faithful steward and a wise servant of unity and communion with our Holy Father, Pope Leo, and with my brother bishops and priests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, a bishop must receive a simple majority of the voting bishops. According to the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, the only previous president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' president with Oklahoma ties was Archbishop John R. Quinn, who served as archbishop of Oklahoma City from 1971 to 1977, before being appointed Archbishop of San Francisco, where he was when elected. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, formed in 2001, is an assembly of Catholic bishops in the United States and U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization of active and retired bishops is the central leadership body and primary "arm" of the Roman Catholic Church in America. This is a developing story. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Archbishop Coakley elected to lead US Conference of Catholic Bishops Students from Orangewood Christian School delivered specially modified cars to children with limited mobility on Monday, as part of the University of Central Floridas Go Baby Go program. The Go Baby Go program, which started at UCF in 2015, aims to provide innovative mobility solutions for children and adults with limited mobility. The program involves students in building and modifying cars to help children gain independence and mobility. The cars were rewired and decorated by the students, who have been working on the project for several weeks. This hands-on experience not only benefits the children receiving the cars but also teaches the students valuable lessons about giving back to their community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Approximately 2,000 students in Central Florida have participated in building cars for children in their communities. This initiative is part of a broader effort to foster community involvement and provide practical solutions for those with mobility challenges. The national Go Baby Go program was founded by Cole Galloway at the University of Delaware and focuses on creating accessible and affordable mobility solutions through a combination of high-tech and low-tech approaches. Click here for more information about the Go Baby Go program. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The Rev. Stephen Cliffgard Lee, a pastor at Living Word Lutheran Church in Orland Park, is one of the more than 70 people included on a list of President Donald Trump pardons released Monday by U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin. Lee is one of several defendants in a high-profile Georgia prosecution under the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which accused Lee and 18 other defendants, including Trump, of having broken state laws in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. All of Lees co-defendants in the Georgia case, with the exception of Trump, are also included on the list released by Martin on X. The list specifically excludes Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This proclamation ends a grave national injustice perpetrated upon the American people following the 2020 Presidential Election and continues the process of national reconciliation, the document posted by Martin said. David Oles, a lawyer representing Lee, provided a statement on the presidents action. Reverend Lee continues to work in his calling ministering to those who suffer great misfortune in life, it read. He deeply appreciates the Presidents pardon, and hopes that the Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys Counsel will also reach a sensible and long overdue decision to stop the continued pointless and misguided persecution of himself, and his fellow Americans who stood up to ensure that the blessings of freedom continue to exist for our children and grandchildren. Steve has an abiding faith that God has a greater plan, and that he can only do his best to fulfill his part, the statement said. Steve looks forward to complete exoneration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of the people named in the list of pardons was charged with federal crimes. The president does not have the power to pardon state crimes, so the pardons do not affect the Georgia case or any other ongoing state prosecutions. However, the Georgia prosecution has been at a standstill since December 2024, when a Georgia Appeals Court disqualified Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney who brought the charges, due to her personal romantic relationship with a prosecutor on the case. It is now approaching a deadline for dismissal. Four defendants in the case plead guilty to reduced charges, but Lee was not among them. Willis disqualification did not dismiss the indictment, but without a prosecutor the case could not progress. A statement shared by Lee to the Illinois Family Institute in December, which has supported and raised money for his case, referred to the disqualification as wonderful news, saying it amounted to an eventual case collapse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia has until this Friday to appoint a new prosecutor to the case, according to reporting from the Associated Press. If a new prosecutor is not selected and the deadline is not extended, the case will be dismissed, the judge overseeing the case ruled last month. The charges against Lee in the Georgia prosecution pertain specifically to alleged attempts to intimidate a Fulton County election worker, Ruby Freeman. Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea Shaye Moss, were falsely accused of committing election fraud by Trump and Rudy Giuliani, who is also a defendant in the Georgia case. Freeman and Moss later won a defamation case against Giuliani and were awarded $148 million in damages. Lee is charged with witness tampering and solicitation of false statements, in addition to violating the Georgia RICO Act. The indictment said Lee went to Freemans home and spoke to her neighbor with intent to knowingly engage in misleading conduct toward Ruby Freeman, by purporting to offer her help, and with intent to influence her testimony in an official proceeding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee has been interim pastor at Living Word since 2019 and was pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Burbank from 2012 to 2019, according to a biography. Before attending seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, from 1988 through 1992, Lee had an extensive law enforcement background, including working as a sheriffs police officer in California and special agent with the Naval Intelligence Service, also while living in California, according to his biography. elewis@chicagotribune.com New Orleans City Hall. (Photo by Verite News) The city government has known for several months that they were running an operating deficit. But it wasnt until the state legislative auditor, Michael Waguespack, informed the New Orleans City Council in October that the deficit was in the range of 160 million dollars that the degree of the crisis became clear. To meet the city charter requirement of submitting a balanced budget by the end of the year, the City Council is currently negotiating a loan from state officials. The loan would be repaid over six months. As a condition of receiving the loan, the council will need to agree to greater financial oversight from the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to acquiring the loan, the council is considering cost-cutting measures including layoffs, furloughs, and cuts to city services. While it will be necessary to make structural changes in city government to eliminate waste and improve efficiency, too many cuts in vital services such as sanitation, police, and street maintenance will reduce the quality of life for residents. If the city is to maintain basic services for its residents, it cannot cut its way out of a crisis. It needs to grow its way out of a crisis. The best way to reduce a budget deficit is to bring in new revenue. Since voters dont trust the city government to manage the tax revenue they are receiving now, there is no chance the voters would agree to increased property tax or sales tax rates. The only reliable way to increase tax revenue coming into the city coffers is to grow the economy and attract new business into the city. To avoid future deficits, the city will need to diversify its economy beyond the traditional reliance on tourism, hospitality and river port operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX From a marketing perspective, if you want to dominate a market, you need to be the first, the best, or the biggest. It is even better to offer a product or service that is unique, or at least rare. Many public officials talk about the need for economic diversification. But few give specific or concrete proposals. Ill give one here. Corporations conduct location analysis before considering moving to a new city. In addition to factors such as crime, schools, traffic, airline flights, and cultural resources, a major factor they analyze is vulnerability to disasters. Companies dont want to put their employees and physical assets at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the flood control infrastructure has greatly improved since Katrina, New Orleans still gets low marks on vulnerability, and this hurts its competitiveness. New Orleans should not only have infrastructure to withstand the next hurricane, but flood control systems to guard against the common neighborhood flooding that still happens during a heavy thunderstorm. The city has a large critical mass of civil and environmental engineers, hydrologists, urban planners, architects, and construction managers who are experts in flood control. They are spread out among private industry and university sectors. If given sufficient government authority, they have the knowledge to solve the flood control issues. However, the key here is not only to solve the vulnerability problem to make the city a more attractive business location. The key is to also market and sell these solutions. The example that New Orleans should follow is not Houston or Atlanta. It is Amsterdam. The capital city of the Netherlands is located below sea level and has a history of catastrophic flooding. However, over the last 50 years or so, Amsterdam turned this weakness into a strength and then a product and service to be sold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through specific green infrastructure strategies, (Amsterdam constructed more canals than Venice), the citys engineering and construction firms solved their own flood control problems, then began strategically marketing these services to other cities and private industry. Amsterdam, a city culturally similar to New Orleans in terms of tourism, hospitality, and port operations, created an entire niche industry around civil engineering and construction firms that specialize in flood control and coastal restoration. These firms employ tens of thousands of people and generate billions in revenue. An incentive program to attract those types of firms to New Orleans, and hold the ones we have here, would help create a U.S. niche, capitalizing on unique expertise that we already possess locally. This is one economic growth idea. There are many other innovative ideas floating around the city. The point is that we need to focus our energy on growing the total size of the pie, rather than only focusing on which pieces we should cut. This article first appeared on Verite News New Orleans and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. LIMA The Ohio State University-Lima will waive application fees for first-year applicants who apply directly to the regional campus now through Monday, Dec. 1. Applicants should use the code RCW2026 when applying online to waive the $60 application fee. The code is available for first-year applicants to Ohio State regional campuses in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark or Wooster. The fee waiver is part of an affordability program that will cover tuition and mandatory fees for low- to middle-income students who start their college career on a regional campus or Ohio state AIT in Wooster, according to a news release from OSU-Lima. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid annualy by the priority deadline, which is Feb. 1, 2026, to qualify for the Regional Campus Commitment program. This is an investment not just in the regional campuses, but in access to an Ohio State education, Margaret Young, dean and director of OSU-Lima, said in a news release. We are the front door to the university, so this paves the way to make that a viable option for students. The Lima campus will host two application events for the fall 2026 semester: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the Central District, 207 S. Central Ave., Lima. Complimentary coffee provided for applicants, who should arrive no later than 7:30 p.m. 8:15 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 at Lima Senior High School, 1 Spartan Way. Russian oil producer Lukoil has declared force majeure on oil shipments at its West Qurna-2 oilfield in Iraq, reported Reuters, citing sources. This move signals that sanctions against Russias second-largest oil producer are starting to affect its international operations. Last month, the US imposed penalties on the company as part of President Donald Trumps initiative to increase pressure on Moscow to end its war in Ukraine. Last week, Lukoil sent a letter to Iraq's Oil Ministry, stating that force majeure conditions prevented it from undertaking normal operations at West Qurna-2. Located north-west of Basra, West Qurna-2 is one of the world's largest oilfields and accounts for around 9% of Iraqs total oil output. It produces approximately 480,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd), according to oilfield officials. Lukoils decision to invoke force majeure, which is permitted under its contract, offers legal protection from penalties for failing to fulfil its obligations. If the force majeure issues remain unresolved for six months, Lukoil may shut down production and leave the project, an Iraqi official told Reuters. Following the US sanctions, Iraqs state oil marketer, SOMO, cancelled the loading of three crude oil cargoes from Lukoils share of production at West Qurna-2. Lukoil is exposed to overseas markets, with operations across Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. The company produces around 500,000bopd outside Russia, roughly 0.5% of global output. In a separate development, Bulgaria is preparing to seize Lukoils Burgas refinery. The Bulgarian authorities are inspecting and implementing security measures at the refinery to maintain its operation while preparing for a possible takeover. Bulgaria recently passed legal amendments allowing the government to take control and sell the refinery to a new owner to protect the plant from US sanctions. Recently, Swiss commodity trading firm Gunvor withdrew its bid to acquire international assets from Lukoil after the US Treasury publicly criticised the deal and signalled its opposition. "Lukoil declares force majeure at Iraqi oilfield after US sanctions" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Maia Jackson should have been cranking out a research paper for her communications class. Instead, she found herself queuing up at a food pantry to secure groceries for her household amid the nations longest government shutdown. I walked out with a shopping cart full of food, the 25-year-old college senior said. I could barely carry it all. I got cereal. I got some frozen meat, hamburger buns. I got a bag of black beans, and then I got a bag of rice. Finding a package of chicken strips, a dish she knew her picky 2-year-old daughter would actually eat, almost made her cry, Jackson said. She expects the combination of perishable, bagged and canned foods to last them a month. By then, she hopes her Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments widely known as food stamps will have resumed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On November 1, SNAP benefits ground to a halt during the federal budget impasse that began a month earlier, with President Donald Trumps administration refusing to fully fund these payments, a matter now tied up in court. Even as the Senate has reached a framework deal that leaves lawmakers and the White House a step closer to ending the shutdown, the disruption in benefits has revealed how fragile the social safety net is for vulnerable Americans. That includes single parents and young adults experiencing food insecurity, a problem that occurs when people lack regular access to the nourishment needed to sustain their health. An estimated 1.1 million college students rely on SNAP, including parents like Jackson, who attends North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo. For such students, a delayed SNAP payment isnt a mere hiccup, but a serious setback that can imperil their education, their health and stability for their children, experts contend. Its such a distraction for me as a single mom in school, Jackson said. I dont have any bandwidth to give to trying to find food at pantries. She tried to minimize the time she spent at the food pantry last week by making an appointment first, but she was still one of a couple of dozen people in line. The visit prevented her from completing her research paper by its due date, which will likely result in her grade being docked. Jackson, who has so far maintained a 4.0 grade point average, isnt happy about that prospect, but with her family members an hour away and her childs father mostly out of the picture, she had to prioritize food over her education. No college student should have to choose between a basic need and school, said Deborah Martin, a senior policy associate for The Institute for College Access & Success, a nonprofit that advocates for college access and affordability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of students have to make these daily tough decisions where theyre wondering, Where am I going to get my next meal from? instead of focusing on homework, on classwork, Martin said. We know that when students have these unmet basic needs such as food insecurity, theyre more likely to struggle academically, less likely to persist from semester to semester, and in some cases, may even drop out of college altogether. Roughly 60 percent of college students are women. For the most marginalized students, the risk of quitting school due to food insecurity may be even greater. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan federal agency that provides fact-based information to Congress, reported last year that about 80 percent of food-insecure students are nontraditional meaning their parents dont financially support them, they didnt begin college immediately after high school or they are caring for dependents. Moreover, the 2023-2024 Student Basic Needs Survey Report from the Hope Center, a research center at Temple University focused on the food, housing and health of college students, found that around three-quarters of parenting, Black and Indigenous students experience insecurity related to a basic need. Most of these students, the GAO discovered, do not sign up for services like SNAP, and those who do may hesitate to discuss their food insecurity. As a mom and a slightly older student who works part-time, Jackson has felt largely alone on campus as SNAP benefits have paused. Her classmates dont appear to share her anxiety over the shutdown, if they know about it at all. A woman shops at the Feeding South Florida food pantry on October 27, 2025 in Pembroke Park, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) A lot of the kids that Im in class with, theyre not in the same circumstance, Jackson said. Its weird to see a lot of people just carrying on as usual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since most of her classmates about an even percentage of NDSU students are women and men are childfree and on the school meal plan, she doesnt want to be a downer by bringing up her difficulties. For the same reason, she didnt explain to her professor why her paper was late. I didnt want to tell him, Oh, I couldnt write it because I was standing in the food pantry line because it just sounds so sad, she said. Whats he supposed to say? I dont want him to feel bad for me. I dont want to be pitied. But faking normal could come at a high cost for college students who dont reach out for help. Martin fears these young adults will resort to using high-interest payment plans or acquire credit card debt just to afford groceries. The longer that students and other SNAP participants dont receive their funds, this is just more days that students are going to have to make these difficult decisions, she said. Some college administrators are taking action. When the shutdown began, Compton College President and CEO Keith Curry contacted Everytable, a food company that offers inexpensive made-from-scratch meals via carryout storefronts and a delivery service. The college, about 18 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, has partnered with Everytable for seven years to provide all students approximately 6,000 of whom attend full time with one nutritious free meal on weekdays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal government crisis prompted Curry and Everytable CEO Sam Polk to scale up that program so SNAP-recipient and economically disadvantaged students didnt suffer during the shutdown. We need to do something. Can we split the cost? Curry recalled asking Polk. I think if we double the meals, at least they get another meal for the day. On November 5, Compton Colleges most underprivileged students began getting two free meals per day, or 10 per week. The need for such an intervention there is substantial: A 2025 basic needs survey of students found that 81 percent of them experience at least one form of insecurity related to a basic need. That includes signs of food insecurity such as skipping meals, reducing meal sizes or fearing they will run out of food. Most Compton College students are moderately food insecure, the survey revealed, indicating persistent hardship. Women make up 61 percent of the student body. Right now, students have other stress, and what were doing to them is adding more stress, Curry said of the shutdown. They still want to do well in classes, but now they dont have food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together, Compton College and Everytable have the resources to supply students with 10 weekly meals for a month, Curry said. The students are deeply grateful for the additional provisions, according to Dee Garrett, who oversees Everytables operation at the college. What better way to start your studies than with a stomach thats full? Garrett asked. You dont have to think about, Oh, my God, my stomach. I cant concentrate or focus. Asked what impact he hopes the scaled-up program makes, Curry said hes more interested in letting students know theyre not alone. Its not about the impact. Its about our students knowing that we were there for them during this time, he said. In our community, when students need us most, we have to step up and be there for them, and theyre never going to forget that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin applauds the efforts of colleges and K-12 schools, which have connected students and their families to food banks, to curb food insecurity during the shutdown. But she also advocates for long-term policies to ensure students have enough food to eat. That includes the Enhance Access to SNAP Act, proposed legislation to remove the barriers that prevent economically disadvantaged college students from utilizing benefits generally not just during the current crisis. However, Martin continued, the most important thing that we can do right now in this moment is for these SNAP benefits to be fully funded and for them to go out to students as soon as possible. Back in Fargo, Jackson has refocused her attention on her coursework now that she has a months worth of food. Still, she worries about the people who couldnt make it to a pantry or that the government will cut other social services she needs. She currently earns $400 monthly working part time as an academic journal editor. The job, which she performs remotely, allows her to attend school and be her daughters primary caretaker when the toddler is not in day care. If they cut child care, if they cut these programs I rely on, I would have to drop out of school, Jackson said. But Im trying to give my daughter a better life than that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson is majoring in university studies with a pre-law emphasis, a dramatic shift from her life before motherhood when she dropped out of school and struggled with addiction. Getting pregnant inspired her to undergo a transformation, which she largely credits to the Jeremiah Program. The national nonprofit provides single mothers with support for college, child care and housing, and it recently started a campaign to raise $190,000 to cover essential needs for families who have lost SNAP and other benefits because of the shutdown. The organization estimates that single-parent families represent nearly a third of families in the United States, with 80 percent of those headed by mothers. Jackson has been deeply disturbed to see the misperceptions that abound about mothers like herself. Shes encountered online commenters who have characterized SNAP recipients as welfare queens. If she could confront such individuals in person, Jackson would emphasize how much value mothers add to society. And on top of it we are all in school and working, too, she said. The insinuation is that were just scammers, freeloaders, when, in reality, Im working very hard every day to hopefully not need these supports. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. Two people were sentenced for aggravated involuntary manslaughter in the fentanyl overdose death of a Carroll County man. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On May 28, 2024, Carroll County deputies responded to Tanner Hospital in Villa Rica regarding the overdose death of Shelby Clint Houpe, who died from fentanyl toxicity, officials said. Houpes parents informed police that he had recently tested negative for drugs after being discharged from a treatment center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Houpes parents told investigators they discovered messages on Clints phone stating he had $100 to spend, and phone numbers were exchanged with Brittany Ridley. A search warrant executed at Ridleys home revealed fentanyl, baggies, scales, and other drug paraphernalia, according to authorities. Ridley admitted to selling fentanyl to Clint and stated she obtained it from Stacy Dobbs. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance footage from Paradise Apartments showed Ridley and Dobbs meeting and exchanging items, followed by Ridley conducting a transaction with Clint. This case is one of the first prosecuted under Austins Law. Austins Law, passed in 2024, created the offense of aggravated involuntary manslaughter for fentanyl overdose deaths, making it a felony punishable by 10 to 30 years or life imprisonment. This week, a judge sentenced Dobbs to 40 years, while Ridley was sentenced to 30 years in prison. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Monday night, the City of Panama City heard some long-awaited public input on the Downtown Marina. Residents discussed what they wantand dont want to see built on the uplands. Many residents voiced concerns about possibly having residential buildings on the marina. There was also a preliminary proposal for an aquarium where the old civic center used to be. City leaders expressed interest in a possible workshop about an aquarium to see if its a realistic possibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its also clear that officials primarily want to focus on building the first 50 slips to move the project along. But Monday night, officials took a step towards figuring out the financing of the project. They scheduled a special commission meeting on December 1 to discuss the options to pay for the project. The goal is to talk about financing. Probably management [of the marina] might get bled over into that or even construction, but we want to really keep it around the ways we can borrow money. If we can borrow money, how do we use our FEMA money? All those sorts of tools that we have, Panama City Mayor Allan Branch said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city has about $5 million in Hurricane Michael FEMA money to spend on the downtown marina alone. They will also discuss funding options involving the downtown CRA, Downtown Improvement Board, and merchant-fee-backed revenues, along with a possible phased financing approach. Since its a special commission meeting on December 1 and not a workshop, officials will have the option to vote on a financing decision. They rescheduled the housing workshop originally planned for December 1 until sometime early next year. 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 mypanhandle.com. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. Missouri will begin administering partial SNAP payments to more than 650,000 recipients later this week. The Missouri Department of Social Services confirmed in an email Monday that the agency will begin distributing funds later this week. Barring any changes, DSS anticipates beneficiaries will begin receiving benefits by mid-November, department spokesperson Chris Moreland said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An estimated 10.5% of Missourians receive some sort of SNAP subsidy. Although its administered through states, SNAP funding is 100% federal funding. As SNAP recipients wait for much-needed relief, they likely wont be getting the full amount this month. Thats because the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the federal department that funds the program, sent a notice to states over the weekend warning them to not pay the full 100% of the funds designated, but rather 65%. The full directive from the USDA reads: This memorandum is a follow up to the guidance shared on October 10, October 24, November 4, November 5, and November 7, 2025, regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November 2025. The U.S. Supreme Court granted the U.S. Department of Agriculture an administrative stay of the orders issued by the District Court of Rhode Island in Rhode Island State Council of Churches, et al. v. Rollins, 25-cv-569. Pending any explicit direction to the contrary from Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), States must not transmit full benefit issuance files to EBT processors. Instead, States must continue to process and load the partial issuance files that reflect the 35 percent reduction of maximum allotments detailed in the November 5 guidance. To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized. Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025. Please advise the appropriate FNS Regional Office representative of steps taken to correct any actions taken that do not comply with this memorandum. Per 7 CFR 271.7(h), failure to comply with this memorandum may result in USDA taking various actions, including cancellation of the Federal share of State administrative costs and holding States liable for any over-issuances that result from the noncompliance. We are committed to keeping you as up to date as possible and appreciate your continued partnership to serve program beneficiaries across the country. State agencies with questions should contact their FNS Regional Office representative. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Moreland, the director of communications for the Missouri Department of Social Services, said that the state will make payments as soon as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DSS is working diligently with its EBT vendor to ensure that benefits are issued in a timely manner, he said. On the departments website, DSS said its still accepting and processing SNAP applications and other services. The record-breaking U.S. government shutdown has been in effect since Oct. 1. For more information about SNAP benefits and payments Find a foodbank near you 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 2. A Brevard County community is mourning an 18-year-old student who died on a Carnival Cruise ship over the weekend. Anna Kepner, a senior at Temple Christian School in Titusville, was traveling on a cruise from Miami to the Caribbean when she died. The circumstances surrounding her death have not been disclosed. Kepners family expressed its grief in a statement, saying, This does not seem real. We all just want her back. She was such a caring and loving sister. She was the oldest sibling in her whole family. She had volunteered to help with her fellow younger gymnasts and her local church throughout her childhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her family remembers her as a bubbly and strong young woman who had a bright future ahead. Kepners school community paid tribute with balloons placed around her parked car at Temple Christian School. Carnival Cruise Line confirmed her death, stating, Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI. Temple Christian School is offering counseling to students affected by her death, encouraging those struggling to reach out for support. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission faces a hefty agenda Wednesday. Here are three issues the commission will consider during its Wednesday meeting. which is set to start at 6 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Rd. 1. Complaints against two officers and the chief for violating policies Screenshot of Lonnie Smith, 21, being pepper-sprayed by East Lansing Police Officer Andrew Lyon on Aug. 24. The screenshot is from security video from Daves Hot Chicken. It was obtained by ELPD on Sept. 16 and given to defense attorney Jack Rucker, who released it to 6 News. (WLNS) The commissioners will consider resolutions to file formal complaints against East Lansing Chief of Police Jennifer Brown and two unnamed officers in relation to an incident on Aug. 24 when pepper spray was used against two Black men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resolutions accuse the two officers of failing to seek immediate medical attention for the two men after spraying them. Seeing that video and watching them get pepper sprayed within seconds, right in the face, so many violations of policy, said Kath Edsall, vice chair of the commission. The male officer is accused, as well, of violating the departments use-of-force policy in deploying the pepper spray on Aug. 24. Motion_ ELIPOC Complaint Aug 24 2025 male officer 11-12-25Download The resolution related to the female officer also cites the officer for violating a policy requiring officers to behave in a professional and ethical manner. Shes accused of cursing at one of the two pepper sprayed men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ELIPOC Motion against female officer Aug 24, 2025 incident 11-12-25Download The resolution calling for a complaint against Chief Brown accuses her of failing to intervene when the officer deployed the pepper spray and violating the ELPDs media policy. Motion_ ELIPOC Complaint Against Chief 11-12-25Download ELPD said in a news release Sept. 26 that Mason Woods and Lonnie Smith were fighting. The release states officers observed physical violence occurring between Smith and Woods. The release continued: Officers issued multiple loud verbal commands in an effort to disperse the crowd and deescalate the situation. Despite these repeated lawful orders, Smith and Woods continued to ignore them and actively engage in physical altercations. In response to the violent commotion, an officer deployed Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray, a nonlethal tool designed to deescalate the disorder and halt further fighting. Read the Sept. 26 News Release ELPD news releaseDownload The East Lansing City Attorney officially dismissed the charges against the two men Oct. 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those two men filed federal lawsuits against the city of East Lansing, Brown and Officer Andrew Lyon Nov. 6. ELIPOC and the citys Human Rights Commission, as well as the NAACP Lansing Branch and the Womens Center of Greater Lansing, have all called for Brown to resign. 2. Demands for a new policy on use of pepper spray Not only will the commissioners consider resolutions to file complaints against two officers and the chief, but they will also consider a motion demanding adoption of a clear and comprehensive policy and procedure for the deployment of pepper spray and other chemical agents. Motion Requiring the City of East Lansing to Develop a Policy and Procedure for the Deployment of Pepper Spray 11-12-25Download Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move comes as a result of security footage from an Aug. 24 pepper-spraying incident in front of Daves Hot Chicken. The security footage, which was in the possession of the ELPD for days before the department issued a news release including links to four body cam videos, showed a different story than that released by ELPD officials. Michigan State University criminal justice professor David Carter previously told 6 News Investigates that, based on just the body camera videos, the deployment of pepper spray appeared to have been justified. However, after seeing the newly obtained surveillance video, he has changed his analysis. He said the surveillance video shows a radically different situation than the police body camera videos. There was at least one, maybe two other officers there that were present that could help control the situation, Carter said. To me, it looked like the officer just walked in, sprayed the pepper spray without really trying to understand the dynamics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The professor said it is possible the officer had more information before deploying the pepper spray. The approved list of less lethal weapons from the ELPD identifies the spray used as Def-Tech / Sabre (PCA, MK9 & MK46). Sabre is the manufacturer that produces this equipment and pepper spray. In an emailed statement to 6 News Investigates, they explain the reason for a minimum three-foot distance when deploying their product. The #1 reason is for retention of the pepper spray as officers are within arms reach when they use at distances of less than 3 feet. There is also a very small chance of splash back onto the officer. There is a very small chance of injury to the soft tissue when used within 3 feet although weve never heard of such an incident occurring. 3. Commission to reconsider the motion rejecting the defense of Brown ELIPOC members will also consider a motion rejecting East Lansing City Manager Robert Bellemans defense of ELPD Chief Brown and a controversial statement she made to 6 News Investigates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the disproportionate use of force or response to resistance in the departments official July Response to Resistance Report, coupled with a disruptive Welcome Week in late August, Chief Jennifer Brown told 6 News Investigates, We have a very transient population, and over the last month, starting with Welcome Weekend, we have had a disproportionate number of minorities come into the community and commit crimes, and as police officers we are simply responding to those crimes. The comment has been labeled as racist. She subsequently apologized. The comments made by Police Chief Brown were offensive and racist. She apologized, but some felt that fell short because there was no action, said East Lansing City Manager Robert Belleman during a city council meeting Oct. 8. Belleman said in that meeting, I stand behind Jen, even though the error was made, to continue to grow and to make the necessary changes in our police department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ELIPOC leaders will consider a motion that, in part, states Bellemans defense of Brown reflects a troubling tolerance for conduct inconsistent with the Citys stated values of equity, inclusion, and public accountability. Motion Rejecting City Managers Defense of Chief Brown Comments 11-12-25Download 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 WLNS 6 News. Next year well celebrate the semiquincentennial the 250th anniversary of Americas independence. Under the aegis of America250, nationwide preparations are well underway; indeed, many commemorations are already occurring. In the understandable excitement over this milestone, lets not forget that declaring independence audacious, bold and brave though that was was relatively easy. Securing it was the greater challenge. Declaring it was accomplished by elected representatives in Philadelphia. Securing it was accomplished by the longsuffering soldiers of the Continental Army the first American veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On July 4, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress promulgated the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War had already been underway for over a year. The shots heard round the world were fired on April 19, 1775, in the battles of Lexington and Concord. There, colonial militiamen from the Massachusetts countryside, defending their homes, their freedoms, and their own elected government, routed 1,700 British regulars, sending them from Concord to Charlestown (near Boston) in ignominious retreat. Loosely organized farmers and tradesmen, who supplied their own weapons and elected their own officers, defeated the professional soldiers of the Kings well-equipped army. It was the first battle of the American Revolution, and it was a resounding American success. By the next morning, 15,000 militia surrounded the British, and the siege of Boston had begun. Less than a year later, the British abandoned Boston, never to occupy it again. It was in the aftermath of that triumph that our independence was declared, with great optimism that it would soon be achieved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the exuberance of July 1776 dissipated as the planets preeminent military power brought its might to bear on the 13 self-declared free and independent states. For more than five long years there ensued a series of American routs, retreats, evacuations and defeats, punctuated only rarely by isolated victories and those in the nick of time, when public support and the army itself were on the verge of collapse. Through most of the war, the best General George Washington could do was maintain an uneasy stalemate and keep the army intact to fight another day no small task under the circumstances. More than the British, Washington had to fight public apathy, congressional mismanagement, disloyal subordinates and the elements. Illustrating the daunting odds he confronted was the winter encampment of 177778 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the crucible of the Revolution. Just a week before Christmas, Washington led 11,000 bedraggled, oft-defeated, retreating troops into Valley Forge. Snow began to fall. The weather worsened from cold to bitter to brutal. Refusing to take better shelter than his men, Washington initially insisted on camping in a tent. But heavy snows and the mud resulting from occasional thaws made it impossible to conduct the armys business there, forcing him into a modest stone home, shared with his staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That winter, more than a quarter of his men died not in battle, but from disease and exposure. British troops occupying nearby Philadelphia were warm, well-clothed, and well-fed. So were most American civilians. But little of their prosperity reached the army. Congress repeatedly failed to provide. When it did belatedly act, corruption and ineptitude often prevented the soldiers from receiving the equipment and provisions they so urgently needed. Adding insult to injury, they went months without pay. Some idea of their suffering can be gleaned from Washingtons words, now engraved in the National Memorial Arch: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Naked and starving as they are / We cannot enough admire / The incomparable patience and fidelity / Of the soldiery. Naked? Alas, yes. Thousands of his men lacked boots, coats, gloves or blankets. Shocked visitors wrote that many soldiers wore shirts and trousers so tattered that their skin was exposed, and for shoes wore only rags. Starving? Here are those same words from Washington in context, in a letter he wrote to New York Gov. George Clinton (punctuation modernized): It is a subject that occasions me more distress than I have felt since the commencement of the war. ... I mean the present dreadful situation of the army for want of provisions. ... For some days past there has been little less than a famine in camp. A part of the army has been a week without any kind of flesh & the rest three or four days. Naked and starving as they are, we cannot eno(ugh) admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That admiration, Washington then suggested, extended to the fact that these soldiers had not arisen in a general mutiny due to these sufferings. The situation was even worse than Washington let on. With the British army so near, and both sides employing spies, any letter risked interception so he couldnt disclose the armys true condition. Otherwise General Howe, were he to learn how destitute, hungry and weakened Washingtons men really were, would surely attack, likely destroying the entire force. Speaking in Valley Forge on Nov. 21, 1949, former Supreme Allied Commander and future President Dwight Eisenhower said: Meeting on this spot ... it is difficult to avoid giving way to emotion so intense as to still the tongue and to leave any American silently grateful, humble, reverent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here Washington waged and won the greatest fight of a fighting career. ... The long winter of the Valley Forge encampment brought to his army the last ounce of endurable suffering, while Washington was called upon to bear ... collapse in his rear, desertion in his ranks, hostility in his associates. ... The freedom of the American people here experienced its greatest danger of extinction, here met its sternest challenge. The inspiring words our Founding Fathers wrote would matter little but for the service and suffering of the soldiers. To those valiant few who paid the price to obtain our independence, and to the many since whove paid the price to maintain it, we owe an incalculable debt. The inspiring words our Founding Fathers wrote would matter little but for the service and suffering of the soldiers. All honor to those who fought so we dont have to. On this Veterans Day, may we remember with humble gratitude all service members, from the Revolutionary War to the present day, who have fought the fights and endured the hardships necessary to secure the liberty, prosperity and security of which we are the fortunate beneficiaries. Have you ever started to cook an elaborate dinner only to realize you forgot to purchase an important ingredient from the grocery store? It happens to the best of us. If you need to make a last-minute cranberry sauce run on Thanksgiving, you might find it difficult to locate an open store. In accordance with state law, Rhode Island grocery stores cannot legally open on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Thursday, Nov. 27, this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, while smaller convenience stores are technically allowed to open, some might still opt to close in observance of the holiday. You should check a shop's hours or call ahead before heading over. Here's what to know about Rhode Island grocery stores on Thanksgiving. Are grocery stores open on Thanksgiving in RI? In Rhode Island, grocery stores are not allowed to open on Thanksgiving, as it is a restricted holiday under state law. That means that stores like Aldi, Stop & Shop, Market Basket, Trader Joe's, Price Rite, Dave's Fresh Marketplace, and Whole Foods will all be closed on Nov. 27 this year. Liquor stores will also be closed on Thanksgiving. Why aren't Rhode Island grocery stores open on Thanksgiving? Grocery stores in Rhode Island are not allowed to open on Thanksgiving Day in accordance with state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Food stores that employ more than six workers per shift at any location must close on both Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, per the RI Department of Labor and Training Workforce Regulation and Safety Division. Which businesses are allowed to open on Thanksgiving? Convenience stores? Some businesses, like gas stations, restaurants, and pharmacies, are allowed to open on Thanksgiving. You also might be able to grab a couple of groceries from a small convenience store. In Rhode Island, food stores that dont have more than six employees working at one time can open on Thanksgiving. However, many shops still close on certain holidays to give employees time with their families. It's best to call ahead and check. Breakfast cereals are displayed for sale at a grocery store in Medford, Mass., April 22, 2025. Melina Khan of USA TODAY and Margie Cullen of the USA Today Network contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Are Stop& Shop, Shaw's, Market Basket open on Thanksgiving in RI? A harsh drop in temperatures is being delivered to the eastern two thirds of the country thanks to a polar vortex dipping down from the Arctic. Record cold high temperatures on Monday and Tuesday are expected throughout the South and Southeast along the Gulf Coast states. Map shows the expected high temperatures and feels-like temperatures on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. / Credit: Nikki Nolan / CBS News Heavy lake effect snowfall The cold mixed with a low pressure system moving through the Northeast is transitioning precipitation into snowfall in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Water temperatures in the Great Lakes are currently ranging from 40 to 50 degrees, which is relatively warmer than the cold air above it. The "warmer" waters are helping to enhance the moisture moving over them and causing the increased snow totals downwind of the lakes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago issued its first Winter Storm Warning for the Chicago metro area since Jan. 12, 2024. That is over 600 days since the last time the winter weather conditions in Chicago metro warranted a Winter Storm Warning. As of 9 a.m. on Monday, the Chicago metro area saw only 3.5 inches of snow while Chicago Midway International Airport picked up 2.5 inches. The highest snowfall totals so far were seen in northwest Indiana with over a foot measured in some areas. The Great Lakes will continue to see winter weather conditions and snowfall piling up through Tuesday and Wednesday. Map shows winter weather alerts on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. / Credit: Nikki Nolan / CBS News Polar vortex delivering chilly conditions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The polar vortex usually sits over the Arctic but due to normal fluctuations with any weather phenomena, it will sink down into lower latitudes, which is what much of the U.S. is seeing to start the week. It will shift back toward the pole after Wednesday. Map shows front and freeze alerts across the South on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. / Credit: Nikki Nolan / CBS News More than 90 million people were under Freeze Alerts from Texas to the Carolinas Monday morning. The alerts will slowly expire as the cold shifts eastward. Wind chills are forecast to be as low as the teens and are expected with sub-freezing overnight temperatures in the 20s and 30s. Temperatures are forecast to be 25-30 degrees below average for this time of year through Wednesday. Map shows the expected high temperatures for Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. / Credit: Nikki Nolan / CBS News Map shows the forecast feels-like temperatures for Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. / Credit: Nikki Nolan / CBS News Map shows the expected high temperatures and feels-like temperatures for Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. / Credit: Nikki Nolan / CBS News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal that may end government shutdown Eye Opener: Senate advances funding measure that could end government shutdown "The Wounded Generation": Bearing the invisible scars of war Washington and London are delighted with the news, according to the source, for three key reasons. First, Lukoils quick announcement of its exit underscores how effective the new set of sanctions on Russia is. The measures are part of a full range of blocking sanctions overseen by the U.S. Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) including not just the two corporate entities of Lukoil and Rosneft (and their multiple subsidiaries) being added to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List but key individuals connected to the firms as well. Moreover, both firms interests in the U.S. are now blocked, and all the U.S.s companies and citizens are barred from any dealings with either. Targeting Russias top two oil firms is a huge step up from what the previous sets of sanctions that encompassed lower-tier firms such as Gazpromneft and Surgutneftegas, which were in turn part of Washingtons gradual tightening of the screws on Putin. The second reason is that the European Union (E.U.) continued to mirror such prohibitions against the cogs financing Russias war machine in Ukraine, as seen in its 19th sanctions package. These include additional measures targeting Russias shadow fleet of vessels used to evade current restrictions. And for the first time, the E.U. also targeted Russias crucial liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, having earlier agreed to halt all Russian gas imports by 1 January 2027 one year earlier than previously agreed. This was part of a broader 16 October vote to accelerate the unions phaseout of Russian oil, gas, and LNG, which also saw the proposal to implement a full ban on Russian oil imports into the region from 1 January 2026. The third reason is how difficult Lukoil has so far found it to dispose of its Iraqi assets, which Washington and London are taking as a sign that the sanctions in place against Moscow now appear so strong and well-coordinated that they are a true deterrent to other actors who in the past may have looked to support Russia. Most notable in this context was that Swiss-based trading firm Gunvor has lost interest in pursuing such talks with Lukoil. Russias second-largest oil producer Lukoil is withdrawing from its core energy interests in Iraq following the recent tightening of the sanctions noose around the country by the West. The latest prohibitions introduced by the U.S. on 22 October included measures directly aimed at Lukoil, and Russias top oil producer Rosneft. Between them, the two companies export approximately 3.1 million barrels of oil per day, which the West sees as vital to Russias ability to keep funding its war in Ukraine. Lukoils almost immediate capitulation of its huge West Qurna 2 oil field and Block 10 assets in Iraq marks a major turning point in the Wests fightback against increasingly aggressive Russia and Chinese moves against the allies, a senior Washington-based legal source who works closely with the U.S. Treasury exclusively told OilPrice.com last week. Its a big Russian major leaving two of its critical oil developments in one of its key areas of interest in the Middle East it doesnt get much bigger than that, he added. Moreover, Lukoils exit from the major Iraq oil and gas sites opens new opportunities for Western firm to further extend the Wests resurgent influence across Iraq. Story Continues It is also the case, from Iraqs perspective, that it was seeing diminishing returns in its ongoing relationship with Lukoil, not just from the geopolitical pressure the U.S. was bringing to bear, but also from a petro-economic one. On the first point, as analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order, the battle for influence over Iraqs oil fields is about a lot more than just oil. Indeed, a source who works closely with the E.U.s energy security apparatus exclusively told OilPrice.com at the time, that a very high-ranking official from the Kremlin said that: By keeping the West out of energy deals in Iraq, the end of Western hegemony in the Middle East will become the decisive chapter in the Wests final demise. On the second point, Baghdad had long endured problems with Lukoil on the site, which means it may have been happier than it has let on to yield to U.S. pressure regarding the firm. The original development plan for the West Qurna 2 field with estimated recoverable oil reserves of around 13 billion barrels and one of the lowest lifting costs in the world at just US$2-3 per barrel -- was to produce 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd). However, this was amended in 2013 to a three-stage plan, with peak production set at 1.2 million bpd. Phase 1 would add around 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) to the early 30,000 bpd of production from the sites Mishrif Formation. Phase 2 would add another 400,000 bpd from the full development of the Mishrif Formation. And Phase 3 would add another 650,000 bpd from the development of the deeper Yamama formation. However, it was around the time of the transition from Phase 2 to Phase 3, scheduled to start in the middle of 2017, that trouble began on the Russian side. Lukoil believed the level of remuneration it was receiving per barrel drilled was too low. It was being paid US$1.15 per barrel recoveredthe lowest rate paid to any international oil company (IOC) in Iraq at that time and dwarfed by the US$5.50 per barrel being paid to GazpromNeft for its development of the Badra oil field. Making matters worse for Lukoil at that point was that it had already spent at least US$8 billion in developing West Qurna 2, and compounding this grievance was the fact that Iraqs Oil Ministry still owed it around US$6 billion in remuneration on recovered barrels and other development payments. In August 2017, a senior source who works closely with Irans Petroleum Ministry exclusively told OilPrice.com at the time, Lukoil was assured that Iraqs Oil Ministry would very quickly pay the US$6 billion that it owed the company and that a higher compensation rate per barrel would be looked into as soon as was feasible. In addition, the Oil Ministry agreed to extend Lukoils from 20 to 25 years, so lowering the average yearly cost to the Russian firm. It was also agreed that Lukoil would invest at least US$1.5 billion in West Qurna 2 in the following 12 months with a view to raising production from the 400,000-bpd level closer to the 1.2 million bpd peak production target. Crucially for what followed, though, according to the Iran source, Lukoil knew back then that it was perfectly capable of producing at least 635,000 bpd on a sustained basis, having hit 650,000 bpd production over extended periods in August and September 2017, and with its engineers having assured senior management that 635,000-bpd production was achievable on an ongoing basis with no problems. Unfortunately for the Russians, the end of November 2017 saw Iraqs Oil Ministry discover that Lukoil was holding out on it, followed by a subsequent threat to withhold all payments due to Lukoil until it began to increase production steadily up to the 635,000-bpd level that its own production tests had shown was perfectly achievable. In response, and after several IOCs withdrew from Iraq, Lukoils senior management believed the time was right to try again to force the Oil Ministry to honour its previous promises to increase its per-barrel compensation on the West Qurna 2 field. Surprisingly for the Russians, the Oil Ministrys response was to say that it was fine if Lukoil wanted to leave but that before it did so it would pay compensation in lieu of the upfront investment that it promised in 2017 and promised again in 2019 as it was not meeting the time-sensitive oil production targets that it had agreed to. As it now stands, the way looks clear for any permutation of Western firms that have re-entered Iraqs oil sector since Donal Trump began his second presidential term to take up where Lukoil left off in West Qurna 2. It might look like a good opportunity for U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil, given its longstanding involvement in the neighbouring West Qurna 1 field. Great Britains BP remains involved in the huge Rumaila field and following its strategy reset in February back to a more fossil-fuel focus it may be a good fit for them. Any Western company would also have the knowledge that Frances TotalEnergies is now also firmly established in country in its US$27 billion four-pronged deal aimed at improving the core infrastructure across Iraqs oil and gas sector. Most notably here, the French firm is building out the vital Common Seawater Supply Project, aimed at boosting pressure in Iraqs key field to increase and extend well productivity. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oilprice Intelligence brings you the signals before they become front-page news. This is the same expert analysis read by veteran traders and political advisors. Get it free, twice a week, and you'll always know why the market is moving before everyone else. You get the geopolitical intelligence, the hidden inventory data, and the market whispers that move billions - and we'll send you $389 in premium energy intelligence, on us, just for subscribing. Join 400,000+ readers today. Get access immediately by clicking here. Police have identified the 18-year-old killed in a daytime shooting in Mattapan last month. According to police, around 1:24 pm. Officers responded to the area of 2 Hiawatha Road for reports of multiple people shot. Upon arrival, officers located three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. All three victims were treated and transported by Boston EMS from the scene to local hospitals for treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, November 7, 2025, one of the victims, identified as 18-year-old GKiyah Lewis of Malden, died. The other two adult male victims injuries are considered non-life-threatening. A Homicide investigation into the incident remains ongoing, and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Police responded to what they believe was a swatting call at an Ohio university on Monday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Bowling Green State University (BGSU) shared on social media that the City of Bowling Green Police Department received an anonymous call on their non-emergency line from an unknown caller stating there was an active shooter in a library on campus. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department did not receive any other calls reporting a similar threat, the university said. The BGSU Police Department responded to the Jerome Library and checked the area. Officers spoke with people on scene who said they did not see or hear anything indicating a threat. The library was evacuated as a precaution, but officers determined there was no threat. An all clear was called after two full sweeps of the Library. BGSUPD is working with the City of Bowling Green Police Department to further investigate the call, which is believed to have been a swatting call, the University said in their post. BGSUPD will have an increased presence on campus in the coming days out of an abundance of caution. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The results are in. We asked you to tell us how you clean up your yards during the fall. And, it turns out most Milwaukee Journal Sentinel readers use multiple methods to clean up their fall foliage. More: Do I have to rake leaves from my neighbor's tree if they fall in my yard in Milwaukee? See the full poll results below. Plus, here's your reminder about Milwaukee's leaf collection deadline. How do Wisconsin residents clean up fall leaves, according to Journal Sentinel readers? More than 130 votes were cast in the Journal Sentinel's poll. Here are the full results: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple removal methods : 41 votes Mulch : 32 votes Mow : 25 votes Rake : 14 votes Don't clean up : 10 votes Leaf blower: 7 votes Other readers indicated they burn leaves or use lawn sweepers. When does fall leaf collection in Milwaukee end? If you're still gathering up your leaves, you have a few days left to get them ready for collection. The fall leaf collection deadline in Milwaukee is Nov. 15. Leaves put out after the Nov. 15 deadline will not be collected. The city has previously extended the deadline to Dec. 1, but no extension has been announced in 2025 yet. To see when leaves will be collected in your neighborhood, you can consult the city's leaf collection progress map. And, for more information on leaf collection, you can visit Milwaukee's Department of Public Works website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Fall leaf collection kicks off soon in Milwaukee. Here's what to know Maia Pandey contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What's the most popular way to clean up fall leaves in Wisconsin? PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A 41-year-old Portland man was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Monday after attempting a mass shooting at Smith Rock State Park two years ago. In September, a Deschutes County jury found 41-year-old Samson Garner guilty of 26 charges, including four counts of first-degree attempted murder, four counts of first-degree attempted assault, four counts of second-degree attempted assault and 14 counts of unlawful use of a weapon. The conviction of Samson Garner is the result of outstanding investigative work and interagency collaboration that undoubtedly saved lives, said Sheriff Ty Rupert. Our Detectives Unit, with vital support from Patrol Deputies, worked closely with the Portland Police Bureau and the Deschutes County District Attorneys Office to track Garners movements, gather critical evidence, and build a strong case that ensured justice was served. Their professionalism, diligence, and commitment to protecting our community reflect the very best of the Deschutes County Sheriffs Office and demonstrate the power of proactive policing and strong partnerships in preventing acts of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garner planned to shoot participants and spectators at the Smith Rock Craggin Classic climbing festival in October 2023. However, the plan was thwarted by Portland police and the Deschutes County Sheriffs Office. He was aware that a few hundred people would be attending. Garner also discussed his persistent thoughts about murder and vengeance and his desire to kill people and inflict intense feelings of shock and trauma on those who would watch but do nothing to help, officials said. In October 2023, the Sheriffs Office received a tip from Portland police that Garner was planning the attack. Detectives kept a close eye on Garner, officials said, noting when he left Portland for Deschutes County on Oct. 19, a SWAT unit spotted Garner in his vehicle and took him into custody that afternoon one day before the start of the three-day festival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August 2023, the day before the event was scheduled to begin, Garner drove from his residence in the Portland area, after a prolonged period of isolation in his house, to Deschutes County, where he was contacted by the Deschutes County Sheriffs Office and taken into custody. He was in possession of multiple firearms, body armor, and a large cache of ammunition. He had packed a tactical vest to capacity with ammunition, including armor-piercing rounds. Investigators who searched Garners car said they found evidence of a planned attack, including a Beretta 9mm handgun, a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun, an AR-15 rifle and an HG1. The diligent work by law enforcement prevented a horrific tragedy, said Portland Police Chief Bob Day. The remarkable professionalism and seamless coordination across law enforcementfrom PPB patrol officers and detectives to our threat assessment team, behavioral health, and our partners at the Deschutes County Sheriffs Officeensured that nothing fell through the cracks. And it all began with a tip from the community, who recognized that one individual could pose a significant danger. 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. The Portsmouth Athenaeum was officially established as a corporation by the New Hampshire state Legislature on June 20, 1817. In the previous year, 72 Portsmouth residents had informally supported the idea of a membership library, perceiving the need for a replacement of the public library destroyed in the fire of 1813. The first proprietors were among the towns leading citizens and set forth lofty ideals to underpin the Athenaeums mission. The Portsmouth Athenaeum, circa 1885, on Market Square. In one of their early reports they asserted that a library operates throughout society in correcting narrowness of mind, local prejudices, frivolous and injurious conversation, vicious habits, and the sordid cupidity of wealth. They will infest every society in proportion as the resources of literature are closed against it. Men pass rapidly from intellectual to moral apathy, from ignorance to vice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were it not for an institution like the Athenaeum, they believed, a striking decline of character would inevitably lead to sorrow and reprehension. Perhaps not surprisingly, the first few years saw no rush of applicants eager to gain improvement of character. With a number of proprietorships unsold after two years, the directors plaintively observed we have not even had the good wishes of some [who] regard this little temple of literature [with] which we are striving to repel the reproach of literary barrenness and apathy which is thrown upon us. "It may have happened that our feeble and infantile condition is too contemptible for the patronage of some minds. The question is whether it shall drag out a miserable & sickly existence or whether it shall flourish as an honor and monument of the town. Labeled as "The Athenaeum Boys," this 1891 photo was taken just before the 1892 restoration of the 1805 Reading Room. But better times lay ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1821 the directors reported a little progress, saying, Constant care has kept alive the plant, though neither the rains nor sunshine of popular favor have descended upon it. And by 1827 their mood was decidedly upbeat: Could the founders who struggled with the early difficulties have possibly foreseen that the expiration of so brief a period would result in possession of such a splendid edifice [the 1805 Building on Market Square had been acquired in 1824]valuable library and commodious and well-supplied reading rooms? Hard times return for Athenaeum As the Athenaeum embarked on the 20th century, its fortunes which had been quite robust through the 1890s underwent a marked and rather precipitous decline, one that would go unchecked for almost 50 years. In every measurable category membership, financial, book purchases and circulation, public outreach the institution became so moribund that its continued survival was difficult to comprehend. The causes of this reversal from the vibrancy of the late 1800s probably have multiple origins. Surely the loss of key members like Frederick Potter (d. 1902), John Salter (d. 1907), and James Stanwood (d. 1910) was a significant contributor, for these three had been energetic, hands-on supporters of the Athenaeum for many years. Stanwood, for instance, played a major role in the 1892 restoration of the 1805 Reading Room, describing its former condition as slack, dusty, and fly blown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other likely factors were the ascendance of public libraries, historical societies, and museums, as well as changing demographics in the local area. In any case, book circulation, which had averaged about 2,600 annually from the 1880s to the early 1900s, fell off dramatically. By 1930 only 500 books were signed out by fewer than 30 proprietors (members). The financial posture of the Athenaeum withered as well, aggravated by the effects of the Great Depression. Cash reserves, meager by 1910, shrank so that by 1936 the directors were forced to borrow from the endowment to meet operating expenses. In 1941 the proprietors voted to increase the annual assessment to $10, the first increase in 90 years, but this proved insufficient to curb further raids on the endowment. The librarians weekly salary was cut from a hardly generous $10 to $2, and less than $200 a year was allocated to book purchases. Perhaps the most severe wound to the Athenaeum in these decades was a steady falling-off in public interest and proprietor involvement in its affairs. Twenty-one shares were unsold in 1921, and as late as 1947, only 88 proprietors held shares. From 1942 to 1945, there were never more than seven proprietors (including officers) at the annual meeting, and 1946s four members in attendance represented the nadir of participation. Resurgence of Athenaeum The October 1949 purchase of share number 100, vacant for 10 years, represented a turning point in the Athenaeums affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout most of the previous half-century the institution had languished with declining and indifferent membership, a frail financial posture, and an absence of strong leadership. All that began to change from 1949 onwards. Succeeding decades have seen an exponential improvement in the financial picture, a steady increase in membership and staff, a huge increase in the collections, a significant expansion of the physical plant, as well as many other less quantifiable improvements. A number of influences brought about the transformation. The population of Portsmouth grew from about 15,000 in 1940 to 26,000 in 1960, with a proportionate increase in outlying towns. No doubt the end of the Depression and victory in World War II played a part, and an influx of younger proprietors into leadership roles brought an infusion of fresh ideas. (In 1950 a proprietor wrote to secretary Lawrence Craig: It is good to see younger blood taking hold of the old institution At that time Craig was a comparatively youthful 42 serving on a board of directors whose average age was close to 70. By 1955 the average age was about 50.) Two separate but interrelated influences stand out as having been the most salient forces of change that brought the Athenaeum to its current vibrancy. One was the 1981 purchase of the Foye building, the other the creation of a master plan to address how the building should be used. Removing the veil of mystery Longtime Portsmouth Herald reporter and editor Ray Brighton signs copies of his book on ale king Frank Jones in 1976. He was among the Athenaeum members who urged the institution to become a research library available to the public. Consultants (and later proprietors) Richard Candee and Robert Thoresen were hired by the Athenaeum board to create a plan. Partway through their work, the ancient Foye building nearly collapsed owing to an error on the part of a contractor. The reconstruction of the building resulted in a modern structure that allowed for greatly enhanced usage, and that in turn provided the consultants an opportunity to advocate for the Athenaeum to become a research library to "remove the veil of mystery that shrouds [it]." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Director Ray Brighton (1914-1997) the individual who purchased share #100 in 1949 said, I know what they ought to make this, but they wont do it. It ought to be a research library. Brighton, a Portsmouth Herald reporter (and later editor of the paper), would go on to publish a definitive history of Portsmouth in 1973, "They Came to Fish." Despite Brighton's skepticism in 1949, there was little resistance to the proposal of a research library. Most proprietors saw that even modest public access would enhance the Athenaeums standing in the community, agreeing with the consultants that "there must be a more widespread perception that the Athenaeum contributes to the intellectual and social life of Portsmouth." In 1986, Jane Porter (1931-2022) was hired by then-president Richard Candee as Keeper (a British term he adopted) to manage the Athenaeum, and the research library was opened to the general public. Portsmouth Athenaeum members and officers celebrate the 200th anniversary of the nonprofit membership library in June 2017 Keeper and (now) Executive Director Tom Hardiman came along in 2000. In the years that have followed, the staff has expanded significantly to accommodate the research needs of proprietors and members of the public, along with a concomitant growth in the collections.Additional floor space has been acquired, dozens of exhibits have been mounted in the Randall Room since its acquisition in 1995, and a card catalog has given way to online access to the collections. As of Oct. 30, membership has risen to 389 proprietors, 111 subscribers and 107 friends of the Athenaeum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Portsmouth Athenaeum, 9 Market Square, is a nonprofit membership library founded in 1817. It has 40,000-plus volumes, and an archive of local history materials. The photographic collection contains over 36,000 images available for viewing at portsmouthathenaeum.org. The Shaw Research Library and Randall Gallery are open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 1-4 p.m. For more information, go to the website or call 603-431-2538. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth Athenaeum went from rough start to resurgence Veterans Day will be recognized in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. Tuesday, Nov. 11 this year. The federal holiday recognizes all veterans who have served the nation, while Memorial Day, which takes place in May, honors those who died during military service. Many Pennsylvania businesses will offer special deals for the holiday, and veterans can take advantage of discounts or free menu items at select locations of Applebees, Chipotle, Starbucks and more. While grocery stores will generally be open for regular hours Tuesday, certain other utilities will close. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All U.S. Postal Service locations will close for Veterans Day, and regular mail service will not take place. Only Priority Mail Express items will be delivered, according to an Oct. 29 USPS news release. On this important day we honor the military veterans who have served our nation, Postmaster General and CEO David Steiner said in the press release. The Postal Service is proud to be one of the largest civilian employers of Americas veterans. Their dedication, discipline and commitment to service enrich our organization and strengthen our connection to the communities we serve. Although post offices will be closed, people can still access self-service kiosks in some lobbies. You can buy stamps at the kiosks, as well as track packages and more. Regular mail service will resume Wednesday, Nov. 12. Will banks in State College close for Veterans Day? Banks in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. will generally be closed for Veterans Day, as well, as it is a Federal Reserve Bank Holiday. With the holiday season approaching soon, you can also expect bank and mail service closures for Thanksgiving and Christmas. For those planning to mail holiday cards or gifts, USPS recommends sending them no later than Wednesday, Dec. 17 by USPS Ground Advantage or first-class mail, by Thursday, Dec. 18 for priority mail and by Saturday, Dec. 20 for priority mail express for an expected arrival date before Christmas. By now, you know that the COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect against severe COVID infections and reduce your chances of developing long COVID. You also know that the COVID-19 vaccine may have some mild and temporary side effects, including low-grade fever, body aches and fatigue. Researchers discovered another potential side effect that isn't getting nearly as much attention/ What is it and why is it important? Here's what you need to know. SIGN UP for Parades health newsletter with expert-approved tips, healthy eats, exercises, news & more to help you stay healthy & feel your best self The Surprising, Newly-Discovered COVID Vaccine Side Effect There's a potentially new incentive to get vaccinated and boosted: A University of Florida study in the journal Nature revealed a link between mRNA-based COVID vaccines and surviving cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Researchers examined clinical outcomes for more than 1,000 late-stage melanoma and lung cancer patients who were treated with a type of immunotherapy called immune checkpoint inhibitors. Immune checkpoint inhibitors block a protein that tumor cells create to deactivate immune cells, essentially training patients' immune systems to kill cancer cells. Patients in the study who got either the Moderna or Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccines within 100 days of beginning immunotherapy were more than twice as likely to survive after three years as patients who didn't receive either jab. Further, patients whose tumors don't respond well to immunotherapy were five times more likely to survive past three years if they had a Pfizer or Moderna mRNA COVID vaccine than patients who didn't get vaccinated. Finally, these results held up even when researchers factored in variables like co-morbidities, disease severity and patients' other medical conditions. Uh, this is pretty huge, but what does it all actually mean in practice? We asked infectious disease experts and oncologists to explain. Related: The Most Common COVID-19 Symptoms Doctors Are Seeing Right Now "This study opens an intriguing possibility: that modern mRNA vaccinesoriginally designed to prevent viral infectionsmay enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint blockade," Dr. Zihai Li, MD., Ph.D., founding director of Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, Klotz Memorial Chair in Cancer Research and professor at the Ohio State University College of Medicine, explains. "In other words, receiving an mRNA vaccine around the time of immunotherapy could 'prime' the immune system to respond more vigorously against cancer." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That surely sounds promising, but Dr. Li points out something significant in the research that's important to keep in mind. "The findings are most directly relevant to solid tumors such as lung cancer and melanoma, where they have the most data, and that checkpoint blockade is already a mainstay of treatment," he says. "However, much remains to be learned ... In patients, the only mRNA vaccines they looked at were mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV2. If confirmed, these findings could reshape how we integrate vaccines and immunotherapy, transforming preventive vaccines into therapeutic allies against cancer." With all that said, please keep in mind that this isn't a cure. "Current clinical guidelines, including those from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), do not recognize direct anti-cancer effects as a rationale for COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients," Dr. Steven Goldberg, MD, MBA, chief medical officer at HealthTrackRx, advises. "The primary benefit of COVID-19 vaccination in this population is the prevention of COVID-19 and its complications." Related: This Surprising Habit Could Make Your Vaccine Less Effective Can Other Vaccines Help Fight Cancer? The study showed a lot of promise in terms of two specific types of mRNA COVID vaccines in the fight against certain cancers. Could other vaccines show that benefit too? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to experts we spoke with, it's too soon to tell just yet. "We will have to study if other mRNA vaccines could have the same type of benefit, or if this is only seen in mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines," Dr. Jeff Yorio, MD, medical oncologist and research site leader at Texas Oncology, tells Parade. "Pneumonia vaccines and flu vaccines, which are not mRNA-based, did not change the response to immunotherapy. This was a retrospective study so more work will need to be done to verify the results, but it is definitely a promising finding." "This study just looked at mRNA based COVID vaccines, but it did look at different manufacturers," Dr. S. Wesley Long, MD, Ph.D., associate professor of clinical pathology and genomic medicine at Houston Methodist, concurs. "We dont yet know if the same benefits might extend to other mRNA vaccines, or vaccination in general." That said, certain other vaccines have shown some efficacy in studies, according to Dr. Goldberg: "The Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine, for example, is an established immunotherapy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and is known to induce 'trained immunity,' a process that enhances the responsiveness of the immune system to tumor cells." "Vaccines such as HPV and hepatitis B are specifically designed to prevent virus-induced cancers, but COVID-19 vaccines are not in this category." "Vaccines like influenza and pneumococcus have also been studied for their potential to modulate immune responses in cancer patients, but there is no consistent evidence that they directly inhibit tumor growth or metastasis." Related: These Are the Vaccine Side Effects You Should Worry About, According to Infectious Disease Experts What Are Other Benefits of the COVID Vaccine? Let us remind you: It is prime season for COVID, colds and flu. Protect yourself! "The best evidence supports that COVID-19 vaccination prevents severe disease, hospitalization and death," Dr. Long says. "It can also decrease your risk of developing long COVID, prevent infection and may reduce viral load by shortening the length of illness and symptoms if you are infected." Also, just to reiterate one more time: No, the COVID vaccine doesn't cause cancer, despite some non-science-backed conversations in the news right now. "So far, we have not seen any evidence that COVID-19 vaccines have caused an increase in cancer rates," Dr. Yorio says. "During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, there was a big drop in cancer incidence because people were not getting screened as frequently or going to doctors." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was an expected rise in the next few years in cancer incidence due to the lack of diagnosis in 2020, he explains. "Again, this was not due to vaccines but rather a lack of testing during the pandemic. A study like this is actually showing a potential survival benefit to the COVID-19 vaccine in patients with advanced cancer. And, while there are patients who do have some side effects from vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine is still thought to be a very safe vaccine overall." Up Next: Related: The One Thing Cardiologists Are Begging You to Do for Your Heart Health This Fall and Winter Sources: This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 10, 2025, where it first appeared in the Health & Wellness section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Pro-XRP attorney and Crypto Twitter mainstay John Deaton formally announced another U.S. Senate bid late Monday, after failing to unseat noted industry critic Elizabeth Warren last fall. Deaton will run in next years midterm election against Sen. Ed Markey, Massachusetts' other Democratic senator. The crypto-focused attorney is running as a Republican, and the partys state leadership will soon vote on whether to endorse hima move that would likely clinch his spot on the Republican ballot line in the general election. Deaton told Decrypt earlier this year that he was likely to enter the race, given the name recognition he said he accumulated in his unsuccessful 2024 run against Warren. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deatons odds of victory against Warren in that race were a longshot, given that Massachusetts is one of the most reliably blue-voting states in the country. They could be even slimmer in a matchup against Markey. Why? Because last year, Deaton was able to gain national attention running as a pro-crypto candidate against Warren, perhaps the industrys most prominent foil in Congress, at a crucial juncture for digital asset regulation. While those conditions were not nearly enough to push Deaton over the edgehe ultimately lost to Warren by nearly 20 pointsthey did send plenty of financial support from the crypto industry flowing to his campaign. This time around, things may look a bit different. While many in the crypto industry view Markey as an enemy, Massachusetts junior senator is a far less prominent perceived threat than Warren. And whereas the industry viewed itself as waging an existential fight for survival last November, the second Trump administrations aggressively pro-crypto moves have calmed much of that worry. As one sign of the changing times, Deatons new campaign sites Issues page makes no mention of crypto policythough a biography of the attorney does mention his interest in crypto and advocacy for XRP holders. The site also allows visitors to donate to Deatons campaign in numerous cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and meme coins BONK, Dogecoin, Dogwifhat, and Peanut the Squirrel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pro-XRP Lawyer John Deaton Lost His Bid to Unseat Elizabeth Warren. Now, He's Eyeing Another Senate Run In March, Deaton told Decrypt that he saw a path to victory against Markey in 2026so long as the crypto industrys mighty political spending PACs, particularly Fairshake, backed him up. Even in last years race against Warren, Fairshake did not back Deaton, opting to instead focus on closer, swing-state races. A Fairshake representative did not respond when asked by Decrypt whether the PAC will back Deaton this time around. Three key figures are facing potential criminal charges in an ongoing lobbying investigation. The prosecution notified three figures on Tuesday that they may face criminal charges, pending a hearing, in a long-running investigation into alleged illicit lobbying and misconduct tied to pharmaceutical company Roche Israel, as well as former aides to then-deputy health minister Yaacov Litzman. The notified individuals are Avi Danziger, CEO of Roche Israel; Menachem (Motti) Gashaid, a lobbyist and former professional aide to Litzman; and Mordechai (Moti) Babchik, another former Litzman aide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Babchik is a significant figure in the ultra-Orthodox political landscape, especially within the sphere of influence of United Torah Judaism, which Litzman was a part of for his entire political career. From his early days as a subordinate to Litzman, Babchik rose to become a major adviser and operator, wielding power behind ministries and policy decisions. His close affiliation with Gur Hassidism and UTJs leadership makes him a key node between haredi politics, government ministries, and industry lobbying. The probe, led by the National Fraud Investigation Unit and the Lahav 433 National Crime Unit, centers on efforts that took place between 2015 and 2018 to adopt a new nationwide drug-pricing model intended to lower medicine costs in Israel. Investigators said that the proposed pricing overhaul threatened profit margins for some multinational pharmaceutical firms operating locally, including Roche. Headquarters of Lahav 433 The National Crime Unit in Lod, pictured August 6, 2025. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90) Monthly sums paid to Gashaid from Daziger, police find According to the police findings noted by the prosecution on Tuesday, Danziger allegedly paid Gashaid monthly sums in the tens of thousands of shekels over roughly 18 months. The prosecution said that those payments were intended to leverage Gashaids contacts at the Health Ministry and to enlist Babchik a close associate from their time in Litzmans office to favor Roche and advance its position on the pricing model. The announcement by the prosecution describes a direct and covert communications channel between Gashaid and Babchik operating alongside formal channels between Roche (and Pharma Israel, the industry association chaired by Danziger) and officials at the Health and Finance ministries. Babchik is accused of acting in breach of his duties allegedly promoting Roches interests and passing internal Health Ministry documents to Gashaid without disclosing their relationship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the new pricing model was passed in May 2018, it reportedly did not serve Roches commercial interests. Following that outcome, Gashaid was dismissed from his role with Roche. Investigators noted that the case file contains evidence supporting offenses of intermediary bribery (against Danziger and Gashaid) and fraud and breach of trust (against Gashaid and Babchik); formal indictments will depend on the outcomes of the statutory pre-indictment hearings. In response, attorneys Amit Hadad and Noa Milstein, representing Babchik, said, This is an investigation that began nearly 10 years ago. In 2023, Mr. Babchik was officially informed that the case against him had been closed. Once again, we are forced to learn from the media that the prosecution decided to file an indictment pending a hearing... It is unacceptable that Mr. Babchik should hear of such a significant decision first from a media report, and only a day later receive formal notice... We are confident that following the hearing, the case will be closed. The original criminal inquiry, which included arrests and raids in 2021, drew wide media coverage and public attention to pharmaceutical lobbying and potential conflicts within the Health Ministry apparatus. The investigation touches on how drugs are priced and approved for public funding in Israel, processes that carry major fiscal and public-health consequences. If prosecutors press charges, the trial phase could spotlight the boundaries between lawful lobbying, the use of personal networks inside the government, and criminal influence peddling. The prosecution will next hold the required hearings for each notified individual. If prosecutors decide to file indictments after those hearings, the case will move to the courts; otherwise, the matter may be closed without charges. Turkish prosecutors on Tuesday demanded a prison sentence of up to 2,352 years for Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, nearly eight months after the opposition politician was arrested and suspended from office, public broadcaster TNT reported. The indictment accuses him of founding and leading a criminal organization, as well as bribery and money laundering among other charges, according to the Istanbul public prosecutor's office. Acceptance of the indictment is considered a formality. A lawyer for Imamoglu's party told dpa that the allegations are completely unfounded, and that he expected to be acquitted in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imamoglu, of the Republican People's Party or CHP, is seen as a leading challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Critics see the legal action against him as a deliberate attempt by the government to eliminate the strongest opposition party in the country. The indictment is 3,900 pages long and covers a total of 402 suspects, the broadcaster CNN Turk reported. Imamoglu was arrested in March and removed from office on charges of terrorism and corruption. He has been in custody ever since. The action against the popular politician sparked the largest protests in Turkey in more than 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CHP party unexpectedly emerged as the strongest force nationwide in the 2024 local elections which many interpreted as a possible prelude to the replacement of President Erdogans AKP government. Since then, the secular-oriented CHP has come under pressure. So far, hundreds of its members have been arrested and 17 of its mayors detained. The government rejects criticism of these actions, claiming that the judiciary in the country is independent. However, international organizations and the European Commission have questioned this. And then there is the issue of retirement. I plan to retire as early as possible, as I expect to have some income from investments. I might also rent out the back building on my property, and I might inherit a small amount. Once my youngest is at college and I am retired, my partner and I would be free to live together full time. If I am using my employers calculator correctly, my monthly retirement benefit would either be around $4,000 with only the balance of contributions going to my beneficiary, or around $3,600 with an equal amount going to my beneficiary. My partner has two adult children. She earns about $180,000 per year and has investments of around $200,000. She also owns a house worth perhaps $600,000, with a mortgage balance of around $300,000. One of the issues Im curious about is health insurance. We would likely free up anywhere from $300 to $600 per month by being on the same plan. Another is our tax status. I have filed as head of household since the divorce. She has filed as single for the last year or two. Here are our details: I am a college professor and will likely work for the next five or six years in order to get my state pension (yes, they still exist) up to a reasonable, if mediocre, level. I make about $105,000 a year right now and live in an expensive city in an expensive state. I have a mortgage balance of $600,000 on a $1.7 million house. I have a $500,000 Roth IRA, a portfolio account of $500,000 and $300,000 in 529 plans for my three kids, one of whom is a freshman in college, while the other two are a senior and a freshman in high school. I wonder about the financial trade-offs of staying unmarried. When in the past we have discussed the issue, our answer has always been, Why ruin a good thing? We are both artists and a bit rebellious when it comes to things like that. At the same time, we see the advantages that marrying would confer say if we were to just send in the paperwork and then stick it in a file somewhere. I would like to know what is really at stake in our decision. We are in our late 50s and we will be together for the rest of our lives. Its a great relationship. The company she works for is fully virtual, and she spends about half the year with me. I visit her for a week or two at a time during the off months. She has two adult kids, and I have one in college and two high schoolers who rotate between my house and staying with their mother, who lives around the corner. Several years ago I was happily divorced. Checking in with an old friend, a woman Id known in high school and college, the damndest thing happened: We fell in love. Story Continues I dont know my partners situation. I think she has a 401(k). So at this point, it seems like getting married is smart, and assuming one of us will outlive the other, it makes sense for me to choose a plan with a monthly benefit going to the beneficiary. Then there are all of those issues like who makes health and end-of-life decisions. How should we evaluate those potential benefits? Furthermore, there must be issues Ive missed. What else should we be thinking about? Insert Catchy Pseudonym Here Related: My late husbands parents left me nothing in their will. Am I wrong to think they are thoughtless? Please dont do it just for financial reasons. - MarketWatch illustration Dear Catchy, Youre a good catch, but forever is a long time. Financially, she has more to gain from marrying in the long run, but you could both end up saving thousands of dollars a year in taxes and healthcare costs. Still, you just recently got out of a marriage, so my hope is that you enjoy being legally single and dont sign another marriage contract quite so soon. And please, if you do, dont just do it for financial reasons. I recommend a prenuptial agreement and full financial transparency. Given that youre both in your 50s and you, at least, have substantial assets in the form of retirement funds, this is especially important. As a married couple, you will benefit from income-tax breaks and Social Security allowances (including spousal benefits and survivor benefits). Be aware that spouses can claim an elective share of their late spouses estates in many states; a good prenup could help override such state law. If you married and filed jointly, you would probably save around $6,000 to $8,000 on your federal income taxes. State taxes will vary, depending on where you live. However, these income-tax savings could be wiped out on your childrens Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is used to apply for financial aid to help pay for college. Together, your salaries will likely affect your childrens eligibility for federal, state and college-based aid, including grants, loans, work-study programs and scholarships. Ultimately, getting married preferably after your children are out of college makes financial sense as long as you make sure your legal and financial contract is as rock-solid as your (current) romantic one. The financial savings could equate to $15,000 or more annually on your health insurance and federal taxes alone. Dont miss: He lives paycheck to paycheck: My husband pays his bills late and sits at home playing on his computer. How do I fix it? Expectations around inheritance This is not quite a relationship of financial equals. Your girlfriend earns more, but you appear to have done a much better job of saving. You both have homes, you both have children from previous marriages to whom you will presumably leave your assets, so discuss your respective expectations to avoid a years-long financial fallout like the one faced by this couple. Your (financial) reasons for marrying would also depend on whether you plan on leaving your wife a large portion of your estate if you were to die before she does. You have a $1.7 million house and $1.3 million in investments. If you married, she would get a step-up in basis on those assets, potentially saving roughly $500,000 in capital-gains taxes. Living together is not the same as dating, and you will have to deal with the realities of each others daily lives, including how adult children fit into the mix. Sharing a house with a third adult may be both a gift and a challenge. You may like the balance you have now between time alone and time together. Will living together full-time change that? At age 62, you are entitled to collect up to 50% of the amount of your ex-spouses Social Security benefits, if they are greater than yours. To qualify, you must have been married for at least 10 years and be unmarried at the time of your application for spousal benefits. If you both have adequate Social Security benefits, that will be of little concern for you. There are other financial advantages to getting married later in life: Maintaining one home is obviously far less costly than maintaining two. But you cant put a price on financial independence and, if your partner moves in with you, I would recommend to her (if she wrote in) that she rent her home rather than sell it. Dont miss: Im 83 and will have $500K if I sell my house. My estranged wife wants me to join her in Colombia. Do I go? Medicare for married couples There are downsides as well, aside from domestic issues like sharing a bathroom. These include the cost of medical and long-term care if one partner falls into ill health which could be as high as $10,000 a month for an assisted-living facility as well as disputes over inheritance and, as you have already discovered, the price of a divorce lawyer. Looking ahead, you should also think about Medicare benefits. Each spouse pays separate Medicare premiums, and married couples dont get a discount, according to AARP. If both spouses are enrolled in Medicare Part B, they each pay $185 a month in 2025 and that goes up for couples with higher incomes. Being married and enrolled in Medicare has benefits as well as drawbacks, AARP adds. You can qualify for premium-free Part A based on your spouses work record. Most people dont pay premiums for Medicare Part A because Medicare taxes were deducted from their paychecks for at least 40 quarters of work, the equivalent of 10 years or more. And the bad news: Joint income affects premiums for high earners, AARP says. People with high incomes pay more for Medicare Part B and Part D prescription-plan premiums, and the high-income surcharge is based on joint income for married couples filing a joint income-tax return. Read more about that here. As you can see, getting married is like running a business. Its financially complicated and, whether you live in a community-property or an equitable-distribution state, you will probably end up mingling some of your assets. But theres no need to fly to Las Vegas just yet. Given your recent divorce, I suggest a very long engagement. Dont miss: I feel slighted: My husband and I are in our 70s. We married 3 years ago. Hes leaving his $1.8 million home to a 10-year-old relative. Is that normal? Previous columns by Quentin Fottrell: Im a veteran, 57, and on disability benefits. How do I persuade my wife, 52, to downsize so we can both retire? I received an inheritance from my fathers estate, but the executor wants me to give it back. What should I do? Luckily, I did not mix our finances: My husband is 7 years younger and has dementia. What happens now? Most Read from MarketWatch Turning Point USA, the influential rightwing college group founded by Charlie Kirk, has brought Kirks message to a campus with a long history of leftwing activism two months after his death. An event at the University of California, Berkeley, on Monday evening marked the chaotic last stop of the American Comeback tour, which Kirk had just begun at the time of his death at Utah Valley University. In the aftermath of Kirks fatal shooting, the events have come to serve as memorials, with prominent conservative speakers, including JD Vance, highlighting the staggering impact the controversial rightwing influencers death has had on American politics. Since Kirks killing in September, allegedly by a 22-year-old gunman, Donald Trump has sought to use the incident to attack Democrats, liberal groups and donors. The president has warned of an enemy within while he and allies have launched attacks on political opponents, actions that scholars have described as authoritarian and anti-Democratic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: The right wants Charlie Kirk memorials across the US but is it just an attempt to capitalize on his killing? Meanwhile, people have been fired or disciplined from their jobs over comments, or perceived commentary, about Kirks killing or the beliefs he publicly espoused. The Berkeley event, hosted by the campuss TPUSA chapter, featured Rob Schneider, the comedian and actor who has become a champion of conservative causes, and Christian author Frank Turek. It was met with a large protest as hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside Zellerbach Hall on Monday evening. People shouted Fascists out of Berkeley and carried signs with slogans such as We won the war, why are there still Nazis and No safe space for fascist scum, and Palestinian flags. Meanwhile, dozens of police officers gathered around an entrance, clearing a path for people to enter, and helicopters circled overhead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were at least three arrests during the protests, including two people detained after a violent altercation, the Daily Californian reported. There was anxiety on campus ahead of the event, said Sophie Mason, a freshman who stopped by the protest after class and said it was the talk of the town. There was a lot of tension. People were worried, she said. Two hours after the event started, the crowd outside showed no signs of tiring. They briefly broke into chants of fuck Charlie Kirk. Protesters at times focused on the large showing of law enforcement, yelling CHP go home in reference to the California Highway Patrol team assembled at the frontline of the demonstration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of officers stood blocking a throughway to the building where the TPUSA event was under way, some with body mounted cameras. Earlier Monday morning, police arrested four students for alleged vandalism after they attempted to hang a large cardboard bug on a gate ahead of the event, Berkeleys campus newspaper the Daily Californian reported. UC Berkeley, known as the birthplace of the campus free speech movement of the 1960s, has hosted controversial events before. In 2017, thousands of students protested the scheduled appearances of the rightwing provocateur and former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos and the conservative commentator Ann Coulter. Both events were ultimately cancelled, but the city saw violent clashes between opposing groups of protesters. Monday nights event, which the Berkeley chapter of TPUSA described as an opportunity to be a part of the movement built on Charlies legacy, was sold out. The chapter has more than doubled since Kirks death, organization leadership have said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the campus history of protest, Monday nights demonstrations felt normal, said Tyara Gomez, a third-year student. Although this one had far more police officers, she said. Related: Donations for Turning Point USA pour in after founder Charlie Kirks death The protest was largely peaceful but was marked by tense moments. A crowd appeared to accost a man who shouted a racial slur, and circled protesters. There were clashes between demonstrators and counter-demonstrators and attendees, and fears of gun violence. Early on, as the crowds reached their peak, a car drove by, seemingly broadcasting the sound of gunshots, sending dozens of people fleeing while others crowded behind concrete pillars, unsure whether a shooting was taking place. Among them was Mayte, who did not feel comfortable sharing her last name and was visiting with her boyfriend. Mayte crammed behind a the concrete structure with her dog and several other people as the vehicle passed. You cant tell if its fireworks or gunshots. Its scary, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She had felt compelled to watch the demonstration, which was as much a protest against TPUSA as it was against Trump and his agenda. Its sad whats happening. Im the daughter of immigrants. Mason, the freshman, said she was perplexed why Turning Point USA had chosen to host the event at the famously liberal campus, but that she was pleased to see the turnout. Im glad a lot of people came together and showed up. The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who exposed U.S. military abuses in the Vietnam and Iraq wars believes "there's no end game" to the conflict in Gaza or for its people after two years of Israeli bombardment. "I don't think they're going to come out alive," said Seymour Hersh during an appearance at SFFilm's Doc Stories at the Vogue Theatre in San Francisco. "My guess is it's going to be probably one of the worst messes we've ever had, because the Israelis are dead set on what they're doing and it's so pernicious and so horrible it's almost overwhelming." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hersh made his remarks on Doc Stories' opening night on Thursday, Nov. 6, during a discussion after a screening of "Cover-Up," Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus' documentary about Hersh, who is still working at 88. The film, which will premiere on Netflix on Dec. 26, details Hersh's impactful career, which includes exposing the My Lai massacre and its cover-up during the Vietnam War; the secret U.S. bombing of Cambodia; the Central Intelligence Agency's program of domestic spying during the 1960s and '70s; and the U.S. military's torture and abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib in Iraq in the 2000s. But the war in Gaza was much on the minds of many others, not just Hersh, at Doc Stories. The festival even concluded Sunday with a slate that included screenings for two Gaza-themed films. Paris-based filmmaker Sepideh Farsi's feature-length "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk" is a profile of Palestinian photojournalist Fatma Hassona that will open at the Roxie Theater on Nov. 21, and Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda's short film "Free Fish" documents the daily life of fishermen on the shores of the Gaza Strip. A scene from the documentary "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk," which features conversations between Palestinian photojournalist Fatma Hassona and filmmaker Sepideh Farsi, shown in inset below. (Courtesy of Kino Lorber) Farsi told the Chronicle she generally agreed with Hersh's assessment, citing one report that estimated it would take 14 years just to remove the rubble from two years of attacks. But she doesn't want to give up on the idea of a better future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am having trouble really envisioning what is coming up, and I do think that it's really difficult to get over this, for sure," she admitted, quickly adding, "I want to keep hope. I can't go to bed saying, OK, Palestine is over. They destroyed it.'" Although the roots of the Palestinian-Iraeli conflict are at least a century old, the current war began when Hamas, the militant group that has ruled Gaza since 2007, orchestrated a series of attacks on Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. A scene from Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda's short film "Free Fish" documents the daily life of fishermen on the shores of the Gaza Strip. (SFFilm) Israel's military response at the direction of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has killed at least 67,938 Palestinians and injured 170,169, according to an Oct. 20 report by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Many experts, however, believe the death toll is much higher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's actions have drawn worldwide protests. Back at Doc Stories, Poitras got into an interesting back-and-forth with Hersh onstage at the Vogue, disagreeing with the journalist's pessimism. "I don't believe we can give up believing that something can be done to stop a genocide that is happening before our eyes," said Poitras, who studied at the San Francisco Art Institute before moving to New York to embark on her Academy Award-winning career (she got her Oscar for the 2014 Edward Snowden documentary "Citizenfour"). "I think we have to keep fighting. I'm just saying that we can't give up on it." Journalist Seymour Hersh, center, speaks after a screening of "Cover-Up," a documentary by Laura Poitras, left, and Mark Obenhaus (not pictured) at the Vogue Theatre in San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 6. (Tommy Lau/SFFilm) "Is it going to turn out well, do you think, at this point?" Hersh asked Poitras. "Are they going to build homes there and have all the people go to work building homes in New Gaza?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poitras responded, "I think occupations or apartheids, they're not sustainable." Hersh called it all an "unbelievable mess" that will just get worse. "You have a whole generation of children between zero and 5 that have already had their brains damaged by lack of food," he went on. Farsi, who is Iranian by birth but fled the country after spending eight months in prison for speaking out against the country's war with Iraq in the 1980s, said when the conflict on Gaza is over there needs to be a reckoning. "The least we need is, apart from reconstruction, is justice," Farsi said. "To really address the crimes that have been committed, no matter who has committed them, everybody has to answer." This article originally published at Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist says there's no end game' in Gaza, fears it'll only get worse. (Photo by iStock/Getty Images Plus) Roughly one in four inmates in Virginia are waiting to enroll in prison education programs a backlog that state officials say could hinder rehabilitation and reduce chances of success after release. Lawmakers this week heard a range of possible fixes aimed at expanding access and lowering recidivism rates. Inmates housed at facilities operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections are permitted by state law to participate in educational and vocational programs, including a functional literacy program for inmates testing below the 12th-grade level, adult basic education, career and technical education, and postsecondary education. However, not all prisons are required to offer inmate education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of February, 5,671 inmates were on waiting lists for educational programs, highlighting the demand that far surpasses DOCs capacity, according to a report presented by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission at the direction of state lawmakers. About 40% of inmates require education to successfully reintegrate into society. We take this very seriously at the Department of Corrections, said Chadwick Dotson, the agencys director. And again, the reason we do this is because every recidivism point we can drop, thats one fewer victim, thats one more father, mother raising their child. So its a win-win for everyone. Researchers found that inmates who participated in educational programs had better employment outcomes and quality of life after release than those who did not. But the demand continues to exceed the departments capacity. In addition to limited capacity, challenges include security staffing shortages with vacancy rates over 20% at 16 of the 37 facilities technology and infrastructure, and the inconsistent programming when inmates transfer between facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recommendations included better management of waitlists, improvements to GED testing processes (which dropped by 35% between 2022 and 2025), and stronger links between CTE programs and job opportunities. The discussion also emphasized the need for more funding and infrastructure upgrades to support education in prisons and jails. Virginia currently allocates $36.8 million to adult basic education, CTE, and postsecondary education programs, which make up 2% of DOCs $1.56 billion total budget. Dotson told lawmakers that the agency is working to balance GED testing frequency, develop stronger employment connections, and improve technology and inmate transfers. He said DOC is introducing new tablets to enable distance learning, expanding broadband access in facilities, and exploring an offender management system used in other states to better track and minimize disruptive transfers during coursework. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Terri Erwin, director of the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison an initiative of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy said one priority is expanding access to higher education for inmates following recent changes in Pell Grant eligibility. She said about67% of people incarcerated in Virginia are academically eligible for college. Wed like to see a return of college programs to the prisons because they have such a dramatically beneficial effect on reducing recidivism, but also increasing employability and wages and benefits for folks who ultimately return back to society, Erwin said. Lawmakers could introduce related legislation when they return to Richmond on Jan. 14 for the start of the General Assembly session. The study did not include juvenile detention centers. Meanwhile, several agencies are developing a strategic plan to expand educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals. The effort stems from House Bill 2158, carried by Del. Betsy Carr, D-Richmond, which aimed to strengthen carceral education from basic literacy through post-secondary programs but was vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were really excited about it, to be able to sit around the table and kind of noodle and do the math over how we fix some of the things that were referred to today, but in fact, it really requires some very pragmatic sitting around the table and figuring stuff out, Erwin said. Erwin said participating agencies include the State Council of Higher Education, the Department of Corrections, Virginias Community College System, and her own organization. The plan could take between 10-12 months to complete. Still, she said it was a good time for lawmakers to act. We feel like its actually a very ripe time for legislators, theres a lot of really good will towards expansion of educational opportunity, post secondary and generally, to build that pipeline with the ABE and the GED, because thats the ecosystem inside the prison, Erwin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a throughput system, hopefully ending in higher education, which has the maximum increase in affecting recidivism, but also in terms of salaries, employability, but also salaries. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX KANSAS (KSNT) National weather officials say a burst of solar activity may lead to a rare opportunity for much of the country to view the Northern Lights this week. The Space Weather Prediction Center issued a report stating that a very rare G4 watch is in place for Wednesday, Nov. 12 due to a recent eruption of solar material heading towards Earth. Watches are ranked from G1 to G5 for minor to severe geomagnetic storms that can cause the appearance of the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. The stronger a storm is, the more likely it is the lights will be seen farther south. The SWPC said the solar material is expected to reach Earth on Nov. 12, leading to the appearance of the lights later that night. People may see the aurora as far south as Alabama and northern California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $2 million jackpot prize won in Kansas Lottery game Brenda Culbertson, a local astronomer, said the recent solar flare is the strongest one yet of the current solar cycle. She said it sent a coronal mass ejection (CME) towards Earth which may join with two other previous ones. What does this mean? The strength of the impact has already caused shortwave signal outages in the Indian Ocean, and if it persists, it could cause some disruptions in electronic signals, Culbertson said. It is not predicted to be catastrophic, but merely may cause some inconveniences. The SWPC currently has a G2 watch issued for Nov. 11, meaning people in northern states can start looking for the Aurora Borealis Tuesday night. There will also be another chance to see the lights again on the night of Nov. 13 as a G3 watch will still be in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Observers in Kansas who are hoping to catch a glimpse of the lights should seek out dark places away from cities and look towards the northern horizon the night of Nov. 12. Devices like mobile phones can be used to help see the lights above by opening the camera function and pointing it in the director of the northern horizon. The best places to see aurora is to be in a dark site with a clear northern horizon, Culbertson said. Start looking along the northern horizon after skies are dark. The colors may appear soft and faint, but if the impact is as strong as noted, some other features, like pillars, curtains, and more, may be seen. If the observer is in doubt as to whether there really are colors in the sky, using a camera for a photo that is a few seconds long can pick up colors better than the human eye can. Incredibly rare: How did a moose end up in Kansas? Culbertson said space weather can be unpredictable. However, she said shell be trying to photograph the event while it lasts. You can learn more about geomagnetic storms by heading to the SWPCs website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf 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 KSNT 27 News. The government shutdown could end on Wednesday. Members of Congress, including those from Georgia, are heading back to Washington, DC., to take that vote. Eight Senate Democrats joined with Republicans and voted to end the shutdown on Monday. Senate Democrats didnt get what they wanted, negotiations to extend the Affordable Care Act health care subsidies. Now the measure moves to the House, and the vote will probably go down party lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many members of the Georgia delegation couldnt talk on Tuesday because they were traveling back to Washington. But Democrat Rep. Lucy McBath did. She told Channel 2s Karyn Greer that House Democrats will demand an agreement to lower health care costs. So, the House Democrats, weve been very, very clear from the beginning that we want a bipartisan funding agreement that lowers their health care costs, McBath said. House Republicans are weighing in, too. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Mike Collins said in a social media post, The Senate has officially passed the clean, non-partisan continuing resolution. The end of the Schumer shutdown is near. I think the perception in the media is going to be the democrats caved, University of North Georgia Political Science Professor Nathan Price told Channel 2s Richard Elliot. He believes Republicans won the 41-day shutdown, and so does University of Georgia Political Science Professor Charles Bullock. Right now, it looks like the Republicans are the winners, yeah. The Democrats didnt get what they, yeah, theyre drawing the line in the sand and said that this is necessary, Bullock said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Democrats will have some opportunities with the House vote. And Price points out, this will only keep the government funded through the end of January, so we could all be right back here again in 2026. I think really no one wins in these issues, and we all lose until we come up with a plan to confront issues in a more sort of civilized manner, Price said. Elliot reached out to both Georgia Sens. Ossoff and Warnock for comment after the Senate passage, but didnt get one. A conference volunteer accused of punching a San Francisco protester so hard she sustained brain damage and a broken jaw during a major economic summit in 2023 is seeking to have his case diverted to mental health court. Prosecutors charged Michael Davies, 42, with felony assault after he allegedly struck a woman protesting outside the security zone of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit nearly two years ago. But depending on what a judge decides next month, he could avoid prosecution altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the first time she has spoken publicly about the incident, the protestor, Sarah White, told the Chronicle she was sickened by the possibility. "From my perspective, it's really hard not to feel like the system is being used in a deeply inappropriate way to benefit people that it was not meant to be there for," said White, 41. Davies did not respond to multiple requests for an interview. His attorney, Tony Brass, did not respond to requests for comment. On Monday afternoon, White filed a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court seeking unspecified monetary damages from Davies, APEC and several other entities responsible for putting on the Nov. 15, 2023 CEO summit: the National Center for APEC, its subsidiary, Pacific Summit Resources and Sight Solutions Worldwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the complaint, Davies was a volunteer for the conference's exclusive summit, which brought in more than 1,000 business and political leaders - from Elon Musk and Sam Altman to President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. It was not immediately clear what Davies' responsibilities were as a volunteer. White was one of thousands of activists who took to the streets around the APEC conference to advocate for climate, labor and Indigenous rights. Her attorneys claim that APEC and its associated entities were liable for Davies' conduct by allowing him to volunteer for the event despite having a criminal history and not training him on ways to manage the swarms of protesters who announced before the summit they planned to form a blockade around the event. Davies' alleged criminal history included an apparent conviction in Florida arising from disorderly intoxication, public disturbance, resisting a police officer and trespassing; a conviction in Maryland for possessing a false identification card and a 2022 vandalism incident in San Francisco, which was dismissed through mental health diversion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, The San Francisco Standard reported that people aiming to volunteer for the CEO summit had to undergo a security background check by the United States Secret Service and had to attend mandatory training in mid-October. But White's attorneys allege that Davies was hired without receiving security clearance from the U.S. Secret Service, and was only required to have a valid form of ID to obtain his APEC CEO Summit badge and lanyard. According to the complaint, Davies entered the security perimeter on the morning of the CEO summit and "determined and/or was told" that he needed more professional clothes to wear as part of his job duties at APEC. NOVEMBER 15, 2023: Police detain a man (left) who assaulted a protester (shown with police on right) outside of the APEC conference. (Stephen Lam, the Chronicle) After his wife brought him a change of clothes, Davies made his way back into the security perimeter before encountering a large group of protesters who were attempting a "soft blockade" to deter CEO Summit attendees from accessing the entrance, the complaint said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A video taken by a Chronicle reporter shows a man later identified as Davies trying to force his way through a group of protesters, who were also shoving him backwards and yelling expletives at him. After he got through, he began speaking with an uniformed Secret Service officer who was standing on the other side of the fence. White said she first spotted Davies after pushed through the group of protesters. After witnessing that interaction, White said she went up to Davies and began yelling "shame" at him. In another video of the incident shared with the Chronicle, White is seen chanting "People over profit!" at Davies as he talks to the officer through a fence. He ignores her for a while, then walks away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But just a few seconds later, he turns around - and punches her in the face, the video shows. White collapsed to the ground from the impact of the punch, the video showed. One single blow broke her jaw in two places on separate sides of her face and knocked her teeth in, according to the complaint. The subsequent fall left her with a broken skull and bleeding in two parts of her brain, the complaint said. White said she spent four nights in the intensive care unit at Zuckerberg General Hospital. Her broken jaw had to be wired shut for almost two months. Fractures in the lower part of her skull that connects to the spine forced her to wear a cervical collar for four months, she said. It took months for White to be able to walk without becoming exhausted, the complaint said. With her jaw wired shut, she was only able to consume liquids through a syringe, the complaint said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He completely rearranged my bones in my body forever," White says, who said she was told by doctors that a concussion in the future could be fatal. She also faces a lifelong risk of epilepsy or seizures, she said. San Francisco protester Sarah White was hospitalized for a traumatic brain injury and a broken jaw after being punched by an APEC volunteer who has now filed a petition to have his case diverted to mental health court. (Courtesy of Sarah White) In the criminal case, Davies is seeking mental health diversion, a program that serves as an alternative to jail or prison time through classes, health and housing services or drug rehabilitation. Almost 27% of cases in San Francisco Superior Court were resolved through diversion so far this year. The programs serve as alternatives to jail or prison time through classes, health and housing services or drug rehabilitation. Still, they have slowed under District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, a seachange from the spike seen under her predecessor, Chesa Boudin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davies completed a diversion program after being charged with misdemeanor vandalism for a Jan. 2022 incident, where prosecutors said he whacked the side mirror of a truck while inebriated in the Mission District. White said the impact of Davies' petition for mental health diversion will impact her ability to make peace with an "irreversibly altered life." She says she can no longer work in the way she used to - the traumatic brain injury has impaired her short-term memory. A longtime educator, she used to be the director of an all-girls traveling high school and facilitated programming for youth across 50 countries, teaching "place-based history" and literature while leading white water rafting, rock-climbing, and backpacking excursions. These days, she is testing out cat-sitting to see if even that is a level of responsibility she can manage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm so looking forward to a day where I can have other thoughts and dreams and imaginings - and that the impact Michael Davies had on me isn't the dominant experience that I have in this world," she said. This article originally published at He rearranged my bones': S.F. woman sues APEC, volunteer over violent assault. The Capitol and downtown Salt Lake City are pictured at dusk on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Bumping all the way up against her deadline to decide what congressional boundaries will govern Utahs 2026 elections, 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson issued a key decision in the states court-ordered redistricting battle late Monday. In her ruling, Gibson overwhelmingly sided with the plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the Utah Legislature, blocking the Republican-controlled Legislatures map C from being used in the 2026 elections while instead approving one of the plaintiffs submitted alternatives, known as Map 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislatures map, she wrote, fails in many ways to comply with Proposition 4, a 2018 voter-approved law establishing an independent redistricting process and neutral map-drawing criteria. Plaintiffs in the redistricting lawsuit challenging Utahs 2021 congressional district map has proposed two maps, including pictured Map 1 to the court for consideration. (Courtesy of Campaign Legal Center) In sum, the record overwhelmingly supports the Courts conclusion that Map C exhibits substantial pro-Republican bias, the judge wrote in the 89-page ruling. Her order came at about 11:40 p.m. Monday, minutes before midnight on the day the states top election officials said would be the latest possible date to set a congressional map in order to give county clerks enough time to prepare for candidate filings in January. The judges selection gives Democratic candidates a good chance at one of Utahs U.S. House seats in next years midterm elections, at a time when redistricting shuffles are playing out around the country and both major parties are pulling for an advantage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah House and Senate Democratic lawmakers issued a prepared statement after midnight reacting to the ruling with a deep sense of hope and relief. This is a win for every Utahn, the statement said. We took an oath to serve the people of Utah, and fair representation is the truest measure of that promise. Gibson, in a ruling earlier this summer, voided Utahs last congressional map that the Utah Legislature set in 2021. In that decision, the judge ruled their map was the result of an unconstitutional process after lawmakers that year undid a 2018 voter-approved ballot initiative known as Proposition 4, which established an independent redistricting commission and neutral map-drawing criteria meant to guard against gerrymandering. To replace the 2021 map in time for the 2026 elections, Gibson ordered a remedial court process, giving the Utah Legislature and the plaintiffs suing state officials the opportunity to submit map proposals for her to pick from. She also restored Proposition 4 as law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a special session last month, the GOP-controlled Utah Legislature voted under protest to submit a map known as map C one that Utah Republican Party leaders urged their members to support as the least damaging option. Democrats argued that map C was the worst choice especially when paired with a bill, SB1011, that the Legislature also voted to approve to require the states next congressional maps (including the one picked by Gibson) to pass three statistical tests meant to bar the maps from favoring one party over another. Those tests (particularly one known as the partisan bias test) were problematic to use in a lopsided state like Utah, the plaintiffs argued, where active registered Republicans (916,236) outnumber Democrats (238,979) statewide by more than 677,000 voters. Republicans, however, argued in favor of codifying the three tests to clarify vague language in Proposition 4 and use their discretion to decide the best available data and scientific methods to use in evaluating maps, as Proposition 4 requires. That prompted the plaintiffs in the redistricting lawsuit which include the League of Women Voters of Utah, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, the Campaign Legal Center and a handful of Salt Lake County voters to file another complaint in court. They urged Gibson to block SB1011, alleging it cherry picks flawed statistical tests for states like Utah while accusing Utah lawmakers of again passing a law that impaired Proposition 4, therefore violating their right to alter and reform their government through a ballot initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gibson, in her ruling, agreed with plaintiffs arguments on SB1011 too and preliminarily blocked it from taking effect. Map C does not abide by Proposition 4s traditional redistricting criteria to the greatest extent practicable, Gibson wrote. And, based on the evidence presented, the Court finds that Map C was drawn with the purpose to favor Republicans a conclusion that follows from even S.B. 1011s metric for partisan intent and it unduly favors Republicans and disfavors Democrats. By granting the preliminary injunction, SB1011 is not the governing law for this remedial proceeding, Gibson ruled. Leading up to Monday nights ruling, Gibson listened to more than 15 hours of testimony and fielded over 1,000 pages of evidence submitted by attorneys for the Legislature and the plaintiffs, each side citing competing redistricting experts in their arguments over why the judge should pick their preferred maps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While alleging map C fell short of adhering to Proposition 4, the plaintiffs submitted two other map options for the judge to consider. The plaintiffs Map 1, they said, came from a set of 10,000 maps generated by a computer algorithm designed to comply with Proposition 4s priority-ordered redistricting criteria without considering partisan data. It splits only one city (Midvale) and has a significant population overlap with the Orange and Purple maps proposed by the Independent Redistricting Commission in 2018. The plaintiffs also described their proposed Map 2 as a least change map based on the Legislatures adopted map C but with changes made to correct its failures to conform to Proposition 4s requirements, splitting only one city (Pleasant Grove). From the other corner, legislative attorneys argued that lawmakers map C complied with Proposition 4s ranked criteria, which prioritizes minimization of city and county splits first while also requiring prioritization of other redistricting principles like compactness, contiguity, respecting traditional neighborhoods and communities of interest, and following geographic features. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Map C split three cities (Millcreek, North Salt Lake and Pleasant Grove) into 11 pieces and three counties (Salt Lake, Utah and Weber counties) into seven pieces. The plaintiffs maps each split one city into two pieces (Map 1 split Midvale while Map 2 split Pleasant Grove) and three counties into six pieces (Salt Lake, Utah and Weber counties, in both maps). Gibson, in her ruling Monday, sided with the plaintiffs arguments that the Legislatures map did not comply with Proposition 4, was drawn with consideration of partisan political data, violated Proposition 4s ban on partisan gerrymandering, and unduly favored the Republican Party over the Democratic Party. While Utahs Republican legislative leaders have said they dont think the judge would have the constitutional authority to pick another map other than Map C, Gibson wrote in her decision that state and federal courts have supported court-ordered redistricting processes when legislatures fail to enact legal maps. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This Court approaches this task somewhat reluctantly, Gibson wrote. But this is the remedial process recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court and by other state courts, agreed to by the parties in this case, and ordered by the Court. Based on the evidence and after an evidentiary hearing the Court found that Map C does not comply with Proposition 4s requirements. To ensure Utahns cast ballots under a congressional map that is equally apportioned under both federal and state constitutional requirements and that otherwise complies with Utahs law on redistricting in Proposition 4, Gibson said she must now choose a congressional map by the Nov. 10 deadline. The Courts ruling on which congressional map will be adopted is not based on any policy, she wrote. Rather, it will be based on the law. What now? The judges ruling gives more clarity for now when it comes to what Utahs 2026 congressional boundaries will look like next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But theres still plenty of uncertainty over the future of Utahs redistricting process. In continued angst over Proposition 4 arguing the narrowly-passed law jeopardizes Utahs constitutional order by removing the power of map-drawing from legislators Utah Republican Party leaders and the political issues committee called Utahns for Representative Government are pursuing another ballot initiative to ask voters to repeal Proposition 4 during the 2026 elections. For that ballot initiative, the group has been holding a series of public hearings across the state, including seven Monday night. To qualify the repeal question for the 2026 ballot, the group will need to collect at least 140,748 valid signatures from registered voters across Utah while meeting specific thresholds in at least 26 of Utahs 29 Senate districts. Initially, the Utah Republican Party had also said it would pursue a referendum on map C the same map it had urged Utahns to support but last week Utah GOP Chair Rob Axson told reporters party leaders decided against pursuing signatures for that effort, saying they now plan to put all of their effort behind the initiative to repeal Proposition 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only way to repeal a law that was passed through initiative, with Utahs current understanding following court decisions, is through another initiative. The initiative has always been the primary focus of what were doing. Nothing has changed there, Axson told ABC4. Utahs Republican leaders have also said they intend to continue to fight Gibsons rulings in court by appealing the case to the Utah Supreme Court, and if necessary the U.S. Supreme Court. But because the lieutenant governors office, which oversees the states elections, has said Nov. 10 would be the drop-dead deadline to determine the 2026 congressional map, its likely the map Gibson picked will indeed be used for next years election. But for 2028? More court battles and legislative wrangling are likely to play out to determine the future of redistricting in Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Gibson is likely to continue to catch the ire of Utahs Republican legislative leaders. During the Oct. 6 special session when the Legislature implemented map C, some Republican legislators indicated they would entertain the idea of pursuing articles of impeachment against Gibson if she didnt pick their preferred map. A proposed Utah congressional map, Option C drawn by Sean Trende for the Utah Independent Redistricting Committee. (Source: Utah Legislative Redistricting Committee) On the Senate floor that day, Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, characterized Gibsons court-ordered redistricting process as a joke and a farce. And Sen. Brady Brammer, R-Pleasant Grove, argued that the Utah Constitution says the only way a map can be accepted is by approval by the Legislature. It is our duty as a Legislature to approve a map, otherwise there is no other means by which a map may be used, even if parties ask for it, Brammer said. It would be a malfeasance in office a malfeasance in office for a court to attempt to accept a map that has not been approved by the Legislature, or for a lieutenant governor to certify and use a map that has not been approved by the Legislature. Under Utah law, elected officials and judges can only be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors or malfeasance in office. Any impeachment proceedings would also be required to start in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When pressed by reporters, House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, would not say whether the House would be open to considering articles of impeachment against Gibson, saying, Im not going to get into what the House is going to do in a theoretical (situation). However, he also said the Legislature will do all we can to protect the power given to it in the Constitution. Nowhere in the Constitution does it allow for a judge to be able to pick a map, Schultz said at the time. And we will adamantly defend that, to whatever means necessary. Gibson ruling SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A clip of President Trump insulting Omar made it to the congresswoman, who replied with a jab of her own. U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., hit back at President Donald Trump after he mentioned her during a recent Fox News interview. While discussing his views of Democrats, Trump told host Laura Ingraham that the party was filled with crazed lunatics. I look at somebody that comes from Somalia, where they dont have anything they dont have police, they dont have military, they dont have anything, said Trump, referring to Omar without naming her. The progressive congresswoman is the only member of Congress born in Somalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continued, All they have is crime and she comes in and tells us how to run our country. The Constitution says this, the Constitution saysThe whole thing is crazy. Trump also took a dig at Texas Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, repeating his go-to insult for the law school-educated, former civil rights attorney: Low IQ. A clip of Trumps remarks about her made it to Congresswoman Omar, who replied with a jab of her own. Unlike you, I can read and thats why I know what the constitution says, said the Minnesota lawmaker. Omar has been a frequent target of Trump, who has used her and other members of Congress, mostly progressive women of color, to depict the Democratic Party as radical. The insults of Omar, and others like Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and Ayanna Pressley date back to his first term in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, Trump infamously said of Omar and Tlaibthen freshmen congresswomen known as The SquadWhy dont they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. The comment was quickly slammed by Democrats as racist. More must-reads: SIOUX CENTER, Iowa (KCAU) Randy Feenstra was back in his old stomping grounds at Dordt University, officially launching his statewide tour. Feenstra has held Iowas 4th Congressional District seat since 2021. And, nearly two weeks ago, he officially announced his decision to run for Iowa Governor. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his launch, he highlighted how Iowa needs a strong leader in office during this time. Because this race matters. Iowa doesnt need a leader that shrinks back, said Feenstra. Iowa needs a leader that stands tall, and who? I am ready to take this stage to new heights. Feenstra said he wants real conversations with Iowans about what matters most to them. I want to lead this state. I want to make sure that we take this state to new heights. Meaning that we have to have the most business and ag state in the country, said Feenstra. That we have the most world-class education of all the states. Keeping our kids right here for when they graduate from high school that theres a skill and a job waiting for them. Then, making sure we have quality, accessible, affordable healthcare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Feenstra is currently one of nine candidates that are currently running for governor. The race for Governor is crowded with five other Republicans (Adam Steen, Eddie Andrews, Randy Feenstra, Brad Sherman, Zach Lahn), three Democrats (Rob Sand, Julie Staunch, Paul Dahl), and one non-party candidate (Sondra Wilson). 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Americans are now split on the achievability of the American Dream the idea that anyone in the United States can achieve success through hard work and grit. While 53% of Americans believe the dream is still possible, 41% dont believe its possible anymore and 6% say it was never possible, a 2024 Pew Research Center survey found. Learn More: Heres Why Bitcoin Can Act Like Digital Gold in Your Portfolio, Says Investing Expert Find Out: 3 Advanced Investing Moves Experts Use to Minimize Taxes and Help Boost Returns One person who still fully believes in the American Dream is Mark Cuban, who says that AI is making it more possible than ever. AI Can Be a Free Mentor for Entrepreneurs Cuban believes that AI is an invaluable tool for those looking to achieve wealth through entrepreneurship. The reason Ive done Shark Tank for so many years is because I believe the American Dream is alive and well and AI is going to help that, he said during the Clover x Shark Tank Summit. There are no stupid questions with AI. Its like having every professor Ive ever had, or heard of, or ever existed, available to me. Cuban said that now, when entrepreneurs ask him questions, he refers them to a free version of AI. Ask it crazy questions about your business and then go into Gemini and have it do deep research on your industry and competitors, he said. Dont be afraid to try it for everything. Write a business plan, a sales pitch, a song I can use to sell my product online. Read Next: Heres How to Avoid a Huge Tax Bill After a Successful Side Gig Mark Cubans Personal AI Strategy for Business Growth Cuban practices what he preaches, sharing how he personally uses AI. In my car, Ill have AI set up in voice mode and Ill have a conversation with it, he said. From a business perspective, Im a believer that every company should know how someone will kick their ass. What better question to ask than: Heres my company and website, how would a competitor hurt my business? Dont back down from these scenarios. Mark Cubans Warning: How AI Can Hurt Your Business While Cuban sees great potential for how businesses can harness AI, he notes that it should not be a substitute for person-to-person interactions with customers. Face-to-face communication works to the advantage of a small business, he said. You know your customers. As we go more and more down the AI road, people will start to turn on AI bots doing all the work, and they will prefer to work with someone who gives them personal attention. Pick the right spots for AI to connect with people. Researchers have discovered that large volcanic mountain ranges appear to play an important role in the global carbon cycle. With rapidly shifting climate conditions, the planet's ability to absorb carbon emissions may soon be affected. What's happening? As Phys.org reported, a team of scientists looked to the Southern Andes to explore how chemical weathering works in continental volcanic arcs. The Southern Andes is considered one of the most active volcanic regions in the world, with more than 200 hot springs, heavy rainfall, and multiple rivers flowing to the Pacific Ocean. First published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, the study examined the role that rivers flowing through volcanic regions play in carrying dissolved materials to the ocean. The researchers also took a closer look at the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the breakdown of silicate rocks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In active volcanic areas, gases and fluids released from underground can add extra materials to rivers through high-temperature reactions between water, gas, and rock. After collecting samples from 22 rivers and 16 hot springs, the researchers determined that the Southern Andes consume about 1% of atmospheric CO2 annually through the weathering of silicate rocks. Why is a study on chemical weathering important? Led by Amanda Pena-Echeverria, a researcher at the University of Chile, the study highlighted the utility of high-elevation formations and the resurfacing nature of volcanic arcs, which makes them effective at chemical weathering. This plays a critical role in regulating Earth's climate and carbon sequestration. However, our changing global climate could significantly alter the weathering from continental volcanic arcs like the Southern Andes, jeopardizing their ability to regulate carbon levels over time. Human activities that have increased carbon emissions may ultimately disrupt this natural process. A warming climate can lead to heavier precipitation in some regions, triggering stronger storms with more intense rainfall that can accelerate the weathering process. But in other regions, prolonged droughts could halt chemical weathering, drastically reducing a volcanic arc's ability to absorb carbon. What's being done about rising global temperatures? While the Southern Andes accounts for almost 1% of global carbon consumption from chemical weathering, the researchers suggested that further studies be conducted to determine the true impact of other volcanic arcs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our results highlight the significance of exploring interactions between low and high-temperature weathering in volcanic regions to improve our understanding of silicate weathering and carbon balance in the global cycles," the study noted. For now, countries around the world are more equipped to interpret the true impact of carbon emissions and their role in rising global temperatures. Many initiatives have been put in place to promote further adoption of renewable energy resources in an effort to reduce our reliance on planet-heating fossil fuels. 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. A new research study reveals a startling misconception surrounding microplastics and seafood. Researchers have found that popular misinformation is causing people to avoid foods that are actually healthy to consume. What's happening? A team of researchers from Heriot-Watt University examined how previous studies have analyzed microplastic contamination. Their findings draw attention to a concerning trend: The majority of microplastic coverage has focused on the wrong risk factors. "More than 70% of scientific and media coverage on microplastics in food has focused on seafood, contributing to the public perception that eating fish is the biggest risk," Heriot-Watt University reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, researchers have found that consuming fish is not the greatest risk factor for exposure to microplastics. Instead, individuals are exposed to the highest concentration of microplastics from indoor air and dust. Professor Ted Henry from Heriot-Watt's School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society said: "Seafood, including mussels and oysters and finfish like salmon and cod, may contribute 1-10 microplastic particles per day, which is consistent with other foods, like salt, honey, and chicken. "Ingestion from bottled water is estimated at 10-100 particles per day, and exposure from indoor air accounts for considerably higher exposure 100-1,000 particles per day. "There is minimal evidence that they pose a health risk. The evidence we do have indicates that plastic particles readily pass through the digestive tract and exit the body." Why is the new research study important? The new study highlights the alarming impact of misinformation. In this case, individuals are trying to reduce microplastic exposure in the wrong way, driven by a misguided focus on a single industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This misperception has real consequences, as some consumers report reducing consumption of seafood because of concerns over microplastics exposure, and thereby miss out on the health benefits of seafood consumption," Heriot-Watt University reported. Henry reiterated that the danger of eating microplastics might be somewhat overblown at this point. "It's important to put seafood into context not only because exposure levels are similar to other foods, but also because seafood brings significant health benefits," the professor said. "Yes, microplastics have become ubiquitous in all settings but there is no evidence that ingesting them is harmful to humans. Nonetheless, a growing body of research suggests that microplastics are detrimental to both the environment and public health. When microplastics enter the ground, they leach toxins into the surrounding soil. These microplastics then accumulate in local plants and wildlife, just as they accumulate in our bodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are gaps in knowledge about exposure levels and understanding of health impacts, but the public is not served by alarmist headlines that are not evidence-based," the professor added. What's being done about microplastic pollution? Researchers are speaking out and presenting evidence to debunk what appear to be overblown claims about microplastics. You can help combat microplastic pollution by ditching single-use plastics, repurposing items when possible, and opting for non-toxic glass containers. 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. Editor's note: This item has been updated with Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu's statement. A drone likely fell on Romanian territory during Russia's overnight attack on port infrastructure in Ukraine's Odesa Oblast on Nov. 11, Romania's Defense Ministry said. The incident marks another violation of NATO airspace during Russia's strikes on Ukrainian port infrastructure along the Danube River. The Izmail district, one of the main targets of the attack, lies directly across the river from Romania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the ministry, radar systems detected groups of drones near Romania's airspace, prompting air defense units to go on alert. Poor weather conditions, including strong winds and low clouds, prevented military aircraft from taking off. Around midnight, residents of the Romanian city of Tulcea were warned via the RO-Alert system about possible drone activity. On the Ukrainian side, near the port of Izmail, a series of explosions was heard as Russian forces targeted port facilities. Romanian troops received a report of a drone crash near the village of Grindu, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the Ukrainian border. Military units were dispatched to secure the area and locate debris. Authorities said the incident posed no threat to residents, though an investigation is ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These actions are part of a series of similar incidents and represent a characteristic of the war of aggression waged by Russia. This is also reflected in Russia's systematic provocations against the EU and NATO," Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu wrote on X. "We will not hesitate to increase the price that Russia pays for such reckless and illegal actions." Romania shares a 600-kilometer (370-mile) border with Ukraine, stretching along the Danube River and the Black Sea coast. Two months earlier, a Russian drone also entered Romania's airspace during another strike on Ukraine, penetrating about 10 kilometers (6 miles) and remaining for around 50 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Romanian forces did not engage the drone, which eventually returned toward Ukraine. Read also: Ukraine strikes oil refinery in Russias Saratov Oblast, oil terminal, warehouse in occupied territories, General Staff confirms Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A roundabout is proposed to be built on Highway 303 just east of the Central Valley Road overpass near Silverdale, as part of the state's project to remove barriers to fish migration. The Washington State Department of Transportation is planning to build a new roundabout on Highway 303, also known as Waaga Way at the overpass to Central Valley Road and is seeking public comment on the plan in a meeting on Nov. 13. The proposal as currently shown would eliminate an exits from the westbound highway that is used to access Central Valley Road, which crosses over Hoot Creek, and use the roundabout for access instead. If the highway change is implemented, cars driving westbound, or toward Silverdale, on Waaga Way will go through a roundabout with two lanes, one that continues west and another that would exit onto Central Valley Road at the intersection with Bucklin Hill Road. Eastbound traffic, headed toward Bremerton, would still exit at approximately the same place or have the option to stay in a roundabout lane that continues east. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cars entering the highway off Central Valley Road would use the roundabout to go either direction on Highway 303, since the on-ramp on the north side of the highway would be removed. The potential reconfiguration is just west of a major housing development, known as Royal Valley Development, which is building a new single access to Waaga Way not far from where the roundabout will be. This map shows upcoming proposed changes to SR 303 and Central Valley Road NE, planned to open salmon habitat on Hoot Creek while helping improve traffic flow, according to WSDOT. The state is having a meeting on the proposed change at Fairview Middle School on Thursday, Nov. 13. Using the roundabout to replace the existing structures can improve natural habitat for fish and wildlife, provide a transition that slows traffic east of the overpass, shorten the overall construction timeline, and reduce the overall cost, according to WSDOT. How would culverts be changed? According to the agency, small streams that feed into Hoot Creek, which runs under Bucklin Hill Road and Waaga Way, and the main creek itself have pipes that could block fish migration and prevent them from swimming through. There are nine culverts in total along the intersection of Waaga Way and Central Valley Road, including the on-and off-ramps, and the proposed roundabout will reduce the number of these structures from nine to three. There are currently nine culverts around the interchange of NE Waaga Way and Central Valley Road. A proposed roundabout a removal of some roads are continued projects by WSDOT to remove fish barriers on streams that run under state highways, which could begin as soon as 2028. The agency described it as a cost-saving design compared to other options, including reconfiguring the interchange in different ways or maintaining the existing interchange layout while only replacing fish passage structures, said Doug Adamson, a spokesperson at WSDOT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Cost savings would come under this approach (roundabout) as fewer bridges or barrier free culverts would need to be built," Adamson said. The final construction costs for the roundabout construction are not yet available. The actual cost will be refined as WSDOT moves into detailed engineering, Adamson said. Construction is expected to start in 2028, and major construction activities may be completed in the spring of 2030. Project timelines and the number of barriers to be replaced are subject to change, according to WSDOT. Daytime and nighttime single-lane closures may be required during construction. Vehicles travel down highway 303 just east of the Central Valley Road overpass on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The state Department of Transportation is taking public feedback on a plan to build a roundabout on the highway, part of a project to replace culverts that protect salmon habitat on Hoot Creek. Comment on the project Thursday at Fairview People can participate in an online open house at engage.wsdot.wa.gov until Dec. 12 to learn more about WSDOT's plan and submit their comments through the website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An in-person open house will take place at Fairview Middle School gym, 8107 Central Valley Road NE, Bremerton, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 13. This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: WSDOT proposes new roundabout on Highway 303 near Silverdale A victim of the mass stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire has described Ryanairs decision to deny him a refund as sad and childish. Stephen Crean, 61, was due to fly to Austria on Wednesday 5 November to watch Nottingham Forest play SK Sturm Graz in the Europa League. He was unable to make the journey, however, after sustaining stab wounds to his left hand, back, bottom and head in the attack on Saturday 1 November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After confronting the attacker, he managed to escape by crawling into an empty toilet and locking the door before the train arrived at Huntingdon station. Mr Crean was hailed a hero for his actions. Speaking to The Independent, Mr Crean described how friends attempted to secure a refund for the missed Ryanair flight. Somebody else has applied for me, because I havent had the use of my left hand and Im left-handed, he said. So thats the problem. Now Im right-handed, and Im just learning to use my right hand. There are other people that are trying [on my behalf] that are on Ryanairs case but they are still not having it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the pressure, the airline has thus far refused to return Mr Creans payment. All Ryanair air fares are non-refundable, which is why we strongly recommend passengers take out travel insurance in order to protect themselves if they cant travel, a Ryanair spokesperson told The Independent. The airlines website states that all its tickets are generally non-refundable. If your flight operated and you didnt travel, youre not entitled to a refund. You may have valid reasons for deciding not to travel, but our business model is simple we dont offer refunds to people who dont travel because the seat you booked has operated empty in your absence, the policy states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The policy states that passengers may be entitled to a refund when the airline has cancelled a flight, failed to operate the flight or denied boarding. Thats what theyve said, and theyre going to stand by that, and I find it rather sad and childish, said Mr Crean. Its not all about money. Its got nothing to do with money. And they should know that it could have been Ryanair staff in that buffet car. They should grow up a bit and do something. Just stop being petty about this, its childish. It is pretty sickening, he says, that the airline is refusing to change its mind. I mean, theres not very much you can do about it if theyre just set in their ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I used to be like that. But things happen... and you change for the best. So maybe they must change, because people are going to think very low of them now. Philip Chambers, one of Mr Creans friends, said, according to The Telegraph, that Ryanairs decision was shocking. He went on to say that his friend was gutted he couldnt come to Austria, and said: I understand they have policies and Id say Im not surprised but you think but they might change their mind when you think of the impact of what Stephen has done. Meanwhile, one Forest fan, Kevin George, said he hoped some fans would start to boycott the airline over the fact theyve refused to refund a hero who put himself on the line for others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Mr Crean was unable to board his flight to Austria to catch the away game, he did attend Forests match against Leeds United on Sunday with his arm in a sling. As he took his seat, his picture was shown on large screens as he was greeted with applause from home and away fans. After the 1 November attack, 10 patients were taken by ambulance to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, and one patient self-presented, British Transport Police said last Tuesday. Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder following the attack. Read more: There was nowhere to go, I didnt have a choice hero opens up on moment he confronted Huntingdon knife attacker Saint Joseph School will host information sessions for prospective students and their families, according to a community announcement. The first session will take place at 4:15 p.m. Nov. 12 at St. James the Greater Library, 49 Crosswinds Drive, Charles Town, West Virginia. This session is for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. A session for high school students will follow at 5 p.m. The second session is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the St. Joseph School cafeteria, 110 E. Stephen St., Martinsburg, West Virginia. This session will focus on high school students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the sessions, attendees will learn about the Hope Scholarship, which covers more than 60% of tuition costs through the West Virginia Treasury. Additional funding options will also be discussed. Established in 1883, St. Joseph School educates in the spirit of the Gospels, instilling Catholic values, academic excellence and service to those in need. Open enrollment for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade will begin Feb. 6, 2026. Enrollment for grades nine and 10 opened in November. For more information, interested individuals can contact Principal Maria Byrd at mbyrd@sjswv.org or Admissions Director Patti Maerten Hicks at pmaertenhicks@sjswv.org. Additional details are available on the school's websites, sjswv.org and sjhswv.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@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 https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Saint Joseph School to host sessions on admissions and tuition aid A San Antonio physician has settled a federal lawsuit brought by two State Farm insurance companies that alleged he performed unnecessary and expensive spinal surgeries and procedures on patients injured in auto accidents to inflate the value of their insurance claims. While final settlement terms have not been revealed, Dr. Sanjay Misra agreed to pay $314,000 to State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. and State Farm County Mutual Insurance Co. of Texas under the terms of a preliminary settlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details of that settlement were disclosed during a Sept. 26 court hearing following a successful mediation with U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad. READ MORE: Auto insurers sue San Antonio doctor over hundreds of unnecessary' medical procedures A transcript of the hearing outlining the mediated settlement was filed with the court Oct. 2 but was later sealed by U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam. The request to seal it had been made by Misra's lawyers, who said the sealing was "necessary to avoid any public conflict from potential minor variations between the Mediation Conference Transcript and the final settlement agreement." Misra's attorneys also said sealing the court transcript was needed to "preserve the confidentiality required" under a federal court rule "covering the parties' settlement negotiations and terms discussed at the mediation conference which are still being finalized." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ricardo Cedillo, one of the lawyers representing Misra and his practice, said his clients were pleased the case is over, particularly given the court found State Farm's claims on "fabricated patient treatments totally without merit." "Throughout this case, Dr. Misra has maintained his innocence and there has never been a finding of any liability, wrongdoing, misfeasance or malfeasance against Dr. Misra or his practice," Cedillo said in an email Monday. "He is very happy to put this lawsuit behind him." A State Farm representative didn't respond to a request for comment. In reciting terms of the settlement at the Sept. 26 hearing, Bemporad said "State Farm has no intention to issue a press release of any sort regarding the claims." A State Farm lawyer said during the hearing that the companies agreed that they would not say anything other than "there's been an agreement with no admission of liability." It also agreed that it would not say anything contrary to Misra's statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the hearing, Bemporad gave the parties 45 days to work out a final settlement. There apparently were no hiccups because the two sides jointly filed a request to dismiss the case on Friday. RELATED: San Antonio doctor says State Farm insurance companies wrongly labeled him a criminal, wants $500K+ The court transcript shows Misra preliminarily agreed to make a $23,000 payment at the beginning of 2026, 2027 and 2028, followed by 11 monthly payments of $7,000 in 2026 and 2027, and then 13 monthly payments of $7,000 ending in early 2029. The parties agreed to release all claims they had against each other, save for some outstanding payments possibly due Misra. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Farm companies alleged in their lawsuit that Misra had submitted hundreds of fraudulent bills and supporting documentation. He denied the allegations. Submitting fraudulent bills through the U.S. mail amounts to a "pattern of racketeering activity" meant to defraud the insurers, the companies said in their complaint. The fraudulent bills and supporting documentation "were at the very least a substantial factor in inducing them to settle bodily injury and uninsured/under-insured motorist claims they otherwise might not have settled," the insurers said. They paid more than $6.5 million in connection with legal cases settled or litigated with 335 patients Misra treated for neck and/or back pain, according to a court filing. The companies had sought restitution. Misra filed a countersuit alleging the State Farm companies wrongly labeled him a criminal, which damaged his professional reputation and caused more than $500,000 in damages to his pain management clinic. Racketeering relates to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, which is a federal law often often associated with the prosecution of mob bosses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pulliam dismissed Misra's counterclaims early last year. During the case, the State Farm companies had subpoenaed the law firms of personal-injury attorneys and television pitchmen Jim Adler and Jeff Davis seeking all communications between them and Misra regarding more than 185 of his patients. Both law firms filed motions to quash the subpoenas, which were granted in part and denied in part. State Farm Mutual was Texas' second-largest auto insurer with a 16.3% market share in 2023, according to the Texas Department of Insurance. Progressive County Mutual Insurance Co. was the largest, with an 18.3% share. State Farm County Mutual ranked 22nd with a 0.89% share. This article originally published at San Antonio doctor agrees to pay State Farm companies to end litigation. A Santa Fe man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for an attack with pickup truck that left a young woman clinging to her life in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the Hopewell Mann neighborhood. Jonathan Castaneda, 23, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other charges related to the September 2023 incident, in which he intentionally struck the woman with his truck outside the Sangre de Cristo Apartments. Another woman Castanedas girlfriend at the time faces pending conspiracy charges in connection with the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a deal with prosecutors accepted by a state district judge late last week, Castaneda pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, leaving the scene of an accident with great bodily harm and criminal damage to property, along with the count of attempted murder. Prosecutors dismissed a count of tampering with a vehicle. Castaneda has been held in the Santa Fe County jail since November 2023, but he will serve the remainder of his sentence in a state prison, according to the plea agreement. He was arrested more than two months after the victim, then 19, was found bloodied and unconscious in the apartment complex parking lot. While police initially believed she had been beaten, they later said surveillance video showed she was struck by a vehicle. She remained in a coma for more than a month after the attack and suffered a traumatic brain injury, her family said at the time. After reviewing surveillance video and cellphone data, police identified Castaneda as a suspect, alleging he had run down the teen a previous romantic interest in his white Chevrolet Silverado, according to court affidavits. Although Castaneda told investigators he acted alone, police later charged his then-girlfriend, Esmeralda Jasso-Laguna, citing text messages between the two about the attack, officers wrote in the affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two had discussed detailed plans for the attack via text message, including hours of conversations by text on the day of the incident, the affidavits state. When Castaneda told Jasso-Laguna in a text message he had lost track of the victim after following her around town, Jasso-Laguna told him to find her, a detective wrote, adding Jasso-Laguna referred to the woman as the problem and urged Castaneda to kill her. Castaneda admitted to slashing the womans tires and busting the windows out of her car in separate incidents months before the near-fatal attack, police wrote in the affidavit, adding those incidents also corresponded with long text message threads between Castaneda and Jasso-Laguna. Jasso-Laguna faces charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit criminal damage to property, according to an amended criminal complaint filed earlier this year. A plea hearing in her case is scheduled Dec. 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Affidavits indicate Castaneda had said he was romantically involved with the victim while he and Jasso-Laguna were on a break the previous year. After he told Jasso-Laguna about the affair earlier in 2023, the affidavits say she suffered a miscarriage. Jasso-Laguna was booked into the Santa Fe County jail in December 2023, but a judge ordered her release the following March. Filings from a separate civil case between her and Castanada indicate she had delivered a baby in May 2024. A judge ordered a blood test to determine whether Castaneda was the newborns father, and the civil case was then closed. Castanedas attorney did not return a phone call Monday to comment on the outcome of his criminal case, and the victims family members could not be reached to provide information on her recovery. By Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Saudi Arabia is expected to host a U.S.-Saudi investment summit in Washington on November 19 during a visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to a source familiar with the planning. Bin Salman will be in Washington to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on November 18, a White House official said last week. The summit will be held on the sidelines of bin Salman's visit and not be a part of his official schedule, the source said, declining to be identified because the event is not yet public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Bin Salman may drop in, but their participation was not currently part of the program, the source added. News of the summit was first reported by CBS News, which, citing an invitation, reported that the event would be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and co-hosted by the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia and the U.S.-Saudi Business Council. Bin Salman will visit Washington as Trump pushes Saudi Arabia to join the list of nations that have joined the Abraham Accords normalizing relations between Israel and Muslim-majority nations. Saudi Arabia is one of the largest customers for U.S. arms, and Trump and bin Salman may also discuss a U.S.-Saudi defense agreement. The Financial Times reported last month that there were hopes the two countries could sign such an agreement during bin Salman's visit. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; additional reporting by Christian Martinez and Ismail Shakil; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Lincoln Feast) Mark Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur, expressed his concerns about the implementation of the Medicare for All Act advocated by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Potential Issues With Universal Healthcare Plan Cubans post on X, late Sunday, highlighted several issues with the execution of the Act, while agreeing with its goals. He argued that the plan gives excessive power to the HHS Secretary, allows top providers to opt out and avoid Medicare rates, and unrealistically requires annual drug price renegotiations. Cuban also warned that eliminating most private insurance could allow providers to profit more through financing systems and credit checks. He questioned a confusing clause about hospitals contracting only in emergencies: You say hospitals that opt out can only sign a contract if from Sec. 303(b)(1)(B) "be entered into at a time when the individual is facing an emergency health care situation; quoted Cuban from Bernies plan. Trending: Bezos' Favorite Real Estate Platform Launches A Way To Ride The Ongoing Private Credit Boom According to the billionaire, This makes no sense. Cuban also noted that, unlike other nations with universal healthcare, Sanders' plan lacks cost-control mechanisms like gatekeeper doctors or patient premiums which, he said, could make the program financially unsustainable. Your M4A plans has issues bernie. Goals is good. Particulars, not so much. 1. Everything is at the discretion of the sec of HHS. Including the drug formulary. And what is a medical necessity. How would that be working right now ? (p31) 2. Any provider can choose not to https://t.co/n0fLOnk3fk Cubans post was a response to Bernie Sanders sarcastic take on President Donald Trump's November 8, Truth Social statement, in which Trump slammed "big, bad" insurance companies for profiting from Obamacare subsidies. Sanders quipped that if Republicans truly wanted to curb private insurer power, they should support Medicare for All. Oh, Trump and the Republicans can't stand how the big, bad insurance companies are ripping-off Americans. Really? Are you serious? Then I welcome your support for Medicare for All. Let's end the greed of the insurance industry & make healthcare a human right, not a privilege. See Also: The ChatGPT of Marketing' Just Opened a $0.81/Share Round 10,000+ Investors Are Already In Cubans Not Perfect Solution In another post, Cuban proposes an alternative plan as a solution, which he acknowledges is not perfect. A Saudi psychiatrist has admitted being the driver of a car that ploughed through a Christmas market in Germany, killing six people and injuring more than 300. Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, who was described as a critic of Islam and a supporter of the far-Right Alternative for Germany [AfD] party, confessed to carrying out the Dec 20 terror attack as he went on trial in the east German city of Magdeburg. I am the one who was driving the car, Mr Abdulmohsen told the court, speaking in handcuffs from inside a bullet-proof cell that was specially built for the trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 51-year-old expressed no remorse for the attack and did not offer an apology. Emergency services rush to the scene after car ploughs into people at Magdeburg Christmas market | Credit: Quellgeist/X In a rambling speech from the dock, he spoke about the French philosopher Voltaire and womens rights in Saudi Arabia. At one point, he accused Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor, of betraying Germany and suggested that his testimony could take several days of hearings to conclude. The defendant also used a laptop, which was provided to help him follow the proceedings, to show the court two slogans whose meaning was unclear: MagdeburgGate and Sept 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latter appeared to be referring to state elections due to be held in in 10 months time in Saxony-Anhalt, which the AfD is likely to win. The courts judge repeatedly told Mr Abdulmohsen to stop bringing politics into his testimony, as some survivors of the attack shook their heads and others walked out of the public gallery. Matthias Bottcher, the chief public prosecutor, told the court that Mr Abdulmohsens attack killed six and injured more than 300 when he deliberately drove his 2-tonne, 340-horsepower car into crowds at the Magdeburg Christmas market. He described the defendant as an opponent of Islam who was motivated to carry out the attack due to his belief in conspiracy theories and a sense of perceived injustice related to a legal dispute. The attack came five days before Christmas and left Germany in a state of shock - AP/Michael Probst In Germanys legal system, defendants do not issue a plea but are allowed to respond to the charge themselves in court if they so wish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Magdeburg attack horrified Germany as it took place just a few days before Christmas with many severely injured. The defendant was able to access the Christmas market in a rented BMW X3 due to a gap in a security barrier around its perimeter. Such barriers are supposed to be in place at all German Christmas markets to prevent terror attacks. b' ' Because he had posted a string of violent threats on social media before the attack, Germanys security services are facing criticism for not catching him before he struck. Saudi Arabian authorities had also warned Germany about a specific threat he made in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Abdulmohsen came to Germany in 2006 as a refugee from Saudi Arabia, and had worked in Germany as a psychiatrist until 2020. The trial is set to last for around 50 days and is likely to conclude in March, with the defendant facing life imprisonment if convicted. 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. WASHINGTON The U.S. Senate on Monday passed legislation to fund the government after a 41-day standoff over health care, sending the bill to the Republican-controlled House, which is expected to quickly approve it and end the government shutdown later this week. The vote was 60-40, with seven Democrats and one independent senator joining Republicans in support of the measure. Politics: Jittery Trump Issues Warning To Supreme Court In Late-Night Tirade The impasse ended after a group of moderate Senate Democrats cut a deal with Republicans to fund the government without key demands of their party, including an extension of enhanced subsidies for people enrolled in the Affordable Care Act that are due to expire next year. Republicans agreed only to hold a vote on extending the tax credits next month, but thats expected to fail due to widespread GOP opposition to the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proponents of the deal argued its still a win for Democrats since Republicans previously werent willing to hold any votes on restoring ACA subsidies. Critics slammed it as a meaningless gesture thats doomed to fail. Mondays vote on the deal to reopen the government was briefly stalled by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who opposed a measure in the bill that would outlaw certain synthetic cannabinoid products derived from hemp. Paul said the provision will destroy the hemp industry, which is active in his state of Kentucky, and demanded a vote to strip it out of the bill. But the Senate rejected it by a wide bipartisan margin. Republicans also blocked, via a straight party-line vote, a last-ditch effort by Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) to include in the bill a one-year extension of enhanced ACA subsidies. Politics: Jasmine Crockett Makes Her Own Dominion Voting Claim In Conspiracy Shocker Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she couldnt support extending the subsidies without reforms, such as more stringent income limits on who could qualify. She also said Republicans were working with Democrats to craft a compromise solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So its just not true that we are ignoring this issue, Collins said in a speech on the Senate floor, seeking to rebut coming Democratic attacks over health care. Shortly after, Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D), who is vying to oust Collins next year, slammed the senator for her vote in a preview of the 2026 midterm elections. Susan Collins just voted against extending the ACA subsidies, Mills said in a post online. This vote is a betrayal of the Maine people, and it will send health care costs through the roof. While I have fought to expand health care and to make it more affordable, Senator Collins and Republicans in Washington are doing the opposite. Political Updates Read the original on HuffPost The Senate on Monday approved a funding package that is expected to bring to a close the longest government shutdown in US history, after a coalition of Democrats broke from their party and voted with Republicans, in a move that has enraged many in their caucus. The vote passed in a 60-40 tally, with seven Democrats and one independent joining all Republicans to approve a compromise deal that would fund most federal agencies through January. The agreement, which next goes to the House of Representatives, does not directly address the expiring tax credits for healthcare premiums, the issue at the center of the 40-day stalemate between Democrats and Republicans, though the Senate majority leader, John Thune, has promised a Senate vote later this year on the subsidies. Donald Trump has already expressed support for the deal, and the House speaker, Mike Johnson, has urged members of the House which has been on an extended recess since the shutdown began to return in preparation for a vote and a swift delivery to the presidents desk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: How each senator voted on legislation to end US government shutdown The legislation extends government funding at current levels through January 2026 along with three year-long provisions that will fund programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the USDA and FDA, and legislative branch operations. The continuing resolution also includes language to stop mass federal firings and reverse dismissals that occurred during the shutdown prohibiting additional reductions until the end of January and guarantees back pay to workers who have spent weeks without paychecks. Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said he would abide by the terms of the deal, including provisions reinstating federal workers who had received reduction-in-force notices. Were going to be opening up our country very quickly, Trump said. The deal is very good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats have been fighting for the permanent extension of subsidies that support Americans relying on the Affordable Care Act, which are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. Without an extension of the tax credits, millions of Americans could see sharp rises in their healthcare premiums or lose their marketplace coverage entirely. The eight senators in the Democratic caucus who worked with Republicans to craft the deal are facing fierce backlash from party leaders to the activists who have mobilized behind the shutdown strategy for failing to win any of the healthcare concessions that they had sought. Democrats have said they are counting on a commitment that the chamber would take up a separate vote on a healthcare bill by mid-December. Related: Senate Democrats who defected in shutdown vote: This was the only deal This was the only deal on the table, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire said in a statement posted online, defending her decision to vote for the bill. It was our best chance to reopen the government and immediately begin negotiations to extend the ACA tax credits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fury is so great among Democrats that some have called on the Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, to resign, even though he voted against the deal and was sharply critical of its components. He either blessed this surrender, or was incapable of leading his caucus to hold the line, Indivisible wrote in a notice urging members to call their senators and demand Schumer step aside. Despite the Senates compromise, there was no guarantee any Democratic healthcare proposal would pass the Republican-controlled chamber. Earlier on Monday, Republicans rejected an amendment offered by the Wisconsin senator Tammy Baldwin that would have extended the ACA tax credits for one year. A handshake deal with my Republican colleagues to reopen the government and no guarantee to actually lower costs is simply not good enough, Baldwin said in a floor speech. The people I work for need more than that. Johnson said on Monday he would not guarantee a vote in the House on the Affordable Care Act subsidies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to do in the House what we always do, and that is a deliberative process, he told CNN. As you know, I do not guarantee the outcome of legislation or dates or deadlines or anything, he added. The Senate vote to end the gridlock comes as hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers missed paychecks, millions of Americans were at risk of losing food assistance and the transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, warned that air traffic controllers were facing unprecedented strain and that travelers should brace for further chaos unless the government was reopened. The U.S. Senate voted late Monday night to approve a government funding package backed by President Donald Trump, clearing the main hurdle to end the longest federal shutdown in American history. The 6040 vote saw near-unanimous Republican support with only Sen. Rand Paul (RKy.) voting against and eight Democrats joining to pass the measure. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson has called lawmakers back for a vote as early as Wednesday. President Trump has said he will sign the measure once it reaches his desk. Well be opening up our country very quickly, Trump said from the White House, calling the agreement very good. Funding Details The legislation, H.R. 5371, funds most federal agencies through January 30, 2026, and includes full-year appropriations for agriculture, military construction, and the legislative branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roughly 700,000 federal workers affected by furloughs or delayed paychecks are expected to return to work within days of enactment. The measure also reverses prior furlough-related job actions and restricts further personnel cuts through the end of January, according to the Senate summary. What Caused the Stalemate The shutdown began October 1, following a dispute over the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, originally enacted under President Joe Bidens 2021 American Rescue Plan. Those credits had used federal funds to offset insurance costs on the ACA exchanges and expired this fall. Democrats sought to include an extension in the new funding bill. Republicans led by President Trump opposed that proposal, insisting Congress reopen the government first. After six weeks of gridlock, Senate negotiators reached a compromise that excluded the subsidy extension but ensured full government funding. Senate Breakdown According to the official roll call, the following members of the Democratic caucus voted for the measure: Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, Dick Durbin, Tim Kaine, John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, Jacky Rosen, and Angus King (independent). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All other Democrats opposed it. All Republicans voted in favor except Rand Paul. Next Steps The House is expected to take up the bill this week. If approved, the government will reopen under the temporary funding framework while negotiations continue on long-term appropriations and health policy. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) All signs suggest the government shutdown may soon come to an end. President Trump signaled Monday he would sign a proposal passed by the GOP and a small group of Democrats late Sunday. Based on everything Im hearing, they havent changed anything. And we have support from enough Democrats, and were going to be opening our country, said Trump. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis celebrated the progress during a floor speech on Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a shame we got here. But I want to thank the members, on both sides of the aisle, that have finally decided that we need to do our work here, said Tillis. Tillis, though, acknowledged that the proposal does not address Democrats main concern about healthcare premiums that are set to soar for many Americans before the end of the year. We have about 90 days now to fix the other part that we couldnt get the agreement on, he added. As the bill moves to the House, a spokesperson for Charlotte Congresswoman Alma Adams says she is still reviewing the text. Republicans, however, have the votes to pass it without Democratic support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Charlotte, the impact is still being felt. Fliers traveling through Charlotte Douglas have been the latest to fall victim. After a rough weekend, CLT saw more than 200 delays and more than 60 cancellations on Monday. Airlines are telling passengers to expect delays and cancellations to continue until the government is funded. For that to happen, the Senate needs to do a few more votes and then send the package to the House. That body could vote as soon as Wednesday. QCNEWS.COM MORE POLITICAL NEWS 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 Queen City News. The Senate passed a government funding package Monday night that paves the way for ending the longest shutdown in history. The 60-40 vote came roughly 24 hours after a bipartisan group of rank-and-file senators, in tandem with Majority Leader John Thune, reached an agreement that officially broke a weekslong partisan stalemate. The bipartisan bill still needs to pass the House and get signed by President Donald Trump before the government can reopen. Speaker Mike Johnson has advised his members the House could vote on the package as soon as Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Senate passage puts the federal funding lapse on track to be over by the end of the week. Trump is expected to lean on any potential House GOP holdouts, and a cadre of moderate House Democrats could support the plan in a break with party leaders, who are still smarting over the failure to secure an extension of expiring Obamacare tax credits. Eight members of the Senate Democratic Caucus voted to pass the deal, the same configuration of lawmakers who voted to advance the package the night before. The package includes a three-bill minibus that would fund the Department of Agriculture and the FDA, the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects, and the operations of Congress for all of the current fiscal year the product of months of bipartisan, bicameral negotiations between top appropriators. All other agencies would be funded through Jan. 30. The shutdown-ending agreement brokered in the Senate guarantees that federal employees laid off during the shutdown are rehired and gives federal employees back pay. It would require agencies to give written notice to Congress about the withdrawal of the layoff notices issued during the funding lapse, plus details on the amount of back pay owed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also would prevent some future firings with a blanket prohibition on reductions in force in any department or agency at least until the Jan. 30 end date of the continuing resolution. Democrats will also get a vote by mid-December on a bill to extend the enhanced ACA subsidies that are set to sunset at the end of the year. Negotiators for the Senate Democratic Caucus led by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Angus King of Maine said the ability to vote on the subsidies constituted a major win. Negotiators made the case privately to their colleagues that the framework agreement was the best offer they were going to get from the GOP, who did not budge during the private talks on their refusal to get an ACA deal while the government was shuttered. But Democrats in both chambers, including members of leadership, questioned why they would support an agreement when Republicans didnt come to the table on their one key demand negotiating on the Obamacare credits. Some House progressives and outside groups were seething Monday and searching for someone to blame, with some calling on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to resign from his leadership position even though he, too, voted against the deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans have refused to move an inch, so I cannot support the Republican bill thats on the floor because it fails to do anything of substance to fix Americas health care crisis, Schumer said on the Senate floor Monday, adding that the 41-day shutdown has exposed the depths of Donald Trumps cruelty. Despite opposition to the funding package from most Democrats and Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, lawmakers ultimately declined to slow-walk the process, choosing instead to vote on the bill early Monday evening so they could leave town for a weeklong recess the next day. Thune also appealed to his colleagues not to further delay the shutdown pain, which has led to thousands of flight delays and cancellations and an ongoing legal battle over the disbursement of critical federal food aid. I would encourage every member of this body, Democrat or Republican, pro-bill or anti-bill, not to stand in the way of being able to deliver the relief quickly. Lets not pointlessly drag this bill out, Thune said ahead of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In exchange for speedier passage of the spending package, Republican leaders gave Paul a vote on an amendment that would strike legislative language cracking down on intoxicating hemp products. His proposal to essentially preserve the status quo was defeated 76-24 Jennifer Scholtes and Katherine Tully-McManus contributed to this report. Tim Kaine privately laid out weeks ago what he needed in return for his vote to end the government shutdown: a moratorium on mischief. Thats what the Virginia Democrat told Senate Majority Leader John Thune that any deal had to include undoing the firings President Donald Trump and budget director Russ Vought had carried out since the start of the shutdown, as well as protections against future firings of federal workers, who make up a significant portion of Kaines constituency. It was a demand that Kaine wasnt sure the White House and Trump would agree to fully meet until the final hours before the nail-biter vote Sunday that cemented a bipartisan breakthrough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a lot of resistance but they needed my vote, Kaine said about the GOP reaction to his demands, adding that negotiators reached a meeting of the minds at about 5:45 p.m. Sunday. About five hours later, the Senate voted to move forward with legislation ensuring any federal workers laid off during the shutdown are rehired and blocking future reductions in force, or RIFs, through at least the end of a new Jan. 30 stopgap spending bill. Most of the attention to the six weeks of shutdown negotiation centered on Democrats demands surrounding health care, particularly the extension of key expiring health insurance subsidies. But the RIF language was the final piece that helped clinch the deal, according to interviews with six people involved in the bipartisan negotiations. With only eight members of the Democratic caucus voting to advance the bill the bare minimum for it to move forward satisfying Kaine was critical to ending the conflict largely on the GOPs terms while also giving Democrats, who have long worried about Trump taking a sledgehammer to the federal government, something to hold up as a consolation prize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaine was, by his own admission, a latecomer to the bipartisan talks, only joining late last week. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Angus King (I-Maine) began talking with Republicans the first night of the shutdown, by Shaheens account. The core group of negotiators included Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.), among others. Shaheen, asked about the RIF language, said that it was something the White House put on the table weeks ago as something they were willing to take a look at. Britt also said in an interview the idea was in the mix as she, Collins, Shaheen and others discussed possible paths to reopen the government. But while senators spent weeks quietly circling around the same rough framework, they werent able to secure a breakthrough. Things began to shift late last week, as Democrats elation over their big Election Day wins began to wear off and the reality of a record-setting shutdown including unpaid federal workers, worsening air travel delays and missing food aid began to set in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaine gave a proposal Friday to Thunes team and Collins, he recounted in an interview Monday. That sparked around-the-clock negotiations over the RIF language over the weekend, including direct talks starting Sunday morning between Kaine and Britt, an appropriator and key emissary between the various negotiators and the White House. I think I got off the phone at 12:30 a.m. [Sunday], I think Susan Collins was up for an hour past that and then at 5 a.m. I started getting text messages about this, Britt said. Tim Kaine and I talked a number of times both on the phone and in person. While senators were hammering out the RIF language, Collins and other appropriators were working to lock down another piece of the shutdown puzzle: a three-bill funding package that included money for veterans programs, food aid and other agencies, as well as Congress itself. Agreeing to the three bills, Democrats and Republicans believe, was key to helping rebuild enough trust to notch a broader deal to end the shutdown. Senators and staff worked night and day, literally, Collins said Monday night after the bill passed. It shows the Senate can work, we can produce the results that are needed." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, Shaheen, King and Hassan led the effort to privately persuade their fellow members of the Senate Democratic Caucus that the agreement was the best offer they were going to get from Republicans, who hadnt shifted in six weeks on their refusal to negotiate over the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. In the end, that wasnt enough to get most members of the Senate Democratic caucus including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who told members involved in the talks about two weeks ago he could not support the deal they were sketching out, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss details of the negotiations. Schumer continued privately urging them to hold out even as they moved to concede this week, the person added. But the senators had seen enough. This was the option on the table, Shaheen said Monday. She added that some Democratic colleagues who voted against the deal privately told her, I'm so glad you did that, but I'm not going to vote with you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Thune and Schumer at loggerheads, senators on both sides engaged in on-and-off shuttle diplomacy. Britt, notably, spoke with Schumer late last month a conversation aimed, she said, at making sure he was open to allowing the trio of full-year spending bills to move forward. Shaheen, Hassan and King met with Thune, who pledged that he would give them a vote on an ACA extension bill that they would have until mid-December to draft. We sat across from him, we looked him eye to eye, Shaheen said about the talks with Thune. The trio met repeatedly with each other, as well as a group of roughly a dozen Senate Democrats that eventually included Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the partys whip and highest-ranking Democrat who backed the effort. Durbin said he also spoke with Thune on Sunday, telling the South Dakota Republican that I was counting on him to keep his word on the ACA vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He assured me he would, Durbin added. Thune publicly reiterated his commitment to the vote Monday, though he stopped well short of predicting a breakthrough. I think there's some goodwill on this issue, he told reporters. We'll see if something lands. On the Republican side of the aisle, Collins kept in close contact with senators as she worked to lock down the appropriations bills and close out a deal that would reopen the government. Collins had privately pitched a six-point plan for ending the shutdown, and the eventual deal largely aligned with what she set out: enacting the three-bill minibus, teeing up another package of full-year bills, guaranteeing back pay for furloughed employees, promising the ACA vote, beefing up security funding for lawmakers and passing a stopgap bill to reopen all agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump never engaged directly with Democrats after an unfruitful late-September meeting with the top party leaders. But GOP senators, including Britt, made sure the White House was on the same page as what was being discussed among the lawmakers. Britt identified Vice President JD Vance, White House deputy chief of staff James Blair and director of legislative affairs James Braid as the key officials who helped land the shutdown agreement. Vance, Britt added, told her whatever you need, just let me know. The open line to the White House came in handy in the final 48 hours, as Britt, Kaine and other senators hashed out the final terms of the RIF agreement. Obviously the White House set the framework, and Senator Kaine knew what he needed to achieve, Britt said, describing her role as being a conduit and trying to make sure nothing got lost in translation. Katherine Tully-McManus contributed to this report. The Senate passed a compromise package to reopen the government and will send the framework to the House, setting the stage for the record-long shutdown to end this week after more than 40 days. The bill passed in a 60-40 vote after eight Democrats joined nearly all Republicans in supporting the measure. Its passage comes after weeks of negotiations in the Senate stemming from overwhelming opposition from Democrats, who wanted a permanent extension of COVID-19-era subsidies included in the final product. The Obamacare language was not tucked into the spending package, but Democrats were given assurances by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to hold a standalone vote on extending the healthcare tax credits. That vote is expected sometime in December, and it was enough to convince a handful of Democrats to end the filibuster that has plagued the Senate for seven weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight senators who caucus with the Democrats voted to end the filibuster and supported final passage: Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Angus King of Maine (an independent), Jacky Rosen of Nevada, and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. One Republican voted against: Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who objected over some language related to hemp regulations. The spending framework would fund the entire government until Jan. 30 and includes the full-year appropriations bills for the legislative branch, the Agriculture Department, and military construction and veterans affairs for the rest of the 2026 fiscal year. The resolution also contains language to reinstate federal workers who were laid off by the Trump administration due to the shutdown and provide back pay for those removed from their positions. That provision was a key win for some moderate Democrats looking for policy wins in the shutdown fight. The bill now heads to the House for consideration where it must be approved by a simple majority before it can be sent to President Donald Trumps desk for his signature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It may take a day or two before the House can consider the spending package as lawmakers scramble to secure flights back to the Capitol. The House has not been in session since Sept. 19. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., advised members to begin their return to Washington on Monday morning, with GOP leaders eyeing a vote as early as Wednesday, a source familiar with the schedule told the Deseret News. But House Democrats could seek to draw out the process. The bill must first be approved by the House Rules Committee, which sets the parameters for debate and voting procedure for legislation. Democratic lawmakers can introduce an unlimited number of amendments, which has historically dragged out the rules process for hours. The committee has not yet been noticed for a meeting, but a lawmaker on the panel told the Deseret News they could get started as early as 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Many of the lawmakers are still working on getting flights, the lawmaker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House leadership has started whipping support on the bill, with top Republicans warning they should not expect or rely on Democratic support. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told reporters Democrats would continue fighting against the spending package. America is far too expensive. We will not support spending legislation advanced by Senate Republicans that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, Jeffries said in a statement on Sunday. We will fight the GOP bill in the House of Representatives, where Mike Johnson will be compelled to end the seven week Republican taxpayer-funded vacation. Welcome back to World Brief, where were looking at a new page in Syrias playbook, Brazil hosting the U.N. Climate Change Conference, and U.S. aggression in Latin America. Sign up to receive World Brief in your inbox every weekday. Historic State Visit U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House on Monday, marking the first time that a Syrian head of state has visited Washington in almost 80 years. The meetingnotable also for Sharaas history as the leader of al Qaedas Syria affiliaterepresents a major thawing of relations with the onetime pariah state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than a year ago, Sharaa had a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head for his ties to al Qaeda. But following the overthrow of dictator Bashar al-Assad last December, an operation led by Sharaas militia, Sharaa rebranded his (and Syrias) global image as a potential ally to the West. Already, the United Nations Security Council has lifted some sanctions on Sharaa and officials in his government to create a pathway for better global cooperation. And after he met with Trump in May, the U.S. president praised Sharaa as being a tough guy and a fighter with a very strong past. Sharaa is hoping to use that tough guy image to strike a deal with the United States to permanently lift U.S. sanctions on Syria. In 2019, Trump imposed sanctions under the Caesar Act to punish Damascus for alleged widespread human rights abuses under Assads regime. But in June, Trump waived those penalties via an executive order, citing the need to give Syrians a chance at greatness. Trump appeared to try to appease Sharaas demands on Monday by having the Treasury Department announce that it is halting most sanctions on Syria, except for those involving transactions with Russia and Iran. But Sharaa seeks a permanent solution, which requires an act of Congress, and U.S. lawmakers appear hesitant to grant such a request unless Damascus adheres to several conditions, such as guaranteeing religious pluralism in the country and improving ties with Israel. Removing U.S. sanctions on Damascus is vital for Syria to join the global financial market; Sharaa has argued that foreign investment is needed to bolster the countrys health care system and rebuild its critical infrastructure after the 13-year civil war decimated the nation. The Syrian president is also pursuing outside funding to help with war reconstruction, which the World Bank estimates will require at least $216 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Sharaa is not the only one seeking to gain from a new U.S.-Syria partnership. Trump is hoping to convince Damascus to join Washingtons 89-country coalition dedicated to fighting the Islamic Statesomething that Syrias new military and its Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces already do. He also aims to expand the Abraham Accords by having Syria formalize ties with Israel, establish a military presence at Mezzeh airbase in Damascus, and build a Trump Tower in the capital. Washington and its regional allies see an opportunity to lock in place a favorable revision of the regional order by embedding post-Assad Syria firmly in their camp, political science professor Marc Lynch wrote in Foreign Policy. Todays Most Read The Man Who Could Topple Orban by Lili Rutai Trump Should Oust Maduro by Matthew Kroenig Gen Z Is Taking to the Barricades by Christian Caryl The World This Week Tuesday, Nov. 11: French President Emmanuel Macron hosts Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iraq holds parliamentary elections. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a two-day trip to Bhutan. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev begins a two-day trip to Russia. Friday, Nov. 14: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosts Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. Sunday, Nov. 16: Chile holds a general election. Monday, Nov. 17: Russia hosts a two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. What Were Following Seeking unity at COP30. The two-week U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP30) kicked off in Brazil on Monday with around 50,000 people from more than 190 countries in attendance. This years emphasis is on unity, as experts worry that increasing isolationism will exacerbate climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Either we decide to change by choice, together, or we will be imposed change by tragedy, conference President-designate Andre Correa do Lago wrote in a letter to negotiators on Sunday. We can change. But we must do it together. Whereas past summits have focused on lofty, multilateral agreements that often go unfulfilled, though, this years conference is expected to prioritize smaller efforts that dont require consensus in order to avoid the climate denialism policies of some of the worlds biggest pollutersnotably, the United States. This is the first time that Washington has snubbed the gathering in its 30 years of existence. But while the United States is taking a backseat in climate leadership, other foreign powers are hoping to pick up the mantle. The European Union is one of those leading the charge, though internal dissent over taxing carbon emissions has soured its reputation. Looking for more expert insight? Stay up to date with FPs extensive COP30 coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strengthening cooperation. Representatives from the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States concluded their two-day summit in Colombia on Monday after signing a joint declaration aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two regions. We are driven by the will to deepen the historical ties that unite us, at a time when multilateralism is being questioned all over the world, the declaration states. Such a commitment comes on the heels of growing U.S. intervention in Latin America. In recent weeks, the White House has ordered deadly military strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific and built up U.S. military forces in the region in what some experts suspect is part of a broader effort to bring about regime change in Venezuela. The U.S. Defense Department sent conventional ground troops to train in the jungles of Panama on Monday for the first time in decadeshighlighting Trumps heightened focus on the region. These operations have forced many Latin American nations into a precarious position: Appease Trump or risk becoming the White Houses next target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colombian President Gustavo Petro suggested during this weekends summit that the region recreate Gran Colombiaa single governing entity consisting of Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela akin to the European Union in structure. The answer to countering U.S. aggression should be our own union, Petro said. More coup charges. South Koreas special prosecutor indicted former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his two top defense officials on Monday with additional charges of abusing power and aiding an enemy state. The prosecutor alleged that Yoon ordered drone flights over North Korea in order to incite tensions with the country that he could then use as grounds for declaring martial law. Yoon declared martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, in an effort to consolidate power after his People Power Party suffered sweeping electoral losses earlier that year. The incident set off the countrys most serious political crisis in recent history. Less than two weeks later, Seouls National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon and suspend his presidential powers, and in April, Seouls Constitutional Court formalized his removal. The former president remains on trial for insurrectiona charge that could result in a death sentence if he is found guilty. But Yoon maintains that he declared martial law to protect South Korea from anti-state forces among the countrys opposition, including from North Korean communists. Odds and Ends Urban development officials in Egypt had the opportunity to rename the countrys administrative capital to something that symbolized the nations ancient history, growing regional influence, and distinct culture. Instead, on Saturday, they chose the name The New Capital, prioritizing function over creativity. Such a rebrand was not on the ballot for Egypts parliamentary elections, which began on Monday; if it had been, perhaps it would have received a more exciting name. Speaking to analysts after announcing the possible demerger, Weston wanted the focus of their questions to be focused on ABFs annual results, which were published at the same time. A counter argument would be ABFs diversified nature shelters the company from downturns. Now, however, its clear another type of future for the business could be on the horizon. ABF has not been alone among more sprawling businesses in facing the argument that it faces the so-called conglomerate discount that the company is, put simply, valued less than the sum of its parts. Our unique and exceptional food business has historically been less well understood by the financial markets than Primark, yet it has a highly attractive portfolio, deep global expertise and much potential, George Weston, ABFs chief executive, said last Tuesday when the Tip Top baker announced the results and its strategic review. If the split does happen, Weston told analysts he would hope to continue as CEO of the food businesses. Tune into any call ABFs management holds with City analysts and most of the questions focus on Primark and its prospects. The accounts showed the ABF group generated an operating profit of 1.48bn. On its own, the retail business brought in 1.12bn in operating profit during the year. The UK-headquartered group is run through five operating businesses and retail, which houses Primark, is the largest by sales, generating 9.5bn, or $12.49bn, (around 48%) of the companys group sales of 19.46bn in the year to 13 September. The business sought to emphasise that no decision has been taken but added the review may lead to a separation of Primark from its interests in food, which, as well as grocery brands, take in sugar refining, food ingredients and businesses in agri-food like feed and fertiliser. The board of the London-listed group has been reviewing the companys structure with a view to maximising long-term value, ABF announced. And, last week, the owner of Mazola cooking oil, Silver Spoon sugar and Twinings tea raised eyebrows with its announcement that, yes, it might now be ready to split its food operations from Primark, its international clothing-retail business. Associated British Foods may recently have gone some way to answer the persistent questions it has faced about its future in the UK bread market but the food-to-retail conglomerate has also had to deal with queries about the very make-up of its empire for just as long. Story Continues Needless to say, that was, understandably, unlikely. Barclays analyst Warren Ackerman asked why the company was considering the move. As long as Ive covered the stock, I never really thought its on the table, so whats changed in your mind? he asked Its about long-term governance, Weston replied. I think there are two different issues. The first one is food where I think we havent, quite frankly, been getting the scrutiny from the investment community that would serve us well because most of the scrutiny has been about retail and perhaps we want to put that right. On Primark, it's really about oversight of what is now a very big and very complicated business. And just maybe there's a better oversight model available to us than the brilliant model that we've been running with for 60 years. So, you go Well, that was 60 years. That worked absolutely fabulously and now, looking into the future, maybe its time to do something different. Weston acknowledged it is a big call and added: In terms of timing, I would imagine that we would have come to a conclusion about whether to stay together or pull ourselves apart by the interims and the process of actually getting there will take 18 months or so. Questions over Primark In a note to clients, Ackerman said there is broad agreement that there is pretty compelling logic in a split but there is some head scratching around the timing of the announcement amid lacklustre trading and the valuations among some peers in food and ingredients being under pressure. The underlying question we think some investors are trying to get at is whether the announcement around the consideration of a split was being made from a position of strength or a position of relative weakness, Ackerman added. ABFs retail division, which attracts much of the Citys focus given its contribution to the companys revenues and profits, saw its sales inch up 1% in the year to 13 September, contributing to a 2% increase in operating profit. However, like-for-like sales fell 2% amid declines from the retailers combined UK and Ireland business and from its operations on continental Europe. While Primarks gross margins are back to being above pre-Covid levels, the retailers like-for-like sales may worry some investors, especially if a split does happen. The disadvantage could be a lack of food cashflow to help fund expansion of Primark going forward, RBC analyst Richard Chamberlain said. A mixed 12 months for food... ABFs food assets have just had a mixed 12 months. Revenue and operating profits from the grocery division were down (though sales were flat at constant-currency), as the companys US oils and UK bread business offset growth from hot-drinks brands Twinings and Ovaltine (which have consistently performed well) and better sales and earnings from the groups assets in Australia and New Zealand. Revenue from ABFs ingredients business fell but operating profits grew amid productivity savings and work on managing input costs. The sugar arm, sales fell amid low European prices. The division swung to an operating loss as the lower sales mixed with the high cost of beet. And ABFs agriculture business saw revenue and operating profit decline amid one-off costs and a reduced contribution from the Frontier grain-marketing venture the company has with Cargill. ABF has a somewhat cautious outlook for its mix of food business for its new financial year. The company expects profits from its grocery arm to be around the same level as the US oils business continues to be challenging. It expects to hold adjusted operating profit in ingredients at broadly this year's level and the same metric for agriculture to remain in line with 2025. ABF is forecasting a small adjusted operating profit from its sugar business as beet prices ease and the group benefits from recent restructuring actions. ...but split seen as positive That said, within ABFs overall basket of food assets, the companys management sees a number of a positives, including its international grocery brands like Twinings, Ovaltine and Blue Dragon, behind which the group is investing in capacity in Poland. Weston also points to strong fundamentals in ABFs sugar business in Africa and the potential of its ingredients arm. In the year just past, 60% of the companys 1.2bn capital investment in went into food. Really the future of the food group is about growing the lovely bits, much more than it is about fixing the last few kind of headaches, Weston told analysts. ABF has sought to take action at some of its more challenging food businesses in recent quarters, including the move to bolster Allied Bakeries by buying UK competitor Hovis and restructuring its Spanish sugar business Azucarera. With the decisions that have been taken over the last 18 months, [ABF's food business] will have less baggage, should have a strong balance sheet, be very cash generative and be a platform for further growth, Shore Capital analyst Clive Black tells Just Food. I don't sense that ABF is going to become a stereotype, high-dividend yield, cash-generative, staple business. I think there are ambitions to grow that company and the platforms in agriculture, ingredients and grocery absolutely provide that. Richard Wyborn, a partner at European consultancy Food Strategy Associates, calls out areas where he thinks ABF may look to invest. "It has stated it wants to drive its big brands Ovaltine, Twinings and Mazola while it will also want to take steps to grow its position in bakery ingredients, something that will likely be a focus for future acquisitions," he says. Aside from Africa, some see ABF being more circumspect about investing in its sugar business. ABFs sugar arm might be more of a cash-generative business, sweating the assets in the UK and Spain, Black says. But [ABF's food business] should be a medium- to long-term growth story with a very strong balance sheet. It would be too easy to point ABFs possible split as another example of a major, listed name turning to a demerger to drive value. I don't see it like that, Wyborn says. This separation makes far more sense than some other recently announced deals given the near-zero synergies that exist across the retail and foods-related parts of the business. Black agrees. This is different. This is about a business where it's going to be looking at focusing upon wholly segmented channels between retail and food. Within the context of AB Foods, this is not about a strategy of focus in terms of further demergers and value creation that way. This is about the benefit of focus at a food-group level and applying a growth strategy upon the strong foundations in agriculture, ingredients and grocery very different to the list of multi-product, FMCG companies where, frankly, focus has been engineered because there were diseconomies from being set up as they were. "Maybe its time to do something different ABF split could prove positive for grocery" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The Shelby County Health Department launched a new program that allows residents to have free in-home HIV self-test kits discreetly sent to their homes, the health department announced Nov. 8. Anyone 14 years and older with a residential address can order a self-test kit, which will be delivered in unmarked packaging, according to a press release from SCHD. The kit also includes instructions and resources to "connect the user with information they need to protect their health, whether their result is negative or positive." Residents can order a kit at 901hivtesting.com. The website also includes information about free HIV testing sites, clinics that provide HIV treatment and how to get PrEP/PEP medications that can prevent infection. Tennessee applies for funding for rural healthcare The State of Tennessee applied for federal grant funding for healthcare in rural communities, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced on Nov. 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennessee will compete with other states for money from the Rural Health Transformation Program, which makes $50 billion available over the next five years to support rural health systems and expand access to care. A sum of $5 billion will be shared among participating states each year, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will distribute the remaining $5 billion based on "competitive scoring criteria." Tennessee has an historic opportunity to invest in and strengthen healthcare for rural communities for generations to come, Lee said. We know what works, because supporting at-risk and underserved Tennesseans has been a priority of my administration since day one. Im grateful to the Trump Administration for their partnership to ensure better care, closer to home, for every Tennessean. Congress established the RHTP through the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025. Tennessee launches program to help veterans transition into farming The Tennessee Department of Agriculture launched new resources to help military veterans and service members transition into agriculture and farm businesses, the agency announced Nov. 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new Military Farmers' webpage published by the TDA offers information on permitting, agricultural grants and state veteran benefits, alongside guidelines on starting and maintaining a farm. These resources are designed to make it easier for veterans to build meaningful careers in agriculture, said Agriculture Commissioner Andy Holt. Were proud to support those who have served our country and state by helping them find success in Tennessees diverse agricultural industry. In a testimonial on the site, farmer and veteran Nick Nicholls said he turned to beekeeping to cope with PTSD after he retired from the U.S. Army. Jack Armstrong covers breaking news and the environment for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at jack.armstrong@commercialappeal.com and followed on X @jca2902. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Tennessee applies for a share of $50 billion fund for rural healthcare Washington The decision by eight Democratic senators to embrace a deal to end the government shutdown has infuriated many members of the party, with critics saying the lawmakers abandoned the 40-day fight without serious concessions on the health care tax credits that were central to Democrats' demands. "Pathetic," California Gov. Gavin Newsom said. "There's no way to defend this," Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut argued. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, said "it would be a policy and political disaster for the Democrats to cave." The reaction is a reflection of the frustration among many Democrats, particularly progressives, who had urged their party to keep fighting after the strong Democratic performance in last week's elections. But the shutdown's ongoing toll was ultimately too steep for some of the party's more moderate members to stomach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resulting deal has exposed fault lines within the party that could reverberate over the months ahead and frame the party's internal debate heading into the primaries for next year's midterm elections. And it has led some congressional Democrats and progressive groups to call for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to step down, despite his personal opposition to the agreement. The shutdown deal The Democrats who broke ranks and voted to move forward had been engaged in bipartisan talks to find an off-ramp for several weeks. Led by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Sen. Angus King of Maine, the deal they struck secured a vote next month on Affordable Care Act tax credits that Democrats have sought to extend. Sens. Angus King, Maggie Hassan, Catherine Cortez Masto, Jeanne Shaheen and Tim Kaine at a news conference during a vote at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 9, 2025. / Credit: Stefani Reynolds / Bloomberg via Getty Images But the agreement doesn't guarantee an outcome of the vote, and most Republicans have made no secret of their opposition to extending the subsidies. Even if some version of an extension does pass the Senate, House Speaker Mike Johnson has not committed to bringing it up in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I understand the frustration and obviously I didn't agree with that decision," Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii told reporters Monday. "But what we have to make sure of now is that the health care fight lives outside of the appropriations process and doesn't depend entirely on the government being shut down. So now we have a fight in front of us." The Senate Democrats who crossed the aisle have pointed to other provisions in the agreement to argue it was worthy of support. A new version of the funding bill would reverse all government layoffs that occurred during the shutdown and prevent them for a limited time going forward. The deal would also restore funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at higher levels, and pave the way for a bipartisan appropriations process on other spending bills. The eight Democrats also argued there is value in putting Republicans on the record with a vote on the health insurance issue, which Democrats have thrust into the spotlight with the shutdown fight. The moderates viewed the deal after Republicans leaders refused to budge as the best possible offer they could secure. "We stood up to President Trump for 40 days," Shaheen said on "CBS Mornings" on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New Hampshire Democrat defended the move to cross the aisle despite the lack of tangible progress on health care, saying "we're going to be able to continue fighting on that issue because of the agreement that we struck with the Senate majority." "But we're also going to end the suffering of millions of Americans," she said, pointing to the millions of people who have not received food assistance, and the federal employees and air traffic controllers who have not received paychecks. "And we're going to live to fight another day and that's what we need to keep people focused on," Shaheen said. "It's not the Democrats who broke ranks who are the issue here." Critics are also directing ire at the party's leaders for allowing the defections. Almost immediately after the details of the deal came to light, Schumer faced calls for his replacement as the party's leader in the upper chamber. "It's time for him to be replaced. He is not meeting the moment. He's out of touch with where the party's base is," Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California told CBS News. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York leaves a Senate Democratic caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 9, 2025. / Credit: Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images "Tonight is another example of why we need new leadership. If [Schumer] were an effective leader, he would have united his caucus to vote 'No' tonight and hold the line on healthcare," wrote Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, a Democrat who is running for Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For his part, Schumer outlined his own opposition to advancing the measure to fund the government Sunday, railing against Republicans for refusing to engage with Democrats on the health care issue during the shutdown while pledging to continue the fight. "I must vote no this health care crisis is so severe, so urgent, so devastating for families back home that I cannot in good faith support this CR that fails to address the health care crisis," Schumer said on the Senate floor ahead of the vote. Late last week, Schumer said Democrats would reopen the government if Republicans agreed to a one-year extension of the health insurance tax credits. But Republicans swiftly rejected the offer. The New York Democrat faced a windstorm of criticism during the last funding fight in March, when he voted to advance a GOP-led continuing resolution. This time around, Schumer made a point of putting up a fight, engaging early with Republicans and the White House to negotiate a deal on health care while keeping his caucus largely unified against the GOP's funding plan for almost two months. Still, since the beginning it appeared unlikely that the leader would make it out of the funding fight completely unscathed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal that may end government shutdown Eye Opener: Senate advances funding measure that could end government shutdown "The Wounded Generation": Bearing the invisible scars of war Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, a newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. In todays edition, our Capitol Hill team has the latest on the political fallout from the deal to end the government shutdown and what comes next. Plus, Lawrence Hurley runs through a trio of notable developments at the Supreme Court. Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adam Wollner Senate deal to end the shutdown reopens Democratic rift The longest government shutdown in U.S. history may finally be coming to an end. But the Democratic infighting is only just beginning. Over the weekend, a group of eight Senate Democrats teamed up with Republicans to vote to advance a measure that would reopen the government. The agreement still needs final approval in the Senate and then a vote in the House before President Donald Trump can sign it into law. The details: As Frank Thorp V, Sahil Kapur and Brennan Leach note, the agreement contains three full-year appropriations bills that will fund certain agencies like the Agriculture Department through the end of the fiscal year next fall, as well as a continuing resolution to fund the rest of the government at existing spending levels through Jan. 30, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deal also fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program through next September, and reverses Trumps attempted layoffs of federal workers during the shutdown through reduction in force notifications. But in a major concession from Democrats, it does not include an extension of expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. The eight: Here are the Senate Democrats who voted with Republicans: Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire; Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada; Dick Durbin of Illinois; John Fetterman of Pennsylvania; Tim Kaine of Virginia; and Angus King of Maine (an independent who caucuses with the Democrats). One thing they all have in common, in addition to being from the more moderate wing of the party: None will face voters in the 2026 midterm elections. Durbin and Shaheen are not running for re-election, while the others wouldnt be up again until 2028 or 2030. Plus, Cortez Masto, Fetterman and King had been consistently voting over the past month for the GOPs stopgap funding bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The backlash: The agreement has sparked heavy criticism from congressional candidates, progressive activists and other Democratic lawmakers, Sahil, Brennan and Lillie Boudreaux report, reigniting a debate within the party about how to most effectively oppose Trump and the GOP. They argue the eight Senate Democrats are caving as the party had political momentum, pointing to last weeks elections and polls showing that the public placed more blame on Republicans for the shutdown. Even though Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., criticized the agreement and voted against it, he is drawing ire. Senate Democratic candidates, including Michigans Mallory McMorrow, Iowas Zach Wahls and Maines Graham Platner, used the episode to revive their calls for new party leadership in the Senate. The timeline: The Senate is expected to hold a final vote on the bill to reopen the government tonight. With flight delays showing no signs of abating, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., encouraged House Republicans earlier today to start getting back to Washington, per Melanie Zanona and Julie Tsirkin. Johnson also said he will swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., who won a special election on Sept. 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Trump is saying: Asked if he backs the proposal, Trump said: They want to change the deal a little bit but I would say so. Based on everything Im hearing they havent changed anything. And we have support from enough Democrats, and were going to be opening up our country. Supreme Court rejects bid to overturn same-sex marriage ruling while taking up mail-in ballot case It was also a busy day across the street from the Capitol. Lawrence Hurley wraps up the days developments at the Supreme Court. Same-sex marriage: The court turned away a long-shot attempt to overturn the landmark 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Without comment, the justices rejected an appeal brought by Kim Davis, a former county clerk in Kentucky who was sued in 2015 for refusing to issue marriage licenses because of her opposition to same-sex marriage based on her religious beliefs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her latest appeal in the case had attracted considerable attention amid fears that the court could overturn the 2015 same-sex marriage decision, Obergefell v. Hodges, in the aftermath of the 2022 ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade. Mail-in ballots: The court also agreed to consider whether federal law bars states from counting mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day. The case pits Republican-led Mississippi, defending a state election law that allows for mail-in ballots received after Election Day to be counted, against the Republican National Committee and the states own Republican Party. If the RNCs argument were applied nationwide, it would upend election law in many states, which count ballots that come in after an election as long as they were postmarked on time. Many of those laws were designed to ensure that the votes of overseas military members who submit ballots from afar are counted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A swift ruling could come in time to be applied in the 2026 midterm elections. Religious freedom: Additionally, the court appeared unlikely to allow a devout Rastafarian to bring a damages claim against Louisiana prison officials who cut his dreadlocks in violation of his religious rights. Today's other top stories Thats all From the Politics Desk for now. Todays newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have feedback likes or dislikes email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Siemens Mobility has unveiled its Velaro high-speed train to the Egyptian public for the first time at TransMEA 2025 in Cairo, an event focused on transportation and logistics in the Middle East and Africa. The Velaro is designed for Egypts railway requirements, operating at speeds up to 250km/h with a capacity for 489 passengers. Siemens, the parent company of Siemens Mobility, said that the trains features address desert operating conditions, including specialised filtration and cooling systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company reported adaptations to handle sand, heat, and dust as well as other environmental challenges specific to Egypt. Siemens also said it used Altairs advanced tools, which enhance the digital twin, to optimise the Velaro trains design. Meanwhile, the Siemens Mobility-built Desiro HC regional train completed its maiden run on newly built tracks near the 6th of October Depot, west of Cairo. The train is slated for commissioning on the Green Line, which is a 660km network linking Cairo with Ain Sokhna, Alexandria, and Marsa Matrouh. The high-speed rail network is being developed by Siemens Mobility in collaboration with Arab Contractors and Orascom Construction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egypt Deputy Prime Minister and Transport and Industry Minister Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel El-Wazir Kamel El-Wazir said: The inaugural ride of the Desiro regional train and the arrival of the Velaro marks a defining moment in Egypts transport modernisation strategy. This high-speed train project will help redefine passenger experience, reduce travel times, and boost connectivity between cities. The introduction of 94 Desiro High-Capacity regional trains is expected to increase network capacity, with each train accommodating up to 849 passengers. Features include air conditioning, ETCS Level 2 signalling protection, and wheelchair access. The Desiro HC can reach speeds up to 160km/h. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Siemens president and CEO Roland Busch said: We are witnessing the future of mobility in Egypt take shape. The public debut of our Velaro high-speed train at TransMEA and the first train run of the Desiro regional train are powerful symbols of progress and partnership. These milestones reflect our commitment to delivering world-class technology and supporting Egypts vision for sustainable mobility and economic growth. Egypts high-speed rail project involves three lines totalling over 2,000km, intended to connect major urban centres and reach nearly 90% of the national population. Upon completion, this system is expected to become the sixth-largest high-speed rail network globally by length. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Siemens Mobility has committed to a 15-year maintenance agreement covering all rolling stock supplied for Egypts new network, including 41 Velaro high-speed trains, 94 Desiro High-Capacity regional trains, and 41 Vectron locomotives. Recently, Siemens Mobility unveiled its newest regional train models for S-Bahn Mitteldeutschland at Germanys Wegberg-Wildenrath Test Centre. "Siemens introduces new Velaro high-speed train for Egypt " was originally created and published by Railway Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. A recent report from the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) reveals a daytime sighting in Pennsylvania. The encounter had reportedly taken place on October 4, 2025. The incident occurred on Interstate 80 in Centre County. It is near mile marker 169. The whole thing has left the investigators taking witness testimonies seriously. The sighting involved a driver who claimed to have watched a dark, upright figure cross four lanes of traffic and vanish into the woods in just a few seconds. Bigfoot sighting reported in Pennsylvania based on credible witnesses According to the BFRO report, the main witness in the Pennsylvania Bigfoot sighting is described as a retired civil engineer and Air Force veteran. They told the investigators that he was following another vehicle at a distance of roughly 150-160 yards. This was when he saw a human-shaped, uniformly dark figure move from the shoulder and cross in front of the car ahead of him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The witness recalled yelling at the creature. The encounter was brief, and they estimated the figure crossed the highway in about three seconds. They then disappeared into the median without appearing to climb over the guardrail. The BFRO investigator named Bejamin C., who interviewed the witness, wrote that he found the man to be sincere and very credible. The report also mentions another local who filed an account and described themselves as someone with more than 50 years of hunting experience. They insisted that this was not a bear. The witness gave several details that the investigators recorded. The Bigfoot figure spotted in Pennsylvania was tall and slender, moving in a smooth, gliding manner rather than running. It also showed long limbs with arms hanging below the waist. The witness did not see any clear facial features and also did not hear any sound. Based upon these testimonies, the BFRO report concludes, It is my assessment that, based upon the information provided, that the witness did see a bigfoot cross the highway in front of him that October afternoon. (via BFRO) The post Sincere Bigfoot Sighting Reported by Investigator in Pennsylvania appeared first on Mandatory. It may not even be Thanksgiving yet, but wintry weather has already made its way to Vermont. On Monday, Nov. 10, Vermont saw light snow cover the state, and according to the National Weather Service (NWS) of Burlington. That snow is here to stay for the whole week. Vermont will have snow showers every day for the next week, and while not super heavy, the snowfall may accumulate up to four to six inches in some parts of the state. Here's what to know about this week's snowfall in Vermont. When will it snow in VT this week? Hyde Street in Burlington, VT saw over a foot of snow from the Feb. 16, 2025 winter storm. Following the snowfall last night, Nov. 10, Vermont can expect to see snow showers every day and night for the next week, through end of day on Sunday, Nov. 16. The NWS predicts that lower valleys may see a mix with some rain showers during the day on Wednesday, Nov. 12 and Thursday, Nov. 13, when the high temperatures will reach into the 40s. However, the majority of temperatures this week will remain in the 20s or 30s, with heavy wind gusts making it feel as low as the teens or single digits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to the compiling snow, the NWS has currently issued a hazardous weather outlook for Vermont, warning that slick, hazardous roads are likely. Snow conditions in VT: Killington, Jay Peak resorts kick off snowmaking for 2025-26 ski season How much snow will VT get this week? Most of the state of Vermont will see a total of one to two inches of snow this week, including in Burlington. However, areas of the state surrounding the Green Mountains could possibly see up to four to six inches, including around Stowe and Island Pond. Specifically, counties that may see heavier total snow accumulation are Franklin, Orleans, Essex, Chittenden, Lamoille, Washington and Caledonia, as well as the eastern half of Addison County and the northeast corner of Rutland County. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: VT Weather: Up to six inches of snow possible this week. See map Have you ever heard anyone in the lineup threaten another surfer by saying that they will murder their family? Of course not, right? Thats a terribly criminal thing to say in any context. Yet, that is what Rasool Hendricks said to Remi Peterson on the morning of March 7, 2024, in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. In most of the world, that sort of threat is a punishable crime, but some people are ruthlessand theyll do whatever it takes to get their way. In this particular story, Hendricks pulled the race card by alleging that Peterson, who is white, called him, a black man, the k-word, which is a highly derogatory and racially offensive term in the country. Only it never happened. After a long and costly legal proceeding, Peterson has been cleared of any wrongdoing. He brought two witnesses, Matthew Luke Viera de Cruz and Trevor Hansen, in support of his defense. Hendricks summoned Hannes Niemand to support his claims; although he was present during the exchange, Niemand neither confirmed nor denied any of the statements. All of these men were surfing that day when Hendricks alleged that Peterson threatened him when, in fact, the opposite was true. To help support the legal fees, you can donate here. Official court record from the incident. MAGISTRATES' COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF SARAH BAARTMAN Both de Cruz and Hansen confirmed that Hendricks aggressively threatened Peterson by saying, "I will slaughter you and your entire family. I'll come to your house in the middle of the night and slit your throats. You must sleep lightly; I know where you live." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What started as a small argument between Peterson and Niemand, after Niemand snaked Peterson, escalated once Hendricks got involved. The initial argument had been coming to a close when Hendricks inserted himself in a mad rage. He relentlessly shouted threats despite Peterson responding, I dont want to talk to you." De Cruz decided to intervene and try and diffuse the situation, but this only further enraged Hendricks, who paddled over to him and threatened that he and his mates would rape his daughters and then slit his throat". Official court recording from the incident MAGISTRATES' COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF SARAH BAARTMAN History & media coverage Given the history of apartheid, racial aggression against Black South Africans is taken very seriouslyas it should bebut in this particular instance, Hendricks used this to his advantage; he played the victim. In the immediate aftermath of the incident, he cried wolf and was given the benefit of the doubt. Hendricks made false reports of racist remarks to the Human Rights Commission. Several news and media organizations took his side, as well as many members of the community, some of whom Peterson had known for many years. Why? After researching the story through multiple sources and reading official court documents, it may be best described as a general lack of courage and the ripple effects of cancel culture. Locals didnt want to be seen as taking sides against Hendricks for his mental health issues and long history of erratic and aggressive behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The media was quick to report on the initial incident and signal their way to the moral high ground, so they thought. Yet when the story began to unfold, most were nowhere to be seen nor heard. Theyd rather not risk it. The accusation by Hendricks was easy enough to report; they thought it was a straightforward case. The reality is more nuanced. Facebook Facebook Facebook Facebook Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mental Health In researching this story, I consulted a psychologist who turned me onto the 5 symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). They include repeatedly: Ignoring right and wrong. Telling lies to take advantage of others. Not being sensitive to or respectful of others. Using charm or wit to manipulate others for personal gain or pleasure. Having a sense of superiority and being extremely opinionated. I found this helpful in attempting to make sense of how something like this could happen. Such aggression has no place in the lineup, nor anywhere, but Rasool Hendricks' backstory is laden with such stories. Although described as clever and, at times, charming, these traits are overshadowed by his violent nature. Photo of Hendricks choking another surfer in a headlock in 2013. He called this a "joke". 2oceansvibe There is a long trail of verbal abuse and physical aggression, including photographs of him choking and repeatedly dunking an Australian surfer who was on holiday in Cape Town back in 2013. Hendricks claimed this was a joke. There are various testimonials of Hendricks being a perpetual aggressor-- corroborated in comments section of the YouTube video above and Facebook post below -- and I was even sent a video of him allegedly kicking his own son in the face and knocking him out cold (we chose not to share due to its graphic nature). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peterson, on the other hand, is a local guest house operator who also works with Wave Point Foundation-- a non-profit organization that "has uplifted, impacted, and empowered the lives of people in J-Bay since 2020. Our surf, leadership, and education programs aim to empower young African surfers." Trevor Hansen, who was a witness to the original incident in March 2024, had a case brought against him by Rasool and said, he failed to arrive for the case he made against me in retaliation for me being a witness against him. This was after a year and a half of postponements and nonsense. He failed to arrive for his case against Steven Sawyer as well. This whole sham cost myself and Remi over R300 000 and he has disappeared without punishment. To help support the legal fees, you can donate here. Interview with Remi Peterson SURFER: How long have you lived in J-Bay? Remi Peterson: My whole life, ever since my family moved here when I was about 2 years old. How and when did you first learn of Rasool Hendricks? We have a long-running history, but to sum it up short, he became a family friend the first time he came to town about 15-16 years ago. At the time, most people didnt want to engage with him. Once he became friendly with some of the so-called "gnarly locals he changed his tune and became highly xenophobic towards us, as my parents are from overseas. He wanted to be dominant over me in the water, which started the souring over the relationship. He got on the wrong foot with some people around that time and skipped town. He came back to J-Bay towards the end of 2020 and immediately picked up from where he left off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What did his presence do to the community? As a local, how were you and other longtime residents affected? It no doubt put the larger part of the community on edge as everyone in the surfing worldat least in South Africaknows or has heard about some absurd story about him, from pulling firearms on people in the carpark to attempted drownings. This led to almost everyone just sitting and laughing with him. Hes a very clever guy who has a sly way with words so he has a way of making people, especially people who he thinks have influence and power, feel high and mighty. In turn, they basically endorse him, making him feel unstoppable. People can pick up on this energy so they turn a blind eye to how he treats others. What led to the decision to confront him, and what did that look like? This is how he wanted to shape the story to the court, but the reality was that he was the one to confront me initially, as he always was with any altercation. In the past, hed always drop in or hassle the hell out of anyone and everyone, no matter how absurd, and if there was any retaliation of any sort, no matter how soft or justifiably, hed immediately turn it into a racial issue. Every single time it was the same story and everyone knew it. In this country, you dont take up that fight However, a friend of his (Niemand) and I got into a light argument in the water one day, and he basically inserted himself into the argument and went on a rampage against me. I know his game, so I didnt actually say anything but I dont want to talk to you again and again. While saying some extremely provocative things, he overstepped when he said he knows where I stay and I must sleep with an eye open for he can come and slaughter my family and slit our throats. At that point, I knew I'd have to go to the court to get a protection order for myself and my family. To be fair, thats how I thought this went downa confrontation telling him to beat it after disrupting the peace for too long. After reading the court judgement, I see that wasnt the case. What happened in the aftermath of this turning into a race issue? The problem with this whole debacle was that everyone knew what he was doing and what had happened, even his friends. Nonetheless, there were only 3-4 people in total who stood up to him openly. Every other one still laughed with him because they were scared of the consequences. Worse, however, were the group of locals who have known me since the beginning, who Id grown up respecting not only did they not support me when they could have stopped this in its tracks, but some actually took his side and encouraged him to do this and go through with this Im talking about guys who used to be the main guys in the lineup, who we as a younger group looked up to and tried to learn from, suddenly just supported this new guy who was way out of line. I still dont know why, but I do know I lost all respect for those guys now. This whole thing blew up because the people who could have stopped something like this from happening did nothing. This is a major problem, and communities out there should make sure their priorities are straight. I know multiple (but not many) places where even though locals disagree among themselves, they all stand together against outsiders overstepping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, a lot of people jumped on the story and even supported him. But when the truth came out, those people were nowhere to be seen. Im talking about provincial newspapers, SSA, and WSL amongst others they know he was in the wrong, but not one of them had put the story straight, and in this country, a race issue can stay with you for life There are still heavy race issues in this country that it's horrible that some try to abuse that situation. MOST IMPORTANTLY, our town is extremely active in trying to be a united community of all races, religions, or social classes and to be inclusive and uplifting and there are many wonderful people here that are doing that. It's a shame that this story made headlines rather than all the positive things I myself and others do. Nonetheless, he is gone and we continue the good fight. Related: Scandal in Costa Rica: Theyre Going To Destroy Pavones This story was originally reported by Surfer on Nov 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Surfer as a Preferred Source by clicking here. (Reuters) -Meta's chief artificial intelligence scientist Yann LeCun is planning to leave the social media company to set up his own startup, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Deep-learning pioneer LeCun is also in early talks to raise funds for a new venture, according to the report. The owner of Facebook and Instagram has significantly increased its investments in artificial intelligence, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg reorganizing the company's AI initiatives under Superintelligence Labs. Zuckerberg hired Alexandr Wang, former CEO of data-labeling startup Scale AI to lead the new AI effort. As a result, LeCun, who had reported to chief product officer Chris Cox, is now reporting to Wang, the report said. LeCun and Meta did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. The company began investing in AI in 2013 by launching Facebook Artificial Intelligence Research (FAIR) unit and recruiting LeCun, who is a known skeptic of the large language model path to superintelligence. LeCun is also a Silver Professor of data science, computer science, neural science and electrical and computer engineering at New York University, according to his LinkedIn page. He is known for his work in deep learning and the invention of the convolutional neural network, which is widely used for image, video and speech recognition. LeCun, along with Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio, won the 2018 ACM A.M. Turing Award for their groundbreaking conceptual and engineering advancements in deep neural networks, which have become a cornerstone of modern computing and paved the way for the current AI boom. Big Tech companies have been spending billions of dollars in building AI infrastructure for running machines that require massive computing power. Meta has pledged to invest $600 billion in the U.S. over the next three years. (Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur) The Supreme Court could decide Tuesday whether to freeze SNAP benefits during the government shutdown. Washington has already started the process of administering full benefits to families for November. The state acted quickly after a federal judge ordered the administration to fund Novembers benefits, before the order was temporarily put on hold by the Supreme Court. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump demanded that states undo the full benefits that were paid out during that time. Though a federal appeals court on Sunday ruled to maintain the order mandating benefits be paid out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Supreme Courts hold temporarily pauses any obligatory payments from the government. KIRO 7 asked the state what could happen if it had to undo the action in the future and did not receive a response. More than 500,000 households in Washington receive SNAP benefits, according to the governors office. While many have now received November benefits, food banks are still picking up the slack. Its the uncertainty thats crushing because, Is it going to be released? Is it not going to be released? said Shawn Manley, CEO of the Puyallup Food Bank. The food bank has seen an influx of traffic during the government shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they took our SNAP away, I was like, What am I going to do? said Odelia Santos, a SNAP recipient who relies on the benefits to support her grandson. Santos has since received her benefits, but they came two weeks late. In that time, she had to spend a few hundred dollars on food that she normally saves for other bills. Now Im in a bind a bit because I dont know what to do at the end of the month, she said. While Novembers benefits are paid out in Washington, the state of the benefits next month remains uncertain. Us Americans have to deal with it, Santos said. Whatever politics are doing is separate, but we have to suffer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manley said the food bank has seen an influx of people offering to help with donations. While the organization appreciates food donations, financial contributions are the biggest help. We have more than 70 pickups that we do every week from wholesalers and retailers, plus the diverted loads that come through when somebody is rejected at the dock, Manley said. Its all free food to us. Money helps pay for operational costs. A $20 dollar donation can help support 100 meals, Manley said. If youd like to donate to the Puyallup Food Bank, you can learn more here. Nov. 11SOAP LAKE On Saturday, a 2K and 5K fun run was held at Smokiam Park in Soap Lake. The fundraiser event was aimed at raising more awareness around Veterans Day, said event organizer Britton Baker. "I would say it was a success," Britton said. "We also got a lot of connections between different people, I'm in the community, that were at the race, and so we got the talk in, and it definitely is going to open some doors for some future events." Britton said 10 runners turned out for the event. By the end of the day, he raised $200 for the Forward Operating Base Columbia organization, or FOB Columbia: Veteran Resources. They work to fill gaps for local veterans and help them build better lives after their service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though he wished the turnout were a little bigger, he said the smaller turnout made for more personal interactions for those in attendance. Britton said about half of the attendees were veterans. He met people from the local Chamber of Commerce and Soap Lake Prevention Coalition. A couple of runners were from Quincy and Cashmere, too. "We were able to have a little bit more intimate conversation," he said. "I had a gentleman from there show up as well and wants to work together in the future as well for another event. It definitely was a fundraising event, but also a networking event for future events as well." Britton said some community members showed up throughout the race just to donate because they heard the event was happening. The community engagement left Britton with a feeling of optimism about organizing future events. "It really showed me that this is something people really care about, and when given the opportunity, people will step up ... it was a really good feeling," Britton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Britton said he would like to make this an annual event going forward and expand it to draw more engagement from the community. This was the first time he had organized a community event like this. Some of the people he met at this event offered to help him promote it in the future and help in any way they could. "They all said they'd love to come back and to let them know when, and they'd love to help market it and spread the word in their area," he said. Britton said he was inspired to organize this event because of his brother, Bronson Baker's, service in the Navy. They were always close growing up and spent a lot of time together. However, a time came when Bronson enlisted in the Navy and left home for four years. Britton said he had a realization that gave him a new appreciation. "It's a big hit to realize that someone from your family can be gone for quite a while serving our country and but when you look at the purpose and why they're doing it, it all makes sense and it's worth it. You realize these people are sacrificing their time away from their loved ones, away from their families, to make sure that we're able to live the lives that we want here," Britton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bronson now serves as a firefighter in Idaho, Britton said. As he began to interact more with members of the veteran community, he heard stories of how they struggle when they return home from their service. He learned more about the mental and financial struggles they face when they return home. He believes they are more deserving than a day of recognition for their service, he said. "They did the job for us, now we need to do something for them," Britton said. "You hear story after story, and after a while, you just say, 'Enough is enough.' Something has to change. We got to do something here." Britton said he plans to hold a similar event in the spring that includes vendors from veteran-owned businesses and another fun run. He also plans to incorporate more personal stories from veterans who are willing to share them in the hopes of making people more aware of who served their community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't think many people know who they are or where they served, or what they did. I want to get their stories out there so we can recognize these people for the good deeds that they did for us," Britton said. Britton said that for anyone still interested in donating, they can find a link on the event page he created on Facebook called the Soap Lake Salutes 2K/5K Fun Run. By Aditya Soni (Reuters) -SoftBank Group's $5.8 billion sale of its Nvidia stake jolted stock markets on Tuesday, stoking fears that the frenzy around artificial intelligence may have peaked, especially after recent warnings from Wall Street bank chiefs and a famed short seller. In its quarterly results, the Japanese tech investor said it had sold all the 32.1 million Nvidia shares it held in October to bankroll CEO Masayoshi Son's sweeping AI push, built around his "all in" bet on ChatGPT-creator OpenAI. SoftBank needs the proceeds for initiatives including the $500 billion Stargate project to expand U.S. data-center capacity and as much as $40 billion funding pledged to OpenAI, whose financing details were not given with the announcements. But the timing of its sale deepened some investor doubts that valuations in the AI industry might have gotten ahead of fundamentals. Nvidia shares were down more than 2% in early trading, weighing on the benchmark S&P 500 index. Adding to the jitters was a revenue forecast cut from AI cloud provider CoreWeave over a contract delay that sent its stock down 9%. Drumbeats of an AI bubble grew louder in recent weeks after Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs CEOs warned equities could be heading to a drawdown, while hedge fund manager Michael Burry, known for shorts on the U.S. housing market ahead of the 2008 crash, bet against Nvidia and Palantir. Several analysts said the sale suggested Son - one of tech's most audacious investors - sees the blistering rally that turned Nvidia into the first $5 trillion company last month cooling after a more than 1,200% surge in the past three years. But a few of them pointed to SoftBank's patchy record managing its Nvidia holdings. The company, by some estimates, missed out on a more than $100 billion rally in Nvidia shares by selling it off in 2019 before the AI boom took off, only to later buy the chipmaker's shares again. "As for timing, cannot say Masayoshi Son has been great with his trading of Nvidia shares," said C J Muse, senior managing director at Cantor Fitzgerald. "It appears simply resource allocation finding funds to make bets elsewhere." OPENAI FOCUS, SON'S GROWING WARCHEST Along with the Nvidia share sale, SoftBank sold around $9.2 billion worth of shares in T-Mobile, providing Son with a larger money chest to stamp his influence on an industry hungry for the capital and chips needed to fund the pursuit of AI technology that can match or surpass human intelligence. "By cashing in now, he's securing the capital needed to double down on his conviction in AI applications and the super-scaled infrastructure behind them, OpenAI, Oracle and the Stargate project," said Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital Advisors. A growing weak spot in the magnetic field surrounding the Earth could lead to satellite malfunction and even cause them to undergo full blackouts, scientists warned in a new study. The Earths complex and dynamic magnetic field is vital to the survival of all life, protecting the planet from cosmic radiation and charged particles from the Sun. It is generated by a global ocean of molten liquid iron, which makes up the Earths outer core about 3000km beneath our feet. Like a bicycle dynamo, this spinning ocean of iron creates electrical currents, which in turn, generates the planets protective electromagnetic field. But the exact processes generating the magnetic field is far more complex and remains to be thoroughly studied. For instance, in the southern hemisphere the magnetic field is particularly strong at one point, and in the northern hemisphere there are two such points one around Canada and the other around Siberia. Scientists are gaining more insights into the planets magnetism thanks to data from a constellation of three identical satellites launched in 2013 that measure the magnetic signals separately from Earths core, mantle, crust and oceans as well as the planets outer atmosphere layers. Satellite swarm (ESA) Now, after tracking 11 years of magnetic field measurements from this satellite constellation, researchers have discovered that the weak region in Earths magnetic field over the South Atlantic known as the South Atlantic Anomaly. This weak spot has also expanded by an area nearly half the size of continental Europe since 2014, according to a new study published in the journal Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors. The South Atlantic Anomaly is not just a single block. Its changing differently towards Africa than it is near South America. Theres something special happening in this region that is causing the field to weaken in a more intense way, says Chris Finlay, lead author of the study from the Technical University of Denmark. Researchers link this distortion of the Earths magnetic field to strange patterns in the boundary between Earths liquid outer core and its rocky mantle. Normally wed expect to see magnetic field lines coming out of the core in the southern hemisphere, but beneath the South Atlantic Anomaly we see unexpected areas where the magnetic field, instead of coming out of the core, goes back into the core, Dr Finlay explains. Thanks to the Swarm data we can see one of these areas moving westward over Africa, which contributes to the weakening of the South Atlantic Anomaly in this region, he said. South Atlantic anomaly (ESA) Latest satelite data suggests the magnetic field over Siberia has strengthened, while it has weakened over Canada. This shift is important for satellite navigation systems, which are affected by the dance between these two areas of strong magnetic field, scientists say. It can be a major factor in determining the radiation dose experienced by low Earth orbit satellites, they warn. Researchers caution that spacecraft and spacefarers, including those aboard the International Space Station, that enter the South Atlantic weak spot could now be exposed to more radiation. SOUTH BEND Purdue Polytechnic High School South Bend will offer a free event on Nov. 13, inviting the community to discuss and learn more about school vouchers and their effect on education in South Bend. School vouchers through Indianas Choice Scholarship Program allow families to use state dollars that would have followed their child to a traditional public school to instead pay for a private school. According to a press release about the event, data from the Indiana Department of Education shows that more than 4,700 students living within South Bend Community School Corp. boundaries used school vouchers last school year. "Navigating Education: A Conversation on School Vouchers" will include an overview of school vouchers, followed by time for attendees to discuss and ask questions. The event is organized in partnership with PPHS, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor, and My School Options, which operates under the umbrella of the Institute for Quality Education, a pro-school choice non-profit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event is open to everyone and will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club, 502 E. Sample St.; light refreshments will be provided. According to the press release, the event was created by PPHS Principal Justin Zobrosky, "a lifelong South Bend resident who wants to see people come together more often to talk about key issues affecting education in the community." "This won't be a conversation about school vouchers being 'good' or 'bad,' but will be a chance to come in with an open mind and hear what others have to say," Zobrosky said in the press release. "There are many differing viewpoints on this issue. My goal is to pull them all together for attendees to gain a deeper understanding of school voucher use and impact in our area." Those interested can find more information about the event and RSVP at PPHS South Bend's Facebook page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Email South Bend Tribune education reporter Rayleigh Deaton at rdeaton@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: PPHS, Boys & Girls Clubs hosting school voucher event Nov. 13 Nov. 10Robed in two sweaters and a rain coat, Blain Blaire clutched two crumpled cigarettes for sale next to Shalom Ministries on Friday afternoon. The church doesn't offer its free meals on Fridays, but he and a small group still linger there. It's a place to gather, as it has been for years. But in that alley next to the church, or under the viaducts nearby or in the neighboring parking lots, there are visibly fewer people than even a few weeks ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ask the police, or politicians or downtown business owners or even many service providers, and they'll tell you it's a new day in Spokane. Two weeks after the city toughened its laws prohibiting people from sleeping in public or sitting on the sidewalk, people are cheering the reduced visibility of homelessness. The increase in police contacts 125 citations have been issued in just the first nine days, involving unauthorized camping, obstruction, harm to waterways and unlawful burning are cleaning up downtown's image and pressuring the homeless into entering shelters, services and potentially treatment. Those still sleeping on Spokane's streets who remain wary of city shelters seem to agree that the laws are applying more pressure, but for the sake of making them move, not to improve their lot in life. Rather, they describe a new weight on lives they were already struggling to hold together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was already tough," Blaire said. "Now it's tougher." Blaire got out of jail earlier this week. He started using hard drugs while living on the streets to stay awake at night always on the move, always an eye open to fend off thieves from stealing what little he owns and selling them to get by. He's ashamed, but said there are few ways for him to make money. People won't hire him for daywork, few people carry loose change anymore and he needs a car to get a job and needs a job to get a car, he said . He tends to sleep under the viaduct, one of the few places where sleeping was never decriminalized amid the back and forth of court decisions and policy changes of the last few years. But increasingly, he and others sleeping under the bridges or eaves of downtown Spokane say that, if they don't enter the city's limited shelter space, they're being pushed by police to go north of the river or south of the highway. "It's pretty far to go just to fall asleep somewhere in the rocks," he said. "Under the bridge is better." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many business owners and residents had empathy for the homeless, said Robin Bernart, who co-owns Frank's Diner and The Onion restaurants. But drug use and mental health issues frayed their patience. Replacing broken windows and cleaning feces from front steps made business owners jaded and disengaged, Bernhart said, and that is no way to live. "Because there has been an appearance of lawlessness that has felt allowed, it was the breaking point," she said. "It's gone on for so long that you have people that don't care about the homeless (anymore). That is where we are." Spokane's downtown homeless population, meanwhile, laments the frequent issue of public urination or defecation namely, the indignity of having no public restrooms available to them, particularly at night, an issue frequently raised by City Council President Betsy Wilkerson but one her colleagues have not prioritized funding for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Put that in your article," said Mel Morrison, who's sitting a block away from Shalom, resting at a corner that smells sharply of urine next to her cart full of clothes, a lawn chair and a plastic bag full of dried lavender. "There's no bathrooms. People have to go." The Oct. 28 emergency ordinance that significantly toughened homeless camping laws has changed Bernhart's outlook on the area. In just a two-week period, the effects of the ordinance on Spokane's downtown core is clearly visible to her and other business owners, like Doyle Wheeler, who owns First Avenue Coffee. "This is what a clean and safe downtown looks like," Wheeler said. "It's almost a strange feeling." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The "Safe and Accessible Spaces" ordinance was unanimously passed by the Spokane City Council after two previous camping laws were either struck down by the Washington Supreme Court or rendered largely ineffective for its lack of enforcement and accountability. Some of the biggest critics of the city's leaders are now praising the sharp pivot in approach to homelessness, welcoming the citations and reduced visibility of the homeless even if they dismiss the changes as an election season stunt. Developer and city hall critic Sheldon Jackson, who built a platform with daily lists of the homeless people he saw on drives around downtown, hasn't blunted his criticism of the local politicians that had long hesitated to rely so heavily on police to address homelessness, but he has begun to celebrate the emptying street corners and alleys. The reformed law requires a notice be posted before removing an encampment to allow a homeless outreach team to contact the camp's occupants, but it gives police officers enough discretion to cite or arrest someone. Lawmakers stated their intent was for there to be tougher penalties for those resistant to leaving or refusing to accept mental health or housing services, but the decision rests with officers. It also toughens penalties for littering, damaging street trees and illegal fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unanimous decision was a shock on both sides of the political aisle, some of whom had butted heads before over what to do about Spokane's homeless. The fact that both parties were in agreement for the first time in a long time was a breath of fresh air for many. "It is about time. It felt so good everybody was working together for the first time. That was the biggest deal," Bernhart said. "In a nutshell, I'm very hopeful." Change Two weeks may seem like a quick turnaround to see progress, but Spokane Police Capt. Kurtis Reese says he saw a difference almost immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One of the key points is to steer people towards services, and we have seen that. A lot of people we have contacted are now willing and open to receive services," said Reese, who is stationed out of the downtown precinct. "Some of that has to do with accountability, since we are now able to reinforce a lot that we were not able to before." Under the prior city law passed last summer, police had no discretion, and the lack of action yielded zero citations. It was an ongoing cycle of warnings with no consequences. For example, if an officer told someone to leave an area because it was illegal to camp there, the person could move 100 feet away. The officer would warn them again and they'd move another 100 feet down the sidewalk, Reese said, calling the process "a never-ending grace period." Now police get to choose how to respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "(The officers) are happy. They are happy with the trust and confidence put in them by the mayor and council to do what they normally do," said Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall. "It also gives them the ability to make the determination what is best for this person like a citation or treatment." Police now coordinate with the newly formed Catholic Charities homeless outreach teams that respond to reports of illegal camping to get unhoused people into resources . Should all other actions fail, police can issue a citation or make an arrest. Reese said when those teams are called, they usually respond to an encampment within 10 minutes. The goal is to direct people to a shelter, treatment or the city's newly-formed navigation center, a day-use center run by nonprofit Jewels Helping Hands, where homeless people can go to have specialists connect them to services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It looks like this: Police show up to an encampment and talk to the occupants about the alleged violation. They switch over to documenting the people's names and learning more about the occupants to determine what services they need. Catholic Charities' outreach teams might be called, an officer may take someone to the navigation center themselves or the center may send a transport van to pick people up. "It's a multifaceted approach. We really are doing anything we can to get people connected to services," Reese said. "It's been incredible to watch them work in the last week. Officers are really connecting with people." Some people being contacted are well known to police. According to a summary issued by Hall, 15% of the most often arrested people accounted for more than half the arrests downtown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That has prompted the start of a "High Utilizer Program" partnership between law enforcement, the local jail, the prosecutor's office, homelessness outreach agencies and health providers to target chronic resistant behavior of 10 people that most often face co-occurring issues like drug use or mental health problems. According to Hall, seven out of the 10 have been arrested and contacted by specialists while in jail for further treatment or to be placed on a treatment plan. Four are in treatment, and two of those four are in the process of getting housing, he said, a step toward reducing constant confrontations with police. "This is the intent," Hall said. "This is about long term outcomes for a very vulnerable community." Tracking the city's most vulnerable Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 300 people had been contacted by police or the outreach team by Wednesday evening, with 125 citations issued and 34 people accepting services when approached by police. Nearly half of the police contacts have happened downtown. "I've witnessed (police) being gentle. They aren't trying to get rid of the homeless, they're trying to help people," Wheeler, who walks downtown repeatedly multiple times a day, told The Spokesman-Review. "And they've been given the gift of being able to do that now. It's beautiful to watch. The law is being enforced, but it's being done in a civil and polite manner." Morrison agrees that police have been increasingly contacting the homeless downtown, but she paints a different picture about the interactions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They judge you," she said. So if the homeless are told to leave, where are they going? Likely a shelter or the city's navigation center, Reese told The Spokesman-Review. "Before, you would have people camping on the sidewalk when there was open shelter space available. They are going to those shelters now," Reese said. "You are seeing a wide range of responses to this ordinance. It has nudged a certain element of the population into services." According to the city's Neighborhood, Housing, and Human Services Director Dawn Kinder, the navigation center is seeing about 100 people per day, a sign that word is getting out, and the outreach process is working. So far, Kinder said, the center has connected 50 people to shelter beds and placed 12 into substance use treatment. All four outreach teams are also contacting around 30 people a day, and 15-20 people a day are transitioning into the navigation center. "We are seeing good engagement and good movement, which is exciting. Getting 50 folks into a shelter bed is exciting," Kinder said. "It's showing (people at the center) are making the right connection with someone. Having an agency finding a bed for them and giving them a ride is far more effective and is contributing to a more individualized placement of people." It's not clear how sustainable this success is. The city has hundreds fewer shelter beds today than it did two years ago, even if City Hall argues those beds are now better and more successful at getting people back on their feet. Mayor Lisa Brown authorized funding for 50 more shelter beds through an emergency declaration just days after the laws were reformed notably the exact number the city claims it has filled in the last two weeks. "A lot of the shelters are starting to fill up, and we're finding a bottleneck," said Dave Meany, spokesperson for Catholic Charities Eastern Washington. "We're trying to utilize all the beds we have available citywide. Spokane Police have a few beds available that we've set aside at the House of Charity, as well, so they can take them there if it's appropriate. "As of right now, we're doing our best to make sure we have a bed if someone wants it." Not everyone wants one. Blaire says he usually only uses the shelters during the winter; Morrison resists sharing a room with strangers. "There's some people who just flat out refuse," Meany acknowledged. "We just have to work with them the best we can." The new programs and reforms are a big difference from someone coming into the shop and screaming at Wheeler's baristas during a mental health crisis, his employees finding knives hidden away in their planters or discovering vomit on their shop's chairs, he said. "These people are not well," Wheeler said. "It was worse than a movie. It's not a homelessness problem; it's a mental health problem. During its worst, he came to council frustrated. He called it "wrecking my empathy." And he told council that if someone died of an overdose outside his store, it was their fault. Since then, Wheeler has felt the progress. A clear sign the outreach is working is the atmosphere outside his coffee shop every day. More people are coming by, especially people he hasn't seen in months. "Council did listen to small business owners in Spokane, and I appreciate that. I think there is a strong future ahead no matter where they put their political values," Wheeler said. "We heard a huge majority of these people are accepting help. That's all we ask for. I can't tell you how excited I am that these people are getting the help they deserve. "My encouragement is people give downtown a second chance and see the work that these wonderful people have put in." According to Englman, the absence of such a national security strategy was a serious contributor to being blindsided by Hamas's invasion on October 7. State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman on Tuesday issued a report blaming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to decide on an official national security strategy leading into the October 7 massacre. Englman gave credit to Netanyahu for trying in 2009 and 2017-2018 to make the national security decision-making process more professional, including by empowering a larger national security council, but then said the prime minister fell short. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After multiple runs at crafting a national security strategy, the comptroller said Netanyahu ultimately failed to follow through and have the government or the Knesset adopt such a strategy which would be clear and binding for the whole political and defense apparatus. According to Englman, the absence of such a strategy was a serious contributor to being blindsided by Hamas's invasion on October 7. The report said it, "raises a multi-year failure during which the political echelon did not exercise its responsibility to ensure that the State of Israel was ready for the changing security challenges based on a concrete, updated, and formally approved national security concept." IDF armored and infantry reserve units in military training in Golan Heights before heading South to the Gaza Strip, October 8, 2023. (credit: MICHAEL GILADI/FLASH90) State comptroller breaks with Netanyahu on national security "In this situation, the ability of the political echelon to direct the IDF and the other defense agencies based on a long-term strategic vision, to challenge them and to conduct proper oversight and criticism of them was seriously defective, and in some cases, was nonexistent," warned the comptroller. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next, the report stated that Netanyahu, "who initiated the drafting of a national security concept for the State of Israel during the years 2017-2018 and acted to try to inculcate it [within the state's agencies] did not finish what he started and did not bring the national security concept for the State of Israel [forward] for an official approval and did not reach any binding decisions to a lay a foundation for implementing the concept." Likewise, the prime minister did not carry out any "changes to the country's priorities, nor were any noticeable new budgets added for security needs in place of other needs, " despite the importance and necessity he himself recognized" of doing so. As such, Englman stated that Netanyahu, "did not exercise his responsibility on the issue [of national security] and the concept was left with no ability to actualize it and no binding authority." Although Englman has already published 15 reports relating to October 7, this is his first report going to the most sensitive core issues of the responsibility for either the prime minister, or the IDF, Shin Bet, or police for failing to prevent Hamas's disastrous invasion of Israel's South. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Englman announced he would probe October 7 as early as January 2024 when it was clear to him that no state commission of inquiry was in the works (Netanyahu had and continues to oppose such a commission. He has or is reviewing 60 different issues, covering over 200 agencies, but some of his reports, especially regarding the IDF, Shin Bet, and the prime minister, were delayed by fights with top officials. Former IDF chief Herzi Halevi and much of the Israeli opposition still regard Englman as an arm of Netanyahu's defense apparatus, expecting that his overall findings will artificially place more of the blame on the defense establishment for October 7. In that sense, Englman's report on Tuesday appeared to be somewhat of a declaration of independence from Netanyahu and a readiness to criticize the prime minister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, the criticism will not be seen by Netanyahu's harshest critics as sufficient, as it is still phrased in terms of failing his responsibility to oversee or second-guess the broader failure by the IDF, Shin Bet, and police to do their jobs. There was no criticism in the report of the idea that Netanyahu with or without a formal binding national security strategy was a primary architect of the de facto strategy of seeking to contain and deter Hamas in Gaza, as opposed to other strategies. Other strategies suggested over the years ranged from re-conquering Gaza, to carrying out a much bigger operation in 2014 or 2021 to topple Hamas and hand control of Gaza over to third parties, to pushing forward harder with peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank to better isolate Hamas and reduce its support among all Palestinians. The comptroller generally responds to such criticism, citing his limited mandate to evaluate official documents and policies, as opposed to a wider mandate that a state inquiry might have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Englman still said he supports a state inquiry, but that at least his report is highlighting failures that are within his mandate and which can now be addressed and corrected. His future reports are expected to excoriate Halevi, former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, and other defense officials, likely in harsher language than his current report on Netanyahu. Even this report did not limit criticism to Netanyahu, with Englman also taking aim at Naftali Bennett, who was prime minister June 2021-June 2022, and at the various national security council chiefs from 2008-2023. According to the comptroller, Bennett made the same mistake as Netanyahu in failing to define a set national security strategy and make it binding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further, the report said that Bennett, like Netanyahu, did not want to face accountability for defining in a more concrete way which aspects of Israel's national security were higher or lower priority part of the required process for setting a binding strategy. Top officials interviewed by the comptroller for the report said that making such decisions was politically risky for officials like Netanyahu or Bennett. In addition, the report slammed essentially all of the national security council chiefs for not pressing mostly Netanyahu, but also for one year Bennett, hard enough to make these politically risky, but security-wise critical, decisions. Englman said that concerns about political consequences could not be used to avoid decisions that are needed to avoid the next October 7 disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At press time, multiple spokespeople for Netanyahu had not yet responded. The Jerusalem Post contacted some former national security council chiefs who did not want to respond. Englman's report comes a day after former IDF major general Sammy Tourjeman issued his report criticizing 20% of the military-focused probes of October 7 performed under former IDF chief Herzi Halevi as deficient. Raccoons may be inching closer to joining cats and dogs as people's furry besties and our overflowing trash cans could be the reason why. What's happening? According to KARK News, a study from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock suggests that wild raccoons living in urban areas are beginning to show early signs of domestication. After analyzing nearly 20,000 images of raccoons from across the U.S., researchers found that city raccoons tend to have shorter snouts than their rural cousins a physical change often seen in animals adapting to life around humans. "Trash is really the kickstarter," lead researcher Dr. Raffaela Lesch said, explaining that the easy access to human food is a big driver of animal domestication, per KARK News. "Wolves that started hanging around garbage heaps that's how we eventually got dogs. Cats did the same thing, hanging around dumpsters for mice. Raccoons are following that same path today." What's concerning about domesticated raccoons? Most of us can agree that trash pandas (a fitting nickname for raccoons) are pretty adorable. However, scientists warn that this adaptation isn't great for raccoons or people. As they become more comfortable around humans, raccoons risk spreading disease and damaging property with their dextrous little hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raccoons are among the most common urban wildlife species in North America, well-known for their seemingly masked faces and intelligence. It's even legal to keep a raccoon as a pet in multiple states raccoon breeders specialize in selling domesticated cubs. However, experts say pet raccoons are high-maintenance, which could lead to animal neglect or even abuse. Beyond the debate about pet raccoons, the domestication of wild animals leads to more human-wildlife encounters. Although raccoons aren't as dangerous as neighborhood-wandering bears or mountain lions, their presence in communities leads to increased rabies risks, raided trash cans, and raccoons nesting in attics. What can we do about wildlife domestication? Experts say preventing wildlife domestication begins with better waste management and limiting access to food sources. Communities can help by securing trash cans, not feeding wild animals, and supporting urban wildlife programs that promote coexistence without encouraging dependency. Plus, repurposing food waste can save you money. Dr. Lesch said the research provides an opportunity to rethink how humans interact with the animals adapting to our cities. For example, people are less likely to worry about neighborhood raccoons than larger predators. "They're incredibly friendly. They don't fight they share their snacks that they find in the trash cans," she said, noting that the signs of change are still early, as true domestication would only happen over thousands of years, per KARK News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, raccoons mostly remain wild and keeping them that way might be the best way to protect both them and us. Do cats or dogs make for better pets? Cats Dogs Neither I love both 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. HANOVER PARK, Ill. (WGN) The October arrest of a suburban police officer by immigration agents had all of hoopla weve come to expect from Homeland Security: A right wing influencer and his camera crew tagged along, an administration official went on Fox News to decry sanctuary policies, and social media outrage that a criminal illegal immigrant was allowed to carry a gun. But two weeks later and without fanfare Hanover Park police officer Radule Bojovic was released from federal custody on a $2,500 bond set by an immigration judge, WGN Investigates has learned. $2,500 bond tells me that the judge thought he was not a danger to the community and not a flight risk either, said Sam Cole, a former immigration judge who is the chief immigration counsel for ACLU of Illinois. Its a very low bond and its reflective of someone who the judge is not concerned about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Latin Kings issue order targeting federal agents in Chicago: CBP Homeland Security said Bojovic, a native of Montenegro, arrived in the United States in 2005 on a tourist visa and did not leave, in violation of federal law. WGN Investigates reviewed Bojovics employment records, which show he submitted a work authorization card and passed screenings, including an FBI background check. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement official later acknowledged that Bojovic did have a work authorization permit, which was issued by a different branch of DHS. Bojovic has not responded to a request for comment. Hanover Park Mayor Rodney Craig called Bojovic a sharp individual who checked all the boxes and was a real asset to our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bojovic is on unpaid leave from the Hanover Park Police Department while local officials determine whether he can return to the force, pending his immigration case. Watch the video above to see Officer Bojovic on patrol in the days before immigration agents arrested him. 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 WGN-TV. By Adriana Barrera MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico on Tuesday implemented a new tariff for sugar imports due to falling international prices and a risk of oversupply in the domestic market, according to the country's Official Gazette. The new tariff of 156% per kg applies to all types of sugar, including beet sugar and syrups. Refined liquid sugar will be subject to a 210.44% tariff, according to a decree signed by President Claudia Sheinbaum and published in the Official Gazette on Monday night. Until now, imported sugar faced tariffs of between $360 and $390 per ton. Mexico is typically not a sugar importer, although in the last three sugar production cycles, foreign sugar purchases have risen significantly due to bad weather conditions that caused a drop in local production, along with lower exports to the United States. "This tariff scheme provides greater protection for domestic product," Carlos Blackaller, the head of Mexico's main sugarcane producers' organization, told Reuters. The tariff would give Mexican sugar a "slightly higher price season" in the local market for the 2025/26 season, which is just beginning. "It practically eliminates the possibility of sugar imports into Mexico," he said, adding that sugar imported in the last three seasons totaled just over one million tons. Mexico produces an average of around 5 million tons of sugar per year, of which just over 4.0 million are destined for local consumption and the rest for export to the U.S. and the world market - which pays a lower price than the U.S. The sugar industry association, which represents sugar mill owners, did not respond to a request for comment. According to the decree, the new 156% tariff is ad valorem, meaning it includes insurance, freight and costs, Blackaller said. For the 2025/26 sugar cycle, production is estimated at 5.2 million tons of sugar, a recovery from the 4.7 million tons of the previous harvest. However, the current sugar export quota to the U.S. is only 188,000 tons. (Reporting by Adriana Barrera; Editing by Lincoln Feast) The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide whether states may count mail-in ballots received after Election Day, taking up a Republican-led lawsuit that could affect election laws in more than a dozen states across the country. It is the latest of several high-profile voting cases to make it on to the Supreme Courts docket this year as the justices are asked to deal with controversies dating back over the past several elections. Fifteen states allow regular mail ballots to be accepted after Election Day, including presidential battleground Nevada. Most of the nations battleground states including Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin require ballots to be received by Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other states accept military ballots after Election Day. A Mississippi law, enacted during the Covid-19 pandemic, allows ballots to be received up to five days late, so long as they are postmarked by Election Day. The Republican National Committee and others sued over that law, claiming the provision violated a federal law that fixes the date for the election. With rare outliers, the states mandated that ballots must be received by election officials by election day, the RNC told the Supreme Court in written arguments this year. But recently, an increasing number of States including Mississippi have deviated from that practice by permitting at least some ballots to be received after election day. Officials in Mississippi, where Trump carried more than 60% of the vote, have questioned the RNCs logic. An election, they told the Supreme Court, is the choice of an official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters make that choice by casting marking and submitting their ballots by election day. The election has then occurred, even if election officials do not receive all ballots by that day, Mississippi officials said in written arguments. Under Mississippi law, voters cast their ballots by election day. Raising doubts about ballots that were not counted until after Election Day was key to President Donald Trumps efforts to delegitimize the 2020 election. The question in the case is about ballots that were received after the election, not ballots that are received before the election but not counted until later. The conservative 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year that Mississippi was violating federal law by counting mail ballots that arrived after Election Day, but the court notably stopped short of blocking the states policy before the 2024 presidential election. The Supreme Court is already considering other important cases involving voting and elections. It heard arguments in October in a case challenging the power of the Voting Rights Act to limit discrimination in redistricting. The Supreme Courts conservative supermajority signaled deep skepticism in that case over the creation of a second majority Black district in Louisiana in a case that could have nationwide implications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And a majority of the court late month indicated it would likely back a Republican congressman from Illinois who is challenging a state law that allows mail ballots to be received after Election Day, a decision that would let him proceed with a potentially explosive lawsuit that lower courts had rejected. This story has been updated with additional details. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON The Supreme Court will decide whether mailed ballots must be received by Election Day and not just postmarked by then, agreeing to review the Republican Partys so-far successful challenge to a Mississippi law that could affect similar rules in many other states. In asking the court to hear their appeal, lawyers for Mississippi warned there could be electoral chaos nationwide unless the justices stop the GOP challenge before the next election. The Republican National Committee said its states like Mississippi that are risking chaos because absentee ballots received after Election Day can flip the results, leading to distrust in elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Elections must end on Election Day, which is why the RNC led the way in challenging this harmful state law," said Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters. More: Do Black voter protections discriminate against White people? Supreme Court weighs in In addition to the Republican Party's various challenges to state laws, President Donald Trump has sought to block states from accepting mailed ballots after Election Day. He issued an executive order in March that is being contested in separate litigation. Mississippi's appeal is the fourth case the high court agreed to hear this term that could affect future elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The justices are also deciding whether to overturn restrictions on coordinated spending between parties and candidates, whether to curtail protections against racial discrimination in voting, and when candidates can contest an Illinois election law similar to Mississippis. More: Supreme Court will hear major GOP challenge to campaign spending limit A exterior of a voting booth in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Sixteen states allow ballots postmarked by Election Day but received after it to be counted, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Other states have similar rules just for military service members or for all voters living overseas. In Mississippi, any absentee ballot that is mailed on or before Election Day can be received up to five business days after the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans argue that such rules violate federal law, which sets a specific date for U.S. elections. Attorneys for Mississippi counter that the election is when voters make their choice. As long as they do that through a ballot postmarked by the federally designated day, their vote should be counted, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch told the Supreme Court. Groups representing veterans and retired Mississippians joined the states defense of the law. Our legislature got it right when they said that no voter should have their ballot thrown out simply because of delays in the mail, James Sims, president of the Mississippi Alliance for Retired Americans, said when the group joined the case after Republicans and the Libertarian Party of Mississippi challenged the law in 2024. Changes to mail-in and absentee ballot envelopes will make it easier for Bucks County voters and Board of Elections staff to spot anakeda ballots before Election Day. A federal district judge upheld Mississippis law last year, but the Louisiana-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the challengers. A panel of appeals court judges said election day is the day by which ballots must be both cast by voters and received by state officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the state and national Republican parties are challenging Mississippis law, it was approved by the GOP-controlled legislature and is being defended by Fitch, a Republican. The high court is expected to hear the case next year and issue an opinion by summer. This story has been updated. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court to decide if mailed ballots must be received by Election Day The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to take up whether states can accept mail-in ballots received after polls close if they are sent by Election Day, allowing for a decision ahead of next years midterm elections. The Republican National Committee (RNC) has targeted the practice, and it convinced a lower court that Mississippis statute is preempted by federal law. In a brief order, the high court agreed to hear Mississippis bid to overturn the ruling. Oral arguments are likely next year, with a decision expected by the summer that could dictate whether the practice can be used anywhere ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal law sets the first Tuesday in November as Election Day. Republicans have argued any states that accept ballots afterward contravene the requirement. Allowing states to count large numbers of mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day undermines trust and confidence in our elections, RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said in a statement. Elections must end on Election Day, which is why the RNC led the way in challenging this harmful state law. The RNC has been hard at work litigating this case for nearly two years, and we hope the Supreme Court will affirm the Fifth Circuits landmark decision that mail-in ballots received after Election Day cannot be counted. Sixteen states count those late-arriving ballots, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Supreme Court battle pits the RNC against GOP officials in Mississippi defending its law. The state urged the justices to get involved now, saying a resolution was needed before next years contests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stakes are high: ballots cast bybut received afterelection day can swing close races and change the course of the country, the state attorney generals office wrote. The RNC acknowledged the issue is important, but it argued the lower court got it right and didnt merit the justices review. It should await a case where the lower court answers the question presented incorrectly, should one ever arise, the RNC wrote in court filings. Already this term, the court agreed to decide who has the legal right to bring such lawsuits. Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) and two of Trumps electors are appealing a ruling that found they cant challenge Illinoiss law. Oral arguments took place last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in the new case, Mississippi does not dispute that the RNC can bring its lawsuit, and lower courts agreed the party had standing to proceed, providing a cleaner path for the justices to reach the underlying legal merits of the practice. Updated 4:21 p.m. EST 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. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Nov. 11 again declined to order the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP food benefits, giving Congress time to resolve the issue through a pending deal to end the government shutdown. The court kept a district judge's funding order on hold through Nov. 13, freezing action without considering which side has the better legal arguments. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson had previously paused the district judge's funding deadline while the Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was considering it. The request went to Jackson, the justice who handles emergency appeals from that part of the country, putting one of the court's three liberal justices in the awkward position of granting a request from the administration on an issue of top concern for Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Jackson in the latest order disagreed with the majority's decision to extend the pause on full funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. More: Where can SNAP recipients find food deals amid shutdown disruption? Senate Majority Leader Thune speaking to the media on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 about the Senate aiming to vote on ending the shutdown on 40th day in Washington DC. American flags planted to commemorate lung cancer victims fly in the wind along the National Mall on November 10, 2025 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The Senate reached a deal late Sunday to fund the Government, aiming to end the longest shutdown in history. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) delivers remarks to reporters on Nov. 10, 2025 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The Senate reached a deal late Sunday to fund the government, aiming to end the longest shutdown in history. U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks during a news conference on Nov. 10, 2025 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The Senate reached a deal late Sunday to fund the Government, aiming to end the longest shutdown in history. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) reacts as she walks through the Capitol subway system, more than a month into the longest U.S. government shutdown, in Washington, DC on Nov. 10, 2025. U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), one of eight Democrats to say he will vote with Republicans to open the government, speaks to reporters outside the Senate Chamber as he arrives for votes on Nov. 10, 2025 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The Senate reached a deal late Sunday to fund the government, aiming to end the longest shutdown in history. U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) rides an elevator during a vote related to government funding, more than a month into the longest U.S. government shutdown, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov.10, 2025. US Senator John Fetterman, Democrat of Pennsylvania, looks at his cellphone in between Senate votes to reopen the government on day 41 of the government shutdown at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, Nov. 10, 2025. The longest-ever US government shutdown appeared headed Monday to an eventual resolution, after several Democratic senators broke ranks to join Republicans in advancing a compromise deal -- sparking intra-party backlash. A Senate page holds a stack of documents waiting for an elevator outside the Senate Chamber during votes on Nov. 10, 2025 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The Senate reached a deal late Sunday to fund the government, aiming to end the longest shutdown in history. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) speaks to reporters along the Ohio Clock Corridor on Nov. 10, 2025 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The Senate reached a deal late Sunday to fund the Government, aiming to end the longest shutdown in history. U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and John Barrasso (R-WY) speak as they use the escalator at the Capitol subway system, more than a month into the longest U.S. government shutdown, in Washington on Nov. 10, 2025. U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) speaks to reporters, more than a month into the longest U.S. government shutdown, on Capitol Hill in Washington on Nov. 10, 2025. Senate passes deal to end longest-ever government shutdown, now heads to the House 1 of 12 Senate Majority Leader Thune speaking to the media on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 about the Senate aiming to vote on ending the shutdown on 40th day in Washington DC. The House is expected to vote on Wednesday to reopen the government through Jan. 30 and cover full-year funding for several agencies and programs, including food aid and veterans' benefits. The Justice Department argued the lower courts threw a massively inappropriate new variable into negotiations over the shutdown and sowed upheaval in the SNAP program itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Congress appears to be on the brink of breaking the deadlock, though that outcome is unsure," Solicitor General John Sauer wrote in the Justice Department's appeal. "The district courts unlawful orders risk upsetting that compromise and throwing into doubt how innumerable critical federal programs will be funded." More: Tentative Senate deal to reopen government would provide funding for SNAP 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. U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island had ordered the administration to use a combination of contingency SNAP funds and other money to make the full November payments to states by Nov. 7. The appeals court backed McConnells decision that the risk of leaving tens of millions of Americans without food outweighed the governments concern about using different funds to cover the SNAP shortfall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers for the local governments, non-profit organizations and others who sued the administration told the Supreme Court families should not have to wait any longer for assistance. There is no justification for the Court to step in to stop needed benefits from flowing to the children, seniors, low wage workers, veterans, and others who rely on them for food, the challengers wrote in response to the administrations appeal. The governments claim that the judges order interfered with federal funding negotiations only confirms what has been clear all along that the government is leveraging SNAP to gain partisan political advantage in the shutdown fight, they wrote. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court keeps pause on SNAP food benefits When Allison Locker and Dom Hunter went to Palm Beach to watch the sunrise on Nov. 11, they were prepared. Both on break from their schools because of Veterans Day she from Wellington High School, he from Palm Beach State College they donned warm clothes and brought four blankets to Midtown Beach, expecting the coldest temperatures so far this season. They were not disappointed. "We've been here since 6:30," Allison said. "It was pretty nice. There were a lot of clouds so it wasn't as pretty as it could be, but it was still nice out. There were a lot of surfers out to watch." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The low temperature was 45 degrees at Palm Beach International Airport that morning, with wind gusts up to 20 mph, said George Rizzuto, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Miami. The brisk weather was the result of a cold front that moved through late Nov. 10, breaking low-temperature records across the state. The record for West Palm Beach is a low of 42 degrees, according to Weather Underground. The front carried winds from the northwest which created refraction swells as waves bounced off of the Bahamas and returned to Palm Beach's coastline, said Palm Beach Fire-Rescue lifeguard Lexington Bohn. Allison Locker, 17, and Dom Hunter, 18, carry blankets after watching the sunrise at Midtown Beach in Palm Beach on Nov. 11, when temperatures dipped into the low 40s. Waves were at 3 to 4 feet on Nov. 11, "awesome conditions" for surfers, Bohn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Red flags flew next to the lifeguard stations at Midtown Beach to caution possible swimmers of the cold ocean temperatures and possibility of strong currents, including some rip currents and a powerful sweeping current moving from north to south, he said. Surfers donned wetsuits and braved the chilly Atlantic water and stiff breezes. Garrett Dunn of West Palm Beach said he arrived at Midtown Beach about 7 a.m. to surf. By 10 a.m., he was out of the water and into warm clothes to watch those who remained in the ocean. "The conditions are good," he said. "The wind's a little sideshore, so it's not perfect, but it's better than nothing." The conditions are getting better, he said, which typically happens around this time of year in Florida. People bundle up and experience the chilly weather at Midtown Beach as the temperature dips into the lower 40s on Nov. 11. While the waves were a boon to surfers, they won't be great for Midtown Beach, which has been hit hard by erosion over the past six weeks. "Anytime we get a north swell, it just kind of eats the beach," Bohn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Temperatures will get warmer in Palm Beach through Nov. 15, when the area could see a high of 79, Rizzuto said. The high temperature on Nov. 12 is forecast to be 74, with a low of 58, he said. "We'll have a good few days of highs in the 70s," Rizzuto said. "It's going to be pretty quiet, partly cloudy to mostly sunny. Basically as quiet as it gets." Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at kwebb@pbdailynews.com. Subscribe today to support our journalism. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: People brave chilly weather as temperature dips into 40s in Palm Beach Syria has signed up to join the international coalition led by the United States to combat the ISIL (ISIS) armed group. The announcement, made by Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa and US officials, came shortly after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Washington and was welcomed at the White House by US President Donald Trump on Monday. Al-Mustafa said a political cooperation declaration signed by Damascus with the international coalition confirms Syrias role in combating terrorism and supporting regional stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement is political and until now contains no military components, he wrote in a post on X. The agreement makes Syria the 90th country to join the coalition, which aims to prevent foreign fighters from joining ISILs ranks and eliminating the remaining elements of the group from across the Middle East. The announcement was expected. A spokesperson for Syrias Ministry of Interior had announced on Saturday, as al-Sharaa was set to arrive in the US for his meeting with Trump, that nationwide preemptive operations were carried out targeting ISIL cells. According to state-run Al-Ikhbariah TV, Syrian security forces carried out 61 raids, with 71 people arrested and explosives and weapons seized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the Reuters news agency quoted unnamed officials as saying that Syria had foiled two ISIL plots to assassinate al-Sharaa. The senior Syrian security official and senior Middle Eastern official said the assassination plots were foiled over the past few months. They asserted that the schemes underline the direct threat that al-Sharaa faces as he tries to consolidate power in a fragmented country that has been devastated by 14 years of civil war. The Syrian leader was praised by Trump during their meeting at the White House as he secured a six-month suspension of US sanctions against his country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 43-year-old president toppled the former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December in a swift armed offensive. He formerly led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an armed group that was an affiliate of al-Qaeda. He was taken off Washingtons terror list last week, cancelling a $10m reward for his capture. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Two registered sex offenders were booked into the Shelby County jail by the Memphis Safe Task Force for having outstanding warrants Monday, according to U.S. Marshals. Dwight Lane, 56, and Saderick Roberts, 53, had warrants for failing to register as sex offenders. Courtesy: SCSO Agents say that according to the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry, Lane was convicted of rape of a minor in 1998 and failed to re-register since 2019. Roberts was convicted of aggravated rape of a minor in 1993 and has been out of compliance since January 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States Marshal for the Western District of Tennessee, Tyreece Miller, commented on the arrests of both men. Compliance is not optional. When individuals fail to meet their legal obligations under the sex offender registry, they endanger public safety and we will respond, ensuring accountability. The Memphis Safe Task Force remains unwavering in its commitment to enforce these laws, protect Memphis communities, and hold offenders accountable without exception, he stated. 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 WREG.com. An Odessa teen was arrested Saturday on an outstanding sexual assault warrant. According to an Odessa Police Department report, a 16-year-old went to authorities in June to report that Zachary Stillwell, 17, sexually assaulted her in Midland at his fathers home and, more recently, in a portable bathroom outside an afterparty in Odessa, despite her continuously telling him No on both occasions. Police spoke with a witness who told them she saw the girl coming out of the portable bathroom shaking and crying, the report stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the report, Stillwell admitted to sexually assaulting the girl in Midland in messages obtained by police. Stillwell was released from the Ector County jail Sunday after posting a surety bond of $25,000. The post Teenager facing sexual assault charge appeared first on Odessa American. Tennessee death row inmate Harold Wayne Nichols declined to choose between the electric chair and lethal injection before his Dec. 11 execution. Nichol declined to make his choice Nov. 10, a statement from his attorney Stephen Ferrell said. "Simply put, the Tennessee Department of Correction has not provided enough information about Tennessees lethal execution protocol for our client to make an informed decision about how the state will end his life," the statement said. "It is our fervent plea that the state pause Mr. Nicholss execution until the courts finally have the opportunity to fully review the current lethal injection protocol and the intrinsic problems with it are resolved. This process has already begun for several condemned inmates and should be completed before the state experiments any further." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per Tennessee state law, when an inmate declines to pick an execution method, it defaults to lethal injection. Nichols selected the electric chair in 2020, before the state halted executions because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inmates whose crimes occurred before 1999 are given the option between the electric chair and lethal injection. Nichols, 64, was sentenced to death for the 1988 rape and murder of 21-year-old Karen Pulley in Chattanooga. Nichols pleaded guilty to the charges in 1990. He pleaded guilty to two other rape and burglary charges and was convicted at trial of two other separate rape and burglary charges. At the time of sentencing, life without the possibility of parole was not an option in Tennessee, his attorneys said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Harold Nichols sues over lethal injection records amid EKG issues in Tennessee Nichols filed a lawsuit last month challenging lethal injection because he says the Tennessee Department of Correction withheld important information about the drugs used in executions. Attorneys for Nichols also filed a clemency petition with Gov. Bill Lee on Nov. 11 "requesting that Nichols death sentence be commuted to life in prison without possibility of parole," a statment said. "The governor is a man of faith who has spoken movingly about the power of redemption, said Justyna Scalpone, another attorney for Nichols. Ann Pulley, the victims mother, offered Wayne forgiveness and challenged him to earn it. Since then, by all accounts, he has been a model prisoner who serves in positions of trust on his unit. Wayne today is a man of deep Christian faith, a role model and mentor to his fellow inmates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several jurors who sentenced him to death, two prosecutors on the case and several corrections officers and prison advocates support commuting Nichols' sentence. "Wayne took early responsibility for his actions, expressed deep remorse, and pleaded guilty to his crimes, Scalpone said. We call on the governor to consider the tragedy of Waynes early life, his sincere and consistent remorse for his crimes, and the exemplary life he has lived in prison since being sentenced. We urge Governor Lee to extend mercy. Tennessee began executions again in May after five years. After the pandemic, the state planned to execute Oscar Franklin Smith in 2022 but called off the process less than two hours before it was to begin after officials discovered the drug's expiration date had not been checked. Gov. Bill Lee halted executions for an audit and creation of a new lethal injection protocol. The new protocol uses a single drug, pentobarbital, to kill the inmates, rather than the three-drug cocktail it used previously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the execution continues as planned, Nichols will be the third inmate executed this year after Smith in May and Byron Black in August. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee death row inmate to die by lethal injection in December Micron Technology, Inc.s MU current valuation suggests that the stock is available at a discounted price compared with the sector average. MU stock trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 14.28, significantly lower than the Zacks Computer and Technology sectors average of 28.65. Micron Forward 12-Month P/E Ratio Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The stocks P/E multiple is also lower than major semiconductor players, including NVIDIA NVDA, Advanced Micro Devices AMD and Broadcom AVGO. At present, NVIDIA, Advanced Micro Devices and Broadcom have P/E multiples of 32.26, 38.35 and 39.35, respectively. Microns cheap valuations look even more surprising when we look at its year-to-date (YTD) share price performance. MU stock has delivered a robust 182.7% gain YTD, outperforming the sectors return of 24.3%. It has also outperformed major semiconductor players, including NVIDIA, Broadcom and Advanced Micro Devices, which have gained 40.1%, 50.7% and 93.3%, respectively, YTD. Microns YTD Price Return Performance Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Despite solid year-to-date gains, MUs valuation remains low, prompting investors to ponder if this represents a buying opportunity. To make an informed decision, it is essential to first examine the fundamental strengths and weaknesses of this major energy infrastructure company. Industry Trends Bolster Micron's Long-Term Prospects Micron sits at the heart of several transformative tech trends. Its exposure to artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance data centers, autonomous vehicles and industrial IoT uniquely positions the company for sustainable long-term growth. As AI adoption accelerates, the demand for advanced memory solutions like DRAM and NAND is soaring. Microns investments in next-gen DRAM and 3D NAND ensure it remains competitive in delivering the performance needed for modern computing. The companys diversification strategy is also yielding positive results. Micron has created a more stable revenue base by shifting its focus away from the more volatile consumer electronics market and toward resilient verticals such as automotive and enterprise IT. This balance enhances its ability to weather cyclical downturns, a critical trait in the semiconductor space. Micron is also riding on a strong wave in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) demand. Its HBM3E products are attracting significant interest for their superior energy efficiency and bandwidth, which are ideal for AI workloads. In January 2025, NVIDIA confirmed that Micron is a core HBM supplier for its GeForce RTX 50 Blackwell GPUs, signaling deep integration in the AI supply chain. Additionally, its newly announced HBM advanced packaging facility in Singapore, set to launch in 2026 with further expansion in 2027, underscores the companys commitment to scaling production for AI-driven markets. State Rep. Caleb Hemmer, a Nashville Democrat, announced on Nov. 10 he will not run for a third term in office. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Democratic Rep. Caleb Hemmer of Nashville is set to leave the Tennessee legislature after two terms. Hemmer, who represents District 59 in southern Davidson County, announced Monday he will not seek a third two-year term in 2026. A healthcare executive, Hemmer said he wants to spend more time with his two children and wife and meet work commitments as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hemmer passed bills dealing with maternal health, university-sponsored lab schools, affordable housing and childrens mental health. These were all promises I made during my campaign, and Ive stayed focused on delivering real legislation that makes a real difference in the lives of Tennesseans, he said in a statement. Hemmer made some noise as a lawmaker when he filed an ethics complaint against Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds for allowing ExcelinEd, a pro-charter and pro-voucher group that previously employed her, to pay for two out-of-state conferences. The Tennessee Ethics Commission dismissed the complaint, mainly because she paid back more than $2,000 to the organization. She was later reimbursed by the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acceptance of such a gift from groups that hire lobbyists is a violation of state law and an order by Gov. Bill Lee. The governor also ran afoul of state ethics laws by allowing Alliance Defending Freedom, an Arizona-based conservative Christian group, to fund his expenses to speak at a summer conference in South Florida. The group used a state lobbyist to push bills, but Lee refused to repay the money because it had a 501(c)3 nonprofit tax designation. Ultimately, the Ethics Commission ruled that he had to pay the group. In Hemmers parting statement, he urged constituents to continue holding elected officials to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Subscribe to The Blast, The Texas Tribunes premier newsletter, for exclusive reporting, nonpartisan analysis and the first word on political moves across the state. Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy, and give us feedback. The U.S. Senate passed a funding deal late Monday to end the nations longest-ever government shutdown, sending the bill to the House of Representatives and inching closer to restoring full SNAP benefits and ending air travel chaos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill was backed by nearly every GOP senator, including Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, along with eight Democrats, giving the measure enough support 60 votes to 40 to clear the upper chamber. The funding package still needs to pass the House, where Republicans narrow majority affords them only a few defections unless they receive Democratic support. If approved, the deal would fund the government through the end of January, with certain agencies funded through September, including those that provide food assistance payments. As part of the agreement, Democrats will also get a vote on an extension of the Affordable Care Act subsidies that have been at the center of the dispute, which has left thousands of federal workers without pay since the shutdown began Oct. 1. But the promise of a vote still leaves the tax credits in limbo: Even if a bill to extend the subsidies or make them permanent were to pass the Senate, there is no guarantee that the House, controlled by a GOP that is mostly opposed to the enhanced ACA credits, would take up the bill. The deal, first announced by the group of eight defecting Senate Democrats on Sunday, would guarantee back pay to federal workers for the weeks they worked without pay. The Trump administration has also agreed to rehire those who were laid off during the shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cornyn blasted Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, in a post on X, calling the past 40 days the longest [and] dumbest government shutdown in history. I am proud to have voted more than 15 times to reopen the government, [and] I look forward to POTUS signing government funding into law so the Senate can turn to pressing legislation like the annual defense authorization bill instead of wasting time on Chuck Schumers desperate attempt to save his political career, Cornyn said. A procedural vote to advance the funding package was briefly held up Sunday while Cornyn traveled from Texas back to Washington; he was the crucial 60th vote that unlocked the Senates ability to proceed with the bill. On his podcast Monday, Cruz, the chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, predicted that the shutdown would officially end by Wednesday, but he warned it could take some time for airports to become fully operational again. Airports across the country, including in Texas, have been dealing with cancellations and delays due to staffing shortages, and the Federal Aviation Administration decreased flight volume by 10 percent at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Houston Hobby Airport on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a week, do I expect things to go back to normal? Cruz said. Yes a week after things open up. But it could easily take several days for people to say, Okay, Im gonna come back into work now. That doesnt happen automatically just by flipping a switch. Attached to the stopgap funding are three yearlong appropriations bills that would fund the Department of Agriculture, military construction and veterans affairs, and the legislative branch through the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. That would ensure continued funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other agriculture initiatives even if Congress fails to avert another shutdown when the stopgap money runs out Jan. 31. Before voting on the funding package, senators preserved language in the bill that would ban the sale of hemp-derived products with over 0.4 milligrams of THC, rejecting an amendment from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, that sought to strip the provision. Texas GOP lawmakers, led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, passed a bill imposing a similar THC ban in the state earlier this year, but the measure was vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott, who later issued an executive order imposing age and other restrictions on the hemp industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patrick celebrated the hemp vote on social media Monday evening, writing that the margin of the 76-24 showed the Senate recognizes the danger of these poisonous THC products. The issue split Texas senators. Cruz voted in favor of the amendment, saying hemp regulation should be a state issue. Cornyn voted with the majority against the amendment, helping keep the THC ban intact. Cornyns prospective Democratic challengers, former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and state Rep. James Talarico, both said they would not have supported the deal and had harsh words for the Democrats who voted with Republicans to advance it. Without a guarantee that the House will hold a vote on the expiring ACA subsidies, the underlying issue driving the shutdown a sharp rise in premiums that could result in hundreds of thousands, if not over a million, Texans dropping ACA coverage was not resolved, the Texas Democratic Senate candidates said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This deal is a joke that sells out working people and their health care, Allred said in a statement. Millions of Texans are relying on us to keep their premiums from skyrocketing. If we dont stand our ground for our people, then who will? Talarico added: Any deal that kicks 1.7 million Texans off their health insurance isnt compromise; its surrender. Senate Republicans shot down a proposal Monday that would have opened the door to extending the subsidies for another year as part of the funding package. The vote failed on party lines. Rep. Greg Casar, the Austin Democrat who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called the deal a betrayal of millions of Americans and said it amounted to capitulation. And Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, told Axios that Schumer should not remain as Democratic leader. The bill now goes to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, has little margin for error to deliver the votes for the deal. Any House GOP opposition could put the spotlight on moderate Democrats like Reps. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, who could wind up as potential swing votes. Thailand has said it was halting progress on a peace agreement with Cambodia, signed last month in Malaysia and overseen by US President Donald Trump, after a landmine explosion at the border injured several Thai soldiers on Monday. Thailand and Cambodia fought a five-day border conflict in July that killed dozens of people and displaced about 200,000 on both sides of the border. An initial ceasefire between the two Southeast Asian countries was agreed on July 28 after the US president held calls with the respective leaders. Thailand and Cambodia then signed a peace declaration in Malaysia in late October in a ceremony witnessed by Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump hailed the declaration as further proof of his ability to end wars but within less than a fortnight the agreement has begun fraying. On Monday, the supreme commander of Thailands armed forces, Gen. Ukris Boontanondha, said he was halting all agreements until Cambodia clearly and sincerely demonstrates that it will not be hostile, according to a Facebook post from Thailands armed forces. Thailands Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow said they would clarify their decision to Washington. The apparent major U-turn came after a landmine explosion injured four Thai soldiers in Sisaket province, northeastern Thailand, on the volatile border with Cambodia Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One soldiers right leg was severed in the blast, while another suffered shrapnel wounds to the leg, the army said. The incident happened while troops were on a routine patrol along a frequently used route, said Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army. After visiting the wounded soldiers near the contested border on Tuesday Thailands Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said, Today, we consider that the agreement we had in place to move toward peace has ended. Thailand belongs to us. The ground we are standing on right now is Thailand. No one can claim sovereignty over Thai territory, Anutin added. In this photo released by Royal Thai Army, two Thai soldiers injured by a landmine during a patrol near the Thai-Cambodia border are treated as they are to be transferred to a hospital in Sisaket province, Thailand on November 10, 2025. - Royal Thai Army/AP Thailand accused Cambodia of violating the joint declaration by laying fresh landmines following the removal of a barbed wire fence, which was discovered on November 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN cannot independently verify the claims that Cambodian troops laid fresh landmines. The Cambodian government said in a statement it categorically denies the allegations, adding that it has not deployed new landmines and will never do so. Cambodia also said it is gravely concerned about reports that Thailand has suspended the peace declaration and it remains committed to implementing the peace accord. Most minefields, from nearly three decades of Cambodias civil wars of the 1970s and 1980s, along the Cambodia-Thailand border have not yet been cleared due to the difficult terrains and the un-demarcated status of the border areas, Cambodias Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The situation remains calm, Cambodias Ministry of Defense spokesperson said Tuesday after military forces from both sides communicated following the landmine explosion. The announcement from Thailand also calls into question the already tentative release of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war, who were scheduled to be handed over under the terms of the declaration. Thailands Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit said the expected release would not go ahead. A fragile peace agreement In late October, Trump traveled to Malaysia as part of his three-leg tour of Asia and presided over the signing of a peace declaration between the leaders of Thailand Cambodia amid lavish praise of the US president for his mediation efforts in the border conflict. The moment was considered by Trump as a major diplomatic victory, and another fillip to his much vaunted and often over-exaggerated campaign to have ended several wars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thailand and Cambodia have fought brief skirmishes in recent decades over their disputed border and the fighting earlier was some of the most serious in years. Each side accused the other of starting the latest border flare-up and traded blame for the clashes. Trump had warned the two leaders that he would not make trade deals with either if the conflict continued a threat that came as both faced elevated tariffs from the US under Trumps global trade war. The peace declaration included a commitment to withdraw heavy weapons from the border, de-mining efforts, and to de-escalate tensions that erupted into the brief but deadly border conflict. The agreement was built on the truce signed in July, but fell short of a peace treaty, despite Trump repeatedly describing it as such. And analysts had cautioned of a long road ahead before a lasting peace deal would be achieved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anutin had qualified the signing ceremony as a concrete step towards peace that would hinge on full implementation of the declaration. And Thai diplomats were carefully reticent about the joint declaration, calling it a reaffirmation of a ceasefire both sides agreed to in July. Hun Manet, the prime minister of Cambodia announced at the time a strong commitment to fully and faithfully implementing this joint declaration. The issue of landmines along the Thai-Cambodia border has also been a major point of contention for the Thais. The most recent border flare-up came after five Thai soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion, with the incident prompting Thailand to downgrade diplomatic relations with its neighbor. In recent decades, Thailand and Cambodia have had a complicated relationship of both cooperation and rivalry. The two countries share a 500-mile (800-kilometer) land border largely mapped by the French when they controlled Cambodia as a colony that has periodically seen military clashes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cambodia has previously sought a ruling from the UNs International Court of Justice over disputed areas. However, Thailand does not recognize the ICJs jurisdiction and claims that some areas along the border were never fully demarcated, including the sites of several ancient temples. The site of the most recent landmine explosion was in an area close to Cambodias Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has been at the center of previous military clashes. The peace declaration did not resolve the territorial dispute over the two countries shared border. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Bangkok Thailand said it has indefinitely paused implementation of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire until Cambodia apologizes for a land mine explosion Monday that injured four Thai soldiers at their border. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the injured troops at the border Tuesday as the Thai army accused Cambodia of laying new mines in violation of the truce agreement Thailand and Cambodia signed last month. Territorial disputes between the Southeast Asian neighbors led to five days of combat in late July that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians. Others have been injured by land mine explosions before and after July's combat and tensions have simmered despite the truce. The Thai army said one soldier lost his right foot after stepping on a land mine while on patrol along the border in Sisaket province Monday, while the other three sustained minor injuries. Cambodia denied responsibility. Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul looks on after chairing a National Security Council (NSC) meeting at Government House in Bangkok, Nov. 11, 2025. / Credit: CHANAKARN LAOSARAKHAM/AFP/Getty Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said Tuesday the incident showed "Cambodia's utter lack of sincerity." He called for Cambodia to apologize, conduct a thorough investigation and implement measures to prevent another explosion. Thailand also said it would indefinitely postpone the return of 18 Cambodian soldiers held since the July conflict. The situation should not escalate if Cambodia makes a sincere effort to meet the conditions, Nikorndej said. Cambodia Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said Tuesday that the explosion was caused by "the remnants of past conflicts" and urged Thai troops to avoid patrolling in old minefield areas. Cambodia "remains committed to working closely with Thailand to promote peace and stability between the two countries, especially ensuring the security and safety of civilians," she said. Under the terms of the truce, Thailand agreed to release the Cambodian soldiers and both sides must begin removing heavy weapons and land mines from the border area. The countries said there has been some progress on arms removal. Malaysia initially mediated the ceasefire. President Trump then threatened to withhold trade privileges from Cambodia and Thailand and the deal was signed during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in October. Matthew Wheeler, Southeast Asia senior analyst for the Belgium-based International Crisis Group, said it was "predictable that the agreement would break down, because it was plainly concluded to placate President Trump on matters unrelated to the conflict, namely, trade and Trump's desire to be perceived as a peacemaker." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conflict is one of about eight that Mr. Trump claims to have ended, as he repeatedly states his view that he's deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize. Thailand's strong nationalist sentiment also has made it difficult for the government to resolve the conflict through a conciliatory approach, Wheeler said. How Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal that may end government shutdown Passengers wait hours as air traffic control staffing issues due to shutdown disrupt travel In the mail: Viewers respond to 60 Minutes interview with President Trump Thailand has sent tanks and artillery to its border with Cambodia after a ceasefire deal between the two countries collapsed just two weeks after being signed. The truce, which Donald Trump boasted of brokering, fell apart on Monday after four Thai soldiers were injured by landmines, with one losing a leg, in the disputed border region between the two nations. Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailands prime minister, announced the suspension of the agreement on Monday. He said that the hostility towards our national security has not decreased as we thought it would. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gen Pana Klaewplodthuk, Thailands commander-in-chief, said the hostile gesture still exists and said his military must suspend all agreements to preserve our right to defend ourselves against unfair attacks. Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia broke out in May over a long-standing border dispute. Nearly 50 people were killed in the conflict, which lasted several weeks, and hundreds of thousands of others were displaced. Cambodia denied it was responsible for the injuries suffered by the Thai soldiers. Officials suggested instead that the explosives were left over from conflicts in the 1970s and 1980s, when millions of landmines were laid by warring factions in the region, and when the US also carried out heavy bombing raids during the Vietnam War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, independent experts and Thai officials said there was evidence that Cambodian forces had laid new landmines more recently. Thai personnel examine a disarmed landmine near the border with Cambodia on Monday - ROYAL THAI ARMY//AFP via Getty Images Major General Wintai Suvari, a Thai army spokesman, claimed that new PMN-2 mines, manufactured by Russia, were placed on the Thai side of the border after barbed wire was removed. Independent landmine experts also told Reuters news agency that PMN-2s in images taken by the Thai military in July appeared to have been recently laid. While Malaysia was the primary negotiator, Mr Trump has repeatedly taken credit for brokering the ceasefire by threatening to end tariff negotiations with both countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The truce had already been agreed in late July, but the two leaders signed an official document on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in late October. Mr Trump said he flew to Malaysia specifically to witness the deal being signed. While Cambodia heaped praise on Mr Trump for his role, nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize, Thailand has been more reticent. b' ' At a press conference shortly after the deal was signed, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailands foreign minister, refused to refer to the deal as the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords the name given by Mr Trump instead calling it a pathway to peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Wheeler, a senior analyst for Southeast Asia at the International Crisis Group, said he was not surprised that the ceasefire had fallen apart. It was predictable that the agreement would break down because it was plainly concluded to placate President Trump on matters unrelated to the conflict, namely, trade and Trumps desire to be perceived as a peacemaker, he said. Prisoner release in doubt With the deal now suspended, subsequent parts of the agreement, including the planned release of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war, are now also up in the air. Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit, Thailands defence minister, said on Monday that the repatriation, which was supposed to come after Thailand withdrew heavy weapons from the border, would be put on hold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Mr Anutin said he would travel to Sisaket, a province bordering Cambodia, to meet the injured soldiers. Credit: Viral Press via Reuters Connect Malaysia said on Tuesday that it remained committed to ensuring peace between the two countries following the clashes over the summer, which included rockets being fired at Thailand from Cambodia in July. Gen Mohd Nizam Jaffar, the chief of defence forces in Malaysia, said that if the timelines in the agreement were disrupted, the situation may regress to what it was before, but added that his country remained hopeful that the peace process will continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr Napon Jatusripitak, a political scientist from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, told The Telegraph that Mr Trumps attention may no longer be focused on the border dispute. He said the latest incident really underscores the fact that great-power mediation only buys time. Dr Jatusripitak added that a lasting solution to the dispute might no longer be in the picture in the next five years amid a turn towards hawkish politics in Bangkok. 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. Thailand has announced it will cease all activities agreed upon under its US-brokered ceasefire with Cambodia, following a land mine explosion that injured two Thai soldiers in the disputed border region. The countrys prime minister made the declaration on Monday, just hours after the incident. The two Southeast Asian nations signed a truce in Malaysia last month, an agreement forged after a five-day conflict in late July killed dozens amid territorial disputes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tensions have remained high, with similar land mine incidents reported both before and after the July clashes, including one in August that wounded three Thai soldiers. In this photo released by Royal Thai Army, two Thai soldiers injured by a landmine during a patrol near the Thai-Cambodia border are treated as they are to be transferred to a hospital (Royal Thai Army) Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Mondays incident shows that the hostility towards our national security has not decreased as we thought it would, adding that all actions to be carried out under the truce agreement will be halted until Thailand's demands are met. He did not elaborate on Thailand's demands. There was no immediate response from the Cambodian government. The terms of the agreement include Thailand releasing 18 Cambodian soldiers held prisoner and for both sides to begin removing heavy weapons and land mines from the border area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Royal Thai Army said a sergeant had lost his right foot after stepping on a land mine while on patrol Monday along the border in Sisaket province, while another soldier suffered a tightness in his chest from the impact of the blast. It said both soldiers were receiving treatment at a hospital. Thai Defense Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit said the army is still investigating whether the mine was old or was newly laid. He added that Thailand will postpone the release of the captured Cambodian soldiers, initially scheduled for later this week. The two sides said there has been some progress on arms removal but Thailand accuses Cambodia of obstructing the mine clearance process. Cambodia says it's committed to all terms in the agreement, including demining, and urged Thailand to release its soldiers as soon as possible. Thailand has accused Cambodia of laying new mines in violation of the truce, which the Cambodian government denies. The ceasefire was initially mediated by Malaysia and U.S. President Donald Trump later threatened to withhold trade privileges unless both Cambodia and Thailand agreed on a truce and the deal was signed during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in October. Thirteen people who were injured in a train collision on Sunday evening remain in hospital, Slovak officials said Monday. A regional high-speed train from Bratislava to Nitra collided with a high-speed train from Kosice to Bratislava travelling in the same direction after leaving Pezinok station. Slovak Interior Minister Matus Sutaj and other officials said 79 passengers, out of some 800 in total, were taken to hospitals, most of them with light injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thirteen were still hospitalised on Monday, and nobody was in life-threatening condition, Health Minister Kamil Sasko said. The collision was likely caused by human error, Prime Minister Robert Fico said Monday, as he rejected the resignation of Transport Minister Jozef Raz Jr over the second such incident in a month. However, Fico said he would ask Raz to dismiss the management of the national railway company ZSSK, although the investigation has not yet been completed. Rail traffic remained closed in both directions on the section between Pezinok and Bratislava on Monday. On 13 October, two fast trains collided in eastern Slovakia, injuring dozens of passengers, including two who were in a critical condition. Thousands of student protesters in Belgrade, Serbia, formed a human shield on Tuesday around a bombed-out military complex, vowing to stop Jared Kushners redevelopment company, Affinity Partners, from turning the historical monument into a luxury complex. NATO bombed Serbia for 78 days in 1999 in an effort to end thenPresident Slobodan Milosevics violent ethnic cleansing of Albanians living in Kosovo, which resulted in the death of 13,000 people (mostly ethnic Albanians). NATO bombed bridges, military buildings, and government buildings. Human Rights Watch estimates that as many as 528 civilians were killed in the bombings. Many Serbians still see the bombed buildings as a point of cultural and architectural pride today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in May, Kushners company and the Serbian government signed a deal for a 99-year lease of the land the bombed-out buildings are on for revitalizationmeaning a high-rise hotel, office space, and stores. It will be a $500 million project. Kushners company will reportedly build a separate memorial for the bombing elsewhere. The economic progress in Serbia over the past decade has been impressive, Kushner said at the time. This development will further elevate Belgrade into the premier international destination it is becoming. Protests were planned from the minute the deal was signed. This is a warning that we will all defend these buildings together, one of the students told the Associated Press on Tuesday. We will be the human shield. It is unclear how effective the protests will be in delaying or denying the project. Donald Trump has, for years, used legal threats and lawsuits to pressure news companies who put out coverage he does not like. After his return to power, a string of US broadcasters and tech firms have paid tens of millions of dollars to settle such cases. The president has now gone global with this campaign, crossing the pond to threaten the BBC with a $1bn lawsuit over an episode of the Panorama documentary program that aired more than a year ago. A lawyer representing Trump accused the BBC of defamatory, disparaging and inflammatory statements in stitching together Trumps comments from his 6 January 2021 speech in Washington DC to make it sound like he was encouraging his supporters to fight like hell at the US Capitol, hours before a deadly insurrection unfolded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: The BBCs editing of Trumps January 6 speech caused controversy but what did he really say? Already, two top BBC executives have resigned over the controversy. A lawyer for Trump said the BBCs broadcast has caused Trump overwhelming financial and reputational harm and suggested it violated Florida law even though BBC iPlayer, the main streaming platform that carries Panorama, and BBC One, the main TV channel that broadcasts it, are not available in the US. The BBC has said it will review the correspondence from Trumps legal team and respond directly in due course. The saga is only the latest chapter in a campaign meant to keep media institutions that cover Trump on their toes. Often, legal letters sent to media companies on his behalf have not actually led to lawsuits though many journalists say they have contributed to a chilling effect on coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump has also followed through on several lawsuits, and since his re-election one year ago, a series of media and tech companies have chosen to take the easy way out by agreeing to significant settlements. Several of those companies have business before his administration. In July, Paramount, parent company of CBS News, chose to settle a case that Trump had filed in the state of Texas arguing that the company had violated consumer protection laws by misleadingly editing a 60 Minutes interview of then vice-president Kamala Harris. Many legal experts viewed the case as easily winnable for Paramount, considering the unrelated statute he sued under and that Trump could not credibly claim to have been harmed by the segment since he defeated Harris in the election. But company leadership viewed the lawsuit as an unnecessary distraction, particularly as it sought the federal governments approval of a merger with Skydance Media. Paramount ultimately paid $16m. Trump also won a settlement last year from ABC, owned by Disney, which he had sued over comments made by anchor George Stephanopoulos. ABC agreed to pay $15m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When combining Trumps settlements with ABC, CBS and cases against both Facebook parent company Meta and YouTube, which is owned by Google, he has racked up over $80m in agreements. Most of this money is slated to go toward the building of Trumps presidential library, rather than to him personally. Now the BBC is in his sights. Unlike CBS, owned by Paramount Skydance, and ABC, owned by Disney, the BBC is not part of a complicated corporate empire: it is independent, although its unique structure as a publicly funded organization invites intense scrutiny. Because of the timing of the Panorama broadcast, one week before the 5 November 2024 presidential election, a spokesperson for Trumps legal team accused the BBC of so-called election interference, a similar charge to the CBS case. President Trump will continue to hold accountable those who traffic in lies, deception and fake news, they told the Guardian. The legal letter cites the actual malice standard necessary to win defamation cases in the US. To meet that bar, Trumps team would have to prove that someone with authority at the BBC knew that the edited package falsely portrayed Trump to have encouraged violence, and chose not to act on that knowledge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David A Logan, professor emeritus at the Roger Williams School of Law in Rhode Island, said Trumps allegations against the BBC closely track those he made against CBS though in that case, CBS had merely used two different parts of the same answer in separate broadcasts, rather than pulling together comments from opposite ends of the Harris interview. I am reluctant to say which is worse journalism, Logan said, but he noted that the resignations of BBC director general Tim Davie and chief executive of BBC News Deborah Turness signals that the BBC thinks its plenty bad behavior. Mark Stephens, an international media lawyer at the firm Howard Kennedy, said Trumps team likely targeted the US in which to potentially file the case because the statute of limitations one year from the date of the broadcast, which was 28 October 2024 has passed in the UK. Still, he said that Trumps team would face jurisdictional hurdles if it filed the lawsuit. Because the program was not easily viewable in Florida, Stephens said it could be challenging to prove that someone in the state had seen it. The question I would ask myself early on is: how can someone in Florida think the worst of Donald Trump if they havent seen the publication? (The legal letter noted the segment in question has been distributed through various digital mediums.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Trump chooses to sue, Stephens said the case would bring renewed attention to Trumps comments, and any role he might have played in fomenting the violence of January 6. (Trump claims he did no such thing.) If he sues, he opens a Pandoras box, and in that Pandoras box is every damning quote hes ever uttered about January 6, said Stephens. So this isnt the hill to die on, in my view. Its a legal cliff edge, and if he jumps, theres a high chance hell fall. Armed men in Mali killed a TikTok influencer who had posted videos in support of the West African nation's military, authorities said Monday. "The young TikTok user Mariame Cisse was abducted by armed men on Friday while she was at the weekly market in Echel ... The following day, at dusk, the same men brought her back to Independence Square in Tonka and executed her in front of a crowd," Yehia Tandina, the mayor of Timbuktu, told The Associated Press. The mayor of Tonka in the Timbuktu region, Mamadou Konipo, confirmed the killing but said he didn't have more information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tonka is a village along the Niger River, roughly 93 miles from Timbuktu. Members of the al Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, are known to operate there. JNIM, which was formed in Mali in 2017, has become one of Africa's deadliest jihadist groups within the space of just a few years, according to BBC News. No group has taken responsibility for the killing. Cisse, who was not a member of the military, sometimes posted images of herself in military fatigues to her more than 150,000 followers, which is thought to have drawn attention from the armed men. Cisse received death threats several days before she was abducted, according to the Timbuktu mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mali has been battling armed groups since 2012 a fight that has escalated over the past decade. The military seized power in 2020 on the pretext of curtailing the insecurity. Another military officer seized power in a coup the following year. Insecurity has worsened since then, according to monitoring groups. Armed groups, primarily JNIM, operate in large swathes of rural regions. The landlocked nation is currently under a fuel blockade by JNIM. Social media influencers have been targeted by violence around the world in recent months. In August, social media influencer Ariela Mejia-Polanco was shot dead while driving alone in her car in Mount Vernon, New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, Venezuelan TikTok influencer Jesus Sarmiento was killed during a livestream after denouncing members of the Tren de Aragua criminal gang and allegedly corrupt police officers. Also in June, Pakistani police said 17-year-old TikTok star Sana Yousaf was shot dead by a man who had repeatedly contacted her online. In May, social media influencer Valeria Marquez was shot dead during a livestream on TikTok in Mexico. The murder shocked Mexico where killings and kidnappings are a daily occurrence and brought into sharp focus both its femicide epidemic and growing violence against influencers. How Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal that may end government shutdown Passengers wait hours as air traffic control staffing issues due to shutdown disrupt travel In the mail: Viewers respond to 60 Minutes interview with President Trump This story was originally published on WardsAuto. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily WardsAuto newsletter. Dive Brief: Nissan Motor Co. reported an operating profit loss of 27.7 billion yen ($180.7 million) in the first half of FY2025, a $430 million decline from the same period a year ago. The company said it was primarily owing to lower income, impairments and restructuring costs, according to its Nov. 6 earnings report. Nissan reported global sales of 1.48 million units in the first half of FY2025, with net revenue reaching 5.6 trillion yen. But its net income loss for the period was 221.9 billion yen ($1.44 billion). Nissan's full-year net revenue is forecast to be 11.7 trillion yen. However, the company expects its operating profit will break even, excluding any further impact of U.S. tariffs, which are estimated to result in a full-year operating loss of nearly $1.8 billion. Dive Insight: Nissans financial struggles go back to 2024 when it faced sluggish vehicle sales leading to a scale back of global production, global plant closures, the elimination of 9,000 jobs and buyouts for its U.S. production workers. The company reported a 90% drop in operating profit in the first half of FY2024. The automaker has been working on its turnaround since the company ousted its former CEO, Makoto Uchida, in March, along with four other top executives following its failed merger with rival Honda Motor Co. earlier this year. Nissan appointed former Chief Planning Officer Ivan Espinosa and 20-year company veteran to replace Uchida, effective April 1. Under the leadership of its new CEO, the company announced its Re:Nissan recovery plan in May. Among the plans goals is to implement actions across the company to enhance performance and create a leaner, more resilient business that adapts quickly to market changes, the automaker said in a press release. The plan called for an aggressive cost reduction target of 250 billion yen and for Nissan to return to profitability in FY2026. Nissan said it has already delivered over 80 billion yen in cost savings in the first half of FY2025, and is on track to exceed 150 billion yen by the end of the fiscal year on March 31, 2026. Nissan is also selling its corporate headquarters in Yokohama, Japan to raise capital. The automaker said it will enter into a 20-year leaseback agreement, ensuring there is no impact on employees or its operations. Proceeds from the sale will be reinvested to modernize facilities and support future growth under the Re:Nissan plan. CANTON Canton City Council voted Nov. 10 to eliminate public speaking from its regular meetings. Twenty-eight people who had signed up to speak didn't get a chance. Council members initiated the change to the body's Rules of Procedure to remove the public speaking forum because of safety concerns. The vote, which passed with eight members in support and two against, culminated in a shouting match. Members of the public audibly voiced distaste to council members while leaving council chambers. Some council members and the council president shouted back, calling for Canton police officers to remove the disruptors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the beginning of the meeting, Majority Leader John Mariol said public speaks has been out of hand lately, with frequent disruptions and speakers not following existing rules. Misinformation brought up during meetings has led to threatening comments online, leading to safety concerns, Mariol said. "Public speaks has increasingly devolved into an unproductive and often hostile spectacle," he said prior to the council vote. He brought up threatening comments made on Facebook and claimed there have been doxing and blackmailing threats to leak Social Security numbers of council members. The FBI is involved and investigating, he said. 'Very, very heated:' Canton Council may shut down public speaking due to safety concerns Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council President Kristen Bates Aylward, who presides over the meeting and public speaks, said the threats to leak Social Security numbers led her to move public speaks to the end of the meeting. That effectively meant that it would not happen if council voted to eliminate it. "As the president of City Council, it is my decision and my decision alone how to arrange the agenda," she said. "I was torn this morning whether or not to allow people to speak or not. Even though we've been facing death threats and all kinds of other trolling, I still felt that I was leaning that way. "Until today, when I got a call from the police that bad actors are threatening to extort and blackmail not just us, not just the people here in this horseshoe, but all of our city employees," she said. Majority of council votes to eliminate public speaks Eight council members supported eliminating public speaks. Frank Morris, Ward 9, and Louis Giavasis, at-large, voted against the measure. Crystal Smith and Richard Sacco were absent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morris said he would not support the proposal because there was not enough consideration of alternative options. He said he would've preferred council would better enforce its existing rules for public speaks rather than eliminate the forum. "There are a lot of people in this audience that are guilty of being extremely disruptive," he said. "And there's a lot of people in this horseshoe guilty of not enforcing the rules that we have in place to deal with this." Giavasis said he spent a lot of time considering the proposal. He defended the city's right to revise public speaking rules, but ultimately voted against eliminating public speaks, calling the ability to speak to him as an elected official "sacred." "Council has a right to legislate through its rules what takes place in council chambers," he said. "That's a fact. That is a fact." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about Ohio law regarding resident participation at public meetings, a spokesperson for Ohio Attorney General David Yost's office pointed to footnote 1039 on page 145 of the Ohio Sunshine Laws Manual. It reads: "The Open Meetings Act does not require that a public body give the public an opportunity to comment at its meetings, but if public participation is permitted, it is subject to the protections of the First and Fourteenth Amendments." Councilwoman Chris Smith, who also chairs the rules committee that brought the public speaks change, supported eliminating the forum because of recent disorder. She encouraged members of the public to use other methods to voice concerns to the public, such as calling the council office. "Many of y'all have been so disrespectful up here," Smith said. "You call us names, y'all up here fussing about something that we have no control over. ... It's time for a change." Public upset: Multiple attendees shout at council, leave in distaste Following the vote, the room devolved into chaos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel Dale Gates, a frequent speaker who recently ran as a Republican for Canton City Council Ward 1, was the first to address the body. Speaking over Bates Aylward, Gates accused council of violating the First Amendment. Justin Nicely, a former Canton resident who currently lives in Massillon and runs the Canton Hall of Shame Facebook page, also spoke to council while walking out. "They got to say their narrative but we couldn't say ours," he said. Nicely said he believes the move to eliminate public speaks is retaliation. "It's just another theatrical play that they're trying to put out there to make it as if, 'Oh, well, it's gotten so crazy,'" he said. "No. The people are pushing back against you and you don't like it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As people were walking out, Giavasis commented back. "Hey, hey! This is the reason why they voted the way they did," he said. Chris Smith and Bates Aylward interrupted him. "We're not debating it," Bates Aylward said. Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@gannett.com. Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton City Council eliminates public speaks after threats Live look at counties facing expensive mandates and a loss in federal funding to administer human services programs. (Photo illustration by Getty Images) Sometimes bad news has more bad news buried inside it. Lets take the tax and spending bill Congress passed in July. Not only will it cause millions of people across the country to lose their food assistance and health care, but it will also unload a mass of new administrative requirements on states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Minnesota, the multiple new mandates work requirements, additional eligibility and verification requirements will fall on counties. Thats because in Minnesota, the state sets policy and oversees administration, but the counties do the client contact service delivery part of the job. In addition to new administrative requirements, the bill reduces federal reimbursement for the administrative costs of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program i.e., SNAP or food stamps from 50% to 25%. That means counties now have to pay 75% of the cost of running SNAP. The Minnesota Department of Human Services is estimating that administering the new Medicaid work requirements will cost the state, county and tribes $165 million annually. The new Medicaid eligibility checks will cost another $5 million. The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families estimates that the state and counties will lose $39 million a year in SNAP federal administrative funding, and increased workloads will push that number higher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minnesota counties are raising the alarm. Exactly how much of these costs fall to counties, however, is ultimately dependent on decisions by the state. The state could provide additional funds to counties to offset some of these costs. One problem, though: The state is facing a looming budget deficit. So, if this is a crisis, whats the opportunity? Blow up the system. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Or, to put it more nicely, maybe its finally time to seriously reexamine the state-county relationship that sits at the core of how we run our human services system. Minnesota hasnt really examined the state-county system in over 15 years. DHS and counties have attempted several partnership efforts. These are helpful to state-county relations, but lack the resources needed for serious restructuring work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last effort sparked by a 2007 report from the Office of Legislative Auditor resulted in little change. The OLA was primarily concerned with variation in services and outcomes between counties, as well as inconsistency in state oversight. Lets start with another issue the OLA explored the one that drives current concerns: The county role in financing human services. Minnesota counties have a small role in human services financing, averaging 4-5% of human services spending. But it is not a small dollar amount: $837 million in 2021 (the last year of available data). Much of this money goes to support the counties role in service delivery eligibility, assessments, case management, etc. Counties also fund a portion of some services, notably large shares of childrens services (child protection, foster care, etc.) and mental health services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a problem. Counties have different taxing capacities, which can result in uneven access to services across the state. These funding arrangements are largely historic anachronisms a collection of decisions made over time with no guiding strategy. And its not getting better. Earlier this year, Gov. Tim Walz proposed shifting some of the cost of disability services to counties. And now the federal government is dumping their budget problem on counties. Layering more random financing responsibilities on top of this mess seems inadvisable. But you cant have the money conversation without having the roles-and-responsibilities conversation. What should the state do? What should counties do? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minnesota is in the minority among states, one of just 10 or so that has counties deliver services. In most states people go to state offices for services. Talking with colleagues in other states over the years raised some possible advantages of state administration. For example: When service delivery is defaulted to the counties, policy makers may ignore how service delivery impacts the goals of a new policy. With state administration, the people in charge of delivering the services can be more easily engaged in designing the policy. State-administered systems can more easily respond to crises or emergencies by quickly reallocating or supplementing staffing and other resources. Business processes can be more easily redesigned to fully leverage new technology. In the current structure with 87 counties doing any of the things is cumbersome at best. Counties have different staffing capacity and structures, union contracts and IT systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, they are accountable to locally elected officials who dont set policy, which falls on the Legislature. None of this is to say the counties are doing a bad job or doing something wrong. I worked with counties for decades, and from front line workers to leadership they are dedicated to helping Minnesotans in need. Counties value their role in delivering services to their communities, and that bond to local communities is an advantage of county service delivery. And, of course, suggesting the state take on more responsibility for service delivery raises its own set of questions and healthy skepticism. The failure to prevent fraud in multiple human services programs does not engender confidence in the operational capacity of state agencies, and the states failure to improve human services IT systems is a significant problem for counties right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the system may be at a breaking point. And continuing to ignore this especially in the face of the new federal requirements is only going to compound the problem. These sorts of structural and operational issues often fall by the wayside. They are big and complicated, take lots of resources, and have no obvious political constituency. But counties see the steamroller coming. And maybe the fraud problem highlights what happens when we dont proactively deal with basic operational problems. When I was in state government wed sometimes talk about second term issues not the flashy policies of the first term, but the meat and potatoes of good government. We never had occasion to talk about third term issues but this seems like a perfect fit. In the early morning hours of Nov. 10, students and administrators gathered in the parking lot at Temple Christian School and stood around Anna Kepner's car. By the end of the short memorial, administrators at the K-12 Titusville school say, the white Kia had been covered in flowers and balloons as a tribute to the 18-year-old senior, whose death aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship remains a mystery. Later, about 5 p.m., another group of students gathered and released a cluster of balloons that drifted east over the Indian River. Friends bring bundles of balloons and flowers to place on the car of Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old Temple Christian School student who died aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. The cause of death was not immediately known, and the case is under investigation by the FBI. Kepner, an A-student with plans to join the military when she graduated in May 2026, died aboard the Carnival Horizon, a Panamanian-registered cruise ship which returned to Port Miami Nov. 8 following a trip to the Caribbean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her body was taken off of the ship upon the ships return to its home port and transported to the medical examiner's office in Miami-Dade County. The cause of death was not immediately known. It was also not known who she traveled with or if she was alone. The multi-deck Carnival Horizon offers six-day excursions to the Western Caribbean for its 4,000 passengers. The ship has a staff of about 1,400 people, according to a fact sheet on the ship distributed by Carnival Cruise Lines. The teens family and the FBI, the lead agency investigating circumstances surrounding her death, remain quiet about the case. But several details have emerged about Kepner, along with tributes praising her outgoing nature, in posts on social media. Teen called 'Anna Banana' was 'such an easy person to talk to' The family spoke about the teen known by the nickname "Anna Banana," saying she "had that type of energy that just drew you in with her smile and the way she carried herself. She was such an easy person to talk to." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She became interested in gymnastics at an early age, her family said, and became a cheerleader. She was the best child you could ever meet, family members said. Well always remember her for who she was. Kepner was seen as a positive influence at the private school she attended. "Losing you is heartbreaking, yet I remain grateful for the time I had with you and the privilege of you becoming part of our TCS family," said school official Rich Brunner on a social media post. Anna Kepner " Your absence will be felt every day, but your impact and the memories you created will continue to live on in our hearts. Love, Mr. Brunner." Family asks for end to unverified speculation The family has asked that people stop commenting online about the death or spreading unverified speculation about how the teen died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case, possibly because of the teen's age and ongoing concerns about safety aboard cruise ships that carry hundreds of thousands of tourists from Florida to other destinations, has garnered international attention. "We are trying to grieve the loss of our child and its been incredibly difficult to navigate this heartbreak," the family said late Nov. 10 on a post circulated by relatives on Facebook. "We truly appreciate everyone's love and concern but right now we need privacy and space to grieve. J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X: @JDGallop. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Family of Titusville teen who died on cruise seeks 'space to grieve' A 3-year-old girl with a severe dairy allergy was hospitalized after a Qatar Airways flight attendant allegedly gave the child a chocolate bar despite warnings from the toddlers mother not to serve her anything containing milk. When North Carolina resident Swetha Neerukonda returned to her seat from the bathroom, the shocked parent confronted the flight attendant, who mocked and mitigated her concerns as the toddler went into anaphylaxis and her vital signs declined, according to a $5 million lawsuit reviewed by The Independent. Upon landing, the childs condition worsened and she spent two days in the intensive care unit until being stabilized, the lawsuit states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its inconceivable they take it upon themselves to give the child the allergen? attorney Abram Bohrer, who is representing Neerukonda, told The Independent. This was a very serious, life-threatening situation. The suit, filed October 31 in Alexandria, Virginia federal court, claims the cabin crew did little to help, leaving Neerukonda largely to her own devices. Swetha Neerukonda, seen here with her 3-year-old daughter, is suing Qatar Airways after the girl was hospitalized following a mid-air anaphylactic reaction the family blames on a flight attendant (Supplied/Getty) Youd think they would jump into action, calling for ground-based telemedicine support, asking for a doctor on board, Bohrer said. But they were somewhat blase, very indifferent. A Qatar Airways spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction that shuts down the bodys airways and can be fatal without immediate medical intervention. In one instance, a 20-year-old woman with a shellfish allergy nearly died from an anaphylactic reaction that occurred shortly after she kissed her boyfriend, who ate shrimp earlier in the day. The Federal Aviation Administration does not require airlines to carry EpiPens, but planes are required to carry vials of epinephrine, which only a trained medical professional can administer, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. On April 9, Neerukonda, 33, and her young daughter boarded Qatar Airways flight QR710 from Washington Dulles International Airport in Sterling, Virginia, according to Neerukondas complaint. They were headed to India, and would catch a connection at Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, following the 14-hour flight from Dulles. Presently, FAA regulations do not require airlines to carry EpiPens aboard their flights, only vials of epinephrine, which require a trained medical professional to administer, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (Getty) Neerukonda informed members of the cabin crew upon boarding about her daughters allergies to dairy and nuts, and also reiterated the warning during the journey, her complaint continues. Once crewmembers were placed on notice of a passengers food allergy, the complaint argues, they had a duty of care to ensure that food items containing such allergens [would] not be served to that passenger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point during the flight, Neerukonda needed to use the lavatory, and one of the flight attendants agreed to keep an eye on her daughter while she was gone, according to the complaint. Neerukonda once again reiterated that her daughter suffered from allergies to dairy and nuts, which said flight attendant acknowledged, the complaint states. But, when Neerukonda returned, the flight attendant was feeding her a Kit Kat bar, according to Bohrer. Neerukonda then confronted the flight attendant who responded by admitting that she had fed the snack to the child, and who mocked and mitigated [Neerukondas] concerns, according to the complaint. The allergen in question was a Kit Kat bar, according to attorney Abram Bohrer (AFP/Getty) Within a short period, [the young girl] began to suffer severe anaphylaxis as her mental status and vital signs declined, the complaint continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bohrer said the child experienced a rapid decline in her oxygen saturation rate, and ultimately required an EpiPen injection, which the complaint says Neerukonda administered. However, no PA announcement was made by cabin crew members, in violation of [the airlines] own practices and procedures, according to the complaint. Moreover, it contends, when [Neerukonda] sought to share information with a fellow passenger whom she believed to be a witness, a flight attendant intervened, claiming that was in violation of the airlines policy. The girls condition improved somewhat and she made it to Doha for their connection without further incident, the complaint states. Yet, once they landed in India, the child suffered a second anaphylactic reaction and was rushed to the hospital and placed in the ICU for emergency treatment. In 2023, a Southern California cardiologist flying Qatar Airways from Los Angeles to Sri Lanka died after being denied the vegetarian meal he had ordered, choking on a piece of food while attempting to follow a flight attendants instructions to eat around the meat in the meal he was given instead, according to a wrongful death lawsuit first reported by The Independent. The mother of the 3-year-old girl who was sickened in the air is demanding $5 million from Qatar Airways (US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia) A year later, a New York City physician flying Singapore Airlines from Frankfurt, Germany to John F. Kennedy International Airport fell violently ill when she was served a meal containing shrimp, even after having made sure to notify the cabin crew of her severe shellfish allergy, according to a lawsuit filed last June. The flight was forced to divert to Paris, where the woman was transported by ambulance and underwent emergency medical treatment at two separate medical facilities, according to her complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June 2024, British reality TV star Jack Fowler experienced what he described as near-fatal anaphylaxis aboard an Emirates flight to Dubai, after being served a chicken curry containing cashew nuts, despite allegedly informing a flight attendant that he had a severe nut allergy. Cashew is the worst nut for me, Fowler told Good Morning Britain at the time. Straight away I knew my throat was closing up, I couldnt breathe. Neerukondas lawsuit says her daughter suffered great pain, agony and mental anguish thanks to the candy bar she was given by the Qatar Airways flight attendant, and will likely continue to deal with related problems. She is demanding a jury trial and $5 million in damages, as well as pre- and post-judgment interest, plus court costs and legal fees. Qatar Airways has not yet filed a formal response to the allegations. The mother of a 2-year-old girl has been sentenced to 22 years in prison in connection with the childs death. Sarah Elizabeth Newsom pleaded guilty Monday to a first degree felony injury to a child by failing to protect her daughter. Ninety-seventh District Attorney Katie Boggeman said Newsom received the sentence in exchange for her guilty plea and cooperation in the trial against Joshua Fulbright, the man convicted of killing the toddler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sarah Elizabeth Newsom entered a plea agreement Monday on charges of injury to a child, 97th District Court officials said. She was held Tuesday in the Wichita County Jail. Scarlette Olivia Newsom suffered a severe beating on Oct. 18, 2018, at a Clay County home. She died five days later after being removed from life support at Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth. Scarlette Olivia Newsom Joshua Fulbright, 30, was convicted March 10 of capital murder of a person under 10 in her death by a Montague County jury, according to court records. Court documents said Sarah Newsom was in the room with her daughter when Fulbright struck her. She told deputies she slapped the child to bring her out of seizure-like behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The documents said Fulbright was staying at the home but was not the child's father. Following two mistrials, the case against Fulbright was moved to Montague County on a change of venue, court records show. On March 5, 2025, a jury there convicted him and sentenced him to life in prison without parole. Newsom He is housed in the Ferguson prison unit in Midway, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. In October, Fulbright appealed his conviction in the Second District Court of Appeals in Fort Worth, court records show. As part of her plea deal, Newsom agreed not to appeal. More: Here's how restaurants and stores fared on inspections heading into November More: Joshua Fulbright murder trial ends in mistrial after defense attorney's DWI arrest This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Mother pleads in child's death Since the early 1940s, the United States has created some of the most capable fighter aircraft in the world. But the road to designing, creating and then selling something as technologically demanding as a fighter is not an easy one, and many often brilliant aeroplanes fell by the wayside. Here are ten of the most charismatic fighter aircraft never to make it to widespread service. Some featured innovative thinking that was just a little too ahead of its time, some were the wrong idea, and some were just plain unlucky, regardless they are fascinating aeroplanes that tell a great deal about engineering history. 10: Grumman (G-34) XF5F-1 Skyrocket Grumman (G-34) XF5F-1 Skyrocket Thirty years before the F-14 Tomcat was made famous by Top Gun, Grumman built another extremely advanced twin-engine carrier fighter, the superb G-34. Twin-engined carrier fighters were not a thing in 1940, but despite this, the first example of this breed proved a winner. Trials in 1941 pitted the type against all the most advanced Allied fighters, including the XF4U Corsair, and the results were spectacular. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the man in charge of the test, Lieutenant commander Crommelin, I remember testing the XF5F against the XF4U on climb to the 10,000-foot level. I pulled away from the Corsair so fast I thought he was having engine trouble. The F5F was a carrier pilot's dream, as opposite rotating propellers eliminated all torque. 10: Grumman (G-34) XF5F-1 Skyrocket Grumman (G-34) XF5F-1 Skyrocket He went on to state that the aircraft was superior to its best rivals, The analysisfavored the F5F, and the Spitfire came in a distant second. However, performance is not everything, and sourcing parts for and maintaining a twin-engined aircraft would have proved logistically harder than one with half the amount of engines, so the Navy instead opted for the Grumman Wildcat. The effort taken with this somewhat bizarre-looking fighter was far from wasted, as it evolved into the Grumman F7F Tigercat, one of the finest piston-engined fighters ever flown. 9: McDonnell XP-67 'Moonbat' McDonnell XP-67 'Moonbat' The first two manifestations of this design failed to arouse the USAAF, but promises of a 472mph top speed tantalised the authorities and funding was granted. What was proposed was a heavily armed, high-speed bomber destroyer with a radically new shape. The designer, the McDonnell company, considered some formidable armament options including a 75-mm gun or six 37-mm cannons! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The radical aerodynamics of the 1944 Moonbat (known at the time as the Flying Fillet) gave this US fighter prototype the look of a flying stingray. The design emphasised low drag and the harvesting of a high amount of fuselage lift through a blended wing/body design. The fuselage, like the wing, had an aerofoil cross-section (the body of the aircraft created lift much like a wing). 9: McDonnell XP-67 'Moonbat' McDonnell XP-67 'Moonbat' The aircraft flew in 1944 and proved the until-then-unknown adage 'if it looks like a stingray it will fly like one'. It was underpowered, with poor handling, a long take-off run, terrible fuel consumption and stall characteristics even a 1940s test pilot didn't have the bottle to explore. A prototype crashed and the project was deemed too dangerous to continue. However, the blended wing body concept has not died. It was later used with great success, among others, the SR-71 Blackbird Mach 3 spy plane and is seen in varying degrees in many other designs. It is also, in its purest form, being studied for several future airliner concepts. 8: Northrop F-18L Northrop F-18L The F/A-18 Hornet was the mainstay of US Navy airpower, a role now filled by the Super Hornet. The F/A-18 is no slouch in a dogfight, and the land-based F-18L was even better. Freed from the extra weight of carrier compatibility it was almost 30% lighter than the F/A-18A. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This lighter weight gave it superior range, and manoeuvrability and enhanced almost all other aspects of its already sparkling performance. It also boasted a longer range air-to-air missile than other land-based peers in the form of the Sparrow, something the rival F-16s of the time lacked. Medium-range weapons were not carried by any other Western lightweight fighters in the 1970s. 8: Northrop F-18L Northrop F-18L The F-18L was offered to Canada for the New Fighter Aircraft Project of the late 1970s. It was a better aircraft for the role than the F/A-18A, but Canada preferred an 'off-the-shelf' product with an existing customer. Whereas the F-18L effort was led by the Northrop company, the F/A-18A was largely McDonnell Douglas. The promising F-18L failed to gain an order, and land-based air forces received naval Hornets with 2500Ib of additional weight in the form of an extra strong undercarriage, folding wing mechanism and catapult-compatible systems most useful for use on aircraft carriers. 7: Curtiss-Wright XF-87 Blackhawk Curtiss-Wright XF-87 Blackhawk At the end of the second world war Curtiss-Wright was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world. Three years later it was gone. The nail in the coffin was the Blackhawk. The name followed a company naming tradition begun in the early 1930s for including 'hawk'; their most successful fighters were the Tomahawk, Kittyhawk and Warhawk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was nothing particularly terrible about the XF-87 jet fighter, although the number of engines was unusual, the four Westinghouse XJ34-WE-7 turbojets would have been replaced by two J47s had it made it into production). The USAF ordered the fighter (modified from an attack-optimised design) before succumbing to the charms of the F-89 Scorpion and opting out. 7: Curtiss-Wright XF-87 Blackhawk Curtiss-Wright XF-87 Blackhawk It is often said that the company had been so busy in the mass production and incremental improvement of wartime aircraft types that they had not been able to respond to the jet revolution as well as their more forward-looking rivals. This is not entirely fair as they were on some exceptionally radical concepts, especially the wildly futuristic XP-55 Ascender. The Blackhawk name has proved popular for aircraft, and there was also Carr SBlackhawk racing aircraft of the 1930s, the (also) Sikorsky S-67 Blackhawk and today's famous H-60 series helicopters (as featured in the 2001 action film Black Hawk Down). 6: Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender Despite an utterly exotic futuristic appearance canards (small control surface wings ahead of the main wing like todays Typhoon), a then-novel tricycle landing gear and a swept wing (for balance not for higher speed) and a pusher engine, the first of three aircraft flew as early 19 July 1943. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was originally designed for the 1800 horsepower Pratt & Whitney X-1800 24-cylinder H-engine, which was cancelled, and power for the prototypes came from the considerably weedier 1,275 hp Allison V-1710-95 liquid-cooled V12 engine. The XP-55s performance was less-than-stellar, and it was apparent that far lower-risk conventional fighter designs offered superior performance. 6: Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender But Curtiss-Wright promised a version with an improved laminar flow wing, an aerodynamically super clean wing offering improved performance. Despite the failure of the original, this idea held some promise, so the project carried on. But the Ascenders vicious stall characteristics could not be tamed, and the programme ended after the third prototype crashed at Wright Field during an air show. This was the second crash of only three aircraft built. Today all fighters have tricycle undercarriages, and many have canards, but this was the 1940s and a case of was too much too soon. 5. North American YF-93 5. North American YF-93 The superb North American F-86 Sabre was the best fighter of its day and formed the basis of several derivative aircraft, and the YF-93 was one of them. The rather handsome North American YF-93 was intended as a penetration fighter able to fly into the Soviet Union and destroy interceptors in their own airspace, and as a secondary task, escort USAF bombers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It started as a modified F-86 but soon grew different enough to merit its own designation. Compared to the Sabre it had far more fuel, twice the range and was far bigger. With the search radar and six 20-mm cannon occupying the nose, the nose intake of the F-86 was replaced with flush-mounted NACA (forerunner to NASA) designed side intakes. The YF-93 first flew in 1950. 5: North American YF-93 North American YF-93 Though very elegant in appearance, the jet air intakes proved troublesome. They had issues with airflow when the aircraft was travelling at higher angles of attack (nose up compared to the direction of flight) and were replaced with a more conventional, and far less attractive, intake design. The arrival of a bomber, the B-47, with a similar top speed revealed the XF-93 to be too pedestrian in performance and the order for 118 aircraft was cancelled. It should be noted that the RAF accepted the Hawker Hunter into service in 1954, an aircraft of very similar top speed but with an inferior range. 4: Heinrich Pursuit Heinrich Pursuit Today, nineteen months is insufficient time to develop and integrate a major software update on a warplane, but in 1917 it was a very long time in military aviation. The USA was only fighting in the first world war for nineteen months but in that time several attempts were to develop a high-performance indigenous fighter from scratch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pursuit was powered by the 100 hp Gnome Monosoupape 9 Type B-2 nine-cylinder rotary engine and was of unequal-span biplane configuration. Whereas the British Bristol F2.B of 1916 was named 'Fighter', a word which describes the mission to this day, Heinrich chose 'Pursuit' (the term 'pursuit fighter' remained in official US terminology until the XP-92 of 1948). 4: Heinrich Pursuit Heinrich Pursuit Quite unlike the modern world in which the US will generally do its utmost to avoid buying foreign aircraft, the opposite was true in 1917. As with most fledgling warplane-producing nations, there was an initial preference for proven foreign designs. This is rather a shame as the Pursuit was a decent enough aeroplane of very clean aerodynamic form. Though not procured as a fighter it was seen to have potential as a fighter trainer. Two Mk II aircraft were ordered and these were particularly fine, with a cleaned-up design offering a 77 kg weight reduction and inclusion of the more reliable Le Rhone 80 hp rotary engine. 3: Grumman XF10F Jaguar Grumman XF10F Jaguar As with most excellent carrier aircraft (certainly the Phantom II and Buccaneer among them) the road to the F-14 Tomcat was paved with the smoking wrecks of abysmal earlier efforts. The swing-wing Grumman XF10F Jaguar was the forefather of the F-14 Tomcat. It was Grumman's first attempt at a variable geometry warplane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'Swing-wings' were very appealing to the US Navy, as they promised the docile take-off and landing characteristics of a straight wing with the higher wing sweep required for trans- and super-sonic flight. Such promise could not be ignored, and the Navy ordered 112 Jaguars. 3: Grumman XF10F Jaguar Grumman XF10F Jaguar It followed on from progress made by, among others, the Westland-Hill Pterodactyl IV of 1931, the British Vickers Wild Goose of 1950, but more directly by the unflown Messerschmitt P.1101 and the experimental Bell X-5. Test pilot Corwin 'Corky' Meyer, the only pilot to fly the Jaguar, found it as entertaining to fly "because there was so much wrong with it." So much attention had been paid to getting the wing sweep mechanism right, that other aspects had been neglected. The wing sweep mechanism was pretty much the only part of the Jaguar that did work flawlessly. Even by 1950s naval (and experimental) standards, this was a terrible aeroplane, and after 32 test flights the project was mercifully halted, and the order cancelled. 2: Lockheed XF-90 Lockheed XF-90 The Skunk Works is Lockheeds legendary secret projects department, famous for secrecy and small, brilliant teams creating world-leading innovation. The Skunk Works started around 1939 (the exact year is debated) to develop the super-fast P-38 Lightning. It would later develop the U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, F-117, F-22 Raptor, and F-35 Lightning II. In the late 1940s it was working on the XF-90. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A competitor to the North American YF-93 above in the competition for a long-range penetration fighter, the fabulously futuristic Lockheed XF-90 was designed at the Skunk Works by one Willis Moore Hawkins under the supervision of the master of US aircraft design (and amateur arm wrestler) Kelly Johnson. 2: Lockheed XF-90 Lockheed XF-90 Though lacking the fame of Johnson, Hawkins was a very important figure. He worked on many projects including the glamorous Constellation airliner and F-104 Starfighter and was instrumental in the creation of both the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft and even the M1Abrams main battle tank. The XF-90 was the first USAF jet with an afterburner, and the first Lockheed jet to fly supersonic (though it needed to dive to reach this speed). It had a novel vertical stabilizer that could be moved fore and aft for horizontal stabilizer adjustment. The XF-90 was not Hawkins finest moment and its relatively lacklustre performance found it losing out to the XF-88 Voodoo. 1: Vultee P-66 Vanguard Vultee P-66 Vanguard If a modern fighter achieved a production total of 146 it might be considered a modest success, but this was in a time when fighter aircraft were produced in their thousands (often tens of thousand). Even the relatively obscure Bell P-39 Airacobra had a production total pushing 10,000. So it is probably fair to include the P-66 in this list, though nitpickers may disagree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So sleek was the cowling on early examples of the P-66 you be forgiven for mistaking the Vanguard for having an inline engine, but it was actually a radial, a 1200 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830-33 Twin Wasp. But this figure-hugging cowling caused the engine to overheat and was replaced with one of more conventional appearance. 1: Vultee P-66 Vanguard Vultee P-66 Vanguard The P-66 had generally excellent handling and a decent performance. In 1940 the Swedish government ordered 144 as the V-48C. The V-48C had a heavier armament and improved high-altitude performance. Following the Pearl Harbor attack, the US decided there were better things to do with fighters than export them to a neutral country and an embargo was placed on aircraft for Sweden. Fifty were taken into the USAAF for both pursuit and pursuit training roles. Much of this order was then given to the Royal Air Force of Britain who hated the type and decided to give them to China. The British planned to use them as training aircraft but the P-66s tendency to ground-loop, their fragility combined with the goodwill achieved by gifting them to China all contributed to the RAF letting them go. Many of these were destroyed in testing and the journey (via India) to China. Follow Hush-Kit's incredible aviation stories on Substack and X If you enjoyed this story, please click the Follow button above to see more like it from Autocar Photo Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en ]]> The top elected officials in two Eastern Kentucky counties will leave office when their terms expire late next year after having overseen their local governments responses to the coronavirus pandemic, multiple federal disasters and sagging economies. Harlan County Judge-Executive Dan Mosley and Pike County Judge-Executive Ray S. Jones II say they have opted to leave their names off general election ballots next year. Nov. 5 was the first day to file notices of intent to run for office in Kentucky in 2026. All county judge-executives are up for re-election next year, and candidates have until Friday, Jan. 9, to file for races with primary elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kentuckys Appalachian counties have been hit hard by a decades-long reduction in global coal demand and the subsequent loss of local tax revenue. Combined with a regional opioid addiction epidemic and increasingly severe weather events that have caused multiple deadly flash floods, local governments have combatted a simmering economic, environmental and socio-political situation in recent years. Ray S. Jones II For Jones, a Democrat and former state senator who served as minority floor leader from 2014-19, those stresses have grown to be too much. The 56-year-old lawyer, husband and father of three has maintained a personal-injury law firm while serving in the senate and later as judge-executive for nearly 26 years. Public service is a sacrifice, he said. Its an honor, but its a sacrifice, and my family has paid a tremendous price for that. Jones, who is serving his second term as Pike Countys judge-executive, has led Kentuckys easternmost county through seven federal disaster declarations, a steadily declining population and what he called a toxic political environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First elected in 2018, he took office just two years after residents voted to oust the traditional magistrate form of county government in favor of fewer county commissioners who represent all voters equally. A 2023 referendum brought an abrupt halt to the experiment, and the county is now in the process of redrawing its legislative maps so six county magistrates will represent their own individual districts. Jones said he disagrees with the decision and fears it will mark a return of good-ol-boy politics in Pike County. When all youre worried about is this holler or that creek, youre not worried about whether theres jobs or theres adequate public infrastructure or whether the countys being financially managed properly, he said. He said he respects the overwhelming decision of the voters, but he is worried about external threats the county faces as it chooses to isolate itself inwardly, such as looming Medicaid cuts set to take effect in 2028. Regional health care investments have shielded the county from the worst of the collapsing coal industry, but the two major hospitals in Pikeville and South Williamson rely on Medicaid funding to operate, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite having implemented no major tax hikes during his seven years in office, Jones said the countys expenses are on track to outpace its revenues as more and more residents leave Kentuckys far eastern mountains. That represents a crisis for the future of Pike County and others like it, he said. He said he does not know what the solution is, and any politician who tells you they do is lying to you. But he is eager to step aside and devote more time to his family and law practice. Dan Mosley Mosley, who was once Kentuckys youngest serving judge-executive, entered office a Democrat in early 2015 and made headlines in 2021 when he led nearly all elected Harlan County officials to switch to the Republican Party. The county has achieved many of the economic diversification goals Mosley set out to tackle when he first announced his candidacy in 2013, he said. While there are no limits on how many terms a Kentucky judge-executive can serve, he does not believe it should be a lifetime post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its about having a vision for your community and trying to implement that vision, Mosley said. When youve achieved that, its time to move on. A former local journalist, E-911 coordinator and Harlan County special projects coordinator, Mosley steered the region through the devastating Blackjewel bankruptcy in 2019, which led a group of miners to block a coal train exiting the county after their paychecks bounced. Mosley said he has made it his mission to wean the county off of its reliance on coal income while respecting the persistent and historic role it plays in shaping the region. When he took office, the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet was not marketing any business or industrial sites in Harlan County. He helped secure funding for southeastern Kentuckys only build-ready site in Cumberland an expandable 50,000-square-foot concrete pad with natural gas connections in the countys business park. Broadband internet expansions the county helped implement alongside The Center for Rural Development and Appalachian Regional Commission have swept some of the states most rugged and high-altitude terrain into the digital age, Mosley added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Harlan County faces funding shortages, too, mainly due to the state jail fund failing to keep up with expenses. The countys subsidy has tripled since the pandemic to a rate of $750,000 to $1 million a year. When youre having to subsidize the jail fund like that, it takes away from what youre able to do on providing a lot of other essential services, he said. Thats something that is really the core issue facing county governments that has developed into a crisis, really. Meanwhile, the county is projected to lose nearly 45% of its population by 2050, according to a University of Kentucky analysis of demographic patterns. Finding a way to maintain infrastructure against such odds will be a major challenge for incoming leadership, Mosley said. He said he has not decided what he will pursue next, but he knew another four-year term was not right for him and his family. I couldnt commit to another four years, he said. You see people leave office or resign and go do something else. Ive seen resignations throughout the course of my tenure. People have to do what they feel is best for them, but I would not want to get elected and leave in the middle of a term. Donald Trumps administration illegally stripped retirement benefits from transgender service members despite the decades of service among them, a new lawsuit from more than a dozen trans military members alleges. The lawsuit accuses the administration of revoking retirement orders that were issued to 17 trans service members who were forced out of military service under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths ban on trans people serving in all branches. I raised my hand and served my country honorably for 15 years, including a deployment to Afghanistan, said lead plaintiff Master Sergeant Logan Ireland, whose retirement orders were rescinded by the Air Force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ripping away the retirements we have earned is a betrayal of the sacrifices made by servicemembers and our families, he said. We should not be thrown into economic hardship or made to feel our years of service are regarded by our country as meaningless. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., is the latest in a series of months-long legal battles waged by trans service members and veterans in the aftermath of Trumps executive order directing the Pentagon to remove trans people from the U.S. military. The Trump administration faces a lawsuit from trans troops alleging the Pentagon ditched their retirement packages despite their years of service (REUTERS) In June, the Air Force issued retirement orders to transgender plaintiffs in this case, but those orders were rescinded in August, separating the service members without retirement under the terms of Hegseths ban on trans service members, according to the lawsuit. Those initial retirement orders were based on the Temporary Early Retirement Authority, or TERA, which allows members with at least 15 years of service to retire early under certain conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plaintiffs argue that the rescission of those retirement orders violates the Air Forces own retirement policies and procedures, stranding them without earned benefits that amount to roughly $2 million over their lifetimes including access to the governments healthcare program for active-duty troops and retirees and their families. The Trump administration continues to deepen its betrayal of veterans by ripping away the pensions and health care benefits of honorable Airmen who have deployed around the world, according to Shannon Minter, legal director with the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, which is representing the plaintiffs in this case. There has never been an administration that has shown such open hostility to the brave men and women who have served our country, he said. The Pentagon declined to respond to the lawsuit in response to The Independents request, citing Defense Department policy against commenting on ongoing litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a senseless and shocking affront to troops who have sacrificed so much for our country, according to GLAD Law staff attorney Michael Haley, who is also representing troops at the center of the lawsuit. These brave transgender servicemembers deserve the retirement benefits they have earned and that the Air Force granted them, Haley said. As a country, we must honor our word to them, not rip away their benefits. Pete Hegseths directive has effectively banned trans troops from all branches of the US military, a move facing ongoing legal battles from more than two dozen trans service members and recruits (AP) In May, the Pentagon ordered military officials to immediately review medical records for trans service members to begin removing them from all branches of the armed forces. The order followed a Supreme Court decision that for now allows the Trump administration to ban trans people from the military and remove currently serving trans service members, despite court rulings that found the presidents directive plainly discriminatory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump implemented a similar ban in his first administration, ostensibly on the spurious basis that the cost of gender-affirming healthcare would financially burden the armed forces. This year, the president issued an executive order declaring that trans people lack a necessary honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle to serve, and that being transgender is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member despite the fact that roughly 4,000 trans people serve across all branches of the nations military and have for years. More than two dozen trans service members sued the administration to block the order and restore their service in legal challenges that remain pending in federal appeals courts. Seventeen longtime transgender members of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the Department of the Air Force unlawfully revoked their approved retirement orders in violation of federal law. Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter. Filed Monday in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., the 19-page complaint, brought by attorneys from GLAD Law, the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, pro-bono counsel from Stapleton Segal Cochran LLC, and the Law Office of Jeremy Spiegel, argues that the administrations actions stripped the plaintiffs of retirement benefits they had already earned after years of honorable service. Each of the plaintiffs has between 15 and 18 years of active-duty experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Air Force rescinds early retirement approvals for transgender service members kicked out by Trump According to the complaint, the Air Force issued all 17 retirement orders in June 2025 by order of the Secretary of the Air Force. Those orders were based on the Temporary Early Retirement Authority, known as TERA, which allows members with at least 15 years of service to retire early under certain conditions. The lawsuit states that the orders were valid and binding, and that the Air Forces own rules permit revocation only in narrow circumstancessuch as fraud, mathematical error, or newly discovered evidencenone of which applied in this case. The suit names as plaintiffs service members from both the Air Force and Space Force, including Master Sgt. Logan Ireland, Lt. Col. Ashley Davis, and Technical Sgt. Alyxandra Anguiano. All were granted retirement dates effective later this year, but in August, those orders were rescinded after the Trump administrations transgender military ban went into effect. Related: Air Force veteran stripped of retirement under Trumps transgender purge Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint cites a chain of executive and departmental directives that led to the reversal. In January, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14183, titled Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness, which instructed the Department of Defense to take the steps necessary to exclude transgender people from the military. The Pentagon then issued guidance in February implementing the order across all service branches. In May, the Air Forces Acting Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Gwen DeFilippi, issued a memo stating that transgender Air and Space Force members with 15 to 18 years of service could apply for TERA as an exception to policy. The Air Force approved the plaintiffs retirements shortly afterward. But in August, after DeFilippi was replaced by Brian L. Scarlett, the Air Force abruptly rescinded every one of those retirements. Scarlett issued a memo titled Exception to Policy (ETP) for Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) Decision, disapproving all pending TERA requests for service members with fewer than 20 years of service. He stated that those members would instead be eligible for voluntary separation pay at twice the amount of involuntary separation pay, but not for retirement pay or benefits. Related: Air Force grants honors to insurrectionist Ashli Babbitt while denying trans troops retirement benefits Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint argues that this reversal violated the Air Forces own instruction, which explicitly limits when retirement orders may be canceled. The plaintiffs contend that their rescinded orders remain valid and that they are entitled to full retirement benefits under federal law, which mandates pay for members retired under the appropriate sections of military law. Ireland, who said he has deployed multiple times, including to Afghanistan, told The Advocate on Monday that he hopes the lawsuit compels the military to honor the sacrifices of transgender service members. Ive done what my service and my country asked of me, he said. My gender should have no bearing on what retirement benefits Im afforded. Full stop. In his interview, Ireland described the human toll of that decision. Since the Air Force rescinded his orders, he said, hes been in this sort of purgatory limbo. Without a set retirement date, he cannot finalize employment or relocation plans. We dont know where were going to live. Employment is very hard to land because I dont have a retirement date anymore, he said He added that after years of honorable service, he still believes in the institution that has now turned against him. The military has made me who I am. It has made me a better person, he told The Advocate. All that I wish is for the military to see that and to honor that same sacrifice that Ive given. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit seeks reinstatement of the original retirement orders, restoration of retirement status and associated benefits, and compensation for lost pay. It also asks the court to order corrections to the plaintiffs military records to reflect their rightful retirement status. If were disposable like this, everybody is, Anguiano told The Advocate in August. This isnt just a fight for us. Its a threat to every person who has served or is currently serving. Related: Sarah McBride slams Republicans for blocking amendments on trans military service in defense bill The caseIreland et al. v. United Statescomes amid ongoing litigation over the administrations broader transgender military ban, including Talbott v. United States in Washington, D.C., and Shilling v. United States in Washington state, in which many of the same legal organizations represent plaintiffs challenging the constitutionality of the policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wish that I could meet the Secretary of Defense," Ireland said. I wish I could meet someone from the administration, so they could see me as I truly am, as a service member. Gender aside, Im a service member and Ive sacrificed for this uniform. This article originally appeared on Advocate: Transgender Air Force members sue Trump administration over revoked retirements RELATED A group of transgender servicemembers, who served up to 18 years in the Air Force, are suing the military for depriving them of their retirement benefits after the Trump administration booted all transgender troops from the military's ranks. More than a dozen transgender servicemembers are asking a court to reinstate the pensions they say the Air Force promised them as they were forced out of the military, only to rip them away in the subsequent months, according to attorneys who said they filed suit on their behalf on Nov. 10. President Donald Trump issued an executive order earlier this year ordering the Pentagon to oust all transgender troops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transgender soldiers who resigned of their own accord would receive "voluntary separation pay," according to Pentagon guidance. Those who didn't could be identified via "medical record reviews" and expelled. Air Force yanks transgender members' pensions Amid the purge, the Air Force told transgender troops in May that those being expelled after 15 to 18 years of service could apply for early retirement benefits. All the plaintiffs received their official retirement orders the following month. Then, on Aug. 4, the Air Force changed its mind. "After careful consideration, I am disapproving" of all of those airmen's applications for retirement benefits, Brian Scarlett, the acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs, wrote in a memo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'It feels like a betrayal': The Air Force promised retirement to trans members of 15 to 18 years. Then it reneged. "The military, the Air Force, is seeing my service as meaningless," said Logan Ireland, 37, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit. Ireland, who served for 15 years, told USA TODAY that he had lined up his finances and started applying to other jobs when his retirement was suddenly rescinded. While his command team has been supportive, officials have not responded to his requests to speak to higher-ups in the military, he said. "I want to know why," he said. "Why is my retirement being taken from me?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Air Force has said the group of people who lost benefits had an opportunity to apply for voluntary separation pay. The Air Force said it does not comment on ongoing litigation. A group of 17 transgender Air Force members are suing the Pentagon for ripping away their retirement benefits after they were booted from the military. Shannon Minter, the legal director for the National Center for LGBTQ Rights and an attorney representing the group, said some plaintiffs could stand to lose millions of dollars. They and their families will also lose military healthcare, Minter added. Minter said the military only rescinds retirement pay in extremely rare circumstances. He pointed to an Air Force policy that lists "fraud, manifest error, mathematical error, mistake of law, or substantial new evidence" as the only acceptable rationales for revoking pensions. "Ordinarily, when the military, in this case the Air Force, issues retirement orders, those are sacrosanct," said Minter. "It is unheard of for such an order to be rescinded, much less with no explanation and no justification." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration in allowing the ban on transgender people serving in the military to take effect in May. This story has been updated. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trans troops sue Air Force for revoking retirement benefits This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Norway's $2.1 trillion sovereign wealth fundthe world's largestjust hit pause on its ethics rulebook. Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg said the suspension came after the fund's decision to dump Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) shares in August triggered fears of a potential $230 billion tech selloff. The move followed ethics advisers flagging Caterpillar's bulldozers being used in the Gaza war, a decision Stoltenberg suggested could have spiraled into forced exits from major U.S. holdings. He described the moment as a wake-up call: global conflicts from Ukraine to Gaza, combined with the Trump administration's pushback on climate and diversity investing, have turned moral investing into a geopolitical minefield. The freeze has already rattled Oslo's political establishment. Cecilie Hellestveit resigned from the fund's Council on Ethics in protest, saying the pause effectively shut down its independence. Stoltenberg argued the Caterpillar sale was exaggeratedwhy blacklist a company over a tiny part of its business when the same bulldozers are building Norwegian roads? The backlash wasn't just domestic. U.S. Republicans slammed the decision, calling for tariffs and visa restrictions on Norwegian fund executives. Still, Stoltenberg pushed back on claims of American pressure, recalling that Norway had weathered similar U.S. criticism before, such as its 2006 divestment from Walmart. He added that his latest conversation with President Donald Trump didn't even mention Caterpillar. What's really at stake is the future of Norway's moral investing model. Stoltenberg said the fund's rules, drafted in a different era, no longer fit today's world of fast-moving wars and rearmament. Current guidelines block investments in companies tied to nuclear weaponseven as Norway buys F-35 jets from Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) and frigates from BAE Systems (BAESY). Strangely, we can transfer huge amounts of money to a company as payment for F-35s or frigates, but we cannot receive a small return on our investments, Stoltenberg said. A committee now has one year to rewrite the rules. For global investors watching the world's largest fund rethink its ethics playbook, this could mark the start of a new chapter where morality and markets collide head-on. LOWELL, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) The Arkansas Fallen Heroes Traveling Memorial will be at JB Hunt Headquarters from November 10-November 14. For a decade, the memorial honors Arkansans who died in military service from September 11, 2001, to August 21, 2021. The memorial traditionally hosts 155 tributes, with each featuring a flag and a short biography. It honors veterans who may have died in service, from natural causes or accidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nations largest subsidized veteran housing project nearing completion in Fayetteville The Arkansas Run for the Fallen organization put up the flags on November 7 and will remain until November 14, 7 p.m. The head of the organization, Bubba Beason, said the memorial started through a man named Rob Hopper, a father looking to keep alive his sons memorial after he died in Iraq. Similar to todays tribute, Hopper set up flags to honor military personnel who lost their life in Iraq and Afghanistan, but as he got older, he passed it on to Beasons organization. He picked us because we were kind of in line with the same thing and making sure the memorial was up and then keeping the memories alive, said Beason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas Run for the Fallen was founded in 2012, as Beason continued a tradition from New Jersey, with hundreds gathering each year to do a three-day run to the capital, honoring uniformed men and women every mile. A 25-year veteran himself, Beason said when he served in the military, he did not feel deserving of the title veteran. But now looking back, its kind of special to be able to where the thread of our nation and, do the things that we did, said Beason. When seeing the flag and hearing the anthem these days, he said he cannot help but to get emotional. Over the last decade of putting up the memorials has given Beason many memories and stories, so much so, he can talk about the late veterans by name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tommy Retzlaff, hes from up there. I believe Green Forest and Navy Seals. He has a rat race every year that his sister puts on. And one of the medals from the rat race was around his bio, said Beason as he remembered one of the memories hes gotten to witness. He also remembered seeing two beer cans, one empty and one full, at a tribute. The empty one had a quarter on it, symbolizing that whoever left this token was with the vet when he died. 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 KNWA FOX24. Mahmoud Amin Yaqub al-Muhtadi (CREDIT: St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office) Image was provided to The Center Square courtesy of KADN 15 in Lafayette, who acquired the image from the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office. The Center Square thanks them for their collaboration. (The Center Square) A Lafayette resident accused of participating in the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel will be detained until his trial next November, according to court records. A jury trial for Mahmoud Amin Yaqub Al-Muhtadi is set for Nov. 2, 2026 in Lafayette before U.S. District Judge David C. Joseph. He faces life in prison if convicted. Al-Muhtadi was indicted in October on one count of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization and one count of fraudulently applying for a U.S. visa. He has pleaded not guilty to both. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His name does not appear in an online search of state or federal prison inmates, and a message left with his attorney was not immediately returned. According to an FBI criminal complaint, Al-Muhtadi armed himself and joined a group that crossed from the Gaza Strip into Israel to fight alongside Hamas in the attack that killed 1,200 people. Another 250 were taken as hostages. In the year following the attack, Al-Muhtadi applied for a U.S. visa and said he planned to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma and look for work in the auto repair or food service industries, according to the complaint. Prosecutors say he lied on his visa application, hiding his ties to armed groups and his role in the Oct. 7 attack. Department of Homeland Security records show he arrived in the U.S. on Sept. 12, 2024 and has since lived and worked in Lafayette. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justices Counterterrorism Section, which leads investigations and prosecutions of domestic and international terrorism, material-support and terrorist-financing offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 6, Judge Joseph certified the matter as both classified and complex, and agreed to prosecutors' request to extend a 70-day deadline for trial. One provision requires the government to identify an Israeli document authentication witness by May 1, 2026, with a June 15 hearing focused on authenticating Israeli battlefield documents. There is an extradition treaty between the United States and Israel, but the Justice Department did not respond to questions about whether extradition is being sought. Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy, and give us feedback. Kate Rogers, the former president of the Alamo Trust, joins the TribCast this week to talk about her decision to step down from running the Texas most beloved historic site amid political pressure from Republican state leaders. Rogers walks Eleanor and guest host Alejandro Serrano through the unexpected controversy over a social media post celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day, and her surprise when state leaders started sharing excerpts of her 2023 doctoral dissertation. In the paper, which she had to go back and read herself when it began circulating, shed written that she wanted the Alamo to become a beacon for historical reconciliation but politically that may not be possible at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rogers was in the midst of overseeing a politically fraught overhaul of the Alamo Historic Site, which has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debates over how to tell the story of Texas history. While she maintains there was nothing particularly controversial in her dissertation, she acknowledged that some parts could be read as critical of the Texas Legislature, which is the projects largest funder. I could see how we cant have someone running this project who sounds ungrateful or critical of the largest donor to the project, she said. The restoration and expansion of the Alamo is set to include a new Alamo Visitor Center and Museum featuring eight galleries that trace the history of the site from its Indigenous context through the 1836 Battle of the Alamo and its contemporary legacy in Texas. In calling for her resignation, Patrick said he would defend the Alamo today against a rewrite of history, and that the sites overriding emphasis should be on the battle. Rogers said that was always the plan, with the largest galleries dedicated to the 13-day siege, but that other exhibits, like those on the Indigenous people and history of slavery that played a role in the conflict should also be reflected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were men of their time. They were flawed. Were all flawed, Rogers said. But that doesnt diminish the contributions that they made and I feel very strongly about that. The Alamo Trust board announced last week that former Secretary of State Hope Andrade would be the organizations next president and chief executive. Rogers said the whole experience felt like a witch hunt, and connected her being pushed out to recent firings at Texas universities over the teaching of topics deemed controversial by state leaders. I think its interesting that politicians who publicly support the right to free speech and actually argue for the right to free speech are saying, well, but not when you write something that is potentially critical of something we believe. Watch the video above, or subscribe to the TribCast on iTunes, Spotify, or RSS. New episodes every Tuesday. A man who killed three people and left taunting messages for police in the blood of one of his victims is set to be put to death by firing squad Friday. South Carolina's highest court has declined to stop the execution of Stephen Bryant, 44, after a last ditch appeal by his lawyers. The attorneys argued the judge who sentenced him to die never got to consider how badly his brain was damaged from his mothers alcohol and drug use while pregnant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the South Carolina Supreme Court rejected that appeal late Monday. The court found that even if Bryant's defense had done more investigation into whether he had Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, it simply would have given a different reason for his problems while not changing the outcome of a death sentence. By any stretch, (Bryant) demonstrated a high level of planning, decision making, and calculation, the justices wrote in Monday's unanimous decision. Stephen Corey Bryant listens as his defense attorney presents his closing argument during Bryant's sentencing hearing on Tuesday at the Sumter County Court House. Bryant plead guilty to three Sumter County murders in 2004 (Keith Gedamke/The Item via AP) Bryant is being executed for killing Willard TJ Tietjen in his home in October 2004. Investigators said Bryant burned Tietjens eyes with cigarettes after shooting him and painted catch me if u can and other taunting messages on the wall with the victims blood. Prosecutors said he also shot and killed two men he was giving rides to as they stepped out of his truck to urinate over five days that terrorized Sumter County. Appeal detailed abuse and Bryant's mother drinking while pregnant Bryants lawyers said while his original defense team said he was unnerved in the months before the killings because he couldnt stop thinking about being sexually abused by relatives as a child, they didnt detail how that abuse had affected his ability to conform to the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bryants lawyers said he didnt get a full brain scan before his 2008 trial that could have identified in-utero damage that was never repaired, according to court papers. They also included what they said was newly uncovered evidence including a 2024 interview with a clinical psychologist where Bryant described abuse he suffered from male relatives, his mother, a preachers wife and several strippers in his neighborhood before he became a teenager. The justices sided with prosecutors who said the three killings, along with another shooting and two burglaries mostly along dirt roads in the rural Sumter County east of Columbia werent impulsive crimes from a damaged brain but were methodical and cunning. Bryant can still ask the governor to reduce his death sentence to life in prison in a decision that, if made, wont be announced until minutes before the execution is set to start. No South Carolina governor has ever granted clemency in the modern era of the death penalty. Stephen Bryant has chosen to die by firing squad Bryant will be the third man executed by firing squad in South Carolina this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Struggles to find drugs to use for lethal injection led to an unintended 13-year pause in executions and state lawmakers to introduce the method thats often associated with mutinies and desertion in armies, as frontier justice in Americas Old West or as a tool of terror and political repression in the former Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Outside of South Carolina, only three other prisoners in the U.S. have been executed by firing squad since 1977. All were in Utah, most recently Ronnie Lee Gardner in 2010. Bryants execution will be the seventh in South Carolina since executions restarted in September 2024. All the others have chosen execution by lethal injection after the state was able to obtain the drug needed because of a secrecy law. The state also has an electric chair. Bryant will have a hood placed on his head before he is shot by three volunteers from 15 feet (4.6 meters) away. Nov. 10The Herald's Trophy Room Gallery is the place for hunting and fishing photos from across the region. Do you have a hunting or fishing photo you'd like to share with Herald readers? Email it to Brad Dokken at bdokken@gfherald.com. Please include information about the hunter or angler, such as where they live and general area where the fish or game was taken. Photos will be posted to the Northland Outdoors section of the Herald website and some will be printed in the Saturday Northland Outdoors section as space and photo quality permit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chad Maloy of Fargo shared this story of a fishing trip he and Dave Wasness of West Fargo took to Devils Lake last weekend, Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23. Wasness is president of FM Walleyes Unlimited, and Maloy is a past president. "Fishing was excellent," Maloy writes. "On Saturday, we found several shallow bays on the main lake in 3 to 6 feet of water that were stacked with 16-18 inch walleyes. We threw Northland Rumble Shads and Mimic Minnows. Bobbers also worked. We tipped our one-eighth ounce Northland tungsten jigs with leeches and crawlers. Both worked. "On Sunday, we decided to try to move around more and target large fish. We found a different shallow bay and caught several nice walleyes in the 23- to 25-inch range. Most of them came on Northland Mimic Minnows and quarter-ounce jigs with Eye Candy again. A few were (caught) casting shallow-diving crankbaits. Later in the morning, we moved out deeper to about 18 feet and fished a dropoff. It was an area with some flooded timber, and we used slip bobbers and jigged with Northland Pitching Puppets. "On our first spot, I dropped down the Pitching Puppet and caught a 27.5-inch walleye on the third stroke. We got a few more nice fish with slip bobbers and leeches before we moved back to the shallows." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have a fishing tale you'd like to share with Herald readers? Send your tale, along with a photo (jpeg preferred), to Brad Dokken at bdokken@gfherald.com. Please include the person's name, town of residence and whether the fish was kept or released. Fargo anglers Peter Matthei (top photos) and Rex Carlson (bottom photos) scored these muskies, among others, while attending the third annual Minnesota Musky School, held Aug.26-Sept. 7 at Agency Bay Lodge on Leech Lake near Walker, Minnesota. Matthei's muskies measured 52.25 inches (top left photo) and 44 inches. Carlson's muskies measured 43 inches (bottom left) and 47 inches. The "school" includes seven days of fishing, daily wrap-ups on what's hot and where to fish, presentations by professional guides and guided trips, Carlson said. "Peter and I did well," he said in an email. "We fished four of the seven days and caught eight decent muskies, including two over 52 inches. We caught most of them at or just after sundown on a full moon on large rubber baits fishing the weeds and drop-offs in Walker Bay." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carlson says he and Matthei fish muskies as often as they can starting about the end of June. Carlson has been fishing muskies for four years, he says, while Matthei has been in pursuit of the big fish some might call it an addiction a bit longer. More info: minnesotamuskyschool.com. There is still no tropical activity expected for the next week, according to the latest update Tuesday, Nov. 11, from the National Hurricane Center, suggesting that the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season may end quietly. But even without tropical storms, weather is still happening. Blasts of frigid air coming down from the north are affecting the waters off the Gulf coast, bringing rough seas. A small craft advisory remains in effect for all Florida coastal waters until later today, and dangerous rip current warnings are in effect around large parts of the state. A freeze warning is in effect for North Florida and inland north Central Florida from Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning, with low temperatures expected to fall to the upper 20s and lower 30s, and wind chills dipping below 20 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A cold front is moving southward across the northwest Caribbean Sea tonight and will reach from eastern Cuba to northeast Honduras by Wednesday, the NHC said. It's expected to interact with a surface trough off the coasts of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, resulting in areas of very heavy rainfall across Guatemala, Belize and the Gulf of Honduras. Significant rainfall in excess of 6 inches over the course of several days is possible during this period, which is likely to result in life-threatening flash flooding and landslides. In the Gulf, strong to near-gale northeast winds prevail across most of the area except the northwest corner. Seas 10-14 feet are surging across the Bay of Campeche, but averaging seven feet or less across the nearshore waters of the northeast Gulf, extending from Key Largo, Florida, to Cancun, Mexico. There is also an elevated fire danger in North and Southwest Florida due to dangerous burning conditions, including low daytime humidity, gusty winds and dry fuels, forecasters said. Fires are not expected, but the ongoing drought conditions mean that any fires that do start will spread rapidly. AccuWeather forecasters said conditions in the Caribbean are still warm enough to support some tropical development, although risks for Florida and the United States are "near zero" through Nov. 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Track all active storms Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location If something does develop into a named storm, it would be called Nestor. The Atlantic hurricane season officially ends Nov. 30, although storms can form after that date. 2025 hurricane season: Has Florida ever gone a year without a hit from a named storm? What tropical waves, disturbances are in Atlantic basin now? The National Hurricane Center is not currently tracking any tropical waves. Do tropical storms or hurricanes ever form in November or after? According to historical averages, November typically produces one named storm about every two years, according to AccuWeather. "In more recent years, however, November storms are becoming more common." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, there were three named storms in November, one of which became a hurricane: Tropical Storm Patty: Nov. 1-4, 2024. Patty's center passed about halfway between the islands of Sao Miguel and Santa Maria in the Azores. Hurricane Rafael: Nov. 4-10, 2024, Rafael, a late-season Category 3 hurricane, made landfall in western Cuba. Tropical Storm Sara: Nov. 14-18, 2024. Sara made landfall as a tropical storm in Honduras and Belize. "We are seeing an uptick in frequency with respect to late-season storms, which is likely due to the warmer sea surface temperatures observed," DaSilva said. 2025 hurricane season saw 13 named storms, 5 hurricanes As of Nov. 7, there have been 13 named storms in the Atlantic basin, which covers the northern Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the five hurricanes, four strengthened into major storms. A major hurricane is one that is a Category 3 or higher, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph. Of the four, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with 185-mph winds. Melissa became one of the two strongest Atlantic storms on record to make landfall, according to the preliminary data. It is also tied for the third strongest hurricane on record in the Atlantic. Florida weather radar for Nov. 11, 2025 Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida When does hurricane season end? The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said. Hurricane names for 2025 season Here are the names for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, along with how to pronounce them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrea (June 20) Barry (June 29) Chantal (July 5) Dexter : (Aug. 3) Erin : (Aug. 11; hurricane Aug. 15; major hurricane Aug. 16; Cat 5 with 160 mph ) Fernand : (Aug. 23) Gabrielle : (Sept. 17; hurricane Sept. 21; major hurricane Sept. 22) Humberto : (Sept. 24; hurricane Sept. 26; major hurricane Sept. 25; Cat 5 with 160 mph ) Imelda : (Sept. 28; hurricane Sept. 30) Jerry : Oct. 7 Karen : Oct. 9 Lorenzo : Oct. 13 Melissa : (Oct. 21; hurricane Oct. 25; major hurricane Oct. 25; Landfall 1: Oct. 28, New Hope, Jamaica, 185 mph. Oct. 29, Chivirico, Cuba, 120 mph) Nestor: NES-tor Olga: OAL-guh Pablo: PAHB-lo Rebekah: reh-BEH-kuh Sebastien: se-BAS-tee-en Tanya: TAHN-yuh Van: van Wendy: WEN-dee National Hurricane Center map: See what forecasters watching now Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include: Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text What's next? We will update our tropical weather coverage daily through Nov. 30 and after that as conditions warrant. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: National Hurricane Center says all clear, cold fronts bring rip currents The Trump administration is imploring the Supreme Court to show "extraordinary deference" to the president as commander-in-chief and affirm the lawfulness of his National Guard deployment to Illinois, arguing in a new court filing that federal agents conducting immigration enforcement are unable to do the work on their own. A letter from Solicitor General John Sauer to the justices on Monday addresses their request that both parties in the case explain the meaning of a key part of federal law governing when a president can send in troops. Jim Vondruska/Reuters - PHOTO: An armored vehicle behind an Illinois State police line outside the Broadview ICE facility, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Nov. 1, 2025. Section 12406 of the federal code says a president may call up the National Guard when he is "unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court said it was interested in finding out what exactly the term "regular forces" means. Trump administration asks Supreme Court to allow National Guard deployment in Illinois Sauer argued in the letter that it does not refer to the standing military -- which Trump has not attempted to deploy in Illinois -- but instead refers to the "civilian forces that regularly 'execute the laws' at issue but are 'unable' to do so in present circumstances," or the ICE and DHS agents on the ground. "Given the nature of the problem in Illinois, it was a reasonable exercise of the President's discretion to deploy National Guardsmen, who are civilians temporarily called up to serve with deep experience in deescalating domestic disturbances among their fellow citizens, rather than the standing military, whose primary function is to win wars by deploying lethal force against foreign enemies," Sauer told the Supreme Court. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images - PHOTO: D. John Sauer, nominee to be solicitor general, testifies during his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing in the Dirksen building, Feb. 26, 2025. "It would turn Section 12406(3) on its head to insist that the President must nevertheless instead use the standing military to protect DHS agents while they execute federal immigration laws," he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois and the city of Chicago, which are challenging the legality of Trump's deployment, have accused the administration of contorting the law. They are expected to file a response letter with the Supreme Court by next week. The Trump administration last month filed an emergency stay request with the Supreme Court to undo a lower court order blocking the deployment of the National Guard in Illinois. Lower federal courts have kept the president's troop deployment on hold in Illinois, finding his stated justification does not meet the criteria under the law. Trump has said Guard troops are needed for crime prevention in Chicago, which he has described as a "war zone." In addition, the Trump administration has said troops are needed to protect federal immigration facilities, which have been the site of clashes between protesters and federal immigration agents as the administration carries out its stepped-up immigration enforcement. The Trump administration has formally determined the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus current funding mechanism is unlawful, a move that puts the agency on track to close in the coming months when its existing cash runs out. The decision, disclosed in a court filing late Monday, marks the administrations most direct effort yet to dismantle the consumer watchdog and sets up a new front in the ongoing legal battle over its future. The administration said it now considers the CFPB legally barred from seeking additional money from the Federal Reserve, which is the agencys typical source of funding. In the filing, the CFPB said it has enough money to last at least through the end of the year but anticipates exhausting its currently available funds in early 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move would leave the CFPB without money to operate starting next year, even to carry out its required activities, unless Congress passes fresh funding for the agency. That is unlikely, given widespread Republican opposition to the CFPB. A new opinion from the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, submitted in court, contends that the CFPB cannot draw money from the Federal Reserve currently because the agency is only entitled to the central banks surpluses and the Fed has operated at a loss since 2022. The Dodd-Frank Act, which created the CFPB, requires the Fed to transfer from the combined earnings of the Federal Reserve System the amount that the CFPB director determines is necessary to operate the agency, with certain limits. The Justice Department said that it now believes that combined earnings refers to profits. If the Federal Reserve has no profits, it cannot transfer money to the CFPB, the DOJ wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That argument gained traction in conservative circles as a new way to attack the CFPB after the Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality in 2024. But several federal judges have rejected that theory when companies raised it to dismiss CFPB lawsuits. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, similarly rejected the premise that the CFPB can only be funded through Fed profits. The decision, which Acting Director Russ Vought has telegraphed for months, moves the administration closer to dismantling the CFPB entirely. That would be unprecedented in the 17 years since Congress created the agency in response to the global financial crisis. Democrats warn that closing the CFPB would strip oversight from the nations $18 trillion consumer debt market just as delinquencies on credit cards, auto loans and student loans remain elevated. Its unclear who would take over the CFPBs handling of consumer complaints or enforcement of federal consumer protection laws. The closure would also halt the CFPBs ongoing deregulatory work that many in the financial industry are seeking. And it would imperil the CFPBs rewrite of a new open banking rule on consumer data access that the crypto and fintech industries are lobbying the White House to finish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CFPB has been burning through its cash reserves since Vought earlier this year requested $0 from the Fed. His February letter did not argue that the funding was legally unavailable to the CFPB but rather that it was unneeded to because of the agencys existing reserves. The latest Justice Department opinion now argues that it could be unconstitutional for Vought to even submit a request to the Fed because the central bank does not have any money legally available for the bureau. Vought has largely suspended much of the CFPBs work and is fighting in court for the ability to fire about 90 percent of the agencys staff. Those firings remain on hold under a lower-court order, and the full D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals is weighing whether to take the case after a three-judge panel of the appeals court ruled in favor of the Trump administration. The Justice Department opinion doesnt address the legality of the hundreds of millions of dollars that the Federal Reserve has transferred to the CFPB since 2022 when it began reporting losses. It did not take a position on whether CFPB actions taken since then are invalid. A Federal Reserve spokesperson didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The Trump administration plans to propose oil drilling leases off the coast of California, opening up the region within decades, according to a draft five-year plan seen by the Washington Post. The proposal outlines six lease sales in areas along the California coast between 2027 and 2030. Final approval of the draft proposal is not expected for at least another year. Even after approval, it would likely be several more years before any new production could actually commence, reported the publication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal also includes potential lease sales in the eastern Gulf of Mexico (GoM) in 2029 and 2030, as well as more than 20 lease sales in offshore areas of Alaska through 2031. Expanding the drilling initiative in the eastern GoM has faced resistance from Florida officials and residents due to concerns over oil spills and their impact on local tourism. The proposal for Alaska would open nearly all offshore areas to oil development, including the High Arctic. The High Arctic is more than 321km offshore in the Arctic Ocean and has never been drilled previously. In June, ten oil and energy organisations led by the American Petroleum Institute submitted a joint letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This letter defended the prospect of new drilling near California and indicated the regions history of oil production from leases issued more than half a century ago. It read: All areas with the potential to generate jobs, new revenue and additional production to advance Americas energy dominance should be considered for inclusion. Undiscovered resources could be readily produced given the array of existing infrastructure in the area, particularly in southern California, the letter added. Industry representatives also supported drilling in the eastern Gulf, noting that proximity to developed areas could enable new production relatively quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with attorneys general from nine other states, has pledged to resist offshore oil drilling along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. In June, Bonta said, President Trump is once again taking action to line the pockets of his Big Oil friends. This time, he is expanding oil and gas development by attempting to drill in our coastal communities. We wont stand idly by as the President continues to ignore science. "Trump administration proposes new California offshore oil leases" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Investing.com -- Oil and gas producer Occidental Petroleum announced on Tuesday it expects flat production growth in 2026 and reduced capital spending as crude prices decline. The company projects 2026 production to range from flat to 2% growth, primarily driven by its unconventional Permian Basin operations, according to Chief Financial Officer Sunil Mathew during a conference call. This announcement came a day after Occidental reported better-than-expected third-quarter profits due to higher output. For 2026, Occidental forecasts capital expenditure between $6.3 billion and $6.7 billion, lower than its 2025 projection of $7.1 billion to $7.3 billion. The company plans to invest up to $400 million in U.S. onshore operations in 2026, mainly in the Permian Basin and Rockies region. Mathew noted that allocating more capital to these projects would provide greater flexibility if economic conditions deteriorate. Occidental also intends to increase investment in the Gulf of Mexico and Oman by $250 million while reducing funding for its low-carbon portfolio. Mathew emphasized that Occidental remains focused on reducing its debt, which accumulated following major acquisitions of Anadarko Petroleum and CrownRock, while enhancing shareholder returns. "We will be opportunistic with the share repurchase program... we plan to resume the redemption of the preferred (shares) in August 2029," Mathew said. Related articles Occidental Petroleum sees flat 2026 production, lower spending Loading Up HEAVY on These 3 Stocks by End of 2025 (+ 1 New ETF) The 5 Best Gold Mining Stocks to Buy Now By Olivia Le Poidevin and Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) -The appointment of a Trump nominee as the deputy head of the International Labour Organisation has been "frozen" following concerns from staff and member states it would give Washington too much sway over the body, multiple sources told Reuters. By unwritten rules, the deputy director general role is held by the biggest donor, the U.S., which pays 22% of the budget Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vacant since mid-September, the post was set to be filled by top Trump economic aide, Nels Nordquist. However, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has openly criticised the ILO, which promotes international workers' rights and labour standards and tackles issues such as child labour. The White House in August said the organisation "works to unionise foreign workers and punish U.S. corporate interests abroad". Washington also owes the ILO 173 million Swiss francs ($218.13 million) in unpaid fees - a shortfall which could cause 295 job cuts, Reuters reported in October. Confidential consultations to resolve the deadlock are ongoing, the sources said. "At the moment the appointment of the DDG is frozen," while Director General Gilbert Houngbo assesses concerns put forward by members, a diplomatic source told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TOO MUCH POLICY CONTROL? Some of the sources voiced concerns that Houngbo's reform plans, which have been shaped in part by Washington's unpaid fees, would give more sway to the U.S. deputy. An internal ILO proposal showed policy decisions such as international labour standards and workers' social protection would be the ILO deputy's direct responsibility. "This has caused a certain amount of anxiety among members," a diplomat said. An ILO staff member described the DDG role as "powerful", with the ability to appoint staff, accept or reject missions and shape the agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others said the appointment should be conditional on the United States paying its fee shortfall. An ILO spokesperson said meetings are taking place with workers, employers and governments ahead of a governing body meeting November 17-27. Under ILO rules, the head appoints his own deputy after consultation with this body. "It is considered proper that, during such dialogues, some stakeholders may express either support for and/or concern about certain items on the agenda," the spokesperson added. A State Department spokesperson told Reuters that ILO funding, along with other international organisations, is currently under review to ensure it is "not contrary to American interests." The ILO spokesperson said discussions were ongoing with Washington over its arrears. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diplomatic sources said some member states seek a European candidate to serve as a counterbalance to the U.S. DDG. One proposal is to appoint a European Assistant Director-General with responsibility for certain policy areas. ($1 = 0.7931 Swiss francs) (Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin; Editing by Sharon Singleton) WASHINGTON President Donald Trump is taking his last shot at overturning a $5 million jury award he was ordered to pay in 2023 after being found liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump is asking the Supreme Court to review the verdict, which was upheld by an appeals court, a spokesperson for his legal team said Nov. 11. A spokesperson for Trumps legal team repeated his assertion that the was part of a Democratic witch hunt against the president and part of the "Liberal Lawfare" against him. E. Jean Carroll leaves the courthouse on Sept. 6, 2024 in New York City. Both parties appear in court today as Trump's lawyers fight to overturn the jury's finding that he sexually abused E. Jean Carroll. E. Jean Carroll arrives at Manhattan federal court in New York as her defamation suit against Donald Trump continues on Jan. 26, 2024 in New York City. Lawyers for both parties are expected to make their final statements today before a jury decides on a financial penalty. Carroll successfully sued Trump for defaming her when he was president, he has denied sexually assaulting her in a New York department store dressing room in the mid 1990's. E. Jean Carroll reacts as the verdict is read in the civil rape accusation case against former President Donald Trump, in New York, May 9, 2023 in this courtroom sketch. A jury found former President Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing her in a Manhattan department store in the 1990's. E. Jean Carroll testifies before Judge Lewis Kaplan as former U.S. President Donald Trump watches, during the second civil trial where Carroll accused Trump of raping her decades ago, at Manhattan Federal Court in New York City, Jan. 17, 2024 in this courtroom sketch. Donald Trump's lawyer Alina Habba cross examines E. Jean Carroll before Judge Lewis Kaplan during the second civil trial where Carroll accused Trump of raping her decades ago, at Manhattan Federal Court in New York City, Jan. 18, 2024 in this courtroom sketch. E. Jean Carroll enters Manhattan Federal Court, in the second civil trial after she accused former U.S. President Donald Trump of raping her decades ago, in New York City, Jan. 18, 2024. E. Jean Carroll steps out of the car as she arrives to Manhattan Federal Court, in the second civil trial after she accused former President Donald Trump of raping her decades ago, in New York City, Jan. 22, 2024. E. Jean Carroll (L) and her lawyer Roberta Kaplan (R) leave Manhattan Federal Court following the conclusion of the civil defamation trial against former President Donald Trump on Jan. 26, 2024 in New York City. A jury awarded Carroll a total of $83.3 million dollars in her week long civil defamation trial against former President Trump, including $18.3 million in compensatory damages and $65 million in punitive damages, finding that Trump acted maliciously for one of the two statements at issue. E. Jean Carroll listens as the verdict is read during the second civil trial where Carroll accused former U.S. President Donald Trump of raping her decades ago, at Manhattan Federal Court in New York City, Jan. 26, 2024, in this courtroom sketch. E. Jean Carroll attends the 2024 TIME100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 25, 2024 in New York City. E. Jean Carroll and Donald Trump look on as lawyer John Sauer argues for him before justices Denny Chin, Myrna Perez and Susan Carne, as he is asking a federal appeals court to overturn a $5 million jury verdict finding him liable for sexually assaulting and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of raping her nearly three decades ago, in Manhattan, New York, Sept. 6, 2024, in this court sketch. See key moments in E. Jean Carrolls legal battle with Donald Trump 1 of 11 E. Jean Carroll leaves the courthouse on Sept. 6, 2024 in New York City. Both parties appear in court today as Trump's lawyers fight to overturn the jury's finding that he sexually abused E. Jean Carroll. What does Trump argue in his Supreme Court appeal? The 314-page filing contends that Carroll waited more than 20 years to raise her accusations after Trump became president. The filing also contends the allegations match the plot of one of her favorite television shows, "Law & Order." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "President Trump has clearly and consistently denied that this supposed incident ever occurred. No physical or DNA evidence corroborates Carrolls story," the filing states. "There were no eyewitnesses, no video evidence, and no police report or investigation." What did the federal appeals court rule earlier? The appeals court rejected Trump's argument that the trial judge made procedural errors, ruling Trump "has not carried his burden to show that any claimed error or combination of claimed errors affected his substantial rights as required to warrant a new trial." "Further, he has not carried his burden to show that any claimed error or combination of claimed errors affected his substantial rights as required to warrant a new trial." In September, a different panel of judges on the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an $83.3 million jury award against Trump over comments he made disputing the veracity of Carroll's claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appeals court backed the jurys decision that Trump would not stop defaming Carroll unless he was hit with a substantial financial penalty. The court also rejected Trumps argument that he could not be sued because of the Supreme Courts 2024 decision that presidents have at least a presumption of immunity for official acts taken while in office. E. Jean Carroll leaves the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in New York City on Jan. 25, 2024, after proceedings ended for the day in the defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump. Carroll is suing Donald Trump for assailing her character and credibility after she accused him of sexual assault. What did E. Jean Carroll allege in her lawsuits? Carroll said in 2019 that Trump sexually assaulted her at a New York City department store in 1996, and Trump fired back with allegations that she was making up the story to sell her book. Carroll sued him months later, winning the $83.3 million judgment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump repeated the denial in a 2022 social media post, when he was not president and the first case was ongoing. Carroll then sued Trump again under a special window of time that New York granted to sexual abuse survivors, and in 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse against Carroll. This resulted in the $5 million verdict. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump asks Supreme Court to throw out E. Jean Carroll's $5 million win NEW YORK (AP) President Donald Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to throw out a jurys finding in a civil lawsuit that he sexually abused writer E. Jean Carroll at a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s and later defamed her. Trumps lawyers argued in a lengthy filing with the high court that allegations leading to the $5 million verdict were propped up by a series of indefensible evidentiary rulings" that allowed Carroll's lawyers to present highly inflammatory propensity evidence against him. Carroll, a longtime advice columnist and former TV talk show host, testified at a 2023 trial that Trump turned a friendly encounter in spring 1996 into a violent attack in the dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury retailer across the street from Trump Tower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jury also found Trump liable for defaming Carroll when he made comments in October 2022 denying her allegation. Trumps lawyers, led by St. Louis, Missouri-based attorney Justin D. Smith, called Carroll's claims a politically motivated hoax." They accused the trial judge, Lewis A. Kaplan, of warping federal evidence rules to bolster Carroll's implausible, unsubstantiated assertions. They said that by upholding the verdict, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was in conflict with other federal appeals courts on how such rules should be applied. President Trump has clearly and consistently denied that this supposed incident ever occurred, Smith and his co-counsel wrote. No physical or DNA evidence corroborates Carrolls story. There were no eyewitnesses, no video evidence, and no police report or investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A message seeking comment was left with Carrolls lawyer, Roberta Kaplan. In September, when Trump's lawyers first indicated they would appeal to the Supreme Court, she said, We do not believe that President Trump will be able to present any legal issues in the Carroll cases that merit review by the United States Supreme Court. A spokesperson for Trump's legal team said in a statement the Supreme Court appeal was part of the president's crusade against Liberal Lawfare. The American People stand with President Trump as they demand an immediate end to all of the Witch Hunts, including the Democrat-funded travesty of the Carroll Hoaxes," the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A three-judge appellate panel upheld the verdict in December 2024, rejecting Trumps claims that trial Judge Kaplan's decisions spoiled the trial, including by allowing two other Trump sexual abuse accusers to testify. The women said Trump committed similar acts against them in the 1970s and in 2005. Trump denied all three womens allegations. In June, 2nd Circuit judges denied Trumps petition for the full appellate court to take up the case. That left Trump with two options: accept the result and allow Carroll to collect the judgment, which hed previously paid into escrow, or fight on in Supreme Court, whose conservative majority including three of his own appointees could be more open to considering his challenge. Trump skipped the 2023 trial but testified briefly at a follow-up defamation trial last year that ended with a jury ordering him to pay Carroll an additional $83.3 million. The second trial resulted from comments then-President Trump made in 2019 after Carroll first made the accusations publicly in a memoir. Judge Kaplan presided over both trials and instructed the second jury to accept the first jurys finding that Trump had sexually abused Carroll. Judge Kaplan and Carrolls lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, are not related. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their Supreme Court filing, Trumps lawyers said Kaplan compounded his significant evidentiary errors at first trial by improperly preventing Trump from contesting the first jurys finding that he had sexually abused Carroll, leading to an unjust judgment of $83.3 million. The 2nd Circuit upheld that verdict on Sept. 8, with a three-judge panel calling the jurys damages awards fair and reasonable. Trump has since asked the full appellate court to hear arguments and reconsider the ruling. Trump has had recent success fending off costly civil judgments. In August, a New York appeals court threw out Trumps staggering penalty in a state civil fraud lawsuit. The Associated Press does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly, as Carroll has done. By Ted Hesson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's top immigration enforcer in Chicago could leave as soon as this week and travel next to Charlotte, North Carolina, one current U.S. official and two former officials said. Gregory Bovino, a U.S. Border Patrol official who has led Trump's aggressive crackdown in Chicago since September, has plans to head to New Orleans later this year, the current official said, citing internal documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scope of any immigration enforcement operations in Charlotte or New Orleans remained unclear. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Border Patrol, said the department would not cease operations in Chicago but declined to comment on possible actions in other cities. The offices of Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell - both Democrats - did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Trump, a Republican, has focused on ramping up immigration arrests in Democratic-led cities, with major pushes in recent months in Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Border Patrol agents under Bovino's command in Chicago have helped increase immigration arrests, but Democrats and some residents say they have used excessive force, including deploying tear gas in busy urban areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bovino also faced criticism in Los Angeles, where he was the top Border Patrol official overseeing immigration sweeps that triggered large-scale protests. A Chicago-based federal judge barred immigration agents from using some aggressive tactics and ordered them to wear body cameras after videos cited in a lawsuit showed violent clashes with protesters. In a sworn deposition related to the case, Bovino admitted that he lied about being hit in the head with a rock before he tossed a tear gas canister in a predominantly Mexican neighborhood, instead saying he was hit afterward. CBS News first reported Bovino's plans to leave Chicago and possible focus on Charlotte. (Reporting by Ted Hesson; Editing by Craig Timberg and Cynthia Osterman) President Donald Trump defended his controversial plan to bring hundreds of thousands of Chinese students into the country on Monday, declaring, I know what MAGA wants better than anybody else. During an interview with Trump on Fox News The Ingraham Angle, host Laura Ingraham grilled the president over his plan to bring in more foreign students to keep American universities afloat. A lot of MAGA folks are not thrilled about this idea of hundreds of thousands of foreign students in the United States, said Ingraham. Youve said as many as 600,000 Chinese students could come to the United States. Why, Sir, is that a pro-MAGA position when so many American kids want to go to school and there are places not for them, and these universities are getting rich off Chinese money? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump responded, We do have a lot of people coming in from China, and we always have. China and other countries. We also have a massive system of colleges and universities, and if we were to cut that in half, which perhaps makes some people happy, you would have half the colleges in the United States go out of business. So? So what? shot back Ingraham. Well, I think its a big deal, replied Trump. The conversation continued: Ingraham: Are they fans of the United States? Trump: Yeah but you would have, as you know, historically black colleges and universities would all be out of business. You would have a system of colleges and universities Ingraham: So were dependent on China to keep our university system going? Trump: No, not China, but I actually think its good to have outside countries Look, I want to be able to get along with the world. Ingraham: Theyre not the French, theyre the Chinese. They spy on us, they steal our intellectual property. Trump: You think the French are better? Ingraham: Yeah. Trump: Really? Ill tell you, Im not so sure. Weve had a lot of problems with the French where we get taxed very unfairly on our technology. You know, they put 25% taxes on American products. Look, assuming everyone treats us badly because thats the way I am, but were taking trillions of dollars from students. You know, the students pay more than double when they come in from most foreign countries. I want to see our school system thrive. Trump insisted, Its not that I want them, but I view it as a business. He then concluded, You dont want to cut half of the people, half of the students from all over the world that are coming into our country, destroy our entire university and college system. I dont want to do that, and dont forget MAGA was my idea. MAGA was nobody elses idea. I know what MAGA wants better than anybody else, and MAGA wants to see our country thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August just months after claiming that a lot of foreign students couldnt even do basic math Trump announced his intention to give 600,000 visas to Chinese and other foreign students. The announcement received heavy backlash from supporters online, including informal White House adviser Laura Loomer and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). Watch above via Fox News. The post Trump Defends Plan to Bring in Hundreds of Thousands of Chinese Students: I Know What MAGA Wants Better Than Anybody Else first appeared on Mediaite. President Donald Trump is reminding a lot of people of one rather famous villain after his demands towards the BBC. via Associated Press Donald Trumps attempts to sue the BBC for $1 billion has made him something of a laughing stock because of one rather unflattering comparison. The president set his lawyers on the corporation after the BBC was accused of doctoring a Panorama episode which showed Trumps speech to his supporters ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Politics: Those Hemp-Based THC Drinks Are On The Verge Of Getting Banned Trumps legal team wants the BBC to apologize, issue a retraction and appropriately compensate the president to the tune of a billion big ones, no less. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BBC has until Friday to respond to his threat. But the president did not have to wait that long to see what the public response was. The front page of the Daily Star on Tuesday said it all by comparing Trump to none other than Dr. Evil, the main antagonist in the Austin Powers series. Politics: MAGA Loses It Over Christine Pelosis Big Announcement Dr. Evil played by Mike Myers is a parody of villain from James Bond films, and usually tries to take over the world. In one particularly famous clip from the 1997 classic, Austin Powers - International Man of Mystery, Dr. Evil suggests holding the world ransom for $1 million only realizing that number alone does not sound impressive enough, quickly bumping it up to $100 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps call for $1 billion from the publicly-funded BBC belonging to one of Americas closest allies clearly struck the Daily Star as a fair comparison. And the Star was not the only one, either, judging by the response on X... Breaking- Trump's lawyers send threatening letter to the BBC. One billion dollars in compensation no less. pic.twitter.com/0pzhlKnfuv Roger Melly (@BindenJohn1) November 10, 2025 I'm going to sue the BBC for......one billion trillions dollars. pic.twitter.com/Gu3T2vcNMY Pete Clark (@DoctorPete) November 11, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And threatening to sue the BBC for... ... one Billion dollars! Hey USA, your president is a global laughing stock, a one man meme machine. https://t.co/GkQ1VhUhTRpic.twitter.com/X6PVLcAekf Kenny Pryde (@Kenny_Pryde) November 10, 2025 But, for Trump, its not quite the vast sum it is for most of the general public. According to a Forbes report from September, he is already worth $7.3 billion, having added $3 billion over the last year alone. Life: 'Extraordinarily Troubling': Legal Experts Sound Off After Trump Threatens To Sue ABC... Again However, legal experts have questioned whether the president is still able to make a defamation claim as the Panorama episode is more than a year old. Theyve also said it will be difficult to prove that Trumps reputation was destroyed by the footage considering he has already faced several other scandals on the world stage. Related... Read the original on HuffPost MAGA world has erupted at Donald Trump, accusing the president of betraying his America First principles and warning that Republicans are heading towards another potential election disaster. Ten months into his second term presidency, Trump is facing an astonishing backlash from traditional supporters angered by his recent policy positions, with some accusing him of being delusional, out of touch, and even suggesting that JD Vance should invoke the 25th Amendment, and get MAGA and America First back on track. Donald Trump interviewed on The Ingraham Angle. / screen grab The latest furore was sparked overnight, in response to Trumps at-times combative interview with Fox News ally Laura Ingraham, in which the president suggested he knew what his base wanted more than they did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comment came after Ingraham asked Trump about an issue near and dear to MAGAs heart: China and its growing presence in the U.S. Folks are not thrilled about this idea of hundreds of thousands of foreign students in the United States, she told him. Youve said as many as 600,000 Chinese students could come to the United States. Why, sir, is that a pro-MAGA position when so many American kids want to go to school, and these places are not for them and these universities are getting rich off Chinese money? Trump replied by saying he wants to get along with the world and pointed out that the U.S. has a massive system of colleges and universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we were to cut that in halfwhich perhaps makes some people happyyou would have half the colleges in the United States go out of business, he said. US President Donald Trump (L) and China's President Xi Jinping, whose daughter was one of many Chinese students that benefited from a US college education. / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images Ingraham pushed back. So what? Are they fans of the United States? she replied. So were dependent on China to keep our university? Theyre not the French, theyre the Chinesethey spy on us, they steal our intellectual property What, you think the French are better? Trump replied, before reminding the audience: And dont forget: MAGA was my idea. MAGA was no one elses idea. I know what MAGA wants better than anyone else, and MAGA wants to see our country thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exchange came after tensions escalated last week, when Democrats won a clean sweep of elections across the country, thanks in large part to anger over cost-of-living pressures, an issue that Trump vowed to fix on day one of his presidency. JD should invoke the 25th Amendment, take over, and get MAGA and America First back on track. He says the right things, and maybe he even believes them. He's obviously smarter than DJT, better educated, and is a better communicator too. Not scattered and incoherent. Worth a try. Dundreary (@dundreary) November 11, 2025 Some MAGA acolytes were unimpressed on Monday, too, when Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House, welcoming the once-pariah state into a U.S.-led global coalition to fight the Islamic State. But the presidents interview on The Ingraham Angle on Monday sparked an even bigger social media furore with Trumps base and other right-leaning voters. JD should invoke the 25th Amendment, take over, and get MAGA and America First back on track, wrote X user @dundreary. Some have suggested U.S. Vice President JD Vance take over MAGA sooner rather than later. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images He says the right things, and maybe he even believes them. Hes obviously smarter than DJT, better educated, and is a better communicator too. Not scattered and incoherent. Worth a try. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think it matters at this point what we do. Susie Wiles shields Trump from reality so badly that hes been saying garbage like this for months, said X user @aidenpryde, referencing Trumps chief of staff. Hes completely out of touch and walking us into disaster in the midterms. Trump has referred to Susie Wiles as the most powerful person in the world. / Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images Why doesnt he just know what his voters want? asked frustrated MAGA supporter Philly Patriotz, whose account features a photo of Trumps iconic Fight! Fight! Fight! image from Pennsylvania last year. Hes off this week like Ive never seen him before, said Doreen Mayo Ferris, who describes herself as a MAGA and MAHA former combat medic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And another X user, @bbuckley88, observed: Trump lost a chunk of his supporters with this interview & with todays embrace of a Syrian terrorist. Seems like we lost the War on Terror & the War with China, all in one day. The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment. But this week is not the first time Trump has been accused of neglecting his America First principlesor of angering his base. Earlier this year, a MAGA civil war erupted when the Trump administration attempted to shut down debate over the Epstein files, with the president describing the issue as a Democratic hoax. Last Friday, Trump also described affordability concerns as a Democratic hoax and insisted that grocery prices and other cost-of-living pressures were way down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We did a great job on affordability and groceries. The only problem is the fake newsyou people dont want to report it, he told reporters. Marjorie Taylor Greene has surprised many with her frequent attacks on President Donald Trump and the GOP. / Elijah Nouvelage /AFP via Getty Images However, many Americans pushed back, including MAGA firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has traditionally been one of the presidents key allies. Greene has also called for him to spend more time on America First policies and less time on overseas meetings. Asked for his response on Monday, Trump accused Greene of catering to the other side and saying she had lost her way. When somebody like Marjorie goes over and starts making statements like that, it shows she doesnt know, he said. CONNELLSVILLE, PA Courtney Blocker, a 33-year-old from a southwestern Pennsylvania coal community, found out shed lost her insurance coverage at a pharmacy counter while trying to replenish her supply of insulin. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child, Blocker relies on a pump to deliver a regular drip of the medication, risking life-threatening acid buildup in her bloodstream if she doesnt have it. But with the each vial priced at up to $300, she can only afford the treatment through Medicaid, a government health insurance program for low-income Americans. 'In the fight of our life': Pennsylvania caregivers brace for Medicaid cuts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That day, about two years ago, the pharmacist told her the program had kicked her out. "You have to have (insulin) to live," she said. "They're just like, 'Oh, no, now you can't get it.'" The only way Blocker pulled through while she scrambled to re-enroll, she says, was by borrowing an insulin vial from a friend who also had diabetes. Her issue was something of a fluke, related to a paperwork error at the county benefits office, she recalls. But health experts say millions across the U.S. could soon face a similar loss of coverage because of new hurdles created by the One Big Beautiful Bill, the massive tax package passed this year by congressional Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And they predict the fallout of President Donald Trump's marquee bill will land particularly heavily on some of the very rural communities that put these GOP politicians in office. Fayette County, where Blocker lives, is one of these places. In Pennsylvania, the once-prosperous coal mining hub trails only Philadelphia in its Medicaid enrollment rates, with almost a third of the countys residents and more than half its children and youth depending on the program. About a tenth of Fayette Countys Medicaid users, or 4,080 people, will lose their coverage because of forthcoming work requirements and other aspects of the "big beautiful" bill, state officials have estimated. This rise in uninsurance and projected drop of $50 billion in federal Medicaid funding in Pennsylvania over the coming decade could squeeze fragile health systems that have managed to survive in rural areas, advocates say. Fayette County, which includes Connellsville, pictured, trails only Philadelphia in its Medicaid enrollment rates, with almost a third of the countys residents and more than half its children and youth depending on the program. Fayette County providers worry these cuts will set back wellness in an area that already ranks as one of the commonwealths least healthy, reporting higher rates of obesity, physical and mental distress and low-weight newborns than the rest of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richard Rinehart, who oversees several dental clinics in Fayette County, views the projected loss of coverage and health services as breaking a contract with the miners who built up this area, laboring in jobs that left them with black lung and other ailments. I think it's a betrayal to the folks who are still living, he said. I think it's a betrayal not to support their health care." Right-leaning policy advocates, though, say dropping Medicaid enrollment rates arent necessarily a bad thing, hoping that the impending work requirements and other measures will shift people to higher-quality private insurance plans. Elizabeth Stelle, vice president of policy for the Commonwealth Foundation, also believes the coming changes are a chance to transform rural health networks that arent as robust as residents would like. Her group encourages deregulation and licensing reforms that she says would make it easier for mid-level providers to set up shop in these places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When were talking about protecting rural health and access for folks, we need to think broader than sending money, she said. We need to look more at how to really put the patient in charge. 'These are real people': Pennsylvania care providers decry 4-month state funding delay Why are Medicaid rates so high in Fayette County? The closure of coal mines and steel mills in the 20th century sucked good-paying jobs out of southwestern Pennsylvania, where they were once abundant. There were some job retraining efforts in Fayette County, locals say, but many people still struggle to earn a living wage, and the county ranks as one of the commonwealth's poorest. More than half the countys children and young adults are covered through the Medicaid program, and 17% of residents older than 65 are enrolled, according to state data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the roughly 39,000 Fayette County residents who use the program, about a quarter are eligible thanks to Pennsylvanias decade-old decision to expand Medicaid to low-income people of working age. These are the people who generally would have to comply with the new 80-hour-per-month work requirements attached to Trumps tax bill, while older adults or recipients with disabilities would fall outside the mandate. More: Millions will lose Medicaid under Trump's tax law. Here's the final tally. However, former Pennsylvania Rep. Matthew Dowling, a Republican who spent three terms representing Fayette County, said he's concerned the exemptions aren't expansive enough. A 2018 bill he sponsored would've imposed similar job mandates on the commonwealth's Medicaid recipients, but it included carveouts for domestic violence survivors and other people "experiencing a crisis." "I think (work requirements) are a positive step," said Dowling, whose proposal cleared the legislature but was vetoed by then-Gov. Tom Wolf. "But we can't put people on the edge of a financial or health care cliff, like I worry that may be happening now." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates say many of the people who will lose insurance are working and would get kicked out simply because of the added paperwork burden and the likelihood that program administrators will make mistakes when processing it. Stelle says this conclusion is based on unreliable survey data that suggests most of this population is already employed. She believes the requirements, which must kick in by 2027, will encourage able-bodied people to level up in their careers and secure private health plans that afford them superior coverage. A job with health benefits isnt always the answer, though, since some people cant afford their plans because of low pay or cant meet their health needs through the private plan, according to KFF. Thats the position Blocker is in, as a full-time classroom behavioral therapist in a school for children with autism. Her employee insurance wouldnt completely pay for her insulin, and she doesnt make enough money to cover the balance. Medical assistant Courtney Breakion works in the lab at Centerville Clinics Connellsville Medical and Dental Office on Sept. 23. Shes depended on Medicaid for much of her adult life, though she went through a time without coverage after getting dropped from her parents plan when she turned 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During that period, she scraped along by collecting free insulin samples from pharmaceutical representatives at her doctors office. Eventually, they told her they could no longer supply them. I remember one time I was almost completely out of insulin, she said. And them telling me, If it gets bad, youre just going to have to go to the emergency room. Since enrolling in Medicaid, shes had affordable access to her life-sustaining treatments and now uses an insulin pump to regulate her blood-sugar levels rather than injecting herself a dozen times each day, as she once did. She says her health has "changed tremendously for the better." A nudge toward employment? Supporters of the impending Medicaid changes say if able-bodied individuals are benefiting from expensive public assistance programs, it's only fair to require regular eligibility checks and proof of employment. These checks don't have to be burdensome, says Stelle, who argues the state's task will be to design a simple, headache-free compliance system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even simple paperwork tasks can overwhelm people who are grappling with mental illness and cognitive problems, said Dave Rider, head of Fayette Countys behavioral health administration. Mental illness can be episodic, but boy, if the episode is in a time when they need to renew their eligibility for Medicaid, how tragic would that be? he said. Because of Medicaid expansion for low-income adults, nearly 3,600 people in Fayette County have access to behavioral health services they probably couldn't otherwise afford, according to the state. Getting this health insurance is often an important stepping-stone to gain employment, said Michael Quinn, CEO of Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, a mental health provider in Fayette County. Many people need their Medicaid-covered care to remain functional enough for a job, he said, while others lean on psychiatric rehabilitation and vocational readiness programs to find work in the first place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Trump's 'beautiful' bill brings changes to SNAP in Pa. Here's what to know. Access to routine physicals and dental care is also linked to stable employment, county health providers say. If you dont have teeth in your mouth, chances are youre not too hirable, said Rinehart, of Cornerstone Care Community Health Centers, a federally funded safety net provider with sites in Fayette County. But Rinehart estimated the projected Medicaid enrollment drops and spike in uninsured patients could cut his revenues by more than $1.5 million annually and compromise his clinics ability to offer dental care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said his centers might have to consider rationing dentures and root canals, services that actually cost them money. Many federally qualified health centers have stopped offering them altogether because of the expense, he said. Cornerstone Care and Centerville Clinics, another federally funded organization with locations in Fayette County, would also likely have to shed staff or look at closing smaller sites to cope with lower Medicaid revenues, representatives said. Wait times for services, which are already months long for dental care, would likely increase even more. Health care is expensive, said Dave Rider, head of Fayette Countys behavioral health administration. And not providing health care is also expensive. These providers are doubtful it will save taxpayer money in the long run, either, saying uninsured people often let their health deteriorate because they cant afford to see doctors and end up requiring more expensive, publicly funded care. If additional holes start opening in the countys safety nets, providers fear the outcome will be more emergency room visits, inpatient care and homelessness in a time when Fayette County is already seeing an uptick in unsheltered individuals. Last years annual homelessness census tallied 64 unhoused people in the county, the most since at least 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health care is expensive, Rider said. And not providing health care is also expensive. 'Never gotten slammed this hard' Penn Highlands Connellsville opened as a tiny, 38-bed facility in the 1890s, mainly intended to treat coal miners injured on the job. Though it was state-owned for much of its history, the hospital was privatized in the 1970s as mining faded, and it has changed hands several times since then, the cloud of financial strain hanging over it. Most recently, in 2022, the Penn Highlands Healthcare system acquired the facility, and while it's small compared to the county's other hospital in Uniontown, it is still one of the community's largest employers. Marcy Ozorowski, who formerly worked in patient accounts at the facility, is proud that the hospital has kept its doors open through many financial challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Poor seniors die up to 9 years sooner than the wealthiest ones. How not to be one of them. But there are signs of strain. Ozorowski, who lost her job in 2025 after 41 years, said Penn Highlands cut positions at the Connellsville hospital in a consolidation effort, shifting those responsibilities to employees at other sites. While she understands the focus is on maintaining frontline care staff, these behind-the-scenes jobs also brought value to the county, she said. When your community is used to calling and saying, Can you explain my bill to me, they want to come back when they know someone is treating them like family, she said. When you dont have rural health care, you become more of a number. Marcy Ozorowski of Connellsville, stands in front of the Penn Highlands Connellsville, where she worked for many years. Erosion in Medicaid coverage would turn up the financial pressure on Penn Highlands Connellsville, according to a study recently commissioned by congressional Democrats. The review mentioned it as one of five Pennsylvania hospitals that might be imperiled by the passage of Trumps tax bill and the ensuing drop in Medicaid enrollment. Ozorowski said her hospital already loses hundreds of thousands of dollars annually providing health care to people who dont have insurance and cant afford to pay. The Connellsville facility has weathered many storms in the decades of its existence, she said. This is the first time she fears it might not pull through. I always said wed be OK, she said. But weve never gotten slammed this hard. The big beautiful bills changes are coming as the county strives to protect its health care services. The hospital in Uniontown recently reopened its labor and delivery unit after years when women had to leave the county to give birth in a hospital. Ozorowski contends that having the facility in Connellsville, which is about 20 minutes from Uniontown, has saved lives. For someone who's having a heart attack, she says, every minute counts. Are people aware? In June, Tracy Wilson, an activist with the Democratic Women of Fayette County, helped organize a community conversation about the effects of Medicaid cuts, inviting elected leaders, health care representatives, people in elder care and the public. Social services workers voiced concern about how the changes might affect their clients. Children worried about their parents in nursing homes. Retired coal miners spoke about trying to scrape by on pensions and wondering where the cuts would leave them, she said. More: Rural communities prepare for Medicaid cuts to hit hospitals Wilson said the stories were painful to hear, and they fuel her frustration that the county, a union stronghold that leaned Democratic during her childhood, has turned so solidly red. Theyre voting against their own best interests, Wilson said of GOP voters in Fayette County. And they dont even see it. Dowling said though tax cuts and other elements of the "big beautiful" bill will please Trump's supporters, the Medicaid changes could anger parts of his base. "We're seeing some of the families that also would have conservative family values are the ones that are kind of on the chopping block as far as health insurance," he said. But for some enrolled in Medicaid, like Blocker, its not entirely clear what the downstream effects of the federal changes will be. I know, if I would lose this insurance, how much it would impact me, she said. Id have to choose between paying my bills and getting my medications. Katelyn Heinbaugh, a Connellsville resident who has cystic fibrosis, said advocates for patients with the genetic disorder which damages the lungs and other organs have been sounding the alarm about the Medicaid cuts. However, like Blocker, shes not sure how impending changes will touch her own life. More: Medicaid expansion boosted these Appalachian counties. Will cuts deliver an outsized hit? The 33-year-old relies on the program for access to a prescription drug, Trikafta, that would cost roughly $25,000 a month if she had to pay out of pocket. The medication has been transformative for her over the past five years, and she said this is the longest stretch she's ever spent outside of a hospital, where she once needed admission about every six months. But she sees this progress as somewhat fragile, dependent on the delicate web of benefit programs that support her care. If cuts happen, shes anxious that cystic fibrosis patients might be particularly vulnerable; the condition, though it can require lung transplants and used to kill people in childhood, isn't as visible as many other disabilities, and she says it can be easier to dismiss. Also, the expensive treatments are financially out of reach for many families unless they have assistance, she said. This is going to cause huge issues, especially in the (cystic fibrosis) community, Heinbaugh said of Medicaid reductions. Theres no way for this to work for a lot of people without the help from the government. For her part, Heinbaugh is working on accumulating a small stockpile of her pills in case her health benefits get yanked away. Just enough, she said, to buy time to figure out a survival strategy. Bethany Rodgers is a USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania investigative journalist. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: How looming Medicaid changes could land in one rural PA county By Nicole Jao NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices gained about $1 on Tuesday on the impact of the latest U.S. sanctions on Russian oil and the optimism over a potential end to the U.S. government shutdown, although oversupply concerns limited gains. Brent crude futures settled $1.10, or 1.72%, higher to $65.16 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 91 cents, or 1.51%, to settle at $61.04 a barrel. Investors continued to assess the fallout from the U.S. sanctions on Russia, and their impact on both crude oil and refined fuel markets. Russia's Lukoil declared force majeure at an Iraqi oilfield it operates, sources told Reuters on Monday, marking the biggest fallout yet from the sanctions imposed last month. Restricted fuel exports due to the sanctions are propping up oil prices in the face of a crude oil glut, PVM analyst Tamas Varga said. "Fresh U.S. sanctions on major Russian oil producers and exporters are weighing on product exports," Varga said. As a result, heating oil and gasoline are moving in a different direction from crude. Middle Eastern producers Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait will raise crude oil supplies to India in December as Indian refiners seek alternatives to Russian barrels, sources at four Indian refiners said on Tuesday. The markets also saw support as the longest government shutdown in U.S. history could end this week after the Senate approved a compromise that would restore federal funding. "The optimism around the government reopening is increasing demand expectations," said Phil Flynn, senior analyst for Price Futures Group. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is due to vote on the deal Wednesday afternoon. However, worries about crude oversupply are curbing price gains. Earlier this month, OPEC+ agreed to increase December output targets by 137,000 barrels per day, but also agreed to a pause in increases in the first quarter of next year. "The oil market is also facing a considerable oversupply in the coming year, which is why prices are likely to remain under pressure. The main cause of the oversupply is the significant expansion of supply by OPEC+," Commerzbank analysts said in a note. OPEC+, which includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies such as Russia, has added 2 million bpd of output since April, and a willingness within the group to reverse voluntary production cuts further after the first quarter pause could add an extra 1 million bpd in the coming year, Commerzbank said. (Reporting by Nicole Jao in New York, Robert Harvey in London, Ashitha Shivaprasad in Bengaluru and Emily Chow in Singapore; Editing by Frances Kerry, Mark Potter, Paul Simao and David Gregorio) President Trump on Monday kept a historic meeting with Syrias interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa behind closed doors, an unusual move for a president who frequently opens up the Oval Office to cameras and reporters when meeting with foreign leaders. It was the first visit by a Syrian leader to the White House, but al-Sharaa did not walk the route typically reserved for visiting dignitaries, through the West Wing entrance along the North Drive. Instead, he was seen walking through the West Executive entrance, which is off-limits to reporters, and footage of the Syrian leader was captured behind the steel bars of the dividing fence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That order of operations lent a cloak of secrecy to the high-profile visit. Trump has taken a leading role in backing al-Sharaas stated desire to make Syria a friendly country after decades of war, terrorism, and drug trafficking under the ousted regime of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. Hes a very strong leader. He comes from a very tough place. Tough guy. I like him, Trump told reporters Monday afternoon in the Oval Office in a separate event. I get along with the president, the new president in Syria, and well do everything we can to make Syria successful. The Syrian Foreign Ministry released photos of the Oval Office meeting showing Trump and al-Sharaa smiling while shaking hands, with the presidents most senior officials taking part Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as national security adviser; Vice President Vance; and Trumps special envoy for Syria and ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also joined the meeting at one point, demonstrating how closely Ankara is working between Damascus and Washington. A congressional aide said that all indications, from conversations with the Syrian delegation and administration officials, are that the Oval Office meeting was a success despite the closed-door nature of the day. Behind the scenes, U.S. and Syrian officials were working on a number of fronts to strengthen ties between Washington and Damascus. One of the biggest hurdles is whether Congress will move forward on repealing the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, legislation that blocked nearly all international transactions with the Assad government and that al-Sharaas supporters now view as an impediment to the countrys reconstruction and rehabilitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a meeting late Sunday night, al-Sharaa huddled with members of Congress, including the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), who has not yet given a green light for a full repeal of Caesar sanctions. Mast said in a statement that he and al-Sharaa, a former al Qaeda operative who was once jailed by American forces in Iraq, broke bread. Mast, a decorated U.S. Army veteran of the war in Afghanistan, lost both his legs from an improvised explosive device. He and I are two former soldiers and two former enemies. I asked him directly, Why we are no longer enemies? His response was that he wishes to liberate from the past and have a noble pursuit for his people and his country and to be a great ally to the United States of America, Mast said in his statement. Masts office declined to comment when asked if he supports repeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), the House sponsor to repeal Caesar, said he appreciated the meeting. I appreciate that Brian Mast had a very wonderful exchange, to truly have such an underscoring of how President al-Sharaa wants to work with the United States and has moved from his background, to indeed see the importance of an American relationship, he said in a phone call with The Hill. Without a full repeal, Trump only has the ability to waive the sanctions on Syria for six months at a time, a step he took in May and repeated Monday. Trump is also waiving two other sanctions regimes on Syria that are prohibitive, but less invasive than Caesar: the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act and the Syria Human Rights Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced legislation on Monday to repeal both of those sanctions regimes. The president also directed the Treasury, Commerce and State departments to issue guidance on how U.S. businesses and investors can feel secure transacting in Syria and be in compliance with other restrictions like barring transactions related to Russia and Iran. Trump said on Monday to expect an announcement that Syria will join the coalition to defeat the Islamic State group, a stunning move for al-Sharaa, who was once charged with building up the groups infrastructure in Syria. This visit was historic and represents the positive outcomes when leaders pursue policies of peace and commitments to prevent the expansion of terrorism, a senior administration official told The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syria will join the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Syria will thus become the 90th member of the D-ISIS Coalition, partnering with the United States to eliminate ISIS remnants and halt foreign fighter flows. Al-Sharaa was formerly a specially designated global terrorist, a label the Trump administration removed last week. People said hes had a rough past. And I think, frankly, if you didnt have a rough past, you wouldnt have a chance, Trump told reporters Monday afternoon. Al-Sharaa has high-profile supporters on Capitol Hill, including Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who organized the late-night Sunday meeting that also included Democrats. Ernst, who served during the Iraq War with the Iowa Army National Guard, has put her support behind a full repeal of Caesar sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I appreciated the opportunity to host President Al-Sharaa for a frank and constructive discussion on the future of U.S.-Syria relations ahead of his meeting at the White House, Ernst said in a statement, adding she welcomed Trumps efforts to engage Syria as a counterterrorism partner and a potential participant in the Abraham Accords, the normalization agreements with Israel. Todays visit is an important step toward building trust, fostering dialogue, and uniting Syrias diverse ethnic and religious communities, she said. Not everyone was cheering al-Sharaas visit, with Laura Loomer a self-proclaimed proud Islamophobe and far-right provocateur who has demonstrated significant influence with Trump lashing out at Trumps team for carrying out the visit and blaming al-Sharaa for sectarian violence in the country. There is a coalition of bipartisan lawmakers cautious about completely lifting sanctions on Syria over concerns of sectarian violence there were a number of high-profile, violent incidents in the country over the course of the year. But supporters for repeal argue that Trump holds executive authority to impose costs on al-Sharaa if he fails to live up to promises to protect minorities, deliver justice and conduct counterterrorism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really regret that there may be any misunderstanding, Wilson said, responding to a question over whether he viewed Loomers social media posts as harming the U.S.-Syrian relationship. It was only a year ago, indeed, that President al-Sharaa was identified as part of a terrorist organization with a reward over his head, but people can and do change. And then its so exciting too to see the Syrian American community come to life, and then watch people voting with their feet. A million people have returned to Syria, he said. Al-Sharaa, in an appeal to Trumps base, participated in an interview with Fox News on Monday evening where said he was ready to discuss the U.S. military presence in Syria aimed at countering ISIS, is relying on the U.S. to help broker talks with Israel, and is committed to uncovering information about the missing American journalist Austin Tice and any other Americans disappeared under the Assad regime. He said Trump did not bring up his past terrorist ties and that he and the president are focused on the future, and on business opportunities between the U.S. and Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the fall of the former regime, Syria has entered into a new era and this will be built on a new strategy, especially with the United States, he said. Syria is no longer a security threat, it is a geopolitical ally and a place where the U.S. can have great investments, especially extracting gas. 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. CHICAGO The chief enforcer of President Donald Trumps Operation Midway Blitz crackdown on immigration enforcement posed for photos early on Nov. 10 in front of the citys iconic The Bean sculpture, sparking outrage from top city and state brass. "Wicked and vile," Mayor Johnson said on X of the photo op. Johnson has publicly complained about federal agents' use of force during the Midway Blitz campaign, calling on the United Nations to investigate federal immigration raids that have seen officers deploy chemical agents on residential streets and daycare workers detained in front of stunned families. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovinos move to pose in front of the Chicago landmark, officially named Cloud Gate, comes nearly two months into the White Houses blitz operation. Trump says the crackdown is needed to catch the "worst of the worst" criminal immigrants. Local Democratic leaders say the Republican president is staging a power grab. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commander at-Large Bovino is at the heart of the Trump operation. The short-statured chief with a Carolina accent is frequently seen on the ground amid immigration enforcement raids. The chief and his officers conduct, including using chemical agents on residential streets, has spurred federal lawsuits. A judge on Nov. 6 said that Bovino "admitted that he lied" about why he used tear gas on a crowd. Bovino responded on X to reports of the stunt: "Proud to report there were no illegal aliens in the park this morning. Readers should've BEAN there, ha ha." The photo, by photojournalist Colin Boyle of local outlet Block Club Chicago, shows Bovino and dozens of agents posing in front of the sculpture in the citys Millennium Park. Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino, the top enforcer of President Donald Trump's Operation Midway Blitz, poses in front the sculpture Cloud Gate, also known as The Bean, in Chicago on Nov. 10, 2025. In response to a request for comment about the photo op, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said the chief was "celebrating with Chicagoans that since Operation Midway Blitz," several types of crime are down, including homicides, shootings, robberies and carjackings. "Thanks to DHS law enforcement, Chicago has experienced the fewest summer murders since 1965!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Brandon Johnsons office noted in a statement that the blitz operation began Sept. 8 after local media reported on Sept. 3 that the city had its safest summer in 60 years, covering the months of June, July and August. "It is great to hear that the Trump administration acknowledges, as we have been saying for months, that crime is significantly down in Chicago," Johnsons office said. "However, they have nothing to do with that work." Chicago Police Department data shows violent crime over the past 28 days has decreased compared to last year. Local leaders, including Johnson, have previously said crime was decreasing before the blitz operation. Homeland Security officials did not answer questions about what use the photos would serve. 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. Law enforcement officers operate during a protest near the Broadview ICE facility, following U.S. President Donald Trump's order to increase the federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Broadview, a suburb of Chicago, Ill. on Nov. 1, 2025. Protesters stand 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. A protester records a Cook County Sheriff's police officer 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. Flowers lay near the feet of Illinois State 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. Police confront demonstrators during.a protest outside of the immigration processing and detention facility on Oct. 11, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. Demonstrations have been taking place outside of the facility for several weeks as the Trump administration's Operation Midway Blitz has been underway, arresting and detaining immigrants in the Chicago area. Demonstrators in costume protest outside of the immigration processing and detention facility in Broadview, Illinois, on Oct. 12, 2025. Demonstrators with opposing viewpoint argue outside of the immigration processing and detention facility on Oct. 12, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. Demonstrations have been taking place outside of the facility for several weeks as the Trump administration's Operation Midway Blitz has been underway, arresting and detaining immigrants in the Chicago area. Community members attend a religious service in a designated "Free Speech Zone" outside of the immigration processing and detention facility on Oct. 12, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. Demonstrations have been taking place outside of the facility for several weeks as the Trump administration's Operation Midway Blitz has been underway, arresting and detaining immigrants in the Chicago area. Demonstrators stand outside a cordoned-off area during a standoff with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and federal officers in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, October 4, 2025. Police clash with demonstrators during a protest outside an immigrant processing and detention center on October 3, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. The site has been the target of frequent protests as federal law enforcement agents continue Operation Midway Blitz in the Chicago area, an operation designed to apprehend and deport undocumented immigrants living in the area. A protester washes chemical irritant from his eyes after federal agents deployed tear gas and pepper balls outside of the ICE processing facility on Sept. 26, 2025, in Broadview, Illinois. People protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Ill., Oct. 3, 2025. People protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Illinois, on Oct. 3, 2025. Federal agents detain a protester outside of the Broadview ICE processing facility, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence in Chicago to assist in crime prevention, in Broadview, Ill., Sept. 26, 2025. A protester runs as pepper balls are fired by federal agents outside of the Broadview ICE processing facility, Sept. 26, 2025. Federal agents detain a protester outside of the Broadview ICE processing facility, Sept. 26, 2025. U.S. Border Patrol agents and police keep watch as people protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Illinois, on Oct. 3, 2025. People protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Ill., Oct. 3, 2025. A demonstrator is detained as people protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Ill., Oct. 3, 2025. A police officer holds a demonstrator as people protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Ill., Oct. 3, 2025. A man is detained as people protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Ill., Oct. 3, 2025. A demonstrator is detained as people protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Ill., Oct. 3, 2025. A demonstrator is detained as people protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Illinois, on Oct. 3, 2025. Military veterans hold a press conference to express support for a 70-year-old Air Force veteran who was shoved to the ground before being taken into custody for standing in a roadway while protesting last week outside of an immigrant processing and detention center on Oct. 2, 2025 in Broadview, Ill.. The site has been the target of frequent protests as federal law enforcement agents continue Operation Midway Blitz in the Chicago area, an operation designed to apprehend and deport undocumented immigrants living in the area. Supporters of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), waving U.S. flags, argue with an anti-ICE protester about immigrant detention outside the Broadview ICE facility, amid heightened federal security following President Donald Trump's order to expand federal presence and intensify immigration enforcement in Chicago through the Department of Homeland Security, in Broadview, Ill., on Oct. 2, 2025. Activists protest outside of an immigrant processing and detention center on Oct. 2, 2025 in Broadview, Ill. A federal law enforcement agents confronts demonstrators from the turret of an armored vehicle during a protest outside an immigrant processing and detention center on October 3, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. The site has been the target of frequent protests as federal law enforcement agents continue Operation Midway Blitz in the Chicago area, an operation designed to apprehend and deport undocumented immigrants living in the area. Chicago protests push back against increased federal immigration raids 1 of 28 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. 'Ugly behavior': Mayor, governor respond Mayor Johnson and other local leaders slammed Bovino and federal agents for the publicity stunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is ugly behavior," Johnson said at a news conference on Nov. 10. "It's unfortunate that this is the type of provocation that the President of the United States of America has endorsed. We don't do that in the city of Chicago. We believe that all of our neighbors deserve to be protected and loved and supported." Agents shouted "Little Village" as they posed, according to reporting by Block Club. Little Village is Chicagos most prominent Mexican neighborhood. Bovino and his agents have raided the South Side community several times. Local Ald. Mike Rodriguez previously told USA TODAY that the agents brought a "reign of terror" to the neighborhood. Gov. JB Pritzker called out federal authorities for reportedly shouting the name of the historic Mexican neighborhood. "Making fun of our neighborhoods and communities is disgusting," Pritzker said on social media. "Greg Bovino and his masked agents are not here to make Chicago safer. As children are tear gassed and U.S. citizens detained, they are posing for photo ops and producing reality TV moments." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis previously tried to make Bovino come into federal court daily to give reports on operations after agents deployed tear gas and interrupted a Chicago grammar schools Halloween festivities. An appeals court ruled Bovino did not have to do the daily check-ins. Agents have faced criticism for detaining U.S. citizens in the city. A woman wrestled to the ground and detained by federal agents after a car collision said the experience left her "terrified" and the family told USA TODAY they plan to pursue legal action. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump Midway Blitz enforcer poses in front of Chicago's Bean President Donald Trumps adversaries say his sweeping pardon for dozens of alleged co-conspirators in the plot to subvert the 2020 election sent an unmistakable signal: If you do it again, Ill protect you. The extraordinarily broad pardon, signed Friday but revealed Sunday night, has little substantive effect for its recipients. Trump can pardon only federal crimes, and his administration had already pulled the plug on any lingering investigations stemming from the 2020 election. Some of the clemency recipients are still facing state-level criminal charges in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and Wisconsin though some Trump allies argue the pardons could derail those cases. The mass pardon the first in history to cover people accused of criminally conspiring with the president who issued it comes as Trump continues to stoke false claims about rampant cheating by Democrats and sow doubts about the integrity of future elections. And his opponents see the pardon as a permission slip for similar efforts in 2026 and 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is sending a message to his supporters that if you commit a crime in the name of Donald Trump, Ive got your back, said Liz Oyer, the former U.S. pardon attorney, whose successor Ed Martin announced the sweeping clemency on X and released a 15-page statement explaining the move. Oyer said the pardon was written so broadly that it could apply to countless people who aided Trumps effort to stay in power despite losing the 2020 election and the vaguely worded document permits Martin and other Justice Department officials to decide for themselves who receives a pardon certificate. Thats just not how pardon paperwork is written, Oyer said. The move also appeared to be a way for Trump to test the well-settled boundaries of the pardon power itself, with allies like Martin and election attorney Cleta Mitchell suggesting it should cause the pending state cases to crumble. The pair argue that the presidential pardon could cover state-law crimes because the purported electors were engaged in activity related to a federal election, though legal scholars say that rationale is a stretch. A spokesperson for Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said Trumps pardon would not influence her handling of the case there, which has remained in limbo as she fights a judges ruling that the grand jury process was flawed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayes office charged 18 of Trumps allies last spring for their efforts to subvert the 2020 election and labeled Trump an unindicted co-conspirator. Mayes brought her case last year, several months after Fulton County prosecutors in Georgia charged Trump himself with orchestrating a conspiracy to corrupt the states election results. State prosecutors in Nevada and Wisconsin have charged people connected to Trumps alleged conspiracy. All of the cases remain pending, though theyve been mired in varying degrees of dysfunction and protracted litigation. The limitation of the presidents pardon to federal crimes comes from the Constitution, which says the president shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States. Thats a bright line. The executive of the federal system can only issue pardons for federal crimes and not the states, said Mark Osler, a law professor at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. I think state court judges will swat them away. Trump has spent the first year of his second term trying to erase the stain of his failed attempt to subvert the 2020 election. That effort included a monthslong campaign to stoke distrust in the results with false claims of fraud; a bid to pressure state and local officials to block Joe Bidens victory; a barrage of flimsy legal filings to challenge the results; and a last-ditch maneuver to lean on then-Vice President Mike Pence to use his unique role in the transfer of power to stave off Trumps defeat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pences resistance doomed the effort, which culminated in a violent attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump supporters sought to stop Congress from completing the transfer of power to Biden. Trump pardoned participants in that riot on the first day of his term in January. But the latest pardon was aimed at those who worked to upend the transfer of power in the courts and Congress, even after all plausible pathways had been shuttered. Among those who received clemency: Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, the attorneys who helped Trump devise his legal and political strategy to overturn the election as late as Jan. 6, 2021. All four were labeled unindicted co-conspirators by special counsel Jack Smith, who criminally charged Trump for the election plot in 2023 but dropped the case after Trump won a second term. Mayor Giuliani never sought a pardon but is deeply grateful for President Trumps decision, said Giuliani spokesperson Ted Goodman, who also said Giuliani should have his bar license reinstated. This action further highlights the years of unjust attacks against the mayor and so many others. Others identified in the pardon document include former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, longtime Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn and campaign attorneys Christina Bobb, Jenna Ellis and Ray Smith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the language in the pardon also underscores that Trumps clemency is not limited to people named in the document. Rather, it applies to anyone who helped devise or advocate for Trumps strategy to use fraudulent slates of presidential electors as a prong of his strategy to remain in power, as well as others who worked to expose voting fraud and vulnerabilities in the 2020 election. Asked for comment on the pardons, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said the Trump Administration is ending the Biden-era weaponization of the justice system and wont be distracted by the meaningless opinions of those who celebrated Bidens crusade against his political opponents. Mitchell, who was labeled an unindicted co-conspirator in the Georgia case against Trump, suggested Monday that she didnt believe Trumps pardon applied to her, because I was not indicted. But neither were the majority of figures identified in the pardon paperwork, many of whom played far more limited roles than Mitchell, who joined Trump on his infamous call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger when the president urged state officials to find enough votes to give him the victory. The pardons seem to encourage the underlying behavior falsely seeking to overturn federal election results in a way that could incentivize efforts to interfere with upcoming elections, said James Pearce, a former Justice Department prosecutor and leading litigator for Smith, who investigated Trumps 2020 alleged scheme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of Trumps allies have attempted to move their criminal cases out of state venues and into federal court, but with little success. The legal system allows defendants to move state cases to federal court when someone claims he or she was acting in a federal capacity at the time of the alleged state crime. Indeed, some of Trumps co-defendants in the Georgia case including Meadows attempted to do just that. In 2023, a federal judge rejected those claims and sent the case back to state court. Meadows unsuccessfully appealed that ruling to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court declined to take up the matter. Meadows made a similar attempt to move the Arizona case to federal court, but also came up short. Trumps pardon could be seen as an attempt to reverse those judicial rulings by presidential fiat. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) President Donald Trump pardoned several people involved in efforts to contest the results of the 2020 election, including six so-called Republican fake electors in Nevada who mailed phony electoral certificates claiming he won that race. In December 2020, after former President Joe Biden won the 2020 election, the group of six Republicans signed paperwork signaling their support for Trump in a symbolic ceremony devoid of any legal merit. The group then mailed the certificates to Washington. The six Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald, former Clark County party chairman Jesse Law, Jim DeGraffenreid, Durward James Hindle III, Shawn Meehan and Eileen Rice face forgery charges in Carson City court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The six have not faced federal charges, which the pardon would affect. Presidential pardons do not affect state charges. Thank you @realDonaldTrump for pardoning our brave Nevada electors, the Nevada GOP posted on X. Standing up for truth and justice carries a heavy price, but the cause of liberty is a blessed one to have you as our champion and @McDonaldNV as our leader in Nevada! In 2020, the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol questioned McDonald about a major plan and Trumps desire for full attack mode following the 2020 election, according to a record of his testimony to the committee. McDonald invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 200 times over the course of questioning on Feb. 24, 2022, before the committee. As the 8 News Now Investigators first reported that summer, the FBI seized his phone in connection with the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee also questioned Graffenreid. He also invoked the Fifth Amendment repeatedly, according to documents. Last month, all six pleaded not guilty in state court, and a judge scheduled a trial for July. FILE Nevada GOP chair Michael McDonald, right, shakes hands with Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at a campaign event, Jan. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) Attorneys for the six Republicans have said there was no intent to commit a crime. Nevada law requires the secretary of state to oversee the certification of the states electoral certificates. In 2020, then-Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, a Republican, oversaw the official certification process on the same day as the Republican signing for Trump. In the same election where Trump and Republicans cited widespread fraud, Republicans gained seats in the Legislature. Republicans did not cite election fraud after the 2022 election, where Lombardo won by about 15,000 votes, nor the 2024 election, where voters elected Trump to a second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former President Joe Biden won the 2020 election in Nevada by about 33,000 votes. Trump won re-election last November by more than 46,000 votes. The president pardoned Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows and dozens of others. The pardons underscore Trumps continued efforts to promote the idea that the 2020 election was stolen from him even though courts around the country and U.S. officials found no evidence of fraud that could have affected the outcome. It follows the sweeping pardons of the hundreds of Trump supporters charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, including those convicted of attacking law enforcement. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. President Donald Trump pardoned every defendant in the Georgia election interference case and some others on Monday. But his pardon only extends to federal charges, and those defendants still face state charges. Channel 2s Richard Elliot was at the State Capitol in 2020 when former New York City lawyer and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani prepared to testify about alleged voter fraud in the 2020 election, something multiple investigations said just didnt happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well talk when its over, Giuliani told Elliot at the time. Trump issued a pardon for Giuliani and others who testified at that hearing, including Georgia attorney Ray Smith, attorney Jenna Ellis, and former Coffee County GOP Chair Cathy Latham. In fact, Trump pardoned every single election interference defendant, including the so-called false electors, which includes current Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, even though a judge prevented the county from prosecuting him. Jones is now running for governor. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His spokesperson said, After being cleared by the state prosecutor, this is the final confirmation that this whole thing was a charade led by Joe Biden and Fani Willis. They owe the taxpayers an apology and a refund. But Trumps pardon has its limitations. Since the Georgia Supreme Court barred Fulton County from prosecuting the case, its now up to Prosecuting Attorneys Council Executive Director Pete Skandalakis, and he must decide if hell continue this case by Thursday. President Trumps pardons apply only to federal charges and do not affect state charges. Therefore, the task before my office remains unchanged. We will continue to carry out our responsibilities without being influenced by matters outside the scope of our assigned task, Skandalakis said in a statement on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elliot reached out to Willis office for comment, but did not get one. He also reached out to several other defendants. More than one said they hadnt sought the pardon and didnt know about it until the news broke on Monday morning. President Donald Trump, joined by Vice President J.D. Vance, speaks with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani during a remembrance ceremony for 9/11 in New York City on Sept. 11, 2024. Credit - Adam GrayGetty Images President Donald Trump has ordered full, complete, and unconditional pardons for over 70 of his political allies who backed alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to the Department of Justices Pardon Attorney, Ed Martin. In a social media post published in the early hours of Monday morning, Martin shared a signed proclamation of the list of names, which contains high-profile figures such as Trumps former personal lawyer and one-time Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, lawyers Sidney Powell and John Eastman, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you, POTUS, for allowing me, as U.S. Pardon Attorney, to work with the White House, along with Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy AG Todd Blanche, and Solicitor General John Sauer to achieve your intent, Martin wrote, crediting the team who worked on the pardons. Let their healing begin. You can see the full list, here: Breaking: President Trump pardoned the 2020 Alternative Electors. Thank you: @POTUS for allowing me, as U.S. Pardon Attorney, to work with @WhiteHouse, along with @AGPamBondi, @DAGToddBlanche & SG John Sauer, to achieve your intentlet their healing begin. #Federalist74 pic.twitter.com/rDOtgpapCB Ed Martin (@EdMartinDOJ) November 10, 2025 This proclamation ends a grave national injustice perpetrated upon the American people following the 2020 presidential election and continues the process of national reconciliation, reads the pardon signed by Trump on Nov. 7. The pardon applies to those for conduct relating to the advice, creation, organization, execution, submission, support, voting, activities in, or advocacy for or of any slate of presidential electors in connection with the 2020 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to TIME on Monday morning, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said of the pardons: These great Americans were persecuted and put through hell by the Biden Administration for challenging an election, which is the cornerstone of democracy. Read More: Rudy Giuliani Once Fought Corruption, Now He Is Embroiled in It Giuliani was held in contempt of court in January for failing to cooperate in the handover of $11 million of personal assets to Georgia poll workers he had falsely accused of helping to steal the 2020 presidential election. Giuliani later reached a settlement in the dispute. Trump, meanwhile, said in September that he would be awarding his former lawyer with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, days after Giuliani was injured in a New Hampshire car crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has repeatedly made false claims that he, not former President Joe Biden, won the 2020 election. Rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, amid the fraught rhetoric. In January, Trump pardoned almost 1,600 people convicted for their involvement in the Capitol riots, including Proud Boys leader Enrique Torrio, who was serving a 22-year sentence. Former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, called the pardon an outrageous insult to our justice system and the heroes who suffered physical scars and emotional trauma as they protected the Capitol. Contact us at letters@time.com. President Donald Trump has pardoned scores of allies including his former personal attorney, former New York Mayor and Palm Beach resident Rudy Giuliani, who faced charges and investigations alleging interference in the 2020 election. The latest clemencies for more than 70 people in what he called "a process of national reconciliation" followed Trump's pardon on the first day of his second term of about 1,600 charged in the Capitol attack on Jan. 6. 2021. Ted Goodman, a Giuliani spokesperson, said the former mayor stood by his work responding to concerns about voter fraud in the 2020 election. Giuliani was disbarred in New York and Washington, D.C., over inaccurate claims of voter fraud, decisions that Goodman said should be reversed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Giuliani never sought a pardon but is deeply grateful for President Trumps decision, Goodman said in a statement. Palm Beach is Giuliani's primary home, according to public records. He has his lakefront condominium on South Lake Drive homesteaded as his primary residence in the latest Palm Beach County tax rolls. The condo is about 3 miles from Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club, where Giuliani has often attended events. Others who were pardoned included Mark Meadows, Trumps former White House chief of staff; Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department assistant attorney general who is now at the Office of Management and Budget; Kenneth Chesebro, a private attorney who formerly advised Trump and Sidney Powell, a lawyer who worked on Trump's behalf in the 2020 election. All four faced state charges in Georgia related to election interference, and Chesebro and Powell pleaded guilty. This proclamation ends a grave national injustice perpetrated upon the American people following the 2020 Presidential Election and continues the process of national reconciliation, Trump said in the document dated Nov. 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps pardon attorney at the Justice Department, Ed Martin, announced the proclamation providing the pardons in a social media post Nov. 9. The pardon applies to conduct "relating to the advice, creation, organization, execution, submission, support, voting, activities, participation in, or advocacy for" slates of presidential electors or "efforts to expose voting fraud" in the 2020 election, the proclamation said. These great Americans were persecuted and put through hell by the Biden Administration for challenging an election, which is the cornerstone of democracy," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in statement. The federal pardons dont apply to state-level charges. A number of the pardons went to people who face state-level charges in Georgia and Arizona for alleged election interference, including Giuliani, Meadows and Clark. In Arizona, the state Court of Appeals sent the case against Trump allies back to the grand jury because of complaints about how evidence was presented to the initial grand jury in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clark said Trump called him Nov. 7 to notify him about the pardon, which he said he hadnt requested. I did nothing wrong when I questioned the 2020 election in Georgia, including by drafting an unsent privileged letter urging Georgia officials to launch their own investigations and then decide for themselves how to proceed, Clark said in a social media post Nov. 10. I shouldn't have had to battle this witch hunt for 4+ years. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump pardons Palm Beach County resident Rudy Giuliani Some Trump administration officials are deeply concerned that the Gaza peace deal between Israel and Hamas could break down because of the difficulty implementing many of its core provisions, as private documents obtained by POLITICO and circulating among U.S. officials underscore the lack of a clear path forward. The compendium of documents was presented last month during a two-day symposium of a few hundred people for U.S. Central Command and members of the newly created Civil-Military Coordination Center, which was established in southern Israel as part of the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas that went into effect Oct. 10. The materials were shown to a few dozen people convened by Lt. Gen. Michael Fenzel, the United States security coordinator for Israel-Palestinian Authority, along with other officials, according to a symposium participant. The group included representatives from the State Department, Defense Department, nongovernmental organizations and private companies like RAND. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presentation surfaces a particular concern about whether a so-called International Stabilization Force a multinational security initiative meant to keep the peace in Gaza can really be deployed. One slide shows an arrow with a question mark on it linking the first and second phases of the U.S.-brokered peace plan, underscoring the uncertainty about its prospects. POLITICO obtained a copy of the documents presented there from the participant. Among the PowerPoint slides and decks presented at the symposium were materials from U.S. government agencies, situation reports on conditions in Gaza and advisory documents from the Blair Institute, the think tank helmed by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has been involved in peace negotiations, according to the participant. A second person, a foreign official not at the event who works for an international ally, confirmed the documents authenticity. A third person, a U.S. defense official, said the slides reflect the administrations close-held concerns about the regions future. The 67 slides broken into six segments paint a vivid picture of the hurdles the Trump administration and its allies in the region face in creating the lasting peace President Donald Trump seeks and are in stark contrast to the mostly rosy rhetoric emanating from top administration officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet the documents, which do not contain classified material, also suggest that the administration is committed to the peace agreement, despite its complexity. One organizational chart, included in the documents, details plans for significant U.S. involvement in Gaza even beyond security matters, including overseeing economic reconstruction. Eddie Vasquez, a State Department spokesperson for the administrations team of officials tasked with implementing the peace plan said in a statement: This story demonstrates a complete ignorance of the workings of the Gaza effort. Everyone wants to be a part of President Trumps historic Middle East peace effort. Vasquez added: From the moment President Trump announced his 20 Point Plan, there has been an avalanche of ideas, suggestions, and proposals from dozens of countries and NGOs on an array of issues. We couldnt possibly comment on the contents of the thousands of ideas and proposals that may or may not have been reviewed. The Trump administration will continue to uphold the ceasefire and effectively implement President Trumps 20 Point Plan." The first set of documents in the presentation is titled 20 PP: Phase II + Security Challenges and Opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Defense Department did not respond to requests for comment. A potential quagmire It is not clear who authored which documents or who specifically inside the administration has seen them, but the symposium participant said they are table-setter slides from the first third of the event and are not the entirety of what was presented. The Blair Institute declined to comment but a person at the organization said two documents it authored in the tranche are factual assessments, meaning the group doesn't take a position on the challenges ahead. The materials, which were compiled by the symposium participant who is involved in the peace planning process but is not a member of the Trump administration, underscore how Trump could be caught in the same quagmire as many of his predecessors mediating an intractable conflict in the Middle East without the patience, resources or partnerships needed to see a plan through. Like the four other people quoted in this article, the symposium participant was granted anonymity to provide private information about the peace plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who ran on an "America First" platform that condemned reckless democracy building in the region, is particularly vulnerable to political backlash if it appears the United States is once again engaged in an endless commitment despite little tangible progress. Divorced from the peace deal is a plan of how to actually implement this peace deal, said the symposium participant. Everyone is floating around at 40,000 feet and nobody is talking operations or tactics." An enormous endeavor The presentation, including one section titled, The Hard Work Begins Now: Implementing President Trumps Plan, does not propose concrete policy solutions. Instead, it lays out a multitude of obstacles Washington and its partners face in trying to convert a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas into a lasting peace and reconstruction plan. The U.S. military has some plans about how to support a transition but the State Department, weakened by cuts to foreign assistance and other changes, is yet to play a significant role in developing options, said a fourth person, a U.S. official familiar with the planning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Schenker, who served as assistant secretary of State for the Middle East during Trumps first term, pointed out that the administration has a handful of people tackling a huge number of crises around the world and that Gaza alone was a full-time job. This is an enormous endeavor and you need sustained, high-level attention, he said. You also need empowered bureaucrats to see the project through. The administration took its victory lap after the initial cease-fire and hostage release, but all the hard work, the real hard work, remains. In mid-October, Trump celebrated the ceasefire during a trip to the region. "Its the start of a grand concord and lasting harmony for Israel and all the nations of what will soon be a truly magnificent region, he said in Jerusalem at the Knesset. Nearly a month after that speech, its time for the administration to put meat on the bone, said the fourth person, the U.S. official familiar with the planning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would include the need for the administration to adequately account for the extreme destruction to the tiny enclaves physical or civil infrastructure, the first person who participated in the symposium said. The biggest hurdles after two years of war are vast. In addition to setting up the International Stabilization Force, they also include managing Israeli hesitation to withdraw from Gaza as Hamas continues to flex its muscles, and properly staffing key institutions, such as the Board of Peace, that would oversee the peace plan. Whats more, the administration must confront a desire from the Palestinian Authority to shape events in Gaza despite Israels opposition; and questions about allies commitment to providing leadership and resources. The security vacuum The Palestinian body that ultimately governs Gaza will need long-term U.S. and international support, one document states. Security and police forces may need outside funding and advising for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One slide in the presentation titled Gaza Situation Report by the Blair Institute and dated Oct. 20 surveys the immense destruction after the war and poses a series of lingering questions, such as how fast any transition could take place and the extent that Hamas, the militant group that first took over the territory in 2007, will cooperate to disarm. It notes that Hamas [is] reasserting authority and filling the security vacuum through coercive enforcement, policing. The Israel Defense Forces control 53 percent of Gaza, with 95 percent of Gazas population in the 47 percent Israel doesnt control, according to one of the sections. It also says Hamas has redeployed 7,000 security personnel in these areas. Only 600 aid trucks a day are currently reaching the area and major bottlenecks remain to distribute the amount necessary. A slide in another document that appears to be from the U.S. government and is called Threats to Humanitarian and Security Operations in Hamas-Free Zones in Gaza, argues Hamas is buying time for eventual reassertion of control. Every delay works in their favor. It says the militants will use tactics ranging from pushing propaganda to hiding behind proxy attacks to regain power, all while counting on international initiatives to fade. Secretary of State Marco Rubio admitted that the path to peace is fraught during a press conference at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Oct. 22. Asked about the potential annexation of the West Bank by Israel and violence by Israeli settlers, Rubio said, Every day is going to bring challenges like that, but its also going to bring opportunities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve got to deal with the challenges and make sure they dont unravel this. So Im not worried about it, but were aware that these are challenges that we have to confront. But yeah, I mean, its not if this was easy, it would have been done 30 years ago, he said. The symposium presentation made clear that quickly standing up the International Stabilization Force is crucial, but there are huge challenges to doing so. Outstanding questions about the ISF include its legal mandate, its rules of engagement, how it will be composed, where it will be located and how it will be coordinated, though one slide says the ISF is supposed to be U.S. coordinated. Earlier this month, the U.S. began circulating a draft resolution at the United Nations to authorize the International Stabilization Force, according to a copy of the draft obtained by POLITICO. Will the plan hold? Many of the countries the U.S. hopes will participate have expressed to Washington that they will contribute funds or other resources only if it has a U.N. mandate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. plans an international donor conference after the U.N. Security Council resolution passes, though there is no clear timetable. Were waiting on the U.N. right now, after which therell be an international donor conference, then countries will start pledging security forces. Right now, thats the focus, the defense official said. The official said they worried that the Gaza plan will hold amid all of the agreements needed from different governments to ensure it is workable over a long period of time. Indonesia, Azerbaijan and Pakistan have offered to provide troops, as POLITICO has previously reported. Turkey has also offered, said the foreign official. Israel is wary of letting Turkish troops participate, that person said. Theres a struggle to get any country in the area to commit forces, said the symposium participant. Some countries would happily write a check but they dont want to send manpower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other documents note lingering disagreements between Israel and the Palestinians about who will ultimately be in charge of Gaza. The Palestinian Authority expects to run, secure and control the enclave, as it did prior to 2007, when Hamas ousted it by force. The Palestinian Authority currently governs parts of the West Bank. But the Israeli government rejects the Palestinian Authority and is opposed to it having it rule Gaza. Trumps 20-point peace plan says the Palestinian Authority can only participate once it has reformed itself. Even if Israel were to agree to a Palestinian Authority role, the bodys track record in Gaza is poor. It was never popular among Gazas Palestinians; they chose Hamas over its representatives in 2006 elections. An organizational chart tucked in the documents spells out how Gaza will be managed and run. The chart sketches out significant U.S. involvement aside from security, including overseeing economic reconstruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But its unclear how much time and American money Trump is willing to invest in Gaza, even though he once suggested it be emptied of Palestinians and turned into a U.S.-run riviera. A fifth person, another U.S. official familiar with the administrations internal discussions about Gaza said, There's a bigger question, which is whether it's advisable or consistent with the president's America First agenda for the United States to have a long term involvement in Gaza. This is an issue that's being worked out. The official added, however, that the Trump team believes that we can get other partners to play a bigger role. CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated the date of Hamas' victory in Palestinian legislative elections. It also misstated the number of people who were briefed on the documents. President Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Monday to review a $5 million civil judgment that found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. A jury in 2023 awarded the judgment after it found Trump liable of sexual abuse, following Carroll's allegations that Trump assaulted her in the dressing room of a Manhattan department store in 1996 and later defamed her during his first term by referring to her allegations as a hoax and a con job. There were no eyewitnesses, no video evidence, and no police report or investigation, Trump's lawyers wrote in their filing to the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Carroll waited more than 20 years to falsely accuse Donald Trump, who she politically opposes, until after he became the 45th president, when she could maximize political injury to him and profit for herself, the filing added. It is unclear whether the high court will take up the civil case. CNN first reported on Trump's court filing. A spokesman for Trump's outside legal team said in a statement on the filing, The American People stand with President Trump as they demand an immediate end to all of the Witch Hunts, including the Democrat-funded travesty of the Carroll Hoaxes. President Trump will keep winning against Liberal Lawfare, as he continues to focus on his mission to Make America Great Again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carrolls attorney, Roberta Kaplan, declined to comment to NBC News last night. A federal appeals court last year upheld the judgment after Trump argued that U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who oversaw the case, had erred in allowing testimony from two women Jessica Leeds and Natasha Stoynoff whose allegations of sexual abuse Trump has denied. A panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found in December last year that Kaplan had not abused his discretion by permitting their testimony. Trump had also asked the appeals court for a rehearing of the case in June, which was denied. Trump has repeatedly sought to have the judgments in Carroll's cases against him overturned. A separate appeal that Trump filed to overturn Carrolls $83 million defamation judgment last year, in a case tied to his defamatory comments about her while president and after the $5 million verdict, failed in September. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com President Donald Trump said he was recently thrown off by France and other countries celebrating Victory Day to commemorate the end of World War II, saying it was ridiculous they had such a special day but the U.S. didnt, considering America won the war for them. The president shared his thoughts during a speech at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, while delivering a Veterans Day speech: You know, I was recently at an event, and I saw France was celebrating Victory Day but we didnt. And I saw France was celebrating another Victory Day for World War II, and other countries were celebrating. They were all celebrating were the one that won the wars! And I said, from now on, were going to say Victory Day for World War I and World War II, and we could do [it] for plenty of other wars. But well start with those two. His remarks about France drew a few chuckles from the crowd. France celebrates Victory Day on May 8 each year to honor the end of the war in Europe back in 1945. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said there may be other wars worth celebrating as well, considering we won a lot of good ones. The president, a moment later, said he was also thrown off by Russia and the United Kingdom having their own Victory Days. I said, we got to have a Victory Day, Trump said. Nobody even talked about it in our country. He said that ends now with the Trump administration, which drew some claps and applause from the crowd. Trumps remarks came a few hours after the White House put out a statement from the president on Victory Day for World War I. Here is part of that statement, released 107 years after WWI ended on Nov. 11, 1918: More than one century following the end of World War I, we honor the valiant American Service members whose victory sent a resounding message to the entire world: No tyranny can topple the strength of the American military, no nation can compete with the power of American industry, and no adversary can withstand the unwavering vigor of the American spirit. There were a few other notable moments from the presidents speech on Tuesday. He complimented his administration for significantly reducing illegal immigration and securing a peace deal between Israel and Hamas, among other accomplishments, and said the U.S. was done being politically correct when it comes to military matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we fight a war, we only fight for one reason: to win, Trump said. We fight to win. Watch his comments above via CNN. The post Trump Scoffs at France Celebrating Victory Day: Were the One That Won the Wars! first appeared on Mediaite. Oil climbed as signs of a softer crude market were countered by surging premiums for fuels like gasoline and diesel, while concerns about Russian supply bolstered futures following a US crackdown on Moscows top two producers. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 1.5% to settle near $61 a barrel for its third day of gains. In addition to sanctions and rising premiums for fuels, oil also likely benefited from traders covering their bearish positions, said Rebecca Babin, a senior energy trader at CIBC Private Wealth Group. Most Read from Bloomberg Crude is benefiting from several tailwinds today, with concerns around Russian supply not making its way to market as some Indian refiners have reduced purchases and analysts are increasing estimates of the potential impact, Babin said. Theres also some technical buying after WTI tested the $60 level and held, likely leading to a bit of short covering. Oil has backtracked this year after posting losses over the past three months. The prolonged slump has been driven by widespread expectations for a global surplus, with OPEC and its allies loosening output curbs just as drillers from outside the alliance also add barrels. The premium paid for the front-month contract of West Texas Intermediate over the following months contract known as the prompt spread has narrowed to as little as 5 cents a barrel, signaling that the market expects excess supply. Occidental Petroleum Corp. expects its targeted WTI prices to be between $55 and $60 in 2026, the companys chief operating officer said Tuesday on an earnings call. Still, markets for refined products have remained strong. Healthy premiums for fuel one gauge of Europes diesel benchmark is the strongest since early last year alongside wider geopolitical risks have helped keep crude prices afloat. It is probably fair to conclude that without strong support from refined products, crude prices would be lower, said Tamas Varga, an analyst at brokerage PVM. The narrowing backwardation in WTI and Brent is notable; however, unless the rug is decisively pulled out from under refined products, and it is anyones guess when that might happen, no major selloff in outright prices appears imminent. OPEC is due to release its monthly market analysis on Wednesday, with the International Energy Agency issuing an annual outlook the same day. The IEA has already forecast a record annual glut for 2026, and will update its view in a monthly snapshot on Thursday. Its the Trump ship that never sails. The president was back at it on Monday, promising an imminent solution to Americas growing health care crisis on which he has repeatedly failed to deliver in the past. I tell you, were going to be working on that very hard over the next short period of time, where the people get the money, President Donald Trump said, referring specifically to Americans thrown into crisis by expiring enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies. Were talking about trillions and trillions of dollars, where the people get the money, he added, without giving details about a vague idea to send cash to affected policyholders to replace subsidies while bypassing insurance firms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps off-the-cuff answer was a typical example of the waffle he sometimes conjures to escape a jam in a photo-op. But he could not disguise the downside of his win in the government shutdown, which looks set to end after Democrats failed to secure their top demand: the extension of those enhanced Obamacare subsidies. Trump and Republicans once again own the issue of health care, with millions of citizens not just those on ACA plans afflicted by rising premiums and high deductibles against the backdrop of a wider cost-of-living crisis. And just as in his first term, Trump lacks a comprehensive, detailed plan to bring relief to citizens who lack health care, who cant afford the plans they have or who know that the loss of a job could leave them without any coverage at all. If the GOP cannot fix the immediate issue of the subsidies and convince voters they have a serious solution to this and other affordability questions their 2026 midterm election hopes could take a dive. Trumps fogginess on health care is nothing new. Repeated unfulfilled promises to act took their place alongside his much-lampooned infrastructure weeks as punch lines in his first term. Trumps pledges to replace Obamacare shimmered with hyperbole but delivered nothing, and the 2010 law survives despite multiple Republican efforts to destroy it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the 2016 campaign, Trump pledged to repeal Obamacare and replace it with something terrific. At rallies, he promised Americans new health care that would cost less but be far better. If that sounds impossible, its probably because it is. Early in his first term, Trump promised that change was on the way. Despite what you hear in the press, healthcare is coming along great. We are talking to many groups and it will end in a beautiful picture! he wrote on the website formerly known as Twitter in March 2017. The GOP failure to repeal Obamacare, partly because it couldnt come up with an alternative, didnt stop Trumps sunny predictions. The Republican Party will be soon be known as theparty of health care, the president declared in March 2019. Second term, same as the first. In his debate with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in 2024, Trump was mocked for saying he had concepts of a plan to make health care better and less expensive. More than a year later and despite some significant efforts by Trump to bring down the cost of some prescription drugs Americans are still waiting for his wider solutions. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks at a press conference alongside alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein at the US Capitol on September 3, 2025. - Bryan Dozier/AFP/Middle East Images/Getty Images Republican divisions boil over health care The fight over health care was not just at the center of the government shutdown battle with Democrats. Its tearing at Republican Party unity. Its even estranged Trump and one of his most outspoken supporters, Marjorie Taylor Greene. The Georgia representative broke ranks early in the shutdown to highlight ACA insurance premiums for her family that she said would double in price due to expiring subsidies. While no fan of the ACA, she lashed out at her own party. Not a single Republican in leadership talked to us about this or has given us a plan to help Americans deal with their health insurance premiums DOUBLING!!! Greene wrote on X in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenes persistent criticism is a warning sign for House Speaker Mike Johnson after he called back the House to vote on the Senate plan to reopen the government this week. It might explain why he was so keen to keep the chamber dark during a shutdown that set internal GOP dissent simmering. Greene further distanced herself from Trump on Monday, saying on X that he should spend less time meeting foreign leaders and instead hold nonstop meetings on domestic policy. The president told CNNs Kaitlan Collins, I dont know what happened to Marjorie. Shes a nice woman, but I dont know what happened. Shes lost her way, I think. Greene then told CNN, I havent lost my way. Im 100% America first and only! Greene might now be regarded as a MAGA heretic by some in Trumps orbit. But her comments on health care raise another possibility that shes far more in tune with the economic insecurity felt by regular Americans than a billionaire president and his wealthy Cabinet. A pedestrian walks past the Leading Insurance Agency, which offers plans under the Affordable Care Act, on January 28, 2021, in Miami, Florida. - Joe Raedle/Getty Images Shes not alone. During the shutdown, a group of endangered House Republicans wrote to Johnson to urge him to address expiring enhanced ACA subsidies when the government reopens. While we did not create this crisis, we now have both the responsibility and the opportunity to address it, they wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Republican leader John Thune agreed to hold a vote in December on extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies as part of the deal with moderate Democrats to reopen the government.Chances of a Democrat-written bill passing are slim. But the vote will put GOP senators on the record and on a political spot. Johnson hasnt pledged to hold a similar vote one reason why progressive Democrats are angry about centrist Senate Democrats compromise to end the shutdown. The speaker told CNNs Jake Tapper on The Lead Monday that hed always been willing to talk about rising health care costs, but that Democrats had squandered weeks of valuable time by triggering the shutdown last month. He promised debate on a plan to get to the root cause of the health care issue. But that is unlikely to help ACA policyholders forced to decide now whether to give up health plans they cant afford or pay punitively rising premiums. Johnson could not tell Tapper whether thered be a vote on this issue soon. Im not committing to it or not committing to it. What Im saying is that we do a deliberative process. Its the way this always works and we have to have time to do that, the speaker said. But the tiny GOP majority gives little cause for optimism that an issue as complex and divisive as health care reform is something the fractious GOP and an absent president could handle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One tangible gain for Democrats in the shutdown drama was their highlighting of the ACA issue and attacks on Republicans for failing to fix health care. In an NBC News poll taken last month during the shutdown, 10% of respondents cited the cost of health care premiums as the single top issue deciding their vote for Congress next year. And 49% of respondents said Democrats would do a better job dealing with health care compared with 26% who thought the same of Republicans Many Democrats are furious that their moderate Senate colleagues made a deal with Republicans to reopen the government because they see it as a betrayal of Americans on the health care issue. But Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who helped broker the deal and joined seven others in the Democratic caucus to back it, told CNNs Kate Bolduan the deal would show whether Republicans were serious. Finally, because of the shutdown fight, weve had a number of Republicans who have figured out that this is an issue for them, the New Hampshire Democrat said. So, now well see. Well see if they are really going to work with us to make sure that Americans can afford their health insurance. Viewing Democratic tactics, a cynic might wonder whether the party, which failed to make the enhanced Obamacare credits permanent during the Biden administration, laid a trap for Republicans on an issue their rivals always failed to solve, especially under Trump. Supporters hold signs during a news conference with Congressional Democrats outside the US Capitol on November 6, 2025. - Eric Lee/Getty Images How Trump has tried to lower some health care costs Republicans argue that Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill domestic policy law had already made significant steps to make health care more affordable by loosening the power of insurance companies and by restoring choice and control, partly by handing more responsibility to the states. But multiple health care analysts and groups say that the bills cuts to Medicaid funding could leave millions vulnerable to losing coverage and threaten many rural hospitals with closure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration has several initiatives designed to reduce the costs of prescription drugs for Americans. It plans to launch TrumpRx, a direct-to-consumer website, early next year. Last week, the president unveiled a plan to make certain obesity drugs available for as little as $149 in an arrangement that gives pharmaceutical firms like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk tariff breaks. If this plan works, it could be lifesaving for many patients who cant get the drugs through their insurers and cant afford out-of-pocket prices to buy them. The initiative reflects Trumps willingness to use government power to intervene in markets, which has also been seen in other sectors, and which flies in the face of conservative orthodoxy. A plan he recently floated to send money directly to ACA policyholders, instead of offering subsidies, also seems to spring from a similar motivation to shake up the industry. Yet the idea is fraught with uncertainties, including whether such payments would cover the shortfall of all the subsidies. Another question is whether it would simply make up the shortfall in subsidies to pay for premiums. Or would it be a separate payment that patients could use to pay for the costs of treatment directly? In the latter case of a payment that bypasses insurance firms, recipients might be exposed to massive costs if they get an adverse diagnosis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And spiking health costs dont only afflict ACA policyholders. If the government sent cash to certain Americans, how would that be fair to other taxpayers? And wouldnt state-financed payments for health care go against everything the GOP believes? Such thorny questions, and the presidents past failures to deliver on health care, explain the Republican Partys new but familiar political nightmare on an issue that causes anxiety for tens of millions of voters. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In an interview with US broadcaster Fox News, a discussion between Trump and presenter Laura Ingraham about foreign students coming to the United States turned into a harsh critique of France. When Ingraham questioned him on the enrolment of Chinese students at US universities, saying, "they're not the French, they're the Chinese. They spy on us. They steal our intellectual property," Trump answered: "Do you think the French are better, really? I'm not so sure. He then switched the focus from China to Frances taxation policies, which he said were a problem for the US. Tariff war continues "We've had a lot of problems with the French where we get taxed unfairly on our technology, where you know they put 25 percent taxes on American products," Trump said, likely referring to an amendment to Frances 2026 budget bill currently being debated in parliament that would establish a 25 percent minimum tax rate on profits made by multinationals based on their activities in France. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure was passed in the National Assembly but must still be approved by the conservative-controlled Senate, which could strike it down. The National Assembly also voted to double a digital tax on global tech giants, aimed at American firms Google, Apple, Meta and others against the governments wishes. Economy Minister Roland Lescure warned that a disproportionate tax would lead to disproportionate retaliatory measures. Trump has previously said he would impose extra tariffs on countries that introduced discriminatory digital taxes. Tension between Trump and Macron Trumps relationship with French President Emmanuel Macron has had tensions in his second term, notably over the war in Ukraine and especially after Macron recognised the Palestinian state, which Trump opposed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Macron has been part European efforts to keep Trump providing military support of Ukraine against Russia, especially after he insisted that the continent fund its own defence through Nato. Trump U-turn on foreign students More surprising than the critique of France, however, was Trumps apparent reversal of his administrations hard line on China and his defence of his decision to issue 600,000 student visas for China, despite a backlash from some supporters. A lot of MAGA folks, um, are not thrilled about this idea of hundreds of thousands of foreign students in the United States, Ingraham said Trump argued that American universities depend on foreign students, and he does not want to destroy them by limiting enrolment, especially as they pay more than Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The students pay more than double when they come in from most foreign countries, I want to see our school system thrive, he said: Its not that I want them, but I view it as a business. (with newswires) Several organizations in Central Florida are hosting turkey giveaways to celebrate and make this Thanksgiving extra special for residents. Channel 9 will keep updating the list as we approach the holiday. ORANGE COUNTY Starting with the Orange County Sheriffs Office event on Saturday, November 15, in Orlando, the sheriffs office will distribute turkeys on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning at 9 a.m. at 2500 W. Colonial Drive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healthy Pine Hills hosts a Thanksgiving Turkey Drive and Health Expo on Monday, November 24, at the Orange County Multicultural Center. The event features a food giveaway with holiday meal essentials and health screenings; pre-registration may be needed. Pendas Law Firm will hold a turkey giveaway on Tuesday, November 25, at their office at 625 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, starting at 8:30 a.m. The West Orlando Jaguars will hold turkey giveaways on November 24 and 25 at different locations. The first is at Jackson Center on November 24 at 1 p.m., and the second is at 794 S. Tampa Ave, Orlando, on November 25 at 3 p.m. OSCEOLA COUNTY Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Osceola County, a drive-through event offering free frozen turkeys and meal essentials will be held on November 19 at Archie Gordon Memorial Park in Kissimmee. The Heart of Florida United Way is providing Thanksgiving meal kits to families in need with distribution events on November 22, 2025, at various locations across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. Operation Turkey will deliver meals on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, with meal requests due by November 21, 2025, through their website. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. It's time for Christmas light displays, holiday concerts and visits with Santa. Here are some events happening through December: Bright Nights at WellSpan Park When: Thursday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Dec. 28 (It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.) Where: 5 Brooks Robinson Way, York Cost: $15 for adults, $10 for youth ages 4 through 12 and free for children ages 3 and under. A $2 surcharge will be applied to tickets purchased on the day of the event. One dollar from each ticket sold will benefit Give Local York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How to order tickets: brightnightsyork.com This new tradition in York features more than 3 million lights inside WellSpan Park. Patrons can enjoy three new lighted photo opportunities, eight scenic displays, and synchronized field light shows. Bark-In-The-Park will be offered on Thursdays, and Santa Sundays feature photos with Saint Nicholas and his elves. More details about the daily events are available on the website. Christmas Magic When: Nov. 28 through Dec. 30 (It is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Hours: 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday Where: Rocky Ridge County Park, 3699 Deininger Road, Springettsbury Township Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cost: $12 for adults, $7 for youth ages 6 to 14; and children under 6 are free How to order tickets: yorkcountypa.gov/1112/Christmas-Magic-is-almost-here Christmas Magic will celebrate its 42nd season this year. Patrons can stroll along a half-mile walking trail that features more than a million lights and animated scenes, according to the Explore York website. Hershey Gardens Christmas Tree Showcase When: Now through Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (It closes at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve and is closed on Christmas Day.) Where: Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Road, Hershey The Christmas Tree Showcase features 10 holiday trees decorated by local designers. Visitors can take photos in a historic Hersheypark Comet coaster car. Twin Rose Community Band holiday concert When: Sunday, Dec. 7 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Time: 2 p.m. Where: ValleyView Alliance Church, 200 Alliance Drive, Hellam Township The Twin Rose Community Band will perform a holiday concert, which is hosted by several churches in the Hallam area, according to a news release. The concert will include traditional renditions, such as "Oh Holy Night," "Sleigh Ride," and "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year," as well as more modern songs, such as "All I Want for Christmas is You." The band is led by George Bradshaw, who recently retired from Dover Area High School as the Director of Bands and Music Department Chairperson. He now works for Messiah University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Light refreshments will be served after the concert, the news release states. The churches hosting the concert are: Faith United Methodist Church, Kreutz Creek Presbyterian Church, Trinity United Church of Christ, St. James Lutheran Church and ValleyView Alliance Church. Visit with Santa at the York Galleria When: Friday, Nov. 21 through Wednesday, Dec. 24 Where: York Galleria, 2899 Whiteford Road, Springettsbury Township Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Pet photos with Santa will be offered all day on every Monday. Cost: Photo packages are available for purchase. To reserve a visit or for more information: yorkgalleria.com/store/santas_workshop?location=uSeasonal-Photo Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santa's Workshop at the York Galleria opens before Thanksgiving. Children can write a "Dear Santa" letter and visit with Kris Kringle. Northern Central Railway train excursions When: Weekends in November and December Where: 117 N. Front St., New Freedom How to buy tickets: northerncentralrailway.com The Northern Central Railway is offering a variety of excursions to celebrate the holidays this year. A new event is the first annual Cowboy Christmas, which will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22. "The Grinch Gang is after Santas bag of goodies, but the Good Guys jump in the save the day," the railway website states. "Meet Cowboy Santa and his band of elves!" The ride will include a special treat for children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the last weekend in November, guests can climb aboard the Christmas Elves Express, which is billed as an interactive ride with "laugh-out-loud moments, silly pranks, jolly sing-alongs, and heartwarming surprises," according to the website. Kris Kringle will ride aboard the Santa Express excursions on the weekends in December. For adults 21 and older, the railway offers "Ales on the Rails: Ugly Sweater Party" in early December. The Stewartstown Railroad When: Weekends in November and December Where: 21 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Stewartstown How to order tickets: stewartstownrailroadco.com The Stewartstown Railroad is offering two different excursions for the holidays this year: The Candy Cane Express, which will feature Santa, and The Grinch Storybook Limited!, according to its website. The rides include a special treat for children. Christmas City Express on the Ma & Pa Railroad The Ma & Pa Railroad Preservation Society is hosting its annual Christmas City Express train ride and storytime this holiday season. When: 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Dec. 6 and 13; 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 14, and 21 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where: 1258 Muddy Creek Forks Road, Airville, Pa. (Geo Code: 39.808470, - 76.475649) Cost: $18 for adults; $15 for children ages 3 to 12; children under 3 are free. How to order tickets: www.maandparailroad.com Take a ride on a motorcar train through the scenic Muddy Creek Valley in southeastern York County and listen to a heartwarming story for the holidays. The Ma & Pa Railroad Preservation Society is hosting its annual Christmas City Express. The event will feature a reading of "The Christmas City Express," a story about a fierce snowstorm that halts the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad as a young girl travels to see her grandparents on Christmas Eve. Thanks to a brave conductor, the girls generosity, and a surprise visit from Santa, the journey turns into a joyful celebration, according to the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event includes old Lionel trains, Christmas carols, holiday crafts and more, the release states. Light Up York When: Friday, Dec. 5 Time: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Where: Continental Square Light Up York will feature the annual tree lighting ceremony on Continental Square and a Hanukkah celebration to kick off the holiday season. It will be held during First Friday in downtown York. It's part of First Friday in downtown York, which will include visits with Santa for the children, free animated holiday classic films, and candle light Colonial Holiday tours. For the full schedule, visit downtownyorkpa.com. A Gettysburg Christmas Festival When: Dec. 5 through Dec. 7 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where: Downtown Gettysburg For more information: agettysburgchristmasfestival.com Downtown Gettysburg comes alive for the holidays with a tree-lighting ceremony, "A Victorian Christmas on Steinwehr Avenue," a holiday pop up market and more. The New Freedom Annual Christmas Parade When: Saturday, Dec. 6 Time: 5 p.m. Where: Main, Broad and High streets in New Freedom The fifth annual holiday parade is presented by Gill Ice. Candy and promotional items will be given out, according to a flyer. Emigsville Band's annual Christmas Concert When: Sunday, Dec. 21 Time: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Where: Alert Fire Hall, 3118 N. George St., Manchester Township The free concert will feature a mix of traditional carols and holiday favorites, according to a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cookies from Cait's Sweet Treats and milk from Perrydell Farms will be served. Otterbein United Methodist Church of Emigsville is sponsoring the refreshments. Glen Rock Carolers When: Christmas Eve into Christmas Day Where: Streets of Glen Rock The Glen Rock Carolers will perform old English carols, starting on Christmas Eve and continuing into the morning of Christmas Day. This year marks the 178th year for the event. For more information, visit the Glen Rock Carolers Facebook page. York Factory Whistle Concert When: Thursday, Dec. 25 Time: 12:10 a.m. Location: 240 Arch Street in York Welcome Christmas Day by listening to holiday tunes played on an old factory whistle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whistle maestro Don Ryan will perform the concert with the assistance of Nicholas Curry and Dr. Jon Moyer, both music teachers in the Central York School District. Listeners can tailgate in the North Queen Street parking lot of WellSpan Park. To listen to the concert online, visit YorkPAWhistle on Facebook or download the Factory Whistle Master app. The streaming starts at midnight, the release states. The factory whistle concert has been a tradition in the City of York since 1889. It often can be heard for miles into the countryside. (This story was updated to add new information and photos.) This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: These 2025 events celebrate the holidays in York and Adams counties TUSCALOOSA COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) A 26-year-old woman was killed in a crash on I-59 in Tuscaloosa County early Sunday morning. Asia Anthony, of Tuscaloosa, was injured when the Toyota Rav4 that she was a passenger in left the roadway and struck a tractor-trailer around 2:42 a.m. Anthony was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was injured and transported to UAB Hospital for treatment. The crash occurred on I-59 near the 98 mile marker. Nothing else is available as Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Two people were killed after a small plane crashed in a gated Florida neighborhood while en route to Jamaica on Monday morning. The Beech B100 airplane crashed at 10:19 a.m. into a pond in Coral Springs, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Two people died as a result of the crash, according to the Coral Springs Police Department. The plane was on a relief mission after Hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica late last month. Crews spotted scattered debris nearby after the crash, Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Moser told the Associated Press. No homes were damaged, and crews initially did not find any victims in the water, according to Moser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no actual plane to be seen, he said. They followed the debris trail to the water. We had divers that entered the water and tried to search for any victims and didnt find any. The Independent has contacted the Coral Springs Police Department for comment. Emergency crews respond after a plane crashed in Coral Springs, Florida, on Monday morning. Two people were killed, authorities said (AP) First responders reported smelling fuel in the neighborhood when they arrived at the scene, according to dispatch audio reviewed by CBS News. As emergency responders searched the scene, a report came in that crews were finding body parts, according to the obtained dispatch audio. Marcos Lima, who witnessed the crash, told Local 10 News he saw this black figure, it was a plane, going straight down. He then saw pieces of the plane and body parts everywhere, Lima told the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aircraft departed from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at 10:14 a.m., en route to the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica, a City of Fort Lauderdale spokesperson told The Independent. Theres no information available about the people on board, the spokesperson added. Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane in Jamaica late last month. At least 32 people were killed in Jamaica, and more than 100,000 housing structures were damaged, according to the United Nations. About 36,000 residents are also in need of food assistance, the UN said. Emergency crews respond after a plane crashed into a pond in Coral Springs, Florida. Local and federal agencies are now investigating the crash (AP) The National Transportation Safety Board is now investigating the crash, the agency said in a statement on X. The Federal Aviation Administration and Broward Sheriffs Office have also joined the investigation, the Coral Springs Police Department said. Residents may still notice a strong fuel odor, the Coral Springs Police Department warned on Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the majority of these fumes have evaporated, it may take time for the remainder to dissipate, the police department said. The city strongly recommends residents in the area to avoid being outdoors and keep doors closed for the remainder of the night. The plane was registered to International Air Services, the Associated Press reports, citing FAA data. The company declined to provide comment to The Independent when reached by phone on Monday afternoon. Two people were killed on Tuesday when a tourist bus collided with a truck near an Egyptian Red Sea town, local authorities said. An Egyptian man and a Russian woman were killed in the accident, which took place 5 kilometres outside Ras Ghareb, south-east of Cairo. The bus was carrying 38 passengers of different nationalities, the Red Sea governorate said. Egyptian security sources later reported that the injured included 27 Russians, two Lithuanians, seven Finns and three Egyptians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several people have been injured and transferred to a nearby hospital, it added. Serious road accidents are relatively common in Egypt and are often blamed on poor road conditions and reckless driving. In recent years, Egypt has been building a network of new routes, aimed at improving the quality of its roads. The Montana Women's Prison in BIllings (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan). Two Montana communities have expressed substantial interest in becoming the location for a new state womens prison facility following a Department of Corrections request for information. Two more responded to the states request for information but cited resident concerns and opposition in their submission. The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission and City of Deer Lodge expressed strong desire for consideration, as did Big Horn County and Hardin, which said their southeastern location was the most appropriate and advantageous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Butte-Silver Bow and Jefferson also submitted responses, but acknowledged residents expressed serious concerns and opposition to becoming a new prison site. Montanas state-run correctional facilities have been faced with overcrowding for years, and the issue drew a lot of discussion in Helena during the Legislature. During the 2025 session, lawmakers appropriated $436 million to address capacity issues throughout the state. One funding allocation came from House Bill 833, sponsored by Rep. John Fitzpatrick, R-Anaconda, which set aside roughly $250 million to construct a new womens prison or renovate an existing facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with the Daily Montanan during the session, Fitzpatrick said the womens prison in Billings houses 240 people, Montana needs beds for at least 400. Unlike the men, we have no place to put them out of state, he told the Daily Montanan. The state has contracts to send male inmates to privately run prisons in other states. Fitzpatricks bill includes a study the Department of Corrections will lead to determine a new location for a womens prison not excluding Billings or Deer Lodge, where the mens prison is located, but not favoring them either, he said. It could be anywhere, Fitzpatrick said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Corrections sent out a Request for Information on Sept. 10 seeking feedback from local communities interested in being an option to host the prison. Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission voted unanimously on a resolution indicating its support for locating a new prison in the county and submitted an 18-page packet detailing the countys history with running state-controlled institutions. We believe that the long-term success of the new prison rests with siting it in a location where it will be welcomed rather than another community where the state simply owns land but where the local population may be hostile, skeptical, or indifferent to having the facility in its midst, Commission Chairman Mike Beausoleil wrote. The Montana State Prison has been located in Deer Lodge since 1871 when it was founded as a territorial prison, and the Montana State Hospital at Warm Springs began as a territorial facility in 1877. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Montana Tuberculosis Sanitarium at Galen opened in 1913 and was also operated to house developmentally disabled residents and as a site for a state alcohol treatment program, according to the countys documents. State institutions have been a part of Deer Lodge Countys economy and culture for over 150 years, the proposal states. While Anaconda is famous for its once massive copper smelter and owes its existence to the birth of copper mining in Butte, the state institutions were a vital source of income within the county. It is not hyperbole to say that after the smelter closed in 1981, it was employment at the state hospital and, especially, the state prison which kept Anaconda alive. Deer Lodge County offered two potential locations for a new womens prison, one adjacent to the Montana State Hospital Forensic Unit at Galen, and two sites adjacent to the Montana State Hospital at Warm Springs. At a public hearing held by the county commission, only six individuals opposed the plan, according to county staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Big Horn County and the city of Hardin touted community experience with similar facilities and a readiness to begin building immediately. Hardin brings relevant experience through past correctional facility operations, which have helped develop leadership familiar with the demands of such institutions, Hardin Mayor Joe Purcell wrote in a letter of support. Importantly, this proposal has strong community and political support. We view this as a valuable partnership one that meets a critical public safety need for the state while offering lasting economic benefits for our region. Big Horn Countys proposal emphasizes proactive actions already taken by the county and Hardin to expedite the building of a womens prison. The proposal identifies over 1,000 acres of county-owned land that is ready for correctional use, with an estimated $15 million-$20 million in infrastructure savings compared to using a barren site, and the possibility of donating the land to the state to jumpstart the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county also cited an elevated unemployment rate of 5.8% as a ready and available labor pool to mitigate a risk of staffing shortages at the new facility, as well as the proximity to two tribal colleges, which could aid in developing and implementing vocational training for inmates and staff. Big Horns proposal is also backed by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and the Crow Tribe of Indians. Both Butte-Silver Bow and Jefferson Countys responses sent to DOC highlighted community opposition to a new prison facility. In a letter, Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive J.P. Gallagher wrote that the prison is not perceived as a benefit to community development, citing workforce concerns, and a lack of housing and infrastructure capacity. A piece of state-owned land in the county that could be considered is smaller than the 40 acres DOC set as a minimum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wrote that the city-county commission had sent a letter seeking more information from DOC, but did not receive a response. The community of Boulder, meanwhile, saw almost all attendees at a public meeting oppose the idea of a new corrections facility in the town, though comments from constituents aside from the meeting have mostly been supportive. Boulder is already home to the former Riverside Special Needs Unit, where in May, DOC relocated 50 female inmates from the Montana Womens Prison in Billings to reduce overcrowding. The state owns a 122-acre parcel that includes the Riverside facility. There are additional similar facilities nearby, including the Elkhorn Treatment Center and a campus of the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter sent from the county cited concerns with local workforce staffing, Boulders volunteer-run emergency service programs, and the available medical and behavioral health services locally. Neither the county commission nor city officials provided letters of support for a Boulder-based correctional facility. According to the Department of Corrections secure facility dashboard, there are currently 246 inmates at the Montana Womens Prison, which has an operational capacity of 250, in addition to the 50 inmates at the Riverside Facility in Boulder. Meanwhile, the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, has 1,514 inmates with a capacity of 1,551. A total of 1,500 inmates are currently housed in contracted facilities, including one in Shelby and one in Dawson County. Two National League players and a former player are arrested after a 29-year-old US tourist accuses them of rape during her stay in Tel Aviv. Two active players from the National League and League A, along with a former player, were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the rape of a 29-year-old tourist from the United States during her visit to Israel, where they met her during a night out. According to the police, the tourist reported that she was raped at the beginning of the month at a hostel in Tel Aviv. Following an intensive investigation by detectives from the Sarat police station (Shfela, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv), three young men from Netanya were arrested - two active players aged 21 and 25, and a former player. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, they are scheduled to appear at a hearing to extend their detention at the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court. Detectives from the Sarat police station, in cooperation with Border Police officers from Tel Aviv, arrested the three suspects on Monday evening. All are in their 20s and are suspected of raping the tourist. The incident allegedly occurred at a hostel in the city in early November. Preliminary investigation findings indicate that the tourist reported the assault to the police on November 1, stating that she had been raped during her stay in Tel Aviv. Investigators immediately began examining her complaint, collecting evidence from the scene, and questioning witnesses. Speculation the victim was drugged The suspects maintain that the encounter was consensual, but the complainant firmly denies this claim. The current speculation is that she was drugged during the encounter with the first suspect, who met her and later called his two friends to join them in the hotel room, according to a report by Ynet. The three suspects were taken to the Sarat police station for interrogation. On Tuesday, they will be presented at a hearing to determine whether their detention should be extended, during which the police are expected to request continued custody for further investigation. Danish jewellery brand Pandora has opened a regional headquarters in Singapore as it seeks to step up growth across Asia. The new base will manage Pandoras Asia cluster, which includes a combination of company-run stores and distributor-led markets across the region. The retailer described the move as underscoring its long-term focus on Asia as a strategic growth region, citing momentum in both established markets and newer territories. Pandora chief commercial officer Massimo Basei stated: Asia presents a tremendous opportunity for Pandora. With dynamic markets like India, Japan, Indonesia and South Korea poised for expansion, Singapores strategic location and vibrant business environment make it the ideal base for our expansion in the region. We are investing in a dedicated set-up and bold hiring plans to build a strong foundation for sustainable growth. The office is situated in Marina Bay, within Singapores central financial and commercial area. Pandora intends to build a team of 50 employees spanning branding and marketing, market development and operations, with hiring commencing in late 2025/early 2026. The establishment of the hub is supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). Dino Tan, senior vice-president and head of Europe at EDB, added: We welcome Pandoras decision to establish its Asia headquarters here, leveraging Singapores position as a business hub for consumer companies looking to expand their reach across the region. Pandoras expanded presence will add to the vibrancy of global lifestyle and consumer brands in Singapore and create exciting job opportunities for Singaporeans." In October 2025, Pandora disclosed that its president and CEO Alexander Lacik will retire in March 2026 after almost seven years in the role. He will be succeeded by Berta de Pablos-Barbier, the groups chief marketing officer. Pandoras jewellery is available in more than 100 countries through 6,800 points of sale, including more than 2,700 concept stores. "Pandora opens Singapore regional HQ to drive Asia growth " was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. Stockholm A rising number of mysterious drone sightings near airports and military bases has fueled concern in Europe over alleged Russian incursions into NATO airspace, with some of America's allies already saying the continent is in a gray zone between peace and war accusing Moscow of escalating "hybrid warfare." NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is arguably the United States' most important alliance, enduring for over 75 years. In Sweden, CBS News saw that alliance in action this week in waters contested by Russia. Our team watched as an enemy submarine prepared for a covert espionage and sabotage mission in the Baltic Sea against America's NATO allies in northern Europe. Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge of the U.S. Navy is seen at right, next to the HSwMS Belos submarine rescue ship of the Swedish Navy (left) in the harbor in Stockholm, Sweden, in a June 3, 2022, file photo taken ahead of a NATO exercise in the southern Baltic Sea. / Credit: HENRIK MONTGOMERY/TT News Agency/AFP/Getty It was just a military exercise, launched from Stockholm's harbor, and a German submarine played the role of the unnamed enemy being hunted by NATO forces across the Baltic Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. forces took part, flying overhead in spy planes. "NATO is a defensive alliance," Commander Arlo Abrahamson, a U.S. Navy officer and a spokesman for NATO's maritime headquarters, which has been closely monitoring Russia's military build-up in the Baltic, told CBS News. "The potential threats of adversaries in this region are interconnected throughout the world." Abrahamson said that if northern Europe is drawn into a conflict, it would have a negative impact on the United States, too. A map graphic shows in dark blue the European nations which, along with the United States and Canada, are members of the transatlantic NATO defense alliance. / Credit: brichuas/Getty Images Several of America's NATO allies share a Baltic coastline with Russia. In recent years, Russia is suspected of carrying out multiple acts of sabotage including damaging undersea data cables that are the backbone of the global internet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some believe Russia is using the Baltic Sea as a testing ground, to see how much damage it could do to the West's economy if it ever went to war with NATO. Undersea cables carry trillions of dollars worth of financial transactions every day. The country leading the exercises this week, Sweden, gave CBS News rare access to one of its stealth warships, the HMS Helsingborg, as it hunted for the pseudo-enemy sub. The Swedish Royal Navy's steal warship HMS Helsingborg is seen during operational trials in a June 25, 2009 file photo taken in Stockholm. / Credit: OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty For more than 200 years, Sweden maintained a policy of military non-alignment, but last year, following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, it became NATO's newest member. "We face the Russians every day, sharing the same duck pond, so to say," submarine flotilla Commander Paula Wallenburg, of the Swedish navy, told CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She echoed Lithuanian officials' recent accusation that Russia is engaged in a kind of hybrid warfare with the alleged airspace violations and acts of sabotage. "We're not at peace, but not at war," she said. "We're somewhere in between." Wallenburg agreed that the current circumstances look "pretty close to" those seen during the Cold War, when the nuclear-armed U.S. and then-Soviet Union tested each other's resolve in a high-stakes face off that never quite turned into a full-scale war. "It's a very serious situation when it comes to security here in this area," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin has actually said already that Russia is at war with NATO, because of the alliance's support for Ukraine. America's NATO allies around the Baltic Sea, including Sweden, Finland, Poland and Germany, have all resolved to significantly boost their domestic military spending and beef up their defenses. How Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal that may end government shutdown Passengers wait hours as air traffic control staffing issues due to shutdown disrupt travel Government shutdown end in sight as some Democrats split and help Republicans The U.S. Senate voted on Nov. 10 to fund the government, a key move that's likely to bring an end to the longest shutdown in U.S. history and provide relief to impacted Hoosiers. Eight Democrats joined with Republicans to craft a new spending measure that would fund the government through Jan. 30 and reverse layoffs for federal workers during the shutdown. It passed with just enough support to end the filibuster at 60-40. But other Senate Democrats criticized that the deal made no guarantees on extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, the demand at the heart of the shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An extension would prevent costs from rising next year for millions of Americans, including more than 300,000 Hoosiers. Instead, Republicans only agreed to allow a vote on the matter in the Senate and made no promises about what might happen in the House of Representatives. The spending measure must be passed by the House of Representatives and signed into law before the shutdown will end. Republicans are likely to pass it but will not vote until 4 pm. Nov. 12 at the earliest. Included in the measure is a full year of funding for several agencies, including those that oversee food assistance and veterans benefits. If passed, Hoosier recipients on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will eventually start receiving full benefits after a month of uncertainty about the status of November benefits. More: 'Why do we have to suffer?': Hoosiers reliant on SNAP in limbo even with shutdown end in sight Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The end of the government shutdown also means Indiana's estimated 24,000 civilian federal workers will start getting paid again and will receive backpay for any missed paychecks. Indiana Sen. Todd Young and Sen. Jim Banks, both Republicans, joined the majority to pass the spending measure after voting to reopen the government for weeks. Over the past 40 days, I have said over and over again that Hoosiers didnt send me to Congress to shut down the government. I am frustrated that this shutdown has dragged on this long and negatively affected our country in so many ways. I am grateful for all of the dedicated Senator Todd Young (@SenToddYoung) November 11, 2025 Contact Marissa Meador at mmeador@gannett.com or find her on X at @marissa_meador. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: U.S. Senate votes to end shutdown. Here's how Indiana's senators voted The U.S. military has killed six more people in strikes on what it claims were drug-running boats, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday, bringing the total death toll in the series of attacks to 76. Hegseth said in a post on X that the U.S. carried out two strikes on Sunday in international waters in the eastern Pacific, targeting two boats that were "carrying narcotics" with three "male narco-terrorists" on board each. "All 6 were killed. No U.S. forces were harmed," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As in previous strikes, which began under President Trump's administration in September, U.S. officials did not release the identities of those killed, or offer evidence that they were smuggling narcotics or posed a threat to the United States. Experts say the strikes, which have taken place in both the Pacific and Caribbean, amount to extrajudicial killings even if they target known traffickers. Hegseth said the two vessels were "operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations." He did not name the groups. The U.S. military has killed six more people in strikes on what it claims were drug-running boats, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday, bringing the total death toll in the series of attacks to 76. / Credit: Pete Hegseth/X The Trump administration has said in a notice to Congress that the United States is engaged in "armed conflict" with Latin American drug cartels, describing them as terrorist groups as part of its justification for the strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video accompanying the post showed a strike on one boat sitting stationary in the water, and a separate open-top vessel exploding while underway. A short video clip in color of the moving vessel shows what appear to be several parcels loaded inside. No details can be made out on the stationary vessel, which appears in black-and-white video. U.S. strikes have now destroyed at least 20 vessels so far 19 boats and an alleged "narco sub." "Under President Trump, we are protecting the homeland and killing these cartel terrorists who wish to harm our country and its people," Hegseth said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strikes on alleged drug traffickers have coincided with a U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean. So far it has deployed six Navy ships in the Caribbean, sent F-35 stealth warplanes to Puerto Rico, and ordered the USS Gerald R Ford carrier strike group to the region. The governments and families of those killed in the U.S. strikes have said many of the dead were civilians primarily fishermen. Washington says their mission is to combat drug trafficking, but Caracas views the ships as a threat to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, who has repeatedly accused Mr. Trump of seeking to oust him. When asked in an interview with "60 Minutes" last week if Maduro's "days were numbered," Mr. Trump responded, "I would say yeah. I think so, yeah." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Trump last month also confirmed that he had authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela. Meanwhile, the U.N. rights chief urged Washington on Monday to investigate the legality of the strikes, warning of "strong indications" of "extrajudicial killings." "I have called for investigations by the US administration first and foremost, because they need to... ask themselves the question: are these violations of international human rights law? Are they extrajudicial killings? I mean, there are strong indications that they are, but they need to investigate this," Volker Turk told AFP in an interview. The United Nations previously asked the United States to cease its campaign, with Turk saying the killings have taken place "in circumstances that find no justification in international law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Senate Republicans voted to reject legislation that would have put a check on Mr. Trump's ability to launch an attack against Venezuela, as Democrats pressed Congress to take a stronger role in Mr. Trump's high-stakes campaign against Maduro. In August, the Trump administration doubled a bounty for Maduro, offering a $50 million reward for his arrest. How Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal that may end government shutdown Eye Opener: Senate advances funding measure that could end government shutdown "The Wounded Generation": Bearing the invisible scars of war The United States carried out two lethal strikes in the Eastern Pacific against vessels allegedly operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations, killing six men suspected of narcotics trafficking, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday. Hegseth said the operations, ordered Sunday by President Donald Trump, targeted two boats associated with illicit narcotics smuggling along a well-known trafficking corridor. Each vessel carried three men identified by U.S. intelligence as narco-terrorists, all of whom were killed. No U.S. personnel were injured. The new strikes raise the death toll from Trumps maritime offensive against Latin American drug cartels to 76 since operations began in early September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, two lethal kinetic strikes were conducted on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations, Hegseth wrote on X. These vessels were known by our intelligence to be associated with illicit narcotics smuggling, were carrying narcotics, and were transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route in the Eastern Pacific. Both strikes occurred in international waters, he added. The Pentagon cast the attacks as part of a broader campaign to aggressively target transnational criminal networks at sea. Under President Trump, we are protecting the homeland and killing these cartel terrorists who wish to harm our country and its people, Hegseth said. Neither the White House nor the Defense Department provided further details about the organizations involved, the U.S. assets used, or the quantity of narcotics allegedly on board. The policy has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and international law scholars, who denounce the operations as extrajudicial killings. Administration officials have defended the strikes, arguing that cartel members qualify as unlawful combatants under international law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal analysts say the use of force against suspected traffickers in international waters rests on uncertain legal ground. Nations may act in self-defense or with another countrys consent, but maritime strikes on non-state actors risk diplomatic backlash unless supported by clear evidence of an imminent threat. Trump has repeatedly described Latin American drug cartels as a national security threat and insists the operations fall within his executive authority. While the latest strikes occurred near Latin Americas Pacific coast, most attacks reported so far have taken place in the southern Caribbean, targeting boats departing Venezuela where senior officials have long been accused by the U.S. Justice Department of steering a state-backed narcotics network known as the Cartel de los Soles. The maritime campaign coincides with the largest U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean in decades. The initial phase includes a Marine air-ground task force aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima and two San Antonio-class transport ships, carrying more than 2,000 Marines for rapid-response missions. Nearly 10,000 U.S. personnel Marines and Navy are now operating in the region, backed by a cruiser, several destroyers, and a Los Angeles-class attack submarine equipped with precision-guided missiles. The administration has also ordered the worlds largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Caribbean. Ten F-35 stealth fighters based in Puerto Rico give the United States overwhelming air superiority over Venezuelas aging Sukhoi Su-30 and F-16 fleets. The United Kingdom has taken the unprecedented step of pausing some intelligence sharing with the United States over fears of being implicated in potentially illegal strikes against vessels accused of ferrying drugs in the Caribbean, new reporting reveals. CNN reported on Tuesday that the intelligence pause began over a month ago, with British officials reportedly agreeing with the international consensus that the strikes are illegal. In a move that has blurred the lines between law enforcement and military action, the Trump administration has directed lethal strikes against numerous vessels it claims are being operated by drug smugglers designated narcoterrorists by the U.S. government in recent months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens have died in the strikes, with their identities not made public by the White House or Pentagon. An Associated Press investigation, piecing together evidence from the ground in Venezuela, identified some of those killed in the strikes and confirmed some of their involvement in small-scale local operations for drug cartels, typically on a temporary basis. The news outlet separately reported that Canadian officials have made clear to the US that it does not want its intelligence being used to help target boats for deadly strikes. US President Donald Trump has declined to say definitively whether the U.S. is plotting invasion of Venezuela, but has indicated his inclination against it (AFP/Getty) A total of 76 people have been confirmed killed by the U.S. government in the strikes, which the White Houses critics say amount to extrajudicial killings. Those targeted are not afforded trials or any form of due process. The U.S. government has also designated top officials in Venezuelas government as the alleged leaders of Cartel de los Soles, a group it claims is involved in the drug trade. The Independent reached out to the White House for comment on Tuesday morning, but did not immediately receive a response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A group of independent experts hired by the U.N. Human Rights Council acknowledged Trump's justification, but stated in October that even if such allegations were substantiated, the use of lethal force in international waters without proper legal basis violates the international law of the sea and amounts to extrajudicial executions. Those criticisms have been echoed by Democrats and a handful of Republicans in Trumps own party. Despite this, the Senate defeated a resolution to check the powes of the president under the War Powers Resolution last week, with two Republicans joining Democratic ranks (one short of the votes needed). As the strikes have continued, the Trump administration has leaned into accusing the Maduro regime of being illegitimate and recent elections in Venezuela being fraudulent. The U.S. has surged military resources including a carrier group to the region, raising fears of a ground invasion. Those resources include guided-missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear submarine and around 6,500 troops. The president has maintained that he is leaning against an invasion of Venezuela, telling CBSs 60 Minutes: I doubt it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he stuck to the same rhetoric he has used in the leadup to other military strikes, including in Iran: "I wouldn't be inclined to say that I would do that... I'm not gonna tell you what I'm gonna do with Venezuela, if I was gonna do it or if I wasn't going to do it." And speaking about the strikes, hes indicated that he will not ask Congress for authority to carry out further military action, nor will he extend due process to alleged drug smugglers. I think were just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country, OK? Trump said at a White House event in late October. Were going to kill them, you know. Theyre going to be, like, dead. CNN reported last month that the president was reviewing plans for strikes inside Venezuela targeting narcotics smugglers and their operations. It isnt clear whether Venezuelan military targets were among the list. Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Ukraine's military reportedly struck a Russian-controlled thermal power plant in occupied Donetsk Oblast late on Nov. 11, Russian Telegram media channels reported. Purported videos posted on social media appear to show a large explosion and subsequent fire emanating from the Starobesheve power plant in the occupied community of Novyi Svit in Donetsk Oblast, following a projectile strike on the target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kyiv Independent cannot immediately verify the reports. Ukraine's military has not yet commented on the reported attack, and it was not immediately clear as to what weaponry was used to strike the plant. Ukraine routinely launches strikes against military and industrial facilities in Russia and Russian-occupied territories, primarily relying on domestically developed drones. No information was immediately available on the extent of the damage caused or on any possible casualties. The power plant was previously struck in a Ukrainian rocket attack on Jan. 8, 2023, Reuters reported. The attack comes as Kyiv has intensified attacks against Russian oil, gas, and energy infrastructure, a key source of Moscow's revenues helping to fuel its all-out invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent months, Moscow has intensified attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in an attempt to plunge Ukraine into another harsh winter. On Nov. 8, Ukrainian cities sustained "one of the largest direct ballistic missile attacks on energy facilities" since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said. The attack forced Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, to implement over 12 hours of emergency power cuts to stabilize the energy situation. Read also: The situation is quite difficult Ukraine pulls back from positions near 5 settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Ukrainian arms maker built an automated machine gun turret for the military's naval drones. The turret helped Ukraine hunt down Russian helicopters and a fighter jet over the Black Sea. Now, it is being deployed to the front lines for a new mission to defend against small drones. A Ukrainian arms maker that built an automated machine gun turret to engage Russian aircraft is now aiming to deploy the weapon against small drones packed with explosives. Ukrainian naval drones equipped with the turret, called the Predator, helped Kyiv take down two Russian helicopters and a fighter jet over the Black Sea in the past year, the CEO of UGV Robotics told Business Insider in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Predator gun system has since been tested against the kind of first-person-view (FPV) drones menacing the battlefield and will soon be deployed to the front lines, where small drones continue to be a headache for vehicle crews and dismounted infantry alike. "Now we focus on the FPV because it's one of the biggest problems on the front line," said the CEO, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to security considerations. Naval combat Early in the war, Ukraine's military intelligence agency, known as the GUR, deployed naval drones in the Black Sea to help Kyiv counter the threatening presence of Russian warships. After a string of successful Ukrainian naval drone attacks on Russia's Black Sea Fleet, Moscow responded by increasing air patrols with helicopters and fighter jets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GUR's "Magura" naval drones are loaded up with explosives and ram into their targets and detonate, but these vessels long lacked sufficient protection from above. The agency, looking for a solution that could track patrol aircraft and help shoot them down, approached UGV Robotics about the Predator system, the company's CEO said. The Predator turret equipped on a small tracked vehicle. Courtesy of UGV Robotics. The Predator-equipped Magura naval drone made its combat debut in December 2024. That month, the turret was used in a target acquisition role, helping the GUR take down two Russian helicopters with surface-to-air missiles fired from different naval drones in the area. It marked the first known instance of a naval drone firing on and striking an aircraft. The Predator was used regularly in the Black Sea in the months that followed, and in May, it assisted in downing a Russian Sukhoi Su-30 fighter aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Getting the Predator turret to work successfully on the water was a highly complex process for the UGV engineers, the CEO said. Not only did it have to be stable, but it also had to fit on the naval drone and operate effectively in harsh weather conditions. A new mission Though it was developed for naval drones, the Predator gun system has been tested against small FPV drones. The turret fires 7.62-caliber bullets and features gyro stabilization, with optical sensors and artificial intelligence for target detection. The turret can be set up on tracked vehicles or even in the back of a pickup truck, allowing the weapon to hit targets on the go, just as it could at sea. The Predator has all the technology to be fully autonomous, but UGV Robotics prefers that humans are still involved in the process to avoid friendly fire incidents, the CEO said. The turret indicates to the operator when a drone is present, allowing them to decide whether to lock on the target and start firing. The Predator turret has been tested against dozens of drones. Courtesy of UGV Robotics Newer Predator models have a laser range finder for better accuracy and more precise strikes, the CEO said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tests of the turret have put it up against FPV drones controlled by both fiber-optic cables and radio frequency signals. Its maker says it can engage targets as small as seven inches at 100 meters. The automated weapon will soon be deployed to the front lines in Ukraine, the CEO said, adding that, because the Predator can operate at sea, it should also be successful on land. UGV Robotics aims to eventually develop a larger gun turret the Apex Predator that fires .50-caliber bullets and can be used against bigger threats. UGV Robotics has already built more than 30 Predators, and it intends to be producing around 100 units a month within half a year. Every gun turret is made in Ukraine and costs less than $100,000 for Kyiv's military; the unit price will be slightly higher for future exports once the government opens up that process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company showed the Predator to NATO at an "Innovation Challenge" hosted by the military alliance, which brought together Ukrainian and Western defense companies earlier in the year to find solutions to the FPV drone threat. The CEO said that UGV Robotics has, more recently, demonstrated the Predator remotely during a NATO-held testing event in France. The company hopes to sell the turret to NATO and is already seeing interest from several countries. Read the original article on Business Insider For decades, the United Nations has intervened in Haiti in a bid to address persistent political, economic and security crises. To date, all attempts have failed. Now, the international body is trying something new. On Sept. 30, 2025, the United Nations Security Council approved an expanded international military force for Haiti in hopes of turning the tide against organized criminal gangs that have taken hold of swaths of the Caribbean nation. Resolution 2793 authorized the doubling of U.N.-backed military and police forces to more than 5,000 and transforming the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission in place since 2023 into a new Gang Suppression Force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Operational command of the mission will now be held by a coalition of nations including Kenya, Canada, Jamaica, the Bahamas, El Salvador, Guatemala and the United States. Meanwhile, the U.N. will provide logistical, administrative and political assistance through the newly established U.N. Support Office in Haiti. Yet the true significance of Resolution 2793 lies not in its military content or its specific application in Haiti, but rather in its institutional design. As a scholar of international peace operations, I see this as a major shift in how the U.N. exerts authority. The organizations legitimacy now rests less on commanding troops directly and more on coordinating coalitions. In an era of constrained budgets and fragmented global power, the United Nations increasingly sees its strength in its ability to confer legitimacy and structure collaboration among coalitions of states, regional organizations and international nongovernmental organizations. The logic of adaptation At one time, U.N. peacekeeping symbolized the collective will of nations deployed across the world under a unified command. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beginning formally in 1956 with the deployment of the first U.N. Emergency Force during the Suez Crisis, peacekeeping operations were conceived as neutral forces positioned between warring parties to monitor ceasefires and buffer zones. Traditional missions deployed tens of thousands of troops wearing distinctive blue helmets, all under direct U.N. command. Field commanders reported to United Nations headquarters in New York through a clear chain of authority. At their peak in the 1990s and 2000s, the U.N. ran dozens of these operations simultaneously from Cambodia to Mozambique and the Balkans with mandates to separate combatants, disarm militias and support peace agreements after civil wars. Some succeeded in ending long-running conflicts, but others became mired in situations where there was no peace to keep. A U.N. peacekeeping soldier, right, shown in 1956 during the first-ever U.N. peacekeeping deployment. AFP vis Getty Images U.N. missions such as those in Haiti from 2004 to 2017 and in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2010 to the present reflected an era when member states were willing to finance large, multilateral deployments under one flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that model has become harder to sustain. Over time, U.N. peacekeeping has had to confront not only conventional conflicts but also transnational and urban violence, organized crime and fragile governance problems that stretched beyond its original design. Compounding those challenges in recent years has been deep polarization on the U.N. Security Council. Conflicts ranging from Syria to Ukraine have exposed divisions that constrain the authorization of new large-scale missions. Meanwhile, peacekeeping budgets have plateaued as major contributing countries have drawn back funding amid domestic political pressures, and many traditional troop contributors have grown cautious about costly, open-ended deployments. The United Nations has had to evolve in a number of ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haitis most recent multinational security support mission already departed from the classical design. When the Kenya-led operation was authorized in 2023, it was funded entirely through voluntary contributions from willing countries, not the regular U.N. budget that all member nations pay into. It represented a partial departure from traditional peacekeeping by authorizing a non-U.N. coalition under U.N. approval. Resolution 2793 transforms that ad hoc arrangement into a more structured and durable framework. The new Gang Suppression Force features a clearer command architecture, expanded troop strength and a dedicated U.N. support office to coordinate logistics, training and political liaison. In doing so, it effectively institutionalizes what had been an experimental model, shifting operational control to willing nations while preserving the U.N.s oversight. Its proponents argue that this approach keeps the organizations most valuable asset its legitimacy at the center of collective security. The command clause that changes everything Tucked into the new resolution is a paragraph that entrusts a coalition of participating nations with strategic direction, oversight and political decision-making, while day-to-day command remains with the missions field commander chosen by that group. A soldier patrols the streets of Port-au-Prince in 2011 during a previous U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti. AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa Under this arrangement, the chain of command flows through a coalition of nations acting with U.N. authorization but not U.N. control. In other words, peacekeeping is being somewhat outsourced though under the United Nations legal and moral umbrella. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The way this new type of model is funded reiterates this logic: All personnel costs will be borne by voluntary contributions, not the U.N.s assessed peacekeeping budget. This approach gives donor countries flexibility while keeping the United Nations human rights and reporting obligations intact. This is not mere bureaucratic tinkering. It represents the U.N.s redefinition of how it sees its comparative advantage from direct command to networked coordination. Risks and promise of the Haiti model The new Gang Suppression Force in Haiti offers both opportunities and challenges. Its coalition structure could enhance responsiveness and regional ownership of the problem. Indeed, countries neighboring Haiti or with historical ties have strong incentives to stabilize the situation. The mission could deploy more quickly than traditional U.N. operations, which often take months to organize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For everyday Haitians, this could mean faster relief from gang violence that has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, shut down schools and hospitals, and made basic activities like going to the market dangerous. If successful, the force could help the Haitian government to gradually restore its authority over neighborhoods currently controlled by armed groups. The latest U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti signals a shift in focus. AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery But coordination challenges could emerge when multiple countries share control, and disagreements over strategy or rules of engagement could slow decision-making. There are also questions about how this model ensures consistent oversight different countries may have varying standards for human rights monitoring or different interpretations of the missions scope. Resolution 2793 tries to address these concerns by mandating robust human rights safeguards, child-protection advisers and clear rules of engagement. If these mechanisms work effectively, they could set a new standard for hybrid peace operations. For Haiti, the stakes are existential. Success will depend on seamless coordination between the Gang Suppression Force, the Haitian National Police and civil authorities, and on ensuring that stabilization builds up Haitis own capacity to maintain security rather than creating long-term reliance on foreign forces. A template for the future? The Gang Suppression Force embodies both the risks and the promise of the United Nations reinvention. If coordination succeeds, it could provide a practical blueprint for missions in settings where large, centrally managed U.N. deployments are politically or financially difficult to sustain. But if it fails, it could raise questions about how best to combine legitimacy and effectiveness in complex crises amid renewed great-power competition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More broadly, Haitis approach signals a wider shift in how collective security is organized. The postCold War image of a single, centrally directed multilateral system is giving way to a more textured landscape of regional partners, ad hoc coalitions and overlapping mandates. In that environment, the U.N. see its comparative advantage as less about directly supplying every soldier than about convening partners, setting standards and conferring legal and moral authority. In that sense, Haitis mission is more than a single intervention; it is an early example of how international peace operations may be organized in the decades ahead. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Bulbul Ahmed, University of Iowa; Bangladesh University of Professionals Read more: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bulbul Ahmed does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) The United Nations called Tuesday for an investigation into what is believed to have been the deaths of hundreds or more people while protesting the disputed election in Tanzania in which presidential candidates from the two main opposition parties were barred. The U.N. human rights chief, Volker Turk, said there was an apparent attempt to conceal evidence, following reports that police were taking bodies from mortuaries to undisclosed locations, and he urged the authorities to release bodies to families for funerals. The main opposition party, Chadema, has said that about 2,000 people were killed during three days of protests following the Oct. 29 election. The government has yet to give an official death toll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. statement cited hundreds of people believed to have been killed, but said it was unable to verify the figures due to the volatile security situation in Tanzania and the country's internet shutdown that lasted for six days after the elections. Videos of people apparently being shot by security officers were shared online shortly after internet connectivity resumed, but the government warned Tanzanians that those sharing videos and photos of the dead would be arrested and charged with treason. Authorities also have charged hundreds of people with treason over the anti-government protests surrounding the election. The U.N. rights office has called for the unconditional release of all opposition party officials who have been arrested, including Chademas party leader Tundu Lissu, whose treason trial was postponed on Monday over what the prosecutor said were security concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, members of parliament newly elected in the Oct. 29 vote were sworn in to the chamber, where the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party holds an overwhelming majority. The new parliament chose the ruling party's Mussa Zungu as the speaker. Tension remains high in the East African country, where the ruling party has stifled opposition parties and sought to tighten its decades-long hold on power. Content warning: This article contains information about alleged child sexual abuse material. Reader discretion is advised. Report CSAM to law enforcement by contacting the ICAC Tip Line at (801) 281-1211 or your local law enforcement agency. OREM, Utah (ABC4) A Salt Lake City man is behind bars after allegedly engaging in sexual chats with an undercover officer posing as a minor online. Search warrants also revealed he had victimized real minors as well, documents say. Giancarlo Salvatore Rinna, 38, is charged with 13 counts of enticing a minor, a second-degree felony; one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony; and two counts of distributing material harmful to a minor, a third-degree felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, in August 2025, detectives with the Orem Police Department were performing an undercover investigation on Chatib, posing as a 13-year-old who was using a false age to get onto the website. While on the chat website, a user who police later identified as Rinna messaged the account and asked how old the undercover was. They responded 13 years old, to which Rinna allegedly replied, Oh wow, and Would you sit on my lap? Search warrant of Colorado City business uncovers CSAM on owners hard drive The user asked to move the conversation to Discord, a different messaging platform. On Discord, Rinna and the undercover detective exchanged photos, the detective using a fake one. During the course of the conversation, Rinna asked to meet with the undercover, whom he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rinna allegedly began asking sexual questions and making inappropriate comments. The detective reminded him of the childs age, and Rinna asked the 13-year-old to promise not to tell anyone. The two made plans to meet up after the childs parents were asleep, and Rinna asked to move the conversation to Session, another chatting app. After moving apps, the conversation immediately became more sexual, according to documents. Throughout the messages, Rinna allegedly asked the 13-year-old for sexual photos and sent an explicit picture of himself. After continuing to make sexual comments and requests of the detective posing as a child, Rinna canceled the plans to meet up that night. Over the next several days, he continued messaging the account, making plans to meet up on the weekend. Those plans also fell through, but documents say Rinna continued having sexual conversations with the detective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This back and forth continued for several more months, through the end of October, with Rinna messaging the undercover detective sporadically with inappropriate comments and pictures, but never actually meeting with who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. The Utah Statewide Intelligence and Analysis Center reportedly used facial recognition software to identify the user as Rinna using the photos he sent to the undercover detective. Using that information, police requested search warrants. How to make ABC4 your preferred news source on Google A search warrant performed on Rinnas Discord account allegedly revealed that he had been messaging other minors on the platform. He engaged in these conversations with at least four underage girls, and some of them sent photos and videos that qualified as child sexual abuse material. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Using IP addresses, police confirmed that the accounts engaged in the crime belonged to Rinna. The internet company reportedly returned a phone number and address that matched those on Rinnas Utah drivers license. On Nov. 11, 2025, police detained and interviewed Rinna. He declined to answer any questions and was booked into the Utah County Jail, where he is currently being held without bail. According to charging documents, while in jail, he made a call to a family member where he said, It was just talking, Im fed, and I didnt actually do anything. It was just talk. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 ABC4 Utah. Accounting firm PKF Smith Cooper has named Lucinda Matkin as its new director for Business Recovery and Restructuring unit, expanding the firms operations in the East Midlands, UK. Matkin joins PKF Smith Cooper with more than 25 years of sector experience. Her previous roles include time at a Big Four organisation. She is also known for founding LM Insolvency, a Midlands-based recovery and turnaround business. Since starting LM Insolvency in 2012, Matkin has worked as its sole practitioner, advising both individuals and businesses in various sectors. Commenting on the appointment, Matkin said: Im delighted to be joining PKF Smith Cooper. Having spent over a decade running my own boutique insolvency practice, Im excited to bring that same personal, empathetic approach to a larger, highly respected firm with extended expertise and resources. My priority has always been to support business owners and individuals through difficult financial situations with clarity, dignity and compassion. Joining Dean and the team at PKF Smith Cooper allows me to continue doing exactly that, while also offering clients the wider capabilities, depth of specialism and collaborative strength that a larger advisory practice provides. The appointment is part of changes within the Business Recovery and Restructuring team, which saw a more integrated structure across the East Midlands offices in early 2025. Dean Nelson, a partner at PKF Smith Cooper, has been managing the Derby and Nottingham branches. Nelson commented: We are thrilled to welcome Lucinda to the firm. Her extensive experience within the industry will be a great asset to the team. Lucinda joins during a new chapter for the Business Recovery and Restructuring team, and I look forward to the strong future ahead for us at a difficult time for businesses with economic uncertainty ahead. "PKF Smith Cooper appoints new director" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. UNICEF blames Israel for blocking essential items, including vaccines for children, from entering Gaza following the ceasefire. UNICEF said on Tuesday that essential items, including syringes to vaccinate children and bottles for baby formula, are being denied entry into Gaza by Israel, preventing aid agencies from reaching those in need in the war-devastated territory. As UNICEF undertakes a mass children's vaccination campaign with a fragile ceasefire in place, it said it faces serious challenges getting 1.6 million syringes and solar-powered fridges to store vaccine vials in Gaza. The syringes have awaited customs clearance since August, UNICEF said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Both the syringes and the ... refrigerators are considered dual-use by Israel, and these items we're finding very hard to get them through clearances and inspections, yet they are urgent," UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires said. "Dual-use" refers to items Israel deems to have possible military as well as civilian applications. COGAT, the arm of the Israeli military that oversees aid flows into Gaza, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It has previously said it is not limiting the entry of food, water, medical supplies and shelter items. It has also accused Hamas of stealing humanitarian supplies, accusations the Palestinian militant group denies. ARMED PALESTINIANS ride on trucks carrying humanitarian aid near the Zikim border crossing from Israel into the northern Gaza Strip in June. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF accuse Hamas of blocking deliveries and stealing supplies, the writer notes. (credit: Ali Qariqa/Flash90) More than 40,000 children have missed vaccines in Gaza since war broke out UNICEF launched the first of three rounds of catch-up immunisations on Sunday to reach over 40,000 children under three who missed routine vaccines against polio, measles and pneumonia, following two years of war in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the first day of the campaign, it reached over 2,400 children with multiple vaccines. "The vaccination campaign has started, but we have two rounds to go, and for that we need more supplies," Pires said. UNICEF said more humanitarian aid is getting into Gaza but some critical items continued to be denied entry by Israeli authorities, including 938,000 bottles of ready-to-use infant formula and spare parts for water trucks. "That's nearly one million bottles that could be reaching children who have been suffering from different levels of malnutrition," Pires told a news briefing in Geneva. The October 10 truce was meant to unleash a massive surge of aid across the enclave, but relief agencies have repeatedly said not enough is getting in to meet the needs of a largely displaced and malnourished population of 2 million. Best known for his images of extravagant, almost sculptural, womens hairstyles, the work of the late Nigerian photographer J.D. Okhai Ojeikere has been exhibited around the world. But in a 2014 documentary on his life, he said his art was not celebrated in his home country. That might be changing. Recently, 150 photographs from his archives, most of which hadnt been publicly exhibited before, were the focus of a special exhibition at one of Africas premier art fairs, ART X Lagos, in Nigeria. Titled An Exacting Eye, the exhibition, as well as a masterclass taught by his son Amaize Ojeikere, sought to honor the life and work of one of the countrys most prolific documentary photographers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These photos are part of an expansive archive, according to photographer and archivist Amaize, who said his father had thousands and thousands of negatives. The exhibitions curator, Missla Libsekal, said investigating the largely analog archive required time and commitment, reviewing almost 8,000 images a fraction of the trove in a process that took several months. Ojeikere with his camera in 1956. - The estate of J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere/Foto Ojeikere Describing Ojeikeres approach to photography as poetry, she said, the way he saw the world and how he transformed that perception into an image is quite remarkable. He understood visual space, whether it was an outdoor or indoor setting, and how forms hold space. He translated this into images that enhanced and depicted a particular idea of beauty It is a talent to make images that keep you engaged and marveling, and that was what he did. Reawakening cultural memory With ART X Lagos celebrating its tenth year, founder Tokini Peterside-Schwebig said highlighting Ojeikeres work was about tribute and reconnection. It is about ensuring our young people know the artists and teachers who shaped our visual language. The masterclass ensures that younger artists not only engage with his techniques and visual language but also understand the cultural lineage they inherit, she said. I hope it reawakens cultural memory that it sparks pride, reflection and recognition, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ART X Lagos has become a key event in Nigerias art calendar, attracting thousands of artists, galleries, art enthusiasts and collectors from across the world. Peterside-Schwebig says this year brought scale, with a richer and more layered experience that holds both legacy and experimentation, as well as depth, with offerings like the masterclass and more as part of their strategy to invest more deeply in younger generations. Ojeikere, who died in 2014, documented Nigerian architecture, people and culture for over 60 years, with his most recognized work being the acclaimed Hairstyles series. Libsekal said the photographer was saddened that his work was well received internationally but not valued in Nigeria, adding that the exhibition, was bringing his work home and taking one of many steps to remediate that. In the exhibition were photos from his early career, festival photography and a range of portraits, as well as new images from the Hairstyle series, and photos of Lagos architecture, coastline and port, from the 1950s to the 1970s, capturing life pre- and post-Nigerias independence from colonial rule. Broad Street, Lagos, photographed by Ojeikere in 1965, a historically significant area developed by the British colonial government, which still serves as a central business district today. - The estate of J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere/Foto Ojeikere Amaize said he hoped to impart lessons to the 10 masterclass students about archiving as a practice, but also about his fathers tenacity, originality and work ethic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its very important that different generations are able to preserve what existed in their time for others to see, because theres so much to learn from the past so that the present and the future can be better, he said. Theres so much to learn from the impact of his work, the style, he added. He lived ahead of his time. With hundreds of thousands of photographs and negatives still in the archive, Amaize said there are plans to build institutions that will allow the work to be viewed by a wider audience for years to come. Not all of the works might ever be released, but the most important thing is that we are creating a situation where people can truly research into the style the works of J.D. Ojeikere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A selection of Ojeikeres work from the ART X Icon exhibition will be displayed at the Federal Palace Hotel lobby until the end of December. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A US naval strike force centred around the world's largest warship, the USS Gerald R Ford, has arrived in the Caribbean, the US Navy has confirmed. The arrival of the strike group, which was ordered to the region by President Donald Trump last month, comes amid ongoing strikes against alleged drug boats and tensions with Venezuela. The US has so far carried out at least 19 strikes against boats in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific, killing at least 76 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and other Venezuelan officials have accused the US of "fabricating" a crisis and seeking to topple the country's left-wing socialist government. The aircraft carrier movement also comes amid tensions between the Trump administration and the Colombian government of President Gustavo Petro, whom Trump has characterised as "a thug and a bad guy". Petro on Tuesday ordered his country's public security forces to suspend intelligence sharing with US agencies until the boat attacks in the Caribbean stop. He wrote on X that the fight against drugs "must be subordinated to the human rights of the Caribbean people". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, the US Navy said that the strike group entered the area of responsibility of US Southern Command - which oversees Latin America and the Caribbean - on 11 November. The force includes the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier, which itself includes more than 4,000 sailors and dozens of aircraft. The strike force also includes guided-missile destroyers and various other vessels. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said that the force will "bolster US capacity to detect, monitor and disrupt illicit actors and activities that disrupt the safety and prosperity" of the US and will help "disrupt narcotics trafficking" and criminal groups in the region. The carrier group is joining substantial military forces already deployed in the region, including thousands of troops, a nuclear-powered submarine and military aircraft based in Puerto Rico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collectively, they form the largest US presence arrayed in and around Latin America in decades. The US has continued to launch strikes on alleged drug boats in the region. The Trump administration says the attacks are necessary to stem the flow of drugs into the US. Earlier this week, the US announced it had conducted two additional strikes in the Pacific, killing six people. In addition to fueling tensions with the governments of Colombia and Venezuela, the strikes have led to concerns from some observers about violations of human rights and due process. Colombia's Petro has also faced criticism as well as US sanctions over his reluctant response to drug-trafficking groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Colombia's military officers revealed that they had launched their own deadly airstrikes against a drug-running guerrilla group in the Amazon region, killing 19, AFP reported. Earlier in November, Trump downplayed suggestions he was planning to topple the Venezuelan government or start a war. In an interview with CBS - the BBC's US news partner - Trump said that "every single boat that you see that's shot down kills 25,000 on drugs and destroys families all over our country." Pushed on whether the US was planning any strikes on land, Trump refused to rule it out, saying: "I wouldn't be inclined to say that I would do that... I'm not gonna tell you what I'm gonna do with Venezuela, if I was gonna do it or if I wasn't going to do it." By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Airlines canceled 1,200 flights on Tuesday as air traffic control staffing improved significantly ahead of an expected end to a record-setting government shutdown as soon as Wednesday. After airlines canceled 2,400 flights and delayed 9,600 on Monday, airlines delayed just 1,700 on Tuesday, the best performance for the industry in recent days. Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration instructed airlines to cut 4% of daily flights starting on Friday, November 7, at 40 major airports because of air traffic control staffing issues. Reductions in flights rose to 6% on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flight reductions were set to hit 8% on Thursday and 10% on Friday, November 14. Airlines and the FAA are in discussions about when and how the cuts will be reduced and eventually eliminated as a record-setting 42-day government shutdown nears an end. On Monday, President Donald Trump threatened to dock the pay of any controller who did not return to work and would welcome the resignations of workers who were not diligent in showing up for work. Some airlines are holding off on cutting 8% of flights for Thursday. United Airlines said Tuesday it has cut about 5% of Thursday flights. Several options are being discussed for how the FAA might end or shrink the flight cuts, sources told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air traffic control staffing shortages improved dramatically on Tuesday after more than two dozen issues on Monday. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said just four staffing issues were reported Tuesday, down from 81 Saturday. Duffy said at a press conference at Chicago O'Hare that he will reduce flight cuts as safety allows. "When that data changes, we're going to start taking that down from 6%, maybe we'll go to four, two, and get back to normal air travel," Duffy said. "It depends on controllers coming back to work." On Monday night, the Senate voted to approve legislation to end the shutdown and fund the government through January 30. The House is set to take it up on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duffy said that if the House did not approve the bill that flight disruptions could skyrocket this weekend and some major airlines might not keep flying. "That's how serious this is," Duffy said. Air traffic absences have led to tens of thousands of flight cancellations and delays since October 1 when the shutdown began. Over the weekend, 1.2 million passengers were delayed or had their flight cancellations due to air traffic controller absences. The shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration agents to work without pay. The FAA is about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels. Many had been working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks even before the shutdown. (Reporting by David Shepardson, Editing by Franklin Paul and David Gregorio) Invasive carp are taking over the United States, and they have their sights set on the Great Lakes. Officials are set to spend whatever it takes to stop them. What's happening? Not to be confused with other carp, invasive carp outcompete fellow fish for resources, growing and reproducing at astonishing rates and lowering water quality. Since being introduced from Asia in the 1970s to control algal blooms in confined areas, they escaped to the Mississippi River Basin and beyond. Now, the federal government will spend $1 billion to protect the Great Lakes from bighead, silver, and black carp as well as other invasive species, Newsweek reported. Michigan will pitch in $64 million and Illinois $50 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Army Corps of Engineers will erect a barrier at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Joliet, Illinois, about 25 miles southwest of Chicago, which would keep the creatures from the Des Plaines River while maintaining commercial shipping avenues. "They consume large quantities of phytoplankton, which form the basis of the lakes' ecosystem," Newsweek stated. "... These invasive carp also have no natural predators in the Great Lakes." Why is this important? Invasive species cost Americans $21 billion every year, and the carp could destroy the Great Lakes. Not only would they wreck the ecosystem, but they would also endanger people; the large fish can leap over 10 feet out of the water, according to a news release about the barrier project. If invasive carp established a breeding population in the Great Lakes, it would cost more than $1 billion and impact tens of thousands of jobs in the $20 billion fishing and boating industries, per the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Removing carp from an environment is almost impossible, the U.S. Geological Survey reports. A 10-day effort at the end of last year set a record with 750,000 pounds of the fish removed from the Illinois River. It was a state high and believed to mark a freshwater milestone in the U.S. Despite harvesting about 1 million pounds of carp every year, though, the animals still thrive in the Land of Lincoln, necessitating other management tactics. "The Great Lakes hold countless memories for many of us, from catching our first fish to watching loved ones play on their shores," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel stated. "They are central to our Pure Michigan identity. This landmark agreement marks a significant victory in protecting these lakes from invasive, dangerous carp, ensuring the joy and beauty of these waters remain for all to enjoy." What's being done about invasive carp? The federal funding for the barrier comes from the Biden administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The project partnership agreement is also the first with two non-federal sponsors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Municipalities across the country are working on various ways to keep carp from entering certain waters, including via sound barriers and $100 bounties. Similar methods have been used to control other invasive species, such as "a water-filled elevator" in the Chesapeake Bay to keep out northern snakehead. When it's too late, they ask people to eat them. One way to make the "ugly" fish seem appetizing is by rebranding it as "copi." By Douglas Gillison WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The top U.S. consumer watchdog said on Monday it was legally prohibited from drawing cash from the Federal Reserve to support continuing operations, but that its current funding should last through the end of this year "at least". The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has declined funding since President Donald Trump took control in February, with Trump and acting Director Russell Vought having called for its elimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CFPB's workforce faces mounting uncertainty over its ability to continue to pay them or offer severance while a legal battle plays out over the Trump administration's plans to fire the vast majority of staff. The agency said in a statement that an administration legal opinion held that because the Federal Reserve System was not currently reporting "combined earnings" under the 2010 statute which created the CFPB, the agency could not lawfully draw funding from the central bank. The CFPB receives its funding directly from the Fed, unlike federal agencies for which Congress appropriates money annually. "The Bureau anticipates having sufficient funds to continue operations until at least December 31, 2025," it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Federal Reserve spokesperson declined to comment. Federal courts and the Texas Attorney General have rejected the premise that the CFPB can only draw funds from a Fed surplus, finding that law does not require this. The Supreme Court last year upheld the constitutionality of the CFPB's funding structure. (Reporting by Douglas Gillison in Washington; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Alexander Smith) By Nolan D. McCaskill and Andy Sullivan WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Members of the House of Representatives headed back to Washington on Tuesday, after a 53-day break, braving the congestion at the nation's tangled airports for a vote that could bring the longest U.S. government shutdown in history to a close. With nearly 1,200 flights canceled on Tuesday due to the shutdown, lawmakers including Republican Representatives Rick Crawford of Arkansas and Trent Kelly of Mississippi said they were carpooling to the Capitol, while Representative Derrick Van Orden said he was making the 16-hour drive from Wisconsin on his motorcycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's going to be a little chilly, but I will do my duty," the Republican lawmaker said in a video posted to social media. The Republican-controlled House is due to vote Wednesday afternoon on a compromise that would restore funding to government agencies and end a shutdown that started on October 1 and is now in its 42nd day. The Republican-controlled Senate approved the deal on Monday night and House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he expects it to pass his chamber as well. President Donald Trump is expected to sign it into law. "We're opening up our country. Should have never been closed," he said at a Veterans Day event in Arlington, Virginia. The deal would extend funding through January 30, setting the stage for another potential shutdown showdown and leaving the federal government for now on a path to keep adding about $1.8 trillion a year to its $38 trillion in debt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within days, the U.S. government could be fully functional again, bringing relief to federal workers who have missed paychecks and low-income families who depend on food subsidies. However, it could take several days for the nation's air travel system to return to normal. The deal has divided Democrats, who had sought to extend healthcare subsidies for 24 million Americans past the end of the year, when they are due to expire. Senate Republicans have agreed to hold a separate vote on those subsidies in December, but there is no guarantee it will pass the chamber, and Johnson has yet to say whether the House will even hold a vote. Johnson has kept the House out of session since it passed a stopgap funding bill on September 19, in a bid to pressure Senate Democrats to reopen the government. Trump, for his part, withheld billions of dollars from Democratic-led states and cities and sought to fire thousands of federal workers from what he termed "Democrat agencies." The Democratic Party's liberal base has reacted to the deal with fury, arguing that Senate Democrats had capitulated in a fight they were winning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A late October Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 50% of Americans blamed Republicans for the shutdown, while 43% blamed Democrats. Trump has unilaterally canceled billions of dollars in spending and trimmed federal payrolls by hundreds of thousands of workers, intruding on Congress' constitutional authority over fiscal matters. The deal does not appear to include any specific guardrails to prevent Trump from enacting further spending cuts. However, it would stall his campaign to downsize the federal workforce, prohibiting him from firing employees until January 30. The deal would also ensure that the SNAP food aid program for the poor, which has been disrupted by the shutdown, would continue uninterrupted until September 30, 2026, the end of the fiscal year. (Reporting by Nolan D. McCaskill and Andy Sullivan; additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Alistair Bell) The 60-40 vote passed with the support of nearly all of the chamber's Republicans and eight Democrats. The US Senate on Monday approved a compromise that would end the longest government shutdown in American history, breaking a weeks-long stalemate that has disrupted food benefits for millions, left hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid, and snarled air traffic. The 60-40 vote passed with the support of nearly all of the chamber's Republicans and eight Democrats, who unsuccessfully sought to tie government funding to health subsidies that are due to expire at the end of the year. While the agreement sets up a December vote on those subsidies, which benefit 24 million Americans, it does not guarantee they will continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deal would restore funding for federal agencies that lawmakers allowed to expire on October 1 and would stall President Donald Trump's campaign to downsize the federal workforce, preventing any layoffs until January 30. Deal now heads to Republican-controlled House of Representatives It next heads to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson has said he would like to pass it as soon as Wednesday and send it on to Trump to sign into law. Trump has called the deal to reopen the government "very good." The deal would extend funding through January 30, leaving the federal government for now on a path to keep adding about $1.8 trillion a year to its $38 trillion in debt. US Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) rides an elevator during a vote related to government funding, more than a month into the longest U.S. government shutdown, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, November 10, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/ELIZABETH FRANTZ) Coming a week after Democrats won high-profile elections in New Jersey, Virginia, and elected a democratic socialist as the next mayor of New York City, the deal has provoked anger among many Democrats who note there is no guarantee that the Republican-controlled Senate or House would agree to extend the health insurance subsidies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We wish we could do more," said Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the chamber's No. 2 Democrat. "The government shutting down seemed to be an opportunity to lead us to better policy. It didn't work." A late October Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 50% of Americans blamed Republicans for the shutdown, while 43% blamed Democrats. U.S. stocks rose on Monday, buoyed by news of progress on a deal to reopen the government. Trump has unilaterally canceled billions of dollars in spending and trimmed federal payrolls by hundreds of thousands of workers, intruding on Congress's constitutional authority over fiscal matters. Those actions have violated past spending laws passed by Congress, and some Democrats have questioned why they would vote for any such spending deals going forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deal does not appear to include any specific guardrails to prevent Trump from enacting further spending cuts. However, the deal would fund the SNAP food-subsidy program through September 30 of next year, heading off any possible disruptions if Congress were to shut down the government again during that time. By James Oliphant and Tim Reid WASHINGTON (Reuters) -As the U.S. Congress moved toward a deal to end the longest U.S. government shutdown in history, Reuters asked a dozen strategists and analysts to assess who strengthened their position and who paid a price, in the short- and long-term. DONALD TRUMP: OWNING THE SHUTDOWN No matter how many times the president has tried to avoid blame for the shutdown, ultimately, the buck stops with him. The White House has faced weeks of headlines about air traffic snarls and low-income families struggling to feed their kids. Even Trump himself admitted that the shutdown probably damaged Republicans in last weeks elections that saw Democrats win in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Americans recognize that 10 months into his presidency, costs have not gone down. And over the course of this 40-day shutdown, Trump did not emerge as someone who was fighting for them," said Democratic strategist Karen Finney. "He wasn't trying to resolve the issue. He wasnt engaged, he was nowhere to be found. But the public has a short memory. After the government reopens, Trump can train his focus on Americans' cost-of-living concerns before the 2026 congressional midterms. He has shown he can keep his party together under extreme pressure while making few concessions. I think he comes out the winner of all this. He had to expend very little political capital in the shutdown," said John Elizandro, a Republican strategist. "The negotiated deal gives him a resolution without forcing him to further escalate the clash with Senate Republicans over the filibuster, he added, referring to the Senate requirement of 60 votes to pass legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consensus: Short-term loss, long-term neutral SENATE REPUBLICANS: STAYING TOGETHER Under the leadership of John Thune, Senate Republicans stayed united, held their ground and managed to peel off eight Democrats to vote to reopen the government. Their only concession was agreeing to a December vote on extending healthcare subsidies -- a vote widely expected to fail. But unity doesn't guarantee immunity. Recent Reuters/Ipsos polling showed that voters were more likely to blame Republicans than Democrats for the shutdown, a potential warning sign for next year's midterm elections. Some Republicans blamed the shutdown for the trio of losses the party suffered in elections last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consensus: Short-term victory, long-term vulnerability DEMOCRATS: A SPLIT DECISION They held their ground until they didnt. Many in the Democratic Party are furious that eight senators defected after the party's electoral victories last week. Those senators argued their party's shutdown strategy wasn't working and lasting damage was being done to the economy. But critics said they left those desperate for relief from healthcare premium increases in the lurch. Democrats who supported this compromise are feckless," said Michael Ceraso, a Democratic operative who worked on progressive Senator Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign. "I believed my party would deliver after (last week's) elections." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Republicans torpedo the Democratic push to extend healthcare subsidies, it will give Democratic candidates a ready-made issue in the midterms akin to 2018, when Democrats took back control of the House amid Republican threats to repeal the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. "Democrats have successfully elevated healthcare as a major national issue. This is dangerous for Republicans as healthcare drove the 2018 suburban blue wave," said Carlos Curbelo, a former Republican congressman from Florida. Consensus: Short-term backlash, long-term leverage CHUCK SCHUMER: FIRE FROM THE LEFT The Senates top Democrat saw his colleagues do an end-run around him to cut a deal with Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He voted against the measure, but critics on the left blame him for allowing it to happen, with some progressive advocacy groups and at least one Democratic congressman, Ro Khanna of California, calling for his ouster. Consensus: Loss FEDERAL WORKERS: RELIEF, FOR THE MOMENT Government employees have been big losers in the shutdown, going without pay. Some have taken temporary jobs to help pay bills. To their relief, the end of the shutdown will restart regular paychecks and give them back pay. Under the proposed Senate deal backed by Republicans and the small group of Democratic senators, they also get a temporary reprieve from the Trump administrations layoff push until the end of January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But these workers must fear another shutdown next year. Both parties have shown their willingness to use federal employees as bargaining chips. Consensus: Short-term loss, long-term risk AIRLINE PASSENGERS: STILL BUMPY AHEAD? The end of the shutdown should allow officials to reverse forced flight reductions at the busiest airports that have caused havoc for hundreds of thousands of travelers. The government ordered the cuts due to absenteeism among the 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 airport security screeners who have been required to work without pay during the shutdown. Many didn't come to work because they took second jobs or couldn't afford childcare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, the 40th day of the shutdown, 10,200 flights were delayed in the worst day for air travel yet. If the disruption lingers, it would prolong misery for travelers going into Thanksgiving week, one of the busiest air travel times of the year. Moreover, even before the shutdown, the U.S. was about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing. Many worked mandatory overtime and six-day weeks, and air travel snarls were common, suggesting disruption may continue. Consensus: Short-term turbulence, long-term uncertainty OBAMACARE PARTICIPANTS: PAYING A PRICE? For Democrats, the shutdown was about protecting consumers from rising health insurance costs as subsidies for Obamacare plans expire at the end of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the deal to reopen the government didnt secure those protections leaving millions who rely on the exchanges exposed to premium hikes. Democrats hope to pass legislation next month to preserve the subsidies, but the odds are slim. If the effort fails, the families whom they sought to help will feel the full weight of rising premiums with no clear prospects for relief. Consensus: Short-term loss, long-term threat (Reporting by James Oliphant and Tim Reid; additional reporting by Chris Sanders; Editing by Ross Colvin and Cynthia Osterman) By Jun Yuan Yong SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Private funding for Southeast Asia's internet economy grew 15% from a year earlier to $7.7 billion in the 12 months to June 2025, lagging the global growth rate of 25% for private equity and venture capital investments, an industry report said on Tuesday. The annual report, by Alphabet's Google, Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings and global business consultants Bain & Company, also found that the funding was about 70% below 2021's record high of $27 billion. "Investments are presently concentrated in late-stage rounds, with the funding share for seed to Series B deals declining from about 30% to about 20% in the last twelve months compared to the prior period," they said. The report was expanded this year to cover Brunei, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, in addition to Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The region has almost 700 million people and is one of the world's fastest growing internet markets, due to a young population, widespread smartphone usage, high rates of urbanisation and a growing middle class. Despite the funding chill, AI startups in the region continue to attract significant investments, the report said. AI-related investments made up 32% of the private funding raised in Southeast Asia in the first half of this year, compared to 30% in the second half of 2024. More than 680 AI startups in the region attracted more than $2.3 billion in the year to June, with more than 495 such startups based out of Singapore. The report also found strong data centre capacity expansion, with countries rushing to build the capacity required to serve the AI boom. Once all planned projects are completed, data centre capacity in Southeast Asia is expected to grow by 2.8 times, outpacing the rest of the Asia Pacific region, which is expected to grow by 2.2 times. In January, Bytedance's TikTok announced plans to set up data hosting services in Thailand valued at nearly $4 billion. Google and Amazon are also planning to invest $1 billion and $5 billion respectively in the country. Data centre capacity growth is expected to be strongest in Malaysia, where 2,415 megawatts (MW) of new capacity is planned, accounting for more than half of the 4,620 MW for the entire region. Malaysia has attracted investments from Microsoft, Amazon and Google as well as their Chinese counterparts Tencent, Huawei and Alibaba, spurred by cheap land and electricity costs and robust local AI demand prospects. (Reporting by Jun Yuan Yong; Editing by David Stanway) A Utah judge has handed Democrats a win in the continuing national fight over voting districts by ordering a new map that creates a House seat in a Democratic-leaning area, in a state where Republicans currently control all four positions. The judge, Dianna Gibson, ruled just before a midnight deadline on Monday that a revised map submitted by the Republican-controlled state legislature unduly favors Republicans and disfavors Democrats, throwing out lawmakers second attempt to draw districts. Instead, Gibson approved an alternative proposal drawn by the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government. It consolidates Salt Lake county which includes the states largest city largely within a single district, rather than dividing the Democratic-voting population center among all four seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision is a setback for Republicans in what they had assumed was secure territory, and breathes new life into Democrats attempts to reclaim the House of Representatives in next years midterm elections. Democrats need to flip just three seats nationally to gain control of the chamber from the Republican majority. Related: Rigging the map? How power in US Congress could shift if both parties win their redistricting fights The Utah ruling lands in the middle of a nationwide battle over congressional maps, sparked by Donald Trumps push for Republican-led states to redraw their congressional maps early, in the middle of a decade, as opposed to the previous norm of doing so after a census, which typically occur at the end of a decade. Republicans have already locked in advantages in nine seats across Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. They have more potential gains looming in Indiana, Kansas, Florida and Louisiana. Democrats have mounted their own counteroffensive, with California voters last week overwhelmingly backing a ballot measure that could hand the party five additional seats. Virginias Democratic-controlled legislature is also moving on a plan that could yield two or three more seats for the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utahs redistricting saga centers on a 2018 ballot measure that voters passed to stop politicians from rigging district boundaries to favor their own party, known as gerrymandering. Gibson first struck down Utahs congressional map in August, ruling that legislators had circumvented the anti-gerrymandering requirements when they adopted districts after the 2020 census. The replacement map that Republicans then passed would have kept their grip on all four districts, though making two slightly more competitive. Gibson ruled this still didnt meet legal standards. Matt MacPherson, a Republican state representative, denounced the ruling as a gross abuse of power and announced he would pursue impeachment proceedings against Gibson. Republicans argue the judge has no legal authority to impose a map that lawmakers havent approved. Gibson argued in her decision that she had a duty to ensure a lawful map was in place before the deadline for preparing the 2026 ballot. The newly redrawn district has already sparked a wave of interest from Democratic politicians hoping to run there. Ben McAdams, a former congressman who lost his seat in 2020, is widely expected to announce his candidacy. No Democrat has served in Utahs congressional delegation since McAdams left office in January 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday the House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, praised the decision. Donald Trump and his corrupt sycophants are working overtime to gerrymander, he said, but now Democrats are fighting back and we are winning. Related: Utah emerges as a pivotal battleground amid race to redraw congressional maps He added: The court correctly enacted a fair map that reflects the geographical composition of Salt Lake county instead of the current map that deliberately cracks communities of interest to artificially hand Republicans complete control of the congressional delegation. Democrats are ready to respond forcefully in the weeks ahead in Illinois, Virginia, New York and Maryland, along with other gerrymandered maps including North Carolina, and will aggressively contest the map in Missouri during the spring referendum, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Republican activists across Utah were working to kill the 2018 anti-gerrymandering law altogether, gathering signatures for a ballot measure to scrap it in 2026, though Punchbowl News reports that the party has since abandoned the campaign. Even if it did succeed, Gibsons ruling will control Utahs congressional districts for the 2026 election cycle. Democrats in the Utah state legislature issued a joint statement celebrating the ruling. This is a win for every Utahn, they said. We took an oath to serve the people of Utah, and fair representation is the truest measure of that promise. This article was amended on 12 November 2025. An earlier version incorrectly said Ben McAdams was the only Democrat to represent Utah in federal office this century. A Utah judge on Monday rejected a Republican-passed redistricting plan that created two more-competitive districts in the state a win for Democrats who thought the map did not go far enough. In denying the new map, the judge put in place one of two options offered by plaintiffs that creates a solidly-Democratic district that covers Salt Lake City, giving the party its second win in the redistricting wars that have swept the nation ahead of the midterms. In her ruling, issued minutes before a midnight deadline, Judge Dianna Gibson said the Republican map fails to abide by and conform with the requirements of a 2018 voter-approved ballot measure that created nonpartisan redistricting standards for the state Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, Republican state legislators passed the map the judge ultimately denied , which created two competitive districts that still favored Republicans. The Utah case centers around a voter-approved measure against partisan gerrymandering in the state passed in 2018, one that Republicans are collecting signatures to undo . Utah is just one piece in the broader redistricting puzzle. Already, Republicans have drawn nine favorable districts in four states, with others on the horizon. Democrats got their first win in the battle last week, when California voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative that could net the party five more seats. Several Utah Democrats are inching toward entering the race. Former Rep. Ben McAdams is expected to announce his candidacy soon, according to three people with direct knowledge of his thinking. He has already garnered support from Welcome PAC , a national group which backs more moderate candidates over progressives. A Democrat has not represented Utah in Congress since 2021, when McAdams left office. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report misstated the number of Utah Democrats who have served in Congress. Third District Judge Dianna Gibson listens during a hearing in Utahs court-ordered redistricting process, in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (Pool photo by Francisco Kjolseth/The Salt Lake Tribune) A Utah judges late-night court order Monday sparked celebration from anti-gerrymandering groups and Democrats, striking down the Republican-controlled Utah Legislatures congressional map and replacing it with one that would include a single Democratic-leaning district and three Republican-leaning districts. But Utahs redistricting battle is far from over and it may boil over into an even uglier clash with the states judiciary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barely 20 minutes after 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibsons order was released, with her decision going public shortly before midnight, a GOP Utah lawmaker announced on social media that he would launch an effort to remove her from the bench. I have opened a bill to file articles of impeachment against Judge Gibson for gross abuse of power, violating the separation of powers and failing to uphold her oath of office to the Utah Constitution, Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, posted on X. Under Utah law, elected officials and judges can only be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors or malfeasance in office. Any impeachment proceedings would be required to start in the House. Gibson was appointed in 2018 by then-Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican, and confirmed unanimously by the GOP-supermajority Utah Senate. At the time, on the Senate floor, Sen. Todd Weiler chair of the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee quipped lightheartedly that he was told by one of the smarter attorneys I know (that) if we didnt confirm her we were all a bunch of idiots, and he said he agreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its too soon to say whether MacPhersons effort will gain enough traction to survive both the House and Senate but what was clear Tuesday was the Utah Republican Party and its member legislators were furious with Gibsons order, accusing her of violating the Utah Constitution, which they continue to argue clearly requires the Legislature to carry out redistricting duties. Utahs top Republican legislative leaders Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, and House Speaker Mike Schultz didnt go so far as to directly promise impeachment proceedings, but they issued a joint statement strongly condemning Gibsons ruling. Late last night, a single unelected judge set aside the Utah Constitution and the voice of Utah voters, selecting a map drawn behind closed doors by out-of-state advocacy groups, Adams and Schultz said. The process the judge chose denied the people of Utah a chance to see it, to weigh in, or to be heard. The judge disregarded the Constitution to select a clearly gerrymandered map. This is not fair to Utahns and is deeply disappointing. While they argue the map drawn by plaintiffs and chosen by the court was clearly gerrymandered to favor Democrats, Gibson in her order concluded from more than 1,000 pages of evidence and hours of public expert testimony that the Legislatures map is an extreme partisan outlier more Republican than over 99% of expected maps drawn without political consideration. She also concluded that lawmakers retained expert drew the map with partisan political data on display in violation of a voter-approved law meant to protect against gerrymandering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schultz and Adams, however, argued this isnt how government should work. Our system depends on transparency, accountability, and respect for the roles defined in our Constitution, they said. Judges are meant to uphold the law as written, not rewrite it to serve political ends. Nothing in Utahs Constitution gives the courts authority to impose maps designed by private groups. Redistricting, they added, is not a courtroom exercise; it is a constitutional duty entrusted to the Legislature, the body directly elected and accountable to Utahns. When that process is overridden, it weakens the voice of every Utahn. Utahns deserve leaders who will defend their voice, their Constitution, and the balance of powers that make our system work, they added. This moment calls for unity and resolve, to stand together, but firmly, in defense of the principles that make Utah strong and the Republic process we all depend on. Plaintiffs in the redistricting lawsuit challenging Utahs 2021 congressional district map has proposed two maps, including pictured Map 1 to the court for consideration. (Courtesy of Campaign Legal Center) Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, also issued a statement saying he disagrees with Gibsons ruling and supports efforts to appeal it. His statement, however, didnt go so far as to say he supports impeachment efforts, and the governors office didnt immediately respond to a request clarifying his stance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Utah Constitution clearly states that it is the responsibility of the Legislature to divide the state into congressional districts. While I respect the Courts role in our system, no judge, and certainly no advocacy group, can usurp that constitutional authority, Cox said. For this reason, I fully support the Legislature appealing the Courts decision. Did the judge violate the constitution? No, shes following it, plaintiffs say Gibsons ruling was largely based on a unanimous decision last year by the Utah Supreme Court that determined the Utah Legislature does not have unfettered power when it comes to changing government reform ballot initiatives. That ruling sent a yearslong anti-gerrymandering lawsuit against the state back to Gibsons courtroom, with all five of the Utah Supreme Courts justices ruling she erred when she initially dismissed the claim that Utah lawmakers had violated Utahns rights to alter and reform their government through a ballot initiative known as Proposition 4. That initiative, narrowly approved by voters in 2018, created an independent redistricting process meant to guard against partisan gerrymandering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gibsons Monday decision capped off a court-ordered process to remedy the states 2021 congressional map, which she voided as a result of an unconstitutional process after she ruled in August that Utah lawmakers overstepped when they undid Proposition 4. While multiple GOP legislators have accused Gibson of being an activist judge who is ignoring the Utah Constitution, the plaintiffs in the redistricting lawsuit say those claims ignore the Utah Supreme Courts legal precedent and attack Gibson without any basis. Today is a day we should all be celebrating the vindication of the voters of Utah and the courage that courts show in the face of enormous political pressure, said the plaintiffs attorney, David Reymann, during a news conference on the steps of the 3rd District Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Tuesday morning. The whole reason the court was put in this position to try and put a new map in place is because the Legislature failed to do its job and enact a legally compliant map, Reymann said. Courts dont do this by default. They do it when the Legislature doesnt do its job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reymann said threats to impeach Gibson are irresponsible and unfortunate, adding that he hopes they are merely the initial throes of disappointment from lawmakers who are frustrated that they lost in court and not something they would actually pursue as a form of political reprisal, because that would be damaging. To accusations that Gibson is violating the Utah Constitution, Reymann said lawmakers have just been proven repeatedly wrong about that. The courts role is to interpret the Constitution and decide whether what the Legislature has done complies with it, he said. Just because they disagree with what she has ruled does not mean that she has violated the Constitution. David Reymann, attorney for the plaintiffs who sued the Utah Legislature over their congressional maps, speaks at a press conference outside the Third District Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Late the night before, 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, choosing their submitted map to be used in the 2026 elections. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) What happens when the Legislature and judiciary clash? Acknowledging that the courts rarely issue statements in the political arena and that Gibson is not likely to publicly defend herself Reymann, speaking for himself as a lawyer and not on behalf of the plaintiffs, said that if lawmakers pursue impeachment, Utah attorneys and other legal professionals would likely rise up in fervent opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Utah legal community as a whole, political stripes aside, is very protective of the independence of the judiciary. And if there is really an effort to retaliate against Judge Gibson, I think that the legal community as a whole will stand up and defend her full-throatedly, he said. And they should. She is an unbelievably respected judge in the community, he added of Gibson. She has done a fantastic job in this case, whether you agree with her decision or not. She has done the role that the Constitution committed to her, and to suggest that she should be removed from office just because you dont like politically the result that she has reached, I think is highly irresponsible. Impeachments of judges are rare, but Utah wouldnt be the first state to see an impeachment effort stemming from a redistricting ruling. In 2023, Wisconsin Republican lawmakers threatened to impeach a liberal Supreme Court Justice judge if she didnt recuse herself from weighing in on a lawsuit over the states legislative maps, but they later backed off after a former justice advised them nothing she had done had risen to the level of corrupt conduct in office. President Donald Trump has also called for impeaching judges who have ruled against his administration. In 2018, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare statement pushing back against the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose, Roberts said at the time, according to Politico. A spokesperson for the Utah courts did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. The Utah State Bar issued a statement saying it strongly condemns any effort to impeach (Gibson) based on her recent ruling. Judges are charged with applying the law to the facts of their cases without regard to politics or public opinion. Using impeachment as retaliation for an unfavorable decision undermines the rule of law and the separation of powers that safeguard our system of government, the Bar said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bar urged all public officials and Utahns to respect the role of the judiciary and the independence of Utahs courts. The judiciary must remain free from political pressure so all Utahns can have confidence in fair, impartial courts, the Bar continued. Impeachment is reserved for serious misconduct, and disagreement should instead be addressed through the appeals process. Utahs top Republican legislative leaders, Schultz and Adams, did not immediately respond to a question sent to their offices asking whether they were supportive of the effort to impeach Gibson. It wouldnt be the first time the Utah Legislature has clashed with the Utah judiciary. Earlier this year during lawmakers 2025 general session, lawmakers proposed a suite of bills that legal professionals decried as attacks on the judiciarys independence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of those bills later fizzled after Utah Chief Justice Matthew Durrant met privately with legislative leaders, but lawmakers did pass a bill stripping the Utah Supreme Court of its ability to choose its own chief justice and instead granting that power to the governor and the Senate. Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, later vetoed that bill but after striking a deal with lawmakers, they revived it while limiting the states next chief justices term to one, eight-year term. Pressure on lieutenant governor to not comply Shortly after the Monday night ruling, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson posted on X that she would comply with Judge Gibsons order and immediately begin the process of implementing the plaintiffs alternative map that the court ruled should be used for the 2026 elections instead of the Legislatures map unless otherwise ordered by an appeals court. There will likely be an emergency appeal, Henderson said in another statement posted Tuesday morning, but the process of finalizing new boundary details will take weeks of meticulous work on the part of state and county officials. Barring an appellate court ruling, we must begin without delay to ensure that everything is in place for candidate filing in January. There will likely be an emergency appeal, but the process of finalizing new boundary details will take weeks of meticulous work on the part of state and county officials. Barring an appellate court ruling, we must begin without delay to ensure that everything is in place for pic.twitter.com/R5wZjCmiNh Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson (@LGHendersonUtah) November 11, 2025 The people of Utah deserve an orderly and fair election, Henderson continued, and we will do everything in our power to administer one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hendersons statement quickly sparked anger from conservative voices online, including from MacPherson, who replied to her post by writing: Maybe sleep on this before making irrational, unconstitutional decisions. Remember your oath as well. Utahs Republican legislative leaders have indicated that they intend to continue fighting in court, with appeals to the Utah Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary. The question that nobody knows this morning is whether they are going to try to prevent the map that the judge ordered to be put in place and the lieutenant governor said would be put in place whether they will seek to disrupt that process, Reymann said. But because the lieutenant governors office, which oversees the states elections, told the court Nov. 10 would be the latest possible date to set congressional boundaries for next years elections, it doesnt appear likely that an appeal could successfully reverse Gibsons decision in time for 2026. But that remains to be seen. Elizabeth Rasmussen, executive director of Better Boundaries, and other representatives of the plaintiffs who sued the Utah Legislature over their congressional maps, hold a press conference outside the Third District Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Late the night before, 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, choosing their submitted map to be used in the 2026 elections. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) The 2028 elections, however, are a different matter. While the Legislature continues to fight in court, the Utah Republican Party and the group Utahns for Representative Government are also pursuing another ballot initiative to repeal Proposition 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To qualify the repeal question for the 2026 ballot, the group will need to collect at least 140,748 valid signatures from registered voters across Utah while meeting specific thresholds in at least 26 of Utahs 29 Senate districts. That effort is currently underway. Elizabeth Rasmussen, executive director of Better Boundaries, the anti-gerrymandering group that successfully pursued Proposition 4 via ballot initiative eight years ago, said were confident that Utah voters will reject the effort to repeal. We trust the voters of Utah, that they will choose fairness, she said. Of course, we have a fight ahead of us for next year. But right now, today, at least, were just celebrating this win. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE By Joseph Ax WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A Utah judge has thrown out a new U.S. congressional map passed by the Republican-led legislature in favor of an alternative that appears likely to result in flipping one of the states four U.S. House seats to Democrats in next years midterms. In a decision late on Monday night, District Judge Dianna Gibson called the legislative map an "extreme partisan outlier" that illegally gave Republicans an advantage. The Republican-drawn plan split Salt Lake County, where most of the states Democrats reside, in half. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gibson chose one of two alternative maps proposed by voting rights groups that had sued over the map, both of which created a Democratic-leaning district centered on Salt Lake County. Her decision arrived amid a national battle over redistricting that began when Texas, acting at President Donald Trumps behest, redrew its congressional map to take aim at flipping five Democratic seats. In response, California voters last week overwhelmingly approved a new map in that state that targets five Republican incumbents. Other Republican- and Democratic-led states have also either drawn new maps or are considering doing so. While manipulating district lines to benefit one party, known as gerrymandering, is not new, redistricting typically only takes place once a decade, when states are constitutionally mandated to redistrict based on the decennial U.S. Census. In 2026, Democrats need to flip only three seats won by Republicans last year to take control of the U.S. House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Utah, Gibson had ordered lawmakers in August to draw a new map after finding that Republicans illegally repealed a voter-approved referendum that created an independent redistricting commission. But she agreed on Monday with voting rights groups that the resulting Republican-backed plan remained too gerrymandered to stand. "Based on the evidence presented, the Court finds that Map C was drawn with the purpose to favor Republicans," she wrote. Republican state lawmaker Candice Pierucci, who helped lead the legislature's map drawing, called the decision "a clear example of judicial activism" on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene, the chair of the party's national congressional campaign arm, said in a statement, "This ruling is a victory for every Utahn who believes voters not politicians should decide who their representatives are." (Reporting by Joseph Ax; editing by Susan Heavey and Alex Richardson) ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. (ABC22-FOX44) A Vermont family is turning loss into legacy with a new scholarship created in memory of Army veteran and Essex Junction native Virginia Ginny Sweetser. The Ginny Sweetser Memorial Scholarship will award $5,000 to women veterans, or those currently serving who are pursuing advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, or social work. The goal is to help future professionals who plan to work with people living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The focus really is on helping them get through their programs so they get their degrees and they can put their degree to use to help other people with PTSD, said Ginnys mother, Susan Sweetser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ginny dedicated much of her life to helping others heal from trauma. After serving in Iraq in 2004, she returned home and became a licensed clinical social worker specializing in sand tray therapy and working with sexual assault survivors. Her experience as both a veteran and a therapist inspired the creation of a fund that continues her mission of care. The scholarship will be available to students attending Saint Michaels College, the University of Vermont, or the University of Missouri in Kansas City. The three schools Ginny attended. The first awards are expected to be announced in early 2026. Funding for the scholarship comes from donations, workplace giving programs, and community fundraisers. This Veterans Day, the organization is hosting a $10 quilt raffle, with all proceeds going directly toward the scholarship fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we can save one person and keep them here in this world then everything, weve done will be worth it, said Sweetser. The scholarship is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is eligible for company match giving programs. So far, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and J.P. Morgan Chase have recognized it for matched donations. For more information on how to donate, apply, or get involved, visit https://www.ginnysscholarship.org 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 ABC22 & FOX44. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) John K. Newmann was still just a kid when he joined the U.S. Navy in 1965, prior to graduation from NW Classen High, eager to do his part to win a war. I felt like thats why we were there, he offered. 60 years later, and the memories are still fresh, especially of his assignments aboard the USS Sanctuary, a hospital ship that treated thousands of combat wounded. Newmanns job, during two of his tours, consisted of running smaller boats back and forth to pick up non-emergency cases and the dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He spent his 21st birthday hiding in a mangrove swamp during the Battle of Hue. Newmann survived but with scars that didnt heal for years. previous More Great State Stories He recalls his homecoming at the Oklahoma City airport as something less than welcome. The reckoning took years longer, winding its way through lost jobs and some negative experiences that happen out of the blue even today. His wife, Sondra, and a VA therapist began the process of requesting campaign ribbons and medals awarded but never received. Newmanns parents threw away discharge papers and records with his sea back not long after his return. Late in another calendar year and in the November of his own life, John K. Newmann appreciates the gestures of thanks he now receives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nightmares are still there, but he leans on the perspective of good years since, a daughter who became a therapist herself, and two grandsons [ages three and five] who might have questions someday, along with thank yous of their own. Great State is sponsored by True Sky Credit Union Follow Galens Great State adventures on social media! 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. They remembered those who served by presenting a special award to a 105-year-old Rosie the Riveter, who was able to attend the Birmingham breakfast, and memorializing veterans who had died. "Weve all been touched by a veteran in some way," Peggy Goodwin, one of the breakfast organizers, said on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Community House of Birmingham. "We live in a time that we have to still remember freedom is not free, and to keep history alive." It was one of many Veterans Day events throughout metro Detroit and the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But more than recognizing and honoring the veterans, Tuesdays tributes from family and friends showed just how much military experiences shaped the worldview and values for generations of Americans from many different backgrounds. Their time in the military was so memorable that even in old age, they recalled it. Originally known as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I, Veterans Day is observed annually on Nov. 11. It is a federal holiday and dedicated to honoring all individuals who served in the military, in wartime or peacetime. More than 150 people attended the breakfast, which also doubled Tuesday as a fund raising event for St. Anne's Mead, a nonprofit senior living community in Southfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the more than two dozen veterans at the event had attended service academies to become officers, while others had enlisted. One veteran, who was memorialized on Tuesday, even quit high school to fight in World War II. A real Rosie the Riveter is honored The older veterans were mostly men, but the event also highlighted how women, even long before they were encouraged to join or allowed into combat, did their part, too. During breakfast, Hester Crawford a longtime resident of Highland Park before moving to Southfield was presented with a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal. She was one of the millions of women who, during World War II, went to work in factories and shipyards. "Im just glad to be here," Crawford told the Free Press, joking, perhaps, that at 105, she felt just like she did at 104. Breanny Holman, left, a caretaker for 105-year-old Rosie the Riveter Hester Crawford, before Crawford was presented with a replica of the Congressional Medal during the Breakfast with the Bishop Salute to Veterans at Community House of Birmingham on Veterans Day Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Her great-nephew, Chris Crawford, was on hand to see her recognized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The actual gold medal was presented last year in Washington to all the women who collectively became known as Rosies, a moniker from a 1942 hit song and a 1944 movie about a character on the assembly line nicknamed Rosie the Riveter. The Rosie image and phrase "We can do it!" stuck. Crawford who was born in 1920, the year the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote, was ratified is a member of the Michigan Rosies, a part of the Rosie the Riveter Association. During the war, she worked at the Willow Run B-24 bomber factory in Ypsilanti. "You, along with your fellow Rosie the Riveters, helped our country win World War II," Jeannette Gutierrez, representing the local chapter of Rosies, said, presenting the medal. "In doing so, you also helped prove that, as women, we can do it." National service united them There were several other tributes, as the widows, children and friends of veterans recalled what their loved ones service meant to them and how their time in the military seemed to influence them and play a big role later in their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suspected gunman's notes named members of Michigan's congressional delegation 104-year-old WWII veteran Jack Jones leads Sterling Heights' 2025 Memorial Day parade It was a reminder national service has united Americans from many walks of life. Lisa Rewald and Kenneth Kondrat talked about Raymond Wojtowicz Rewalds father and Kondrats father-in-law who joined the Army at 18, dropping out of high school to enlist and, near the end of the war, ending up in Germany. Kondrat, who married one of Rewalds sisters, said the military shaped Wojtowicz. He was the son of Polish immigrants and felt it was his duty to volunteer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though he was only in the service for two years, Rewald and Kondrat said his time overseas shaped his worldview view and his recollections from that time stayed with him even as his other memories began to fade with age and dementia. His memories in the military, Rewald said, were also among the last he discussed. Neighbors of Morton Harris, an officer who flew B-17s for the Army during World War II and survived some close calls during his 33 missions behind enemy lines, praised his courage and his financial generosity. Harris built and owns businesses, including American Axle and Manufacturing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Ferron, Harris neighbor, said Harris told him he had one big concern, however, while flying over Germany: His dog tags were stamped with an H, which stood for Hebrew. What if, the flyer wondered, he were captured by the Nazis? Ferron said Harris was told to bury his dog tags. Fortunately, he never had to. And Ferron said, the H also came to represent something else: "Hero." Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Veterans Day tributes include award for 105-year-old Rosie the Riveter Gov. Tony Evers and Veterans Affairs Sec. James Bond spoke an event for veterans in the state Capitol on April 22, 2025. (Photo via Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Facebook page) As Wisconsin policymakers honor Veterans Day Tuesday, the state continues to grapple with diminished resources for its most vulnerable veterans, those who are struggling with homelessness. Debate in the state Capitol continues over the closure of sites in Green Bay and Chippewa Falls for the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP), which provided support to veterans on the verge of or experiencing homelessness, including those who have been incarcerated, unemployed or suffered physical and mental health problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican lawmakers recently proposed that the state create a new grant match program to help support homeless veterans. But some are expressing doubt that the bill would fill the gaps left by the recent closures, especially since it would rely on nonprofit organizations to start their own programs. Coauthored by Rep. Benjamin Franklin (R-De Pere) and Sen. Eric Wimberger (R-Oconto), AB 596 and AB 597 would direct $1.9 million to be used for a state grant match program. To receive the funds, a nonprofit group would need to be participating in the federal per diem program, which currently provides about $82 per day per veteran housed to groups that offer wraparound supportive services to homeless veterans. The bill would offer state matching funds of $25 per day per veteran. Finger pointing over funding continues The closures of the Green Bay and Chippewa Falls facilities were announced in July after lawmakers chose not to provide additional funding in the state budget for the programs. Both sites closed their doors in September. By that point, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs said it was able to find new places for each resident, including some who moved to a Union Grove site and others who were transferred out of state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislative Fiscal Bureau had warned in a memo that without funding the sites would be at risk of closing, though the recent reaction of lawmakers who sit on the budget committee gave the appearance that they missed that warning. Gov. Tony Evers and Democratic lawmakers had called for additional funding and the Department of Veterans Affairs said staff had discussed the issue with the chairs of the Joint Finance Committee. Still, one member of the committee, Rep. Karen Hurd (R-Withee), said at a recent public hearing on the new bill that she was absolutely blindsided by the announcement of the closures. While a handful of lawmakers have advocated for giving the department the additional funding to reopen the sites, the new Republican proposal takes a different approach that would limit the departments direct involvement in the program. Since the announced closures, some Republican lawmakers have blamed the Evers administration for not using money in the Veterans Trust Fund to keep the sites open and instead sending that money back to the general fund, even as the agency has said it cant spend funds without the Legislature directing it to. Theres money in the account. Its fully funded in the exact same way that it was funded last year. [Evers] just suddenly declared he wasnt going to use the trust account anymore, Wimberger told the Wisconsin Examiner after he introduced the new proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Veterans Trust Fund receives general purpose revenue allocations from the state, though it doesnt function as a big pot of money that can be used for anything. The funds have specific purposes, such as to be used for administrative costs and the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program. According to Joseph Hoey, assistant deputy secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the agency did use money from the trust fund to pay for administrative expenses to keep the buildings used for veterans housing in good working order. He said it was a legitimate use since the buildings are owned by the department and could be considered administrative purposes, but that wouldnt be the case for other costs related to the program. We cannot use that money to pay [Lutheran Social Services] or to run the VHRP [Veterans Housing Recovery Program] because there is a separate appropriation for VHRP, Hoey said. Wimberger and Republican lawmakers have also noted a 15% increase for veterans housing in the recent budget. The Department of Veterans Affairs noted that amount fell short of the $1.95 million that was requested by Evers to keep the sites open. Unclear whether new proposal would fill gaps Wimberger told the Examiner that a grant program would be a lot simpler and require less of a direct monitoring by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoey said he sees the proposal as the first step in leaving this up to nonprofits and ultimately spending less state resources on homeless veterans. He also expressed concern about whether the approach would fill the gaps left by the closures of the two sites in Green Bay and Chippewa Falls. There are currently four entities that would be eligible to apply for the new grant program: Porchlight Inc. in Madison, Rock Valley Community Programs, Inc. in Janesville, as well as Center For Veterans Issues Ltd. and Guest House Of Milwaukee, Inc., which are both in Milwaukee. As you see from the locations of those organizations that are providing these services, theyre not meeting the need in other parts of the state, and WDVA was, Hoey said. I think we as a state have a commitment when people sign up to protect our freedom, I think we have an obligation to care for them, especially when theyre struggling. Hoey told lawmakers on the Assembly Veterans and Military Affairs committee at a hearing on the bill that the additional $25 per veteran likely wouldnt be enough to encourage outside groups to open up new programs. He said it is estimated that it costs about $139 per day to house each participating veteran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $83 is barely enough to house a veteran, let alone feed them, provide them with counseling and training that they need to get back on their feet, and its not enough to make the programs work, Hoey said. Thats why we asked for such a large amount in the last budget because these programs are just slowly getting harder and harder to operate. Lutheran Social Services, which was helping to operate the now closed sites in Green Bay and Chippewa Falls, could not do that work with $25 from the state, Hoey added. We provide the facilities for them, so theyre not suddenly going to, in Green Bay, open up their own homeless shelter, because they dont have the facility, Hoey told the Examiner. They have no way to pay for it, and the [grant and per diem payment], even with the bonus, probably wouldnt cover their costs. Its wishful thinking. Hoey also told lawmakers that it is possible the money would not actually lead to additional funding for participating nonprofit organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on our preliminary analysis, we believe it is possible that all or part of the $25 state payment would be clawed back or offset by the federal VA, Hoey said. Its the way the program is written at the federal level. It penalizes the programs for getting other state or government money. Rep. Rob Summerfield (R-Bloomer) said it is a good bill and pushed back on the idea that only four organizations would be eligible. We have one entity in Eau Claire that would be eligible for this, but theres no money, Summerfield said. Theyre not going to commit til we actually put this in the statute, get the funding into it, so just to say its just going to be four entities that is incorrect. It, maybe, is correct, but you cannot say that its going to be. It could be 10 more. We could have ones in Superior, Lacrosse, Eau Claire, Green Bay, including Milwaukee. Hoey told the Examiner that the proposal is at best an incentive for private organizations to apply for the federal grant and start a program from scratch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be years before this could result in homeless transition services being provided for veterans anywhere other than in the Milwaukee and Madison areas, Hoey said. The agency had previously said it could get the VHRP sites restarted within a year if the state provided the funding for the programs. Asked in an interview whether he is concerned about the prospect of nonprofit groups not opting into the program and being able to fill the present gaps, Wimberger said, Oh sure, of course. I wish DVA would have used the money we gave them, but this is, this is in response to the executive Gov. Evers and his administration just simply refusing to spend the money, he said. Other proposals in limbo Two proposals that would provide the Department of Veterans Affairs with funds to restart the closed sites remain in limbo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Democratic bill, coauthored by Sen. Jamie Wall (D-Green Bay) , Rep. Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire) and Sen. Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick), would provide $2.6 million for veterans housing. Another bill authored by Sen. Andre Jacque (R-New Franken) would provide $1.9 million. Jacques bill passed committee on Oct. 8 and is available to be scheduled for a floor vote in the Senate. It has not received a public hearing in the Assembly. Democratic lawmakers have also expressed concerns about whether the new bill will be effective in filling the existing gaps. If your objective is to fix the problem that were now lacking services for homeless veterans in northern Wisconsin either a bill drafted by Republican Sen. Andre Jacque (R-New Franken) or a Democratic bill, both of which provide funds to the now-closed facilities, does the trick, Sen. Jamie Wall (D-Green Bay) said in an interview. [Wimbergers] bill does not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire) said at a press conference that Republican lawmakers had walked away from the solutions that would actually fix the problem and were trying to rewrite history. Our veterans deserve better than political games. They gave everything for our country, and the least we can do is make sure that they have a safe place to live, recover and rebuild their lives, Emerson said. Its time to stop pointing fingers and actually fix this problem. Wimberger said he didnt sign on to Jacques bill at the time because it was premature when it was introduced. Its not like Im opposed to it Its not like a bad thing, but I dont, I dont feel like I want to be extorted to pay for a program twice this. This method just solves the problem without playing this politics with homeless veterans, Wimberger said of his own proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Wimbergers proposal, Jacque said in October that he was still gathering information on what the likeliest real world effect would be if it were adopted. He also said he was waiting to hear back from the Department of Veterans Affairs on their plans to submit a emergency supplemental funding request to the Joint Finance Committee to address the situation. He said that could be the quickest option for a positive resolution. Hoey said the agency is thankful for Jacques work on the issue. We greatly appreciate [Jacques] willingness to keep going to keep trying to get the funding for this program, Hoey said. This is something that he believes in and its not lip service. However, Hoey told the Examiner that the agency is not sure the funding request would meet statutory requirements and be an appropriate avenue for providing the funding given that the Legislature purposefully didnt include the funding in the budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the agency is unsure the current situation would constitute an emergency as it would be used to restart a program, not keep one going, and the agency is also currently grappling with a deficit. The agencys last such request related to the veterans housing and recovery program, submitted to the Joint Finance Committee in March, was never taken up by lawmakers. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Senator John Fetterman was one of the handful of Democrats who opted to vote alongside Republicans to reopen the government over the weekend, and during his Tuesday appearance on The View, host Sunny Hostin called him out directly for it. According to the ABC host, he and his colleagues brought a butter knife to a gunfight. Hostin was quick to point out that fellow Democrats like Sen. Bernie Sanders called the move a horrific mistake, while California governor Gavin Newsom called it pathetic and a surrender. The ABC host also questioned the decision following Democrats sweeping victories on election night last Tuesday. Poll after poll found more Americans on both sides of the aisle blaming Republicans. Even Marjorie Taylor Greene blamed the GOP! Hostin said. As you mentioned, Democrats had big wins last week. So you had momentum. Why give in now? Why bring a butter knife to a gunfight?! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Fetterman and nine other Democrats teamed with Republicans on a deal, despite the rest of the Democratic party remaining steadfast against it until Republicans agreed not to strip ACA subsidies from millions of people. Instead, Republicans simply promised to vote on the health care issue, but did not set a date for that vote, or promise that the subsidies would actually remain intact. Are you willing to gamble that the GOP will negotiate on health care in good faith once the government reopens? Hostin pressed. Because if that gamble is wrong, half a million Pennsylvanians, that you represent, their health care costs will skyrocket if you are wrong! And I believe you are wrong! For his part, Fetterman maintained his calm and immediately dismissed the idea of ever taking any cues from Marjorie Taylor Greene. If Democrats are celebrating Crazy Pants like that, then thats on them, he said. And I dont need a lecture from, whether its Bernie or the governor in California, because they are representing very deep blue kinds of populations. And a lot of those things were part of the extreme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fetterman argued against leaning extremely to one side, considering purple states like his. The post The View Host Sunny Hostin Confronts John Fetterman on Voting to Reopen Government: Why Bring a Butter Knife to a Gunfight? appeared first on TheWrap. QuantumScape Corp. QS has been one of the most exciting names in the battery space this year. The EV battery innovator is finally backing its story with real progress. The stock has surged roughly 220% year to date, including an 83% rally in just the past three months, handily outperforming the industry. This move isnt just momentumits supported by operational and technology milestones that could shape QuantumScapes long-term value. Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research QuantumScapes Leap With the Cobra Process QuantumScapes big breakthrough came with its Cobra separator process, a next-generation manufacturing method that could make solid-state batteries commercially viable. The company announced in June that Cobra had successfully entered baseline cell production. The Cobra process is about 25 times faster than the earlier Raptor system and much more compact and cost-efficient. This leap in productivity has allowed QuantumScape to move from Raptor-based B0 samples to its latest B1 samples, built entirely with Cobra technology. QuantumScape Corp. Image Source: QuantumScape Corp. In the third quarter of 2025, the company began shipping B1 samples to automotive partners, marking one of its biggest milestones yet. Several automakers are now evaluating these cells, confirming that QuantumScapes technology is no longer theoretical its being tested by potential customers. The new process represents a crucial step toward scaling, something thats long been the biggest hurdle for solid-state batteries. Real-World Validation and Growing Partnerships Another turning point came with QuantumScapes public demonstration of its technology at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, held in September. The company, together with Volkswagens VWAGY battery arm PowerCo, showcased a Ducati MotoE race bike powered by QuantumScapes QSE-5 solid-state cells. This marked the worlds first real-world demonstration of an anode-free solid-state lithium-metal battery. QS cells have shown standout performance, achieving 844 Wh/L energy density. QuantumScape Corp. Image Source: QuantumScape Corp. On the partnership front, QuantumScapes relationship with Volkswagen continues to deepen. In July, PowerCo agreed to provide up to $131 million in milestone-based payments over two years to accelerate development of the QSE-5 pilot line in San Jose. This comes on top of an earlier $130 million licensing deal, signaling VWs confidence in QuantumScapes technology. The company also signed a joint development agreement with another major automaker, expanding its customer base and further validating industry interest. QuantumScapes partnerships with Murata Manufacturing and Corning are focused on scaling the production of ceramic separators the core of its solid-state design. FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) The Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue team is returning home on Monday after spending close to two weeks in Jamaica following the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The 35-member team returned home Monday night after the U.S. Department of State demobilized the task force, designated as USA-01 while deployed. Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica as catastrophic Category 5 hurricane Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The task force spent 10 days on the island. As our mission in Jamaica comes to a close, were inspired by the incredible strength and resilience of the Jamaican people, Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue said in a post on social media. (Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue) (Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue) (Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue) (Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue) (Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue) (Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue) During the task forces deployment, they helped to clear storm debris, assisted with food and water delivery, worked on reconnaissance missions and more. To see the children, to see the families lined up, the tears in their eyes, I can tell you firsthand that when we got back on that Chinook, I was the last person on the aircraft. The emotions were overwhelming, seeing these kids coming from the hills, these families lined up, said Robert Schoenberger, Fairfax County batallion chief and program manager of the urban search and rescue team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The task force saved lives, allowing people access to needed medical clinics. One of the biggest things that we did was not only to find the clinics on the map, but also to see the level of devastation. If we were to put a roof on, clean them out, get power back on, and those clinics were allowed to be restored, and they were allowed to get the medicine that they needed and not to overwhelm the hospitals, Schoenberger said. Typically only focused on search and rescue, Schoenberger said this deployment was different and overwhelming, focused on humanitarian aid. We always dont get to see the closure that we got while we were there to actually see it come full circle to request the commodities and actually see it arrive on the same day over and over again was this a true testament of how the system worked and the success of the deployment, Schoenberger said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jamaicas Ambassador to the U.S. Antony Anderson said his country is grateful. Its a large humanitarian effort and even a relatively small team can make a big difference and they did, Anderson 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police say a spike bull elk was illegally shot and killed near Montesano on or around November 6, and officials are looking to identify who is responsible. The elk was shot and wasted on the Melbourne A-200 road in the Minot Game Management Unit, officials said. Authorities ask anyone with information to call 360-902-2936 option 1, visit https://bit.ly/3T1dLjP and click on violations, or text WDFWTIP to 847411. (Screengrab via X) Viral footage captured the moment that an entire section of a newly constructed bridge in Chinas Sichuan province collapsed Tuesday, just months after it officially opened. The 758-metre Hongqi Bridge, part of a major national highway linking Chinas interior with Tibet, gave way after heavy landslides struck the surrounding mountainside, authorities in Maerkang city told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Videos circulating on social media show the moment the bridge gave way, with dust billowing upward before the road fell hundreds of meters. The Hongqi Bridge in Shuangjiangkou, Sichuan Province, China, partially collapsed today. Authorities believe that cracks in the nearby mountainside likely caused by water accumulation from a nearby reservoir played a major role in the incident. pic.twitter.com/v1bdbj5KLJ Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) November 11, 2025 Other images and video show large sections of the bridge missing and the remaining roadway hanging over the river, as rescue and inspection crews cordoned off the area. Police had already closed the bridge to all traffic on Monday afternoon, warning of cracks on nearby slopes and visible ground shifts that signaled instability. By Tuesday afternoon, conditions on the mountainside worsened, triggering landslides, leading to the collapse of the approach bridge and roadbed, according to a statement from the local government. Officials added that there were no reports of injuries or fatalities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hongqi Bridge, built to strengthen connections between Sichuan and the Tibetan Plateau, was completed earlier this year. Promotional footage posted online by its contractor, Sichuan Road & Bridge Group, showed the structures opening celebrated as a local engineering milestone. Authorities said the investigation into the cause of the failure is underway. The post WATCH: Entire Section of Chinas Newly Opened Bridge Collapses, Crashing Into River Below first appeared on Mediaite. Wealthy foreigners paid tens of thousands of pounds to become weekend snipers and shoot civilians during the siege of Sarajevo, according to allegations being investigated by Italian authorities. An investigation has been launched into claims that gun enthusiasts and far-Right extremists travelled to the war-torn city in the 1990s with sniper rifles to pick off terrified Bosnians for fun. The foreigners, from Italy, the US, Russia and elsewhere, are accused of paying Serbian forces to take part in the shooting spree during the Bosnian War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were allegedly motivated by sympathy for the Serbian cause, sheer bloodthirstiness or a combination of the two, investigators say. Serbia has denied the claims. But witnesses and Italian investigators claim there was even a price list for the targeted killings foreigners would pay more to shoot children and men who were armed and in uniform. The amateur snipers paid the modern-day equivalent of 80,000 to 100,000 (median 80,000) to take part in the chilling sport, according to La Repubblica newspaper. A UN soldier offers sweets to children in Sarajevo during the siege - JOEL ROBINE/AFP/Getty Images The Italians are said to have gathered in the northeastern border city of Trieste and were transported to the hills surrounding Sarajevo during the 1992-1996 siege of the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The battle, which killed more than 11,500 people, was the longest in modern European history, surpassing the 872-day German siege of Leningrad in the Second World War. War tourists of various nationalities, including Americans and Russians, were allegedly allowed to shoot at civilians by Bosnian Serb militias under the command of the warlord Radovan Karadzic. Prosecutors in Milan are trying to identify Italians who were allegedly involved in the killings and could bring charges of voluntary homicide aggravated by cruelty and abject motives. Bosnian Serb wartime leader Radovan Karadzic was convicted of war crimes in 2016, and is serving his sentence in a British prison - Ranko Cukovic/Reuters They are being assisted by officers from a specialist unit of the Carabinieri police, known as the Raggruppamento Operativo Speciale, which fights terrorism and organised crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar claims have been made in the past but have now resurfaced thanks to a formal legal case launched by Benjamina Karic, a former mayor of Sarajevo, against persons unknown. An entire team of tireless people are fighting to have this complaint heard, she told Ansa, Italys national news agency. The case has been taken up by an Italian journalist and writer, Ezio Gavazzeni, with the backing of two lawyers and a former judge. There was a price tag for these killings: children cost more, then men, preferably in uniform and armed, women, and finally old people, who could be killed for free, said Mr Gavazzeni. The siege of Saravejo killed more than 11,500 people - Getty Images Mr Gavazzeni went on to say he was horrified to think that wealthy, middle-class Italians would travel to Bosnia and pay to kill human beings for sport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They departed Trieste for a manhunt. And then they came home and continued their normal lives, they were respectable in the opinion of those who knew them, he said. Foreigners who travelled to Sarajevo to snipe at civilians had played God and have remained unpunished, he told La Repubblica newspaper. The killings were reportedly carried out with the connivance of Serbian intelligence. Prosecutors will examine the testimony of a former Bosnian intelligence officer who gathered information about the alleged weekend snipers from a captured Serbian soldier. Terrified civilians watch bombs fall during the siege of Sarajevo - Antoine GYORI/Sygma via Getty Images The former agent, Edin Subasic, said that during questioning, the Serb soldier said Italians had paid to fire sniper rifles on the front line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A former US Marine, John Jordan, testified to the United Nations-led ad hoc international criminal tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in 2007 that tourist shooters travelled to Sarajevo to take pot shots at civilians for their own gratification. He said he had seen one foreigner show up with a weapon that seems more suited to wild boar hunting in the Black Forest than to urban combat in the Balkans, and added that the individual handled the weapon like a novice. The presence of weekend snipers was reportedly confirmed at the time by an Italian intelligence agency, SISMI. A mass grave discovered in a village 185 miles north of Sarajevo - ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images Tim Judah, a veteran British expert on the Balkans, said he thought it was possible that foreigners had paid to shoot at the inhabitants of Sarajevo, but the numbers would not have been very great. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From 1992 to 1995, I spent a lot of time in Pale, which was the HQ for Bosnian Serb forces, and I didnt hear about it, he told The Telegraph. We didnt notice strange foreigners turning up. There were some Russians and Greeks, but they were fighting on the Serb side as military volunteers. Im not saying it didnt happen. It is possible that there were people willing to pay to do this. But I dont think the numbers would have been very large. The Momo and Uzeir towers in Saravejo on fire in 1992 - Getty Images There is one well-known, documented case of a foreigner shooting at civilians from the hills surrounding Sarajevo. Eduard Limonov, a Russian nationalist, was filmed in 1992 firing a machine gun down on the besieged city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was accompanied by Karadzic, who was later found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity during the Bosnian war. Limonov died in Moscow in 2020 at the age of 77. A controversial documentary called Sarajevo Safari, made in 2022 by Miran Zupanic, a Slovenian director, made similar allegations about foreigners embarking on weekend war safaris. Russian nationalist Eduard Limonov (C), was an active supporter of Serbia during the wars and was filmed firing weapons on Sarajevo in 1992 - Vladimir NOVIKOV One unnamed American former intelligence officer said he saw the tourists paying to shoot at civilians. I was in Grbavica (a neighbourhood of Sarajevo) where I saw how, for certain sums of money, strangers would come in to shoot at the surrounded citizens of Sarajevo, the former intelligence officer said in the film. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Zupanic told Balkan Insight, a news website, that he struggled to believe the claims about the human safari when he first heard them. My reaction was that something like that was impossible that hunting people is a fairy tale, an urban legend. It certainly bothers me that there can be people who pay to be allowed to shoot other people. That knowledge is something that is impossible to bear. The documentary elicited a furious response from Bosnian Serbs. Veljko Lazic, the head of a veterans organisation, called it an absolute and heinous lie. He said the documentary was an insult to Republika Srpska (the ethnic Serb entity which makes up half of Bosnia-Herzegovina), its army and the Serb victims of the war. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) When it comes to New Mexico weather, theres no such thing as normal. While communities are still reeling from wildfire devastation, this year saw powerful monsoon storms that devastated the Village of Ruidoso, an incredible amount of dust storms and tornadoes, and stretches where the Rio Grande ran dry. This week on the New Mexico News Insiders Podcast, Chief Meteorologist Grant Tosterud joins Chris and Gabby to break down the biggest weather moments of 2025, what they mean for the states climate future, and what we can expect heading into winter. Tosterud explains how La Nina develops, as well as the record number of dust storm warnings issued across the state in 2025. The previous record was last year, with 41 dust storm warnings issued in New Mexico, said Tosterud. This year, they issued 213 dust storm warnings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get the inside scoop and subscribe to the New Mexico News Insiders Podcast wherever you listen. Download new episodes of the New Mexico News Insiders every Tuesday, starting around 5:30 a.m., Mountain time. Episodes are available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean, among others. You can also watch our podcasts in video form, both on-air and online. Tune in to an abbreviated version of the New Mexico News Insiders podcast on broadcast television every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. on Fox New Mexico. Full video episodes are posted on KRQEs YouTube page at youtube.com/krqenews13. Having trouble finding the show? Try searching your favorite podcast player with the term KRQE or New Mexico News Insiders (without the quotes). You can also use the links above to find the podcast on each service or listen to the audio player at the top of this post. If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for who should be interviewed on the podcast, let us know! Email your hosts at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. On October 26, the city of El-Fasher in western Sudan became the site of one of the most harrowing mass atrocities in recent memory. Under the guise of cracking down on Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) collaborators, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary organization swiftly massacred at least 2,000 Sudanese civilians. As a communications blackout obscured the true extent of the violence in El-Fasher, it is possible that the RSFs massacre triggered thousands more casualties. The RSFs atrocities in El-Fasher have triggered scathing condemnations from across the globe. The UNs top relief official Tom Fletcher issued the following condemnation of the global response: The Sudan crisis is, at its core, a failure of protection and our ability to uphold international law. He also opined that the world has failed an entire generation. While Fletcher avoided singling out responsible parties, his comments should trigger introspection in Western capitals about our roles in enabling Sudans humanitarian catastrophe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past half-century, inconsistent Western engagement and policy vacillations towards Sudan shaped its descent into a devastating turf war between rival generals. The origins of this failure of Western policy emerged during the Cold War. As he survived a pro-Soviet coup attempt, the US coddled military dictator Gaafar Nimeiry and leveraged him as a regional bulwark against communism. Despite being a fragile state with close ties to Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi, Sudan became the largest American aid destination in Sub-Saharan Africa. Americas all-in approach on Nimeiry unravelled in the 1980s, and Omar al-Bashirs seizure of power in the 1989 coup detat set the stage for conflict between Washington and Khartoum. Due to Bashirs support of Iraqi dictator Saddam Husseins 1990 invasion of Kuwait, and offering a safe harbour to Osama Bin Laden, the US imposed sweeping sanctions on Sudan. It also established diplomatic ties with militant groups that sought to overthrow Bashirs regime. These measures caused devastating economic hardship for ordinary Sudanese, and did not weaken Bashirs hold on power. America and Europe were powerless as Chinese capital and Russian weapons kept Bashir in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Sudan emerged as an unlikely US partner in the post-9/11 War on Terror and President George W. Bushs evangelical base demanded justice for southern Sudans Christian population, Washington handed Bashir a diplomatic lifeline in the early 2000s. The dictator responded to this unexpected second chance by perpetrating the Darfur genocide and then suing for peace in 2005. When it was apparent that long-term peace and stability in Sudan was illusory, the West abdicated its responsibilities. Natos 2011 military intervention in Libya eventually propelled Khalifa Haftar to power in eastern Libya and gave RSF chief Mohammed Hamdan Hemedti Dagalo a vital local security partner. South Sudans secession in 2011, meanwhile, gave it a disproportionate share of the countrys oil wealth and sowed the seeds for resource-based conflicts. While Bashirs April 2019 overthrow and Sudans diplomatic overtures towards Israel led to the scrapping of the state sponsor of terrorism sanctions, America and Europe did not offer Sudans newly empowered democratic forces the resources needed to durably triumph. From the perspective of Sudanese civil society, the West simply outsourced its policy towards Sudan to friendly Middle Eastern countries. These regional powers leveraged Sudans instability to advance their own hegemonic designs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saudi Arabia and Egypt aligned with SAF chief Lieutenant Abdel Fattah el-Burhan, and the UAE backed Hemedti. These alliances triggered the collapse of Sudans transitional government in October 2021 and paved the way for an all-out civil war in April 2023. This civil war has killed at least 150,000 Sudanese and left 770,000 children under the age of five facing life-threatening malnutrition. Western countries have refused to meaningfully pressure their regional power partners to pursue peace and torpedoed critical humanitarian initiatives in Sudan. President Donald Trumps gutting of Usaid forced the closure of almost 80 per cent of Sudans emergency soup kitchens. Britains rejection of atrocity prevention plans, as El-Fasher was falling, made an already horrific situation even worse. To prevent more El-Fasher massacres from unfolding in the months ahead, the West needs to take urgent action. It must corral regional and local actors to participate actively in genuinely multilateral peace negotiations. These talks must be paired with sanctions against the enablers of the illicit financial networks that allow Sudans warring factions to rearm and commit new atrocities. Food aid to Sudan needs to rise in the priority chain of NGOs to compensate for the callous belt-tightening by Western governments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The El-Fasher massacre is a turning point in the countrys harrowing civil war. What the West does next could determine whether Sudan progresses towards peace or careens into an even more acute humanitarian crisis. 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. MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) A western North Carolina sheriff has announced he will not run for reelection next year. In an announcement shared on social media on Monday, Sheriff Ricky Buchanan announced he intends to exit the sheriffs office when his term ends next year. Buchanan, who has worked for over 30 years in public safety, was elected sheriff in 2018. He said he plans to continue serving his term through 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I was elected, I promised the residents of McDowell County to assemble the best team possible to serve them, and that I would give them the very best in me. I also promised the employees of the Sheriffs Office the very best in me. I feel confident that I have honored those commitments, and Im happy with where I will be leaving this office, wrote Buchanan. Buchanan said he did not know what his future outside of public office holds, but he intended to support and enhance emergency services as long as he is able. In his announcement Buchanan thanked people in the county for electing him, calling the job the greatest professional honor of my life. In his time as sheriff, Buchanan said the department has worked to build strong and dedicated leaders in the office, and those leaders deserve a chance to implement new ideas and strategies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also gave his endorsement for Chief Deputy Nathan Mace as a candidate for his successor. He has the knowledge, the relationships and the desire to continue his service to the residents of McDowell County, said Buchanan. You can read his full announcement here. 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 WSPA 7NEWS. Whats That? This is a regular series that follows construction projects in El Paso. Discover whats being built, the locations, and the potential impact on your community. If you notice a construction site and ask yourself, "What's That?" send us the location and we'll work to get you an answer: APowell@elpasotimes.com. A new propane business is setting up shop in West El Paso. Zenergy Propane launched in July 2024 and is headquartered in El Paso, according to the El Paso Central Appraisal District website. Zenergy Propane is setting up a new location in West El Paso on Doniphan Drive. Zenergy Propane CEO Ricardo Zaragoza did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the company and the new location, so details remain scarce. Typically, propane is distributed in small tanks for personal use, such as propane grills, and is considered one of the most environmentally friendly fuels available. Where is it? The new Zenergy Propane site will be located at 6190 Doniphan Drive in West El Paso, according to the city's permit and licensing page. The new location is situated near Artcraft Road, just next door to Monarch Motorsports, behind Rio Valley Estates. What was there before? The new Zenergy Propane location will be a new construction site consisting of a 100-square-foot prefabricated building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: What's that business center coming to Northeast El Paso? Who is the contractor? While the city's site does not list a contractor, Zaragoza is listed as the applicant for the project and Hard Work Real Estate is listed as the owner. Unlike most business listings on the city's website, there is no cost listed for the Zenergy Propane site. Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Zenergy Propane establishing new location in West El Paso The Israeli army in Gaza shot unarmed Palestinians without restraint, created a protocol for using civilians as human shields, and pursued a policy of destroy, demolish, transfer, military whistleblowers have claimed. In a shocking documentary broadcast on ITV, at least a dozen soldiers described in detail how Gaza was left a zombie apocalypse after Israels unprecedented two-year offensive. During that time, they said commanding officers told them to ignore international law, use civilians, including teenagers, as human shields, celebrate drone strikes and take revenge on them all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The testimonies, which include a contractor for the controversial Israeli and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, also described the wanton destruction of civilian infrastructure, torching Palestinian homes they turned into forward bases, shooting aid seekers at distribution sites, and an unprecedented bombing campaign allowing for vast collateral damage. One officer, identified only as Lieutenant Colonel B, who has served more than 300 days in Gaza, described the offensive as all-out, adding he believed there was no limit for collateral damage. If you ask me I would have pushed them all into the sea [with bulldozers] on October 7, given them snorkels and let them swim in Egypt, he told ITVs Exposure. Another, whose identity was also protected, added: In my [company] there were people openly saying lets destroy, demolish, transfer them [out of Gaza]. Israels bombardment has destroyed or damaged more than 90 per cent of homes in Gaza (AP) Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign and siege of Gaza in the wake of Hamass bloody attacks on southern Israel, during which more than 1,000 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli estimates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the documentary Breaking Ranks: Inside Israels War, soldiers said that in the aftermath, Israel launched a revenge campaign. Since October 2023, Israels bombardment and the war have killed more than 64,000 people, according to Palestinian health officials. It has also destroyed or damaged more than 90 per cent of homes, according to the UN, and displaced most of the 2.3 million population. An Israeli siege of the tiny 25-mile-long enclave has meanwhile pushed the strip into famine and unleashed a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions. The UN Commission of Inquiry concluded this year that Israel has committed genocide. The military dismissed the allegations in film as baseless, telling The Independent, it affirms that it operates in accordance with international law, including the Law of Armed Conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF remains committed to the rule of law and continues to operate in accordance with its legal and ethical obligations, despite the unprecedented operational complexity posed by Hamass systematic embedding within civilian infrastructure and its use of civilian sites for military purposes. it added. It also said that if there are any allegations of criminal behaviour from its soldiers it is investigated. Palestinians gather to receive cooked meals from a food distribution centre in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip in August (AFP/Getty) But in the ITV Exposure film, a conscript infantry soldier named only Yaakov said the destruction is so widespread that they have destroyed a society. All mosques, almost all hospitals, almost all universities, every cultural institution has been destroyed, he added grimly. Youve destroyed a society. You dont have to kill them one by one to destroy every sign of the society that once existed there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He described his company using two Palestinians, including a 16-year-old boy, as human shields. When the soldiers protested, he said they were told by their commander: Soldiers dont have to worry about international law, just about the IDF spirit. This photo provided by Breaking the Silence, a whistleblower group of former Israeli soldiers, shows two detainees used as human shields being held inside a house in the Gaza City area in 2024 (Breaking the Silence via AP) Daniel, a tank unit commander, said the use of human shields is widespread. It is called the Mosquito Protocol. It entails a method, a process by which a Palestinian is turned into a so-called agent. Its designed exclusively for working in tunnels and is something that has been proven very, very useful, he added. After about a week, he said every company was operating with its own mosquito. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats three Palestinians per battalion, nine to 12 per brigade, dozens, hundreds per division, he continued, adding, It saves soldiers lives. The Independents own investigation into the use of human shields revealed that children as young as 12 years old were forced to inspect houses and roads and look for tunnels and militants, sometimes dressed in military fatigues. When asked about these testimonies, the Israeli military said: The orders and directives of the IDF prohibit the use of Gazan civilians captured in the field for military missions that endanger them. Another disturbing reality revealed in the film was the wanton destruction of swathes of the strip, which the World Bank has estimated will cost $53bn (40bn) to rebuild. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the UN Conference on Trade and Development said even if the war stops, if Gaza remains under an Israeli blockade, it could take a staggering 350 years for its battered economy to return to pre-war levels. Israeli D9 bulldozers roll along the southern Israeli border with the Gaza Strip in 2014 (AFP via Getty) Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv, who has served more than 500 days in Gaza driving bulldozers and flattening swathes of the strip, also spoke to filmmakers from the settlement where he lives. He claims to have come up with the idea of systematically demolishing entire neighbourhoods in Gaza, inspiring other units within the Israeli military. We changed the conduct of an entire army. The IDF invests hundreds of thousands of shekels to destroy the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He argues that the mass demolition of civilian homes is justified, claiming in one video: Everything there is one big terrorist infrastructure. The soldiers also recalled several incidents where unarmed Palestinians were killed, including a man who was on a roof hanging out his washing; one soldier says a tank brigade, between 600 and 700 metres away, labelled him a spotter and took out half the building. In another incident, a teenager pushing a cart was shot in the head. Eli, another soldier, said at the end of his deployment that his commander reported they took out 112 terrorists, but added: I can confidently say that only one was even suspected of being armed. That is, the 111 other people we killed, no one even claimed that they were armed. Drone warfare is also described by Neta Caspin, a major in the IDF, who said she watched drone operators follow a man walking in the Netzarim corridor for half an hour before he was shot, after which a fellow soldier told them to be happy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another anonymous soldier said that using drones in Gaza feels like a game. You can sit in some basement of a house, safe with your helmet off, scratching your balls, half dressed and kill Palestinians, he added bluntly. Breaking Ranks: Inside Israels War is on ITV1, ITVX, STV & STV Player Questcorp Mining has secured an initial investment from Sorbie Bornholm, a UK-based institutional investor. The funding of C$2m ($1.42m) will support ongoing work at the companys flagship projects and provide general working capital. Questcorp Mining president and CEO Saf Dhillon said: "We are incredibly pleased to have secured this strategic investment from Sorbie Bornholm, a respected international institutional investor. This financing provides us with the flexibility to accelerate exploration across our key assets in Mexico and British Columbia. "We view Sorbie's participation as a strong vote of confidence in Questcorp's team, vision, and long-term potential to deliver value through discovery and development." The gross proceeds from the investment will be used to advance Questcorp Minings La Union gold and silver project in Sonora, Mexico, as well as the North Island copper property on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Additional funds will be allocated to general working capital purposes, enabling Questcorp Mining to maintain flexibility in its operations. Sorbie Bornholm managing director Whitney Kofford said: "We are delighted to welcome Questcorp Mining Inc. as a new partner and portfolio company. Our decision to invest reflects our enormous confidence in Questcorp's leadership. "And in turn, by entering into a Sharing Agreement, Questcorp's leadership signals strong conviction in their ability to execute and grow value for all stakeholders. "Sorbie's Sharing Agreement is designed to align interests towards growth and provide companies with consistent capital that rewards operational success and share price appreciation. We trust Questcorp will use the capital support to systematically unlock long-term value for all shareholders, and we look forward to sharing in their great upside potential." Sorbie Bornholm is an investment firm that finances ongoing business objectives for listed micro, small and mid-cap growth companies. The firm focuses on public equity investments in companies pursuing expansion and on management teams with a clear growth strategy. Questcorp Mining acquires and explores mineral properties across North America. Its objective is to identify and develop economically viable precious and base metal deposits. Last year, in September, Questcorp signed a letter of intent with Riverside Resources to acquire a 100% interest in the La Union project. "Questcorp secures initial investment from Sorbie Bornholm " was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The News The Democratic crackup thats now underway in Washington is distracting the party from a series of brutal fights just ahead that will culminate in next years midterms. Democrats have one month to figure out how they want to handle a Senate vote on expiring health care tax credits; then theyll face another shutdown deadline on Jan. 30. After that comes a round of House and Senate primaries often featuring agitator candidates eager for a change in leadership and a more aggressive approach to President Donald Trump. With all the challenges ahead, Democrats are descending into bitter clashes whose fault lines were foreseeable from the moment the government shut down. The shutdowns challenges to Senate Democratic unity, in particular, were immense: Several members of Minority Leader Chuck Schumers caucus didnt want to start a fight over health care subsidies at all. Others only wanted to hold out for a couple of weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, they kept at it throughout the longest shutdown in US history. So when the bare minimum of eight Democratic senators split off, advancing a shutdown-ending deal thats set to clear the Senate later Monday, the rest of the party erupted in fury, from coast to coast. Democrats path to regathering themselves doesnt look smooth or short. The gains they tallied in off-year elections less than one week ago feel like a distant memory. Some of their leaders want to give it time. A big party and a healthy party means youre going to have internal disagreements about votes and strategies and tactics, said Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, the deputy whip, who opposed the deal. We cant push it any faster than it needs to go. People need to sort through what they think about all of this. Schumer wanted the party to keep up the fight past the Nov. 1 open enrollment period for 2026 health benefits and urged his members to keep blocking a funding bill this week, according to a person familiar with caucus dynamics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The division occurred because those eight [Democratic caucus members] believed the danger of the shutdown exceeded the benefits of continuing the fight on health care with the shutdown in effect, the person said. The resulting anger is aimed at far more than those eight senators, though their deal to reopen the government is getting torn to shreds by the rest of the party. House Democrats are accusing senators of surrender and Senate candidates are calling for Schumer to step down as leader. Democrats midterm candidates practically climbed over each other to denounce the deal even some who have good relationships with Schumer. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., who has praised his leadership, denounced the empty promises Democrats had extracted from Republicans. Stevens rivals in the Michigan primary, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and physician Abdul El-Sayed, released videos that characterized the deal as everything wrong with Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Progressives said the party had picked the right fight but stopped before finishing the battle. Faiz Shakir, the founder of More Perfect Union and political strategist for Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., told Semafor that the shutdown defined the Democrats around expanding health care, and that keeping that focus would mean them fighting for it at every turn. Democrats should have been encouraged, he said, when Republicans began arguing over their own health care plans last week, including ideas like expanded health savings accounts that lacked popular support. But Shakir also acknowledged the steep hill yet to climb, saying that Democrats have eight weeks to come up with a potential solution on government spending and health care. Know More Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., made a point to approach Majority Leader John Thune during Sunday nights vote about the South Dakota Republicans promise to grant Democrats a vote on the health insurance subsidies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight of us are sticking our neck out so that youre going to keep your word. I hope you will, Durbin recalled telling Thune. He said, I assure you I will. Yet Democratic critics have panned Thunes promised vote as a fig leaf; it had been on the table for weeks. Durbin and his seven aisle-crossing colleagues got a few other victories out of the GOP but even if a health care deal can be reached in the Senate, theres no guarantee Republicans in the House will take any action. The partys big Election Day gains in New Jersey and Virginia, credited to its message on the cost of living, created a lot of optimism that maybe we could get a victory here on health care, said Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt. He opposed the deal to reopen the government. That Democratic optimism, though, didnt account for Trumps iron grip over the GOP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had made a very risky decision. The Democrats are always for keeping government open and not inflicting pain on the people we care about, Welch said, praising his colleagues for sticking together for as long as they did. Senate Democrats see next months health care vote as the key to putting pressure back on Republicans, who are divided over whether to keep the premium tax credits alive in any form. The shutdown, they argue, has guaranteed that their push on health care continues long after the government reopens. Were going to be completely unified, and then the Republicans are going to have their own sense of division, said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., one of the eight who supported the deal. Not that peoples feelings go away, but there are new issues that come up that grab folks attention. The partys base, in fact, is still in its feelings. Ezra Levin, the co-founder of Indivisible, said his group was organizing two calls to action after the shutdown deal: One was to support Democratic primary candidates who didnt or wouldnt have voted to end the shutdown, and the other was calling for the House to tank a deal without health care funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youll never understand Democratic congressional thinking if you think ahead, said Levin, scoffing at the idea that the party set itself up well for another fight. Room for Disagreement Many Republicans were reveling in yet another round of Democratic infighting. Not Sen. Shelley Moore Capito. The West Virginia Republican said shes not savoring it. Having been in that position before, where you want to do the right thing and youve got to buck the trend a little bit or a lot, in this case I think its unfair for them to turn on their own like that, she said. Burgess and Davids View No one who follows politics closely is going to completely forget about this week. The Democratic division over funding the government in March, which Schumer supported, hung over the decision to shut it down this fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will continue to be harangued from the sidelines, though Democratic caucus members show no desire to jettison their leaders. But when the shutdown is over, the media and the public will move onto the next issue. And since Democrats get to call the next play on health care, its in their interest to regroup in time to as Kaine said look more united than the GOP a month from now. Notable American flags are flying half-staff in New Jersey and across the U.S. on Veterans Day and will remain lowered until the funeral of former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney. Cheney, best known as the "War on Terror" architect who turned President Donald Trump critic, died at the age of 84 on Nov. 3. President Donald Trump has yet to comment on Cheney's death, but the White House quietly lowered flags Nov. 4. Cheney, a divisive figure among Democrats and Republicans, was vice president for eight years under President George W. Bush. A longtime conservative figure, Cheney and Trump traded barbs over the years: Cheney no longer supported Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, and Cheney said he voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Cheney's funeral is Nov. 20 at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Where Cheney will be buried or if he will lie in state is not yet known. Why are flags half-mast today? Flags are flying half-staff not half-mast in the U.S. and across New Jersey today to honor the life former U.S. Vice President Richard ("Dick) Cheney. He died Nov. 3 at the age of 84 due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, the Cheney family said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump and Cheney were at-odds over the years, and while the White House lowered flags Nov. 4, Trump has not commented on Cheney's death. What's the difference between half-mast and half-staff? The difference between a flag flying half-mast and half-staff depends on where the flag is being flown. In America, flags flown on land are from staffs, while half-mast refers to flags flown from ships and at naval stations ashore. How long will flags be lowered? Gov. Phil Murphy ordered U.S. and New Jersey flags to fly half-staff until sunset on the day of Dick Cheney's interment. Cheney's funeral is on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, although where he will be buried and if he will get a state funeral is not yet clear. Who is Dick Cheney? Was Cheney in the military? Former U.S. Vice President Richard "Dick" Cheney served eight years under President George W. Bush, from 2001 to 2009. Cheney was best known for his role in leading the push to invade Iraq in 2003 ("War on Terror" architect), which was in large part why he was considered one of the most powerful vice presidents in American history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1989, there was a kerfuffle over President George H. W. Bush naming Cheney the U.S. Secretary of Defense because Cheney had used five deferments to avoid the draft during the Vietnam War. He had "other priorities than military service," he later said. A divisive force among both Republicans and Democrats, Cheney was mostly moderate and conservative but would later break with many Republicans when he supported same-sex marriage (his youngest daughter, Mary, was openly gay). After leaving the White House, Cheney worked on penning memoirs but stayed well in public view, aggressively defending the Bush administration while attacking President Barack Obama's war policy and international diplomacy changes. When is Dick Cheney's funeral? Burial, lie in state Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's funeral will be held at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. It will take place at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where Cheney will be buried is not yet publicly known as of Nov. 11, nor is to clear if he will lie in state. Those who get a state funeral lie in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Republican leadership is reviewing "protocol" about Cheney potentially lying in state, The Hill reported. Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Why are flags half-mast today? What to know in NJ, flag status Veterans Day is both a federal and state holiday and a school holiday for North Carolinas 1.5 million public school students. A longstanding state law requires Veterans Day to be a holiday for North Carolina public school personnel and public school students. While many schools around the nation will be closed on Tuesday in observance of Veterans Day, some students in states neighboring North Carolina will have a regular school day. Broughton High School Air Force JROTC students march in the North Carolina Veterans Day Parade in downtown Raleigh on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Heres a look at how North Carolina handles observance of the holiday. Only holidays where school not allowed North Carolina state law recognizes several legal public holidays, including less observed ones like Greek Independence Day and Confederate Memorial Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Veterans Day is the only holiday required under state statute for public schools to be closed. This means classes can be held on holidays like Presidents Day and Memorial Day, although many schools try to hold a teacher workday those days. The no-school rule on Veterans Day predates the 2004 state school calendar law that sets the opening and closing dates for schools. State law also bars public schools from holding classes on Sundays. Clayton High student Simon Garren holds the U.S. Marine Corps flag at the Nov. 11 Veterans Day ceremony at Smithfield-Selma High School in this 2013 file photo. Even though schools are closed on Veterans Day, schools typically hold events around the holiday to honor veterans. Under state law, schools are supposed to recognize November as Veterans History Awareness Month. School allowed on Veterans Day Its unclear how many states ban schools from being open on Veterans Day. But its not universal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighboring states such as Virginia and South Carolina allow classes to be held on Veterans Day. Schools give various reasons for why theyre not canceling classes on the holiday. In York County in Virginia, the school district says holding classes on Veterans Day will help them meet state requirements for instructional days and hour requirements. South Carolina state law requires public schools to spend at least one hour of instruction on Veterans Day honoring veterans. Schools that choose to close on Veterans Day are supposed to have the school observance the following day. History of Veterans Day Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I. Hostilities ceased on Nov. 11, 1918 on the 11th hour of the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1938, Congress officially made it a legal holiday. In 1954, Congress renamed the holiday as Veterans Day to honor all U.S. military veterans. North Carolina was home to 615,440 veterans as of 2023, representing 7.3% of the state's population, according to the N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. North Carolina observes our storied history of supporting the United States military, a legacy stretching back to before the founding of our nation; we are proud to be the home of more than one million active-duty military service members, veterans, and their families, according to Gov. Josh Steins Veterans Day proclamation. Indianapolis resident Carol Lambert only has condiments left in the fridge. After a career waiting tables, Lambert, 63, lives off her $1,000 monthly disability check. Rent costs $750. Utilities typically eat the rest. That means she's entirely reliant on her $142 monthly allotment of federal food stamps for her food budget, though it typically only lasts two weeks. "So not having SNAP, I'm left with nothing," Lambert said, using the acronym for the Supplemental Food Nutritional Program that's been ensnared by the ongoing federal government shutdown. "I'm afraid." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The delay has already harmed Hoosiers like Lambert even though an end appears to be in sight. "It is an anxiety level that I don't - can't - come down off of because of the government being shut down," Lambert said. "I'm constantly anxious." The U.S. Senate on Sunday night reached a deal to temporarily end the shutdown and fund SNAP and other food assistance programs through next fall. The bill still has to be approved by the U.S. House and signed by President Donald Trump before SNAP recipients can get relief. That means it still could be awhile before Indiana's more than 570,000 SNAP recipients see full benefits restored even after the government shutdown resolves. Since Indiana starts distributing SNAP benefits on the fifth of each month, people whose names are at the beginning of the alphabet have already missed their November payment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state said it is "positioned to move quickly to deliver full benefits to qualifying households across Indiana as soon as possible," once the shutdown ends. "I think ultimately, every household will get their full November benefit unless something drastically falls apart somewhere, said Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry. "Between the litigation and the Congressional movement, we're coming to a resolution." Hoosiers temporarily get partial SNAP payments Gov. Mike Braun announced Monday that the state would start processing partial payments for eligible SNAP recipients starting Nov. 11. There are, however, some Hoosier SNAP recipients that will be left out of the partial payments. The state estimates there are 4,000 households that will not receive a partial disbursement as a result of the partial allotment calculation and will have to wait until full funding is restored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The average full payment for SNAP households usually is more than $400 per month. Overall, SNAP enrollment was down about 8% year over year as of September, according to Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration, which administers SNAP. Democratic state Rep. Ed Delaney of Indianapolis criticized the Braun administration for not doing more to ease the burden on SNAP recipients during the shutdown, such as contributing state dollars to temporarily supplement SNAP as a few other states have done. "Partial payments will not be enough to prevent families from going hungry," Delaney said in a statement. "This mess will not be as easy to clean up as the governor is implying." Lambert said she's grateful to learn that a partial payment will come to her. Anything will help, she said. In the meantime, she's using a local food bank for some staples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I eat a lot of beans and rice and stuff like that," she said. "It's hard to eat healthy going to a food pantry. A partial (payment) will be helpful, but it will still be hard." 'We knew the need was out there' The federal impasse has had consequences across the Hoosier state, and food banks have seen increased usage since late October, said Weikert Bryant, whose organization represents eleven food banks across the state, including Gleaners Food Bank in Indianapolis. Federal workers in Indiana have already missed out on pay due to the government shutdown. "Our food banks and the thousands of local pantries they work with are open, working very hard and are moving more food through the system knowing the need has increased," Weikert Bryant said. "Everyone is going to be in need of more volunteers as we see more neighbors (need food)." The same is true at IndyParks sites across Indianapolis. This is the first year of the Drive & Dish program, a free grocery pickup program funded by a partnership between the city, Gleaners and the Pacers Foundation, which has already served 4,000 households as of September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to the government shutdown, two of the sites had already reached full capacity, according to Alex Cortwright, chief communications officer for IndyParks. Once the federal government shut down, the rest of the sites also filled up shortly after. "We knew the need was out there, but it's definitely snowballed," Cortwright said. "It shows how important this program is. From the food security perspective, we're optimistic and hopeful that things will be improving on that front as the federal government (reopens), but that's not going to be an immediate fix even if it happened right now." Cortwright pointed residents in need to IndyParks' other ongoing food pantries and free meal programs. There are also additional food giveaways planned later this month by the city's Office of Public Health and Safety. More: SNAP impasse: Where to find food pantries, more resources across Indianapolis: 'Why do we have to suffer?' Though the shutdown appears to be coming to an end, the recent political machinations and rhetoric are frustrating to SNAP recipient Brandi Demmings, 39, of Indianapolis. Her husband is a cab driver and shes currently getting her high school diploma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a perfect world, no one would need food stamps, said Demmings, who cares for five children. We the people have nothing to do with your guys arguments...why do we have to suffer? Demmings already struggles most months to feed her family of seven, even with SNAP. She already skips meals if her food budget doesnt stretch far enough. So an end to the impasse is critical for her family. My main concern is feeding the children in my home, Demmings said. Contact senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo at hcolombo@indystar.com or follow her on X @hayleighcolombo. Contact politics reporter Marissa Meador at mmeador@usatodayco.com or follow her on X @marissa_meador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign up for our free weekly politics newsletter, Checks & Balances, curated by IndyStar political and government reporters. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Why Hoosiers reliant on SNAP 'suffer' even with shutdown end in sight MADISON Wisconsin residents using food assistance should "continue shopping with confidence" at grocery stores despite funding for such retailers being in limbo amid a partisan fight over how to fund the federal government, a state association representing grocers said this week. The Trump administration has directed state officials to "immediately undo" efforts to get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to low-income families while the federal government remains shut down. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has rejected the Trump administration's directive after he moved quickly last week to load cards for recipients of the state's anti-hunger program known as FoodShare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wisconsin officials moved late Thursday to load Electronic Benefits Transfer cards for FoodShare recipients after a federal judge ordered President Donald Trump to fully fund the program but before the administration sought to block the order. As a result, Wisconsin EBT cards are loaded with money for recipients to spend, but there is no federal funding to send to retailers to cover those purchases. Mike Semmann, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, said grocers "did not need an executive order to do the right thing." From helping seniors navigate benefits to donating to food banks, Wisconsin grocers are stepping up, not stepping back, despite the continued court action and funding questions," he said Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The association, which lobbies on behalf of grocery stores, said in a news release it was seeking to clarify misinformation, noting "the unprecedented chaos in the administering of the FoodShare program is causing a lot of concern and misinformation." "The state of Wisconsin has affirmed grocers are accepting FoodShare," the association wrote. "FoodShare benefits remain active and usable at authorized retailers across the state," the group said. "WGA has received only stories of compassion, flexibility, and community support." The saga over how to fund the government, and the debate over whether the Trump administration will fund SNAP while the government remains shut down, may be concluding soon. On Monday, a new bill to end the shutdown passed the U.S. Senate. It now goes to the House, which is scheduled to vote on Wednesday. Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin grocers pledge to honor FoodShare despite funding limbo Wisconsin hemp businesses are sounding the alarm after the U.S. Senate approved a bill that would essentially ban the sale of intoxicating hemp products nationally. Late on Nov. 10, senators voted in favor of a funding bill that would end the longest-ever federal government shutdown. It included a provision that would close the loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized the sale of hemp-derived THC products nationwide, including in Wisconsin. The Farm Bill loophole made it federally legal to sell hemp-derived THC products if they contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. As a result, the sale of hemp and cannabinoids extracted from it, like THCA, delta-8, HHC, THCV and CBD, became legal in Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the new Senate-approved bill, legal hemp products would be limited to 0.4 milligrams of THC per container and these products would be banned nationwide for "personal or household use." In Wisconsin, the new legislation would effectively shut down hundreds of dispensaries, smoke shops and cannabis bars that have opened since 2018 and eliminate jobs for thousands of people, business owners say. Wisconsin State Sen. Dora Drake speaks with hemp business owner John Kashou at the Kind Oasis manufacturing plant about new federal regulations seeking to ban the sale of THC products. At a Nov. 11 roundtable with local hemp business owners, Mike Sickler, co-owner of TerraSol Dispensary, said he and his 15 employees would be out of a job if the new federal regulations are enacted. "This is my life," Sickler said "I was at AT&T for 20-something years and left there to start this. This is what I do, so I don't want it to go away." Nick Kanavas, director of operations for Batch CBD, said the new regulations would "decimate" his company, which employs 20 people at its Bay View facility. The U.S. House is expected to vote on the bill later this week, and if approved, the new hemp regulations would take effect a year later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What has transpired over the last day or two is a hit for the industry," Kanavas added. "But the war on hemp at the federal level is not over, and we will continue to push forward for clear, standard regulations." Even if the new federal rules are stopped, some Wisconsin lawmakers have also recently doubled down on efforts to ban the sale of intoxicating hemp products statewide. However, State Sen. Dora Drake, D-Milwaukee, who attended the Tuesday roundtable, said she supports the continued sale of hemp products with more statewide regulation. Drake said she "still needs to dig into" the new federal regulations, but hopes to "figure out a solution that would move our state forward." "I have business owners who are in [my] district providing jobs and are making revenue for the state and our farmers," she added. "They're experiencing adversity because of what's happening nationally." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Kashou, owner of Kangaroo Brands, which includes THC and CBD shop Kind Oasis, said he and other local business owners agree with enacting "common-sense" regulations on the hemp industry statewide. Among the regulations business owners proposed were testing requirements, clearly labeled packaging and age restrictions to avoid children accessing the products. "Whatever happens on a national level is going to happen," Kashou said. "We've got to be more concerned about what we're going to do on a state level in order to ensure not only our continued existence, but to protect thousands and thousands of jobs that are at stake." The final Senate vote Monday came after Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, proposed a amendment that would eliminate that language around hemp products in the funding bill. That amendment failed in a 76-24 vote. From Wisconsin, Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin voted to advance the amendment, and Republican Sen. Ron Johnson voted to table it. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: US Senate passes bill that would ban THC products in Wisconsin A man has been charged with murder in connection to the deadly stabbing of a woman inside an Upper Manhattan apartment. Luis Marquez, 41, was charged with murder on Tuesday, hours after police identified the victim as 47-year-old Carmen Lopez. He ignored questions as NYPD detectives took him from the 26th Precinct to his arraignment downtown. Investigators believe Marquez is the ex-boyfriend of Lopez, who was attacked around 4:30 a.m. Monday inside her apartment building on West 129th Street in Manhattan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the suspect was caught on surveillance camera waiting for Lopez in the third-floor hallway of her building. When she arrived, the suspect stabbed her multiple times all over her body. She was rushed to Mount Sinai Morningside in critical condition, where she was pronounced dead. Lopez's loved ones never imagined anyone wanting to harm her. Devastated and determined friends struggled against the cold wind to pay tribute outside the building on 129th Street to the 47-year-old mother of four they knew as "Yadi." She was a good friend, a good mother and so much more, according to several women who brought flowers and notes saying just how much they missed her smile and her big heart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While her family asked for privacy, friends shared hugs and tears, and said Lopez hadn't told them anything about Marquez that would lead them to believe she was in danger. Sources told Eyewitness News that a tip led them to Marquez, who had shown up at Lincoln Hospital with injuries from the vicious attack. He was given a mental health evaluation before he was arrested at the hospital. He has no criminal history, and is now waiting to appear for the first time before a judge to face a murder charge. ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More Manhattan news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. NEED TO KNOW A mother has started a $5 million lawsuit against Qatar Airways claiming her baby daughter suffered a severe allergic reaction from a chocolate bar allegedly served by a flight staff member In a lawsuit filed on Oct. 31 and obtained by PEOPLE, Neerukonda claims that her daughter, who is severely allergic to dairy and nuts, had an allergic reaction after being given a snack containing dairy by a flight attendant Neerukonda allegedly returned to find the flight attendant feeding her daughter the dairy snack and confronted them. The flight attendant then allegedly mocked and mitigated Neerukondas concerns, and shortly after that, her daughter suffered severe anaphylaxis, per the complaint A mother has started a $5 million lawsuit against Qatar Airways, claiming her baby daughter suffered a severe allergic reaction from a chocolate bar allegedly served by a flight staff member. North Carolina resident Swetha Neerukonda, 33, and her 3-year-old daughter boarded a Qatar Airways flight from Washington Dulles International Airport in Sterling, Va., heading to India on April 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a complaint filed on Oct. 31 and obtained by PEOPLE, Neerukonda claims that her daughter, who is severely allergic to dairy and nuts, had an allergic reaction after being given a snack containing dairy by a flight attendant. The snack was allegedly a chocolate bar, The Independent reported. Neerukondas daughter was allegedly handed the snack while being looked after by a flight attendant as Neerukonda went to the bathroom, despite the flight staff having been made aware earlier of her allergies. Neerukonda also reiterated that [her daughter] suffered from allergies to dairy and nuts, which said flight attendant acknowledged, the complaint alleges. BanksPhotos/Getty Epinephrine Auto-Injector Pen Epinephrine Auto-Injector Pen Neerukonda allegedly returned to find the flight attendant feeding her daughter the dairy snack and confronted them. The flight attendant then allegedly mocked and mitigated Neerukondas concerns, and shortly after that, her daughter suffered severe anaphylaxis, per the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neerukonda gave her daughter an EpiPen injection as her "mental health and vitals began to decline" during the flight. The toddler was admitted to a hospital for emergency treatment after landing, according to the complaint. The child remained in the intensive care unit for two days as their condition worsened, per The Independent. Its inconceivable they take it upon themselves to give the child the allergen? This was a very serious, life-threatening situation," Neerukondas attorney Abram Bohrer told the outlet. "Youd think they would jump into action, calling for ground-based telemedicine support, asking for a doctor on board. But they were somewhat blase, very indifferent. Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Stock image of Kit Kats Stock image of Kit Kats Neerukonda is now seeking $5 million in damages from Qatar Airways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per the complaint, Neerukonda claims that her daughter suffered great pain, agony and mental anguish and that she has been deprived of her enjoyment of life, pursuits. Neerukonda also believes that the incident has had a profoundly negative impact on the quality of her daughters future. 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. PEOPLE reached out to Qatar Airways for comment, but they did not immediately respond. Read the original article on People Malema, a Dover subsidiary, has introduced the M-3100 Series Clamp-On Ultrasonic Flow Meter for high-precision semiconductor applications. This development highlights the company's ongoing product innovation. Dover Food Retail is investing over $20 million to expand its Virginia operations by relocating manufacturing for its Anthony brand. This initiative is expected to create more than 300 new jobs. The company announced its 2025 earnings guidance, projecting GAAP earnings per share between $8.06 and $8.16. It also anticipates revenue growth of 4 percent to 6 percent for the year. Dover Corporation has completed a significant share repurchase, buying back 3,069,282 shares for a total of $540.7 million as part of its ongoing buyback program. 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! RBC Capital maintained a Sector Perform rating, suggesting a degree of caution regarding Dovers valuation and the extent to which positive operational trends are already reflected in the share price. The topline revenue growth remains muted, with only 0.5 percent organic growth cited as a concern. Some analysts emphasize that while margin gains are encouraging, ongoing softness in revenue growth could limit further upside. RBC Capital increased its price target on Dover shares from $183 to $198, reflecting confidence in the company's operational improvements and margin expansion initiatives. Analysts have recognized the company's expanded margins despite sluggish topline growth. They underscore effective execution and disciplined cost management as key drivers. RBC Capitals Deane Dray highlighted Dovers ability to achieve a modest operating earnings beat, attributing this outperformance to strong cost containment, improvements in productivity, and a favorable product mix. Dovers stock price target has inched higher, with the consensus analyst estimate rising from $214.44 to $214.72 per share. This shift comes as experts weigh signs of improved operational performance alongside softer revenue growth projections. Stay tuned to discover how investors can monitor these evolving expectations and navigate the changing narrative around Dovers outlook. Story Continues How This Changes the Fair Value For Dover Consensus Analyst Price Target has risen slightly, increasing from $214.44 to $214.72 per share. The discount rate increased from 8.35% to 8.60%, reflecting a modest uptick in required investor return. Revenue growth estimates edged down slightly, from 5.26% to 5.19%. Net profit margin rose from 16.67% to 17.07%, indicating improved profitability expectations. Future P/E ratio decreased from 24.26x to 23.93x, signaling a marginally lower forward valuation multiple. Never Miss an Update: Follow The Narrative Narratives offer a smarter way to invest by connecting a company's story to its financial forecast and fair value. On Simply Wall Sts Community page, Narratives make it easy for anyone to understand and share investment perspectives. These narratives show how future revenue, earnings, and margins shape fair value. Narratives update automatically when news or earnings are released, helping investors decide when to buy or sell as the story and fair value change. Want to see how the Narrative on Dover unfolds? Read the original Analyst Narrative and stay updated on: Dovers strategic push into high-growth markets such as automation, clean energy, and biopharma, with the goal of driving better margins and long-term earnings. How cost controls, acquisitions, and operational improvements are boosting profit predictability and improving the companys business mix. The key risks and industry changes that could impact Dover's future growth and whether the current fair value still holds with each new update. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include DOV. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com LIVONIA Chuck Leman was a hero in life and now he is a hero in death. Leman died last month at the age of 101, having given his all - to his country as a WWII veteran and prisoner of war, to the city of Detroit as a renowned urban planner and landscape architect, to his friends and family as a devoted husband and father, and finally, to strangers in need as an organ donor. Thats who Dad was - quietly giving his whole life, said Chris Leman, Chucks son. He wasnt one to go around beating his chest about his accomplishments and what he did. His virtue was expressed quietly and beautifully. He showed us the way and we appreciate that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chuck Leman grew up on an Illinois farm during the Great Depression and was drafted into the Army in February 1943, a few weeks shy of his 19th birthday. He spent quite a bit of time training and was about to begin flight training when the call came that more infantry was needed in Europe. Leman fought in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 in Belgium with the U.S. Armys 75th Division, 289th Regiment and was shot in the neck. He also took a grazing bullet wound to the head. He was on patrol with a group of soldiers when they were captured by the Germans on Christmas Day. A 1940s newspaper clipping announces that Chuck Leman has gone missing while serving in World War II. Leman, wounded and taken prisoner by the Germans on Christmas Day 1944, was liberated in April 1945. The Livonia resident died Oct. 6, 2025, at the age of 101. He and his fellow prisoners of war were interrogated, with Leman giving only his rank and serial number. They were forced to march across Belgium and the Rhine River to Germany in what was one of the coldest winters on record, starving and enduring frost bite while repairing German rail lines bombarded by the Allies between encampments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leman lost toes and many friends in the harsh conditions. He and his fellow survivors' march ended at the Hammelburg prison camp, from which they were liberated by one of General George S. Pattons squadrons in the spring of 1945. When Leman returned home to Roanoke, Illinois, he weighed around 100 pounds, but he regained his health with the help of his mothers amazing home-cooked chicken dinners, Chris Leman said. Chuck Leman was honorably discharged in 1945, having been awarded two Purple Hearts. He went on to attend Iowa State University, marry Dorothy, his high school sweetheart, with whom he had three children, and after stints in Nashville and New York City, made his way to Detroit to co-found a landscape architecture and urban planning company, shaping communities across Michigan. Chuck Leman with his wife of 77 years, Dot, resided in Livonia for the past seven years. Chuck, a World War II veteran and POW, died Oct. 6, 2025 at the age of 101, with still one more act of service - organ donation. He and Dorothy lived in Farmington Hills for many years before moving to an assisted living facility in Livonia, where Dorothy still resides in good health, although missing her husband of 77 years, Chris Leman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chuck Leman was a loving father, he added, a man of integrity who believed in hard work, and putting his family and others first. When he died Oct. 6, he still had one more gift to give. More: 20-month-old Isaac Calkins needs a liver. His family prays a living donor will help Chris Leman, who lives in Idaho, said shortly after his father passed, he got a call from Gift of Life, expressing their condolences, and asking if the Leman family would be interested in donating Chucks skin tissue. Chris Leman was surprised due to his fathers age. It is a reaction that Gift of Life Michigan CEO Dorrie Dils understand. She said Chuck Leman is a great example of living longer in a healthy way that enabled him to still be a donor at more than 100 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said his tissue could help burn victims and we knew that was Dads wish, so we said, Yes, of course, Chris Leman said. Now Chuck Leman has shared the gift of life with up to 75 strangers through skin tissue donation that will help those healing from burns and other wounds. It is a remarkable story, the life he led and that he was a donor, Dils said. He lived a life of service and he did that in his death as well. Chuck Leman, second from left in the front row, with wife Dorothy and their family. Chuck Leman, 101 and a WWII veteran, died on Oct. 6, 2025, with one final act of service - the donation of his tissue to aid burn victims. Contact reporter Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com or 517-281-2412. This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Michigan World War II veteran dies at 101, with one final act of service A case in Glocester of drinking water contamination caused by PFAS is a reminder of the threat these so-called forever chemicals used in firefighting foam and consumer products pose to groundwater supplies. The well water at three homes in west Glocester near the Connecticut border tested well above the state drinking water standard for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in September. Three more homes that were tested over the past week came back negative for PFAS in their water, the state Department of Environmental of Management said Thursday, Nov. 6. The DEM believes the source of contamination at the three homes on Reynolds Road that are all owned by the same family is the nearby research campus operated by the global insurance company FM, where fire tests were routinely conducted that used firefighting foam and other items containing the manmade chemicals, which dont break down in the environment and have been linked with cancers and other serious health problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waste from FMs tests was disposed of in a landfill located on the sprawling research campus. Although the landfills been closed and capped, its unlined and is believed to have leaked PFAS into the groundwater aquifer used by neighbors. Because the chemicals have been so widely used in food packaging, cookware and other nonstick, stain-resistant and waterproof products, landfills have become primary sources of water contamination. So too are fire stations, airports and military bases because of their use of firefighting foam. Industrial facilities that produced or used PFAS have also tainted water supplies. While the state has done considerable testing of public water systems over the past decade in Rhode Island, it has only recently started looking at private wells. If youre worried that your well water is at risk, you can get it tested. The filters installed by FM on Brandy Bates' property in Glocester are used to mitigate PFAS contamination caused by the RI-based insurance company. Map shows areas of greatest concern for PFAS contamination in RI To get a sense of your risk, check the online map maintained by the state Department of Health that shows areas in Rhode Island where its recommended to test well water for PFAS because of the vicinity to possible contamination sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The map is interactive, and you can enter your address to see if your property is in or near any of the areas of concern. The information was based on previous testing that found exceedances in public water system wells, as well as a DEM investigation of potential sources of PFAS contamination in Rhode Island that looked at landfills, military installations and industrial sites. Some examples of areas of concern include the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Landing Field, a former military site that's now part of Ninigret Park, the Central Landfill in Johnston and the former Charbert textile mill in Richmond. The DEM and RIDOH have started targeted sampling in some of these areas already, sending letters to homeowners in places where they're offering free testing. About 30 homes so far in 11 different areas have been found to have high PFAS levels in their water through their testing program, which is ongoing, according to the DEM. Its hard to know how prevalent PFAS are in well water. A University of Rhode Island study of 101 wells across 12 towns on Cape Cod found that about 46% had detectable levels of at least one PFAS chemical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey estimated the nationwide rate for tap water from wells to be about 20%, but because probability increases with human development, the rate is projected to be much higher in densely-populated Rhode Island. Global insurance company FM has been delivering water to Brandy Bates' house in Glocester since tests of wells on her property revealed high levels of PFAS in her drinking water. How to get your well tested for PFAS in Rhode Island Because PFAS have no smell, color or taste, the only way to know if your well water doesnt contain any of the chemicals is to have it tested. Private well testing should only be done at certified laboratories, according to the health department, which recommends avoiding mail-in or over-the-counter water test kits. Rhode Island labs that have confirmed they are accepting PFAS tests, according to the department, include Rhode Island Analytical in Warwick and ESS Laboratory in Cranston. The State Health Laboratories would also normally test well water for PFAS, but the service has been temporarily suspended while the labs complete their move into new offices in Providence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are still working on bringing that testing back on line," said health department spokesman Joseph Wendelken. Many labs ask homeowners to collect samples themselves and will send them kits to do so. The protocol for collecting water samples is stricter than for other routine water tests, and youll have to be careful to avoid certain clothing and personal care products on the day you take samples. Instructions from the state lab can be found on the health department website. A PFAS test from the state lab costs $200, which includes testing field blanks along with your tap water samples to help refine the analysis. Private labs will have their own pricing and testing procedures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: For years, FM played with fire in Glocester. Now, drinking wells have record levels of PFAS. What to do if your well has high PFAS levels After you get your lab results back, check them against state and federal drinking water standards. In 2022, Rhode Island sets its standard at 20 parts for trillion for the total concentration of six common PFAS chemicals. They are PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, PFHxS and PFHpA. If your total number is above 20 ppt, it is in exceedance of the states maximum contaminant level. In 2024, the federal government adopted separate rules that limits the concentrations of PFOA and PFOS to 4 ppt each and calculates a "hazard index" to weigh cumulative risks from four other substances. If your well has PFAS levels above the standards, boiling the water will not rid it of the chemicals, but will actually concentrate the chemicals in the water that remains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are other steps you can take. You can use bottled water for drinking and cooking. For a long-term solution, you can install a home treatment system that either uses activated carbon or reverse osmosis to remove PFAS from your water. But before you do anything, consult experts with the health departments private well program for more information about your options. They can be reached at 401-222-6867 or DOH.RIDWQ@health.ri.gov. For more information about PFAS and drinking water, go online to health.ri.gov/water/about/pfas. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: How to test your RI well water for PFAS, and what it will cost Peoria's PBS station has hired a veteran nonprofit executive to be its new chief development officer. WTVP announced Monday that Audrey Kamm would be its new chief development officer, responsible for fundraising and engaging in the community. Kamm currently serves as a development adviser with the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, working in central and southern Illinois along with Iowa. Prior to joining St. Jude, she was the executive director of the Midwest Food Bank's Peoria branch and the vice president of operations for the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, along with being a program director for the Chamber's CEO Council and Young Professionals Organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, she was honored by the Women's Fund of Central Illinois with their Emerging Leader Award and was named one of Peoria's 40 Leaders Under 40 in 2019. More: 'Disappointed' and 'devastating': Leaders react to WTVP, WCBU funding cuts Kamm's hiring by WTVP comes as the station and many others face the loss of federal funding after the Republican-controlled Congress voted to strip funding from the soon-to-be-defunct Corporation for Public Broadcasting, forcing it to rely on support from fundraising and pledge drives. WTVP CEO Jenn Gordon said in a news release that Kamm's expertise in nonprofit fundraising will help when it comes to navigating an uncertain new era for public broadcasting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With the exodus of federal support from the framework of public broadcasting nationwide, the generosity of this community is what singularly will fund the station and keep us running as an essential resource for central Illinois for years to come," Gordon said. "Audrey's expertise in nonprofit fundraising and commitment to the community uniquely suit her for this role and align perfectly with our mission to inspire and connect the communities of central Illinois through commercial-free, quality content that educates, informs, and entertains. Kamm started her new job Monday. She currently resides in Metamora with her husband, Andrew, and their two children. More: Return of federal funding lifts 'huge weight' at WTVP-TV after financial scandal This article originally appeared on Journal Star: WTVP hires nonprofit executive as new development director DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Yemens Houthi rebels are signaling theyve stopped their attacks against Israel and shipping in the Red Sea as a shaky ceasefire holds in the Gaza Strip. In an undated letter to Hamas Qassam Brigades published online by the group, the Houthis offered their clearest signal that their attacks have halted. We are closely monitoring developments and declare that if the enemy resumes its aggression against Gaza, we will return to our military operations deep inside the Zionist entity, and we will reinstate the ban on Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas, the letter from Maj. Gen. Yusuf Hassan al-Madani, the Houthi military's chief of staff, reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Houthis have not offered any formal acknowledgment their campaign in the region has halted. Israel's military, which has launched attacks killing senior Houthi leaders, declined to comment Tuesday when reached by The Associated Press. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened in September to hit the Houthis sevenfold for attacks targeting Israel following a drone attack on Eilat that wounded 22 people. The Houthis gained international prominence during the Israel-Hamas war with their attacks on shipping and Israel, which they said were aimed at forcing Israel to stop fighting. Since the ceasefire began on Oct. 10, no attacks have been claimed by the rebel group. While the Houthis insisted their campaign targeted Israel-affiliated vessels, the ships attacked have had limited if any relationship to the Israel-Hamas war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign has killed at least nine mariners and seen four ships sunk. It upended shipping in the Red Sea, through which about $1 trillion of goods passed each year before the war. The rebels most recent attack hit the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht on Sept. 29, killing one crew member on board and wounding another. The attacks greatly disrupted transits through Egypt's Suez Canal, which links the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. The canal remains one of the top providers of hard currency for Egypt, providing it $10 billion in 2023 as its wider economy struggles. The International Monetary Fund in July said the Houthi attacks reduced foreign exchange inflows from the Suez Canal by $6 billion in 2024. While traffic has inched up recently in the lull in attacks, many shippers continue to go around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The U.S. launched an intense bombing campaign targeting the rebels earlier this year that President Donald Trump halted just before his trip to the Mideast. The Biden administration also conducted strikes against the Houthis, including using America's B-2 bombers to target what it described as underground bunkers used by the Houthis. Meanwhile, the Houthis have increasingly threatened Saudi Arabia and taken dozens of workers at U.N. agencies and other aid groups as prisoners, alleging without evidence that they were spies something fiercely denied by the U.N. and others. A New York woman is accused of abandoning her teenage daughter at a closed gas station in Pocono Township. According to the criminal complaint, Tonimarie A. Barrett, 42, of New Rochelle, was visiting her sister in Long Pond with her daughter, 13. After a fight between Barrett and her sister, she and her daughter stopped at a closed gas station at 2756 Route 611, Tannersville, to set up directions around midnight on Nov. 9. The daughter told police that Barrett requested she hand over her iPad, but she refused due to fears her mother would destroy it. After the daughter refused to hand over the iPad, Barrett threatened to stab her, according to the complaint. The daughter asked to use Barretts phone to get directions instead, but Barrett would not hand it over. The daughter said that Barrett left her there and drove away. The complaint says the daughter said that she stayed at the gas station for several hours before walking to a nearby Turkey Hill, where Pocono Township Police Department responded at 5:17 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple attempts were made by Cpl. Austin Anglemyer, the complaints affiant, to contact Barrett, with no response. Anglemyer was able to contact a different aunt through her local police department, who gave him a contact number for Barrett. When he reached her, she stated she was at a Penn Jersey gas station in Effort and would come to the departments headquarters. According to the complaint, during the interview with police, Barrett said that her sister told them to leave after the argument. They drove for 10 to 15 minutes before pulling into the gas station to set up GPS directions to get home. Barrett said they both left the vehicle to try to get service after what she said was a small verbal argument. When she looked up from her phone, Barrett said, she couldn't see or find her daughter. Barrett said that her car needed oil, so she left the gas station and ended up in Effort. She said she did not call police regarding her daughter being missing, nor did she say that she looked for her, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barrett was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a third-degree felony; terroristic threats, a first-degree misdemeanor; and recklessly endangering another person, a second-degree misdemeanor. Max Augugliaro is the public safety and government watchdog reporter at the Pocono Record. Reach him at MAugugliaro@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: New York woman accused of abandoning teen daughter in Monroe County Support Local News Reporting Journalists at the Yakima Herald-Republic bring you timely, in-depth and credible local news. Your generous donation supports their work. Yann LeCun, one of the most influential figures in artificial intelligence (AI) today, has informed colleagues he plans to leave Meta within the coming months to launch his own startup, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the conversations. His departure would mark a significant turning point for both Meta and the broader AI industry, as LeCuna Turing Award winner and pioneering researcherpursues his vision for next-generation AI systems. LeCun, 65, joined Facebook in December 2013 as the founding director of Fundamental AI Research, known as FAIR. He remains a Silver Professor at New York University, where he has taught since 2003. His academic credentials are formidable: LeCun is best known for developing convolutional neural networks in the late 1980s, specifically the LeNet architecture that successfully recognized handwritten digits and revolutionized computer vision. In 2019, he received the ACM Turing Award alongside Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio for breakthroughs that made deep neural networks a critical component of modern computing. An early love of machines Born in Soisy-sous-Montmorency, France, on July 8, 1960, LeCun grew up with an engineer father who encouraged his fascination with electronics. That early curiosity led him to ESIEE Paris, where he earned an electrical engineering diploma in 1983. He then pursued a PhD in computer science at Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, completing his dissertation in 1987 on connectionist learning modelswork that proposed an early form of the backpropagation algorithm for training neural networks. At a time when neural networks were dismissed as impractical, LeCun spent a postdoctoral year with Geoffrey Hinton at the University of Toronto before joining AT&T Bell Labs in 1988. There, he developed convolutional neural networks, a breakthrough that allowed computers to process visual information in ways that mimicked human vision. His system for reading handwritten digits became so effective that NCR deployed it in bank check-reading machines starting in the mid-1990sat one point processing 10% to 20% of all checks in the U.S. LeCun also led development of DjVu, an image-compression technology that enabled the Internet Archive and other digital libraries to distribute scanned documents online. After a brief stint at NEC Research Institute, he joined New York University. Leaving Meta His reported departure from Meta comes as the Facebook parent undergoes sweeping changes to its AI strategy. In June, the company invested $14.3 billion in data-labeling firm Scale AI and brought on its 28-year-old CEO, Alexandr Wang, to lead a new division called Meta Superintelligence Labs. The reorganization shifted LeCuns reporting structure: He previously reported to Chris Cox, Metas chief product officer, but reported to Wang afterward. Looking for a break? Test your knowledge of this week's news from the Yakima Valley. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code Company Logo Saudi Arabia's heritage tourism market thrives on Vision 2030 investments, embracing cultural revival, digital integration, and sustainability. Projects like AlUla and Diriyah Gate, coupled with events and eco-friendly initiatives, position the country as a top cultural destination, blending tradition with innovation. Dublin, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Saudi Arabia Heritage Tourism Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Cultural Heritage, Natural Heritage, and Intangible Heritage), By Age Group (30 And Under, 31 - 50, and 51 - 70), By Booking Mode (Offline and Online), And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Saudi Arabia heritage tourism market size was estimated at USD 5.11 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 8.48 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.0% from 2025 to 2033, driven by large-scale investments under the Kingdom's Vision 2030 framework. The government has allocated over USD 1 trillion to diversify its economy, with tourism and cultural heritage as critical pillars. Initiatives such as the development of AlUla, Diriyah Gate, and the restoration of Al-Balad in Jeddah reflect a deep commitment to preserving and showcasing the country's rich historical legacy. These projects not only conserve heritage assets but also aim to position them as global tourism destinations. Infrastructure developments, including airport expansions, hotel chains, and cultural centers, are being rapidly executed to accommodate the increasing tourist influx. Furthermore, the integration of digital technologies such as AI and augmented reality is enhancing the visitor experience by making historical narratives more immersive and interactive. Cultural events and festivals are also playing a major role in revitalizing the heritage tourism landscape. Events such as Winter at Tantora in AlUla, Jenadriyah Festival, and the Islamic Arts Biennale are transforming historic sites into dynamic cultural platforms. These events attract both domestic and international audiences, boosting local economies and encouraging community participation. Simultaneously, heritage districts such as Jeddah's Al-Balad are being revitalized through restoration of old buildings, improved lighting and infrastructure, and support for traditional businesses. The blending of historical preservation with contemporary cultural expression is creating an appealing narrative for tourists who seek authenticity and cultural depth in their travel experiences. Tourist preferences in Saudi Arabia are also evolving in line with global travel trends, with a growing inclination towards sustainable and experiential tourism. Many heritage destinations are being designed with sustainability at their core, incorporating eco-friendly infrastructure and conservation-focused visitor management. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Release Date: November 10, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points Shakti Pumps (India) Ltd (BOM:531431) reported its highest ever quarterly revenue of INR 666 crore, marking a 5% year-on-year growth. The solar pumps business showed significant growth with 39,861 installations in H1 and 22,304 in Q2, growing by 19% and 21% respectively. Retail sales surged by 67% year-on-year to INR 43 crore, supported by over 100 exclusive outlets nationwide. The company received an ESG rating of 75 from ICRA and was recognized as the best strategy organization of the year and best employer. Shakti Pumps (India) Ltd (BOM:531431) is expanding its solar rooftop segment into new states, leveraging government initiatives, and has set up 57 channel partners. Negative Points Receivables were impacted by extended monsoon and RMS linked collection cycles, with 20% of receivables more than 6 months overdue. EBITDA margins were affected by a 3-4% increase in prices of key raw materials such as copper, steel, and solar panels. The company faces pricing pressure in certain schemes, affecting realizations and margins. There is uncertainty regarding the sustainability of the 20-21% EBITDA margin due to volatile raw material prices. The company has a significant portion of its revenue dependent on government schemes, which may face delays or changes. Q & A Highlights Q: Can you clarify the aging of receivables, particularly those over six months? A: Yes, we have provided the aging details. About 20% of receivables are over six months, which includes some retention money due to tender conditions. We expect to release more receivables in the next quarter. (Respondent: Unidentified_3) Q: With margins dropping to 20% this quarter, is this a structural change or temporary? A: The margin drop is temporary, influenced by increased raw material prices. We expect these prices to stabilize, allowing us to maintain our margin guidelines. (Respondent: Unidentified_3) Q: Can you provide more details on the solar rooftop business model and its credit cycle? A: The rooftop business operates under the PM Suger Muk Bigli Yojna. Consumers register on a portal, select a brand, and our channel partners install the systems. The subsidy is directly credited to the consumer post-installation. We operate on an advance basis with our dealers. (Respondent: Unidentified_4) A variety of programmes await revellers celebrating the capital's birthday, including the return of the popular Metro Festival, the relaunch of the party tram, and the opening of the city's Christmas market in City Hall Park, according to a statement by the Mayor's Office. Key events include a commemoration of the unification of Buda, Pest, and Obuda, as well as the 75th anniversary of Greater Budapest on Nov 17, the Metro Festival, featuring performances by schools, choirs, bands, and dance groups in metro stations from Nov 14 to 16, and the Budapest Christmas Market to be held in the City Hall Park, with an ice rink and handmade goods. On Nov 15, Gergely Karacsony, the city's mayor, will present the Budapest Heroes Award to employees of city companies for their professional excellence, community engagement, and dedication. Also, the party tram will make a return, departing from Deak Ferenc Square (registration required), with live music, dancing, and evening views of Budapest. On Nov 17, the birthday celebration of Greater Budapest will feature award ceremonies, including the Budapest Prize, Pro Urbe Budapest, and Honorary Citizen of Budapest titles in a ceremony held at the 200-year-old Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Among the cultural highlights, members of the Budapest Festival Orchestra will perform small concerts in pubs, cafes, and bistros across Pest and Buda. Further, the Pro Cultura Urbis Foundation is supporting projects that explore and showcase Budapest's cultural heritage. Winners of its grants and the Pro Cultura Urbis Awards will be announced on Nov 21. Source: MTI Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent. Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media. XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com ********************************************************************************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop: As an independent portal were grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here. Even though Hungary has secured an exemption from US sanctions, Brussels is still banning Russian energy imports from 2027, Viktor Orban said on Tuesday. "They want to pursue the war and sanctions," the prime minister wrote on Facebook. "The people in Brussels took prompt action," Orban said. "They stated that Hungary is exempted from American sanctions but nonetheless they'll ban the import of Russian energy sources into Europe from 2027 ... We'll have a few words about this." He said it was clear that Hungary's agreements with US Donald President Trump "serve to benefit all Hungarians". "We protected utility bill reductions, we didn't allow gas prices to rise, and we opened up new vistas for the Hungarian economy," he said, adding that these benefits were obvious to left- and right-wingers alike. "It didn't take long for [opposition] Tisza to join Brussels's slander. If Brussels blows the whistle, their leaders immediately take to their feet," he wrote. "And we'll see who's on which side. Who's with Hungarian families and who's with Brussels. This knowledge will come in handy next April!" Orban: Exemption from sanctions exists until Trump is US president and I PM As long as Donald Trump is the US president and Viktor Orban the prime minister of Hungary, there is an agreement on Hungarys exemption from US sanctions, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in an interview broadcast on the YouTube channel of commercial ATV, adding that the agreement was crucial for Hungarys utility price cut scheme. Asked about conflicting information on the term of the exemption, Orban said Trump had heard his arguments and said "I understand, Ill grant [the exemption]". "This means that, as long as he is president there and I am prime minister here, we have this. When the circumstances change, we will have to re-negotiate," he said, adding: "If it lasts for twenty more years, then the agreement will last twenty years too." Orban said he had not offered anything in exchange as he was not "trying to do business". "Business is not all about interests, its also about trust, loyalty, long-term partnership, and the US president did not want anything in return for this," he said. He said he had "figured out" that the agreement would come about when Trump said in an interview that he would not grant exemption to Hungary from the sanctions. Trump is a businessman, he said, "when he doubles down on the stakes, you know he wants an agreement." At the same time, he said that in talks with the US president, all outcomes were possible down to the last minute: "There is no such thing that you make a deal in advance and then mime [negotiations]." He said there was no point in bluffing with Trump: "Hes a businessman, he can see through you in a minute and he doesnt like to be hoodwinked." Therefore, Orban said he was very clear from the get-go that "the Hungarian economy would buckle if the US sanctions stay in place." In response to a question about the US State Department's official statement that Hungary would purchase power plants, power plant fuel, LNG, and military equipment from the US for a total of 7 trillion forints (EUR 18.2bn), Orban said that this "should be understood as a from-to range" as there was no specific fixed amount, rather, areas where cooperation had been established, and this cooperation would have financial consequences, he added. He also said that this package did not include US investments coming to Hungary. Orban said that "no matter what the US State Department writes," the United States has a presidential system, so the State Department or any other ministry merely carried out technical implementation. "That is why the important thing is what the president says, not what is written down," he added. When asked whether the Hungarian government operated in the same way, he replied: "not at all, because Hungary has a parliamentary system, not a presidential one." Orban said that in 2010, when the Fidesz-Christian Democrats coalition garnered its first absolute majority, there had been discussions on whether Hungary should be transformed into "some sort of presidential or chancellors regime but then we decided that the parliamentary regime suited us best." He said that he had raised the issue after every election win. Orban said various countries were competing for meeting Trump as soon as possible. He said that based on his "old rapport" with the US president, he had chosen another strategy. He said he only wanted to meet Trump when a "serious agreement package was already in the pipeline and all important Hungary-US issues can be tabled." Hungary also had to be "steered away" from the recently announced US sanctions, he said. Regarding the financial shield agreement with the US, Orban said Hungary could "draw those monies down whenever we wanted, in whatever form we wanted." He said that under his agreement with the US president, Hungary could draw on "one of the financial instruments whenever Hungary finds itself in financial difficulty." "Hungary cant find himself in a difficult economic situation because in such cases, the US and its president will stand behind Hungary and help," he said. He said he didnt think the support had a limit, and added that Hungary may need "10-20 billion dollars or euros." Meanwhile, Orban said the European Union was hostile to Hungary and saw it as an obstacle to reaching its goals. Orban said Hungary's financial exposure had grown due to its bad relations with Brussels and improved through its good relations with the US. In the next five years, Hungary will be buying 400 million cubic meters of gas from the US every year, he said. Further, it will also buy US nuclear fuel "because its better to have a nuclear plant that can receive several types of fuel materials." Hungary will also buy US technology to store spent nuclear fuel rods, he said, adding that the US tech was more advanced than what Hungary currently used. Meanwhile, he said the Russia-US summit in Budapest remained on the agenda. He said a Russia-US agreement had not become impossible; "the delegations are negotiating and Hungary is involved to a certain extent, we know certain things." He said the talks currently hit a snag "on the issue of territories 22 percent of Donetsk county is not yet under Russian occupation." He added that he had not given up the peace mission, and he was using his ties with Russia to work towards an agreement. Orban said that Hungary had no political exposure to Russia. "We have historical exposure, which is not the same thing," he said. He added that the Russians cannot influence Hungarian political decisions, and that the Hungarian government's political decisions are made exclusively "based on Hungarian considerations." Orban said that until 2008, he had thought it made sense for the Western world to push eastward and stabilise as many countries as possible. However, he said that between 1990 and 2008, Ukraine had been unable to strengthen itself sufficiently. He added that at the NATO summit in Bucharest, the US supported Ukraine's accession to NATO, but Europe did not. He said he then negotiated with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2009, and they agreed on the framework for cooperation, that historical issues would not be raised, and that they would establish a direct line of communication and meet every year. This had been the case until the "world of sanctions" arrived, he said. Orban also said that data sovereignty would become one of the most important elements of sovereignty in the future, and that Hungary must be a data-sovereign country, which requires data collection systems, for instance its own satellite. He added that the satellite would be built with US technology. Orban said he would visit the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry next week and "hopefully" sign an agreement with them on a 70-80 billion (EUR 180m-208m) forint tax reduction package for small businesses. He added that the interest rate on the Szechenyi Card had already been reduced, but this "will really cost a lot next year," some 300 billion forints. The discounts provided under the Sandor Demjan Programme amount to 130 billion forints, he added. He said that they had made quite a few commitments during elections and did not want to give up any of their goals. These amounts "have to be found somewhere"; the price was that the budget deficit would be 5 percent instead of 3.7 percent, he said, adding that they were planning for a 5 percent deficit next year as well. Orban said the lower-than-expected economic growth had been caused by the war. "If there were no war, the Hungarian economy would grow three times faster, so it is in the country's fundamental interest to end the war," he said, adding that 1 percent growth would "generate" 400 billion forints for the budget. Put to him that the average pension is only 53 percent of the average wage, he said pensions should be compared to prices rather than wages. "Hungary only has pensioners who can afford as much or more [than in 2010]," he said. The Fidesz government has re-introduced the 13th month pension and "pensioners will probably receive the one week's worth [premium] of the 14th month pension" next year, he said. He said the Hungarian pension system was opaque and contained internal injustices, but disrupting the system carried a greater risk than continuing on the current path of raising pensions. Commenting on the Central Statistical Office's revised poverty data, according to which in 2024, nearly 20 percent of the population had been affected by poverty or social exclusion, and one in five children had lived in extreme poverty or at risk of poverty, Orban said the situation was not good, but it was better than it had been earlier. He said he disagreed that this was a strikingly bad figure in the EU. "We are on the right track, we have not achieved our goal, we have a lot of work to do, but we are on the right track," he said, adding that we are "absolutely" on the right track when it comes to poverty. He also stated that there were no children in Hungary who do not receive family support. Regarding the possible abolition of price caps, he said that what mattered was not his intention, but whether it would be possible. If inflation remained persistently high in Europe or the Western world, then "we will have to live with the tools to manage it", he said. Without price caps, milk and flour would be 50 percent more expensive, eggs would be 40 percent more expensive, and certain dairy products would be 130-140 percent more expensive, he said. "Hungary cannot cope with the food prices that would exist without price caps," he added. He also said that in line with traditional budgetary thinking, the capital city had long been bankrupt, but they were "managing it". He said Budapest was a very rich city, in fact it was "full of money", and currently there were hundreds of investments worth hundreds of billions of forints financed from the national budget. "So the capital city is the biggest winner of the past 15 years," he said. He said it was untrue that Budapest was being mistreated by the government. When asked whether the government would try to reach an agreement with Budapest, he said it was not a matter of reaching an agreement but of governing the city. He said if the capital's leadership could not resolve the situation, the government would help. Commenting on former central bank governor Gyorgy Matolcsy and the operation of the National Bank, he said that he did not yet have a clear view of the matter and had "very strong emotional ties" to the former MNB president. He said he owed a great deal to Matolcsy, "who saved Hungary several times in difficult situations" from which "I think no one else could have pulled the country out." He said that the results of the investigations must be seen before passing judgment, but, "even if a single forint disappeared irregularly, then someone must be held accountable, someone must be held responsible, and it will be tough for them." Regarding the upcoming elections, Orban said voters had "listened to their heads" when they elected Fidesz in 2010, and many would stick to the party for the same reason. Commenting on the data leak concerning the opposition Tisza partys app and an earlier case when Russian hackers had appeared in the foreign ministry, Orban said he had immediately deployed "all relevant experts" in the latter case. "The host must protect the data." Asked why he didnt want to debate Tisza leader Peter Magyar, he said his challenger was "not called Tisza Party but Brussels". "Tisza is a project built up by Brussels, it is financed from there. Thats where the centre of force is; those voting for Tisza are voting for Brussels. The head of this snake is in Brussels, I am arguing with them, not the governors and agents in Hungary." Asked about a pardon issued to the accomplice of a convicted paedophile by former President Katalin Novak, countersigned by then-Justice Minister Judit Varga which resulted in their resignation, Orban said Novak should have trusted the sentence of the court. "She should not have decided to become judge and jury in such a morally sensitive issue touching on the most important of causes," he said. At the same time, Orban said the two womens resignation was "a huge loss for the right wing." He said he had not invited Varga to return to politics. In conclusion, the interviewer, Egon Ronai, asked Orban if he would "come again" to ATV, which he hadn't given an interview to in 15 years. Orban said he would if the channel stopped "accepting monies from abroad." "We will not change on that count," Ronai replied. Orban: 'No matter what US State Department writes, what matters is what the president says' "No matter what the US State Department writes, what matters is what the US president says," Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in an interview on Tuesday in connection with agreements concluded during his recent visit to Washington, DC. In response to a question about the US State Department's official statement that Hungary would purchase power plants, power plant fuel, LNG, and military equipment from the US for a total of 7 trillion forints (EUR 18.2bn), Orban said in an interview broadcast on commercial news channel ATV's YouTube channel that this should be understood as a "from-to" range as there was no specific fixed amount. Rather, areas where cooperation had been established, and this cooperation would have financial consequences, he added. He also said that this package did not include US investments coming to Hungary. Orban said that "no matter what the US State Department writes," the United States has a presidential system, so the State Department or any other ministry carries out technical implementation, he said. "That is why what the president says is important, not what is written down," he added. When asked whether the Hungarian government operated in the same way, he replied: "not at all, because Hungary has a parliamentary system, not a presidential one." Source: MTI Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent. Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media. XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com ********************************************************************************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop: As an independent portal were grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here. Moonstar 2025, an international military exercise for the reserve corps, has got under way at the military base of Hajduhadhaz, in eastern Hungary, the defence ministry said. Some 150 reserve soldiers from Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland are participating in the exercise between Nov 10 and 23, while Slovenia and Croatia have delegated observers, the ministry said in its statement. The exercise has been designed to coordinate the units from different countries, assess their skills and exchange information on their military procedures, the statement said. Participants will practice marksmanship using various types of weapon, as well as rescuing and evacuating wounded soldiers, the statement added. The statement also noted the importance of the reserve corps, stating that reserve officers "actively contribute to the security of the country apart from their civilian careers." Source: MTI Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent. Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media. XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com ********************************************************************************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop: As an independent portal were grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here. The 3rd and the final phase of polling in 78 assembly seats of the Bihar assembly election 2020 concluded on Saturday (November 7, 2020) evening and now all eyes are on the Bihar Election 2020 exit polls predictions. Zimbabwe suffered a major setback ahead of their upcoming T20I tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as frontline pacer Blessing Muzarabani has been ruled out due to a back injury. Pakistani Google search trends spiked following the Red Fort blast, with users seeking details on casualties, damage, and the investigation. 'Delhi' was the No. 2 trend on X/Twitter. Key Points Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing makes chips for many of the world's biggest tech companies. It has benefited from the growth of AI, but its semiconductors will still be in high demand even if AI spending slows down. 10 stocks we like better than Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Wall Street has grown skeptical of artificial intelligence (AI) spending by major tech companies. But even with a recent dip in stock prices, there are still excellent companies with long-term growth potential in this space. If you have $1,000 you'd like to invest in an AI stock, my top pick right now would be Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE: TSM), or TSMC for short. Image source: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. TSMC fills a crucial role for AI and tech as a whole TMSC is the world's leading semiconductor foundry, and it's not a close race. It had a 70% market share as of Q2 2025, compared to 7% for second place Samsung. Other tech companies design chips for smartphones, electric vehicles (EVs), AI accelerators, and so on, but TSMC is the one that actually manufactures them. Clients include Nvidia, Apple, and Broadcom, to name a few. Because of how reliant tech companies are on TSMC, it provides a combination of security and growth potential to its investors. The chipmaker has benefited from AI computing needs and spending so far. Revenue rose 30% year over year to $33 billion in Q3 2025, and 60% of TSMC's revenue now comes from sales of its most advanced 3nm and 5nm chips, up from just 8% in Q3 2020. TSMC is essentially an AI stock that isn't overly dependent on AI. Tech companies will continue to need semiconductors, and TSMC will most likely continue to supply the bulk of them. Should you invest $1,000 in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing right now? Before you buy stock in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $604,044!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,220,149!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 1,064% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 194% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors. Masayoshi Sons SoftBank surprised investors when it said it had sold its entire Nvidia stake for about $5.83 billion to help fund more bets on AI. The Tokyo-based conglomerate said it offloaded roughly 32 million shares in the U.S. chipmaker last month as it builds up capital for its expanding investment in OpenAI. Nvidia shares slipped 1.5% in early U.S. trading Tuesday. Chief financial officer Yoshimitsu Goto said in translated comments that the decision was nothing to do with Nvidia itself. He said: This year our investment in OpenAI is large, more than $30 billion needs to be made. For that we do need to divest our existing portfolios. He added: We want to provide a lot of investment opportunities for investors, while we can still maintain financial strength. SoftBanks results for the six months to September showed profits almost tripled from a year earlier, climbing to about 2.5 trillion yen ($13 billion). Revenue grew 7.7% to 3.7 trillion yen ($24 billion). A $19 billion profit from the groups Vision Fund partly fuelled those gains, reflecting higher valuations in tech and AI stocks in general. The fund has been expanding across AI including in semiconductors, robotics, and large language models. The reason we were able to have this result is because of September last year, that was the first time we invested in OpenAI, Goto said. SoftBanks founder Masayoshi Son has been positioning the group as a central player in global AI development. In February, he appeared with President Donald Trump, OpenAIs Sam Altman, and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison to unveil a planned $500 billion AI infrastructure project called Stargate. But it also comes as concerns grow about an overheated AI market, as tech firms pour billions into new projects. Some investors have warned that valuations have raced ahead of real-world profits. When asked about those fears, Goto said: I cant say if were in an AI bubble or not. Japanese multinational investment company SoftBank said it had sold its remaining stake in Nvidia for $5.83 billion (5bn) as it pivots towards AI investments. SoftBank also reported stronger-than-expected earnings for the three months to 30 September, posting a net profit of 2.5 trillion (14bn), more than double the 1.18 trillion (6.6bn) recorded a year earlier. The jump was fuelled by gains in its Vision Fund portfolio, which benefited from soaring valuations of AI-related firms, suggesting that its renewed focus on artificial intelligence is beginning to pay off after years of uneven returns. Revenue at the Japanese company also grew, helped by improving performance across SoftBanks technology holdings and its telecom unit. It sold off its stake in Nvidia in October bringing an end to its long exposure to the American tech giant, which recently hit a market capitalisation of $5tr (4.3tr). We want to provide a lot of investment opportunities for investors, while we can still maintain financial strength," SoftBanks Chief Financial Officer and Senior Managing Director Yoshimitsu Goto said at an investor presentation. So through those options and tools we make sure that we are ready for funding in a very safe manner," Goto added. This marks the second time SoftBank has offloaded Nvidia shares, a move that comes as a surprise given the chipmakers status as one of the best-performing US stocks, particularly amid President Trumps drive to ramp up investment in AI-related industries. Related SoftBanks renewed focus on artificial intelligence may also strike some observers as counterintuitive, coming amid investor concerns of an impending AI bubble burst. By deepening its AI bets just as talk of a potential bubble intensifies, SoftBank is signalling confidence that the current boom still has room to run, even as others brace for a possible correction. "There are various opinions but SoftBank's position is that the risk of not investing is far greater than the risk of investing," Yoshimitsu Goto said at a briefing in Tokyo. It caps a significant year for SoftBank's investment in AI. In March, SoftBank agreed to spearhead a funding round worth up to US$40bn (34.55bn) for OpenAI with its total investment expected to hit $34.7bn (30bn) by December, while in February it joined with Open AI and Oracle in announcing an investment of $500bn (431.9bn) in the Stargate AI infrastructure project. SoftBanks unabashed focus on AI will likely increase investor speculation that it will take a direct stake in OpenAI. SoftBank Group has liquidated its complete stake in Nvidia for $5.8 billion, the company announced during a presentation for investors early Tuesday morning, instead redirecting capital toward OpenAI as part of a strategic pivot that underscores both the companys bullish conviction on AI and CEO Masayoshi Sons willingness to place massive, high-stakes bets on emerging tech. Nvidia stock fell 2% shortly after the opening bell. SoftBank sold 32.1 million Nvidia shares in October, the company disclosed Tuesday alongside fiscal second-quarter earnings showing net profit more than doubling to 2.5 trillion yen, or approximately $16.6 billion. The windfall represented SoftBanks best quarterly performance since July-September 2022, driven primarily by valuation gains in its OpenAI holdings, which totaled 2.16 trillion yen for the quarter. Exiting Nvidiaagain This marks SoftBanks second complete exit from the chipmaker. The firm previously sold its entire $3.6 billion Nvidia stake in 2019, only to re-enter the position in 2020 before this latest departure. That earlier sale has become something of a cautionary tale in investment circles: Had SoftBank retained those original shares, they would now be worth more than $150 billion. Asked during an earnings call about the timing of the Nvidia sale, SoftBanks CFO Yoshimitsu Goto suggested the company needed liquidity to fund its OpenAI commitments. This year our investment in OpenAI is large, more than $30 billion needs to be made, he said. For that, we do need to divest our existing assets. Goto declined to specify whether the October timing held particular significance, but described the sale as part of SoftBanks ongoing cycle of divesting and reinvesting, calling it the companys fate to continually reallocate capital. Notably, he added the decision had nothing to do with Nvidia itself. Nvidia out, OpenAI in As SoftBank turns away from Nvidia, its involvement with OpenAI has grown much deeper, especially over this past year. In March, the company agreed to lead a funding round of up to $40 billion at a valuation of $300 billion. Under the arrangement, SoftBank committed to an initial closing of $10 billion in April, with a second tranche of up to $30 billion scheduled for December. The company plans to syndicate $10 billion to co-investors, bringing its effective investment to $30 billion. In October, SoftBanks board approved the second installment of $22.5 billion, contingent on OpenAI completing a corporate restructuring that would enable a future public listing. If the restructuring fails to materialize by year-end, SoftBanks total investment would drop to $20 billion. By the end of December, SoftBanks total investment in OpenAI is expected to reach $34.7 billion. By Aditya Soni (Reuters) -SoftBank Group's $5.8 billion sale of its Nvidia stake jolted stock markets on Tuesday, stoking fears that the frenzy around artificial intelligence may have peaked, especially after recent warnings from Wall Street bank chiefs and a famed short seller. In its quarterly results, the Japanese tech investor said it had sold all the 32.1 million Nvidia shares it held in October to bankroll CEO Masayoshi Son's sweeping AI push, built around his "all in" bet on ChatGPT-creator OpenAI. SoftBank needs the proceeds for initiatives including the $500 billion Stargate project to expand U.S. data-center capacity and as much as $40 billion funding pledged to OpenAI, whose financing details were not given with the announcements. But the timing of its sale deepened some investor doubts that valuations in the AI industry might have gotten ahead of fundamentals. Nvidia shares were down more than 2% in early trading, weighing on the benchmark S&P 500 index. Adding to the jitters was a revenue forecast cut from AI cloud provider CoreWeave over a contract delay that sent its stock down 9%. Drumbeats of an AI bubble grew louder in recent weeks after Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs CEOs warned equities could be heading to a drawdown, while hedge fund manager Michael Burry, known for shorts on the U.S. housing market ahead of the 2008 crash, bet against Nvidia and Palantir. Several analysts said the sale suggested Son - one of tech's most audacious investors - sees the blistering rally that turned Nvidia into the first $5 trillion company last month cooling after a more than 1,200% surge in the past three years. But a few of them pointed to SoftBank's patchy record managing its Nvidia holdings. The company, by some estimates, missed out on a more than $100 billion rally in Nvidia shares by selling it off in 2019 before the AI boom took off, only to later buy the chipmaker's shares again. "As for timing, cannot say Masayoshi Son has been great with his trading of Nvidia shares," said C J Muse, senior managing director at Cantor Fitzgerald. "It appears simply resource allocation finding funds to make bets elsewhere." OPENAI FOCUS, SON'S GROWING WARCHEST Along with the Nvidia share sale, SoftBank sold around $9.2 billion worth of shares in T-Mobile, providing Son with a larger money chest to stamp his influence on an industry hungry for the capital and chips needed to fund the pursuit of AI technology that can match or surpass human intelligence. "By cashing in now, he's securing the capital needed to double down on his conviction in AI applications and the super-scaled infrastructure behind them, OpenAI, Oracle and the Stargate project," said Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital Advisors. This story was originally published on Packaging Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Packaging Dive newsletter. Following a series of M&A deals and executive shifts, Sonoco is restructuring its business units again and naming new segment leaders. Sonoco is consolidating its metal packaging and rigid paper containers businesses under one structure less than two years after making those two of the companys four core business segments, alongside industrial packaging and the thermoformed and flexibles unit. Sonoco divested the flex-therm business to Toppan Holdings for $1.8 billion in April. In June, the company confirmed it would invest millions of dollars into four U.S. facilities to expand manufacturing of its rigid paper cans with paper bottoms. Headshots of Sean Cairns and Ernest Haynes, both leaders at Sonoco. The newly combined metal and RPC segment will be based on two geographies: consumer packaging in EMEA/APAC and the Americas. Sean Cairns has been named President of Consumer Packaging for EMEA/APAC and will report to Sonoco CEO Howard Coker. Ernest Haynes has been named President of Consumer Packaging for the Americas and also will report to Coker. Cairns previously was the global president for RPCs as of 2022, and he joined the company in 2008 after working for Crowns Metal Packaging EMEA business for 13 years. Haynes previously was president of Sonoco Metal Packaging NA as of 2022 and joined the company in 1997. With these leadership announcements, Chief Operating Officer Rodger Fuller will step back from his temporary position as Interim CEO of Metal Packaging EMEA. He assumed the dual role in June upon the death of that groups leader, Tomas Lopez. Lopez previously was CEO at Switzerland-based metal packaging company Eviosys and had served as head of Sonocos Metal Packaging EMEA since December 2024 when Sonoco acquired Eviosys for $3.8 billion. The Eviosys acquisition supported Sonocos heightened focus on metal packaging production. The companys business unit restructuring in early 2024 underscored that focus, as did the acquisition of Ball Metalpack in 2022. Another footprint change was finalized earlier this month when Sonoco announced it completed the divestiture of its ThermoSafe temperature-controlled packaging business to private equity investment firm Arsenal Capital Partners for a total purchase price of up to $725 million. Other recent executive changes include Sonoco hiring Paul Joachimczyk to be CFO as of June 30, following the departure of former CFO Rob Dillard amid a leadership shakeup in January. In July, Joachimczyk spoke during his first Sonoco earnings call as CFO. Sony's logo is seen at the Japanese electronics group's booth at the CES technology trade show in Las Vegas. Andrej Sokolow/dpa Sony reported on Tuesday higher profit and revenue for the first half of its fiscal year and raised its full-year forecast through March 2026. The Japanese conglomerate posted net income attributable to shareholders of 598.88 billion yen ($3.8 billion) for the six months ended September 30, up from 570.13 billion yen a year earlier. Earnings per share rose to 99.22 yen from 93.53 yen. Sony has reclassified its Financial Services segment as a discontinued operation following the partial spin-off of Sony Financial Group Inc on October 1. Excluding discontinued operations, net income attributable to shareholders increased 13.7% to 570.45 billion yen, or 94.51 yen per share, compared with 501.91 billion yen, or 82.34 yen per share, a year ago. Operating income climbed 20.4% to 768.93 billion yen, while sales from continuing operations grew 3.5% to 5.73 trillion yen. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, Sony expects net income attributable to shareholders to ease 1.6% year-on-year to 1.05 trillion yen. Operating income is forecast to rise 12% to 1.43 trillion yen, with revenue projected to edge down 0.3% to 12 trillion yen. The company previously expected net income attributable to shareholders to decline 9.1% year-on-year to 970 billion yen, operating income to rise 4.2% to 1.33 trillion yen, and revenue to decrease 2.8% to 11.70 trillion yen. Standard Chartered has chosen Hong Kong as the linchpin for its global push towards digital finance and blockchain as it aims for larger returns and to stay ahead of the technology curve. In an interview with the South China Morning Post on 10 November 2025, CEO Bill Winters explained that Hong Kongs open-mindedness and experimental approach towards crypto regulations make it a great place to build new blockchain-based financial tools. Further to that, he highlighted the Hong Kong Monetary Authoritys (HKMA) pilot projects in this sector, including tokenized deposits, digital currencies for banks, and stablecoins, as proof that regulators in the city are encouraging innovation while keeping investors safe. Were going to remain ahead on digital technology, and what we lose in margin, were going to make up in volume by providing a better service to our customers, Winters said. EXPLORE: Top 20 Crypto to Buy in 2025 Fintech 2030: Hong Kong Launches 5 Year Plan To Boost Innovation Hong Kong is stepping up. It aims to become a global leader in digital finance. Shoot for the stars, I say, if not a global leader, then surely a regional leader in the coming years. Last week, HKMA introduced its five-year plan called Fintech 2030 to speed up innovation within the citys financial sector. The strategy revolves around four key areas, including data and payments, artificial intelligence, resilience, and tokenization. Together, it is known as the DART framework and is designed by the authorities as a guide for the next phase of fintech growth in Hong Kong. Additionally, the plan includes 40 new programs focused on bringing in new tech, improving cybersecurity, and broadening access to financial services so that it is available to all. If successful, these efforts could help the industry generate more than $600Bn in revenue by 2032. At the same time, regulators are making it easier to trade digital assets. Julia Leung, Chief Executive of the Securities and Futures Commission, said, Licensed crypto exchanges in Hong Kong will soon be allowed to link with global order books. Meaning, local platforms can access more trading volume and attract bigger investors. Meanwhile, Standard Chartered has heavily involved itself in Hong Kongs sandboxes, a testing ground for new blockchain technology. Winters believes that blockchain can make financial transactions cheaper and more efficient. Ultimately, people will prioritise moving money securely, efficiently and cheaply, he said. Financial markets always find a way. The itsy-bitsy SPDR went off the ETF. The company behind the worlds first ETF recently removed SPDR from 15 funds and replaced it with State Street. It also added State Street to dozens of others without trimming SPDR from the name. The changes follow the companys wider rebranding earlier this year, when it switched from State Street Global Advisors, which it often abbreviated as SSGA, to State Street Investment Management. There was potentially some confusion in the market. Whats SSGA? Whats a global advisor? Allison Bonds Mazza, head of US Wealth at State Street Investment Management, told ETF Upside at the Charles Schwab Impact conference in Denver. We were trying to create some clarity around the brand. SUBSCRIBE: Receive more of our free ETF Upside newsletter. READ ALSO: What Dimensionals Dual-Share-Class Approval Means for Advisors and Why CLO ETFs Are Picking Up Steam World Wide Web A fun (but sadly inaccurate) myth is that a person is almost never more than three feet from a spider. It might be truer that in a crowd, someones near a person whose portfolio includes SPDR ETFs. State Street is the third-largest ETF issuer by assets, with about $1.8 trillion across 175 US products. The firm brought the first US ETF to market in 1993, with the S&P 500 Depository Receipt, which is where the SPDR acronym comes from. Of course, that product is today known as the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and at $700 billion in assets under management is the companys largest and the third-biggest in the US. Unlike most of the companies awaiting approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission for ETF share classes of mutual funds, State Street is going the other way, with plans to roll out 401(k)-friendly mutual fund share classes of its ETFs, Bonds Mazza noted. That would give the company a massive new distribution opportunity for the popular, low-cost retail strategies currently available only as ETFs. Its not the first time State Street has renamed a range of ETFs: Back in 2007, the company brought its streetTracks line of ETFs under the SPDR name. That, like this years rebranding, was intended to make the products more identifiable with State Street, according to a Reuters report at the time. SPY vs. SPYM SPY was not affected by the rounds of name changes, although its cousin, the State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM), was. This year, there has been plenty of attention on SPY, which has seen more than $20 billion in net outflows year to date, according to data from VettaFi, as rivals like iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) have raked in new money, at $32 billion and $105 billion, respectively. But that story has ignored the growth of SPYM, which charges 2 basis points compared with SPYs 9 but has a different use case, Bonds Mazza said. Year to date, that ETF has brought in $30 billion. Madison Investments, an investment advisor, released its Madison Large Cap Fund third-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund decreased 2.2% in the third quarter compared to an 8.1% gain for the S&P 500 Index. The current market focus on short-term profits led the fund to underperform the benchmark considerably in the quarter. In addition, please check the funds top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025. In its third-quarter 2025 investor letter, Madison Large Cap Fund highlighted stocks such as Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH). Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) manufactures motion and control technologies and systems for mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets. The one-month return of Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) was 14.14%, and its shares gained 20.21% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On November 10, 2025, Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) stock closed at $840.63 per share, with a market capitalization of $106.076 billion. Madison Large Cap Fund stated the following regarding Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) in its third quarter 2025 investor letter: "The top five contributors for the quarter were Alphabet, Lowes, TJX, Brookfield Corporation, and Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH). Rounding out the top five contributors is diversified industrial company Parker-Hannifin, which continues to report strong results in its aerospace segment, accompanied by company-wide margin improvements." Is Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH) the Best Dividend King to Buy for Safe Dividend Growth? Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. According to our database, 51 hedge fund portfolios held Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) at the end of the second quarter, the same as in the previous quarter. In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) delivered record sales of $5.1 billion, reflecting an organic growth of 5%. While we acknowledge the potential of Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) 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 Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) and shared ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Strategy'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. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Volume Growth: 7% increase in total shipped volumes compared to Q3 last year. Revenue: Increased by 50% to $62.7 million from $41.2 million in Q3 2024. Cost of Sales: $56.3 million, up 59% year over year. Gross Profit: $6.4 million, consistent with the prior year. Net Income: $216,000 compared to a net loss of $791,000 in Q3 2024. Adjusted EBITDA: $3.3 million, up 52% year over year. Operating Expenses: Increased 16% year over year to $4.2 million. Green Coffee Costs: Average of $3.37 per pound, up 37% from $2.46 per pound in Q3 last year. Cash Position: $3.9 million in cash at quarter end compared to $8.5 million at the end of 2024. Debt Repayments: Total of $11.9 million in Q3. Inventory Balance: Increased slightly to $51.4 million in the third quarter. Release Date: November 07, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Inc (SWSSF) reported a 7% increase in volume growth compared to Q3 last year, driven by strong demand for their chemical-free decaffeinated coffee. The company achieved improved profitability through effective pricing, cost management, and favorable foreign exchange movements. Their inventory management strategy has been successful, allowing them to meet customer needs consistently and maintain strong customer relationships. Q3 revenue increased by 50% to $62.7 million, primarily due to higher volumes and elevated coffee prices. The company made significant progress in debt reduction, enhancing financial flexibility and strengthening the balance sheet. Negative Points The coffee futures market remains extremely volatile, with ongoing cost pressures due to market inversion. There is a persistent timing difference in hedge positions, leading to short-term financial impacts. Shipments to roasters decreased by 4% in the third quarter, reflecting a shift in customer ordering patterns. Operating expenses increased by 16% year over year, driven by higher non-cash stock-based compensation. The company faces challenges from Brazilian tariffs, causing supply chain disruptions and necessitating adjustments in coffee sourcing. Q & A Highlights Q: Can you expand on the impact of Brazilian tariffs and how it affects your operations? A: Frank Dennis, President and CEO, explained that the 50% tariff on Brazilian coffee entering the US is causing roasters to seek alternatives from countries like Uganda, Vietnam, and Central America. This shift is rearranging supply chains and blends. Some roasters are avoiding Brazilian coffee, while others maintain their blends and adjust pricing. The tariff has led to Brazilian coffee being redirected to markets like China and Russia, and more Brazilian coffee is being roasted in Canada. Swiss Water is adjusting its supply strategy to include more Central American coffee for the US market. At the F3: Future of Freight Festival, Kevin Nolan sat down with FreightWaves CEO and founder, Craig Fuller, to discuss his success in creating multi-billion dollar companies. Nolan, founder of Sope Creek Capital, shared his journey through the challenging landscapes of the logistics industry and offered a glimpse into his strategic approach toward entrepreneurship and investment. Nolans entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of Nolan Transportation Group (NTG) and OTR Solutions. These companies have become significant players in freight logistics, and Nolan says thats because he focused on building robust infrastructure and hiring top talent. Almost nothing is more important than team dynamics, according to Nolan. Its who you surround yourself with in order to build great businesses, Nolan said. Recognizing the potential to help other burgeoning entrepreneurs, Nolan launched Sope Creek Capital, a family office based in Atlanta, Georgia. Sope Creek Capital aims to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs by offering both capital and mentorship. We are here to not only provide flexible capital but also to guide and support entrepreneurs as they navigate their business journeys, Nolan said. Sope Creek Capitals Investment Strategy and Philosophy At the core of Sope Creek Capitals strategy is the belief in investing in companies that are at inflection points in their business lifecycle, particularly those in the logistics and transportation sectors. Our experience allows us to be a true value-add partner, Nolan said. The firms approach is comprehensive. Sope Creek Capital combines financial support with strategic guidance drawn from Nolans vast experience in scaling companies. Although the logistics space is where Sope Creek Capital tends to focus, the firms investments do extend into other fields. They pursue a diversified investment portfolio, including sectors like technology and financial services. Were grounded in freight but open to transformational ideas across sectors, Nolan noted during the chat. Nolan says hes on the lookout for startups that aim to solve critical problems in the marketplace and bring innovative solutions to the logistics landscape. We look for founders who are passionate, who have stood in the trenches, and who are determined to make a significant impact, Nolan said. Sope Creek Capital seeks to partner with entrepreneurs capable of leveraging unique market positions. For instance, OTR Solutions evolved from a simple capital provider to a comprehensive service firm offering solutions like a fuel card network to assist small trucking companies. TC Energy Corporation TRP reported third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 56 cents per share, which came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.This performance was driven by robust results from the companys Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines, U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines and Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines segments. However, the bottom line decreased from 76 cents reported in the year-ago period. This year-over-year underperformance can be attributed to weak results in the Power and Energy Solutions segment. This North Americas energy infrastructure provider's quarterly revenues of $3.7 billion outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by $49 million. However, the figure decreased 10.1% year over year. TC Energys comparable EBITDA was C$2.7 billion, down from C$2.8 billion in the prior year. Moreover, the figure missed our estimate of C$2.8 billion. TRPs board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 85 Canadian cents per common share for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2025, translating to an annualized dividend rate of $3.40. TC Energy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise TC Energy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise TC Energy Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | TC Energy Corporation Quote TRPs Segmental Information Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines reported a comparable EBITDA of C$913 million, up 8% from the year-ago quarters level. This was driven by increased contributions from Coastal GasLink. However, the figure missed our estimate of C$979 million. The company reported continued growth across the Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines, with deliveries on its Natural Gas Pipelines averaging 23.0 Bcf/d, up 2% from the third quarter of 2024. It also noted that NGTL system receipts averaged 14.0 Bcf/d, reflecting a 1% year-over-year increase. U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines reported a comparable EBITDA of C$1,062 million, indicating a 6% increase from the prior-year quarters actual. The rise in U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines comparable EBITDA was mainly driven by higher earnings from Columbia Gas, supported by increased transportation rates that took effect on April 1, 2025, pending final approval in the ongoing rate case. The company also benefited from incremental earnings from newly placed projects and additional contract sales. Additionally, the figure beat our estimate of C$980.1 million. The company reported that its U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines segment continued to operate at stable levels, with average daily flows of 26.3 Bcf/d, essentially unchanged from the third quarter of 2024. It also noted a surge in LNG-related activity, as deliveries to LNG facilities averaged 3.7 Bcf/d, up 15% year over year, and reached a new peak of 4.0 Bcf on Aug. 7, 2025. A key lawmaker has announced that the House of Representatives will formally consider a stock trading ban once the government reopens, but it will be done in a way that creates uncertainty about when (or perhaps even if) lawmakers will face an up-or-down vote on the issue. "Speaker Johnson has notified me that as soon as we return and the government is reopened, the bill to ban insider trading is going to be marked up in committee," Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida recently posted. Luna is part of a group of lawmakers pushing a measure to ban all lawmaker trading and called the move "a big win for America." But a committee hearing is a significantly less dramatic step than Luna was threatening months ago. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, is seen during an event at the newly renovated Rose Garden of the White House in September. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images It was back in September before the shutdown intervened that Luna set a deadline of the end of that month before she said she'd seek to force an immediate and full House vote through what is called a discharge petition, which bypasses leadership. A spokesperson for Luna didn't respond to questions Tuesday about when the committee hearing might take place and whether a discharge petition could still be an option if the bill stalls at the committee level. Even as lawmakers themselves are split on the issue, polls indicate overwhelming public support for banning insider trading. One survey this summer from the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy found 86% of Americans backed a ban. And public opinion has only appeared to harden this year after a series of reports have highlighted an elevated number of stock transactions by Congress members around tariff-fueled market fluctuations earlier this year. In particular, when markets plunged in the wake of President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs announcement in April, some lawmakers and their families made hundreds of stock trades positioning themselves to benefit when the market rebounded. That public support has powered a bipartisan coalition in support of a ban. Luna is signed on to a measure called the Restore Trust in Congress Act, which would implement a ban on members of Congress, their spouses, their dependent children, and their trustees from owning, buying, or selling individual stocks, securities, commodities, or futures. The bill is being led by a Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas and a Democrat Rep. Seth Magaziner of Rhode Island and was unveiled in September with a cross-section of supporters. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Tim Burchett of Tennessee two lawmakers who agree on little appeared at the press conference with Luna and others unveiling the bill and even shared a fist bump. Star Treks Captain Kirk called space the final frontier. For ETFs, its just the latest one. Tidal Financial Group filed last week for approval of its Beyond Earth ETF, an actively managed fund investing in companies that specialize in space exploration, launch services and satellite technology. The fund will focus mainly on public suppliers, clients and competitors of privately held SpaceX, and would likely hold SpaceX shares if the company ever goes public. If launched, Beyond Earth will join a small but strong group of space-themed ETFs, all up roughly 40% or more this year. SUBSCRIBE: Receive more of our free ETF Upside newsletter. READ ALSO: What Dimensionals Dual-Share-Class Approval Means for Advisors and Why CLO ETFs Are Picking Up Steam Ground Control to Major Tom The space industry remains largely government-funded, but opportunities for investors are expanding as commercialization accelerates. The next decade is poised to be the most active in space since the Apollo program, Janus Henderson said in a recent post, citing NASAs Artemis II moon orbit mission next year and plans to replace the International Space Station starting in 2030. Growth drivers include satellite communications, defense technologies and manufacturing. As for ETFs, performance has been stellar: ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX) is up 46% year to date, trading at $28.50 per share, according to Morningstar data. Procure Space ETF (UFO), which has posted 47% gain this year, is trading at $34.40 per share. State Street SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETF (ROKT) has surged 37% this year to roughly $77.50 per share. Sitting in a Tin Can: Performance, however, isnt everything, and the funds AUMs tell a different story. UFO holds about $150 million in assets, ROKT just $33 million, and ARKX, the largest, about $450 million. Despite its space label, ARKXs top holdings include not only Rocket Lab but also Palantir, Amazon and Nvidia. This is where it gets a little gray and fuzzy with thematic ETFs, said Dan Sotiroff, senior research analyst at Morningstar. They often hold companies performing well for reasons only tangentially related to the theme. He added that thematic ETFs tend to be speculative, more a bet on future sector growth than current fundamentals. Over a long period 10 or 15 years only about 10% of thematic funds outperform a global market index, Sotiroff said. This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive exclusive news and analysis of the rapidly evolving ETF landscape, built for advisors and capital allocators, subscribe to our free ETF Upside newsletter. AMSTERDAM, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TradeZero has officially launched TradeZero Europe B.V. ("TradeZero Europe"), marking a significant expansion of the internationally recognized brokerage into the European market. Headquartered in Amsterdam and operating under a MiFID investment firm license issued in the Netherlands, the new entity provides Dutch traders with direct access to U.S. equities and options through TradeZero's professional-grade platform, offering a USD-denominated environment where no exchange rate conversions are applied to individual trades. TradeZero's per-share commission model aligns costs directly with trade size, providing a genuinely transparent structure that scales proportionally with each execution rather than applying flat or notional-based fees, which may penalize active traders. TradeZero Expands into Europe (PRNewsfoto/TradeZero) The launch underscores TradeZero's mission to broaden access to advanced trading capabilities for active traders and investors. Through TradeZero Europe, clients gain access to unique platform features, pre- and post-market sessions, and true bi-directional trading beyond standard trading hours, elements that have earned strong praise from active traders globally. "With the launch of TradeZero Europe, we're delivering on our mission to empower active traders with institutional-grade tools," said Dan Pipitone, Co-Founder & CEO of TradeZero Holding Corp. "From our new base in Amsterdam, traders can now access U.S. equities with real-time data, intuitive software, and our proprietary short locate tools." "This launch is the result of a long and dedicated journey," said Michiel Lerou, CEO of TradeZero Europe B.V. "Securing our MiFID license was a major milestone made possible by an incredible team working across disciplines and time zones. We're proud to serve traders in the Netherlands and look forward to expanding our services across Europe in the coming months." "TradeZero Europe operates with robust systems and rigorous controls, striving to meet the highest industry standards," added Lerou, "and provides customer support 24/7 to assist traders across all time zones." TradeZero Holding Corp., through its subsidiaries including TradeZero Europe, offers self-directed electronic trading in U.S. securities. This material is provided for informational purposes only, not investment advice. Trading in securities involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Margin trading, short selling, and options trading carry a high level of risk and can result in losses exceeding your initial investment. Investors should assess whether such activities are appropriate for their experience and financial situation. Before trading options, review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options (ODD) available from the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) . The medical technology sector has long been characterised as the steady, reliable engine of the life sciences world. A sector offering consistent growth, without the wild volatility and boom-or-bust narratives of biotech or the frothy hype of digital health, it may be seen by some as vanilla, but it also has the benefit of being robust. In a turbulent global economy caused by Trumps tariffs, the war in Ukraine and friction between the west and China, medtech is now driving a transformative trend: the concentration of massive, lumpy investment capital, exemplified by deals like the recently reported $18bn privatisation of Hologic by the private equity giants Blackstone and TPG. However, this influx of capital is not being distributed evenly across the globe. Instead, a geographic disparity is emerging, with the US acting as a powerful magnet for this lumpier investment, while the UK and Europe struggle to keep pace. This transatlantic investment gap is not an accident, but the logical outcome of a US ecosystem that is structurally optimised for scaling high-growth companies, while the European and UK systems, despite world-class science, remain fragmented and risk-averse. The scale of the US capital markets, the depth of its private equity pools, and an investor mindset geared towards ambitious scaling create a fertile ground for such transactions. In contrast, the UK and European financial ecosystems are simply failing to keep pace. A structural funding deficit The US venture capital fund is nearly twice the size of its European counterpart, with a recent analysis showing eight times more capital available for growth-stage companies in the US. This initial disadvantage compounds over time. A 2025 analysis highlighted that US VC funds achieved double the returns of those in the UK. This performance gap creates a self-reinforcing cycle higher returns attract more capital, which enables bigger bets, which in turn generates more outsized returns. European investors, often facing more risk-averse mandates and a less unified market, have historically struggled to achieve the same speed and scale of returns. A promising UK or European medtech startup might successfully navigate early-stage funding with seed and Series A rounds. However, when it comes to the capital-intensive phase of scaling conducting large-scale clinical trials, building out commercial teams, and expanding into global markets the local funding environment often falls short. As a result, successful startups are forced to seek later-stage capital from the US. This frequently necessitates a Delaware flip restructuring the company as a US entity to appeal to American investors who are more familiar and comfortable with their own corporate and legal structures. President Donald Trump appeared to attempt to drum up support for his increasingly unpopular reciprocal tariff regimewhich was challenged in the nations highest court last weekby dangling the promise of hefty dividend checks for American citizens paid for with revenue from the duties. In an early morning Truth Social post on Monday, Trump dinged tariff detractors using familiar epithets, writing that the United States has been raking in trillions of dollars in duties that will be used to pay down the ballooning national debt (now worth about $37 trillion). In addition, [a] dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone. More from Sourcing Journal Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told ABC that the specifics of the massive payout to Americans hadnt yet been discussed by officials in depth. But he seemed to temper the presidents claim, saying, The $2,000 dividend could come in lots of forms, in lots of ways. You know, it could be just the tax decreases that we are seeing on the presidents agendayou know, no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security, deductibility of auto loans. So, no checks in the mail (a la Covid-19 stimulus), according to the countrys chief of finance. The presidents restlessness over the fate of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs has been on display since they faced harsh scrutiny in a long-awaited Supreme Court hearing last Wednesday. Conservative judges evinced similar doubts to their liberal counterparts about the presidents authority to wield the wide-ranging duties against more than 100 U.S. trading partners, and a number of the justices equated tariffs to taxes on Americans, which only Congress has the power to impose. Solicitor General D. John Sauer also appeared to contradict the presidents oft-repeated justification for the tariffs: that they will line the countrys coffers and Make America Rich Again, so to speak. Seeking to draw a line in the sand between tariffs and taxes, Sauer said the revenue raised by the duties is purely incidental, and that their primary function is to regulate foreign commerce. That assertion drew dubious replies from the justices. In questioning both Sauer and the lawyers for the petitioners, the justices sought to clarify whether IEEPA indicates or implies that tariffs can be used as a tool by the president in the event of an unusual and extraordinary threat from a source outside the U.S. The statute does not include the words tariffs or duties, the solicitor general admitted, though it does say the president can regulate imports and exports. Throughout the 69 instances that IEEPA has been leveraged since it was established in 1977, no other Commander in Chief has used it to impose tariffs. AP Beef prices in America are at record highs. Since February of 2020, the cost of both ground beef and steak has risen by more than 50% leaving many Americans worried about the affordability of a basic food staple. As a result, the President himself told cattle ranchers last month to get their prices down. To be fair, part of the problem is structural. Recent drought has saddled ranchers with higher feed costs that discourage them from raising new cattle and instead encourage them to liquidate their herds. Rebuilding takes time. But when prices are high, theres also an incentive to keep thinning. As one Nebraska rancher put it, We can make just as much money with fewer cattle, better genetics, than we can with having a sload of cows running around. This reality has reduced Americas cattle herd to its lowest level since Harry Trumans presidency and prompted President Trump to take action by increasing imports, particularly from Argentina, of low cost, quality ground beef. Predictably, domestic ranchers have responded with a wave of opposition, driven by the hope that restricting supply will keep domestic prices and short-term profits high. But that approach risks long-term harm to the very ranchers pushing it. There are effectively three markets for beef: choice and prime cuts for domestic consumers, high-value exports to Asia, and ground beef. The first two are dominated by American producers, who hold a natural advantage. Given the choice between an American or Brazilian steak, consumers will pick American beef every time. The same is true in Japan, Korea, and other export destinations, where U.S. producers have built premium brands over decades. The ground beef market, however, functions differently. Most American cattle tend to produce rich, high-fat cuts prized for steaks, which must be blended with lean beef to make the ground beef products that fill grocery store shelves. That lean component, however, often comes from imported beef from Argentina, Brazil, and other South American suppliers. And without those imports, domestic processors would face an imbalance of too much fat trim and too little lean beef that would force them to divert valuable trimmings into the low-value tallow market at a loss. By allowing low-cost, high-quality ground beef to enter from South America, President Trump is helping to restore balance across all three markets. He is also protecting both U.S. cattlemens margins and consumers pocketbooks by targeting two Brazilian meat packing companies JBS and Marfrig Global (which owns National Beef) that have attempted to unsuccessfully curry favor with the Administration while exploiting American markets and crushing competition. Ihor Kolomoyskyi, one of the Ukrainian billionaires found liable for fraud, is currently in pre-trial detention in Kyiv for a different crime - Global Images Ukraine Two Ukrainian oligarchs have been told to pay $3bn (2.3bn) in damages to the countrys largest bank following an eight-year fraud battle at Londons High Court. On Monday, Ihor Kolomoisky and Gennadiy Bogolyubov were ordered to repay the funds to state-owned lender PrivatBank after a judge ruled they took part in a fraud of Byzantine complexity. The case saw the two former billionaires extract $1.8bn from PrivatBank through a series of fraudulent loans between 2013 and 2014 while they controlled the lender as the banks two largest shareholders. Under the terms of Mondays ruling, Mr Kolomoisky and Mr Bogolyubov must repay the money plus $1.2bn in interest and $100m in legal fees. The judgment ends a long running legal battle which started when PrivatBank first sued the pair in 2017. Both men had denied the claims. The former billionaires first started PrivatBank in 1992 as one of the first privately-owned banks to open in Ukraine following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Its success helped the duo rise to prominence in Ukraine, as they built a business empire through their PrivatGroup holding company by acquiring interests in everything from TV channels to utility companies. Gennadiy Bogolyubov, pictured, extracted $1.8bn from PrivatBank, alongside Ihor Kolomoisky, through a series of fraudulent loans - Paparazzza The pair pitched PrivatBank as specifically suited for the new class entrepreneurs that had emerged in Ukraine in the wild nineties, before leading it to become the largest banks in the country by the early-2000s. However, PrivatBank was later nationalised by Petro Poroshenkos government in 2016 as part of a clean-up of Ukraines finance industry and in response to wider concerns about the way Mr Kolomoisky and Mr Bogolyubov were running the lender. PrivatBank first took action to freeze the pairs assets in 2017. The High Court later halted the trial in 2022 at the outbreak of the Ukraine war, on the grounds that Russias invasion had hindered their ability to prepare their cases. That case was restarted in June 2023. It emerged during the case that the pair had syphoned billions out of the bank by issuing fake loans to offshore companies that they secretly controlled. Mr Bugolyubov now lives in Switzerland with his family, having formerly lived in a mansion on Londons Belgrave Square. Mr Kolomoisky is currently in pre-trial detention in Kyiv, having been charged with hiring criminals to murder one of his business rivals in Crimea in 2003. 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. UniCredit has reportedly appealed to Italys highest court, Consiglio di Stato (Council of State), over the governments conditions on its failed bid to acquire Banco BPM. The appeal follows a previous legal challenge in a lower court, where UniCredit achieved only a partially favourable outcome. The Italian government demanded that UniCredit exit its operations in Russia, a point confirmed by the court ruling that the bank is now contesting. Led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the government has interpreted UniCredits legal action as a hostile act, Reuters reported. The bank initially challenged the government's decision, citing the need for more legal clarity regarding the imposed conditions. UniCredit abandoned its 15bn all-share offer for Banco BPM in July this year, attributing the decision to government intervention. Yesterday was the last day for UniCredit to submit its appeal after earlier deadlines passed in recent weeks. Italian daily La Repubblica first reported that the bank was considering this legal step. This dispute comes as Italys government uses a special power to review and veto corporate deals in strategic sectors, which faces scrutiny from European regulators. The European Commission is expected to ask the Italian government later this month to overturn its decision on the Banco BPM bid and revise the legislation. In recent weeks, Italian officials have held discussions with UniCredit, urging the bank to refrain from legal action ahead of the anticipated EU intervention. Also, some of UniCredits board members are looking to use the legal appeal to seek compensation from the government in future, the publication said. Last month, UniCredit raised its stake in Greeces Alpha Bank to approximately 29.5%, following approval from the European Central Bank. "UniCredit appeals to Italys top court over BPM bid conditions" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Vale (NYSE:VALE) is setting its sights on India as the next big growth story in steel. CEO Gustavo Pimenta told Reuters that while China's steel production has flattened at around 1 billion metric tons a year, India's demand is just getting started and Vale wants to be ready. India has 1.6 billion people, has surpassed China, and needs massive infrastructure investments which means a lot of steel, Pimenta said. He expects India's steelmaking capacity to double to nearly 300 million tons in the next five to seven years. Vale's premium iron ore, he added, mixes well with India's lower-grade supply, making the partnership a natural fit. This year, India is expected to import 10 million tons of Vale's ore up from almost nothing a few years ago. China still accounts for about 60% of Vale's sales, but the momentum is clearly shifting. Pimenta also pointed to rising demand from Vietnam, where sales could reach 8 million tons in 2025. Asia's steel story isn't slowing, he said. It's just moving south. Visa and Mastercard have reached a revised $38bn settlement with US merchants who allege that the card networks imposed excessive charges for processing credit card payments, reported Reuters. The case, spanning two decades, centres on allegations that the card networks and associated banks conspired to overcharge businesses through so-called swipe fees for credit card transactions. The proposed deal follows a previous $30bn settlement offer that was rejected in June last year by US District Judge Margo Brodie, who found it insufficient. Approval from Brodie is required for the new agreement to take effect. Retail trade group in the US, National Retail Federation (NRF), and the Merchants Payments Coalition have voiced that the agreement still leaves businesses paying disproportionately high charges, particularly on widely used rewards cards. According to NRF, swipe fees reached $111.2bn in the US last year, an increase from $100.8bn in 2023. As per the settlement, the two card companies would reduce swipe fees, averaging 2.35% in 2024 and usually ranging between 2% and 2.5%, by 0.1% point over five years. Reuters said that merchants would also be allowed flexibility over the categories of US-issued cards they accept, including premium consumer cards, business cards, as well as standard consumer cards. The settlement includes an eight-year cap on standard consumer card rates at 1.25%, representing a decrease of over 25%. Additionally, merchants would gain expanded rights to impose surcharges on card payments, with a court filing highlighting an unfettered ability to levy up to a 3% charge. Economists Joseph Stiglitz and Keith Leffler, retained by merchant plaintiffs, estimated that halting the upward spiral in swipe fees is expected to save merchants $38bn by 2031. The card firms did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the proposed resolution. Brodie noted that the proposed fee reductions would not lower costs to the levels expected if there had been no antitrust breaches. The judge described the projected $6bn in yearly savings for merchants as insignificant compared to the potential sums Visa and Mastercard could continue to collect. Plaintiff merchants argue that the new settlement addresses these issues and continues to challenge anti-steering rules that limit their ability to guide customers toward lower-cost payment options. Supporters of the revised accord include the Electronic Payments Coalition, comprising card networks and major banks such as Capital One, Bank of America, Chase and Citibank. "Visa, Mastercard agree to $38bn settlement over merchant fee dispute" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand. This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter. Visa and Mastercard have agreed to end their longstanding honor all cards rule and temporarily lower interchange fees as part of a settlement agreement announced Monday that could conclude 20 years of litigation over how much merchants pay the card networks and banks. Under the proposed settlement, merchants will have the right to decline some higher-cost Visa and Mastercard-branded credit cards and will gain new rights to add surcharges for accepting some cards. The agreement would temporarily cap posted credit interchange rates for five years, including keeping rates for standard consumer cards at 1.25% through the pact's eight-year term, starting with the court's approval. Visa and Mastercard said the settlement also would lower the combined average effective credit interchange rate by ten basis points for five years. A scuttled agreement from 2024 would have reduced fee rates by seven basis points for five years. The new settlement also calls for a $21 million merchant education program to inform the merchants about payment acceptance and cost management. After more than 20 years of litigation, Visa and Mastercard have reached a proposed settlement with U.S. merchants of all sizes that would provide meaningful relief, more flexibility and options to control how they accept payments from their customers, Visa said Monday in an emailed statement. Mastercard said the proposal will benefit smaller merchants, highlighting a critical reason that a federal judge rejected a prior settlement in June 2024. U.S. District Judge Margo Brodie ruled that that deal did not treat all merchants within the class equitably in terms of their rights to impose surcharges. The agreement is the best resolution for all parties, delivering the clarity, flexibility and consumer protections that were sought in this effort, Mastercard said in a statement. Smaller merchants will gain in this settlement more acceptance choices, reduced costs and simplified rules. The National Association of Convenience Stores criticized the deal as more smoke and mirrors in a statement Sunday. This proposed settlement endorses business as usual, including by letting Visa and Mastercard increase their own fees without any restraints, said Lyle Beckwith, the associations senior vice president of government relations. That could erase the benefits that this settlement pretends to provide. Wealthspire Advisors has agreed to acquire RoundAngle Advisors, a registered investment advisory firm based in New Jersey. Financial specifics of the deal remain undisclosed. The acquisition is part of Wealthspires plan to work with advisory teams that prioritise long-term client relationships and customised financial planning. RoundAngle Advisors was founded by Jonathan Bernstein and has been providing financial planning services to households for more than ten years. Following the acquisition, Bernstein, alongside Nela Diaz and Deirdre (Dee) DeRosa, will continue to manage the practice and assist clients. The team will be able to draw on Wealthspires broader resources and national platform while maintaining RoundAngles established approach. Bernstein said: For us, this partnership represents a natural evolution. Our mission has always been to provide families with thoughtful guidance through all of lifes stages, and joining Wealthspire enables us to continue that work while adding depth and support so we can focus on what matters most our clients. With this deal, clients will gain access to additional support in areas including estate planning, tax matters and investment research to complement RoundAngles style of tailored advice. Wealthspire CEO Mike LaMena commented: Jonathan and his team exemplify the care and professionalism that define Wealthspire. Their long-term focus and personalised planning approach aligns seamlessly with how we serve families. This partnership also deepens our presence in the Tri-State area and continues our strategy of supporting advisors who lead with empathy, integrity, and client-first values. Were proud to welcome the RoundAngle team. Wealthspire Advisors currently serves a range of clients including private individuals, families, non-profit organisations, and institutions across the US, Canada and the UK. The company employs over 1,200 people in more than 40 locations and manages assets exceeding $580bn. "Wealthspire Advisors signs deal to acquire RoundAngle Advisors " was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. Key Points Tightened U.S. sanctions on Russian oil are pushing up oil prices. Russian oil major Lukoil has declared force majeure on shipments from its West Qurna-2 oil field in Iraq. Oil prices are rising today, but remain within a price band so far this November. 10 stocks we like better than ConocoPhillips ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) stock jumped 3.3% through 11:05 a.m. ET Tuesday, and it's not hard to guess why. New U.S. sanctions on Russian oil, combined with Russian oil major Lukoil declaring force majeure and canceling shipments from its West Qurna-2 oil field in Iraq, have oil prices marching higher. According to Oilprice.com, both West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent crude prices spiked 1.3% today, and higher prices are pulling oil stock prices higher along with them. Image source: Getty Images. Oil prices WTI crude prices are flirting with $61 a barrel, while Brent crude, the international benchmark, approaches $65 a barrel. That's not enough to erase the steep slide in oil prices experienced since 2025 began, but it's a good 6% more than Brent crude fetched as recently as mid-October. Oil investors should perhaps not get too excited about these developments, however. As Oilprice points out, Brent crude "has been trading within the $63 to $66 per barrel so far in November, a very narrow bandwidth," and Lukoil's announcement didn't have as big an effect on prices as might be expected, considering the field in question used to produce nearly half a million barrels of oil equivalent a day. Today's price spike could be less of a trend and more of a blip. Is ConocoPhillips stock a buy? What does this mean for investors in ConocoPhillips stock? Assume today's price spike doesn't last, and crude prices continue to trade in their "bandwidth." At $112.7 billion in market cap, ConocoPhillips stock costs about 12.5 times earnings. With a 3.8% dividend yield and a 5.6% long-term projected growth rate, that works out to a total return ratio of perhaps 1.3 -- not expensive, but not yet cheap. I'd personally hold off on buying ConocoPhillips stock until that number improves even more. Should you invest $1,000 in ConocoPhillips right now? Before you buy stock in ConocoPhillips, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and ConocoPhillips wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $604,044!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,220,149!* Forgiveness for some but maybe not for others is what President Donald Trumps student loan forgiveness plan is amounting to, which is sowing uncertainty for borrowers, experts said. In a big win for borrowers last month, the Department of Education agreed with the American Federation of Teachers to process student-loan forgiveness applications for borrowers who reached payment thresholds on an income-contingent repayment plan or the Pay As You Earn plan as long as the plans remain in effect. Trump plans to phase out the plans by July 1, 2028. Income-based repayment plans also are eligible for forgiveness. Celebrations quickly faded when less than two weeks later the Education Department issued a rule critics say would curb Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The rule, effective July 1, allows the department to exclude forgiveness for those who work at organizations it believes engage in criminal activity. The rule would allow the department to target sanctuary jurisdictions, as well as nonprofit organizations providing support to immigrant families, gender-affirming care, diversity and equity in the workplace, and protecting the first amendment rights of protesters, nonprofit consumer advocacy group Protect Borrowers said in a statement. What is PSLF? PSLF, or Public Service Loan Forgiveness, created in 2007, cancels a borrowers remaining federal student debt after 10 years of repayment for those who work for a public service employer, generally defined as government or a nonprofit entity. Its meant to reward people who work for the public good, like firefighters, police, public educators, military and public health workers. Why is the Education Department redefining whos eligible for PSLF? The Education Department said eligibility standards for what constitutes a qualifying public service employer havent been adequately monitored. As a result, certain organizations engaging in illegal activities that harm their communities and the public good have qualified, it said in a statement. Taxpayer funds should never directly or indirectly subsidize illegal activity, said Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent. PSLF was meant to support Americans who dedicate their careers to public service not to subsidize organizations that violate the law, whether by harboring illegal immigrants or performing prohibited medical procedures that attempt to transition children away from their biological sex. School teacher Kelly Elizabeth Belt fills out paperwork to payback her student loan while trying to navigate policies under the current administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, in Provo, Utah, U.S. May 30, 2025. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart What will happen to PSLF? PSLF wont end, but its rules will likely be settled by the courts after a flurry of lawsuits were filed shortly after the Education Department announcement. Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet are "really in love". Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner have been dating for two years The 28-year-old make-up mogul and Timothee, 29, are doing "great" - even though they can't spend prolonged periods of time together because of their respective careers. An insider told People that the loved-up couple make "an effort to see each other every few weeks. He has a few days off for the holidays so they're making plans." Timothee also feels proud to be dating the brunette beauty, with the source revealing that he "talked about Kylie all the time while filming Marty Supreme". What's more, the insider confirmed that Kylie "flew out to visit him on set in NYC. They also met up in London while he was shooting Dune. Theyre really in love." Meanwhile, a source previously claimed that Kylie and Timothee "adore each other". The make-up mogul has been dating the Hollywood actor for two years, and they're both making the effort to keep their romance alive, in spite of their career demands. A source told Us Weekly: "They are very much together and dont need to be in person together every day for it to work. "They adore each other and really make it work even with two busy schedules and sometimes not even being in the same time zone." Kylie celebrated her 28th birthday on August 10, and although Timothee wasn't able to be with her in person, he still managed to make it a memorable occasion. The insider explained: "Timothee went out of his way to make her feel special on her birthday. "He sent gifts, they had a FaceTime call and he coordinated meaningful gestures with Kylies friends that made her feel very special." Kylie - who has Stormi, seven, and Aire, three, with Travis Scott - appreciates the "sense of calm and stability" that Timothee has brought to her life. The source said: "[Timothee] lets Kylie just be herself, and there is no pressure from either of them. "They have the same sense of humour and understanding of their two different lives. It just works. Their ability to keep things low-key, even with their high-profile careers, has made the connection feel even more genuine." SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. When Nancy Pelosi first ran for Congress, she was one of 14 candidates, the front-runner and a target. At the time, Pelosi was little known to San Francisco voters. But she was already a fixture in national politics. She was a major Democratic fundraiser who helped lure the party's 1984 national convention to her adopted home town. She served as head of California's Democratic Party and hosted a salon that was a must-stop for any politician passing through. She was the chosen successor of Rep. Sala Burton, a short-timer who took over the House seat held for decades by her late husband, Philip, and who delivered a personal benediction from her deathbed. But at age 47, Pelosi had never held public office she was too busy raising five kids, on top of all that political moving and shaking and opponents made light of her role as hostess. "The party girl for the party," they dubbed her, a taunt that blared from billboards around town. She obviously showed them. Pelosi not only made history, becoming the first female speaker of the House. She became the party's spine and its sinew, holding together the Democrats' many warring factions and standing firm at times the more timorous were prepared to back down. The Affordable Care Act President Barack Obama's signature achievement would never have passed if Pelosi had not insisted on pressing on when many, including some in the White House, wished to surrender. She played a significant role in twice helping rescue the country from economic collapse the first time in 2009 amid the Great Recession, then in 2020 during the shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic mustering recalcitrant Democrats to ensure House passage. "She will go down in history as one of the most important speakers," James Thurber, a congressional expert at Washington's American University, said. "She knew the rules, she knew the process, she knew the personalities of the key players, and she knew how to work the system." Pelosi's announcement Thursday that she will not seek reelection at age 85, after 38 years in Congress came as no surprise. She saw firsthand the ravages that consumed her friend and former neighbor, Dianne Feinstein. (Pelosi's eldest daughter, Nancy, was a last caretaker for the late senator.) She was not about to repeat that final, sad act. Pelosi, who was first elected in 1987, once said she never expected to serve in Congress more than 10 years. She recalled seeing a geriatric House member hobbling on a cane and telling a colleague, "It's never going to be me. I'm not staying around that long." (She never used a cane, but did give up her trademark stiletto heels for a time after suffering a fall last December and undergoing hip replacement surgery.) Pelosi had intended to retire sooner, anticipating Hillary Clinton would be elected president in 2016 and seeing that as a logical, and fitting, end point to her trailblazing political career. "I have things to do. Books to write; places to go; grandchildren, first and foremost, to love," she said in a 2018 interview. However, she was determined to stymie President Trump in his first term and stuck around, emerging as one of his chief nemeses. After Joe Biden was elected, Pelosi finally yielded the speaker's gavel in November 2022. But she remained a substantive figure, still wielding enormous power behind the scenes. Among other quiet maneuvers, she was instrumental in helping ease aside Biden after his disastrous debate performance sent Democrats into a panic. He was a personal friend, and long-ago guest at her political salon, but Pelosi anticipated a down-ticket disaster if Biden remained the party's nominee. So, in her estimation, he had to go. It was the kind of ruthlessness that gave Pelosi great pride; she boasted of a reptilian cold-bloodedness and, indeed, though she shared the liberal leanings of her hometown, Pelosi was no ideologue. That's what made her a superb dealmaker and legislative tactician, along with the personal touch she brought to her leadership. "She had a will of steel, but she also had a lot of grace and warmth," said Thurber, "and that's not always the case with speakers." History-making aside, Pelosi left an enduring mark on San Francisco, the place she moved to from Baltimore as a young mother with her husband, Paul, a financier and real estate investor. She brought home billions of dollars for earthquake safety, repurposing old military facilities the former Presidio Army base is a spectacular park funding AIDS research and treatment, expanding public transit and countless other programs. Her work in the 1980s and 1990s on AIDS funding was crucial in helping move discussion of the disease from the shadows where it was viewed as a plague that mainly struck gay men and drug users to a pressing national concern. In the process, she became a San Francisco institution, as venerated as the Golden Gate Bridge and as beloved as the city's tangy sourdough bread. "She's an icon," said Aaron Peskin, a former San Francisco County supervisor and 2024 candidate for mayor. "She walks into a room, people left, right and center, old, young, white, Black, Chinese stand on their feet. She's one of the greatest speakers we have ever had and this town understands that." Pelosi grew up in Baltimore in a political family. He father, Tommy D'Alesandro, was a Democratic New Deal congressman, who went on to serve three terms as mayor. "Little Nancy" stuffed envelopes as her own children would passed out ballots and often traveled by her father's side to campaign events. (D'Alesandro went on to serve three terms as mayor; Pelosi's brother, Tommy III, held the job for a single term.) David Axelrod, who saw Pelosi up close while serving as a top aide in the Obama White House, said he once asked her what she learned growing up in such a political household. "She didn't skip a beat," Axelrod said. "She said, 'I learned how to count.'" Meaning when to call the roll on a key legislative vote and when to cut her losses in the face of inevitable defeat. Pelosi is still so popular in San Francisco she could well have eked out yet another reelection victory in 2026, despite facing the first serious challenge since that first run for Congress. But the campaign would have been brutal and potentially quite ugly. More than just about anyone, Pelosi knows how to read a political situation with dispassion, detachment and clear-eyed calculation. She knew it was time. (COMMENT, BELOW) Mark Z. Barabak Los Angeles Times/(TNS) Mark Z. Barabak is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, focusing on politics in California and the West. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. On Election Day , I awoke to no fewer than seven press releases from the National Republican Senatorial Committee tying Democratic Senate candidates to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. It stands to reason. President Donald Trump's job approval ratings are tumbling. Republicans control Congress . The economy is shaky. What better political squirrel to have voters chase than an avowed socialist who wants to raise taxes; has, in the past, appeared hostile to the police and has declined to support Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state? This is how Republicans plan to overcome the historic midterm curse of an unpopular president. "Zohran Mamdani isn't just another fringe Democrat. He's the future of their party," Mike Marinella , a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee , the House GOP's campaign arm, told me. "His socialist agenda, anti-police rhetoric and radical economic views are now the blueprint House Democrats are stuck defending in the midterms." But the fight over Mamdani, 34, between left and right could pale in comparison to the brewing battle between center-left and far-left. And that's what really matters here, given the national media spotlight that follows every Big Apple mayor. Democratic insiders, embroiled in a tug-of-war over the future of the party and the path back to power in Washington , had been anticipating the previously little-known New York state assemblyman's victory in Tuesday's mayoral contest since he won the party's nomination in June. Progressives who favor a bold, liberal populism are pointing to Mamdani as an example of the kind of politics they should embrace to build a movement capable of winning national elections. Mamdani, says Adam Green , cofounder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, "has the traits that Democrats should try to replicate, which is having fresh, forward-looking ideas, a shake-up the system vibe and ideas that connect with local voters on pocketbook issues while challenging billionaire power." Pragmatists warn that overreading Mamdani's success in an overwhelmingly blue city would lead to ruin in the battleground states and swing districts the party needs to recapture the House in 2026 and the presidency in 2028. "You can't win swing districts by playing politics that work in New York City . It's that simple. Democrats have to decide: Do we want to win?" said Al From , the Democratic operative who led the charge to make the party more competitive after President Ronald Reagan was reelected in a landslide in 1984. From's group, the now-defunct Democratic Leadership Council , propelled President Bill Clinton to the White House in 1992. Democrat Abigail Spanberger's victory in the Virginia governor's race will only sharpen the debate over the party's direction. Spanberger is a former congresswoman who, in 2018, flipped a Republican-held suburban swing district anchored in Richmond by positioning herself as a centrist. The former Central Intelligence Agency officer sought the same middle ground in her campaign for governor and won big. "This is the way," many pragmatic Democrats are going to say, to borrow the tagline from The Mandalorian. But progressives are nonetheless unimpressed, pointing to Spanberger's weak Republican opponent, Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears , and the benefit of running in a state with a significant federal workforce under constant threat from the Trump administration. The left has been even less impressed with US Representative Mikie Sherrill , another Democrat who flipped a Republican-held suburban district in 2018 and is now New Jersey's governor-elect. The Navy veteran's lead over Republican Jack Ciattarelli in public opinion polls had slipped before Election Day , generating some heartburn for her party. Yet Sherrill still won easily, although progressives are as likely to have as much confidence that her type of consensus-oriented politics can excite voters in 2026 and 2028 as centrists have in Mamdani's appeal. Which is to say: not much. "Zohran Mamdani and Mikie Sherrill are a study in contrasts that the entire Democratic Party should look to when choosing candidates that have certain traits in 2026 and 2028," Green told me before Election Day . "She has no vision and was outflanked by the Republican candidate on working people's issues while campaigning solely as an anti-Trump candidate." Perhaps surprisingly, Green's beef with Sherrill has less to do with moderation than with meekness. He told me that the manifestation of winning traits "can look different in Nevada or New Hampshire or Georgia or anywhere else." Such as? US Representative Jared Golden , a centrist Maine Democrat who he described as a "vibrant economic populist." Another Democratic operative, one who has been passionate about the party's need to move toward the center and believes the "socialist ceiling" in competitive battlegrounds "is real," also found something to like in Mamdani's campaign. "Mamdani chose one big issue, the cost of living, and built everything around it," WelcomePAC cofounder Liam Kerr told me. "He learned to pivot [away from] the unpopular stuff such as policing, Israel and rhetoric that plays on Twitter but bombs with voters." Seen this way, the Democratic Party's problems are less about policy and more about finding candidates who are charismatic and fresh-faced. At some point, however, Democrats collectively are going to have to come together on at least some critical policy choices. Within the party, there are real disagreements on cultural issues like transgender rights; public safety issues like border security; foreign policy issues like the US-Israel alliance and fiscal issues like whether to raise taxes, and if so, on whom. Style matters. But so does substance. (COMMENT, BELOW) David M. Drucker is columnist covering politics and policy. He is also a senior writer for The Dispatch and the author of "In Trump's Shadow: The Battle for 2024 and the Future of the GOP ." Noah Schnapp credits Stranger Things with helping him become more comfortable with himself. Noah Schnapp feels more at ease with himself The 21-year-old actor - who came out as gay in January 2023 - admitted his stint playing Will Byers not only helped him work out his sexuality but also reassured him that it is OK to feel different. He told GQ magazine: Seeing how the world receives Will, and embraces him, has taught me through the years to feel OK in who I am, and how I express myself... But it didnt just help find my own identity sexually. As a person, it taught me that its OK to be me, as everything that I am. And I think thats whats so special about our show, and whats so special about Will. It doesnt resonate with queer people, it resonates with all people who feel different. Noah has felt "not part of the group" and "always that weird kid on the side" for most of his life but playing Will has helped him to embrace the things that set him apart from others. He said: Ill carry that with me through my life. Meanwhile, a flashback scene in the upcoming fifth and final season of Stranger Things features Will's disappearance into the Upside Down in season one and required the actor to be de-aged. A young lookalike was brought in the film the scenes, and Noah's face was then digitally-imposed on his, and the actor enjoyed guiding his teenage double in how he used to express his emotions in the early day of the show. He said: I was like, Oh my God, Im not the kid now. Im the adult. "So it was definitely rewarding to feel like, Oh, I can give advice to this young kid. He was adorable. Noah and his co-stars Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLoughlin and Gaten Matarazzo are confident fans will be satisfied with the Stranger Things ending. Finn said: It felt really good to shoot, and thats such a rare thing. "It is true, though. People are always hyper-critical of [finales]. And I feel like, after seeing so many finales, I just do feel like we did a great job. Gaten added: I also know there is a stereotype, but there are plenty of shows that do it really well. Breaking Bad has a great f***** ending. Finn noted people hate The Sopranos' finale, while Game of Thrones' ending was controversial. He added: "I dont think itll be like that at all." Sofia Vergara is the new face of Skechers. Sofia Vergara is the new face of Skechers The Modern Family actress has been appointed brand ambassador to the shoe firm after she discovered their products while looking for supportive shoes after undergoing knee surgery. According to the firm, Sofia had bought multiple pairs of Skechers before discovering her team had been in talks with the brand, and she will now appear in a new campaign which celebrates the "style, versatility and comfort" of the brand's Hands-Free Slip-ins Glide-Step styles. Sofia said in a statement shared with WWD: I dont do anything unless I believe in it and I truly believe in Skechers. Ive been wearing Skechers for over a year now, and theyve completely changed how I think about sneakers. Theyre not just comfortable theyre chic, stylish, and easy to wear with everything in my closet. Thats what made this partnership feel so natural. Skechers praised Sofia for embodying everything Skechers stands for bold, confident, and committed to comfort without compromise. President Michael Greenberg added: She brings a fresh energy to our brand, and her passion for great design will shine through in everything we do together." Meanwhile, the 53-year-old actress recently admitted she undergoes some cosmetic procedures to maintain a more youthful look. She told Britain's Closer magazine: "You have to accept getting older, but at the same time there is nothing wrong with doing what you can to slow that process down. "I have got Botox in my neck for a while now, and I am totally comfortable with admitting that." Sofia revealed the secret to having a slim figure is by doing a "cardio-based workout at least three times a week". The Hot Pursuit star said: "Some people love working out, I am not one of them, so I try and switch up what I do every few months so that it doesn't become repetitive. "I try to do a cardio-based workout at least three times a week." And Sofia thinks having healthy skin is also important. She said: "Skin is so important, and there is so much simple stuff you can do, like staying hydrated and making sure you gently remove your make-up. "Then, a really good skincare regime that contains antioxidants and vitamin C. Wearing a good quality sunscreen is so important as well. I have been wearing one for years now, but I wish I had started earlier. "I grew up in a hot climate, and when girls are younger, they just want to get a tan, but even at that age, it's so important to protect your skin." As a psychiatry resident, I have been closely monitoring developments in the proliferation of AI chatbots for therapy. The moment feels like the ground shifting below my feet, and I have just started my career. In my clinical practice I feel unprepared to discuss how these new technologies are impacting my patients lives, but from my digest of national media, I am certain that a substantial number of my patients are using generative AI for any number of reasons including therapy. On August 1, 2025, Governor JB Pritzker signed HB1806, the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act, to ban AI therapy in Illinois. The bills purpose is to protect consumers from unlicensed or unqualified providers, including unregulated artificial intelligence systems. This legislation appears to be a necessary reaction to the emerging stories of significant harm done by AI therapy chatbots. It is especially timely and pressing as survey data from earlier this year suggests that ChatGPT may be the largest provider of mental health support in the United States. The bill prohibits AI systems from making therapeutic decisions, directly interacting with a client in any form of therapeutic communication, and generating therapeutic treatment plans without review from a licensed professional, and outlines that AI systems may only be used by a licensed professional for administrative or supportive functions like scheduling, billing, or preparing therapy notes. There is a striking omission from the list of licensed professionals defined by the bill. Except for a physician? I had to read that several times because it was confusing that physicians, notably including psychiatrists, are exempt from this legislation that is ostensibly protecting patients from unlicensed and unsupervised AI therapy. Why physicians were exempt from this list has little to do with AI therapy chatbots. Instead, it concerns ambient listening technologies and informed consent. Please direct your attention to Section 15 subsection (b) of HB1806 Permitted use of artificial intelligence. The law states that there must be a written informed consent process for the use of ambient listening technologies. For those unaware of ambient listening, they are software that records audio of a clinical encounter and employs generative AI to summarize the encounter immediately in note form. DAX Copilot, produced by the Microsoft subsidiary Nuance, is perhaps the best-known and most popular ambient listening platform in the United States. They are often directly embedded into the electronic health record, produce almost instant documentation, and are being deployed broadly across U.S. health care. For HB1806, this is a permissible use of generative AI as it is a supplementary, not therapeutic, service provided to the client. Again why would doctors be exempt from providing informed consent to patients if the clinical interview is being recorded, transcribed, analyzed and restated by an AI system? It appears that the state medical society objected to physicians being included in this legislation. This exemption potentially exposes patients and doctors to potential harm and liability associated with ambient listening. This excellent commentary in JAMA maps the ethical and legal challenges for physicians and health systems using ambient listening technology. The authors begin by highlighting that the generative AI underlying ambient listening is still capable of producing plausible but incorrect information, commonly known as a hallucination. Monitoring these errors requires vigilance from the physicians using these tools which is a challenge as the technologys benefit to doctors is to make documentation frictionless. Automation bias, or blindly placing trust in AI, is a potential risk as a physician could increasingly rely on these tools for productivity and miss an error produced by an ambient system. The authors underscore that the medical record is the invariably the single most critical and probative piece of evidence in a malpractice case. Discrepancies between the ambient listening recording, the AI-generated transcription, and the final note signed by a physician create a shadow record of a single encounter. Errors, omissions, or changes between these multiple records may pose liability risk to physicians who are generally held responsible for accurate documentation. The sponsors and authors of Illinois HB1806 took decisive action to protect their communities from unlicensed and unsupervised AI therapy, but they missed the opportunity to establish a bright legal line around ambient listening and informed consent for doctors. Patients and doctors deserve to know who, or what, is listening to a clinic visit and for what purpose. Informed consent requires that physicians have a more detailed understanding of the risks, benefits, and alternatives to using ambient listening so that we can meaningfully explain these new and arguably experimental technologies to our patients. It is disappointing that physicians in Illinois are exempt from this new legal standard regarding ambient listening. It does not seem to serve patient or physician interest, and the patients and physicians of Illinois deserve an explanation. Davis Chambers is a psychiatry resident. Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Patient advocates Alan P. Feren and Joyce Griggs discuss the article Why agency and partnership are vital in modern health care. In this episode, Alan and Joyce explore how collaboration, advocacy, and shared responsibility create stronger, more effective care. Together, they unpack the four pillars of good medicineagency, advocacy, responsibility, and partnershipand highlight how each empowers patients to play an active role in their health. Through Alans personal story about a missed follow-up that could have had serious consequences and Joyces perspective on navigating the system as an advocate, they reveal why mutual trust and communication are essential to safe, humane care. Viewers will learn how patients and physicians can work together to strengthen agency, support advocacy, and build the partnerships that restore confidence in modern health care. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Now you can streamline and customize documentation, surface information right at the point of care, and automate tasks with just a click. Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, its backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and its built on a foundation of trust. Its time to ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Alan P. Feren and Joyce Griggs. Alan is a former head and neck surgeon. Joyce is a patient advocate. Alan also is a patient advocate, and were going to talk about the KevinMD article, Why agency and partnership are vital in modern health care. Alan and Joyce, welcome to the show. Alan P. Feren: Thanks for having us. We appreciate the opportunity to be with you. Kevin Pho: All right. Im just going to ask each of you to briefly share a story, and then Alan, were going to talk about the article. Alan, why dont you go first, just briefly share your story. ADVERTISEMENT Alan P. Feren: Sure. Ive been a physician for over 50 years, and during all of my iterations since private practice, there was a single truth that flowed through all of my activities, and that was this: The best outcomes result from patients who are fully engaged and in fact have a partnership with their physicians. My contention is, and Joyce will echo this, that the partnership goes well beyond what a relationship is. Its an equal opportunity, a 50-50 mix, and to get the best clinical outcomes. As I mentioned, that partnership needs to be strong. I identified four different but related pillars, which we will discuss in the article as we go by. I will tell you from all the work that Ive done that educating patients and educating physicians about the importance of this partnership has been a key aspect of what I firmly believe. Its what brought me to the article, which was a personal experience that Ill share after Joyce talks about her background. Kevin Pho: Sure. Joyce, tell us about your story. Joyce Griggs: Sure. My story is Ive worked in health care communications for over 20 years. What happened in my life was that I wound up in a situation helping a loved one, my former partner and husband, go through what seemed like routine surgery for joint replacement. That went badly for a number of reasons because of some co-occurring conditions. I had made some assumptions about what was happening as I was communicating with the health care providers, which were just the wrong assumptions. Based on that, I remember talking with the nurse practitioner who was our home health aide, and I said, If this is happening to me, somebody with a lot of experience who thought I was doing all the right things, how does anyone else who doesnt have this background that I have make it through the system, especially when things get complicated? From that, I started a website and a platform called United States of Healthcare, and it helps people. Its all free content, helping people to be their own health advocate. I believe its something thats critically important. Thats how I met Alan, and we started working together. He started collaborating on content that weve been bringing to the community now for over five years. Kevin Pho: All right. Were going to talk about the KevinMD article, Why agency and partnership are vital in modern health care. Alan, for those who didnt get a chance to read the article, tell us what its about. Alan P. Feren: Sure. The article almost wrote itself, and its based upon an experience that I alluded to earlier. I had a very large pre-malignant polyp that was removed a number of years ago, and it was advised to have a follow-up endoscopy at about six months, which I did. The removal was done by an advanced, endoscopic-trained gastroenterologist. At any rate, I was told after the six-month clearance to follow up in three years. They would send out a message and let me know. Three years came by, I checked my calendar, and there was no notification. I called, and of course, you can never get ahold of anybody personally. I called multiple times, no answer. I finally got ahold of somebody, Well get back to you. Week one went by, no response. Week two went by, called, no response. Week three, Well get back to you. Finally, they did get back to me and said, Yes, you do need a follow-up endoscopy, but were not going to do it. You need to go back to your original gastroenterologist. Well, my original gastroenterologist had retired, so I needed to reestablish myself with a new gastroenterologist, which I did. I really pushed through making sure that I would have this follow-up study. About that same time, I was feeling kind of draggy, fatigued. I just wasnt feeling myself, having some other symptoms that I wasnt sure what was going on. I continued to push. In a routine visit with my cardiologist, I said, Look, throw in a complete blood count because I think theres something going on. Id had a previous GI bleed a number of years ago and thought that it was reminiscent of that experience. Sure enough, I had a significant anemia. I finally got my endoscopy. I found a bleeder. Fortunately, there was no recurrence of the large pre-malignant polyp. What it led me to realize is that I had to advocate very strongly for myself. If I hadnt done that, the outcome certainly could have been very different. As I look at the overall landscape, health care is not a transaction. The old model of something being done to you needs to be changed to something to be done with you. Its collaborative and not confrontative. In the article, we describe the ways in which people can collaborate with their particular physician and health care provider. We are very strong advocates together of self-advocacy. The question always is, well, heres me as a very knowledgeable, well-trained physician. Ive had over twenty major surgeries. I know the patient experience. I thought that by bringing the patient experience along with the other side of the stethoscope would make a lot of sense and resonate well with both physicians and non-physicians alike. Kevin Pho: And it sounds like this is the evolution, of course, of the doctor-patient relationship. Gone are the days where that relationship was more patriarchal, and now its more like a partnership. Right, Alan? Alan P. Feren: Absolutely. The partnership really means theres responsibility on each part. If you talk about a relationship, a relationship is really just I know you. We have a relationship now, Kevin, but were not partners. The depth of that relationship moving to a partnership means that the doctor is going to show up, do his or her best to treat you, and the patient needs to be prepared, thoughtful, non-confrontative, and respectful. Both sides need to listen. It needs to be a conversation so that each side is clear in their understanding. We want patients, when they show up, to ask the questions, What if? What if I dont? What are the consequences? What are my options? Have that conversation. What we want is educated patients, and thats what Joyce has been doing with her United States of Healthcare content. Kevin Pho: And Joyce, as you hear this story from Alan and, of course, reflecting on your own experiences, as you said with your husband, tell us what was going through your mind as you heard this story from Alan. Joyce Griggs: Well, when I was listening to the story from Alan, what I was thinking of is the saying, No news is good news. When it comes to health care, so many times, as Alan talks about, the system went silent. Were like, Oh, great, because of fear. Theres this underlying fear whenever were talking about health. I think that what we both advocate and what we talk to people about is this notion of agency. Were more in control here than we think because I often say, Look, you are the expert of you. I am the expert of me. When I come to the relationship with my doctor or nurse practitioner, what I really want to be doing is talking about whats going on with me. If Im given a treatment plan that I cant follow through on because of whatever happens to be going on in my life, that is where there needs to be conversation, not confrontation, in terms of, OK, I cant do that, but could I do this instead? Because when we walk out the door, its not a partnership anymore. Its 100 percent up to us and the people in our lives to help us follow through. Thats what it really comes down to. Kevin Pho: Joyce, you mentioned that word agency. What are some concrete ways, concrete examples, where patients can assert that agency? What are some simple things that they can do? Joyce Griggs: Well, at the end of the day, its all about the power to make a decision, to set your own goals. What I always say to folks is when youre getting ready to go see your doctor, its important to take some time for self-reflection beforehand and really think about what the things are that are most important to you as it relates to your care and your condition, whether youre speaking about preventative or if you have a chronic condition and theres something that youre trying to manage. Thats what it boils down to: Understanding what it is that I want for my care and my health or those that Im taking care of in my life. For women especially, Generation X right now, theyre taking care of themselves. Theyre generally taking care of their partners, and theyre usually taking care of their parents. You have a lot on your plate, and its important to be able to discern whats most important and bring those one or two things to the table at each of your visits, because lets face it, its time-limited. None of us like it, but it is the heart of the matter. Kevin Pho: Alan, in your article you identify four key elements of good care: agency, which we just talked about, advocacy, responsibility, and partnership. In an ideal situation, maybe tell us a story or an example where those four key elements work together to provide that ideal relationship between a doctor and a patient. Alan P. Feren: Sure. Lets start with the partnership, because partnership is the glue that holds everything together. Think of it as a four-legged stool, if you will. If youre missing one leg of the stool, it wobbles. Agency is your voice, as Joyce has said. The advocacy really protects the vulnerable. Someone always needs to have somebody there with them to advocate for them, a second set of ears in the examination room or at the hospital bed. I always talk about, if you dont have somebody there, youve got this phone. Ask if you can record because you may want to review what has been said, because we dont typically hear everything. I talk about in the article the fact that physicians often quickly interrupt patients. Studies have shown between 11 and 18 seconds. You get this preconceived notion. Youve got a time of 10 or 15 minutes, and 50 percent of your time is going to be spent on administrative overhead. You need to get the story, and youve tried to put things together, get that differential diagnosis working so you can order the appropriate tests and so forth. Its really key for physicians to be very careful and listen, and prevent themselves from asking that question too early, because youre going to miss something thats going to come later in the story. The responsibility part is the showing up, as Joyce has alluded to. Its being prepared, being organized. Know what your history is. Youre going to have five or ten different things. What are the most important two things? Because thats all youre going to have time to go through with your physician at that point. People need to take advantage of whats available technologically. Electronic medical records have their upside and downside, but the upside is youve got all your lab results, you have the ability to contact and ask questions, knowing that its going to be one to three days before they get back to you. Dont use it in an emergency situation. I think that those are the key things that lead to the partnership. If people are prepared, show up, follow through, are not confrontative, are educated, and use sources that are credible. Thats one of the things that I do through my advocacy: help patients formulate the important questions that they can ask, find out the alternatives, and also lead them toward credible resources, not using Dr. Google as their primary source for information. Kevin Pho: Alan, do you still see some physicians adhere to the more traditional doctor-patient relationship? I mentioned that patriarchal model. What about patients who have physicians who still dont see that relationship as a partnership? What kind of advice do you have for patients in that situation? Alan P. Feren: Well, you try to have patients find their voice. I think today its a much more casual relationship. I know through the years of my practice, initially I was referred to always as Dr. Feren, and then I was shocked when someone came in my office and said, How are you, Al? How are things going? Today I think its less than that. I think Gen X, Gen Y, and Gen Z now are on a first-name basis with their physicians and are starting to use technology a great deal so that theyre educating themselves, but may not be getting the right information or may be making demands on physicians that are making it difficult for physicians to have that equal respect and partnership that I describe. Joyce Griggs: Can I just say one thing about that? I do talk to people often. Theyll say, Listen, my doctors not open to dialogue. What I say to people a lot of times is to know how your doctor or nurse practitioner makes you feel before you go into the conversation. Because if we can understand the emotional state that we get into: Hes a great doctor. I dont want to change doctors, or I cant change doctors because theres no other available. Its true. But that guy makes me anxious. My doctor makes me anxious. If we know that in advance, we can manage our state and move ourselves through that. There are ways of reaching even doctors who dont want to be in dialogue. Say, Well, here are my questions. Ive written them down. Why dont you have a look at them and then tell me what you think? That sometimes can work better than trying to voice it, especially if they make you anxious, because then you get tongue-tied and the thing can go down the drain. Kevin Pho: I love that tip, Joyce. I was about to ask you how patients sometimes can find that voice if theyre a little bit shy or timid. Just that simple tip of having those questions written down and handing it to the physician, and thats happened to me many times in a primary care setting, that absolutely can be effective. We are talking today with Alan P. Feren and Joyce Griggs. Both of them are patient advocates. Alan is a former head and neck surgeon. Todays KevinMD article is Why agency and partnership are vital in modern health care. Now Im going to end by asking each of you to share some take-home messages with the KevinMD audience. Joyce, why dont you go first? Joyce Griggs: Well, I think the main takeaway is that it is a partnership, and its really important for us to come with what we think is most important to us as patients and to figure out the best way to communicate with the doctors, nurse practitioners, and practitioners in our lives. Alan P. Feren: My take-home message really is that for the partnership to exist, its important for each side to be respectful, to listen carefully, and to be mindful of the time element thats available. Doctors really want to do whats best for their patients. Patients want to have the best outcome. For that to really happen, there needs to be a partnership, which I describe as a 50-50 relationship. Doctors show up and give their best. Patients, show up knowledgeable, ready to go, not anxious. Have their questions ready. Be prepared. Kevin Pho: Alan, Joyce, thank you so much for sharing your story, time, and perspective. Thanks again for coming on the show. Alan P. Feren: Thank you, Kevin. Joyce Griggs: Thank you. Common Christmas foods could put patients at serious risk if combined with prescribed medications. Christmas dinner could affect your medication Pharmacists are warning that traditional festive feasts and drinks, from Brussels sprouts to cranberry juice, could dangerously interfere with statins, warfarin, antidepressants, and other commonly prescribed drugs. Ian Budd, Prescribing Pharmacist at online pharmacy Chemist4U, said everyday items often considered healthy can reduce the effectiveness of medication or increase side effects. Speaking to WalesOnline, Budd said: As pharmacists, our goal is to help people understand how to use medications safely and effectively, and food plays a bigger role than many people realise. Even choices we think are healthy, like fruits, vegetables, or supplements, can sometimes affect how your medication works or how well your body absorbs it. For example, something as simple as having grapefruit juice with breakfast can interfere with blood pressure medication, antidepressants, or cholesterol medication, while foods high in vitamin K can impact how blood thinners work. These are small details, but they can make a real difference in how well your treatment does its job. Knowing what to look out for means you can take control of your health and get the most out of your treatment. Grapefruit is a major concern during the festive season, Budd added: They contain natural chemicals that block an enzyme in your liver, which helps break down certain medicines. When that happens, your body cant process the drug as it normally would, so more of it stays in your system. Even one glass of grapefruit juice can have an effect that lasts up to a day, so its safest to avoid it completely with these medications. Leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, and Brussels sprouts, can affect warfarin. He added: Suddenly eating more or less vitamin K-rich foods than usual can make warfarin less effective or too strong. Pharmacists recommend keeping your intake consistent rather than avoiding greens altogether. Other festive favourites that may pose a risk include cranberry juice, which can amplify warfarins effect; dairy products like cream and cheese, which may interfere with certain antibiotics; and tyramine-rich foods such as cured meats and aged cheeses, which can affect older antidepressants. Alcohol can also heighten side effects, leaving patients drowsy or affecting liver and blood sugar control. Budd urged patients to consult pharmacists or read medication guides before indulging during Christmas feasts to ensure their treatments remain safe and effective. > < 23:19 Delhi bomb blasts: 2-min silence observed during Ganga aarti in Varanasi A two-minute silence was observed with 'deepdaan' (lighting diyas) on Tuesday during the daily Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat here to pay tribute to Monday's Delhi bomb blast victims. Sushant Mishra, president of the Ganga Sewa Nidhi, said the blast in Delhi claimed several lives and left... Read more > 22:59 Ranveer Singh mourns Delhi blast victims, postpones 'Dhurandhar' trailer launch Actor Ranveer Singh expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives in the terror attack that occurred in Delhi near Red Fort on Monday evening.The blast, which ripped through a slow-moving Hyundai i20 near the Subhash Marg traffic signal by the Red Fort on Monday evening, killed at least... Read more > 22:49 Delhi blast accused Dr Shaheen married Maha man, divorced in 2015: Police A woman doctor from Lucknow, who was among eight people arrested after the busting of an inter-state terror module, had married a man from Maharashtra, but the couple got divorced in 2015, a police official said in Mumbai on Tuesday. Citing initial information, the official said Dr... Read more > 22:17 Delhi declares Rs 10 lakh aid for kin of Delhi blast victims Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday announced an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the families of each of those killed in the blast near the Red Fort on Monday that claimed 12 lives. The chief minister said in a statement that a compensation of Rs 5 lakh will be provided to those rendered... Read more > 22:02 Ex-school principal detained in Assam for trying to 'politicise' Delhi blast A retired school principal in Assam's Cachar district was detained on Tuesday for allegedly trying to politicise the Delhi blast by a social media post, the police said.The police took suo motu cognisance of the matter and summoned Nazrul Islam Barbhuiyan for questioning, Cachar senior... Read more > 21:44 Delhi blast: Secondary ladder point checks made mandatory at airports File image Secondary ladder point checking for all flights has been made compulsory at airports as part of enhanced security measures following the blast in the national capital on Monday. Full search of aircraft and catering services of aircraft, strict monitoring of non-scheduled flight operations,... Read more > 21:26 'RDX' call triggers panic in Delhi's Bhogal File image A call about the presence of 'RDX' in a car in southeast Delhi's Bhogal area on Tuesday triggered panic in the area, the police said. However, it later turned out to be a false alarm. A local made a police call after noticing a car with a Jammu and Kashmir number plate parked in the... Read more > 21:07 'Delhi blast not a suicide attack, triggered explosion in panic' A view of the the blast site near Red Fort Metro station in Delhi./Reuters/ANI Photo Investigations into the terror attack near Red Fort are progressing rapidly. Initial findings indicate that the car explosion was not a typical suicide blast, but was instead triggered in panic by the suspect.Security agencies have been conducting raids across multiple locations linked to terror... Read more > 20:36 Delhi blast: Security beefed up in Kolkata ahead of India-SAfrica Test File image In the wake of the blast in Delhi, heavy security arrangements have been put in place in and around Kolkata, where the first cricket Test between India and South Africa is set to begin at Eden Gardens this week, a senior police officer said on Tuesday. Amid heightened vigilance, Kolkata... Read more > 20:11 World leaders condemn Delhi blast, express grief in loss of lives Leaders from across the world, including the US, China, Japan, and Israel, on Tuesday expressed grief and shock over the loss of lives after an explosion in the Indian capital killed at least 12 people and injured several others. A powerful blast ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic... Read more > 19:43 Amit Shah instructs forensics to match body samples Union Home Minister Amit Shah Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday instructed the Forensic Science Laboratory to match the samples collected from the bodies in the car that exploded near Red Fort in New Delhi, sources said. He also directed the FSL to match and investigate the sample specimens collected from the spot... Read more > 19:37 J-K LG Sinha reviews security, operational preparedness Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday reviewed the security situation and operational preparedness at a high-level meeting in Srinagar.Chaired a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar, earlier today, Sinha said in a post on X.The meeting comes in the backdrop of a car blast outside... Read more > 19:06 Exit polls give NDA clear majority in Bihar Many exit polls on the Bihar assembly elections have given the ruling National Democratic Alliance government a clean sweep. The Matrize-IANS exit poll predicts that the NDA will win 147-167 seats, with the BJP and JD-U going neck and neck, while the Opposition Mahagathbandhan has been given... Read more > 19:02 UP's Deoria youth among those injured in Delhi blast A damaged car in blast near Red Fort in Delhi./ANI on X A 22-year-old man hailing from the Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh is among those who were injured in the high-intensity explosion at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station in New Delhi on Monday evening. According to the police, Shiva Jaiswal, who runs a readymade garment shop in... Read more > 18:38 Police search Lucknow home of Dr Shaheen Shahid Representational image Security checks were stepped up across Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, a day after the Delhi car blast near the Red Fort that left at least 12 people dead and more than 20 injured, as anti-terror agencies and police teams carried out searches in several cities, including Lucknow. In the state... Read more > 18:03 Allu Arjun, Priyanka Chopra and others react to Delhi car blast File image of actor Allu Arjun Prominent celebrities like Allu Arjun, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Karan Johar have condoled the deaths in the bomb blast near Red Fort and asked others to stay alert and informed. At least 12 people were killed after a powerful explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal... Read more > 17:45 Police focus on how accused got tonnes of explosives Security agencies are focusing on how a sophisticated white-collar terror module managed to acquire and store a huge quantity of explosives, including Ammonium Nitrate, the substance suspected to have been used in Monday's deadly blast near the Red Fort area that killed 12 people. The attack... Read more > 17:32 Bomb scare calls pour in after Red Fort blast; all false alarms Hours after the bomb blast near Red Fort killing 12 people, the Delhi Fire Services received five calls about unclaimed vehicles and bags, all of which later turned out to be false alarms, an official said on Tuesday. According to DFS officials, the calls started pouring in soon after news... Read more > 17:23 Delhi blast major security lapse: Tej Pratap Janshakti Janta Dal chief Tej Pratap Yadav on Tuesday said the blast near Delhi's Red Fort, which left 12 people dead, was a result of a major security lapse. It was a major security lapse. The government must take serious cognisance of it and apprehend the perpetrators, the former Bihar... Read more > 16:59 UK issues travel advisory after Delhi blast The UK has updated its travel advisory for British nationals travelling to India after the explosion near the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office update calls on its nationals in Delhi to follow the advice of the local... Read more > 16:45 MP CM reviews law and order situation, pays tributes to Delhi blast victims Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday directed officials to maintain strict vigil in the state in the wake of the blast in Delhi that killed at least 12 persons. Yadav visited the situation room at Mantralaya (state secretariat) and reviewed the law and order situation... Read more > 16:29 Family says i20 driver was introvert, had few friends The family of the man suspected to be involved in the Delhi blast near Red Fort metro station said cannot believe that he could be involved in terror activities.Dr Umar Nabi was allegedly driving the Hyundai i20 car that was used in the blast near the parking area of the Red Fort Metro Station on... Read more > 16:10 12 killed, 27 injured in suicide attack outside court in Islamabad Representational image A suicide bomber on Tuesday detonated his explosives near a police vehicle outside a court in Pakistan's capital, killing at least 12 people and wounding 27 others, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said. Naqvi, who visited the site of the blast, said the attacker wanted to enter the court complex,... Read more > 15:59 Prez Murmu speaks to Shah about Delhi blast NSG at the blast site President Droupadi Murmu spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the phone from Angola on Tuesday and enquired about a blast that took place near the Red Fort here. The president is currently on a State visit to Angola and Botswana. Murmu spoke to Shah over the phone from Angola and... Read more > 15:37 Red Fort blast: Shah calls for second security meeting Amit Shah at the first security meeting after the blast Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday reviewed the security situation in the national capital and other parts of the country in the wake of the blast near the Red Fort. Shah, who chaired a meeting in the morning, has called for a fresh meeting in the late afternoon. The first meeting was... Read more > 15:13 Delhi blast case handed over to NIA Pic: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday handed over the probe into a blast near the Red Fort to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), sources said. This is a clear indication that the blast, which has so far claimed 12 lives, is being considered by the government as an act of terror,... Read more > 15:08 There were body parts under my feet: Eyewitnesses speak The son of blast victim Dinesh Misra weeps. Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters Body parts lay scattered, with some fragments even reaching the nearby Jain Mandir, leaving locals terrified and sleepless through the night. The powerful explosion near Delhi's Red Fort on Monday killed 12 people and left several injured, rattling one of the city's most crowded and historic... Read more > 14:52 The 3 hours and 3 clues in Red Fort blast Security personnel at the blast site. Adnan Abidi/Reuters Delhi Police and security agencies have narrowed down their investigation into Monday evening's blast near the Red Fort complex to three crucial angles.The Delhi Police is focusing on the movements of the suspect, the suspected network from a university in Faridabad, and the nature of the... Read more > 14:35 Tracking the death car from Faridabad to Red Fort The Delhi Police on Tuesday found the 11-hour route map of the Hyundai i20 car, in which the blast near the Lal Quila metro station took place on Monday evening.The car blast claimed the lives of at least 12 people, while several others were left injured.During the investigation, it was... Read more > 13:54 Arrested doc was tasked with setting up Jaish's Women Wing Relatives of a blast victim wait at a mortuary. Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters The Lucknow-based woman doctor, who was arrested in connection with the massive explosives haul in Faridabad near Delhi, was responsible for establishing the women's wing and recruitment for Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), according to Delhi police sources, reports NDTV.The... Read more > 13:07 Mother of i20 driver called for DNA test in Pulwama Blast victim being taken to the mortuary. Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters Police on Tuesday took the mother of the man who was suspected to be driving the car that exploded near the Red Fort was called for a DNA test in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said in Srinagar. We have taken the mother of the suspect to collect DNA samples in order to... Read more > 12:55 India races to Replace Russian Oil With US, Iraqi and UAE Crude Two Indian refiners bought a total of 5 million barrels of crude oil from the United States, Iraq, and the UAE on the spot market as they seek alternatives to Russian crude. Reuters reported, citing unnamed industry sources, that Hindustan Petroleum Corp. had bought 2 million barrels of West... Read more > 12:52 Stopped to meet friend near Red Fort, then loud blast... A blast victim at a hospital. Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters A family in Uttar Pradesh's Amroha lost their son to the ghastly blast in Delhi near Red Fort that claimed at least eight innocent lives and left several injured.In a village of the Amroha district, the family of the deceased Ashok received his mortal remains. The death of Ashok has left his... Read more > 12:27 Those responsible for Delhi blast will be punished: PM All those responsible for the Delhi blast will be brought to justice, PM Modi says in Bhutan. The prime minister, who is on a visit to Bhutan, added, Our agencies will dig deep into the roots of the conspiracy. The entire nation stands with the families of those affected by the Delhi blast. The... Read more > 12:25 Nithari serial killings: SC acquits Surendra Koli The Supreme Court on Tuesday acquitted Nithari killings convict Surendra Koli in the sole case in which his conviction and life sentence still stood, holding that the 2011 verdict could not be sustained when he has already been acquitted in 12 other connected cases arising from the same set of... Read more > 12:15 Indian man helps paralysed American woman In a now viral Instagram clip posted by user Noah, an Indian man is seen kneeling beside a paralysed American woman stranded under relentless rain. It's raining pretty hard, where do you want to go? You're not able to walk either, he asks softly, his voice calm against the patter of... Read more > 12:05 Was Red Fort blast a fidayeen attack? Delhi police say... Delhi Police's initial investigation suggests that the high-intensity explosion near the Red Fort complex may have been a fidayeen (suicide) attack, said sources within the Delhi Police on Tuesday.According to early findings, investigators believe the suspect intended to carry out an explosion.... Read more > 11:54 Family of arrested doctor denies terror links FSL officials at the Red Fort blast site The family of Dr Muzammil Ganaie, who was arrested after 360 kilogram of explosives was recovered from his rented room in Faridabad on Tuesday claimed that there was no indication of the medico's involvement in terror activities. It is being alleged that he is big terrorist. We have no... Read more > 11:42 NIA officials arrive at Red Fort blast site National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials arrive at the blast site. A high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving i20 car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing 12 people and gutting several vehicles. Delhi Police on Tuesday registered an... Read more > 11:30 Red Fort blast toll rises to 12 Amit Shah at the blast site last night The death toll in the blast near Red Fort rose to 12, with three more people succumbing to injuries, police said on Tuesday. A powerful explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening. Till last night, nine people were... Read more > 11:26 When Nehru rode a yak in Bhutan, trekking for 5 days... Pt Nehru was 69 years old when he made the arduous trek Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Bhutan, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday highlighted former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's 1958 trek to Bhutan, which marked a turning point in the countries' relations.Today, as PM Modi visits Bhutan, Ramesh sees this as a... Read more > 11:10 PM arrives in Bhutan PM Modi shares this image from Bhutan: Landed in Bhutan. Grateful to Prime Minister Tobgay for the warm and gracious welcome at the airport. This visit reflects the deep bonds of friendship and cooperation shared between our two nations. India and Bhutan enjoy a time-tested partnership anchored... Read more > 11:05 56 inch must answer: Cong's Patole on Red Fort blast Condemning the Delhi blast that claimed at least eight lives, senior Congress leader Nana Patole on Tuesday held the Narendra Modi government in the centre accountable for the country being unsafe.Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Patole lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that 56 inch... Read more > 10:56 Season's worst air quality in Delhi today, AQI is 'severe' at 423 Delhi woke up to its worst air quality of the season on Tuesday, with the AQI plunging to into the severe category at 423. The Centre invoked stricter anti-pollution measures under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the wake of the deteriorating air quality. On Monday,... Read more > 10:41 Red Fort blast: Pulwama doctor was driving car Delhi Police registered an FIR on Tuesday into the blast near the Red Fort under the UAPA and conducted raids at multiple locations in the national capital as preliminary findings suggested a link to the terror module uncovered in Faridabad. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to... Read more > 10:13 14.55% turnout till 9 am in second phase of Bihar polls A total of 14.55 per cent of the 3.7 crore voters exercised their franchise in the first two hours of voting in the second phase of assembly elections in Bihar on Tuesday, an official said. Gayaji district recorded the highest polling percentage so far at 15.97, followed by Kishanganj... Read more > 10:01 Delhi blast: Shah to chair security review meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a high-level security review meeting on Tuesday following the blast near the Red Fort in Delhi that left nine people dead, sources said. The meeting, to be held at 11 AM, will be attended by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director, Intelligence... Read more > 09:56 Unforgivable!: Hema Malini on fake news of Dharmendra death Dharmendra's daughter Esha Deol on Tuesday said the veteran actor is stable and recovering, urging the media to stop circulating false news about his health as the 89-year-old star remains under observation at a Mumbai hospital. The media seems to be in over-drive and spreading false news. My... Read more > 09:52 Esha Deol refutes reports of father Dharmendra's demise Esha Deol's Instagram post Actress Esha Deol, daughter of actor Dharmendra, has refuted the rumours of his father's demise on Tuesday. While addressing the media reports which stated that the actor Dharmendra has passed away, actress Esha Deol refuted the same, stating he is stable and recovering and asks for the... Read more > 09:47 Red Fort blast: Detonators used, links with Faridabad terror module The man driving the car that exploded near the Red Fort killing at least nine people allegedly also had links to the Faridabad terror module where huge cache of explosive material was seized, Delhi Police sources said on Tuesday. According to sources, Umar Mohammad, a Pulwama resident and a... Read more > 09:33 Red Fort blast: Car trail shows likely link to Pulwama Delhi Police's initial probe in the high-intensity explosion outside the Red Fort suggests i20 car's trail to Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, said Delhi Police's sources. According to the sources, the I-20 car, in which the blast occurred, was allegedly purchased by a resident of... Read more > 09:23 Maha on alert; security upped at Mumbai, railway stations High security at CSMT in Mumbai. Pic: Sahil Salvi A high alert has been issued in Maharashtra following a blast in a car near the Red Fort metro station in New Delhi, and security has been stepped up at vital installations in Mumbai and major railway stations, police said. A precautionary alert has been issued for Mumbai, a senior police... Read more > 08:53 Will bring tariffs down with India at some point: Trump The US is pretty close to reaching a fair trade deal with India, President Donald Trump has said, adding that he will lower the tariffs imposed on New Delhi at some point. We're making a deal with India, much different deal than we had in the past. So right now, they don't love me, but they'll... Read more > 08:37 Delhi blast: Cops register FIR under UAPA, Explosives Act Delhi Police on Tuesday registered an FIR under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosives Act in connection with the blast near Red Fort that claimed nine lives, officials said. Raids are being conducted at multiple locations by Delhi Police.The national capital has been... Read more > 08:24 High alert in Bihar phase II polls after Delhi car blast Delhi police at the car explosion site Bihar Director General of Police Vinay Kumar has issued a high alert in the state after a car explosion near Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi, just a day before the second phase polling in Bihar. Speaking with ANI over the phone, Bihar DGP said that police teams have been put on alert at all... Read more > 08:19 Hungarian-British author David Szalay beats Kiran Desai to win Booker Prize Pic: Reuters Hungarian British author David Szalay was named the winner of the Booker Prize 2025 for his novel Flesh', beating Kiran Desai's The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny' at a ceremony in London on Monday night. Szalay, 51, was presented with 50,000 pounds and a trophy by last year's Booker winner... Read more > 07:45 CCTV footage shows blast suspect alone in car The car involved in the Delhi blast After at least nine people were killed and many were injured in the high-intensity explosion outside Red Fort on Monday evening, the Delhi Police have obtained CCTV footage showing the suspect's car entering and exiting the parking area, sources said. According to the Delhi Police sources,... Read more > 01:06 Red Fort Car Blast: Prez extends condolences to families of deceased President Droupadi Murmu has conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the blast that took place in a moving car near Red Fort in Delhi. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the blast... Read more > 01:03 Narcotics and gold valued over Rs 13 cr seized at Mumbai airport; six arrested A view of Mumbai airport./File image Customs officials have seized narcotics and gold valued at Rs 13.84 crore during operations conducted between November 6 and 9 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai. Six passengers arriving from various international destinations were arrested in connection... Read more > A joint 2024 air quality report from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau shows a significant drop in air pollutant levels across the Pearl River Delta. The report, published Friday by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network, reveals that annual average concentrations of various air pollutants namely sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and suspended particulates have decreased by 18% to 86% from peak levels. The Macau Special Administrative Region Government credits its environmental initiatives for contributing to this improvement. In a joint statement, Macau highlighted ongoing efforts aligned with the Long-term Decarbonization Strategy of Macau and the Macau Environmental Protection Plan (20212025). These actions include controlling vehicle exhaust emissions, phasing out high-pollution vehicles, and promoting electric vehicles (EVs). The DSPA states, These efforts have achieved positive results. In 2024, Macau continued supporting incentives for owners to replace old motorcycles and diesel vehicles under subsidy schemes. The government announced plans to launch a new phase of the Subsidy Scheme for Replacing Gasoline Motorcycles with New Electric Motorcycles in 2025. This updated program will cover all conventional motorcycles and run for five years, further accelerating EV adoption. Additionally, Macau is advancing policies to enhance public charging infrastructure, tighten emission limits on motorcycles and diesel vehicles, regulate volatile organic compound content in construction adhesives, and boost local photovoltaic power generation. Moreover, the government is considering another subsidy phase for phasing out old diesel vehicles. Like this: Like Loading... The Health Bureau (SSM) has said that the incidence of diabetes in Macau has grown by around 45% in the last five years. According to data from the bureau, nearly 44,000 people were registered with health services for diabetes at the end of last year. This number is approximately 13,000 more than at the end of 2018. The SSM observed that this increase is likely related to population aging and lifestyle changes, such as a decrease in physical activity. Authorities are particularly concerned that cases in which patients simultaneously have high levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids increase the potential for complications. The SSM reported that last year alone, almost 30% (29.3%) of diabetes patients met these conditions of triple risk, an increase that has also been recorded annually. Authorities noted that of the 44,000 patients registered at the end of last year, nearly 90% are being monitored by public medical institutions. The statistical data were presented at a press conference held by the SSM, where SSM Director Alvis Lo expressed concerns about the disease and its challenges. According to Lo, recent data show that nearly 80% of deaths are caused by chronic diseases, including cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Like this: Like Loading... Sands China Ltd. is currently leading a 38-member delegation to Lisbon, Portugal, for a five-day Macao Technological Innovation Exploration in Lisbon program, which began yesterday. The delegation includes representatives from 25 DSEDT-certified Macau enterprises and incubation centers. The trip also features participation in the Web Summit, which takes place from November 1013 in Lisbon. Moreover, delegates will also attend business forums, visit leading Portuguese tech firms, and join workshops exploring innovation opportunities during the visit. According to Sands China, the initiative aims to foster industry exchange between Macau and Portugal, enabling local tech entrepreneurs to gain deeper insights into the latest developments and trends in the technology sector. In a press release, CEO Grant Chum, After the success of last years visit, Sands China is bringing back the Macau Technological Innovation Exploration in Lisbon this year to support the 1+4 development plan [] and to nurture local talent and enterprises. The delegation departed Macau on Sunday. Like this: Like Loading... China's 15th five-year plan sends out positive signal: envoys in China Xinhua) 08:47, November 11, 2025 BEIJING, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The recommendations of China's top leadership for formulating the country's 15th Five-Year Plan have sent out a positive signal that China will unswervingly expand high-level opening up and share opportunities with the world, diplomatic envoys in China said Monday. The envoys made the remarks after attending a thematic briefing on the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which was held last month and adopted the recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for formulating the plan for national economic and social development in the 2026-2030 period. The envoys said that they are full of confidence and expectations for China's future development prospects, expressing their countries' willingness to deepen exchanges and cooperation with China and jointly promote world peace and development. Senior diplomats from more than 160 countries, including more than 90 ambassadors to China and charge d'affaires, attended the briefing hosted by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Sam Fender has donated his 25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venue Trust (MVT). Sam Fender is doing his bit to help save grassroots venues across the UK The 31-year-old star's acclaimed album People Watching won the prestigious music prize at the ceremony in Newcastle last month, and he has now revealed he will be giving the entire sum to the charity, which is working tirelessly to keep small music venues open for future generations. He said: "I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out. "These venues are legendary, but they are struggling." Fender previously raised 100,000 from his 2024 arena tour for the cause, which was split between 38 grassroots venues in England, Scotland, and Wales. He achieved this by adding a small donation to the ticket prices for his shows. Several artists have donated their Mercury Prize winnings over the years. In 2023, Ezra Collective gifted the money to a youth centre and grassroots venues. Huge names, including Coldplay, Pulp and Katy Perry, have supported grassroots venues with ticket levies. Coldplay put on shows at London's Wembley Stadium and Hull's Craven Park Stadium this summer in support of the Music Venue Trust. The band donated10 per cent of their earnings from the shows to the charity. Frontman Chris Martin spoke out on the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on independent venues. He noted that the biggest acts on the planet including themselves were once up-and-coming bands and gained invaluable experience honing their craft at small venues, so it would be heartbreaking if they were forced to close their doors. He told NME: You cant just jump into that. With all of the artists that are playing stadiums next year, its no coincidence that all of them started in a van, driving around and playing pubs: Oasis, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, the truth is all there. Taylor Swift has probably played more than anyone in tiny Nashville venues and county fairs. Macau authorities previously revealed that the region has over 180,000 non-local workers, with some groups noting that one-third of them come from Southeast Asian countries, although they expect only a low likelihood of a significant increase in foreign worker numbers in the future. Citing official data, Ao Ieong Kuong Kao, vice-chairman of the Macau Institution Peoples Alliance, noted that Macau currently employs around 60,000 foreign workers from Southeast Asia, predominantly from the Philippines, which accounts for approximately 30,000 workers, while the remainder come from Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Nepal. At a recent event hosted by his organization, he noted that the foreign labor market is currently experiencing slow growth compared to pre-pandemic levels. He anticipates that factors such as the operation of healthcare facilities and community economies will likely restrict the potential for a significant increase in the number of foreign workers in the future. It was noted that Macau is facing a trend in which some employers are struggling to afford the domestic helpers they need, influenced by the current economic situations impact on the employment market. In recent months, there have been multiple reports of Southeast Asians entering Macau on tourist visas and falling victim to job scams. Last month, a Filipino non-local worker defrauded 55 compatriots of MOP1.14 million by falsely promising employment in Macau. Victims reported that they were introduced to the suspects through social media and community referrals. They were told that no interviews or medical checks would be required. Each victim paid the two suspects amounts ranging from MOP 15,000 to MOP 28,000 and handed over personal documents. Refunds, however, were repeatedly delayed or denied. The Macau Overseas Workers Association highlighted that some victims are now facing serious issues, including overstaying their visas and lacking return flight tickets. According to the association, the citys current legislation allows companies to independently recruit foreign workers, but some unscrupulous individuals exploit this by offering job referrals as a pretext for fraud. It is argued that job seekers primarily understand their native language; for example, Burmese nationals may only speak Burmese and arrive to work in Macau without knowledge of English or Chinese. In response, Ao Ieong highlighted the importance of adhering to formal recruitment procedures, which include corporate interviews, medical examinations, and other essential steps. He cautioned that foreign workers arriving on tourist visas for job interviews must exit the country in order to have their immigration status activated by the appropriate authorities before they can legally re-enter for employment. He urged foreign workers to exercise caution and avoid trusting employment information that bypasses these formal processes. Like this: Like Loading... 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. Heres 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 Europes 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 ministrys request to oust Nexperias 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 Nexperias 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 Chinas 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 Chinas 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. After the Dutch government asserted control of Nexperia, Beijing responded soon after, blocking the export of Nexperia chips from its assembly plant in the Chinese city of Dongguan. It blamed the Netherlands for turmoil and chaos in the chip supply chain. There were signs of hope following last months high-profile meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, when the White House said Beijing would ease the export ban as part of a U.S.-China trade truce. Despite Beijing also confirming exports would be allowed to resume, Nexperias Chinese unit said headquarters suspended shipments of wafers used to make chips to its Chinese factory, potentially crimping its ability to deliver finished products. Nexperias head office hit back in a statement Wednesday, saying the Chinese unit refused to pay for the wafers and accused it of ignoring the lawful instructions from its global management team. The company said it cant guarantee the quality of any chips delivered from its China plant since Oct. 13. Resolution The European Unions trade commissioner, Maros Sefcovic, on Saturday noted encouraging progress, writing on X that Chinas Commerce Ministry had confirmed further simplification of export procedures for Nexperia chips to the EU and global customers. In Beijing, the Commerce Ministry also said Saturday that it agreed to a Dutch request to send representatives to China for consultations. But it noted that the Netherlands had not taken any concrete actions yet to restore the global semiconductor supply chain since the Dutch government said days earlier it would take appropriate steps on our part where necessary. Economics Affairs Minister Vincent Karremans had said in that statement that 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. Honda has received word that Nexperias shipments from China have resumed, Executive Vice President Noriya Kaihara told reporters Friday. He said the Japanese automaker expects to resume production during the week of Nov. 21 at its plant in Celaya, Mexico, which can make up to 200,000 vehicles a year. KELVIN CHAN & CHAN HO-HIM, MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... For two months the Islamist group, Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), has maintained a fuel blockade around the Malian capital of Bamako. Despite attempts to secure supply routes by the Malian military, Islamist attacks on tankers transporting petroleum from Senegal and Ivory Coast (officially Cote d'Ivoire) have severed much of the supply of fuel to Bamako and other important cities in the south of the country. As a result, schools in Bamako were closed for two weeks from 27 October, and businesses have been forced to close due to lack of fuel for electricity generators. Residents are forced to wait for days to buy fuel at spiralling prices. The lack of fuel has reportedly begun to affect the military as well, with its ability to carry out long-distance operations significantly reduced. This is without doubt the most serious crisis faced by Malis military government, which seized power and then broke decisively from the orbit of western imperialism in 2021. Its fate may be decided in the coming weeks. Any victory for the Islamists will have reactionary consequences for the entire region. Islamist terror Mali has been affected by Islamist insurgency since 2012, following the intervention of western imperialism in the Libyan Civil War. The fall of Gaddafi in 2011 resulted in the flow of arms and fighters into Mali, where the separatist struggle of the Tuareg people was opportunistically hijacked by Islamists affiliated to Al-Qaeda. France intervened directly in 2013, eventually establishing a force of over 5,000 troops. By 2020, a combined total of 20,000 French and UN troops were stationed in Mali. However, in spite of this, Islamist groups linked to both Al-Qaeda and Islamic State had succeeded in spreading their reach from the remotest parts of northern Mali to cover up to 70 percent of the country. They had also begun to seize control of territory in Burkina Faso and Niger, leaving a trail of massacres, looting and abductions. Women in villages taken by JNIM and other groups were either drafted into forced marriages or simply taken as sex slaves. To date, 30,000 have been killed and around four million displaced across the region as a result of this insurgency. Break with the West The complete failure of the Malian state and its imperialist backers to stem the tide of Islamist attacks contributed to the accumulation of intense rage amongst ordinary Malians. This rage exploded to the surface after the corrupt democratic government of Ibrahim Boubacar Keita attempted a constitutional coup in the spring of 2020. After months of mass protests, Keita was overthrown by the military in August 2020 / Image: Claude TRUONG NGOC, Wikimedia Commons After months of mass protests, Keita was overthrown by the military in August 2020, which then established a transitional government. But only nine months later, this government was itself overthrown by another coup, led by Col. Assimi Goita. Goitas coup was celebrated not only within the army but also on the streets by the M5 protest movement, which had played a major role in the overthrow of Keita in 2020. This was because the transitional government had remained tied to the same domestic elite and foreign powers as Keita, meaning it was neither willing nor able to address any of the demands of the masses. France suspended all military co-operation with Mali, whilst it maintained troops in the country. Further, Mali was suspended from the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, and economic sanctions were placed on the state. Instead of backing down, Goita dug in, insisting that French forces withdraw completely from the country as quickly as possible. He then visited Moscow and invited mercenaries from the Wagner Group to help the Malian Armed Forces combat the Islamists. By the end of 2021, Wagner troops had begun to arrive. The combination of severe crisis, western pressure, and alternative offers by rival powers had pushed the coup regime to carry out a radical break from the past. And once this had been accomplished, the Malian model itself became a pole of attraction. A similar process unfolded in Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023, eventually leading to the establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States (Alliance des Etats du Sahel, or AES) by the three nations in September 2023. Anti-imperialist turn On coming to power, the military governments that make up the AES promised genuine national sovereignty and economic development to address the crisis conditions faced by the masses, as well as the military defeat of the Islamists. This was met with enormous popular support, not only in their own countries, but in many parts of Africa. It must all be remembered that all of these regimes remained firmly based on the capitalist system, albeit with greater state intervention / Image: Presidence Mali, Twitter This anti-imperialist turn involved increasing pressure on foreign multinationals. All three states have passed new mining codes, which oblige all foreign mining companies to pay higher royalties under threat of losing their licences. When Canada-based multinational, Barrick Gold (the biggest gold miner in the world), refused to pay the new rates, Goitas government seized three metric tons of gold from the companys Loulo-Gounkoto mine; the state blocked all gold exports from the mine; and several Barrick employees were detained. Now, day-to-day operations at the mine have been taken over by the state, while negotiations are taking place. The struggle of any oppressed nation to liberate itself from imperialist domination is to be welcomed and supported by the working class of all countries, and above all workers in the West. But it must also be remembered that all of these regimes remained firmly based on the capitalist system, albeit with greater state intervention. Unlike anti-imperialist regimes of the post-war period, their model has been the bourgeois-Bonapartist regimes of Russia and China today, not the USSR or Cuba. And precisely because Malis struggle against imperialism is being led by a bourgeois-Bonapartist dictatorship, with the Malian workers and peasants kept firmly out of power, this imposes serious limits on what can be achieved. These limits have now been reached. Capitalist barbarism The truth is that in spite of enhanced military spending and complete control of the state by the military, Goitas government has been unable to defeat the Islamists. And this failure was made inevitable by the cold hard logic of capitalism in the region. Long before the coup in 2021, JNIM skilfully exploited the weakness of the state, which was built into modern Malis foundations on so-called independence. In the remotest parts of the country the state is almost completely absent. Hence the Islamists have been able to step in as mediators in disputes over land and cattle, and offer mafia-style protection. By these means the Islamists succeeded in occupying the border regions between Mali and its neighbours, financing themselves through taxing villages, drug trafficking, cattle raiding, and the exploitation of local mines. This would not be possible without the capitalist world market, both in its legitimate and black forms. Above all, the greatest asset for the Islamists is the poverty of the rural masses in these countries / Image: fair use Cattle trading represents a significant part of the economy in countries in Ghana and Ivory Coast. Agricultural capitalists in these countries make sizeable profits from dealing in stolen cattle from Mali and Burkina Faso. This effectively allows rebel groups to launder their stolen gains. Likewise, the rising demand for gold has made the smuggling of gold from rebel-controlled mines especially lucrative. All of the money made by these means allows for the purchase of arms and supplies, including commercial drones which they have been able to repurpose for military use. Above all, the greatest asset for the Islamists is the poverty of the rural masses in these countries. Young men willingly sign up to fight for JNIM or work in one of its mines because it is a job. As one fighter in Niger put it when interviewed by The Economist: Everything you want, the bosses will give you money, women, meat and a motorbike. It is simply not possible to eliminate these evils by military means alone. Only the planned development of the economy and infrastructure on a regional scale could strengthen the state, cut off the Islamists access to finance and fighters, and begin to reverse the tide. But this is impossible on a capitalist basis. The local capitalist class has next to no capital, and so it is utterly dependent on foreign imperialism, which has no interest in helping to raise African nations out of their state of dependence. Isolation Mali and the AES have also been largely abandoned by the corrupt bourgeois states of the region. In the name of restoring an utterly fictitious democratic rule in these countries, ECOWAS imposed harsh economic sanctions and even threatened military intervention in Niger to carry out regime change. Eventually they were forced to withdraw, but it is clear that a number of West African states are collaborating with their close western allies to isolate and weaken Mali and the AES. Even after the departure of the AES from ECOWAS, co-operation was still possible in a number of areas, but it has not been forthcoming. This was acknowledged in a telling comment from a retired Ghanaian Colonel, Festus Aboagye, when he said: Some member states of ECOWAS align themselves with outside partners to try to topple these regimes. Ghanas approach is to protect national interests. The Ouattara regime in Ivory Coast, which remains a key ally of French imperialism in the region, has made it quite clear that it does not approve of Malis turn towards Russia. Therefore, rather than sending military assistance to protect convoys travelling into Mali from within its territory, the Ivorian ruling class is calmly leaving Mali to its fate, presumably hoping that Malis isolation will lead to the fall of Goita and his replacement with someone who will listen to reason. JNIM is positioning itself to become the next Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamist group that overthrew the Assad regime in Syria / Image: fair use This policy has only emboldened JNIM, evidenced by signs that it is positioning itself to become the next Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group that overthrew the Assad regime in Syria. Recently, it removed any reference to Al-Qaeda from its logo, and one of its leaders, Amadou Koufa, refused to answer any questions at all about Gaza in an interview this year. Evidently, he hopes that with a beard trim and a new suit he might be welcomed into the respectable company of the UN as a Jihadi-turned-statesman, like Syrias Al-Sharaa. In effect, the West and its allies are knowingly pushing Mali and the AES to the brink of collapse in order to protect their spheres of influence, and give the African masses a harsh lesson that there is no alternative. For the imperialists, it is a case of rule or ruin. But for neighbouring African states to collaborate with the destabilising of their own region only highlights the utterly reactionary and short-sighted character of the African ruling classes. Russian support Mali turned to Russia for military support and investment because it seemed to offer an alternative to the humiliation and interference that always came with western aid and co-operation. But Russia has failed to plug the gap left by the withdrawal of French and UN forces. Wagner mercenaries recently left on acrimonious terms, having killed more civilians than Islamist fighters. This is in part due to military defeats in which the mercenaries sustained heavy losses, exacerbating tensions with Malian forces. But importantly, the breakdown in the relationship between Wagner and the Malian state also reflects a simmering conflict over mining rights. Wherever Wagner has intervened in Africa, it has acquired economic assets such as mining or logging rights. However, in Mali, the nationalist government has repeatedly blocked Wagners attempts at establishing itself in the lucrative gold mining sector. Evidently, the Russian mercenaries decided it wasnt worth the trouble, announced mission accomplished, and left. It is probable that should the blockade continue, the pressure and resulting demoralisation could produce a new coup / Image: fair use Russias Africa Corps has retained around 1,000 troops in the country, but these are mainly focused on training and logistical support. Considering the fact that JNIM has succeeded in tightening its blockade over the last few weeks, it is evident that this level of military support will be insufficient to turn the tide. Russia has announced that it will come to the aid of Bamako, having signed an agreement to deliver up to 200,000 tons of petroleum and agricultural products on 27 October. However, to date there is no credible evidence to suggest that even the first instalment of these deliveries has crossed over into Mali, and time is running out. Turning point The situation is critical. It is unlikely that JNIM would be capable of capturing Bamako and governing the country itself at this time. However, it is probable that should the blockade continue, the pressure and resulting demoralisation could produce a new coup, and a government that is open to negotiation, on the Islamists terms. Since 2021 the majority of the Malian population have continued to support the regime, in spite of the crisis gripping the country, because it offered the hope that they could drag their country free from backwardness and oppression. But eventually a point will be reached when they no longer believe the government can succeed. Further, there is evidence of cracks emerging within the military. A wave of arrests has taken place, in order to shore up the faction loyal to Goita. Without a dramatic change in the situation, the Goita regime in Mali is facing defeat / Image: Presidence Mali, Twitter Even if Goita stays in power, this solves nothing. JNIM has its hands around the neck of the state and is slowly but surely choking it. Eventually Goita himself would have to negotiate, and these negotiations would be on the Islamists terms. Any agreement with JNIM would also necessarily result in it retaining control over most if not all the territory it has captured so far. Already, the rebel-held areas function as a parallel state in much of the countryside, taking zakat (tax), and applying Sharia law. Women travelling outside Bamako must wear head coverings on public transport or face punishment by whipping. One of the demands raised by JNIM is the imposition of Sharia law nationwide. So far the government has refused to negotiate with the Islamists on a national level, but last month it authorised local communities to negotiate with JNIM, likely reflecting the states loss of control in those areas. If the promised Russian aid should arrive, this would provide the state with a lifeline, but on its own it would not reverse the situation in the countryside. Further, Russia will expect a return on its investment, meaning greater access to Malis resources on more favourable terms than that which the state had previously offered. It must be stated bluntly, without a dramatic change in the situation, the Goita regime in Mali is facing defeat. And this defeat will be felt throughout the region. Reactionary consequences The fall of the Goita government, or any agreement struck between Mali and JNIM, would have immediate reactionary implications in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. It would effectively represent the departure of Mali from the Alliance of Sahel States, which was formed primarily to defeat groups like JNIM. Worse, freed up from combat with the Malian army, JNIM would be able to apply even more pressure on the Bukinabe capital, Ouagadougou, which is also at risk of encirclement. Unsurprisingly, the western media are striking a triumphalist tone. Presumably they are hoping for a return to normal after these recalcitrant states have been taught a lesson, along with anyone else getting big ideas about sovereignty. It will not take long for their arrogant stupidity to be exposed. Mali sits at the heart of West Africa. It borders seven countries. The establishment of an Islamist state, either de facto or de jure, in Mali would have an enormously destabilising effect throughout West Africa and beyond. First, any victory for the Islamists will pave the way for further instability and violence within Mali. Several times in the past, groups affiliated to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State have clashed over territory and loot. Without sustained pressure from the Malian military, this conflict will re-emerge on an even greater scale. The fall of the Goita government, or any agreement struck between Mali and JNIM, would have immediate reactionary implications in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger / Image: Presidence Mali, Twitter JNIM itself is not a centralised army but a loose coalition of armed groups, often based on different ethnic groups. The two most important of these groups are Ansar Dine and the Macina Liberation Front, which are dominated by Tuaregs and Fulani respectively. Added to this, local armed militias would likely continue to resist the Islamists, leading to an escalation of violence across ethnic lines. Already, Fulani are targeted on suspicion of being Islamists. Likewise, secular Tuareg nationalists have already clashed with the Islamists and would likely pull towards separation from the rest of Mali. In short, the victory of the Islamists would be a prelude for the dismemberment of the country, which would likely pull in neighbouring countries, as they seek to consolidate their interests along the border just like Syria after the fall of Assad. Beyond Malis borders, the establishment of a solid Islamist base in the country will inevitably mean more attacks in the coastal West African states. In April 2025, 54 soldiers were killed by JNIM in Benin, for example. Even more remarkable were reports that on 28 October JNIM claimed its first attack on Nigerian soil, near the Benin border. These countries may not be as poor or as isolated as Mali but they are still vulnerable, and the population of their remote areas can expect nothing but insecurity and horror so long as this sick capitalist system survives. What is to be done? We must make a sober analysis. The solution to this crisis cannot be found within Mali alone, nor even within the AES. In truth it is not to be found within any single nation. The working class is the only force capable of helping the people of Mali out of this nightmare. The seizure of power by the working masses in the more developed coastal countries, particularly the likes of Ivory Coast, Ghana or Nigeria, could dramatically transform the situation. The response of millions to the revolutionary language of the Burkinabe leader, Ibrahim Traore, and the wave of uprisings we have seen recently, shows the enormous potential for revolution that exists all over Africa / Image: RIA Novosti archive, Wikimedia Commons In the short term, a West African workers state would immediately break the isolation of the Sahel and fight alongside Malian forces to secure essential supply routes. More fundamentally, the expropriation of the corrupt local capitalist class would cut off the financial lifeline for the Islamists, paving the way for the democratic, planned development of the economy. The response of millions to the revolutionary language of the Burkinabe leader, Ibrahim Traore, and the wave of uprisings we have seen recently, shows the enormous potential for revolution that exists all over Africa. The victory of the workers and peasants in one country would set off a revolutionary wave that would threaten to topple capitalism throughout the entire region. Only on this basis, not simply of military co-operation but the integration and planned development of the region under a Socialist Federation of West Africa, the scourge of Islamist terror could finally be extinguished and the lives of the masses of these countries could be transformed beyond recognition But there is another element that must be drawn out. The imperialist powers continue to hoard the capital and technology required for the rapid development of the ex-colonial countries. The experience of Mali and many other countries shows that the imperialists offer aid and investment only to help themselves. The economy must be placed in the hands of the workers of these countries to open the way for genuine international co-operation. In Europe the ruling class is facing its deepest ever crisis. The powerful working class is beginning to move. The potential to join the African and European Revolutions has never been greater. But what is required for all of this is a revolutionary party capable of leading the workers to victory. This was lacking in Mali. It was lacking in Sudan in 2019. The result has been barbarism. In much of the Sahel today the conditions make it extremely difficult to build up such a party, although there are Marxists valiantly striving towards this end. In the rest of the world we must draw the conclusions: the continuation of capitalism is preparing a catastrophe for the whole of humanity. Only the construction of strong revolutionary parties of the working class, that have absorbed the lessons of the past, can offer an alternative, towards a socialist future. We can win this fight, but the crisis in the Sahel shows the stakes. The trial of Sylvia Bongo, wife of former Gabonese President Ali Bongo, and their eldest son Noureddin, along with 11 close associates, began on Monday, November 10, in Libreville before a special criminal court. While Ali Bongo, overthrown in a coup on August 30, 2023, is not among the accused, his family and associatesdubbed the Young Teamface 12 charges ranging from embezzlement and money laundering to forgery, corruption, and criminal association. They are accused of exploiting their positions in the presidential Palace to seize control of public resources. Sylvia and Noureddin Bongo are being tried in absentia, having left Gabon in May 2025 for London after the new president, Brice Clothaire Oligui Nguema, allowed them to leave under the condition of maintaining a low profile. They have publicly denounced the proceedings as a show trial and have released videos alleging political motivation, while Noureddin has consistently denied embezzling any funds. Prosecutor Eddy Minang affirmed that justice would be carried out rigorously, without prejudice or special privileges, with several witnesses, including former presidential staff, expected to testify. Civil society groups in Gabon have expressed frustration over the Bongos absence, urging that those responsible face accountability. Ghislain Ngui Nze, representing the collective Les citoyens indignes, and Georges Mpaga of ROLBG, stressed that the former First Lady and her son must return to Gabon to answer for alleged financial crimes and human rights violations. Under the United Nations Convention against Corruption, international judicial cooperation could enable the repatriation of assets linked to their alleged offences. On 10 November 2025, President Joao Lourenco affirmed his intention not to contest a third presidential term, emphasising that the existing constitutional limit of two terms remains inviolable. He noted that if the ruling party, MPLA, had sought to extend his tenure, the necessary constitutional amendment could have been implemented during his first term, when the party held a qualified parliamentary majority. President Lourenco also indicated that his successor should be someone able to serve the country as well or better than himself, reinforcing his commitment to transition at the end of his current mandate. By reaffirming his adherence to the constitutional twoterm limit, he sought to dispel speculation about potential constitutional manoeuvres for a prolonged tenure. Senegals Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, on Saturday, November 8, called on citizens to accept sacrifices over the next two to three years to help the nation recover from its deepening financial crisis. The appeal comes as Senegal faces a budget deficit of 14% of GDP and public debt reaching 132% of GDP by the end of last year. Elected in 2024 alongside President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on promises to reduce debt and restore growth, Sonko acknowledged the severity of the challenges inherited from the previous administration, which he accused of years of economic mismanagement. Addressing members of his Pastef party near Dakar, Sonko outlined the Governments austerity drive, including spending cuts, suspensions of vehicle purchases, and restrictions on official travel and workshops. Recent measures have also seen new taxes on tobacco, alcohol, gambling, and digital money transfers. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the governments commitment to its August 2025 economic recovery plan, which prioritises domestic resource mobilisation to ease dependency on foreign borrowing. With unemployment hovering around 20% and 36% of citizens living in poverty, Sonko urged national unity and patience to navigate the difficult path toward economic revival. Senegal has hailed the adoption by the UN Security Council of resolution 2797 recognizing the Moroccan autonomy plan under the Kingdoms sovereignty as the only basis for reaching a political solution to the Sahara conflict. The supportive stand comes in the joint statement released following the meeting held Monday in Rabat between Moroccan Foreign minister Nasser Bourita and Senegalese peer Cheikh Niang. The Senegalese top diplomat has reaffirmed his countrys steadfast support for Moroccos territorial integrity and sovereignty over its entire national territory, including the Sahara region. He has also renewed Senegals support for the Moroccan autonomy plan described as the only credible, serious and realistic solution to resolving this five-decade long regional conflict. Bourita thanked the Senegalese minister for Dakars firm support for Moroccos territorial integrity and sovereignty over its entire Saharan territory. The two ministers agreed to bolster Moroccan-Senegalese strategic partnership based on solidarity, mutual trust, and shared development. They also pledged to strengthen cooperation in human development, trade, investment, transport, tourism, consular affairs, agriculture, health, vocational training, fisheries, energy, and infrastructure. To this end, they agreed to convene soon the 15th session of the Moroccan-Senegalese joint high commission to discuss priority projects. The joint Consular Commission will also hold a meeting to improve mobility and protection of Moroccan and Senegalese communities living in either country. In 2026, Morocco and Senegal will hold joint economic days in Dakar to strengthen further economic partnership, investment, and dialogue between private sectors. Talks between the two officials showed convergence of views between Rabat and Dakar on major regional and international issues. They welcomed the shared vision of King Mohammed VI and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye for peace, stability, and development of the continent, as well as their commitment to moderate Islam. Regarding the Atlantic African States Process, Bourita and Niang stressed the need to strengthen regional coordination to transform the African Atlantic space into an area of stability and co-development. They also talked about the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project, linking Nigeria to Morocco, describing it is a powerful symbol of South-South operation, with Senegal playing a key role in the first phase linking its territory to Mauritania. The two diplomats also reaffirmed their commitment to continue consultations on the royal initiative offering Sahel countries Atlantic Sea access within the frame of an inclusive and mutually beneficial approach. 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: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain One year of dual antiplatelet therapy with one of two potent P2Y12 inhibitorsticagrelor or prasugrelin people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes who had received a drug-eluting stent did not offer the same level of benefit at preventing stent clotting, heart attacks and bleeding complications, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025. The meeting, held Nov. 710 in New Orleans, is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science. The TUXEDO-2 study is a randomized clinical trial evaluating percutaneous coronary intervention strategies, including stent choice, revascularization approach, and antiplatelet therapy, in 1,800 adults in India with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and multivessel disease. All of the patients enrolled in the study had one of two specific drug-eluting stents implanted after a percutaneous coronary intervention to clear a blockage. Stents are implanted to increase blood flow in a narrowed or blocked vessel, and drug-eluting stents are coated with a medication to help reduce the risk of re-narrowing of the stents. This part of the study specifically focused on comparing two antiplatelet medications, prasugrel and ticagrelor, which were prescribed to the patients, along with aspirin, after the stent procedure. Researchers reviewed the rate of stroke, heart attack, bleeding complications or death after one year of the medication regimens. "Our findings indicate that prasugrel may potentially be the better choice for patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes," said lead study author Sripal Bangalore, M.D., M.H.A., FAHA, a professor of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City. "We were surprised by the results because we hypothesized that ticagrelor should be as good or perhaps even better than prasugrel. It's important to choose the right medicine, and at least from our data, we cannot say that ticagrelor and prasugrel are interchangeable." The study found: The primary composite outcome of heart attack, stroke, bleeding complications or death occurred at a rate of 16.57% in the ticagrelor group and 14.23% in the prasugrel group. The rate of non-fatal heart attack was 5.96% in the ticagrelor group and 5.21% in the prasugrel group; the rate of major bleeding in the ticagrelor group was 8.41% and 7.14% in the prasugrel group. The rate of death in patients taking ticagrelor was 5.03% and 3.67% in the prasugrel group. "Currently, these medications are treated as interchangeable. However, our findings provide evidence that they might be a bit different," Bangalore said. "For individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and complex coronary disease, there may be an advantage to treatment with prasugrel over ticagrelor, and importantly, the two should not be used interchangeably." Dual antiplatelet therapy, which includes aspirin plus a P2Y12 inhibitor agent, prevents blood clots and reduces the risk of adverse cardiac events in people with acute coronary syndrome. The 2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes recommends at least one year of dual antiplatelet therapy for all patients after implantation of a drug-eluting stent. Study details, background and design: The TUXEDO-2 study was conducted at 66 health care sites across India. Enrollment for the trial was from 2020 to 2024 and the study researchers assessed the outcomes of participants after they had been randomly assigned to receive one of two types of stents, as well as two different types of dual anti-platelet therapy. The study included 1,800 adults (average age of 60 years; 71% men and 29% women) with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and multivessel coronary disease. The patients had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (to restore blood flow to the artery), and a drug-eluting stent had been implanted. About one quarter of the study participants were taking insulin; roughly 79% had acute coronary artery syndrome; and approximately 85% had triple vessel disease. The primary clinical trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention with two drug-eluting stents in patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and multivessel coronary disease. The objective of this analysis was a randomized comparison of ticagrelor versus prasugrel, in addition to aspirin, to assess potential impact on heart attack, stroke, major bleeding complications and death. The patients in the two medication groups were similar in terms of age, sex, ethnicity and heart health status. The medication comparison analysis in the trial followed these patients for a year, and other parts of the Tuxedo trial will continue for five years. Study limitations included that patients and physicians knew to which medication the patients were assigned. In addition, compliance with the assigned treatment wasn't assessed, meaning that there was no way to be certain study participants took all medications exactly as prescribed. In addition, the study was done only in India, therefore findings may not apply to countries with different health systems or populations. 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: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A new University of California San Diego study offers compelling evidence that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agoniststhe class of drugs behind Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, for examplemay do more than regulate blood sugar and weight. In an analysis of more than 6,800 colon cancer patients across all University of California Health sites, researchers found that those taking GLP-1 medications were less than half as likely to die within five years compared to those who weren't on the drugs (15.5% versus 37.1%). The study, led by Raphael Cuomo, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine and member of UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, used real-world clinical data from the University of California Health Data Warehouse to assess outcomes across the state's academic medical centers. After adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), disease severity and other health factors, GLP-1 users still showed significantly lower odds of death, suggesting a strong and independent protective effect. The survival benefit appeared most pronounced in patients with very high BMI (over 35), hinting that GLP-1 drugs may help counteract the inflammatory and metabolic conditions that worsen colon cancer prognosis. Researchers believe several biological mechanisms could explain the link. Beyond regulating blood sugar, GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce systemic inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity and promote weight lossall factors that can dampen tumor-promoting pathways. Laboratory studies also suggest that GLP-1 drugs may directly prevent cancer cell growth, trigger cancer cell death and reshape the tumor microenvironment. However, the study authors emphasize that more research is needed to confirm these mechanisms and determine whether the survival benefit observed in this real-world analysis represents a direct anti-cancer effect or an indirect result of improved metabolic health. Cuomo notes that while these results are observational, they underscore an urgent need for clinical trials to test whether GLP-1 drugs can improve cancer survival rates, especially for patients with obesity-related cancers. The study appeared in Cancer Investigation on Nov. 11, 2025. More information: Raphael E. Cuomo, The Influence of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Five-Year Mortality in Colon Cancer Patients, Cancer Investigation (2025). DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2025.2585512 Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, joked she was "a bit rusty" on her return to acting. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has returned to acting The 44-year-old royal left legal drama Suits eight years ago before announcing her engagement to Prince Harry but she has landed a small role in upcoming movie Close Personal Friends, in which she will play herself, and was "genuinely excited" to be on set in Pasadena, California last week. An insider told People magazine: "She introduced herself as 'Meghan.' Everything about her was very sweet and calm. "She genuinely seemed excited to be on set. She was joking that she felt a bit rusty, but it was obvious that she had rehearsed and that it was a big deal for her to be back. And she was great. "She had a very warm energy, too. She was super pleasant to be around." It was previously revealed that the role in Close Personal Friends - which stars Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Jack Quaid and Henry Golding - was Meghan's first attempt to explore returning to her previous career. An insider told The Sun newspaper: "This is a massive moment for Meghan and signifies a return to doing what she truly loves. She has been swamped with offers but this one felt right. "It is Meghans way of gently putting her toe back in the water and seeing how she enjoys being back on set. "Everyone involved is super-excited, and have been sworn to secrecy about her involvement." Before joining the British Royal Family, the actress - then known as Meghan Markle - landed roles in the likes of Horrible Bosses, Anti-Social, CSI: NY, 90210, Knight Rider and Castle. She hasn't acted since wrapping her final scene for Suits in 2017, which aired the following year. During a joint engagement interview with Harry in 2017, Meghan - who wed the prince in 2018 and went on to have children Prince Archie, six, and four-year-old Princess Lilibet with him - opened up about her decision to move to the UK and leave her acting career behind. She told BBC presenter Mishal Husain at the time: "I don't see it as giving anything up, I just see it as a change. "Its a new chapter. Right. And also keep in mind Ive been working on my show for seven years. "So we're very very fortunate to be able to have that sort of longevity on a series and for me, once we hit the 100-episode marker I thought, you know what, I have ticked this box and I feel really proud of the work I've done there and now it's time to, as you said, work as a team with [Harry]." 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: (Left) Brain section showing targeted gene delivery to the ventral hippocampus, precisely guided by focused ultrasound. (Right) Brain section demonstrating high spatial resolution gene expression achieved across the entire bilateral hippocampi. Credit: Laboratory for Noninvasive Neuroengineering / Rice University Rice University bioengineers have demonstrated a nonsurgical way to quiet a seizure-relevant brain circuit in an animal model. The team used low-intensity focused ultrasound to briefly open the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the hippocampus, delivered an engineered gene therapy only to that region and later flipped an on-demand "dimmer switch" with an oral drug. The research shows that a one-time, targeted procedure can modulate a specific brain region without impacting off-target areas of the brain. It is published in and featured on the cover of ACS Chemical Neuroscience. "Many neurological diseases are driven by hyperactive cells at a particular location in the brain," said study lead Jerzy Szablowski, assistant professor of bioengineering and a member of the Rice Neuroengineering Initiative. "Our approach aims the therapy where it is needed and lets you control it when you need it, without surgery and without a permanent implant." How the ATAC method targets brain circuits The work builds on nearly a decade of innovation by Szablowski and his team. The group's acoustically targeted chemogenetics (ATAC) method merges ultrasound, gene therapy and chemogeneticsa technique that equips selected neurons with engineered receptors so they can be activated or silenced by a specific druginto a single tool that makes possible precise control over brain circuits without surgery. In the ATAC procedure, researchers first injected microscopic gas-filled bubbles into the bloodstream. When low-intensity ultrasound waves were directed at the hippocampus, the microbubbles oscillated gently against blood vessel walls, creating temporary, nanometer-scale openings in the BBB. These pores were hundreds of times smaller than blood cells, thus impeding their passage, but large enough to allow engineered gene delivery vectors developed by the Szablowski lab to enter the targeted brain tissue. The pores closed naturally within hours, leaving the BBB intact. The engineered vectors carried instructions for building an inhibitory chemogenetic receptor, a kind of molecular "dimmer switch" that makes neurons responsive to a drug administered later to "quiet" seizure-inducing activity. Two magnified images of hippocampus regions showing high transduction efficiency of the delivered vector. Credit: Laboratory for Noninvasive Neuroengineering / Rice University "By precisely targeting the hippocampus, we can dampen overactivity where it matters and leave the rest of the brain untouched," said Honghao Li, a bioengineering doctoral student at Rice who is a first author on the study. The results confirm that ATAC can achieve precise control over target brain circuits using a minimally invasive procedure and a simple systemic drug. Because both focused ultrasound BBB opening and viral vector-based gene delivery are already advancing in clinical studies, the method could accelerate the development of targeted treatments for epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Broader implications and future directions The hippocampus experiment marks a milestone for Szablowski's group, which has previously shown how to deliver gene therapies across large brain volumes, small targeted brain regions and even individual neuronal connections. Focused ultrasound can also be used to recover molecular signals from specific brain regions: A related technique of the Szablowski lab known as recovery of markers through insonation (REMIS), can release engineered or natural proteins from only the insonated region into the bloodstream, allowing researchers to monitor gene activity without invasive investigations. The technique gave rise to a clinical trial with Texas Medical Center partners, including researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "These technologies complement each other," Szablowski said. "Ultrasound lets us deliver therapy, control the neurons we want and then measure the effects in the exact circuit we targeted. Our goal is to build a platform that can reach any brain region safely, deliver any genetic payload precisely and let clinicians control it on demand. This kind of versatility could change how we think about developing brain therapies." More information: Honghao Li et al, Nonsurgical Control of Seizure Threshold with Acoustically Targeted Chemogenetics, ACS Chemical Neuroscience (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.5c00404 Journal information: ACS Chemical Neuroscience 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: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Despite the capability of antiretroviral drugs to suppress HIV to undetectable levels, some people living with the human immunodeficiency virus can't reach the goal of viral imperceptibility even with daily doses of the potent medications. It is a conundrum that has mystified virologists for years, but new research by a team of investigators at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, has produced evidence that may explain why successful treatment eludes some patients living with HIV. Based on a study of eight people whose antiretroviral treatment did not drive down HIV to an undetectable level, the Hopkins researchers found that constant HIV in the blood is not the result of patients missing medication doses or the virus becoming drug resistant. It persists, they discovered, because of a population of insidious immune components known as "self-reactive CD4+ T cells." Viral RNA in blood complicates therapy These HIV-infected CD4+ T cells can release viral RNA that persists in the bloodstream, a phenomenon called nonsuppressible viremia. Simply put, nonsuppressible viremia refers to an ongoing presence of low levels of HIV in the blood. "Antiretroviral therapy halts human immunodeficiency virus replication, reducing plasma virus concentrations to below the limit of detection, but it is not curative because of a reservoir of latently infected CD4+ T cells," writes lead author of the study, Dr. Fengting Wu, in Science Translational Medicine. "Even with 100% adherence to antiretroviral therapy, a large fraction of people living with HIV have residual viremia," adds Wu, a molecular biologist. "Nonsuppressible viremia remains a cause of distress for people living with HIV and their care providers," Wu continued, noting in the study that "clinical options for managing nonsuppressible viremia are currently limited." She and the other Hopkins researchers also underscored that even though the viremia may be low, it cannot be controlled by simply upping the dosage of antiretroviral medication. So, despite doctors' best efforts, viral RNA continues to persist in the blood. And more puzzling still, it may take years, even decades, for the viremia to emerge. Nonsuppressible virus can emerge years later The eight patients with nonsuppressible viremia were referred to the study by their physicians. All eight had been on long-term antiretroviral treatment for a median of 23 years before developing persistent viremia. For the patient with the least amount of time on the therapy, it took nine years before nonsuppressible viremia occurred. Another spent 31 problem-free years on the treatment before viremia loomed as an inescapable fact of life. Yet, during the study period, some research participants who had lab-confirmed evidence of nonsuppressible viremia, had no signs of it at all. "Several possibilities could explain the lack of detectable virus production from infected CD4+ T cells in some study participants," writes Wu. "These include a low frequency of infected self-reactive cells, the antigen of interest not being present in the lysate, or the antigen being present at very low concentrations." Complicating matters further, CD4+ T cells make clones of themselves in HIV infection, a process known as clonal expansion. A small fraction of CD4+ T cells infected with HIV survive and divide, creating clones of infected cells that form the viral reservoir, the source of the nonsuppressible viremia. Viral RNA in blood driven by CD4+ clones The Hopkins team delved into the nature of the HIV viral reservoir by studying the contents of patients' self-reactive CD4+ T cells. If the contents of the cells were revealed, they reasoned, a better understanding of what goes awry could be explained. A preparation was made, which broke open the cells to release their contents. The team identified proteins, their fragments and pulped material, which can act as antigens. Scientists additionally found in the lab that proviruses in CD4+ T cells are reactive to autologous antigens, thus contributing to nonsuppressible viremia. A provirus is the genetic material of a virus, such as HIV, that has been integrated into a host cell's DNA. This integrated viral DNA becomes a permanent part of the host genome and can remain dormant before being "activated" to produce new viruses. Indeed, the team discovered that T cells from the patients started producing HIV RNA when exposed to pulped material from the patient's own cells. This RNA was identical to viral RNA that scientists isolated from the patients' blood, suggesting that self-reacting T cells might be a major source of viral material in patients with nonsuppressible viremia. That finding led scientists to conclude the nonsuppressible viremia is driven by CD4+ T cell clones. "These findings prompt future research efforts to better characterize the reactivity of infected clones responding to chronic antigens," Wu and colleagues write, adding that such knowledge could inform individualized therapies that could benefit people living with HIV. Written for you by our author Delthia Ricks, 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: Fengting Wu et al, Proviruses in CD4+ T cells reactive to autologous antigens contribute to nonsuppressible HIV-1 viremia, Science Translational Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adu4643 Journal information: Science Translational Medicine 2025 Science X Network " " Do you need food today? There may be a no-cost market open near you. DC Studio / Shutterstock With a federal government shutdown disrupting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), nearly 42 million Americans have lost their food assistance and are turning to food banks and pantries for help. For these people, finding free food isn't about saving money; it's about survival. Advertisement From older adults to families with children, affected communities are turning to local organizations to fight hunger and access support during the ongoing crisis. Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill are reuniting for a new Doctor Who themed podcast. Arthur Darvill and Karen Gillan are launching a Doctor Who podcast The two actors - who rose to fame as husband and wife duo Amy Pond and Rory Williams during Matt Smith's spell as the Time Lord - have stayed close over the years, and they're set to relive their days in the TARDIS together on The Pondcast. Arthur told RadioTimes.com: "We really get on and we catch up quite often, and we had such a good time [on Doctor Who]. "It was so long ago and we've forgotten so much that happened, but it was such a formative thing, that we feel now that we're able to look back and celebrate it." The 43-year-old star admitted he hasn't actually watched "half of" their tenure on the iconic BBC show, so he's excited to "rewatch it and talk about it". He said: "I'm slightly nervous, but also, because it was so long ago, it feels like a different person. "So I feel ready to watch some stuff. I've seen a lot of it, but there's some episodes I've never seen. So it will be a complete surprise." Although there is no launch date, the pair have been getting stuck in and even landed former showrunner Steven Moffat as a guest. Arthur added: "We've recorded a few episodes already and it's really fun. "It is just me and Karen messing around so I'm not quite sure how many new facts you'll get, but it's really nice to kind of go back and reminisce about it." The news comes days after confirmation Disney+ will no longer be involved with Doctor Who following its two-season partnership with the BBC. In October 2022, the streamer struck a deal with the corporation to become the global home for the show outside the UK and Ireland, with the BBC remaining its exclusive home in the UK. With Disney+ exiting the TARDIS on the next season of the sci-fi show, the corporation remains fully committed to the programme. The BBC has announced a Christmas 2026 special, with plans for the next series being confirmed in due course. Lindsay Salt, Director of Drama, BBC, said: "We can assure fans, the Doctor is not going anywhere, and we will be announcing plans for the next series in due course, which will ensure the TARDIS remains at the heart of the BBC." Blowing the lid off a cross-border fraud with international ramifications, Mumbais Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has chargesheeted top officials of the Indian arm of a Chinese heavy machinery behemoth. The chargesheet, filed in a Mumbai court, is against the Indian subsidiary of the Chinese giant, Zoomlion Heavy Industries Science & Technology Co Ltd, for allegedly duping a local Mumbai-based firm, Infracon Resources (an MSME), by supplying 10 dilapidated and obsolete piling machines disguised as brand-new equipment. The court has issued summons to key company officials, including two Chinese nationals who remain absconding. The court will hear the matter on December 6. The anatomy of the junk deal The sensational allegations stem from a 2019 deal in which Mumbai-based Infracon Resources was allegedly induced into purchasing 10 specialised piling rigs. What they received, according to the official complaint, was anything but new. The machines were refurbished, old, and junk, equipped with obsolete technology and engines that were already seven years old. When the faulty machines failed to perform as promised, Infracon, represented by Assistant Manager Yogendra Dipak Deshmukh, attempted multiple avenues for resolution, including mediation and arbitration, only to find no satisfactory answer. With their operations crippled and investment lost, the company finally filed a First Information Report (FIR) with the Mumbai Police in 2022. The case, initially registered at Amboli Police Station, was later transferred to EOW for an in-depth investigation. EOWs chargesheet Following a thorough investigation, including a detailed review of documents and collection of witness statements, the EOW filed its chargesheet in March 2025. The formal document charges the accused under stringent sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC): Section 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and Section 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention). The EOW asserts that it possesses strong written and oral evidence against the charged officials. The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate at Mumbais 47th Court has taken cognisance of the chargesheet and issued official summons to the prime suspects: Roy Chen (Chinese National): Managing Director of Zoomlion India Pvt. Ltd. operations in Panvel, Raigad. Huwan Qun (Chinese National): Age 57, Additional Director of Zoomlion India Pvt. Ltd. since March 2013. R Senthil Kumar (Indian National): Former Market Head of the company. The chargesheet specifically states that all three individuals were responsible for inducing the complainant to purchase the ten faulty piling machines. Despite the EOW confirming strong written and oral evidence against the senior Chinese officials, Managing Director Roy Chen and Additional Director Huwan Qun could not be arrested as they are based out of China. The EOW dossier explains that both individuals are Chinese nationals, and securing the necessary multi-level permissions for their arrest or extradition would potentially cause undue delays to the entire criminal investigation. These senior Chinese officials have been non-cooperative, reportedly failing to respond to notices issued by the EOW. Due to their absconding status and lack of response, the EOW has formally requested the court to allow further investigation under Section 173(8) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). The Government Railway Police (GRP) has accused Central Railway (CR) in court of hastily welding together the weak tracks to cover up the serious lapses that led to the Mumbra train tragedy. What is even more shocking, claims the GRP, is that for four days before the June 9 accident that killed five, CR had evidence of the dangerous weakness in the tracks but did nothing to avert the tragedy. GRPs sensational assertions came during Tuesdays anticipatory bail hearing of the two CR officers charged in the November 1 FIR. The two absconding officials Assistant Divisional Engineer Vishal Dolas and Senior Section Engineer Samar Yadav have been charged with criminal negligence. The Thane court has reserved its order on the bail plea of the engineers till Wednesday. The GRP and CR have been locked in a confrontation over the investigation into the accident. While the CR probe has tried to put the blame on a passengers hanging bang and hand for the accident at a curve near Mumbra station, the GRP has cited a report by Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), Matunga, that pointed at several technical lapses to chargesheet the two CR officials. The report was commissioned independently by the GRP after the agency allegedly faced obstruction from the railway authorities during its investigation. During the hearing, the GRP submitted both the VJTI and CR reports to the court. Assistant Public Prosector Manisha Pavase and Assistant Commissioner Sudhakar Shiddat explained the technical points to Additional Session Judge Ganesh Pawar. The railway report was completed on September 11 but was handed over to us only on November 3, two days after the FIR was filed, the officer told the court. According to documents produced by the prosecution, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) wrote to the railway authorities on June 5, warning that ongoing work near the nallah violated safety rules. The railway engineers issued a caution order after the TMC letter but neither repaired the tracks nor submitted a related compliance report. Investigators said that key officers, including senior divisional safety officials and divisional engineers, had not appeared for questioning, while the auxiliary monitoring system report was never submitted. Defence counsel Baldev Rajput argued that the mishap occurred because passengers bags got entangled. There is no evidence of any such bags in the panchanama or in the railway report, the investigating officer countered. Rajput also claimed that more than 200 trains passed through the same stretch after the accident without incident, to which the officer replied, Two trains did not cross that stretch simultaneously after the incident and this was what triggered the tragedy. The court has asked for detailed data of trains on this route. The defence further argued that the nallah mentioned in the report was located nearly 150 feet from the accident site and insisted that the derailment was not the result of any technical fault. They added that the welded portion was about 150 metres from the actual derailment point and that the track in question was part of the down line laid several decades ago, with the adjoining up line even older contending contending that no such incident occurred on the stretch in all these years. The GRP pointed out that the train was running at a speed of around 75 kmph at the time of the accident, even though a caution alert was issued restricting the speed to below 50 kmph. At present, trains on the same stretch operate at around 30 kmph. Investigators alleged that the railways internal report conveniently omitted these crucial technical details. When the judge asked if GRP had received the CR probe report before filing the case, the investigating officer replied in the negative, prompting the court to question the delay. The judge also demanded CCTV footage from the exact time of the accident, noting that the defence only presented partial footage from railway cameras. Both sides presented their respective CCTV clips during the hearing. The defence said they did not dispute the VJTIs findings but claimed the institutes measurements were taken for convenience and that the institute experts only have theoretical knowledge, unlike the CR officials who have practical expertise and understanding. This drew a sharp rebuke from the court. Should the measurements be taken as per your convenience? the judge asked. The GRP also told the court that several deaths and injuries had been reported on this stretch before and after the June 9 incident. The judge has directed that complete CCTV footage from the day of the incident be produced along with all relevant documents in court on Wednesday. A state government committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Vikas Kharge has begun probing how a company part-owned by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawars son Parth Pawar Amadea Enterprises LLP allegedly secured a 100% stamp duty waiver using invalid documents during the registration of the land sale deed. The allegations have kicked up a political storm in Maharashtra, with the Opposition claiming top-level corruption, more so after the FIR in the case did not name the Dy CMs son. Now, officials suspect the company obtained the waiver by misusing a Letter of Intent (LOI) issued by the District Industries Centre (DIC), Pune a document not valid for claiming stamp duty exemption. The probe committee has found that the LOI issued by the DIC, Pune, along with a copy of the governments policy notification on stamp duty waiver, was attached to the sale deed at the time of registration which was then accepted by the sub-registrar without verifying the authenticity or authority of the documents. According to officials, the LOI merely acknowledges that the company falls under the Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) category as per state policy and does not serve as a waiver certificate. The controversial Letter of Intent Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, A Kothari, General Manager of DIC that issued the LOI, confirmed that the LOI was based on the companys application and Memorandum of Understanding. The DIC is not the competent authority to issue certificates for stamp duty waiver in this category. The company should have applied to the concerned department of the state government, Kothari said. Kothari added that while the DIC does issue stamp duty waiver certificates in certain eligible cases which falls in their domain and where they are competent authority, companies under the ITES category do not fall within their domain for such benefits. An officer part of the scrutiny said, It appears that the LOI was misused to obtain the stamp duty waiver, and the sub-registrar concerned now suspended granted the waiver without proper verification or government approval. The committee is now collecting all documents related to the registration and stamp duty payment. Revenue officials in Pune have been instructed to trace the land records dating back to the post-Independence period as part of the probe. Parth Pawars company, which executed the sale deed and registered the property in its name, reportedly received a stamp duty waiver of 21 crore, paying only 500 at the time of registration. According to registration records, the 40-acre land was purchased at the ready reckoner rate of 300 crore. However, the opposition has alleged that the propertyowned by the Maharashtra government and leased to the Botanical Survey of India (BSI)is actually valued at around 1,800 crore. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, father of Parth Pawar, has maintained that not a single rupee has been paid and that the sale deed has been cancelled. The committee formed to probe the matter is now expected to verify how the registration was completed if no payment was made, since payment details are mandatorily verified by the sub-registrar prior to registration. The sub-registrar involved in the case has already been placed under suspension. Probe hints at manipulation in land records The state government committee has decided to examine the original land records dating back to the post-Independence period, after discovering that the 7/12 extract of the property clearly mentions Bombay Sarkar as the owner and notes that the entries were closed. It is crucial to verify how other names appeared later in the records, who obtained the power of attorney, and how the sale deed was executed, an official said. The probe committee suspects that land records and supporting documents were manipulated to facilitate the deal. Officials believe that certain individuals within Punes government departments including the revenue office, collectors office, tehsildar office, and the sub-registrars office (whose officer has already been suspended) may have tampered with official records and made false entries prior to the registration of the sale deed. An official said, We are examining how the names were added even though the Mahar Watan rules were abolished between 1950 and 1959, and members of the concerned community were paid nazrana (premium) before the land was transferred to the Bombay Sarkar and leased to the Botanical Survey of India, which holds rights till 2038. Investigators are also looking into how the registration took place without any payment being recorded, as claimed. Under procedure, the sub-registrar must verify payment details before registration. Officials are probing how the stamp duty waiver was granted without prior government approval, and why no intimation or permission was sought before executing the sale deed. Prima facie, officials believe a false power of attorney was obtained from members of the Mahar community, which was then used to execute the land deal. BOX: Maharashtras stamp duty waiver policy As per the State Governments 2023 policy and a subsequent Revenue and Forest Department notification issued in February 2024 under the Maharashtra Stamp Act, companies identified as IT, ITES, AVGC, or emerging technology units can avail stamp duty waivers ranging from 50% to 100%, depending on the project type and category. The policy framed by the state government itself mandates a crucial verification process before granting such exemptions. The policy states: For the IT/ITES unit seeking stamp duty exemption under this policy, it will be essential to verify whether the unit under consideration has availed or not availed any stamp duty exemption under any other policies of the Government of Maharashtra issued in this behalf. It will be compulsory to submit a No Objection Certificate from the Competent Authority of the Industries Department in this regard. However, there is no clarity on who the competent authority is to issue such certificates. The committee formed by the state government under Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Vikas Kharge is expected to examine this aspect. Sources told Mirror that, ideally, the Development Commissioner from the Industries Department should have been the competent authority to issue such certificates. The committee is going to verify this with the concerned department in the industries ministry, a senior government source said. The Maharashtra governments policy allows stamp duty exemptions for new and existing IT/ITES, AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics) and Emerging Technology units across the state. Full exemption is offered to units outside Zone I, those in SEZs, and new or expanding data centres. Units within public IT parks in Zone I get a 75% waiver, while those in private parks receive 50%. Mergers or reconstructions of registered tech units are eligible for a 75% remission. The waivers apply to documents such as sale deeds, leases, and mortgages under the Maharashtra Stamp Act. The Bombay High Court has issued an important ruling regarding the disqualification of elected members of housing societies in Mumbai. The court stated that the authority cannot disqualify elected members based solely on assumptions, charges and broad allegations. Disqualification of these elected members impacts the functioning of the society. Therefore, the court stated that a decision regarding disqualification must be based on clear evidence of facts that clearly demonstrate that the members have not fulfilled their legal obligations. Making this observation, the court quashed the order disqualifying the chairman and secretary of a Mira Road housing society. It also directed the Deputy Registrar to issue a fresh, reasoned order on the entire matter within eight weeks. The court cautioned the Deputy Registrar to evaluate the evidence carefully when making a decision. The authoritys decision should reflect a considered approach to the law, warned the court. Slew of allegations The authority had disqualified a Mira Road societys chairman and secretary based on allegations of failing to hold a general meeting (AGM) as per rules, not submitting an O Form, and not conducting an audit for several years. The Deputy Registrar and the Departmental Joint Registrar of Co-operative Societies issued the disqualification order, which was challenged by the chairman and secretary through advocate Jyotiram Yadav in Bombay High Court. The petition questioned the disqualification order issued under Section 75(5) of the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act. Justice Amit Borkar, considering the facts of the case, stated that when a law grants the power to disqualify elected representatives, this power must be exercised with caution. The court has consistently held that a reasoned decision based on evidence is essential in such cases. The absence of such reasoning renders the decision untenable. Thus, the court set aside the authority's orders of April 24, 2024, May 7, 2024, and November 23, 2024. Courts argument The disqualification decision in the current case was based on a flawed approach. The legal criteria were not followed. There was no solid basis for the disqualification finding. The elected members were not identified as being at fault. There was no evidence to show that the societys committee failed to comply with its legal obligations, resulting in harm to the society. The first phase of voting in Bihar saw what the Election Commission describe as an historic turnout. On November 6, more than 65 per cent of the 3.75 crore eligible voters exercised their franchise across 121 assembly constituencies. This contest is seen as a crucial test for the popularity of the ruling National Democratic Alliance, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. As the election unfolds, the outcome will not only decide the next government but also mark the end of one of Indias least active state legislatures. The 17th Bihar Legislative Assembly, elected in November 2020 and dissolved in July 2025, holds the record for the shortest full-term assembly in the states history. Yet, data reveals an even more concerning picture of the state of democracy at the broader level. Fewest sessions The outgoing assembly recorded the poorest legislative performance in the states recent history, holding only 146 sittings between 2020 and 2025 the lowest during Nitishs four terms as CM. This figure is also the lowest among all assemblies in the country. The last time Bihars legislature met less frequently was over 40 years ago, when the 7th Assembly (1977-1980) convened for just 144 sittings under chief minister Karpoori Thakur of the Janata Party, according to PRS Legislative Research. However, that assembly did not complete a full five-year term. On average, the outgoing assembly met for just 29 days a year. Even during those sessions, proceedings were brief lasting about three hours a day, compared to roughly five hours in most states in 2024. The longest sessions, held in early 2021 and 2022, lasted only 22 sittings each. Bihars budget sessions, however, were among the most productive in the outgoing House, functioning for more than 80 hours on three occasions. In the last two budget sessions, the House functioned for 45.9 and 67.8 hours, respectively. The 17th Assemblys least productive session was the monsoon session that concluded in July this year the House functioned for just 4.6 hours. The 17th Assembly lost 225.9 hours to adjournments, at an average of 45.2 hours per year. The budget sessions, in fact, saw the most time lost to adjournments a total of 147.2 hours, accounting for 65.2 per cent of all adjournment time losses. Bills without debate Across the term, the assembly introduced 99 bills. Each of them was passed the same day it was tabled, without any referral to committees or extended debate. Most of these laws passed were related to education, finance and taxation, and administration, according to data compiled by Bihar Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms. Some of these bills included: (i) the Bihar Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, (ii) the Bihar Control of Crimes Bill, 2024, and (iii) the Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration, Safety and Welfare) Bill, 2025. In 2023, the assembly approved two bills to expand reservations in government jobs and educational institutions. While the government may tout this swift passage as a sign of efficiency, the lack of legislative scrutiny raises concerns about oversight, policy quality and constitutional integrity. The Bihar Reservation (Jobs and Educational Institutions) Bills of 2023 passed in similar haste were later struck down by the Patna High Court in June 2024, highlighting the risks of bypassing detailed examination. Besides, seven ordinances were issued, lower than previous assemblies. The number of ordinances issued in Bihar has gone down over the years. For example: Seven ordinances were promulgated between 2021 and 2025 compared to 16 by the previous assembly, between 2015 and 2020. Other than the general discussion on the annual budget, legislatures also discuss expenditures of major ministries. In the past five years, the assembly discussed such expenditures for an average of nine days. Uneven representation Gender underrepresentation persisted in the 17th Bihar Assembly, with women legislators holding steady at around 11 per cent virtually unchanged from previous terms. With only 26 women MLAs, issues such as law and order, women and child safety, and public health received little attention. Most legislators were between 41 and 55 years old, though the 2020 elections saw a rise in representatives aged 56 to 77 compared to 2015. The share of young legislators (25-40 years) fell to 14 per cent, down from 16 per cent in the previous assembly. Meanwhile, dynastic politics remains deeply rooted. About 27 per cent of Bihars elected representatives across the assembly, legislative council and Parliament come from political families. Together, these trends reflect a legislature that mirrors entrenched power structures more than the states diverse social and demographic realities. Questions asked During the five-year term, MLAs raised a total of 22,505 questions, averaging 179 per member. Among the top five questioners, two belonged to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and one each to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist). The leading performers Arun Shankar Prasad (BJP, Khajauli) and Manohar Prasad Singh (Congress, Manihari) asked 275 and 231 questions, respectively. However, many legislators posed fewer than 10 questions throughout the term, revealing stark disparities in participation. Most questions focused on rural development, education and health, indicating that while local issues received attention, scrutiny of wider governance remained limited. Taken together, these trends depict a worrying institutional drift. The 17th Bihar Assembly has functioned more as a procedural arm of the executive than as a deliberative body of elected representatives. The erosion of sitting days, the bypassing of committees, and the narrowing of legislative scope all signal a deeper crisis in how state-level democracy operates. These numbers do point to a worrying trend of lesser days of legislative work, but they are not a reflection of the quality of debate in the assembly. Although, there is a need to increase the number of sittings, the focus must be kept on issues like unemployment, education and health, says Gautam Mukherjee, a political analyst. As Bihar prepares for its next assembly, the challenge ahead is not merely electoral but institutional reviving the substance of lawmaking. The coming five years will determine whether legislators can restore the assemblys constitutional role as a forum for scrutiny, representation and debate, or allow it to remain an echo chamber of executive authority. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, the latest in a series of once-unthinkable moments for his country and another unlikely stop in the former militants personal journey.Once imprisoned by US forces in Iraq, Sharaa went on to lead Syrias al-Qaeda affiliate and now, as interim head of state, appears in smiling photos with presidents and prime ministers around the world while seeking their help as Syria emerges from decades of dictatorship and war. On Monday, after a historic first trip to the White House by a Syrian leader, Sharaa stepped out of his motorcade and greeted a cheering throng of supporters gathered just outside, many waving Syrian flags. Since Sharaa, 43, led rebel forces that toppled Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December, Trump has become one of the new leaders more enthusiastic global backers, a bond rooted in US perceptions of the countrys strategic importance but also Trumps apparent personal regard. Tough guy, Trump said of Sharaa after the two men first met in May. Very strong past. Fighter. In remarks Monday after the meeting, Trump reiterated his praise for the Syrian president. We want to see Syria become a country thats very successful. And I think this leader can do it, I really do, Trump said. As he visited Washington, Sharaa was looking to deepen a partnership with the United States that has already paid dividends, including the lifting of sanctions imposed on the Assad government and US mediation with Sharaas rivals, at home and abroad, amid repeated challenges to the Syrian leaders rule. In an interview with The Washington Post after the White House meeting, Sharaa framed the lifting of sanctions as necessary to give Syria the opportunity to recover from decades of war. It is clear through the policies of Mr Trump that he is in favor of the stability of Syria and the territorial unity, and the lifting, the complete lifting of sanctions of Syria, Sharaa said. So he is pushing in that direction. Sharaa said the majority of the members of Congress he met with Monday also support the lifting of sanctions. The American administration is in agreement that Syria deserves to have an opportunity to be stable and to build its economy and to maintain its territorial integrity, he said. The US Treasury Department on Monday issued a new order suspending stringent sanctions on Syria under what is known as the Caesar Act, for a period of six months. The order extended a previous suspension issued in May, but fell short of Syrian requests that the sanctions be fully repealed. Sharaa, who was removed from a United Nations sanctions list last week, once led the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which severed ties with al-Qaeda in 2017. On Friday, the State Department said that Sharaa - formerly known by his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani - and Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab would be removed from a list of globally designated terrorists in recognition of the progress demonstrated by the Syrian leadership after the departure of Bashar al-Assad. The Trump administration lifted Assad-era sanctions after Trump met with Sharaa in May in Saudi Arabia - a critical step as Syria is trying to rebuild following the vast devastation wrought by its civil war, an effort estimated to cost $216 billion, according to the World Bank, which called that amount a conservative best estimate. Sanctions relief will allow Syria to access international finance, reconnect with the global banking system and import goods to help reconstruct its decimated health care system and other sectors. Sharaas government is also seeking the permanent repeal by Congress of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, a punishing set of sanctions imposed in 2019, named for a whistleblower who leaked photographs of thousands of people killed by Assads government. Despite the Caesar Acts suspension by the Trump administration, the threat that the sanctions could be reimposed is a deterrent to US companies seeking to do business in Syria, said Mouaz Moustafa of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, a nonprofit that led the effort to impose the Caesar sanctions. They have since become a hanging shadow that paralyzes any initiatives and threatens Syrias recovery, he said. Skeptics of Sharaas government have cited alarming episodes of sectarian violence in Syria over the past year that have killed thousands of people and undermined the new presidents repeated pledges to protect minorities and rule in an inclusive way. In two of the worst outbreaks of violence, in Syrias coastal region and in the south, security forces under Sharaas command were directly implicated in massacres. The government, which promised to hold perpetrators accountable, began prosecuting some of the security members under the states command several months ago, according to judges in Damascus. The sectarian violence posed a dangerous challenge to Syrias transition and would make it hard to maintain international goodwill if they are not careful on this front, said Michael Hanna, US program director at the International Crisis Group, an international think tank. While the international community has largely overlooked the violence in favor of reintegrating Syria after years of isolation, I dont think they have unlimited patience, he said. At the same time, the US has a strong interest in bolstering Sharaa and his authority, in part because it could allow the drawdown of US troops still stationed in Syria as part of the anti-Islamic State coalition. To that end, the Trump administration has mediated between the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led militia in northeast Syria with which US forces have partnered in the fight against the Islamic State. An agreement signed in March is intended to integrate SDF forces with those of the government in Damascus. Sharaa has said he favors a deal that returns Syrian territories seized since December, but not the kind of broader normalization agreement with Israel that the Trump administration has prodded other regional governments to sign. Speaking to The Post on Monday, Sharaa described negotiations with Israel as difficult but ongoing with the support of the US and other international parties. He added that the terms of any future deal would require Israel to withdraw to the positions its forces held before the fall of the Assad regime on Dec. 8. I believe that in the world, the United States is the only country that can put Israeli conduct under check, Sharaa said. During a flurry of diplomatic activity over the past year, Sharaa has courted a wide array of new allies, including former adversaries such as Russia, which backed Assad militarily for years and fought against Sharaas rebel group and others during the civil war. At the end of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit last weekend, one image stood out. There was Chinese President Xi Jinping at centre stage, smiling serenely and confidently, surrounded by the leaders of more than a dozen nations. Noticeably absent was President Donald Trump. After meeting Xi the previous day, he returned to Washington. That image encapsulates a frustrating role reversal. The US under Trump has been brandishing the tariff stick against allies, then demanding more market access and direct investment as a price for relief. Meanwhile, Xi has been presenting China as a reliable economic partner committed to multilateralism, predictability and open trade. To the extent Xis misleading appeal is working, its because of a larger shift in Asia that has been underway for some time. China is no longer merely challenging the US for influence in Asia. China is, in fact, already becoming the regions dominant power in trade and manufacturing while making strides in the cultural space. Chinas trade with Southeast Asia, at $982 billion, is nearly double the regions trade with the US. China is also the largest trading partner for Americas close allies Japan and South Korea. In Southeast Asia, and increasingly Central Asia, China now dominates many of the regions industries and supply chains. In Indonesia, the worlds fourth most populous country, 90 per cent of the electric vehicles sold were made in China. In middle-income countries Thailand and Malaysia, Chinese automakers are cutting into Japans car market share. Chinese smartphone brands Huawei, Xiaomi and Oppo now outsell American iPhones across Southeast Asia. While Chinas footprint grows, Americas presence in Asia feels thinner. China is now viewed more positively than the US in many Asian countries, including Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and its seen by most Asians as the regions dominant economic player. The US still has extraordinary strengths. China is viewed warily because of its military buildup and assertiveness in the South China Sea, and of course it has its own hard-edged style of diplomacy. And Americas network of alliances means that Washington is still viewed as a better guarantor of the regions security. But the US is seen as increasingly unreliable under Trumps America First policies that have cut foreign assistance. Even Silicon Valleys leadership in technology is being challenged. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang warned last week that China is going to win the AI race, only to walk it back a few hours later. One risk is that America develops the better technology, but China more effectively adopts it at scale. If America wants primacy in Asia in trade, manufacturing and culture it needs comprehensive trade agreements, infrastructure financing and more predictable diplomacy. The US cannot simply see Asia as a market for American products or a source to be tapped for new capital investment. Otherwise, Washington will be relegated to the role of protecting the region, while Beijing reaps the ensuing economic rewards. The Washington Post A new era of class warfare has begun in New York, and no one is more excited than Generalissimo Zohran Mamdani. Witness the mayor-elects change of character since his Tuesday election victory. Mamdani ran an upbeat campaign, with a nice-guy demeanour and perpetual smile papering over a long history of divisive and demagogic statements. New Yorkers periodically checking in on politics could understandably believe that he simply wanted to bring the city together and make it more affordable. That interpretation became much harder after his victory speech. Across 23 angry minutes laced with identity politics and seething with resentment, Mamdani abandoned his cool disposition and made clear that his view of politics isnt about unity. It isnt about letting people build better lives for themselves. It is about identifying class enemies from landlords who take advantage of tenants to the bosses who exploit workers and then crushing them. His goal is not to increase wealth but to dole it out to favoured groups. The word growth didnt appear in the speech, but US President Donald Trump garnered eight mentions. Peoples lives, in Mamdanis world, can be improved only by government: We will prove that there is no problem too large for government to solve, and no concern too small for it to care about. The crowd cheered, of course, but a thinking person might wonder whether its good for the institution that has a monopoly on violence to insist that nothing is beyond its purview. Such crass appeals have real support in New York, where overpriced housing is a real problem. But its important to recognise that high rents are a function of too much government rather than too little. Temporary relief because of the rent freeze he promised for 2 million housing units will inevitably lead to less investment, driving up costs in the long run. In the days since winning, Mamdanis favourite word has become mandate. He won decisively and now wants to pursue his agenda, from the rent freeze to free childcare and buses. It will be interesting to see how Mamdani interprets class struggle in the context of law enforcement and public education, where his powers are more sweeping. He says he wants to keep Police Commissioner Jessica S Tisch, who is respected by officers and competent at fighting crime. Will he give her deference? Will he order that prostitution laws stop being enforced, as he has suggested? Will subway stations become dangerous social experiments where vagrants are welcomed in to receive services? On schools, Mamdani has done nothing to suggest hell take the side of children over union bosses when their interests conflict. New York schools make it too difficult to discipline misbehaving kids, which makes classrooms less safe and hurts everyone. Mamdani has also said he wants to phase out gifted-and-talented programmes for elementary students. Exit polls showed that the New Yorkers most sceptical of these utopian promises are those who were born in the city and dont have college degrees. Mamdani fared best among newcomers and people with advanced degrees. Apparently, living in New York for decades and witnessing what does and doesnt work while to running a city offers more wisdom than grad school. The Washington Post South Korean actress Jeon Jong Seo has been confirmed once more to make her mark in Hollywood by joining the cast of the highly anticipated remake of "Highlander," a fantasy blockbuster reportedly worth a production budget of 100 billion KRW, approximately $70 million. Through AllKpop, it was announced that Jeon's agency, ANDMARQ, confirmed on November 6 that the actress will be part of the film by director Chad Stahelski, best known for his work on the 'John Wick' franchise. The remake will be made under the United Labels of Amazon MGM Studios. It will boast a powerhouse ensemble headlined by Henry Cavill of Superman fame; Mark Ruffalo, otherwise known as the Hulk in Marvel movies; Russell Crowe from Gladiator; Dave Bautista and Karen Gillan from Guardians of the Galaxy; and Jeremy Irons from House of Gucci. According to the Maeil Business Newspaper, Jeon will be playing the role of a member of "The Watchers," a secret organization that watches over immortals who wander the Earth. Filming starts early in 2026, and many are eagerly waiting to see how Stahelski will retell the legendary saga with his signature action-filled touch. The "Highlander" film series, first released in 1986, has maintained a supportive, loyal fandom of individuals who have enjoyed the movie and live on, captivated by the mythical storytelling and epic sword fighting. The new iteration of the franchise aims to bring the concept into the current era for an international audience, with Jeon being a fresh representation of a wave of Korean talent that is crossing into international cinema. After the casting announcement, some Korean netizens expressed joy and pride in Jeon's expanding international career, with those in the fandom commending her charm and presence on-screen and predicting she would measure up to even the biggest stars in Hollywood. One user commented, "Wow, the cast is full of Marvel stars." Another added, "I'm curious how Jeon Jong Seo was chosen for this role." Fans continued to show their astonishment: "Wow, she's going to be in the same movie as Henry Cavill!" and "She really made it to Hollywood for real." Others expressed that she was a perfect fit for the dark fantasy tone of the film. "I can totally see her fitting into a dark fantasy world like Highlander," one said. Yet another added, "Her charisma will definitely stand out among all these big names." While one comment proudly summed it up: "Korean actresses are seriously going global nowadays, so proud of her!" Mumbai has always been a city of polarities. Here, the rich and poor hustle side by side one in their rising towers, the other on the ground, dreaming of skies. Religion, caste, gender and politics weave through the citys class divide, making conflict, as author Murzban F Shroff says, part of the citys very DNA. There is a constant interplay of darkness and light, defeat and resolution, adversity and empathy. It is the story of many lives, many journeys, he says. But how do you fit this crazy, teeming, juggernaut of a city into a single story? If the citys diversity was to be captured in all its hues, what it needed, clearly, were a multitude of stories working at multiple levels, to show its polyphony, Shroff believes. That idea led to his acclaimed Breathless in Bombay (2008), followed by Muses over Mumbai earlier this year. His latest stories span the vegnon-veg divide, alcoholism, terrorism, corruption, communal prejudice, corporate greed and urban conspiracies. An overarching novel would not give me the latitude to cover all these issues, he says. Shroff is part of a growing tribe of writers making room for the Bombay short in Indian English literature. In the past two years, publishers have released several anthologies Maya Nagari: BombayMumbai (edited by Jerry Pinto and Shanta Gokhale) and Mithun Number Two and Other Mumbai Stories (by Jayant Kaikini, translated by Tejaswini Niranjana) in 2024, alongside The Only City edited by Anindita Ghose and The Way Home by Gokhale. Poet-lyricist Gulzars Aamchi Mumbai, co-authored with Rakshanda Jalil, is due in January. Delhi-based publisher Karthika VK of Westland Books says this surge owes less to fashion and more to devotion. Bombay has been particularly fortunate to have writers who feel a special connect with the city they live in and are willing to commit time and energy to the task of anthologising. We are just greedy for great stories, she says. A relationship with the city For Anindita Ghose, the initial impulse to edit a city anthology was, as she says, selfish. I wanted a home for a short story set in a Bombay housing complex that I had been thinking about since Covid, says the author and journalist. The idea grew as more writers joined in. The collection now features Manu Joseph, Ranjit Hoskote, Diksha Basu, Namita Devidayal, Raghu Karnad and Jairaj Singh among others. I sought writers for whom Bombay was a defining feature in their life or in their oeuvre. Some of the writers are born and raised here. But that is not true for all. What is common between all is that each has an almost alchemic relationship with the city, she says. Jairaj Singh, whose story Where the Lights Never Go Out follows a drifting screenwriter, says Bombay forces you to have a relationship with it. Its power and beauty lie in how it can make itself a stranger to someone whos lived here for generations, and a home to someone whos just arrived, he says. Why the short story fits Bombay Bombay lends itself to short fiction because it mirrors the way the city works. The citys scale resists the slow architecture of the novel. There are too many beginnings, too few endings. The short story moves at the citys speed. Veteran writer Shanta Gokhale, 86, has engaged with the short story for as long as she can remember, though a collection of her own eluded her until now. The Way Home, which she began work on last year, was an act of committing to writing some of the stories that I had imagined at one time or another in the last couple of decades. Most of her stories centre women; in The Quilt, a handmade fabric becomes a metaphor for love, heartbreak and comeuppance. Publishing for the sake of it? Unlike Marathi short stories, which Gokhale says have a very large readership, built up at least partly by Diwali literary specials that have appeared annually for over seven decades, English short fiction has never enjoyed the same reach. Marathi collections by leading writers have gone into multiple editions. In contrast, Anish Chandy, founder of Labyrinth Literary Agency, estimates the market for an English anthology at about 1,500 to 2,000 copies. Karthika puts it higher, with an average first print run of 3,000 to 5,000 copies. Chandy says there is some beauty and vanity in the act of producing something knowing that it is for a small market. Even so, he believes Bombay short stories hold a lasting space in readers minds. Ghose agrees: Ive heard firsthand from publishers that short stories are hard to sell. That poetry is hard to sell. And yet, both continue to be published. Shroff, a seven-time Pushcart Prize nominee, echoes the sentiment. A well-intentioned piece of work will always find its way home and draw its own benefactors, supporters and readers. The anatomy of a Bombay short When Karthika reviews city anthologies, she looks for stories that allow readers to reimagine their city. She cites Kaikinis Mithun Number Two as an example: Jayant captures the city and its people, especially the wandering, rambling, migratory nature of it, visually, viscerally, and Tejaswini Niranjanas brilliant rendering of the original Kannada into English allows so many more readers to access his imagination. Shanta Gokhale, who co-edited Maya Nagari, values lived experience, acute observation, economy of language and meticulous craft. The writer must show a sympathetic engagement with the characters s/he has created, she says. I enjoy wit and whimsy in a story and judicious ambiguity when it is called for. Above all, she believes, a writer telling a Bombay story must have seriousness of artistic purpose. That art, she and others note, keeps thriving improvising, persistent, and as restless as the city itself. Five must-read classics Bombay Stories by Saadat Hasan Manto Tales from Firozsha Baag by Rohinton Mistry No Presents Please : Mumbai Stories by Jayant Kaikini Bhau Padhye Yanchya Shreshth Katha (Best Stories of Bhau Padhye) edited By Dilip Chitre, Marathi Aatank by Vilas Sarang, Marathi Mumbais food culture has always mirrored its diversity from the khau gallis that feed its workforce to the fine-dining restaurants that reinvent local ingredients with global flair. Its no surprise the city ranked among TasteAtlass top five food capitals in 2024-25. Amid this ever-evolving landscape, a new crop of home bakers and food entrepreneurs are reshaping how Mumbai eats one small kitchen at a time. Food blogger Arpana Appy Punjabi grew up in a household where the table was always full. Ive always been a foodie, though I cant even cook an egg, laughs the Cuffe Parade resident, who runs the Instagram page @whatmakesappyhappy. Her mother, Chand Sarup, is a cordon bleu chef. There were always parties, always food. I wanted people to look forward to eating at my house. Her account, with nearly 10,000 followers, highlights home chefs and bakers under her signature tag #AppyApproved. The idea, she says, came from frustration with food gatekeeping. People rarely share recommendations. A friend suggested I post about places that make me happy so I did. Punjabi also curates gourmet pop-ups and exhibitions featuring emerging talent. Many of the bakers Ive collaborated with are now close friends, she says. For her, the pull of home-style cooking remains strong. Theres everything available today gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free but people still crave the comfort of ghar-ka-khana. Even professional chefs agree. Paul Noronha, Executive Chef at ITC Maratha, says, Indian flavours have become part of global cuisine. I enjoy creating Western dishes with Indian accents it keeps the menu exciting. Scottish Bakehouse, Khar Founder: Sandeep Gianchandani A chartered accountant by training, Gianchandani discovered shortbread while working in the UK and decided Mumbai needed it too. When I came back, I couldnt find good shortbread anywhere, so I taught myself, he says. Today, his Scottish Bakehouse has become a luxury gifting brand with clients that include film and business families. The menu lists over 45 desserts, from Mulberry Jam Shortbread to Crumble Modaks. Call: 80977 31750 Food Collective, Ghatkopar Founder: Sonam Parekh Parekh grew up around baking ingredients her family imports cocoa, whey and starch and decided to take things one step further. Her venture offers preservative-free snacks and dips such as hummus, chipotle cups and mini kulchas. I use clean ingredients like millet, jaggery and desi ghee, but I also like playful combinations. Our sweet-spicy Mango Jalapeno Dip is always a hit. Call: 98194 29109 Marias Confectionery, Marine Drive Founder: Maria Verghese At 22, Verghese is a self-taught baker who began during the lockdown. Id watched my grandmother bake all my life, she says. Between her advertising job and the oven, December is her busiest month. Her Christmas menu features cinnamon banana-walnut cakes, shortbread cookies and triple-chocolate brownies. Call: 91520 76401 Lubaina Bakes, Thane Founder: Lubaina Patharia A graduate of the Sheila Raheja Institute of Hotel Management, Patharia began baking at home after culinary school. She now caters for weddings and private events, offering tiramisu, sesame bagels and Nutella bombolonis alongside gluten-free and jaggery-sweetened options. People are more health-conscious now, so I keep adapting, she says. Call: 99301 58591 Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke on the Senate floor on Monday. Schumer was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: The last 41 days have exposed the depths of Donald Trumps cruelty. He shut the government down longer than any president in American history and took innocent kids, veterans, and federal workers as political hostages, all because he refuses to do anythinganythingto fix the healthcare crisis and instead keeps pushing policies that will cut peoples coverage even more. Look no further than Donald Trumps war on SNAP. Last night, the First Circuit reaffirmed what lower courts have already said: Donald Trump cannot take 42 million hungry people as hostages. He cannot withhold the benefits they need for food for their families. Even now, Donald Trump isnt satisfied. Today, even more cruel, hes appealed to the Supreme Court yet again to try and get out of paying full SNAP benefits. The president has done a lot of cruel, nasty, mean things over the years, but going all the way up to the Supreme Court not once but twice to ensure kids go hungry is about as cruel a thing as hes ever done. Donald Trump would rather make hungry Americans suffer, make kids suffer, make veterans go hungry, and make disabled individuals suffer, than do anything to lower healthcare costs for the American people. The American people will not forget Donald Trumps cruelty and heartlessness over the last six weeks. And let me say something else. The American people have now awoken to Trumps healthcare crisis. Healthcare is once again at the forefront of peoples minds. People now see that premiums are about to skyrocket. Theyre terrified about how theyre going to pay for insurance. Democrats demanded that we find a way to fix this crisis and quickly, but Republicans have refused to move an inch. So, I cannot support the Republican bill thats on the floor because it fails to do anything of substance to fix Americas healthcare crisis. This healthcare crisis is causing millions of families back home sleepless nights because they dont know how theyre going to afford health insurance, so needed by their families. Doing nothing is unacceptable. But thats the choice the Republican side made, in obeisance to Donald Trump. Republicans now own this healthcare crisis. They knew it was coming. We wanted to fix it. Republicans said no. And now its on them. When peoples out of pocket costs double or triple very soon, Americans will know Republicans made it happen. When sixty-year-old couples start paying $20,000 a year for health insurance, theyll know Republicans made it happen. When four million Ameircans lose insurance, when kids with cancer are priced out of coverage, when families face financial ruin, theyll know Republicans made it happen. And the pain will only get worse as more and more people on ACA and with private insurance see their premiums go up and up and up. People out there are struggling. Its getting harder to make ends meet. Rent is up, groceries are up, peoples electric bills have gone up, and now thanks to Republicans, healthcare costs will spike dramatically. The past few weeks have exposed with shocking clarity how warped Republicans priorities truly are. While peoples healthcare costs have gone up, Republicans have come across as a party preoccupied with ballrooms, Argentina bailouts, and private jets. Republicans breach of trust with the American people is deep and perhaps irreversible. And now that they have failed to do anything to prevent premiums from going up, the anger that Americans feel against Donald Trump and the Republicans is only going to get worse. Republicans had their chance to fix this, and they blew it. Americans will remember Republican intransigence every time they make a sky-high payment on health insurance. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. DANVILLE, Calif. (AP) At age 106, Alice Darrow can clearly recall her days as a nurse during World War II, part of a pioneering group that dodged bullets as they hauled packs full of medical supplies and treated the burns and gunshot wounds of troops. Some nurses were killed by enemy fire. Others spent years as prisoners of war. Most returned home to quiet lives, receiving little recognition. Darrow sat with patients, even after-hours. One of them had arrived at her hospital on Californias Mare Island with a bullet lodged in his heart. He was not expected to survive surgery, yet he would change her life. To them, youre everything because youre taking care of them, she said, sitting at her home in the San Francisco Bay Area town of Danville. Eighty years after the war ended, a coalition of retired military nurses and others is campaigning to award one of the nations highest civilian honors, the Congressional Gold Medal, to all nurses who served in WWII. Other groups, such as the Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII and the real-life Rosie the Riveters, have already received the honor. The general public doesnt often recognize, I think, the contribution that the nurses have made in pretty much every war, said Patricia Upah, a retired colonel who served as an Army nurse in conflicts abroad, and whose late mother was also a Army nurse in the South Pacific in World War II. Only a handful, like Darrow, are still alive. The coalition knows of five World War II nurses who are still living including Elsie Chin Yuen Seetoo, 107, who became the first Chinese American nurse to join the Army Nurse Corps. They fear time is running out to honor the trailblazers. Its high time we honor the nurses who stepped up and did their part to defend our freedom, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat from Wisconsin, said in a statement. Baldwin and U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican, have sponsored legislation to award the medal, but it faces steep odds. It needs two-thirds of each chamber 67 cosponsors in the Senate and 290 in the House and so far, the bills have eight and six cosponsors, respectively. Saving lives in the face of danger Before the war, there were fewer than 600 nurses with the U.S. Army and 1,700 with the U.S. Navy. By the end of the war, those numbers had ballooned to 59,000 in the Army and 14,000 in the Navy. The Congressional bills cite harrowing examples of bravery. Some nurses served on Navy hospital ships treating patients as the vessels came under fire. Sixty nurses landed off the coast of North Africa on Nov. 8, 1942, to set up shop and care for invading troops. Without weapons, they waded ashore amid enemy sniper fire and ultimately took shelter in an abandoned civilian hospital, the legislation states. The nurses saved lives. Fewer than 4% of U.S. soldiers in WWII who received medical care in the field or underwent evacuation died from wounds or disease, the legislation states. They probably saw more infections. They probably saw more chemical casualties. Remember, they didnt have disposable products, so they had to sterilize everything, says Edward Yackel, a retired colonel and president of the Army Nurse Corps Association, of World War II nurses. Without them, he says, we would not have the knowledge base we need now to fight the wars of today. Some nurses endured harsh captivity. In 1942, nearly 80 military nurses were captured when the U.S. surrendered the Philippines to Japan. Held as prisoners of war, the women endured starvation rations and disease but continued to work until their liberation three years later. Nurses played outsized roles in 600 U.S. Army hospitals worldwide and 700 prisoner-of-war camps at military bases in the U.S., said Phoebe Pollitt, a retired nurse and professor of nursing at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. But their role has largely gone unrecognized. Within even womens history and health care history, nurses are kind of at the bottom of the barrel, she said. Breaking color barriers The majority of military nurses were white, and those who were not often had to fight for the right to serve. In 1941, only 56 Black nurses were allowed into the U.S. Army. Japanese American applicants, whose families were incarcerated during the war, were not accepted into the Army Nurse Corps until 1943. Elsie Chin Yuen Seetoo was born in Stockton, California, but spent her teens in China. She joined the Chinese Red Cross Medical Relief Corps in unoccupied China after fleeing Japanese forces in Hong Kong. She later applied to the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, but they said she had an obligation to serve her country and that meant China. An indignant Chinese American medical officer fired off a letter on Seetoos behalf, stating that she was a U.S. citizen. She became the first Chinese American nurse to join the Army Nurse Corps, working in China and India before returning to the U.S. She already has a Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Chinese Americans for their service in the war despite the discrimination they faced. We answered the call to duty when our country faced threats to our freedom, she said in video recorded remarks at the 2020 ceremony. A love story Among the patients Darrow cared for was a young soldier wounded in Japans attack on Pearl Harbor. Before surgery to remove the bullet in his heart, he asked if she would go on a date with him, if he made it through. I said, Well sure, you can count on me, she says, and laughs. I couldnt say, No, I dont think youre going to make it. Dean Darrow did survive and they did go out. The couple kept the 7.7 mm bullet. They married and raised four children. He died in 1991. In September, Alice Darrow took a cruise to Hawaii with her daughter and son-in-law, where she donated the bullet to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial so visitors from around the world could learn of its significance and the love story behind it. Darrow said shes looking forward to seeing the bullet on display. The Congressional Gold Medal would be another treasure to look forward to. It would be an honor, she said. ___ Terry Tang of APs race and ethnicity team contributed from Phoenix, Arizona. By JANIE HAR Associated Press The University of California serves 300,000 students, yet only one of the two students on the 26-member Board of Regents is allowed to vote. Now, student leaders are campaigning for a second vote, saying it would better ensure that UC policy reflects all students. Regents are the top decision-makers of the UC system, and set policies for all campuses, including tuition increases. When one student has to represent the wishes of the entire student population, some feel other perspectives miss out. Last year, when one student regent voted in favor of raising nonresident tuition, the other student regent disagreed, but couldnt vote on it. Currently, the non-voting student spends the first year on the board as a regent-designate. That student then moves into the voting position the following year. The students are selected from an applicant pool of all UC graduate and undergraduate students and approved by the board. By adding a second vote for student regents, UC would follow in the footsteps of the other two public higher education systems in the state. Legislation passed earlier this decade enabled voting power for two student representatives on the California State University and California Community College governing boards. UC board policy, by contrast, cannot be changed through a legislative bill, but could be changed by measures voted on by the regents, or by a constitutional amendment approved by both the Legislature and California voters. Unlike Cal State and community colleges, the UC was established by the state constitution as a system that governs itself with very limited legislative oversight. An attorney general once likened the Board of Regents to a branch of state government, equal to the legislative, judiciary and executive. If they choose to go for the amendment, student advocates would like to see it passed by the end of next years legislative session so the measure can appear on the November 2026 midterm elections ballot. Student advocates take the lead Current student regent Sonya Brooks, a doctoral student in education policy at UCLA, began her voting tenure in July, when she voted in a committee meeting against allowing the UC president to raise professional degree tuition. The committee voted to recommend the president be given this authority, with six in favor and three against. The full board then voted to affirm the authority. Ive always been an advocate for all things justice, Brooks said. Now, because of this position and the opportunities that are available, Ive really taken advantage to really help not only students but also faculty and staff. Miguel Craven, an energy systems graduate student at UC Davis, is shadowing Brooks this year as the non-voting student regent. He was UC Merceds student government senator and president during undergrad, while also serving as a student observer to the regents. He hopes to act as a bridge between students and regents, in a system that can structurally feel hard for students to participate in. Its not so much that the institution consults the students, Craven said. The reality is, its the other way: the students have to consult the institution Its up to the students to make that effort. Every year, the UC Student Association, a coalition of UC students and student governments, conducts a civic engagement campaign called UCweVOTE to teach students about electoral processes and encourage them to vote. This year, to boost student power on the Board of Regents, they are taking the lead in advocating for voting rights for the second student regent. Aditi Hariharan, the associations president and a fifth-year nutrition and political science double major at UC Davis, wants to see a broader range of student voices and backgrounds represented that cannot be captured in just one vote. The need for this campaign is the fact that students arent a monolith, said Hariharan. Not every student views issues the same. Advocates believe a second voting student can also give weight to the student voice on more than one of the regents 10 committees. Regent committees often meet concurrently, meaning the voting student regent can only cast votes at one of them. Committee deliberations often have big impacts on regent decisions, says former student regent Alexis Zaragoza. Non-voting student regents can attend committee meetings and contribute to discussions, but Zaragoza noted even this ability is not protected in policy. She wishes it was. If you have two student votes maybe the other student votes a different way, right? Zaragoza said. And it kind of just shows, maybe students are actually kind of split on this issue, maybe your different backgrounds contribute in different ways. It no longer puts that pressure on one student to represent an entire populace. One issue on which students and student regents sometimes disagree is tuition. At the November 2024 regent meeting, the board, including Josiah Beharry, the student regent at the time, voted to increase nonresident tuition. At the meeting, multiple students raised concerns about the tuition increase, including Craven as a student observer, who said the increase would limit accessibility at the UC by making the university less affordable for out-of-state and international students. The two students were not in agreement on this issue, Brooks recalled. After the vote, Beharry asked Brooks how she would have voted in his shoes. She told him she would have voted against the increase. Beharry has not responded to multiple requests for comment. A trip through the Legislature In 2021, former Sen. Steve Glazer, a Democrat from Orinda in the East Bay, introduced Senate Constitutional Amendment 5, which would have required the creation of a second voting student regent. The Assembly Appropriations Committee determined that the amendments costs to the UC would be minor and absorbable. However, Glazer told CalMatters that the committee decided the amendment would not progress, without specifying a reason. In 1974, a constitutional amendment approved by California voters gave the board permission to have a student regent. The regents added the position in 1975. Then, in 1993, the regents created the regent-designate position by voting on a policy, without a constitutional amendment. According to an assembly committee analysis of Glazers amendment, a constitutional amendment is not required to add a second student voter. This time around, the student association is considering simply proposing a policy change for the board to vote on rather than a constitutional amendment. If the student association decides to go the amendment route, they would need a legislator to sponsor the bill, which would need the approval of several committees, a two-thirds vote in both the Assembly and Senate, and a simple majority of votes in a statewide election. As with Glazers amendment, students say the change in voting power will not directly lead to extra costs for the university, because both student regents already attend all meetings on the UCs dime. It would be a simple transition from a non-voting to a voting role. Some students do still see value in having a non-voting student regent build understanding during the first year before receiving voting power. Brooks is an active participant at bi-monthly regent meetings, asking questions, chatting with students, and engaging in debates with other regents. But when she joined the board, I didnt know A to Z, she said. If I didnt have that one year to grow, to meet people, to form these organic relationships I would have completely been lost. All regents, including student regents, complete the same orientation. These training sessions teach them board policies and logistics, and include briefings with board leaders. So when student regents join the board, they know what theyre getting into, Zaragoza said. None of the 18 regents appointed by the governor responded to CalMatters requests for comment on this story. The other seven members are ex officio, having regental power by virtue of another office they hold, such as the governor and Assembly speaker. These members dont always attend regent meetings. Craven thinks that a second student voter isnt the sole solution to the lack of student representation. Hes interested in ways to expand student advocacy at the regents beyond the positions that exist. What does student representation mean? Craven said. Does that mean somebody whos actually voting, who sits on the board? Do we want to provide an additional space for students to be able to speak? Its a discussion that has to happen. On Nov. 19, the regents will vote whether to re-affirm annual tuition increases for incoming groups of students, which was first implemented in 2021. Brooks said few students have shared concerns with her over the increases, but she plans to seek them out and talk to them. I will continue to reach out to students and vote accordingly, Brooks said. ___ This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press. By KHADEEJAH KHAN and PHOEBE HUSS/CalMatters CalMatters CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) The European Union has given the International Organization for Migration hundreds of millions of dollars to help tens of thousands of African migrants return from failed journeys to Europe and support them back home. But The Associated Press interviewed several of the returnees in Gambia and Guinea and saw a WhatsApp group of dozens more who say theyve received little or nothing of the promised economic and other support. Migration experts assert that the IOM, a United Nations-affiliated organization, isnt giving enough help to people who are often traumatized by migration attempts. Desperation could fuel new attempts. The IOM says it is concerned to hear that people are left waiting but cant speak about individual cases. The EU didnt provide details about where the money goes. The European Court of Auditors, an EU body, audited the programs first phase between 2016 and 2021 and said the EU could not prove value for money. Heres what to know. Aiming to keep migrants out of Europe The EU-funded IOM program was launched in 2016 and pays for return flights for African migrants and promises follow-up assistance back home. Between 2022 and 2025, it repatriated over 100,000 sub-Saharan migrants from north Africa and Niger. Of the $380 million budget for that period, 58% is allocated for post-return assistance. The IOM says it can support anything from housing, medical assistance or psychosocial services to business grants, vocational trainings and job placement. The IOM program has coincided with Europes other efforts to deter migration, including paying some African governments to intercept migrants, an approach that human rights groups have criticized. Europes efforts appear to be working. In the first eight months of 2025, it recorded 112,000 irregular crossings, over 20% less than the same period last year, and a drop of over 50% from two years ago. What returnees say Returnees tell the AP that IOM promises of support back home are not fulfilled, leaving them to face trauma, massive debt and family shame on their own. The AP spoke to three returnees in Gambia and four in Guinea, and was shown a WhatsApp group of over 50 members founded around returnees frustration with the IOM. They described months of reaching out to the IOM with no reply. Kabinet Kante, a 20-year-old from Guinea, spent almost two years trying to reach Europe. He said he was intercepted at sea and dumped in the desert, and still wakes at night screaming. He returned to Guinea in July with the IOMs help. He said he wanted to learn how to drive a bulldozer but the IOM has ignored his calls, and when he went to their office, they told him to stop calling. He set up the WhatsApp group for over 50 other returned migrants in a similar situation. He has no way to pay back his parents, who supported his journey, sending money to pay smugglers and bribe officials. Right now, I am doing nothing, he said, head bowed with embarrassment. What the IOM and EU say Francois Xavier Ada with the IOM regional office in West Africa told the AP that over 90,000 returnees have started, and 60,000 completed, the reintegration process tailored to individual needs. Ada said the IOM was concerned to learn of people who were kept waiting and happy to look into these cases. He said delays can occur due to high caseloads or incomplete documentation. Medical support is provided based on assessed needs. The IOMs country office in Guinea said it could not speak of individual cases because they were confidential. The EU did not respond to questions beyond repeating IOM statements. What experts say Josephine Liebl with the Brussels-based European Council on Refugees and Exiles said that the question of how this support actually helps people in very vulnerable situations receives very little public scrutiny, which is due to the fact that there is such a lack of transparency and accountability of how EU funding works outside the EU. Experts say that while the IOMs return program helps to extract people from inhumane treatment, the promised follow-up support is often impossible to deliver as most migrants home countries have poorly functioning state services. The major missing piece is the support for the returnees to get reintegrated, have access to social protection and to labor markets, said Camille Le Coz, director of the Brussels-based Migration Policy Institute. Elhadj Mohamed Diallo, director of the Guinean Organization for the Fight Against Irregular Migration, works with the IOM on reintegration activities. He said he doesnt blame returnees who try to migrate again. We arent helping them so that they can stay. We are helping them so they can take control of their lives again, he said. Migration is a natural thing. Blocking a person is like blocking the tide. When you block water, the water will find its way. ___ For more on Africa and development: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse ___ The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The 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. By MONIKA PRONCZUK Associated Press KATHMANDU, Nov 11: The private sector has backed the governments move to defer Nepals graduation from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) category, citing the need to stabilize the economy and rebuild investor confidence following the recent Gen Z movement and related unrest. Nepal had been preparing to graduate from LDC status by November 2026 after meeting key criteria, including per capita income. The countrys graduation process formally began in 2010 and has since undergone several evaluation stages. With the deadline now less than a year away, the government is planning to ask the United Nations for a three-year extension. According to Chief Secretary Eaknarayan Aryal, the government has been compelled to reconsider its plan as it must divert resources toward rebuilding physical infrastructure damaged during the Gen Z movement on September 9. Related story Preparedness of Nepals pharmaceutical sector in the face of LD... Echoing the governments stance, the private sector has argued that graduation at this stage could hurt domestic industries. Chandra Prasad Dhakal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), urged the government to reassess the implications before making a final decision. If the transition happens without a proper assessment, it will negatively affect domestic production and employment, said Dhakal, speaking at a program organized by the National Planning Commission on Monday. Citing Bangladeshs decision to delay its graduation following political upheavals last year, Dhakal said Nepal is facing similar instability. The recent incidents have eroded business confidence, while the economy is suffering from weak demand, he added. Nepal had earlier requested the United Nations in 2021 to postpone its graduation by five years due to low per capita income at that time. Since then, the figure has risen from US$1,361 to US$1,496 per year. Experts have repeatedly warned that after graduation, Nepal may lose trade privileges under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and Duty-Free Quota-Free schemes, which could result in higher tariffs on exports. The country may also lose access to concessional loans and grants from international donors. While graduation to developing-country status is expected to attract greater investment, foster trade partnerships, support sustainable development goals, and enhance Nepals global image, both the government and the private sector remain cautious about potential economic repercussions. Dhakal also cautioned that the transition could particularly affect small enterprises and womens employment. In addition, Nepal may face stricter conditions related to the rule of origin under the SAFTA clause, he said. A new political force, the Nepali Communist Party, has been formed through the unification of 10 leftist groups, including the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the CPN (Unified Socialist). The party is led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal of the Maoist Centre and Madhav Kumar Nepal of the CPN (Unified Socialist), along with other senior figures. The leaders have stated that, while they are heading the party for now, new leadership will emerge in the future. The Gen Z movement of early September has left a lasting impact on the country, inspiring self-reflection and a call for political reform. Yet, change in Nepals political culture is rarely easy; even so, it now seems unavoidable. Senior leaders such as Janardan Sharma of the Maoist Centre, Ghanashyam Bhusal of the Unified Socialist, and Netra Bikram Chand of another communist faction have begun holding talks. Interestingly, Chand long known for his electoral abstention is now reportedly in favour of contesting elections. On the other end of the spectrum, leaders advocating a Hindu state or monarchy restoration, including former Panchayat-era figures, are also discussing political unification. Related story Nepal Police will act in line with Gen Zs' aspirations: AIG Kar... Meanwhile, the political landscape continues to fragment and expand. Several new parties are emerging and independent public figures who have gained mass appeal through social media and digital platforms are exploring formal political engagement. Dharan Mayor Harka Sampang has already initiated the formation of a new party, while another party supported by Kulman Ghising is set to be registered with the Election Commission (EC). Nepals political environment is thus witnessing not only the rise of new parties but also growing pressure on established ones to reinvent themselves. Whether new or old, all political actors are now under scrutiny from an increasingly aware public. For decades, political leaders assumed that the system could function as it was. Reform was not a priority. Top party leaders monopolised power within their organisations and, in doing so, reduced parliament to a mere formality. The legislatures inability to function effectively and address national challenges has become a key source of public frustration. Even during major crises, parliamentary galleries have often been half-empty. Senior leaders never felt the urgency to revitalise the institution a failure many see as central to the countrys current predicament. In a democracy, political parties are its primary custodians. The way they act determines the health of democratic governance. Since the 1990 Peoples Movement, Nepals politics has been party-dominated, yet these same parties have failed to ensure good governance. The present juncture calls for introspection to learn from past missteps and chart a new course. Until now, political parties have relied on electoral majorities as the sole basis for legitimacy. While votes determine who forms the government, true legitimacy must be sustained through accountable and transparent governance. Rather than exploiting electoral mandates, parties must now focus on policies and actions that build lasting trust. With citizens more informed and vocal than ever empowered by technology and global connectivity political leaders must operate with greater care and openness. Political parties that claim to uphold democracy must now adapt to changing times and rebuild credibility. It is time for Nepals political class to abandon complacency and commit to a culture of accountability and renewal. The awareness and aspirations unleashed by the Gen Z movement must not remain outside the political system. Integrating this new consciousness into party structures is essential if the country is to meet the challenges of a fast-changing era. Accra, Ghana (PANA) - The team that investigated the crash of a Ghana Air Force Z 9 helicopter on 6 August, 2025, with the loss of eight people including two cabinet ministers, has blamed poor weather for the tragedy Cultural & Historical Significance The name Abbud holds profound cultural and historical significance within Islamic tradition, representing the fundamental Islamic concept of 'ibadah' or worship. Throughout Islamic history, names derived from the root 'a-b-d' (meaning to worship or serve) have been particularly esteemed as they reflect the core relationship between humans and Allah. The name appears in early Islamic records, with several companions of Prophet Muhammad and early Muslim leaders bearing this name or its variations. During the Ottoman period, the name continued to be used among religious scholars and administrators, maintaining its association with piety and devotion. In contemporary Muslim societies, Abbud remains a meaningful choice that connects children to their religious heritage while expressing parents' aspirations for their spiritual development. The name serves as a constant reminder of the Islamic principle that all human actions should ultimately be acts of worship when performed with the right intention and in accordance with divine guidance. Women named Ablah typically exhibit a harmonious blend of grace, intelligence, and emotional depth that makes them stand out in social settings. Their 'perfectly formed' nature often manifests as exceptional organizational skills, aesthetic sensibility, and the ability to create balance in chaotic situations. They tend to be natural diplomats who can navigate complex social dynamics with ease, often serving as mediators in conflicts. Their perfectionist tendencies are usually channeled into constructive pursuits rather than anxiety, making them excellent at detailed work and creative projects. In relationships, Ablahs are known for their loyalty, empathy, and nurturing qualities. They form deep, meaningful connections and are often the emotional anchors in their families and friend circles. While they appreciate beauty and order, they're not superficialtheir sense of perfection extends to moral integrity and intellectual curiosity. Many develop strong interests in arts, literature, or spiritual practices that allow them to explore deeper meanings of beauty and harmony. Their composed exterior often hides a passionate nature that emerges in their commitments to causes and people they care about deeply. Women named Afrodille are typically associated with a vibrant, optimistic personality that mirrors their floral namesake's cheerful disposition. They often possess an innate creativity and artistic sensibility, finding inspiration in nature and beauty much like the daffodil that transforms landscapes after winter. Their resilience is notablethey demonstrate the daffodil's ability to push through challenging conditions and emerge stronger, often serving as sources of encouragement for others during difficult times. Afrodilles tend to be independent yet warm-hearted individuals who value genuine connections and often excel in nurturing roles. They typically have a strong sense of self and authenticity, refusing to conform to expectations that don't align with their values. Their presence often brings light and positivity to social situations, and they possess an intuitive understanding of cyclical patterns in life and relationships, adapting gracefully to change while maintaining their core identity. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Ancenned holds particular significance in Anglo-Saxon culture as it reflects the social importance placed on lineage and inheritance. In early medieval England, being an only child carried both privilege and responsibility - the sole heir to family lands and titles. This name was often given to emphasize the child's unique position as the continuation of the family line, especially among noble families where inheritance laws were strictly enforced. The name appears in several historical records from the 8th to 11th centuries, primarily among the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy and landholding classes. It represents a cultural tradition where names were descriptive of circumstances surrounding birth and family position, serving as a constant reminder of one's duties and expectations within the social hierarchy. The survival of this name in historical documents provides valuable insight into how Anglo-Saxon society viewed family structure and the transmission of property and status across generations. Cultural & Historical Significance Andsware holds significant cultural importance as one of the few Old English names directly derived from legal and communicative terminology. In Anglo-Saxon society, where names often reflected personal attributes or societal roles, Andsware represented someone who provided answers, solutions, or legal judgments. The name appears in historical records primarily among educated women in monastic and scholarly circles, suggesting it was associated with wisdom and intellectual capability. During the medieval period, the name evolved to symbolize not just literal answers but also spiritual guidance and moral clarity, making it popular among women in religious communities who served as counselors and teachers. The preservation of this name through various historical documents indicates its enduring cultural value as representing feminine wisdom and problem-solving abilities in a society where such traits were highly respected. The name's cultural significance extends beyond its literal meaning to encompass broader themes of feminine intelligence and authority in early English society. Andsware bearers were often positioned as mediators and knowledge-keepers, roles that challenged conventional gender norms of their time. The name's survival in records despite the Norman Conquest and subsequent linguistic changes suggests it maintained cultural resonance as a symbol of English identity and intellectual tradition. In modern cultural contexts, Andsware has been reclaimed as a symbol of women's historical contributions to law, education, and community leadership, serving as inspiration for contemporary movements celebrating feminine wisdom and analytical prowess. Individuals named Asif are commonly associated with a compassionate and forgiving nature, living up to the meaning of their name. They typically exhibit high emotional intelligence and an ability to understand multiple perspectives, making them excellent mediators in conflict situations. Their forgiving disposition is not a sign of weakness but rather demonstrates emotional maturity and the wisdom to recognize that holding grudges rarely serves anyone's best interests. Asifs often possess a calm demeanor and thoughtful approach to challenges, which combined with their innate diplomacy makes them effective leaders and trusted advisors. Beyond their forgiving nature, Asifs are often characterized by strong loyalty to family and friends, reliability in times of need, and a practical approach to problem-solving. They tend to be perceptive individuals who notice details others might miss, and they often use this observational skill to help others. Many Asifs develop strong communication abilities and excel in fields requiring negotiation or teaching. Their combination of intelligence, patience, and emotional stability makes them valued members of their communities, often serving as the voice of reason during turbulent times. These personality traits collectively create individuals who embody the Islamic virtues of mercy and wisdom that their name represents. Cultural & Historical Significance Baseema holds significant cultural importance in Muslim communities as it embodies the Islamic virtue of maintaining a cheerful disposition and spreading happiness. The name reflects the Islamic teaching that smiling is considered a form of charity (sadaqah) and a means of earning spiritual rewards. Throughout Islamic history, names carrying positive meanings have been favored as they are believed to influence the bearer's character and destiny. In many Muslim cultures, names like Baseema are chosen with the hope that the child will grow to embody the qualities of joy, kindness, and positive energy that the name represents. The name also connects to the broader Islamic emphasis on maintaining good character and treating others with warmth and compassion, making it particularly meaningful in communities where interpersonal relationships and community harmony are highly valued. The cultural significance extends beyond mere nomenclature to represent an ideal of Muslim character - one that combines inner peace with outward cheerfulness. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Bink emerged primarily as a diminutive or nickname in English-speaking Christian communities, particularly in the 20th century. It carries connotations of approachability and friendliness, often used to soften more formal given names while maintaining a distinctly masculine character. In Christian contexts, the name has been associated with humility and simplicity, reflecting values of modesty and genuine character rather than pretension. The name gained some recognition through its use in close-knit religious communities where informal, affectionate names were preferred for daily use. While not appearing in biblical texts, Bink represents the Christian tradition of using familiar, comforting names that foster community bonds and reflect the relational aspects of faith. Its usage often signifies a person who is integrated into their community and valued for their authentic personality rather than formal status. Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - With tens of millions of people worldwide exposed to mercury contamination, representatives from 153 countries, meeting last week in Geneva, adopted 22 new measures to take action against this toxic metal, responsible for serious harm to health and the environment Individuals named Boghos are typically associated with a combination of intellectual depth and practical wisdom, reflecting the name's historical connection to both scholarly and community leadership roles. They often exhibit a quiet confidence that comes from cultural rootedness rather than outward bravado, embodying the paradoxical strength suggested by the name's meaning of 'small' or 'humble.' This humility is frequently paired with strong convictions and the courage to maintain them in challenging circumstances, mirroring the historical resilience of the Armenian people. Socially, those named Boghos tend to be bridge-builders who value dialogue and understanding across different perspectives. They often display excellent diplomatic skills while maintaining clear personal boundaries and cultural identity. There's typically a strong sense of responsibility to family and community, combined with intellectual curiosity and respect for tradition. These individuals usually balance respect for heritage with openness to innovation, making them effective in roles that require mediating between old and new, traditional and modern. Their personality often reflects the Armenian cultural ideal of "getting things done" through persistence and relationship-building rather than through confrontation or dramatic gestures. Individuals named Brian are often perceived as strong, reliable, and grounded personalities with natural leadership qualities. They tend to be practical problem-solvers who approach challenges with determination and resilience. The name carries connotations of stability and trustworthiness, with Brians often being seen as the 'rock' in their relationships and professional environments. Their strength is typically balanced with a thoughtful, analytical nature that allows them to make considered decisions. Many Brians exhibit a blend of traditional values and modern adaptability, making them effective in both conventional and innovative settings. They often possess strong communication skills and a dry wit that endears them to others. The historical weight of the name seems to instill a sense of responsibility and integrity, with Brians frequently taking on roles that require dependability and moral fortitude. While they can be reserved initially, they typically form deep, lasting connections with those they trust. Psychologically, the name suggests someone who combines intellectual capability with practical actiona thinker who can also implement ideas effectively. Brians are often seen as mediators and stabilizers in group dynamics, bringing calm reasoning to emotional situations. Their perceived personality reflects the Celtic ideal of strength tempered with wisdom, making them respected figures in both personal and professional contexts. Cultural & Historical Significance Briseis occupies a unique position in Western cultural history as one of the earliest and most complex female characters in literature. In Homer's Iliad, she serves as both a catalyst for the epic's central conflict and a symbol of the human cost of war. Her transition from princess to war prize to contested property between Achilles and Agamemnon highlights the precarious position of women in Bronze Age society, while her maintained dignity throughout this ordeal provides a powerful commentary on human resilience. The quarrel over Briseis represents more than just a dispute over propertyit touches on fundamental questions of honor, power, and the value of individual lives in wartime. Throughout the centuries, Briseis has been reinterpreted across cultures and artistic movements. In medieval Europe, her character transformed into Briseida and later Cressida, though these versions often emphasized romantic elements over the original's themes of honor and conflict. The Renaissance saw numerous artistic depictions, while the modern era has witnessed a feminist reclamation of her story. Contemporary authors like Madeline Miller and Pat Barker have given Briseis her own voice, exploring her perspective and agency in ways that Homer's original narrative only hints at. This evolving interpretation demonstrates how ancient characters continue to speak to changing cultural values and concerns. Cultural & Historical Significance Calliste holds profound cultural significance rooted in ancient Greek mythology, where it originally meant 'most beautiful' or 'fairest one.' The name appears in multiple mythological contexts, most notably as an epithet for Artemis, the virgin goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and childbirth. This connection positions Calliste as a name embodying feminine strength, independence, and natural power. In the myth of the Judgement of Paris, 'Kallisti' was inscribed on the golden apple that sparked the Trojan War, representing ultimate beauty and desire. The name also appears in the story of Callisto, a nymph transformed into a bear and later the constellation Ursa Major, symbolizing transformation and celestial permanence. Throughout classical literature, Calliste represented the ideal of physical and moral beauty, influencing artistic representations of feminine perfection in sculpture, poetry, and drama. During the Renaissance, the name experienced a revival as classical learning was rediscovered, appearing in philosophical texts and artistic works that explored ideals of beauty and virtue. In modern times, Calliste has become symbolic of feminist reclamation of mythological figures, representing women who define beauty on their own terms while maintaining strength and autonomy. Individuals bearing the name Carswell typically exhibit a blend of traditional values and intellectual curiosity. They often demonstrate strong leadership qualities combined with a deep sense of responsibility and moral integrity, reflecting the name's historical association with religious and community leadership. Carswells are frequently described as thoughtful, analytical, and methodical in their approach to problems, with a natural inclination toward scholarly pursuits and careful consideration of complex matters. Their connection to the 'watercress spring' meaning suggests a personality that values purity, refreshment, and natural wisdom. They tend to be reliable, steadfast individuals who build strong foundations in both personal and professional relationships. While they may appear reserved initially, Carswells often possess deep wells of compassion and a strong sense of justice, making them trusted advisors and loyal friends. Their combination of traditional grounding and intellectual flexibility allows them to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining core principles and providing stable guidance to others. Individuals named Carthage are typically characterized by their deep capacity for love and emotional connection, living up to the name's meaning of 'loving.' They often possess a nurturing disposition, showing genuine care and concern for others' wellbeing. Their affectionate nature makes them excellent friends and partners who prioritize meaningful relationships above superficial connections. Carthage personalities tend to be loyal and dependable, with a strong sense of commitment to their family and community. These individuals often exhibit patience and understanding in their interactions, making them natural peacemakers and mediators in conflict situations. They typically possess a quiet strength and resilience, drawing from their emotional depth to navigate life's challenges. While they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, lasting bonds with those they trust and are known for their unwavering support and devotion to loved ones. Their loving nature extends beyond personal relationships to include a broader concern for community welfare and social harmony. Cultural & Historical Significance Chadburn originated as an English surname derived from a place name in Lancashire, England, specifically from the village of Chatburn. The name carries significant historical weight in British maritime history through the Chadburn family's contributions to naval technology. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Chadburn & Sons became synonymous with reliable ship telegraphs and navigation equipment, with their devices installed on numerous historic vessels including RMS Titanic and other ocean liners. This connection to maritime innovation gives the name a distinctive heritage in engineering and exploration. The name also reflects the Anglo-Saxon settlement patterns in England, where geographical features often became family names, preserving local history and landscape references through generations. In Christian contexts, the name's English origin places it within the tradition of saints' names and biblical influences that characterized medieval naming practices, though it remains primarily geographical rather than directly religious in derivation. The preservation of the name through centuries demonstrates the enduring importance of place and profession in English cultural identity. Individuals named Chandra are often perceived as possessing a calm, reflective nature reminiscent of the moon's gentle glow. They tend to be intuitive, emotionally intelligent, and deeply connected to their inner world, often displaying artistic sensibilities and creative talents. Like the moon that influences tides, Chandras may have strong empathetic abilities and can sense the emotional currents around them. Their dignified bearing often makes them natural peacemakers who approach conflicts with diplomacy and grace. However, they may also experience the moon's cyclical nature through mood variations and require periods of solitude to recharge. Chandras typically exhibit a quiet confidence that doesn't need constant validation from others. They're often observant and thoughtful, preferring to listen and reflect before speaking. Their strength lies in their adaptability and resiliencemuch like the moon that continues its cycles regardless of earthly circumstances. While they may appear reserved initially, those who know them well appreciate their depth of feeling and loyalty. The lunar association also suggests someone who can be a guiding light in darkness, offering wisdom and comfort during difficult times. Their combination of emotional depth and quiet strength makes them valued friends and trusted confidantes. Cultural & Historical Significance Clan Chattan represents one of the most important clan confederations in Scottish history, with origins dating back to the 11th century. The confederation united various Highland clans including Mackintosh, Macpherson, MacGillivray, and Davidson, creating a powerful political and military force in the Scottish Highlands. The name 'Chattan' became synonymous with unity and collective strength, as these distinct clans maintained their individual identities while operating under a common banner. Their legendary participation in the Battle of the North Inch in 1396, where thirty Chattan warriors fought thirty Camerons in a judicial combat before King Robert III, became a defining moment in Scottish clan folklore. The cultural significance of Chattan extends beyond military history to encompass the preservation of Gaelic traditions, Highland customs, and clan governance systems. The confederation's ability to maintain cohesion across centuries demonstrated sophisticated political organization in medieval Scotland. Today, Clan Chattan continues as an active association that preserves the heritage, promotes genealogical research, and fosters connections among descendants worldwide. The name embodies the resilience of Highland culture through periods of political turmoil, including the Jacobite risings and subsequent Highland Clearances, serving as a living link to Scotland's complex clan history. Cultural & Historical Significance In ancient Egyptian culture, the name Chigaru held significant meaning as it directly referenced the hunting hounds that were highly valued in Egyptian society. These dogs were not merely pets but working animals essential for hunting, protection, and companionship. The Egyptians admired the hound's loyalty, speed, and keen senses, qualities they sought to imbue in their children through this name. Royal families often gave this name to sons destined for military or protective roles, believing the name would grant them the hound's vigilance and courage. The cultural importance extended to religious contexts as well, where hounds were sometimes associated with Anubis, the jackal-headed god of mummification and the afterlife. While not a direct theophoric name, Chigaru carried connotations of protection in both life and death. During the New Kingdom period, the name became particularly popular among military families and temple guardians, symbolizing a sacred duty to protect and serve. The name represented the ideal Egyptian virtues of loyalty, duty, and unwavering service to both pharaoh and gods. Geneva, Switzerland, Sudan (PANA) - In war-torn Sudan, rape is likely being used as a weapon of war and simply being a woman there is a strong predictor of hunger, violence and death, the UNs gender equality agency warned on Tuesday Individuals named Chogan are often characterized by strong communication skills and natural curiosity, mirroring the blackbird's vocal nature and inquisitive behavior. They tend to be adaptable and resourceful, able to navigate different social situations and environments with ease. There's typically a deep connection to community and family, with a natural inclination toward building and maintaining relationships. Their intelligence and observational skills often make them quick learners who notice details others might miss. Chogan's personality often includes a creative streak and artistic sensibility, reflecting the blackbird's melodic songs and graceful movements. They may possess a dual naturebeing both grounded and practical while also having spiritual or philosophical depth. Their communication style is typically direct yet thoughtful, and they often serve as bridges between different groups or perspectives. The name suggests someone who is both independent and community-oriented, capable of standing strong individually while contributing meaningfully to collective efforts. These individuals often exhibit natural leadership qualities combined with empathy, making them effective in roles that require understanding multiple viewpoints. They tend to be resilient in facing challenges, drawing strength from their connections to tradition and community. The blackbird symbolism suggests they may have an intuitive understanding of cycles and timing, knowing when to speak and when to listen, when to act and when to observe. Beyond its literal translation, Ciarda embodies profound symbolic meanings drawn from Celtic cosmology and Irish landscape symbolism. The 'dark' element represents the fertile darkness of the earththe rich soil that nourishes growth and the mysterious depths from which wisdom emerges. In Celtic tradition, darkness wasn't feared but revered as the source of creation and transformation. Thus, Ciarda symbolizes the creative void, the space of potential where new beginnings take root. The name also connects to the concept of 'anam cara' or soul friendship in Gaelic spirituality, suggesting someone who understands the shadow aspects of human experience. Metaphorically, Ciarda represents the wisdom that comes from embracing all parts of oneselfthe light and the darkand the strength found in authenticity. It evokes images of ancient standing stones at twilight, boundary places where the visible and invisible worlds meet, making it a name rich with spiritual and psychological resonance. Cultural & Historical Significance Crogher holds deep roots in Irish Gaelic culture, particularly among families with strong hunting traditions and connections to the land. The name emerged during the medieval period when hunting with hounds was both a practical necessity and a symbol of nobility. Families who bore this name were often entrusted with maintaining hunting packs for their clans, making them essential figures in both food procurement and community protection. Throughout Irish history, the name Crogher became associated with rural leadership and the preservation of ancient Celtic hunting traditions that dated back to pre-Christian times. During the various periods of English rule, the name maintained its cultural significance as a marker of Irish identity and resistance to cultural assimilation. Many Croghers were recorded as participants in rebellions and movements to preserve Irish customs, using their knowledge of the land and hunting skills to support these causes. The name represents a living connection to Ireland's pastoral heritage and the enduring bond between the Irish people and their working animals, serving as a testament to the resilience of Gaelic culture through centuries of change and challenge. Individuals named Cuarto are often perceived as grounded, practical, and family-oriented, reflecting the numerical significance of their name. Being designated as the 'fourth' typically instills a sense of structure and order, with many Cuartos developing strong organizational skills and a methodical approach to life. They often serve as stabilizers within their social circles, bringing balance and reliability to relationships and projects. The historical context of the name suggests someone who understands their place within larger systems, whether family, community, or professional environments. Many Cuartos exhibit strong loyalty to tradition while also demonstrating adaptabilityqualities that stem from their position as neither the oldest nor youngest in the family structure. This middle-ground position often fosters diplomatic skills and the ability to mediate between different perspectives, making them valuable team members and community leaders. Psychological associations with the name include reliability, patience, and a strong sense of responsibility, as the numerical designation historically came with expectations about one's role in maintaining family cohesion and supporting both older and younger siblings. Individuals named Dael are typically perceived as grounded, practical, and deeply connected to their roots. They often exhibit a calm, steady demeanor that provides stability to those around them, much like the protective nature of a valley sheltering its inhabitants. Their connection to the valley symbolism suggests someone who is humble yet strong, capable of weathering life's challenges with resilience. Daels are often natural peacemakers who value harmony and tend to be observant and thoughtful in their approach to problems. They typically possess an innate understanding of natural rhythms and cycles, making them patient and methodical in their pursuits. This combination of traits often makes them excellent listeners and trusted advisors, as they approach situations with both practicality and emotional intelligence. Their valley-inspired nature gives them a unique perspectiveable to see the bigger picture while remaining firmly rooted in reality. People named Danso typically exhibit a constellation of personality traits centered around reliability and trustworthiness. They are often perceived as the 'rock' in their social and professional circles - individuals who remain calm under pressure and follow through on their promises regardless of circumstances. Their thinking tends to be systematic and deliberate, with a strong aversion to impulsivity that makes them excellent planners and strategists. Danso personalities usually demonstrate exceptional loyalty in relationships, often maintaining childhood friendships and family connections throughout their lives. They possess a strong sense of duty and responsibility, frequently putting others' needs before their own. While sometimes perceived as reserved or cautious, this stems from their careful nature rather than shyness. Their consistency makes them excellent in roles requiring long-term commitment and steady progress. However, they may need to guard against becoming too rigid or resistant to spontaneity. Overall, the Danso personality represents the ideal of steadfast reliability that forms the bedrock of strong families and communities. Cultural & Historical Significance Deegan originates from the Irish surname O Duibhginn, meaning 'descendant of Dubhghinn' - where 'dubh' means black and 'ginn' may relate to complexion or hair. This places the name firmly within the Irish tradition of using descriptive physical characteristics to identify clans and families. The name carries the weight of Irish heritage, particularly from counties in the western regions where the O Duibhginn clan was historically prominent. As Ireland transitioned from Gaelic to English influence, many traditional Irish names were anglicized, with O Duibhginn becoming Deegan. This transformation represents the broader cultural adaptation of Irish identity under English rule. The name's journey from clan identifier to modern given name reflects the evolution of Irish naming conventions and the preservation of cultural heritage through surnames-turned-first-names, a common practice in Irish diaspora communities seeking to maintain connections to their ancestral roots. The name Deegan embodies the resilience of Irish culture through centuries of change, serving as a living link to Gaelic traditions while adapting to global contexts. It represents how Irish identity has been maintained and transformed through naming practices, particularly in diaspora communities where such names serve as conscious connections to heritage. Cultural & Historical Significance Delilah's cultural significance originates from the Hebrew Bible's Book of Judges, where she appears as the Philistine woman who betrays Samson by discovering his strength lies in his uncut hair. This narrative has profoundly influenced Western art, literature, and morality tales for millennia, establishing Delilah as an archetype of feminine seduction and betrayal. The story has been interpreted through theological, psychological, and feminist lenses, with Delilah representing everything from divine instrument to political operative to empowered woman challenging male dominance. In contemporary culture, Delilah has undergone significant reinterpretation. The 20th and 21st centuries have seen a rehabilitation of her image through popular music and changing social attitudes. Songs like Tom Jones' 'Delilah' and Plain White T's 'Hey There Delilah' have transformed the name from a symbol of betrayal to one of romantic longing and emotional depth. This cultural shift reflects broader changes in how society views female agency and complexity, with modern interpretations often emphasizing Delilah's intelligence and strategic thinking rather than focusing solely on her role as betrayer. Individuals named Deunoro are often perceived as having a strong sense of community and spiritual depth. They tend to be grounded, reliable figures who value tradition while maintaining a progressive outlook. Their connection to the name's meaning often manifests as inclusive leadership qualities, bringing diverse groups together and finding common ground among differing perspectives. There's typically a natural gravitas to their presence that commands respect without demanding it. Psychologically, Deunoros often exhibit balanced personalities that combine practical wisdom with emotional intelligence. They're frequently described as bridges between generations or cultures, possessing the patience to understand complex situations and the clarity to guide others through challenges. While they may appear reserved initially, they develop deep, lasting relationships built on mutual trust and shared values. Their strength lies in their ability to honor tradition while adapting to modern circumstances, making them effective in both preserving cultural heritage and navigating contemporary complexities. Individuals named Dev are often characterized by their strong leadership qualities and natural charisma. They tend to be confident communicators who excel in social situations and possess the ability to inspire and motivate others. Their straightforward approach to life reflects in their decision-making process, where they prefer practical solutions over complicated approaches. This combination of social intelligence and practical thinking makes them effective in both personal and professional relationships. Devs typically demonstrate reliability and loyalty in their interactions, valuing genuine connections with others. They approach challenges with determination and persistence, often showing remarkable resilience in difficult circumstances. While ambitious and goal-oriented, they maintain a balanced perspective on life and adapt well to changing situations. Their name's concise nature often mirrors their preference for efficiency and direct communication, making them valued team members and trusted friends who approach responsibilities with seriousness and commitment. The families of the flood victims in Texas are suing Camp Mystic for gross negligence following the deaths of 27 young girls and counselors. The lawsuit, which was filed on Monday, is from the families of five Camp Mystic campers and two counselors who died during the July 4 flooding. It alleges that the camp officials' failure to evacuate the camp ultimately resulted in the untimely deaths. Camp Mystic Flooding Victims' Families File Lawsuit During the disastrous floods, more than 130 people lost their lives throughout Central Texas, which includes 25 campers and two counselors at Camp Mystic, who are being called "Heaven's 27" by their families. The lawsuit was filed in the Travis County district court and shows the plaintiffs seeking more than $1 million in damages. The filing comes after months of scrutiny targeting Camp Mystic's response to the tragic flooding and the placement of several of its cabins in a floodplain, according to The Texas Tribune. Specifically, the lawsuit names several members of the Eastland family, who own and operate Camp Mystic, as defendants. This includes the estate of Richard "Dick" Eastland, who died during the floods trying to save several campers. Read more: Parents of Camp Mystic Flooding Victims Call on Officials To Implement Better Safety Measures In a statement, the father of nine-year-old Molly DeWitt, Ryan DeWitt, said that they carry the memory of his daughter in everything that they do. He noted that this legal step was made to honor his child and the other victims. The lawsuit claims that the victims tragically lost their lives because a for-profit camp put profit over safety. There was another lawsuit that was filed in the same court on Monday by the parents of eight-year-old Eloise Peck. It presents a similar description of inadequate emergency planning, the New York Times reported. The Camp's Gross Negligence Since the tragedy, members of the Eastland family have provided little public information about their actions during the flooding. Additionally, their lawyer, Mikal Watts, did not immediately respond to requests for comments. However, Watts previously discussed the incident, calling the evacuation of the camp "orderly" and mostly successful. The lawyer's account broadly matched the timeline that is laid out in the recently filed lawsuit. The lawsuit argues that Camp Mystic chose not to evacuate the Bubble Inn and Twins cabins, even though other campers and counselors had already been moved to safe, higher ground only 300 feet away. It said the camp instead ordered its campers and counselors to remain in the Bubble Inn and Twins cabins while the floodwater overwhelmed them, as per CNN. Cultural & Historical Significance Devlon is a name with deep roots in Irish history and folklore, primarily associated with the concept of misfortune or ill-fate. In traditional Irish culture, names carrying such meanings were often given in protective contexts - either to ward off evil by acknowledging its presence, or to children born during difficult times as a form of sympathetic magic. The name appears in several regional folktales from western Ireland, particularly in Connacht, where it's often associated with characters who overcome their 'cursed' beginnings through great personal strength and wisdom. Historically, the name was more common in families with connections to ancient Irish clans who believed in the power of names to shape destiny, with some records suggesting it was used for children born during periods of English oppression as a reflection of collective hardship. The name's persistence through generations speaks to the Irish cultural emphasis on enduring through difficulty and finding strength in adversity. In modern Irish-American communities, the name has taken on additional layers of meaning, representing both the struggles of immigration and the resilience required to build new lives while maintaining cultural identity. Cultural & Historical Significance The surname Devries carries profound cultural significance as a direct link to Frisian heritage, representing one of Europe's oldest distinct cultural groups. The Frisians inhabited the coastal regions of what is now the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark, maintaining a strong regional identity with their own language, legal traditions, and social structures that often operated independently of larger political entities. This name specifically denotes someone 'from Friesland' or of Frisian descent, marking a connection to a people known for their maritime skills, trading networks, and fierce independence. Historically, Frisians enjoyed special privileges and autonomy within the Dutch Republic, and their cultural distinctiveness remains recognized in modern Netherlands through the official status of the Frisian language. The cultural significance extends beyond geographical origin to encompass specific values and historical experiences. Frisians were renowned as skilled sailors, traders, and farmers who mastered the challenging environment of coastal marshlands. The name Devries thus evokes images of resilience, practicality, and community solidarityqualities essential for survival in a landscape constantly threatened by the sea. In the global Dutch diaspora, the name serves as a marker of specific regional identity rather than generalized Dutch heritage, connecting bearers to the particular traditions, dialect, and historical narrative of the Frisian people. This cultural specificity gives the name added depth and meaning for those who carry it, representing not just family lineage but a connection to a distinctive way of life and worldview. Cultural & Historical Significance Dickson originated as a patronymic surname in medieval England and Scotland, emerging during the period when hereditary surnames became necessary for tax and legal purposes. The name reflects the common practice of creating surnames by adding '-son' to the father's given name, in this case deriving from the diminutive 'Dick' or 'Dickon', which were popular medieval pet forms of Richard. This naming pattern was particularly prevalent in northern England and the Scottish Borders region, where the Dickson family became established landowners and played significant roles in local governance. In Christian contexts, the name carries additional significance as Richard itself derives from Germanic elements meaning 'brave ruler', with many medieval Christians named Richard honoring saints and religious figures. The Dickson surname spread throughout the English-speaking world during British colonization, particularly in North America, Australia, and South Africa, where families maintained the name as both surname and given name. The name's evolution from patronymic to established surname mirrors broader social changes in European naming conventions and family identity formation. Individuals named Dorren are typically characterized by their contemplative nature and strong sense of independence. They often possess a natural curiosity about the world and people around them, reflecting the 'stranger' etymology of their name. This manifests as excellent observational skills and the ability to understand different perspectives. Dorrens tend to be adaptable and resilient, comfortable in unfamiliar situations, and often excel in roles requiring mediation or cross-cultural understanding. Their spiritual depth is frequently noted, with many developing strong personal faith journeys that influence their life choices and relationships. While sometimes perceived as reserved initially, they form deep, meaningful connections with those who appreciate their thoughtful approach to life. The combination of their independent spirit and spiritual sensitivity often leads them to unconventional but fulfilling life paths where they can make unique contributions to their communities and faith traditions. Individuals named Dustyn are often perceived as determined and resilient, with a strong sense of personal integrity and loyalty. They typically exhibit natural leadership qualities and a protective instinct toward those they care about, combined with practical problem-solving abilities. While they may appear reserved initially, Dustyns tend to be deeply committed in relationships and demonstrate remarkable perseverance when facing challenges. Their combination of inner strength and quiet confidence makes them reliable partners and friends who approach life's battles with strategic thinking and emotional fortitude. Dustyns often possess a grounded nature that allows them to remain steady during turbulent times, and they frequently serve as pillars of support within their social and professional circles. The name suggests someone who fights not for aggression but for protection and principle, embodying the ideal of the thoughtful warrior who chooses battles wisely and stands firm when necessary. Individuals named Eddison are often perceived as innovative, practical, and determined, with a strong sense of individuality. They tend to be problem-solvers who approach challenges with methodical thinking and creative solutions, reflecting the inventive spirit associated with the name's most famous bearer. Eddison's typically possess a blend of traditional values and forward-thinking attitudes, making them adaptable to changing circumstances while maintaining core principles. Their personality often combines intellectual curiosity with hands-on practicality, leading them to excel in fields that require both theoretical understanding and real-world application. Many Eddison's demonstrate leadership qualities, though they often prefer to lead through example and innovation rather than authority alone. They value knowledge and education, frequently becoming lifelong learners who continuously seek to expand their understanding of the world around them. Socially, Eddison's tend to be respected for their competence and reliability, though they may sometimes be perceived as reserved or intensely focused. Their combination of traditional grounding and innovative thinking often makes them effective bridge-builders between established systems and new approaches. They typically approach relationships with the same thoughtful consideration they apply to professional challenges, valuing deep connections over superficial interactions. Individuals named Edwaldo are typically perceived as natural leaders with a strong sense of responsibility and ambition. They often exhibit a balanced combination of practical wisdom and spiritual depth, making them effective in both professional and personal spheres. Their name's meaning of 'wealthy ruler' tends to manifest in their personality through strong organizational skills, financial acumen, and a natural authority that others respect. Edwaldo's are often seen as reliable, determined individuals who approach challenges with both strategic thinking and moral conviction. They tend to be protective of those under their care while maintaining a vision for growth and prosperity. This combination of leadership qualities and practical intelligence makes them well-suited for positions of responsibility where they can guide others toward success while maintaining strong ethical foundations. Their personality often reflects the Christian values associated with their name, including stewardship, generosity, and a commitment to using their talents for the benefit of others. Individuals named Eguskine are often characterized by their radiant, life-affirming personalities that mirror the symbolic qualities of sunlight. They typically exhibit natural warmth and approachability that draws others to them, creating social circles characterized by genuine connection and mutual support. Psychologically, Eguskines tend to possess strong resilience and optimism, able to maintain positive outlooks even during challenging circumstances - much like the sun that continues to shine regardless of temporary clouds. They often demonstrate exceptional emotional intelligence, with an innate ability to understand and respond to others' needs with compassion and practical support. Many Eguskines show leadership tendencies that are inclusive and empowering rather than authoritarian, guiding others through inspiration and example. Their creative expression frequently manifests in artistic pursuits, educational endeavors, or community building where they can share their innate light with broader audiences. The name's association with the sun also suggests qualities of reliability, consistency, and the ability to nurture growth in others, making Eguskines often sought as mentors, friends, and community pillars. Individuals named Eldwyn are typically perceived as thoughtful, analytical, and possessing natural leadership qualities tempered by humility. They tend to be methodical decision-makers who value knowledge and experience, often serving as trusted advisors in both personal and professional contexts. Their calm demeanor and ability to see multiple perspectives make them excellent mediators and problem-solvers, though they may sometimes be perceived as overly cautious or traditional in their approach to new situations. Eldwyns often exhibit strong ethical compasses and a deep sense of responsibility toward those in their care. They combine intellectual curiosity with practical wisdom, making them particularly effective in roles that require both strategic thinking and interpersonal sensitivity. While they may not seek the spotlight, their quiet competence and reliability often position them as pillars of their communities. Their strength lies in their ability to balance tradition with innovation, drawing on historical knowledge while addressing contemporary challenges with thoughtful consideration. Individuals named Emst are typically perceived as serious, dependable, and deeply principled. They tend to approach life with a methodical, thoughtful demeanor, often displaying remarkable persistence in pursuing their goals. Their serious nature doesn't indicate lack of warmth but rather reflects a profound sense of responsibility and commitment to their duties and relationships. Emsts are often the stabilizing force in their social and professional circles, valued for their unwavering reliability and sound judgment. These individuals usually possess strong analytical skills and excel in fields requiring precision and dedication. They may appear reserved initially but reveal deep loyalty and steadfast support for those they care about. Their serious disposition often masks a dry wit and keen observational abilities. Emsts typically prefer substance over superficiality, building relationships and careers on foundations of trust, competence, and genuine accomplishment rather than fleeting popularity or trends. PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The following Aberdeen Investments U.S. Closed-End Funds (NYSE: ACP, AGD, AOD, ASGI, AWP, HQH, HQL, IFN, THQ, THW and NYSE American: FAX, FCO, IAF, VFL), announced today that the closed end funds in the chart directly below will pay the distributions indicated on a per share basis on November 28, 2025 to all shareholders of record as of November 21, 2025 (ex-dividend date November 21, 2025). These dates apply to the Funds listed below with the exception of the abrdn Healthcare Investors (HQH), the abrdn Life Sciences Investors (HQL), the abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (IAF) and the India Fund, Inc. (IFN) which will pay on January 12, 2026, to all shareholders of record as of November 21, 2025 (ex-dividend date November 21, 2025). Ticker Exchange Fund Amount ACP NYSE abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund $ 0.0775 AGD NYSE abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund $ 0.1200 AOD NYSE abrdn Total Dynamic Dividend Fund $ 0.1000 ASGI NYSE abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund $ 0.2100 AWP NYSE abrdn Global Premier Properties Fund $ 0.0400 FAX NYSE American abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.1650 FCO NYSE American abrdn Global Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.0700 HQH NYSE abrdn Healthcare Investors $ 0.5700 HQL NYSE abrdn Life Sciences Investors $ 0.5000 IAF NYSE American abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. $ 0.3800 IFN NYSE The India Fund, Inc. $ 0.9060* THQ NYSE abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund $ 0.1800 THW NYSE abrdn World Healthcare Fund $ 0.1167 VFL NYSE American abrdn National Municipal Income Fund $ 0.0500 * This distribution consists of the regular quarterly distribution of $0.40 and a special capital gains distribution of $0.506 required to meet US tax regulations. The entire distribution is eligible to be paid in newly issued shares of common stock of the Fund to all shareholders who do not otherwise elect to receive cash. See below for more details. At the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders, which will state the amount and composition of each fund's distributions and provide information with respect to their appropriate tax treatment for the prior calendar year. Each Fund's distribution policy is subject to modification by the respective Board of Directors/Trustees at any time, and there can be no guarantee that the policy will continue. You should not draw any conclusions about any of these Funds' investment performance from the amount of the distributions. MANAGED DISTRIBUTION POLICY FUNDS ANNOUNCE DISTRIBUTION PAYMENT DETAILS abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund ("ASGI") abrdn Healthcare Investors ("HQH") abrdn Life Sciences Investors ("HQL") abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. ("IAF") The India Fund, Inc. ("IFN") abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund ("THQ") The above-noted Aberdeen Investments U.S. Closed-End Funds (the "Funds" or individually the "Fund"), today announced that the Funds will pay the distributions noted in the chart above on November 28, 2025 to all shareholders of record as of November 21, 2025 (ex-dividend date November 21, 2025). These dates apply to the Funds listed below with the exception of the abrdn Healthcare Investors (HQH), the abrdn Life Sciences Investors (HQL), the abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (IAF) and the India Fund, Inc. (IFN) which will pay on January 12, 2026, to all shareholders of record as of November 21, 2025 (ex-dividend date November 21, 2025). For abrdn Healthcare Investors (HQH), the abrdn Life Sciences Investors (HQL), the abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (IAF) and the India Fund, Inc. (IFN), this stock distribution will automatically be paid in newly issued shares of the Fund unless otherwise instructed by the shareholder. Shares of common stock will be issued at the lower of the net asset value ("NAV") per share or the market price per share with a floor for the NAV of not less than 95% of the market price. The valuation date for this stock distribution is December 17, 2025. Fractional shares will generally be settled in cash, except for registered shareholders with book entry accounts at Computershare Investor Services who will have whole and fractional shares added to their account. Shareholders may request to be paid their quarterly distributions in cash instead of shares of common stock by providing advance notice to the bank, brokerage or nominee who holds their shares if the shares are in "street name," or by filling out in advance an election card received from Computershare Investor Services if the shares are in registered form. To receive the quarterly distribution payable in January 2026 in cash instead of shares of common stock, the bank, brokerage or nominee who holds the shares must advise the Depository Trust Company as to the full and fractional shares for which they want the distribution paid in cash by December 16, 2025, and written notification for the election of cash by registered shareholders must be received by Computershare Investor Services prior to December 16, 2025. Each Fund has adopted a distribution policy to provide investors with a stable distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital in reliance on an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under applicable U.S. tax rules, the amount and character of distributable income for each Fund's fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related rules, the Funds may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders. The following tables set forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distributions for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the rules adopted thereunder. The tables have been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The tables include estimated amounts and percentages for the current distributions to be paid as well as for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date, from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated compositions of the distributions may vary because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies. The Funds' estimated sources of the current distributions to be paid and for its current fiscal year to date are as follows: Estimated Amounts of Current Distribution per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains* Net Realized Long- Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.2100 $0.0042 2 % $0.1029 49 % $0.1029 49 % - - HQH $0.5700 - - $0.3249 57 % $0.2451 43 % - - HQL $0.5000 - - $0.4320 86 % - - $0.0680 14 % IAF $0.3800 $0.0380 10 % - - - - $0.3420 90 % IFN $0.9060 - - - - $0.9060 100 % - - THQ $0.1800 - - $0.0306 17 % - - $0.1494 83 % Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year to Date Cumulative Distributions per Share Fund Fiscal Year** to Date Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains* Net Realized Long- Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.4200 $0.0084 2 % $0.2058 49 % $0.2058 49 % - - HQH $0.5700 - - $0.3249 57 % $0.2451 43 % - - HQL $0.5000 - - $0.4320 86 % - - $0.0680 14 % IAF $0.3800 $0.0380 10 % - - - - $0.3420 90 % IFN $2.2060 - - - - $2.2060 100 % - - THQ $0.1800 - - $0.0612 17 % - - $0.2988 83 % * includes currency gains ** ASGI, HQH, HQL and THQ have a 9/30 fiscal year end. IAF has a 10/31 fiscal year end. IFN has a 12/31 fiscal year end. Where the estimated amounts above show a portion of the distribution to be a "Return of Capital," it means that Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all the money that you invested in a Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income." The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions for the current year will only be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. After the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders for the prior calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. The following table provides the Funds' total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Funds' annualized and cumulative distribution rates. Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 10/31/2025 Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV ASGI 11.58 % 12.09 % -0.08 % 1.01 % HQH 9.20 % N/A* 9.34 % N/A* HQL 10.98 % N/A* 12.75 % N/A* IAF 10.87 % 9.81 % 11.14 % 9.81 % IFN 9.40 % 10.85 % -5.43 % 8.16 % THQ 7.26 % 11.80 % 3.32 % 0.98 % 1 Return data is net of all fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. 2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of October 31, 2025. *The Fund's fiscal period to date is October 1, 2025 to October 31, 2025, and there were no distributions in this period. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy"). The value at which a closed-end fund stock may trade on a public exchange is a function of external market factors that are not at the control of the Fund's Board or Investment Advisor. Closed-end Fund shares may therefore trade at a premium or a discount to net asset value at any given time. Shareholders should be aware that a fund trading at a premium to net asset value may not be sustainable and a fund's discount to net asset value, can widen as well as narrow. Shareholders of a fund trading at a premium who participate in that fund's dividend reinvestment plan should note the reinvestment of distributions may occur at a premium to net asset value. While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market. Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Funds may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Funds during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Funds, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment in company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received. The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. Each Fund's Board has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state, and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances. Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. Aberdeen Investments Global is the trade name of Aberdeen's investments business, herein referred to as "Aberdeen Investments" or "Aberdeen". In the United States, Aberdeen Investments refers to the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: abrdn Inc., abrdn Investments Limited, and abrdn Asia Limited. Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. A Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Closed end funds | Aberdeen SOURCE Aberdeen Investments U.S. Closed End Funds Cultural & Historical Significance Euphemia holds profound cultural significance that spans multiple eras and civilizations. In ancient Greece, the concept of euphemia was central to religious and social practices, representing the careful use of language to maintain harmony with the gods and society. This philosophical ideal influenced Greek rhetoric, diplomacy, and daily communication, making the name emblematic of civilized discourse. The transition to Christian significance occurred through Saint Euphemia of Chalcedon, whose martyrdom in the early 4th century established her as one of the most important female saints in Eastern Christianity. Her cult spread throughout the Byzantine Empire and beyond, with numerous churches and monasteries dedicated to her name. The miraculous preservation of her relics and their role in the Council of Chalcedon cemented her importance in Christian theology and church history. During the medieval period, Euphemia became popular among European nobility, particularly in Scotland and England, where it symbolized both aristocratic refinement and deep religious devotion. The name's journey from classical philosophy to Christian sainthood to aristocratic usage demonstrates its remarkable cultural adaptability while maintaining its core meaning of virtuous speech and good reputation. Individuals named Evrain are typically characterized by a noble and regal demeanor, reflecting their Arthurian origins as kings and rulers. They often possess natural leadership qualities, combined with a sense of wisdom and fairness that inspires loyalty in others. The name suggests someone who is both practical and visionary, capable of balancing earthly responsibilities with higher ideals. Evrains tend to be protective of those under their care while maintaining a certain mystique or depth that others find intriguing. There's often an element of hospitality and generosity associated with the name, harkening back to the legendary king's reputation for welcoming knights and travelers. However, they may also carry a sense of solemn responsibility and the weight of leadership, sometimes appearing reserved or contemplative when faced with important decisions. Their personality blends strength with compassion, making them natural mediators and respected figures in their communities. The Arthurian connection also suggests a person who values honor, tradition, and the guidance of others through challenging circumstances. Individuals named Fahesh are often perceived as having larger-than-life personalities characterized by generosity, ambition, and intense passion. They tend to approach life with abundant energy and enthusiasm, often excelling in fields that require bold vision and substantial commitment. Their 'excessive' nature manifests as extraordinary dedication to their goals, whether in professional pursuits, personal relationships, or spiritual practices. These individuals typically possess strong leadership qualities and natural charisma that draws others to them. They may demonstrate exceptional generosity, sometimes to the point of self-sacrifice, and have a tendency to go above and beyond in everything they undertake. While their intense nature can sometimes lead to impatience or overwhelming others with their energy, they are generally respected for their unwavering commitment and ability to achieve remarkable results through their persistent efforts. In social settings, Fahesh-named individuals often become the center of attention due to their vibrant personalities and tendency to engage deeply with others. They may show extreme loyalty to friends and family, and their emotional responses can be as abundant as their other traits. This combination of traits often leads them to positions of influence and responsibility, where their capacity for 'excessive' effort becomes a valuable asset. Individuals named Fardoragh are often perceived as possessing deep, introspective natures with a strong sense of mystery about them. They tend to be observant and thoughtful, preferring to process information internally before sharing insights with others. This contemplative quality often makes them excellent problem-solvers who approach challenges from unique angles. Their 'dark' association in the name's meaning typically manifests as emotional depth rather than negativitythey feel emotions intensely and possess strong intuitive capabilities that guide their decisions and relationships. In social settings, Fardoraghs often display quiet confidence and loyalty to those they trust. They may appear reserved initially but reveal warm, protective personalities to close friends and family. Their strength lies in their consistency and reliabilityonce committed to a cause or relationship, they demonstrate remarkable steadfastness. The historical weight of the name seems to influence a sense of responsibility and connection to tradition, often making them guardians of family heritage or cultural knowledge. Their combination of introspection and loyalty creates individuals who are both deeply self-aware and genuinely committed to their communities. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Geol holds significant cultural importance within Christian communities as it directly references the Christmas season and the birth of Jesus Christ. In many Western Christian traditions, names associated with Christmas carry special meaning, often given to children born during the Advent season or on Christmas Day itself. The name serves as a constant reminder of the nativity story and the spiritual significance of Christ's birth. Historically, names like Geol have been used to mark important religious milestones in family histories. In medieval Europe, children born during Christmas celebrations were sometimes given names reflecting this timing as a way to honor the sacred nature of their birth date. The name has maintained its religious connotations while adapting to modern naming practices, representing a bridge between traditional Christian values and contemporary identity. Individuals named Gjerta are typically characterized by a unique blend of strength and compassion that makes them natural protectors and caregivers. They possess an innate ability to sense when others need support and often take on roles as emotional anchors in their relationships. Gjertas are known for their practical intelligence and resourcefulness - they're the people others turn to in crises because they remain calm and think clearly under pressure. Their protective nature isn't overbearing but rather manifests as creating safe environments where people can grow and thrive. They tend to be deeply loyal, sometimes to a fault, and will defend their loved ones with surprising ferocity when necessary. While they may appear reserved initially, Gjertas form profound connections based on trust and mutual respect. Their strength is often quiet and understated, emerging fully only when challenges arise. This combination of emotional depth and practical capability makes them excellent leaders, though they often prefer supporting roles where they can protect and enable others' success. Their life philosophy typically centers on building security and stability for themselves and their communities. Cultural & Historical Significance Hesione occupies a crucial position in Greek mythology as a bridge character between different mythological cycles. Her story connects the adventures of Heracles with the later Trojan War epic, making her narrative essential for understanding the causal relationships in Greek mythological history. As daughter of Laomedon, the treacherous king of Troy, Hesione's plight reveals the consequences of broken oaths and divine punishment in ancient Greek belief systems. Her sacrifice to the sea monster represents the ancient practice of offering royal family members to appease angry deities, while her rescue by Heracles demonstrates the Greek heroic ideal of protecting the vulnerable. The subsequent betrayal by her father when he refused to pay Heracles the promised reward sets in motion the chain of events that leads to Troy's first sacking, establishing patterns of conflict that culminate in the famous Trojan War. This makes Hesione not just a passive victim but a catalyst for major mythological events, embodying the Greek concept of fate and the interconnectedness of human and divine actions. Individuals named Inness are often perceived as possessing a strong connection to nature and a contemplative disposition, reflecting the name's island origins. They tend to be independent thinkers who value their personal space and autonomy, much like an island standing separate yet connected to the mainland. This independence is often balanced with a deep sense of loyalty to their chosen communities and a capacity for introspection that allows them to navigate complex emotional landscapes with wisdom and patience. Their personality typically combines practical resilience with creative insight, enabling them to approach challenges from unique perspectives. While they may appear reserved initially, those named Inness often reveal profound emotional depth and steadfast reliability once trust is established. They embody the Celtic ideal of strength through connection to one's roots while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, making them both grounded and innovative in their approach to life's challenges. Symbolically, Isdernus represents the enduring power of loyalty and the importance of supporting roles in great endeavors. The name evokes the image of the reliable knight who may not seek glory but forms the essential foundation of any successful enterprise. It carries connotations of cultural synthesisthe blending of Celtic warrior traditions with medieval chivalric idealsand the preservation of ancient virtues in new social contexts. Metaphorically, Isdernus symbolizes the bridge between different eras and traditions, representing how historical figures can be transformed into literary archetypes while retaining their core identity. The name also suggests the concept of 'quiet competence'the value of reliable, skilled individuals who may not occupy the spotlight but whose contributions are indispensable to larger successes. This makes Isdernus a powerful symbolic name for those who value substance over spectacle and tradition tempered by adaptability. Men named Iwdael typically exhibit a combination of steadfastness and spiritual depth that reflects their name's meaning. They tend to be deeply rooted individuals who value tradition and continuity, much like the ancient yew trees referenced in their name. This often manifests as loyalty to family, community, and faith traditions, with a strong sense of responsibility toward preserving what they consider valuable. Their 'valley' association suggests a personality that creates spaces of safety and growth for others - they are often natural counselors, teachers, or spiritual guides who help people navigate life's challenges. At the same time, Iwdaels possess the resilience of the yew, able to withstand difficulties and adapt while maintaining their core identity. They may appear reserved to strangers but reveal rich inner lives and profound insights to those who earn their trust. This combination of depth and durability makes them particularly effective in roles requiring long-term commitment and wisdom, whether in religious vocations, education, or community leadership. Their strength lies not in flashy achievements but in consistent, meaningful contributions that endure over time. Abra currently includes operating companies Avianca and Gol, as well as a strategic investment in Wamos Air. The Group spans 140 destinations in more than 25 countries, with a fleet of 300 aircraft, nearly 30,000 employees, and more than 70 million passengers carried annually. This agreement -subject to approval from competition authorities, final documentation, and additional closing conditions- aims to strengthen air connectivity across Latin America and further integrate SKY markets with the region and the world. Under the terms of the agreement, SKY Airline will retain its brand, culture and talent, as is the case today with Avianca, Gol and Wamos Air. During the regulatory approval and closing process, both parties will operate independently, preserving internal and external processes, sales channels, and customer service as they exist today. LONDON and SANTIAGO, Chile, Nov. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Abra Group which comprises operating companies Avianca and Gol, and its strategic investment in Wamos Air and SKY Airline announced today they have submitted documentation to competition authorities, requesting regulatory approval to incorporate the Chilean airline into one of Latin America's leading air transport groups. Abra and SKY have reached an agreement-in-principle to advance this transaction, subject to regulatory approval, completion of definitive documentation and other closing conditions. During the definitive documentation and regulatory approval process, both parties will continue to operate independently. The way users, suppliers, employees and institutions interact with each company will remain the same, and the airlines will maintain their internal and external processes, sales channels and customer service, just as they operate today. "SKY is an airline that shares our purpose: prioritizing access to air travel. At Abra, we want more people across Latin America to fly easily, reliably, with the best network of connections, friendly service and competitive fares. Bringing SKY into the Group will allow us to continue strengthening the region's air market," said Adrian Neuhauser, CEO of Abra Group. "This is great news for our company and for our passengers," said Holger Paulmann, President of SKY Airline. "Once the preliminary agreement submitted today to the respective competition authorities is approved, SKY will become part of a group that currently operates a combined fleet of more than 300 aircraft and connects over 140 destinations across more than 25 countries. This will mean more routes, more opportunities, and more travel options for our passengers all while staying true to our essence." At transaction closing, Abra will consolidate ownership of SKY, and the current majority shareholders of the Chilean airline will become minority shareholders of Abra. SKY will maintain its brand, culture and talent, and Holger Paulmann will continue to serve as Chairman of its Board. About Abra Group: Abra, a UK-based company, is one of the most competitive air transport groups in Latin America. It brings together the iconic Gol and Avianca brands under a single leadership and a strategic investment in Wamos Air, anchoring an airline network that has one of the lowest unit costs in its respective markets, leading loyalty programs across the region (LifeMiles and Smiles) and other synergistic businesses. In addition, Abra has a convertible debt representing a minority stake investment in Sky Airline Chile. The Group consolidates a team of around 30,000 highly qualified aviation professionals and a fleet of more than 300 aircraft, with scheduled flights serving over 25 countries and more than 140 destinations. Gol is one of Brazil's leading airlines, operating a standardized fleet of 139 Boeing 737 aircraft and employing 13,900 highly qualified professionals. Avianca, the second oldest airline in the world, operates more than 140 A320 and B787 passenger aircraft, as well as 6 cargo aircraft, and has more than 14,000 employees. Finally, Wamos Air is Europe's leader in wide-body ACMI operations, operating 13 A330 passenger aircraft. For more information, visit www.abragroup.ne t SOURCE Abra Group Individuals named Jacinto are often perceived as creative, passionate, and deeply connected to their cultural roots. They tend to possess an artistic sensibility and appreciation for beauty, reflecting the floral origins of their name. Jacintos are typically known for their loyalty and strong family values, often serving as pillars within their communities. Their personality combines traditional values with modern adaptability, making them respected figures who bridge generations. Many Jacintos display a quiet strength and resilience, capable of weathering challenges while maintaining their core principles. They often excel in fields requiring both creativity and discipline, balancing emotional depth with practical wisdom. The name suggests someone who is both grounded and visionary, able to appreciate tradition while embracing progress. Their communication style tends to be thoughtful and considered, and they often become trusted advisors or mentors within their social and professional circles. The combination of artistic sensitivity and practical capability makes Jacintos particularly effective in roles that require both innovation and stability. Individuals named Jannes are often perceived as intellectually curious and analytically minded, with a natural inclination toward deep thinking and problem-solving. They tend to possess strong communication skills and may exhibit a persuasive nature, though this can sometimes manifest as stubbornness when convinced of their perspective. The name carries an air of traditional wisdom combined with modern adaptability, suggesting someone who respects established knowledge while remaining open to new ideas and approaches. Jannes often projects an aura of quiet confidence and reliability, making them natural leaders or advisors in their social and professional circles. They typically value integrity and authenticity, and may demonstrate a protective nature toward those they care about. The biblical association with magicians who stood against Moses suggests potential for strong convictions and the courage to challenge established authority when necessary, though this same trait might occasionally lead to conflicts in hierarchical situations. Overall, the name suggests a balanced personality capable of both deep reflection and decisive action. Individuals named Jeronimo are often perceived as possessing a blend of traditional values and intellectual curiosity, reflecting the name's association with Saint Jerome's scholarly nature. They tend to be thoughtful, principled, and dedicated to their beliefs, with a strong sense of responsibility and loyalty to family and community. Many Jeronimos exhibit leadership qualities and a natural inclination toward learning and knowledge-seeking. The name suggests someone who is reliable and steadfast, yet capable of deep intellectual exploration and spiritual reflection. These individuals often balance respect for tradition with a forward-thinking perspective, making them both grounded and progressive in their approach to life's challenges. They are typically seen as people of integrity who value wisdom and understanding, often serving as bridges between different perspectives or generations. Jeronimos are frequently described as having a calm, thoughtful demeanor combined with strong convictions. They tend to approach problems methodically and are often sought out for their counsel and wisdom. Their combination of traditional values and intellectual openness makes them effective in roles that require both stability and innovation. Cultural & Historical Significance Judd originates as a medieval diminutive of the Hebrew name Judah, meaning 'praised.' The name carries significant biblical weight through its connection to Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob and founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. In Jewish tradition, Judah became the dominant tribe from which Jewish kings descended, including King David and ultimately the Messiah. The name spread through Christian communities as Jude, the English form of Judas, particularly honoring Saint Jude Thaddeus, one of the twelve apostles and patron saint of lost causes. During the Middle Ages, Judd emerged as a distinct given name in England, particularly in Yorkshire and Lancashire regions, where it became established as both a first name and surname. The name's journey from ancient Hebrew roots to modern English usage reflects the complex interplay between religious tradition, linguistic evolution, and cultural adaptation across centuries. In contemporary culture, Judd maintains its connection to leadership and distinction while adapting to modern naming trends, representing a bridge between ancient heritage and contemporary identity. Cultural & Historical Significance Justain is a name deeply rooted in Christian tradition, derived from the Latin name Justus meaning 'just' or 'righteous.' The name gained prominence through early Christian history, particularly through figures mentioned in the New Testament. Saint Justus was one of the early bishops of Jerusalem, and several other early Christian martyrs and saints bore variations of this name, establishing its significance in Christian naming traditions. Throughout medieval Europe, Justain and its variants became popular among Christian families who valued the moral and ethical connotations of the name. It represented the Christian virtues of justice, righteousness, and moral integrity that were highly prized in religious communities. The name's association with biblical figures and early Christian saints made it a meaningful choice for parents seeking to instill these values in their children through their naming choices. The name's cultural significance extends beyond mere religious association to encompass broader European naming traditions. In regions with strong Latin influence, such as France, Spain, and Italy, variations of Justain have maintained continuous usage for centuries. The name reflects the enduring value placed on justice and moral uprightness across Western civilization, serving as a linguistic bridge between classical Roman virtues and Christian ethics. This dual heritage makes Justain a name that speaks to both historical continuity and timeless moral ideals. Women named Katariina are often perceived as strong-willed, intelligent, and principled individuals with a deep sense of integrity. They typically exhibit a calm exterior that masks a passionate inner world and strong convictions. Katariinas are known for their analytical minds and ability to see situations from multiple perspectives, making them excellent problem-solvers and mediators. Their name meaning 'pure' often reflects in their straightforward approach to life and relationships - they value honesty and transparency above all else. Many Katariinas demonstrate remarkable resilience in facing challenges, drawing strength from their inner moral compass. They tend to be natural leaders who inspire trust through their consistent behavior and clear communication. While they can appear reserved initially, those who know them well appreciate their dry wit, loyalty, and capacity for deep emotional connections. Their combination of intellectual curiosity and emotional depth makes them fascinating companions and reliable friends. These traits are often noticed from childhood, with young Katariinas showing early signs of the determination and clarity of thought that will characterize their adult personalities. Cultural & Historical Significance Kelleher is a distinguished Irish surname with deep roots in Munster province, particularly County Cork. The name originates from the Gaelic O Ceileachair, meaning 'descendant of Ceileachar', where Ceileachar combines 'ceile' (companion) and 'each' (horse), though often interpreted as 'lover of hounds'. This suggests the original bearers were likely associated with nobility or warriors who valued loyalty and hunting prowess. The Kelleher clan were historically part of the Eoganacht Raithlind, a powerful dynasty that ruled parts of Munster, and they maintained significant influence in the Cork region for centuries. During the Norman invasion and subsequent English rule, the Kelleher name persisted as a symbol of Irish resistance and cultural identity. Many Kellehers were involved in various Irish rebellions and movements for independence. The name carries the weight of Irish clan history, representing not just family lineage but also the survival of Gaelic culture through periods of colonization and cultural suppression. Today, it remains a proud marker of Irish heritage, particularly for the Irish diaspora who maintain connections to their Cork roots. Individuals named Kenric are typically perceived as natural leaders with strong, decisive personalities. They often exhibit courage, determination, and a commanding presence that inspires confidence in others. Their fearless nature combined with strategic thinking makes them well-suited for positions of authority and responsibility. Kenrics tend to be ambitious yet principled, valuing honor and loyalty in both personal and professional relationships. Beyond their leadership qualities, Kenrics often possess intellectual depth and curiosity. They are frequently drawn to history, tradition, and understanding systems of power and governance. While they can appear reserved or serious, those who know them well appreciate their dry wit and steadfast reliability. Their combination of strength and intelligence makes them effective problem-solvers who approach challenges with both boldness and careful consideration. Cultural & Historical Significance Khafra stands as one of the most significant names in ancient Egyptian history, representing the zenith of pyramid construction during the Old Kingdom. As the pharaoh who commissioned the second pyramid at Giza and likely the Great Sphinx, his legacy is physically embodied in the only surviving wonder of the ancient world. The name Khafra is intrinsically linked to the concept of divine kingship in Egyptian culture, where the pharaoh served as the intermediary between the gods and humanity. His reign exemplified the perfect balance of spiritual authority and practical governance that characterized Egypt's most stable periods. The cultural impact of Khafra extends far beyond his lifetime, influencing Egyptian art, architecture, and religious practice for centuries. The precision and scale of his pyramid complex set new standards for royal tomb construction, while the Sphinx became an enduring symbol of Egyptian civilization itself. In modern times, Khafra's name evokes the mystery and grandeur of ancient Egypt, representing human achievement at its most ambitious. The name continues to inspire archaeological research and public fascination, serving as a bridge between contemporary society and one of humanity's earliest great civilizations. Cultural & Historical Significance Krisoijn represents a distinctive Dutch naming tradition that combines classical elements with unique phonetic character. The name emerged during the Renaissance period in the Low Countries, reflecting the Dutch tendency to create names that are both traditional and individualistic. Its association with curly hair speaks to the Dutch cultural appreciation for distinctive physical characteristics and the importance of personal identity markers in naming conventions. Throughout Dutch history, names like Krisoijn have symbolized the balance between community tradition and individual expression that characterizes Dutch society. The name carries echoes of the Dutch Golden Age, when artistic innovation and maritime exploration flourished, mirroring the creative and adventurous spirit often associated with bearers of this name. In contemporary Dutch culture, Krisoijn maintains its status as a name that honors heritage while allowing for personal distinction, reflecting the Dutch value of 'doe maar gewoon' (just act normal) while still celebrating individual uniqueness. The name's persistence through centuries demonstrates the enduring Dutch appreciation for names that tell a story about both family history and personal characteristics. Ministry of Education issues measures to reduce non-teaching workload on primary and secondary school teachers 08:54, November 11, 2025 By Fan Anqi ( Global Times Ren Dabing instructs students at Molao Youyi Primary School in Biancheng Town of Huayuan County, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 9, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua) China's Ministry of Education (MOE) has released measures to further reduce the non-teaching workload on primary and secondary school teachers, media reported on Monday. The measures address major sources of non-teaching pressure through a series of targeted and operable approaches, such as setting boundaries to prohibit forcing teachers and students to participate in activities unrelated to education, to curb excessive administrative interference. The notice outlines eight key measures: tightening standards for document issuance and review, managing supervision checklists, optimizing the "whitelist" system for social affairs entering campuses, tightly controlling the secondment of teachers, streamlining data reporting, improving after-school service safeguards, refining monitoring and verification mechanisms, and strengthening inter-departmental coordination. These steps aim to institutionalize and standardize teacher workload reduction nationwide, China Central Television reported on Monday. Specifically, the MOE will introduce a consistency-review mechanism for document issuance, with a key criterion being whether assigned tasks exceed teachers' core duties. The MOE will also review provincial whitelists for social affairs entering campuses, completing lists before the spring semester each year. Provincial records are generally capped at 10 items, which will be publicly disclosed. Items not on the whitelist are prohibited on campus, and each school may host no more than six such activities per semester, the notice said. Higher-level authorities are, in principle, prohibited from seconding primary and secondary school teachers. When genuinely necessary, secondment duration is generally no more than 6 months, the MOE stipulated. During statutory holidays, weekends, and school vacations, teachers should not be assigned on-campus duties, the notice said. After-school services must be held on school days, with ending times in line with local off-work hours. Arbitrary expansion of scope is prohibited. Schools can adopt flexible work schedules for teachers, and after-school service participation must not be rigidly linked to teacher title evaluations, excellence awards, or similar incentives. Industry experts and several teachers told the Global Times on Monday that the heavy non-educational teaching workloads are widespread nationwide, seriously affecting teachers' core teaching duties. "Non-educational affairs mainly involve assignments from various administrative authorities unrelated to education," said Chu Zhaohui, a research fellow at the National Institute of Education Sciences. "These include inspections, evaluations, form-filling, meetings, etc. Past surveys have shown schools receive over 1,000 documents a year from both education and non-education departments," Chu noted, "Some teachers have told me that while they genuinely want to focus on teaching, only about one-third of their time is spent on actual teaching - the rest is consumed by paperwork." A Beijing middle-school teacher, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the Global Times that class advisors are asked to inspect dorms at night, cutting their rest time; they were also required to even supervise meals in the cafeteria, monitor cleaning duties after school. "We formulated the measures after reviewing past practices across regions and an in-depth analysis of current challenges and bottlenecks," an official from the MOE's Teacher Work Department of the Ministry of Education told reporters on Monday. "We have introduced a series of innovative steps to effectively minimize unnecessary interference, so that teachers can concentrate on teaching," the official said. "Our goal is to ensure that their time and energy are truly devoted to the core mission of fostering moral integrity and nurturing talent." The measures focus on three main priorities, the official said. First strictly control external interference, by filtering out unrelated tasks at the source and provide clear regulations for teacher-related burdens that have long perplexed frontline teachers. Second, optimize internal governance, by focusing within the education system itself, leveraging technology and standardized processes to relieve teachers' burdens. Third, strengthen supervision and accountability, consolidate primary responsibilities, and improve monitoring and verification mechanisms. "The notice reflects the seriousness of the problem and the urgent need to address it. Meanwhile, we must recognize that it cannot be resolved overnight - it involves long-standing issues, including deep-rooted systemic challenges in management. Fundamentally, valuing education does not mean piling more burdens on schools. It means elevating schools' professional quality and better meeting students' developmental needs," Chu said. The expert urged that whether these measures can be effectively implemented should be the key focus of follow-up oversight. Several regions, including Beijing, Shenzhen and Foshan in Guangdong Province, and Sichuan Province, have already introduced similar policies to ease teachers' non-core workloads, according to media reports. (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) Collaboration enhances access to intelligent, water-free climate systems for commercial, multifamily, and hospitality developments throughout the Las Vegas region AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AIIR Products (AIIR), a leading provider of AI-powered heating and cooling solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with Nevada Systems Group (NSG) , a premier HVAC solutions provider serving Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. The partnership will make AIIR's Intelligent HVAC systems more accessible to developers, engineers, and contractors across one of the nation's fastest-growing markets. With deep local roots and decades of experience supporting the region's most prominent commercial and hospitality projects, NSG delivers HVAC systems designed to meet the unique demands of Southern Nevada. From custom-engineered installations to retrofit projects across high-rise, multifamily, and mixed-use environments, NSG is known for its focus on efficiency, reliability, and performance - values that align closely with AIIR's mission to advance sustainable comfort through intelligent technology. AIIR's flagship Intelligent HVAC system combines onboard sensors, machine learning algorithms, and a high-efficiency air-source heat pump design to deliver responsive comfort and substantial energy savings. The system achieves over 30% greater energy efficiency than traditional units while eliminating the need for water-based cooling towers - a critical advantage in a region facing water-use restrictions for new construction. Designed for quiet operation, compact form, and simplified serviceability, AIIR's solutions provide an advanced alternative to traditional PTAC and vertical fan coil units. "Las Vegas and the surrounding areas face distinct climate challenges and regulatory demands that require innovative, sustainable solutions," said Trevor Schick, President of AIIR Products. "Partnering with Nevada Systems Group allows us to bring AIIR's intelligent, water-free HVAC technology to developers and property owners who are looking for efficient systems that also meet the region's sustainability goals." Grady Sherley, NSG General Manager & Sales Engineer, added: "AIIR's Intelligent HVAC system offers a groundbreaking approach that combines performance, aesthetics, and ease of service with the efficiency benefits developers and engineers are demanding. Especially in Nevada, where new water-based systems are no longer permitted, this technology provides a smart, future-ready solution for a wide range of commercial and hospitality projects." As part of the Ambient umbrella of companies, Nevada Systems Group joins a growing network of HVAC experts bringing AIIR's cutting-edge systems to markets across the West Coast. Together, AIIR and NSG are redefining comfort, efficiency, and sustainability for the next generation of buildings in Southern Nevada and beyond. For more information, visit aiirproducts.com . About AIIR Products: AIIR Products is a pioneering provider of AI-powered heating and cooling solutions designed to enhance comfort and energy efficiency in multi-family, residential, and hospitality settings. AIIR focuses exclusively on delivering innovative, sustainable systems that leverage advanced machine learning technology. Its flagship product, the AIIR Intelligent HVAC system, boasts over 30% greater energy efficiency compared to traditional HVAC systems, intelligently adapting to environmental conditions and occupant needs in real time. AIIR is committed to creating healthier, more comfortable living spaces through smart technology. Its steadfast dedication to sustainability and innovation drives the development of solutions that improve project outcomes and positively impact the planet. For more information about AIIR, please visit aiirproducts.com . About Nevada Systems Group: A member of the Ambient-Enterprises collective of companies, Nevada Systems Group, delivers HVAC systems designed for the unique demands of Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. From custom-engineered solutions to retrofit projects, our focus is on efficiency, reliability, and performancereinforced by the expertise and service that set us apart. Media Contact: Matt Jaffe AIIR Products [email protected] SOURCE AIIR Products The symbolic meanings of Lama extend far beyond its literal translation, encompassing layers of cultural, spiritual, and metaphorical significance. Symbolically, the 'darkness of lips' represents authenticity, natural beauty, and the power of truthful expression. In many interpretations, it signifies wisdom that comes with experiencethe lips darkening with age and use, much like how repeated prayer darkens prayer beads. The name carries connotations of sacred speech, connecting to Islamic traditions where the mouth serves as the instrument for Quranic recitation and daily prayers. Metaphorically, Lama represents the bridge between inner thought and outer expression, suggesting someone who speaks with intention and purpose. The darkness symbolizes depth, mystery, and hidden knowledgequalities valued in many spiritual traditions. It also represents cultural continuity, serving as a living connection to ancient Arabian aesthetic values in a modern context. The name symbolizes the beauty of natural states, contrasting with artificial enhancements and representing authenticity in an increasingly manufactured world. In psychological terms, it can represent the integration of shadow and lightacknowledging that true beauty and wisdom often emerge from embracing all aspects of experience. The symbolic richness makes Lama not just a name but a narrative about cultural identity, personal authenticity, and the enduring power of meaningful communication. Women named Letizia are often perceived as joyful, charismatic, and emotionally expressive individuals who bring light and positivity to their surroundings. They typically possess a natural elegance and grace that draws people to them, combined with a strong sense of empathy and emotional intelligence. Letizias are known for their ability to uplift others and create harmonious environments, often serving as the emotional center of their families or social circles. They tend to be creative, artistic, and appreciative of beauty in all its forms, with a particular affinity for music, art, and cultural pursuits. While generally optimistic and cheerful, they also demonstrate remarkable resilience and inner strength when facing challenges. Their combination of warmth, intelligence, and social grace makes them effective communicators and natural leaders in both personal and professional contexts. Letizias often excel in careers that involve people, creativity, or communication, and they have a particular talent for making others feel valued and understood. Their inherent joyfulness is not superficial but stems from a deep appreciation for life's blessings and a philosophical acceptance of its challenges. Individuals bearing the name Leyman typically exhibit characteristics of stability, humility, and quiet strength. Like the valleys their name represents, they often serve as grounding forces in their relationships and communities, providing support and shelter during turbulent times. Their personality tends toward the practical and dependable, with a deep-rooted sense of responsibility and commitment to their values and beliefs. These individuals often demonstrate remarkable resilience and patience, able to endure challenges with grace and emerge stronger from difficult circumstances. Their connection to the valley symbolism frequently manifests as a preference for depth over superficiality, substance over appearance, and meaningful connections over casual acquaintances. While they may not seek the spotlight, their steady presence and reliable character make them valued members of any community, often serving as the quiet backbone that supports others through life's various seasons. Women named Lien are often perceived as graceful, resilient, and spiritually inclined individuals. They typically exhibit a calm and composed demeanor, much like the lotus flower that remains untainted while growing in muddy waters. These individuals are known for their inner strength and ability to maintain elegance under pressure, often serving as pillars of stability in their families and communities. Their personality reflects the lotus symbolism - they possess deep emotional resilience, intuitive understanding of others, and a natural inclination toward harmony and balance. Beyond their serene exterior, Liens often demonstrate remarkable perseverance and adaptability when facing life's challenges. They tend to be deeply connected to their cultural roots while embracing modern perspectives, creating a unique blend of traditional wisdom and contemporary understanding. Their approach to relationships is characterized by loyalty and depth, often forming lasting bonds built on mutual respect and emotional intelligence. The name's association with the lotus also suggests individuals who value personal growth, continuous self-improvement, and maintaining moral integrity regardless of external circumstances, making them respected figures in both personal and professional spheres. Cultural & Historical Significance Lyam represents the Irish adaptation of the classic name William, reflecting Ireland's complex relationship with English cultural influences while maintaining distinct Gaelic identity. The name emerged as part of the broader trend of Gaelicizing Norman and English names during the 19th and 20th centuries, when Irish cultural revival movements sought to reclaim linguistic heritage. This particular spelling variation maintains phonetic similarity to the more common 'Liam' while offering a distinctive orthographic identity that appeals to modern parents seeking traditional roots with contemporary flair. The name carries the weight of Irish resilience and cultural preservation, embodying the nation's ability to adapt foreign influences while maintaining unique character. The cultural significance of Lyam extends beyond mere nomenclature to represent the ongoing negotiation between tradition and modernity in Irish society. As Ireland has transformed from a predominantly rural society to a modern European nation, names like Lyam symbolize the careful balance between honoring ancestral traditions and embracing global connectivity. The name's usage among Irish diaspora communities further underscores its role as a cultural marker that connects individuals to their heritage while allowing for individual expression and adaptation to new environments. People named Macartan typically exhibit a blend of traditional values and quiet strength that reflects their name's historical significance. They often possess natural leadership qualities, though they tend to lead through example rather than overt authority. Their decision-making is usually guided by strong moral principles and a sense of duty to their community or family. Macartans are generally perceived as reliable and steadfastthe type of person others turn to in times of crisis because of their calm demeanor and practical problem-solving abilities. This name often correlates with individuals who have deep respect for heritage and tradition while being adaptable to modern circumstances. They may show protective instincts toward those they care about, embodying the 'bear' symbolism in their name's meaning. While they can be reserved in unfamiliar situations, they demonstrate warmth and loyalty in their close relationships. Their combination of resilience and compassion makes them effective in roles that require both strength and empathy. The historical religious associations of the name sometimes manifest as spiritual depth or strong ethical frameworks in those who bear it. Individuals associated with the Macleod name are traditionally characterized by a combination of resilience, loyalty, and quiet strength. Historical accounts and clan traditions suggest traits of determination in adversity, deep family commitment, and a pragmatic approach to challengesqualities that served the clan well through centuries of political turmoil and Highland clearances. This resilience is often paired with a strong sense of honor and responsibility toward community, reflecting the clan chief's traditional role as protector and leader of their people. Beyond these foundational characteristics, Macleods are frequently described as possessing a blend of practicality and romanticism. They tend to be grounded and resourceful while maintaining deep appreciation for tradition, art, and cultural heritage. Many display leadership qualities tempered by humility, and a characteristic Scottish dry wit often accompanies their serious demeanor. The clan's historical connection to both Norse and Gaelic cultures may contribute to a personality that balances adventurous spirit with deep-rooted attachment to home and heritage. Modern bearers of the name often exhibit these traits through careers in education, the arts, community leadership, or fields that allow them to honor their heritage while engaging with contemporary society. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Madu holds significant cultural importance in Egyptian history, representing the concept of community and collective identity that was central to ancient Egyptian society. In a civilization where the pharaoh was considered divine and the social structure was highly organized, names meaning 'of the people' emphasized the individual's connection to the larger community and their role within the social hierarchy. This name was particularly common among administrators, scribes, and community leaders who served as intermediaries between the ruling class and the general population. Throughout Egyptian history, the name Madu appears in various contexts from the Old Kingdom through the Greco-Roman period, demonstrating its enduring appeal. It reflects the Egyptian cultural value of ma'at (cosmic order and balance), where each person had a defined place and responsibility within society. The name's persistence across millennia suggests it represented an ideal of service and connection to one's community that remained relevant despite changing political and social circumstances in ancient Egypt. Individuals named Mahoyu typically exhibit remarkable resilience and determination in facing life's challenges. They possess an inner strength that allows them to persevere through difficulties that would overwhelm others, often serving as pillars of support for their families and communities. This toughness is not merely physical but extends to emotional and psychological fortitude, enabling them to maintain composure under pressure and provide steady leadership during crises. Their strength is balanced with a deep sense of responsibility and loyalty to those they care about. Mahoyus are often natural protectors who take their roles as defenders and providers seriously. They tend to be practical problem-solvers who approach obstacles with methodical determination rather than impulsive reactions. While they may appear reserved or stoic to outsiders, those close to them appreciate their unwavering reliability and quiet compassion. Their toughness is tempered by a strong moral compass and cultural pride, making them respected figures in their communities who embody the Chamorro ideal of strength with integrity. Cultural & Historical Significance The name 'Man' holds significant cultural importance across multiple civilizations, particularly in South Asian and Islamic contexts. In Arabic and Islamic tradition, names carrying meanings of benefit, goodness, or advantage are highly valued as they reflect positive attributes parents wish to bestow upon their children. The name embodies the concept of being a blessing or source of benefit to others, aligning with Islamic values of community service and positive contribution. Historically, the name appears in various forms across different cultures. In South Asian contexts, particularly among Muslim communities in India and Pakistan, 'Man' has been used for centuries, often associated with nobility and leadership. The name's simplicity and profound meaning have made it enduring across generations, representing both individual virtue and collective benefit. It reflects the Islamic principle that names should carry good meanings and inspire positive character development. HONORING TRANSFORMATIVE ADVANCES IN SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND BUSINESS LEADERSHIP IN PHILADELPHIA, APRIL 30, 2026 Author, Philanthropist, Investor, and Historian David M. Rubenstein to receive the Bower Award for Business Leadership for blending visionary entrepreneurship with a profound commitment to the public good Inventor David R. Liu, Ph.D., to receive the Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science for his groundbreaking work in gene editing to correct disease-causing "misspellings" in DNA PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Franklin Institute is proud to announce the 2026 recipients of The Franklin Institute Awards, one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious honors in science, engineering, and business leadership. Among those recognized is author, philanthropist, investor, and historian David M. Rubenstein for his success as co-founder of The Carlyle Group and his passionate dedication to patriotic philanthropy, the arts, health, education, and civic engagement. The Franklin Institute announces the 2026 Franklin Institute Award Laureates, to be celebrated in Philadelphia on April 30, 2026. Rubenstein is a 2025 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He has made transformative gifts for landmark restorations, including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian, National Archives, and the Library of Congress, and has provided the U.S. government with long-term loans of his rare copies of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Emancipation Proclamation. Biochemist David R. Liu, Ph.D., is celebrated for his groundbreaking work in developing a new class of precise gene-editing technologies that is advancing treatments for disease-causing mutations, with promising early results in patients with conditions such as leukemia and sickle-cell disease. "Liu's innovative techniques hold extraordinary potential for transforming the lives of millions of people, not only through new treatments for genetic disease but also through the acceleration of foundational research in biomedicine and agriculture," said Dr. Jayatri Das, Chief Bioscientist, The Franklin Institute. Rubenstein will receive the Bower Award for Business Leadership, and Liu will receive the Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science, which includes a $250,000 cash prize. They will join six fellow laureates in a ceremony to be held at The Franklin Institute on April 30, 2026. "The 2026 laureates embody the same remarkable spirit of curiosity, ingenuity, and discovery that defined our nation's founding," said Larry Dubinski, President and CEO of The Franklin Institute. "In a milestone year in which we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of America, we are proud to honor this extraordinary group of individuals whose transformative contributions continue to greatly advance our nation and our world." The 2026 Franklin Institute Award Laureates The work of the 2026 laureates spans an extraordinary range of scientific discoveries, from the smallest units of life to the vast expanse of the universe. They have pioneered new fields of inquiry and transformed entire disciplines, preserving vital pieces of our past and charting bold paths to the future. BOWER AWARD FOR BUSINESS LEADERSHIP David M. Rubenstein | The Carlyle Group For embodying the legacy of Benjamin Franklin by blending visionary entrepreneurship with a profound commitment to the public good. Through his remarkable success as co-founder of The Carlyle Group and his passionate dedication to patriotic philanthropy, the arts, health, education, and civic engagement, he exemplifies the values that define the American spirit. BOWER AWARD AND PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SCIENCE David R. Liu, Ph.D. | Broad Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Harvard University For pioneering an exciting new class of precise and effective gene-editing technologies that enable a broad range of applications in science, industry, and medicine, including the direct correction of many disease-causing mutations. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN NEXTGEN AWARD Josh Alman, Ph.D. | Columbia University For contributions to theoretical computer science through the design and analysis of algorithms for fundamental operations that are routinely performed in all fields of science and engineering. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MEDAL IN CHEMISTRY Geoffrey W. Coates, Ph.D. | Cornell University For transformative work at the interface of chemical catalyst design and polymer science, leading to novel ways of making biodegradable and recyclable plastics. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MEDAL IN CIVIL ENGINEERING Pedro J.J. Alvarez, Ph.D. | Rice University For pioneering discoveries in environmental microbiology that established the field of environmental nanotechnology and revolutionized pollution remediation, with a major influence on industry standards and governmental policy. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MEDAL IN COMPUTER AND COGNITIVE SCIENCE Dedre Gentner, Ph.D. | Northwestern University For elucidating the unique power of human thought, including its roots in the acquisition and use of language, metaphors, maps, and analogies, and for charting new ways to support and enhance these skills. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MEDAL IN EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Karen C. Seto, Ph.D. | Yale University For pioneering work integrating satellite imagery, modeling methods, and social sciences to analyze the consequences of urbanization, land use, and global environmental change. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MEDAL IN PHYSICS Wendy Laurel Freedman, FRS | University of Chicago For scientific investigations that established precision measurements of the expansion rate of the universe, and for leading efforts to make the next generation of these measurements even more precise. The Franklin Institute Awards continue a two-century legacy of recognizing transformative contributions that drive progress and inspire future thinkers. Since its inception, the program has honored the world's most influential scientists, engineers, and inventors who have made significant advancements in science and technology. The roster of more than 2,000 laureates includes luminaries such as Nikola Tesla, Marie and Pierre Curie, Orville Wright, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Jane Goodall, Stephen Hawking, and, more recently, mRNA vaccine pioneers Kizzmekia Corbett, Drew Weissman, and Katalin Kariko. "The legacy of The Franklin Institute Awards recognizes some of the most epic milestones in human innovation, from the development of the typewriter to the dawn of quantum computing, from the diesel engine to the Mars Rover, and from X-rays to genome editing," said Dr. Darryl Williams, Senior Vice President of Science, Education, and HR at The Franklin Institute. "The program has become a symbol of excellence in innovation, inspiring future generations to push the boundaries of possibility." Awards Week in Philadelphia begins April 27, 2026, culminating in a gala ceremony hosted by Franklin Institute Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts on April 30, 2026, in the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial at The Franklin Institute. Bank of America returns in 2026 as the Presenting Sponsor of the Awards Ceremony and Dinner for the 24th consecutive year. Awards Week sponsor is KPMG. For more information about The Franklin Institute Awards Program and the 2026 laureates, please visit https://fi.edu/en/awards. About The Franklin Institute Located in the heart of Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute is a leading science museum dedicated to inspiring a passion for science and technology through interactive exhibits and impactful educational programs. As one of the earliest centers for science education and development in the country, The Franklin Institute continues to honor excellence in scientific achievement through its annual Franklin Institute Awards Program, now in its remarkable 202nd year. SOURCE The Franklin Institute Cultural & Historical Significance Mankalita represents a significant connection to Zuni heritage and identity. As a traditional Zuni name, it carries the weight of ancestral traditions and cultural continuity. The name reflects the Zuni people's deep relationship with their land, spirituality, and community values that have been maintained for centuries despite external pressures and changes. In Zuni culture, names are not merely labels but embody spiritual connections and family lineage. Mankalita, like many Zuni names, likely connects the bearer to specific aspects of Zuni cosmology, natural elements, or cultural practices. The preservation of such names represents resistance to cultural assimilation and serves as a living testament to the resilience of Zuni identity and the ongoing practice of traditional naming customs that honor both ancestors and the living community. Individuals bearing the name Marceau are typically perceived as possessing a remarkable synthesis of strength and subtlety, reflecting the name's etymological roots in 'hammer' and its artistic associations. They often demonstrate determined, focused approaches to challenges while maintaining artistic sensitivity and emotional intelligence. This combination frequently results in practical problem-solvers who also appreciate beauty and creative expression. Marceaus are commonly seen as natural leaders who inspire confidence through quiet competence rather than loud authority, often excelling in roles that require both strategic thinking and interpersonal nuance. The artistic legacy of Marcel Marceau adds layers of personality associations related to communication style and emotional expression. Those named Marceau are often thought to be excellent communicators who understand the power of non-verbal cues and subtle gestures. They tend to be observant, perceptive individuals who process information deeply before acting. The name suggests someone who values tradition but isn't bound by it, capable of innovative thinking while respecting established wisdom. This balance makes Marceaus particularly effective in fields that bridge creative and practical domains, from architecture and design to education and leadership roles where both vision and execution matter equally. People named Mardon typically exhibit a balanced personality combining strength with compassion. They often possess a calm, grounded nature that makes them natural peacemakers and reliable confidants. Their 'valley' symbolism suggests humility and the ability to navigate life's low points with grace, while the 'pool' element indicates emotional depth and the capacity to refresh and sustain others. Mardons are frequently described as having excellent listening skills and intuitive understanding of human nature, making them valued advisors and friends. They tend to approach challenges with thoughtful consideration rather than impulsivity, and their protective instincts make them fiercely loyal to family and community. This combination of strength and sensitivity allows them to provide both practical support and emotional comfort to those around them. Individuals named Melchior are often perceived as possessing natural leadership qualities, wisdom, and a regal demeanor. They tend to be thoughtful, analytical, and inclined toward intellectual pursuits, reflecting the wise man tradition associated with the name. Their personality often combines practical intelligence with spiritual depth, making them respected advisors and natural leaders in their communities. Melchiors typically exhibit strong moral convictions and a sense of responsibility toward others. They are often drawn to positions where they can guide, teach, or lead, and they approach challenges with careful consideration and strategic thinking. While they may appear reserved or formal at first, those who know them well appreciate their loyalty, integrity, and the quiet strength they bring to relationships and professional endeavors. The name's historical weight often influences personality development, with many Melchiors feeling a sense of legacy and expectation to live up to the name's noble associations. This can manifest as a drive for excellence, a concern for justice, and a tendency to take on mentoring roles. Their combination of intellectual curiosity and ethical commitment makes them particularly effective in fields requiring both wisdom and moral courage. Melwas is typically portrayed as bold, ambitious, and somewhat reckless, willing to risk war with the powerful King Arthur for personal desire. His abduction of Guinevere suggests a character driven by passion and confidence in his own strength and position. He demonstrates strategic thinking by choosing Glastonburya defensible location surrounded by marshesas his stronghold, showing military acumen. However, his actions also reveal arrogance and a tendency to underestimate his opponents, particularly Arthur's resolve and the loyalty of his knights. In later medieval romances, Melwas evolves into a more complex antagonist, sometimes depicted as chivalrous in his own right, treating Guinevere with respect during her captivity and engaging in formal combat with her rescuers. This development adds nuance to what might otherwise be a straightforward villain, creating a character who operates within the chivalric code even while violating its fundamental principles. His character embodies the tension between personal ambition and social responsibility that was a central concern in medieval literature. Individuals named Mervyn are often perceived as intelligent, creative, and thoughtful. They tend to possess strong analytical abilities combined with artistic sensibilities, making them well-suited for both technical and creative pursuits. Mervyns are typically known for their loyalty and reliability as friends, living up to the name's meaning of 'famous friend.' This combination of intellect and loyalty often makes them valued advisors and trusted companions. While they may appear reserved initially, Mervyns usually reveal warm, engaging personalities to those they trust, with a dry wit and keen observational skills that make them excellent companions and confidants. They often exhibit a quiet confidence and depth of character, preferring substance over superficiality. Their thoughtful nature means they rarely make impulsive decisions, instead carefully considering their options before acting. This balanced personality makes Mervyns particularly effective in leadership roles where both intelligence and interpersonal skills are required. Individuals named Millen are often perceived as practical, hardworking, and groundedcharacteristics that align with the name's occupational origins. They typically exhibit a methodical approach to life, demonstrating patience and persistence in achieving their goals, much like the steady grinding process of a mill. These individuals tend to be reliable and community-oriented, often serving as the 'foundation' in their social and professional circles. Their practical nature is balanced by a transformative quality; they possess an innate ability to take raw ideas or situations and refine them into something valuable and useful. Millens are frequently seen as providers and nurturers, with a strong sense of responsibility toward those in their care. Beyond their practical capabilities, Millens often display remarkable emotional resilience and adaptability. They understand that life, like the milling process, involves both pressure and transformation, and they approach challenges with a calm, determined demeanor. Their strength lies in their ability to maintain consistency while facilitating changethey are the steady force that enables progress without chaos. In relationships, Millens are typically loyal and supportive partners who value deep, meaningful connections over superficial interactions. They may not be the most flamboyant personalities in a room, but their quiet competence and unwavering reliability make them indispensable to their communities and loved ones. Morholt is typically characterized as proud, formidable, and unyieldinga warrior of immense physical strength and martial skill who embodies the archetype of the fearsome champion. Medieval sources depict him as arrogant in his demands for tribute from Cornwall, confident in his combat abilities, and dismissive of younger knights like Tristan. His personality combines martial excellence with a certain noble bearing, as he fights according to chivalric codes despite his role as antagonist. The tradition presents him as a man of honor in his own right, who accepts single combat rather than unleashing full-scale war, yet also as stubborn and overconfidenttraits that ultimately lead to his downfall. His character serves as a complex blend of noble adversary and tragic figure, whose death, while necessary for the plot, carries weight in the narrative as the fall of a great warrior who underestimated his opponent. Individuals named Muata are often perceived as possessing strong community-oriented values and protective instincts, much like the social structure of the yellow jacket colony from which the name derives. They tend to be industrious, focused, and dedicated to their family and social groups, demonstrating loyalty and willingness to defend those they care about. There's often an underlying intensity to their characterthey can be peaceful and cooperative within their community but fiercely protective when threatened. This duality mirrors the behavior of yellow jackets, which maintain complex social structures while being capable of strong defensive responses. Those named Muata typically exhibit strategic thinking, organizational skills, and a natural inclination toward leadership within group settings, often serving as the glue that holds communities together through their dedication and protective nature. They are often seen as builders and maintainers of social structures, valuing harmony but unafraid to take decisive action when necessary to protect their community's wellbeing. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Mudawar holds significant cultural importance in Muslim communities, particularly in Arabic-speaking regions. Derived from the Arabic root meaning 'round' or 'circular,' it carries profound symbolic weight in Islamic tradition where circular forms often represent perfection, unity, and the eternal nature of God. The concept of circularity aligns with Islamic philosophical traditions that emphasize the cyclical nature of life, the continuous return to God, and the perfection found in divine creation. Throughout Islamic history, the name has been associated with individuals known for their completeness of character and balanced approach to life. In many Muslim cultures, names describing physical or abstract qualities are believed to influence the bearer's personality and destiny, making Mudawar a name chosen with intentionality and spiritual consideration. The name reflects the Islamic appreciation for geometric perfection and the symbolic importance of circular forms in Islamic art, architecture, and spiritual concepts, serving as a reminder of the unity and completeness that Muslims strive for in their faith and daily lives. NEW DELHI, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- To observe this year's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Apollo Cancer Centres (ACCs) recently launched across India a unique initiative that blended indulgence with awareness through 'Check-Olate', a sweet treat that carries an even sweeter reminder: take a moment for yourself. Apollo Cancer Centres launch Check-Olate across India, empowering women to make breast self-examination a monthly ritual. Breast cancer is one of the major public health challenges worldwide. GLOBOCAN data indicates approximately 2.3 million new female breast cancer cases worldwide. Recognising the urgent need for greater awareness and proactive prevention, ACCs aimed to normalise self-care through Check-Olate and empower women to make breast self-examination a monthly ritual. Eminent breast oncologists at Apollo Cancer Centres stated that when it comes to breast cancer, early detection isn't just important, it's lifesaving. They stressed the fact that ACCs have witnessed firsthand how timely screening and awareness have helped save numerous women through early-stage diagnosis and treatment. ACCs' clinicians said that Check-Olate is their way of turning a moment of indulgence into a reminder for proactive health. Dark chocolate, known for its antioxidant and mood-enhancing benefits, becomes a comforting messenger of care, reminding every woman that a simple self-examination, just a few minutes a month, can make all the difference. By making this message accessible and relatable, they aim to replace fear with awareness and action. Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice-Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, said, "When women are healthy, nations prosper. Every woman's well-being is a force multiplier that strengthens families, communities, and the economy. Closing the women's health gap could add an estimated 1 trillion dollars annually to the global economy by 2040. At Apollo, we see women's health as a national priority and a shared responsibility. Through Apollo Cancer Centres, we are advancing early detection, enabling timely intervention, and building a culture where proactive care is the norm. The 'Check-Olate' initiative is another purposeful step in this mission, reminding women that self-care is not a privilege; it is power, and it fuels a healthier, stronger, and more prosperous India." Each bar of dark chocolate (Check-Olate) features a QR code that, when scanned, opens an animated video demonstrating a step-by-step guide on breast self-examination. Beyond its symbolic warmth, Check-Olate used dark chocolate for its proven wellness benefits. According to NCBI, dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids that help reduce inflammation, support heart health, and uplift mood. Log on to: https://apollocancercentres.com/ Contact Dr. Karthik Anantharaman [email protected] Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2819518/Apollo_Cancer_Centres_Check_Olate.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2324542/5491553/Apollo_Cancer_Centers_Logo.jpg SOURCE Apollo Cancer Centres Women named Naeemah are typically associated with warm, compassionate personalities that create comfort and harmony in their surroundings. They often possess natural empathy and intuition, making them excellent listeners and trusted confidantes. Their benevolent nature manifests in practical ways - they're the friends who remember birthdays, the family members who mediate conflicts, and the colleagues who organize support during difficult times. Naeemahs tend to be diplomatic and patient, with a calming presence that puts others at ease. While gentle in demeanor, they often demonstrate quiet strength and resilience when facing challenges. Their generosity extends beyond material things to include emotional support, wisdom, and time. Many Naeemahs develop strong nurturing instincts and often excel in caregiving professions or community leadership roles where their innate kindness can benefit others. They typically value deep, meaningful relationships over superficial connections and often become the emotional anchors in their families and social circles. The name's meaning of 'benevolent' seems to manifest in their tendency to put others' needs before their own while maintaining healthy boundaries. Individuals named Nailah are typically characterized by their strong drive for success and natural leadership qualities. They possess an innate determination that helps them overcome challenges and achieve their goals, often demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. Their ambitious nature is complemented by strategic thinking and practical problem-solving skills, making them effective in both professional and personal endeavors. Nailahs tend to be organized, focused, and capable of turning visions into reality through careful planning and execution. Beyond their achievement-oriented nature, women named Nailah often exhibit strong emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills. They are typically compassionate and supportive, valuing meaningful relationships and community connections. This balance between ambition and empathy allows them to inspire others while maintaining genuine connections. Their success is often achieved through collaboration and mutual support rather than pure individualism. Nailahs are frequently seen as role models who demonstrate that achievement and kindness can coexist, making them respected figures in both their professional circles and personal networks. People named Nihal are generally characterized by their calm demeanor and philosophical outlook on life. They possess a natural ability to maintain emotional equilibrium even in challenging situations, often serving as stabilizing influences in their social circles. Their content nature makes them excellent problem-solvers who approach difficulties with patience and wisdom rather than impulsivity. Nihals tend to be deep thinkers who value meaningful conversations over superficial chatter, and they often display remarkable insight into human nature. They are typically reliable and consistent in their relationships, forming strong bonds based on mutual respect and understanding. While they may not be the most outgoing individuals, their quiet confidence and genuine contentment make them naturally attractive to others. Their balanced approach to life often leads them to success in fields requiring patience, strategy, and emotional intelligence. The name's meaning seems to manifest in their personality through a general sense of satisfaction with life as it is, combined with a steady determination to improve themselves and their circumstances. Cultural & Historical Significance Niyol holds profound significance in Navajo culture as the word for wind, which is considered a sacred and powerful natural force. In Dine (Navajo) tradition, wind is not merely atmospheric movement but represents the breath of life, spiritual communication, and the fundamental energy that connects all living things. The wind is believed to carry prayers to the Holy People and serves as a messenger between the physical and spiritual worlds. This name embodies the Navajo concept of Hozhoogi, the ideal of walking in beauty and harmony with nature, where wind plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and order in the universe. The name Niyol connects the bearer to traditional Navajo values of respect for natural elements and the understanding that humans are part of an interconnected web of existence. Historically, names like Niyol were given to honor the natural world and instill in children a deep respect for the elements that sustain life, reflecting the Navajo worldview that emphasizes harmony with nature rather than domination over it. Individuals named Odero are typically perceived as responsible, dependable, and nurturing figures within their communities. The name's association with the granary suggests someone who is practical, forward-thinking, and skilled at resource management. They often exhibit strong leadership qualities, particularly in family and community settings, where they naturally assume roles that require organization and provision for others' needs. Their personality tends to reflect the stability and security that a granary represents - they are the rocks upon which others can depend during challenging times. Beyond their practical nature, Oderos often demonstrate deep loyalty to family and tradition. They tend to be patient, methodical thinkers who plan for the long term rather than seeking immediate gratification. While they may appear reserved initially, they possess strong protective instincts toward those in their care. Their strength lies in their consistency and reliability, making them excellent partners in both personal and professional relationships. The granary symbolism also suggests someone who values accumulation - not just of material resources, but of knowledge, relationships, and cultural heritage. Individuals named Oubastet are typically perceived as possessing a unique blend of protective instincts and intuitive awareness. They often exhibit the cat-like qualities of independence combined with deep loyalty to their chosen family or community. Like their feline namesake, they move through life with a graceful confidence and keen observation skills, often noticing details others miss. There's a natural elegance in their approach to challenges, preferring strategic thinking over brute force, and they possess an almost uncanny ability to land on their feet in difficult situations. Their personality often balances contrasting traits: they can be both playful and serious, affectionate and independent, fierce and gentle. This duality makes them adaptable to various social situations. They tend to be protective of those they care about, much like a cat guarding its territory, yet they value their personal freedom and autonomy. Their intuition is typically highly developed, giving them insight into people's true natures and motivations. While they may appear aloof at times, this is often a mask for their careful assessment of situations before committing emotionally. They embody the ancient Egyptian concept of ma'at (balance) through their ability to navigate between different aspects of their personality. Individuals named Palban are often perceived as possessing a calm, thoughtful demeanor combined with natural leadership qualities. They tend to be analytical thinkers who approach problems with careful consideration rather than impulsive action. This name suggests someone with strong principles and a sense of tradition, yet who maintains an open mind to new ideas and perspectives. Palbans are typically reliable and steadfast, earning respect through consistent behavior and dedication to their commitments. They often exhibit a quiet confidence that doesn't require constant validation from others, preferring to let their actions speak for themselves. In social settings, they may appear reserved initially but reveal warmth and loyalty to those they trust. Their blond association in the name's meaning sometimes translates metaphorically to a 'bright' or 'illuminating' presence in their communities, offering clarity and insight during challenging situations. This combination of stability and intellectual curiosity makes them valued members of any group or organization, often serving as mediators or advisors who help others see different perspectives. Individuals bearing the name Pensee typically exhibit a complex blend of intellectual depth and emotional sensitivity. They are natural philosophers who approach life with contemplative curiosity, often spending considerable time analyzing situations from multiple perspectives before forming conclusions. Their thoughtfulness makes them excellent problem-solvers who can see patterns and connections that others might miss. Pensees tend to be highly observant, noticing subtle details in their environment and in human behavior, which contributes to their strong intuition. While they may appear quiet or reserved in social situations, this often masks a rich inner world filled with ideas, reflections, and creative impulses. They value authenticity in relationships and seek meaningful connections rather than superficial interactions. Their analytical nature can sometimes lead to overthinking, but it also gives them remarkable insight into human nature and complex situations. Pensees often excel in fields that require deep concentration, creative thinking, or emotional intelligence, making them natural writers, psychologists, researchers, or artists. Symbolically, Pepillo carries multiple layers of meaning that reflect both its linguistic structure and cultural history. The core meaning 'he shall add' represents abundance, growth, and divine blessingsuggesting that bearers of this name might bring increase or enhancement to whatever they touch. As a diminutive form, it symbolizes humility and approachability, representing the idea that true strength often comes in unassuming packages. The name embodies the Spanish cultural value of 'confianza' or trusted intimacy, indicating someone who operates within close, reliable relationships rather than formal hierarchies. In a broader sense, Pepillo represents cultural continuitythe passing down of traditions through generations while allowing for personal adaptation and affection. The name also carries protective symbolism, echoing Saint Joseph's role as guardian and provider. Metaphorically, it can represent the idea that small things (as suggested by the diminutive) can have significant impact, much like the biblical Joseph whose interpretations of dreams saved nations. This combination of growth, protection, and humble strength makes Pepillo a name rich with symbolic potential. Women named Ping typically exhibit remarkable emotional intelligence and adaptive capabilities, mirroring the duckweed's ability to thrive in various conditions. They often possess a calm, centered demeanor that helps them navigate life's challenges with philosophical acceptance. Their strength lies in flexibility rather than rigidity, enabling them to adjust to changing circumstances while maintaining their core values. Ping's are often natural peacemakers, using their intuitive understanding of human dynamics to mediate conflicts and build consensus. They tend to be observant and thoughtful, preferring to listen and understand before acting. This contemplative nature makes them excellent problem-solvers who can see multiple perspectives. While they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, lasting relationships based on genuine connection and mutual respect. Their resilience often surprises others, as they can withstand significant pressure while maintaining their gentle exterior. Many Ping's develop strong creative or analytical abilities, using their natural curiosity to explore complex ideas and express themselves through various artistic or intellectual pursuits. A Director of PMO & Product and a Director of Commercial Management join atNorth's management team to ensure the business' strategic growth plans are executed effectively and responsibly. REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- atNorth, the leading Nordic high-density colocation and built-to-suit datacenter provider, has announced the addition of two new directors to bolster its management team structure in line with its strategic expansion plans. The growing demand for AI ready data centers has reinforced atNorth's future proof people strategy to ensure customer requirements can be met in an efficient, compliant and responsible way. The new directors are: Bara Hlin Kristjansdottir, Director of PMO & Product. Bara brings extensive experience leading large-scale transformation projects across telecom, software, and engineering sectors. As Director of PMO & Product, she oversees governance, process development, and product alignment across atNorth's growing Nordic portfolio. With a systems-thinking mindset, she connects functions across development, sustainability, and sales to ensure clarity and scalability in delivery. Prior to joining atNorth, Bara held senior program leadership roles at Syn and Marel, where she led complex digital transformation initiatives and drove cross-functional alignment between technology, operations, and business strategy. Jonas Luckner, Director of Commercial Management. Jonas is responsible for the commercial and financial oversight of atNorth's development projects. He brings over a decade of experience in strategy, transformation, and financial planning from roles at Telia, Deloitte, KPMG, and Folksam. At atNorth, Jonas leads commercial strategy from contract negotiation to cost optimization, ensuring alignment with long-term business goals and supporting the company's sustainable growth. "As the demand for AI ready data centers continues to grow we are committed to strengthening our team as part of our agile and innovative approach to responsible operations", said Anna Kristin Palsdottir, Chief Development Officer, atNorth. "Bara and Jonas bring significant knowledge and experience to our business and will bolster our position as a trusted high performance data center partner." The announcement follows several other recent strategic director level appointments including Camilla O'Leary, Director of Client Management, Howard Shutt, Director of Hyperscale Sales, and Espen Bjanes, Sales Director. About atNorth atNorth is a leading Nordic data center company that offers cost-effective, scalable high-density colocation and built-to-suit services trusted by industry-leading organizations. With sustainability at its core, atNorth's data centers run on renewable energy resources and support circular economy principles. All atNorth sites leverage innovative design, power efficiency, and intelligent operations to provide long-term infrastructure and flexible colocation deployments. atNorth is headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland and operates eight data centers in strategic locations across the Nordics, as well as a ninth under construction in Kouvola, Finland and a tenth site in lgod, Denmark. The business has also secured land for a future mega site in the Solleftea Municipality in Sweden. For more information, visit atNorth.com or follow atNorth on LinkedIn. Press Contact: Caroline Brunton Kite Hill PR for atNorth +44 (0) 7796 274 416 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/atnorth/r/atnorth-announces-management-team-expansion-as-part-of-next-level-growth-strategy-,c4265144 The following files are available for download: Cultural & Historical Significance Reginhard holds significant cultural importance as a name that encapsulates the core values of early Germanic society. Emerging during the Merovingian and Carolingian periods, the name reflects the warrior-aristocratic ethos that characterized medieval Germanic culture. The combination of 'ragin' (counsel) and 'hard' (brave) represents the ideal medieval leadersomeone who possessed both wisdom in governance and courage in battle. This dual quality made the name particularly popular among the nobility and high clergy who were expected to provide both spiritual guidance and physical protection to their communities. The name's prevalence in historical records, particularly among bishops and counts, demonstrates its association with authority and responsibility during the formative period of German statehood. During the 9th through 12th centuries, bearers of the name Reginhard frequently appear in chronicles and charters as influential figures in both secular and ecclesiastical administration. The name's continued use, though diminished in modern times, preserves a connection to Germany's medieval heritage and the cultural values that shaped Central European civilization during the early Middle Ages. Individuals named Rinc are typically characterized by strong leadership qualities, unwavering determination, and a protective nature. They possess a natural authority that commands respect, combined with practical intelligence that makes them effective problem-solvers in challenging situations. Their warrior heritage manifests not as aggression but as a deep-seated sense of responsibility toward those under their care, whether family, friends, or community members. Rincs tend to be disciplined and methodical in their approach to life, valuing honor and loyalty above all else. They exhibit remarkable resilience in adversity, drawing strength from their convictions and historical legacy. While they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, lasting bonds with those who earn their trust. Their combination of strategic thinking and physical courage makes them natural leaders in both professional and personal contexts, though they sometimes struggle with flexibility when their principles are challenged, reflecting the steadfast nature their name implies. Individuals named Roselyn, particularly in its rare masculine form, often develop personality traits that reflect the name's unique combination of floral elegance and gender-defying strength. They tend to be creative visionaries who appreciate aesthetics and beauty in all forms, from art and music to interpersonal relationships. The 'rose' component suggests someone with refined tastes and diplomatic skills, able to navigate social situations with grace and charm. Meanwhile, the masculine adaptation indicates resilience and the courage to defy expectations, often resulting in individuals who are both sensitive and assertive. Psychologically, carrying a name that crosses traditional gender boundaries can foster independence of thought and self-confidence. Male Roselyns often develop strong communication skills and emotional intelligence, having learned from an early age to explain and sometimes defend their distinctive name. This frequently results in adults who are comfortable with complexity and nuance, able to see multiple perspectives in challenging situations. Their personality typically blends the rose's symbolic associations with love and beauty with the strength required to maintain an unconventional identity, creating individuals who are both compassionate and determined, both artistic and practical in their approach to life's challenges. Cultural & Historical Significance Rosston emerged as a German surname during the medieval period, primarily in the Rhineland region where it served as a descriptive identifier for individuals with distinctive red hair or reddish complexions. This naming tradition reflected the practical German approach to surnames, where physical characteristics often became hereditary family names. The name carries echoes of Germany's artisanal and merchant classes, as many bearing this surname were involved in trades where such descriptive identifiers helped distinguish individuals in growing urban centers. As German immigrants brought the name to America in the 18th and 19th centuries, Rosston underwent subtle transformations while maintaining its core identity. In the New World, it became associated with the industrious German-American communities that helped build the American Midwest, particularly in Pennsylvania and Ohio where German settlement was concentrated. The name's evolution mirrors the broader story of German assimilation into American society while retaining cultural roots, representing both adaptation and preservation of heritage across generations. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Sabih holds significant cultural importance in Muslim communities, particularly in Arabic-speaking regions and South Asia. Derived from the Arabic root S-B-H, which relates to beauty and handsomeness, the name reflects Islamic values that appreciate both physical and spiritual beauty. In Islamic tradition, beauty is often seen as a reflection of divine perfection, making names like Sabih particularly meaningful. The name has been used for centuries across the Muslim world, from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, often chosen by parents who wish to bless their child with both outward attractiveness and inner grace. Throughout Islamic history, the concept of 'husn' (beauty) has been deeply integrated into cultural and religious practices, making names that embody this quality especially valued. The name appears in various historical texts and is associated with individuals known for their noble character and dignified presence. In many Muslim cultures, naming a child Sabih expresses the parents' hope that their son will grow to embody the Prophetic ideal of combining physical appeal with moral excellence and spiritual depth. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Safiy holds deep significance in Islamic culture, deriving from the Arabic root 's-f-w' which conveys purity, clarity, and being chosen. In Islamic tradition, the concept of 'safa' (purity) is central to spiritual development, and the name Safiy embodies this ideal of spiritual cleanliness and sincerity. Historically, the name has been particularly popular among scholars, mystics, and intellectuals in the Muslim world, reflecting the cultural emphasis on purity of intention and clarity of purpose in both religious and worldly matters. Throughout Islamic history, the name has been borne by numerous notable figures in various fields including music, poetry, scholarship, and leadership. The name's association with being 'chosen' or 'pure' made it particularly appealing for parents seeking to bestow upon their children qualities of moral integrity and spiritual distinction. In many Muslim societies, the name Safiy is seen as carrying a blessing, as it invokes the ideal of a person who is sincere in their faith and relationships, embodying the Islamic principle of 'ikhlas' (sincerity) in all aspects of life. Individuals named Saxon often exhibit strong leadership qualities, determination, and a natural sense of authority. They tend to be practical problem-solvers who approach challenges with directness and courage, reflecting the warrior heritage embedded in their name. While they can be assertive and competitive, Saxons typically balance this strength with loyalty to their community and a protective nature toward those they care about. Their combination of resilience and reliability makes them natural pillars in both professional and personal relationships. Beyond their evident strength, people named Saxon often possess a deep sense of tradition and history, valuing their roots and cultural heritage. They approach life with a strategic mindset, much like the historical Saxons who carefully planned their settlements and defenses. This thoughtful approach, combined with their natural confidence, allows them to navigate complex situations effectively. Their personality often blends the warrior's courage with the statesman's wisdom, making them respected figures in their various circles of influence. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Scotty carries significant cultural weight as both a diminutive of Scott and a standalone name deeply connected to Scottish heritage. Historically, it emerged as a surname for people from Scotland or those of Scottish descent who migrated to other parts of the British Isles and beyond. During the 19th and 20th centuries, as Scottish immigrants spread across the globe, particularly to North America, Australia, and New Zealand, the name became a marker of Scottish identity and pride. The diminutive form 'Scotty' developed as an affectionate, informal version, often used within families and close communities to denote someone of Scottish background or to express fondness for Scottish culture. In the 20th century, Scotty gained broader cultural recognition through popular media, most notably with the character Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott from Star Trek, who became an iconic representation of Scottish engineering prowess and loyalty. This character, played by Canadian actor James Doohan, cemented the name's association with technical skill, reliability, and Scottish pride in global popular culture. The name continues to evoke images of Scottish resilience, innovation, and the worldwide diaspora that spread Scottish culture and influence across continents. Individuals named Shiriki are often characterized by their sharp intelligence, adaptability, and resourcefulness, mirroring the qualities of their namesake. They tend to be quick-witted problem-solvers who can navigate complex situations with creativity and humor. Like the coyote, they possess a natural curiosity and observational skills that allow them to learn quickly from their environment and experiences. Their intelligence is often paired with a playful nature and the ability to see unconventional solutions others might miss. However, the trickster aspect of the name also suggests potential for mischief and a tendency to challenge conventions. Shirikis may display a rebellious streak or enjoy pushing boundaries in constructive ways. They are typically independent thinkers who value freedom and autonomy, sometimes struggling with authority or rigid structures. Their adaptability makes them resilient in facing life's challenges, but they may need to balance their cleverness with wisdom to avoid the pitfalls that sometimes accompany the coyote's cunning nature. Ultimately, those named Shiriki often embody the spirit of transformation - able to adapt, innovate, and find their way through life's complexities with both wisdom and wit. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Silny holds deep cultural significance in Czechoslovakian history, originating from the Slavic root 'sil-' meaning strength or power. During the medieval period, it was often bestowed upon children born into warrior families or those showing exceptional physical strength from infancy. The name became particularly prominent during the Hussite Wars in the 15th century, when military prowess and resilience were highly valued traits. Throughout Czechoslovak history, the name has been associated with leadership, endurance, and the ability to overcome adversity, reflecting the nation's own struggle for independence and identity. In folk traditions, families naming their sons Silny often did so to invoke protective qualities and ensure the child would grow to be a pillar of strength for their community. The name carries echoes of Czechoslovakia's industrial heritage as well, symbolizing the strength required to build and maintain the nation's manufacturing and technological sectors during the 19th and 20th centuries. The cultural significance extends to representing the collective resilience of the Czechoslovak people through various historical challenges, from Habsburg rule to communist era and eventual democratic transition. Deciphering Business and Economic Growth Strategies Amidst Global Uncertainty HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomberg Businessweek Vietnam officially announces the detailed program for the Vietnam Future Economy Summit, to be held on November 14, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City. This high-level conference will bring together leading international and domestic policymakers, CEOs, and experts to address key strategic challenges: How global geo-economic shifts are reshaping trade and capital flows, and the private sector's expanding role as a new growth driver in Vietnam's economy. With the theme "Cut the Noise, Catch the Signal, Shape the Future,"the summit will feature presentations and panel discussions offering insights to help leaders and decision-makers align their strategies with a rapidly evolving global economy shaped by rising protectionism, changes in monetary policies of major economies, and the reshaping of global supply chains. These valuable insights will enable participants to identify core trends and envision Vietnam's path toward sustainable growth. This marks the first time Bloomberg Businessweek Vietnam has organized a full-day conference,with the Morning Session focused on Business (Business Summit) and the Afternoon Session focused to Investment (Investment Summit). The morning session will explore Vietnam's resilience and competitiveness within the new global trade order. Discussions will cover the resilience of the economy, the competitiveness of Vietnam's private sector, the role of technology, and the qualities required of next-generation leaders. The program begins with an analysis by Ms. Chang Shu, Chief Asia Economist at Bloomberg Economics, on the impact of protectionism on trade flows and the region's adaptability. Following this, senior leaders from Keppel, DEEP C, and BW Industrial will dissect the concrete actions Vietnam needs to take to reposition its supply chains and sustain growth. On the technology front, representatives from BCG, G-Group, and VNG will share strategies for leveraging AI and innovation. A highlight of the session is an exclusive interview with Mr. Alex Hungate, Chairman and COO of Grab, on how business leaders can build strategies to navigate geoeconomic uncertainty. The morning will conclude with a conversation featuring successor leaders from AgriS and SHB, exploring the innovative mindset of Vietnam's next generation of leadership. The afternoon session will focus on investment, centered on two major themes:The impact of FTSE Russell's upgrade of Vietnam's stock market to Emerging Market status in 2026, and the role of an International Financial Center (IFC) in attracting capital to the Vietnamese economy Experts from Citigroup, HSBC, and Buena Vista will analyze capital flow trends and identify the next destinations for regional investment. The outlook for an IFC in Vietnam will be discussed within the broader context of global competition and cooperation among financial hubs, featuring the Executive Director of the Alliance of International Financial Centers and the leadership of Deutsche Bank Vietnam. The session will close with a discussion on technologies bridging traditional and digital assets, featuring representatives from Tether, Verichains, and the Vietnam Blockchain Association. This summit offers a valuable opportunity for participants to gain insights, cut the noise, catch the signal, and join experts and business leaders in shaping the future of Vietnam's economy. On the sidelines of the event, Beacon Asia Media (BAM) Studio will conduct a series of interviews with experts, business leaders, and policymakers under the theme "The Future Starts Today." Interested business leaders and media representatives are invited to register and access detailed information about the program at: https://bloombergbusinessweek.vn/vietnam-future-economy-summit-2025 or contact ... for further assistance. About Bloomberg Businessweek Vietnam: Bloomberg Businessweek Vietnam is a joint initiative of Bloomberg Media, Beacon Asia Media, and the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper, available in both print and digital formats. This event made possible by : Gelex, Vietcap, BCG, Keppel, HSBC, Prudential, SunUni, AgriS, SHB, SHS, G-Group, Chicilon Media, BIZMAN Media, Green Future Thiskyhall, Vietsuccess, VTVPrime, JW Marriot Saigon, Chivas Regal. Vo Tin Nhan Commercial & Partnership Manager [email protected] 0564 291 029 SOURCE Bloomberg Businessweek Vietnam Cultural & Historical Significance Sloan holds significant cultural importance as a name that bridges ancient Celtic warrior traditions with modern naming practices. Originating from the Gaelic 'Sluaghadhan', meaning 'little warrior' or 'raider', the name reflects the martial culture of medieval Scotland and Ireland where clan identity and military prowess were paramount. The Sloan clan was particularly established in the Scottish Lowlands and Ulster, where they were known for their loyalty and fighting spirit during periods of English expansion and religious conflict. During the 18th and 19th centuries, many Sloans emigrated to North America during the Highland Clearances and Irish Potato Famine, carrying their name and cultural heritage across the Atlantic. This diaspora transformed Sloan from a regional Scottish surname into an international identifier of Celtic ancestry. The name's evolution from surname to given name in the 20th century represents the broader trend of reclaiming ethnic heritage through naming, while its current popularity reflects contemporary appreciation for strong, simple names with historical depth. Sloan serves as a living connection to Celtic history while adapting seamlessly to modern global culture. The symbolic resonance of Sullimn extends far beyond its literal translation, weaving together Celtic spirituality, natural symbolism, and psychological depth. The 'black eyes' central to the name's meaning represent not just physical appearance but the concept of inner vision and profound understanding. In Celtic tradition, dark eyes were believed to possess the ability to see into other realms and perceive hidden truths, making Sullimn symbolically connected to wisdom, intuition, and mystical insight. This aligns with the Celtic reverence for seers and druids who could see beyond ordinary reality. Metaphorically, Sullimn embodies the fertile darkness from which creativity and new beginnings emerge - much like the rich, dark Irish soil that yields abundant growth. The name suggests someone who can navigate uncertainty and find opportunity in challenges. The darkness of the eyes also symbolizes protection and watchfulness, representing a guardian who remains vigilant while others sleep. In psychological terms, Sullimn symbolizes the integration of shadow aspects - the ability to acknowledge and work with one's darker qualities rather than rejecting them. This makes the name emblematic of wholeness, self-awareness, and the courage to explore the depths of human experience without fear. Takiyah carries rich symbolic weight that extends beyond its literal meaning of 'pious' or 'righteous.' Symbolically, the name represents the human capacity for spiritual growth and moral refinement. It embodies the Islamic concept of striving toward God-consciousness in everyday life - not through withdrawal from the world but through ethical engagement with it. The name suggests a person who serves as a living example of Islamic values, someone whose very presence reminds others of higher principles. Metaphorically, Takiyah can be seen as a spiritual anchor, providing stability and moral direction in turbulent times. In Islamic symbolism, names related to taqwa (piety) are associated with light and guidance. Thus, Takiyah symbolically represents illumination - both the inner light that guides one's own path and the reflected light that helps others find their way. The name also carries connotations of protection, as in Islamic tradition, true piety serves as spiritual armor against negative influences. For many Muslim families, choosing this name represents their hope that their daughter will develop the qualities that make her both successful in this world and blessed in the hereafter - the perfect balance that Islam encourages believers to seek. Cultural & Historical Significance Tawfiq holds profound significance in Islamic culture as it represents one of the most cherished concepts in Muslim spirituality - divine guidance and success granted by Allah. The name embodies the Islamic belief that true success and reconciliation come not from human effort alone but through God's grace and permission. Throughout Islamic history, the concept of 'tawfiq' has been central to Sufi teachings and spiritual development, emphasizing that all achievements and positive outcomes ultimately stem from divine will. In many Muslim societies, naming a child Tawfiq expresses the parents' hope that their child will be guided by God throughout life and achieve success in both worldly and spiritual matters. The name also reflects the Islamic principle of tawakkul (reliance on God), where believers strive while recognizing that ultimate outcomes depend on divine decree. Historically, the name has been particularly popular among scholars, religious leaders, and educated families who value its deep philosophical and spiritual connotations. Cultural & Historical Significance Tedmond has deep roots in Christian European traditions, particularly within Irish and English cultures where it emerged as a variant of Edmund. The name carries strong connotations of protection and guardianship, reflecting its meaning as 'national protector.' Throughout medieval times, bearers of this name were often associated with community leadership roles, from local magistrates to church wardens who protected their congregations. The name gained particular prominence during periods of social upheaval when communities sought strong, protective figures to guide them through turbulent times. In Christian contexts, Tedmond was sometimes given to children born during times of war or uncertainty, symbolizing the parents' hope for a protector who would safeguard their family and community. The name's association with protection made it popular among families with military traditions or those serving in civic guard positions. During the 19th century, the name saw renewed interest as nationalist movements emphasized the importance of protecting cultural identity and sovereignty, making 'national protector' a particularly resonant meaning. Individuals named Tobechukwu are often perceived as spiritually grounded, confident, and purpose-driven. The name's inherent meaning tends to influence expectations of the bearer exhibiting qualities of gratitude, leadership, and moral integrity. Many Tobechukwus develop a strong sense of responsibility from an early age, often feeling motivated to live up to the aspirational nature of their name. They typically display natural charisma and the ability to inspire others, combined with a practical approach to problem-solving. The spiritual connotation of the name often correlates with individuals who are reflective, principled, and committed to making meaningful contributions to their communities. While each person's character is unique, the cultural weight of the name frequently shapes a personality that balances traditional values with modern ambition. Family and community members often expect Tobechukwus to demonstrate wisdom beyond their years and to serve as positive examples of Igbo cultural values in action, whether in professional settings or personal relationships. Individuals named Valen typically exhibit a blend of strength and compassion that reflects their name's dual heritage of imperial power and saintly devotion. They often possess natural leadership qualities, demonstrating both the decisiveness associated with Roman emperors and the empathy connected to Christian saints. This combination makes them particularly effective in roles requiring both authority and understanding, as they can command respect while maintaining genuine concern for others' wellbeing. Valens tend to be principled and steadfast in their convictions, much like the saints who bore variations of their name. They approach challenges with resilience and determination, drawing on the inherent meaning of 'strength' in their name's etymology. At the same time, they often display romantic and affectionate tendencies, influenced by the Valentine's Day association, making them loyal partners and devoted friends. Their personality typically balances traditional values with modern adaptability, allowing them to navigate complex social situations with grace and integrity. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Welsh carries profound cultural significance as it directly connects to the rich heritage of Wales and its people. In Christian contexts, it often represents the deep-rooted Celtic Christian traditions of Wales, which date back to the early saints like David of Wales. The name embodies the resilience of Welsh culture, language, and identity through centuries of historical challenges, serving as a living tribute to Welsh contributions in literature, music, and religious life. Throughout history, the name has been used to honor Welsh ancestry and maintain cultural connections, particularly among diaspora communities. It reflects the proud tradition of Welsh nonconformist Christianity, the Eisteddfod cultural festivals, and the distinctive Welsh poetic traditions. The name serves as a bridge between ancient Celtic roots and modern Welsh identity, carrying forward the legacy of Welsh saints, scholars, and cultural icons who have shaped Christian traditions in Britain and beyond. Individuals named Wethrleah typically exhibit a calm, grounded demeanor combined with quiet strength and practical wisdom. Like the meadow that forms part of their name's meaning, they often serve as peaceful centers within their communitiespatient listeners who provide stability and nourishment to those around them. Their personality reflects the dual nature of their name's origins: the gentle but resilient wether sheep represents their capacity for sacrifice and protective care, while the meadow suggests openness, growth, and natural hospitality. These individuals tend to be methodical problem-solvers who prefer cooperation over confrontation, often excelling in roles that require patience, nurturing, and long-term vision. Their strength lies not in aggression but in endurance and consistency, making them reliable anchors in both personal relationships and professional settings. While they may appear reserved initially, they possess deep emotional intelligence and a strong sense of responsibility toward their community or family. The Christian heritage of the name often manifests in values of service, stewardship, and quiet faith that guide their decisions and interactions. Cultural & Historical Significance Yaqub holds profound significance in Islamic tradition as the Arabic name for the Prophet Jacob, who is revered as one of the great patriarchs in Islam. He is mentioned numerous times in the Quran as a prophet and the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. The story of Yaqub and his son Yusuf (Joseph) forms one of the most detailed narratives in the Quran, emphasizing themes of patience, faith, and divine wisdom. In Islamic tradition, Yaqub is celebrated for his unwavering faith during years of separation from his beloved son Yusuf, embodying the virtue of sabr (patience). The name carries deep religious resonance across the Muslim world, connecting bearers to this important prophetic lineage and the rich spiritual heritage of Abrahamic tradition. Throughout Islamic history, numerous scholars, rulers, and notable figures have borne this name, further cementing its cultural importance in Muslim societies from the Middle East to South Asia and beyond. The name represents a connection to the foundational stories of monotheism and serves as a reminder of the virtues of patience, trust in God, and the importance of family bonds in Islamic values. 250 Mentorships Celebrate 250 Years of America CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America (BofA) today announced a $350,000 grant to American Corporate Partners (ACP), a commitment that will support 250 mentorships for veterans and military spouses today, in honor of America's 250th birthday. ACP is a leading nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans and military spouses transition into meaningful civilian careers through one-on-one mentoring. This philanthropic investment will fund mentorship and career support over the next year, underscoring Bank of America's commitment to creating opportunity that enables new careers and economic growth while honoring military service. BofA first partnered with ACP in 2018, and since then, nearly 200 employees have taken part in 400 mentorships, providing guidance on career planning, networking, and professional growth. To date, dozens of individuals have come through ACP to join the bank. This expanded partnership builds on BofA's most recent commitment to hire 10,000 more veterans and individuals with military backgrounds over the next five years, in addition to the 20,000 veterans and individuals with military backgrounds the company has hired since 2015. It also advances the bank's broader workforce development strategy, which emphasizes skills-first hiring both within the company and across the communities it serves. "Veterans and military spouses bring invaluable skills, leadership, and resilience to the workforce," said Meghan Hughes, Head of Workforce Development at Bank of America. "By expanding our partnership with American Corporate Partners, we're not only investing in their futurewe're helping build pathways to long-term success while driving American economic growth and opportunity." "America's 250th birthday is a time to honor service, but true honor demands more than words. We must recognize the silent struggle: the incredible talent of our Veterans and Military Spouses is too often diminished by underemployment," said Sid E. Goodfriend, Founder and Chairman of American Corporate Partners. "That is why Bank of America's commitment to hundreds of dedicated mentorships is so vital. It's an act of transformation, not charity. This is a promise to dismantle those barriers, equipping our military families with the personalized guidance they deserve, ensuring their next chapter is not one of settling, but of unleashed potential and undeniable professional success." ACP's mentorship program has supported nearly 40,000 veterans and spouses nationwide, with an average post-mentorship salary of $90,000 and an 80% retention rate, compared to 56% for veterans nationally. Funding to ACP will support mentorship opportunities for veterans transitioning to roles across any industry, as well as those who may come work at Bank of America. As part of BofA's efforts to help revitalize communities and support the housing needs of those who have served and sacrificed for our nation, the bank has also donated over 6,500 residential properties with more than 2,700 of them going to nonprofits supporting military service members and their families since 2012. The bank also has a Military Support & Assistance Group for employees, with 43 chapters and more than 22,000 members nationwide. To learn more about ACP and sign up to become a mentor go to https://apply.acp-usa.org/mentor and use Bank of America code "BACACP." American Corporate Partners American Corporate Partners (ACP) is a national nonprofit organization that bridges the gap between the military and civilian sectors, connecting experienced professionals with Veterans and Active-Duty Spouses seeking successful civilian careers. Through a tailored one-on-one mentorship, as well as strategic networking opportunities and robust online resources, ACP combats underemployment and empowers individuals to achieve their full career potential. Bank of America Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving nearly 70 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,600 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts. Reporters may contact Carla Molina, Bank of America Phone: 1.512.397.2402 [email protected] SOURCE Bank of America Corporation On most days, Emory University chemistry professor James Kindt can be found in the lecture hall, teaching students about kinetics, thermodynamics and the various energy states associated with molecular motions. Other days, Kindt can be found outside, capturing images of bees, butterflies and other bugs in the woodlands behind the Robert W. Woodruff Library and the sandy banks near Lullwater Tower. Those days outside are his favorite. Ive really been into insects since I was a young boy, Kindt says. I carried that in a low-key way throughout my whole life. Visitors to Kindt's office are greeted with sprawling posters of insects on the walls. By sharing his personal passion, Kindt has left a lasting impression on students while they learn foundational science about atomic structures. For instance, senior student Sergio Solis recalls Kindt starting every Chemistry 150 and 202 class with photos of insects. In an online summer Chemistry 205 course, Kindt asked students to vote on their favorite creature, which Solis considers a reminder not to take the course too seriously. Theres more to life than just chemistry, says Solis, a chemistry major with a minor in music. Theres a whole world out there. From passion to practice A specialist in physical chemistry and computational biophysical chemistry, Kindt has been at Emory since 2001. He ran an active research lab related to simulation and theory until 2020, when he cut back to serve as the chemistry departments director of undergraduate studies. In 2019, he spotted a news story about the iNaturalist social network and found an opportunity to put his passion into practice. The nonprofit platform functions like a social media site, allowing users to upload pictures and tag their location. But unlike other social media platforms, iNaturalist shifts the spotlight to subjects that some may overlook, providing space to record observations of plants, animals and fungi. Researchers can then use the data to analyze population changes and observe evidence of disease. Ultimately, it reveals ecosystem struggles and can show areas in need of management, too, indirectly tracking the health of various organisms. It seemed like a neat thing to get involved in, Kindt says. He began taking pictures with his iPhone and found community within the iNaturalist network. Kindt referred to experts on the site to identify exactly what organisms frequented his home and other areas around Emorys Atlanta campus. I looked for bees and any sort of bugs, and I learned so much in about two or three months of taking pictures and uploading them. I learned about so many sorts of insects and bugs that I never knew existed before, and it was just fascinating, Kindt says. The outbreak of COVID-19 gave Kindt more time to hone his photography skills. He soon purchased a macro lens for his phone a tool that allowed him to take sharper images of fast-flying creatures like bees and wasps. Kindt says the lens was an important investment to help him record more accurate observations. There are 70 different species of miner bees in Georgia. There are about 50 different species of leaf-cutter bees. There are 70 different species in one subgenus of sweat bee, Kindt says. Researchers actually use this data, so its important to get the identifications correct. Bridging chemistry, climate and community Kindt also has found ways to connect his scholarly background to his love for entomology. In 2023, a neighbor approached Kindt to inquire about a group of bees he had seen swarming around spilled herbicide in Florida. This was an interesting observation. This stuff was potentially poison, Kindt says. Why are [the bees] coming toward there? Kindts neighbor asked him to examine the chemical structure of the herbicide and why the bees appeared attracted to the substance. Kindt carried out a quantitative comparison to floral oils the bees typically collect, and The Florida Entomologist published the results of their collaboration, which found that the herbicide was similar to the chemical bees collect for their courtship. There was no evidence that the herbicide harmed the bees. I was able to use my chemistry background and this connection that I made and contribute to something, Kindt says. I think people have been interested in those results. Teaching by example Kindts passion has inspired students to act in and outside of his classroom. Solis currently serves as president of Outdoor Emory, a club that encourages students to take a break from coursework and enjoy the fresh air. He credits his passion for the club to Kindts interest in insects and says hes been inspired to try his own hand at photography. Seeing someone else be proud and passionate about their interest reassures you that it's okay to love something and share it with everybody else, Solis says, adding, Even if it's something kind of niche. Rosie Wu, a sophomore neuroscience and behavioral biology major who met Kindt in an introductory chemistry lecture, sent Kindt a special thank you card at the end of the semester: his face was atop a bee. Wu made sure to use an image of a Nomia nortoni bee Kindts favorite, because the insect can sometimes have blue stripes. Chem 150 was hard, Wu says. The way he was such an encouraging professor, and a validating professor, really helped me put in the effort I needed to learn, and then succeed, in ways that I didnt think were possible for me. Kindt says he wants to remind students that it doesnt take an expert to get involved in citizen science efforts and encourages them to continue looking closer at their communities. Regular people with whatever sort of training can make real contributions, Kindt says. This summer, 14 professors from the Emory College of Arts and Sciences huddled together for five days, sharing which books mattered most to them and why. Soon, a theme emerged: The value of observation with an open mind and the patience to be curious. By August, they developed an interdisciplinary first-year seminar built around a common syllabus and readings centered on attention and distraction. Faculty from 13 different departments from physics to religion to languages will teach the seminar. Four pilot sections of the seminar will launch in the spring 2026 semester, with a goal of offering 16 sections next academic year and 30 sections in 2027-28. The seminar is part of Emory Colleges new Asking Big Questions program, which seeks to reinvigorate the humanities by emphasizing key liberal arts skills, such as critical thinking, and connect them to students professional goals, regardless of major. A shared $275,000 Emory College-Oxford College grant from the Teagle Foundation is funding the faculty-led innovation. Oxford College launched a similar cohort initiative this fall with its Professional Advancement through Humanities Study (PATHS) certificate program. All Oxford College students in their first semester take one of four signature seminars Social Responsibility and Ethics, Global Engagement, Creativity and Innovation, or Communication and Critical Thinking as part of the PATHS program and read from shared texts. Oxford College students recently attended the Oxford Theater production of an adaptation of one of those texts, Hakawatis: Women of the Arabian Nights, and held a joint discussion to connect their classroom experiences to the performance. Emory Colleges initiative will operate similarly with shared texts. The core syllabus includes readings from Sophocles, Simone Weil and Rabindranath Tagore, as well as a number of extracurricular activities that students in all sections will experience together. Activities include a presentation from the Emory Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics, nature walks, visits to the Carlos Museum and Emory Planetarium, meetings with alumni, and large-scale public reading parties around campus all focused on how we decide what to pay attention to and what to filter out. All of these efforts will lead to much more intentional collaboration across the two campuses in support of students in their first two years of undergraduate studies, says Molly McGehee, interim dean of Oxford College and co-principal investigator for the project. Each professor will also add specific readings or events tied to their home department. We envision this seminar as a baseline for stimulating students intellectual curiosity for whatever it is they want to do, says Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of English Benjamin Reiss. We want to get away from task-oriented work and move toward helping our students develop a sense of community from the opportunity to meet and learn about different perspectives from one another. Creating a shared intellectual experience for students required faculty to step outside their usual lanes of expertise and collaborate on common goals, says Joe Crespino, the senior associate dean of faculty and divisional dean of humanities and social sciences, who serves as co-principal investigator of the Teagle-funded project with Reiss. It was inspiring to see the creativity and curiosity that our colleagues brought to the workshop this summer, Crespino says. We think this project will energize the faculty both as teachers and intellectuals as they engage with colleagues and students to address the big, enduring questions about the human experience that are at the core of the humanities. The draw of intellectual collaboration Professors who volunteered for this summers workshops say they were drawn to the opportunity to collaborate across courses, to create shared experiences for students and to show, from day one, how the broad skills of a liberal arts education will add value to whatever life they lead. We want to affirm that they will benefit from developing the ability to read widely, think deeply and connect through their learning to people who are not necessarily from their own background, says Devaka Premawardhana, Winship Distinguished Research Associate Professor of Religion. With so much uncertainty in the career landscape, those are the transferable skills that are widely applicable to a life well lived and to whatever job life leads to, he adds. The project will expand over the three years of the Teagle grant. Reiss envisions involving more faculty to help refine the syllabus and teach sections of the course, in addition to developing field trips into Atlanta for different activities. Faculty will also revisit the theme and contents of the course in future workshops, so that fresh ideas will continue to guide the student experience. Johanna Montlouis-Gabriel, an assistant professor of French and decolonial pedagogies, is eager for the opportunity to lead a seminar. Sitting among faculty working this summer, she felt part of an intellectual community that she wants to help students build and experience. The whole project is really exciting, says Montlouis-Gabriel, who hopes to encourage questions of perspective by including essays from Maryse Conde and stories from Assia Djebar. We want to get at the richness that comes with experiential learning, with our students tending to themselves and to others through reading and writing and connecting, she adds. We want to cultivate community through that sense of experiencing something for the first time, together.All photos by Kizzy Williams Making art can be a balm for the troubled soul. Lynne Huffer, Emory professor of philosophy, discovered this during the stress and turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thats when she began instinctively cutting things up and gluing them back together, she says. Somehow, that was really soothing for me. For Huffer, who has no formal artistic training, collage is another way of considering topics like the work of French philosopher Michel Foucault, who wrote about the fragmented nature of the historic archive, and the surviving fragments of the work of ancient Greek poet Sappho. Im interested in the juxtaposition of fragments that we see in collage, Huffer says. Theres something about thinking-as-juxtaposition rather than a continuous narrative or an argument. A lot of people would say, Thats bad thinking, you know, it's associative. But thinking through juxtaposition is poetic. Huffer explored these ideas and others in These Survivals: Autobiography of an Extinction, a book of poetic and visual collage published by Duke University Press in May. And she continues collaging. The Michael C. Carlos Museum is featuring a three-dimensional collaborative collage installation by Huffer in its Tate Room from Wednesday, Nov. 12, through Friday, Nov. 14. During Huffers open studio times, visitors are encouraged to sit at communal tables and create collages of their own, using materials provided by the museum. Visitors can take their creations home or add them to Huffers installation. The open studios for the general public take place at various times, and entry is included with general admission. Huffer will lead a free open studio just for Emory students on Friday, Nov. 14, from 1-4 p.m. She will also teach a workshop for adults on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Participants will create collages and turn them into seed books to generate creative ideas. Advance registration is required for the workshop, which costs $30 for museum members and $40 for nonmembers. In the following Q&A, Huffer discusses what draws her to collage and why, in this digital age, sitting down with paste and scissors is a worthwhile activity. Where does your interest in fragments of text, images and objects come from? Are you a collector? Lynne Huffer: I do collect things. I love detritus. Onion skins and dried plants, which I use in my collages. I have bones from the woods, which Ill take home and clean and bleach so I have this table with a heron skull and a possum skull. I also have some bones that my students gave me because they know that I like bones. I have fossils, too. If you looked at this space in my home, its just bones and rocks, but to me, each item has special meaning. What do you most enjoy about making collages? Huffer: Theres something contemplative about the process, because I have to sift through these materials; its not efficient. Its not going to happen with the click of a mouse. I like that it feels out of time, in a way. I love that my fingers get sticky with glue, the different textures, the different layers. All of that feels very contemplative, but also very grounded, right? I bring collage into all my classes. I have my students make collages, and at first most of them want to make digital collages, but I insist they make analog collages. And it becomes a shared practice, which is really valuable for me and for my students. Theres something very embodied in this, too. Many of my students grew up with screens in their hands, screens that reflect them back to themselves, but through this mediated digital world. What kind of an interiority does that create? Im not anti-technology, but when were in the digital world, were not anywhere. Im offering them just this little sliver of time out of their busy day where theyre trying something different. I think theres something about the materiality of holding a pencil, holding a pen, cutting something with scissors, flipping through magazines, that makes us feel more present to ourselves. I wonder if part of the appeal of collage is also its accessibility. Huffer: Yes! Collage is both a genuine art form and something so democratic. Thats what I love about it. You dont have to know how to draw or paint, you dont need a toolbox full of fancy equipment and you dont need digital expertise. All you need is glue and scissors and you dont even need scissors, really, since some of the most beautiful collages are made by tearing. And honestly, one of the appeals of collage, for me, is that it is an art form for children. I love accessing that childlike wonder and immersion in what were doing. Losing ourselves in it, so to speak, as children do, not worrying about what others think or whether or not its good, is the most glorious state to be in. I try to cultivate this state in myself and in those who participate in my workshops and classes. And Im just super excited to share that with other people at the Carlos. All photos provided by Lynne Huffer Panama seizes tonnes of US-bound cocaine, arrests 10 Panamanian authorities say the seizure of some 12 tonnes of suspected cocaine has dealt a significant blow to organised crime. Photo: Reuters Panamanian authorities on Tuesday announced a large seizure of US-bound cocaine on a ferry in the Pacific, at a time when Washington is upping an anti-drug military deployment in Latin America. Prosecutor Julio Villareal told reporters approximately 12 tonnes of drugs, "in this case cocaine," were seized in an operation on Monday, and 10 people arrested. It was one the biggest such hauls in Panamanian waters to date, he said. Panama is a transit point for cocaine from South America, mainly Colombia, destined for the United States the world's largest consumer. Villareal said Venezuelans, Ecuadorans and Nicaraguans were among those detained on the ferry, which had set out from Colombia. Panama in 2023 seized a total of 119 metric tonnes of drugs. Latin American countries have been keen to show off anti-narcotics efforts as US strikes on alleged drug-ferrying boats have claimed at least 76 lives so far in the Caribbean and Pacific. Washington said its military deployment in the region is part of an anti-drug campaign, but Venezuela in particular fears it is all a ploy to get rid of its president, Nicolas Maduro. (AFP) Calisen establishes new business in Germany to accelerate roll out of critical smart meter infrastructure Investment backs roll out of 250,000 smart meters - free of charge for consumers MANCHESTER, England, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Calisen Group, the UK's largest smart meter provider, has today announced the launch of its first international operation in Germany with the appointment of new Managing Director Claus Fest and a first-of-its-kind partnership to accelerate the roll out of intelligent metering systems with Energy Metering Germany (EMG). EMG is a competitive Meter Point Operator (MPO) set up by Octopus Group. The deal represents a major milestone in the roll out of smart meters critical infrastructure for the energy transition in Germany. Claus Fest, Managing Director of Calisen Germany A smart meter installation Claus Fest joins from EnBW, one of Germany's largest energy suppliers, where he was Head of Energy Business and Portfolio Management, responsible for smart energy, data and energy provision for businesses. Claus joins Calisen to support on the new partnership with Energy Metering and growing smart meter uptake in Germany more broadly. Under the new and pioneering Meter Services Agreement (MSA) with Energy Metering, Calisen is positioned to deploy up to 100 million in smart metering assets nationwide. This agreement lays the foundation for large-scale investment in intelligent metering systems (IMSys), a vital enabler of Germany's renewable integration, grid flexibility, and digital energy transformation. The announcement follows the successful conclusion of a pilot scheme launched by Calisen and EMG in February 2025 under which it has installed around 10,000 smart meters to date. Today's investment sets a new standard for cooperation between Meter Point Operators ("MPOs") and Meter Asset Providers ("MAPs"). The MSA framework is expected to serve as a blueprint for future agreements as the German market continues to evolve. Catherine O'Kelly, CEO of Calisen, said: "We believe our investment in Germany will bring real benefits to consumers, giving them the opportunity to reduce their bills and connect to low carbon technology like solar and EVs. While Calisen has been incredibly successful in the UK and is now the leading provider of smart meters, the German market has its own dynamics and therefore it is important we build a team on the ground. Claus brings deep expertise in energy metering and has a strong network within the German power industry. "The deal with Energy Metering Germany represents innovation and acceleration in evolving the demand side of Germany's energy system. We are seeing suppliers across the UK innovate, tailoring energy to customers' budgets and needs all made possible via a smart meter. This has seen huge leaps forward in the democratisation of power. UK customers can now plug in their own solar generation and even turn their electric vehicle into a supply and storage mechanism for the grid. They can also reduce their bills by accessing varying wholesale energy prices through flexible 'time of use' tariffs. "Smart meters supplied in our partnership model - where we finance and install - offers consumers speedy access to this critical tool. This deal opens up a whole new energy world for German consumers." Merlind Schatz, Managing Director of Energy Metering, says: "Calisen's support is a tremendous vote of confidence in the German roll out. It's up to us to bring smart meters quickly and efficiently to as many households as possible. They are the heart of a digital, flexible energy system and essential for integrating renewable energy. MAP agreements help us as metering operators but the biggest winners are consumers. It's a true win-win situation." Calisen is the UK's largest meter asset provider and a full-spectrum metering services company, supporting a range of energy retailers, including Octopus Energy UK. The company pioneered the development of MAP service provision in the UK and brings deep operational and investment expertise to the German market. Claus Fest, Managing Director at Calisen, based in Germany, added: "We believe the German market has huge potential to accelerate its energy transition and we are establishing a team on the ground to support this transformation. I am looking forward to working with Energy Metering and proud to support the nationwide roll out of IMSys. With EMG we've positioned smart metering as an investable asset - unlocking private sector capital that will be essential to delivering the scale and pace required." By leveraging bespoke MAP services, Calisen in partnership with EMG is able to deliver greater value to its customers while focusing on innovation and exceptional service. The partnership not only strengthens the strategic relationship but also reinforces their shared commitment to building a smarter, more sustainable energy future for Germany. Notes to editors Calisen Group: 'smarter energy for all' Calisen Group Holdings Limited ("Calisen") has been operating in the modernisation of the smart metering systems for over 20 years, originating in Manchester and Wigan in the UK. Calisen has grown substantially in this time and is now the leading owner and operator of essential energy infrastructure assets, with over 15m meters in around 40% of UK homes. Calisen's purpose is to contribute to the transition of the country's energy and water systems from analogue to intelligent technology, making them more efficient and less detrimental to the environment. The Group employs approximately 1,500 people, installing meters nationwide and with offices in Manchester, Wigan, London, Market Harborough and Portsmouth. For further information, please visit www.calisen.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2817388/Claus_Fest.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2818791/Calisen_meter.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2817260/Calisen_Logo.jpg SOURCE Calisen Group BEIJING, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the 2025 General Assembly of the China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance (CAASTIA-GA 2025) was successfully held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, home to the African Union headquarters, marking a new stage of systematic, platform-driven, and results-oriented China-Africa cooperation in agricultural science and technology. image_5016366_30023438 1 Co-hosted by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), and the Mission of the People's Republic of China to the African Union, the three-day conference is themed "Joint Effort through CAASTIA towards China-Africa Modern Agricultural Development." More than 200 delegates from agricultural research and education institutions, enterprises, and international organizations across China and Africa gathered to discuss cooperation pathways and chart a shared roadmap. China Media Group (CMG) correspondent Wu Ting: In his keynote address at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit in September 2024, President Xi Jinping explicitly called for "the establishment of the China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance." This conference is a concrete step toward delivering on that commitment. The meeting adopted the CAASTIA Charter, and released the Addis Ababa Declaration and CAASTIA's Three-Year Action Plan, laying a solid foundation for sharing S&T resources, overcoming key technological bottlenecks in agriculture, and cultivating locally grounded scientific talent across China and Africa. Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General: CAASTIA is committed to driving innovation in agricultural science and technology. Today (27 October), multiple Chinese and African institutions signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) for jointly implemented projects-pragmatic actions that advance this goal and are of historic significance. Lise Korsten, President of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS): This platform will serve as our flagship for strengthening South-South cooperation. I look forward to it becoming a turning point for achieving food security across the African continent, and to learning extensively from China's experience in technology and innovation. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2819588/image_5016366_30023438.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2819589/1.jpg The Indian stock market is expected to perform better in the coming year, with Nifty likely to touch a new high of 29,000 by the end of 2026, showing an upside of 14 per cent, according to a report by Goldman Sachs. The report noted that Indian equities have been modestly up by 3 per cent in USD terms this year, while emerging markets (EM) overall have gained around 30 per cent. This underperformance, the largest in the past two decades, was caused by a mix of high starting valuations and expectations of slower growth and profits. These factors led Goldman Sachs to downgrade its outlook on India in October last year. It stated, "We expect NIFTY to reach 29,000 by end-2026, implying 14 per cent upside from current levels." As the year progressed, earnings downgrades continued, and tariff headwinds dampened investor sentiment, leading to large foreign outflows from Indian markets. However, the report now sees a case for Indian equities to perform better in the coming year as growth and earnings recover. It highlighted several reasons for its positive view. It said that growth-supportive policies, such as rate cuts and improved liquidity by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), along with GST reductions and slower fiscal consolidation, are expected to aid economic recovery over the next two years. On the earnings front, the report said that the year-long cycle of earnings per share (EPS) downgrades has lasted longer than usual but has now stabilised over the past three months. The third-quarter 2025 results are performing better than expected, leading to upgrades in some sectors. Goldman Sachs expects MSCI India profits to rise from 10 per cent this year to 14 per cent next year, supported by an improving growth environment. The report also pointed out that foreign investors have sold around USD 30 billion over the past year, the second-largest outflow historically. This has pushed foreign ownership and mutual fund allocations to near two-decade lows. However, recent inflows indicate improving foreign investor sentiment, supported by a potential easing in US trade tensions, which could further lift market confidence. It said that while valuations remain high at 23 times price-to-earnings (PE), the risk of a sharp de-rating is limited. It added that India's relative premium to other Asian markets has normalized, which could lead to moderate outperformance. The report concluded that it has raised India's rating to "Overweight," favoring consumer, financial, and domestic-focused sectors. It expects Nifty to reach 29,000 by the end of 2026, implying a 14 per cent upside from current levels. (ANI) PRNewswire Singapore, November 11: Finmo today announced the launch of its new brand identity and positioning centred on Connected Financial Intelligence and Control for the Modern CFO. The refreshed brand marks Finmo's evolution into a comprehensive Treasury Management System (TMS) - a unified platform that connects a company's global financial infrastructure, powering real-time cash visibility, seamless money movement, and intelligent treasury automation. David Hanna, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at Finmo said: "For today's CFO, finance is all about insight and foresight - anticipating challenges and responding with confidence. With Finmo's platform, we give finance leaders a powerful "second sight"; the clarity to forecast outcomes, navigate uncertainty, and command greater strategic influence. At the heart of Finmo's evolution is its 4Cs framework - Connect, Control, Command, and Create - the foundation of a modern, connected treasury. By unifying these pillars together into one intelligent platform, Finmo gives finance teams a unified view of their entire financial landscape, sharper forecasting accuracy, and the agility to optimise liquidity and working capital in real time. Mansi Chopra, Chief Marketing Officer at Finmo, said: "CFO expectations have evolved. In a world that moves fast, they want to complete their morning review in moments, with the intelligence, integration, and instant visibility to manage everything and see their entire treasury in one place. Our rebrand reflects that shift. Finmo gives CFOs instant visibility, automated control, and intelligent execution - turning the daily treasury review from hours into moments. Because in finance, control begins with clarity, and you can't manage what you can't see." Finmo's platform brings this vision to life by unifying banks, ERPs, accounting systems, and payment gateways in one secure environment. Finance teams gain real-time cash and liquidity visibility, automated reconciliation, scalable cross-border payments, and proactive FX management - all in one place. The result: a smarter, connected treasury that doesn't just track financial activity - it drives it. About Finmo Finmo is a global fintech company transforming how modern finance teams manage cash and treasury operations. Founded by David Hanna, Akhil Nigam, Richard Oh, Raj Vimal Chopra, and Thomas Kang, Finmo is purpose-built for today's cross-border businesses. Our Treasury Management System delivers connected financial intelligence by bringing together data from bank accounts, accounting platforms, ERP systems, and other financial tools, giving CFOs real-time visibility, control, and foresight. Beyond insights, Finmo empowers action. Through our global payments network and cash management offerings, finance teams can move money, optimize liquidity, and manage FX risk, all within a single intelligent platform. The result: businesses act faster, scale smarter, and operate with confidence in an increasingly interconnected economy. Trusted by leading enterprises and fintechs, Finmo is licensed in key markets including Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the U.S. and the UK. We are committed to building a faster, smarter, and more resilient financial infrastructure for the digital economy. For more details, visit: https://finmo.net Media ContactSylvia McKaige, Salween Group, Finmo@salweengroup.com (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.) JSW Energy Limited has started operations at its first green hydrogen manufacturing plant, which is also the largest in India, marking a major step in the country's journey towards clean energy. The company said in its press release that the project falls under the Production Linked Incentive Scheme, Tranche I of the government's National Green Hydrogen Mission. The new plant, located next to the JSW Steel facility in Vijayanagar, Karnataka, will supply green hydrogen directly to the steelmaker's Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) unit. This will help produce low-carbon steel, reducing the industry's dependence on fossil fuels. Under a seven-year offtake agreement, JSW Energy will provide 3,800 tons per annum (TPA) of green hydrogen and 30,000 TPA of green oxygen to JSW Steel. The company said this is part of its 6,800 TPA allocation under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) program run by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). The company has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JSW Steel to gradually increase supply to 85,000-90,000 TPA of green hydrogen and 720,000 TPA of green oxygen by 2030. This expansion aligns with India's goal of producing approximately 5 million tons of green hydrogen per annum by 2030. Sharad Mahendra, Joint Managing Director and CEO of JSW Energy, said, "We are proud to commission India's first green hydrogen plant under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, implemented through the SIGHT programme by the Government of India. The project is a key milestone in our country's clean energy journey and reflects our unwavering commitment to support India's transition toward a low-carbon economy and decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as steel. Green hydrogen will assume a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and Atmanirbhar Bharat." JSW Energy currently has a total locked-in generation capacity of 30.5 gigawatts (GW), comprising 13.3 GW of operational capacity and 12.5 GW under construction, across both thermal and renewable projects. It also has 150 megawatts under acquisition in hydro power and a pipeline of 4.6 GW. The company holds 29.4 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of locked-in energy storage capacity, including 26.4 GWh through hydro pumped storage and 3.0 GWh through battery systems. With the commissioning of this plant, JSW Energy strengthens its position in India's clean energy space. The company aims to reach 30 GW of generation capacity and 40 GWh of energy storage capacity by FY 2030, and to become carbon neutral by 2050. (ANI) PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], November 11: UST, a leading AI and technology transformation solutions company, has won two awards at the Indian CSR Awards 2025 in the categories of 'Most Impactful Save Water Initiative of the Year' and 'Education, Health and Livelihood Initiatives for People with Disabilities (PWDs)'. This marks the fourth consecutive year that UST has been recognized at the Indian CSR Awards, underscoring the company's long-term commitment to community-led, sustainable social impact. Since its inception in 1999, UST has been driven by its mission of Transforming Lives, implementing 127 projects across nine states and positively impacting over one lakh people. On water conservation efforts, UST has been working on large-scale conservation efforts with local NGOs and communities. In the year 2024-25, it included the rejuvenation of Hettanahalli Lake in Karnataka and Karanaithangal Lake in Tamil Nadu with the Environmentalist Foundation of India, restoring 60 acres and conserving an estimated 170 billion gallons of water. Other notable projects include Project Paryavarna, which restored eight water troughs for wildlife in Coimbatore, along with multiple watershed programs that blend scientific methods with volunteer action to strengthen water security and livelihoods. UST has worked on a total of 6 projects for conserving water bodies across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka State in the past 3 years. It is a part of our environment programs including tree plantation, coastal area conservation, and forest conservation projects, along with water body rejuvenation initiatives. UST's recognition for education, health, and livelihood initiatives for persons with disabilities includes key activities such as the SkillSync vocational program for children on the autism spectrum, the UST-V Able Scholarship Program supporting 167 students with disabilities across six states, and infrastructure upgrades benefitting nearly 170 students at special schools. UST has also supported PWDs mobility and accessibility with assistive devices such as wheelchairs, transfer hoists, and visual-aid tools. UST CSR's focus on disability and social inclusion also builds partnerships and collaborations for wider reach and access to the needy communities. These programs have been implemented with the non-profit partners like Vidhyadhan, Academy for Severe Handicaps and Autism RampMyCity Foundation, and Neomotion. Smita Sharma, Global Program Manager - CSR, UST, said, "It is truly humbling to witness UST's work on water conservation and disability inclusion being acknowledged at the India CSR Awards. The awards are not just for our organization, but for the passion and commitment of our CSR ambassadors, volunteers, collaborators, and communities who make meaningful impact a reality. From the rejuvenation of lakes to empowering people with disabilities through education and livelihoods, each initiative is a demonstration of our belief in 'Transforming Lives' together. The accolade inspires us to make a greater impact and continue co-developing solutions for a sustainable tomorrow with the communities we are serving." This recognition adds to UST's strong track record of CSR excellence. Over the past two years, the company has been honoured with the UK Business Culture Award (2024) for sustainability, the Mahatma Award for CSR Excellence for three consecutive years, and the Mahatma Young Changemaker Award for Smita Sharma in 2024. UST also received the Best CSR Award 2024 and special recognition at the CSR Awards 2025 from the National Institute of Personnel Management, Kerala, as well as the Social Project of the Year 2024 from the Project Management Institute, Kerala. In addition, at the Indian Social Impact Awards 2024, UST was also recognised for the Best Women's Livelihood Initiative and Best Environment-Friendly Initiative, while the India CSR Awards 2024 honoured its Best Women Employment Support Initiative. Smita Sharma, UST, received the awards at an event held in New Delhi. Smita also represented UST in the panel discussion on 'CSR and Community Development'. The Indian Corporate Social Responsibility Awards (ICSR) is organized by Marketing & Brand Honchos. About UST: Since 1999, UST has worked side by side with the world's best companies to make a powerful impact through transformation. Powered by technology, driven by AI, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Our AI-driven digital solutions, proprietary platforms, engineering, R&D, products, and innovation ecosystem turn core challenges into impactful, disruptive solutions. With deep industry knowledge and a future-ready mindset, we infuse expertise, innovation, and agility into our clients' organizations--delivering measurable value and positive lasting change for them, their customers, and communities around the world. Together, with 30,000+ employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impact--touching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at www.UST.com Media Contacts, UST:Tinu Cherian Abraham+1 (949) 415-9857 (US)+91-7899045194 (India) Merrick Laravea+1 (949) 416-6212 Neha Misri+44-7341787926 Roshini Das K+91-7736795557media.relations@ust.com Media Contacts, India:Adfactors PRust@adfactorspr.com Media Contacts, U.S.:S & C PR+1-646.941.9139media@scprgroup.com Makovskyust@makovsky.com Media Contacts, U.K.: FTI ConsultingUST@fticonsulting.com Media Contacts, Spain: Noizze MediaCarmen Tapia / Ricardo Schellctapia@noizzemedia.com / ricardo.schell@noizzemedia.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2818515/Smita_Sharma.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1422658/UST_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) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, on Tuesday said that the government is trying to work out a fair, equitable and balanced trade deal with the United States and is also preparing for every contingency. The minister, who attended the Udyog Samagam-2025 at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in the national capital, said national interest will be top priority in finalizing the trade deal. "We are of course trying to work out a fair, equitable and balanced trade deal. If that happens, it could happen any day. It could happen tomorrow. It may happen next month. It may happen next year. But as a government, we are preparing for every contingency," Goyal said. Meanwhile, government sources told ANI that trade talks between the two countries are progressing well, adding that the BTA with the US will be most comprehensive and detailed and WTO-compliant. They added that the negotiation with the US is being done while keeping in mind sensitive issues and sensitive sectors."Another round of negotiations may not be required," government officials told ANI. Goyal had told ANI earlier this month that talks on the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement are "going on very well", but said that there are "many sensitive and serious issues" and it would take time. "Talks are going on very well. There are many sensitive issues, many serious issues, so naturally, it takes some time," Goyal said, when asked to provide an update on India-US trade talks. A government official had recently said that India and the US were "very near" to finalising the first tranche of the ambitious Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The BTA, formally proposed in February following directives from leaders of the two countries, aims to more than double trade volumes from the current USD 191 billion to USD 500 billion by 2030. US President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods that came into effect on August 1, even as there were hopes of an interim India-US trade deal that would have otherwise helped avoid elevated tariffs. A few days later, he imposed another 25 per cent tariff, taking the total to 50 per cent, citing India's continued imports of Russian oil. (ANI) The talks for a trade deal between India and the United States are progressing well, and the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States would be "most detailed and WTO-compliant", a government official said on Tuesday. The official stated that negotiations with the US are being conducted with consideration for sensitive issues and sectors, and another round of talks may not be necessary. "The talks for the India-US Bilateral trade deal are progressing well. BTA with the United States would be most comprehensive, most detailed and WTO-compliant. Negotiations are being carried out keeping in mind sensitive issues and sensitive sectors and another round of negotiations may not be required," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, on Tuesday, said that the government is trying to work out a fair, equitable and balanced trade deal with the United States and is also preparing for every contingency. The minister, who attended the Udyog Samagam-2025 at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in the national capital, said national interest will be the top priority in finalising the trade deal. "We are, of course, trying to work out a fair, equitable and balanced trade deal. If that happens, it could happen any day. It could happen tomorrow. It may happen next month. It may happen next year. But as a government, we are preparing for every contingency," Goyal said. Goyal had told ANI earlier this month that talks on the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement are "going on very well", but said that there are "many sensitive and serious issues" and it would take time. "Talks are going on very well. There are many sensitive issues, many serious issues, so naturally, it takes some time," Goyal said, when asked to provide an update on India-US trade talks. A government official had recently said that India and the US were "very near" to finalising the first tranche of the ambitious Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The BTA, formally proposed in February following directives from leaders of the two countries, aims to more than double trade volumes from the current USD 191 billion to USD 500 billion by 2030. The talks for Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) were announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States in February this year. "The leaders announced plans to negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall of 2025," said the joint statement issued during visit of PM Modi to the United States. US President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods that took effect on August 1, even as there were hopes of an interim India-US trade deal that would have otherwise helped avoid elevated tariffs. A few days later, he imposed another 25 per cent tariff, taking the total to 50 per cent, citing India's continued imports of Russian oil. (ANI) Where governance intent is strong, regulatory gaps and overlaps fade, said Swaminathan J, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), while addressing the Gatekeepers of Governance Summit in Mumbai. Speaking on the theme 'Regulatory gaps and overlaps: do they exist?', Swaminathan on Friday acknowledged that such challenges persist but emphasised that their impact depends on the strength of governance intent. "When intent is strong and governance is lived in spirit, overlaps simplify and gaps close. When intent is weak, the reflex is to add more rules and procedures - multiplying work but losing sight of the real risk," he said, according to the copy of speech released by the Central Bank on November 11. He noted that as businesses expand, digitise, and integrate, governance structures must evolve to address overlaps--where multiple teams or regulators demand similar information--and gaps--where new products or activities remain outside policy coverage. Highlighting key governance practices, the Deputy Governor outlined five areas that matter most: Boards must own outcomes, not paperwork; independence should be in substance; look through the group, not just the entity; protect and empower control functions; and conduct governance gap analysis with real remediation. He urged boards to take ownership of risk and outcome goals and to ensure that independent assurance functions like risk management, compliance, and internal audit are adequately resourced and empowered. "Weak lines of defence are to be seen as a board failure, not a staffing glitch," he cautioned. At the system-wide level, Swaminathan said that overlaps in regulation are not always undesirable, as they can act as safety nets. "The real problem may arise from conflicting rules, duplicated compliance, and uncoordinated enforcement which is avoidable," he said. He further outlined three principles for regulators -- balancing entity and activity-based regulation, ensuring proportionality in oversight, and moving toward outcome-based regulation calibrated to market maturity. "In conclusion, addressing regulatory gaps and overlaps is a journey of continuous improvement that demands reflection, adaptation, and courage to challenge the status quo," he said, adding, "When intent is strong, the gaps bridge, overlaps simplify, and governance transcends mere compliance to become our shared conscience." (ANI) The talks for a trade deal between India and the United States are progressing well, and the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States would be "most detailed and WTO-compliant", government officials said on Tuesday. The officials stated that negotiations with the US are being conducted with consideration for sensitive issues and sectors, and another round of talks may not be necessary. "The talks for the India-US Bilateral trade deal are progressing well. BTA with the United States would be most comprehensive, most detailed and WTO-compliant. Negotiations are being carried out keeping in mind sensitive issues and sensitive sectors and another round of negotiations may not be required," said an official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, on Tuesday, said that the government is trying to work out a fair, equitable and balanced trade deal with the United States and is also preparing for every contingency. The minister, who attended the Udyog Samagam-2025 at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in the national capital, said national interest will be the top priority in finalising the trade deal. "We are, of course, trying to work out a fair, equitable and balanced trade deal. If that happens, it could happen any day. It could happen tomorrow. It may happen next month. It may happen next year. But as a government, we are preparing for every contingency," Goyal said. Goyal had told ANI earlier this month that talks on the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement are "going on very well", but said that there are "many sensitive and serious issues" and it would take time. "Talks are going on very well. There are many sensitive issues, many serious issues, so naturally, it takes some time," Goyal said, when asked to provide an update on India-US trade talks. A government official had recently said that India and the US were "very near" to finalising the first tranche of the ambitious Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The BTA, formally proposed in February following directives from leaders of the two countries, aims to more than double trade volumes from the current USD 191 billion to USD 500 billion by 2030. The talks for Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) were announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States in February this year. "The leaders announced plans to negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall of 2025," said the joint statement issued during visit of PM Modi to the United States. US President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods that took effect on August 1, even as there were hopes of an interim India-US trade deal that would have otherwise helped avoid elevated tariffs. A few days later, he imposed another 25 per cent tariff, taking the total to 50 per cent, citing India's continued imports of Russian oil. (ANI) Laced with poetry, the film also stars veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah in the lead role, portraying an Urdu poet. The movie marks the debut of ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra as a producer in the Bollywood industry. The film is directed by Vibhu Puri. The two-minute and thirty-second trailer opens with Vijay Varma visiting Naseeruddin Shah's home to learn Urdu poetry. In the course of learning, Vijay Varma falls in love with Fatima Sana Shaikh. Their chemistry is winning hearts as it is laced with shayari and heartwarming gestures. However, the situation takes a downturn when a loan shark addresses the concern about Vijay Varma's disturbed financial condition. The trailer ends on a heartbreaking note when Fatima Sana Shaikh bids farewell to Vijay Varma due to differences between them. Manish Malhotra shared the trailer on his Instagram handle on Monday. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ3m9OtDG8z/ The film features a talented ensemble, with music composed by Vishal Bhardwaj, lyrics penned by Gulzar, sound design by Resul Pookutty, and cinematography by Manush Nandan. Besides Vijay Sharma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Naseeruddin Shah in the lead roles, the film also features actor Sharib Hashmi in a prominent part. Opening up about his debut as a film producer, Manish Malhotra said, "My love for cinema began in childhood. The silver screen was my doorway to the world. Watching colours, clothes, music, and lifestyles unfold in cinema halls shaped my imagination and inspired me to become a designer. Today, stepping into film production feels like my way of giving back to the medium that has given me everything. With Stage5 Production, the journey ahead is about embracing the unexpected; through stories, genres, and films that continue to surprise and inspire," as quoted in a press note. 'Gustaakh Ishq' marks a new chapter for Manish Malhotra, one that looks back at the magic of classic storytelling while stepping into the future of Indian cinema. The film is slated to release in theatres on November 28. (ANI) Taking to Instagram, RajKummar shared a heartfelt note from the film's direction team, updating his fans about the film's schedule. The handwritten letter, addressed to "Raj Sir," expresses deep gratitude and admiration for his portrayal of public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, calling it "a privilege" to watch him build the character with such calm, honesty and grace. Nikam is a biopic on India's celebrated public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam. More details regarding the film have not been disclosed yet. Meanwhile, RajKummar is also busy working as a producer. A few months ago, he and his wife Patralekhaa launched their own production house, KAMPA Film. The name KAMPA holds personal significance, as it combines the initials of their mothers' names, paying tribute to them."We've always believed in the power of storytelling," said Patralekhaa."With KAMPA, we're looking forward to sharing these stories with the world." Rajkummar Rao added, "For Patralekhaa and I, KAMPA is a natural extension of our love for cinema. We've always believed in the magic of storytelling, and KAMPA gives us the chance to bring stories we care about to life. We're excited to take this step together." (ANI) On Tuesday, November 11 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time, guests who order an entree in-restaurant and present a valid military ID will receive a second entree for free.* The offer is valid at U.S. Chipotle restaurants Chipotle will feature the United Service Organizations (USO) in its Round Up for Real Change feature on the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com from Tuesday, November 11 through Sunday, November 16 NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Nov. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today announced that the military community can enjoy any entree and get a second entree for free from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, at restaurants across the U.S. All guests with a valid military ID are eligible for the promotion.* On Veterans Day, guests who order an entree in-restaurant at Chipotle and present a valid military ID will receive a second entree for free as a thank you for their service. "As a small token of our gratitude, we're inviting veterans and the military community to share a meal with someone they care about this Veterans Day," said Chris Brandt, President, Chief Brand Officer, Chipotle. "Their courage and commitment inspire us every day, and we're honored to serve those who serve our country." How It Works On Tuesday, November 11 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time, guests who present their valid military ID at any U.S. Chipotle restaurant and enjoy an entree in-restaurant will receive a second entree for free.* The promotion applies to Chipotle bowls, burritos, salads and taco entrees. Round Up For Real Change Benefitting Veteran Causes To further support veterans and the military community, Chipotle has partnered with United Service Organizations through its Round Up for Real Change program. From Tuesday, November 11 through Sunday, November 16, guests can round up their total to the next highest dollar amount to donate to the USO, the nation's leading charitable organization in serving active-duty service members and military families. Chipotle has also partnered with Folds of Honor through its Round Up for Real Change program annually since 2021. Thanks to guest generosity, this partnership has helped fund more than $2.1 million in college scholarships for the children and spouses of America's fallen or disabled service members. Ongoing Commitment To The Veteran Community Nearly 800 veterans currently work at Chipotle, helping the company deliver on its mission to Cultivate a Better World. As an organization that aims to be a destination employer for veterans seeking to serve a new purpose, Chipotle launched its first military veteran workshop for hiring managers in 2024. The program provides practical, ready-to-use interview practices and solutions to help attract and retain military veterans and their spouses/partners. The training emphasizes eliminating biases about veterans, improving candidate assessment and skills matching, and promoting a culture of belonging that embraces and understands the military community. *The BUY-ONE-GET-ONE (BOGO) offer is limited to five free entree items per check; each free item requires purchase of an entree item of equal or greater value and may be collected only by the customer holding the military ID. Valid only on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time. Presentation of valid government-issued military ID required. Redeemable in-restaurant only, at participating U.S. locations; redemption is subject to availability. Not valid for catering, mobile, online or delivery orders. Kids' meals do not count as an entree purchase. Purchased entrees are eligible for Chipotle Rewards points; the offer may not otherwise be combined with other coupons, promotions, or special offers. Additional restrictions may apply; void where prohibited. About Chipotle Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. There are over 3,900 restaurants as of September 30, 2025, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Middle East and it is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. With over 130,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit CHIPOTLE.COM. SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Actor Ranveer Singh expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives in the terror attack that occurred in Delhi near Red Fort on Monday evening. The blast, which ripped through a slow-moving Hyundai i20 near the Subhash Marg traffic signal by the Red Fort on Monday evening, killed at least eight people and left several others injured. Taking to Instagram Story, Ranveer wrote, "Horrified by the incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening. My condolences to the families of the bereaved." In another post, he informed his fans that the trailer launch of his upcoming film 'Dhurandhar' has been postponed as a " mark of respect to the victims and families affected by yesterday's Delhi blast." "The Dhurandhar trailer launch scheduled for 12th November has been postponed, as a mark of respect to the victims and families affected by yesterday's Delhi blast.The revised date and details for the trailer launch will be shared soon.Thank you for your understanding -- Jio Studios, B62 Studios & Team Dhurandha," a post read by Jio Studios uploaded on Ranveer's Instagram Story. The blast, which ripped through a slow-moving Hyundai i20 near the Subhash Marg traffic signal by the Red Fort on Monday evening, killed eight people and left several others injured. Central agencies, including the NIA, have been brought onto the probe amid indications that the incident looks like a possible terror act. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the families of those who were killed in the blast. In an announcement on X, CM Rekha Gupta said that the tragic incident that occurred in Delhi has "left the entire city in shock". "In this hour of difficulty, the Government of Delhi extends its deepest condolences" to all those families who have lost their loved ones and to those who have been injured in this incident, she went on to add in her post. She emphasised that the Delhi government stands firmly with every affected family, and "we have taken a compassionate decision for immediate relief". "Our government will take responsibility for the proper and quality treatment of the injured. Peace and security in Delhi is our utmost priority," Delhi CM said. The administration is "working with full vigilance" and stands with all affected individuals and their families, Delhi CM said. Meanwhile, investigations into the terror attack near the Red Fort are progressing rapidly. Initial findings indicate that the car explosion was not a typical suicide blast, but was instead triggered in panic by the suspect. Security agencies have been conducting raids across multiple locations linked to terror networks and have recovered significant quantities of explosives in Faridabad, Saharanpur, Pulwama, and other areas. Investigators believe the suspect acted hastily under mounting pressure. (ANI) 'Sinners' star Michael B Jordan will be honoured with the Icon Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Film Awards will take place on January 3 at the Palm Springs Convention Centre, while the festival will run from January 2 to January 13. In 'Sinners', Jordan plays twin brothers Smoke and Stack, who return to their hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi, to open a juke joint. But their opening night is soon derailed by an evil presence. Ryan Coogler wrote and directed the film, which also stars Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Miles Caton, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, and Delroy Lindo, as per the outlet. "Michael B. Jordan once again proves why he's been one of the most compelling performers for the past two decades. In Sinners, his reunion with Ryan Coogler yields a bold and intricate performance as twin brothers Smoke and Stack," said festival chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi, adding, "Michael's ability to inhabit two distinct souls with such power and nuance is nothing short of extraordinary. For this remarkable achievement, and for his impressive body of work, we are proud to honour him with the Palm Springs International Film Awards Icon Award." Jordan is known for films such as Fruitvale Station (2013), Creed (2015) and its sequels, Black Panther (2018), Just Mercy (2019), and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), among others. He will next direct and star in MGM's reimagining of The Thomas Crown Affair, and will star and produce an adaptation of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six, as well as I Am Legend 2 alongside Will Smith. Jordan joins previously announced honorees Adam Sandler (Chairman's Award) and the cast of Sentimental Value (International Star Award). Previous recipients of the Icon Award were Glenn Close, Willem Dafoe, Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall, Lady Gaga, Paul Giamatti, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI) After at least eight people were killed and many were injured in the high-intensity explosion outside Red Fort on Monday evening, the Delhi Police have obtained CCTV footage showing the suspect's car entering and exiting the parking area, sources said. According to the Delhi Police sources, the footage indicates that the suspect was alone at the time. "Investigators are now tracing the route towards Daryaganj, while more than 100 CCTV clips, including footage from nearby toll plazas, are being examined to establish the complete movement of the vehicle," the sources added. Meanwhile, Delhi Police have registered a case in connection with the blast under various Sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. "A case has been registered under sections 16, 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Explosives Act and the BNS at the Kotwali Police Station," Delhi Police said. Earlier, speaking with ANI, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi at 7 pm on Monday, and the explosion injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. "This evening, around 7 pm, a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi. The blast injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. Preliminary reports indicate that some people have lost their lives. Within 10 minutes of receiving the information of the blast, teams from the Delhi Crime Branch and Delhi Special Branch arrived at the spot," Amit Shah said. "I have also spoken to the Delhi CP and the Special Branch in charge. The Delhi CP and the Special Branch in-charge are present at the spot. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account. All options will be investigated immediately and we will present the results to the public," he added. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said earlier that a slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light in the area near Red Fort Metro Station in the national capital, and an explosion occurred in that vehicle, which damaged nearby vehicles. "Today, at around 6.52 pm, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged. All agencies, FSL, NIA, are here... Some people have died, and some have been injured in the incident. The situation is being monitored," he said. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday morning appealed to citizens in Bihar to create another record as voting for the second phase of assembly elections begins. Taking to X, the Prime Minister urged first-time Gen Z voters to exercise their franchise and encourage others to do so. "Today is the second and final phase of voting in the Bihar Assembly elections. My request to all voters is that they participate actively in it and create a new record for voting. I have a special appeal to the young companions of the state who are going to vote for the first time that they should not only cast their vote but also inspire others to do so," PM Modi said. All arrangements are in place for the second phase of the Bihar assembly polls, which will determine the fate of 1,302 candidates, including some senior leaders from the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan. The state witnessed a record 65.08 per cent polling in the first phase of polling, with all political parties, including Jan Suraaj, interpreting the high voter turnout in their favour. A total of 3.70 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise across 122 constituencies in the second phase, which saw a hectic campaign by political leaders. The second phase will decide the fate of 12 ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's cabinet. Among them are JD(U) leaders Vijendra Yadav (contesting from Supaul assembly constituency), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Kushwaha (Amarpur), Sumit Singh (Chakai), Mohammad Jama Khan (Chainpur), and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas). Ministers from the BJP in the fray include Prem Kumar (Gaya), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikati), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Neeraj Bablu (Chhatapur), and Krishnanandan Paswan (Harsiddhi). Other key constituencies include Sasaram, Imamganj, Mohania, Bihpur, Gopalpur, Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, Sultanganj, and Nathnagar. 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 will be announced on November 14. (ANI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday urged the people of the state to vote in the second phase of the assembly polls and exercise their democratic rights. In a post on X, the Chief Minister appealed to the people to prioritise voting above their chores. "In democracy, voting is not only our right but also our duty. Today, voting for the second phase of the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections is taking place -- all voters are urged to exercise their voting rights without fail. Vote and inspire others to do so as well. Vote first, then refreshments!" Chief Minister Kumar posted on X. https://x.com/NitishKumar/status/1988052595253129271 Voting for the second phase of the 2025 assembly elections in Bihar began today at 7 am across 122 constituencies in 20 districts of the state, covering approximately 3.7 crore electors and 243 seats. Apart from Bihar, voting for by-elections is being held for eight assembly constituencies spread across six states and one union territory. These constituencies are Budgam and Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir, Anta in Rajasthan, Ghatsila in Jharkhand, Jubilee Hills in Telangana, Tarn Taran in Punjab, Dampa in Mizoram and Nuapada in Odisha. In Bihar, mock polling was conducted at several booths across the state to test and ensure preparedness ahead of voting. A total of 3,70,13,556 electors will vote in the second phase of the Bihar elections, including 1,95,44,041 male voters and 1,74,68,572 female voters. 943 third voters will also cast their vote in the elections. The second phase will decide the fate of 12 ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's cabinet. Among them are JD(U) leaders Vijendra Yadav (contesting from Supaul assembly constituency), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Kushwaha (Amarpur), Sumit Singh (Chakai), Mohammad Jama Khan (Chainpur), and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas). Ministers from the BJP in the fray include Prem Kumar (Gaya), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikati), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Neeraj Bablu (Chhatapur), and Krishnanandan Paswan (Harsiddhi). Other key constituencies include Sasaram, Imamganj, Mohania, Bihpur, Gopalpur, Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, Sultanganj, and Nathnagar. Out of the 122 seats, 11 are assembly seats in East Champaran, 10 each in Madhubani and Gaya, nine in West Champaran, eight in Sitamarhi, and seven each in Bhagalpur, Rohtas, Purnia, and Katihar. Six assembly seats will go to the polls in Araria and Aurangabad each. Nawada, Banka, and Supaul will each witness contests on five seats. Kaimur, Jamui, and Kishanganj have four seats each; Jehanabad has three, followed by two assembly seats in Arwal and one in Sheohar district. Out of all these seats, the BJP won 42 seats in the 2020 assembly elections, while the RJD emerged victorious in 33 seats. The Janata Dal (United) bagged 20 seats, Congress won 11, and left parties collectively secured five. NDA comprises the BJP, JD(U), HAMS, LJP (RV), and other parties and is seeking to retain power for a second term. The Mahagathbandhan, comprising the Congress, RJD, left parties, and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), is looking to regain power. Jan Suraaj is also confident of its prospects. The first phase of the Bihar elections marked the highest polling percentage in the state's history. The state saw a record 65.08 per cent polling in the first phase of polling, with all political parties, including Jan Suraaj, interpreting the high voter turnout in their favour. (ANI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticised the hurried Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, comparing it to demonetisation. She said, "SIR is like a 'Vote Bandhi', earlier it was 'Note Bandhi'. They should have taken two years for the SIR process. Why are you in such a hurry?" Banerjee on Monday stressed that the exercise cannot be completed in just two months. "It is not possible to complete the SIR process within two months.it takes at least two years. I believe the process should be carried out over the next two years.BJP is pushing this hurriedly to gain an advantage in the upcoming Bengal elections. Many people in Bengal have not yet received the forms.The SIR process should be stayed. I strongly believe that only genuine voters' names should be included in the voters list. Why is the ECI not conducting a similar SIR in Assam?," Chief Minister Banerjee asked. Highlighting alleged harassment during the SIR process, Banerjee accused that central authorities were "cheating and harassing" the people in the name of SIR addin gthat a BLO worker passed away "due to pressure". " It's very unfortunate that a BLO lost her life today. It is because ofthe huge pressure.ECI is not allowing ASHA workers in the SIR process," the Chief Minister said. Taking aim at the BJP ahead of the Bengal polls, the Chief Minister added, "BJP is purchasing the votes in Bihar. But it's not easy in Bengal to fight against us. I will not allow ECI to follow the BJP's words. But I will not stop, even if you cut my throat." Earlier the Chief Minister had dismissed claims that she had accepted enumeration form for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR), saying that until and unless every person in Bengal fills out the form, she would refrain from doing so. 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. Earlier on November 4, multiple media outlets reported that the Bengal CM "accepted" the form for the SIR in the state. (ANI) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav expressed condolences to the families of the deceased in the Delhi blast case, demanding a fair investigation and strict action against the perpetrators. Sharing a video message on Monday on X, Tejashwi Yadav called for "no compromise" in the nation's internal security. He said, "I have received the tragic news from Delhi. Got to know about the blast. The cause of the blast will be revealed upon investigation. I express my deepest condolences to those families who have lost their innocent loved ones. I pray for the injured ones. We urge the Centre to conduct a fair investigation and take strict action against the culprits. The nation's internal security is of prime importance; there should be no compromise." At least eight people lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries in a blast near the historic Red Fort in the national capital. Delhi Police have registered a case in connection with the blast under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. "A case has been registered under sections 16, 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Explosives Act and the BNS at the Kotwali Police Station," Delhi Police said. Earlier, speaking with ANI, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi at 7 pm on Monday, and the explosion injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. "This evening, around 7 pm, a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi. The blast injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. Preliminary reports indicate that some people have lost their lives. Within 10 minutes of receiving the information of the blast, teams from the Delhi Crime Branch and Delhi Special Branch arrived at the spot," Amit Shah told ANI. "I have also spoken to the Delhi CP and the Special Branch in charge. The Delhi CP and the Special Branch in charge are present at the spot. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account. All options will be investigated immediately, and we will present the results to the public," he added. (ANI) As voting began for the second and last phase of Bihar Assembly elections, Independent MP from Purnea, Pappu Yadav on Tuesday said that the State is moving towards big change. Yadav further questioned the increased voter turnout in the first phase of assembly elections, despite 69 lakh voters being deleted from the list following Special Intensive Revision (SIR). "The names of 69 lakh voters got deleted following the SIR exercise, then how come the voting percentage in the first phase of elections increase?... Bihar is moving towards a big change. The new voters (Gen Z) want change. Why is the Prime Minister using such language like Katta, Bomb, dacoity? Does this kind of language suit the Prime Minister? The Prime Minister never appeals for votes on the issues of Bihar. The public of Bihar wants change," Pappu Yadav told ANI. Voting for the second phase of the 2025 assembly elections in Bihar began today at 7 am across 122 constituencies in 20 districts of the state, covering approximately 3.7 crore electors and 243 seats. Apart from Bihar, voting for by-elections is being held for eight assembly constituencies spread across six states and one union territory. These constituencies are Budgam and Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir, Anta in Rajasthan, Ghatsila in Jharkhand, Jubilee Hills in Telangana, Tarn Taran in Punjab, Dampa in Mizoram and Nuapada in Odisha. In Bihar, mock polling was conducted at several booths across the state to test and ensure preparedness ahead of voting. A total of 3,70,13,556 electors will vote in the second phase of the Bihar elections, including 1,95,44,041 male voters and 1,74,68,572 female voters. 943 third voters will also cast their vote in the elections. The second phase will decide the fate of 12 ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's cabinet. Among them are JD(U) leaders Vijendra Yadav (contesting from Supaul assembly constituency), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Kushwaha (Amarpur), Sumit Singh (Chakai), Mohammad Jama Khan (Chainpur), and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas). Ministers from the BJP in the fray include Prem Kumar (Gaya), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikati), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Neeraj Bablu (Chhatapur), and Krishnanandan Paswan (Harsiddhi). Other key constituencies include Sasaram, Imamganj, Mohania, Bihpur, Gopalpur, Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, Sultanganj, and Nathnagar. Out of the 122 seats, 11 assembly seats in East Champaran, 10 each in Madhubani and Gaya, nine in West Champaran, eight in Sitamarhi, and seven each in Bhagalpur, Rohtas, Purnia, and Katihar. Six assembly seats will go to the polls in Araria and Aurangabad each. Nawada, Banka, and Supaul will each witness contests on five seats. Kaimur, Jamui, and Kishanganj have four seats each, Jehanabad has three, followed by two assembly seats in Arwal, and one in Sheohar district. Out of all these seats, the BJP won 42 seats in the 2020 assembly elections, while the RJD emerged victorious on 33 seats. The Janata Dal (United) bagged 20 seats, Congress won 11, and Left parties collectively secured five. NDA comprises the BJP, JD(U), HAMS, LJP (RV), and other parties, and is seeking to retain power for a second term. The Mahagathbandhan, comprising the Congress, RJD, left parties, and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), is looking to regain power. Jan Suraaj is also confident of its prospects. The first phase of the Bihar elections marked the highest polling percentage in the state's history. The state saw a record 65.08 per cent polling in the first phase of polling, with all political parties, including Jan Suraaj, interpreting the high voter turnout in their favour. (ANI) Bihar Minister Shravan Kumar appealed to voters to turn out in large numbers as the second phase of polling for the Bihar elections 2025 began on Tuesday. He said that the voters should vote for the National Democratic Alliance to secure the future of their children. "I appeal to the voters to vote after comparing the situation before and after 2005. Voters should vote for NDA to secure their children's future: Bihar Minister Shravan Kumar as polling for second phase begins n," Shravan Kumar told ANI. The second phase of the 2025 assembly elections in Bihar began today at 7:00 am across 122 constituencies in 20 districts of the state, covering approximately 3.7 crore electors and 243 seats. Apart from Bihar, voting for by-elections is being held for eight assembly constituencies spread across six States and one union territory. These constituencies are in Budgam and Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir, Anta in Rajasthan, Ghatsila in Jharkhand, Jubilee Hills in Telangana, Tarn Taran in Punjab, Dampa in Mizoram and Nuapada in Odisha. In Nagrota, Assistant Returning Officer Sumit Kohli informed that a total of 150 polling booths have been set up in the constituency and also appealed to voters to come out in large numbers and cast their votes in the elections. He said that voting will continue until 6 pm, and a total of 97,379 voters will cast their votes. "Our machines are ready for mock polling. We have a total of 150 polling booths in Nagrota constituency. I would like to appeal to everyone to come out in large numbers and cast their vote...They can decide their future with one vote...Voting will take place from 7:00 am am to 6:00 pm. Everyone who comes to us by 6 pm will be eligible to vote but I urge everyone to come early and vote. We have around 97,379 voters here... Security arrangements are good here...So, people should not be concerned about security," he said. Mock polling was conducted at several booths across the state to test and ensure preparedness ahead of voting. A total of 3,70,13,556 electors will vote in the second phase of the Bihar elections, including 1,95,44,041 male voters and 1,74,68,572 female voters. 943 third voters will also cast their vote in the elections. 45,399 polling stations have been set up across the state, which include 40,073 in rural areas and 5,326 in urban areas. 595 all-women-managed polling stations, 316 model polling stations, and 91 PwD-managed polling stations have also been set up across the state. (ANI) Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder Prashant Kishor on Tuesday morning asserted that the voting in Bihar should focus on the state's issues, downplaying the heightened security measures in the state following a blast in Delhi, in which 8 people were killed. Speaking to ANI, Kishor argued that things like the Delhi blast near the Red Fort may 'sometimes happen' during elections, and people in Bihar needn't get terrified. Extending support to the government, he said that the people of Bihar and the country have elected leaders to Parliament to ensure security. He emphasised that security is being handled by the elected government and assured that all necessary actions will be taken. Voting is currently underway in Bihar's second and final phase of assembly elections "Such things are occasional during elections. There's no need for the people of Bihar to be terrified by this. It's an election in Bihar. Voting should be based on Bihar's issues. For security, the people of Bihar and the country have elected people to Parliament. We all stand with the government and Parliament. The government will take whatever action is necessary," Kishor said. He appealed to the voters to break the record set in the first phase today, creating a "new system" in Bihar that provides education and employment. He warned that making a "mistake" by voting for the same system will lead to "spending five years with the corruption that troubles you". "I appeal to the people of Bihar to break the record turnout of the last phase today. Vote for change in Bihar. Vote for your children's education and employment. Vote in even greater numbers than you did in the first phase so that a new system is created in Bihar on November 14. A system that provides education and employment for your children. If you make a mistake today, if you miss it today, you will have to spend the next five years with the same system that plagues you, the corruption that troubles you. I am going to vote today," Kishor said. In the wake of the Delhi blast, security measures have been heightened across various districts in Bihar for the second phase of the assembly elections, which began this morning. Security personnel deployed at a polling station in the Bhagalpur assembly constituency, which will witness a direct contest between the Congress's Ajeet Sharma and the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Rohit Pandey. Delhi police officials, along with a team of National Security Guard (NSG) and National Investigation Agency (NIA), are currently investigating the scene of the Delhi blast, lifting traces of the explosives from the car. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) North, Raja Banthia, said that it "won't be right to say anything conclusively," as the investigation is still ongoing. "We have registered an FIR under UAPA, the Explosives Act, and the BNS under the Kotwali police station. The FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) team is present at the scene of the crime, and the NSG team is also on site, searching the area and examining evidence. As of now, an investigation is going on; it won't be right to say anything conclusively," the DCP North told reporters near the blast site. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have obtained CCTV footage showing the suspect's car entering and exiting the parking area, according to sources. According to the Delhi Police sources, the footage indicates that the suspect was alone at the time. "Investigators are now tracing the route towards Daryaganj, while more than 100 CCTV clips, including footage from nearby toll plazas, are being examined to establish the complete movement of the vehicle," the sources added. Speaking to ANI, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that a blast occurred in a car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi at 7 pm on Monday, and the explosion injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. "I have also spoken to the Delhi CP and the Special Branch in charge. The Delhi CP and the Special Branch in charge are present at the spot. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account. All options will be investigated immediately, and we will present the results to the public," Minister Shah said. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha had earlier stated that a slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light in the area near the Red Fort Metro Station in the national capital, and an explosion occurred in that vehicle, damaging nearby vehicles. (ANI) TAIPEI, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta marked its 18th consecutive participation in the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP30) held in Belem, Brazil. Responding to one of COP30's themes, "Climate Adaptation," Delta will collaborate with international organizations to host two events in the official negotiation zone (Blue Zone) on November 17 and 19, sharing coral restoration and green building promotion empowered by "AI for Green" approaches, showcasing Delta's commitment to implementing nature-based solutions through technological innovation. Delta joined representatives from globally renowned organizations including BNP Paribas, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans, and the International Coral Reef Society in a side event. Together, they will explore how to achieve sustainable ocean development amid climate change. Shan Shan Guo, Vice Chairperson of the Delta Electronics Foundation, said: "Delta has long been committed to addressing climate challenges through technological innovation. We are honored to have just received the First Corporate Ocean Sustainability Contribution Award, sharing the initial results of our efforts to restore the ocean. This year, Delta joined the Coalition for Sustainable AI and collaborated with Economist Impact to release the report "Greening Intelligence: Charting the Future of Sustainable AI," advocating the concept of Green AI to enhance computing energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. At COP30, Delta will integrate nature and climate action through 'AI for Green,' leveraging AI to accelerate coral identification and biodiversity database construction. Besides, we developed LEED AI Teaching Assistant to help experts quickly grasp carbon reduction and biodiversity metrics in new standards. This marks the first AI application in green building education within the Chinese-speaking world." Wim Chang, CEO of the Delta Electronics Foundation, stated: "The foundation has previously hosted 32 events at climate summits and this year it has once again secured the qualification to host a side event in the official negotiation zone. Centered on the theme "How to be SMART in meeting ocean-climate-societal challenges in a changing landscape", the session will focus on challenges facing oceans and coastal communities amid climate change. Delta will share how it leverages innovative technologies, AI applications, and cross-industry collaborations to advance coral restoration efforts and implement marine conservation research and applications." Delta will also share insights at the "Building and Cooling Pavilion," co-hosted by the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction and the Cool Coalition under the United Nations Environment Programme. Collaborating with partners including the U.S. Green Building Council and International Code Council, Delta will unveil its newly launched LEED AI Teaching Assistant for educational training and to support the implementation of sustainable building practices. This initiative is dedicated to realizing the new normal of near-zero emissions and resilient buildings by 2030. As an official observer to both the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity, Delta Electronics Foundation continues to bring the latest international negotiation trends, carbon reduction, and adaptation knowledge back to Taiwan. Moving forward, it will focus on technological innovation, educational outreach, and international collaboration, working with global partners to seek concrete solutions for mitigating the impacts of climate change. SOURCE Delta Electronics Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India] November 11 (ANI) Over 300 drones lit up the night sky in Dehradun on Monday night as the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) celebrated the state's Foundation Day with a grand drone light show marking 25 years since Uttarakhand's formation. Organized under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the event showcased a blend of tradition and technology, highlighting the state's rich cultural heritage, spiritual legacy, and natural beauty. The "Make in India" drone fleet created a series of captivating formations, beginning with a depiction of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand -- illustrating the descent of the River Ganga through Lord Shiva's matted locks. Subsequent visuals portrayed 25 Years of Uttarakhand Statehood, the Om Galaxy, the Trishul and Damru, along with mesmerizing sky images of the Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines. The show also celebrated Uttarakhand's cultural identity, featuring aerial renditions of the Himalayan Monal (the state bird), the traditional Chholiya dance, folk instruments, and figures dressed in Kumaoni attire. The finale showcased visuals representing helicopter aviation and the UCADA emblem, symbolizing progress and connectivity. Speaking on the occasion, S. S. Tolia, Additional CEO of UCADA, said, "Uttarakhand is not only the land of divinity and natural splendor, but also a land of innovation and progress. This drone light show symbolizes our cultural identity while marking the beginning of a new era of creative tourism experiences." He added that the initiative reflects UCADA's commitment to merging culture with cutting-edge technology to promote immersive and sustainable tourism experiences. The drone show, featuring between 300 and 400 indigenous drones, stood as a visual testament to Uttarakhand's journey over the past 25 years -- from a land of gods to a state embracing the future through innovation. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also attended a program held at the state's summer capital, Gairsain (Bharadisain), on the occasion of Uttarakhand's Silver Jubilee year. During the event organised in the Vidhan Sabha premises, the Chief Minister paid tribute to the martyrs of the Uttarakhand statehood movement. On this occasion, he also honoured the statehood activists by presenting them with shawls. The Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 142.25 crore in the district. These included the inauguration of 27 development projects worth Rs 43.63 crore and the laying of the foundation stone for 33 projects worth Rs 98.62 crore. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sanjay Jaiswal on Tuesday urged voters to come out in large numbers and ensure a voter turnout of over 75 per cent, highlighting the role of voting in strengthening public welfare schemes. Speaking to ANI after casting his vote at a local polling booth, Jaiswal said, "I urge everyone to certainly cast their vote and register over 75 per cent of voter turnout. Your vote ensures free ration to the poor, free treatment, free electricity, and Rs 10,000 in the accounts of women. This is the power of your vote. So, I urge everyone to cast their vote...There will be record-breaking voting." Jaiswal, accompanied by his family, showed his inked finger after voting, encouraging citizens to participate in the democratic process actively. Further, Jaiswal's wife, Manju Chaudhary, also appealed to everyone to come out of their homes, vote and elect an MLA of their choice. "I appeal to everyone to come out of their house, vote and elect an MLA of their choice. Form a strong government in the state so that development takes place," the BJP MP's wife said. Meanwhile, reacting to the blast near Red Fort in Delhi on Monday that killed several people, Jaiswal said, "This is deeply saddening. Thousands of kgs of explosives were seized yesterday, more than 360 kgs of ammonium nitrate were seized, and there were raids in Delhi, Faridabad, Saharanpur and Kashmir. This could have been done out of frustration. Justice will be done. HM visited the spot and the hospital. The government is very sensitive and sees this to its end." Meanwhile, amid chaos following the deaths in a blast near Delhi's Red Fort, security measures in Bihar have been increased across various districts for the second phase of the Assembly elections, which began this morning. Security personnel deployed at a polling station in the Bhagalpur Assembly constituency, which will witness a direct contest between the Congress's Ajeet Sharma and the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Rohit Pandey. Anand Kumar, Presiding Officer at the Durga Charan High School in the Bhagalpur Assembly constituency, said, "Four booths have been set up here, and this is booth no 47. The number of voters is 945. I am hopeful that people will come out to vote in large numbers. All the preparations have been made." The voting for the second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly elections will be held on Tuesday in 122 constituencies across 20 districts of Bihar. (ANI) Acting on clues collected, the team conducted multiple raids at possible hideouts in Delhi and surrounding areas, successfully tracing and arresting the accused. During sustained interrogation, Shaka admitted to committing the crime and revealed that he had an argument with the child's parents on the night of the incident. As per detailed verification, the accused was previously involved in a theft case. Further investigation into the matter is ongoing. In a separate incident, the body of a woman was recovered from a house in the Mahipalpur area of South-West Delhi on Saturday morning, police said. According to the Delhi Police, information regarding the incident was received at approximately 8:30 am. The deceased, identified as Amreen Thom, had been residing in the house for the past six months and was employed at an IT company in Haryana's Gurugram. A preliminary investigation indicates that the woman may have died due to electrocution caused by an immersion water heater rod kept in the bathroom, police said. (ANI) Following the high-intensity explosion outside the Red Fort, the teams of Delhi Police carried out an extensive night-long search operation across hotels in Paharganj, Daryaganj, and nearby areas. All hotel registers were thoroughly examined during the raids. During the operation, four individuals were taken into custody for questioning. At least eight people were killed and several were injured in the high-intensity explosion outside the Red Fort on Monday evening. According to Delhi Police, CCTV footage from multiple locations has been meticulously reviewed, including from the Badarpur border to the parking area of the Red Fort's Sunheri Masjid, as well as from the Outer Ring Road to the Kashmere Gate-Red Fort route. Nearly 200 police personnel were involved in examining footage across various routes. According to the sources, the i20 car, in which the blast had occurred, had entered Delhi from Haryana via Badarpur. As per sources, based on CCTV evidence from different locations, around 13 people are currently under scrutiny and being questioned. A person linked to the Faridabad module, identified as Dr Umar, is suspected to have been traveling in an i20 car, though the identity of a deceased individual will only be confirmed after DNA testing. Speaking to reporters, Deputy Commissioner of Police of North Delhi, Raja Banthia said, "As of now, the investigation is going on. We cannot comment on anything conclusively... FSL is lifting the traces of explosions...We are examining the scene of the crime." After at least eight people were killed and many were injured in the high-intensity explosion outside Red Fort on Monday evening, the Delhi Police have obtained CCTV footage showing the suspect's car entering and exiting the parking area, sources said. According to the Delhi Police sources, the footage indicates that the suspect was alone at the time. "Investigators are now tracing the route towards Daryaganj, while more than 100 CCTV clips, including footage from nearby toll plazas, are being examined to establish the complete movement of the vehicle," the sources added. Meanwhile, Delhi Police have registered a case in connection with the blast under various Sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. "A case has been registered under sections 16, 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Explosives Act and the BNS at the Kotwali Police Station," Delhi Police said. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi at 7 pm on Monday, and the explosion injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said earlier that a slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light in the area near Red Fort Metro Station in the national capital, and an explosion occurred in that vehicle, which damaged nearby vehicles. "Today, at around 6.52 pm, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged. All agencies, FSL, NIA, are here... Some people have died, and some have been injured in the incident. The situation is being monitored," he said. (ANI) Janata Dal (United) leader Umesh Singh Kushwaha on Tuesday appealed to voters to give momentum to the Nitish Kumar-led double-engine government in Bihar. Speaking to ANI, Kushwaha encouraged people to come out to vote for justice and development. "I appeal to the voters of the 122 districts to come out and vote in large numbers for justice and development. Give pace to the double-engine government of Bihar and secure the future of your children," said Kushwaha, who contested the first phase of assembly polls from the Mahnar seat. Meanwhile, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi appealed to voters in Bihar to exercise their franchise to form a government that would remain dedicated to addressing their issues. Taking to X, Gandhi said that the citizens must fight for the protection of democracy and the Constitution. "Today, the second and final phase of voting is taking place in Bihar. I appeal to all brothers and sisters of the state to participate enthusiastically in this grand festival of democracy. For jobs, education, health, and industry; for the protection of democracy and the Constitution; for Bihar's bright future--vote and form a government that is dedicated to working for you," Gandhi said. All arrangements are in place for the second phase of the Bihar assembly polls, which will determine the fate of 1,302 candidates, including some senior leaders from the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan. The state witnessed a record 65.08 per cent polling in the first phase of polling, with all political parties, including Jan Suraaj, interpreting the high voter turnout in their favour. A total of 3.70 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise across 122 constituencies in the second phase, which saw a hectic campaign by political leaders. The second phase will decide the fate of 12 ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's cabinet. Among them are JD(U) leaders Vijendra Yadav (contesting from Supaul assembly constituency), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Kushwaha (Amarpur), Sumit Singh (Chakai), Mohammad Jama Khan (Chainpur), and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas). Ministers from the BJP in the fray include Prem Kumar (Gaya), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikati), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Neeraj Bablu (Chhatapur), and Krishnanandan Paswan (Harsiddhi). Other key constituencies include Sasaram, Imamganj, Mohania, Bihpur, Gopalpur, Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, Sultanganj, and Nathnagar. 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 will be announced on November 14. (ANI) Bihar Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Harsidhi assembly seat, Krishnanandan Paswan, exuded confidence about his victory on Tuesday, asserting that he will win by a margin of 50,000 votes as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is set to return to power in Bihar with a "thumping majority." After casting his vote, Paswan said he first offered prayers before proceeding to the polling booth. "I bowed before the deities and then cast my vote. It is a machine, so there might be technical issues, but the delay was minimal. Voters of Harsidhi are giving me their blessings. Therefore, I can confidently say that I will win by a margin of 50,000 votes. NDA will form the Government in Bihar once again with a thumping majority," he told ANI. Polling in Harsidhi is part of the ongoing second-phase Bihar Assembly elections, where voter turnout has remained steady since morning. Security personnel are deployed to ensure a smooth and peaceful polling process across sensitive constituencies. The Harsidhi constituency, located in East Champaran district, has traditionally witnessed close contests between NDA and Mahagathbandhan candidates. Meanwhile, Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder Prashant Kishor on Tuesday morning asserted that the voting in Bihar should focus on the state's issues, downplaying the heightened security measures in the state following a blast in Delhi, in which eight people were killed. Speaking to ANI, Kishor argued that things like the Delhi blast near the Red Fort may 'sometimes happen' during elections, and people in Bihar needn't get terrified. Extending support to the government, he said that the people of Bihar and the country have elected leaders to Parliament to ensure security. He emphasised that security is being handled by the elected government and assured that all necessary actions will be taken. Voting is currently underway in Bihar's second and final phase of assembly elections. "Such things are occasional during elections. There's no need for the people of Bihar to be terrified by this. It's an election in Bihar. Voting should be based on the issues of Bihar. For security, the people of Bihar and the country have elected people to Parliament. We all stand with the government and Parliament. The government will take whatever action is necessary," Kishor said. In the first phase, polling was held on Thursday in 121 seats across 18 districts. Following a historic voter turnout in the first phase of polls, voting for 122 assembly constituencies across 20 districts in Bihar is ongoing on Tuesday. The counting of votes will take place on 14. A total of 3,70,13,556 electors will vote in the second phase of the Bihar elections, including 1,95,44,041 male voters and 1,74,68,572 female voters. 943 third-gender voters will also cast their votes in the elections. Forty-five thousand three hundred ninety-nine polling stations have been set up across the state, which include 40,073 in rural areas and 5,326 in urban areas. Five hundred ninety-five all-women-managed polling stations, 316 model polling stations, and 91 PwD-managed polling stations have also been set up across the state. (ANI) Purnea MP Pappu Yadav launched a scathing attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the Delhi blast, stating that he should rather take charge of the Ministry of Theft and Election Management. He further questioned Shah's accountability over the incident, noting that he had not resigned following the incident. Yadav noted that none of the Indian neighbours are with the country, stressing that the government only spreads hatred and division. "Amit Bhai should be given the Ministry of Theft and the Ministry of Election Management. He is only interested in the Ministry of Election Management. Blasts will keep happening. Where did our agency disappear in Faridabad? Where was the intelligence? Who will be held accountable? From Pulwama to Pahalgam, there were more than three dozen attacks on soldiers and camps... Who is responsible for this? Why doesn't he resign? The country is not safe in his hands. The public has seen it. Our neighbouring countries are not with us. Not a single one, not even Myanmar. Russia abandoned us. These people only spread hatred and division," Pappu Yadav told ANI. Yadav also cast his vote in Purnea as the polling for the phase two of the Bihar elections is underway. Following the high-intensity explosion outside the Red Fort, the teams of Delhi Police carried out an extensive night-long search operation across hotels in Paharganj, Daryaganj, and nearby areas. All hotel registers were thoroughly examined during the raids. During the operation, four individuals were taken into custody for questioning. At least eight people were killed and several were injured in the high-intensity explosion outside the Red Fort on Monday evening. According to Delhi Police, CCTV footage from multiple locations has been meticulously reviewed, including from the Badarpur border to the parking area of the Red Fort's Sunheri Masjid, as well as from the Outer Ring Road to the Kashmere Gate-Red Fort route. Nearly 200 police personnel were involved in examining footage across various routes. According to the sources, the i20 car, in which the blast had occurred, had entered Delhi from Haryana via Badarpur. As per sources, based on CCTV evidence from different locations, around 13 people are currently under scrutiny and being questioned. A person linked to the Faridabad module, identified as Dr Umar, is suspected to have been traveling in an i20 car, though the identity of a deceased individual will only be confirmed after DNA testing. (ANI) As the polling for the second phase of the Bihar elections is underway, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stressed that the state needs a 'model' filled with economic development, social justice, and equality. He attacked the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance government, accusing it of running an enduring, opportunistic, corruption-ridden government that is against the poor and deprived. "Bihar needs a 'model' filled with economic development, social justice, and equality. For 20 years, Bihar has endured an opportunistic, corruption-ridden government that is against the poor and deprived; today, the time for change has arrived," Kharge wrote on 'X'. Kharge also appealed to the voters to turn out in large numbers and encourage others to participate in the voting process taking place at the "birthplace of democracy." "The birthplace of democracy, Bihar has demonstrated in the first phase how the voters of Bihar are enthusiastic for change. Today, in the voting of the second phase as well, there is an appeal to definitely cast your vote and encourage your relatives, companions, and neighbours to also vote. I appeal to every citizen to definitely vote today, and especially to the youth voting for the first time, I make a special request to join this festival of change," Kharge said. The Congress president also mentioned that the time to deliver justice for the Dalits, Mahadalits, backward classes, extremely backward classes, economically weaker sections, and minority communities has come. "The time has come to deliver justice to Dalits, Mahadalits, backward classes, extremely backward classes, economically weaker sections, and minority communities. Youth have the opportunity to get jobs, women to get security, farmers to get their rights, and a new chapter of public welfare for all has begun," he added. The second phase of the 2025 assembly elections in Bihar began today at 7:00 am across 122 constituencies in 20 districts of the state, covering approximately 3.7 crore electors and 243 seats. Apart from Bihar, voting for by-elections is being held for eight assembly constituencies spread across six States and one union territory. These constituencies are in Budgam and Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir, Anta in Rajasthan, Ghatsila in Jharkhand, Jubilee Hills in Telangana, Tarn Taran in Punjab, Dampa in Mizoram and Nuapada in Odisha. In Nagrota, Assistant Returning Officer Sumit Kohli informed that a total of 150 polling booths have been set up in the constituency and also appealed to voters to come out in large numbers and cast their votes in the elections. He said that voting will continue until 6 pm, and a total of 97,379 voters will cast their votes. "Our machines are ready for mock polling. We have a total of 150 polling booths in the Nagrota constituency. I would like to appeal to everyone to come out in large numbers and cast their vote...They can decide their future with one vote...Voting will take place from 7:00 am am to 6:00 pm. Everyone who comes to us by 6 pm will be eligible to vote but I urge everyone to come early and vote. We have around 97,379 voters here... Security arrangements are good here...So, people should not be concerned about security," he said. Mock polling was conducted at several booths across the state to test and ensure preparedness ahead of voting. A total of 3,70,13,556 electors will vote in the second phase of the Bihar elections, including 1,95,44,041 male voters and 1,74,68,572 female voters. 943 third-gender voters will also cast their votes in the elections. 45,399 polling stations have been set up across the state, which include 40,073 in rural areas and 5,326 in urban areas. 595 all-women-managed polling stations, 316 model polling stations, and 91 PwD-managed polling stations have also been set up across the state. (ANI) Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Bhutan, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday highlighted former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's 1958 trek to Bhutan, which marked a turning point in the countries' relations. Today, as PM Modi visits Bhutan, Ramesh sees this as a continuation of the legacy established by Nehru. He emphasised the strong people-to-people connections, cultural exchanges, and economic collaborations that have defined the relationship, positioning India and Bhutan as close partners. In a post on X, the Congress leader described the "extraordinary visit" of Nehru to Bhutan, who was then sixty-nine years old, accompanied by Indira Gandhi. Nehru braved treacherous terrain, traversing 50 km over five days to reach Paro. The journey, undertaken just months before his 69th birthday, showcased his commitment to forging strong ties. Nehru first flew to Bagdogra and then drove via Gangtok to Nathu La on a newly constructed road. At Nathu La, the delegation was met with a dozen yaks, several ponies, and a pack of over a hundred animals. It then trekked for five days covering fifty kms to reach Paro on Sept 23 ,1958. There were times when the altitude touched 15,500 feet. "The Prime Minister is in Bhutan today. Sixty seven years ago, India's first Prime Minister had made a most unusual visit to Bhutan. Accompanied by Indira Gandhi and a few officials like Jagat Mehta, Nari Rustomji, and Apa Pant, Nehru first flew to Bagdogra and then drove via Gangtok to Nathu La on a road that had just been constructed. At Nathu La, the delegation was met with a dozen yaks, several ponies, and a pack of over a hundred animals. It then trekked for five days covering fifty kms to reach Paro on Sept 23 ,1958. There were times when the altitude touched 15,500 feet," Jairam Ramesh posted on X. https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1988097513891787220?s=20 Ramesh highlighted the visit's significance, citing accounts from officials like Jagat Mehta, Nari Rustomji, and Apa Pant, who documented the arduous yet fruitful expedition. The meetings and cultural engagements in Paro laid the groundwork for decades of cooperation, with hydropower emerging as a key area of partnership. "Nehru and his team spent five days in Paro having a number of official meetings and cultural engagements. Thereafter, they trekked back to Nathu La along the same route they had taken to reach Paro. This extraordinary visit under very difficult conditions by a Prime Minister about to turn sixty-nine was to determine the course of the special relationship that Bhutan and India have had for almost seven decades. Mehta, Rustomji, and Pant have all left behind delightful accounts of the trek that created diplomatic history," the post read. In September 1958, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, then 69 years old, visited Bhutan, despite health warnings and government doubts. The journey involved riding ponies and yaks, walking along narrow mountain paths, and climbing steep slopes at high altitudes, where vehicles and helicopters could not go. His efforts are considered a turning point in India-Bhutan relations. Meanwhile, PM Modi departed for Thimphu, Bhutan, on Tuesday for a two-day state visit. During his November 11-12 visit, the Prime Minister will attend several official programmes and participate in the Global Peace Prayer Festival organised by the Royal Government of Bhutan. India-Bhutan relations are built on a foundation of trust, respect, and cooperation, with a shared history dating back to the 1950s. The two countries have a strong bond, often described as a "special relationship". India and Bhutan have collaborated on several hydropower projects, including the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II project, which will boost Bhutan's energy generation and export surplus power to India. India is Bhutan's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding 10,000 crore annually. The two countries are working to enhance connectivity, including road, rail, and digital links. India and Bhutan share rich cultural ties, with Buddhism playing a significant role in both countries. The Dalai Lama's visit to Bhutan in 1956 and the recent visit of the Kakarlapalli Siva Temple's deity to Bhutan highlight the strong cultural bond. India and Bhutan cooperate on regional and international issues, including climate change, disaster management, and sustainable development. India provides significant development assistance to Bhutan, focusing on infrastructure, healthcare, education, and capacity building. The relationship is guided by the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (1949), revised in 2007, which respects Bhutan's sovereignty and promotes mutual cooperation. (ANI) Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Mahua Majhi on Tuesday slammed the Central government over the security situation in the national capital region following a blast near Red Fort which killed atleast 8 people. While condoling the loss of lives in the incident, she questioned Centre over the "failing" law and order in the area, and raised suspicion over an "alleged attempt to mislead the public." "This is a very unfortunate incident... The occurrence of such a major incident in such a sensitive area raises suspicion about why the central government is repeatedly failing. This is no small incident," Maji told ANI, calling for the Centre to take responsibility for the incident. Raising questions over an alleged "attempt to mislead the public, she added, "Somehow, there is suspicion in everyone's mind about why this happened. Is there an attempt to mislead the public?" Following the blast near the Red Fort which occurred on Monday night, the Lal Quila metro station remains shut as investigation continues regarding the case, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said. Delhi Police's initial probe in the high-intensity explosion outside the Red Fort suggests the involved i20 car's trail to Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, police sources confirmed. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a high-level security review meeting later today to assess the situation following the deadly blast in Delhi. The meeting is scheduled to take place at 11 am at the Home Minister's residence and will be attended by Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Sadanand Vasant Date, and Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha. Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat will join the meeting virtually. Soon after the blast, Shah spoke to the Delhi Police Commissioner and the Intelligence Bureau Director, directing a coordinated, multi-agency investigation involving the NIA, NSG, FSL, and Delhi Police. During an operation by security forces, four individuals were taken into custody for questioning. At least eight people were killed and several were injured in the high-intensity explosion outside the Red Fort on Monday evening. Nearly 200 police personnel were involved in examining footage across various routes. Delhi Police have registered a case in connection with the blast under various Sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (ANI) CIIE sees record high of $83b in tentative deals 09:00, November 11, 2025 By Tu Lei ( Global Times Visitors taste wine at the booth of China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region during the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 8, 2025. The CIIE is not only a global platform for the trade of goods and services but also a grand event for the exchange of cultures and ideas between China and the world. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) The curtain came down on the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai on Monday. As the first major economic and diplomatic event following the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the fair recorded a new record high in intended transactions, underscoring the magnetic attraction of China's massive market. Intended transactions stood at $83.49 billion on a one-year basis, up 4.4 percent from the previous edition and hitting a new record high, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Monday. The fair also set records with the exhibition area and the number of enterprises, as corporate facilities exceeded 367,000 square meters and 4,108 enterprises from 138 countries and regions took part. Among them, 290 involved the world's top 500 companies and industry leaders, and 180 have attended all eight editions of the expo. At the buzzing CIIE venues, the Global Times observed a palpable enthusiasm for the Chinese market among traders, with exhibitors from home and abroad actively networking and forging deals. "I'm here [at the CIIE] to help build relationships, help keep the friendships that we've had over the last 43 years. Grow on that and keep reminding people that we're here. We didn't fall away. We're not going anywhere. We're going to be here," Mark Alan Wilson, chairman of the US Grains Council (USGC), told the Global Times on Thursday. On Thursday, Guangdong Junjie Agriculture Trading Co and CHS Inc. signed a 2026 strategic cooperation agreement at the US Grains Council exhibition booth at the CIIE, and the USGC said on its official WeChat account that the move marked a joint commitment to advance long-term cooperation in China-US grain trade and enhance sustainable supply-chain development. Xiamen C&D Inc. said on Thursday that the total value of contracts signed in the first two days of the CIIE pushed the total to more than $5.2 billion, including six leading global companies in the agricultural and trade sectors. The deals fully demonstrate its enhanced capability in efficiently integrating global resources and its firm commitment to engaging in international supply chain collaboration, the company said on its official WeChat account. The CIIE continues to generate a powerful "spillover effect," empowering us to deepen our roots and thrive in China by collaborating with all partners from diverse sectors, according to Zhou Xiaolan, president of Bayer China. As a regular participant in the eight CIIE events, Bayer said on Monday that it presented 26 innovative exhibits, signed more than 10 strategic cooperation agreements, and held and participated in more than 50 events. Cargill told the Global Times on Monday that it had signed cooperation agreements totaling more than $30 billion over the past seven CIIE events, and this year, the strategic cooperation deals signed involve more than $3 billion. China remains an important market for us, and we will continue to deepen our local engagement of "in China, for China." Through continuous investment and innovation, we are dedicated to becoming a trusted partner in China's agriculture and food industries, said Lily Guan, president of Cargill China. The CIIE is a major platform set up by China to proactively open its market to the world and a pioneering initiative in the history of international trade, Hu Qimu, a deputy secretary-general of Forum 50 for Digital-Real Economies Integration, told the Global Times on Monday. "Facing a time of profound global transformation, the CIIE will, through concrete action, inject much-needed certainty into the world economy," Hu added. Participation in the CIIE is just one manifestation of companies' broader strategy for the Chinese market. On November 2, Louis Dreyfus Co inaugurated its new specialty feed protein production line in Tianjin, as part of the group's strategic plans to expand its activities further downstream in the value chain. The new specialty feed protein production line will initially focus on producing fermented soybean meal, with an annual production capacity of 60,000 metric tons. The company said in a statement sent to the Global Times that this development will allow it to meet growing demand in China's specialty feed protein market, projected to grow at a 7 percent compound annual rate from 2026 to 2030. (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) CHICAGO, Nov. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ElevateOS, the white-labeled community operating platform for multifamily real estate, today announced the acquisition of RightFit Personal Training (rightfitpersonaltraining.com), one of the nation's largest marketplaces for certified personal trainers. The acquisition deepens ElevateOS's vertically integrated services marketplace and accelerates wellness programming across communitiesturning underused amenity spaces into high-engagement, high-ROI experiences and ancillary revenue beyond rent. With ElevateOS, owners and operators run everything in one systemresident app, staff hub, and deep integrations to door locks, thermostats, intercoms, elevators, package rooms, and major PMS platformswhile activating a managed marketplace for an extensive list of on-site personal services, events, and wellness programming that residents book and pay for directly inside the property's branded app. By bringing RightFit into the platform, ElevateOS adds immediate supply density, operational scale, and program quality across personal training, small-group classes, and community wellness activations. Proven impact on renewals and NOI Across Elevate-powered communities that implement on-site health & wellness, resident renewal increases of up to 1017% have been observed (internal analysis, select properties, 20232025). The outcome is consistent: happier residents, connected neighbors, and a differentiated lifestyleand a powerful marketing story for prospects choosing their next home. "I've known Matthew Kornblatt, CEO of RightFit Personal Training, for over 10 years and I'm thrilled he's joining ElevateOS as VP of Fitness Operations," said Konrad Koczwara, Founder & CEO of ElevateOS. "This was an easy decision: the fit is perfect, the network is proven, and the value for owners is immediate. We believe we're the only fully integrated platform and services company in PropTechwe control the tech and we operate the marketplaceand that's a huge competitive advantage for our clients." "I've watched ElevateOS's growth and the surging demand for a single, tech-enabled platform that actually connects the dots," said Matthew Kornblatt. "For years, our property-owner clients have asked us for exactly thisone trusted system to run bookings, access, payments, and performance in one place. I'm excited to bring RightFit's trainers and programming into ElevateOS so communities can deliver five-star wellness experiencesfrom discovery to booking to access and feedbackall in one app residents already use." Why owners & operators are leaning in Ancillary revenue, activated: Turn gyms, rooftops, and multipurpose rooms into bookable experiences PT sessions, classes, and wellness eventsmanaged end-to-end by ElevateOS. Turn gyms, rooftops, and multipurpose rooms into PT sessions, classes, and wellness eventsmanaged end-to-end by ElevateOS. One platform, zero swivel-chair: Residents discover, book, unlock the door, adjust climate, and rate their session in one branded app integrated with access control, thermostats, intercoms, and PMS. Residents discover, book, unlock the door, adjust climate, and rate their session integrated with access control, thermostats, intercoms, and PMS. Single contract. Single SLA. Single source of truth: ElevateOS handles vetting, scheduling, compliance/COIs, payments, incident workflows, tipping, ratings, and real-time reporting . ElevateOS handles vetting, scheduling, compliance/COIs, payments, incident workflows, tipping, ratings, and . Leasing & marketing flywheel: Wellness programming becomes a signature amenity that photographs well, tours well, and convertsa clear lifestyle differentiator in competitive submarkets. What's available on Day One Personal training at scale: A national network of certified trainers ready to activate at stabilized assets and lease-ups. A national network of certified trainers ready to activate at stabilized assets and lease-ups. Small-group classes & community events: Yoga, HIIT, mobility, meditation, and seasonal pop-ups curated to your asset profile. Yoga, HIIT, mobility, meditation, and seasonal pop-ups curated to your asset profile. End-to-end orchestration inside ElevateOS: Booking, staffing, access permissions, communications, payments, tipping, ratings/NPS, and analyticsno extra portals. About ElevateOS ElevateOS is the category-defining community operating platform for multifamilydelivering a white-labeled resident app, staff tools, and deep integrations to PMS, access control, intercoms, thermostats, elevators, package rooms, inspections, and more. Properties use ElevateOS to consolidate fragmented point solutions, streamline operations, and unlock ancillary revenue through a fully managed, on-site services marketplace (fitness, housekeeping, pet care, events, and beyond). Customers replace multiple portals, realize per-unit operating savings, and drive higher engagement, renewals, and referrals. Learn more at elevateos.com. About RightFit Personal Training RightFit Personal Training is a leading U.S. marketplace connecting communities with vetted, certified fitness professionals for personal training, small-group sessions, and wellness experienceson-site and on-demand. RightFit has supported thousands of clients across major metro areas, emphasizing safety, quality, and measurable outcomes. Owners & Operators See your amenity spaces become income-generating experiences, modeled against your actual unit count and occupancy. Request a demo to see ElevateOS + RightFit in actionone platform, one contract, real results. Note: Renewal uplift based on internal analysis of select ElevateOS communities (20232025); results may vary by property and program mix. SOURCE ElevateOS As voting for the bye-elections on eight seats of six States and one Union Territory is underway, Dampa constituency in Mizoram recorded the highest turnout of 18.38 per cent as of 9 am, as per the data of the Election Commission of India, followed by the Ghatsila constituency in Jharkhand, with a 17.33 per cent turnout. In Jammu and Kashmir, a turnout of 15.11 per cent was recorded in Nagrota while Budgam recorded a sluggish turnout of 9.36 per cent. Odisha's Nuapada assembly constituency recorded a turnout of 14.99 per cent while Anta in Rajasthan also recorded a healthy turnout of 14.09 per cent. Punjab's Tarn Taran recorded 10.32 per cent voter turnout while Telangana's Jubilee Hills constituency recorded a voter turnout of 10.02 per cent. Voting for by-elections to eight Assembly constituencies across six States and one Union Territory began on Tuesday morning, as voters turned out to elect new representatives in Budgam and Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir, Anta in Rajasthan, Ghatsila in Jharkhand, Jubilee Hills in Telangana, Tarn Taran in Punjab, Dampa in Mizoram and Nuapada in Odisha. The counting of votes is set to take place on November 14, along with the Bihar Assembly Elections. In Jammu and Kashmir, in Budgam, polling for the bye-elections was held following Omar Abdullah's resignation from the constituency. Abdullah chose to retain the Ganderbal constituency and vacate Budgam after winning both the seats in the 2024 assembly elections. Nagrota seat fell vacant after the demise of BJP legislator Devender Singh Rana last year. Rana passed away within a fortnight of taking the oath. The bypoll to the Anta assembly constituency in the Baran district of Rajasthan was necessitated after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kanwar Lal Meena was disqualified after being convicted in a 2005 case. The bypoll in Jharkhand's Ghatsila was necessitated after the demise of Ramdas Soren, who was the JMM MLA. Jharkhand Minister Ramdas Soren passed away in August after being treated in Delhi for injuries from a fall. The death of the sitting MLA and BRS leader, Maganti Gopinath, prompted the Jubilee Hills by-election in Telangana. In Tarn Taran in Punjab, the seat fell vacant after the death of the sitting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA, Kashmir Singh Sohal, in June this year. The bypoll in Nuapada in Odisha was necessitated following the vacancy in the Assembly seat after the passing away of BJD's Rajendra Dholakia. (ANI) Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal on Tuesday emphasised the "palpable sentiment" against the National Democratic Alliance government in Bihar, asserting that the people are "yearning" for a change in the state. As polling for phase two of the elections is underway, Venugopal urged voters to turn out in large numbers and participate in the voting process. "There's a palpable sentiment against the NDA, and the people are yearning for a change so that the poor, marginalised and youth of Bihar can see their aspirations being fulfilled and lives being transformed. We urge all the voters in Bihar to come out in large numbers and vote for a pro-people, inclusive government," KC Venugopal wrote on 'X'. He further expressed confidence in the same support from the citizens in the second phase just like the previous phase. "After a highly successful first phase, we are confident that the people of Bihar will continue to shower their support and enthusiasm in favour of the Mahagathbandhan as the 2nd phase goes to vote today," he said. Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stressed that the state needs a 'model' characterised by economic development, social justice, and equality. He attacked the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance government, accusing it of running an enduring, opportunistic, corruption-ridden government that is against the poor and deprived. "Bihar needs a 'model' filled with economic development, social justice, and equality. For 20 years, Bihar has endured an opportunistic, corruption-ridden government that is against the poor and deprived; today, the time for change has arrived," Kharge wrote on 'X'. The second phase of the 2025 assembly elections in Bihar began today at 7:00 am across 122 constituencies in 20 districts of the state, covering approximately 3.7 crore electors and 243 seats. Apart from Bihar, voting for by-elections is being held for eight assembly constituencies spread across six States and one union territory. These constituencies are in Budgam and Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir, Anta in Rajasthan, Ghatsila in Jharkhand, Jubilee Hills in Telangana, Tarn Taran in Punjab, Dampa in Mizoram and Nuapada in Odisha. In Nagrota, Assistant Returning Officer Sumit Kohli informed that a total of 150 polling booths have been set up in the constituency and also appealed to voters to come out in large numbers and cast their votes in the elections. He said that voting will continue until 6 pm, and a total of 97,379 voters will cast their votes. "Our machines are ready for mock polling. We have a total of 150 polling booths in the Nagrota constituency. I would like to appeal to everyone to come out in large numbers and cast their vote...They can decide their future with one vote...Voting will take place from 7:00 am am to 6:00 pm. Everyone who comes to us by 6 pm will be eligible to vote but I urge everyone to come early and vote. We have around 97,379 voters here... Security arrangements are good here...So, people should not be concerned about security," he said. Mock polling was conducted at several booths across the state to test and ensure preparedness ahead of voting. A total of 3,70,13,556 electors will vote in the second phase of the Bihar elections, including 1,95,44,041 male voters and 1,74,68,572 female voters. 943 third-gender voters will also cast their votes in the elections. 45,399 polling stations have been set up across the state, which include 40,073 in rural areas and 5,326 in urban areas. 595 all-women-managed polling stations, 316 model polling stations, and 91 PwD-managed polling stations have also been set up across the state. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami appealed to the voters to exercise their democratic right in the second phase of Bihar elections on Tuesday. Dhami said that the citizens must make the best use of their voting right to elect a capable, nationalist, and development-oriented government and ensure their contribution to building a bright future for the state. "'Pehle Matdaan, Phir Jalpan!' An appeal to all esteemed voters of Bihar to exercise their democratic right in the second phase of the assembly elections today. Make good use of your franchise to select a capable, nationalist, and development-oriented government and ensure your contribution to building a bright future for the state. Each of your votes will play an important role in advancing Bihar and strengthening democracy," Dhami wrote on 'X'. A healthy voter turnout of 14.55 per cent was recorded in the second phase of Bihar Assembly polls till 9 am, according to the data of the Election Commission of India, which is relatively higher than the 13.13 per cent turnout recorded in the first phase of polls. Among the 20 districts, Gayaji district recorded the highest turnout of 15.97 per cent, followed by Kishanganj with 15.81 per cent and Jamui with 15.77 per cent, till 9 am. The lowest turnout was recorded in Madhubani with 13.25 per cent. As of 9 am, a voter turnout of 15.34 per cent was recorded in Araria, 14.95 per cent in Arwal, 15.43 per cent in Aurangabad, 15.14 per cent in Banka, 13.43 per cent in Bhagalpur, 13.81 per cent in Jahanabad, 15.08 per cent in Kaimur (Bhabua), 13.77 per cent in Katihar, 13.46 per cent in Nawada, 15.04 per cent in Paschim Champaran, 15.54 per cent in Purnia, 14.11 per cent in Purvi Champaran, 14.16 per cent in Rohtas, 13.94 per cent in Sheohar, 13.49 per cent in Sitamarhi and 14.85 per cent in Supaul. Voting for the second phase of the 2025 Assembly elections in Bihar began on Tuesday at 7 am across 122 constituencies in 20 districts of the state, covering approximately 3.7 crore electors and 243 seats.' Apart from Bihar, voting for by-elections is being held for eight Assembly constituencies spread across six states and one union territory. These constituencies are Budgam and Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir, Anta in Rajasthan, Ghatsila in Jharkhand, Jubilee Hills in Telangana, Tarn Taran in Punjab, Dampa in Mizoram and Nuapada in Odisha. A total of 3,70,13,556 electors will vote in the second phase of the Bihar elections, including 1,95,44,041 male voters and 1,74,68,572 female voters. 943 third-gender voters will also cast their votes in the elections. (ANI) Congress MP Manoj Tiwari on Tuesday condoled the demise of atleast 8 people in the Delhi blast which took place near Red Fort, and urged the government to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that any possible "conspiracy" should be brought forward to the public. He further expressed confidence in the opposition parties, including the Congress will be raising the issue of the blast and the law and order situation in Delhi in the upcoming Parliament session set to start on December 1. "This incident is tragic... I express my condolences to the families of the deceased and wish for a speedy recovery for those who are injured because this incident occurred in India's capital, Delhi; therefore, the government should accept it as a challenge, and the culprits should be identified," the Congress MP told ANI. Calling for the government to ensure that such an incident doesn't happen again, he added, "If there is any conspiracy, it should also be brought to light and full efforts should be made to ensure that no such incident happens in the future." Talking about the upcoming Parliament session, he added, "The session of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha has been called from December 1. I am fully confident that we and the opposition together will raise this issue in Parliament and the government will give a detailed response on this and provide detailed information. For now, we express our condolences and concern in this regard." The winter session of the Parliament is scheduled to take place from December 1 to December 19. Meanwhile, the body of Mohsin, one of the victims of the Delhi car blast near the historic Red Fort arrived at his hometown Meerut on Tuesday morning, plunging the area into deep sorrow. Mohsin, said to be in his early 30s, had gone to Delhi for business-related work when tragedy struck. According to reports, he was with Lokesh Agarwal, a trader from Amroha's Hasanpur, at the time of the explosion. The Delhi Police have made significant headway in the investigation into the blast near the Red Fort area, with CCTV footage and data analysis from the dump emerging as crucial leads. Investigators have traced the suspected vehicle's movements and are now examining possible communication links established before and after the explosion. According to officials, CCTV footage shows the suspected car entering and exiting the Red Fort parking area shortly before the blast. The driver appears to be alone in the footage. According to sources, police's initial investigation suggests that the high-intensity explosion near the Red Fort complex may have been a fidayeen (suicide) attack. According to early findings, investigators believe the suspect intended to carry out an explosion. As soon as the suspect learned that a Faridabad module had been busted, he reportedly shifted to planning a fidayeen-style operation, apparently to maximise casualties and avoid capture by police, the sources added. Investigators have also extended the analysis to Faridabad, using dump data to determine communication patterns between people possibly linked to the incident. IPDR (Internet Protocol Detail Record) analysis is being conducted to track devices that went inactive soon after the blast, potentially indicating deliberate attempts to evade detection. (ANI) Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai on Tuesday paid condolences on behalf of Supreme Court judges and the legal fraternity and expressed deep concern over the blast near the Red Fort in New Delhi, which claimed at least eight lives. The CJI reaffirmed commitment to uphold the rule of law, ensure justice, and safeguard the dignity of every citizen of the country. In a message of condolence, CJI Gavai said, "We are all also deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives caused by the car blast that occurred in Delhi on the evening of November 10, 2025. On behalf of the Supreme Court of India and the entire judicial as well as legal fraternity in the country, I convey our deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this devastating tragedy." The CJI called for a "collective compassion and solidarity" in the wake of the tragic incident. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are grieving, as well as with those who are injured or otherwise affected. No words can truly ease the pain of such loss, yet we hope that the collective compassion and solidarity of the nation will offer some comfort in this hour of sorrow," he said. "In this moment of grief, we stand in solidarity with the bereaved. We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to uphold the rule of law, ensure justice, and safeguard the dignity of every citizen. May the departed souls rest in eternal peace. May courage and solace reach the bereaved families and all those who mourn this irreparable loss," CJI Gavai said in his message. At least eight people died and several others were injured in the high-intensity explosion near the Red Fort complex on Monday evening. Delhi Police's initial investigation suggested that the explosion may have been a fidayeen (suicide) attack, said sources within the Delhi Police on Tuesday. According to early findings, investigators believe the suspect intended to carry out an explosion. As soon as the suspect learned that a Faridabad module had been busted, he reportedly shifted to planning a fidayeen-style operation, apparently to maximise casualties and avoid capture by police, the sources added. Investigators are also probing if the actual target of the attack was at another location since the car was moving slowly. Investigators are looking at all possible angles, including if the car driver had panicked causing an explosion near Red Fort. It is worth noting that Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana Police had jointly recovered 360 kg of explosive material and ammunition from Haryana's Faridabad and apprehended two persons, Dr Muzammil and Aadil Rather, in the matter on early Monday. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday acquitted Surendra Koli, who was convicted in the 2006 Nithari serial killings case, and set aside his conviction. A bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Vikram Nath ordered his immediate release if not wanted in any other case. Justice Nath, who pronounced the order, stated that Koli is acquitted of the charges. "The curative petition is allowed. The petitioner is acquitted of the charges. The petitioner shall be released forthwith," the top court said. The bench set aside the conviction of Koli in the last remaining case related to the Nithari killings. He has been acquitted in 12 cases already. The apex court allowed the curative petition filed by Koli against the 2011 judgement of the Supreme Court, which had confirmed his conviction in one of the cases. Koli then filed a curative petition based on his subsequent acquittal in 12 other cases. Koli's curative petition before the top court challenged his conviction in one of the Nithari killings cases, contending that the same evidence used to convict him was later found unreliable in the other cases where he has since been acquitted. This was the last remaining conviction against him after the apex court in July this year dismissed appeals against the Allahabad High Court judgement acquitting him and co-accused Moninder Singh Pandher in other Nithari killings cases. In July, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeals of CBI, the Uttar Pradesh government and victims' families against the acquittal of Moninder Singh Pandher and his domestic help Koli by the Allahabad High Court in the 2006 Nithari serial killings case. It had upheld the Allahabad High Court order of October 16, 2023, which had acquitted Pandher and Koli. Both Koli and Pandher were accused of rape and murder, mostly of children in the neighbourhood of Noida in 2005-06. The Allahabad High Court had, on October 16, 2023, acquitted Pandher and Koli in some of the cases concerning the Nithari killings and overturned the death penalty imposed on them by the trial court in September 2010. It had acquitted Koli in 12 cases and Pandher in 2 cases, where they were earlier held guilty for murder and awarded the death penalty by the trial court in these cases. The CBI had registered 16 cases against Koli and Pandher over the rape and killing of girls that had shocked the nation. The case came to public attention in December 2006 when skeletons were discovered in a drain near a house in Nithari village, Noida. Pandher was the owner of the house, and Koli was his domestic help. Koli was made an accused in all of the cases on various charges, including murder, abduction, rape, and the destruction of evidence. However, Pandher was named in six of them. Koli was convicted of committing multiple rapes and murders of various girls and was sentenced to death in more than 10 cases. (ANI) Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal on Tuesday condemned the Delhi blast, calling it a "very tragic" incident and urged Opposition leaders to speak openly against terrorism instead of remaining silent for political reasons. Speaking to ANI in Kishanganj after exercising his franchise, Jaiswal said, "This incident is very tragic. I believe that by carrying out such an incident, an attempt is being made to spoil the atmosphere of the entire country. I will appeal to the opposition leaders to speak openly against terrorism. What is Rahul Gandhi ji's compulsion? Until we unite and raise our voices against such extremists, it becomes difficult for the government to stop such people. I appeal to everyone that there should be open opposition to such incidents." The Bihar BJP chief also said the entire nation must stand united against attempts to destabilise peace and harmony. His remarks came amid police investigating a possible terror connection. Shia cleric Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad on Tuesday said that killing an innocent is the "biggest sin" in Islam. The explosion, which took place near the historic Red Fort complex, killed eight people and left several injured. Earlier in the day, Jaiswal offered prayers at a temple in Kishanganj before casting his vote during the final phase of polling in Bihar. "Since morning, I've had the chance to speak with almost all the NDA candidates. There's a very positive atmosphere all around. I appeal to voters to definitely cast their votes," he told ANI. Furthermore, a healthy voter turnout of 14.55 per cent was recorded in the second phase of the Bihar assembly polls as of 9 am, according to data from the Election Commission of India, which is relatively higher than the 13.13 per cent turnout recorded in the first phase of the polls. Among the 20 districts, Gaya district recorded the highest turnout of 15.97 per cent, followed by Kishanganj with 15.81 per cent and Jamui with 15.77 per cent, till 9 am. The lowest turnout was recorded in Madhubani with 13.25 per cent. Voting for the second phase of the 2025 assembly elections in Bihar began today at 7 am across 122 constituencies in 20 districts of the state, covering approximately 3.7 crore electors. In the first phase, polling was held on Thursday in 121 seats across 18 districts. Following a historic voter turnout in the first phase of polls, voting for 122 assembly constituencies across 20 districts in Bihar is ongoing on Tuesday. The counting of votes will take place on 14. A total of 3,70,13,556 electors will vote in the second phase of the Bihar elections, including 1,95,44,041 male voters and 1,74,68,572 female voters. Nine hundred forty-three third-gender voters will also cast their votes in the elections. Forty-five thousand three hundred ninety-nine polling stations have been set up across the state, which include 40,073 in rural areas and 5,326 in urban areas. Five hundred ninety-five all-women-managed polling stations, 316 model polling stations, and 91 PwD-managed polling stations have also been set up across the state. (ANI) Addressing a public gathering, Yogi Adityanath described the year as one symbolising "a new India," noting that several historic milestones converge in 2025. "This is not a mere coincidence; it is a year foretelling a new India," he said, highlighting the 150th anniversaries of both Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the national song Vande Mataram, alongside the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda. He said that the celebrations honour the contributions of leaders who strengthened India's unity, equality, and national identity. "All citizens have the opportunity to participate in programs marking these milestones. Lord Birsa Munda gave our tribal community a new identity and sacrificed his life to awaken national consciousness," the Chief Minister added. Referring to other key events this year, Yogi Adityanath pointed out that the nation also commemorates 75 years since Dr. B.R. Ambedkar handed over the final draft of the Constitution to the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. "In one year, many historic events have taken place from the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj earlier this year to the upcoming momentous occasion in Ayodhya," he said. The Chief Minister underscored that the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on November 25 will mark "the end of 500 years of struggle," adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will personally attend the ceremony. "On that day, the saffron flag will fly atop the grand temple of Lord Shri Ram," Yogi remarked. Expressing pride in initiating the 'Ekta Yatra' from Kursi Assembly, the Chief Minister said it is a tribute to Sardar Patel's enduring legacy of unity and integrity. "On this special occasion, we also gift Rs 1,734 crore worth of development projects to the people of Barabanki," he announced, emphasising the government's commitment to inclusive growth and cultural resurgence. Earlier in the day, he visited the Maa Pateshwari temple and offered prayers in Balrampur. (ANI) Following the recent blast in Delhi, Lucknow Police on Tuesday have stepped up security in the city. The police, along with a Dog Squad, are conducting vehicle checks in the Hazratganj area. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sayed Areeb Ahmad assured the public that Lucknow is on high alert and urged citizens not to believe any rumours. He also mentioned that the police are keeping a close watch on social media for any suspicious activity. Speaking to the reporters, Sayed Areeb Ahmad said, "Lucknow district is on high alert following yesterday's incident in Delhi. We are conducting checks at various strategic locations in the city. Vehicle checks are also being conducted. We are urging the public not to pay heed to any rumours. We are also monitoring social media." At least eight people lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries in a blast near the historic Red Fort in the national capital on Monday evening. Delhi Police have registered a case in connection with the blast under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. "A case has been registered under sections 16, 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Explosives Act and the BNS at the Kotwali Police Station," Delhi Police said. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday chaired a high-level security review meeting at his residence to assess the situation following the deadly blast in Delhi that killed eight people and injured several others on Monday evening. The meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Sadanand Vasant Date, and Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha. Jammu and Kashmir DGP Nalin Prabhat joined the meeting virtually. (ANI) Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday refused to comment on the explosion in Delhi, which left at least eight dead. He said that he will "wait and see." When asked about the explosion, Mallikarjun Kharge said, "I have already reacted. I do not want to repeat the same thing again. Let's wait. Then we'll see." On Monday, Kharge emphasised that the government must ensure a "prompt and thorough investigation" into the blast. In a post on X, Kharge wrote, "Extremely distressing to hear about the news of a car explosion near Red Fort Metro Station, Delhi. Initial reports suggest that several precious lives have been lost in this incident. In this moment of grief, our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families, and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured." "The government must ensure a prompt and thorough investigation into this blast, which took place in a high-security and often crowded place, so that those responsible for this lapse and incident are held accountable," he added. Delhi witnessed a high-intensity blast near the Red Fort complex on Monday evening, claiming at least eight lives. Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday chaired a high-level security review meeting at his residence to assess the situation following the deadly blast. The Delhi Police on Tuesday traced the 11-hour route map of the Hyundai i20 car, in connection with the blast on Monday evening. During the investigation, it was discovered that the car had departed from Faridabad for the Red Fort 11 hours prior and had passed through several locations during the journey. The CCTV footage revealed that the car was first seen outside Asian Hospital in Faridabad at around 7:30 am on Monday. At 8:13 am, the car crossed the Badarpur toll plaza and entered Delhi; meanwhile, it was spotted near a petrol pump close to the Okhla Industrial Area at 8:20 am. The car entered the parking area near the Red Fort complex at 3:19 pm, where it remained parked for around three hours. The car exited the parking area at 6:22 pm and moved toward the Red Fort. Just 24 minutes after its exit, at 6:52 pm, a powerful explosion occurred inside the moving car. Investigators are also probing if the actual target of the attack was at another location since the car was moving slowly. Investigators are looking at all possible angles. It is worth noting that Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana Police had jointly recovered 360 kg of explosive material and ammunition from Haryana's Faridabad and apprehended two persons, Dr Muzammil and Aadil Rather, in the matter on early Monday. (ANI) Kansas City law firm donates $12,000 to local organizations and invites the community to nominate deserving causes through November 23. KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers is proud to announce the launch of its 12 Days of Giving campaign: a community-focused initiative donating $1,000 each day for 12 days to local nonprofits, organizations, and causes that make a difference across the Kansas City metro area. "Kansas City is a special place. It's a city that still feels like a small town where people look out for one another and lend a hand when it's needed most. We love this community, and we're proud to raise our kids here. When our home needs us, it's our responsibility to step up and do our part. This 12 Days of Giving campaign is just one part of our larger goal to give back to the community that has done so much for us," said Brian Wallace, co-founding partner of Foster Wallace. Voting opened on November 6 and will remain open until November 23 at 11:59 PM. Beginning December 1, Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers will announce one winner each day for 12 days. Each selected organization will receive a $1,000 donation to support its mission, whether that means providing food, shelter, education, or hope to those who need it most this holiday season. How It Works Community members are invited to nominate a local nonprofit, organization, or cause that deserves some extra love this holiday season. One nomination per email is allowed. Nominations are open to organizations that serve the Kansas City area, including both Missouri and Kansas communities Submit a nomination at: https://www.fosterwallace.com/12-days-of-giving/ "We built Foster Wallace to fight for people, whether that's in the courtroom or in our community. Through the 12 Days of Giving, we hope to inspire others to give back, get involved, and keep Kansas City strong," said Michael Foster, co-founding partner of Foster Wallace. Follow Along The firm will reveal each winner daily on social media throughout the 12 Days of Giving campaign. Stay connected and join in the celebration by following: Instagram.com/FosterWallaceLLC Facebook.com/FosterWallaceLLC TikTok.com/@FosterWallaceLLC About Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers is a Kansas City-based law firm dedicated to fighting for the rights of accident victims and supporting the community it serves. Founded by attorneys Michael Foster and Brian Wallace, the firm has earned a reputation for compassionate advocacy, client-focused service, and meaningful community involvement. Your Injury. Our Fight. Media Contact April Kreikemeier Marketing Associate [email protected] SOURCE Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday demanded an investigation into the blast in the national capital a day ago by the Central Goverment. The Karnataka CM was reacting to the car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort in which at least eight people were killed and several sustained injuries. "I don't want to say anything as it should be investigated first. A thorough investigation has to take place. Yesterday's Delhi blast could have an impact on today's Bihar elections against the BJP. Bomb blasts should not happen. The loss of innocent lives is a sad matter," Siddaramaiah said while addressing reporters here. Earlier today, the Delhi Police said they have traced the 11-hour route map of the Hyundai i20 car in which the blast near the Lal Quila metro station took place last evening. As per CCTV footage the car was first seen outside Asian Hospital in Faridabad at around 7:30 am on November 10. At 8:13 am, the vehicle crossed the Badarpur toll plaza and entered Delhi and it was spotted near a petrol pump close to the Okhla Industrial Area at 8:20 am. The car was seen entering the parking area near the Red Fort complex at 3:19 pm, where it remained parked for around three hours. The car exited the parking area at 6:22 pm and moved toward the Red Fort. Just 24 minutes after its exit, at 6:52 pm, a powerful explosion occurred inside the moving car. Delhi Police's initial investigation suggested that the high-intensity explosion near the Red Fort complex may have been a fidayeen attack, sources within the Delhi Police said today. According to early findings, investigators believe the suspect intended to carry out an explosion. but after getting to know that a Faridabad module had been busted, he reportedly shifted to planning a fidayeen-style operation, apparently to maximise casualties and avoid capture by police, the sources added. Investigators are also probing whether the actual target of the attack was another location since the car was moving slowly. Investigators are looking at all possible angles. Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana Police had jointly recovered 360 kg of explosive material and ammunition from Faridabad in Haryana and two persons, Dr Muzammil and Aadil Rather were apprehended early Monday in this connection. Security agencies are currently investigating the incident and are working to uncover the full intent behind the blast, while continuing efforts to identify all those involved and the sequence of events that led to the incident. Delhi Police, FSL and other agencies are carrying out investigations. Rapid Action Force (RAF) has also been deployed at the spot near the Red Fort, where the blast took place in a Hyundai i20 car at around 7 pm last evening. The Delhi Police said they have made significant headway in the investigation into the blast near the Red Fort area, with CCTV footage and data analysis from the dump emerging as crucial leads. Investigators have traced the suspected vehicle's movements and are now examining possible communication links established before and after the explosion. According to officials, CCTV footage shows the suspected car entering and exiting the Red Fort parking area shortly before the blast. The driver appears to be alone in the footage. The route towards Daryaganj is now under scrutiny, and more than 100 CCTV clips, including footage from nearby toll plazas, are being reviewed to map the vehicle's entire movement. The explosion, which took place near the historic Red Fort complex, killing eight people and leaving several injured, and triggered panic in the area and led to a massive security response. Teams from the Special Cell, Crime Branch, and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) were deployed, while the area was sealed and visitors evacuated. Sources said investigation agencies are closely monitoring social media activity following the blast and have begun extensive technical analysis of communication records. Data from all mobile phones that were active in the vicinity of the Red Fort complex at the time of the explosion is being examined. Officials said the data could help identify numbers connected to the car blast, revealing communication between suspects and possible accomplices. The dump data from the Red Fort parking area and surrounding zones has been obtained, as the occupants of the car may have been in touch with others before or after the incident, an officer said. Investigators have also extended the analysis to Faridabad, using dump data to determine communication patterns between people possibly linked to the incident. IPDR (Internet Protocol Detail Record) analysis is being conducted to track devices that went inactive soon after the blast, potentially indicating deliberate attempts to evade detection. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai on Tuesday held Union Home Minister Amit Shah responsible for the Delhi blast that claimed eight lives, and demanded his resignation. "Who will take responsibility for this incident? Amit Shah is directly responsible for this. He should immediately resign and go home. This is the government's failure. The home minister was busy in the elections yesterday," Rai told ANI. The Congress leader further lambasted the centre over its inaction in the previous terrorist attacks, including Pulwama and Pahalgam. "They claim that no infiltrators are entering, so how are incidents occurring. A few days ago, our children were murdered in Pahalgam. They are witnessing what happened, yet they continue to say they will rectify everything. Earlier, the incident occurred in Pulwama just before the 2019 elections. No investigations have been carried out on it. The whole nation is tense; many innocent people have died," Rai said. A high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort in central Delhi, killing at least eight people and injuring several others. The blast occurred around 7 pm at the Subhash Marg traffic signal, damaging nearby vehicles and prompting a nationwide alert. Delhi Police registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Kotwali Police Station. Multiple agencies are investigating the explosion to determine its cause and motive. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has chaired a high-level security review meeting at his residence to assess the situation following the deadly blast in Delhi that killed eight people and injured several others on Monday evening. The meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Sadanand Vasant Date, and Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha. Jammu and Kashmir DGP Nalin Prabhat joined the meeting virtually. Sources said the review focused on the progress of the investigation into the explosion that occurred around 7 pm on Monday near the Red Fort Metro Station, as well as on a possible link with the recent seizure of a huge cache of explosives from Faridabad. Following the explosion, Shah directed a multi-agency investigation involving the NIA, National Security Guard (NSG), Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), and Delhi Police to determine the cause, nature, and source of the explosives. A team from the FSL and the NIA revisited the blast site on Tuesday morning to collect additional forensic evidence. The NIA is currently assisting the Delhi Police in the investigation. In the meeting, sources said, the officials are learnt to discuss the explosive recovery from a house in Fariadabad on Monday as it seems interlinked. In a major breakthrough on Monday, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, in coordination with the Haryana Police, recovered 360 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate and 2,900 kg of IED-making materials, including chemicals, detonators, and wires, from an apartment in Faridabad. Officials suspect the Delhi blast and the Faridabad recovery may be part of a larger terror network operating across state lines. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Forbesganj and sitting MLA Vidya Sagar Keshri on Tuesday expressed confidence of a decisive victory in the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections, asserting that women voters are turning out in large numbers to support a "fearless and well-governed Bihar". Addressing reporters after casting his vote, Keshri said, "Women are voting in large numbers for a fearless Bihar. In the festival of democracy today in Bihar, people are voting, keeping in mind a government of good governance." The BJP legislator, who is seeking re-election from Forbesganj, exuded optimism about a record mandate, declaring that he expects to win by a margin of at least 55,000 votes. "I will win by at least a 55,000-vote margin. Even if it is a margin of 54,000 votes, I will give up my MLA membership," he said. Voting is underway across 122 constituencies in 20 districts in Bihar amid tight security arrangements. Bihar recorded a turnout of 47.62 per cent in the second phase of Assembly polls as of 1 pm, according to the data of the Election Commission of India. The highest voter turnout was recorded in Kishanganj district with a voter turnout of 51.86 per cent, followed by 50.95 per cent in Gaya, 50.91 per cent in Jamui and 50.07 per cent in Banka. Madhubani continues to record sluggish turnout at 43.39 per cent as of 1 pm, according to the Voter Turnout application of the ECI.A turnout of 46.87 per cent was recorded in Araria, 47.11 per cent in Arwal, 49.45 per cent in Aurangabad, 45.09 per cent in Bhagalpur, 46.07 per cent in Jahanabad, 49.89 per cent in Kaimur (Bhabua), 48.50 per cent in Katihar, 43.45 per cent in Nawada, 48.91 per cent in Paschim Champaran, and 49.63 per cent in Purnia. State Congress president and Kutumba constituency candidate Rajesh Ram arrived at a polling booth in an e-rickshaw to cast his vote and urged citizens to participate peacefully in what he called the "festival of democracy." He was accompanied by his family. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ashwini Kumar Choubey affirmed the National Democratic Alliance's victory in the Bihar Assembly polls, predicting that it would win more than 180 seats. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal lauded the increase in voter turnout in the Bihar Assembly elections and expressed confidence in the victory of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Voting is underway across 122 constituencies in 20 districts in Bihar amid tight security arrangements. The second phase will decide the fate of 12 ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's cabinet. Among them are JD(U) leaders Vijendra Yadav (contesting from Supaul assembly constituency), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Kushwaha (Amarpur), Sumit Singh (Chakai), Mohammad Jama Khan (Chainpur), and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas). Ministers from the BJP in the fray include Prem Kumar (Gaya), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikati), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Neeraj Bablu (Chhatapur), and Krishnanandan Paswan (Harsiddhi). Other key constituencies include Sasaram, Imamganj, Mohania, Bihpur, Gopalpur, Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, Sultanganj, and Nathnagar. The first phase of the Bihar elections marked the highest polling percentage in the state's history. The state saw a record 65.08 per cent polling in the first phase of polling. Counting of votes will take place on November 14. (ANI) Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao on Tuesday expressed grief over the Delhi blast that claimed eight lives and injured several others, and warned that "whoever is guilty will not be spared". Speaking to reporters, Sao said that the Centre is taking the matter seriously and that those responsible will face strict action. "The way this incident happened in Delhi yesterday is extremely tragic. The Government of India, the agencies of the Government of India have taken this incident seriously. Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah are continuously engaged in in-depth discussions on this issue. Certainly, whoever is guilty will not be spared. A befitting response will be given," Deputy CM Sao said. His remarks came a day after an explosion occurred inside a Hyundai i20 near the Red Fort in the national capital on Monday evening, killing eight people and leaving several others injured. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has chaired another round of high-level security review meeting to assess the situation following the deadly blast in Delhi that claimed eight lives and left several others injured a day ago. The meeting started at 3 pm at the Ministry of Home Affairs' office at Kartavya Bhawan. The meeting was conducted after a break of over two hours. The first round of meetings took place at the Home Minister's residence at 11 am. The meeting was then attended by Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Sadanand Vasant Date, and Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha. Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat also joined the meeting virtually. The review comes amid heightened security concerns in the national capital as multiple agencies probe the explosion that occurred around 7 pm in a Hyundai i20 car near a traffic signal between Gates 1 and 4 of the Red Fort Metro Station. A team from the FSL and the NIA revisited the blast site on Tuesday morning to collect additional forensic evidence. The NIA will soon register a First Information Report in the case and take over all the evidence collected by the Delhi Police as per procedure. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday orally remarked that the plea against the Privilege Committee summons moved by Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia is Prima facie not maintainable. However, the court listed the matter for hearing tomorrow. Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia have challenged the summons issued to them by the Privilege Committee of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. They were summoned by the committee over the alleged misuse of funds for the renovation of Phansi Ghar (Execution Chamber) in the Assembly premises. Justice Sachin Datta, during the short hearing, orally remarked that, prima facie, the plea is not maintainable. The court listed the matter for hearing tomorrow at the request of Senior Advocate Jayant Mehta, counsel for the Delhi Legislative Assembly. He requested to list the matter tomorrow as he was busy today. On the other hand, Senior Advocate Sadan Farasat appeared for Kejriwal and Sisodia, and said that the plea is maintainable and he will show judgments to this effect. He also said that there are three judgments of this court in favour of the applicants. Senior advocate also prayed to issue notice on the stay application. However, the court listed the matter for hearing tomorrow. He also said that the summons issued is out of jurisdiction. The committee is investigating the alleged misappropriation of funds for renovation. This structure, situated in the Delhi Assembly, was inaugurated in August 2022 in the presence of the former CM and other AAP Leaders. It was claimed by the AAP Government that the structure is from the British Era. This claim was disputed by the BJP-led Delhi Government. BJP said that the structure was originally a tiffin room/staircase. AAP leader has moved the plea quashing the summons issued by the privilege committee. It is stated that the present privilege committee cannot call upon the members of the previous committee on any issues. The committee has asked the AAP leaders to appear before it on November 13. Both leaders have sought a stay on the summons issued by the Privilege Committee. (ANI) Following the car explosion near the Red Fort on Sunday evening which killed at least eight people and injuring several others, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj on Tuesday visited the injured victims at Lok Nayak Jay Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital and criticised the government for failing to provide adequate support to the families of the deceased. Speaking to reporters after his visit, Bharadwaj said, "Sympathy has no value if the government cannot even provide an ambulance for the families to retrieve the bodies. The Home Minister came to Delhi's largest hospital, and the Chief Minister came and said that everything is going fine, but the families of the deceased are being told that the bodies are lying there, and they should arrange for an ambulance themselves. This is very heartbreaking and wrong." He urged the authorities to take immediate responsibility and ensure that proper facilities are provided to those affected. "The government should be concerned about this," the AAP Delhi President said. Bharadwaj, who met with the injured and hospital staff, expressed hope for their recovery. "We met with the injured, spoke with the doctors, and our prayer to God is that they recover soon," he said. Targeting the BJP government, Bharadwaj added, "The government has said many times that if there is a terrorist attack on the country, it will be considered as an act of 'war', but this is the first country where a war is taking place, and yet Prime Minister Modi left on a foreign trip this morning." Meanwhile, teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and forensic experts on Tuesday conducted an extensive investigation at the site of the car blast near Red Fort in Delhi. Delhi Police on Tuesday traced the 11-hour route map of the Hyundai i20 car, in which the blast near the Lal Quila metro station took place on Monday evening. Following the car explosion near Red Fort in Delhi, several cities and states across the country have been put on high alert, such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired another round of a high-level security review meeting to assess the situation following the deadly blast in Delhi. All agencies have been instructed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the nature and cause of the explosion and submit a detailed report as soon as possible. (ANI) The 22nd CII Annual Health Summit was held on Tuesday, with the theme 'Adding Life to Years in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,' in New Delhi. While speaking at the Health Summit, Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman, CII Steering Group on Health & Healthcare Council and CMD, Medanta - The Medicity, said, "Providing quality healthcare to all citizens is a key priority for Governments worldwide and particularly for India, with its population of 1.4 billion. India has made significant progress through various Government initiatives, strong public-private partnerships, and a vibrant private healthcare sector." "However, with expanding healthcare needs driven by rising rates of obesity, cancer, and other chronic conditions, new solutions are essential. AI holds immense potential to transform healthcare delivery by expanding access, enhancing expertise, reducing costs, and improving overall efficiency," he added. Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals, said, "India has witnessed remarkable improvements in key healthcare indicators, including reductions in infant and maternal mortality rates, the availability of affordable treatment, and growing medical tourism, with patients arriving from over 140 countries." "The creation of more than 79 crore ABHA IDs underscores the country's progress in building a robust digital health ecosystem. With over 250 million health data points and a strong foundation in intellectual property and digital technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers immense potential to further scale and strengthen India's healthcare system. As non-communicable diseases continue to rise, it is imperative for India to harness the power of AI for early detection, prevention, and better health outcomes," she added. Dr Kenji Shibuya, Chief Executive Officer, Medical Excellence, Japan, said, "Collaboration between India and Japan can play a pivotal role in shaping a broader healthcare agenda for the future. Ayurveda, one of India's enduring strengths, offers a holistic approach to wellness, and integrating AI into this traditional system can greatly enhance its effectiveness in addressing a wide range of health conditions, including chronic inflammation and lifestyle-related diseases. Japan's well-established expertise in preventive healthcare complements India's capabilities, creating a powerful synergy. This partnership stands as a model of robust South-South cooperation, demonstrating how shared knowledge and innovation can advance global health outcomes." The theme for the Summit, 'Adding Life to Years in the Age of Artificial Intelligence', is both visionary and urgent, as mentioned by Amita Sarkar, Deputy Director General, CII. A tripartite MOU between CII, MEJ, and ERIA was exchanged, marking a new chapter of collaboration in healthcare technology, policy research, and capacity building across the Indo-Pacific. "This MoU underscores a shared commitment to fostering an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable healthcare ecosystem between India and Japan", said Dr Takayuki Yamanaka, Chief Operation Officer, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). "As India advances toward the vision of Viksit Bharat, reimagining healthcare through the lens of AI is both an opportunity and a necessity", highlighted Dr Shubnum Singh, Principal Advisor, Healthcare, CII. "It captures the promise of technology to not just extend life, but to improve the quality and dignity of those additional years. AI and digital tools are redefining diagnostics, research, and patient engagement, but the true test lies in how intelligently and inclusively we apply them to strengthen our health systems and empower our people," she added. (ANI) Appeals have been moved before a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court challenging the single-judge order that had quashed the Central Information Commission's (CIC) 2016 directive to disclose details of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational qualifications. The matter will be heard by a Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela. The appeals have been filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh, RTI activist Neeraj Sharma, and advocate Mohd Irshad. The petitioners have questioned the August 25 order of Justice Sachin Datta, who had ruled that educational qualifications such as degrees and marks fall within the ambit of "personal information" under Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information Act (RTI) and cannot be disclosed unless a larger public interest is established. In the order under challenge, the single judge had set aside the CIC's December 2016 direction to Delhi University to allow inspection of records of students who graduated in 1978, the year PM Modi is said to have completed his BA degree. Justice Datta had observed that "something which is of interest to the public" is different from "something which is in the public interest," clarifying that public curiosity about an individual's private details cannot override statutory protections of confidentiality. The Court held that the university-student relationship is a fiduciary one, built on trust and confidentiality, and that the disclosure of marks or degrees to third parties would violate this duty. The High Court had further noted that Delhi University functions as the custodian of students' academic records, which are maintained under a legitimate expectation of privacy. It stated that "the framework does not permit disclosure of marks or grades to any third party," underscoring that confidentiality is intrinsic to such relationships. Appearing for Delhi University, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had argued that allowing such disclosures would invite politically motivated or publicity-driven RTI applications, contrary to the intent of the RTI Act. He added that while such records could be produced before a court if necessary, making them public would defeat the principle of fiduciary trust. The case originated from RTI applications filed in 2016, which led the CIC to direct Delhi University to disclose details of PM Modi's degree. That order was stayed by the High Court in January 2017 and later quashed by the single judge in August 2024. (ANI) The Rouse Avenue court on Tuesday rejected pleas of Former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi against a day-to-day trial in the IRCTC Hotels corruption case. The court said their prayer is not maintainable, practicable or justified. The special CBI court is recording the Prosecution's evidence after framing charges against them and other accused persons. Special Judge Vishal Gogne rejected the pleas and said that their prayer for the matter to be listed only after a gap of one week between dates is not maintainable, practicable or justified and is declined for the reasons recorded. While rejecting the application the special court also referred to the order of the Delhi High Court. "Apparently, far from restricting the listing of such matters to only once a week, the High Court in fact directed that the listing be at least once a week. Moreover, a specific direction was rendered for a day-to-day listing of the matter till the examination/cross-examination of witnesses was concluded." The application was opposed by Senior Counsel DP Singh. He submitted that a day-to-day trial is rather the mandate for any Court of Sessions and that this court, being a designated court for trial of cases pertaining to MP/MLAs, must expedite proceedings in terms of the directions in Court on its own motion as well as the directions of the Supreme Court order of 09.11.2023 in another matter. The court has already granted adequate time to cross-examine the Prosecution witnesses. It was stated by the counsel for the accused persons that there are 18,000 documents and an order on charge running in around 250 pages. It requires time to study the same. This case pertains to alleged corruption in the tender of two IRCTC hotels in Ranchi and Puri during the tenure of Lalu Prasad Yadav as Railway Minister. While framing of charges on October 13, the Rouse Avenue court had listed the matter for day-to-day hearing for recording the Prosecution evidence. The court had framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejaswi Yadav and others in criminal Conspiracy and sections related to other offences in the IRCTC hotel corruption case. "The essence of the submissions is that in view of the short time available between the framing of the charge and the commencement of evidence, the respective counsels would require adequate time to prepare for cross-examination of the prosecution witnesses," the court noted in the order of October 27. This case pertains to allegations of corruption in allotment of maintenance work of IRCTC hotel tenders during the tenure of Lalu Prasad Yadav during 2004-2009. It is alleged that the maintenance contract of two IRCTC hotels, namely BNR Ranchi and BNR Puri to Sujata Hotel, a private firm owned by Vijay and Vinay Kochar. The CBI had alleged that in return for this deal, Lalu Prasad Yadav got three acres of prime land through some benami company. On July 7, 2017, the CBI filed an FIR against Lalu. The agency also raided 12 locations linked to Lalu and his family members in Patna, New Delhi, Ranchi and Gurgaon. A charge sheet was filed in April 2018. CBI had invoked section 120B read with 420 of IPC, section 13 (2) read with 13 (1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. (ANI) Uttarakhand has been honoured with the "Top Achievers Award" under the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) 2024 across five major reform categories, marking the highest number of top achievements received by any state or union territory in the country. The announcement was made on Tuesday during the Industry Conclave 2025 held in New Delhi. The award was presented to Uttarakhand's Industries Secretary Vinay Shankar Pandey and Director General & Commissioner Industries Saurabh Gaharwar by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal in recognition of the state's outstanding performance under BRAP 2024. Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada was also present on the occasion. Uttarakhand has been recognised as a top-performing state in the areas of Business Entry, Construction Permit Enabler, Environmental Registration, Investment Enabler, and Labour Regulation Enabler. This marks a significant milestone in the state's Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) journey, which began in 2015 when the state ranked 23rd, and has now emerged as a national leader under BRAP 2024. Receiving the award, Pandey said that "earning the top position in five key reform areas under the leadership and continuous guidance of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is a moment of great pride for Uttarakhand. The journey from 23rd position in 2015 to becoming a top national performer today reflects the state's progress in transparency, efficiency, and investor-centric governance." He added that Uttarakhand has transformed its business facilitation ecosystem through complete digitisation of approval processes, covering the entire life cycle from application submission and online payments to real-time tracking, final approvals, renewals, and incentive disbursements. "Currently, over 200 services across more than 20 departments are offered online through the state's Single Window System, reducing physical touchpoints and enhancing transparency. Key departments such as Revenue, Labour, Pollution Control Board, Development Authorities, Forest, Irrigation, Jal Sansthan, and Power are integrated into this system." To further support investors, the state has established the Uttarakhand Society for Promotion of Investment, Startup and Entrepreneurship (UK-SPISE), which provides dedicated assistance and complete project facilitation. "The state is focused on simplifying business processes and promoting sustainable and inclusive development to ensure investment growth while maintaining ecological balance". Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the state aims to become one of India's leading destinations for industrial investment. "The Top Achiever recognition under BRAP 2024 reflects the state's policy transparency, industry-friendly environment, and growing investor confidence. Industrial development is creating new opportunities for prosperity and youth employment in the state. Achieving a top position in BRAP 2024 will attract more investment to Uttarakhand and give a new momentum to the state's economic growth". (ANI) Anchoring Global Strategy, Striving for New Heights in Development Currently, industrial intelligence, digitalization, and connectivity are driving the rapid development of China's automotive industry. In this process, new energy and intelligent driving have become core competitive advantages for China's automotive sector. At this pivotal moment in the global commercial vehicle industry's transformation, FOTON Motor is actively engaging in global competition with a fresh strategic vision. At the conference, Chairman of the Board of FOTON Motor Chang Rui officially unveiled the FOTON Global Strategy Report, outlining clear global goals and pathways: "By 2030, new energy vehicles will account for over 50% of our product lineup, overseas sales will exceed 300,000 units, and we will build a world-class commercial vehicle enterprise with leading design concepts, manufacturing processes, and quality experiences." To achieve this goal, FOTON Motor will accelerate its overseas industrial investments. In the next five years, the company plans to build over 10 industrial bases in Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, and other key regions. FOTON will also establish an ecosystem covering parts, used vehicles, fleet management, and other related services. The company will continue to optimize its product lineup, drive synergies between direct sales and distribution, and build a world-class quality system. These efforts will enhance product competitiveness and customer satisfaction, paving the way to being a world-class commercial vehicle enterprise. Deepening Regional Cooperation, Expanding into Emerging Markets FOTON Motor's journey from China to the world has always been guided by a global vision focused on openness, collaboration, and deep market cultivation. In this ever-expanding global landscape, FOTON not only demonstrates the strong manufacturing capabilities of China, but also highlights the sense of responsibility and commitment of Chinese enterprises on the global stage. Brazil and South Africa, as dynamic emerging markets, are crucial strategic pillars in FOTON's global expansion. At the conference, Victor Queiroz, Chief Representative of ApexBrasil Asia-Pacific Region, and Mogamat Mahdi Basadien, Charge d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of South Africa in Beijing, both delivered speeches expressing their support for FOTON's deepening collaboration and continued investment in their respective regions. In his speech, Victor Queiroz, Chief Representative of ApexBrasil Asia-Pacific Region, highlighted the significant progress FOTON Motor has made in the Brazilian market in recent years. He noted that FOTON's factory in southern Brazil successfully achieved the localized production of the first "ALL-New Aumark" light truck, marking a key step in the localization of Chinese commercial vehicle brands in Brazil. Victor also pointed out that the Brazilian government is promoting initiatives such as the "New Industrial Plan (NOVA INDUSTRIA)" and the "Green Mobility and Innovation Plan (MOVER)," which focus on green technologies and new energy vehicles. These plans encourage companies to increase investments in decarbonization, innovation, and electrification, aligning closely with FOTON's sustainable transportation strategy. The Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency will continue to support FOTON's localized development in fields such as new energy vehicles and smart manufacturing, jointly advancing China-Brazil cooperation to a new stage. Mogamat Mahdi Basadien, Charge d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of South Africa in Beijing, stated that FOTON's local assembly plant in South Africa is one of the most important automotive investment projects in the country in nearly four decades. He emphasized that this achievement reflects the deepening economic cooperation between China and South Africa, built on mutual trust and shared development. The successful launch of FOTON's first locally assembled pickup truck in September 2025 marks a historic milestone, not only for FOTONmaking it the first Chinese brand to achieve localized CKD production in South Africabut also for South Africa, as it solidifies the country's position as a regional manufacturing hub in Africa. Basadien stressed, "The South African government welcomes FOTON's 'Lighthouse Plan' to position South Africa as a regional center for Africa. We are eager to deepen cooperation in areas such as parts localization, new energy vehicle R&D, technology transfer, and regional trade, working together to promote sustainable and inclusive development across the African continent." In the future, FOTON Motor will continue to strengthen its localized production and service systems, providing products and technologies that are better tailored to local market needs. The company will contribute to market development and actively support regional economic and trade cooperation, as well as industrial upgrading. Leading Product Innovation, Opening a New Global Chapter Focusing on global commercial vehicle market trends, FOTON Motor's future technology roadmap, and product planning, EVP of FOTON Motor, Lu Zhenghua, stated at the conference: "The Chinese commercial vehicle industry is rapidly transitioning from 'market participants' to 'global technology leaders.' The three key trends today are: the rapid rise of new energy vehicle penetration, accelerated development of intelligent technology, and the coexistence of multiple energy routes." FOTON Motor is closely aligned with these trends and has set a strategic direction of "Internationalization,New Energy and Intelligence." The company is committed to a multi-pronged approach with pure electric, hybrid, and hydrogen fuel technologies. In terms of new energy, FOTON's self-developed IECO three-in-one system has passed numerous extreme tests, with the electric motor achieving a peak efficiency of 97.7%. The hybrid technology covers 12 typical operating conditions, and the hydrogen fuel cell demonstration fleet has reached 3,600 units. In intelligent driving, FOTON's HWP technology effectively reduces driver fatigue, while its smart cockpit, powered by AI, transforms the vehicle into a "mobile productivity platform." On the product front, FOTON has developed dedicated platforms for new energy vehicles while continuing to iterate on traditional platforms, building a product lineup with global market competitiveness. Under the leadership of its comprehensive intelligent strategy, VP of FOTON Motor and Spokesperson, Mr. Liu Xuguang, highlighted in his Aftermarket Ecosystem Strategy report: "Based on FOTON's post-market ecosystem strategy, the company is seizing the rapid growth opportunities in China's aftermarket sector. FOTON is building differentiated competitive advantages by focusing on 'vehicles + FOTON Telematics System,' and driving full digitalization and ecosystem development across its business." Currently, the FOTON Telematics System platform has connected data from over 3.16 million vehicles and serves more than 4,500 logistics companies. By utilizing features like intelligent scheduling, remote diagnostics, and driver behavior analysis, FOTON has achieved a 10% improvement in operational efficiency and a 40% reduction in accident risk. In areas such as leasing, maintenance and repair, and used vehicles, FOTON strengthens channel and platform synergies, expands its charging station network, and promotes data value-added services. On the international front, FOTON is actively expanding its digital platforms and energy replenishment networks, enhancing parts distribution networks, and supporting dealers in developing used vehicle and leasing businesses. The company is continuously building a global vehicle ecosystem service system, moving steadily to being a world-class commercial vehicle enterprise. Ambitious goals backed by a clear path and strong support. At the conference, VP of FOTON Motor and President of FOTON International, Fu Jun, provided a detailed explanation of the International Business 2026 Work Plan. He stated: "By 2026, FOTON aims to achieve 200,000 units in overseas sales, with over 70% growth in heavy-duty trucks, a doubling of bus sales, and continued growth in light commercial vehicles. We also plan to establish 8 markets with over 10,000 units each." FOTON will accelerate its industrial layout and drive innovation in marketing models, with a strong focus on promoting new products and new energy vehicles. The company will collaborate with global partners to write a new chapter of Drive to Great. To recognize the outstanding partners who have made significant contributions to FOTON's global development journey, FOTON Motor presented over 10 awards, including the Excellence in New Product Promotion Award, Pioneer in New Energy Promotion Award, Excellence in Service & Parts Award, Excellence in Aftermarket Award, Prestigious Honorary Fleet Customer Award, and the Best Rising Star Award, among others. As a leading enterprise in China's commercial vehicle industry, FOTON Motor has used this strategic release as a breakthrough, with product innovation as the core driver. The company is not only providing users with ultimate solutions that are "more energy-efficient, with longer range, higher intelligence, and better safety," but also driving the industry's accelerated transformation toward green and intelligent technologies. In the future, with the full implementation of its new strategy and new products, FOTON will further solidify its position in the global market and inject strong "Chinese power" into the development of global new energy logistics. SOURCE Foton Motor 21 % more press release views with Request a Demo Himachal Pradesh Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Tuesday questioned the timing of the Delhi bomb blast incident, expressing suspicion over such events occurring close to elections. Speaking to ANI, Negi said that the timings are questionable. He said, "It is a very tragic incident. But the timing raises suspicion why do such bomb blasts happen only around elections in India?" He further remarked that despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier claims that demonetisation would curb terrorism, "big blasts have happened under his rule, along with repeated intelligence failures." "For the last 11 years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in power at the Centre, yet no state is safe. Even our national capital, Delhi, is not secure so what can we say about other states?" Negi questioned. He said all states, including Himachal Pradesh, have been put on alert following the incident. "We have issued precautionary measures and are following a set procedure to ensure proper checking. Tourist destinations are under strict vigil; movement of people is being monitored, and searches are being conducted," he said, assuring tourists that "such incidents will not happen in Himachal Pradesh," the Himachal CM said. Negi also clarified that the meeting held in Shimla with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and senior Army officials from the Northern Command had "no connection to the Delhi blast." , "It was a pre-scheduled meeting. The Indian Army, with support from the Himachal government, has opened the Shipkila border pass and another border route. The meeting discussed coordination between the Army and civilians in border areas, social initiatives, and the transfer of certain road projects to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO)," he said. Negi added that the Army had requested land for a firing range in Kinnaur district, and the government had already met most of its requirements. "Today's meeting was aimed at taking those matters forward," he said. Reacting to the ongoing Bihar assembly elections, Negi alleged that the BJP-led NDA's claims of victory appeared suspicious. "If we look at 20 years of BJP and NDA rule in Bihar, it is clear that there has been no real development. People have not been given employment. If despite this record, they are still claiming victory, something is certainly wrong," he said. "The Mahagathbandhan has exposed the BJP's 20-year report card before the public. If BJP still wins despite this, it clearly raises questions," Negi added. Earlier, while speaking to the media, Negi launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, calling both "experts in lying." "If there were a competition for lying, both Modi and Jairam would bring back medals," Negi said. He also questioned PM Modi's recent 1,500 crore announcement, calling it "unreliable and politically motivated." Negi claimed that Jairam Thakur appeared "mentally disturbed" and "unstable these days." He added, "During Jairam's government, when I spoke at a Jan Manch event, an FIR was registered against me. But today, under the Sukhu government, we are ensuring that relief checks for disaster-affected families reach their accounts directly." He said. Negi announced that the disaster relief fund in Himachal Pradesh had been increased from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 8 lakh, and that Chief Minister Sukhu had already launched the new package from Mandi. (ANI) Bhartiya Janta Party MLA Tarvinder Singh Marwah held a candle march in Delhi on Tuesday, showing his solidarity with the victims of the Delhi car blast that happened on Monday evening. The Delhi car blast claimed eight lives, leaving several injured. In a show of solidarity with the victims of the Delhi car blast, the Traders and Beopar Mandal Association of Sonamarg of Jammu and Kashmir organised a candle march on Tuesday. The protest was held to condemn the tragic incident that claimed several lives. A local resident expressed strong opposition to the blast, saying, "This candle protest was organised to show that we strongly oppose the bomb blast incident that took place in Delhi yesterday. We have no words to condemn it. It is a murder of humanity. We always say that the murder of an innocent is the murder of humanity." The protesters emphasised their support for the families of the victims, stating, "We want to give a message to the citizens of the country that we stand with the families of those who lost their lives in yesterday's incident. We don't want any such incident to be repeated either in Kashmir or in any other state." One of the victims was Pankaj Sahni from Samastipur, Bihar. His aunt, Runa Devi, while speaking to ANI, said that the news of his nephew's death was received on Tuesday morning. Sahni's aunt, Runa Devi, said, "We spoke to him three years ago. When we woke up this morning, I got the information that my nephew died in a blast... We got another call that his body had been recovered and sent to the hospital..." Pankaj Sahni worked as a driver, his uncle Ramodgar Sahni said. "... He was a driver. We heard last night that he died in a car blast...," Ramodgar Sahni said. Earlier, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team investigating the car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort recovered two live cartridges and samples of two different types of explosives on Tuesday, sources said. As per sources in FSL, during the inspection, both live cartridges were found directly from the blast site and have been sent for detailed forensic analysis. Investigators also collected possible traces of ammonium nitrate and another unidentified explosive substance, the nature of which will be confirmed after laboratory testing. All samples have been sent to the FSL laboratory, where experts are conducting tests to determine the exact composition of the materials. The final report is expected in the coming days, which will determine the nature of the explosion and the materials used. Earlier on Tuesday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the families of those who were killed in car blast close to the Red Fort in New Delhi on Monday evening and Rs 5 lakh for permanently disabled individuals, and Rs 5 lakh each for seriously injured individuals. Meanwhile, investigations into the terror attack near the Red Fort are progressing rapidly. Initial findings indicate that the car explosion was not a typical suicide blast, but was instead triggered in panic by the suspect. (ANI) Joining with the rest of the country in the celebrations of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada from November 1 to 15, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday handed over land title certificates under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, to 4,673 indigenous tribal families at a function held at Chhaygaon in Kamrup district. According to a release, as part of the initiative, tribal families belonging to the Garo, Rabha, Bodo, and Karbi communities residing in reserved forest areas, such as Lakhra, Bondapara, Kulshi, Loharghat, Bamunigaon, Boko, and Singra, have been included. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma said that the nation is celebrating Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh to mark the 150th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Bhagawan Birsa Munda. He stated that families receiving land pattas under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, have been residing on forest lands for generations. In 2005, the Parliament of India recognised the rights of tribal people over forest land by enacting the Forest Rights Act. CM Sarma stated that after assuming office as the Chief Minister in 2021, he had directed the concerned departments and officials to take measures to ensure that every tribal family living in forest areas of the state is granted land rights. "As a result, thousands of tribal families across regions including Sonitpur, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, and BTR have already been able to obtain land pattas. The process of granting land rights to nearly 5,000 tribal families in Sonitpur and Biswanath districts is in its final stages. Our aim is to provide land rights to every tribal person residing in Assam's forest areas. I am happy that as a result of the government initiatives we have been able to empower the tribal communities, and the land issues of these communities are gradually being resolved," the Chief Minister said. The Chief Minister, moreover, stated that there was once a time when tribal people had to launch movements for their land rights. Sometimes they even faced eviction in several areas. Referring to his earlier directive to senior officials to resolve the land issues of tribals, living in forest areas, he said that under the first phase of the Mission Basundhara Scheme, more than 1.5 lakh tribal families were able to receive land pattas. "However, many tribal families had not applied under the scheme because they already possessed ancestral land, and Mission Basundhara allowed pattas only up to seven bighas of land. In this context, he added, After discussions with the Minister of the Tribal Affairs Department and representatives of Tribal Sangha, we have decided to grant land pattas up to 50 bighas for Tribal families under Basundhara. This decision enabled a large number of tribal people to secure legal ownership of their land," he said. CM Sarma also mentioned that a large portion of the land inhabited by Tribal people was non-cadastral land. Over the past four and a half years, "The state government has taken steps to convert such land into cadastral land. As a result, land of around 600 villages have been converted from non-cadastral to cadastral status, allowing many tribal families to become eligible for land pattas. Through our efforts, the tribal people have now gained rightful ownership of their land. After 78 years of independence, the tribal residents living in forest areas under Kamrup East and Kamrup West forest divisions have become rightful landowners. This is indeed a matter of pride for us," the Chief Minister said. The Chief Minister further said that the present State government has attached great importance to the protection of forest lands. He noted that in several forest areas of the state, including those in Goalpara and Kamrup districts, encroachments had led to a severe depletion of forest cover. "As a result of the government's strong eviction measures, about 1.45 lakh bighas of forest land have been freed from encroachment so far. Like the eviction drives carried out in Hasila Beel, Paikan Reserved Forest, and Dahikata Forest in Goalpara district against encroachment, government to launch eviction drives against illegal encroachments in other places in the days to come," he said. CM Sarma urged the public to remain vigilant to ensure that no new encroachment takes place, pointing out that even a small encroachment by one or two families can later expand into a large-scale encroachment. CM Sarma added that following the delimitation exercise, the Boko, Goalpara West, and Dudhnoi Assembly constituencies have now been reserved for Scheduled Tribes. He appealed to the tribal people to take a pledge as a part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada to preserve their languages, traditions, and customs. The Chief Minister further said that Bhagwan Birsa Munda not only fought against the British colonial rule for the rights of tribal people but also raised his voice against religious conversion. Birsa Munda worked tirelessly to revive and protect the religious beliefs, and traditions of tribal communities. "In the 19th century Birsa Munda dreamt of a tribal awakening, understood the perils of cultural aggression, and strove to safeguard the faith of tribal people. He was a unique nationalist leader of India; a courageous voice and a visionary thinker," the Chief Minister said. He stated that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to celebrate Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh across the nation to honor Birsa Munda's ideals, which remain highly relevant even today. "Our tribal society must go forward following Birsa Munda's ideals to face new and emerging challenges," he added. The Chief Minister on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada paid rich floral tributes to the tribal icons namely Birsa Munda, Jaya Thausen, Rashimoni Hajong, Swahid Kamala Miri, Katiram Rabha, Hemram Pator, Swahid Maghiram Kachari, Bhimbor Deuri, Swahid Bir Sambudhan Phanglochan. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, Water Resources Minister Piyush Hazarika, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal, MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi, MLAs Suman Haripriya, Hemanga Thakuria, and Nandita Das, Chief Executive Member of Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council Tankeswar Rabha, Additional Chief Secretary Sweety Changsan, and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion. (ANI) President Droupadi Murmu on Monday evening addressed the members of the Indian Community at a Reception hosted by the Ambassador of India to Angola at Luanda. She was accompanied by Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways, V. Somanna and Members of Parliament, Parbhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava and DK Aruna were present on the occasion. As per an official statement by the President's Secretariat, addressing the enthusiastic gathering of Indian community members, President Murmu said that India greatly values its relationship with its African partners, particularly Angola and called it a partnership that is rooted in equality, mutual trust, and shared aspirations for progress. She stated that India's engagement with Africa has evolved under the framework of the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) and that India looked forward to hosting the next IAFS Summit soon. The President said that Angola is an important partner in India's energy security, and India, in turn, is one of Angola's top trade partners. She was happy to note that last year, India-Angola bilateral trade crossed the historic mark of 5 billion US dollars. The President noted that India is a major supplier of pharmaceuticals, food products, refined petroleum, automobiles, and machinery to Angola. Indian companies are active in diverse sectors such as retail, tourism, diamonds, energy, infrastructure, hospitality, and agriculture. She stated that these investments have contributed to Angola's economic growth and have created employment opportunities, the statement highlighted. "President Droupadi Murmu addressed the members of Indian Community at a Reception hosted by the Ambassador of India to Angola at Luanda. The President said that India-Angola partnership is rooted in equality, mutual trust, and shared aspirations for progress. She underlined that there are immense opportunities to further strengthen trade, investment, and people-to-people links. She urged the members of Indian community in Angola to take an active part in endeavours to realise shared prosperity of India and Angola.", the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a post on X. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1987928558397006244?s=20 As per the statement, the President noted that around 8,000 persons of Indian origin live in Angola. She underlined that their entrepreneurial spirit, hard work, and professional excellence have contributed significantly to Angola's economic growth and development. She said that there are immense opportunities to further strengthen trade, investment, and people-to-people links between India and Angola. She urged the members of Indian community in Angola to take an active part in endeavours to realise the shared prosperity of India and Angola. (ANI) US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) held a historic meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House, marking the first-ever visit by a Syrian head of state to the US capital. The US Treasury Department also announced that the US would partially waive the Caesar Act sanctions on Syria for 180 days, aiming to support Syria's economic rebuilding efforts. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that having a stable and successful Syria is crucial to all countries in the region. Notably, the meeting marked the first visit to the White House by a Syrian head of state since Syria gained independence from France in 1946. "It was an Honor to spend time with Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, the new President of Syria, where we discussed all the intricacies of PEACE in the Middle East, of which he is a major advocate. I look forward to meeting and speaking again. Everyone is talking about the Great Miracle that is taking place in the Middle East. Having a stable and successful Syria is very important to all countries in the Region." https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115528250588455261 The talks between Trump and al-Sharaa focused on Syria's role in defeating ISIS, reconstruction, and lifting sanctions. Trump praised al-Sharaa as a "strong leader" and expressed confidence in his ability to lead Syria. Al-Sharaa, who led the rebel forces that toppled Syrian President Bashar Assad, has been working to end Syria's international isolation. Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department announced on Monday (local time) a 180-day extension of the sanctions waiver, excluding transactions involving Russia and Iran. This move is seen as a significant shift in US foreign policy, with Syria set to join the US-led coalition to fight Islamic State. In May this year, President Trump announced the lifting of US sanctions on Syria to give the country "a chance at peace and prosperity". In June, he issued an executive order which formally removed U.S. sanctions and directed agencies to take additional measures, to encourage U.S. private sector and foreign partner reengagement in Syria, the US Removing U.S. sanctions will support Syria's efforts to rebuild its economy, provide prosperity for all its citizens, including its ethnic and religious minorities, and combat terrorism, a statement by the Department of State, US Department of Treasury and the Department of Commerce said. While stating that the United States no longer imposes comprehensive sanctions on Syria, the statement said, "The Caesar Act is suspended, except for sanctionable transactions with Russia and Iran. The transfer of most basic civilian use U.S.-origin goods, as well as software and technology, to or within Syria is permitted without a license. It further noted that sanctions remain on "the worst of the worst:" Bashar al-Assad and his associates, human rights abusers, captagon drug traffickers, and other destabilising regional actors. "The US Government continues to review Syria's State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) designation. Most Commerce Control List items going to Syria still require a U.S. export license". As per an official statement shared by the State Department on November 10, US Secretary of State Rubio said, "The Department of State continues to deliver on President Trump's promise to provide the Syrian people with the opportunity for lasting peace and prosperity. Today, I issued a suspension of mandatory Caesar Act sanctions based on the actions taken by the Syrian government following the fall of the al-Assad regime. The suspension of Caesar Act sanctions supports Syria's efforts to rebuild its economy, restore ties with foreign partners, and foster prosperity and peace for all its citizens. President Trump made clear the United States expects to see concrete actions by the Syrian government to turn the page on the past and work towards peace in the region." (ANI) Pakistan's Senate has passed the 27th constitutional amendment, sparking controversy and protests from opposition parties. The amendment aims to reform the judiciary and strengthen the military command structure, introducing a new post of Chief of Defence Forces and establishing a Federal Constitutional Court. Afrasiab Khattak, a former Senator of Pakistan, denounced constitutional amendments to the Pakistani constitution. The reforms propose to formally institutionalise the office of the Chief of the Defence Forces and guarantee the Army Chief, General Asim Munir, a five-star rank for life, complete with immunity from criminal cases and arrest, similar to the President's immunity. Khattak lamented that through the amendments, Pakistan was on a journey to nowhere. In a post on X, he said, "After the 26th & 27th amendments, the federal-democratic-parliament 1973 constitution, shaped by Z.A. Bhutto-led govt and Abdul Wali Khan-led opposition, has come to an end. Welcome to the militarised constitution 2025, passed by an unelected parliament. Pakistan is on a journey to nowhere yet again!" https://x.com/a_siab/status/1987384268088299668?s=20 The amendments significantly weaken the power of the Supreme Court by establishing a new Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) with exclusive jurisdiction over constitutional interpretation. This new court's chief justice would have a longer tenure than the Supreme Court's chief justice, effectively making the Supreme Court irrelevant for key constitutional matters. The bill was quickly passed by the Senate on November 10, 2025, after an opposition boycott of the debate, and now moves to the lower house, the National Assembly, for final approval. Under the proposed draft of the 27th amendment, the Field Marshal will be secured against any legal action, mirroring the protection given to the President under Article 248, as per ARY News. The draft specifies that no action can be taken against the Field Marshal unless he violates his constitutional and legal obligations. The proposed draft extends the protection under Article 248 to other high-ranking military officers, as well as reaffirms protection for the President. Article 248 currently ensures that cases against the President and high-ranking military officers cannot be tried in local courts without parliamentary procedure, as per ARY News. The draft maintains that the only way to initiate legal action or remove the President and high-ranking officers is through the Parliament, requiring a two-thirds majority approval from the National Assembly and Senate for the President's removal. They cannot be removed by any local court or other government institution. Critics argue this amendment undermines judicial independence and concentrates power in the military, while supporters claim it modernizes the system and improves efficiency. The amendment has stirred intense debate, with opposition parties vowing to block it in the National Assembly and launch nationwide protests. (ANI) India's Ambassador to Bhutan, Sandeep Arya, on Tuesday highlighted the 1,020 megawatt Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, a joint venture between India and Bhutan that will will boost Bhutan's hydropower generation by 40% and export surplus power to India, strengthening the countries' energy partnership. Speaking with ANI, Arya highlighted hydropower as a key area of cooperation, leveraging Bhutan's 35,000 MW potential. "So hydropower is a very strong area for Bhutan in terms of a large number of rivers, etc., having huge potential, you know, estimated to be of the order of 35,000 megawatts. So, a 1020 megawatt project, which has been completed and for which we expect a joint inauguration tomorrow by the leaders of the two countries, I think, is a very important addition. It will add approximately 40% of the installed hydropower generation capacity in Bhutan. Therefore, it will become a crucial project for Bhutan's own economic development. It's a large power-generating plant, and the power produced will be used by the people of Bhutan, with any surplus being exported to India. In Bhutan, particularly the power generation peaks during the summer months," he said. He added that the project aligns with India's growing energy demands, particularly during the summer months when Bhutan's glacial rivers are at their peak. "All because most of the rivers are glacial rivers. So I think that's a time in which India also there is a great demand for power. So there is good synergy in that sense. Power generated from the Punatsangchhu-II to hydroelectric plant tomorrow which will be inaugurated will serve the people of Bhutan will also benefit the economy of Bhutan. It will produce power to India for our own use and I think it serves as a good synergy between the two countries in that area," he said. The ambassador emphasised enhanced connectivity, including physical infrastructure such as roads and railways, as well as digital links like FinTech and QR code-based payment systems. People-to-people ties, rooted in spirituality and culture, further cement the nations' "special friendship". "The connectivity has many dimensions. One is, of course, the connectivity in terms of physical connectivity, know, which means Bhutan's 80 % trade is with India. So there is a huge and they're exposed to other countries beyond India are also they pass through India because then all the trading routes are through them. So development and streamlining of trading between the two countries, the infrastructure, the road development and the plans to build up railways connections in the future. So that's one important area in which I think there will be important discussions and decisions tomorrow. The digital connectivity is also an important part Bhutan of course everybody needs lots of so there are. There is some work going on in that area," he said. "FinTech or financial technology or the QR code based system linking the financial systems in the two countries so that Indian travelers to Bhutan and Bhutanese travelers to India can use the payment using their domestic network of banks for the purpose of various services as they avail in each other countries. That's another very important area of digital connectivity between the two countries," he added. The people-to-people connections have been very deep between both nations, based on spirituality, yoga, etc. "The people level connectivity, the people of India and people of Bhutan and the spirituality, yoga, cinema and cultural performances. There are lots of facets of them. They also are a very important part of the connectivity between the two countries. It's a very strong, very deep, what we call special friendship and unique relations between the two countries. So they already have a very, very strong foundation which have been developed over the decades between the two countries," he said. Arya sees immense growth potential, aligning with India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and Bhutan's high-income economy goals. The relationship, often referred to as one of India's closest partnerships, is poised to reach new heights through educational, technological, and economic collaborations. "And as I see it, I think the potential is immense. Both India, are looking at Viksit Bharat 2047. Bhutan also has lots of strong visions to take forward. They say a high-income economy. There are other development visions in Bhutan. So I think on the economic front, there is a natural synergy, I mean, being a very close, important neighbor through which kind of in terms of trade, economic relations, development partnership, the kind of common thinking and shared approach between the two countries politically towards each other and in terms of global thing, which is the Global Peace Prayer Festival," he said. "So I think it's a relationship with immense potential to progress in different areas. There is educational partnership, technology partnership and various ways in which we can, I think, work together apart from cultural and people level connections," he added. Arya said that people called Bhutan-India relations as closest partnership between India and neighboring countries. "So I see it as a country and relations to be those of immense potential on a very strong, very close footing. Some people may also describe it as the closest or the closest partnership between India and its neighbouring countries. And I think the potential for taking it forward, and that's our objective, I think, with the support of the government of the two countries to really take it to newer heights in the future," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a State visit to Bhutan from November 11-12. During the visit, PM Modi will also participate in the Global Peace Prayer Festival organised by the Royal Government of Bhutan. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Thimphu, Bhutan, on Tuesday for a two-day state visit. During his November 11-12 visit, the Prime Minister will attend several official programmes and participate in the Global Peace Prayer Festival organised by the Royal Government of Bhutan. PM Modi shared a post on X, saying, "Leaving for Bhutan, where I will attend various programmes. This visit comes at a time when Bhutan is marking the 70th birthday of His Majesty the Fourth King. I will be holding talks with His Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth King and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. In a big boost to our energy partnership, the Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project will be inaugurated. This visit will add new vigour to our bilateral relations." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1988074849877807330 During the visit, the Prime Minister will receive an audience with Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, and the two leaders will inaugurate the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, developed jointly by Government of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan. Prime Minister will attend the celebrations dedicated to the 70th birth anniversary of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan. Prime Minister will also meet his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay. The visit of Prime Minister Modi coincides with the exposition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India. Prime Minister will offer prayers to the Holy Relics at Tashichhodzong in Thimphu. India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary partnership marked by deep mutual trust, goodwill and respect for each other. The shared spiritual heritage and warm people-to-people ties are a hallmark of the special partnership. Prime Minister's 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, a MEA release said. The upcoming visit of PM Modi to Bhutan is poised to be highly significant, coinciding with major national and spiritual events, underscoring the "closest partnership" between the two nations, India's Ambassador to Bhutan, Sandeep Arya, has said. The Ambassador highlighted the dual importance of the visit, noting its timing with the unprecedented Global Peace Prayer Festival and the 70th birthday celebrations of the Fourth King of Bhutan. "There is something called the Global Peace Prayer Festival, which Bhutan says is an unprecedented event... that festival is going on right now... praying for world peace and happiness. So Prime Minister of India, will also be participating in the Peace prayer festival, along with the Bhutanese leaders," Arya told ANI. (ANI) The Canadian Embassy in India on Tuesday conveyed its condolences to the families of those killed in a car blast yesterday near Delhi's Red Fort and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. In a statement, the Canadian Embassy in India said, "Canada offers its condolences to the families of the people who were killed in yesterday's horrific explosion in New Delhi and wishes those injured a speedy recovery." https://x.com/CanadainIndia/status/1988059911951892525 It also advised Canadian citizens in India who need emergency help to contact Global Affairs Canada's Emergency Watch and Response Centre. Earlier, the US Embassy in India issued a security alert for its citizens following the explosion. On its official website, the US Embassy said, "On November 10, 2025, a car exploded near the Lal Quila (Red Fort) metro station in central Delhi, India, with local media reporting multiple casualties. While the cause of the explosion is unknown at this time, the Government of India has placed several Indian states on high alert."In the list of actions to take, the US Embassy said to "Avoid the areas surrounding the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk in Delhi and crowds; monitor local media for updates; be aware of surroundings; stay alert in locations frequented by tourists. "Delhi Police have registered a case in connection with the blast near the historic Red Fort in the city under various Sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. "A case has been registered under sections 16, 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Explosives Act and the BNS at the Kotwali Police Station," Delhi Police said. At least eight people lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries in the blast. Earlier, speaking with ANI, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi at 7 pm on Monday, and the explosion injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. (ANI) Senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has expressed hope that the Bangladesh Army will play a crucial role in ensuring that the country's upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for February next year, are held peacefully. "The interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus is weak. Professor Yunus is a renowned global figure highly respected by the people of Bangladesh. But the people he has chosen as members of the caretaker administration have no experience in running any administration. They were connected with some NGOs. Running the country is too much for them," Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, a member of BNP's standing committee, the highest body of the party, told ANI in an interview. Highlighting the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, the BNP leader stated that the army's sincerity and involvement would be crucial to achieving free and fair elections. "The internal law and order situation is very bad. The only hope of having a free and fair election can be achieved if the army fully supports the government in their heart. A lot depends on the performance of the army. If they are serious, they have given magistracy power already, so if they perform their duties, the election should not be a problem; it would be a free and fair election," said Ahmed, who is also a retired army official. "Police administration is very weak. The government is also weak. The Election Commission are trying their best and it all depends on the armed forces and other law-enforcing agencies to conduct the elections in a free and fair manner," he added. Emphasising the importance of maintaining communal harmony during the elections, Ahmed said that BNP and other political parties will take measures to ensure the safety of minority communities. "Bangladesh is known for its communal harmony, and during the election time, all political parties, particularly big parties like BNP, will make sure that communal harmony remains intact. I am confident that the army and law enforcement agencies will do their best to protect the minority community. Apart from that, all political parties and BNP workers will leave no stone unturned to maintain communal harmony. Physically, they will stay in the minority community areas as guards and we will make sure that no miscreants can enter the areas during elections and even after and definitely arrange protection for them. We will go in an organised manner so that no untoward incident can take place," the BNP leader, who is also a freedom fighter of Bangladesh, said. When asked whether Bangladesh's internal situation could affect regional stability, Ahmed noted that unrest in one South Asian country often impacts its neighbours. "Yes, it has. Today, all countries in South Asia are interdependent. If there is turmoil in one country, it definitely affects its neighbours. We hope that the country in question will resolve their own differences so that the whole of South Asia remains trouble-free," he said. Commenting on the ongoing debate regarding reforms and the proposed referendum, Ahmed said the major issue remaining is the timing of the vote. "The discussion phase is over by now, and the people who conducted the reform dialogue they all left for the USA. Now, only one issue remains regarding the referendum: whether it should take place before the elections or on election day. Some of the smaller parties wanted it before election day, but the BNP and all the major parties, except Jamaat-e-Islami, wanted it on election day. There are valid reasons for that. Conducting a referendum is a matter of considerable expense, so it's always better to hold the referendum on election day. Most of the political parties are in favour of holding it on the election day. This is only a small thing to be resolved by the interim government now," he said. The political parties that participated in the uprising against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had prepared the July Charter--a document outlining post-Hasina reform proposals--and agreed to hold a referendum to approve it. Speaking about BNP's prospective foreign policy, Ahmed said his party would pursue friendly relations with all countries while maintaining independence in its approach. "If BNP comes to power, we will follow an independent foreign policy, which means friendship to all and malice to none. We would also like to have friendly relations with India. It is a large country, and we are interdependent in commercial and economic affairs as well. We would like to have good relations with India. However, it will definitely not be like the Hasina regime, where we would bow down to improper requests and provide them with undue facilities; that will not happen. We would like to have good relations on the basis of mutual understanding and respecting each other's sovereignty, then there will be no problem in South Asia, and we can create a good atmosphere so that all the countries of South Asia remain friendly to one another," he said. On the issue of inclusivity in the upcoming elections, Ahmed stated that BNP welcomes the participation of all parties, including the Awami League. "This policy will be determined by the interim administration. As the largest political party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, we definitely want an inclusive election. We don't mind if the Awami League participates in the coming elections. We would encourage them. We would like to see all political parties participating in the electoral process and campaigning for their own causes. I think so far no direction has been passed. Nobody has banned the Awami League from elections. BNP wants inclusive elections. If the Awami League comes, we will welcome them. But they themselves are in disarray. They have had such a brutal past, and they have committed so many atrocities. They themselves do not like to participate in contests or elections in Bangladesh. Otherwise, we have no problem. They are welcome," he said. (ANI) New historical novel recounts a town's transformation from a rural farming community into a munitions boomtown, as experienced through the eyes of a young writer NEW YORK and CHARLESTON, W.Va., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On the 107th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, Hart + Harvest Press is pleased to announce the release of Two Centuries, One Year: A Historical Novel of the First World War. Through the eyes of an intrepid 12-year-old girl emerges a vivid glimpse of a town's radical change in the face of war on a previously inconceivable scale. Two Centuries, One Year: A Historical Novel of the First World War Two Centuries, One Year is a compelling historical novel based on the true story of a town's creationcarved from farmland just outside Charleston, West Virginiato manufacture massive amounts of gunpowder for Allied use during the First World War. The town came to be called "Nitro," after an ingredient in the gunpowder it produced. And the town's growth and development? Explosive. Two Centuries, One Year unfolds through the personal diary of Ana Ariano, a 12-year-old self-proclaimed "war correspondent" recording the day-to-day lives of the town's residents as they move from a 19th Century, horse-driven agricultural community into the new century of railroads, manufacturing. . . and war. Young readers will learn about the industrial boom during the First World War while relating to Ana's universal experiences of growing up, dreaming of future careers, and struggling to fit in with her classmates. Author Ann Calwell, who grew up in Nitro, reimagines this chapter in West Virginia history using authentic photos and documents from Nitro's historical archive and other primary sources. In 1917, the village that would become Nitro was selected by the War Department as an ideal location for a massive gunpowder plant; this decision would catapult the rural community from the 19th century into the 20th century as it became a major center of manufacturing in West Virginia. "A major inspiration for this novel was a letter President Wilson wrote to a child named Mildred White in Maryland, which I included in the book." said Ann Calwell. "This expression of warm connection to young people led me to imagine Ana, a girl who decides to write to the President herself." Ana, determined to recount her town's progress to President Woodrow Wilson, writes down everything she can observe in her new boomtownfrom new construction techniques, to the chemistry of gunpowder, to potential war profiteering. Ana grows along with her town, as scores of workers from around the world arrive in the Kanawha Valley community she calls home. From the novel: We have a new modern town nameNitro. It is made from the word nitrocellulose. Nitrocellulose is important for making gunpowder. It is also sometimes called gun cotton or flash paper. Those would be silly names for a town. Somebody else wanted to name our town Redwoppowder spelled backwardsa horrible name for a town. I like Nitro the best. It sounds scientific. Now that Ann and Abigail live here in Nitro I have made the perfect plan to help President Wilson win the war fasterit will take all three of us working together. I thought of it because Mother says writing down everything is very important. We will be a team of real war correspondents! [] We will send the President our own reports and pictures from here in Nitro. We are right on the scene. Ann and Abigail's daddies see everything first, so we are the best people for this job. Our village will go from farms to factories in only nine months. Two centuries will join together to win the Great War! Two Centuries, One Year is available as an e-book now, with hardcopies coming to bookstores and online retailers (including Amazon and Barnes & Noble). More information about Two Centuries, One Year can be found at hartandharvest.com . About the Author Ann Moody Calwell spent her career as a teacher of English and Spanish, in addition to working as a play therapist for the children at West Virginia University Hospital and as a coordinator for the West Virginia Department of Education's Youth and Government Seminar programs. She lives in West Virginia with her husband, Stuart Calwell, and their daughters Elisa and Emily. Ann drew major inspiration from her father, Jack C. Moody, who founded the Nitro World War I Memorial Museum. Mr. Moody served in the US Army Corps in World War II and worked as a chemical engineer at American Viscose Corporation's plant in Nitro during the town's second wave of manufacturing, two decades after the emergency production of gunpowder for World War I that Ana witnesses in the novel. He was named a West Virginia History Hero in 1999. About Hart + Harvest Press Hart + Harvest Press is a publishing house focusing on the power of language, of narrative, of stories and storytelling, to entertain, enlighten, and persuade. Founded and supported by a well-established marketing and publicity firm, Hart + Harvest creates books with impact and staying power. The publisher prioritizes supporting thoughtful authors that write on topics that educate and inspire. For more information, visit hartandharvest.com. SOURCE Hart + Harvest Press Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday departed for Thimphu, Bhutan, for a two-day state visit, describing it as an honour to join the people of Bhutan in celebrating the 70th birthday anniversary of the Fourth King. In a statement released before his departure to Bhutan, the Prime Minister said, "I will be visiting the Kingdom of Bhutan from 11-12 November 2025. It would be my honour to join the people of Bhutan as they mark the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King." "The exposition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India during the organisation of the Global Peace Prayer Festival in Bhutan reflects our two countries' deep-rooted civilisational and spiritual ties," PM Modi said in his statement. He also mentioned that the visit would mark a major milestone in the India-Bhutan energy partnership with the inauguration of the Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project. "I look forward to meeting His Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth King, and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. I am confident that my visit will further deepen our bonds of friendship and strengthen our efforts towards shared progress and prosperity," the statement read. The visit comes at a time when Bhutan is hosting the Global Peace Prayer Festival, an event PM Modi will attend, and coincides with the public exposition of the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha from India. "India and Bhutan enjoy exemplary ties of friendship and cooperation, rooted in deep mutual trust, understanding, and goodwill. Our partnership is a key pillar of our Neighbourhood First Policy and a model for exemplary friendly relations between neighbouring countries," PM Modi added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Thimphu, Bhutan, for a two-day state visit. During his November 11-12 visit, the Prime Minister will attend several official programmes. PM Modi shared a post on X, saying, "Leaving for Bhutan, where I will attend various programmes. This visit comes at a time when Bhutan is marking the 70th birthday of His Majesty the Fourth King. I will be holding talks with His Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth King and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. In a big boost to our energy partnership, the Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project will be inaugurated. This visit will add new vigour to our bilateral relations." India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary partnership marked by deep mutual trust, goodwill and respect for each other. 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 and strengthen our bilateral partnership and exchange views on regional and wider issues of mutual interest, an MEA release said. The upcoming visit of PM Modi to Bhutan is poised to be highly significant, coinciding with major national and spiritual events, underscoring the "closest partnership" between the two nations, India's Ambassador to Bhutan, Sandeep Arya, has said. The Ambassador highlighted the dual importance of the visit, noting its timing with the unprecedented Global Peace Prayer Festival and the 70th birthday celebrations of the Fourth King of Bhutan. "There is something called the Global Peace Prayer Festival, which Bhutan says is an unprecedented event... that festival is going on right now... praying for world peace and happiness. So Prime Minister of India, will also be participating in the Peace prayer festival, along with the Bhutanese leaders," Arya told ANI. (ANI) Thailand's Army has accused Cambodia for laying new landmines in the contested border territory, claiming the mines caused serious injuries to its soldiers as well as breached a peace agreement overseen by US President Donald Trump that was recently signed between the two countries. Bangkok Post quoted Thai Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree as saying that forensic officials inspected the landmine explosion site in Kantharalak district, Si Sa Ket, on Monday afternoon and found an explosion pit and three more anti-personnel mines nearby. Earlier on Monday, four Thai soldiers sustained injuries after stepping on a landmine while patrolling the border, with one soldier losing his foot, the Thai military said. Following this, the coutnry's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has suspended implementation of the Thai-Cambodian peace agreement and the planned release of 18 captured Cambodian troops. "The act shows Cambodia's insincerity in reducing conflict and reflects hostility which violates the jointly signed declaration," Maj Gen Winthai was quoted by the Bangkok Post. Defence Minister Nattapon Narkphanit was quoted as saying in the Thai daily that the landmine was likely freshly laid because the explosion occurred on a path regularly patrolled by Thai soldiers. Thailand has also lodged a protest with the Cambodian government. In a statement issued late on Monday, Cambodia's defence ministry rejected Thailand's accusation claiming that the landmine which exploded and injured Thai soldiers yesterday was old and laid during Cambodia's civil war as per the Cambodian state media AKP. The statement reaffirmed that it has "not used or placed any new landmines that threaten the security and safety of civilians." The ministry restated Cambodia's determination to comply with the commitments agreed upon and stated in the agreement and to adhere to the Geneva Conventions strictly, which ban the use of anti-personnel landmines. The ministry also expressed concern over Thailand's suspension of all activities with Cambodia, as detailed in the Joint Declaration, which had included commitments to withdraw heavy weapons from the shared frontier and release the Cambodian prisoners of war. Thailand and Cambodia have long been in dispute over their 817-kilometre border, with recent tensions flaring into a military confrontation on July 24 this year. During the 47th ASEAN summit held in Kuala Lumpur in October this year the neighbouring countries signed the joint declaration on the 'KL Peace Accord' in the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Trump had offered discounted tariff rates in exchange for a ceasefire. (ANI) India and Chile have agreed to accelerate ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and deepen cooperation across key sectors, following the 9th India-Chile Foreign Office Consultations held in Santiago on November 10. The meeting was co-chaired by P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) at India's Ministry of External Affairs, and Ambassador Rodrigo Olsen, Secretary General of Chile's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The talks reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral ties, building on the discussions held during Chilean President Gabriel Boric's state visit to India in April 2025. Both sides agreed to boost cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, health, pharmaceuticals, traditional medicine, science and technology, mining and mineral exploration, defence, civil nuclear technologies, education, agriculture, and space. India also urged Chile to consider long-term agreements for the supply of critical mineral resources. "India and Chile have agreed to further strengthen cooperation in key areas, including trade, investment, connectivity, health & pharmaceuticals, traditional medicines, science and technology, mining & mineral exploration, defence, civil nuclear technologies, education, space, agriculture and people-to-people exchanges. India requested Chile to consider long-term agreements for the supply of mineral resources," MEA said in the statement. The two sides also agreed to diversify bilateral ties in new and emerging areas of contemporary relevance such as digital public infrastructure, innovation and green energy. The matter of easing visas for Indian professionals and business visitors was also discussed, particularly the launch of a multiple-entry visa for businesspersonsand professionals as announced by President Boric in April 2025. "The two countries agreed to expand their ties into emerging fields, including digital public infrastructure, innovation, and green energy. They also discussed measures to ease business and professional travel, including the implementation of Chile's newly announced multiple-entry visa for Indian professionals and entrepreneurs," said MEA's statement. To further diversify relations, both sides decided to expedite responses on several pending agreements, including cooperation in customs matters, recognition of the Indian pharmacopoeia, traditional medicine and yoga, social security, space collaboration, capacity building, education, and cultural exchange. Enhancing people-to-people links was identified as a key priority. India and Chile also committed to working together on multilateral platforms on issues of mutual concern. Chile recently hosted the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Regional Conference of the International Solar Alliance, and both countries discussed deeper collaboration in renewable energy, technology sharing, and investments. The two sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date. According to the MEA, India-Chile relations have traditionally been characterised by warmth, friendship, and a commonality of views on a wide range of issues. Both countries cooperate extensively in multilateral fora and share similar views on climate change/renewable energy and on expansion and reforms of the UNSC. (ANI) Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Tuesday led special prayers for the victims of the deadly explosion in Delhi, expressing solidarity with India. At the Changlimethang C in Thimphu, the King of Bhutan, along with thousands of Bhutanese citizens and monks, offered prayers for those who lost their lives in the November 10 car blast near Delhi's Red Fort. The Bhutanese leadership conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the tragic incident. Special prayers were offered for all those affected by the blasts. The prayers came on the same day Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Bhutan for a two-day state visit, said that the "conspirators behind the Delhi blast will not be spared and those responsible will be brought to justice." Speaking from Bhutan, PM Modi said, "Today, I come here with a very heavy heart. The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening has deeply saddened everyone. I understand the grief of the affected families. The entire nation stands with them today. I was in touch with all the agencies investigating this incident throughout last night. Our agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy. The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice." The explosion, which tore through a slow-moving Hyundai i20 near the Red Fort in central Delhi on Monday evening, killed at least eight people and injured several others. Authorities have registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and launched a multi-agency probe into the attack. Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the country's leading investigative agencies are conducting a "swift and thorough" inquiry into the recent Delhi high-intensity explosion case, assuring that those responsible will not be spared and that the investigation's findings will be made public soon. The Defence Minister also expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the blast that claimed eight lives and left several others injured. Speaking at the "Delhi Defence Dialogue" organised at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), Singh said, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their lives in the tragic incident that occurred in Delhi yesterday. I pray to God to grant strength and courage to the bereaved families in this hour of deep grief." "From this platform, I wish to assure that the country's leading investigative agencies are conducting a swift and thorough inquiry into the incident. The findings of the investigation will soon be made public. I want to formally assure the nation that those responsible for this tragedy will be brought to justice and will not be spared under any circumstances," he added. The remarks come a day after a high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort in central Delhi, killing at least eight people and injuring several others. The blast occurred around 7 pm at the Subhash Marg traffic signal, damaging nearby vehicles and prompting a nationwide alert. Delhi Police registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Kotwali Police Station. Multiple agencies are investigating the explosion to determine its cause and motive. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that "all possibilities" were being explored and promised a thorough investigation into the incident. Earlier, speaking with ANI, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi at 7 pm on Monday, and the explosion injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. (ANI) Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday expressed his condolences and solidarity with India following a blast which took place near the iconic Red Fort in the national capital on Monday evening, killing at least eight and injuring several more. In a post on X, the Sri Lankan President expressed deep sadness over the tragic incident and extended his support to the people of India. "Saddened by news of the explosion in Delhi last evening. Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. Our thoughts are with all those affected," the Sri Lankan President said. His message comes amid an outpouring of condolences from global leaders who have condemned the incident and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families. Earlier, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar expressed condolences over the deadly blast, calling the incident "heartbreaking" and wishing a speedy recovery to those who survived. "Heartbreaking scenes in Delhi following the car blast, resulting in so many dead and injured. Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Wishing speedy recovery to those who survived. Praise for the rescuers & security forces," Azar wrote in a post on X. On Monday evening, a high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort in central Delhi, which occurred around 7 pm at the Subhash Marg traffic signal, as per Union Home Minister Amit Shah, damaging nearby vehicles and prompting a nationwide alert. Delhi Police have registered a case under sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Kotwali Police Station. Multiple agencies have joined the investigation to determine the cause and motive behind the explosion. "A case has been registered under sections 16, 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Explosives Act and the BNS at the Kotwali Police Station," Delhi Police said. Shah further stated that "all possibilities" were being explored and assured a thorough investigation. Foreign missions, including those of Canada and the United States, have issued condolence messages and security advisories in response to the incident. "Canada offers its condolences to the families of the people who were killed in yesterday's horrific explosion in New Delhi and wishes those injured a speedy recovery," the Canadian Embassy in India said in a post on X. It also advised Canadian citizens in India to contact Global Affairs Canada's Emergency Watch and Response Centre for assistance. Meanwhile, the US Embassy issued a security alert for its citizens, warning them to avoid areas near the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk and to remain alert. "On November 10, 2025, a car exploded near the Lal Quila (Red Fort) metro station in central Delhi, with local media reporting multiple casualties. The Government of India has placed several Indian states on high alert," the alert said. Sri Lanka's Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, also expressed his condolences and solidarity with India following the loss of lives and those who were injured in a blast. In a post on X on Monday, Premadasa called the blast a "terror attack" and emphasised the need for collective global efforts to eliminate terrorism. "Shocked to hear about the terror attack in New Delhi. All should unite to eradicate the scourge of terrorism. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were impacted by this dastardly attack," Premadasa's post read. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Tuesday that India will soon construct an integrated immigration checkpoint near the border town of Gelephu, Bhutan, to further ease the movement of visitors and investors between the two countries. Addressing a gathering at the Changlimithang Celebration Ground in Thimphu as part of his two-day state visit to the Himalayan nation, PM Modi said the move will strengthen connectivity and ease of movement between the two neighbouring nations. "I'm making another important announcement from this platform today. In the near future, India will also be building an immigration checkpoint near Gelephu to further facilitate visitors and investors," the Prime Minister said. PM Modi also announced the connection of Gelephu and Samtse to India's vast railway network, noting that upon completion, this project will significantly improve access for Bhutanese industries and farmers to India's large market. He added that in addition to rail and road connectivity, both countries are rapidly advancing border infrastructure. Emphasising the deep-rooted partnership between India and Bhutan, PM Modi highlighted that the progress and prosperity of both countries are closely linked, noting India's previous commitment to providing Rs 10,000 crore for Bhutan's Five-Year Plan. According to the Indian Embassy in Thimphu, Rs 7,000 crores of the announced Rs 10,000 crores has been earmarked for Project Tied Assistance (PTA) projects, Rs 1,000 crores for High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP), Rs 1,500 crores for RGoB's Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) and Rs 500 crores for Programme Grant. "The progress and prosperity of India and Bhutan are intertwined, and with this sentiment, last year the Indian government announced a contribution of Rs 10,000 crore for Bhutan's Five-Year Plan. This fund is being used in every sector, from roads to agriculture, from finance to healthcare, thereby improving the ease of living for Bhutanese citizens," the Prime Minister said. PM Modi also spoke about India's efforts to ensure the steady supply of essential goods to Bhutan and the expansion of digital payment facilities. "In the past, India has undertaken several initiatives to ensure a steady supply of essential goods to the people of Bhutan, and now the UPI payment facility is also expanding here. We are also working towards ensuring that Bhutanese citizens also have access to UPI upon their arrival in India," he added. Highlighting the cultural and spiritual connections between the two nations, the Prime Minister noted the significance of shared values and heritage. "In India, the inspiration of our ancestors is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning the whole world is one family. With these sentiments, India has also participated in this Global Peace Prayer Festival in Bhutan. Today, saints from across the world are praying together for world peace, and this includes the prayers of 1.4 billion Indians," PM Modi said. He also underlined the growing cooperation between India and Bhutan in science and technology, including the joint development of a satellite. "We are also jointly building a satellite. This is a very important achievement for both India and Bhutan. A major strength of India-Bhutan relations is the spiritual connection between our people," he said. Referring to recent cultural initiatives, PM Modi mentioned the inauguration of the Royal Bhutanese Temple in Rajgir, India, and announced India's support for similar projects in Varanasi. "Two months ago, the Royal Bhutanese Temple was inaugurated in Rajgir, India. Now, this initiative is expanding to other parts of India. The people of Bhutan desired a Bhutanese temple and guest house in Varanasi. The Indian government is providing the necessary land for this. Through these temples, we are further strengthening our precious and historical ties and cultural ties," he stated. The Prime Minister will be in the Himalayan nation from November 11 to November 12, during which he will attend several official programmes and participate in the Global Peace Prayer Festival organised by the Royal Government of Bhutan. He will also attend the 70th birthday anniversary celebration of the country's fourth king. (ANI) Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov on Tuesday expressed his shock over the deadly blast near Delhi's iconic Red Fort on Monday evening, which claimed at least eight lives and injured several others. In a post on X, the Russian envoy extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, while expressing confidence that the investigation would uncover the cause of the blast. "Shocked by the explosion at the Red Fort. Confident that the ongoing thorough investigation will determine the cause of the incident. We express condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," Alipov wrote in his post. The blast, which occurred around 7 pm on Monday near the Subhash Marg traffic signal, involved a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car and caused damage to nearby vehicles, according to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Home Minister also said that "all possibilities" were being explored, and multiple agencies have joined the investigation to determine the cause and motive behind the explosion. Delhi Police have registered a case under sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Kotwali Police Station. The explosion has also drawn widespread international condemnation and messages of solidarity from several world leaders. Earlier today, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his condolences and support for India, stating, "Saddened by news of the explosion in Delhi last evening. Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. Our thoughts are with all those affected." Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar also described the incident as "heartbreaking", extending condolences and commending the rescue teams for their swift action. "Heartbreaking scenes in Delhi following the car blast, resulting in so many dead and injured. Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Wishing speedy recovery to those who survived. Praise for the rescuers & security forces," Azar posted on X. Foreign missions, including those of Canada and the United States, have issued condolence messages and security advisories. The Canadian Embassy expressed sympathy for the victims, while the US Embassy advised its citizens to avoid areas near the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk and remain vigilant. "On November 10, 2025, a car exploded near the Lal Quila (Red Fort) metro station in central Delhi, with local media reporting multiple casualties. The Government of India has placed several Indian states on high alert," the US Embassy said in its alert. Sri Lanka's Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, also condemned the incident, calling it a "terror attack" and urging global unity against terrorism. "Shocked to hear about the terror attack in New Delhi. All should unite to eradicate the scourge of terrorism. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were impacted by this dastardly attack," Premadasa said in a post on X. The explosion, which occurred in one of Delhi's busiest heritage zones, has prompted heightened security measures and a nationwide alert as authorities continue to probe the incident. (ANI) Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Tuesday urged his people to pray for India following the deadly Red Fort blast in Delhi that claimed eight lives, injuring several others. Addressing a gathering at Thimphu's Changlimethang Stadium, the Bhutan King said, "Let us all come together and pray for India, pray for Prime Minister Modi. May all your aspirations, your vision, and your service to India bear fruit. May you overcome each and every single obstacle. And may your dream of an even brighter, stronger, more prosperous India be fulfilled." Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, he added, "But above all, we would like to take a moment and pray for the people who sadly lost their lives yesterday in Delhi. We'd like to pray for them." The Bhutanese leadership conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the tragic incident. The prayers came on the same day Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Bhutan for a two-day state visit, said that the "conspirators behind the Delhi blast will not be spared and those responsible will be brought to justice." Speaking from Bhutan, PM Modi said, "Today, I come here with a very heavy heart. The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening has deeply saddened everyone. I understand the grief of the affected families. The entire nation stands with them today. I was in touch with all the agencies investigating this incident throughout last night. Our agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy. The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice." The explosion, which tore through a slow-moving Hyundai i20 near the Red Fort in central Delhi on Monday evening, killed at least eight people and injured several others. Authorities have registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and launched a multi-agency probe into the attack. Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the country's leading investigative agencies are conducting a "swift and thorough" inquiry into the recent Delhi high-intensity explosion case, assuring that those responsible will not be spared and that the investigation's findings will be made public soon. The Defence Minister also expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the blast that claimed eight lives and left several others injured. Speaking at the "Delhi Defence Dialogue" organised at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), Singh said, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their lives in the tragic incident that occurred in Delhi yesterday. I pray to God to grant strength and courage to the bereaved families in this hour of deep grief." "From this platform, I wish to assure that the country's leading investigative agencies are conducting a swift and thorough inquiry into the incident. The findings of the investigation will soon be made public. I want to formally assure the nation that those responsible for this tragedy will be brought to justice and will not be spared under any circumstances," he added. The remarks come a day after a high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort in central Delhi, killing at least eight people and injuring several others. The blast occurred around 7 pm at the Subhash Marg traffic signal, damaging nearby vehicles and prompting a nationwide alert. Delhi Police registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Kotwali Police Station. Multiple agencies are investigating the explosion to determine its cause and motive. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that "all possibilities" were being explored and promised a thorough investigation into the incident. Earlier, speaking with ANI, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi at 7 pm on Monday, and the explosion injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. (ANI) Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Tuesday offered heartfelt condolences to the people of India following the deadly explosion near Delhi's iconic Red Fort, which claimed at least eight lives and injured several others. Posting on X, Saar said, "I extend my & Israel's deepest condolences to the People of India and especially to the families of the innocent victims killed in the blast at the heart of Delhi." https://x.com/gidonsaar/status/1988167085164569065?s=20 He also wished "speedy recovery to the wounded." Reaffirming Israel's solidarity with India, the Israeli Foreign Minister stated, "Israel stands with India in its fight against terror." The explosion, which occurred around 7 pm on Monday near the Subhash Marg traffic signal close to the Red Fort, involved a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car and caused damage to several nearby vehicles, according to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He said that "all possibilities" were being explored, with multiple agencies joining the investigation to determine the cause and motive behind the blast. In response to the tragedy, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov on Tuesday expressed deep shock over the incident and conveyed his condolences to the victims' families. Posting on X, he said, "Shocked by the explosion at the Red Fort. Confident that the ongoing thorough investigation will determine the cause of the incident. We express condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured." Following the explosion, Delhi Police registered a case under sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Kotwali Police Station. The case is now being jointly investigated by central and state agencies amid heightened security in the national capital. The blast has drawn widespread condemnation and messages of solidarity from several world leaders and foreign missions. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, "Saddened by news of the explosion in Delhi last evening. Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. Our thoughts are with all those affected." Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar also described the incident as "heartbreaking", commending the swift response of emergency teams. "Heartbreaking scenes in Delhi following the car blast, resulting in so many dead and injured. Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Wishing speedy recovery to those who survived. Praise for the rescuers & security forces," he posted on X. Foreign missions, including those of Canada and the United States, also issued condolences and security advisories in response to the explosion. In its advisory, the US Embassy stated, "On November 10, 2025, a car exploded near the Lal Quila (Red Fort) metro station in central Delhi, with local media reporting multiple casualties. The Government of India has placed several Indian states on high alert." The explosion, which struck one of Delhi's busiest heritage zones, has prompted a nationwide security alert as investigators work to identify those responsible and determine whether the incident was a targeted act of terror. (ANI) Singapore's High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, on Tuesday condemned the car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort, describing it as an "act of terror" and extending condolences to the victims and their families. In a message shared on X, Wong said, "Offering my prayers to the victims and families of the car blast near Red Fort. Singapore strongly condemns this act of terror. SG stands with India." https://x.com/SGinIndia/status/1988082302589800482?s=20 His statement came as global reactions poured in following the deadly Red Fort blast, which claimed at least eight lives and left several others injured. The explosion, which occurred around 7 pm on Monday near the Subhash Marg traffic signal close to the Red Fort, involved a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car and caused damage to nearby vehicles, according to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Home Minister said that "all possibilities" were being explored, with multiple agencies joining the investigation to determine the cause and motive behind the blast. He confirmed that Delhi Police had registered a case under sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Kotwali Police Station. Expressing solidarity with India, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Tuesday offered heartfelt condolences to the people of India over the explosion. Posting on X, Saar said, "I extend my & Israel's deepest condolences to the People of India and especially to the families of the innocent victims killed in the blast at the heart of Delhi." He also wished a swift recovery for those injured, adding, "Wishing speedy recovery to the wounded." Reaffirming Israel's support for India, he stated, "Israel stands with India in its fight against terror." In a similar message, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov expressed deep shock over the incident and conveyed his condolences to the victims' families. Posting on X, he said, "Shocked by the explosion at the Red Fort. Confident that the ongoing thorough investigation will determine the cause of the incident. We express condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured." The blast has drawn widespread condemnation and messages of solidarity from several world leaders and foreign missions. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, "Saddened by news of the explosion in Delhi last evening. Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. Our thoughts are with all those affected." Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar also described the incident as "heartbreaking" and commended the swift response of the emergency teams. "Heartbreaking scenes in Delhi following the car blast, resulting in so many dead and injured. Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Wishing speedy recovery to those who survived. Praise for the rescuers & security forces," he posted on X. Foreign missions, including those of Canada and the United States, also extended condolences and issued security advisories following the blast. The Canadian Embassy expressed sympathy for the victims, while the US Embassy urged its citizens to remain alert and avoid areas around the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. In its advisory, the US Embassy stated, "On November 10, 2025, a car exploded near the Lal Quila (Red Fort) metro station in central Delhi, with local media reporting multiple casualties. The Government of India has placed several Indian states on high alert." Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, condemned the explosion, describing it as a "terror attack" and calling for global unity against extremism. "Shocked to hear about the terror attack in New Delhi. All should unite to eradicate the scourge of terrorism. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were impacted by this dastardly attack," Premadasa said on X. The explosion in one of Delhi's busiest heritage zones has prompted a nationwide security alert as investigators work to identify those responsible and determine whether the incident was a targeted act of terror. (ANI) Industry Recognition Highlights I-CAR's Leadership in Collision Repair Training LAS VEGAS, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- I-CAR is honored to announce that its Mixed Attachment Methods course has been named a SEMA 2025 Media Choice Winner. SEMA's celebrated media recognition program brings together top editors from leading consumer, enthusiast, and trade outlets, who review the New Products Showcase to spotlight innovations they believe will stand out with their audiences. Mixed Attachment Methods Course The course features an in-shop, hands-on training format that reinforces proficiency in multiple OEM-referenced joining techniques, including rivet bonding, MAG welding, MIG brazing, steel sectioning, and spot welding. "I-CAR is honored to be recognized as a Media Choice winner," said Kyle Thompson, I-CAR CEO & President. "Mixed Attachment Methods reflects our ongoing commitment to advanced technical training that prepares the industry to repair complex vehicles completely and safely." Launched as a pilot earlier this year, the Mixed Attachment Methods course debuted at the 2025 SEMA Show through a visually engaging exhibit featuring the course's custom-built training prop. The course officially launches in early 2026 and will meet renewal requirements for Gold Class and Platinum structural technician role. About I-CAR: Founded in 1979, I-CAR is a not-for-profit education, knowledge, and solutions organization designed to support the evolving needs of the Collision Repair Inter-Industry. I-CAR, which is accredited by IACET (The International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training) is focused on improving the quality and safety of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of both the industry and the consumer. For more information, please visit www.i-car.com SOURCE I-CAR Hailing India as an "important economic and strategic security partner" in the Indo-Pacific region, US President Donald Trump said the United States has a "fantastic relationship" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the swearing-in ceremony of Sergio Gor as the new US Ambassador to India on Monday, Trump remarked, "We have a fantastic relationship with the Prime Minister, (Narendra) Modi, and Sergio (Gor) has only enhanced that because he's become already friendly with the Prime Minister." Underscoring India's rapid economic growth and its key role in regional security, Trump stated, "India has the fastest-growing middle class and is an 'important' economic and strategic security partner in the Indo-Pacific region." He continued, "It's an amazing country, actually, 1.5 billion people. China has 1.4 billion. Those are two big countries. As Ambassador, Sergio will work to fortify our country's bond, promote investments in key US industries and technologies, increase American energy exports and expand our security cooperation." Expressing confidence in Gor's appointment, the US President added, "Knowing that Sergio is going to be the Ambassador, they would call constantly to say, 'let's get to know this man', and they like what they see." During the ceremony, Trump also noted that the United States and India were "pretty close" to reaching a "fair trade deal" and indicated his willingness to reduce tariffs imposed on New Delhi. "We're making a deal with India, much different deal than we had in the past. So right now, they don't love me, but they'll love us again," Trump said. He added, "We're getting a fair deal, just a fair trade deal. We had pretty unfair trade deals. They're very good negotiators, Sergio, so you have to take a look at that, if you would please." Addressing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during the event, Trump remarked, "But we're getting close. Scott, I think we're pretty close to doing a deal that's good for everybody." On the question of tariffs, Trump explained, "Well, right now the tariffs are very high on India because of the Russian oil, and they've stopped doing the Russian oil. It's been reduced very substantially. Yeah, we're going to be bringing the tariffs down." He added, "At some point, no, at some point, we're going to be bringing them down. Without tariffs, this country would be in such trouble as they were for many years." Five rounds of negotiations have already been concluded for the initial phase of the bilateral trade agreement, with both sides reportedly "very near" to finalising its terms. Officials in New Delhi have said that remaining discussions focus on refining the language of the draft text. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Vice President J D Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Pam Bondi, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, Senator Lindsey Graham, and other senior officials and lawmakers. Congratulating the new envoy, Trump remarked, "Being the Ambassador to India is a big deal. So Sergio, congratulations. I know you're going to do a fantastic job." Describing Gor's personality with humour, Trump said, "Some people don't like him so much. I'll be honest with you, Sergio. Some people, when they don't like Sergio, they don't like him, but when they like him, they like him more than anybody." Gor's nomination was approved by the US Senate in October after Trump appointed him as both Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. "In his role as Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Gor will be a key emissary to a very important group of nations at the crossroads between East and West," Trump said. Last month, Gor met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi. Prime Minister Modi wrote on X that he was "glad" to receive Gor and expressed confidence that "his tenure will further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership." Gor posted on X, "An honour to be with PM @narendramodi this evening. Our relationship with India will only strengthen over the months ahead." He also presented Prime Minister Modi with a framed photograph from the 2020 joint press conference between Trump and the Prime Minister at the White House, signed by Trump with the message, "Mr Prime Minister, you are great." (ANI) EAM's participation in the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting reflects India's continued commitment to working with international partners in addressing global challenges and bolstering the voice of the Global South in international fora. Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the statement added. The G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting is taking place in Niagara, a picturesque area in Canada known for its iconic Falls, on November 11 and 12. The gathering brings together ministers from G7 member countries Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union along with several outreach nations including India, Australia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine. Ahead of the event, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) said it is "pleased to host ministers from several outreach countries, reflecting shared global priorities and partnerships." The invitation to India was formally extended last month when Canada's Foreign Minister, Anita Anand, travelled to New Delhi and met with her Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. During their discussions, both leaders reiterated their mutual goal to restore confidence and enhance cooperation across key areas of engagement. Prior to her India visit, Anand had also met Jaishankar on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 29, continuing efforts to strengthen dialogue between the two sides. The current visit also comes in the backdrop of the July meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, which helped set the stage for a reset in bilateral relations that had faced significant strain during 2023-24. (ANI) The agreement was formalised by MGIMO Rector Academician Anatoly Torkunov and Chairman of TV BRICS Ivan Polyakov. Under the pact, both institutions will collaborate on joint media and educational initiatives, promote scientific and cultural projects, co-host academic conferences, and facilitate networking between expert and professional communities. A key focus will be the promotion of the Russian language and educational opportunities abroad, as reported by TV BRICS. Rector Torkunov said the collaboration would enhance MGIMO's engagement with BRICS+ countries and amplify the university's global visibility. "We have maintained a long-standing partnership with TV BRICS, and this agreement will create new momentum for joint projects that contribute to a balanced representation of Russia and BRICS nations in global media," he noted. He added that the initiative would offer MGIMO students and faculty fresh avenues for international exposure. Polyakov highlighted that TV BRICS works with over 30 leading academic and scientific institutions across Russia, Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Iran and other countries. These include members of the BRICS Network University, the Indian Association of Russian Language and Literature Teachers, Brazil's International Cooperation Group of Universities, the State of Rio de Janeiro's Education Ministry, as well as the Education Ministries of Cuba. TV BRICS supports several university-driven international events. In 2024 and 2025, it will serve as co-organiser and media partner for the BRICS Countries Culture and Traditions Festival for school children, held at MGIMO. Through its flagship education initiative, "Modern Russian," the network conducts language-learning and cultural outreach across more than 150 countries, including virtual linguistic and cultural exchanges with students from BRICS universities. MGIMO, the Russian Foreign Ministry's flagship university, offers 115 bachelor's and master's programmes across 20 disciplines and teaches 56 foreign languages, over half of them from Asia. The institution hosts 14 research centres, publishes 16 academic journals, and is part of the Priority 2030 state initiative to advance world-class research in humanities and social sciences. (ANI) Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that Japan's Foreign Ministry and its embassy in China had issued a formal and strong protest, urging an immediate retraction of the statement by Xue Jian, China's consul-general in Osaka. Kihara condemned the remarks as "extremely inappropriate," stressing that Tokyo demanded "a clear and satisfactory explanation" from China, as reported by The Epoch Times. The post, which referenced media reports on Takaichi's remarks about Taiwan, was deleted within a day. While Xue did not name the prime minister directly, his words clearly responded to her parliamentary statement that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would pose a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. Under Japan's security laws, such a scenario would authorise the use of its Self-Defence Forces to assist an ally, a point highlighted as potentially redefining Tokyo's defence posture. Takaichi, who took office in October, became the first Japanese leader to make such a bold declaration publicly. Defending her statement, she told Parliament that her remarks were "a worst-case assumption" aligned with existing national policy. The incident drew a strong reaction from the United States. US Ambassador George Glass condemned Xue's language, saying it amounted to a direct threat to Japan's leadership. "The mask slips again," he wrote on X, urging China to "start behaving like the 'good neighbor' it pretends to be," as cited by The Epoch Times. Taiwan's Presidential Office also condemned the threat, calling it a violation of diplomatic protocol and a reflection of China's habitual intimidation toward democratic neighbours. China, however, doubled down, with its Foreign Ministry defending Xue and accusing Japan of "provoking instability," as reported by The Epoch Times. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to Bhutan has yielded several significant outcomes, marked by key inaugurations, major announcements, and the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across energy, health, and development sectors. According to the List of Outcomes released by the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday, PM Modi's two-day visit witnessed the inauguration of the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, constructed under a bilateral agreement between the Government of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan, symbolising the strength of the two nations' energy partnership. An understanding was also reached on the resumption of work on the main dam structure of the 1200 MW Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project, underscoring continued collaboration in the hydropower sector, it said. Further strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties, land in Varanasi was granted for the construction of a Bhutanese temple, monastery, and guest house. To facilitate connectivity and streamline cross-border movement, a decision was taken to establish an immigration check post in Hatisar across Gelephu in Bhutan. Enhancing Bhutan's development cooperation, a line of credit of Rs 4000 crore was also extended to the country. Three MoUs were exchanged during the visit, reflecting the shared commitment to expand cooperation in key areas. The MoU on co-operation in the field of renewable energy seeks to institutionalise bilateral engagements and promote joint efforts in solar energy, wind energy, biomass, energy storage, green hydrogen, and capacity building. It was signed by Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Minister for Energy and Natural Resources, and Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, Minister for New and Renewable Energy. In the health sector, the MoU on co-operation in the field of health and medicine aims to strengthen collaboration in areas including drugs, diagnostics and devices, maternal health, prevention and treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases, traditional medicine, digital health interventions such as telemedicine, and technical collaboration through joint research and capacity building of health professionals. It was signed by Pemba Wangchuk, Secretary, Ministry of Health, and Sandeep Arya, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bhutan. The third MoU, between the PEMA Secretariat of Bhutan and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) India, focuses on building institutional linkages to enhance the capacity building of mental health professionals and develop in-country mental health courses for service enhancement and research. It was signed by Dechen Wangmo, Head of the PEMA Secretariat, Bhutan, and Sandeep Arya, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bhutan. (ANI) In a special gesture reflecting the depth of India-Botswana friendship, President Droupadi Murmu was warmly received upon arrival at the airport by the President of Botswana, Duma Gideon Boko, and accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour. In a post on X, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said, "In the final leg of her two-nation visit to Africa, President Droupadi Murmu landed at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, Gaborone, Botswana. This is the first-ever State Visit of an Indian Head of State to Botswana. In a special gesture reflecting the depth of India-Botswana friendship, she was warmly received upon arrival at the airport by H.E. Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, the President of Botswana, and accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour." https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1988305254279246283?s=20 Earlier, President Murmu departed from Luanda for her visit to Botswana after concluding her engagements in Angola, the first leg of her tour from November 8 to 11, undertaken at the invitation of her Angolan counterpart, Joo Lourenco. The visit to Angola underscored India's commitment to strengthening ties with Africa and the Global South. The historic trip built upon recent high-level exchanges, including Angolan President Lourenco's visit to New Delhi in May. Discussions during the visit advanced the agenda set earlier this year, which saw India approve a USD 200 million line of credit to help Angola modernise its defence forces. Both sides also held talks to finalise this agreement, aimed at facilitating Angola in sourcing defence equipment from India. Following the completion of her engagements in Angola, President Murmu arrived in Botswana for the second leg of her Africa tour, scheduled from November 11 to 13, at the invitation of President Duma Gideon Boko. This visit marks a milestone in India-Botswana relations, as it is the first-ever state visit by an Indian head of state to Botswana. The Botswana leg will focus on expanding co-operation in trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, defence, and people-to-people exchanges. During her visit, President Murmu will hold bilateral discussions, address the National Assembly of Botswana, and visit cultural and historical sites. Botswana has also expressed its readiness to collaborate with India on Project Cheetah and the possible translocation of cheetahs from Botswana to India. (ANI) President Droupadi Murmu received a ceremonial welcome in Gaborone, Botswana, on Tuesday, marking the beginning of her state visit to the country. President of Botswana, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, was also present on the occasion. President Murmu's arrival in Botswana marks the first-ever state visit by an Indian head of state to the country. The visit is part of her two-nation tour to Africa, which began in Angola, reflecting India's deepening engagement with the continent. Earlier, President Murmu departed from Luanda for her visit to Botswana after concluding her engagements in Angola, the first leg of her tour from November 8 to 11, undertaken at the invitation of her Angolan counterpart, Joo Lourenco. The visit to Angola underscored India's commitment to strengthening ties with Africa and the Global South. The historic trip built upon recent high-level exchanges, including Angolan President Lourenco's visit to New Delhi in May. Discussions during the visit advanced the agenda set earlier this year, which saw India approve a USD 200 million line of credit to help Angola modernise its defence forces. Both sides also held talks to finalise this agreement, aimed at facilitating Angola in sourcing defence equipment from India. According to MEA Secretary of Economic Relations Sudhakar Dalela, President Murmu's tour reflected India's growing focus on deepening partnerships across political, economic, developmental, and cultural dimensions. He further noted that the visit also included discussions on translocating cheetahs from Botswana as part of Project Cheetah in India. During her stay in Angola, President Murmu held comprehensive bilateral talks with President Lourenco at the Presidential Palace in Luanda, attended the 50th anniversary celebrations of Angola's independence, addressed the Angolan Parliament, and interacted with members of the Indian community. The two sides also discussed co-operation in healthcare, space technology, and digital public infrastructure. In addition, they explored ways to strengthen partnerships under global initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the Global Biofuel Alliance, and the International Big Cat Alliance. Following the completion of her engagements in Angola, President Murmu arrived in Botswana for the second leg of her Africa tour, scheduled from November 11 to 13, at the invitation of President Duma Gideon Boko. This visit marks a milestone in India-Botswana relations, as it is the first-ever state visit by an Indian head of state to Botswana. The Botswana leg will focus on expanding co-operation in trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, defence, and people-to-people exchanges. During her visit, President Murmu will hold bilateral discussions, address the National Assembly of Botswana, and visit cultural and historical sites. Botswana has also expressed its readiness to collaborate with India on Project Cheetah and the possible translocation of cheetahs from Botswana to India. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing two-day official visit to Bhutan has seen a strong emphasis on energy cooperation, connectivity, and cultural partnership between the two neighbours. India's Ambassador to Bhutan, Sandeep Arya, said the growing energy partnership was a key focus of discussions during the visit. Speaking with ANI, he said, "Energy partnership was another very important feature of the discussions, and energy has had a long history, both in the Indian side and means the Prime Minister of India and the King of Bhutan, both of them underlined the fact that we have the foundation for the hydro power partnership between the two countries was laid during the period of the fourth King of Bhutan in 1970s." He added that this collaboration has become a major success story. "Over a period of time, it has had enormous achievements," Arya noted, underlining the continued strength of the partnership. During the visit, India and Bhutan signed seven key agreements, including New Delhi's pledge to provide a concessional line of credit worth Rs 4,000 crore to boost Bhutan's energy sector. Referring to this, Arya said, "At the same meeting, there was an announcement of a line of credit of Indian rupees 4000, which translates into null from 40 billion, which has been kind of extended." The two sides also signed an MoU on renewable energy cooperation. Arya said, "The two countries signed and exchanged, in the presence of the two leaders, an MoU on cooperation in the field of renewable energy, which will cover solar energy, wind energy, biomass energy, green hydrogen and battery storage and energy storage in general, so this is a very good beginning." He described it as "a very substantive memorandum of understanding in which two countries will work together on the joint design and development of energy projects across all these areas." Prime Minister Modi and Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck jointly inaugurated the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, developed under a bilateral agreement between the two countries. The Prime Minister said the project has added "40 per cent of the total installed hydropower capacity of Bhutan." Officials said both sides have also reached an understanding on the project's tariff, which will be announced soon. During his visit, Prime Minister Modi addressed a gathering at Thimphu's Changlimithang Stadium to mark the 70th birth anniversary of Bhutan's former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. He paid tribute to the former monarch, describing him as "a confluence of wisdom, simplicity, courage, and selfless service to the nation." The Prime Minister recalled the former King's contribution to regional peace and democracy, noting his role in removing ULFA insurgent camps from Bhutanese territory. "The idea of 'Gross National Happiness' that you (the former Bhutanese King) introduced has today become an important measure of development across the world. You have shown that nation-building is not only about GDP, but also about the well-being of humanity," he said. At the same event, Prime Minister Modi assured that Indian authorities "will get to the bottom" of the blast that occurred near Delhi's Red Fort on Monday evening, adding, "All those responsible will be brought to justice." He also attended the Global Peace Prayer Festival, where the Bhutanese King led prayers in honour of the victims of the Delhi blast. Strengthening connectivity remained another key theme of the visit. The two sides announced the launch of India-funded rail projects connecting Assam's Kokrajhar with Bhutan's Gelephu and West Bengal's Banarhat with Bhutan's Samtse. Together spanning 89 km, the projects approved by India's Union Cabinet in September will be the first rail links between the two countries, built at a cost of Rs 4,033 crore. Emphasising the importance of regional connectivity, Prime Minister Modi said, "Connectivity creates opportunity and opportunity creates prosperity. With this goal in mind, a decision has been made to connect the cities of Gelephu and Samtse to India's vast rail network in the near future." He added that these projects would help Bhutanese industries and farmers gain better access to Indian markets. Reaffirming India's commitment to Bhutan's future growth, Prime Minister Modi said New Delhi fully supports the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative, a flagship vision project of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. "In the near future, India will also be building an immigration checkpoint near Gelephu to further facilitate visitors and investors coming here," he announced. Both nations also agreed to establish an immigration check post at Hatisar in Assam's Chirang district, located opposite Bhutan's Gelephu town. Officials said the improved connectivity will make travel between Guwahati airport and Gelephu more convenient. Praising Bhutan's leadership for its focus on sustainability, Prime Minister Modi said the country's "sustainable development and environment first" approach has made it the world's first carbon-negative nation. He highlighted that Bhutan generates "100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources." He added that both nations are also working to revive a long-stalled hydroelectric project and take "major steps together in solar energy." Prime Minister Modi recalled that his first foreign visit after assuming office in 2014 was to Bhutan, underscoring the deep cultural and historical connection between the two countries. He reaffirmed India's developmental assistance, saying, "India last year announced a contribution of Rs 10,000 crore for Bhutan's Five-Year Plan. The people of Bhutan desired a Bhutanese temple and guest house in Varanasi. The Indian government is providing the necessary land for this." The Prime Minister added that this initiative will further "strengthen our precious and historic cultural ties." He also announced that steps are being taken to enable Bhutanese citizens to use India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system when visiting India. (ANI) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the explosion that occurred in Delhi, India. In a post on X, Takaichi said, "I am in deep sorrow to learn that many precious lives were lost in the explosion that occurred in Delhi, India." https://x.com/takaichi_sanae/status/1988214655551262993?s=20 "On behalf of the Government and people of Japan, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their bereaved families," she added. The Japanese Prime Minister further said, "I also offer my sincere prayers for the swift recovery of the injured." Israel too extended its condolences, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar offering heartfelt sympathy to the people of India following the deadly explosion near Delhi's iconic Red Fort, which claimed at least eight lives and injured several others. Posting on X, Saar said, "I extend my & Israel's deepest condolences to the People of India and especially to the families of the innocent victims killed in the blast at the heart of Delhi." He also wished "speedy recovery to the wounded." Reaffirming Israel's solidarity with India, the Israeli Foreign Minister stated, "Israel stands with India in its fight against terror." The explosion, which occurred around 7 pm on Monday near the Subhash Marg traffic signal close to the Red Fort, involved a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car and caused damage to several nearby vehicles, according to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He said that "all possibilities" were being explored, with multiple agencies joining the investigation to determine the cause and motive behind the blast. In response to the tragedy, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov on Tuesday expressed deep shock over the incident and conveyed his condolences to the victims' families. Posting on X, he said, "Shocked by the explosion at the Red Fort. Confident that the ongoing thorough investigation will determine the cause of the incident. We express condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured." Following the explosion, Delhi Police registered a case under sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Kotwali Police Station. The case is now being jointly investigated by central and state agencies amid heightened security in the national capital. The blast has drawn widespread condemnation and messages of solidarity from several world leaders and foreign missions. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, "Saddened by news of the explosion in Delhi last evening. Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. Our thoughts are with all those affected." Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar also described the incident as "heartbreaking", commending the swift response of emergency teams. "Heartbreaking scenes in Delhi following the car blast, resulting in so many dead and injured. Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Wishing speedy recovery to those who survived. Praise for the rescuers & security forces," he posted on X. Foreign missions, including those of Canada and the United States, also issued condolences and security advisories in response to the explosion. In its advisory, the US Embassy stated, "On November 10, 2025, a car exploded near the Lal Quila (Red Fort) metro station in central Delhi, with local media reporting multiple casualties. The Government of India has placed several Indian states on high alert." The explosion, which struck one of Delhi's busiest heritage zones, has prompted a nationwide security alert as investigators work to identify those responsible and determine whether the incident was a targeted act of terror. (ANI) China extended condolences to those affected by the fatal explosion near Delhi's Red Fort metro station. In a post on X on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said, "Our hearts go out to those affected by the fatal explosion near #Delhi's Red Fort metro station. Our deepest sympathies to those who lost loved ones and we wish those who were injured speedy recovery." https://x.com/MFA_China/status/1988192812576436298?s=20 Echoing similar sentiments, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong also conveyed his condolences to the victims of the blast near Delhi's Red Fort metro station, in which at least eight people were killed and several others were injured on Monday evening. In a post on X, Ambassador Xu extended his sympathies and offered solidarity to those affected by the tragic incident. "Saddened by the explosion near Delhi's Red Fort metro station. My deepest condolences to the victims, and my thoughts are with everyone affected," the Chinese envoy wrote. The message from the Chinese Ambassador comes as several foreign leaders and envoys have expressed grief and solidarity with India following the deadly blast in the heart of the national capital. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov earlier expressed shock over the incident and said he was confident that the ongoing investigation would determine the cause of the explosion. "Shocked by the explosion at the Red Fort. Confident that the ongoing thorough investigation will determine the cause of the incident. We express condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," Alipov said in a post on X. The blast, which occurred around 7 pm near the Subhash Marg traffic signal close to the Red Fort, involved a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car that exploded, as per Union Home Minister Amit Shah, damaging nearby vehicles. Shah further said that "all possibilities" were being explored, while multiple agencies have joined the investigation to determine the cause and motive behind the explosion. Delhi Police have registered a case under sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Kotwali Police Station. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also expressed his condolences and solidarity with India, saying, "Saddened by news of the explosion in Delhi last evening. Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. Our thoughts are with all those affected." Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar described the blast as "heartbreaking", extending condolences and praise for rescue teams and security forces. At the same time, missions from Canada and the United States also issued condolence messages and advisories for their citizens. Sri Lanka's Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, termed the explosion a "terror attack" and called for global unity to eradicate terrorism. "Shocked to hear about the terror attack in New Delhi. All should unite to eradicate the scourge of terrorism. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were impacted by this dastardly attack," Premadasa posted on X. The explosion near one of Delhi's most iconic landmarks has drawn widespread international condemnation and prompted heightened security measures across major cities as the investigation continues. (ANI) PITTSBURGH, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- InventHelp and its sister licensing company, Intromark Incorporated, proudly announce the continued success of Stack Em', an innovative drinkware brand developed by inventor and entrepreneur Andy Beier. The brand's flagship product, the Stack Em' Can Cooler, has gained remarkable traction in the outdoor marketmost recently with its retail launch at Scheels Sporting Goods, a showcase at Outdoor Retailer 2025 in Salt Lake City, and strong online performance through Amazon.com. Innovation on Display at Outdoor Retailer 2025 The Outdoor Retailer Summer Show, held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, remains the nation's premier destination for outdoor and active lifestyle brands. This year's event emphasized innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth, giving smaller companies the spotlightand Stack Em' stood out as one of the most talked-about emerging brands. InventHelp's Managing Director of Licensing, Kurtis Charlton, attended the event to meet with Beier and his wife, Lindsey, between meetings. "It was great spending time with Andy and Lindsey at the show," said Charlton. "Outdoor Retailer has shifted to become a platform where small businesses and inventors can really shine. Seeing Stack Em' capture attention on that stage was incredibleit's proof that real innovation still cuts through." Product Expansion and Financial Growth The Stack Em' Can Cooler features a unique spring-loaded mechanism that securely holds two cans, allowing users to enjoy beverages back-to-back without reloading. Made from premium materials, it offers superior insulation, rugged durability, and conveniencemaking it an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts, tailgaters, and weekend travelers. The brand continues to grow with multiple colorways and the new 16oz. Slim Can version, now in development. The expansion not only broadens the product line but also reinforces Stack Em's commitment to delivering functional, high-quality drinkware that stands apart from legacy brands like YETI and Stanley. This growth has translated into measurable success. Stack Em' recently achieved a financial gain for 2025, meeting internal performance benchmarks that very few inventor-developed products reach. As noted in internal reporting, only a small percentage of InventHelp-assisted products reach this stage of profitabilitymaking Stack Em's progress an exceptional milestone. Retail and Online Presence With products now available in-store and online at Scheels, Stack Em' continues to expand its reach. For consumers outside of Scheels' footprint, Stack Em's Amazon.com storefront has become a growing sales channeldriving additional visibility and positive customer feedback. Reviews praise the brand's innovative design, functionality, and build quality, helping it steadily rise among top-rated outdoor drinkware products. In his verified Trustpilot review, Beier shared: "HUGE Thank you to InventHelp!!!! My name is Andy and I am the Inventor and CEO of Stack'Em. I have been extremely pleased with InventHelp!!! At first I was a little concerned that I wasn't going to get my money back that I was investing. They were honest and upfront about what to expect as well. I can tell you that I did and it is growing every month. They have helped me build my brand and sell my product. Everyone that I have worked with has been amazing and helpful." InventHelp and Intromark are now pursuing additional retail placement opportunities with Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, and Ace Hardware, further cementing Stack Em''s standing as one of the most promising new entrants in the drinkware category. "Stack Em' represents what InventHelp is all about," added Charlton. "A simple idea, fueled by persistence and smart collaboration, has turned into a real invention success story." About Stack Em' Founded by Andy and Lindsey Beier, Stack Em' is redefining drinkware convenience with its patent-pending spring-loaded can cooler system. Designed for durability, efficiency, and style, Stack Em' products are made for people who love to camp, tailgate, travel, and spend time outdoors. Learn more or shop the collection at www.stackem.net. About InventHelp Founded in 1984, InventHelp is one of America's leading inventor service companies. With more than 60 sales offices across the U.S. and Canada, they help everyday inventors submit their ideas to industry. Its sister licensing company, Intromark Incorporated, works directly with manufacturers, distributors, and retailers trying to bring new products to market through licensing, wholesale, and distribution partnerships. Typically, most client inventions are not licensed, manufactured, or sold on Amazon. This specific client's invention is a financial gain. Media Contact: Maria Jones [email protected] SOURCE InventHelp Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bhutan on Tuesday carried deep emotional significance for both nations, coming just hours after a deadly blast in Delhi that claimed eight lives near the Red Fort. India's Ambassador to Bhutan, Sandeep Arya, described the moment as deeply moving for both sides, noting Prime Minister Modi's decision to continue his Bhutan visit despite the tragedy. "I think it was very touching for both sides, the fact that, despite the blast in Delhi, which took place yesterday evening, and I think in that background, the fact that Prime Minister of India considered it still important to be present here, and the appreciation and acknowledgement of that by the King of Bhutan, was notable," Arya stated. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi addressed an event marking the 70th birth anniversary of the Fourth King of Bhutan at the Changlimethang Celebration Ground in Thimphu. In his remarks, he expressed grief over the incident in Delhi and vowed that those responsible would be punished. "Our agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy. The conspirators behind this will not be spared," he said. "Today I come here with a heavy heart. The horrific incident that occurred in Delhi yesterday evening has saddened everyone. I understand the grief of the affected families. Today the entire nation stands with them," Prime Minister Modi added, while assuring that investigation agencies were working through the night to identify and bring those responsible to justice. Following his address, Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck led the nation in offering prayers for India and for the victims of the blast. Addressing a gathering at Thimphu's Changlimethang Stadium, the Bhutan King said, "Let us all come together and pray for India, pray for Prime Minister Modi. May all your aspirations, your vision, and your service to India bear fruit. May you overcome each and every single obstacle. And may your dream of an even brighter, stronger, more prosperous India be fulfilled." Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, he added, "But above all, we would like to take a moment and pray for the people who sadly lost their lives yesterday in Delhi. We'd like to pray for them." Ambassador Arya noted that the King of Bhutan personally led the special prayers. "The King of Bhutan led special prayers. The prayers he said were also dedicated to India, to the Prime Minister and his vision for the future of India," Arya said, adding that "he also dedicated the prayers to the victims and the people who suffered in the incident in Delhi yesterday." The Bhutanese leadership also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the tragic explosion. The blast occurred on Monday evening when a powerful explosion tore through a slow-moving car near the Red Fort metro station in Delhi. The explosion, which took place around 6:52 pm, killed eight people and left several others injured. The car, identified as a white Hyundai i20, was completely destroyed, and nearby vehicles were damaged in the busy area. (ANI) TOKYO, Nov 11 (News On Japan) - Thai police have dispatched senior officers to Japan to coordinate with local authorities over the case of a 12-year-old Thai girl who was illegally employed at a massage parlor in Tokyo. Masayuki Hosono, the 51-year-old operator of a massage parlor in Tokyos Bunkyo Ward, was arrested for allegedly forcing the Thai girl, who had entered Japan accompanied by her mother, to work illegally. On November 10th, the Royal Thai Police sent four senior officers to Japan to strengthen cooperation with Japanese investigators and clarify the circumstances surrounding potential human trafficking. Tatchai, head of the Thai Polices Anti-Human Trafficking Center, stated, "The Thai police will coordinate closely with Japanese authorities to ensure a proper investigation and exchange all relevant information about the case." The Thai team plans to inspect the massage parlor where the girl had worked and discuss with Japanese authorities the transfer of the girls mother, who is currently detained in Taiwan. After completing their mission in Japan, the officers are expected to travel to Taiwan to arrange a meeting with the detained mother. Source: TBS SHIGA, Nov 11 (News On Japan) - After a painful divorce that nearly tore his family apart, Kenji Kataoka quit his stable job and began a new life as a sweet potato farmer in Koka, Shiga Prefecture. The single father has spent the past two years working the fields while caring for his teenage son, Soshi, who stopped attending school in elementary years. As the family faces its second harvest season, small changes begin to appear in their lives. Kataoka says he taught himself farming by watching YouTube videos and seeking advice from elderly farmers in the neighborhood. He recalls thinking, I might be able to do this myself, and decided to take the leap. The days are long, but he finds comfort in the fact that his time now revolves around his son. If I keep moving forward positively, I believe my child will follow, he says. After the divorce, raising Soshi alone while holding a full-time job pushed Kataoka to his limits, both physically and mentally. There were times, he admits, when he struggled to find purpose. When youre isolated, its hard to stay positive, he reflects. Eventually, he made the decision to prioritize his son above all else and left his company job to pursue farming full-time. I wanted to live a life where my child comes first. Though the familys income has yet to match what he earned as a salaryman, Kataoka sells his harvested sweet potatoes online and through a small food truck. He continues to learn about food preparation and sales, often experimenting with recipes and presentation to attract customers. Despite setbacksincluding a recent theft of crops from his fieldhe remains determined. One day, after returning home from work, Kataoka found a handwritten letter on the table from Soshi for Fathers Day: Thank you for always making my meals. The quiet gesture brought tears to his eyes. It reminded me that I have to keep going, he says. Ive made it this far because of my son. Life at home has also seen small but significant changes. Now 14, Soshi has begun to show interest in studying again, even expressing a desire to attend high schoola turning point for the father who had watched his son withdraw from the world for years. Hes starting to challenge himself, to try things on his own, Kataoka says with pride. By October, the family was ready for harvest. The summer had been dry, but the sweet potatoes had grown well. As father and son dug up the soil together, laughter mixed with the sound of rustling leaves. Later, they sold their freshly cured sweet potatoes at a local event, side by side at the booth. For Kataoka, it was more than a business milestoneit was a season of growth for both his crops and his child. Their journey from hardship to hope continues, one harvest at a time. Source: YOMIURI HYOGO, Nov 11 (News On Japan) - NHK Party leader Takashi Tachibana was arrested in the early hours of November 9th on suspicion of defamation in connection with false statements he spread on social media regarding a former Hyogo prefectural assembly member. According to investigators, Tachibana told police he does not intend to dispute the facts of what he said. When sent to prosecutors on November 10th, he appeared with a smile. Police detained Tachibana at around 3:40 a.m. inside a parked investigation vehicle in a coin parking lot in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture. While usually based in Tokyo, he had traveled to Dubai last month, and investigators cited possible risks of flight or evidence destruction as reasons for his arrest at that unusual hour. Authorities believe the defamation stems from false claims Tachibana made on social media about former Hyogo assemblyman Takeuchi, who had been involved in a prefectural committee probing alleged power harassment by the Hyogo governor. Tachibana criticized Takeuchi by name after running for the Hyogo gubernatorial election in October last year, and again when he ran for mayor of Izumiotsu in December. At that point, Takeuchi had already resigned from the assembly. Takeuchi passed away this January, but Tachibana continued to spread false claims online that the former assemblyman had been under continuous police questioning and was scheduled to be arrested the next day. Hyogo Prefectural Police have denied these claims as completely unfounded. In June, Takeuchis widow filed a criminal complaint, leading to Tachibanas arrest nearly five months later. Former Osaka District Public Prosecutor Masataka Kamei noted that arrests for defamation are rare, as the offense is typically handled without detention. He suggested police moved quickly due to Tachibanas prior record and his potential use of social media to influence or intimidate others, calling him a unique suspect from a law enforcement perspective. Kamei said the pre-dawn timing likely aimed to avoid confusion or escalation that could arise if the arrest had been publicized online in real time. Kamei explained that the police probably regarded the incident as serious because the misinformation may have influenced public perception of a deceased individual and caused reputational harm even after death. The fact that someone died as a result of related stress, regardless of direct causation, amplifies the perceived gravity. He also pointed out that Tachibanas suspended sentence for a prior offense and the similarity of the new allegations could lead to a prison term if convicted. Commentator Takaoka added that when he first heard the arrest occurred at 3 a.m. in a parking lot, he imagined a fugitive situation, but later learned it happened quietly in a police vehicle. Tachibana had previously livestreamed his appearances and confrontations, making investigators wary of similar incidents. Kamei further said that allowing a non-custodial investigation would risk the suspect broadcasting details of the investigation, potentially intimidating witnesses or spreading further misinformation through his network of supporters. As for the legal prospects, Kamei noted that proving defamation against a deceased person is significantly more difficult than against a living one, as prosecutors must establish that the statements were knowingly false and made with malicious intent. In contrast, defamation of a living person only requires proof that the statements harmed reputation without a reasonable basis for believing they were true. Because police and prosecutors have already determined that Tachibanas posts contained falsehoods, the key question will be whether he had sufficient grounds to believe the information was true. If not, a conviction is likely for the statements made while Takeuchi was alive. However, the threshold for posthumous defamation remains higher. Kamei said investigators will now seek to determine whether the information Tachibana cited came from a credible source or from individuals providing unreliable accounts. The outcome will depend on how those information providers testify and whether their statements remain consistent during questioning. The case has drawn attention as a test of how law enforcement handles defamatory content spread via social media by prominent public figures, and whether such cases will increasingly lead to criminal prosecution in Japans evolving online environment. Source: YOMIURI NAHA, Nov 13 (News On Japan) - Typhoon No. 26 is expected to transition into an extratropical cyclone later today (Nov 13), but authorities warn that Okinawa and the Amami region should remain on alert for heavy rain, strong winds, and high waves. Satellite imagery shows no distinct swirl typical of a typhoon, indicating that the system has already begun to lose tropical characteristics. The storms center is believed to be located just east of Taiwan, with much of the active weather now concentrated along a developing front extending northward. As the system moves northeast, it is projected to complete its transition into an extratropical cyclone by around 3 p.m., while slightly intensifying. Wind speeds, currently around 20 meters per second, are forecast to reach about 23 meters per second by that time. Heavy rain is expected to continue, particularly over Okinawas main island and the Amami region, where thunderstorm activity may bring more than 30 millimeters of rainfall per hour. Rainfall will likely persist through the night, raising the risk of landslides and river flooding. In some areas of Amami, total precipitation could reach around 150 millimeters. Authorities urge residents to be cautious of ground loosening and flooding due to the cumulative rainfall. Strong winds are also forecast in areas near the low-pressure system, with average speeds reaching 15 meters per second and gusts up to 25 meters per second. Residents are advised to secure loose objects and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity, especially on remote islands where winds may strengthen further. High waves remain a significant concern as the system transitions. Seas are expected to stay rough, with waves exceeding 4 meters around the Sakishima Islands and gradually becoming rougher near Okinawas main island. Officials advise the public to avoid approaching coastal areas and to remain cautious through tomorrow, as strong swells and rough seas are likely to persist around Okinawa and Amami. Source: TOKYO, Nov 11 (News On Japan) - Sony Group has released a free dataset designed for evaluating AI image analysis performance, opening new opportunities for developers and researchers to improve machine learning models. The dataset, which includes a wide variety of annotated image data, is expected to enhance accuracy in fields such as autonomous driving, medical imaging, and industrial inspection, where precise image recognition is critical. Industry observers have noted that Sonys move reflects Japans growing interest in global data-sharing initiatives, aiming to strengthen its competitiveness in artificial intelligence and digital content creation. The company hopes that open access to such data will foster innovation both domestically and internationally, possibly leading to the next major AI-driven success story from Japan. Meanwhile, Nikkei continues to promote its popular audio programs Nagara Nikkei and Young Nikkei via TV Tokyos Biz platform on weekdays. Nagara Nikkei condenses key business and economic updates into a 10-minute morning segment for those listening during commutes or daily routines, while Young Nikkei delivers news geared toward younger audiences with a focus on optimism and social change. Nikkei is also offering an online seminar series titled Accounting Lessons for Business, aimed at professionals seeking to strengthen their financial literacy. The third session, Understanding Corporate Cash Flow, will be held at 7 p.m. on November 26th, covering how to interpret company cash flow statements as an indicator of real financial health. Interested participants can register through the link provided on Nikkeis official website. Mondays Young Nikkei program is hosted by Mai Kamishita, a first-year graduate student studying clinical psychology and a former member of a university rifle shooting club. Kamishita, who enjoys musicals, karaoke, and kimono dressing, said she hopes to deliver news that resonates with the hearts of our listeners. Source: BIZ On Monday, November 10, 2025, Lebanese authorities released Hannibal Gadhafi, the son of late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, after he paid a reduced bail of $900,000, bringing an end to his decade-long detention. Gadhafi was accused of withholding information about the disappearance of prominent Lebanese Shiite cleric Moussa al-Sadr, who vanished during a visit to Libya in 1978. His lawyer, Charbel Milad al-Khoury, confirmed the release on Monday, saying Gadhafi was now free to travel anywhere of his choosing, though he declined to reveal his clients next destination for security reasons. The release followed Lebanons decision to lift Gadhafis travel ban and lower his bail from an initial $11 million, after negotiations with a visiting Libyan delegation. The Libyan Justice Ministry confirmed that the delegation paid the bail, and Gadhafis defence team subsequently withdrew a case filed in Geneva against Lebanon over his prolonged detention without trial. His imprisonment since 2015 had drawn criticism, particularly as he was less than three years old at the time of al-Sadrs disappearance. Gadhafi had been living in exile in Syria before being abducted by Lebanese militants and handed over to the authorities. His release marks a new chapter in the long-standing tension between Lebanon and Libya over the fate of al-Sadr, whose family still believes he might be alive in a Libyan prison. Hannibal Gadhafi, one of Moammar Gadhafis eight children, spent much of his life in exile following the fall of his fathers regime in 2011, which ended in th Libyan leaders death during the uprising that toppled his four-decade rule. Moroccos House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation Monday modernizing civil status administration procedures, marking a significant step toward streamlining bureaucratic processes for citizens seeking name changes and other civil registry services. The chamber approved Bill No. 16.25, which amends Law No. 36.21 governing civil status records. The unanimous vote in both the Interior Committee and plenary session reflects broad parliamentary consensus on the reforms importance for improving citizen services. Government spokesman and Minister Delegate for Parliamentary Relations Mustapha Baitas emphasized that the legislation aims to bring administration closer to citizens while enhancing service quality and accelerating processing times for requests submitted to the High Commission for Civil Status. Under the amended Article 35 of Law 36.21, the High Commission comprises three members: the Kingdoms historiographer serving as president, a judge designated by the Supreme Judicial Council, and a representative from the Interior Ministry. Experience has demonstrated the urgent need to simplify family name change procedures and associated administrative formalities, according to Baitas. The reform introduces practical improvements addressing operational challenges identified through years of implementation. Most significantly, it establishes mechanisms ensuring commission continuity by allowing presidential replacement during absences, preventing administrative bottlenecks that previously delayed case processing. The new modalities will improve service quality provided to citizens, strengthen trust between administration and users, and align this vital sector with Moroccan societys evolution, Baitas explained. The minister stressed that expediting request processing while maintaining commission session continuity represents the legislations core objective. The reform reflects broader government efforts to modernize public administration and reduce bureaucratic hurdles facing citizens in routine interactions with state institutions. By addressing practical operational constraints, the legislation seeks to enhance administrative efficiency while preserving procedural integrity in civil status matters. Parliamentary unanimity signals political consensus on administrative modernization priorities, particularly reforms directly impacting citizen services and quality of life. The civil status system touches millions of Moroccans throughout their lives, making efficient, accessible procedures essential for public trust in government institutions. Senegal has welcomed the historic October 31, 2025, United Nations Security Council adoption of Resolution 2797, which establishes Moroccos autonomy plan as the sole serious, credible, and sustainable basis for resolving the regional Sahara dispute. The position was expressed in a joint communique issued Monday in Rabat following discussions between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Senegalese counterpart, Cheikh Niang, Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs, and Senegalese Abroad, who conducted a friendship and working visit to the Kingdom. Senegal reiterated its constant and firm support for Moroccos territorial integrity and sovereignty over its entire national territory, including the Sahara region. The Senegalese foreign minister renewed his governments full backing for the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty as the only credible, serious, and realistic solution to this regional dispute. Welcoming this position, Bourita thanked Senegal for its steadfast support, noting it demonstrates perfect understanding of the issues genesis, developments, and implications for regional stability and integration, according to the joint communique. The Moroccan foreign minister also praised Senegals April 5, 2021, opening of a Consulate General in Dakhla, a concrete demonstration of Dakars recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the southern provinces. The meeting reflects deepening bilateral ties between Morocco and Senegal, particularly regarding the Sahara question. Resolution 2797 marks a diplomatic turning point by explicitly recognizing Moroccos autonomy proposal as the preferred framework for settlement, moving beyond previous formulations that treated multiple options as equivalent. Senegals unequivocal endorsement adds to growing African support for Moroccos position. The Dakhla consulate represents tangible diplomatic recognition beyond verbal statements, positioning Senegal among nations actively demonstrating sovereignty acknowledgment through physical presence in disputed territories. The joint communique emphasizes both nations commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation while advancing shared positions on regional issues affecting continental stability and integration efforts. Regarding the Atlantic African States Process, Bourita and Niang stressed the need to strengthen regional coordination to transform the African Atlantic space into an area of stability and co-development. They also talked about the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project, linking Nigeria to Morocco, describing it is a powerful symbol of South-South operation, with Senegal playing a key role in the first phase linking its territory to Mauritania. The two diplomats also reaffirmed their commitment to continue consultations on the royal initiative offering Sahel countries Atlantic Sea access within the frame of an inclusive and mutually beneficial approach. PITTSBURGH, Nov. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Military Friendly proudly announces the 2025 State and National honorees for the prestigious Veteran of the Year and Vetrepreneur of the Year awards. This year's celebration marks a record-breaking number of nominations from across all 50 states, spotlighting extraordinary veterans whose service and impact continue to inspire communities nationwide. These awards honor veterans who exemplify service-driven leadership, professional achievement, and enduring contributions as community champions and entrepreneurial pioneers. Finalists were selected from hundreds of submissions nationwide, representing a rich diversity of military branches, backgrounds, and ventures all united by their commitment to purpose, transformation, and continued service beyond the uniform. "The VOY awards program is more than recognition; it's a declaration of what veterans continue to build after service: resilient communities, ethical businesses, and purpose-driven leadership. At Military Friendly, we honor those who transform their military values into civilian opportunity. Every nominee, state, and national winner reminds us that service doesn't end, it continues, and it evolves." Kayla Lopez, Vice President of Memberships, Military Friendly Winners were determined through a rigorous process involving peer nominations, public voting, scoring by a peer council, and panel interviews. 2025 Veteran of the Year Honorees 2025 National Veteran of the Year: Melissa Fulmore-Hardwick, FL 2025 Veteran of the Year in Corporate America: Freeman Degboe, NV 2025 Veteran of the Year for Community Impact: Tony Ramirez, TX 2025 Veteran of the Year in Higher Education: Kevin Ho, TN 2025 Veteran of the Year Leadership Award: Terrence Hayes, MD 2025 Veteran of the Year Coast Guard: Joanna Santorum Finnell, AZ 2025 Veteran of the Year Air Force: Britt Conroy, CT 2025 Veteran of the Year Army: Brian Heffernan, VA 2025 Veteran of the Year Marine Corps: Alex Mattmiller, HI 2025 Veteran of the Year Navy: Melissa A. Washington, CA 2025 Veteran of the Year Non-Profit: Donnell E. Johns Sr., VA 2025 National Vetrepreneur of the Year Honorees 2025 Vetrepreneur of the Year Small Business: Alec Hall, Alliance Cyber, CA 2025 Vetrepreneur of the Year Lifestyle Business: Rheanna Sinnett, The Floating Nomad, ME 2025 Vetrepreneur of the Year Franchise: Kevin Dougherty, CertaPro of Durham, NC 2025 Vetrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame: Dave Liniger, REMAX, CO These honorees represent the very best of veteran excellence, leaders who continue to serve, inspire, and transform their communities. Military Friendly salutes their achievements and invites the nation to join in honoring their legacy. Do you know a veteran who exemplifies leadership and impact? Submit your nomination early for the 2026 Military Friendly Veteran or Vetrepreneur of the Year at militaryfriendly.com/voy. To view the full list of the 2025 Veteran of the Year State winners, visit: https://www.militaryfriendly.com/oy/veteran/state/ To view the full list of the 2025 Vetrepreneur of the Year State winners, visit: https://www.militaryfriendly.com/oy/vetrepreneur/state/ SOURCE Military Friendly Head of the Moroccan government Aziz Akhannouch has reaffirmed the central role of structured investment in the development model for the southern provinces, describing major infrastructure projects not merely as physical assets but as economic and social levers transforming the Moroccan Sahara into a hub of balanced growth. Speaking to MPs, Akhannouch highlighted the significance of initiatives, such as the TiznitDakhla highway, which he called a strategic economic artery linking the south to the national center. The project is expected to boost trade, tourism, and regional connectivity, placing the southern provinces at the heart of Moroccos national development rather than on its periphery. The Dakhla Atlantic Port would serve as a major maritime gateway to deep Africa, he said, noting that the project will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs and stimulate key sectors such as fisheries, logistics, and manufacturing. The port is also expected to enhance the regions appeal to both domestic and international investors, positioning Morocco strategically within African and global value chains, he said. In the marine economy, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the blue economy in the Saharas development, citing the construction of modern ports, the promotion of aquaculture, and over one billion dirhams invested in 240 marine farms in Dakhla, which are set to generate more than 11,000 jobs. Addressing environmental challenges, Akhannouch stressed that water management is a cornerstone of the states strategy, particularly in the arid southern regions. He detailed a comprehensive seawater desalination program launched under royal directives, covering all three southern regions. The Dakhla desalination plant, one of the largest in Morocco, produces over 37 million cubic meters annually, with 30 million cubic meters allocated for irrigating 5,200 hectares. This will enable the production of 500,000 tons of vegetables per year, generate over one billion dirhams in added value, and create 25,000 permanent jobs. The Laayoune plant, operational since 2022, is undergoing expansion, while new facilities in Guelmim and Sidi Ifni are under development to meet growing water needs. Akhannouch also highlighted the integration of these projects with Moroccos broader infrastructure strategy, including major dam construction and the expansion of electricity networks to ensure sustainable supply for rural areas and industrial units. Ways of strengthening further military cooperation between Morocco and Rwanda were at the center of talks held Tuesday in Rabat between Lt. General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces & Commander of the South Zone and Maj. General Vincent Nyakarundi, Chief of Staff of the Rwandas Army. The two Generals have reaffirmed shared commitment to advance partnership with a view to building an enduring and exemplary military cooperation between the two countries armies. The visit of Maj. General Vincent Nyakarundi to the North African Kingdom is part of the military cooperation agreement sealed in June 2025 in Rabat between the two countries, says a press release issued by the Royal Armed Forces General Staff. Rwandas Army Chief has praised the excellent ties existing between Morocco and Rwanda, saying his visit is an opportunity to foster further military cooperation and dialogue between the two countries armies. Relations between Morocco and Rwanda, which have gained momentum since the historic visit paid by King Mohammed VI to Kigali in 2016, are evolving towards a strategic partnership focusing on development, security and peace in Africa. The country's move towards energy independencealso supported by massive investments in wind, solar, and electric vehiclesis a major headwind for international Big Oil companies that have relied on China to drive a significant portion of global demand growth. A month ago, Chinese oil heavyweight CNOOC boasted its pipeline network had hit 10,000 kilometers. That network was going to further grow to 13,000 km, the company said soon after it announced a fresh offshore discovery in the South China Sea. What CNOOC is doing is what all Chinese oil majors are doing: ramping up domestic supply of oil and gas. It is the safest kind of supply. Chinese state energy companies have spent some $468 billion on exploration and production since 2019, Bloomberg reported earlier this month, noting that the amount was 25% higher than E&P spending in the previous six months. It was, in fact, enough to make PetroChina the biggest investor in exploration and production globally, Bloomberg wroteand there is a very good reason for this. State-owned oil giants Sinopec, PetroChina, and CNOOC recently suspended purchases of Russian oil, at least in the short term, until the sanctions situation and implications become clearer, media reported following Washingtons decision to make a new attempt to squeeze Russian oil revenues by sanctioning two of the biggest exporters directly. Takers en route to Chinese ports were turning back, reports said, and orders were being canceled. Chinas crude oil imports in October averaged 11.4 million barrels daily, down slightly from the 11.5 million barrels daily in September but still higher than a year ago. Indeed, after a slow start to the year, China has been importing crude oil at elevated rates even as the immediate demand for the commodity remained weaker than in previous years for much of the year. There was one driver behind those higher import rates: stock-building. China has crude oil inventories that analysts estimate at between 1.2 billion and 1.3 billion barrels. It has been building them at a rate of close to one million barrels daily. It is also building new storage capacity, meaning it would continue building its oil stocks in the future as well. At a planned 169 million barrels in total, the new storage capacity will be built this year and next, and compares with some 180-190 million barrels in new storage space built between 2020 and 2024. So, China is simultaneously boosting domestic production of both crude oil and natural gas, and ramping up import supply for a comfortable supply cushion in case of disruptions. In the last few years, we have seen an energy crunch all around the world, Huang Yingchao, vice president of natural gas at PetroChina International, the state majors trading arm, said at a recent industry event as quoted by Bloomberg. Gas and LNG are like tap water and bottled water. Tap water is cheaper and is more reliable, and the logistics are easier. So we push for domestic production. Of course, this is not such good news for Big Oil, Bloomberg noted in its report on Chinas energy supply strategy. The country has been the biggest driver of global demand growthand profits for the industryfor a couple of decades. The recent trends in demand growth there have become a major drag on prices as market perceptions change, and this has affected Big Oils bottom lines, it seems. Per Bloomberg, China has driven 60% of global oil demand growth over the past 10 yearsbut now this demand growth is slowing and more of it is getting covered with domestic supply. Then there is the gas issue. China is not just boosting its oil output. It is also boosting its gas outputand imports from parties other than Big Oil. Two months ago, China and Russia finally struck a deal for the construction of the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline. That second pipe would result in over 100 billion cu m in export capacity annually. Yet Big Oil is counting on China to drive demand for LNG in the coming years and decadesand it might get disappointed. Set OilPrice.com as a preferred source in Google here China is building up its energy self-sufficiency. This is what wind and solar, and EVs were all about, as well. With energy demand growing as fast as it used to grow in China, import dependence was inevitably going to become a problem at some point. So China began tackling the problem from several sides at once. It built out the biggest wind and solar capacity in the world, which climate advocates may hail as a major achievement in emission reduction, but arguably has a lot more to do with domestic versus imported energy supply. It also became the largest EV market in the world, reducing oil demand from the transport sector. Of course, demand continued to grow in petrochemicals, so Beijing had to double down on that self-sufficiency and long-term import security. The Chinese oil majors have surprised not just the market, but theyve surprised themselves by exceeding production targets, Michal Meidan, director of China research at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, told Bloomberg. It gives China a sense of control, especially as oil demand is declining. In truth, oil demand is not yet declining. It is slowing down, for now. And China is meeting more of it, and gas demand, with local supply. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oil prices gained on Tuesday as fresh U.S. sanctions on Russian oil disrupted exports. OPEC+ Plays the Waiting Game as Stock Builds Loom Large - This winters LNG markets are unlikely to replicate last years tightness as key Asian buyers have built up sufficient inventories ahead of Q4 2025 and have minimized spot purchases in October. - South Korea, having imported a whopping 5 million tonnes LNG in August, has been winding up imports in recent months amidst ample stocks, whilst Chinese LNG imports were 15% lower year-over-year in October, tallying just 5.5 million tonnes. - Japans warming season started up later than usual this year as October temperatures averaged 17 C, 2 C above historical norms, with a dip into single-digit average daily temperatures expected only by mid-November. - Egypts sudden policy shift to export LNG has pushed liquefied gas prices in the Mediterranean below $10 per mmBtu, potentially triggering a downward spiral for Asias JKM benchmark, too, which currently prices around $11 per mmBtu. Market Movers - US oil major ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) agreed to farm in to Greece's offshore Block 2 license covering 598,500 acres, taking a 60% operated interest in the project previously developed by Energean and Helleniq Energy. - Mexico's state oil firm Pemex reported an oil discovery with its Xomili-1 exploration well in the offshore Sureste Basin, reaching an initial production rate of 1,670 b/d of light oil. - Arcius Energy, the joint venture of BP (NYSE:BP) and ADNOC's XRG investment arm, has entered into a binding agreement with Shell to acquire its 30% operated interest in Egypt's Harmattan field. - Workers of Brazil's national oil company Petrobras (NYSE:PBR) rejected the company's work agreement and moved on to approve a potential company-wide strike, only days after the firm posted a $6 billion net profit for Q3. Tuesday, November 11, 2025 Flattening backwardation curves and rising floating storage volumes across Asia are reminding oil market participants that the 2026 outlook remains firmly bearish, even if oil prices could see a brief spike in the upcoming days. ICE Brent has been trading within the $63 to $66 per barrel so far in November, a very narrow bandwidth that failed to react in earnest to Lukoils force majeure announcement in Iraq. Chinese Buyers Cool Off on Saudi Buying. Chinese buyers of Saudi crude have nominated the lowest total volumes since April for December delivery, with media reports indicating they China's refiners will only buy 36.5 million barrels (1.18 million b/d) despite Aramco cutting December formula prices. Lukoil Calls Force Majeure at Giant Oil Field. Russias second largest oil producer Lukoil (MOEX:LKOH) declared force majeure at its West Qurna 2 oil field in Iraq, currently producing 480,000 b/d, with state oil marketer SOMO cancelling three November cargo loadings. Wind Projects Are Still Not Making the Cut. London-based energy major Shell (LON:SHEL) has exited two offshore wind projects in Scotland, selling a 50% interest in MarramWind to a renewable utility firm and relinquishing CampionWind altogether, shedding some 5.5 GW of potential capacity. Related: Irans Deputy Foreign Minister Calls for New Nuclear Talks China Lifts Metals Ban but Keeps Controls. Chinese authorities have suspended their ban on exports of gallium, germanium and antimony to the US; however, Beijing reiterated its right to broader export controls that require shippers to first get export licences from the Commerce Ministry. Trump Turbo-Boosts US Offshore Licensing. US President Trump approved the upcoming lease sale in the US Gulf of America, offering 80 million acres in previously untapped blocks in the auction set to take place December 10, whilst also signing off on a 2026 Alaska lease sale next March. Hungary Gets Indefinite Russia Sanctions Waiver. Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed that the countrys state oil firm MOL has received an indefinite waiver from the Trump administration to continue importing Russian oil and gas, citing its landlocked geographic location. TMX Dreams Up Another Expansion. Canadas Trans Mountain oil pipeline is considering an expansion to its current 890,000 b/d throughput capacity to 1.25 million b/d over the next five years, by boosting flows through the Puget Sound pipeline that also feeds HF Sinclairs Anacortes plant. Kuwait Needs Gasoline, Urgently. Kuwait's national oil firm KPC sought a prompt gasoline cargo of 35,000 metric tonnes for November delivery, its second over the past month, as a fire incident at its 615,000 b/d Al Zour refinery last month debilitated large parts of its key downstream asset. US to Block Energy Agency Layoffs. The legislative package proposed to reopen the US federal government after a 41-day shutdown includes provisions that would block large-scale furloughs in agencies that deal with energy matters, most notably the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Shutdown End Boosts Gold's Prospects. After three weeks of declines, gold prices have soared on expectations of an impending US government reopening with the bullion reaching $4,140 per ounce again as traders bet that resumed data could strengthen the case for further Fed Reserve cuts. Indonesia Seeks to Keep More Gas at Home. Indonesia's Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia announced that the Asian country is facing a shortage of 20 cargoes of LNG this year due to higher-than-expected demand, seeking to delay some of its 1 Mt/month export obligations in 2026. Houthis Signal End to Red Sea Attacks. Yemens Houthi militant group has flagged a potential pause to its maritime attacks in the Red Sea, saying it will reinstate its ban on Israeli navigation if Israel resumes attacks on Gaza, suggesting the September 29 attack on a Dutch cargo ship could be its last. Nigeria to Open New Licensing Round Soon. Nigerias oil industry regulator NUPRC announced that the African country would launch its 2025 licensing round next month, focusing on discovered but untapped fields and fallow assets in the Niger Delta, seeking to boost natural gas production. By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The Trump administrations drive toward expanded military operations in the southern Caribbean Sea - ostensibly aimed at Venezuelan drug networks - suffered a severe blow in last weeks Senate vote. The resolution, rejected in a close 51-49 vote, exposed just how brittle Republican support for military expansion has become. The Senate vote follows weeks of rising unease about Trumps opaque strategy in the Caribbean. Despite attempts to frame the operation as part of a renewed counter-narcotics effort, the absence of clear objectives and a lack of Congressional consultation have sharpened concerns. What once seemed a bipartisan instinct to defer to executive power is now showing visible cracks, particularly among Republicans uneasy about military escalation disguised as anti-narcotics operations. Senator Todd Youngs post-vote remarks captured this shift. His warning of creeping executive war-making reflected a widespread constitutional concern. Still, his view that the continuation of strikes was neither necessary nor appropriate underscored a broader unease the White House is taking actions which could destabilise the very oil supply chains it claims to protect. Related: Oil Rises as Sanctions Hit Russian Exports and Lukoil Declares Force Majeure The southern Caribbean is no simple narcotics corridor; it is an energy choke point. US oil majors, particularly Chevron, have resumed operations in Venezuela under sanctions waivers. The waiver program, reinstated this year, allows Chevron to pump and export volumes from a joint venture with Venezuelas state oil company, PDVSA. The heavy, sulphur-rich blend is uniquely suited to US Gulf refineries and cannot be easily replaced by lighter grades from West Africa or the Middle East. Considering that crude from the Orinoco Belt is now feeding refineries across the Gulf Coast with 1.1 million barrels of heavy-sour oil per day, regional stability is no longer a luxury it is an economic necessity. Any confrontation in or around Venezuelan waters could jeopardise these flows and trigger another surge in US fuel prices. For an administration that has tied its economic credibility to lower energy costs and stable fuel prices, any volatility linked to military escalation would carry serious political and financial consequences. This is the quiet irony troubling Senate Republicans: the administrations sabre-rattling may not only test constitutional limits but also threaten Americas own energy security. Reports that senior Trump officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, privately assured wavering Senators there would be no land strikes or invasion reveal how precarious the administrations position has become. Those reassurances were about economics just as much as they were about diplomacy. Senators from Gulf states understand the stakes: a disrupted Caribbean would ripple through refineries in Louisiana and Texas, threatening thousands of jobs and undermining efforts to bring down energy costs at home. Last weeks vote marks a new kind of Republican scepticism not isolationist, but economically pragmatic. Its driven by the recognition that militarising the Caribbean under a vague doctrine, for primarily Rubios short-term political gain, risks long-term collateral damage to the nations energy security. The old reflex to equate strength with force projection seems to be giving way to a more grounded realism in the Republican Party: one that measures power by stability rather than spectacle. The Senates message should be clear. Americans want less entanglement abroad and more transparency about how foreign policy connects to domestic stability and day-to-day affordability. Suppose the administration insists on operating in Venezuelan waters. In that case, it now must explain how such actions defend, rather than endanger, US oil supply, economic resilience, and the livelihoods of American families. America cannot claim to defend its energy interests by destabilising them. The Senate has drawn a line: constitutional restraint and energy security must come before political theatre at sea. By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Mergers are back in fashion, especially now that the government no longer objects as much as before. Why do a merger? Well, the merging parties always say that the merger will strengthen competition (good for the public), lower operating costs (good for shareholders), and be transformative (which we cant translate). Cynics say the merger partners and arrangers have other motives, because the mergers produce huge fees for bankers and lawyers and bonuses for the executives, and ongoing benefits for executives because the bigger the company becomes, the bigger their paychecks. Academic studies have shown that a significant percentage of mergers destroy value for shareholders of the acquiring firm, so dont dismiss the cynics. Some mergers have produced spectacular losses. Bayers decision to buy Monsanto a number of years ago saddled the German company with billions of dollars of losses from lawsuits. This may be why Kimberly-Clark shareholders reacted negatively when the company announced that it would buy the producer of Tylenol. The energy sector saw something similar. Chart Industries, which is in hydrogen, LNG, and cryogenics, almost doubled its size by purchasing a manufacturer of air moving equipment. A transformative merger creating scale and scope? Charts stock quickly fell by half. Critics said the acquired firm had lower value products than Chart and that Chart overpaid. The deal involved too much borrowing, they may have thought as well. Chart never reached pre-merger highs, but finally got close when a bigger firm with presumably transformative ideas proposed to buy it. Related: Too Much of a Good Thing: Solar Overloads Europes Electricity System Lets take a look at three recent, energy-related mergers to see how the market reacted to what was offered. SABESP is a giant Brazilian water company, recently privatized. On October 25, it announced that it would buy shares representing a 70% economic interest in EMAE. The acquired company owns reservoirs easily integrated into the SABESP network as well as power generation stations (SABESP is a big electricity buyer for pumping.) The investment will earn the cost of capital. No additional financing required. Adds less than 2% to assets. SABESP stock has risen 3% since the announcement. No claims of transformation. It just gets SABESP into power generation and greatly improves the reliability of the water distribution system, via a profitable investment in a business they understand. Or so it seems. On October 27, American Water Works (AWK) announced a merger with Essential Utilities, which itself is the result of a merger between Pennsylvania-based gas and water utilities not that long ago. The new company would be roughly 10% gas and 90% water and it looks as if the gas company will be on the block, so essentially the merger increased AWKs water business by about one half. Management talked about a transformative deal, but analysts seemed unimpressed, saying the price paid was okay, but the new company might grow at a slower rate. AWKs stock price has fallen 6% since the announcement. One big regulated water company buys another big regulated water company. If the economies from the merger get too big, regulators might just take them away. Ho-hum, maybe, the market seems to be saying, but not transformative. Now for the really interesting and puzzling acquisition. Cox ABG, a Spanish infrastructure group, with worldwide renewable energy and water holdings, and an announced intent to pivot to water, on August 1, announced that it would purchase Iberdrolas Mexican operations, largely power generation. This deal is truly transformative, tripling assets and EBITDA and essentially transforming a Spanish company with international interests and a water future into a Mexican company with international interests (not literally, but from an investment view thats what will happen) and an electric future. Cox already has Mexican operations, so presumably understands the market, and management owns more than half of the company, so this is not a case of some macho, hired CEO playing with stockholder money. Cox stock has fallen 2% since the merger announcement. We suspect that the market views this transformation as one that adds considerably to the risk profile for two reasons: it puts most of Coxs eggs in one basket, and it will be financed 80% by debt. In other words, operational benefits and expansion prospects are offset by financial risks. In short, not aiming for transformative corporate change keeps the risk level down but moves the dial only slightly (to use an outdated expression). Claiming that getting bigger is transformative does not excite investors much. Doing transformative without sufficiently taking into account the investor perception of risk may do wonders operationally, but not a lot for the shareholders of the acquiring company. So, if you are an investor, take those merger claims with a grain of salt (to use another ancient expression). By Leonard Hyman and William Tilles for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The Trump administration has made a push for nuclear energy, including an executive order to break ground on 10 large reactors by 2030 and a recent deal with Westinghouse owners to invest $80 billion in US nuclear plants. The US government, through the Energy Department's Loan Programs Office, is expected to finance the energy buildout, with the majority of the hundreds of billions in aid going towards new nuclear power plants. A significant funding gap exists, not only for building AI data centers, but also for the energy infrastructure, which Morgan Stanley estimates requires at least 36GW of new power by 2028. While the market is finally starting to grapple with the most unpleasant question of who will plug the funding gap needed to build out all the data centers required to make the AI dream a reality, a gap which Morgan Stanley recently calculated would be as large as $2.9 trillion in capex funding needs, of which at least $1 trillion will come in the form of debt (and mostly private debt)... ... there is another, just as critical question: who will fund the energy buildout that powers these data centers? Recall, last December Morgan Stanley calculated that the US would need at least 36GW in new power to be brought online by 2028 to energize all the (yet to be built) data centers, a number which one year later is surely far higher. And at a cost of $50-60BN per GW of power, we can quickly add several more trillion dollar that will be needed in the next several years: money, which as this Bloomberg article makes painfully clear, are simply not available right now. So where will this money come from? Why the US government of course. By now it should be clear to all but the most purple-haired libs that the US will need nuclear power plants - both conventional and modular - and lots of them, to have even a remote chance of ever catching up to the ever growing energy needs... and as we said recently, one can print money, but one can't print energy. But they sure can try.... and according to Secretary Chris Wright, nuclear power will receive most of the money from the Energy Department's Loan Programs Office (LPO) as the Trump administration pushes to quickly break ground on new reactors. According to Reuters, The LPO has hundreds of billions of dollars in financing aid, including loan guarantees for projects that struggle to get bank loans. "We have significant lending authority at the loan program office," the Secretary of Energy said at a conference hosted by the American Nuclear Society in Washington D.C. "By far the biggest use of those dollars will be for nuclear power plants, to get those first plants built. The U.S. currently has no commercial nuclear reactors being built, though several intend to reverse their permanent shutdown status and open again, and there are other plans to build new large and small reactors." During Trump's first term in the White House, the only use he made of the LPO was for financing reactors at the Vogtle nuclear power plant in Georgia. Expect a flood of debt deals in the coming weeks and months as the clock is ticking for the US to catch up to China, which currently has 29 reactors under construction to America's zero. As we reported at the time, President Trump signed an executive order in May that called for the US to break ground on 10 large nuclear reactors by 2030, while Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms and Microsoft have been investing billions of dollars to restart old nuclear plants, upgrade existing ones, and deploy new reactor technology to meet the electricity demand from artificial intelligence data centers. Others are also joining the fray, but as Sam Altman made clear, everyone is expecting the US government to the be the "insurer of last resort." Wright said he expects electricity demand from AI to attract billions of dollars in equity capital to build new nuclear capacity from "very creditworthy providers." The Energy Department could match those private dollars by as much as four to one with low cost debt financing from the loan office, he said. "When we leave office three years and three months from now, I want to see hopefully dozens of nuclear plants under construction," Wright said. Make that all hyperscaler CEOs too because without those dozens of nuclear plants, guess what: the AI bubble is going to burst in the most spectacular fashion. The Trump administration tipped its cards last month when it struck a deal with the owners of Westinghouse to invest $80 billion to build nuclear plants across the US. Westinghouse is owned by uranium miner Cameco and Brookfield Asset Management (both Canadian companies). Westinghouse has designed a modern reactor called the AP1000 that can power more than 750,000 homes. CEO Dan Sumner said in July that Westinghouse would meet Trump's call to build large new plants with the AP1000 design. But Westinghouse has struggled in the past to build the AP1000 on time and on budget. And as a stark indication of just how capital intensive building NPPs can be, Westinghouse went bankrupt in 2017 from cost overruns at big nuclear projects in Georgia and South Carolina. Which, naturally, opens the door wide open to far cheaper projects from small modular reactor developers such as Oklo and Nano Nuclear. Cameco Chief Operating Officer Grant Isaac said last week that the U.S. government has a number of options available to facilitate the financing of Westinghouse reactors, including the Energy Department's loan office. "We're assured that there is a lot of interest in investing this minimum $80 billion in order to begin the process," Isaac told investors on Cameco's third-quarter earnings call. Under the terms of the October deal, Westinghouse could spin out as a separate, publicly-traded company with the U.S. government as a shareholder. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com China is encouraging private investment in state-led major energy and infrastructure projects and could allow private investors to have more than 10% in certain projects, the government said in a landmark directive aimed at boosting investment and reinvigorating the economy. The projects open to minority private shareholding will need state approval and can be in railways infrastructure, nuclear power, hydropower, inter-provincial and inter-regional transmission lines, oil and gas pipelines, LNG import and storage facilities, and water supply projects, the cabinet said. The authorities will conduct feasibility studies to assess the revenue potential and returns on investment for the projects. Private capital participation is encouraged and supported, China says. The project's status will determine the specific stakes in each project, the willingness of private enterprises to participate, and relevant policy requirements. For eligible projects, private capital shareholding may be 10% or higher, the cabinet said in the first explicit reference that it is open to raise the private capital ceiling above 10%. We will further strengthen policy support for attracting private capital into the energy sector, Xu Xin, deputy head of the legal affairs department at the National Energy Administration, said at a media briefing, as carried by Reuters. Set OilPrice.com as a preferred source in Google here Guan Peng, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, told a briefing on Tuesday that The policy puts forward clear requirements on encouraging and supporting the participation of private capital in key areas and projects. It sends a signal of promoting the development of private investment, Peng said, as carried by Bloomberg. Earlier this year, during the peak of the trade war with the United States in the spring, China adopted its first fundamental law, specifically focused on promoting the private economy. This is a significant step in revitalizing a sector that is key to growth and greatly boosting entrepreneurs confidence and expectations, Chinas Ministry of Justice said in May. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com China has seen its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions keep a flat or falling trend for 18 consecutive months as electric vehicles and renewable energy uptake soars, a new analysis for Carbon Brief showed on Tuesday. CO2 emissions in China, the worlds biggest polluter, were unchanged from a year earlier in the third quarter of 2025, extending a flat or falling trend that started in March 2024, the analysis found. The rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) helped CO2 emissions from transport fuel drop by 5% year-on-year in the third quarter, while there were also declines from cement and steel production, which decelerated amid weaker demand. Chinas CO2 emissions from the power sector remained flat in the third quarter despite stronger electricity demand growth with the consumption increase accelerating to 6.1%, up from 3.7% growth in the first half of the year, according to the analysis for Carbon Brief. The flat emissions amid rising power demand were the result of solar power generation surging by 46% and wind electricity jumping by 11% from a year earlier in Q3. China completed 240 gigawatts (GW) of solar and 61 GW of wind capacity in the first nine months of the year. This puts the country on track for a new renewable record in 2025, the analysis found. Oil demand and emissions in the transport sector fell by 5% in the third quarter, but grew elsewhere by 10%, as the production of plastics and other chemicals surged. In September, China pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10% by 2035 compared to peak levels, while striving to do better, President Xi Jinping said in a videotaped message to a UN climate summit in New York. With the Trump Administration abandoning emissions pledges and the fight against climate change, analysts see China as potentially taking over the global leadership in the push to reduce emissions and limit global warming. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Iran will not compromise its national security but is open to talks aimed at reaching a peaceful nuclear deal with the United States, Iranian deputy foreign minister, Saeed Khatibzadeh, said on Tuesday. The U.S. and Iran held several rounds of negotiations early this year, before the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sites in June. Throughout the talks prior to the bombings, Irans uranium enrichment efforts were a major sticking point, with the U.S. insisting that enrichment is a very, very clear red line. Iran, for its part, has insisted that enrichment is a national achievement from which we will not back down. This major gap in positions hasnt been closed since the June bombings, which also halted the indirect U.S.-Iran negotiations. The Trump Administration is sending contradictory messages to Tehran about nuclear talks through third countries, Irans Khatibzadeh said at an event in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, as carried by Reuters. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans Supreme Leader who has the ultimate say on foreign policy, last week said Tehran would not negotiate under threat with the U.S. The biggest European powers which are party to the so-called Iranian nuclear agreement of 2015, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as it is officially known, reinstated UN sanctions on Iran at the end of September. The 2015 JCPOA agreement contained a provisionknown as the snapback mechanismallowing any JCPOA participant to re-impose UN sanctions in the event of significant non-performance by Iran. The U.S., which pulled from the JCPOA during President Donald Trumps first term in office in 2018, has ramped up pressure and sanctions on Iran and its oil exports during the first months of the U.S. Presidents second term, under the so-called maximum pressure campaign to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Despite the U.S. sanctions, Iran has continued to export nearly all of its oil to China in recent years. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuberger Berman, a global, private, employee-owned investment manager, is pleased to announce the final close of NB Private Debt V (the "Fund"). The Fund raised $7.3 billion, inclusive of leverage, exceeding its original target. The Fund aims to invest in senior secured, first-lien and unitranche loans to high quality U.S. private equity owned companies. Its investor base is comprised of a diverse range of global institutions from North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. "We are deeply grateful for our investors' ongoing trust and support," said Susan Kasser, Head of Neuberger Berman Private Debt. "Capital preservation is our first priority. Since inception, our annualized default and loss rates remain low at just 0.02% and 0.01%, respectively, as our assets under management continue to grow." Launched in 2013, Neuberger's private debt business manages $24.3 billion across evergreen and closed-end funds; leads or co-leads 98% of originated loans; and has the capacity to commit over $800 million per transaction. Including the Fund, client capital dedicated to the strategy has increased by more than 81% in the past two years, underscoring the strong demand for Neuberger's private debt offerings.1 "Our private markets platform is built to support the private equity ecosystemnot compete with it. That alignment gives our private debt business strong deal flow, the ability to be highly selective, and meaningful information advantagesall of which translates into better outcomes for our clients," said Anthony Tutrone, Head of Neuberger Berman Alternatives. "As the needs of our investors and GP partners evolve, we're scaling our connectivity and capabilities, and private debt remains a core engine of that growth." Neuberger's robust private markets platform, established in 1987, manages $169 billion in client capital, spanning private equity (primaries, secondaries, and co-investments), private debt, capital solutions and specialty strategies.2 Kirkland & Ellis served as legal counsel to the Fund. About Neuberger Berman Neuberger Berman is an employee-owned, private, independent investment manager founded in 1939 with 2900 employees in 26 countries. The firm manages $558 billion of equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate and hedge fund portfolios for global institutions, advisors and individuals. Neuberger's investment philosophy is founded on active management, fundamental research and engaged ownership. The firm has been named the #1 Best Place to Work in Money Management by Pensions & Investments and has placed #1 or #2 for each of the last eleven years (firms with more than 1,000 employees). Visit www.nb.com for more information, including www.nb.com/disclosure-global-communications for information on awards. Data as of September 30, 2025. About Neuberger Private Markets Neuberger Private Markets is a division of Neuberger Berman and has been an active and successful private markets investor since 1987. Neuberger Private Markets invests across strategies, asset classes, and geographies for a large number of sophisticated and renowned institutions and individuals globally. As of September 30, 2025 Neuberger Private Markets manages over $169 billion of investor commitments across primaries, co-investments, secondaries, private credit, and specialty strategies. Neuberger Private Markets has an experienced and diverse team of over 440 professionals with a global presence in 15 offices across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Media Contacts: Soogyung Jordan: [email protected] 1 As of September 30, 2025. Past Performance is not indicative of future results. 2 As of September 30, 2025 SOURCE Neuberger Berman Kenyas long-stalled Turkana oil dream has a new driver. Gulf Energy Ltd., a Nairobi-based trader, plans to start producing crude from the South Lokichar Basin by the end of 2026nearly fifteen years after Tullow Oils original discovery. Tullow sold its long-delayed Turkana project to Gulf Energy in April for $120 million, finally bowing out after years of trying and failing to get the oil out of the ground. Tullow's partners, TotalEnergies and Africa Oil, had already walked away the year before when financing for the multi-billion-dollar plan fell apart, leaving Tullow holding the bag on a project it could no longer afford to carry. The British explorers field development plan was later rejected by Kenyas energy ministry for lack of capital backing, effectively forcing its exit. Gulf Energys field plan has cleared the Energy Ministry and now heads to Parliament for final approval, according to Energy Minister Opiyo Wandayi. If it passes, drilling could start soon after, with first oil targeted for December 2026. The South Lokichar project holds an estimated 560 million barrels recoverable, with early production expected in the 60,000100,000 barrel-per-day range. A future 895-kilometer export pipeline to Lamu remains on the table, but early cargoes could once again be trucked to Mombasa, echoing Tullows pilot exports in 2019. For Kenya, the hand-off from a debt-burdened multinational to a domestic player marks a rare second chance to establish itself as an oil producer. The government has sweetened the investment climate with tax breaks and new exploration rounds for 10 blocks. If Gulf delivers on schedule, Kenya could finally join Uganda and South Sudan as East Africas oil producerstransforming a project once written off as too remote, too expensive, and too cursed by bad timing into the nations first real test of homegrown energy ambition. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Nigeria could tap 1.7 billion barrels in new oil supply as well as 7.7 trillion cu ft of natural gas after the approval of 43 field development plans this year. The figures were reported by the chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, as quoted by Nigerian media. The executive added that the field plans involved the commitment of some $20 billion in investments. Komolafe also reported that three final investment decisions made this yearfor Bonga North, for Ubeta Gas, and for HI Gas Projectwould tap into some 2 trillion cu ft in new natural gas supply. The FIDs total $7.5 billion, of which $5 billion is for Shells Bonga North, another $2 billion for the HI Gas Project, also run by Shell, and $500 million for TotalEnergies Ubeta Gas project. Nigerias national oil company is set to increase oil production to 2 million barrels daily over the next two years, its executive vice president for upstream said. By 2030, NNPC will be pumping 3 million barrels daily, Udy Ntia also said earlier this month. Current production averages between 1.7 and 1.83 million barrels daily, after reforms enacted by President Bola Tinubu, aimed at stimulating more investments into the industry. Meanwhile, an audit commissioned by Nigerias parliament found that the state had lost some $300 billion to oil theft and pipeline vandalism. The findings are interim, and the final tally could end up being even higher. Pipeline vandalism and oil theft have been two reasons for Nigerias oil production decline as they discourage additional investments that are much needed for a reversal in production trends. Another reason has been Big Oil's strategy that has seen the supermajors curb their presence in Nigeria in favor of other locations with better prospects. Nierias government is hoping to reverse these trends with the legislative reforms and the prosecution of pipeline theft and vandalism. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Crude oil prices opened lower today even after Russias Lukoil declared force majeure on its operations in one of Iraqs biggest oil fields because of the latest U.S. sanctions. At the time of writing, Brent crude was trading at $63.84 per barrel, with West Texas Intermediate at $59.89 per barrel, as reports suggest record high volumes of oil in floating storage, following Washingtons latest sanction salvo against Moscow. Reuters reported on Monday, citing unnamed sources, that Lukoil had declared a force majeure on the West Qurna-2 field, which produces some 400,000 barrels of crude daily. Following the October 22 U.S. sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft, Iraq had stopped all cash and crude payments to Lukoil, the sources told the publication. The Russian major has a 75% stake in the field. Even so, the dominant sentiment on oil markets continues to be bearish thanks to projections of an oversupply. As OPEC production increases grind on, global oil balances are acquiring an increasingly bearish hue on the supply side of the ledger with demand still trending lower in conjunction with a slowed economic growth path among major oil-consuming countries, one outlet that shares the sentiment, Ritterbusch and Associates, said in a note as quoted by Reuters. President Trump, meanwhile, said that he was close to closing a trade deal with India, noting that the latter had stopped doing the Russian oil its been reduced very substantially, as quoted by Bloomberg. Now, oil traders would be awaiting OPECs latest monthly report, scheduled to be released tomorrow and coinciding with the International Energy Agencys own monthly report. Both are likely to stick to their demand and supply projections, where OPEC sees demand as much stronger than the IEA, and the IEA expects a massive supply overhang, where OPEC sees a market more or less in balance. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev are meeting in Moscow this week to discuss gas cooperation and the impact of U.S. sanctions on Russian oil majors with operations in Kazakhstan. The talks come as the Kremlin faces tighter restrictions on Lukoil and Rosneft, both sanctioned last month by the Trump administration. Lukoil holds stakes in Kazakhstans Tengiz and Karachaganak projects, which are operated by Western majors and remain dependent on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) for exports. The CPCcontrolled in part by Russiawas briefly disrupted earlier this year when Moscow shut two of its three moorings, temporarily cutting Kazakhstans crude export capacity in half. Kazakhstan, which exports most of its oil through Russia, has maintained close ties with Moscow while carefully avoiding direct endorsement of its war in Ukraine. Tokayev has also been courting Western investment and deepening cooperation with the United States. His visit to Washington last week alongside other Central Asian leaders was seen as a step toward diversifying economic ties and reducing dependence on Russia. Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Russian side is extremely interested in hearing Tokayevs account of those meetings. At home, Kazakhstan is also advancing projects meant to bypass Russian infrastructure altogether, including a U.S.- and EU-backed fiber-optic cable and power link across the Caspian Sea, yet another example of Tokayevs balancing act between Moscow and Western partners at a time when both sides are competing for influence in Central Asia. For now, Kazakhstans oil still moves through Russian portsbut Tokayev appears determined to make sure that wont always be the case. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Shell has challenged an arbitration ruling against it in the long-running dispute with Venture Global over contracted LNG supply, alleging the U.S. LNG exporter withheld information to Shell and the arbitration court. Shell has challenged the arbitration decision at the New York Supreme Court, the supermajor told Reuters on Tuesday. Shell has sued Venture Global for selling LNG on the spot market while foregoing long-term supply contracts because of delaying the commissioning phase of its first LNG plant at Calcasieu Pass. Shell and other major oil and gas firms accused Venture Global in 2023 of profiteering by selling on the higher-price spot market LNG cargoes that should have been supplied under their long-term contracts. The U.S. firm used a loophole to do that by extending the deadline for officially commissioning the Calcasieu Pass export project. In August, Shell lost the arbitration against Venture Global as the tribunal ruled that the U.S. company had not violated its contractual obligations with its long-term clients. Venture Global claimed that it was under no obligation to honor its long-term commitments until the plant was officially commissioned, which happened earlier this year. Meanwhile, it managed to build a second LNG facility that produced its first LNG at the end of 2024before the first one was officially commissioned. Meanwhile, another European supermajor, TotalEnergies, earlier this year declared it would not do business with Venture Global because of the profiteering affair, with chief executive Patrick Pouyanne saying that I don't want to deal with these guys, because of what they are doing. ... I don't want to be in the middle of a dispute with my friends, with Shell and BP. Last month, BP won a similar arbitration case it brought against Venture Global. In its Q3 results and outlook, Venture Global on Monday reduced and tightened the range of its Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA guidance to $6.35 billion - $6.50 billion from $6.40 billion - $6.80 billion, due to lower expected fixed liquefaction fees and accounting reserves relating to ongoing arbitrations. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The Russian owners of Serbias only refinery Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) have requested an extension of a U.S. license to operate as they negotiate to cede control of the facility to a third party, Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Dedovic Handanovic said on Tuesday. Gazprom Neft and Gazprom affiliates hold a majority stake in NIS, with the Serbian state owning the remaining 29.9%. The U.S. has waived the sanctions against NIS several times since it sanctioned Russias oil industry in January this year. The sanctions on the Russia-owned refinery in Serbia came into effect in early October as the last waiver expired. Now, the Russian owners of NIS have applied to the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), requesting an extension of the operating license for the refinery, based on negotiations with a third party, Dedovic Handanovic wrote on Instagram today. The petition states that the Russian side is ready to cede control and influence over the NIS company to a third party, the Serbian energy minister added. The state of Serbia supported this request. OFAC has already responded with certain comments and we hope it will announce its position within the week, Dedovic Handanovic said. Time is running out and a solution must be found, but citizens must not suffer and run out of fuel. That will not and must not happen. Since the last waiver expired on October 8, banks have stopped processing NIS-related payments and Croatias JANAF pipeline has halted deliveries of crude oil to the refinery. The JANAF pipeline from Croatia had been Serbias primary supply line for Russian and Kazakh crude since 2022. Without new supply of crude, the NIS refinery can operate only until November 25, according to Serbian officials. NIS operates Serbias only refinery in Pancevo, which supplies about 80% of Serbias gasoline and diesel and more than 90% of jet fuel and heavy fuel oil. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com 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: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain In the last decade, armed drones have become one of the most visible symbols of modern warfare. Once the preserve of advanced militaries, armed drones are now widely available on the global arms market. Countries such as Turkey, China and Iran are producing lower-cost models and exporting them. In Sudan's ongoing war, which began in 2023, drones have been used by the two major warring parties to gain groundbut have caused massive civilian casualties in the process. A drone is essentially a remotely piloted aircraft that can observe, track and sometimes strike targets with missiles or bombs. The promise of armed drones is alluring: a lethal, precise and affordable weapon that can surveil and strike enemies without troops being exposed. But can these drones deliver on their promise in African battlespaces? Brendon J. Cannon shares insights from his study of drone use in Sub-Saharan African conflicts. What's driving up the use of drones in sub-Saharan Africa? Drones offer tactical advantages. They are seen as a solution to pressing internal security problems, from jihadist incursions in the Sahel to armed insurgencies in Ethiopia and civil war in Sudan. Since 2019, a growing number of African statesamong them Niger, Ethiopia, Togo, Sudan and Somaliahave acquired medium-altitude long-endurance (Male) drones. Among these types of drones, Turkey's Bayraktar TB2along with its successors, the TB3 and Kzlelma (Red Apple)has captured outsized attention. In the case of the Turkish TB2 model, for instance, some sources estimate 40 units have been sold to more than 10 African countries since 2019, but actual figures are not public. The TB2 is cheap by military standards (roughly US$5 million a unit) and relatively easy to operate. It has been hailed as a "game-changer" for its reliability, cost and ready availability. It has been combat-tested in Syria, Libya and the Caucasus, a natural border between Europe and Asia. Its success in destroying tanks, artillery and air defense systems in these conflicts impressed African leaders. As Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan boasted "Everywhere I go in Africa, everyone talks to me about drones." What has been the effectiveness of these drones in African conflicts? Medium-altitude long-endurance drones like the TB2 are entering African conflicts, which are marked by vast geography, difficult terrain and complex insurgencies that frequently span borders. While drones can deliver lethal force, their ability to shape battlefield outcomes is also contingent on variables like distance, terrain and weather the competence of operators the existence of supporting intelligence, logistics and command systems. With these variables in mind, my recent research with my colleague, Ash Rossiter, found that drones are unlikely to significantly alter the course of conflicts in much of sub-Saharan Africa, for a couple of reasons. First, there is a general absence of modern integrated air defenses in the region. This is required to deploy drones as lethal precision weapons, particularly in targeting isolated groups. Second, the success of these drones depends on competent operation, their employment in sufficient numbers, and adequate support infrastructure, such as fuel, communication masts and ground control stations. These are often lacking in remote places where insurgents operate in places like Somalia, Niger and northern Burkina Faso. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. What factors limit the lethality of drones? Where adversaries lack modern, integrated air defensesas is currently common among insurgent and militia forces in much of sub-Saharan Africadrones can loiter with minimal risk. They can collect actionable intelligence, and conduct precise strikes against vehicles, small groups and supply lines. This lethality, however, is limited by a number of factors. Distance: Africa's size and scale blunt drone rangeand therefore efficacy. The TB2's circa 300km range, for instance, means it worked well in the Caucasus. However, 300km will not get you far in Ethiopia or the Sahel. In Ethiopia, for example, the TB2s had to be repositioned by the government in 2022 from bases near Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar. This was a distance of about 300km, to reach targets in Tigray. This shows how drone bases, security architecture and forward infrastructure, such as communications masts and logistics support closer to conflict areas, are needed. This increases range and, therefore, outcomes. Terrain and weather: Dust and sandstorms in the Sahel can impair the drones' visible-light sensors. Sandstorms occur frequently in the region, particularly during the dry season. Dense forest canopies in central Africa can conceal movement from drones. Persistent cloud cover over Ethiopia's highlands or along the Gulf of Guinea may limit efficacy. Electro-optical and infrared payloads, which provide high-definition and thermal imaging, give drones like the TB2 a 360-degree view. This allows them to operate in diverse weather conditions. But they may need to fly under the weather to see targets in these African terrains. This brings its own risks, as it exposes the drones to potential small-arms fire. This has happened in Sudan, where paramilitary troops reported shooting down army drones in August 2025. Operator capabilities: Effectively operating a drone requires trained operators, disciplined targeting procedures and dependable maintenance. Failures can be costly. A Burkinabe TB2 crash in 2023 exposed maintenance and operational fragilities, destroying one of five TB2 drones from the Burkinabe arsenal. A Nigerian drone strike in 2023 that was reportedly aimed at terrorists instead killed about 85 civilians. This was after an incorrect grid reference. It underscored how weak operator capabilities can transform precision weapons into harbingers of tragedy. Fit to conflict: Drones are most useful for hitting supply convoys, eliminating specific targets and targeting loose militant networks. These are missions typical of low-intensity, irregular warfare. They are far less decisive in conflicts against massed troop formations or for holding territory, which has characterized recent wars in Ethiopia and Sudan. These tasks still rely on fighter-bombers or attack aircraft, and ground forces. What does all this mean for the use of drones in sub-Saharan African conflicts? First, medium-altitude long-endurance drones can deliver tactical gains but rarely provide a silver bullet. The initial impression of the TB2 has unfortunately obscured some of its limitations, such as operations across extreme distance, in inclement weather, and the importance of operator proficiency. Second, in conflicts like Ethiopia and the Sahel, geography and logistics play a critical role. Basing, relay links and forward-deployed maintenance determine a drone strike's coverage, persistence and power. Third, a drone's overall effect depends on trained crews, reliable maintenance, and disciplined targeting and command review. Weakness in any of these can result in tragedy, such as civilian deaths. Finally, as non-state armed groups increasingly adopt drones and some African states like Rwanda and Kenya begin to field better air defenses, the advantage currently held by national governments that own drones will narrow. Lasting utility, therefore, requires three things. First, counter-drone defenses, which means countries need to develop strategies and acquire sensors, jammers and systems to detect, track and neutralize hostile drones. Second, better protection of the locations and networks from which drones are controlled so that these are not disrupted, sabotaged or targeted. Third, sustained investment, not just in drone acquisition but also in maintenance, operator training and basing infrastructure to support continuous flight operations and extend drone reach deeper into battlespaces. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: An example of extracting polygon features from geologic maps. There are several challenges: 1) the legend item for Qmolsc has triangular markings; 2) Qyfs has a color shift in its corresponding polygon features; 3) Qyfs and Qyas share a similar color in the map content; 4) the text label of Qyw is located outside its polygon feature. Credit: arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2506.16006 They power green energy, enhance defense systems, and drive the future of microelectronics. Known as critical minerals, elements like lithium, cobalt, and nickel are vital to national security and innovation. Yet the U.S. faces a growing challenge: securing stable, domestic supplies for critical minerals. Today, the nation remains heavily reliant on imports, often from geopolitically unstable or adversarial regions. To find solutions, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), along with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Advanced Research Projects AgencyEnergy (ARPA-E), launched an ambitious initiative: Critical Mineral Assessments with AI Support, known as CriticalMAAS. The project supports collaborative research from the USC Viterbi Information Sciences Institute (ISI) and the University of Minnesota to develop AI tools that can accelerate how the U.S. identifies and discovers mineral resources using a workflow known as critical mineral assessments. "It typically takes the USGS two years to do a single assessment," said ISI Keston Executive Director Craig Knoblock, who worked on the project. "Now, Congress wants to complete 50 assessments in the next few years." Unlocking map data with machine learning The project's first technical hurdle: extracting data from 100,000 historical maps, most of which exist only as scanned raster images. These maps, produced by the USGS, often provide the only detailed records of geological features like rock formations, fault lines, and mineral deposits, which are represented on maps as polygons, lines, and point symbols. However, the maps' raster format makes them difficult to analyze using AI. According to Fandel Lin, who is pursuing his Ph.D. in Computer Science at the Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science, manual digitization of these maps is slow and labor-intensive. Meanwhile, prior automated approaches struggle with the complex visual context and limited training data available for geological maps. To address this challenge, researchers developed DIGMAPPER, a modular, scalable system that automates the entire map digitization pipeline. And while manual digitization can take hours per map, when tested on over 100 annotated maps from a DARPA-USGS dataset, DIGMAPPER completed the process in under 25 minutes. "Historical maps hold a tremendous amount of geological knowledge," Knoblock said. "Digitizing them accelerates the process of assessing where on Earth critical minerals can be sourced." Building one of the world's largest mineral knowledge bases The second major ISI-led effort, MinMod, tackles another bottleneck: unifying mineral data scattered across the world into a searchable, AI-ready knowledge graph. "The goal of MinMod is to bring together everything we know about global mining sites," said Knoblock. "It's the largest publicly available single source of mineral site data anywhere in the world." So far, MinMod has processed tens of thousands of documents on more than 679,000 sites and 190 different commodities. Creating a shared framework for this information is a major undertaking. MinMod draws from three primary sources: academic literature, public mining reports, and geological databases from across the world. These materials often span hundreds of pages, include dense tables and charts, and vary widely in formatting and terminology, making them difficult for both humans and machines to interpret. To bring order to this complexity, the MinMod team uses large language models and semantic technologies to extract, structure, and unify data into a consistent, machine-readable knowledge graph. This shared framework ensures different systems can access, analyze, and build on the same data with precision. Among MinMod's most powerful tools is its ability to generate grade and tonnage models, interactive charts that reveal which deposit types have historically produced the most metal. These insights help geologists and policymakers prioritize exploration efforts and guide resource strategy to discover new mineral sites around the world. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Looking forward As part of the broader CriticalMAAS initiative, ISI's work is helping transform what was once a slow, manual process into a scalable, AI-driven pipeline. The historical maps and MinMod knowledge graph now serve as the foundation for the program's ultimate goal: using machine learning to predict undiscovered mineral deposits. "Our work is part of a larger effort to take this data and build machine learning models that can predict where we should look for these mineral deposits in the future," Knoblock said. Both projects will be showcased at leading conferences in November 2025. The DIGMAPPER paper is available on the arXiv preprint server and was accepted to the ACM SIGSPATIAL International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems, held November 47, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The MinMod project will be presented in two papers at the International Semantic Web Conference (ISWC), taking place November 1014, 2025, in Nara, Japan. ACM SIGSPATIAL is the top conference in spatial computing and geographic information science, while ISWC is the premier international forum for research on semantic web and linked data technologies. More information: Weiwei Duan et al, DIGMAPPER: A Modular System for Automated Geologic Map Digitization, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2506.16006 Journal information: arXiv 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: Credit: Google DeepMind from Pexels New research reveals that people find AI-delivered political arguments convincing. This could help bridge political dividesor fuel polarization. As large language models become increasingly ubiquitous, it's only a matter of time before they're tasked with generating political messagesif they're not already doing so. New research by two professors at Stanford Graduate School of Business explores how people respond to AI-generated political appeals and the implications. "We were interested in whether AI-generated messages could be as persuasive as messages that were generated by humans," says Robb Willer, a professor of organizational behavior (by courtesy) at Stanford GSB, who investigated this question in an article published in Nature Communications with a team of researchers from the Politics and Social Change Lab (which he directs) and the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI. "Quite consistently, across a range of policy issues, that's exactly what we found: Messages developed by AI are about as persuasive as those developed by people, though readers did not know the source of the message." Zakary Tormala, a professor of marketing at Stanford GSB, had a different question. Does knowing that a message was written by AI change how people respond to it? With Louise Lu, a doctoral candidate who led the project, and Adam Duhachek from the University of Illinois Chicago, Tormala tested how receptive people are to ideas when they hear that a message comes from AI versus a human source. This approach, published in Scientific Reports, revealed that people are more open to hearing about opposing policy positions when they're presented by AI. "We were thinking AI might sometimes do better than human sources in this context because people believe AI has no persuasive intent, is not inherently biased, and has access to a wealth of information," Tormala says. "In our studies, all of these factors increased people's willingness to engage with arguments presented by AI that countered their own beliefs. In essence, Willer tested the message, Tormala the messenger. Argument by LLM Willer and his colleagues ran three surveys in which they measured participants' opinions on a range of policies, including a public smoking ban, gun control, a carbon tax, and automatic voter registration. Participants read messages in support of these policies that were generated either by AI or by people. (A control group saw messages unrelated to the policy.) A survey at the end measured whether people's opinions had shifted. "The only thing that varied was the content of the essays, and we saw similarly persuasive effects whether it was written by a human or an AI," Willer says. The strongest effects, notably, emerged among people who already supported the policiesthe AI-written messages nudged them more deeply into their conviction. "We also found that people had different perceptions of these persuasive appeals," Willer says. Although the messages' authorship was not revealed, participants consistently suggested that the power of appeals written by people came from their use of narrative and references to personal experience. Appeals written by LLMs were considered persuasive due to their logical reasoning and clear presentation of facts. This finding complements Tormala and Lu's study, which found that people are more receptive to messages opposing their stances when they are told that those messages come from AI, as they consider AI to be more informed, less biased, and less intent on persuasion than a person. "When a person tries to convince us of their position, we often don't want to hear it," Tormala says. "Especially if the person is on the other side, we assume we know what they think, that they're uninformed and biased, and that they're simply trying to persuade us or win an argument. So we tend to dismiss them." AI, on the other hand, is viewed as highly informed and more objective. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Lu led the team through a series of experiments that all followed the same fundamental design. Participants received messages on a particular policy issue that argued against their existing beliefs. If they were in favor of vaccines, for instance, they read a message presenting the case against vaccination. Everybody read the same messagethese were prepared by the researchersbut some were told the arguments were crafted by people, while others were told they were generated by AI. The first two experiments demonstrated that people are more receptive to counterarguments when they believe they have come from AI. The third experiment demonstrated a greater willingness to share and seek out more information about counterarguments when the origin was thought to be AI. The fourth experiment showed a lower level of animosity toward the opposing side when the messenger was believed to be AI. "We first see that people, when faced with a message from AI rather than another person, are more open to the other side. They're more receptive to listening to the opposing position. Then we see that they're more willing to share these ideas with others, and they even start to see the other side differently, to consider the other side a bit more reasonable," Tormala says. "There's a cascading set of outcomes that are tied to the initial finding on openness." Machine politics Lu notes that these findings could inform "little tools to chip away" at the problem of political polarization. For example, if social media companies try, in good faith, to present consumers with more accurate and balanced information, then attributing that information to AI could make users more receptive to hearing differing opinions and could lead them to process diverse viewpoints less defensively. "If leveraged at scale," says Lu, "this approach might offer one small way to help curb polarization." "That said, our research is agnostic to whether or not the information is accurate," Tormala says. If people are more receptive to AI-generated messages regardless of their accuracy, this could facilitate the spread of misinformation. The takeaway, he says, "is not that 'Hey, AI is going to save us,' but that people react differently to information when they think it comes from AI. This reaction could be good or bad depending on the information they're receiving." Willer, too, notes a range of implications that stem from his team's findings. On the one hand, the persuasive effects of AI were relatively small. LLMs may make the production of political messaging more efficient, yet they may only shift opinions by a small percentage. This alone isn't an outcome that would "destabilize society," Willer says. On the other hand, the fact that AI-generated messages reinforced people's existing beliefs in Willer's studies suggests that their use could increase polarization. Willer thinks it's possible that during the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, foreign or domestic actors could use artificial agents to flood social media with campaigns designed to drive a deeper wedge between Americans. "We already have such negative discourse around politics in this country, and it would not be technically difficult to massively scale up AI-generated content and make things worse," he says. "The mind boggles at the different ways this could be used to threaten our already-frazzled democracy." 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: Initial configuration for molecular dynamics simulation of DNA diffusion. A short DNA strand containing 12 nucleotides is placed on a hexagonal boron nitride) surface containing a pinhole defect. Credit: National Center for Supercomputing Applications Pictures of DNA often look very tidythe strands of the double helix neatly wind around each other, making it seem like studying genetics should be relatively straightforward. In truth, these strands aren't often so perfectly picturesque. They are constantly twisting, bending, and even being repaired by minuscule proteins. These are movements on the nanoscale, and capturing them for study is extremely challenging. Not only do they wriggle about, but the camera's fidelity must be high enough to focus on the tiniest details. Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.) have been working on resolving a grand challenge for molecular biology, and more specifically, genetic research: how to take a high-resolution image of DNA to facilitate study. Using a number of compute resources, including NCSA's Delta, Aleksei Aksimentiev, a professor of physics at U. of I, and Dr. Kush Coshic, formerly a graduate research assistant in the Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at U. of I., and currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, recently made significant contributions to solving this challenge. They did it by focusing on two specific problems: creating a "camera" that could capture the molecular movement of DNA, and by creating an environment in which they could predictably direct the movement of the DNA strands. "The fundamental problem we try to address is the gap between our ability to engineer DNA structures and our ability to predict and control their motion on 2D surfaces, a challenge which requires a deeper, molecular-level understanding to lay the groundwork for future biosensors and structural biology tools," said Aksimentiev. The team relied on massive, microsecond-long Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to computationally model the atomic interactions and validate their experimental setup, a task that demanded the immense parallel compute power that Delta and DeltaAI provide. Creating a nanoscale camera When you imagine trying to take a photo of a DNA strand on a camera, you might think the best way to keep it still would be to place it on its side when trying to capture an image. However, researchers discovered that DNA can stand up straight on certain surfacesa breakthrough for those attempting to capture high-quality images. It's essential to recognize that these breakthroughs result from highly collaborative efforts, often building upon the foundational work of scientists and researchers worldwide. In this case, Aksimentiev's team was able to conduct their research due to the discovery made by researchers at Tinnefeld Lab at Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. That team created a "DNA camera" using a single, atomic-layer-thick sheet of graphene. They called this method GETvNA. Aksimentiev's team built upon the work at LMU by exploring the atomic-level workings of this "DNA camera." "The GETvNA method builds on a discovery by our collaborators (Tinnefeld Lab, LMU, Germany) that double-stranded DNA adopts a vertical orientation on graphene, enabling detection of subtle conformational changes via energy transfer between a dye-labeled DNA and the graphene surface," explained Coshic. "Like a car's suspension system, this configuration allows the DNA to flex and fluctuate freely while remaining vertically positioned on the surface, capturing its structural dynamics with Angstrom-level spatial and subsecond temporal resolution." A DNA duplex molecule stands upright on a single layer of carbon, called graphene. The lowest base pair of the DNA adheres to the graphene surface such that the DNA stays mostly vertical, gently wiggling due to thermal fluctuations. Credit: National Center for Supercomputing Applications Aksimentiev's team was able to achieve a resolution down to the Angstrom scale (less than a billionth of a meter) and capture events in real-time. This is essential for observing processes such as DNA damage repair or protein translocation as they occur. Capturing those images is a significant achievement in itself, but the team's research has an even greater impact: their discovery means that even labs lacking access to expensive resources can study DNA at this scale. "A key strength of GETvNA is its accessibility. It enables high-resolution single-molecule studies using a standard fluorescence microscope, removing the need for costly facilities to host cryogenic electron microscopy or nuclear magnetic resonance equipment," said Aksimentiev. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Guiding DNA What if you could also control where DNA moved? If you were able to get DNA to move along a selected path, you could sort and manipulate individual strands of DNA easily, but you could also start to build a "molecular machine" of sorts. Aksimentiev's team discovered that by using a 2D material, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), they could direct single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) along selected paths. In a previous study published in Nature Nanotechnology, the team discovered that step defects can be used to guide biomolecules. A step defect is essentially a nanoscale stair-step or ledge on the surface of a material, such as graphene. These nano-sized, naturally occurring "stairs" can create channels through which biomolecules will move. Initially, experiments performed with a team of collaborators, which included researchers Chirlmin Joo and Peter Steeneken, both from the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), showed the DNA diffusing thousands of times slower than predicted. The team's computational analysis solved this mystery, revealing that atomic defects on the hBN surface act as temporary trapping sites that intermittently slow the molecules, allowing for predictable control over their movement. "Understanding the molecular interactions and how surface defects influence biomolecular motion on 2D surfaces, our ACS Nano work paves the way for designing 2D nanofluidic devices with precisely confined channels," said Aksimentiev. "These can guide biomolecules directionally, via diffusion or external cues, for high-resolution sensing and without relying on complex nanofabrication protocols. GETvNA complements this by offering a novel, low-cost pipeline that achieves Angstrom-level localization precision for single-molecule measurements." The combination of these two breakthroughs allows for a wide range of impactful applications in biomolecular medicine. "While our work is fundamental, focusing on understanding the rules to build new tools, it lays essential groundwork for the precise control and guiding of biomolecules for next-generation medical diagnostics," said Aksimentiev. Molecular dynamics simulation of a DNA strand diffusion on a hexagonal boron nitride surface containing atom-size pinhole defects. Credit: National Center for Supercomputing Applications "The GETvNA method serves as a powerful and low-cost platform for studying how single DNA molecules interact with proteins, a fundamental process in both health and disease. Its accessibility unlocks a wide range of applications, from enabling deeper biological research to offering a practical way to quantify the specific molecular interactions that are crucial for designing and testing new drugs." This research would have been impossible without the resources available at centers like NCSA. For research of this resource-intensive nature, Aksimentiev's team had to utilize numerous resources. To get those resources, his team turned to the U.S. National Science Foundation ACCESS program. Through ACCESS, Aksimentiev was able to qualify for a "Maximize" allocation, granting him access to hundreds of thousands of compute hours on resources nationwide. "NCSA resources, including Delta, were instrumental in enabling our microsecond-long simulations, currently the state-of-the-art, by reducing computation time from several months on personal machines to just a few days using high-performance computing," said Aksimentiev. In addition to obtaining allocations on NCSA's Delta and DeltaAI machines, the team utilized resources from the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC), the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC), the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), and Purdue's Rosen Center for Advanced Computing (RCAC). "For many years, the ACCESS, and its predecessor (XSEDE), program has been enabling our lab to perform computational discovery at the interface of biology and nanotechnology," said Aksimentiev. "Being able to use these state-of-the-art resources is pivotal to ensuring global leadership of U.S. science and the emergence of breakthrough technological innovations." Building on a breakthrough The team has published results of their work in two papers: Diffusion of DNA on Atomically Flat 2D Material Surfaces in ACS Nano, and Single-molecule dynamic structural biology with vertically arranged DNA on a fluorescence microscope in Nature Methods. However, a researcher's work is never truly over. Aksimentiev and his team will continue to expand upon their results. "We would like to better understand from a molecular standpoint the milliseconds-to-seconds dynamics of the vertical standing DNA on the graphene surface," said Aksimentiev. "Atomistic simulations cannot be used to probe such timescales, and instead, we will use our microsecond-long atomistic trajectories to calibrate coarser resolution models such as our in-house mrDNA method that we previously used to unravel the physical process of viral genome packaging inside the virus' protein capsid." Digital health solution designed to transform the way medical data is leveraged in life underwriting ATLANTA, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LexisNexis Risk Solutions has announced the launch of Medical Insights from LexisNexis Health Intelligence. The new functionality of the Health Intelligence platform standardizes and extracts key insights from electronic health records (EHRs), including targeted health data such as vitals, labs and material conditions. This enhancement goes beyond the standard EHR summary to empower U.S. life insurance carriers to more quickly identify key critical risk data within the EHR, enabling carriers to accelerate underwriting decisions, enhance risk assessment, improve mortality outcomes, and advance rules automation with structured data. "The availability of Medical Insights from LexisNexis Health Intelligence represents a significant milestone in the way data is collected and interpreted, as currently the only way for an underwriter to quickly identify important risk data in an EHR is to collect it manually and read the full EHR," said Justin Baker, associate vice president of life underwriting solutions, LexisNexis Risk Solutions. "Life insurers need tools to make sense of all the information available, pull out the important insights, and see the big picture of what the disparate sources are saying when synthesized together. Through Medical Insights, we're able to deliver richer data in a structured format from a more comprehensive data network, as well as data that can be audited, disclosed to applicants and corrected if needed." Key Features LexisNexis Health Intelligence - Clinical Screener delivers vitals, build, common labs and smoking status with latest readings, ranges, stability and out-of-range flags. This helps underwriting organizations to triage faster, make more consistent decisions and maintain more applicants in accelerated programs. delivers vitals, build, common labs and smoking status with latest readings, ranges, stability and out-of-range flags. This helps underwriting organizations to triage faster, make more consistent decisions and maintain more applicants in accelerated programs. LexisNexis Health Intelligence - Impairment Identifier surfaces material impairments flagged with first-seen, most recent and resolution indicators. This allows quick assessment of the presence of material medical conditions to determine whether the condition is still present, without analyzing the entire medical record, saving valuable underwriter time and speeding decisions. Benefits Triage acceleration programs more effectively: Medical Insights help keep more applicants in accelerated programs, reducing cycle time, quickly identifying those more challenging risks that need more attention and providing a smoother customer experience. Medical Insights help keep more applicants in accelerated programs, reducing cycle time, quickly identifying those more challenging risks that need more attention and providing a smoother customer experience. Mitigate misrepresentation and mortality slippage: Medical Insights help carriers avoid missing critical details from self-reporting or one-off exams that can lead to misrepresentation, other unknown risks and hidden impairments. Medical Insights help carriers avoid missing critical details from self-reporting or one-off exams that can lead to misrepresentation, other unknown risks and hidden impairments. Automate flexibly: Medical Insights can help improve the underwriting process at any stage of the transformation journey by helping life carriers ingest transparent, auditable data into rules engines and models. By delivering richer detail than single source data such as prescription or diagnoses codes, medical insights can help carriers attain more precise pricing and more accurate mortality predictions at scale. Medical Insights can help improve the underwriting process at any stage of the transformation journey by helping life carriers ingest transparent, auditable data into rules engines and models. By delivering richer detail than single source data such as prescription or diagnoses codes, medical insights can help carriers attain more precise pricing and more accurate mortality predictions at scale. Combine medical and non-medical data for improved segmentation: Medical insights and LexisNexis Risk Classifier can be leveraged together for additional insights, allowing for enhanced segmentation of mortality risk. "As life insurers evolve from relying on APS reports to leveraging real-time EHR data, the next frontier is extracting meaningful insights from that data and ultimately leveraging the combined power of medical and non-medical data to see the full picture of risk," said Baker. "We're investing in network expansion and advanced analytics to ensure carriers don't just receive digital recordsthey gain actionable intelligence. There's significant value to be derived from the EHR beyond just avoiding an APS and our focus is on delivering solutions that transform raw data into insights, helping insurers of all sizes accelerate decisions, improve segmentation and advance their digital transformation." Visit Medical Insights from LexisNexis Health Intelligence for more information. About LexisNexis Risk Solutions LexisNexis Risk Solutions harnesses the power of data, sophisticated analytics platforms and technology solutions to provide insights that help businesses across multiple industries and governmental entities reduce risk and improve decisions to benefit people around the globe. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, we have offices throughout the world and are part of RELX (LSE: REL/NYSE: RELX), a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, please visit LexisNexis Risk Solutions and RELX. Media Contact: Emma Valenti Sr. Communications Specialist Life and Commercial and UK & Ireland [email protected] +1 470.643.5848 SOURCE LexisNexis Risk Solutions 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: Virtual reconstruction of the Murgon paleoecosistem during the early eocene, 55 Mya. Image generated with Google Gemini AI. Also shown is one of the abundant giant soft-shell turtles Murgonomys braithwaitei, an archaic marsupial Djarthia murgonensis and an unnamed ancestral song-bird. The clays that form the fossil deposit were accumulated in this ancient lake. Credit: University of New South Wales In a local grazier's backyard in the small southeast QLD town of Murgon, scientists have been digging for decades in what looks like an unremarkable clay pit. But within the clay lies one of Australia's oldest fossil sitesa window back in time to when the continent was still connected to Antarctica and South America. Now, an international team led by the Institut Catala de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP), including researchers from UNSW Sydney, has uncovered the oldest crocodilian eggshells ever found in Australia. The work is published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. The fragments, named Wakkaoolithus godthelpi, once belonged to mekosuchine crocodiles. This group of now extinct crocs dominated inland waters 55 million years ago. Modern saltwater and freshwater crocs only arrived later in Australia, around 3.8 million years ago. "These eggshells have given us a glimpse of the intimate life history of mekosuchines," says the study's lead author Xavier Panades i Blas. "We can now investigate not only the strange anatomy of these crocs, but also how they reproduced and adapted to changing environments." From swimmers to tree-climbing hunters Unlike today's saltwater and freshwater crocodiles, mekosuchines filled strange ecological niches. "It's a bizarre idea," says UNSW paleontologist Professor Michael Archer. "But some of them appear to have been terrestrial hunters in the forests." He says there are suggestions of this throughout a wide range of younger mekosuchine fossils that were discovered earlier within 25-million-year-old deposits from another region: the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, Boodjamulla National Park on Waanyi country in northwestern QLD. Prof. Archer says some riverine species there grew to at least five meters long. "Some were also apparently at least partly semi-arboreal 'drop crocs,'" he says. "They were perhaps hunting like leopardsdropping out of trees on any unsuspecting thing they fancied for dinner." A delicate time capsule Panades i Blas says eggshells are an underused resource in vertebrate paleontology. "They preserve microstructural and geochemical signals that tell us not only what kinds of animals laid them, but also where they nested and how they bred," he says. "Our study shows just how powerful these fragments can be. Eggshells should be a routine, standard component of paleontological researchcollected, curated and analyzed alongside bones and teeth." The Murgon shell fragments were examined under optical and electron microscopes. Their microstructure suggests the crocs laid eggs on the margins of a lake, with their reproductive strategy adapting to fluctuating conditions. Co-author Dr. Michael Stein says mekosuchine crocs may have lost much of their inland territory because of encroaching drylandeventually having to compete in the shrinking waterways not only with new arrivals to Australia, but dwindling numbers of their megafaunal-sized prey as well. Dr. Stein says the Murgon lake was surrounded by a lush forest. "This forest was also home to the world's oldest-known songbirds, Australia's earliest frogs and snakes, a wide range of small mammals with South American links, as well as one of the world's oldest known bats," he says. A story with teeth Prof. Archer says the discovery within the Tingamarra deposit at Murgon is part of a much bigger storyone that enriches the understanding of ancient ecosystems before Australia became an independent continent. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. He recalls finding a bizarre crocodilian jaw fragment in 1975 in the Texas Caves of southeastern Queensland. While this has since been confirmed as a mekosuchine croc, at the time it seemed so strange to Prof. Archer that he didn't suspect it was a crocodile. It seemed to be a reptilebut one with dinosaur-like teeth. He was so baffled that he decided to consult Professor Max Hechta reptile specialist at the American Museum of Natural History. "When he saw it, Max nearly dropped his coffee cup," Prof. Archer says. "It closely resembled another kind of extinct croc with dinosaur-type teeth that had been found in South America. That was the first realization that crocodiles with teeth like this were also part of the older record in Australia." Prof. Archer says he and his colleagues have been excavating in the Murgon area since 1983, literally in the backyard of excited local residents. "That year, UNSW colleague Henk Godhelp and I drove to Murgon, parked the car on the side of the road, grabbed our shovels, knocked on the door and asked if we could dig up their backyard," Prof. Archer says. "After explaining the prehistoric treasures that might lay under their sheep paddock and that fossil turtle shells had already been found in the area, they grinned and said 'of course.' From subsequent excavations, that's where the eggshell pieces came from. "And, quite clearly, from the many fascinating animals that we've already found in this deposit since 1983, we know that with more digging there will be a lot more surprises to come." Informing conservation For Prof. Archer, discoveries like this are more than just glimpses of a vanished pastthey're sometimes reminders that Australia's fossil record can reveal important clues about how to save some of today's threatened species. He has been working with a multi-institutional team on the "Burramys Project" to bring the Mountain Pygmy-possumBurramys parvusback from the edge of extinction. This species, native to eastern Australia's alpine regions, is critically threatened as pressure from climate change mounts. However, Prof. Archer's team discovered that its prehistoric relatives, evolving over the past 25 million years, have always thrived in temperate lowland rainforestsincluding those that covered the Riversleigh area between 25 to 12 million years ago. This led to the theory that the immediate ancestors of today's Mountain Pygmy-possum likely followed rainforests as they moved up into alpine areas during a warm, wet interval during the Pleistocene Epoch. But when the climate in the alpine zone changed and cooled, they had to develop evasive behaviors like hibernation to survive increasingly inhospitable conditions. A few years ago, Prof. Archer's teamworking with Trevor Evans, the manager of Secret Creek Sanctuary, and with donations from many organizations including the Prague Zoo in the Czech Republicbuilt a breeding facility in an area of non-alpine rainforest near the town of Lithgow. Today, Mountain Pygmy-possums are flourishing within that non-alpine sanctuaryjust as Prof. Archer says the fossil record predicted they would. As climate change increasingly threatens the existence of more and more species, he says not all stories need be about the gloom and doom of disasters triggered by climate change. "The Burramys Project is a demonstration that, at least in some cases, we can develop strategies to save endangered species," Prof. Archer says. "Clues from fossil records matter," he says. "Not just to understand the past, but also to help secure the future." More information: Xavier Panades I Blas et al, Australia's oldest crocodylian eggshell: insights into the reproductive paleoecology of mekosuchines, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (2025). DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2025.2560010 Journal information: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 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: Credit: Stephanie Stack On Quandamooka Sea Country (Moreton Bay), a team of multi-disciplinary scientists have captured unique footage that cements the popular bayside site's importance as a humpback whale nursing and resting area. The team of Griffith University researchers have captured the first known underwater video footage of humpback whale calves nursing. Footage was captured using suction camera tags which revealed frequent bouts of nursing in around half of the individuals tagged. These findings build evidence surrounding the critical importance of the bay as a key nursery and rest area for humpbacks. "To our knowledge, this is the first documented use of camera-equipped suction-cup tags on humpback whale calves in Australia, and one of few datasets globally that combines video, fine-scale movement, and acoustic data for humpback whale calves," Griffith University researcher and Ph.D. Candidate Stephanie Stack said. This sighting formed part of Stack's doctoral research at Griffith University and contributed to Professor Susan Bengston Nash's ARC Linkage project "Life in the Shipping Lane," which investigated humpback whale shipping disturbance risks in Quandamooka Sea Country. Other related findings from the team's field work included consistently high numbers of mother-calf pairs across both 2024/25 seasons; several lone adult whales using the bay; and groups that included multiple mother-calf pairs socializing together which was not previously documented for Moreton Bay. Credit: Griffith University "Across both seasons, we achieved 13 successful CATS camera tag deployments, with approximately half of these capturing nursing behavior between mothers and calves," Stack said. "In total, we now have 35 hours and 37 minutes of fine-scale movement, acoustic, and video data focusing on humpback whale calves." The study was performed as a collaboration between Griffith University and the University of Hawaii, in partnership with Quandamooka Traditional Owners and industry partners including Port of Brisbane, DHI, Stradbroke Flyer, and Healthy Land & Water. Professor Bengston Nash said the project's findings were of direct relevance to planned State Government re-zoning of Moreton Bay. "Our growing understanding of the critical role that the bay plays in the life-history of the whales warrants a holistic assessment of the true ecological, social, and cultural value of the bay so that these values are not degraded or lost in favor of short-term financial gain," said Professor Bengston Nash. "Both years, we observed high levels of recreational vessel traffic throughout the bay, including in areas where whales were resting at the surface or in shallow waters, and often in direct transit zones for boats. "We also documented multiple whales with propeller mark scars, underscoring the need for increased awareness and caution from boaters during the migration season." 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: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain It is early evening in Australia's top end, and a hunter stalks its prey. Keenly alert, the northern quoll follows the sound of rustling in the leaf litter. It must be some kind of frog, the small carnivorous marsupial decides, and pounces. But the quoll is seized by an immediate pain in the mouth, and drops its prey. It's already too late. The rustling was not a frog, but a poisonous cane toad. The toad's toxin has sprayed into the quoll's mouth and within seconds the quoll is vomiting. Within minutes it is incapacitated and spasming as its heart fails. And 20 minutes later the quoll is dead. This scene has played out countless times in the 90 years since invasive cane toads were released on the Queensland coast and hopped west to Australia's tropical north. They were originally native to South America, and brought to Australia to control beetle pests in sugarcane. And they kill not only quolls and their kin, but other predators such as freshwater crocodiles, goannas, and snakes. What do we have to lose? The cane toad is one of Australia's worst feral animal invaders. They have nearly completed their conquest of northern Australia and in the next couple of years they are expected to reach Broome on the west coast, and head south. Our work shows that without intervention, the destruction will continue, as toads invade Australia's unique Pilbara region in the north of western Australia. The Pilbara is an ancient rocky landscape, with some of the oldest geology in the world. Many species are found here and nowhere else. With abundant waterholes and rivers in stunning rocky gorges, the Pilbara would be perfect habitat for cane toads. Our research outlines what will happen if toads arrive in this unique landscape. It finds that with no intervention, cane toads will likely invade a further 27 million hectares, including almost all of the Pilbara, and spread further south towards Shark Bay. A blow to animals and culture Cane toads arriving in the Pilbara would cause populations of about 25 species of reptiles and mammals to crash in numbers. These include ten species of goanna, nine small marsupial predators like the Kaluta and northern quoll, three snakes, two blue-tongue skinks and one bat. For endangered northern quolls and vulnerable ghost bats, the Pilbara is the last toad-free stronghold. Several endemic goannas, blue tongue skinks and marsupial predators will likely join the threatened species list. Many of these species are culturally important to the Traditional Owners of Country for stories, songlines and bush tucker. Toad invasion of the Northern Territory, for example, led to lost bush tucker such as goanna, crocodile, blue-tongue skink. It also meant increased reliance on store-bought food, and a loss of skills and knowledge around hunting activities where Elders spent time with younger generations. Overall, it's a bleak prospect if toads spread into the Pilbara. The good news is that there is an opportunity to avoid this future. A wicked problem Many people have attempted to solve the cane toad problem, via cracking its genetic code, teaching native animals not to eat toads and even putting the creatures on the menu. None of these methods have stopped the toad invasion across the tropical north of Australia. There has simply been too much permanent water in the landscape that toads use as habitat. But the situation is not the same in Western Australia. South of Broome, toads will hit a natural "bottleneck" where the Great Sandy Desert meets the ocean, on Karajarri and Nyangumarta country. This narrow stretch of naturally dry country represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to halt the toads' progress further down the west coast. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Plumbing, not rocket science Water is the toads' Achilles heel. In the dry season, toads must sit in water every two to four days to stay alive. In the bottleneck between the Kimberley and the Pilbara, almost all permanent water sources are human-made. And these create a connected watery tendril for invasion. Making these water sources inaccessible to toads by creating a "Toad Containment Zone" means toads cannot use these as stepping stones through this dry part of the country. A collective of scientists, pastoralists and Traditional Owners has proposed creating this zone by toad-proofing cattle water sources (by upgrading ground-level water sources to tanks and troughs) in a 150 kilometer long by 50 kilometer wide stretch of country. This solution would create a "toad fire-break." The containment zone covers three times the distance that toads travel each year, so every wet season toads will infiltrate the north of the zone, but as the water dries up, they will perish in the dry season. Bang for buck Effective containment would prevent toads from accessing the water-abundant Pilbara and beyond, protecting 27 million hectares of Western Australia. This is not a new ideait's been subject to 15 years of scientific rigor that shows preventing toads accessing water is the most effective way to stop them. It's also one of the cheapest solutions: managing pest species after they have established is expensive and ineffective, and we are much better off preventing their spread. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Dr. Peter Shi from Macquarie Business School explains how low-carbon supply chain finance helps businesses reduce emissions, unlock green funding and build resilient, profitable networks amid global climate challenges. When people talk about climate action, they often imagine solar panels, electric vehicles or the phasing out of coal. But for most businesses, the real battleground for reducing emissions lies in a less visible placethe supply chain. From the coffee beans we import to the building materials used in construction, almost every product Australians buy or sell relies on a web of suppliers, transport links and manufacturers that stretch across continents. Each step in that network releases carbon dioxide. In many industries, supply chain emissions outweigh direct factory emissions. That's where the idea of a low-carbon supply chain comes in. It is a network designed to measure, reduce and finance its emissions while keeping goods moving and businesses profitable. Supply chains and the race to net zero The global push for carbon neutrality has shifted from focusing solely on production sites to examining every tier of supply and logistics. Australia is no exception. As the Australian government strengthens the Safeguard Mechanism and major trading partners such as the European Union introduce carbon border taxes, Australian companies are being asked not only to report their emissions, but also to prove that their suppliers are cutting theirs too. This creates both a challenge and an opportunity. Many firms understand the need to decarbonize but struggle with the cost and complexity of doing so across multiple partners and countries. That's where finance and technology intersect in powerful ways. Introducing carbon trade finance An editorial for the International Journal of Production Research examines how the worlds of carbon markets, finance and supply-chain management are converging. This is called emerging field carbon trade financethe use of financial instruments, such as carbon credits, green bonds and emissions-linked loans, to help companies fund their low-carbon transition. The logic is simple: firms that can prove they are reducing emissions gain access to cheaper or more flexible finance. This makes sustainability not just a moral goal but also a competitive advantage. Across 20 papers included in this special issue, researchers show how different financial mechanisms can strengthen the resilience and agility of supply chains. Bank-led green loans, carbon-quota lending and carbon-option contracts all provide incentives for suppliers to cut emissions without crippling cash flow. Instead of treating carbon regulation as a burden, these tools turn it into an engine for innovation and growth. Dr. Peter Shi is a senior lecturer in operations and supply chain management at Macquarie Business School. Credit: Macquarie University The digital edge Technology plays a crucial role. Blockchain and smart-contract systems are transforming the way emissions data and carbon credits are recorded and verified. In the past, one of the biggest criticisms of carbon trading was the lack of transparencywho genuinely reduced emissions, and by how much? Digital ledgers now allow every ton of carbon saved to be traced from source to sale, giving buyers, regulators and investors greater confidence. For example, a manufacturer could automatically trigger a financing discount once its suppliers' verified emissions meet a target. This kind of automation not only reduces administrative overheads, but also builds trust across the entire chain. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Collaboration and policy go hand in hand Another consistent finding from the research is that cooperation beats isolation. When retailers and suppliers share both carbon targets and financing, they tend to achieve deeper cuts in emissions and better financial performance. Joint investmentsin energy-efficient logistics or waste reductionamplify the impact of each dollar spent. Governments also have a key role. Policies that support carbon-credit trading, subsidize emission-reduction technology or reward cross-industry partnerships can make the difference between symbolic change and systemic transformation. In Australia, this might mean expanding access to green finance products for small and medium-sized enterprises or creating clearer links between domestic carbon markets and international schemes. Many exporters already face the prospect of carbon-based tariffs when selling to Europe and Asia. For instance, the carbon prices in Finland include emissions trading system (ETS) permit prices and carbon taxes, covering the primary portions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Developing transparent, finance-enabled, low-carbon supply chains would help keep them globally competitive. When firms build low-carbon supply chains, they don't just reduce emissions; they gain flexibility, attract investors and strengthen their long-term resilience. The road ahead The move to low-carbon supply chains will not happen overnight. It requires transparency, new financial thinking and a willingness to share both risks and rewards across the network. But the direction is clear. When we combine the tools of carbon finance with the innovations of digital technology and the discipline of supply-chain management, we open the door to an economy that is not only cleaner but stronger. That's the promiseand the challengeof building a low-carbon supply chain. More information: Yangyan Shi et al, Carbon trade finance: a perspective of supply chain management, International Journal of Production Research (2025). DOI: 10.1080/00207543.2025.2574413 Journal information: International Journal of Production Research This content was originally published on The Macquarie University Lighthouse. 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: Credit: Jess Bailey Designs from Pexels There have been at least three watershed moments in how humans access information. One came with the invention of the printing press in 1440, which revolutionized the spread of knowledge. Another came in 1998, when the launch of Google changed how we search for and retrieve information. The third happened in late 2022, with the introduction of generative artificial intelligence (AI). This technology can not only answer our questions, it can help us generate new content and propose solutions to real-life problems. Generative AI teaches itself even when we are not using it. Unlike past technological shifts, which unfolded over decades or even centuries, this one is happening in just a few years. While parents may be hearing about AI in their work or in the news, they may not realize it is also being introduced into their child's classrooms. As part of our new book published this week, we outline the questions parents should be asking their schools about AI. What's the difference between AI and generative AI? You've likely encountered AI in everyday lifewhen your web browser remembers your preferences, your GPS suggests a faster route, or your bank flags unusual spending. These systems analyze data and make predictions based on patterns. Generative AI goes a step further. It doesn't just analyze, it creates. Ask it to plan a summer barbecue, and it can generate a menu, write a shopping list, design invitations, compile a playlist, or even compose an original party song. It adapts to your needs in real time, whether you're catering to vegans or entertaining toddlers. Our research In our book, The Future of Schooling in a GenAI World, we investigate what generative AI means for schools. We sought the views of more than 350 experts via surveys, interviews and international forums. We spoke to developers inventing AI, academics and business leaders who understand the implications of it, and school leaders who are adopting it. We asked participants to tell us the implications of AI for schooling. We found generative AI is already being used in primary and secondary schools in Australia and around the world to personalize learning. It helps teachers develop study guides on key content, tutors young people at their own pace, creates lesson plans, and varies assessments depending on the student. As generative AI tools "remember" prior interactions, they can come back to where the student left off the day before and prompt for repetition or jump aheadsimilar to a private tutor. But with these opportunities come risks. This includes an over-reliance on technology, rather than independent thinking (called "cognitive offloading"). It is also easy for students to cheat. The technology can also be biased and inaccurate, and can threaten our privacy. In the process, there are fears it could dehumanize education. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. What should parents be asking? In our book, we pose key questions parents should be asking themselves, their children, and their schools to ensure generative AI is being used safely to enhance learning and teaching. What is the school's plan for adopting AI learning tools and resources? Schools should at least have a framework in place, but in our research, we found some do not have any formal planning. How are we already using AI in the classroom? Is it just being used by teachers or are students also using in their daily work? How are we planning to use AI in the foreseeable future? What is an example of how using AI could benefit my child's learning? Could it be used to focus on a particular part of the curriculum (for example, science and technology), or to focus on an area where a child needs extra work (such as multiplication)? How is the school safeguarding student identity and other private data? How is the school instructing students about the pros and cons of AI and its appropriate use and potential misuse? This means students are learning how to be thoughtful, responsible users of AI. How can AI learning tools help my child who has an identified special need? What AI tools do you recommend we have at home to support learning? Will my child need a new laptop or special software, or will we need this at home? You could also suggest the school hosts a workshop for parents and caregivers to learn how to use AI tools and to address any AI concerns. Where is all this heading? We don't yet know, and the pace of the change is so fast even the experts we talked to are having difficulty staying up with the latest iterations of the tools. But we do know schools and teachers will remain essential to our society. What will change is the kind of schools we need and the role of teachers in leading them. For parents and our educators, the challenge is to keep the HIour human intelligencein front of the AI. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Credit: Edvin Richardson from Pexels More than 50 years after the last time humans walked on the moon, China is working steadily toward landing its astronauts on the lunar surface. On October 30, 2025, a spokesman for China's crewed space program said the country was "on track" to launch its lunar mission by 2030. So how does China plan to send astronauts to the moon? Among legislators and senior figures in the US space sector, China's progress toward a crewed lunar mission has generated concern. Some fear damage to America's status as a spacefaring nation if China lands before NASA's effort to return astronauts to the moon. The US space agency's Artemis III mission should send the first American astronauts to the lunar surface since Apollo 17 in 1972. It is scheduled to launch in 2027, but delays could bring it much closer to Beijing's planned lunar flight. The approaching date for China's crewed moon mission represents a remarkable trajectory for the country. Beijing launched its first astronaut, Yang Liwei, to space in 2003, aboard the Shenzhou 5 mission. China's decades-long preparation for a lunar landing mirrors the milestones or "firsts" that characterized the space race between the US and Soviet Union in the 1960s and 70s. China has moved from its first astronaut mission to launching a pair of astronauts, followed by a three-person mission, which featured the first spacewalk for a Chinese astronaut. The country has since built a space station, Tiangong, in low Earth orbit. When the International Space Station is retired in 2030, it will leave China as the only country with a permanent outpost in Earth orbit. On October 31, the Shenzhou 21 flight launched three crew members to the Tiangong orbital outpost. They took over operations from three other Chinese astronauts who have been on the space station since April 2025. Such crew rotations are now the norm for China and further demonstrate the country's impressive capabilities as it prepares for the lunar mission. However, the three departing astronauts' return to Earth has been delayed after their capsule was hit by space debris. It's a reminder that space is a hostile environment, however routine missions might appear to be. The way that China has steadily built its presence in space highlights its technological prowess. Since the 1970s, China has developed more than 20 types of its Long March family of rocketswith 16 active today. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. According to the state-run China Daily, Long March rockets have a 97% success rate. That falls just slightly under the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's 99.46% success rate. With its reliable launchers, China has been able to accurately plan and build realistic timelines for its space milestones. In August this year, China conducted a ground test of their newest Long March 10 model. This model is meant to launch astronauts to the moon aboard the next-generation Mengzhou crew capsule in 2030. This will replace the Shenzhou spacecraft which has been the workhorse for crewed missions up until now. The spacecraft consists of two different sections, or modules: a crew module and a service module. The crew module carries the astronauts. The service module provides power, propulsion and life support for the crew module. The modular design allows it to be tailored to meet the requirements of different missions. Officials envisage two versions initially: one for use in Earth orbit to ferry astronauts to and from the Tiangong space station and a deep space version designed for lunar missions. The crew module will be able to carry up to six astronauts compared to Shenzhou's three. The first flight for the Mengzhou spacecraft, without crew, is scheduled for next year. Mengzhou will also carry a lunar lander, called Lanyue. This name originates from a poem written by the late Chinese head of state Mao Zedong and translates as "embracing the moon". Lanyue consists of two segments, a landing stage and a propulsion stage. The landing stage carries the crew. The propulsion stage carries fuel for the landing and separates during the final stages of touching down on the moon. Lanyue will weigh nearly 26 tonnes and will accommodate two astronauts for the trip to the lunar surface. Testing of the lunar lander has been underway since 2024. A robotic prototype is scheduled for trials in 2027 and 2028 and an uncrewed Mengzhou-Lanyue mission is planned for 2028 or 2029, ahead of the full crewed mission to the lunar surface in 2030. In 2024, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) also unveiled the spacesuits designed to be used by astronauts on the moon. At the unveiling event in Chongqing, a technician wearing the suit demonstrated its range of motion by crouching, bending over and climbing steps. China will build on its successful robotic lunar exploration program, which has already delivered several major milestones. These include the Chang'e-6 mission's delivery of the world's first samples from the far side of the moon in June 2024, via a robotic probe. This headline-grabbing breakthrough underscored China's growing technological reach in space. China's path to the moon is realistic, feasible, and most importantly on track. Their multi-decade history in space means that it not only has the necessary know-how, but it also has what many other nations do not: a clear vision and deep pockets. China was the second highest spender on government space programs in 2024, though its US$19 billion spend was a remarkable US$60 billion less than that spent by the US. Its missions, at least on the face of it, are also subject to far less disruption through changing political winds. A crewed Chinese lunar landing will carry profound symbolism, especially if the country gets there before NASA's planned return mission. But such a feat would go beyond simple prestige: "The countries that get there first will write the rules of the road for what we can do on the moon," former NASA Associate Administrator Mike Gold told a recent US Senate hearing. A Chinese moon landing would enable the country to start shaping the rules, the research agendas and the geopolitical landscape of this new era in space. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Chinese astronaut for the Shenzhou 20 mission, Chen Dong, center, speaks next to his comrades Chen Zhongrui, right, and Wang Jie as they attend a send-off ceremony for their manned space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, Thursday, April 24, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Andy Wong, file The stranded crew of a Chinese space mission is "in good condition, working and living normally," China's Manned Space Engineering office said on Tuesday. The three astronauts on the Shenzhou-20 mission are facing a delayed return to Earth after their scheduled Nov. 5 return was aborted after their spacecraft was believed to have been struck by a small piece of space debris. The return has been pushed back to an unspecified date, but the mission team is carrying out tests and drills, according to a statement issued by the space agency. "The Shenzhou-20 crew is in good condition, working and living normally," the statement said. The three astronautsChen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jietraveld to the Tiangong space station in April and were finishing their six-month rotation. Journalists film Chinese astronauts for the upcoming Shenzhou 20 mission, from left, Wang Jie, captain Chen Dong and Chen Zhongrui wave at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Andy Wong, file The replacement Shenzhou-21 mission successfully docked with the space station on Nov. 1, carrying for the first time a group of mice for experiments. China has made steady progress with its space program since 2003. It has built its own space station and has a goal of landing a person on the moon by 2030. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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: Structural setting of the study site. Credit: Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-23264-9 Climate change is accelerating continental rifting, the geological process where landmasses slowly pull apart. According to a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports, the East African Rift System (EARS) became more tectonically active after its major lakes shrank due to a drier climate 4,000 to 6,000 years ago. This could have caused more frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The research team, led by scientists from the University of Auckland and Syracuse University, studied the Lake Turkana Basin in northern Kenya. This region is ideal for analyzing how climate and tectonics interact because it lies within the magmatically active eastern part of EARS and has witnessed dramatic lake-level shifts. Investigating fault activity Scientists examined 27 underwater faults by comparing two time periods in the South Turkana Basin. The first was the wetter Late African Humid Period (9,6315,333 years ago) and the second was the Post-African Humid Period (5,333 years ago to present), when the climate was much drier. Using geological data and computer models, they calculated how the reduced weight of the lake water affected fault activity. The researchers discovered that the speed of faulting in the EARS accelerated significantly after the region's major lakes shrank, showing a mean increase of 0.17 mm/year in their slipping rate. "We provide the first empirical evidence of increased fault activity in response to climate-induced lake level changes in the East African Rift System over time scales of 1010 years and reveal that climate-tectonic interactions are enhanced in magmatically active rift systems." Conceptual illustration of the range of proposed processes driving increased fault activity in the Lake Turkana Rift in response to changing climatic conditions associated with the transition from the (a) African Humid Period to (b) the post-African Humid Period. Credit: Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-23264-9 Reducing pressure on the crust The study authors suggest a two-part mechanism for how the drop in lake water affected the forces accelerating drifting. The immediate effect was the removal of weight from Earth's crust. For example, when Lake Turkana's level dropped by 100 to 150 meters, it reduced pressure on the faults, making them more likely to slip. It is similar to a heavy bowling ball being taken off a mattress, with the surface springing back up. The most significant effect was that the reduction in the weight of the lake decreased pressure on the mantle (the layer below the crust). This caused more rock to melt, sending magma into a chamber beneath the South Island volcano. The chamber grew like a powerful underground balloon, further accelerating fault movement. When the scientists ran computer models, they found that this magma pressure was the dominant force accelerating the faults. This latest research is an important reminder of how climate change can affect deep geological processes. These insights could inform infrastructure planning and risk management in regions near lakes, especially decisions concerning dams and other large water projects. Written for you by our author Paul Arnold, 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. More information: James D. Muirhead et al, Accelerated rifting in response to regional climate change in the East African Rift System, Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-23264-9 Journal information: Scientific Reports 2025 Science X Network 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: ESAs Climate Change Initiative Regional Carbon Cycle Assessment and Processes Phase-2 (RECCAP-2) project supports and accelerates the analysis of regional carbon budgets based on the results of data-driven models and process-oriented global dynamic vegetation models. Credit: Pixabay As the United Nations COP30 climate change conference convenes in Belem, Brazil, the world's attention will turn to the heart of the Amazon rainforesta region that symbolizes both hope and concern in the fight against climate change. Once considered one of Earth's most vital carbon sinks, the Amazon is now showing troubling signssatellite observations reveal that parts of this vast ecosystem are no longer absorbing carbon dioxide as they once did. In some areas, the forest has even become a net source of carbon emissions. This emerging transformation underscores a critical need: independent, reliable and continuous monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions across the globe. As policymakers from nations around the globe gather to assess progress under the Paris Agreementthe international treaty which has set the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levelsthey require actionable, science-based information to verify climate action, limit temperature rise and build resilience against unavoidable impacts. The Earth observation missions developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) are providing precisely this capabilitydelivering independent, satellite-based evidence that makes climate accountability possible. Through decades of Earth observation expertise, ESA is providing transparent and reliable data that enables countries to track progress and strengthen national climate action. Central to this effort is ESA's Climate Change Initiative, which generates long-term satellite-based datasets that satisfy Essential Climate Variableskey aspects of the climate defined by the Global Climate Observing System. These records provide climate researchers worldwide with a solid scientific foundation which can be used to inform effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. Beyond this, through the Regional Carbon Cycle Assessment and Processes (RECCAP-2) and similar projects, ESA is delivering the research and data needed to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Understanding Earth's carbon cycle is critical to climate action. ESA's Climate Change Initiative RECCAP-2 project uses satellite data to tackle one of climate science's biggest challenges understanding how and where carbon is being stored and released across the planet's land surface. By combining satellite observations with ground data and computer models, the project is able to quantify landatmosphere dynamic carbon exchanges and deliver independent estimates of regional carbon budgets that can be compared with national inventories. Credit: European Space Agency Quantifying the carbon budget: Every tonne counts A fundamental metric that informs effective climate action and must be understood is the global carbon budget. It determines the scale and urgency of what must be done. With the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting warming to 1.5C, the remaining carbon budgetthe amount of carbon dioxide we can still emitstands at approximately 235 gigatonnes as of January 2025. At current emission rates, this budget could be exhausted within just six years. Understanding this budget requires precise knowledge of two key factors: how much carbon is absorbed by natural sinksprimarily oceans and landand how much is emitted from fossil fuels and land-use change. While ocean carbon sinks are relatively well understood, accurately quantifying the land sink remains challenging. Small-scale disturbances in tropical forests, typically below two hectares and difficult to detect, exemplify this challenge. Although they only represent 15% of the area affected, they were responsible for 88% of net biomass carbon loss between 1990 and 2020. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Tracking carbon dynamics from space The RECCAP-2 project uses satellite data to tackle one of climate science's biggest challenges understanding how and where carbon is being stored and released across the planet's land surface. By combining satellite observations with ground data and computer models, the project is able to quantify landatmosphere dynamic carbon exchanges and deliver independent estimates of regional carbon budgets that can be compared with national inventories. As this ongoing research continues to analyze carbon dynamics across the globe, the findings to date are revealing critical trends that demand urgent attention. The Amazon's accelerating carbon losses The Amazon Basin, which accounts for 14% of global plant carbon uptake annually, lost 370 million tonnes of carbon between 2010 and 2020, with its south-eastern region particularly affected. The Basin continues to show accelerating carbon losses, raising concerns about potential tipping points. Northern forests shift from sinks to sources Satellite data has detected a fundamental shift in the boreal and temperate forests of the northern hemisphere, which account for 41% of the world's forest area. Forests that were once reliable carbon sinks have become carbon sources since 2016, driven by increasing droughts, wildfires and other climate-related stresses. Over the past three decades, most of the carbon absorbed by land has been stored in non-living reservoirs such as soil, dead wood and sediments, rather than in the worlds forests. This surprising finding comes from research carried out as part of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Climate Change Initiative (CCI) REgional Carbon Cycle Assessment and Processes (RECCAP-2) project, which found that land absorbed around 35 gigatonnes of carbon between 1992 and 2019, with only 6% of this stored in living vegetation such as trees. Credit: ESA/Planetary Visions (Yinon M. Bar-On et al, Science, DOI: 10.1126/science.adk1637) Europe's declining forest carbon uptake Across Europe, forests absorbed about 10% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions between 1990 and 2022. However, carbon uptake by forests is declining due to harvesting, aging, drought and diseasea trend with significant implications for EU climate neutrality goals by 2050. Irreplaceable value of primary forests While forest recovery offers hope, research shows that secondary and degraded forests regain only about a quarter of the carbon lost from deforestation. This underscores that protecting old-growth forests must remain the priority, as their carbon storage capacity cannot be fully replaced by regrowth. Hidden importance of non-living carbon Perhaps most surprisingly, research has revealed that the majority of land carbon absorption over the past three decades has occurred in non-living reservoirs, such as soil, dead wood and sediments. Between 1992 and 2019, only 6% of the 35 gigatonnes of carbon absorbed by land was stored in living vegetation. This insight highlights carbon pools often underrepresented in national inventories and emphasizes the need for comprehensive monitoring systems that capture the full spectrum of land carbon dynamics. Earth observation missions supporting climate action Monitoring these changes requires continuous global observations from space. ESA's expanding suite of Earth observation missions provides the critical climate data needed. BIOMASSan ESA Earth Explorertracks tropical forest carbon stocks with unprecedented accuracy, providing crucial data on the health of the world's forests. ESA's Biomass is the first satellite to carry a P-band synthetic aperture radar. Thanks to the long wavelength of P-band, around 70 cm, this novel radar is able to penetrate through the forest canopy, allowing it to collect information on different parts of the forest, such tree trunks, branches and stemswhich is where trees store most of their carbon. Credit: ESA/ATG medialab CC-BY-SA 3.0 IGO EarthCAREan ESA Earth Exploreraddresses cloud-related climate uncertainties that affect our understanding of Earth's energy balance. HydroGNSSESA's first Scout missionwill monitor soil moisture, a critical variable for quantifying landatmosphere carbon exchange and the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. SMOSan ESA Earth Explorer uses L-band microwave observations to monitor soil moisture and vegetation optical depth. Its data are also used in RECCAP-2 research to track changes in northern forest biomass. The Copernicus Sentinels provide continuous monitoring of land surfaces, vegetation, oceans, ice sheets and the atmosphere. Sentinel-6B, which is due to launch this month, will continue the crucial sea-level monitoring record. The upcoming Copernicus Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide Monitoring mission will monitor carbon dioxide and methane emissions, providing independent data to assess the effectiveness of policies aimed at curbing emissions on a national and global scale. A moment of truth in Belem As nearly 200 countries gather in Belem, the stakes could not be higher. The Global Stocktake, which takes place every five years under the Paris Agreement, will assess collective progress toward climate goals. Novel methods developed by the CCI RECCAP-2 team, which are based on Earth observation and atmospheric modeling, provide a means of comparing greenhouse gas inventories. Currently, most countries use estimates of sector-based activity to compile their national greenhouse gas reports and to show progress towards delivering on their carbon reduction commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement. However, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change encourages Parties to verify reported emissions against independent measurements, as this promotes transparency and measures progress against empirical records. Satellite observations provide both, equipping countries with data to check net emissions reduction progress so they reflect the real-world. ESA's Director of Earth Observation Programs, Simonetta Cheli, noted, "Comparing inversion results with national greenhouse gas inventories can be applied regularly for monitoring the effectiveness of mitigation policy and progress by countries to meet the objectives of their pledges." Science is clearclimate action is urgent. The tools for monitoring are in place. Thanks to satellites developed by ESA and projects like RECCAP-2 that turn observations into actionable insights, we will know whether climate action is making a difference. What remains is the political will to actand to act now. 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: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The world's most important climate summitknown this year as COP30has begun in the Amazonian port city of Belem, Brazil. It promises to be contentious: key countries haven't submitted new climate plans, and negotiations are held up by disputes over who should pay for climate action. We attended a preliminary round of negotiations in June, which ended with very few concrete agreements. Many outcome documents were instead heavily caveated as "not agreed," "open to revision," or "without formal status." Those fractious pre-summit talks followed a disappointing COP29 in Azerbaijan last year. This year, here are five key issues to watchand why they matter. Are countries keeping their Paris pledges? Ten years after the Paris agreement, countries are due to submit their third round of national climate plans, or nationally determined contributions (NDCs) in the jargon. These are refreshed every five years and are supposed to present "best efforts" to scale up climate action. Yet as of November 2025, only 79 countriescovering 64% of global emissionshave submitted their NDCs. Countries not submitting include some of the highest emitters, such as India, while the US has (once again) left the Paris agreement and will not have high-level representatives at COP30. This is a big deal because these plans give us a snapshot of how countries' planning matches up to global goals, including keeping temperature changes to below 1.5C, which is looking increasingly unlikely (even if every country fulfilled its pledges, we're still on course for nearly 3C). Who pays for this? At COP29 last year, countries agreed to pledge US$300 billion (227 billion) a year by 2035 to help developing countries. While this was three times higher than the previous goal, it is barely a dent in the US$1.3 trillion developing countries requestedan amount now sidelined as "aspirational." Several countries, including India and Nigeria accused the COP29 host Azerbaijan of forcing through a deal without consensus. Disappointment still lingers, and the fallout delayed agreement on an agenda for COP30. The question of who pays for climate change remains unresolved. Without agreement talks risk further breakdown, potentially stalling both adaptation and mitigation efforts worldwide. What does a 'just transition' actually mean? If the switch from a high to low-emissions world is to be successful it must be fair and inclusive, with no one left behind. This is known as the "just transition." Just transition talks have been fraught since COP28, where richer countries insisted that it focus narrowly on finding new jobs for workers in fossil fuel industries. Various developing and middle-income countries, including China and some of the most climate-vulnerable nations, were more radical and ambitious. In their view, a just transition involves systemic change, arguing that "business as usual" perpetuates inequality. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. This would have meant an overhaul of how we approach climate change. However, the wealthier countries eventually got their way in the final agreement, as the text was watered down to focus on the energy and labor sector. The broader ambition was effectively erased. This short-term win for the wealthier countries led to long-term fallout: negotiations collapsed at last year's COP29. At this year's preliminary meeting in Bonn, Germany, committee chairs enforced strict timekeeping and repeatedly urged delegates to focus on moving forward the text, at one point openly saying, "we already know everyone's positions, let's get down to brass tacks, let's stop with general statements." This approach seemed to work, as the working group did end up submitting an informal note (rather than a fully-fledged agreement), heavily caveated as not being final. Unfortunately, as a result, the UN process still lacks agreement on what "just transition" really means or how to achieve it. Without clarity, the term risks becoming empty rhetoric rather than a roadmap for fair and inclusive climate action. Saving tropical rainforests The summit's Amazonian setting has turned attention to tropical forests. Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has proposed a bold initiativethe Tropical Forest Forever Facilitythat aims to raise US$125 billion to reward countries for preservation efforts. Yet the UK, for instance, has already opted out of contributing to the forest facility, despite reports detailing its alarming global deforestation footprint. The Amazon stores up to 20 years of global CO emissions, holds 10% of terrestrial biodiversity, and supports billions of dollars in ecosystem services. Its destruction endangers Indigenous sovereignty and the planet's climate stability. If COP30 can meet its aim to protect rainforests, it stands a real chance of making a difference. Inequity at the negotiations COP30 may be turn out to be one of the least equitable climate talks in recent memory. Belem's astronomical accommodation costs means many low-income countries and marginalized communities will struggle to attend, exacerbating longstanding UN issues. Around 3,000 Indigenous representatives are expected, but so are thousands of fossil fuel lobbyistsa record number attended last year. However, as reports continually show, people linked to fossil fuels continue to participateeven in the main formal negotiationswithout needing to disclose their affiliation. If COP30 could center Indigenous rights, ensure equitable discussion, and limit lobbyist influence, it could restore some legitimacy to the process. Otherwise, it risks deepening the divide between rhetoric and reality in global climate governance. The summit is set to be anything but technocratic and boring. We expect to see a tumultuous and controversial set of negotiations that will likely have repercussions well into the future. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Newly constructed facility near Nashville will strengthen Schneider Electric's U.S. operations Opening marks the completion of the company's first facility on its Mt. Juliet campus Company honors veterans at opening ceremony amid 2026 Gold Military Friendly Employer recognition on U.S. Veterans Day MT. JULIET, Tenn., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Schneider Electric , a global energy technology leader, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the company's first manufacturing facility in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Schneider Electric President of North America Operations Aamir Paul announces the grand opening of the company's first manufacturing facility in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. The newly opened 500,000+ square foot facility is the first of a two-part campus expansion for Schneider Electric in Mt. Juliet. The second neighboring 540,000+ square foot facility is currently under construction. Together, both facilities will manufacture custom power distribution products to bolster support for critical infrastructure and help the company meet rising regional demand across segments, including data centers, buildings, industry, and infrastructure. This expansion will further support Schneider Electric customers including the nearby new Nissan Stadium in boosting their energy resilience efforts. It will do so via this new facility by ramping up manufacturing of medium voltage products critical to enhancing energy reliability, including air-insulated switchgear, gas-insulated switchgear, and shielded solid insulation systems. As part of the announcement, Schneider Electric showcased the milestone alongside customers, Tennessee Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Major General Tommy H. Baker, local government officials, and business leaders from the greater Nashville area. The event also honored its more than 100 U.S. veteran employees in Tennessee as part of the company's longstanding commitment to supporting new employment opportunities for U.S. veterans and former service members. It also follows Schneider Electric's launch of a new veteran hiring initiative yesterday to build a mission-ready workforce for critical facilities. "Accelerating the deployment of innovative products and technologies is essential to powering the future of AI, energy infrastructure, and efficient buildings. Schneider Electric's strategic expansion in the U.S. strengthens our ability to produce critical components that enhance energy resilience and streamline operations for customers in Tennessee and nationwide," said Aamir Paul, President of North America Operations, Schneider Electric. "We are proud to recognize the many former U.S. veterans Schneider Electric employs amid this grand opening on Veterans Day, and we are grateful for the support from Volunteer State leaders in helping create impact by empowering all to make the most of our energy and resources." "Schneider Electric's new manufacturing facility represents more than an investment in innovation it's a testament to the strength of Tennessee's workforce and our role in shaping the future of energy in America," said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. "I'm grateful to Schneider Electric for their commitment to strengthening infrastructure and creating opportunity for Tennesseans by driving long-term economic growth. We're proud to stand alongside this leading global company as they continue to invest in our workforce." Expanding in Mt. Juliet, alongside one of the company's major R&D centers in Tennessee and facilities in Franklin and Smyrna, collectively helps to bolster Schneider Electric's ability to deliver advanced energy management technologies nationwide while strengthening U.S. job growth and supply chains. The company's Tennessee expansion also comes on the heels of Schneider Electric recently being named as the Official Energy Management Partner of the New Nissan Stadium, future home of the Tennessee Titans, and being recognized today as a Gold Military Friendly employer for 2026. This designation is awarded to organizations demonstrating strong support for Veterans through hiring, retention, advancement, and culture. Across the U.S., Schneider Electric employs more than 23,000 employees and partners with approximately 40% of Fortune 500 companies. Its products and solutions can be found in four of 10 U.S. homes, 40% of the world's hospitals, and 40,000 water and wastewater installations in 150 countries. As an employer, Schneider Electric is ranked as one of Glassdoor's Best Places to Work 2025. Schneider Electric was also recently named the "World's Most Sustainable Company 2025" for the second consecutive year by TIME Magazine and Statista. This award comes just six months after being ranked the No. 1 Most Sustainable Corporation in the World by Corporate Knights, and Schneider Electric is the only company to rank first in the Global 100 twice. About Schneider Electric Schneider Electric is a global energy technology leader, driving efficiency and sustainability by electrifying, automating, and digitalizing industries, businesses, and homes. Its technologies enable buildings, data centers, factories, infrastructure, and grids to operate as open, interconnected ecosystems, enhancing performance, resilience, and sustainability. The portfolio includes intelligent devices, software-defined architectures, AI-powered systems, digital services, and expert advisory. With 160,000 employees and 1 million partners in over 100 countries, Schneider Electric is consistently ranked among the world's most sustainable companies. www.se.com Follow us on: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | Blog Hashtags: #SchneiderElectric #SchneiderInAmerica #UnitedStates #America #Manufacturing #Investment #AI #US #DataCenter SOURCE Schneider Electric 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: Experiment instructions (a) and example items for broad focus (b, c), narrow contrastive (d), and narrow corrective (e, f) focus. Credit: Language Learning (2025). DOI: 10.1111/lang.70015 Adults learning another language often tend to continue using the intonation of their native language. This causes them to make mistakes in the new language: incorrect intonation can change the meaning of a word or sentence. "When learning a new language, you also need to study intonation," says linguist Lieke van Maastricht of Radboud University. She investigated whether head movements can help with this. Van Maastricht interviewed Catalan people who were learning English, together with her Spanish colleague Nuria Esteve-Gibert. In previous research, Esteve-Gibert discovered that young children who are not yet able to use intonation to indicate where important or new information is in a sentence can already do so nonverbally, through head movements and facial expressions. Van Maastricht was curious to find out whether adults might also be able to compensate for their incorrect intonation with nonverbal information. The work is published in the journal Language Learning. Wrong emphasis The linguists let Spanish students learning English via an online connection watch a game in which the fictional character Anna takes items out of a bag. The participants were allowed to say what Anna should take. For example: grab the yellow sock. Sometimes there is both a red and a yellow sock. In that case, participants must say grab the YELLOW sock, while if there is a yellow sock and a yellow T-shirt in the bag, they should say grab the yellow SOCK, to indicate that it is the sock and not the shirt. From video recordings, the researchers were able to determine where participants placed the emphasis in the sentence and how they moved their faces while speaking. The researchers discovered that Catalan adults did indeed use head movements when speaking English, but that these movements did not help them to learn the correct English intonation. In fact, they had the opposite effect. "They actually copy both the gestures and the intonation from their native language into the new language," says Van Maastricht. "As a result, they are unable to convey certain information in the new language and can mislead native speakers." These types of sounds in a language, such as stress and intonation, are very important in communication. If you place the stress incorrectly in the new language, the meaning of a sentence can change completely. In Spanish, for example, HAblo means "I speak," but haBLO with the stress on the o means "he spoke." And Dutch people learning Spanish often have difficulty with sentences such as Quiere cafe con leche o cafe sin leche?Would you like coffee with milk or without milk? Dutch people say CON leche o SIN leche, with the emphasis on "with" or "without," but this is confusing for Spaniards: they usually place the emphasis at the end of the sentence (con leche o sin LECHE), regardless of whether that word is important in the sentence or not. If you do this incorrectly, it is confusing for native speakers. Learning correct pronunciation This is not necessarily good news for language learners, according to the researcher. "If children are not yet able to speak properly, they can still convey what they mean through nonverbal communication. Unfortunately, this does not work for adult non-native speakers, because they seem to transfer their nonverbal communication from their native language to the new language." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Can the correct intonation be trained? "That varies from person to person. Practice always helps, but in general it is difficult for beginner language students to also learn how the intonation patterns of their foreign language differ from those of their native language." According to Van Maastricht, language teachers can take this into account. "As a teacher, it is good to be aware of the importance of pronunciation. There is often too little time for this component, as lessons are very focused on grammar and vocabulary. But if someone says 'I brought' instead of 'I bought,' you still understand what they mean, whereas incorrect intonation can really prevent someone from understanding you." In addition, the researcherwho is also a language teacherrecommends seeking out as much input as possible in the foreign language you are learning. For example, by watching series and films in that language, even if they are subtitled. "This is very beneficial, because your brain stores information about pronunciation and sentence structures without you even realizing it." More information: Lieke van Maastricht et al, Head Gestures Do Not Serve as Precursors of Prosodic Focus Marking in the Second Language as They Do in the First Language, Language Learning (2025). DOI: 10.1111/lang.70015 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: Male Korean seahorse (Hippocampus haema) in the act of birth, releasing its young from the brood pouch. Credit: Jinggong Zhang In seahorses, it is the males who carry offspring to term. The females lay their eggs into a special brood pouch on the bellies of the males where they are fertilized by the male's sperm. In the brood pouches, embryos are provided with nutrients and oxygen from the males' bodies until the males give live birth to small seahorses (viviparity). But how does this work? A German-Chinese research team led by evolutionary biologist Axel Meyer from the University of Konstanz and working in collaboration with Liu Yali and Lin Qiang from the South China Sea Institute for Oceanography in Guangzhou studied the genetic and cellular mechanisms behind this sex-role reversal. They uncovered that unusual hormonal processes and unique immunotolerance strategies allowed this to evolve. The work is published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution. The brood pouchan evolutionary innovation From an evolutionary perspective, the brood pouch is an extraordinary innovationalong with "male pregnancy." In seahorses, the brood pouch fulfills the tasks of the uterus and placenta. During pregnancy, the male's pouch tissue changes and builds a structure similar to the mammalian female placenta. It is surprising how this works, and the researchers studied the process with comparative genomic methods using RNA analyses on a cellular basis. They compared the cells and cellular signals in the placentas of mammals with those in the brood pouches of male seahorses. In all other cases of live birth, female hormones play a key role in the development of pregnancy structures and embryos. Yet, as Meyer and his team have now shown, male pregnancy in seahorses interestingly takes place without these typical female hormones. "Our research confirms that androgensthat is, male sexual hormonesplay a central role in the development of embryos in the brood pouches, instead of female hormones," Meyer explains. "Androgens induce the thickening and vascularization of the abdominal skin layer to produce a structure similar to a mammalian placenta. This is an interesting difference to the development in the female uterus of mammals, including humans, that is typically driven by female hormones." Studying the immune system also yielded surprising results. For live birth, it is critical that the immune system of the motheror, in this case, the male seahorsedoes not identify embryos as foreign bodies and reject them immunologically. Typically, the gene foxp3 fulfills this task as a key gene in the immune system of many viviparous species. Surprisingly, however, precisely this gene is missing in the case of male seahorses. Yet, no autoimmune reaction takes place in which the male's body rejects the embryonic seahorses. Meyer suspects that seahorses employ an unusual immune tolerance strategy in which male hormones could again play a decisive role. "Androgens often have an immunosuppressant effect, which means they suppress the immune response. This could contribute to this unique immunotolerance." Credit: Jinggong Zhang Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Evolutionary insights The genetic and cellular characteristics of brood pouches provide fascinating insight into the evolutionary development from species that lay eggs to species with live birth. "The different evolutionary stages within the family Syngnathidae make seahorses an exceptional model for studying evolution from oviparous (egg-laying) ancestors to viviparous reproduction." Presumably, an early step was the development of "sticky eggs" that attached to the males' bodies, which, at the time, did not yet have brood pouches. The next evolutionary step was the development of the males' brood pouches to hold and protect the eggs and supply them with nutrients. "Thanks to our research, we now have a better understanding of the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms behind this remarkable evolutionary experimentpregnancy evolved repeatedly in female mammals and male seahorses, but by different genetic and hormonal pathways," Meyer concludes. More information: Yali Liu et al, Cellular and molecular mechanisms of seahorse male pregnancy, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-025-02883-5 Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution 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: HT-PELSA identifies protein-ligand interactions by tracking how ligand binding affects protein local stability. Along with shifting the process to a 96-well format, this new tool can also work directly with crude cell, tissue, and bacterial lysates. Credit: Daniela Velasco/EMBL EMBL scientists have improved a protein analysis technique, significantly expanding its use and making it 100 times faster. Swedish chemist Jons Jacob Berzelius, in a letter to a fellow chemist, first suggested the name "proteins" for a particular class of biological substances, deriving it from the Greek word proteios, meaning "primary" or "of first importance." Although scientists in the 1830s knew very little about proteins, it was already clear how essential they were to living organisms. Long-known as the "workhorses of the cell," proteins are responsible for powering nearly every function in the body. Often critical to this is their interactions with other small molecules known as ligands. In a new study published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, EMBL researchers introduce HT-PELSA, a high-throughput adaptation of an earlier tool that detects these interactions. This new tool can process samples at an unprecedented scale, a breakthrough that promises to accelerate drug discovery and our understanding of fundamental biological processes. How PELSA and HT-PELSA transform protein research Still a fairly new tool itself, the original PELSA (peptide-centric local stability assay) method, launched last year by researchers at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, identifies protein-ligand interactions by tracking how ligand binding affects protein stability. When a ligand binds to a protein, that part of the protein becomes more stable and less prone to the effects of enzymes like trypsin, which cuts proteins into smaller peptide fragments. What made PELSA especially noteworthy was its ability to detect peptide-level changes in stability across the entire proteomethat is, across all of the proteins in an organism. Although effective, nearly every step in the PELSA workflow is done by hand, meaning scientists can only process a few samples at a time. This not only requires a lot of time and effort but also increases the risk of contamination and accidental error. HT-PELSA streamlines this process significantly by shifting from full-size tubes to micro-wells. Such a change enables automation of PELSA's steps and allows researchers to analyze hundreds of samples in parallel while maintaining the same sensitivity and reproducibility. "Before, I could only do at most, maybe 30 samples per day," said Kejia Li, first author of the study and postdoctoral fellow in the Savitski Team at EMBL. "Now, with HT-PELSA, we can scan 400 samples per dayit has highly simplified the workflow." Before joining EMBL, Li was one of the developers of the original PELSA method. Unlocking new possibilities for drug discovery While in PELSA, trypsin-cleaved peptides are separated from whole proteins based on their mass, HT-PELSA leverages the water-repellent nature of proteins. It utilizes a surface that proteins stick to more readily than peptides, thus allowing the scientists to separate the two. This not only further automates the process, but also enables the detection of membrane proteins that, up until now, were hard or even impossible to study. Membrane proteins, which make up around 60% of all known drug targets, are often difficult to extract without altering their structure or function. By working directly with complex samples, HT-PELSA can reveal how these proteins interact with potential drugs in their natural environment. "It gives us a much more complete view of the proteome-ligand interaction landscape," said Isabelle Becher, co-author of the study and Laboratory Officer in Charge in the Savitski Group. "You can see how these interactions are changing and get a real sense of the underlying biology." By understanding protein-ligand interactions more deeply, scientists can create drugs that bind selectively to their target proteins, making treatments more effective and safer. Looking ahead to broader applications "HT-PELSA really opens the door for high-throughput understanding of protein function as well as accelerating drug development," said Mikhail Savitski, Team Leader at EMBL Heidelberg and senior author of the study. "This is critical for understanding basic biology, discovering disease mechanisms, and for developing safer, more effective medicines." In the study, the team also demonstrates that HT-PELSA can detect changes in protein-protein interactions from ligand binding. In future studies, they hope to expand this to detect protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions as well, which would further accelerate our understanding of the molecular organization of the cell. 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: New growth emerges from fire-scorched redwoods in the area burned by the 2020 Walbridge Fire in Sonoma County, California. Credit: Jeff Kane California's coastal redwoods have stood for centuries, weathering a changing climate, logging, and time itself. But in an era of hotter, more frequent wildfires, their future resilience depends on how we care for them, according to new research published in Forest Ecology and Management. The study sought to understand the effects of wildfire on coast redwoodsthe tallest trees in the world. Results revealed that redwoods in second-growth forests largely survived extreme wildfires in 2020 and quickly resprouted from their trunks and bases. Researchers also discovered that forest structurehow dense the trees are and which species are presentstrongly influences fire severity, highlighting the importance of management efforts such as thinning, reducing fuel loads, and encouraging fire-resistant species. "Redwoods are remarkably resilient. But redwood forests are more than just redwoods, and the fires today are not the fires of the past," says the study's lead author, Jeff Kane, professor of Fire Ecology & Fuels Management at Cal Poly Humboldt. Most of today's redwood forests are second-growthyounger, denser stands that regrew after logging or fire. Mixed with more fire-sensitive species like tanoak and Douglas-fir, these young forests are especially vulnerable to modern high-severity wildfire. The study, co-authored with graduate student researcher Jackson Carrasco in partnership with Save the Redwoods League, examined three second-growth forest sites along the central California coast that experienced wildfiresthe CZU Lightning Complex, Walbridge Fire, and Dolan Firein 2020. Kane, Carrasco, and a team of undergraduate students sampled more than 120 plots, measuring canopy loss, resprouting, and tree death to better understand forest recovery. Data showed that few redwoods died, and those that did were small. That's a good thing, says Kane, as this natural thinning helps the remaining trees grow stronger and more resilient to future fires. However, some trees lost large portions of their canopies or main trunks, which sets them back decades in growth and can significantly impact wildlife habitat. "Coast redwoods are a resilient, fire-adapted species, and the results of this study highlight that redwood superpower," said Laura Lalemand, senior scientist at Save the Redwoods League. "By applying what we've learned to future forest restoration efforts, we can aim to moderate future wildfire intensity, minimizing the negative impacts and recovery time for redwood forests." "One of the biggest surprises from the study was that the more damage from fire a redwood experienced, the more new shoots and branches formed after the fire," Kane says. "This shows that redwood forests can recover more quickly than expected after unusually intense fires." Understanding how fires affect redwoods can help forest managers safeguard both the trees, the rich ecosystems they support, and the human communities that reside among these forests, Kane says. "We have an opportunity and a responsibility to limit the negative effects of modern wildfires and promote healthier redwood forests," he adds. More information: Jeffrey M. Kane et al, Tree and stand characteristics moderate wildfire severity and promote resilience in secondary coast redwood forests, Forest Ecology and Management (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2025.123078 Journal information: Forest Ecology and Management Provided by Cal Poly Humboldt 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: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Negotiators for seven Western states are under mounting pressure to reach an agreement outlining how they plan to share the Colorado River's dwindling water. The Trump administration gave the states a Tuesday deadline to agree on the initial terms of a plan for cutting water use to prevent the river's reservoirs from declining to dangerously low levels. Because California uses more Colorado River water than any other state, it will play a central role in any deal to take less from the river. "California is committed to being constructive at the table, advancing ideas and solutions to be able to get us to sustainability and avoid conflict," said J.B. Hamby, California's Colorado River commissioner. "What it takes now is for folks to be able to roll up their sleeves and make tough decisions and compromises." Representatives of the seven states where cities and farms depend on the river have been meeting regularly over the last two years trying to come up with a plan for addressing water shortages after 2026, when the current rules expire. Persistent disagreements have pitted the three states of the river's lower basinCalifornia, Arizona and Nevadaagainst the four upper-basin statesColorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico. They disagree not only on whose water should be cut, and how much, but also over how much water should be released from Lake Powell, a key reservoir upstream from the Grand Canyon. Officials representing the states and the federal government are scheduled to hold another round of talks Monday and Tuesday. As with other negotiating sessions, where they are meeting is kept secret. The Colorado River provides water for cities from Denver to San Diego, 30 Native tribes and farming communities from the Rocky Mountains to northern Mexico. The Colorado has long been overused, with so much water taken out that for decades the river has seldom met the sea, transforming once-vast wetlands in Mexico into stretches of dry sand. The river's reservoirs have declined dramatically amid unrelenting dry conditions over the last quarter-century, leaving the man-made lakes far below a coating of whitish minerals on rocks, where water once lapped. Scientists found that the last 25 years have likely been the driest quarter-century in 1,200 years. And research has shown that the warming climate, driven largely by the use of fossil fuels, has intensified the long stretch of mostly dry years. Lake Mead, the river's largest reservoir, is now just 31% full. And Lake Powell, the river's second-largest reservoir, is at 29% of capacity. The Trump administration, through the Interior Department and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation operates the giant dams along the river. Participants in the talks say federal officials gave them a Nov. 11 deadline to agree on key principles in several areas. The Trump administration hasn't publicly spelled out what it will do if the states fail to reach a consensus. A spokesperson for the Interior Department said in an email that "we remain focused on achieving a seven-state agreement" that would "maximize flexibility and cooperation in managing the Colorado River and best serve the 40 million people who depend on it." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Without a consensus among the states, the government's "options would be more limited and less beneficial than what could be achieved through a collaborative approach," the spokesperson said. "We are optimistic that, through continued collaboration and good-faith efforts, the seven states can develop the level of detail and consensus needed to meet the initial November deadline." Research has shown that the Colorado River has lost about 20% of its flow since 2000. Over the last few years, as reservoirs have declined, the states have negotiated short-term stopgap deals to reduce water use, including a three-year pact adopted in 2023. As part of the water-saving efforts, farmers in California's Imperial Valley are temporarily leaving some hay fields parched and fallow in exchange for cash payments. Cities also have been using less water. Even as the population of the Southwest has grown, water use has declined. California is expected to use less Colorado River water this year than any year since 1949, according to the state's Colorado Board. That's thanks to the state's long-term efforts and investments prioritizing conservation, said Hamby, the river commissioner. "It sets a great example that you can do with lessand even do more with less," he said. "It certainly demonstrates what's possible all throughout the basin." Yet tensions have continued to simmer among the states. Some have said the disagreements could lead to lawsuits, but they hope to avoid a legal battle with an uncertain outcome. "We are truly running out of time," Hamby said. "What we need at this point is the willingness and effort to do more than any of us would like to do, but avoid the worst outcomes, which would come as a result of conflict." On Wednesday, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs strongly criticized the officials representing the four upper-basin states, saying they are taking an "extreme negotiating position." Hobbs said the states, led by Colorado, "continue to run down the clock." "As we approach critical deadlines, we need the Trump administration to step in, exert leadership and broker a deal," Hobbs was quoted as saying in The Arizona Daily Star. A spokesperson for Becky Mitchell, Colorado's top negotiator, said the upper-basin states are "fully participating and ready to do their part in any agreement." The states have been positioning themselves to argue in court, said Sarah Porter, director of Arizona State University's Kyl Center for Water Policy. "The negotiators, I think, have tried really, really hard, and sometimes it may just not be possible to come to an agreement," Porter said. There still may be room to reach a consensus, she said, but if they fail, "we are very, very likely to be in a situation where the states are in court." 2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: Archaeologist and CRIM team member Russell Quick and collaborators set up GPS equipment as part of their work on the Lima 85 site. Credit: UIC Center for the Recovery and Identification of the Missing In northeast Laos, close to the mountainous country's border with Vietnam, sits a sheer cliff nearly four times as tall as the Willis Tower. Known as Phou Pha Thi and considered sacred by local communities, it's where the most U.S. Air Force troops were lost in the Vietnam War. On March 10, 1968, a group of 19 Air Force technicians were manning a clandestine radar navigation system called Lima Site 85 atop the 5,600-foot cliff when they came under attack. North Vietnamese forces overran the radar installation, and 11 Americans were killed during the fight. Their bodies could not be recovered. But in the past year, the remains of five of those men were returned to their families stateside, thanks in part to work by UIC's Center for the Recovery and Identification of the Missing, or CRIM. The program in the Department of Anthropology and the Office of Social Science Research partners with the U.S. military's Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency to search for service members missing in action from past conflicts. Their work led to the recovery and identification of the remains of Master Sgt. James Henry Calfee, Staff Sgt. Henry G. Gish, Tech. Sgt. Willis R. Hall, Sgt. David S. Price and Tech. Sgt. Donald Kennebunk Springsteadah, bringing answers to their families 57 years after they were lost. "The cool thing about working on projects like this is that there's always a level of really immediate human connection," said Aldo Foe, an anthropology graduate student at UIC and archaeologist with CRIM. "Family members who are waiting for their dads, their uncles, their grandpas to be brought homethe motivation starts and stops with the families." Bringing the missing home The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency leads the effort to account for missing service members, but the unique complexity of many cases prompted the government to tap external organizations, including universities, for support. UIC became involved in 2010, when Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin's office approached anthropology professor John Monaghan to ask if the university could help. The hope was that UIC researchers could apply interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative techniques to the solemn task. "A university is a place that has broad access to diverse thinking about diverse approaches," said Keith Phillips, a research specialist at CRIM. Faculty, students and staff on the CRIM team are involved in every step of the search, from archival research and technology development to on-the-ground searches in the field. They've searched for remains from World War II and the Vietnam War in places like Cambodia, Italy, the Philippines and Palau. From Mount Rushmore to Laos Every case is different, and Lima 85 presented a novel set of challenges. In the decades after the war, joint U.S., Laotian and Vietnamese teams mounted several expeditions to search the peak, recovering several of the men lost that day. But the dense vegetation, remote environs and possibility of unexploded munitions at the site, not to mention the sheer size of the mountain, complicated the search for the remaining missing Airmen. "The cliff is dynamic and dangerous," said Monaghan. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency asked CRIM to put their heads together and propose some creative solutions for locating remains on the rocky mountain. The team thought, "Let's think outside the box," Monaghan said. An aha moment came during a cross-country drive Monaghan took with his daughter. At a stop at Mount Rushmore, he noticed a cadre of tiny figures dangling from ropes draped down the presidents' faces working to keep Abe Lincoln and George Washington free of cracks. Monaghan recruited these geoengineers, National Park Service contractors named Eric Krantz and Matt Hudson, to better understand how to access the craggy locations on Phou Pha Thi. Professor of anthropology John Monaghan discusses CRIMs work recovering and honoring missing service members. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Mapping the mountain With the expertise of Russell Quick, a Ph.D. graduate in anthropology from UIC and member of the CRIM team, the researchers scanned the mountain with drones to make a digital 3D model of the site. They used a remote sensing technology called LiDAR, which maps the terrain using laser beams aimed at the ground and measuring their reflection back to the aircraft. "The cool thing about LiDAR is it can go through foliage, which is one of the top three problems with our site in Laos," said Foe. The team presented their digital model to Ahmet Enis Cetin, professor in the College of Engineering, and his master's degree student Jake Zeisel, who had developed a computer program to detect anomalies in the laser measurements. The program, trained on images of tropical forests, will ping when it detects an area that looks different from the rest. "It will not give any alarms to rocks or trees or what you see in a tropical forest. But if you have a belt or something like that, it's an unusual object, and it'll create an alert," said Cetin. The researchers homed in on several areas of interest and submitted their findings to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. The government and their international partners then mounted on-the-ground fieldwork and excavations of the site, recovering materials related to the 1968 battle as well as human remains. These were brought to the organization's laboratory in Hawaii, where scientists and specialists use DNA testing, dental record analysis and other methods to identify the remains and notify the families. "I can't stress this enough, this project is a massive collaboration," said Foe. A legacy of service The CRIM project continues to develop new strategies to recover the remains of the missing from other conflicts around the world. Its mission is deeply intertwined with UIC's legacy of service to veterans, Monaghan and Phillips said. After World War II, the university opened its Navy Pier campus to temporarily serve students on the G.I. Bill. The Navy Pier campus operated until 1965, when UIC became the full-fledged degree-granting institution it is today. A spirit of practical serviceof applying scientific rigor to such a high-impact, human-centered missionis core to CRIM's work, Phillips said. "The idea of trying to achieve something tangible, that's very much in the UIC bones." Foot chase of armed men leads Playa del Carmen police to possible criminal safehouse Playa del Carmen, Q.R. A total of 10 people were removed from a Playa del Carmen building during an operation Monday. Two adults and five children were removed after three men being chased by police ran inside to take refuge. Police from the Public Security Secretariat arrested the three men in the Luis Donaldo Colosio neighborhood after a foot chase led them to the building. The three men, reported seen armed with weapons, were attempting to flee police on foot when they ran into what is believed to be a criminal safehouse. All three ran inside an old building on 70th Street and 15th Avenue where they were eventually captured and taken into custody. The two adults and five children inside were also removed. There are reports that the old apartment building was being used as a criminal safehouse. Local authorities have not commented on the Monday afternoon operation that led to the three arrests or the possible discovery of a criminal safehouse. Through cross-cultural journeys, Chinese writer Xu Zechen explores possibilities of self and literature 09:14, November 11, 2025 By Ji Yuqiao ( Global Times A local mask-maker-yellow-skinned, black-haired, black-eyed, his slender figure accentuated by a long, delicate neck- appeared before "me" in Mexico by chance, clad in the traditional garments of the Mayan people. His exquisite craft in mask-making seemed to speak across time and space with the artistry of "my uncle," a scion of a Chinese family of carpenters. The mask's soulful eyes conveyed the Mayan civilization's profound meditations on life, mystery, and inheritance. This short story The Mayan Maskforms part of the latest result in Xu Zechen's "writings from afar"-a new chapter of description and imagination centered on Mayan civilization, by the Chinese author and Mao Dun Literature Prize laureate. After Xu's characters "ran across Beijing's Zhongguancun" or journeyed north along the Grand Canal to trace the tides of history, migration, and the fate of individuals, Xu now stands on the threshold of a new literary realm-a landscape stretching far beyond the familiar streets of Beijing and the measured rhythms of home. Xu's new collection of overseas stories took shape over 15 years. Weaving firsthand experiences in the US, India, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and other countries into a narrative told in the first person, he links together the Mayan pyramids of Chichen Itza, the lawns of Central Park in New York, and the bustling markets of India into one journey, the singular adventure of a Chinese traveler abroad. For Xu, foreign settings are never an end in themselves. The allure of the unknown is balanced by his belief that true cross-cultural fiction lies not in exotic spectacle but in the nuanced negotiations of identity and belonging that arise wherever worlds meet. A reader nicknamed "Mangyuan" remarked on Douban, a major Chinese review platform: "The author carefully conjures a series of objects rich with Mexican exoticism: tropical rainforests, Mayan pyramids, totems of the sun god and serpent god... Yet, curiously, beneath these exotic surfaces, there seems to be a faint but perceptible resonance with the traditional culture of China, a subtle suggestion aimed at sensitive Chinese readers." Bridging worlds, blending traditions When Xu began to work on his latest collection, Stories from Elsewhere, he was already a writer with a deep belief in literature's true purpose: to explore and illuminate the complexity of being human. For him, the act of writing has always been inseparable from the act of living. With each passing year, and with each new destination, this conviction deepened. Xu's work became a persistent search for the emotional and existential truths that connect people across different cultures and ages. Xu's prose pursues what he calls "translucency"-a clarity and honesty that is neither flashy nor simplistic. He often compares his ideal writing to freshly steamed rice: lustrous yet natural, full-bodied without being heavy, luminous in a way that feels both natural and effortless. This metaphor captures his approach to storytelling: language should be as unpretentious and nourishing as a perfect bowl of rice, offering depth and satisfaction without ornament. What distinguishes Xu's recent work apart is his creative dialogue with Chinese literary tradition. His engagement with Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio (Liaozhai Zhiyi), the classic compendium of supernatural stories by Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) novelist Pu Songling, is evident throughout his fiction. Years of academic study convinced Xu that Liaozhai Zhiyiis not merely a storehouse of marvels but a meditation between reality and fantasy, the ordinary and the otherworldly. Inspired by Liaozhai Zhiyi, Xu tests the limits of narrative. The fantasy seeps into the everydayness, and seemingly straightforward stories drift into realms of myth and unresolved mystery. In The Mayan Mask, for instance, the line between historical fact and imagined possibility dissolves, leaving readers suspended between worlds. Xu is less interested in offering answers than in creating space for ambiguity to breathe. "I want my readers to feel that at any moment, the familiar might give way to the strange," he told the Global Times. This sense of openness, of stories that end without finality but with a lingering resonance, has become the signature of Xu's fiction. A life between words: Writer and editor Beyond his achievements as a novelist, Xu has spent over two decades as an editor at People's Literature, one of China's most influential literary magazines. This dual career has shaped both his creative process and his perspective on contemporary literature. The constant exposure to new manuscripts keeps his critical faculties sharp and his awareness of literary trends acute, even as the repetition sometimes dulls the thrill of seeing his own work in print. For Xu, editing is a double-edged craft. It offers a panoramic view of the literary landscape, yet demands a vigilance against imitation. The process has made him more deliberate and restrained in his own writing-less interested in display, more focused on clarity, rhythm, and the subtle interplay of voice and silence. He strives for that translucency in every line, hoping his prose will nourish rather than merely impress. Short fiction has become his chosen form, offering both intensity and discipline. Xu likens each story to a droplet of water, in which entire worlds shimmer. The brevity of the form demands precision and the courage to leave things unsaid. Many of his short stories serve as laboratories for future novels, places to test the fusion of reality and imagination, structure and improvisation. For Xu, writing is no longer just a profession but a vital instinct, as natural and necessary as breathing. "Not writing feels like holding my breath," he admitted. Through fiction, he continues to explore an identity, shaped by the interplay of Chinese roots and global experience, always moving between cultures and selves. Drawing from deep wells of tradition and the restless currents of the modern world, Xu creates stories where the foreign turns familiar and the familiar strange. In the translucency of his prose and the breadth of his vision, Xu offers readers not just stories, but invitations -to cross boundaries, to dwell in uncertainty, and to discover, again and again, the humanity at the heart of literature. (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) BELEM, Brazil, Nov. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Report on State Grid's Contribution to Global Security Initiative was released during the "Beautiful Bays, Better Lives" Ocean Ecological Civilization Storytelling Session held at the China Pavilion of the 30th UN Climate Change Conference. This marks the first contribution report by a Chinese central SOE on the implementation of the Global Security Initiative. The Report presents State Grid's practical cases and experience in ensuring energy security and promoting the green and low-carbon transition, offering the "Chinese model" and "Chinese solutions" for global reference. It underscores State Grid's firm commitment to the implementation of the Global Security Initiative. State Grid Releases China's First Central SOE Report on Contribution to Global Security Initiative at COP30 "China Pavilion" Among global security issues, energy security is not only the lifeblood of economic development but also the foundation of global climate governance. Addressing climate change and accelerating the clean and low-carbon energy transition have become global imperatives. Electricity is the carrier of the green and low-carbon energy transition, and power grids are the platform for ensuring energy security. As the world's largest public utility enterprise, the State Grid fully implements the new energy security strategy of "Four Reforms and One Cooperation". State Grid accelerates the creation of the New-Type Power System that is clean and low-carbon, secure and abundant, economical and efficient, synergistic between supply and demand, and flexible and intelligent, providing innovative Chinese practices for global sustainable energy development. The Report is structured into five sections i.e. Preface, The GSI, The GSI and State Grid, Measures and Practices of State Grid in Implementing the GSI, and Outlook. It provides a systematic account of the State Grid's practices and experience in energy security and green, low-carbon transition. The Report vividly illustrates how State Grid has advanced the GSI by strengthening the national energy security line, serving national economic security, supporting national ecological security, and fostering international energy security synergy. Through innovative measures and remarkable achievements, State Grid has contributed to global efforts in promoting the sustainable development of global energy, safeguarding global energy security, and fostering international energy cooperation. The Report vividly tells the "Chinese story" of how State Grid has addressed the triple challenges of energy security, sustainability, and economic efficiency, offering both experience and solutions for addressing climate change, safeguarding global energy security, and advancing the sustainable development of global energy. SOURCE State Grid Corporation of China Late night federal highway accident leaves one driver dead Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Q.R. Early reports say one driver was killed and several others left with injuries in a highway accident. On Monday night, police were called to the scene of a two vehicle accident between a pickup truck and a bus. The driver was found dead at the scene. The accident happened Monday on a section of the federal 295 highway near the town of San Jose Segundo between an armored truck and a hotel employee bus. While several people from the staff bus sustained injuries, the driver of the armored truck was killed. According to preliminary information from the scene, the armored truck was traveling south toward Felipe Carrillo Puerto when it colidded with the bus traveling in the opposite direction. The driver of the bus was allegedly in the middle of a highway U-turn when the two vehicles collided. Red Cross paramedics arrived to provide medical attention to the injured before transferring them to the hospital in Felipe Carrillo Puerto. Several passengers on the bus were left with non-life-threatening injuries. Municipal Police officers stationed in the town of Santa Rosa also arrived ahead of National Guard Highways, who cordoned off the area while the body of the deceased driver was removed. No one is immune to the sticker shock of the power bill. Energy costs keep rising, and not paying isn't an option. It's good news for solar companies: High electricity prices are pushing more customers their way. But before you go all in on solar panels for the home, you'd be wise to do a bit of research. While solar is arguably cheaper, money isn't the only factor that matters. The idea of not having a power bill sounds appealing, but solar energy isn't free. Many homeowners who have gone the solar route claim there are hidden costs involved. They take a while to install. You might not see an ROI instantly. You also have to maintain the panels to continue generating power (and returns on your investment). In short, it's not the end-all solution you might think. However, the long-term cost savings make it a viable option, as long as you're prepared for the whole process and not just a lower power bill. Here are five common mistakes to avoid when considering solar panels for the home. Read more: 10 Things You Should Never Plug Into A Power Strip Assuming you'll see an immediate roi Woman with glasses in a living room examining a piece of paper - Fcafotodigital/Getty Images Many people assume that once they start using the power of the sun, they'll see immediate savings in the form of a lower energy bill. That part is true. But it doesn't exactly equal a return on investment. The average ROI on solar panels is about 10%: This means that for every $100 spent, you make about $10 a year in profit. According to Forbes, a 6-kilowatt solar system saves an average of $1,500 per year compared to a normal energy bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those are noticeable savings, but you also need to consider what you spent to start saving that much money. Solar panels aren't exactly cheap; A large 10-kilowatt system costs about $29,000 when installed by professionals, though this doesn't account for any potential tax credit or rebate. Also, location may play a factor in pricing. Cheaper options exist, such as leasing the solar panels instead of owning them outright or using DIY solar panel kits. Either way, you're looking at several years of use to break even. The frontline savings on your energy bill only tell part of the story. Failing to assess how much energy your home needs A worker placing a cover on a series of energy meters on the side of a building - Milan_jovic/Getty Images Different homes have different requirements for things like heating, air conditioning, septic tanks, and water heaters. The same is true for solar panels. Every major system or appliance is chosen based on the size of the home and the average number of occupants. The larger your home, the more power it will consume. If you're working with a solar panel company, they'll handle most of the heavy lifting. Your job is to think about your current needs as well as plan for the future. Thinking long-term now ensures your system will continue to meet your needs. This way, you don't end up with a solar system that's too small (and won't give you enough power) or too large (which will cost more and delay your ROI). To get the right size, tally up your power usage for the last 12 months. Divide that number by 12 to find your monthly average usage. Divide again by 30 to find your daily average. You'll also need to find your daily sunlight exposure to see how much power you can realistically generate during daylight hours. To do this, use a tool like NREL's GHI map to see how many sunlight hours your home receives. Then divide the average daily power consumption by the number of daylight hours. Your panels will need to generate this figure at a minimum; It's a good idea to generate a little extra, since panels degrade over time. Not shopping around for the best solar solutions A worker and a customer discussing in front of solar panels - Studio Romantic/Shutterstock Just like you'd shop around for cars or insurance, you should also explore different solar panel vendors. Prices vary by company and could help you save more money than you realize. While the average solar panel system for a home is about $29K, they have a wide price range. Pricing can depend on several factors, including where you're located, the size of your home, and the number of panels you need. There's also the matter of installation: Some companies are sales organizations that outsource the installation to professionals, while others have their own installers. Installation complexity plays a role in cost, as well as the type of solar panels you choose. The more panels you need, the more you can expect to pay for installation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you plan to finance your solar panel investment, you'll need to account for financing charges. These are baked into the monthly fee you pay to the solar company, but they can vary between providers. Finally, any warranties or service plans offered by the solar company will have a direct impact on the total cost of your investment. For example, if you have to pay for an annual inspection, this can add to the total cost. Some companies might offer incentives, like extended warranties or free service plans for a certain number of years, which can help lower your future costs. Not factoring in maintenance costs Close up sideview of hand holding a tablet with solar panels in the background - Dusanpetkovic/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just like your HVAC system or electrical wiring, solar panels last long, but not forever. At some point, they will require maintenance. Parts might need to be replaced. Both of these will cost money. They're unavoidable, but you can avoid any expensive surprises by anticipating maintenance costs before you invest. Your installer or sales company can provide more details about how they maintain and repair solar panels. They can share potential costs and even estimate how often parts are likely to break down and/or need to be replaced. For example, your inverter might need to be replaced every 10 years or so, depending on the type of inverter. In general, maintenance is usually minimal. Solar panels will need to be cleaned about once per year (or more, if you live in windy or dusty areas), but this is something you can probably do yourself. Ignoring the fine print on net metering Energy meter on the exterior wall of a house - Ivelin Denev/Getty Images Installing solar panels on your home doesn't put you completely off the grid. At best, it makes you a "prosumer": You both produce and consume power. When you make a surplus of power, you sell it back to the electric company. And when you don't produce enough electricity, you feed off the same power company you're already using and pay them for it. This results in a net metering deal. The best case scenario is that you store up credits when you overproduce so that you can use those credits during low-production months. However, the power company might charge more during those dry months than it will pay you for the extra power you produce. This basically means you only get the full value of your solar power when you use it immediately. And in some cases, electric companies might have a cap on how much credit you receive. Some homeowners install battery subsystems to "bank" their extra power so they can use it when they need it. This adds to the cost and might not make sense for all cases. Your best option is to do the math. Find out your unique buy-and-sell arrangement with your local power company and run the numbers so you can set realistic expectations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on SlashGear. Beijing Daily: The Eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) concluded yesterday. This years CIIE showcased brand new products, including AI hearing aids, autonomous electric vehicles and Peruvian blueberries, many of which made their debut. Many global exhibitors said that the CIIE not only bridges economic and trade exchanges, but also conveys the idea that China shares opportunities and develops together with all countries. Whats your comment? Lin Jian: We are pleased to see that in the past eight consecutive years since the launch of the CIIE, openness, cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win have become the shared impression on the CIIE. This year, 290 Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders from 155 countries, regions and international organizations participated in the CIIE. The number of exhibitors has grown by more than 600 compared with last year, and the total exhibition space and overall participation hit a record high. Among them, 170 overseas enterprises and 27 institutions have participated for multiple years, thereby becoming regular exhibitors. A total of 461 new products, technologies and services were introduced by global enterprises, including over 200 global debuts. The value of intended deals exceeded US$83.4 billion. The Chinese market is becoming a platform for the world to reap benefits and explore the application of pioneering technological innovation through open cooperation. The CIIE serves as a bridge connecting the Chinese economy with the world economy. The fast development and innovation showcased at the CIIE have brought more opportunities to the world, empowering more and more countries to benefit from the CIIE event. As Premier Li Qiang said in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony, the CIIE is achieving greater success because it benefits the world. Since ancient times, the Chinese people have known that alone we go faster, together we go farther. Openness and inclusiveness is always the defining culture of the Chinese nation. Facing the increasing instability and uncertainty in current international economic and trade landscape, China embraces free trade, stays committed to mutually beneficial cooperation, and devotes itself to boosting global development with opportunities offered by China. Recently, the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee put forward that it is important to promote high-standard opening up and create new horizons for mutually beneficial cooperation. Latest data show that China remains the worlds largest trading nation in goods for eight consecutive years, posting growth for nine straight months this year. This proves the strong resilience of the Chinese economy and the confidence and determination in openness and cooperation. Together with countries around the world, China creates global opportunities, builds open platforms and shares development outcomes. We will continue to promote win-win in the world through openness and cooperation, and write more remarkable stories of sharing benefits with the whole world. Shenzhen TV: Several typhoons have hit the Philippines recently, causing huge casualties and loss of property. We noted that the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines released information, saying China has provided assistance to the Philippines. Can you provide more details? Lin Jian: China noted the huge casualties and loss of property in many places in the Philippines due to the recent typhoons. We mourn for the lives lost and extend sympathies to the families whose loved ones died or went missing in the typhoons. Our hearts go out to those affected by the disaster. In the spirit of humanity and friendship toward the Philippine people, China has provided assistance in cash and emergency supplies to the Philippines, and some Chinese provinces are also extending a helping hand through channels between sister provinces. We wish those affected will recover from the disaster and rebuild their homes at an early date. Bloomberg: The European Commission is exploring ways to force EU member states to phase out Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp. from their telecom networks. Whats the Foreign Ministrys comment on this latest move or reported move by the European Commission in this regard? Lin Jian: Chinese companies have all along done their business in Europe in accordance with the law, provided the European people with quality products and services, and made contributions to local socioeconomic development and employment. To limit or ban companies access to the market through administrative means without any legal grounds or factual basis severely violates market principles and the rules of fair competition. Facts have demonstrated that in a handful of countries, the removal of Chinese telecom companies quality and secure equipment not only handicaps their domestic technological development, but also results in heavy financial losses. Turning trade into security and political issues will hinder technological progress and economic growth and do no ones good. We urge the EU to provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies and avoid hurting companies confidence in their investment in Europe. Xinhua News Agency: On the night of November 10, a car exploded in Indias capital New Delhi, killing and wounding many. India is investigating the incident. Does China have any comment? Are there Chinese casualties in the incident? Lin Jian: China noted reports about the explosion in New Delhi. As we have learned, there are no Chinese casualties so far. We are shocked by the incident. We mourn for the lives lost, extend sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured, and wish the injured speedy recovery. TV Asahi: Its reported that Tatsuya Nakadai, a famous Japanese actor, passed away. In the TV series Daichi no Ko, a China-Japan co-production, he acted as the father of the main character Lu Yixin. Whats Chinas comment on his passing away? Lin Jian: Mr. Tatsuya Nakadai acted in the TV series Daichi no Ko. The China-Japan co-production tells the story of a Japanese orphan left behind in China after the victory in the Chinese Peoples War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. We mourn for his passing and extend sympathies to his family. CCTV: Its reported that the U.S. refused to attend its fourth-cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) which was to be held recently at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), making it impossible for the process to proceed as planned. Last week, the UNHRC adopted a decision by consensus expressing regret over the United States refusal to participate. Whats Chinas comment? Lin Jian: The Universal Periodic Review is an important mechanism created by the UN General Assembly through a resolution to strengthen human rights exchange and cooperation. UN member states should constructively participate in the review, make clear their human rights conditions, and be open to other parties constructive suggestions. The U.S. issues so-called annual human rights report with irresponsible comments on other countries human rights conditions while refusing to fulfill its obligations to work with UN human rights agencies. This typical move of double standard fully shows that the U.S. does not truly care about human rights and takes a selective approach on UN mechanisms. China urges the U.S. to resume its cooperation with the Universal Periodic Review as soon as possible, accept all parties review, and actively address its own human rights violations. As we implement the Global Governance Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping, China stands ready to work with the international community to practice multilateralism, put people front and center, and promote the sound development of the international human rights cause. Bloomberg: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has plans to impose tariffs on Chinese imports, but this has reportedly been delayed until at least December. Thats due to opposition coming from Mexicos private sector as well as some members of the ruling party. Does the Chinese Foreign Ministry have any comment on Mexicos delay on tariffs on Chinese imports? Lin Jian: Let me say more broadly that China upholds a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization and opposes unilateralism, protectionism, and discriminatory and exclusive measures in any form. China firmly opposes moves taken under coercion to impose restrictions on China or hurt Chinas legitimate interests under whatever pretext. We will firmly defend our legitimate rights and interests in light of the developments of the situation. China and Mexico are both important members of the Global South and our trade and economic cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature. China values its relations with Mexico. Against the current backdrop of certain countrys tariff levies, its all the more important for China and Mexico to step up communication and coordination, jointly uphold free trade and multilateralism, and promote world economic recovery and global trade development. BELEM, Brazil, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On Nov. 10, 2025, the Report on State Grid's Contribution to Global Security Initiative was released during the "Beautiful Bays, Better Lives" Ocean Ecological Civilization Storytelling Session held at the China Pavilion of the 30th UN Climate Change Conference. This marks the first contribution report by a Chinese enterprise on the implementation of the Global Security Initiative. It is also the third time State Grid has released a corporate contribution report on a United Nations platform, following the publication of the first Green and Low-Carbon Development Report by a central SOE at COP27, and the first Report on Contribution to Global Development Initiative by a central SOE during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. State Grid Releases Chinese Enterprises First Report on Contribution to Global Security Initiative On April 21, 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Security Initiative at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, calling on countries to adapt to the profoundly changing international landscape in the spirit of solidarity, and address the complex and intertwined security challenges with a win-win mindset. The GSI aims to eliminate the root causes of international conflicts, improve global security governance, encourage joint international efforts to bring more stability and certainty to a volatile and changing era, and promote durable peace and development in the world. The GSI is yet another important public good China has shared with the world after the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative. The GSI embodies China's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind in the realm of security, offering Chinese solutions to addressing challenges in global security governance. Against the backdrop of global climate change, it has become a global consensus to accelerate the energy transition and effectively address the triple challenge of energy security, sustainability, and economic efficiency. State Grid fully implements the new energy security strategy of "Four Reforms and One Cooperation", accelerating the development of a new energy system and the building of a New-Type Power System. The Company is advancing carbon peaking in a proactive and well-coordinated manner, fostering green production and lifestyles, and ensuring reliable electricity supply to support both economic development and people's livelihoods. Through these efforts, State Grid has provided a Chinese model and solutions that other countries can draw upon in strengthening energy security and advancing the green and low-carbon transition. Achieving a high level of coordination between energy security and green and low-carbon transition is not only a shared global aspiration but also a common challenge faced by the international community. As the world's largest public utility enterprise, State Grid upholds the principle of integrating development with security i.e. strengthening security through development and pursuing development through security. The Company is advancing the high-quality development of power grids to firmly safeguard the security of the national grid. State Grid operates the largest power grid in the world. Its capabilities in resource allocation, operational security, and technological innovation rank among the best globally. The Report is structured into five sections i.e. Preface, The GSI, The GSI and State Grid, Measures and Practices of State Grid in Implementing the GSI, and Outlook. It provides a systematic account of the State Grid's practices and experience in energy security and green, low-carbon transition. The Report vividly illustrates how State Grid has advanced the GSI by strengthening the national energy security line, serving national economic security, supporting national ecological security, and fostering international energy security synergy. Through innovative measures and remarkable achievements, State Grid has contributed to global efforts in promoting the sustainable development of global energy, safeguarding global energy security, and fostering international energy cooperation. SOURCE State Grid Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. The noise is getting to me. The loops of sound burrow into my skull and haunt my dreams, making me feel like Raskolnikov or Travis Bickle or the Joker, someone who gets pushed by society to do something. It must be stopped. They must be stopped. Im talking, of course, about people who watch TikToks out loud on public transit. After years of videos from phone speakers invading the subways and buses of New York City, Ive reached my breaking point. Ive tried all the normal strategies: putting on my own headphones and cranking the volume, staring down the offenders. Ive considered asking the perpetrators to stop. Earlier this year, that approach earned someone two stabs to the chest. Its not like I demand silence. Ive lived in NYC for five years, and while garbage trucks and shouts and subwoofers arent my sounds of choice, its true what they say: The background chaos is constant enough that it resembles ambience after a while. Even when it doesnt, the base-level sound of people living around you is something every city resident eventually accepts. You have to have some grace when the neighbors in your building throw parties and play loud music if you want your own chance to throw a party and play loud music. You cant get too mad when someones yelling and crying outside your window at 3 a.m., because who hasnt been there before? But the tune of TikTok in public isnt one of the necessary sounds of the everyday. It is profoundly, deliberately antisocial: not an invitation to engage with someone else, but the sound of someone elses uniquely tailored algorithm breaching containment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So I decided to fight fire with fire. I spent a week forgoing headphones and indulging my worst self by actively watching videos out loud on buses and subways. As I discovered, the unfortunate truth is that a decent way to buck the annoyance of someone else watching TikTok out loud is to do the same thing yourself. Beat their selfishness with your own selfishness. But there are always disadvantages to a hostile arms race. The embarrassing thing is that once I decided to start this experiment, I took the first well-behaved bus I had been on in years. As if out of spite, no one on the Ridgewood-bound B38 played anything obnoxious out loud. It struck me that no matter how mad I had let myself get at the perceived disintegration of public decency, the majority on the bus was, in fact, a silent one. I tried to violate the quiet, but after a half-scroll through TikTok, I switched to the comparative quiet of X. Being the first to feed openly, as Ive taken to calling it, requires a willingness to violate social convention that I just couldnt summon. I got off at my weekly writers group feeling guilty, like Id been mad as hell at my fellow man for no reason. Was I making it all up? Advertisement Advertisement The next mornings Manhattan-bound C train proved Ive never been more wrong. Noise is a historically politicized issue, and people online love to use it as a proxy for greater culture-war conflict, be it generational or racial or cultural. (A few years ago, the discourse suffered through a one-two punch of rage-bait articles: Why Do Rich People Love Quiet? in the Atlantic and Silence Is OK, Actually in the National Review.) But the truth is, if you spend time on the C train, you will hear people of every age, culture, and background play vertical videos. Being obnoxious isnt limited to any particular social group. Advertisement But the lack of a unifying factor makes it harder to pinpoint the exact cause of the issue: What actually makes someone decide to be a jerk and watch videos out loud, even when no one else is doing it? Is it simply the lack of headphones? After all, iPhones havent come with free earbuds in half a decade. Is it a lack of care? A difference in expectations over the use of public space? Or is it just that feeds are so addictive that people have to have a fix, even when they lack the proper resources? Maybe playing videos out loud in an enclosed space is the same as pulling on a vapeyour body automatically reaches for a hit before youve even realized what youre doing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I got on the C train, another man, older and in construction gear, was already scrolling out loud, so I leaned against the opposite side doors and joined in. This time, instead of the self-consciousness that came from being rude alone, I felt the freedom of righteous spite. A few people made eye contact with me with a familiar size-em-up glare, trying to figure out if I was unwell, dangerous, or just plain rude. I felt like I was daring them to say something so I could respond, Why dont you ask him to stop if it bothers you so much? But no one said anything to me. I got off before he did. Later, I took the G train north to band practice and sat across from a tourist couple with a bike between them, watching a series of cartoonishly sound-effected French-language comedy videos and laughing uproariously the whole time. Instead of glaring at them, I just joined in with my own feed, guitar between manspread legs and volume up loud. I was too in my own head about the process of absorbing and transmitting spite to even focus on the videos I scrolled past. Nonetheless, every new audio my feed presented felt like a smirk in the direction of that French couple. Not that they noticed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To listen through my phones inefficient speaker on loud public transit, I have to turn the volume up all the way and hold it VR-headset-level close, which deepened the immersion. As I watched my slate of curated videos (a woman monologuing about birds, a middle-aged man inventing new catchphrases, a jazz guitar transcription, a Homer Simpson fan cam, and at least two stultifyingly hot anime cosplayers), I felt myself getting drawn in just as I would if I was scrolling in bed. When I reached my stop, I was so sucked into the quicksand of my For You page that I almost forgot about my journey and destination entirely, to say nothing of the people in the space around me. These feeds are so perfectly constructed that they feel like they are already embedded into our brains, which makes it difficult to recognize the fact that someone else can see (and hear) them, too. Advertisement On my next trip, I ended up seated next to a young man with the accent of a native New Yorker on a packed Friday night train. As our train was held at the station, he started scrolling through TikTok, so I took it as a cue to do exactly the same. Most of the time, I can melt into my own content, but the two of us were wedged so close to each other in the narrow blue-booth A-train two seat that each time the one scrolled to a new video, the other heard it. Advertisement Advertisement Whenever the train went underground, our feeds stopped briefly, giving us time to quietly side-eye each other until we reached the next station and the next video began to autoplay. I think he knew I was doing this to make a point, but neither of us were going to say anything. We would let the TikToks talk. We were in a synchronized duel, Feed vs. Feed, his A.I.-narrated cave-diving video against my A.I.-narrated serial-killer video in a fight for dominance. And I was determined to win, for once in my life, against someone whom I perceived as a bigger jerk than me. (Our fellow traingoers, Im sure, would be hard-pressed to choose.) Advertisement Advertisement The train pulled in at West 4th and my compatriot hip-checked me on his way out, leaving me the lone, loud victor in the car. Not that I could really enjoy the quiet. The unfortunate truth about playing TikToks out loudand social violation in generalis that responding by participating yourself is satisfying, addictive, and sometimes even a way you get to win. But it isnt constructive. And by the end, it left me alone on a train, the only one getting glares, without a chance to explain that I wasnt being an asshole in isolation, but in response. I wish that this whole experience made me more accepting or more able to ignore this kind of stuff. It hasnt. I still get annoyed when I hear feeds in public, and I believe that the initial decision to violate the social contract requires an exceptional lack of social grace. Advertisement But while the initial decision to be a jerk comes from within, the specific obnoxiousness of this phenomenon is a direct reflection of the hyperpersonalized algorithms that these massive companies feed us. Each time someone scrolls out loud, it is uniquely annoyingnot just because I have to hear their hyperspecific personalized feed, but because they jeopardize my chance to listen to my own hyperspecific personalized feed. Maybe things would be different if there were less difference. I might not have tried to TikTok battle that guy if he was watching the same serial-killer video as me. I could have just watched over his shoulder. After my nemesis left the train, I kept scrolling out loud until a woman with glasses gave me a real teacher-y stink eye. I closed out of TikTok. Maybe it was time to look for noise-canceling headphones. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. For decades, abortion opponents swore that they had created a single-issue movement and had no interest in changing access to birth control. It was never that simple, and the past few weeks have only made that clearer. Conservative opposition to contraception is a staple of right-wing social media, from anti-abortion groups to MAHA influencers. And in the second Trump administration, the arguments against birth control are changing: Regulators are being asked to revisit birth control at least partly (and explicitly) to benefit men. Thats the new argument promoted by the Heritage Foundation, the group that led Project 2025. Heritage has been in the news lately for a second reason: a civil war within the powerful think tank after its president defended former Fox News host Tucker Carlson for hosting the white nationalist Nick Fuentes on his popular online show. But what Heritage has to say on sex and reproduction matters. The group has influenced everything from key appointments in the Trump administration to policy initiatives that track Project 2025s Mandate for Leadership. Before, anti-contraception claims often borrowed from an anti-abortion strategy first forged in the 1990s. At the time, massive blockades of abortion clinics made headlines. So did a string of murders and other violent crimes directed at those who worked in them. The result was a perception among Americans that the anti-abortion movement was anti-woman. Major movement organizations responded with right to know laws that did double duty: discouraging abortion by painting it as dangerousand rehabilitating the image of the anti-abortion movement by arguing that its leaders wanted to protect women. Anti-contraception activists learned from this strategy and started pushing their own arguments about birth control and womens safety. They argued that the pill and IUDs increased the risk of glaucoma and stroke. They claimed that the pill had cancer risks on par with cigarette smoking. Some focused on limiting contraceptive access for minors, arguing that parents should have the right to consent before their children can use birth control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heritage has repurposed another anti-abortion strategy: one focused on the groundwater. When California contemplated making abortion pills available on the states public university campuses in 2018, Students for Life argued that the move would pollute the groundwater with gallons of chemically tainted blood and placenta tissue, along with human remains. The movement invested more in this idea during the Biden years, and especially after the Supreme Court overturned Roe. Anti-abortion policies were deeply unpopular, and most abortions in the country relied on pills. The hope was that appealing to concern about the environment to restrict or ban those pills might reach new audiences. And that plan might be working. Recently, senior officials at the Trump Environmental Protection Agency directed scientists to determine whether tools could be developed to detect abortion pills in wastewater. In the name of protecting drinking water, abortion opponents have already proposed bills requiring anyone prescribed abortion pills to bag and return fetal remains to their physician. Advertisement Related From Slate The Supreme Courts Tariffs Arguments Were a Bloodbath for Trump Read More In reinventing the groundwater argument for the birth control pill, Heritage does highlight risks to women, including lowered libido, mood swings, infertility, heart attack, and stroke. But Heritage seems to have bigger concerns. First up is the femininization of American men. Heritage invokes the specter of male fish growing female genitals when exposed to all the estrogen in the groundwater from the pill. Who knows how much the sexual development of young males has already been damaged, the group asks, given the hundreds of millions of people who have used the pill since the 1960s? Advertisement And then there is the issue of how men feel about women. Heritage stresses that women on the pill have experienced the equivalent of medical menopauseand that women who no longer menstruate are not as attractive to men. The pill, the argument suggests, may be behind what Heritage sees as a disastrous decline in marriage and childbearing. Advertisement Advertisement It isnt clear whether Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will do anything to study the pill or introduce the kind of informed consent that Heritage is asking for. After all, despite fierce lobbying from the GOP, the administration hasnt yet introduced new restrictions on mifepristone, the pill used in more than half of all the nations abortions. But its amazing how much the Overton window is shifting on questions like these. Not only is Heritage taking a swing at birth control, the group is asking RFK Jr. to focus on the interests of men. Heritage equates the pill with feminism and the sexual revolution. The real history tells a more complicated story. It was feminist womens health activists who were the first to protest at Food and Drug Administration headquarters, protesting the dangers of early formulations of birth control and insisting that the pill kills. In the decades since, lower-dose contraceptives and improved IUDs have significantly reduced the risks feminists highlighted in the decade after Roe. The womens movement has long overlapped with demands for consumer protection, and it was no different with the pill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Heritages other arguments, marriage has declined partly because women have the means to support themselves or even parent without a partner. Some have seen marriage as wrong for them; others have refused to settle for partners who do not meet their expectations. As important, research shows that a decline in marriage has more to do with economic struggles than with male fish with female genitalia: Among women with a college degree, rates of marriage dont look that different than they did decades ago, while those without a bachelors degree are less likely to find a partner they consider marriage material. Affordability, a lack of opportunity, and income inequality may be fueling the decline of marriage more than anything else. But the accuracy of these arguments is almost beside the point. Its the fact that they are front and center in the first place. The pill isnt right for everyone, and its risks and benefits, like those of any medication, are something everyone should consider for themselves. But the renewed campaign against birth control seems to have much less to do with those risks than it does with making America manly again. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. President Donald Trumps obsession with mail-in balloting reached the Supreme Court on Monday through a bonkers 5th Circuit opinion written by Trump appointee (and Trump Supreme Court auditioner) Andrew Oldham. Disagreeing with plain statutory text, statutory history, Supreme Court precedent, and the practice of many states, Judge Oldhams opinion held that Mississippi violates federal law when it accepts ballots postmarked by Election Day that arrive within five days of the election. If the Supreme Court upholds the 5th Circuit in Watson v. Republican National Committee, 29 states and the District of Columbia would have to change their laws to require receipt of virtually all ballots by Election Day, aside from a small class of ballots including those from military and overseas voters. Trump has railed against mail-in balloting for years as being rife with fraud, even though he regularly uses it to vote in Florida. He often calls for states to eliminate the practice, even though Republicans for years have used it without problem in states ranging from Arizona to Florida to Utah (which conducts almost all balloting by mail). He has issued an executive order telling the Department of Justice to pursue litigation against other states to push the argument in the 5th Circuits Watson decision and he has promised another executive order on mail-in balloting to come. So its no surprise that one of the nations Trumpiest federal judges issued an opinion at odds with text, law, and practice to side against voters. As Mississippi explained in its brief seeking Supreme Court review: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal election-day statutes2 U.S.C. 7, 2 U.S.C. 1, and 3 U.S.C. 1set the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in certain years as the election day for federal offices. Like all other States, Mississippi requires that ballots for federal offices be castmarked and submitted to election officialsby that day. And like most other States, Mississippi allows some of those timely cast ballots (mail-in absentee ballots, in Mississippis case) to be counted if they are received by election officials a short time after election day (in Mississippi, within 5 business days after election day). Advertisement Just as a matter of plain text, as Judge James Graves argued in his dissent from the 5th Circuits decision not to take the case en banc, the day of an election is the day that the voters cast their ballots. It is not the date that election officials receive ballots. Mississippi is then wholly consistent with federal law when it requires ballots be postmarked by Election Day, showing that voters voted no later than the date of the election, and counts ballots in the days after. Oldhams contortionist opinion reaching a contrary result is especially rich coming from a judge purporting to apply textualismlooking at the meaning of the text as understood by an ordinary English reader at the time Congress passed the statute. By no stretch of the English language can an election be the day that election officials receive ballots any more than an election is the day (a month or so after an election) when a state officially declares an election winner. Advertisement Related From Slate The Real Reason Kim Davis Never Stood a Chance at the Supreme Court Read More But there are many more arguments than just plain textualism supporting a reversal in Watson. Indeed, the 5th Circuits opinion, as Judge Graves showed, is contrary not only to dictionary definitions of the term election but also to extensive federal and state caselaw interpreting the meaning of election day, and to legislative history. Attorney Richard Bernstein piles on to Graves devastating dissent by tracing the statutory history of congressional statutes setting the dates for federal elections. And Adam Unikowsky points out Oldhams illogical form of argumentation. Advertisement The position accepted by Oldham that a supposed statutory silence about whether Election Day means voters cast their ballots or the state receives them is also inconsistent with the usual conservative position on elections, which is that states generally get to set the rules for running elections unless Congress explicitly overrides them for federal elections. And Oldham has to jump through even more hoops to explain why military and overseas voters can have their late-arriving ballots counted despite his interpretation of the federal Election Day statutes. Advertisement As legal arguments go, the question in Watson is not close. The only reasonable conclusion to reach is that an election only requires voters to cast their ballots by Election Day, not the day that officials receive them, and my hope and expectation is that the Supreme Court took this case to reverse it and let Mississippi make the policy choice to accept ballots postmarked by Election Day. Congress has given states that flexibility, but Oldham wants federal courts to take it away not just in Mississippi but around the country. Advertisement Advertisement We should look at the 5th Circuit in the broader context of a war on voting. It is unsurprising that Oldham reached such a voter-hostile and Trump-friendly conclusion. Back in 2021, in the midst of the COVID pandemic, Oldham dissented from a 5th Circuit decision on whether it violated federal lawnot Texas lawfor Harris County, Texas, to allow drive-through voting in 2020, something very much appreciated by those who did not want to get sick when voting. Advertisement That dissent, like his majority opinion in Watson, seems written for an audience of one, Donald Trump, who I expect will get at least one more Supreme Court appointment next summer when either Justice Samuel Alito (for whom Oldham clerked) or Justice Clarence Thomas retires. We have seen many Federalist Society and conservative judges hold the line on blatantly political and unsupported arguments advanced by Trump and his allies to make voting harder and election subversion easier. Judge Oldhams opinion shows that not only will some judges not hold that line, they are ready to be partners with Trump and his allies in a new wave of voter suppression. LOS ANGELES, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Talent Studios has placed Christian Chopra as Chief Executive Officer of Foundry Brands, a growing portfolio of digitally native personal-care and lifestyle brands backed by Monogram Capital Partners and Lightbay Capital. Foundry Partners with founders to acquire and scale distinctive design-led brands across categories in grooming, skincare, and home. Its current portfolio includes Supply, Blu Atlas, Benevolence LA, and Craft & Kinblending distinctive brand identity with disciplined operational execution. Select brands from Foundrys growing portfolio: Supply, Blu Atlas, Benevolence Los Angeles, and Craft & Kin In this role, Chopra will lead Foundry's next phase of value creation across personal care, sharpening the company's strategic foundation while elevating creative, commercial, and operational capabilities. His focus is on strengthening the company's strategic foundation, elevating its creative and commercial capabilities, and ensuring each brand connects meaningfully with consumers while driving sustainable profitability. Christian brings two decades of experience building and repositioning consumer brands across North America and Europe. Most recently, as President of Scotch Porter, he repositioned the brand from niche challenger to an omni-channel mainstream player, leading it to profitability while expanding national retail distribution and scaling Amazon and DTC. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at Henkel and L'Oreal in marketing, sales, and general management, where he developed a reputation for combining brand-building expertise with operational discipline. "At Foundry, we're focused on building brands that connect emotionally and perform commercially," said Christian. "It's about turning consumer insight into growth, about creating brands people actually care about, not just click on. I'm fortunate to work with a team that shares that conviction and brings both creativity and analytical rigor to everything we do." The search was led by The Talent Studios' Katlyn Maloney & Jeremy Cohen. SOURCE The Talent Studios Record Growth For Platform Offering Enthusiasts Access To Available Trailers, While Generating Income For Owners DENVER, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- towlos, the leading peer-to-peer marketplace transforming trailer rentals by connecting owners directly with renters, today announced it has reached a milestone of 1,000 published trailer listings on its platform. towlos FOunder and CEO Matt Jones towlos makes trailer transport easy and efficient for weekends at the track or other special events Founded less than three years ago, towlos empowers trailer owners to turn underutilized assets into income streams while offering renters affordable, tailored options for their unique needs. With listings now in 46 states, towlos is experiencing a surge in user activity and rental bookings, reflecting the growing demand for its community-driven, cost-effective solutions. The platform's flat $10 service fee per transaction for rentersregardless of trailer type or durationand no listing fees for hosts have fueled its rapid expansion. Features like towlos Chat for seamless communication, guest vetting tools, refundable security deposits, and specialized trailer protection ensure a safe and user-friendly experience. While still in its early stages, towlos has seen encouraging traction over the past 18 months, increasing from 100 to 1,000 trailers listed. This activity is significantly outpacing the global peer-to-peer marketplace sector, which grew by 18 percent in 2024, according to data generated by Market.us. "This momentum is reflected in trailer rental activity as well, with monthly bookings having shown consistent growth throughout 2024, followed by a 93 percent increase in rentals in the first half of 2025," explains towlos Founder and CEO Matt Jones. "As towlos has grown, we've realized we're in a unique position to deliver transformative value for two distinct groups," Jones further explains. "For trailer owners, we're providing a business-in-a-box, enabling hosts to generate a new source of income. For renters, we're ensuring access to the right trailer to help them enjoy their passions. Towlos isn't just a trailer rental platform; we're a tech company connecting more than trailers." ABOUT TOWLOS Towlos is an online peer-to-peer marketplace that connects trailer owners to trailer renters. The platform is unlocking access to trailers that were never available before, while providing trailer owners with a method for making money from an asset that was not being utilized. Towlos "hosts" offer trailers in almost every U.S. state, making trailer rental accessible to renters everywhere. For more information, please visit towlos.com. Media Contact: Jeff Perlman 8183173070 [email protected] SOURCE towlos Owner's Statement: Yearling filly sired by King of the North, the standout son of Walner whose first crop of yearlings averaged $90,765 USD at Lexington, $62,150 USD at Harrisburg and $50,500 CDN at London. Dam is Daisy Day and she is from an exceptional maternal family. Her dam is a half sister to DABRA DAY, whose first foal sold for $200,000 USD at Harrisburg. The dam's full sister has produced the top Indiana performer STARLITFRANKNSTEIN ($424,623, 3, 1:52.2s) Justlikeronniesang was withdrawn from the London sale due to a minor injury. She underwent successful surgery at Milton Equine to remove a sequestrum. A full veterinary recovery statement is available. She is now 100% sound and ready to go. For the first time this year, all three weekly $35,211 Open features were held on the same day on Monday, Nov. 10, and Always Bstunning N by far put in the most impressive performance of the triumvirate after winning the distaff pace in 1:50.4 over an off track and through unfavourable weather conditions. Always Bstunning N and driver Kevin Switzer Jr. got away last as Fighting Evil (Bruce Ranger) cut the :27 quarter. But Switzer was already out and swinging with Always Bstunning N, who took command in front of the stands and then proceeded past the half in :54.3 and up the backstretch. It was there that Elegant A (Shawn Gray) moved first-over into contention and engaged Always Bstunning N at the 1:22.4 three-quarters mark. The two mares then battled around the last turn, into the stretch and all the way to the wire where Always Bstunning N (pictured above) never gave way and won by one-half length in 1:50.4. Intothemysticmoon (Nick Graffam) finished in the third spot. The win was the 11th of the year in 19 starts for Always Bstunning N ($2.20), who is owned by Richard Poillucci of South Easton, Massachusetts. Gretchen Athearn trains the six-year-old daughter of Always B Miki-Simply Stunning. Earlier in the Open Handicap for male pacing participants, Blazing Home N and driver Larry Stalbaum sat second behind Jackies Boy (Fern Paquet Jr.) through quarters of :26.4, :56 and 1:24 with only a mild bid from Sweet Jeff IR (Nick Graffam) coming from behind. After the field rounded the last turn and headed for home, Stalbaum pulled Blazing Home N off the pylons and took dead-aim at Jackies Boy. Blazing Home N kept digging all the way to the line where he finally forged ahead by a neck to win in 1:52. Binge On Yankee (Mitchell Cushing) was third behind the top duo. The win was the seventh of the year in 32 starts for Blazing Home N ($4.60). The six-year-old Rocknroll Heaven-Capture My Heart gelding is owned and trained by his driver. Finally, in the Open Handicap for trotters, Pepper Wow and driver Jim Hardy got away fourth and trailed by seven lengths as Marquis Lafayette (Bruce Ranger) was on the engine to the half in :55.4 and up by four lengths with his stablemate Sforza (Kevin Switzer Jr.) trying to keep up. As the field made its way up the backstretch, Marquis Lafayettes lead started to diminish and Pepper Wow was outside and gobbling up ground heading to three-quarters in 1:24. At that station, Pepper Wow dropped in third and stayed there until the top of the stretch where Hardy tipped back out and line-drove Pepper Wow right past Marquis Lafayette and Sforza to win by a length in 1:53.4, which was only a fifth of a second off his lifetime mark. Pepper Wow ($21.60) won his sixth race of the year in 21 outings for owners Kathy and Earl Beaman of Winchester, New Hampshire and Ivan Davies of Bell, Florida. Jolene Andrews trains the winning four-year-old Crazy Wow-Tori Hall stallion. There were quite a few upsets on Monday, but none were better than Muse La Rouge (1:53.3), who won the ninth race at 25-1 to pay $53.60 and trigger a $2 1-5 exacta that paid $1,171.20 and a $1 1-5-6 trifecta that paid $5,463.20. Drivers Jim Hardy and Kevin Switzer Jr. and trainers Jolene Andrews and Gretchen Athearn, all registered two wins apiece during the card on Monday. Live harness racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. (With files from the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts) Tuis Star made easy work of the competition in her $28,169 first-round division of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) series for two-year-old trotting fillies on Monday, Nov. 10 at Bally's Dover, delivering an 11-3/4-length drubbing to Suburban Lady and extending her winning streak to four in the act. In line to Corey Callahan, Tuis Star (pictured above) sprinted clear of Dancing Willow (Jason Green) through a :30.4 opening quarter and she was unopposed once gaining control of the terms. Tuis Star's lead increased to five lengths when Dancing Willow broke stride from the pocket heading to the 1:01.4 half, which allowed eventual runner-up Suburban Lady (Troy Beyer) to inherit the second spot. Tuis Star maintained a four-length lead over Suburban Lady up the backstretch and accelerated to three-quarters in 1:32.2 before steadily extending her margin of clearance through the closing stages of a 2:02 mile. Rainingrainbows (Allan Davis) finished third. Trainer David Wiest co-owns four-time winner Tuis Star with nonagenarian Don Wiest of Lykens, Pennsylvania, who bred the filly with Edward Kimmel. The daughter of E L Platinum-Tui, who paid $2.20 to win, increased her career earnings to $123,637 after also having swept the October DSBF series at Harrington Raceway. In the second division, Emerys Angel and driver Art Stafford Jr. sustained a first-over push up the backstretch and eclipsed 1-5 favourite Wolfpack One (Troy Beyer) on the far turn before drawing 4-1/2 lengths clear of that rival to win in 2:01.4. Sheas Blustone (Mark King) finished third. Trainer Stacy Johnston-Stafford owns Emerys Angel, a Top Flight Angel-Judy Luns filly who paid $11.20 in her maiden-breaking win, with Wyatt Starkey of Sudlersville, Maryland. Rookie trotting fillies will contest the second round of their series next Monday, Nov. 17, with the top eight point earners from both preliminary rounds convening for a $110,000 USD final on Nov. 24. (Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund) When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The exosuit is being worn underneath the astronaut's spacesuit during the ADAMA simulation mission in Adelaide. | Credit: Dr Emanuele Pulvirenti Generations of astronauts have spoken about how hard it is to move your limbs inside a spacesuit, where pressurization protects your body but creates resistance. A new "exosuit," tested during a two-week space analog mission last month in Australia run by the Austrian Space Forum, hopes to change that. The garment, which is meant to be worn under a spacesuit , features artificial muscles to make it easier to move around while walking, either on the moon or Mars . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The hope is that this technology could pave the way for future wearable robotic systems that enhance astronaut performance and reduce fatigue during extravehicular surface activities," Emanuele Pulvirenti, a research associate at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom who sewed the suit himself, said in a statement released Tuesday (Nov. 4). Exosuit research is hardly new. For example, NASA led the creation of an " Iron Man "-type suit called the X1 Robotic Exoskeleton a little more than a decade ago, while Sarcos developed the prototype XOS exoskeleton for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (intended for testing with the U.S. Army) around 2007. New tech developments strive to make each exosuit generation stronger and lighter, but Pulvirenti also got inspiration from the past. Pulvirenti spoke with his grandmother, who is a tailor, as well as Vivo Hub colleagues at Bristol while developing the garment. The artificial muscles contained within reside in two layers: a nylon layer on the outside and a thermoplastic layer on the inside to make it airtight. Kevlar is used on the knee straps and waistband for tension resistance and strength. Pulvirenti then flew to Australia last month, garment in hand, to work at what researchers call the largest lunar environment analog in the Southern Hemisphere. The University of Adelaide and ICEE.Space co-hosted four analog astronauts from Oct. 9 to Oct. 22 at a facility nicknamed CRATER, short for "Covered Regolith Analogue Terrain for Experimental Research." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CRATER is "a research testing environment that simulates conditions on the moon, including the unique lighting experienced during the course of a lunar day," John Culton, director of the University of Adelaide's Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources, said in a statement about the analog mission. The mission saw the "astronauts" test spacesuits, habitats and research protocols. Unlike many analog astronauts, who work with a small team on site, this group had global connections. A mission control in Austria served as a mission control not only for CRATER, but also for around 200 scientists in 25 countries who participated in the "World's Biggest Analog" the largest simulation of its kind. Mission managers are looking to add a new layer of professionalism to analog missions, which have been ongoing for decades, by introducing extra training, a requirement for publication and research on a more massive scale than ever before, the event website states . In Australia, the analog astronauts focused on testing Pulvirenti's team's suit for comfort, mobility and biomechanical properties while walking, climbing and carrying items. While the tech is very early-stage, Pulvirenti added that he would love to see it tested on the International Space Station before the complex is expected to retire in late 2030. In the meantime, he's targeting everyday use of the tech for folks with disabilities: "Our next goal is to create a hybrid suit that can switch between assistance and resistance modes as needed, which could be of great benefit for people in need of support with mobility, going through physical rehabilitation." New Glenn, one of the largest active rockets in the world, could soon take flight for just the second time ever. After poor weather spoiled the initial launch attempt, Blue Origin is now targeting Wednesday, Nov. 12, to get its massive spacecraft off the ground from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The mission, which Blue Origin refers to as NG-2, would help launch a landmark mission to Mars for NASA in the first big test of the rocket following its January debut. Blue Origin, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' space technology company, designed the New Glenn to compete with fellow billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX Falcon rockets in commercial orbital spaceflight ventures. Here's everything to know about Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, as well as its upcoming second-ever spaceflight from Florida. Blue Origin scrubs New Glenn liftoff. Here's why New Glenn was fueled up and vertical on the launch pad ahead of an impending launch Sunday, Nov. 9, before Blue Origin ultimately called it off about 90 minutes after the window opened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scrub came as Blue Origin's launch team monitored cloud cover rolling into the area, which ultimately foiled the liftoff attempt. When is the New Glenn rocket launch in Florida? Blue Origin is now working toward a launch of its New Glenn rocket Nov. 12 from Florida's Space Coast along the Atlantic, according to its website. The window will be open from 2:50 p.m. to 4:17 p.m. ET, with the rocket getting off the ground from Launch Complex 36 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Base. The site is one that Blue Origin invested $1 billion to rebuild. First stage booster to attempt drone ship landing After the upper stage separates from the booster, Blue Origin will once again attempt to land the booster on a drone ship, named Jacklyn, several hundred miles offshore in the Atlantic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What if we don't stick the landing? That's OK," Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said in a post on X. "We've got several more New Glenn boosters already in production." What is Blue Origin? Does Jeff Bezos own it? Billionaire Jeff Bezos, best known for founding Amazon, is the founder of the private space company Blue Origin. The company not only develops its two rockets the large New Glenn and much smaller New Shepard used in space tourism flights but other space technology as well, including human lunar landers. What is Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket? Named in honor of NASA astronaut John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, New Glenn is a powerful two-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle manufactured by Blue Origin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rocket is built to be reusable, with the first stage or booster that provides the initial burst of thrust at liftoff designed to last for at least 25 flights, according to Blue Origin. The booster being used in the upcoming spaceflight is nicknamed Never Tell Me the Odds. What will New Glenn do? Blue Origin envisions that New Glenn will be capable of shuttling Amazon's Project Kuiper satellites to orbit and undertaking other missions for paying customers including NASA and telecommunications providers. How tall is New Glenn? Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket stands at 322 feet tall. That includes a nearly 23-foot-wide fairing that is designed to carry cargo to orbit, which Blue Origin says on its website has "room for bigger constellations and larger payloads." The rocket's first stage is powered by seven of Blue Origin's BE-4 engines, while the upper stage, which flies in orbit, operates with two of the company's BE-3U engines designed for the vacuum of space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comparable in size to NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) developed for the Artemis moon campaign, New Glenn is one of the largest active rockets in the United States only outdone by SpaceX's approximately 400-foot Starship. When was the 1st New Glenn rocket launch? The spacecraft has only launched once so far, with its maiden flight coming Jan. 16, 2025, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. While the booster itself was lost during the descent, the upper stage still reached orbit in the debut, prompting Blue Origin to hail the mission as a success. What is NASA's ESCAPADE Mars mission? Advertisement Advertisement During its second-ever mission, New Glenn is due to propel NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft on their trek to Mars, where they will orbit the red planet and take simultaneous observations of solar winds and space weather. After the booster separates from the rest of the vehicle, the upper stage carrying the payload fairing will continue in space, helping to send the ESCAPADE satellites to Mars. The ESCAPADE satellites short for Escape and Plasma Acceleration Dynamics Explorers will eventually separate from the spacecraft to continue on their own independent journey, arriving in Martian orbit in September 2027. The science mission itself would then take place from June 2028 to May 2029. New Glenn will additionally carry technology from telecommunications company Viasat that could be used for NASA missions in low-Earth orbit. Blue Origin also launches New Shepard from Texas The New Glenn spacecraft is not to be confused with Blue Origin's much smaller New Shepard rocket that the company launches from West Texas on brief trips taking paying passengers high above Earth's atmosphere. Advertisement Advertisement New Shepard is the same spacecraft that pop star Katy Perry and broadcast journalist Gayle King boarded in April for an all-women flight. Following its most recent mission at the start of October, the rocket has now taken a total of 80 people to suborbital space, about 60 miles high, where they experience views of Earth and a few minutes of weightlessness. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket due for launch. What to know When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Liftoff of Galactic Energy's second Ceres-1 solid rocket from Jiuquan in the Gobi Desert on Dec. 7, 2021. The 10th launch of the rocket, on Sept. 21, 2023, ended in failure. | Credit: Galactic Energy A private Chinese rocket just suffered its second-ever failure. Galactic Energy's solid-fuel Ceres-1 rocket lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 11:02 p.m. EST on Sunday (Nov. 9; 0402 GMT and 12:02 p.m. local time on Nov. 10), carrying three satellites toward low Earth orbit (LEO). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rocket's first three stages performed well, according to media reports , but its fourth and final stage shut down too early, leading to the loss of all three payloads. Those payloads were two satellites for China's Jilin-1 commercial Earth-observation constellation, as well as a craft developed by Zhongbei University. "We offer our sincerest apologies to the mission's customer and to everyone who supports Galactic Energy," the Beijing-based company said in a statement, according to the Global Times , an affiliate of the People's Daily, the leading paper of the Chinese Communist Party. "We will draw lessons from the mission setback and continue to optimize rocket design and quality-management systems," the statement added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ceres-1 stands about 62 feet (19 meters) tall and can haul 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of payload to LEO. The rocket debuted in November 2020 and flew successfully nine times in a row before suffering a failure in September 2023 . The Ceres-1 bounced back from that problem, notching 11 consecutive successes before Sunday night's setback. The rocket has now flown a total of 22 missions, with two failures. WEST CHESTER, Pa., Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yamaha Champions Riding School, the premier motorcycle riding instruction program in North America, announced today its transition to Track Rabbit's specialized event management platform beginning with their 2026 season. The first events utilizing the new system will go live in January 2026, marking a significant technological upgrade for the renowned riding school. Yamaha Champions Riding School, the premier motorcycle riding instruction program in North America, announced today its transition to Track Rabbit's specialized event management platform beginning with their 2026 season. Track Rabbit, a purpose-built event management platform focused on automotive and motorcycle track events, will provide Yamaha Champions Riding School with industry-specific tools designed to streamline registration, enhance student experience, and optimize event operations. "We're constantly looking for ways to improve our students' experience, from the moment they register to the time they leave the track," said Keith Culver, COO of Yamaha Champions Riding School. "Track Rabbit's platform is specifically designed for what we do, motorcycle track events, and that focused approach makes all the difference. This partnership allows us to dedicate more time to what we do best: developing safer, faster, and more confident riders." The recommendation to transition to Track Rabbit came from Matt Cooper, who has already been using the Track Rabbit Platform to host track days for his company Legion Motorsports. "Having worked with multiple event management systems over the years, I knew Track Rabbit was the right fit for Yamaha Champions Riding School," said Cooper. "Their platform has greatly advanced since we started using them. It seemed like an opportune time for this partnership to come together, and I know it will benefit everyone involved." Track Rabbit's platform offers motorcycle-specific features including customizable registration workflows, integrated waiver management, real-time event updates, and comprehensive participant communication tools all designed with the unique requirements of track-based motorcycle instruction in mind. "We built Track Rabbit specifically for the motorsports community because we understood the limitations of generic event platforms," said David Atadan, Co-Founder of Track Rabbit. "Partnering with an organization as respected as Yamaha Champions Riding School validates our mission to provide the motorsports industry with tools that truly understand their needs. We're honored to support their commitment to rider education and safety." The transition to Track Rabbit is already underway, with the Yamaha Champions Riding School team working closely with Track Rabbit's operations leadership to ensure seamless implementation. "We're thrilled to welcome Yamaha Champions Riding School to the Track Rabbit ecosystem," said Tori Drach, Operations Leadership at Track Rabbit. "Having worked with Keith and Matt and their team over the last year, we've built even more customized features to support their operations in a flexible way that other clients can also benefit from. Our team is dedicated to ensuring this transition is smooth and that both the school's staff and their students immediately experience the benefits of a platform customized specifically for them. We're committed to being true partners in their continued success." Yamaha Champions Riding School 2026 Schedule is already live on Track Rabbit. Students and prospective riders can expect an improved registration experience, clearer communication, and more intuitive access to event information, and 2 additional days have been added to the schedule since launch to keep up with demand. About Yamaha Champions Riding School Yamaha Champions Riding School, founded by multiple AMA Superbike Champion Nick Lenatsch, is North America's premier motorcycle riding instruction program. With a focus on street-relevant skills and track-based learning, the school has trained thousands of riders to become safer, more confident, and faster motorcyclists. About Track Rabbit Track Rabbit is a marketing-based event registration, member management, and administrative e-commerce platform for automotive enthusiasts and the motorsport industry. Through modern technology and features, the platform is designed to keep users engaged and connected, increase revenue and decrease costs for leading tracks, clubs, schools, and others who run events or manage memberships. The platform is just one of many leveraged offerings within the ALIVE brand and is managed by a team of experts that partner with clients to build their business , utilizing both features within the technology and through sister platforms, solutions, and services. Visit trackrabbit.com to learn more. About ALIVE ALIVE is a marketing and technology company that serves automotive enthusiasts and the motorsport industry through an ecosystem of industry-specific platforms, solutions, and services. ALIVE acts as a partner to a broad number of clients and customers looking to build their business or brand through modern techniques, modern technology, and passion for the industry. ALIVE's experts are a mix of strong business acumen and industry expertise that become an extension of client teams to provide long-lasting results. Learn more at aliveplatforms.com. SOURCE Track Rabbit The battery storage market is seeing impressive growth in the U.S., driven primarily by utility-scale projects. As Electrek reported, a record 5.6 gigawatts of new energy capacity was added in the second quarter of 2025. The American Clean Power Association and Wood Mackenzie released their US Energy Storage Monitor report, which shared this data based on comprehensive industry research. As detailed in the report, 4.9 GW of this growth came from utility projects, enough to power 3.7 million homes during peak demand. Analysts noted impressive current and projected growth in numerous states, including Arizona, Texas, California, Oklahoma, Florida, and Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the battery storage market is also growing for residential homes. The new report showed 132% growth between the first and second quarters of 2025. Homeowners in Illinois, Arizona, and California led this growth by pairing backup batteries with their rooftop solar panels. "Energy storage is being quickly deployed to strengthen our grid as demand for power surges and is helping to drive down energy prices for American families and businesses," said Noah Roberts from American Clean Power, per Electrek. "Despite regulatory uncertainty, the industry is on track to produce enough grid batteries in U.S. factories to meet 100% domestic demand." This battery storage report is encouraging because it shows incredible progress in the clean energy transition. Since renewable energy sources like solar and wind depend on weather conditions, practical storage solutions enable businesses and homeowners to store collected energy and use it when needed. Battery storage helps stabilize the power grid and secure a reliable supply of electricity even when the wind isn't blowing or the sun isn't shining. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, advances in battery technology, such as those developed by RWE and CATL, are making storage solutions more cost-effective and efficient. Projects like Papago Storage in Arizona are also helping to deliver renewable energy to more homes while creating sustainable jobs. You can harness the power of battery storage for your home by installing solar panels and pairing them with backup batteries. To save thousands of dollars on your solar installation, check out EnergySage's free quote comparison tool. EnergySage's free mapping tool can also help you find local incentives for rooftop solar panels in your area. Backup battery storage is also helpful if you lease solar panels, such as through Palmetto's LightReach program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the American Clean Power Report, "storage pipeline remains strong, with U.S. storage predicted to reach 87.8 GW by 2029, amid a constantly evolving policy environment." "I just had Maine Solar Solutions add three more Simpliphi LFP [lithium iron phosphate] batteries to the three I already had, making six in all for 28 kW of storage plenty for my small consumption habits!" one Electrek reader commented on the news. 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. 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: Credit: Riccardo from Pexels Autonomous vehicles (AVs) have been tested as taxis for decades in San Francisco, Pittsburgh and around the world, and trucking companies have enormous incentives to adopt them. But AV companies rarely share the crash- and safety-related data that is crucial to improving the safety of their vehiclesmostly because they have little incentive to do so. Is AV safety data an auto company's intellectual asset or a public good? It can be bothwith a little tweaking, according to a team of Cornell researchers. A new data-sharing roadmap The team has created a roadmap outlining the barriers and opportunities to encourage AV companies to share the data to make AVs safer, from untangling public versus private data knowledge, to regulations to creating incentive programs. "The core of AV market competition involves who has that crash data, because once you have that data, it's much easier for you to train your AI to not make that error. The hope is to first make this data transparent and then use it for the public good, and not just profit," said Hauke Sandhaus, M.S. '24, a doctoral candidate at Cornell Tech and co-author of "My Precious Crash Data," presented Oct. 16 at the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction. His co-authors are Qian Yang, assistant professor at the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science; Wendy Ju, associate professor of information science and design tech at Cornell Tech, the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science and the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute; and Angel Hsing-Chi Hwang, a former postdoctoral associate at Cornell and now assistant professor of communication at the University of Southern California, Annenberg. Barriers to sharing AV safety data The team interviewed 12 AV company employees who work on safety in AV design and deployment, to understand how they currently manage and share safety data, the data sharing challenges and concerns they face, and their ideal data-sharing practices. The interviews revealed the AV companies have a surprising diversity of approaches, Sandhaus said. "Everyone really has some niche, homegrown data set, and there's really not a lot of shared knowledge between these companies," he said. "I expected they would be much more commonality." The research team discovered two key barriers to sharing databoth underscoring a lack of incentives. First, crash and safety data includes information about the machine-learning models and infrastructure that the company uses to improve safety. "Data sharing, even within a company, is political and fraught," the team wrote in the paper. Second, the interviewees believed AV safety knowledge is private and brings their company a competitive edge. "This perspective leads them to view safety knowledge embedded in data as a contested space rather than public knowledge for social good," the team wrote. And U.S. and European regulations are not helping. They require only information such as the month when the crash occurred, the manufacturer and whether there were injuries. That doesn't capture the underlying unexpected factors that often cause accidents, such as a person suddenly running onto the street, drivers violating traffic rules, extreme weather conditions or lost cargo blocking the road. Potential solutions for safer autonomous vehicles To encourage more data-sharing, it's crucial to untangle safety knowledge from proprietary data, the researchers said. For example, AV companies could share information about the accident, but not raw video footage that would reveal the company's technical infrastructure. Companies could also come up with "exam questions" that AVs would have to pass in order to take the road. "If you have pedestrians coming from one side and vehicles from the other side, then you can use that as a test case that other AVs also have to pass," Sandhaus said. Academic institutions could act as data intermediaries with which AV companies could leverage strategic collaborations. Independent research institutions and other civic organizations have set precedents working with industry partners' public knowledge. "There are arrangements, collaboration, patterns for higher ed to contribute to this without necessarily making the entire data set public," Qian said. The team also proposes standardizing AV safety assessment via more effective government regulations. For example, a federal policymaking agency could create a virtual city as a testing ground, with busy traffic intersections and pedestrian-heavy roads that every AV algorithm would have to be able to navigate, she said. Federal regulators could encourage car companies to contribute scenarios to the testing environment. "The AV companies might say, 'I want to put my test cases there, because my car probably has passed those tests.' That can be a mechanism for encouraging safer vehicle development," Yang said. "Proposing policy changes always feels a little bit distant, but I do think there are near-future policy solutions in this space." More information: Hauke Sandhaus et al, My Precious Crash Data: Barriers and Opportunities in Encouraging Autonomous Driving Companies to Share Safety-Critical Data, Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction (2025). DOI: 10.1145/3757493 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: Performance of the MEA with an AEM. a, Summary of alkaline CO 2 R, acidic CO 2 R, neutral CO 2 R and alkaline COR performance towards C 2+ products. b, Schematic of the MEA with an AEM. c, Product distribution and cell voltage of the MEA with an AEM at different current densities. d, Cation concentration as a function of distance from the outer Helmholtz plane (OHP) of the cathode for the MEA with an AEM, a separator and the membrane-free electrolyser. e, Schematic of the MEA with a separator. f, Anode gas compositions at different current densities of the MEA with an AEM and a separator. The rest of the anode gas is O 2 . Where error bars are shown, values are means, and error bars indicate s.d. (n = 3 replicates). Nature Energy (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-025-01846-1 Electrolyzers, devices that use electricity to drive desired chemical reactions, could enable the production of clean hydrogen (H 2 ) gas from water (H 2 O) and the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into useful fuels or industrial chemicals. When it comes to the reduction of CO 2 , the greenhouse gas can be first converted into carbon monoxide (CO) and then processed further to attain desired compounds. Most existing electrolyzers consist of a cathode (i.e., the site where electrons enter and drive the reduction of compounds) and an anode (i.e., the site where electrons leave and oxidation occurs). These two layers are divided by a so-called separator, a material that allows ions to move between the two other layers. In most conventional electrolyzers, this separator is a charge-selective membrane, a barrier that primarily allows one type of charged ion to pass through, while capturing the others. While these membranes have been widely used so far, they are known to slow down the transport of charged particles (i.e., ions) in electrolyzers, which can in turn limit their energy efficiencies. Researchers at University of Toronto recently demonstrated the potential of substituting charge-selective membranes with porous separators, thin materials with tiny holes that allow positive and negative ions to move more freely. Their paper, published in Nature Energy, shows that porous separators can enhance the energy efficiency and conversion rates of electrolyzers for the reduction of CO into ethylene and other desired carbon-based products. "For years, CO electrolyzers have been constrained below about 40%, which is a major barrier to making the technology viable at scale," Rui Kai Miao, first author of the paper, told Tech Xplore. "These systems typically use anion exchange membranes (AEMs), materials designed to let negatively charged ions pass through while keeping gases separate. In theory, that is ideal, but in practice AEMs are still relatively immature and tend to cause high voltage losses. We started asking a simple question: Why do we need a charge-selective membrane at all?" Substituting ion-selective materials with porous separators Miao and his colleagues started exploring the idea that what they truly required was a physical barrier that prevents the transfer of gas between the two electrodes (i.e., cathode and anode) inside an electrolyte. While this is far from a new idea, it was previously applied primarily to alkaline water electrolyzers, as opposed to systems for the reduction of CO or CO 2 . "Once we revisited this basic assumption, a whole new design space opened up," explained Miao. "In a CO electrolyzer, we take carbon monoxide (CO), which itself can be produced upstream from CO 2 using mature technology, and we convert it into more complex molecules such as ethylene using electricity and water. Essentially, this is a way of turning renewable electricity into chemical energycapturing carbon in a useful form." The team's design retains the original three-layer structure of electrolyzers. Their proposed system thus also consists of a cathode in which CO is reduced, an anode where water is oxidized, and a separator between them. "The key difference is that our separator is uncharged and porous rather than ion-selective," said Miao. "This allows ions to move more freely, lowers electrical resistance, and makes the whole cell operate more efficiently and stably." Initially, Miao and his colleagues tested various separator materials that were originally designed to be integrated in alkaline water electrolyzers. Unfortunately, they found that when they directly deployed these materials in their system for CO reduction, they did not improve its performance much. "When we measured their propertiesthickness and porositywe found they were dense and relatively thick, which slows ion transport," explained Miao. "In alkaline water electrolysis, these properties help limit hydrogen crossover, because H 2 diffuses very quickly in water. In CO electrolysis, the key speciesCO (reactant) and ethylene (product)diffuse much more slowly than H 2 . That gave us room to rethink the separator, and we started to try materials that are porous and thin." A new strategy to improve energy systems Ultimately, the researchers discovered that porous materials reduced the voltage of their electrolyzer cell and boosted its performance. In fact, they were able to attain an energy efficiency of 51% for the reduction of CO into multi-carbon chemicals, with the electrolyzer operating reliably for 250 hours. "As the porous separators we use are also very chemically stable, we were able to operate the electrolyzers at higher temperatures, further reducing the voltage of the cell, and for a longer time," said Miao. "We're now adopting porous, uncharged separators across our projects. They're inexpensive, robust, and easy to handle, andcruciallywe can tune porosity, thickness, and pore size to control ion transport and the local reaction environment for different target products." In the future, this recent study could inspire other energy engineers to develop electrolyzers with porous separators, as opposed to ion-selective transport membranes. Meanwhile, Miao and his colleagues plan to use a similar approach to enhance the performance of other electrolyzers or energy solutions that could benefit from improved ion transport. "We're already extending our approach to CO 2 reduction and related electrosynthetic pathways," added Miao. "We are also working on scaling these separator-based electrolyzers. On scale-up, these separators offer very practical advantages. Unlike many charge-selective membranes that require careful hydration and can be mechanically fragile, the separators can be assembled dry or wet, are structurally strong, and simplify stack assembly. "That's helping us reduce assembly failures as we move to larger active areas and multi-cell stacks, while we push for longer-duration operation and integration with intermittent renewable power." Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, edited by Stephanie Baum, 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: Rui Kai Miao et al, CO electrolysers with 51% energy efficiency towards C 2+ using porous separators, Nature Energy (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-025-01846-1. Journal information: Nature Energy 2025 Science X Network 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: Many have likely clicked 'share' or 'like' on a post on Facebook or X without reading it thoroughly. A new proposal could give users a moment to pause before sharing. Credit: Pexels New research from the University of Copenhagen points to a simple yet effective method for combating misinformation on social media: make it slightly harder to share content. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X have made it incredibly easy to share content with friends and acquaintances through like and share buttons. But we don't just share cat videos and cake recipeswe also share content that turns out to be fake news and misinformation. Research has shown that such content is particularly attractive and spreads faster on social media than reliable informationpartly because platform algorithms prioritize sensational posts that are widely shared. But what if sharing content became a bit more difficult? That's the idea proposed by researchers from the University of Copenhagen in a new article published in npj Complexity. "Our idea is to introduce a small pause in the sharing process to make people reflect on what they're sharing before clicking the button," says Ph.D. student Laura Jahn, lead author of the study alongside Professor Vincent F. Hendricks. "We developed and tested a computer model that simulates how information spreads on social media platforms like X, Bluesky, and Mastodon. It shows that a small digital frictionsuch as a pop-up messagecan effectively reduce content sharing." Learning improves quality The researchers' model shows that frictions can be an effective tool to reduce the number of shares. However, it also shows that frictions alone don't necessarily improve the quality of the content being shared. To address this, they added a learning element to the model that users encounter when attempting to share a post. "It could be a pop-up with a short quiz asking questions like: How is misinformation defined, and what does this social media platform do to limit fake news? The idea is that this learning element will prompt users to reflect on their behavior and share fewer problematic posts," explains Hendricks. "And we can see from the model that when friction is combined with learning, the average quality of shared posts increases significantly." Field study ahead The next step for the researchers is to test whether the strategy of introducing digital frictions with learning elements has the same positive effects in real-world settings. "We hope our proposal will inspire tech giants to think innovatively in the fight against misinformation. They could help us test the promising computer model to see whether engagement with low-quality content decreases and whether users become better at recognizing misinformation in real situations," say Jahn and Hendricks. If collaboration with a major social media platform isn't possible, the researchers will use simulated platforms available for research purposes. More information: Laura Jahn et al, A perspective on friction interventions to curb the spread of misinformation, npj Complexity (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44260-025-00051-1 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: Spray-based concrete 3D printing also allows builders more flexibility in the design of their builds. Credit: Carnegie Mellon University Mechanical Engineering Concrete 3D printing reduces both time and cost by eliminating traditional formwork, the temporary mold for casting. Yet most of today's systems rely on extrusion-based methods, which deposit material very close to a nozzle layer by layer. This makes it impossible to print around reinforcement bars (rebars) without risk of collision, limiting both design flexibility and structural integrity of builds. Kenji Shimada and researchers in his Carnegie Mellon University's Computational Engineering and Robotics Laboratory (CERLAB), are breaking through that limitation with a new simulation tool for spray-based concrete 3D printing. "Spray-based concrete 3D printing is a new process with complicated physical phenomena," said Shimada, a professor of mechanical engineering. "In this method, a modified shotcrete mixture is sprayed from a nozzle to build up on a surface, even around rebar." The ability to print freely around reinforcement is especially important in places like Japan and California, where earthquakes are an imminent threat and structural strength is critical. "To make this technology viable, we must be able to predict exactly how the concrete will spray and dry into the final shape," Shimada explained. "That's why we developed a simulator for concrete spray 3D printing." The new simulator can model the viscoelastic behaviors of shotcrete mixtures, including drip, particle rebound, spread, and solidification time. This way, contractors can assess multiple printing paths based on a CAD design with the simulator to evaluate whether spray 3D printing is a feasible fabrication technique for their structure. The team traveled to Tokyo, Japan, where Shimizu Corporation already operates spray 3D printing robots to validate their model. In the first test, the team focused on the simulator's ability to predict shape based on the speed of the nozzle's movement. With 90.75% accuracy, the simulator could predict the height of the sprayed concrete. The second test showed that the simulator could predict printing over rebar with 92.3% and 97.9% accuracy for width and thickness, respectively. According to Soji Yamakawa, a research scientist in Shimada's lab and the lead author of the team's research paper published in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, a simulation of this kind would typically take hours, if not days, to run. "By making wild assumptions, we were able to successfully simplify a super complex physics simulation into a combination of efficient algorithms and data structures and still achieved highly realistic output," Yamakawa said. Future work will aim to increase accuracy by identifying environmental parameters like humidity, optimizing performance, and adding plastering simulation to create smoother finished products. "There are still so many applications and technologies that we can develop with robotics," said Kyshalee Vazquez-Santiago, a co-author of the paper and a mechanical engineering Ph.D. candidate leading the Mobile Manipulators research group within CERLAB. "Even in concrete 3D printing, we are working with an entirely new type of application and approach that has so many advantages but leaves so much room for further development." More information: Soji Yamakawa et al, Concrete Spray 3D Printing Simulator for Nozzle Trajectory Planning, IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1109/lra.2025.3615038 Journal information: IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters The North Korea-affiliated threat actor known as Konni (aka Earth Imp, Opal Sleet, Osmium, TA406, and Vedalia) has been attributed to a new set of attacks targeting both Android and Windows devices for data theft and remote control. "Attackers impersonated psychological counselors and North Korean human rights activists, distributing malware disguised as stress-relief programs," the Genians Security Center (GSC) said in a technical report. What's notable about the attacks targeting Android devices is also the destructive ability of the threat actors to exploit Google's asset tracking service, Find Hub (formerly Find My Device), to remotely reset victim devices, thereby leading to the unauthorized deletion of personal data. The activity was detected in early September 2025. The development marks the first time the hacking group has weaponized legitimate management functions to remotely reset mobile devices. The activity is also preceded by an attack chain in which the attackers approach targets via spear-phishing emails to obtain access to their computers, and leverage their logged-in KakaoTalk chat app sessions to distribute the malicious payloads to their contacts in the form of a ZIP archive. The spear-phishing emails are said to mimic legitimate entities like the National Tax Service to deceive recipients into opening malicious attachments to deliver remote access trojans like Lilith RAT that can remotely commandeer compromised machines and deliver additional payloads. Konni Attack Flow "The threat actor stayed hidden in the compromised computer for over a year, spying via the webcam and operating the system when the user was absent," GSC noted. "In this process, the access obtained during the initial intrusion enables system control and additional information collection, while evasion tactics allow long-term concealment." The deployed malware on the victim's computer allows the threat actors to carry out internal reconnaissance and monitoring, as well as exfiltrate victims' Google and Naver account credentials. The stolen Google credentials are then used to log in to Google's Find Hub and initiate a remote wipe of their devices. In one case, the attackers have been found to sign into a recovery email account registered under Naver, delete security alert emails from Google, and empty the inbox's trash folder to cover up traces of the nefarious activity. The ZIP file propagated via the messaging app contains a malicious Microsoft Installer (MSI) package ("Stress Clear.msi"), which abuses a valid signature issued to a Chinese company to give the application an illusion of legitimacy. Once launched, it invokes a batch script to perform initial setup and proceeds to run a Visual Basic Script (VB Script) that displays a fake error message about a language pack compatibility issue, while the malicious commands are executed in the background. This includes launching an AutoIt script that's configured to run every minute by means of a scheduled task in order to execute additional commands received from an external server ("116.202.99[.]218"). While the malware shares some similarities with Lilith RAT, it has been codenamed EndRAT (also referred to as EndClient RAT by security researcher Ovi Liber) due to the differences observed. The list of supported commands is as follows - shellStart , to start a remote shell session , to start a remote shell session shellStop , to stop remote shell , to stop remote shell refresh , to send system information , to send system information list , to list drives or root directory , to list drives or root directory goUp , to move up one directory , to move up one directory download , to exfiltrate a file , to exfiltrate a file upload , to receive a file , to receive a file run , to execute a program on host , to execute a program on host delete, to delete a file on host Genians said the Konni APT actors have also utilized an AutoIt script to launch Remcos RAT version 7.0.4, which was released by its maintainers, Breaking Security, on September 10, 2025, indicating that the adversary is actively using newer versions of the trojan in its attacks. Also observed on victim devices are Quasar RAT and RftRAT, another trojan previously put to use by Kimsuky in 2023. "This suggests that the malware is tailored to Korea-focused operations and that obtaining relevant data and conducting in-depth analysis requires substantial effort," the South Korean cybersecurity company said. In a statement shared with The Hacker News, a Google spokesperson said the attack does not exploit any security flaw in Android or Find Hub, urging users to enable 2-Step Verification or passkeys to safeguard against credential theft. Users at an elevated risk of targeted attacks because of who they are or what they do are recommended to enroll in Google's Advanced Protection Program for improved account security. This attack did not exploit any security flaw in Android or Find Hub. The report indicates this targeted attack required PC malware to be present in order to steal Google account credentials and abuse legitimate functions in Find Hub, the spokesperson added. Lazarus Group's New Comebacker Variant Detailed The disclosure comes as ENKI detailed the Lazarus Group's use of an updated version of the Comebacker malware in attacks aimed at aerospace and defense organizations using tailored Microsoft Word document lures consistent with an espionage campaign. The lures impersonate Airbus, Edge Group, and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. The infection chain kicks off when victims open the file and enable macros, causing the embedded VBA code to execute and deliver a decoy document that's displayed to the user, along with a loader component that's responsible for launching Comebacker in memory. The malware, for its part, establishes communication with a command-and-control (C2) server over HTTPS and enters into a loop to poll for new commands or download an encrypted payload and execute it. "The actor's use of highly specific lure documents indicates that this is a targeted spear phishing campaign," ENKI said in a technical report. "Although there are no reports of victims so far, the C2 infrastructure remains active at the time of this publication." Kimsuky Uses a New JavaScript Dropper The findings also coincide with the discovery of a new JavaScript-based malware dropper that has been employed by Kimsuky in its recent operations, demonstrating the actor's continued refinement of its malware arsenal. The initial access mechanism by which the JavaScript malware is distributed is currently not known. Kimsuky JavaScript Dropper Flow The starting point of the attack is an initial JavaScript file ("themes.js") that contacts an adversary-controlled infrastructure to fetch more JavaScript code that's capable of executing commands, exfiltrating data, and retrieving a third-stage JavaScript payload to create a scheduled task to launch the first JavaScript file every minute and launch an empty Word document, likely as a decoy. "Since the Word document is empty and does not run any macros in the background, it may be a lure," the Pulsedive Threat Research said in an analysis published last week. VICTOR deepens its year-round commitment to helping provide service dogs to veterans through its Veteran Pet Force MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Veterans Day, VICTOR Super Premium Pet Food is donating $25,000 to two nonprofit VICTOR partners, Second Chance K9 and This Able Veteran, that support veterans living with PTSD by pairing them with service dogs. To expand awareness and further the mission of both nonprofits, VICTOR is inviting pet parents to join the Veteran Pet Force. Beginning Nov. 10, the first 200 people to sign up for the Veteran Pet Force on VICTOR's website, www.victorpetfood.com/veteran-salute, will receive a free VICTOR flag hat. "Supporting our nation's veterans is a year-round priority for VICTOR," said Jeff Caswell, CEO of VICTOR Pet Food. "We recognize the incredible role our loyal companions play in our lives, offering comfort, companionship and healing. Through partnerships with organizations like Second Chance K9 and This Able Veteran, we're honored to provide resources that assist their work to match veterans with specially trained PTSD service dogs." The Veteran Pet Force reflects VICTOR's long-standing commitment to veterans. The company has been an active partner for a combined 10 years with Second Chance K9 and This Able Veteran. "We've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of PTSD service dogs in helping veterans reclaim their lives," said Malia Nix, executive director of This Able Veteran. "Support from partners like VICTOR ensures more veterans can access these specially trained dogs who provide vital support in managing post-traumatic stress. This partnership represents more than a donation it's a lifeline connecting veterans with the tools they need to heal and thrive." Both Second Chance K9 and This Able Veteran provide service dogs and other resources to veterans living with PTSD, helping them rebuild their lives with the companionship and support of four-legged heroes. "Through our work with brands like VICTOR, we're able to give both veterans and rescue dogs a renewed sense of purpose," said Travis Hall, founder of Second Chance K9. About VICTOR Super Premium Pet Food Founded in 2007, VICTOR offers reliable pet nutrition at a common-sense value for the loyal companions who are Always By Your Side. VICTOR's super premium dog food formulas have been nationally recognized and are a trusted nutrition source for pet owners across the country, including outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, trainers and breeders. More information about VICTOR is available at www.victorpetfood.com . ABOUT SECOND CHANCE K9 Second Chance K9 was founded by Travis Hall, retired U.S. Army Special Forces Dog Handler, who served over 18 deployments and knows firsthand the two-way healing power a service dog can have for a veteran and vice versa. Travis and the SCK9 organization rescue dogs and train them as certified service dogs for Special Operations Forces of all branches of the Military suffering from PTSD. ABOUT THIS ABLE VETERAN Founded in 2011, This Able Veteran is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports veterans through a Trauma Resiliency Program and expert service dog training. Their dedicated team brings decades of experience and compassion to help veterans overcome trauma, harnessing the healing power of service dogs to transform the lives of veterans and their families. Media Contact Kendra Byrd [email protected] 817-329-3257 SOURCE VICTOR Super Premium Pet Food You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. 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Blog Archive: Dec 2025 (42) Nov 2025 (141) Oct 2025 (153) Sep 2025 (149) Aug 2025 (154) Jul 2025 (155) Jun 2025 (150) May 2025 (155) Apr 2025 (9) Mar 2025 (149) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) If cockroach have no business in fowl party, politicians should also stay out of police acti With no seven-state Colorado River agreement in hand, Gov. Katie Hobbs and Arizona legislative leaders from both parties asked the U.S. Interior Department Tuesday to step in and ensure any agreement to curb overuse of river water requires the rivers Upper Basin states to limit their use. The letter to Interior, marking a rare moment of bipartisanship among Arizona political leaders, makes the point that given the rivers importance to Arizonas economy and the 22 Arizona tribes that have river water rights, We find it alarming that the Upper Basin states have refused to implement any binding, verifiable water supply reductions. This extreme negotiating posture four of the seven basin states refusing to participate in any sharing of water shortages has led to a fundamental impasse that is preventing the successful development of a 7-state consensus plan for management of the Colorado River, said the letter, sent Tuesday to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. It also asks Interior to ensure compliance with the 1922 Colorado River Compact. The letter was signed by Hobbs, a Democrat; Senate President Warren Peterson and House Speaker Steve Montenegro, Republicans; and Sen. Priya Sundareshan and Rep. Oscar De Los Santos, Democrats who are the Senate and House minority leaders. Shortly after Hobbs publicly released that letter Tuesday afternoon, the seven basin states officials along with officials from Interior and its Bureau of Reclamation collectively released a statement. It acknowledged that no seven-state agreement had been reached by Tuesdays deadline for a water-saving plan, which had been set by Interior, and committed to continuing the discussions, with no end date given. While more work needs to be done, collective progress has been made that warrants continued efforts to define and approve details for a finalized agreement. Through continued cooperation and coordinated action, there is a shared commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of the Colorado River system, the statement said. The seven Colorado River Basin states together with the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation recognize the serious and ongoing challenges facing the Colorado River. Prolonged drought and low reservoir conditions have placed extraordinary pressure on this critical water resource that supports 40 million people, tribal nations, agriculture, and industry. The Upper Basin states are Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The Lower Basin states are Arizona, California and Nevada. The letter and the seven-state statement came out a few hours after Hobbs, on her own, came out swinging on the Colorado River issue, saying she didnt expect the seven states to reach an agreement by Tuesdays deadline and asking the Interior Department to step in and broker a solution. Hobbs told Capitol Media Services Howard Fischer, The Lower Basin states have come to the table with offer after offer, with real sacrifices in our water, Arizona taking the brunt of that sacrifice, and the Upper Basin, really being led by Colorado, has refused to budge at all and refused to take any cuts. And a Colorado River future that puts all the cuts on Arizona, that the upper basin doesnt take any cuts, is not acceptable, she said. The governor said its clear federal leadership is needed because the Upper Basin has refused to move. So were looking at the prospect of not having an agreement by the end of today. The seven states representatives were meeting in Phoenix on Tuesday in hopes of stitching together a last-second agreement, but Hobbs said no deal was expected. Were going to continue to push on the federal government to help to broker a solution, she said. That Hobbs is speaking out so explicitly on the negotiations is very rare. All other major parties to the seven-state talks have stayed silent on their progress or lack thereof, as the clock ticked toward Tuesdays deadline. By calling Tuesday for stronger federal intervention in the dispute, Hobbs went a step beyond her comments on Nov. 5, when she told a gathering of water officials in Tucson that the Upper Basin states, led by Colorado, were taking an extreme negotiating position by refusing to offer any cuts in their river water use. Both basins representatives have said they believed a seven-state agreement was far preferable to having one dictated by the feds, which Interior officials have said they may have to do if the states negotiations prove futile. The states have hoped to avoid litigation over the river issue because that could drag on for years, while the river flows keep declining and reservoir levels keep falling, as they have since 2000. Hobbs, however, called for the feds to broker a solution, not impose one. She didnt explain what she meant by brokering a solution, but it presumably would mean the federal government would step up its efforts to push the seven states together without telling them what to do. Later, Liliana Soto, Hobbs' press secretary, said the governor still wants to see a collaborative outcome to the discussions. "Litigation can lead to decades in court, huge osts, and no real winners -- leaving states with less control over their water future," Soto said. "The push to work with the federal government is focused on ensuring that they fulfill their responsibility to facilitiat a deal, and to create presure when there are parties that are not negotiating in good faith." During both the Biden and current Trump administrations, various players on the river issue have complained publicly and privately that Interiors Bureau of Reclamation which manages the river and its reservoirs has not exercised strong enough leadership on this issue. Several have contrasted the feds leadership now to the days of the Reclamation commissioner in President Donald Trumps first term, Brenda Burman, who repeatedly and successfully told state negotiators that if they didnt come up with a drought contingency plan to start reducing river water use, she would essentially force one on them. A drought plan was subsequently adopted by the states in 2019, but continued declines in river flows have made it clear to all states water leaders that it wasnt adequate. Asked Tuesday what Arizona wants out of a deal with the Upper Basin, Hobbs didnt cite a specific level of cuts but emphasized its time for the four Upper Basin states to take some reductions. We have already saved millions of acre-feet of water in Lake Mead leading into this years negotiations. Weve put more savings on the table in excess of 500,000 acre-feet. And were working with the users in the state to see what that looks like and how those cuts will be implemented, the governor said. In any situation, Arizonas going to take the brunt of the cuts. We can make those sacrifices. Weve done it before and were willing to. But we need other states to be with us on that and take some cuts, too, Hobbs said. Upper Basin states have cited a number of reasons for not wanting to take any cuts, not least because they use far less water than the Lower Basin states. Water officials representing Colorado and Utah, who have previously been the most outspoken on river issues, didnt immediately respond to requests from the Star to comment on Hobbs latest remarks. Hobbs predicted that Interior officials will continue to have the seven states negotiate to try to land a deal, but said the feds need to step up and broker a deal. Asked if the states would negotiate indefinitely past Tuesdays deadline, Hobbs replied, We cant be indefinite. Theres real federal deadlines coming up. We have to come to some solution by 2026. And I dont see a solution happening. And I dont think Tom Buschatzke at ADWR (does) without the federal government really stepping in and making something happen, Hobbs said, referring to the Arizona Department of Water Resources director, the states lead representative in Colorado River negotiations. She was asked by Capitol Media Services why she thought Reclamation officials under the Trump administration will care about what happens to Arizona when two of the four Upper Basin states Utah and Wyoming are politically red. Arizonans voted decisively for Trump in 2024, but have also elected a Democratic governor, two Democratic senators and a Democratic secretary of state and attorney general in recent years. The Colorado River in Arizona is fueling millions of Arizonans including 22 of the 30 basin tribes that rely on Colorado River, fueling the economy of the future, not just for Arizona but for the United States, bringing high-tech manufacturing to Arizona, fueling an agriculture industry that feeds 90% of North Americas leafy greens in the winter months when they cant grow anywhere else, Hobbs responded. So its an important stake. Its not just about red states versus blue states. But its about what that water is fueling here in Arizona, she said. The letter from Hobbs and Arizona legislators didnt explain what they meant by compliance with the 1922 compact. But for some time, numerous outside experts have said the Upper and Lower basins are heading to a tripwire in 2027 or 2028, when its expected that river flows through Lees Ferry just west of Glen Canyon Dam will fall below minimum levels required by the compact. The compact requires that the Upper Basin states release at least 75 million acre-feet of water through Lees Ferry over a 10-year period, according to numerous Lower Basin state officials and some outside experts. With passage of the 1944 treaty giving Mexico a 1.5 million annual acre-foot share of the river, some experts have now upped that minimum flow amount to 82.5 million acre-feet. Because of the rivers declining flows since 2000, its highly possible if not likely that the 10-year flow total will fall below 82.5 million by 2027, various experts have said. If that prospect seems likely, there has been a good chance that the Lower Basin states will sue Upper Basin states, trying to force them to curtail their river water use to come into compliance with the compact. The Upper Basin states, however, have said the compact would require authorities to prove if the upper states have done something to deplete the rivers flow. But they say its climate change, not excessive water use by the Upper Basin states, that threatens to knock river flows below the compact-established minimums. Neither sides argument has been tested in court. Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Xuan Sang held talks with Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Aukje de Vries in Hanoi on November 10, aiming to deepen Vietnam-Netherlands cooperation in the maritime and aviation sectors. During the talks, Sang underlined that with the long-standing diplomatic relations and strong partnership between the two countries, as well as Vietnams ongoing integration and development needs, there remains huge potential for further cooperation in various sectors, particularly transport and construction. In aviation, Vietnam and the Netherlands have signed an air transport agreement and its amended protocol, and both are parties to the ASEANEU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement. However, no airlines currently operate direct flights between the two countries despite the growing market potential. Passenger traffic between Vietnam and the Netherlands reached over 122,000 in 2024, and by the third quarter of 2025 had recovered to 86% of last years level. Sang proposed that the Netherlands support airlines from both sides to soon launch a direct VietnamNetherlands route. He also called for closer cooperation in providing air traffic management and airport operation equipment. Vietnam Maritime and Waterways Administration and STC B.V. Company (STC Next) sign a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in training in the field of maritime and inland waterways. (Photo: nhandan.vn) In the maritime and inland waterway sector, Vietnam and the Netherlands signed an agreement on the mutual recognition of seafarers' certificates of competency under the STCW Convention in 2002. They also signed an agreement between Vietnam's group of inland waterway transport regulators and partners, and the Partners for International Business Programme Vietnam Netherlands Waterborne Partnership (PIB VINWAP) to enhance cooperation in the fields of inland waterways, maritime transport, and port development for the 2019-2020 period, sponsored by the Dutch Government. The Deputy Minister stressed that Vietnam, as a coastal nation with significant potential for seaport development, can greatly benefit from cooperation with the Netherlands, a world leader in maritime transport and inland waterway systems. He invited Dutch investors to explore opportunities in major seaports such as Lach Huyen, Cai MepThi Vai, Lien Chieu, and Tran De, while urging Dutch support in human resource training for the maritime and aviation sectors. He also called for experience sharing in developing green and smart seaports and promoting clean fuel use in waterway transport. Vietnam identifies infrastructure development, institutional reform, and human resource development as three strategic breakthroughs, with transport infrastructure serving as a key pillar. Currently, the railway, maritime, and aviation sectors are receiving major investment priorities. Sang expressed his hope that the Netherlands would continue supporting Vietnam and work closely with it at international forums such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). For her part, Minister Aukje de Vries highlighted the growing economic ties between the two countries, noting that Vietnam has become one of the Netherlands largest trading partners in Asia, while the Netherlands remains the leading EU investor in Vietnam. She said many Dutch enterprises are keen to expand investment, particularly in logistics, seaports, and aviation. Dutch businesses are ready to invest in Vietnam, including at the Lien Chieu Port and industrial zones, she said, expressing her hope that bilateral cooperation will continue to flourish, contributing to the development of both nations. At the meeting, both sides discussed specific cooperation opportunities in shipbuilding, port development, and training, agreeing to maintain active dialogue to accelerate joint projects in the maritime and aviation sectors in the near future./.VNA According to BM Windows representatives, the companys participation aimed to learn from advanced technological models, stay updated on facade design trends, and strengthen professional connections within the global industry. They added that joining the event was not only an opportunity to expand international partnerships but also to gain insights into new technological solutions, stay aligned with global facade trends, and affirm the technical capabilities of Vietnamese enterprises in the international market. Zak World of Facades London is widely regarded as the cradle of modern architecture and a key platform where many facade engineering standards have been established. The 2025 edition marked the 200th global event of the Zak World of Facades series and was the largest event held to date. Experts and participants in London discussed emerging themes shaping the future of the facade industry, including sustainable design, low-carbon materials, modular construction, energy efficiency, and advanced technologies. At the event, BM Windows representatives shared the companys experience in executing complex facade systems for several landmark projects in the United States, Canada, and Australia, which are known for their strict technical and performance standards. Zak World of Facades London, where the highest global standards of the facade industry are shaped, provides an opportunity for us to connect internationally, learn from leading experts, and further enhance our capabilities to participate in large-scale projects worldwide as well as in Viet Nam, said a BM Windows representative. The event brought together many of the worlds leading architectural and facade engineering firms, including Foster + Partners, Zaha Hadid Architects, Arup, Permasteelisa, Schuco, and Seele Group. Among them, BM Windows was one of the few companies from Southeast Asia to participate as a speaker. According to the companys representatives, their participation reflects BM Windows commitment to continuous learning, bringing the spirit of Vietnamese engineering to the global stage, embracing new technological trends, and gradually affirming the countrys facade engineering capabilities in international markets. Before joining the London event, BM Windows had participated in several international facade forums in New York, Toronto, and Sydney. In September 2025, the company was honored with the Vitruvian Honors & Awards by the Facade Tectonics Institute (USA), one of the most prestigious global awards in the facade industry. BM Windows is currently involved in several international projects, including One Bloor West (The One Toronto) in Canada, the countrys first supertall tower; 55 Pitt Street in Sydney - a premium office development near the Sydney Opera House; as well as Marriott Courtyard and Turtle Bay Resort in Hawaii (the United States), and Taipei Twins in Taiwan (China). Alongside its international activities, BM Windows is also expanding its domestic production capacity. In October, the company broke ground on its new BM Windows Chau Duc Factory in HCM City, covering an area of 100,000 square meters, which is three times larger than its existing facilities. The factory is equipped with fully automated production lines meeting European standards. According to the companys representatives, BM Windows presence at Zak World of Facades London 2025 demonstrates that Vietnamese enterprises are not only mastering advanced technologies domestically but are also gradually integrating into the global facade supply chain./. HA NOI Facing headwinds in export markets, seafood producers are increasingly looking inward, with the domestic market seen as a strategic way to stabilise production, maintain supply chains and reduce reliance on fluctuating international demand. Vietnamese seafood has built a strong foothold abroad, reaching more than 170 countries and territories worldwide. Yet many companies still encounter challenges when seeking to expand again at home, despite a promising market of more than 100 million consumers and rising demand. Experts say higher incomes in Viet Nam are reshaping food preferences, including stronger appetite for seafood. Domestic consumers are paying greater attention to product quality, food safety and traceability, creating opportunities for firms already producing high-standard export goods to serve local customers with internationally certified products. After more than 20 years partnering with Saigon Co.op, Hoang Van The, sales director of Saigon Food Joint Stock Company, said Saigon Co.op had become the companys biggest distribution channel. Sales through the retail network accounted for around 30 per cent of Saigon Foods domestic revenue, helping stabilise performance when exports face obstacles, he said. However, not all firms could successfully enter modern retail chains. Despite strong reputations and production capacity, many seafood businesses still struggled to compete in the home market. One factor, The noted, was inconsistent transparency in product quality across domestic distribution systems. High-quality products with international certification often lost out to lower-priced goods from smaller producers using less strictly controlled materials. Le Hang, Vice Secretary-General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), said this was partly rooted in corporate mindset and strategy. Many seafood firms remained export-focused and had not given sufficient attention to domestic consumers, she said. Efforts in media outreach, brand building and storytelling remained limited, Hang added. Approaches to the home market were still largely traditional, without fully exploiting modern retail channels, particularly e-commerce. According to VASEP, only around 2025 per cent of seafood firms participate in e-commerce in a systematic way. On the consumer side, habits and awareness still vary widely, especially in rural regions. Many buyers continue to prioritise fresh products without recognising the value of deep-frozen seafood that is rigorously checked for antibiotic residues and food safety. According to senior advisor at Vietnam Fisheries Corporation Joint Stock Company ang Huu Kien, Viet Nam produces about 4 million tonnes of seafood annually, with 52 per cent frozen for processing factories and the remainder consumed domestically. Of about 5 million tonnes of farmed seafood, around 70 per cent is processed for export and the rest sold to local buyers. Domestic consumption largely follows a spontaneous and traditional model, lacking structured links between supply and demand. Trade promotion activities, exhibitions and fairs organised by ministries and sectors have yet to produce sustained results. Other difficulties include uneven regional production and processing, especially between the South, where output is concentrated, and the North, which has stronger consumption demand. Purchasing power in supermarkets also remains below potential. To better unlock the home market, Hang called for closer co-ordination between businesses and regulators, particularly the Ministry of Industry and Trade, to develop a professional and synchronised supply chain. Reducing pressure for unreasonable discounts, improving cold logistics and standardising co-operation processes would ease business operations, she said. Product trials and showcases at fairs, supermarkets and hotels could also help bring processed seafood closer to consumers. E-commerce platforms such as Shopee, TikTok Shop and Zalo OA should be better leveraged to expand market reach, she added. Kien said a more comprehensive ecosystem linking producers, processors, distributors and consumers was needed. Multilateral co-operation among regulators, businesses, farmers and fishermen would gradually address fragmentation and raise the added value of Vietnamese seafood in the domestic market. Viet Nams seafood exports reached US$9.31 billion in the first 10 months of this year. Shrimp led with $3.89 billion, up 21.6 per cent, boosted by stable demand from the US, Japan and the EU. Tra fish followed with $1.66 billion, up 7.5 per cent on stronger demand from China, the US and the Middle East. VASEP said the strong performance reflected both recovery and adaptability among Vietnamese firms amid global uncertainty. Many companies had diversified markets, strengthened processing and prioritised quality to meet international standards. However, anti-dumping and countervailing duties in the US, strict MMPA fishing rules and the EUs unresolved yellow card on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing continued to weigh on exporters, alongside increasing competition from India, Thailand and Indonesia. Experts urged firms to monitor market developments, adjust strategies to tap ASEAN, the Middle East and niche markets, and invest in processing, technology and branding to reinforce long-term competitiveness. VNS AN GIANG With only two months left in 2025, the southern province of An Giang is entering a decisive phase to speed up public investment disbursement as it aims to complete its annual capital plan and stimulate socio-economic growth. From November 5 to December 5, the province is implementing an intensive campaign to accelerate disbursement progress, particularly for key projects that have significant impacts on local development. Chairman of An Giang Peoples Committee Ho Van Mung has called on all districts, sectors, and project owners to adjust their working methods with a sense of urgency, responsibility and determination. He stressed the accountability of top leaders, requiring all shortcomings identified to be addressed before November 15. Project owners have been instructed to actively coordinate with local authorities to remove bottlenecks, strengthen on-site supervision, and urge contractors to increase working shifts to ensure both progress and quality. Underperforming or delayed contractors will face strict penalties. Project owners whose disbursement rate remains below 50 per cent have been urged to take immediate remedial action during this high-intensity period. The provinces goal is to achieve 100 per cent disbursement of its 2025 public investment capital plan, as part of the broader strategy to maintain growth momentum and improve infrastructure readiness for future development. An Giang has been directed to enhance the responsibility of project leaders and synchronise solutions following the Prime Ministers directives on accelerating public investment. Each project owner must review every ongoing project, adjust its implementation plans, and work closely with slow-moving contractors to devise feasible measures for progress. Projects encountering obstacles in paperwork, legal procedures, site clearance or contractor selection must promptly report to the provincial Peoples Committee for timely guidance. Alongside administrative measures, project owners have been urged to work closely with the State Treasury to complete payment documents quickly, facilitating the release of allocated capital. They are also asked to reallocate unspent funds from stagnant projects to those facing capital shortages but with completed workloads. Priority will be given to site clearance expenses for projects serving the upcoming APEC 2027 Summit. The Department of Finance has been tasked with urgently finalising procedures for adjustments to the 2025 capital plan, particularly to reassign funds based on the proposals of project owners. It will also review projects that are unable to utilise revenue from land-use fees to ensure efficient capital use. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the Department of Construction have been instructed to promptly review material supply sources both within and beyond the province. These agencies will propose solutions to ensure sufficient sand, stone and other construction materials for major infrastructure projects. Site clearance remains the biggest bottleneck affecting project progress. Local authorities have been required to actively assist project owners in compensation and resettlement, promptly paying compensation to affected households according to regulations. In cases where landowners continue to reject compensation offers after multiple dialogues, commune-level Peoples Committees will review the legal process and propose compulsory land recovery in accordance with the law to ensure timely handover of cleared land to contractors. As of October 31, the provinces disbursement rate had reached just over 41 per cent equivalent to around VN10.7 trillion (US$424 million) out of a total plan approved by the provincial Peoples Council of VN26.1 trillion (US$1.03 billion). An Giang has identified 71 projects still facing obstacles, accounting for 32.1 per cent of the total plan, or VN8.37 trillion ($331 million). The main barriers include site clearance issues at 32 projects, delays in material supply affecting four major transport projects, and the ongoing administrative transition following the provinces adoption of a two-tier local government model from July 1. This restructuring has forced project owners to undertake reallocation and legal adjustments, further slowing disbursement. Other difficulties include problems related to urban planning, contractor selection, a lack of bidders, and citizen complaints. Despite these challenges, An Giang remains determined to turn the final months of the year into a sprint phase for public investment disbursement. Provincial leaders believe that accelerating capital allocation will not only help complete the 2025 investment plan but also create breakthroughs in infrastructure development, boost local economic performance, and enhance living standards. The province is targeting a Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth rate of at least 8 per cent for 2025. Public investment is seen as a vital driver to stimulate overall demand and lay the groundwork for the next medium-term public investment cycle from 2026 to 2030, moving An Giang closer to its vision of sustainable and inclusive development. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese businesses have proactively developed green, low-emission building materials, however, the variety is still limited, and they have faced numerous challenges due to high costs and consumer habits. The investment costs for green technologies remained high, while the support mechanisms were unclear, said Le Van Phuong, CEO of Thang Cuong Joint Stock Company. The supply of internationally-certified raw materials was still limited domestically, necessitating imports from the EU or Japan, he said. The Xay dung (Construction) newspaper quoted Nguyen Thanh Dung, head of Sustainable Construction at INSEE Vietnam, as saying that the biggest challenge lay in cost, standards, and market awareness. The costs of technology investment, research, and international certification for green products were very high, while domestic standards remained inconsistent, making it difficult to assess the environmental value of products, said Dung, adding that many developers still prioritised short-term price factors over long-term sustainable benefits. Thai Duy Sam, vice president and general secretary of the Vietnam Association for Building Materials, noted that the most significant challenge was domestic consumption. High prices and limited consumer awareness meant green materials were mainly used in large-scale projects, rather than in the general market, he added. Although the government had issued many policies to promote green building materials, the lack of clear standards and outdated technology remained barriers, emphasised Sam. More support mechanisms needed Nguyen Truong Hai, CEO of Saint-Gobain Vietnam Limited, said that to fulfil Viet Nam's COP26 commitment of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the Government played an important role in creating momentum including the development of green building materials. The Government needed to quickly transition from a 'voluntary' to a 'regulatory' stance on transparent carbon data for each building material product used in high-rise buildings and public projects, he proposed. In addition, it was necessary to consider mandatory carbon labelling for building materials, implement green financial policies and provide tax incentives for companies investing in technology to reduce direct emissions and indirect emissions, leading to low-carbon products. Agreeing with this view, Dung stressed the need for collaboration between businesses, the Government and the market. There was also a need to establish national criteria for low-emission building materials to serve as a basis for evaluation, certification and investment direction, he added. The Government should also promote a 'green public procurement' mechanism, offering tax, credit or investment incentives to businesses reducing emissions, said Dung. This would be a crucial lever for encouraging innovation and scaling up green production models in the building materials sector, he said. Meanwhile, Sam further emphasised the need for a closely coordinated mechanism between three elements including a policy management system that would provide direction and incentives; proactive business involvement in product improvement and appropriate technology application; and increase in market awareness and legal framework improvement. Nguyen Quang Hiep, Director of Vietnam Institute for Building Materials under the Ministry of Construction, affirmed that optimising energy and materials would be key to achieving the net-zero emissions goal. Strong collaboration between regulatory bodies, research institutes and businesses would create an innovation ecosystem for green building in Viet Nam, he said. VNS TAY NINH Leveraging its position as a gateway linking the Southeast and Mekong Delta regions, Tay Ninh Province is asserting its role as a strategic hub in expanding agricultural supply chains to Muslim markets, especially the Middle East and Africa. The regions have emerged as promising destinations for Vietnamese agricultural exports, particularly Halal-certified products. Unlocking potential from strategic markets With a combined population of over 1.8 billion, mostly Muslims, the Middle East and Africa represent vast potential for Halal products a field in which Viet Nam is asserting capabilities. Agricultural, aquatic and processed food, as well as coffee, cashew nuts, pepper and cassava-based products enjoy high competitiveness in these regions. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Viet Nams trade with Middle Eastern and African partners doubled between 2016 and 2024 to about US$34 billion. However, this remains below potential given the high complementarity between the two sides economies. As a gateway between the Southeast region and the Mekong Delta, Tay Ninh aims to become a key link in the agricultural supply chain to these markets. The province now has 57 Halal-certified enterprises and 48 firms trading through the UAE, with many products already meeting Islamic market standards. According to Huynh Van Phap, Deputy General Director of Thanh Thanh Cong Bien Hoa JSC (TTC AgriS), the company operates a circular agricultural ecosystem with nearly 91,000 hectares of raw material areas across Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia and Australia, and 200,000 hectares under cooperation in Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim nation. TTC AgriS runs 10 modern factories applying international standards such as ISO, HACCP, BRC, Kosher, Organic (the EU and the US), and Halal certification. Nearly 200 products ranging from sugar, rice and banana to pineapple are developed according to global standards. Phap said the company sought to sign MoUs with UAE partners and international Halal organisations to build a fully integrated Halal value chain, from raw materials and processing to logistics and e-commerce, while promoting Tay Ninhs Halal products to Muslim countries. Gabor Fluit, CEO of the Netherlands' De Heus Group, noted Tay Ninhs geographical advantages, which make it a strategic base in Viet Nams agricultural value chain, connecting HCM City with Phnom Penh. The provinces position in the Southern Key Economic Region offers favourable conditions to develop disease-free livestock zones meeting import requirements. He said De Heuss new DHN Tay Ninh 2 and 5 projects, covering 25 hectares each, marked a major step in building a modern livestock value chain in Viet Nam. These Global GAP-standard farms apply high-tech systems to ensure disease control, optimise production and reduce environmental impact through closed, green farm models. Regional linkages key to global reach The Mekong Delta, Viet Nams main agricultural hub, not only ensures national food security but also serves as a gateway for exports to emerging markets beyond Asia. According to La Trong Ky, Vice Director of Can Thos Department of Agriculture and Environment, the city leads the Delta in aquaculture, rice and fruit production, with 93,000 hectares of aquaculture yielding 640,000 tonnes annually, and rice and fruit output exceeding 4 million tonnes and 100,000 hectares respectively. Many local fruits have reached markets in China, Japan, India and Europe. Can Tho has strong potential to become a leading Halal export hub for the Middle East and Africa but Ky called for support in meeting Halal certification costs, standardising production and improving traceability to boost competitiveness. Chau Thi Le, Deputy Director of Tay Ninhs Department of Industry and Trade, said the province ranked ninth nationwide in export turnover, trading with 130 countries and territories. In 2024, total import-export value reached $28 billion, with a $ 3.11 billion trade surplus. Yet trade with the Middle East and Africa remained modest. Tay Ninh aims to become a strategic connector between the Southeast, the Mekong Delta and Cambodia, as well as a safe, transparent and business-friendly investment destination. With its geographic advantages and business-friendly policies, Tay Ninh is well positioned to become an international trade gateway contributing to Viet Nams logistics strategy through 2030. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam is accelerating efforts to build a competitive high-tech ecosystem anchored in artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, as policymakers, industry leaders and research institutions converge on a shared goal of technological self-reliance and global integration. The message was underscored at the conference themed 'AI: Accelerating Viet Nam's High-Tech Manufacturing Ecosystem' held within the SEMIExpo Vietnam 2025, where government agencies and industry executives laid out strategic priorities for infrastructure, talent development and cross-border collaboration. Representing the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ho uc Thang, director of the National Institute of Digital Technology and Digital Transformation, affirmed that Viet Nam is entering a pivotal window of opportunity. "Viet Nam cannot forever remain a follower, using others' technologies," Thang said. "Our aspiration is to gradually rise to master, moving towards autonomy and asserting national digital sovereignty over AI." He said that the Government has formally submitted the draft Law on Artificial Intelligence to the National Assembly, placing Viet Nam among the first countries globally to enact a dedicated AI regulatory framework. The objective, he emphasised, is "not to tighten control, but to create an open, safe legal corridor based on risk management to promote innovation." A core element of the strategy is state-led investment in high-performance computing to secure computational capacity necessary for large-scale AI research and deployment. Thang highlighted that this push for computing infrastructure autonomy directly translates into new commercial opportunities. He added: "We need 'Make in Viet Nam' chips. We need design, packaging and testing solutions mastered by Vietnamese people to build those supercomputers. The development of AI infrastructure is a gigantic order for the domestic semiconductor industry." Industry speakers at the conference examined the practical link between AI adoption and semiconductor manufacturing capacity. A panellist emphasised that the challenge is not talent creation but retaining talent by ensuring domestic roles are positioned at the technological frontier. Data accessibility and integration are also seen as essential to sharpen manufacturing efficiency and product reliability. Ricky Sim, managing director & CEO at Advantest Singapore, said that the industry is still in the early stages of harnessing AIs full potential. "Data is key, data is critical, and it is only with this data that we can improve the quality, the yield, and the functionality of the product," he said A regional strategy for competitiveness Speakers also emphasised that Viet Nam's rise in the semiconductor value chain will be strengthened through deeper cooperation with ASEAN manufacturing ecosystems. With countries in the region contributing complementary strengths in IC design, back-end assembly, materials research and equipment engineering, shared investments could help Southeast Asia compete globally. "ASEAN as a market and a hub could actually compete together worldwide," said Lim Soon, CEO of SSMC Singapore, arguing that Vietnam should leverage regional specialisation while pursuing its semiconductor ambitions. NIC's role in enabling innovation The National Innovation Centre (NIC) outlined ongoing initiatives to link research institutions, enterprises, and foreign partners through technology transfer programmes and investment facilitation. "NIC views close collaboration among government, industry, academia and research institutions as essential to building a globally competitive high-tech ecosystem," said Hoang Trung Hieu, deputy director at NIC, noting the increasing presence of major electronics and semiconductor investors in Viet Nam. He emphasised that AI is transforming production models across Viet Nam's industrial base, from electronics manufacturing to robotics-enabled automated factories. With global estimates projecting AI to add more than USD 15 trillion to the world economy by 2030, Viet Nam is seeking to ensure its manufacturing sector captures part of that value. The country's strategy hinges on synchronised progress across regulation, infrastructure, financial support and human capital. Similarly, Thang reaffirmed that the Government is not only enabling innovation but will also act as a critical early market participant, adding: "The state will be the biggest customer, setting problems large enough and challenging enough to invite the business community, institutes, and universities to join in finding solutions." Speakers agreed that the coming years will be decisive. If Viet Nam can expand its semiconductor ecosystem, scale AI applications across industrial sectors and retain the engineers who develop these technologies, it could shift from a manufacturing destination to a high-tech innovation hub. BIZHUB/VNS By Hoang Ha HA NOI Viet Nam and the Netherlands will promote digital transformation and the use of clean energy in port operations, aiming to build smart, green and carbon-free port models. Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Xuan Sang made these remarks at a workshop titled 'From Dock to Runway' held on November 10 in Ha Noi. The workshop featured discussion sessions on developing smart and green airports and seaports as well as smart and green logistics, with the goal of enhancing bilateral cooperation in sustainable connectivity infrastructure, innovation and energy transition. Experts and delegates attending the event said that developing smart, green seaports and airports will bring economic advantages and create momentum for sustainable growth and green development. Modern transport infrastructure helps optimise economic operations, reduce energy consumption and logistics costs, increase productivity, attract investment and expand trade, thus enhancing a countrys competitiveness in the global supply chain. Applying renewable energy and modern equipment and reducing carbon emissions from aviation and seaport operations will contribute to Viet Nams commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, experts said. Developing green and smart airports and seaports creates high-quality jobs in technology, logistics and environmental engineering. It also improves working conditions and reduces noise and pollution for communities surrounding major infrastructure areas. Representatives from the Dutch business delegation said that the Netherlands has extensive experience in developing sustainable port and aviation infrastructure, especially through models like Rotterdam Port and Schiphol Airport, two global icons of logistics and green operations. Dutch companies offer comprehensive solutions ranging from dredging and infrastructure construction to digitalisation of operations, logistics automation and emissions reduction. The Netherlands' Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Aukje de Vries said that 27 leading Dutch enterprises joined the business delegation visiting Viet Nam from November 10 to 13 to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, particularly in logistics and infrastructure. "They bring world-class expertise in smart port and airport design, in dredging, digital logistics and training," she said. Sang expressed his appreciation for the Netherlands cooperation in developing seaports, aviation and green logistics. He emphasised that the workshop was a valuable opportunity for Viet Nam to learn from international experience and apply advanced technologies to infrastructure management and modern transport operations. According to the deputy minister, cooperation between Viet Nam and the Netherlands in seaports and aviation has been strengthened over many years, forming a solid foundation for connecting seaports, airports, logistics and people. He outlined several priority directions for future cooperation, including development of green and smart seaports and sustainable aviation along with building a multimodal connection model linking seaports, aviation and logistics to form a green infrastructure and innovation ecosystem. The two countries also agreed to promote business networking programmes, encourage research collaboration and technology transfer and support start-ups in green logistics and digital supply chains. At the workshop, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, including an MoU on the extension of cooperation in training and development of maritime workers between the Viet Nam Maritime Administration and STC International. Another MoU on strategic cooperation in logistics was signed by Moovle and Van der Leun Viet Nam, while an MoU on strategic cooperation in developing green technology for the maritime industry was also signed between Damen Shipyards and Xuan Thien Group. The two countries will also boost cooperation in research and planning for smart airports, focusing on applying artificial intelligence (AI), big data and digital technologies in management, operation and air traffic coordination. Collaboration will be enhanced in aviation logistics, especially in cold supply chains, international freight transport and the development of logistics centres. The two sides proposed establishing an annual Viet NamNetherlands Aviation Dialogue Forum to share policies and green standards and promote PPP investment cooperation in the airport sector. As for the integration of seaports, airports and logistics, Sang suggested building a triple-port development model to connect maritime transport, aviation and innovation centres, as discussed by Rotterdam and HCM City. He also recommended increasing business exchanges and connecting Vietnamese logistics start-ups with Dutch corporations and research institutes to foster innovation and digital trade in the supply chain. At the workshop, Hoang Hong Giang, deputy director of the Viet Nam Maritime and Waterways Administration, noted that both Viet Nam and the Netherlands are maritime nations with longstanding seafaring traditions and great potential for cooperation. The Netherlands is among the worlds leading maritime countries, with a modern port system and advanced governance model. Viet Nam is also promoting the development of a synchronised, modern and sustainable seaport system aligned with its national green growth and digital transformation strategy, Giang said. He expressed appreciation for the continued support and partnership of the Dutch government and companies in developing Viet Nams maritime, waterway and transport sectors, and hoped for even broader and more effective cooperation frameworks in the future. Experts from both countries also highlighted the need to expand aviation logistics and to develop logistics centres in Long Thanh, Noi Bai and Chu Lai, areas attracting Dutch investment interest. The Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam proposed organising visits, surveys and exchanges to share experiences in aviation safety and sustainable development. Giang also suggested sharing expertise in applying advanced technologies in the aviation supply chain, such as the Airport Collaborative Decision-Making System and Digital Identification System, to optimise operations and improve the passenger experience. VNS WASHINGTON DC Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held the eighth ministerial-level negotiation on a reciprocal trade agreement between the two countries in Washington D.C, on Monday (local time), ahead of technical discussions scheduled for November 1214. In an open, frank and constructive atmosphere, the two officials exchanged and determined directions for handling major remaining issues, and spent time discussing bilateral trade relations. Greer praised progress made so far, including the two sides adoption of the Joint Statement on a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade, calling it an important step towards completing the negotiations. He also commended Viet Nam's systematic and pragmatic approach in addressing the US's proposals and acknowledged the constructive spirit of the Vietnamese delegation. For his part, Dien reaffirmed Viet Nam's determination to build a balanced and sustainable trade relationship with the US. He said finalising the reciprocal trade pact would help reinforce bilateral cooperation beyond trade, in line with the two countries Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Dien mentioned measures Viet Nam has taken to boost bilateral trade and proposed several steps to accelerate the negotiation process. He also urged both sides to maintain a flexible and practical approach for the practical interests of both sides. Greer welcomed the proposals and asked the US technical team to study them further for follow-up discussions with Viet Nam. Both sides agreed that the ministerial session was a key milestone in dealing with the pending issues so as to soon finalise an agreement on reciprocal trade that would deliver tangible benefits for both countries. Earlier in late October, the two countries have reached a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade on the occasion of US President Donald Trump's and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs attendance at the 47th ASEAN Summit and related summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. According to the joint statement, Viet Nam will provide preferential market access for substantially all US industrial and agricultural exports to Viet Nam. The US will maintain at 20 per cent the reciprocal tariffs, as outlined in Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, as amended, on originating goods of Viet Nam, and will also identify products from the list set out in Annex III to Executive Order 14346 of September 5, 2025, Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners, to receive a zero per cent reciprocal tariff rate. The US and Viet Nam have also committed to address and prevent barriers to US agricultural products in the Vietnamese market, including with regard to US regulatory oversight and acceptance of currently agreed certificates issued by US regulatory authorities. VNA/VNS AN GIANG Forestry and wildlife officials have discovered 191 green iguanas (Iguana iguana) of unknown origin at an unlicensed facility in An Giang Province accused of illegally breeding the animals. The Department of Forestry and Forest Rangers under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the Regional Forest Ranger Division 3, found the iguanas during a special inspection campaign last month. Conducted from October 21 to 30, the inspection campaign was part of a wider effort by the Department of Forestry and Forest Rangers and relevant agencies to combat wildlife trafficking and protect aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity. During the operation, a special task force of forest rangers inspected a wildlife breeding facility located in Binh Thanh Hamlet, Thoai Son Commune. The team found 191 live reptiles initially identified as green iguanas, a species listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which means international trade of these creatures must go through special process. The species itself is not yet endangered, but could face a population decline if international trade and breeding are not strictly regulated. Any trade, transport or captive breeding of such species requires official permits and proof of lawful origin. Authorities said the facility owner failed to present any documents proving the legal origin of the animals or a valid licence for wildlife breeding, as required by law. During questioning, the owner admitted to having purchased the iguanas in 2023 from an individual known only as Tam, then proceeding to breed and sell them. In addition to illegal breeding, the owner had also posted photos and videos of the animals on Facebook and TikTok to advertise and sell them without authorisation from relevant authorities. Following the inspection, the task force recorded the violation and transferred the case to the An Giang Provincial Forest Ranger Division for further investigation. All 191 iguanas were listed as administrative violation evidence, and were temporarily transferred to the Hon Me Wildlife Rescue Station in An Giang for proper care and monitoring while the case is under investigation. The violator has also been ordered to remove all related images and videos from social media platforms. The Department of Forestry and Forest Rangers has instructed the An Giang Forest Ranger Division to intensify inspections of local wildlife farms, transport routes and breeding facilities to detect, prevent and strictly handle similar violations. The agency has also encouraged more public awareness campaigns to educate communities and wildlife breeders on legal requirements for the management and protection of wild species. Authorities emphasised the importance of verifying legal documentation and origin for all captive-bred animals, as well as monitoring the potential spread of invasive alien species. Native to the tropical regions of Central and South America, the green iguana is known for its docile temperament and adaptability to captivity. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese flavours stole the spotlight at the recent 15th Multicultural Cuisine Contest in Seoul, where Viet Nam's team clinched first prize with a creative fusion of traditional and Korean tastes. Organised by the Yongsan Family Centre, the annual event celebrates the districts cultural diversity, bringing together communities from around the world. This years theme, Global Flavours Meet Korean Taste, reflected Yongsans vibrant multicultural identity, a district shaped by decades of international influence, home to Seouls largest mosque and the cosmopolitan neighbourhood of Itaewon. Teams from seven countries - Viet Nam, China, Japan, the Philippines, India, Mexico, and Nigeria - competed to create dishes that blend their national cuisines with Korean ingredients such as kimchi, soy sauce, gochujang (chili paste), and doenjang (soybean paste). The Vietnamese team won over the judges with their summer rolls and rainbow fried rice, securing the top prize. Mexico and China took second and third place, respectively. Expressing delight after the victory, members of the Vietnamese team said the contest was not only a chance to share Viet Nam's culinary heritage but also to strengthen cultural exchange and friendship among nations. Beyond the cooking competition, visitors also enjoyed a variety of interactive cultural experiences, from trying on traditional costumes to playing folk games from the participating countries, transforming the event into a lively celebration of global unity through food. VNA/VNS HA NOI Bookings by Russian tourists to Viet Nam and Thailand have risen over the past week, and are expected to extend through AprilMay next year, according to the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI). The RUTIs report announced recently indicates that no tours are expected to be canceled in the near future; instead, travel demand is rising sharply, especially ahead of the school holidays. According to the report, major resorts in Viet Nam have quickly stabilised following Typhoon Kalmaegi. Andrey Podkolzin, Director of Public Relations of the ITM Group, noted that the situation is under control, with residents and authorities swiftly addressing the storms aftermath. During the typhoon, tourists were not affected as local authorities had promptly provided information, enabling both locals and visitors to take timely precautions, he said. Travel companies in both Viet Nam and Thailand confirmed that the weather has had little to no impact on tourists vacations. VNA/VNS HA NOI Brushstrokes of history come together this week as a special exhibition opens at the Viet Nam National Fine Arts Museum (VNFAM) in the centre of Ha Noi, showcasing 150 artworks from collections of the Viet Nam University of Fine Arts (VNUFA) and the museum. As part of a series of activities celebrating the 100th anniversary of the VNUFA, the university in collaboration with the museum organises the exhibition titled '100 Years of Modern Fine Arts Collections of the Viet Nam University of Fine Arts and the Viet Nam National Fine Arts Museum.' This marks the first time in 100 years of formation and development that the artworks of lecturers and students spanning generations, from the time of the Indochina School of Fine Arts (ISFA) to the VNUFA today, have been brought together in a single exhibition, according to a statement from the exhibition's organising board. The exhibition, which is scheduled to take place across the two floors of the museum at 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ha Noi from November 14 to November 22, stands as a key event in the programme celebrating the centenary of the VNUFA. It offers the public a new perspective on modern Vietnamese art, tracing the artistic education journey through the creative works of students from secondary to masters level, as well as those of faculty members from various periods, all preserved in the university's and museum's collections. The artists, through their creations, collectively generate the sweet harmonies of colour and form, of emotion, intellect, and the pioneering spirit that shaped modern Vietnamese fine arts deeply imbued with national identity, the statement said. The artworks displayed at the event include paintings, sculptures and reliefs as well as contributions from the A&V Foundation and the family of the late artist Ngo Manh Lan. They are characterised by diversity in media and richness in form, collectively narrating the most complete story possible of the university's educational journey. Most of the paintings and sculptures from the universitys and museums collections on display at the event have rarely or never been publicly exhibited. The organisers hope that the exhibition will offer fascinating and engaging experiences and establish a 'fresh perspective on the genesis of modern Vietnamese fine arts' a viewpoint linking the university and the museum. Furthermore, it is anticipated to evoke beautiful memories for the generations of lecturers and students who have traversed this journey. Since the opening of its first course in November 1925, the Indochina School of Fine Arts, now the VNUFA and a pioneering institution of academic art training in Indochina, has become the cradle of generations of talented artists and researchers who have made significant contributions to the formation of modern Vietnamese fine arts. The history of art education at the VNUFA can be divided into two significant periods: 1925-1945 and from 1945 to the present, each marked by distinct sub-phases. Every period bears its own characteristics, closely connected to the historical, social and ideological context of the nation. Across both periods: 1925-1945 and 1945 to the present, the schools curriculum has been continuously refined to reflect artistic progress, respond to social needs and meet the challenges of each historical moment. This enduring continuity underscores the inseparable bond between Ecole des Beaux-Arts de lIndochine (ISFA) and the VNUFA. It also highlights their central role in shaping modern Vietnamese fine arts and their dedication to serving the nation over a century-long journey. In 1955, the school returned to its historic address at 42 Yet Kieu Street, opening a new chapter with the class named after To Ngoc Van, in tribute to the artist, rector and educator who devoted his life to teaching, creation and the advancement of modern Vietnamese art. Over time, the institution has carried several names: Viet Nam College of Fine Arts (19551981), Ha Noi University of Fine Arts (19812008), and the Viet Nam University of Fine Arts since 2008. OVIETNAM/VNS HA NOI National Assembly (NA) deputies on Monday agreed on the necessity of promulgating the Law on Population, proposing that all women with two children, regardless of age, should be eligible for population policy benefits. The proposal is seen as a key measure to help Viet Nam maintain its replacement fertility rate. The discussion took place during a plenary session of the 15th NAs 10th meeting, under the chairmanship of NA Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh, who also presided over deliberations on the draft Law on Disease Prevention. In her opening remarks, Thanh urged NA deputies to focus their comments on several major issues under the draft Population Law, including maintaining the replacement fertility rate, reducing gender imbalance at birth and developing policies to adapt to population ageing. For the draft Law on Disease Prevention, she asked NA deputies to evaluate whether the proposed provisions align with the Partys guidelines, particularly for breakthrough, strategic measures and ensuring consistency and coordination with other relevant laws and international treaties. She also emphasised the need to assess resource feasibility and the capacity of local health systems, especially in ethnic and mountainous areas. During the discussion, Deputy To Van Tam from Quang Ngai Province expressed his support for the necessity of enacting the Population Law. Commenting on Article 13 of the draft, which states that women who have two children before the age of 35 are eligible for financial support, he said the wording could be understood to exclude women who give birth after 35 from receiving such support. We believe this provision should be reviewed carefully, Tam said. It may be intended to encourage childbirth at reproductive age to ensure a future population, but as it stands, it remains somewhat unreasonable. He proposed revising the clause to ensure that financial and policy support applies to all women who have two children, without an age restriction. Tam also suggested expanding participation in population policy implementation. While current regulations assign primary responsibility to State authorities, he proposed involving employers in agencies, organisations and enterprises, who would also help support and create favourable conditions for workers to fulfil population policy goals. Referring to prohibited acts listed in Clause 4, Article 16, which bans coercing, forcing, encouraging, persuading, or advising abortion for reasons of sex selection, he called for clearer wording, stressing that all forms of coercion or compulsion must be strictly prohibited. Sharing her views on the draft Law on Disease Prevention, Deputy Tran Khanh Thu from Hung Yen Province said the latest draft incorporated more scientific and practical provisions. Notably, it added a clause on periodic health check-ups and health screening, consistent with international health regulations. She said the draft comprehensively summarised the States preventive health policies, including the modernisation of the preventive healthcare system as stated in Clause 4, Article 3. However, she proposed clarifying the roles and responsibilities of commune-level health centres to enhance implementation effectiveness. Thu also recommended adding a principle to Clause 2, Article 34, ensuring that all citizens have equal access to nutrition and food to achieve optimal health. She emphasised the importance of promoting rational and locally appropriate nutrition practices to improve health, reduce disease burden and enhance the physical and intellectual capacity of the Vietnamese population. As for mental health, she welcomed the drafts inclusion of early detection and community-based management, describing it as a positive and forward-looking step towards comprehensive healthcare. Still, she recommended that the law specify key risk factors to help identify target groups and guide the design of preventive interventions. At a press conference on November 7, Le Thanh Dung, Director General of the General Department of Population under the Ministry of Health, announced that Viet Nam would be the first country in the world to develop and adopt a Population Law. According to Dung, the law will establish a comprehensive and unified legal framework to institutionalise the Partys guidelines and policies on population, address existing limitations and meet the demands of population and development work in the new era. The draft law was developed by inheriting and revising the 2003 Ordinance on Population, retaining 10 articles, amending one and abolishing 26 to better align with current realities. The Ministry of Health has also added 15 new provisions covering communication, advocacy and education on population issues; adjustments to population size, structure and distribution; and measures to ensure the effective implementation of population policies, among other topics. VNS HA NOI Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Xuan Sang held talks with Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Aukje de Vries in Ha Noi on Monday, aiming to deepen Viet NamNetherlands cooperation in the maritime and aviation sectors. During the talks, Sang underlined that with the long-standing diplomatic relations and strong partnership between the two countries, as well as Viet Nams ongoing integration and development needs, there remains huge potential for further cooperation in various sectors, particularly transport and construction. In aviation, Viet Nam and the Netherlands have signed an air transport agreement and its amended protocol, and both are parties to the ASEANEU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement. However, no airlines currently operate direct flights between the two countries despite the growing market potential. Passenger traffic between Viet Nam and the Netherlands reached over 122,000 last year, and by the third quarter of this year had recovered to 86 per cent of last years level. Sang proposed that the Netherlands support airlines from both sides to soon launch a direct Viet NamNetherlands route. He also called for closer cooperation in providing air traffic management and airport operation equipment. In the maritime and inland waterway sector, Viet Nam and the Netherlands signed an agreement on the mutual recognition of seafarers' certificates of competency under the STCW Convention in 2002. They also signed an agreement between Viet Nam's group of inland waterway transport regulators and partners, and the Partners for International Business Programme Viet NamNetherlands Waterborne Partnership (PIB VINWAP) to enhance cooperation in the fields of inland waterways, maritime transport, and port development for the 2019-2020 period, sponsored by the Dutch Government. The Deputy Minister stressed that Viet Nam, as a coastal nation with significant potential for seaport development, can greatly benefit from cooperation with the Netherlands, a world leader in maritime transport and inland waterway systems. He invited Dutch investors to explore opportunities in major seaports such as Lach Huyen, Cai Mep-Thi Vai, Lien Chieu, and Tran e, while urging Dutch support in human resource training for the maritime and aviation sectors. He also called for experience sharing in developing green and smart seaports and promoting clean fuel use in waterway transport. Viet Nam identifies infrastructure development, institutional reform, and human resource development as three strategic breakthroughs, with transport infrastructure serving as a key pillar. Currently, the railway, maritime, and aviation sectors are receiving major investment priorities. Sang expressed his hope that the Netherlands would continue supporting Viet Nam and work closely with it at international forums such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). For her part, Minister Aukje de Vries highlighted the growing economic ties between the two countries, noting that Viet Nam has become one of the Netherlands largest trading partners in Asia, while the Netherlands remains the leading EU investor in Viet Nam. She said many Dutch enterprises are keen to expand investment, particularly in logistics, seaports, and aviation. Dutch businesses are ready to invest in Viet Nam, including at the Lien Chieu Port and industrial zones, she said, expressing her hope that bilateral cooperation will continue to flourish, contributing to the development of both nations. At the meeting, both sides discussed specific cooperation opportunities in shipbuilding, port development, and training, agreeing to maintain active dialogue to accelerate joint projects in the maritime and aviation sectors in the near future. VNA/VNS VIENNA Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations and other international organisations in Vienna, has reaffirmed Viet Nam's consistent stance of supporting countries in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, alongside strict compliance with safety measures and the standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Addressing the 65th session of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in Vienna, Austria from November 10-12, Hoang affirmed that Vietnam strongly supports the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), saying it is an important pillar of the global disarmament and non-proliferation regime. The ambassador highlighted Viet Nam's upcoming role as Chair of the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT RevCon 2026) in New York and the country's commitment to promoting balance, building consensus, and linking NPT processes with complementary mechanisms such as the CTBT. Viet Nam's designated chair will consult with regional groups in Vienna on November 24-25, he noted. Hoang also mentioned CTBTO Executive Secretary Floyd's visit to Viet Nam and participation in the East Asia regional workshop on National Data Centres (NDC) held by the Ministry of Science and Technology in August 2025. The visit contributed to enhancing Viet Nam's technical capacity and advancing regional cooperation in CTBT monitoring and verification. He stressed that technical support, training, and capacity-building programmes could be directly affected if CTBTO budgets are reduced. He urged that cost-saving measures should not disrupt these support activities, particularly for developing countries. The ambassador further stressed Viet Nam's commitment to close coordination with the CTBTO and member states to promote multilateralism, ensure geographic balance, increase participation of women and youth, and contribute to the shared goal of a world free of nuclear testing. The meeting reviewed reports from the Executive Secretary on treaty implementation, activities of the International Monitoring System (IMS), the Global Communications Infrastructure (GCI), and the International Data Centre (IDC), as well as budget, governance, and resource issues to ensure CTBTO operations stay on track. In his opening remarks, CTBTO Executive Secretary Robert Floyd stressed that the current complex geopolitical landscape and intense great power competition require the international community to continue affirming its commitment to preventing all nuclear tests and maintaining the CTBTs global monitoring system. The session also reviewed the CTBTOs 2026-2027 programme and budget, which have been adjusted to increase efficiency and minimise costs while prioritising resources to sustain the IMS and enhance the IDCs data analysis capabilities. Floyd cautioned that budget cuts or delays could increase operational risks for the IMS, compromise data quality, and limit future responsiveness. He called on member states to contribute fully and on time and suggested using a portion of the 202223 budget to support the IMS. VNA/VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has expressed his hope that Lao Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Phosay Sayasone will continue close coordination with Viet Nam to further deepen the special relationship between the two countries, ensuring increasingly practical and effective cooperation between the relevant ministries. At a reception in Ha Noi on Tuesday for the Lao official and delegation, who are on a working trip to Viet Nam and attending the 9th Viet NamLaos ministerial conference on labour, the PM voiced his delight that the unique cooperation between the two neighbours has continued to grow strongly and substantively. Both sides have actively implemented the commitments reached by their high-ranking leaders, achieving significant results across all fields, including politicsdiplomacy, defencesecurity, economy, labour, human resources development, and health. The Government leader underlined that the great friendship, special solidarity, and deep mutual trust between Viet Nam and Laos hold even greater significance amid the current volatile regional and global geopolitical environment and economic challenges. He affirmed that this relationship is irreplaceable and must be further nurtured, stressing Viet Nam will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Laos and provide the utmost support within its capacity for the latters sustainable development. For his part, Sayasone said the Vietnamese Ministry of Home Affairs (previously the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs) and the Lao Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare have enjoyed a strong partnership, sharing experience in building and implementing laws and policies related to labour market development, social insurance, management of foreign workers, overseas employment, and services for people with meritorious contributions. He noted that the two ministries also worked closely during Laos ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2024, with Viet Nam actively supporting the Lao initiatives on labour and social affairs. During this visit, the two ministers held productive talks, reaching consensus on many key areas of labour cooperation. Commending the bilateral cooperation results, PM Chinh called on the two ministries to continue building on their achievements and strengthening coordination. Focus should be put on collaboration and mutual support in workforce training, vocational education, employment, social protection, policies for people with meritorious service, and poverty reduction. The two sides, he suggested, should develop new orientations for Viet NamLaos cooperation in labour and national contributor affairs suited to the evolving context, paving the way for the signing of an agreement in this field to deepen and expand collaboration in the areas within their remit. He also encouraged maintaining and enhancing the existing cooperation mechanisms, together with increasing information exchange, policy dialogue, and strategy research, particularly on emerging issues in a constantly changing world. Informing the Lao minister that Viet Nam is building 248 inter-level boarding schools for primary and lower-secondary students in land border communes, many of which are located along the Viet NamLaos frontier, the PM said Viet Nam stands ready to welcome Lao students from border areas to study at these schools. He also requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to strengthen technical cooperation and expert support for Laos in improving legislation and policies related to labour and national contributors. He emphasised the importance of boosting ties in developing competent and dedicated personnel for the Viet NamLaos friendship, assisting Laos to train manpower for the labour sector through regional projects, diversifying training forms, helping with social protection programmes, and fostering cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations. VNA/VNS HA NOI Viet Nam treasures its relations with South Pacific countries, including the Solomon Islands, a nation with an important geostrategic position and abundant maritime resources, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said at his talks with Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka, who is on an official visit to Viet Nam from November 1113. Trung commended the Solomon Islands open foreign policy of befriending all countries and expressed gratitude for its support of Viet Nam's candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 20262028 term, as well as its delegations participation in the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention). The Vietnamese minister proposed enhancing cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, construction materials, and human resource development. He highlighted Viet Nam's commitment to sustainable fisheries and sought greater collaboration with the Solomon Islands, requesting that its government to facilitate the licensing of Vietnamese enterprises to engage in joint fishing operations in the Solomon waters. Viet Nam, in turn, is ready to send experts to support the Solomon Islands in agriculture and fisheries and encourage businesses to invest in seafood processing plants, contributing to sustainable supply and value chains, he added. Both ministers welcomed the continued positive development of the bilateral relations over nearly three decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1996, particularly in close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, including the United Nations. Agovaka praised Viet Nam's rapid socio-economic development and its increasingly important role in the Asia-Pacific region. He said the Solomon Islands is actively expanding relations with partners to achieve sustainable national development and hopes to learn from Viet Nam's experience. The minister also expressed interest in strengthening trade ties, importing key Vietnamese products such as rice and construction materials, and welcomed Vietnamese businesses that have successfully operated in the Solomon Islands. He also expected that Vietnamese enterprises would continue to invest in the Solomon Islands, especially in infrastructure, mining, renewable energy, and battery production. Both ministers agreed to deepen practical cooperation in high-potential sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, construction, tourism, and mining. They highlighted the importance of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding on the framework for bilateral cooperation between the two governments, which will guide future collaboration. They also committed to expediting agreements on visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders and other arrangements, including investment protection, promotion, and double taxation avoidance. On global and regional issues, the ministers noted that the international situation has witnesses increasingly complex developments while multilateralism and multilateral institutions have faced challenges, and resource constraints have affected progress on global agendas such as sustainable development and climate change, which are important for both countries. They reaffirmed shared support for multilateralism, international law, and the role of the UN and regional organisations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Agovaka praised Viet Nam's proactive role in ASEAN and the region and welcomed the blocs expanding engagement with South Pacific countries, expressing the Solomon Islands interest in becoming an observer of ASEAN. Both ministers also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight, and respecting international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). VNA/VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has demanded that the problems of the European Commission (EC)'s particular concern must be thoroughly addressed within one week so that the "yellow card" warning over illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is lifted this year. He made the request while chairing the 21st meeting of the National Steering Committee for IUU fishing combat on Tuesday. The weekly meeting was connected with 21 coastal provinces and cities via teleconferencing. The PM emphasised that combating IUU fishing is crucial for the nations dignity, reputation, and interests. It requires a determined approach that combines education and management while ensuring citizens long-term livelihoods, he said, asking for close coordination among ministries, sectors, agencies, and localities in the fight, and consolidation of reports on the issues of the EC's concern. A report delivered at the session showed that following the PM's conclusions at the 20th meeting, relevant sides maintained high focus on the month-long IUU fishing crackdown. Many tasks showed positive progress week by week, and many key duties were completed on schedule. Ministries and localities completed 31 of 66 tasks (up eight from the previous week), and they are implementing the 35 remainders as planned. Local authorities coordinated with relevant forces to establish specialised task forces for patrolling, monitoring, and handling vessels violating foreign waters; integrated the vessel monitoring database with the seafood traceability system; accelerated investigation of IUU violations; reviewed vessels to update the VnEID; and addressed organisations and individuals involved in document falsification. Vessel management and fishing activity monitoring improved markedly 99.9 per cent of nearly 80,000 fishing vessels are now registered in the national fisheries database. Local authorities classified ineligible vessels and handed over them to local governments and forces for management and fishing prevention. Law enforcement in IUU fishing also progressed. Eight out of 22 localities finished resolving outstanding administrative violations related to vessel monitoring system (VMS) disconnections or boundary breaches. Legal proceedings against two new criminal cases involving two defendants were initiated, raising the total from October 1 to November 7, to 23 cases with 31 individuals. The PM noted that anti-IUU efforts have shown better results week by week. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with incomplete vessel management, ineffective handling of VMS disconnections, unintegrated resident, vessel, and fisheries data, and unfinished revisions to the decree on fisheries-related penalties. PM Chinh underlined that heads of ministries and localities bear full responsibility for any recurrence of violations or delays in removing the "yellow card". He instructed a concentrated effort during the month-long crackdown to end catch-at-all-cost practices and promote responsible and traceable fishing. He set the immediate target of addressing the ECs special concerns right within next week, focusing on unregistered vessels, ineligible vessels, VMS-disconnected ones, and strict seafood origin control. Ministries, agencies, and localities must disseminate the PM's stance to all officials and Party members, he noted, reaffirming the commitment to combating IUU fishing and removing the EC "yellow card" in 2025. Relevant parties must seriously implement the resolutions, directives, and instructions of the Party and Government, including the PM's Decision No. 2310/QD-TTg (dated October 17, 2025) on the month-long IUU fishing crackdown and sustainable fisheries development, along with the inter-agency coordination regulations. All fisheries databases, including Vnfishbase, administrative violation handling, VMS data, and the electronic catch documentation and traceability system (eCDT), must be updated accurately and systematically, he stressed. He also assigned specific tasks to certain ministries and units, with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the Ministry of National Defence, ordered to immediately implement the inter-agency coordination regulations. The coastal provinces and cities must monitor closely, lead decisively, and implement comprehensive anti-IUU fishing measures, ensuring no violations undermine efforts to remove the "yellow card". Weekly updates of high-risk vessels must be maintained. The 14 localities yet to resolve VMS disconnection and boundary breach violations must complete the work by November 16, 2025, with relevant collectives and individuals held accountable, he asked. The Government leader also requested all localities to promptly complete the 19 ongoing tasks, fully update fisheries databases, and strictly penalise violating vessels. Meanwhile, associations and enterprises must not purchase, process, or export IUU-linked seafood, while encouraging members and fishermen to comply with regulations and promote sustainable fisheries, the PM urged. VNA/VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception in Ha Noi on Tuesday for Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka who is on a three-day official visit to Viet Nam. PM Chinh conveyed greetings from Party General Secretary To Lam and Vietnamese leaders to senior leaders of the Solomon Islands. He welcomed Agovakas first official visit to Viet Nam, marking the highest-level visit between the two countries since establishing diplomatic relations in 1996, and expressed confidence that it will usher in a new, dynamic, and substantive phase in bilateral relations. Recalling the positive outcomes of his meeting with Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele on June 9 during the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) in Nice, France, PM Chinh proposed increasing visits at the high-level and all levels, establishing consultation mechanisms between relevant ministries, and promoting people-to-people exchanges to enhance mutual understanding. He also welcomed the Solomon Islands PM's plan to visit Vietnam in the near future. The Government leader emphasised that the two countries should expand cooperation in the fields of trade, education, healthcare, and transport infrastructure, and encourage businesses to invest in mutually advantageous sectors such as agriculture, maritime and fisheries cooperation, and renewable energy. PM Chinh announced that Viet Nam will soon send a delegation to explore investment opportunities in the Solomon Islands, particularly in local fishing and processing facilities and seafood exports. The PM also proposed signing agreements to facilitate travel of people between the two countries, starting with an agreement on visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and official passports, and increasing flights connecting Viet Nam and the Pacific island nations. Conveying greetings from PM Jeremiah Manele to the host, Agovaka highlighted the Solomon Islands recognition of Viet Nam's role in the Asia-Pacific region, praising the resilience of the Vietnamese people in overcoming challenges to achieve one of the highest growth rates globally. He noted the many commonalities between the two countries and the potential for mutual support and learning in development. Hailing the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Cooperation Framework between the governments of Viet Nam and the Solomon Islands during this visit, Agovaka described it as an important foundation for expanding collaboration in promising sectors. He requested Viet Nam's support in human resources training and technical development in fisheries and agriculture, expressed interest in importing rice and raw materials from Viet Nam, and affirmed his commitment to facilitating Vietnamese investment in potential projects in the Solomon Islands. The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and mutual support in regional and international forums, particularly at the United Nations, and to contribute to effective and substantive cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) for sustainable development of the regions. VNA/VNS AN GIANG Farmers in An Giang Province adopting the organic rice-shrimp farming model are earning higher incomes and becoming more resilient to climate change and saltwater intrusion up rivers. The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province has around 107,000ha under the model, mainly in the U Minh Thuong region. Under this system, farmers alternate between breeding aquatic species, mainly shrimp, in the dry season and growing rice in the rainy season on the same fields to Vietnamese good agricultural practices (VietGAP) and organic standards. Nguyen Thanh ien, who owns a 1ha rice-shrimp field in ong Hoa Commune, said: My family applies organic and biosecure methods for both rice and aquaculture, so our output is stable. Shrimp, crabs and rice produced under the model fetch higher prices than traditional products, bringing in over VN100 million (US$3,800) per hectare a year and ensuring a steady livelihood. The model helps farmers adapt to climate change, improves soil fertility and structure, enhances nutrient absorption, and reduces salt and alum toxicity. ong Hoa Commune has some 27,000ha of riceshrimp farms, including 1,300ha grown to organic standards under contracts with enterprises. Farmers there achieve yields of six to seven tonnes of rice and two to three tonnes of black tiger shrimp per hectare every year, earning VN100130 million ($3,8004,900) per hectare annually, nearly twice the income from traditional farming. The models high-quality products meet domestic and export demand, with many areas certified as organic, helping build the ong Hoa riceshrimp brand. Nguyen Van Khanh, director of the Thanh An ShrimpCrabRice Co-operative, said: Our co-operative has 450ha of rice certified as organic and eligible for export, and 800ha of shrimp certified under the Aquaculture Stewardship Council this year. Since partnering with enterprises for organic rice and clean shrimp farming, our members have changed their farming mindset, following strict technical processes that meet export standards. Most importantly, they now feel secure with reliable markets. Nguyen Van Truong, head of ong Hoa Communes economic bureau, said the province plans to expand the rice-shrimp model in line with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environments project on Sustainable Development of One Million Hectares of High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice Associated with Green Growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030. This will help farmers better adapt to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, raise incomes, and contribute to green agricultural growth. Many farmers in the province have signed farming contracts with enterprises through co-operatives and co-operative groups. In An Minh Commune, farmer Vo Van No grows organic ST25 rice on 3.5ha under a sales contract and also farms white-legged and black-tiger shrimps and giant river prawns, harvesting over two tonnes of shrimp and 20 tonnes of rice a year, earning in excess of VN220 million ($8,400) overall. Joining the Nga Bat Agricultural Service Co-operative in An Minh Commune had helped him cut costs by 12 per cent and also increase productivity, he said. The co-operative guides and trains farmers to apply VietGAP standards for rice and aquaculture, and signs contracts with seed and input suppliers meeting strict quality standards. This makes the model more efficient and stable, without relying on middlemen as before. An Giang aims to stabilise riceshrimp farming areas at 117,300ha by 2030, according to its Department of Agriculture and Environment. Le Huu Toan, the departments director, said: To achieve this goal, we are converting low-yield rice fields to rice-shrimp farms and developing the model in regions affected by saltwater intrusion [up rivers]. The province is promoting technology applications and restructuring production along the value chain from seed and inputs to farming, processing and distribution. Enterprises play a key role in ensuring stable output, traceability and competitiveness for rice-shrimp products, and An Giang is strengthening co-operatives linked with them, building brands and geographical indications for regional specialities and targeting exports to enhance agricultural value. VNS HCM CITY Doctors at the Cho Ray Hospital, the largest general medical facility in HCM City, has successfully coordinated different hospitals to retrieve and transplant organs for 12 patients from two brain-dead donors in just three days, from November 7 to 9. Its coordinators included the National Lung Hospital in Ha Noi, the Ba Ria General Hospital, the Hue Central Hospital, and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in HCM City. Notably, this is the first time the Cho Ray Hospital has successfully performed a lung transplant from donated organs, and it is also the first brain-dead donor lung transplant case in the southern region. Pham Thanh Viet, Deputy Director in charge of management and operations at the Cho Ray Hospital, stated that on November 5, the hospital received a brain-dead case due to a household accident. Six organs were removed from this person and transplanted into six patients, including one heart transplant, one lung transplant, and two kidney transplants performed at the Cho Ray Hospital. Additionally, two corneas were sent to the Hue Central Hospital for transplantation to two other patients. Among these organ transplants, the Cho Ray Hospital performed its first lung transplant with the assistance of two experts from South Korea and the 108 Central Military Hospital. Nguyen Hoang Binh, Head of the Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Ward, noted that before performing the first lung transplant, the hospital had sent personnel to learn transplant techniques in South Korea and the 108 Central Military Hospital. The hospital also procured equipment to prepare for lung transplantation. Immediately upon receiving the brain-dead donor case, doctors began the first lung transplant surgery. The recipient was a 39-year-old male patient with pulmonary fibrosis, requiring continuous oxygen therapy, unable to eat, and whose condition was worsening without lung replacement. After the transplant, he is being closely monitored and treated intensively. Binh said technically, the lung transplant was not overly complicated, but the greatest difficulty lies in post-transplant monitoring and treatment. Especially in lung transplantation, ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) plays a crucial role, as the transplant could not be performed without it. The hospital had a strong team proficient in ECMO, which enabled the successful completion of the first lung transplant, he said. Right after completing the organ transplants from this brain-dead donor, the hospital received information about another donor case at the Ba Ria General Hospital. Without rest, the organ retrieval teams at the Cho Ray Hospital immediately set out to perform the task in time. From this donor, doctors retrieved a heart and two kidneys, which were brought to the Cho Ray Hospital for transplantation into three patients. Among these, lungs were sent to the National Lung Hospital in Ha Noi; the liver was split, with one half transplanted to a patient at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in HCM City and the other half transported to the Hue Central Hospital. Thanks to smooth coordination between the national carrier Vietnam Airlines and the HCM City Traffic Police, the donated organs were expeditiously and safely transported from the Ba Ria General Hospital to units across the three regions of the country. Du Thi Ngoc Thu, Head of the Organ Transplant Coordination Unit at the Cho Ray Hospital, said that when receiving two consecutive organ donor cases, hospital leadership instructed relevant units to form multiple teams working synchronously to quickly and safely perform the organ retrieval and transplantation. Doctors worked continuously day and night, including weekends, to promptly receive these precious gifts from the two donors, and the critical stage of organ preservation before and after transplantation was conducted with the greatest sense of urgency to ensure the donated organs were transplanted in the best possible condition. The success in retrieving and transplanting organs from two consecutive donor cases not only demonstrates professional expertise, dedication and close coordination between medical facilities but also vividly affirms the humanitarian value of organ donation. Especially, the first lung transplant performed at the Cho Ray Hospital marks a continuous advancement in the medical expertise of the hospital's doctors, opening an important milestone in organ donation and transplantation in the southern region. VNS